#tilting pad supplier

[metatekeng]

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[lucygxybaird]

billy noticing his girl wearing a new dress and he makes her feel so pretty :)

You nibble on your lip as you stand in front of the mirror, holding your arms out like you’re preparing to dance as you turn your hips one way and then another. The hem of your skirt swirls out as you move, and you hum softly, tilting your head. You can’t decide if you like it or not, but you can’t stand here for much longer. Billy will be here any minute.

In any case, it isn’t like you to stand in front of the mirror, studying your reflection like a little parakeet. You spend most of your days working in your father’s general store, so you tend to dress simply, stocking the shelves and tending to customers when they come in. But he’s just received a shipment of cloth from a new supplier, and your mother surprised you with a dress made from the nicest print — white with pale blue stripes, with little forget-me-nots blooming in the rows.

You straighten your bodice, smoothing your hands over your hips. The bustle in the back has been artfully sewn into folds and pleats, and you have to admit you like what it does to your shape. Warmth floods over your cheeks as an entirely foreign (but not entirely unpleasant) thought occurs to you: you hope Billy agrees. 

You’re particularly fond of the buttons on the front, sixteen bronze pieces engraved with Celtic love knots. They march down your bodice, starting underneath the hollow of your throat and ending just above your waist. Your flush deepens as you imagine Billy running the rough pad of his thumb over one of them, maybe slipping it free of its loop and— 

There’s a knock on the front door, and you nearly jump out of your skin. Your hands fly up to smooth down your hair as you realize it’s just Billy, punctual as he so often is. You know how much your dates mean to him — as important as they are to you, for Billy, they’re idylls of peace, moments suspended in time like pearls on a string. Moments where he can just be himself: Billy, your Billy, rather than Billy the Kid; a young man in love, rather than an outlaw fighting for his life. 

You hurry to the front door and open it, using your nerves to pin up the corners of your smile, so that it trembles in place ever so slightly. Billy would never say if he hated your new dress, but you’ll know; you can read him so well that you’ll know, just by a twitch of his eyebrow or the softest sigh from his lips if he likes it or not.

“Hi, Billy,” you say, sounding almost shy, although you feel a measure of relief when he smiles at you like he always does. As if he can’t quite imagine how he found you, or how he managed to keep you once he did — but William H. Bonney is not one to question a miracle, so he’ll just marvel, and keep smiling. 

He smiles at you again, leaning a forearm against the doorway. “Hey, baby.” 

Before you can ask what he thinks, Billy reaches out and draws a fingertip along one of the stripes running down your sleeve, his hand finding yours. He lifts it to his mouth, brushing a kiss against your knuckles. “I’m sorry for starin’,” he says, his eyes on yours, your hand still at his lips. “I just can’t help myself. You’re a vision.”

You blush to the roots of your hair, which only makes Billy smile again. “My pretty girl,” he says, reaching for you, wrapping his hands around your waist and drawing you close to him. “Is this new?”

“Yes,” you tell him. Your hands find his chest, and you can feel the steady drum of his heart in your palm. “Daddy is workin’ with a new textiles merchant. Mama made this for me.”

Billy hums, leaning down to nose against a stray curl escaping your chignon, a flyaway against your temple. The warmth of his breath makes your back arch just a little, and you catch his grin from the corner of your eye. “I’ll have to thank all of ’em,” he says into your ear. “Your pa, your mom, and the merchant, too. You’d look like an angel in homespun, but now…”

“Now?” you prompt, your voice a little shakier than it was a moment ago.

“Now I can hardly believe my eyes,” he says. He kisses your cheek, moves to gently nip at your earlobe. “There can’t be a more beautiful girl in the whole world.” 

You laugh a little, though it’s just as tremulous as your voice. Your face is on fire and your knees are weak, but you don’t pull away. “Billy, it’s just a dress.”

“Mmm, it’s not just a dress. Not when you’re wearin’ it,” he says. “You’re pretty like the moonlight is pretty, baby — you make everything around you more beautiful just by bein’ near it.” 

He kisses your scarlet cheek and pulls back, taking you by the hand. “Yours truly, included,” he says, smiling a little. “If there’s anything beautiful about me—”

“There is,” you interrupt. You sandwich his hand between both of yours and hold it against your chest. “You’re beautiful because your heart is full of kindness, and love, and courage. Anyone else who’s been through what you have would just be bitter and ugly, inside and out. But you aren’t.” 

Now Billy’s cheeks have taken on a rosy hue of their own, but he offers you a crooked grin. “Now, what’s this about out?” 

You laugh. “Like you don’t know you’re gorgeous,” you say. “Like I don’t have to beat the women off you with a stick.” 

“I don’t care about them,” he says, giving your hand a little tug to lead you through the door. “Just you.”

Once you’re out in your yard, he takes you by the waist, lifting you onto his horse. He carefully arranges your skirts, making sure nothing is trailing in the dirt and your legs are covered, before swinging up behind you. 

“We’re goin’ into town tonight,” he says. “I gotta show off my girl and her pretty new dress.” 

[headstrongblake]

everything was going great until you stopped me. / rev & nick / @thewholecrew​

      as nicklas arrives through the back door of one of their suppliers’ home, he avoids grant’s gaze, immediately taking a spot next to atom and a few other members because he knows he’s fucking late. that he hasn’t been on top of his game since christmas eve and that’s most likely why there weren’t a whole host of missed calls from rev or grant when he didn’t show up on time this morning. today’s important because they’re missing an order of guns, and they simply can’t have that. but lately....nick is more of the loose canon and too unpredictable. 

    nicklas watches rev intimidate and question with exhausted features and a pounding headache from the bottle of jack he’d downed after the bar closed last night before he lights himself a smoke. he only gets a few puffs in before something in the way their supplier sneers hits a trigger point. his elbow knocked against atom, handing over his lit smoke before he wandered towards rev and their supplier. “ lets jog the memory another way, ” nick said to rev before his hand quickly went to the back of the older man’s neck, “ all right, you see here, we’re done, ” nicklas frowned, shoving him forward into the kitchen table he sat at. nick glanced at rev, eyebrows lifting in a quiet communication before rev helped secure the man in place. 

    “ listen, i know you’re just doing your job, but we don’t have to make this any bloodier than it needs to be. ” nick spoke with a twisted smirk as the darkest parts of himself relished in the way this man struggled against him and rev. “ don’t even give a shit who told you to fuck us, just tell us where the shipment is. ” i got no idea their supplier tells them, but nicklas just rolls his eyes, “ you got him? ” he asked rev before forcing their supplier’s hand onto the table. “ really? ” he asked, giving them one more option to tell them. when no other response comes, nick swiftly unhooks his blade from his hip, driving it full force into the middle of the man's hand. with his guttural screams, nick reached for the bandana on the table, shoving it inside his mouth before, “ any ideas coming to you? ” as the man groaned, nick sighed, reaching to shift the knife lodged in his hand, “ how about now? ” 

     despite the muted yells, there were also words that accompanied the man this time. nicklas reached forward to pull the cloth from his mouth, “ what was that? ” i’ll...get the address. nick felt accomplished and quite honestly, ready for more sleep as he looked around, reaching for a to do list notepad off the fridge, collecting a pen before he placed it down in front of the man. “ hope you weren’t a lefty. ” 

     with the address written down, rev and nicklas left their spot beside the kitchen table as nick tore the paper from the notepad. “ better? ” nick asked, head tilting as he held up the pad of paper with a scribbled address to rev and grant. everything was going great until you stopped me. nicklas pondered that. it was probably true, rev usually is the better option when it comes to situations like this. somehow it’s like rev can practically smell other people’s fear, and quickly uses that to their advantage. but nick’s patience is too thin today and anger still too unstable. without another response, nicklas simply lifted his shoulders as he reached for his burning smoke he’d left in atom’s grip before he began walking away to leave the same way he’d come in. “ you can have the next one, all right? ” 

[keanchee]

Selecting the Perfect Office Chair: Top Choices for Modern Workspaces in Saudi Arabia

In today's fast-paced work environment, the right office chair is essential for ensuring comfort, productivity, and overall well-being. For modern workspaces in Saudi Arabia, choosing the perfect office chair involves considering various factors to meet the needs of diverse employees and align with contemporary design trends. Here’s a guide to help you select the ideal office chair for your Saudi Arabian workspace.

1. Ergonomic Design

Ergonomics is crucial for reducing physical strain and enhancing comfort. Look for office chairs with adjustable features such as seat height, lumbar support, and armrests. Ergonomic chairs are designed to support the natural curve of the spine and allow for prolonged periods of sitting without discomfort. For offices in Saudi Arabia, where the climate can be harsh, consider chairs with breathable mesh material to ensure airflow and prevent overheating.

2. Adjustable Features

Flexibility is key when selecting an office chair. Modern chairs often come with multiple adjustment options, including tilt mechanisms, seat depth, and height adjustments. This adaptability allows employees to customize their chairs according to their specific needs and preferences. In Saudi Arabia, where businesses are increasingly adopting flexible work arrangements, having adjustable chairs can enhance the overall work experience.

3. Quality Materials

The materials used in an office chair impact its durability and comfort. High-quality upholstery materials, such as leather or high-grade fabric, can enhance the chair’s longevity and aesthetic appeal. In Saudi Arabia, where dust and heat can affect office furniture, opting for easy-to-clean and durable materials is advisable. Chairs with robust frames and cushioning will stand up better to daily wear and tear.

4. Design and Aesthetics

The design of an office chair should complement the modern workspace's interior. Sleek, contemporary designs can enhance the overall look of an office while providing functionality. In Saudi Arabia, where businesses often invest in creating visually appealing environments, choosing chairs that blend with the office decor can contribute to a cohesive and professional atmosphere.

5. Support and Comfort

An office chair that offers proper support can help prevent back pain and promote better posture. Look for chairs with adjustable lumbar support that can be tailored to fit the natural curve of the lower back. Additionally, a well-padded seat and backrest contribute to comfort during long working hours. For Saudi Arabian offices, where employees might spend extended periods at their desks, ensuring that the chair provides adequate support and comfort is essential.

6. Mobility and Swivel Features

Chairs with smooth-rolling casters and a swivel function enhance mobility and flexibility in the workspace. This is particularly useful in dynamic work environments where employees need to move around frequently or collaborate with colleagues. In Saudi Arabian offices, where team-based work and collaborative activities are common, choosing chairs with these features can improve efficiency and ease of movement.

7. Budget Considerations

While investing in a high-quality office chair is important, it’s also crucial to consider the budget. There are a variety of options available at different price points. It’s worth exploring chairs that offer the best value for money, combining quality and affordability. In Saudi Arabia, where businesses are mindful of costs, finding a balance between price and functionality can help make the best choice without compromising on essential features.

8. User Reviews and Recommendations

Finally, consider user reviews and recommendations when selecting an office chair. Feedback from other businesses or individuals can provide valuable insights into the chair’s performance and durability. In Saudi Arabia, where local suppliers and brands may offer specialized options, seeking reviews from similar work environments can help in making an informed decision.

In conclusion, selecting the perfect office chair for modern workspaces in Saudi Arabia involves evaluating ergonomics, adjustability, materials, design, support, mobility, and budget. By focusing on these factors, businesses can ensure that their office chairs not only enhance comfort and productivity but also contribute to a stylish and functional work environment.

[ergonomicfdesk]

While it's not at all as versatile as a few of the other gaming chairs about this list

Prime 5 Best Gaming Chairs

A gaming chair is a type of chair that is created specifically for gamers and often attributes ergonomic designs to generate it more secure for long periods of time while sitting inside the same position. Gaming chairs are usually well padded from the seat and back again, have adjustable armrests and headrests, and can also come with lumbar support to counteract pain in the spine. They are as well usually height-adjustable to support different players so to allow them to realize their desk or perhaps monitors easily.

While there are lots of gaming chairs accessible, it is imperative that you choose one that has the design and features that could best meet your requirements. China Esports Gaming Chair Suppliers The most common design feature in which separates gaming ergonomic chairs from office chairs is the reclining mechanism, which allows the user to help adjust the angle in the seat backrest to be able to change their pose while sitting while in the chair. Many of these chairs have got a tilt functionality that lets the consumer rock between the two in their safety. However, it is crucial that you note that not all gaming chairs have a quality reclining mechanism and several require a variety of physical effort to move the chair backward and forward.

Gaming chairs are sometimes made of low-quality materials and are also not as sturdy as office chairs, so it is not optional to purchase a new high-quality gaming seat that will last a long time. Most of that top-rated gaming chairs has a sturdy steel frame that is built to withstand heavy make use of. Additionally, they could have caster wheels which can be covered in polyurethane to counteract them from dangerous your flooring. Moreover, the seat cushions ought to be made of your durable material for instance leather or mesh that could resist usage.

The Asus ROG Destrier Ergo seat has all the stuff you would expect from the premium gaming easy chair. It has 4D supply rests and happy lumbar support that molds for a body, and it also has a plethora of healthy posture and comfort maximizing adjustments. It even features a built-in footrest!

While it's not at all as versatile as a few of the other gaming chairs about this list, the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 offers many adjustment options to fit a considerable amount of body types and also playing styles. Additionally , it has a large selection of color and upholstery possibilities, including fabrics empowered by popular esports teams and video games. The Titan Evo boasts a generous assortment of backrest angle flexibility and involves multiple headrest realignment options.

Choosing the proper gaming chair can help to improve your performance while gaming. In case you are more comfortable while sitting in your chair, you will be able to focus on the game without staying distracted by pain. Moreover, a good gaming chair might help to alleviate back and neck discomfort, which can result in a decrease with your overall gaming performance. The Herman Miller Embody will be the Rolls Royce of gaming chairs and it will be a pretty dime, but it is merely worth the investment if you have the money to spare.

[phelanspharmacy]

Choosing A Chair For My Elderly Relative In Ireland Seating Matters

Once fitted, the chair shouldn't transfer or wobble as you employ it. If you employ a strolling frame, keep in mind to use the arms of the chair for standing up and sitting down. Do not be tempted to carry onto the frame, especially when standing up, as it may tip towards you. Some suppliers now incorporate particular pressure relieving options in the usual seat which may be price mobility chairs ireland contemplating if you discover it tough to regulate your place or sit for lengthy intervals. To help you stand up, the ends must be easy to grip and level with the entrance fringe of the seat. Armrests which have padded or scrolled ends may be more difficult to grip; square fronts may be painful to push down on.

Whether you're planning on a casual or elegant look, we now have one thing to swimsuit all. From a premium leather jacket, to a traditional wool coat or a sensible raincoat for the winter months, we've orthopedic chair for elderly got you lined. Statement prints, basic cuts, and waterproof wonders will help you battle the elements with easy fashion.

These have a spring or hydraulically operated mechanism which, when activated, tilts the seat forward to help you to get out of the chair. The mechanism may be adjusted in accordance with the load of the consumer. The length and width of those metallic frames may mobility chair be adjusted in order that they fit round a chair or sofa. They have two handles which prolong upwards from the base to provide assist so that you just can push against when standing or sitting.

Worried that your resort of alternative isn’t outfitted to deal with the mobility wants of a disabled relative or elderly parent? Our hoist rental choices mean tackling on an everyday basis tasks mobility chairs is straightforward, even when you’re away from house. However, discovering a suitable lodge room for a holiday for disabled persons is harder.

Create a spot to take a load off in your living room with our wide range of reasonably priced and modern armchairs which additionally embody a spread of rocking and recliner chairs. Shop on-line or at your nearest JYSK store to discover our range of comfortable and inexpensive riser recliner chair ireland armchairs. Using cutting-edge technology, our electrical wheelchairs and mobility scooters provide intuitiveness, ease of use and luxury. A‌ powerful and quiet motor, a long-lasting battery pack, and a four-way adjustable seating, ensures fast and comfy mobility even at longer distances.

This means we've full management of the entire process, from the primary piece of metal welded, to the chair being placed in your home Hi Tec Medicare will have your comfort and wellbeing in thoughts. They do wear like another chair, and rougher members of the family will drag on the chair even the place there’s no want to do so. Transformers and motors are generally orthopedic chair ireland simple fixes in most cases if the frame of the chair is high quality. If you have to slouch to have your ft flat on the ground or your knees have fresh air behind them, the chair doesn't suit you. Don’t swing your self into the best spot; discover the place your knees hit together with your again upright.

Call us in case you have any questions on shopping for, servicing or repairing a stairlift - at no cost and no-nonsense advice. Sometimes, even the most accessible lodging can’t cater to advanced care requirements. That’s why we stock orthopedic chair an impressive vary of hospital beds and bariatric beds that can be returned for the duration of your keep. Medical air mattresses are additionally obtainable to these on the lookout for a extra sensible possibility.

[excel-office-furniture]

Choosing the Perfect Office Chair in Hyderabad: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction:

Choosing the right office chair is crucial when creating a comfortable and productive work environment in Hyderabad. However, with many options, finding the perfect office chair that meets your needs can take time and effort. This comprehensive guide will provide valuable insights and tips to help you make an informed decision when searching for Office Chairs In Hyderabad, ensuring optimal comfort and support for long work hours.

Importance of Office Chairs:

Office chairs play a significant role in maintaining good posture, reducing discomfort, and enhancing productivity. They are designed to support the spine, neck, and lower back, which are common areas prone to strain and fatigue due to long hours of sitting. An ergonomic office chair promotes proper body alignment, reduces the risk of musculoskeletal issues, and allows employees to focus on their tasks without discomfort.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Office Chairs in Hyderabad:

ü Ergonomics: Prioritize ergonomic features when selecting office chairs. Look for chairs with adjustable seat height, lumbar support, backrest angle, and armrest height. All these features allow users to customize the chair, ensuring a comfortable and supportive seating experience.

ü Comfort: Consider the comfort level of the chair. Look for chairs with sufficient cushioning and breathable materials that prevent sweating and discomfort during prolonged sitting. Additionally, chairs with contoured seats and padded armrests provide extra comfort and support.

ü Adjustability: Opt for chairs with multiple adjustable features. Height adjustability allows users to align the chair with their desk height, while adjustable armrests enable proper positioning of the arms and shoulders. The ability to tilt the backrest and lock it in different positions adds to the flexibility and comfort of the chair.

ü Lumbar Support: Adequate lumbar support is essential for maintaining a healthy posture. Look for chairs with built-in lumbar support or adjustable lumbar pads that can be positioned to support the natural curve of the lower back. This feature helps prevent lower back pain and promotes proper spinal alignment.

ü Material and Durability: Consider the quality and durability of the chair. For daily use of chairs, look for material which is good quality and can can withstand daily use in a demanding office environment. Chairs with a sturdy frame, durable upholstery, and strong casters ensure longevity and reliability.

ü Style and Aesthetics: Choose office chairs that complement the office decor and reflect your organization's style. Consider colour, design, and upholstery options to create a cohesive and visually appealing workspace.

ü Budget: Determine your budget for office chairs and balance quality and affordability. Investing in ergonomic and durable chairs is an investment for the long run, as it promotes employee well-being and productivity.

Finding Reliable Office Chair Suppliers in Hyderabad:

To ensure you purchase office chairs of the highest quality, choosing a reputable supplier in Hyderabad is essential. Look for suppliers who offer a wide range of office chairs, have positive customer reviews, and provide excellent customer service. For example, excel Office is a trusted supplier of office chairs in Hyderabad, offering a diverse selection of ergonomic chairs that prioritize comfort and functionality.

Choosing the perfect office chair in Hyderabad is a crucial decision that directly impacts employees' comfort, health, and productivity. You can choose your liking considering ergonomics, comfort, adjustability, lumbar support, material durability, aesthetics, and budget. Excel Office provides a wide range of office chairs in Hyderabad, ensuring the highest quality, ergonomic design, and customer satisfaction. Create a comfortable and productive work environment by selecting the perfect office chairs catering to your needs.

With Excel Office, you can trust that our office chairs in Hyderabad are meticulously designed to provide exceptional support and comfort. We understand the importance of ergonomics in promoting employee well-being and reducing the risk of work-related injuries. Therefore, our chairs incorporate the latest ergonomic principles, ensuring proper body alignment and minimizing muscle and jo

Our wide selection of office chairs includes options for various preferences and work environments. So, whether you need executive chairs for your top-level management or task chairs for everyday use, we have the perfect solutions. In addition, our chairs come in various styles, colours, and finishes, allowing you to create a cohesive and visually appealing office space.

Customers are satisfied with what we plan on achieving, and it is the heart of our business. We strive to provide a seamless experience from selection to delivery. Our knowledgeable team is available to answer any questions and guide you in making the right choice for your office chair needs. We understand that you trust us and aim to exceed your product quality and service expectations.

Investing in the perfect office chair is an investment in the well-being and productivity of your employees. Excel Office is committed to helping you create a workspace that fosters comfort, productivity, and employee satisfaction. So let us assist you in choosing the ideal office chairs in Hyderabad that will elevate your office environment to new heights.

[gaytransgirl]

A Thorough Dissection of Snapcube’s “Sonic The Hedgehog (2006)” Dub and its Recurring Themes and Plots

I have organized this into two main plot threads, one recurring theme that aids both plots, and a series of noteworthy jokes and/or bits that add story cohesion to the dub as a whole. Luckily for me, Shadow T. Hedgehog himself brought about a generic theme message of the dub inside the dub itself, so that was part of my work alleviated from me. For the sake of the post being long as hell, all the information will be placed under a readmore.

STORY THREAD: THE FORTNITE GAMING SAGA

8:00 - The first mention of Fortnite. 8:13 - The introduction of alternate Battle Royales and their existence in the dub. This does not necessarily include real Battle Royales such as PUBG, instead branching off into fictional works, such as Doki Doki Literature Club Battle Royale. 8:55 is where we get the first mention of Tilted Towers. Eggman is revealed to also like Fortnite, and Rouge's username is leaked. 13:43 - It is revealed that Memphis Tennessee is also an avid Fortnite gamer, and we see his gamer pad. 14:49 - "That just makes you a beta cuck." Not FULLY related to the plot, but worth mentioning because it is gold. 16:38 - Sonic defends the integrity of the real best Battle Royale, Tetris 99. 17:28 - The future of Fortnite is revealed. 17:56 - Rouge starts her plan to create her own Battle Royale. 22:52 - The world on fire, seen in Elise’s That’s So Raven moments, is revealed to be caused by Sonic's Battle Royale soundtrack. 25:55 - Eggman sends Sonic and co. into “Fortnite Minecraft” for the PS4. This is never elaborated upon. 26:58 - Alfred somehow predicts Fallout 76 Battle Royale before it was revealed. Because he is Alfred, and that is the magic of the dubs. 27:11 - Elise's key role in the perfect Battle Royale is revealed, establishing a more solid character motive for Eggman. 29:29 - Tails discovers Rouge's Battle Royale, and Sonic inserts himself as the main character. 38:19 - Memphis shows off his new Fortnite map. 41:19 - Omega shows a distaste for Fortnite, the first character thus far to do so, and plans to stop it from being the top game of 2018. 42:02 - Shadow asks Todd Howard to publish his game, and it is revealed that Shadow was made by Todd Howard as part of a Battle Royale. 48:49 - It's revealed that the purple and yellow energies are being used to power Fortnite. 51:55 - The Duke attempts to revive Elise using the gamer gems, but the gamer piss kills her. However, she is revived shortly after. 1:00:22 - Eggman's Fortnite account is hacked, and he has a birth of cactuses out of his asshole. 1:01:33 - Memphis realizes he has more gamer potential than anticipated, and moves far beyond Fortnite, disregarding the new map he made. 1:04:53 - Fortnite is destroyed by anonymous hackers, and Eggman's social security becomes someone else's. 1:21:25 - Elise takes Sonic to see the Flame of Gamers, and they extinguish it together. 1:23:06 - Game over.

Overall conclusion of this thread: No matter how well-intentioned a conflict may be (Fortnite vs PUBG vs Tetris 99), all that a conflict can breed is hate. Casualties may arise (Elise, Eggman’s social security), and outside groups (the hackers) are bound to take advantage of conflicting parties for their own gain.

STORY THREAD: SHADOW'S MARITAL AFFAIRS

30:33 - It is revealed that Shadow and Rouge had a wedding once. 32:16 - Shadow describes this arc before it truly begins. 35:27 - The power of Za Warudo unites Shadow and Sonic in marriage, though chaos ensues at the question of who is the bride. 35:59 - Shadow reveals his love for Memphis Tennessee, and they kiss off screen. 38:24 - Shadow asks Memphis on a date. 39:21 - We see the first sign of strain in Memphis and Shadow's relationship. 40:45 - Omega confesses his feelings for Shadow. 44:42 - Shadow and Silver do A Gay Thing together. 51:12 - Shadow obtains a portable Memphis. And what do you know? The perfect shape. 56:38 - Omega gets his revenge for Memphis for stealing Shadow. 58:29 - Rouge and Omega bond over the friend zone. 1:03:40 - Memphis voices his regret over dating Shadow, and chooses to instead fuck his clones. 1:06:14 - Sonic first recognizes Silver's status as a twink. This comes into play later, when Sonic is revived. 1:13:29 - Memphis unleashes his ultimate gay power, technically making Shadow his boyfriend again. 1:18:28 - The gay gems revive Sonic, and he forms a polyamorous marriage with Silver and Shadow.

Overall conclusion: Being gay is good. Try it some time.

RECURRING THEME: WEED AND VAPING

28:32 - This is the first mention of Knuckles' desire for weed, a joke returning from the first dub. Sonic establishes himself as a weed smoker. 29:39 - Rouge reveals her weed stash to Shadow, firmly cementing that she is not a dealer. If she was, she would’ve given it to Knuckles (for a price). 31:57 - "YOU HAD THE WEED THE WHOLE TIME?!" 36:50 - A robot asks for weed. Yeah. I did notice this. 37:21 - Rouge offers Omega some weed, and once weed.exe downloads, he short circuits in a beautiful display of Alfred’s note-holding capabilities. 40:29 - Omega is revealed to have the ability to inebriate others through his presence, as shown by Memphis’s red eyes. 41:46 - Omega asks for more weed. He does not get it. 43:53 - Shadow uses weed to slow time. This is the first display of weed having supernatural abilities. 54:22 - Shadow encourages young Elise to vape, and ties the themes together into an essential message about freedom... or whatever. 57:32 - Omega once again reveals his incredible dependency on Rouge's weed. He should get his own supplier instead of leeching off Rouge. 1:10:44 - Memphis obtains the Corrupted Weed Gem and uses it to McMurder Sonic. He does it entirely by accident, though.

Thematic message: “All living things deserve freedom... Freedom to weed, to vape, to Fortnite... That’s what we’re all tying into, I think. That’s the central message.”

Other Recurring Jokes of Note: Instant Ramen: 9:35 - 9:58 - 10:12 - 36:46 - 46:15 Finding The Computer Room: 7:55 - 17:49 - 41:59 - 1:00:10 The Ice Cream Air Ship: 7:24 - 55:08 - 1:05:17 My Bed Is Made Of Scorpions: 0:31 - 1:13:50 "One": 2:57 - 7:13 - 22:44 Tell It In Excruciating Detail: 17:00 - 21:45 Amy Making Murder Threats: 24:00 - 34:12 - 1:16:16 Characters Surprised By Their Own Abilities: 5:51 - 7:21 - 1:11:27 - 1:15:40 Pumpkin Hill: 18:11 - 24:39 - 1:14:52 Omega's Counting Habits: 1:00:53 - 1:01:49 - 1:04:26

Overall, Snapcube’s dub of “Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)” delivers a message of self discovery and personal freedoms. We all have issues that might bog us down, and we may suffer from insomnia. But one thing that unites us all (other than Pumpkin Hill) is the idea of personal growth. Whether that comes through game development, an exploration of sexuality, learning that you have hands, or letting a child vape, there’s something for all of us in the Computer Room of Discovery. And once we find the computer room, we can code our future.

[evevulgaris]

Homecoming

Eve dropped out of the Aethernet into Mist, landing just outside the Ashcroft Foundation’s Estate. 

A light rain was falling on the cobblestones and dripping slowly from the trees inside the gate. Blue bubble flowers flourished. As she stepped forward, she hesitated, tilting her head as if trying to discern a faint sound, perhaps music.

“Is this... what it’s supposed to sound like?” she whispered, a look of awe transfixing her face. “It’s the voice... the Green Voice?”

Behind her, Mars walked toward the gates and seeing a stable, the chocobo rushed forward to inspect the accommodations and greet the other residents. A quiet “wark” and feather fluffing greeted him. The chocobos milled about.

“Mars! Your barding!” Eve laughed, running to the stable. “Oh! Well then, you can keep it on, silly bird.”

Eve spun around slowly, taking in everything in the garden. A treehouse, a quiet pond with a bridge. Bamboo drifting in the breeze, a small gazebo for quiet conversation, even a picnic spot. She walked toward the giant firepit, holding her hands out to the warmth and it seemed like something inside her began to untangle. Next to it, a small garden with flowers, vegetables, and fruit.

Approaching the entrance, she spun around slowly. “Is this what a home is?” she said softly.

Through the massive doors, she was greeted by enormous stained glass windows. Off to the left, a merchant and a mender stood behind a counter.

The woman nodded and smiled. “Eve? Be welcome. When you would like to visit your private chamber, I have a key for you, Sinder left it with me, she wasn’t sure when you would come home.”

Eve nodded in reply and said “I’m going to explore a moment.”

To the right, a small water garden with fat koi swimming beneath some lily pads. She trailed her fingers through the water, a small smile crossing her lips. A set of twisted stairs leads up to a lounge, leather couches and candles arranged in comfortable groups, perfect for socializing or relaxing.

Returning to the foyer, Eve entered the left door and stepped down a short flight of stairs.

Alcoves lined both sides of the room, crafting stations for anything a Disciple of the Hand might wish to do fully equipped. Eve’s eyes shone with delight when she saw the table piled with books and scrolls, some of them in various stages of opening. There was even small treats set about the room, cakes, candies, drinks, all welcoming snacks that tempted her to taste a bit of everything.

“I will definitely have to come back here once I’m settled,” Eve said, smiling.

She returned upstairs and approached the door leading to the workshop and pushed it open gently. Massive panels and machinery packed the room. Maps, supplies, schematics, and even a Mammet filled the cavernous space. Nodding, she returned to the foyer.

The Supplier, smiling, handed Eve a small envelope. Inside was a small key, engraved with Eve’s face, a mischievous expression obviously the work of Sinder. There was also a note inside.

“Eve, I have placed some things in your room for you. I know you’ll want to outfit it yourself, but I wanted to make sure you had the basics. Stay as long as you need, this is home for everyone. Eventually you’ll meet the rest of the Company but for now, get settled. Love, Sinder”

Tears formed in Eve’s eyes as she folded the note and slipped it into the book hanging from her waist. She walked down the hall and finding her room, put the key into the lock and turned, bracing herself for… something.

Stepping inside, Eve’s mouth dropped open with delight. She spun around, her eyes taking in everything in the room. “Sinder certainly knows me, even if we haven’t known each other that long. I wonder if it’s…” her voice trailed off.

A huge forest green bed with lamps dominated one corner and bookshelves, filled to the brim, lined the wall across from the bed. A small carpet, seemingly made of real flowers, sat next to the bookshelf. Eve imagined herself reading on the bed or laying in the flowers.

Grinning, Eve noticed the table filled to almost overflowing. Chilled wine, a gorgeous cream and strawberry cake, and a plate of noodles covered in a delicious smelling red sauce, small sandwiches, and even a glass of juice. Condensation dripped down the side of the glass and steam rose from the noodles.

A cabinet filled with baked goods and several bottles of wine stood next to the table.

Eve grabbed the juice and took a long sip, nodding to the wine as if to reassure it that she will have a glass a bit later.

Shaking her head and thinking about what she’ll need to purchase to finish her room, Eve walked over to the corner nearest the door and began stripping off her armor, piling it untidily. Summoning the clothing from Sinder, Eve slipped into a comfortable pair of shorts and crop top, foregoing the leggings and heels. She leaned her axe against the wall and heaved a sigh of relief.

Grabbing the plate of pasta and juice, she walked over to the bed and sat down, balancing the plate in her lap. She smiled and began her meal, her eyes dancing with delight.

“Oh, Sinder. This is… perfect,” she sighed. “And so very quiet.”

It most certainly was home.

Home with her family.   

[softlass27]

Flufftober Day 29 – thunderstorm dedicated to @robertssvgden​, because she loves the idea of robron + seb and eve as a family unit, and she deserves nice things x

AO3 link here

As they stood shivering in the schoolyard, Robert glanced above them.

“The heavens are gonna open any second now.”

Aaron tilted his head up to see dark clouds rapidly filling the sky, the wind picking up with every passing minute. They’d been getting weather warnings all day, broadcasters promising that tonight was guaranteed to bring a seriously wild storm their way.

Paddy was stuck on an overnight callout with some heavily-pregnant cows, and Aaron’s mum had called him about an hour ago to say that she didn't feel safe driving on the motorway in this weather, so she was stuck in… some hotel, she was pretty vague on the details. She’d told him she was away to meet with potential new suppliers, but between her terrible lying and the sound of an unexpected male voice in the background, Aaron suspected wherever his mother had gone had nothing to do with work.

Either way, Eve had no one to pick her up or look after her, so his mum had begged him to take her for the night – possibly the weekend. Like she needed to ask.

So now they were stood in their usual spot with the other parents at Hotten Primary, waiting to collect two kids instead of one.

Just as the first few droplets of rain began to hit their cheeks, Eve came out of the doors, her eyes quickly scanning the yard until she spotted them and ran over, schoolbag swinging in the air. When she was just a few feet away from them, a violent gust of wind blew behind her, pushing her tiny body along the last few steps until she crashed into Aaron’s legs with a small oof.

“Windy,” she said, blinking up at them.

“Yeah, squirt.” Aaron took the bag from her before it blew right out of her hand.

“Is Mummy not coming?”

“Her and your Dad are both stuck because of the storm. They can’t come back just yet so you’re gonna stay with us tonight, okay?”

“'Kay,” she nodded, pushing her increasingly wild hair out of her eyes.

“Just need to wait for Seb, then we can get home and out of this crazy weather.”

As the three of them stood waiting for the Year 3's to come out, another, even stronger, gust of wind nearly sent Eve flying to one side; Robert snagging her by the hood of her coat was the only thing that stopped her from tumbling to the ground.

“Right.” He grabbed her securely by the waist and picked her up. “Think I’d better hold onto you before you actually blow away, missy.”

“Wish Seb’d hurry up,” she mumbled, pulling her hood up and tucking her face into Robert’s neck, out of the stinging rain.

“Don’t we all?”

As much as Aaron adored his son, he was a notorious dawdler, always chatting to his teacher or messing around with his mates on his way outside. He’d take the rest of the afternoon to reach the school gates if he could.

Eventually, Seb made his way to the yard, surrounded by his usual gaggle of classmates. Any inclination he’d had to keep chatting to them was swiftly curbed by Aaron’s firm get over here now gesture. He jogged over sheepishly, cramming a beanie on top of his head.

“You get lost or summat?” Aaron rolled his eyes fondly, taking his PE kit from him.

“I went to check if my art project was dry and – ”

“Yep, lovely, you can tell us all about it on the way home,” Robert grumbled, wrapping his free hand around Seb’s shoulder and ushering him towards the car. “We need to get inside before this storm kicks off properly.”

They all clambered in and set off, Robert navigating the usual school run traffic with practiced ease.

“Dad?” Seb asked after a few minutes of driving.

“Hm?”

“Miss Brooks told us this is gonna be the biggest storm Yorkshire’s had in more than 20 years,” he said, wide-eyed. “The biggest since 2003. Was that one really massive?”

“It was, I remember it,” Robert nodded, flicking the windscreen wipers to faster setting. “New Year’s Eve. It put a massive hole in the pub roof n’all.”

“My pub?” Eve chimed in, eyes turning even bigger than Seb’s.

“Yep, it caved right in. I didn’t see it happen though; I was living on the farm, and I had to help my dad get all the animals inside so they’d be safe.”

“Woah.” Seb sounded so impressed, Robert didn’t have the heart to mention that someone had unfortunately died as a result of said hole in the roof.

“2003. That's so long ago,” Eve mused, fingertips following the paths of rainwater sliding down the window. “Years and years and – ”

“Yes, okay,” Robert said loudly. “I feel ancient now, thanks for that.”

Eve and Seb just laughed, like the demon spawn they both were.

“Do you remember the storm too, Dad?” Seb asked, a hand over his mouth failing to suppress the grin on his face.

“Nah, I wasn’t living in the village then,” Aaron smirked. “Was a bit before my time, I’m a lot younger than Old Man Sugden over here.”

“How old are you, Rob?”

“50,” Seb said with a snort.

“100!”

“150!"

“Kids, come on, he’s not a day over 72,” Aaron drawled, only to yelp when Robert briefly took a hand off the steering wheel to swipe at him, which only made the backseat passengers cackle even harder.

The laughter was suddenly cut short, however, when a wayward tree branch hit the bonnet with a loud bang, before bouncing off onto the road.

“Jesus!” Robert jerked the car in surprise, before quickly regaining control and continuing down the road in silence, hands gripping the wheel tightly.

Aaron glanced back to see both Seb and Eve’s smiles had been replaced with slightly nervous looks, Eve biting her bottom lip anxiously.

“It’s okay.” He quickly reached a hand back to pat her knee reassuringly. “It was just a tiny branch, practically a twig, nothing to worry about. We’ll be home soon.”

By the time they arrived in the village, the rain was lashing down, pelting the roof of the car so loudly they struggled to hear themselves talk. There was hardly anyone outside, and the few that were looked like they were quickly retreating indoors. They passed Leyla leaving her office with her head down, tottering unsteadily on her stiletto heels, and David and Jacob quickly pulling potted plants and buckets of umbrellas back into the safety of the shop.

As they pulled onto the drive, the ominous first sounds of thunder could be heard rumbling overhead.

“Okay, inside, go go go!”

The four of them scrambled out of the car and dashed towards the house, Robert fumbling with the keys to unlock the door.

“In your own time,” Aaron grouched, hunching over to shield the kids from the worst of it as best he could.

“Hang on, I can’t feel my bloody fingers.”

Eventually, he managed to get the key in the lock and they burst into the warmth of the house, already drenched in the brief minute it had taken to get inside.

“C-cold,” Seb shivered, peeling off his sodden hat and jacket and dropping them on the rug.

“So cold you forgot how to use a coat peg?” Robert said exasperatedly, picking it up. “Why don’t you two go upstairs and have a couple of nice, hot showers while I get tea started? Eve, you can use our mine and Aaron's bathroom, if you want? Aaron’ll help you turn the taps on.”

“Can I use your fancy shower gel?”

Robert sighed and ruffled her damp hair. “If you must.”

Eve grinned and began to follow Seb up the stairs, only to freeze at a flash of lightning.

“The storm won’t put a hole in this roof, will it?”

“You think Robert would let that happen?” Aaron smiled at her. “Nah, we built our place to be extra strong,” 

“Storm-proof, even,” Robert added from the kitchen.

“See? We’re safe as houses in here, I promise. Go on upstairs, I’ll be there in a minute, yeah?”

Seemingly satisfied, Eve nodded and carried on up the stairs. They heard the sound of her feet running along the landing, presumably to what was unofficially dubbed as “her room”, since she spent so much time in it, before the door gently clicked shut.

“What’s for tea?” Aaron sighed, padding over to the kitchen and hooking his chin over Robert’s shoulder.

Robert hummed and leaned back against his chest while he chopped some veg. “Shepherd’s pie, should warm the kids up.”

“So domestic, you,” Aaron grinned, pressing a kiss to the back of his neck. “I just hope the power doesn’t go out tonight.”

“Me too, otherwise we’ll have to keep them entertained the old-fashioned way.”

“What’s the old-fashioned way?”

“Er… how good are you at shadow puppets?”

A minute later, Seb came downstairs to find his dad frantically plugging every laptop and tablet into its charger.

[metatekeng]

Metatek Engineering white metal bearing are essential components that ensure longevity and efficiency in machines employed in various industries.

[the-original-b]

Archangel Chapter 9: Mergers and Acquisitions

Format: Prose / Fiction, multi-entry

Part in Series: 1 of 9 (The Story So Far | The Beginning)

Word Count: c. 4,000

Summary: Now a contractor for the Marlow Partners Northeast Regional headquarters, Specialist Krueger recognizes the emergence of a disturbing trend in the field. 

Warning(s): blood, violence, drug use

He released his hands from around her neck when she finally stopped struggling as he stood up to look down at her and study her chest, looking for stillness to indicate she wasn’t breathing anymore. When satisfied he ran his fingers first through the pockets of her hoodie, then her pants to find what he was after—a tiny bag half-filled with a chalky substance resembling powdered drywall.

He emptied the contents of the bag into a bent spoon and held a butane torch to its bottom, applying the heat in five-second intervals so as to only melt his prize down and not burn it, then placed a cotton ball into the puddle of fluid that had accumulated in the spoon. He applied his syringe to the cotton ball to draw the liquid out, inspected it, and stuck the needle into his arm to depress the plunger and lose his senses.

 ~~

He hadn’t felt the suppressor can when Milo Krueger, clad in a dark turtleneck sweater and tactical pants, arrived later and pressed the muzzle of his .45 ACP Colt Government against the back of his head, and didn’t protest when he thumbed back the hammer, tilted the handgun a little and squeezed the trigger. With his other gloved hand he caught the spent brass mid-flight and hung onto it a while to cool before placing it into his coat pocket and holstering his weapon. He turned his attention to the other body in the room and sat down on the bed next to it to study the poor girl’s pale face and lifeless expression, fearing the worst.

He un-gloved one of his hands to rest the backs of his fingers on her forehead, and pulled it back when he felt just how much cooler her skin was than his; confirming he was far too late to do anything to save her.

“Verdammt,” he exhaled, sitting at the foot of the bed she laid upon. He reached into his inside coat pocket to find his phone and dial her number. “It’s me,” Krueger said soon after she answered. “I found her.”

In his mind’s eye, he could see Elizabeth Khai straighten up in her chair at the news. “Can you get her out?” she asked.

“Not going to happen,” he continued, looking back down at her.

“Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure.”

“Shit…” Khai sighed on the other end of the line. “I’ll talk to Isaac and let him know what happened,” she conceded. “Come back to the branch, he’ll want to hear it from you.”

“Understood.” Krueger shut the phone and returned it to his coat pocket before standing up again. He looked down at the girl one last time and offered her a silent apology before turning for the exit.

On his way out he took another glance at the man he just executed, and spotted track marks and bruises running up the length of his left arm. Directly below his fingertips was a syringe half-full of a cloudy solution.

He’d seen that same substance in half-depleted syringes enough times over the last few months to recognize the emerging trend and deduce the circumstances behind the homicide. He would address this when he returned to the branch.

~~~~

Krueger stepped through the glass doors of the office and made his way to the conference room, where he knew Khai and Hayden would be that afternoon.

“Hi, Mr. Krueger,” Danielle said from behind her desk. “They’re just wrapping up another meeting, you can head right in.”

He offered her a nod. “Danke,” he added. He made his way through the hallway and stepped through the double doors, then quietly sat himself down by the foot of a long table in the center of the room as Khai and Isaac Hayden conferred with another person at the other end. Hayden and the other person he didn’t recognize were standing as they talked while Khai sat.

“With respect, Mr. Hayden,” the other man presented his case, “my guys aren’t super comfortable with the idea of being monitored twenty-four-seven. They’ve always found their own pace; that’s when they do their best work.”

“And what kind of work is it they’re doing, Mr. Leo?” Hayden enquired. “I haven't seen a report from your group in months now, have I?” He wore a dark gray pinstriped suit and white shirt with a rosewood red tie and pocket square. “Can I trust that you can maintain control over your operation from a distance?”

 “Of course you can,” Leo snapped. “My guys are rock solid, I got no problem letting them do their thing. But they can’t perform the way they have been if your people are watching them all the time, that’s all I’m saying.”

 “It’s not supervision,” Hayden lectured, “it’s reassurance. We all know how it is you've made your fortune; nobody here is in the dark on what goes on at the street level. But I remain unconvinced that you’re willing to leave your past behind… and your judgement on the matter is no longer considered sound.”

Leo recoiled, visibly offended by what Hayden said. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means your two weeks’ notice has been filed and processed. It will take me some time to find a suitable replacement for you, and you may continue your work as usual during the interim. But the next time you and I speak, it will be about the process of transition.” He gestured the exit, dismissing him. “You can let yourself out, Mr. Leo.”

Leo briefly clenched his fists, then loosened them as he turned away from Khai and Hayden and headed past Krueger toward the door.

When Leo was gone, Krueger stood up and approached the other two people in the room.

“Miss Khai made me aware of what happened this morning in the Rockaways,” Hayden said as he turned to address Krueger. “I’ve sent my condolences to the mother and father, and made burial arrangements.”

Krueger nodded. “There was another syringe there,” he said. “Narcotics.”

“Dragon Tears,” Khai confirmed, standing to match the other men in the room with her and freeing one hand from her note pad to adjust her glasses. She wore a navy blue skirt suit with black tights and round-toe pumps, her hair down past her shoulders. “The new deluxe heroin that’s dominated the headlines all over the East Coast as of late.”

“Is this us?”

Khai hesitated a little. “Not directly,” she said. “We levy steep fees to allow the stuff into the Tri-state, but none of our people distribute. Mr. Hayden is adamant about that.”

“You may not agree with our handling of the material, Mr. Krueger,” Hayden explained, “but understand—it is simply too profitable an opportunity to pass… and our, regulation, doubles as quality control for both the vendors and their clientele.”

Krueger nodded, keeping his disapproval to himself. “I see…” He gestured the exit, referring to Leo. “And your last conversation?”

“Tyson Leo was a small-time dealer,” Khai elaborated. “Until he got connected with a supplier of the Dragon Tears and expanded his network to encompass all of southeastern Long Island. That’s when he showed up on my radar. At first, Mr. Hayden and I let him keep the drugs in exchange for forty percent of what he makes from them. But now that we’ve folded him in formally, we ordered him to walk away from the drugs.”

“Mr. Leo is a capable leader,” Hayden added, “respected among his peers, but he's restricted by his myopic aspirations. I had hoped he could rise above the chaff and prove himself superior to his associates; I was wrong. The goal of becoming a narcotics kingpin was too deeply rooted in his actions for him to change his ways…” Hayden gathered his coat and slipped it on over his suit. “But there may yet be a way forward,” he mused. “You’ll head to Patchogue tonight, Mr. Krueger. Observe his den from a distance and report what you see.”

Again, Krueger kept his objections to himself. “Understood.”

“You and I will speak soon. Good day to you both.” Hayden exited the conference room, leaving Khai and Krueger alone with each other.

Khai placed her pen and pad on the table top after Hayden had left the room. “I guess that means we’ll need a rain check for our dinner plans.”

“So scheint es,” Krueger noted. He offered her a sorrowful smirk. “I’ll make it up to you.”

“I know you will,” Khai said. She shot him a wink before turning to head toward her desk. “I’ll have CJ meet you in the armory downtown,” she continued as she took her seat. “He talked about updating our inventory and replacing a few things, so I let him order a small shipment to field test. I would very much appreciate your help with that.”

“Do you think I’ll run into much trouble on a recon assignment?”

“Nothing you can’t handle,” she noted with a mischievous smirk, lacing her fingers together and resting her forearms on the desk top.

“Of course,” he said. “I’ll see what Young Mr. Silvio has for me.” Krueger took his leave, allowing Khai to finalize the funeral arrangements for the girl.

 ~~~~

Krueger inspected and approved of the reconnaissance equipment when he made it to the armory later that afternoon. “Miss Khai said you’re updating the inventory here?” he said.

“Yep,” CJ replied. “Figure if this place is one of my responsibilities, I’d better make sure it’s up and running without a hitch.”

“Agreed,” he noted, leaning against a workstation and crossing his arms, “but having your associates learn a set of completely new and unfamiliar tools at this point is far from advantageous.”

“Well, that’s why you’re here,” he jested. “To teach us your ways, impart your knowledge. Besides, this is a new branch, Krueger. A new branch needs a new armory. Speaking of which…” CJ Silvio reached up and pulled one of the new arrivals from the wall—a polymer framed handgun resembling a cross between a Glock 17 and a HK P30. “Steyr M,” he said, handing it to Krueger to inspect. “Nine millimeter. The sights are supposed to be better than the competition, and they’re cheaper than Five-sevens.”

Krueger familiarized himself with the feel and weight of the weapon. He held the weapon in a weaver stance and looked down the sights, making sense of the unfamiliar picture composed of a trapezoidal rear notch and triangular front blade. “Suppressor?”

“You bet.” He handed Krueger a suppressor and a pair of fifteen-round magazines. “Let me know how it goes, yeah?”

Krueger attached the can to the end of the handgun and looked down the sights again, dry-firing to get a sense of the trigger weight. “Ja.” He accepted both magazines, sliding one into the handgun and engaging the safety. He placed the other in one of the pockets of his pants before heading for the exit.

 ~~~~

Krueger observed a one-story house on Carman Street through his binoculars from behind his windshield, the directional microphone resting on the car roof pointed toward the house. Even at this hour the crowds were gathered in force a few blocks north on Main Street, hopping from bar to bar as they satisfied their fleshly desires. He found a measure of solace in the fact that he still had a few short years to go before his daughter Victoria would spend any amount of time or money in this town—and if she did, it would be on Main Street, not at some drug den.

He watched and listened for hours, the microphone’s earbud in one ear and his communicator in the other. “Leo hasn’t come out of the house since he got there,” he said into the receiver. “He’s in with four other men his age.”

“His lieutenants,” Hayden surmised. “Have they had other visitors?”

“Food delivery… and UPS.” Krueger watched the door and partially obscured windows for any sign of activity that would confirm or deny Hayden’s suspicions; whatever shadows he could see through them weren’t giving him any clues. He watched in silence until a person wearing a hooded sweatshirt came into view and walked up to the door. “Hold on,” Krueger noted. “I might have something…”

The person in the hoodie—Krueger couldn’t tell from this distance whether it was a man or woman—knocked on the door four times. Then the door was cracked open a tiny bit, and the hooded figure tried to discreetly hand the person on the other side of the door a crumpled fistful of dollar bills before the door shut. Krueger saw right through it; this person was buying something.

The door opened again and the hooded person accepted a bag of powder from the one behind it. The hooded person took the bag and stepped away from the house, stuffing it in his or her pants pocket as he or she did, then headed down the street toward wherever he or she would spend the night.

“You were right to suspect Mr. Leo,” Krueger commented. “Someone just bought drugs from the house.”

Krueger heard Hayden sigh on the other end. “Then I believe it’s time to shut him down… Scuttle the operation,” he ordered.

“And Leo?”

“Crew expendable.”

Krueger only had a moment’s pause before reaching up through the moon roof to retrieve the directional microphone and put the binoculars away. “Understood.” He deactivated his communicator and shut the engine off, then reached into his coat for his handgun to disengage the safety and chamber the first round. He exited the car and strode down half the block to the house.

When he arrived, he knocked on the door four times at the observed frequency, then drew his weapon and held its muzzle against the door. As soon as the knob twisted and the door opened a little, held by a chain lock, Krueger pressed his weight against the door to hold it open while he fired twice through the door into the person standing behind it. He kicked the door free, knocking the wounded person to the floor before raising his gun and finishing him with two more shots.

Krueger turned his attention toward one other person scrambling for cover behind a doorway, raised his weapon, and put him down with a single well-placed shot. He proceeded deeper into the house, peering around the corner into the kitchen area and dropping the two people there with accurate shots placed between Ziploc bags of off-white powder and triple beam balance scales resting on the table.

He listened for more movement around him, and hearing none, proceeded deeper into the house. He went room to room hunting Leo, and found him curled up on a mattress on the floor, passed out with a depleted syringe in his hand. Krueger raised his gun one-handed, hesitating for a moment before lining up the sights and squeezing the trigger to execute him.

“Weak,” he commented, lowering the weapon.

Krueger returned his gun to the holster and placed his hands in his coat pockets as he walked back down the hallway to the front door, careful not to place his step in the growing puddles of blood on the floor as he headed out the house and back down Carman Street to his car. He entered the vehicle and sat down behind the wheel, starting the engine and fishing his phone out of his inside pocket to report to Hayden as he drove off.

 ~~~~

Krueger keyed open his front door and stepped into his home in Rego Park when he arrived an hour later. He hung his coat and weapon holster on the rack in the corner next to Khai’s and sat down on the adjacent bench to remove his boots as Khai addressed him from his kitchenette, the evening news on in the background.

“How was Patchogue?” she said from behind her laptop screen.

“Messy,” he replied as he stepped out of his boots and lifted his turtleneck sweater off himself, revealing a black A-shirt which his lean athletic frame filled perfectly. “Had to close business… I tested Silvio’s new arrival,” he added as he walked up to her. “It worked very well.”

“Well,” she noted, standing to greet him in an oversized sweater and a pair of leggings, “he’s grown a lot since Williamsburg. I’d expect no less.” She properly greeted him by wrapping one arm around his neck and planting a string of long kisses on his mouth as she ran her other hand through his hair. These days he had allowed his military fade haircut to grow a little, and it took on a messier look which she liked.

Krueger returned her affections in kind, holding her close by her waist as he kissed her.

When they broke contact, Khai noticed an expression she hadn’t seen in his eyes in a long time—doubt. “What’s the matter?” she asked.

“Leo,” he said after a brief pause.

“That bad, huh?”

“Hayden was right to suspect him. He was dealing; I called it in, and he had me wipe them out. And I did without a second thought.”

“It can’t be the first time you cleaned up a heroin den.”

“Far from it, but it was never… an associate.” He stopped himself from saying one of his own.

Khai nodded, understanding exactly where his objection came from. She reached back up and rested her hand on his cheek “It never feels right when it’s somebody we work with,” she said, “and Isaac wouldn’t have given you the order if there were any other way.” Her hand rested on his chest now, feeling the pulse of his beating heart. “You did the right thing, Milo. I promise.”

“Suppose I’ll have to trust your judgement there,” he added resting his hand on top of hers.

“I’ve been right so far, haven’t I?” she jested, reclaiming her seat.

“Well, there was that one thing with Osiris,” he added, matching her tone. He went to the kitchen to fix himself a plate of the food she’d prepared.

“It worked out in the end, didn’t it?”

“Sure it did,” he chuckled. He placed himself down across the table from her as he ate, turning his attention to the news behind her. “Vas ist das?” he queried.

“Hm?” Khai followed his gaze to the television behind her. “Oh, they’re following a story about PMC operators in a few cities across the country.”

“A private military company here in the States?”

“Yep. Castle Security Solutions,” she said, turning her laptop around for him to see. “They’ve grown like a weed since U.S. Armed Forces starting pulling out of combat zones across the world. In the early days they’ve replaced the troops in those areas of the world where there was still work available, but recently they started providing additional support for law enforcement. You know, ‘handling the more dangerous parts so the guys and girls in blue can protect and serve.’ So it goes.”

“Do you believe any of that?”

Khai shrugged. “As a citizen, I can’t dispute the results they’ve achieved in the cities they’ve been deployed—Detroit, Memphis, Albuquerque…”

“But as controller of the Branch?” Krueger suggested, placing a forkful of beef and broccoli in his mouth.

“A private militarized police force, with no obligation to anything but the bottom line… that can sink us. Such a presence wouldn’t be caught up in the same bureaucratic obstacles as the regular police that allow organizations like the Marlow Partners to operate just outside of what’s legal. Criminal justice staples like warrants and probable cause will be thrown out for ideals like unfounded suspicion, hearsay, and personal grudges.” She shuddered as she considered the implications of what she just said. “I like to think it’ll never happen in New York but still,” she continued, reclaiming Krueger’s heterochromatic eyes. “I can’t shake the feeling that we’re just one bad deal away from signing our own death warrants… We’ll have to be extra careful, going forward.”

 ~~~~

A man in dark slacks and a white shirt pulled his SUV as close to the crime scene as he could get, then stopped the engine and stepped out of the vehicle. He hooked his thumbs in the pockets of his topcoat as he ducked below the police tape and approached the house on Carman Street, illuminated by the flashing red and blue lights of first responders.

Some uniformed officers took eyewitness statements as crime scene investigators took photos of the scene. The man in the coat wove between them as he made his way to the kicked-in door and peered inside, noting the body with four bullet wounds laid out in the foyer, already marked and noted by the investigators.

“Hey,” one of the officers got his attention. “Can I help you somehow?” His uniform sported a Sergeant’s stripes.

“Hey there,” the newcomer responded in a rich, gravelly baritone. “This your crime scene, Sergeant..?”

“Allers,” the officer said. “And yeah, it’s mine. Who did you say you were?”

“Peter Cross,” he said. “United States Government.” He quickly flashed Allers an ID and badge. “You know what this place was?”

“I heard rumors,” Allers said. “Some kind of heroin nest.”

“Looks like more than that to me.”

“And you know this based on your expertise?” Allers questioned. “I’m sorry, you said you were U.S. Government, right? Which agency, FBI? DEA?”

“Not really,” Cross said, shaking his head. “When the DEA shits the bed, I’m the guy they call to change the sheets.” He thumbed over his shoulder in the direction of the house. “Now I’ve seen enough of these dens to know a thing or two about them, so if you like,” he suggested as he took a few steps toward Allers, “I think it would be mutually beneficial for me to stick around for a little bit. Share some insight…” He grinned wryly at the other man.

Allers shrugged. “If you think we missed something, you’re welcome to take a second look Agent Cross.”

“Cool…” He gestured the open door. “Why don’t you show me inside, Sergeant Allers?”

“Follow me.” Allers led Cross to the kitchen area, where the drugs and money was being documented, collected, and marked as evidence. “At first we thought this was a typical gangland hit for the product and the money,” he explained, “but they usually don’t leave the goods behind in raids like that… doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.”

Cross looked around the room, noting the bodies beside them. He recalled the other one by the door as he played the events in his head as he deduced they played. He gestured the bags of contraband. “Is that what I think it is?”

“The super heroin? Looks like it, but we’ll have to wait for the lab results to be sure.”

“Uh-huh…” Cross leaned against the countertop as he rested his hands on his hips. He looked over to where the kitchen emptied into the central hallway leading to rooms he hadn’t seen yet. “How many bodies?”

“Five, the four you’ve seen plus one more in the master bedroom.”

“You ID any of them?”

“Yeah, we have IDs on all of them,” Allers noted. “These four are nobodies but the one in the master bedroom got our attention: Tyson Leo.”

“Leo..! Son of a bitch…” Cross snapped his fingers as he put the picture together. “Well you’re right about one thing, Sergeant—this was a hit. The work of a professional. Somebody here was out to make a point, not a profit… Share this with the rest of the Suffolk PD,” he suggested, standing up straight again. “This isn’t the first drug den I’ve been to in the last few weeks and I’m betting it won’t be the last.” He headed for the door. “And if I were a betting boy, this drug crisis is going to get a lot bloodier before it goes away.”

“And this is the year they cut our budget,” Allers scoffed, crossing his arms. “Figures.”

“Damn shame,” Cross added. “It would sure be nice if somebody were still around to do fill the gaps in that budget, no?”

(Masterlist | Chapter 10)

[xdepthsofwinterx]

Under Murky Skies Pt.2:

A follow on from this drabble. Bonding time between our lovely mage and Kymiel. WATERDEEP, HORDES OF THE UNDERDARK, CHAPTER 1-2: CANON!VERSE

“Tyr’s flaming arse, watch it will you!”

Kymiel paused, alcohol-soaked cloth in hand, eyeing her with an air of expectancy. The mage scowled at him as the moment grew awkward.

“What?!”

“I warned you this would be painful. Cursing won’t make this any easier,” he caught hold of her chin with gentle fingers, holding it firmly in place, “Nor will wriggling.”

“But its bloody painfu-eurgh!” White hot pain laced the side of her head, but under the elf’s calm gaze she could do little but hiss.

He held the cloth there until the agony subsided into an intense throb. Without waiting for permission, Kymiel clasped her hand and placed it over the material.

“Keep on that pressure, I am going to fetch a few healing potions.”

And with that the brunette rose to his feet, padding across floorboards to hunt through a leather rucksack. Dhana took the opportunity to let out a quiet string of curses, uncaring if sensitive elven ears picked them up or not. Lifting a knee, she lent her elbow upon it, glancing about the dimly lit hovel she had been ushered into.

A decrepit looking room with shredded wallpaper, missing floorboards and a gigantic hole in the wall through which they had entered. The area in which she sat was thankfully dry, and fairly sheltered, but Kymiel had given her a linen blanket just in case.

“I think you will need this more than me.” Dhana sorely missed her pack, her quilt especially. Dark eyes lowered to her filthy leggings. She would have to go back and get it, along with her staff. Cold dread settled into her gut at the thought.

‘That means facing Durnan and all those foolish enough to follow him.’

Kymiel’s return pulled her from anxiety inducing thoughts, the sound of corks being pulled filling her ears. Fluorescent liquid sloshed around in the flask and she knew this wasn’t going to be pleasant.

“Drink this, please.” She gave him a short word of thanks before lifting the substance to her lips. Briny scents invaded her nostrils, Dhana wishing nothing more than to peg her damn sinuses. Gulping the mage knocked back the concoction, fighting back the inevitable gag that threatened. She pushed the empty glass into the elf’s awaiting hand, before another was offered.

“Seriously?” it was the first time he had shown any sign of exasperation.

“Yes. Now, drink.”

The process was as vulgar as the first time, with a bitter after taste. A very flowery profanity slipped loose as she shoved the empty vial away.

“You need to find a better supplier, that stuff tasted awful!” Kymiel sighed before depositing the vials safely back into his pack. He made no comment, regardless of how whingey the human sounded. Returning, he lowered himself to sit cross-legged before her.

“How does it feel now?” Ochre eyes looked pointedly at the cloth. Taking this as a cue, Dhana gingerly released her grip, carefully peeling the material off. Squelchy with clotted blood, the mage dumped it at her feet in disgust. Her companion tilted his head in inspection.

“Well, your ear is still attached.”

She deadpanned.

“Annnd?!”

Kymiel’s ears twitched, almost cat like in their movement.

“You will have a very impressive scar,” Dhana blinked at him, instinctively raising a hand. When he made no move to stop her, the mage finally felt out the damage. Indeed, a jagged triangular piece of cartilage was missing. No amount of healing nor potions was going to bring that back.

“And I now look like a ragged alley cat,” she allowed herself the moment of vanity, toying with her mane to cover the raw skin. Unbeknown to her, the elf bit his lip in amusement.

“Was that not the look you were going for anyhow?”

Dhana’s neck creaked with the speed with which she turned. Now Kymiel couldn’t hide his hilarity, quietly snickering behind his hand. She huffed.

“Alright, wise-ass, that was good,” something dawned on her, ushering away her sulkiness, “And thanks, by the way, you saved my hide back there.”

Leaning back on his hands the brunette stared up at the ceiling, idly following the beams with his eyes.

“As I would have done for anyone in a tight space. Your assailants were not interested in taking prisoners,” a thoughtful look crossed his tanned features, “Which makes me curious, why were those Drow so keen to kill you?”

This was not a line of questioning she was willing to entertain right now.

Kymiel took this to mean something else.

“Unless...their hunt was justified?” Something dark flickered across his expression, something she had not expected out of this seemingly law-abiding individual.

She snorted.

“If burning one of their assassin’s alive warrants a witch hunt, then yes, I am guilty of all charges.”

“That does not ans-…” She gave him a very pointed stare.

“It’s the only answer you are getting.”

A moment of silence and the elf conceded, returning his gaze to the ceiling. They remained that way for some time, listening to the wind howl through Waterdeep’s streets. Alas, it seemed the elf was unable to help himself.

“Where are your possessions?” A sigh escaped her, but he pushed on, “It is unlikely you travel so light. Did they take them from you?”

Folding her arms across her chest, Dhana shook her head, flinching at the ache that followed.

“No. I…forgot to take them.”

Both parties stared at each other. A stalemate of wits. She wasn’t shifting on this, nor, it seemed was he.

“Well, you can’t exactly leave my care without them, can you?”

“You’re an awfully presumptuous git, aren’t you?” The elf had the audacity to shrug and smile amicably at her.

“Where did you have them last?”

He had her there, and no amount of scowling was going to change that. Sure, she could zap the shit out of him, but then where would she be?

With a heavy sigh, the mage relented.

“Yawning portal, I was staying there when the assassin appeared.” She neglected to mention the Undermountain, hordes of Drow and the fact she was an enormous fucking coward. But at least he got the message. All of Waterdeep knew what was taking place beneath the Durnan’s inn, and Kymiel was no exception. He put two and two together and got five. Dhana let him roll with it.

“Then come morning that will be our next stop.”

She was seriously starting to hate this guy.

[perusquare66-blog]

Made To Measure Blinds.

Curtains Vs Blinds

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[dem-obscure-imagines]

The Familiar

Thackery Binx x Reader Prompt: Some of y’all asked for some Binx around Halloween time but I couldn’t write any since I was busy with school, so I’ve just had this floating around in my head since like October. Apologies. Warnings: None? Word Count: 2.2k

You’d decided a long time ago that you weren’t a great witch. It wasn’t that you were an evil one, no, you tried your best to keep the balance. It was just that you were...as your mother put it, rather inexperienced. You hadn’t had much time to hone your skills yet, and your magic was far from fully controlled. You weren’t good at brewing potions or casting spells...overall, you were kind of a mess, but you meant well.

And that, Thackery figured, was probably the reason he had stumbled upon your house in the first place. He knew well after his couple hundred years wandering through the streets of Salem, that any witch worth her hexes needed a familiar to keep her on the right path, so your familiar is just what he became.

Now, nearly two years later, you were curled up on the couch with your knitting. It wasn’t a particularly magical project you were working on, but you’d been told by your mother that crafting something with magical hands often increased its magical properties. You figured that must be the case for something like this, something that took so long to make.

You heard Thackery’s paws pad across the wooden floor and into the living room, where you were settled.

“Are you a bit cold? It’s rather cold in here.” He noted. How he was able to tell, all covered in fur like he was now, you’d never know.

“Now that you mention it, yeah, I am.” You agreed, setting your knitting to the side and manifesting a spell in your hand. It was a little one, so it didn’t require nearly as much thought or focus as it had for you a few years ago, but it still required a free hand or two. You watched as a little flame grew in the palm of your hand and then, with a flick of your wrist, you banished it to the fireplace, where the logs caught nicely, beginning to warm the big room of the old Salem house on the sea.

“What are you making?” Thackery tilted his head and watched as you picked up your project again. His sharp green eyes fixed on the string and you could tell it was taking every bit of his consciousness to resist the urge to play with it. Cute, you decided.

“Scarf. It’s going to get colder soon.” You reminded him quietly, as though the orange trees outside weren’t a reminder of the fact. Halloween had come and gone uneventfully, so you were safely on your way through November, trying to balance your magical studies with all of the hobbies you had, this being one of them. Well, that and bonding with your familiar. Although, the last of those things wasn’t too difficult. You knew he was pretty fond of you.

“Right. The weather tends to do that, doesn’t it?” He chuckled to himself, shaking his head. You couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be Thackery Binx, after having lived through so many seasons and years and decades and centuries. Time really didn’t mean anything to someone who’s immortal. It was sad. “Oh, don’t be sad for me, love.” He cooed, looking at the expression on your face. Your bond with him did many things. One of them was letting you tap into the other’s emotions from time to time, not that he didn’t know you well enough to be able to tell.

“It is sad, though, isn’t it?”

“I suppose. But you shouldn’t be sad for me. Someone as precious as you shouldn’t waste time on being sad.”

You couldn’t seem to explain your racing heart, nor the way it warmed your insides when one of his little paws rested on your working hands, stilling them in their places. He looked up at you with those emerald green eyes. “It’s okay, really, it is.”

Your next words were quiet. Had it not been for his acute senses, you doubted he’d have been able to hear you at all. “But it’s not, though.”

Thackery sighed, lowering his paw as you started to put your knitting away and instead picked up the remote for the TV. You pulled your blanket up higher over your legs and gave your thighs a pat, inviting him on. He gladly curled in your lap, warm and purring when you pet him behind the ears, making sure to find his favorite spot.

“We’ll figure it out,” he reassured you between fits of purrs. “Someday…”

“Yeah,” you mulled through thoughts, biting your lip. “Someday…”

***

Your next day of adventure brought you to one of the only genuine witch suppliers in town. It wasn’t hard to imagine that a place like Salem seemed to foster a lot of tourist traps as opposed to genuine places. You’d had to weed through a lot of them the hard way, using some pointers from your mother to steer clear of the ones filled with nothing but nonsense and shiny things.

This one, however, was run by one of the older witches in town, a kind soul who always gave you a discount on books and potion ingredients. She also had very good advice from time to time, so you figured she might have the answer to your question.

“Information on familiars, eh? I do believe I have a few tomes on that. This way, dearie.” Elzabeth led you down the shelves in the front of the cozy little shop. “How is your little Thackery doing these days? Staying out of trouble?”

“Yeah, he’s fine. Chased a bird the other day, but aside from that, it’s been business as usual.”

“You usually bring him here. I was surprised to see you alone.”

“I’m working on a bit of a gift for him, actually. That’s why I need the spells.”

She smiled, and when she did, her eyes seemed to twinkle. “I was wondering when you’d come here looking for something like this, actually, once you realized what happened to him.”

“Yeah, it’s really sad.”

“Very sad. He used to wander in here all the time before he found you. I think he was sort of always looking. It just took him a while to find a witch he could count on.” Your heart melted at that. A witch he could count on.

“We’re a good match, him and I.”

She handed you a thick leather book with a wink. “I think so too.”

***

Thackery sat bolt upright the second he heard your keys in the door. You were late. You were never late, but today you were. The cat had been worried. He was about to hop through the cat door and go looking for you.

“Sorry I’m late, buddy. Traffic was rough.” You explained, walking through the door holding a big brown paper bag with one arm and holding your broom in the other hand.

“You flew.” He tilted his head, eyes fixed on your vehicle of choice.

“It was windy.” You amended, plucking a dead leaf out of your hair and holding it up as evidence. ‘

Thackery nodded, but he still wasn’t quite convinced, his green eyes narrowing in suspicion. You walked out to the table and set the bag down, unloading your goodies. Some groceries, some ingredients to restock your brewing stash, some more yarn, and a smaller paper bag that you didn’t unload. Instead, you waved your hand over it, sending it to your room.

“What was that?”

“Some books.” You replied nonchalantly.

“Oh, alright.” Thackery hopped up onto the table and then onto your shoulder, nuzzling his cheek against yours, a little way to show you how much he missed you. “I’m glad you’re home.”

“Me too.”

***

That night, long after Thackery went to sleep, you set to work. Elzabeth’s shop wasn’t the only place you had stopped that afternoon. You had made another quick place to a store called Familiars R Us, where you picked up all of your favorite treats for Thackery. Today though, the only thing you’d gotten him was a shiny new collar.

Cracking open the book of spells from Elzabeth’s, you flipped to the page you wanted, gripped the collar, and murmured the incantation scrawled on the yellowed paper. The candles around you flickered, flashed, and then blew out, leaving you sitting in the dark clutching an enchanted object. Steam rose off of it and your hand burned holding onto it, so, cursing, you set it down to cool off. You figured, or hoped, that when you woke up the next morning, it would be cooled off enough to put to use…

***

By the time the sun came up, you were already in the kitchen, toiling away at some useless luck potion one of the boys in your class was paying you to brew for him. It would work, yes, but at the end of the day, it was meaningless. It did, however, distract you from what was coming ahead.

“You’re anxious,” Thackery announced, hopping up to sit on the counter before even touching the breakfast you’d laid out for him, eggs and sausage, one of his favorites. “Everything alright, love?”

“I’m good, yeah.”

“Well, that’s not the truth, now is it? I know you’re not nervous about the potion you’re brewing, judging that it’s liquid luck.”

“I’ll explain it to you as soon as I get this bottled up, alright?”

“Okay.” He settled, hopping to the table to eat off of his plate.

You ladled a few bottles of love potion out of the cauldron before flicking your wrist to put out the flame. You could probably sell the leftovers to the Potion place next to Elzabeth’s. Satisfied with your work, you set the bottles on the counter and then joined Thackery at the table and picked up your fork.

He stopped eating, looking up at you eagerly.

“What?”

“Explain yourself, witch.” He teased.

“Well, I enchanted something last night and I’m nervous to try it out is all.”

“Oh. What did you enchant?”

“A collar…” You pulled the artifact from the pocket of your cloak and set it on the table. He looked it over before looking back at you, a question waiting behind his green eyes.

“You’re not trying to mute me, are you? If I was annoying you, you could have just said something.”

“It’s not that.” You laughed, shaking your head. “I love the sound of your voice, Thackery, you know that.”

“Is it for me? I suppose I should have asked that first.”

“It IS for you. A...belated birthday gift of sorts, I guess.” You took a few bites of sausage and eggs, waiting for him to say something more or ask what enchantment you had put on it. That would probably be an important thing to ask. You were guessing he didn’t ask because he didn’t want to get his hopes up. You felt the anxiousness manifesting in him, too. “I can help you put it on whenever you’re ready.”

His eyes didn’t leave yours when he answered, “I’m ready.”

So, standing up, you helped clasp the brown leather collar around Thackery’s neck. And then you waited. Not even a second later, he groaned in discomfort, hopefully a good sign. Then, he mewled, hopping off of the table away from you, hiding himself behind the large round wooden structure.

“Oh my God, are you okay?” You asked after a few concerning moments of quiet. You moved to peek around the table, but you were stopped by the sound of a voice, and a head of sandy hair rising up from behind it. Large hands and human fingers gripped it, pulling himself into a standing position.

Any question you had was silenced at the sight of him. It had worked. Holy shit, it had worked. A black sweater was draped over his frame, and a pair of ripped blue jeans adorned his long legs. Thackery looked up at you with wide green eyes before surging forward and collecting you in his arms, pressing a long and desperate kiss to your lips, followed by three shorter but equally desperate ones.

The breath was sucked out of your lungs, your knees going wobbly at the fiery passion he instilled in you. He pulled away and studied your features, analyzing, although he was more than capable of just feeling your emotions through your bond. There was no regret or disgust or anything, only warmth and swirls of surprise.

“H-how did you-?” He pulled you against his chest, long fingers combing through your hair.

“Elzabeth came through. She’s amazing.”

“Thank you.” He pressed a kiss to your hairline, exhaling a long breath with his lips against your skin. “Thank you so much.”

“Of course.”

“And you’re...you’re okay with...your cat kissing you?” He was having a bit of trouble wording exactly what had just unfolded.

“Well,” you tilted your head, pretending to consider it, “I think I’d like it if he did it again.”

“Oh, well in that case…” Thackery grinned and tilted your head up to his, connecting your lips once more.

[jadekitty777]

Who Needs Gifts When We Have Love?

Finally, after all this time, the long awaited second chapter of the Summer/Tai/Qrow mini series is up. Technically, I just ended up dropping what I planned for the original ‘ending’ (of which will become super obvious what it was when you read this). I may finish that part later, but it was hanging me up way too much and I didn’t want this series to just go on an eternal hiatus because of it. 

Rating: M

Word Count: 3,500

Pairing: Summer/Tai/Qrow

Ao3 Link: Who Needs Gifts When We Have Love?

Summary: Qrow didn't really care for the fanfare involved with birthdays, especially his own. Luckily, Summer and Tai's combined creative efforts made it much more bearable.

Qrow hated birthdays.

It came to no surprise to him that all the main ‘traditions’ tied to a birthday came from Atlas – as if the overly commercialist kingdom didn’t have enough money to fatten their prestigious family’s wallets with. There had to be cake with your name on it, an expensive dinner out, enough colorful balloons and streamers to make a person go blind – and one could definitely not forget the “perfect” gift, as if there really was such a thing or, even if there was, that it could be found every single year. It felt like a bunch of frivolous fanfare.

So, he hated birthdays. Especially his own.

Except, it wasn’t his “own” – and that made it infinitely worse because it only served as a reminder of the missing presence in his life.

Despite his misgivings though, it didn’t seem to stop Tai and Summer from breaking the rules, in their own way. They didn’t cook his favorite dinner, they cooked his second or his third. There was no cake, but plenty of cookies to go around for the next week. They never gave him anything wrapped up with a neat little bow on top, but they did ask what he wanted to do and then followed through with as many extreme measures as they were allowed.

So, his request for ‘a quiet night in’ equated to dropping Ruby and Yang off at a babysitter’s house.

Don’t get him wrong, he loved those scamps with all his heart – but some days their energy was a bit… much. So just one night away from any father-uncle responsibilities was definitely a treat. He also figured this was the only ‘gift’ his partners had planned for him.

The bouquet of sunflowers sitting on the front step to the house seemed to laugh at him and his gullibility.

He looked to the woman beside him. “Summer.”

She looked back at him, her mask of innocence doing nothing to convince him she wasn’t up to something. “Oh my! Look at this lone bouquet just sitting out here for you, completely unprecedented and without a clear reason!”

“Summer.” He repeated.

She fluttered her eyelashes at him. “You should really pick it up.”

Damn her for being pretty. “I swear, those eyes of yours are lethal weapons.”

“Was that a pun?”

For the good of his own sanity, he absolutely refused to answer that. God knows what mileage Tai would get out of it if she told him. He leant over to pick up the vase and discovered that pinned underneath it was a note. A single instruction was written on it:

Follow the trail.

He rose an eyebrow at that but it wasn’t until he opened the door that the direction became clear, as from the doorway to up the stairs was a trail of white rose petals. He imagined he knew where it was leading, but he questioned anyways, “What are you two up to?”

“Something you’ll really like.” Summer said, practically bouncing with excitement. When he only hummed uncertainly, she added, “Come on, have we ever let you down before?”

“Well, there’s a first time for everything.” He snickered as she gave a little huff, shoving him forward. Obediently, he started to follow the rose petals, hearing the door shut behind him before Summer was trotting along after him. As expected, they led to their bedroom, but instead of them ending at the bed, they continued into the bathroom.

The door was open but the light was off – yet a warm, orange glow still emitted from within, beckoning him towards it. Curiosity growing, he headed that way, setting the bouquet on the dresser as he passed by it. “Tai?” He called.

“Welcome back!” Was the returned greeting.

Qrow stopped where the trail did, right at the door’s threshold, sucking in a surprised breath.

The room had been meticulously transformed with strings of winter holiday lights carefully tacked around the walls. Candles were perched in various places, including the counter, the windowsill, and the tank top of the toilet. They emitted a gentle but familiar vanilla scent he was particular too. Tai was lounging back in their oversized tub, the water filled three-fourths up but seeming much higher with all the bubbles. And it was in that Qrow finally understood his real surprise.

Having grown up washing in cold rivers and lakes, he hadn’t had the pleasure of knowing what a warm shower was until he went to Beacon. It was even longer before he’d been introduced to a bath, but it instantly became his preferred method of bathing. Something about being able to lounge in a vat of pure warmth was so undeniably relaxing. He figured that nothing could top it until Summer learned of his fondness for them and, on a whim, imported specialty bubble bath mix from Atlas. Qrow was instantly enamored, the experience stirring something almost childlike in him as he popped the shiny spheres between his hands and made bubble beards and crowns. From that day on, he would have gladly run a bubble bath every day; but because it was both expensive and fairly hard to find a supplier, he’d limited running the bubbles for special occasions or those particularly trying days.

“So?” Tai tilted his head towards him, grinning in that excited way he got whenever he felt he was pleasing one of them. “What do you think?”

Qrow wanted to tell him he loved it. That it was the best gift either of them could have given him. But, years of poor social skills meant he still wasn’t particularly good at expressing his gratitude, which was why he waved at the candles and said, “I think this might be a bit of a fire hazard.”

Something wet and cold hit the back of his neck, making him jump. He whirled around, seeing Summer grinning at him, a pseudo-weapon aimed his way. “Don’t worry, we’ve got your semblance covered.”

“Is that a water gun?” Qrow exclaimed, only to yelp when another blast hit him right on the ass. He shot a scowl over his shoulder.

“Two water guns.” Tai winked at him. Where had he even been hiding it? “So now that you have nothing to worry about, get in here!”

“Or what?” He challenged.

The blond rose an eyebrow, his gaze sliding to the one behind him. “Summer?”

“Barrage him.” She said gleefully.

And then Qrow was being pelted from both sides by blasts of cold water. He quickly rose up his arms in a poor attempt at guarding, laughing all the while. “Alright, alright you heathens!”

The moment they let up, he reached over his shoulder to grab the back of his shirt, yanking it up and over his head. The move earned him an appreciative wolf whistle.

“Whoo! Yeah, baby!” Summer catcalled. “Take it off!”

He threw his shirt in her face.

“Ack!”

“You’re terrible.” He told her, toeing off his shoes and unfastening his belt simultaneously.

It was her turn to wink as she started to undo the ties on her corset. “Is it truly such a crime to marvel at a work of art?”

“If so, then guess you’ll just have to lock me up.” He countered, deliberately roving his eyes over her.

“Oh I’d never miss the opportunity to put you in handcuffs.”

Before he could think up a fitting comeback, a snort drew his attention behind him. Tai had propped his arms over the rim of the tub, an amused smile gracing his features as he watched them try to out flirt each other.

It hadn’t always been like this; in fact, when Summer and he first started dating, she would get so easily flustered by even his weakest of lines that she usually just spluttered her way into an embarrassed silence. Qrow had thought it was cute, so he kept up the charade, even made a bit of a game of it to see how fast he could make her go from collected to bashful. But Summer wasn’t Summer if she didn’t try to rise to a challenge – and soon enough she started to return as much as she was given. It eventually developed into somewhat of a couples’ quirk of theirs, so commonplace he usually didn’t realize when they were doing it anymore.

Having joined them later on, Tai didn’t tend to participate but at least he was never short on entertainment.

“See something you like sunshine?” Qrow asked, shimmying out of his pants.

He smirked. “Quite.”

His socks were the last thing to go. He padded over the tile, taking that first, wonderful step into the tub, sighing contently as he sunk into the water. Tai adjusted to lean against the back, holding his hands towards him, an invitation Qrow couldn’t ignore as he slid over. There was always something immensely comfortable about having the brawler’s arms wrap around him. Toned from years of training, they just seemed to completely envelope his thinner frame, the strength and security it invoked undeniable.

Which made it rather ironic that despite being built like a tree, at heart, he was the biggest softie. Qrow didn’t have to even wonder whose plan this whole set up was. When it came to romance, Summer and he had always kept things simple – she would have stopped at just the bath; but welcoming Tai to their relationship had also meant welcoming his eye for more grandiose gestures. That sometimes equated to waking up to toast cut into heart shapes or finding love notes in his pack long after he’d left for a mission. Or, in this case, petal trails, candles and mood lighting.

“Gotta say,” Qrow said, relaxing against the other. “This isn’t too shabby for a gift.”

“Gift? What gift? Are we celebrating something?” Tai replied with a tone of mock-innocence.

He rolled his eyes, kissing away the other’s teasing grin.

The door was shut, encasing them in the candle and string light’s yellow-orange glow, reflecting off the bubbles rather dazzlingly. The two of them made room, Qrow silently glad Tai had splurged for a larger tub as Summer was able to settle in easily with them.

“This is so nice.” She commented, sinking down.

A few nudges had Qrow shifting around in Tai’s arms until they were back to chest. “Want to come over here?”

She answered by sidling right up against him, tucking her head in the dip of his clavicle. She was just above the water and her hair, free from its typical rose bun, floated around her shoulders like a fan. It was tempting him to run his fingers through it, so he did.

“So, after the bath, we have a little proposition for you.” She said.

Every word ghosted along his neck, making him shudder. “Oh?”

She walked her fingers up the center of his chest, saying, “Tai and I were talking and we realized how long it’s been since we’ve had a three-way. Even longer since you’ve been in the middle.”

Qrow snorted down a laugh. “Oh, so the flowers were supposed to lead to the bed.”

Tai nipped his ear. “There are some on the bed, thank you very much.” Of course there was. He should have never doubted. “Anyways, it’s only if you feel up to it. We just don’t get this opportunity often.”

Didn’t he know it. Between full time jobs, long missions away, and two tykes that could drain the energy out of the sun, it was a miracle just to get time away for just himself – and sometimes he was too exhausted for even that. When they were desperate for a little downtime together, often, they appointed one of them to watch the kids for a time so two of them could slip away. But all three of them? He could count the instances on his own two hands – which, for a four-year relationship, was a ridiculously pathetic number.

So, with the very idea stirring arousal through him, it really wasn’t a question he had to think hard about to answer. “’Course I’m up for it. But, Gods be damned, I’m enjoying the bath first.”

They both laughed, their joy reverberating through him from either side. Summer kissed the side of his jaw. “Of course.”

~

“Why don’t you two go get comfortable while I clean up in here?” Summer offered, maneuvering carefully to wind the towel around herself without elbowing one of them.

They’d been fortunate so far that nothing had caught fire, but since luck was bound to run out, Qrow certainly wouldn’t argue putting out all the candles before they got into it. Not that there wasn’t a little foreplay in the bath anyways – it was hard to avoid, with their hands all over each other and the promise of what was to come lingering in their imaginations. Still, it felt a little unfair to have their wife do all the work. “You sure?”

“Mmhm.” She strung out her hair over the tub, a small rainfall pouring down. “It won’t take more than a few minutes. Go have fun.”

As Tai finished tousling his hair, the wet strands sticking up at odd angles, he replied, “Now that’s an offer I won’t refuse.”

It was hard to say if it was from the door he just opened or the way the blond aimed him with a hungry gaze, either way Qrow felt shivers running down his spine. “Yeah, alright.” Not about to be outdone, he turned and headed into the room, unnecessarily swaying his hips as he did so. The swift, harmless swat to his ass told him the motion did not go unnoticed. “Hey careful now. You’re about to use those goods.”

Tai chuckled. “Sorry, want me to kiss it better?”

That wasn’t a half bad idea. But as he approached their bed, he found himself distracted by a small, colorful array left in the center of his pillow. Flowers, just as promised. But not just any flowers; Dahlias. One white, one black, and one yellow, neatly tied together with a blue ribbon. It was one of the few plants he knew what they were meant to symbolize.

Qrow was not a romantic, that was as true as the sky was blue.

But once upon a time, he tried to be.

When he and Summer had first started to date, nothing had changed incredibly much about their lives – except their days were filled with a lot more kissing and sneaking away between (or sometimes during) classes for a quick romp in the dorm. They didn’t even really go out that often; since they already saw each other every day, it felt arbitrary to ‘make time’ for just each other. It was comfortable and easy. But on the anniversary of his and Summer’s first date, he had wanted to do something she’d never expect. Because somewhere along the way he’d done something stupid.

He’d fallen in love with her.

And like all idiots who fell in love, Qrow was swept away with the desire to tell her in the most memorable way possible. What better way to do that then to give his Rose a rose?

When he dragged Tai along for his ‘expert’ opinion and told him his idea, he was quickly shot down.

“What do you mean it’s a terrible idea? Roses are practically the romantic flower queen!” Qrow had argued, shoving a fistful of them right in his face.

Tai’s eyes continued to judge him over the tops of the blooms. “Buddy, if you want her to know you put exactly zero thought into this, then give her roses.”

“Well what would you do Casanova?”

He hummed, giving the shop a once over, before laser focusing on one corner of the room. “Oh, over here!”

Qrow grunted as he was dragged by his elbow to another display of flowers. They came in a variety of colors, with tall stems and petals that burst out in multiple layers. He recognized them quickly, as the tribe would collect them occasionally. The roots were thick like potato tubers and very sweet. They were useful for a kick of energy during seasons in which they didn’t have much food. He didn’t know anything beyond that. But that was why Tai was here – back where he was from, his family owned a flower shop. He had a fairly detailed knowledge on the whole ‘symbolism’ matter.

“Dahlias?” He asked.

“Yeah, they’re a wedding flower.”

His heart practically jogged a marathon. “What?! Dude! I’m not proposing!”

Tai laughed, already plucking two out from their vases. “I know, I just wanted to mess with you. But the reason they’re a wedding flower is because they stand for loyalty and commitment.” He held them towards him; a white one and a bloom so deep red, it appeared almost black. “Tie these two together with a blue ribbon and that’ll tell her you want to make this serious.”

He didn’t have to guess why the ribbon had to be blue. That was a Mistralian custom. Many that hailed from there were told the same folktale about how the sea and the sky once were colorless and sad, until they fell in love. They began to stretch, on and on, to try and reach one another. When they finally touched, making the horizon, they turned blue and from their love, they birthed the continents.

He knew now that was all utter nonsense – but the tale was practically the foundation for the culture of his people. From the fact parents still named their children after things either of the water or the sky to the very shade of their Kingdom’s symbol, blue would likely always be Mistral’s most significant color. Therefore, giving something blue to a significant other was meant to represent that they had the same unending love for them that the sky and the sea had.

So, he did what Tai suggested – and while the flowers didn’t last long, his and Summer’s relationship did, growing and thriving. Every year, he still gave the dahlia pair to her on the anniversary of their first date. They’d become so iconic, something that represented them, that she’d even had fake ones sewn to her wedding dress. Her bouquet had real ones and had been tied together with a big, blue ribbon.

They had planned to have some yellow ones strewn in with the black and white ones, but Tai had been adamantly against it, not wanting to step into their tradition like that. So, they had let it be, and settled on sunflowers instead.

It seemed something had finally changed his mind.

Qrow picked up the mini bouquet, smiling as he ghosted a thumb over the velvet soft petals. “You know, someone once told me that giving these flowers away means you want to be with them forever.”

“Oh really?” Tai loosely wound his arms around his waist. “Must have been someone pretty smart.”

He gave a thoughtful hum. “He was blond; so no, not really.”

A swift nip to his shoulder reprimanded him. “I changed my mind, you jerk. Give them back.”

“No. They’re mine.” He said holding them to his chest. He squirmed as Tai wiggled his fingers up his stomach, making a move to grab them. He slapped them. “Go away!”

“Not until I get my flowers.”

One of those hands started to tickle his side, and he burst into laughter, trying to twist away as the other came to loot him again. He pinned it. “Get your own thief! I’m – WAAH!”

Qrow’s vision swiveled around as he was suddenly hefted up like a bride and tossed onto the bed. He tried to scoot backwards and out of reach, but Tai was quicker, climbing up on top of him and pinning him down as he demanded, “Give me those flowers!”

“Never!” He proclaimed, throwing his arm up above his head. When Tai tried to stretch over him, he grabbed his shoulder, pushing him back. He was satisfied when he felt fingers only skim his elbow. “You’re gonna have to do better than th-”

The rest of his taunt was lost when Tai smashed their lips together, forcing his tongue into his mouth. Not that Qrow was complaining, eyes slipping closed as he was coaxed into returning the kiss. A moment later, they were easing up, falling into a rhythm only two people could have from doing this more times than they could count.

When they broke apart, Tai’s voice was husky and his eyes were dark, a storm of passion in those deep blue irises. “What say we see how far down your body I can get until Summer joins us?”

He was all too happy to tilt his head back and reply, “I’m all yours sunshine.”