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hazzoranstories · 3 years

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Damon Salvatore x Reader One Shot | Katerina’s Sabotage Part 1

Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Includes: Violence, slight tvd spoilers, mentions of blood, a little bit of smut-ish at the beginning, and triggering

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A/N: This is NOT a Katherine x Damon one-shot. Also, I might make this plot into a story once I finish Tvd. If I don't do that, then I might make a story about Klaus' sister and Damon.

Third Person's POV:

*Mystic Falls, Virginia; 1864*

"Damon! Oh my god! Stop!" Y/N exclaimed to the human, who continued to tickle her mercilessly. Damon smiled at just the sight of the girl in his arms as they rolled around his bed. The vampire finally had enough and pinned her lover to the bed, straddling his hips. They smiled at each other before Y/N leaned down to kiss his lips. The Pierce sister got slightly rougher as their kiss deepened, and she ran a hand down Damon's bare chest. Damon placed his hand in her black wavy hair and started messaging her scalp as Y/N moved her lips to his neck, leaving some love bites, getting hungrier by the minute.

She latched onto Damon's own curly hair and sunk her teeth into his pale skin. The Salvatore groaned in pain and bliss. He knew what the two foreigners from Atlanta were, and he was fine with it, unlike his father, who was on a mission to kill every last one of them. Even Stefan had a hard time digesting the fact that the girl he loved and her sister were Vampires. It was so bad that Katherine had to compel him, but only Y/N knew of her sister's manipulative antics. But, since Damon loved Y/N either way, no matter what she was, Y/N never had to control his mind once. Damon was even okay with her feeding on him once in a while.

The couple then heard a loud thump come from Stefan's bedroom, and Y/N stopped feeding immediately. "Katherine!" Stefan screamed, and it was almost like his voice was ringing through her heightened ears. She lunged off Damon, wiped her mouth of his blood, and ran out of the room. She slammed the door so hard it broke. Y/N saw her sister sprawled across the floor choking on something, but she couldn't tell what. Damon tried to race after her, but the door wouldn't open.

"Katerina!" the vampire screeched and started running towards her sister when Giuseppe shot her in the chest with a wooden bullet laced with vervain. Y/N groaned and collapsed onto the rug of the hallway. Damon began banging his whole weight against the door, but it wouldn't budge.

"Go get the sheriff. Tell him we have two vampires," Giuseppe told Stefan who's eyes widened.

"What? No!" Stefan yelled.

"Do as I say, son! Nothing that you feel for them is real. They're vampires! Monsters!" the father scolded and continued, "I fed you vervain hoping that it would expose them."

"How did you know?" Stefan questioned, suddenly getting suspicious.

"Your sympathy for their plight. I didn't raise my sons to be so weak! The sheriff, now. Go quickly! Now, son!" Giuseppe pressured his youngest son, chucking a shirt at him to cover up his half-naked chest. Stefan hesitated, still trying to process all the information before running out of the house to find the sheriff.

The sheriff and three other men soon followed Stefan to the Salvatore mansion and saw the two Pierce sisters passed out on the ground. They firmly put muzzles over their mouths, and two men picked up Katherine while the other two lifted Y/N.

After much effort and slamming against the door with as much strength as possible, Damon finally burst the door open. He saw the two sisters being carried out and ran after them.

"Stop! No! Don't take her!" He roared and tried to grab at Y/N when Giuseppe slammed him against the wall, preventing him from helping.

"Do you know what they'll do to you? If you're branded a sympathizer? You'll be killed along with them!" Giuseppe warned, and Damon watched with tears in his eyes as he watched the vampires be dragged out.

He was struggling under his father's grip on him and grabbed the collar of his shirt, "just let me be killed!"

~:*:~

Outside of the mansion, there were dozens of men searching for other vampires. Y/N slightly woke up from her unconscious state but was still weak. She looked over to her sister through heavy eyes and mumbled her name before being thrown into a cart where the town's other vampires were.

"Damon! Damon! Stop, stop. I'll help you. We'll get them back," Stefan called to his brother, who tried to reach the wagon.

"Help me?! Don't you think you've done enough? You promised you wouldn't tell him!" the soldier barked.

"I didn't think this would happen," Stefan pleaded to his brother. They heard clattering and snapped their heads to the carriage, which started to move away from the Salvatore house.

"You did this. This is your fault," Damon hissed before running off.

~:*:~

"Over here! There's another one! Quick! Help me!" Stefan yelled to the group of hunters near the wagon. Everyone ran after the Salvatore, who was really distracting them so Damon could get Katherine and Y/N. One man stayed there to guard the cart, but Damon easily took him out and grabbed the keys.

"We don't have long," Stefan whispered to his brother, who was fiddling with the keys to open the door. Once they got it open, they started looking for the sisters.

"Y/N? Katherine?" Damon murmured and saw the familiar dresses of the girls. With all the strength she had left, Katherine pushed Y/N deeper into the wagon as Damon and Stefan grabbed her.

Stefan took off the muzzle and began untying the ropes as Damon tried to find Y/N again. "Y/N! Y/N, where are you?!"

"We're gonna get you two out of here," Stefan told Katherine, who didn't look too happy but kept her real emotions at bay. Damon got so desperate that he started shoving the bodies of other vampires out of the way.

They heard the faint noise of horses and yelling, so Stefan picked up his pace. "Damon, hurry. Hurry," Stefan hissed and finished untying Katherine.

"Damon," Y/N groaned from the front of the carriage.

"Y/N! Y/N, come here! I got you, love," the boy let out a sigh of relief as Y/N's delicate hand emerged from the bodies of people. He was inches away from reaching her when a gun was fired, and he fell to the ground.

"Damon," Y/N breathed, feeling tears come to her eyes as her hand fell back down in exhaustion.

"I think we got another one!" John Gilbert howled in joy as they saw the brothers. Stefan was begging for Damon to wake up, but he suddenly got filled with rage when he exhaled his last breath.

He picked up the gun the guard was carrying and tried to aim at the shooter, but they beat him to it, and a bullet hit him square in the chest. He fell to the ground with a loud grunt, and it took longer than Damon for the coldness of death to spread through him. The hunters threw Katherine back inside the wagon, which was the last the Salvatore brothers saw of the Pierce sisters.

You probably noticed by now that this imagine has more of a story, so there will be multiple parts.

#tvd #tvd fanfic #tvd fanfiction #the vampire diaries #one shot #tvd one shot #damon salvatore #damon salvatore x reader #the vampire diaries one shot #imagine #angst #fluff #smut #damon salvatore one shot #damon salvatore imagine #katherine pierce #pierce #salvatore

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invisibleanonymousmonsters · 4 years

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Remedy – Howlin’ For You – One Shot

Description: Bucky finds out some news regarding his baby sister.

Word Count: 2,500

Howlin’ For You - Masterlist

Read the series or you will not know what the fuck is happening.

Bucky awoke to the sound of his phone vibrating on the nightstand.

He unwrapped his arms from Y/N’s body, which unfortunately caused her to slightly wake up as well.

Bucky was used to receiving phone calls in the middle of the night. It was one of the side effects of being the leader of a biker gang that often enforced acts of vigilantism.

But it wasn’t a Howlie whose named flashed on his screen brightly.

“Buck?” Y/N mumbled, still half asleep.

“Everything’s fine, doll. Go back to sleep,” he whispered to her and gave her cheek a kiss for good measure before shifting out of bed with his cell.

He quietly closed Y/N’s bedroom door and made his way downstairs to talk privately in her living room.

“What is it Agent Stark?” Bucky nearly growled.

“That’s Director Stark now, actually.”

Bucky’s eyes narrowed into a glare, despite Tony not being able to see it. “Yeah, I heard you got a promotion after nearly getting Y/N killed.”

“Yep...almost got you killed, too.”

“What do you want?”

“Listen, I’m breaking a lot of protocols calling you right now…”

“Do you remember the part where you called me? I didn’t call asking for any favors. But I have a feeling you’re about to ask me for one…”

“No. No favors this time. This…uhh…this is family business.”

Bucky stopped pacing and waited.

“I figured you deserved to know.” Tony hesitated. “Heinz Kruger – friends called him Hank.”

Bucky’s blood went cold and all his movements froze. He hadn’t heard that name in years. And he hoped he never would.

It was the name of Rebecca’s ex-boyfriend. To be precise, the one Bucky almost murdered with his bare hands once he found out he was abusing his baby sister.

Tony cleared his throat, knowing he had Bucky’s full attention now. “He was found dead in his apartment this morning. They’re declaring it a homicide.”

“Am I on the list of possible suspects?” That was his first question.

It would make sense. Becca had a restraining order against Hank. Bucky had a reputation for hurting people. It wouldn’t take a genius to put two and two together and suspect that the big, scary, older brother wanted revenge.

“Well, that’s the thing. I asked around, and you’ve already been crossed off the list. You were at a diner with Y/N last night, weren’t you?”

Bucky hated that he knew that. “Yeah.”

“On top of that, they’ve traced your presence through multiple security cameras. You were almost a hundred miles away from the scene of the crime. On top of that, the rest of your crew seems to be spotted at their usual bar…all accounted for.”

“Why do you sound so surprised, Stark?”

“I’m not surprised that it wasn’t the doing of the Howling Commandos. I’m surprised because it seems like whoever did to it wanted to make sure none of you could be framed for the job.”

Bucky was now just as perturbed as Tony.

“I know you’ve wanted the asshole dead for years. I figured – I don’t know – she would get some kind of relief knowing that he could never hurt her again.”

Then Bucky felt guilty for giving Tony such a hard time. Yes, he was bitter still about what happened. But at the end of the day, he knew Tony was a good man and always had the right intentions. He didn’t have to reach out and give him this news. But he thought he was doing Bucky a favor…and he owed him a lot.

“Thanks for calling, Stark.” Bucky finally put his pride aside.

Tony was silent for a moment. “How’s that girl of yours doing?”

“She’s…umm…she’s doing alright,” Bucky could at least give him that, couldn’t he?

“I’m glad. Tell her I said hi…but I have a feeling you won’t do that.”

“Bye, Tony.”

Bucky looked around the dark house after he hung up. Only one lamp was turned on in his rush to pick up the phone call.

He didn’t think he could go to back to bed. There wasn’t sleep in the cards for him tonight. If he went back now, Y/N would sense his tension and wouldn’t sleep until she figured out what had upset him.

He’d let her sleep.

The rest of his night consisted of him drinking whiskey and trying to wrap his mind around the information Stark had just given him.

—————

The next morning, Bucky marched into the shop on a mission.

Usually everyone messed around first thing in the morning, just trying to wake up before their days really started. But everyone saw that Bucky was a little off and all watched him carefully as he made his entrance.

“Nat, can I see you in the office?”

She looked around at the rest of the crew, but nodded and followed Bucky up the metal stairs to his private office.

“What’s going on?” She asked after she closed the door.

“I need you to track someone down for me. No following. Just get me a location and I’ll handle the rest.”

She shrugged. Easy enough. “Sure, Buck. Just give me the name.”

Bucky finally looked at her as he hesitated to give the only information she needed.

He quickly aborted her gaze and sat down. “Grant Ward.”

She opened her mouth.

“Nat, please…no questions,” Bucky quickly cut off her opportunity. “Just get me his location. Got it?”

“Of course.”

—————

Bucky was working on a bike in the garage behind his house when he heard her footsteps.

She didn’t bother to wait for a greeting. She knew that he knew she was there. And so, she plopped herself down on the couch in the garage.

“Bad day?” She asked.

He finally looked up at her, but kept working on the bike. “Not exactly.”

“You’ve been off all day,” Y/N pointed out. “Seems to have started with that mysterious phone call you got last night.”

Bucky looked up at her and gave her a stern look. “Y/N…” He warned.

This was her cue. The cue that she was close to getting too involved in Howlie business. Bucky had this talk with her awhile ago. There were just some things he couldn’t tell her. It was to keep her safe, keep her conscious clean.

“I know,” she replied. “I can just tell when things are heavier.”

He tilted his head. “Heavier?”

She nodded. “It’s like there’s this invisible weight on your shoulders.” Then she sighed. “Listen, I know there are things you can’t tell me. But I also know that you can’t carry it all alone all the time.”

Bucky gave her a shy grin after her little tangent.

“What?” She asked with pure innocence.

He got up from his kneeling position next to the bike and slowly walked to her as he cleaned the grease off his hands.

Then he leaned down to kiss Y/N, which she happily accepted.

“I love you, you know that?” He asked her.

“Mhmm,” she hummed as she smiled up at him. She stole another kiss.

He sat down on the couch and maneuvered her body so she was sitting in his lap.

“I gotta go out of town tomorrow night,” he told her.

Y/N tried to read his face, but nodded reluctantly. “Who’s going with you?”

“No one. Just me.”

“Well, what about Steve? He always at least–”

“Can’t. It’s just gotta be me, doll.”

She opened her mouth to argue further.

“I know you don’t like the idea of me going anywhere alone. I know it worries you. But it’s just something I gotta do, OK?”

Y/N was quiet for a moment, thinking it all over.

“Is it dangerous?” She finally asked.

“I don’t think so.” He wanted to say ‘no,’ but he learned the hard way that he couldn’t always promise safety in this life. He didn’t want to lie to her, even by accident.

———————

Bucky had been driving his motorcycle for hours. He’d have to drive through the night to make it back home before tomorrow started. But he was willing to do it, knowing that Y/N would be worrying for less time.

He was coming up to his location soon.

The bar was lined with dozens of motorcycles, already telling him what type of place this was and who it was meant for.

Bucky took of his helmet and shook out his hair. He knew it was probably a mess from being stuck under such restrictions for such a long time. So he threw it in a messy bun low on his neck.

When he walked in, he was immediately eyed by the patrons. It was expected. The Howlies do the same thing at their places, weary of strangers and newcomers.

Bucky knew he would find him here. Nat assured him that he had been seen at this exact bar 3 days in a row.

Bucky’s gaze went across the room, looking for the familiar face.

He didn’t find the face, but did find the back of his head.

The seats on either side of him at the bar were wide open, giving Bucky a perfect opportunity to slide right on in.

From the way he reacted to Bucky sitting next to him, it was almost like he expected him to come.

“Barnes,” he greeted lowly without taking his eyes off of his drink.

“Ward,” Bucky replied cooly before ordering a whiskey from the bartender.

“Figured you’d find me eventually,” Ward sighed.

“Yeah, well, Nat could find could probably work for the CIA if she wanted to…”

Ward finally turned to face him. “You here to turn me in or something?”

Bucky chuckled and thanked the bartender as she handed him his drink. He took a sip before he said, “No. I’m not here to do that.”

“Then why the hell are you here, Barnes?”

Bucky rubbed his face. A part of him didn’t want to do this still. But he had to silence that part before it could control him.

“I came here to thank you.”

Ward scoffed and shook his head. “You think I did it for you?”

“No, I know I had nothing to do with it.”

“Does…” Ward cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. “Does she know yet?”

“No, I didn’t tell her. Steve said he…it’s better that he tells her than me. He’s going over there tonight to talk to her.”

Ward nodded.

“I’m mostly just wondering why…” Bucky thought aloud.

“Why?” Ward challenged.

“Yeah, why did you do it?”

Ward was silent for a moment.

“I know I broke her heart. But the worst part was what I drove her toward after I did that.” He shook his head. “You should’ve killed him when you had the chance. After what he did to Becs…” His words died out.

It was then that Bucky realized tears had formed in Grant’s eyes. But the biker managed to control his emotions.

“After all the shit went down with Hydra, all I was left with was each of my mistakes and regrets. And…she’s the biggest one.” He rubbed the scruff around his mouth. “I just wanted to do something good for once in my life. And if I was gonna do that… I was gonna do it for her.”

Ward turned his head to Bucky. “How did you manage it? How did you manage to have it all? You got the Howlies, your family, your girl.. you got it all.”

Bucky sighed and took a sip of his drink. “I don’t know, man. I ask myself that fucking question every damn day.” Then he looked at Ward with a frown. “But I do know that I put them before myself. I choose them over me. And we both know that’s not what you did.”

Ward nodded, knowing he deserved that. “I envy you. I didn’t want to admit that.” He shrugged. “But fuck it. I do envy you.”

Bucky downed the rest of his drink and stood up.

Ward turned to fully face him. “I’m not going back to her... you know, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I know you’re not,” Bucky answered.

Because they both knew that Grant wasn’t good enough for Rebecca. There was a time where he could’ve been. But he threw that chance away when he joined Hydra and broke Rebecca’s heart.

“You’ll look after her, won’t you? Like you always do?” Grant didn’t know why he had to ask. Maybe he just needed Bucky to know that he still cared about her.

Bucky looked at him before nodding his head.

Then he tipped his head, “Ward.”

He did the same, “Barnes.”

————-

Steve watched Rebecca’s face as she processed the news.

She blinked a few times before her eyes glazed over in tears.

What was she meant to feel?

Happiness?

Relief?

Sadness?

Guilt?

Steve reached over and gripped her hand, reminding her that he was there for her.

“What are you thinking?” He asked gently.

She opened her mouth to answer, but then changed her mind and quickly closed it.

“Rebecca, there’s no right answer.”

“I’m…There’s a part of me that’s relieved. Despite knowing Bucky and you and the rest of the Howlies would never let him near me again, there was always a voice in the back of my head that was telling me he was still going to find a way to hurt me.”

She swallowed, realizing her throat was dry. “But I’m also sad because I know that even now that he’s dead…that voice isn’t going to go away. It’s always going to be there.”

Then her tears started falling. “And I’m mad…I’m mad because he turned me into a person who’s happy that someone is dead, that someone was murdered. I don’t want to be that person, Steve.”

He pulled her into him then, wrapping his arms around her protectively. “You’re not a bad person, Rebecca. You’re so much more than what he did to you. It’s barely even a tiny piece of you.”

Steve let her cry it out. Meanwhile he rubbed her back and let her know she was going to be OK.

When she finally freed herself from his grasp, she got caught in his eyes.

Those baby blue eyes that she’s known her whole life.

Before they could mesmerize her like they did when they were younger, she moved further away from him on the couch.

If Steve noticed, he pretended not to.

They weren’t those innocent teenagers anymore. They’d both lived multiple lives since then.

When they were younger, Rebecca could never figure out if she had a crush on Steve or she just didn’t know what it felt like for a boy to treat her kindly.

But none of that mattered anyway, Steve had never looked at Rebecca in any way other than the little sister he never had. That didn’t mean he loved her any less. Because he did love her.

She sniffled and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “Thank you, Steve…for telling me.”

“I know it doesn’t fix everything, but I told Bucky you deserved to know.”

Rebecca nodded. “Things are never going to go back to how they used to be, I know that.” She gave him a shy smile. “But maybe it’s a start.”

-------

Maybe all of you will hate this since Y/N really isn’t in it that much. But whatever. I wrote what I wanted to write.

#howlin' for you #howlin' for you drabbles #howlin' for you one shot #howlin' for you universe #biker!grant ward #biker!ward #marvel biker au #biker!bucky #biker!bucky x reader #biker!steve rogers #rebecca barnes #biker!grant ward x rebecca barnes

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three-drink-amy · 5 years

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All the Shine of a Thousand Spotlights

masterlist - AO3

Chapter Seven - It’s Bad Luck to Say Good Luck on Opening Night

Next week was previews. Jamie knew how important they were, mainly because Claire never let them forget it. Reviewers and hand-picked guests would come to see the show before it opened. If they got shitty reviews, they wouldn’t be open for long. That was how it worked. Or at least, that was how Claire and John assured them it worked. The members of the cast who’d done this multiple times started to get quieter in the days approaching previews. The set was filled with an eerie silence during breaks between scenes.

Jamie used that time to make sure his performance was in tip-top shape. It was now up to him to perfect things as best he could. Occasionally, he’d ask Joe for advice, or sometimes Louise. And both of them were very eager to listen and tell him how to do what he wanted to. He used to go to Claire, but then she’d started avoiding him.

But as previews approached, the other actors sequestered themselves during down time. Jamie wanted someone to talk to. Ideally, he wanted to talk to Claire, but he couldn’t. He spent the few minutes they had during their long-awaited break thinking of her. There wasn’t much more he could tweak on his performance that he hadn’t already tried before. There was no one else to talk to. And so his mind went to Claire.

It happened pretty much constantly. She was always on his mind, one way or another. It had only grown worse as production carried on. He spent every day with her, in awe of her, wanting to be with her. But they couldn’t. The night they’d spent in her office had been really nice. It had felt so natural to be around her, to talk with her for hours. But since that night, he’d barely spoken to her, outside of her giving directions and him asking questions.

The night he’d gone to the bar with the cast, he’d been the one to throw out the suggestion of which bar. Someone had said to yell out a bar and he called out the first one that came to mind. Of course it was where he’d met Claire. She was the only thing that was ever on his mind. He’d gone ahead with Laoghaire to grab a table, cursing everyone else for sticking them together on a mission. When he looked up and saw Claire looking back at him, he almost thought he was imagining it. But she held her stare until Laoghaire demanded his attention. He could tell what she thought, that he was there on a date or something with Laoghaire. There would have been no easy explanation of why he ran over to her, desperate to explain what the situation really was. So he’d stayed put. When Laoghaire headed over to her, he made his best effort to show Claire it wasn’t something romantic. He’d wanted her to stay so badly. Watching her walk away with a crushed look on her face had killed him.

It had also confused him. She’d been the one keeping her distance from him. Granted, once she started, he’d followed suit. He could take a hint. But the look she gave him at the bar, the air between them as he asked her to stay, it seemed like it was something more. He wanted to chase after her, to make her tell him what she was thinking. Instead, he turned when he heard his name being called and sulked over to where the group was starting to form.

That night, he laid awake in bed, contemplating every step of his relationship to Claire. The night they’d met, it was pure fire, pure passion. It came back to him in flashes, often at the wrong time. The way it felt to brush her knee in the bar, to see her react. The way she whispered in his ear, asking him to take her home. The sounds she’d made as he pressed her to the wall of his stairs. The taste of her. The feel of her. The way she looked with her hair spread out across the pillow as he watched her sleep. Things had obviously taken an awkward turn from auditions. But for a while, he felt like they were maybe at least friends. They’d talk occasionally, but always in a friendly manner. And that night in her office was the most comfortable he’d been since he’d auditioned for the play.

She’d drawn back though. And now he didn’t know what they were. Perhaps nothing more than an actor and his director. When he was hesitantly accepting the role, that was the relationship he’d wanted for them. After spending weeks with her and getting to know her better, it wasn’t the relationship he wanted for them anymore. He wanted more. She was his boss, though, and he’d respect that, no matter how much it crushed him. Claire Beauchamp was off limits, and he was fairly sure it was his own doing.

So, now, it was almost previews and his mind was running in a million different circles. He felt like he had whiplash from how fast his mind would snap between thoughts of Claire and trying to focus on his performance. His head fell back against the wall where he sat, looking through the script one more time. Perhaps if he stared at it hard enough, he could unleash the secrets it held. Or maybe he was just losing his mind.

“Everybody!” Claire yelled from the stage. Without any hesitance, Jamie jumped up and strode quickly back to the stage.

He knew Laoghaire and Louise had been going over a scene on the stage. He wondered if they’d done something to set Claire off this way. The cast collected on stage, looking nervously toward their director. Jamie spotted John lingering off Stage Right, watching her curiously.

Claire sighed grandly, looking at everyone in front of her. “People, previews are next week.” Silence followed her statement. She paced in front of them. “It looks good, but it doesn’t look great and that’s what we fucking need.”

Laoghaire was her first victim. “For the love of God, Laoghaire, you could convey some emotion in your face while you’re performing. It wouldn’t kill you.”

Louise was next. “Louise, you need to tighten up the second act, particularly scene five. That is the most important scene for you and if you don’t nail it, the rest of the actors are going to fall flat.”

She turned to the rest of the cast. “And for those of you who are in scenes but don’t speak in that scene, it is alright to react! You don’t have to stand there like a statue until the next time you speak. Humans move, they listen to conversations, their faces display what they’re thinking. You’re allowed to do that as an actor. I genuinely thought a lot of this would be fixed by now — that you’d realize it on your own. I suppose not.”

A few more scared souls got called out by name. Jamie waited, anxious for when it was his turn. He glanced over at Joe and noticed the amused look on his face. Joe’s eyes caught Jamie’s and he gave him a look that said “I’ve been waiting for this.” Jamie felt his face start to match Joe’s.

“And Jamie and Joe,” she called, glaring at the two of them. “You may not have been called out by name this time, but you can wipe those smug grins off your faces. The two of you are far from perfect. You’re just not doing anything at present to warrant my wrath.” Jamie felt his face go slack, perhaps a bit of shock replacing the amusement. He nodded slightly in return.

“People, previews are what determines it all. It makes people buy tickets. And tickets mean money. And money means we run longer. We don’t want to be dead on Opening Night. Pretend you’re professional actors and get your fucking acts together. You’ve all been in a show before right?” No one replied. “Well it’s time to start acting like it. Get back to work. Act II, Scene VI.”

They all scuttled around and got in places. Jamie sat in the chair across the stage from where Claire stood. He watched her as lighting was setting up the scene. He saw the tension and exhaustion on her face. More than anything, he wanted to wrap her up in his arms and remind her of how great she was, of how the show was going to be fine. He wanted to be able to comfort her. While he couldn’t comfort her with his arms or his words, he could comfort her with his performance. If he nailed it all — every line, cue, or movement — maybe that could make her feel relief.

* * *

Previews had, thankfully, gone rather well. I checked a few reviews online and we’d gotten high praise. John and I had shared a relieved smile the first day we walked into the theater after reviews came out. It was a handful of reviewers, enough to entice people to buy tickets and to encourage other critics to come see the show. John picked the people who were allowed to come to previews and he never failed to pick the right people. This was part of why I continued to work with him.

We had a few days to tweak what needed it, but then it was Opening Night. I entered the theater, preparing myself for the chaos that always accompanied the first night of a show. I took a pitstop in my office to take a breather before standing in front of the cast and crew. I didn’t want anyone to know that I was just as nervous as they were.

Most of the cast was in makeup or getting into their costumes when I found them. Jamie turned toward me, throwing me off with his dazzling smile. I returned a half-hearted one. When everyone was ready, we congregated backstage. I stood before them, ready to give one more pep talk.

“It’s Opening Night, people,” I told them, needlessly. “We made it. You all know exactly what you need to do today and I have no doubt that you’ll pull it off. You’re all the people we wanted in these roles and on this stage. I trust in each and every one of you to go out there and put on one hell of a show. You can do this!”

An echo of “Yeahs” and “Thanks” came from the group before me. I nodded to them, urging them to take one more moment to themselves before we found our places in ten minutes time.

I walked off toward the stage, grabbing my headset, and communicating with the crew. A tap on my shoulder made me turn around. Uncle Lamb stood before me with the brightest smile on his face. I immediately wrapped him in a tight hug. Suddenly, it all felt right again. “You’re here,” I said stupidly.

He gave me a look. “Of course I’m here. It’s your Opening Night. Where else would I be?”

“Thank you,” I told him taking his hand. “I love you, Lamb.” We didn’t say it often, but I always meant it.

He squeezed my hand back. “I love you, too, my dear sweet Claire. I’ve heard very promising things and I know you’re going to knock ‘em dead!”

I felt tears brimming in my eyes. “Thank you.” I saw the house lights blinking. “You should go take your seat.”

Lamb nodded to me once, flashing me another big smile. “Break a leg, Darling.”

I watched him walk back out to the house, no doubt sitting in the front row like he always did. I knew I owed my career to him, but his support of me sometimes still blew me away.

Pulling myself together, I watched as the actors found their places. I was backstage, finishing up checking with a crewman when I spotted Jamie. He was shaking out his hands, seemingly deep in his mind. I was almost hesitant to approach him, lest I shake him from whatever process he was in.

He looked up and saw me. I took a few more steps toward him, still staying an appropriate distance away. “Break a leg,” I told him.

Smiling at me, he nodded. “Thank ye, Sassenach.”

I couldn’t fight my responding smile, so much as I wanted to. The name only came out occasionally, and not since the night in my office. I stared at him for a moment. A bit longer than I should have. All my feelings from the past few months welled up inside me, making me feel almost out of control. I reached forward, grabbing his hand. “You’ll be great.”

Jamie looked at our hands before looking up at me. “Thank you.”

The moment ended and I let go of him, walking past him to continue making sure things were running on schedule backstage. I stepped up next to John. He looked over at me with a comforting smile. No one had been around as I’d had my moment with Jamie. But John’s smile comforted my hurting heart all the same. “We did it,” he whispered to me as the house lights started to dim. “Well, really, you did it.”

I smiled, knocking my shoulder into his. “Thanks, John. I couldn’t have done it without you.” I cupped my hand around the headset and spoke into it. “Okay, curtain up. Lights on. Enter Jamie.”

* * *

The show had gone spectacularly. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as I met with fellow Broadway directors who’d stepped out to see the show or friends who’d come to support me. It had all come together beautifully. My favorite part of a show had landed just the way I wanted it to. I spotted various members of the cast heading out as I walked around backstage. I’d heard Louise was hosting some after party. I was fairly certain I hadn’t seen Jamie leave yet though.

I knocked once on his dressing room door before I heard the call to come in. My smile was still on my face as I walked in, surprised by new people joining Jamie. He was out of costume, standing there with four other people.

“Claire!” he greeted, a large smile on his face.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you,” I said, quickly turning to leave.

“No, wait!” I turned back to see him, an arm stretched out. “Ye’re no’ interrupting. This is my family.” I looked around and suddenly I saw it. The older woman with the stark red hair, same as his. The smaller brunette woman next to him with the same eyes. The older man with a similar build. “Everyone, this is Claire...my director,” he quickly added.

Before I had a moment to move past the sting from that title (even though I bloody was his director), his mother threw her arms around me, clutching me tightly to her. “It’s so lovely to meet ye, Claire!”

“Mam, for the love of God!”

She pulled back and looked at me, a bashful look on her face. “Sorry. I’m a hugger. I just wanted to say thank ye for all ye’ve done for my son. Giving him this part and this huge opportunity.”

My eyes glanced over to see Jamie looking embarrassed. A smile widened on my face. “Well, I promise you, I didn’t do all that much. He earned every bit of it. We couldn’t have cast him if he hadn’t been perfect for the role. And I mean, you saw it. You can see how great he is.” My last statement was more or less said to him. His eyes held mine.

“Well, either way, we’re verra appreciative,” his father said, reaching out to shake my hand.

“I’m just happy you all could come in from Scotland,” I replied. “That’s so wonderful.”

“Och, well we couldna have missed the lad making his big break,” a younger man with light hair said, holding out his hand to me. “Ian Murray, Jamie’s brother-in-law. And best friend.”

I laughed at the addition. “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. Will you be able to stay long?”

“Oh aye,” his sister replied. “We’re making a trip of it. Spending a whole week here.”

“That’s lovely!”

“Aye, we’ll be back to see a few more showings for Jamie,” his mother told me. “Of course, we did want to check out other shows while we’re here in New York.”

“Yeah, Mam got us tickets to see Hamilton,” his sister said excitedly.

I laughed as I watched Jamie’s face fall. “You’re fecking kidding me.”

“No. I dinna ken how she did it and she willna tell us.”

Both Fraser children turned to look at their mother. She just shrugged, a smug grin on her face. I liked her already.

“Well, I won’t keep any more of your time. Jamie, I just wanted to tell you what a great job you did. It was lovely to meet all of you,” I said, trying to back out of the dressing room.

“Claire,” Jamie called, stopping me again. “Are ye going to the after party, then?”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t think so. It’s not usually my scene.”

“But ye should!” Jamie insisted. “Tis as much for ye as it is for us.”

I stared at him, noting the desperation on his face. It confused me. The situation we were in was his doing. I reminded myself that I didn’t even know if he felt a fraction of what I did. “Well, we’ll see.” I looked back at his family. “I hope you have a great time here in New York. It was so nice to meet you.” And I turned and walked from the room before Jamie could stop me a third time.

* * *

Jamie sighed, sinking back against the counter as the door closed behind Claire. His family was silent around him. He felt their eyes on him, though. If they weren’t there, he’d have had half a mind to chase after Claire.

“Okay, I’ll be the one to ask,” Jenny said, breaking the silence. “So, what’s going on between you and yer director?”

His head shot over to look at his sister. “Excuse me?”

“Oh, we could all see it, Jamie. Tis quite clear something is,” Ian told him.

He stared at Ian and Jenny’s knowing faces, confusion filling him. “There’s nothing,” he told them honestly. At that point in time, nothing was happening.

“Son, I hate to say it, but Jenny and Ian are right. It does seem like there’s at least something there.”

“Da!” Jamie replied. “Ye really believe them over me?”

“I believe what I see,” Brian retorted. “And there certainly seemed like something was going on.”

Jamie’s eyes closed as he shook his head. “That’s no’ possible. We…” he trailed off, not sure how to finish it.

Jenny leaned her shoulder against him. “Why are ye so sure that there’s nothing?”

“It’s no’ that I think there’s nothing. It’s that there can be nothing. And besides, I dinna think she feels that way. No’ for me,” Jamie spoke vaguely.

“Here’s what I saw,” Jenny told him. “I saw a big Broadway director come here just to tell ye how great a job ye did. I tend to doubt she goes around to everyone in the cast and crew to do that. Would ye all agree?” Three other heads nodded in agreement. “Then, not only did she do that, but she stayed and talked with yer family, telling them how perfect ye were for the part. And flashing ye little looks the whole time. There’s something there, whether ye believe us or not. My theory is that she has feelings for ye.” She turned and looked at Jamie. “Now, are ye really going to stand here and tell us that nothing’s happened between ye two?”

Jamie found the chair in the room and sank down into it. “No,” he said in a small voice. “But it’s more complicated than that.”

Eight eyes stared back at him, urging him to tell the story.

“Man, just tell us,” Ian finally prodded.

Jamie nodded. “Alright, so the night before my audition for the show, I was… a bit nervous. So, I went out to a bar to get a drink and take the edge off. While I was there, I met Claire, but I didna ken who she was.”

“So, what, ye flirted a bit and now that ye work together, ye want more?” Jenny asked.

Jamie grimaced a bit. “No’ quite.” He glanced at his parents, wishing they didn’t have to hear this part. “We, uh, spent the night together,” he told them all, looking at his hands.

“Nice!” Ian cheered. Jenny glared at him. As did Jamie. “Sorry. Please continue.”

“So, she had used a fake name because she wanted some anonymity. And I had no clue who she was. But then the next day at my audition...there she was. I was angry and confused and feeling all sorts of things. I didna want the part. I mean, I desperately wanted the part, but no’ like that. I didna want anyone to think that I’d done anything unseemly to get it,” Jamie promised them. “So I was ready to turn it down until Claire convinced me to take it.”

“She convinced you to take it?” his mother asked. Jamie nodded.

“How?” Jenny pressed.

Jamie sighed, remembering that night all those months ago that he’d gotten that call from Claire. “She offered to step down as director if I would take the role. They apparently really wanted me to have the part and she didn’t want to stand in my way or something.”

Jenny’s head whipped around as she looked at each other member of his family. “I’m sorry, she volunteered to give up her own position so that you would take this part?” Jamie nodded. “Holy shit, Jamie, ye’re a blind idiot.”

“What?” he asked, a bit offended.

“She clearly has some sort of feelings for ye! She offered to give up everything so that ye could have this part. Jamie, that’s no’ something ye do for no reason!” Jamie started to shake his head and Jenny groaned. She knelt down in front of his chair, meeting his eyeline. “Okay, so after ye spent the night together, did ye make plans to see each other again before ye ran into each other at auditions?”

“No’ solid plans. We agreed that we should, but –”

“Did ye develop feelings for her while ye worked together on this play?” Jenny continued. Jamie’s silence spoke volumes and he knew it. He looked away from his sister and she knew. “What makes ye think that she couldn’t be feeling the exact same thing?”

“Because she stopped talking to me. She pulled back.”

Jenny rolled her eyes. “Probably because she cared for ye and it was getting too hard, ye daft fool!”

Jamie sighed, looking around at his family. “Ye really think that Claire has some sort of feelings for me?”

They all gave a resounding “Yes.”

“Well, what do I do?”

“Christ, Jamie, I thought ye had more sense than this,” Jenny groaned. “Go after her!”

He stood up, ready to do so, before he looked at his family. “Well, what about all of ye?”

“We’re adults, my boy, I think we can get back to our hotel on our own,” his mother told him with a pat to his cheek. “This seems more important.”

“Go get her, lad!” Ian called.

Jamie nodded to them once, thanking them quickly before he sprinted from the dressing room, looking around frantically before he left the theater at large. Pulling out his phone, he took a risk.

“Hello?”

“John, I need to ask ye something.”

“What’s up?”

“Where does Claire live?”

John paused. “I’m sorry, what?”

Jamie cringed as he lingered outside the theater. “Look, my mom has some silly notion of sending Claire flowers for my career or something,” he offered as means of a lame explanation, “but I dinna ken her address.”

“Oh,” John replied. Jamie wasn’t sure how much he bought it. “Do you have a pen?”

“Shit, no.”

John laughed. “Okay, I’ll text it to you.”

“Thank ye. Sooner the better, please!”

They hung up and Jamie bounced on his feet until John’s text came through. The minute he had her address, he was plugging it into Uber, hoping a ride was close by. The closest ride was three minutes away.

It was the longest three minutes of Jamie’s life. He talked himself in and out of this plan too many times to count. Knowing that Claire might have feelings for him didn’t really change anything. But seeing her with his family, seemingly so at ease, unlocked something in him. He hoped he wasn’t about to make a fool of himself to her, but damn it, he had to try something. The agony of being so close and not being able to do anything about it was too much. He had to tell her.

The Uber finally arrived and Jamie mentally urged him to drive faster and faster. After far too long for his liking, they finally arrived at Claire’s building. Looking up, Jamie felt a bit of intimidation. It was a nice place. Even if she said she didn’t, she really must have thought his place was trash. Shaking his observations off, he ran forward to press for her unit. There was no response. He tried again. Still no response. After five more tries, he started to think that maybe she wasn’t home. He’d come so far only to end here. Looking at the other buttons, he had an idea. After four other buttons, someone buzzed him in.

Pumping his fist in the air, he ran forward to get the door before it locked again. He found her floor and then her door. Taking a moment to calm his nerves, Jamie lifted his hand to knock.

There was still no answer.

She hadn’t been at the theater. He’d looked. There was no way he’d beaten her home. Shaking his head, he decided to wait for her. He’d made it this far; he wasn’t giving up yet.

* * *

I could hear the music pouring from Louise’s brownstone from the street. I pitied her neighbors tonight. Also, probably her husband.

I didn’t usually like to go to after parties. For whatever reason, I thought it made me lose some of my authority. If they saw me dancing like a fool and drinking like a sailor, they’d respect me less. It could have just been a weird theory I’d come up with, but either way, I didn’t usually go. Of course it was Jamie-fucking-Fraser who finally convinced me to attend.

What did I think was going to happen? Would I get drunk and finally tell him all that I felt? Doubtful. It was pointless to be there. But I wanted to be around him, so there I was, wading into the sea of cast, crew, and others just to see one person. The party was already in full swing by the time I’d arrived.

Louise was the first person to see me. “Claire!” she screeched. “You made it!” She pushed a drink in my hand like we were teenagers at a high school party.

“What is this?” I asked, gesturing with my cup.

“Oh, just a red wine. We didn’t want to break the stemware.” I laughed loudly before taking a drink. “What made you come? You usually don’t.”

I shrugged, aiming for nonchalance. “I don’t know. Jamie kind of convinced me I should come. Seemed kind of like a good time, I suppose.”

Louise looked confused. “That’s odd. He’s not even here.”

I looked around the crowded room. “He’s not?”

Louise shook her head. “No. He seemed psyched about it when I saw him earlier. He told me he was going to send his family back to their hotel and be here. But he never showed up.”

“Weird,” I replied, hoping she couldn’t see the wheels turning in my mind. If Jamie wasn’t here, I didn’t really want to stay. I wondered how long I needed to pretend to party before I snuck out and headed home.

I talked to Joe very briefly as I drank the cup of wine I’d been given. When I finished the cup, I gestured like I was going to get more. He nodded, turning to his wife. Walking from Joe, I threw my cup in the trash and walked out the door. An overwhelming sense of disappointment flowed through me.

I didn’t know what I was expecting. Nothing was going to change between me and Jamie tonight. All the reasons I’d withdrawn remained true. But there had been a small seed of hope in me, even if I didn’t know why.

Rolling my eyes, I planned to go home and drown my sorrows in whatever bottle was nearest to me. The further I got from the loud party, home sounded even better.

Next chapter

#outlander #outlander fanfiction #outlander fanfic #my writing #all the shine of a thousand spotlights

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sweetdejun · 4 years

Text

coterie: the poker chip (1/2)

gang!x1 x fem!reader

synopsis: you’re an ordinary girl, with an ordinary life. but what happens when you catch the gang that is famous for keeping their deeds under the table, in action?

coterie’s masterlist can be found here

pairing: cha junho and y/n

a/n: mentions of violence and cursing, so proceed with caution.

you held the poker chip out in front of everyone, making sure each of them could see it. before anyone says anything, you’re determined to figure out whose this is; there’s a guy who shows a defeated reaction, muttering something to the guy next to him. that guy’s face remains unchanged. you rule him out too, there’s no way this is his. there are a few of the guys who show relieved looks on their faces, and you rule them out too. who is it? seungwoo clears his throat, “it seems like you’ve picked junho, y/n. junho, go ahead and brief her. the rest of you, come with me, I’ve your assignments. junho, I’ll contact you later for yours.” and all but one of the boys follow seungwoo out of the room. the one you ruled out early on turned out to be the owner of the poker chip. he approached you, with the same blank look on his face and reached out his hand to introduce himself. you shook his hand with a confused look in your eyes. he seemed to notice, and he started, “you must be thinking why I didn’t react when you chose my object. come with me, I’ll explain it to you.” and he turned on his heel, before heading towards one of the many corners of the mansion. you followed him step after step, and he began to speak. his voice was low so in order to hear him clearer, you caught up to him, now walking side by side with junho. “first and foremost, I’m cha junho. I’m twenty years old, I have been a part of x1 for roughly three years now, but I’ve been in the business since I could walk.” you go down a hallway that gradually gets darker; are the lights dimming, or is there an overall absence of light from this area? it sure as shit can’t be that they can’t afford electricity. junho continues walking, and your pace starts to slow until finally, he comes to a stop. “what business, you’re probably thinking, right?” he says, and digs in his pocket, fishing out a key and sticks it in what you can assume is a keyhole (not that you could see much). “was it hand-reading, or were you a psychic?” you sarcastically answer him, and he stays silent before answering, “I’m not sure what you meant.” inhaling sharply, you tell him that it was a joke, and you explained that the joke was that he was saying all the things you were thinking aloud like he knew what was going on in your head. now that you had to explain yourself, the joke lost some of its humor which made you furrow your eyebrows. “ah, I understand now. please know that I don’t really get sarcasm, so if you use it with me, I’ll probably have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m very straightforward.” wow, this is the guy you were stuck with? a breathing machine? your luck is fantastic. “I should be a bit clear about what I do,” he started and opened a door, before getting to the side. “after you.” you step into the dark room before a light flicks on. this reveals a myriad of different weapons along a huge wall, and in front of it is a table that holds multiple weapons as well. “holy shit. what- what is all this?” you breathe out, your eyes wide with surprise. “this is the business.”

you turn back around, and leaning against the doorframe is junho, with a revolver spinning on his finger. once he notices your gaze, it comes to a halt perfectly, and he lifts the gun in front of his face, before finally flitting his gaze over to you. “I chose the poker chip because like the card game poker if you bluff enough, you can win. in other words, if you keep your face blank enough, you can win.” you carefully lean against the table, making sure none of the numbers of blades are near you before you shift your focus back on junho. “I don’t understand.” junho puts the revolver back on its place, then he starts, “my job in this team is to kill. I’ve killed many people, and almost every time, I’ve gone unnoticed. I’ll do the job and disappear. that’s how I’ll get away with it and the reason why I get away with it is because I keep a poker face. even if I miss one little thing, I’m off the hook because they say, ‘he doesn’t look like he did it.’” your gaze freezes in fear because you wouldn’t put two and two together; even if he didn’t tell you any of this, you would have never guessed he was a killer. “do you remember the death of that one big business guy a few months back? the one who owned that building in the city? well, he asked us to borrow some of our weapons, and he ended up trying to sell them to a third party who just so happened to contact us.” junho starts, and the image is blurry in your head but you remember it. it was huge and all over the news that they never found the killer, and then your eyebrows rise in realization. “was that you?” and he nods. you let out a noise of astonishment. that just means one thing: he is great at his job. so you tell him that. “wow, you’re really good at it, then. I wouldn’t have even dreamed that you, uh... do what you do, let alone being the face of the nation’s most memorable assassinations.” and you see the first instant of emotion on junho’s face when he gives you a weak smile at that. “thank you for the compliment. it seems very bad, but I promise, I only kill the bad guys. and that too, after I get the background check and face details from dongpyo and wooseok.” your attention goes to the weapons neatly lined up on the wall, and you’ve watched movies and tv, but you’ve never seen weapons like these before. retractable blades and god knows what, your eyes wandered in wonder and you breathed out, “wow, how do you get access to these weapons?” junho shrugged, moving to stand next to you and mumbles, “well, we have our...source, who’s in charge of making the weapons for us, and by ‘us’, I mean eunsang and me, since we deal more with the violent stuff. of course, you could easily read emotions across his face, which is why seungwoo hyung assigned this position to me.” and as your eyes scan the intricate details on said weapons, and the small x1 emblem twinkles under the lights on the ceiling.

“y/n, I have an important question for you,” and you turn towards junho and urge him to continue. “well, you’ve chosen me to work with. and now you’re also aware of what I do. what do you think you’ll be able to assist me with?” you completely forgot about it for a minute. you couldn’t possibly come up with what exactly you’d do if you worked for junho, besides... helping him with the killings. “I’m not entirely sure what there is for me to do, besides, uh, killing. but I don’t think I’m comfortable with that yet.” junho sighed understandingly, then started, “I won’t do that to you yet. hmm, let me think.” just then, junho received a notification from his phone, diverting his attention from you momentarily. “it’s from seungwoo hyung, he’s calling me to his office. you stay here, it shouldn’t take longer than ten minutes. feel free to look around, just don’t touch anything, as you may injure yourself. I will leave you to it, then.” and he stepped out, leaving you in this...chamber of weapons. what would you do, exactly? you’re sure there is more to this job than killing. the research, the disguise, but that stuff’s taken care of by wooseok and dongpyo, but maybe you could help them with that. or maybe you could be like a... secretary. no, that doesn’t fit with his job. “what the fuck am I gonna do here...” you mumble aloud, and you huff and sit on the ground, which seems to be the only safe space where you could trust yourself to sit. just then, junho opened the door and found you on the floor, your eyes focused on a corner, in thought. then it hits you; who is there to make sure things are going well, and junho goes unnoticed? junho makes sure of it to some extent, you’re sure, but what if you helped him out with that. “junho, I think I have an idea. what if I’m like your guide, or something? like I’ll tell you about your surroundings and I’ll help you run through things smoothly, overall. I don’t trust myself with a weapon yet, as you may have noticed.” and junho stands still, eyes blinking at a constant speed. the air in the room remains quiet and awkward, before he breaths out, “that sounds like a good idea. I guess it makes things a bit easier for me, too. I’ll be able to focus on the job at hand instead of having to worry about what’s going on around me.” you stand up, and your eyebrows go up and junho blinks back at you robotically. “so, does that sound good?” junho nods and says, “we start prepping for our next mission tomorrow, so please be awake by 7 in the morning. I will see you soon, y/n.” and you leave the weapon room and head to yours, excited for what awaits you the next morning.

a/n: ahhhhh there we have it! sorry it took so long, everyone! a LOT has happened over the past few weeks; I was out of town, then x1 disbanded, then I had some personal problems going on and then classes started back up so there was really no way for me to send this out sooner, so thanks for being patient with me! nevertheless, I hope everyone enjoys it, and it’s good to be back on the writing scene!

#cha junho #x1 junho #coterie #coterie by sweetdejun #x1 series #x1 #X1 aus #x1 au #x1 fanfic #kpop #kpop aus #kpop writing #kpop au #kpop series #비상: QUANTUM LEAP #x1 quantum leap #quantum leap au #quantum leap #sweetdejun

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wftc141 · 4 years

Text

Voltron: Global Military Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Unit-Chapter 9: Kingfish

1300 Hours

02/13/18

Goiânia, Brazil

While the analysts continued to go through intel on Sendak's location, the Voltron Lions spent the rest of the night at a local pub for some quality time together. Lance, Hunk and Keith competed against each other in pool while Pidge watched with her glass of Coke. Hunk however stopped the entire game with a story of his life when Lance asked him.

"So you're saying you set off a fire bomb during senior high?" Lance repeated.

"Yep," Hunk answered. "My stupid ass thought it was a good idea to light a firecracker with spray paint in the bathroom. I was a firework enthusiast back then. I ended up with a three day suspension but somebody from the Army was impressed about it and recommended me to the military. So I took that offer after graduation. Got into the EOD for a couple of years before I joined the Rangers."

"That's one way to get noticed."

"So, how many bombs did you defuse while you were in the army?" Keith asked.

Hunk paused for a moment while his eyes remained fixated. Lance lifted his beer to his mouth and took a swig.

"Well...I would say 50 and during my time with the Rangers...250."

Lance suddenly spewed his drink out, spilling it onto the pool table. Other bar goers glanced at them in confusion while Keith and Pidge were equally surprised.

"250 bombs?!" Lance blurted out.

"Holy shit, dude." Keith muttered.

Hunk chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah. While we were on tour, there was this Taliban, don't remember his name. Had a record of planting and detonating IEDs on Afghan troops, including a Blackwater patrol. He planted one next to where me and my unit were while we were on overwatch. I managed to find that bomb and disarm it. And that was not all. When me and my team evacuated from the building we were in, the guy was stupid enough to check on his IED. Once he got there...let's just say he now knows what it feels like to get blown up by his own bomb."

The team already surprised and astonished than they usually were. Lance in particular was confounded and invested for more.

"Yo, that was pure badassery," Lance said, pointing at Hunk with his beer. "You gotta tell us more while we get some more drinks."

Lance and Hunk moved away from the pool table and headed for the bar, leaving Keith and Pidge by themselves. Keith watched as Lance slapped Hunk's back, laughing his head off.

"Wish we had him in our Battalion." Pidge commented, grabbing Keith's attention.

"Yeah but you forgot our C.O was an asshole and would probably be less welcome about Hunk." Keith replied.

"If he saw what Hunk did, he'll probably piss himself and would rather hand his leadership to him."

Keith nodded, silently agreeing before looking away.

"So, how's things with Lance?" Pidge's asked.

"Hm?" Keith glanced at her who was smirking in a teasing manner, in which Keith wasn't fond of.

"You two seem to be getting along really well."

He sighed and looked away once again. "Yeah...he's alright."

"Oh my goodness. It is true! Keith Yeun has admitted that he likes Lance!"

Keith was unable to control his smile before letting a chuckle slip out of his mouth. "Stop."

They went at it for a moment before calming down. Keith then glanced at Pidge's who took a sip of her drink. There was something he wanted to ask. Tensions with NATO is potentially going to escalate if nothing's done to persuade them in withdrawing their decision to shut them down. But Keith felt like there were ulterior motives inside, besides their experiences.

"What's your opinion on NATO?" He asked.

Pidge lowered her glass, sighing. Her eyes gazed forward without a glimpse on Keith.

"We've made some mistakes but that doesn't mean Voltron should be to blame for," She answered, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Either NATO's scared or they just don't trust us."

"Makes sense. Hopefully it won't come to this and they'll allow us to go after the real enemies before more casualties arise."

"Amen to that."

Suddenly, Keith felt his pocket buzz. It was another text message to report back. He got his phone out and read the message before looking at Pidge's who also received one too. They both finished their drinks and headed for the door, alongside Hunk and Lance who had just paid for their drinks. One part of Keith's mind thought that the meeting would be bad news but they'll have to see for themselves.

1320 Hours

The team arrived at the hideout where Shiro and Allura were both waiting for them with Colbert accompanying them. They took the seats allocated for them, facing the board full of intel and pinned photographs. Once they were seated, Allura began her briefing.

"We finally have confirmation on Sendak's whereabouts," Allura said. "The satellite pictures we were provided has found him at the favelas in Rio de Janeiro with his Galra forces where a local militia is assisting them."

"What is this, Modern Warfare? Are they taking it straight off the game or somethin'?" Lance asked.

"Dunno," Colbert shrugged. "That part of the slums is a haven for shady business and organizations as there's no chance you'll find a good place for cover. The locals who live there may join the fight too and eventually vanish off the surface. This militia isn't a bunch of thugs. They're trained killers. They were responsible for multiple murder counts and all that bad shit for the past ten years. It's been giving the military a headache in dealing with them, especially with the casualties they suffered."

"The BOPE were more than happy to lend support and they will be taking point to lead us to the militia's district. We'll need to be quiet on this because the militia does use locals as spotters."

"What about the situation with NATO?" Keith asked.

Everybody turned to Allura and Shiro who were silent. There was still nothing they could find or hear from as of yet.

"We're still working on that," Shiro said. "For now, our mission is bringing Sendak in."

The team began to file out of the room, leaving Shiro and Allura together.

"Hopefully Coran and his analysts know what they're doing." Shiro commented.

"I'm sure they're getting to the bottom of this," She replied. "We just need to bring in Sendak and then we'll focus on the rest."

"You're right."

Allura glanced at Shiro who looked as though he was concerned about something.

"Will you be alright?" Allura asked.

"I will," Shiro answered. "We just have to reach him before he does anything else."

1333 Hours

Coran hung up on the phone and let out a sigh. The damp, lukewarm air floated across the room with the ceiling lights barely bright. The others were already getting themselves ready for another operation that isn't NATO-approved yet a worthy risk. Coran can hear the keyboard tapping near him where Gold was.

"Sir," Gold suddenly called out. "I'm in the servers."

Turning around, he approached Gold who was fixated on the bright screen.

"You're in?" Coran asked.

"Yep, only got a short period of time before they find out who's snooping around."

"That's all the time we need."

Gold began to tap away. Coran watched the screen as he scrolled and changed tab by tab. His experience with the Intelligence Corps and Interpol did pay off after all. Gold was one of those focused and dedicated people Coran knew back in the day. Although he maintained an easy-going attitude outside of work, Gold was quite the magic when Coran first met him. Shortly, Gold stopped typing.

"Found it, sir." He said.

Coran leaned over for a closer view. The screen showed several files inside a folder involving Voltron. There was a lot of files which could contain something useful. Coran ordered him to get the files copied and Gold was already on it. He continued to tap on the keyboard, getting all the files in their drive.

"What is Codename Osiris?" Gold asked.

Coran leaned forward and looked at where the cursor was on. There was a file document titled 'Codename: Osiris'.

"That was the name of our mission in Prague…" Coran muttered before shaking his head. "I don't think it matters. Just get everything copied and we'll sort them out later."

Gold nodded while seemingly disappointed about the response. As he got on with his job, Coran couldn't help but wonder about the operation in Prague. Was there something off behind the reason for the operation?

0700 Hours

02/14/18

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Voltron team were immediately greeted with the bright, golden sunrise from the distance as soon as they got off. Dressed in full combat gear to match with their fellow BOPE soldiers, they followed the nine-man team taking point through the cramped streets. The BOPE seemed to know more about the favela more than Voltron does, taking them through areas that aren't usually open to attacks. But the team as always, was accompanied by their recon drone hovering above them with thermal lens.

The streets were eerily quieter than usual, as described by their team leader Cardozo. The shops and houses were barred shut and the windows were pitch black. Shiro glanced around the empty pathway they were on while still keeping his guard up. He couldn't help but feel as if they were being lured into a trap. No favela would be this quiet, even for a place that is infested with armed killers. But the locals at this time would still be fast asleep. Shiro briefly glanced at Keith who was beside him sharing that unsettling feeling.

As the team moved forward into the darker area, Shiro looked up to the rooftops where the buildings cut the sun off. He could feel his heart pacing but he had to keep calm, no matter what.

"You think they would be nice to offer some breakfast? Cos' I'm a little starving." Lance whispered, tugging his shirt collar.

"Santos, focus." Shiro replied.

The team continued to walk down the path in the midst of dead silence. They felt like prey walking into the den of the predators. Something was already off. But they couldn't tell what it was. Once they reached another street, everybody's comm buzzed.

"Lions and Apex 5, you got contacts above you from both sides!" Allura warned.

By the time they heard the news, gunfire erupted from above like a supercell. Everybody was dashing for cover, even though there was not much to hide from. The team lost two BOPE soldiers to the militia. Shiro dived behind an old truck with Cardozo as bullets hailed against it while the others are scattered around the street.

"Seriously? No breakfast?" Lance joked through the gunfire.

"Not now, Lance!" Keith replied.

Shiro risked a peek through the windows to count about a handful of militants with Soviet weapons on each roof before firing back. He managed to shoot one of them trying to load an RPG, causing it to discharge and blow up the entire roof he was on alongside the militants near him. Debris began to scatter around the street and the team began to fight back. Shiro quickly changed mags as Cardozo approached him.

"My men will stay here and hold these Filhos da putas off! You go find the target!"

"Got it," Shiro nodded. "Lions, fall out on me! Apex 1 will stay and hold these guys off!"

The team began to cross the intersection and headed down the alley as the gunfire behind them continued to rumble throughout the favela. They advanced down the narrow hill while reloading their weapons.

"Zero to Black Lion, Kingfish is at the red building near the soccer field southeast."

Shiro said into his comm. "Copy, Zero. Out."

As they reached the alleyway, a loud crack from a distance erupted and Keith fell backwards. Sniper fire. Shiro and the group quickly took cover as another shot went for them, hitting a car windshield nearby.

"Keith!" Pidge's called out.

He was still clinging to his chest where he was hit, gritting his teeth to the pain. Keith was not to move so the sniper wouldn't focus on him. He could still feel the 7.62 round to his plate carrier. All he could do was cough out short, detached breaths. Shiro noticed Keith reach for his comm.

"Sn-sniper...400 yards front...sc-scope flash from the center window of the blue house."

Shiro glanced at Lance who was immediately on it. He positioned his HK416 with the sniper scope on the car he was hiding behind and scoped out for the sniper. He calculated his shot for 3 seconds before pulling the trigger. The flash from the window disappeared and he noticed the rifle fall off the window.

"He's down!" Lance called out.

The team got out of cover and quickly set up a perimeter around Keith. Shiro and Hunk kept watch while Lance and Pidge checked on Keith.

"Keith you good?" Lance asked, lending him a hand.

He didn't hesitate to grab it, although his chest still hurts. "Yep, thanks for that."

Shiro approached Keith and checked his plate carrier for the bullet wound.

"How bad is it?" He asked.

"Its okay," Keith assured, tapping the bullet area. "Only hit the plate. Nothing fatal."

Shiro nodded, relieved of his safety. Without wasting anymore time, the team continued their way to Sendak's location.

Allura tapped into Shiro's group after watching the feed of them taking cover from gunfire.

"Zero to Black Lion, status report, over."

"Black Lion to Zero, Red Lion was hit by a sniper round but the shot wasn't fatal. Heading towards the location, over." Shiro replied on comms.

"Copy Black Lion. Out."

Allura then changed channels to the BOPE team. They were still covering fire for the Voltron team.

"Zero to Apex team. Status."

"This is Apex 5-1, we're still holding position and covering for Lion team!" Cardozo said over the firefight. "We're still going to hold as much as we can, over!"

"Copy, Apex. If you're taking any casualties pull out immediately, over."

"Copy. Apex 5-1 out!"

Once the feed was cut off, Allura stepped back and sighed deeply before glancing at Colbert who was still controlling the drone.

"I hope your team completes this mission, Major." The BOPE captain said.

"I hope so too, Captain." Allura replied.

There was silence in the room other than distorted gunfire. Then, Shiro's comm buzzed.

"Zero, this is Black Lion. We have finally reached the building."

Shiro breached the door into the house. After a quick sweep with a group of militants down, Shiro advanced up the stairs with the rest following him. They stacked up behind a closed door and after a countdown, Lance stepped forward and kicked the door down and the team stormed in with weapons raised. As predicted, Sendak was inside but surprisingly, he was sitting at a table with a tea set unfazed by their intrusion.

"DON'T MOVE!" Lance yelled.

"Now, now, boys. No need for the hostility." Sendak said and stood up with both of his hands raised. "I surrender."

Shiro approached Sendak up close. He was already feeling that urge to act up and do something horrible to his face after all those years Sendak put him in. Those scenes were vivid. Shiro could immediately picture his fallen comrades' bodies and Sven… he deserved something worse. But he knew better than to let his anger take control, especially after what happened back in Al-Khor.

"Nice to see you again, Commander Shirogane." Sendak said, giving him that smirk. It was enough to drive someone mad.

"Keep your mouth shut and maybe you'll see the sunrise again." Shiro hissed.

He pulled him away from the table and cuffed his hands. Once he was fully secure, Shiro tapped into his comm.

"Black Lion to Zero," he said. "We have Kingfish. I repeat, we have Kingfish, over."

#voltron #voltron legendary defender #voltron fanfic #voltron fanfiction #fanfic #fanfiction #fanfics #fanfictions #my fanfic #my fanfictions #my fanfics #my fanfiction #voltron: global military Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism unit #modern covert counter-terrorist au #modern covert counter-terrorism au #covert counter-terrorist au #covert counter-terrorism au

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imaginetonyandbucky · 5 years

Text

Phase Change: Chapter 1

The man who used to be both Bucky Barnes and the Winter Soldier but now is neither has to figure out who he is and what he wants, with a little prodding from Tony along the way.

Prompt: “I love Tony x Winter Soldier, so pretty please, can one of you write something with Bucky in WS mode? Idk, maybe WS who doesn't understand concept of feelings, but he's aware that he has them and he doesn't know what to do with them, so he decides to ask Tony, who is not only genius but also the object of those feelings, so he's perfect person to ask in Soldiers reasoning...”

Also on AO3

The soldier aka James Buchanan Barnes code name ‘Bucky’ distinctly remembers the first time he saw Anthony Edward Stark also known as Tony code name ‘Iron Man.’ He had been stepping off the jet that had been used to transport him to Stark Tower, where he was being remanded to the custody of the Avengers until, as one SHIELD officer put it when he didn’t realize the soldier was listening, “the government figures out what to do with him.” Anthony Edward Stark was standing on the landing pad, flanked by people, some of whom the soldier recognized, some he didn’t, but all of which were watching him with varying degrees of wariness. At the feeling of all of those eyes on him the soldier slowed, heart pounding as adrenaline flooded him. He gritted his teeth and flexed his hands, trying to choke down the urge to lash out, to fight back, to run, and the effort made his steps grind to a halt halfway across the landing pad.

Anthony Edward Stark was the one who took two steps forward when everyone tensed, who pushed his sunglasses down his nose so he could look the soldier in the eye. He raised his chin, jaw tight, as Stark studied him, and then watched in surprise as wariness turned to understanding. Stark gave him a short nod and then the sunglasses were back in place as he turned away towards the others. “You guys, I think the welcoming party isn’t helping. Let’s give him some space, yeah?” And just like that the landing pad cleared until it was just the soldier and Steven Grant Rogers code name Captain America.

He heard Steven Grant Rogers let out a long exhale in relief. “Come on, Bucky. You’re going to be bunking next to me for now,” he said over his shoulder as he started to walk towards the tower. The soldier hesitated a split second before he remembered code name Bucky and followed.

(More after the break!)

The soldier spent the next few weeks pacing around the compound, feeling trapped. His living quarters were the worst because that’s where Steven Grant Rogers “Please, Buck, call me Steve” was, where he always seemed to be watching the soldier with alternating hope and despair. Both made the asset equally uneasy; he felt like he was failing at a mission he’d never been briefed on.

So he paced. On one of the early days he found the range but not an armory, which was probably wise. Sometimes he wasn’t confident that he wouldn’t fight his way out if he had a weapon, even though he knew he’d agreed to come here and agreed to stay. He found multiple kitchens and gyms, shied away from the offices and other peoples’ living quarters, and ran the tree line that served as the edge of the property so many times that he’d memorized it.

He realized, after a while, that he was bored.

Then he realized he'd been under surveillance the whole time when he saw Anthony Edward Stark jogging across a grassy expanse to intercept him on one of his runs.

“Hey Murderbot,” Stark said, and the soldier had stiffened, worried that he’d broken some unknown rule by going outside. “Follow me. You need a hobby, it’s driving me crazy watching you pace around this place like a caged tiger.” He gestured and started walking back towards the compound. After a moment, the soldier followed.

Stark took him back to the range, but this time he went to a panel on the far wall; when he put his palm on it, part of the wall slid to the side to reveal the armory. “I understand that this is your thing,” Stark said, waving his hand towards the mouthwatering array of pistols, rifles, throwing knives, and assorted other weapons that were on display. “Have fun. Just as a note, the guns will self-destruct if taken out of this room.” Stark glanced at him, gaze more measuring than suspicious. “Steve thinks this is a bad idea. Please don’t prove him right.”

The soldier gave him a nod, already reaching for a rifle.

That night, for the first time since he’d arrived at the compound, the soldier slept through the night. The next morning, as he was trying to find something to eat, he was drawn to one of the kitchens by the smell of food and coffee and found Stark there.

“Morning, sunshine,” Stark said without looking up from his phone. “Did you have a good time yesterday?” The soldier grunted assent while he assembled himself a plate of food. “Great,” Stark continued, apparently satisfied with that answer. “Well, you’ve been here forty-two days now, I feel like I’ve been patient enough. Would you mind joining me in my lab so I can take a look at your fancy metal arm?”

The soldier stood near the entrance to the kitchen as he ate, chewing thoughtfully as he considered. “Yes,” he said finally, having decided that keeping Stark’s mysterious goodwill outweighed the deep unease he felt at the idea.

At that, Stark finally looked up at him. “So he does talk,” Stark said with a crooked smile. “It doesn’t have to be today. Take your time, warm up to the idea, and let me know when you’re ready.” He stood and put his phone in his pocket and the crumb-filled plate in the sink. He filled up his cup with more coffee and on his way out of the kitchen he said over his shoulder, “Oh, and same rules as yesterday. Steve thinks this is alsoa bad idea, so when you do come, please don’t prove him right by trying to kill me or destroy my lab.”

The soldier scowled, starting to get the feeling that Steven Grant Rogers’ opinions were one of the reasons why he’d been so bored lately. He raised his chin. “Now,” he growled, half-expecting Stark to argue with him, but he only shrugged.

“If you say so. Follow me.”

Stark led him to a set of steel reinforced double doors that the soldier had passed a number of times but had never been able to access. As Stark walked up, the doors opened on their own and the room inside was huge, a bland institutional gray filled on one side with machines and desks and toolboxes and on the other with a variety of fast-looking vehicles.

The soldier liked it immediately.

“This is my lab, my sanctum sanctorum, my home away from home, so don’t touch anything. Except this chair,” Stark said, pushing a wheeled stool towards him. “Please sit on the chair.”

The soldier sat. “I’m not Hydra’s attack dog anymore,” he said gruffly, and Stark’s eyebrows went up. “I’m not going to hurt you or destroy anything.”

“I think so, too,” Stark said after a moment as he cleared a space on a work table. “But I think Steve…well, let’s say he would prefer to be safe than sorry.” He patted the table for the soldier to place his arm on it and dragged up a chair for himself. “So tell me about this thing.”

The soldier let go of his aggravation at Steven Grant Rogers and began rattling off specifications from memory, recalling all the times the technicians had discussed his arm in his presence as if he were just another piece of machinery. He directed Stark to the access panels and then conversation gradually trailed off as Stark became engrossed in investigating his arm.

After approximately an hour, Stark leaned back and rubbed his eyes. “JARVIS got enough scans of this that I can go ahead and finish up here so I don’t take more of your time. I think the perimeter guards are probably wondering why you are late for your morning marathon.” The soldier scowled at that. Boredom had apparently made him predictable. “Hey, so I’m sorry if this is a rude question, but what should I call you?” Stark asked as he started refastening the access panels on the arm.

He hesitated. “Bucky?”

Stark’s forehead creased at his answer. “I get the feeling,” he said carefully, still looking down at what he was working on, “that you don’t actually like that name.”

The soldier felt a split second of surprise before he schooled his emotions. How had Stark noticed what others had not? He didn’t like being called "Bucky." Bucky was a ghost, less a memory than an abstract fact the soldier would rather forget. There was another long pause while he thought. “Soldier?” he ventured. He saw a tic in Tony’s jaw that meant he didn’t like that answer either.

But Stark didn’t say anything until he was finished with the arm, setting his tools down on his work table before he sat up to face the soldier. The soldier relaxed when he saw that Stark’s expression wasn't angry or disappointed. “Come on, ‘soldier’ isn’t a name," Stark said with a faint smile. "It’s barely a title.”

The soldier pondered that. “Soldat?” he said after a few moments.

Stark snorted. “I know soldat is just Russian for soldier. Look, if you don’t like Bucky or James or any of the names you were born with, I can give you a new one. Just ask Captain Hotpants or Point Break.” The solder felt the corner of his lips turn up at Captain Hotpants and saw Stark’s answering smile. “But I think it’s important that you decide on a name you like.”

He pondered that. He’d gone by a lot of names in his life, some for longer than others. “Yasha,” he said, as he stood to leave. “Call me Yasha.”

“Alright. Let me know if you have any problems with the arm, and maybe take it easy with the exercising. Don’t you read or watch movies or do anything that involves…sitting?”

The thought of sitting for any length of time made Yasha’s skin crawl. Except…he’d just sat here for over an hour and didn’t feel like punching his way out of the room and then the compound. He narrowed his eyes at Stark, who already seemed to have forgotten him as he pushed himself across the floor on his wheeled stool to a computer on another table. He grunted, more to himself than in response to Tony’s question, and went to the armory instead of for his usual run.

#winteriron #tony x bucky #tony stark #bucky barnes #tony x winter soldier #winter soldier bucky #prompts #dracusfyre

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scottharper · 7 years

Note

❥ Running your hand over their arm and gently pulling them close, for your Ryder ship?

Pairing: Scott/CoraRating: T. Warning for multiple minor character deaths.Prompt: “Running your hand over their arm and gently pulling them close.”

( Welp, that rating compared to that prompt.. I mean, I was gonna have to throw them into some angst sooner or later. This one got a bit lengthy, but I hope you enjoy!)

—–

The mission had felt off from the start, but even Cora, the voice of reason and occasional pessimism ( at least according to Peebee), hadn’t expected it to take the turn it did.

It had started when Scott received an e-mail from an anonymous recipient, asking for some urgent help from the Kadara slums. Vetra and Cora thought it sounded shady, Peebee and Drack thought it sounded fun, but Scott just thought it sounded like people in trouble, and damned if that wasn’t his weakness.

Even so, Scott took Cora and Drack with him down to the slums, thinking there was very little that Kadara could throw at them that couldn’t be beaten by a vanguard and his heavy hitters, while the others stayed behind at the port. Still, Liam suggested that they all kept their comm channels open, just in case.

Cora had been wary from the start but she definitely hadn’t expected their ‘contact’ to actually be a small, cramped house full of elderly humans, most of them looking to be in their late fifties at the earliest. A bit out of place but they all seemed healthy enough and still capable of working, even in spite of their current residence, and Scott voiced this exact train of thought before she could.

Most of them had come to Andromeda to be with their children and their families, they explained, relatives who were all involved one way or another in the uprising at the Nexus and had been exiled along with the rest.

“We could’ve stayed up on the Nexus, done the jobs we came here to do,” one man had said, and something about him told Cora that he was retired military, “But even if our stubborn ass kids didn’t wanna listen to our warnings we’re all that’s left of our families out here. Couldn’t just leave them to struggle down here all alone.”

Scott was able to empathize with them there, earning a little more of the people’s confidence. Cora knew in spite of their difference and obvious issues he would’ve followed his father damn anywhere, and he’d had his sister by his side if he could. Family was a strength to Scott, one that reflected in so many of his decisions, and especially in missions like this.

“They’re trying to settle a village out in the Badlands, traded everything of value we had to finally get enough supplies,” one woman spoke up, “Everyone went out there to work but us, told us they’d come get us once things were stable, but they haven’t checked in all day.”

“My daughter-in-law always checks in, and we’re getting worried,” another woman continued, “There’s over two dozen people out there, including my grandchildren.”

“We’ll go check it out right now, bring them back if we need to,” Scott had promised them, his smile so reassuring because he’d been so sure of how the mission would go. “Probably just an equipment failures, happens a lot out here.”

There really were so many times when Cora had no problems with him being so cocksure, considering how often things actually worked out for them in spite of the struggles on the way.

Looking back now, she should’ve been the voice of realism. She knew she was braced for the worst outcome, Drack probably expected it as soon as he heard the word 'Badlands’, but Scott? His optimism wasn’t just for show but it wasn’t always rewarded either, and though he’d learned that the hard way several times before he always seemed to bounce back from it.

—

They’re nearly at the village’s nav point and something unpleasant has settled in Cora’s chest

Scott seems as calm as ever as he drives down the worn paths serving as Kadara’s 'roads’, and if Drack shares Cora’s concerns he doesn’t voice them, instead just occasionally grunting in acknowledgement as Scott chats to pass the time.

He’s halfway through telling them a story about some 'weirdly charming’ bartender on the Nexus when they see the pillars of black smoke coming up from behind the hill, and the smile falls from Scott’s face. He drives the Nomad a little faster, brow furrowing as worry starts to flash in his eyes, and though she says nothing Cora has a bad feeling about what they’re going to find when they get there.

They reach the village and Scott’s quiet as he parks the Nomad and climbs out, looking around as if he’s not sure what to focus on first: the fires consuming most of the makeshift buildings or the dozen bloody corpses scattered around.

Cora swallows and follows Scott’s lead.

It looked like most of the villagers had been shot down in the middle clearing, and the way some of them fell suggested that they’d been trying to surrender to their mysterious attackers at their time of death. Drack’s the first to point it out, and he grips his shotgun a little tighter.

The fires around them are still roaring, still sending up the thick black pillars of smoke they’d seen on the way in. Scott and Cora exchange looks before they try to investigate but recoil when the breeze sends the stench of burning flesh their way, confirming in the worst way that more people had been inside when their homes went up in flames.

Drack is less bothered by the smell and volunteers to check what little of the buildings he can to try to get a headcount for them, to the obvious relief of his human companions.

They’ve all seen dead civilians before. It was never an easy thing to deal with but at least they had the experience already. That’s what Cora keeps telling herself as she and Scott walk through the village, taking note of how many bodies they can see, and Cora finds a little relief in seeing that most of the shots would’ve killed them instantly. It’s a very small comfort, knowing that they probably didn’t suffer, especially since she can still smell the smoldering bodies of those who’d died to the flames instead.

She keeps an eye out for enemies but also on Scott as well. The reality of the situation doesn’t seem to be grounding him like it does his companions. She’ll grieve and accept what happened to the victims here today, vow to do better next time, and Drack will do the same.

But Scott? Scott’s looking at the dead bodies around him like he’d personally promised these people that he’d protect them to their faces, only to lose them all to this slaughter while his back was turned.

She knows he’s an adult, and a capable fighter who’s gone into battle nearly every day since their arrival in Heleus. He served in the Alliance, must have learned that casualties were just a cruel fact of life, but it doesn’t seem to be helping him now, and she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t a little worried about his current mental state. He always took their losses personally, and she knows he’s thinking about a dozen different 'what-if’ scenarios right now, none of which would change what happened here.

Cora’s broken from her thoughts when she nearly trips over something, and she steps back to see the first non-human body they’d come across lying at her feet.

It was an Angara, weapon still clutched in his still hand, and he was clad in a very familiar set of armor that instantly sets her on edge.

The Roekarr.

Scott scowls when he sees it, walks over the body with none of the respect he usually treats a fallen opponent with, and keeps searching, calling out for any survivors and checking all of the buildings that were still standing.

Cora follows him. With each empty building they check Scott’s expression falls a little more, and she hears him sigh heavily behind her as they finally reach the last building that was still standing. It was small, looked more like a storage shed than anything else, and Cora steps into the unlit room with Scott close behind.

She sees them before he does.

The corpse of a woman, lying in a wide pool of blood, and still clinging to the bodies of two small children, a boy and a girl. Her body was turned, as if she’d been trying to shield the kids in her final moments when the Roekarr came across them.

All three of them, gunned down at once. There was no mercy here, not even for children. They needed to be identified and something else about this mission suddenly feels even more sour. She still didn’t know the exact details behind the events and aftermath of the uprising but there weren’t supposed to be children on Kadara. The Nexus wouldn’t have banished children, even if exiles were the only families they had left. They must’ve been smuggled out by their families, hoping to start their new lives all together, only to meet such a cruel end.

Cora closes her eyes, takes a breath, and looks at the bodies once more. They’re so small, and the entry wounds are so dark against their clothing. Her stomach lurches a little and she doesn’t want to see this anymore, doesn’t want Scott to see them, but he’s by her side before she can keep him from looking.

He takes a sharp breath, his body going rigid beside her, and she’s almost afraid to look at his face and see what sort of expression he’s making.

Then she notices something she wishes she hadn’t. The little girl’s hair is almost the same color as Sara’s.

Scott is already out the building before she even realizes that he’d moved, and he’s calling Drack back over to them as he puts more distance between himself and this massacre.

The Roekarr needed to answer for this. Scott paces angrily as he calls the others down from Kadara, sends Liam and Peebee to search under Jaal’s command while Cora and Drack stayed to search with him. Vetra volunteers to stay behind at the port and see if she can learn anything from her Kadara contacts.

They split up, heading off in different directions, and Cora can’t help exchanging a worried look with Drack when they see the anger burning in Scott’s eyes. It’s not a look that suits him.

“Just let him be angry.” Drack tells her as they head back to the Nomad to start their search for the Roekarr, and the old krogan’s voice was uncharacteristically quiet so Scott couldn’t hear them. “Kid needs get it out of his system now, trust me.”

They tried their hardest.

Over four hours of searching leads to dead end after dead end, even with SAM helping every step of the way. The Roekarr responsible for the slaughter had covered their tracks well, too well for even the scanner to help. Scott curses each time the trail goes cold, and his companions both pretend they don’t see it when he brushes his hands across his eyes.

Before the fifth hour is up Jaal contacts them to let them know that his team had found no solid leads and they were out of trails to follow, and Cora sees a little more light fade from Scott’s eyes. Vetra calls a few minutes later, tells them her contacts had turned up nothing despite how many favors she called in, and Scott suddenly looks exhausted and so defeated that Cora’s feels a physical pang in her chest.

For a long moment after Vetra’s call Scott says nothing but then he sighs, brushes his hands over his face, and tells everyone to return to Kadara port. There would be no justice for the villagers today.

They run into a stray wraith as they return to the Nomad again. Scott kills it it one shot, stares at it, and then completely empties two of his guns into the beast’s body until Drack finally snatches his weapon away.

Cora wishes Scott had argued or tried to get his gun back or just done anything other than give them that hollow stare. Drack frowns, clearly as unsettled as she is, and hands the gun over to Cora instead as Scott walks back to the Nomad.

As they enter the slums again Scott asks them not to say or do anything when they arrive. He’s the Pathfinder, he made the promises, and he’ll deal with breaking the news to the remains of the families. Cora and Drack both vocally disapprove but then promise to respect his wishes, waiting outside instead as Scott heads inside to speak to the elders.

Part of Cora wishes she hadn’t agreed to stay on the sidelines when she hears the sudden shouting from within.

There’s a chorus of horror and disbelief at first, but it doesn’t take that for that to change into anger. At least one of the women is wailing and, to Cora, it sounds like the woman who’d mentioned her grandchild.

She thinks of two small bodies and physically winces.

Scott’s responses are muffled and too quiet to make out but she can hear so many voices yelling at him, telling him he was too slow and cursing him for not saving the village. He promised them. He was supposed to protect people. He’d failed them and their families.

Cora can’t hear Scott’s voice anymore, and she doesn’t know if they’re drowning him out, or if he’s being silent because he agrees with them. Beside her Drack huffs, his scowl deepening at some of the things they’re saying to Scott, and Cora has to physically refrain herself from barging into the room to intervene on Scott’s behalf.

But then the voices fade away before Cora can actually decide whether or not to break the promise to stay out of it, and aside from muffled sobbing the room is silent when Scott finally emerges. His expression is unreadable, eyes blanker than they’ve ever been, and he says nothing to either of them as he walks away, heading towards the lift that would take them back to the main port.

Cora watches him before she glances into the building he’d come out of, sees so many of the elders glowering back at them, eyes shining with ahte and tears, and she hears Drack huff again before the two of them follow after Scott. She’s upset, more than a little angry, and the worst part is that she can’t even begrudge them.

These poor people had just lost everyone.

They meet up with the others and head over to the bar to talk to Reyes before they leave. Cora doesn’t like the man, certainly doesn’t trust him as far as she could throw him even without her biotics, but Scott seems to trust him enough to reveal what went down, and the promise Reyes makes to keep his people searching for the Roekarr behind the massacre seems sincere enough. It doesn’t sit well with Cora, doesn’t seem to sit well with a couple of her squad mates either, but then they see Scott’s expression and no one protests.

The walk back to the Tempest is painfully slow.

Peebee and Liam try to make small talk the entire way, trying to lighten the heavy mood hanging over all of them, but Scott doesn’t acknowledge a word they say, or give any signals that he even hears them talking at all. At first it doesn’t stop them from trying, but it does make their half-hearted laughs sound a little more strained. Peebee gives up before Liam does.

Cora brings up the rear of the group and she sees Drack and Vetra exchanging unreadable looks each time one of them so much as glances at Scott. Jaal eventually strides forward to walk beside their Pathfinder, his words too soft for her to hear, but Scott’s hurried pace doesn’t slow, he doesn’t even look at Jaal, and soon Cora hears the Angara’s soft, defeated sigh.

Gil says nothing as they all file back onto the ship but he does seem surprised by their collective somber mood, shooting Vetra a questioning look after Scott storms past him, and Cora watches as the turian leads their engineer aside to answer his questions, once again out of Scott’s earshot.

Cora, Liam, Jaal, Drack, and Peebee all stop at the lockers to remove their weapons and armor or change into their casual wear but Scott keeps walking, acknowledging nothing they say to him as he rushes out of the cargo bay and leaves his team behind.

In that moment it was all too quiet.

There’s none of those jokes about today’s close calls or assurances about how everything could’ve been way worse. No blue eyes flashing with amusement as the squad compares their personal victories to his. No patted shoulders or fist bumps or crooked smiles as they’re all praised for a job well done by their Pathfinder. There’s just.. nothing in the room that feels like it should when Scott’s around. It’s a terrible feeling.

“So.. What do we do?” Liam’s the one to finally break the silence. “We just give him some space, let him cool down?”

“Can’t cool down cause he’s not pissed off,” Drack grunts in reply, slamming his gun down with a little more force than usual. “Kinda wish he was. That’d make this a hell of a lot easier.”

“Well, you guys know Scott, always needing to be the hero and save everyone he can,” Peebee mumbles from where she’s leaning on the table, and in spite of the overall mood Liam manages a brief smile as he nods in agreement.

“Yeah, but the downside to that is that he carries those he couldn’t save with him,” Vetra sighs, folding her arms over her chest, and beside her Gil is looking somber. “We’ve lost settlers before, but not entire families all at once.”

“He knows we are here, and all willing to listen,” Jaal pipes up, standing in a similar pose as Vetra. “Concealed pain will do nothing but fester and make everything worse. Perhaps he should be speaking about what he’s feeling to the doctor.”

“The doc ain’t the one he needs right now,” Drack replies gruffly, and suddenly six pairs of eyes are turning towards Cora, who stiffens a little under the sudden attention.

She thinks for a moment that they’re right. She was Scott’s partner in addition to his second-in-command, she should’ve been following him already, but there’s still just enough worry in her mind to make her hesitate. There wasn’t anything Scott could have done about what happened, nothing he could have changed, but that didn’t stop him from suddenly blaming himself for the deaths of over two dozen people.

It was a weight she couldn’t imagine carrying, she didn’t want to imagine it, and she didn’t really know what she could do or say to ease any of it.

But then she thinks of him, sitting in his room and all alone with this grief, and her mind is made up for her. Right now he wasn’t just their Pathfinder, he was their friend, her best friend, and he needed them. He needed her.

“We’ll get the reports done and keep Addison off the vid comm,” Vetra promises her with a hint of a smile that Cora manages to return. “You go take care of our boy, Harper.”

Her squad mates are still talking quietly amongst themselves when she leaves the cargo bay, passing Lexi on the way out, and Cora checks the other rooms on the way just to be sure that Scott hadn’t gone anywhere aside from his quarters.

“Lieutenant Harper, I am detecting noticeable chances in Ryder’s stress levels.” SAM’s voice suddenly says over the comms, and she’s always surprised at how concerned their AI could sound at time, especially when it came to Scott. “I have tried speaking with him, however, he is not responding to me. Perhaps you will have better luck.”

“On my way right now, SAM.” Cora reponds promptly, before hearing the soft, familiar chirp of SAM temporarily turning off his logs just as she reaches the Pathfinder Quarters.

The lights are dim and the windows are blacked out when she walks in, definitely not a good sign considering how much Scott loved the view from his room, and speaking of Scott, it actually takes Cora a moment to spot him in the darkness.

He’s sitting on the edge of his bed with his back turned towards the door, leaning forward onto his knees and holding his head in his hands. He looks so small right now, so damn near broken. Nothing like the vibrant, energetic young man she knows and loves, and it hurts seeing him like that.

“Scott?” Cora calls out softly as she approaches him. He tenses up a little when he hears her, but doesn’t look up at her. She walks over to stand beside him, hesitant, before sitting down onto the bed. He doesn’t protest, to her relief, and instead actually leans a little closer to her.

The silence between them is terrible, and so unfamiliar. The two of them being alone in the room usually meant quiet conversations and soft touches. Gentle smiles and shared laughter. Taking comfort in one another’s presence as they finished off their respective reports or just wasting their free time lounging in bed together. Even their occasional bickering would’ve been preferable to this..

“Scott,” Cora tries again, concern heavy in her voice as she reaches over to trace her hand along his arm. Scott tenses up again but this time he sighs, and finally raises his head to look over at her.

Cora’s heart sinks when their gazes meet. His eyes are brimming with a terrible mix of emotions, a bit red and just puffy enough to betray the fact that he hadn’t just been sitting there in the time it took her to reach him. She’s hit with a pang of guilt but she’s more concerned than anything else right now, and she traces fingers down his arm to gently touch his hand.

Scott swallows, and turns his hand over to grasp hers. His fingers are trembling.

“Scott, please, say something..”

“Cora..” Scott starts but he barely gets her name before his voice breaks and his expression suddenly crumbles.

He turns his body towards her and Cora immediately pulls him into an embrace, her arms around his torso and his fingers are gripping the back of her shirt. His hands are shaking, his shoulders are threatening to do the same, and Cora gently rubs his back as he buries his face into the crook of her neck.

It hurts, seeing him like this. It’s one of the few occasions where she’s reminded that Scott really is a young man, just a boy to most, and a wide-eyed idealist carrying far too much weight on his shoulders. She does admire how rarely he actually buckles under it, but still hates when she sees it actually happening.

Scott lets out a shaky breath as he presses himself a little closer to her, his shoulders shaking a bit more as Cora reaches up to brush a hand through his hair, trying to soothe him with soft whispers and even softer kisses.

She wants to think it’s helping him, even as she starts to feel the dampness against the neckline of her shirt. Scott’s not okay right now, might not be okay for a while even once he’s laughing and smiling again, but at least she knew she could be there with him. She couldn’t take the pain away but she could ease him through it, and sometimes that was all a person could do.

Most of the time, it was enough.

—–

#MyMEFics #otp: you're worth the fight #sorry i turned your cute prompt into angst!#the next ones will be better #fleetingshadowdm

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worldsandcenturiesfunposting · 7 years

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Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Review

I had bought Assassin's Creed Syndicate when it first came out. Though more balls were dropped during the release of Assassin's Creed Unity than in a high school I still opted to get the game both because I didn't purchase Unity and thus wouldn't be spending more money on the company and because the Victorian era is one of my personal favorite periods in history and the idea being able to explore it seemed like fun. AC:S is the only of the three big named Victorian games I was able to get as both Bloodborne and The Order: 1886 were both Playstation exclusives.

However, at the time I was using a laptop PC which was quite a few years old and alas, far too out of date to run the game. By the time I had gotten to the first Evie mission where I was to rescue Robert Topping, the fight club curator, along the way to assassinate Sir David Brewster, the game would freeze and then quit out. A quick check at stemrequirementslab.com showed that my computer was out of date. No matter, I was planning on building a PC proper one day.

That day has finally come and of the two games I've downloaded right off the bat, Assassin's Creed Syndicate was one of them. So how does this game fare compare to the previous and on its own?

Disclaimers: I am playing on a PC using an Xbox One controller. I have seen various let's plays and long plays prior to playing. I have not received any monetary or sexual favors in exchange for this review.

–

The Premise:

Assassin's Creed Syndicate is the latest in Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed series. It's an open world stealth based piece of historical fiction taking place in London during the height of the Industrial Revolution in 1868. To paraphrase one of the game devs, it's when the world left the medieval era. People no longer openly carried around swords but reconciled their weapons. Machinery and science was advancing at a pace unheard of in previous times. Industry was booming and once again, God was on the chopping block.

The story follows Jacob and Evie Frye; twin assassins who made it their goal to liberate London from the clutches of the Templars. The entire series is about the centuries old war between the two groups. Like the Illuminati in Deus Ex, the premise of the game is what it might be like if these age old secret organizations didn't die off eventually but kept working behind the scenes for all of history.

Their primary target is a man named Crawford Starrick who controls the London division of the Templars. In the opening cutscene, Assassin Henry Green states “Whoever controls London controls the world” and indeed, being the man pulling the strings behind the world's most powerful empire does make a man dangerous. However, it's not a simple matter of running up to him and stabbing him in the streets. Starrick controls London through his gang known as the Blighters who control various districts in London. In order to get to Starrick, Jacob and Evie will have to free each of the districts from the controlling gang leader.

This is where story starts turning into gameplay. Each district is separated into smaller districts. So say Whitechapel is a district and the area is cut up into pieces that hold different missions. The missions are: freeing children from factories, finding and kidnapping high ranking gang members and delivering them to the police, finding and killing high ranking gang members/templars, or taking control of a Blighter controlled stronghold and possibly saving members of your own gang from their clutches. Each district has several of these and by completing these sub challenges, you'll eventually have the opportunity to face off against the gang leader and a small assembly of their mooks to finally cement your control of the district.

The gameplay:

The Assassin's Creed series is very similar to Call of Duty where it will have the exact same base gameplay but throw in a few different mechanisms in an attempt to distinguish it from the predecessor.

For what it's worth, the core AC gameplay isn't bad, and they've improved some things from Unity such as having a button prompt to enter a building when climbing to avoid leaping all around a window but never getting in it. If you have played one AC game, even the earliest, you've played them all.

However, they have tried a few things with Unity that have translated into this game. A small but welcomed change was free running down where rather than having to play the drop-grab-drop game of scaling down buildings, the character will descend just as quickly as s/he climbs up.

As for the new mechanics, there's a few small ones and a few large ones. The large ones are carriage driving, gangs, and the zipline.

Carriages: Carriage driving is fairly fun and thankfully doesn't fall into any BS pitfalls. In a game where you can lose if you intentionally kill civilians (but sadly, you can't kill the kids), it's good that Ubisoft didn't implement this into the driving sections where you might accidentally (or not so accidentally) mow down hoards of people. The steering is fairly tight but occasionally the carriage can wobble from one side of wheels to the other. This however isn't so much an issue. The horses are invincible to everything but your bullets and knives and you can mow down everything but fences, buildings, statues, and large trees.

The only major issue I have is that you constantly have to press (a) button to keep the horses as maximum speed. I feel it would have been a lot easier just to be able to hold (a) similar to how every other driving game works. Even at max speed they're simple to control. It would also mean I won't have to hear Evie yell “Come on! Keep moving! Faster!” on my way from one side of the map to the other. (She's a dick to horses)

Gangs: They're an alright addition but since I was going for a 100% run as far as the missions go, I didn't use them that often because some of the additional challenges might be ruined by them (such as killing an enemy a certain way, not being spotted, etc) Ubisoft wasn't lying when they said if you recruit multiple members, get in a carriage, and if there's not enough room the remaining members will steal a carriage and follow. However, at times I felt they were a tad bit slow. They also follow you up and down buildings and if there's a path available, across the river as well.

I don't think I've played with them enough to form a truly solid opinion on the matter.

Zipline: This is actually a welcomed addition but one that came at the cost of the first hour of gameplay.

Initially I've found getting from one street to another to be a bit of a hassle. In all the other AC games, buildings are either close enough together to leap from one side to the other or there's a convenient rope stretching from one side to the other for me to run across. Alas in the wide streets of London, that's not the case. So the first hour of gameplay was rather slow because of that.

When I got the zipline however, things sped up. It can reach up to incredible heights and the game tells you this by having the first mission with it involving you zipping all the way to the top of Big Ben in less than a minute. It can stretch far horizontally as well (as apparent by that very same mission).

To use it, look in a certain direction and a button prompt on the screen will tell you where you're able to use the zipline. I found it works quite well and don't think Its messed up during the gameplay. If you need to zipline up, the button prompt will be on the top of the screen.

My only complaint is it's still a bit tedious getting from building to building. If you need to go from point A to point B, it's easier to jump down and steal a carriage rather than zipline from roof to roof. However for smaller areas such as the gang stronghold missions, it's a welcome addition that adds a slight bit of new strategy since you can stick to the roofs or quickly move across the area.

–

Aside from the main story, you have to liberate various sections of London. The sections include Whitechapel, the Thames, Westminster, City of London, the Strand, Lambeth, etc. Each section has several Boroughs which in turn have their own missions. The missions include finding and kidnapping a Templar and taking him/her to the police, killing a specific templar, child liberation, and gang strongholds.

Templarnapping: Of all the missions, I think I enjoyed them the least. Possibly because it seemed like there were more of them than the others and it got somewhat tedious. First you use eagle vision to locate your target who will be in yellow rather than the usual red for enemies. You kidnap people by walking up to them without being noticed and pressing B. A ring forms around you and can expand or shrink depending on how fast or slow you go. The slower you go, the smaller the ring. When you first kidnap someone, be aware that the ring expands completely before shrinking down so if that person is by any other enemies, they'll know. When you have someone kidnapped, you're able to walk in enemy territory without being noticed so long as no enemies step in the ring.

When you get them out of their territory, the game wants you to shove the enemy in a carriage and drive them to a point for the police to take. I've found it's easier to just walk (well, jog) them there since it's usually only 100/200 meters away. When they're shoved in a carriage, there's a chance an enemy carriage will spawn and chase after you which might end up taking more time than just going on foot.

If you're noticed by the target, they will try to run away. You can tackle them and capture them but if they get in a carriage and get too far away, the mission fails so be careful about that. Also for 100%, the target has to be brought back alive.

Gang strongholds: A borough's is considered enemy territory and in it are several Blighters you need to kill. You have to kill all of them to win and occasionally they'll have a few of your Rooks captured which you'll need to free and keep alive for 100%. Also one or two of them have a set of plans you need to burn.

With throwing knives, this is a very easy mission but really, they're quite OP and make a lot of missions easy. Killing them is fun and trying to do so without being detected is a nice little challenge.

I'd recommend not freeing your Rooks or killing the person watching over them until the end since they can get in the way (or die, thus ruining the 100% and requiring you to start over). For the plans I'd immediately scout them out first. You can find them using eagle vision. It shows up as the table they're sitting on.

Templar Hunt: Like the gang stronghold, there's an area that's enemy territory and several blighters walking around. However this time rather than killing everyone, you only need to kill one guy. Again using eagle vision, you can scout the prick out who will appear in yellow rather than red.

It's as simple as using a throwing knife if you're not up for a 100% run but if you are, I'd recommend killing everyone around him/her first. Especially if you need to use the environment like having a police officer kill the target or dynamite.

They're fun and I honestly wish there were more of them.

Child liberation: The second least favorite mission in my opinion. Not bad but again, I feel like there's a disproportionate amount of them compared to the gang strongholds and templar hunts.

You find a factory and there's several children working inside. The children are paired in groups of three so if the mission involves saving 12 children, you need to find 4 of the groups and press (b) when you're close.

100% involves not having the alarm bells in the area rung which you can do by either sabotaging them like in previous games or killing everyone in the area...like previous games. There was one time I was on the ground floor right next to them and absolutely swarmed by Blighters who were trying to ring the bell and every time they got to it, I stabbed them off. That was fun, but a good run involves not being seen.

–

When you've cleared all the boroughs, the gang leader for that section appears and challenges you to fight. Usually they run away, giving you only so much time to kill them. Whether or not you kill them, there's a 'large' fight of 10 or 12 enemies and a handful of your own guys duking it out for one final attempt at the district.

There was one time where the game glitched out. Normally when the head Templar appears and challenges you, the game 'freezes' where an in game cutscene plays and you're unable to control your character. However after clearing only two missions in Westminster, the leader appeared and for whatever reason, I was able to run up to her, tackle her, and stab her. This has not happened in any of the other districts.

After these gang fights, the district is yours. Blighters still appear and a few very small areas are enemy territory for the radiant missions.

–

Additionally, there's a few other smaller missions. The two bigger...smaller missions are the fight clubs and races, hosted by Robert Topping whom you meet during Evie's first mission.

Races: They're okay. There's four types: lap races, A to B, train race, and triathlon.

Lap races are fairly fun. There's only one I needed to do twice. They real key is getting to first and when you're there, it's pretty easy to stay there. Many times you can drive in front of an enemy and cause them to turn into an oncoming carriage or a building.

A to B: Straight shot to the end. These were a bit more fun in my opinion simply because the environment kept changing. They're not super long, but fun.

Race the train: Don't be fooled. You're actually racing a timer which shows how long it will take for the train to arrive at its destination. Maintain a constant speed and you should be good.

Triathlon: This is the most interesting race. There's carriage driving, running and climbing on foot...and running and climbing on foot but on the boats in the Thames.

One thing I wonder is how much of these races are set up the same each time (carriage placement, people placement, etc) and how much is random.

A complaint I have goes back to what I mentioned earlier by constantly having to mash (a) to maintain a constant speed. If that was not a part of the game I think it would be a lot smoother.

Another thing I'm no fan of is the rubber banding the NPCs do in the races. I'm no fan of the mechanic in general because it feels like the game has to cheat in order to keep the challenge up. In my personal opinion if you get so far ahead of the enemies they can't even see you, that should be fair game because you've utilized the environment and gameplay better than the game itself. I did very well with the races so it was kind of annoying to look down at my map and see them far away and then look again a few seconds later and see they've gone turbo and wounded up right behind me.

Fight clubs: They're pretty fun when you get the right strategy. Easy fight clubs you just wail away but for the hardest fight club, wait until a flash of yellow appears above the enemy head and press (Y) to counter. You can get one or two hits in before they block. If another enemy behind you has yellow above their head, press (Y) and tilt the control stick toward that enemy to counter them even if you're mid punch against another guy.

Doing this ensures you won't get hit which can be quite costly on the higher difficulties especially since they usually get 2 or 3 hits in and there's another enemy right there. So using this strategy, even if there's 4 enemies right by you in the ring, you should be safe.

One thing I liked is how the environments changed depending on the level. For lower level matches the fights were underground in these shitty makeshift rings but for the highest levels, they were in proper buildings with proper arenas. However, you still fight the same enemies all the same.

When you're a high level fighting a low level fight, you can one or two shot all the enemies.

One time an enemy got stuck behind the fence. I was unable to punch him but he punched me a few times when I was trying to.

–

Now for the real game story. I should mention that I completed all of the above before getting far into the main story meaning I was quite overpowered by the end of it with all the upgrades and skills I was able to unlock.

The story in my opinion is quite lackluster. I don't find it very impactful and its filled with missed opportunities and aspects that make it seem as if Ubisoft is afraid to be controversial.

For example, chapter 4 involves Jacob investigating a product called Starrick Soothing Syrup which is an opium laced fraudulent medicine. I'm going to list off some historical figures who appear in the game and if you haven't seen any spoilers, I want you to guess who's also involved in that mission: Florence Nightingale, Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, Karl Marx, Queen Victoria, Fredrick Abberline.

You probably guessed Florence Nightingale since she was actually involved in medicine, but no, it's Charles Darwin. Nightingale's involved in one mission in a chapter and the final optional Darwin mission, but alas when investigating fraudulent medicine the one historical figure who's best known for her work in medicine isn't involved. Instead it's the guy who dropped out of med school.

Now you can say this is minor and sure, maybe it is. There's not a lot I can truly bitch about if I get to spend quality bro-time with Charles Darwin in a video game. But other aspects I feel are more damning. For example, in the trailers and promotional material, Jacob was basically ranting and raving about how shit capitalism is and how the working class is getting screwed over despite the age of supposed progress.

Remember when I mentioned Karl Marx earlier? He's in the game. Can you guess how many story missions he's involved in? None. All of his missions are completely optional and even if you do them, the game takes place when he chilled the fuck out about revolution and uprisings so he's no more controversial than Bernie Sanders. I kind of feel as if the AC games have lost their balls at this point, preferring to pander to modern sensibilities and not being too frank about the less good aspects of history.

For example, they completely got rid of prostitutes in the game despite them existing in the Victorian era. They have an openly transexual character for seemingly no other reason than to fill a diversity quota since you know, that's something that would happen in Victorian London. I suppose they needed to have one so they can justify including “multiple sexualities and gender identities” in their long irrelevant caveat before the game starts informing the player about how many different kinds of people are involved in the game. They wanted to fill a diversity quota, it's ironic that London was the trading capital of the world and they could have had plenty of minorities in the ports.

Assassin's Creed 2's final mission involved you trying to kill the pope. I don't think any aspect of Syndicate comes close to that level of controversy. The “capitalism is evil” message is not only one that has been done in tons of other video games, movies, and books, but many other sources are a lot more gritty, brutal, and honest about it. It's no longer controversial.

Despite Darwin being in the game, the fact that human evolution was made up by the Templars is never brought up. He's not aware of the assassin/templar war despite attempts on his life being made nor are any of the other historical figures other than Victory. Like Karl Marx spent his life trying to figure out the overcompensating repetitions that occur in every society in history and somehow he never comes across this underground war.

Some stuff just doesn't make sense. When Jacob kills a Templar, it ruins whatever industry was involved in. Dr John Elliotson was involved in the medical industry making that fraud medicine. When Jacob kills him...suddenly the medical industry collapses? How does killing a minor historical figure who in the game is just a con artist collapse the entire medical industry of London?

The fact that this has never been a problem for any of the other assassins is also something to question. Ezio, Connor, Edward, and Arno all killed politicians and some of them incredibly high ranking but Jacob kills a con artist, a thief, etc and suddenly the whole city's fucked?

The ending was just abysmal. Throughout the game, Jacob and Evie are looking for the Shroud of Eden which is a cloth you can wrap on yourself that heals any wound near instantly. At the start of the game you find out once more that in universe, you're some random prick playing video games and keep getting sucked into this dangerous conspiracy by the assassin's asking you to play through the memories of these historical assassins to figure out where this stuff might be located in the modern day.

So at the end of the game the modern assassin's find out where the shroud it but oh no, there's Templars. They fight but one of them gets shot and in response, the Assassin's run away letting the Templar get the shroud.

Oh fucking gee, if only there were literally a magical artifact right fucking there that could hear any wound instantly. Wouldn't that be fucking superb? Wouldn't that just be the bee's knees? If they literally could grab some magic alien bullshit, wrap it around the injured assassin, heal her, and be able to tank any more gunshots?

This is another non-ending right after Unity's non ending which was in turn after Black Flag's non ending.

It's not a game to play for the story.

–

Jacob was a fairly interesting character. Evie in my opinion a bit less so but then again, she didn't get as much story time as Jacob and hers were partially bogged down by a crappy romance subplot. A lot of people have expressed dissatisfaction with the protagonist always being this rude 'don't play by the rules' young guy who joins the assassins and only after fucking up bad, learns what it truly means to be an assassin.

For what it's worth, Jacob and Evie were born into the brotherhood so we don't have to see an origin story. I felt they were best when arguing, but I would have liked Jacob to have better arguments. When she berates him about killing templars mindlessly, he could mention that's literally what the assassin's are supposed to do. Like that's literally what they're about. Instead they fall back on arguing about their father (who died before the game began) and his teachings.

Henry Green's alright. He actually would have been a very interesting character to play as before the Frye twins arrive considering the game establishes him as someone with all these connections throughout London. They're brought up every now and then throughout the game so it's not something mentioned and then dropped. It's again a shame he's bogged down with Evie in the romance subplot.

As for the historical characters, they're pretty alright. I don't know how most of them acted in real life. Darwin was always described as very friendly and easy to get along with which is what he was in the game. Richard Owen was always a bit of an asshole and sure enough, he was in the game.

It's a bit of a shame the game only takes place in 1868. I mean sure it makes Jacob and Evie probably the best assassin's since Altair considering they've done everything within a year and in the world's most powerful empire no less.

However, restricting it to only a year limits what can be done. For historical figures, especially enemies, you're pretty damned limited. I mentioned Richard Owen who is in the game, but isn't someone you kill. He could have a big role in controlling the science side of London and be a Templar, but instead he's only around long enough to tell Jacob that John Eliotson is making the fraud medicine.

It also restricts the story. 1868 was a fairly tame year for London. There weren't any major social reforms the Assassin's could be fighting for (including a reform on child labor which was passed before the game takes place thus making the whole issue fairly moot). Darwin that year released his oh so controversial book on variations of animals and plants under domestication. Karl Marx released Das Kapital (but don't worry, he doesn't mention it or anything)

Personally I think it would have been better if the game took place over 5 or 10 years just for the sake of having more interesting enemies and real history scenarios.

–

DLC: I only have the Darwin and Dickens Conspiracy and have not played any of the other DLCs. In my opinion, it's not really worth it. There's three missions, one of which seems like it was supposed to be part of the base game optional Darwin missions and the other two involve faking a guy's death and kidnapping some woman so he can pretend to fight you and look like a badass. Hardly the conspiracy.

I think if they had more missions of a similar fashion, it would have worked better. Have Darwin and Dickens telling you to pull the strings of various people's lives rather than just one guy and girl, but unfortunately that's not the case. In the trailer for the DLC, it was all clips from the base game.

–

Graphics: The graphics are pretty good in my opinion but I'm not as much a sticker for them. The textures on clothing and faces is very good but hair is a hurdle Ubisoft always trips on. Sometimes it's alright but other times, like Charles Dicken's facial hair, it's pretty poor.

The game uses in game cutscenes rather than pre-rendered cutscenes (as far as I know) and they still look good. If I'm wrong on this, someone point out so I can correct it.

I wish the nights in London lasted longer because that's one of the more beautiful times in the game. The street lamp's warm glow and dark skies work very well together.

As with every game, when you get in close to an object or asset, you can start to see the texture fall apart and look pixely. I believe it will be the next great graphical revolution when that's no longer an issue.

–

Music: The music in the game was made by Austin Wintory who might be best known for doing the music in the game Journey. It was a pleasant surprise hearing his involvement because Journey does have an excellent soundtrack and the guy does seem to have a passion for making good music in games.

The way the music is handled is it's based more on location and context than anything. Unfortuantely other than the fight music, I found the game to be mostly silent. When you go into a bar or some places outside you might hear someone singing and rarely when on the roofs you'll hear this soft opera music but a lot of it was unfortunately forgettable. I did enjoy Underground: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8qKAmO1Mfc which played at the end.

Glitches: Glitches and Ubisoft go together like....Bethesda and glitches. While I thankfully didn't get a case of one of the characters looking like a Gunther Von Haegens art piece because his skin didn't load, there were a few bad glitches.

Some glitches can be funny. A post I made of some screen caps from the game involved a female NPC being stuck on top the carriage and couldn't be shaken off. That was funny and didn't break any gameplay since I was between missions. But here are some glitches that weren't quite funny.

In one case during a cutscene when the Assassin's first board their train hideout, Henry Green failed to load, resulting in a floating box and his voice coming out the aether. Alright, that's kind of funny but one may disagree and think it's simply bad.

Another glitch is when you reply missions, you'll spawn roughly where the mission begins but the effects on the screen would indicate you've died or desynchronized. The game then puts you in the white loading room for a few seconds and respawns you again in the death state. This cycles four or five times before sorting itself out.

–

Additional gripe

I'm no fan of the collectables/currency system in the game.

Collectables are a mixed bag. There's several, which I'm not fan of, but some are a bit more than items you just collect with no reward. The collectables are: flowers, posters, helix glitches, bottles, chests, golden chests, royal letters, and several music boxes with disks in them to unlock OP armor.

For the flowers, posters, glitches, and bottles, it adds stuff to your database. Flowers tells you what the plant represents, posters unlocks images drawn in the 19th century, glitches unlocks letters from the past, bottles unlocks Shawn Hasting's review of various beers, and the letters unlock (I presume) real letters to and from Queen Victoria. As mentioned before, the music boxes lead to the unlocking of OP armor.

Chests meanwhile gives you money and materials and golden chests give you rare materials and schematics you can craft.

I will be fully honest and say I have no gotten all of the glitches or chests (gold or otherwise) so I don't know the full story behind them.

Having some collectables can be fun and it's even better if it gives you a little reward like historical pictures or letters to look at. However having too many turns it into padding. The music boxes, for example, take the place of the parkour courses from the Ezio trilogy. Since those games, getting the armor has turned into a prop hunt. When I finally did find all the boxes, the armor I already unlocked was fairly superior to the supposedly OP armor which gave you slightly more resistance.

Another issue is with currency which involves actual money (pounds), materials, and skill points. Skill points upgrade your character. Money and materials upgrade your gang, items, or are used in just buying things. The issue with materials is that some stuff may be restricted unfairly because of them.

To craft some weapons and armor and upgrades, you need special materials which you unlock by completing missions or find randomly in a chest. Why the game shows you the armor/tool/upgrade before you're able to actually use it I don't know. It says the item is available to buy or craft but then says you're unable to because you lack the special item.

For example, completing all of Robert Topping's missions give you a special cane sword but despite doing all the races and fighting all the fights, I wasn't able to actually get it because I haven't found the special material which turns out to have been locked inside a golden chest in a train station somewhere.

It's just artificially drawing out the game at that point. If I unlock something, at most have it something I need to purchase but having the player play easter egg hunting for golden chests is just nonsense. I still haven't unlocked the upgrade for poison darts because I haven't found whatever chest that's located in.

Sometimes simpler is better and when it comes to this crafting/upgrade system, it's time to tone it back a bit.

–

Anyways, it's a fairly alright game despite its flaws. Certainly one to get on a sale but I don't think I can quite recommend at a full 60 dollars. Maybe more 45. It was fun exploring the center of one of my favorite time periods and running into some of the more interesting people from history but unfortunate that the game doesn't seem to commit to standing out trying something different or exciting with it.

#Assassin's Creed Syndicate #Ubisoft #Review #Video Games

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recentanimenews · 5 years

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THE GREAT CRUNCHYROLL NARUTO REWATCH Continues with Episodes 8-14!

Welcome to the Great Crunchyroll Naruto Rewatch! I'm Kara Dennison, and I'll be your host this week as we make our way through all 220 episodes of the original Naruto. Last week, we covered episodes 1-7, and we continue this week with episodes 8-14.

This week, Team 7 pushes through on a bodyguard mission that is way above their pay grade. Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi-sensei deal with a town living in fear, a ninja who's as pretty as he is deadly, and another who just refuses to die. And the new Genin continue their training with their toughest challenge to date: Chakra-assisted tree-climbing!

Before we discuss these episodes, let's check out some questions and comments you had from our last installment!

Several people asked if we would be doing a Dattebayo/Believe It count.

Kevin: As the person actually doing the counts, I am totally willing to add another to the list. Admittedly, this one would be a bit more difficult, since I would need to actually pay attention to find all of the instances, instead of just noticing when there are multiple Narutos or a bowl of ramen on screen, made more difficult by the subs seeming to be inconsistent with how the phrase is translated. Someone who actually speaks Japanese might be a better choice since they’ll catch it more easily. Regardless of who though, if we’re adding it, the earlier the better so that the counter can go back and get the count for all previous weeks.

We were also asked about doing reaction videos rather than write-ups. We'd love to do this! Unfortunately, the spread of our Features team across several time zones combined with how long it would take to assemble and edit videos like this means that we couldn't move at the speed we currently are! We hope you enjoy the write-ups as we go!

Remember, you can leave us questions in the comments for the next set of episodes, and we'll answer them together in the next update!

Now, let's see what the Crunchyroll Features team thought of this week's episodes!

We’re into our second week of viewing. Has anything happened to change your early-stage feelings about the series last week? On the flip-side, has anything happened to cement early feelings?

Joseph: Despite the fact that this leg of the series introduces the whole “spend the first 10 minutes recapping what happened during the last 10 minutes of the previous episode,” Naruto is surprisingly fast-paced. In many ways it reshapes my previous feelings about this being a total shonen crawl, because Naruto and the team do manage to learn quite a bit in under a dozen eps.

Paul: It's still too early for me to offer any specific criticisms about the show or its qualities. Naruto is still a shouty shonen protagonist, Sasuke is still the broody support character with the tragic backstory, and Sakura is, well, still the generic love interest. I hope she doesn't get left behind in terms of development and cool character moments. On the flip side, Naruto and Sasuke teaming up against Zabuza does cement my opinion that the fight scenes are pretty cool.

Peter: I forgot how fantastic the early dynamic amongst Team 7 was, especially how Sakura was every bit the little piece of shit Naruto and Sasuke were. I’m actually afraid of new plot developments now since I can’t recall exactly how long this equilibrium lasted before… Well… Maybe that’s why One Piece and Black Clover make me feel so nostalgic, both have similar character chemistry but have stretched it out for their entire runs.

Danni: This batch of episodes established some of the characterization that felt absent from the initial episodes. I like that we’re already seeing a friendly rivalry develop between Sasuke and Naruto rather than an antagonistic one. I’m looking forward to seeing that relationship grow.

Carolyn: There were still many moments when I felt quite bored. I can’t say why exactly, but the show doesn’t fully capture my attention. That being said, I was glad to see a lot less Sexy Jutsu and for the most part less pining over Sasuke. It’s starting to become more of what I seemed to remember. I’m very impressed with how driven Naruto is and how much he dedicates himself to his goals. He’s a much better-written character than I realized the first time I watched the series.

Jared: There was less of a pull on emotional storytelling in these episodes, although Inari’s backstory was a wild roller coaster. That continued the trend of this series really knowing when to make story bits impactful. I also liked Naruto and Sasuke’s rivalry becoming more friendly than the two of them being jerks to each other.

Noelle: These episodes are mostly refreshers for me, but it was nice to see Naruto and Sasuke’s rivalry really start to form, instead of the short initial bursts we got in the first few episodes. Now it really feels like there’s more of a competition. On the flip side, well, it is still a shonen show, and all that comes with that.

Nicole: Team 7 is really starting to come together. Naruto and Sasuke each have their desire to improve and be the best they can possibly be, but they won’t dare lose to one another! I wish Sakura did more though; yes, her control of chakra is exceptional, but I’d like to see her kick some ass too, please. Meanwhile, Kakashi remains my favorite character and I wonder if that’ll change as we watch the entire series.

David: I’m glad that there is some thematic meat to this arc. Naruto’s story is still relatively basic for the genre, but the dynamics of the bridge builder Tazuna trying to help his community while fighting against the much more privileged shipping magnate Gato are genuinely interesting. Zabuza and Haku are the main combatants but they are sympathetic, essentially also being tragically used by the real villain Gato. I wish Naruto and company were more closely tied to the conflict, but as it stands I’m impressed.

So we finished out the fight with Zabuza… and now we’re in the middle of the fight with Zabuza and Haku! What’s your take on the action in this batch of episodes?

Joseph: The first round of the Zabuza fight ends with what is probably the most exciting moment of the series so far: Naruto and Sasuke’s double-team trick attack that involves Naruto disguising himself as a massive shuriken to mount a sneak attack from behind. The physics implications alone send the mind reeling. I love this and some of the other key action beats, but I just have one beef: this early on, the move is too brilliant for Naruto. I just can’t even fathom that he came up with it knowing what we know about him at this point. It still kicks ass, though!

Paul: What pleases me about the action sequences is not just the presentation of far-out effects from the Jutsus, but also the little bits of business such as Naruto and Sasuke sharing a smirk when their Shadow Shuriken plan comes together. That reversal of expectations – from success to failure back to success again – is a dramatic structure that Naruto does well.

Kevin: In general, I quite liked the action. The end of Team 7 versus Zabuza showed off teamwork and ingenuity, Naruto versus Gato’s goons evolved the “Shadow Clones transformed into Shuriken” concept, and Sasuke versus Haku showed off 1-handed signs and Kekkei Genkai. The last one doesn’t necessarily have the most exciting action, but it develops the ninjutsu system nicely.

Peter: I’m once again awestruck how easy Kishimoto made this adaptation. They pull so many dynamic layouts straight from the pages of the manga. Sasuke’s windmill shuriken reveal was every bit as peak goth as I remember. With a lot of Shippuden and Boruto’s action more clear in my mind, it’s really awesome how many details have carried throughout the series. Also I totally forgot how bad Haku seems to eat it every time he actually gets hit. Two blows to the face and each time you get this lovingly animated neck snap and flop over.

Carolyn: I actually noticed a lot of thought processes going on that I found very interesting. Were those there last week and I just missed them? I enjoyed hearing Sasuke put pieces together to figure out what the course of action might be in the face of danger. Or Kakashi figuring out the fakeout death. I like that we get to see a little bit of the brains behind the brawn.

Danni: It felt a bit more slow-paced this time, like every move required a set of reactions followed by a complete explanation of what just happened. That aside, I appreciate all the trickery that’s been going into the current battles. It engages me to a point where I’m watching every battle trying to predict the moves right along with them.

Jared: These fights definitely ramped up the danger aspect compared to the first set of episodes. The teamwork shown from Naruto and Sasuke in the first Zabuza fight was great. I thought it was interesting that even though we’re still relatively early on, Haku’s jutsu was stuff that had never been seen before by even people like Kakashi, which I’d have figured would come later. Naruto and Sasuke both did get their moments of looking cool, so maybe Sakura will get hers soon? Hopefully?

Noelle: Really, the shuriken bit from the first fight was pretty great. Yes, it was cool but what I most enjoyed about it was that it shows that Naruto’s still learning. He may be stubborn, but he’s pretty adaptable too! That makes the small victories that come with it feel a lot more earned. As for the second fight, it is dragging a bit.

Nicole: That shuriken moment was totally brilliant, and the smirk both Sasuke and Naruto share as it catches Zabuza off-guard is gold! They worked seamlessly as a team, and this seems to be just the beginning of this beautiful teamwork. Getting to see their different styles is refreshing; Sasuke seems to do things in order, whereas Naruto is more of a experimental type of ninja. Sakura… well, we’ve yet to really see her in action, so can’t really say much about her. But getting to see how they work, how they think and how they’re learning as they go is pretty neat!

David: Unlike the first batch of episodes, where the action seemed like it had potential but was held back by stilted animation for the most part, the fights here are all fluid and impressive. The Naruto-shuriken gambit is incredibly cool, but even the more basic hand-to-hand combat between Sasuke and Haku is just a joy to watch. They have magic powers, but the fights still manage to avoid the ‘floaty’ feeling shows with magic-infused combat sometimes fall into - hits always feel like they have a real weight to them.

We also get a second viewpoint on the situation in the Land of Waves via Inari and his family’s history. How do we feel about that storyline?

Joseph: Episode 10 introduces one of my favorite low-key shonen tropes: the “jaded child who no longer believes in heroes”! I like the way this one plays out. Tazuna seems kind of shady when the squad first runs into him, but the story he presents about Inari and his family is really heartfelt, and cements this bridge as something worth fighting for.

Paul: I know I'm not supposed to want to drop-kick the small child who has been repeatedly traumatized by bullying, poverty, and the murder of his adoptive father, but if they wanted Inari to be sympathetic, they shouldn't have given him that awful hat. It looks like at any moment he's going to try to sell me crypto-currency or hector me about how the workplace wage-gap is a myth.

Kevin: The backstory was well constructed and made the characters’ motivations understandable, I just wish that I cared about Inari nearly as much as I do his dead foster dad. Did we really need a second kid for Naruto to impart wisdom on because the kid’s going down the same path as him? Wasn’t Konohamaru enough?

Peter: I’m sure everyone on the team who watched MHA before Naruto is starting to make some connections with Inari. Mostly I am, and always have been, fascinated with the world that Kishimoto has created. I heard he grew up in a military town, but I’m curious about what personal experiences led to him developing this world with such a laser focus on how the prejudiced and violence of adults pass down to their children.

Carolyn: This universe is not gentle to orphaned children, that’s for sure. It’s kind of sad how often they are treated badly for literally being traumatized. Also, screw that kid for throwing the puppy in the water.

Danni: Listen, I’m on board for any storyline where a monopolistic corporate a-hole is the bad guy.

Jared: I sure wasn’t expecting Inari’s backstory to feature attempted dog murder and then death by crucifixion and stabbing. Or the fact that this was going to be about class warfare. If anything though, maybe Inari will help bring the bucket hat back into style.

Noelle: Inari comes as the second of ‘kids that Naruto relates to’, and it’s slightly different than Konohamaru. I admit I don’t really care deeply for Inari, even though I certainly feel bad for him because his dad’s murder is a lot more brutal than I remember. It’s also a lot more ‘greedy businessmen are bad’ than I remember, I was definitely more focused on ninja action than the ‘existing power structures will backstab you’ part as a kid.

Nicole: So when are they gonna punch Gato? When is Gato gonna get his? I didn’t remember the Land of Waves being in such a dire situation. And I certainly didn’t remember Inari’s dad getting publicly executed! Yeah, Gato needs to go, ASAP.

David: The hero of the people being literally crucified by the unrelenting capitalist overlord was a little on the nose, but considering the entire theming of the arc already surprised me with its thoughtfulness, I’m not really complaining.

We’re also seeing lots of new moves! What’s been your favorite new Jutsu?

Joseph: My favorite Jutsu would have to be the way Naruto and Sasuke used the transformation move, which is something I’m sure was on a lot of minds during this batch. Beyond Jutsu, though, I gotta give a shout-out to some of the new concepts Kishimoto cooked up. I love the idea of tracker ninja and the notion of having to recover or destroy bodies before their ninja secrets can be revealed.

Paul: I don't know if it counts as a Jutsu specifically, but Kakashi using his Sharingan to copy (and surpass) his enemies' techniques was pretty dope, if only for the imagery of dueling water dragons.

Kevin: While it’s not technically a jutsu on its own I completely forgot about the “Shadow Clones turn into shuriken” combos, and I love seeing them. It’s a level of strategy that Naruto doesn’t normally employ, and I hope that there’s more stuff like it in the future.

Nate: I'm always partial to Naruto's training, in this case something super basic (for a ninja) like running vertically up a tree--the series always does a great job breaking down a technique so the characters can fully understand it, which then means that we understand it. Later, when the characters use the technique, they don't need to explain anything and can just let the action do the talking.

Peter: Naruto loves breaking its own rules. No sooner did they bother talking about hand seals than a character is introduced who can do it with 50% less hand. That said, some of the shit Sasuke pulls later on with seals is some of the most awesome fight choreography in anime. Also Kakashi’s use of sharingan is really bizarre at this point. I’m really curious what Kishimoto’s original plans for the doujutsu were before developing it (or not) later on.

Danni: Does the sharingan count as a jutsu? I hope so, because that’s my favorite. It’s the shinobi equivalent of the kid at recess going “I just learned all your moves and can deflect all of them now.” It’s way too OP. I love it.

Carolyn: So. Many. Clones. I don’t think it counts as jutsu but I am a definite fan of the pretend death needles.

Jared: Haku’s hidden jutsu of ice mirrors is rad from the sense of a technique that could seem as if there’s no means of beating it, but also you could have a nice side business by having a portable house of mirrors.

Noelle: It’s not really a jutsu, but I still love the sharingan. I also completely forgot about the shuriken transformation so that was great to see it again!

Nicole: That would have to be that one scene of Zabuza doing the Water Style Water Dragon Jutsu and Kakashi copying all of it like it was nothing. It was so cool to see all the hand signs in motion like that for the first time!

David: Haku’s ice mirrors genuinely frightened me as a child - I was completely convinced Sasuke was just going to die there back then. It’s still very cool now. Getting a hint of the more high-powered fights watching Zabuza and Kakashi go at it is also neat but I’m more impressed by the smaller powers I think.

And of course, to close things out, what’s everyone’s personal high and low points of episodes 8-14?

Joseph: I think I’ve made my high point clear enough: LIVING. SHURIKEN! As for the lows, Sakura is still getting the short shrift. Naruto and Sasuke are constantly growing, yet she remains far from the spotlight. There’s one moment where she approaches Tazuna and says she’s in charge of guarding him while Naruto and Sasuke continue to practice climbing trees. I don’t really see how she can help; shouldn’t she be back there training, as well? At this point she seems like an afterthought that’s used more as a wedge to place between two characters who don’t really require any additional tension.

Paul: Low point–Inari's mom being menaced by a pair of leering, sword-licking samurai goons. High point–Naruto delivering a righteous head-kicking to said goons. Sometimes the baddies just need to get roundhouse kicked into next Tuesday.

Kevin: High Point- Naruto asking Sakura for tree climbing help. First, I’m a sucker for shonen training, so seeing the main characters get a week to practice a new skill is great on its own, especially since we see the start of Naruto and Sasuke being actual rivals. Even better though, the show builds on the previous idea of teamwork being more important than anything else by having Naruto realize that he can improve more quickly by asking a teammate for help instead of (in this case almost literally) running into a wall. Low Point- Sasuke in the Ice Mirrors. I know that he’s being pinned in and this is the first time that one of the kids is seriously in danger, but it’s also a problem that can be solved by covering your head and running in literally any direction to get out. Worst case scenario, you have a needle somewhere vital that it stopping you from bleeding out due to the needle being in the way.

Peter: Once again my highs and lows are mixed. I’m really loving the interactions between Team 7 but you can already feel a growing disparity between the characters that indicate it won't last. The relationship between Sakura and Naruto specifically is super rewarding. You discover they have a lot in common and she softens on him once she realizes he isn’t 100% a troublemaker. Him showing humility and asking for help is also A+ shonen stuff. Loved the “I’m not telling.”

Carolyn: I have been paying extra attention to the art style this week. I love the watercolor look of the backdrop and the occasional Ben-Day Dot style flashbacks. I also have been very much liking Naruto’s continued growth, being happy for Sakura’s success but still admitting his jealousy (emotionally mature in my book!) and coming to her for help. I continue to be surprised by how much depth he has when he isn’t being a punk. The low point, sadly, was still my girl Sakura. I swear I remembered her as being a stronger character but she just isn’t there, yet. She got much closer this week … when she had things to do. But then immediately followed that up by needing Sasuke’s approval before taking pride in her accomplishments.

Danni: The lowest moments in these episodes are easily the all-too frequent flashbacks. I know, they’re an easy way of filling extra time, but as a viewer I feel insulted! Please, trust your audience to have a memory span longer than that of a goldfish! That aside, I can’t tell you how psyched I got at the shadow shuriken throw Naruto and Sasuke pulled off. I live for tech like that.

Jared: This set of episode had to have at least 10-15% of them made up of flashbacks which felt like such a drag. Episode 14 is especially egregious with this since 10 minutes of it are just that for whatever reason. It didn’t help as well that the recap seemed to really nail what the series thinks of Sakura currently with that she just has the hots for Sasuke. Can Inari’s hat reminding me that I own a New Radicals CD be in between high and low moments? That said, the fights were a lot of fun, Haku proving that characters named that are cool and dangerous, and Naruto and Sasuke’s team up were all good moments.

Noelle: The fights were fun! Even though Team 7 is made up of kids and one (relatively young) adult, it’s good to see that the kids aren’t entirely outclassed. Normally you’d expect the adult enemies to steamroll them, but the team is holding their own, and adapting to new situations. It’s good, not just something stagnant. As for the low points, boy there were a lot of flashbacks! It’s standard, I know, but it felt a lot like padding, if that makes sense. Trust your viewer to remember something that happened recently! Also Sakura’s treatment, but that is well, unfortunately a genre staple…

Nicole: Low Point: Sakura not really doing anything. She is praised by Kakashi, but why hasn’t she really shown off what she can do? High Point: The overall growth of Team 7 as they trained and battled! Naruto asking Sakura for tips and then not sharing what she said with Sasuke was hilarious, but even in those moments of rivalry, they care for one another as a team.

David: High point: Again, the Naruto-shuriken strategy is incredibly satisfying to watch unfold. It is the first time it really feels like the show has not only a solid understanding of its own mechanics but also the cleverness to utilize it for cool and exciting moments. Low point: kind of cheating, but the half-episode of recap in episode 14 isn’t just boring, it is also horrendously placed. Right before that, Sasuke is trapped by Haku, everyone is in peril, and Naruto appears to save the day at the very end of the episode! There can’t be a worse way to follow that up than by riding that excitement and suspense directly into a recap of the entire show so far.

COUNTERS:

Ramen consumed so far: 2 bowls, 1 cup

"I'm gonna be Hokage!" count: 11

Number of Shadow Clones summoned: 52

And that's everything for this week! Remember that you're always welcome to join us for this rewatch, especially if you haven't watched the original Naruto!

Here's our upcoming schedule!

-Next week, on FEBRUARY 1st, we discuss EPISODES 15-21, with KEVIN MATYI hosting! Not only do we start the Chunin Exam arc, but we get our first FILLER EPISODE! THIS IS THE ONLY INSTALLMENT WE'RE ACCEPTING QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR THIS WEEK!

-Then, on FEBRUARY 8th, we'll discuss EPISODES 22-28, with JARED CLEMONS as host! The Chunin Exam kicks into high gear!

-On FEBRUARY 15th, we'll discuss EPISODES 29-35, hosted by DANIEL DOCKERY as things heat up in the Forest of Death!

Thank you for joining us for the Great Crunchyroll Naruto Rewatch! Have a great weekend, and we'll see you all next time!

Have any comments or questions about episodes 8-14? What about our upcoming installment, featuring episodes 15-21?

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Kara Dennison is a writer, editor, and interviewer with bylines at VRV, We Are Cult, and many more. She is also the co-founder of Altrix Books and co-creator of the OEL light novel series Owl's Flower. Kara blogs at karadennison.com and tweets @RubyCosmos.

By: [email protected]

#Anime #News #Latest in Anime News by Crunchyroll!

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jazhal-blog · 5 years

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Public Journal Entry #2

In this text, you’ll read about my views on food culture, technology and society, as well as my views on zoos, and issues with our oceans. I hope you enjoy it.

Listen: slooooow movement

The Slow Movement is a very new concept to me, and I’ve only just recently heard of it. From my understanding, the Slow Movement is a new lifestyle choice aimed at better connecting with the world around you, strengthening bonds with family and friends, meeting new people, putting down devices, decreasing stress levels, and learning how to prioritize. Western society today runs on a basis of fluid movement, convenience, and maximum productivity, but the Slow Movement communicates the importance on pause. Stop and smell the roses, enjoy life to its fullest, take a break. I’m really into this idea.

Throughout my teenage years, I was taught by family to work hard, rank up in the workplace, make money, and save for my retirement. But why waste all that time waiting to enjoy myself? Work is stressful, why should a day off or a vacation be sacrificed if you don’t feel truly fulfilled? Time off promotes physical wellbeing, and mental health. Time to unplug and forget about phones, or social media is also very important to mental health. The constant urge to keep up with people you follow on Instagram or Facebook, and the endless feeling of wanting more to make those that follow you, some kind of envious.

The other day, I listened to a few Slow Revolution podcasts, you can find them here, http://www.carlhonore.com/unlock-slow/podcasts/. “In each episode, Carl (Honoré) interviews someone who is putting Slow into action. Topics range from work, medicine and education to food, sports and design to relationships, travel and technology.”1 I chose to enjoy the podcasts titled, Come Dine With Me, Slowly and European Vacation 2.0. While one segment describes appreciating the company of strangers, experiencing culture while travelling through cuisine, the other explains the benefits of taking a break from technology.

I see some challenges involving getting on board with the Slow Movement. The first, advertisements, products, and services, are mostly based around our fast-pace lives, and are constantly advancing for the sake of convenience. It’s taken decades for these services and products to get to this point, and many people just aren’t willing to sacrifice convenience. Laziness is arguably an epidemic taking place in North America. It’s very difficult for people to put down their phones, to share conversation with other human beings, or with the world around them. Many people actually experience massive amounts of social anxiety; again, we must be willing to give up the security blanket and break free from the social normal. Lastly, the desire for material possessions, the feeling of self-value and wealth that comes from these items, is blocking entry to the Slow Movement.

However, there are great opportunities within the Slow Movement, they include a strengthening human connection to nature, bettering relationships with family members and existing and new friends, and the possibility of living as a minimalist. Minimalism involves living with few material possessions, and owned items having a higher sentimental value, than a price. Low to zero-waste lifestyles are branches of minimalism, and the environmental benefits to reducing, repairing, and reusing are exponential.

I would love to use the website discussed in the Come Dine With Me, Slowly episode of The Slow Revolution, however there are not yet any host locations available in Winnipeg, and I’m quite sure my culinary background isn’t up to par with the world class chefs that currently use the platform. While travelling to larger cities in the future, I’ll definitely try to book seats at a meal using EatWith, found here, https://www.eatwith.com/. I would also love to use technology less. I’m not a very tech-savvy 23 year-old. I don’t use many social networking sites, but I still find myself checking news outlets daily, scrolling a feed or 2, and most days it’s depressing. From now on, I’ll disconnect once I’m home, to spend more quality time with my partner and our dogs. The health and happiness of my beloved Shibas is a huge motivating factor for me, to slow down, appreciate them, love them, and enjoy our nature walks. It’s something we enjoy together, and it’s almost like a form of meditation for all parties involved.

My actions: chemical care

I’ve recently reviewed my personal care products on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database, you can review your own products at https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/. I was pleased to see that most of my cosmetic products were rated with a 1 or 2, designating them ‘low hazards’. This includes 2 moisturizers from Vichy and La Roche-Posay, The All Nighter Liquid Foundation by Urban Decay, and a mattifying powder by Nude by Nature. While keeping the environment and my sensitive skin in mind, I’ve always looked for products with minimal ingredients, which are suitable for my acne and rosacea, and are backed with scientific research. I’ve also been involved in the cosmetic industry for 7 years, working as a beauty advisor at Shoppers Drug Mart. Before I was asked to research my own products by a University Professor, I had heard of this website before, and used it as a resource to find suitable products for clients.

In 2011, Biotherm launched their Water Lovers campaign, “a global water call-to-action in support of Mission Blue - the ocean campaign alliance - plus a stringent water perservation charter across our brand.”2 I was disappointed with the fact that a Biotherm product I’ve used twice a day for upwards of 5 years, rated overall as 5, or ‘moderately toxic’, contains not just 1, but 2 highly toxic endocrine disruptors, Lilial and Benzyl Salicylate. As well as multiple ingredients that have high ecotoxicity, such as Geraniol, and once again Benzyl Salicylate. I couldn’t believe I’d been duped by a company that teaches people worldwide the importance of ocean ecosystems while taking part in their brand-training sessions. Needless to say, I’ve since stopped using the toner. I’m still struggling to find a replacement for it within my routine, as most toners seem to be rated with a 3-6 designating them as ‘moderate hazards’. For Shampoo, I use the brand Attitude, which uses the EWG’s seal.

My actions: the good, the bad, and the u…nsustainable purchases.

My purchases for this past week, some people would see as wonderful, but if you really break it down, they’re really not that great. Living in the Canadian Prairies, it’s impossible to find locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables outside of their growing season. So the produce that I’ve purchased this week, in the middle of November, has predominantly come from California. I’ve also purchased a variety pack of meats from Frigs Natural Meats and More, while their website boasts, “The butcher shop that’s a cut above,”3 as well as their mandate, “Our goal was to supply good quality, naturally raised local Manitoba meat to our customers.”4 Their animals are also raised without the use of growth hormones, or antibiotics, and their grazing livestock are grass-fed. However, as Dr. Richard Oppenlander describes in the documentary Cowspiracy, “When you go meatless on Mondays, when you ascribe to that campaign, you’re essentially contributing to climate change, pollution, depletion of our planet’s resources, and your own health, then on only six days of the week, instead of seven. You’re creating a false justification.”5 Even though I purchased a local and less harmful alternative to products of factory farming, it still contributes to excess water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and possibly water contamination. I’ve purchased a book, made with the remnants of trees when an electronic version was available, biodegradable bags made from corn, which I use to pick up dog poop, as well as, reusable mesh produce bags, all made in the U.S.A. and shipped from an Amazon warehouse. The good intention is clearly there, but with the external costs of shipping, does it really weigh out? I would personally consider all of these commodities ‘bad’ due to their origin or locality, distance of shipping, and whether the purchase was made from a local/small business or a corporate giant. The ‘ugly’ products that made it onto my lists includes a few packs of Puma socks made in China, as well as a fleece pullover, and a box of frozen pork bites, all bought from the big-box-store Costco. I categorized these products as ‘ugly’ because they were produced in a foreign county, likely under un-environmental circumstances, and travelled over a great distance before being placed in my shopping cart. After tracking what I bought for an entire week, I could only think of 1 item that I would consider ‘good’, a bottle of Crampton’s Blueberry syrup. It’s a local company, made with local ingredients, and I bought it from a local store. It’s just so difficult to find local consumables in Canada over the winter.

My actions: the e-waste drawer (read: graveyard)

The e-waste drawer, most Canadian households have one. They’re a dark place where our replaced, but often still usable electronics go to die. This place in the home is not a recycling facility, where finite and incredibly expensive materials may be recovered and reused. With technology advancing so quickly, our phones, tablets, computers, and game consoles, seem to go out of date very quickly. Every few months there’s a new model, and some of the world’s most valuable tech companies, have admitted to slowing down usable devices through software updates, to entice consumers to buy more, and buy new.

TerraCycle is a company looking to reduce waste by offering consumers variable ‘Zero Waste Boxes’ available for purchase on their website. Find them here, https://www.terracycle.ca/en-CA/zero_waste_boxes. “TerraCycle recycles and upcycles waste instead of incinerating or landfilling it, which is a significantly better solution for waste than traditional methods. We also provide ‘waste’ with a new life, creating usable new products out of items that would have simply been thrown out,”6 TerraCycle says on their website. The world is currently enduring a garbage crisis, with so much waste being produced; some countries don’t know what to do with it. This summer, articles from every major news outlet covered a story of Lebanon dumping garbage into the Mediterranean Sea, but they’re not the only ones expecting nature to assimilate our waste. Take for example, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which swirls around in the Earth’s largest body of water, accumulating primarily in between California and Hawaii. “The mass of the plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) was estimated to be approximately 80,000 tonnes,”7 so how does our e-waste rack up?

“In 2016, the worlds’ cities generated 2.01 billion tonnes of solid waste, amounting to a footprint of 0.74 kilograms per person per day.”8 While in the same year, our, “electronic waste rose to a record 45 million tonnes worldwide.”9 Most people consider e-waste to be just handheld electronics, or computers, and televisions, etc. But consider your appliances, your microwave, coffee maker, hair blow dryer, or washing machine. There are components in your appliances that should be recycled too, and these items also contribute to our massive e-waste dilemma. In Winnipeg, all of the items listed above, and many more can be recycled, simply by dropping them off at one of the 3, 4R recycling depots around the city. Many scrap yards also accept large household appliances, and pay you money for bringing them in, while a simple post on the classified site, Kijiji, could put you in contact with someone willing to pick up your items for you. While everyone considers a safe disposal technique for old cell phones, consider this for you other electronic items too. For example, fridges and freezers, with vast electronic components, and finite resource materials, some of them also containing ozone depleting refrigerants. Not only should the metals and plastics used the in the production of these commodities be recycled, but the oil and refrigerants need to be safely recovered. The Winnipeg 4R depots also take in refrigerators and freezers for proper disposal, but they’re still a common sight in landfills and dumps everywhere.

In the future, I plan on disposing of my electronic waste by one of my methods listed above, taking items to scrap yards or 4R depots, or investing in a TerraCycle box. Purchasing used items is a great way to reduce waste, as well as reselling items that you no longer have a use for. There’s always a market for used electronics, and most service providers take in used phones to refurbish and sell back to customers. Of course, simply buying less limits waste, if you have a smart phone, and a laptop, do you really need a tablet? Do you really need a new phone whenever a new model comes out, even though your current device is perfectly good? [Fig. 1 represents the current global scale of waste, as well as estimated amounts for 2050. World Bank. (2018). What A Waste 2.0. Retrieved From: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/infographic/2018/09/20/what-a-waste-20-a-global-snapshot-of-solid-waste-management-to-2050]

My actions: involving food

Many Canadians have a ‘vegan-phobic’ attitude, but I try to eat as little meat as I can, and many in my generation are following suit. As I mentioned earlier in this post, my partner and I have recently started purchasing our meats from Frig’s Meats and More. They offer a sustainable alternative to factory farming, while providing their livestock with an ethical cage-free environment. Their cows are also grass-fed, and processed in a small facility, which greatly reduces the risk of contamination with pathogens such as E. Coli. As Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, says in the documentary Food, Inc., “So you feed corn to cattle and E. Coli, which is a very common bug, evolves, a certain mutation occurs and a strain called the ‘E. Coli O157:H7’ appears on the world stage. It’s a product of the diet we’re feeding cattle on feedlots and it’s a product of feedlot life. The animals stand ankle deep in their manure all day long. So if one cow has it, the other cows will get it. When they get to the slaughterhouse, their hides are caked with manure. If the slaughterhouse is slaughtering 400 animals an hour, how do you keep that manure from getting onto those carcasses?”10 Currently, a vast E. Coli contamination of Romaine Lettuce is prevalent across Canada and the United States, the vegetable has since been pulled from shelves across both nations, and health agencies are still not able to pin-point where the affected lettuce came from. With large factory farming operations, many foods other than meat can be tainted by deadly bacteria such as E. Coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, common infected vegetables include; Spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

All of this contamination contributes to food waste, which is another huge issue involving our incredibly inefficient food system. A report titled Characterization and Management of Food Loss and Waste in North America was published in 2017 by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation. In the Summary of this report, it states, “Approximately 168 million tonnes of FLW are generated in North America each year. This estimate encompasses all stages of the food supply chain, including the pre-harvest and consumer stages. Per country, this equates to 13 million tonnes in Canada, 28 million tonnes in Mexico and 126 million tonnes in the United States.”11 Food waste, is not only the demise of the products you leave to rot, it’s about the inputs of production. Water, land, and energy, are all wasted too, when you send consumable products to the landfill. External costs of using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides also go towards producing the food we throw out. Excess methane emissions, which have a global warming potential 25 times greater than carbon, come from food waste. Pollution of our water systems, loss of biodiversity, the list goes on.

In my household, we only prepare as much as we’ll eat. Since a waste audit project I took part in for a University class, we’ve also started meal planning and composting. I understand, that with only 2 people to cook for, both being adults, it may be easier to control the amount of waste that is produced. We do still forget to eat some leftovers, if there’s any, but we’re really working on improving this. Our next big step in sustainable consumption will be to start our own balcony garden when the weather warms. We live down the street from a local greenhouse and are planning to give our first shot at growing tomatoes, beans, peas, and bell peppers. We’re on a continuous path to limiting our dependence on industrialized agriculture, and hope to inspire and share our methods with friends and family.

Our food system

In our current food system, I like that there’s increasingly more options for local, sustainable, and ethical foods. The ‘shop local’ movement isn’t just a trend anymore, it’s become a lifestyle. Local butchers are bringing meats that ‘have a name’ to the table, which by the way have a much more natural and more palatable texture with strong flavour, while farmers markets are popping up in every neighbourhood. I also appreciate that more and more people are gaining knowledge regarding the issue of factory farming, and are swaying toward more traditional methods of farming, and preparing meals in the home.

I dislike the convenience of unsustainable agriculture including factory farms, and the environmentally depleting issues that come along with them. Environmental costs of production and transport, the use of synthetics (pesticides, herbicides, growth hormones, etc.) during production, packaging that is non-bio-degradable or non-recyclable, and contamination of foods that should be of no concern. Specifically at a retail level, I dislike the plastic bags that are offered for produce at grocery stores, and at a consumer level, the amount of food waste that is produced. These factors on their own bring on a whole different level of adverse environmental effects.

Our Oceans

There are so many concerns involving our oceans. Acidification, warming resulting in carbon release, sea-level rise, decrease in speeds of currents, ice melt, loss of biodiversity including reef systems, loss of biomass, unsustainable fishing, the list goes on, nearly endlessly. I wouldn’t say I have a primary concern, because I’m worried about all of these things. But something that really stands out to me is the warming of the oceans. Rising temperatures cause most of the issues I’ve listed earlier in this paragraph. It also poses a huge direct threat to humans in relation to the increase in severity of natural disasters such as hurricanes.

“As Captain Paul Watson once said, “If the oceans die, we all die,” and if that’s true, then humans are doing a darn good job at plotting their own demise. Around half of the planet’s oxygen supply comes from the sea, which also plays a huge role in regulating global temperatures, weather patterns, and climate.”12 To combat this problem, my household has already stopped consuming seafood. In October, my partner and I visited an exhibit at the Vancouver Aquarium that displays the realities of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and everyday I’m looking for new ways to reduce our impact on the oceans, even though we live so far away from them. However, being situated in the geographic centre of the North America, Winnipeggers may not realize how close the ocean systems actually are. The Red River, drains into Lake Winnipeg, continues into the Nelson River, then finally into Hudson Bay. The water that fills Lake Winnipeg, comes from one of the largest watersheds on Earth, “nearly 1 000 000 km2 in size and is home to more than 7 million people.”13 North America’s most agriculturally productive areas are located within the watershed, including 4 Canadian Provinces; Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, as well as 4 U.S. States; North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana.13 As residents of Winnipeg, we see the amount of pollution present in the Red River. We’re warned not to wander into the water, drink from it, and many people refuse to eat the fish that come from it. As regular travelers to the Interlake know, there are often occurring swimming advisories, a less plentiful fishing industry compared to previous years, and swath of green goo which lines the shores. The goo, is Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, a bacteria that has high neurotoxicity, caused by the over abundance of nutrients, mostly Phosphorous, is brought on by agricultural activity, and put humans, animals, and extending water systems in harm’s way. This is the main culprit of the eutrophication of our lake. Farm runoff, industrial waste, oil, and sewage are also dumped into the rivers, for example, Winnipeg’s sewage overflow is directed into the Red and Assiniboine Rivers on average 22 times per year.13 The water flowing through the Red River and Lake Winnipeg, end up in Hudson Bay, the Arctic, such a fragile ecosystem. All of this pollution also ends up in our soils and our food web. If this is happening in Canada, a nation who is supposedly a renowned steward for environmental efforts, imagine the scale of effects taking place elsewhere in the world.

To limit our contributions to negative environmental effects, my household has stopped using soaps, detergents and cleaners which contain phosphorous, and have started using cleaning products that use probiotic cleansers, or just regular old vinegar. Great eco-friendly brands to look out for in stores are Method, Bio-Vert, Eco- Max, and Lemi Shine. We’re also drastically reducing plastics we bring into our home, and of course, we’re brainstorming new ways to reduce our carbon footprint every day. [Fig. 2 Image displays the combined sewer system used in most of Winnipeg. City Of Winnipeg Water and Waste Department. (2018). Wastewater collection system operation: Combined sewer system. Retrieved From: https://winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/sewage/systemOperationCombined.stm]

My views on zoos

I believe many zoos and conservation centers today play a major role in conservation; studying species, reproducing threatened populations, sharing with people the beauty and importance of biodiversity. Zoos have changed a lot in the last few decades. Since I’ve become a volunteer at Wildlife Haven, a place that is home to Ambassadors, or resident animals, I see the importance of educating the public. Most people don’t watch nature shows, or read books of an environmental theme; it’s the best way to put knowledge out there.

But is it ethical to keep animals in zoos? This is a very difficult question to answer. To me, it depends on the situation, every factor from species, size, dietary requirements, disease/ailments, climate, temperament of the animal, stress level, and of course, is it in the animals’ best interest? Individuals that have nothing physically wrong with them, that were unfortunately imprinted on humans at any stage of their life but especially in their youth, ones who are not able to hunt on their own in the wild. It’s not fair for them to die, because of human mistreatment. If they are able to live a normal life in captivity, without heightened levels of stress or pain, they shouldn’t have to be euthanized. When children are able to connect with wildlife on a personal level, whether it is during in-class presentations, on field trips to wildlife centers, or at zoos, it promotes the human connection to nature. My experience is that people seem to remember animals’ stories, and the better the story of how they came into care, the more knowledge people will absorb. I do, however, believe zoos should focus more on the individual animals, and maintain information provided regarding the species. When you’re at a zoo, the information panels provided to spectators, usually in front of enclosures or throughout exhibits, showcase the species. Where do they live in the world, and in what type of ecosystem? What do they eat? What is their global population? It’s all so, general. But what about that particular individual that people stare at through the steel cage, or Plexiglas wall? People should know if the animals were surrendered or rescued from the pet trade, or if they were separated from their mothers at a young age and brought to a rehabilitation facility. Is their containment due to human-wildlife conflict? These are the issues that zoos should address, involving conservation.

I have a negative view of containing larger animals; elephants have home ranges of incredible size and migrate vast distances across the continent of Africa. Their life span is significantly decreased within confines of zoos, compared to in the wild. Inter-species mingling is also an issue; there have been cases of zoos placing prey along with predators. As well as not separating dominant individuals, most often males, from each other which results in deadly aggression. Overall, there’s a disappointing amount of mismanagement taking place in zoos and zoo-like places in North America and around the world. I would like to see more legislation limiting species type, enclosure sizes, and human contact for animals held in containment.

I enjoy visiting zoos, aquariums, and wildlife centers that are based around conservation. I’m very wary of, and avoid visiting zoos or zoo-like attractions in the U.S. or countries in the Caribbean while travelling, but I always have a great time at places like Fort Whyte Alive, Vancouver Aquarium, and Assiniboine Park Zoo. I enjoy seeing species that I don’t often, or at all, see in the wild. I also appreciate seeing children get excited while visiting exhibits; it gives me hope for the future.

References.

1. Carl Honoré. (Date Unknown). Welcome to The Slow Revolution, the podcast that explores the pros and cons of slowing down in a fast, impatient world. Retrieved From: http://www.carlhonore.com/unlock-slow/podcasts/

2. Adapted From: Biotherm. World Of Biotherm: Our Story. Retrieved From: https://www.biotherm.ca/en/landing?fdid=ourstory

3. Frigs Meats. (2017). Home Page, Frigs Natural Meats & More: So Frig’n Good. Retrieved From: http://frigsnaturalmeats.ca/

4. Frigs Meats. (2017). Frigs Natural Meats & More: About Frigs. Retrieved From: http://frigsnaturalmeats.ca/about-frigs

5. Andersen, K., Kuhn, K. (Producers & Directors). (2014). Cowspiracy: The sustainability secret. USA: A.U.M. Films & First Spark Media. (01:16:14)

6. TerraCycle. (2018). About TerraCycle: The TerraCycle Solution. Retrieved From: https://www.terracycle.ca/en-CA/about-terracycle?utm_campaign=admittance&utm_medium=menu&utm_source=www.terracycle.ca

7. The Ocean Cleanup. (2018). How Much Plastic Floats in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch: Total Mass and Count. Retrieved From: https://www.theoceancleanup.com/great-pacific-garbage-patch/#how-much-plastic-floats-in-the-gpgp

8. World Bank. (2018). Understanding Poverty, Urban Development: Solid Waste Management. Retrieved from: http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/urbandevelopment/brief/solid-waste-management

9. Doyle, A. (2017). Worldwide Electronic Waste Hit a New Record at 45 Million Tonnes Last Year. Oslo, Norway: Reuters, Global News. Retrieved From: https://globalnews.ca/news/3914879/electronic-waste-worldwide-2016/

10. Kenner, R., Pearlstein, E. (Producers), & Kenner, R. (Director). (2008). Food, Inc. [Motion picture]. USA: Magnolia Pictures. (00:23:55)

11. CEC. 2017. Characterization and Management of Food Loss and Waste in North America. Montreal, Canada: Commission for Environmental Cooperation. 48 pp.

12. Smith, K. (2017). Why There Is Really No Such Thing as a ‘Sustainable’ Fishery. One Green Planet. Retrieved From: http://www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/no-such-thing-as-a-sustainable-fishery/

13. Province of Manitoba, (Date Unknown), Lake Winnipeg Quick Facts. Retrieved from: https://www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/water_quality/lake_winnipeg/facts.html

14. Adapted From: City of Winnipeg, (Last Updated: July 20th, 2017), How Our Sewer System Works: Combined Sewers. Retrieved from: https://winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/sewage/systemOperation.stm

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Week 4 on the Camino

Day 22: I walked like mad today. Anger is a catalyst for change. At least for me and it has been that way my entire life. Probably why I am prone to it. If I am going to walk 2 more weeks, I need to enjoy my time and change my mindset. Sure my body hurts and my feet pretty much hate me. I don’t have anything wrong that keeps me from walking. So that is what I did today. Mad at the world, sick of playing victim so I walked with purpose. Guess what? I caught up to Eric and Ramon even though they started 3 miles ahead at the same time. I had no idea I would see them and I sent them a text saying turn around. It was a beautiful reunion. We met Philipp for lunch and the bond is amazing. Ended up we all stayed together in the same place. Wolfpack is back, at least for today. Ramon is injured from doing such a long distance yesterday. A bothered knee and a fever. He got the job done though and made it. Today after arriving, I forced myself to shower and socialize. Something I have struggled to do because I mostly want to lay in bed and rest. So glad I did. I met 2 lovely Canadian ladies Susan and Ashley- Aunt/ Niece. We got deep into conversations about life, if the world was getting better/worse, the Camino experience and so much more. Everyone joined in at dinner with great insights. Eric is always full of the best. He talked about a metaphor of life being an onion and how these layers are put onto you but his journey has been about finding the core. Today was the first day I truly enjoyed the experience. I am determined to appreciate my time here and today I was on a mission and accomplished that. I think it is true, life is a Camino. I am here to embrace that philosophy. Distance: 16.7 Time: 6 hours Money spent: 30 euro

Day 23: Today I started out thinking I would do a short distance. As I went I thought about things. The symbolic location called Cruz de Ferro where you throw a stone to represent life’s burdens being cast aside. It was a short distance from where I planned to stop. As I walked, I felt it was perfect that 6 years to the date of Sean’s suicide that I go to this place. I told Matty of my plan and he said I should go and that even with the chance of bad weather, that maybe I was meant to struggle. So I communicated this to the wolfpack and I walked on. Even had to change shoes due to the mud and snow. Matty also informed me of his support and that he would let me be but if I should need anything, he would be available. He then told me that he understood that today was my day with Sean. The tears flooded and I walked alone and listened to my playlist of music that reminds me of Sean. When I arrived, I went and sat on the hill of rocks and cried and cried and cried. I cried for myself, for those that I was carrying burdens for, and for the burdens left there from others. Philipp arrived after me and he spent his time then he put his hand on my shoulder in comfort. I pulled him in for an embrace and we sat there crying for awhile. He then asked if I wanted to stay and I did. I had not even thrown my rocks. I had family send me rocks to represent these burdens. Ramon came and hugged me and kissed my head multiple times. I continued sitting there just crying. Eventually after about 20 mins I pulled out the rocks. I examined them and thought about the meanings and relevance. When ready, I started throwing them one by one. I saw Eric off to the side just taking it all in. I finally was down to 2 rocks when I stood up and placed them at the top. These 2 rocks represented strength and deserved the highest point. I then proceeded down the hill of rocks to where Philipp and Ramon were located and we embraced thanking each other for the love, support, and company during the journey. We all took a turn playing a song that meant so much. My song was, I’ll think of You- by We are Messangers. Eric took his turn on the hill and made his way to us. As he approached, I said it is time for a group hug and we all went to him, embraced and cried some more. It was very emotional for all of us in many ways and for different reasons. We left our make and headed off. Shortly after we left, it started to rain and sleet. There was a dog and after the story of the people being bit, I told Ramon to get his stick. He attempted to yell off the dog but it continued to follow. I was freaking out so he called the dog over. It wagged it’s tell and started to cry. I think it too was not enjoying the storm. After about a mile, we came across a shack. We went in for a break from the rain. We were invited in to a place with no electricity or running water. We were offered tea/coffee and cookies. We sat in by the fire and warmed ourselves. One of the guys were Brazilian so Ramon and him had great conversation, or it seemed that way. With water leaking through the roof onto the floor next to me, I couldn’t help but feel blessed. Here these guys had opened the home and taken us in to get out of the cold and rain. Even without speaking the language, the time was magical. We eventually bundled up and headed off in the rain, cold, sleet, snow, and walked. Knowing we had a couple hours of walking left, we embraced ourselves with the reality of the journey. After walking in the horrible weather for 1 1/2 hours, I rounded the road and saw the most beautiful blue skies ahead. It was hope and my face lit up. I stood there in the rain, cold, shaking and tears welled up in my eyes yet again. It was a great view and a symbolic meaning to the day that there was light and hope in the hardest moments. The bad things were left behind and there were blue skies and sunshine ahead. Although we were all walking our own pace, we joined in that moment and finished the walk to the village together. We found a beautiful hostel and topped the evening of with a steak and shrimp meal. The day could not have been more perfect and energizing. So many people reached out to me today. I am truly alive and feel the love and support during this journey. I hope that today you too have a chance to celebrate life. It is due to Sean’s death that April 13th I chose to celebrate life. I am thankful for the opportunity of this journey and the way to self discovery. My heart is full and if you are reading this, know you are loved by me. XO Distance: 22.9 Time: 8+ hours Money spent: 37 euro

Day 24: Today was a standard day. We walked, and walked, and walked or so it felt…. The morning views started out beautiful because we went down the mountain. Since we went so far yesterday, today was a bit hard. My body still hates me. My Achilles loves to give me fits when it gets tired, making it hard to walk. Got the job done though. Philipp and Ramon are with me but Eric went on. Getting closer to the end….. Distance: 19.23 Time: 7.5 Money spent: 42

Day 25: Today I woke up with energy to walk. When I got up around 7 Philipp asked me why I was getting going and told me I should lay down and relax a bit more. I think day by day things are looking up. The weather has been great the last few days too which has helped me in enjoying the walks. After one of our stops, we went the wrong way and had to turn back. Ramon and I ended up not seeing Philipp the rest of the day. He is in the next village over from where we stopped for the night. When we first arrived, the alburgue was so cold. I showered and laid under the blankets for a few hours. Even ended up taking a 1 hour nap. When I woke up, I called a friend from school. That really helped boost my mood and subsided the frustrations I am experiencing in my doctorate program. Ramon and I went to dinner with a Dutch couple. The guy reminds me of my Grandpa Beale. Anyway, uneventful day which right now is the best type. I think we are about a week away from the finish line. As you can see from the photo, we have under 200km to go, if we don’t make the wrong turns of course. PS- due to the snoring I am currently experiencing in the room, I thought I would add that I have learned to embrace ear plugs. They are better than shit sleep due to the snorchestra

Distance: 16.53 Time: 6.5 Money: 27

Day 26: I conquered the last mountain on this journey today! So the morning started with pancakes with Ramon. First time I have seen this on the Camino. It was a Russian couple who owned the place and the breakfast was perfect for a big day up hill. After this, Ramon went on ahead. I spent the rest of the morning playing leapfrog with some Spanish guys. Eventually, as I walked by them enjoying a beer, they invited me over and bought me a beer. They didn’t speak English and I dont speak Spanish. The experience was worth it even if I didn’t understand. We tried to communicate but the best thing exchanged was the sound of laughter. Just what I needed for the push to the top. Once at the top there was snow! After my last battle with the snow, I got nervous. I am much stronger now and the hike today was amazing on so many levels. I felt a great sense of accomplishment and pride knowing I have made it this far. The path should be easier moving forward and I have some extra time so I plan to slow it down and enjoy the last bit at my pace. I am again on my own as the guys are ahead and since I want to slow down, it is not likely I will catch back up to them. The place I am staying tonight has no restaurant in the village. So, bye bye beans. The story of the beans is I bought them in a week ago. I have tried many times to leave them and the guys would grab them and give them back to me in the next village saying I lost them. The beans are a joke now and I quit leaving them and have been lugging them around. Even brought them up the fricken mountain. Tonight was a perfect time to use the suckers. I will have them again in the AM for breakfast UK style. It is 7:30pm and I am already in bed. Tomorrow will be a short day with great weather. They say there are 3 phases: physical, emotional, and spiritual. I am through the physical and emotional- I think… so we will see what the next week holds. Crossing my fingers that we get to keep the nice weather. Distance: 15.27 miles Time: 6 hours Money: 33 euro

Day 27: I woke up and cooked the left overs of eggs, beans, bread, and cheese. I left a bit later than usual knowing I had a short distance for the day. Still alone as the wolfpack has moved far ahead. I got lost! I was caught up in frustration with Matty since we were texting and I didn’t make a turn. I walked a few miles out of my way due to this mistake. Ugh… so much for a short distance day. I called him up mad that he had distracted me and I got off the path. Blame game. Matty was diagnosed with ADHD recently and I have some resentment and hard feelings about this. I think mostly because I asked him 4 years ago to go see someone and he didn’t. So for 4 years I have blamed myself for some issues in our relationship that I feel would have been smoothed over had he done this. Last year in November he called me while I was on my way to see my family, he was upset and needed me. I told him I can’t. I can’t deal with his needs and mine and told him that he needed to go see someone immediately. He did and this diagnoses is the result. Anger is what I feel about it. Getting lost today was a symbol of how I feel in life sometimes. I was on a path for myself and got easily distracted and got lost. Sometimes I put so much energy into other people, I forget about myself for a bit. Then something happens that makes me realize I have given too much and I get resentful. It is an expectation I have and definitely a huge flaw I deal with because it usually ends in disappointment for me. I set myself up and it is something I am actively working on.

However, I got back on track and found a beer. While sitting there, I saw some people that I had not seen in a few days. One of them got sick after the climb so he caught a taxi. I walked on to the next village and again stopped to enjoy lunch and the views coming down the mountain. I took my time today and even sat on a rock to just take it in. I called Matty later and found I was still really bitter. He had to go to work and I entered the village I would be staying. Upon arrival, I found a beautiful alburgue. I did my usual chores and while doing laundry I met a lady from Colombia. Since I went there in 2013 I was so excited. She offered me their leftovers she had cooked for her and her husband. Along with wine. Bonus! It is this that reminds me and humbles me after a tough emotional day. Put it in the fridge for later. Continued my nice chat with the couple who now live in Switzerland. Then decided to work on school. Had a nice leftover Italian dinner alone. I need the time alone at this point to just sort through all that is going on. Job rejection. Life choices. School frustrations. Aging parents. Anger issues. & Relationship trouble.

I find that the Camino has a way of making sure you are living in the moment. Finding meaning in the challenges and reminding myself about the joy amidst the pain, that is what this is about. One foot in front of another in this path and in life. Great adventures await and I am reminded to embrace and appreciate the journey.

Distance:15.45 miles Time: 8 hours Money: 20 euro

Day 28: First day without the meds. I didn’t have to take anything today for pain which is a first. Unless beer counts? My first dark beer on the Camino though! Today the views and weather were amazing. Even getting some sun and color on my face. My body is functioning. All is good. Still without the wolfpack but I have come to terms with the thought that I won’t see them till the finish line. I found the sticker that said “Don’t mess with Texas”. Philipp sent pics of mess with Texas because someone took the don’t off and put it somewhere else which he also sent a pic of. Matty signed the contract for next year so it is official we will be in Europe another year. We hope to move to Asia next year. 🤞 The Camino will start getting busier because I just passed the town where people can start and still get a certificate. I had dinner with 3 Italians, a German, and a Canadian. We laughed so much. Especially when one of the Italians asked the Canadian if she eats beaver. 🤨 At the end of the night I met a Canadian who was passing through and stopped for dinner. He was a police officer and quit 3 weeks ago and walked the Camino. He had me cut the badge of his pack and he worked for the Royal Police for 30+ years. My grandparents have the best story of when I traveled with them to Canada and was so shy when my granny wanted me to take a pic with them. They loved that story because they had never seen me so shy in my life. The badge means a lot and to cut it off the bag makes it more special. Today was a good day and at the end of the day…. Love wins Distance: 15.63 miles Time: 8 hours Money: 33 euro

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everettwilkinson · 7 years

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THE NEXT BIG FIGHT: the FAA bill — ALEX ISENSTADT on Bannon’s midterm play — FBI investigating Sputnik — KATTY KAY’s new show – SPOTTED at the U.S. OPEN — TIM and JENNI LIM welcome a daughter — B'DAY: Jeh Johnson

Good Monday morning. Today is the 16th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Nick Short (@PoliticalShort): “The Twin Towers on the night of September 10, 2001. 16 years. #NeverForget”. http://bit.ly/2vPcrn2

THE NEXT BIG FIGHT: THE FAA BILL. Now that Congress has averted a government shutdown and debt default, there’s one more big must-pass bill lingering out there before the end of the month: the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration’s authority. Insiders tell us it could get loaded up, because it’s the last train out of the station this month. In Capitol Hill parlance, it could end up like a “Christmas tree,” as lawmakers try to attach everything to it. What might get added to it? It’s impossible to tell, but don’t be surprised if you see attempts to throw hurricane relief money onto it, or even language to deal with DACA. The administration has told people on the Hill that they shouldn’t even think about trying to bolster Obamacare by attaching cost-sharing reduction payments, according to multiple sources involved in legislative negotiations.

Story Continued Below

THE HOUSE canceled votes today due to Hurricane Irma. They’ll be back tomorrow. The Senate is in at 3 p.m.

**SUBSCRIBE to Playbook: http://politi.co/2lQswbh

SCOOP — BANNON’S MIDTERM PLAY — “Bannon plotting primaries against slate of GOP incumbents,” by Alex Isenstadt: “President Donald Trump’s closest allies are planning a slate of primary challenges against Republican senators, potentially undermining the party’s prospects in 2018 and further inflaming tensions between GOP leaders and the White House. The effort is being led by Steve Bannon, Trump’s bomb-throwing former chief strategist, who is launching an all-out war against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the Republican establishment.

“Bannon has begun holding private meetings with insurgent challengers, vowing his support. He’s coordinating with conservative mega-donor Robert Mercer, who is prepared to pour millions of dollars into attacks on GOP incumbents. Bannon has also installed a confidant at an outside group that is expected to target Republican lawmakers and push the Trump agenda.

“The activity has alarmed senior Republicans, who worry it will drain millions of dollars from the party’s coffers to take on Democrats in the general election. McConnell has repeatedly expressed concern to the White House about the danger primaries pose to his members, stressing that it could imperil his narrow four-seat majority, according to three people with direct knowledge of the discussions.

“Bannon is paying little heed to those warnings. On Thursday, he huddled with Danny Tarkanian, an attorney who is challenging Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), at the Capitol Hill townhouse that serves as a base of operations for Breitbart News, the conservative website that Bannon oversees. …

“Bannon has taken preliminary steps to establish a political structure that could be used in 2018 races. It was recently announced that his political adviser, Andrew Surabian, was leaving the White House to take a job at Great America Alliance, a pro-Trump outside group.” http://politi.co/2xeEoIu

DEPT OF ODD BEDFELLOWS: “Trial Lawyers and Breitbart Unite: Steve Bannon gets in bed with the plaintiff bar to elect Roy Moore,” by WSJ Editorial Board. http://on.wsj.com/2wUz37b

— THIS ISN’T the first time McConnell and Bannon have been on opposite sides in primary elections. But McConnell went undefeated in the 2014 and 2016 election cycles.

— BANNON “60 MINUTES” RECAP via WaPo’s Ashley Parker: http://wapo.st/2xVmIyG … Video of Bannon’s segments http://cbsn.ws/2wjCVwv

SPEAKER WATCH — “Trump’s deal with Democrats bolsters Ryan — for now,” by Rachael Bade and Kyle Cheney: “Donald Trump’s deal with Democrats last week — the latest setback for House Republicans in a year filled with disappointment — has opened a new rift within the GOP Conference over whether their president or their speaker is to blame. Some House conservatives have begun questioning Paul Ryan’s leadership after Republicans were forced to swallow a vote to increase the debt ceiling without corresponding spending cuts. Freedom Caucus leaders, already upset that Congress wasted months on the failed bid to repeal Obamacare, cornered Ryan (R-Wis.) last Wednesday to tell him he needed to change his approach. …

“Yet that appears to be the minority view within the conference. Trump’s surprise partnership with Democrats may have bolstered, at least temporarily, Ryan’s standing among rank-and-file Republicans. Many lawmakers rallied behind the speaker and directed their anger at the White House over the debt deal. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and budget director Mick Mulvaney were booed when they came to Capitol Hill to plead with Republicans to support the deal. ‘There’s a lot of disappointment in the decision that the president made, and the way our leadership was treated — that’s a sore spot,’ said Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.).” http://politi.co/2vON70B

— “Why Ryan, Undercut by Trump, May Actually Emerge Stronger,” by NYT’s Sheryl Gay Stolberg: “Mr. Ryan declined to be interviewed. But his allies on Capitol Hill say that, despite the conservative pushback and raucous week, the speaker emerged with a stronger hand. By week’s end, tempers among even some of the angriest members of the Freedom Caucus had cooled, and Mr. Meadows insisted that the rumors of a coup in the offing were false. ‘I wouldn’t want his job for anything,’ he said. ‘I have a hard enough time keeping 40 members of the Freedom Caucus together.’” http://nyti.ms/2jgWbJG

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS’ JULIE PACE interviews SPEAKER PAUL RYAN at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday. Tune in: http://bit.ly/2jhSBPp

THE REALITY — BLOOMBERG’S SAHIL KAPUR — “Trump Debt Limit Deal Undermines Trust Among GOP on Tax Overhaul”: “Not only has the deal sowed doubt among the GOP about its unpredictable president, but it’s also driving a wedge between Republicans and their leaders in Congress, just as the party is desperate to deliver on one of its top priorities.

“And the calendar is unforgiving. Congress needs to reauthorize funds for the children’s health insurance program and federal aviation programs before Sept. 30 and lawmakers are still trying to address Obamacare. In addition, they may need to provide additional hurricane relief funds after the devastation in Florida following Hurricane Irma prompted the state’s Senator Bill Nelson to push for Congress to approve another emergency aid package by mid-October.

“Republicans also have to agree on a 2018 budget resolution — a necessary step to unlock the procedural maneuver they intend to use to pass the tax plan with 50 votes in the Senate. The lack of details of a tax plan is frustrating members of the House Freedom Caucus, who are making clear they’re ready to effectively hold the budget resolution hostage until they get some specifics from their leaders.” https://bloom.bg/2vOUncL

****** A message from CTIA and America’s wireless industry: The global race to deploy 5G wireless is on—and America needs to win. Government action on spectrum and infrastructure policy will allow U.S. wireless companies to invest $275 billion, create more than 3 million jobs, and add $500 billion to the economy, according to Accenture. Learn more at CTIA.org. ******

THE LATEST ON IRMA …

— “Weakened Irma lashes Tampa Bay region; full impact unknown,” by AP’s Tamara Lush in Tampa: “A massive but weakened Hurricane Irma zeroed in on the Tampa Bay region early Monday after hammering much of Florida with roof-ripping winds, gushing floodwaters and widespread power outages. Irma continued its slog north along Florida’s western coast having blazed a path of unknown destruction. With communication cut to some of the Florida Keys, where Irma made landfall Sunday, and rough conditions persisting across the peninsula, many held their breath for what daylight might reveal.

“The monster storm measured more than 400 miles wide, and its winds of up to 130 mph sucked the ocean water out of bays, swamped much of downtown Miami and toppled at least three constructions cranes — two over downtown Miami and one in Fort Lauderdale. More than 3.3 million homes and businesses across the state lost power, and utility officials said it will take weeks to restore electricity to everyone.” http://bit.ly/2ePwYB7

— “Fears mount in Florida Keys over damage, possible deaths from Hurricane Irma,” by David Ovalle and David Goodhue in the Miami Herald: “[M]any in Key West seemed relieved that the damage from a Category 4 Irma was not much, much worse. ‘It’s not as bad as we thought,’ said [resident] Robert Phillips. ‘It’s just trees and foliage and cars.’ That wasn’t the case across the rest of the 110-mile island chain. In the Middle and Upper Keys — on the more savage right side of Irma’s 130-mph winds — the damage and storm surge appeared far more severe.

“Monroe County emergency managers hinted that they feared there could be fatalities. Emergency Management Director Martin Senterfitt, calling the destruction a looming ‘humanitarian crisis,’ said a huge airborne relief mission mounted by the Air Force and Air National Guard was already in the works. Among the services coming to the Keys are ‘disaster mortuary teams,’ he told a conference call on Sunday afternoon.” http://hrld.us/2wU8Siw

— “‘I feel like I’m in a sardine can’: Fraying nerves and feeling powerless as the storm finally arrives,” by WaPo’s Patricia Sullivan, Leonard Shapiro, Perry Stein and Joel Achenbach: http://wapo.st/2eXQeAc

— “At the Miami Herald, newsroom turns into shelter for reporters and their families,” by CNN’s Oliver Darcy in Miami: “Sleeping bags littered the newsroom. Mattresses lined conference room floors. A tent was erected in a far-off corner. As Hurricane Irma made landfall in south Florida, the offices of the Miami Herald played dueling roles: a working newsroom and a shelter for journalists and their families. ‘We told people if they had nowhere to go, to come here,’ Rick Hirsch, managing editor of the Herald, told CNNMoney. ‘If you intend to bring a pet, the official policy was don’t talk to me about it.’” http://cnnmon.ie/2wRAo0B

— @FOX13News: “SINGLE FILE, EVERYONE! Flamingos being ushered to safety at @BuschGardens, along with other animals Stay safe, everyone! #HurricaneIrma”. http://bit.ly/2eZNmma

FOR YOUR RADAR — “North Korea warns U.S. over sanctions push ahead of U.N. vote,” by Reuters’ Jack Kim in Seoul and Michelle Nichols at the UN: “North Korea warned the United States on Monday that it would pay a ‘due price’ for spearheading efforts for fresh sanctions on the regime following its latest nuclear test, which diplomats say the U.N. Security Council will vote on later in the day. But a U.S.-drafted resolution originally calling for an oil embargo on the North, a halt to its key exports of textiles and subjecting leader Kim Jong Un to a financial and travel ban appears to have been watered down to placate Russia and China, which both have veto powers, diplomats said. It no longer proposes blacklisting Kim and relaxes sanctions earlier proposed on oil and gas, a draft reviewed by Reuters shows. It still proposes a ban on textile exports.” http://reut.rs/2wjPfNf

SCOOP — “Sputnik, the Russian news agency, is under investigation by the FBI,” by Yahoo’s Michael Isikoff and Hunter Walker: “The FBI recently questioned a former White House correspondent for Sputnik, the Russian-government-funded news agency, as part of an investigation into whether it is acting as an undeclared propaganda arm of the Kremlin in violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). … Andrew Feinberg, the news agency’s former White House correspondent … confirmed to Yahoo News that he was questioned for more than two hours on Sept. 1 by an FBI agent and a Justice Department national security lawyer at the bureau’s Washington field office.” https://yhoo.it/2gVH4oh

UNDERSTANDING NIKKI HALEY — “Haley’s UN Brinkmanship Comes With Advice From Low-Key Adviser,” by Bloomberg’s Kambiz Foroohar: “Jon Lerner, a political strategist who helped get Haley elected twice as the Palmetto State’s governor, is the ambassador’s Washington-based deputy. While Haley has talked about the direct access she has to President Donald Trump, the 49-year-old Lerner serves as her eyes and ears on the ground in the nation’s capital: a critical role as Haley’s profile rises in an administration buffeted by leaks and turmoil. …

“In a rare public comment, Lerner described himself in an email as inspired by anti-Communist movements. ‘My hostility to anti-American authoritarian governments that began with anti-Communism remains my primary motivation,’ Lerner wrote. ‘That manifests itself today in places that include North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, and Russia.’” https://bloom.bg/2xpXtIq

TRUMP’S MONDAY — THE PRESIDENT participates in a moment of silence at the White House at 8:45 a.m. He heads to the Pentagon around 9:15 for a ceremony. At 11 a.m., he receives a hurricane briefing, and then his schedule is clear for the rest of the day.

THE JUICE …

— KATTY KAY’S NEW SHOW: “Beyond 100 Days” launches today. Katty hosts from the U.S. and Christian Fraser co-hosts in London. From Kay: “If you want to know what the world makes of Trump, how he’s changing U.S. leadership and how it all connects to Brexit and European populism, this is essential viewing/dvr-ing. Weekdays 2 p.m. EST on BBC World News – here’s how to find”: http://bit.ly/2eZn9Et

— SPOTTED AT THE U.S. OPEN — per Morning Media: “CNN president Jeff Zucker and MSNBC president Phil Griffin, seated together at Friday night’s U.S Open semifinal match between Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro. Seated nearby: NBC News legend Tom Brokaw, and Discovery Communications CEO David Zaslav, who sat next to actor Robert Redford.”

WAPO’S BARRY SVRLUGA — “No joke, the Nationals have evolved into one of baseball’s best franchises”: “This isn’t just a one-time, feel-good product, not the 2012 team, which won a title for the first time just seven years after the Nationals arrived in town, just six years after the Lerner family bought them out from under the stewardship of Major League Baseball. This is a franchise that, on Sunday, won its 546th game over the past six seasons. The Dodgers are the only team with more. Their total: 547. Look out. Here come the Nats.” http://wapo.st/2xr5ugg

WHAT ANNA IS READING — “Miss America 2018: Miss North Dakota Cara Mund takes the crown,” by USA Today’s Sara M. Moniuszko: “Miss North Dakota Cara Mund won the title of Miss America 2018 Sunday night — the first from her state to take the Miss America crown.” https://usat.ly/2wTiB8v

PHOTO DU JOUR: Large waves produced by Hurricane Irma crash into the end of Anglins Fishing Pier on Sept. 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

SUSAN GLASSER on the status of the Democratic Party for Politico Magazine. “‘People Don’t Really Know What We Stand For’” — she speaks to Tom Perez, Jess O’Connell, Neera Tanden, Mitch Stewart, and Michael Kazin http://politi.co/2vZHXTA

TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE — NYT A1, “Where Trump’s Hands-Off Approach to Governing Does Not Apply,” by Ben Protess, Danielle Ivory and Steve Eder: “The aggressive regulatory effort, which runs counter to the Trump administration’s less-is-more credo about government meddling, has led to policy changes related to gun ownership, gay rights, reproductive choices, immigration and other divisive political issues, according to a New York Times review of government documents and court records, as well as interviews with more than four dozen people involved in or briefed on the efforts. The overhaul is unfolding behind the scenes in Washington at agencies like the Health and Human Services Department, where new rules about birth control are being drafted, and in federal courtrooms, where the Justice Department has shifted gears in more than a dozen Obama-era cases involving social issues.

“The turnabout stems in part from lobbying by evangelical Christians and other conservative groups. In interviews, these groups said they have regular discussions on domestic and foreign policy with the administration — more so than during the presidency of George W. Bush, the last Republican to occupy the White House and someone who identified as a Christian conservative.” http://nyti.ms/2ePBuzm

— “A Month Has Passed Since Trump Declared an Opioid Emergency. What Next?,” by NYT’s Maggie Haberman. http://nyti.ms/2ePTud5

MCCLATCHY’S ANITA KUMAR — “Trump promised not to work with foreign entities. His company just did”: “A major construction company owned by the Chinese government was hired to work on the latest Trump golf club development in Dubai despite a pledge from Donald Trump that his family business would not engage in any transactions with foreign government entities while he serves as president.

“Trump’s partner, DAMAC Properties, awarded a $32-million contract to the Middle East subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corporation to build a six-lane road as part of the residential piece of the Trump World Golf Club Dubai project called Akoya Oxygen, according to news releases released by both companies. It is scheduled to open next year.” http://bit.ly/2ePYZIL

BUSINESS BURST — “How Kirkland Signature Became One of Costco’s Biggest Success Stories,” by WSJ’s Sarah Nassauer in Issaquah, Washington: “Kirkland Signature, Costco’s store brand, is challenging manufacturers hoping to earn or retain a coveted spot at the warehouse retailer. Since 1995, Costco has used its Kirkland products to attract shoppers, building a reputation for quality and low prices on milk, toilet paper, men’s shirts and golf balls bearing the unassuming red logo. About a quarter of Costco’s $118.7 billion in annual sales come from Kirkland Signature products, and the percentage is growing, company executives say.” http://on.wsj.com/2wRBWHX

****** A message from CTIA and America’s wireless industry: Tomorrow’s 5G networks will create 3 million jobs, add $500 billion to the economy, and fuel innovation and entrepreneurialism across every sector. If policymakers move quickly to release more spectrum and modernize infrastructure rules, the wireless industry stands ready to invest $275 billion to build these next-gen networks, according to Accenture. This will drive breakthrough advancements in remote health care, connected vehicles, energy, education and beyond—making our lives better and safer. But the race to deploy 5G wireless networks is underway—and we’re at a critical moment. The EU, China, Japan, South Korea and others are doing everything they can to win. If policymakers act now, the U.S. can continue our global leadership in wireless. Learn how at CTIA.org. ******

WHAT CHRIS COX IS READING — “Antifa, white supremacists exploit loose gun laws,” by Josh Meyer: “Domestic extremist groups ranging from white supremacists to their rival ‘antifa’ anarchists are increasingly exploiting loose gun control laws to show up at emotionally charged rallies with assault rifles and other high-powered weapons, increasing the likelihood of an explosive clash in an American city, according to law enforcement officials. What makes the current threat environment especially combustible are open carry laws in many states that allow civilians to display virtually any gun in public that they want, often with no permit, training or background check required, according to federal and state law enforcement officials who are closely monitoring extremist groups. ‘Why would you let someone bring an AR-15 to a hate rally?’ former FBI supervisory special agent James Gagliano asked. ‘It’s absolute insanity.’” http://politi.co/2fd0rFv

MEDIAWATCH — “As Irma’s Winds Rise, So Does a Debate Over TV Storm Reporting,” by NYT’s Sopan Deb: “Early Sunday morning, Bill Weir, a veteran CNN correspondent, was talking to the anchor Chris Cuomo in the middle of a live shot in Key Largo, Fla. He could barely stand up straight in the lashing winds of Hurricane Irma. At one point, he was nearly blown over by a gust. As video of the incident spread on social media, criticism mounted. ‘Why do these news networks feel the need to put these reporters out there?’ read one tweet. Another said: ‘This is not safe. Lead by example.’ Others pointed out that reporters were standing in conditions that they were advising residents to stay out of. Even Mr. Cuomo acknowledged the criticism: ‘There is a strong argument to be made that standing in a storm is not a smart thing to do.’” http://nyti.ms/2vZSTAz

— Natalie Valdes (@nvaldes7): “So Irma just showed up in Naples. @KerryNBC live on @MSNBC”. http://bit.ly/2gXxdL4

SPOTTED outside Arthur Ashe stadium in New York for the U.S. Open finals Sunday: Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), Eric Cantor, Colin Reed and Webber Steinhoff … Sean Spicer on the 3 p.m. Sunday Acela from D.C. to NYC in first class … the entire Washington Nationals team celebrating clinching the NL East in the private room at The Salt Line … Ben Rhodes and Ann Norris and Samantha Power and Cass Sunstein at a screening at the Toronto Film Festival of Greg Baker’s “The Final Year,” a film about President Obama’s foreign policy during his final year in office.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Jennifer Pierotti Lim, co-founder of Republican Women for Progress, and Tim Lim, partner at Bully Pulpit Interactive, “are happy to announce the birth of their daughter Penelope Ruth Lim at 6:09 a.m. on Friday … Baby and momma are doing great!” Pic of Penny in her own Playbook “Spotted” onesie http://bit.ly/2xql3Fd

WEEKEND WEDDING – Pool report: “Danielle Ivory, a New York Times investigative reporter focusing on regulation in the Trump presidency, on Saturday married Josh Sibble, an intellectual property lawyer for the firm Baker Botts. Attendees at the ceremony included her editor, Dean Murphy, and fellow Times reporters Ben Protess and Steve Eder (who co-bylined this story with Danielle, http://nyti.ms/2ePBuzm) which ran online the same day as the NYT wedding announcement (http://nyti.ms/2gWeAKX) and the post-wedding brunch/apple picking). The Times’ Rebecca Ruiz toasted the couple, and Matthew Chayes of Newsday officiated the ceremony, held at Liberty View Farm in Highland, N.Y.”

OUT AND ABOUT — Philanthropist and businesswoman Adrienne Arsht hosted a reception on Sunday at her Massachusetts Avenue Heights mansion in honor of the new president of GW, Thomas LeBlanc. LeBlanc is the university’s 17th president.

SPOTTED: Bret Baier and wife Amy, Chris Isham, Michelle Kosinski, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), Al Cardenas, Ana Navarro, Nina Totenberg, Michael LaRosa, Don and Shannon McGahn, Capricia and Dr. Rob Marshall, Roxanne Roberts, Ann Hand, Deborah Rutter, Julie Kent, Tony Podesta, Michael Chertoff, Amb. John Negroponte, Catherine Reynolds, Patrick Steel and Lee Satterfield, Stuart Holliday, Gary Knell, Colombian Amb. Camilo Reyes, Jason Marczak, Amb. Edward “Skip” Gnehm, Kuwaiti Amb. Salem Abdullah Al-Sabah and his wife Rima Al-Sabah

BIRTHDAY OF THE DAY: former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson, now a partner at Paul, Weiss, is 6-0. How he’s marking the day: “Since my birthday is 9/11, I haven’t celebrated on that day since 2001. The memory from 2001 overwhelms the birthday. The last several years I have participated in 9/11 observances – 2010, 2011, 2012 at the Pentagon, 2014 and 2016 at the WTC, 2015 in Shanksville. By the way, of all the memorials to victims of terrorism I’ve visited, Shanksville is in my personal opinion the most moving. If I celebrate my birthday, I now do it on days other than 9/11. This month my wife and I both turn 60, so we are having a blow-out dance party for about 300 people on September 23.” Read his Playbook Plus Q&A: http://politi.co/2wjzvd9

BIRTHDAYS: WaPo’s Ben Terris … Markos Moulitsas, founder of Daily Kos, co-founder of Vox Media, and author of “The Resistance Handbook: 45 Ways to Fight Trump” … Nels Ericson … Ted Olson … Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo … Syrian President Bashar al-Assad … WashPost fashion critic Robin Givhan … Jon Downs, a founding partner of FP1 Strategies (hat tip Ryan Williams) … former Sen. Daniel Akaka … Politico’s Joe Schatz and Gloria Pazmino … Pete Breen, senior producer at NBC’s “Today Show” … Jon Meyersohn, co-executive producer of History Channel’s “Left Right” (h/t son Nathaniel) … Ian Solomon … Gaylord Lanham … Marit P. Babin Stout … Lee Verstandig … Liz Kennedy … Maura Hogan … Colleen Kearns … Arianne Price … Michael Hardaway of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries’ (D-N.Y.) office is 36 (h/t Jenell Brownell) … Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) … Steve Rose … Sharon Gallagher, principal and co-founder of Sage Communications (h/ts Beck and Haber) … former Sen. Bob. Packwood (R-Ore.) … Kara Nelson … Sammy Yaish … Clare Rizer … Paige Kerr …

… Gordon Bronson, director of public affairs at WeWork … Bill Cunningham … Patrick Rheaume … Dahl Burger, daughter of Tim and Kiki … Carter Barrett … Cecily Cutbill … Cyrus Artz … Walter Alarkon … Paul Florence … Tom Boyd … former Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-Ind.) … Claude Marx, who covers antitrust policy for “FTC Watch” and frequent winner of the daily Politico Huddle trivia question (h/t Chris Colford) … Emy Lesofski … Robert Favela … Julie Goon, SVP of public affairs at Anthem … Amanda Hughes … Diane Tomb … Jose Fourquet … Sarah Weeldreyer … Elizabeth Feldman … Rob Lalka … Maya Spanderashvili … Kyle Gerron … Karen E. Watson … NBC alum Brooke Hart, now corporate director of comms at Sierra Nevada Corporation … Dianna Plantan … Bruce Koeppl, “proud former bartender at the Iowa City Brown Bottle” … Leticia Reyes … Wendy Kloiber (h/ts Teresa Vilmain) … Brian De Palma … Roxann Dawson … Virginia Madsen.

****** A message from CTIA and America’s wireless industry: We need new rules for new 5G networks. New policies that will allow the U.S. to win the race to 5G and enable breakthrough advancements in healthcare, transportation, energy and more. First, a pipeline of low-, mid-, and high-band spectrum will help meet today’s mobile needs and enable the 5G networks of tomorrow. Second, every level of government must modernize their rules for the building of small cell wireless infrastructure. Third, permanent and common sense federal regulations for interstate services like mobile broadband will preserve an open internet and protect consumer privacy while promoting innovation and investment. Finally, America’s tax structure must be updated to spur billions of dollars in new 5G investment. Learn more about how wireless is working to invest in America’s future at CTIA.org. ******

SUBSCRIBE to the Playbook family: POLITICO Playbook http://politi.co/1M75UbX … New York Playbook http://politi.co/1ON8bqW … Florida Playbook http://politi.co/1OypFe9 … New Jersey Playbook http://politi.co/1HLKltF … Massachusetts Playbook http://politi.co/1Nhtq5v … Illinois Playbook http://politi.co/1N7u5sb … California Playbook http://politi.co/2bLvcPl … Brussels Playbook http://politi.co/1FZeLcw … All our political and policy tipsheets http://politi.co/1M75UbX

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sup-its-madds-blog · 7 years

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Payday 2 Cheats Ps3

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localfreshies · 7 years

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New Post has been published on Local Freshies | Be a local wherever you go

New Post has been published on http://localfreshies.com/lookout-pass-easiest-backcountry-access-out-there/

Lookout Pass - Easiest Backcountry Access out there

WOOSH. The curtains swing open exposing a white winter wonderland. Massive flakes plummet to the ground at a solid pace. Today is going to be epic backcountry skiing Lookout Pass! Long before our Idaho arrival, we researched the terrain and its snowpack for access. Every season has its share of good and bad days, but Idaho has the best of both worlds with their type of snow. It settles like a maritime snowpack yet is dry like their inter-continental neighbors.

What’s our plan? It’s snowing hard and we’re inexperienced in these mountains. For us, every backcountry mission, regardless of location, starts with the avalanche forecast, period! Reviewing all the information, we decide the mission is a ‘Go’, but we would avoid all North facing slopes and anything over 30°. Speaking with Jason, Marketing Director at Lookout Pass Ski area, we learned the forested area across the Highway from Lookout Pass is a great introduction to what the region has to offer. With the zone picked, avalanche forecast reviewed, and plan set, it was time to head to breakfast.

The Brooks Hotel – Where everybody knows your name

Swinging open the main door, I am transported back to one of the many older buildings in Chicago. The interior has a hallway that meanders through the first floor with multiple storefronts, much like the Edgewater building. On the left is the door to the Brooks restaurant. Finding a few seats by the window, the server gives us a couple cups of coffee. Our trust in taking the local’s tips continues as she says we should try the chicken fried steak and a veggie omelet.

With our order in, we immediately spot a couple we met yesterday. We exchange “Hello’s” and they ask if we’re having a good time while in Wallace. “Absolutely” we reply, giving big smiles back their way. The veggie omelet is out first and perfectly cooked with the vegetables soft but with a wonderful little crunch. One thing that is a bit different about the omelet is the house-made Hollandaise sauce blanketing it. By far the best Hollandaise I’ve ever had! Topping that, the star of the morning is the Chicken fried steak. The breading is caramelized and crispy on the outside while the inside is tender and juicy where you don’t even need the sauce. Of course the house-made sausage gravy is amazing too, but this breakfast meat could stand on its own. With stomachs full and coffee cups filled, it was off to backcountry ski Lookout Pass.

“Hello. Is anybody out there?”

Taking the path less traveled

We swing by Lookout Pass Ski area to give Jason our route plan, part of our backcountry avalanche safety checklist. Pulling up to the trail head entrance, are we really the ONLY ones venturing into the wilderness? Hopping out of the car, our feet hit the ground with a large POOF. While the resort across the way is only reporting a few inches, it’s nearly a foot deep where we’re standing. With nobody around, we feel both nervous and excited that no one is here. To ease our fears we review the plan again and make sure we’re not missing anything. “Snow? Check. Route option to avoid North slopes and stay away from terrain greater than 30°? Check.” With our plan still in tact, we start putting on our gear.

How do you climb a mountain in the backcountry?

Splitboard in action skinning up in Lookout Pass backcountry

For those inexperienced with heading into the snowy wild, you might ask how do we climb up a mountain without having to post hole the entire way up? Simple. There’s a piece of equipment called ‘skins’ which attach to the bottom of your skis, allowing you to go up instead of down. Originally made out of animal skin, these are now made of synthetic material that act very similar to cross country skis. When you slide your ski upward, the bottom surface is smooth but once you put weight on them leaning back, they lock into the snow allowing you to schuss up a 40° slope without sliding back down. (It’s not really that easy but practice makes better.) Once you reach the top, all you have to do is pull off the ‘skins’, throw them in your pack and ride down!

What’s a splitboard?

Splitboards in the Lookout Pass backcountry

Besides ‘skins’, another amazing invention, if you love to snowboard, is the splitboard. It’s ultimately a snowboard cut in half. With a locking mechanism, you use it as skis to climb up the mountain, then clip the skis back together to make your snowboard and shred back down. Sweet idea!

Easiest Backcountry Access EVER!

With the ‘skins’ on our splitboards, we begin to plug our way up. After a few minutes, we quickly exit the thick forest and enter a huge burn area. The slope isn’t too steep but we could tell it was going to be perfect for those huge swooping-like turns.

6″ in Idaho is like 4′ in Tahoe!

Enjoying the fruits of hard labor snowboarding down at Lookout Pass

After about an hour, we reach the summit. The view is spectacular, but surveying the area, we literally can’t see more than a 100 yards in front of us. With the weather deteriorating, we decide it is a ‘one lap kind of day.’ Enjoying every minute of it, we pull off our ‘skins’, snap our splitboards back together, and we’re set to drop in!

Proof that it was thigh deep in the Lookout Pass Backcountry

The snow is nearly thigh deep, cold, and most of all, perfect to take nice easy turns all the way down. 6″ in Idaho really is like 4′ in Tahoe! Turn after turn come easy as we head back into the forest. Letting the boards float, we arrive back at the car slapping high fives.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! It may have only been a small mountain and a couple hours of work, but it felt like Mt Everest in triumph to us. A new mountain with unfamiliar snow and conditions – we studied, we planned, we conquered! With the day still young, it’s time to celebrate with lunch at the Blackboard Café.

Local Freshies® tips: What to know about backcountry skiing Lookout Pass

Easiest introduction to backcountry – One of the coolest things about the Lookout Pass backcountry is the now defunct rail grade that slowly meanders its way to the summit. No need to engineer a zigzag skin track all the way up – you get a perfectly graded road-width path. This makes it the EASIEST backcountry ascent I’ve EVER done. Nice slow sweeping turns allow you to climb easily while enjoying the serenity.

Not just for backcountry skiers – Be aware this area is also snowmobile accessible so be sure to stay on the side of the trail if you’re there on a busy day. When we visited there wasn’t a single person, motorized or not out there, but you never know who or what may show up!

Blackboard Café – How a pro skier found his calling

Right in the center of Wallace is a café that seems unpretentious and unassuming. Rather, they should have a blinking sign outside that glaringly waves you inside. Rob and Luanne, the masterminds behind it all, have a fascinating story of how they got here. Rob skied professionally for years but fell in love with the culinary arts. After a skiing accident sidelined his career, he made the decision to follow his other passion… crafting amazing food! From studying in Europe to designing a culinary experience in the Caribbean and a world famous restaurant in Taos, they were looking for a place that was a bit different and off the beaten path. This is how they found Wallace. With so much skiing, hiking, and mountain biking surrounding this little gem, they knew it was home and couldn’t pass up on the opportunity.

The greatest food for the price EVER!

The Cuban sandwich at the Blackboard Café is to die for

All things food in Wallace is amazing, but the creative level that Rob is on is out of this world! If you are within a few hundred miles of Wallace, we HIGHLY suggest making a detour and eating here. His sandwiches are some of the best I’ve had in YEARS!!! The Cuban sandwich will live in my memory forever. The shredded pork is tender but has a secret spice, Garam Masala, bringing it to another level along with the perfect paring of mustard and cheese. I would personally travel back to Wallace just to eat here… it’s that good.

Turkey sandwich… the likes I’ve never had

An incredibly tender turkey covered with a sweet bacon and caramelized onion schmear

Just when we thought we had the best sandwich on the menu, Rob comes out with a Turkey variety. Sure, it sounds like nothing special. BOY were we wrong! The turkey is incredibly tender and covered with a sweet bacon and caramelized onion schmear. If that wasn’t enough, the cheese is melted to the point where it has the texture of a warm brie… so soft and creamy. All the ingredients combine, making it taste like a French onion soup sandwich. Blown away with all the flavors, Rob just smiles and says, “We don’t take shortcuts.” That is an understatement. Stumbling out of the café in pure shock at what we just ate, we had some time to check out a few more cool spots in town.

Glow-in-the-dark, chocolates and a wedding

On the same block sits a cool little spot called Johnson’s Gems. Filled with everything from baseball cards, memorabilia, and beautiful minerals, one of the coolest things you’ll see is a display of glow-in-the-dark stones. When the lights turn off in the special rock room, you’ll experience rock displays glowing in the darkness.

From there it was off to meet up with Eureka Sally. A free spirit originally from Michigan, she still has the candor of a Midwesterner. Her storefront is filled with amazing art and in the back, she’s created a ‘classroom’ for people to let their own inner artist reign free. To top that, she also crafts some AMAZING chocolate. Our favorite is a dark chocolate made with Ecuadorian Cacao, infused with locally picked huckleberries. Eureka Sally is diligent about her ingredients and quality. She buys direct from the source or picks it herself!

A great example of supporting Local

Walking down Cedar Street, we noticed an adorable place called the Woodland Market. Filled with locally made Idaho products, this is definitely a place to check out. T-shirts, wooden trail signs, and even locally roasted coffee from Silver Valley Coffee Roasters, there’s something for everyone. Oh, and in the back room, they have a charming little chapel for weddings!

A historic bar + SmokeHouse = BBQ galore!

Hungry again, it was time for dinner. Entering the SmokeHouse BBQ and Saloon, you’re shifted back in time, expecting to see old-time miners from the 1800’s sitting at the bar. This location has been a bar for over 116 years and you can feel the memories! On the wall is a mural spanning the entire length of the building. Painted by a man named Johnny Hart, he traveled through mining towns creating elaborate murals for $300 and all the beer he could drink. His mural at the SmokeHouse is one of the largest he’d ever done. The owners, Sheila and Max, came to Wallace because of the skiing and the outdoors. Originally from New Orleans, Sheila’s inspiration to serve good southern BBQ came naturally.

Huckleberry Margarita?!?

Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming are gifted with tons of wild huckleberries. The SmokeHouse BBQ and Saloon is ingenious in their huckleberry creativity. It might’ve been cold outside but we were having a Huckleberry Margarita. Normally, a margarita is quite sweet but since the huckleberry is tart, it really transforms into a refreshing drink that is addicting. Regardless of weather, this is definitely a must try for anyone.

Besides an epic drink, what should you order if you do visit The SmokeHouse? Their trout dinner is super flavorful, but the star of this show is the Ribs. Through his travels, Max experienced many styles of

BBQ. Memphis-style is the standout for him and the inspiration for the ribs he crafts today. They’re seasoned perfectly with a dry-rub and incredibly tender to the point that the meat just falls off the bone.

Southern style fixin’s and the tasty ribs at the SmokeHouse BBQ

They make a killer house-made BBQ sauce, but honestly, these ribs don’t even need any! For the sides, you must try one of their true southern-style fixin’s. From jambalaya to baked beans, you won’t go wrong in any direction. With another amazing meal under our belt and nighttime upon us, it was time to head back to home base.

Tomorrow is another day to play in the snow. It was our turn to check out the other major resort… Silver Mountain Ski Resort!

#Best Cheap Eats Wallace #Idaho #Visit Idaho

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