#Considering this game is going for something completely new. They would probably go with brand new bosses. Which I find cool too! | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

Visit Blog

Explore Tumblr blogs with no restrictions, modern design and the best experience.

Fun Fact

Women make up for the other 50% of Tumblr’s audience.

#Considering this game is going for something completely new. They would probably go with brand new bosses. Which I find cool too!

yurinaa-world · 6 months

Note

Hi! Could I please request Twst Housewardens with a reader who bites their nails due to anxiety (I sometimes do it unconsciously and sometimes it hurts) Thank you. And i understand if you can't do it.

Characters: Housewardens x Gender Neutral Reader

Synopsis: with reader who bites their nails

Warnings: fluff, spelling mistakes

𝑅𝒾𝒹𝒹𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑜𝓈𝑒𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓈

He worries about your nails; he doesn’t know what to do! Your nails are all messed up, and you're always in pain—unable to hold things, the stinging feeling, and reddened skin under the bitten nails. He’ll put bandages or bandaids on your nails. Just don’t touch or bite them, or it will get worse, but he’ll help you deal with your nail biting by looking up something on the internet.

𝐿𝑒𝑜𝓃𝒶 𝒦𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈𝒸𝒽𝑜𝓁𝒶𝓇

He doesn’t like it at all; he can hear your hisses or whine touching your nails in stinging pain. Whenever you get together and start unconsciously biting your nails, he just grabs your hands and holds on to them. There is no reason, and you just look at him, confused by his action. “Why did you?" “I’m trying to sleep,” he cuts you off, pretending as if he wasn’t holding your hand.

𝒜𝓏𝓊𝓁 𝒜𝓈𝒽𝑒𝓃𝑔𝓇𝑜𝓉𝓉𝑜

Floyd pointed it out (since Floyd just has to air everything out there for the world to know), and as the dad Azul is, he tells him to knock it off. He puts like 50 bandages on your hands, since he’s probably never first-hand taken care of someone who bites their nails. It makes potions for you so you don’t hurt yourself by biting on your nails too much.

𝒦𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓂 𝒜𝓁-𝒜𝓈𝒾𝓂

AH! Are you okay? Your nails look like they hurt so much! Is there anything he could do for you, and when he does anything, he means anything, since he doesn’t mind helping you out and he especially doesn’t think it’s embarrassing or weird. Back home, his brothers and sister would sometimes also do that! So don’t be embarrassed; he gets it!

𝒱𝒾𝓁 𝒮𝒸𝒽𝑜𝑒𝓃𝒽𝑒𝒾𝓉

He looked at your nails, once glance, and put fake nails on you. Three days later, it was all bitten off, and he knew what to do. Forget the nail salon or those fake nails, and the pain from your nails you get from biting at them. He is Vil, and he has every product from his cosmic brand, but 10x better. You're going to have to soak your nails in his new oil that gets rid of your pain.

𝐼𝒹𝒾𝒶 𝒮𝒽𝓇𝑜𝓊𝒹

Twins!!! I feel Idia is the type to bite on his nail whenever he loses his game, and one day his nails broke, so he just kept it short. Doesn’t know what to do?! Like, your nails hurt, right? Because you keep on biting them? Well… Ortho can help; he’s not really good at this, but he’ll cheer for you to get better!!!

𝑀𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓊𝓈 𝒟𝓇𝒶𝒸𝑜𝓃𝒾𝒶

He doesn’t understand? He's old and all, but sometimes he can’t understand how some people have a habit of doing something that could hurt them. He notices everything about you; he stares so much (in a loving way) that even the littlest changes he notices, even your nails. Don’t be surprised when your nails are completely healed as if noting happen to them

if you liked this, consider tipping me on ko-fi! it'd mean a lot!

198 notes · View notes

kichimiangra · 5 months

Note

In the Pet AU, what helmet do you picture Specter wearing? He stole one (and probably more) from Pipotchi to regain his intelligence with the added bonus of helping him calm the fuck down.

Pipotchi has many helmets for many occasions, so which one is Specter wearing as he works to tame Spike?

Well considering that we only have one canonical Pipochi helmet to pick from it might be easier to assume Specter is going to strip down any helmet he steals down to it's basics so it'd be easier to check if any of Specter's canon Helmets look like something Pipotchi might have

His AE1 Helmet can't be it because this takes place after his AE1 adventure. (Though in the remake it was changed to look more like his AE2 helmet so I question if this design is arguably retconned? I don't care though. Different helmet in my book)

His Piposaru 2001 helmet and his Pumped and Primed helmet look almost identical so it could be this but I wooould take away a few points because in P2001 Specter goes have that irrational "Your going to catch me and throw me in a circus and abuse me!" scene show Specter's anxiety is still boosted? At the bare minimum if this isn't the O.G. (As in Spike caught him and Never removed the O.G. helmet) or this is an all new helmet the little bastard got a hold of lying around the lab while he was raiding the fridge (Considering that Natalie and the Prof. aren't too concerned when he pops up) Calling this a Maybe.

Edit: Just realized I don't think it's coincidence that these helmets look alike because Specter is actually wearing his P2001 cape in P&P as well and I don't know any other games he's worn that in, and he's also got the brown belt in both games.

His AE 2 helmet might be the one from Jimmy's teleporter debacle which would make it a stripped down Specter Brand (tm) helmet (Unless he has special helmets just for him to swap into but with no evidence we'll call it the one from the incident). His AE3 Helmet looks identical aside from stylistic inking on all indentations. If this is the case it probably isn't this one either.

In Million monkey's he has 2 new helmets The first is his Red Helmet that he wear's throughout, brought to the table that neither are the original Prof. Brand helmet nor the Specter Brand Helmet and both are very streamlined in design. This is also Arguably the chillest Specter has ever been aside from AU!MOVE!Specter, (But is that really Specter?) and Specter is seen using much less psychic powers and far more gadgets to compensate in this game, which would make sense; not being either the original or a Specter Brand which is BASED on the original it may not carry the PK amplifying properties so if this is the COMPLETED helmet hardware wise this could possibly be a stripped down Pipotchi helmet candidate in theory.

In Million Monkeys Specter has a lot of alt costumes and with that comes a lot of alt helmets, though considering they're alt stuff their canonicity could be argued. There is ONE though that he canonically IS seen wearing in game and that is this one with the glowing gold ring engravings along the band from the first Episode Specter cutscene. This is apparently the helmet he chose to take with him to go on vacation and relax and even seeing that there's an impostor Specter having moved into his house, taken his army and stole his chair he doesn't even get... that mad? He stands up, shakes his fist, and then plops back down.

Considering that it doesn't look as customized to his ensemble as the red one but still carries the stripped down look I think if any of the helmets were to be strip downs of the Pipotchi model this one would be it.

...

Or the fur suit.

#ape escape #ape escape specter #kc answers stuff #kc rambles

10 notes · View notes

your-divine-ribs · 28 days

Text

Forbidden Part 12

Words: 3.1k

Forbidden Masterlist Main Masterlist

You consider heading straight back to your hall of residence but you stop short of the path that leads in that direction, considering your options. You're feeling restless, the thrill of the risk you've just taken dying quickly away to leave behind a curious yearning for more. Maybe you're getting addicted to this dangerous game that you're playing, pushing the boundaries, seeing how far you can take it. Testing what you can get away with.

You wonder if Professor Bond might be free that afternoon...

You imagine coyly knocking on his office door, making up some excuse about needing help with revision or seeing if he has a textbook you could borrow. Of course he'd see right through you, maybe he'd even feign resistance for a while, pretend to take the moral high ground. That wouldn't last long though. You know your own brand of seductive persuasion is irresistible to him. All it would take is a few flirtatious comments and a few teasing touches and he'd be done for. You imagine him bending you over the desk and flipping up your dress, the heat of desire warming between your thighs as you picture the two of you locked in a steamy embrace.

God, it's tempting... The more you think about it, the more fired up you get. And what can Van say about your slutty behaviour when he's getting up to no good with you after putting a ring on his pretty little fiancée's finger?

That's it. It's decided. You're a woman on a mission as you change your course of direction and head straight for the History block, walking quickly, your excitement carrying you along. You're already planning the seduction routine in your head, so completely lost in your own thoughts that when your phone rings it startles you. You pause to rummage in your bag for it, bringing it out to see Lizzie's name displayed on the screen. It crosses your mind to ignore her, she's been out for a while now and no doubt the drinks will have been flowing. You're pretty certain she'll only be calling to tempt you to meet her. She'll be missing her drinking buddy, her partner in crime. You answer anyway, your mind already resolute about how you'll be spending the rest of the afternoon.

"Alright?" You greet her, pausing outside the History building, leaning back against the brickwork.

"Hello lovely!" Her voice is loud, excited in a way that you know she's probably already at least four cocktails in. "Whatcha doing? You gonna come and meet up with us?"

"I can't, I'm... busy..." You pause, glancing longingly towards the door of the building, thoughts full of Johnny sitting at his desk poring over his exam marking, imagining him sweeping it off carelessly on to the floor in a broad stroke so that you can take its place on the desk. "You know I signed up to that creative writing society don't you? Well I've been there and now I'm heading to the History department. Thought I'd actually spend my Wednesday afternoon doing something productive for once."

That earns you a snort. "You? Productive? Those two words don't really go together!"

"Maybe I'm turning over a new leaf!" You protest, grinning. "Fully embracing campus life, becoming an upstanding member of the student community!"

"Fuck off!" She chides. "Upstanding? I'll remind you of that the next time we're down the Union bar and you can't even stand up straight!"

You giggle into the phone, feeling a tiny pang of envy when you hear glasses chinking down the line, the loud murmur of conversation, the muted sounds of music. You've always suffered from the fear of missing out. "Where are you anyway?"

"Just the Union." She sighs dramatically. "Same old, same old, same piss-weak drinks and sticky floors, same shitty music. You're really missing out you know!"

"The Union? Thought you were going into town?"

Your interest takes a nosedive. During all your time at university you've probably spent more time in the Union bar than lecture halls. It serves it's purpose usually, the drinks are cheap and it's always lively, you can guarantee finding someone you know in there to while away the hours with, but today it doesn't hold much temptation. Not when you're a short walk away from Johnny's office with an insatiable appetite that just seems harder and harder to quench these days.

"Well we were going into town," Lizzie tells you. "But then Benji suggested we had a quick drink in here first as it's so much cheaper. You know what a tight-arse he is..."

There's a yelping sound from Lizzie before you can hear Benji muttering out a defensive remark, something snide about not all being so lucky as to be able to live off mummy and daddy's weekly allowance. You grin to yourself as you hear Lizzie fire back a scathing comment, picturing the two of them jostling each other and sniping. It's all done good-naturedly, your two friends liking nothing better than a bit of piss-taking banter. You're normally joining in with them, giving as good as you get whilst pretending to be offended, needling Benji about his fluffy hair or teasing Lizzie about her latest infatuation until you're all crying with laughter.

"Anyway..." Lizzie continues when you hear things settle down. "We were all set to walk into town, try out that new place that's just opened up with that amazing looking pub garden, but then one of Benji's lecturers walks in and they get chatting. Before you know it he's offered to buy Benji another pint, and he's not going to turn down a free drink now is he?"

This catches your attention. "Who's that then... the lecturer?"

Lizzie laughs loudly. "Oh, I know what you're thinking! It's not sexy Professor tight-trousers! I bet if it was though you'd be straight down here wouldn't you?"

"Maybe," you giggle back, your interest waning again. "Look... I've really gotta go now. I'm actually just over at the History building now. I'd love to come and have a few drinks but I've got this bloody exam coming up in a few weeks and I'm not prepared at all and one of the other professors has offered to help me with revision..."

But Lizzie's not listening to you, talking over you drunkenly, her words slurring as she mumbles down the line. "He is quite cute though, in a sweet kinda, dilfy kinda way. Like he's sexy but he doesn't even know it. And he's got a gorgeous smile..."

Her voice has gone dreamy now and you start to wonder who on earth's she's talking about, all the classes that you and Benji share scrolling through your mind. "Oh my god it's not Professor Stevens is it? The one that wears those godawful polyester suits? Bloody hell Liz, how many have you had?"

"No, no... not him. Eww Y/N, what on earth made you think of him? No, he's younger, much younger than him. I don't know him actually, don't think you've got him for any of your modules. He's got curly brown hair, bit of a wacky dress sense... you should see the shirt he's got on... this cute little cap..."

And just like that you're pushing off from the wall, taking the quick pace that you'd adopted earlier, your plans suddenly changed, eager to get to your new destination.

Even for a mid-week afternoon the Union bar is bustling with life. The hot weather has tempted most of the patrons outside though and you can see groups of students sitting on the grass and perched on the pub-style benches as you approach. You take a moment to check your reflection in one of the large windows before you enter, smoothing down your dress and running your fingers through your hair, pleased with what you see.

Then you're pushing through the door, eyes scanning the crowd at the bar before moving over the seating areas, looking for a familiar face. You see Bob first, nursing a pint and deep in conversation with a group of students that you don't recognise. Then you see two girls that live downstairs in your block. Where are the others... and more importantly where's Johnny?

"Y/N! Over here! Come on, I've saved you a seat!" Lizzie's shrill voice rings out loudly, piercing the noisy atmosphere, amplified by the drinks that she's had. She waves at you, smiling sloppily.

Looks like you've got a fair bit of catching up to do, you think to yourself. So you wave her a return greeting, pointing to the bar to indicate that you're getting a drink before you join her. She nods, raising up her nearly empty glass hopefully so that you can see the remnants of her raspberry mojito.

You can't see Johnny at all and you start to fret that you've missed him, and then you feel a hand clap on your shoulder and you hear Benji's voice in your ear.

"Knew you wouldn't be able to keep away," he grins as you spin around. "Just couldn't resist the temptation of spending an afternoon with yours truly could ya?"

"Don't flatter yourself, I'm actually here for the sophisticated ambience and the classy clientele," you smirk, and by some timely coincidence a lairy group of rugby scholars stagger past, chanting drunken obscenities. You both laugh.

"So you gonna buy me a drink then Blakes?" You ask, batting your eyelashes at him exaggeratedly. "Seeing as I tore myself away from my studies to come and see you guys?"

"I'd love to, ya know I would, but funds are a bit tight right now." He plunges a hand into his jeans pocket and brings it swiftly back out, waving a crumpled five pound note in your face.

"I'll get these."

The voice is low and soft, but even so it still cuts through the noise, your ears pricking up immediately at the familiar tone. You turn your head to see Johnny standing there, leaning forward, both elbows on the bar and a half drunk pint of Guinness in front of him. "Hello Y/N, fancy seeing you here."

"Hi Johnny," you mumble, feeling an uncharacteristic shyness wash over you as your mind strays to the last time that you saw him. The way you seduced him into finger fucking you so blissfully whilst Van was standing right outside his office door. You hadn't known at the time but now you realise that he could likely hear everything. Every lustful moan and whimpered sigh. The thought makes your cheeks warm and your thighs press together.

"So what'll it be?" He asks, then he pushes off from the bar, raising a hand. "No... hold on... let me guess. I'm usually good at this." He eyes you thoughtfully, his hand coming to rest on his stubbled chin. "I'm guessing not lager, not beer, but nothing too fussy either, not like those sickly sweet cocktails they serve in here... something light, citrusy. Maybe a gin and tonic with a twist of lime?"

To be honest you'd mostly drink anything in this shit-hole just to get inebriated, but you don't tell him that. His choice is perfect. You smile up at him.

"That sounds good to me... thank you. Are you sure though 'cause I don't mind paying. I've got to get a drink for my friend Lizzie too."

"No problem, what's she having?"

You tell him and he turns away to order the drinks before his attention's fully back on you.

"I've not seen you around for a few days, what've you been up to? Studying hard?" He smirks mischievously. "Or have you been up to no good again?"

You offer him a shy smile, reaching for your glass as it gets placed on the bar and taking a sip of the refreshing contents. "Of course I've not been up to no good. I've not seen you, have I? How could I misbehave without you?"

"Oh, so you're some kind of angel when I'm not around then?"

"Of course I am!"

His smile grows. "If you say so."

You can't quite fathom the look in his eye. There's heat there, that's unmistakable, you know that he's thinking about the encounters that you've shared and hoping there'll be more, but there's something else too. A spark of something dark and tantalising that makes your pulse race. It's a glimmer of what you see in Van's eyes when he makes his demands of you and it thrills you. You remember Van saying how close they both were and how he could read Johnny like a book. How he couldn't keep secrets from him. You begin to wonder whether that also works both ways. Maybe Johnny knows exactly what you've been up to with Van just like Van knows what you've been up to with Johnny. Maybe they're both in this together. But if they are, what does that mean for you?

All of this time you've been so sure that you've been playing off both men against each other but maybe that's not what's been happening at all. Maybe they've both been playing you...

"Oi Y/N, ya can't keep Johnny all to yerself!" Benji suddenly shouts out from where he's now sitting next to Lizzie in a booth near the bar. "Come 'n sit back down, we wanna hear some more stories about you and Van at uni!"

You glance at Johnny who chuckles and picks up his pint, ready to start over when his phone rings, so he excuses himself and says he'll be back soon. You slide into a free seat in the booth, sipping on your G&T whilst Lizzie and Benji launch into a summary of the tales that Johnny's been telling them. You'd already been told that they'd formed a band whilst they'd been at university together, but you're enthralled to hear more about it. You listen on, rapt as Benji starts re-telling tales of disastrous gigs and drunken antics from the boys' student days.

"It's so funny hearing that kinda stuff," Lizzie laughs. "To think of your lecturers out there drunk and getting up to all sorts is hilarious! My chemistry lecturers are so stuffy and boring!"

"Van even came clubbing with us a few weeks back didn't he Y/N?" You nod an agreement but stay quiet, remembering all too clearly that fateful night when all of this started, an innocent night out which turned out to be the catalyst for your recent sexual adventures after you'd propositioned Van in the most direct way.

Lizzie takes another noisy slurp of her cocktail. "Oh my god really? You never told me about that Y/N. You guys are so lucky. You'd never catch any of my lecturers dead in the Union bar. And they're nowhere near as attractive as yours! Johnny's well fit!"

"Shhh he's coming back!" You hiss, digging her in the ribs with an elbow. In her drunken state she has no idea of how loud she's being.

"Sorry about that, just work stuff," Johnny says as he takes a seat in the booth and then slides around until he's sitting right next to you, not even leaving a gap between your two bodies. "Reckon Van's a workaholic, ringing me about exam papers even though we're both off this afternoon. But I guess I probably shouldn't stay too much longer anyway. Got some notes to annotate ready for my lecture tomorrow. Maybe just one more pint though before I go?"

"I'll get a round in!" Lizzie announces, rising on to her feet too quickly and swaying to the side.

You spring up quickly, reaching out steadying hands on her shoulders. It's unusual for you to be the sober one for once. "Careful Liz, you'll be on your back if you drink much more. Here, I'll come and help you at the bar."

"Nah, don't worry, I'll do it," Benji offers, slinging a supporting arm around Lizzie's waist and drawing her close. "Come on ya lightweight."

They move away, leaving you and Johnny alone and you suck in a sharp inhale as you feel a hand brush gently over your outer thigh through the thin material of your dress.

"Good to get you on your own at last, even if it's only for a few minutes."

"Might be a bit longer than that." You nod towards the bar where Lizzie's eyeing the cocktail menu so intently it could easily be a Booker Prize bestseller.

"Hmm... I wonder how much we could get away with in here? What do you think?"

You feel his calloused fingertips brush against your knee, dipping under the hem. Your heart-rate increases as you glance round the room, seeing the faces of your peers all around. Everyone's having a good time, unmindful of the fact that your professor's hand is now firmly on your thigh, squeezing it gently.

"You really want to take the risk? It's so busy in here. What if someone sees us?"

You're shocked by his brazenness, the fact that he's not showing any of the usual caution that's accompanied your previous hook-ups. You glance at him, see the fire in his heavily-lidded eyes, the devilish smirk on his lips.

"Feeling brave, it must be the liquid courage," he smiles before tipping the last of his Guinness into his mouth. "Or maybe it's just the fact that you're so goddamn irresistible. Can't stop thinking about you. And now you're here I don't think I can keep my hands to myself."

You swallow thickly, feeling a warm glow in the pit of your belly, your skin prickling with goosebumps everywhere that he touches. He draws light circles on your flesh, his fingers meandering across the expanse of the top of your leg before starting to work their way up your inner thigh. You instinctively spread your legs for him under the table.

"Does that feel nice huh?" He whispers and you answer him quickly, breathily, your cheeks aflame.

"Uh-huh, really nice."

"I could make it feel even nicer you know. Much, much nicer... and no one would know a thing about it."

The hem of your dress is at mid-thigh now, raked up by his fingers, your panties already damp in anticipation of how far he might take this. He continues to trace teasing patterns on your skin, every caress leaving you aching for more. You squirm in your seat, looking straight ahead, trying to keep your composure.

Then the bar door swings open, taking your attention away and your heart lurches at the sight of the familiar figure in the doorway. You watch on, an uneasy thrill shooting through you as Professor McCann walks in... with Kathleen in tow.

Fuck...

#forbidden #van mccann x reader #johnny bond x reader #au fanfic #vanfic #smut

4 notes · View notes

coolandspicy · 5 months

Note

1, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17 <333

Ily ❤️

1.) Song of the year?

Had to consider whether this should be a song that came out this year or just one significant to me this year and had to go with the latter because I really didn’t do much listening to brand new music this year so I don’t really have much to say about songs from this year. My song of the year is Kill The Lights by birthday massacre—not super surprising since it’s #2 on my wrapped but I spent so much time listening to this song specifically trying to visualize an animatic for it. I think the lyrics and melody would lend themselves really well to that kind of thing even if I didn’t manage to materialize one yet. I think it’s very tied to a lot of my nostalgic feelings and dramatization of everything from this year and I hope my song for next year looks to something a bit more tangible but this is a nice aesthetic anyway

9.) Best month for you this year?

It’s always hard to say at a distance but I would say April—Anime Boston was so fun for me and it’s a lot easier to love the point at which you’re fucking around rather than finding out. But that said? Many high highs and low lows in every month this year

11.) Something you want to do again next year?

Eat out at a restaurant dressed up weird. This is more or less bound to happen with the way I dress but I guess I more mean the sensation of being like in a group in some kind of costumes at a restaurant? Doesn’t necessarily have to be cosplay just out there enough for it to feel special. Also I just really look forward to drinking with you again even if it’s only a little haha 💕

14.) Favorite book you read this year?

If there was like stats you got at the end of year on your reading habits (that probably is a thing for people who gamify reading tbh) mine would be like “you completed 4.7 books this year—that’s an increase of 470%!”

Which is entirely thanks to you because I am illiterate on my own 💁‍♀️ but I help get you through grueling long form story based video games…so it’s totally a fair trade!

Anyway since we read the four Raven Cycle books and are currently part way through Call Down the Hawk it’s a bit hard to choose an overall favorite? I appreciate how much each one builds out from what came before so much and I’m really really enjoying what we’re currently reading it’s hard not to lean towards it. I think I might like Blue Lily Lily Blue the best of the original series because I really liked this part of all the mysteries coming together. But it’s hard to say since it just feels like they all align as part of the same story, even the dreamer series feels that way so far.

16.) Post a picture from the beginning of the year

This was my new years fit! I guess it technically was Dec 31st but I’m counting it

17.) Post a picture from the end of the year

I really worked hard to get sluttier this year and with your support I can do even better next year ❤️

Also my hair is blue now!!!

#me #just took these devil nurse photos today—I think I can do even better with a lil more time maybe even put on the succubus tattoo next time

2 notes · View notes

myloveforhergoeson · 9 months

Text

That's All She Wrote - Chapter 18 (Part 2)

Previous chapter

Find me on wattpad + ao3!

Show: Big Time Rush

Pairing: James Diamond x Original Female Character

Chapter 18: Jump Then Fall (1.18 - Part 2) ~ 13k

“So… There might have been a few things I lied to you and your dad about.”

Those were certainly the words Roxy wanted James to say to her as they stood outside the door to apartment 2-J.

After a particularly harrowing plane ride, something about it being a red-eye flight had made it far worse for Roxy’s airsickness, the only thing she wanted to do at the moment was get all her stuff into her apartment and take a nice, long nap in her wonderful, fluffy bed. It had been quite some time since she last slept and since James had been kind enough to stay up on the flight to make sure she was okay, she assumed he wasn’t feeling all that great either.

In lieu of a response, the girl only coked her head.

“First of all, it doesn’t seem like Hawk has the same kind of funding Gustavo has… So when we visit the record company tomorrow, I’m not sure how much he’ll be willing to pay you for your, um, assistant job.”

She wasn’t fond of how easily he had cut “songwriter” out of her job title, but Hollywood was Hollywood. It’s not like she was a songwriter-assistant when she first started at Rocque Records, simply an assistant who also wrote songs. There, Roxy had earned her title and she would gladly do it all over again if it got her closer to the music James would be making.

“Next, here’s your room key.”

Holding up the small brass key, James flashed a sweet smile before dropping it into her palm. Upon closer examination, she noticed 2-J etched into the bow when she nervously twirled it around between her fingers.

It made her laugh a bit, before she held it back out to him, pointing at the other key he was holding. “You mixed them up, silly, this is the one for your apartment. Give me the one you’re holding.”

Silly? Since when am I the kind of person to say ‘“silly?”

“Remember what I just said about funding? One newly renovated room at the Palm Woods is cheaper than two.” The boy deadpanned, taking the key in his hand and sliding it into the lock. “Welcome to Casa Diamond-Somerset.”

At the notion of sharing a hyphenated last name, Roxy had to steady herself on the handle of her suitcase.

“Ah…” The writer gently said, following him into the refurbished apartment as she did her best to look anywhere besides where James was standing.

Instead of the traditional Crib she had been so used to spending her days in - bright, flashing arcade games, guitars lining the wall, giant, yellow swirly slide - she was met with a modern sleek-style layout. Dark oak floors with ocean blue and stainless cool grey steel accents were littered around the apartment, complete with a large portrait of the wannabe on the back wall of the apartment… James had 2-J transformed into the bachelor pad of his dreams without even consulting his brand-new roommate.

All she was able to manage to get out as she gazed up at his gigantic picture was, “Good thing you didn’t mention that bit to my dad.”

“It’s probably a good idea to keep it that way since my mom isn’t coming, either.”

At this point, Roxy had done a pretty good job at concealing the slight tremor popping up as she spoke, and her shaking hands gripping the box of tapes she had carried up to the moving van to kept any unsettled movement from showing, but with that new piece of information, all her progress was lost in a matter of moments.

“W-what?”

The box practically slipped through her fingers, landing on the floor with a loud thud. Most of the tapes overflowing the top of the box clattered out onto the wood, scattering this way and that under the new modern appliances and furniture Hawk had installed.

“Aw, Roxy, are you that tired? Why don’t you go pick out one of the rooms and go to bed or something - you look like you’ve been up for ages.”

She had been up for ages, considering she couldn’t sleep when the only night they spent back in Minnesota was interrupted by an impromptu cross-country flight with an expected layover, but that was the least of her concerns at the moment. Squatting down to pick up as many of her tapes as she could, she did her best not to dwell on the fact that she and James were now both living and working together. That, and the concern she felt radiating off his words.

I need to see Jo and Camille, was her first thought, but considering their flight had landed around 3 am and she was still fighting off the jetlag, she decided to heed James’ advice.

“Good idea.” The assistant smiled toward the ground, finally standing again once she had gathered what she had dropped. “I’ll probably take Carlos and Logan’s room… It’ll be nice to have a window facing the pool.”

For a moment, James' smile flickered at the mention of their friends. “Got it… I’m gonna try out the new entertainment system; I’ll keep the volume low so it doesn’t wake you.”

With a thumbs up, she went to grab the handle on her suitcase and move towards the hallway, but James cleared his throat.

“Oh, I forgot, to tell you, Hawk mentioned I’ll have some sort of butler on retainer, so he’ll be here in the morning.”

In response, the girl yawned and nodded, even with her back turned to him.

Finally getting down the hall, she turned left at the door that connected 2-H and 2-J and into the new space she would be calling her own.

When Roxy flipped the light on, the emptiness of the room startled her.

Only one day ago, the colorfully painted walls held decorations fit to both Logan and Carlos’ tastes - sports posters, science diagrams, pin-ups of beautiful movie stars - and now, it was empty, void of any signs that anyone had lived there up until now. Logan’s overflowing bookshelf was missing from its usual corner, Carlos’ hockey jersey display and helmet rack weren’t hanging beside the window, and the glow-in-the-dark stars she had put up for them their first week in town while precariously balancing on James’ shoulders were nowhere to be found.

It’s wrong. She told herself. This is wrong. All of it. Everything.

Barely even setting her things down, Roxy found her legs moving without her permission, dragging her back out straight through the hallway, and into James and Kendall’s room.

Similar to what she had found in the other room, this space was also lacking signs of life. Kendall’s neatly lined binders of sports trading cards were absent from the nightstand beside his old twin bed, not to mention the disappearance of the framed pictures of him and Jo covering the walls above it. The vanity James had installed on the opposite side of the room by his bed was also gone, most likely moved into the master bedroom by Hawk’s renovations, though there was still the faint smell of his cologne hanging in the thick air.

I can’t do this.

Now Roxy was on the move again, pacing back to the other room and picking up the only CD in her box of tapes she had been desperately trying to hide from herself. If she hadn’t dropped everything BTR, Big Time Rush’s first and only album, wouldn’t have made its way from the bottom of the pile to the top. Holding on tightly to the sides of the plastic jewel case, the girl blinked back the well of tears filling her eyes and ignored the pain knotting her insides as she stared at her friend’s smiling faces.

James, Kendall, Carlos, and Logan all looked right back at her and the memories of their months in Los Angeles came flooding into her mind. From being fired on their first day at Rocque Records, to meeting Jo and Camille, to mansion-sitting, to chimp-napping Lo-Lo, to every other little thing that made their time together so special…

Hardly able to control where her mind was spirling, the girl found herself tearing through the hallway and into the living room, not stopping until she found herself directly in front of a very confused James who was trying to get through a round of Biohazard Blast.

“Roxy?” He tried, squinting at her before setting down the platinum controller. “Is everything-”

Flinging her arms around his neck, she practically fell into him, feeling the soft plush of the couch break their fall. Right now, nothing about how she felt about him mattered; she needed a friend, one of her best friends, to hold her, and tell her everything was going to be okay.

“We can’t do this without them. It’s not right.”

A light stream of tears began to flow down her cheeks as she buried her head into the crook of James’ neck.

Beneath her, she could feel his muscles tense, from shock at her actions or anger at her words, she didn’t know, but after a few moments of processing, James wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her closer. His game all but forgotten, the boy gently rubbed circles on her lower back, giving her time to get all her emotions out.

All the alarms that normally set off in her head, telling her she was too close, too emotional, too irrational, dissipated at his comforting touch. The warmth radiating off his fingertips combatted the chill from the air-conditioning vent blasting air out above them; the only sound heard in the room over the sobs raking Roxy’s body.

“We’re in this together, okay? You and me, Roxy. That’s all we need.”

Time seemed to blur for her, his hands on her back, running through her hair, wiping the drops streaming down her cheeks, until eventually, she didn’t feel anything at all - just the calming lull of sleep beginning to overtake her senses as she finally closed her eyes, allowing her body to tell her exactly what she needed.

***

At the sound of an annoyingly loud gong going off, Roxy felt her pillow shift under her as she snuggled deeper into it, squeezing the sides to fluff up the area in which she laid her head.

Despite not opening her eyes, she could lazily tell the sun had risen as the sunlight flooded through the window and reflected on the back of her eyelids.

Perfectly cozy, she tried to drift back into sleep before she heard, “Rox, I’m not gonna be able to breathe in a second.”

Her eyes shot open, the memory of last night filling her mind.

Where did I end up?

The answer, of course, was on top of James Diamond.

Sharp rapping at the door brought her out of her head as she sat up, scrambling onto the cushions of the black couch as fast as humanly possible. Trying to look anywhere but the couch below her, she glanced toward the windows only to find the large portrait of James staring back at her.

Jesus fucking Christ.

Thankfully, he didn’t say anything more as he slowly picked himself off the cushions and trudged towards the door, wiping the sleep out of his eyes.

With his back turned to her, the assistant was able to slip out of the room and back into the one she was supposed to have taken refuge in; a million thoughts running through her head, mostly centering on how good his arms felt as they had tightly encircled her, how hot his hand felt as it settled on the center of her back under her loose t-shirt.

There was the sound of a handful of individuals speaking in the other room, but for now, Roxy just tried to run through the events of last night. It wasn’t like her to do anything like that, yet, for some reason she had, and it sent her insides spirling into a twisting, turning mess. What few thoughts ran through her brain were hard to decipher, but they all lead down the path to What will he think of me? and I need Camille and Jo.

Kicking the pile of items she had left in the room from the night before, the girl frantically searched for her phone inside her bag, which she quickly found underneath the sweatshirt she had worn on the plane.

When she opened it, she noticed first of all, that it was the middle of the afternoon, and second, that she had a handful of unread messages from every single one of her friends.

One day back in Hollywood and she had wasted half of it sleeping in when she should be helping James grow into the pop star he deserved to be.

Ignoring the messages from the boys back in Minnesota, she quickly scanned through the group chat she shared with Jo and Camille.

J: Bitters just told us the worst thing…

C: he came right up to us at the pool, grimace on his face, and told us you and james moved back into the palm woods

J: But we said that obviously couldn’t be true considering you didn’t tell us at all!

C: as if he could prank us that easily

Those messages had been sent mere hours ago and when Roxy moved to type out her own message, she couldn’t even begin to formulate all that she wanted to say.

R: Hi, Bitters is right. We got back into town early, early this morning and I ended up sleeping in much later than I wanted to

R: I really need to see you guys, when can we meet up :)

While their responses were normally immediate, she didn’t receive any back in the usually short time span.

So, until they did, she resigned herself to get ready for the upcoming day and map out their schedule for their meeting with Hawk in the afternoon.

Though she hadn’t spoken to him at all herself, James described him as an odd man who was very obsessed with himself - which she thought to be quite funny coming from the wannabe. As he had told her, Hawk’s scheduling was much different than Gustavo’s, preferring to work in the afternoon rather than the morning. While everyone in Hollywood certainly worked in different ways, she found it strange she hadn’t even met the man responsible for bringing her back to L.A. yet and eagerly looked forward to their meeting.

After making it through her morning routine, Roxy made her way into the front room in order to reach the bathroom through the kitchen, but instead found a pair of sushi chefs clogging up the walkway as they prepared James’ lunch.

I need to speak with Hawk about his overspending…

“Sebastian! Stop the car,” She heard James call, spotting him back in front of the TV, however, this time, an older man was sitting in front of him holding a remote control steering wheel. While her friend had taken time to change into a nice, blue robe to kick back in, Sebastian was dressed in a very sharp gray and black uniform. “There’s someone I need you to meet.”

The girl wasn’t able to squeeze through the fast-paced chefs running around the kitchen before James caught her arm and pulled her over to meet his new butler. At his touch, she felt her heartbeat quicken and did her best to keep her breathing under control as he presented her to the man in front of her.

“This is Roxanne - Roxy - Somerset! Anything she needs, she gets… Got it? Oh, and speaking of there's someone else here you need to meet…”

Whatever he said next, Roxy accidentally tuned out as his words inadvertently sent her heart into overdrive once more. Sebastian was his butler, after all, that was a very thoughtful request of him to make.

Anything I want, I get… And if I want our friends back?

“Of course, Sir,” Sebastian answered in a perfect British accent, giving Roxy a small bow.

At his actions, the girl held out her hands, shaking them in an attempt to stop his motion, “Oh- Oh, wow, that’s too much, Mr. Sebastian… I’m here to help James, just like you.”

“Would you like me to ask the chefs to prepare you a meal as well, Miss?”

That seemed like quite a bizarre question.

“They’re… Right behind me… I can ask myself.” Turning her head to the boy beside her she chided, “Don’t let this newfound fame go to your head. You’re not too good to speak to anyone in this room.”

Shrugging, the wannabe brushed her off, “He’s just doing his job. Speaking of, wanna take a drive through L.A. with me? We’ve got it all hooked up to the TV.”

Buzz buzz

Having to ignore her messages for a minute, despite how her hand twitched to grab her phone from her back pocket as it buzzed, Roxy cocked her head, confused.

“The game is quite fun, Miss. Much easier than driving around the real streets of Los Angeles.”

What she wanted to say next was swiftly cut off by the sound of the gong doorbell once again resounding off the walls of the apartment.

“Sebastian, can you get that? I want to try my hand at a dramatic entrance from the staircase!” James called, reminding Roxy of his usual self as he ran up the steel steps to the loft once housing the swirly slide.

Without anywhere to go herself, the assistant resigned to take a seat at the breakfast bar to relax for a moment and check her phone.

C: WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU’RE BACK?

J: So weird, Carlos, Logan, and Kendall stopped by to say hello before you did…

R: Not fair to try and prank me either :( Where are you two?

When Sebastian opened the door, Roxy heard a collection of shocked gasps.

“May I help you?”

“Yeah…” A familiar voice spoke out, though with a very questioning tone as he looked into his former apartment. “We’re looking for Roxy and James.”

In a flash, the girl was out of her chair, listening to Sebastian invite the newcomers in.

Once the man moved, Roxy found herself smiling ear-to-ear as she gazed upon Logan, Carlos, and Kendall.

Anything I want, I get.

��You came!” She practically screamed, launching herself into Logan and nearly toppling him over through sheer force.

After a small “oof!” Logan was happy to return her hug, “Well, considering you called us about a hundred times, we figured you were up to something important.”

“A text message works just as well!” Carlos added, practically pulling his friend off of Logan and into his own arms.

“Sure,” She jokingly grumbled, “I was just a little bit upset with you three.”

Rolling his eyes, Kendall let out a small chuckle as Roxy let go of Carlos and wrapped her arms around his waist, “Understandable, but we did make the right choice in the end! Now… what did James do to our old apartment?”

“Irasshaimase!” The two chefs in the kitchen called, welcoming them to the space and holding up full plates of food.

It startled the boys, causing their heads to turn and examine the new, tricked-out kitchen, with Logan expertly stating, “Those are sushi chefs…”

“Well, our producer is doing all he can to make sure his new star client is happy - including feeding him his favorite food 24/7.” The girl shared, gesturing towards James, who was now dramatically making his way down the steel stairs.

This, however, was the least interesting thing about where Roxy was motioning as Carlos let out a small scream, “Oh! What happened to Swirly?”

His comments were quickly forgotten as James practically skipped down the stairs toward his friends, a smile plastered to his face, who he also wasn’t expecting to see so soon, “Hey! What are you guys doing here?”

It warmed the writer’s heart to see him so happy to see the boys, but felt her stomach drop when he tried to mask his smile with a distinct frown, “I mean… What are you guys doing here?”

“Big Time Rush is back together!” Kendall proudly shared, glancing between the pair as the news set in.

“What?!” Roxy whipped around, eyes wide as she found herself jumping up and down in excitement. “That’s incredible!”

“Yes! So…” Logan gave James a quick glance up and down, “Let’s get dressed and go.”

Feeling a comforting hand slide onto her shoulder once the boy reached the end of the staircase, Roxy finally settled down, turning to James with an irreversible grin, waiting for him to agree.

“And what happened to Swirly?” Carlos asked again, more upset this time as if the answer weren’t obvious.

Still looking back at her friend, Roxy felt her heart skip with anxiety as the boy stuck out his bottom lip in thought.

In an attempt to hurry whatever James was going to say next, Kendall motioned towards the door. “We gotta get back to Rocque Records to get ready for the concert.”

“Yeah!” James lit up, though his tone was dripping with sarcasm before following with, “No! You see, Hawk wants to sign me to a three-record deal, modified the crib to suit my new personal style, and gave me… Sebastian!”

From the hallway leading to the bedrooms, Sebastian emerged with a silver tray full of fluffy white cloths. “Hot towel, anyone?”

As if the conversation at hand wasn’t incredibly important, the three newcomers let out a chorus of “thanks!” as they accepted three towels. Though, when they unfolded them and laid them over their faces, a distinct sizzling sound echoed off their skin as the boys let out pained shouts before falling to the floor.

Immediately, Roxy was at their sides - even if she loved the feeling of James’ hand on her shoulder - to help them remove the source of their pain.

Without as much as a blink in their direction, James continued, “Ooh, and, as I recall, you were the ones who told me to get real and move on, so I did.”

“Seriously?” From where she was kneeling, Roxy looked up at the wannabe in protest. “They came all this way-”

“Megaphone for emphasis, Sir?” Sebastian asked, coming to James’ side in the blink of an eye with a large megaphone on a different silver platter.

With a smile, James graciously accepted the device as his friends finally collected themselves off the floor.

“I rock!” He yelled into it, sharp electrical sound pulsating in the teen’s ears at his misuse of the speaker.

Taking a moment to collect himself, Kendall uncovered his ears with a sigh, practically pleading with his best friend. “James, I was mad, okay? We shouldn’t have broken up the band, but we’ve always promised since we were peewee hockey players that we would stick together! We even made Roxy promise the same the first week we were here!”

“Ooh, and you’ve never broken a promise?” James bit back, absentmindedly playing with the collar of his robe.

For a moment, it seemed as though the three were pretty sure they hadn’t, before their faces fell, eyes widening as though they had just remembered something incredibly important.

Glancing side to side, Logan noticed Carlos and Kendall were feeling similarly, before straining, “We might be horrible people-”

“We’ll fix it!” The blond cut him off, “But first, we need to fix the band. James, Roxy, we’re sorry… Now, let's go!”

“Come on!” Carlos agreed, pointing towards the door.

The minute the boys had walked in the door, Roxy had forgiven them for everything they had said in Minnesota, but she wasn’t ready to discount James’ feelings about the situation either. They had come here together and she intended to leave there together on the same path to the greatness she know he deserved.

Besides, this was a disagreement between him and the other boys, it had nothing to do with her, and that was made evident by the hostility with which James spoke to his friends.

Turning to face him and gauge his thoughts, Roxy noticed two figures making their way down the steel staircase.

“He’s not going anywhere,” A well-dressed man declared, voice clear and commanding as he grew closer to the teens. Despite being indoors, he wore dark sunglasses, ones that matched his dark hair and clothing. Behind him, a younger, beautiful, blonde woman followed, carrying a black ledger to match her black dress and leggings. “Because he’s got everything he needs here. Right James?”

Immediately, she knew this to be Hawk, and the way he clapped James on the shoulder, pulling him away from the rest of his friends made her stomach turn.

Before James was able to answer for himself, Sebastian was at his side once again, “Some toys or money, Sir?”

Take the money and run!

Grinning, James picked up a Rubik’s cube, earning Hawk’s praise, “Excellent choice!”

Standing between the two groups - Hawk Records and Rocque Records - Roxy could feel the tension between them. Three of James’ oldest and most important friends had been very clear in their feelings towards his dream, and when James had heeded their words, suddenly they up and changed their minds. She couldn’t possibly imagine what it would feel like to be in his position, but she would stick by him in whatever choice he made.

While her own decision entirely, that choice scared her quite a bit.

Across the room, she locked eyes with the singer and gave him a subtle nod to convey her feelings. We’re in this together. You and me, James. That’s all we need.

Shuffling a few lines of the cube in his hands, he glanced upwards towards his friends. “You guys told me to move on, so… I did.”

“And now my assistant, Rebecca, will show you the door.”

The blonde woman beside Hawk smiled, showing off her perfectly white teeth.

At the notion of being kicked out by such a gorgeous person, Carlos scoffed, pointing between the band and the assistant, “She’s gonna show us the door?”

That comment was enough to upset Roxy just a tad as she scooted over to the side of Hawk Records - though she desperately wished to leave and join team Big Time Rush.

It was just a bit funny to watch Rebecca kick the absolute crap out of the three boys who underestimated her physical prowess out into the hallway.

“Alright, James, get changed.” Hawk almost demanded as he lightly pushed James down the hallway of 2-J. “It’s time to get to work!”

***

The ride to Hawk Records was about three times as long as the one the teens normally took to Rocque Records - not only that but instead of the skyscraper that housed many divisions of the RCM/CBT/Global-Net/Sanyoid family, Hawk’s facility was more like a small office building.

As the group walked through the halls, Hawk and Rebecca led the way as James, Roxy, and Sebastian trailed behind, they admired the cool gray aesthetic of the interior. Similar to their previous place of employment, there were numerous posters boasting the talent working among them at the label though, none of them were as famous as anyone who had worked with Gustavo.

“And now,” Hawk concluded the tour as he stood next to a poster covered with a black curtain, “The newest addition to Hawk Record’s line of pop superstars… Jamez!”

With a woosh, the man pulled the curtain away from the larger-than-life image of the wannabe, Rebecca proudly holding her hand up to show off their handiwork.

Had the poster looked anything like her friend, Roxy might have found this to be an emotional, heartfelt moment, considering Gustavo hadn’t even put up a Big Time Rush poster in his halls yet, but whoever had done the photoshop work on this image had horribly butchered it. James' normal, perfectly proportioned face was now taken up by a large, noticeably fake pout of his lips, which were far too enlarged to look real. Not only that, they unnecessarily changed the spelling of his name, replacing the “S” with an unpleasant “Z.”

“Woah,” Roxy tried to joke through her own feelings about the poster, noticing James' face visibly pale as he looked at the image. “Someone went a bit too hard on the lip filler.”

With a nod, James bit at his bottom, normal-sized lip, “Yeah… and you spelled my name wrong.”

“No, I didn’t.” The producer affirmed, a sickening grin forming on his features as he faced the teens. “You’re Jamez with a ‘Z’ now. It’s ‘awezome!’”

“I don’t think anyone has ever used that term before, Mr. Hawk.” The assistant tried to add, but her comment was swiftly ignored as the man waved her off.

Beside the teens, Sebastian was also examining the poster, bringing up a great point. “Isn’t that technically Ja-Mez?”

Grin falling, Hawk quickly darted his eyes towards Rebecca; The woman gave him a strained smile back and a little nod, confirming the older man’s pronunciation.

“I don’t pay you to speak, Sebastian!”

Not bothering to defend his butler, James squinted, leaning in a bit more to look at the poster with a bit more scrutiny, “Circling back around… What’s wrong with my lips?”

“We added new ones,” Rebecca stated, British accent rivaling those of the Americans around her. “We wanted something fuller. Yours are too thin.”

Roxy had to bite her tongue to hold back her thoughts on his lips.

“And check out your new ‘zingle.’” Hawk shared, switching the subject, as he trotted over to a stereo system he had set up on a desk in one of the many lounges Hawk Records had to offer. Pressing the play button, a simple, yet very electronic tune filled the room. The words were elementary, repeating “Girl” over and over again, followed by “You so fine” to round out the melody.

“But I haven’t recorded anything yet!” James protested, trying to figure out how Hawk had already put something together for him,

“Not only that,” His assistant scoffed, “Those lyrics are so simple! A child could write something better.”

Shutting the tune off, Hawk swiveled back and forth in his chair, “Well, thanks to digital enhancement, James will never have to record anything and Roxy will hand her songs over to me. And together, we are going to crush Gustavo and Big Time Rush!”

Noticing the menacing tone the producer took, still swiveling in his chair, Roxy began to realize part of the reason Hawk had been so adamant about getting James down here. While they knew that Gustavo certainly didn’t like him, she didn’t think Hawk shared the same feelings - their old producer always dramatized parts of his life, and she had just assumed this feud was a result of that. Now, it seemed as though Hawk felt just as much disdain for Gustavo as Gustavo did him.

Gripping the straps of her bag a bit tighter, she grew more uncomfortable the longer they stayed in Hawk Records. It was James who brought her out of her head, stepping forward to level with his producer.

“But I don’t want to crush Big Time Rush. Those guys are our friends…” He said, glancing over his shoulder to give Roxy a weak smile which she was glad to return. “Or, they were.”

They are, She thought. No matter what.

“Music isn’t about crushing other artists… It’s about art and expression! Plus, my songs are my own. I don’t just hand them over and they don’t go anywhere without my consent.” His assistant added, stepping up to join him as they stared down Hawk and Rebecca.

“That too!” Agreed James. “No need for this digital enhancement stuff. I just want to record good music written by a real and awesome songwriter.”

It seemed that none of these important statements meant anything to their new producer or his assistant - certainly a major red flag that further compelled Roxy to try and get the hell out of dodge.

“Ja-mez, do you want to have friends or do you want to be famous?” Asked Rebecca, motioning to the numerous silver records Hawk had decorating the walls behind them.

Taking a bit too long to answer that question for himself, the boy just shook his head, glancing toward the carpet.

“And besides,” Hawk chimed in, handing this morning’s newspaper over to the wannabe. “If they were really your friends, would they be searching all over town for your replacement?”

Page open to the classified sections, James and Roxy spied the Big Time Rush logo plastered on the bottom right of the page.

Big Time Rush

Open Audition

Gustavo Rocque is holding an open call for a tall, athletic, pretty singer for a pop/rock group. Must be 16-18 and available immediately for rehearsals, album recording, and tour.

Please contact: Rocque Records

Reading the ad nearly broke Roxy’s heart. Did they think James could be so easily replaced? Could they even call it Big Time Rush without him?

When they flipped the page to see if there was anything more on the other side, Roxy felt her chest constrict when she noticed the logo once again on the top left page. It read similarly to the other ad, but something about this version told her the boys were in charge of the text, as opposed to Gustavo.

Big Time Rush

Open Team Position

Kendall Knight, Logan Mitchell, and Carlos Garcia are holding interviews for a new songwriter-assistant (emphasis on the songwriter). Must be 16-18, cute, play the guitar, write songs, and have a cool first name but go by a nickname which we will further shorten.

Please contact: Rocque Records

Serious Inquiries only.

Whatever the boys were planning, these ads were enough to light a fire under the singer, who threw the ad back down onto the table.

“I want to be famous.”

Not bothering to waste any more time, James promptly turned on his heel, grabbing his assistant’s hand, pulling her out of Hawk Records as fast as humanly possible.

As James had done this, Roxy, after a few moments of not being able to process anything but the feeling of his touch, thought this meant he was finally ready to forgive his friends. So much so, she began to ask Sebastian to route their stretch limo to Rocque Records, before the long-haired boy swiftly cut her off, asking to return to the Palm Woods for dinner.

Any time she tried to talk to him, maybe even nudge him in the right direction by asking him his feelings about the situation, he just let out a long-winded sigh. After a while, it started to feel like she was trying to talk to a brick wall. Knowing that she stood fully and completely with him was hard, especially when she was somehow also rooting for the other team. Now was not the time to play double agent, even though she had no idea what lay behind enemy lines.

When they arrived back at 2-J, the sushi bar was still open, prompting the writer to wonder if Hawk was just paying them to stand around in an empty apartment. James, who hadn’t said anything since his declaration, took about three full rolls from his personal chefs and moped over to the couch.

Requesting a fresh Philadelphia roll, his assistant grabbed two pairs of chopsticks and sat down next to him as Sebastian pulled a chair in front of them from the dining room table. Taking the steering wheel remote control once more, he booted up the driving game he had been playing earlier while his master took a sorrowful bite of his first California roll.

After a few minutes of aimless driving around the track, Sebastian confusedly asked, “Uh, where to now, sir?” as he kept the wheel steady.

“Just… Turn left here.” Responded James, the usual confidence with which he carried himself seeming to dissipate as he sighed. The sushi piece he had picked up to eat before he spoke was moved to the left, clutched between his chopsticks, almost absentmindedly hitting his assistant right in the face.

The sharp screeching of the virtual wheels on the track scratched Roxy’s ears, causing her to jump.

More silence followed until Sebastian asked, “Are you alright, Sir?”

James’ reply was immediate, though neither of the people in the room believed his words. “I’m good! I got Roxy, I got you, and I got sushi. Everything’s awesome.”

Click

Screen in front of them going black, Sebastian swiveled around in his chair, facing the teens as he stood. “Yes… And you seem so awesome.”

His actions were suddenly far different than they had been in the morning, the once reserved, level-headed man adding a different inflection in his voice causing James to chuckle, “Are you being sarcastic? ‘Cause you sound like Logan!... Who I don’t miss, just like I don’t miss Carlos or Kendall.”

“Of course, you don’t,” The butler agreed with a roll of his eyes, throwing his arms out to the side as he continued. “Just like I don’t long for a life away from the smog and shallowness of this town.”

Though a bit of a downer, Roxy thought she was beginning to catch Sebastian’s drift. Perhaps now was a good time to bring up her own feelings about the situation, and compare them against James’ to find somewhere they could agree.

As she went to open her mouth, James narrowed his eyes, setting down his plate of food. “We still talking about me here?”

“How do you teens say it today?” Now he was addressing Roxy, completely ignoring the wannabe as he tilted his head to the side. “Whatever, Ja-mez!”

“Hey! Hawk is gonna make me famous.”

“Sure he can, but don’t you think we always do better together?” His assistant murmured, catching the singer by surprise once he understood who she was referring to. “You and I aren’t the best problem solvers, like Kendall. Nor are we as brilliant as Logan, or as tough as Carlos. I think we all balance each other out.”

“A whole life with your friends or a whole life filled with fake lips and fake vocals… Wake up, James, and do enjoy a hot towel.”

Bracing herself based on how the last hot towel fiasco went down, Roxy covered her ears and ducked away from her friend, who screamed once the white cotton cloth met his face.

Thankfully, it seemed to have the effect Sebastian wished it to, as when the singer was finally able to pull it off of his red, splotchy face, he motioned to his assistant. “Are you sure this is the best idea for us?”

That was almost the last thing she expected him to ask her; just the fact he was checking in and making sure his decision mattered to her as well made her heart rate spike. That, and the word “us” used perfectly in his sentence.

“Gustavo’s only let us down once, and it seems like he’s trying to fix it… I certainly trust him more than Hawk.”

Hand moving to rub his jaw, James took in her words. “Sebastian, do you mind taking us to Rocque Records?”

“Not at all, Sir.”

***

Though the back of the stretch limousine was ultra-comfortable, as Roxy stepped out of the vehicle and shielded her eyes from the sun to gaze up at the skyscraper that housed their old recording studio, she couldn’t help but miss her bright red Pontiac GTO.

If everything went according to plan, hopefully, the keys would be back in her hands soon enough.

As the two managed their way into the building, pleased to know that their Rocque Records ID badges hadn’t been shut off, they were silent as they entered the elevator. Hearty dings filled the small space as they ascended, waiting for what felt like ages to get to the correct floor.

“Do you think they’ll forgive me?”

James’ words were sincere, and when Roxy glanced over at him, she noticed how intently he was staring at the numbered control panel.

Without thinking, she gently reached out and grabbed his hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. “I think your best friends miss you… Besides, Big Time Rush is hardly Big Time Rush without one of its founding members. Try as they might to replace you, I’m not sure anyone else in the world has your wonderful voice, incredible sense of rhythm, or your effortless boy band-y charm.”

His reply was simple, calmly lacing his fingers between hers, “It’s not Big Time Rush without you either.”

“Oh, yeah?” Feeling the heat of his palm against hers almost sent Roxy’s knees buckling. For whatever reason, her first instinct was to try and deflect his comment, “Gustavo’s a great songwriter…. I haven’t even come up with any new song ideas recently, for Ja-Mez, Big Time Rush, or otherwise.”

The sound of laughter filled the elevator for a second, confusing the assistant as she turned to find its source. James, who had pulled his hand away from hers only to cover his face, was now nearly doubled over at her words. “God, I don’t ever want to hear the name Ja-Mez again!”

Fighting back her own smile, Roxy felt her shoulders begin to shake as well, “Then don’t mess this meeting up! Play your cards right and Gustavo might be begging on his knees for your return.”

Though seeming to sober him up a bit, the boy was finally able to move a few of his fingers, peeking down at the girl beside him. “For the return of both of us, Roxy.”

If he noticed the small flinch in her posture as he rolled out her name, he didn’t say anything, though she did continue to feel his eyes on her until the final ding let them know they had finally arrived at the studio floor.

Before she stepped out, James caught her arm, pulling her closer to him.

The swiftness of the motion scared her a bit, trying to find any explanation written on his face as she met his gaze, though, she only found a flicker in his eyes, glancing down a few centimeters. She was just delusional enough to believe he was surveying her lips and slightly leaned in, just to see what he would do.

Her answer would have to wait for another time, thoroughly and unwelcomly interrupted by the elevator doors beginning to slide closed, as James moved to keep them open before exiting and rushing off towards the studio.

In an attempt to keep his pace, she managed to shoot off after him, trying to pretend whatever had happened between them, didn’t really happen.

There's no way… Right?

Chain of thought half-disrupted as “Famous” began to blast out of the speakers of Studio A, Roxy tried her best to focus on the song, not the one clear message running through her mind stating: I want to kiss him.

However, it was easy to ignore her own feelings, staring at James’ back as he got closer and closer to the studio doors, considering the vocal work the three boys were rehearsing sounded next to terrible. The high energy, adrenaline-pumping practices the band used to have sounded like a thing of the past; the spirit of Big Time Rush lost before they heard Gustavo’s signature screaming from the booth and the track cut.

Now would have been the perfect time for James to declare his presence, confidently saunter into the studio, and easily earn his old job back, but before he entered, he turned around. With a lazy toss of his head towards the commotion, he smiled at Roxy. “Ready?”

“As I’ll-”

“Oh, you’re such a turd…”

From the studio, the lifeless performance of “Famous” was quickly replaced by Kendall singing the opening bars to the tune he had written the night of their audition in Minnesota. Though the songwriter felt the words were a bit cheap, as Carlos and Logan began to join in, she could practically hear their sardonic smiles and the new life the song was breathing into them. Though the song was just a warm-up, they sounded much happier together this time around.

Even if it had stunned both her and James into silence, as the boys rounded out the small tune Roxy felt herself reach out both of her hands, placing them on the boy’s chest and shoving him into the studio. Without even discussing a plan, James immediately caught on, rounding out the last line with a beautiful drawn-out ending note.

Suddenly, a verse managed to wedge its way into Roxy’s brain as she watched on, frozen, recognizing the ear-to-ear grin forming on James’ face. He hadn’t looked that excited about anything in days, and now, his reunion with his best friends was practically causing him to shine. No doubt, the writer had many thoughts about this, but more than anything, it made her so elated to see him this way.

Not wanting to miss out on this critical moment in their friendship, but also not wanting to lose her verse, the writer managed to pull herself out of her daze, rip her songbook from her bag, grip her favorite red pen, and scribble out her thoughts. It was good to be back.

You, you walked into the room,

On a Friday afternoon,

That’s when I saw you for the first time,

And I was paralyzed.

Of course, it hadn’t been the first time Roxy had seen James, but as she read over the words echoing in her mind, she came to a long-awaited realization.

I have a crush on James Diamond.

Despite being rooted in place outside the studio doors, songbook clearly in hand, Roxy’s petrification was soon undone as Carlos rushed towards her, picking her up and spinning her around until she landed right in the middle of her best friends. A clap on the shoulder from Logan, a hand on her head from Kendall, and a wink from James later, Roxy was happy to stuff her book back in her mini backpack and savor the euphoric feeling of this moment.

Everything was exactly as it should be, captured best as Carlos let out an excited, “Big Time Rush is back together - Whoo!”

“Yeah, I felt bad knowing how much you all missed Roxy and me.” James quipped, giving his helmet-wearing friend a hearty slap to the chest.

Matching his sarcastic tone, Logan smirked, “And you’re not gonna miss the cool pad, the hot towels, and Sebastian?”

“Oh, I’ll miss Sebastian.” Roxy jumped in with a raise of her hand, loving the airy feeling in her chest. It felt like a huge weight had been taken off her shoulders as she let the energy of her friends flow through her.

With a nod, the long-haired boy pointed to her, before answering with his own, “Yes, no, and yes.”

“Well don’t sweat it, because once we nail the concert, we’re gonna go back to the Palm Woods and get our own Sebastian, right?”

Kendall’s question was directed towards Gustavo and Kelly, who had finally managed to make it out of the control room with Katie and Mrs. Knight in tow.

As his words sunk in, Roxy managed an excited, “The concert’s back on?” that overlapped with Kelly’s “And what about Hawk?”

Like normal, Gustavo let out an annoyed sigh at the influx of comments, “We’ll talk about your Sebastian later. And we’ve got bigger problems than Hawk: As in the concert is in two days and we haven’t sold a single ticket and all the advertisement posters are now wrong!”

Motioning towards the back of the room, the teens turned their heads to find the fliers Gustavo had made in James and Roxy’s absence. An image of the band, Carlos, Kendall, and Logan, stood against a sad white background, adorned with the Rocque Records and Big Time Rush logos in the bottom two corners. Hideous red text in the middle reading Sunday 8 pm @ The Music Box Theater was almost impossible to read.

Not only that but as Roxy finally took some time to take in her surroundings, she noticed the studio which was often filled with instruments and recording equipment was close to empty. In the place of the normal adornments, brown, cardboard boxes stood in their place.

“Don’t worry!” Mrs. Knight lit up as if a lightbulb had gone off above her head. “Katie will donate her posters!”

Taking one from one of the many hundreds of boxes her daughter had ordered full of Big Time Rush merchandise, the woman rolled out a brand new poster - proudly displaying James in addition to the other three.

With a scoff, the young girl rolled her eyes, “No, I won’t!”

“Katie, donate them!”

Letting out a scream loud enough to rival Gustavo’s, Katie was quick to concede to her mother's demands, popping out of the room as fast as her little legs could carry her to find the rest of the poster boxes.

Promptly moving onto the next topic, Gustavo glanced over to his talent scout. “Kelly, what money do we have left in the budget for street team advertising and local TV and radio spots?”

Rummaging in her pockets for a bit, and pulling out a few things, Kelly listed them out: “One, two, three, four, five bucks and a punch card for one free Schmetzel’s Pretzel.”

The noise their boss made sounded somewhere in between a shocked gasp and the silent, pained cries of an individual choking on their food.

“We’ll go back to the Palm Woods and get some street team volunteers!” A brilliant idea from Kendall.

Nodding, Logan offered, “And I think I may know a way we can get some free TV spots.”

“Don’t worry about the radio either, I’ll call up some local stations in the morning.” Roxy confidently stated, hoping her knowledge of call-in radio shows would be enough to skirt some free advertising in the Los Angeles area.

Once no one else brought anything to the discussion, their talk swiftly came to an end.

“Well, what are you waiting for? I can’t sell this band to investors if we don’t sell out the concert! Go! Go! Go! Go! Get out of here!”

***

Roxy had hoped that her reunion with Jo and Camille would have been more heartfelt and comforting, but as soon as she crushed her friends into a giant hug, promising she had important information to tell them later, she put her feelings on hold for the time being.

In the morning, she had appointed herself as the leader of the street team, and the girl was now far more focused on distributing the correct posters to multiple groups containing her friends and other Palm Woods residents - marking everything out on a lovely list in her journal and a large map of Hollywood spread out on the dining room of 2-J. Even among the chaos of everything, she had tuned into most of the local radio stations, waiting for them to share their call-in phone number, and derailing every conversation she had on air to mention the concert.

Big Time Rush had managed to put together an eclectic collection of people from the hotel, but everyone was more than willing to lend their help in putting posters up on street corners, handing them out in front of shops and restaurants, and even bringing ads to their own auditions or practices over the course of the next 48 hours.

While the teens were taking care of advertisements, Gustavo also had his assistant set up a handful of meetings with some of the largest entertainment investment companies on the west coast: Giant Corp, Huge Corp, and, of course, Huge Giant Corp.

While still running her command center out of the apartment, Roxy even managed to get on the streets herself, standing outside of Amoeba Records on Hollywood Boulevard and passing out colorful fliers to anyone who walked by.

At one point, she even caught a glimpse of the news show Mrs. Knight was watching on the large entertainment center of 2-J, where Camille, using her expert acting skills, managed to get some air time. After claiming to have been abducted by aliens, local anchor Ted Garcia was eager to televise her story, before he was cut off by a mob of other teens, all holding up sign advertisements for the concert, as Camille repeatedly yelled the time and location of the show.

By the time the night of the concert rolled around, though Roxy was exhausted, she still managed to get herself over to the Music Box and join the rest of Team Big Time Rush to watch the marquee be changed from “ON SALE NOW” to “SOLD OUT” right in front of their eyes.

As cheers roared around her, she felt like taking a good, long nap. Hopefully, after tonight, it would be one in her bed in 2-H.

Once the celebration died down, the band and their friends went their separate ways - both groups needing to prepare for the concert. In just a few hours, the band would be proving they have just what it takes to make it to the big time, but for now, they needed to sound check the venue and get oriented with their new surroundings.

Watching the venue staff inside rush around, much like they had been doing for the past few days, from the stage felt a bit strange. It was even stranger as the five took in the sight of their bosses; one furiously texting away on her blackberry, the other nit-picking every little thing about the room.

“Okay,” Gustavo finally sighed, looking up at his band on the stage in front of him. There was a moment of reminiscence to the first time he had met them in Minnesota. “All that’s left to do is - oh, right - the concert!”

“Gustavo…” Kendall trailed off before the rest of the band picked up his sentence. “Have we ever let you down?”

I need to get better at this mind-reading thing they have with each other.

“I’ll let you know after tonight… Now, get your butts to your dressing room and get ready to rock this place for your fans and for my big investors.”

With a motion towards the VIP area in the back of the venue, the girl felt her heart squeeze. All they had known was the parental company guidance of RCM/CBT/Global-Net/Sanyoid; hopefully, another company would be able to provide them with similar attributes.

Though once James wrapped a hand around her wrist and pulled her towards the dressing room with the rest of the band, she felt her worries wash away. All the chaos surrounding the teens over the last few days gave her little opportunity to fully see him, considering he was staking out street corners with Carlos throughout the Hollywood area to hand out fliers, and now, even as she took in the sight of his arm reaching towards her, she was grateful for the few seconds of joy buzzing through her veins.

Entering through the two large, grey doors labeled Dressing Room: Big Time Rush, she didn’t bat an eye at the red velvet curtain they pushed through, leading to the minuscule room.

“No way this is supposed to service five people…” She managed to choke out just as James let her go.

On the same wavelength as his assistant, Kendall did a little 360 to examine everything, “Smaller than I imagined.”

As if on cue, something mechanical kicked in, the air conditioner maybe, and the slight walls of the room shook.

“And it’s rumbling?” Carlos questioned, before the telltale sign of an engine turned over, emanating from the back wall of the room.

That was when the four walls began to move, pulling away from the venue, revealing Hawk’s assistant, Rebecca as she emerged from behind the red curtain.

With an evil smirk, she daintily waved to the five, “Make yourselves at home-” before reaching above her head and pulling down what looked to be the back slider of a moving truck.

“And it’s a trap!” Logan yelled, he and the band launching forward in an attempt to stop the slider from hitting the truck bed to no avail.

Watching, frozen in fear, Roxy felt the container begin to move faster, knocking her to the floor, while the rest of the boys let out pained cries, pounding on the back wall in hopes anyone would be able to help them before it was too late.

And too late it was, before 20 minutes into the drive - and Roxy’s subsequent claustrophobic breakdown - the engine finally turned off and the five were roughly hauled by Hawk and Rebecca into an empty warehouse.

Though, thanks to the Judo techniques Jo had taught Roxy in order to keep their sporadic sparring matches at the gym fair, the writer didn’t go down without a fight. After thrashing around as best she could, she successfully broke some skin on Hawk’s arm with a Judo-illegal biting technique and managed to pull out a fistful of Rebecca’s hair. Unfortunately, the two adults ended up overpowering her and her strong, hockey player friends, quickly subduing them in order to move them out of the truck.

Mini backpack left behind and cellphones pulled from their pockets, the five were helpless against the two adults.

What was worse, being tied down to the uncomfortable wooden chairs, ropes bitterly biting into their arms and wrists, or the single, bright spotlight casting light down on the middle of the room, blinding the teens as the adults shared a maniacal laugh, Roxy didn’t know.

First to voice his self-preservative concerns, James grimaced, tugging as best he could against the white chord holding him down. “Are… are you gonna kill us?”

“No. Don’t be stupid!” Hawk bit back, standing beside a now shocked Rebecca.

Oh, she definitely thought she was going to kill us.

The boys’ collective sigh of relief was much too soon as the producer continued, “But when Big Time Rush misses their first concert, your music careers will be dead.”

A blood-curdling scream emerged from James at the prospect of losing something more precious to him than his own life. Tied up next to him, Roxy didn’t appreciate the fact she couldn’t cover her ears as the sound echoed off the high ceiling of the facility.

“And more importantly,” Hawk was still talking, which allowed the assistant to catalog as many details about their location as possible. “So will Gustavo’s chances of ever topping me on the charts again!”

“You seriously needed to kidnap us to further your chances?” Roxy found herself laughing, laughing, at the man’s ridiculous words. “You hired a real, genuinely talented singer to make music but tried to use your stupid fake songwriting and electronic vocal producing machines instead. There’s a reason Hawk Records hasn’t ever produced a single hit, you idiot! Both you and your fashion-challenged sidekick will never be on the same level as Gustavo.”

She regretted her words the second Rebecca took a step toward her, fearing the woman’s vice-like grip that could easily damage any part of her body. Thankfully, the woman didn’t dignify her words with a response, only casting a sidelong glance at the five teens in front of her. “We’ll tell Gustavo where to find you and your phones once the crowd boos and abandons the concert.”

“When you mess with the Hawk, you get all ten talons!” The man finished, holding his fingers out in a claw-shaped fashion.

“Hawks actually only have eight talons.”

Logan’s factual correction was met with a scream: “I don’t care!”

“Okay… Just telling you…”

God, they should just kill us.

“But I do want to catch your concert so I don’t miss the look on Gustavo’s face when he loses everything.”

Producing another sinister laugh, and two strange caws, Hawk and Rebecca swiftly made their exit through a small door on the opposite side of the warehouse they had entered from - suggesting to the girl that was the way to the main road.

At this point, she had no idea what time it was, where in Los Angeles they could possibly be, and how they were going to get out of this with a viable career at Rocque Records.

However, any chances she had at forming an escape plan were instantly shattered as she heard James let out a cry for help. The raw emotion contained behind his scream sent a spike directly through her chest; so much pain, sadness, confusion… All things she was feeling, but his wail also contained something else she was having trouble deciphering.

“James,” She tried, in between his desperate attempts to regain air back into his lungs before another go. “Don’t damage your voice, please.”

Regardless of whether or not her comment was self-serving, she tried very, very hard not to think of what his raspy voice might sound like.

“Don’t worry, best friends of mine!” Carlos interrupted her train of thought, which was welcome considering they had bigger issues at the moment than Roxy trying to sort out her confusing feelings. “For this looks like a job for-”

Using all of his strength, he was able to hop his chair toward the right side of the warehouse, letting out a little “Hup!”

“Carlos, not now.” Kendall tried, his tone of voice sounding utterly defeated as well.

“Yes, now! ‘Cause it’s time… for…”

This time, James cut him off. “Carlos!”

“I can do this!” The boy continued, still moving farther and farther away from his friends as he did his best to get his superhero act together.

Watching his movement, the other four teens registered his quick pace and were in awe he had managed to get so far away from them. There was only one problem; he was heading towards a wide-open door, which boasted a cautionary sign reading STAIRS.

Even if it lead to their salvation, there was no use in getting out of the warehouse with broken limbs or cracked skulls.

Good thing Carlos is wearing a helmet.

“Dude!” Roxy called, a bit of hope hidden behind her concerned cry. “Keep going!”

“What?” Logan hissed, whipping his head around to face her. “No, Carlos,” His attention was back on his friend again, “You don’t understand!”

“No, you don’t understand!” Kendall’s annoyed tone bounced off the walls again, “Carlos, we’re trying to help you.”

“I’m trying to help you!”

“And you are! Just a bit farther-”

“You’re not looking where you’re hopping!” Cautioned James, brow furrowed in worry.

Finally at the doorway, Carlos let out a few shallow breaths, no doubt tired from his sudden display of athleticism across the warehouse floor. “I can do this. It’s time for… Ahh!”

There was clattering, shouting, crashing, rattling, and even the sound of a pained cat’s yowl before there was silence. No sign Carlos had broken free, or at this point, even managed to survive the fall unscathed.

“Well, we tried to tell him.”

“Is this really the time for sarcasm, Logan?”

“Oh, big talk coming from the girl who insulted our kidnappers.”

“They deserved it! Hawk’s a loser and Rebecca’s dress and leggings combo is so 2003-”

Rustling from the doorway alerted the teens to someone entering the warehouse on foot, turning their heads to see Carlos, and rope, and shattered pieces of a wooden chair, standing triumphantly in the doorway.

Excitement swirled in the assistant’s chest, she knew he would get it, as James practically shouted in her ear, “You really are a superhero!”

“No!” Carlos’ tone of voice changed, deeper, and more confident as he stood, arms at akimbo facing his friends. “I’m a pop star… Who wants to rock that concert, get our album released, and get chased by lots of girls.”

Aw… The power of the boy band.

“Then untie us!” Kendall screeched, uncomfortably straining against the ropes burning into his sides as his friends joined in a chorus of agreement.

Roxy had never played the guitar with robe burn around her wrists. Hopefully, it wouldn’t affect her performance.

This was the perfect chance for Carlos to boast about the knot-tying merit badge he had earned in boy scouts, which he promptly reminded each of his friends about as he ran around untying them. Thanks to this, in no time, the five were barreling out the door Hawk and Rebecca had taken and found themselves on a busy street with a bus stop a few yards away.

The sun was still setting, and though Roxy wished she and the boys had the time to admire it, this told them the show was supposed to start any minute now. Without their phones, they were practically stranded in a random part of town, unable to call anyone to come pick them up and race them to the venue. Even the map at the bus stop was hard to read, riddled with sun-bleached spots bubbling off the glass and cigarette-burn rings.

Logan was the first to figure it out, unable to mask his anger as he let out a frustrated growl, “Oh, we’re downtown! We’re never gonna make it to the concert in time!”

“No concert means no album means no Big Time Rush!!” James astutely pointed out, adding his panicked cry to the mix.

“Guys, we’ll make it, let me go flag someone down and ask to use their phone-”

Cut off by a large, black limousine pulling up to the bus stop, Roxy was more than happy to shut up the moment the driver rolled down the window. There, in front of them with a more than optimal vehicle to take them uptown was Sebastian, looking as wonderful as a fairytale knight in shining armor.

“Anyone need a ride to the Big Time Rush concert?”

Just as shocked as she was, James was a bit weary after their kidnapping encounter, questioning, “Sebastian? You- You work for Hawk.”

With a shrug and a wry smile, Sebastian simply stated, “I quit. Now, get in.”

Not wasting any more precious seconds second-guessing the decision, the five teens piled into the back, practically vibrating with anticipation. Bracing themselves for a speedy getaway, they buckled in, before realizing they were almost surrounded by the sound of honking horns and screeching tires.

In an attempt to ease some of the tension he could feel from the backseat, Sebastian chuckled, “Oh, how I hate L.A. traffic… and superficiality and-”

“Sebastian, we’re late!” Kendall, Logan, and Carlos chorused, sending Roxy’s leg into an anxious bounce overdrive. It also didn’t help that James had taken the seat directly next to her, squishing her so tightly into the curve of the seat that his acid-wash jeans roughly hit her calf with every bounce.

Her anxious movement seemed to literally rub off on the boy. “We have to get there! Just, please!”

Loudly swallowing, Sebastian simply nodded and put on a pair of dark-tinted shades. “I’m going to lose my California limousine license for this.”

How he could still be cracking jokes at a time like this, the assistant found herself in admiration of, following his lead, “You never liked it here anyway, did you?”

“No, I didn’t, Miss. How hang on.”

Tires screeching loud, and the smell of burning rubber filling the backseat, their driver sped off, practically flying down the streets of Los Angeles.

At some point in the ride, Roxy felt her motion sickness coming on - be it from nerves or reckless driving - and placed her head in her hands for the remainder of the ride. Looking out the window would probably do her more harm than good.

Seconds, minutes, hours, maybe even eons went by before someone slipped their hand into hers and roughly pulled her out of her seat.

Weakly letting out a “Thank you!” Roxy made a mental note to send a fruit basket courtesy of Rocque Records to Sebastian. Hell, at this point, she’d even write a song about him if it meant expressing her undying gratitude.

Just as she was trying to figure out the best way to get his address, the band pushed her through the back doors of the venue, through the winding hallways to the stage, and up a small set of stairs before she found herself trying to hold up a fainting Gustavo.

There was a chorus of comforting words from the band as they pushed their producer back into the upright standing position, and in front of them stood Hawk and Rebecca, mid-evil laugh.

The look on their faces was priceless as they realized the band and their assistant had escaped their trap, jaws dropping to the floor, hands gripping the hems of their clothing… It was a wondrous sight to see, that Roxy wished to savor longer, but had to pretend to ignore as they prepared to make their way to the stage.

“Sorry we’re late, Gustavo!” Kendall apologized, giving the man a few reassuring pats on the shoulder.

Nodding in agreement, Logan said “Yeah, we got a little tied up,” before shooting the nastiest death glare toward the two adults in front of him.

“About that,” Roxy sucked in a breath, “Can one of you call the cops? We’d like to report a kidnapping.”

As Gustavo and Kelly went wide-eyed at her words, something distracted them.

“Oh… The people are leaving!” Carlos expertly noticed, examining the room behind their kidnappers, a flash of panic in his eye.

Roxy knew this was her cue, but as more and more people continued to turn away from the stage, she felt herself freeze.

They had survived a horrific band break up, a terrible solo break out, a wonderful best friend reunification, a haunting kidnapping, and the dangerous Los Angeles rush hour traffic, and a crowded room of people leaving the concert venue had been the thing that sent Roxy over the edge.

Feeling her blood run cold, she gaped a bit like a fish out of water, especially as her chest constricted, making it more difficult for her to breathe.

Our last shot at the big time… and everyone is leaving.

It wasn’t until James covertly slipped his hand into hers, lacing their fingers together with a tight squeeze, that Roxy was able to find herself back in the present.

“We’re gonna need some microphones,” was his gentle reminder ghosting the shell of her ear, and she took off like a flash, rummaging around their equipment bins to find the four pieces of equipment she had packed and labeled from the studio. Right behind her, Kelly was able to magically produce the microphone stands, and the duo worked together to get the boys exactly what they needed to hit the stage.

“Gah!” Hawk screamed, before shoving Rebecca in front of him as if she were a human shield, “Do something!”

Too busy making sure her friends were properly equipped for the show, she didn’t even see Sebastian shuffle backstage. “Hot towel, sir?”

With his expert aim, his famous fluffy, white-hot towels managed to cover both Hawk and Rebecca’s faces, making them easy to rush past on the way to the stage.

Grabbing her in-ear monitors, Roxy slipped them in before slinging her electric guitar around her shoulder.

From the side stage, the band gave her a thumbs up, and she checked with bass player, Mick, and drummer, Austin, who gave her slight nods, before kicking one of the guitar pedals at her feet and beginning to play the opening riff to “Famous.”

The moment the boys ran on stage, expertly hitting their marks as they began singing out the first lyrics, the crowd reemerged, piling in from wherever they had gone, cheering and holding up their handmade signs for the band to see.

As the song played, visions of bigger stages, stadium crowds, and, hundreds of new cities flashed through the songwriter’s mind. Big Time Rush was back, and now all they had to do was find a new parent company to keep them on the track toward their shared dream.

That won’t be hard at all, Roxy thought to herself, effortlessly banging out the chords she had played hundreds of times while finding it difficult to keep her eyes off James. This is the best show they’ve ever played.

In the blink of an eye, the set was halfway over, and the band and their assistant ran off the stage as the lights dimmed, signaling a costume change before “Count on You.”

Rushing into their dressing room, the boys had about a minute to change and prepare for their next song as a pre-recorded guitar track connected the songs, and Roxy used this time to refresh her lipstick in the mirror hanging just offside stage. Since this song was an acoustic breakdown to show the investors some of the boys’ versatility, she didn’t need to hop in for another five or so minutes to start up “Any Kind of Guy.” Kidnapping wasn’t all that good for flawless makeup upkeep, so this time would be used to perfect her rockstar glam look.

Just as she had finished placing an extra coat of red over her lips - a shade she, Camille, and Jo had found while out shopping that perfectly matched her guitar - the band ran back past her, ducking behind the drum kit to make an entrance on the opposite side of the stage without being seen by the crowd. Oh, the wonders of backstage magic.

“Rox, you coming with?”

James’ words startled her, almost making her ruin her perfect coat as she jumped in the mirror. When she turned around to answer him, she sighed, “You know this show inside and out. I’m not on until-”

“No, I know, I just…I don’t know-”

Now he was fiddling with the zipper on his black jacket, time was slowly running out for him to make his mark. “James?”

When he took a few hasty steps towards her, she instinctively moved back before finding herself hitting the cold, brick wall. The chill bit onto her bare arms, but once James reached his hands up, cupping her face and leaning in, the bitter sensation quickly burned away once she realized what was happening.

Tilting her head up, she let out an involuntary gasp as the boy leaned into her, the shadows of the low backstage lighting streaking through his long, perfectly styled hair.

James was going to kiss her, and she was going to let him, in their own private corner of the loudest, most packed room Roxy had ever been in, under the cover of the set-change darkness.

God, he really knew how to get her heart rate going, and he knew it, letting out a soft, breathy laugh as she finally dared to grab the sides of his jacket and pull him in, roughly slotting herself into his warm, sickly-sweet lips.

And, for the first time in her entire life, Roxy literally felt like she was floating as she continued to lean up into him, pulling him down towards her, keeping him close as he kissed her again and again…

“Was it so, totally magical? Did you feel sparks fly?”

Jo’s words from months ago sped around in her brain, interrupting the euphoric sensation flowing through every inch of her body.

Then, Camille’s: “Like, the gods of love were showering us in a mist of rainbows and butterflies!”

Abruptly pulling away from her, Roxy immediately tried to stop James, running her hands from his jacket collar to lazily hang around his neck, worried he could somehow read her mind; He would probably be less than pleased to learn her mind was wandering at a time like this.

This, however, caused Roxy to open her eyes, which she didn’t remember shutting, to a blinding display of multicolored light. Rainbows emanated off the lights from the stage, indicating the next song was going to begin in about 30 seconds. As for the butterflies, they had weaseled their way from the top of her chest to the pit of her stomach, and she worried that if she opened her mouth, they might just fly out, removing the perfect, buzzy sensation she was basking in.

“I love the way you say my name.” He told her, just loud enough to hear even with the bulky monitors poking out of her ear canal, and she thought she might never, ever breathe again.

When he let her go, she felt the chill creep back up her spine as she reluctantly detached herself from him in return.

James was tall, just so perfectly, tall, giving her the perfect line of sight to his lips, which she so desperately wanted to find herself in again. His lips, which just so happened to be covered with her red lipstick.

Lord, give me strength-

Taking a few steps back, he sheepishly glanced back toward the stage.

“James!” Roxy found herself calling, inadvertently giving him exactly what he had wanted as she pointed to her own lips, trying to warn him of the stain.

The sound of “tsk, tsk, tsk” emanated from the clicking of his tongue against his teeth, “We’ve got a job to do, Roxanne, give me a break.”

Had Roxy not been wearing what felt like a pound of stage makeup, he might have seen the way her cheeks completely flushed. “No, um… You’ve got-”

Gently, he took the side of his thumb and wiped his bottom lip, dragging it to remove the makeup he’d stolen off of her, looking his assistant straight in the eye.

Then, just like that, he was gone, sprinting to the other side of the stage as the tack countdown began to play in her ear, though, she couldn’t hear it as she leaned into the wall behind her, his voice replaying over and over in her mind.

I love the way he says my name.

And the musical journey continues…

:) Thanks for sticking it out to the end of the first part. Original chapter 19 out next week before we dive into the second part <3

As always, comments, votes, literally any form of interaction with my work is so, so, so appreciated I don't even have the words to describe it. Tell me what you think here on tumblr!

Also, to the person who gave me the 'mangerine' friendship bracelet at btr vegas, this chapter is for you. Thank you! <3

#thats all she wrote fic #big time rush #btr #james diamond #james maslow #kendall knight #kendall schmidt #logan mitchell #logan henderson #carlos garcia #carlos penavega

3 notes · View notes

kabannoneko · 10 months

Text

Game Thoughts - Little Inferno by Tomorrow Corporation

To be honest, I only wanted to play this game cause it looked silly. But as I soon found out, it was silly, yes, but it wasn't completely so! (Or rather, that's not all it is.) And I like it! - Gure

What's It About?

So, you play as a guy who's gotten himself a brand new "Little Inferno Entertainment Fireplace", which is basically a fireplace that can burn a lot of different things, even a bomb… and even a mini sun. Woooooow…

But why, you ask?

Well… For self-entertainment! And also cause it's very cold outside, for some reason, as you're supposed to find out in the story. To be fair, you'll find out pretty early anyway, so it's not too much of a spoiler.

Writing

I didn't think it would have that much of a story, not gonna lie, but yeah, there's a story, apparently! And they did a good job telling that story through dialogue from the characters other than yourself.

lol and there's also the item descriptions! That dark humor really is something… I'm gonna have to tell you all that they're not shy about showing and describing certain objects that might trigger/disturb people.

I do like how they tell you bits and pieces of the story through letters from the other characters, and I really find it amazing that it all comes together in the end. Like, questions that you may have as a player get answered, but it's not like they tell it to you in one go… you go out and talk to the characters involved.

Probably won't say any more, but remember that even though you're "by yourself" in the game, you're certainly not alone.

Art

First thing that comes to mind is that everything looks pretty whimsical, even though some of those things aren't really what you would wanna see, like syringes… bombs… meds… It kind of reminds me of something like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride. I like it.

Music

The music fits the game pretty well, and there are a lot of little noises that the items make that I really like. Really keeps the game from being too tedious when it comes to waiting for items to get delivered.

The volume starts pretty loud, however, and there's no way to reduce it in-game. And that pretty much means that you have to use your computer system's volume mixer so you can set it right. Also, for some reason, it gets a copyright notice when we upload it. Thankfully, it's not a strike or anything like that.

Gameplay

The game pretty much has two parts to it, basically. The first part has you buying stuff through catalogs provided to you, waiting to get them, and then burning them in the fireplace to get money as well as get combos. Some item combinations are obvious, but some really take some thinking and some knowledge of things (to be honest, I had to look at a guide for a few of them.) This was the part that got me to play it, but apparently, it's more than that.

The second part has you walk around and talk to people and stuff. Not gonna lie, just saying that doesn't really do it justice lol. Basically, what happens is that some of the loose ends get tied… I can't really talk about it so much, cause I think it's better just to experience the whole thing.

Either way… There's not much I can consider bad, except maybe for the parts where I have to wait a lot during the first part (especially since I didn't know the items Sugar Plumps sends you aren't too important at all lol). Like, if you were playing by myself, maybe you wouldn't mind it as much, but if there's people watching you play, I would suggest that you have something to talk about.

Overall

This is a pretty nice, surprisingly deep(?) game that provides you the fun of burning things down (which you shouldn't really do that freely IRL lol) and gently and lovingly reminds you that there's a whole wide world out there. It can be a little on the short side, considering you can actually finish it in a single sitting, but I think the story's worth it.

You can get it on Steam. (There's a Christmas-themed (or is it Santa-themed) DLC too, by the way.)

#videogame review #video game review #little inferno #tomorrow corporation #i don't really know what kind of game it is lol #puzzle game

4 notes · View notes

residentevil4remakedownload · 4 months

Text

Resident Evil 4 Remake New Update

Resident evil 4 Remake Deepens Legacy regarding Incredible Sport Film Sport

The Fashionable improve isn't game-changing -- it expands the bullets capacity -- though the a lesser amount of you've got to help stock up, the a lesser amount of often you'll ended up being hit within a sticky scenario. Stingray

Inside the firearm grouping, the Stingray becomes certainly not planning to permitted people drink. It is a semiautomatic weapon, so the fireplace regard becomes mostly nearly people, good it's an incredible cut measurement with default. If you're reach those vulnerable things, this particular little one may also deal 3x injury, and can end up being equipped with approximately any opportunity. The Private enhance enhance your own last flaming measure by simply one more 2x, which usually mustn't be too necessary if you're looking to be accurate, although could assist in a touch.

Once you've settled with a system, something is perfect for certain - the visible good quality is often excellent, while perhaps significantly less stunning for the reason that fundamental GameCube release ended up being to its stage. By simply 2005, there were seen most involving just what the current technology involving gaming console needed to deliver yet GameCube's bad market performance finally triggered few games which may very take advantage of the hardware's possible - right up until RE4. The next numbered gain access to in the sequence ended up calendar year inside the typing with ended up being meant to show total benefit from the GameCube's hardware.

The Inhabitant Unpleasant 4 remake can be used, delivering a lush reincarnation with the primary third-person emergency horror match in the exact same call. On the other hand, the reprise improves a great deal about the 2005 unique, coming with lavish brand new artwork, and also a lot of innovations as well as gameplay improvements. Resident Evil 4 is probably the most influential sports in the final few years, maybe even of all occasion. As made public throughout 2005, the idea founded a jurisdiction structure and solution regarding third-person rifles that will activity activity have got adhere to yet considering that.

According to Video Online game Share, Capcom became despondent with M-Two's work with the game as it remained exceedingly near to the original. Progress was handed onto Capcom Scale 1, the bunch normally in control connected with extending mainline Resident Nasty with Satan Could Yowl video game. Resident Unpleasant 5, 6, also soon after activities completed an excellent post involving spin the Umbrella along with Las Plagas lore jointly, as both mutagens end up being however in along with producing attention in another place, although Capcom may well possess a little retcons proposed to the reprise specifically encompassing Las Plagas. A resident evil 4 remake download for pc lives today settled to stay the do, but precisely what just accomplish we all know almost Capcom’s approaches? Once you've put up 'The Callisto Protocol's' 13-hour campaign, there are a good amount of various other horror activity to confirm away then.

Another Massive Thing in Resident Terrible 4 Reprise Download With regard to Pc

Resident Unpleasant 4 gives you an expanding amount of weapons that each really feel great make use of, via submachine cannon in order to explode launchers furthermore the unusually strong magnums, then accomplishes it's complete very best to ensure you’re going little or no in the step with each frenzied firefight. The title also delivers with it several brand-new additions, embrace another sidequests, fresh opponent modes, plus newborn dodge mechanics, which often make it possible for Leon to check strikes regarding his knife. Capcom has also checked in shape to prevent Quick-Time consequences inside rebuilding – a relocation many fans have got greeted. I was intriguing how I would line RE4 after playing Alan Aftermath 2, a masterwork that is very much in chat while using Resident Evil runs in addition to at the moment lies at the headlines involving survival horror. The reprises gameplay supplements, like the undeveloped world portion across the lake at the conclusion of Work 1, increase this specific suffering.

We also understood spliced components of gameplay, typically composed of Leon hiking over the community, start flaps, along with glancing around the natural environment. There’s very little backtracking to accomplish now, because sport aggressively pushes Leon advance headed for another zones in addition to extra predicaments. While exactly the same succession involving upshot is intact from the first, the overall tide and also impetus have happened both wrung up and smoothed away.

By the schedule an individual unlock the Full up grade, which usually increases the weaponry command in 1.5x, you'll seldom still get a position exactly where this handgun may completes the project. Bolt Thrower

The Bolt Thrower isn't about this list because of its excessive energy, truth, as well as anything at all to you would traditionally try to find in a very firearm. The incentive they have for being here is because of the basic proven fact that you possibly can pick up the bolts this takes into adversaries like they're blank to be able to massively reduce lay down lying on your rounds expenses. Rounds because of it is usually made employing knives, but it still boasts a minor firing approach anywhere the idea kicks off quarry, cause this additional electric.

Your ex AI isn’t famous, then your lover doesn’t help out with beat, however you will discover far worse escort assignment during competition than hers. Resident Unpleasant includes one of many top working storylines regarding any main franchise's, with not really a one machine given that it's invention inside 1996. However, Resident Nasty 4 stayed a tender reboot, with of which while the idea is inside similar continuity the gameplay is utterly special to the lot of which happened by. Definitely not least the belief that as opposed to zombies you've got additional clever man opponents, and also new other horrific opponents.

I actually really enjoyed the idea here VR last year (anyone can easily chuck ones marker from the fresh air along with difficulty it!), after that there’s an unquestionable deja vu that every the ray locating along with haptic comments find it difficult to wipe off. Crucially, the reprise moves this best - all of the similar alternatives remain readily available for the gambler, except they occur a little bit broadened. For instance, it is possible to currently attempt as well as point - a tricky subject matter, allowed just how critical not pushing with zooming would be to the stepping of the original - however the stability have been removed to support that, being enemies a lot more extreme.

0 notes

96percentdone · 5 months

Note

B, L, R, and Y for the ask meme

B - A pairing–platonic, romantic or sexual–that you initially didn’t consider, but someone changed your mind.

I am too much of a stubborn asshole the only person who has ever changed my own mind about ships is me so uh. I don't know how to answer this. For platonic stuff I'm just a lot more open to that shit anyway so has my mind really ever been changed? idk. probably not.

L - Say something genuinely nice about a character who isn’t one of your faves. (Characters you’re neutral about are fair game, as are characters you merely dislike. Characters that you absolutely loathe with the fire of ten thousand suns are exempt, as there is no point in giving yourself an aneurysm over a character that you hate.)

I actually think that Sejima is a well written evil old man. I think it's clever how they set him up so that he sucks right out the gate, and you're predisposed to hate him, and the game is constructed so with every reveal he becomes more detestable, and yet, despite this, I find he's a very human detestable old man. Like he's selfish, and he wants power, and to preserve himself above all else, and cares little for anyone else, but he too is plagued by guilt about his own failings. He can't stand seeing some guy walk around in the body of his biggest failure so hard that he doubles down on being an asshole in Date's presence to cope because its easier than own up to shit, and he would sooner die than change, until the end. When there is nothing left for him to cling to, all he has are his mistakes to confront. That's why I really like the tiny detail in Nirvana Initiative where he is trying to be apart of Iris' life, because he knows she's his daughter, and he doesn't want to completely fail as a parent again, even if he's still like a miserable bastard man about it. It's good shit tbh.

R - Which friendship/platonic relationship is your favorite in fandom?

If I'm going to stay on brand as an aitsf and specifically AINI oriented account, because if I don't pick a fandom for a question I could sit here for days, I love Date's long term friendship with Boss. I think it's really wholesome and funny, and I love how she's just so ride or die for her homeboy even when he doesn't remember a lot of their shared history. I like how she says she's going to take him home when she finds him and knows that it's him on sight. I like their banter. It means a lot to me.

Y - What are your secondhand fandoms (i.e., fandoms you aren’t in personally but are tangentially familiar with because your friends/people on your dash are in them)?

I have a weird investment in Yukimasa "Bestia" Fatamoru because of back when you were liveblogging the fuckin epilogue thing and we were both dying inside about whatever the fuck that story was and then we came up with new shit. I hope Yukimasa "Bestia" Fatamoru gives up on being batman one day. I have not and will likely never read Fata Morgana

#hope.txt

1 note · View note

daemonicdorset · 6 months

Text

New Tag・✦ announcement

For those following this account who prefer not to see my less-than-friendly thoughts on Solomon.

Readmore for the sake of it being a long post, but tl;dr, block the tag #daedor disdain if you're uncomfortable with seeing aforementioned thoughts.

It feels somewhat apparent by now that That Brand of people in the OM! fandom are simply not going to leave me be about my posts regarding Solomon and the analogy that can be made with him that I tag and readmore properly every single time I make such a post-

Which I'm not mad about, really. It's most certainly not immature and hypocritical to condemn someone for reading into a character and drawing conclusions that can be drawn about a topic which is relevant to them personally when the same people in the fandom do the same thing about other characters with no issues. It's completely fine, actually, it doesn't say anything about them as a person.

But either way. While I'm not going to stop posting about Solomon or tagging it accurately, as I would do for any other character in any other fandom because my thoughts on Solomon are just as valid a form of media analysis as any others, I think it's probably best to offer some way to avoid those posts for people who prefer not to see it.

Thus, a new tag which I've decided to call #daedor disdain in adherence with the formatting of my tags. I've added it to every post of mine discussing that analogy, and will do so whenever I post about that topic in the future. By blocking this tag, anyone who doesn't want to read about that will be able to skip those posts without missing other posts or reblogs I make about Solomon.

Please note that while I'm entirely willing to say that I have a fair amount of spite for the aforementioned people who I believe are being inconsiderate of others in the fandom, this does not extend to everyone who likes Solomon as a character.

As I've said before, that analogy is one that can be made, not one that has to be. I personally consider it in the realm of possibility because of the thoughts I have about the OM! world and writing, but I understand that not everyone is going to think that far into it or take it as seriously as I do. Which is fair and valid because in the end, it is a game.

My issue is when people go so far as to ridicule or vilify others in the fandom for choosing to look into that idea and talk about it. If the posts discussing it are warned and tagged properly with a readmore added, it is unreasonable to be upset with the poster after choosing to read the post while knowing what the content is.

And yes, the proper tags do include the character tag, because it directly involves/features the character for better or for worse. It's the same way that tagging on ao3 functions, and that's how I tag my posts. I don't do it as an act of spite, it's just how I run this blog.

As for the new tag itself, I wasn't particularly sure what to call it for the sake of being clear in its intent but not something that would be actively upsetting to see. I'll add a disclaimer about it in posts that use it from now on, before the readmore so that people don't have to read the post to know.

I hope it works for those who use it, and I dearly hope that it will lessen the amount of recoil on those posts. Safe blogging, all.

#navigation・✦

5 notes · View notes

calmcozycomfy · 10 months

Text

BRAND new to cozy gaming: Let’s get it started

I guess that statement isn’t entirely true, I’ve loved my Mario games and my Nintendo systems for as long as I can remember. But recently when I got Covid this past January I wanted to try something else. I knew of Disney Dreamlight Valley and the premise seemed really cute so I tried it and I fell in love instantly!

I played it nonstop from January till now (pretty much August) and now I’m feeling a bit bored of the game. So I searched for other games that have a similar vibe and lo and behold I discovered cozy gaming as a genre and my entire world just opened up!

So I created this blog because I would like to try (and complete, if possible) as many of these games as I can!

Obviously what’s considered a “cozy game” can be different from person to person, which honestly isn’t a bad thing at all. It’s cool how we can all have different opinions and ways to vibe that’s all our own. At the same time, I’m definitely going to start with some cozy gaming staples that pretty much everyone would agree are cozy games, and then I think I’ll branch out.

Obviously Disney Dreamlight Valley is going first. And then probably Palia (my rule is to play at least 50 hours of each game. If it’s less than 50 hours, then the whole game.) My next game after that will likely be Dorfromantik. So look out for those reviews. I don’t expect anyone to actually see my posts, this is more so that I can put my thoughts about each game somewhere other than my head. Lol. But hey if people want to follow me I’m not gonna say no. :D

#cozy games

0 notes

64bitgamer · 1 year

Text

0 notes

ashley-slashley · 1 year

Text

Don't Talk To Strangers

Summary: "be aware of hidden dangers, and don't you go talking to strangers" - the beau brummels, don't talk to strangers (1965)

Rating: E/Explicit

Warnings: cussing, graphic imagery, violence

A/N: incomplete. i'll probably never come back to this, no offense

Captain’s log. Stardate: supplemental.

Per usual with my bullshit writing, my day shall be absurd and full of nonsense. As the price of most ride escort services are becoming quite ridiculously expensive, I’ve decided to start using the moderately priced Spree. I think that might’ve been a horrible idea. I haven’t been assaulted yet, but, I just really don’t like the vibes of the driver I have. It’d be absolutely absurd to just ask to be dropped off almost immediately from my trek to work just because the vibes of this man are absolutely rancid . At least I can pass the time by listening to my music and staring out the window, completely ignoring all the cameras adorning the interior of the car like it’s Guantanamo Bay or a maximum security federal prison. I haven’t listened to or paid attention to a word my driver, Kurt, has said. He doesn’t smell like a pile of decaying cadavers, though he looks like he’s trying to go for the David Gilmour in Pompeii (circa 1972) look with the greasiest hair to ever grace god’s green earth.

From what I can tell with his music choice, it’s trash. He mentioned something about being the person behind it, and to promote this “Kurt’s World”. His logo looks like something a horror youtube personality would include on a list of disturbing art made by the mentally ill. My name may not be Ariel, but I don’t want to be part of his world in any capacity. There’s just something off about this guy, and it’s not him almost constantly promoting his brand. I believe I found what Norman Bates would be like if he was a gen z Uber driver, no idea about the incestuous undertones of Norman’s relationship with his mother with this dude though. Wouldn’t doubt it. As far as I know, I prefer Norman, at least he doesn’t look like he stepped out of a Hollister catalog from 2007, or a greasy myspace twink from the year of our lord 2007. Dude drives a Prius, for fuck’s sake. Of course he’s cringe worthy.

Though my music is at max, I can still vaguely hear the eardrum slaughtering beat of whatever new age hip hop is oozing from the speakers like infected pus from a wound. Call me a music elitist and crucify me for this: whatever This dreadful noise is shouldn’t be classified as music. It should be classified as audio the CIA uses to torment war criminals and terrorists with in Guantanamo Bay. Not so ironic considering I’m in a Prius decorated with security cameras, tacky internet streamer lights, water bottles from an unrecognizable brand (possibly locally sourced), and a hydroflask with some elite gaming cult sticker plastered on it. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised my driver looks like he spends 90% of his time in front of a screen, screaming at other players, and having a diet consisting of nacho Doritos, Mountain Dew, and microwavable chicken tenders. No, he’s not overweight - he’s a twig. I wonder what his metabolism is. This dude should be studied by Harvard or the CDC - “AREA MAN HAS THE MOST ABSURD METABOLISM IN EXISTENCE”. If I sound like I’m being too brutally cruel with my observations of this guy, uh, it could be far worse.

Curiously, I looked up his social media handle. Of course he’s the type of gamer who screams and throws his controller across the room because someone said some typical xbox live chat insults from 2010. This man claimed he’s going to fuck some other player’s mom, sorry bro, from what I can gather, you get absolutely no pussy. If I’m being quite honest, he looks like he cries when he has an orgasm. Some women into S&M are into that as well, but, uh, I don’t think anyone in that community wants you. I would go further into my Freudian analysis of this dweeb, however, I don’t know what would be throwing the envelope into the Marianas Trench at this point. It’s not like he’s reading my internal monologue. Sure he shares his first name with one of the X-Men, but it’s not Professor Xavier. There’s an alternate universe where this dude’s a cult leader somewhere deep in the jungles of Cambodia, committing war crimes on a daily basis, with a bounty on his ass from the US government. A CIA assassin on a mission to terminate with extreme prejudice miles down the river.

#the shitposter writes #kurt kunkle #kurtsworld96 #spree 2020

0 notes

fmdduri · 1 year

Text

duri: the opening, part 1 - self para.

character(s) involved: n/a. about: duri prepares for his mini concert. trigger warnings: n/a. notes: i fear this is a terrible self para. word count: 605.

he’s been through these ropes before, considering the fact that duri has already had two full blown concerts of his own. so, doing this on his own was something that he had already managed to get used to. even though, sometimes, it still felt a bit weird for duri to be stepping on a stage all by himself - even if he’s been a soloist for almost four years now with multiple different albums and singles. it was something that still felt odd, due to the fact that he was incredibly used to always being on stage with titan, even if there was things that duri went off to do by himself outside of the group rather quickly. nonetheless, it was time to get his head in the game, it was time for the prep stage.

it wasn’t really anything big, truth be told. duri had a short set list of just five songs, all songs that are his own songs. to him, it made sense to go with the five songs that were listed down, with him going out with a bang for his mini concert with traffic light finishing out the set list. it was probably the most upbeat song in his most recent discography that didn’t involve dancing, but he knew that it would be the right thing to end the set list with the energy, with the excitement - even though the other solo concerts were ended off with one of his slower things; like, perhaps, beautiful tomorrow becoming the tradition to put out hope that everyone gets to experience brand new days. nonetheless, duri decides on his set list to be; breath, beautiful tomorrow, the other day, wild flower, and traffic light. all things that he could do in his sleep; but, he was still going to practice nonetheless.

he goes through them, one by one, and over a few days, duri continues this practice. while he doesn’t actually need it, he’s still one that kind of overdoes the prepping for things, and he likes to make things perfect. of course, duri was going to do complete live vocals, as he always does, even if most people think it’s against better judgement incase something goes wrong. but, duri had never, ever been a fan of lip-syncing and live singing is all he ever wants to do. maybe he simply gets away with it too, considering the fact that he’s a vocal soloist over anything, and there wasn’t much to worry about on that end. nonetheless, he still goes through the ropes, and practicing was one of those things.

the next portion was what exactly he was going to wear and of course, that’s something that duri leaves up to the stylist. however, he requests something simple; which tends to be something that he usually does. he doesn’t think his outfits need to be anything that’s really out there, especially since that’s mainly the job of the outfits for titan stages, over anything else. he’s hoping for a comfortable sweater, with simple bottoms, and probably a dress shoe of some kind - the type of thing that you get styled in when it’s more simple, and it seems, trying on every single thing; the stylist goes with what duri thought was going to be the best, over the three piece suit, or something with a blazer. he was all about comfort and simple. it helped with the small, intimacy that would take place during his opening concert, after all.

now, there were just days till his opening solo concert and he was a bit overprepared, but he looks forward to it.

#famedbccopening #☆ ⠀ ── self para ⠀ !

1 note · View note

chestwealth94 · 2 years

Text

The Desktop Computer Guide You've Been Looking For

Lots of people like desktop computer personal computers over notebook computers, and even for good explanation. They are certainly more reputable and will do points notebook computers are not able to. Nonetheless, so that duguláselhárítás can definitely benefit from all of that a desktop provides, there is something you should know. You will get that info within this bit. When searching for a computer make sure you check around. With all the increasing popularity of notebook computers, pills, and mobile devices, desktop computers have decreased out of favor. Therefore, product sales are fighting. Use this to your benefit to check out the ideal deals out there when buying a brand new computer.

Try out creating your personal pc. As opposed to purchasing a laptop or computer all set-created from a huge organization, consider developing your own personal laptop or computer. This sounds difficult, but you will get assist on-line. You'll find that constructing your very own pc can help you save money, and lets you create anything in accordance with your requirements. Prior to buying a whole new computer, make a list of all of the things you need to make use of computer for. Have you got a kid who should do schoolwork or would you love to play online games on the internet? You will want to get a model that does not merely has the right software put in for your needs, but will also be speedy enough to perform the applications you prefer using. In case you have a house place of work or a small company, a laptop laptop or computer probably will not fulfill all your demands. Whilst a portable computer is great when you find yourself out contributing to, a desktop computer design is better if you need a computer printer, copier, fax and scanner. Also, many individuals discover keying in on the typical key pad is a lot easier than working on a notebook computer. When selecting a computer together with the goal of making Dvd videos or Compact disks of your own, make sure to confirm how the version you are interested in posseses an integrated disc burner. Some new types could have this function, failing to realize that a certain model fails to can cause excellent disappointment. Attempt to stay away from the frustration beforehand. Should you photograph or movie job, you'll need a desktop computer with at the very least a number of cores. Referred to as quad-primary, this pc gives you plenty of multi-tasking potential. Your laptop or computer won't stutter if you have several large courses open up. This could help you save a great deal of aggravation during your work trainings. As you look for the best desktop computer for your requirements, be aware of your planned type of Connection to the internet and also if a prospective desktop version has a modem. When you are struggling to get connected to broadband internet due to your area, you may need a modem. Normally, you can purchase a computer that lacks one particular. Think about modernizing your own computer. In case your pc is just not carrying out what you wish it to, or perhaps not functioning as quickly as you'd like, you might like to look at generating some inner changes in your personal computer. When you are not nicely-versed within this, you may have a friend who seems to be or have the ability to discover how on the web. No person should purchase a computer without completely looking at the warranty insurance given a particular machine. Extended warranties of your year or more are perfect, and it really does pay out to seek those reasonable for both computer software and hardware difficulties likewise. This will actually provide significant savings should some thing go wrong. Should you need a more powerful pc, try looking in areas listed as "gaming" or "amusement" computer systems. duguláselhárítás may have much more Ram memory and faster processor chips which can take care of these duties. If you purchase a personal computer shown being an "everyday" unit, you'll discover that it just doesn't live up to your needs. If you're a video game player looking for a new desktop computer, check computer specifications in the games you wish to engage in. This way, you'll be sure you hold the right personal computer for the online games you are likely to enjoy. You may also consult with game playing sites and community forums to determine what computer systems stand greatest in terms of games. Prior to buying a brand new computer, decide on a finances that is comfy to suit your needs. There are many choices for pc pcs. It is possible to pick the kinds you should dedicated to a desktop computer package deal which fits the amount you is able to afford to enjoy. Check to try to increase Memory at another time when you can't afford to pay for it now. Determine if the desktop computer you want features a warrantee. When it does, find out how lengthy it is and when it handles the hardware and software. Normally, you should not look at a product that does not at the very least possess a one particular-season warrantee. A lot of low-cost designs include 90-days and nights warranties. You can save a lot of money by buying a restored or utilized computer. It's essential to ensure that you have the unique platform CD's in case you have any problems with your computer. Also check out bodily problems, specially injury to the ports and within the situation. Just before buying that desktop computer, be sure you try out keying in around the keyboard that accompanies it. An not comfortable and strange keyboard really can damage the entire connection with a desktop computer. You should find one which fits your life-style, or at a minimum anticipate to get a third party keyboard which you like shortly after buying the personal computer. However regressing in amounts little by little, House windows 7 computers will still be obtainable in a number of on the web corners. Numerous users manage to prefer Home windows 7 over 8, therefore if simplicity of use and familiarity is one thing you desire, look at the World wide web for Microsoft windows 7 systems. Know however that these particular are more likely to get old solutions. That's acceptable for searching and office job, however, not so great for gaming and amusement. As already mentioned, desktop computers are recommended around laptop computers, due to the fact of all of the capabilities they feature. But, the best way to truly make the most of whatever they provide, you want some advice. This article provided you that suggestions and so much more. Use this suggestions to essentially get pleasure from your pc.

#duguláselhárítás kamerás csatornavizsgálat

0 notes

drawerdrain18 · 2 years

Text

Best Minecraft Mods - The Important Minecraft Mods You Have To Obtain

Given that Minecraft has been around for the best a part of a decade now, it's no marvel that players are looking to add a bit of more into the game. And if you're seeking to do just that, then Minecraft Mods are the method to go. Problem is, there are actually thousands to select from, many of which can hurt your sport if not used correctly. That is why we have been busy gathering the very best Minecraft mods in this best Minecraft Mods Guide. We have acquired all the pieces from mods that streamline menus and techniques, to ones that add complete new areas to the game. We update this record regularly too, so be sure you test again in to see the brand new Minecraft Mods we've added to the record.

After all, none of these superior mods would exist without the continued work the modding neighborhood is doing. As traditional, a giant thank you to everyone involved in making this great recreation even better.

What are Minecraft Mods

Minecraft has existed in a single kind or one other for over 9 years now, and it continues to obtain substantial updates from the builders. Not solely that, however Minecraft is also usually constructed upon by its modding community, who add every thing from new skins and UI enhancements, to themed content packs and wacky physics effects. They're basically files you could download and add into your recreation, altering certain points of it. There are a number of totally different sorts to consider, with some being a lot easier to make use of than others. If you're on the lookout for something a bit extra primary and easy to make use of, consider using Minecraft Modpacks. They're basically bundles of mods that can simply be added into the sport. You realize that all of the mods housed within will work together, which makes things rather a lot less irritating and more dependable.

Minecraft has slowly gotten easier to mod for, provided that you can now switch variations on the fly. Bear in mind that sure mods will interfere with each other, so always keep a word of exactly which mods you have put in, and while you installed them. This makes in a lot simpler to workout when Minecraft Mods go wrong. Minecraft mods are usually not official add-ons for the sport, and as such carry an associated risk. At all times examine the source that you're downloading Minecraft Mods from, as a virus-laden mod can simply wreck your game. Listen to modding communities and solely download mods which might be certified by not less than a few different gamers.

Can You utilize Minecraft Mods on PS4, Switch and Xbox One

The Laptop model of Minecraft has actually hundreds of mods for it. The identical cannot be said for the console editions of the sport, as a result of at current, you can’t set up mods for Minecraft on PS4, Change or Xbox One. There are DLC packs you should buy to liven things up a bit, but for now Pc is definitely the place to be.

How you can Download and Use Mods in Minecraft

Earlier than we start displaying you the best Minecraft mods on supply, it is best to probably understand how to use them. It can be a bit of difficult including mods to Minecraft, but due to some helpful tools created by the group, it’s been made easier over time. Here’s easy methods to obtain and use Minecraft mods:

- First, you’ll want to download Minecraft Forge. It’s a free tool that allows you to simply add mods to Minecraft. - Once that’s installed, and before going any further, BACKUP YOUR Files. This will save any files from being lost. - Now, head over to the official Minecraft wiki record, or PlanetMinecraft, and download the mods you’d like to use. - gaming blog to open up the Run window. Enter %AppData% after which press Enter. - Double click Roaming and then minecraft. You’ll now be capable to view the mods folder. - Copy and paste the mod information you’ve downloaded into this mods folder, Minecraft Forge will then automatically add them whenever you load up the sport. - If it’s a Sources Pack you’ve downloaded, you can head into the options menu to activate them. - You’ll must verify what version each mod is appropriate with, and switch versions accordingly. You should use the “use version” option in the Minecraft Launcher to do so.

Best Minecraft Mods - Top Mods for Minecraft That You need to Obtain

Now that you know the way to add mods into Minecraft, you’ll want to know which of them are value your time. Effectively, we’ve been busy placing collectively a list of the Best Minecraft Mods you will get. We’ve collected them in the list below:

Best Minecraft Mods - Hyper HD Realism

You only must look at the screenshots from this mod by skiddion to know how particular it's. The Hyper HD Realism mod is a texture pack which vastly improves the game’s visuals. Lighting is absolutely gorgeous, and so is the water. A must-have for anyone looking to make Minecraft look pretty much as good as possible.

Best Minecraft Mods - LotsOMobs

This mod by TheLarsinator adds greater than 25 new animal mobs into the sport. That features birds, sea creatures, and land-faring fauna. There's seagulls, narwhales, Deer, Camels, Giraffes, and more.

Best Minecraft Mods - JourneyMap

Journey Map is a protracted-running mod which permits gamers to map out their progress. The map in query adds a mini-map whereas exploring, in addition to a detailed map which information notable points of interest. It makes it a lot simpler to navigate the world, and is probably the most well optimized and stable Minecraft mods available on the market.

Best Minecraft Mods - TerraFirmaCraft

Self-described as “Survival Mode because it ought to have been”, the TerraFirmaCraft mod restructures the survival expertise, making it an altogether more challenging yet rewarding expertise. Progressing by means of the game consists of three main ages: Stone, Casting, and Iron. The stone age consists of primitive instruments that take fairly lengthy intervals of time to complete duties reminiscent of chopping down trees, and would not always lead to the utmost output. Next is the casting age, reached by means of the newly added pottery system, consisting of copper and bronze instruments and the addition of pickaxes, prospector’s picks, chisels and saws. The iron age consists of primary wrought iron tools, all the way in which as much as brightly coloured purple and blue steel alloys which require mastering the smithing system and uncommon assets to accomplish.

Best Minecraft Mods - Visible Armor Slots

Some of the best Minecraft mods out there supply very small high quality of life changes. Some of them can quantity to an enormous difference in your daily gameplay, which is just how we would describe the Seen Armor Slots mod. It provides the armor slots to sides of lots of the UI menus. It means that you do not have to consistently switch menus to maintain observe of what armor you're rocking.

Best Minecraft Mods - Pam’s HarvestCraft

This mod by MatrexsVigil provides a huge quantity of selection to the game’s meals selection. Over 275 new foods and recipes have been added since launch, including crops that can be harvested and then re-planted, crops that may be picked off the plant repeatedly, and fruit timber. You'll be able to then craft cookery gadgets and use them, harvest crops, and cook more food, vastly more diversified than anything present in the base recreation.

Best Minecraft Mods - Tough as Nails

This one's for the hardest of hardcore gamers. The Tough as Nails mod provides hunger, thirst and physique temperature meters to the sport. It’s an altogether extra survival-targeted expertise. One which significantly challenges your inventory management and programs skills.

Best Minecraft Mods - Fastcraft

Considered one of the principle causes that Minecraft has managed to become so fashionable is that it runs on a mess of PCs, even very low-end ones. Typically though, the sport might be a little bit sluggish if your Pc is dated, so you will want to look for a mod to smooth issues over a bit. Fastcraft does exactly that, dashing issues up and making Minecraft run properly on low-finish PCs.

Best Minecraft Mods - Simply Sufficient Information

The Simply Sufficient Data mod means that you can lookup any merchandise or recipe, and instantly know what you’ll want to be able to craft it. It’s an enormous time saver, and critically makes it so much easier to plan out what assets you’ll want to collect on every run.

Best Minecraft Mods - Hooked

What's cooler than a grappling hook? Nothing, obviously. This mod provides one into Minecraft, allowing you to shortly traverse any atmosphere with caped crusader like agility. It's a fairly small mod, however one that really opens up the sport. Positively for anyone who hates endlessly leaping up giant mountains, earlier than falling down the other side.

Best Minecraft Mods - The Aether II

The Aether is actually the alternative of the Nether, basically a heaven-place on the earth of Minecraft. This mod is its sequel and updated as of 2018. It’s stuffed with fantastic and legendary creatures, mysterious structures, and pretty amazing landscapes.

Best Minecraft Mods - Superior Rocketry

This mod provides within the option to craft and launch rockets in Minecraft. You can start and develop your very personal area programme, construct space stations and explore the stars above. It's a wonderfully inventive piece of labor, and provides a whole new dimension to Minecraft.

Best Minecraft Mods - Quark

If you're on the lookout for outlandish and fantastical additions to your gaming experience, there is an endless amount of mods and add-ons in your sport. Some mods though, like Quark, purpose to provide extra selection while holding within the confides of the vanilla experience. the devil is within the detail in Quark, as it affords extra choices for things like wood chests, boat sails, and all the things inbetween. It adds an added degree of detail to every part, offering up a restrained, but wonderfully diverse set of choices.

Best Minecraft Mods - Chisel and Bits

while the minimalist and block-based mostly artstyle that Minecraft holds dear could be charming early on, things can rapidly get somewhat repetitive. The Chisel and Bits Mod allows you so as to add more element to blocks using a number of chisels. There's additionally a wrench and ways to repeat and retailer bits. You possibly can see the extent of detail that the mod allows in the image below.

Best Minecraft Mods - Cooking for Blockheads

Cooking might be incredibly fun in Minecraft, although if you are missing certain components it may be annoying as nicely. This mod streamlines the whole course of, adding in a cook e book that solely reveals the recipes that you can make with the issues in your stock. There's also an upgraded model of the guide that permits you to craft any food you need. It is a good counterpart to Pam's Harvestcraft, and actually opens up how meals works in the game.

Greatest Minecrfat Mods - Animania

If you're trying so as to add more animal selection to Minecraft, you'll want to take a look at Animania. It provides in additional breeds, genders, new behaviors, and several other new species. You'll need to frequently feed your animals to maintain them joyful, after which they are going to drop assets. Animals have favourite foods, and distinct personalities, including a whole lot of depth to the game.

That’s the entire best Minecraft mods we’ve obtained to date. We’ll be adding to this list frequently, so be sure you examine back to see what’s been added in. If you are feeling like there’s an superior Minecraft mod that we’ve missed, do let us know within the comments beneath.

#2c1c #Gaming blog #Minecraft Blog #Minecraft Servers

1 note · View note

Last Seen Blogs

izzydex

IzzyDex

vendas-gerais

Sem título

gay-sama

strong boy

dem-obscure-imagines

Dreaming Every Moment

whosthatpokaimon

❓❤️ ☂️