#why do my paras always end after like 3 replies? oh right because i get overexcited and use up all of my material in the first post

[sleepywinchester]

Fool For You Pt. 8

Summary:  You are back in your hometown Freeridge to take care of your sister Jasmine and your father after being away for six years. You left Freeridge looking for a better life but in that process you had to let go of someone you loved. But you’re back and things are not the same but they sure feel like it.

Words: 2K+

Warnings: N/A

A/N: Hola!!!! Hope everyone is safe at home! This continues the story as a some sort of a series re-write. It won’t be something of all the episodes but the main ones of where Spooky appears. Hope you guys like this and always feel free to leave some feedback is so appreciated it.

This was supposed to be posted for Valentine's day but life happens and I ended up finishing this chapter 3 months later... lol

| MESSAGE BOX | HAPPY READING!!!

(english is not my first language, might be some typos around)

Title:  Happy Valentine's Day

Chapters: Uno - Dos - Tres - Cuatro - Cinco - Seis - Siete

Six years have passed since you spent Valentine's day with Oscar. The memories of the last one brought a lot of good and mischief feelings to your soul. He had just inherited his father's beautiful red car. Memories of the week prior to the festivities, all he talked about him taking you for a day trip to Santa Monica. A chuckle filled the space as you remembered when you both got caught having a making out section by the beach.

“What are you giggling about mamas?” Oscar’s deep voice brought you back to the present.

You turned around standing in the middle of the bathroom doorway, seeing him sitting by the edge of the bed. He was wearing a black tank and his khaki dickies. Leaning against the door frame with your electric pink toothbrush on hand you gazed at him and took the brush out to speak.

“I was reminiscing about our last Valentine's day together…” you smirked before placing the tooth brush inside your mouth.

Oscar instantly chuckled, “Santa Monica wasn’t ready for those dos traviesos teenagers.”

You took the brush out, turning back to spit out the toothpaste foam and have some water. “Those?” You said leaving the toothbrush on the counter and walked back to the room and stood in front of Oscar. He looked up, his hazel eyes piercing yours. “Baby we are still dos traviesos,” you said before kissing him.

He followed your lead within seconds, letting his body fall back on the bed. You continued kissing his hips as his hands traveled your body. “You got time?” Your eyes were looking at his as your hands were on his belt.

“Para ti? All the fucking time,” he smirked and then continued kissing him.

The morning activities had woken up a hunger for both of you. Oscar was speaking with some homies on the phone as you cooked scrambled eggs with bacon. They had some runs to make but deeply you hoped those didn’t take long. Out of nowhere the thought of Caesar crossed your mind and that you never heard him come home last night.

“Hey, have you seen-,”

Your words were cut by Caesar himself busting inside the house yelling.

“Hey! Hey! There’s a dude posted up outside!’

In a matter of seconds Oscar stood from the chair, grabbed the gun from on top of the counter and stormed outside. Your heart began to bump so fast, scared for both of them.

Quickly you grabbed the phone and began dialing Sad Eyes as you peeped from the window and instantly recognized who that man was.

“Oh shit,” you said, putting the phone down. Mr. Diaz has been in jail for almost a decade. You haven’t seen him since middle school when he got locked up. Oscar aura changed completely at the sight of his father. When he turned his body, you saw it on his eyes, he wasn’t happy his father was back. Mr. Diaz grabbed his duffel bag from the floor and crossed the street making his way towards the house.

“Babe?” You called him as he walked in. “When - How?”

Oscar shook his head groaning, “I have no fucking clue.”

You stood by the kitchen watching Mr. Diaz cautiously walk inside the house. His eyes roamed every inch of the space but when he spotted you, his eyes disappeared because of the big smile he gave you.

“Y/N,” he said.

You smiled back, “Hey Mr. Diaz…”

“I can see you two still together… Good.” He said looking at Oscar and you.

You smile awkwardly, “Yeah…”

Mr. Diaz picked up the awkwardness of the moment but decided to ignore it by walking around the kitchen and living room area. He admired the house as if it was an old museum.

You decided to walk around the living room and sit next to Oscar who was already sitting on the sofa with Caesar. You were right in the middle of the two brothers.

“So when did you get out?” Caesar asked, his voice had the tone of a 3 year old excited kid.

“Yesterday,” Mr. Diaz replied, still contemplating the house, “Looks kind of the same…” he said looking around, “doesn’t smell the same tho.”

You smiled proudly at his comment, “That would be my doing.“

“You live here?” He asked you.

Your eyes felt Oscar staring, it was obvious how he felt about his father being out of prison. He didn’t want him here but looking at his father, you really didn’t think he cared what Oscar thought or not. “Yeah.” You looked at your boyfriend. “I’ve added a couple things,” your sight went back to Mr. Diaz, “you know a bit of a female touch.”

“That’s good,”’he sat down across from the sofa. Mr. Diaz's eyes were locked on Oscar before switching them to his younger son. “You in school?” His Mexican accent was heavy and distinguished.

“Of course he is,” Oscar replied for his younger brother.

He looked at his older son, “How about you? Going to college?”

You saw Oscar raise an eyebrow, not believing the question he just got asked.

“Seriously?” Oscar said with unbelief.

“It's nice to see you,” Caesar told his dad, who just answered with a nod as he took a drag off his cigarette. “Do you have plans?”

“No,” he said, “just wanted to see you guys before I go to Bakersfield. Got a job lined up.”

“Caesar, you need to get to school,” Oscar said with his tone firm. You watched Caesar trying to give his older puppy eyes to let him stay but they didn’t work on him. Instead he rolled his eyes and grabbed his bag.

He was about to leave when he turned around. Caesar's body shook as he tried to figure out how to talk to his father. “Hey... Do you maybe I don’t know… wanna hang? After school?”

“Sure,” Mr. Diaz replied without much emotion.

Not being facial expressive in this family, the male Diaz didn’t show much emotion or even spoke much for that matter. You watched how Caesar smiled happily, for years Oscar was the only father figure to him. Meanwhile Oscar never really had a father figure.

“So where are you staying?” Oscar asked his father once his brother was out of the house.

He looked at his son replying before taking another dragg. “Here.”

In that moment Oscar stood up from the couch, you could feel how pissed off he was. You watched him walk towards the bedroom, leaving you alone with Mr. Diaz.

“He hates me,” he said with his voice low.

Another thing he had in common with his son was that his eyes spoke a thousand words.

You didn’t know how to speak to him or what to say, last time you saw this man was in 9th grade. “He-,” you cleared your throat, “I don’t know if he hates you or not… it's been years and honestly we haven’t talked about you in the past months.”

“Months?” he arched an eyebrow confused, “you two were inseparable when kids thought you were together all these years.”

“Not really,” you said standing up, “we broke up well-,” you shrugged, “I broke up with him when we graduated high school, I moved away for a couple years but I came back a couple months ago and now we are together again.”

Mr. Diaz nodded his head, “At least you found each other again.”

“Si…” you said getting distracted by a loud crash coming from the bedrooms, “Tengo que ir donde él… Hablamos más luego.”

The noise of bangs and things breaking became louder the more you reached the room. Once in front of the closed door, you took a big deep breath preparing yourself to see a very pissed off Oscar. Before you opened the door, the loud noises suddenly stopped. The first thing you noticed when you opened the door was all the broken glass on the floor. Your eyes scanned around the messy room until they met Oscar once again sitting by the edge of the bed in silence. Instantly you noticed the blood on his hands and had a small panic attack.

“Oscar!” You shouted quickly running into the bathroom for the first aid kit. This was one of the first things you bought when you moved in with him. You know that sooner or later you would need it and you weren’t wrong. Going back to him you knelt down between his legs, his eyes were stuck on the floor, filled with rage.

“Talk to me,” you looked into his eyes that were filled with suppressed tears. “Oscar… hablame.”

He hissed when you poured antiseptic over his cut, “Crap.”

“Exactly,” you glared at him, “Why were you breaking all this crap!?” Oscar rolled his eyes. “I saw that,” you told him as you continued to cover his cut.

“He hasn’t called or written for years and now he just comes back as if nothing ever happened?!” Oscar let out what was bothering him. “I-,” he clenched his jaw, “I hate him.”

“Don’t say that,” you looked into his eyes. “He- he wasn’t the best father but es tu papa.”

“I hate him, Y/N…” Oscar's eyes were full of rage.

You sighed, finishing up putting on the bandage and standing up. Today wasn’t supposed to be full of troubles from the past. It was supposed to be a chill day with your boyfriend. You were hoping to go on a date and have a normal Valentines day and you weren’t going to have less. Oscar and you needed an escape from the real world. “Let’s get out of here,” you told him.

He looked at you confused, “Que?”

“Let’s get out of here,” you said again, “is Valentine’s day for fucks sake. I am not letting your father’s return ruin this day.”

You could see how the rage in his eyes slowly burned out at the same time a small smirk formed on the corner of his lips. He sighed looking away for a second before standing up and holding you close.

“Tienes razon,” he said, “let’s get out of here.”

Both changed into new clothes and made an overnight bag. There weren’t plans made for today but you and Oscar were big fans of spontaneity. Something would come up and honestly being away from home sounded like a great idea at this moment. Oscar texted his brother letting him know he was going to be out for a day. You chuckled when he out-loud said “don’t do anything stupid” as he typed.

“You know that’s practically impossible,” you told him. The breeze of the coast made your hair fly with the air as your extremely hot man drove. “Those chamacos go from one stupid thing to another,” you continued, “we weren’t like that.”

“We were too busy having sex,” Oscar said, “in this car.”

You chuckled quickly looking at the backseat and reminiscing, “Ah, the old days but I’m pretty sure Caesar and Monse are doing something.”

Oscar’s face instantly looked so disgusted, “I don’t want to talk about this.”

You chuckled, “Es la verdad.”

“They broke up,” Oscar said.

“How many times did we break up cuando eramos chamacos?”

“Too many fucking times,” he let out.

Once again you chuckled, “And we always ended up back together… Those two are the fucking same.”

He smirked, deep down he was happy his little brother had someone. His eyes found yours again, “Where are we going?”

“There is this small inn by Santa Monica. The reviews said it is the perfect couples getaway.” You finished the sentence with a flirtatious wink. “We can be more traviesos.”

“I hope Caesar doesn’t get in any trouble while we’re down here,” he let out.

You caressed the back of Oscar's neck, smiling when he let his shoulders relax at your touch. “Everything is going to be fine,” you told him. “My sister is hanging out with them and if anything happens, we will be the first to know. Now can you just give me your all devoted attention and don’t think about your brother and his crazy friends…” You kissed his lips.

Oscar looked at your eyes for a second before turning his focus back to the road. For the rest of the hour you tried your best to take Oscar's mind off his father and his brother.

/ / /

“This is fucking nice,” Oscar let out putting his duffel bag on top of the white bed.

You chuckled, “Look at the view.”

He stood by you on the window holding you by the waist and taking in the beautiful sight of the beach. “Thank you,” he whispered in your ear.

“For what?” you smiled.

“You make everything better,” he said, “if it wasn’t for you this day would have fucking sucked but you… you made it better.”

It was a rare thing for him to be so spoken of his feelings but God how much you loved it when these unusual moments happened. Without hesitating you kissed his lips.

“I got an idea,” he stopped kissing you. “We need to get ready.”

You certainly loved surprises and even more when coming from him. For tonight you decided to wear a white dress with high heel sandals. You wore your hair natural just like your make up only adding a bright red lipstick.

“Wow,” you let out when you saw Oscar walking out of the bathroom. He was wearing a white button long sleeve shirt and khaki pants with his converse. You smiled taking in how handsome he looked. “You look hot.”

He smiled for you, “Tu tambien mamas’,” he walked around you, “I’m so lucky.”

You got closer to him, “Yes you are,” kissing him.

He held your hand as you two walked through the streets of Santa Monica. The fresh air coming from the ocean was salty and so pleasant. You followed Oscar lead down the streets until you two got to a small restaurant by the beach.

“Una mesa para dos,” Oscar spoke to the hostess.

She smiled and showed you two the way to a small table outside. The sounds of the waves in the background played better than any song. There was a small candle on the table, lighting bright enough to see Oscar’s eyes on you. Moments like this when there could be a million people around and his eyes were always on you. These were the moments you felt like the only woman in this world.

“This is nice,” you told him, “unusual for us but nice.”

“Our usual dates involve shrimp tacos and watching movies at home,” he said reading the menu.

“I love those dates too,” you said.

Instantly he looked up from the menu and winked giving you a small smirk. “But sadly those are postponed until nuevo aviso because my father decided to just come home after a fucking decade.”

You sighed, “Oscar can we just forget about your dad for one night?”

“You’re right,” he sighed, “Perdon.”

“He told me he thinks you hate him,” you couldn’t help but ignore your own words and talk about his father. Instantly he shot a ‘are you serious?’ glare at you. Innocently you shrugged, “Sorry pero you started.”

“I do hate him,” he said with no remorse.

“Why?”

Oscar put the menu to the side, leaning backwards and crossing his arms onto his chest. “I wrote letters to him,” he began to say. You could feel the sadness in his tone, “for years I wrote and called… You know what I got in return? Nothing.” He placed both of his elbows on the table, holding his hands onto a tight fist. You placed your hand on top of his, “When he left I was a kid but I had to grow up and be a father for my little brother without knowing what a father was. Maybe if he had kept contact or replied to my letter maybe I wouldn’t have turned out so fucked up but he didn’t and here I am… A fucking mess.”

“Hey,” you hold his chin up, “we’re all a fucking mess but it’s just life, you did the best you could and Caesar has turned out good.”

Oscar clenched his jaw, “I guess… I only had one normal while growing up though.”

“What?” You were curious about what his answer would be.

His eyes disappeared into a thin line as his smile grew bigger, “You.”

You giggled with happiness, “Baby I ain’t that normal.”

“You are,” he holds your hand softly caressing it, “I love you.”

You leaned forward kissing his perfect lips and whispering, “I love you too.”

tags are open: just comment or send me a message ;)

@flamingweasley @dolanackles @lcandothisallday @mmelissarenee @donnaintx @blckgrl-sunflower @jayankles oscar

[maxbronte]

@reversecxpid // (Continued from here.)

“Yet, you give yourself the freedom to point fingers at possible suspects for all the Creeper performance”.

“Gotta accept this was a good one, Bronte. You paid attention to Philosophy class. How long did it take you to come up with this? Were you awake all night trying to find the perfect way to roast my moral code, or are you as shallow as me to simply judge my beliefs for the little things you know? If the so-called truth is subjective, so is right and wrong, and who knows? Apparently to the eyes of the Creeper he’s doing right and we’re doing wrong. We work under the same code, if you think about it. We’re punishing those who we think should be punished, the fact that I decide to say it out loud and show my face just makes me look like a more honest person… or cynical, however you prefer to say it. It’s the same thing. I have WATCHED YOU, Maxine. I know you don’t think I’m plainly evil and bad, but I’ve killed more people than the Creeper has… apparently, yet you don’t feel as threatened with me. Why is that? Is it because I show my face? Is it because I left an odor bomb in your locker and that makes me more… Elementary-school-evil?”

“I’ve been considered an anarchist for going against the law, which is a simple bunch of sentences that is the base of our occidental society, but ANARCHY MEANS COMPLAINING WITHOUT SOLUTION, and I offer a solution. I AM THE SOLUTION. I’m not an anarchist, I’m liberal. People call me monster, but am I? I killed cheaters, pedophiles, rapists and murderers. The news may say the streets are safer without me, but they don’t stop to think that I wasn’t killing innocent people. I was killing those who deserved it. I CLEANED THE CITY better in three years than the police department in centuries. Society just punishes everything it doesn’t understand or goes against its code”.

“TRUTH is subjective. And so, I have my right to accept your words and try to do something to change my life around and become a better person –oh, sorry– a person accepted by the society, or I can continue with my deeds and believe in my own truth”.

“Nothing is true. Everything is permitted”.

He wasn’t supposed to hear that.

He wasn’t supposed to BE HERE. She made it a point to take this phonecall somewhere more private to express her concerns to Jimmy about the company he’s been keeping. She even made sure not to have this conversation in person so Jimmy wouldn’t realize she’s been drinking behind his back. And in retrospect, that drinking is why she didn’t notice there was someone else on this fateful garden perch.

             “ Jimmy, I--- I’ll talk to you later. ”

Phone's slipped sheepishly back into her pocket while she debates if she has the confidence to turn around and face The Rising Son.

Here’s the thing about Gabriel: he may be a bigger threat to her and everything she is and everyone she loves than The Creeper Himself. He would kill Sid. If he ever knew his big secret, about what Sid got away with, how he let someone else take the heat for the crimes he committed. He’s a murderer at large. He would kill Mikky and Mr. King if he knew what The Wallflower seemed to know. Maybe he would kill Norie. Maybe he’d kill Cypress.

After all, he would definitely kill Max. And she’s surprised it’s taking him this long. Maybe he’s given her a free pass so far just because she didn’t get away with her evil plans. Or maybe he’s just waiting for the right time to kill her and all her morally gray friends and break out of Plath forever. She’s been ignoring the thought; denial tends to kick in when she gets too overwhelmed-- but now the fact of the matter is here, in the flesh, giving her a Hannibal speech that sends shivers down a fragile spine, and she has no way left to ignore him. 

If he’s done the research he says he’s done, it won’t be long before he starts questioning what she’s trying to do with Jimmy this time around. And she’s realistic enough to assume that he’s going to assume the worst; she’s smart enough to realize he’s a loyal friend.

There’s no talking her way out of this. He’s going to try to kill her here. With no witnesses around.

But she’s come too far and been through too much not to go out with her twitching middle finger in the air, so she turns around and takes the first step forward, bony hands balling into fists at her sides.

                             “ FUCK yourself, Schrödinger. 

            “ That’s  NOT  how  it  works.   That’s--- that’s the opposite of how it works.      You can’t just... fucking---!!  MURDER someone because your truth said there was nothing ‘innocent’ left in them.  You think you took out all of the creeps and the cold-hearted murderers on that street? ”  There’s a frustrated little purse of lips. And in a moment of stupid tipsy death-wish courage, she SHOVES HIM. 

                                               “ I think you MISSED ONE !! ”

She’s too flustered to articulate where’s she’s going with this: EVERYTHING IS TRUE. NOTHING IS PERMITTED. From Gabriel’s perspective, he’s doing some sadistic god’s work. From someone else’s, he’s the brave little visionary who saved her from a loveless marriage. But from the mother of at least one of 57 victims, he’s the boy who took her son away-- and she found out the morning she decided not to stop at the liquor store on the way home, before she got a chance to apologize for not being there for her child, before she was going to let him move back in with her so they could sort their lives out together-- and the self-righteous so-called liberal deserves nothing less than the gallows for that. And doesn’t she have good reason? Or was it too little to late for her to turn him and herself around?

There are no wrong answers here, because in the end, your answer doesn’t matter. You may not even believe the story that that mother was just about to reach out to her son. You have no way of knowing what was going through her head. You have no way of knowing everything that was going through her son’s head when he did the heinous thing that put him on Cupid’s hitlist, and maybe he doesn’t, either. You have no way of knowing for thoroughly certain if a person is truly empty and worthless of life, so you don’t get to decide something that ABSOLUTE for someone else. 

Max is uncharacteristically heated to the point of losing self-control now that she’s finally talking about this. You’d almost think this was personal for her, like she spent a year truly believing that she witnessed a murder that never happened. It’s like the collective human race had a hard time believing that a girl with no history of mental illness would suddenly hallucinate what really happened the night her boyfriend died--- like everybody agreed that she knew she was lying in court and just trying to frame an abuse victim for murder, or something. You might even speculate that she had to listen to thousands of people saying that Tyler Romero deserved to die that night on the basis of; well, he was kind of an asshole. 

           “ --------I don’t--                      I don’t think either of you are evil.                          But I think you’re both PATHETIC. ” 

         “ Elementary school evil. That's you. You’re not an antihero. You’re not a revolutionary. You’re just a dick. You’re a little kid who can’t think critically enough to empathize with people. You’re the big fat bully on the playground who scares people into acting the way you think they should act, and when they don’t, you throw a tantrum. You didn’t CLEAN Chicago. You STAINED IT. You KILLED people because you didn’t trust them to fix their own fucking marriages. You ruined chances for old friends to come back and heal together because you don’t have the basic virtues of patience and mercy to give people another chance past your--- fucking!!--- arbitrary strike system.

         “ Don’t you DARE think I like you better than Him just because I understand more about you. I don’t TRUST YOU just because you’re predictable enough to talk to sometimes. You’re both threats.  You’re both fuck-ups. And you’re just as arrogant as Him. With Him it’s personal. With Him, it’s more stressful--- I don’t know exactly what’s going through His head and it’s--- there’s that Lovecraftian fear-of-the-unknown thing going on. With you, being able to sympathize, it’s... it’s just SAD. And I’m--- I’m worried. I’m worried about BOTH of you. But I’m not... IMPRESSED by either of you. I don’t respect either of you.

           “ You don’t provide any solution, Gabriel. You don’t ‘punish’ people. You kill them.   And that sounds a lot like a FUCKING COP-OUT to me. It sounds like a waste of all that bullshit Good Christian pizzazz. It sounds like you’re kind of a poser who only cares about saving the people who are easy to save, and any God worth worshiping would call you a douchebag, so your whole gimmick is kind of a JOKE.

           “ You want do something with all that strength of yours? Find The Creeper. Handcuff Him. Take Him to COURT. Get Him INCARCERATED. Get Him some therapy, give Him a place to talk about how His father wasn’t there for Him and He didn’t fit in with the kids at school. Find out why He does what He does and get Him some professional help. Give Him a chance to fix Himself. And if that doesn’t work, you do it again and again until He gets His shit together. Doesn’t matter what you think should happen to Him. You’re not entitled to decide who gets to live and who gets to die. You’re not a god. You’re not the entire human race. You’re not even holy, 𝑮𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒍. You’re just...

                                           “  a  boy.  ” 

[diveronarpg]

Congratulations, JENN! You’ve been accepted for the role of CORIOLANUS. Admin Rosey: We read two beautiful, amazing applications for our beloved Princeling -- but ultimately, Jenn, your plots and your voice for Cyrus were so impactful and vivid. He’s winsome, charming and built for tragedy. You were able to elaborate on the different machenisms that make him what he is wihile leaving room for him to grow into his own person, to carve out a place within Verona that is unique to him and him alone. We’re ready for this particular strain of ruin! Please read over the checklist and send in your blog within 24 hours.

WELCOME TO THE MOB.

Out of Character

Alias | Jenn

Age | 21+

Preferred Pronouns | She/her

Activity Level | After getting back into the groove of things, I’d say that I’m most active on weekdays! I try to get in a reply at least a few times a week if I have any and if I’m not particularly busy.  

Timezone | GMT+8

How did you find the rp? |  I’m already in it!

Current/Past RP Accounts | Everyone’s favourite Uncle Cristian <3

In Character

Character | Cyrus Dante Sloane // Coriolanus

THE PRINCELING         darling boy with the wind in your hair

A LIGHT SPILLING IN LIKE A FLOOD OF DIVINITY         and the sun in your eyes, don’t you know?

WHO GLADY WAGES WAR ON ALL THOSE WHO WILL DEFY HIM         everything you want is just past your fingertips

What drew you to this character? | We’d love to hear what about this character’s bio caught your attention! Make this as long or as short as you desire!

Cyrus, oh my darling boy. I took one look at his newly posted bio and realised I had overlooked him, to my eternal error. What a champ!!

When it comes to Cyrus, my favorite part is dissecting his development from boy to man and as a result, it’s going to be a running theme all throughout my app. There is so much I want to pour into that space but I will try to be concise.

I can’t tell you what I love most about him without first giving Vivianne some credit. His life is fraught with uncertainties but he thrives in spite of it and that, I think, speaks volumes about his character and how much he’s like his mother. He’s resilient, resourceful and privileged but starved of the things he really needs like love and affection. I imagine that Vivianne’s nurturing in the first decade of his life was pivotal and that it carried on as phantom lessons that he would often replay in his mind when he was in Cape Town in lieu of actually having her there. But you see, the thing about the human mind is that memories get distorted each time it’s “replayed” and he’s done it so many times that I think he’s started to warp and mimic the worst and best parts of Vivianne. Sort of like how Volumnia manages to influence Coriolanus in the original, Vivianne does it too to Cyrus but from afar and unknowingly.

Let me compare Cyrus to all that’s precious in this world. He’s all the golden hues of sunlight, ringing laughter in a home, a shining beacon wherever he goes. He was a boy whose skin was made of gold leaf, paper thin and easily bruised but now as a man it’s turned solid. He’s impenetrable save for the small crack over his beating heart and therein lies the problem he’s never been able to solve ( and the part I’m MOST eager to explore ). I love irony that as a boy who had relied on his mother for all that was good in his life, he’s cultivated such a burning resentment toward Vivianne. He wants to make her rue the day she abandoned him and that makes her his one undeniable weak spot. After so many years, she still has that effect on him and quite like his canon counterpart, it makes him sort of emotionally stunted to a degree.

So, I see him like a child daring enough to commit all sorts of sins against his mother in the name of retribution. I see him using her as a shield against Cosimo, against the mob, against himself. I see him pushing her as she will undoubtedly push back. It layers him with the kind of duality I never got to enact with Cristian and Howard that sort of evolved Cristian’s character into something he never thought he’d be. In my mind, that had been Cristian’s turning point and we all know how it ended.

There’s so many things that could keep Cyrus on the same trajectory what with his vendetta against Vivianne and all that she stands for. But there’s also so many other things that could deviate him from it. I want to help pull back all the layers as his story unfolds and I think any player would love to be able to take him on that journey of self discovery.

What is a future plot idea you have in mind for the character? | Where do you see this character developing, and what kind of actions would you have them take to get there? 3 future plot ideas would be preferable.

THE ULTIMATE GOAL

His ultimate goal is very clear to me. He always gets what he wants and Cyrus wants to upend all of Vivianne’s plans, whatever they may be and by extension, Cosimo’s. His mother’s kingdom must fall all around her knees. For this, I want to see Cyrus get closer to the Capulet’s enemies and possibly join them when he’s poised for success. Whether or not he believes in their cause, it would be a blow to his mother either way, especially a blow she might not expect or be ready for when they call for his head.

As he accomplishes his objectives, I’d like him to also get a taste of how his mother has lived without him all these years. I believe he’ll come to find that it bears some resemblance with his life in South Africa — successful but also disconnected from the people they want to be. So, why did she have to let him go? He could have made her proud if she had let him stay. He’s vicious and cruel when it comes to her just as he thinks she is when it comes to him. And I believe he’s willing to pull out all the stops to achieve this ultimate goal. And to get there, he’ll need some help…

THE COMPANY

Whatever his plans are, he won’t be able to do them alone. I’d love for him to build a relationship with Juliana, it would be interesting if he does. And especially since she’s more of his mother’s child than he is, I want to see how that plays out in terms of Cyrus dealing with meeting her again after all those years abroad. What’s he going to say to her? What’s he going to do to her? Eventually, I want him to find a way to ensure that he has some sort of influence over her and eventually some sway over the course of actions that the Capulets might or might not take. Though, of course things might not always be so simple.

Other than Juliana, I imagine a big key in making headway within the Capulet ranks is through Cassian. The man is astute and an expert strategist and that’s the advantage Cyrus sees in keeping his company, in playing the teacher’s pet. I want to see Cyrus trick Cassian into facilitating his ambition but like all heroes in their tragedies, a foil makes things interesting. Cassian has been playing this game of cat and mouse longer than Cyrus has and is likely a better player in the long con. And while he might get the better of Cyrus in the long run, Cassian isn’t the man who has the ear of a Cape Town kingpin.

THE KINGPIN

“The dealings with the Capulets, with his mother, had grown sour with the war that waged in the place that he had been born and molded. Who else would they send to smooth such inconveniences over than the man who had the whole of South Africa beneath his feet?” There’s a reason why Cyrus is an emissary despite only just returning to Verona. It’s unlikely that Cosimo would put his trust in Vivianne’s son, who is essentially a stranger to him, without seeing any advantage in the arrangement. So, I had this idea. I’d like to position Cyrus as an emissary for the mob in Cape Town, as the go-between them and the Capulets. I imagine it’s likely that Cosimo wants something from them to aid his cause in the war of Verona and Cyrus, because of his convenient relationship to his Underboss, is the best candidate to get the job done. I’m open to almost any sort of plot for this but my main concern for his development here is that he begins to parallel Vivianne’s journey in the underworld more apparently.

THE RIGHT-HAND WOMAN

Their weapon of choice is easy enough to acquire but what makes their smiles and laughter so razor is that when they smile and laugh, it isn’t just a grin and a sound. It’s in their expressions, the way their faces twitch, the way their eyes flood with joy so infectious others want to share in it, bathe in it. Revel in it. They make you gasp for air and before you know it, you’re suffocating and thanking them for it. Theirs is a friendship I have do doubt will wreak all sorts of havoc in Verona. They are the monsters your mother never warned you about because surely the heaven sent will do no harm. In time, I want the devastation that Cyrus and Brigette reign in Verona to generate an irreversible consequence. Thus, making sure they learn that even sunshine can turn into wildfires.

LA MAMMA

Things Cyrus will never tell his mother; things he maybe should have; maybe the time may never come when he does: “When you hung up the phone, the dial tone echoes the goodbye you never said. Instead, the last thing I hear is that “It’s all for your own good,” and “Because I said so.” I missed you for a long time so what good did it do me when I had nothing but your ghost to tell me you never loved me. That you never wanted me. That I was a mistake. Whether you like it or not, you made me who I am. And I have become heartless. Where were you when I was still kind? Am I supposed to be grateful to have survived like this?”

Just. Kill me with Viv plots.

Are you comfortable with killing off your character? | At first I was gonna say yes but after completing my app I just can’t bear to kill him off. He deserves so much more. He deserves the world. But still… I’m gonna have to say come what may.

In Depth

Please choose between the interview or the para sample (or both, if you like!):

How many years did it take to build this place? Cyrus wonders as he walks past the tall, dark arches made of steely wood that seem to have witnessed all that has happened in Verona; seen all its tribulations and turmoil and subsumed its spilled ichor. He’s almost sure that if he looks closely enough, he’d see the city’s bloody history written in its grain. The furnishing of the library is immaculately chosen, fit precisely to house a most noble family and its liege. At first glance, he sees an enormous collection of books lining every wall and alcove. The shelves are full and the spines of the books vary in colours from light to dark. He touches them, fingering the well-used titles before picking out a select few on the different subjects he’s studying. At a second, more considering glance, he sees the culmination of an extraordinary legacy. A legacy built on the very bones of Verona.

And for him to stand within a place like this, being who he is and what he represents, will be the beginning of his legacy.

Cyrus is once again new to the city and while not many know his face, some do. So, he finds an alcove away from the busier side of the floor where he might be afforded a little more privacy as informed by his absent host. He knows little about his host but he does know that he’s a man who has had the misfortune to be plagued with a tragedy — a death of a loved one. The very same event that’s brought Cyrus back home at the behest of Cosimo Capulet.

His wrist watch beeps and it has just struck twelve. Cyrus is early, he knows that. Much earlier than scheduled. So, he makes himself comfortable and opens the books he’s decided to borrow. Some time passes before a voice beckons him out of his reverie.

“Cyrus Sloane… Are you ready to begin?”

What is your favorite place in Verona?

Having grown up traversing and discovering the avenues of Cape Town looking for something to help him make sense of his snowglobe-shaken world, the streets had become a sort of solace to Cyrus Sloane. Often, it served as a distraction from his loneliness but mostly because what he saw had been as foreign as he. Like calls to like, does it not? So, Cyrus is inclined to answer the man with his winning smile “The streets,” knowing full well that it wouldn’t be a typical answer. He spent his childhood running down Verona’s cobblestone roads but now the lanes and alleys have become the foundation of a concrete wilderness to him, and he sees an opportunity to begin a new exploration.

But to say that anything was his favourite is to say that he has some attachment to it to an extent. There was nothing he wanted to like about the city, nowhere that called to him nor told him of any story he hasn’t already heard before. It is like all the travel pamphlets say; Verona is a city of love but to him, love in this city has become synonymous with lies, with deceit and betrayal. The implication racks him with bile but he lifts his light eyes away from focusing too hard on a spot on the mahogany table and instead meets the even darker hues of his interviewer. The man looks mildly perplexed at him.

Cyrus is accustomed to elaborating everything at this point, what with the denizens of this idyllic town’s constant waiting for him to speak more, do more, inspire more. Thus, blithely he provides a supplement to his answer, “What? Haven’t you been? It’s your city too, is it not? You’ll get all you need from it if you know where to look, what to ask and, especially, who to listen to. Particularly for the best gossip—” He stopped there despite having more to say. He can’t help thinking to himself if the man knew his mother. His mother and Everett Craven. The gossips say Everett is one of her finest works for the mob. Cyrus doesn’t remember much of it, but he does remember what it had cost.

With a shrug, Cyrus cuts away the underlying acerbity and replaces it with cool composure, akin to the business-like exterior the other man has on. It’s one of the few times where looking too naive, too untested might serve him ill. If Cyrus had a glass of alcohol right now, he’d surely decide it’s time to down it in one gulp. Fluidly, he wills himself to be an agreeable conversationalist. “But really, you’ll find that my favourite place in Verona is where I can get the best deals. And right now, it’s here with you.”

What does your typical day look like?

A half suppressed laugh almost makes its way past his slightly chapped lips. It’s an odd thought that his days are anything typical. Cyrus pours his winsome nature into his casting glance directed at the books arranged on the table and into the way he lifts one corner of a hardcover as he turns the title to his new acquaintance. “You have a good collection here.” He lets it drop back into its place with a soft thud atop the short pile of art, history and mathematics texts splayed in front of the sharp-suit interviewer.

“Signore, I’m quite certain you already know this by now but I’ll say it for my full vindication if you like.” He sits back with relaxed shoulders and leans into the surprisingly comfortable wooden backrest. “I’m a student here. You can imagine what my typical day looks like.” A small jerk of his head sends the other man’s gaze to the books on the table to further drive his point home. “I wake up. I get to class. I go home. Maybe hit up a club or party at night. I hear The Lamberti Tower is fun when the sun goes down. Maybe I’ll see you there some time. You know, typical student life—well, maybe not so typical considering…”

“Really? And what about Cosimo Capulet? I hear you report to him now. I’m sure someone with your standing will have a direct line to the man. There might be something here for you if you can open that line to me.” There it is. Cyrus’ mouth quirks up in a half smile. And everything in him tells him to lie, lie, lie. Not because he is afraid of any repercussions, but because a good businessman knows when he has the upper hand. And his upper hand lies with not revealing everything he knows.

With an amused sigh Cyrus continues with a cant of his head. “I want to say Tuesdays and Thursdays but you’ll understand when I say: how would I know?” There is little leniency in his voice when he says that. “He calls me in at his whims and whenever he feels like having someone to order around. If you want to get to him… I’ll work something out for you if you really need it to be done.”

Cyrus has an idea of how much his new associate is relying on his accessibility to Cosimo. But he could reach Don Capulet as easily as it was for a child to cross the road alone—if he isn’t careful, he’d be run over. No, the real power lies with the company and he’s determined to keep them for his grand designs. Rosaline. Orsino. Juliet. Edgar. Volumnia. They are the keys to the kingdom. Lucky for him, mother dearest will be there to lend a hand every step of the way. He’ll make sure of it this time.

What has been your biggest mistake thus far?

The other man’s forwardness emboldens him to let his mask crack a sliver. “This is beginning to feel like a confessional, Lawrence. Has the church gotten its claws in so deep?” The Sacrament of Penance performed for a sinner by an equally unworthy priest, so it seems. At twenty years old, it’s hard to fathom that he’d have a biggest mistake to talk about. The way his assessor asks this… It feels as if his whole life should pivot around the fact of this big mistake.

Then… Is it the fact that he’d been born? It isn’t as if he’s had a choice in that. No, it was his mother’s mistake to fall pregnant. It’s her sin to bear, not mine, he reminds himself.

Then… Is it his return to Verona? The land that bore him, made him and then cast him out as if he’d always been an unwanted stray. No, again it isn’t his mistake to bear.

He knows his own wrongs.

He knows that at twenty years old his one grievance to confess is that he is just as much his mother’s son as he’d never admit. He could be as calculative and as clinical as she is ( and as equally and reluctantly vulnerable ). Right now, it is obvious he’d even inherited her wry wit. The man sitting across him had not the time to joke but smile he did nonetheless, saying to Cyrus “We’ve all got our crosses to shoulder, don’t we? I just want to make sure I’m not about to take on a liability. Besides, I’m curious. Tell me… What’s the worst that Vivianne Sloane’s son is capable of, hmm?”

That’s all he is isn’t he? Reduced to being just Vivianne Sloane’s son in this country. It makes him see red, taste the vitriol on his tongue, feel the raging sea beneath his skin trying to carve its way out. He doesn’t let it. With all that he’s amounted to, he’ll never escape her. He’s learned to live with that. He doesn’t let the anger seep into the blues of his eyes. He’s seen it in the mirror and what had been reflected was the image of a boy, the scared child within, the boy who was taught to fight and forced to be starved of the love he had craved. If he lets the anger tint his features, he knows that the man before him will see the pain beneath, clear glimpses of his soul drowning in this persona he’d created to fit this world of indifference. No, he’s too proud to let that happen. Too proud to admit that he was the mistake Vivianne Sloane had tried sweeping under the fucking rug all the way to South Africa. No, he would make her fucking own it.

“It would be highly arrogant of me to say that I don’t make mistakes. So, I will say this: It is in my interests to— lets say, tie my own success to yours. But I can’t do it without knowing what’s in it for me. Convince me that this isn’t going to be my biggest mistake, why don’t you?” Through sheer willpower, this man will do something of worth for him. “Because if you fail to utilise my employment effectively, we’ll both be sinking in the same boat. I wouldn’t want either of us to waste such precious time.” And speaking of time, Cyrus had to go soon. He has an appointment that he doesn’t want to miss.

What has been the most difficult task asked of you?

Between the time he was shipped off to South Africa and now? He couldn’t even count, couldn’t even remember.

Everything had been difficult at first but with each task he had found that he could accomplish it all on his own with little more than a smile and a few charming, reassuring words. He picked it up from a man he no longer thinks of kindly, who should have been there when his mother wasn’t. But this thing that he’s doing now though, requires more than words. It’s as much of an interview for his new friend as it is for himself. From all the questions he’s gotten, what he gleans is that the Montagues are desperate for a foothold in Capulet ranks. And Cyrus, the princeling of Verona, the prodigal son, the product of negligence, is their way in and he’s willing to consider playing the part. He wonders, at this juncture, if his mother could be proud of him, of how far he’s come and how far he’s willing to go to achieve something he desires and he desires nothing more than seeing her humbled the way she had humbled him. To bring low a formidable woman such as she, a woman so feared she’s been dubbed a scourge of Verona, will be his most difficult task yet. But it’s not been asked of him by anyone. Except himself.

“Difficulty is subjective I believe.” Getting a plane ticket back to Italy months ago had been a feat. Meeting his mother after years and years of her elusion had been painful and exhausting. Agreeing to meet Lawrence Vernon and subsequently denounce all that the name Sloane stands for, his one link to his past, present and future, had to have been a difficult decision to make. But Cyrus surprised himself when he had found it easy to come here, to a known Montague property dressed in nothing but the slickest Italian fashion and Gucci loafers. And with the gun he’d been strapped with by Cosimo Capulet himself. “But I suppose if you really want an answer… I’m afraid I haven’t been asked to do many of the difficult things you’re probably thinking about.” Kill, torture, maim. “Though I don’t see why you might think I won’t rise up to the occasion. I’m here now, aren’t I?”

What are your thoughts on the war between the Capulets and the Montagues?

A grand finale, that’s what he thinks of it. This so called war plunges Verona’s economy into instability, it’s a wonder how the city hasn’t yet sunk like Atlantis. Granted that the sunken city was probably ill-favoured by the gods but what difference does Verona have to boast? The Three Witches look down from their pedestals and act as judge, jury and executioner. One day, when they decide to leave the city, Verona will surely share the same fate as Atlantis. Sink the stones rather than let new gods take their place. Such is the will and the way. “It’s unfortunate is what it is. Gang violence, drive by shootings, kidnappings and torture. It’s as if Verona has regressed fifty years.”

Sometimes, it’s difficult to believe that these are the times he’s living in. But just as in Cape Town, he’s used to the sight of people painting the streets red under the moonlight. “But hey, you know… If it’s bound to happen, who says war can’t be profitable, right? And that’s what you’re cashing on isn’t, Vernon? That our little arrangement will help make this war worthwhile for you.” For all that you’ve lost. Approval is now apparent in the way the lines around his mouth curves slightly, the way his chin juts out in a righteous fashion. “You’re a smart man, you know it’s all a marketing strategy. Provoke the other team and pretend you’re the heroes when you bring out your guns to protect the people from getting caught in the crossfire. Do you believe there’s honour in that?” To an extent, yes, Cyrus thinks so. Respect only comes from the money or your blood.

He can clearly imagine it. He sees it in his mind’s eye. The chaos and bloodshed — it’s all just cards on the table and he’s willing to play. Even if he lacked the fortune of receiving those Aces, he’ll find someone who has them and maneuver them into laying it out on the table. He wants this war to happen. He wants to be there for its unholy conclusion because when this war ends, and it will, he will be there on the victor’s side.

And just then, his watch begins to beep. It’s 3PM and it’s time for him to go. His contact is already waiting.

So, he begins to respectfully excuse himself as he shoves a history textbook into his bag. With all that he’s seen and learned since coming home, it’s still difficult to reconcile his reality with the memories he has of Verona of when he was a young boy.

Back then, he only knew of gardens of white lilies and black dahlias but as he grew up, he began to understand that even beautiful flowers could grow in ruins. Perhaps that is this war’s saving grace. That the blood and bodies buried in the soil will only make the earth more fertile for new shoots to grow. To make way for a new generation of Veronans, of true kings. He thanks his host for his time as he stands, reaching out a hand.“Our conversation has been…enlightening to say the least. Convince me and I’m all in for this war. I’ll help you end it.” Just the way he wants — with their problems on a spike.

Extras:

These are just drabbles I wanted to write out to illustrate the disparities between young Cyrus and grown up Cyrus. I’d like to make them canon if I can but as usual I’m definitely open to making changes with the input of the other players whose characters are involved! <3

Head / Mind

Cosimo never quite knew the boy, a boy who had an aptitude for solving problems and crossword puzzles. All he had heard was that the boy’s mother was ambitious. He never knew that that same ambition flowed through the boy’s veins.

Cosimo met the man when he was quite grown up, when he had built a name of his own in a country they had sent him to be forgotten. But the man was persistent, he’d never be forgotten so comfortably.

Upon reconnecting, Cosimo now remembers a young boy who he had seen playing with his daughter once at kindergarten. And all too easily, he remembers the boy building castles with the girl, building what may have been the tallest tower in the land. They cried and laughed as the stones of that Lego castle came tumbling down.

Now, he meets the boy-king who understands that they were no more playing in classrooms, a man who had gone to a different land and learned to dispatch kings and gods with no more than a few well chosen words in a few well placed ears.

Heart / Personality

Vivianne loved a boy once, a boy who had a soft face, who had naught but sunshine poured from his lips like water into a bowl. And like water into a bowl, he poured his soul into the things he loved doing in the afternoon. Papier mâché animals and oil pastel drawings. The boy had been happy until he turned around one day and realised he had no one to share that happiness with.

She doesn’t know what to tell him other than he is better off without her.

That boy had never believed her, not once. Not when she let him down by not bringing him home. Not when she never said anything about wishing things could be different. Not even when the day came he realised he loved her a little less.

Not once, until he starts to tell himself that he was indeed better off without her.

Vivianne knows a man now, at least she thinks she does. The man is an older, more cynical version of that boy she once knew. With his face still soft but his eyes now hard and cold as sapphires, he still pours out a part of his soul into his work. Though no more into things he loves doing but the things he must. The man has no more happiness to share for it has dried up when he left it under the blistering sun.

Spirit / Aspiration

More than ten years ago, Everett knew a boy who had enjoyed playing in the rain, running as far and as fast as his little feet could take him. He knew a boy who had enjoyed counting the stars and giggled when he lost count. The child who had said, “One day, I want to become a star. That way, I can always find you no matter where you or mamma go.”

Now, Everett only knows a man who no longer has space for anything that doesn’t move him forward. He knows a man who has no time for stargazing because all his nights have turned cloudy and heavy clouds take too long to dissipate.

He remembers a boy who had been promised the world, who grew up into a man who collects broken promises instead. The man is now an emissary to a cause he never thought he would be a part of but he makes the most out of it. Everett knows this because he knows the look of a man who has had to learn lessons without prior warning.

Everett knows a man who has had the stars in his eyes plucked out, though not by his hand. Does he think it might as well have been?

The man certainly does.

Soul / Cyrus

A boy once knew himself. He knew the man he would become. Like an astronaut that man would sail among the stars even if the distance between them would be cold and unforgiving. He knew he had a fire inside him and he had a darkness inside him, too. So, there was nothing to be afraid of in outer space because he saw it inside himself first.  

But the boy could tell something weighed him upon the earth so that he could not fly. Something that clipped his wings, rendering his unable to visit the place in the heavens that he had dreamt of, that he was made of. So, he sought ways to snip away the strings of hopelessness and the tethers of a self-induced guilt that told him he didn’t try hard enough. The boy had found the best way to rid himself of that heaviness was to force it into someone else. Strike by strike.

And the boy flew away.

A man forgets parts of himself and he knows himself well enough to say that he has changed. He has learned that to exist without needing anyone’s approval is a most powerful freedom and living this way will bring the stars to him instead of the other way round.

And the man knows he will exercise that power until the world runs out of light.

[gabzep]

Mail Order (3)

I want everyone to know I don’t speak Portuguese.  But I didn’t feel right not trying, especially since some of the story will be taking place in Brazil.  I used travel books, Google Translate, a Portuguese iphone app. Still I would like to apologize in advice if I butchered the language. Good news it’s not a lot because the characters are bilingual. Hope you like it!  Un-beta’d

Part 1    Part 2

The door slams and it makes her jump. Her sister stomps into the room. That’s great, nothing like a pissed off teen to complete her day.  Ever since they moved in with Flora and Haymitch, Prim had become moody.  It’s only when Flora goes for long visits with her family that Katniss sees a glimpse of the happy Prim she remembers.

“Oi patinha” Prim rolls her eyes at the use of her nickname. “Voce esta bem?”

“No, I’m not fine!” she yells as she hands Katniss a sandwich and takes a bite of hers. Talking with her mouth full she said “Flora with her stupid comments while I was making these.”  She waves her sandwich around “Comendo toda sua comida. Like we really eat up all her food and going on about how she’s not getting enough money to put up with us.”

“Eu sinto muito” Katniss tells her. Flora is relentlessly on their case about everything, food, laundry, chores and most of all money, they do their best but it’s never enough for her.  She treats them like unwanted guests.  Prim getting the worst of it while Katniss and Haymitch are at work.

“You don’t need to be sorry” her anger deflating at the look of concern on Katniss face.  Prim sits next to her on the bed “it’s not your fault she’s a bitter puta.”

“Language” she reprimands, though she can’t help but laugh.

Prim’s eye widen as she takes in the image on the screen. “Uau, is that him? My god Katniss he’s hot” Katniss hurries to change the picture, embarrassed as if she was caught looking at porn.  She hands Prim her tablet and lets her go through his profile and shows her the information that Mr. Boggs sent.  She doesn’t hide anything from Prim.  They are in this together and at 14, Prim is old enough to know what’s going on.

“Doesn’t seem like he has much luck with women” Prim says “Maybe that’ll change with you?” she nudges Katniss on the shoulder with a knowing smirk.

“We’ll see when we meet him” she reply’s. “Although more than likely he’s going to meet up with other potential brides.  Remember Maura picked 3 guys for the meet and senhor Boggs was here to see her and another girl.”  She could feel a tightness in her chest at the thought of Mr. Mellark not picking her and she hasn’t even met him yet.

“Are you sure about this, Katniss? I can drop out of school; find work, so we can get a place of our own.” This is not the first time Prim has offered this.

“Our parents wouldn’t want that and neither do I.  The savings they left us is running out, Prim.  The money I make waitressing at Sae’s is barely covering Flora’s room and board”

“They wouldn’t want this either” Prim pointed at the screen “and what about uncle Haymitch?” her lower lip beginning to tremble “Will we ever see him again?” Prim sees him like a second father and she hates the idea of leaving him behind.

“I’m sure we will and you can call him everyday.” she reminds her.

“To bad we can’t take him with us. You should have put him down as part of your condition” she chuckles “He’ll finally be able to divorce that cow and I’m sure he’ll come looking for us” she can hear the hope in her sisters voice.

“He’ll be knocking at our door before you know it.” She tells Prim “We’ll make is work. Ok”

“Esta bem” Prim goes back to the tablet and scrolls to the picture Katniss was gawking at earlier. “This picture though Katniss, Wow!”  Heat rushes to her cheeks. “Oh my god you’re actually blushing” Prim squeals and just like that Prim is back to an annoying teen gushing over a guy.  Rolling your eyes she grabs the tablet and logs out of the Cupid website.

“Come on do your school work and then get ready for bed, before Flora start complaining about the electricity” she huffs.   On seeing Prim’s mischievous expression she know she’ll be teasing her until its time to go to bed. 

-----------------------------------

She was dozing off when the phone smacks her on the face.  Merda she startles.  Like a true stalker she had been googling him to see what else she could find, which wasn’t much.  She also saved an occasional picture here and there.  Well, he was fucking fine.

She climbs out of bed trying not to bump into Prim.  She can’t seem to turn her mind off.  She’ll be dragging her little sister from their home to another country, their mother’s country.  Is she doing the right thing?  The only place she can afford is in the ‘favelas’ and she will have to find a second job.  She needs to do what she can to keep Prim out of the slums.

She heads down to the kitchen for a cup of water, checking on her email. She sees one from Mail Order Cupid reminding her of the dates and times for the meet.  She spots her uncle Haymitch sleeping on the table.  Flora had demanded he send them to an orphanage as soon as they moved in, he refused, so now all they do is fight.  It’s been taking a toll on all of them.  Flora wasn’t always like this but her jealousy has turned her into a crazy bitch. She sees the bottle of white liquor and rolls her eyes.  Haymitch’s drinking isn’t helping either.

“Haymitch, acorde” I shake him to wake up.

“O que se passa, sweetheart?”

“Nothing is going on; you need to go to bed” Haymitch Abernathy just like her father, was born to a Brazilian mother and American father.

“Sofa” he slurs, getting up and heads towards the couch, white liquor in hand.

She follows behind him and drops next to him.

“Jimena from family court called, the papers are ready” Haymitch said.  He received sole custody of them when her parents died but the day she turned 18 they went to court and added Katniss as joint guardian of Prim.  She can’t get sole custody because of her income. So when she gets married Haymitch will have to write a letter approving for Prim to move out of the country with Katniss.

“I’ll pick them up tomorrow after I drop Prim off at school and swing by the bank to put them in the safe deposit box”  One day she caught Flora going through their room looking for any paperwork that proves they had received money from their parents death.  

“When’s he coming?” he asks “What’s his name?”

“The meet up is at the end of the week. His name’s Peeta Mellark”

“Why couldn’t you just wait until I get a divorced?”

“Maybe you can save your marriage once we’re gone” he shakes his head

“Not going to happen, sweetheart”

“Besides she’ll use us against you in court.”  Every time the word divorce comes up during their fights Flora threatens him. “She’ll make false accusations and we’ll loss custody of Prim at least while they do an investigation.  I can’t risk that.”

“I want to meet him” Haymitch said “Before the family meeting.”  If the groom and bride decide they are a good match, the last part of the meet up will be with family.  Maura didn’t have any family so she invited them to meet with Mr. Boggs.  Haymitch, really liked him.

“I don’t think so; I need to make a good impression.  I want him to pick me and not another girl.” There’s that tug on her chest again.  Her hand goes to the spot and she rubs it as if it’s something she can soothe away.  “Your sour face will scare him off” He glares at her and she snorts pointing at his face. “Yup that’s the one.”

“I won’t sign anything until I meet with him, Katniss” she nods because she knows.  Prim and Haymitch are her only family and she wants their approval.

“You have a picture?” he asks. She unlocks her phone goes to her picture folder and is careful not to pull up the half naked one.  Picking instead one where he’s wearing a pale blue polo shirt that makes his cerulean blue eyes stand out.  He grabs her phone and texts the picture to himself.  

“Hey! What are you doing?” she snaps at him as she takes her phone back before he starts scrolling through her pictures. He shrugs his shoulders.

“What about Prim?”

“She’ll meet him with me because she’s part of my condition.  I want to make sure they get along”

“I hope you know what you’re getting into, sweetheart” yeah so does she. She gets up to go back to her room.

“Boa noite, Haymitch”

“Night, sweetheart” 

---------------------------------

She’s in the kitchen preparing Prim’s school lunch.  She’ll stop by the padaria for some sweet bread and hot chocolate for their breakfast. She’s hoping they can get going before Flora wakes up.  Then she hears the bedroom door opening. Just great, she takes a deep breath, preparing herself for the argument and Flora never disappoints.  Coming into the kitchen she starts on her right away.

“Voce precisa me dar mais dinheiro.” Flora says.  Always asking for more money, Flora’s bleeding her dry.

“Bom dia para voce tambem e nao, eu te dou bastante” she said, No reason to be rude with a good morning to you too and no I give you plenty as a responses. 

“Se nao me de o dinherio estou chutando ambos para fora” Katniss has her back to her so she rolls her eyes, right like Haymitch will let her kick us out if she doesn’t give her more money. Most likely he’ll be pissed if he knew that she gave Flora most of her pay.

Prim bounces into the kitchen before it escalates any further. “Ready to go” Katniss asks.

“Let’s get the hell out of here, Tchau Flora” Prim calls grabbing her lunch and rushing out the door.

“Esta conversa nao terminou” Flora tells her, of course this conversation isn’t over it’s the same shit every fucking time they see each other.

“Tchau” she says.  Two more days she tells herself, two more until the meet and hopefully she’ll be able to get them away from here.  She prays it’s not into a worst situation. 

_______________________

All the errands she needed to do this morning have caused her to be late for work, again.  Not that Sae will ever fire her she’s the only one that speaks fluent English and she needs her during the tourist seasons.  Its winter in Brazil right now so they should be slow.

Her phone rings and she looks at the screen and it’s a call from the Cupid agency, she groans what now.  Last time Effie called she wanted to give her a makeover complaining the pictures she uploaded where to plain if not downright ugly.

“Ola” she answers.

“Hello dear, it’s Effie Trinket from Mail Order Cupid” she said with a flourish.

“Hello Effie” she met Effie at the agency when she went to sign up.

“The reason for my call is that you closed out your availability for selection yesterday and my dear we have had several calls asking for you.  Your age and virginity status has made you a hot commodity” Effie chirped.

“You got to be kidding me, right? Like my virginity is a prize to be won.” she spat feeling disgusted. “That’s kind of disturbing.  Don’t you think?” She only put it down because Effie insisted upon it but she could care less.  She would have slept with her ex-boyfriend Julian just to loss it.  They had been heading that way anyways but then her parents died and she had to move so they broke up.  With the way things have been going for her this year dating and sex have been the last thing on her mind, until now that is.

“Yes dear but even so” Effie said as if she was talking to a dimwit “You have only made one selection and there’s no guarantee he will pick you.” Her hand absentmindedly rubs at her chest.

“I’ll take my chances Effie” she snaps.

“Well just think about it darling and if during our romance tour meet up you happen to change your mind you let me know” she trills and hangs up.  God now she’s really late, she rushes into Sae’s.

“Desculpa Sae” she calls out an apology as she heads towards the back to change for her shift. 

---------------------------------------

He looks at the sign above the agency door.  It has Mail Order Cupid in bright pink letters.  He hates that Katniss feels she has to do this but she’s right.  Flora will refuse to give him a quick and easy divorce.  Accuse him of abusing the girls and Prim will be taken away.  He’s see it happen before so he knows she’s not lying.  Blinded by her hatred she will sacrifice everything and everyone in order to get her way.  He has been married to her for 5 years and the minute she asked him to send the girls to the orphanage he was done.

He feels he’s letting his best friend James down by not being able to take care of his girls.  The least he can do is check up on this Peeta Mellark. Katniss doesn’t know but he was been in contact with Boggs and once the girls make it to the states, Boggs will be keeping tabs on them and report back to him.  For now it’s up to him.

Going in, he’s greeted by the bright pink interior.  He rolls his eye and wonders what idiot thought that neon pink was a good idea.

He walks up to the receptionist. “Eu preciso falar com seu gerente” he said asking to speak to the manager.

“Voce tem um compromisso?” the receptionist asked if he had an appointment.

“Nao, sweetheart” her eyebrows shoot up.

“You speak English?” she asks.

“Yes, now may I speak your manager” he asks again.  She gives him her best fake smile that’s more of a grimace.  She rings up Effie and puts her on speaker. 

“Venia I’m kinda busy here. Can’t believe Sabino call in, now I’m short a driver and we are going to have a busy weekend” he hears her complain. Thank you, Sabino he thinks. 

“This is your lucky day, sweetheart, I’m a driver” he said loud enough for her to hear him over her whining.  

“Oh my and you speak English too! Fantastic, send him in Venia” she warbles.

[trickstersantana]

[PARA] One Punch Woman

Who: Santana, Dani @shiftingdani Daisy and Fiyero Location:  Undique Stadium Time: 10th August 2018 Summary: Santana and Dani fight for the first time Triggers/Notes: Violence

Santana arrived to Undique to a rented room for her and Dani. "I know you said you can only change your appearance, but honey, that can be so useful if you know how to use your imagination" She says pointing to her own head. "Let me show you, and be prepared." She says, going straight to the point without any small talk.

Dani isn´t exactly happy to be here, but she figured it couldn´t hurt to train a little. Well, train something other than punching people in the face. She wouldn´t put it past Santana to hurt her, this was what duels and training were about after all, but she doubted the other was about ready to actually kill her. So she nodded, tightening up her ponytail, knowing she´d change it in a minute anyway. "Alright. Teach me,"

@Santana 🐮:  1d6 = (5) = 5

@Dani: 1d6 = (6) = 6

Santana puts her arm up, like a punch, just to show Dani. "In illusion close-fight, I can make it look like there's way more arms" She says making two more arms appear from her elbow. "That way the enemy never knows which one he has to dodge, but you could do that without illusions, don't you? Like this" She says, going to punch Dani in the stomach.

Dani´s not going to lie, the arms are a little freaky, but she forces herself to concentrate and when she sees the real arm approach she moves to the side, catching Santana´s wrist, pulling her forward so she stumbles forward while she  smacks her in the ribs with her free hand.

@Santana 🐮:  1d6 = (1) = 1

@Dani: 1d6 = (3) = 3

Santana didn't expect her getting hit. Close fights were never her strength. "Auch, alright that was a good one! You know how to fight you bitch! Without powers and all." She says preparing another illusion to confuse her. "How fast can you change? Faster than you can move?"

"Well this is all I had for 19 years," Dani replies with a shrug as she keeps her eyes on Santana. She´s definitely not hitting as hard as she can, but hard enough for Santana to feel it. She feels the magic bubble up under her skin and lurches forward, appearance having changed into that girl that lives in the room opposite her, complete with short, blonde hair and blue eyes. She moves, kicking to hit Santana in the back of her knees, trying to bring her down to her knees.

@Santana 🐮:  1d6 = (4) = 4

@Dani:  1d6 = (1) = 1

Santana falls to the ground. "Well, that's good time to practice." "You're fast at doing it, yeah. Have you though of, like, turning into a shorter person to dodge something attacking you to the head?" She says staning up, illusioning a baseball bat and winging it to Dani's head. It might be scary, but she won't hurt her head.

Dani, slightly caught off guard by the baseball bat draws up her hands and stumbles backwards, almost falling flat on her ass. "Woah." She´d always known Santana´s magic was impressive, but that was...well. MORE than impressive. "I can´t really do anything that makes me shorter or bigger." She then manages, going back into defense mode. "Like...I could make myself look like Elliott, but I´d still be my size, not his."

@Santana 🐮:  1d6= (5) = 5

@Dani:  1d6 = (3) = 3

Santana looks at her with doubt. "Are you sure? I heard you can't change volume, but if it's like a fatter, shorter person, or a thinner, taller person, it has to work, doesn't it?" She wasn't sure, of course. She waved back to Dani the baseball bat, to attack her again.

Dani managed to raise her arms again but this time was knocked flat onto her ass. She almost couldn´t supress a laugh. "That thing is terrifying." She then told Santana as she got up to her feet again. "I can change a little, yeah, but the volume still changes if i get taller or smaller. But a little works, yeah." She then told her

@Santana 🐮:  1d6= (4) = 4

@Dani:  1d6= (1) = 1

Santana raises her eyebrow. "Really? This little thing?" She says turning in into a sword. "Show me what you got, Cindy!" She says, going to strike Dani's shoulder with the tip of her illusory sword.

Honestly, it´s getting a little exhausting, but it´s also fun, Dani´s can´t deny that. She goes down onto one knee and rolls over, taking in a deep breath. "Yeah, the baseball bat´s a little more impressive. Reminds me of Harley Quinn," She laughs as she shifts back into her usual appearance and gets back to her feet quickly, a little out of breath.

@Santana 🐮:  1d6= (1) = 1

@Dani:  1d6= (5) = 5

Santana tries to illusion Harley Quinn to show off, trying to decide which one of her impersonations. "There was a shapeshifter here who fought with her powers, making her fits all big to fight"

Dani can´t help but laugh and suddenly she´s glad she´d agreed to do this. It´s the closest they´ve come to being actual friends, even if that includes beating each other up, and she´s enjoying it. She lurches forward again, momentarily shifting into Santana herself to throw her off before aiming to punch her right into the stomach.

@Santana 🐮 :  1d6= (2) = 2

@Dani:  1d6= (4) = 4

Santana is distracted by doing her own illusions when Dani hits her again. "What's so funny?" She ask about the laughing.

@Santana 🐮:  1d6+1= (2)+1 = 3

@Dani:  1d6= (4) = 4

"I was just chuckling about Harley Quinn," She then informed Santana with a smile.

Santana tried to say something, when Daisy appeared out of nowhere in front of her. 'Santanaaaaa, train with meee' she moos. "Oh my Fucking..." said Santana, totally distracted. "Look I just illusioned a cow, that's my power, haha!"

Dani couldn´t help but stare for a moment when a cow appeared all of a sudden. "Do your illusions usually speak with you?" She then chuckled, knowing what this was about. She just...hadn´t expected a cow. "You want to meet my familiar?" She then asked and before Santana could answer Fiyero had already appeared, stretching out. "Well hello, you." He nodded. "What are we on about today?" And it wasn´t long until Dani had explained what was going on and for once Fiyero seemed interested as he lunged forward in an attack with his claws out.

@Dani:  1d6+1= (3)+1 = 4

@Santana 🐮 :  1d6= (2) = 2

Santana looks to other side. "Only when I'm distracted" that wasn't a lie. She sighned. "Actually i hate familiars." She says as she suffers Fiyero and steps back. "Ugh! I just don't get why are they here!" She complains, while Daisy greet Fiyero with a happy 'Helloooo'.

Fiyero stretched again, giving the cow a look. It looked nice enough, but it wasn´t Ziggy. He liked Ziggy. Anyway. Dani shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe they´re here to tell us that we´ve done a good job and should get a coffee. Or some ice cream now." She then chuckled. "I´m pretty sure I´ll have a bunch of bruises in the morning."

@Santana 🐮 :  1d6= (5) = 5

@Dani:  1d6= (2) = 2

Santana illusioned some extra arms from Dani to make it look like she was hitting herself. "Why they have to be here for us? What a pitiful existence, to exist for another being. To die if they die. I find it seriously disturbing and I don't know why everyone seems ok with this fucked up shit." She says, not caring much for Dani's bruises. She got tons of them in every fight. "If you get hurt go to Avicenna."

Dani frowned at the extra arms and took a step back. "She doesn´t like you? That´s sad."  meanwhile Fiyero was talking to Daisy and Dani nodded. "I mean´s he´s a bit of an ass sometimes, but he was there when things got hard. I´m fine, thanks. Just saying. Now do you want to get some ice cream or do I have to get two cones just for myself?"

@Santana 🐮:  1d6= (1) = 1

@Dani:  1d6= (3) = 3

Santana scratchs her head. "Who cares about the opinion of a cow?" Meanwhile, Daisy gets close to Santana to tell her 'I like you, Santana, do not be insecure about that. There is lot of people that like you'. Santana groans, going far away from the cow. "He was there for you, sure, every familiar is there to help you when you need it. Isn't that fucking weird? Why everyone just accepts weird things from the Aether like this? Even you, when you are supposed to be new to this and get surprised at the weird stuff, you just accept a talking cat who will be with you forever!" She says a little exasperated, not to Dani but about fucking Daisy who just keeps appearing out of nowhere in her fights.

Dani raises an eyebrow, relaxing a little. "Well it´s weird. But it´s one of the nicer weird things, you know? I´m more than happy to accept a cat that sometimes appears and talks to me as opposed to some weird people eating doors." she nods. "And thanks for training with me, by the way. It´s nice to learn how to use my powers. Now come on," She nods over her shoulder before turning to gather her things. "Let me buy you some ice cream as a thank you."

If there's something Santana dislikes more than losing, is a tie because the fight got cancelled. She still can't add Dani to her long list of losers "What's so nice about it?" But yeah, it could be worse. Daisy could secretly been planning to murder her. Maybe she is. She though.  "Alright, alright, let's go for ice creams"(editado)//the end??

"It´s just nice for me, doesn´t have to be nice for everyone else. But your familiar seems sweet." She grins before falling in step next to Santana.

[filthy-reckless-rp]

Congratulations Beth! Blair Waldorf is all yours. We love the way you see her character, the way you really know her, and it’s clear the group will be better with you in it. As Serena’s player I have to say I’m over the MOON about how you see the relationship between the two, and I’m sure Paige feels the same about Blair and Nate’s relationship. Just based on your para sample I can already tell you know her inside and out. Can’t wait to start roleplaying with you!

Please send your account in within 24 hrs. If you need more time just let us know! Remember to open your ask and submit. We also have a Whatsapp group for members; if you would like to be added just let us know. Finally, we currently have an event going on. All the information can be found here if you would like Blair to participate!

*FC change to Danielle Camp has been accepted*

—Admin C

Name: Beth

Age: 25

Pronouns: she/her

Timezone: EST

Do you have any triggers?: RFP

How active are you? (Please describe in words): Right now, I’m a barista, and I run one roleplay, and that is the limit of my commitments. I’m on tumblr 99% of the time and usually log in every other day at least, if not every day for replies.

How did you find out about us?: some of your homies aka Paige and Katy <3

What made you apply?: I love Blair! She’s one of my favorite characters of all time, so powerful and strong and intelligent, yet so misguided in how she uses that. The show was so fun and full of ups and downs, and I’d love to be able to explore that world in my own writing.

Canon Application:

Character Name: Blair Cornelia Waldorf

Why do you want this character?: Blair Waldorf and I go way back. Before the show was even a thought in the minds of network execs, I was reading the old school Gossip Girl books, becoming well acquainted with this demon of a lady. I related to Blair in many ways; the one that really struck a chord was the relationship she had with Serena. Always coming in second place, which left her in a tough spot: loving the stuffing out of her best friend, but being fed up with never getting where or what she wanted. The more I read about Blair, the more I understood her and empathized. I rooted for her, and I took to the parts of her that I understood best. Those I didn’t, I adopted into my own personality until I did. I was ecstatic when the show came around, and couldn’t have been more pleased with Leighton Meester and her golden portrayal of the character who had become one of my best friends. I fell away from the show during season two, when that teacher gave Blair a B and then cut her dream of Yale into little pieces (it was way too painful to watch my girl suffer like that, y’all!), but eventually went back and finished. Although the books and the show went different ways, the essence of Blair always remained, as has my love of her. BASICALLY I just love Blair and miss having her in my life. <3

Any changes? (If you wish to change an FC please discuss it with us, off anon, beforehand): I’d love to use Danielle Campbell if that’s okay!

Wanted connections?: I’m open to anything and everything! I believe Serena and Nate are an item now in the rp, so I’d love to chat with their players and get a feel for where her relationships with them stand before I move forward with everyone else. But outside of that, I’m good with anything! (Even if Blair isn’t lol. ALL THE MORE FUN!!!)

Character’s birthday: November 15 (WHICH IS ALSO MINE!!!!)

3 virtues and 3 flaws, explaining each:

+ ambitious: Once Blair Waldorf sets her eyes on something, she’s bound to get it. Why? Not through luck or crossed fingers. No, Blair Waldorf works hard for what she wants. The concept might be laughable to those who don’t know her well. After all, Blair is privileged, both financially and socially. While the upper hand she was born with does have its perks, Blair is well aware that she won’t be guaranteed anything. She’s not the only one with privilege galore, and sometimes, that means finding another way to stand out. That means fierce determination, and using the gifts she was given to spin her own web.

- manipulative: One of the many gifts Blair has been given is her ability to manipulate. It’s not her greatest gift, nor is it the most helpful, but it’s one that comes to her most easily. Lying, scheming, twisting circumstance in her direction— Blair’s capable of pulling off all of the above, and with gold stars as rewards for just how well she does them. Most of the time, though, her efforts end up backfiring in her face. Blair might have learned that hard work is key, but next will (hopefully) come the lesson of channeling that hard work into the right place. For now— Well, what would Gossip Girl have to talk about if it wasn’t for Blair’s scheming, anyway?

+ independent: Although there are moments that Blair resents her mother for the affection she seems to show every important thing in her life but her own daughter, she’s at least grateful for the important trait it gave her: independence. The Upper East Side might be posh and glamorous, filled to the brim with people who are well taken care of by others – whether it be their parents, their spouses, or their ancestors – but money and power only go so far if you don’t know how to use them. Her mother might not be as present as Blair likes, but those long years of keeping herself on top of her homework assignments and planning grocery lists for Dorota have at least resulted in a self-sufficient girl who’s ready to head out into the world.

- insecure: Just because Blair is confident in her ability to get by doesn’t mean she’s confident in everything. The lower layers of Maslow’s hierarchy might have been easy to master, but she struggles about halfway up (although what teenager doesn’t?) She’s independent, sure, but what about her is so wrong that her mother can’t be bothered to check in every now and again? If Serena’s got the power to captivate her mother (and Nate, and Gossip girl, and everyone else), then clearly Blair’s missing something, isn’t she? What if Yale’s looking for that special x factor she’s never been able to find? What if—

+ loving: *EATING DISORDER CW* Blair knows too well how terrible it is to be made to feel like a C-lister by the people most important to you. She tries to never do that to those close to her—at least, not if they don’t deserve it. To her inner circle, Blair is supportive and consoling. She’s never missed one of Nate’s lacrosse games, and even when Serena is commanding more attention from him than Blair can stand, she’s there with a pint of ice cream and the ingredients to whatever Serena’s favorite cocktail recipe is that week if she’s having a hard time (she’s even so kind as to wait until she gets home to purge her share). If you’re on her good side, you’re practically guaranteed copious amounts of love and support from Blair. At least until she deems you unworthy of it.

- jealous: Blair puts her loved ones so high up on a pedestal (though they do come falling down quite often), and she expects the same. When she isn’t given the same amount of attention, affection, or support she shows another person, she takes this as a heavy blow—especially when there are others getting the love she deserves. In Blair’s eyes, no one works as hard as she does. No one cares as much as she does. And if that’s true, then who deserves more attention or recognition than her? No one, that’s who.

If you don’t get this character, who would be your second choice?: I’d be down for just about anyone. SEND ME YOUR RECS!

Para Sample: *def not hc-ing this as having happened or god-moding or anything; just thought it would be a fun way to explore her insecurities with Serena! so sorry if Serena is OOC in this D:*

Blair had gotten her first fake ID when she was fourteen years old.

She still remembered the thickness of the plastic between her fingers, down to the millimeter. It was different than the card they’d given her at Constance Billard; she wasn’t sure if that was a good sign, or a bad one. Would that be something the bouncers would look for? Would it be a red flag? She remembered looking nervously at her picture, tiny and bright with blush and lipstick that she’d caked on to look older. While Serena had fluttered around her closet, deciding on an outfit for the big night, Blair had frowned at her clownish looking picture, nervousness caking the lining of her veins like cholesterol as the hour drew closer. If she didn’t have a panic attack by the time they got into the club opening, she would absolutely have a heart attack instead.

The line went on forever, rounding the corner to the next block. Great. She could already hear her heart beating in her ears, thunderously loud. By the time they made it to the front of the line, it would drown out the music inside.

“Oh, no, We’re not waiting in this!” Blair thought that confusion was almost worst, at least until they came face to face with one of the three bouncers and she realized what Serena was doing. She quickly narrowed her eyes and tried to put on a brave face, but she thought she saw one of the bouncers watching her knees quake together. “Excuse me, sir, but—”

“Twenty-one and up,” the bouncer smirked. Serena presented her ID proudly. All three of the bouncers had crowded together at this point—more so to get a look at Serena rather than her flamboyantly falsified identity. “Alright. You can go on in.” The crowd behind them groaned as the second bouncer allowed Serena through the velvet rope ahead of them. “But you—”

“I look just as old as she does!” It was a stupid thing to say, possibly the stupidest, but Blair couldn’t take it back. Instead, she shoved her ID under the bouncer’s nose. “Twenty-two.”

The bouncer opened his mouth again without even looking at the card—

“She’s with me,” Serena said, grabbing Blair by the wrist and pulling her past the rope before anyone could argue. “Someone’s got to make sure I get home in time for Philosophy 300. Thanks, guys!”

As Blair sipped on her martini at the very same bar Serena had slipped her into all those years ago, her frown was far more sour than the drink. She tried to remember the last time Serena had given her something rather than taken it away— But as she thought about it, that was all she could come up with. Her mother, her friends, Nate— Blair pushed her martini back and swung her purse over her shoulder. She’d taken this place, too: she’d tainted it with her memory. What would be next? Yale?

“Taxi!” Blurs of yellow bullets sped past her on the shockingly empty New York street. Blair pounded her heel into the cement and screeched. “TAXI!” One halted in front of her immediately. Pleased with herself, Blair bounced into the backseat of the car, high on a newfound independence. How silly it was to think she needed Serena to get what she needed.

She was Blair Waldorf, after all. She just had to remember that.

[squaredancing-weston]

para || Brobastian: Another Shot, 12/25/2016

Tagging: @sebadasssmythe and @squaredancing-weston

Time: Sunday evening, 25 December 2016

Setting: JAX Tavern, Forrest, OH

Summary:  When Brody invites Sebastian to be his ringer at the Christmas Pub Trivia game with a first prize of a free tab for the night, of course he says yes.  And of course they make a mockery of the competition.  What’s left but to drink to themselves?

Part 3 (End)

Note: Kind of jumbled because we started out just headcanon-ing and then got more detailed...

"The real ones or the stripper version?" Brody retorted with a laugh.  "Because that was //not// the type of dance I spent over a decade studying."  Not that he hadn't put on more than one show in his experience, //especially// during his time at Tisch.  The older man chuckled, "I've heard of worse ideas, although it'd be a drive to find anything worth paying for," he replied, although did Bas really think he was so straight-edge that he needed to make up excuses for strippers?  "I'm not saying I need to justify going to a strip club; just that we've made up a lot of themes to make the visits more interesting.  Creativity is the spice of life after all-- otherwise you're just wasting your money on something you can get for free at home."

Brody inhaled deeply in satisfaction at the thought.  "Well, when you've got a hot guy deep-throating //and// swallowing, it can be a heady thing.  We both know that it's slim pickings out here finding someone who does one, much less both."  Goddam, he was hard.  The whole experience was a fucking fantasy.  And a nightmare, because now he just wanted more.  Brody tried to shift subtly and get a hold of himself and focus on the game.  The game always helped him keep his composure, although it was rough thinking about the cold shower waiting for him at home.  "Well, at least you're aware of them.  I mean, it'd get very awkward very fast if you kept going into these places thinking you had a handle on it every time."  Bas nudged his shoulder, and Brody flashed a grin-- they had definitely done better than the older man was playing off, crap furniture or not.  "Hey, you know, if I only got one thing out of that hook up, I can definitely say it was a great bedding recommendation, right?" he half-teased.  He definitely had received way more than just a soft place to pass out.  Fucking Sebastian Smythe pretty much clarified any story he'd ever told about people practically stalking him over another shot-- Brody apparently was even one of them, he was a little ashamed to admit.  He swallowed thickly as a shot of adrenaline raced down his spine to his eager cock.  "Oh yeah?" he tried to play off with a joke.  "You really think I'll be that hard up for company that I'll need your hookups in it?"  Brody nodded in understanding at Bas' rational.  "Yeah, well, I guess some of us just aren't up to that sort of adventure," he remarked.  For him personally, even if he could have had sex at his dad's office, it would have felt weird-- way too much stud stuff around.  Kind of kinky in a bad way.  Bas would have had a field day with the bestiality jokes involved in that image.

"Yeah, well, surprisingly, I wasn't //that/ crazy in high school, so circuit hook-ups were kept at a minimum.  But I'll keep an eye out next time I'm wandering around in gear for someone with the potential to be worth the trouble."  Brody rolled his eyes, even though in his mind, he could already see all the trouble he and the younger man could get into in the tack room...  Brody shook his head and laughed as Bas threw back his shot.  For all the trouble he made, he'd never managed to get arrested for it-- thrown out of school, however... "How many of you were there?" he probed with interest.  "Or was this like one of those high society club things?"  Brody snapped his fingers in faux disappointment at the reveal, although he was definitely glad.  Not that it was his business, obviously.

Brody leaned forward eagerly-- he was winning so far, although Bas had the chance to catch up.  Which he did-- in the most ridiculous way possible.  "Wait-- how did you get arrested having sex in a club of less than three people?" he retorted incredulously.  No way was this one true-- and if he caught Bas in a lie, that meant Bas had to drink, so he determined not to cave to the statement so easily.  Sebastian's insinuation, however, had Brody's eyes bug out incredulously.  "I'm sorry-- are you asking me if I purposely had sex for other people's kinky voyeurism?  I mean, public sex, sure.  Lots of people around-- it's happened.  But I'm not usually waving around a big sign saying 'Watch Me' when I got at it."  He rolled his eyes and scoffed.  "Asshole."

As stupid as it was, Brody's pride was a little hurt by Bas' charge-- although he supposed for how open he was about his sex life, he shouldn't be surprised Bas would think he was capable of something like that.  But in reality, Brody tended to keep his personal life personal until the facts and circumstances were completely irrelevant to his life.  But still, he was wounded, and so he chose to deal out a low blow in return. "Never Have I Ever...had an orgasm outside of North America," he said smugly, eying Sebastian's next drink pointedly.  It was a lame shot, to be sure, but wanted to win, and maybe knock Bas down a peg in the meantime.

"I think we already established - I want the /real/ version. But, hey, if you want to give me a strip show while you're at it, don't let me stop you." Now /that/ was a scenario that he really wasn't going to get out of his head any time soon. Goddamn, why did he even bring it up? Well, Brody did. But he really needed to stop entertaining the thought right now. He shrugged, chuckling. "True. You know how much I enjoy a bit of creativity. Really makes everything more fun, right?" "Yeah, it can be," he agreed. Fuck knows /he's/ envied people in the past who have been able to experience his own techniques. He can count on one hand how many he'd been able to find in return - and that included women, too. Not that he'd minded at all doing it for Brody. Actually, one of his favourite things about sex was seeing the other person fall apart and knowing that he'd been the one to cause it - and Brody's own reactions had been particularly delicious. "Awkward, and dangerous. I'm promiscuous, not an idiot," he commented. Thinking that he was indestructible or trusting people too easily definitely wasn't going to get him anywhere in life. He was slightly distracted by Brody's grin, but he managed to catch his words just in time. "/Just/ a great bedding recommendation, Brodes? I like to think you got a hell of a lot more out of it than that." But he took the comment for what it was and snorted. "Dick." He huffed, shaking his head. "I was hardly planning on bringing my own hook-ups, Weston, but if that's the way you want to play it." He wasn't even sure if he was joking anymore. "Or maybe some of us were too busy pursuing adventures away from their home." Because fuck bringing any hook ups to meet his parents. Shit, he'd never even brought /Andrew/ to meet his parents. Something he was extra grateful for now, of course. 

"Damn. Well, I'm sure that person will appreciate it." He knew /he/ would. Which, really - since it had been his suggestion and all - it /should/ be him. Apparently repeatedly sleeping with Brody was something he was willing to do now - especially if this game went the way he'd planned. Fuck it - best not to think about it too much, right? The sex was good, and Brody wasn't clingy. He huffed in amusement, putting the shotglass back on the surface of the bar. "Nightclub, Brodes. Loud music, drowns out the sounds. It was pretty crowded." All the more reason why they'd thought they'd be unnoticed.

Sebastian paused, thinking back to his wording, and then shook his head. Damn, how much had he had to drink already? "No, no. That wasn't quite what I meant," he clarified. "I'm asking if you've had sex as a performance piece. You know - in front of people. On purpose." He snorted at the question, nodding in confirmation. He grinned at Brody's response. "Hey, you never know." But he felt a thrill of victory run through him when Brody didn't take a shot regardless. Surely losing shouldn't be making him /this/ happy. 

He raised his eyebrows when Brody asked the next question. "Really, Brodes? You're asking the guy who used to live in Paris if he's had an orgasm outside of North America?" Rolling his eyes, he took the shot, Adam's apple bobbing as he gulped it down. Apparently Brody wasn't even /trying/ anymore. But then again, that did mean that he got what he wanted - so who was he to complain? He twisted the shotglass in his hands, before placing it next to the other two empty ones. Two to go, and Brody still had four left. Things were shaping up nicely, as far as he was concerned. Again, though, he didn't want to look like he was /trying/ to lose. "Never have I ever used a someone else's sex toy - either on them, or on myself." He got by on this one on a technicality, really. He had used them with Andrew, but they had been Sebastian's - and seeing as everyone else he'd slept with apart from Brody and Marley had been strangers, he never had the opportunity to do so. Which was fortunate, in this case, since he was running out of shit that he hadn't done.

"I think you'd have to buy me a fair amount of alcohol to inspire me to try to make a stage show out of stripping off real chaps," Brody remarked.  "I mean, I guess if I was up there //with// someone, you know providing a little assistance, it'd be more attractive and worth the effort, but still-- a lot of alcohol, for sure."  Although if //Sebastian// was the one offering, Brody probably wouldn't even want to be that drunk for the show.  "But if we're playing this game anyways, I would also like some hot blondes in body glitter backing me up," he added with a laugh.  "Exactly: you got to keep the game interesting.  Otherwise you may as well be playing Candyland."

"I mean, it obviously doesn't hurt if they're moderately attractive, even if they lack any discernible ass," he added for good measure.  As much as the damn thing had grown on him, Brody still got a kick out of mocking Sebastian's backside.  Which was funny, considering how often now he just thought about putting his hands (and other parts) on or in it.  Brody shrugged, "Fair enough, although in some respects I'd argue that point."  Brody laughed, waggling his eyebrows teasingly.   "Hey, that was a damn nice mattress," he contested.  "But yeah, I guess there were some other upsides to the night."  Fucking god, Brody really had some imagery of Bas back at his place, on a new mattress-- somewhere with decent furniture, with a good headboard, with a lot of condoms hidden in every nook and cranny...  Just flirting, he reminded himself.  He's just messing around.  "Well, I'm not usually the voyeur type," he replied with a smirk, "but I mean, if you and NPH and David all need a place to crash, you are more than welcome to swing by.  I will never kick you out."  Brody wasn't sure, but it felt like he was hitting close to a nerve.  Or maybe he was just projecting based off of what he knew about Bas' family issues.  Which, while not much, was enough to know Bas probably was done talking about his folks.  "Well, at least that means your stories are more interesting," he offered with an easy smile.

"Yeah, I'll have to make sure they do," Brody nodded, licking his lips as he thought about Bas peeling off his chaps-- because right now, that's who he wanted peeling shit off of him.  "You know, if I find someone worth the hassle."  Brody still shifted his gaze to the floor in amusement, shaking his head, "And they arrested you for that?  Man, the rich really do live differently."  He couldn't imagine being at a club that would have //arrested// him for the shit he pulled there, but those kind of places charged twenty bucks for cover and cheap booze and music, so he doubted Bas would end up there.

Brody watched Sebastian take offense to his next question-- it was pathetic, really, who was he kidding.  But what could he say?  Sometimes he was just petty like that.  And anyways, watching Sebastian suck the shot down was intoxicating on its own, because that was his third empty glass resting on the table.  God fuck, he could almost feel him, and he just wanted this game over with so he could drag him somewhere, anywhere, and fuck some part of him senseless.  Then Vanessa could have him, Brody promised himself.  Brody listened to Bas' claim, and laughed loudly, not even hesitating as he threw back the shot.  He should have known that one was coming-- he'd heard Bas talk about it earlier, after all.  "Nothing too...crazy," he clarified.  "Well, there //was// a riding crop and a ballgag this one time, but I don't judge.  But besides that, you know, just the norm: cock rings, a Rabbit... once I met someone with a real sex swing, so that was fun.  Just that sort of thing."  Was he giving the other man ideas?  God he hoped so, because for all the discomfort Bas was giving him, he really wanted to repay it in kind.

Unfortunately now, Brody was catching up to the younger man, so he had to get his head out of the gutter and back in the game.  Or, well, the gutter of the game.  "Never Have I Ever...been filmed in any sort of way having any sort of sex."  That one was definitely cutting it close: the older man had been drunk enough in college to have an incident with a partner, but it hadn't been sex so much as suggestive acts on camera.  And considering how badly it had backfired on him, he was in no hurry to ever repeat the misstep.  But he was curious as to whether Sebastian had any sort of recorded evidence of his prowess or proclivities.  Hell, Brody'd probably pay to see it, to be honest.

"Mm, well, if you need assistance, then allow me to offer myself. Do I get to strip the chaps off of you?" He smirked. "Don't worry - alcohol /will/ be provided. All too happy to put money towards a worthy cause." The more they joked about it, the more Sebastian wanted it to actually happen for real. He snorted, rolling his eyes. "Fine - you can have your hot blondes. All the more eye candy for me, too." So long as he was the one that was the sole focus of attention, he didn't really care. With a snort, he shook his head. "Sure. That's one way to look at it. Only with less sugary snacks to look at. Although..." he hummed. "Chocolate is kind of fun to play around with in the bedroom. But that would require the aforementioned creativity."

With a scoff, Sebastian gave Brody a skeptical look. "/Moderately/ attractive? You're so full of shit and you know it. And I'll say it again - you've developed some sort of obsession with my ass. I like to think you're pretty well aquainted with it by now." The older teacher certainly brought it into conversation often enough. He wrinkled his nose. "You could argue, but you'd be wrong. I won us a bar tab," he said, gesturing to the bar as though to help Brody understand. Okay, so Brody had probably put just as much into it has he had, but that didn't need to be said. "Oh, I know it was a good mattress. Memory foam is the only way to sleep." He grinned. "Sure. /Some/ upsides. Like I rocked your world." And vice versa. Fuck, that was some good sex. Not that he'd doubted Brody for a second, but even with the expectations, he hadn't exactly expected it to be as hot as it was. It wasn't often that he craved more from a person. "I'm pretty sure NPH and David Burtka would be happy to whisk me away to somewhere exotic, but we're always happy to do you a solid. Maybe I'll even let you join in," he teased, adding a wink at the end. Thankful that Brody had dropped the subject of his parents, he let out a breath. "Yeah - wouldn't want to be boring. Not that you haven't managed to create some interesting stories of your own," he commented. "Most of which end up with you getting some sort of injury. I'm almost disappointed that sex with me didn't leave a mark on you. Well, one that /didn't/ fade." He'd made sure to make plenty of temporary marks, of course. 

Sebastian glanced at his three shots lined up on the table, training his face not to look too excited about the fact that he was so damn close to getting what he wanted. Still, Brody downed his own shot, and he grinned. Still two to three in Brody's favour, and he was sure the older man would manage to stay ahead of the game. He would make sure of it. As Brody began to paint the scenario in his head, though, Sebastian felt his throat tighten, pupils dilating at the list. "Right," he managed, voice tight. He shuffled a little, his pants beginning to feel uncomfortable. Which meant that he had to get them off - and fast. Thankfully, Brody's next question was... well, a little less insulting, but just as easy, and he didn't need to think about it before taking his fourth shot. "Really? Never been filmed? I find that one hard to believe." Though he probably should've expressed his doubt before he took the shot, but it didn't really matter, anyway. Why he was questioning it, he had no idea. He /wanted/ this, he reminded himself. As for Sebastian - well, he wasn't a moron. Well. That was to be debated, really, considering that the person who he had let film him had turned out to be an untrustworthy asshole. He wondered if Andrew had kept the videos. Fuck, he hoped not. "Once or twice, in college," he said, but he didn't really feel like elaborating, so he chose to switch the focus instead. "I'd make a damn good porn star." He tapped on the bar, going through possible questions in his head. If Brody really wanted him, he'd likely make the next question an easy one, right? So he supposed it didn't really matter what he came up with. “Never have I ever… had sex in a tent.” Kind of a lame question, but he was definitely running out of shit he hadn’t done already. Thankfully, Sebastian had dodged a bullet with that one, seeing as he refused to go camping in the first place.

“Well, I mean-- if //you’re// offering…” Brody tipped his shoulder nonchalantly, but basically any combination of the man in front of him and the word //strip// was leaving him anything but blase.  “I mean, might as well cast it to get the most bang for my buck, right?  Maybe we’ll get you a bridle and bit to really sell the look.”  He laughed, even though the image wasn’t much his style.  He preferred Bas to have full capacity of his mouth, honestly-- throat, voice, tongue.  He wouldn’t want to block any of it.  Brody let out an exaggerated relieved sigh, “Well, thank god for that-- can’t imagine how I’d get through such an ordeal without it.  Oh, come on: don’t tell me you wouldn’t want to be surrounded by hot blondes if you were going to be displayed on stage?”  Who didn’t love a good blonde at a strip club?  It was a little stereotypical, but Brody just seemed to appreciate the color more in the environment.  The older man smirked, biting his lip in thought as he bobbed his head side to side, “You know, I’ve got to say I never really got into food play myself.  Too sticky-- give me some ice or wax or oil over whipped cream any day.”  It probably sounded a little contradictory-- after all, Brody and Bas first started this whole bar scene based off of body shots-- but in reality, Brody just didn’t really have the same sweet tooth as his friends seemed to.  The idea of covering someone in dessert and licking it off actually made him cough a little from sugar-overload.  “But tomato, tomahto in terms of creativity, right?”

Brody bit his lip to suppress the grin that was threatening to overtake his face.  Hassling Bas about something as completely bullshit as his looks was just fun.  “Eh, I’ve seen better,” he defended half-heartedly, not quite holding back a laugh.  “Hey, it’s not my fault you keep flaunting it like there’s actually something worthwhile about the damned thing.  It’s like staring at a ruined souffle or something.”  This time he didn’t even bother hiding his own amusement, though he deliberately ignored the second part of Bas’ statement, or the truth of the first.  He still stood behind Bas’ ass not being much to look at at first, but the tone and the feel was just something that could make his cock itch just thinking about.  “I’m sorry-- //who// won us a bar tab?  I could have pulled a random person off the street and you would have known maybe three more answers than they did.”  Well, not really-- but there had only been a handful of poli sci questions, and less legal ones, so Bas’ use during the night was mostly about his efficiency in answering quickly.  Which, yeah, he had been good at it.  Although, just then Bas’ hand attracted a new set of shots (that bartender was definitely noticing the younger man), and Brody happily downed one.

“Ha, not just sleep,” he added with a grin.  “Seriously, even if the sex had been a complete let-down, I might have overlooked it for that mattress.  Although it was awful getting out of bed in the morning.”  Not just for the bed though: Brody fucking loved morning sex usually, loved to spoon, loved just lying in bed and not feeling alone.  But Bas wasn’t the type, he knew-- he was the guy that snuck out while someone was in the shower, or before they woke up.  Brody hated the idea of that being him.  Not that he would be; Brody tended to wake up early regardless of how much he drank the night before, or whatever day it was, so it was hard to get the jump on him.  But he didn’t want that awkward dismissal either, so he’d simply forced himself out of bed before sunrise, leaning over Bas with a kiss he couldn’t //not// press to the younger man’s temple, whispering that he had an early day and to “go back to sleep” before hunting down his scattered clothes and tiptoeing out the door.  It had obviously been the right call, since things were still fine with them now.  Bas knew he wasn’t expecting anything; that he got him.  And now they were drinking at a bar, completely platonic.

“Yeah, I guess you and the mattress were //pretty// close in terms of impressiveness.  Like 60-40 close.”  He just loved fucking around with the pompous peacock: Bas always seemed to get his blood up; it was fun trying to do the same, even if Brody had no real skill for it.  “I don’t know-- maybe they stopped by Ohio for some of the old town feel during sex.  Thanks, but I still draw a line with couples, even if they’re at the same time,” he reminded Bas.  Brody grinned, proud and yet slightly sheepish, as Bas brought up his penchant for injuries in his stories.  “Well, I feel like good sex is almost always worth the risk,” he remarked.  He shrugged, “Eh, you can’t win them all, Bas.  Sometimes you just have to accept that you’ll have to depend on my memory without the physical mark.”  Not that Brody thought he’d ever forget that night, because god freaking damn.Brody slammed the empty glass back onto the counter, grinning as he looked at the remaining shots.  He was going to win-- he really wanted to win.  And did Bas’ voice just tighten up a little?  Because Brody was totally willing to pull out (buy?) some toys if that got the guy going.  Of course Bas was taking the shot, although Brody cleared his throat uncomfortably when the younger man challenged his own stance.  “Uh, //sex// or sex activities?  No.  I did a...different recording thing.  And, well-- let’s just say disciplinary action was involved.  Lesson learned.”  He rubbed his neck sheepishly, but smirked as he considered Bas’ words.  “God, please tell me you still have those,” he groaned, a jolt of adrenaline shot down his spine to his dick with the idea of a private viewing, especially at the tease of having Bas’ heat surrounding him.  Which holy shit fuck, he was so close to getting.  Brody laughed at Bas’ statement.  “Okay, I know you think I was this total cowboy growing up, but I didn’t spend //all// my time recreating scenes from Brokeback Mountain,” he replied, rolling his eyes.  “I don’t even really like camping,” he added with a scoff.

Brody really wanted this one.  Fuck he wanted to win this one.  He eyed the last shot glass on Bas’ side.  “You know, I almost feel bad for doing this,” he told him.  “I mean, for Ness, really, because I’m going to be really taking a chunk out of her run time here.  You-- well, fuck you.  I mean, literally //and// figuratively…” he snorted, before settling back down.  He was trying to think of something interesting-- something worth finding out about Bas, but would still hopefully likely earn him a win.  “Never Have I Ever...told a guy I loved him during sex.”  Definitely a risky move, but Brody was genuinely curious if Bas had ever gotten that emotional with someone.  He was mad he couldn’t open it up to include girls as well to better his odds (since that wouldn’t be true on his part), but he was running out of crazy shit to think up, and this certainly seemed out of the box for the man before him.  “I mean, not that it really counts //then//, but still…?” he added, trying to soften the potential overstepping of unspoken boundaries.  They were friendly, but Bas //was// a walking cliche, and this could easily be a sore spot for him.  In retrospect Brody wished he’d just chosen something more vanilla, like being caught by someone’s parents or something.

Sebastian snorted at the imagery, grinning at Brody. "Now you're just making it sound ridiculous. All I wanted to do was strip you." His tongue ran over his lips at the thought. He couldn't decide what he wanted more, in all honesty. Brody in full cowboy gear, or Brody half naked with chaps. Or Brody fully naked - although the latter, he /had/ had the pleasure of seeing already. Not that he'd complain about seeing it again. "What exactly is it about me that makes you think that I'd have any issue whatsoever with being on display onstage? Having people admiring me is incentive enough. The hot blondes would just be the sugar on the top. We all know who the main attraction would be." Okay, so he might have had a little bit of an exhibition kink going on. Just a little. He scoffed. "Could've fooled me, considering the fact that you basically jumped at the chance to drink shots off of me, but sure. Whatever. For the record, though, you're missing out. It's not too sticky if you're thorough." Licking every inch of wherever said food had been was all part of the fun. "Right. There are plenty of ways to get creative," he agreed, lips twitching into a slightly suggestive smirk.

"Not quite sure you have, Brodes, but keep telling yourself that," he replied, lips tugging into a somewhat smug grin. "That's the analogy you're going with? A ruined souffle? It's more like a valuable sculpture - just not as fragile. For the record - you talk about it more than I do at this point." Not that Sebastian had a problem with that in the slightest. In fact, he was always happy to indulge the older man. "Sure, whatever you want to tell yourself. Besides, even if that statement was anywhere /close/ to true, a random person off the street just wouldn't have been as pretty to look at." He cocked his head as a new round of shots appeared on the table, but shot the bartender a wink in thanks, raising one up in toast and downing it fast without thought. "True. I'll amend my statement. Memory foam is the only way to do anything bed-related on." Brody's grin was infectious, and one of his own spread on Sebastian's face. "Yeah, so you see why I'm not exactly a morning person. What kind of mattress is it that you own that gets you out of bed at ass o'clock in the morning anyway?" It was a shame, really. Sebastian wasn't one for hanging around his one night stands the next day, but he wouldn't have /minded/ Brody's company. Not in a weird clingy way, obviously - but he wouldn't have said no to a morning throwdown if the older man had initiated it.

"You protest too much about my appeal, Brodes. You're only confirming more and more how obsessed you are with me," Sebastian quipped. Really, though - he had no insecurities about his own ability to impress in bed, and Brody's reactions to everything he did that night had pretty much spoken for themselves. "Sure. Because Nowhere, Ohio is exactly the place I know /I'd/ want to stop during my sex tour. Hey, it's not like a three way is cheating." Not that Sebastian had exactly been great at avoiding that type of situation, either, but at least sleeping with other peoples' boyfriends or girlfriends or whatever here wasn't going to ruin his career - if you could even call teaching at a public high school a 'career'. "Good thing I'm pretty memorable then, huh?" Sebastian nodded with a hum as Brody explained his stance on sex on camera. "Right. Enough said." Sebastian conceeded with a nod, holding his hands up. He was almost tempted to ask Brody to expand on that, except that it seemed like a subject that the older man wouldn't be much up for talking about. Disciplinary action was hardly a light topic of conversation, and it wasn't like it was any of his business anyway. His stomach twisted a little at Brody's question, but he just gave the other a tight smile, hoping that Brody doesn't notice that it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Afraid not, Brodes. Sorry to disappoint. Although, you /have/ experienced the real thing, so consider yourself lucky, I guess." He snapped his fingers in an exaggerated show of disappontment. "Damn. I had you pegged for the camping trip type. Although, I have to say, my ass is a little grateful about the Brokeback thing, considering the lack of lube and prep that was portrayed in that movie." He shuddered. "Seriously. Is that what straight people think we do?"

So close - and Sebastian could feel the anticipatian coil in his gut, but he managed an eyeroll at Brody's words. "Slow down, there, Cowboy. Still one more shot to go." Although he kind of regretted the whole game entirely when Brody went ahead with his selected question, shoulders stiffening a little. Part of him wants to just deny it, and let Brody win with a different question, but his hesitation was probably speaking volumes already, so he wrapped his fingers around the glass, swallowing it down in one gulp and slamming it down on the bar with a little more force than he'd meant to. /Shit/. "We all say shit we don't mean during sex, right?" It was a glimpse into his life that he really wasn't a fan of sharing. He tried for a more casual smirk, leaning in a little closer and murmuring in Brody's ear, "But I guess you win, Handsome. So should we get out of here? I believe you mentioned something about a sex swing."

Brody grinned at Sebastian's response.  "What can I say?  I decide to do something, I go all out."  He laughed, "Oh, I don't think it's the stage part-- I just can't imagine you wanting to share the spotlight.  But so long as you don't have a problem with the blondes, I think we're good."  The older man scoffed-- he knew he was going to get called on that.  "Booze is an exception," he clarified.  "I will never say no to a body shot off a hot guy-- or girl, obviously," he added for good measure.  "Well, I guess maybe I could be convinced to reconsider if someone was that gung ho about it."  He definitely wouldn't mind Bas' tongue all over him, that was for sure, although he still was a little hesitant about the concept itself.  Damn those lips-- Sebastian Smythe was going to be the death of him.  "Hey, preaching to the choir, Bas."

"I've got a few years on you, Bas-- I'm pretty sure I've seen something more impressive than that bean pole of backside," he asserted.  Which was true-- Brody definitely had found quite a few asses that he'd appreciated-- a lot-- in his time.  Definitely an ass man.  But damn if this one wasn't almost impossible to get out of his head.  He shrugged, "It fits-- sunken, dipped, underwhelming.  Are we talking about one of your type of sculptures that are crappy and useless?  Because yeah-- I can get behind that."  He laughed teasingly.  Brody shook his head, "Considering how often you're out and about, I highly doubt that."  Bas called the thing his best feature-- surely he'd talk it up to all of the other targets he'd hit up at a bar.  Brody couldn't be talking about it //that// much, right?  "So I won you a free tab in exchange for you looking pretty?" Brody scoffed.  "I could have found that with anyone out here tonight, and looked twice as good for doing it on my own."  He couldn't help but roll his eyes as Bas flirted with the bartender-- god the guy was ridiculous.  But hey-- at least it kept the drinks coming.

"I will definitely drink to that," Brody agreed, raising up his shot and throwing it back.  "Hm, good point-- I wonder if I should resist then, since I actually do have stuff to take care of in the morning."  Similar to how he should stay the hell away from Sebastian, because he seemed unable to get him out of his head under normal circumstances currently.  "Hey, it's a good mattress-- it's the years of practice that get me out of bed on time.  Some of us have lives, after all."  Yes-- lives.  Away from Bas.  Away from sex with Bas.  Away from thinking about sex with Bas and lots of masturbating in the shower.

"I feel like any level of disagreement would be protesting too much for you, Bas," he retorted with a grin.    "One day someone's going to actually get under your skin and turn the tables on you, and your brain's going to short-circuit."   The thought made him laugh-- he couldn't imagine what kind of person could affect Bas to that level, but there had to be one somewhere, right?  "Oh yeah-- it's that whole Mayberry appeal, but in Lima," he laughed.  "A three way isn't, but it's weird if two of them are basically together," Brody insisted.  He knew that couples did that sort of thing all the time (well those who did three ways), but the idea just didn't sit well with him on a personal level.  He'd feel like he was intruding on something.  "Well, at least something better comes along," he agreed with a smirk, although that still probably would stroke the moron's ego beyond the telling of it, because Brody couldn't imagine a night like that happening anytime soon.

Bas didn't ask for details about the scandal, and Brody let it go.  He'd told the story before-- it wasn't //that// big of a deal, since he downplayed most of the details-- but he was kind of glad not to get into it currently.  Especially if Bas wasn't going to play up his own experience.  He smirked, "Yeah, I suppose.  I certainly wouldn't hate to watch one day though," he added with a laugh.  "Especially if Neil and David are involved."  Brody rolled his eyes, "I'm not saying I don't have sex outside, or on the ground, or in the woods..."  Okay-- he wasn't doing a very good job selling why he wasn't much of a camper, now that he thought about it.  "Yeah, now that I think about it, I should like camping more-- I have no excuse."  He laughed about Bas' analysis.  "Well, I'm not sure they were that great at it either, right?  I mean, weren't they fake straight in that movie?  With no instruction-- it's not like you could go online and find tips.  Plus I think they were both kind of bad at sex all around.  Although man-- riding a horse after a night like that.  I'm surprised they didn't have serious injuries."  He crinkled his nose at the thought.  Rough sex before a ride was hard enough-- doing it without prep...Bas was right.  That would be awful.

Brody couldn't stop grinning, even at Bas' warning.  He was going to get this-- he had this.  The other man didn't answer right away, and Brody's face fell a little, worried he'd said the wrong thing.  Bas took the drink, but the counter practically vibrated with the force the little shot glass hit with.  His response was something Brody could work with though-- try to smooth over whatever he'd managed to snag.  "Yeah, definitely," he nodded.  "I'm pretty sure I told //every// girl I slept with in high school I loved her, so yeah-- not really the most honest time to admit anything, right?" he was trying to soften the blow, because he felt like he might have hit a nerve, even if Bas wasn't really giving anything away. But his efforts were completely forgotten when Bas' voice hummed in his ear.  A canary-eating grin broke out on his face, which shifted immediately to one of surprised confusion when Bas suggested leaving.  "Wait-- you want to...you want to //go//?" he sputtered, turning to meet at him and desperately trying to control his suddenly very enthusiastic hard-on.  "What about--?" His eyes shifted over to where Vanessa was still standing, sipping her drink and glancing over at them casually-- or at least pretending to be casual.  Because hell yeah, Brody wanted to get out of here, but that hadn't been the deal, had it?  Otherwise he probably would have made the game go a lot faster, because Bas' naked body pressed up against his chair was a fucking image he wanted to see like, //now//.

"So I've noticed," he replies, shaking his head with a puff of laughter. "True. But like I said - we all know that I'll be the main feature. Well, me and the guy in chaps, but I'm willing to share if it means I get that kind of show out of it." He snorted, raising an eyebrow at Brody. "For the record - the body shots were /your/ idea. Not that it wasn't a spectacular idea. I'm kind of disappointed I didn't come up with it myself, actually." He grinned. "Well just say the words, Brodes. I'm fully willing to try to change your stance. I can be pretty convincing." 

"Well, yeah. You're an old man. I'm sure you've seen plenty of interesting and sexy things in your life. Still doesn't change the fact that you can't stop thinking about my ass." Okay, probably exaggerating a bit - but considering the amount of times Brody had talked about it, he knew that his ass had definitely been something worth thinking about. Hilariously, Brody /did/ have a point. He really didn't have /much/ of an ass - but he damn well knew how to work it. "Useless? Now I know you're talking out of /your/ ass. You got plenty of use out of it," he grinned. "And, yeah - you did so by /getting behind it/, as you say. He scoffed. "No - /I/ won us a free bar tab by using my intelligence. It just so happened that I looked pretty while doing it." He just smirked in reply to Brody's eye roll. Hey, the bartender was cute. Didn't stop Brody from drinking the shots that he'd attracted with the bartender's interest, so who was he to complain? 

"Mm, suit yourself. Don't blame me for the fact that the quality of sleep that I get is higher than yours." And, okay, it was a damn expensive mattress, so he'd have been disappointed if it had been anything less than stellar. "Right. Are you trying to imply that I don't have a life? Because I thought I'd established that I don't spend that much time lounging around my own place." The furniture he did have /was/ more for asthetic than anything, really. 

"Not fucking likely, Brodes," Sebastian shot back, rolling his eyes. "Told you - not my style." There was no chance in hell he was going to let himself drop his guard again. He knew what it felt like to have his heart trampled over, and /no fucking thank you/. "Hey, don't kinkshame. If NPH and Burtka are into three ways, who are you to judge them?" He tutted, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Shame on you, Weston." He chuckled. "It doesn't get better than me. I'm afraid I've ruined you for any future experiences." 

"Well, if Neil and David were involved, I'd have had that shit backed up on several devices." /That's/ a sex tape that he'd be all too happy to film. Not that his experience had put him off of the idea in general - and he'd certainly sent his share of kinky photos, but thankfully nothing that's resulted in a mess. Well, not the bad kind of mess, anyway. He laughed. "See? You should be into it purely for the sex. Although I have to admit - while I'm happy to have sex wherever I can, I'm with you on the camping thing. Sleeping on a cold, hard ground vs. sleeping in my warm, comfortable, bug free bed? No question." He wrinkled his nose. Camping sounded like hell on earth, in all honesty. Not that he'd ever been taken as a kid. He nodded his head in concedement. "Well, I guess you have a point. But, yeah. I mean, I'm assuming they carried on that way every time they had sex. There's no way that could've been healthy. Not that I remember it all that well. Heath Ledger is hot and all, but Donnie Darko doesn't really do it for me." 

His ears were still pounding with the brief attack of fury that he'd had over the thought - because apparently the memory of Andrew had been brought up one too many times for him over the course of the night. Not that he wasn't entirely over the asshole, but he was still furious at himself for even letting himself /be/ that vulnerable in the first place. "Exactly. Yeah." He nodded, trying not to appear as if his mind was somewhere else entirely. Brody's surprise made him cock his head, and then his eyes shifted over to Vanessa's at the other's prompt - because, right. Yeah. "Well," he said, turning his attention back to Brody. "How else am I supposed to show my appreciation? Hardly a prize if it's just a quick romp in a bathroom stall, is it?" Not that the last time they'd spent together in a bathroom wasn't great, but still. If he was going to give in to his rule again, he figured he might as well get as much out of it as he could. "I'm starting to think you've been lying to me about this sex hammock."

Brody’s smile only broke wider with Sebastian’s compliment, even as the other man laughed.  Because with Bas, being full throttle could never be a bad thing, Brody was pretty sure.  “Well, I mean, the two brunettes in a sea of blondes would stand out, I guess.  I take it you’ll be thrusting in the g-string to make sure they know where to deliver the tips?” he joked.  “You know-- since I’ll be weighted down with the heavy gear.”  Yeah right-- if Brody could dance in a ballroom dress, he could dance in chaps, but the picture sounded much better from his angle.  He bobbed his head in acknowledgement.  “True, but like I said: booze is my exception.  Especially on hardbodies-- it’s an Achilles’ Heel, really.”  His eyes flickered over Sebastian’s regrettably concealed torso, still appreciably, and he can’t help it-- he licks his lips.  How could he not, with a memory like that one?  He scoffed, “I’ll consider it-- or at least attempt to keep an open mind.”  Yeah, he’s a little torn on that idea-- although he supposed it wouldn’t be //so// bad if //he// was the one covered.  At least he wouldn’t get sick from the sugar.  But really-- isn’t there //any// other way to get Bas’ mouth all over him?  Because the idea itself was making his pants tighter than he’d prefer in a public area.

“Old, but my mind hasn’t gone just yet, and you know, I’m pretty sure I’ve already established that your ass //didn’t// actually make the list of things I found most impressive about your physique, just worth pointing out,” Brody argued.  Although for his own sanity, he still refused to name off the other very attractive features that he would actually put about Sebastian’s ass if asked.  The guy already thought himself the perfect Adonis-- Brody wasn’t going to feed into that anymore than he already had.  Brody inhaled and bit his lip, humming in amusement.  “I did manage to find a way to enjoy myself, didn’t I?  Have you ever been that kid that got stuck at recess with the ball that was half flat, Bas?  You just make do.  I think that actually says more about my sexual prowess than about your ass.”  He barked out a laugh.  “And another bad pun.  Is there a limit to these, or…?  Also, I’m pretty sure you were grateful for me being behind your ass, just for the sake of saying.”  Brody shook his head incredulously.  “Um, I’m pretty sure //I// won us that tab-- you just seem to be keeping the bartender’s attention so we can use it.”  He shrugged, “Which I suppose has its own benefits.”

“I’m not sure that’s the case, Bas-- how much //sleep// do you actually get at night?” Brody countered with a grin.  He was pretty sure, after all, that they’d spent a lot more time doing other things besides catching z’s while he’d been there the other night.  Although, to be fair, Brody probably spent a lot more time actually sleeping in his bed, so didn’t he deserve something as nice as what Sebastian had?  “No, you spend your time lounging around on other people’s mattresses.  Talk about a waste,” Brody ribbed.  Man, if he had something like that, he’d do nothing //but// bring people back to his place.

Brody grinned at Sebastian’s quick retort.  “You know, if this was a holiday movie, this would be the moment that some sort of Christmas angel would float down and zap you into a life you’d never imagined wanting, but turned into everything you needed.” His tone took on a mocking lilt as he described the formulaic scenario.  “Probably with a girl that’s always been in front of you but you’d never realized up until now.  Because of course it’s a girl, right?”  He laughed again, enjoying his game as he threw back another shot.  If people didn’t shut him up, Brody could make up weird scenarios all night-- it was a skill that his mouth never turned off.  “Now, now-- I’d never kinkshame NPH.  He could do just about anything legal and I’d be okay for it. I just wouldn’t be okay to play along.”  Brody’s lips quirked in amusement.  “Well, then, I may as well tell the hook-ups that I had since then that I apparently wasn’t as into it as I thought.  Maybe get some sort of disclaimer when I head out to the bars…”  He gave a dry laugh.

“And sharing, right?” Brody pressed with a smirk.  “I mean, you’re not going to sign some lame contract keeping your friends in the dark about this sort of thing that should really be gifted to the world?”  Brody bit his lip as he grinned in agreement with Bas.  “Yeah, I mean, all the parts sound pretty good, but I don’t know, you get to the part about sleeping in a bag in a tent on the ground and I just lose interest.  Also the whole food situation is kind of a turn off, not gonna lie.”  The idea of having Bas in front of a bonfire was pretty appealing though-- hell, he could think of having Bas in a lot of places that would be worthwhile.  “Yeah, if the guy didn’t die the way he did, I would have guessed they’d both go from an infection or something incredibly damaging, because riding like that, on top of, you know, //riding// like that?  You’re just going to rip yourself all up.  No wonder people think sex between two guys is wrong-- they can’t seem to find a good example in film.  Maybe you should start championing that cause, Bas.  I’m sure people would much rather see you than Jake, and you know-- Heath’s, you know, dead.” Was that insensitive?  Oh well; he was drunk-- he could have one free for the night.

Brody’s blood began racing, and definitely not in the direction that encouraged rational thought.  He raked his teeth across his lip, his mouth suddenly parched.  “Uh, yeah-- right.”  He reached over for one of the shots leftover from the game and threw it back-- why the hell he was nervous was beyond him, but nonetheless he was a little thrown, he had to admit.  “No, fuck-- yeah.  Let’s get out of here.  It’ll at least give you the chance to see what real fucking furniture is like.  Hammock and all.”  He pulled out a bill to tip the bartender, and grinned.  “You sure about this?  Because I may actually //really// feel bad for Vanessa, since you’ll be too damn sore to come back till after New Year’s if I take you out of here now.”  He arched an eyebrow up in challenge, because if he was going to have Sebastian Smythe again-- just once more, for sure, but again nonetheless-- he was going to have him in so many rounds that one of them wasn’t going to be able to see straight by the end of the night.

"Like we don't stand out anyway," Sebastian replied with a smirk. "I mean, come on," he gestured between them, letting his point speak for itself. "Mm, not sure if my g-string would be able to hold /that/ much money. You'll have pockets on you somewhere, right?" Did chaps have pockets? Whatever he'd be wearing under them would, he was sure. More to the point - why was he considering this hypothetical scenario as though it were a real thing? "Hey, I was hardly complaining, Brodes." He caught sight of Brody's eyes raking over him, and his lips twitched smugly. Clearly Brody was as fond of the memory as he was. He could still remember the way Brody's tongue trailed over his torso - /fuck/, it was... an experience. "Good. I'll be waiting," he teased. "Open offer." Fuck, part of him wanted to throw his shirt off right fucking now and drape himself over the bar for Brody to work his magic. Probably not a good idea. They weren't in Scandals, after all. Not that kind of bar. 

"Actions speak louder than words, Brodes," he reminded the older man. "I mean, when you start talking about it in every other conversation, even if it's to deny the existence of it, one has to wonder." His shoulders shook with another laugh. "I think you did more than /make do/." His grin spread a little wider, not even remotely ashamed of the terrible pun. "Fuck you - I'm hilarious." He shook his head, laying his palm on Brody's shoulder, tone turning a little on the patronising side. "Okay Brodes. You know what? I know it's hard for you to accept when I'm better than you at something. As usual, we'll just agree that it was a draw." Fuck, even when they were on the same side, Sebastian couldn't help but turn it into a competition. 

"Depends where I'm sleeping," he conceeded with a shrug - because, yeah. Some weeks he'd be out more days than he'd be in. "Still, it's good to come home at ass o'clock to a comfortable bed after a night of shitty half-sleep on a motel bed." He hated early mornings at the best of times - dragging himself out with his head throbbing was never fun, especially considering that he was constantly trying not to wake his conquest for that night.

 He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Sure. We both know I've always craved the whole wife and kids thing all along, right? I mean, how could I not? Marital misery, screaming brats - not getting sex from her and not being allowed to get it anywhere else? Totally my kind of deal." He shuddered at the thought. No, he wasn't going to be like his parents. Miserable with each other, resentful of their son - only ever putting on a mask of marital bliss and being the picture perfect perfect at parties. No thanks. In an attempt to mask the bitter turn his thoughts had taken, he gulped down another shot, following Brody's example. "Fine, fine - your loss. More NPH for me." He nodded in agreement. "Yep. It's almost unfair to make them believe otherwise. Don't worry - if your standards are high enough, there's a chance I've been there already. They'll understand." 

"Well, yeah. It'd be a crime not to. Don't worry, I'll make sure to send you a copy. Fuck, you could even have an advanced private screening. I've always wanted to see myself on the big screen," he replied with a chuckle. Surely someone at the local cinema could be easily bribed, right? "I mean, it's possible to have the whole experience without having to actually sleep on the ground, right? Drive out, have sex in the woods, drive back. Easy." He laughed. "An educational sex video? Fuck, I'll make everyone want to do it. Sex with women will lose all its appeal. The population will dry out." He snorted, immediately wincing after the fact. "I shouldn't have laughed at that. Poor Heath. He was hot." 

He let out the breath he didn't know he'd been holding when Brody /finally/ stopped questioning him and just agreed, already. "I do have real furniture," he argued, but he was hardly thinking about that right now - his cock uncomfortably trapped in the tight restriction of his jeans. His mind was too busy racing, that he almost missed the chance to pull out a tip of his own - but like hell was he going to look like /that/ kind of asshole. Making quick work of pulling out his wallet to match Brody's tip in kind, he smirked, eyes flickering over to Vanessa. "I guess I'm just gonna have to come back another time, hm?" He raised his eyebrows. "Strong words, Cowboy. You better be ready to back them up." Not that he had any fucking doubt. Brody had the ability to make him see stars. He knew this all too well. Still, if the challenge made him want to go at it a little harder, then he was more than happy to issue it out.

[bl-tl]

[DJ-TL] Raike! + Extra [DONE]

Raws: @just-felt-like-doing-it

Translation: BL-TL @ TUMBLR

01 Rai Family

03 Good work! I’m counting on you tomorrow too, okay~? Please don’t play too much and sleep in, alright~?

You always say something unnecessary. Who are you talking about~?

Yeah yeah, I’m so sorry. Well, take care~ Alright~! Good work~! Good work today~ ★

Haa... it’s already 3. It’s gotten so late again. I wonder if the children will sleep properly...

04 From early morning to late night Even I’m impressed I can keep up

Everything is in order to ‘Protect’......

––I’m home~

...Haa... angels.

05 It’s cause I have this that I can keep going.

If it’s to protect these children I will do anything–– Raike!

07 ––Kuniyuki, wake up. It’s morning, Kuniyuki.

Mm~? Where am I... heaven? I can see cute angels...

––If you want, I can make it so that you never wake up again? Aww, Hotaru~ it’s just a joke ★ (But you really are cute ♪) Kuniyuki never learns...

08 Come to think of it, did you guys eat the sweet bread you said you’d buy in the morning? Yeah! We ate it! Kuniyuki... did you get thinner again?

Really? Ahaha, I shouldn’t get any hotter than this. You have another ‘full shift’ today right? ...Are you sleeping properly?

Those are just an exaggeration of my total working hours, it’s nothing to worry about. You know how I’m the type to go all-out with things, right?

Go on, get to school now! Have you got money? Buy another lunchbox for dinner on the way back and eat it.

I’m counting on you, Kunitoshi! Keep the weird guys on the streets away from Hotaru! Got it! ...There’s no one weirder than Kuniyuki so it’s fine.

––Now then. I should get ready too.

09 Hotarumaru... Kunitoshi. Just be patient a little longer.

We’ll move away / from this cramped place / to somewhere where you can study comfortably––

––Alright. This is the end of the morning lessons. Now it’s time for everyone’s much awaited...? [Grade 4 Class 1 Teacher / Ichigo Hitofuri]

Yeah! School lunch, school lunch! Aizen-kun, it’s not ‘Yeah’ but... Ye-s! Good. Well done.

10 By the way, what did you have for breakfast, Aizen-kun? Erm, I had chocolate bread.

Sweet bread...? What about last night? Ehh, I had a karaage lunchbox. What about Hotaru? Lunchbox?! Kunitoshi! Don’t say anything unnecessary.

What’s so unnecessary~! ...! Come to think of it, I haven’t received the reply for the parent-teacher interview with you two...

Oh right, we haven’t told Kuniyuki ye... Let’s go! Kunitoshi, it’s our turn to serve the school lunches! Eh?! I’m not... Wait a moment! I’m not done talkin...

Sorry teacher, excuse us! Hey! Wait, Hotaru!

––This is... concerning.

11 Hey~ Hotaru~ What are you mad for~? Kunitoshi talks too much. You should’ve just ignored that!

It’ll only make Kuniyuki lose face. What do you mean by lose face? Is that bad?

What! They’re buying food on the way home?! That’s no good! That will only lead to delinquency! Note: Ichigo-sensei ...Kunitoshi really is stupid.

(Staaaaare) It was definitely correct to follow them out of concern, I must visit their house and ask the parent questions...!

...What you doin’?

I-I’m still in the middle of work right now! Ah! It’s Kunitoshi and Hotaru! Wait, Hakata...!

Ah~! What are you doing! Buying food on the way home isn’t good! Geh ★ Hakata! Aah, the loud one found us...

12 Sorry for surprising you. Is that today’s lunchbox? What are your parents doing?

He’s working, it can’t be helped.

I understand that, but aren’t you lonel... He’s doing his best every day! He’s doing his best without sleeping, just for us!

Eh... ah, wait a minute!

...Haa, I give up.

Huh... Kiyomitsu?

13 Good morning. Heading to work now? [club Shinsengumi host / Okita Souji] Okita-kun...?! (T/N: Hakuouki’s Okita)

Y...yup! U-umm... I’ll come see you again today! Ahaha, thank you.

I’m glad you always come see me but Kiyo should work for Kiyo’s sake, okay?

I’m off now, let’s both do our best.

......Yeah.

14 Good morning.

Yes! Thank you for calling! This is Otokonoko Paradise ★ Yes! We have lots of cute ones here! If you tell me your preference I’ll be sure to introduce you to a nice one!

Morning~ Kiyo-chan ♪ Sup~ You’re damn late! Shut up Yasusada, I’m in the middle of a call, lower your voice. Morning~ Morning Sis~

You’re the one who insisted on Law**n’s cafe latte. That’s cause Law**n’s tastes the best.

Ah, sis. I got eyelash extensions at that place you told me about. (Cute?) Oh~ it’s nice. Cute, cute. ♪ By Mink? Yup~ Kiyomitsu-saaan! You’ve got work~!

15 Kiyomitsu-san, you’ve been requested for 120 minutes. Alright, is it Jijii? No, it was a rather young voice.

Akashi! We’re almost out of Mon*min~ Alright . And Midare-san, give me your shifts for next week before you start? Sorry, I don’t know yet. I’ll mail you after I check with university and brother’s health.

I understand, I’ll be waiting for it.

Yes! Thank you for calling! This is Otokonoko Para... Ah yes, you’ve arrived? If that’s the case...

Ah~ I’m sorry, we don’t allow drives here~ Yes, so if you could safely enjoy the conversations here. Hah, what time is it now? I wonder if the kids ate properly...

That’s weird... / why is the clock warped Oh no... what is this / I feel dizzy––

16 Eh?! Akashi?!

Are you alright?!

Ahaha, sorry. More like, Midare-san’s so strong! This much is okay~ since brother trained me. Midare-san’s brother is a real enigma.

Hey. [Sanjou Corporation / Amusement Department Director / Iwatooshi]

Good morning~ ♪ These are gifts from my brother. Share it with everyone. Wao. ♪ Mikachi’s own selection? He has great sense. ♪ Yeah, though he’s normally out of it.

Hey Akashi! The calculations for yesterday were wrong! Eh? Really? I’m sorry. ––Hey.

17 ––I think Akashi might be in trouble.

I’m home~ Good work~! ...Am I the last? That’s right~ good job working so late.

You’re really clearing those debts~ I don’t need a ride today. Ah, are you going over there? That’s not it.

Also... can you only do early shifts from now on?

18 ...What are you saying so suddenly–– The owner decided it today. That’s why it’s already set.

That’s so one-sided! What do you think I’m doing the full shift for... I know you want to make money but Don’t you think you’ve made a lot of mistakes lately?

I apologise for that, but! ––Have you even seen yourself in the mirror lately?

Seeing that mummy-like face is downright depressing.

19 How infuriating!!

What’s with that so suddenly! / Well of course your opinion might be more important than staff like me, but! / How could you swap me out just because you don’t want to look at me!

I’m there at night because the pay is good! / I only drive you around cause it gives a bonus! / To say you don’t want to see your overbearing face either! How annoying!!

Ah... welcome home, Kuniyuki... What are you guys doing! What time do you think it is?! You have to sleep early for school tomorrow!!

We were sleeping... until just now. But... the neighbours were so noisy.

(Ah ♥) ...?!

20 Kuniyuki! Stop it! What are those retards thinking, getting heated up in the middle of the night! There are children trying to sleep here!!

Kuniyuki!! Forgive me, wait just a little longer.

Let’s move to a better place soon, I’ll do my best.

Kuniyuki... aren’t you kinda hot?

Hm? Hot? Oh well, I’ll put the cooler on. That’s not it... Kuniyuki’s the hot one. You have a fever, right?

What are you saying, that’s impossible.

As you can see, I’m perfectly fi...

21 Hey! Kuniyuki?! N-no! Kuniyuki! Kuniyukiii!!

––Ah~... it feels like it’s been a while since I slept in a futon properly...

Mm~... 10:40...? / I can sleep a little mor...

Oh no! I’m late-

22 Why are you guys here?! What about school?! We can’t leave you alone after you collapsed, Kuniyuki! We called your work and told the school we’re resting from a cold too. What are you saying! Hurry and get ready!

Don’t worry about me! No!

Stupid Kuniyuki... I thought your heart would stop...

Ho...Hotaruuuuu!

Oh no, I can’t get enough, you’re too cute. I could die like this... Don’t die!

...Does Hotaru want me to work where I can return at night normally? That’s...

23 ...? Who’s that? When we finally got some lovey-dovey time ...Must be my friend

Hotaru~? I’m here~? Huh? Why are you alive, Akashi?

(Kiyomitsu-san?) Eh? Eh? Why?

Kiyomitsu my friend. Stop that. Isn’t that horrible of you?

If you’re alive come with me for a bit.

I think my fever’s gotten worse so I’ll gratefully decline... Just follow me!

Alright, can’t be helped...

24 So like... didn’t you want to avoid the mummy-like face? ...I meant you should do something about it before I had to see it, duh.

That’s why you told me to only take the early shifts? How kind of you.

...To be honest, we don’t have enough staff right now and without Akashi the store would’ve been troubled too. Rather than having you stagger around for long hours, I’d rather you working the early hours properly. In this one-man industry where you shouldn’t care about how much others make or how well the store does, why do you care so much? The person who picked me up from the mud... told me so.

Well, that’s only on the work side. Personally... it was because Hotaru was lonely. ...Since you have family, spend more time with them.

Otherwise–– you’ll end up like me...

25 ...What are you looking at? Creepy... Nah~ I was just admiring the effect of eyelash extensions. I didn’t say it cause it was embarrassing, but... I realised why Kiyomitsu-san is so popular. Hah?! Listen to me properly!

Hello, sorry for dropping by out of the blue.

I’m Ichigo, Hotaru-kun and Aizen-kun’s teacher. It seems like you’re too busy to come to the parent-teacher interview, so I came to pay a house visit.

––Eh? / This person is their teacher...?

26 Do you have a moment? He seems like the real delicate and unreliable type.

Huh... go ahead. What parent-teacher interview? I haven’t heard of that... ...Ah, I see. I’ve been so busy they couldn’t say it.

I made these kids worry about me... / I’ve caused them trouble.

––And? What did you want to say to me? Heh, how rare. Most parents ask ‘Did my child do something?’ instead. Huh? There’s no way my kids would do anything bad, that’s a given. Haha... true. That was rude of me...

––That means you’re aware of what I’m going to say, right...? ...What’s with this guy, his aura suddenly changed...

Looks like he wasn’t just a delicate man... No? I have no idea what you’re on about.

27 U-umm, teacher! You’re mad at us buying food on the way home right?! We won’t do it again! O... okay?! Kunitoshi! Don’t say anything! That’s not it, Aizen-kun.

Let’s see... I saw them buying lunchboxes at the convenience store... it’s not healthy for growing children. Ah, so it was about that. Sorry for making you worry.

...But is that how it’s written in the teacher’s manual? You seem to have a strong sense of teacher’s justice, is it fun forcing it onto others? ––Huh?

It’d be nice if everything went exactly as the textbook says. But reality isn’t that nice, if I don’t work desperately I can’t protect what I could’ve protected.

It might be nice to have dreams and ideals, but shouldn’t you try to face reality a little more?

...wi... cuses...

28 Shut up with your pathetic excuses!! I’ve got 11 big and small under my wing! I know what I’m saying! Forget about health and raising for now! I’m asking if you don’t feel anything imagining lonely kids carrying lunchboxes!

Teacher must have done well raising 11 of his own.

(Hah?!)

S-s-s-sorry! I-I got too heated up... I don’t know what to say...! (Sensei’s from Kansai too, huh?) No no, you showed me something good, don’t worry.

It’s true I’ve made them lonely.

I’ve just told my work that I’ll be finishing in the evenings from now on. Eh? Then-

29 I wonder why I didn’t realise something so obvious earlier.

That there’s nothing more important than these children.

Yes, that’s true.

You’ve done very well.

30 The next day.

Sorry for dropping by so late.

I made a little too much curry.

Please have some if you’d like.

31 Is it okay for a teacher to do this for a student? It’s not okay as a teacher but as a neighbour to one’s kids friends...

What a funny teacher.

Hey! Don’t go in without permission! Kunitoshi! Hotarumaru! Let’s play! Yeah! What’s that?! Game of life! Get rich quick!

Sorry! I’ll take them back with me immediately. ...No, it’s fine.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen the kids have this much fun.

32 It’s nice having some bustling life around for once. Why don’t you come in too, teacher?

Yes... then I’ll take you on your word––

END

[Bonus Chapter]

03 *This story is a side continuation of ‘Raike!’ Kuniyuki~ we’re staying at Awataguchi’s place today~ Don’t cry if you get lonely!

Eh? Wait a sec! What happened to our fun dinner together? Eat by yourself.

...Could this be the so-called rebellious phase... Did I raise them wrong...? [Already crying.]

...Can’t be helped, I’ll just fill my stomach with whatever tonight.

04 Eh?

Ichigo... sensei?

What are you doing in a place like this?

05 Leave the children to the adults! Don’t worry!

So let’s talk about education tonight, as adults!

––Huh?

That’s why I’m saying this as a teacher! I don’t think I’m saying anything wrong!

That’s why the other teachers all say my beliefs are old and stubborn... I just don’t know what to do.

...Hey teacher, isn’t that something you shouldn’t be saying about yourself?

06 Could it be that you have no friends, Ichigo-sensei...?

I... I sometimes have tea with the grannies and gramps in the neighbourhood...?

(Ah, this is the real annoying type...) I know... I know my ideas are from another era... It would be easier if I relaxed a bit, but I wouldn’t forgive myself...

Since you did barge into your student’s house like this. Most teachers these days would find us too bothersome.

But I couldn’t leave it alone Especially in your case–– ––Hah?

07 Ever since then I’ve been thinking what would have been the best move. After thinking and thinking... before I realised it

I couldn’t get Akashi-dono himself from my head.

––Eh? Wait a second, what kind of strange atmosphere is this? I almost got swallowed by the fluffy background.

Is he drunk? Ahaha, you really are enthusiastic, teacher.

Better get him to leave before he makes a mistake–– For now, why don’t you have some water- Aahn ♥

08 Those damn idiots next door why can’t they read the atmosphere! Could this be the rumoured noise disturbance?!

This is definitely not good for the children! I’m going to talk to them! Eh? Wait a minute!

The neighbours are in the middle of it so if you go now it’ll be dangerous!

Eh? Ah!

Ow...

09 S-Sorry! Pft ★ Ahahaha!

Aah, sorry. I didn’t expect an accidental kiss at this age.

You should think of it as a dog bite and forget it too, okay sensei?

Don’t talk about it like that. You might not have liked it but I... I’ve always wanted to be touched by you––

...Stop it, Ichigo-han–– Don’t get lost in the moment- It’s not that!

10 I’ve always been troubled! I know it’s wrong to feel this way about a student’s parent!

And it’s the first time I’ve ever felt this way before... I don’t know what to do.

Hmm. ...If that’s the case, What’s with this person? He really is interesting. You better prepare to be held by me–– I can’t get enough of that face––

11 ...Sensei’s young.

You’re hard already. ...Uh!

Becoming like this from just my voice... are you sure you didn’t just want to get off? H... How rude! It’s because you... kissed me...

Hmm. How sensitive, could this be your first time? That’s... right...

Hya! That’s a nice sound.

Why don’t you moan louder than the woman next door? That’ll... cause trouble... Nngh!

Eek! Nnh!

12 A... Akashi-dono... enough... Already? What’s this? You wanna stop after all?

No... umm Well, it’s not like I can stop at this point.

I’m gonna hold you for real... so get ready, okay? ...Yes...

13 Then let’s first get rid of all this.

Because sensei said such cute things I’ve gotten quite excited.

Here, touch it. ...Take responsibility, won’t you? Eh... ah! I’ll take care of sensei’s too.

Ngh! Ah! Mm... that’s good...

14 ...Let’s do something better. Nnngh!

N... no, that’s... Why don’t you like it? You seem to be feeling it real good. That’s why...! I’m... going to come...

It can’t be helped, alright... but instead of ‘no’ say ‘oh god’? B-But-

Ah... geez Oh god...!

What a cute person. Listening to me so obediently.

(T/N: He wanted him to say ‘akan’ instead of ‘dame’, Kansai dialect blah)

15 Nghh! Does it hurt? I hear sideways is better for beginners though.

Where did you get that information from... ah! Ah~ ...from the professionals at work. Just what kind of... nngh!

Well, we can talk about that later. I’ll make sure to have some manners at least...

Can you endure a little pain? ...?!

Eh? Umm, I’ve been waiting this whole time?! Does that mean your girlfriend... Eh? I don’t have one. (I have my hands full with children as is.) Then why

Eh? Sensei, don’t you know? If you put a condom in your wallet you’ll save money.

Pft... haha! Akashi-dono is also quite cute. What are you laughing for? If you do that-

16 You might bite your tongue. (SFX: thrust)

Guah! Sensei, you have to relax...

Don’t... call me sensei... After we finally... connected...

How romantic. Then call me ‘Kuniyuki’ first.

17 ...Kuniyuki...san

I have always... Wanted this to happen with you––

Hyaa?! Sorry, I can’t handle this, Ichigo-han... I might come already.

How silly... Ichigo-han What would you do if I become serious about this...?

18 (Ah... We did it...) Ah... um, Kuniyuki-dono, I had one thing I wanted to ask you.

Would you move in to my place with your children?

Huh? What’s with that!

I’ve always been thinking about it. It’d be the best choice for them. Don’t worry, it’s an old building but it has a lot of rooms.

D-d-don’t tell me the reason they went there today is... Like a test run ♪ What’s with that?! END

Credit to BL-TL @ TUMBLR if using.

[aquaevans]

Detailing Your Romance || Samchel Para

Who: Sam Evans and Rachel Berry

When: Tuesday, January 3, 1:00 pm

Where: Student Building

General Notes: Sam and Rachel meet for lunch and discuss the Syder date and other things.  No triggers.

Sam was still riding on the high of his date the night before. Everything had gone perfectly and exactly how he hoped it would go. As much as he wanted to tell his friends all about it, he had to focus on classes since it was his first day back. He was also trying to figure out how to trim down the number of clubs he had joined. It was a hard battle since he really loved all of them. But if he was going to have a job, a new boyfriend, Obex and classes, well something had to give. He figured he would use his lunchtime to figure out what to do when he got the text from Rachel about meeting up for lunch. Smiling to himself, he realized this would be a good opportunity to talk about the date and maybe decide what to do about the clubs he was in. So after setting up lunch with Rachel, he finished his class and headed to the student building to get a sandwich at the counter.

Rachel was excited for her meet up with Sam. She was excited for her friend. Ryder was a nice guy and Sam deserved someone to make him happy. So of course she wanted to know all about it. She made her way over to the student building, where she and Sam had agreed to meet. She saw him at the counter and went up to him, poking his shoulders. "Hi, Sam! How are you?" She asked excitedly.

Sam turned his head feeling the sensation on his shoulders and smiled. "Hey, Rach!" He gave her a hug upon seeing her. "Nice to see you...sober." He teased, remembering how much fun she had at the ball. "I'm doing good! My classes are going good so far. How are you? Can I interest you in one of the sandwiches here? My treat."

Rachel gave Sam a teasing glare. "Hey, I wasn't that drunk!" She said. "My classes are great as well. This semester is going to be really fun," she told him. She looked over the sandwiches and nodded. "Yeah, I could eat. You have to let me pay next we get together, though, okay?" She said before ordering.

Sam just smirked and decided not to argue with her. "Okay, whatever you say." He was glad that her first day had gone well. It was important to start off the next semester right. He was surprised he had made it through the first one with all the things they had going on. "I think so too. But busy. I'm actually considering cutting down on clubs so I have more time for things." He looked at her. "But not LNWA and Players. Ryder has already promised to drag me to meetings himself if that happened and I am too happy in Players to leave." He said with a chuckle. "Alright, it's a deal." Once she ordered, he got his sandwich and paid for them. It was just a matter of waiting for them to be made. "So what did you do yesterday for your last day of break?"

Rachel listened to Sam and nodded gratefully when he said he wasn't quitting the Players. "Good, you better not leave the Players! Your voice is too great to lose you," she told him. "But if you need to quit some clubs, you should do it. It's good to not totally overdo it," she told him. She waved at his question. "I did some rehearsal and watched movies. That's not important, though! Tell me all about you and Ryder.!"

Sam was happy that she appreciated his talents and he replied, "Thanks Rachel. I love being a part of it. Something about singing makes me feel like I can tackle anything." He could tell how excited she was to hear about what had happened on the date. He laughed and waited until they had their lunch orders before walking toward an empty table so they could sit down. "Well, I scheduled a portal to take us to Las Cabos for three hours. Then before we left, I made a really good picnic for us. Eggplant parmesan, breadsticks, pasta salad and I surprised him with chocolate pudding for dessert." He said with a smile.

Rachel grabbed their sandwiches and went to sit down at a table, listening to Sam talk about their date. "Oh, that's a very good mean! Las Cabos must have been so gorgeous. Did you two go swimming?"

Sam was nearly lost in his own thoughts as he remembered how magical the date was. It was really wonderful and they had so much fun. "It really was. The weather was nice, not too cloudy and the water was pretty cold but we swam for a little while. We even got to talk to some sea lions." He had thought that part was pretty cool. "It was just...you know it was like another level. It's amazing how you can do something that you've done before when you were just friends, but now it's even more special. It was such a good feeling to see how happy he was and to know I gave that to him."

Rachel looked at Sam fondly. "That really sounds like a nice date, Sam. You two sound like you had fun. Mike and I haven't had the chance to go on a big fancy date yet, so I can't say I'm not a bit jealous," she teased. "It sounds like you two had lots of fun though! When's your next date?" She asked.

Sam nodded happily, "We did. I know he really liked it." He had wanted everything to be perfect and it really was. It was a little strange to him that Mike and Rachel had yet had a big date, but he didn't question it. Mike was pretty busy. "I don't know yet. But I know it'll be amazing no matter what we do because we'll be together." It was all so new, exciting and amazing. Exactly what he could have hoped for.

Rachel reached over and squeezed Sam's hand. "Sam, you sound so smitten. I love that you're so happy," she said with an excited grin. "I really had no idea you felt that way about Ryder. But I guess sometimes that's just what happens? No matter what, it's good. I'm sure you two looks adorable together," she said.

Rachel *"But he better know that he has to answer to Rachel Barbra Berry if he hurts you."

Sam smiled as he explained to her how his feelings grew. "To be honest, they've been there but they haven't been in the forefront of my mind, you know? Like when he got hurt, I knew how worried and terrified I was for him. I wanted nothing more than to go take care of him myself. It's why I spent all day with him when he got out of the hospital. How much I wanted to be around him. It just finally hit me when we talked about the ball and I knew." He blushed and then laughed softly at the threat. "What is with best friends and threats? You and Santana, I swear." He rolled his eyes. "But I'm sure he knows."

Rachel clenched her jaw when Sam mentionned Santana. "Don't tell me I have anything in common with her. Did you see? She wants to fight me again! I can't stand her," she said, leaning back and crossing her arms.

Sam held his hands up in surrender. "Yes, I noticed. You two seem to still be going on about this whole who is better thing. Should I come on Saturday in case I'm needed?"

Rachel sighed and looked down. "She thinks that just because she beat me a few times it means she's better than I am! And it's not true. I have to prove myself, Sam!" She said. She bit her lip. "Maybe. I don't know. You'll end up having to heal her, anyways," she grinned.

Sam smiled and just reached over to squeeze her hand. "You're growing stronger everyday and you will do your hardest. I know it's hard, but don't let her get you down, okay?" He chuckled. "Possibly. But no matter what happens, just do your best. I think you'll be great."

Rachel smiled fondly at Sam. "I won't let her get me down. Trust me. She's the last person I will let get in my head," she said. "I'm going to win. I feel it. This is going to be good. You should come just to see Santana lose," she winked.

Sam chuckled, "I would definitely love to do that." He was a little nervous though. Rachel seemed pretty confident and he was worried how she'd take it if she lost. Hopefully he wouldn't have to find out.

Rachel grinned. "Great. I'll see you there, then," she said. "But we're not here to talk about me. You seem really happy, Sam. It's nice seeing you so happy."

Sam smiled, "Thanks Rachel." He was fine with the subject change, it was just so weird to be the focus of the conversation right now. "I can't believe I didn't see it, though. He was always right there and...I didn't see it. But now that I have him, I'm not letting go.”

Rachel smiled at Sam. "You better not let him go. When you find someone who makes you so happy, you never let them go. You and Ryder just fit. You have so much in common. I know it's really new, but we should plan a double date with you and Ryder and Mike and I! It'll be so fun!" She said excitedly.

Sam really hoped that she was right. Everything felt really perfect. "I think that would be a lot of fun. We'll figure things out once we've gotten settled with classes and everything. But I think a double date would be lots of fun!"

Rachel nodded. "Yeah, of course! Classes do come first. And I have no idea when Mike will be free, either. We'll figure something out! This is so exciting!" She said. "I know I keep saying this but I really am so happy for you, Sam."

Sam "It feels good to hear no matter if you say it 100 times." He truly was happy. "I'm glad I could talk to you about the date. It felt good to talk about it with someone. I didn't want to just keep it all in."

Rachel grinned. "You know you can always talk to me, Sam. We're best friends. I always want to hear about what's going on with you," she told him. "You better know that."

Sam smiled, "I know. I'm really lucky to have you, Rachel. All of my friends. You guys have been so amazing and sometimes I don't think I deserve you." He admitted.

Rachel rolled her eyes. "Please, Sam. You're one of the kindest people I have ever met. You deserve all the friends you want," she told him.

Sam took a sip of his water before replying, "Thanks. Even if sometimes I wonder what I did to get all of you in my life, I wouldn't change any of it. You've all become so important to me and I'm just feeling like I'm in a good place."

Rachel smiled fondly at Sam. "I feel the exact same way. I was so worried about making friends when I came here but it turned out that there wasn't much to worry about. Except for... a few people, I'm so happy we all got to meet. You're like my second family."

Sam blushed, already feeling even more like this day was perfect. He was enjoying their time together and thankful that the new year was starting on such a great note. "You're like my family too, hence fondly caling you my little sister." He teased as he worked on finishing his meal. "What else is on your agenda once we finish lunch?"

Rachel grinned. "I never had any siblings. It got kind of lonely at times, not having any kids around. I'm really glad I've found a big brother in you," she said fondly. She finished her sandwich and folded the wrapper. "I have another class, then I'm probably going to rehearse for a bit. What about you?"

Sam blushed and looked down as he finished up his meal. "Thanks, Rachel. I grew up for nearly eight years before Steve was born so I was an only child for a bit, so I can relate at least for a little bit of time." He said with a grin. "But good, I'm glad I could be someone like that for you." he wiped his mouth and sipped the last of his water. "I have a club meeting and then I will spend some time figuring out the club thing. Other than that, it's an easy day thankfully."

Rachel "At least it'll be an easy day," Rachel said with a smile. "You'll figure out the clubs thing, Sam, I'm sure of it. You just have to consider the things that interest you the most and prioritize the clubs that help you focus on them, you know?"

Sam was confident that everything would work out one way or another. As busy as things had been last semester, he knew he could balance out this one as long as he stayed organized. "I appreciate the advice. I'll take it all into account, I promise." He smiled. "Thanks again for lunch. It was really great to get to hang out with you before we all got too busy."

Rachel smiled at Sam. "Anything to help my best friend. I'm just glad you're staying in the Players. It wouldn't be the same without you," she said as she stood and picked up her bag. "And thank you for buying me lunch, Sam! This was really nice. We should do it more often," she said, leaning in to hug him tightly. "Have a good day, Sam! Keep me updated on any Ryder developments, okay?" she said with a wink.

Sam stood up to he could get ready to hug her. "Me too. There's no way I could leave." He was glad he made an impact on the club and he really did like spending time there. "Of course! We definitely should make this a regular thing when we can, alright?" At Ryder's name, a content smile appeared. "I definitely will. Have a great day, Rachel."

[seasonsofreckoningrp-blog]

Congratulations, Mai! You’ve been accepted for the role of Pari Omisha. Please make sure to check our checklist, and you have twenty-four hours to send us your character’s blog. We’re really happy to have you in our family!

This sample was so well-written! The paradoxes used in conjunction to the theme of Death and how much of a love/hate relationship, as well as an internal struggle for her, gave us a good look at how you are able to portray Pari. Your headcanons along with the para really painted the picture for us of how we could see Pari and we can’t wait to see more of what you will do with her!

INTRODUCTION: Mai. 22. GMT+2. She/Her.

ACTIVITY LEVEL: Honestly, my activity will vary quite a lot over the next month. I have exams soon, and I initially planned to wait with applying until I was over them, but I just couldn’t help myself (curse of being a roleplay junkie), and I need something to reward myself during my breaks between studying, so I am certain that I can uphold an activity of 4/10 until the 15th of June when I’m officially done with the semester. After that, my activity will rise to a solid 8/10. I am quite a mood-driven writer though, which means I can have slow days, and then I can have insanely productive days. I usually follow the muse while, of course, maintaining activity as best as I can and replying to the threads I have.

FURTHER CONTACT: [Removed]

HOW DID YOU FIND THE ROLEPLAY?: I was cruising through the lsrpg tag, just looking for a roleplay to join after my exams (lmao don’t judge me), but then I fell in love with this roleplay and particularly this character and all the possibilities and thought about how sad I would be to return in June just to see her taken by someone else, so here I am.

ROLEPLAY EXPERIENCE: Oh boy, I think I started roleplaying back in 2008? It was a Harry Potter roleplay in my native tongue, I was in that roleplay for probably 2 or 3 years? I only had one character and after several years, I had exhausted my muse, and I hesitantly left to try new things. I was in a couple of forum roleplays, I can’t even specifically remember what they were about, but they were all in my first language. However, back in 2011 or 2012, I discovered Tumblr roleplaying and I was immediately intrigued, wanting to try my hand at roleplaying in English. I joined a Percy Jackson roleplay where I played Clarisse La Rue, I was also there for a year before the roleplay, unfortunately, closed down. I had become good friends with the admin of that roleplay, so I followed her to the next roleplay, another HP roleplay, where I played an original character named Elizabeth, a pure-blooded Slytherin in love with a half-blood Gryffindor. I was also with that roleplay for 18 months or so, and then my muse started to die along with the roleplay, and that was it. I quickly found a new roleplay (told you guys I was a roleplay junkie), it was a Greek mythology roleplay where I consistently played Hera and Aphrodite through two revamps, I also dabbled with Rhodes and Ariadne. In total, I was with that roleplay with the same group of people for 2 years, I was even an admin for a year. After it closed down, I decided to try and get into asoiaf/got roleplaying, where, after experimenting with several characters, I ended up picking up a character that I didn’t even like very much at first, but through my own go at her portrayal - and extensive researching - I fell in love with. I am currently still portraying her with a 1x1 that I have going with my friend, which also portrays my most recent writing. You are welcome to take a look here: http://fireinmyblood.tumblr.com/ - please be aware that the latest posts there is smut, we have no warning or triggers tagged simply because we only follow each other. If you would like to avoid all the smut, then please check out: http://fireinmyblood.tumblr.com/tagged/%28thread-5%29

TRIGGERS: [Removed]

ANYTHING ELSE?: [Removed]

Having been an admin myself, I realise it can be quite daunting accepting someone whose activity won’t be impressing at first, but I promise you that I will have more time to invest in the wonderful Pari in a short month, but the opportunity to be a part of the roleplay in its opening stages, and to not let Pari slip between my fingers was just too irresistible. I think my commitment to previous roleplays prove that I am dedicated, I just need to get past my exams, and then I can give 110%. I will still be here, however, but the difference between my activity at first and later will be obvious, since I’ll probably be around almost all the time during the Summer break.

IC INFORMATION

DESIRED CHARACTER: Pari Omisha.

FACECLAIM: I am perfectly happy with the chosen faceclaim.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CHARACTER?: There are several reasons why I fell for Pari in particular, the first is my fascination with banshees. I was quite surprised to find that as a species here, so I was immediately intrigued, and went on to search for which banshees were available, and I found Pari’s bio.

However, I quickly fell in love with the character as well. I really like her background, the story of how her family became cursed, how she is personally dealing with it, her Indian heritage and the prospect of character development. Her connections are all very interesting as well, considering what might develop with friendships and crushes, especially when you think about how she insecure she feels about her old form, and how much she worries people would stop loving and liking her, should they ever see her in such a state. I see a lot of potential for character development, and God knows I’m a sucker for that. Basically, I have a weak spot characters who are suffering from internal strife, stuck between knowing what is right and wrong, yet feeling like they have no choice but to do wrong. I love how she has chosen to become a nurse to try and balance out the darkness and lightness inside her, and no matter how hard she has worked, she is still drawn to darkness and death while looking like an innocent flower.

PARA SAMPLE: Death was the only constant companion Pari knew of. It followed her everywhere she went, she followed it too, perhaps it was not Death seeking out her instead she was the hunter of Death, always on the hunt to fill herself with the dark essence which brought so many the pain of losing loved ones. Death was her best friend, Death was her worst enemy. These uninvited dark thoughts entered her mind, refusing to leave her be as she stared down at her hands. A few wrinkles had appeared, nothing noticeable to anyone else, but she could see it as clear as day. It was the first warning sign that she had hidden from Death for too long. She was laying in her bathtub, relaxing in the warm water after a long work shift at the hospital. She closed her eyes to try and ignore it, but the heart-wrenching feeling in her gut was frustratingly insistent on being felt, it would not be ignored. The guilt tore through her veins again, no matter how many people she had helped save today, no matter the hours she spent comforting and healing others, the guilt was still there. It was no counterweight to the destruction she was forced to revel in, simply to keep her beauty intact and keep the horrid, ugly hag at bay. She looked down at her body, it was covered by bubbles from the soap, yet she could easily imagine her smooth, young skin wrinkled and stained with marks. The world was cruel to those it deemed ugly and unworthy.

As night slowly started falling, Pari found herself mindlessly driving out of Boston. She was going nowhere, in particular, but she was drawn by an invisible magnet, a pull strong enough to allow her to simply shut off her brain, only focusing on the road straight ahead without thinking of a destination. She often took drives when the Banshee inside her started acting up, it was a part of her that she desperately wished to ignore, but no matter how hard she tried, the knowledge of what would happen to her often forced her to act on the urges. Death was a relief, Death was a curse. After driving for about 30 minutes, she found herself driving into Moon Island, a place she had briefly been told about by a chatty patient. She found herself stopping her car by a cemetery. She threw her dark hair over her shoulder as she stepped out of the car, finally taking in her surroundings. The last light in the sky was dying, darkness had covered the island like a thick blanket. It felt eerie standing by her car, so close to a place where bodies laid in the ground after Death had taken their souls away. Pari could not string together an explanation for why she had stopped here, why she had even found herself on Moon Island. As she opened her car door to get away from the depressing place, her hand curled around the handle and she lost control. A scream tore its way out of her throat and into the chilling night air, it forced her head to snap back. It was terribly loud, the sound powerful enough to vibrate the windows of her car. When the scream died out, she found herself struggling to take in deep enough breaths. There was a chill in the air, the cold wrapped around her bones, encapsulating them in frost. She quickly got into her car, afraid anyone might try hunting down the source of the scream.

Pari drove further into town, her curiosity and the guilt of knowing someone would lose their life soon, both were enough to urge her forward. She continued to explore Moon Island, she let the hours pass with driving around before exploring the heart of the town as she waited. She was unsure of what exactly she was waiting for, something strange and unexplored within her forced her to stay. If someone was bound to die, perhaps she could be in the right place at the right time, either to her satisfy the supernatural hunger for death, or to help save a life. As she sat on a bench, a coffee in hand from the only shop she had found still open, she felt the unusual chill in the air prickling at her skin again. She bound her coat tighter around her waist, the moment her hand was about to let go of the leather strap, a rush of energy hit her like a tidal wave. She gasped gently and dropped the to-go cup in her other hand, coffee spilt across the ground as she was pulled to her feet. She absorbed the energy surrounding her, it was almost too overwhelming, it felt special, infinitely more satisfying than anything else she had experienced. Death was her best friend. As Pari was defeated by her Banshee side now controlling her, she blindly followed the source of the energy, so pure and powerful and so tainted by the hands of Death. She felt no shame at that particular moment, she simply felt high off the energy and its effects on her, but the shame would come for her again, the woman knew it all too well, but for now, all she could do was revel in darkness, and the whispers of the dead.

EXTRA

PERSONALITY: + kind, high-minded, intelligent

The first trait and last trait speak for themselves, I think, and although quite simple, I think these two classically good traits are really defining for Pari’s character. I also imagine her to be quite aware of morals and having her own set of morals, and although she cannot always act on it, she has a clear view of what is right and what is wrong. So she does have incredible strong morals, she just lacks the ability to always act on them, a large part of this flaw is the Banshee curse.

- troubled, stubborn, guilt-ridden

Pari can be quite troubled which can result in her seeming sullen, not very often but she is affected by her close relationship with death and darkness, and the urge she has to come people alive and wishing to see them thrive instead of faltering. These two contrasting sides often cause internal strife, which leaves her restless at night. She is also known to be quite stubborn, although it can be seen as a positive trait, it’s what has driven her to achieve her goals, it can also be dangerous when surrounded by supernatural beings, and alliances ready to destroy each other. She is, of course, very often guilt-ridden after absorbing the energy left from the dead - and even screaming despite having no control of it. She is especially guilt-ridden because she is aware that she does not need death to survive, but she is also acutely aware that no one would ever love her if she is stuck in her old form.

HEADCANONS: 1. When Pari was a little girl, her father would sing her a specific lullaby every night. Whenever she was upset even in her teenage years, he would sing it to calm her down whenever another scream was torn from her throat, condemning someone to die. When she left India, he surprised her with a special recording of the song, she sometimes still listens to her father’s voice singing it whenever she’s stressed or sad. It is safely tucked away in a box below her bed.

2. During her years studying at university, one of the first nights in her new home, she woke up her entire dorm by letting out one of the loudest screams to date. She successfully managed to convince all of them that she simply suffered from bad nightmares, but soon after she found a small house to live, with help from her parents, so she could be left alone and not hear the whispers of how the strange foreign girl wailed at the oddest times.

3. Pari is usually the patients’ favourite nurse, she sits with them even after her shift has ended if they are very sick, or even if they are dying, she holds their hands and tells them stories, even sometimes singing. She always wears a bright smile, never allowing them to see her sad or upset. Even though Pari is very kind by nature, this also satisfies a more selfish need. She does not allow anyone to come too close, she has plenty of friends sure, but there is always a barrier between herself and the others, so this closeness with the patients, the feeling of actually cheering others up, it quickly grew addicting for the woman who fed on death.

NOTE: I am aware my para sample is quite short, I am currently cursed with a headache, but I wanted to send in the app regardless, so I hope it is alright. I am usually a bit more detailed in my writing, but I feel like it’s a good representation of the skeleton of my writing :)

[wallses]

1:13pm 03/11/17 Today is Saturday. I was lonely earlier because I can't go home tonight, due to our NSTP activity tomorrow (DRRM 7am-12nn). We don't have classes in our first 3 subjects, then the last is just an exam (in stat huhu). When I am about to go home(dorm), I heard my blockmates that they gonna watch a football game this afternoon at Rizal Memorial Stadium. Since I don't want to go home and start to review for our examsssss next week, I asked them that if I can come to watch the game also. Then they said 'yes'. I know. Uh huh. I am so 'patuki' always. Haha My only intention is to watch the game of women's football, UST vs ATENEO. Since our instructor in PE requires us to watch at least one game for this sem. I told my blockmates that I am sure that UST will lose in this game. Huhuhu. After the meeting of Francine with her Filipino groupmates in Rosarium, I went home first to change my bag before we go to the stadium. Then, when I went back to UST, I texted Leader(Thea) if where she is staying because I told her that I'm ganna text her when I get back to UST. She didn't reply to my texts. Huhu. Then, I crossed the street(?) between carpark parking lot and lover's lane. Since the plan is to meet up at cfad's gate. As I continue walking at lover's lane, I saw kuya Ken sitting there. I don't have any chance but to notice him and say 'hello'. I asked him if he saw Leader(Thea). But he didn't. So I said thank you. And also said that I have to go to look for Thea. Then, I walked again. I tried to call Leader's number. But I know that she's globe so I'm sure that it wont ring. I dont know, but somehow pushed me to do it. Then, it ringed! Omgg. I am so shocked. We meet each other at the first parked bus in front of main building. Then, we stayed for about 30mins in one Pav beside the field to wait for our other blockmates and Choccy who will watch the game as well. Suddenly, kuya Ken appeared. Heading where we were sitting. Then he stayed for about 10mins. Since my blockmates were already at cfad's gate, we've decided to go there too. When we were about to reach where my blockmates are sitting, I heard someone shouted 'NANA' then I realized that no one but my dormmates are the ones who are calling me in this name. So I looked around and I saw KATE!! Sitting from one of the pavs in front of Beato. I shouted her name 'KAAAAAAAAATE' as loud as I can until she reached me and hugged me. We hugged. Like the hug that fits perfectly. Tightly. I felt her. And she tapped my head since she's taller than me. I felt the love and care. I missed her soooo much. Like I am going to cry. Im very happy. I want to hug her more. This is the first time I saw her again since the 1st year ended. She's still thin. Haha. I love her. And really missed her, so bad. Hope to catch up with her soooon. Very soon. Then, I went where my blockmates were seated. When I reached them, they hugged me. I don't know why, but they hugged me all and each of them were saying something to me. I don't know what to feel, but I answered each of their questions and reacted to their statements as well. But Elle's statement is the one that I remembered. She said "Iris, ganda mo talaga sa ppt mo. Grabe. Like super. And ang galing mo mag-edit". I was overwhelmed and don't know what to say or what reaction I must do, so I laugh instead. Hahahaha. Earlier, when I and Francine were about to get back to the room after we finished the food we bought, Elle approached me then she said that I am really pretty at my ppt presentation. So I panicked, because, meaning, others saw it also. Hahahaha. When I entered the room, I saw Inno sitting at the professor's table. And he gave me a thumbs up. Then I gave him a glance to say that 'No. Shhh. Wag kayong maingay' for him not to mention to the class about my ppt. Then, we went to the Rizal's Memorial Stadium when all of us were complete, through riding an fx. Manong driver said to us(passengers) if it is okay to use the other route since it was so traffic in La Salle's place. We all agreed. When we reached the stadium, the fx driver dropped us exactly at the front of the place. Because, in the normal route, they just dropped the passengers in front of La Salle then walk a little bit to reach the place. When the game was about to start, we were already complete and were seated behind the UST's players. During the first half(45mins) of the game, we cheered by ourselves only. But I still enjoyed it. Buuuut, during the break, preparing for the second half, one member of Yellow Jackets approached us. She said "Hello guys. Since pare pareho naman tayong taga-UST and taga-AB, why not sabay-sabay tayong magcheer? Para mas may force?" She's a girl by the way. So we said 'Yes. Sure ate.' Then the 2nd half started. I cheered with all my heart and soul. I give it all. But I didn't feel any pain. Im so happy. I CAN FEEL THE BEAT inside. Hehe. I merely took my seat during this half. Coz I cheered the whole time. Hahahaha. Then, I shouted once the "GO UST!" with super low but load voice. My blockmates and even the three girls from YJ looked at me all of a sudden because they were shocked and they didn't expect that I can shout that way. The game was over. UST won vs Ateneo with score 3-2. I'm so exausted but I didn't endure it because I am still so happy. And I still want to release all my energy coz I can't contain it anymore. I can't force myself to behave. I just want to cheer, shout, and jump. Hahaha. When we were outside the stadium, I(or we?) said "Bye. Kuyaaaa!" and I am still shouting because of the excitement inside of me. Then, one of them approached us. He said "Uhm. Kung sino po babalik ng UST, pwede na po sumabay samin." My eyes open widely. I think half of both my eyeballs will drop anytime. Hahaha. I thought the highlights were over, then this? Oh my. Why am I so lucky? When we were waiting outside the bus, since they were fixing the drum inside, thid 4 students approached me. They asked me "Ate, pwede din po ba kami sumabay?" Then I said "Yes". Though I don't think that we were gonna take a seat inside because the bus was a little bit smaller than the usual. Inside the bus, the Yellow Jackets were seated at the most back part. And we were at the middle. The drums were located at the front. I'm seated on the left side of the bus and Prime(Camille) was beside me. During our way, we prayed first. It was led by a member of YJ. It was in Filipino, and impromtu. We thanked God for the wins of UST athletes today since women's football team weren't the only one who won today. After the prayer, they sang "Itodo mooooooo itodo mooooo itodo mooooooo itodo mooooo ANG AIRCON!" It was so funny to the point I got LSS. Hahahaha. Then, one guy said "Uhm. Bale may bayad po tong sakay na to." And we(or I?) said "What? Awwwwww." Then he continued "Magpapakilala po isa isa." Then they(YJ) shouted in chorus "PAKILALA PAKILALA PAKILALA PAKILALA PAKILALA" hahahaha. Then Denielle said, "Kaya mo na yan, Iris" haha. I said "Halaaa. Oh kuya, alphabetical po ba? Hahahahaha. I don't want to say my name, because I know that it will be a wrong move and I am sure I will regret it eventually if I do this. Hahaha. They said "Ay. Ayaw." in a little bit of sarcasm. Hahaha. I can't remember how we got on the topic about the YJ's recruitment. But I said "Kuya, pa-recruit naman poooo. Hahahaha." Then he said "Ah. Sorry po. Pero hindi na po kasi kami open ngayon for recruitment." I said "aaaaaaw huhu". But someone said, "Pero pwede naman natin itanong sa Leader namin if pwede ulit buksan, since ka-course nyo naman sya." Then they started to sang "Ooooooh(with someone tapping on something). Itanong natin kay Penoy/Paulo(ay. Paulo pala sorry) kung sino'ng kanyang mahaaaaal. Itanong natin kay Paulo, sagot ay di magtatagaaaaaaaaal. Sino ang kanyang mahal. Ang pag-ibig nya'y ang kailangan. Pag-ibig na walang hangganan. Ano ang tunay nyang nararamdamaaaaaaan." Cool right? Woooow. And then I shout "Aaaahhh. Kuya pleeeeese. Ikaw yung may black na hawk na bag diba? I know youuuu. Pleeeease?" Actually, this is the epic-iest part of this night. I sounded super excited which I must not did. Huhu. We're all exhausted. I can feel weary. But I still keep on smiling. Hahahaha. I played 10×10 until we reached Lacson. I took a picture inside the bus. Hehehe. The bus entered at Lacson's gate going to Dapitan, then turn at Tyk's, then at Noval's field then finally, we stopped besides QPAV. So this is it. It's already goodbye. :(( when we we're outside already, we said thank you. And Babye to one guy and a girl(the one who look like Sunny). We said "Ate, kamukha mo sya pag inalis nya yung glasses nya" then the YJ guy said "Oo nga no. Hahahaha." Then finally, we went home. :)) I'm still super hype. Like really. I can't wait to share this experience to others. Hehehe. This is my first time to watch a game, and this was what happened. Omg. Why God is so good to me? Hehe. I WANT TO BE A PART OF THEM! I WANT TO SCREAM AND GROWL! YELLOW JACKETS! GO UST! LET'S GO FIGHT! I CAN STILL FEEL THE FUCKING BEAT INSIDE. I WANT TO FEEL IT EVERYTIME. GO UST!!!!