#usually i just enter a fugue state and write enough that i can go back and edit it into something i like later

[askaniritual]

i am not remotely excited about anything i have written for the last 4k words of this fic i am going to chew my own leg off

[bokunoheroanalysisforthefuture]

Last chapter of this volume! Can’t believe we’re already through four volumes, and we’re not even done with the second full arc yet. I mean, later arcs are gonna be even longer, but like. Yeah.

[No. 35 - Battle On, Challengers!]

We move on to the next match - Kaminari versus Shiozaki! I’m actually kind of marveled that they were able to thaw out that entire glacier in any sort of timely manner. That’s quirks for you!

Present Mic announces Shiozaki as class 1b’s assassin, and also reveals that he apparently either doesn’t know the full quote for ‘every rose has its thorns’ or started to say it, only to realize she didn’t have roses and scrambled to compensate. Kaminari, meanwhile, gets announced as a ‘sparking, killing boy.’ Really kind of morbid on this round, huh?

Shiozaki turns around to object to Present Mic’s descriptor as an ‘assassin’, stating that she’s merely come this far seeking victory. Present Mic apologises, and Kaminari just kind of watches while admiring her. He takes notes of her eyes, and then thinks about how strong she is. He then sort of counters his previous admiration of strength by asking himself if he really has to hit someone so pretty with a full discharge, then concludes his ‘battle plan’ by determining that he’ll ask her out once all this is over.

Present Mic starts the match while Shiozaki is still focused on talking to Mic - which means she’s facing away from Kaminari. Which is kind of a dick move on Mic’s part, but eh, I guess ‘heroes have to be ready for anything,’ yarda yarda etcetera. 

Kaminari asks Shiozaki if she wants to grab something to eat when they’re done there, and that he’s happy to console her if she wants. She turns to stare at him in confusion, just in time to see him charging up his whole body with his quirk. Kaminari makes a quip about this match probably being over in an instant - and then we cut to the immediate aftermath, where Present Mic comments on how it’s already over while Kaminari wheys out in the grasp of Shiozaki’s vines. Shiozaki was both able to create a shield against the electricity and yank Kaminari into the air and away from her, thus causing him to short-circuit.

One on patrol, Mount Lady comments on Shiozaki being a promising one, and another plant user. Kamui Woods amits he wishes he could’ve seen her up close, but that they need to get back to work. 

Back in the stadium, Midnight announces Shiozaki moving on to the second round. Shiozaki is relieved to have no wasted the opportunity bestowed upon her, and the narrative finally gives us an informational blurb on her quirk. 

...A strange ending note there, but sure. Some of the crowd - or possibly Izuku? Since he’s sinking into a muttering fest right after - comments on the ‘match’ and the participants. Shiozaki’s ability to use her quirk is something else, between building walls, binding enemies… Kaminari’s quirk was no use against her. She countered him well. He might’ve had a chance if he could maneuver better, but he panicked and short-circuited after one attack.

Ochako hears muttering besides her and is a bit alarmed, looking over to see Izuku in the middle of an analysis fugue. Izuku mutters about thinking Kaminari’s quirk would be stronger, but Shiozaki got fourth in the entrance exam, and she’s the real deal. The vine moves are similar to Kamui Wood’s binding attacks, and binding types are always strong, to the point where you almost never see someone break out. It’s pretty much impossible to dodge all the vine attacks, so the only counter is to rip them apart with brute strength - ah, but to prevent that, they tend to go for the hands first.

(...and I just NOW realized that this specific commentary about binding-type quirks and the counter being brute strength is literally something that comes into play when Best Jeanist binds Gigantomachia with those steel cables during the Jakku arc. Holy shit, I don’t think Hori intended it, but what a callback. Or it’s just good worldbuilding, which would also be neat!)

Ochako eventually cuts into Izuku’s muttering - startling him in the process - by commenting on how his match just ended, but he’s already thinking ahead strategy-wise. Izuku denies it, saying that it’s just a hobby of his, and that they finally have a chance to see the quirks of people outside their class in action. He then eagerly shows her his open notebook, stating that he has everything she’d need to know about class A in there - even her ‘zero gravity’. 

Me, staring down the people who have the class unaware of the contents of Izuku’s notebooks when writing suspected traitor fics: 

Anyways! Ochako is kind of impressed despite herself, stating that she thought Izuku was amazing from the day they met, but this sports festival has brought him to a whole other level. Izuku is confused by the complement, but there’s no time to ask, since Present Mic is announcing the participants of the next battle: Tenya versus Hatsume.

Some of the students are chattering about how the match is going to go, with one asking what is that - which seems to be referring to the support items Tenya is wearing? Midnight comments on it as well, noting that they’re forbidden for hero course students, and that a special request has to be put in for those things beforehand. Tenya admits he forgot, seeing as Aoyama was wearing that belt of his. Midnight reminds him that Aoyama applied for an exception.

Tenya apologies, stating that he’d been touched by Hatsuma’s sense of sportsmanship. Although she’s a member of the support course, she came to him and said that if they’re to be seen as equals, then they should fight on equal footing. She gave those items to him; her earnest spirit… he could never look down on it. That was his thinking. 

Midnight apparently is now all for this, calling Tenya naive. Mic says that it’s good enough for him, and Aizawa says that if both parties are fine with it, he supposes it can be allowed… right? Izuku, up in the stands, is looking concerned, wondering if Hatsume is really the type to offer that. Hatsume, of course, is chuckling as she flips down a microphone right as the match starts.

Mei immediately starts going into her spiel, commenting on Tenya’s speed - much to the confusion of both Mic and Tenya. She then points out how Tenya’s legs should feel lighter than usual, and that that’s what one can expect with her custom leg parts, which keep up with their user’s speed! However, dodging is no problem for her with her hydraulic attachment bars! Which she deploys just before Tenya reaches her, causing him to trip over one of the bars and flail.

Mei checks for where the support companies were seated, her quirk zeroing in on the faces she’s looking for - which, to her pleasure, are eating her words up.

Tenya catches himself and spins on his heels, wondering what she’s going. Hatsume complements it, noting how her auto-balancer makes those sorts of tight movements possible. Meanwhile, up in the announcement booth, Mic and Aizawa are both so put out, with Aizawa facepalming and calling her a born saleswoman. 

The game of tag, along with a completely play-by-play sales pitch, goes on for another ten minutes. Eventually, however, Hatsume steps over the line, sweating but proud of managing to get through everything she wants to show off. Midnight states that Tenya’s moving on to the second round, while Tenya is just in despair at the deception.

Ah, the face of someone with zero shame. Hatsume gives a completely insincere apology for using Tenya, which Tenya replies to by stating his extreme dislike of her. 

Izuku is also a bit dismayed as he notes that Tenya is just too serious, so it wasn’t hard for her to get him to play her game, and that at least she’s honest about her under-handed methods to get what she wants. Ochako herself is looking a bit down as she gets up, quietly noting to Izuku that she should get to the prep room. Izuku notes that she left her still-full drink behind, glancing back to her in concern as she walks away.

As other matches run in the background, we shift over to prep room two, which Tenya is just entering. Ochako, already waiting in there, tells him good which, which startles him out of his funk as he recognizes her. Of course, the first thing he notes is her furrowed brows, which Ochako admits is probably from her being a bit nervous, and how it’s probably showing on her face. Tenya remembers her match is against Katsuki, and Ochako admits that she’s really scared. But, seeing Tenya out there, she…

Well, before she can finish her thought, Izuku bursts into the room. Ochako is confused, since he should be out there watching the other matches. Tenya to the side asks about the story behind the support girl. Izuku ignores the latter, telling Ochako that another two matches are already over, and now Kirishima and some class 1b guy are duking it out. Mina managed to damage Aoyama’s belt, he panicked, and she knocked him out with an uppercut to the chin. Then Tokoyami won his match in a flash - he didn’t give Momo the time to use the objects she made… he’s one of the strongest guys here in a one-on-one. Ochako realizes this means her match is up soon, her heart pounding in her chest.

Tenya can’t imagine that Katsuki would give it his explosive all against a female opponent, but Izuku cuts in, staring very firmly that Katsuki will. Everyone is competing here with the dream of becoming number one. No one’s holding back - Katsuki least of all. However, Ochako’s already helped Izuku so much, so he thought he might return the favor…

He really just stores his notebooks anywhere he can. What a legend. He offers the notebook, stating that Ochako needs a counter-strategy against Katsuki - one that uses her quirk. He came up with it on the fly, but it might work! Tenya is relief, stating how fortunate Ochako is. Ochako thanks Izuku, but says that it’s okay. Both Izuku and Tenya are startled by the reply. 

Ochako states how amazing Izuku is, and how he does amazing stuff all the time. During the cavalry battle, she thought the easiest strategy woul be to team up with friends. But when she thinks about it, she was just putting her faith in Izuku. That’s why Tenya said ‘I challenge you’ and all that, which left her feeling a little embarrassed about herself. 

She pushes herself to her feet, moving past them to get to her match as she says thanks, but no thanks. Everyone here is fighting for their futures, so doesn’t that make them all rivals? That’s why she’ll see him in the finals!

Ochako, sweetie…

Kirishima and Tetsutetsu knock each other out at the same time. Present Mic comments on the mirror image quirk matchup, and how the winner is… neither! They have a tie, since both are down. Midnight clarifies that in the event of a tie, they’ll determine the winner after the two recover, probably with an arm wrestling match or the like. The crowds comment on how they’re equal in strength, and how that was great though. They kind of hotbloodedness would be a great morale boost, and how they’re desirable as sidekicks. 

Shouto watches on as the final two contestants of the first round enter the arena. Tsuyu states her worries about the match, and Jirou addson how she doesn’t want to watch it. Izuku quietly hopes for Ochako to do her best. 

And so the final match is announced: Ochako versus Katsuki.

And with that, volume four is done! I’ll be getting up the character sheet first, and then digging into the bonus material. Hopefully y’all enjoy!

[littleroma]

Exasperation Is Thy Name - Chapter Fourteen

Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen

Jane couldn’t remember ever feeling as stunned as she was right now.  She wondered what game her ex-was playing at, what reason could he have had to talk up their relationship?  Jane wondered why the being had decided to talk up the woman, to the extent that he did.  It was a mixture of both flattering and mind-boggling that the being spent so much time talking up a relationship with a woman that he barely saw.  Jane started to wonder if she had simply thrown away a relationship before she even had the chance to see what else was in that relationship.

 Catching sight of a warning look that her former intern sent her, Jane shook her head once to clear her mind of the unanswerable questions.  Suppressing a brief snort of amusement while she wondered to herself what her former grad students would think if they heard what their bitch of a professor was thinking.  No doubt she would get only signs of condensation, how dare the woman who for long only preached about going out to find the answers they sought.  Shaking her head with a wry snort as she wondered what it would take for anything to begin making sense to her.

 “Okay, so it seems as if my complete genius of an ex-talked me up to all and sundry, is there any way that I can get out of this mess?” Jane sarcastically asked.

 “No, but for now we are going to have a deal with some more issues, at least before they become too big for us to handle on our own.  We need to get you to a haven before it is too late for us to make sure that you are kept safe.  Is there anywhere that you would like to be taken?” Jyn answered the woman, sighing when she spoke to the woman.

 “I can’t think of anywhere off the top of my head. I guess that it’s too dangerous for me to head back to New Mexico?” Jane rhetorically answered the question, with yet another question.

 “Yeah, it seems as if Romanova has taken it into her head to send enemies towards you.  It seems like she had herself half convinced that if she could save you, or put you into danger then Designation: Thor and Designation: Iron Man would look kindly on her for protecting you.  I don’t think that it entered into her head that she would be the whole reason you were in trouble.” Jyn answered, troubled.

 “That doesn’t make any sense, that’s like cutting the brake lines on someone’s car with the intent to save them before they died.” Jane spluttered.

 “We know it doesn’t but don’t forget that the woman is slightly messed up.  She might be starting to think that up is down and down is up.  She might feel that this is the only path left to her that still makes sense.  Jane, have you been watching more soap operas again?” Dacia snorted.

 “Yeah, they are addictive to watch while I’m waiting for the data to compile.  You were the one to get me into soap operas!” Jane protested.

 “Yeah, they were interesting to watch when we were trying to work out the intricacies of human behaviour, at least in this Universe.” Dacia tried to defend herself, holding her hands up in a peace sign.

“Alright, can we move past that and start focussing on something else for a while?  Like how we are going to be to keep Dr Foster safe while we try to resolve this whole mess.” Cassian sighed, trying to draw attention back to the topic that they were currently exploring.

 Jane coughed slightly, becoming more irritated when she realised that the group were once again talking about her as if she wasn’t in the room.  Glancing over at Darcy, Jane waited for the woman to make up a decision.  She didn’t feel like she could decide for herself in any case, not while she didn’t understand all of the players in any case.

 “Jane, how do you feel about the possibility of us taking you to Stark Tower?  I know that you won’t be able to get a lot of star seeing down from the middle of Manhattan but for now, I need you somewhere safe.  Don’t ask me to watch you get hurt; you can’t make me do that.” Darcy apologised when she thought through some of the things that she was likely to come up against.

 “Yeah, that will be fine, for now, I don’t want to put myself in unnecessary danger.  But it won’t be for long right?” Jane checked.

 “No, it should be for too long, Jyn email Ms Potts, once we have got an affirmative answer, I can plot a course to the Tower. In the meantime though, what do we do with the Prisoners?” Cassian instructed, already being sure of what he wanted.

 Jyn looked over at Dacia stunned that Cassian had opted to give her instructions, she wasn’t sure if she should follow them. Dacia simply shrugged lazily back at her, so Jyn decided to do as the guy asked and began to type up an email ready to be sent to Ms Potts.

 To:     Ms Potts, Ms Hill

 CC:    Lewis, Dacia & Andor, Cassian.

 From: Erso, Jyn

 Hello, I am writing to you guys with another problem; we were able to intercept conversation that one Natalia Romanova had another target in her sights.  One Dr Jane Foster, the now infamous astrophysicist, as of yet we haven’t been able to determine why Romanova might think that attacking the scientist was a good idea.

 We aren’t sure, yet, if this looks like it could be a legitimate problem, but in any case, we decided to remove Dr Foster from harm's way.  We may have another lead on where we could find the woman, but we need somewhere to safely hide Dr Foster, at least while we follow up on some leads on the whereabouts of Romanoff.  As you know, it is of critical and paramount importance to us that the woman is kept as safe as she be, at least to us, while this mess is being further investigated.

 We can’t be sure whether or not we have found definitive current whereabouts of Romanoff.  In any case, we can’t trust ourselves to keep the woman safe if we drag her on a manhunt. I hope that it is not too much to ask, but could we ask if she could be hosted in Stark Tower?  Our thinking goes that at least there she might have the opportunity to do a bit of sciencing.

 Let us know what you think,

 Jyn Erso.

 “Okay, I sent that email to Ms Potts.  Hopefully, we might get an answer before we need to act. Do we have anything else that we can work on right now?” Jyn asked, coming out of a fugue type state as she wrote the email.

 Jyn noticed that it looked as if Dacia was hunched (probably painfully) over a computer while muttering herself. Balancing on her tiptoes while she tried to spot what the woman was looking, it was for nought though. Exchanging a look with Cassian, the two of them look, when they managed to hear what was the woman was saying to herself.  Glaring at the man and daring him to speak, right now she didn’t trust herself to speak.

 “Dacia, what are you looking at so intently on the screen?  Is there something that we need to be worried about?” Cassian tiredly asked, not sure whether or not he should start to panic yet.

 “Nothing, I keep checking the feeds from the prison cells, I keep expecting to see them doing well anything.  But none of them is doing anything.  I can’t be sure if so far it has escaped their notice the mess they are in.  Or at least if they have, they don’t seem to have progressed past the point of blaming others for them not opening their eyes and not recognising the gravity of the situation they just leapt into.” Dacia complained, running a hand through her hair in frustration.

 “It’s possible that for some, they aren’t ready to accept that their actions have consequences, we can’t get ourselves into something that we don’t understand, not before we have worked through all the consequences for ourselves.” Jyn theorised to the two, not sure of what she was trying to get at.

 “I know I can struggle with understanding things at times, especially if it involves looking at something from a different perspective,” Cassian muttered.

 “Yeah, but we don’t occasionally feel like taking a two by four to the back of your head when you refuse to try and understand anyone else’s perspective.  Never mind looking at a problem from a different angle.” Dacia muttered.

 Jane snorted in the background, wondering not for the first time what she had gotten herself into.  She was sure that even though she did not entirely understand these people, not thoroughly in any case, that she had thrown her lot in with the right people.  Even their banter was amusing she thought to herself, she felt that she had seen enough of these people when they were under pressure for her to feel comfortable that they could handle any threats that came their way.  Or at least the vast majority of threats.

 “True enough, but for now we need to keep an eye on things, at least we have other things for us to keep an eye on first. At least before we start worrying ourselves about silly things.” Jyn tried to get their focus back on track.

 Jane simply snorted to herself, content to watch the idle bickering of her friends for now.  Watching as Jyn closed her eyes, having become frustrated with her friends’ lack of focus, Jane felt her eyebrows inching up her forehead in shock, Jyn was usually the first that could be persuaded to goof and have a laugh. That wasn’t to say that Jyn couldn’t be quietly serious and intense whenever the mood struck her, because goodness knows that she could be.

 Watching as Jyn rolled her eyes, Jane found herself empathising with the woman; she knew how frustrating it could feel when somebody didn’t do their work in the way that she knew they could.  Noticing when Jyn turned to pierce the computer with a pleasant look of surprise, Jane made her way over to the woman, knowing that right now the woman could be looking at something uniquely serious.

 “What is it?” Jane hissed at the woman concerned.

 “We’ve got an email back from Ms Potts, and it’s not what I was expecting,” Jyn muttered back at her.

 “What is it?  You know that we can work through whatever it is right?” Jane gently asked.

 “no, I know that, but this isn’t what I was expecting in a million years.  Here, look at yourself and tell me if that is what you might have expected.” Jyn told the woman, gesturing at the screen in front of her.

 Jane gave the woman one last beseeching look, even though she was not sure what answers she sought and peered at the monitor. Without even noticing what she was doing her lips began to form the words as she read:

 TO:    Erso, Jyn

 FROM:          Potts, Virginia

 Ms Erso, it may be better if you leave Doctor Foster at the Compound in the north of New York State.  I say this because we don’t want to run the risk of someone finding where Doctor Foster is.  It would also be helpful to remember that at least at the Compound she may be able to do a little stargazing on the grounds, at least the option would be there whereas it wouldn’t be there if she were to stay at the Tower there would be too much light pollution.

 Let me know if this would be good for you; we can’t take custody of the Rogue Avengers just yet, some elements needed to be moved before we can take custody off.

 “Okay, well that sounds fair enough.  Where did you think you spotted Romanoff?” Jane asked when she had read through the email.

 “We haven’t been able to find her properly, but we have received confidential information that she has been spotted moving across the Middle East.  At first, we couldn’t work out why she had picked the Middle East, but I have been able to pin down her motives for choosing the Middle East.  At the very least countries across the Middle East does not currently have extradition treaties with America.  Neither does Russia, but for obvious reasons, she wouldn’t feel comfortable going to ground in the country that trained her.  It’s likely that there are some incredibly dangerous individuals in the country with an axe to grind.” Cassian cut in, obviously having cut into the two’s discussion.

 “I can’t understand why she hasn’t chosen China; there is no extradition treaty there either.  It would probably be safer in one aspect if she chooses to hide out in China, goodness knows its big enough that she could disappear with relative ease.” Dacia muttered.

 “She might have some enemies in China, don’t forget that is not a lot of information we can easily rely on when it comes to the might of the security services there.  She might have forgotten the country and decided that at least now, she would like a little more sun.  In any case, I don’t feel comfortable speculating, at least not before I can see further proof, but we need to find her.” Cassian answered.

 While the two were having a discussion, Jyn had shown the two of them the email, leaning back against the table and chewing a little on some of the thoughts that had occurred to her.  One of the things that Jyn couldn’t pretend that she was unfamiliar with was racism.  Though in her Home Universe it was more likely to be specism that she was more familiar with, sometimes more familiar than she was comfortable with.

 Realising that this planet was familiar (and adept at the practice) with racism, especially over something (as insignificant she thought) as a place of birth or the colour of your skin, was disheartening. Jyn hated to become a cliché, but she wished that for a change everybody could get along.  She had watched a movie a few years, and she wished that she could bake cookies with everyone.

 First, she would have to learn how to bake without setting fire to the house.

 There was a reason that Dacia and Cassian wouldn’t allow her near the kitchen when she wasn’t intending on working with sweet foods.

 She could work with some savoury foods, like stews or lasagna or even roast dinners but it would seem like sugar was a step too far.

 Odd that.

 “Okay, well Daca, do you have anything else that you think could tip us over the edge?” Cassian asked once he noticed that Jyn looked as if she was considering a serious problem.

 “No, we should work on getting Jane situated before we try to divine motivation from that woman’s actions.  Cassian, can you get us there?  Don’t feel like you have to push this bucket of bolts.” Dacia ordered with a smile.

 Cassian nodded back at the woman and left the room with nary a sound.  Dacia didn’t notice Jyn and Jane looking at her, peering at her while they tried to figure out what was going through the woman’s head.  Dacia was too busy, clutching her head with one hand, while she tried to sort through some of the thoughts that were now running through her head as if they had been fireflies trapped in a bottle for too long.

WHOOSH

 After a while, when the ship had landed, Dacia looked around her, hoping to find a hint of something or anything she could use. It wasn’t to be; they had to work quick, shaking her head once again she peered around the room looking for Jane, knowing that now she had to make sure that she got the woman to safety. Smiling softly over at her former employer (though did it count if she wasn’t paid) and upon noticing the packed bag at her feet, Dacia felt that for now at least she knew what she would have to do.

 Walking quietly over to the woman, with her arms spread wide as she wanted a hug from the woman before they had to leave her behind to go chasing after yet more ghosts in shadows.  Smiling a little when Jane also held her arms out to the woman, she wrapped the woman in her arms and took a deep breath in, wanting to remember the woman’s unique scent of labs and flowers.

 Hmm, it seemed like the woman was still using the same perfume.  It had always been a relief when even if the woman forgot to shower (which could be nauseatingly often) she would always spray a bit of perfume over her body.  It was a bit of a toss-up whether or not the woman over sprayed the perfume, which could be sickeningly sweet at times.

 “You might not see us for a while, but we promise to be back as soon as we can, look for me follow all their instructions.  You know that it would kill me if anything were to happen you, not while I could have been there to help you.  You should be fine here, just call one of the three of us if you are having any difficulties, okay?” Dacia checked with the woman, once she had stepped back from the woman, her eyes running over the woman in concern, not sure what she was looking for.

 “Yeah, I know, just please for me, be careful and don’t take any unnecessary risks unless you have to.  I know that I can’t hope to protect you, but that woman has decided that I’m the person she wants to go after, I couldn’t handle it if I thought that any of you guys got hurt on my account.” Jane told the woman in a rare show of emotion.

 Dacia looked over at the woman, nervous about what she was asking.  Sighing a little to herself when she realised that it was possible that one of them get hurt while they were hunting down Romanova, the woman was simply too dangerous not to be treated without caution.  Dacia wondered at what point the tiny astrophysicist had wormed her way into her heart, but she found that she didn’t mind it.  Jane might have become something like a mascot for the crew, a genius and overworked scientist; she represented what the trio was looking for all along.  It was, as always something for them to be concerned about, at least now it seemed as if they had something to play for. Nodding to herself, she agreed with the woman.

 “Jane, you know that anything could happen when we are out there, we are going to be chasing after someone who could have a lot of power, I can’t promise that nothing will happen.  But I promise you that we will fight to make our way back. Is that okay?” Dacia sighed, running a hand through her hair stressed.

 “Okay, I let you guys go.” Jane sighed, before reaching round for Jyn and trying to comfort her.

 Jyn looked over at the woman and made sure to hug her tightly, before stepping back to wrap the woman in a hug.  Letting go of the woman, Jyn looked over her shoulder as Cassian came back into the room.  Cassian simply nodded over at the woman, unable to make himself hug the woman, his stoic side still showing through.

 Allowing Cassian to take the woman from them, Jane made her way from the spaceship, feeling as if all the stress was coming off her, turns out that the stress of feeling as if she was in more danger, could stress out a person.

 WHOOSH

 When Jane had stepped off the spaceship, it seemed as some oxygen left the ship, shaking her head and stepping forward to resume her work once again.  Scrolling a hand over the tablet in front of her, Dacia frowned when she realised the magnitude of work ahead of them.  Breathing slowly she tried to consider whether or not it was time for them to begin working quickly.  

 “Okay, so what are our next problems?” Dacia prompted the small group, wanting to get them back on track.

 “Does it seem as if the woman would prefer to hide in large cities, or out in the country?  If we knew that, we could know where to check first.” Jyn muttered.

 “I have been thinking about that, and it occurs to me that the woman would be more likely to hide in larger cities, where she could disappear more easily.  After all, who is going to notice a new woman popping up, not when she could fall back on the excuse that she was brought by a desire for work.  She could also keep an ear to the ground for any potential changes to the Sokovia Accords.  She would need to know whether or not it was safe for her not to come out of hiding again.” Cassian began.

 “Right, that would make sense, somehow though I can’t see the woman giving up on a chance for herself to step back into the limelight.  She might have gotten used to the spotlight, no matter how much she might have protested it. She would maybe decide that she didn’t like the idea of hiding out in the country, because she might stick out even more.  It wouldn’t have been as easy for her to simply hide, because you guys know as well as I do, that a newcomer would stick out like a sore thumb.  Especially if everybody already knew most of everybody else.” Jyn continued the man’s thought with a shiver going up her spine as she considered some of the implications of what she was saying.

 “Okay, so if we turn our sights to the larger cities, do you guys think we might be able to find her.  Do you think that we cast a large net for the woman, we might be able to find her?” Dacia checked.

 “It is entirely possible that we might be able to pick the woman up, but we need to find out if we can find the woman.  We are going to need to find the woman, are there any warrants out for her arrest?  We know that she hurt Black Panther, could Wakanda have a warrant out for the woman, his later actions would cast aspersions on the man’s thinking processes.” Cassian supplied.

 “For now though, we have to operate under the knowledge that they are looking for her.  The only thing that we can rely on right now though is that no matter how powerful the  Dora Milaje, the country has been isolated for so long that they don’t have any extradition treaties with other countries.  One of the downsides of being so far cut off means that you can’t rely on other countries to go out of their way to do anything you ask them, because they can’t trust that you will be likely to honour your previous commitments to other countries.  I can understand why they would think like that because many countries operate with a bit of you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours, sad to say but it’s true.  Wakanda at this stage is an unknown entity before it was believed to be a developing nation, able to fly under the radar because no one expected them to be much.  At the same time, we can’t be sure whether or not the Dora Milaje could simply march in with and take custody of the woman, who gives a damn about relations?” Dacia, muttered remembering some of her studies as Darcy Lewis.

 Strange how things could come full circle at times.

 “Okay, but even though Wakanda have access to Vibranium, would they still risk showing their hand so early?  What would be the benefit of them starting a war?  Sure they could finish it, but would they want to risk it?  Especially for just one woman?” Cassian asked, still not sure whether on some things.

 “It’s possible that Wakanda has become arrogant in their isolation.  Think about it; if they believe that they can finish any war, they might have told themselves that it is unlikely that they have anything to lose, should they be pushed into a situation where war looks like a legitimate answer.” Jyn provided.

 “Yeah, that could be true, but I think we could tell anyone that it seems that there is always a higher cost of war.  From our backgrounds, we know that anyone could get hurt, and it doesn’t matter on what side you stand on.  Is it even possible that Wakanda is not as familiar with a higher cost?  Something tells me that they might not be ready to pay for their actions in a court, would they hold their actions, until they could be sure which way the winds are blowing?” Cassian asked.

 “For now, we have to work through the current matter.  Jyn have you found anything we can use to tell us where the woman is?  I don’t think I need to point out to you how crucial our next few moves could be.” Dacia asked, drawing their attention back to the matter at hand.

 “I have been scanning through some of the matters that we might be able to find; we need to find her.  So far, I can tell you that the woman is flying under far under the radar, we will find the woman.  K have you been able to find any proof of the woman?” Jyn, not sure what answer she was likely to get.

 “I have been scanning, and it seems as if the woman has some information to tell her to move more and more frequently. She might have been changing her lair or her living accommodations every so often, most likely to avoid detection, at least as far as she could.” K-2SO provided.

 “Alright, is there a chance that she could find any proof or something to indicate to her that people are looking in the Middle East for her.  We don’t want to tip her off and follow a red herring to a point where we run the risk of becoming so confused that tire ourselves out looking for some answer that doesn’t exist.” Dacia asked, wanting to be sure.

 “For now though, I have found a possible apartment block, on the outskirts of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, she might be holed up there for now.  Would you like me to scan the surrounding areas for any cameras that might be able to tell us where she is?” K-2SO told the group triumphant with some of the things that he had managed to find.

 “Yeah, in the meantime though, we had better find some disguises, we don’t want to stick out like sore thumbs,” Dacia told the AI, before leading Jyn from the room.

 WHOOSH

 Steve looked up confused, he wasn’t sure why the spaceship was moving and for now though he was confused he didn’t feel like he could ask.  Nor could he bring it up to any of the people in the other cells, they still didn’t understand why he had taken the actions that he had.  Steve couldn’t understand why they refused to listen to him; he had known that Bucky was innocent, why would no one believe him?

 He had had to protect Bucky from Stark in that bunker; Stark could have killed him, even though it was more likely that he would have simply hurt the man, for all the power of the suit, the man was weak. He wasn’t a soldier, he didn’t know the cost of war, of taking someone else’s life.  Steve had been right all those years ago; Stark wasn’t ready to lay down his life to protect other people.  He had never been ready.

 Steve had suspected that the guy had known that his trip into the wormhole wasn’t a one-way trip.  Steve had known guys like his ilk before, out for nothing but themselves and so greedy to take all the advantages they could.  Steve felt nothing but dismay and disgust curl in his belly as he thought of his former ‘friend’.

 It worried Steve at times that the Avengers, the rightful Avengers had fallen so deep into Stark’s shadow, were they all hoodwinked to believe the best in Stark?  The only thing that brought him any comfort right now was that at least they had fought alongside him against the insidious influence of Stark.

 Maybe he didn’t have to lose all hope in them.

 Stark had fallen so far and so fast, his father had been such a good man, he had provided the Howling Commandos (how he missed those guys) with gear in the European theatre of war.  He regretted that his friend’s face and body had been used to kill his friend, that had stung a little Steve could privately admit. But Steve knew that Howard would never have blamed Buck for murdering him.  Howard had understood how things lay, at least he could have trusted the man that much.

 Tony had been so blinded by rage; he hadn’t stopped to think about the implications of his actions, he never had.  Tony had always simply thrown his money at his problems and forced the rightful Avengers to look after themselves.  Steve promised himself that from now on he would make sure that his team was kept away from Stark’s dirty money and influence.  He would have to make sure that they were kept far away from anything that could turn them from his influence.

 The only thing that troubled him now was, that Wanda seemed so bloodthirsty, he wondered how the woman had kept a tight reign on her anger.

[inexchangeforyoursoul]

tfw you are a one-shot writer (provided you are writing at all atm) and you reach 10 chapters with 20k words

anyway, have the 10th one, titled “To kill a killer whale”, alterntively also “Shachi nO”

it also happens to be twice the length of the longest chapter preceeding it.... (aka it’s  4k+)

Fire.

That's the thought that yanks her out of the dream. Or rather nightmare... she cannot recall any other detail past the big building going up in flames, but she's certain there was nothing good about it otherwise, either. It was upsetting enough to make her sweat through the shirt she's had on, and something is burning in her chest. This has nothing to do with the fever dream, though- the sensation is very much real.

Sitting up while holding her left side, Kat takes a look around- she's still alone. Or, wait... no, the book lying on her head is gone. It's back to the pile where it originally should have been. Law is nowhere to be seen, however... seems like she passed out for a while, then. It's still light outside, though, so there's that.

She looks back at her practice station, but as soon as she considers returning to the drill it occurs to her that she's more hungry than anything. She stands up, and the piercing pain to the side makes her wince; the left lower arm also feels as if someone inserted a really long needle along the middle. Similar is the situation regarding her left shoulder. She couldn't have laid on them, either. Thinking back, though... apart from the shoulder, these were roughly the spots she noted stinging yesterday evening, after getting into Law's skin. She was fine all morning, though.

Weird.

Having taken a few steps, she notices the door being ajar, with a sturdy bag holding it in place. Probably woke up to the room cooling off a bit. Maybe. She tumbles back outside; by the time she steps out of the submarine, the stings in her chest become less apparent, until nothing but a little tension remain. As if nothing ever happened. Which is even weirder than the pangs out of the blue, but she's grateful for them being gone nonetheless.

As of outside, it's a lazy Sunday afternoon with no soul in sight. The days have yet to get cold, but since it nears winter on this autumn island, that might not be the case a few days down the road. In fact, the only things she's guaranteed to check in the daily newspaper she brings home from the cafe are crosswords, jokes, and the weather report. Tomorrow should be cloudy with some wind, she reminds herself. As she's pondering about that, a breeze blows against her damp clothes and heated body, giving her chills.

“Ah-hah, I knew my eyes weren't lying!” comes a high spirited call back from the doorway; turning around, she sees Shachi saluting playfully. “How's it going, Miss Kat?”

“Oh, hi,” she yawns, rubbing her arms to fend off the cold feeling, flinching a little as she comes across the bruise from that morning. “Nothing spectacular. Came out to grab something to eat.”

“Right, the... captain mentioned that you will come up later before he left not too long ago...” the man muses, holding his chin. “Won't you come down to the kitchen, then? There's red beans and rice,” he informs her with a smile.

“Actually... why not,” she ponders, then sighs. Stepping back towards the entrance, she also notes: “Asking Sanji for meals would get weird really fast, anyway.”

“... can't argue with that,” he says with the shadow of fear and worry on his face. Black Leg is not to be trifled with. He learned it the hard way. “Well then, this way, please,” he instructs her, stepping to the side.

“By the way, is it always so damn hot down here?” she asks while facing the warm draft coming from below as they trot down the way she just came from.

“Actually, no,” he answers, beaming. “It usually depends on the weather while we are on the surface, then the water temperature including warm and cold streams once we submerge. It can get hot all of a sudden because of stuff like volcanic activities... or really cold at great depths and around winter islands!” Having said that and remembering a few cases, he also shivers. “Both of those suck.”

His enthusiasm draws a small smile to her face. “And it's also really dark, I assume,” she muses.

“It... is, I guess,” he continues a little calmer, “but there are not a lot of windows on board anyway, so after living here for a while, you don't even notice the difference between nighttime and underwater. Unless there's creepy deep sea fish passing them, which... happens. Ah, here we are,” he says, stopping on the level with the doors she already assumed to be the dining hall when first coming down here, and opens the way for her.

Which he always does, and it's reached a point of making her a little uncomfortable. That should probably not be the case; it is a place she's unfamiliar with, so it's alright, and she also holds doors even for total strangers when they are on their way to enter or leave the cafe. On the other hand, however... it's never the same person, over and over. Hell, even Sanji did this only once. Same for Penguin and Robin... with Shachi, however, she's long lost count.

Either way, she remains instinctively polite. “Thank you,” she nods with a shy smile, stepping inside.

There are long tables along the walls, with benches covered in pillows running next to them; the opening to the kitchen lies halfway on the right side. Seems as if the place is also used as a kind of living room, since about half of the crew is inside playing games, talking, and of course eating. As soon as they notice who came in, every last eye zeroes in on her. Yep. This... is exactly what her severe anxiety needs right now, alright.

She waves with a nervous smile; some people welcome this with an amused one, and wave back. She also can hear a few of them say 'hi'. A second later, as she can hear the exit close behind her, Penguin pops up on her right; he's been likely idling around the table corner hidden by the door.

“Greetings, Miss Kat!”

If she wasn't hyper aware of literally everything happening around her right now, she would have jumped for sure. “Hi, Penguin,” she squeaks.

“... are you okay?” he asks with some concern, ignoring Shachi poking him in the shoulder.

“Just a little nervous,” she answers, vaguely distracted by their shenanigans and the other man's... pout, by the looks of it.

“Oh, I see,” he continues more cheerfully, finally swatting his friend's hand away. “Well, no need to sweat it, really. Came to grab something to eat, did you?”

“Yeah,” she breathes, accompanied by barely audible grumbling; the boys crack a smile upon hearing latter, to which she reacts with a blush. She's been peckish up till now, but the smell of food is getting to her.

“Alright, I'm not gonna hold you up,” Penguin says suppressing a laugh, then shouts to one of his crewmates, a rather burly and tall guy who can just about be seen doing his thing in the kitchen; she's only seen him once. Very likely the cook on board.

“Hey, Fugu! Get another helping going, the captain's cuter half has arrived!”

Kat hides behind her hands. It's been years since she wanted to sink into a hole on the spot... guess it was time again. The embarrassment is almost bad enough to forget about the other problem, but she's quickly reminded of all the people witnessing the scene as some of them are laughing to themselves to the left. Someone also definitely went 'aww'. From the corner of her eye she can see Shachi attempting to kick Penguin in the shin in a silent brawl where he likely comes out victorious, as he's the one nudging her towards the kitchen a few seconds later.

“Okay, okay, let's get going,” he states, basically shoving her forward with an especially high spirited Penguin walking after them. Having two people by her side who are on talking terms with her is reassuring, but not enough by far. Especially if they are like this.

By the time she manages to calm down somewhat, she's already being offered a plate of red beans and rice.

“Would you like a cup of coffee as well?” the man apparently called Fugu asks with a wide smile.

The gut reaction would be a 'no, thank you,' but.. she is thirsty... and even if coffee is not her go-to solution, it will do for now. Her bottle of water down in Law's room can wait. Last time she took a sip it was already disgustingly warm, anyway.

“Um... yes, if it's no bother,” she says in a barely audible voice, “with two spoons of sugar... and a little milk if... you have some.”

“Alright,” the huge man complies, preparing it as per request. She also gets a croissant.

“Oh, thank you,” Kat mutters as she receives them on a tray. Behind her, she can hear Penguin break and whisper to Shachi; “I can't handle this, man... the captain never speaks in such an adorable voice.”

She should probably just use this spoon on her plate to dig herself a nice, deep hole as soon as she's released from this hell.

After short consideration, she decides to sit at the doorway corner where Penguin popped out of, hoping she can eat mostly alone, then puts down the items with a shaky hand. They rattle at least three times each before settling safely on the table.

“You sure you alright? You do look nervous,” Shachi asks carefully as he slides to the corner on her right, likely raising an eyebrow under his sunglasses.

“Damn straight I am,” she squeezes the sentence out, also taking place. There's a little disappointment on her part; she finds the two of them exhausting to talk to and would rather eat in peace... well, as much peace she can get under current circumstances.

He cracks a nervous smile himself and puts his hands up. “Relax, Kat... we won't bite.”

“I know, but... it's like an old habit that really sucks... that I can't get rid of, you know?” She lets out a high-strung laugh, then takes a deep breath to try and calm herself. “I'm always a mess when drawing attention from too many people. And right now I'm not even... myself, goddammit.”

“Oh... hm. Can't help with that, then, can we,” he says scratching his head and leaning onto the table.

She eats the first few spoonfuls of her beans and rice share, which seems to be a little overboard concerning the amount. It tastes good, though, so she might finish it up, and not just to be polite.

Penguin seems to be done with his daily routine of being a mildly annoying flirt and steps to the exit while stretching a little. “Well... I'm off to finish up the shopping list for med supplies... see you around, guys!” he waves, then mouths something to Shachi, who gives him a thumbs up.

Wondering about that, she carefully peeks at the opposite side, where most people hang out; they returned paying more attention to their own little things, though she could swear that one of the guys also took a glance in her direction. All in all, though, she's basically left alone... with... Shachi.

… 'Good luck.'

That's what he said, wasn't it.

Her breath stops for a second as she swallows the last spoon's worth of food- stepped into this one for the umpteenth time, didn't she. Being aware of her neighbor's intentions brings some comfort, though; the new problem draws all of her attention and energy, so she can focus and calm down instead of being a shaking mess. Now... she knows from experience that just taking it without comments is not an option. Too many people interpret that as interest... 'take the spoon and dig yourself out of this rabbit hole while you can' is the name of the game.

He seems to be stuck on deciding where to start. Good, this gives her the opportunity to nip the incoming stressful stuff at the bud. Let's try and start with something basic.

“If you also have something to do, feel free to do your thing,” she speaks up after eating a little more. “I'll be fine now.”

“Nah, we share tasks and I did most of our assigned work yesterday, Penguin will manage with the rest,” he answers, perking up as soon a she speaks. “How's the training going, by the way?”

Alright, neutral enough. Let's keep the topic on this for the time being. “So-so... I really suck at popping stuff from one place to another. Which is apparently the thing I need to reverse this trickster bullshit? On the other hand...” she lifts her right hand, and the croissant lifts form the table. “This... easy as pie, somehow,” she says, flinging it in a circle lasso style, then eats another spoonful of rice. Her little trick attracts an audience left unnoticed.

Judging by what she can see of his face, Shachi is beyond impressed. “Woah, good going... the captain uses this stuff rather sparingly, you know? At one point he said it's more draining, I think... and also concentration-heavy. Cannot possibly know how much truth there is to that, but I also never had a reason to question it,” he shrugs.

“Oh... that explains a lot,” she says with an exasperated sigh and a voice that's liquid venom, then drops the baked good back on the plate. Been a while since she's been pissed at herself- but of course she can do this, no problem. Seeing his questioning face, she continues in an annoyed tone: “All my damn life... I had the exact same problem: I solved stuff that was supposedly more complex with ease, while I made every. possible. mistake. when doing the easy exercises. Inorganic chemistry? Almost failed one year. Organic chemistry which others sucked at? Minimal effort, and fucking fours, one after another... um... I think in most places that's called a grade B, if that sounds more familiar. Either way... I hate whenever this happens.”

Getting worse grades in general because of that all the time ticked her off ever since she noticed it. Honestly, she has no idea how she passed the enrollment test to Wenna's college to this very day. Shoehorned herself into the middle of the scores somehow. Shit seemed too basic, yet she made it in. Was happy to make her ragged mother proud, if nothing else... then, as soon as she left one madhouse for another, it all just fell apart.

She reaches for the coffee and takes a big, angry gulp, then thanks whoever responsible for it not being scorching hot. Seeing Shachi being visibly intimidated and at a loss considering what to say, she remembers the current impasse she's at. No time to spiral into a mental breakdown right here... She takes a deep breath and blows the silence before the brewing storm away.

After he gets over the murderous glance directed toward the poor pastry and assumes she's calmed down, Shachi pulls himself together to dare a response. “That's... pretty cool, actually! I wish I was smart enough to not get the mundane stuff instead,” he laughs.

“My little brother told me the same, and look where it has gotten me,” she smiles halfheartedly, taking a smaller sip of caffeine. It's kind of a stretch, as he never put it like that, but also not untrue; the youngest of the family was indeed in awe of his big sister.  Probably not anymore, but that's not the point of the statement.

“To a pretty island complex, surrounded by cool people? In my book they are cool, at least,” he shrugs.

… honestly? She won't be able to stay mad at him. Putting the cup down, she rests her head on her left and gives his hat two little pats with the other hand. “You're not wrong, alright.”

He's a little taken aback from the action, and starts scratching his neck with a sheepish smile across his face. “Heheh... either way, a smart and pretty girl like you really shouldn't bring herself down because of that!”

Shit... should have done that without a comment. The pat would have been condescending that way. Now she's gotta figure out something else.

“I also kinda like... that you are so open about things?” he shrugs. “Few people do that. Uh... hearing it in the captain's voice right now is weird, though, as he's rather reserved all of the time... but it's still nice.”

He's gonna get a load of being open about things, alright. As Shachi is nervously fiddling with his fingers and she's staring into the unknown with furrowed brows, Kat could swear to hear a giggle from the side. Oh, right. The others are still here. Fuck it.

“Eh, I've gotten used to that already.” At least she's found a tone where she doesn't make his vocal chords break all the time like some kid who just hit puberty.

“Like, the voice...? Isn't it weird, though? Having an entirely different body, I mean?” he asks in a lower voice, leaning in closer.

Kat considers the overall state of things as she picks the cup back up to sip some more. She glances over to the remaining little food; her hunger's pretty much gone and it must be cold by now. She'll have to pass on the rest, unfortunately. Anyway, where was she? Oh, right. Trying not to ignore her problem. “It's really not that big of a change,” she concludes. “I need to watch my head and sometimes it's hard to guess what's appropriate to do, but... yeah, pretty much the same.”

Shachi seems somewhat confused, but it takes him a little before he speaks his mind. “He sure is tall, so that makes sense. What exactly do you mean by 'appropriate', though?”

Walked right into the trap, he did.

“You know... things I'm unsure Law would be okay with. Like wearing his hat, which is a thing we have already settled, but there are millions of other things... Could I dig into his wardrobe if I needed something, for example? Should we let people hit on us in this state? May I go to the shops to buy girl stuff that I need at home? Buy that for him while he's in my body? Send him instead and hope he'll find the right thing? Am I to pay with my money, or his? Should I even attempt to use anything that belongs to him, including sword, books and wallet? His toothbrush? … okay, fuck, now I'm going to think about the toothbrush for the rest of the week... anyway, these things. Like how to handle a conflict... or a bath. You name it.” One of these is purely rhetorical, being a decisive no to anyone who's been following. Catch the drift, knucklehead.

“Oh, the ba--- haha, I didn't even think of that,” he laughs nervously. The blush sticks out from underneath his glasses. “He just switches me and Penguin for a few hours when he's had it with our shenanigans... I couldn't imagine what I'd do if I were suddenly Ikkaku... or even Bepo for an indefinite amount of time...”

Or take the last bait, that works, too.

“You'd probably panic, then get to know the dumbest shit about each other as you try to figure things out.” She sips, then thinks back to morning. “In my case, first thing that threw me off was how keen he is on having his goofy hat. Then, he collects coins... and hates bread because of overdosing himself who knows how far back. Oh, and even his underwear has your jolly roger plastered all over it... yet he denies being a nerd.”

Shachi is officially uncomfortable, but does his best to keep up with her. “Oh, wow... it took us years to figure out why he put some pieces aside when going through his change. And I don't think he ever told us why he doesn't eat that stuff, either?” Getting to the end of the sentence, his thoughts visibly get sidetracked. He almost looks hurt. “We have been sailing with him for over a decade, but... man, you might know more about him in a few days than we do, huh?” he asks, forcing a smile back onto his face.

Okay, now he looks like a lost puppy. That won't do. “Hey, now, are you jealous?” she asks with no ill will. “I asked him straight questions and he gave me straight answers, more likely than not just to keep me focused. I'm not here to seduce your captain. I'd rather be home roasting pumpkins.”

“Oh, no, no, like... he's kinda like that, keeping random personal things from us!” the man jumps, waving his hands in protest. “It's nothing new, we are used to it... and, uh, even if you wanted to seduce him, that's fine! Actually... it might be for the best, he's been stressed lately. I've yet to see him get openly interested in anyone, though, so maybe not...”

She blinks. “Really? Noone tried to ask him out, either?”

He gives his nose a scratch, signaling to her that he's actually thinking seriously about the question. “A few did. But his cold attitude is quite a turnoff for most of them. If you ask me, he's snappier when someone is actively chasing after him. It's rather hard for him to trust strangers, too, which is what others couldn't handle.”

“I see...” Taking those points into consideration, it's not that big of a surprise. Well, she's also guilty of disliking people who are hitting on her straight away. Feeling him in that regard. Still, while he's not the conventionally attractive guy, he's handsome. And (in)famous. One would expect more interest. “Kind of baffling. He's a solid 8,” she thinks aloud.

This seems to shake Shachi's serious business mode a bit. The hall is also dead silent. As in, more than before. “You think so?” he asks without thinking.

“Uh... yeah.” Whoops. Reapply filter asap.

“That's the nicest thing I've heard anyone say about him lately,” he laughs.

Kat sighs. Problem children, the lot of them.

“Well, feel free to give it a go? You are a kind person, he has a weak spot for those. He needs some peace of mind more than ever, with both us and the Straw Hats around.”

She has to roll her eyes; now that he's totally distracted, he's trying to play wingman. On the other hand, the conversation turned into a fun one. Her fading annoyance also woke the shameless little devil inside, giving her an idea.

“Are you asking me to lay down the law?” She puts it a little slower, just to make sure the point gets across. Likely unnecessary with the smug face she has on.

He coughs a second later, both to keep himself from laughing and to hide his moderate embarrassment upon hearing that. Yep, he got the stupid joke. Judging by various other sounds in the room, others have too. She shouldn't be half as proud of it as she is, to be honest.

“Sorry for the shitty pun... anyway, I'll have to say no,” she continues once having basked enough in the reactions around her. “Even if the temptation, as little there is, exists now. He can make rather funny faces when blindsided, after all.”

The statement throws Shachi for a loop so much that he has to speak up. “Huh? Like, I'm not surprised, he can be intimidating... but how come?”

“Believe it or not, despite the inappropriate jokes, I've never been comfortable about being... touched? That's not the word I'm looking for, but... I don't like it, and prefer not to do it to others, either. I'm not straight enough for that shit, anyway. Or... gay enough...? Hmm. This situation is rather complicated, huh,” she muses, scratching at her chin. This last thing is a question that actually might keep her awake in the dead of the night. She better forget about it as soon as possible. Oh, and also, time to cut the jig. It's long up.

“By the way, just so you know... the others have been eavesdropping for a while.” She takes the last sip from her cup.

“Oh.... really?” He's suddenly sweating bullets, and that's where the discussion comes to a merciful end, because the door opens and a smaller figure with frizzy hair enters the scene.

It's her card to freedom; though he's about five minutes late.

“Oh, Law! There you are~” she says with a lot of pep as she basically jumps from the table with the croissant in one hand. “Sorry for dozing off on you like that. I'm just about ready to continue.” She can hear people snicker and the one female voice available, that is to say Ikkaku, whispering the word 'demolished'; looking back to the table, she can catch Shachi falling to his side as he remembers what he wanted to accomplish there in the fist place.

“I have been looking for you... what were you even doing here?” he asks, but judging by his quick assessment of the situation followed by squinting and a head shake, his question becomes a rhetoric one. He turns around without further ado and lets her out first; she waves a quick goodbye to his crew inside.

Kat can hear 'captain, that's not fair...' in a really low voice from under the table as they leave. She needs every ounce of self-restraint to keep the man's remaining dignity intact by not laughing out loud right there. Law does notice the magnanimous effort, though.

“Really though, what's with you?” he asks as they enter the stairway.

Kat takes some deep breaths, but smiles regardless. “Nothing, really. It's just... he's been trying to pick me up.”

So he was right... he sighs. “Was it Shachi only, or did Penguin also participate?” Those two, he swears to god.

“As of today, Shachi only... but I should have decimated his expectations as soon as I compared him to my little brother and patted his head,” she adds with lenience.

Law shakes his head, then chuckles at the mental image. “No mercy, eh? Anyway, you did well to do that,” he notes. “Those two are incorrigible womanizers and have yet to learn their lesson.” He can already hear the rumors of Shachi crying into his pillow tonight. Odd that Penguin wasn't on her case... then again, he likely kept his distance because of the swapped body deal. One less thing to worry about.

“Managed to derail the conversation after that, he didn't even notice until after you've arrived,” she muses with a bigger smile as the innumerable layers of tension are shed by the dozen. “What really did him in was probably my 'I'm not straight enough for that shit' comment, though,” she adds snickering. The guy wasn't even thinking about flirting at that point, but the smile freezing onto his face one last time... she should feel bad, but that was priceless.

He raises an eyebrow. “Oh?” That's new.

“Oh,” she nods.

He's not going to pry here, one thing does bug him, though. “How did that even come up? Asking right away for a date or anything else is just... not what they do.” Beating around the bush, that is their specialty. All in all, “What was the other topic?”

“Trust me when I say that you don't wanna know,” she states giggling, then bites into her sweet croissant.