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sooibian · 4 years

Text

Flambé - I

poster and edits/collage credits to @is-that-baekhyuns-shirt !

chapter two | moodboard by the lovely @pororodks

🍜 pairing: kyungsoo x fem!reader ft. baekhyun, mark lee

🍜 description: pull up a chair. take a taste. come join us. life is so endlessly delicious. - ruth reichl

🍜 themes: fluff, crack (ish), slight angst, a lil bit of spice (in the future), rivals to lovers au

🍜 word count: ~ 9.7k

🍜 a/n: writing this makes me feel lonely and hungry and that, my friends, is a deadly concoction of emotions so while i wallow in my misery, i dearly hope you’ll enjoy this creation. i'd love to hear from you <3

🍜 reference notes: yt channels: maangchi, one meal a day, bore.d; netflix shows: midnight diner, street food: asia, chef’s table

🍜 tag list: @changshapatrol @j-pping @kyungseokie @exosmuttytalk @his-mochi-cheeks @littleflowercrown13 pls lmk if you’d like to be added/removed from the tag list!

Water bobs in frenetic bubbles in a massive ancient stone pot perched atop a fort of raging wood. Amidst brutal peals of thunder, a gushing stream rises from a nearby hill, obscuring the shrill cries of the sacrificial crab.

Chanting a spell, you lift the enormous crustacean by its pincers and lower it into the growling, pitch black utensil. Blubbering helplessly, it lodges its claws at the rim of the pot in desperation, seeking escape. The sound of your maniacal laughter reverberates through the cave as you thrust it back into the violent undulation with a heavy-handed flick of the bladed-spatula.

All of a sudden, you’re swept over with a wave of unconsciousness, your skin tingles, and boiling water begins to fill up your lungs.

You are alone at the bottom of the very same utensil.

“Help!” frantic, you stagger up, gasping for air. But the bladed-spatula wielding crab, now untied and hovering over you, roars jubilantly at your defenseless form.

Maybe the spell didn’t land, you think.

“Please, Chef!” you whimper as a last ditch attempt.

In one swift motion, it swooshes down to your eye level.

Bushy black brows sprout on its forehead, just a little over a pair of big brown circles for eyes. Then comes the nose, followed by a bloody red mouth that snarls at you.

zzzz…

“Late again?”

zzzz…

4:00 a.m., your phone blinks.

In a sleep befuddled state, you reach out for the wailing device. ‘Late again?’ Chef’s cold, deep voice sounds in your consciousness as you wipe the droplets of sweat off of your forehead.

Chef.

Doh Kyungsoo had insisted on the title and you’d boldly refused to call him that. What business does a man working at a Kalguksu stand in Gwangjang Market have, being called Chef. You’d seeked redressal with the higher ups. The owner.

Your aunt.

“Aegiya, he has something that you don’t.”

“A dick?”

“YAH! A degree in culinary arts.”

“Imo, haven’t you watched Parasite? Anyone can forge documents these days and if so then why is he here? He could very well land a job at Four Seasons like Hyunjin. Think, Imo. Think!”

“Exactly! With forged documents, he could be anywhere. But he’s here, no?”

“Maybe you’re just easier to manipulate.”

Finally, she said in her no-nonsense, stern voice. "Chef. You’re calling him Chef.”

Every time the egotistical madman opens that darned mouth of his, it makes you want to knock him down with a roundhouse and beat the living daylights out of him.

But, counting to five, you always resist the temptation.

Because one day, one glorious day, you’d take over your aunt’s business and the very first item on your agenda would be….well, the obvious. With a glimmer of hope, you flounder out of your comforter, muttering every cuss word you’d learnt…and crafted in the course of working with the devil himself.

“Ah 3000 is a bit too much for cucumbers", he says to the middle aged vendor, flashing a boyish grin.

The face of sourcing has drastically changed in the last six months since Kyungsoo’s arrival. Prior to his dictatorship, Imo had tie-ups with vendors who’d hand deliver the produce every single day, without fail. Guess Kyungsoo didn’t fully comprehend the benefits of customer loyalty. ‘There could be better quality ingredients out there, Sajangnim…economically priced, I might add’, he’d convinced your aunt using his military corporal voice. No matter if it meant awkward break-ups with the vegetables ahjumma or the prawns ahjussi: you were left to do the dirty work.

And required to tag along for the routine 5 a.m sourcing runs. Every morning, he’d greet you with an accusatory ‘you killed my cat’ expression.

Groaning, you shift your weight from side to side. If only he’d quit flirting with every woman in the market and hurry up! The purchases have long exceeded the capacity of your humble cart. Flailing your numb arms awake, you urge him to speed up with a nudge of the knee but he glares at you like you’d asked him for a kidney.

Kyungsoo has a tendency to overbuy but never does he help with a single bag. ‘I don’t like to sweat’ is his excuse. Which is pretty ridiculous considering he spends over ten hours a day overseeing a scorching frying pan at the stall.

But you know better than to argue.

Because as much as you loathe every fibre of his existence, he terrifies you a little. The man possesses the duality of a psychopath. As fierce as he is in the Market, ruthlessly competitive even, he’s quite the sweet talker. Incredibly charming. And you can bet your life on the fact that every ahjumma - whether or not a rival - would take a bullet for him.

“Ahdeul-ah”, the woman coos at him, making your insides violently contort, “you know how tight the market is these days. But I’ll throw in some more only for you.”

The additional weight of three kilos on your right arm ends your sourcing run for the day.

***

“Chef”, huffing, you say to him on your way out, “I had a late night last night.”

“And I need to be privy to this little nugget of unwarranted information because?” He paces ahead of you at his usual lightning speed.

“No, I meant, could we stop”, panting you continue, “could we stop for a quick cup of coffee.”

Halting abruptly, he turns around to look you square in the eyes, “No.”

“Asshole!” You murmur under your breath.

“I heard that.”

Monday at Choi Yoonsun’s Kalguksu stall was busier than usual.

It went by in a daze amidst the cacophony of a sizzling girdle, clanging of pots and pans and Imo’s relentless vocalization inviting guests to the stall. Having served thousands of bowls of Kalguksu and Kimchi Mandu, you rely heavily on muscle memory to get you through a workday’s demands.

Despite its massive chaos and commotion, you quite enjoyed working in the Market.

Not being particularly skilled at much and having nearly flunked out of high school, cooking was the one thing that defined you. It was your safe harbour. You’d lost your father in an accident at the tender age of ten and your mother was forced to work long hours to put food on the table. So you honed your culinary skills, little by little, because you thought it vital for your own well-being as well as your mother’s.

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.

At the end of yet another rewarding day, you leave a wet towel soaking in vinegar for Kyungsoo to clean the iron girdle and proceed to tend to the dirty dishes yourself.

“Yahh!” Imo calls out for Kyungsoo and you, thumping her hand on the table, gesturing for you to join her.

“Ahh! Imo, there’s a huge pile of dirty dishes!” You cry out in response, only to turn around to find that ass-kisser already at the table, schmoozing with your aunt. Hastily taking off your grubby apron, you wash your hands and wipe them clean with a rag cloth. Straightening your black shirt, flattening unruly flyaways, you rush toward the table but she’s already up and ready to leave, “We’ll have dinner together tonight. I want to have a word with both of you.”

“But -”

“Sajangnim”, Kyungsoo interrupts, wagging a finger in your direction, face scrunched up in mock concern, “this one’s had a late night last night -”

“Chef! So I guess I’ll be seeing you tonight. As if seeing you every day of every week wasn’t enough already!”

An overtly saccharine smile spreads across your face and his jaw hardens in response.

“Aish….you two…I’m leaving now”, shaking her head, she sighs, “see you both in two hours.”

Kimchi jjigae, Pajeon, Tteokbokki, Jajangmyeon, some leftover Bibimbap with sides galore from Hong Lim Banchan Stall. Imo clearly has something important on her mind.

But the vibe at the dinner table just doesn’t sit right with you.

The reason for that could be the bespectacled black hole of negativity that’s seated besides you in all black clothing but there’s something off about Imo.

She’s being a little too nice.

Fear gradually starts to settle in your bones. Is she finally closing down? Is this delectable fare an attempt at softening the blow? After all, she’d settled her husband’s debts over five years ago and her sons were doing well for themselves. Quite well, in fact. The elder one, Hyunwoo, is an investment banker and the younger one Hyunjin went to culinary school and is working as a chef at Four Seasons’ Chinese restaurant. It only makes sense for her to trade the Market’s gruelling ways for some much deserved peace and quiet.

“We’re closing down the stall”, she says coolly.

It’s like a punch in the gut.

“Imo -”

“Aegiya”, she rests her chin on her hand, face clouded over with serenity, “the Market’s given me everything. It’s given me a sense of independence…a sense of pride. It put my family back together. I used to think that I’m nothing without my husband and my sons…but the Market gave me an identity. I continued to work even after my husband’s passing not because I needed the money but because this is something that I’ve created and I’m mighty proud of what’s become of it today. My name is a brand in itself. And a decade ago I couldn’t have imagined this even in the wildest of my dreams.”

A million scenarios cascading through your head drown out Imo’s voice.

Would you now have to go back to Bucheon? Or invest in a stall of your own at the traditional Gwangjang that would never accept your big and bold ways with cooking? And to start from scratch? With a new recipe? Kalguksu with a twist, perhaps? But you had no insight into your aunt’s special broth. She’d never let you or even Kyungsoo for that matter whip up the hand-cut noodles. The two of you only ever helped with the ancillary tasks.

You soon come to the realization of not being the only one caught in the eye of the storm. Kyungsoo’s unwavering gaze is scarily fixated on the bowl of jajangmyeon before him. His miserable state gives you a fleeting sense of relief and it’s in that exact moment that he chooses to say something unpalatable.

“Sajangnim, you’ve worked too hard. It’s time for you to reap the fruits of your labour. We’ll be fine, you don’t have to worry about us.”

Of course he’ll be fine.

Nearly all food stall owners in Gwangjang have been vying for him ever since the day he set foot into Choi Yoonsun’s with his phlegmatic personality. Whereas you had nowhere to go. The world conveniently assumes Imo hired you only because you were her poor sister’s daughter who she sought to help financially. Not because you had what it took to be there and survive.

“Did I say I was ready to retire?” She laughs, eyeing Kyungsoo quizzically.

“Here’s the thing..I met up with a friend last month. She was looking for a buyer for her little family run restaurant in Gangnam. So I took out a loan, made her an offer”, balling her hands into fists she sighs, “put in the deposit…and the place is pretty much mine now!”

“IMO”, you yell, “you didn’t have to scare me with that long winded speech! God, you’re so dramatic!”

“Well, it is a big move. I’m not sure either of you are ready to take the leap. It requires a tonne of work and I may not be able to pay half of what you earned at the Market for at least two months until we open. It’ll take the restaurant two years or so to break even and only then will I be able to afford scaling your salaries. On the other hand, what I can do is, help you secure a job at the banchan stall since you love seasoned spinach so much and Kyungsoo even stands a chance at managing one of the Pakgane stalls!”

Pakgane is the mung bean pancake stall that had gotten so popular that the owner managed to branch out of Gwangjang. So even your beloved Imo believes that you’d make for a better “help” and Kyungsoo, a Manager.

Ugh!

“I’m coming with you”, you say firmly, “I’ve saved up a little and Eomma will gladly pitch in, if need be…”

At this point, you’d expected Kyungsoo to be ready with his luggage considering the little sycophant he is but his expression is stoic, eyes still glued to the jajangmyeon bowl, filling you with insane hope.

He was going to jump ship…finally!

“Chef…”, you couldn’t resist, “you don’t have to worry about us…I’m more than enough for Imo. You may…”

He shoots you an angry glare making you chew on your unsaid words. But wanting to rile him just a little more, you excuse yourself and bring out a bottle of ketchup. Squeezing it generously atop the stack of pajeon, you snicker maliciously.

Ketchup.

The tangy, unassuming condiment is the sole reason Kyungsoo abhors your very existence. But as this dinner marks the end of his torturous regime, you celebrate with ketchup - lots of it - right in front of his nasty eyes.

Steam swirls in different directions and at every twenty metres a contrastive redolence tickles your olfactory senses. Experiencing Gwangjang as a guest is clearly a far richer experience compared to the donkeywork involved in life as a vendor.

A proper send-off is essential lest Kyungsoo decides to stay, even if it means creating a huge dent in your pocket. You plan on giving him a final tour of the Market where you could both say your goodbyes while receiving a premium fuel of vitamins, minerals and carbs.

Lots of carbs.

“Let’s start with Pakgane”, says Kyungsoo, with a skewered sausage in one hand.

Wanting to start with nothing less than the best in order to create a lasting impression, you shake your head in response. This was supposed to be a farewell he’d never forget.

With every step, the aroma of scallops drizzled with butter and cheese grows stronger. You start your tour by ordering two portions of the delectable street food which sets you back considerably but you’re far too elated to care, even refusing Kyungsoo’s offer to pay as the woman sets the scallops ablaze with a blow torch.

“Do you know what this technique is called?” Kyungsoo gives a little nod in the direction of the flaming food.

A teachable moment. How does his own personality not wear him off?

You’d made a firm resolve to not let any of his condescension bog you down so with a sweet smile, you reply, “No, Chef. I do not.”

“Flambé, minus the alcohol. Do you know how they manage that?”

The ahjumma calls out for you and you nearly jump to collect the order, the slight upward curl of his lips coming into your peripheral vision.

***

The Market supposedly looks the same as it did fifty years ago and you quite enjoy eating your way through it. The tour makes your heart grapple with nostalgia even though your partner’s vibe is akin to a mug of insipid coffee.

Although you’d spent only a little over a year at Choi Yoonsun’s, the goodbyes were long and hard. Some of the vendors squeeze you and Kyungsoo in heart wrenching hugs, the others give you a little cash to help you through the transition and for some of the food, you pay only with smiles and thank yous.

After a gastronomic fiesta entailing tteokbokki, pajeon (minus the ketchup - you did it Kyungsoo’s way), sashimi, kimbap, different types of banchan, a thousand more teachable moments, the both of you end the day on a sweet note with hotteok.

The ahjussi wishes you both luck, making you choke back tears.

Your moist eyes don’t escape Kyungsoo’s attention.

“Are you…. Is the hotteok spicy? No, I mean it’s obviously not…erm”

The dam of your tears explodes.

You were going to miss this place. Even the less appealing aspects of it. You were going to miss the kimbap unnie who greeted you with a hug everyday, also the snooty mandu ahjumma who could hardly stand the sight of Choi Yoonsun’s crew. You were going to miss washing dishes in the winters with water that was supposed to be ice and the sweltering summers that had you sweating through every layer of clothing.

Hell, you were even going to miss Kyungsoo.

“No”, you sniffle, “No, no Chef, it’s nothing. Take care of yourself. As much as I’m glad that our fateful working relationship has met its rightful end, I truly, genuinely, wish you luck. And learn to smile a little more, yeah?”

“Are you dying?” Eyes glinting, mouth agape, he chuckles.

“What? NO! What? You’re leaving. What is wrong with you?”

“Who says I’m leaving?”

“You! You’re not coming with us to Gangnam!”

“Says who?”

“Your stupid face that looked like it was hit by a freight train when Imo broke the news last week!”

“I’m not leaving?” He draws his words out in a question.

“This is no time to joke, Chef. You are leaving!”

“Says who!”

“Your stu-”

“Stupid face? I wasn’t planning on leaving at all. I’ve even found myself a place close to the restaurant. Oh yeah, sorry for having misled you. It was really just - my stupid face.”

A month from Grand Opening

It’s not just about food.

Food only makes for a fifth of a restaurant’s success equation. Management and promotional skills are essential because a restaurant is, first and foremost, a business.

Mark Lee, the young consultant from PCY Associates had imparted this crucial business knowledge to your compact team of three aspiring restaurateurs in exchange for an egg sandwich and watermelon juice. The enthu-cutlet has been overseeing the legal set-up of your humble restaurant for a month now.

However, according to Mark, the crème de la crème of the success equation is customer service.

Customer service.

Here’s where the crusty Chef was supposed to take a backseat and you - a real people person, a socially adept charmer - were to sashay in and shine.

These ideas were a bit too much for that thick, globular skull of his so you tried to educate him with a practical example.

He’d added a rule to the first draft of the menu - a shared document for brainstorming purposes. It read ‘No ketchup for you.’ This rule (or insolence as you called it) went against your belief system as the restaurant’s to-be-anointed Manager (a girl can always hope). ‘Never say no to a customer’ being the foundation of customer service, you slashed the rule with a strikethrough.

But the next time you tried to log in, you found yourself locked out of the document.

“Chef, why can’t I find the draft menu anymore?”

He’s aggressively julienning leeks, pretending to not have heard you.

“CHEF!”

“What?” Finally, he looks up. The skin between his eyebrows pinched and his arm raised to level his brand new 1-piece chef’s knife (initials etched into the blade) with his profile.

“Why-why did you lock me out of the draft menu?”, you stammer, gaze trained on the cutting edge glistening with tears of The Leeks.

Kyungsoo’s been visibly getting jittery by the day as opening day approaches.

He deliberately places the knife to the side of the board and you take a gutsy step forward. He uses a cold, serial-killer voice to ask, “What makes you think that I locked you out?”

You lean over from the other side of the granite counter, face barely an inch from his, “Who else could’ve? Imo is technologically challenged.”

“Fine”, he sighs, “I locked you out.” His lips curl up in a menacing smirk, “What are you gonna do about it?”

Grinning, you stare right into his dark eyes and let out a shrill, high-pitched scream, “IMO!”

This throws him back a few steps and he’s rubbing and pulling at his right ear when Imo walks into the kitchen.

“Yah! Am I your babysitter? Whatever it is, I don’t want to hear about it. I am asking you”, she looks at you before spinning her head in Kyungsoo’s direction, “and you, to sort this amongst yourselves. For once!”

“But-but Imo!”, you protest.

“Aegiya, I really don’t want to ship you back to Bucheon.”

***

“Here’s your tax ID, liquor license… okay so this was a touch-and-go because the officer is transferring to another Department and the one that’s supposed to be coming in is a real piece of work….”

Mark Lee is here with the final set of documents.

Imo’s eyes are gleaming with excitement and sheer joy but she’s held a businesswoman-like composure. On the other hand, Kyungsoo looks very much like himself - like someone’s sucked the life out of him.

You bring Mark his usual egg sandwich and watermelon juice because there’s only so much your restaurant can offer at this point in time, feeling brutally overwhelmed with the volume of pending tasks until opening.

After practically inhaling his mini-meal, Mark dabs his mouth clean and says, “My work here is done. If you need anything you know where to find me. And good luck. Trust me, you’ll need it.”

Imo looks worriedly at Kyungsoo and then at Mark and at Kyungsoo again which prompts him to ask rather uncomfortably, “What do you mean ‘you’ll need it’?”

Mark’s dramatically long sigh is an indication of a sermon to follow. As he leans back into his chair, Imo and Kyungsoo instinctively cower like an invisible weight has been plopped onto their shoulders. The sight is beyond pathetic: they are like peasants before a feudal lord. It makes you want to smash the know-it-all smirk off of Mark’s face.

What comes after, though, isn’t a sermon but a sentence and a half that leaves the three of you shaken.

“The dining business here in Gangnam is hyper-competitive and most restaurants fold in six months. And if that sandwich is any indication…”

Kyungsoo valiantly advances to rescue your team out of the dark bubble of Mark Lee’s words with, “What’s wrong with the sandwich? She makes a perfectly good sandwich!”

What was supposed to be a compliment somehow sounds very wrong in your head, but before you could give him the death stare he leaps to damage control, “What I mean is, we all ate the very same sandwich for breakfast. I don’t usually dissect food for novices but the egg was perfectly cooked, mayonnaise was just the right amount and the seasoning was balanced, too. So I’m not sure what you’re trying to say. We’re serving perfectly good food here.”

“The thing is, this is something even my mother could make and dude, believe me, she’s terri…her culinary abilities are highly questionable. Also, do you think your friend would’ve sold you this place if it were thriving, Mrs. Choi? She’d inherited it from her grandfather and she sold it to you at a dirt cheap price because she was neck deep in debt. I’m sure you know, real estate here is three and a half times the country’s average. So not only do you have significant funds locked into a possibly deadweight property but also your plan clearly lacks vision. Gwangjang’s Choi Yoonsun can keep you afloat for four…maybe six months but Gangnam’s Choi Yoonsun has to create an identity for herself. Look around you, everyone’s serving good food”, Mark tilts his head in Kyungsoo’s direction, “Here, people eat with their eyes first. Now, I’m not saying family-run restaurants serving traditional cuisines don’t do well. A lot of them have been passed down for generations. What I’m saying is…..find your USP.”

Mark squints, looks into the distance, and pinches the air a lot during this damp squib speech of his.

So the menu isn’t very different from what Choi Yoonsun served in Gwangjang. Her USP has always been homestyle cooking with a twist. But that was the demand of a Market that upheld traditionalism and Gangnam, being precipitously everchanging, would be quite something to keep up with.

The weight of Mark’s words manifests on Kyungsoo’s shoulders. He lets out a sharp exhale and starts to clear the table, giving him plenty non-verbal cues to leave. You rush to help him out and meet his defeated form (crouched over the sink) in the kitchen.

The shuffling sound of your footsteps reaches his ears and he pivots to face you.

“We’ll be okay”, your voice is but a calm whisper prompting his creased forehead to slowly smoothen.

“We’ll be okay”, he forcefully echoes.

Grand Opening Day

A frisson of fear laced with excitement descends your spine.

Choi Yoonsun’s is enveloped in a pin drop silence save for the sound of Kyungsoo’s pacing. It’s grating on your nerves but Kyungsoo pacing is far better than Kyungsoo “going over the plan” for the umpteenth time.

The kitchen’s prepped for battle so you’re seated at the cash counter, cuddled close with Imo, placated by her soothing, motherly presence. The three of you are like ticking time bombs, ready to go off at any minute.

This, right here, is the perfect example of a pinch-me-it-doesn’t-feel-real moment. You allow yourself to feel the forces at play as your eyes take in every nook and cranny of the restaurant. The place is agreeably well lit and the ventilation hoods aren’t an eyesore either. The decor’s minimalistic with a sand and stone colour scheme and the floor’s been scrubbed spotless. Eight sturdy wooden tables, tactically placed, allow for movement and privacy yet the area has been optimally utilized.

Fifteen minutes for the ‘Open’ sign to light up.

Kyungsoo and you proceed to help each other out with crisp bright yellow aprons affixed with red name tags (handpicked by Imo, the aprons made you both look like dumpy chicks) and clear plastic masks and wish each other luck with curt nods.

***

Imo’s sons are the first to arrive with some friends in tow. They are served with Kyungsoo’s Yachae Twigim and Budae Jjigae, your Gyeran-mari and Kimchi Bokkeum-bap and of course, Imo’s famous Kalguksu and Kimchi Mandu. Makes you wonder if they’ve had enough of it but they seem to be greatly enjoying themselves. Some of Hyunjin’s friends from Four Seasons are here too, their mighty presence driving Kyungsoo to the edge.

But a few compliments from them are enough to soothe his nerves.

Among the flurry of patrons through the day were vendors and stall owners from Gwangjang along with their family and friends, Kyungsoo’s acquaintances who you knew nothing about and neither did you care enough to ask, Mark Lee with his very handsome boss Park Chanyeol also dropped by sometime around noon.

Your mother couldn’t make it to the opening. It stung a little but as usual, you sucked it up and went on with the highly stimulating day that anyway left you with very little time to mull over any unpleasantness.

***

By the end of it, you were pretty sure you’d wake up with blistered feet the next morning.

It’d been a splendid opening with sales tallying up to KRW 2500,000: nearly two and a half times the estimate. Imo breaks into a dance at the figure, even Kyungsoo lips stretch into a reluctant grin.

You intensely wish Mark Lee were here to witness this euphoric win.

Six months later

Mark Lee had been right.

Choi Yoonsun was miles from creating an identity in Gangnam. Regulars from Gwangjang could make it to the restaurant only twice or thrice a week, support from acquaintances had been gradually trickling, and some negative reviews floating around the internet about poor table turnover had also been driving potential guests away.

You tried to mitigate this by hiring part timers at minimum wage but for several reasons, none of them managed to stay: anti-social hours and Kyungsoo’s hostility being two of the key causes.

On your best days, the sales would total up to KRW 1500,000 and the weekday numbers had been dismal.

***

“Dooly-dooly!”

Your eyes light up at the familiarity of that voice. Mirroring its excitement, you run into the arms of its owner.

“Baekhyunnie!”

Kyungsoo peers over his glasses while scrubbing the iron girdle, studying the floppy haired, cheerful man with a wide grin plastered across his face that’s pranced into the kitchen at closing time.

Byun Baekhyun has been your best friend since time immemorial. Growing up in Bucheon, he’d been the only family you’d known besides your parents and Imo’s family. You weren’t even as close with Hyunwon and Hyunjin as you were with Baekhyun. Since work always kept your mother busy, his parents had practically been the ones to raise you and not once did they make you feel like an outsider.

“Yah! Quit calling me Dooly we’re not kids anymore! Have you eaten? Let me whip you up something real quick. Look at youuuu, when did you get this skinny! How long are -”

“Not to interrupt, but you’ve left the water running”, Kyungsoo drones, lazily pointing in the direction of the sink.

You clearly remember turning it off before darting to greet Baekhyun.

‘Sonofa-’ exasperated, you mouth to Baekhyun, whose eyebrows have shot up to his hairline out of vicarious embarrassment, before turning around to face Kyungsoo who seems to be scrubbing the iron girdle to gold. “Chef, you’re closer to the sink.”

“Reiterating. You’ve left the water running. If you wanna go on tittle-tattling, by all means….this wastage is on you.”

“Make yourself comfortable”, too exhausted to pick a fight, you whisper to Baekhyun, gesturing towards the closest table, “I’ll be with you soon.”

***

“It’s bad”, Imo sighs, burying her face in her hands.

11 P.M., two hours past closing time.

The sparse lighting in the restaurant is causing you an eyestrain to look at the scribblings on the register. Your neck and shoulder muscles are tense from all the chopping, stirring, and scrubbing: a slow day does not translate to an easy day. You notice that Kyungsoo is growing weary, too.

Or maybe discouraged.

You communicate with each other in evasive glances as if the restaurant not doing well is, somehow, on the two of you.

“Imo”, Baekhyun speaks first so as to allay the looming dread, “I’ve been reading the online reviews and those who’ve visited here have been raving about the food - especially the Kalguksu. They say you’ve brought the flavours of Gwangjang to Gangnam. There’s this one thing, though - ”

“Sajangnim”, Kyungsoo interrupts a zealous Baekhyun’s pitch, “I don’t think this is any of his business. We’ve been keeping track of reviews and such - ”

“Let the boy speak. He’s family.” She says softly, pressing her fingers to her temples, clearly clutching at straws now.

Kyungsoo clenches his jaw and nods in Baekhyun’s direction, indicating him to continue.

“There-there”, Baekhyun stutters, eyes fixed on Kyungsoo who’s vaguely fascinated with his cuticles, “are some complaints about slow service. Particularly between starters and mains.”

After an uncomfortably rich pause, Imo gently rests her hand atop Baekhyun’s “Baekhyunah, how long are you here for?”

“For as long as you need”, the apples of his cheeks rise as his eyes crinkle into a gleeful smile.

***

“Somebody is early. Also, the cart looks different…it’s..?”

Dressed in his usual black athleisure, round eyes framed with chunky glasses, Kyungsoo jogs lightly to match your out-of-character sprightly pace into the market.

“Bigger. I bought a new one.” You chirp, shooting him an out-of-character smile.

Even the dreary weather isn’t a buzzkill because today is supposed to be Baekhyun’s first day at work.

“How did you get Sajangnim to agree? She can be -”

“Miserly? Stingy? Close-fisted? Also, when will you stop calling her Sajangnim?”

“Just so that you can stop addressing me appropriately? Dream on. And I meant economical. Sajangnim is economical.”

“Chef, do you even listen? I bought it. With my own money. I figured since we’d need more ingredients now, we could use a bigger one.”

“And how did you come to that conclusion?” Impervious to his smug tone, you step away to pick up a one kg bulk pack of dried shiitake mushrooms while he’s examining a small batch of zucchini.

“Because Baekhyun’s gonna be working with us now.”

“Temporarily. And we’re suddenly going to start doing better because of an inexperienced, unemployed -”

The wheels of the cart hit his ankle when you swivel it, making him wince in pain.

“Oops! Sorry.”

“You did that on purpose!” He chides.

Half-shrugging, you say nonchalantly, “Serves you right. Baekhyun may be inexperienced but he isn’t unemployed. If anything, he’s doing us a favour. He’s whimsical like that.”

“I know”, he states, forcefully taking control of the cart, “I know he isn’t unemployed. He owns a Hapkido training academy for elementary school children and is on a break these days. I looked him up. I, personally, wouldn’t have hired him if it were my restaurant but I’m sure Sajangnim -”

“Chef?” You stop dead in your tracks.

“What?”

“You’re on…” you wanted to say ‘social media’ but the words sounded almost blasphemous to be used in front of a very uptight Doh Kyungsoo: a man with absolutely no online presence.

“What is it?” His eyebrows knit together in annoyance.

“Nothing, let’s go.”

“You know what else is different today?” He says on your way out, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.

“Hmm?”

“You. You’ve showered.” He chortles, thinking he’s being funny.

But with a hardened expression, you let him know that he’s crossed a line.

“Too far?”

“A tad.”

“Let’s get you some coffee.��

“No.” You smile inwardly, relishing his apologetic tone.

“No?”

“We have to pick up Baekhyun’s apron and nametag.”

At first you thought you were imagining this.

A group of high school girls frequenting Choi Yoonsun’s must obviously be because they want to get healthy, homely meals instead of the trash served at fast food chains or the uneconomical subsistence of instagrammable cafes. They’re obviously not here for the charming server with an athlete’s body and a boyish grin.

“He should wear respectable clothing”, says Kyungsoo, indicating at Baekhyun’s skinny jeans and fitted black tee, hiss sharper than the sizzle of minced garlic in butter.

“Why, I don’t think his cleavage is showing”, you retort, scooping out a serving of rice from the cooker.

“You have absolutely no shame”, he states matter-of-factly, stirring the soup pot.

“What? Is my cleavage showing, too?” You ask in mock-surprise, fixing your apron theatrically.

“Forget I said anything.”

The aroma of Kimchi Jjigae had you salivating and you couldn’t wait to taste it for seasoning. Kyungsoo’s cooking amply made up for his drab, lacklustre personality.

“Chef, lighten up. Any publicity is good publicity.”

“You sound like a tabloid journalist”, leaving the soup to simmer, he turns around to face you, “What’s wrong with your hair?”

“I got a haircut”, scrunching your face you respond suspiciously, the fact that he noticed it despite the hair cover makes your heart palpitate.

Taking the unwarranted attention away from your hair, you ask hastily, “You think they’re here for Baekhyun and not your food, right?”

“Ye-yes”, he stutters, looking away.

“These people wouldn’t be here time and again if it weren’t for the food, Chef. You should know that.”

Moving closer to him, you lightly dust flour off of his shoulders.

“How did you get flour on your shoulders?”

His ears go scarlet.

Imo comes into the kitchen while Kyungsoo and you are preparing for the day ahead. Baekhyun has gone down to Bucheon to oversee the affairs of his training academy.

“There’s this new officer who’s reviewing all liquor permits issued this year. Be careful and make sure to check all IDs twice. I’m taking the day off. Will you two be okay by yourselves?” She swooshes out of the kitchen, not bothering with your incoherent replies.

“Can’t believe they’ve ditched us on a Friday.” You grumble, soaking clams in fresh water.

“We’ll be fine.” Kyungsoo reassures you.

***

It had been quite the day and nearing closing time, your feet were going sore. Baekhyun taking on the toughest role in the restaurant made you greatly appreciate his efforts. While most guests are civil, he’s experienced his fair share of rowdy ones firsthand and his ability to deal with them is unparalleled. He’s never, ever let any matter escalate to a point of embarrassment and has demonstrated the maturity to overcome every crisis situation with a smile on his face.

The fact that he’s only temporarily here suddenly starts to wear you out.

Kyungsoo sticks a handwritten note on the steel holder which reads - Yangnyeom - 2. It’s only been a little over eight months since the restaurant’s been fully functional yet the holder’s worn out more because of use and less because of time.

“About time we advanced to kitchen order tickets, right? Saves Baekhyun…or either of us unnecessary excursions to the kitchen. Also, billing will be simpler that way.” You offer while straightening your apron and getting ingredients ready for Kyungsoo to prepare the sauce.

“Yeah, it does”, he seems really out of it as he’s getting chunks of juicy chicken ready for the fryer. He’s moving around the kitchen rather clumsily, nearly tipping over the bottle of corn syrup.

“Wah, Chef, are you alright? Would you like me to do this?”

Resting his back against the wall, he slowly sinks to the floor, face buried in hands. “Yes, please.”

While you’re preparing a sauce the recipe for which you know like the back of your hand, his instructions don’t cease. The only thing you’ve ever liked about working with this man is that contrary to Imo, he does not believe in micromanaging. But right now it feels like you’re in the kitchen with her and not with Kyungsoo.

The tension causes you to lower the chicken into the fryer hastily resulting in specks of flaming oil to splatter onto your arm.

He’s quick to rush to your aid with a cold towel.

“Yah, Chef, you’re making me nervous, what’s with all this nitpicking?” You almost yell at him as he’s gingerly dabbing the towel on the affected area.

“I’m sorry, I am so sorry. It’s just”, he pauses briefly, worrying at his lower lip, questioning eyes peering into yours, before helping you with the chicken - slightly more confident in his movements now, “whatever you do, don’t get out of the kitchen. Table number four, those guys there, are weird.”

“Weird, how?”

“Rowdy, mannerless and drunk. Really, really drunk. Steamrolled by the ‘Friday happy’.”

“Ah, Baekhyun’s well-versed with their kind. Don’t worry, just be polite. Are you sure you don’t want me to intervene?”

“Positive and whatever happens?”

“Stay put. Chef?”

“Yeah?”

“It’s only thirty minutes to closing. We can get through this, okay? And don’t accept further orders!”

***

Twenty minutes after, you’re aimlessly scrolling through your phone to take your mind off the stabbing pain in your lower abdomen. Simultaneously playing a little game of inventing the kind of content Kyungsoo would upload if he were a user on these sites only to be jolted with the realization as to how little you know about the man.

As the restaurant’s occupied with boisterous conversations and raucous laughter, you’re counting seconds to closing. Multiplying three hundred with every bracket of five on the clock.

The din comes to an abrupt halt when you hear a middle aged man bellow, “Yah, punk, do you have a death wish?!”

Gradually moving closer to the door, you try to get a view of the scene outside.

You see a polite but firm Kyungsoo bow before the man, “We can’t serve you any more alcohol, sorry, we’ll be closing now.”

The other two men along with the nasty vermin have long passed out. You quickly call for a cab, subconsciously grabbing a hold of Kyungsoo’s knife in the process.

“DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO YOU’RE TALKING TO RIGHT NOW?” He thunders.

Kyungsoo recoils as the man grows louder by the second. “We cannot serve you anymore alcohol, sir.”

It happens in a flash.

So fast you almost feel like you’re astral projecting.

One moment, the man raises a hand to strike Kyungsoo. Kyungsoo swerves. You dash out of the kitchen with the knife in your hand. Face to face with the man, you scream until your lungs hurt, “GET OUT! I SAID GET OUT OF MY RESTAURANT!”

The vermin’s companions stir at the sound.

With frightened eyes they take in the scene as their drowsy brain is still trying to assess the situation for action. They soon pull the man by his shoulders while Kyungsoo’s tugging at your knife bearing arm that’s still raised in combat mode, simultaneously apologising to the rowdy guest.

Wagging his sausage like finger at the both of you he warns menacingly, “You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

Slapping the tab on their table, you proceed to threaten him, “Settle this and get - the fuck - out of my restaurant before I call the cops.”

Throwing a couple of bills on the table, he staggers out, grumbling, “You just wait”, still wagging his finger and reeking of stale alcohol.

It was only then that your grip on the knife eases as Kyungsoo carefully draws it out of your hand and you see, just like you, he’s shaking too.

“What just happened?” He’s the first to speak as you sit across the table from him, dark orbs glinting in the dim light, forehead beaded with sweat. His hands are tightly wound together as he places them on the table. One day without Baekhyun and Imo and Kyungsoo and you had messed up real bad. By the looks of it, neither of you were ready to accept this fact.

“We did exactly what we were supposed to do. Stop worrying!” You say more to yourself.

He’s not convinced.

“Chef, that man’s reaction wasn’t something that you could’ve preempted or….controlled in any way.” Finding yourself getting mildly annoyed, you try your best to lay the edge off of your voice. All you wanted was for him to be alright because, technically, none of this was his fault.

“Would you have allowed him to take a swing at you?”

“He was far too drunk for that”, he exhales heavily and you notice his stance relax before clamping up again, “but you-you came out with a knife!”

His tone isn’t accusatory. He’s simply baffled.

“Fight or flight…”

“It’s my knife.”

“I’ll be sure to hide the murder weapon.”

He nods slowly.

“Do you need some water? Tea? A hug?”

You half expect him to scowl or groan or whatever it is that he usually does but he seems to be actually evaluating his options.

“A beer?”

“Down for Chimaek?”

Stood up to go into the kitchen, you awkwardly, and very, very slowly put an arm around his shoulders and give him a tight squeeze.

***

This was your first time having fried chicken and beer in complete silence - a few minutes felt like hours with the incident still hovering over both of you.

“Chef, you know we haven’t murdered anyone right?”

“The restaurant feels like a scene of crime to me. Also, what did he mean by ‘you just wait’?”

“Eh. Empty threats. Testosterone poisoning. Do you think they’ll throw me into prison for threatening him with a knife?”

“You should be sent in for pilfering stock”, he says gesturing at the tray between you, taking a chunky bite of the chicken, “you were going to take this home, weren’t you? It’s good, by the way.”

“Ah, this makes me happy”, you lean back into your chair, smiling discreetly at Kyungsoo’s messy fingers and mouth.

“A compliment from me makes you happy?” His eyebrows shoot up as he takes a swig of beer.

“Testosterone poisoning”, you say pointing an accusatory finger at him, “I couldn’t care less what you think. I’m pretty confident in my skills.”

“As you should be. Then what ‘makes you happy’? The thought of going to prison?”

“Yes”, you lie, “you think I’ll have a prison bitch?”

“I think you’ll be the prison bitch.”

You open your mouth to protest but what escapes is a mortifying burp.

Uncomfortable silence.

Meeting his eyes, you purse your lips, feeling your face flame. He smiles at you and says, ‘wait for it’, before belching. Loudly. Sending you both into fits of laughter.

“What happened here last week?”

Kyungsoo and you are seated opposite Imo like criminals before a cop in an interrogation room. Baekhyun is holed up in the kitchen, cleaning. For the most part, he avoids conflicts like these where Imo’s red hot beam of anger could be misdirected at him.

She’s glaring at the responsible child, Kyungsoo, to break first but since it was your idea to keep the incident from her you start to explain. By the time you’re done she seems angrier, but not at the two of you. Only after a tiny lecture on how you should learn to be more tactful in such situations does she spell out her real concern.

Turns out the man the both of you had a scuffle with last week is the new officer’s brother-in-law. Now, the restaurant’s received a notice from the liquor permit’s office for an “inspection” in the coming week. Although aware that this situation isn’t either of your fault, Imo is far from pleased with this development.

“Fix this”, she orders and disappears into the kitchen.

There’s only one person who can help you out of this mess, but neither Kyungsoo nor you possess the emotional capacity to deal with him.

“He’s our only option”, you deadpan.

With a heavy sigh, Kyungsoo dials Mark Lee.

***

Mouth stuffed with egg sandwich, Mark Lee garbles, “What do you want from me? It’s an inspection so let them come and - inspect.”

Imo’s taken off for the day and it’s just you and Kyungsoo trying to sort out the mess you weren’t entirely responsible for.

“You said we could call you if we needed help with anything”, Kyungsoo reasons with Mark who’s now ogling at him as if he just got spoken to in an alien language.

“Yes, but I don’t see how I can be of help here?”

“Tell us anything you know about this new officer. Don’t leave anything out.” You’re nearly begging at this point and Mark Lee, as always, is reveling in your misery.

He relaxes in his seat, swirling the glass of watermelon juice, “You know you can’t buy your way out of this right? He’s an uptight bugger and you screwed up! Big time! All you had to do was give his brother-in-law a bottle of beer.”

“Oh, we’re sorry we didn’t have his family tree handy”, Kyungsoo rolls his eyes, “Besides, were just trying to abide by the rules - ”

The helplessness in Kyungsoo’s voice causes you to lose your cool at Mark. “Yah! Quit being cocky and just tell us everything you know!”

“Oh-oh feisty”, his mouth spreads into an annoying grin, “okay so he loves his wife, obviously, it’s why he’s doing this. Has an eleven year old daughter who is the apple of his eye. Erm, let’s see, he’s spent his teenage years in Japan and the country is all he’ll ever talk about. Piss him off and this inspection turns into a review and if things continue to spiral you’ll have your permit revoked. So be careful.” His eyes lock with yours making you shift uncomfortably in your seat.

“What are you planning to do with this information, anyway?”

“We don’t know just yet”, Kyungsoo starts clearing up the table, as usual, and Mark knows that his time is up.

“Dude”, he leans towards you, whisper-chortling, as Kyungsoo retires into the kitchen, “did you drive him out with a knife?”

Nodding, you grin gleefully.

“Fiery! You’re totally my boss’ type.”

***

“So what are we going to do?” Rubbing your eyes and stifling a yawn, you ask Kyungsoo.

While the world sleeps, the market is awake. Buzzing with a contagious energy. Although you hate having to wake up this early, the moment you step into this space, you’re completely taken by its vigour and gusto for life.

It’s nothing short of a celebration.

Chefs, big and small, passionately scour every nook and corner for the perfect herbs, veggies, and meats. You may not know each other closely or even by name but you feel part of a community - part of a family. True to character, you won’t ever stop whining about this routine with friends and family and occasionally with Kyungsoo, Baekhyun, and Imo but you know it in your heart of hearts, you wouldn’t skip sourcing for the world.

“So he’s spent his teenage years in Japan right?” Kyungsoo muses, lowering a crate of mudfish in the cart for today’s special, Chueotang.

“Let’s recreate his teenage years for him. Japanese dorm meals?”

Kyungsoo stops abruptly, “That’s a thought!”

“We can set the menu today after closing.”

“How about a coffee now?” He asks, averting your gaze as a slight smile forms on his lips.

On the morning of the inspection, Kyungsoo sneezed. Once. Twice. And on the third strike he was sent home by Imo because “this is not a good look”. Or forced out of the restaurant - depends on who you ask. He whined a little, even shed a few tears but Imo steeled herself and drew him out, anyway.

Although the menu is simple, the concept is layered and robust. The exercise is, after all, being undertaken merely to impress the officer in question. Well equipped for the inspection, the restaurant’s closed for the day.

This is nothing Baekhyun and you can’t manage but, obviously, Kyungsoo feels otherwise. He’s been calling to check in in intervals of five but seems like the medication’s finally kicked in and put him in a state of deep slumber. Good for him. And for you.

Two hours until showtime.

Under your close supervision, Baekhyun is labouring over the fairly straightforward stuff: tako sausages, potato and macaroni salad and egg sandwiches while you’ve kicked off the recipe for rolled omelettes.

Egg mixture aside, you start the rice cooker, leave green tea to boil for salmon ochazuke while the frying pan’s heating up for yaki udon.

***

Once you’d gotten all the dishes down, done exactly the way instructed by Kyungsoo: rolled omelettes, yaki udon, tako sausage, potato and macaroni salad, egg sandwiches and salmon ochazuke, it was time for you to take on the simplest but the most provoking dish on the menu.

Neko Manma. Or, cat rice.

“Ah, Dooly, shall I bring out the jar of bonito flakes?” Baekhyun prompts.

“The one Chef brought us this morning?”

He hums in response.

“I think we should use the store bought one instead.”

“But he’s worked on this recipe all week. You sure you wanna do that?”

“Positive.”

“He’ll flip out.”

“I’ll deal with it. We’re altering the recipe for Neko Manma, this ones too pretentious. Doesn’t sit right with me.”

“So, what do you want to do with it?” Baekhyun’s tone is wary and questioning.

“Rice, soy sauce, store bought bonito flakes and just a faint drizzle of butter. Nice and clean.” You respond confidently.

“Are you really sure?”

***

“Why are you here?” You hiss at Kyungsoo while Imo is outside, busy greeting the motley of high-headed officials, giving them a brief of the restaurant, herself, her team, and going over the licenses and documentation.

Face flushed, Kyungsoo’s lips are swollen and his eyes are runny, puffy, and bloodshot. He’s clearly in the need for some rest.

“To see if everything’s in order.” His voice is hoarse.

He starts to closely examine the entrees laid out, a smile of approval gracing his lips until he stops short of cat rice.

“These bonito flakes -”

“I didn’t use the fresh ones. I thought -”

“There’s no miso soup?”

“No, Chef, I reckoned -”

“No grilled fish? Are you being lazy?”

“Chef, no, I am not being lazy. The original recipe just didn’t feel right. So i changed it up a little -”

“Changed it up? That decision was not yours to make!”

“It’s just a side, it’s not going to matter so much!”

Absolutely livid, he runs a hand through his hair and laments. “If we weren’t this close to serving i would’ve dumped this into the bin because that’s where it belongs.”

“Chef, please”, your voice quivers, “let me explain! This was supposed to be the lightest dish on the menu. We ended up styling it with… overwhelming ingredients, so I -”

“I’m utterly confused! What on earth led you to believe you’re qualified enough to teach me? I’ve trained at a diner in Tokyo for two whole years. I know exactly what I’m doing here!”

Eyes brimming with tears, you glance over and Baekhyun who has ‘I told you so’ written all over his face.

"Kyungsooyah? When did you come in? What’s going on here?”

Imo’s bewilderment cuts through the tension.

“Sajangnim, I was feeling slightly better so I thought of dropping by to wish you luck."

Courtesying, he quickly dashes out through the back door.

***

The inspection has been revoked. Unofficially, atleast. The restaurant is to receive a written order in a week’s time.

The officer was impressed to the extent of apologising for his brother-in-law’s behaviour. He even lauded Imo on teaching her staff to stick to the establishment’s principles which made you wonder if he was fully aware of the facts of the case: knife and all.

He also mentioned how, as a student, he’d eat a bowl of Neko Manma before every exam because at the time, to him, anything else was unpalatable.

And that, this was what he considered to be the perfect recipe.

You go through the rest of the day as if sleepwalking. How stupid could you have been believe you were “on good terms” with Kyungsoo or that this was an equal and productive partnership. The fact remained that he still thought of you as someone frivolous: some air-headed moron who has no idea what she’s doing.

Someone beneath him.

You made an effort to appreciate this victory but the day had only left you with a bitter taste. Your mother had been right. You’ve always been too soft. Too trusting. Letting people in too easily and allowing them to walk all over you.

Now, Kyungsoo’s always been like this: controlling, stubborn, absolutely thorough. He never deviates from his well laid out plans. But today was different. Today, you expected something out of him. You expected him to trust you. You expected him to understand your reasoning, to give you a chance. To comprehend the fact that you could have a mind of your own and that not everything has to be exactly by the book.

You loathe yourself for expecting this out of him.

Sailing rough seas together doesn’t bloom friendships. You were stupid to think of him as a friend while, in all these months, his opinion of you had remained the same.

Contrary to the Gwangjang days, you’d long stopped wishing him gone. In some farthest corner of your heart you were even grateful that he chose to say.

You’ve been so stupid.

Two months later

The kitchen has been fervent but hushed.

After all this time, Baekhyun, Kyungsoo and you seem to have found a rhythm. You don’t need to verbally communicate to get through a workday.

But, you used to.

Sometimes unnecessarily even. Kyungsoo and you hardly saw eye to eye on most things but there would be some semblance of friendly workplace banter. He’d say a little something about a perfectly done piece of meat or a well seasoned soup. Baekhyun would take wickedly funny pot shots at some of the customers (to the utmost horror of Imo). Imo would sporadically push morsels of whatever was being prepared into your mouths.

Baekhyun receiving feedback in the form of grunts has shut him up altogether. And the busyness of the restaurant has seemed to have blinkered Imo into not being able to perceive the tension between Kyungsoo and you.

It’s a dance to no music.

Furtive glances. Measured smiles. Curt nods. Exceptional dishes. Decent earnings.

That’s it.

Maybe that’s how it should’ve always been.

“Ready to go?” Baekhyun asks, dressed in a well fitted black shirt and slacks.

You’re mopping the floor. Clearly not ready to go.

When you make this known with a sharp glare, Baekhyun giggles.

Nothing good can come out of that impish smile of his. But before you can sink your claws into him and drag him back, he’s already chatting up Kyungsoo who’s fixing the chairs.

“Kyungsoo, you coming?” He says a little too loudly and you groan. But you know Kyungsoo all too well. He’s one to decline offers involving socialising with you (unless of course, the offer is put forth by his dearest Sajangnim).

’You can do better than that’, you mouth to Baekhyun.

Incurious about Kyungsoo’s answer, you’re fully prepared to chomp Baekhyun’s ear off for inviting him.

“Sure”, Kyungsoo says plainly.

Sure?

Without taking the where-what-why route like normal people do? Just..sure?

“Great! We’re going out for drinks since it’s Dooly’s birthday today.”

“Oh. Happy birthday.”

“Thanks. But, Chef, you can’t come. I don’t want you there. I’m sor-”

Swallowing the apology crackling at the tip of your tongue, you dash into the kitchen, your periphery catching his lowered gaze and tight smile.

Regularising the erratic thrumming of your heart with deep breaths, you shove the mop into the storage area, take off your apron and throw it in the laundry bag (which you were to deal with the next morning), straighten your outfit, fix your hair, dab some rosy tint onto your lips, throw your tote bag over your shoulder, run back out, grab Baekhyun by purposefully lodging your nails into his arms, and take off.

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thatsnotcanonpodcasts · 4 years

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Space Movie, Space Cement & PokeCoin

Nanoo Nanoo.

Ryan Gosling is going back to space for Andy Weir's next book, which isn't even out yet but is already casting actors. This one has a working title of Project Hail Mary and features a lone scientist on a spaceship trying to save the world. Slightly higher stakes than The Martian, but Andy's books are always great.

Astronauts are also going to use pee to build houses on the moon. Let's hope NASA has a large surplus of air fresheners to send up with them, because this cement is probably the most useful way to use human waste on the moon, but it's going to smell.

Back on Earth, Niantic are trying to deflate the Pokecoin economy by severely lowering the minimum wage. Nobody seems to be happy with this, but Australia is just the test site, so it's coming to a phone near you soon.

This week Professor took a trip to a far away planet to care for slimes, and DJ found out what happens when you swim with the cardsharks.

Check in next week for probably less pee jokes. Probably.

Andy Weir’s Space Film starring Ryan Gosling

-https://variety.com/2020/film/news/phil-lord-chris-miller-ryan-gosling-astronaut-movie-1234607851/

Introducing….Piss-ent: the new space cement

-https://www.sciencenews.org/article/astronauts-lunar-exploration-cement-urine-urea-3d-printing

-https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652619340478?via%3Dihub

PokeCoin: Gotta cash them all

-https://www.reddit.com/r/TheSilphRoad/comments/glcywi/tales_from_the_front_one_players_experience_with/

Games Played

Professor

–Slime Rancher – https://store.steampowered.com/app/433340/Slime_Rancher/

Rating: 2/5

–Legends of Runeterra – https://playruneterra.com/en-us/

Rating: 4.5/5

Other topics discussed

The Martian (The Martian is a 2015 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. The Martian, a 2011 novel by Andy Weir, served as the screenplay adapted by Drew Goddard. The film depicts an astronaut's lone struggle to survive on Mars after being left behind, and efforts to rescue him and bring him home to Earth.)

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Martian_(film)

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a 2018 American computer-animated superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Miles Morales / Spider-Man, produced by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation in association with Marvel, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing.)

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man:_Into_the_Spider-Verse

Andy Weir (American novelist whose debut novel in 2011, The Martian, was later adapted into a film of the same name directed by Ridley Scott in 2015.)

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Weir

Sean Bean Death Scene Compilation 1986-2016

-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnzk5qAaNLk

First Man (First Man is a 2018 American biographical drama film directed by Damien Chazelle and written by Josh Singer. Based on the book First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong by James R. Hansen, the film stars Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong and follows the years leading up to the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon in 1969. Steven Spielberg serves as an executive producer.)

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Man_(film)

Interstellar (2014 epic science fiction film directed, co-written and co-produced by Christopher Nolan. It stars Matthew McConaughey. Set in a dystopian future where humanity is struggling to survive, the film follows a group of astronauts who travel through a wormhole near Saturn in search of a new home for humanity.)

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstellar_(film)

Raid: Shadow Legends (freemium mobile and PC game developed and published by Israeli game developer Plarium Games.)

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid:_Shadow_Legends

-https://raidshadowlegends.com/

Girl being hit by a truck while playing Pokémon Go

-https://time.com/4405221/pokemon-go-teen-hit-by-car/

Pokémon Go disrupt a funeral

-https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-08/pokemon-go-blamed-for-brisbane-funeral-disturbance/7700332

List of highest-grossing mobile games

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_mobile_games

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery forces you to pay - or wait - to save a kid from being strangled.

-https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-04-27-harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-is-ruined-by-its-in-game-payments

Harry Potter mobile game maker defends child-choking scene which asks you to wait or pay money

-https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-05-31-harry-potter-mobile-game-maker-defends-child-choking-scene-which-asks-you-to-wait-or-pay-money

Pokémon Go Hits $3B in Lifetime Revenue

-https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pokemon-go-hits-3-billion-lifetime-revenue-1250983

Wall-E: Do not Return to Earth Scene played by Fred Wllard

-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNXNkdZVqs4

Groucho Marx’s look

-https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Groucho_Marx_-_portrait.jpg

RC2014 is a simple 8 bit Z80 based modular computer originally built to run Microsoft BASIC. It is inspired by the home built computers of the late 70s and computer revolution of the early 80s.

-https://rc2014.co.uk/

Sgt. Slaughter On The Time Andre The Giant Fell Asleep Mid-Match

-https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/1060153-andre-the-giant-sgt-slaughter-zzzz

Andre The Giant (2018 TV documentary film based on the life of French professional wrestler and actor André René Roussimoff (better known as André the Giant).)

-https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6543420/

Star Wars Day (Star Wars Day, May 4, celebrates George Lucas's Star Wars media franchise. Even though the holiday was not created or declared by Lucasfilm, many Star Wars fans across the world have chosen to celebrate the holiday. It has since been embraced by Lucasfilm and parent company Disney as an annual celebration of Star Wars.

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Day

An Assemblage of Grandiose and Bombastic Grandiloquents (TNC podcast)

-https://thatsnotcanon.com/grandiloquentspodcast

Heavenly Shows and Unnecessary Letters (TNC Podcast)

-https://thatsnotcanon.com/heavenlyshowspodcast

Shout Outs

15 May 2020 – Fred Wilard passes away at 86 - https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcberman1/2020/05/16/comic-fred-willard-dies-at-86/#5461bf6d7f10

Frederick Charles Willard, was an American actor, comedian and writer. He was best known for his roles in the Rob Reiner mockumentary film This Is Spinal Tap; the Christopher Guest mockumentaries Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration and Mascots; and the Anchorman films. Willard’s other recurring sitcom roles included Family Matters,Sister, Sister, Mad About You, and Everybody Loves Raymond (the latter which resulted in Primetime Emmy nominations for Best Guest Actor in a Comedy for three consecutive years). He even appeared as the only human character in the animated film "WALL-E," a first for a Pixar film. Willard was one of Hollywood's busiest comedic actors with a career that lasted more than 50 years, playing clueless characters such as sidekick Jerry Hubbard on the satire "Fernwood 2 Night" in the 1970s. He recently finished filming the Netflix series “Space Force,” where he played actor Steve Carell’s father. He died from natural causes in Los Angeles, California.

18 May 2020 – Ken Osmond passes away at 87 - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/arts/television/ken-osmond-eddie-haskell-dead.html

Ken Osmond, who played the duplicitous teenager Eddie Haskell on the long-running sitcom “Leave It to Beaver,” one moment a smarmy young man when talking to parents, the next moment a devilish troublemaker when the adults were out of sight. Mr. Osmond appeared in all six seasons of “Leave It to Beaver,” 1957 to 1963, one of the most-watched television sitcoms of the era, then reprised the role as an adult version of Eddie in the Disney Channel revival series “The New Leave It to Beaver” in the 1980s. After Leave It to Beaver ended in 1963, Osmond continued to make occasional appearances on such television series as CBS's Petticoat Junction, The Munsters, and a final return appearance on Lassie in the episode "A Matter of Seconds" as a motorcycle delivery man who offers the hitchhiking collie a lift in his sidecar. However, he found himself typecast as Eddie Haskell and had difficulty finding steady work. In 2008, Osmond told radio host Stu Shostak in a radio interview, "I was very much typecast. It's a death sentence. In Hollywood you get typecast. I'm not complaining because Eddie's been too good to me, but I found work hard to come by. In 1968, I bought my first house, in '69 I got married, and we were going to start a family and I needed a job, so I went out and signed up for the LAPD. As an officer on motorcycle patrol, he grew a mustache to disguise himself. In 1980, he was shot three times in a chase with a suspected car thief but escaped serious injury: One bullet was stopped by his belt buckle, the others by his bulletproof vest. He was put on disability and retired from the force in 1988. He died from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and peripheral artery disease in Los Angeles, California.

19 May 2020 – Red Dead Redemption Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary - https://www.gamespot.com/articles/red-dead-redemption-turns-10-years-old/1100-6477391/

On May 18, 2010, Rockstar Games released Red Dead Redemption, an open-world Western video game, on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Universally acclaimed for its artistry, dramatic storytelling, and freedom of choice, the game sold 17 million copies. But despite the game's reputation today, it's important to remember a time when its success wasn't certain, and Rockstar's developers sought to distinguish it from the studio's prior accomplishments. It subsequently attained a 95 on Metacritic and received over 170 Game of the Year Rewards. It led to a revitalized interest in the Western genre, especially the "Spaghetti Western"revisionist works by Sergio Leone and Sergio Corbucci. And after eight years, players got a sprawling prequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, which built upon and deepened the themes of its predecessor. Taken together, the two games are an American epic about modernization, betrayal, and the demons of the past. The West may be dead, but that won't stop us from reminiscing and keeping its memory alive.

Remembrances

19 May 1825 – Henri de Saint-Simon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_de_Saint-Simon

Claude Henri de Rouvroy, comte de Saint-Simon, often referred to as Henri de Saint-Simon. He created a political and economic ideology known as Saint-Simonianism that claimed that the needs of anindustrial class, which he also referred to as the working class, needed to be recognized and fulfilled to have an effective society and an efficient economy. He said the primary threat to the needs of the industrial class was another class he referred to as the idling class, that included able people who preferred to be parasitic and benefit from the work of others while seeking to avoid doing work. Saint-Simon stressed the need for recognition of the merit of the individual and the need for hierarchy of merit in society and in the economy, such as society having hierarchical merit-based organizations of managers and scientists to be the decision-makers in government. Saint Simon's conceptual recognition of broad socio-economic contribution, and his Enlightenment valorization of scientific knowledge, soon inspired and influenced utopian socialism, liberal political theorist John Stuart Mill, anarchism through its founder Pierre-Joseph Proudhon who was inspired by Saint-Simon's thought and Marxism with Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels identifying Saint-Simon as an inspiration to their ideas and classifying him among the utopian socialists. He died from suicide at the age of 64 in Paris.

19 May 1935 - T. E. Lawrence - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._E._Lawrence

Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence, British archaeologist, army officer, diplomat, and writer. He was renowned for his role in the Arab Revolt and the Sinai and Palestine Campaign against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. The breadth and variety of his activities and associations, and his ability to describe them vividly in writing, earned him international fame as Lawrence of Arabia, a title used for the 1962 film based on his wartime activities. In 1916, he was sent to Arabia on an intelligence mission and quickly became involved with the Arab Revolt as a liaison to the Arab forces, along with other British officers. He worked closely with Emir Faisal, a leader of the revolt, and he participated, sometimes as leader, in military actions against the Ottoman armed forces, culminating in the capture of Damascus in October 1918. After the war, Lawrence joined the Foreign Office, working with the British government and with Faisal. In 1922, he retreated from public life and spent the years until 1935 serving mostly in the Royal Air Force, with a brief period in the Army. For the RAF, he participated in the development of rescue motorboats. In the inter-war period, the RAF's Marine Craft Section began to commission air-sea rescue launches capable of higher speeds and greater capacity. The arrival of high-speed craft into the MCS was driven in part by Lawrence. He had previously witnessed a seaplane crew drowning when the seaplane tender sent to their rescue was too slow in arriving. He worked with Hubert Scott-Paine, the founder of the British Power Boat Company (BPBC), to introduce the 37.5 ft (11.4 m) long ST 200 Seaplane Tender Mk1 into service. These boats had a range of 140 miles when cruising at 24 knots and could achieve a top speed of 29 knots. He died from a traffic collision at the age of 46 in Bovington Camp, Dorset.

19 May 2009 - Robert F. Furchgott – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_F._Furchgott

Robert Francis Furchgott, Nobel Prize-winning American biochemist who contributed to the discovery of nitric oxide as a transient cellular signal in mammalian systems. In 1978, Furchgott discovered a substance in endothelial cells that relaxes blood vessels, calling it endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). By 1986, he had worked out EDRF's nature and mechanism of action, and determined that EDRF was in fact nitric oxide (NO), an important compound in many aspects of cardiovascular physiology. This research is important in explaining a wide variety of neuronal, cardiovascular, and general physiologic processes of central importance in human health and disease. In addition to receiving the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of nitric oxide as a new cellular signal—shared in 1998 with Louis Ignarro and Ferid Murad. Furchgott's discovery, that NO gas causes blood vessels to dilate, provided a long sought-after explanation for the therapeutic effects of Nitroglycerin used to treat Angina pectoris and was later instrumental in the development of the erectile dysfunction treatment drug Viagra. He died at the age of 92 in Seattle, Washington.

Famous Birthdays

19 May 1942 - Gary Kildall - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Kildall

American computer scientist and microcomputer entrepreneur who created the CP/M operating system and founded Digital Research, Inc. (DRI). Kildall was one of the first people to see microprocessors as fully capable computers, rather than equipment controllers, and to organize a company around this concept. Although his career in computing spanned more than two decades, he is mainly remembered in connection with IBM's unsuccessful attempt in 1980 to license CP/M for the IBM Personal Computer. Kildall and his wife Dorothy established a company, originally called "Intergalactic Digital Research" (later renamed as Digital Research, Inc.), to market CP/M through advertisements in hobbyist magazines. Digital Research licensed CP/M for the IMSAI 8080, a popular clone of the Altair 8800. As more manufacturers licensed CP/M, it became a de facto standard and had to support an increasing number of hardware variations. In response, Kildall pioneered the concept of a BIOS, a set of simple programs stored in the computer hardware (ROM or EPROM chip) that enabled CP/M to run on different systems without modification. CP/M's quick success took Kildall by surprise, and he was slow to update it for high density floppy disks and hard disk drives.After hardware manufacturers talked about creating a rival operating system, Kildall started a rush project to develop CP/M 2. By 1981, at the peak of its popularity, CP/M ran on 3000 different computer models and DRI had US$5.4 million in yearly revenues. He was born in Seattle, Washington.

19 May 1944 – Peter Mayhew - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Mayhew

Peter William Mayhew, was an English-American actor, best known for portraying Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series. He played the character in all of his live-action appearances from the 1977 original to 2015's The Force Awakens before his retirement from the role. When casting the original Star Wars (1977), director George Lucas needed a tall actor who could fit the role of the hairy alien Chewbacca. He originally had in mind 6-foot-6-inch (1.98m) bodybuilder David Prowse, but Prowse chose to play Darth Vader. This led Lucas to cast Mayhew, who was working as an orderly in the radiology department of King's College Hospital, London. He became aware of a casting call for Star Wars which was filming at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire. The 7-foot-3-inch (2.21m) tall actor was immediately cast as Chewbacca after he stood up to greet Lucas. Mayhew continued working as an orderly—at Mayday Hospital (now Croydon University Hospital)—in between filming the original Star Wars trilogy. Mayhew modelled his performance of Chewbacca after researching the behaviour of bears, monkeys and gorillas he saw at London Zoo. Lucas said Mayhew was "the closest any human being could be to a Wookiee: big heart, gentle nature and I learnt to always let him win". The character did not have any lines, the sounds he made being derived from sound recordings of animal noises. While Mayhew portrayed Chewbacca in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, he was not in Star Wars: The Last Jedi but was listed in the credits as "Chewbacca Consultant". He was born in Barnes, Surrey.

19 May 1946 – André the Giant - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_the_Giant

André René Roussimoff, best known as André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor. Roussimoff stood at over seven feet tall, which was a result of gigantism caused by excess growth hormone, and later resulted in acromegaly. It also led to his being called "The Eighth Wonder of the World". He found success as a fan favorite throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, appearing as an attraction for various professional wrestling promotions. During the 1980s wrestling boom he was paired with the villainous manager Bobby Heenan and feuded with Hulk Hogan in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). The two famously headlined WrestleMania III in 1987. Outside of wrestling, he was best known for appearing as Fezzik, the giant in The Princess Bride. After his death in 1993, he became the inaugural inductee into the newly created WWF Hall of Fame. He was later a charter member of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame; the latter describes him as being "one of the most recognizable figures in the world both as a professional wrestler and as a pop culture icon." Towards the end of his career, Roussimoff starred in several films. He appeared most notably as Fezzik, his own favorite role, in the 1987 film The Princess Bride. Both the film and his performance retain a devoted following. In shoot interviews, wrestlers have stated that he was so proud of being in "Princess Bride", he carried a copy of the movie everywhere he went, to watch whenever he could. Roussimoff has been unofficially crowned "the greatest drunk on Earth"for once consuming 119 12-US-fluid-ounce (350ml) beers (in total, over 41 litres (72imp pt)) in six hours. He was born in Coulommiers, Seine-et-Marne.

19 May 1955 – James Gosling - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gosling

James Arthur Gosling, often referred to as "Dr. Java", Canadian computer scientist, best known as the founder and lead designer behind the Java programming language. He wrote a version of Emacs called Gosling Emacs (Gosmacs) while working toward his doctorate. He built a multi-processor version of Unix for a 16-way computer system while at Carnegie Mellon University, before joining Sun Microsystems. He also developed several compilers and mail systems there. He is known as the father of the Java programming language. He got the idea for the Java VM while writing a program to port software from a PERQ by translating Perq Q-Code to VAX assembler and emulating the hardware. He created the original design of Java and implemented the language's original compiler and virtual machine. He also invented an early Unix windowing system called NeWS, which became a lesser-used alternative to the still used X Window, because Sun did not give it an open source license. He is known for his love of proving "the unknown" and has noted that his favorite irrational number is √2. He has a framed picture of the first 1,000 digits of √2 in his office. He was born near Calgary, Alberta.

Events of Interest

18 May 1980 – Eruption of Mount St. Helens - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_eruption_of_Mount_St._Helens

On March 27, 1980, a series of volcanic explosions and pyroclastic flows began at Mount St. Helens in Skamania County, Washington, United States. It initiated as a series of phreatic blasts from the summit then escalated on May 18, 1980, as a major explosive eruption. The eruption, which had a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 5, was the most significant to occur in the contiguous 48 U.S. states. It has often been declared the most disastrous volcanic eruption in U.S. history. The eruption was preceded by a two-month series of earthquakes and steam-venting episodes, caused by an injection of magma at shallow depth below the volcano that created a large bulge and a fracture system on the mountain's north slope. An eruption column rose 80,000 feet (24km; 15mi) into the atmosphere and deposited ash in 11 U.S. states and significant ash in two Canadian provinces. At the same time, snow, ice and several entire glaciers on the volcano melted, forming a series of large lahars (volcanic mudslides) that reached as far as the Columbia River, nearly 50 miles (80km) to the southwest. hermal energy released during the eruption was equal to 26 megatons of TNT. Hundreds of square miles were reduced to wasteland, causing over $1 billion in damage (equivalent to $3.4 billion in 2019), thousands of animals were killed, and Mount St. Helens was left with a crater on its north side. More than 4,000,000,000 board feet (9,400,000m3) of timber was damaged or destroyed, mainly by the lateral blast. At least 25% of the destroyed timber was salvaged after September 1980. In areas of thick ash accumulation, many agricultural crops, such as wheat, apples, potatoes and alfalfa, were destroyed. As many as 1,500 elk and 5,000 deer were killed, and an estimated 12 million Chinook and Coho salmon fingerlings died when their hatcheries were destroyed.

19 May 1999 – Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace was released - https://www.scifihistory.net/may-19.html

On this day in 1999, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace was released theatrically ... and most of us came crashing understandably back to Earth. Employment consultant firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas estimated that 2.2 million full-time employees missed work to attend the film, resulting in a US$293 million loss of productivity. According to The Wall Street Journal, so many workers announced plans to view the premiere that many companies closed on the opening day. The release on May 19, 1999 of the first new Star Wars film in 16 years was accompanied by a considerable amount of attention. The Phantom Menace was released almost 16 years after the premiere of the previous Star Wars film, Return of the Jedi. The film's premiere was extensively covered by media and was greatly anticipated because of the large cultural following the Star Wars saga had cultivated. It grossed more than $924.3 million (equivalent to $1.42 billion in 2019) worldwide during its initial theatrical run, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1999, the second-highest-grossing film worldwide and in North America (behind Titanic), and the highest-grossing Star Wars film at the time.

19 May 2005 – Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith was released - https://www.scifihistory.net/may-19.html

George Lucas brought his Prequel Trilogy to its tragic close when Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith finally showed audiences what exactly went down when Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker embraced his inner demons and took the path to the Dark Side of the Force. Luke and Leia were born, delivering the film's only true hint of what things would inevitably lead to their father's redemption, but an Empire was forged in darkness once and for all on this day. Its theatrical release in most other countries took place on May 19 to coincide with the 1999 release of The Phantom Menace (the 1977 release of A New Hope and the 1983 release of Return of the Jedi were also released on the same day and month, six years apart).

Intro

Artist – Goblins from Mars

Song Title – Super Mario - Overworld Theme (GFM Trap Remix)

Song Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GNMe6kF0j0&index=4&list=PLHmTsVREU3Ar1AJWkimkl6Pux3R5PB-QJ

Facebook

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atopearth · 5 years

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Shall we Date? Wizardess Heart Part 20 - Zeus Brundle Route

Well, that story about the Nighttime and Daytime kingdom was rather dark! The nighttime prince liked the daytime princess and the king of the latter tricked the prince saying that if he could navigate out of this labyrinth, he’ll let them be together, but the labyrinth actually had no exit, and it’s said that his ghost still wanders through it to this day, like wth? How morbid, and how disgusting of the king to do such a thing if it were a true story. Anyway, so the story is set two years after the heroine entered the academy! I guess she must be pretty capable then! Ooh, so there’s a new headmaster and the secret night class has finally been revealed and will be integrating with the normal daytime classes.

The new headmaster is…interesting, a dragon?? And nice, Klaus recommended her to become a Prefect and now she’ll have a Prefect judge to check if she’s worthy, guess it’ll be Zeus? And yep he is, and he’s arrogant and looking down on the heroine already! So nostalgic to see that first CG though, this is when the art changed for Wizardess Heart so this is kinda like another milestone for me in this game, since I still remember thinking how far away I was from the Zeus route when it first came out lol. Lmao at how childish Zeus is, furiously smacking her balcony window to get her to go have tea with him and then when she says no (very logically, since it’s 11pm and she’s going to sleep), he just keeps banging on the window lolll, what a nightmare. How cuteee, Hiro and Zeus have matching earrings! I didn’t even realise! So glad Amelia told Klaus that Zeus practically kidnapped her lmao. Alike the heroine, I don’t know how to feel about the entrance to the Night class being in a cemetery and in a coffin😶😶

Nooooooo! That thing Zeus summoned is not Taffy! It can’t be Taffy! It’s so not cuteee😭 I love how Caesar couldn’t stop laughing when Hiro and Klaus told him that Zeus tried to summon a dragon but instead summoned a stuffed animal toy🤣🤣🤣 Lmao, how cute that Caesar becomes a little piggy when he’s kissed! So cute lol. Zeus looked so adorable when he laughed at Caesar lolll, he’s still a jerk though for being mean to Caesar, Caesar’s vulnerable right now!!🤣 Zeus is such a show off though hahaha, wonder why he could summon a fairy dragon, but when it came to the black dragon he summoned the “suspicious” Taffy again? 🤔 Lollll I guess there won’t be a day that goes by with Zeus that won’t be exciting as it is stressful lol, full didn’t tell her the Prefect trial was today! At least he helped her out by teasing her and everything so she would be less nervous I guess lol. Ooh there’s three trials, good for her that she passed the first one, so cute when she held his hands in excitement of Zeus passing her and he blushed, he’s so innocent lmao. Lolol when the heroine got caught in that book and had to play out this prince and princess love story, and lol even though Zeus pranked her by nearly tricking her into kissing him when he went to get her out of the book, she’s lucky that he came haha.

It’s actually pretty funny how she wants to learn how to be a proper Prefect through following Alfonse and seeing what he does for a day, and Zeus gets all jealous that she doesn’t respect him the same way, so he follows her around trying to convince her otherwise lol. I hatee it when the heroine shows her childish jealousy, it’s okay to be jealous, but the way she shows it by being so annoying just infuriates me zzzz. At least Hiro came along to tell her that Zeus seems to feel the same way about her since he only talks about her these days and that he’s been really furious after their fight. Wow, the heroine went into the wrong coffin to go to the Night Class, why am I not surprised lol. At least she got to meet Lucious, you gotta love how much he doesn’t mince his words, and you gotta agree with him, why couldn’t she just tell her feelings to him tomorrow? This now or never thing doesn’t apply if you get lost so easily and could literally have been stuck there for however long if Lucious didn’t appear. Or I guess he wasn’t needed lol, since Zeus summoned the heroine with a magic circle since he couldn’t find her lmao. Great idea I have to say.

Awwwww! That CG with Zeus blushing and giving her the stardust grass she said she wanted to see was so adorableee! He’s so cute! I’m surprised that he so honestly admitted that he liked her from the very beginning and that’s why he kept teasing her, he really is such a kid lmao. Why did they give the heroine a brooch carrying a herb that can bend someone’s will permanently?!? Is the heroine not clumsy enough?? Even if they can track it and can know when it’s separated from the heroine, what’s the point when it’s lost?? Sigh, that’s pretty careless and thoughtless of the headmaster and Klaus to do tbh. Well, as expected, I guess Lucious is that prince that got trapped in the labyrinth trying to reach his princess… Truly a saddening story that he continues to wander in that labyrinth for eternity even though the princess passed away so long ago😭😭 Lmao it’s so cute how protective Zeus and Klaus are when it comes to the heroine, the only time when they don’t argue with each other haha.

I thought Zeus was the one who took the brooch but since they said they could track the brooch, I wondered why they couldn’t detect that it was with him? Anyway, seems like they need the Devil Whisper to do something to the labyrinth guard so that they can somehow get Lucious out of the labyrinth. Sure, it’s nice that Zeus is willing to do so much for a friend, but he tricked the heroine and who knows what happened to Klaus and them since they got dropped into some void! What if they’re stuck forever somewhere too? It’s a terrible thing to do regardless of the reasons, they trusted him😒 Lucious’ story is so saddening, he loved the princess so much that he was willing to go through the trial of the labyrinth for her, but since he was from an enemy kingdom, the princess’ father tricked him into being trapped in there forever so he could never come near his daughter again and I guess he could rid of an enemy’s son, so even better…

Oh, so with the Devil’s Whisper, they can control the Minotaur and the Minotaur has the power to destroy the labyrinth and finally set Lucious free huh? Tbh, nothing about seeing that story really added anything to what I thought their story was about, but I guess it was eye opening for the heroine to experience it as the princess, regardless though, even if what Zeus is doing isn’t exactly wrong in the sense that he just wants to help Lucious because of all the suffering he had to go through, Zeus isn’t exactly right either, especially with dragging everyone into this and doing what he wants without care for anything besides what he thinks is right, which is pretty selfish but I guess that’s how he is after all lol. I wonder if Lucious knows about this plan, since apparently the labyrinth and the copy of the castle or whatever is the only place preserving Lucious and the princess’ memories of their love, so destroying the labyrinth doesn’t sound that good of an idea either.

I’m glad the heroine told him off for being so selfish, I can’t believe he was planning to get Lucious out and then tell him the princess has been dead for a long time, that’s so irresponsible and cruel! How could he not even consider his feelings at all! This is Lucious’ choice! Even if it will extremely hurt him to learn the truth, it is still something he has to decide for himself - whether he remains here with the memories of the princess or leaves the labyrinth to regain his freedom. Seeing Lucious so earnestly cry over the fact he broke his promise to the princess by having never gotten out of the labyrinth was just so painful to see… It was nice to see Zeus sincerely apologise for not telling him. I never doubted that Klaus and them would be fine, but I’m still glad to see them okay. Ohhhh, Caesar is a descendant of the Baroque family, which are the ones who cursed Lucious and chained his soul to the labyrinth, so basically if the labyrinth is destroyed, Lucious will die too? It was really cute how the heroine said she didn’t mind being stuck in the painting with Zeus for eternity if they couldn’t get out though haha.

The good thing that’s coming out of this is that Zeus is learning to be more considerate of others through the heroine. By listening and trying to understand things from her perspective, he is maturing and learning to be not as selfish by thinking about how others feel. Although it doesn’t seem like they’ll divulge who actually controlled the Minotaur to go on that rampage in this route, it’s nice to know that they will continue to work and find a way to save Lucious and that he looks forward to seeing what the world is like outside the labyrinth. And the heroine became a prefect~ Getting an all day tour of the Night Class sounds rather interesting lol, is there anything to see in the day haha? The ending was so cute with them teasing each other with kisses, Zeus blushing is so cute hahaha.

Overall, Zeus’ route was all right. He’s more on the boyish childish side with all the “being mean to the girl he likes” kinda trope and it can show how selfish of a person he can be, but I did like how near the end, the heroine called him out on being selfish and so because of her, he learned to be more considerate of others. Their relationship was like a pair of bickering kids who just love arguing with each other all the time, but I guess it is quite cute, especially when Zeus reveals his feelings honestly. Story-wise I feel that most of it was just them fighting and bonding through the Prefect trials and then suddenly wanting to save Lucious, so I feel that the transition was rather haphazard, but it was okay, route wasn’t bad, I kinda liked it haha.

#wizardess heart

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pinelimelife · 6 years

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Black Limes and Pineapple Pirates

Actually aptly named the title after ‘Black Sails’ as I finally finished watching it today. Which also pushed todays blog back to a later time slot sadly. Since I am so tired now my energy to put together a full Sunday blog has diminished and the call from my bed has begun... Don’t worry sweet bed... for soon... zzzzz... zzzz... zzz. It is a Film, Song/Album, Game and TV Series day today. However, I don’t have the energy right now to do all 4 and come up with ratings and stuff, so today I will review whilst it’s fresh on my mind ‘Black Sails’ and why I love it, and where my interest in Pirates came from. So my love for the pirates of old started mostly a while back. I can’t remember if it was truly before my first ‘pirate party’ event that I attended, or whether it came from that day. My first pirate party event was years ago, I want to say 2011. Quite sure the Korn concert I met my pirate loving friends at was the 8th October 2010 which would make 2011 the year. From that party I became known as Captain Pineapple, but not because the Captain loves his pineapples, it’s more that the Pineapples control him (Obviously this is part of the fun of the story, not true in any way). If you’ve ever watched the Red Dwarf episode Quarantine and saw Mr Flibble you’d know what I meant. Actually before I took the name Captain Pineapple, it was the Pineapple King. The idea that the Captain could hear the psychotic thoughts of a pineapple just sounded fun. I eventually started making a game based on pirates, a 2D game, a big game. But I eventually yielded to it, it was too much and I couldn’t do it by myself anymore. That and other pirate stuff boomed and Assassins Creed Black Flag actually caused me to lose interest in making a game because I’d neither the skill, nor confidence really. My skills these days are a lot better, but my passion for designing games is minimal and I tend to prefer art and music over it. The amount of nights I sacrificed, the people I pushed away, and the friends I lost because of the hours and hours I dedicated to coding. It was mentally affecting me. Anyway, back to where I was heading with this. During that time of making the game I spent a lot of time, almost constantly reading about pirates, real pirates. I read up about who they are, what they were, and why they were. Who was the most feared, the least feared. I loved reading about it. I was doing research. Whose my favourite? Well although he wasn’t the most dangerous, he was definitely one of the most feared and that is Edward Teach ‘Blackbeard’. The way he met his end was brutal, he survived five shots and apparently 20 stabbings during an ambush. Another seaman cut his throat. But the fact he survived all of that in one battle makes the man, in my eyes worthly of being named one of the most feared. His sheer size alone was intimidating enough, without carrying 6 pistols. They would have been heavy pistols as well. Over the years I learned to take on the name of ‘Captain Pineapple’ I took it to other events, local comic cons, other dress ups. The ‘Pine’ in Pinelime would make a lot more sense to anyone who had no idea. I nearly left it all behind at one point, i felt like I was losing passion and interest. That was re-ignited by watching ‘Black Sails’, it was also re-ignited by another party I went to where I over did it with too much rum.

TV Show: Black Sails I’d been pestered by friends for a while to watch this show. I often have to be forced to watch something, no matter how cool and interesting it is. I did start season 1 of black sails a long while ago and stopped when my subscription to Amazon ended, I became too lazy then to continue. Recently I was re-sparked into watching it and once I did I was unstoppable. What did I think? I loved every moment of it, it’s a brilliant concuction of both fact and fiction in one. Treasure Island meets real pirates in a dark and gritty story. It shows how John Silver becomes Long John Silver, who Captain flint was an many other exciting things if you’re a fan of treasure island of course. Favourite Character? With all the changes happening during the series it was hard to pick, but the one I was always eager to watch was Captain Silver, and Captain Flint. I also loved Captain Vane, his was a more interesting growth because I hated him from the beginning and learnt to appreciate him in the end. Favourite Season? I want to say Seasons 3 and 4 definitely. Would I watch it again? Honestly... Yes, I probably would later down the line. Would I recommend? Definitely, if your into that sort of thing, or even just like Period dramas. My Rating: 9 (I would love to give it a 10, but I don’t like giving 10′s I prefer 9s.) IMDB Rating: 8.3 Well, It’s late, I’m tired. So I bid you all a good night. Don’t let the Black Limes bite! Lime

#Personal Blog #Lime #Pineapple #Pine #Pirates #Black Sails #TV #Games

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onstates-blog · 7 years

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26/08/17

Today was our last day in montreal! We had a couple of things to get done before anything else: go get some more books from librarie drawn & quarterly and get some FRUIT from the supermarket. We got 2 books about a cute lil bear by a japanese author, the graphic novel BOUNDLESS which I'm excited to read, and also a book called FOUND AUDIO, which looks great and is published by two dollar radio, one of my fave indie publishers & whose books you can't generally get in the UK. We completed these tasks in record time b/c we hired bikes, so then we stopped at the green panther again to get some pitas for lunch, then packed everything up and cycled out to the olympic park, left over from the olympics montreal hosted in the 70s. You can see the stadium for miiiiles, so we had that in our sights the whole way, which was weird b/c it looked very close but was not at all - it took us maybe 20-25mins to get there, so we parked up and ate our lunch just outside the botanical gardens (the whole olympic park has been repurposed - some is now the botanical gardens, another part nr the stadium is the biosphere, with lots of different habitats recreated & with animals in too (but we didn't fancy this b/c animals shouldn't be kept in cages duhhhh)). Then we got sone tix and went thru into the greenhouses of the botanical gardens, on the way seeing a lady with a cardigan emblazoned with the words I LOVE CATS on the back. I guess she had made it herself? To show her love of cats? Just like people wearing football shirts really, except she doesn't support a team, just felines in general. The greenhouses were good - not the biggest we've been in, but well laid out. Some of the cacti looked a bit sad ☹️. Then outside the greenhouses we wandered thru a rose garden, a japanese garden that was v pretty and calm, and then a first nations garden. The whole experience was v pleasant, as botanical gardens tend to be. We'd already sussed out an ice cream store that was en route to the city centre, so we stopped off and had, frankly, far too much soy ice cream from HOCHE GLACE. Nat had some soft serve chocolate, & I had a massive tub of oreo, chocolate and raspberry. It was delicious. we cycled back into old montreal, to the pier, where we decided there was nothing better to do with a belly full of ice cream than climb up a massive tower of scaffolding that creaked and rattled like the skeleton of some frail old giant, and then from the top we ziplined across the water to the opposite tower, screaming most of the way. Nat *loved* this, and even went so far as to do what they were calling a 'quick jump' before the zipline. This was a little like a mini-bungee jump, and nat got attached to a bungee cord and then led out onto a platform that stuck out the edge of the tower. When someone pulled a comically big lever, the platform swung away and nat plummeted, grinning like the maniac I have only recently come to realise she is. **nat had also said she'd now like to do a proper bungee jump, and also learn how to skim stones** It was getting late in the afternoon by this point, so we grabbed some more bikes and cycled off to find a henry moore sculpture outside one of the art galleries, taking a look at some of the other public art as we went. Fiiiinally, after a long walk back around the side of mont royal, we got home and ate hot dogs whilst packing up our things ready for the train journey back to toronto tomorrow. zzzz

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bpellerin · 4 years

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The small silver fish of contentment

The first thing I heard was a plousssh too big to be a fish and too small to be a floundering human. I was going to ignore it – there were, after all, no calls for help or signs of distress – but then as I returned to my book the sound came back.

Ploussssh.

There’s a bunch of bizarre life forms around here. At any rate, bizarre from the point of view of someone who was raised in freakishly clean suburban houses and who’s come of age in a grimy city. Bizarre bipeds I’m good with. Wild animals in their natural habitat I’m still getting used to.

Re-ploussssh.

Oh, now what. A beaver? They make a lot of noise when they hit the water. I know that much, even if I’m a failure, as a naturalist. Earlier that afternoon as we were about to swim I spotted what I thought might be a turtle headed for shore. The kids set me straight right away. No, Mom, a turtle does not swim with its head above water (true, I guess, what was I thinking? [facepalm]). This is definitely a snake.

They are young, and have a certain confidence in their knowledge that – usually – only youth and stupidity provide. My kids are aged 10 and under, but they are not stupid. How could they be? They’re mine, right? You know exactly what I mean, since you’re in the same boat and have brilliant offspring yourself. (“Brilliant” here is not a word necessarily synonymous with “well-behaved”. But you knew that.)

Anyway, here are my kids being able to ID at a glance the minuscule triangle of flesh poking out of the water 30-odd feet away as I squint like a fool, desperately hoping to see more of its body emerge. Like it would make me feel better somehow.

But no. As it got within four feet of shore it disappeared under water, never to be seen again.

I should be pleased that my kids show so much confidence in their knowledge. And that they are right to do so. They have been homeschooled all their lives, and I’ve always encouraged them to look things up by themselves. Because I know that’s how I remember things. When I have to look them up. I can only guess where they got their turtle-vs-snake dataset. You already know it wasn’t from me. I’m going to assume they looked it up.

That’s cool. One kid in particular is super awful keen on all things animal, and when left to her own devices she’ll sit at her desk watching one animal documentary after another, or reading National Geographic Kids, or some animal-related book(s) (usually in the plural) she borrowed from the library. She knows everything about animals. And I mean everything. She’ll tell you all of it, too, if you give her half a chance. (Pro tip: Do not let this kid start talking about animals if you have anything to do later in life.)

Re-ploussssh again, but this time the sound was accompanied by birds squawking so loud they almost drowned out the plousssh.

“What the hell?” I’d been sitting on the steps going to the cottage, reading a book in the shade and attempting to steal a few quiet moments just me and my inspiration and my thoughts. This doesn’t happen very often in my life (see “three homeschooled kids aged 10 and under,” supra) unless I stay up past their bed time (hahahazzzz) or get up well before they do. I tend to shrivel up past 10 pm so I aim to be up by six in the morning instead. When I’m at home I go for a run with the dog, but we don’t run at the lake since we have no roads or paths on this small rocky island. I usually let myself sleep in until 6:30 or 7:00, then I’m up to get some writing done and whatever other grown-up things I have to do that morning. Such as laundry or lunch prep. My life is real glamorous that way.

But that aside, we all have our limits, and mine – I decided right there on the spot – is four ploussshes.

I got up.

It’s not a long walk from where I was to where I needed to be to see what the ruckus was about. Fifteen feet, maybe. It looked like those WWII movies with kamikazes flying into the good guys’ planes, except those were birds. Seagulls performing an angry version of an aerial ballet. They would fly past each other, squawking and spitting at the loons below, then would plunge head-first into the lake for a brief moment before flying back out of there and up towards the trees.

Except the loons weren’t flying out of the water. Loons can’t do that. Did you know they need a huge aqua-runway to get airborne? If you’ve never seen a loon taking off, google it. You’ll see something very slow and almost painful to watch, as the bird’s butt skips along the surface like a polished rock until its wings manage to lift off its soggy rear end. I don’t know why loons have so much trouble taking off. I mean, they are birds, are they not? It’s one of those things that give a creature away as a bird, that it can fly. And loons are not even that big or heavy, for their wingspan. They’re not chickens, for crying out loud. But they sure are plodding.

Plus I know these particular loons, and they ain’t going nowhere on account of the new addition to their family. Yes, we got ourselves a local family of loons (try to use that in a conversation today). Mama, Papa, and Fuzzy-Butt. I’m guessing Fuzzy-Butt hasn’t yet learned the intricate art of loon-flying, since I never see this family anywhere other than the channel between my island and the one next door.

I observed the high-speed feeding operation with a mixture of amusement and wonder. Nature is so simple in its awesomeness – unless it’s the other way around? I suppose it could be both.

I was about to turn around and go back to my book when something caught my eye. One of the adult loons (Papa?) had a small silver fish in its beak. It was such an insignificant little thing – maybe three inches long. But Papa Loon swam away with it looking taller and prouder than I’d ever seen him.

And it struck me: What a metaphor!

(Yes, I’m regularly struck by metaphors. It comes with the territory.)

That loon was bursting with pride not because he had caught a massive pike. No, he was bursting with pride because he had done his job and done it well. Nothing more, but also nothing less than his job. And he was proud of that.

Sort of like me and my kids knowing the difference between a turtle and a snake swimming – accurately. To other people they look and sound like small, insignificant silver fishies. But to me they’re much bigger than that. They make me swim straighter not because I’ve done something unusual, but because I’ve done my job; no more, no less.

I smiled and went back to my book.

#lake #happiness #wildlife

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albinzadamski · 5 years

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Long Distance Flight Necessities

Last week I spent a eight days on a whirlwind trip to Australia and the flight is a long one, it’s just under 15 hours from LA to Sydney! For international or long distance flights I have my routine down to maximize rest and comfort. For my fellow travelers, today I’m sharing the kit of supplies I carry with me whenever I’m off to see the world and visit a new country.

watercolor world map by art prints vicky

I often take red eye flights and the plane flies through the night arriving in the morning in my new destination, so it’s key that I get as much rest and hydration as possible so I can acclimate quickly to the new time zone and hit the ground running.

I recently bought this washable neck support pillow to test on my flight back and forth to Australia and I love it so much more than the standard moon shaped neck pillow I used to fly with. It provides much better neck support and it’s more compact. I wrap it around my neck and it also covers my chin and lower part of my face with the soft fleece so I can mummify myself together with silk eye mask and hoodie. Do not disturb! :)

I always wear leggings and a cozy hoodie on a flight, I need my legs and arms to be totally covered and snuggly and I like to cover my head and ears with a hood to shield myself from air vents, lights, etc. This pink cardigan hoodie is my latest favorite for long journeys. I also take off my travel sneakers and swap them for foldable ballet flats for the duration of the flight.

These 7 ½” zip up travel bags are perfect for storing makeup, skin care, makeup brushes, vitamins, medications, etc. I keep them in my favorite carry on and then slip them into a travel backpack when I’m out exploring.

I’ve noticed that my lower back hurts after a few hours on a flight so I love to have a lumbar pillow for my back and an extra one for leaning against if I have a window seat. These smaller size toddler pillowcases work well for travel if you borrow an airline pillow.

I love love love this travel sized hydramist it smells amazing and makes your skin feel so good after a long flight. I spray it all over when the plane is descending and it totally refreshes me! I also love these facial sprays, they are nice too.

Coughing neighbors? Crying babies? I don’t worry about them because I pack foam earplugs and tune it all out! I know some people like noise canceling headphones but I don’t like wearing headphones while I sleep so I travel with just ear buds for music or podcasts and use foam ear plugs to eliminate noises when I’m catching zzzzs.

Guys, this tea tree salve is the bomb! This balm feels great on your skin and smells soooo good, kind of like Vicks Vaporub but better. It lasts longer than a moisturizer and it’s not as greasy as oils. On the last day of my trip I picked up a cold, and this salve was so nice to have so I could rub all over my nose and face and hands for the journey home. Highly recommended!

In addition to all these things, I also pack antibacterial wipes for wiping down my tray table, armrests, and entertainment screen. I bring soothing cough drops for the dry air and a travel toothbrush to use in the bathroom when I land. And I always bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated on my flight and for taking with me in my travel backpack when I’m out and about.

I know a few people who love compression socks for long flights but I haven’t tried them yet, have you? Another one of my petite friends swears by this foot sling for long flights, but I just prop my feet up on my carry on that I store under the seat. What’s in your kit for long distance flights? What tricks do you use to stay as comfortable as possible?

from Home Decor Collection https://centsationalstyle.com/2019/02/long-distance-flight-necessities/

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elliotthezubat · 6 years

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DEATH CITY DAYS CHAPTER 91

from plays, to hero exams, jailbreak jobs and major storms.

Arthur: *knocks on Tamaki's door*

tamaki: it's open.

Arthur: *enters* "Hello..." *sits next to her on the bed*

tamaki: whats up?

Arthur: "..." *drops his head on her lap* "Please don't leave me for the Sun God."

tamaki: ./////. *holds him* im not.

Arthur: *nods* "Thank you...I just wanted to see." *hug*

tamaki:....*hug* i love you, you know.

Arthur: "I love you, too..." *sniff*

tamaki:....*kiss*

Arthur: "Mmm..." *kiss, pats her hand*

-elsewhere-

lana: thanks for picking me up, guys.

rowena: it's no trouble. ^^

Poe: ^^ "How was your day?"

lana: went pretty well. had to clean vomit today, so _thats_ there. -_-;

rowena: yikes.

Poe: -~- "Awful. Some guests had too much to drink?"

lana: you could say that.

Poe: "Hmph. How irresponsible. Well, we can focus on a good hearty meal."

lana: cheers to that.

Poe: "Maybe a good bowl of soup, or a delicious plate of grilled chicken with lemon, or..."

lenore: sunflower seeds.

rowena: ^^;

Poe: "Oh, they serve those at this restaurant, too! Such a wide selection when catering to so many different customers."

-elsewhere-

Inka: *asleep in her bedroom* "Zzz..."

{Inka: "Okay, you all know what to do?"}

{panda: yeah, we know. *his skin is charred*}

{Sancho: "Just give me a second." *his arm is missing, his left side blown out*}

{Inka: *stares...* "...What the hell..."}

{panda: why'd ya let us die, huh?}

{Inka: "..." *frowns* "You knew how this was. You know what I wanted. Not my fault you couldn't keep up--"}

{???: because you're a selfish coward.}

{Inka: *her eyes shift, forming the shape when activating her Adora* "You think so, huh?" *turns* "Say it to my face..."}

{inka?: *a corpse like inka stares back* selfish, little bitch.}

{Inka: "?!!! ...Who the hell are you?" *she backs up--bumping into Panda and Sancho, feeling their burnt skin* }

{inka?: isnt this what you want? to be so close to death like this?}

{Inka: "..." *smiles, but nervously* "Y-Yeah, it is...It's great!"}

{inka?: *right in her face* then why are you so nervous?}

{-the other inka is rotting at an alarming rate...-}

{Inka: *stares, still smiling, but feeling tears fall* "C-Cool, right?" *she wipes her face* "...?!!" *those aren't tears--it's blood*}

{other inka: *touches the original's face, before unhinging her jaw to swallow her head whole*}

{Inka: *screams, feeling Panda and Sancho holding her, as she is swallowed--*}

sasori: INKA!

Inka: *screams, bolting up-right in bed* *pants, looking at Sasori* "Wh-What..."

sasori: you were shaking....

Inka: "...I-I'm fine...Just a dream..." *wipes her brow, covered in sweat* "Th-That's all...What are you doing here?"

sasori: we have the same room, remember?

Inka: "...Right...I woke you, then?"

sasori: i wasnt even asleep.

Inka: "...Oh...Trouble sleeping?"

sasori:....maybe.

Inka: "..." *hug*

sasori: !!!!! i-inka?

Inka: "...Okay, good, you're not some ghost or something..." >\\\> *pat pat* "Sorry to bother you."

sasori:....7///7; *awkward pat* i-it's fine...just glad you're fine.

Inka: "...Thanks...bodyguard. Um...Could you...um..."

sasori:...*lets go* s-sorry.... 7///////7;;;

-morning-

Kid: *kitten yawn*

stocking: *already getting changed, trying to pick out an outfit* hmmmm

Kid: "Something for teaching? Or a meeting?"

stocking: should i do an office lady style? or should i go with a pantsuit?

Kid: "Maybe pantsuit for a change?"

stocking: sounds good. i'll even wear glasses to go with~ ^^

Kid: "Excellent." ^^

-elsewhere-

erina: zzzzz

Allison: *peeks in*

Jordan: "Zzzz..."

erina: *hugging him*

Allison: "..." -\\\u\\\- *carefully closes the door*

Jordan: *holds her, small murmur*

erina: *yaaawn* morning, jo.

Jordan: ^^ "Mornin'...Sleep okay?"

erina: yeah...thanks for last night. i-i know it wasnt much but, im glad you were there.

Jordan: "Hey, if you need anything, I want to help..." *soft pat of her hand*

erina: *hugs*

Jordan: ^\\\^ *pat pat*

-elsewhere-

Vulcan: *sets down breakfast* "Eat up."

yu: thanks for the meal!

lisa: *nom*

nozomi: thanks, vulcan.

Vulcan: "Any time! There's plenty more if you want it..." *sets down his art pad, doodling some shapes on it*

nozomi: what are you working on?

Vulcan: "You know how firefighters have those oxygen masks? I wanted to shrink the size of those while using lighter but denser materials without obstructing vision--and to, frankly, make them look more badass..." *he has drawings of dragons, demons, birds...*

nozomi: *points to one, a bird* that one looks nice.

Vulcan: "You like it? When I get the prototype ready, maybe you can try it out."

nozomi: i'd like that. ^^

Vulcan: "Cool...I think I'll have my work cut out for me--the Commander has me designing a ton of stuff for this trip..."

nozomi: how about one that's a turtle? OvO

Vulcan: "Aw, yeah!" *starts drawing*

-elsewhere-

Hyde: "Dude, a fight's happening in the hall!"

mahiru: wait seriously?!

Hyde: "Anya flipped a fool! You got to see it!"

mahiru: *looks outside*

Anya: *holding someone down* "WATCH YOUR HANDS NEXT TIME, OR YOU'LL LOSE THEM!"

mahiru: *glances*

Mineta: *pinned to the ground* Q____Q

mahiru: *walks away*

Hyde: *snaps pics*

Mineta: D: "HELP ME!"

ao:....*glances at a dust chute* he should be small enough to fit...

Anya: "Doing it!" *tosses him*

Mineta: "AAAAH--" *crashes into the chute*

-elsewhere-

Magaki: *looking at various contact lenses* "..."

clerk: see anything to your liking? ^^

Magaki: "What would look normal and assist with UV protection?"

clerk: hmm, let's see here.

Magaki: "I'll try the blue ones."

clerk: ah, and the sclerae color?

Magaki: "Normal?"

clerk: would you like white? or a different color?

Magaki: "...White."

clerk: alright then. *showing a few displays* what suits your fancy? ^^

Magaki: "..." *points to one on the left* "Let's try this one."

-elsewhere-

Tanizaki: "Yes...Yes, I understand. We'll call with any information...I'm sorry. Okay. I'm sorry. Goodbye." *hangs up* "..." *sighs*

-knock knock knock-

Tanizaki: "Coming..." *looks through the peephole*

frances: *waves, holding a wagon full of flowers?*

Tanizaki: "???" *opens the door* "Hey!"

frances: hello~ i come bearing gifts~! *hands him a flower in a pot*

Tanizaki: "Neat--thanks! Dropping them off around the building?"

frances: indeed~ ^^ thought i'd bring some cheerful little blossoms to the building and its tenants~ ^^

Tanizaki: "Not a bad plan. You try the restaurant downstairs?"

frances: indeed i have~

atsushi: (she's even left flowers in all the agency apartments...) *sweatdrop*

Tanizaki: ^_^;;;; "Well, thank you."

frances: do take care of them now, and water them regularly. and do talk to them too.

Tanizaki: " 'Talk'? It helps them?"

frances: indeed~ ^^

kirako: i've heard about that.

atsushi: yeah, lucy does that too. ^////^

Tanizaki: "Huh...Um...Hi, little plant?"

-no comment...-

Tanizaki: "..." ^^; "Welcome...to our office?"

-elsewhere-

Steinbeck: *holding up a doll* "Want to play?"

lavinia: *staaaaare*

emily:... ^^; not very talkative, is she?

Steinbeck: "Well, a lot of kids have their own pace." *shakes the doll--and it talks--*

Doll: "I want to play!"

lavinia:....*sticks the doll in her mouth by its head*

Steinbeck: ^^; "See? She likes it!"

emily: ^^;;;;;;

Doll: *muffled* "I love you."

-CHOMP-

emily: ._________________.

lavinia: *chewing on the doll's head*

Steinbeck: TwT;;;

-elsewhere-

Shotaro: "Bandages off!"

mana: amazing how not even being all wrapped up stopped you from doing good deeds. thats determination right there.

Shotaro: "Yep!"

{Shotaro: *stamping paperwork for someone...with the stamp held between his teeth*}

{Shotaro: *walking dogs--while being pulled in a wheelchair* "MUSH! MUSH!"}

{Shotaro: *wrapped in bandages, stuffed into a pharaoh casket*}

nea: i'm both impressed and alarmed.

Shotaro: OwO "...Still not sure why they needed that last one..."

-elsewhere-

leroux: *walking in the hall*

Hirotsu: *adjusting his collar* *nods to Leroux*

leroux: afternoon, sir.

Hirotsu: *nods* "Afternoon. Could I ask you for some information?"

leroux: about what, per say?

Hirotsu: "You're involved in theatre, correct?"

leroux: why indeed. a stagehand in youth, and theatre aficionado, as it were. ^^

Hirotsu: "Ah, good--someone to speak with. I do miss going to shows. The last one was abysmal--the person playing Ophelia couldn't act her way out of a paper bag."

leroux: *LIGHTBULB* why dont we host a production here? *shiny eyes*

Hirotsu: "...Oh, thank God, someone finally recommends it! Yes, please, do! Which plays do you know?"

leroux: which ones DONT i know?! OvO

Hirotsu: "Excellent...but given the quality of, um...potential actors here..."

*Motojiro is talking to a lemon, Kafka is screaming into a pillow, Walter is asleep*

Hirotsu: "Perhaps a simpler play would be the best course of action."

leroux: hmmmm...i'll see what we can come up with!

Hirotsu: *nods* "Thank you."

-elsewhere-

Konro: "Fireworks, huh?"

fang-hua: yes. it's actually how i also discovered my ability, when my brother jin decided to light one in the house. i managed to hold the flame in place.

Konro: "Oh, no...Was anyone hurt?"

fang-hua: thankfully no. mom tells me grandpa had the abilities too.

Konro: "But not your mother, so it skipped a generation?"

fang-hua: most likely.

Konro: "How goes business for your family without you there?"

fang-hua: it goes pretty well. we get to bring in shipments to the harbor cities too.

Konro: "By ship?"

fang-hua: by ship, by wagon.

Tsukiyo: "Attach sparklers to the wagon wheels?"

fang-hua: no. *sweatdrop*

Tsukiyo: -3- "Boo."

Konro: ^^; "How are the language lessons going?"

fang-hua: they seem to be coming along well.

Tsukiyo: "What're you teaching them? Just enough to get around town?"

fang-hua: yeah. im also teaching them cultural customs and history.

Tsukiyo: "...Think you'll find out about the first fire demons?"

fang-hua: it's likely...

Tsukiyo: "Hope so..."

-elsewhere-

Spirit: *packing*

izumi: need help, dad?

Spirit: "Sure! Some of the beach stuff can go in the luggage."

izumi: ok!

*Looks like towels, sunscreen...seems to be something in the pocket of the swim trunks*

izumi:....*packing*

Spirit: "Just be careful with some of it--don't want anything getting lost."

-elsewhere-

tensei: *rolling on in*

Iida: "Brother..."

tensei: hey tenya. *smiles*

Iida: *weak smile*

tensei: pretty cool wheels, huh?

Iida: "Heh...Going to customize them?"

tensei: i think so. what do you think about silver with blue stripes?

Iida: "Th-That'd be great..."

tensei:...it's gonna be ok.

Iida: "..." *hug*

tensei: *hug*

Iida: *sniff, pat pat*

-elsewhere-

Todoroki: *sets out ice tea*

ochako: looks good.

Todoroki: "Thanks..." *looks at his watch* "Should be here soon..."

ochako: *looks around*

Izuku: "Hey!" *waves*

momo: hello.

ochako: hey guys.

tsuyu: *wave*

Todoroki: "Welcome. I ordered tea to start."

momo: thanks.

ochako: ^^

Izuku: *pulls out a chair for Tsuyu*

tsuyu: *sits down*

Izuku: "I've been wanting to try this place--looks peaceful..." *glances at the menu*

ochako: so how was the exams for you?

tsuyu: my stomach still feels weird.

ochako: yikes.

Izuku: "...Maybe some ginger ale?"

tsuyu: good call.

-elsewhere-

Patty: "Pass it to me! Pass it!"

riley: HA! *toss*

Patty: *catches* "Yay!"

*The toy laughs when tossed*

julie: *laughs*

Patty: "Catch, Jules!" *tosses softly*

-nice catch-

julie: i did it!

Lord Death Toy: "You did it--yay!"

-elsewhere-

Jun: "Okay, let's see them."

takuto: *holds up his drawing of his family*

mitsuba: DAWWWW SO CUTE!

Jun: "Great work!"

takuto: ^u^

Jun: *pat pat* "Let's hang it up..."

hyakuya:......

Jun: "Um...Hyakuya, up for getting us some snacks for lunch?"

hyakuya: oh yeah, sure.

Jun: "Thanks. Maybe celery with peanut butter?"

hyakuya: sounds good.

Jun: "And I'll get this posted..." *puts the drawing up on the fridge*

-it's of takuto, jun, yumikage, tsurugi...and shifumi-

Jun: "..." *sad smile*

hyakuya: .....

Jun: *hugs Takuto*

-elsewhere-

kirako:......!!! we need oranges.

Kyoka: "??? What?" *looks*

kirako: also do we have peanut butter?

Kyoka: "...I'll check." *goes to the cupboard* "Yes to peanut butter, not to oranges. I can pick some up."

kirako: thank you.

Kyoka: *nods* "I'll be back shortly." *exits*

-later-

Kyoka: *sets down the oranges and peanut butter* "...Soooooo..."

kirako: Q~Q you're such a good person kyoukaaaaaa *hugs her and sobs*

Kyoka: "...I...know?" *pat pat* "How are you?"

kirako: hungwy Q3Q

Kyoka: "...How about we peel oranges?"

-elsewhere-

Kafka: "...A play. Of all the things we need, right now...a play?"

leroux: yes.

Kafka: "..." *sighs, lowers his head* "Send me a budget projection report, I'll review it...What play?"

leroux: i...havent decided yet. ^^; there's so many to choose from! romeo and juliet, hamlet, the scottish play, sleeping beauty, cinderella, snow white, so many to choose from! >3<

Kafka: -_-; "Why do people insist on calling it 'The Scottish Play'..."

hans: we're back with groceries!

etta: ^^

Kafka: "... ... ..."

{Kafka: *haired swept back, in princely attire with a cape*}

{etta: my prince~<3}

{Kafka: *smiles* "Princess..." *sweeps her off her feet*}

{etta: *leans in*}

{Kafka: *smiles, closes his eyes, leans...*}

leroux: KAFKA? are you paying attention? *waves hand in front of him* HELLO? <friend?> Hellooooo?

Kafka: -3- "Mm...Mm...Mmm..."

leroux:....*sigh* <well damn.> .....girls, your assistance a moment?

etta: oh, hey roro.

hans: whats up?

leroux: i've been more-or-less commissioned for a play showing here! but im having trouble deciding which production to host.

Walter: *walks by* "Oh, neat!" *walks in* "Which plays are you looking at?"

wilhelm: *pokes his head in*

Jakob: "??? A play? It's not some mushy lovey stuff, is it?" *looking through Hans's grocery bag*

leroux: im trying to decide, but im having trouble. AH! MY MUSE! I BEG OF YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS DIRE TIME!

Walter: "...We could just put them on a dartboard and let fate decide."

Jakob: *tosses cinnamon rolls to Wilhelm*

wilhelm: awesome!

hans: you can have these later.

wilhelm: =3=#

Kafka: "Mmm~ ..." *opens his eyes* "... !!!!" .\\\\\.

hans: *hands them both apples* you can have these for now.

Jakob: -_- "Fine. It's sweet at least."

leroux: *lightbulb* I GOT IT! THANK YOU CHRISTINE, MY ANGEL! TTwTT

wilhelm: ?? whats up with him?

Walter: "??? What did Christine show you?"

leroux: the apple! i've made my decision! our showing shall be snow white!

Walter: "...Neat!"

wilhelm: =3= is there gonna be smooching?

Jakob: >~<

leroux: of course, it is the most pivitol scene after all.

wilhelm: eww gros-

etta: *shoves the apple into wilhelm's mouth* sounds wonderful, roro!

Kafka: .\\\\\\\.

wilhelm: DX

Jakob: ._.;

leroux: im kind of nervous too, this is the first time i've ever done any directing. _should_ i be directing or should i leave the task to someone more experienced?

hans: breathe in.

leroux: *INHALES*

hans: and out.

leroux: *exhale* merci.

hans: we can host auditions this weekend.

Jakob: "??? What, some goofy outfit and a fake beard?"

-elsewhere-

Giriko: "How's your sister holding up?"

kirika: doing better i think. classes have been helping her too.

Giriko: "Sounds like good news...Any hint she remembers more?"

kirika: not sure, but she's remembering bits and pieces.

Giriko: *nods* "Preacher keeping an eye on her?"

kirika: yeah. 7.7

Giriko: "...Need me to 'talk' to him?" *cracks his knuckles*

kirika: as much as i'd like to, i'm gonna have to decline for oriko's sake. no clue what she sees in him...

Giriko: "..." *opens his mouth to say something, stops...* "...Yeah."

-elsewhere-

Child: *crying* "I-I want to go home..."

guruna: oh child. this _is_ your home now. *smile*

Child: "No, it isn't! I want my daddy! Give him back!"

guruna:....your papa's in a better place now. and he's happy. and he'd want you to be happy here too. all your brothers and sisters are happy.

Child: "They aren't my brothers and sisters!" *collapses, covering their face, sobbing*

guruna:....child....are we going to have to punish you? *sickening smile*

Child: *tossing on the floor* "I want to go home!"

seraphim: *picks them up* i'll handle this one......*takes one of her feathers.....and burns the child's wrist*

Child: "AAAAAAAAAAH!!!"

-SLAP-

Child: *knocked down*

seraphim: stop squirming.

Child: "..." *their eyes look deadened*

seraphim: this is what happens to children who misbehave~

Child: "..." *stays lying on the floor*

seraphim: you can stay there on the ground until you learn your lesson....

sasori:......*walks away*

Child: "..." *curls up into the fetal position*

-elsewhere-

mono: *asleep*

*From outside her room, it smells like someone is cooking...*

mono: ?? *looks outside*

*Looks like Assi is cooking something in a skillet*

mono: ?? whats that?

Assi: "?!!! O-Oh, Mono...I-I was heating up some pizza bagels..."

mono: oh. *sits down*

Assi: *sets out two plates, then the bagels* "Sleep okay?" *smiles*

mono: yeah.

Assi: *sets down the bagel--it's...heart-shaped?*

mono: .... 7///7;

Assi: ^\\\^; "This house has some great cookie cutters..." *sits down*

mono: ........

Assi: "..." *awkward nom* >\\\\>

mono:.....i guess...

Assi: "??? ...So...How is it?"

mono: hmm? i-it's good. thanks.

Assi: ^\\\^ "You're welcome."

mono: hmm...

Assi: "...You, um, have something on your cheek." *hands a napkin*

mono: *wipes* t-thanks. =//=;

Assi: ^^ "I get excited for pizza stuff, too."

-elsewhere-

Benimaru: *sits down, holding his head*

kirei: *hug*

Benimaru: "...Thank you."

-elsewhere-

marie: *putting up posters*

Sid: *hangs another one*

sayaka: looks good!

nygus: thanks. mind helping out, this is so much work, its killing me.

sayaka: not a problem at all!

Sid: "..." Q_Q " 'Killing'?"

nygus: s-sorry, slip of the tongue.

Sid: "Y-Yeah, right--Death Child speak..."

sayaka: ^^ so what do you need help with?

Sid: "Well, you can pass out flyers, ask local businesses to put up the posters."

sayaka: *salutes* you got it, mr barrett!

Sid: *salute* "Thanks...If you run out, come back to pick up more."

sayaka: if all else fails, i can make my own flyers!

-elsewhere-

yana:........*stuffing a dead squirrel* .....

Ivan: "How's it coming along?"

yana:....<ok, i guess.> ......(i wonder.....why did i pick up this hobby to begin with?......its just trying to make something dead seem living, even though there's no life to it......perhaps by occupying myself with something so trivial.....im trying to make _myself_ feel alive.....) *sigh*

Ivan: "..." <It looks lifelike.>

yana:... (doesnt mean it's _alive_.)

Ivan: <You're quite good at it--very creative with the pose...>

yana: hmm....

-elsewhere-

Arthur: *holds up two images against each other--a photo of Qingdao, and a drawing of Avalon*

tamaki: what are you doing?

Arthur: "I think...I know what caused the Great Disaster. It was...King Arthur's Holy Sword!"

shinra: i dont think that's what it was.

tamaki:......*excalibur face* i wouldnt be surprised if it were, though.

Arthur: "See? Tamaki supports my hypothesis. Why can't you be more supportive?"

shinra: *sweatdrop*

Arthur: *points to the images* "See? Similar designs. King Arthur likely ventured forth to this location, did something with the Holy Sword, caused a fire, then we get Flame Humans. All we need is the Lady of the Lake to restore balance."

-elsewhere-

Master: *sets out rice crispy treats shaped like bunnies*

mio: easter stuff already?

ao: it's april.

Meme: "When it's that cute, I'm not complaining!"

mio: oh. my brain was still in february.

Master: *nods* "I wanted some new menu items for the spring."

tsugumi: hmmm. *thinking*

Master: "Tsugumi?"

tsugumi: *idea* how about omurice chicks?

Master: "Huh. Yeah, I can add those."

-elsewhere-

Gin: "So, you're auditioning?"

higuchi: yeah. i auditioned once for the very snow white role in middle school....i ended up being the bottom half of the horse.

Gin: "..." *small laugh* "I-I'm sorry..."

higuchi: this is my chance to make up for past mistakes! *determined*

Gin: "Yes! ...Who do you think will be Charming in this play?"

higuchi: not sure.

Gin: "...Well, I look forward to the play. And I will not be jealous of whoever plays Charming. At all."

Walter: "Hi! I'm here to audition for--"

*SNITK*

Walter: QwQ;;;

higuchi: gin, easy.

Gin: *holding a kunai* "..." *exhale*

-elsewhere-

madoka: *nuzzle* ^///^

Rin: ^\\\^ *puts an arm around her*

madoka: *tail pet* hehe ^^

Rin: .\\\\. "heh..."

madoka: fluffy. ^^

Rin: "Yes, it is...Is it okay?"

madoka: *nod* it's kinda cute, actually.

Rin: .\\\\. "Really~?"

madoka: ^^ *cheek smooch*

Rin: *soft shudder* "Th-Thanks..." *holds her hand*

-elsewhere-

tamaki: *checking her horoscope*

Iris: "Anything interesting?"

tamaki: hmmmm, 'your dreams will take you on a fantastic journey'... huh.

Iris: "Usually they say something a little more, I don't know, tangible?"

tamaki: *looks again*

Iris: "Hmm...The one for Shinra mentions 'Something is coming up.' I wonder what that means."

-elsewhere-

Motojiro: "I got the chemicals for the theater fog and magic explosions!"

hans: thank you, just be careful that the kids dont get into it.

Motojiro: "Right! After all, dry ice requires keeping the hands free from the CO2--" *opens the box* "..." OwO; "...Where did it go?"

ayako: got it right here!

Motojiro: *loud exhale* "Thank goodness..." *puts on gloves* "Hand it here..."

-elsewhere-

Hirotsu: *seated* "Okay, next auditioning for the role of the Queen..."

kouyou: hello~ ^^

Hirotsu: "Ah, Kouyou, welcome. Do you need another copy of the script, or are you ready?"

kouyou: i'm ready. ^^

etta: miss kouyou does have a queenly nature to her, huh?

leo: i'm certain she'd be perfect for the role.

katya: what about the witch?

leo: ._.;

Hirotsu: "Traditionally the Queen also plays the Witch."

kouyou: =3=

pushkin:....*meekly raises his hand* i can handle the witch maybe?

katya: *manly tears* you are such a goddamn trooper.

Hirotsu: "That'll be up for auditions..." *hands him the script*

pushkin: *SALUTES*

Hirotsu: "Um..." *half-hearted salute* "That leaves auditioning for Charming and Snow White..."

tachihara:.... (ok, this could be my chance! even if it is a play! it's something!)

-elsewhere-

Yumi: *making flower crowns with Shiori*

shiori: ^u^

Yumi: "I'm sure your father and siblings will love these..."

shiori: piddy! [translation; pretty!]

Yumi: "Yes, they are pretty!" *adjusts the one for Kid* "Just have to make this one a little more even on the sides..."

-elsewhere-

Stein: *finds a photo on his desk* "???" *picks it up*

-it's a picture of stein, spirit, kami, marie, nygus, sid, and yumi when they were students-

Stein: "Hmm...Haven't seen this in a bit."

valentine: old class photo?

Stein: *nods* "We all looked different..."

-elsewhere-

Relan: *reviewing a medical book*

komori: [learning medical training?]

Relan: *nods* "Just more first aid for now...I felt next to useless in the last attack, that many people injured..."

komori: ....

Relan: "...Sorry. Need to stop my self-pity. It's just...Shinra injured, that person he found still in the hospital..."

komori: [its understandable]

Relan: *nods* "It's going to be more difficult with fewer people here--down one nun, one hero, one...whatever Arthur is."

komori: ^^;

Relan: "At least Victor knows some science--hope he or someone in command knows medicine."

-elsewhere-

Asura: *shivers*

mikan:...the moon looks lovely tonight, doesnt it?

Asura: "..." *looks up* "...I suppose..."

mikan:...*nuzzle* u///u

Asura: =\\\= *wraps his arms--and scarves--gently in embrace*

mikan: hehe ^^

Asura: "...The moonlight reveals so much..."

mikan: *hug*

Asura: *strokes her head*

-elsewhere-

Hirotsu: "Okay, auditions turned out well...What do you think of the candidates?"

leroux: looks to be quite promising.

etta: this is my first time being an acting coach. im so excited~

Hirotsu: "Good...Should also consider any understudies needed. Miss Hoffman, interested?"

etta: ^u^

Hirotsu: "Let's see..." *checks off the list* "And the dwarves are learning their lines?"

leroux: madame leo is helping them now.

Jakob: "Will the real apple be poisoned?"

leroux: no.

wilhelm: =3= well _that's_ lame.

Jakob: "Are there sword fights?"

leroux: well... ^^;

Hirotsu: "There's, um...dancing?" ^^;

Jakob: "...That is awful, old man."

wilhelm: =3=

Hirotsu: *stabbed* Q_Q

hans: *CHOP* behave you two.

wilhelm: Q~Q

Jakob: "WAH!" T~T

leroux: ^^;;;

Walter: "??? Kafka, you okay, buddy?"

Kafka: *curled up in a ball* "I am the lowly pillbug..." T~T

etta: *pap pap* its ok, kiddos, we can play sword fight later, ok?

wilhelm: YAAAY!

Jakob: QwQ

hans: use the foam swords!

Jakob: >_> "Fine..."

leroux: ^^.....kafka?

Kafka: *still curled up* <What?>

leroux: erm... *in german* <is something mattering?>

Kafka: <I-I'm fine! It's just...um...The expenses! Yes, this play is too, um, expensive...> *looks away...spots Etta* >\\\\>

leroux:..... 7v7 suuuure it is.

Kafka: "?!!!" *small roach hiss*

leroux: xwo;;;;;;

Kafka: >\\\\~\\\\< <Don't say a word...>

-elsewhere-

Magaki: "...I can't see a reflection, so I don't know how they look."

tsubaki: they look lovely. ^^

Magaki: "...O-Okay. That should be good enough. Thank you. Maybe people will not stare so much..."

-elsewhere-

Kyoka: "She has been...well, odd."

atsushi: yeah...

Kyoka: "Is this normal? I mean, she seems healthy..."

atsushi: probably pregnancy stuff.

Kyoka: "Hmm...Weird." *shrugs* "Just keep an eye on her."

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: "How are preparations?"

pushkin: lot's of painting. *phew*

katya: *hammering*

Chuuya: "...Well, don't huff it."

katya: hmm hmm.....

-there seem to be faded war scars on her body-

Chuuya: "..." *looking at the scars*

katya:...<what?>

Chuuya: *looks at Pushkin* "...What was..."

-he's already back to work-

Chuuya: "...Hmph." *sets up props*

-elsewhere-

Akitaru: "How's packing going?"

shinra: pretty good. vulcan said he was making some masks for us.

Akitaru: "Oh? Halloween's not for a while..."

tamaki: he means gas masks.

shinra: yeah that.

-elsewhere-

sonia: zzzzzz

-in her dream, she appears to be walking up the stairs of a large crystaline palace-

sonia: ??

-eventually, she finds a door with an odd symbol on it and opens it to a white room-

sonia: hello? *enters*

-when she reaches the center, the floor shatters and she falls-

sonia: AH!

-when she lands, she is in a field of wildflowers, unharmed. she looks up to see a strange girl with white eyes with red crosses in them looking at her-

sonia: *blinks*

girl: hiya!

sonia: huh?

girl: *staaaaaare*

sonia:...what?

girl: ....oh! are you that person's daughter?

sonia: who are you-

-mew-

sonia: *she wakes up* nnhuh?

mito: *nuzzles and purrs*

sonia:... *pet pet* good kitty.... (that girl....who was she?)

*The door opens a crack*

sonia: papa?

Chuuya: *peeks in* "You okay?"

sonia: y-yeah...*yaaawn*

Chuuya: "...It's time to get up. Are you feeling okay?"

sonia: yes, papa. *rubs her eyes*

Chuuya: "...Did you sleep okay?"

sonia: *nod nod*

Chuuya: *nods* "Okay. Wash up--I'm setting out breakfast."

sonia: i will.

-elsewhere-

sero: Q____Q

mina: TTwTT write back to us from the camp, ok?

Izuku: O_O "Well...I mean, nothing is official yet. Maybe you did pass--"

sero: i really hope you jinxed it.

Denki: *grabs Izuku by the shoulders* "THAT'S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY! WE FLUNKED THE PRACTICAL! AND IT'S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY WHEN YOU FREAKING PASSED!!!" *violently shaking Izuku*

Izuku: *stammering, vibrating* "I aM SOrrY!!!"

jirou: calm down, kaminari, the teacher's gonna be here soon.

Denki: "DON'T SAY THAT! IT'LL BE ANOTHER JINX--"

Aizawa: *sits up from the back row in a sleeping bag* "Jinx what?"

mina:....how long has he been there?

Aizawa: "Around the part where Kaminari was shaking Midoriya like a snow globe."

Izuku: Q_Q "...Why didn't I see him..."

Aizawa: *yawns*

-everyone takes their seats-

Aizawa: *unzips, hangs the sleeping bag on the coat hook* "Okay. So, some of you failed the exam. Therefore..."

sero: TT_TT damn you mineta.

Mineta: D:<

Aizawa: "You're going on the camping trip."

everyone: WAIT WHAT?!

eijiro: b-but-but the practical exam-

Aizawa: "You all passed the written exam, but Kirishima, Kaminari, Ashido, Sato, and Mineta failed the practical exam."

sero: what about me?!

Aizawa: "You also failed."

sero: TT~TT

mina: *pats his back* im sorry you had to be put through that, sero.

tsuyu: *pap pap*

Mineta: "What about me? I lost, too." Q_Q

tsuyu: *tosses him into the trash bin*

Mineta: *muffled shouts*

Aizawa: "But the practical wasn't pass-fail: it was specifically designed around your strengths and weaknesses, with tasks and teachers best suited to where you need to strategize how to win. After all, against those teachers at full strength, you didn't stand a chance anyway."

ojiro: so then, when you said you were going to crush us-

Aizawa: "A ploy to motivate you. After all, what kind of monster would deny students from going on a _training_ trip?"

sero: ._.;

mina: ._.;

eijiro: ._.;

Aizawa: "Call it a rational deception."

Iida: *making a Ffffffffffffffff-- face*

Aizawa: "Those who 'failed' will have special supplemental lessons. Enjoy."

-elsewhere-

Walter: *looking at the cast list* *whistles*

higuchi: I GOT IT! >u<

Gin: "Congratulations!"

higuchi: ^^

Jakob: "Look, Wilhelm!"

wilhelm: cool!

Jakob: "Even the shorty!"

katya: *grabs them both by the head* you want to say that to my face you little shits?

wilhelm: OxO;

Jakob: Q~Q *crosses his legs*

leo: katyusha, please dont fight with the children.

katya:...*grumble* fine then. i'll let them off.....for now.

wilhelm: QvQ thank you mrs leo!

leo: ^^;

Jakob: Q_Q *runs for the bathroom*

-elsewhere-

Kid: *ties Shiori's shoes*

shiori: thankie.

Kid: *smiles* "You're welcome! Ready to go?"

shiori: *nod nod*

Kid: *picks her up*

shiori: ^u^

Kid: "Let's walk to the door!"

shiori: *waddling along*

Kid: "Great walking."

shiori: *falls on her butt* uh-oh

Kid: "Uh-oh. Ready to get up?" *offers his hands*

shiori: ah.

-elsewhere-

io: *crying because her jumper is stuck on a cupboard knob*

saki: *filming* did you get stuck, sweetie? ^^;

Tool: "Need some help, Io?"

io: Q~Q UUU! UUU!

saki: oh, come here sweetie. *helps her out* there you go.

io: >^<

saki: *forehead kiss* you're ok, sweetie. wave bye to the camera.

io: *tiny wave* bai bai....

Tool: ^^ "D'aw..."

-elsewhere-

Bakugo: "..." *pokes the hamster ball*

sybil: O^O

itsuka: ^^

Bakugo: "Tiny critter..."

itsuka: they are pretty tiny. but chacha here's been putting on the pounds. isnt dat right? *tummy poke*

chacha: *squeek* >3<

itsuka: hehe ^^

Bakugo: "What've you fed them?"

itsuka: the usual hamster food, but chacha needs to share with her siblings.

chacha: >3<

Bakugo: *intense stare at Chacha* "Maybe more exercise..."

itsuka: good call.

-elsewhere-

Vulcan: "Okay, they're all set." *hands a gas-mask helmet to Shinra*

shinra: *puts it on* well? how does it look?

iris: really cool!

maki: super punk rock!

Relan: *nod nod*

Akitaru: "Rock on!"

shinra: ^u^ d'awww, shucks guys.

Vulcan: "Tamaki, Nozomi..." *hands them theirs*

tamaki: so cute!

nozomi: ^^ a very nice theme as always, vulcan.

Vulcan: ^^ "Thanks! Going to put the finishing touches on the last ones before you all head out."

-elsewhere-

hagakure: here we are~!

Ojiro: "Okay, so..." *looking over his list* "Shoes, tent, fishing pole..."

jirou: i'll need to get a new duffle bag too.

Ojiro: "Okay, so..." *looking over his list* "Shoes, tent, fishing pole..."

jirou: i'll need to get a new duffle bag too.

ochako: i finally saved up enough for a new sleeping bag. ^^

Ojiro: "Good work!"

eijiro: so meet back here at 3?

tsuyu: sounds good.

Izuku: "Okay! I'll find a first aid kit..."

-and so-

-someone in a hoodie is walking into the mall-

Izuku: *looking through shop windows* "!!! Oh, wow! The new Crimson Riot action figure! I'll have to tell Eijiro..."

???: hey, you're izuku midoriya, right?

Izuku: "???" *turns* "Y-Yeah?" ("I guess he saw me at the Tournament...losing...")

???: *puts and arm around his shoulders* you're the one who got wrecked at the tournament, right? then that hero killer business in hosu, you're just all over the place!

Izuku: "Uummm..." *nervous smile* "Y-You sure know your stuff, huh?"

???: still...i cant help but wonder.....*he puts his hand around izuku's neck, save for one finger* just how did you get this far?.....is it fate? or something else.....it's been bothering me ever since the USJ incident.....

-tomura grins at him-

tomura: why dont we have a little chat?

Izuku: "!!!!" ("Tomura...Shigaraki?!")

-elsewhere-

mina: *modeling sneakers* pretty slick, eh?

Iida: "But will they wear out too quickly?"

mina: i've had sneakers that have lasted for years, i think they should be fine by the time camp star- *GAAASP* OH MY GOSH LOOK AT THESE! *shiny eyes*

Iida: "...And the price?"

mina: just within my budget~ ^^

-they were a pair of lisa frank sneakers-

Iida: "...A hike on the mountains will rip those apart in a day."

mina: _these_ babies are going into my collection. >3<

Iida: "Fine, but you need something durable..." *holds up plain black hiking boots*

-elsewhere-

ochako: *now with her new sleeping bag* ^^ *looks out over the crowd below* (lots of people. well i got the main goal complete, so, why not play 'lets spot my classmates'?) *looks around*

*Looks like Sero and Eijiro are stepping into a sporting goods shop*

ochako: (they seem to be doing well.....i wonder if tape can be used to catch fish?)

*Momo is pointing to different duffle bags*

ochako: *smiles and glances* ??

*Looks to be someone in a hoodie with...Izuku?*

ochako: (who is that?......deku's face...) ........ (something's wrong here.....) *she starts heading over to where they are*

tomura: y'know, i really hate everything in this world....but the hero killer is really pissing me off the most right now....

Izuku: "??? W-Wasn't he working for you?"

tomura: you'd think, but that's just not how it is. even after a few months, everyone's still talking about him, and ignoring us, ignoring _me_. he can talk big all he damn pleases, but in the end, he's just destroying what he hates, so how does that make us any different?

Izuku: "...U-Understanding?"

tomura: what?

Izuku: "I...don't accept what either of you have done, the Hero Killer or you...But...I can understand the Hero Killer's reasons, not yours..."

tomura: oh do you?

Izuku: "...For him and for me...we follow ideals inspired by All Might...The Hero Killer even saved me, so even if he's destructive, and even if his methods are wrong, I know he's not just doing this for fun: he's trying to live by some ideal."

tomura: *his face is expressionless, but his eyes have a look of pure, utter hatred*

Izuku: "!!!"

tomura: i get it now...hehehe....i see why he pisses me off so much....and why you irritate me so badly....*wide grin* it's aaaaaall be cause of all might....hehehehehehe, it's soooo obvious! the reason these people go about living, smiling without any trouble, is because of all might and that stupid smiling face, acting like there's no one he can't save. *grips izuku's throat tighter*

Izuku: *coughs, struggling to move--*

ochako: hey deku...

tomura: ???

Izuku: "!!!"

ochako: friend of yours?

Izuku: "...Y-Yeah...It's fine..."

tomura: well, i should be going....best not follow me....*gets up and begins walking away*

Izuku: *coughs, inhaling deeply*

ochako: hey, are you alright, deku?

Izuku: "Sh-Shigaraki!"

tomura: ...

ochako: !!!!

Izuku: "Wh-What does All for One want?!"

tomura: ...._that's_ not what you should worry about.....what you _should_ be worried about is when we meet again....because that's when you'll die....*he vanishes into the crowd*

Izuku: *tries to walk forward--but still struggling to breathe*

-ochako ended up contacting mall security and the mall had to be closed down for the time. izuku and ochako also were taken in to be asked questions-

Izuku: "..."

officer: i see, thank you for your time, mr midoriya, you're mother will be here shortly.

Izuku: *nods* "I wish I could've stopped him..."

officer: you did what you could.

Izuku: "..." *nods*

-outside, ochako was sitting on a bench-

ochako: ....

???: "Ochaco!"

ochako: dad! *she hugs him*

Mr. Uraraka: *hug* "I was so worried! Are you okay?"

ochako: y-yeah. i'm alright. (physically at least)...

Mr. Uraraka: "You could've been hurt...Come on, let's get you home..."

ochako: ok, just waiting on my friend first.

-mrs midoriya is sitting across, weeping-

Izuku: *exits from the interrogation room*

inko: my baby!! *she hugs him* oh thank goodness you're ok! you're poor mama's heart can't take it. *she's crying*

ochako: how did it go, deku?

Izuku: "I-I'm okay, Mom...I'm sorry..." *looks at Ochaco* "I don't know...They asked me a lot of questions..."

ochako: well, we're alive, so that's good news.

Izuku: "..." *nods*

ochako: *smile* well, we should probably get home now... see you later? *offers fist bump*

Izuku: *weak smile, bump*

-later-

ochako: *laying in bed*

mrs uraraka: *opens the door a bit* you need anything, sweetie?

ochako: im good.

mrs uraraka: well, let us know if you need something, ok?

ochako: i will.

Mr. Uraraka: "..."

mrs uraraka:....*hug* she's a brave girl...

Mr. Uraraka: *nods, hugs her* "Our hero..."

-morning-

Kurogiri: "..."

banshee: he actually did that? talk about a ballzy move.

himiko: *peeeeks in* OwO~?

Kurogiri: "Reckless, but I think it stirred fear in enough heroes, so, it evens out..."

mr compress: and how is mr shigaraki now?

Kurogiri: "He's focusing on the next step to take."

-in a small bar somewhere in europe-

???: *sips*

bartender: <dont you three have anything else better to do?>

???: <when a job comes by, yes>

bartender: *looks at the two other men seated across from the blonde one*

???: *smiles, waves* <Hello!>

blonde man: *holds the bartender's arm* <if you arent too busy, mr bartender, maybe we could spend time together later~?> <3

???: *sighs* <Please don't flirt with people you don't know.>

blonde man: *pouts* <you're so meeeeean, dumas.>

Dumas: <No, practical.> *tugs the Blonde by his cheek*

blonde man: <ah~!> >///T

-someone enters-

mailman: <telegram for a mr cervantes?>

Cervantes:

mailman: <telegram for you, sir.>

-it seems to have an odd symbol on it, like a golden ribbon?-

bartender: (who sends telegrams anymore?)

Cervantes: "..." *grins* <WORK!>

-it reads; salutations, mr cervantes. i hope this message reaches you without too much trouble. you see, i have a job for you and your companions. you may meet with me at the prince hotel at your earliest convenience and we shall discuss the details further there. cordially, TS.-

blonde man: <oh joy!> ^u^

Dumas: *sighs, pulls out a wallet*

Cervantes: <Happy times!> *puts his foot on the chair* <Onward, to adventure!>

-elsewhere-

Allison: "You're looking happy."

erina: really? i hadnt noticed.

Allison: "Heh--most people don't." *nudge*

erina: ^^;

Allison: "You going to see him after work?"

erina: yeah.

-elsewhere-

Arthur: <--which then led to new trade opportunities, including the export of electronics and food.> *closes his Chinese textbook*

shinra: wow.

fang-hua: very good, arthur. ^^

Arthur: <Thank you.>

Victor: *thumbing through pages, trying to keep up* O~O

tamaki: *whispers* was that mandarin or cantonese?

shinra: *shrug*

Arthur: "Have you finalized the itinerary with the Commanders, teacher?"

fang-hua: yes.

Arthur: *nods* "Very good." *pulls out a sword* "Point me in the direction." *points East*

fang-hua: ^^;

-elsewhere-

Honda: "--big beautiful scenery! Strong people! Fast waters! GO FORTH, AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GREAT DISASTER! I-- ...Could you lean down a bit--I can't reach your shoulders, Takeru."

takeru: um y-yessir...

Honda: *pats his shoulders* "MAKE US PROUD, MY BOY!" *warrior cry*

takeru: *strained warrior cry*

hito: *sweatdrop*

Honda: "Where was I...Oh, right! Souvenir shopping! Get something for everyone in the Brigade! Don't skimp!" *hands him money*

-elsewhere-

Hirotsu: "Okay, let's see the costumes..."

higuchi: *modeling her dress*

maggie: wow!

Hirotsu: "Excellent. How is it?"

-she wore a wig with a brown, yellow, and red colored patchwork dress-

Hirotsu: "Most certainly our Snow White...Let's see the others..."

-kouyou is in quite the elegant gown, the kids are in cute little costumes as well-

Hirotsu: "That leaves Charming..." *looks around* "Where is he?"

Tachihara: *behind the curtain* "...Um...I feel kind of goofy."

katya: come on out here, y'coward.

Tachihara: *grumbles...* stumbles out slightly in tights and a princely jacket* .\\\. *he doesn't have the nose bandage on*

Gin: "...Who the heck is this guy?"

Tachihara: D:<

higuchi: *snickering*

katya: holy shit....he's seriously average looking.

Tachihara: Q_Q "I'm not _that_ average..."

george: ouch.

Hirotsu: "Costume rehearsal begins in five minutes. Take your places..."

-elsewhere-

-elsewhere

Master: *puts up the posters*

nygus:...those are…

-sayaka made doge posters that read 'very festival' 'much spring' 'wow'-

sayaka: ^^

Master: "...Creative."

nygus: that's a polite way of putting it. *sweatdrop*

Master: "Gives me an idea for other menu items..."

-elsewhere-

Fyodor: *whistling*

-silence-

Fyodor: "Hmm hmm hmm..." *taps his knuckle on the wall*

-...-

Fyodor: "..." *stretches* <Dull.>

-elsewhere-

Cervantes: *humming, walking along a fence*

Dumas: -_-

blonde man: *humming* ~^^

Cervantes: <Dumas, check the GPS~>

Dumas: *looking at a map*

Cervantes:

Dumas: <A printed map is just as reliable...>

blonde man:

Dumas: <They probably have to wear a mask so you don't see their horrible features.>

blonde man: =3= <so gloomy as always.>

Cervantes: <And GPS would be more up to date-->

blonde man: <there it is~!>

Dumas: *turns--and walks into a wall* <...>

Cervantes: <...Please pick up Dumas and bring him in~> *walks on in*

Dumas: "..." X_X *falls back*

-in one area, and individual with long white hair is reading to themselves-

Cervantes: <HELLO! WE ARE HERE TO ANSWER A SUMMONS!>

???: hm? <you are cervantes, are you not?>

Cervantes: <Yes! I received your message!>

???: <please, do have a seat. care for some apple slices?> ^^

blonde man: *shiny eyes* <so lovely...>

???: fufufu, <why thank you~>

Dumas: X_X *collapsed on the couch* <Gather the horses, my knights--we will storm the castle...>

???: ?? <is your friend alright?>

blonde man: <he'll be fine momentarily~>

Cervantes: <Just a minor head injury...> *slaps Dumas's face*

Dumas: Q_Q

Cervantes: <See~?>

???: <well, glad to see he isnt dead. now, onto the job. you see, an associate of mine has been wrongfully imprisoned in death city.> *they hand him a folder*

Cervantes: *opens, reads the file, passes the photo to the Blonde Man*

blonde man: *examines* ovo; <um...this is...erm....>

-the photo is of fyodor-

Dumas: *holding his head* <Ugh...> *looks at the photo* <...Oh, yeah, that's a reassuring smile...> *cringes*

???: <so you'll do it? i'll make sure you are handsomely rewarded for your trouble.>

Cervantes: *looks over maps and reports* "..." *smiles widely* <Yes! We accept!>

blonde man: <it shouldnt be a problem, with my ability, freeing him will be a snap~!>>

Dumas: *sighs* <Escaping a prison? I thought it would be a challenge...>

???: <thank you kindly, gentlemen. i will make sure you do not regret it~>

-elsewhere-

Iida: "And then one approaches a classmate."

tensei: seriously?

Iida: *nods* "No sign where he went. It was the same who attacked USJ."

tensei: ....

Iida: "Let me pull it up..." *his laptop is frozen* *sighs* "So much for dependable tech..."

tensei: let me try something.

Iida: "???" *hands him the laptop*

-after a while, it seemed to be fixed-

Iida: "Oh, thank you! That was impressive."

-elsewhere-

Poe: *curled up under a blanket, reading*

karl: zzzzz

Poe: *pets Karl, stroking his back*

karl: =w=

Poe: ^w^ *returns to reading, jotting some notes*

-elsewhere-

Damon: "Then teacher gave us a quiz for chemistry."

soul: how was that?

becky: i got an 89.

Damon: "84?"

soul: great job you two. ^^ *double head pat*

becky: =,=;

Damon: ^^; "I wanted to do better..."

becky: want me to tutor you?

Damon: *nod* "Yes, please!"

becky: ^^

Damon: *takes out his quiz* "I got Number 5 wrong."

-elsewhere-

Dumas: *checking off items on the list* "We're still short on flash bombs..."

blonde man:

Dumas: <Do it. And we'll also need-->

Cervantes: *snores*

Dumas: "..." *poke poke*

Cervantes: "Zzz..."

Dumas: "..." -_-

-elsewhere-

Lucy: *looks out the window* "...What the heck is he doing?"

atsushi: hmm? *looks*

Dazai: *on all fours, sifting through something in the grass*

atsushi: *watching*

Dazai: "..." *looks surprised, starts pulling on something in the grass*

Lucy: "Did he lose something?"

Dazai: *tugging on what looks like a weed*

atsushi: i better check on him to make sure he isnt hurting himself. *heads outside*

Lucy: "Good thinking..." *follows*

Dazai: *grunting, tugging* "Come on...Get loose!"

atsushi: hey dazai, what're you doing exactly?

Dazai: "Ah, I dropped a quarter while walking back--*GRUNT*--and then I saw this weed--*GROAN*--that won't come loose..." *the 'weed' looks...metallic?*

atsushi: ??? (odasaku, you have any idea what the heck that is?)

odasaku: your guess is as good as mine.

Lucy: "...?!! Wait! I think that's the phone--"

Dazai: *PULLS--and the 'weed' snakes up the grass, to the building--and pulls wires off the wall*

atsushi: ._.;;; um.....

naomi: DAZAI! D8<

Kunikida: "THE INTERNET JUST WENT OUT!"

Tanizaki: "I had an important call!"

Dazai: "..." *points at Lucy, shoves the weed into her hands*

Lucy: "..." -_-#####

naomi: where do you think _you're_ going, mr? ^^# *she has a rope*

Dazai: OwO;; "...See, I already tried rope before, and it's too painful for proper suic--"

Tanizaki: "Grab him!"

Kunikida: "DON'T LET HIM ESCAPE!"

-one nice boat later-

atsushi: .____.

Tanizaki: *finishes the sign, puts it around Dazai's neck* " 'Do not pull wires you don't recognize.'"

Lucy: *snaps a pic*

Dazai: *tied to a tree by his feet and hands* QwQ

kirako: *covers aya and kenji's eyes*

Lucy: *typing* " 'The majestic jackass, soaring over the crowd...'"

atsushi: ._. (he seems to be enjoying this predicament....) *sweatdrop*

Dazai: QwQ "...See, ropes are not good for suicide, but when it comes to S and--"

yosano: NOT. IN FRONT. OF THE CHILDREN.

kirako:...*awkward cough*

Dazai: QwQ "..." *nod nod* "I've learned my lesson. I'm sorry for interrupting your phone calls and downloads. May I come down now~?"

naomi: wait up there for a while.

-elsewhere-

Benimaru: *sets down tea*

kirei: ^^

kabuki: thanks for inviting us, commander.

Benimaru: *nods* "You're welcome. I thought it best before Kohana departed for her mission."

fang-hua: ^^; you didnt have to go to all the trouble, commander-

Tsukiyo: *gobbling snacks*

Benimaru: "It was no trouble. It was the least we could do." *pours her tea*

fang-hua: well, thank you. ^^

Benimaru: *nods* "I have full confidence in you. Keep an eye on the other brigades and report."

fang-hua: *nods*

kirei: *hands her a charm* this will bring you luck.

fang-hua: thank you!

Tsukiyo: *mouth full* "Wow, so pretty!"

-elsewhere-

Shotaro: *hands Mana mail* "It keeps coming in for you..."

mana: wow.

Shotaro: "Feeling more healed since your fight?"

mana: i think so.

nea: well, arent _you_ miss popular?

Shotaro: ^^ "I mean, she did advance far in the competition." *holds up his phone* "Although this one fan site is kind of rude..."

nea: let me see that!

mana: hah?

*The fan site seems to have rude remarks in the comments section, as well as photos of Mana walking around town*

mana: what the hell?

nea: kepuri, find their IP address.

Kepuri: "On it!" *takes Shotaro's phone, taps a few keys* "...Um...It's about 12 feet from us..." *looks down the hall*

mana: *SLAMS THE DOOR OPEN*

Emine: *on his laptop* "..."

-nice boat-

mana: *brushing off her hands*

Shotaro: "...Wow...That's gonna need a whole bucket of bandages..."

-elsewhere-

Steinbeck: "--and that's the family tree!"

twain: wowzers.

oscar: quite a family, johnny-boy.

ebie: cool!

Steinbeck: "Well, we're extended. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of everyone when you have a big family."

emily: i could imagine.

Steinbeck: "How about you--extended family?"

emily: not that i'm familiar with.

Steinbeck: "Aunts or uncles?"

emily: probably, but i havent spoken with them much.

twain: i just have my aunt polly.

oscar: didnt miss porter have an aunt polly, as well?

Hemingway: "Think so..." *flipping through photos*

oscar: *glances*

*Looks like photos of Cuba, with a younger Hemingway in them*

oscar: where was that, ernie?

Hemingway: "Havana, during a fishing trip."

oscar: oooh.

Hemingway: "Work took me to a lot of places."

ebie: *listening* OwO

Hemingway: "Spain, France, Rwanda, Congo--lots of reports to file." *shows a photo of him--wrestling a lion*

emily: (is this man even real?)

-elsewhere-

Hirotsu: "Hmm...The stage looks sound. How are acoustics?"

naoya: *strumming guitar* *thumbs up*

Hirotsu: "Ah, yes, good. Now, onto seating for the audien--"

Kafka: "OW!" *holding his thumb, dropping a hammer*

naoya: ?? you alright?

Walter: *vacuuming*

Kafka: "THESE BLASTED--" *sound drowned out by vacuuming* "--SEATS WON'T MAKE THEMSELVES, SO I--" *more vacuuming* "--HAVE TO FIX THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE SUCH PIECES OF--" *more vacuuming* "--THAT NO--" *more vacuuming--* "--ING PERSON WOULD EVER BE CAUGHT DEAD IN!"

-elsewhere-

blonde man: <so how much farther to the airport?>

Dumas: <My map says another 17 miles-->

Cervantes: *points at a sign* <The sign says 1 mile the other way.>

Dumas: -_-#

blonde man: <maybe i should try and get us a lift?>

Dumas: <If you insist--we have enough money...>

blonde man: *stripping by the side of the road*

Dumas: <WHAT THE DEVIL ARE YOU DOING?!>

blonde man: *coy pose*

Cervantes: <No, no--this is all wrong!>

Dumas: <Thank you!>

Cervantes: *imitates a pose* <Like this!>

Dumas: ._. "..." *facepalm*

driver: <what the hell?> *pulls over*

blonde man: <would you pwease give us a ride~?>

Cervantes: *smiles* <See? It worked!>

Dumas: <How do you even know the driver will agree?>

driver: <what the hell is going on here?>

Cervantes: <We request transport to the airport, my friend!>

driver: um...o.....k?

Cervantes: *smug smile at Dumas*

Dumas: >_> <This proves nothing...Just get in the vehicle...AND PUT ON YOUR CLOTHES!>

-elsewhere-

Anya: *putting on a kimono*

tsugumi: trying on outfits for the spring festival?

Anya: *nods* "Not sure about the color."

tsugumi: it looks nice, a different change of pace. ^^

Anya: "Thanks...Which color will wear?"

ao: isnt blue your image color?

Anya: "I guess that would work..."

-elsewhere-

naomi: that's one fancy hat, lucy.

Lucy: ^^; "Thanks...I picked the flowers myself in time for the season..."

sylvia: i-it's really pretty, miss montgomery.

Lucy: "..." *clears her throat* "Well, I could make one...if anyone wanted that kind of thing..."

sylvia: a-are you sure? i dont know if i would make a-a hat like that look good, y-your hair is a lot p-prettier than mine...

Lucy: "Then consider it an opportunity to try something to make your hair look better."

sylvia: ....

naomi: maybe we could braid it?

Lucy: "Oh, that'd be great!"

sylvia: .~.

naomi: we're gonna need to wash it and brush it out really good, first.

sylvia: b-but what about m-my ability?

naomi: i dont think your hair will cause any trouble.

Lucy: "Even if it did, 'Medusa,' some hair salon gloves would keep our hands safe enough."

-25 minutes later-

naomi: ._.; how does she _get_ it this tangled?

sylvia: Q~Q

Lucy: "..." *small grunt, grabs a headband, puts it around her own head, stretches* "Leave it to me: if I could style Howard's hair, then I can style hers!"

naomi: good luck.

sylvia: Q~~~Q

Lucy: "Now, just stand still, and if it hurts, please tell me."

sylvia: o-okaaaay....

-elsewhere-

Kafka: *looking over musical sheets* "...You have to be kidding."

leroux: ??

Kafka: "This score, it's just--BLECH!" *starts scribbling*

leroux: *peeek*

*Looks like Kafka is changing some instructions*

Kafka: "There! You need to be *quiet* in this part, not crescendo!"

leroux: hmm, hmm, i see.

Kafka: "Jeez, who is even handling music in this play?"

-elsewhere-

karl: *stares at mr shephard*

Mr. Shephard: *puts down his book* "Oh...Hello, um, Karl."

karl: o^o

Poe: "Karl? Karl, where are you?"

karl: *chitter*

Poe: *walks in* "There you are--EEP! M-M-Mr. Shephard..."

Mr. Shephard: "Edgar." *nods*

Poe: .______.

karl: *nudge*

Poe: "I AM HERE WITH A QUESTION!"

Mr. Shephard: " 'Kay?"

Poe: "I...want your blessing!"

Mr. Shephard: "...Um...I'm not a priest or anything, but--" *makes the sign of the cross* "Amen?"

karl: *facepaw*

Poe: .___. "...Maybe I need to be clearer..." *opens the box, shows the ring*

Mr. Shephard: "Oh, that's pretty. Is it for Lana?"

Poe: "I-I-I-I want to marry her. W-Will you give us your blessing?"

Mr. Shephard: "... ... ..." *sets down the book*

karl: ovo

Poe: *whimper, but stands his ground*

Mr. Shephard: "...Do you love her?"

Poe: "With all my heart!"

Mr. Shephard: "Will you protect her? Against anyone who would do her harm?"

Poe: "Yes!" *inhales deeply*

Mr. Shephard: "..." *sighs* "Then I leave it to her to decide."

Poe: *loud exhale* *hug*

Mr. Shephard: ._.

Poe: *SQUEE!* "I have to go ask her!" *runs outside--then runs back inside, slamming the door, panting* "...It's so bright."

-elsewhere-

Mephisto: *clears his throat* "How are you?"

stocking: doing well, workwise.

Mephisto: "Good. I had some high compliments from staff and students~"

stocking: oh?

Mephisto: *nods* "On time, prepared for lessons, managing classrooms discussions..." *pulls up a web page* "I had this designed for just such an occasion." *the site is called 'GradeMyTeach.DC'*

stocking: oh cool.

Mephisto: "You're ranking better than Neuhaus--low bar, I know--but your score is going up...Just avoid the hate online."

stocking: i know. is triple A still being a pain in the A?

Mephisto: *Excalibur face* *points to his face* "Does this answer your question?"

stocking: good point.

felisia: *snicker* nice one.

Mephisto: *sighs, resumes his usual face* *pats Felisia's stomach*

felisia: only a month away now...

Mephisto: ^w^ "Glorious~" *nuzzle*

-elsewhere-

atsushi: *helping dazai down from the tree* easy now.

Dazai: TwT "Thank you, kind sir..."

atsushi: i figured you'd been punished enough, today...

Dazai: "I just wanted to see where it was going--and we have enough other spy risks..."

atsushi: .....

Dazai: "I didn't want someone trying to spy on Kirako...And, you know, too much time on the Internet isn't good for anyone."

atsushi:....did you want to get something to eat?

Dazai: "...Sure. Rice sounds good."

atsushi: yeah, i could go for some chazuke right now...

-and so-

Dazai: *claps his hands* "Thank you for this meal!"

atsushi: *nom* =w=~ *tiger chuff*....*ahem* 737;......so...anything else on your mind, dazai?

Dazai: "...The usual. Scared to death of fatherhood. Want to find the rest of the Rats. Have a rash."

atsushi: did you get ointment from yosano?

Dazai: "I tried--but I got...tied up." OwO

atsushi: maybe i could ask?

Dazai: "Thank you..." *looks at him* "...Huh." *looks at him back and forth*

atsushi: ?? whats up?

Dazai: "...What happened to that scrawny kid Kunikida and I picked up at the canal?"

atsushi: *points to himself* ?

Dazai: *nod nod* "You've bulked up a bit."

atsushi: i guess i have gotten some more muscle...and i think i might be a centimeter taller?

Dazai: "See? A better diet and exercise helps!"

-elsewhere-

sonia: *putting a rock into the garden with something written on it*

Chuuya: *watching*

-the rock reads 'mama'-

Chuuya: *rubs his eyes*

sonia: *she looks up at him* did you want to put down a rock, papa?

Chuuya: "Um...Yes..."

katya: what're you two up to?

Chuuya: "Just writing..." *putting something on a stone* *looks like he's writing "Rain"*

katya: this some kind of memorial garden?

Chuuya: "Yes..." *sets down the stone, takes another*

katya: i see....

Chuuya: *writing "Oda"* "..." *sets it down*

sonia: did you want to put one down?

katya: nah, there wouldnt be enough room to write all the names down...

Chuuya: "..." *nods*

-elsewhere-

tamaki: any idea where we're gonna be staying, other than in fang-hua's hometown?

Arthur: "I think visiting Takeru's farm in Qingdao."

tamaki: wonder what that will be like.

shinra: i think a lot different from most farms, i'd think.

Arthur: "Like dragon tooth farms?"

shinra: um....i guess?

Arthur: "Then we shall raise the small warrior babies born from their teeth."

shinra + tamaki: *sweatdrop*

Arthur: "I'll name them Agenor, Guinevere, Phoenix, and Tamaki Jr."

-elsewhere-

Giriko: *wiping something off his shirt* "Poor thing..."

anna: bwah?

Giriko: ^^; "It's fine, little lady." *light nose tap*

anna: =3=

Giriko: *hug*

anna: ^o^

Giriko: "Heh heh..." *wipes her face carefully*

-elsewhere-

Patty: "Sis, Kid's doing that thing again."

liz: oh boy.

Kid: "N-Nothing. What makes you think anything happened?" *there's crayon on the wall*

liz: ^^;

Patty: "Um, most kids crayon the walls--it's part of growing up! You could frame it!"

Kid: "..." Q_Q "Do we have extra frames?"

-elsewhere-

Cervantes: *snores*

blonde man: *reading*

Dumas: *looking out the window* <So dull...>

blonde man: *fidget fidget*

Dumas: <Sit still. Can't you be still?>

blonde man: <too antsy....i wonder if i can join the mile high club>

Dumas: *tugs his ear* <No.>

blonde man: ah! <owieee~>

Dumas: <Contain yourself. Order another drink if you have to...> *looking through his book on poisons*

blonde man: *peeeeek*

Dumas: -_-# <...Yes? I am looking at poisons.>

blonde man: <is it interesting?>

Dumas: <A bit. Did you know there are some poisons you can ingest in small portions to build up resistance?>

blonde man: <oh? i didnt know that.>

Dumas: <Yes...Just takes time...>

blonde man: hmmm....

Dumas: *jots something down* <Yes, just a few more milliters would do it...>

blonde man: *looks around*

Cervantes: *sleep talk* <Curse you, you vile waste of grain grinding...>

blonde man: *fidgeting in his seat*

Cervantes: <BRING ME MY LANCE!> *swings an arm, just missing the Man*

blonde man: ah! >3< <miguel, be careful!>

Cervantes: *yawns, stretches* <Have we landed this giant metal bird yet?>

blonde man: <not yet...> *examines english language guide*

Dumas: <How is language studying coming along?>

blonde man: good.

Dumas: <Oh? Why don't you try asking the flight attendant for something.>

blonde man: ma'am?

Flight Attendant: "Yes? May I help you?"

blonde man: where do i sign for the mile high club~? ^^

Flight Attendant: "...Sir, that is prohibited on flights. And technically it wouldn't be a mile above the ground." -^-

Dumas: *covering his face* <How mortifying...>

blonde man: T3T oh poo.

Flight Attendant: "Now, unless you had anything else to say, I'll take your trash..."

Dumas: "He wouldn't fit in your trash bag."

Flight Attendant: "..." *giggles*

blonde man: <mean> =3=

Dumas: *small smile*

-elsewhere-

Takehisa: *flipping through a military academy yearbook*

maki: looking at old photos?

Takehisa: *nods* *there's a photo of a younger Takehisa with other cadets--he doesn't have his glasses on* "I couldn't see a thing."

maki: hmm.

Takehisa: *points to a photo of Maki*

maki: man, i was a small-fry back then.

Takehisa: "Yes, not as tall as now. Have you spoken with anyone from the division recently?"

maki: not recently.

Takehisa: "Neither have I...And your father?"

maki: what _about_ him?

Takehisa: "..." *nods* "Sorry."

maki:...*sigh* it's fine.

Takehisa: "...Coffee?"

maki: sure.

-elsewhere-

Bakugo: "FEET OFF THE TABLE!"

mina: yessir!

-they're playing games on bakugou's gamecube-

Eijiro: "Ease up, man--Mina had socks on--OH, YOU JERK!" *tapping on the controller* "No, no, no!"

Bakugo: "IT'S ABOUT POLITENESS!" *leaning while moving the controller*

sero: ooooh oh snap!

mina: nyehehehe~

Eijiro: "You won't be so high and mighty when I--"

*Eijiro loses*

Eijiro: Q_Q

Bakugo: "..."

mina: aw yeah! team acid tape wins again!

sero: up top!

-high five-

Eijiro: "Dang it! Well, Team Shrapnel will be victorious next time!"

Bakugo: "...You no longer get to pick names."

sero: i dunno, 'shrapnel' sounds kinda badass.

mina: it does

Eijiro: ^w^ "See? It's the combination of explosions and rocks--"

Bakugo: "No."

Eijiro: "...You're jealous you didn't think of it first, aren't you--"

Bakugo: *his controller blows up in his hand* -n-###

sero:....guess we have to make another trip to the game-in-box, huh?

Bakugo: "EIJIRO IS BUYING IT!"

Eijiro: "Wow, harsh!"

mina: yeah, baku, no need to be so mean. -3-

sero: at least he's using his name, and not some insulting nickname, eh?

Bakugo: "DON'T SASS ME, SCOTCH TAPE!"

-elsewhere-

stocking: i'm home.

Kid: "Welcome back." *smiles*

stocking: *huuuug* *whisper* can we go to bed? i wanted to try some new costumes out~

Kid: .\\\\. "O-Oh? Sure..."

stocking: *smirks and drags him to their room by his collar*

Kid: *follows, blushing* "Oh, wow..."

stocking: i thought we could try a little role-playing. some school year nostalgia~ *whispers* i even got us some uniforms~

Kid: "Oh, Stocking, yes..." *lightly brushes his hand along her wrist*

stocking: hehe~ *closes the door*

Kid: "Shall we change?"

-and so-

stocking: *in a uniform, bent over the bed, shaking her rear a bit*

Kid: *in his own uniform* "Well, well, have you been a bad girl?"

stocking: yes. could you tutor me in sex ed~?

Kid: "I don't know..." *rests a hand on her lower back* "I am a hard tutor."

stocking: i would like that~

Kid: "Would you now~?" *rubs her lower back carefully* "Because I think I have to give you an incentive to learn..." *soft pat on her bottom*

stocking: ah~

Kid: "After all, a little stimulation goes a long way..." *his hand passes down over her skirt to her leg, stroking*

stocking: ahhh~<3 T///=

Kid: *leans, his chin on her shoulder, whispering in her ear* "And I like to get close and personal with my tutoring~" *soft kisses along her ear, as his hand slides slowly up her leg*

stocking: nngh~ kid~

Kid: "I love you...but you need to learn a lesson." *small quick spank*

stocking: ah~!

Kid: "I bet that's something not told in the classroom..." *looks down at her uniform* "Oh, that outfit complements you so well..." *his hand brushes above her breasts*

stocking: *soft moan*

Kid: "So after talking and stimulating your partner, you want to check..." *his lower hand brushes against her underwear*

stocking: ah!

Kid: "Oh, too fast?"

stocking: *shaking her rear a bit at him* f-feels good...

Kid: "Oh~?" *spank spank spank*

stocking: *she moans in time with each smack, her legs quivering*

Kid: "Too much of a work-out? Maybe you need some more exercise..." *positions himself behind her, as he rubs against her and cups her breasts over the uniform*

stocking: ahhh, that feels so good...

Kid: *rubs her breasts, lifting the sweater from her stomach, as his hardness is against her* "Oh, Stocking, this takes me back..." *kisses the back of her neck*

stocking: nnnm~ damn, you're so hard already...

Kid: "Can you blame me, my delicious honor roll..." *he reaches down, his fingers sliding up to her* "You're getting wet..."

stocking: ahh, oh god kid, your fingers feel amazing!

Kid: *smiles* "You've given me plenty of practice..." *rubs along her slit* "Tell me how much you want it."

stocking: i want you so fucking bad, baby. i even wore my striped undies for you~

Kid: *lifts her skirt* "Oh, God, Stocking--I'm going to cum so hard in you." *tugs on her panties*

stocking: *panting and blushing* please, please fuck me.

Kid: *loosens his tie* "Beg for it..." *he rubs himself along her lips before guiding himself into her*

stocking: please baby, i need it in me so hard. please. *shaking her rear*

Kid: *smiles* "Then let's start..." *thrust*

stocking: AHH~<3

Kid: "I want to make you feel so good that you can't even stand..." *spanks her, before continuing*

-later-

Kid: *still wearing the tie, and not much else* "Ahh..."

stocking: *panting, laying next to him, cum still dripping out of her and decorating her chest* ahh....that....was....incredible....

Kid: *smiles* "Yes, you were..." *reaches for the drawer, and pulls something out* *it's a box...* "Pocky?" *puts one between his lips*

stocking: yes please~ *nom* ^///^~<3<3<3

Kid: *smooch* ^\\\3\\\^

stocking: hehehe~<3 so cute~

Kid: *smiles* "So are you...We go together so well..." *rubs a hand over her stomach*

stocking: *smiles* i love you.

Kid: "I love you, too..." *cheek smooch*

stocking: hehehe~

Kid: *hug* "...Forgive the corniness, but I think we gave a new meaning to 'cram school.'"

stocking:....*snerk* *laughing* oh my god, kiddo.

Kid: ^\\\^; "Sorry..." *nuzzle*

-morning-

airport intercom: now arriving at death city airport.

Dumas: *stretches* <Finally.>

Cervantes: *holding up a tiny bottle of liquor* "..."

blonde man: *yaaaawn*

Dumas: <Focus. Once we leave here, we go to the safe house...>

blonde man: *streeeetch* <do we have a plan?>

Dumas: <Yes, but we'll need to observe the patterns at the prison.>

clerk: passports.

blonde man: *shows his; Marquis De Sade*

Dumas: *his passport: Alexandre Dumas*

Cervantes: *his passport: Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra*

clerk: carry on, then.

Cervantes: *smiles* "Thank you!"

marquis: ^u^

Dumas: *follows* "Let's find the taxi stand..."

-elsewhere-

frances: *watering flowers* ^u^~♫

Kyoka: *walking down the stairs*

frances: hello miss kyouka, lovely day, isnt it~?

Kyoka: "Yes, I suppose so. How are your plants?"

frances: quite well. ^^ .....*smiles* i think something interesting will happen very soon.

Kyoka: "Oh?"

frances: *humming to herself*

Kyoka: "...Hmm...I'm going to run an errand."

frances: you do that now, dearie~...........................*talking to her flowers again* now, what else do you have to tell me, my pretty little babies?

-elsewhere-

Kid: *smiles, setting out files*

homura: you seem to be in a good mood today, kid.

Kid: "Sometimes there are some small pleasures..." =\\\\=

homura: *sweatdrop* i..see...

Kid: *ahem* "In any case, I was reviewing the next mission assignments."

homura: and?

Kid: "Some activity following incidents in Qingdao, Salt Lake..."

homura: hmm.

Kid: "Any preferences?"

-elsewhere-

Sakuya: "..." *facepalm*

Belkia: *stuck in the crawl space* "..."

otogiri: *pulling him out*

Belkia: "Ow ow ow--" *pops out* "Pfew! Thank you!" *all scrunched up*

-elsewhere-

Gin: "How's line memorization?"

higuchi: pretty good.

Gin: "Will you be ready?" *looking at the set*

higuchi: i hope so...

Gin: "I guess just keep calm and practice...If the others can do it..."

higuchi: y-yeah....

Gin: "..." *pat pat* "Need advice?"

higuchi: just excited, and not exactly looking forward to the kiss. 7-7;

Gin: "That makes two of us...Hmph. It is just pretend, so I guess get through it."

higuchi: and you get to kick tachihara's ass later if you want. ^^

Gin: "Always." *takes her hand*

higuchi: ^^ *smooch*

Gin: =/////=

-elsewhere-

Rin: "Now, tap the egg lightly against the bowl, inside." *demonstrates* "Now you."

momo sakura: *tap tap* like this?

Rin: "A little harder--just until a tiny crack forms on the shell."

momo sakura: what if shell bits get into the bowl?

Rin: "That's why we start with a tiny crack, so we don't have a bit fall in. Plus, after one tiny crack, the shell should mostly stay together. And I always got a handy spoon here to pluck out the shell!"

-elsewhere-

Dumas: "Here's our new temporary residence..."

marquis: oooh, i like it!

Cervantes: *ringing the doorbell* "Such pleasant music!"

marquis: *plomph onto his bed* silk sheets~ =w=

Dumas: *eyeroll, opens the fridge, dropping in some frozen dinners* "Let's review the map--"

Cervantes: *already asleep on the couch*

Dumas: "..."

marquis: *naked and rolling in his sheets* =w=~<3

Dumas: "STOP THAT!"

marquis: =3=

Cervantes: *wakes up* "...We need to plan."

Dumas: "Good--"

Cervantes: "First, a bubble bath and a toy boat!"

Dumas: "..." *goes back to mapping*

-elsewhere-

Rino: *opens the door* "I'm home."

*it's empty inside*

Rino: "..." *sighs, drops her bag, goes to her room* "Hey, Seymour."

seymour: 030

Rino: *opens the fish food container next to a note, drops in flakes*

-working late tonight, be home at 10 ~ mom-

Rino: "Of freaking course..." *taps her phone to put on some music*

-text message-

Rino: -_-; *reads the message*

ryuuko: [you get home safe?]

Rino: "???" [yeah]

ryuuko: [glad to know.]

Rino: "..." [thanks] *walks to the kitchen, opens the fridge, takes out some chicken* [going to make dinner and get to bed]

ryuuko: [you need anything?]

Rino: "..." [nah. i'll be back at the 5th early tomorrow before i head off to school] "..." [could i ask one favor?]

ryuuko: [what is it?]

Rino: "..." [would mikami mind if i played with her pet rabbit?]

ryuuko: [if you're interested. she's having a sleepover this weekend.]

Rino: "... ... ..." *looks at the calendar...Mom's at work [i'll check my schedule, but i should be able to come]

ryuuko: [ok]

-nighttime-

Chuuya: *playing with Mito*

mito: *purr*

Chuuya: *happy sigh* "Enjoying this, kitty?"

mito: *mewl*

Chuuya: "That's good...Sonia, you washing up?"

sonia: yes, papa.

Chuuya: "Okay--it's a few more minutes before bedtime."

sonia: ok....can you read me a story?

Chuuya: "Sure! Any you had in mind?"

sonia: do you know any grandma used to tell you?

Chuuya: "How about...'The Ant and the Grasshopper'?"

sonia: *nods, holding her teddy close*

Chuuya: "Well, one summer, a day like any other, there was a grasshopper, without a care in the world..."

[*The grasshopper looks like Dazai*

Grass!Dazai: *bouncing along* "I haven't a care in the world!" ^w^

Narrator!Chuuya: "This grasshopper was so full of himself--I mean, itself--that it almost knocked over an anthill--"

Ant!Gin: "Watch it!"

Ant!Motojiro: "Hey!"

Ant!Chuuya: "Pay attention, you jerk!"

ant!higuchi: DX>

ant!akutagawa: *monotone* ah.

Grass!Dazai: "Oh, I didn't see you there. On account of how short you all are."

Ant!Chuuya: "..."

Grass!Dazai: "You're real tiny!"

Ant!Chuuya: "..."

Grass!Dazai: "Like, microscopic!"

Ant!Chuuya: "...If this was not a children's story, we would all be swarming you right now and eat you alive--"

Narrator!Chuuya: "*AHEM*"

*Grass!Dazai and Ant!Chuuya look to the left*

Ant!Chuuya + Grass!Dazai: ^\\\\^; "S-Sorry..."

Grass!Dazai: *ahem* "So, why all the hard work? It's summer! We can hop, jump, and play!"

Ant!Chuuya: "Some of us are busy toiling to get enough food before winter--"

Grass!Dazai: "Ah, phooey! That's, like, years away!"

Ant!Motojiro: "4 months, 4 days, 12 minutes, 37 seconds, give or take."

Ant!Gin: "Hmph. Come winter, we'll be warm and well-fed. Best to prepare early than regret it later--"

Grass!Dazai: *rolling up a blade of grass, holding it to the sun until it catches a flame, puffs*

Ant!Gin: "...I thought this was a kids' story."

Narrator!Chuuya: "I think the conceit is broken on that--let's just skip to winter."

*The ants run inside*

Grass!Dazai: "??? Where did everyone--"

Narrator!Chuuya: "The snow came."

*Snow falls all at once, putting out Grass!Dazai's smoking blade*

Grass!Dazai: ._. "..." *shivers* "D-Dang, that was quick...I better get some shelter and food--" *looks* "...Um...Where did all the grain go?"

Narrator!Chuuya: "Meanwhile, the ants were warm and--"

sonia: zzzzzz

Chuuya: "..." *smiles* "Well, better then get to the sad ending..." *forehead kiss*

sonia: =w=

-elsewhere...-

Prison Guard: *closes their locker*

marquis: hello~

Prison Guard: "???" *turns*

marquis: *blows a kiss......there is a soft sweet smell*

Prison Guard: *sniff* "..." *goofy smile, collapses asleep*

marquis: *unbuttons guard's shirt* i'll be taking this now, sweetie~

-one clothing change later-

Dumas: *adjusting sleeves* "Too big..."

Cervantes: "Off to the galley!"

marquis: i'll handle the cameras~

Dumas: "Proceed." *points* "We go left, then right, upstairs three floors, down the hall, around the corner--"

Cervantes: "Why not a direct approach?"

Dumas: "...What, through walls--"

Cervantes: "If you insist~"

Dumas: "NO."

-elsewhere in the prison-

Fyodor: "...Well, this is lonesome."

-some noise can be heard some ways down the hall-

Fyodor: "???"

*The lights go out down the hall, with one light left on in Fyodor's cell*

Fyodor: "???"

-footsteps-

Fyodor: "..."

Guard #2: "Here is it, Princess~"

Cervantes: ^^; "Why, thank you~"

Dumas: *wearing night-vision goggles, dragging an unconscious guard with keys on their belt*

Guard #2: "Don't I get a thank you kiss? I did bring you back to your throne room to reunite with your father~"

Fyodor: "...Well, this is bizarre."

marquis: OvO

Dumas: *looks* *points* "I found the target."

*Dumas is pointing at the wrong cell*

marquis: *turns dumas around*

Dumas: "..." *points* "I found the target."

Cervantes: ^^; "My friend, please give the brave knight their kiss while I speak to the galley-man we must free."

marquis: ok~ *smoooches the guard....with tongue*

Guard #2: *moaning* "Oh, Princess~"

Fyodor: "... ... ...What the hell?"

Cervantes: *waves* "Hello, galley-man! We're here to free you from your unfair imprisonment! Why, look at these surroundings! They didn't even let you have a cellmate--"

Fyodor: "I killed previous cellmates."

Cervantes: OwO;;;;

Dumas: *sighs* "Ignore them, Prisoner. They are weirdos."

Fyodor: "Well, at least I can speak to someone rational--"

Dumas: "Put this on." *he's holding an iron torture device* "It goes around your head."

Fyodor: "... ... ..." *looks around* "Is it too late to call for more guards?"

???: "You're freeing him?"

Cervantes: *spins around, points at ??? in the other cell* "Yes!"

Grimoire: "..." *sets down his book* "He is dangerous."

Cervantes: *raises a finger in the air* "We never turn down a job upon taking it!"

Dumas: "And we can handle someone like him. Right, Marquis--"

marquis: *on the floor, making out with the guard*

Dumas: "...Right, Cervantes?"

Cervantes: "Or die trying!"

Fyodor: "That can be arranged."

Dumas: "..." *shudders* "J-Just...Come on..." *unlocks the door*

Grimoire: "Fools..." *turns back to his book*

Cervantes: "Lead the way, Dumas!"

Dumas: "In a second..." *fire his gun at the last light bulb, completely darkening the entire room* "Follow me."

marquis: *following* ^////^~ hehe

Cervantes: "Sorry!" *puts on night-vision goggles* "Which way, Dumas?"

Fyodor: "How can he even see? Those goggles can't be enough..."

Cervantes: "Dumas is empowered by the dark. Our little night owl..."

Dumas: -\\\\- "Shut up. This way--" *SLAM, CRUNCH* "..."

Cervantes: "...You ran into the wall, didn't--"

Dumas: "SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!!!"

Fyodor: "...Help? Guards?"

marquis: shhhhh. >3<;;

Dumas: *angry whispering* "You 'shhh'! Go back to humping the wall!"

marquis: T3T meanie.

Cervantes: "Now, now, no need to fight! We are a trio destined for greatness! We have a task to complete! Now let's bring our victim to safety--"

*step step step step*

Dumas: "...He's running away."

marquis: ._.;

Cervantes: QwQ "Well, that's disappointing. Shibusawa will be unhappy with us--"

Fyodor: "...Shibusawa?"

Cervantes: "YES! Shibusawa asked us to--"

Fyodor: *walks ahead of them* "Let's go."

Cervantes: OwO "...But I had a speech ready--"

Dumas: *drags him along*

marquis: *following*

Fyodor: "First, we gather my belongings. Then we leave."

Cervantes: "Splendid! What are we picking up? A keepsake from your beloved?"

Fyodor: "First, we gather my belongings. Then we leave."

Cervantes: "Splendid! What are we picking up? A keepsake from your beloved?"

Dumas: "Riches left by your benefactor, hidden in the walls?"

marquis: some #######

Dumas: .___________________.

Cervantes: "Marquis, no. It's pronounced--"

Fyodor: "There."

-inside the box is a set of clothes, a cloak, a phone, a knife, and an unshanka-

Cervantes: "Ah! Your uniform! It suits you--"

Fyodor: "..." *death glare*

Cervantes: .w.;;;; "...Right. We'll leave you to it. Come along--"

Fyodor: *unbuttons his shirt*

marquis: OvO

Fyodor: "...A little privacy?"

marquis: T3T

Dumas: "Come along..." *drags Marquis* "...Cervantes, this man seems more...axe-crazy than I expected."

Cervantes: "Nonsense! He's friendly! He'll be our new special friend."

marquis: i like him, he's cute.

Dumas: "No, _we're_ special. He's...creepy. Not even creepy cute. Just creepy."

marquis: =3= you're too paranoid, alex

Dumas: "I am not--who told you that? Was it Cervantes?"

Cervantes: *whistles innocently*

Fyodor: *picks up his phone*…*scrolls down, dials a name marked "порождать"*

yana: <yo>

Fyodor: <Change of plans.>

yana: <bossman? whats up?>

Fyodor: <Someone wants me to pay a visit.>

yana: <in jail?>

Fyodor: <Hmmm, not quite. They want to take me out for a bit.>

yana: <and what are we to do then?>

Fyodor: <Await my instructions.>

yana: <ok. do you want to say hi to the others or->

Fyodor: <No. I'll let you know when to tell them.>

yana: <ok>

Fyodor: "..." <Problem?>

yana: <no...>

Fyodor: <Good. More reports will come to you as necessary. Keep the radio on.>

-elsewhere-

Kid: *shifts under blankets*

stocking: zzzz

Kid: *hug*

stocking: mmmm =w=

Kid: *smooch*

-morning-

atsushi: zzzzz

*tap tap*

atsushi: nnhnn...hmm? *yaaaawn* huzzah?

*Something on the window*

atsushi: ?? *goes to check. it's still the early hours of the morning, and the sun is just starting to rise*

*sitting on the tree branch near the window is Lucy*

Lucy: *waves*

atsushi: *rubs eyes* morning-...wait, how did you get up there?

Lucy: "I climbed."

atsushi: i kind of figured. i just wasnt expecting it. ^^;

Lucy: "I used to do this a lot! Now, get over here..." *pats a seat next to her on the branch*

atsushi: um.... oh boy, how do i get over there?

Lucy: "You're the tiger here."

atsushi: um....ok...*steps back...runs forward and jumps* HUP!

-nice grab onto the branch-

atsushi: *legs dangling* ._. little help?

Lucy: -n-; *pulls him up by his arms then lifting him by one of his legs* "UMPH!" *

atsushi: woah!

Lucy: "There..." *pats his bottom* "Now sit."

atsushi: *sitting down* this is nice.....

Lucy: *nods* "I wanted to see the sunrise...and with someone..." *rests her head on his shoulder*

atsushi: ./////////////.

Lucy: *interlocks her fingers with his*

atsushi: *holding her hand and smiles*

Lucy: *soft sigh, smiles* "You know I love you, right?"

atsushi: i-i love you too... *leans in*

Lucy: .\\\. *gulp* >\\\<

-kiss-

Lucy: *smooch* "Mmm~" "..."

atsushi: ./////.

Lucy: *smiles, blushing* "That was really good..." *leans closer*

atsushi: u/////u

ranpo: ooooi, lovebirds! you gonna make a nest or what?

atsushi: ACK! *falls back, bringing lucy with him as they fall into a bush*

Lucy: *groans, struggling to get up*

ranpo: dat got your attention, huh?

atsushi: you ok lucy? *coughs up leaves*

Lucy: *groans* "N-No...I think I bust my bottom..."

atsushi: oh no...

Lucy: *frowns at Atsushi* -n-

atsushi: did i at least break your fall? ^^;

Lucy: "Yeah..." *looks at him* "Are you hurt?"

atsushi: a bit scratched up, but i've had worse...

ranpo: when you get outta there, head to the meeting room, kay?

Lucy: *grumbles* *holds onto Atsushi*

-and so-

atsushi: so what's going on?

kirako:....*looks at fukuzawa*

Fukuzawa: "Dostoyevsky has escaped."

atsushi: ??!!

aya: what?!

yosano: are you serious?!

Kunikida: "...It appears th-that someone infiltrated and pretended to be guards..."

atsushi: the rats?

Kunikida: "One prisoner tried to identify them, and the description doesn't match any Rats we have encountered."

ranpo: then again, we havent met every one of the rats thus far.

Kunikida: "We'll be reviewing the descriptions against known criminals..."

-there is a flower on the windowsill...-

-in frances' office-

frances: *listening to the flower*

*There's a sound coming from the flower*

Flower?: "--and interview the guards, too."

frances: hmmm..... *on the phone* this is quite the curious predicament, ma'am.

agatha: indeed it is. for now, just monitor the situation. don not intervene just yet.

frances: understood. till next time~ *hangs up* ..... hmmm....

*Voice in the flower*: "Two of you will visit the prison to speak with guards. I think it would be best for Kunikida to stay here..."

flower voice 2: understood, sir.

Kunikida: "..."

yosano: ....*pats his back*

Kunikida: *nods* "We'll be researching here..."

-elsewhere-

Fyodor: *blindfolded*

marquis: are we there yet?

Dumas: "A bit further...I told you the Iron Mask would've been better. He's probably following us even blindfolded."

marquis: hmmm...

Fyodor: "I assure you, I see nothing." *looks at Cervantes* "...What are wearing?"

Cervantes: "Cologne!"

Fyodor: "..." *sniffs* "...Awful."

marquis: so why dont you tell us about yourself~?

Fyodor: "What do you want to know?"

marquis: what are your companions like?

Fyodor: "Loyal…..Mostly."

Cervantes: "As leader of this trio, it is not loyalty so much as--" *pose* "FRIENDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDSHIP!"

Dumas: -_-;

marquis: any special someone in your life~?

Fyodor: "...There are people with whom I am intimate."

marquis: do tell~

Fyodor: "What's in it for me, lovely?"

marquis: hehehe~ oh you flirter, you~ ^///^

Dumas: "Stop that." *pulls Marquis away* "We're here."

marquis: =3=

Dumas: "Now, how to let them know we're here--"

Cervantes: "WE'RE HERE!"

marquis: *looks out the window*

-there seems to be a large house in the middle of the desert, surrounded by large hills. it almost looks like a large cabin-

Dumas: "...Yeah, that's conspicuous."

Cervantes: "Ring the doorbell!"

Dumas: "Why would a place out here have--"

Cervantes: *suddenly has a doorbell*

*RIIIIING*

marquis: hellooooo?

-a servant answers-

servant: welcome.

Dumas: "Um, yes, we have completed a mission for your employer..."

Cervantes: *waves* "Hi, Sancho!"

Dumas: -_-; "Not every person you meet is 'Sancho.'"

servant: thank you, sirs. my employer first has some business to take care of in europe before coming here to the states.

Dumas: "Wait--they're not even here? Then how do we do this transaction--"

servant: *hands them a briefcase*

Dumas: "..." *puts an ear to it* "...It's not ticking."

marquis: ^^

Cervantes: "So we have to say goodbye to our new friend?"

Fyodor: "I was not your friend."

marquis: so mean. =3=

Fyodor: *looks at the servant* "So, one prison to another..."

servant: do you wish to invite your subordinates to the establishment?

Fyodor: "...Hmm...Interesting proposal. You'll forgive me if I am suspect."

servant: shall i give you a tour, sir?

Fyodor: "..." *follows*

-there's a living room area with a TV, a kitchen and dining area, a game room, a study, and several bedrooms-

Fyodor: "Large."

servant: you can take any of the bedrooms you'd like.

Fyodor: "I don't have much with me."

servant: *nods and exits*

Fyodor: *sits on the bed, looks at the phone*…..*dials*

Fyodor: "..."

*The phone clicks, connecting*

yana: yo.

Fyodor: "I am at the safehouse."

yana: want me to put you on speaker to talk to everyone?

Fyodor: "Yes."

yana: ok..... OI! everyone get on in here! fedya's on the phone!

zoey: master??

lydia: ???

barkova: owo

Gogol: *sets down his tea*

Ivan: QwQ *inches to the phone*

Fyodor: "I am no longer in the prison."

lydia: so we've heard in the news.

elizaveta: yay!

Fyodor: "I will have updates soon--but you must prepare for a move."

yana: to a new location?

Fyodor: "Yes. Just wait until our host gives me more information."

lydia: your host?

Fyodor: "Yes. I am someone's guest."

Ivan: "..."

lydia: who's?

Fyodor: "I'll tell you more soon, but they'll be an...interesting ally."

yana: hmm...

Ivan: OwO "...WE MISS YOU!"

zoey: i want to see you again, master! i want our baby to see you when it's born!

Fyodor: "...I will see you soon."

zoey: *moan~*

Ivan: >-< "MASTER! WE'LL BE REUNITED!"

Fyodor: "..." *makes a noise* "Whoops--reception--"

lydia: <calm down, vanya, take a breath..> -A-; *sweatdrop*

Ivan: *hyperventilating*

lydia: <inhale, vanya, inhale!>

Ivan: *takes a paper bag, inhales*

lydia: *pats his back*

zoey: pheh....

Fyodor: "I got to go--until then. Yana, may I speak with you..."

yana: sure thing.....do ya'll mind?

Gogol: ^w^ "Let's depart, everyone..." *pushing them out*

yana:...............<what did you want to say?>

Fyodor: <The move will be difficult getting out of the city: keep them in line.>

yana: <noted.>

Fyodor: <Good. Don't disappoint.>

-elsewhere-

erina: *waking up*

Allison: *looking at the news* "..."

erina: *yaaawn* mornin'

Allison: "!!!" *puts down her phone* "...Morning."

erina: *streeeetch* bacon....

Allison: ^^; "Coming up..."

-phone rings-

erina: *answers* m'hello?

???: "Erina."

erina: *her stomach drops, and her eyes widen in horror*

???: "I hope you did not think I forgot you."

Allison: "Erina...Who is it?"

erina: *she's shaking, unable to speak* ah...

???: "I'm sure you heard the news already: I'm free."

erina:....

Fyodor: "I'll see you soon."

erina: *she drops the phone.....and falls to her knees*

Allison: "!!! Erina! Erina!"

Fyodor: "..." *smiles*

erina: ah...ah.......*she screams at the top of her lungs in horror, shaking violently*

Allison: "Erina!" *grabs her, holding her*

erina: *hysterically sobbing*

Allison: "..." *keeps holding onto her, strokes her back*

erina: oh god, he's going to come after me! he's going to hurt me!

Allison: *grabs the phone, hangs it up* "Erina...Look at me."

erina: *her eyes look dead, pupils shrunk*

Allison: "..." *gulps* "W-We're not going to let that happen. I'm not going to let him hurt you."

erina:...i cant leave the apartment...

Allison: "...You have to...This is not your prison, this is your home. And...I don't know, we can call the police..."

erina: how can they help me after i-....*urk* *shaking*

Allison: "...I don't know..." *hugs, cries*

erina:.....i feel sick....

Allison: *nods* "L-Let's get you some water..."

-elsewhere-

Kunikida: *sitting in front of tea* "..."

naomi: ....

Kunikida: *tries to pick up the cup--misses* "..."

naomi: *pat pat*

Kunikida: "...This is not ideal."

naomi: .....

Kunikida: "No one stopped him, again. And he's going to get people killed, again."

yosano: we're going to find him and stop him.

Kunikida: "..." *nods* "Right."

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: *freezes*

katya: *malicious giggling* ohhhh im gonna kill hiiiim.... OOOOHHHHH IM GONNA KIIIILLL HIIIIIIM NYEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE

pushkin: 0-0;;;;;;

Gin: "Easy there..."

hirotsu: ._. she's certainly....erm... enthusiastic.

Gin: "Yes...I suggest directing her energies towards something effective." *pulls out a sword* "This would work..."

Akutagawa: "..." T_T ("She's still worried for me...")

leo: katyusha, do you want to use the punching bag?

katya: it'll do.....for now....

Tachihara: "Yo, all--"

Gin: "Speaking of punching bags."

katya: *pulls out a knife* C8<

higuchi: not yet, katya.

Tachihara: O_o "..." *slowly backs away*

katya: move it, <shitbag>.

Tachihara: *takes off running* "WHYYYYYYYYY?!!!" >____<

-elsewhere-

Fitzgerald: "..." *sets down the newspaper*

alcott: oh dear heavens....

Fitzgerald: "Get Eckleburg on this. Track surveillance."

alcott: right away, sir.

Fitzgerald: *looking through files*

-elsewhere-

ango:...DAMN.

Taneda: "I think this calls for additional support."

ango: hmm....

Taneda: "Go through the files, arrange a meeting."

ango: understood.

Taneda: *sighs* "What a mess...Some prison."

ango: *making a call*

*The line is connecting...*

???: "Hello?"

ango: this is ango sakaguchi, with the death city special abilities department. your group has summons to the city ASAP.

???: *sigh* "Very well. I'll make the call."

-elsewhere-

Yumi: *hands Shiori* "We'll be working until around 2."

kirika: kay.

stocking: *nod*

Yumi: "Thank you." *waves to Shiori*

shiori: baba...

Yumi: *weak smile, as she leaves*

kirika:...be safe mom.

Yumi: "..." *nods* "I will. Thank you."

-elsewhere-

Dumas: *counting the dollars*

marquis: so what now?

Dumas: "Onto the next task, including dividing up the money--"

Cervantes: *holding binoculars, looking around* "Hmm...Not a bad setting..."

marquis: *pokes head out*

Dumas: "...No--"

Cervantes: "A lovely new home, with chandeliers!"

Dumas: "I said--"

marquis: we can bring your doggy. ^^

Dumas: "... ... ..." >_> "...Backyard?"

marquis: ^^

Cervantes: ^w^ "Even can build our own cave for you~"

Dumas: "...Hmph. Call a real estate agent."

Cervantes: *victory pose*

-elsewhere-

Yumi: *reviewing maps* "There are multiple exit points." *taps one part of the map* "Here we had reports of lights going out, as well as mass hallucinations."

homura: hmm...

Yumi: "By the time reports came in of the hallucinations, we found border agents at the northwest sector also under the influence. At this time, we cannot confirm whether it was madness, black blood..."

nygus: have we checked the cameras?

Yumi: "Many were disabled in the prison itself. We do have some footage from around the city..."

nygus: lets review that.

Yumi: *taps onto a tablet, pulling up the footage*

homura: ....

*The footage shows three people bringing along what looks like Fyodor*

*One of them starts pointing wildly at skull-shaped decorations on the buildings*

*One of them starts walking off in the wrong direction*

homura: *sweatdrop*

*The one who looks like Fyodor claps his hands, as if trying to get their attention*

nygus: ...

Yumi: "Wait, where did the third one go?"

*the third was out of view of the camera*

*The one looking like Fyodor just stands...tilts his head*

*The one who got lost starts yelling and pointing*

*The other grabs the one off-camera, pulling him along*

homura: hmm....

Yumi: "That's where our footage ends."

nygus: it doesnt help much...

Yumi: "No. Forensics is searching that spot to find any evidence that could identify the trio."

-elsewhere-

*Rain starts falling*

izumi: *walking along with an umbrella* ^^

rowena: hello, miss albarn.

izumi: hey ro. ^^

Magaki: *nods*

alice: hello....

izumi: heading anywhere?

Magaki: "I was going to the bakery--was asked to pick up bread for the, um, house."

izumi: sounds good.

rowena: ^^ edgar asked me to pick some supplies up for him as well.

Magaki: "??? Ink?"

rowena: *she nods*

Magaki: "Ah. Does he enjoy sweets? Maybe pick one up for him."

-elsewhere-

Shotaro: *hangs up a teru teru bozu*

setsuna: ^^

Shotaro: "How's yours coming along, Em--"

Emine: *holds up one looking like it's been hanged*

mana: ._.

mono: _that's_ totally not disturbing at all.

lin-kimpur:... ^^ creative.

Emine: "Thank you." *hangs it up*

Shotaro: "Let's make more!" *draws out a face like Mana's*

-elsewhere-

sonia: *looking out the window*

Motojiro: "--then the light shines through like a prism*

bessy: oooh, neat.

Motojiro: "Then the worms will come out of the ground--"

sonia: ...

Motojiro: "What can you all tell me about the process of how rain is made? Sonia?"

sonia: .........

naoya: *whispers* maaaybe not the best subject to bring up with her.

Motojiro: OwO;;; "...How about we listen to the frogs croaking--MAKING NOISE! Making noise..."

tom: yay!

naoya: you could call it a....ribbeting, experience.

ayako: you did not just say that.

-some of the kids laugh. sonia says nothing-

Motojiro: OwO;;; "..." (*INTERNAL SCREAMING* "I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PARENT!!!")

leo: miss sonia? did you want to go for a walk?

sonia:.....ok...

Motojiro: QWQ "..."

-elsewhere-

Arthur: *meditating...under the pounding rain*

shinra: he's gonna get a cold.

Relan: "I mean, have you ever seen him have a cold?"

Vulcan: "Must be mind over matter."

shinra: mind?

Vulcan: "...Touche. I don't know, maybe Arthur is a robot--"

Viktor: OwO *picks up a screwdriver*

shinra: nah, he'd be short-circuiting if that were the case.

karin: that is also true.

Vulcan: "Could always waterproof things...Hmm...Maybe a submersible...but fire-powered...and with torpedoes with shark faces on them..." *mutter mutter mutter*

karin: *sweatdrop*

lisa: ^^;

Arthur: *eyes break open* "I got it!" *jumps up*

nozomi: oh?

Arthur: *lifts a rock* "The key!" *holding up...a key to the front door?*

shinra: what an epiphany.

Arthur: "The key is what is needed to unlock the secrets!"

Vulcan: "..." *shudders* "A-Already been there..."

shinra: ....

-elsewhere-

Rino: *looking around* "So...What's the plan?"

mikami: looking for snacks for the party.

Rino: "What does everyone like?" *grabs some gummy worms*

mikami: from what the others tell me, usual party snacks consist of popcorn and chips, right?

Rino: "True, but can't hurt to have something sweet..." *grabs some soda*

ryuuko: *gets some hi-chews* these are really good.

Rino: *small smile* "Good choice...Any cooking?"

mikami: shrimp?

Rino: "That could be good..." -_-; "Unless Hibana cheaps out."

mikami: isnt shrimp always a party food?

Rino: ._.; "...I mean, if you have the cash."

mikami: sorry, im still trying to get used to how other people do things like this. ^^; i know a bit about it i think...at least i hope so.

Rino: "Jeez, don't tell me you haven't had 'commoners' food' or something." *holds up instant ramen*

mikami: o-o-of course i have! i-i didnt mean anything rude a-at all....

ryuuko: easy mikami, easy.

Rino: ._.; "I hit a nerve?"

mikami: n-no, i-i-it's fine... *wipes her eyes*

Rino: ._.;;;; "...Sorry."

mikami: it's alright. i-im not mad at you.

Rino: "...How about I show you a recipe for a simple cheesecake?"

mikami: o-ok.

-elsewhere-

Shima: ^^; "Maybe I could help. I read about the prison break, and I know a bit about those kinds of thing--"

izumo: *GLARE*

Shima: OwO;;; "...Ah, come on--I'm just trying to help. After all, we're all classmates and teammates again, right?"

izumo: that depends....

Shima: "Depends on what?"

konekomaru: after what you did, it broke a lot of our trust for you. and if you really are being truthful, you're going to have to do a lot of work to earn that trust back.

Shima: "Oh, totally. That's why I'm here! First, help solve this prison break. Second, pay for some meals for you all. Third, take out Izumo--"

izumo: *GLARE*

seiya: *glare*

Shima: ^^;;; "I can skip the last one." *opens a book, showing some arrays*

-elsewhere-

Kid: "We're back."

lord death: hello~!

kirika: yo.

Kid: "Hello, Shiori!"

shiori: kid!

kirika: how was it?

Kid: *picks Shiori up* *sighs* "I haven't heard any progress. I don't think it's good for prison staff..."

-elsewhere-

Ivan: *folding clothes into luggage* ^w^

lydia: <so we're moving base then?>

Ivan: <Because Master asked~>

Gogol: <Likely to keep an eye on us.>

yana: we'll have to take unused underground maintenance tunnels out to avoid public eye...

Gogol: "AKA the sewer."

yana: <pretty much>

Gogol: >_< "That stinks. Literally."

lydia: =_=; grow up.

Gogol: <It's not sanitary...> *grabs soap*

-elsewhere-

Dumas: *looking at furniture*

marquis: hmmm.....i wanna go on a date.

Dumas: "We still want to be low-key, and you haven't met many people here yet."

marquis: but i get wonwy Q3Q

Dumas: *sighs* "Promise you won't out us?"

marquis: i woooont! im not stupid. *pouty face*

Dumas: "And be quiet bringing any date home."

marquis: okaaaay.

Dumas: "Good luck finding someone--even this city seems limited on options."

marquis: you never knooow~

Dumas: *eyeroll, looks at table coasters*

-elsewhere-

Dabi: *flipping through posts on his phone*

fang: *chewing on a washcloth*

Dabi: *grumbles, looks*

fang: da-

Dabi: "???"

fang: da-bi! ^o^

himiko: OuO

Dabi: "..." *groans*

fang: dabi! dabi! ^u^

Dabi: "Ugh...Why are you repeating that?"

himiko: you're his daddy! ^u^

Dabi: =_=; "Super..."

tomura: ....

Dabi: *looks at Tomura* "What up?"

tomura: *slinks back into his room*

Dabi: "...What's with him? Is he hard-up for attention?"

-elsewhere-

Gopher: "Hmph..." *looks up at the clouds* "Was hoping for clearer skies..."

kotone: ....

Gopher: "Could fly or go to the park..." *sad sigh* *looks at Kotone* "...Want to make something to eat with me?"

kotone: ok, brother.

Gopher: *smiles* "Cupcakes? With frosting?"

kotone: yes

Gopher: >w< "Okay!" *puts on an apron*

-elsewhere-

Free: "We're home!" *Milia is in a poncho and rain boots...Free is just in his shirt and pants, soaked*

milia: hi mama!

eruka: welcome back! ^^

???: is this our little granddaughter? she's such a sweetie! ^^

Free: ._.; *turns*

-eruka's parents are there-

sephy: heya, kiddo.

milia: um...hi?

Free: ^^; "Didn't know you were stopping by..."

kerona: we thought we'd come visit due to the lovely weather~ ^^

Free: "Greeeeeeeat..." *shakes the rain off himself*

kerona: we even brought some treats from the witch world along~

milia: *shiny eyes*

Free: "Guess you can have one for now..."

milia: yay!

eruka: it's been a while since i had food from home. *stomach growls*

Free: ^^; "I guess we're all sharing for a bit--" *reaches for one*

Free: *picks up what looks like a cross between an orange and an apple, only it's got green and purple stripes*

eruka: ooh. *picks up another one* *nom* tangy. ^^

Free: "Milia, try this--" *holds up what looks like a dip container--only it's bubbling, neon, and...did it just blink?*

milia: *nom* =w= yum!

Free: "Thank you for trying something new." ^w^

-elsewhere-

Tool: "How's your arm holding up?"

mana: a bit sore, but fine.

Tool: *nods* "That's good...The streets are saying this isn't going to stop for a bit--and may flood the road."

mana: hmm.

Tool: "I think it's best to put some towels down around the door edges--" *opens the curtains, looks outside* o_O;;;

*Shotaro is now a dolphin, swimming outside*

-elsewhere-

kyouko: *helping put up sandbags by the edge of the canal*

Rin: "Got another one..." *picks it up*

nygus: thanks again for helping out here today.

kyouko: not a problem, ma'am.

Sid: "The nearby houses are evacuated. Where did this storm come from?"

homura: it could be an incident by a rogue witch.

Sid: "Maybe...Homura, call up some meisters, see which souls they detect. I'll get some other divisions to check on other sources--demons, quirks, abilities..."

homura: understood.

Sid: *texts* [can you patrol for certain rain-based or water-based quirks in the area? potential source of current downpour]

Aizawa: *asleep next to his phone* "Zzzz..."

yuuji: oi, get up. *nudge*

present mic: i got dis.....HEYYYYYYYYYYYY AIZAWA!!!

yuuji: >~Q ow.

Aizawa: =_______= *grabs Present Mic by the throat*

present mic: GRK-

Aizawa: "What."

present mic: text message for you.

Aizawa: *looks* "..." *sighs* "I'll get my poncho...Come along."

-elsewhere-

Charon: *shivers* "Stupid rain..."

kagu-tsuchi: it should pass soon enough.

Charon: "Not soon enough. I'm freezing." *he's standing with no shirt*

kagu-tsuchi: *sweatdrop* you're the one walking around without a shirt on.

Charon: "??? How could you--"

kagu-tsuchi: your heat signature was different from usual.

Charon: "Hmph. Fine." *puts on a shirt* "It's still unbearable. Rain requires adjusting any techniques in combat."

-elsewhere-

*There's a child jumping around in the rain, giggling*

shop owner: hey kid, you shouldnt be out here alone, it's dangerous.

???: "???" *smiles, slightly creepy* "But it's fun! Whee!" *plops down, rolling in the puddle*

shop owner: where the heck are your parents?

???: -___-; "Shut up! I'm here because I want to be!" *kicks up water*

shop owner: woah!

???: >n< "I don't need any, any more!" *stamps their feet--and more rain pours down, flooding into the shop*

shop owner: h-hey! hey!!

???: "I get to do what I want! Because I can do THIS!" *splashes water at the window, shattering it*

shop owner: !!!!!

Sid: "Hey!"

???: "???" *turns* "..." ._.; "What the heck are you supposed to be?"

homura: *grabs their shoulder* disciplinary committee.

-one spanking later-

???: Q~Q "You mean ugly jerk!" >n<

*The rain stops falling...*

nygus: so they were the source, then....

homura: *looking up an ID for the kid*

*Looks to be a runaway from the Slums, missing since the disaster there*

homura: you're from the slums, right?

???: "I don't have to tell you anything--you're not my mom!"

nygus: what's your name, sweetie?

???: "...Kai."

nygus: now, how are you able to use this ability of yours, kai? is it a quirk?

Kai: "Dunno...It started happening last week after I...ran."

homura: so you recently discovered your ability, then?

Kai: *frowns at Homura* -n- "Yeah."

nygus: where's your family, kai? in the slums still?

Kai: "...I don't know. After the fire, I couldn't find them...No one came for me anyway, so that's fine."

nygus:.....tell you what, you can stay with us for a while until we get this squared away, alright?

Kai: "Why would you do that for me, Miss Mummy?"

nygus: someone has to make sure you're safe, so that your power isnt used to cause harm to others.

Kai: -n- "I didn't harm anyone..."

*The shop is still flooded*

shop owner: does my insurance cover this?

Sid: "I'm going to guess yes, but I'll check with the Academy--they are taking responsibility for this kid."

shop owner: thank you, mr barrett.

Sid: *nods* "Now, let's dump this brat into a warm bath, get them cleaned up--"

Kai: >_< "MY NAME ISN'T 'BRAT'!"

-elsewhere-

Joker: "Huh. Rain stopped."

scarlet: weather's odd like that, i guess.

Joker: "Hmm..." *picks up a cigarette box--it's soggy* "...Oh, damn it."

-elsewhere-

Walter: "Almost ready to put this show on stage, Leroux?"

leroux: just about~ ^u^

Hirotsu: "It's shaping up very well. The costumes in particular."

-elsewhere-

Kid: *smiles, looking at the rainbow outside*

shiori: woooow!

Kid: "It's so big and colorful! We can see red, orange, and--what else, Shiori?"

shiori: bloo?

Kid: "Yes! The rainbow contains the seven main colors, including indigo."

shiori: indigo?

Kid: "A kind of dark blue..." *Excalibur face* "There should be _eight_ rainbow colors..."

shiori: how about brown?

Kid: "Hmm...Well, that could give us an eighth color, but then it wouldn't be a rainbow but a rain-_brown_." *smiles*

shiori: *giggle*

Kid: ^w^ "Ha ha...The rainbow comes after even the worst rain, kind of a sign of hope."

-elsewhere-

Todoroki: *passing a finger along rain droplets on the window*

fuyumi: quite a storm, huh?

Todoroki: "No kidding. It wasn't reported at all, so I'm glad it's done."

-elsewhere-

#death city days

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