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jewwyfeesh · 6 months

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Recollections and Heartfelt Wishes 2

Writer: Mitsuki

Character(s): Mashiro Tomoya, Sengoku Shinobu, Akehoshi Subaru, Oogami Koga, Hibiki Wataru, Nito Nazuna, Kiryu Kuro

Translated by: jewwyfeesh

CN/EN Proof by: stcrfeesh

(Edit 07/02/24: fixed appellation errors)

Tomoya: Looking closely, Leon’s also licking Oogami-senpai’s hand. I think he’s trying to cheer him up as well?

Season: Summer Location: Koga's Dorm Room

Koga: (What the hell…! Those two bastard senpais, makin’ all sorts of stupid faces on those programs to make people laugh… strictly speakin’, all yer doin’ is embarrassing us!)

(They’re always busy with some sort of social engagements nowadays. Greetin’ all those big-wigs with a subservient smile, actin’ like a bunch of submissive kouhais in front of ‘em! What the hell is that supposed to mean?!)

(Rockin’ with reckless abandon, ventin’ the deepest cries of the soul… that’s what we UNDEAD should be doin’!)

(We weren’t like this before…)

(DEADMANS and UNDEAD… will we become nothin’ more than old photos that no one’ll care about?)

………

Tsk. What shitty timing…

What? Whaddya need my help with? I’m real busy right now, so if it ain’t somethin’ important, then f**k off.

Haah? Somethin’ went wrong with the rehearsal? Weren’t y’all yappin’ on and on ‘bout how y’all are all independent li’l shits, and y’all don’t need my guidance anymore?

…Yeah yeah, I got it. I’ll head over now.

Location: Seishou Hall Common Room

Kuro: Oogami looks as if he ate some gunpower. Did someone make him angry?

Nazuna: Um… I’m not too sure what’s up with Koga-chin, but he does seem a little off recently.

Kuro: Recently…? Did something happen? Given Oogami’s personality, he might be obsessin’ over something again…

Nazuna: Maybe I’m thinkin’ too much about it, but Koga-chin might have something weighing on his mind. The last time he attended ANIMALS circle activity—

[A few days earlier, in the Seishou Hall Courtyard]

Nazuna: With that, we’ll be commencing the final round of ANIMALS’ 19th Frisbee Catching Contest! Let’s see who will be the one to take home the title of overall champion ♪

Koga: …………

Subaru: Hey~ Gami-san, Gami-san, are you zoning out? It’s your turn to throw the frisbee!

Daikichi and Leon are anxiously running around your feet in circles, watching you grip the frisbee in your hand like that~

Koga: …Eh? Oh, I don’t need ya to remind me about these li’l things. I’ll throw ‘em now, so watch carefully—

Subaru: Oooh, as expected of Gami-san! The frisbee flew really far away, I almost lost sight of it! Go go go, Daikichi ☆

Tomoya: …Eh? Why did both of them suddenly stop? Did they lose sight of the frisbee?

Nazuna: Aish, seems like this is a mistake on Koga-chin’s part, ‘cause the frisbee flew into the tree over there!

Subaru: Mm~ I think it got stuck on those branches over there. In that case, I’ll climb up and retrieve it ♪

Nazuna: Wait, wait, that’s too dangerous, Subaru-chin! Would it be better to get a ladder instead?

Tomoya: In that case, I’ll go back to Seishou Hall to get one…!

???: Oya oya~? Seems like I’ve arrived at the purrfect time ☆

Tomoya: Waah?! Two doves flew out from nowhere and fetched the frisbee with ease?!

That voice just now sounded really familiar… Why am I getting such a strong sense of déjà vu…

Wataru: That’s right, I hereby extend my greetings to you from a flurry of falling feathers! It is your very own Hibiki Wataru ☆

Tomoya: Masked Pervert…?! Why are you here!? Didn’t you say that you couldn’t come join our Circle’s activities?

Wataru: Hehehe, life is fun because it’s brimming with uncertainty and mystery! This is the surprise I’ve prepared for everyone today ♪

Seems like my doves are the winners of this Frisbee Catching Contest! How’s that, isn’t it more Amazing when the winners are unexpected ☆

Subaru: Eh~ I object, I object! If you didn’t sign up but join the competition anyway, this is a foul! I request a rematch!

Nazuna: Hm, Subaru-chin’s not wrong either. In view of being fair, let’s get Koga-chin to throw the frisbee again, and have the doves start from a clean slate. Is this okay with everyone?

Koga: …Ah? Oh, it’s my turn again? ‘Kay, let’s go…!

Nazuna: Unyaa! I haven’t even called to start yet—Oh no, it’s– it’s been thwown (thrown) up a twee (tree)!! Though it’s another tree this time!!

???: Uwah, that really hurts…!

As it is, I’ve already been discovered, so I’ll just reveal myself… heh!

Nazuna: Sh-Shinobu-chin?! You just jumped down from the tree! Are you alright?

Shinobu: Hee hee hee, Nito-dono needn’t worry, please accept this frisbee! My ‘Acrobatic Martial Arts’ jutsu has evolved quite a lot, and I can climb trees much easier now!

In fact, I’ve been practising my ‘Breath Concealment’ ninjutsu here, and wanted to see how long I could go before someone notices me! I was really confident too…

So I didn’t expect Oogami-dono to accurately hit me with a flying prop! Oogami-dono is really awesome~!

Subaru: Mhm! Gami-san is really cool. I still can’t believe he managed to throw the frisbee up the tree both times! How did you do it? Please teach me too~

Nazuna: Erm… no, that doesn’t quite sound like praise when you say it like that…

Koga: …………

Nazuna: (Eh? Koga-chin didn’t retort immediately… that’s rare. He’s also a little too quiet today. Perhaps he’s somewhat distracted…?)

Koga-chin, are you tired from playing? You can go have a rest in the shade, if you like.

Koga: …Ah? I’m good. I’ve yet to really exercise my body, so I’m hella pumped up right now!

In the end, the real question is why are so many weird things happenin’ because of me throwin’ a frisbee?

Wataru: Non~ Non! If life were truly just like a pool of stagnant water, devoid of love and of surprises… the heart will wither and die before the body.

Nazuna: Back to the topic~ Now that Shinobu-chin’s here too, shall we all play together?

Shinobu: Oh, oh, even though I’m a member of OCEANS, I am also interested in the activities hosted by ANIMALS! Then, I’ll be in your care!

Wataru: Welcome, welcome! The winner of today’s competition has yet to be decided… so how about I organise a cheerleading squad to cheer everyone on ☆

Shinobu: Uwah!! One after another, doves fly out from Hibiki-dono’s pockets, just like a ninja using an animal in their jutsu! I’m so impressed!

Tomoya: Eh? There’s a dove that seems to know me, even taking the initiative to fly onto my shoulder… ah, are you Jeanne d’Arc?

Subaru: Uwahhhh so cool~! There’s a dove flapping its wings while perched on Daikichi’s back, I wonder if it’ll be able to help Daikichi take off ☆

Come look, come look, there’s another dove perched on Gami-san’s knee, tilting its head and staring up at him! Ahaha, this makes a really interesting picture for sure, I wanna use my phone and take a photo real quick ♪

Wataru: Ahh, turns out it’s that child. To be honest, it has a very gentle and soft personality – if it see’s that someone’s upset or sad, it’ll take the initiative to go comfort them.

Nazuna: That is to say, Koga-chin’s feeling a little down today, to the point where even the little animals have noticed it.

Tomoya: Looking closely, Leon’s also licking Oogami-senpai’s hand. I think he’s trying to cheer him up as well?

Subaru: Gami-san, if you encounter any problems, remember to tell me! I’ll definitely help you out!

Koga: My god… the both of you really love fussin’ over others, don’t you? I’m fine, there’s nothin’ wrong with me. It’s just that ‘m busy revisin’ for the upcomin’ exams, and tired myself out. That’s all.

Y’all should stop surroundin’ me asking stupid questions; go and play or somethin’. I’m not a child that needs an adult to take care of them 24/7.

← Chapter 1 | ES x LC Masterlist | Chapter 3 →

#enstars translation #fragments of light and shadow #recollections and heartfelt wishes #Mashiro Tomoya #Sengoku Shinobu #Akehoshi Subaru #Oogami Koga #Hibiki Wataru #Nito Nazuna #kiryu kuro

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thepaperpanda · 3 years

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DEATH STRANDING CHRISTMAS

Summary: It's Christmas time and love is in the air. What will happen when everyone will be reunited that day?

Warnings: None

Words: 6637

Authors: Cass & Rouge

A/N: Merry Christmas! Wishing you all the happiness your holiday can hold!

Allured by the peace and quietness and the scent of freshly baked Christmas cake coming from a canteen, you took your lingering gaze off of the enormous Christmas tree adorned with glistening ornaments and glowing fairy lights draped around it that stood in the middle of the huge chamber that was usually serving as a dayroom.

As the evening sky faded away, the pink and orange hues were replaced with dark shades of blue.

The festively designed decorations, illuminated with blinking Christmas lights, vibrant ornaments and brightly colored signs, were lined up along either side of the corridor.

As you entered the canteen, the loud, spirited laughter of people could be heard over the continuous chatter surrounding the vivacious atmosphere; it brought a wide smile to your lips.

It's been a great time without Christmas, and you truly couldn't understand how it was possible that no one has ever tried to bring the magnificent spirit of Christmas back.

This year it'll be different, you told yourself half a month prior when you visited Die-Hardman with a plan for Christmas arrangements.

In the canteen you made sure that everything was going well.

There it was, as clear as the sky on a scorching summer day, that particular aroma, that perfect blend of spicy and sweet - gingerbreads were baked.

Die-Hardman stepped into the canteen as well, he wore his best suit and tie; he looked as festive as if this were a normal family reunion. "Y/N," he nodded at you a little. "As I can see, everything's in place, my sincere congratulations, the truth is I didn't think you'll be able to set all this."

With a grin playing in the corners of your lips you gave the bid back. "Yes, sir, apparently I made everything, with the little help of Sam who, just between us, wasn't a fan of the idea though."

"Little help? I had to bring the whole tree in, you think it was easy?," Sam walked in looking up at the Christmas tree, while holding his BB pod. "Not to mention I had to run to get all of the trinkets you placed on that poor tree. What is it for anyway?"

"Y/N found old records about Christmas. She decided to organize some on her own, for us all," Dead man explained. "I think she did it nicely. Like in some old photos."

"Yeah, sure." Sam muttered. "At least it looks like Lou likes it."

"Of course I did nicely! I did my best!," You claimed happily and Die-Hardman chuckled deeply.

"So... You did all of that for five of us? Kinda excessive if you ask me," Sam said and walked closer to the tree to show colorful light to Lou.

"Not only for five, there will be more. That's what Y/N promised, isn't it Y/N?," Deadman said looking at you.

You nodded and walked to him. He wore a sweatshirt with reindeer dressed in a Christmas hat. "Correct. Also let me tell ya that I love your sweatshirt!"

Die-Hardman led everyone closer to the Christmas tree. "Okay, I hope that rest will join us…” His sentence was cut off by Cliff who appeared out of nowhere.

He was having a red hat with pompom and was dressed like Santa Claus. "Ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas everyone! Hope I didn't get late! My men, it took them too much time to get dressed properly!," He chuckled and few of his comrades appeared right behind him. This time they weren't having rifles with them but a lot of bags with presents wrapped in colorful paper.

Sam blinked a few times, he turned to you. "How... How did you do that?," He asked quietly.

"We are here finally!," Mama said happily as she and Lockne joined the party. Both sisters dressed in colors perfect for christmas. "Mama couldn't find her glasses," Lockne added.

You hugged them both. "It's so good to see you again!," You claimed and clapped your hands.

Soon, there was a cracking sound and Amelie joined you. As always she wore a red, fitted dress and she was holding a few packages in her hands. She put them under the Christmas tree and gave a smile to Sam. "Merry Christmas, Sam. Merry Christmas to everyone!"

Sam gave a flat smile and nodded. "Merry Christmas, Amelie," he said, turning Lou to all the guests. "Look how many people are here."

Another cracking sound filled the room and Fragile showed up. "Merry Christmas to everyone?"

"It looks like your plan worked out perfectly, Y/N. How did you do that?," Deadman asked. "It's a lot of people in one place."

"I messaged everyone, and if it comes to Amelie, let's just skip this though," you chuckled. "I asked them to come, and I told them that we can't simply give upon our traditions just because Death Stranding is on. They agreed," you replied.

After a few minutes the door to the dayroom slid open and Heartman entered with dancing moves. "Hey, guys! Oh, Mama! Good to see you! Magnificent! Wow! You also have a Christmas tree! And decorations! Hmm, am I correct?! Is this true?! Do I sense gingerbreads?!," He almost sang.

"Someone had too much Christmas, maybe it wasn't a good idea to pull him out of the lab... His heart... Ya know the deal, right?," Sam asked you quietly with a frown.

"Sam grumpy as ever," Fragile said, walking up to the two of you. "This was an amazing idea Y/N. Oh! Sam I have gift for little one."

Sam raised his eyebrow and handed the pod to Fragile. "Hi there, Lou. Merry Christmas," she said before pulling out a little sweater and putting it around the pod. "Oh! Look at this!"

"Lou looks like a little candy! How cute is that!," You clapped hands and walked to Heartman to place a brief kiss to his cheek as a greeting. "Hey there handsome, I'm so glad you've accepted my invitation."

"How could I not?," he chuckled. "For this special occasion I turned the AED off."

"Let's just hope he won't suddenly drop dead during the supper... Or whatever Y/N prepared," Sam said and looked at the pod in Fragile hands.

She only giggled and raised the pod. "Cliff! What do you think? It's cute, right?"

Both Mama and Lockne let out a loud aww sound at the sight of BB wearing the sweater.

"So Y/N. You are the head of this whole thing. What should we do now, the truth is not everyone knows what to do during Christmas," Deadman said, looking around.

Cliff approached Fragile who held Lou and tapped the glass with his finger. "Hey, BB, you're the cutest BB of all time!"

"Okay, guys!," You whistled loudly to get their attention. "First, I want to say something," you announced happily. "I'm so glad to see you all here, in this place. It has a very symbolic meaning to me, we're one, just like our beautiful country will be when Sam will finish connecting all cities to the chiral network," you smiled at them, tugging on the dress you wore. "It means a lot as we all are one. We are one in our mutual experiences, in our closeness and understanding..."

You slipped your glance along everyone in the room. "Merry Christmas! You can have a snack, they're on the table," you nodded in the direction of the table where a lot of dishes were awaiting to be consumed, including huge roasted turkey. "Later, after dinner, we will have a very important encounter with Santa Claus!," You winked at Cliff who nodded slightly.

A loud cracking sound filled the room. "HELLO THERE BRIDGES! Merry fucking Christmas, guys!," Higgs yelled loudly, not bothered by all the looks he got. "Why do you look at me like that? Oh yes, yes, I know. I should bring a gift but I didn't have enough parts to build another nuke," he rolled his eyes, waving his hand around.

You shook your head as Heartman instinctively shielded you with his body. "Who is he?," You asked with curiosity in your tone.

"That's Higgs. The man who blew a few cities out of America's map," Heartman informed you quietly.

Amelie put hands to her hips. "I wasn't aware you're going to be here as well, Higgs," she almost snorted.

Die-Hardman gave the newcomer a mean glance. "Seriously? Even on such a day you need to destroy everything?"

Meantime, your glance was still on the man in the hood.

"Wooooooow, I feel so welcomed here," Higgs said, removing his hood off his head. "I destroy stuff, it's just my thing but I see something else I can destroy."

Higgs suddenly vanished and then appeared right behind you.

"Well, well, well! What do we have here? Thanks, heartboy," he said picking you up to take a look at you. "Ain't ya a beauty that is worth to be taken under the mistletoe?"

Sam facepalmed. "There is no day with break."

You blinked but being taken completely aback by stranger's action, you had to wrap arms around his neck to support yourself. "Uhm, hi there, sir. Can you consider putting me down though? I feel pretty intimidated," you whispered, your eyes fixed on his, and dear Beach, his eyes were so magnetising!

Amelie sighed. "It's Christmas after all, guys. I think we should let him stay. In such a time no one should be alone."

Die-Hardman agreed with the lady in red. "Amelie's right."

Sam blinked. "Seriously? He nuked two cities and planned to nuke the third one. “You can't be serious!"

Higgs giggled, patting your hips. "Being intimidating is my second name, sugar," he pretended to think about your request. "Well I don't know. I love little sweet girls like you, maybe I will take you as my gift."

"To be fair, director, Higgs is a highly dangerous man. He proved this many times," Deadman added.

"I like this guy. He makes me blush," Higgs said and then looked at you. "I think I may have a gift for you, sugar,” he added before giving you a golden mask.

You took it in hand and fitted it to your face. "Gangsta!," You chuckled and ran to the nearest mirror to have a look. "Ha! This is so cool!"

You waited for him to approach you. "My name's Y/N. And you're Higgs, that's what Heartman told me."

Heartman looked after you and blinked. "She's impossible. Jumping like a puppy but this is what happens when a young girl is alone for too long, am I right, Mama?"

Amelie walked to Deadman and put hand on his shoulder. "Trust me. I know what he did but maybe by showing him kindness we'll get more than by following his game."

Die-Hardman cleared his throat. "Okay. Let's take the seats and have a meal. This is a special day, everyone deserves kindness, just like Amelie said."

Cliff took BB from Sam and set it on the chair right next to him. "Can someone pass me the knife? I forgot my army knife and someone has to cut the turkey!"

BB rolled in the pod and giggled waving at Sam.

Mama and her sister frowned looking at Heartman.

"What was that supposed to mean?," Mama asked, offended.

"Yes, what was that supposed to mean?," Lockne repeated after her sister.

Deadman nodded at Amelie's comment. "Maybe you are right."

"Oh! I have a knife, army-man!," Higgs said loudly, presenting his own knife. "I never leave it. Maybe you should learn this too," he chuckled before being pulled away by Fragile.

"You better behave if you want to stay here. Be normal for one single day," she growled and Higgs nodded. "Okay! Okay! Noted! I wouldn't dear to fuck up Y/N's day. I bet she worked her ass off for all of this."

You took your seat at the table, right between Sam and Fragile.

Cliff took the golden knife from Higgs' hands, offering the tall man a suspicious glance. "I hope you're not the guy who's bothering my son and Lou. Otherwise, I'd have to kill you," he informed with a cold grimace in his face which quickly vanished and was replaced by a grin. "Okay! Who wants the chicken?! Hey!," He got up and glanced at his comrades who were trying to sneak to the tree and gifts located under. "Behave! Get back to the table! No turkey, no presents! For fuck's sake, I asked you all to behave! How many times did we train the entire thing?!"

One of the army men quickly got back to the table. "Uhm, few," he admitted and took the helmet off, placing it on the polished floor.

"And what did I say?," Cliff asked while cutting the turkey.

"We get in, we greet living beings, we have a meal, we behave, we get presents and we have a party."

Heartman laughed loudly. "Cliff, I have to say you're having a huge authority among them. What a situation!"

Amelie offered everyone a grin. "Does anyone want some potatoes?"

Higgs sat right next to Sam and gave Cliff an innocent smile.

"Oh no, Mr Sam's dad. I am a good boy, my twin brother bothers Sam. Besides, Sam bothers me too! He keeps destroying my plans! And BTs!," He whimpered dramatically.

Sam only rolled his eyes and moved a little closer to you to get away from the terrorist.

"I’ve seen them before yet they still freak the fuck out of me," he whispered to you, looking at the soldiers.

"I can say the same…," Fragile said quietly

"I am so surprised they are so…," Mama said, thinking about the right word.

"Obedient," Lockne added quickly. “We expected them to be... How to name it?"

"Creatures of chaos," Mama finished.

You smiled at Sam and quickly turned head to face Lockne and Mama. "It's called discipline, right, Mr Unger?"

Cliff offered you a bright grin. "The girl's smart. I like her. If my son wouldn't have this phobia of his, I bet he would take a chance on you."

BB rolled in the pod.

Amelie chuckled and covered her lips with a curled hand. "Actually, Cliff, Sam would be her father if he made an effort..."

Heartman laughed loudly before he stopped his outburst, he also raised his thumb up. "And 20 likes go to Lady Strand! What a beautiful, honest summary!"

Higgs laughed and patted Sam's back. "Well! Ya know guys, some men like younger girls. Honestly I would love to get Y/N in my hands. To pin her down and just…," Higgs didn't finish his sentence because he got smacked on the back of the head by Fragile.

"Behave," she growled after getting back in her seat.

"To be fair, since we got on that topic. I don't think the age difference should be a taboo any longer," Deadman said before digging into his meal. "World is shattered, we should do what we can to make sure humanity doesn't die. Of course while keeping some moral boundaries."

"Do we really have to talk about such stuff now?," Sam groaned, rolling his eyes. "I don't like this topic."

"Oh, why? Because you can't get laid, Sammy boy?," Higgs almost sang, teasing Sam.

Cliff rose from his seat and threw a glance to Higgs who quickly shut his mouth. "That's way better," Cliff said and pretended that he rose only to get the corn salad.

Die-Hardman took his mask off and started eating the turkey that Cliff handled to him. "I need to agree with Deadman. Humanity is on the edge of destruction and extinction..."

"... Thanks to terrorists like Higgs," Heartman added, his eyes fixed on the uninvited guest.

"That's not what I meant... However you're not wrong on this," Die-Hardman agreed. "What I meant is that we should take care of reproduction, to make sure that the human race will survive and will be able to rebuild our world. To make it great again."

You blushed hearing Higgs' words about him liking younger girls, so to hide it you grabbed the glass and drank the wine that was poured by Mama.

Amelie nodded as she was cutting her piece of turkey into little slices. "We all are sober yet the topics are getting interesting already. I'm curious what will be next."

BB swam a little and moved closer to Sam.

"Oh, BB, granddaddy is here too, look, look," Clifford waved hand to get Lou's attention and then he put the Santa Claus hat on, playing with the pompon. "Look, little one! Granddad is Santa Claus!"

"To be fair, Y/N and Sam would look cute together. Imagine the cute kids they would have!" Mama said excited and Lockne nodded eagerly. "I want to be an aunt!"

Fragile noticed your red face and smiled gently rubbing your shoulder. "It's okay Y/N. Family is like this. They will talk and then they will stop."

Higgs frowned looking at Heartman. "Hey! Heart boy! I don't see the world getting better thanks to science boys like you," he growled resting his elbow on Sam's shoulder.

Sam quickly pushed it off his shoulder with an annoyed sound.

Higgs rolled his eyes before digging into his food. "Oh, fucking shit! This shit is good! Fucking better than a pizza! Oh! By the way, Sam! Lately you started to bring it cold. I don't like it."

Sam let out a loud sigh. "Then start to move your ass. You can jump and grab it yourself."

"Naaah! Making you visit me is more fun!," Higgs giggled.

You were covered in a blush after Mama and Lockne's words. You tugged on Sam's sleeve. "I swear, this is my first and last Christmas Eve ever."

You also giggled hearing complaints made by Higgs.

Heartman got up to get another piece of mashed potatoes. "To your information, Higgs, we build, not destroy, and that's the difference you'll never understand, you little devil's spawn."

Clifford clapped his hands. "Come on, guys, eat, eat or we won't get to presents this year!"

Die-Hardman smiled at his friend. "It's good to see you among us, Clifford."

Unger grinned and turned head to you. "Hey, Y/N, what drinks do we have except wine? I don't say it's bad but as for a real man, like me or my son, we could have something stronger. Cognac or whiskey."

Heartman chuckled. "You can always get Monster with vodka. Pretty dangerous mix but tasty. Tried a few times."

Sam chuckled at your comment. "At least next year I will have less work to do," he joked.

"Now I know why your heart is so fucked up. Since you drink such a mixes," Higgs commented before licking his plate completely clean. "I ask for more!"

Lockne, Mama and Fragile followed Cliff's order and started to eat as well.

"Well... For me some beer is enough," Sam said checking on Lou.

"I'll go get the drinks," you offered and politely excused yourself before getting off the table.

Heartman quickly got up too. "I'll help Y/N."

Amelie offered mashed potatoes to Higgs. "You're pretty hungry, aren't you?"

"Hell fucking yeah I am! Sitting in the bunker or camp and eating cold pizza ain't easy, sweetheart," Highs nodded and started to eat as soon as he got more food on his plate.

"Such a diet isn't good. You should eat more healthy stuff," Deadman said.

Higgs only shrugged, being too busy with his food.

Fragile sighed and shook her head. "No manners. You should spend some time with Clif to learn something, Higgs."

"Oh, I'd gladly train you, young man," Clifford said. "With me above you, you'd be running smoothly."

"I'm sorry, I know that thing I'll say is totally wrong but I imagined some other things, Clifford. With Monaghan beneath... Oh, dear God, forgive me for I have sinned," Heartman added before he left the room with you.

Die-Hardman spat himself with the wine he was drinking.

BB started chuckling.

Amelie blinked and facepalmed. "Maybe extinction is not a bad idea?"

Meantime, you and Heartman were in the pantry, collecting bottles of alcohol and cans of Monster and beer.

"I think that this little party is great, Y/N," Heartman stated. "Thank you for this opportunity of having some substitute for normal life, it's been a while since I felt truly happy," his voice broke a little, so you put the bottle of Jack Daniels and simply gave him a bear hug.

Sam choked on his food.

Mama and Lockne laughed loudly. "Not to offend anyone, that would be something nice to watch," Lockne said with a giggle.

Higgs hummed. "Sorry, ladies! I am more of a top but if any of you are interested, I am single as a pringle and ready to mingle. Just I am not into man, sorry, Mr Sam's papa."

Sam blinked, taking in what just happened and after a moment he groaned. It was a bit too much for him.

Soon, you and Heartman returned. You walked to Cliff and handed him a bottle of whiskey.

Heartman poured some vodka to everyone who wanted and handled Sam a can of beer.

"So, Y/N, are you enjoying the fest you threw?," Amelie asked with her soft glance on you.

"Yes, I do, even if I cringe from time to time, I think it's cute to have you all in one place."

You then turned to Fragile. "Hey, do you know something more about that Higgs guy who got here on blackballed? I need to think about something for him. I prepared gifts for everyone but him. I didn't expect anyone else to join," you whispered leaning to the woman.

Die-Hardman looked at Mama. "How is your research? Did you fix Sam's qupid?"

Mama nodded. "We did actually. Everything should be more than good once he is out again."

"It wasn't a hard fix. Just a few updates and it's working perfectly again," Lockne said before taking a sip of her wine.

"Uuuu! Smart ladies! I like it!," Higgs nudged Sam with elbow. "I need to get to know them. Twins are like two in one deal!"

"I am not doing that," Sam muttered with a frown.

Fragile looked at you. "Oh trust me, I know him a bit too much. He shouldn't get a gift for being a bad person," Fragile stated quietly.

"Yeah, I understand, but it will be in a bad tone to not gift one person... Ok, I'll think of something."

An hour passed on many talks, the atmosphere was filled with laughter.

"Dears, did anyone see Cliff?," Die-Hardman asked as he spotted his friend was missing.

You also vanished from the room.

BB was already sleeping and Amelie was sitting with Heartman, chatting like there was no tomorrow.

"I think Y/N took him to the other room," Sam said, looking at sleeping Lou.

"Maybe she decided to extend the human kind with him!," Higgs said quickly. "Since his son didn't want her, daddy decided to try it. I can't blame her," he shrugged.

"Just shut your mouth, Higgs," Sam growled.

Higgs giggled and continued to drink his beer.

"Hey, wait a minute, Lockne and Mama are gone, too," Heartman said as he was pulled from deep conversation with Amelie.

"Foursome?," Higgs purred while Sam facepalmed together with Fragile.

"Y/N probably planned something special. She prepared Christmas in smaller details," Deadman nodded his head a little. "The food was great."

"That's true!," Sam added.

Suddenly, the music came out of speakers.

Last Christmas I gave you my heart

But the very next day you gave it away

This year, to save me from tears

I'll give it to someone special

"HO-HO-HO!," The main door slid open and Clifford dressed as Santa Claus entered the room. He was having a huge bag thrown over his shoulder, his hat with pompom was tilted slightly.

His four comrades were having reindeer hats on.

You, Lockne and Mama entered the room right behind him, all three of you dressed in white, short dresses with wings made of silky material and snowflake patterns on your dresses, rocking to the music.

"Come here, children! I hope you all were good for the last year, ho-ho-ho!," Clifford took a seat in a huge armchair you borrowed from Die-Hardman. "It's time for presents!"

"So maybe Lou first, he is the youngest one, huh? What do you say?," Sam said softly, tapping on the glass gently to wake up the BB.

"I can go a second round! I am the most important bad guy here," Higgs said full of pride.

"Today my little, beautiful helpers will set the order, ho-ho-ho!," Clifford laughed deeply.

In the tact of music, Mama danced toward Sam and picked the pod with Lou from him.

"So, young gentleman, I know you've been a good, little bean, so I need to get inside my bag of presents to get yours! Aha! I have it!," Clifford pulled a new pod out, with the ribbon wrapped around it. "More space for dance, huh?"

Meantime, the song ended and the next one was on.

I sing this song

To pass the time away

Driving in my car

Driving home for Christmas

"Deadman for sure will move you into it as soon as possible. You should like it," Mama said with a smile.

"And Now back to papa," Lockne took BB and his gift to bring them back to Sam.

"Me now!," Higgs got up from his place and sat on Cliff's laps.

"So! Mr Santa-Sam's dad, what do you have for me, huh?," He smiled. "I was the best fucking boy the whole year!"

Cliff gently nudged Higgs' side to make him get off his lap. Clifford rubbed his long, white, fake beard. "We all know you've been the baddest but thankfully the beautiful lady over there," he pointed at you, "decided that you also deserved the gift. Let me find it in my bag of miracles."

Clifford reached into his bag and pulled the nicely wrapped box, he handled it to Monaghan. "Merry fucking Christmas, asshole."

It was nothing but a book about Egyptian mythology and a handmade cloak that was originally meant to be for Heartman.

"Thank you fucking much!," Higgs said excited and quickly returned to his seat to look at the stuff he got. He already loved them.

"So? Who's next... Maybe our Director." Mama said and walked to Die-hardman. "C'mon. Everyone gets something today."

Die-Hardman chuckled but let the lady scientist lead him to Clifford.

"And you!," Fake Santa Claus said, "You've been good, too. Here's your gift, merry Christmas!"

Die-Hardman was gifted with the themed tie with reindeers and with a polishing paste.

"It's for your mask, so it will always look classy," you smiled at him and as he returned to his seat, you walked to Heartman and grabbed him by palm.

"Ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas, Heartman!," Clifford grinned widely and gave the man a heart-shaped box, in which Heartman found a pair of gloves with heart motiv on each and a CD with classical music.

"Thank you, Y/N," he smiled brightly at you and kissed your cheek. "It's the best gift."

Sam looked at Fragile. "Go on. I am sure Santa also got something for you."

Woman nodded and got up from her seat to walk closer to Santa. "Well, I was a good girl. I think at least. I tried," Fragile said slowly.

"Dear Fragile, and your gift is in my bag, that's for sure! Just be patient as the old man will find it!," Clifford chuckled and soon gifted the woman with a new umbrella with Fragile logo.

Then it was time for Deadman who got new glasses.

Amelie was gifted with a golden necklace that fit her dress perfectly.

Lockne and Mama also got the present, it was a little blanket with an admixture of chiral matter. "This will help your sweet daughter to sleep in a cradle, she won't be drifting up under the ceiling," you smiled at them. "It was my project with Heartman's execution," you explained.

Clifford got new night-vision goggles.

In the end, Sam was gifted with a new suit.

Everyone was enjoying their gifts, talking about them and enjoying whatever time left.

"Y/N?," Sam looked at you. "What with your gift? Everyone got something and you?," He frowned.

"Yeah! Exactly! Where is the gift for our beautiful host?," Higgs looked at you over Sam's shoulder, he was already wearing the new cape.

"My gift is everywhere. It's the atmosphere you all created and this is more than I could dream about. My heart's beating faster when I see you enjoy the meals, the gifts," you smiled at Sam and Higgs.

Higgs sighed placing his chin on Sam's shoulder. "Isn't she adorable! But it's not fair. You did so much."

"I hate to say that but Higgs is right," Sam sighed.

"I need to agree with both of them. You did so much, in such a short time. You gathered all of us here," Deadman added. "Who else agree?"

All you could do was to smile at everyone. "I mean it, guys. I don't need gifts. You all are the greatest gift to me."

Heartman walked to you from behind. "We kinda predicted you will think of everyone but yourself. So here's the gift from us," he handed you a box.

Unwrapping it with shaking hands, you felt the heart racing in your chest. In the box you found a notebook in a leather cover and a few pencils.

"We've heard you like to draw," Die-Hardman smiled.

"Guys... Thank you! So much!!," You cried quietly while hugging the gift to your chest.

"We are in this together, Y/N. If everyone gets a gift it means you get one too," Sam shrugged Higgs off earning a groan from Monaghan.

Party continued.

People talked and laughed, simply enjoyed the company, while finishing whatever food left.

Die-Hardman was having so much fun that now he was dancing with Lockne to one of the christmas songs.

Higgs was sitting in his seat looking through the book you gave him. It's not like he had people to interact with here.

You definitely had too many drinks. After almost half an hour of dancing with Heartman, you had to rest at the table. You flopped on the first free seat which was the place next to America's most wanted terrorist. You clicked your high heels off and groaned. "How much I hate these shoes!," You muttered while stretching like a cat.

"Why did you put them on? If they are uncomfortable just never wear them again," Higgs shrugged. "End of the problem."

You blinked at the comment and chuckled. "Fair point though. You'll never understand this though as you're the man and I'm the woman. Our brains are different," you hiccuped.

"I know when to stop drinking. You'll never understand this though as you're the woman and I am the man. Our brains are different," He giggled, teasing you.

You laughed at his comment; this man was about to be a death of yours.

You got up from your chair and reached out to him. "Hey, vamos a bailar!," You asked him with a little smile dancing in the corners of your mouth. "Pretty please?"

"No idea what you’ve just said but yea, sure, I agree on anything, sugar," Higgs said, returning a smile. "Lead the way."

You grabbed his palm firmly, without hesitation, and led him right into the dancefloor which was just the free space on the floor, next to the Christmas tree.

Heartman followed you with a frown. "I don't like it," he whispered to Fragile.

You climbed on your tiptoes to wrap your arms around a man's neck, both to get a bit intimidated and to support yourself from falling.

Fragile looked at you and Higgs, she shrugged.

"Since we have Death Stranding free day, let them enjoy it. After it's over, they will be mortal enemies again," she said and smiled. "Why? Are you jealous?"

Higgs chuckled. "Holy me, you are so small when I keep you close! I fucking love it."

Heartman blushed a little, rolled his eyes and lowered his thumb, taking 5 likes from Fragile before he moved aways with dancing moves, to join Mama.

You chuckled nervously at Higgs comment. "Thanks, I take it as a compliment," you simply rested your forehead against his chest.

She only laughed and nodded. "Thank you for confirming this, Heartman!," Fragile said a bit louder.

Higgs wrapped arms around your waist and nodded. "Oh yes, you indeed should take it as a compliment. Maybe I really should kidnap you as my christmas gift."

You giggled at his words while rocking into the rhythm of the music with him. "Maybe," you teased. "But I think that Sam and his dad would twist your neck after."

You suddenly raised a head to look at him, and you noticed a mistletoe above his head.

Higgs thought, looking at both men before his gaze returned to you. "Hmm... I honestly think it would be worth it," he noticed that you looked up and followed you. "Oh, fucking finally!,” Higgs said excited and pressed his lips against yours in a messy kiss.

You blinked when his lips crushed on yours but soon closed your eyes and enjoyed the kiss. You take the attempt to dominate him in the kiss but you fail so finally you give up your tries and simply wrap your arms around his neck.

Higgs pulled way after a moment and winked at you.

He reached up to take a small part of the mistletoe and then sneaked to Sam.

"Oh! Sammy boy!," Higgs sang.

Sam sighed deeply and turned to look at him. "What?," He frowned, seeing the mistletoe. "You kidding?"

Higgs gave him a wide smile and suddenly licked Sam's nose, making the other man froze.

Like nothing ever happened Higgs returned to you.

You started laughing hysterically which resulted in you losing the balance and almost falling on the floor, thankfully Higgs was faster and caught you in his arms.

Clifford spat all the whiskey he was about to swallow on Die-Hardman's shirt.

Heartman turned head around to see what happened but he lost his balance and fell on Lockne who spilled her wine right onto the electronic device on his chest.

Heartman's AED turned on and kicked him with an electric glitch, causing him to die on the spot.

"Higgs, you killed Heartman!," Amelie screamed.

"Nooot first and not the last death!" Higgs said with a shrug before kissing your lips quickly. "It's getting late and I have nukes to build! See you maybe next year!" He winked at you before vanishing.

As you lost Higgs as your frame, you fell right onto the floor and rolled on your back, still laughing.

"Or maybe not! It can wait!," Higgs said after returning. "Besides I didn't take my gifts."

"You really need to turn everything upside down?," Sam sighed, shaking his head.

"That's my job!," Higgs shrugged. "Who wants a drink?!"

You raised your hand up, still laying on the floor. You discovered it was a pretty comfortable place to rest. Or maybe you were just too drunk?

After 3 minutes another electric shock made Heartman's heart work properly again, and the man woke up, sitting on the floor. "What the fuck!"

Clifford was helping Die-Hardman to clean his shirt. "Monaghan! Stop being a douche-bag to everyone! If you won't listen, I'll have to shoot you," he warned, almost growling.

Amelie helped Heartman back on his feet. "You okay?"

"Yes, it's fine."

BB started crying.

Higgs quickly helped you up and smiled. "Oh, c'mon, Clifford! Everyone is well and alive. Even the heart boi. Practically, I did nothing wrong," he shrugged.

Sam let out a deep sigh. "It's Higgs after all. What else we can expect."

Higgs agreed with Sam, hugging you tightly.

You felt squeezed by his arms. "Can't... Breathe...," you whispered quietly hoping for him to lose his grasp.

Heartman smoothened his suit. "I almost forgot! I borrowed a camera from my friend's geologist. I want to take a picture of our pack, except you," he pointed his index finger at Higgs.

"Heartman, let him. He spent the entire evening with us, one photo won't affect anyone," Amelie nudged the man's chest.

"I fucking love photos!," Higgs jumped happily. "The host should have the honor of setting us for a photo!," He said excitedly.

You smiled at Higgs and squeezed his palm that you were still holding. "Okay, fellas. Clifford and Mama, you two go on left. Yes, just like that. Amelie, you with Fragile and Sam can take a seat on the couch."

"Sam, maybe you can be in the middle?," Amelie smiled at her stepbrother.

You pecked your lips as you were thinking. "Okay, Die-Hardman, would you be so kind to take a seat here, on the pouffe? Yes, just like that, thank you. Deadman, you can take our lovely Lou and stand next to the pouffe a little. Hmmm, and Heartman, my lovely friend, you can stand behind Die-Hardman. That's it! Perfect! Lockne, can you stand right next to your sister?"

Sam wasn't too happy he wasn't holding Lou but nodding he followed your little orders.

Mama and Lockne stood exactly where you wanted them, just like a Deadman.

"I see a perfect place for myself!," Higgs claimed excitedly and lied down on the floor. He turned on his side and propped up his head on a hand. "Perfect!"

You facepalmed a little but chuckled at the villain's idea. "Actually, you fit there perfectly, Higgs!"

You quickly set the camera on the shelf and made sure to turn the timer on, then you quickly ran to take a seat next to the Die-Hardman.

The flash lit the room and the picture was taken.

"Cool! Can I get one? I will have a nice souvenir from that nice day," Higgs asked from the floor. "I had so much fun!"

"Yes, of course you can!," You smiled at him and ran to the camera to set it again to take a second pic.

When the dawn was about to knock at the door, and when almost everyone was sleeping in weird positions where they could, you led Higgs to the exit. "I never thought I'd have so much fun with them all. And, though I didn't expect you, I'm grateful you came," you smiled at him and handled him his gifts to make sure he won't forget to take them along. "I put the picture into the book."

Higgs nodded, taking the book.

"Yeah, It was fucking fun. I enjoyed it," He sighed, looking at the gift from you. "Too bad that as soon as I leave we'll become a mortal enemies again,"

"Maybe you'll but not to me," assuring him, you grabbed his palm and squeezed it lightly. "No matter what you'd do, you gained a friend," you smiled.

Higgs took your palm and kissed the top of it. "Thank you, sugar. I will remember that."

"Take care of yourself as we need to meet next year for another Christmas party," you chuckled softly and blushed a bit at his sudden gesture.

Then, like he was one of the good guys, you wrapped your arms around his waist and hugged him. "Please, stay safe and see you in a year. Remember, you have to pop up! No excuse as it won't feel like Christmas without you."

Higgs hugged you, being totally confused but he nodded with a soft chuckle.

"Okay, I will try my best. See you in a year," He slowly pulled away and winked at you before vanishing.

You smiled to yourself while observing the flipped rainbow on the sky and hearing the thunder.

Despite your efforts, the Death Stranding still was on.

#sam porter bridges #higgs monaghan #clifford unger #heartman #mama #lockne #die-hardman #deadman #amelie strand #sam porter bridges x reader #heartman x reader #higgs monaghan x reader #death stranding #higgs monaghan fic #sam porter bridges fic

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planetchii · 3 years

Text

THE NICHIASA SHITPOSTING REPORT

TIME IS A MANMADE CONCEPT. ALSO KNOWN AS I THOUGHT I ALREADY DID THIS.

IN THIS EPISODE: AN AOZORA ELECTION DAY SPECIAL, A DISGRUNTLED SISTER TEACHES THE FAVORITE SISTER HOW TO FLY AND THE ZENKAIGER TENNIS GRAND PRE.

Tropical Rouge: It's the start of the general election season for the Aozora Middle School Student Council. And good news everyone, you can't be student council president of a middle school when you're going to be promoted to high school. That means that Asuka's ex is at the end of her term limit, and it's time for a new, fresh face to run the school. And Laura knows just the person to bring Aozora Middle School into the new golden age of rule.

That person is Laura.

I mean, what's a student council president then good practice for her rule as Grand Ocean's Next Top Queen? This should be easy. I mean who wouldn't be on board for changing the name of the Student Council President to "Queen", or having classes in the ocean or mandatory fish tails or something. Obviously, she is the best candidate. Forget that other candidate the disciplinary committee's Masami or good candidate Rika. Obviously, Laura is Sakuragawa Sensei approved.

Meanwhile, the girls are reminded that Asuka also has a backstory. Much to the surprise of absolutely three people, we're told that Asuka was once part of the Tennis club, and was doubles partners with her ex. Local bibliophile was quoted as saying, "I didn't think it was important." Seems Laura also agrees, as she wants to discuss her lofty goals, which causes her cabinet to have to revise her plans to something more doable.

Meanwhile, Chongire has some things to say about the current state of political affairs and demands an audience with the Presidental Candidate and her choices for cabinet positions. But it turns out that leaving the final speeches is an auto-disqualification. Saving the world does not matter in the political world. Honestly, it was unfair and some real fake news #stopthecount hours. Laura even told the assembly that she would be back. What's wrong with waiting like, 5 minutes? This was obviously a ploy to keep the smug fish from power. Oh well. At least she'll have the Grand Ocean.

Revice: After saving his sister Sakura and his "She's a girl, and a friend but not a girlfriend" girlfriend Ayaka, Ikki... still refuses to sign the contract to make him a magical girl employee of FENIX. This leads to his brother to rage quit the simulation and do something useful like his actual stamp collecting job.

Meanwhile, Sakura goes to look for her friend. After such a terrible ordeal, it's always best to check on your friends. But Ayaka's mom didn't know where she was. She felt no need to keep track of such people because she wasn't the favorite child. Only one of them was going to be her meal ticket to riches, and it wasn't going to be her non-idol daughter. But it's okay, because Ayaka found a new job, with new friends, and a new uniform and sparkly shoes. Hey, wait a minute...

Back at FENIX HQ, George is dealing with Daiji insisting that this time he can transform. THIS time he'll be successful and won't chicken out of putting the belt on, let alone stamping it. George promptly tells Daiji that his OS is woefully out of date and not even compatible. Meanwhile, while Daiji is being told he has to do a complete system overall to be software compatible, a concert is going on! Headlined by Ayaka's sister's idol group. Everyone's having a great time and dancing to the song. Everyone but Ayaka at least, who just wants her mom to look at her. When she still has no time for a non-idol daughter, Ayaka finally decides it's time for a Pokemon battle. Since Ayaka's mom doesn't have a Pokemon, Ikki and Vice transform to fight the Kong Pokemon in place of the mom. And with the encouragement of her new friend, the girl in the baseball cap that looks suspiciously like Angelina, Ayaka evolves her Pokemon using herself as an evolving stone. And the Kong Deadman's first mission: See if Ayaka's sister can fly. I'm sure if she believes, she can do it. This leads to Family Fight Round 2 between Ikki and Daiji because both are far too prideful and/or thinking of ways to make more money for the bathhouse.

Meanwhile, Daiji decides to offer an olive branch in the form of a new stamp, after both of them talked to their mom separately, who told both of them to knock it off.

The next day, Ayaka decides it's time for her sister to show off her night-long training for flying. And what do you know, her mom starts to actually talk to her. Ayaka will now get one (1) hour a week, uninterrupted with her mother without her sister. And with a patented Rider Kick (TM), Ayaka was separated from her leveled-up Kong Pokemon and Ikki wins the PokeBattle.

And finally, Ikki signs the contract. And Vice celebrates by watching someone Photoshop Ikki out of a family photo.

Zenkaiger: Yacchan and Magine go on a girls' day out to a nice cafe to have some fancy pastries without any wackiness involved. Such as a nice, calming day.

Meanwhile, Kaito is just trying to make some deliveries. Kaito is just trying to do his day job. Too bad boyfriend #2, Stacey, has decided that he hasn't had nearly enough alone time with Kaito and he will not be demoted in favor of the pirate. But Kaito is determined to make his mail rounds and tells him to meet up with Yatsune at Colorful. His not!grandma will be happy to fatten him up on more ice cream.

That's not good enough, and they will throw down now. At least Secchan told everyone what's happening between the two.

Left all alone with all the fancy baked goods, Yatsune waits. At least, until Tennis World shows up for the baked goods to turn everyone into tennis balls. The Tennis World is out of them you know. They can't play tennis if they have no balls. And people are abundant. But Yatsune comes to help! After helping the civilians escape, Yatsune bravely grabs her Geartlinger, and transforms into... wait, I'm being told she doesn't have a Geartlinger.

I'm now being told that she is being told that she does not have a Geartlinger. And now she's a tennis ball.

Coming to fight is Zox, because he's been home bored. While the group (and Stacey from his tsuntsun corner) is checking in with the newest tennis ball in the block, Vox is told by Tennis World that the only way to beat him is by tennis.

"So we will have a Tennis competition." -Vox, 2021

It turns out that Zox isn't just a manga otaku. He's a tennis otaku. And he picked up tennis because of his favorite manga, The Prince Pirate of Tennis. When Vox goes into a fandom, he goes in hard. And makes it his mission to make sure that the entire Zenkaiger group is at least not embarrassingly bad at tennis. Of course, when I say "Zox picked up tennis because of his manga" I of course mean, in that 10-minute discussion about the actual threat. But he's still better than the rest of the group.

At least Kaito is also slightly better than the rest of them. Also, good on Kaito for wearing his pride over his heart. Or at least I think that's his heart, I'm bad at anatomy.

We now enter into a cool, 90's montage which may or may not help with their backhand. So does Stacey, who turns out to be actually good at the tennis thing. Especially when all of his boyfriend's teammates are losing to rigged tennis. After Stacey puts on his best Prince Pirate of Tennis costume, he promptly shows how he is the 5-time Kikitopia champion of Rigged Tennis. Because the only thing Stacey loves more than tennis is hating on Tennis World. And Stacey promptly breaks the mask of the Tennis World and walks off. This gives the opening for the Zenkaiger and Twokaizer groups to finally beat the Tennis World, then beat the Dai Tennis World.

Zox even complements Stacey, which is met with a resounding "Fuck Off."

Back at Colorful, the two teams are given new celebratory towels and relay a story to Yatsune that "Satoshi" is pretty good at the tennis thing. Much to Yatsune's happiness, and Stacey's confusion somewhere else.

#precure #pretty cure #tropical rouge precure #tropical rouge pretty cure #kamen rider #kamen rider revice #zenkaiger #kikai sentai zenkaiger

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jenniferrpovey · 4 years

Text

Her Legacy

Please spread this piece widely - it’s for all paramedics and EMTs on the front lines. This is a gift, and you can post it as LONG as you credit me. Her Legacy

Jennifer R. Povey

It wasn't a good day. Now, it was very rare for Sophie to have a good day. Or rather, by definition, a good day was a day off.

Every other day was that odd mix of boredom and terror that came with being where she was, doing what she was. Either you were doing nothing, or you were scrambling.

Today had been, up until now, a doing nothing day and part of her had hoped it would stay a doing nothing day.

Then the alert came, and she sighed inwardly. The selfish part of her knew that this meant her shift would not be over quite as soon as she had thought.

The part of her that had chosen this job stirred in a different way. Somebody was in trouble; in danger or sick or hurt and it was her duty and joy to help them. She pulled herself together figuratively and literally (she had partially unzipped her jumpsuit) and ran to the shuttle.

Gora, her Ilarian pilot was already waiting and strapped in. She dipped her muzzle. Ilarians didn't generally nod, but Gora had picked up the gesture.

She strapped herself in. "What do we have?"

"Freighter in distress," the dispatcher said. "Sick pilot. We already have a tug out there to keep them from flying into anything important.

She nodded. Once they were en route, she unstrapped and checked the back of the shuttle This was the dangerous part in some ways; she knew more than one person who had ended up needing treatment for a concussion because they banged their head moving around under thrust, but it was part of the job. You learned to be careful, that was all.

Everything was stable. "Dispatch, what do we know about the pilot's condition? And what about the co-pilot?"

In-system freighters generally had a pilot and co-pilot. There could also be a couple of passengers aboard; it was rare, specialist passenger ferries were faster and more comfortable, but it did happen.

"Idiot seems to have tried to do the run alone."

Dispatch was an AI. That didn't mean he didn't have opinions on stupid people, and Sophie cracked a smile. "Well, then he'll be dealing with the license authorities when he's better. What species?"

"You really need to ask?"

Sophie sighed. "Human. Caucasian."

"In one."

It wasn't that humans were all that more reckless; it was that humans tended to get away with it more than most other species. So the reckless ones tended to live to do even more stupid things.

Like this.

The freighter was still careening. The tug had yet to get a good grip on it.

"He's accelerating," Gora said with a sigh. "Maybe he collapsed over the controls."

"The deadman's should stop that."

"On that?" Ilarians didn't smile, but the slight appearance of the very tip of her tongue was a good substitute for that habit.

She was probably right. Sophie could tell that it the freighter was a total rustbucket. Maybe the pilot had done the run alone because nobody else wanted to do it with him.

She didn't know the gender, but she was sure it was a he. Nine times out of ten something this stupid was a young male.

No, she was stereotyping, and that was unworthy of her. "Can you get us alongside?"

"It's risky."

"And that guy could be dying." It was his own fault; but it didn't matter.

You saved them all, even the ones who risked themselves and others.

And if they could get hooked on, Gora could get control back over the ship while she worked on the pilot. "Please. Do it."

Gora nodded again, her muzzle making the gesture almost too obvious, exaggerated.

A caricature of humanity. She glanced at the Ilarian again; short fur, long pointed ears, the slight muzzle, all of which spoke of a different evolution.

The fact that her fur was blue spoke of it even more. Chemicals other than melanin protected her from the light of a very different sun.

And then Sophie threw herself into her seat as the shuttle accelerated. She didn't move around under this thrust. Accelerating to full speed. Pushing the shuttle past its normal cruise speed was something you did.

It always made the mechanics complain. Something would break. She was just making sure it wasn't her. She didn't want to be a patient by the end of the day.

She got the straps closed just in time as Gora decelerated. Once more, she was amazed with her partner's skill.

There was a reason she always let Gora fly; she wasn't a terrible pilot, but she wasn't that good.

Twisting to the side. She felt her shoulder wrench; that was going to need attention later, she already knew that.

But there was nothing she could do about it. And then she felt them latch on, the shudder that went through.

"Got a good hatch?"

"Got a good hatch." With the ship latched on, Gora could leave the controls. Their fate was now tied to the freighter's.

If it hit something...

The hatch was stuck. Sophia had to use a literal crowbar to force it once the seal was in place.

She pulled on her rebreather before going through, checking the atmospheric readings. Good choice; the carbon dioxide levels were a little high. "Dispatch, what are the pilot's symptoms?"

"Headache, vertigo, bit of a cough."

"I don't think he's sick. I think it's life support failure." She glanced at Gora, made sure she had her own mask in place and then headed into the ship.

It was held together by duct tape and prayers and the duct tape was wearing out.

Headache, vertigo, bit of a cough. She went over that. The rebreather would also protect her from viral and bacterial infection. She already had her gloves on.

It was most likely a life support problem. But there were other things it could be.

Gora might or might not have to worry. Some bugs cared what species they infected. Some didn't. Fungi were...

Fungi.

Headache, vertigo, bit of a cough, stale smell in the air.

Crap.

She suddenly sped up. Of course, she'd got a breath of it herself, but if it was what she was afraid it was, early treatment would work.

The pilot hadn't gotten early treatment.

She moved quickly, hearing Gora behind her. The freighter was, thankfully, a stock model; she knew exactly where the bridge would be.

The bridge. The man slumped over the controls. She'd been right in all of her demographic guesses except one; he wasn't a young man.

He was an old one, pushing past retirement, trying to keep doing what he loved on a shoestring, fighting off the creditors.

This would be his last trip one way or the other.

Gora dropped into the copilot seat, started slowing the freighter.

Carefully, she examined the man. Checked him for broken bones before turning him over.

The grayish cast to his face said it all. Crap.

"Leri fever."

Gora paled.

She pulled out the bag, tossed Gora a vial. "You know what you have to do as soon as you have us stopped."

The second one was for the patient.

The third one was for her. But the patient would need more. She imagined the black tendrils going through his lungs.

She imagined what would have happened if he'd landed. What might be happening. "Dispatch, we have leri fever. Find out where this guy is from, alert medical there, get them to dose everyone."

She took the dose and then turned back to the patient.

And got to work.

Quarantine was boring. The worst part was that she couldn't do her job. She caught up on her favorite TV shows.

And she looked through old pictures. She found the one of her standing next to the Emergency Medicine Memorial on Earth, its graceful lines behind her resembling a bird taking flight. Or a protective mask.

And she thought about the fact that she had never had to deal with the events that had caused it to be erected. Even leri fever, as nasty as it was, had gone through its pandemic phase before she had been born.

She thought about the fact that she'd never had to go out there, look at her coworkers, and wonder which of them would survive.

Knowing it could not be all of them.

And being in quarantine suddenly didn't seem so bad. Being part of that lineage, that honorable band going back through the centuries, back to the very first person who had discovered chewing certain leaves prevented a cough and spread that knowledge to others.

To those who had tried to fight the Black Death with no knowledge of germ theory.

To those who had fought against swine flu, and bird flu, and SARS, and COVID.

She was part of them, and the risk was what she did.

She was their legacy and the students coming up would be hers.

#fiction #science fiction #long post

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eternalmydnyt · 3 years

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So I decided its time for another one of my random peeks i give into my insanity. This is the playlist of songs on my IPhone. Some are there just because i like them but for the most part music is a form of self therapy for me, the voices find things in life which lets them feel manifest and music is a way to feel them, touch them, and communicate with them in a generally harmless environment. Plus this can give anyone who reads an glimpse into my head and my tastes

In no particular order Im going to follow this format for the list

"Title" Band

Affecting Lyrics

How it affects me

Lets begin shall we?

"Get Well" Icon For Hire

Don't tell the others but it's all getting old

I mean how many more times must our stories be told?

And being lonely's only fun in a group

It sort of loses it's charm when it's true

This is a song about someone who is tired of suffering. Someone who has decided that its time to get serious about changing for the better. The voice in my head who reacts most to this is Eleni, Eleni doesnt want to be broken anymore, doesnt want to be crazy and fractured. She is my internal caretaker and OCD. She is who i draw on when i need to get things done regardless of how i feel.

"My Name" Shinedown

My name is worthless like you told me I once was

My name is empty cause you drained away the love

My name is searching since you stole my only soul

My name is hatred and the reasons we both know

Micheal... he is so angry all the time. Angry about the past, angry about the present, angry about the future. He is my rage at a world that should be more then what it is. Micheal is the one who is most "Me" of the voices. He is the one who is the closest to being who i would if i didnt have to constantly wear a thousand masks for society. He cares about some but in general he just wants to see everyone burn until they understand his pain.

"Break In" Halestorm

You are the only one

The only one that sees me

Trusts me and believes me

You are the only one

The only one that knows me

And in the dark you show me

Yeah it's perfectly reckless

Damn you leave me defenseless

So break in

This is my song i dedicate to Francine and everything she does for me. She is one of only 3 people who I truelly trust and who knows almost everything about me. She has saved me.

"Carry on my Wayward Son" Supernatural 200th Episode Cover.

Masquerading as a man with a reason

My charade is the event of the season

And if I claim to be a wise man,

Well, it surely means that I don't know

Ok this one is just because i REALLY like it. Especially this version.

"Indestructible" Disturbed

Another reason, another cause for me to fight

Another fuse uncovered now, for me to light

My dedication to all that I've sworn to protect

I carry out my orders without a regret

Ahh Alex. He is aggressive and territorial. He isnt Angry the way Micheal is but he is more violent. He was the part of me that couldnt remember fighting back against bullies, the part which would lash out in violence against anyone who mistreated me. He was dangerous and volitile in school but he had reasons to be. He changed as I got older... now he is more of a gatekeeper. He protects the people i trust... deciding who is "Pack" and who isnt. If he doesnt accept you then I dont trust you. I dont have many in my circle but he is the one who holds the guest list. If you arent in the circle then Alex lets Micheal have you.

"Divide" Disturbed

I am a little more provocative then you might need,

It's your shock and then your horror on which I feed

So can you tell me what exactly does freedom mean,

If I'm not free to be as twisted as I wanna be

Don't wanna be another player losing in this game

I'm trying to impress upon you

We're not the same

My psychotic mentality is so unique

I'm one aggressive motherfucker

Now, wouldn't you say

Ever since Micheal became violent he has been fighting against being classified with the rest. He hates being "Just another voice" he believes he is THE voice and the others should serve him. I like Micheal alot... he is one i rely on and consider one of my closest allies because he has the strength to drown out the others when i need him to... but god he can be a self important dick sometimes.

"Without Me" Eminem

Now this looks like a job for me so everybody just follow me

'Cause we need a little controversy,

'Cause it feels so empty without me

This is another i just really like. Hell of a beat. Good music for a walk.

"Fuck Away the Pain" Divide the Day

You hate the way he fooled around behind your back

A slave to him but now with me, no strings attached

But if you wanna use me up and leave me in the bed

If that's what you need go right ahead

Ahh Gray. I was wondering when you would show up. Gray loves this song. Being eternally a teenager his greatest joys in life are Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll. If he could spend all his time getting high, getting laid, and playing Call of Duty he would be a happy boy. He reminds me to have fun and relax. I just wish he wasnt so pushy about it.

"Love Bites (So Do I)" Halestorm

My lips are pale and vicious.

You’re foaming at the mouth.

You’ve suffered in the darkness.

I’ll suck the pain right out.

So come and taste the reason

I’m nothing like the rest.

I kiss you in a way you’ll never forget about me.

Two Gray songs in a row. He is a firm believer that the best cure for pain is to leave it behind with fun and pleasure. Someone hurt you? Leave em behind and find something better. He doesnt get why it has to be any more complicated then that.

"Innocence" Halestorm

Is this what you wanted

Did I make your dreams come true?

You're sitting in a corner

Wondering what you got into

And you ache for things you don't understand

That your tears don't mean a thing

I only cum when you scream

Raven. I dont talk about her much. Micheal is angry and Alex is Violent but Raven enjoys it. Raven wants to inflict pain not for revenge or to protect me... she wants to inflict pain because she enjoys it. She loves the idea of having power over another person and being able to control the difference between their pleasure and their pain. finding out just what it would take to push someone to the point where the carress of fingertips and the carress of a blade provoke the same reaction... be it screams or moans. Raven came to being during a time in my life when all i did was suffer... and when all you do is suffer you find ways to enjoy even that.

"Leave it all behind" Cult to Follow

Forget the decay

And the endlessness of all of our mistakes

Forget all the blame

And the apathy

And throw it all away

Forget the Pain

Forget the Hate

Forget all your Enemies

They never will break you again

This would probobly be most associated with my serpent. He isnt vocal... he is cold and empty... armored and predatory. He is instinct and survival. He turns me off. When my emotions are more then i can handle his scales harden me and keep them out... better to feel nothing then to be overwhelmed.

"My Songs know what you did in the Dark" Fall Out Boy

A constellation of tears on your lashes

Burn everything you love, then burn the ashes

In the end everything collides

My childhood spat back out the monster that you see

Another Micheal... have i mentioned he is loud? I think one of the largest things that fuels his rage is the fact that maybe I would be so much healthier if someone had jus seen what was going on when i was a child and helped me then... no instead the schools were content just labeling me "Antisocial with Anger Control Issues and an Overactive Imagination" Fucking lazy ass socalled professionals...

"What I've Done" Linkin Park

I'll face myself

To cross out what I’ve become

Erase myself

And let go of what I’ve done

This song speaks to me but its hard to pinpoint why. Theres alot in my life i regret... Life needs a Do-over button.

"Porn Star Dancing" My Darkest Days

She wraps those hands around that pole

She licks those lips and off we go

She takes it off nice and slow

Because that's pornstar dancin'

Gray loves this song... not only for its literal lyrics bot also for the fact he has convinced himself its one long ass Blowjob analogy.

"Runnin" Adam Lambert

'Round and around I'd go, addicted to the numb

Living in the cold

The higher, the lower the down, down, down

Sick of being tired and sick of waiting

For another kind of fix

The damage is damning me down, down, down

Love this song... Speaks to me but at the same time it is one that im not sure who in my head reacts most. It just makes me happy.

"Save Yourself" My Darkest Days

You’re the perfect drug when it hurts like hell

I've never needed anyone so much

There’s no-one else I love and I curse myself

Cause the right thing is to give you up

I’m overcome by shame cause I can never change

And you can never understand my sickness

(I’ll never understand my sickness)

This is a Micheal. He is angry and violent and seeks pain on others... but there are people he cares about. He doesnt want to hurt them but he cant change what he is. So I try to keep him tempered with the lighter voices despite him being by far my strongest.

Bah i'm gonna stop here. Theres a few more songs on the list but they are mostly just because i really enjoy the sound of em. Ill put them in a quick list.

"I am Murloc" Elite Tauren Chieftain

"Bad Girlfriend" Theory of a Deadman

"Careless Whisper" Seether

"Chicken with a Train" Cowboy Troy

"Swing" Trace Adkins

"I dont Dance" High School Musical (Dont judge me!)

"Let it Go" Frozen (Dont you dare fucking Judge me lol)

#music #voices in my head #scream into the void

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entergamingxp · 4 years

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The cult of Hideo Kojima • Eurogamer.net

Hideo Kojima’s entrance to the Singapore leg of the Death Stranding world tour felt carefully calibrated for impact. After a few moments in a pitch black hall, a palpable sense of anticipation pulsing through the crowd, the famed video game designer made a sudden appearance centre stage. Illuminated by the spotlight, his figure cast a faint silhouette on the wall, with only his face visible through a cutout in an opaque screen. Then the audience roared their approval as the screen gradually rose, unveiling more of the man himself and the rest of the stage. It was an electrifying moment, but it also encapsulates the spirit of the Death Stranding tour: a celebration of Kojima’s unorthodox achievements.

This may sound like sheer bombast, but there probably isn’t another figure quite like Kojima in gaming today. To his fans, his work on Metal Gear Solid cemented his title as one of the industry’s few gaming auteurs, while the series’ popularity – and his constant shoulder-rubbing with Hollywood celebrities such as Mads Mikkelsen and Guillermo Del Toro – also propelled him to mainstream success. Hell, even Kanye West isn’t immune to his fame. An air of reverence follows him wherever Kojima goes, with think pieces written about his (and his team’s) creations with the same breathless awe others would ascribe to beloved film directors and renowned musicians.

This prestige surrounding him has inevitably seeped into real life. During the Death Stranding tour, both the organisers and backstage crew fussed about him as they busied themselves with every minutiae of the media interview. Does he have enough sparkling water to drink? Where should the interviewers stand? Do the reporters need this additional seat in front of the coffee table? It was a stark departure from the appearances of other game designers, who have visited our sunny island with significantly less fanfare. Yet when Kojima finally arrived for his interview – with a small entourage, no less – he warmly shook our hands and quickly went to his seat. Like clockwork, a Sony representative swiftly brought a drink and coaster to the table, while the rest of the team stood around eagerly, watching closely as the interview proceeded. At one point, Kojima gestured nervously and muttered something in Japanese, and one of his crew members motioned for us to take a seat; our staring at him was making him a little skittish.

Meanwhile, the intense fan reception only heightened the fervor around Kojima’s arrival. As the tickets to the tour were free, online tickets released just a week before were quickly snapped up within 10 minutes of their release, with scalpers seizing the opportunity to make a quick buck – and some tickets going for as much as SG$300 (around US$220). Other fans complained about the lack of tickets on the event’s public Facebook page, with one even suggesting regional fans who were planning to fly down shouldn’t be allowed to redeem tickets, as locals should get first priority. Another chatted with me over Facebook, saying he discovered Kojima’s flight and hotel details, and was planning to greet him when he touched down. “I did my homework and and it’s not hard to figure out bro,” he said. “I mean [the details are] not exactly 100 per cent accurate but I would say 80 per cent.” A PR representative from Sony confirmed that some fans were, indeed, waiting for Kojima at the airport.

Some fans brought their Death Stranding and Metal Gear Solid merchandise along, hoping to get them signed.

Then there are those who camped out the night before just to secure walk-in tickets, even though ticket collection would only officially start at noon the next day. Others came down to the venue in the wee morning at around 7am, eager to catch a glimpse of the creator. “It’s just the experience of meeting him. He’s an artist, an entrepreneur, and he has influenced a lot of our lives through his games,” said a fan. “He treats his games as not just a cash cow or a product, but as an experience.” Despite having to queue under the sweltering afternoon heat, many were in an upbeat mood as they showed me their Death Stranding and Metal Gear Solid merchandise and chatted about their admiration for Kojima.

Kojima fans are eager to catch a glimpse of their hero – and plenty more spoke fondly of him.

Heightening the anticipation of meeting Kojima was the appearance of cosplayers at the event. Fans and photographers were snapping away at one, who was dressed up as Death Stranding’s Fragile; her entire costume, including the distinctive motif on the back of her jacket, was carefully painted on and crafted by hand. Another was decked in Deadman’s distinctive black and red suit, and was busy taking requests for photos when I first approached him. “I’ve been following his works since Metal Gear. I like the way he tells stories. Most of his games have commentaries about what he thinks about the world… Metal Gear series is all about anti-war, and now Death Stranding is about connections,” he said.

Much to many fans’ delight, a few Death Stranding cosplayers were ready and available for photos.

It’s this very connection that makes up the thematic core of Death Stranding, which is purportedly the reason behind the world tour. That was a point Kojima brought up a few times during the event, as well as during his media interview; he mentioned the world tour was, in fact, a form of “indirection connection to the game”, and an opportunity to meet his international fans. In the game itself, the protagonist Sam has to deliver precious cargo across a post-apocalyptic America, and along the way, traverse across harsh terrains with discarded items and structures left behind by other players.

During the Q&A segment, Kojima spoke freely on Death Stranding’s game design, as well as the significance of this feature, while accompanied by art director Yoji Shinkawa. His studio’s head of marketing and communications, Aki Saito, doubled up as a translator for the two men. Through Saito, Kojima explained the feature serves as an intangible link that binds every player together. “If there’s a river or there’s a crevice, you put a ladder down for yourself at first – same as any game. It’s just for your benefit,” he said. “When you cross the ladder to the bridge, all the people around the world can see that ladder, and people use that bridge and you get ‘likes’. So you think, I was only doing this for me, but it made me help other people… When you understand that, the next time you put down a ladder, you think about yourself and the other [players] that might follow.”

It goes without saying the Death Stranding world tour is, of course, a clever marketing gimmick, one that banks heavily on Kojima’s enigma to drum up more interest in the game. Some people I spoke to attended the event out of sheer curiosity, divulging that they would have done something else that day if the venue was too packed. But the concept of making social connections – or “strands”, to borrow a word from the Death Stranding lexicon – by meeting with fans and players all over the world would have sounded like complete hogwash, if not for Kojima’s sincerity. When the Q&A session concluded, the host announced that everyone in attendance – all 500 people in the hall – would be invited to a one-on-one photo-taking session with him. The news was received with explosive cheers. And to be fair to Kojima, that was probably a rather exhausting undertaking.

But even though some fans were dismayed to discover there were no autographs sessions with the creator, most were only too elated to meet Kojima up close. One fan told me: “It was the most sincere game event I have ever attended,” and showed me a short homage he wrote on Kojima’s achievements. Another compared Kojima’s influence to Sir Alex Ferguson with Manchester United, saying: “Kojima-san, Metal Gear Series is nothing without you as director.” While the cult of personality surrounding Kojima can sometimes feel almost mythical and even excessive – like that one time where Sony was giving out Kojima masks at the Madrid Games Week – it’s efforts like these that gives his fans the rare opportunity to meet their personal hero. And everyone else? We are all just players in the myth-making of one of gaming’s most well-known creators.

from EnterGamingXP https://entergamingxp.com/2019/12/the-cult-of-hideo-kojima-%e2%80%a2-eurogamer-net/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-cult-of-hideo-kojima-%25e2%2580%25a2-eurogamer-net

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