#yeah u get my official tag for her!!! that’s how good ya sound

[sicc-nasti]

DUDEEE I WAS MESSING AROUND WITH A VOICE CHANGER AND AND core ree er :]

ALSO IM GOING CRAZY THAT I COULD ACTUALLY MAKE A PAULING IMPRESSION ??? I MEAN THE VOICE CHANGER REALLY HELPED BUT STILL

anyways take

YOOOO THANK YOU????? THESE ARE SO FREAKIN GOOD. LIKE???? HEARING MISS P SAY COURIER HAS ME HOLLERING AND KICKING MY LEGS

OHH my god this was so freakin cool of you to do ; _ ; thank you so much I can’t stop smiling and picturing Miss P talking to Courier 💖💖💖🥺🥺🥺💖💖💖❤️♥️💕💌💌💌🥺🥺

AHHH the way I wanna ANIMATE THISSSS

[happycoincidences]

Big Kpop question tag

I was tagged by @myeoning-call thank you!! ♥

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•Song That Got You Into K-Pop: Bae Bae by BigBang. I first clicked on Loser, I wasn’t feeling it completely but liked it enough to give them another chance so I clicked on Bae Bae, that one was on repeat for weeks. 

(Idk... I think I might seem like an older kpop fan but I got into kpop in 2015. I’m one of those people who when getting into sth they really dig further until the origin of a thing, especially when it comes to music. So I know a lot about 1st and 2nd gen too, and I am mainly a fan of 2nd and 3rd gen bc I’m more around the same age as late 2nd gen - 3rd gen kpop idols, we grew up around the same time so I relate to them the most. For reference I am 2 years younger than Gikwang (late 2nd gen) and Yongguk (early 3rd gen), same age as Ken (early 3rd gen) and Sunmi (late 2nd gen). I heard about Kpop before 2015 ofc but i was in an industrial/obscure electronic music fase before kpop)

• Song That Gets Stuck In Your Head: The Chaser by Infinite is an earworm

---

• Fav. Male Group: When it comes to male groups, I make the distinction between ults and mains (ults are the most important, but “main” means I listen to them all the time as well, I just don’t feel as connected to them as people).

Ult: B.A.P, Highlight/Beast, iKON, VIXX

Main: BigBang (they were my first group which is special but I feel less connected to them than with my ults), SHINee, TVXQ/JYJ, H.O.T, SuperM, NCT (WayV mainly), 2PM, Super Junior, Block B 

• Fav. Female Group: Wonder Girls, 2NE1, f(x), Orange Caramel, Brown Eyed Girls, 9Muses, Ladies’ Code, T-Ara, Kara, 3ye

• Fav. Underrated Male Group: “B.A.P we didn’t deserve them”  <- agreed!

• Fav. Underrated Female Group: Spica

---

• Fav. Male Soloist: Lee Gikwang, Taemin, Bang Yongguk, G-Dragon, Jonghyun, Woodz, Ash Island (last one is actually khh, and Yongguk used to be kpop but I guess he’s more khh now)

• Fav. Female Soloist: Lee Junghyun (her debut album “Let’s go to my Star” is my favourite kpop album actually!), Sunmi, BoA.

---

• Fav. Male Choreography: Drip Drop by Taemin is a classic for me + So many other Taemin performances.

• Fav. Female Choreography: Paradise Lost by GaIn, another one would be 24 hours by Sunmi.

(-> I generally like solo or pas de deux (duo) more than entire group choreographies, it grabs the heart more imo. Tbh as I’m writing this I have ballet performances in mind when it comes to touching you emotionally through dance. Kpop dance has some impressive tricks but it isn’t particularly emotional, which is what’s most important to me)

---

• Fav. Subunit: Orange Caramel!! (and WayV if that counts)

• Fav. Senior Male Group: H.O.T if we’re talking about disbanded senior groups, TVXQ/JYJ, Super Junior and Sechskies if we’re talking about still active senior groups.

• Fav. Senior Female Group: Brown Eyed Girls

• Fav. Disbanded Male Group: B.A.P ♥

• Fav. Disbanded Female Group: Wonder Girls and 2NE1 ;;;;

• Fav. Band: N.Flying

---

• Fav. Male Rookie: Idk.. Oneus maybe? I listen to them casually. (I consider them rookie)

• Fav. Female Rookie: 3ye (They debuted in 2019, to me that’s still rookie)

---

• Fav. Male Dancer: Highlight/Beast Gikwang, SHINee Taemin, B.A.P Jongup

• Fav. Female Dancer: BoA

• Fav. Male Rapper: B.A.P Bang Yongguk

• Fav. Female Rapper: Brown Eyed Girls Miryo

• Fav. Male Vocalist: iKON Junhoe (he has a very unique and ‘harsh/rock’ voice for kpop, my fav voice in kpop), VIXX Jaehwan (Ken), Highlight Yoseob and Gikwang (Gikwang has a good voice but it’s not the most powerful one, but I just really love hearing him so.. :)) ♥♥)

• Fav. Female Vocalist: 2NE1 Bom

---

• Fav. Male Debut: Warrior by B.A.P, 7th Sense by NCT U

• Fav. Female Debut: 와 (Wa) by Lee Junghyun

---

• Fav. Music Video: The Closer by Vixx !! 

Honorable mentions: Yamazaki by Bang Yongguk, We are the future by H.O.T , Mirotic + Rising sun + O -正.反.合. (정반합) by TVXQ, Lies + Haru Haru + Last farewell by BigBang (those MVs bring me back to when I was a teenager, the low rise jeans, the pink Motorola flip phone.. one of my friends had the exact same one at the time), One Shot + Skydive by B.A.P., Mystery by Beast (both the official mv and their self-made mv) + Adrenaline by Beast/Highlight (a very basic mv but I instantly become happy when I watch it)

• Fav. Underrated Song: The Closer by Vixx, again! Also Outside Castle by H.O.T, Copy and Paste by BoA, Dear. Rude by JeA ft. Cheetah, She’s gone by G-Dragon, and Hikikomori by Bang Yongguk(♥)

• Fav. Male B-Side: Obsession + Divina Commedia by G-Dragon, Blind + 주소서 (Pray) by B.A.P, Love me do + Silence + Trigger by VIXX, Sexuality by Taemin...  

• Fav. Female B-Side: Ca teint moi + GX 339-4 by Lee Junghyun (!! the entire Let’s go to my Star album is a no skip for me), Wonder Girls: almost all of the Reboot Album...

• Fav. Comfort Song: (Most comfort songs are either by B.A.P or by Beast/Highlight because they’re the ults of the ults lol)

B.A.P: Save me, Diamond 4 ya, almost the entire Noir album (+ Ya by Bang Yongguk)

Highlight/Beast: Lightless (unplugged version), Sad movie, Curious, Danger, Sleep Tight

Some H.O.T and TVXQ songs

---

Top 5 BG + Fav. Song/s:

B.A.P: Young, Wild and Free (my very first Bap cb and their very first cb after the hiatus and law suit), the entire One shot EP, Power, Feel so Good, That’s my jam, Warrior, Unbreakable, Badman, Excuse me, 1004, Bang X2, Hands up + the ones I’ve mentioned above (+ many of Bang Yongguk’s solo stuff)

Highlight/Beast: Plz don’t be Sad (<- always makes me happy), Breath, Bad Girl, Mystery, Shock, Special, Fiction, Shadow, Good Luck, Celebrate, Love like this, Not the End, Disconnected + the ones I’ve mentioned above (+ many of Lee Gikwang’s solo stuff)

iKON: Killing me, Rubber Band, Bling Bling, Ah Yeah, Dive, Why Why Why, Dumb & Dumber, B-day, Rhythm Ta, I’m Okay

VIXX: The Closer, On and on, Voodoo, Secret Night, Black Out, Hyde, Light up the Darkness, Love me Do (actually produced by Yongguk and it does sound like it could’ve been a B.A.P song♥), Rock ur body, and almost the entire Eau de Vixx album

BigBang: Blue, Bae Bae, Tell me Goodbye, Lies, Last Farewell, Haru Haru, Café, Fantastic Baby, Bad Boy, Let’s not fall in love, Beautiful hangover, La la la, Last Dance (+ many solo songs by G-Dragon, T.O.P and Taeyang)

---

Top 5 GG + Fav. Song/s:

Wonder Girls: basically the entirety of the Reboot album, So Hot, Tell me, Why so lonely, Like this, Like money (the version without Akon), and last but certainly not least So Hot + I Feel You (band version♥)

2NE1: Crush, Come back home, Hate You, Can’t Nobody, I love you, I am the Best, Don’t stop the music, Fire, Goodbye (;;;)

f(x): Pinocchio (Danger), Mr. Boogie, Nu Abo, Hot Summer, 4 Walls, Chu, La Cha ta, Electric Shock, Lollipop (ft. SHINee) 

Orange Caramel: Abing Abing, Catallena, My Copycat, Lipstick, Gangnam Avenue, Shanghai Romance, A-ing

Brown Eyed Girls: Kill Bill, Sign, Cleansing Cream, Sixth Sense, Abracadabra, How Come

---

Groups Planning to Stan:

A.C.E: (I listened to them casually for a couple of years but I want to get to know them better and I’ve been binging a lot of ace videos these past 4-5 months.)

After School: (I LOVE Orange Caramel, but for some reason I never listened to the main group’s songs)

Infinite: (been wanting to for years, I know a good amount of songs and been listening to them for years but yeah)

(These 3 groups feel like they have the potential to become fav groups of mine.)

------

I tag: @alldayxia @fashionbitchgd @epiphanicwiring @larktrash @novararavis @224-12​ @skyisfull​

[jeawrites]

Diners on a Sleepless Night

Note: Derby AU- late night follow up after Brock’s convo w/ Marcel abt the date (posted on ao3).  Ship: Terroriser/Moo (implied beginnings) Word count: 1543 Warnings: None, except for a sad-ish/guilty Brock

Brock stared up at the ceiling, his eyes begging for sleep but nothing was working. 

His conversation with Marcel was replaying again and again in his head and he couldn’t get it to stop no matter how hard he tried. God, maybe he should apologize for being so harsh? It just wasn’t like him to leave things like that. So... awkward. 

He cringed and shook his head, rolling out of bed and grabbing a hoodie. HE already had sweatpants on and a pair of fuzzy socks, so now he just needed shoes. Which, were by the door. 

He left his room and crept down the hall and passed the living room. He peaked in, squinting a bit into the dark room. No one. He figured he heard Lui go out, but he wanted to confirm that. 

Brock quickly slipped his shoes on and he gave a quick check that he had his phone and keys before he left the room. 

He shut the door and made sure it was locked, only to hear a hum from down the hall. He glanced over and curiosity grew as he spotted a familiar face. “Brian?” he called, tilting his head. 

Brian rubbed his eye and turned a bit to look at Brock, squinting a bit to unblur his eyes. “Brock? What’re ye doin’ up?” he asked, stepping away from his door a bit. “Late shift and I couldn’t sleep,” he shrugged, “You?” Brian looked towards his door and rolled his eyes. “Just gettin’ home,” he answered, “Fuckin’ kids know just how to make the worst messes,” he grumbled, before looking towards him again with a smile. 

“Honestly, I don’t even think I got me keys,” he sighed, frustrated, “and David’s out with Lui, god knows where they went...” 

Brock nodded, and smiled softly as he gestured. “Well, I was going to go take a drive, but I can’t leave you here on your lonesome, can I?” he teased, but it was genuinely a suggestion. “Of course ye can’t, I’m too pretty to be left alone in the hallway,” Brian spoke dramatically, even turning to lean against the wall with his hand on his head. Brock laughed gently, bringing his hand up to muffle it down a bit for courtesy purposes. 

Brian’s eyes lit up a little at the thought of making Brock laugh, and he chuckled. “You’re right,” Brock agreed, “You are pretty... pretty for a damsel in distress.” Brian gasped. “How dare ye! I was goin more for lonely and desperate,” he pouted, before giggling and walking towards him. “Seriously though, think I could tag along with ye? I jus’ don’t wanna be alone here.” 

“Of course you can Bri,” Brock smiled and turned, gesturing for him to follow, which Brian did right beside him. “I know this good diner down town, wanna get some food?” he suggested.

Brian grinned. “Ye always know the best times to offer, Brocky,” he teased. “Of course I do! It’s my sixth sense,” he winked at him. 

They both climbed into Brock’s car once they got to the parking lot, and they were off to the diner. 

Brock let the radio play and fill their silence. And, he hated the idea of not talking. His thoughts just... kept going back to the conversation. He squeezed the steering wheel and wasn’t paying attention, only snapping from his thoughts when a car beeped at him. when the light turned green. 

“Penny for yer thoughts?” Brian asked, concern growing as he finally noticed how tense Brock got. Brock stayed silent, his lips quivering but a smile forced its way to his face. “Nothing, you don’t gotta worry about it,” he passed off. “We’re here anyways, let’s focus on getting our food.” 

They pulled up and Brock led them into the diner. Brian was actually impressed with how well Brock knew it- when he said he knew he knew. Brock even greeted a few waiters and waitresses by name! 

Brian sat across from him in a booth and took a look around. “How often d’ye come here?” he asked, looking towards his coach with a raised brow. Brock thought the question over a few times and then shrugged. “A lot? It’s open 24/7 and when you work late without a meal, sometimes you just wanna get an easy meal that’s not fast food,” he explained. “Plus,” he continued, “They make really good cookies here and I like visiting for them when I can’t sleep.” 

Something about that fit Brock so well that Brian didn’t even second guess it.

“Well what’s good then? They gave us breakfast and dinner, what’d’ya suggest?” he asked. Brock lit up at the question. “Everything here is to die for,�� he snickered, “But if you want something really good- get their apple pancakes!” He giggled, “That’s what I’m getting. They’re the best!” 

Brian smiled and nodded. “Sounds good, I’ll have those then.”

Brock called a waitress over, addressing her by name and excitedly ordering for both of them, adding in some cookies for dessert of course, and some sliced fruit to balance out the pancakes. 

“Man, I feel I hardly know ye,” Brian admitted after the waitress left, smiling fondly at Brock with a glint in his eyes. Brock looked at him in confusion, which encouraged Brian to continue. “I mean- I know ye enough, but the little things... like the fact your a diner fanatic?” he snickered. Brock nodded a bit. “Oh- well that’s nothing special,” he passed off, “I just... I dunno, there’s a more home-like feel at Diners than anywhere else.” 

Brian hummed. “So ye’re a family man?” Brock nodded. “Oh yeah, definitely,” he answered. “And is breakfast yer favorite time of day?” Brian asked. “It is the most important meal of the day,” Brock justified. “Alright, fair,” he laughed gently, “Well what’s yer favorite breakfast to cook? I like french toast, personally.” Brock had to think about that one. “I think... Waffles wins this- you just can’t go wrong with it.”

“Another thing,” Brian grinned, “You like cookies? Is that yer favorite dessert?” Brock shook his head. “That’s between funnel cake or cupcakes- but the cookies here are the best I’ve ever had so I get them a lot,” he chuckled, “And you?” Brian pursed his lips a bit in thought. “Pie, I guess?” he shrugged, then added, “I don’t think I’ve ever had funnel cake.” 

Brock’s eyes widened. “No way- no fucking way, you’ve had to of had it! David couldn’t know Lui that long and not have brought some home for you!” Brock heard their waitress giggle as she dropped their drinks off, and he blushed lightly, averting his gaze as he calmed down. 

As she walked away, Brian laughed gently. “I’m being honest, never had it, Brock. Maybe one day I’ll try some though.”

Oh that was officially a personal mission of Brock’s. Brian was trying funnel cake.

“So, uh, one more question,” Brian’s tone dropped a few notches. Brock felt himself calm down from his happier demeanor and concern came  instead. “Yeah?” he asked, his tone dropping as well. “I know it’s not my business, but what happened today to put ye in such a mood?” he asked. “We all noticed at practice, but no one wanted to say anything.” 

Brock frowned and he glanced down at the table. “Just... some stuff. It’s nothing to worry about- I just, I dunno...” he shook his head. “I’m figuring stuff out and... I have to apologize to someone but I don’t know how.”

Brian nodded and he grabbed the hand Brock rested on the table, offering him a kind smile. “I hope it get’s better for ye Brock.”

Brock’s face dusted red and he looked at their hands, his heart sputtering. “U-uh, yeah- thanks, Bri,” he trailed off, and jumped when Brian pulled back suddenly. “Oh man, that looks great!” 

Brock looked to see what he was talking about, and- oh yeah. Food. Right, food was here. 

While they ate, Brian kept up a small conversation that Brock appreciated greatly, and for the most part, Brian was eagerly agreeing with the praises Brock gave the food. It was really good. 

Then, they paid the check and were on their way home. 

The car ride was more conversation, more laughter from both sides, and genuinely good company from both people. And, once they got home, David’s car was spotted and Brian was ecstatic to know he was back. 

They got to their hall and Brian stopped at Brock door “dropping him off”. “Thank’s for the food,” Brian spoke, smiling, “We should do that again sometimes- and I’ll pay ya back!” The offer was very real and Brock smiled. “Yeah... maybe I’ll take you up on that.” 

Brian nodded with a smile. “Sleep well, Brocky.” 

“Sleep well, Brian.” 

They parted ways and Brock opened the door to his apartment, stepping inside. He greeted Lui, who he could here talking on the phone in the livingroom, and then went to bed.

What was once an argument was now a terror and a general fear of; ‘Not again. Not a-fucking -gain,’ and he swore off his feelings. He refused to fall for another person. From now on, someone else could deal with what he went through.

[and-justice-for-zoisite]

Ocean Eyes (Benny Weir x Reader) Part 1

Series Masterlist  //  Official Masterlist

Summary: You’re a shy person who is hiding a dark secret - the fact that you are a demon. As bad as that sounds though, your intentions are good and your species of demon is pure. However, your powers begin to get out of control, catching the attention of the already supernatural group in school whom you had no idea about. What will happen?

Here’s the version of the song which inspired this story (not mine, credit goes to the artists)

Alright, I’m almost there. I can do this.

Trying to get to your eating area was more of a hassle than it should’ve been. You didn’t doubt that you’d get called ‘loser’ or ‘freak’ on your way through the many crowds of people in the hallways of White Chapel High, but it wasn’t ideal. Your head remained low and under a black hoodie while some of your (h/l) (h/c) hair hung over your face and protected people from spotting the way your eyes looked. Why, you ask? It’s simple, you’re not human, and your eyes are a way of identifying that.

 See, you were a pure bred demon. In fact, your blood was so pure that if you were to give it to someone on the brink of death, then they’d instantly recover and it’d be as if they’d never been sick or injured. The different between pure bloods and impure bloods is the eye color. Impurity was red, and purity was blue. bright bright blue. I know what you’re thinking, it’s not impossible to have bright bright blue eyes so what’s the issue? The answer to that, my friend, is the fact you could see an ocean in a pure blood’s eyes. Corny, I know, but it’s true. It’s a beautiful trait, but if someone was able to identify you as a pure demon then you’d be put into some form of slavery, you’d be drained of every drop of your blood and you’d have your eyes gauged out, all by the actions of witches. Because of this fact, you kept as low a profile as possible and you didn’t trust anyone whatsoever, no matter how kind they seemed. 

Since you hadn’t been looking up, you didn’t notice the two boys you were about to walk into. At the feeling of hitting something, you immediately rebounded and fell back to the floor, dropping the books you had been holding in you arms. Panic set in as you locked eyes with the boy you had bumped into unintentionally, praying to god that he was too far away to see your eyes. Thankfully, that didn’t seem to come as a concern to him as a look of worry came to his face.  “Smooth, Ethan.” The boy - who was slightly taller than him- beside him said in a joking manner, the so-called Ethan ignoring him. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, are you ok?” He asked, holding his hand out for you to take.  “Y-yeah, don’t worry about it. The fault is mine.” You reassured, grabbing your books and shakily placing your hand in his as he pulled you back onto your feet. “you’re sure?” So-called Ethan asked once again, yourself smiling nervously as you nodded.   “Man Ethan, you need to work on trying to actually walk and not knock people over.” His friend remarked sarcastically. “Shut up Benny!” Ethan barked in embarrassment.  The so-called Benny laughed as his eyes wondered to you. But once they met, his cheeky smile dropped (See gif above). At this, you immediately felt a ball of anxiety fire through your gut as your sight met the ground. “U-uh, I have to go, but thank you.” You explained before quickly taking off, leaving Benny in a state of daze and shock. Ethan was a little suspicious as to why she seemed so nervous but shook it off and returned his attention to his best friend. “I’ve never seen her around before,do you know her?” He asked Benny, the hazel-eyed boy still too deep in shock to even know that Ethan was speaking to him. “Benny?” He asked, Benny shaking his head and snapping himself out of his own daze.  “Did...Did you see her eyes?” Benny asked softly, Ethan cocking a brow. “Yeah? They were blue?” He said as if it was obvious.  “No, not just the color, did you see like,” He tried thinking of the words for it, “What was in her eyes?”  Ethan shrugged. “She looked nervous I guess.”  Benny sighed loudly in frustration. “No! Just...c’mon, we have to follow her, you might have some sort of vision if you see her eyes for yourself.” He said, taking hold of Ethan’s wrist and dragging him along.  “Benny, that’s not how it works.” Ethan didn’t get an answer, so he decided to let it be and follow. 

~

You sighed softly as you made it to the beautiful Jacaranda you’d sit under to eat lunch everyday, taking your seat before opening your lunch box. You were quite excited to eat lunch that day considering you had made yourself some (f/f), something you didn’t have very often because of the situation you were in. Living alone wasn’t easy, you didn’t have any parents or relatives to help you out with paying the bills, keeping a roof over your head and putting food on your table but it wasn’t like you had much of a choice. You were on the run from a group of witches who were out to take you since you were one of the only known Pure blood demons left in the world. They were the ones responsible for killing your family, and you only managed to get away thanks to the help of a mysterious woman to who you have no idea who she was to this day. You’d thank her but you’d have rather she’d saved your family rather than you, they meant the world to you and the fact that you had to watch them disintegrate right before your eyes scars you for permanently. But you learned to be grateful for what you had, so that’s how you lived. 

At the sight of the two boys from before making their way towards you, you felt your heart begin to thump louder and faster with every step they took. After some time, they had made it to their destination, the boy who you assumed was Benny crouching down in front of you.  “Hey, you look lonely, mind if we sit with you?” He asked in a friendly tone, one you weren’t sure was real or not.  “U-Uh...I prefer my own company, but I don’t mind.” You replied, trying to hide your eyes unsuspiciously with your hood.  Benny smiled before he and his friend sat down, taking their lunches out.  “So, I’ve never seen you around before. What’s your name?” Benny asked. “..(Y/n) (L/n)...I’ve only been here a month, my family moves around a lot. What’s your names?” You responded, keeping your eyes to the ground.  “I’m Benny Weir, and this here is Ethan Morgan. It’s nice to meet ya Miss (L/n).” Benny introduced, holding his hand out for you to shake. You smiled before delicately placing your hand into his and shaking it. “The pleasure is mine.” As you did this, you felt a wave of unease overcome you as your mile faltered a little.  You only got this feeling when coming into contact with a witch or a wizard, and Benny seemed to noticed so he kept hold of your hand a little longer. Deciding to shake the feeling off, you took your hand back and began to eat your lunch awkwardly.    The hazel-eyed boy, shifted his gaze to Ethan, motioning for him to keep his sight ready to spot your eyes or anything that might cause a vision before returning his attention to you.  “So, what brings your family into this weird-ass town?” He asked casually.  You panicked a little, you hadn’t even thought of an excuse to use for these kinds of situations. “...Uh-m-my mother...she got a new job...” It was obvious you were nervous, something Ethan and Benny exchanged looks at before Benny continued the conversation. “Oh yeah? What job?”  fuck fuck fuck fuck “Uh...she’s a...Councillor?” Your response came out as more of a question, only making it less and less believable by the second. Benny had noticed the book by your side, and motioned for Ethan to touch them before he kept up the conversation as a distraction.  “Huh, thank god for that. There’s a lot of crazy kids in this town, I think we need it.” He joked, causing you to chuckle nervously before you took a few more bites of your lunch. Just as you were about to turn to check your books, Benny immediately panicked and placed his hand  on yours, causing you to squeak in surprise and your eyes to widen, only making them more visible to the boy. “Hey, uh, Ethan, me and our other friends were gonna go see a movie tomorrow. Would you like to come?” He asked quickly, giving Ethan time to touch the book. As he did, the boy stiffened and his eyes glazed over, meaning that he was having a vision.

You blushed a little at the question and quickly lowered you head again. You wanted badly to decline the offer, tell him that you were busy, but you knew you needed to blend in somehow. With a crooked smile, you nodded. “Uh..sure, I’d love to.”  Benny smiled before taking his hand away from yours. “Great. We’re heading to the theaters after school, you can tag along or meet us there.” He explained. “Alright, I’ll be sure to inform you of my choice. But I’d like to know...Why exactly are you inviting a stranger to see a movie with you?” You asked, instantly blushing in embarrassment at your sudden interrogation outburst.

Yeah, you had those sudden moments where your shyness completely went away and you began a small interrogation. You weren’t sure why it happened, but it sure as hell did, and at all the completely wrong times.

Benny also seemed slightly surprised at the sudden question but smiled as he shook his head. “Well, I mean, we have to make up for Ethan knocking you over somehow.”  You laughed softly and the most genuinely happy you had been in a while, and you had no idea why. “The apology was plenty, but I do appreciate it.” You said, slight humor present in your voice. The two of you laughed before the sound of the school bell rung out, indicating that the next class was to commence. 

“I better start heading to class. I’ll see you two around.” You fare welled before beginning to walk off.  Benny waved goodbye before facing Ethan, only to see his face was still in shock. 

“E, what did you see?” He asked, taking the happy charade away and returning to his serious once. Ethan’s widened eyes met Benny’s hazel ones. “Sh-she has...an ocean in her eyes.”

~

“Alright, here it is.” Benny sighed as he pulled a book from his grandmother’s dusty old bookshelf, taking a seat beside Ethan on his bed before opening it.  Eventually, he stopped at one of the articles and pointed to it. “Ok, so, it says here that the only species known to the magical world with oceans in their eyes are Pure blood demons. Impure breeds are the ones with Red or Orange eyes. Witches and Wizards are known to hunt these creatures for their properties.” Benny was cut off by Ethan who wanted to ask a question. “Properties?”  Benny nodded. “They say that their blood is so pure that if you were to give even one drop to someone on the brink of death, then they’d become healthier than a newborn baby. Witches often drain them of their blood and gauge their eyes from their sockets as a trophy. It’s truly horrific but they deserve it.” “Why?” Ethan asked. “Because, from all the legends I’ve been told, they’re pure evil. Grandma said there’s only one good one left in this world but she’s not even sure if she’s alive. Apparently her family - who had done no form of harm to anyone - was murdered and Grandma managed to save her, but the witches continued to chase after her. Other than her, the rest of them deserve death.”  “Uh, Benny, In my vision, I saw...I saw her screaming and crying, begging in what I think was Latin.” “Woah woah woah...what did she say?” “Uh...I don’t know, something like... Iam tu mea: parcant mihi, quaeso.” Ethan tried quoting. Benny looked down and repeated the words in a mumble, translating them in his mind. Once he was done, his eyes went wide.

“You’ve already taken my family, please spare me.”

Ok, yeah, I know, cringy as fuck, but I made this storyline up on the spot so give me a little credit man. Just keep a look out for part 2 bc it’ll be here soon. Thanks!! :)

[xfangheartx]

Just Us Two- Chapter 1

Ta-dah, it’s here! The sequel to my InuKag High School AU, Only You!

Now, I won’t lie, this might not get updated as often, but I hope you’ll continue to enjoy it!

Next

WARNING: This contains spoilers for Only You, so if you haven’t read that, first, you might want to do that.

Tagging: @cstorm86 @keichanz @zelink-inukag @keepyoursmilesup @myverysweetescape @xxaries-witch-postsxx @ashcanvas @realinugirl @meggz0rz @desiree239 @inuyashaeienni

Anybody who wants to be tagged (or doesn’t want to be) let me know!

Enjoy!

Ch. 1- The Summer

Monday, June 9th. 11:55 AM. The air was getting warmer as the days went by. Where there were once flower petals raining down from the trees, there were now bright sunny rays and the sound of cicadas buzzing. All these changes meant only one thing: summer would be coming soon. At Shikon High School, the air was abuzz with chatter. The students, both human and demon alike, were all heading out to the cafeteria for lunch period. As they did, they all talked about one thing and one thing only: their plans for summer vacation. For instance, some girls sat at a table in the corner, chatting amongst themselves as typical girl cliques do. "So what are you doing for the summer, Naomi?" "Hmm...dunno. I'll probably go see my grandparents for a few weeks. What are you doing?" "Probably just stay home and eat junk food." The girls all laughed while nearby, a group of boys also chatted about their plans. "What are you doing for summer break, Tatsuki?" "I think I'll finally ask Mizune if she'll go out with me." "Mizune? The snake demon girl you've been crushing on for the past few weeks?" "Yeah. I figured it was about time, you know?" "I don't blame ya. She is pretty hot!" As the students talked and gossiped, there was one particular student who was heading up the stairs to the roof, holding a bundle in her hands. She had a look of excitement on her face and she couldn't stop the giggling that was bubbling up inside her chest. A warm blush was painted on her cheeks as she carried the bundle up the stairs. Her raven hair was tied up in a ponytail as a measure to keep off the summer heat. Kagome Higurashi, a second-year student with spiritual powers, was going to give her boyfriend a homemade lunch she made. In the past, she didn't think she'd ever do something like this: cooking homemade meals for someone she cared for. Now that she was actually dating someone for real instead of just sleeping around with guys, she couldn't contain her giddiness. She could imagine the look on his face, now, the moment he took that first bite. She honestly felt like they were already married, even though they were still in high school. As Kagome headed up the stairs, her phone buzzed, causing her to pull it out of her pocket.

NEW TEXT MESSAGE FROM INUYASHA: 

"Hey, where R U? I'm starving."

Kagome giggled as she began to text back. KAGOME: 

"I'll be there soon." ^^

INUYASHA: 

"I hope so. My stomach's about to eat itself."

Kagome giggled again. "Oh, Inuyasha..." She then headed up the stairs, passing several students on the way there, particularly of the male variety. "Hey...isn't that Kamakiri Kagome?" "I heard they don't call her that, anymore...not since she and Inuyasha Taisho started going out about a couple of months back." "Are you serious? Aww, man...I thought I could get a chance to score!" "Dude, don't let Taisho hear you say that!" "Are you kidding?! I wouldn't say it to his face! You know what he'd do to me?!" Kagome sighed and rolled her eyes. It seems that despite how much things have changed, part of her reputation still followed her. Despite that, she smiled. She wasn't going to let that bother her. Not today. She was going to be spending a much-needed break with her beloved boyfriend. Soon, Kagome opened the door to the school roof, where she was soon greeted by three familiar faces. First was Sango Tachibana, a third-year sophomore that was skilled in martial arts and Kagome's best friend since childhood. Because of Sango's fierce and protective attitude, some people often called her Kagome's bodyguard. Her younger brother, Kohaku, had been injured from a hit-and-run earlier this spring, but thankfully, he survived the incident and was now in his third year of middle school. Then there was Miroku Tatsuya, also a third-year student. He was a Buddhist priest-in-training who had a bit of a reputation amongst the female student body as a ladies' man. Even though he and Sango were dating now, it seemed that old habits died hard with him. To this day, Sango still doesn't know why or how she fell him, but here she was. "Hey, Kagome!" Sango exclaimed. "How's it going?" Miroku asked with his arm draped around Sango's shoulders. "Pretty good," Kagome answered. "Where's Inuyasha?" "Hey, baby girl." Kagome turned and smiled fondly at the one who spoke: her half-demon boyfriend, Inuyasha Taisho. Inuyasha was in his third year of high school, now. A half-demon born of a human mother and a dog demon father, Inuyasha had quite the reputation at the school for being a juvenile delinquent. He often had a nasty temper and got into fights with anyone who so much as even looked at him funny...at least, that's what people believed. Really, Inuyasha was a big marshmallow at heart with an affinity for small and cute animals. He actually adopted a stray kitten a few months back that he had affectionately named Miyuki. "Hey, boo," Kagome said as she walked up to Inuyasha and stood on the very tips of her toes, kissing him on his lips while Miroku and Sango smiled at them. It was hard to believe that just about three months ago, in the middle of spring, that Inuyasha nearly killed Kagome when they first met. It all started way back in March. Inuyasha had been asked by Miroku to help him recover a confiscated DVD (Sexy-Ninja-Something-Or-Other, Inuyasha couldn't quite remember the name) during the night, sometime after curfew. During that time, Kagome came outside after being bullied by a bratty girl and her clique. Back then, Kagome had a bit of a foul reputation for sleeping around with guys and...well, the bullying got to be so bad for her, that she felt like she wanted to die. That night, Inuyasha nearly granted her wish, but he struggled with his inner demon. Not wanting to bring harm to an innocent human girl, Inuyasha let Kagome go, thinking that he'd probably never run into her again...but it seemed that fate had other ideas. The day after that, Inuyasha ran into Kagome at the school garden, wanting to get flowers for his mom since her birthday was coming, soon. Imagine Inuyasha's surprise when Kagome's idea of a reward was to strip down to her underwear and prepare to have sex with him. Needless to say, the half-demon was definitely appalled by this sudden turn of events and ran out. Upon hearing of Kagome's reputation, however, he suddenly felt the urge to see her more often. Days passed and before too long, Inuyasha found himself deeply in love with Kagome, who began to reciprocate those feelings...even after Inuyasha's ex-girlfriend, Kikyo, came back to town, and Kagome was kidnapped by the deranged half-demon student, Izumo. Since then, Inuyasha and Kagome officially became a couple. "I brought you something," Kagome said as she held up the bundle, which she opened to reveal two lunchboxes. "One for me and one for you!" "You made me one?" Inuyasha asked as he took one of the bento boxes. "Just to show you that I love you," Kagome said. Inuyasha smirked at her before he opened up the box, revealing an assortment of food such as chicken karaage, tamagoyaki (a little bit blackened in some parts), sweet potatoes, octopus weiners, rice balls, and fried pork cutlets. "Wow, you made all this?" Inuyasha asked. "I had a little help from my Mom," Kagome admitted. "I just thought that maybe you could use a change from eating instant ramen, every day." Inuyasha shrugged. He didn't really have a problem with eating his daily cup of instant ramen...but then again, even that could get boring, now and then. Besides, Kagome did go through all this trouble of fixing this lunch box for him. The least he could do was at least try a bite. So, he sat down, took a pair of chopsticks and took a bite out of the tamagoyaki first...and the moment he did, all of a sudden, he found himself shoveling every morsel he could into his mouth while Kagome sat down beside him, giggling at his ravenous appetite. "I guess it's safe to say you like it, huh?" she asked. "Mm-hmm!" Inuyasha nodded. "How come you never eat my homecooked meals for you like that?" Sango asked as she looked at Miroku, who gulped. "Uhh...well...about that," Miroku said, nervously. "Y-you see, the thing is...I, err..." "Well? What are you trying to say?" Sango inquired. "That I'm a terrible cook?" Inuyasha snorted while Kagome glanced off to the side, an embarrassed blush forming on her face. "Kagome, you don't think my cooking is terrible, do you?" Sango asked. "...Well..." Kagome muttered. "Umm..." 'I can't just tell her that the last time I ate something she made, I ended up in the bathroom for almost 6 hours...!' XXX

12:12 PM. Empty trays and bento boxes were the only sign of a finished meal. The two couples remained on the roof, staring up at the sky. Miroku leaned against the wall with Sango, his arms still wrapped around her shoulders while Inuyasha lied on his back with his arms behind his head and Kagome lied with her head on his stomach, her hands folded over her own abdominal area. There were so few clouds these days. Hardly provided any shade, but...they didn't mind. It was still beautiful to look at. "So, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked. "Yeah?" Inuyasha asked. "What are you doing for summer break?" Kagome inquired. "Oh...I dunno," Inuyasha replied. "My parents and I are probably gonna go to our summer house for a few weeks." "The one in Hokkaido, right?" asked Miroku. "That's the only one we have," Inuyasha answered. "You ought to know. You've been there." "Yeah, only once," Miroku pointed out. "What are you going to do, Kagome?" Sango asked. "Oh, I don't know," Kagome replied. "I'll probably just stay home for most of the summer. Maybe go to a festival later." "That sounds fun!" Sango added. "You know, my Dad got me a new kimono for summer! Maybe you and I could go, together!" "And don't forget me, right, love?" Miroku asked. "...You, I'm still skeptical about," Sango quipped, causing Miroku to drop his jaw while Inuyasha snickered. "She's got your number, Miroku," he said, causing his best friend to sneer at him. "Haha, very funny," Miroku said, sarcastically. "What are you doing for summer, Miroku?" asked Kagome. "Oh, you know," Miroku said. "This and that." "By which he means trying to pick up chicks," Inuyasha retorted, prompting Miroku to toss his empty milk carton at his forehead. "Ow!" "Oops! Did I do that?" Miroku asked, feigning innocence, causing Inuyasha to growl at him, but then Kagome gently reached up, took his left ear betwixt her thumb and index finger, and began to tenderly rub the fuzzy appendage, causing Inuyasha to sigh softly, a soft rumble reverberating in his chest, which made Kagome giggle at the feeling. "That better?" she asked. "Thanks, baby," Inuyasha said, locking his smoldering golden eyes with her chocolate brown orbs. Kagome sat up on her elbows before she crawled over to Inuyasha's face, prompting him to prop himself up, too, chuckling darkly as he gently cupped Kagome's face. "How'd you get to be so cute?" "It's a gift," Kagome shrugged...before she soon wrapped her lips around his, causing him to moan softly in her mouth as he pulled her close. Taking this as their cue to leave, Miroku and Sango glanced at each other before they smiled and promptly took the exit. Kagome moaned quietly, her hands gripping Inuyasha's shoulders while he let his hands roam down her back and her nice, slender curves, one hand slowly reaching under her skirt. That's when Kagome squeaked as she felt a set of claws slipping under her panties and squeezing her right butt cheek. Not long after, she pulled away, giving the half-demon a sultry grin. "Naughty doggy," she said. "I don't know any other way to be," Inuyasha smirked while Kagome lowered herself down, laying a trail of kisses down from his jaw to the base of his neck. "Ohhhh...ohh, yeah, right there, baby...!" Another giggle bubbled from Kagome's throat. "You like that, huh?" she asked. "What do you think?" Inuyasha inquired, his crooked grin widening, showing off a glinting fang that he knew Kagome hated because it turned her on so bad. "That's not fair," she said with a playful pout. "You know that I can't resist that." "I know, that's why I do it," Inuyasha replied before they started to kiss, again. "Mmm..." Kagome moaned as she momentarily pulled away squeezed her body up against his. "You know what'll be nice about summer break?" "What?" Inuyasha asked. "We could have more moments like this," Kagome answered as she rubbed her nose up against his. "You and me, alone...together..." "Yeah..." Inuyasha drawled as he brought her lips against his, his right hand gently brushing up into her hair. He pulled away again just to bury his nose in those luscious charcoal locks...to breathe in and drink her intoxicating scent of roses, mint tea, and vanilla. God, he just loved this smell... He loved her. Her body, her eyes, her smile, her personality, her scent...everything. How in the hell did he ever get so lucky?

Pretty hot, right? And we’re only gettin’ started!

[aileysmirnov]

◇◆Ailey Villains Gallery: Scarecrow◇◆

Scarecrow's face claim: Adrien Brody

Secret vs Scarecrow! How did they met?

Ailey (Secret) and Scarecrow met 'thanks' to Batman:

One night in Gotham, Scarecrow infiltrated the Iceberg Lounge with the intention to Kill some of Penguin's Henchmen.

With a more "upgraded" (and letal) version of his fear gas.

Just as a way to send a message to Oswald who had stolen some of his gas and now was selling it for a very high price on the dark market.

To prevent Batman from intervening, Scarecrow convinced Riddler and Dr Pig to create a "distraction" (if murdering almost 11 people between the two and then make an "spectacle" about it, can be called like that) for the Bat.

And unfortunately when the "Caped Crusader" realized it was a trap (thanks to one of Riddler's "funny" riddles) he was already too far from the building.

Too far from stopping Scarecrow.

He analyzed all of his options pretty fast: he couldn't send Damian, he was with him, Dick was in Blüdhaven, He already send Tim after Riddler and Steph after Pig, Cass and Barbara where in another state with the Birds of prey, Duke and Kate where teaming up to solve a crime involving a new rising homicidal cult and Jason…he wasn't in good terms with Jason…again…and he losed his track at least 2 weeks ago.

And so…he reluctantly took the phone and dialed the number of the one person he could think of.

Ailey was doing the usual: shouting angrily and throwing a tantrum towards her employees (like the good little tyrant she is) for a last minute cancellation of 4 of the stellar models for the upcoming Winter collection of SVELLYO. When all of a sudden she received a call from the one and only: Bruce fucking Wayne.

—B! What a perfect timing! Is not bothersome at all!—she remarked the words sarcastically annoyed a tone that sounded like the venomous hissing of a snake.

—Listen Ailey, I don't have time for thi-

She cut him off

—What a coincidence! Neither do I, B's man! Byee~

—Ailey…—He didn't shout at her but his more menacing (than usually) tone, make her feel like he did; it was a voice tone that Bruce normally just used when he was with Joker and when he used it. Oh boy, You just knew the man ain't taking any shit.

—Listen to me. And listen. C A R E F U L L Y. Scarecrow is in the Iceberg Lounge it's 2 minutes away from you by flying. I need you to go after him and prevent whatever he's up to against Cobblepot.—He said a little more ""nicer"" (if it's even possible) this time, but still with a hint of frustration in his voice.

—yeah…well…I also need this little favor, B—Bruce was about to fucking lose it in that moment, there where lives in danger and this CHILD was just thinking of herself!! But before he could lash out at her with a "I'm dissapointed" speech; Damian took the phone.

—He said he'll do it, you have my word. Now…Go! —Robin said without thinking twice

—Thank you, my zelenyy*! I'm on my way! —and with an Angry Bruce Lashing out at every single thing on earth on the background, Ailey hanged up, wrote a quick note to his secretary, asking him to give all of her employees a rise (including him, of course) and sprinted out to SVELLYO's roof top; without a word to the perplexed staff.

Once she stood there.She could feel the cold night breeze hitting her face and without any doubt she jumped abruptly from one of the highest points in the city.

Her eyes opened at the middle of his falling, adrenaline and renewed energy cursing trough her veins, her blonde hair replaced with a glowing rose gold, a metalic blue growing in her gaze and her outfit conveniently transformed on an all black bodysuit with slight hints of gold on the bottom of her sleeves.

His whole body defying gravity, flying through the night sky with the same grace and glory of a swan and leaving a subtle trace of light glowing pink as she passed by.

She arrived at the Iceberg Lounge back entrance at least 5 seconds earlier from what Batman had predicted.

Penguin's henchmen where all gathered in what appeared to be a small cellar on the very back of the casino, they were complaining about an out of the blue"meeting".

Secret (Ailey) assumed it was Scarecrow's way to get them all in the same place and avoid any unnecessary complications.

With extreme caution she stood and watched near the skylight, trying to fade away her own slightly glowing nature with the moonlight.

Her eyes searched quickly inside the room, ans she soon spotted atleast 6 gas tanks oddly put in some of the poorly lighted corners of the cellar.

But no sign of the maniac

Or so she though until the abrupt pain in her neck and the obscure presence behind her sooner than later make her realize; she wasn't alone.

She could feel the infernal pain from the toxin filling his lungs and cutting her breath and her vision becoming a little bit dizzy.

—You should know better than spying on people, dear…It might not end up being what you expected—his voice was deep and unforgiving, a condescending tone and the weight of countless sleepless nights leaked through every word.

She tried to speak but only felt her throat closing.

—Now, now, dear…all will end up soon. —His tall and lanky figure covered by worn out clothes to match his own psychotic aesthetic made him look intimidating. And without any glimpse of empathy he proceeded to toss her body aside with a kick like if she was a filthy dead rat, and continue to watch expectantly to the ignorant henchmen above.

He was waiting, waiting for one of them to foolishly reveal where his beloved toxin was and after a couple of minutes one of them casually mentioned a secret basement where the most important items waited patiently for whoever was able to afford his almost ridiculously expensive price.

Crane smiled wickedly to himself…he had just what he wanted…almost.

He activated the slightly hidden tanks of fear gas and watched in admiration as some of the henchmen faces started to change into a horrified expression.

—Head's up, asshole!—He didn't even had time to process the situation properly, when Secret's hands where at both sides of his head, the tip of her fingers illuminated and emanating Rose gold strings of pure energy attaching themselves to Crane's mind.

And at that exact moment he remembered: the pain, the panic, the fear.

The very first time he tested his toxin, was on himself: he was laying in to that dirty old shack for what felt like an eternity; he screamed and begged and yet the hallucinations didn't leave him, his mind was racing with the most horrible thought it could possibly even consider, everything so real and yet so distant. He felt hopeless.

And the delicate strings clinging tight around his mind. Lord, what a bittersweet nostalgia! He felt the same, the same way as the first time, he could hear the screams, the voices, the endless discontent. But couldn't find anything around him…just…hollow and for some strange reason…that scared the shit out of him.

Ironically it had been years since the last time Crane felt genuine fear.

When Crane woke up, he was already in that horrible place: a worn out cell from Arkham

But strangely he didn't feel any kind of anger or frustration. No…he felt…elated in the best way possible almost like if he had reborn!

And so…he stood there; staring blankly at the small window with an almost devilish smile across his face.

Waiting for the next encounter

◆◇◆◇

Ailey felt so proud of herself, she had successfully managed to knock out Scarecrow, control the gas leak and save Penguin's henchmen! All alone! And even took the liberty to recover all of Crane's toxin samples Penguin had!

She couldn't wait to see Bruce's face, Oh that man owed her BIG TIME!

When Bruce and Damian finally arrived at the Batcave, he was welcomed by her.

She looked like a 10 year-old who approved one of his test and was proudly showing off the paper to his parents.

Wich made Bruce smile…a little (even if he doesn't admit to it)

—See? You can trust me, B!—she said handing him the samples.

—So you send him to Arkham? Hmm…honestly I didn't though you'll made it…but good job…I guess…?—Damian admitted, while taking off his mask.

—Well, I'm glad I'm not THAT disappointing, sir! —Her tone expressing the sarcasm and slight frustration and offence in every word. Which Damian only replayed with a faint little smile.

—…Good Job, Ailey…—Bruce spoke for the first time since they arrived

—…and thank you for your help…—He completed with a slightly more """friendly""" tone (which just means less stiffness in his voice but still maintaining his authoritarian tone)

—yeah…well…don't thank me yet…we had a deal!—She said while playfully floating around him and touching the ears of his Bat-suit; Bruce could only do as much as to touching the bridge of his nose trying to contain his very obvious nuisance.

—…What do want? —He said sighing heavily.

—Nothing much, really! I want You, Damian, Dick and Katy modeling for SVELLYO winter collection catwalk, next week! —

◆◇◆◇

OMG! That was fun! I was going to put a small and cute little drawing of Ailey touching the ears of the Bat-suit but I still haven't finished yet! So yeah…I will edit it once I have it done!

Anyway! I loved writing this, and I will be uploading more content for Ailey, wich now she has her official anti-hero name! And is called

🥁🥁🥁🥁

Secret!

Shout out to @melyaliz / @insideoflit for the name idea! I honestly struggle so much with names 😅

Thanks to @Shiro.GURu (on insta) for helping me with this! Love ya, girl <3

Tagging: @lobodesaturno @snowflake2sstuff @lord-carstairs @weam0theblueblues @morefarthanaway

[afewmarvelousthoughts]

Truth Pt. 11

Truth Master List

Request:

What’s up sug! sorry you’re struggling right now but I’ve come to help you If you could bring this to light for me I’d absolutely love for YOU TO DO JT So basically Bucky X Enhanced reader who are fuckin enemies. Hate each other to every last fiber of their beings bc Bucky is rude and she calls him out on it. AnywHs, they get drunk, truth or dare (go crZy baby) and LOTS LF dirty talk if u wanna do smut but if u don’t then buck taking care of her while she’s drunk cause she admitted her feelings

Pairing: Bucky X Reader (Enhanced)

Summary: Since The Avengers gave you a home the only blight has been Bucky Barnes, a ghost from your past that you can’t seem to shake. It makes you hate him. The feeling, it seems, is mutual. But… a simple game reveals that maybe things aren’t quite so simple. (Post Winter Soldier AU)

Warnings: Feels, mentions of addiction, violence 

A/N: HELLO MY DARLING PRECIOUS PATIENT PUMPKINS! Did you miss these two? I know I did. This starts off domestic and then veers into like two-three completely different territories. It’s a ride that’s for sure. 

I hope y’all like it! 

Tags are open!

@midnightdream83 @mywinterwolf @disagreetoagree @breezy1415 @peachthatdrinkslemonade @wonderlandmind4  @piensa-bonito ��@handplucked  @buckysstar  @sam-jae  @marauderconvos –harder @for-the-love-of-the-fandom   @meg-asaur @jewelofwinter @fairislesheets  @animegirlgeeky @lydklein1 @katecolleen @siriuslycloudy2 @zannemes

He stills your hands with his. Your eyes meet his, tears sneaking down your cheeks. He wipes them away.

“You keep your memories displayed… I shove mine in a box under my bed…”

When you had pulled all of this out you were on the verge of completely melting down. Days without sleep, hardly eating, seeing that woman’s face over and over again, the flashbacks… You wanted to remember what you were before you became a monster.

It only served to remind you of everything you lost. That’s when you’d gone to the gym when Bucky found you… You’d forgotten your misguided attempt to keep yourself together until there it was spread on your unmade bed.

There wasn’t much. Your family hadn’t been big on photos, just a few posed pictures, school photos, some holidays. But you loved photos… A grotesque amount of polaroids of your friends… people whose names you forgot or who were possibly long gone… at shows, parties, on the street. Glazed eyes, leather jackets, cigarettes hanging between smudged lips are spread out. 

Maybe the names alluded you for some but you could smell the sweat, the smoke, the whiskey. Faded flyers from underground shows at Safari Club and other D.C. and East Coast punk venues add pops of color to the mix. A few misbegotten AA coins peak out to remind you of wasted time.

You pick one up as he looks over at a photo of 15-year-old you standing stiffly between your parents in front of a Christmas tree. Your expression annoyed, kohl heavily lining your eyes, hair bleached within an inch of its life and huge.

“Is this you?!” A smile curls his lips and you almost laugh.

“Yeah, don’t judge me too much… it was the 80’s.” You flip the coin in the air and catch it. “Probably the last Christmas I spent sober.”

His brow knits and you sigh. “Hi, my name is Y/N, I’m a cocaine addict… and an alcoholic... and… you get the gist.” You toss the coin at him. He looks it over. “Nine months… as long as I ever got.” Picking up the photo of you and your parents you feel your chest tighten.

“She wanted me to be perfect. Her pride. Pushed me to be the best at everything. I was a nationally ranked athlete, excelled in everything from cross-country to martial arts, incredible at any art she threw at me, damn near a genius, graduated high school at 15, got into every Ivy League school…”

Setting it aside you pick up a photo of you and someone who’s name you do remember, Dana, your first girlfriend. “I was even excellent at being a drug addict, never OD’d, high tolerance… Others weren’t so lucky.” You toss the photo aside, not wanting to linger.

Bucky takes your hand, lacing his fingers through your own. “Who kept these for you? Family?”

“I don’t have any family.”

“But… anyone? I mean… you’re so young?”

You snort, “Is 47 young?” Jesus, you were almost 50… such a strange thought.

“Well,” he laughs a small empty sound, “in comparison.”

You nod conceding. “My Mom… she lost her family in the war… in the camps,” you can’t look at Bucky. “Dad was an only child. Fury kept them tucked away in a storage locker at S.H.I.E.L.D. after…”

He nods, “He knew your father didn’t he?”

“Yeah, they worked together…” You release his hand and push through photos to find your favorite of you and your Dad. It was from that nine-month stint of sobriety, he’d been so happy that you’d been doing well that on your 20th birthday he took you to Paris. His smile was so bright… your hand trembles a bit.

“You look happy here,” Bucky rests his cool left hand on your bouncing knee as he looks at you and your Dad, posed in typical cheesy tourist fashion in front of the Eiffel Tower.

“I was… we were…” Your voice cracks. “I never knew what he did… just thought he was some low-level diplomat, never questioned it… I don’t even know that Mom knew…”

“Was she here?”

“God no,” your eyes slide shut for a moment, remembering. “She was hardly speaking to me… I was a disappointment.”

“She didn’t…”

“Tell me that? Oh yes.” You hold up a hand as he opens his mouth, “I don’t know that she was wrong. I… I did everything I could to be the opposite of what she wanted me to be. I doused her American Dream in gasoline and set it on fire…”

“Still you’re not-”

You shrug, “Doesn’t matter. I… never got to prove otherwise.” Your eyes scan your memories, hazy and painful as most of them were.

“They killed her, ya know? Hydra…”

He gives your knee a gentle squeeze, “I assumed.”

“After my last go at rehab… I really thought… I was going to be better, I wanted to be better. Go to school, live my life, make her proud. They took that away… left her bloody on the kitchen floor.” Your skin tingles, energy pulsing through you.

“I… what about your Dad?” The look on his face is pained like he doesn’t want to ask but feels like he must.

“He killed himself.” You shake your head, “At least that’s what the official report says. “Makes sense though… wife dead, daughter missing, all because you were getting a little too close.” Glancing over at his smiling face a tear slides down your cheek, “Who could blame him?”

A small sob trips over your lips and Bucky pulls you into him. Surprising yourself still, you allow him to comfort you and allow yourself to feel this… to mourn them even a little.

Ever since being here you had tried to bury the guilt and the grief. Thinking about the void they left in you, the years you wasted, the final image of her… dead for days collapsed by the back door… It was too much. You couldn’t help but think that maybe if you’d been there, instead of in rehab, you could have saved her… even though you knew the ending would have been the same.

After a bit your sobs quiet. He’s leaned against the headboard, you’re curled into his arms, the steady beat of his heart soothing. When you look up at him his eyes are so soft, warm despite the cool color. The feeling of his fingers gently grazing your skin as he pushes stray strands of hair from your face sends shivers through you.

“Sorry…”

He smiles, “For what? Having feelings?” You shrug a little. “Well if you want to make it up to me,” he reaches across the bed a bit and grabs a picture of you sporting a particularly heinous head of Aquanet enforced hair looking like some combo of Cindy Lauper and a Clash groupie, “explain this.”

You can’t help but laugh and agree to explain your questionable fashion choices.  

The rest of the day is spent intermittently cleaning your apartment and telling Bucky what you remember of who you once were. The good, the bad, and the ugly. He listens and most importantly doesn’t judge.

When you put on some music from your own youth he's not too pleased. It was safe to say that bands such as Bad Religion and Misfits were maybe not his speed. However, he’s much more in tune with Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and surprisingly The Runaways.

“I’d say you’ll pass inspection,” Bucky says as he puts your mop in the closet.

“Definitely.” You look around and feel oddly sad. His place really was so much warmer than yours. It felt like someone actually lived there, rather than just existing.

“What’s wrong?” Your face must be showing your disdain.

“Nothing,” you flash him a smile. “So… got any dinner plans?”

The smile that lights up his face takes your breath away, “None.” He grabs your waist and pulls you close to kiss you.

“How about I cook? Your place?”

“You cook?”

“I mean, I’m no Julia Child but I can promise it will be better than those packaged meals in your fridge.”

He laughs, “I’ll take your word for it.” You grab some things from your own kitchen and a change of clothes, which he doesn’t even question before you both head down to his place.

-

Five days later Bucky watches you slip into a pair of leggings as he sips his coffee.

“Are you sure you can’t even have some coffee?”

You roll your eyes, “I’m sure, 12 hours fasting for the tests.”

“You don’t have-” You cut him off with a glare. “Fine. But if you decide you want me there-”

“I’ll call. I promise.” You toss on a tee and a cardigan.

He looks away, chewing on his bottom lip. “Hey,” you pluck the coffee from his hands and set it on the nightstand, “I’ll be ok, Buck.” Cupping his face in your hands you place a kiss on his lips. He can feel his heart stutter just a touch, he wonders if it will ever go away. You release him and he buries his face in your chest, breathing in your now familiar scent.

When he lifts his head your smile makes his breath catch. “I’ll be back in a few hours.” Your soft lips press against his forehead. All he can do is nod. 

As soon as the door closes he feels himself wilt a bit, anxiety rising with each passing moment. He wants to believe you but he knows they could accidentally trigger something in you. Be it a memory or a reaction with your power, either could have horrible consequences.

After almost an hour of running worst case scenarios, he can’t stay here anymore. He tosses on some gym clothes and texts Steve to see if he’s free to train. Bucky’s already to the gym when he gets a response of ‘No, sorry pal.’

Sighing he turns around and heads to the shooting range. Clint is already there, experimenting with some new arrows Tony whipped up for him. While Bucky usually prefers to be here alone, he doesn’t necessarily mind Clint. He’s a fellow sniper after all and doesn’t ever seem to want to force Bucky into conversations he’d rather not have. 

The two men shoot in silence for a little more than an hour before Clint pipes up. “So, you and Y/N seem to have taken a turn for the better.” He’s taken up the spot next to Bucky under the pretense of changing his angle.

“What of it?” He may like Clint but the thought of sharing details of his private life isn’t high on his to-do list.

“Nothing. I think it’s great.”

“Yeah, you and Romanoff seemed to have an opinion the other day.” Bucky’s tone is gruff remembering Clint’s quip about her owing him.

He laughs, “Just a good-natured bet. I saw the chemistry between you two.” Bucky doesn’t respond. Some mix of anger and embarrassment blooming in his chest.

“Look, man,” Clint has stepped out of his booth and is leaning on the wall between them, “people like us should take any chance at love we can and run with it. It’s rare enough for civilians and most of them don’t spend their free time getting shot at.”

The tone in his voice drips with sincerity and Bucky can’t help but look back at him, the glare quickly melting off his face. “Who said anything about love?”

Clint shakes his head smiling, “You’ll be one lucky bastard if it ends up being that Barnes. Even if it doesn’t, friends are worth a whole hell of a lot too.” He claps a hand on Bucky’s metal shoulder, “As soldiers, it’s sometimes hard to allow ourselves to be happy. You deserve it. Promise.” Bucky says nothing for a minute and Clint nods, walking away.

“Thank you,” Bucky’s tone is low, sort of unsure. He does mean it though…

“You got-”

“Sargent Barnes and Agent Barton, you’re both needed in Mr. Stark’s lab immediately.” Jarvis’ voice cuts Clint off and Bucky feels the blood drain from his face. The two men hold one another’s gaze for a fraction of a second, a flood of emotion and information being exchanged in that one fleeting moment, before sprinting to the elevator.

When they burst out of the elevator they’re met by Steve and Natasha. Everything seems fine, nothing is on fire or blown to bits so that has to be a good sign. Still, as soon as he’s got eyes on you nothing could keep him back.

You’re sitting in a chair, wires stuck to you all over leading to a computer, tendrils of white light pulsing beneath your skin. “Y/N?!”

“Hey! I’m fine,” his hands are lightly grazing your body where the wires touch you, eyes frantically searching your own for any signs of distress. “Really, Bucky, I’m fine.”

You do seem ok. He wishes he was. His heart is thundering, muscles tense, ready and willing to do whatever he needed to keep you safe. Taking a shaky breath he rests his forehead on yours, trying to calm himself.

“Sorry if we scared you, Manchurian.” Tony quips from beside the computer as he pops a baby carrot in his mouth. Bucky shoots daggers at him.

“They were able to get a lock on the specific energy signature I emit pretty quick and scan for it. We found a match.” His eyes shoot back to you, unsure if you’re glad they found something or not.

“Well,” Bruce pipes up from another monitor, “near enough anyway. Too close to her unique signature to be a coincidence.”

“Another base?” Natasha asks from behind Bucky, who’s still kneeling in front of you, unable to move away.

“That’s what we were hoping you and Clint could clear up for us,” Tony flicks some images up so everyone can see the area they narrowed the signal down to.

Your eyes dart between the two and Bucky finally looks back. The map shows a spot just outside of Cleveland. Yet another nondescript building, nothing that says den of torture about it at all. Clint and Natasha exchange a look.

“Yeah,” she holds a finger to her lips for a minute thinking. “We may have something on this, didn’t seem like much so it’s low on the list.”

“Well, it’s top priority now.” Bucky doesn’t like the tone in Steve’s voice. It’s the one he gets when he’s going to do whatever bullheaded thing he has in mind no matter the consequences.

He sees you nod in his peripheral. “When’s the soonest we can head out?”

Bucky’s glare shoots back to you. “Absolutely not!”

You raise an eyebrow at him. “Excuse me?”

“You’re not doing this.” His tone is just as stubborn as Steve’s, if not a bit more so.

You scoff, “Oh? I’m not?”

“No. You are not.”

“I hate to break it to you but you don’t get to tell me what I am and am not going to do, Bucky.” Your eyes darken just a touch as the air around you dips just a touch toward cool.

“After last time you really think this is a good idea, Y/N?!”

“No. But I’m the only one who can properly handle these assets if they attack. I’m the only one who understands even a little how this energy functions. I’m the only one-”

He can’t believe this. “So you’re just gonna throw yourself back into that?! After what almost… after… Y/N you’re being-”

“I’m doing what needs to be done. I cannot in good consciousness allow this to pass unchecked. Too many people are at risk if-”

“This isn’t a negotiation!” He bellows. “You’re my-”

“I don’t give a damn what I am to you or you to me.” It feels like you punched him in the chest. “You don’t give me orders, Barnes.”

When you look away from him to Natasha the dismissal is clear. “There’s some good surveillance footage of the area from local businesses security and traffic cams. Should be enough to establish patterns. After last time we know trying to scan is a lost cause.”

Bucky feels his rage prickle under his skin. You don’t look back to him when you’re done. Huffing he stands and stalks to the elevator, unable to be a part of this ill-begotten plan a moment longer.

-

“You know he’s coming right?” Natasha’s tone is light but she knows her words are heavy.

“Yeah.” You clip the stabilizer cuffs Tony made for you onto your belt. They were just a prototype and only to be used if you felt like you were about to lose it but they still felt strangely comforting to have. Nothing like the comfort you’d felt with Bucky… who you hadn’t seen in three days.

“Assuming you still haven’t spoken to him?”

“Not much to say.” You don’t want to have this conversation now.

“That’s bullshit.” She slips her Widow’s Bites on.

You shrug, “No. You heard how he spoke to me. In front of everyone. Like I was a fucking child like he could just say no and I’d say yessir.”

“He’s from a different time, Y/N.”

“I don’t give a fuck. It’s not 1945.” You slam your gear locker closed. “Plus, not like he’s spoken to me either.”

You barely catch a glimpse of him before he gets on the jet. Grinding your teeth you hang back for just a second.

“Need me to whoop his ass,” Sam says from behind you.

“That is not a fight I’d care to see.” You sigh, “But no. Just think we got ahead of ourselves is all.”

“Well,” he slings an arm over your shoulder, “you’ve still got me, kid.”

You laugh, “You do remember that I’m older than you right?”

“Psh, age is just a number. I got one of them old souls”

As usual Sam’s ridiculousness puts a smile on your face and by the time the two of you are boarding the jet you’re cackling. That all fades the moment you feel Bucky’s stare. Steeling yourself for the uncomfortable mission ahead you keep your eyes averted and your mind on the prize.

Things have gone smoothly for the most part. Some minor scuffles, every computer has been beyond destroyed, and no files that tell you a goddamn thing to be found but less than an hour into the mission and it seems this will be in and out. You’re not even sensing any of the telltale energy like you did last time.

You’ve all spread out a bit to try and wrap this up quickly since it all appears quiet. The area you’ve chosen is just about clear, or so you think. There’s the slightest whoosh in the air before you feel a blade nestle itself in your back.

“Fuck!” You scream as you stagger in pain and surprise. Just barely you can hear Bucky’s voice call out in the com as a foot crashes into your jaw.

It takes you a second but you get your bearings and land a blow to the asset’s abdomen. “I’m good!” No need for anyone to run to your aid when you don’t need it.

You focus a thin sliver of energy in your right hand and shoot it toward them like a tiny spear. They dodge and for a moment you think nothing of it, spinning despite the throbbing in your back from the knife wound, determined to take them out. A groan rings both in your com and from behind you followed by a thud.

Somehow you know before you even turn who’s going to be on the ground. You feel yourself somehow grow cold while also pulsing with energy, dread and rage and heartbreak crashing into you all at once. The asset forgotten, you rush to Bucky’s crumpled form on the floor.

“What the hell?!” His eyes are squeezed shut, teeth grinding in pain as he grasps the wound in his side, red sliding over his fingers.

“Heard you,” he grunts through clenched teeth. You can’t even feel the knife in your back at the moment.

“I said I was good!” You force his hands away and he groans. It’s bad, not as bad as it could be but still…

“Behind-” He doesn’t finish his statement. The asset grabs the knife and twists.

You scream, pain surging for an instant before it’s replaced with something else entirely. Thick cords of energy curl around you, pulsing in time with your suddenly steady heartbeat. There’s nothing in your mind for this moment, not even Bucky. One goal. Eliminate the target.

Pulling away the knife rips out of your back. It should feel like something. It’s just a tingle. Whirling you grab the asset by the neck. You could make this much faster than you do but… Pinning them against the wall you let your power trail down their body from your hold on their neck. They make a noise somewhere between a scream and a gurgle as superheated energy burns its way through them. It only takes a minute.

Once their eyes go dark you hurl them to the side. The sound of bones cracking. It’s then you come back to yourself, the monster sated. Bucky.

“Bucky is down. West sector cleared, I’m taking him up.”

“No, I-”

“Shut up,” you growl as you lift him.

Sam is stitching up Bucky when Nat and Steve declare the facility cleared. Nothing of value gained. They know you’re all looking for them, that’s clear enough by how quickly they abandoned this place.

The ride back is quiet. Sam takes care of the wound on your back and you can’t take your eyes off Bucky’s side. You could have killed him. If you had…

As soon as the door opens you’re bolting out. You think you’re going to run to your apartment but instead, you go to the range. Even so, all you manage to do is pace in the space anxiety thrumming through you, yet you’re unable to bring yourself to let loose the energy that almost killed him…

Before your brain knows what’s happening you’re riding the elevator up to not your apartment but Bucky’s. You know he’s in medical but he’s not hurt badly enough to stay there more than an hour or so. Pacing the hall, you wait.

The elevator doors slide open when you’re at the end of the corridor. Two voices, Steve’s and Bucky’s. You freeze.

“I’m good, promise,” you hear Bucky say.

“Alright. Call me if you need anything.” The doors slide closed and Steve is gone.

He hasn’t even opened his door before you’re on him. A small surprised noise comes from him as you turn him to face you. Logically you know he’s injured, need to be careful, but…

Your fingers tangle into his hair, pulling him to you. His kiss tastes like sweat and desperation. Tears burn your eyes as his tongue finds its way between your teeth, his arms winding around you, holding tight.

Suddenly you pull away, pushing against his chest. You punch him hard in his left pec. “You fucking idiot!” Your voice cracks.

“Yeah. I am.” A sardonic smile curls his lips. “Just for you though.”

[free-the-mages]

15 Questions

:] Many thanks to @fen-harel for the tag!!! They’re always including me and that makes me feel... included. And happy! <3 I don’t remember if this is my first OOC meme thing like this but it’s the first I do remember, so… yeah! ;] Ya’ll (who read this) are ‘bout to learn more about me than you probably want to!

Are you named after someone? First off, the name I use online – Kaitlyn – is my real name. As far as being named after someone… like, not really? Though my mom has, on multiple occasions, told me about how Sheena Easton’s character on Miami Vice was named Caitlin, but she didn’t like that spelling so she changed it. So the name was brought to her attention from that, but she didn’t name me it because she loved the show or the character or anything. She just fell in love with the name.

When was the last time you cried? More like, when was the last time I didn’t cry?! Haha, jkjk. I am an emotional wreck tho. :] I actually teared up a bit earlier today, realizing it was N7 Day, and that sending me into the rollercoaster of feelings I get from Mass Effect in general, but there are also some super heavy feelings attached to the Trilogy for reasons outside the scope of the game itself. I guess. Idk if that makes sense, but it’s not something I’m gonna go into so publicly here. (Tbh, it’s not something I have an issue talking about, it’s just something that could definitely be triggering for others and I don’t wanna put that out there like that.) Anyway, moving on!

Do you have kids? I have a cat! I’m not gonna ask if she counts because she 100% does!! Her name is Memphis (yes, like the city in Tennessee) and I love her and she’s my baby!!!! My lil’ Mem Mem! My Moo Moo!! (she is my world, guys.)

Here’s a couple gifs I made for you guys of her high on the ‘nip!

Do you use sarcasm a lot? A fair amount, yeah. But really only if I’m comfortable with people though. I’ve even had friends who don’t fully understand my humor/sarcasm and are like, “… seriously?” and I’m like, “… no.” :3

What’s the first thing you notice about people? Their approachability. I’m not insanely social, ya know? So when I’m meeting people or taking note of people, I tend to assess how approachable they appear. And yeah, some of that is how they look, but come on. The whole not judging a book by it’s cover thing is definitely a thing. I guess I just really know whether or not I’m going to feel comfortable with/around a person by the sense of approachability I get from them. It happens immediately, really. Mostly from the way they greet me, or introduce themselves to me, or engage with me. I gravitate towards immediately engaging people. If a person seems standoffish, I’m like… this isn’t gonna work probably. Which isn’t super great, because maybe some people are just having an off day and aren’t super into engaging at that time! But it is what it is, I guess. One does try to be better, though. ^^ Now, if we’re talking about online, it’s pretty much the same thing. I notice the way they present themselves, and you usually can really tell how approachable a person is by the way they talk through text and like, emojis and stuff. :] Being social online isn’t really any easier for me than it is in person, so if I’m looking at someone’s blog or something and I’m just like, “This person seems so great. I’d like to be friends!” then I def know they’re def approachable. To me, at least. xD (I’ve come across a lot of approachable appearing people thus far in my time in the fandom! <3)

What’s your eye color? Like a bluish/greyish/greenish color. It shifts a bit sometimes. There are also some orange-ish flecks in there.

Scary Movies or Happy Endings? Well, I’m not super into scary movies. I mean, I definitely love a happy ending, no matter what!! But I’ve been trying to challenge myself in recent years to watch more scary things because I detest being frightened (it’s more of the jump scare/startle thing that I really hate) but I can’t just watch any scary movie. It has to have a plot that really sticks out to me. However, thus far, every scary movie I’ve gone out of my way to see has been a dud in my – and my movie-going partners’ – book. I’ll keep trying, though! One of these days I’ll find a scary movie that I’ve personally picked to see that I actually like and would watch again!

Any special talents? Um…. I’m fat and can do the splits?! Is that a special talent?! (By some people’s reaction[s], it sure seems like it. xD) Idk. I tend to think there’s nothing special about me, as one does, u kno. :]

Where were you born? A hospital in Florida sometime during the rampage of Hurricane Hugo.

What are your hobbies? Um… video games? xD Drawing! Writing (when I actually write, that is)! Making gifs! Sleeping! Making fun of myself in a way that seriously sounds like I’m putting myself down but it’s totally okay because that’s just what I do so don’t worry about it! :D I’m just garbage, guys. <3

Do you have any pets? THE GIFS AGAIN!!!!

THAT FACE.

LOVE HER.

How tall are you? Last I knew I was like, 5’7” or so.

What sports do you play/have you played? None, because I am not athletic in the least! OHOH! I did play volleyball for a half a second in elementary school! But there were no other teams to play against so we literally had ONE!! practice. :]

Favorite subject at school? LUNCH!!!! *fat girl in body and spirit* :3 But really. I’ve always been pretty good at English/whatever you wanna call your literary classes or whatevs. I was in AP English in 10th grade! But I didn’t apply myself like I should have after Freshman year, so… the whole AP thing didn’t last long. :] Anyway, I was good at the English, but I wouldn’t say that, as a class, I ~~~liked it all that much. MATH IS G A R B A G E THANK YOU VERY MUCH. So is gym. TOO. MUCH. RUNNING. Idk. School was a total crapshoot for me so I wouldn’t say I really appreciated any class.

BUT THAT’S A FUCKING LIE.

FRENCH.

FRANÇAIS.

MY TEACHER WAS A GLORIOUS WOMAN AND SHE MADE THE CLASS SO FUN AND ENJOYABLE.

So yeah. The answer is French. :]

Dream job? Honestly I always felt like it was something I’d never have, so it’s something I’ve never really thought about. I mean, just something I enjoy doing that I don’t hate in less than a decade. That makes me some decent money, ya dig?

So basically that’s it!! :D Whew, that was long! I’m not gonna officially tag anyone ‘cause everyone’s already been tagged, I just know it. But if you aren’t tagged and you happen to see this and wanna do it, then DO IT!! :D And tag me so I can read it!! Also thank youuuuu to anyone who read this. Love you all!!!

 <3

[the-reverse-mermaid]

do u ever,, like, get someone to beta ur fics?? because i wrote this small fic, but im so unsure whether i should get someone to look at it or not and idk im just so nervous for some reason, ya feel?

I FEEL, ANON. I. FEEL. 

It’s hard because whether or not it’s good, that small fic is YOURS and what if you work up the courage to show it to someone only to have them dislike it, right???

normally I feel that way, anyway. 

HENCE I don’t ask someone to beta things I write as long as I feel likeeee 80% good about it - like, I think it reads the way I want it to and will be received that way. ((this is how I feel about my art/drawing, too- I’m kinda new to fic-writing but I’ve been drawing for longer))

BUT when I am concerned/nervous/stumped about a work, I’ll message a homie and be like “yo I’m trying to pin down this fluff/whump/angst/[insert whatever you’re trying to convey] and I’m not sure how it’s going and feedback is appreciated”, or, “I don’t know what to write next do you have any ideas”. Of course I’m a little nervous for constructive criticism, but ultimately it helps a lot to have another person’s input. Like, I only posted Archetype because I wrote the first chapter for myself and then showed it to @keep-a-bucket-full-of-stars and she gave me lots of encouragement so I ended up writing a second chapter and then mustering up the courage to post it and so forth... Currently @eccentric-artist-221b is being a HOME SLICE helping me with ch13 because I’m afraid to hurt my favs but she gives some GOOD ideas ((and she literally comforted me by saying “it’s okay to hurt them because you know you’ll never hurt them as bad as @ironwebbs“ and I was like, you’re right, I won’t! lol)). Also @cinnamon-roll-parker and I have been brain-storming a new fic like MAD and it’s been SO FUN, literally all the good ideas came from her and I’m just so excited to write it as soon as Archetype is done hehehe. 

...Basically this is a long-winded way of tagging everybody I know saying, Yeah man! I encourage you to share your writing! I don’t honestly know what ‘beta’s officially do? Are they like editors? That makes it sound professional to me. But share it with a friend who will give you lots of love and praise and honest help :) ((not to self-promo or anything but like... I volunteer as tribute)) 

and most importantly hAVE FUN!!!

[theday]

mx in sg: the experience

FHJGDGHSHGFGGHD as usual starting off with the keyboard smash anyway! ill be talking about my experience seeing mx live yesterday (3/3) second part is abt when mx were on stage but its quite dry bc i dont remember much

ill be going in chronological order so [jooheon voice] lets get it

i was gonna meet my friend (karissa) at 3:30 because we were going to meet the person selling us our tickets at 4pm but that got delayed until like 5pm which was fine though

anyway i met her and we started queueing because although official queuing was supposed to start at 6pm they pushed it forward to 3pm (which was unfortunate for those who were busy and couldnt come until much later - the organizer never released an official statement saying the queuing started earlier) 

so as soon as karissa and i arrived at like. the place (near the venue) we got lost for about a whole 5 minutes lmao so i texted james asking him where the hell . they were and we made it and joined the queue immediately (we were the last few people of the second batch) 

we just sat there and. collected freebies and our banners (for the fan events) while we waited for the seller to come give us our tickets 

when they came i was like . fucking screaming because one of the seller was someone i knew from primary school (4 years ago) and i was likeudghdgghdhsh??????? that was the highlight of the daydhfhs

after we bought the tickets and shit we were slightly concerned they wouldnt work lmao but they did god bless

while we waited for the doors to open and stuff a group of people did dance covers of mx songs and later other groups too everyone was cheering for them which was nice fgfghdgh

the hype died down and we just waited quietly until it hit 6pm and i started listening to the day6 stream LMAO but after 4 songs i had to stop because suddenly everyone was standing up?? 

for nothing though because we sat down like 30 minutes later at around 7? 7:30? everyone stood up again and this time people were given wrist tag things u kno.. ya there were three (?) kinds i think gold for those who held a superfan ticket, pink for general admission and some other colour for those who got tickets for free and could sit on chairs dhdghs 

it was a free standing event in an outdoor space so superfan ticket holders got to stand closer to the stage? and those with general admission had to stand behind us and it was separated by a barricade 

we entered at like 8pm because we were the second batch (there was a third batch behind us) and it was already filled?? not exactly but from where we were standing we couldn’t really see the stage 

in the end we were in the middle which wasnt exactly the best but its definitely better than those standing all the way at the back rip 

i think at like 7:45 they started playing the music videos and everyone was shouting the lyrics it was cute i loved it but my throat told me to die after i yelled for like all of their mvsjhdgdghd 

also when all in played u bet my ass i jumped up and downdhg

also water wasnt allowed inside which i think is normal so i chugged mine down as fast as i could before entering (i had a little left and the lady let me in with it thanks queen) (i drank it all before they even came on stage)

the hype was real though and it was great 

when it hit 8:30pm the introduction video started and suddenly i was getting pushed forward and wow . dont go if ur not a fan of people invading your personal bubble. i wish fans had more sense to Not push around and stuff but what can we do rip 

other than that when they came out oh gOD when they came out i was likebfhgddgs??!?!??!?! i had to stand on my tip toes to see them

they started with beautiful and i was liek. dissociating i jsut sang along and shit it was amazing?????? 

the first person i saw was kihyun and then minhyuk?? i dont remember who else i saw but iw ss losing my fucking mind over how good everyone looked

anyway after that was um.............. fuck. .... i dont know..........

IFMFHGHSGF IM CRYING MY BRAIN TOLD ME TO DIE

white love maybe? i think they did like an introduction of themselves ??

anyway ill figure the songs out later they started playing games i think or was that another time im bad at this clearly 

ask james for the details of the songs i dont remember shit from that i just remember singing along to the songs badly and moving my arm back and forthhfgsgh 

also team work makes the dream work because karissa was recording and i helped her to zoom in and ensure they looked human with the brightness and stuff fhjdgsgh 

but !! everyone did the fanchants really well it was so heartworming 

also during white love they made us do that one part u know the one and it was awesome!!!!! during white sugar they threw m&m’s and i got to get a good look at their faces without having to look at the screen!! 

honestly was good too god im so happie 

hm. they did a mon-story time and showed us pics from previous eras (trespass > i dnt remmeber fuck > beautiful world tour > mxray > first win) ?? might be wrong dghdgs and they talked about stuff that happened i blanked out though so i dont know what they said 

also when they flashed the first win part they started throwing hands @ each other usual mx shit dhjgsgd

we chanted monsta x and they chanted monbebe back at us :-( i love them

i think changkyun said he doesnt wnat to do another season of mxray LMAODHFGHHGS fucking loser 

the translator made me laugh he was super monotone fhgdghfsh

then they played mon-ccaso dghghfsh and drew what they wanted to eat with singaporean mbb!!

there was a bug in front of wonho and he got !!!! fhdgh cute .

shownu: ????? what was it ?? a drink it looked like a cocktail and kihyun was like “non alcoholic” dghffsgs

wonho: ice cream!!! hes so cute his drawing was so cute also he wrote monbebe before they announced the game his handwriting is so pretty tf

minhyuk: ramyeon lmao (in his words: traditional korean noodles) 

kihyun: uh oH HE DREW A CRABFGHGSHS and said chili and pepper crab!!!

hyungwon: he drew a shrimpfhggdgs fucking . it was so cute

jooheon: mandu!! or dumplings :D

changkyun: water. JHDHGDGSG KING HONESTLY IW AS LIKE JUMPING UP AND DOWN IN EXCITEMENT!! love me a water stan 

anyway they talked about what they drew and when it came to minhyuk’s turn he was like guess and everyone just shit on him DHJDHSHG 

some examples: “hair” Gghdhg and some fans (including me) screamed cucumberhjfghgs let this man live 

minhyuk also tried to make fun of jooheons drawing but it failed bc none of us understood his joke

so they made us vote by screaming and they each stood up while holding their sketchbooks and we’d scream

winner was changkyun (i yelled my heart out and jumped bitch)

FHGSGG W INNER HAD TO DO AEGYO THOUGHDG played urself

they did oppaya and i think there are fancams somewhere

then they made wonho do it hhdggs best 1 minute of my life

after that was uhh??????? brain machine broke i dont know im not even going in order anymore

they either did from zero first or the fan videos were shown first

if so the fan videos were of fans talking about how much they love/appreciate mx and it was sweet after that we raised our banners for the fan vid

and then the CAKE came for wonho and we sang happy birthday to wonho (kihyun asked us to sing once too at the start hjdghgsg we did that in english this time it was in korean) 

also funny hfgdhgs thing... they talked in korean and a lot of people replied in korean so they got shockedhfgh FUCJ DAY6 ok safe im listening now

i think they (minhyuk?) asked who thought/if he was handsome and got rly happie when we said yea

after him someone asked too LOLJHDGSG

back 2 whatever fdsh um oh yeah the cake was done to look like ramyeon in a pot :D ill add a link

wonho cut himself with the knife D-: babie 

he kept wanting to eat it though so hopefully he liked it 

maybe after that they did from zero???? ufhffghsgghdg idk

after that was hero!!!!!!! god we were all so pumped 

shine forever next 

and then they stopped to take a break i thinkfhgshgd 

at some point they asked fans (a jooheon stan and a wonho one) what songs they liked :-D the jooheon one said beautiful and the other said ill be there if im not wrong

they also made the rappers sing bits from some songs hfgsg i dont remember which songs tho hdhs

changkyun tried his besthjdg

they did their ending ment and went to dramarama!! 

after that it was silent for like 5 minutes max as we chanted mx and for encore

they came out and did ill be there (?) (first verse to chorus) and talked again before doing 5:14! 

they were dressed in casual tshirts which was a relief hjghgdh because it was reallly fuckng hot hdh changkyun mentioned the weather too sorry dude thats life

they waved at fans and played amongst themselves kihyun dumped water on jooheon LMAO i got a clear view of that

stay hydrated !

they just kept dumping water on each other i love a family :-D

and then they said bye and left

jooheon kept going byEE though dhgdhs hes so cute :-( 

ok heres what i thought abt the monstas themselves

kihyun looked especially good with that tie by the way 

jesus i got to see wonho with dark hair i truly. died

ALSO SHOWNU LOOKS SO HANDSOME IRL!!!! MY WIG WAS SNATCHED!!!!!!!!!!!

hyungwon was rly cute too when he interacted with the fans :-(

there was one time wonho smiled and it was caught on the screen i . felt my heart burst in that moment

alsowwhen minhyuk took center position for their choreos he has this ?? charisma ??? its amazong like the one smirk/grin he does u know that? yeah i saw it in beautoful and died

joohoen and changkyun also did their best hyping mbbs up by yelling to sing along and stuff ihdjgf i love them

this is just mx loving hours 

also kihyun did the DHDHHSH EYE SMILE!!! HE DID IT SO MANY TIMES HE WAS SO HAPPIE I LOVE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!

i didnt get to see jooheon much but he was so playful with minhyuk it was so cute!!!!!!! 

they all look so good and sound even better live!!! kihyuns adlibs god help me. 

i love them so much. i really do fhhdghghs im happy i went no more regrets and no more telling myself i didnt have a blast because i!!!! i loved every second of it even when i got someones hair stuck to my arm LMAO 

after it ended we immediately left for the exit andggdghs WOW standing up i was fine but moving?? moving was HELL my legs hurt so bad

ok so we got home and thats that but like.... heres where my self reflection comes in

so you dont have to read this part

i think. the reason i dont remember much is because.. i dont want to? like. at some point i got a clear view of wonho in the Flesh and i was thinkng about how i was really seeing them? for real????? and i got. really sad i think?? 

so to prevent myself from getting sad i probably tried to forget? everything?? theres also my bad memory of course but i cant even remember their faces i feel like its because im trying to forget or some deep shit 

anyway i think im also makig myself not be happy??? this is phrased v bad but its like im trying to kill the fun and only think abt the negatives of the whole event

which wasnt even much so its like. my minds blankfhjfhd

talking about it here helps though like i get to. share and actually talk about what happened so yeah i can say that i had fun even though i couldnt see them i had a blast singing along it was awesome

the only bad part was how i didnt like watching from the screens because it felt like i wasnt seeing them live?? ooMGHDDS DAY6 ARE DOING BETTTER BTTER

tldr; im not that upset over it now thank god and i can proudly say i had fun and although i cant remember much it was a great experience

thank you for coming to my tedtalk if you did <3

[starsfadingbutilingeron]

wip meme

rules of the meme: list all the things you’re currently working on in as much or little detail as you’d like, then tag some friends to see what they’re working on. this can be writing, art, vids, gifsets, whatever.

i was tagged by @ghoststrawberries thanks babe💕

okay im gonna put this under a read more b/c i feel it will get long and also. yeah. that’s just what i’m gonna do. 

i tag @thefireinthewire @celty-sturluson @mer-birdman and uhm anyone else who wants to do this!! if u want to be like. officially tagged just pm me and i’ll slap ya on here!!

p.s. if any of the fics sound interesting y’all should tell me/subscribe to my ao3  p.p.s if you like any of my writing (esp my original stuff) pls tell me it makes me feel good :^)

okay let’s see what i can dig up.

well, the first wip that came up in my docs is a bnha oneshot in which kirishima finally loses his patience w/ bakugou and it’s only in outline form rn so i’ll just leave u with this from the doc:

alrigh t next we have. my super self-indulgent pride and prejudice tododeku au and uh. haha. i have a few snippets written but i’ll just tantalize u guys with this little blurb from The Scene (p&p fans will know): 

“I love you,” Shouto said, hurried and all at once. It was the most unrefined delivery Izuku had ever heard slip from the imposing gentleman’s mouth, so much so that it gave Izuku cause to lift his gaze to Shouto’s.

 He found the other man’s face white as a sheet, as if Shouto could scarcely believe what he’d said himself. Izuku fumbled for something to say in reply, denoting that Shouto was waiting for him to speak next before continuing his own declaration.

 Izuku drummed his thumb in time against the hammering of his heart, wanting nothing more than to tear his eyes from Shouto’s, but finding the task impossible. “You...love me?”

then i’ve got another fic in-progress for the milk series which is. simply put. a mp100 au where mob gets a cat and names her milk. i would like to leave the plot a surprise, but here’s a snippet i have written:

As for Milk? Well, Milk was a cat. And if there was one thing she loved, it was running up to meet the new clients Reigen brought to the office in a selfishly motivated quest for a few pats on the way to Reigen’s desk and maybe a spot curled up on a new friend’s lap during the interview. Most customers were obliging, offering the small striped cat a brief scratch behind the ears before continuing with their meeting; a few even ended up wasting their entire session time playing with Milk, but still left saying they felt completely rid of their evil spirit problem and would be sure to come back if the problem resurfaced.

now let’s move into my grouptale au

the first wip is from the next chapter of Fallen Down which is a prequel to my original fic for the series. this chapter’s going to tell the story of how alex (the orange soul human) fell down. here’s an excerpt: 

Alex watched the pair of them go further down the sidewalk, staring after them until they turned a corner and were out of sight. Turning back around, Alex couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy at what that little kid had. The safety and security of someone else’s arms was something Alex had never known.

my next wip is for Birds Of A Feather which is abt robin reuniting with their three older biological siblings. i don’t have anything written for chapter 4 yet, but here’s something from the outline that sums the plot of the next chapter up pretty well:

i’ve also got a fic for bell planned. it’d be abt them reuniting with their family. more specifically reuniting with their twin brother, blue. it’ll be about two chapters long:

“You were such an idiot, Bell. It’s your fault you fell down,” Blue muttered after a moment, glaring out at the backyard as if he could set it on fire with an angry grimace. “You and your stupid bets.” 

 “I know,” Bell said, blushing and pushing their curls up off their forehead. “I know and I’m sorry.” 

 “You should have listened to me when I told you not to mess around on Mt. Ebott,” Blue continued. “But nooooo...There’s no way that the invincible Bell Beaumont could ever fall down that chasm,” he threw a glare over his shoulder. “Except that they did. And their twin brother had to tell their parents just exactly why they hadn’t come home with him that night.” 

a fic i’m excited about but probably won’t get around to really working on for a while is a fic about hop. and basically it’s about their birth mother reinstating custody after she finds out hop is alive and back on the surface. here’s a bit of the outline i think is funny (mel is hop’s birth mom’s name):

the last two things are gonna be completely original content so yeAH. know that. 

i’m bad and none of my stories have titles. but uh. first up is my clone story. which features my two ocs estrella and charlotte who were part of my first original story back when i was about twelve/thirteen years old. i scrapped that story a long time ago but i held onto those two b/c i loved them a lot but i just. never had any story for them so i would write little blurbs of them in different settings. and it started as a little joke that they were “dimension-hopping” but now that’s kind of canon? 

basically. they’re lab-created clones who have psychic powers and they’ve lived their whole lives in this lab building as part of their mother rhea’s experiment. and one day they bust out and try to adjust to living without the pressure of other people deciding their lives for them. all while the lab people badboy finger snap in the background. and here’s a summary of the two main characters:

last but not least is my main project that i’ve been working on for a little over six years now. and if i had to sum the plotline up with one screenshot it would be: 

and that’s the truth okay. so without giving too much away. the main character leah is adopted and. through some events i’m gonna leave vague. her older half-brother johann finds out about her and contacts her to come meet him and her other siblings (all of whom have different mothers from each other except hans and hinton). so she goes to meet all of these family members w/ her three main girls and the Drama ensues when their father franz shows up. 

it’s basically an ode to shitty parenting and those Family Secrets that you learn when you get older that just shine a light on everything fucked up in your family. here’s a blurb i wrote for when my personal fave character horatio is first introduced:

“You what?” Cyrano sputtered. “How did you lose your phone? You haven’t left the house since Andrew Jackson got elected!”

 “Actually, not since Nixon got elected, but whatever,” they rubbed the back of their neck. Leah caught a glimpse of their bare arm, it was battered and scarred like someone had gone at it with a dull knife.

 “Anyways,” Horatio groaned a little, sounding pained as they lowered their arm back down. “I didn’t lose my phone, per se. I threw it out the window.”

 “Why did you do that?” Cyrano sighed, crossing his arms as if he really didn’t want to know.

 “That fucking uhhh....That fucking alarm thing wouldn’t turn off,” they said, opening their eyes again. They seemed to notice Julienne this time, squinting up at her in confusion, but not saying anything. Leah flew under their radar completely. “I kept hitting the red circle with the phone in it, but just like every ten seconds it would start again.”

 “The red circle with the phone only pops up when you’re getting a phone call,” Cyrano said, furrowing his eyebrows and looking a bit insulted. “That was me trying to call you. And you threw your phone out the window.”

 “Ohhhh…” Horatio nodded, tapping their chin thoughtfully before giving a shrug. “Two birds with one stone, I guess.”

thanks for reading!! hopefully some of these actually get finished in the near future.

[verdigrisprowl]

May 31 Blurr’s Horror Stream - Villanos & The Lego Batman Movie

Multiple people objected strenuously to Starscream’s assertion that Megatron could be his nemesis, despite the fact that they’re on the same side and Megatron obviously doesn’t see Starscream as his nemesis. Two different pairs of people went “I’d be honored to have you as a nemesis.” “Aww~” Bevel officially signed on with Blurr’s crew. Prowl showed up in a foul mood, stayed in a foul mood, and left in a foul mood.

Missed the start.

ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy sticks where he is, but Rumble runs over to hang out.* B l u r r: / shoves the stuff off his couch and just slouches / ItsyBitsySpyers: //I love that line.// B l u r r: Which line? Whirl: *he is welcome, as always, to join* B l u r r: [[ Kay is everyone ready, then? Cause yall gotta read subtitles for a minute ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: //The shoe thing.// B l u r r: Ah... yes. Classic line. Sunstreaker: [[ ready ]] FakeProwl: ((still ready)) Whirl: *gets re-settled* Well, you've got my number, Teach. B l u r r: Mmhm... I know. Bevel: [[still ready Whirl: ((and ye)) B l u r r: [[ kay im gonna assumeeveryone's ready then ]] B l u r r: *everyone else ]] B l u r r: Anyway, being back on Earth connected me with a ton of new scrap to watch. So. B l u r r: [[ this cartoon is the only thing i want to see on tv for months tbh. ]] Whirl: *snorts* Whirl: Oh, hey. Brainstorm made one of those. Starscream: ((This is great ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave needs that.* Whirl: ((I like their little mook)) B l u r r: / he likes it because it reminds him of him and Blaster / Starscream: hehehe B l u r r: [[ and daaas it. ]] FakeProwl: ((i'm love)) Starscream: ((what's it called B l u r r: [[ That's all we have so far anyway. But *lifts leggie* is my new cartoon ]] B l u r r: [[ Villanos ]] Bevel: [[that looks awesome FakeProwl: ((they're gonna start making full episodes soon?)) B l u r r: [[ yeah. In Mexico. ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: ((a little frantic but i think i would watch it)) FakeProwl: ((can't wait)) Whirl: ((not something I'd watch on my own, but seems all right enough)) B l u r r: [[ Tbh the english version sucks ]] B l u r r: [[ Black Hat sounds boring ]] B l u r r: [[ he sounds better in spanish. And Flug sounds better in spanish too ]] FakeProwl: ((it might be frantic because right now they're just making mid-commercial mini episodes?)) Starscream: ((was that spanish? B l u r r: yeah ]] B l u r r: [[ yeah, theyre minisodes between commercials ]] B l u r r: [[ like bumps. The longer episodes will be better ]] Bevel: [[hopefully it's scheduling isn't as weird as SU Starscream: ((I understood a surprising amount, I speak Italian B l u r r: [[ depends on where it's gonna fit on the US lineup ]] B l u r r: [[ the lineup in Mexico is relying on Villanos, apparently, to revive Cartoon Network ]] B l u r r: [[ and since it's a show about the villains, they think it'll work out well enough ]] Whirl: ((hopefully it does well there!)) B l u r r: god i hope so cause i love it ]] FakeProwl: ((it's fun!! I wish it well)) Tarantulas: (( crosses ALL the fingers FakeProwl: ((I like all the characters. Except the bear, but I can put up with a derpy sidekick animal.)) B l u r r: the only one I don't like is Dementia because she's the typical "in love with the villain" type ]] Sunstreaker: [[ i love the bear. him cute. ]] Whirl: ((I like the mook!)) B l u r r: but apparently the longer episodes will make her more fleshed out ]] Whirl: ((everyone else is kinda blah, but I have a weakness for mooks)) Bevel: [[i liked dementia until she pulled the rawr thing with the statue B l u r r: LOL the bear is a failed experiment on Black Hat's part. And Flug. ]] FakeProwl: ((she could be either really good or really bad, but I tend to give the benefit of the doubt to obsessively-in-love characters.)) Whirl: ((Yes, Flug)) B l u r r: [[ SO its like his messy child ]] Whirl: ((hence the airplane shirt)) B l u r r: [[ anyway. Y'all ready for this lego thing? ]] FakeProwl: ((ye!!)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((*SLAMS HANDS DOWN* YES)) Sunstreaker: [[ 5.0.5. I even like the bear's name ]] B l u r r: [[ BUT im glad u guys like my dumb cartoon choice ]] Sunstreaker: [[ i like everything about the beb ]] Whirl: ((YEE LEGO BATMAN)) Bevel: [[yes yes definitely yes ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble frowns. Is that true? Why isn't Crosscut here?* Whirl: *snorts* ItsyBitsySpyers: *He would know.* B l u r r: / leans back on couch and kcks pedes up / ItsyBitsySpyers: //Frag's an ab?// B l u r r: Muscles. Whirl: Those stomach bumps. *pats his own bump-less stomach* Whirl: Heh, slick. Of course they took a chopper. ItsyBitsySpyers: *What a lovely face.* Whirl: ((this is so great already)) FakeProwl: ((this is the best joker)) B l u r r: [[ my favorite joker ]] Bevel: *pats stomach, metal plates probably don't count as abs but she has like five of them* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Ohhhh! Okay! I remember this Batman fragger. TC showed this stuff, yeah?// ItsyBitsySpyers: \\THINK SO.\\ ItsyBitsySpyers: //...He got enough henchmen?// B l u r r: [[ they really ARE all real, too ]] B l u r r: theyre all canon characters ]] Whirl: ((YEP)) Whirl: ((i was sitting there going "ok when they gonna say calendr man")) Starscream: Humans come up with the strangest names for themselves Whirl: I dunno, I say, if you're gonna do it, do it right. Get as many henchmen as possible, B l u r r: Henchmen are good. Sunstreaker: [[ tag urself i'm condiment king ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: //Pff. If they was real good, he wouldn't need more'n seven.// Starscream: Henchmen are backstabbers Starscream: I would know Whirl: ((Gentleman Ghost)) FakeProwl: ((im the dude with the clock head)) Whirl: ((Clock King!)) Whirl: Well, I mean, you're also YOU. Whirl: Who WOULDN'T wanna backstab you? B l u r r: My crew works together right. No one wants to mutiny. Whirl: ...or Megatron, for that matter. Starscream: I meant that I backstab Megatron ItsyBitsySpyers: \\WHO THE FRAG'S THE CITY PLANNER!?\\ Starscream: I was tolerable once, I was backstabbed one too many times Whirl: No. I can't believe that. Whirl: YOU? Tolerable? ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble giggles. A tolerable Starscream.* B l u r r: You? Starscream: Yes really B l u r r: Impossible. Whirl: *places  claw dramatically over his chest* B l u r r: Starscream has never been tolerable. Whirl: ((also this is like. GREAT ACTION MOVIE DIRECTING TOO)) Starscream: I wasn't born evil you know ItsyBitsySpyers: \\HAHA!\\ Whirl: SNRK. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Oh, there's music? Now Soundwave is amused.* Whirl: Anyway--suffice it to say that I don't really believe you, Starscream, and even if you weren't born evil, you WERE born annoying, I'm sure. Starscream: If that's what you want to think Whirl: *snickering louder* ItsyBitsySpyers: \\BRO. WE -GOTTA- GET US SOME MUSIC.\\ Whirl: YES, you two do. Whirl: And a weaponized electric guitar. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Frag yeah.// Bevel: *perks at weaponized guitar* I could totally make that. ItsyBitsySpyers: //...Wait, yeah?// Whirl: Yeah? *looks to her* Starscream: is that... an inuendo ItsyBitsySpyers: ((YOU'RE BREAKING HIS HEART, BATS)) Whirl: Also, that's harsh. Damn, Whirl: That's not how you treat your nemesis. FakeProwl: ((look at his little face)) Whirl: ...also, uh. That bomb. B l u r r: [[ poor joker. ]] Bevel: Yeah! B l u r r: That's not how my nemesis treats me. Whirl: Well, you need to get a better nemesis. Starscream: I wish Megatron treated me that well ItsyBitsySpyers: [[A good nemesis is worthy of respect.]] A long pause. [[Plenty of hatred and loathing. But respect.]] Whirl: You're young--it takes time. I'm sure you'll find that special someone. Whirl: And, hot damn, Sh-- ... Bevel. Whirl: I'd love to see it. B l u r r: I'm not even sure if I have a nemesis... ItsyBitsySpyers: //Seriously. Ya make one 'n I get dibs.// B l u r r: / taps chin / Whirl: If you don't know, then you don't. Bevel: *she is already mentally trying to figure weapon guitar out* Ok. Whirl: Ther4e's nothing quite like that special firsson of homicidal rage, respect, and bloodlust you get when you make a proper nemesis. *sighs* Starscream: For a human that was a pretty impressive flight skills Whirl: ...*frisson damn B l u r r: / frowns/ I wouldn't consider Rodimus worthy of being my nemesis... more like a rival. B l u r r: And a pain in the aft. ItsyBitsySpyers: \\BET I COULD TAKE HIM.\\ ItsyBitsySpyers: //Duh. He's meat.// Whirl: Yeah, a rival is not a nemesis. Starscream: Megatron's an awful nemesis, I need to find a better one Whirl: He's not a nemesis. He's your boss. Whirl: Or, well, was, I guess. Starscream: He is so Whirl: It's, like... you can't be someone's nemesis if you're THEIR punching bag. B l u r r: ... true. Starscream: I almost killed him B l u r r: That doesn't mean anything. B l u r r: That just means you didn't succeed in murder. Starscream: I took over from him three times, every time I did a better job than he did Whirl: Starscream, that's just... depressing. Whirl: You need to go get yourself a nemesis. FakeProwl: ((of all the nights for prowl to not be here)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((*makes grabbyhands at him*)) B l u r r: I want one... B l u r r: / taps chinplate/ But, not sure who's worthy enough Whirl: Like I said, Blurr--you're young. Whirl: And you're tough. You've got nemesis potential for someone else, easy. FakeProwl: ((he'd be clawing at his seat hearing starscream talk about megatron being nemesis and whirl saying starscream needs a proper one)) B l u r r: /rolls optic / I doubt it. ItsyBitsySpyers: ((*DRAGS HIM OVER i say*)) Starscream: It's my life's mission to get rid of him, if that isn't a nemesis what is? Whirl: ((LORD. POOR PROWL)) B l u r r: No one assumes I'm their nemesis ItsyBitsySpyers: [[There is an entire multiverse of mechs waiting to get on your very last neural net sensor.]] Whirl: ((omfg0) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((I LOVE THAT BIT)) B l u r r: [[ yes! ]] FakeProwl: ((this movie is great)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((god i love this *** movie and it only gets better)) B l u r r: [[ it does ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: \\SOUNDS LIKE ME.\\ Whirl: Same, Frenzy. *snrks* Whirl: Also, Starscream, face it--you were his punching bag. B l u r r: Well, how am I supposed to knowif I have a nemesis? B l u r r: Are they going to tell me? Bevel: Snake clowns. *laughs* Whirl: Like I said--you'll KNOW. B l u r r: I doubt that. /crosses arms and sulks/ ItsyBitsySpyers: [[No. They will simply aggravate you more than anything else in the entirety of existence possibly could.]] Whirl: You'll feel it. It's a one-of-a-kind feeling. B l u r r: [[ this is me ]] B l u r r: [[ ME ]] Starscream: ((me Whirl: ((IM DYING0) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((it's true i can confirm)) Bevel: [[tuxedo dress up party is definitely the only way to get me to a party Whirl: *CRACKS UP* ItsyBitsySpyers: ((it puff)) Starscream: I wasn't his punching bag, I'm better than he could ever be Whirl: ((FUC.FG. POLE DANCING)) FakeProwl: ((my cd rack doesn't fall apart)) B l u r r: [[ I LOVE THE VILLAINS ]] B l u r r: ... but I know plenty of people that aggravate me. B l u r r: / flexes claws/ What is it supposed to feel like when you have a nemesis? Whirl: Keep telling yourself that, Starscream. Either way, I'm done talking about your sad, sad life. B l u r r: There's a line of people that want to kill me. Starscream: My life is happy I'll have you know Starscream: ((that's horrible B l u r r: [[ THIS DSBFD ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: //That. It's kinda like that. Only ya wanna slaughter 'em instead.// ItsyBitsySpyers: //So more like... "Yer gonna die in my arms tonight."// _Whirl: Pfft! Bevel: Ha. B l u r r: That sounds weird... _Whirl: Like I said: they make you feel homicidal and weirdly respectful all at once. B l u r r: / scratches helm / I usually think that about a lot of people. ItsyBitsySpyers: ((STATISTIIIIIICS)) B l u r r: / slouches and grumbles/ I'm not gonna find one of those... FakeProwl: ((why did i decide not to bring prowl oh my god)) ItsyBitsySpyers: ((IT'S NOT TOO LATE)) _Whirl: Well, maybe not. _Whirl: *shrugs* Certainly not if you mope about it. FakeProwl: ((... yeah ok.)) _Whirl: Be assertive! Seize your nemesis! _Whirl: ((DO IT)) Starscream: Okay if you respect them than Megatron definitely isn't my nemesis B l u r r: I don't have anyone to seize! _Whirl: Not YET. FakeProwl: *... appears late* B l u r r: / VENTS / That's annoying. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Immediate ping. Hello.* _Whirl: I already told you, you're young, I'm not gonna LABOR the point to make you feel better. *deadpan stare* FakeProwl: *he desperately wants a distraction* B l u r r: Young and constantly in a state of extinction FakeProwl: *takes seat and focuses on screen* _Whirl: Like many of us. Starscream: proper ethics pfft Starscream: who needs that _Whirl: See, look how useful an army of henchmen is! B l u r r: [[ i love that he's still a master builder. ]] Starscream: Henchmen are nothing but trouble, watch them mess something u[ Starscream: *up B l u r r: Henchmen are good if you're a great planner. FakeProwl: ((these movies may be nonsense but they have Continuity)) _Whirl: I mean, I can understand how you'd get nothing but bad henchmen if you're working with a dearth of charisma. Bevel: Barbara is kicking all their butts. Awesome. Starscream: I am a good planner, henchmen are nothing but trouble _Whirl: Hey, Ravage is in this movie... ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy nudges Bevel.* \\BETCHA CAN'T DO *THAT*. Bevel: Yeah maybe. *sticks tongue out at Frenzy* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Boy, this sounds familiar* FakeProwl: *it does* Starscream: why is he flirting with everyone FakeProwl: ... What's going on. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Incoming summary and highlight reel?* B l u r r: You're a good planner? FakeProwl: *... oh no. he sympathizes with joker* B l u r r: /snort/ Oh, please. Starscream: yes, I am B l u r r: The henchmen aren't your problem B l u r r: It's your planning. B l u r r: Look, I can get mechs to attack in a uniform formation.. _Whirl: Man, and what a masterful strike. _Whirl: Hitting his nemesis where it hurts. Very clever. Starscream: So can I, when they aren't backstabbing me ItsyBitsySpyers: *LOUD HUFF* B l u r r: If you're a backstabber, then you're expecting too much from henchmen Starscream: true B l u r r: you can't complain about someone backstabbing you. Starscream: Doesn't mean I'm bad at planning though FakeProwl: *the guy with the nemesis who doesn't acknowledge him who surrendered to his nemesis. annnd he's a bad guy. rip.* B l u r r: Sure it does. B l u r r: You backstab because your plans are loose. FakeProwl: *focus on the police commissioner. prowl approves of her completely.* B l u r r: If your plans were truly masterful, then you wouldn't need to backstab Starscream: Megatron is my leader, any act against him would be backstabbing Starscream: technically speaking _Whirl: Oh, wait, you mean--you're STILL his punching bag? _Whirl: *LAUGHS* B l u r r: backstabbing your leader still means you're poor with planning. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[What kind of Greatest Detective doesn't notice a human youngling running around their house for a week.]] _Whirl: He's having a crisis. FakeProwl: Does he call himself that? _Whirl: *snickers* ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Yes.]] FakeProwl: He's demonstrably wrong. _Whirl: ((HAHAHA)) FakeProwl: He's got nothing on the police with the— FakeProwl: ... statistics. FakeProwl: *annnnnnd now he's sad* B l u r r: See, now THAT is planning. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[The Barbara human?]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy looks over at his Boss and squints.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave looks down.* [[Don't be ridiculous. You're not expendable.]] _Whirl: Also--not quiet. Not even remotely. *dryly* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy huffs noisily (of course) and folds his arms.* B l u r r: I remember being expendable... /vents/ It was fantastic. FakeProwl: ... Yes. The Barbara human. _Whirl: Life gave ME  seatbelt. Starscream: No seatbelts? _Whirl: Or, well, something very like. B l u r r: K-Kyeheheh, what's a seat belt. Starscream: My altmode has seatbelts ItsyBitsySpyers: [[And that is why external docking is superior.]] _Whirl: *sits up, pops the lid of his cockpit, and gestures down to the seating inside* _Whirl: They're in there. Bevel: *could probably make seatbelts if she wanted but why* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble stands up to try to get a look* B l u r r: I don't have seat belts... _Whirl: *shifts to lower his chest so Rumble can see. It's Zori's Former Hiding Spot* B l u r r: Well, I mean, I think I do... B l u r r: I almost strangled a human with 'em ItsyBitsySpyers: //Huh.// *Sits back down.* //We ain't got 'em. Can't nobody wear 'em like Knock Out anyway.// _Whirl: ((KRYPTO)) Bevel: [[ha ha hal B l u r r: [[ im the flash ]] _Whirl: *leans back and snaps his cockpit back* They came with my interior. And... wait, where wre his? ItsyBitsySpyers: //Them neck ones.// Motions with both hands. _Whirl: *pauses and tries to remember* _Whirl: Ohh, wait. Those were seatbelts? Huh. FakeProwl: *... thinks about knock out's neck* FakeProwl: *hmmmm* _Whirl: *tilts his head just the tiniest bit* B l u r r: /shifts/ Well, let me say. I am glad Thundertron isn't my nemesis B l u r r: because that whole slaughter would have been a let down. Starscream: unlimited cookies sounds good Starscream: maybe I should be a vigilante _Whirl: *snickers( _Whirl: I been there. ...maybe not with a dolphin in there. B l u r r: Same. I just got my weapons stripped off me recently. B l u r r: It was awkward... but thrilling. Starscream: I hate being weaponless _Whirl: *sly look* Optimus did it, then? B l u r r: K-Kyeheheh. Yes. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[If only.]] _Whirl: I'm never weaponless. *clicks his claws* Starscream: lucky you B l u r r: Me neither. B l u r r: Always got weapons installed on me. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[He's not so sure about the smart part.]] Starscream: I do too, Megatron tended to tear them out _Whirl: Yeah, that's never fun. B l u r r: Well, that sounds like a personal problem. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Ain't nobody takin' my weapons off. Not unless they don't like their spark no more// B l u r r: I never let anyone tear mine out. _Whirl: Had the old chest-guns removed a few times, but I'M basically a weapon, guns or no. Bevel: I always have weapons. _Whirl: (9OMG THE GREMLINS)) _Whirl: ((this is greAT) B l u r r: [[ THE DALEKS! ]] FakeProwl: *right. okay. all this talk about police and being a hero is just depressing him more. leans on Soundwave* ItsyBitsySpyers: *...Ah. Yes. This would be a bit of a sting, wouldn't it.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Wraps arm. Well, maybe something in this will give Prowl a better idea than the one he had last time.* _Whirl: I like that eyeball guy. Starscream: The tower just walking away B l u r r: See, now, I want one of those. Starscream: Why is there a release all button _Whirl: ((i'm gonna die)) _Whirl: Sor-on? _Whirl: I like that one. B l u r r: [[ I LOVE THE DALEKS ]] Starscream: hehe Starscream: ((british robots B l u r r: Now THAT is how you get henchmen motivated. _Whirl: He upgraded. Bevel: Sauron is really evil but he got beat by a ring getting thrown into a volcano. FakeProwl: *... very effective* _Whirl: Does that happen in this movie, or...? B l u r r: Don't think so. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Think it already did. He was in jail.// _Whirl: Well, there, he got better! Bevel: It was in a book. And a movie. FakeProwl: *mental note: if he ever needs to take dwon Cybertron, arrange a jailbreak.* B l u r r: It's perfect! /rubs claws together / B l u r r: I love when the villains get the upper claw! B l u r r: I hope he makes that hero grovel at his feet. ItsyBitsySpyers: *...He hopes Prowl does not take THAT advice.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Just whatever the red furred human has to say.* _Whirl: *why not prowl should beatbox* Starscream: We need more shows where the villain wins B l u r r: MM. B l u r r: Naturally. FakeProwl: *prowl would be terrible at beatboxing.* _Whirl: *but it would bring the rest of us joy* ItsyBitsySpyers: *It's strange advice, that's why. Even he wouldn't do it. ... Laserbeak might.* _Whirl: ((movie no why u gotta hurt me like that)) Starscream: lol _Whirl: ((why u gotta give bane that dumb voice)) B l u r r: [[ omg i know ]] _Whirl: That eye guy is just. Too cool. ItsyBitsySpyers: \\THE WORM WAS BETTER.\\ _Whirl: ...yeah. _Whirl: The worm was, but I appreciate his whole look. ...and the lava-barfing. FakeProwl: *... rubs helm* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Looks over.* FakeProwl: *buildings getting knocked down. devastator.* ItsyBitsySpyers: @P (txt): ...Noise? FakeProwl: @Soundwave «No. Wanton devastation.» ItsyBitsySpyers: //Your eye don't barf lava, right?// _Whirl: *snickering* B l u r r: It would be an interesting concept... Starscream: thee lightning has impeccable aim ItsyBitsySpyers: @P: (txt): ...Understood. _Whirl: *hand over spark* _Whirl: He was too good for this film.. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Adds mass building destruction to his list of things to be aware of in the future.* ItsyBitsySpyers: //So, I'm jus' sayin'. Good costume for this year.// _Whirl: Hmm? *looks down* Which one? ItsyBitsySpyers: //The tower thing. Or Batguy.// _Whirl: Hmm. *taps the underside of his helm* I dunno exactly how I could pull that off... he _Whirl: s got no limbs. _Whirl: But he DOES have a cool look. B l u r r: Is Batman a hero or villain? B l u r r: He seems like an anti...villain... Starscream: Both B l u r r: but an anti-hero. FakeProwl: *mutters* An idiot. B l u r r: He doesn't seem capable of doing things alone B l u r r: It's not that easy. _Whirl: What about you? Any ideas of your own, from this one? ItsyBitsySpyers: *Quiet huff* B l u r r: Hn? FakeProwl: *"protecting" useful people is a waste of resources that should be better spent protecting everyone else* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble scratches his chin. Soundwave just flicks his hand. If Blurr didn't catch the mutter, it doesn't matter* Starscream: I told Megatron I hated him the first time we met _Whirl: This is a movie about nemeses just as much as it is about anything else. This is great. B l u r r: [[ which mutter because it wasn't clear who it was to >>;; ]] B l u r r: [[ Whirl and Blurr both have one eye >>;;; ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: ((prowl was muttering about batman i think)) FakeProwl: ((ye)) B l u r r: [[ oh lmao. ]] _Whirl: ((yes!)) B l u r r: [[ im typing an assignment on the side so lmao ]] B l u r r: [[ im lost. ]] B l u r r: Well, I can think of plenty of mechs I hate. B l u r r: / taps chin/ only one that I've told. B l u r r: I usually just kill what annoys me. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[It's not just -hate-. They have to be worthy. Capable of foiling as many of your moves as you do of theirs.]] FakeProwl: *... are we talking about nemeses* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Welcome to the party, Prowl* _Whirl: *pauses thoughtfully* You know, some holographic effects could get that eye thing going... B l u r r: /crosses arms/ I suppose I ItsyBitsySpyers: //One of them dinosaur things.// FakeProwl: *rghgh* B l u r r: have had plenty of thorns in my side... _Whirl: Yeah? The... the raptor guy? B l u r r: It sure as frag isn't Starscream. B l u r r: He's not worth any respect. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Yeah. I seen them Park films. They're killer.// _Whirl: Nice. Starscream: This movie is inspiring me to kill Megatron again B l u r r: You haven't even killed him one time. FakeProwl: Oh, for—! Starscream: I sort of did... he came back FakeProwl: You can't be a nemesis with someone on the SAME SIDE as you! FakeProwl: That's not how it works! That's RIDICULOUS. Starscream: Why not B l u r r: You need to learn how to kill people. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Mildly alarmed sitting upright.* B l u r r: I could educate you. It'll be a one time lesson. Starscream: We aren't on the same side ItsyBitsySpyers: *...And now curious leaning. That's an oddly strong feeling.*( _Whirl: Different Starscream, Prowl. B l u r r: [[ night wing!! ]] Starscream: I fight for the Decepticons because I can't be an Autobot, not because I like him FakeProwl: You're fighting for the same goal, aren't you? For the same faction to win? Starscream: My goal is to defeat Megatron _Whirl: ((wait, nix that)) _Whirl: ((thought that was directed at blurr)) B l u r r: [[ is okay. ]] B l u r r: [[ i did too haha ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy cackles about the one time death lesson* B l u r r: / grins at Frenzy/ FakeProwl: That's—ridiculous. YOU'RE ridiculous. That's not how it works. Of all the... Starscream: Why not?  It makes perfect sense to me B l u r r: You don't make ANY sense. FakeProwl: That's because you're a moron who doesn't get how nemeses work. B l u r r: Starscream  doesn't know how anything works. Starscream: Okay, then how do they work ItsyBitsySpyers: *Yes, do tell. He's quite interested now.* FakeProwl: You. Are. Supposed. To. Be. On. Opposite. Sides. _Whirl: I already TOLD you, Starscream, damn. B l u r r: /vents/ This whole family theme is annoying. Can we go back to the Joker? B l u r r: I like him. _Whirl: I explained it IN DETAIL, how thick can you possibly be? Starscream: We are on opposite sides, he wants to live and I want to kill him B l u r r: Whirl, it's Starscream. FakeProwl: You're on the same faction! B l u r r: It's not your fault he didn't retain anything Starscream: Just because we are on the same side of the war doesn't mean anything _Whirl: You're right, Teach. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Soundwave shakes his helm. No wonder his former faction had trouble getting things done.* FakeProwl: *grumbles, sits back, rubs his optics* Bevel: *giggles* B l u r r: [[ B l u r r: * [[ "Im irritating" <-- it me ]] _Whirl: Okay,w e all know, the only appropriate superhero theme is Shoot to Thrill. FakeProwl: *he shouldn't have come tonight* B l u r r: Right? B l u r r: I wonder if we have a theme song as pirates... /taps chin/ Starscream: If Megabutt isn't my nemesis then who is ItsyBitsySpyers: @P: (txt): Starscream: idiot. Ignore. Standard Decepticon rule. Bevel: Bet you could write one. Like Batman did. B l u r r: [[ i love this part ]] _Whirl: *approves of this particular brand of family bonding* _Whirl: *he may or may not be briefly reminded of a dreadful little murdercloud* FakeProwl: @Soundwave «Yes. He is.» ItsyBitsySpyers: @P: (txt): Nemesis identity, Prowl's? Insistence suggests experience. B l u r r: / claw to chassis. So romantic / FakeProwl: *.....................* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Awwwwwwww.// Starscream: So much romance Starscream: ew FakeProwl: @Soundwave «None.» _Whirl: I know, right? *delighted* _Whirl: Not ROMANCE, idiot. _Whirl: Nemeses. B l u r r: I want one of those-! ItsyBitsySpyers: *Surprised tilt.* _Whirl: Work for it, Teach. _Whirl: You'll get there. Starscream: Really cause they're talking like people who are in love FakeProwl: *that was a touching nemesis speech, dammit* _Whirl: You just don't understand, Starscream. *shakes his head* Starscream: Don't understand what? B l u r r: Rodimus could have been one of those... but he is an idiot. B l u r r: [[ I CANNOT WITH THE SPANISH ]] B l u r r: [[ every damn time, i laugh ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): None? Not understood. Many worthy qualities. Intelligence, persistence, influence, idealism, evasiveness. Satisfactory kick. FakeProwl: ((... wasn't the Joker one of the "every villain" that Batman promised to send back)) B l u r r: [[ nah ]] B l u r r: [[ they wanted THEIR villains back ]] _Whirl: ((sauron is also sort of still there, albeit... dead ish)) FakeProwl: ((but joker WAS one of their villains. for like fifteen minutes, but still.)) FakeProwl: ((longer than batman was there, and batman assumed HE was supposed to go back too)) B l u r r: [[ idk man fbdhk ]] B l u r r: [[ Joker is weird. ]] _Whirl: That was a damn good movie, Teach. _Whirl: I didn't expect to like that nearly as much. Bevel: Catchy. FakeProwl: *yeah, soundwave, rub it in why don't you.* FakeProwl: @Soundwave «None.» ItsyBitsySpyers: @P: (txt): If recognition: failed, all enemies: unworthy. B l u r r: /snerk/ I liked it, too ItsyBitsySpyers: *Was recording that.* _Whirl: *leans backa nd streeetches* _Whirl: Not a bad diversion from horror, not at all. FakeProwl: @Soundwave «... Or, I don't meet their standards.» Bevel: That was really fun. B l u r r: Well, stuck on Earth so, I have to come up with something. B l u r r: Besides, it was about villains... sort of. ItsyBitsySpyers: \\F'REAL, I LIKED THAT. LOTSA ACTION. WAY BETTER'N THE QUIZ THING.\\ B l u r r: Kyeheheh. What can I say? I'm good at what I do. ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Impossible. Prowl: admirable. Would accept, if beginning circumstances: different. B l u r r: Makes me wonder what type of Nemesis I would have... B l u r r: no one can match me for speed. _Whirl: Sadly, mine is dead. Or, well, sort of. _Whirl: A multiversal versiion of him popped up a while back, but he's gone again. B l u r r: Hnnh. B l u r r: You don't irritate me, but if you did, I would be incredibly grateful if YOU were my nemesis, Whirl. FakeProwl: *oh, that's... actually really flattering.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Jazz will always be the best of them, of course, but he would consider Prowl worth his time. His own could have been, if she'd really dedicated herself. A step above Blaster, or right around there.* FakeProwl: @Soundwave «... Thank you.» B l u r r: / smirks and pulls some wiring up from his arm / You're fun to fight with. Imagine if we just fought each other all the time. What a thrill. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Dips his helm.* Bevel: *has no nemesis and wouldn't even know where to begin with getting one* _Whirl: Well, damn, Teach. Thanks. _Whirl: *withoiut knowing, he dips his helm at Blurr at very nearly the exact time Soundwave does to prowl* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy looks up at Bevel* B l u r r: / flicks finials and nods / ItsyBitsySpyers: *...................................................* ItsyBitsySpyers: \\...NAH. I'D WHOOP YER AFT TOO EASY.\\ _Whirl: Oh, I know I am. *lifts his helm, unabashedly proud* And yeah, you're fast, and that kinetic-thing you've got going is tough to get around... but I bet I could do it. _Whirl: It'd be a hell of a fight. B l u r r: All the time. B l u r r: It would be entertaining. And incredibly thrilling. B l u r r: But, I don't HATE you. So, it doesn't work, does it? ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): ...Humorous reminder: alliance preferred. B l u r r: Even though the respect factor is there. Bevel: *pushes Frenzy over with a grin* Ok, Lil' Bit ItsyBitsySpyers: \\OOF!\\ ItsyBitsySpyers: *Swings at her arm* Bevel: *laughs* _Whirl: Yeah. Like, the respect factor is there, and the DESIRE to fight--but that's just normal friendship. FakeProwl: @Soundwave «Heh. Same.» B l u r r: Mmm... but, we could stil lfight sometimes. B l u r r: If you want to. _Whirl: Ultimately I don't wanna destroy you, y'know? When you have a nemesis, it's like... that's it. That's the perfect moment, even though you don't want it to end. FakeProwl: *Soundwave gunning for him would be... well, not LITERALLY Prowl's worst nightmare—because Prowl's worst nightmare involves Insecticons—but it would be very close.* _Whirl: Gimme a time and a place, Teach, I'm ALWAYS down for a scuffle. B l u r r: Kyeheheheh. Good. B l u r r: /nods helm a little/ Yeah, I get that. I've never met anyone who balances both. Well... maybe... maybe one person. B l u r r: / taps chinplate/ But, he doesn't really think of me that way. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[...That is it. That is how you know.]] _Whirl: Hey, it took me millions of years to finally meet Killmaster. _Whirl: And there were a LOT of mecha I really, REALLY, REALLY--*stiffens a bit* REALLY. HATED. B l u r r: I knew a mech that I hated so much, I wanted to kill him, but it was too fun to let him die... _Whirl: ...before him. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[If you think you would regret the manner of their death if it were not by your hands.]] _Whirl: *nods* yep. And when you know that's how they feel, too. B l u r r: oh, well... I'm pretty sure everyone who wnats me dead is B l u r r: honest about it _Whirl: *relaxes a touch* See, that's why Megatron can't be your nemesis, Starscream, aside from the hilariously obvious reasons Prowl stated. Optimus is his nemesis. B l u r r: Oh, to have the Tyran Prime as a nemesis... / would sparkly eye if he could / Starscream: Yeah but we don't have to be mutually nemesises B l u r r: To be crushed by that large pede and ran through with a sword... all that hate in his optics. B l u r r: / twitches claws and spreads them over his face/ Bevel: *so confused about this nemesis stuff* ItsyBitsySpyers: *There is a vaguely wistful tone to his thoughts.* _Whirl: You absolutely do. _Whirl: If your nemesis doesn't actually refer toi you as "nemesis" then it's just. A sad, pale imitation. Starscream: I hate Megatron more than anything else in the universe, he's scum _Whirl: ...*was about to say "me too" but has to live with the knowledge that he... actually DOES hate someone more than Megatron. Multiple someones* _Whirl: And, Blurr, you've just got a huge crush on him, that's different. B l u r r: ... Hhh, I suppose. B l u r r: It's great to have, though... Starscream: One day I'll have a chance tosnuff his spark _Whirl: *dryly* A nemesis, or a crush? B l u r r: ... oh. A crush. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Jazz deserved a more fitting termination. A stray shot from an unknown soldier - it should have been something glorious. A final race to stop a musical virus. A game of poisons. Anything but that.]] B l u r r: Your Jazz died from a shot? Poor thing... B l u r r: Ah... I do rather hate Jazz... Starscream: ((Star "killing Megatron i my kink" scream B l u r r: But, he's obnoxiously friendly to me Bevel: Most Jazzes are really friendly like that. _Whirl: *shrugs* FakeProwl: A nemesis MUST be mutual. A nemesis is a relationship. Bevel: *most, definitely only most* FakeProwl: Otherwise it's just unrequited spite. Starscream: Oh no, he hates me too Starscream: Just not as deep a loathing as mine B l u r r: This Jazz is more so, I think... FakeProwl: Not good enough. B l u r r: / looks at Bevel/ Some kind of holy relic or something. FakeProwl: If he doesn't see you as his nemesis, you're not nemeses. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Primus, their obnoxious insincere friendliness.]] A pause. [[And their magnet hands. On some.]] _Whirl: I mean, hate isn't gonna cut it. Starscream: Then I guess I'll just have to settle for not having a nemesis _Whirl: You can go through your life hating everyone. I did. _Whirl: Mostly. _Whirl: With a few exceptions, I still more or less DO. Bevel: Like a relic of the Thirteen? ItsyBitsySpyers: *And now he's suddenly suspicious. He glances around the room to assure himself his complaining isn't going to a surprise audience.* B l u r r: A relic of the what? No.. .he's that stupid cube thing B l u r r: Everytime he comes over, he pesters me. FakeProwl: *likes the magnet hands* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Prowl doesn't understand. He doesn't understand what Jazz has done with them.* _Whirl: Isn't that the guy that made Zori super-sized? B l u r r: Yeah... Starscream: ((I have to go ItsyBitsySpyers: [[At least you aren't -teaching- him.]] ItsyBitsySpyers: ((awww! byeeee! thank you for showing up )) Starscream: ((thanks for the stream _Whirl: ((be!)) _Whirl: ((....bye)) _Whirl: ((BE)) B l u r r: byeee!! ]] _Whirl: I don't think he likes that very much--can't you get him to change him back? B l u r r: ... Are you teaching him? _Whirl: I don't really talk to him anymore, but Professor Z seems down. B l u r r: Me? Get him to change Zori back? B l u r r: Jazz isn't going to listen to me... ItsyBitsySpyers: [[NO. No. Jazz is not adjusting Zori again.]] Bevel: Cube thing? ItsyBitsySpyers: [[He is working on other solutions. Ones that are unlikely to end in \a microscopic minicon.]] B l u r r: / nods at Bevel/ He's some kind of... what is it? B l u r r: All Spark? _Whirl: *looks to Soundwave*  ...y'know that's probably not a bad idea. If he screwed up ONCE... ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Unfortunately.]] _Whirl: Well, if you need any ideas, I know a guy with a shrink ray. *shrugs* Bevel: Oh! I know what that is. B l u r r: you do? ItsyBitsySpyers: [[...You will tell him more about that later, of course.]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Oh! Oh. And here he is talking about-- and Prowl is right--* Bevel: Yeah, it made Cybertronian life in some places. I saw one once on a job. These Autobots had pieces of it and it made things come to life. B l u r r: Well, now it's all put together inside some mech. ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): ...Jazz amica status temporarily forgotten. Apologies. Bevel: Starscream was a zombie. I bet Jazz is a zombie to. ItsyBitsySpyers: [[Primus forbid.]] B l u r r: He's a zombie? Huh... no, impossible. That would make him interesting. Bevel: *giggles* B l u r r: Even so... he's very much alive from what I see. _Whirl: Sure thing. _Whirl: And, yeah, Teach--Brainstorm. FakeProwl: @Soundwave «We spent four million years on opposite sides of a war. I'll forgive you badmouthing my amica if you forgive me occasionally cringing at references to assassinating senators.» _Whirl: In my home dimension I got shrunk down and fouight some scrapets in Big M's body. _Whirl: Left some quality graffiti in there, too. Bevel: Maybe it works different in his universe. All the things that are the same from one universe to another are not really the same most of the time. *it's really confusing* ItsyBitsySpyers: *He seems to consider this for a moment. Like, actually consider it. He's tapping his digits and everything.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *And a nod.* B l u r r: Things change, kid. /looking at Bevel/ it happens. If you want to learn more about him, talk to him. B l u r r: He only calls me when he's having one of those... vision things. B l u r r: Like I'm supposed to know what it means. _Whirl: All right, losers, time for me to head out. *streeetches one more time before carefuly extricating himself* _Whirl: Seeya. *salutes the room* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Aww. Ya gotta?// B l u r r: / waves at whirl/ See you sometime soon. FakeProwl: @Soundwave «Anyway, it's nice to hear that he was a thorn in a high-ranking Decepticons' side. I'm sure he'd be pleased by your complaints.» Bevel: *waves to Whirl* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Well, Rumble will trot back over to the couch and squeeze in between Frenzy and Bevel* _Whirl: Yeah, I've got... *plants to tend to* Errands. Bevel: *still sure this Jazz is an allspark zombie but she'll nod at Blurr anyone* Bevel: *anyway* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Kay. Seeya later.// _Whirl: *he'll spare Rumble a nudge before he makes his exit, bobs his head to all one last time, and trots off* B l u r r: I'll tell you what, though. His universe is one hot mess. ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): ...Confirm Prowl not sharing news. Bevel: More than the other ones? B l u r r: As is my own. Yet, while we lay low here on Earth, the Decepticons won't attack us... for now. FakeProwl: @Soundwave «I won't tell him a word.» B l u r r: / flicks finials / Hn? Well, apparently his Autobots are dying off constantly. B l u r r: He keeps calling me in a panic. Bevel: *nudges Rumble carefully in greeting* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Nudge back and a grin.* Bevel: Oh, are they still fighting? B l u r r: ... I don't know. I stay out of it. B l u r r: I have no more ties to his universe B l u r r: / grumbles/ I have ties to another one now. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Ping ping. Prowl is getting a reward. And also a demonstration of why Soundwave hates Jazzes so very, very much. Would he like to accept the A/V file.* Bevel: Sometimes being tied to someplace is a good thing. FakeProwl: *? all right* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Prowl's gonna see Soundwave cautiously stick his hand through a crack in the door, have it magneted, and get yanked through while Jazz flips over him. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE.* B l u r r: ... In this case, I'm not sure yet. B l u r r: If being tied to it is good. B l u r r: [[ LOL I REMEMBER THAT SOUNDWAVE ]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Because Jazz was an unauthorized intruder, a bridge immediately opened, dragging him through it. Since Soundwave was magneted, he got yanked right back into Dancitron and fell through with Jazz--* ItsyBitsySpyers: *And they both ended up a fair distance away, completely locked out of a building now on shutdown.* ItsyBitsySpyers: ((YOU BETTER REMEMBER HE'S STILL SO MAD)) B l u r r: [[ BE MAD WERE ON CYBERTRONS RUINS ]] Bevel: Aw well, I hope you figure it out. *encouraging smile* FakeProwl: *... hmmm. Well.* FakeProwl: *this requires some serious contemplation. prowl puts his elbows on his knees and laces his hands together.* FakeProwl: *and presses them over his mouth.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Elbow nudge. He sees that.* B l u r r: ... /tilts helm/ Hmh. So, what's your plan, huh? B l u r r: / at bevel / FakeProwl: *he's shaking.* ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Confirm THAT not shared either. ItsyBitsySpyers: *His dignity may be fluttering away in the wind, but at least Prowl is having a good moment for once. Shortage of those lately.* Bevel: *shrugs* Plans for what? FakeProwl: @Soundwave «I will absolutely not be sharing this.» FakeProwl: @Soundwave «... And the Constructicons better not be either.» FakeProwl: *good moment's over. What if that file got transferred to them during recharge? What if they decided they didn't care about Prowl's promise not to share it?* FakeProwl: *wilts slightly* ItsyBitsySpyers: *He sees this wilt.* B l u r r: / leans forward to look at Bevel/ You want on the ship or not? ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Inform them if this, shared, Soundwave personally ensures guard deals never again accepted. ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Furthermore: existing Constructicon enjoyment items confiscated, shared among Autobot newbuilds. Bevel: Oh that! Um, well. *it would get her away from the horrible awkwardness of her home planet* would you mind someone else coming with me? FakeProwl: *small nod.* FakeProwl: *attaches that note to the file. If the A/V file gets transferred to them, the threat will go with it.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Small nudge.* FakeProwl: *questioning ping* ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Own fault. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Wait, who's goin' with ya?// FakeProwl: @Soundwave «... What is?» B l u r r: ... Who's the someone else? B l u r r: / tilts helm and flicks finials/ Remember, joining my crew means I am your Captain. ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Shared file. Constructicon tie known. Other data also given. Shrinking: unnecessary. Bevel: My amica and I am used to following orders. B l u r r: So who is this america? B l u r r: / he doesn't know these terms / B l u r r: / An amica endurae is an american endurance / ItsyBitsySpyers: [[..................America?]] ItsyBitsySpyers: *Yeah, he heard that.* FakeProwl: *shakes head. doesn't make a difference.* Bevel: *stares at Blurr for a second trying to think of how to answer this* FakeProwl: *he was still Reminded of them. and that he has no control over this connection.* B l u r r: ... Isn't that what it's called? B l u r r: That's what you said, right? Bevel: Amica. B l u r r: ...Ah. B l u r r: Well, who is that? Bevel: Like a really important friend. Some universes do not have them. B l u r r: We certainly don't Bevel: *this feels like such an understatment of the term but it's the best she can give* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Quiet vent. Light thumb rubbing on whatever plate it's resting against.* B l u r r: Anyway. Who are they? ItsyBitsySpyers: *He'll wait until Prowl feels like saying something about it or moving on. Whichever.* ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble and Frenzy chinhands and watch Bevel and Blurr. They wanna know too.* FakeProwl: *doesn't feel like saying anything now. just sorta slumps there.* Bevel: *sticks tongue out at the twins* Rolodex is a minicon from one of the Malgus universe. They are not a warrior or anything like that. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Well, then Soundwave will just stay there with him for now. Maybe have an idea to temporarily get him 'away' from his troubles for a bit, in a few minutes.* ItsyBitsySpyers: //Which one's Malgus?// Bevel: The one with the zombie Starscream. B l u r r: [[ Maglus is TFA, yes? ]] Bevel: [[Yes B l u r r: *Malgus ]] B l u r r: [[ My son is from Malgus. My other Blurr ]] Bevel: [[TFA Blurr <3 B l u r r: [[ yasss ]] B l u r r: A minicon, hn? And what use will they do for the crew? Or you, for that matter? B l u r r: If you're part of the crew, you're part of the ship. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Hey! Don't you go stickin' her in no walls!// Bevel: *armor bristles slightly*Rolodex has been my friend since I first got lost. They are really smart and nice and help keep all our mercenary data neat and make sure we don't mess anything up B l u r r: So, they can keep data organized? Bevel: Huh-uh! They were a data keeper at a big prison on their Cybertron. B l u r r: Hmmm...we could use someone with those skills. Skychaser is moving to full time pilot. B l u r r: And you? B l u r r: / looks at the twins/ And I won't be putting anyone in a wall. ItsyBitsySpyers: //Good.// Squint. Bevel: I fight mostly. B l u r r: Do you need a reason to? B l u r r: You see, being a pirate is all about going against the grain. I don't want you to join and then you decide not to participate in any raids or pillaging events. Bevel: I do not hurt civilians. B l u r r: /scoffs/ then what kind of pirate are you expecting to be? Bevel: The kind that helps you take out bots like Thundertron. B l u r r: /smirks/ Now now, I didn't need a lot of help with that. /points to Frenzy/ Just his help. B l u r r: /lifts digit/ However... this may work to our advantage. Mechs like Thundertron need to be stopped. Bevel: *nods* ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): This, not ideal overheard talk. If company still needed-wanted, Prowl avatar permitted longer stay within apartment. Speech, quiet not minded. Bevel: *she can't deny Frenzy's awesomeness during that fight* B l u r r: Hmmnh... /leans forrward and looks over Bevel/ I don't think I ever got a proper introduction. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Frenzy puffs a bit.* Bevel: My name is Bevel. B l u r r: ... Blurr. /shifts and holds out a claw/ Captain of the Emperor. /Your/ Captain, if you choose to be on my ship. B l u r r: That means you do what I say, when I say it. Any signs of mutiny.. .well... you don't want to know what kind of appetite I have. FakeProwl: @Soundwave «... I may as well go home.» *he's got nothing to offer Soundwave right now.* Bevel: Ew. *takes the offered claw* Does that mean I get stuck on this Earth now? B l u r r: It means you're stuck with me until we can leave. It won't be long now. I think I've managed to gain the sympathy of the mech who took me. B l u r r: I'm quite the actor. /smirks and lifts a digit to his scarred derma/ Don't tell anyone, though. Bevel: *giggles* So am I. ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Prowl certain? Home comfort not expected in present moment... this, time away assistance. Return not required. Peace, quiet. Soundwave's time spent repairing datapads. Bevel: I have to get Rolodex and our stuff if we have to live on the ship. ItsyBitsySpyers: *In other words, Prowl doesn't have to entertain him if he just wants to leave his mind somewhere that isn't the prison apartment for a while.* FakeProwl: @Soundwave «The Constructicons aren't home at night. I can get peace and quiet as easily there as anywhere else.» ItsyBitsySpyers: *Somehow he doubts the 'peace' part of that.* FakeProwl: *which was to say, not easily at all. but that wasn't the fault of the location. even in holoform, he could feel the itch of his sanded off decals.* B l u r r: Good. Then get your supplies and that mech B l u r r: And come back here. /looking Bevel over/ And bring any supplies you have ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): ...If mind changed, alert. Simple plan adjustment. Not difficulty if own home preferred; potential Constructicon theft warning recorded. Security presence not unexpected. Bevel: Ok! *Blurr better hope he's up for the sheer amount of supplies and stuff Bevel is bringing back* B l u r r: / he wants all the things / B l u r r: ... Welcome to The Emperor... Bevel. /twitches claws/ ItsyBitsySpyers: *He knows he's made this offer at least once a week now, but he's not entirely sure what else to do. There's no mental clues to go off of, and Prowl can be closed-off even when he's NOT upset.* FakeProwl: @Soundwave «No. No—don't come over.» Bevel: Thanks, Blurr. Captain. *shrugs, look formal titles are not a thing with her merc group* B l u r r: Mm.../waves claw/ You'll learn in time ItsyBitsySpyers: *Tilts helm.* FakeProwl: @Soundwave «There's no need for that.» Bevel: @Soundwave: Can you help me with a space bridge later please? ItsyBitsySpyers: @Bevel: [[Yes.]] Bevel: @Soundwave: Thank you. :) ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): ...In personal experience, direction loss: more painful alone. However, if that: Prowl's wish, Soundwave... complies. ItsyBitsySpyers: *A twist to face Bevel and a nod.* FakeProwl: *flinches* FakeProwl: *he hates that he can't keep anything to himself. Everything's already obvious, isn't it? he used to be able to keep secrets.* FakeProwl: @Soundwave «"Alone" isn't even an option for me.» ItsyBitsySpyers: *Prowl shouldnt dig at himself so hard. It's hard to have them around Soundwave.* B l u r r: / vents and leans over on his couch to look everyone else over. Well, he's comfortable here. Lays out on couch / B l u r r: You'll learn to like living here. My ship isn't so bad, you know. /to Bevel / ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Apology. Corrected term: "Unaccompanied." Implication Constructicon ties forgotten unintended. Bevel: Better than living on Cybertron. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Rumble mutters something that sounds like "ain't that the truth"* B l u r r: Kyeheheh, if you say so. You'll never go hungry FakeProwl: @Soundwave «Mm.» *the wording doesn't make much difference.* «... I dislike being fussed over.» Bevel: Good to know. ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): ...Acknowledged. Glass treatment not meant. This - Soundwave not unfamiliar. After betrayal, new function not known. Carrier privacy also reduced. -- B l u r r: Mmhm. You see, we make stops all over the verses. I'm sure you'll get used to it. ItsyBitsySpyers: Intended offer purpose: support, understanding, assistance. Prowl capability still understood. However, desire: reduce unnecessary suffering, avoid unilateral decision. Bevel: I am used to travelling through the multiverse. B l u r r: Oh, good. Then you're used to foreign places. B l u r r: Now, there are guests that come and go on the ship that you should be aware of. ItsyBitsySpyers: (txt): That, only reason. Prowl decision: time unaccompanied wanted. That, respected. Goodnight bid. FakeProwl: @Soundwave «I shouldn't have said I turned down a job offer.» ItsyBitsySpyers: *Or not.* Bevel: Guests? B l u r r: Yes. B l u r r: For one, if you see a white mech with red markings, if he still looks the same, that's Drift. B l u r r: If he's on the ship and he tells you to do something, you're advised to listen to him. B l u r r: He's like my honorary first mate. ItsyBitsySpyers: @Prowl: (txt): Data learned soon regardless. Small pieces already possessed. Starscream complaint suffering expected. Soundwave sees much. That, role. Cannot apologize. Respect, best counter. Bevel: Oh. Ok. ItsyBitsySpyers: *So he'll let go and bow his helm.* FakeProwl: *irritated sigh* @Soundwave «... Goodnight.» B l u r r: Big green and white mech with AMP across his chassis? That's Roadbuster. He's allowed on the ship any time. B l u r r: And if I say I have a guest and you are to remain in your sectors of the ship, listen to what I say. FakeProwl: *disappears* B l u r r: The trophy room is off limits. /counting on digits/ The room of intellect is open to mechs who wish to settle and work on their own source material for themselves. I'll explain B l u r r: the basics of our beliefs some other time. B l u r r: You're welcome to look at any frames on the wall, but don't knock them down Bevel: *nods and listens intently* B l u r r: Oberyn, you'll know him when you see him, is allowed to roam wherever he likes. If you don't want him in your room, make sure you lock the door. B l u r r: Menace, who I'm sure is on the ship somewhere, might be in the vents. Just be wary. Menace: *muffled* I'm in the closet today. B l u r r: ... He's in the closet, apparently. ItsyBitsySpyers: *Shakes his helm a little. Prowl can be mad at him if he wants. He's not going to be sorry that he figures things out--.* Bevel: Closet ok. Lock doors. *she should have written this down maybe* B l u r r: Menace is my audio and optic set. He's gotten rid of traitors before and I'm sure he's itching to do it again sometime. B l u r r: Either way, just remember that my ship can be very interesting to live on so long as you follow the rules. B l u r r: Oh, and you might want to tell me what you like to eat now. ItsyBitsySpyers: *And he's not going to be sorry that he told Prowl he was semi-familiar with the problem. It's true.* Bevel: Leave. I have friends off ship. My creator. I will need to visit them sometimes. And I only eat energon. Regular kind. Or high grade sometimes. Not anything made from humans. Bevel: The human stuff is gross. ItsyBitsySpyers: *He's just going to ping Bevel and Blurr simple goodbyes and make his way out. Like he said, he has datapads to repair.* B l u r r: Right, well, we don't eat humans here. But, the cannibar does serve energon from many mechs. /smirks/ so be careful what you order. Bevel: *pings back, will message later for that bridge* B l u r r: /waves to Soundwave / B l u r r: As for leave, I won't keep you from whatever a creator is, but you need to remember that you'll be a wanted mech, so whatever happens when you leave is on your helm. B l u r r: But we will come get you if there is an attack. We don't leave crew mates behind. Bevel: That is ok than. B l u r r: One more thing. I have alliances. Strong ones. Anything we do... any business between them remains between us. B l u r r: Nothing can be said outside of the crew unless I say so. Bevel: I can keep secrets. I am really good at it. B l u r r: Good. then we're all right. Now, I just need you to know that we mechs... don't believe in Primus. Mechs from my universe, anyway. B l u r r: You can pray to whatever bag of chips you want. Bevel: *snickers* B l u r r: But on this ship, with my mechs from my verse that I brought, they worship in a different way. You're allowed to talk to B l u r r: whatever you want. But, don't push it on others. Other than that, talk to those pringles. Bevel: *she is going to assume that means no one will be pushing pringles she doesn't want onto her as well and nod in agreement* B l u r r: / nods / See? I can be a good Captain. B l u r r: / flexes claws/ Sometimes. Better than Thundertron, eh? Bevel: A lot of bots are better than Thundertron but I think we can make this work. Bevel: *she stands* I will go get my things now and Rolodex and I will return as soon as we are able. It will not be very long. I will bring whatever supplies for the ship that I can. B l u r r: Right. Get a move on, then. Bevel: *nods and leaves*

[lillaxtrigger]

Faded land: Chapter 11

“I can’t believe this.” Across the cracked barrens of the wastes, our wandering scientist rides through the nuclear lands atop her newly saddled bear spider, Angelo, in the midst of digging through her pack. “How in the ever loving hell did we go through all those cans in less then a week? They should have lasted us at least a month.” After going through the rest of her bag, she shifts her agitated gaze below to her mutated steed. “Angelo, have you been getting into my rations in the middle of the night?” A disgruntled groan escaping her steeds maw, Clara releases one out from her lungs herself. Dammit, this oversized arachnid’s chewing through the supplies like caramel butter popcorn. Perhaps she underestimated how much riding animals needed to eat through to sustain ithemselves with. Even so, this is just overindulgence at this point. The next town better rear its disastrously ugly head soon, else the scientist figures they’ll find themselves diving head first into the full septic tank of miserable famine. Right on the cusp of their trip down the coaster of hunger and drought, they spot a small town forming in the horizon. With a little luck, they might have a chance to restock their supplies. Wonder if its not too late to wean this gluttonous steed to dry pet food.

Upon walking through its borders, the pair found the small town to be standered post apocalypses affair. Broken buildings, dry grounds, even complete with their own last leg citizens who cower upon the site of the two as they travel through its cracked roads. Kind of expected, in all honesty. How often do you come across someone riding into your town atop a mutant spidery abomination? The better question is if they know anywhere one could restock their rations around this on the brink of death stop. She attempt to mingle with some of the weary citizens with a friendly demeanor so is to calm them from their fright. “Excuse me, but can you tell me where I might find some-” But it proves fruitless as they flee the moment they approach. Maybe lending them some distance would perhaps be more inviting.

From afar, she begets a question for a man across the street, grabbing his nervous gaze by asking him: “Heya. Ya know where I can find some food around here?” Although he doesn’t run upon the site of the duo, the man refuses to answer her question as well, amusing the notion of escape by slowly shimmying away. Guess he ain’t exactly in the mood to chat either.

Turning towards a passing family, they immediately run in the opposite direction. Oh, come on! Not even a single word passes through and they run like scattering insects. This is starting to get a little insulting. In the midst of her irritation, the scientist hears the sound of familiar whirls above. Gazing upwards, Clara spots a passing chopper lowering itself towards the center of town, the once frightened townspeople hurrying towards its descent. Guess it might be the supply drop off. Better hurry before all the good stuffs taken.

From behind the cover of a destroyed building, she watches as a crowd of people gather around the dormant chopper. Betting anything that the people who just flew into town are well armed. Best leave Angelo in hiding so she doesn’t end up full of led. After commanding her steed to stay put, she head towards the mob and tempts to breach through for the chance to gather some precious rations. Hope they have some tasty carrot slices. Haven’t had those in forever.

Piercing through the masses, the scientist begins to catch the sound of arguing the closer she got to the front. Words begin to take form among the murmurs of the surrounding populous the further she pushed on, the conversation eventually reaching her ears. “Sorry, but we have our orders. We can’t come back.” she hears a man explain. “You can’t do this to us! How do you expect us all to survive out here!?” another one man outcries. “Look. Boss says there’s just not enough people in this town to warrant ration drop offs anymore.” Finally, Clara breaches to the front of the crowd, witnessing some Canadian forces speak with some of the citizens as they unload the boxes of supplies. “You heartless bastards! You just want us all to starve to death!” one of them curses. “No. There are other cities across the country that need more help. We can’t provide for every town. I’m sorry.” Upon this announcement, the crowd lets out roars of anger towards the small squad. One of them speaks through the outcry, suggesting: “Let’s just rush em and take their helicopter!” The masses agreeing, a disappointed sigh escapes the officers lungs as his men move to the front. The people around Clara take their lunge towards the Canadians, hoping their attempts would prosper. However, the mere threat of the gun toting armored guards quickly puts any notion of assault to rest.

Seeing the mix of fear and hatred among the survivors, he decides it best to relay his final announcement before he depart. “Listen. There’s one last thing I need to say before we take our leave.” “Oh what!? Ya plan on bombing our town the next day!?” one of the people shouts. That single guess relights the anger among the mob, letting out waves of angry cries upon the squad. But the aim of the guards firearms is all it takes to swiftly quell their fury. The forces leader halts their aim however with but a single gesture to stop. The angry roars having died down, he continues with his announcement. “The Canadian has decided to enact a sort of refugee program that we have in a sort of beta right now and believes the best place to test it out is in your dying town. If it proves successful, we might move onto bigger cities.” Gossip of the announcement soon flows through the crowd, whispers circulating around Clara. “Refugee program?” “Are they taking some of us across the border?” “Who are they gonna choose?” “They’ll be damned if they think of picking me.” “I don’t trust these assholes for a minute.”

After clearing his throat, the leader of the squad continues to speak to the curious public. “We are planning to relieve this town of its youth. Our government thinks we can find a place for them in society.” Those words are more than enough to induce shock among the crowd of townsfolk. “I realize that this might be a heartbreaking decision for some of you to make. Which is why were giving all of you two days to come to an agreement. Upon dropping off the final packs of supplies, we shall take whatever children you present to us.” The crowds shock soon morphs into rage and malice, the scientist hearing screams of outcry among the mob. “Just two days!? Are you serious!?” “You can’t expect us to make a decision like that in such short time!?” “Why can’t you take some of us with them!?”. Seeing the townspeople on the cusp of frothing rage, the squad quickly retreat back to their helicopter and start to take off. Some of the crowd make their charge towards the ascending chopper, latching onto the landing rails before being shook off. In the midst of the ongoing chaos, Clara opens one of the chest left behind and finds within loads of food and water. The scientist takes as much as she can carry and bolts away before anyone could be the wiser.

Her rations refreshed, Clara begins to depart from the dying town, reflecting upon the announcement she heard moments ago. Giving up the children you hold so dear so that they may hold chances for better futures? It can’t be an easy choice for some to make. In any case, it might be best not to waste all this time with political drama. There’s things that need to be done, dammit.

Hang on a minute. Before they could breach the town limits, another thought pops into the scientists head. If the Canadian are offering the kids of this town a one way trip up north, maybe there’s a way to hitch a ride. Yeah. Maybe pose as their babysitter or something and sneak into the country. Though its doubtful they’d let anybody tag along if few children were to go. A plan stewing in her heads, Clara head back into town, determined to waver its residents to give their children the better futures they deserve.

In what looked to be the ruins of the town hall, a mob of angry citizen bang upon the locked front door. “Get your ass out here, you old bastard!” “What do you expect to do about the Canadians deal?” “Is he seriously cowering at a time like this?”

The pounding of the doors echo through its partially restored halls and reach the ears of the official they demand the attention of. The man himself hiding behind his desk, wondering what to do in this hour of need. “Oh god, why? Why did they have to make the deadline two days? Ya can’t just convince an entire town of people to let go of their kids in such a short time. I need to think of a solution and fast. Hmm...Maybe I can sneak out through the back.” In his moment of pondering, something drops down from the air vents from above, causing him to cower. “Please! I don’t haven’t made a decision yet! Just give me more time!” “Um. Are you doing okay?” Hearing that calm demeanor breaks his fright, causing him to look over and find Clara, who couldn’t help but give a worried stare. The mayor snaps out of his confusion and worry, attempting to put on an unflinching facade. “Uh, Um. O-of-of course. You just happen to catch me in deep reflection upon the problem plaguing our fair town.” “Is that why you were cowering behind your desk?” Knowing that the scientist wasn’t buying any of his bullshit, the politician drops his lie and admits his faults with a defeated sigh. “No. It’s just this entire kids thing’s got the whole town in its biggest uproar yet. Just look at them out there, pounding on the front doors like a bunch of wild animals and aiming to tear me to shreds like a juicy prime cooked steak. All the commotion has barely given me anytime to think of a way outta this mess.” A particularly loud bang drives the official back behind the mahogany walls of his desk. Watching the mayor cower in utter fear, Clara herself takes a shot in thinking of a way to pull everyone outta this rabid political slam down.

As he attempts to try and tune the mob out with his ears covered, he feels a tap to his shoulder beside her to find the scientist waiting to speak. Once he uncovers himself, the frightened official hears the awaiting Clara suggests: “Hey, um. Why not just cast out a ballot?” “Uh...A what?” “You know, a ballot. Where the people cast their choices on whether to let all the kids go or not. Voting?” “Oh voting! Right. I almost forgot what that was. Ha ha ha.” Rising from his fear, the mayor begins to head out the office, elaborating with: “With the people deciding on what to do on the matter, I can absolve myself of any backlash. It’s Brilliant.” “How the hell did you get elected then?” “I didn’t. I came into town one day and started bossing people around. Not enough people to question why.” Watching the man proudly head out of the office, the scientist begins to wonder if her plan as any chances of working.

The doors holding the hostile people back is about on the cusp of breaking down. Once the mayor unlocks the front, his citizens pour into the awaiting halls. Waves of questions berate the politicians with questions in every direction, having him to try and calm the mob with: “People. People. Fret no more, for I have come up with the perfect solution to solve our crisis.” Once the populous begin to calm themselves, he continues onward with his announcement. “We are going to put the dilemma to a vote. For the Canadians to take all our precious children and send them to their salvation from this dying hellscape. Or to deny them our youth, so that they may possibly sow the seeds of this lands future. The people shall decide.” Such a declaration circulates curiosity and worry among the townsfolk, questions rising from the resulting concern. “A vote?” “I can’t remember the last time I even heard of a vote.” “It’s been so long.” “Who are we voting for any way?” “Yeah. Who’s running for what?” The final question sends their mayor into a sweat, trying to feed them the excuse of: “The candidates? Um...Well, I might need some time to appoint-” “I’ll do it.” a familiar voice vouches. Forcing herself through the crowd, Clara mentions that: “I’ll run for the kids to go.” As suspicion runs through the people, the official is all too eager to appoint her. “Oh thank god. Now all we need is someone to go against you and we’ll have ourselves a proper ball game. Anybody willing to go up to bat? Anyone?” Worry begins to wonder through the hesitant crowd, refusing to form even a single word.. Not a lot of them are eager to make themselves the prime target of scorn and hatred among this volatile community. Tensions are high enough as is. Its not until a lone voice pierces through the crowd that a hat is thrown into the ring, all too accepting to say: “I’m game.” Wondering where the admission of entry came from, the mob parts to reveal a middle aged man that stands to the front. “Jean? You? I’m surprised you’re willing to run.” “Of course I am. Having a son myself, I’m concerned about our children safety. We don’t know what those Canadians plan to do with our kids, do we?” “Well, is suffering through the nuclear wastes, waiting for their eventual demise any better?” Clara retorts inching closer towards her opponent. “Who says they will suffer. Perhaps by our side, they may even prosper. Hell, maybe one day, they’ll even rebuild America back, stronger then ever, who knows.” Jean rebuttals, meeting Clara within the middle of the crowd. “How do you even know that they’re up for such a daunting task?” The mayor breaks the argument, literally getting in between the duo and demanding from them: “Whoa, whoa, whoa you two. Save it for the debate.”

Quelling the rising argument, he turns to the people and demands from them: “Alright people. Time to shove off. I need some time to set up the ballots.” With that, the townsfolk abscond from the town hall, their mayor giving them one departing announcement. “Be sure to get plenty of sleep. You have time to think about your decision until the end of the debate tomorrow.” Wait! So the vote is commencing tomorrow!? That’s hardly any time to amass a campaign for the cause, even if the population of this town is rather measly. Its not completely a surprise though, the Canadians did give the town 2 days to round up their kids. Still, there’s so much that needs to be done. Where to start with the whole damn party? These thoughts rising within her, a confident chuckle reaches the scientist ears. Beside her, she found the light laughter coming from her political rival. “Well, if that’s the case. Perhaps I should take a head start with rallying my party. Can’t grow a garden without planting the seeds, right?” After that boastful statement, he takes his leave from the hall. Best take his advice and do the same.

Sitting beside a resting Angelo, Clara ponders on how to accomplish the daunting task set before her. She never figured in her life she’d be getting into politics, especially amidst traveling the scorching wastelands. Seems outta place if you think about it. Regardless, she can’t even begin to think of a way to sway the paranoid minds of these hopeless survivors to surrender their children to the Canadian forces that threaten to abandoned them, especially not by tomorrow. Doubt that an inspirational speech would be enough to sway their weary hearts. “I don’t know. Angelo’s what to you think I should do?” Asking her chimeric steed proved fruitless as the mutant ursa could only give her a tired groan. Guess she’s too tired to give her two cents on the matter, probably from helping herself to the rest of the rations. The damn glutton.

It’s then that she reminds herself of what her opponent mentioned before parting. “Can’t grow a garden without planting the seeds.” Assuming he meant sowing the seeds of influence, she begins to wonder how to go about the same task. Perhaps a far more personal take is in order, surely it be enough to warm the citizens up to the idea. Maybe a door to door campaign would work best to soothe their cautious souls.

A knock sounds off upon the door of a decayed residence. The homeowner cracks open the faded wood, and peeks out to find the scientist waiting on the other side. “Hello, um...Ma’am. Are you per chance planning on voting in tomorrows vote?” “...Maybe...” “Well. You look like someone who’s met with the blunt end of life’s beating stick. Tell me, you a mom or what.” “No. Don’t got no kids myself.” “Well, allow me to bid you a grim omen. The future of this towns kids and many others across this bruise and battered country are at stake, and your vote may turn the tide of fate.” “Oh don’t get me started with all that. I seen the Canadians this morning. I know they plan to take our kids.” “Right, let me get to the point then. I run in for letting the kids go with the Canadians, liberating them from both the current and potential suffering the wastes will inflict upon them.” “You honestly trust those maple leaved bastards with all those kids? They could send them off to work camps for all you know.” “Or, they could put them up for adoption for loving families as far as you seem to know.” Seeing the humble dwellers patients quickly thinning, Clara lets out a nervous chuckle and thinks tugging at her heart strings might do the trick.

“Le-let me take you through a scenario real quick. Imagine if you will towns like this one all across the country, broken and battered through the wages of war and time. Nothing much is left to prosper among the limits of these villages. Among the worn and tired people are their children. Children that can’t help but go starving and parched. Forced to muster what little nutrition they can scrap on whatever this once mighty land offers and what the Canadians can give, wishing one day for a better life beyond this hellish landscape. The wishes of those children may have the chance to be fulfilled, but only with your vote. Will you give your heart and free the youth of tomorrow from their hopeless strife for survival?” The heartbreaking hypothetical manages to draw tears from the woman eyes, her sorrow trickling down her cheeks with a loud sniffle. “I...I never thought of it like that. Those poor kids.” “So, with all this in mind. Do I have your vote for tomorrow?” the scientist wonders. “Of course, just...please, give those children the future they deserve.” Once the dweller retreat back into her broken abode with a shut at the door, Clara celebrate the induction of a newfound supporter with a well deserved fist pump. Nice! One point for the home team! These political ventures are proving themselves to be easier then the scientist had initially thought. Seems that playing with peoples fragile emotions is all it takes to steer through the rough tides of diplomacy. Lets hope this political party train keeps chugging through smooth tracks ahead.

In the midst of her victory fueled retreat from the home, the scientist finds Jean on the porch of the house across the street, conversing with the residence of the battered dwelling. From there, her ears manage to catch the conversation at its hearty end, concluding with a firm hand shake. “Thank you so much for your time and your vote.” Upon the close of the door, her political rival glances over in Clara direction with a sneer. Better stuff some coal into the engine, else she might lose this train race.

At the door of another home, Clara stands face to face with the man of the house after just relaying to him what plight plagues the town. “But sir. Think about all the kids you could be saving.” she tries to plea. “Or all the families you can be tearing apart at the seems. My daughter is the only piece of family I have left in this hellhole. I couldn’t bear to tear her away from her one and only papa.” “Sir, I know how hard it must be to part with you’re little girl, but think how much she’d be better off up north. She’d get the proper food and care she rightfully deserves.” “I’m sorry. But my answer is no.” With swift haste, the man slams the door shut right in front of the scientist. Seems like this political venture might be tougher then she first realized. No matter, bound to hit a couple bumps on the steel track sometime. All par for the course. Best have better luck for the next house, suppose.

And indeed she strike gold with her next patron as the woman at the door all too willingly admits that: “Of course I’d give my kids up if it meant saving the from this the broken wastelands of this country.” I can barely get enough food for myself, let alone my babies.” “Great, then I got your vote?” “All that and more, honey. I just hope those Canadians can give them the shelter they deserve.” With the shut at the door, Clara begins to ease her worries. At least things are smoothing out along the way, lets hope the rest of the campaign proves to be an easy ride.

A hope that his shot straight down as she’s greeted by the shouts of a bitter elder upon the next houses visit. She tries to block the spit that rockets out of his mouth during his rant. “Absolutely not, little missy! You think I’m just gonna stand by and let those damn Canadians take our kids after what they done to our country!? Hell no! I refuse to let those maple leaved bastards take anything else from us!” “But sir. Think about the children.” “The children? Those children are the only hope America’s got from rising back from the dead, and I ain’t lettin you take em, ya hear me! Now, you best be getting offa my porch, else I’m gonna fill that pretty face a yours full a led.” With that threat, the elder pulls out a shotgun, cocked and primed to shoot towards his opposing politicians head. She doesn't hesitate to bolt away from the mans abode, sprinting through the cracked streets like an Olympic runner aiming for the gold.

Escaping from the aim of the crazed old fart, Clara begins to understand that she might have a take a different approach to this whole ordeal, else risk finding herself upon the wrong end of a wayward rifle. But who else to try and convince, she wonders. What other citizens around this bleak and forgotten town could she recruit in helping to sway the hearts and minds of these hardened and emotionally unstable survivors? A question that is soon answered once her gazes rest upon a small school house upon the horizon. Of course, who better to fight for the children then the children themselves? An idea so manipulative, it just might work.

As the children try to frolic and play with little they have outside, Clara partakes in an audience with their teacher inside. “I don’t know. With everyone in town all up in arms about this whole disaster, I’m not sure it be a good idea to let one of the heads of the party interview the children. It could get really ugly.” the teacher warns. “Listen, listen. I get it. Ya don’t want the kids to feel bad about any of this. But, don’t you think that it might be a little unfair for them to not get their two cents in. After all, there the ones being affected by all this the most.” With a weary sigh, she admits to the scientist: “I know. I’m just worried is all. This town can just get a little crazy sometimes. You wouldn’t believe what some people around hear would stoop to.” “I think I can, honestly. How about I just interview one of them at a time. Would that be alright with you?” “I guess that wouldn’t be too bad. Let me just tell the children real quick.”

Walking out towards dilapidated playground, the teacher lets out a frightful gasp. Clara rushes out moment later to see what set her off, to find an abundance of webs and string all around the destroyed equipment, some of it acting like swings and bars around the poles that the kids played and laughed to. Amidst all of these silky shenanigans, the scientist steed was giving out free rides to packs of children desiring to ride. Clara sees the rising panic upon the teachers face, as if any minute she’d let out a shriek of unparalleled terror. She attempt to quell her concern, reassuring her with: “Do-Don’t panic! She’s friendly! I swear she’s completely harmless!” “A-a-are yo-you sure?” “Trust me. Angelo is like a giant teddy bear. I swear these kids are safe.” Right on that promise, one of the kids begin to cry for help, his bum stuck to the silky swing. “I can get off the swing. Someone help.” With a contemptuous glare from the teacher, Clara is forced to renounce her promise and instead correct her notion with: “Ehh…m-mostly safe.”

After prying the boy from Angelo’s makeshift web swing of sticky silk, the scientist begins her interview with the kids. The first question that she decides to kick off their interviews with is: “So tell me. How are you feeling? Are you guys getting enough food and water at home?” One at a time, they submit their answers to her, yielding various results such as: “I mean, not really. I feel hungry most of the time.” “A have a couple of brothers, so I hafta share some of cans.” “We have a lot of water, but we don’t got that much food.” “I feel thirsty all the time.” “I don’t know what’s going on.” Poor kids. Seems like they’re not even well off with what they’re getting now. If this is truly the last time those forces are dropping off supplies to this town, there’s no imagining how long they’d last then. Best press on to see what they think about this whole mess.

“Have you’re parents even told you why the town is upset in the first place?” Clara continues her questionnaire with. “Well…not really.” “Something about the Canadians taking us away.” “My dad says they want to take us someplace better where we can be safe.” “My mom says they might send us to work in terrible factories where they work us to the bone.” “Are they fighting because of food again?” “I don’t have parents.” “My dad says that I’m not supposed to talk to you.” one boy meekly admits. Seems some of these kids parents haven’t even bothered to give them the full scoop. Might be best not to keep them in the dark. They at least deserve to know what’s gonna happen to them.

After dispatching to the ignorant youths why their humble town is all up in arms in the first place, the scientist figures it be the best time for them to give their opinions on the whole matter. “Right, so. Have ya got anything to say about all of this? Are you scared, happy, sad? Tell me what you think.” “About time we get outta here. I didn’t know how much longer I’d last around here.” “The armor people in the helicopter scare me.” “I heard Canada is supposed to be cold. I’m tired of all this heat.” “I don’t wanna leave my parents, why can’t they go with me?” “Are we really leaving? Like, are they actually gonna take us outta here?” “I wish everyone would just stop fight already.” While Clara does manage to pry a hefty amount of info from the kids, a few of them simply refuse to give their say altogether. Wonder what could be troubling them enough not to answer? Are they scared of what their others might think? Just a few more things left to say before the scientist departs anyhow? Hope they find the courage to speak up for then.

“Have you sat down with your parents about what you think about this Canada thing? What did they have to say?” “No.” “Not really.” “Nuh uh.” “My mom says that I should leave.” “They say sticking together is more important.” “I’m too scared to ask.” ”Its not like they’d care what I think anyway.” “My dad says he wants what’s best for me.” “I don’t know if he even wants to talk.”

With the questionnaire portion all finished, its about time to wrap this interview up with an inspirational speech. “Well, that about sums up my time with you here. But before I go, I want to leave you with one more thing to think about. I’m sure that a lot of you are frightened of this massive change of your lives and are afraid to leave the ones you love behind. I’m sure that they’re just as scared as you are right now. But now is not the time for fear. Now is the time to speak your minds and tell your families about what you think about all this before its too late. Because I know without a doubt, they want what’s best for you and to have you be free from this scorching nightmare. If you just sit down and talk with them, I’m sure they’ll listen.”

With her final message relayed, Clara takes her leave from the humble school shack, the children waving goodbye to Angelo as both her and her rider depart. Lets hope the message got through to some of those poor kids. Own goals aside, she hopes that all of them leave this hellish landscape of broken hopes and dreams to places more promising.

With the sun hanging over the clear skies of this broken village, Clara realizes that she has quite the chunk of day left before the night comes and wonders what else she can do to rally more supporters for her cause. Passing by a worn fence on the wayside, she manages to catch the echoes of familiar voice coming from the other side. Taking a peak on the other side, she witnesses her campaign rival, amassing a crowd of his own atop a makeshift podium of wood and stone. Beside him was the shy young man that she had interviewed at the school house a while ago, doing very little but silently stand aside Jean in the midst of his speech. Pretty safe bet that he’s the son that he had mentioned during their first clash. If so, then the scientist cannot wish the poor boy enough luck.

From beyond the fence, Clara manages to get a pretty good earshot of the ongoing speech, able to hear the man in the middle of his announcement. “We cannot give into the Canadians demands. They haven’t told us a thing about what they aim to do with our children or how they will care for them. From as far as we know, they could be planning to do anything. Things that we fear to imagine.” Lifting the boy beside him up to his height, he holds the young man up to his height and continues with: “I wouldn’t know what I’d do with my little Jacob by my side. Everyday, I worry about his well being and what they future may hold for her. With the Canadians threatening to abandoning us in our time of need, how can I be asked to possibly trust them with my little boy?” The boy fails to change his expression of worry, instead opting to look away from the pitying crowd.

His father gently puts him down and hears him continue his inspirational speech with: “No, they are not the answer to our problem. In this time of crisis, we must stick together against the hardships of this land. People and families alike are the key to our salvation, our survival. By taking a stand as one for the future, only then we may prosper and perhaps resurrect our proud land back from the grave.” His speech is more then enough to garter cheers and applause from the crowd before him, sending the sound of claps and whistles into the dry town air. Scanning through the applauding crowd, Jean manages to catch a small glimpse of his rivals gaze as she ducks under his squinting glance.

Escaping from the unsuspecting crowd, Clara finds it best to tear out another page from her rivals handbook and attempt to assemble a legion of potential supporters herself. Might have to hide Angelo though. If her entry into this torn village this morning proved anything, is that these frightened masses won’t dare to gather around a threatening mutant that could potentially tear their inside out and devour them like a morbid flesh Italian cuisine. Still, might want to have her close in case things get ugly. With how violate a few of these people have proven, ya never know when one jackass might pop up and turn her gathering into a gallery shootout, especially with the lack of authority around these parts.

All that in mind, she readies to summon a crowd by standing atop a long since dead automobile, taking in a view of the residence passing by as some stop to take note of her presence. The site of the gathering populous makes the scientist sweat a fair bit, the lack of a prepared speech and all. Oh well. Speeches are just technically big words stitched together to form what resembles an inspirational message if you think about it. Just gotta pull out all the stops on her expansive vocabulary and she should have next to no problem, right?

The citizens hear the scientist begin her presentation with a reminder of their situation. “People of...uh...People of this fair town. Heed my cry. As you may have found out, the Canadians that have kept you fed all these years are now offering your children the chance of salvation from the horrors of the wastes upon their departure. No longer may they continue to face ceaseless hunger, restless nights, and never ending pain and agony from the future ahead. I realize that this will tear some families apart, some wishing to stay together among the terrors of the land. But, if those families really cared for their children, loved them with all their heart, they’d wish to relive them from all the suffering in store for them. Others may hope that in keeping their children, the youth may hold the future of America’s restoration. To which take a look around. Broken homes and cracked streets within the confines of this town and nothing but the endless site of scorching grounds beyond. Is there anything worth saving within this once mighty nation. Don’t wish these burdens upon this fair villages youth, rather desire their prosper beyond the borders within maple lands to the north.” A whiff of silence travels through the sun baked air, the people before simply aiming black stares towards the scientist. Guess it didn’t work. Only hope the people before her don’t devolve into a frothing uproar.

Right upon her moment of worry, Clara hears the faint sound of clapping among the crowd, a cheer that gradually transforms into a full blow applause. Phew. That turned out much better then expected. With her lack of public speaking experience, she was afraid it might have turned into a dumpster fire of melting synonyms and burning vowels.

The ovation is short lived however, as small chunks of rock and brick are hurdle towards the scientist head. Evading the airborne stone, she looks about to find whoever the jackass that threw them might be. In the midst of the audience, she finds some people with fists full of gravel and concrete in their grasps, hissing and booing the scientist with words of scorn lost within their fury. Parts of the mob she amassed try to halt their assault, only for the opposing party to call in reinforcements. The entire movement soon escalates into a full blown urban street brawl bonanza that Clara could only stare down and watch in unease. Its not long before the threat of gunfire finds itself stewing into the chaotic mess of fist and kicks, queuing for the stress filled scientist to make her escape. From behind the destroyed automobile, she races for the back of the nearest building and mounts her awaiting steed, Angelo all to willing to flee from the echoes of ensuing gunfire.

After escaping the breaching riot, Clara begins to notice the sun in the distance lowering itself towards the horizon. Not much of the day left to spend, it seems. Best think of one last attempt to reach the minds of the masses before the night sky comes. Might want to hold off giving out anymore speeches til the day of the debate. Perhaps something more indirect could sway their volatile hearts, something to hold less risk of an unfortunate gunshot blast for a last meal. Maybe some promotional material could do the job of speaking on her behalf. But what could this last leg town fair to muster as proper materials? Pondering the possibilities, her gaze drifts off towards a worn down dollar shop in the distance. Hmm, perhaps something in there may prove to fill her needs.

Within the breached corridors of this convince store, the interior was completely wrecked from front to back, the aged shelves lining its abandoned walls housed what very few wares were left. The few items upon those shelves were minuscule and overall worthless in the midst of a nuclear apocalypse. Even so, there’s gotta be something in this forgotten mart that can be of value to Clara at the moment. Can’t be a completely dry well.

As expected, the food section as been cleaned from top to bottom of any remaining rations, with stale crumbs and rotted fare baring the racks. Broken jars littering the unpolished tile, rotted milk within the run down fridges, torn boxes and bags of snacks and chips relieved of their contents, it was all one vomit inducing eyesore. One that would probably make the theoretical janitor that once worked in this establishment quit on sight. Seems that the small opportunity for this little shop to restock her rations had long since passed. Oh well, not what she’s in here for anyway.

Home supplies didn’t show itself to fair any better. With the large shelves along the walls holding nothing but forlorn trash can lids leaning against the shelves. Perhaps it’d make a useful shield for lobbed projectiles thrown towards her person, though the plastic top might not stand much of a chance against the wrath of wayward gunfire. Doubt that a mop or a bucket would make for such useful defense either Unless her adversities revealed themselves to be floor stains or spilled drinks, its probably wouldn’t prove to be effective weapons. Only thing that catches her eye is a set of unopened markers discarded upon the floor. Eh, could come in handy. Might as well take them.

Housewares were just as baron as the rest of the store. The few dishes that were left upon the racks cracked and on the verge of breaking with but a simple nudge. The few appliances that were left were broken down for the potential parts within. Not like they prove useful anywhere else in this town if they were whole anyway. Probably burnt out and worn with countless age. The little bits of kitchenware left showed itself to be utterly worn and rusted. Doubt they could bash someone’s skull in or block an oncoming bullet without breaking into pieces. Probably not safe to cook on or eat with either. Just imagine morning breakfast with bits of rust and metal sprinkled all over the eggs and bacon. Not the kind of iron she needs in her diet right now. Best move on before the thought of hunger ques her stomach to rumble in protest.

The rest of her search through this battered and beaten convenient store proved itself to be utterly fruitless. Nothing upon its limited shelf space showed no promise of use whatsoever, not even in the back of the employee space. Upon the cusp of taking her search elsewhere, Clara stumbles upon a pile of knocked over papers aside a broken copy machine. Inspecting the papers, she found both side to be left completely blank. Guess you could draw some sick ass posters with the markers she stumbled across earlier. Just one problem. Haven’t seen a scrap of tape among the shelves, nor any kind of nails to hammer in. Dammit, so close to a solution, only to be nipped at the bud! What other hope is their to set up her potential political poster project now!? … Oh yeah, duh.

All through out the remains of the village, the scientist sticks her freshly drawn political propaganda all through on whatever Angelo’s sticky webbing could attach itself to. Cars, building, benches, peoples homes, wherever the ursa string could stick, a poster was going. Although Clara isn’t the best artist out there, it outta get the message across without starting another unexpected street skirmish.

Stitched together with her ursa arachnids strings, she patches together a flag with what leftover materials she has left. Latching onto a tall telephone wire, its pages flow with the gentle breeze, presenting the message of sending the children to the salvation they deserve. Gazing upon her finest work, she takes in the view of the waning sunset in the distance. Best be finding somewhere to sleep before darkness encroaches upon the town, don’t want to risk getting ganged up on in the middle of the night.

Racing the setting sun, she scuttles about town for a place to hide in fear of the less then stable townsfolk. It’s doubtful that anyone would want to invite her and Angelo into their homes and risk the same kind of political attack. So where else might they duck their heads under within the oncoming night? Behind one of the alleys? No, too obvious. On the outskirts of town? Nah, too much risk of getting shot. Inside one of the abandoned buildings? Nuhu, that’s asking to get trapped. With the night quickly on the rise, it won’t be long before both of them are left in the dark. Dammit! Where else is there left to hide in this dead end town!? Amidst her rapid search, she spots a tall building in the distance, the twilight shining behind the broken apartment complex.

Swiftly climbing up the towering apartment, she finds the buildings structure to be sound enough, baring a few tiny shakes. It’s alright though, long as they don’t go crazy, it should hold together just fine. Finding the perfect spot to rest, both Clara and her chimeric steed dine upon the spoils of their freshly procured provisions.

Finishing their meal, the two settle down for the night, the scientist keeping her pack full of rations close. Ain’t no bear gonna snack on these babies in the middle of the night, that’s for sure. Speaking of bear, the scientist drifts her gaze upon the slumbering ursa behind her, wondering what she’s gonna do with her if her plan actually works. Its wishful thinking to hope those Canadians would let the mutant arachnid aboard for the flight. It’d suck to have to leave the poor bear spider behind. She did promise Rico she’d take good care of her. Pondering that, her thoughts drift to question if they would even let “her” come aboard to the north. Perhaps this whole plan might have been a bit more rushed than she thought. Maybe it’d be best to bail town in the morning and hope the town can sort out this whole kids situation out on their own. She’d hate to leave all those poor kids out to dry like that, but what else can she even do. With those thoughts stewing in her mind, she lets the site of the stars above lull her into a sweet slumber.

The sound of nearby discourse reaches her ears, jolting Clara from her peaceful sleep. What the hell could be making such a racket in the middle of the night like this? What time is it even? Upon her awakening, she finds the stars above to have grow dim from the orange glow surrounding them. Is someone starting a massive campfire around here. Kinda dangerous to start one near an unstable complex.

Upon looking over the edge of the building, she finds the source of the glow to alas, not be the burning fires of a massive town bonfire, but the flames of an enraged mob surrounding her place of refuge. The outcries of the mob reach her ears alongside the crackles of their flames, as they spot the scientist from the edge of the roof. “There she is!” “I knew she was here!” “Get the hell outta our town!” “We won’t let you take our kids!” Finding the people below aiming their firearms up towards the scientists peeking head, she retreats behind the edge of the of the building, the rising bullets barely scraping her noggin. Guess that retreat outta town is gonna have an early start. Rushing towards her awaking steed, a wayward Molotov ascends from the edge of the apartment complex and breaks upon the mutants backside. Angelo’s fur set ablaze, the ursa arachnid is quickly stirred into a panic and begins to scuttle about the roof in hopes of putting the flames out, the ground below them shaking. Clara acts fast and pulls out a bottle of water from her back as she attempts to hop aboard her burning bear. The scientist manages to catch her panicking chimera and douse her blazing back, putting out the small embers left behind. While the spiders flames have been quelled, the burning fury of the crowd has yet to be calmed. Once that problem had been resolved, Clara begins to notice the ground below her giving them a light shake. Seems Angelo’s run around seems to have made the foundation of the building unstable. Anymore roughhousing shenanigans like that and this whole place is coming to a crumble. Best get off now, while there’s still ground left to stand on, but how to pass the awaiting lynch mob below? Gauging the surrounding block, she finds a lone house neighboring the complex from a good ways. Perhaps a running start would be enough to land upon the abodes flat rooftop, though its doubtful that the building they occupy would allow such a daring action without collapsing. Best be taking the risk anyway before anther explosively alcoholic bomb is lobbed in their direction. Carefully backing away from the edge, Angelo takes a running start and leaps towards the home below.

The crowd below retreat from the collapsing apartment complex as the duo glide away from their waiting grasp. All of them watch as their prey crashes through the homes rooftop and begin to run over to the abode. “Come on!” “We got’em now!” Right on the cusp of their approach, the mob witness Clara and her steed crash through the front door of the home and scamper away. “Get back here!” “Shoot em down!” The crowd fires down their path, Clara quickly scuttles down the nearby corner for cover from the storm of bullets. Best to gain as much distance as possible from those crazy maniacs. Don’t want to know what those frothing asshole have in store for the poor scientist. But within the confines of a broken down neighborhood, they run into a slight snag in their attempted escape. Angelo’s burns prove themselves to be too severe for the mutant steed to gain much speed. It won’t be long before the murder party catches up to them at this rate. Gonna have to think of something fast. “Come on, Angelo. Keep moving. I got a plan.” With that command from her master, the ursa arachnid continues to stagger down the street.

Turning the corner, the angry mob looks to the neighborhood and fails to find their prey. “Where’d they go?” “I saw them slowing down in here.” “I think the bear was smoking. Did one of the Molotov’s hit?” “Couldn’t have gone far if that’s the case.” “Let’s spilt up. They gotta be hiding around here somewhere.” On that order, the crowd of eager lynchers disperse through the neighborhood, aiming to stamp out the scientist life as soon as possible. They look through whatever nook and cranny they can in hopes of finding any sign of their hunt. All of them keep their ears open for a single peep that might hint to her whereabouts. Despite their search, they come up short for the most part, failing to notice the scientist peeking out from one of the windows of the broken homes. Clara comforts her burned chimera so that her potential cries of pain dare not to alert the mob outside. Seeing one member of the mob approach the window, they retreat to the dark corner of the room. The mob goer gazes into window, taking in the partial view from the window. Sweat runs down the scientist forehead as she keeps her steeds maw shut tight. With his quick scan of the room done, the lyncher takes his leave. That guy gone, the scientist looks out the window to find the mob retreating from the neighbor hood. After the last of the mob leaves the block, the unlikely duo walk back out, Clara holding the limping ursa up.

Guiding her mutant steed down the cracked streets, she attempts to find a place for the both of them to hide, their options now severely limited. Can’t ride out of town now, the burns on her fuzzy arachnids back might make poor Angelo collapse. Alongside that, the threat of the sweeping mob stirs fear within the paranoid scientist, worried that any moment, they might swoop in and end them both on the spot. Her paranoia instantly spikes once the faint sound of a hush whisper reaches her ears. “Psst, hey...” Her gaze darts all around the area as she wonders where the quiet cry for her attention is coming from. “Over here...” She follows the soft sound towards a small alleyway beside them, finding a lone man waving out from the darkness. “Come on. I take you two somewhere where you can hide for the night.” The mans promise makes her hesitant at first, unclear weather the guy is being honest, or is simply desiring to bait the pair into a deadly trap. From all the crazy bullshit this town has thrown at her, practically anything is possible. The scientist is fully aware that they can’t make their escape from such a surprise attack and begins to back away. Her suspicions come to a crawl once she notices a familiar child peeking out from the shadows. The scientist recognizes him as one of the children that was playing with Angelo during the day as he runs over to the bear spider. “Ms. Spider bear.” the kid quietly exclaims as she quickly approaches. The child shows immediate worry upon seeing the steed in her injured condition, questioning: “What happened to you? Are you hurt?” The child's concern puts Clara’s paranoia to a grinding halt and begins to approach the man in the alley. “Can you really take Angelo and I somewhere safe?”

With that, both the man and the young lady lead the duo down the dark cracks of the town, the girl scouting ahead for any signs of the looming lynch mob. The man helps Clara carry the injured Angelo through the darkest of shadows and across the eeriest of alleys. During their traversal, the child manages to catch a site of the passing mob and warns them to hide. Within the shadows of one of the decimated buildings, they conceal themselves within the confines of the home, hiding from the blazing torches of the mob. Once the coast was clear, all of them scurried through the streets before the crowd of hunters returned.

Luckily, they don’t run into the murderous mob again in their trip, which leads them to the ruins of an old branded pharmacy, every single window around the building boarded up tight. The covered doors lightly crack open, all of them spotting someone peeking out from the inside. Witnessing the groups approach, he holds the twin doors wide open and urges them all to: “Come in, before anyone sees.” All of them within the safe confines of the pharmacy, the woman locks the entrance tight. Don’t want any crazy jackasses stumbling in here.

Within, Clara settles down with the people that have gathered in the safety of the pharmacy; some of them being the people she rallied with her moving speech earlier. “Thanks for taking us in for the night. Not really sure how long we’d last out there. What’s with those crazy bunch of weirdos anyway?” she questions. “Oh, some people around here are just defensive about their lively hoods. Been like that since since after the war. Arguments that boil down to outright hostility, lord knows I ended some relationships in some rocky ways. This whole Canadians taking the kids affairs just got some people all riled up for all sorts of reasons. I’ve never seen the town so divided in years.” “They figure there’s no better person to go after in this time of fighting then the head for the deal to go through. And with what little enforcement we have with the laws besides public trust, who’s to stop them.” Taking a glance from behind, she watches as some of the kids apply healing ointment to her steeds burns comforting and hugging the soft bear spider as the medicine works its magic. Poor girls been through a lot tonight. Might be wise to let her rest for a day or two.

“Hope you don’t mind us asking, but why are sticking your neck out for us. Didn’t you just ride into town yesterday?” Turning back towards her hostess, she thinks of something to feed them. Pretty safe bet to assume that if she tells them that she initially did all this to hitch a ride, they might not take to kindly to her. Heck, they might even be disgusted enough to kick her out. Maybe tell them about the journey so far? “Well, I’ve...I’ve been through the wastes of this once mighty country and I’ve seen some pretty horrible stuff happen to kids in my travels. I figured that I could at least spare a handful of young lives from experiencing the madness of these harsh lands. Gotta admit that I didn’t think it’d be this hard to pull off. Like “Hey, we want to take your kids outta this nightmarish hellhole and not have them constantly live in starving agony” would just be something everybody would be on board with. Apparently, far from it.” “Its not really that easy. People around here are just desperate to keep their families together in this time of crisis. For some, family’s all ya got left.” “Yeah…But, family values aren’t gonna spare them from the cruelty of the wastes.” Clara remarks.

“What are you plan on doing for tomorrows speech?” she’s asked. “Well, I was thinking of trying to tug at people heartstrings and question if the restoration of this country is worth putting their kids through any more of this horror show. I have to be honest, I’m a little scared to even show up with all that’s happened tonight.” “Don’t worry. We promise, in any case, to make sure you get to the town hall in the morning on time.” “We won’t let any of them lay a finger on ya, we swear.” “Just promise us to give it your all in the speech tomorrow, kay?” The reassurance from her supporters makes the scientist feel a kinda guilty for trying to use these people and their kids for a trip up north. Still, the gestures give her enough confidence to proceed. Even if the Canadian won’t give her a lift, she can at least give some of these poor kids the relief they deserve. “Thanks a bunch.”

The night eventually fades, giving rise to the morning sun in the horizon. Clara and her posse of supporters set off for the town mall, the scientist opting to leave Angelo in the care of the dwellers staying behind. The girls more then earned a good rest. In her trip, she finds the posters she set throughout the town to have been torn or defaced. The promotional material for her cause now depicting the scientist as some kind of child napping monster and poisoning the minds of the youth. Upon the site of Jean and his supporters, Clara’s choose to hide her among the shadows of the buildings, watching as the sizable crowd walks past. As soon as they were out of site, all of them proceed to take an alternate route. Best to avoid anymore lethal confrontation before they even arrive at the hall.

The audience chambers of the town hall were halfway packed, murmurs and mingles filling the musty air. Jean stands atop the podium, awaiting for his political rival to show herself with a confident foot tap. The doors of the chamber swing open, drawing everyone gaze towards the woman in question and her legion of support. As everyone takes their respective places, soul piercing scowls travel their way towards the scientist, their hush whispers surrounding her ears. Clara recognizes some of the faces among the contemptuous crowd as parts of the mob that attempted to assault her in the night. The overwhelming gravity of the entire room was enough to ignite nervous tension within the scientist, fearing as if any moment, the entire room would spark into a full blown murderous rampage. Nervous sweat runs down her face as she takes her place on the podium. She tries to distract herself from the ongoing tension by tapping her fingers across the edge of her stand. Come on, just calm down. There’s no winning this debate being stuck in a nervous wreck like this. Just gotta ease and relax.

Upon these thought, she glances over to her opponent, finding the calm smirk painted across his face. Jean returns her gaze and greets himself with: “Hey there. Nice to see that you made it.   I was honestly surprised that you showed up, considering how tired you look.” “Ah, well. I didn’t get much sleep last night. Laying on a roof can do that to ya.” Best not to go into further detail about her late night escapades. Don’t want the fact that she was attacked be used against her. Upon that caution, Clara is caught off guard when she hears Jean admit to her: “I’m sorry.” “Huh?” “The people that attacked you last night. What they tried to do to you was inexcusable and I humbly apologize for their behavior on my part.” “Um...thanks...” Huh, didn’t think an apology of all things would be coming out of this guys mouth. Wonder if he actually feels genuine remorse or is just saying that to save face? Probably the latter. Best not to prod any further. Can’t look unprofessional now of all times.

The pieces for the debate all set, the mayor approaches the middle of the stage and greets everyone with his announcement. “Welcome one and all to the Quincyburg town debate. This debate shall give our candidates a fighting chance to change the future of our youths. To have them stay with their loved ones and bare the hardships of the wastes as families? Or to spare them from the potential agony and hand them to our once maple leaved nemeses? May they hope to tempt the voting citizens onto their cause.” With that, the facing crowd gives their support and applause, the sounds of cheering and clapping echoing around the hall. Guess this is it, the last stand to try and convince these people to send their children to salvation. Best not to hold anything back in this hour of need, else thing might take a turn for the- Hang on a sec, Quincyburg? What kind of town name is that? “To kick of the debate, I shall let our own resident Jean speak first.” the mayor states, giving Jean the floor. “Thank you mayor, for your inspirational introduction. Truly, why we have all gathered to this place of political affairs.”

“Ladies and gentleman, I stand before you as a simple man with a dream. A dream of bringing this country back from the forgotten dusts of time and war. In this moment, nothing is more important then the value of our community, for all of us work towards a better future. I realize the road toward such a prosperous life is full of danger and that some of us might not live to see such a day come. That’s why it’s now more important then ever to treasure our children. We cannot give the youth of this country to the Canadians, nay, we must work together as a community, no...like a family so that they may see such a shining day come forth.” Half the audience cheers for the mans speech, whistles and claps rising in the air.

“A nice opening act, Jean. Clara, you may take the stand.” the mayor offers. “Um, thank you. People of Quincyburg, hear me out. Look around your once stable town, gaze upon the very building we stand in that struggles to keep itself together and to the other countless broken shelters. To the lifeless earth that once flourished with green and life and let me ask you. Is there anything left to salvage from these once mighty lands? Have you even asked the youths of this town if they wish for such hardship and burden upon the slim chance of hope? I have traveled throughout the pride of this once mighty land and dare not to have them experience such a nightmare.” Murmurs and whispers flow throughout the airs of the halls, their echoes bouncing upon the cracked walls of the room. Seems there’s some chance for the scientist to turn the tides on this debate after all.

“My fair people. Although our once bitter enemies of the north have granted us mercy in our hardships, we have no idea of their intentions or their plans. And their abandonment to our humble town has yet to show an ounce of good will. The reasons behind their actions could be next to anything for what little we know...much like my opponent.” Clara jumps back upon the sudden accusation, tempting to prowl his actions with a curious: “What?”

“Allow me, if a may be so bold to ask my rival today a question or two.” The crowd before them awaits in curious anticipation, hush tones of intrigue swirl through the hall. The scientist looks over to the mayor with a questioning look of her own. “I’ll allow it.” he simply confirms. “Ms...Clara, was it? Is it true that you’ve stumbled into town atop your odd species of a mutant bear only yesterday?” “I...Yes.” “I see. And do you perhaps understand this towns suffering, the plight of these people? Do you know what we have gone through all these years?” “...No...” “Hm. There you have it ladies and gentleman. A simple newcomer ignorant of our woes. If we don’t know why she stopped by to engage in our little debate, how can she possibly be trusted to decide our children’s future.” Tones of worry and doubt flood the room, drowning the scientist in accusing questions and contempt. Seems like Clara’s chances to succeed in this heated discussion are sinking fast, Jean blowing a big hole in her ship. As she looks over to the worried faces of her supporters, she wonder what could be done to salvage herself from this bombardment.

Reeling back from the questionable accusations, she draws in a deep breathe and calms her nerves. “You’re right. I am just a girl that rode into town the other day. I know very little of what you people have been through, and I don’t think I ever will. As for why I stopped by, I don’t think I could ever answer such a question without enducing ridicule among you.” Beside her, Jean paints a smug smile across his face as he confirms his rival confirms his accusations. “But, why does any of that matter now? How does what I once wanted out of this debate even relate to what holds for your children. My motives should be the furthest thing from your minds and instead should be resting upon what you think is best for your kids. As for the Canadians, they’ve kept you and the kids you cherished alive for so long, despite having won a friken war against you. And now they’re offering to take your kids away from this torturous landscape. I’m not sure what they have in store for them once they take them away, but I guarantee you that anything they have in store for them couldn’t be worse then how they live now.” Her words begin to ease the distress and anger from the weary audience before them. Even some of the opposing crowd begins to shy away from their revving malice. “I have little to no idea if my rivals dream could actually come true. But is that dream really worth your kids? Are you willing to put them through anymore suffering for the chance that it might bring your land back? Whatever you decide is right, no matter what you think the future might hold for this country, please vote. Vote like you care about your children lives and wish to have their dishearten faces give way to hopeful smiles. Thank you...” Upon those parting words, the entire town hall grows silent, not a single peep or clap rises from the audience. Even her opponent is left speechless by her words, shifting his glance between her and the watching people.

The air of silence is eventually broken by the mayor, who promptly ends the debate with: “We...Well folks...Seems both of these candidates have performed admirably today, but now the debate has come to a close and the time for voting is at hand. The ballots have been set up around the back of the hall, so if I may ask for everyone to calmly-” Without any hesitance, the mob rush out of the debate all in chaotic fashion, with pushing and shoving ensuing among the mob. “Of course. Why do I even bother?”

Within the private confines of the mayors office, both candidates patiently await the results of the ballot. While Clara nervously waits in anticipation to see if her speech might have gotten through to the public, all the while Jean sits calmly for what the results might entail as a relaxing dream, complete with a soft grin. How the hell is he not freaking out by now? The cocky son of a bitch thinks he’s already won. With how the crowd rushed out of the hall, the vote might turn for any of their favor.

Finally, the official himself burst into the room, both of them turn towards the door to find him with a paper in hand. “It’s done. I have the results.” he confirms. “Really? So who won?” Jean wonders aloud. “The results were extremely close, almost neck and neck. But it seems only one of you has won out by the end.” A moment of silence passes before Clara demand fro him: “Don’t keep us in suspense, just spit it out already!” “Yes, please.” “Okay, okay. Fine.” Upon the clear of his throat, the mayor proudly announces: “As the Mayor of Quincyburg, I humbly announce that the winner of this campaign tips in favor of...” Jean begins to proudly stand, expecting the results to be in his favor, but his prideful smirk breaks into shock upon hearing that they instead yield towards: “The newcomer Clara, all by a close 4 percent of the voters. Congratulations young lady, you’ve won.” “Really?” the scientist excites, jolting from her seat. Unbelievable. She actually won this whole political rodeo, a surprising fact that draws a smile upon her face. Seems that all her hard work, all her sweat, and all those intimate dances with death payed off in the end.

Her victorious shine fades once she catches a peek of her opponent, attempting to keep is frustrations within. His fists trembling, its a wonder if the mans head might actually explode at any moment. “Jean?” the mayor concerns. He however quells his inner rage with a calming breath and turns to his victorious rival. Oh god. What’s the bastard planning on doing? A shank to the stomach, a bullet to the face? With that calm expression and lack of weapon laws, he could do anything. No...Instead he offers nothing but a simple hand and a single phrase: “Congratulations for your victory this day.” Seeing him await for a handshake, the scientist cautiously accepts the gesture. After brief exchange of supposed good spirit, Jean polity absconds from the office with not a single word. Seems he took the lose better then expected. Honestly thought he was gonna throw some kind of shit fit for a minute there.

“Soooo...” Clara continues, drawing the mayors attention. “When you think the Canadians will get here?” “Oh, well. I guess they won’t be around here until the next morning. Best be announcing everyone to prepare their kids for their arrival. It won’t be pretty sight, there will be guns... Planning on helping out?” “Nah, I gotta see how my bear spider’s doing. Probably need some rest after everything that’s happened.”

With the day passing just as fast as the debate, the victor of the ballot sleeps beside her resting steed. Their well earned slumber however breaks to a halt upon the sound of the slamming door entwine with the voices of panic. Rising, Clara finds her entering supporters scuttling throughout the pharmacy like scattering cockroaches, some of the kids they rounded up confused and scared. They look all around the store, spouting the names of some of the children with utter terror in their voice. “Kids!?” “Where are you!?” “Oh god, did they get to them too!?” “Keep looking! They gotta be somewhere around here!” The kids that have them stirred in a panic come out from the isle, confused in their daze as they rub the sleep from their eyes. “What’s happening?” “What’s going on?” “Why is everyone screaming?” Upon the site of the youths, the adults run towards and embrace them in tearful relief. “Oh thank god, all of you are okay!”

As one of the supporters lets out a frightened groan, they see the scientist approach with worry and frantically ask: “Tell me, did anyone break in here while we were gone!?” “Not really, just a lot of quite around here. Why, what happened?” “Its the kids. When we came around to pick them up for tomorrow, some of the homes we stopped by were either abandoned or broken into. People are saying that their children were kidnapped in the middle of the night. God dammit. Why does this have to happen now of all times!?”

Judging from the kids in their possession being from supporting families, its not much of a mystery who’s orchestrating this mass youthful thieving spree. The better question would be where all of them being held up. Best guess that most of the homes that were abandoned were from the people that voted against her in the ballot. Baring this towns meager size, theirs only a few places those assholes could hope to hide. She come out of from her moment of pondering and asks aloud: “Do you guys have any guns stashed around here?” “You have any idea where they might be?” “Maybe...”

A knock at the door sounds off upon a wayward home, the man of the house opens the door to find the scientist who he attacked the other night awaiting with a less then patient glare. “Where are they?” he hears her ask. “What?” “The kids. Your house is the only one around here not broken into, so where did you hide them?” she repeats. “Kids. I don’t got none of them around here anywhere.” “Really? Then you won’t mind if I come in and check, will you?” Presenting his firearms once more, the scientist steps back from the front porch. “Best be moving along, you white coated witch. Caused enough problems in our town as is.” Although initially left mildly surprised by the sudden appearance of the roughly kept rifle, Clara’s gaze soon transforms to unfazed irritation. As the bitterly enraged survivior takes aim, ready to serve the scientist a hearty dose of led and steel, he’s caught off guard by the pair of paws that grab his head, making him drop his shotgun in his suprise. Before he could have the chance to retrieve his firearms, The fuzzy limbs lifting the man from the cracked pavement, he is soon met face to face with the angry glare of her mutant steed, procured upon the side of the roof. Angelo, upon seeing one of the people that caused her painful burns, lets out a vengeful roar right in the mans face. The fear in his eyes set, the bear spider drops her freshly frightened catch upon the hard ground, crashing with a loud thud. Clara looks down upon him to find him completely paralyzed with dread, left only to let out minor spazzes. She finds a group of gun toting maniacs taking their stand behind some of the abodes torn furnishings as they ready to unload all they have upon their invaders, who give their greeting in the form of a rushed rifle shot that Clara narrowly takes cover from. Guess her assumption proved to be correct after all. And all on the first guess too. Quite the lucky break.

She looks over to her supporters hidden beyond the rough fencing, commanding them to: “Come on!” With little hesitance, they rush within the home, armed and ready. Upon the entry, the scientist hears a flurry of gunfire echo out from the home. Best not have the unarmed lass to rush in along side like a moronic jackass. No, the better option would be to search around the home for where they might have stashed the kids. Her chimeric steed lifting her to the roof and on her partially recovered back side, Angelo’s master takes the reins and orders her to: “Come on, Angelo. We got some kids to find.”

Scuttling around the rooftop, the pair glance within one of the windows of the humble dwellings, taking in the view of the worn down bedroom. The lone bed inside showing years of wear and tear to match the broken dresser beside it. From in the halls, she took in a fraction of the ongoing fight within, one of the opposing gunners running inside for cover. They manage to spot the scientist gaze from the window and attempt to take shot, only for Clara to pull up before the glass breaks. Guess those poor tykes aren’t there. Might want to look elsewhere then.

Looking within another window showed the inside of the kitchen, the marble counter top showing signs of grime and mildew. Not the best place for food to be kept now a days. Alongside the filthy floor, she finds herself to have a view of an ongoing gunfight. Both sides knocks over the broken appliances for cover, taking shot after shot at one another. The opposing side manages to land a shot upon one of her forces and watches as they cower in fear. They might not last long like this. Better find those kids fast.

Upon the rooftop, she notices that the roof of the broken home seems to be much higher then the roof of the rooms below. Perhaps this sizable abode place might prove itself to house an attic? Finding a small elevated window, she has Angelo break through the glass to gauge a peek inside. Within the confides of this dusty old storage space, boxes and miscellaneous memorabilia litter every nook and cranny inside. Clearly not enough room to hide even an infant, much less an entire school of kids. Doubt their lunges could take in this much horrid musk coming emitting from inside either, they’d probably keel over if they were stuffed up here.

With no where else left to look, the scientist descends back to the ground level wonders where else they night be held up. Taking in another pass around the home, she finds her forces managing to push back from the resistance, but not without some casualties in their part. She eventually notices a plank of wood bolted to the bottom of the home, as if to cover up a hole left broken into. Maybe the hole show itself to lead to a basement of sorts. Why else would this be boarded up? Having her mighty ursa arachnid tear the planks off, a dark hole The light of the moon shines upon the concrete of a lower floor, proving that she’s indeed uncovered the lower dwellings of the home, thought its a bit dark everywhere else. May wanna find a light switch.

Our scientist slips through the window of the basement with ease and begins to stumble through the darkness. In her search for a supposed light switch, her ears catch the familiar sound of high pitched frightened whimpers. Might be the kids, or just some wayward mice squeaking in the corner, only way to find out is to find the lights. Feeling around the basement, her touch eventually leads her to the switch.

Waiting not a moment longer, she flips the switch and finds that her guess was right on the money. The kidnapped kids could be found huddled together in the corner in a stirred up shake, the sound of the fire fight above causing them to flinch with each bullet sounding off. Poor kids. They must be scared out of their minds. Can’t even keep their eyes open, they’re so terrified. Best try and calm them down to their senses before getting them outta here. Don’t want them to catch the attention of the ongoing fight upstairs.

Gently, she approaches, attempting to calm them out from their fear with a soothing: “Shhh. It’s okay. It’s just-” However, her attempted reassurance falls on deaf ears, as the gunfire from above muffles out her voice to the frightened youths, who instead shrink deeper into the corner. One brave soul however, manages to peek from her cowardice and finds Clara in front of them, painted with a worried stare. “You-you’re that lady with the bear spider.” Hearing this, the others begin to open up from their fright and see the scientist to their rescue. “It is!” “Help us!” “We don’t wanna be here!” “Where’s mom at?” “What’s going on?” “Why is everybody fighting!?” Once more, she tries to calm the school of kids down, asking them calmly: “It’s alright. We’re here to get you outta here. Just tell me what happened?” “My daddy woke me up and took me here.” “I woke up here. I don’t know what’s going on.” “Mommy said she wouldn’t let them take us away?” “Some people broke into our house and kidnapped me?” “He said he’d keep us all safe from you.” That last statement riles the scientist curiosity, wondering if this “he” they’re speaking of was the whole orchestrator behind this last outcry of child-napping escapades. She has a pretty good idea who that might be, but better ask just to be on the safe side. “Who’s he?”

At that moment, she hears the familiar sound of a gun cock from behind, primed and ready to fire. “That would be me, thank you.” a familiar voice answers for her. She knows all too well who that voice belongs to and looks back to find her assumption to be on the mark. “Jean! You lost the vote! Why are you doing this to them!? Are you out of your mind!?” she demands he answer. “Do you honestly believe that we’d hand over our children to the same people that caused our countries downfall? Those Canadians… they took our homes, our livelihoods, and now they want our families? How much more do they plan to take from us until their satisfied!? We may not have much, but we stuck together this long as a community, and that’s how we’re going to survive.” During the mans rant, one little boy parts from the group of fearful kids, much to neither of the adults attention. “Jean, you don’t wanna do this. Do you even know what horrors lay beyond you’re town? I’ve seen things that’d easily eat people alive. They’d never make it out there.” the scientist tries to retort. “Not unless we stick together. It may not be easy, but we’ll find another place to settle. One way our another, they’ll be safer in our hands.” Upon hearing the mans excuse for denial, she presents the terrorized youths in question and asks the man: “Does this look like they’re safe to you?” Her armed rival notes the gazes of worry and dread among the children young faces, trembling upon the site of the gun toting kidnapper and begins to lower his firearms. Jean however, shakes his head and returns his aim towards his white coated foe. “This...This is for their own good. They might be scared now, but they’ll thank us later.” Seems like compelling to his sense of remorse has done little to shake is ill resolves. This fallen man his determined to see his vision of the future through to the end and readies to put his money where his mouth is by threatening to take Clara’s life.

Aiming for a shot to the head, Jean proves himself to be too distracted to notice the boy beside him tackle his leg, causing Jean to misfire. “Dad, stop it!” he pleas. “Jacob, what are you doing!? Get off of me!” Seeing the moment arise, Clara joins in the struggle and tackles the man down. Both of them struggle to keep the maniac down, the scientist hoping to keep him from popping of anymore rounds. The mans son tries to disarms his wayward father, grabbing the gun and attempting to relieve it from his grasp. Jean himself strives to get both of them off his person, aiming to pull the gun away from the disobedient boy. “Get off of me!” As the mans son attempts to pull the pistol away from his grasp, the trigger is accidentally pulled, Clara halting in her tracks upon the bang of the gun, sporting a look of utter horror. The armed man pushes her off his person with ease and quickly takes back is aim aim. “I’ll make you regret stopping here.” he threatens, though his threat falls on deaf ears as something else takes her attention. It takes the weary cry from his son for him to finally break his maddening site away from her as he hears him cry: “Dad...”

Turning towards his sons, Jean shares Clara’s look of dread as he finds the boy gripping his blood dripping chest, watching in horror as he struggles to even stand. Dropping the gun, the father and rushes over his boy, catching him before the young man falls upon the concrete floor. “Jason!” he desperately cries. “I don’t feel so good.” the boy weakly mentions. “No...Jason…Come on! Stay with me please!” The father cries prove to fail, as the boy soon succumbs to his wound, the young mans eyes coming to a close. “Jason...Jason...Jason!” Upon the site of their murdered friend, the children begin to share in the mans sorrow, their cries echoing through the basement. The saddening site makes Clara begin to regret her decisions on stopping to insert herself upon this towns plight for her own gain. Perhaps thing would have turned out smoother if she just restocked her supplies and went on her marry way. Probably wouldn’t have run into so much hassle...or youthful demise.

In the midst of stewing on these thoughts, the scientist hears from the grieving father as simple instruction. “Take them...” “What?” “Take them far away from here and leave.” “O-...Okay...” Doing as the man instructed, she approaches the rest of the distressed youths and attempts to quell their crying. “Come on, kids. We gotta get going.” She begins to lead all of them towards the hole she came into and lifts them up to their escape. One of tries to dig some answers from their rescuer about the scene that harrowing scene that’s played before them, asking: “Ms...Why did Jacob have to die?” Hearing such a question coming from one of the morning youths, the scientist freezes in place. How would she even begin to answer something like that? It’s doubtful that even she knows the answer herself as the rest peek out from the hole, awaiting for the answer for all this madness. All that the scientist could elude to was the vague notion that: “We’re so sorry. We adults just...messed up.”

After that entire fiasco, the morning eventually comes. The Canadian chopper lands with their last supplies in tow. The officers await as the families give their sorrowful goodbyes and final hugs to their departing children. Some youths that refuse to leave are requested by their parents to be taken by force. The echoes of crying fill the twilight air as the children board the helicopter, ready to take off.

The scientist that orchestrated their leave watches from the back of the crowd as the chopper takes off into the morning sky and finally absconds from the troubled town. She ponders if she made the right call in refusing her ticket out from the broken land of the once patriotic and free. She can’t tell when, or even if another chance to cross the border may arise and starts giving into regret. It’s not until receiving a surprising lick from her trusty bear spider that those regrets start to fade into obscurity. Her thoughts at ease, the scientist gives a loving pet to Angelo’s head. Good girl... The pair begin to abscond from the town themselves, and set a course to follow the choppers direction to the north. Surely, another way into the land of leaves and maple will present itself eventually. And if not, they’ll just have to think of one.

[scarytinyturtlebutt]

today consisted of having not truly slept last night cause I straight sang for like three hours or something, could not sleep cause of friend biz, also sleep was kinda like f u and I was in the tub for like 2 hours and then 3 hours, respectfully. I feel like I could be a fish with how much time I’m spending in the tub. It’s a warm place for a depression nap but wow, it really wants to fuck up your neck and kinda part of your spine. 

So I almost got married, I thought I was getting married like, motherfucking next month. And then I dumped him cause he was a liiiiiiittle bit uh, red flagging himself there. At least mildly scared of his mom, but not believing magic is in any way real is a real blow when it’s like, I’m a witch. 

Also there was like an 8 year age difference and it was like THE STAMP OF APPROVAL OF GOD HIMSELF IS ON THIS. HE IS THE ONE GETTING US TOGETHER, GREEN LIGHTS ALL THE WAY BA-BY. 

Yeah no, I’m not marrying a guy after- actually, hell yeah I wOULD marry a guy that fast, like, met this year kinda deal, talked on the astral a bunch w/god being a mediator and stuff, and like, we had a date set. I bought material for my veil, which now gets to be converted into part of a skirt maybe. Like, I was just waiting for like, the whole get down on one knee and PROPOSE YOU NERD. Moment. So like, we both knew yes, we’re getting married, all is on the up and up, and then it was like, he noped out of it first cause like, you can say I love you all you want, and if there’s no action behind it, it’s like, uh, that’s not what I’m seeing, and like, other stuff happened so it was like, WOW THIS IS A HORRIFICALLY BAD TIME TO DO THIS. Cause I caught up with some friends, made some new friends, and like, it turned into this big moment of me auspicing (yeah, like homestuck c3< )between uh, everyone. 

Then it’s like, writing a book I guess, and it’s hella. 

I serenaded a cat last night with what’s new pussycat and they almost followed me all the way home. It was like the pied piper/disney princess thing cropping up again. Bugs also really like me and listen to me sometimes?

So somehow I’m kiiiiiiiinda dating like more than eight people on kinda the astral, sort of another world, I had like a whole magical girl character arc, I got to save some people, kick some ass, find out that it’s like, necessary for me to go shockingly pacifist with no murder.

Like the amount of fighting and butt kicking was like more than a month long, and like, yeah, I’m good not getting married coming out on the other side of this, to that guy, except he was like REALLY CUTE, GUYS. He was really cute. 

I even liked the family, like, my family and his probably would have got on hella well and not done the whole ‘you’re getting married too fast, we’ll never speak to you again’ thing. I was highkey looking at art and furniture for what to maybe put in the house and get it setup. LIKE NO JOKE GUYS, HE HAD THE DAMN HOUSE PICKED OUT. Like, that’s how serious this was. Then metaphorical and real LIFE AND DEATH kinda butted their heads in, and there was a nice helping of war in there too, found a bunch of extended and close family that I had not seen in forever, and maladaptive daydreaming turned into highkey, no, that was trying to get back in touch with some people, and now it’s like AIGHT.

So in conclusion, I’ve been like falling apart for like a month, not because I dumped THE BOI and I’m depressed, but because I got so damn busy I stopped taking care of myself and my anemia got out of control again, and I’m like, suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuper tired. 

Oh yeah, and the other red flag from the boi was, I was going to give him this meteorite that looked like a piece of coprolite. I thought it was hilarious, I’d mis-ID-ed it, and I was like, lol, cause my eyes are brown. *eyelash flutter* it’s cause I’m full of shit. 

The date for the wedding was lit next month, September 7th, peak of the Epsilon Perseids meteor shower. I’m still star gazing tho. Like, just cause I’m not getting married and even if he mcfreaking said he’d already picked out where he wanted to take me for the honeymoon and like, wanted that to be a little bit of a surprise, like, it would’ve been somewhere a bit up north of where I am good for stargazing. Darn it. 

Also, he thought his mom would do a flip and decide to start hating me immediately as soon as we officially announced anything about an engagement, so that’s fun. I didn’t need to be the ho-bag of the church for stealing away her precious babby, but like, holy shit. That sounded more like he was scared of his mom in the already henpecked way than like, totally scared of her on my behalf. Yeah, red flags. 

But it all worked out. Honestly, so many ladies get flack for getting married, or staying single, or living with their sig other, that one lady trying to drag me like we’re in HS did not sound like anything bad. Like, if it’s not true, people are gonna see it’s not true. That like, we were marrying for love, not sex. My ass is still ACE and I just- don’t see people that way. Like yeah, sex is good for bonding and stuff, but ya know what else is good for that? Monopoly, pushing each other off rainbow road, laser tag. That kinda stuff. Ya know? Yeah.