#they were fine when she was going to the nail salon and the gym but how am i supposed to take her seriously on a world saving

[sidemenxyn]

Being w3s assistant for 24 hours (Calfreezy’s video)

Tw: language, slight harassment and I believe that’s it!

w2s x Y/n Willows

–—–

“Welcome to another video, today we are going to be surprising Y/n by being her assistant for 24 hours.” Cal spoke. His cameraman followed him as he walked towards your office.

Knocking on the door he heard you beckon him in, opening the door you spun in your comfy sidemen chair and saw Cal with his cameraman Harry (gfilm). You smiled “hey guys, what’s up?” Cal asked “for my video can I be your assistant for 24 hours?” You raised an eyebrow and asked “my assistant?” He nodded, you beamed “ok!” Cal turned and gave the camera a thumbs up.

Callum asked “so got anything I could do?” You thought for a moment then responded “yeah, could you do me a favour- well two favours. First being, could you go to Starbucks and get me a cheese toasty with a iced coffee. You two can get something if you want and then on your way back to my office can you get a hoodie of Harry’s? Any hoodie.” He smiled “yes boss, we’ll be back!”. “Ok bye!” You smiled as they left you office to go do his first job.

After some time you had finished editing the video, by the time you’d finished Cal and his cameraman had came back. Cal handed you Harry’s hoodie you thanked “thank you, did you guys get anything?” Cal answered “only a frappe” you nodded as he waited for you to put on Harry’s hoodie. Once you did, he handed you the toasty and your drink. Thanking him again he then asked “what’s next?” You replied “if you want you could go through the video I just finished editing. You know I like yours and Harry’s opinions on my editing.” He smiled and nodded. You left him and Harry (gfilm) to watch your video you were going to post.

Walking into the living room, you spotted Harry sitting there on his phone. So you walked over and sat next to him. You smiled “Hey, love” he gave you a kiss on the cheek and said “Hey, aren’t you filming with Cal?” You nodded and said “he’s being my assistant for 24 hours so I got him watching my new video I’m due to post.” He nodded and asked “can I watch it before you post?” You beamed “of course, you know I’ll show you before I post it.” He smiled and placed his arm around your waist.

After some time, Cal came into the living room and said “all done, it’s good nothing needs to be changed.” You smiled. He asked “is there anything else I can do for you?” You looked at your Apple Watch and spoke “you can come with me to get my nails done and run a few errands. That’s if you want to though.” He nodded, “course, let’s go.” You gave Harry a kiss and went to put your shoes on.

Getting into your car, you and the two boys buckled up. Harry (gfilm) starts to record again. As you were driving through the streets of London, Cal asked “so what are you getting done? Like what nails?” You replied “look on my phone, go on Pinterest and look at the most recent photo.” He did as he was told and complemented the nails and showed the camera. The girls in his comments agreed that the nails were cute too.

Now at the nail salon, you look up at Cal and spoke “if you get bored your both fine to go somewhere to eat or something.” Cal replied “ok, we’ll probably go in a bit.” You nodded and took a seat. Since your friend was the nail tech lady, you and her were catching up on some drama; to which Cal would record his reactions to the drama. You turned to Cal “what do you think she should’ve done?” Cal agreed “she should’ve done what you two were saying, that’s outrageous what she did to that girl.” The spicy drama was just starting as your long nail appointment took a little longer than usual.

As you were walking out of the nail salon, you looked at Cal and asked “when we get back can you do me another favour?” He asked “and that favour is?” You answered “go through my gym clothes and sort them out with me? I need to give some to my friend I told her she can have some.” He nodded.

After that you and the boys headed to M&S, as you walked in Cal asked “what are you getting exactly?” You said “uh, well we need some food for tonight since our food delivery isn’t till tomorrow and I need to find some white shirts for the upcoming sidemen video.” Cal nodded.

As you looked through the men’s shirt, Harry and Cal went over to the snack isle and went to grab some food. As you were looking at shirts some teenage boys approached you “yo, you woretoshaws missus?” You looked over to see some boys dressed in all tech-fleeces. You nodded “can I help you?” He asked “can I get your number?” Some of the boys laughed, you knew that they were immature. You asked “I’m sorry? Didn’t you just ask if I was woretoshaw’s missus?” He nodded “yeah, can I get your number though??” You said “uh no sorry, I have a boyfriend?” You were baffled about the encounter. The other boy spoke “he can do better than w2s, swear.” You shook your head and awkwardly smile. The boy then asked again “so?! Can I get your number, b?” You scoffed “first of I’m not your b, and secondly you all know I am in a relationship, so no sorry.” As the boy spoke Cal and Harry entered the isle.

The boy spoke “are your just being a bitch, give me your number. I can do better than him, swear. You too hit for him.” You gave him a discussed look and spoke “please go away, your being rude and immature.” Cal asked “what’s going on Y/n?” You turned sighing n in relief as you heard Cal. You replied “these boys were wonder if I could give them my number.” Cal raised an eyebrow and spoke “was there need to call her a bitch?” The boy protested “yeah, she isn’t giving me her number.” Cal glanced at Harry making sure he was filming the conversation. Cal spoke “well if she said no, why are you asking still?” The boys kept protesting and in the end the security guards removed the immature boys out of the shop. Cal checked up on you which you were fine.

You looked at Harry and asked “did you get that?” He nodded. You then explained to the two boys and the camera what happened you also looked at the camera and added “if your like those boys please don’t come over to me in public. If you know me I like when people say hi or ask for a photo but don’t be a dick to me, ok?”. Cal was angry at those boys, cause this never happens to you. And cause you and Cal are close he felt the need to protect you. He was like a brother to you, which was cute in your eye.

After your small day out, you three entered the apartment. You texted Harry beforehand asking if he was filming which he wasn’t. You call out “Harry?!” He called back “yeah?!” You walked into the kitchen to see him sat at the booth with his laptop in front of him. You said “you’d never guess what happened at fucking M&S?!” He raised an eyebrow “what happened.” You explain everything and then Harry showed your boyfriend the video clip. Harry was annoyed at that, he hated these type of people. He never liked interacting with people while he was doing everyday tasks. So to see this frustrated him.

As Harry was editing a video, you were sat in the bed with Cal. Cal would hold up a piece of gym clothing and you’d say keep or give depending on the item of clothing. Cal held up a blue pair of cycling shorts, you couldn’t remember if you had worn them the other day. You looked at Harry and asked “Harry? Did I wear them last week?” He turn in his chair and looked at the shorts Cal held up. He replied “yeah, you getting rid of them?” You shook your head “oh no, they are my good shorts.” You remember as you saw the small logo on the inside of the waist band. Harry smirked and said “good.” Making a little joke there for you to giggle at and Cal made a grossed out face. You then bridging out with laughter.

It was now evening, meaning dinner was around the corner. So you got Cal to help you out, along with Harry. So all three roommates helped cook dinner for the night. And to say it was delicious was an understatement.

So after dinner, you decided to stream. Leaving Cal to have his own time, after a while Cal and Harry got bored so as the ‘best’ roommates they were; they went to your room and have gave your peaceful and loving stream, some energy. They were cracking jokes left right and Center while laughing loudly. The stream you were doing was a house decorating video, you were currently making the living room and since the boys were there you asked “what do you think? Should I add some blue to match the green?” The boys moved closer to your pc screen and agreed to add some blue and they also complement you living room “I’d buy that house if I could.” And “you should’ve been a fucking interior designer not a fucking streamer.” Once again your three erupted with laughter.

After the late night stream you all went to bed. And with the next morning you decided to do the outro “so guys, hope you enjoyed me controlling Carl’s video for the day! Like and subscribe have a good day!”

[idy-ll-ique]

a manny and a pedi

pairing: steve rogers x f!reader

genre: fluff, mild angst

warnings: lil bit of violence

requested: by @maximeevansblog

Its almost mine birthday so, a one with Steve, it is the readers birtday and steve is taking the reader to the hair and nail salon, and that night he has a suprise party for the reader and he is nervous that she wont like his gift but she loves his gift

word count: ~1.3k

summary: it was supposed to be "y/n y/l/n, will you marry me?" it was supposed to be romantic. why, then, did it become "that's my fiancée, you fucking asshole!" "your... your what?"

author's note: hiya peeps! okay firstly, happy birthday @maximeevansblog ! hope you have a wonderful birthday! also, im sorry if i changed your prompt a tiny bit, i hope you still like it. enjoy!

masterlist

---

"Hey lover boy, what—"

"Oh Jesus Christ, Barnes!" Steve exclaimed, startled. Bucky laughed and clapped him on the back once. "What are you doing here, are you spying?" he teased his best friend, peeking past him to look into the room outside which he found Steve standing. Y/N was inside the room, talking to a guy while holding a bouquet of flowers in her hands.

"Y/N?! Your own girlfriend, Rogers?" Bucky admonished harshly in a whisper, pulling Steve away from the door. "It's not— I trust her completely, honest! It's the guy she's talking to, Manny. I swear to God he's trying to steal her from me—"

"Nobody is stealing me, Rogers, Manny's just a friend! No ulterior motives, he has already promised like a thousand times," Steve heard behind him and whirled around to see Y/N standing there with a smirk, an eyebrow raised. "You taking snooping lessons from Barnes now?" he muttered, "I know babe, I just—"

"Just nothing, Stevie, be happy! It's my birthday!" she laughed and gave him a tight hug, burrowing into his arms. To be honest, Y/N knew about Manny's intentions and Steve was right to worry; he flirted with her all the time, even when she insisted she was dating the ex-Captain America. But she knew better than to worry Steve.

He soothingly rubbed her back, swatting Bucky's hand away when he tried to run his fingers through her hair. "Stop it, that's my girlfriend," he pouted and both Bucky and Y/N burst out laughing. "She's like a sister; jeez, Rogers, tone it down a little bit," Bucky sighed and waved at the couple, walking away.

Steve and Y/N decided to go back to their room. They had been in a relationship for around 4 years now, and they weren't planning on stopping, ever. The only time Y/N would become Steve's ex-girlfriend was when she became his wife. Which he hoped she'd become soon, since he had a special birthday planned for her.

First, he was going to take her to a hair salon, then a manicure and pedicure, and finally, a picnic under the stars. There, he was finally going to pop the question: Y/N, will you marry me? After his retirement, that was all he wanted. A stable life; a wife, kids, maybe some pets. He was even ready to be a trophy husband, as Y/N was still in the Avengers Initiative.

"Steve? Steve!" He snapped out of his thoughts and gave Y/N a sheepish smile. "Sorry, pumpkin, lost in thoughts. So, uh, the flowers look nice," he stammered, looking everywhere but at the flowers which Y/N was putting in a vase. "Oh hush Rogers, you don't have to pretend to like them for me, I get it. I was just like that with you, you know?"

It was true, in the beginning of their relationship Y/N was what Steve was now. Jealous, overprotective, obsessed… somewhere along the line the roles were reversed. "I know, honey, I'm sorry… they're a birthday gift, I should be happy for you." He walked towards her and wrapped his arms around her from behind, pressing a kiss to her neck.

"It's fine. So, I've received everyone's gift but yours, where is it?" she grinned coyly, reaching up to cup his cheek. Steve smirked against her skin and spun her around, bringing them back chest to chest. "In my pants," he whispered seductively. A few seconds passed and both of them burst out laughing.

"I swear to God, Stevie, if that's your only gift I'm gonna be really disappointed." Steve pouted and leaned forward to give her a sweet kiss. "First of all, ouch," he began, "And second, no that's not the only gift. I have a really fun day planned for us, you up for it?" Y/N's eyes lit up and she nodded eagerly, jumping into his arms. "Aw, Steve, I love you so much!"

"I love you too, princess. Now for the first gift—"

"Ste— oh…"

---

"I. Look. Freaking. Amazing!"

Steve smiled softly as Y/N admired herself in the mirror. They had just returned from the mani-pedi session, and Y/N was feeling the most refreshed she had in years. She had also gotten a fantastic new hairstyle, complete with a different hair colour. Y/N was feeling like a new person, all thanks to Steve. She turned to him with a huge smile.

"Words cannot express how much I love you," she began, giving him a tight hug, "But numbers can. 1 million out of 10!" Steve laughed at her excitement, gently playing with her hair as he held her close. "But the best part awaits: the picnic! We still have a few hours to go, maybe I can go some for training?"

"Sure, and I'm going to take some pictures and post them to all my social media sites! Oh my God, this is fantastic—" Steve laughed at Y/N's squeals and left the room, feeling giddier and happier than he was in the morning. You see, Steve was kind of nervous the whole day. First, it was because of Manny, second, he was worried she wouldn't like his gifts and third, will she say yes?

Two out of the three concerns were gone. It was the pesky last one that ran through his mind the whole time he was in the gym. After an hour, Steve decided to go back to their room to relax for a while under the Air Conditioner; he didn't want to be a smelly, sweaty mess on the most important night of his life.

As he was walking towards their room, though, Steve happened to bump into Y/N. And… Manny. Manny took one step forward, Y/N took a step back. One step forward, one step back as Y/N held her hands out in front of her, protecting herself. Without even bothering to know the full story, Steve rushed over and punched Manny straight on the nose.

He fell back with a groan as Y/N gasped, covering her mouth. "That's my fiancée, you fucking asshole! Have some respect for other people's relationships, she said no, no means no!" he yelled, so loud that a few others came over to check on them. Bucky, Sam, Peter, Tony, Wanda, Vision, Bruce and Natasha, all stood a few feet away, watching with wide eyes.

Y/N's head snapped towards Steve when he called her his fiancée. "Your… your what?" she whispered, and Steve finally realized what he had blurted out. Shit. "I… I was going to ask you tonight at the picnic— it was supposed to be romantic, damn it Manny, you ruined—" His speech was cut short as Y/N immediately took him in her arms, kissing him deeply.

"Yes, Steve, I will marry you," she mumbled with a small, teary smile that Steve mimicked as he brought her in for another kiss. They only stopped when they heard the massive applause coming from the others. "Congratulations, you guys, this is brilliant news! Who's the best man?" Sam hollered.

Steve hugged Y/N closer, wiping his tears off with a chuckle. "Well, I was thinking—"

"I'll be honored," Sam grinned, scowling when Bucky smacked him across the head. "He was going to ask me," Bucky sneered and Steve rolled his eyes. "If you keep bickering like that, I'll ask Bruce," he snarked and Bruce laughed as both Bucky and Sam quieted instantly. "Where's the fucking ring, Rogers, there's no proposal without a ring!"

"The ring is in the bedroom, I was training and that's no place for a precious jewel," Steve answered and Y/N smiled into his arms, burrowing her face further into his chest.

"Yes, the hair salon was great. The mani and pedi— not that Manny, Steve— was also great. But this, by far, was the best birthday present I got today," she whispered to him. "What about the sex? Am I becoming an old man now—" Y/N pushed Steve with a disgusted look on her face as everyone else gagged and groaned. "Rogers, it was a sweet moment!"

"Sorry, sorry, couldn't help myself, it just came— there it is again!"

"Blergh, fuck you, man!"

"I deserved it."

---

a/n: thanks for reading, leave a like if you liked it!

[tchallasbabymama]

M’Baku’s Love- Chapter 9

Hey y’all. here’s the next chapter of M’Baku’s Love. It’s a shorter one, but we’re almost at the end of our journey! 

Check out my masterlist HERE to catch up and to read my other stories including my new fic “Ménage `a Trois”, a T’Challa x  OC x M’Baku throuple fic that’ll be starting this month. Check out the preview here!

Word Count: 3385

“JJ, stay where mommy can see you, ok?”

“Ok mommy!”

Monae watched with a relaxed smile on her face as her three year old ran around playing with the other kids. They were new to the playground, so all of the adults kept eyeing Monae from a distance. She felt very uncomfortable having all those white people staring at her, but the park was in her neighborhood, one that white folks only started moving into a couple years ago. She grew up playing in that park with other kids who looked like her, and now they were the only Black people there. One of the gentrifiers got brave and decided to come over and introduce herself.

“Hi, I’m Tara. The curly little redhead in the overalls is mine.”

“Cute,” Monae shot her a quick smile that didn’t even reach her eyes.

“Well I just wanted to welcome you since you’re new around here. What’s your name?”

“Why?” Her voice went flat.

“Just being friendly, no need to get hostile.”

Monae rolled her eyes and Tara walked back to the huddle to report her findings and no doubt complain about the new girl’s “attitude.” Monae checked the time on her phone and got up to go grab her son when someone across the way caught her eye. She’d recognize that gait anywhere, and the two fierce-looking bald women flanking him were a dead giveaway. She watched him exit the old abandoned school building and walk around the outskirts of the park, presumably on his way to a car that would take him to who knows where.

 “T’Challa...T’Challa!” She quickly found JJ and placed him on her hip before she made her way closer to the King of Wakanda to get his attention. “T’Challa!”

This time he turned around, and when he saw her his eyes lit up.

“Monae! How are you?”

She set JJ down and they hugged like old friends. She turned to Okoye and Ayo, hugging them both tight as well.

“I’m making it. How are you? What are you doing here?”

“Well a little birdy told me about a certain neighborhood that could use some Wakandan assistance and I figured I’d come see it for myself. I’m thinking of opening an Outreach Center here and a couple other cities since we were finally able to get Oakland back up and running, which is almost exclusively thanks to N’Jadaka. What are you doing here?”

“I moved back after The Blip, so now I live about four blocks that way,” she pointed behind him. “So how are things back home?”

“We are still trying to restructure everything, it is a mess since we lost over half of our people...not to mention the ones we love.” The king’s eyes lowered to the ground as grief briefly flashed across his face, making him catch a glimpse of the child standing partially hidden behind his friend’s leg. “And who might you be?”

The king crouched down to his level and he cautiously came out from behind Monae.

“It’s ok baby, he’s a friend of mommy’s.”

T’Challa’s ears perked up and he looked at the boy’s face, taking in his strong brow and slightly downturned mouth...and then the boy smiled and the gap between his two front teeth gave it away.

“Everyone calls me JJ, but I’m Jabari.”

“You sure are.” He chuckled before looking to Monae then back to the little boy. “I’m T’Challa.”

“Challa?”

He chuckled, “Yes, Challa. How old are you, Jabari?”

He held up four fingers and Monae reached out to push his pinky back down.

“I’m three. How old are you?”

“Thirty four.”

“Woah, that’s old!”

“Jabari-”

“It is ok,” he chuckled before standing back upright. “He looks just like him.”

“He does, doesn’t he?” She smiled fondly down at her little gift from Hanuman and the Ancestors and rubbed her hands along his messy locs as she made a mental note to retwist them later.

T’Challa had time to sit and talk, so they went back to the playground to give JJ more time to tire himself out. He ran around the jungle gym while the four of them kept an eye on him, and they all noticed how distressed the white people looked after the arrival of the Wakandans. Must have been too many Black people for their tastes. 

“I take it this is not the crowd you grew up with?”

“Not at all, they used to avoid this neighborhood like the plague.”

T’Challa nodded before changing the subject, “So, Jabari, JJ-”

“Either one is fine.”

“I think I’d like to call him Jabari then...rolls off the tongue, you know?”

Monae chuckled at the king and nodded her head.

“Does he ever ask about him?”

“All the time now. His school let him start pre-K early, so he’s met some of the other kids’ dads and wanted to know where his was. I told him he died, but I didn’t tell him how...I can’t even understand it myself.”

“Mm. I was there and I don’t quite understand it either.”

“There?”

“Yes, when the snap, excuse me, ‘The Blip’ happened.”

“What...what happened?”

Okoye looked to the king questioningly with an eyebrow raised, unsure of if he should tell her the truth, but he ignored her glances.

“Long story short: an alien wiped out half of all life in the universe with a snap of his finger in a very special gauntlet.”

Monae was silent as she tried to process his words.

“Was that related to the second alien attack in New York? The one right before it happened?”

“Yes, they were looking for a piece of the gauntlet.” 

Monae thought back to how scared Jazz was when she called her that day, frantically screaming about a ship in the sky.

“Wow...I knew after the first New York attack that things were gonna get weird, but this is something else. Half of all life?”

T’Challa nodded, “In the entire universe.”

Monae sighed and sat back as she watched JJ run back over to them.

“Mommy!”

“Yes, JJ?”

“Can I go on the swings?”

“Sure baby, just give me a moment to talk to my friend first.”

“Ok!” his little legs ran back towards the carousel and he sat in the middle as some slightly older kids spun him around. 

“He’s such a happy child, you’re doing a good job.”

“Thank you. It’s not easy, but I have my Aunt Sarah and my sister is thinking about moving back, so I have at least some support system...it’s just hard without him.”

“You know he’d be ecstatic.”

“Oh my god, he’d make him into his own little mini-me.”

“He would definitely have him running around learning how to be a little Jabari warrior…” T’Challa’s voice trailed off as something dawned on him.

“Monae,” he turned to face her directly, “you do know that he is the heir to the Jabari throne?”

She froze, having foolishly hoped it wouldn't come up.

“I-I know,” she hung her head before a realization hit her and she jumped up. “You won’t take him, will you?”

“No, I wouldn’t dare. Not unless you were willing to come with him.”

“Maybe when he’s older-”

“Mommy!” her son said impatiently as he walked back over to them.

“Just a minute, JJ.” 

T’Challa stood and straightened out his suit, buttoning it back up in the process.

“Well I don’t want to keep you. Here,” he pulled out a card and scribbled something on the back before handing it to her. “That is my personal line, call if you need anything at all, Monae. I mean it.”

He pulled her in for another hug just as JJ made it over to them. The king crouched down and held his hand out for a high five. JJ’s little hand slapped his much larger one and Monae smiled as the king stood back up.

“I’m sure I’ll see the two of you soon. You know, if we do end up opening here, we’re gonna need all the help we can get…”

Monae’s face lit up as he and his Dora walked away. She had been working as an art teacher again, and though she loved it, nothing compared to the Center. The thought of working in one in her own community warmed her heart. 

“Mommy I like him, he’s nice.”

“He is, we used to work together...and we might be again soon,” she spoke to him as they walked over to the surprisingly empty swing set.

--------

About a year later, T’Challa announced that he would be opening up Outreach Centers in various cities across the country, including one in North Nashville, just like Monae had suggested. After another year, the Center’s doors opened and Monae, the new Director of Social Outreach, was loving her new position. It felt like everything she had wanted to do her whole life was finally coming to fruition, and since she had been working so hard lately she decided she would treat herself to a day off. She took the morning to herself, getting her signature fade dyed seafoam green and stopping by the nail salon for a manicure before getting JJ out of school a little early.

“Wanna go to the Adventure Science Museum or to a movie?”

“I want to climb in the heart!”

“Museum it is then,” she chuckled thinking about how much he loved the body exhibit at the museum. Kids could crawl through a model of the human heart and lungs, and JJ made sure he always got a look at the “cool insides.”

They made it to the museum and JJ made a beeline for the climbing jungle gym tower in the middle of the museum that would take him up to the body exhibit. Monae followed him from the stairs and felt her phone buzz, she looked down to see it was a message from T’Challa.

“Get home.”

No context, just “get home,” but she knew the king well and heeded his advice. She looked up to the tower and saw JJ climbing up a net wall.

“JJ, baby, come back down here.”

“But the heart-”

“I know, but come on. Now.”

JJ could tell something was wrong, but his little shoulders still slumped as he climbed his way back down the netting and through the tunnel that led to Monae’s spot on the third floor landing. However, before he got to her the strangest thing happened. A cloud of dust appeared before his face and formed into a kid not too much younger than him. He screamed and Monae looked up from her phone, closing her message to T’Challa.

“JJ? JJ?! Baby whe-”

Then she saw something she never thought she would see in her life, much less twice. People were forming all around them in clouds of dust. Lost children, frantic parents, a crying baby, and museum staff all swirled around Monae as she tried to sidestep their forms and get to her scared little boy. She couldn’t see past the reappearing children on the tower, but she knew he had to be close.

“Mommy!”

She heard him yell and looked up to see him on the landing above her with tears in his eyes as he watched the unexplainable. Monae ran to him in no time flat and grabbed his hand before they bolted down the stairs as best as they could without running into anyone’s reappearing body. The parking lot was just as tricky, and she tried to drown out the sounds of the worried parents looking for their children and the wailing children scared of being alone. She grabbed JJ’s hand tighter and pulled him along as museum staff and some of the calmer adults rounded up the children and brought them inside. When they made it to their car there was a woman standing by the door and looking into the window, so Monae’s hand landed on her pepper spray just in case.

“Can I help you?”

The woman jumped upon hearing her voice, and when she turned around Monae could see her face was still forming.

“I-I’m sorry, I was just about to unlock my car door and…” she trailed off, looking around trying to take in the scene.

“Ma’am, if you go back into the museum they might be able to help you.”

She nodded and walked towards the doors in a daze.

“Mommy, what’s happening?” JJ’s face was covered in tears and snot and as soon as she got him in her carseat she found some tissue to take care of it. 

“I-I don’t know, baby.”

She knew, kind of, she just didn’t have the words at the moment.

Monae carefully drove them home through the chaotic streets and when they got there she checked all the rooms just in case. It was just the two of them and Juju now since Aunt Sarah passed a few months ago, but JJ kept the house lively enough for it to not feel empty. Juju, completely unaware of the hysteria of the outside world, came up to greet JJ, her favorite person in the whole wide world. Monae believed the cat would probably kill for JJ and she was happy to have her little scrappy behind around. 

Just as she sat on the couch and took a breath, her phone rang. She answered without even looking and the voice on the other line cracked as it spoke.

“They’re back.”

“I-I know. Me and JJ were at the museum and...T’Challa it was horrible. I mean, it’s a good thing, but the chaos and the screaming...I don’t know how to explain to JJ what he saw, I barely understand it myself.”

“Monae, you’re about to have a lot more to explain to JJ…”

“What do you-” it dawned on her and she dropped the phone. M’Baku was back.

--------

The Jabari mountains were abuzz with the news that their chief had returned. For the past five years the council had been running the tribe just as they did when he spent time in Oakland, and although they liked how things were going, they were glad to have M’Baku back.

To M’Baku and the other “Dusted”, as the Jabari called them, they were only gone mere seconds. When he materialized on his throne he was still saying whatever it was he started saying five years prior. The looks on the council’s faces confused him and he noticed they were all of a sudden wearing different clothing.

“What is the meaning of this?”

He looked to his right as saw Ada reappear before him.

“Mama? What- somebody explain this to me at once.”

“Great Gorilla, we have missed you. You and your mother along with half of the world were gone...disintegrated,” Abiola, one of the elders, spoke up.

“That...this makes no sense,” he shook his head as he reached out for his mother's still-forming fingers. 

His kimoyo beads rang and he answered the call, the king appearing before him.

“It’s good to see you again, brother.”

“I saw you just yesterday, but hello. My king, what is-”

“I will explain everything, but first we are needed in battle.”

On the other side of the world, Monae tried to keep her cool as she cooked dinner and JJ watched Moana in the living room so she could still keep her eye on him. She knew it was probably a ridiculous thought, but she feared the snap could happen again and she could lose him at any moment. She didn’t want him out of her sight. 

She absentmindedly stirred the spaghetti sauce as she listened to him singing along with Maui. Her eyes shifted to her phone every few seconds and she tried to get herself to stop, knowing that T’Challa was probably busy fighting the aliens again or something equally ridiculous and dangerous, but she couldn’t help the nagging feeling in her gut that said to call him.

Dinner came and went and just as she was getting herself ready for bed late that night her phone rang. She ran from the bathroom with her face mask only halfway washed off to get to it in time and when she saw “T” on her screen she almost cried in relief. 

“Hello?!”

“Monae, are you alright?”

“No I’m not alright, what the fuck is going on, T’Challa?”

“The aliens came back, but this time we won.”

“That’s it…?”

“I could give you all the details, but that’ll take like six hours and right now I’m tired from fighting said aliens. But you should know I spoke to M’Baku. I didn’t tell him about JJ, but I told him to call you.”

Monae was silent as she took in his words. She’d be hearing his voice soon. After all these years she’d get to hear him laugh again. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she and JJ would have the opportunity to have him in their lives, but here she was, waiting for his call. Her line of thought was interrupted by a beeping on her phone. She pulled it from her ear and her heart dropped into her gut.

“T’Challa he...he's calling right now. I have to go.”

“Good luck, my friend.”

He ended the call and she took a deep breath before pressing the little green symbol on her phone screen.

“Hello?”

There was silence on the other end, but she could hear the sound of shuddering breaths.

“M’Baku?”

“Monae,” his voice cracked and tears rolled down her face.

“Hi.”

“I...I did not mean to leave you for so long, I-”

“I know, you got snapped...you were gone for five years, M’Baku.”

“I know...so tell me, what have you been doing in that time?”

“Well,” she cleared her throat, “I moved back home and now I’m the Director of Social Outreach here at the Nashville Outreach Center. Jazz is about to move back too, so she’ll be staying with me to um….help with...M’Baku there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Oh no, are you married? Don’t tell me Juju passed...”

She laughed, remembering how much he loved the temperamental cat. 

“No, Juju is more than fine. It’s um...M’Baku this isn’t easy for me to say...are you alone right now?”

“Yes, I am in my chambers. Tell me what is wrong, babygirl.”

She closed her eyes tight and the tears sprung forward at hearing him call her that name again. She had compartmentalized enough to be able to go on without him in the world and now hearing his voice was just all too much. “Babygirl” was the final straw as she cried into the phone.

“I-I’ve missed you so much, M’Baku. You have no idea, he...he looks just,” she broke into sobs again and he waited for her to finish. She took a deep breath to compose herself before speaking, “Baby...you have a son. I found out I was pregnant after everyone disappeared...you’re a baba.”

M’Baku was silent as he processed the new information. In his mind, he just left her in Oakland two months ago and now he has a five year old son.

“M’Baku?”

“Yes, I am here...I just...a son?”

“Mhm, and he looks just like you. Here, I’ll send a picture.” Monae quickly scrolled through her camera roll before sending off her favorite picture of the two of them at the park, taken by Uncle Challa of course. When M’Baku opened the picture he was in awe of both of them. Monae was thicker in the waist and her hair was a striking black, the closest she’d come to her natural hair color in years. Her clear-framed glasses slipped down her nose as she smiled wide right next to a little boy that looked just like M’Baku did as a kid. He had Monae’s doe eyes, but everything else came from his baba, right down to his stature. 

“He is beautiful...you both are. What is his name?”

“Jabari, but he mostly goes by JJ.”

A smile appeared across his face, “Jabari, huh?”

“Yeah, well I figured he should have some sort of connection to his baba’s side even if he wasn’t here.”

“When can I see him?”

“When can you get here?”

Next Chapter

Taglist:

@theblulife @maddeningmayhem @devnicolee

[stripper-patrick]

If only they knew🤡 Henry Cavill

Warnings: smut, language, unprotected, rough, cheating, oral (m), fat shaming, fingering

Relationship: Henry Cavill x black plus sized reader

“Hey are you busy” I look at my newly done nails

“No I had just went for a run then I was about to get in the shower. Why?” Henry asks. I frown my face up

“Because I wanted to come see you”

“That’s fine. She’s not here”

“Ok I’ll be on my way”

...

I knock at the door waiting for Henry to open it. I stare down at my feet painted a pretty opal color dressed in Steve Madden sandals Henry got me. Oh yea me and him are having an affair basically. He’s married to some model but he already knows she’s cheating so I guess this is payback. Me and him have been friends since before he even met this girl. We’ve been this whole friends with benefits thing for a long time. Before I got pregnant. You can guess where this story leads to now. I had my affairs child and never told my own husband. Because Zara, the baby looks so much like me just with lighter skin. Scott, my husband, doesn’t realize.

He opens the door pulling me from my thoughts and I see his dripping wet body clad in a towel hung low on his waist.

“Hey how are you” he smiles with his phone in hand.

“Hi I’m good” he lets me in pulling me in for a hug getting me all wet

“Ugh Henry now I’m wet”

“Wouldn’t be the first time” he smiles kissing my head “how’s my baby girl” he refers to his daughter Zara

“Good teething so she’s kept me up for a minute. Scott took her with him to give me a break”

“Mmm” he mumbles

“My clothes”

“Let me help you” he pulls my shirt off and I push him to the recliner in the corner of the living room. I unravel Henry’s towel dropping to my knees as he sits in the recliner. I think my head on the tip watching his eyes shut completely trapped in what I’m doing.

I jerk him from the base sucking on the tip collecting all of his precum on the tip of my tongue. As his eyes are closed and I’m still sucking I grab it unlocking it with the password. I click on ‘Contacts’ and select the name ‘Christina’. I let it ring and when she picks it up I set it on speaker on his chest “hey babe”

His head shoots up and I smile “h-hey honey”

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing” I sink my head further. Luckily I don’t have a gag reflex. Henry tries to push me off but I swat his hand away. “I was just calling because I think we should have Y/N and Scott over tonight for dinner” my head shoots up. I smirk tightening my grip around him making a low moan escape.

“That’s a great idea. What should we have for dinner” before he responds I massage his balls and suck his tip hearing him moan again

“Oh? What are you doing babe” I hear her getting flirty but Henry pushes it off

“I stubbed my damn toe. Uh steak is fine”

“Oh ok cool. With mashed potatoes”

“Yup perfect” he looks at me grabbing a fistful of my head guiding him further. Henry pushes his hips upward and I smile letting him fuck my face. “Honey i gotta go I’ll see you later”

“Ok love you”

“Love ya too” he hangs up throwing his phone and pulling me up. Henry pulls my leg on his and I sit on his dick feeling him stretch me out. He puts my legs on his shoulders and holds my arms out bouncing upward to penetrate me. I moan smiling and then my phone rings. I look at Henry and he smiles “answer it or you won’t cum”

I whine and grab it putting it to my ear “h-hello”

“Hey babe” it’s Scott “hows the nail salon”

“It’s good I’m at the gym now. What’s up” I say rushed

“I just got a call from Christina inviting us over for dinner tonight. Did you wanna go”

“Yes” I moan. I snap out of it when Henry fucks me harder “Yea sorry these leg days kill”

“Trust me I get it. I’m going to the liquor store did you want anything”

“Uhhh” it’s harder to think when I have a huge cock plunging into me. He lets go of my arms and I straddle his waist. He’s still bouncing into me. Henry’s face dives into my bouncing breasts. “Uh cupcake champagne” my body starts shaking

“Ok wh-”

“I gotta go bye” I hang up dropping my phone and my body caves forward. Henry groans squeezing my hips as we both leak on each other.

“Look at you. You filthy bitch” my body shakes more at his degradation and I smile.

“You feel so damn good” I moan

He pumps us out the rest of the way and stops. I feel his dick throbbing inside of me.

“I gotta go home and go shower to get ready for our dinner tonight” I smile. I pull myself off of him and get dressed “your wife will be home any minute”

“That she will” he stands up walking me to the door not even before clinging his towel to his waist again.

“I’ll see you at dinner?”

“I’ll see you at dinner” he smiles winking

....

I’m at home fresh out the shower when I hear Scott get home “babe”

“I’m upstairs” I yell back. I oil my body down and he walks in holding Zara. I smile as he puts her down and she walks towards me. I pick her up kissing her cheek.

“I got the drinks” I nod “damn where’d all this weight come from I thought you went to the gym” I put down the baby and finish getting ready giving her a toy to settle her.

“The shit doesn’t just fall off overnight asshat”

“You need to lay off everything you eat” he chuckles

“Get ready so we can go” I slip into a short dress and grab my sandals. I grab the baby taking her downstairs and shake my head. His comments are really sticking to me today. I grab my phone texting Henry titles under ‘Dominoes’.

“Do you think I’m beautiful?” I text

“Of course why?” He responds

“You ready?” Scott asks. I yell back a yes and reply to Henry

“Did he say something to you again?”

“Yea. We’re on the way”

“Ok darling. Don’t worry I have something special for you tonight”

...

I knock on Henry’s door and Christina greets us at the door. She hugs both of us and I smile “thanks for having us” Zara smiles at her.

“Of course no problem. Come in” I walk through smelling the delicious food. If she couldn’t do anything else, Christina could cook. I think that’s why Henry is still around. He likes to eat. Trust me I’d know.

We migrate to the dining room where the food is neatly placed on the decorative place mats and Henry smiles standing up. He wraps me in his embrace. Henry lets go and a part of me wishes he didn’t. He tickles Zara’s feet and she instantly clings to his large arm. He hugs Scott and we all sit. Me with Henry and Christina with Scott. Zara on his lap.

“So how’ve you been” Henry asks Scott as he starts feeding her.

“I’m good. Works kicking my ass” he smiles

“I understand” I take the fork starting to eat while Christina smiles at me

“So when do you plan to get pregnant again Y/N?” I nearly choke

“Uh not for a long time I’m perfectly fine with Zara” I smile “I’m too busy with work. What about you?”

“We’re trying but nothing yet” she says sadly

“Aww you’ll get there” I feel Henry’s hand slide up my thigh all the while he’s still holding a conversation with Scott. Now they’re on the topic of business and how Henry owns multiple.

His hand moves further up parting my legs. I rest one on top of his to give him easier access. Henry rubs my clothed clit and I trip up on my words.

“How’s w-work coming along?” I ask her

“Great. Me and Henry have a banquet to go to next weekend which should be fun. I bought this beautiful gold dress” She grabs her phone and Henry inserts his fingers inside of me. I hold his large hand grinding myself against his hand. I smile as I see the dress and control my fast breathing. He uses his thumb to run my clit while stimulating my g-spot.

“That is...” I take a minute to collect myself “stunning”

“I’m so excited” she smiles “we’ve been thinking about getting another dog”

“Uh you’ve been thinking about it. I’m perfectly fine with Kal” the British hunk chimes in curling his fingers. I stab my fork into some broccoli trying to shove as much of it in my mouth as possible masking a moan.

“Damn babe can you chill with eating so much. I told you about that”

“I just got the perfect idea” Christina says “we should go to the gym together. It would be so much fun”

I can see Christina means no harm in her words but Scott’s words were dripping with humiliation. I grip the sides of the chair and I see Henry’s chest rise and fall faster. His nose flares in anger as he presses my spot harder.

“Scott that was a little mean don’t you think?”

“Come on Henry look at her. She looks like a whale”

My legs tense and start shaking while he keeps a straight face destroying my insides with just two fingers “I think she looks great especially for someone who just had a baby” he emphasizes. I can see he’s pissed. Scott did this a lot when I was pregnant as well which would make Henry go off sometimes.

I tap his thigh lightly succumbing to my demise. I let out a shaky breath and squeeze my eyes shut leaking all over his hand.

“Y/n are you ok?” Christina asks. I nod

“Headache” My nails dig into his thighs and I hear a low growl come from him feeling him hash out the rest of my juices.

I take another bite and Zara smiles. Scott feeds her another small bite of mashed potato.

“Yea but damn it’s been a like 11 months. She should look like Christina by now”

“Clearly they’re two different women” he says getting angrier. Zara pulls off of Scott’s lap walking over to Henry with her arms up. He grabs a napkin wiping his hands and picks up Zara with his clean hand. She stands on him playing in his hair ruffing up his curls.

“Hi pretty girl” she smiles giving him her one dimple. Like his.

“Can we all just eat a civilized meal” Christina says adoring Henry and Zara. God. If only they both knew. “You two are so cute together”

Henry smiles as she moves on to his buttons.

“I never realized how much Zara kinda looks like Henry” my breath catches in my throat and I cough.

“You’re right” Christina says. I grab the cup of water taking a sip “ugh Henry give me a baby tonight”

“It’s not that easy” he smiles

“Yes it is” I blurt out “sorry” I laugh glancing at Henry He smiles at me with a small smirk

[princessjungeun]

Hiii hope you’re having a good day :) What happens when the Dreamcatcher girls find out that their usually lazy s/o actually knows how to fight (Ex: Karate or just combat in general)? Thank youuu

JiU: she was with you at your parents house when she saw all the pictures of you from your competitive boxing days JiU was definitely in shock because she thought you were naturally this muscular and strong she would definitely ask why you didn’t tell her

Sua: Tbh she did not believe you when you told her you were a black belt in taekwondo i mean she had a good reason....you were lazy as all hell but she quickly believed you when you showed her your old belts and uniform

Siyeon: she thought you were hot before but now that she knows you’ve been doing MMA fighting to keep yourself busy while she’s away, she literally can’t stop touching your arms and hands

Handong: she actually knew you were trained in brazilian jiu jitsu but she thought it was a running joke. whenever you told her you were going to the gym to relax she assumed you actually meant like the nail salon or something because you weren’t the type to do any physical activity ever

Yoohyeon: she didn’t know that you knew muay thai until you literally put her into a choke hold when she purposely scared you ofc she was fine and she did think it was pretty hot ngl but she would be upset you didn’t tell her sooner because she wanted to “put your skills to use” *wink*

Dami: when she found out you did marine combat training in the past her only concern was that someone at one point had hit you. ofc that did happen...it’s the effing marines bro but you told her that you never got hurt (that was not the truth)

Gahyeon: she found out you did krav maga after you did that punching game in an arcade with her and got the highest possible score she wondered if the machine was broken because you and being strong/athletic didn’t add up from what she’s seen but when you explained to her that you weren’t as lazy as she thought she was pretty surprised

[lovemesomesurveys]

survey by ehxsnos

First lets get the basics out of the way...

What's your name? Stephanie.

How old are you? 31.

Where are you from? California.

What color are your eyes and hair? I have brown eyes and naturally dark brown hair, but I dye it red. I’m a year overdue, though...

When were you born? July 28th.

Now for the fun stuff! Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed? They don’t have doors; I have a curtain instead that I do keep closed.

How many people have you slept with this week? Zero.

What size is your bed? Full.

What do you drink with dinner? I don’t always have something when I eat unless I already happen to be drinking something, like coffee or a Starbucks energy drink. I do always have water nearby, though. But yeah, I usually don’t drink while I’m eating, it’s usually before and after.

What do you dip a chicken nugget in? Ranch or Chick-Fil-A sauce. 

Last person you kissed/kissed you? Joseph, almost 10 years ago...

What movies could you watch over and over and still love? There’s several.

What is your usual bedtime? After 7AM. :/

When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween? It varied, but there were a lot of vampire and witch costumes.

Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer? Six years ago for my UC graduation.

Take a vitamin daily? No, but there’s a few I should be taking.

What do you wear to bed? What I wear during the day, which is leggings and graphic tees.

Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart? Wal-Mart and Target. We haven’t had a K-Mart in well over a decade.

Ever have plastic surgery? No.

Do you want kids? No.

Where did your last kiss take place? I think it was in his car.

Four words to explain why you last threw up? I had a stomach bug. That was like 4 years ago.

Last thing you ate? Wingstop for dinner, which was at 8PM. I skipped out on my nightly ramen tonight that I typically have around 2-230AM and now it’s 4:53AM and I’m starving. :/ I actually fell asleep around 10PM last night cause I had a bad headache and then woke up around 230AM, but I didn’t feel like getting up and making it. Sigh. 

Do you get your nails done? Nope. I’ve only had my nails done once, and that was for my 8th grade promotion.

When did your last relationship end? Back in 2013.

So tell us, what room ARE you in? I’m in my room.

How many stories does your home have? Just one.

Do you own headphones? Yep, I’m currently wearing my new Beats earbuds my lil bro got me recently.

Have you ever... Gotten a Brazillian wax? No.

Gotten so drunk you couldn’t remember wtf you did? The last time I drank I got really drunk (and really sick) and there’s parts of that night that are spotty.

Been called a bitch? Jokingly. Seriously as well, I’m sure, but not to my face. 

Slut? Jokingly.

Pierced anything? *Okay, finishing this at a much later time now cause I ended up zonking out.* Anyway, I just have my earlobes pierced.

Had a tattoo? No.

Smoked a cigarette? No.

Smoked weed? Yes.

Missed someone so bad you couldn’t eat or sleep? I’ve gone through really hard times after losing loved ones. 

Worked out at a gym? Yes.

Snuck out of the house? Nope.

What’s the nearest furry object? My throw blanket.

Is the room you are in messy? No.

What is the single largest item in your house? Hmm.

How much money did you spend today? Zero.

What is the biggest amount of money you have ever had at one time? I think 5,000.

What kind of cell phone do you have? An iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Have you ever been under anesthesia? Several times.

Which Disney parks have you been to? Disneyland and California Adventure.

What does your bed comforter look like? I don’t have one. I use a throw blanket, which is rose gold and fluffy.

When did you last cry? Last night.

When is the last time you took medicine? Over an hour ago.

What was the medicine for? It was my pain medication. 

What kind of health insurance do you have? I’m not sharing that.

What is your birth control method of choice? Well, I’m a virgin but besides that I can’t get pregnant, sooo.

How much do you spend on your parents for Christmas? A lot. I love saving up and spoiling my family with what I can.

If you were given $1k and had to use it on 1 purchase, what would you buy? Uhhh. I’d have to really think about that.

Have your parents ever caught you drinking? I honestly didn’t try to drink before I was 21.

Have you ever crawled through a window? No.

What do you spend most of your money on? Food delivery, heh. :)))))))) It’s my favorite way to spoil myself. <<< Saaame.

Is there a secret you've never told your parents? Yes.

Do you still have pictures of you & your ex? Yes.

Has someone ever spread a nasty rumor about you? No.

How many rooms does your house have? It has 2 bedrooms.

Would you sex tape with you in it for 3 million dollars? No.

Are you happier single or in a relationship? All I really know is being single and while I’m not happy, it’s not because of my relationship status. Being in a relationship wouldn’t fix my problems and would add more stress.

Do you have curly hair? No.

What is a compliment you receive often? I rarely receive compliments.

How tall are you?: Like 5′4.

Who was the last person to say they loved you and when? My mom recently.

What is the last thing you said aloud? I said goodbye to my mom as she was leaving for work.

What was the last thing you had to drink? Coffee.

What is one thing that can ALWAYS be found in your freezer? Ice cream. My dad likes to always have it.

How many pets do you own? One.

How old will you be turning on your next birthday? 32.

Last time you went out of town? February 2020.

First thing you wash in the shower? My body. What kind of shampoo & conditioner do you use? A salon style for red dyed hair.

Do you own something from Hot Topic? I own a lot of things from Hot Topic, from clothes to accessories to collectibles. Majority of my graphic tees are from Hot Topic and their sister store, Boxlunch.

Have you ever bought anything from Pac Sun? Yeah.

How often do you hold hands with someone? I hold my doggo’s hand a lot, ha.

What was the most recent thing you bought? Food.

Could you ever forgive a cheater? I don’t know. Possibly. It would depend on some things.

Do you have Verizon? Yes.

Have you ever been pregnant? No.

What is your average cell phone bill? I don’t know. I’m on a family plan and my parents and brother handle it.

How many piercings do you have? Two; one in each earlobe.

Do you start the water before you get in the shower or when you get in? When I get in.

Have you ever had stitches? Yeah, I’ve had several surgeries. 

Do you think it’s right for straight guys to get their tongue pierced? Uh, it’s a piercing. Who cares.

Are you more of a coffee or alcohol drinker? Coffee all the way. I don’t drink.

Do you have a wireless keyboard and mouse? Nope.

How many songs are on your iPod or MP3 player? *shrug* I haven’t used my iPod in almost a decade. 

Where did you get that shirt you're wearing? Speaking of Hot Topic...

What are your pet’s names? Princess Leia, either one for short. And a ton of nicknames.

Honestly, are you in love right now? Nope.

Honestly, what color is your underwear? Blue.

Honestly, do you think you are attractive? No. I’m a mess.

Honestly, do your wrists hurt? Not at the moment.

Honestly, wouldn't you rather be having sex right now? No.

What would you do if the doctor told you that you were pregnant? Say they got me mixed up with someone cause that’s impossible.

Was there anyone who "made your day"? My mom went and got me my favorite breakfast before she went to work. 

Are you vegeterian? Nope.

How many windows are open in your computer? Two.

Do you read Perez Hilton? Nah.

Is there a baby in the room with you right now? No.

Do you plan on moving within the next year? We’d love to, but I don’t see that happening.

Have you been to a baby shower? I’ve been to several.

What brand is your computer? Apple.

How many cars can fit in your driveway? Two.

Are you taller than your mom? No.

Are you a cuddler? Not really.

Sleep on your back or stomach? I have to sleep turned toward my side and propped up due to acid reflux. 

Do you go to the bathroom with the door open or closed? Always closed.

Do you dress for style or comfort? Comfort, definitely. 

Think of the last time you were angry. Why were you angry? Blahhhh.

Would you marry someone if they were unable to have sex? Sex isn’t a big thing for me, honestly. Also, I don’t plan on getting married. 

Have you ever made a boyfriend or girlfriend cry? My first boyfriend did when I broke up with him. 

Does heartbreak really feel as bad as it sounds? It’s horrible.

How long has it been since you had sex? Virgin here.

Who was the last person to call you babe? *shrug*

Last reason you went to the ER? I haven’t had to go for myself since my accident.

Were you a planned pregnancy for your parents? Yes.

How old was your mom when she gave birth to you? She was in her early 20s. Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth? Yeah.

When was the last time you shaved your legs? It’s been awhile. My legs don’t really get hair growth for whatever reason, but that’s fine with me.

What facial cleanser do you use? I don’t.

Do you use a blowdryer? No.

How many purses do you own?: Several.

What are your top five favorite stores to shop for clothes? Boxlunch and Hot Topic.

What kind of clothes do you mostly wear? Graphic tees and leggings.

What about shoes? Adidas.

Have you ever cheated on the significant other that you have now? I’m single, but no I’ve never cheated before.

What are your first thoughts when your visitor visits? It’s always like, ‘ohhh, that’s why I’ve been feeling like that.’

Favorite underwear brand? I don’t have a particular favorite, really.

Last thing you bought at the mall? It was Christmas gifts a couple years ago.

Do your parents like your boyfriend/girlfriend? I’m single. What color are your pillows? I have like 10 pillows and they all look different.

What if an ex asked to be back in your life? No.

Don’t you just love DVR? It’s nice to have.

If you're on a laptop, how much charge does it have left? It’s plugged in, so it’s at 100%.

Last gift you recieved? My brother recently bought me a new pair of Beats earbuds.

Lesson you recently learned? *shrug*

[missusk]

Pecha Berries

A Pokemon Shield Nuzlocke Story.

Chapter 3 - The Gym Challenge

[Team Roster: Jackson (Scorbunny), Bella (Yamper), Lacey (Wooloo)]

It was their third day in the Wild Area. Dolly’s chest heaved as she pried off her boots and inhaled sharply as she peeled off her socks. Laying them out in front of her with a grimace, she slowly wiggled her toes.

They were swollen, with blotches of red pocking where her shoes were too tight. The skin around her blisters were peeling up, just a bit paler than the fresh skin around it. Her legs ached, and her shoulders had a simultaneous dull and sharp shooting where her backpack straps sat. She let out a groan and flopped back onto the grass.

“This is rubbish,” she grumbled. “Hop better be grateful that I’m doing this for him,”

“That’s what you get for always sitting on the couch,” Jackson stated, raising his eyebrows.

“What do you know, we only met a week ago,” she huffed from her spot on the ground. 

Her view of the sunset sky was interrupted by a Scorbunny face.

“Am I wrong? You have like, zero muscle.”

Dolly looked to the side, avoiding eye contact with the Pokémon in front of her. She grumbled as she lifted herself back up to a sitting position, gazing at the camp before her as Jackson trotted off smugly. She lifted her arm and tried to flex. Maybe if she pushed some skin up on her upper arm it could look like a bicep? Whatever. He was just a foot-tall bunny with toothpick arms too, what did he know.

Her team darted about, filled with an unimaginable amount of energy compared to how she was feeling. She leaned back on her elbows as she watched them play. There were only two new team members, a Bunnelby and a Grubbin, who seemed to be getting along fine with the rest of her Pokémon. One more team member and that would be six - couldn’t get too attached to too many, just in case.

It had been a while since Dolly interacted with so many Pokémon at once, and she wasn’t quite sure how to do it. Should she treat them like a classroom of students? As a group of friends? Or something more dramatic, like a team of seasoned warriors or something?

They all cheered as Lacey headbutted Jackson into a tree stump. She scratched the seasoned warriors idea out pretty quickly.

Her stomach tightened as dusk crept over the Wild Area. This night was exactly like the one so many years ago: cool, a slight breeze, the grass already dewing over in the spots the sun hadn’t hit for a while. It had the type of air that sticks to the lungs a bit, then chills and makes nose hair prickle. The kind where her feet ached, dirty and grass-stained, but it was okay because she could wash them up quick before supper - but only when mum flashed the back porch light a couple times. It was after a day of adventuring, of training, and plenty of laughter. Of just her and her Pokémon. Just one, at that time, though. 

Her Pokémon and her used to dart around the forest with the flower crowns they made together, giggling as they pricked their fingers on burrs and thorns as they reached for the Pecha berries in the bushes behind her old house. She could remember how she smiled, what her laugh sounded like. Her heart clenched in her chest at the thought. That was before…

Dolly fiercely shook her head, almost whipping her glasses off her face. She shook it again for good measure, as if to shake the memories out altogether.

That was a different time, a different life. That was before she moved to Postwick. Perhaps it won’t happen like that this time, she faintly hoped. She let out another deflated sigh as the sun finally sank beneath the horizon. Perhaps things will be different this time.

“Alright, team,” she called, forcing herself up off the ground, wincing as little pebbles dug into her raw feet. “Who wants some grub?”

They all circled around her gleefully with cries of ‘Me! Me!’ and an excited buzz from Sap, her new Grubbin.

After a quick batch of curry, they settled in for the night. They all snuggled up against one another as Dolly unfurled her tent like a blanket over all of them. After an unfortunate escapade filled with plenty of frustrated grunts, an accidental fireball, tears in the fabric, and an apologetic Yamper, their first night in the Wild Area set the stage for the rest of their nights in the Wild Area: all sleeping together to keep warm under their dilapidated tent shreds. At least it wasn’t raining this time.

It took eight hours, Jackson leading morning calisthenics, breakfast porridge, and they were on the road again.

“Miss Dolly, are we almost there?” Lacey asked, trotting along beside her. “I don’t mean to complain none, but some of the folks on the team are getting real tired of traipsin’ through these fields,” 

Dolly reached down and gave her Wooloo a pat on the head.

“I’m sure we’re getting close, Lacey,” she said. “Motostoke’s getting bigger by the day. I suspect we’ll be there by lunch time.”

It was true. The city that was just a speck at the Wild Area train station was now a looming industrial giant.

“I don’t mind travellin’ so much anymore, though, Miss Dolly,” Lacey said, looking down sheepishly and brushing against Dolly’s leg. “At first, I was real scared, but now it’s not so bad. I like havin’ everyone on the team, they’re all real friendly. An’ you’re a real good Trainer,”

Warmth spread throughout her chest and Dolly bit her smile back. Maybe keeping two would be fine.

As they traveled closer, Motostoke seemed to loom taller and taller, and yet the path winding there looked longer and longer. They encountered an array of wild Pokémon, built up a few levels, and finally made their way up the steps of Motostoke. 

Dolly’s legs wobbled as she took in a breath. The city was magnanimous. Bricks, vendors, and Pokémon lined every inch of the streets and smoke billowed out of the skyscraper-like pipes that rose in the air. Windows sparkled in the sun, casting an orange glow on the city. 

She had a crick in her neck, but she didn’t care as she arched her head to see the tops of the buildings. The river gushed beneath the bridge, coursing through the city just as the residents above did. Dolly stopped at the end of the bridge, taking in the rest of the site before her. People and Pokémon bustled to and fro, stepping around the wide-eyed Trainer standing in the middle of the street. She had never seen buildings so tall, not even before she moved to Postwick. The city seemed to buzz with music, as Pokémon sang with their Trainers on the corners, and shopkeepers shouted their deals from their welcome mats. Dolly grinned as the magnanimity of the city soaked into her skin. 

“Hey, Dolly, you finally made it!” a voice called. 

Dolly waved a greeting as a tall red head sauntered up to her. Sonia stopped and twirled her hair with a grin.

“Real ace of you to make it through the Wild Area! Seems like your trek ran you ragged, though,” she added with a pitiful glance to Dolly’s haphazard appearance.

Dolly looked through her smudged glasses to the rips in her dress, the mud on her shoes, and the dirt under her nails. Yikes. 

Sonia offered her a pity laugh and set her hands on her hips.

“Alright, here’s the deal. It’s barely the afternoon, and something about the way your mouth’s been hanging open this whole time tells me you’ve never been to a city like this, and Sonia’s here to show you around. Let’s pick up some new clothes for you, I’ve got a friend at a salon down the road that can fix up your hair, and then I’ll treat you to lunch, sound good?”

“If Sonia’s buying lunch, count me in!” another voice called. Hop jogged up to meet them, grinning. His eyes widened when he took in Dolly’s haphazard appearance and he took in a quick breath through his teeth. “Yeesh, Dolls, did you crawl all the way here?”

Dolly was about to retort but Sonia interrupted.

“Dolly and I are actually about to go shopping and get our hair done, if you’d like to join that?” she asked, setting a hand on her hip. “If not then buzz off.”

“Buzzing off,” Hop said with a salute. “I’ll catch you guys later then.” 

Sonia and Dolly laughed at the grimace on Hop’s face and they headed toward lunch first (per the request of Dolly’s grumbling stomach), then the boutiques together. She tossed out her old pink dress in favor of non-disgusting, inconspicuous, normal leggings and shirt. Sonia kept trying to get Dolly to buy lots of frills, lots of patterns, and lots of blindingly-bright neon that made Dolly's skin look like washed-out paper. After a little back and forth, Sonia did persuade her to buy a skirt to go over her leggings and some peach-colored glasses, just to liven up her look at least a little bit. 

“Thanks for all of this, Sonia, but you really don’t need to spend all this money on me,” Dolly said, feeling along the fringe of her new black skirt. “I feel a little guilty,”

Sonia waved her off, grinning and twirling her hair again.

“Oh, come off it. I’ve always wanted a little sister to spoil, and you looked so bedraggled coming up those steps to Motostoke. Gran gave me some pocket change, and it’s the least I could do for my best mate’s little brother’s best mate.”

It took her a second to do the mental math as Sonia laughed again. 

“Speaking of those two, though,” Sonia continued as they made their way toward the salon. “Leon said you can talk to Pokémon, is that true?”

“Um, yeah. Sometimes it’s nice, sometimes it’s annoying,” she shrugged. She really wouldn’t mind not hearing those two Sqwovets screaming at each other every time she sat in her living room.

“Fascinating,” Sonia replied, looking into the sky. “Do you know why? Like, did you learn it somehow?”

Dolly shrugged, watching two kids kick around a ball with a Pikachu.

“I dunno, I’ve been able to for as long as I can remember.”

“Are there other odd things that happen with you and Pokémon?” Sonia asked.

A bell tinkled as they walked into the salon. Dolly shrugged again as the beautician took her bag and jacket. Why was everyone pushing this today? When Hop found out she could talk to Pokémon he just said ‘wicked,’ asked if his Wooloo thought he was cool, and they moved on with their lives.

Sonia squinted her eyes.

“Have you lived around Pokémon much?”

“Just as much as any other person.”

The beautician guided the pair further into the building.

“Are you good at learning new languages?”

“Not really, sometimes I feel barely fluent in the one I do know.”

“What about social cues, body language, things like that?”

“Hardly.”

“You wouldn’t happen to have the Nuzlocke Curse, would you?”

Dolly’s jaw dropped and her eyes went wide.

“How did you..?”

Sonia nodded, a slight smile appearing on her face.

“Lucky guess. I read about it in a book recently. It was about communicating well with Pokémon, and it listed that as an exceedingly rare condition - so rare that it’s only been speculated about in theory. I’ve never heard about a real human being able to speak to Pokémon, so I’ve been dying to ask you ever since Leon told me. Can you tell me about it?”

Sonia seemed pretty normal, pretty nice, and genuinely interested in Dolly. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to let her know a little bit…Just the basics.

“I’ve never met anyone to know about it besides me and my mum... But I’ve known I’ve had it for a couple years, now. Not sure if I was born with it or if it came along later,” Dolly said as the beautician leaned her back in the basin. 

“Girl, I’ve never seen so many sticks in a client’s hair,” the beautician grimaced to herself as she picked out remnants of the Wild Area. 

“When did you start noticing signs?”

“I think I was about seven or eight,” Dolly continued as Sonia looked on inquisitively, a hand on her chin. 

“That same book guessed Trainers could only catch a limited amount of Pokémon, is that true too?” Sonia asked as she spun in the chair beside her. “The authors predicted it’s something about the blood of the Trainer, counteracts something in the technology of the Poké Ball, interacts with the language part of the brain or something. But again, it’s all just speculation.”

Dolly pursed her lips at the concept. After she caught her first Pokémon, she tried a billion times to catch others around her house, only for the Poké Balls to break.

“That might explain why I always feel so tingly, too,” Dolly whispered, looking at her hands. 

“Tingly?” Sonia repeated, raising an eyebrow.

“You know how you feel when a body part falls asleep, and just starts to wake up? It’s like a bunch of Beedrill stinging at numb skin. It doesn’t hurt, it’s just really uncomfortable, so I don’t try too many extra times anymore,” Dolly said, her voice tapering off as the beautician shampooed through her hair. “It does really hurt, sometimes, but that’s just when...um…never mind…”

When what? They died? Sonia was nice enough, but Dolly didn’t really want to delve into that bit or her backstory with a woman she met a week ago. Sonia seemed to know at least two things about the Curse, but Dolly was hoping that was the limit. She couldn’t decide if she wanted those authors to have written more information for her own sake, or less so she’d get fewer questions from Sonia.

After the beautician brought her to the chair and Dolly picked out a new hairstyle, she explained to Sonia a bit more.

“I’ve never met anyone else with something like this, so it’s kind of hard to measure,” she said with a shrug.

“It sounds interesting,” Sonia said, twirling her hair. “Gran’s got me on this historical project right now, and that’s all the book mentioned anyway. I haven’t been able to find any other reliable sources, but if I find out anything else about the Nuzlocke Curse, I’ll let you know.”

“Alright, honey, take a look.”

Dolly grinned at her fresh, new appearance, thanked the beautician, tipped her significantly, and she and Sonia stepped back out into the setting sun of Motostoke. As they walked down the brick streets, Dolly tugged at her new hairstyle. She had never gotten her hair longer before, so she wasn’t quite used to how it sat. She fiddled with it and the shopping bags she was holding when then they spotted Hop and Wooloo walking down the main street.

“Hey girls, finally done with all your doll houses and pillow figh-” Hop stopped mid-sentence, his jaw still hanging open.

“What?” Dolly asked, looking behind her. 

His eyebrows pulled together and he blinked a few times.

“You look...different.”

Dolly raised an eyebrow.

“Astute observation. Apparently Fairy-type Pokémon can make your hair longer in minutes. It felt pretty weird. My mum’s always cut my hair and I’ve never had it done before, much less gotten it so much longer in one sitting. Keeps getting caught in my bag straps, though,” Dolly added with a grumble, hiking her backpack up again.

She picked at the ends of a few platinum strands that laid over her shoulders. Hop's gaze flitted to her face and lingered just another second. She noticed his jaw clench as he swallowed.

“Huh.”

She wasn’t quite sure why, but Dolly was also glad the beautician persuaded her into letting her test some new mascara on her. After another beat Hop flung his arms behind his head.

“Pokémon are ace, don’t you think Dolls? ‘Cept giving a Feebas long hair still makes it a Feebas,” he ended with a grin.

“I oughta smack that stupid smirk right off your face,” Dolly growled. “I’m sure this Wishing Star can add some extra damage.”

“Sorry Dolls, as much as I’d love to stay around for that, I’ve got a date with a Gym Challenge registration sheet! I’ll save you a spot!”

And with that he was off, sprinting through the streets of downtown Motostoke.

“...Twit.”

“Happy to see you two embrace a healthy rivalry,” Sonia sighed from beside her. “To be fair though, I’ve never heard Hop pay attention to anything that wasn’t a Pokémon or his famous brother. Pretty impressive he noticed a change in you,”

“Come off it, Sonia,” Dolly grumbled. “The bloke called me an ugly fish.”

“Can’t deny that one, mate," Sonia chuckled. "Anyway, you ready for the opening ceremony? How is your Pokédex coming along?”

“I’ve caught a couple Pokémon...they’re a pretty lively bunch.” She flinched at the memory of her mangled tent and their weird game of seeing who can headbutt Jackson the farthest.

“Now that you’ve freshened up a bit, why don’t you head up to check in at Motostoke Stadium? It’s right up the road,” Sonia said, motioning to the monumental stadium at the end of the path. “Just follow the purple head sprinting down the road and you’ll get there in a flash.”

Dolly left Sonia with a wave and a thanks, then set off for the stadium. She was surprised to run into Leon, who directed her up the lift and to the front doors. Although he was eloquent and charming as always, she successfully managed out a grunt of gratitude like the Conkledurr she was.

“Took you long enough,” Hop grinned. “Coulda got a manicure myself with how long I had to wait here,”

“You could have gone in, you know,” Dolly said, rolling her eyes.

“I couldn’t have you miss this part of my legend! What kind of mate would I be?”

Dolly rolled her eyes again as the pair pushed through the grand glass doors to Motostoke Stadium. Their jaws dropped in unison.

“Would you look at this,” Hop breathed. “This place is packed with Gym Challengers! Every one of these folks is another rival!”

The brick walls arched to the ceiling, which to Dolly, seemed like a thousand stories high. The grand entryway was draped with bold banners advertising the Challenge and Dolly couldn’t help but breathe out in wonder. Bold colors and banners and smiling faces adorned the atrium, and Dolly arched her neck to see through the domed-glass ceiling.

She looked around her in awe as she and Hop made their way through the crowd. The magnificent atrium was filled with Gym Challengers of every shape and size. There were all types of people surrounding them; some their age, some older adults, and even some who could have been old enough to be her grandparents. There were Pokémon fluttering around as well, weaving in between the legs of the hopeful Trainers. A Blipbug here, a Butterfree there, and Dolly almost lost her footing when a Morpeko scampered between her legs.

A girl about her age grabbed him up off the ground. She dusted off her dress and tossed one of her dark pigtails out of her face as she stood up, the Morpeko secure in her arms.

“Sorry ‘bout that,” the girl said. “He gets real excited ‘round so many people, but you’re looking a bit gobsmacked by all this. You must be from some small country town, is that it?”

She nodded. This girl had a soft and unassuming smile - Dolly liked this fellow Gym Challenger already.

“Yeah, from Postwick.”

“I’m quite the same myself, I'm from a small town off Route 9. What’s your name?” the girl asked, patting her Morpeko.

“Dolls, come on, we still need to register!” Hop called from the desk.

“Dolls, huh? That’s an odd name,” the girl said with a smile. She held out her hand. “I’m Marnie.”

“It’s Dolly, actually, short for Dolores. He just calls me that, but his name is Hop, so mine’s not so bad in comparison,” Dolly said, shaking her hand.

“I look forward to battling you, Dolly. And beating you,” she added with a soft grin.

She could feel the buzz of friendly competition in the air between them. She couldn’t help but grin as well.

“We'll see about that, Marnie,”

Dolly jogged up to the front desk where Hop was waiting in line to register. 

The boy in front of Hop turned after finishing his registration, looked him up and down, then shoved past his shoulder. Hop let out a grunt and Dolly scoffed as he sauntered out into the crowd. 

“Seriously? What a piece of work…” Hop grumbled, rubbing his shoulder.

The League staff at the counter called for the next in line, and Dolly handed over her endorsement from Leon. She could see the staff member’s eyes grow wide through his sunglasses.

“Fancy that,” he whispered. “This is the first time we’ve had a Challenger endorsed by the Champion!”

Hop grinned in return, slapping his endorsement on the counter next to Dolly’s.

“Well, now you’ve had two, because I am as well!”

“The two of you must be something special,” the staff member said with a nod to the both of them. He flipped through the pages on the clipboard in front of him. “Alright, you’ve both been successfully registered as Gym Challengers. You can request a number, otherwise we can assign one to you. What’ll it be?”

Dolly scratched her chin. When she was younger, she and her first Pokémon had a competition of who could shove the most jellybeans in their mouth. Dolly won with a high score of fifty-two, and from then on that had always been her favorite number. 

“I’ll take number fifty-two, if it’s available.”

The League staff flipped through his papers again.

“It is! It’ll be 052,” he said, scribbling down on his paper. Then, he looked to Hop. “And for you?”

“Eh, number one is already taken, just give me whatever,” he said, folding his hands behind his head.

“How does 189 sound?”

“Sounds like the number of the next Champion,” he grinned. “I’ll take it!”

The League staff raised his eyebrows, and she could see the faint outline of his rolling eyes from behind his sunglasses. She wondered how many times he had heard that line before.

“You can pick up your uniforms to the left,” he said, gesturing. “The opening ceremony starts tomorrow at 09:00 sharp, don’t be late.”

Sure, Dolly's main goal of all this nonsense wasn’t necessarily to be the Champion, but now, after looking around at all of the other dewy-eyed Gym Challengers, a fire of competition rose within her. She used to be good at Pokémon battles, and directing her team through the Wild Area came as second nature as riding a bike. Suddenly, the risk of it all started to finally be outweighed by the reward of victory. The thrill of competition, of the lights and the cheers, all of it made her think that maybe this whole ordeal wouldn’t be so bad after all. It could maybe be fun, even.

Hop and Dolly made their way to the Budew Drop Inn, where apparently Chairman Rose had reserved rooms for all the Gym Challengers. They found Sonia in the lobby, stating that she was researching the mysterious Pokémon that were said to be in the Slumbering Weald. She dove into Galar’s history and the tale of a great hero who saved the country. Dolly zoned out as she talked, looking around the hotel lobby. A group of people all with pink hair were standing at the registration table. They were all wearing matching outfits, too, maybe they were a band or something? Did the opening ceremony have a half-time show?

She focused again as Hop elbowed her in the ribs and she let out a grunt.

“Did you hear that, Dolls? Apparently, this hero guy had a sword and a shield. I wonder if it has anything to do with what you heard in the Slumbering Weald?”

“Oh, yeah, maybe,” Dolly said, wondering if Sonia noticed her not paying attention. “Wait, actually, yeah maybe!” she almost shouted, focusing in again. “Have you found anything about a shield, Sonia? Or about, you know…the other thing?”

Sonia scratched her chin and shook her head.

“Not particularly, no. About either topic,” she added with a shrug. “Once I find out anything more specific, you’ll be the first to know.”

If that thing in the Slumbering Weald really had some connection to Galar’s history, then maybe she could even learn more about her Curse as well. It did tell her to ‘break the Curse,’ after all. Dolly shoved the hope of breaking the Curse pretty deep down a long time ago, though.

Tagging along with Hop for this Gym Challenge was turning out to be pretty lucrative. Hopefully Sonia would run across some new information for her soon. Assuming her lesson was over, they waved goodbye to Sonia and headed up to the registration counter, only to be blocked by the weird band-looking group. After a couple threats were thrown at them, they learned they were called ‘Team Yell,’ then Dolly and Hop defeated them all within a five-minute span. Dolly was surprised to see Marnie walking up the steps as soon as they had finished. Marnie smiled at the two of them again as they got back into the line to check in. The three of them chatted a bit, learning she was from a town called Spikemuth. It certainly sounded more interesting than Postwick.

The night came and went and before she knew it, and it was time to line up for the opening ceremony. Her nerves tingled as she and Hop grinned at one another, the anticipation palpable in the air. Dolly could feel a lump of nervousness in her throat. One by one they lined up, all waiting to enter what they thought would be their pitch one day.

As she and the rest of the Challengers waited, they heard Rose address the crowd, welcoming them to the Gym Challenge. His powerful voice echoed throughout the stadium.

“It is my pleasure to announce that finally,” he paused. “The Galar region Gym Challenge is about to begin!”

The stadium erupted into cheers as he smiled around the stadium. She had to admit, even though her heart was beating in her throat, Rose had quite the aptitude for commanding a room - stadium, even. As she and the other Gym Challengers waited in the tunnel, his voice continued.

“Participants must defeat the eight Gym Leaders and gather the eight Gym Badges to prove their skill as a Trainer! Only the most worthy will have the honor of challenging the greatest Champion in history!”

Again, the crowd went wild at the mention of their Champion.

“Now,” Rose called, gesturing grandly. “I would like to invite the Gym Leaders to show themselves!”

As he introduced each Gym Leader, Dolly’s heart pounded in her chest. It had been a long time since she had felt like this, such a rush, such a thrill, and to think it was only a week ago she had sat on her couch for three days straight.

It was time to introduce the Gym Challengers. Each name was called, and one by one the other Gym Challengers moved forward, walking onto the pitch. A couple A’s, one B, two C’s…

And she was next. Her heart was beating in her throat as she waited for the announcer to call her name. A League staff ushered her forward. 

“Number 052, Challenger Dolly!” the announcer's voice boomed over the arena.

It was like she was waiting her entire life to hear it. It was like she was waiting her entire life to feel the vibration in her veins as the crowd roared for this new Challenger, for her future matches, for her. She stepped out of the tunnel, into the light, as the waves and power erupted from the stands. Even if she was only going to battle through one Gym, she would remember this moment for the rest of her life. 

———————————————————————————————————–

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Headlines

Canada and U.S. likely to extend ban on non-essential travel ban—sources (Reuters) Canada and the United States are set to extend a ban on non-essential travel that was imposed to fight the coronavirus outbreak, although a final decision has not been taken, two Ottawa sources familiar with the matter said on Monday.

Workers are pushed to the brink as they continue to wait for delayed unemployment payments (Washington Post) Alexis Herdez has been filing for unemployment every week since April, shortly after she was laid off on her first day of work at a bridal clothing store. But more than two months later, the 23-year-old in Lexington, Ky., has yet to receive any payment. She and her husband have been struggling to pay rent and make their monthly car payment. The automated phone system for the state’s unemployment system takes her to a queue for a callback that has yet to come. Visits to state offices have been fruitless. While Herdez was finally able to get an appointment with someone at the unemployment agency to look at her case, it’s not until August, she said. The pandemic’s toll on workers who have been furloughed or laid off like Herdez is measured in numbers that splash across headlines: 1.4 million new weekly unemployment claims and 18 million people are already receiving continuous unemployment insurance. Four months into the worst recession since the Great Depression, tens of thousands of workers like Herdez across the country have filed for jobless claims but have yet to receive payments. Many are now in dire financial straits. The issue has spilled back into public view in recent weeks, as thousands of frustrated workers awaiting payments have camped out, sometimes overnight, in front of unemployment offices in states like Oklahoma, Alabama and Kentucky.

U.S. budget deficit shattered one-month record in June (Washington Post) The U.S. budget deficit widened to a record-high $864 billion last month because of the federal government’s extraordinary response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Treasury Department said on Monday. In June 2019, the budget deficit was just $8 billion. Federal spending rose to more than $1.1 trillion in June, more than twice what the U.S. government spends in a typical month. The amount of tax revenue collected by the federal government remained largely flat, at about $240 billion. The huge surge in June pushed the budget deficit for the first nine months of the fiscal year to $2.7 trillion. June’s deficit figures highlight just how much havoc the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked on U.S. budgeting. In prior years, the federal deficit was considered large when it approached or eclipsed $1 trillion for an entire year. The United States spent about $2 trillion more than it took in via tax revenue from April to June alone.

Governor shuts bars, dining as virus hits California hard (AP) As the coronavirus swept California with renewed ferocity, the governor once again closed bars, inside dining and, for much of the state, gyms, indoor church services and hair and nail salons in an effort to prevent COVID-19 cases from swamping hospitals. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a sweeping set of closures on Monday as the state recorded more than 329,000 cases and deaths topped 7,000. Hospitalizations have surged by 28% in the past two weeks, including a 20% increase in patients requiring intensive care. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles and San Diego school districts, the two largest in California with a combined K-12 student population of about 720,000, announced Monday they won’t bring students back to classrooms next month because of rising coronavirus hospitalizations and infection rates.

Bottleneck for U.S. Coronavirus Response: The Fax Machine (NYT) Public health officials in Houston are struggling to keep up with one of the nation’s largest coronavirus outbreaks. They are desperate to trace cases and quarantine patients before they spread the virus to others. But first, they must negotiate with the office fax machine. The machine at the Harris County Public Health department in Houston recently became overwhelmed when one laboratory sent a large batch of test results, spraying hundreds of pages all over the floor. Picture the image of hundreds of faxes coming through, and the machine just shooting out paper,” said Dr. Umair Shah, executive director of the department. As hard as the United States works to control coronavirus, it keeps running into problems caused by its fragmented health system, a jumble of old and new technology, and data standards that don’t meet epidemiologists’ needs. Public health officials and private laboratories have managed to expand testing to more than half a million performed daily, but they do not have a system that can smoothly handle that avalanche of results. Some test results arrive via smooth data feeds but others come by phone, email, physical mail or fax, a technology retained because it complies with digital privacy standards for health information. These reports often come in duplicate, go to the wrong health department, or are missing crucial information such as a patient’s phone number or address.

Disappearances in Mexico rose during López Obrador’s first year, now top 73,000 (Washington Post) Mexico added more than 11,000 people to its official count of the disappeared on Monday, bringing the total during a 14-year epidemic of criminal violence to more than 73,000. The number includes hundreds of American citizens who vanished and were never found. The newly added cases span several years, but the problem remains critical. Last year, the first under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, saw the second-most disappearances on record. In Mexico, the disappearances are blamed on a wider variety of culprits: organized crime gangs, police, the military or some combination of all three. The great majority of the victims have gone missing during a period of extreme violence that began in 2006, when the government launched an offensive on drug cartels. About 288,000 people have been killed since then.

Lockdown can be horrible, and beware of emus (Foreign Policy) Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has reported he “can’t stand” the routine of having to remain in place during his coronavirus-induced isolation in the presidential palace, calling it “horrible.” While strolling in the confines of the palace, the president fell upon more bad luck after he was reportedly bitten by an emu, one of many such birds who roam the grounds. Bolsonaro may be free of isolation soon, as a coronavirus test scheduled for today could give him a clean bill of health.

India’s tech hub, other towns back in lockdown as coronavirus infections surge (Reuters) India’s high-tech hub of Bengaluru will go back into a coronavirus lockdown for a week on Tuesday after a surge of infections, threatening to derail government efforts to revive a stuttering economy.

Caught in ‘Ideological Spiral,’ U.S. and China Drift Toward Cold War (NYT) One by one, the United States has hit at the core tenets of Xi Jinping’s vision for a rising China ready to assume the mantle of superpower. In a matter of weeks, the Trump administration has imposed sanctions over punitive policies in Hong Kong and China’s western region of Xinjiang. It took new measures to suffocate Chinese innovation by cutting it off from American technology and pushing allies to look elsewhere. Then, on Monday, it challenged China’s claims in the South China Sea, setting the stage for sharper confrontation. “The power gap is closing, and the ideological gap is widening,” said Rush Doshi, director of the China Strategy Initiative at the Brookings Institution in Washington, adding that China and the United States had entered a downward “ideological spiral” years in the making. “Where’s the bottom?” he asked. For years, officials and historians have dismissed the idea that a new Cold War was emerging between the United States and China. The contours of today’s world, the argument went, are simply incomparable to the decades when the United States and the Soviet Union squared off in an existential struggle for supremacy. The world was said to be too interconnected to easily divide into ideological blocs. Now, lines are being drawn and relations are in free fall, laying the foundation for a confrontation that will have many of the characteristics of the Cold War — and the dangers. As the two superpowers clash over technology, territory and clout, they face the same risk of small disputes escalating into military conflict.

Hong Kong Voters Defy Beijing, Endorsing Protest Leaders in Primary (NYT) Defying warnings from local officials that the Hong Kong opposition’s unofficial primary vote could be illegal under a sweeping new security law, hundreds of thousands of people chose avowedly pro-democracy candidates to run in citywide elections this year, results released Monday showed. Early returns showed that the more than 600,000 people who had voted favored candidates who were prominent supporters of the months of demonstrations that have gripped the semiautonomous Chinese city. Their choices indicated a desire to see the goals of the protest movement pressed within the government itself, but could lead to an intensifying confrontation with the authorities, who could bar some from running.

Quarantine loopholes bring fresh efforts to fight outbreaks (AP) An Australian state is toughening its punishments for anyone caught violating coronavirus quarantines, including jailing rule breakers for up to six months—a warning that follows rising virus cases worldwide and violations of restrictions that are now being further tightened. The current set of fines for breaking a mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine for some visitors or lying about their whereabouts “appears not to be enough” in some cases, Queensland state Deputy Premier Steven Miles said. With higher fines and a threat of six months’ imprisonment, “I hope that will demonstrate to the public just how serious we are about enforcing these measures,” Miles said.

Taliban Stage a Major Attack, as Violence Intensifies in Northern Afghanistan (NYT) The Taliban waged a sustained assault against an Afghan intelligence complex in the city of Aybak on Monday, killing at least 11 people and wounding more than 60 others, part of a bloody wave of violence across the country’s north. With the opening of peace talks between the insurgency and the Afghan government stalled for months, the Taliban have intensified their offensives, creating one of the deadliest years of the long war.

Middle East downturn (Foreign Policy) Oil producing countries in the Middle East are expected to see their economies contract by 7.3 percent and make $270 billion less in oil revenue this year, according to a forecast by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Driving the steep decline is the estimate for Saudi Arabia: In April, the IMF projected the country’s economy would contract by 2.3 percent this year; that figure has now been revised to 6.8 percent. Saudi Arabia is not only facing declining revenues from low oil prices but will take a further hit now that the hajj pilgrimage is closed to overseas travelers.

[alitheamateur]

The Grind-Chapter 28

The eve of fight night fell, and Colton was exhibiting extremely peculiar behavior. Not a bad type of peculiar necessarily, but the man just wasn’t his usual self. When I woke up to head for a swim at Temple, the bed was empty on his side and he hadn’t left a note, or word with my parents as to where he disappeared off to. In fact, according to mom, he must’ve left the house before 6 a.m. when she and dad left for their walk. It was a routine they had with the dog back home, and they had been continuing the morning exercise while on their visit to the city.

When I got to my locker at the gym, there was a single Peony taped to the handle, and a square yellow note tied to it’s stem. The easily identified chicken scratch belonged to the missing man in question, so I tore it open jaggedly to gather some answers.

   Livvy,

Enjoy your swim, & don’t you dare think of doing anything in the weight room. I told Cal to watch you. You have a noon appointment with that girl who does your hair, & a 10 a.m. massage too. I have some stuff to take care of today but be at home and dressed by 6 tonight. Wear that white dress I like.  The one from that party at the Pilot a couple months ago. And don’t eat. I’ll check in later. I LOVE YOU

C

Colton had been a lot of things the last year, but romantic was a new side. He rendered me speechless from heartbreak, pleasure, and laughter on a fair amount of occasions, but this was unfamiliar lands.  Never did I believe such a cynical, wild, tormented soul like his could conjure up the cleverness or the desire to throw together whatever plan he had in the works. But I’d obey the orders, and call mom to steam the crisp white, ankle-length, summer gown he referred to from the office gala event he suffered through as my plus-one, and it’s also the first instance he suckered me into bathroom sex in the family stall. The thin, flesh-hugging stretch of the drapery curved into me, and the low-cut of the back allowed him a subtle peep-show during the owners speech, which had him nearly feverish for a taste of me before the main course was served. I was chatting with Ryan who was seated at our dinner table, when Colton told me I looked a bit peaked and needed a few minutes of good ol’ fresh air. Thoroughly confused, I followed his lead as he took my hand guiding me through the bar area into the public pavilion of the venue. The details are a bit foggy, but I can’t forget the memory of his thirsty tongue licking a bead of summertime sweat from the valley between my breasts.

I concluded on returning to my natural blonde look at the salon, and sang the praises of the on-staff masseuse at SJS Salon on my way out the door. The unwind of my slow laps in the therapy pool, and the exceptional massage had me exuding peaceful relaxation. After the continual sessions’ day & night at the gym, in the cage, in the weight room, at the Pilot, some self-love and spa time was the perfect prescription for a Zen Liv. And I wanted all my tensions free and clear before I met up with Colton for this mysterious evening ahead, so I could fully enjoy the company of my perfectly imperfect companion. Wherever the pathway of our evening led, I knew I’d retire home once it was said and done feeling cherished, and probably horny.

I was puckering to smooth out a plentiful layer of rose-shaded smudge proof lipstick at my lighted vanity when I saw my mother peep around the unlatched door. I looked away from my own reflection to see hers smiling back at me from over my shoulder, as she brushed my hair back curious to discover my earring choice. This overly-feminine, lady-like and sophisticated side of her only child was a glimpse of the daughter she wanted 10 years ago when I was wearing sweats to school every day, and only wore heels for prom or homecoming dances. Mom stayed dressed to the nines every day of the week whether it be a run to the post-office or even a check of the mailbox, so seeing the vision of herself even more so in me now with sleek hair, and a posh taste in stilettos was probably the proudest she had been in a decade.

“Honey, you look excellent! Your little nose healed up just perfectly too, I see.”

Of course, mother. That’s what most important, ay’?

“Yep. It feels fine now. Thanks, mom.” I pursed my mouth, tucking both lips in a stark line and misted a lavish amount of Colton’s favorite perfume onto the exposure of my neck.

“Do you have any ideas what Colton has planned for you? You’re dressed awfully formal.” My mother asked turning her head to survey the final touches of accessory to my ensemble.

“He told me what to wear, and when to be ready to go, so that’s about the most I’m aware of. He’s been pretty shady today. And we both know he’s developed a keen talent for lying lately, seeing as how he managed to get you and daddy here.”

The last text I received from him at 2 o’clock that afternoon was a strange selfie of he and Andrew at the forefront of an impressive Styrofoam cup pyramid they’d apparently built on the display counter at The Grind. Those two had become quite the odd pairing lately, but I was happy Colton jived so well with at least one of my friends. I assumed he just went by the shop for his usual black coffee to-go, and Drew simply asked his assistance on a new merchandise display, which turned into the two of them goofing.

Mom checked her waterproof, step counting watch for the time as she followed be into the bedroom I shared with Colton. “It’s 5 minutes to 6 right now, Livvy. Have you talked to him?”

My heels clacked when transitioning from the carpet, to the tile down the hall. I clicked the unlock button of my cell to place a call to the very man sitting on an arm of the couch in an open stance, with those hefty forearms pushing in his knees. He stood upon hearing the soft tick of my heels step over the rug under the coffee table, and I was able to get a much desired, exploratory look at the very, very surprising dapper two-piece suit he sported. It was an oxford blue, atop a slightly wrinkled button-down shirt that he left casually, and very appealingly gaping open just enough to taunt me with his pecks. He was explicitly, lethal and delicious in the foreign dress of any sort of formal attire. Maybe more so even than those perfectly snug gray sweats I pulled off him on many an ‘afternoon delight’ occasion. That is, assuming I have to have him clothed at all.  

“Well hello there, Mr. Ritter. Someone is looking exceptionally handsome tonight, I see. I must say you wear this look well, babe.” I admired, pulling on the lapels of his jacket to situate the wrinkle of his shirt. I tenderly grazed a manicured nail over the freshly shaved goosebumps of his neck, and smiled romantically looking up to him under extended lashes.

“You two enjoy yourselves! Tony and I are going to grab some dinner, and we’ll lock up when we get back. I’m sure it’ll be a late night for you guys,” mom spoke up, still standing behind me undetected. Colton tilted around me to smile appreciatively at her before she turned in pursuit of the spare room where dad was napping.

“Will you ever walk into a room ‘n not instantly have me wantin’ to rip off whatever you wearin’, baby? You look…you look fuckin’ perfect, Liv. I mean that.” He fiddled with the every-day, dainty, gold letter pendant I wore as he spoke, then touched his pointer finger to the heart-shaped opening at the center of my satiny lips.

I wondered reasonably if we’d ever even make it passed the 4 walls of our bedroom seeing the adamant, alluding examinations we were trading in the silence of our family room.

“As long as you promise to replace whatever it is you just have to rip off, then be my guest by all means.” I popped one shoe-covered foot into the air, and boosted up on the other desperate to touch myself to his mouth.

“Get. The hell. Out. That. Door. Now. With ya’ teasin’ little ass.” Colton palmed the front of my dress to clutch over the warmness of my womanly center.

We altered his plan a bit, and decided my car would be the most practical option for transportation considering the height of my designer heels. Once we exited the driveway, I couldn’t help but blast him with pestering questions, and chatting.

“Just sit tight, ‘ight. We ain’t far. You can hold out a few minutes, Livvy. A surprise here ‘n there ain’t gonna kill ya’.”

I unhappily sat tight as advised and waited a drawn out 10-minute car ride that steered us to a parking meter on the street near The Grinds’ entrance on the sidewalk. The white light of the ‘open’ sign that would’ve typically been plugged in the window was powered off, along with the appearance of any other lights, or evidence of business behind the door.

“Colt? What are w-“

“No more questions, okay? Hold on.”

I watched him shove my keys from the ignition inside the pocket lining of his coat, to jog around and assist me from the passenger seat onto the concrete walkway.  I smelled something fishy, but I couldn’t place a sure finger on it just yet. With one arm clinging around my average size waist and the other holding my hand, we waited for the street sign to change then scurried along the crosswalk. Colton confirmed the time on his watch just as he gestured me to enter the strange darkness of the generally busy coffee shop.  

I couldn’t move much passed the entry mat laying in front of the doorway due to the pitch darkness of the room, so I waited intriguingly for my next instructions. Colton moved in behind me and stepped straight for the location of the light switch he was apparently familiar with. Rather than the hardwired overhead lights of the café igniting with the flipping on of electricity, twinkling, warm garden decorations on green strands taking their place. The dusky glow hanging over our heads bared a table for two waiting empty in the middle of the open floor, and some sort of urbane, bubbly beverage sweating inside a tin bucket of ice. Calm, lazy melodious music struck up, and I finally escaped my confusion to scan for Colton.

“These a’ for you, baby. The best, for the best.”

He offered me a familiar a pink, fluffy bouquet which had become his apparent staple over the last year, and I could smell the odorous fog from gift laying in my arms. Taking a closer look over his face, I noticed he’d groomed up exceptionally precise, and his beard had been combed and trimmed. Colton Ritter may have even been wearing hair product, Ladies and Gentlemen. His matured facial lines, and the barely detectable softening sag around his eyes added a story-telling detail to his aging mug, but I admired every frown line, and ghosting scar.

I rested my arms over his shoulders, dangling the hefty bouquet in my hand behind his back to settle in for a lengthy embrace when a begging, muffled reverberation of hunger grumbled from my empty stomach.

“Well, you did tell me not to eat, silly!” I patted over my angry insides to stifle its interruption.

“I got just the thing to fix ya’ right up. Here. Let’s get you in a seat and I’ll be back.” He took my hand, and I took the seat he offered up, placing the flowers in a waiting vase at the center of his table spread.

Colton lit four small tea-light candles with a zippo frim his pants pocket, and kissed the crown of my freshly washed hair.

“I like the blonde, by the way,” he winked dragging his feet backwards to disappear into the back kitchen.

A few clanging plates and some ruffling feet could be heard as I sat legs crossed, and chin rested on my elbows. Mother Liz always cut my arms with a slap when I would prop my elbows up onto the tables, chastising my etiquette or lack thereof. I repeatedly listed off a careful list of the ‘important dates’ to mark the many milestones of our relationship to assure I hadn’t forgotten some crucial event on this day. There had to be some reason Colton had gone to such odd, starry-eyed measures, and my nosey, sharp-witted journalistic side was beating me to death to get to the real story hidden under wraps.

STOP IT! Let the man have this. Don’t ruin it because you’re a meddlesome pest who can’t just enjoy a surprise.

Just then, a smell so aromatic and reeking of garlic wafted like a puffy cloud of deliciousness into my nose. I inhaled deeply through my nostrils to trace the yummy culprit, and found the man exiting a revolving door that hid the kitchen. He had two enormous, blotchy, grease-stained pizza boxes marked from my very favorite deep-dish joint stacked in one arm, and a covered Dutch oven dish cradled in the left arm. Colt’s tongue peeped like the head of a snake from the corner of his mouth, walking strategically careful so not to drop the hot contents of his clutches.

“So, since you trained so hard, and it nearly killed ya’ cuttin’ out all those carbs, I figured you’d maybe want some’n downright filthy ‘n covered in cheese to hit the spot. Drew tried to tell me I should get some fancy takeout from that place you two are always goin’ to, but I knew this would suit ya’.”

He opened one of the boxes to reveal a cheese deep-dish smothered in sliced, tender black olives.

“You want me to eat the whole thing?” I chuckled with a large goading laugh, and quarter-sized eyes.

“One fa’ you,” he answered sitting himself to open the other cardboard box in his place setting. “’and one fa’ me.” Colton rubbed his hands together anxiously, like a giddy boy about to dive into an ankle-deep mud puddle.

“But you may wanna save a lil’ room for this too, baby.”

I watched as he pulled the sturdy lid from top the black dish, and fluffy, warm steam rolled from the inside. Peeping over the edge in anticipation, I discovered a dark chocolate, gooey treat, topped with whole praline pecans and stringy caramel drizzles.

“Colt, you made that? All by yourself?!” I smiled adoringly when the look of utter pride beamed from his coy face.

It was a turtle dessert my mom taught me to make, and my absolute favorite. Colton had stayed been at my old apartment one night, back before the fight, and said he needed a ‘sugar fix’. The city was covered in powdery snow and muck, with temperatures reaching their lowest degree all winter. Neither of us could stand the thought of leaving the warm solace of my couch, so I whipped up that same dessert for him. We demolished the entire contents straight from the dish, sharing a spoon for vanilla bean ice cream on the side.

“Liz wrote the ingredients down for me, but I remembered pretty well how you made it that night. Don’t be gettin’ all wound up before ya’ even taste it now,” he tittered taking his first bite of pizza.

 We ate majority of each cheesy pie, (him asking for a slice of mine) then hysterically cackled for a good half hour after he sampled (and gagged on) a swig of my favorite merlot from a local winery. When our favorite Bob Dylan tune struck up on his iPod, I asked him to dance, and he obliged hugging me tightly with one arm, and gnawing on the last piece of pizza he clutched to in the other. The raw, real-life imperfections of the moment that would’ve had most females curling a lip in disgust, and trouncing far, far away from a man with such qualities as Colton Ritter, only had me needing his presence in my life more so.  

“How’d you pull this off Ritter? I must say, I didn’t know you had it in ya’, babe.” I muffled with a full mouth of his well-made chocolate cake as I dabbed the corners of my mouth.

“Just called in a favor to my pal Andrew, no biggie. The bastard only made me pay him 200 bucks to make up for his ‘lost profit.’” Colton used his most sardonic air quotes to underline Andrew’s no doubt tantrum for his role.

“You been workin’ so damn hard, Livvy. And I just wanted to do somethin’ to make you feel special. Help ya’ relax and take the edge off of a lil’ about tomorrow night. ‘N judging by those sexy, heavy little wine eyes you been givin’ me, I’d say I did a fine job.”

The excellence of the entire evening, hand-in-hand with now a present buzz of red wine after so many months, made the air around me feel as if it touched my skin like expensive cashmere. My insides felt as if they were humming with muggy decadence, and no unkind thought weighed on my mind.

“Oh God, stop it!” I covered my face, ashamed of his insinuating light-weight insult.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, Liv. I ain’t just sayin’ shit right now. I mean that. You’re perfect now, jus’ like this. And ya’ perfect on the couch with your face painted in one of those goopy masks you put on before you check your work email at night.” He leaned over the round table, mazing through the empty boxes, and melting candle wax staining the tablecloth to encase my fingers. Any fool could see there was nothing but earnest passion in his eyes, and a blatantly truthful, sureness in his voice.

“I love you. And don’t sell yourself so short! You are the perfect one. Even with all those demons, and whatever else is hiding in that head of yours.” I wanted to caress and pet his always warm cheek, but the distance between us caused me to settle for a tight squeeze of his hand, and a kiss to his scarred fingers.

“A perfect man wouldn’ta let somebody like you get away, baby.”

“Stop with that! We’re here now. Together. And we’re happy. Plus, there are more important things going on right now we should be worryin’ about.”

I knew I could back out of my fight right now, even the night before, and Colton would support my decision without hesitation, and anyone else who didn’t, would suffer at the hand of his consequence. The reality of what I knew I’d be doing only a few short hours from now, was a frightening one. But, one that I had agreed to for myself at the hands of no ones’ force. I wanted to make Colton proud of me for something more than just having my nose shoved in front of a computer screen 10+ hours a day. I had to prove to him, the world, my parents, and mainly myself that I was capable of greatness. That I had the potential to step out in faith, and achieve something like this with some courage like the old Liv.

“We’ve done everything in the gym we possibly coulda, baby. You’ve done everything. You need t’ believe in yourself like you were always tellin’ me. I’ll be there standin’ in that corner for you, I promise. And if ever you wanna cut it, just say the world ‘n we’ll walk outta there first round. You can do this, 2-1. Clear eyes, remember?”

“Thank you, Colton. For being the man that you are, and sticking with me through this even though we both know you hated the idea. And for all this God, it’s incredible, really. I’ve desperately needed some alone time with my guy.” I scooted to the front ledge of my chair, resting on the table to wink suggestively at the tantalizing specimen opposite my gazes.

“Calm ya’self, you dirty girl. I know wha’s goin’ on up in the head o’ yours. I got one more place I need to take you. Then, I can assure you…. I can really fuckin’ assure you, that I’m gonna get real good and close to every piece of your creamy skin under that dress.”

tags: @torialeysha @eap1935 @littleluna98 @mollybegger-blog

[harveywritings92]

The path to Isolation pt.1

-now-

"They sat on and threw trash at me again..." Anri mumbled burying her head into her hands as Mayuki patted her back while texting her other friends. "Like I said before An-Chan. they'll never notice you, if you don't assert yourself!" the raven haired girl let out a frustrated sight "How the hell would I do that, when I've put so much work into..this?" She sighed gesturing to herself as her friend frowned trying to come up with something.

"Stop dressing like a grandma for one, and Lose those dumb glasses, I don't think I ever seen you without them." the blonde hummed reaching for the the round frames, only for Anri lean away just out of her reach, causing the blond to pout.

"Boo! you always do that!" Mayuki whined as Anri readjusted her glasses. "How about I just color my hair or something, then I'll think about it?" the ravenette cringed as her friend let this glass shattering squeal, causing a few students to gawk at them Genji's group included.

The green haired boy brows furrowed bemused trying to piece together what the chick..uh, he banged her once, whats her name?...Mizu..no Erm?? Mayuki! that's it! was saying to Anri, but the bottle blonde was talking a mile a minute and pretty much carried the shorter girl out the door. "W-Wait my bag! Mayu!!!" 

She quickly walked back for her things as The blonde rushed her out "Hurry, Hurry!!" surprising the class that Goose girl was ditching class, with a cheerleader who yelling a about salons and colors? Were they getting their nails done, Was Anri actually into that kind of stuff??

"I always did like the color..." Anri's voice got distant Genji's gaze then shifted to the window along with rest of the class, it faced the back courtyard, a few minutes later he saw Anri and Mayuki sneak out back; via hole in the fence just missing the gym teacher who was out for a midday smoke.

 "Wow..The nerd actually did it." A girl with too much make up on said then turn to her friend. "We can use this! Let's make that nerd do our homework." She suggested a of her friends agreed even throwing in a few ridiculous demands one guy even asked if Anri 'puts out' that caused the girls to laugh before the green haired ninja intervened.

"So, she ditched class once? Whoopee! like we haven't done that before, And you don't see us doing other people work." The makeup girl gaped at Genji like a fish then began to stammer" B..but-" the young Shimada cut her off with sharp look. "Leave it." He said in a deadly tone causing chill to go down the groups spines,they nodded knowing that crossing Genji would be a very unhealthy choice...

on the street with Anri and Mayu!

"So, where do we star?" Mayuki asked Anri who smiled at her friends energy, then noticed something in peripherals thinking fast, the twin braided girl grabbed her blond friend and ducked behind a dumpster, just as a patrol car drove by.

 "Well, first let's change our clothes, we stand out like sore thumbs" the honey eyed girl suggested knowing they probably get away better with without looking like a couple of escaped high school schoolgirls, they walked for a few blocks before Anri pointed at a thrift-store across the street.

Causing Mayuki to sweat dropped she's never been in a thrift-store before...and was little wary, [Yes she's from a well off family.] She changed her mind once she found a cute black sleeveless top with a black skirt with a pink floral pattern, that she just had to have. 

she changed into those and waited for Anri to come out of the changing room, when she emerged the ravenette was wearing a brown turtle neck under a dip dye sundress that started out white then faded into a pretty leaf green and little grey paper boy's cap.

"Oh you look cute Mayu!" The blond smiled at her friend about to say the same thing but felt something was missing, spying an orange belt Mayuki grabbed it and put it around Anri's waist surprised at how thin the short girl actually was, the ravenette always wore baggy cardigans and slouched a lot walked or sat down it gave everyone the impression that Anri was pudgy! "And now you look like a girl!" the blond chirped as the her honey eyed friend went to pay.

It's a good thing Mayuki was distracted by some of the old toys lining the shop walls, otherwise Anri would have a tough time explaining why her debit-card said: Shimada Anri instead of Townsend. Only Takumi knows about her relationship with the Shimada clan; Mayuki and Mikoto think she's working for them as maid that why she and Genji know each other. 

The clerk thanked them for their patronage and the two girls went on with their ditch day, stopping at a restaurant that Mayuki's family owned it took a moment for the hostess to recognize the bottle blonde "Oh miss Sonohara, Table for you and your friend?" the old woman asked leading Anri and Mayuki to the VIP section they were seated in a small booth they ordered some drinks and got down to what Anri was looking for style wise?

"I was thinking red,maybe? nothing too flashy to get get me into trou-" The ravenette was interrupted by someone tapping her shoulder both teens looked up and saw annoyed ginger haired woman around college age wearing very provocatively short purple dress standing behind them. Anri squirmed in her seat knowing exactly what was coming. 

"Why hasn't Genjikins been returning my calls." She whined close to stomping her foot the short girl cringed as Mayuki mouthed out "Genjikins?!" in disbelief and snorted as the ginger waited for Anri tell her why Genjikins has been avoiding her. The ravenette though for a second and looked the annoyed woman. 

"Ever hear the saying; A critic never pays to eat the same meal twice?" 

"What do you mean?" 

"What I'm saying Ko-ne-ko~...Is that your Genjikins menu isn't just exclusive to yours...he likes to eat around." Anri's voice dropped to a sultry tone as she watched the woman face drop in recognition after all Anri just called her: Koneko. That was the pet name Ginger's darling Genjikins called her by, and no else! 

There's no way her handsome Genjikins was playing around! this little brat was just jealous of their love! Ginger's mind tried reasoned "You're lying! you don't know him you don't know us!" the ginger haired woman hissed as her face was turning a lovely shade of purple almost matching her dress.

Anri feigned innocence, the honey eyed girl pulled her glasses down a tick and winked as she gently took the distraught woman's hand in hers and smirked up at her flirtatiously.

"Why so mad Koneko?~ Oh, I get it...you don't like that name anymore? Well the how about my Dove, Angel or princess,... my dawn?" The ravenette purred before kissing the girl's hand mimicking how Genji would do it, the girl recoiled in disgust than ran off in tears. "Well at least this one didn't slap me." Anri said apathetically recalling the last couple girls who came around asking about Genji.

Mayuki cocked a brow at her; Damn this shorty can one mean Mama Trucker, She then noticed how quiet the ravenette had gotten. Anri seemed to be in pretty deep thought...she almost looked lonely. 

"Genjikins, She seriously called him Genjikins?" Mayuki snickered breaking the tense silence between them as Anri snorted "I've heard worst, trust me!" the bespectacled girl giggled before returning to their original conversation, After lunch they set up an appointment at the hair salon just down the block from the restaurant.

They got there and the stylist was a bit hesitant on touching Anri's hair because it was so pretty and well taken care of. he had to ask her several times if she was sure about him taking her hair's virginity, Anri although a bit creeped out by the guys question was totally fine with it, after she pick out a color called chocolate cosmos. the stylist got to work...

it was almost dark by the time he was done, Anri had her newly dyed hair up in a bun and stuffed under her hat for safe keeping as she walked Mayuki home. "Are you sure you don't want to sleepover? My parents wouldn't mind." The bottle blond said as they split a Popsicle on the way. 

the former ravenette shook her head; she was pushing it today by skipping school; Hanzo was surly having an aneurysm wondering where she was; her bodyguards were probably out looking for her right now. "Maybe next weekend, I think I'll be grounded for next three days but it was worth it," Anri said awkwardly while rubbing the back of her head, she bid farewell to her friend began the trek home...

Then Anri stopped in her tracks and calmly took off her glasses off almost as if she were cleaning them, not noticing the man behind her ready to grab-. "Y'know..." the man retracted his hand and stood still in the shadows as Anri continued taking "..stalking is a very complicated affair..." She hummed calmly as she tucked her glasses away. "You watch and learn thinking it'll be easy once they're alone."

The former ravenette began to walk again; leading the man deeper into an alley." And just when you think have your target... " She slipped into the shadows that led to dead end the man had a baton ready he reeled it back ready to swing as he rounded the corner only to find...Nothing? but he saw her come this way!

a cold sweat formed on the mans brow as he felt presence behind him. " You find out your target had you from the start.~"  The man could only gasp in horror a hand covered his mouth, Needless to say the police were confused when they received a call about a pervert terrorizing a high school girl! only to find said pervert in his underwear hogtied with his own rope with a baton sticking out of his ass.

Anri resisted the urge to laugh as she got home to find Hanzo sitting on the front steps and he looked livid. "And just were where you today?" the elder Shimada brother demanded as the bespectacled girl shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. 

"O-Out with a friend?" She stammered as his brown eyes narrowed at her. "Oh, and was time with this friend more important then school?" He hissed Anri swore she saw a flash blue in his eyes as Hazo held back his wrath. "Honestly, I expected better from you Anri." and with that Hanzo went to train leaving the girl to wallow in her now soured mood.

"Now I wish I hadn't gone easy on that creep..." She mumbled taking her shoes off mentally picturing herself beating snot out of the perv. "What creep?" She jumped hearing Genji's voice glanced around before looking up and finding him hiding out in the rafters, staring down at her curiously. "A pervert tried grabbing me on way home I-" the green haired boy suddenly bristled he jumped from rafters and landed in front of her with a heated looked "Why didn't you say anything when Hanzo was yelling at you?!" Genji hissed as Anri dismissed his anger.

"It wasn't a big deal I handled it." Genji's eyes seemed flashed green the bespectacled girl jumped when he punched the wall just above her head the sound seemed to echo through the halls as Genji glowered at the short girl.

 "Not a big deal..." He snarled grabbing her front of her shirt, Anri looked at him in fear before Genji caught himself and pulled away from her; a pregnant silence filled the entryway, the frontdoors suddenly looked interesting to stare at, he glanced back at Anri and saw her hands were shaking...

All because he couldn't keep his stupid instincts in check. "Did he touch you?" He asked hoarsely before biting the inside of his cheek as tiny voice managed to stammer out.

 "n..no." 

Genji's shoulders relaxed a he let out breath he hadn't realized he was holding as he heard Anri's footsteps hurry away, leaving him alone. "Dammit, I screwed up again." he berated himself before he heard Hanzo yelling for him from the training room, At least he'll have something to take his anger out on...   

[littlemarvelfics]

Come Back... Chapter Four

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Word Count: about 1,600

Warnings: none

A/N: Hello hello! My classes have switched over to a lighter load until the end of the year so maybe I’ll be able to post more soon! For those of you that aren’t into this story- fear not! I’m gonna get working on some oneshots for Steve or maybe Chris Evans. In the meantime, you can check out my masterlist here or this series masterlist here. Please feel free to ask for a tag here.

Previous Chapter

The next morning, you woke up before Josh so you quickly got into the shower. Peggy had texted you the night before with the details of your outing so you knew you had some time to get ready. You slipped into your chosen casual outfit for the day and you ventured out of the bathroom.

Josh was sitting on the bed, back propped against the headboard, smiling down at his phone.

“Hey, I’m going out with the girls for a bit and we’re probably gonna eat lunch while we’re out. And then we’re going to all go to that bonfire so I’ll text you when I’m on my way to get you?” you asked him gently.

“Oh right,” he said, not looking up from his phone. “I was thinking I’d stay here tonight and skip the bonfire. I’ve got some work to finish up.”

You sighed knowing this was going to be a fight.

“Can’t you do your work while I’m gone and then come with me tonight? I’d really like you to be there.”

“Why? I met them yesterday. Do I really need to spend another night with them as well?” he asked, clearly agitated.

“You don’t have to. I just thought it would be nice.”

“Is Borky gonna be there?” he asked, condescendingly.

“Bucky? I don’t know. Probably?” you responded, confused.

“Fine, I’ll go. Just let me know when you’re on your way back here.”

“Okay sounds good,” you said, crossing the room to give him a peck on the cheek.

He didn’t say anything else so you went about your routine, getting ready to leave. About 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment time, you kissed Josh goodbye and headed out to the parking lot.

You headed to the spot where Bucky’s Jeep was parked and slid into the driver’s seat. You turned the key and then started looking around the car. It was neat which wasn’t surprising considering how Bucky took care of cars but there seemed to be missing something. You poked around until you found the familiar worn leather booklet that was shoved under the passenger’s seat. In it, you found seemingly endless pages of CDs. You flipped through hoping to find what you were looking for. All you saw now were real CDs bought in stores and that wouldn’t cut it.  A few more page flips and they appeared. The plain silver discs with Bucky’s messy scrawl titling the CD’s and listing the tracks. You went on instinct and picked one labeled “Ride or Die Tunes”. You slipped it out of the holder and into the CD player. As the first song began, you knew you had made a great choice. The sound filled the car as you turned the volume up and you were off.

Fifteen minutes and a few great songs later, you were pulling up to the nail salon.

Walking in, you immediately spotted Natasha, Wanda, and Peggy. You all greeted each other and settled in for the technicians to do their work while the girls started to catch you up on their lives.

Natasha worked at a gym a few towns over and she taught self-defense classes for women. You smiled knowing she had found her calling. Natasha was always trying to empower her female friends to be better versions of themselves.

Wanda told you about the coffee shop/bookstore that she and her twin brother Pietro had opened. Wanda had always believed in books as a means of healing and seemed to be able to tell when a person was in need of such a thing. Pietro was a guy that always seemed to be on the run and the coffee helped him do it. Opening The Tesseract had been the obvious choice.

Peggy shared stories of being a high school principal, which was how she and Steve met. You didn’t know much about her but you could tell she was made for the job. She had a no-nonsense attitude but she clearly had a caring side as well making her a perfect fit for the job.

As you listened to your friends share stories of their jobs and home lives, you couldn’t help but envy them. When you left this town all those years ago, you had more determination than you knew what to do with. All it took was a few months in the real world before you put your dreams on the backburner. Meanwhile, all your friends had found careers they were perfect for and it seemed that everyone had fallen in love as well. Natasha and Clint had ended up together to no one’s surprise, Peggy had Steve and Wanda had met someone she had called ‘Vision’. You just seemed to be passing time until you magically got where you wanted to be.

“Earth to Y/N.” Natasha’s voice pulled you from your thoughts.

“Sorry, sorry. What were you saying?”

“I said: What about you? What are you doing these days?” she said with a laugh.

“Oh. Um. I work for a website writing. Nothing exciting, mostly fluff pieces.”

“I thought you wanted to write novels?” Wanda asked, genuinely curious.

“Yeah, I still do. It just doesn’t exactly pay the bills so Josh suggested I get a job to support myself while I figured out some next steps.”

“Oh yeah, Josh! Tell us about him? How did you guys meet?” Peggy asked.

“We met through some mutual friends. He had graduated from another school in the city a year earlier than me. We starting dating like a year and a half ago and we moved in together about four months ago.”

“That’s nice, he seems like a nice guy,” Peggy replied.

“Yeah, he’s nice. We fight sometimes but that’s just how it goes I guess.”

You all fell into an uncomfortable silence for a few moments. It was Natasha who broke the silence as she usually did.

“I have to ask about Bucky.”

“What about him?” you asked coolly.

“You just disappeared and dropped off the face of the earth Y/N! We barely knew about it. Bucky wasn’t exactly chatty.”

“He bailed Nat!” you exclaimed getting frustrated. “He bailed. He promised we were gonna be together. He was gonna come with me to the city and then I go to his parent’s house a day before we were meant to leave and he was just gone! His mom handed me a two-line letter and that was it! He didn’t even tell me he was considering enlisting. And then he was just gone. How could I trust him after that?”

“He was just doing what he thought was right,” Wanda mumbled.

“What the hell does that even mean?!”

“I think that’s a question for Bucky,” Peggy interjected quietly.

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” you replied with a sigh.

Peggy seemed to sense that you were done with the conversation as she quickly moved on to lighter subject matters such as the wedding.

Once you were all finished with your nails, Wanda suggested you all walk down the main stretch of town and pick up some coffee and snacks at her coffee shop. You had wanted to see what it was all about so you happily agreed. You all ambled down the street for a few blocks until Wanda took a turn inside an archway.

You entered the shop and the soft music playing from the speakers seemed to surround you as you took everything in. Your eyes traveled across long wooden tables with mismatched chairs surrounding them and floor to ceiling bookshelves that produced makeshift aisles with some new, some used books. As you looked over the menu, you couldn’t help but take in a deep inhale of the scent of strong coffee and the distinct smell of books.

Wanda led you all to the counter where a jumpy teen named Peter took your orders and started to prepare them. You tried pulling your card out to pay but Wanda swatted your hand away. She insisted it was on the house and told you to look around and she would come to get you when the order was ready.

You wandered around the aisles, running your fingers along the spines of the books as you went. People had often asked you which novel or writer had inspired you to become a writer yourself. The truth was, every book you had ever read had inspired you. The bad ones made you want to be better than them; the good ones inspired you to be like them.

Lost in your own world, you hadn’t realized you had made it back to the front of the shop where the tables were all scattered about. You looked around the fairly empty shop when your eyes landed on Bucky. Looking handsome as always in simple jeans, boots and white tee with his hair pulled back into a low messy bun. You smiled to yourself and walked in his direction to thank him for the car and to compliment his music taste.

You stopped short when a girl you had never seen before sat down across from him. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and held onto Bucky’s hand that had been lying on the table. She giggled at something he said with a laugh you found annoying but Bucky probably found endearing.

Why did you want to punch this girl in the face? You didn’t even know her. You had no claim to Bucky, he wasn’t your anything. You were in town with your own boyfriend, you shouldn’t be upset that he had a girlfriend.

“Y/N?” Wanda’s voice broke you out of your thoughts.

At the sound of your name, Bucky whipped his head around and met your eyes, dropping the girl’s hand in the process. You gave him a tight smile and then turned to follow Wanda to the table she and the girls had set up at. You sank down into your seat with a deep sigh. You couldn’t shake the feeling in the pit of your stomach. You didn’t know what to call the feeling until you heard her laugh again. You were jealous.

Next Chapter

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[smsvisao]

Bartholomew Court

Bartholomew Court was an apartment complex situated northbound on Rt.3 in Fredericksburg. The Court, as it was called by locals, mostly housed young adults on hourly wages and the elderly. Apartment 402 housed a drug dealer and a sex worker but just barely.

Daniel, the sex worker, was responsible for half of the living costs shared between he and Youssef, the drug dealer. The agreement was that neither of them cared how they made their money as long as they had it when it was due. The reality was that they depended on each other to generate enough revenue to sustain both of their lives because sex and drugs were a married couple. It often led to the pair arguing like a married couple but that's beside the point.

Youssef slid the black curtains dividing the rest of their studio apartment from their bed space. Or in other terms, dividing the two workspaces. "George will be here in twenty minutes to pick up his order."

Daniel was busy and counted thirteen condoms that he had available to use before he'd need more. He kept them in the top of a bedside drawer along with everything else he needed to perform - three bottles of lube, a first aid kit, and incensed oil to refill the diffuser with. For the more interesting clients, he kept a box of toys and the necessary cleaning materials in the bottom.

George. George... nope. Didn't ring a bell. He remembered most of his clients and most of Youssef's - it was easy because half of them overlapped but he'd never had a George.

Done with inventory, he pushed the drawer shut. "George who?"

Youssef pulled back the curtain just enough to stick his head through. His eyes darted around the space, probably making sure it was ready to go in case "George" wanted other services. Well it was as good as it was gonna get. The room was clean and Daniel had already bathed this morning. Half the time he didn't bother with clothes around the apartment but at least wore pants when one of Youssef's clients were stopping by.

"He's a new-new."

"New-new?" The new-news were risky. They were either clients who had never had a trip or were clients who had no known link to their services. For that reason, they met new-new customers in front of the nail salon across the street. "Thought we weren't doing those."

"He's got a big order."

"Ok but its not like we got a big supply. So again, why'd you agree to sell to him?"

Youssef crouched to the floor in front of him, folding his arms across Daniel's knees. "Hey." A depraved smile crept across his face. "Do you remember what it was like at Sovereign Hope? When you came back past curfew and got locked out?"

He was nineteen and had just been dropped back off at the shelter after meeting with his first client - the Director's husband. The Director's husband hadn't allowed him to shower and the rain that poured only made certain things worse. Everything hurt but the Director's husband was a smart man so there weren't any bruises to show for it. When the night staff finally opened the door, he was berated and then interrogated about where he'd gone and why he came back so late. They wanted to search him to make sure he hadn't brought back any weapons or drugs and normally that was fine except he was done with being probed and prodded like an animal. Refusing got him a door slammed to the face. If he couldn't follow the rules he didn't get to stay.

It was Youssef that snuck him in through a back window and begged the staff to give him a second chance. Youssef was a lot nicer back then.

A hand gloved tight in black latex gave two quick cold pats to his cheek. "Why don't you go make sure your ass is clean or something and leave the rest to me?"

"Will do," He threw his asshole of a roommate a swift punch to the gut. Youssef stumbled backwards and laughed it off.

The time that had passed since then hadn't been kind to either of them. He liked to think there were some parts of himself that he'd managed to hold onto. Youssef was different. He let himself go after he found drugs and now, he was a completely different person.

Outside, there was nowhere to go that wouldn't cost money. So, he often passed time at the main entrance of their unit watching people go in and out. Half of them didn't even live there. At some point there was probably a working code system but now it was just an unlocked door with a broken and outdated keypad next to it.

With eyes squinting at the sun, he figured there must have been a pretty sweet payoff from this George guy if Youssef was bending his own rule. It didn't make sense though. He didn't know the exact quantity, but he knew that there had been plenty of times that Youssef just didn't have the supply and Daniel had to take more clients to bring in enough money to cover rent. That was the scenario at least two times out of every month.

Another ten minutes passed before a blue sedan pulled off from the main road and slowed to a stop in front of the entrance. The man who got out of the car in gym shorts and a baseball cap was someone he'd recognize anywhere.

Not George but Jorge. One of his own clients, his favorite one. He liked Jorge because he was low-maintenance and clean. Usually he only asked for hand jobs and there was only one time that he asked for penetration. Youssef had been out on a pick-up. It was late, around 11 p.m. He never looked forward to clients but after so many sessions of only touching he'd always wondered what it would feel like to be held by the man.

When it finally happened, it was underwhelming and average, but he liked the way Jorge offered to take out the trash for him on his way out. The trash was full that night. Youssef had been gone for two days and he hadn't taken it out before he left. At the time, Daniel thought it was weird that Jorge offered but later it made sense, Jorge was always ... nice. But when he walked up the steps of the entrance in basketball shorts and a sweat stained t-shirt, the look on his face wasn't nice.

"Bad day?" Daniel asked thinking Jorge just hadn't noticed it was him hanging out at the entrance. Their eyes met and Daniel saw a flicker of interest.

"Somewhat. Hey listen, are you free now?"

"I can be. Why?"

"I just placed an order at Mr. Chun's but I won't have time to grab it now that I'm here. Think you can pick it up for me? I'll throw in some extra cash."

Mr. Chun's was the shabby restaurant in the plaza behind the complex but damn was the food good.

"Why not. What am I looking for?"

"A large sweet and sour shrimp platter with fried rice."

"Didn't I recommend that to you last time we met?"

"Oh, was that you?" Jorge looked over his shoulder and then handed him a thin wad of rolled up cash. "Thanks Daniel."

He stuffed the cash into his pocket. Sweet and sour shrimp sounded good right about now.

The door to Mr. Chun's had their menu typed on paper posted on the back of the glass from the inside so that people could see it but not touch it from the outside. A little chime went off when he stepped inside. An older woman in a red apron looked up from whatever she was writing.

"Hello, ah!" She gasped and she pointed at his bare torso. Daniel laughed. "It's too hot for a shirt out there. Go step outside, you'll take yours off too." He teased.

"Oh boy, it must be. Yesterday was in the nineties. Are you ordering now?"

"Picking up. It was a large sweet and sour shrimp for Jorge."

"Okay, this is for you." With a kind smile she handed him a folded piece of paper where she had covered the page in a floral pattern with the green of her pen.

"Wow. Thanks. You did this?"

"Yes, but turn it over, that part is for you. I made it better with my talent. Now not only can you taste our talent you can see it also."

The handwriting was small, and everything was underlined.

I know it's your favorite, enjoy it and keep the extra cash. Don't come back to your apartment. Go to this address asap and ask for Eva. 2583 Rowing St. You'll be taken care of.

"When did he give you this? What did he say?" Daniel asked in a rush.

"He said nothing, except to give it to you. Here." She handed him a plastic bag filled with two takeout boxes, condiments and chopsticks. There was also a ginger ale.

"Thanks."

She wished him a good day but when he began to make his way back to the apartment against the direction of the note he realized the day was anything but good. From the plaza parking lot he could see two cop cars parked to the side of their unit at Bartholomew Court. Not a big deal. The cops hung around sometimes and he'd had run ins with them before but nothing too serious. Youssef on the other hand…

Just as the concern crossed his mind, he saw his roommate being escorted down the steps, flanked by two officers and one in the back. They hadn't sounded the sirens when they pulled up or he would've heard it from Mr. Chun's.

"Dammit, Youssef." Jorge was a leak.

Even so, doing exactly what the note said was a no-brainer. He didn't know what Jorge was tied up in, but he understood that the man was looking out for him.

It made sense to hang back near Mr. Chun's rather than getting any closer to the unit until things cooled down. He pulled up the address Jorge left him on his phone and saw that it wasn't nearby. It was in Alexandria and that was an hour and some change away. He'd have to take a taxi. Crazy how he could spend most of his adult life with a man who helped him stay alive and then eat Chinese food and watch from the sidewalk as he got pushed into a cop car and taken away.

When his taxi arrived, he settled in and gave the address fine enough but couldn't keep his foot from tapping the whole ride north. Maybe it was survivor's guilt. It hurt to be callous, to move on without a second thought about someone he spent a good portion of his life with. Youssef was half responsible for making sure he didn't starve to death.

But what could he have done? Fight Jorge off? Run up to Youssef as he was being drug down the steps of the complex and wrestle him out of police custody? Then they'd both be in handcuffs. Jorge had sent him off and spared his life. Someone, even when Youssef wasn't, was looking out for him. He owed Youssef a lot but decided he owed Jorge more.

The taxi settled at the first red light since getting off I-95. The driver looked back to check on him. "You ever been up here before?"

"Don't think so. If I have, I don't remember."

"It's different from the south. More brown people like yourself. You don't need a car for much up here, but you will need a shirt."

Daniel raised an eyebrow. He hadn't considered himself brown. Youssef was brown. He was…damn, now he didn't know what he was. What a perfect time to have an identity crisis. He thought he was white like everyone else in Fredericksburg. Since when did people start using brown the way they used white and black? What did brown even mean? Compared to the driver's skin that looked like pizza dough, he guessed his skin was more like the color of the fried rice he'd eaten earlier. If that was brown, then so be it.

"Gotcha. What's up here? Trains? Busses?"

"Both. You got the Metro, and you got the county public transit systems. Matter-a-fact… The driver took his eyes off the road to rustle in his glove compartment. "It's not a shirt, and it might be a bit outdated but hopefully not by much."

Daniel took the pamphlets from the driver and unfolded it. "This a map?" He saw red lines, blue lines, green lines, and black targets.

"To the metro. You can pretty much get around the DMV with that."

"DC, Maryland, and Virginia?"

The driver chuckled. "You're fitting in already."

"Thanks for this."

"No problem. I got tons of them."

The rest of the ride was silent except for a few expletives let out by the driver when he was cut off in traffic. The roads got smaller and smaller until the taxi slowed to a stop outside of a row of brick buildings stuck together.

"You said 2583 Rowing St., right? Well this is it. You take care now and good luck."

He paid the driver with probably more cash than what was necessary and then cut into the flow of pedestrians to walk up the narrow stairs of 2583. The building had no sign, no business hours and the windows were tinted.

Wary of being caught without a shirt up here where everything was … new and expensive looking, he was quick to enter the building.

The door ushered him to a cluttered desk that took up most of the space in the room. There was a staircase further back but no way in hell was he taking it without knowing what this place was. At least there was AC.

A woman in grey slacks and a black polo descended the stairs, faltering on the last step when she saw him. She was a tiny thing with a stony demeanor. She probably shed her skin in the winter.

"You must be Daniel." She leaned over the desk to extend a hand. It was cold to the touch and he felt callouses. "I'm Eva. Jorge will be glad to hear that you've made it safely." He'd never met a woman with a dryer voice. Clearly, she'd seen some shit. She sounded like a cop, just in plainclothes.

"Never thought I'd end up here when I woke up this morning." Normally people smiled when they shook but he had nothing to smile about and he guessed she didn't either.

"No one ever does."

"What is this place, by the way?"

She rustled through the papers that were strewn across the desk until she found an empty manila folder. "I know this place is new to you, you coming from Fredericksburg and all but it's a nice place." She scribbled something on top of the folder in pen. "A safe place."

A safe place. He'd heard that before and the tone of her voice was far from convincing.

"Follow me upstairs. There's a place for you to sit and I can explain what Jorge's note was all about - as I'm sure you're wondering."

"Why not?" It was either follow the woman upstairs or wander aimlessly on the streets in the heat and without a shirt. It wasn't until she motioned for him to sit down in front of yet another desk that he realized she hadn't answered his first question. These rooms were just barren, just desks and unorganized paperwork. Was there even anyone else in this building?

She moved a stack of papers towards her side of the desk. "I'll be doing most of the talking and then we can go over any questions you may have after."

Daniel snorted at that. He'd ask the questions when he wanted to. It was his life that was suddenly up in the air. Not hers. "Jorge. Is he a cop?"

"I guess I did say I would tell you." She huffed. She leaned back in the office chair, then continued "No. Jorge isn't a cop, or any other type of law enforcement." Her mouth parted to start on another sentence. Probably trying to change the subject but he wasn't going to let her.

"Then what is he?" Youssef was probably in some cell by now and Jorge had something to do with it. Eva's eyes flickered toward his bare chest with displeasure.

"A private investigator working for our group. He was hired by one of your relatives - your brother, to be exact."

"Don't have one. What's the real story?"

"You do have one." She clipped.

"A man is walking around claiming to be my brother, hired a private investigator to find me, and for what? What does he want from me? This stalker."

Eva sighed. "You're his only sibling."

Was that supposed to make things make sense? Say for the sake of things this was true and he did have a brother. How was it that his brother had enough money to hire a private investigator while he shook his ass on men's dicks to pay rent? How was that fair? If it were true that he had a brother, the gods had a gross sense of humor.

"Only sibling, right. You can tell my "brother" to stay the hell away from me."

"Tell him yourself. Though, as I know him personally," She slid a business card his way. "I don't see that ending well for you."

All black card-stock. In the background was the design of a tree in a shade of gray that was just a bit lighter than the black. Folk Investigation Group was etched in a glimmering white font. He flipped it over and saw a number. Under the number was the name.

Damon Figueira, Lead Investigative Analyst. If this was the name of some long-lost brother, it may have well as been the name of a stranger because it meant nothing to him.

"Why didn't he meet me himself and lie to my face? Why have you do it for him?"

"Damon's work has taken him out of state today and the resident social worker is out of the office for the week. That means you're stuck with me, the resident attorney."

"An attorney, huh." Daniel looked at the spread of documents across the desk. 

"That makes sense."

Eva opened a drawer and pulled out a few papers. She stuffed them into the manila folder. "I'm about done with doing the grunt work for his little family project." She grumbled as she stood. "Here's more of what you need to know for now." She dropped the folder so that it landed in front of him with a smack. "Get the rest from Damon and maybe a shirt while you're at it. This is Alexandria, not the suburban boonies of Fredericksburg."

She shut the door behind her, and he heard the wooden blinds that dressed the small window in the door clatter against the pane.

But he couldn't take his eyes off what she'd written earlier on the folder in black ink and big letters.

Daniel Wood-Figueira.

[paulbenedictblog]

%news%

New Post has been published on %http://paulbenedictsgeneralstore.com%

News Dallas hair salon owner, in act of civil disobedience, chooses to go to jail rather than close her doors - Washington Post

News

The mediate told Shelley Luther she didn’t beget to head to jail.

The proprietor of Salon à la Mode in Dallas had been operating her substitute despite a non everlasting restraining dispute final week from Dallas County Command District Comprise shut Eric Moyé. She saved operating despite a county decent’s discontinuance-and-desist letter ordering her to shut — a letter she ripped up sooner than a crowd of protesters in a theatrical tell of defiance all through an Open Texas rally in Frisco, Tex., on April 25.

“Method and get it, Comprise shut Clay Jenkins,” she mentioned, referring to the tip county decent as she threw shreds of his letter to the crew, the Dallas Morning News reported.

As Luther confronted criminal and civil contempt-of-court docket charges, Moyé provided her a bet to manufacture issues simply: She had to confess her actions were egocentric and immoral and that she would apply the law.

On every situation, Luther refused.

“I beget to disagree with you, sir, in case you explain that I’m egocentric, on myth of feeding my children is now not any longer egocentric,” she mentioned in court docket Tuesday, CBS DFW reported. “I beget hair stylists which would be going hungry on myth of they’d moderately feed their children. So, sir, in case you imagine the law is extra distinguished than children getting fed, then please lunge forward with your decision, nonetheless I'm no longer going to shut down the salon.”

He sentenced Luther to seven days in jail.

But on Thursday, the convey Supreme Court docket ordered her originate. A Dallas Morning News video displays her leaving jail amid a cheering crowd with balloons.

Annette Norred, a paralegal on the law firm representing the salon proprietor, told The Washington Post that the court docket’s dispute became in response to a petition filed to free her.

“We're joyful that the Supreme Court docket of Texas decided that the mediate’s overreach mandatory to be corrected,” Norred mentioned. “And we are joyful for Shelley in an effort to be abet along with her household and along with her work household that she has sacrificed so mighty to enhance.”

The Supreme Court docket dispute came as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) escalated his criticism of the mediate’s decision, which he earlier suggested became too restrictive. In a Thursday statement, he launched he became editing his coronavirus-linked executive orders in a manner supposed to free her early.

“Throwing Texans in jail who beget had their agencies shut down through no fault of their contain is nonsensical, and I is now not any longer going to enable it to happen,” he mentioned.

President Trump also backed Luther on Thursday, as Abbott visited the White Home: “I became looking out on the salon proprietor and she appeared so mountainous, so reliable, so honest correct,” mentioned the president, who has also expressed sympathy for protesters defying contain-at-home orders. “And she or he became speaking about her children. She has to feed her children.”

Norred mentioned the governor’s announcement became “very honest correct, and mountainous for folk going forward.” But she mentioned the law firm would now not imagine Luther’s originate became linked to it.

Earlier this week, Abbott launched the convey would enable hair salons and barber retailers to reopen by Friday, an earlier timetable than anticipated after facing strain from members of his event and substitute house owners. A host of Texas hair salons and stylists beget confirmed defiance, saying they're financially desperate and unable to pay bills.

Warren Norred, Luther’s authorized reliable (and Annette Norred’s husband), mentioned the salon wouldn't be shutting down sooner than Friday, at the same time as it incurs a $500 graceful for day to day it violates Moyé’s dispute.

“She feels what she’s doing is simply, and she feels as though the manner to get previous right here is to acknowledge that you would possibly per chance well per chance also’t abet down,” Warren Norred mentioned. “The mediate became sending a message that we’re going to advance after you with every barrels in case you deign to contain open and minimize hair when the king is now not any longer permitting you to.”

The fines are also minuscule when when in contrast to the donations which beget flooded in as Luther becomes a face of nationwide, politically charged resistance to coronavirus-driven restrictions. One among several GoFundMe campaigns for her has raised extra than half 1,000,000 bucks.

“Shelley Luther is an American Hero that has decided to face up to tyranny by opening her substitute against an illegal Command Executive Scream,” reads the fundraiser, which stopped accepting funds Wednesday evening. It provides: “She is doing what all people else is most productive speaking about, in a patriotic switch to pick out abet her liberty!”

Annette Norred mentioned Thursday she is now not any longer sure precisely how Luther, who is resting at home, will utilize the money. But she mentioned the salon proprietor is will seemingly put it toward ethical prices and is also alive to “to manage along with her work household.”

Luther opened her salon virtually two weeks within the past, telling media retailers she couldn’t beget adequate money to contain closed. News stations reported those interior were carrying masks, and Luther became taking customers’ temperatures as they entered. Police issued her a citation for defying Abbott’s dispute, which did nothing. When she ripped up Jenkins’s discontinuance-and-desist letter, too, the city of Dallas took her to court docket — and tranquil she became unmoved.

“If which manner I beget to head to jail, I’ll lunge,” she told WFAA after Moyé issued the non everlasting restraining dispute final week.

Luther, though potentially the most visibly defiant hair salon proprietor in Texas, is removed from alone in her resistance to Abbott’s orders.

Candice Weeter, co-proprietor of Tune Up: The Manly Salon, told The Post she decided to reopen her salon in Magnolia final week after Abbott allowed restaurants, movie theaters and shopping department stores to reopen at lower capability. To Weeter, it appeared arbitrary and unfair that those agencies would possibly per chance well per chance open nonetheless no longer hers. With her workers in dire straits, she mentioned her nine locations in Texas were well-liked for loans from the federal Paycheck Protection Program, nonetheless the money has no longer advance through for some retailers.

A pair of hours after she opened on Friday, she mentioned, law enforcement officials threatened to arrest folk interior. Weeter shut it down — sooner than opening it abet up on Tuesday.

She had two prominent customers looking out out for illegal haircuts: a pair of GOP convey lawmakers.

In what convey Acquire. Briscoe Cain (R) known as an act of “civil disobedience,” he and convey Acquire. Steve Toth (R) came into Weeter’s salon for a interesting. Nothing about it became quite cloaked in secrecy. The records cameras were rolling, broadcasting the scene for all to examine. But no police arrived this time.

Toth mentioned he ethical wished to point to unity with the salon and struggling agencies in traditional, pondering Abbott became transferring too slowly in permitting all of them to reopen.

“I’ve bought tiny-substitute house owners calling me on the phone, they assuredly’re liable to losing their agencies, they assuredly’re ethical absolutely despondent simply now,” he mentioned.

Weeter mentioned she conception Abbott listened to her industry’s considerations nonetheless mentioned she gained’t wait till Friday to open legally. She mentioned that on an everyday foundation her workers are out of labor issues for them and that she is now not any longer eager she can terminate up esteem Luther.

“We’re no longer attempting to disrespect somebody,” Weeter mentioned. “We ethical desire the simply to manage with our workers or decide care of our customers.”

Weeter mentioned her workers can be required to set apart on masks and customers can be encouraged to set apart on them as neatly. She mentioned she stocked her retailers with extra masks to give away in case customers need one.

Ultimately of his info briefing Tuesday, Abbott encouraged all people returning to agencies to set apart on masks nonetheless mentioned the convey is now not any longer going to require it. Stylists can be allowed most productive one customer at a time, and customers waiting must stay six toes apart or wait outside. Nail salons and tanning salons also can be reopening Friday, while Abbott mentioned gyms can open opening Can even simply 18 nonetheless with out locker rooms and showers.

Sign Berman and Brittany Shammas contributed to this insist.

This memoir has been up to this point.

[adawneveryday]

In The Fog

[Another short story I wrote yesterday - I can see a series in this or something larger coming from it - It takes place inside the mind of one of the imaginations of an imagined couple - you know how people have conversations in their head or imagine alternative outcomes - what if we could watch their thoughts and what if their thoughts were out of sync completely with our perception of them or with what really was their reality.]

The fog rolled in like any other: thick, dense, languid, like it wasn’t inclined to leave. The sun was just the glow of a cigarette. The sky was smokey plumes (*I refuse to spell it smoky - idc). The airport was a lot of canceled flights and its irritated cargo.

No more irritated were Paul and Marie. 

Paul and Marie were a marriage that did best on the move, preferably in seperate directions. But during the holidays they made a show of being together, decades of togetherness. Ask anyone, they were a solid couple occupying the same pew for eons. Their children based their marital aspirations on their mother and father, mostly their mother because father worked so much.  Mother and father made it look so easy. They were a delight at the dinner table. They never showed a short fuse or made scene at a company party. They were a partnership. They were incorporated. They even went out for their anniversaries and birthdays. No one needed to know it was show and chaperoning. They were chaperoning their marriage.  

But they were a couple who only did well on a stage and for only a few hours at a time. 

They had developed coupling techniques and coping hobbies. 

In public, they appeared polite people, so that no one would know absence of public displays of affection were normal. They didn’t burden others with their emotions. He always opened her door in public. He drove the car around to the door if it was raining and they were caught in the rain. She always said thank you when he did these things, even if she never met eye contact anymore. He always let her order first. She always ordered only one glass of moderately priced wine. He never drank anything but water with lemon when they were together in public.  Her drink ensured she wouldn’t find him irritating. His lack of drink ensured he wouldn’t say anything about her irritating habits, like her nail checking, and ever shortening hair cuts, and larger costume jewelry. Her large expensive handbags were ridiculous. Caricature of a woman. And him, with his pot belly and supposed gym trainer. He had gone soft years ago. As soon as she had started to lose her battle with gravity. And why he had chosen to buy a new golf cart just to go look at his boat at the marina was crazy. His golf carts were the equivalent of her handbags. He just didn’t know it. They knew they judged each other. The lack of looking said it all. And they had more coping techniques.

He enjoyed a good, long smoke with a very good cigar and glass of bourbon.

She had allergies and enjoyed instead long shopping trips in nearby cities when not taking off for a beach vacation or other get-away with girlfriends. She limited herself to two glasses of wine on a shopping trip, but she never kept track of the margaritas. 

When they traveled together, which was regularly (a great gap of not being seen together is a no-no in their set), it was to see relatives and their children and their grandchildren. Or appear at his company parties. Or their clubs fundraisers.

Sometimes they came on separate flights.

Sometimes they traveled together.

Had they been cell mates, one may have shivved the other, if another option hadn’t presented itself, like an early heart attack. 

Marie sometimes admitted, like most woman, that Paul drove her crazy or she could just kill him, but it was the exasperation of a typical wife. And soon they were as peaceful as apple pie. He never said he’d kill her. Men are advised never to do that, and it is too obvious to say why.

Their marriage was a death do us part kind of affair. A family mausoleum of fidelities. 

And they had found ample ways to cope.

Like her confiding in girlfriends who were just out of their standard circle of friends so she could excommunicate them easily and not worry about not being invited to cookouts. She never kept a hairdresser longer than a couple of years. And she always selected ones on their way out, with dreams of becoming something more. The ones that talked more about themselves and barely listened. The ones with the occasion track on their arm or sinking look in their face. Those were her favorite. They would disappear forever quickly from the salons and spas. 

Paul the same. Except his was the male version of caddies and bartenders and boat repairmen. They never listened or asked questions. It mattered little who they were or how long they stayed. He couldn’t even tell you if any were married. God forbid he be asked to give a detailed descriptions. He asked enough questions to make them feel he was a nice guy, but cared very little about their answers. And this suited them. 

But the fog was encircling them now, and the VIP lounge was deserted enough that they had to face each other if only temporarily.

“We should get a hotel,” she said.

“I have enough of those,” he said.

“A room. Or two.”

“The airport hotel is a dump. I’m not staying there. The fog will be lifting.”

Marie scrolled her weather app.

“No, it isn’t lifting anytime soon. We’re stuck here. And I’d rather do it lying down.”

“With your feet up. Of course. I’ll get you a room.”

“I’ll get it myself. You can stay here.”

“Stay,” Paul said.

Marie stopped and looked at him for the first time. 

“Why?”

He pursed his lips. 

“The fog is going to lift and we’ll be able to go. Too much trouble to get a room. They’re booked up, anyway.”

The anxiety on his face was strange. It was like a halloween mask, the kind with the elastic band around the back, the kind that got sweaty.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“No.”

Their marriage closed in around them. Paul was thinking about it even before the fog rolled in.

“We aren’t going to live forever, and I don’t want to live unhappily.”

“The fog will lift,” Marie said. “This is only temporary.”

Paul saw his life

beginning to end. 

“We’re doing it wrong,” he said.

“We’re fine, Paul. Everyone is doing it. You have your bourbon. I have my credit cards. The fog will lift and we’ll see our grandchildren.”

“And you will be overly affection to our son-in-law who irritates me and take our daughter for a manicure, and I’ll buy our daughter a SUV and spoil our grandson by sending him to camp. We’ve learned to cope, but coping is not enough, is it?”

“You mean we only have one life? And we should live it to the fullest? I don’t want to hear that. We have eternal life after it all.”

“Really? Because of how well we have behaved? Or because you think we will be forgiven because we confess?”

“Of course. This isn’t all there is. Couldn’t be. What a waste if it were.”

“What a waste if it isn’t. What if we end up together forever? Is that really what you want? For all eternity?”

“Like we won’t have freedom to do what we like? We are not angels. We do as we please. So, Paul, enough. The fog will lift. Go to the bar. I’m getting a room. I’ll see you when the fog lifts and they have our flight ready.”

“Marie. Marie,” Paul said from the window while looking out at the fog.

Marie came out of her daydream of words and emotions and drama.

“Hmmm?”

“Let’s get a room. The fog isn’t going to lift soon. Maybe we should just go home.” Paul hadn’t spoken since they had entered the VIP lounge.

“I don’t want to chance a drive in this fog. I’d rather stay in the hotel. I’d hate for us to get in an accident. The roads have too many bends. Our flight will just take off late today or tonight.”

“Alright,” Paul said thinking how much he enjoyed the sound of a few ice cubes in an old fashion glass before pouring is favorit amber colored drink over them. It was the simple things. His life had order and purpose and quiet. Marie was the perfect partner. He was so blessed he sometimes felt guilty not reflecting on it.

“Well, lets go.”

“Alright.”

[usuallyrics-blog]

Fancy

New Lyrics has been published on usuallyrics.com https://usuallyrics.com/lyrics/fancy/

Fancy

(feat. T.I. & Swizz Beatz)

[Swizz Beats:] Go Go ‘head Go go go ‘head Go go go go go go ‘head Go go go go go go ‘head Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh

Nails done, hair done, everything big Nails done, hair done, everything big Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh You you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh

Nails done, hair done, everything big Nails done, hair done, everything big Oh you fancy huh

[Drake:] You getting ready so I know we gon’ be here awhile In the bathroom flat irons and nail files Spending hours in salons on your hairstyle In the mall steady racking up the air miles Hit the gym step on the scales stare at the number You say you dropping 10 pounds preparing for summer And you don’t do it for the man, men never notice You just do it for yourself you’re the fucking coldest Intelligent too ooh you’re my sweetheart I’ve always liked my women book and street smart Long as they got a little class like half days And the confidence to overlook my past ways Time heals all, and heels hurt to walk in But they go with the clutch that you carry your lip gloss in And look I really think that nobody does it better I love the way you put it together

Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Nails done, hair done, everything big Nails done, hair done, everything big Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Nails done, hair done, everything big Nails done, hair done, everything big Oh you fancy huh

[T.I.:] Well aren’t you a breath of fresh air From all these superficial gold digging bitches in here They get a baller think that they ain’t got to pick a career Guess they plan on sucking dicks until some millions appear Like “voilà!” You do it right he might just buy you a car Now she play these suckers just like B.o.B play the guitar Now here you are with your girls having drinks at the bar I say I’m buying you decline, that is kinda bizarre

Independent with the demeanor of an R&B singer Naked ring finger (check) M3 beamer (check) Champagne range Triple white Jag’ Closet full of brand new clothes and hand bags Alexander McQueen, Prada, Gucci, Chanel D&G, BCBG, Versace, Louis and BeBe You ain’t needy, greedy or easy as these other breezy’s Who fuck for bottles of Riesling or bowls of baked ziti

Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Nails done, hair done, everything big Nails done, hair done, everything big Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Nails done, hair done, everything big Nails done, hair done, everything big Oh you fancy huh

[Drake:] Atlanta girls, let me see your hands Wave em at them bitches hating on you with their friends Girl you got it Let em know that everything big Nail done, hair done, everything big

And my NY girls let me see your hands Wave em at them bitches hating on you with their friends Girl you got it Let em know that everything big Nail done, hair done, everything big

And my LA girls, let me see your hands Wave em at them bitches hating on you with their friends Girl you got it Let em know that everything big Nails done, hair done, everything big

And my TO girls, let me see your hands Wave em at them bitches hating on you with their friends Girl you got it Let em know that everything big Nail done, hair done, nail done, hair done

[Swizz Beats:] Say go Cinderella Go Cinderella Orgasm blush Lipstick and concealer Devil in a tight dress Girl you a killer and ain’t nobody realer And ain’t nobody realer Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go Showtime Go, go, go, go As we proceed

[Drake:] Uh, 5 and a half in boys Ass is off the hook Cinderella bout to lose the glass off her foot And when I find it is when I find you And we can do the things we never got the time to Better late than never But never late is better They tell me time is money, well we’ll spend it together I’m down for whatever You just lead the way We go to dinner you don’t even look at me to pay Mature women with more than me were the first to tempt me And Jason had this girl Tammy with a purple Bentley How she got it I ain’t never get to ask I just knew that she was fine like a ticket on the dash Yeah, but shout out to the homeowners The girls that got diplomas And enough money to loan us a little something extra Should we ever need it If it sounds like you then let me hear you repeat it

Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Nails done, hair done, everything big Nails done, hair done, everything big Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Oh you fancy huh Nails done, hair done, everything big Nails done, hair done, everything big Oh you fancy huh

Who is Drake

Aubrey Drake Graham – Canadian actor and musician. Degrassi: Jimmy Brooks from the next generation. As a rapper, Drake uses his stage name.

[klutzinmypants]

The mute swan is the national bird of Denmark. The marguerite daisy is the national flower. I am pretty sure the national inhalant of Denmark is Marlboro.

My history in selecting AirBnB’s by myself has been a little tenuous. I had one where there was no internet, I had another where I ended up rooming with a girl and her friend and a cat (the cat was the plus side of the rental – obvs.). So this time I made sure Andrew vetted my choice prior to selection so that I did not end up in a tent or a cult or Copenhagen, New York by accident. I almost chose an apartment that was a bit nearer to the city but the reviews on it said that when you opened the windows there was cigarette smoke coming in. I feel bad for the owner of the AirBnB for missing out on renters and want to reach out to her so that she can respond with, “we just call that ‘air’ in Copenhagen.”

After 20 hours of travel, a night out with more drinks than I usually have in a month, days of almost 19 hours of sun and general overwhelmedness, the second day here I kind of crashed. I walked around the city a bit and went to a salon to pick up hair product. Just as the words, “my hair isn’t going to be that frizzy because it’s not that humid here” left my lips, the sky opened up and rain pelted down – I might not understand weather. This was no Oregon drizzle. This was where the phrase “cats and dogs” comes from. I made a quick trip to the gym and headed back to my apartment where I napped for three hours while the rain pelted away.

The texture you see in the above picture is the rain. It was a good day to have my vacation from bed. Eventually I decided to get out of bed and started heading to the improv place I’d been the night before – ICC. I got to the end of the block, changed my mind, and turned to go to the main street to find some dinner and head back to bed – I had hit a wall. Andrew would say it was jet lag. I would say that I don’t believe in jet lag.

Around the corner, it turns out, was a street festival celebrating the neighborhood.

The band was playing Danish pop and the lead singer was super into it. The light crowd was polite and super into the beer. I was, as is my wont, dressed inappropriately for the weather. So I downed my sausage just in time for the couple sitting next to me to light up their cigarettes and put the nail in the proverbial coffin of me hightailing it out of there.

My appetite was not sated, and while I was not in the mood to go out, I also wasn’t quite ready to go back to bed. I found a restaurant with a chef’s tasting menu and wandered in. Tasting menus are my new favorite thing to do at a restaurant. I love food and I love trying new things and I love restaurants. I think food is art – and a tasting menu is like the chef’s best version of their selves.

Green onion with potato and mini potato chips.

C.rab salad

Cod and English peas

Ox heart

Wild duck

Strawberries and meringue and white chocolate

These were the six dishes of the inaptly named 5 course tasting menu. The green onion was tasty but hard to eat because I couldn’t really cut it. The rest of the dishes tasted fine, but I think they could have used some more salt. The service was good, I was brought dishes by apparently anyone with a free hand and they each explained the dishes except for the woman who brought the cod – but she also brought me the next dish and it turns out she was just shy about her English – I totally empathize. What I loved most was the pacing. For Andrew’s birthday I took him to a nice restaurant in Portland and they asked us if we were in a rush. We said no. Then they proceeded to serve us as though they were trying to win a race against the service team at Red Robin – I am pretty sure we were in, dined, paid and out in an hour. But the dinner above was a 2+ hour affair. By the time I was done eating I was almost hungry again.

I got back to my apartment and immediately felt wide awake – probably due to all the food I’d had and not due to the jet lag I don’t believe in.

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, and Lungs, and Hair The mute swan is the national bird of Denmark. The marguerite daisy is the national flower. I am pretty sure the national inhalant of Denmark is Marlboro.