#I saw this scorpion chair earlier and it messed me up

[scorpiongrassfield]

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You’re hit with a sense of deja vu as you search the house, but you brush it off. 

The first floor is empty except for Concrete. It doesn’t answer when you ask if it’s seen the shadow, just sits curled up in its chair dozing. 

You give it a gentle pet and it ‘mrrp’s and rubs its cheek against your hand. 

That makes you feel a little bit better. 

Checking the second room doesn’t turn up much more. Ametrine is still up there in her painting. You shut the door without a second thought. 

If Ametrine is there then the shadow must not be, it being a ghost and all. 

Once again, there’s only one place left to check. 

The studio. 

The door hits you before you’ve cleared it as you head down the stairs. 

You are so, so sick of this. 

The lights are off, so you make your way down the stairs carefully. 

It takes a little longer, but you’re banged up enough already. You don’t need to add a fall down the stairs. 

Once the lights are on, your shoulders slump.

The studio is empty. 

Well. The paintings are there. But there’s no people. 

Though. There is a covered canvas set on the stool where you’d found Theo earlier. 

That’s probably something new. 

You gingerly pull the cloth away from the canvas, standing as far as you can while still reaching it. Just in case it explodes, or bites you, or something.

It doesn’t. 

It’s another tarot painting. 

Eight swords stand upright where they’re stuck in the ground. In the background is a burning cabin. A creek runs in between a gap in the swords. Standing in the gap is the shadow. He appears to be bound in chains of flowers, scorpion grass. 

This… doesn’t look like a very positive card. It’s one less than your nine of swords, does it mean something similar? 

You take the card out of the deck to look at it. There are a few differences, the most notable being that the woman on the card is blindfolded, while the shadow is not. Interesting. 

You put the card back into the deck. You’ll look up what it means later. For now, you have questions to ask your friend. 

“Shadow, do you think you could come out of there? I have some more questions. I know you said you don’t want to answer any, but I do really need some answers here,” you say. 

The painting doesn’t respond. 

“Are you stuck in there? It’ll be alright. There’s a gap in the swords right in front of you, you just have to step forward,” you say. 

Nothing. 

Hm… 

If this card is about being trapped, maybe if you reverse it… 

You pick up the painting and turn it upside down. 

You sink to the ground as you suddenly have an armful of shadow, which does weigh as much as a person. 

“Hello again,” you say with a smile. 

The shadow shakes its head a little. You get the impression it’s disoriented. 

“Oh. Hello,” it says. 

It realizes the position it’s in and scrambles to get off of your lap. 

You stand up as well. 

“Glad I found you. Are you alright?” you ask. 

The shadow looks down at the ground, sullen. 

You frown. “What’s wrong?” 

“I don’t know what I’m doing,” the shadow says under its breath. 

“Huh?” you say. You don’t quite follow. 

The shadow looks back up at you. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Sylv,” it says again, louder this time. Voice wobbling like it might start crying. 

You’re not sure what to say to that. 

You reach out to touch the shadow’s arm, try to offer comfort. 

It snatches its arm away. “No! Don’t. I saw what happened last time you…” The shadow takes a deep breath, its shoulders rising with the heave. “Please don’t touch me anymore. I don’t think I could handle that,” it says. 

“Okay. I’m sorry,” you say. You take your hand back from where you were holding it in the air. You don’t want to hurt the shadow. 

“I’m the one who should be sorry,” it says. 

You don't think that’s true. You shake your head. 

“No, no. I’m the one messing this up. I just. You just. You have to understand that I don’t know what the rules are. There’s no instruction manual for this. It’s possible it’s the first time it’s ever happened and I have to be the one to figure it out. I can’t ask Pat for help. At least I don’t think I can? I don’t know. I don’t know what will happen if I interact with them to much,” the shadow rambles. It sounds like it’s working itself into a panic. 

“That’s not true. You’re doing great,” you reassure. You still aren’t sure exactly what it’s talking about. But you’re not about to say that. 

“No, you don’t get it. You don’t know because you can’t. I didn’t even know at first. She tried to erase both of us. I thought. I didn’t remember. And now I remember and it hurt so much that she managed to get control away from me again and she keeps hurting you and that’s my fault. I’m supposed to protect you,” it says, and starts sobbing. 

“Hey, hey, it’s alright,” you attempt to soothe. “I’m okay. Nothing Ametrine’s done to me has been permanent so far. We can find a way out of this together, can’t we?” 

“No. We can’t. Because you have no idea what’s going on and I cannot tell you, because I don’t know what the consequences are. This is a four way balancing act and one of the parties is actively trying to kill half of the rest. And if this whole thing comes crashing down, everyone still living might not stay that way,” he says. 

Well. That does sound bad. 

“You keep talking about ‘collapse’ and ‘crashing down’. Can you at least tell me what that means? Is it this place? Like is my soul going to collapse if I know too much?” you ask. 

The shadow shakes its head. 

“No?” you ask. 

The shadow goes still except for its breathing for a while. You wonder why ghosts still breathe, then push the thought away. Now’s not the time. 

“I… I will try to answer some of your questions. On one condition. I need you to do me a favor,” the shadow finally says. 

“Of course,” you agree instantly. Whatever it is, you’ll do it. The shadow wouldn’t try to hurt you, would it?

“I need you to convince Pat to stop trying to help… to help Theo. Convince them to focus on solving the mystery of the missing sun. I think. I’m not sure, but I think it will get us out of this mess. If they realize what’s going on. I hope,” the shadow says. 

Oh. 

That’s… 

Not an ideal thing to have been requested of you, actually. 

Sure it won’t hurt you. But what about Theo? Can he move on without Pat’s help? And it would go against Pat’s oath to leave Theo in the lurch like that. But. The shadow is making it sound pretty important. And you do need answers. 

What will you do?

Next

#choose your own adventure #interactive fiction #writeblr #original writing

[where-s-all-blue]

Law: Your place is nice and all

Law: But what the actual fuck is THAT

Eustass: A chair

Law: IT LOOKS LIKE A FUCKING SCORPION!

Eustass: A danger chair

#I saw this scorpion chair earlier and it messed me up #one piece #onepiece #one piece conversation #incorrect one piece quotes #incorrect one piece #onepiece conversation #op conversation #one piece au #trafalgar law #op law #kid x law #law #one piece law #captain kid #kid pirates #eustass kid #op kid

[colossalsummer]

KOTLC book one READ ALONG part 1 of 5

I read the first Keeper of the Lost Cities book and annotated every page. Here are the highlights. (Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3/ Part 4/ Part 5)

Chapter 1

He didn’t seem to realize that unless the giant dinosaur replicas came to life and started eating people, no one cared. Me, the resident paleontology nut: Shut up Sophie I care 

Fitz: "Tell me something. Do you really think that’s what they look like? It’s a little absurd, isn’t it?" Please make a good dinosaur reconstruction I’m begging you

Chapter 2

Fitz’s body broke her fall as she landed across his chest. Sophie: And that’s how I met your father

Chapter 3

What was he going to do, whisk her away to some magic elf land?

Fitz: “All of the Lost Cities are real–but not how you picture them, I’m sure.” OOOOHHH that’s the name of… the book… I see now

Humans broke the law all the time. We’re wild rowdy boys we’ll mess u up

Fitz: “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Who came up with that?” Sophie: “Uh, Albert Einstein.” Fitz: “Huh. Never heard of him. But he was wrong.”

Fitz: “The slowest elf can still trump a human—even one with no proper education.” Kinda racist of you but go off I guess

Chapter 4

Sophie: “Then why are we hiding?” Fitz: “We’re dressed like humans. Humans are forbidden in the lost cities—especially here, in Lumenaria…” You’re on some kind of government mission, don’t you have a hall pass

Sophie opened her mouth to defend her race, but she could see Fitz’s point. War, crime, famine—humans had a lot of problems. OH like elves don’t have problems

Sophie: “But… I’ve been hearing thoughts since I was five.” “Five?” Lol knock him down a peg

Fitz: “You heard me?” Sophie: “Was I not supposed to?” Fitz: “No one else can.” OH HO HO

Sophie: “How will I find you?” Fitz: “Don’t worry, I’ll find you.” Not creepy

Chapter 5

She tugged out an eyelash. Not healthy

Okay. If she’s an elf is she not like… ‘Well my parents must be part elf at least.’ Like why would you not immediately be like ‘Um are we elves?’

You could be normal, like your sister. OOF DIRECT HIT

No one understood how she and Sophie could be sisters—especially Sophie. Even their parents wondered about it in their thoughts.

The silverware slipped through Sophie’s fingers. Whoop there it is

And if they weren’t her family… who was? How are her parents confused about this

Sophie: “Was I adopted?” Thank you

Her mom laughed as her mind flashed back to the twelve hours of very painful labor she’d endured. Okaaay

Did they get magically parasitized? Like a cuckoo bird?

Chapter 6

Is Forkle a magical protector? Somebody around here is.

Suspicious Stranger, Definitely Not An Elf: “I don’t suppose you’d be willing to carry her back to my sister’s house. It’s just a few blocks away, and she seems to like you better than she likes me.” RED FLAG RED FLAG

Sure hope Forkle isn’t gonna die…

Sophie: “How am I supposed to trust you when you won’t even tell me anything?” Yeah thanks, this

She gestured to the tree, but there was no one around. No thoughts nearby, either. - Did she imagine it? You saw a boy disappear once, just go with your gut baby

*Fitz ganks Sophie from school to whisk her to elf land* Can’t you wait until lunch or a free period and make up an excuse like an orthodontist appointment or something

Chapter 7

Alden: “I see Fitz wasn’t kidding about the brown eyes. Most unusual.” You as racist as your son? Let’s find out

“Humans,” Alden muttered. I see

Alden: “Kidnapping is a human crime. I’ve never heard of an elf even considering such a thing, much less trying it. What made you think it was one of us?” Of course not we’re perfect whomp whomp

Alden: “We would never have servants. The gnomes choose to live with us because it’s safer in our world. And they help in our gardens because they enjoy it. We’re privileged to have them.” Don’t come at me with that self righteousness, it was a legitimate question all things considered

…everything she’d seen in the elvin world spoke of wealth. Girl you know there’s an underbelly

As Sophie met his cold gaze, she could see what Alden meant about Bronte being hard to impress.

Sophie: “Sorry, I was surprised by your ears.” LOL this must be rude as heck, like, ‘you’re so wrinkly.’

Fitz: “You eat animals?” That must be horrifying to him

“So, Sophie.” Bronte sneered her name like it bothered him to say it. “Alden tells me you’re a Telepath.” NYEHHH MISTER POTTER

Chapter 8

Bronte’s mind felt different than Fitz’s—somehow deeper. LOLLL NO THOUGHTS HEAD EMPTY

She screamed as the goblets shattered against the table and the chairs crashed to the floor, knocking Bronte flat on his back with a thunderous collision. TOUCHDOWN

“Our language is instinctive,” Alden said. “We speak from birth…” TALKING BABIES >:O

Alden: “…though to humans our language sounds like babbling.” So they’re all googoo gaga around this fancy table R/N

Sophie: “What’s a probe?” Fitz: “Just a different way to read your mind. It’s no big deal.” Just a thermometer that goes in your butt. No big deal.

Alden: “How would you like to see Atlantis?” I WOULD LIKE THAT VERY MUCH

Chapter 9

*reading the description of Atlantis* WHERE ARE THE CRAP CITIES. I KNOW YOU HAVE THEM.

She took a slow, deep breath, closed her eyes, and stepped off the edge, screaming the whole way down. Goodbye dignity miss you

…she launched out of the vortex onto an enormous sponge. It felt like being licked from head to toe by a pack of kittens… WHOA! Is this the flagella, or the spicules? I love that

A child strolled past with some kind of chicken-lizard hybrid on a leash. PLEASE BE A DINOSAUR PLEASE

“An eurypterid,” Alden explained, “A sea scorpion.” EEEEOOOEEE I LOVE IT

Chapter 10

Sophie: “I have a file?” *cough cough* surveillance state much

“Reading should be instinctive,” Alden admitted, “but maybe your human education affected you somehow…” School is brain poison, says the flat-earther’s dad

It would be so awful to be an advanced student and suddenly know nothing.

They turned down a narrow, quiet canal lined with purple trees with thick, broad leaves like kelp. Could it be prototaxite or am I dreaming?

Alden took a small, green cube from his pocket. Credit cards are better ‘cause they don’t hurt when you sit on em. Who’s the master race now?

Despite Fitz’s earlier assurances, she couldn’t help wondering if the probe would hurt. Or worse—what humiliating memories Quinlin would find. “Sure are a lot of boy bands in here…”

…Quinlin’s gaze settled on Sophie. “Brown eyes?” WOW not even gonna say hi first huh

“You lick it,” Fitz explained. “They need your DNA.” OH SO DNA ISN’T FAKE HUH FITZ

He licked a silver strip on the wall… LOL I’m CRYING there are other ways to get DNA you GUYS

Quinlin: “Was he…?” Alden: “An elf?”… “I doubt it.” Qinlin: “How can you be sure?” Why, my biases tell me so, my good man.

Alden: “Humans do so love their chemicals.” Says Mr. Big Brain over here lickin’ doorknobs

Alden, cont’d: “If they’re not lighting something on fire, they’re spilling oil into the ocean or blowing something up.” Okay that’s fair

If you want to see my notes for a specific page, send me a message and I’ll take a picture.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

#kotlc #keeper of the lost cities #read along #part one #kotlc funny #kotlc memes #kotlc sophie #kotlc fitz #kotlc book 1 #keeper 1 #shannon messenger #kotlc read along with me

[astrarchesstuff]

An Obey Me x Fruits Basket drabble

I’m not much of a writer and I suck at writing stuff but the thought of having the Demon Brothers transform into animals, like what happens in Fruits Basket, won’t leave my mind. So I tried writing a short fic about it. Please have mercy on my writing style because I know I not so good about it *cries*

To summarize what had happened, you were supposed to be in bed right now. Waiting for the alarm to wake you up and prepare for another day of school. For some reason though, you stood in front of, apparently, the next king of hell with the six demon brothers? What? Apparently this is not a dream and is your reality.

 Now, you’re stuck with an annoying white-haired brother who wont stop whining about looking after you.

 “That Lucifer! Why’s it gotta be me?!” Mammon, the white-haired whining demon, says as the two of you walk down the halls of the House of Lamentation.

 “Hey Human! Be sure to stay outta my way got it?! If you don’t, I’m gonna eat ya alive.” He says. It would seem to be a threat but for some reason you don’t sense fear.

 You were going down from the second floor where the rooms are located when you suddenly trip on the stairs.  Mammon, who is right in front of you, didn’t see it coming and you suddenly fell on top of him.

 Poof!

 A cloud of smoke appears out of nowhere.

 “What now?” you say as you rub your head. When you look down, Mammon is nowhere to be found. Instead, you see a pile of clothes on the floor and a crow.

 “What’s a crow doing here? And where’s Mammon?” you say to yourself as you stand up and fix yourself.

 “Ya stupid human I’m right here!” you hear his voice. Yet, you can’t see him anywhere.

 “Yo human! Look down!” you hear his voice again. Down? You look down to where the pile of clothes and the crow were. The crow is looking at you with its black eyes and you look back at it.

 “Stop staring and pick up my clothes!” it suddenly yells. What? Did that crow just talk? This is a dream, right? You’re not in hell, right?

 “What are ya waitin’ for?!” the crow yells again. Surely, it’s Mammon’s voice. Did Mammon just turn into a crow?

 “M-Mammon is that you?” you ask as you crouch down to talk to it.

 “Of course, it’s me! Now, pick up my clothes and take me ta my room before I transform back!” he yells again before another cloud of smoke appears from him. The next thing you now, there’s a naked, beet-red Mammon in front of you.

 “I told ya’ to pick up my clothes!” he says as he takes his uniform to cover himself. You immediately turn around on pure instinct. At least your mind still knows what to do when that happens.

 “What- what was that about?” you ask as you hear a rustling of clothes behind you. Is he wearing his clothes here on the staircase?

 “Uh oh, Lucifer’s not gonna like this.” Mammon says to himself. You turn around to see a horrified Mammon behind you.

 “What do you mean ‘uh oh’?” You ask. You can see, clear as day, the fear on Mammon's eyes. What exactly is happening?

"You human, this'll be the only time that I, the Great Mammon will ask ya for somethin'. Ya got that?!" Mammon places his hands on your shoulders, and they're trembling.

"Wh-what is it?" You ask. Curious as to what made Mammon act this way. He stops to think for a bit. Maybe it's a big secret that he can't just tell you. You wait for almost a minute. He takes a deep breath before looking back at you.

"Let's talk somewhere else. Don't want my brothers findin' out that I've messed up big time." He says as he goes up the stair again and walks to the direction of the rooms.

He stops in front of a door and opens it. You peek behind him to see a spacious room, quite messy, but spacious.

"Get in before anyone else sees us." He grabs your arm to get you into the room and closes the door behind him. You look around the room. You see a pool table with an empty bottle of something, a manga next to it.

"They have mangas here?" You stop to think. You shake your head and continue looking around.

The next thing you see is the car on the second floor of the room. How the hell did that get in here? Bellow it is the bed and a closet. You look to the right and see the couch and table. A game controller on top of the table. There's no television, only a white screen in front.

You find the room both amusing and shocking st the same time.

"Stop lookin' 'round and take a seat." Mammon walks into the room and sits on one of the chairs. You do as he says and sit on the couch right across Mammon.

"Just so ya' know, this is my room." He says as a matter of fact. You nod your head to say okay.

The two of you stare at each other for a moment. Not knowing what to say next but the curiosity is killing you so you say something first.

"So… about what happened?" You say. Leaving the end for Mammon to continue. He sighs and scratches his head.

"Lucifer is totally gonna kill me but we can't have you goin' around blabberin' 'bout what happened." He says.

"I'm pretty sure Lucifer's told ya 'bout who we are?" He asks you. You nod to answer his question, afraid that if you talk Mammon won't continue what he's about to say.

"I can't tell ya the whole story 'cos it'll be too long. I'll only tell ya what had happened earlier." He says. Trying to pick out the words that would come out from his mouth.

"You've met Lord Diavolo earlier and he's the most powerful demon here in the Devildom and we brothers come right after him." He starts explaining. You sight tight in your chair as Mammon leans forward and continues his story.

"But just 'cause we're powerful as well, doesn't mean we can't be cursed." He says. Just from what he's said, you still couldn't understand anything and Mammon must've seen the confusion in your face because he continues his explanation.

"Out of us brothers, Lucifer's the one who's an expert in curses but for this one, he hasn't found a way out of yet." Mammon looks at his hand and clenches it into a fist. You still look at him with a confused face and he continues his monologue.

"Look, remember the student council room? I'm sure ya' saw the picture hangin' on the wall." Mammon says. If you remember correctly,  there are seven images hanging on the student council walls. Each images are a silhouette of an animal.

"Ya remember what they are?" Mammon asks you. You stop to try to remember some of it.

"I think I saw birds, a scorpion, a horse?" You try to wrack your brain to remember the rest of the images but that's all that it can remember.

"Well, at least ya remember some. Those animals are representations of each of us brothers." Mammon starts. You lean in to listen closely to his explanation.

"The first image is a peacock which is Lucifer. The second are crows which is me. Next's a serpent, that's Levi. Then a unicorn which is Satan. A scorpion, Asmo and a fly which is Beel." Mammon stops. There are seven images in that room but he's only mentioned six.

 "Maybe it's a given that it's Lord Diavolo." You think to yourself.

"What happend earlier, when ya' fell on top of me. It triggrted the curse and I transformed into a crow, which is my animal representation." Mammon sighs. You try to take all the information in at once.

"If we get hugged by the opposite gender or if we get terribly sick, the curse will take into effect and we become animals. We have no idea how long the duration of the curse takes effect that's why I was panicking a lot earlier. Look what happened." Mammon scoffs. You blush a little remembering the naked Mammon standing in front of you.

"That's all I could tell ya." Mammon leans back as he finishes his story but immediately leans in again.

"If Lucifer finds out that ya know about the curse this early on I'm dead meat. So keep yer mouth shut for now, okay?" Mammon’s back to his old self. It just occurred to you that Mammon’s aura changed while he was explaining the curse earlier. You were to engrossed in listening about the curse that you didn’t notice hat the air around him changed.

"I get it, I get it. I'll keep my mouth shut." You promise him. He looks at you, still not believing what that you'll keep it a secret so you mimic the action of actually zipping your mouth.

"Good." He says as he stands and heads for the door.

"Where are we going next?" You ask him as he opens the door.

"To yer room. Tour's over for now." He says as he bobs his head to the side to tellcyou to get out of the room.

"By the way, that was my room, okay?" He says as he walks in front of you. His hands in his pockets.

The words pass by your ears as if they were nothing. The only think on your mind is the curse and your current situation. You have to make sure not to accidentally hug the brothers while not being so suspicious about it. It'll be easy obviously. What kind of idiot would hug random strangers right off the bat, right?

"Oy, we're here." Mammon is standing in front of you. Opening the door beside him.

The inside somehow reminds you of a forest cabin in fairy tales. Almost everything is made of wood or more like a live tree since it still has leaves growing from its branches. There's a table with chairs at the side. A small bookshelf with books. The bed looks comfortable with its purple blanket.

"Get goin' and get some rest human. The Great Mammon's outta fuel too. Gonna reward myself with a nap." He yawns and stretches his back as he closes the door to your room. You take a look around once again. Taking it all in. Taking your new life all in.

Wait, why are you accepting the fact that this’ll be your new life for a year? You scratch your head hard. Getting a way out of this place is almost impossible. You sigh and approach the bed to get yourself a good night’s rest, hopefully. 

#Obey Me #Obey Me! #obey me shall we date #shall we date obey me #Obey me fanfiction #obey me fanfic #have mercy on my poor soul

[the--sad--hatter]

Frozen Heart (Prologue)

FANDOM - MARVEL MCU, DEADPOOL & X-MEN

WARNINGS - ALL OF THEM, SMUT, VIOLENCE ANGST

DESCRIPTION -  

When Nick Fury finally catches Ex-Shield Agent ‘Black Ice’, The Thief with a Frozen Heart he puts her where she belongs. With The Avengers.

You’re not happy about that decision but you’re the only one who’s kicking up a fuss.

Natasha and Clint are happy to have you back in their lives, Sam Wilson is a big fan, Tony Stark just wants you to keep your hands off his stuff and Steve finds out that not only do you have a connection but you were there for him when nobody else was. 

Bucky Barnes is one of the few people who doesn’t have a connection with you but he’d really really like one. 

                                         CHAPTER ONE

THE KALAHARI DESERT

The Kalahari desert was in Southern Africa so it was quite obviously hot. In fact it was 930 thousands square km of arid, sandy, scorching hell. Or at least it was supposed to be. Nick Fury used his one good eye to take in the perplexing scene in front of him. Smack bang in the middle of the sand dunes was a military style base which according to their intel belonged to a black arms dealer and known human trafficker known as "The Scorpion".

Bad guys having secret bases was hardly unusual however, what was unusual was the fact that this base was covered in at least three inches of ice. Mercenaries who worked for The Scorpion were scattered around, guns raised and alarm on their faces. Fury paid them little attention, they weren't a threat seeing as they were frozen solid like creepy gun wielding statues.

His attention was focused on the battered remains of a tent in the very center of the icy carnage. The tent was barely erect, the front panel frozen in place and giving him a clear view inside to the young woman lying on the frozen ground, two of his medical personnel checking her for signs of life.

They found what they were looking for and related the news to Fury with a sharp nod of affirmation. She was alive. Fury had known she would eventually make a mistake and now she had, he finally had her.

6 HOURS EARLIER

Your head felt full and heavy, your eyes burned and the air around you was so hot you were suffocating. You forced yourself to drag your eyes open, taking in the scene around you. Sand? Tents? You knew what these things were but why they were here was confusing and you couldn’t seem to get your brain to work properly.

Something moved and you looked up, seeing it was a person coming towards you. You knew them, your brain was telling you they were familiar. Your brain was also screaming something else at you, something important but you couldn’t grasp it.

There was a deep gnawing sense in your gut, not a good feeling. You shifted in the seat and tried to move and that was when you realized you couldn’t.

You couldn’t move.

You felt something on your wrists, binding them together. Raw panic started to claw its way through you and you reacted instinctively, reaching down deep inside yourself for the part of you that you’d locked away. You needed to be free, bad things happened when you couldn’t move.

You remembered the blood and you didn’t want to remember that.

You let the primal power inside yourself out and froze the ropes binding you but it all went horribly wrong. You couldn’t reign it in, you couldn’t control it. The last thing you remembered was screaming.

9 DAYS LATER – Avengers Compound, Up-state New York

You had a habit of waking up in unfamiliar places so you weren't too worried at first. It wasn't until you registered the steady beeping of a heart monitor that your brow furrowed in confusion. Your eyes flew open and you tried to sit up, immediately regretting it as the cuffs on either wrist snapped against the metal bed-frame, pulling you back down with a wince of pain.

Panic rippled through you but then a deep chuckle to your right had you turning to face your company, and a growl of displeasure ripped out of your throat as soon as you did. Still, the sight of him calmed your fears and you knew, even if you were cuffed you were safe.

"What the fuck Clint?" You spat out, your voice hoarse from disuse, your hands automatically twisting in the cuffs.

The blonde man sitting on a chair next to the hospital bed you were currently cuffed to smirked at you, unfolding himself ungracefully from the uncomfortable looking plastic chair and leaning over to offer you a cup of water.

You glared at him as he raised it to your lips, tilting it to allow the cool liquid to pour down your throat. The sensation was most welcome, you had no idea how you’d become so thirsty.

Then it hit you, you had no idea how you’d ended up in hospital at all. A quick glance around the room offered no answers. It looked like a standard, albeit well-funded hospital room. The blinds were closed, there were no glass panels on the door to look out of and you and Clint were the only ones in the room.

Panic and uncertainty started to claw at your gut and you looked up at Clint, your expression blank and controlled but he saw the fear and vulnerability in your eyes. He could always see right through you.

“What happened to me?” To anyone else it would have sounded like a demand but Clint knew you well enough to see the plea on your face.

You pulled at the cuffs again and huffed in annoyance. Clint smirked and tapped his ear to let you know he could hear you, you didn’t have to sign.

“What’s the last thing you remember?” He asked you gently.

You frowned, trying to pull up your memories and Clint watched the emotions flit across your face, confusion, pain and then horror.

“Motherfucker.” You whispered.

“That about sums it up... Miss Daniels this time are we?” A deep voice spoke and the door sprung open as Nick Fury walked into the room.

Your expression hardened instantly and Clint's turned apologetic. Fury noted that, the way he noted everything. He glared down at you, trying to intimidate you.

“You froze a 2 mile radius in the desert, killing everyone there instantly. When we found you, you were nearly dead yourself. Lucky for you, we patched you back up and covered up your little mess.” Fury stated.

There was a long pause as he waited for you to say something but you didn’t.

“What, you’re not even going to say thank you?” Fury enquired sarcastically.

“Saying thank you could be taken as an admission of guilt, so no.” You rebutted.

Fury turned to look at Clint who sighed heavily.

“It’s over, you were found in the middle of the scene. We know you’re responsible.” Clint told you.

“We even have a good idea as to why you did it.” Fury informed you and he didn’t miss the way your jaw clenched in response.

“One of the bodies we found on site was First Lieutenant Charles Braxton, your commanding officer. The man who trained you for the past two years and fast tracked you to his special black ops task force. Decorated war hero, husband, father and best friend to Senator Jim Grant. Oh and he was also the criminal known as The Scorpion.” Fury said.

You took in a deep shuddering breath before you spoke, keeping your voice as even as possible.

“If you already know what happened, why bother asking me? What’s your play here Fury?”

“I’m asking because I don’t know what happened but I’ll tell you my theory. You found out Braxton was The Scorpion and he drugged you, kidnapped you and took you to his base. He probably thought he could turn you to his side. He had no idea who you really were though because you would never trust anybody enough to tell them what you were capable of. So when you woke up tied to a chair in the middle of the desert, having just been betrayed and attacked by your supposed mentor and friend you reacting instinctively and tried to freeze the ropes binding you enough to snap them and free yourself. You didn’t account for the drugs in your system or the adrenaline or the emotional turmoil you were facing though because you have always hidden your abilities away rather than learn to use them and instead of freeing yourself you lost control and created a cold snap in the Kalahari that killed everyone around you. How’d I do Miss Daniels?”

“That’s not a theory, that’s exactly what happened and you know it. But you’ve got a second theory lined up where I’m the villain right? Either you rescued a powerful asset or you took down a threat.” You laughed but there was no humour in it.

You knew what was going on. Fury had told you this day was coming and deep down you had always known he was right.

“You’re damn right I do. You killed a lot of people and even if I wanted to I can’t ignore that. I can bring you into the fold and protect you or I can lock you up and throw away the key. Those are the only two choices here. Now I made no secret about wanting you to re-join Shield but last time I asked you told me in no uncertain terms where I could shove that offer. I’m hoping you’ll be smarter this time now that SHIELD isn’t around. So what’s it going to be Miss Daniels, are you finally ready to become an Avenger or are you going to spend the rest of your life in a 4×4 cell?” Fury asked.

You whistled lowly.

“Alright Shaft, I’ll admit it. I was not expecting that.” You said, eyebrows practically disappearing into your hairline.

It was worded like a choice but all three of you knew it wasn’t, not really.

Clint knew you were stubborn and liked to dig your heels in but even you wouldn’t choose life imprisonment just to be spiteful. Fury knew it as well. You looked up at Clint and he braced himself for the anger about to be hurled his way but it never came.

You wanted to be angry at him but you knew it wasn’t fair. He hadn’t done this to you, you had done it to yourself. You had locked your abilities away, pretending you were nothing more than human and it had led to you losing control.

Now you had backed yourself into a corner and the only way out was through Fury, whether it be as an Avenger or a prisoner.

“IF I agree to this ridiculous proposal, I want my record wiped. My real record.” You told him.

“You’re in an awfully precarious position to be making demands. You don’t want to go to prison, If I don’t agree to your terms are you really going to refuse to join The Avengers?” Fury asked you.

You met his eyes and he saw it, you didn’t believe he was going to pass up the opportunity to recruit you but if he called your bluff there was no way you would back down.

He couldn’t comprehend why you were so stubborn but he didn’t have to, he just had to accept it. He nodded his assent and you and Clint both let out a small sigh of relief.

“Welcome to Shield Miss Daniels, Agent Barton here will explain the situation to you regarding the events in the Kalahari Desert and as soon as you’re medically cleared you’ll be introduced to the team who will oversee your official training.” Fury spoke in a crisp and authoritative tone before making his way to the door.

He had gotten what he came for, he wasn’t going to stick around any longer but you spoke up before he could make his exit.

“20 bucks says you regret this before we even reach the end of the month.” You called challengingly.

“I’ll take that bet.” He said without even looking back, letting the door close behind him.

Clint shook his head at you.

“It’s impressive how well he can glare at you with just one eye. Wonder how scary he was when he had both.” You snarked.

“It’s the one eye that makes the glare so effective. And you’ve been unconscious for nine days. The end of the month is tomorrow.” He dead-panned.

You swore and tried to sit up, forgetting about the cuffs and swore again as you were yanked back down. Clint made a strangled noise as he tried not to laugh. He reached over and pushed down on the cuffs, they were pressure locked and didn’t need a key so they popped open quickly and you held your wrists to your chest and rubbed them.

“Nine days?” You asked, confused.

“You were extremely dehydrated and had mild hypothermia. Add that to the drugs Braxton used on you and well… you weren’t in great shape when we found you.” He explained.

There was an edge to his voice, he was holding something back and whatever it was was bothering him. You reached your hand out, palm to the ceiling and waited. He sighed and put his hand in yours

“You get yourself into some stupid shit kid, and she’s not happy about it.” He whispered with an apologetic look on his face.

You shot up in the bed, alarm on your face.

“No no no no no, tell me she doesn’t know!” You begged.

Clint swallowed thickly.

“Fury said he’d tell her when you woke up.” Clint said, getting off the bed and backing into the corner of the room furthest from the door.

You went pale as you glanced franticly around the room like a deer caught in a trap but there was nowhere to hide and you knew it.

“Traitor!” you hissed at Clint as the door swung open and you swallowed heavily before turning to face your fear.

Clint winced under his breath at the expression on Natasha’s face and you felt like you’d been kicked in the chest as you laid eyes on her for the first time in years.

There was nothing you could say in that moment, no way to ask for forgiveness so you just reached out you hand to her, silently begging for something you didn’t deserve. She didn’t hesitate to take it, squeezing your hand reassuringly. And then continuing to squeeze.

“Ow, ow, ow. UNCLE!” You shrieked.

“As soon as your better, we’re playing 60 seconds.” Natasha said with a wicked glint in her eye.

“If you’re so mad, why are you here?” You sighed.

“I came to check on Clint. I would have come to check on you as well but we both know you can take care of yourself can’t you? You don’t need me.” She responded cooly.

Clint could feel the rising tension and he didn’t want a repeat of last time you and Natasha had been in the same room.

“You need rest, you start training as soon as you’re upright and we still need to take an official statement regarding the situation in the Kalahari.” He spoke over whatever biting remark you’d been about to shoot off at Natasha.

Natasha turned her annoyed look onto him, though it was legions softer than what she had directed at you.

“I have to convince the team to actually take her. Just because it’s what Fury wants, doesn’t mean Cap or Tony will be on board.” Natasha said, releasing your hand.

“What are you going to tell them about me?” You asked her.

“For once, the truth.” She informed you.

Clint nodded at her and she turned to leave while you studiously kept your face turned away from the door. Neither you or Natasha could see each other expressions but from his position at your bedside he could see it all, the brief moment of regret and longing you both had before you schooled your expressions expressions.

Clint sighed heavily and wondered what he’d done in a past life that was so bad he deserved to be connected to two such stubborn people. It was only when the door clicked closed you allowed yourself to drop the anger and look at him.

“How bad is it going to be?” You asked nervously and Clint chuckled at your reaction.

“They’re going to eat you alive.” He reassured you.

Tomorrow he would break the news to you that officially Agent Daniels had died in the Kalahari. But that could damn well wait because Clint had missed you, only to get you back in a near death state.  

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

“Stark, didn’t you get hit by that ice thief a few years ago?” Natasha asked as she walked into the meeting room.

“Four years ago, she broke into the tower and stole an Iron Suit Prototype and left an ice sculpture replica in it’s place.” Tony said with a sour look on his face.

“Yeah, but didn’t she put the suit back the next day? It was on the news.” Sam pointed out.

“Not the point Wilson. She did it to piss me off.” Tony snapped.

“I think it worked.” Wanda coughed.

“Why are you bringing up old wounds Romanov? Nobody’s seen Black Ice for years.” Tony asked exasperatedly.

“Nobody ever saw her, that’s why they called her Black Ice...” Sam added.

“She’s in your medbay.” Natasha said with a smirk.

There was silence.

“The new recruit Fury dropped on my doorstep is the thief who taunted me? And I saved her life?” Tony shrieked.

“Cho saved her life, you just paid Cho to do it.” Sam sniggered, sending Wanda devolving into a fit of giggles.

“Well I’m going to be the one to kill her!” Tony insisted.

“Barton might be a little upset if you do that.” Natasha informed him.

Tony squinted suspiciously at her.

“Why?” Steve was the one to ask.

“Black Ice is a former Shield Agent and yes Tony... Fury, Barton and I knew it was her who stole your suit. She dropped off the radar three years ago, faked her own death after an incident in Moscow. Clint just got her back, he might be annoyed if you go and kill her.”

“You knew?!” Tony was incensed.

“You’re friends with Black Ice?”Wanda asked excitedly.

“Who do you think gave her the name?” Natasha asked her.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

The next morning you were all but tossed out of the hospital bed by Clint who flung a change of clothes at you and told you the bad news.

You didn’t have any close friends, actually any friends at all to mourn your “death” but you still allowed yourself a moment of sadness for the life you were leaving behind. You were shaken out of your moment by a knock on the door and you looked up to see a Natasha stood in front of you.

There was no readable emotion on her face, no indication as to whether she was here to hug you or to kill you. Though that question was quickly answered as with an almost unnoticeable flick of her wrist Natasha sent a knife flying straight at your face.

You whipped your head back just in time, though you were still a fraction of a second too slow and the blade left a slight nick across your left cheek before embedding itself in the wall behind where your head had previously been.

“Reaction time is a little slow but not terrible. You haven't been keeping up with your training. Keep the knife, consider it gift” Natasha told you with a smirk.

You glared at Natasha with wide eyes as she turned and sauntered away.

“Oh and welcome back to the land of the living сестренка.” Natasha called over her shoulder.

You scowled as you signed the medical discharge papers, almost signing Daniels out of habit. It would take some getting used to being a Barton again.

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

So this is going to be my next fic series after Name Calling IF you guys like it. If not, I can scrap it and work on something else. It’s kinda up to you lovely people, and I won’t be offended if this isn’t a hit. 

#hattersmarvelverse #bucky x reader #Steve x Reader #WIP #Bucky x Reader #Bucky fic #Bucky Barnes #The Winter Soldier #Winter Soldier x reader #Bucky x You #Bucky x Y/N #Bucky x OC #Wanda x Reader #Vision x Reader #Sam Wilson x Reader #Black Widow x reader #Natasha x Reader #Hawkeye x Reader #Clint Barton x Reader #Spiderman x Reader #Peter Parker x Reader #Wade Wilson x Reader #Deadpool x reader

[everythingisbetterwithpirates]

The Three Bells

Air.

A common element in this world. Even in deep pockets buried under the sea, it managed to persist rather than perish. It held up the clouds far above. Destroyed homes with violent whips. Caressed lovers cheeks in the absence of their counterparts. And right now, it was becoming harder to come by.

No matter how deep a breath, Margharette only found the scorch of a dry desert filling her lungs with it's corrosive splendor. A pair of bloodied hands scared her throat, pushing her back against an old wall. Her nails sank deep into the constricting wrists, but murderous intent ran deeper.

Blow after blow had left her with little air to begin with. Behind the average build, shaggy haired man were the signs of a previous struggle. A broken chair lay scattered to the left. To the right, an overturned table. Only one whole chair remained, and it was hiding somewhere behind the table. Broken glass crunched beneath her assailant as he pressed on. Marge's feet were inches from the ground, but to her, it felt like miles.

The upper hand slipped through her fingers.

And she knew it.

First came the stroke of fear. Like the spines of a cacti, it pricked all of her senses. This was the part where panic had room to slither in and begin to drive the nail further into the coffin. As far as Margharette was concerned, this was where she endured and pushed through the haze. Conditioned to hold discipline above all, she did just that.

Margharette stared at her opponent.

She stopped reaching for air, holding on to his pinning arms with all her might.

A wave of defiance pushed forth by wrath washed away most of the spines, allowing an equally strong force of Shadows to soothe her senses. All the while giving them the little boost of energy she needed in order to turn the tide. With what little air remained in her, the woman smiled and murmured.

"Choke me harder, Daddy."

Feasting on her anger, the Shadows aided their host and drove her legs forward. Margharette kicked at the man as hard as her body would allow. The first strike drove into his nuts. It was then that his hands fumbled, allowing Marge to begin grasping at straws. The second knee connected with his side, causing the man to begin buckling sideways.

Damp boots returned to the floor. There was a mote of riled dust gently drifting in the growing space between them. It was directly in the path of her incoming punch. Margharette moved forward, focused on speaking to the man with her hands while she was busy catching her breath. She could see one of his arms rising in hopes of providing protection.

But it was too late. Air now filled her lungs at long last, adding a bit of pep to her fortified steps. The punch connected, stunning the man long enough for the second fist to make it through it's flight. One after the other, Margharette carried on her assault, unyielding in her resolve.

When he was brought to his knees, her own picked up the mantle. In the end, when unconsciousness finally overtook him, a few teeth lay with the rest of the broken furniture. Both of Margharette's hands and knees were caked in his blood and spit. And a little of her own. Specs and drops freckled her face and her white, fuzzy coat.

20 MINUTES LATER

To Margharette, there was something about rope to be admired. Both simple and versatile. It was defined by two opposing natures. Able to save a life but to also end it. At the moment, it veered towards the latter.

"Wakey, wakey~

                  Tits and bakey~"

A splash of cold water startled the bound, bloodied man. Enough to wake him from his stupor. With panicked gasps, he struggled against the ropes keeping him on the only chair left complete. Broken, wide eyes searched for Margharette. Slow to focus. As was his gargled breathing. They found the woman looming close by, holding one of his now empty buckets. Next to the white clothed woman was a bag.

"N-no. Please! I didn't mean it!" he exclaimed, voice shivering. Same as the rest of him.

"You didn't mean... what? Which part specifically did you not mean to do, Toby?" Margharette replied with her more usual calmness. A far cry from the savagery displayed earlier. She turned the bucket around and took a seat across from Toby. His brown hair was shaggy before, but now, it was downright hopeless.

"The part where you open the door and try to bolt after I said I just wanted to talk? Or the part where you hit me in the boob when you were reaching for your sword?" Margharette continued, reaching for her duffel bag and pulling out a black box."Maybe it's the part where you almost killed me. Or maybe, just maybe, you didn't mean to blackmail Mister Reigns?"

At this, Toby Flinched.

"Look -  I didn't want to see you that night. But I did. You were just so beautiful with your blonde hair and that red dress. And then I put two and two together and found my chance to hurt that fucker. You and I --- we can take him down together ! I-I have it all. All the documents to bring him down. They're in there!"

Toby's bound hand wiggled, one of his fingers pointing towards the open door behind her. The one leading to his room. And the same one with the trip wire lined along the entrance. Marge's earlier slip up came from avoiding collision with just such a trap.

"Is that so.."

Margharette softly mused as her arms crossed over the box on which she then leaned. "You know..." The woman began with a reddened smile. Though the full extent of pain had yet to make itself known, Marge could feel the growing ache from the cut to her lip. ".. ever since I saw you at the payment spot, I wondered what kind of criminal you were. Given that the payment you were accepting came from blackmail, I figured you might know what you were doing. Then again, you did choose Reigns as your target, so there was some doubt. So tell me -- where exactly in the room are those papers?"

Margharette sat upright, soon reaching into her bag again.

"I-in the brown chest. Next to the bed." Toby mumbled in between the shakes. "Just let me go. I'll do whatever you want!"

The light from the nearby lamp glistened over the scalpel Margharette drew from her bag. "It's a deal." she purred in response before pushing from the bucket. In one hand, she held a blade. In the other, a box. "But first. Tell me. If you had to pick one, which would it be?" Margharette asked the man, playfully balancing her items before him.

Toby looked between her glistening blade and the dark box. His head jerked towards the lidded cube. Marge's red tainted pearls flashed as a wild grin overtook her features.

"Present from Mister Reigns it is then!" Margharette enthusiastically said. Toby's face further drained of color. His eyes widened with fear. She wondered how such an experience felt like for another. But Margharette did not wonder for long. The scalpel in her hand drove towards the man's stomach, creating a deep and wide opening. His cries of pain made the box rattle. Once a proper entrance had been carved into the landscape, Marge put away the blade and focused on the box.

"Were it up to me, I would have sliced your wrists while you were taking a bath, Toby. But such is not your fate." Margharette softly coo'ed, moving the box towards his bleeding stomach. The jittering mess that was Toby stared down in horror. Once she opened the lid, a scorpion crawled onto his skin. A Tanaris Drainer. Hard to find luxury item. Bloodthirsty. Hungry. And right now, heading down the path that has been presented to it.

TEN MINUTES LATER

The last several minutes had been filled with despaired screams and hopeless bargaining. Beneath Toby's hairy skin, a monster was left loose. On occasion, a small bulge deformed his torso as the scorpion moved and crossed. It also stung.

By now, Margharette sat on the bucket once more, silently watching the man suffer on the road to his death. Though he implored the Gods, none came to his rescue. Neither did Marge. While counting down the minutes, the dark haired woman absorbed the scene. What once were tiny splatters of blood now soaked her warm, wintry gear, creating large splotches.

Snow began to build up along the trim of the grassy roofed cabin's window. The light from the lamp dimmed as it began to run out of oil.

Madness stared deep and hard at Margharette. Toby's hatred at her passive stance in the wake of his woes guided his hallucinations. The pain wrecking his system only helped to make them seem more real.

A few minutes earlier, the Tanaris Drainer found it's way back to the world after it's evil began to feed on the man's insides. Margharette collected the exotic, deadly and useful creature, wrangling it back to the box before it was put away in her duffel bag.

"What does it feel like to you?" Marge began, the first time she had spoken since slicing a hole in Toby's stomach.

"Dying I mean. Everyone's time is different. What do you see, Toby?"

Toby's head rose from it's slump. His skin had gone from simple pale to ash. And though it began to harden, the man's lips painfully cracked with movement.

"Weeping willow..." His voice was as weak as the rest of him.

"It's everywhere. All around me. I can't... Nothing... --n't breathe..."

What began as coherent words quickly began to turn into a jumbled mess. Cracking, ashen skim crumbled over every joint. Little movements brought great consequences. A whistle passed. Then another. Toby wheezed, bound hands reaching for the air that never came. But before his last breath could be delivered, the man's head jerked back.

There was a definite shift in the atmosphere. Charged and oppressive. Margharette stayed put, reaching for something tucked away in her left boot. The crackle in the oil lamp was simultaneous with the straightening of the man's neck and head.

In his rise and fall, a portion of Toby's skull hollowed. Now, thick and tar-like Shadows filled up the holes. Previously unseen veins carried the vicious entity across his visage, making it's dark presence clear and visible.

"Round and round it goes. One debt paid and another owed."

The voice coming from Toby's lip-less mouth was not his own. It grated. Like the clash of swords in a battle field.

"Tick, tock, Tower of Terror. In your graces is our splendor. And when the bells ring three, our final union will be."

The continuous pile up of snow outside had nothing to do with the chill running up Margharette's spine as she listened. Toby's head slumped forward again after the message had been delivered. He was carried off by death to whatever world awaited him, leaving Marge behind to deal with the full weight of his words. The same Shadows which had given her another chance at life now reminded her of their cost with half sung rhymes.

Margharette stood from the bucket and checked the man for vital signs. There were none. The job was officially completed.

Unofficially, there was a possible loose end to tie. If anything, she'd sate her curiosity.

Boots thumped on the creaking floorboards as she made her way across the room. While the chair's broken leg would have made for an excellent bludgeoning object, it's purpose now was a bit more practical. Fodder. Margharette knelt behind the overturned table and tossed the collected piece of wood towards the rigged entrance to the room.

The loud bang that erupted rivaled Toby's earlier screeching and with twice the bass. Even though Marge was hiding behind a rickety but sturdy table, a piece of blown shrapnel found it's way between the planks and nicked her shoulder.

"No. I got it! Fragile. Death. Keep your minions and agents in line for eternity. You can stop now. I got the concept." Margharette sarcastically grumbled, looking at the space around her before she assessed the latest damage.

A scrape. It was nowhere near as bad as the rest of it. Without the trap in place, the woman came out of hiding and began to close the distance between her and the open door. Along the way, she picked up two things. The first was the rope tying the corpse to the chair. A deal was a deal. She untied the knots and began to coil the rough fabric, placing it in her bag. The second recovered belonging was said bag.

Toby's room was as barren as the rest of the hill hidden cabin. A bed. A nightstand and a brown chest were all that occupied it. Scattered all over were small and big pieces of shrapnel, some embedded into whatever was in their way when the explosion hit. Some pieces joined a few traces of broken glass to create a hostile work environment.

Because the dead guy slumped back in a chair wasn't enough.

Happy to find the brown chest unlocked and uncomplicated, Margharette dove in to gather some documents. Instead, what she found was far more valuable. A thorough supply of drugs. From potions to herbs and everything in between.

"... a fair consolation prize from Lady Luck."

Her words were spoken with reverence even through the onslaught of pains and aches that now slammed into her. Dark, blue eyes glistened with the spark of hope.

Temporary salvation.

The chest was taken after rummaging through the rest of the cabin for the legendary papers. Alleged papers.

But the survey said that was a lie.

Carrying the spoils of war, Margharette left the gruesome scene behind and headed for a nearby hill where a tree and a ram patiently awaited her return. Once the goods were secured, the reigns untied and her bottom rested comfortably over the saddle, Marge guided her rented transportation to their next point of interest. Somewhere she could dispose of her more than suspicious clothing before making it to a settlement. The rest of the journey would simply have to be made under the protection of a thick blanket.

The snow continued it's gentle bathing of the mountains and hills. And as she went over a tall one, the woman was taken back several years into the past. To a place with a climate similar to this one. Where the greater dangers hid in the cozy homes, holds and estates making up an isolated kingdom. Wanting to shake off the dreadful melancholia, Margharette reached into the saddle's large bag. There, she found a bottle of rum. It was uncorked and a large chug taken from it. Tired from the battle of body and mind, her soul sought to find peace wherever it could.

"Tick. Tock."

@mister-reigns not just for mentions but for building a world and letting Marge play in it.

This post contains clues that can link to this previous crime. Any and all detectives or guards are more than welcome to investigate. 

#ic story #hudson shipping company #horror #crime #rp

[hypnotica-ships]

First Impressions

So, I'm a tease, I know. I'll make up for it this time.

Phase 1: Part 2

Word Count: (About) 760

1//2//3//4//5//6//7//8//9

"...I'll make a deal with you, if you can find someone who can actually put up with me and earn my respect, I'll consider staying."

"Ha! You're on little bird. I think I know just the person...."

The day dawns and Crow, after getting lost once more, finds his Uncle's office. Within, he sees his Uncle sitting behind a cluttered desk, two very used chairs, and another tallish blonde man with icy blue eyes, standing in front of Guile. This one's in a different uniform than Charlie, it's blue, and he has a dark vest with a red scorpion insignia on his back, he seems to be discussing something with Guile. It takes his Uncle only a few seconds to realize Crow made his way in.

"And you said you hated waiting, well, you sure took your sweet time getting in here little bird. Take a seat."

"I got lost, you didn't exactly give me a map of the place ya know?"

Crow sassed as he took the seat on the right next to the man in blue, eyeing him as he did so. He hasn't said a word since he entered the room, only shot him a glance and turned back to Guile. He seems like cold, stoic person, those are the best kind to mess with.

"You'll get used to this place eventually, I'm sure. How'd you sleep?"

"Fine enough, just the usually nightmares. Bold of you to assume I'm staying here much longer though."

"Still suffer from those, huh? Maybe some new sights and experiences will help. Speaking of staying though, I would like you to meet Holger. He's going to be training you. You might even become part of his unit if you do well enough. He will be your superior, and I expect you to show him some respect."

Holger extends his hand out for a handshake, his neutral expression hasn't changed a bit since Crow has met him. Taking his hand, he realizes how firm a grip he has. Crow is almost intimidated by him, but refuses to give in so easily.

"Good to meet you, I'll be sure you won't be starting any more Mess Hall fights on my watch."

Crow instantly notices the slight German accent in his speech, and the way he seems to keep his composure about things. Holger's definitely leaving an impression on him. He just can't tell if it's a good one or not.

"Oh, Uncle Bill told ya about that, huh? Not my finest work, but I'm still proud of it. Held my ground pretty well I like to think."

"Told me about it, no. I saw it firsthand. If I may add some criticism?"

"You may."

"You were awfully sloppy and severely unfocused. I've seen better work from a blind man."

"Okay...I take that back, keep your opinions to yourself....How would of you gone about it then?"

"Well, firstly, I wouldn't of barged into a military base and pick a fight with the first person I met."

Crow is visibly steaming at this point. Something about the matter-of-fact way he said that, making Crow feel like the idiot, really struck a nerve. Guile seemed to anticipate this happening and is enjoying the show, trying to hide his laughter to the best of his ability.

"Alright, Holger, hehe, you can get back to your post, I'll send Crow to you in a bit. I want to go over a few things with him first."

Holger nods and head off, giving Crow one last glance before he's out the door. Crow still isn't fully sure what to make of him yet. He knows how to get on his nerves, that's one thing for sure though.

"So...that's the guy you think is going to make change my mind and stay here? That stick-in-the-mud, who wouldn't know a good fight if he was thrown head first into one?"

"Hehe, you worried he might actually get through to you? He's one of our best captains, and if I didn't think he could handle you, I wouldn't of set up this little meeting. I just wanted you to get a head start on what you're going to be dealing with."

"Hmph, if you say so, but I'm not going to play nice and make it easy for him, I'm going to kick and scream my way out of here if I have to."

"Oh, I count on seeing an interesting performance from you two. Just try not to let him beat you up too bad, alright?"

After that delightful conversation, Crow was sent down to a training area. Waiting for him was a group of eight men, all in army green tanks and jumpsuits, most of which were tied down by their waist, and...Holger, still in his blue uniform from earlier.

Continued in Phase 1: Part 3

#my writing #s/i #s/i x f/o fic #s/i fic #s/i story #f/o x s/i #I hope this one kinda makes up for Holger's tiny appearance in the last one... #the real fun begins in the next part... #krahenkoder