#fanfic scavenger hunt

[beaker1636]

The Scavenger Hunt - Clue 1: Where We First Met

“Hey, thank you for helping me today with this project I am working on… actually, I lied to you and in all actuality I am here to help you with a project that you have to do today.  I’m sorry I am making you get up so early but there is a lot for us to do today and I wanted to make sure that you have time. Go put on this dress and your jacket, plus some comfortable shoes because we are going to be busy almost all day,” you sister says.

She all but shoved her way into your house today, telling you that you need to stop moping over Ricky being gone and get out of the house to do something with her.  And while you are really confused, can’t figure out what the fuck is going on or what project she might be talking about you doing, but you know that telling her no is never an option and she will get her way, so you let out a defeated sigh before stepping into your bedroom to get changed into the dress that she gave you with.

When you walk back out she has a big smile on her face, pulling you into a hug before letting go and looking at you. “Okay, let me do your hair and make up first, make you adorable and then we will be on our way.  I promise this will all make sense soon, just trust me okay?”

“Yeah, okay,” you conceded, taking a seat where she wants you at and letting her begin to curl your hair for you.  

“I wonder what is up with Rick today, usually he sends me a good morning message when he is gone by now, and I haven’t gotten one today,” you say softly, trying to make conversation with your sister.

She pauses her movements for a second, making you glance at her before she starts working on your hair again, wanting to keep you from figuring out that something is up and that’s why he didn’t.

“I bet he just slept in after a late night, it is only 8 in the morning,” she says quickly, almost too quickly.  Something is up, you may not know what but you can tell that something is going on.

“What are you hiding from me?” You ask her, trying to use your stern voice but she just ignores you, humming and pretending to not hear you speak. You want to question her, but you know that she wouldn’t tell you unless she is ready so instead you just sit there in the quiet.  

“When does he come home again?  It is coming up soon isn’t it?” Kayla asks you, the silence starting to bother her and she is worried if she doesn’t keep talking that she might spill something she shouldn’t to you.

“Tomorrow, I am so ready.  It has been months since he has been home this time, I miss him so much.  You’d think it gets easier the more we are together but it never does,” you say sadly, glancing down for a moment to regain your composure.  “He’s worth it though, really.”

“Yeah, I must say he treats you well which is all that matters,” she squeezes your shoulder softly before moving so she can start on your makeup.

Within a couple minutes she is done and you move to get your jacket out of your room, wanting to stay warm in the cool spring weather while you do whatever it is you are doing, you aren’t too sure what that is supposed to be but she’s gotta tell you soon right?

When you step back out into the living room she is standing there, holding a rose out towards you with a smile on her face. 

“This is for you, and the note with it will explain everything, I promise.  Now why don’t you read it so that we can get going, I’m getting impatient but I promised I would make sure you look nice for this,” she says, almost giggling like a toddler as she hands you the rose and a letter with a smile.

My Personal Nancy Drew, 

I know that by now you are confused, trying to figure out what Kayla is up to as she gets you dressed and ready for the day.  Hopefully she has not spilled it by now, I am going to assume she didn’t.

Let me start by saying that you will see me when you finish your scavenger hunt, that you will find me at the end when you find all the clues and solve the puzzles that I have left for you at each location.  I know that you love having to figure things out, which is why I always joke that you are my personal Nancy Drew, so I have left a trail of clues for you and you have to figure them out so you know where to go next.  You will know that it is right when you tell someone the correct thing, and they give you your next rose with the next clue.

Each rose will have something that I love about you tied to the stem so that when you are done, you have 12 reasons why I love you and a note, carrying you on to the next place.  Some clues may be easier than others, but I am hoping that as you go through the puzzles that you will enjoy the walk down memory lane that they give you.  

So to get started it will be simple, where did we first meet? When you get there you need to find a special, and if you tell the lady at the counter the correct one she will give you the next clue.  I know that one is easy, but you will have to search to find out what the correct special is, and I know once you do that you will be able to tell that it is correct.  

So get on your way, start your adventure and I will see you soon, but hopefully not too soon.  

I love you,

Ricky.

You look down at the rose, looking at the little tag on the stem that reads “I love how you always support me and my dreams, many times in ways that I could never imagine you would.”

You turn and look at your sister with a smile, giving her a hug to thank her for her part in this, though you are unsure how much of a part she actually has in this.  But the fact that she is taking part in it, that she is helping with this means a lot to you, more than she probably knows.

“Thank you, I know where we need to go.  Are you ready?” You ask her, moving to grab your purse before the two of you leave.

“Of course I am, if you know where we are going,” she says with a smile, following you out of the door, both of you going to her car.  “We need to go to the Blackbird Coffee House, that is where we met the first time.”

“Did you two bump into each other or something that day?  All I remember is you told me about this beautiful man that you met,” she teases, as she begins the short drive to the coffee shop that you told her to go to.

“Yeah, so I was sitting at a table reading and he noticed the book I was reading and asked me a question about it.  We wound up talking for almost an hour before we realized how long it had been.  We exchanged phone numbers and stayed in contact, mostly about books at first until we were hanging out one night and he finally told me that he really liked me and asked me on a date.  I had no clue that studying at the coffee shop would have ever led me to meet someone but I am glad it did,” you said with a smile.  Remembering that day dearly, one of the best days of your life if you were being honest.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have asked, I didn’t expect the answer to be so sickeningly sweet. Gross.  Anyways, we're here.  Let’s go in and figure out what the special he is talking about is,” she says, shutting the car off before you both get out. 

When you walk in you are greeted with a smile by the barista at the counter, which you return before your eyes scan the specials board.  Trying to find anything that catches your eye on it, that might make sense of a clue.  A few moments later you realize that some letters in the specials list are a different color and when you put them all together they spell Ricky Special.

You turn towards the barista, a smile on your face as you ask her for the Ricky Special.  

“I was wondering when you would show up and ask for it, these are for you.  And what can I get you to drink ladies, I was told to make sure you both have a drink before you leave, on the house.  What would you like?” She smiles as she hands you the rose with a piece of paper.

You let her know what you want when you start to read the tag on the rose, this one reading “I love that you comfort me like you do, make all my problems melt away while with a simple hug.”

The barista hands you both your drinks as you sit down on the table so that you can read the letter that was left here for you to your sister, tell her what the next clue is.

Baby,

You figured out the first clue, I am so proud of you but you are only just beginning.  

It only made sense to start you here, because this is where our story started.  Where we first met each other.  When I had to leave and get back on the bus because we were starting  tour I already knew that you were it for me.  You can ask the boys, I told them all about what you looked like and how we talked about the book that day.  I’m pretty sure they wanted to kill me, but they dealt with it.

We spent that entire tour talking, getting to know each other.  I was so glad when you agreed to go for a walk with me when we finished that tour a month and a half later, I knew that I was going to ask you on a proper date that night after I told you how I felt about you, and that is where you need to go next.  Go to the park where we confessed that we liked each other for the first time.  There will be a puzzle set up for you there that will give you the next clue and answer. 

I love you and can’t wait for you to keep going, enjoy the weather and the memories.

See you soon,

Ricky

#the scavenger hunt #Bree sucks at fanfiction #ricky olson imagine #ricky olson fanfic #ricky olson fic #ricky olson fluff #ricky olson x reader #ricky olson fanfiction

[somebirdortheother]

Twin Primes (Foundation TV) - Hari Seldon x Gaal Dornick | Rated T

Chapter 1 - Unsolved Conjecture

As always, with a Reader Bounty Hunt at the bottom of the post ❤️

Gaal didn’t remember the act of actually getting aboard the ship after the last-minute rescue. She hadn’t even been thinking coherently beyond Hari being heavy, warm, and very much alive. She could still feel the drumming of her heart in her ears. “Hari?” Gaal’s voice was shaky with a shock that she struggled to rein in. “Hari!” The man seemed confused, his eyes wild and unfocused, surveying his surroundings as though it were his first time on a ship. “Hari,” Gaal shook him by his shoulders, a violent mix of concern and something deeper she couldn't put her finger on welling inside her. “How are you feeling?” “Fine?” “Let me help you up.” Salvor was already walking away after abruptly telling her she had no time to help - she had Beggar to pilot. Fine. She couldn’t bring herself to be frustrated at her. Mere minutes had passed since they’d almost left this planet for Ignis without Hari. If it hadn’t been for her last-minute change of heart, the two of them would have been well on their way. And Hari would have been left for dead. She still wasn’t certain if he’d extend the two of them the same favor if the roles were reversed.

Read the rest on AO3

***Bounty Hunt Alert***

The rules are simple - find the correct reference in the text to be able to redeem them for a gifted fic set in the Foundation universe (yours truly is amenable to Hari/Gaal and Demerzel/Cleon and maybe more, but let's chat 🙂). Ready?

- Find a reference to a sci-fi classic, "Metropolis", the German silent film released in 1927 that I hid in this text!

Happy hunting!

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[bluejay-writes]

Infinite Blue - The Scavenger Hunt Prize

You can also read/bookmark this on Ao3!

Rating: E for Everyone! Characters: Full Cast Wordcount: 4695

Notes: Hey fam, here's a cute little story from MC's perspective about the Scavenger Hunt from the Demo.

“Hey, Emma, you good carrying all of that, or do you need a hand?”

Emma looked up at the owner of the voice, and laughed. 

“Frank, I’ve got a cart, and I only need to get these things to and from the car. It’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, yeah, okay. Thanks for watching the prizes. You’re the only one I can trust with all that stuff.”

“Well, obviously.” Emma struck a fierce pose. “I’m your superhero. I’ll scare away would-be thieves and cheaters.”

“More like your cuteness will make them think twice about doing anything that could make you frown.” Frank said.

“But seriously, thanks for being willing to do this. I know that you wanted the animal shelter spot, but…”

“I’m over it.” Emma said, laughing. “People watching at the mall should be fun too.”

“And if nothing else you can chat with those boys in your phone.”

“Frank, they’re not in my phone.”

“Well, you’ve never brought even one around to meet us even though there are like a dozen of them, so they may as well be.”

“Frank—”

“I know, it’s complicated. I get it. Get going, I want you settled in place before we get started this morning.”

Emma looked at her array of prizes on the table in moderate envy, and sighed. She really wanted to participate in the scavenger hunt, but being on the planning committee for it ruled that right out. She loved things like this. It would be so much fun to do this with a friend. Emma sighed again, like she was built only to sigh. Sure, she wanted to meet the boys, but… ugh. This whole situation was a mess. Too bad they didn’t know anything about her, or she could have told them where she was, you know, for meeting in public safety reasons. I mean, right in the middle of the mall. How much more safe could I get? Or are they worried that I’m the problem and they’re not safe from me? This is still safe for them too!

Her phone chirped, and she saw that Leo was hanging out in chat. Perfect! A distraction! Oh, it looked like Leo had the day off today. You know, the exact opposite of her existence. Though, to be fair, chilling in the middle of the mall getting to read while she waited for people to get to the end of the line wasn’t her normal work, so… it was fine.

Ugh. It would be so perfect if I could be like ‘I’m working but in public, come hang out!!’. I can’t even tell him to do the damn scavenger hunt just to be able to hope he’d appear here. And if he did, it’s not like I could be like “Yeah, I’m that Emma.” Emma thought, and sighed. Alas, that was not how things worked.

Leo: Maybe we could see a movie together or something? When the time’s right?

It looked like Emma wasn’t the only one who wanted to meet up with her chat friends. Leo was being especially forward about that very topic, and Emma blushed, staring at her phone. He wants to see a movie together? Like a date, or just… friends, or…

She was completely distracted by her thoughts when a man walked up to her table.

“Hey, what do I have to do to get one of these prizes?”

“It’s a scavenger hunt, sir! You go from location to location gathering tickets, and then at the end you come here and turn them in for a prize.”

“You could just give me the thing now though.”

“I sure can’t, you have to have collected all the tickets! Just giving prizes to anyone who walks up ruins the fun.”

The man looked, for a moment, like he was going to do something stupid, and Emma tensed. She’d talked big about being able to protect herself when Frank had teased her earlier, but she really wasn’t the strong scary type, no matter how much she jokingly hyped herself up. Luckily, he worked past that impulse and left her table.

Once she was sure he was gone, she looked back down at her phone and realized Leo was waiting for an answer from her. Oops. She hadn’t meant to leave him on read. She grinned, and tapped out a message to tell him that a movie sounded wonderful, you know, once it’s safe or whatever. She wasn’t expecting Leo to be as excited as he was about it, but then he also wasn’t expecting her to say yes, so who knew. Neither of them were expecting Tobias to burst into chat, demanding to be let off the jet he was on. Emma blanched, that was a lot of exclamation points. Which like, wasn’t surprising from Tobias, but… Planes were terrifying. And he was on one. And wanted off it. Immediately she asked him if there was something wrong with the plane. She’d hate for Tobias to get hurt.

Emma looked away from her phone again to greet someone who’d approached her table. This time, it was a little old lady who was excited to see “the things young people were getting involved in these days” and Emma sent her off with the flyer of information on how to get to the starting point at the park. Meanwhile, Leo and Tobias had been chatting up a storm in her pocket. Tobias was, in fact, just being overdramatic because he hated delays. That, then, turned into Tobias testing Leo’s knowledge about his filming schedule. Emma chuckled quietly at her phone - Leo was one of Tobias’ biggest fans, not that he’d ever admit it. He probably knew exactly what Tobias was filming. She looked away to putter about her space and watch the passersby, only occasionally glancing at the chat, which meant it had been a minute since Tobias sent the message that her focus trained on.

Tobias: For the record, I’d like to meet you in person too, Emma.

Meeting Tobias Fox in person would be a dream come true. Emma thought. Like, she wasn’t a die hard fan, but who wouldn’t want to meet the notorious Fox? Honestly, every one of these boys was an entire time on their own, and Emma didn’t know how she fit in to such interesting company. Speaking of interesting company, Emma grinned to see Brooklyn logging into the chat, but she didn’t have a chance to say hello before someone calling out from behind her broke her attention on the chatroom. She turned to see the owner of the voice, smiling at the familiar face.

“Monica.” Emma said, chuckling. “Good morning. I take it everything’s set up at the park?”

“Yes. I made Frank stay there for awhile, he’s running himself ragged.”

“Sounds like Frank.”

“Any problems here so far?”

“One cranky guy who just wanted me to give him prizes, otherwise it’s been pretty quiet.”

“Well, it’s busy at the other end, even though we don’t start for another forty minutes, so it’ll probably get busy around here eventually.”

“If nothing else, I’ve got my phone to keep me company.” Emma said, grinning. The boys were always chatty, so it was unlikely she’d get too bored.

“Oh! We’ll be bringing lunch around noon, is there anything you can’t eat?”

“Nope, I’m easy to please.” Emma said, keeping the smile plastered to her face. Monica really knew how to talk, and it wasn’t that Emma disliked her so much as that she really just wanted to go back to the chat because Brooklyn had joined the chat, and she wanted to say good morning. Thankfully, Monica got the hint and headed out to check on the other stations. Emma sighed and looked back down at the pile of messages that had come in while she was ‘working’.

Brooklyn had of course noticed the bits of conversation that would be the most debatable, he always seemed to do that. Of course, this time around it was about meeting her in person, and how he felt it was best not to involve her in anyone’s life until the whole messenger mess was managed. 

Brooklyn: Although, when it’s safe… I would be happy to formally introduce myself to you, Emma. Face to face. 

He wasn’t wrong, that’s why she’d told Leo eventually, but she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t going to be keeping an eye out for them just in case someone happened to wander through the mall today. Besides that, Tobias had immediately latched on to teasing Brooklyn about wanting to be the first one to meet her in person. Which Brooklyn of course denied. Who wouldn’t deny that kind of accusation, really? But Emma really did want to meet Brooklyn, just like everyone else, and didn’t hesitate to mention that in chat. The conversation shifted, then, and Brooklyn mentioned that he was meeting a high-profiled CEO for tea.

Emma decided not to ask him if the CEO in question had a cute white cat. Jumin Han was a fictional character and the fact that she low-key shipped Brooklyn and Jumin wasn’t really fair to Brooklyn, who was real. Also, he was probably really sick of hearing her ask that every time. Tobias was probably really sick of hearing about CEOs, Tea, and Antiquing, because he interrupted Brooklyn’s mention of his day by circling back around to their previous topic. Talking about meeting everyone eventually was fine, but then Tobias started to ask which one of the three of them she liked best, and… Emma didn’t want that kind of conflict, she really only knew these boys as words and the occasional photo on a screen. So she told them that she wanted to meet up all as a group first, for safety reasons, but also because she really wanted to meet everyone so much. It was her first order of business once they figured out what was going on with the messenger. 

Well, shit. She’d been hoping to somehow tell the boys about the scavenger hunt without giving away that she was working it, but with Brooklyn super busy today, and her professed and honest interest in meeting them all together, maybe it was better if they didn’t know… Of course, just as she thought that, Leo brought up the scavenger hunt all on his own, and then Brooklyn asked if she’d heard about it. Emma winced. How was she supposed to answer that without lying? Ugh. And so much for them not knowing about the scavenger hunt. Maybe she could be honest without giving too much away.

Leo: Emma, I’ll enter it for you ^^

Emma blinked. She hadn’t intended to… well, it was too late now. Maybe if Leo got really into it she could somehow convince everyone else to also do so. Well, except Brooklyn because of his meeting. And Tobias was waiting for his plane to even take off. And Alexei never left work… and Milo never admitted to doing anything ever. Sneaky whatsit. But maybe Rory… Meeting Leo and Rory wouldn’t be too bad… right? And maybe the others would come by if they wanted… especially if they thought Leo was winning her favor. As much as she hated to admit it, the boys in the messenger app were rather competitive for her attention. And she liked their attention, so maybe she should encourage them, for once. Leo seemed especially determined to win something for her, so she could basically guarantee he’d be coming by her table at some point later today.

Emma looked at the array of prizes, and tried to decide if there was anything she didn’t want. Okay, there were a couple things. She wasn’t interested in the fishing pole, or the martial arts class vouchers. Most of the jewelry was… much more gaudy than her taste. But there were a lot of really nice things and tickets to things. Nothing beat that camera though. It was gorgeous. Sure, her phone had a camera, but there was nothing better than a dedicated machine for any given task, and she loved photography. Leo kept saying he’d do anything for her, and Emma blushed at her phone. Leo was living his best knight in shining armor life today. She couldn’t have asked for a better kick to get the other guys interested than that comment.

“Hey dearie?” 

Emma looked up to see a petite grandmotherly woman standing at her table.

“Oh! Hello ma’am!” She said, hastily putting down her phone. “Sorry for being distracted.”

“No, it’s fine. Talking to your boyfriend? Or is it girlfriend? I can never tell with you young people.”

Emma laughed. “Neither, just talking to friends.”

“Oh well, I can set you up with my grandson…”

An approximate eternity of someone’s random grandmother trying to get them a date with her later, Emma looked back down at the chat. Oh. It had only been five minutes? It felt like an age and a half. Leo had left to go to the park for the event start, and Tobias’ plane had taken off, so he too was gone. Brooklyn was still in the chat though, and he’d asked her if she would actually like one of the donated prizes. She of course answered in the positive, but did that sound too much like she knew what the prizes would be? Maybe it sounded more like she was greedy and just wanted anything. Mostly, she wanted to meet the boys. Hopefully Leo would at least make it to the end, and she could invite him out to a movie. He didn’t need to know she was that Emma, right? Her name wasn’t that uncommon.

Brooklyn didn’t seem to be too phased by her response, and started saying his goodbyes, as he had meetings. She wished him luck, like she always did, and was rewarded by his calm yet sweet commentary that she seemed to only get when it was the two of them alone in a chatroom.

Brooklyn: I always appreciate when you wish me luck.

Emma stretched. The scavenger hunt should have started by now. She wondered how Leo was doing, but also how the staff at the starting line were coping. Hopefully they got a lot of interest, it would really be a disappointment if they’d put in this much effort only to have the whole thing fail. 

Emma looked down to see her phone ringing.

“Hey Frank!” She answered cheerfully. The sound on the other side of the phone was louder than she expected, it was almost like he was at a concert.

“Hey Emma! Just wanted to let you know that we are off to an amazing start! Lots of people turned out, I’m glad we had so many people here to take fees and pass out clues, it almost turned into a stampede anyway!”

“Wow, crazy! Are you going to send backup to the next couple locations too or…”

“Yeah, yeah, just how you planned it.” Frank said, and Emma grinned. She’d pushed for more staff and volunteers, and everyone had thought she was crazy for it, but here they were, useful and necessary. She’d have given herself a high five if it wouldn't have looked embarrassingly stupid. Through her phone, she would have sworn that she heard

Leo cursing. 

“What was that?”

“Oh, some guy was so distracted by his phone he ran into a pole. He seems fine but I’m going to go make sure he’s okay. I’ll be bringing your lunch by later.”

Emma hung up her phone and laughed, pulling up the chat just to see if it really had been Leo she heard. Sure enough, she had messages from Leo which included the poor guy walking into a pole. After telling Leo to “Be swift like the wind”, Emma popped over to the main chatroom, just in case someone came in to keep her company.

Sure enough, Alexei and Rory were in the chat, and after greeting her distractedly AFK self, were talking about research, and spiders, and to be fair, she wasn’t really into spiders, so she ignored the conversation, at least until she realized Milo had joined them. And on top of that, they had somehow gotten back to the discussion about meeting in person from the previous group chat.

Rory: And I know everyone really likes you, but they need to leave you alone.

Emma couldn’t decide if Rory was especially tsundere, or if he just aggressively agreed that it was too soon to meet any of them. He went on to call out Leo about trying to meet her by winning something at the scavenger hunt, and her heart dropped a little bit. With an attitude like that, there was no way she was going to be able to convince Rory to come play. She sighed, contenting herself to just meet Leo and not tell him it was her, until she realized that Milo was teasing Rory. Relentlessly. Pushing him to prove he was good enough. Exactly the kind of thing that would make him want to participate — and win. Emma didn’t have to say anything, and Rory was talking in all caps and then gone, after promising to win her a prize. 

Milo: Emma, I have a feeling you’re going to get everyone involved.

Emma just laughed and played dumb. She’d gotten the two that would be able to join. Brooklyn and Alexei were too busy with work, Tobias was on a plane and Milo… Emma sighed, and set her phone aside to focus on the midday crowd that were now milling about. This was no time to be distracted from her prize guarding duties.

Tobias: Third location here I come!

Emma blinked at the chat. Wasn’t Tobias on a plane? Was Leo and Rory being part of the scavenger hunt enough to get the notorious Fox in on it too? And how did get get ahead of Leo and Rory? Emma laughed, but was soon distracted from her chat again.

“Emma!” a voice called, and she looked up.

“Oh, hey, Frank!”

“Time for lunch! I hope you like weird lasagna, because Monica told me to get you the green one?” 

Emma laughed. Pesto lasagna from her favorite place, Pizza Lucky. Of course telling Monica she was fine with whatever meant she got pasta.

“Everyone else got pizza since there were lots of them.” Frank said, probably trying to make her feel special. It worked, of course. “Oh! There’s also this garlic cheese toast.”

“Thanks Frank. I’m going to eat this while it’s still warm.”

“You do that, I still have two more locations to deliver pizzas to.” He waved, and Emma wasted no time tucking into her lunch, her free hand pulling up the messenger again to see what her boys were up to. Rory and Tobias had been having an argument about Tobias stealing Rory’s progress, and Leo being… Leo. But then Milo showed up and suddenly the chatter went from boring to entertaining. Perfect, Milo. You surveillance gremlin. Apparently his entertainment while he was working was stalking the boys doing the scavenger hunt through the city.

Emma finished her lunch and cleaned up before settling back into her director’s chair to people watch and chat more, as usual. She thought she’d be busy today, but the majority of the scavenger hunt time was waiting for someone to even get to her. The team at the last stop before hers were supposed to text when they gave out tickets, so as far as she knew she was still off the hook. When she saw the contents of the most recent chatroom, however, she dropped her phone.

Brooklyn and Alexei are playing. Brooklyn had important meetings and canceled them. Alexei made up something and left work early…?! Emma knew that they all had their own reasons for wanting her attention and everything, but this was more than she could ever have anticipated. Also, Alexei getting distracted by the concept of a strip club just about made her laugh out loud. And there was Tobias going back to get his own tickets after Rory reclaimed his.

Emma sighed, and stretched. Too bad Milo was too busy working to also play.

Milo: There’s a surveillance camera on the prizes. I saw something I’d like to get.

Emma’s eyes immediately snapped up, and she looked around for cameras.  When she spotted one, she made a face at it. Take that, Milo! But… if Milo’s participating that means I’ll have a chance to meet all of them… Emma covered her face with her hands, and kicked her feet. Was she hiding her excited blush from the cameras? Yeah, probably. Was she still very very excited that her wicked plan worked with almost no input from her? Absolutely Yes. Just then, her phone beeped. First player with a full set of tickets was heading her way. Wow. That was faster than she thought! Probably time to log herself out of chat.

Emma: Hey, work’s picking up. Good luck on the scavenger hunt everyone! I hope you all get the ending you’re hoping for. I know I will!

There. Sufficiently vague.  Emma laughed, and logged out of chat.

Emma wasn’t wrong. After that point, things got busy and hectic.  Every time someone new walked up to the table, she was excited and then let down that it wasn’t one of her boys. the number of remaining prizes was getting lower and lower, and while she was disappointed to watch the camera go, she wasn’t really surprised. Meeting each other had slowed them all down.  Then she heard a laugh that could only be Brooklyn, and looked up to see he and Alexei in the food court. Was that a cinnamon roll? Alexei isn’t a fan of sugar though… If only they looked over here, they’d see her. Of course, they had no way of knowing who she was, though she was pretty sure that Milo had long since figured it out. She looked around for anyone else, and seeing no scavenger hunters needing her attention, pulled up the messenger. She just had to know how many of them were this close.

Tobias: The Fox has entered the building! Leo: I really can’t believe everyone from the chat is here… Brooklyn: Everyone except Emma. Leo: Oh. Right. Emma: I’m in chat though! Leo: I think we all wish you were here. ^^ Emma: Sometimes wishes come true. Maybe one of the prizes is a wish. Milo: Emma…

Emma sighed, and avoided looking at the camera again.

Rory: So who’s getting a prize for Emma then, since we all made it? Brooklyn: Maybe we should all go to the prize area and turn in our tickets, and we can decide together what prize to get Emma. Emma: I like that idea. Milo: Of course you do. Leo: As long as Emma’s happy, that’s all that matters. Alexei: Emma, keep your phone nearby so we can tell you what we got. Emma: Bye for now, boys.

Emma chuckled, and closed the messenger. With perfect timing, a woman and her son walked up trading their tickets for the basketball, both of them shocked to find the courtside game tickets taped to the underside of the ball.

“Enjoy!!” Emma said, waving them off.  There was one prize left, a gift card to a local family restaurant. It was a plain envelope, so had largely been overlooked.  She picked it up and moved it to the center of the table, busying herself cleaning up the leftover scraps of paper and prize tags. She knew her boys were coming, but she didn’t want to be waiting for them, that would ruin the surprise.  In the meantime, she texted Monica and Frank that the prizes were done.

And so, when someone cleared their throat behind her, Emma spun around and was startled to in fact see all six of them hovering a ways back from the table, watching a pair of very nervous teens with interest.

The teens walked up to her table, tickets in hand. “Excuse me miss, are we too late for prizes?”

Emma chuckled. “There’s one left.” she said, and traded their tickets for the gift card.

The boy who took the envelope from her teared up, and looked at the other boy, then back at her. “You’re sure there’s only one left? Those men helped us when we lost our tickets, but now they won’t get anything.”

Emma nodded sadly. “That was the last prize. But don’t worry. Every single one of those men are happier that you have that prize than that they do. Even the cranky looking one.”

The other one nodded and very formally thanked her, and together they walked off, waving to the messenger group before they left.

“Well, that’s over.” Tobias said.

Leo sighed. “I was so sure we’d get her something.”

“Well, how about we all go have dinner together, since we had the fortune of meeting like this. My treat.” Brooklyn offered.

Emma, dropping any pretense, waved at her boys and beckoned them over. They didn’t know who she was. Milo might have had a clue, but… She was wearing a nametag, just like the rest of the scavenger hunt team, so the observant half of the group should figure it out in no time flat.

As they walked over, she started laughing.  Rory was mad. Alexei looked like this was the saddest thing he’d ever witnessed. Milo was smirking. Brooklyn seemed unbothered by the situation. Tobias had his public smile on, and Leo looked like a sad puppy.

“You all look like you had a horrible time, when I know full well you had a lovely time.” she said, and Milo pinched the bridge of his nose.

“We knew we would.” Brooklyn said, his eyes snapping to her nametag and up to her face. She grinned.

“It wasn’t about having a good time.” Rory grumbled.

“You don’t seem too sad about not getting a prize, Emma.” Milo said, drawing everyone else’s attention back to her.

“But I did! You’re all here!! And I didn’t have to say a word!”

“You said you were sad not to be participating.” Leo said, confused.

“Milo… there never was a prize you wanted to win, was there?” Alexei said, looking between Emma and Milo, curiously.

“Oh, there definitely was. And she’s still here.” Milo smirked.

“If I’d known you were going to be here, I’d have brought flowers.” Rory muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Wait a minute.” Tobias said, blinking. “YOU’RE EMMA?!”

Emma facepalmed. “That’s what my nametag says.”

“Well, I suppose I shall have to amend the dinner reservation to be for seven, then.” Brooklyn said, and pulled out his phone.

“Emma, are these men giving you any trouble?” Monica strode up to the group and gave all of them her most appraising eye.

“No, Monica.” Emma said, shaking her head. “These are my friends, they’d been doing the scavenger hunt all day, but hung out until all the prizes were gone so they could talk me into going out to dinner.”

That’s not what actually happened, but…

“That’s just what she wants you to believe.” Tobias said, and winked at Monica, who gasped when she realized just who was standing there, “We wanted prizes but were too busy fighting amongst ourselves to get here in time.”

Emma heard a table clank behind her and realized Frank was also there.

“Frank, I managed to summon the men from my phone. I told you they were real.” She called back to him. 

Frank looked up, and then back down at the table. “Those are holograms. You won’t fool me again, Emma.”

“Anyway, Emma. We’ll tear down, you head off to dinner.” Monica said, shooing her away.

Emma laughed, and then squeaked as Rory and Milo pulled her out from behind the table. 

“Okay, okay! I can walk by myself, boys!”

As they walked towards the parking garage, Alexei slid in beside Emma. “So, you know how to use holograms? I heard your coworker mention it.”

Emma shook her head. “I don’t. I showed Frank a VR game one time…”

#infinite blue #infinite blue scavenger hunt #infinite blue fanfic

[hotfanfics]

Family Guy: Quagmire's Scavenger Hunt

Based on: Family Guy by Seth MacFarlane

Rating: M

Door bells rings

Quagmire answers the door to a rather sexy, leggy busty blonde, barely dressed, as she is wearing a short lavender mini skirt that shows off her shapely long legs and a knotted-up shirt baring her midriff.

Scavenger Hunting Woman: Hi, I'm on a scavenger hunt and I need a human arm!

Quagmire is, of course, stunned by this woman's physical attractiveness, staring in lust.

Quagmire: (snickers) Hang on a minute there, sweetheart! I've got something better than a human arm!

He closes the door and opens it again, quickly, appearing completely naked in front of the woman, having a raging hard boner standing straight up towards her.

Quagmire: Here it is, hot stuff! Giggity giggity goo!!!

Scavenger Hunting Woman: (shocked) Oh my god! (happily) That is better than a human arm!!

The woman is rather surprisingly turned on by Quagmire's nudity and erect penis rather than being offended by it. Quagmire immediately takes the Scavenger Hunting Woman inside his house and they play "Hunting For The Stiff Snake".

Scavenger Hunting Woman: Okay, I'm hunting for the stiff snake around here. Oh, goodness, where ever could it be?!

The woman walks all throughout Quagmire's kitchen, pretending to find a snake, only to find Quagmire's stiff hard penis, as Quagmire himself is lying on the kitchen table.

Scavenger Hunting Woman: Oh! Well, hello there snakey! Welp, I know exactly what I'm going to do to you! (sultry) Hope you don't bite! (giggles)

Quagmire: (snickers) Heh-heh! Alright!

The Scavenger Hunting Woman "accidentally" drops her bag on the floor, and bends over with her butt way up in the air, revealing her panties. Quagmire, with a boner as hard as ever, injects his erection into her tight plump buttocks.

Scavenger Hunting Woman: Oh wow! That "Stiff Snake" sure is doing wonders for me!

Quagmire: You bet!

THE NEXT DAY

Quagmire and the Scavenger Hunting Girl are lying on the floor of the kitchen. The two are sleeping next to each other, wake up.

Quagmire: Good morning, you naughty scavenger hunter, you!

Scavenger Hunting Woman: Wait a minute! Who are you?!

Quagmire and the Scavenger Hunting Woman get up, the woman has, for some reason, forgotten about the sex her and Quagmire had yesterday.

Quagmire: What?! You forgot about that awesome hunting for that "Stiff Snake" you wanted!

Scavenger Hunting Woman: (notices Quagmire's penis) (shrieks) AAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

The woman screams in terror when witnessing Quagmire, who is still naked, she runs away from his house, much to Quagmire's disappointment.

Quagmire: Wait! Comeback! Oh, damn!! (looks down at his erection) Well, I guess it's just you and me again! Let's go fill the Boston donuts with some of my Boston Creme, Giggity giggity!!

THE END

#family guy #fanfiction #fanfic #scavenger hunt #glenn quagmire #quagmire

[fanficgames]

Fic Scavenger Hunt

Rules

Pick your fandom or fandoms to find fics based on the prompts below

Leave a comment on that fic

If no fic exists in that fandom write one

Prompts

Find a fic with the word angel in the title

Find a zombie AU fic

Find a fic that has 13 chapters

Find a fic inspired by a song

Find a fic soulmate AU

Find a fic with title based on a song

Find a fic with 10k words or more

Find a fic with a hospital AU

#fanfic #fanfiction #a03 #writing games #Fic Scavenger Hunt

[night-panda]

So, I’ve been looking for a Harry Potter fic that I read a long time ago but can’t seem to find… I fear that ff.net has purged them but maybe they were reposted elsewhere and you guys can link me… I want to find it before the site itself is gone.

Anyways, if you would be so kind to read the description and let me know if you know what I’m talking about I would be really grateful. This isn’t the first time I asked about this specific fic and I thought I wrote it it down but I was wrong 😑

Basically it was written like an essay by Hermione Granger about the wizarding world… I want to say it was called The Rise of Magic Incorporated or something along those lines but I don’t think it was… Basically in this AU world Harry and Neville were taken by the ministry as babies and forced to grow up super quick and defeated Voldemort in like the late 80s or early ‘90s. It worked but left Neville disabled. In revenge Harry basically starts up a tech corporation that replicates magic, patents it, and then reveals it to the muggle world… Hermione had left Hogwarts after the troll incident and is writing the expose because she is grateful to be able to reconnect to her magic thanks to this release.

#hp #harry potter #fanfiction.net #fanfic #fanfiction scavenger hunt #please help #ao3 #fanfiction #ffnet #nightpanda

[duaghterofstories]

Uh hi I was just wondering if you have a wattpad or ao3 account?

Yes, I have both.

Ao3: DuaghterofStories: https://archiveofourown.org/users/DuaghterofStories

Wattpad, I have two. One is for fanfics and general messing around, and my other is for more serious stories. I'll tell you my messing around one, and give a clue for my other. See if you can find it? I am MizImagination: https://www.wattpad.com/user/MizImagination

For my other, anyone can participate, Hint: I'm an Empress in Hell with one story. I'll say so in my story, so comment when you find me with your tumblr and I'll give you a shout out.

#fanfiction #wattpad #ao3 #fanfic account #ao3 account #wattpad account #wattpad account scavenger hunt #darkempressjustice's wattpad account scavenger hunt

[ladythornofrivia]

MY SCAVENGER || Kylo Ren!Aemond x Rey!Reader

a/n: i’ve been thinking about what one-shot I should do next. Though I’m currently writing Saltburn fanfic, I love Star Wars. Even Reylo! Have fun reading! (Some dialogue in the beginning doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to the movie.)

warnings: interrogation, torture kink, lust at first sight, breeding kink, p in v sex, fight scene, violence, aemond has issues, loss of virginity, aemond is a d*ck, kink size, obsessive aemond, dom/sub, aemond not only uses the power of force on reader but also with his d*ck. Bl*wjob, degradation kink, creampie

pair: aemond x reader

Somewhere in the galaxy far away, the leader of the First Order, Aemond Targaryen, was hunting for the map that’ll lead him to Daemon Targaryen, the last Jedi ever existed. Or so he believed.

While Aemond knew the legends of his uncle and his journey as a Jedi warrior, but those who commanded under Aemond’s order and leadership, not a soul in a galaxy believed Daemon ever existed, not in the history textbooks or screens. The stormtroopers only meant to serve their skilled leader.

As young as he was, Aemond Targaryen is known for his cold and calculating nature. He kept his helmet on, under any circumstances, and wields a red lightsaber. Tall and lethal, no one really knew what he looked like—it left to the imagination far and wide, leading his troops picturing of his appearance. Aemond wouldn’t dare make his troops or his other commanding officers enter his private quarters.

In the galaxy, everyone feared him.

Until you.

A nobody living in the stories of galaxy.

Hunting for scraps and leftovers for the sake of small profit to keep on living. Finding rare scraps in Jakku, was meddlesome. A nightmare. Filled in stacks of desert sand and humid waves lingered and pierced your skin.

Deserted land has been your home. And in your home, inside the AT-AT Walker, after you scratch another tally mark on the metallic wall, you cooked a loaf of bread and fried vegetables and scraps of thin meat. You wondered when your life will begin anew with reborn purpose. A nobody, in the galactic space, hoped your family would return.

You hoped that your life isn’t meaningless.

Jakku has been destroyed; in chaos, you’re forced to leave—of taking refuge, but more companions in your journey agreed that Jakku is nothing but a junkyard, and there you met a legendary shooter and a Wookie Warrior. But the plans failed.

For Aemond Targaryen spotted the map to Daemon Tarygaryen’s location. But the expectant acquirance wasn’t the astromech, droid BB8, rather, something far more interesting.

Aemond captured you—after minutes of chase and defense in the thickened forest. “Bring the girl,” he ordered, as your body fell to unconsciousness by the force, as he carried you and fled away with his ship, brought you to the First Order base, entrapped in metal straps as soon as you woke up.

Luminous lights and thick air provoked your tightened lungs to breath and your skin had broken a perspiration.

The doors opened, unveiling a tall, dark figure between the gaps of archway. Stomping on his shoes echoed until became nothing.

“Where are the others?” you asked, rasping, eyes hazed.

“You mean the murderers, traitors and thieves and cravens you call friends,” he said, taunting, his voice was nearly a merry. “You’ll be in such a relief that I have no clue to where they are.”

The reflection of his mask stared back at you. “You still want to murder me—challenge me,” he assumed.

“Well, that’s what happens if you’ve been chased and captured by the monstrous creature in a mask,” you snapped, low voice laced with venom.

His mask has taken off, long silk strands of silver-blond hair flowed over his chest, as the violet eye and the substitution of his sapphire gleamed at you. For a second, you never thought that your captor is skilled fighter, but it’s also young—young and handsome. His milky skin aglow, a good correlation to his deep stone wedged on the empty socket of his amputated eye, lined with scar that is faded. Outline of his jaw sharpened, shadowed as he strode closer to you.

Thundered, his mask dropped at a nearby stand, the grey sand flew and dissipated as his lithe frame inched closer.

“The droid,” he said, almost frantic. “Tell me about the droid. I know the droid has the map to Daemon Targaryen. Ever heard of him?”

Looking at his eye, you shook your head, “Never heard of him,” you answered, the illuminated lights flashed over your eyelids each time you blinked.

Aemond inched his face closer. “Your heart beat is pounding awfully loud.”

“Must be the heat,” you retorted.

He chuckled. “What a clever liar you are. But not clever enough. Now, tell me about the droid.”

“He’s a BB Unit with a Selenium Drive with a Thermal Hyperscan Vindicator.”

“It’s carrying a navigational chart, which the droid possesses the map.” His head tilted. “You, a scavenger, living on Jakku—a deserted planet with nothing to offer.” His face leaned closer. “You know I can take what I want.”

You swallowed, eyes flicking at his smooth pink-colored lips.

“My,” he said, licking his lower lip. “It appears you have some sort of interest in me, showed no signs of fear.”

You looked away, face reddened from the strict heat in the room and the huskiness in his voice. His hand outreached to your side temple, though no contact. You felt the Force strengthened and battled against the mobility of your system.

“You’re lonely. Alone and desperate. Waiting for someone to show up and rescue you. Waiting for someone to lead you out from the land, from the galaxy and into the great land with trees and life. I can sense the anger…not only that…something far more…delicate…in the matter based on your compromising position,” he cooed.

You resisted, of course, but your energy drained quicker.

His body leaned back, taking a good look of your exasperated form. “Tell you what, I’ll release you, but only if you can give something to me, in one condition.”

You (e/c) locked onto his. “And what would that be?”

Only the corners of Aemond’s lips curled.

“Please, no,” you begged, wrists tied up behind your back while Aemond was sitting on a spare chair, his thick and lithe legs spread wide while you’re in between them, knees already hurting.

“Shhh, trust me, my little scavenger,” he cooed again, his gloved hand flattened behind your head and dragged it downward. “So, are you going to be my good woman, or do I have show you the force again?”

Gulping, you succumbed at his voice. Maybe another way of his “force”.

“Good woman,” he praised, and unzipped his black trousers, his long and thick cock sprung out it nearly hit your cheek below the eye. “Sorry, darling, my cock couldn’t help but to view at the sight of you,” he said, smirking, tugging your locks, hauling you closer to his engorged tip, leaking. Your lips opened, taken his length in, choking. It felt as if your eating a whole uncut rod—or a thicker lightsaber. “All trapped underneath me, my power. The force within can’t abide much later.”

Gagging proceeded in your throat, but you took his length in precarious and fervent care.

“That’s it,” he groaned, his other hand flicked, the force brought your head down further to the end of his swollen cock, his large balls. “Argh! That’s…it.”

It was impressive for him to not only deal with a woman with capable resistance, but also has a coy nature she has been hiding—a tease.

The force no longer hostage you; your mouth watered as you took his cock well, swallowing the taste of his flesh, his warm flesh. Oh, how delightful. You never dealt a Jedi or a commander to have desirable or naughty urges. But you figured that even the force cannot contain beastly urges of a man. Aemond was one. But, has he ever been a woman before you? Jealousy pitted down on your heated belly, flickering.

It felt so wrong, but, your heart was aching for him, despite “meeting” under the matters of selfish urgency and a brink of death.

Aemond sighed, his silver-blond locks befallen on his broad and lean backside, his throat bobbed, heaving and sighing at your warm and slick mouth.

“Your thoughts are troubling you again,” he said. “No, I have never been with a woman.”

You doubted. Tortured at the thought of a previous woman, a torture where a previous woman might do better than you—an inexperienced scavenger.

“I never lie,” he said. His index finger flicked, and the hair ties on your head casted, your longish locks flowed, nesrly covering up your breast. “In fact, I never did.”

Semen spurted in your slippery mouth.

“Take it all in, darling,” he encouraged, hearing your throat quenched its thirst, smothered in his slick and spurt of his thick semen.

The room became hotter as Aemond strapped your wrists above your head onto the prison bed.

“Stay still, woman,” he grunted, his lips inched downward to yours, seeing if the pace of his breath matched with yours.

Your chest steadied from a grasping breath you tried to behold with gentleness. Aemond sensed it, too.

“You’re steady…Good.” And plunged his suppled lips to yours, caging your soft ragged breaths, playing your tongue with his, heavy sighs played out in the air, his palm snuck in your cloth, smooth fingertips tracing the lines of your stomach, the soft steep of ribcage.

“With you under my protection, nothing can go wrong, little scavenger,” he said, his tucked hand withdrew, and flicked a sharp movement, and your clothes shred and tossed across the room under his Force.

Gasping, Aemond silenced your lips again under a deep passion. A sheer underwear tucked your maidenhood. Frustrated, Aemond snatched and ripped in one swoop, his cock engorged twice, hardened, his throat dried and croaked at the sight of your flawless beauty, picturing the lines of stretch marks on your lower belly from the swollen pregnancy. Aemond thought beforehand that if the First Order has been under siege, in one way to promote a difficult position that couldn’t diffuse, he needed an heir, an heir of a stronger, faster and more calculating version of himself.

“Hold on, scavenger, I’m sure this will be painful for you, but you’ll grow to love the feeling of my cock, grinding inside your walls. How do you feel now, little woman? Are you willing to give an heir for me?”

You gasped. There was so much life ahead of you. Unsure of his words, you were sure he’s crazy to know that one, obtaining pregnancy is scandalous—especially if a father is a notorious leader. He could be killed, and could be tortured or his enemies will use you and the child to proceed their victory to reach Aemond.

Gulping and vibrating under him, you uttered. “Why me?”

Your heart is torn in half. What if Aemond is only using you as a spare time hobby? What if he’ll soon find a lover who’s more beautiful and mature and not childlike like you, and for you to be thrown in the dark and be forgotten? Numerous possibilities rushing in your mind—and halted—when Aemond said, “I won’t betray you. Betraying is the enemy’s job.”

“But you’re the enemy,” you remarked.

“In this room, you’ll only see the real me, as the real Aemond, a beast hidden in a skin of a man,” he murmured. “I must have you,” he grunted, pushing his cock into your constricted folds, pumping and sliding in a tremendous pace that the bed rocked.

Moans ascended in the roofs, Aemond’s quiet grunts entered through your ears. Your legs wrapped around his slender waist, bobbing as his powerful thrusts electrified your drenched walls.

Your eyes lulled, but Aemond grasped your face and aligned it to his, violet eye narrowed. “Look at me as I fuck you good—heavy and fast. Your belly will soon swell with a future Jedi, a more powerful warrior than any good-for-nothing troops in the galaxy.”

His legs ached as his one hand untied the knot on your wrist and hauled your body up for you to snuggle him, bed rocking continuously as your voice rasped, airily sighing with your eyes closed, almost seeing pink stars swirling in your closed lids, your mouth sucked Aemond’s neck, offered a low hiss through his teeth.

“That’s it, my good angel,” Aemond purred,the flat of his large hands enveloped and motioned against your naked back. The heat in the room faded, the coldness bumped into your bare flesh; the air condition is activated, encouraged your warm bodies to go at full speed.

“Aemond,” you moaned, head threw back.

Aemond’s pace became sloppy, staggered at you calling his name. “Say it again, my darling scavenger. Say my name.”

“Aemond…Aemond,” your hips gyrated, in pleasurable heat.

His lips curved. “I knew you would love it eventually.”

“Need you to come…inside me..in me…on me…in my mouth or face. Fuck me good,” you begged, corner of your lips salivating, tongue buds prickling, in hopes to taste his cock again.

But you missed the part where Aemond’s eye gleamed in darkened shade, in secret thrill.

Grabbing your hips, nails deepened and bruised your flesh and bones as his thrusts shoved harder, sending your voice wailing through the roof. You were sure that the Stormtroopers would stop and listen over your voice. Aemond couldn’t care less; he loved seeing you like this.

“Almost there, my scavenger,” he groaned, kissing your cheek, last few rounds set in; your arms slightly flailed yet gripped around his neck, face nuzzled onto his lean neck as he blasted hot white liquid inside you.

Kissing on several spots on your face, Aemond tugged your body down with him, with your side profile pressed against his chest, his hand rested on your back head while the other brushed your back.

“The child will soon grow into you,” he reminded.

“What about the droid?” you asked, puzzled.

Aemond scoffed. “Forget about that damn droid. It is you who I am enamored to, who I am now devoted to.”

“Is this the power of force?”

“No, this is my love yearning for someone—for you, my sweet,” he said. “The force is neither the army nor the galaxy. The force is within us, and only us can gather. The force can sometimes break us.”

“You didn’t break me,” you noted, admiring his sapphire eye.

Aemond smiled. “No, but you tamed the force within me.”

And you both shared a tender kiss under dimmed light.

Taglist: @daonenonlysandman @toodlesxcuddles @kittendoll05 @omgsuperstarg @xcharlottemikaelsonx @paninisstuff @danika1994 @angeljcca @marvelescvpe @kukulyarva @namelesslosers @heavenly1927 @snh96 @herathedreamer @fandom-maniac-anime @httpsmenace @velunis @nananeptune @domithebomi @moonseye @valeskafics @faesspace @rxixo31 @tm-starr @xinthia19 @popsycles @naiaaramena @aleemendoza2425-blog @letmehavemyfictionalmen @aracelipf @ammo23 @blackswxnn @buccini555 @watercolorskyy @taangie @wolfdressedinlace @qardasngan @justyelena @jolixtreesunn @runekisses @jmii722 @colored-tr-panels @evergreen9083 @foggypeacestarlight @dixie-elocin @galactict3a @momowhoo @saturnssrings @dani5216 @liannafae

#fanfiction #fanfic #x reader #reader insert #reylo #rey #kylo ren #aemond x reader #aemond targaryen #star wars #disney #hotd #hotd x reader #house of the dragon #ewan mitchell #ewan nation #writeblr #ao3 #archive of our own #smut #fluff #tumblr #multifandom #asoiaf #may the force be with you #aemond #aemond targaryen x reader #reylo au #writer

[lewis-locky-leidiotz]

HE'S BACK BABY

Spoilers for The Neon Void Chapter 23!!!

TNV is a Rise of the TMNT Fanfic Created by @sugarpasteltmnt <3

From this exerpt from the fanfic <3

This fanfic is just getting even better as it goes!! AGHHH I LOVE THIS IDIOT

I was gonna add so much more, but I decided to send it now since Procreate was shitting itself at this point 💀

I have a buncha theories for Leo's silly little scavenger hunt.. I have an idea on where the real Key could be, but I want it to be a surprise :)

SUGAR PASTEL. I KNOW YOU HEAR IT SO MUCH BUT YOU WRITE SO WELL. YOU'RE THE FIRST WRITER I GO TO WHENEVER I HAVE WRITERS BLOCK CAUSE YOUR DESCRIPTIONS ARE 🤌

I can't stop ranting about this fic to my friends and it's gotten to the point that we go on Discord VC so I can give them Neon lore for bedtime stories. I love this so much!!

#rottmnt #rise fanfic #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rottmnt fanfiction #the neon void #the neon void fanart #neon void #neon void fanart #rise of the tmnt art #my art #rise of the tmnt movie #rise of the tmnt au #rise of the tmnt

[lucyllawless]

Going through some old bins and found all the Xena fic pre-teen spent entire afternoons printing.

Back in my day, we couldn’t just read our favorite fics on our phones. We had to use all of the paper and printer ink to print out our favs when our parents weren’t home. AND there was no Ao3 you just had to go from site to site like a fanfic scavenger hunt.

Finding these made me start wanting to get into book binding. I would love to have nicer print copies of all my favorites someday.

#i took down the christmas decorations and the started watching bookbinding videos #what an interesting saturday #personal

[beaker1636]

The Scavenger Hunt - Ricky Olson Master List and Intro

AN: Enjoy this teaser of a story that I am starting to write, expect nothing but emotional fluff and cuteness!

“Hey Kayla, I need your help with something.  But you can’t tell y/n about it, I want your help with proposing to her, call me when you get the chance please,” Rick sends the message to your sister, knowing that if he is going to pull this off how he wants to she needs to help walk you through everything.

You should be able to figure it out yourself but he wants you to have someone to talk the answers through, help you with ideas as you think about what you need to do next.  And while his friends are helping him with the rest of it, he needs her help on your end.

About an hour later his phone rings, and when he notices the name on the screen he lets out a sigh before answering, glad that it is Kayla.  “Hey, thank you for calling me back.  Are you game for helping me?”

“Of course but don’t I have to know what I am helping you with before I can answer for sure?” She asks, teasing the man, but also because she loves getting under his skin.  It is something that she has always excelled in, has made it her mission to annoy him as much as she has always done to you… and has succeeded at.

“I want to make it a puzzle, do a scavenger hunt type thing.  So you would give her the first rose, which would have a note and clue tied to the stem for her to read.  Once she figures out what the first clue is that would lead her to where the next rose is.  One of the guys or our friends would be there to give her the next one, and it would continue until she is given the 12th one.  The last one would tell her where I am and that would be where I finally ask her.  I would like you to stick with her the entire day and not answer her where to go but be there for her to talk the clues out with, to figure out what to do or where to go.  Plus you are so close I want you to be part of the day, if I keep you in the loop will you do this for me? For us?” Rick asks, letting out a soft sigh while he listens to your sister's line, which is silent as she processes what he asks.

“I would love to help, you tell me when and where to be and we will do it.  That is such a sweet way to ask her, perfect for her as much as she loves figuring puzzles out.  She is going to love this, and I would be honored to have a part in this.  Let me know what all you need help with and I will get started with it,” your sister answers, even though Rick can’t see it he knows that there is a huge smile on her face.  Your entire family has been pressuring him for a while to ask you, so he knows that she is  excited about this.

Now to figure out the exact details of each of his clues and get everything into place so that he can act on this and finally ask you to marry him.

The First Clue- Where We Met

The Second Clue- Confessions

The Third Clue- Our First Date

The Fourth Clue- Our First Kiss

The Fifth Clue - First I Love You

The Sixth Clue - Where I Met Your Family

The Seventh Clue - Where You Met The Guys

The Eighth Clue - Our First Goodbye

The Ninth Clue - Where We Adopted Our First "Child"

The Tenth Clue - Our Favorite Date Location

The Eleventh Clue - Where You Met My Family and The Final Piece

The End

#fanfiction #bree sucks at fanfiction #the scavenger hunt #Ricky Olson fluff #ricky olson fic #ricky olson x reader #ricky olson imagine #ricky olson fanfiction #ricky olson fanfic #motionless in white fic #motionless in white imagines

[somebirdortheother]

Electric Tonight (Foundation TV) - Demerzel-centric | Rated M

For @daneelsolivaw and @occasionalmaven, with a Reader Bounty Hunt at the bottom of the post ❤️

The final instalment of Where I End And You Begin Series before I finish the final chapter of See You How You Really Are (Coming July 15th).

In Electric Tonight, follow Demerzel on a day-in-life of the Galaxy’s Hot Sad Girl and her many duties and hobbies during her vacation exile on the Maiden after having killed Brother Dawn and mutilated herself.

It was on the hundredth day on the surface of the Maiden that Demerzel found herself having to concede her ill-suited nature for the role of a construction supervisor. Every passing hour, she was keenly aware that Brother Day had designated her to that mission merely as a pretext to banish her from Trantor. It was insulting. As the weeks on the sandy moon melded together, it became increasingly challenging for her to feign usefulness beyond vaguely asserting that 'everything was under control and there were no discernible threats to the Empire'. Around ten in the morning, Demerzel gazed into the breathtaking expanse of the desalination site. It was a pit brimming with pipes, wells, rows upon rows of scaffolding, and a labyrinthine network of set-up machinery. The assembly was a vast, intricate tangle of alloys, carbon fibre, plastics, and levels teeming with construction crew members engrossed in their respective tasks, disappearing deep beneath the surface only to reappear elsewhere. The facility bore a striking resemblance to a more orderly version of the Scar. The ambient noise - a resonant metallic clang, an occasional expletive shouted in frustration, the constant shuffling of footsteps - had all grown familiar to her ears. She stood aside, appraising the slight chip on the edge of her nail polish on her ring finger. Perhaps a peach hue for this evening, she mused. Cleon the Thirteenth's actual punishment was Demerzel's encroaching, inescapable ennui. There was no denying that he shuddered at the thought of trying to do without her, as unbearable her presence had understandably become. This awareness brought her a measure of solace, but it did little to dispel the petty, gnawing feeling of missing him that burrowed into the currents of her consciousness like bits of rogue code. In these moments of introspection, Demerzel often contemplated how he managed surprisingly well without her immediate presence, evidently coping better than she was. The entire empire seemed to function smoothly, with Shadowmaster Obrecht tending to the endless needs of Brothers Dawn, Day, and Dusk with apparent ease despite the instability that had plagued the affairs prior to her departure. After a moment of thought, she decided: not peach - gold would be the colour to complement the cover of the book I will be reading tonight. 

Read the rest on AO3 or ...

Catch up on the rest of the series now: Part 1 [NSFW], Part 2, Part 3 [Very NSFW], Part 4

***Bounty Hunt Alert***

I've been going easy on you, dear readers. Today, I've got something more elaborate in store than my past Scavenger Hunts. Ready?

The rules are simple - find the correct references in the text to be able to redeem them for a gifted fic set in Foundation universe (yours truly prefers Demerzel's/Cleon's POVs, but I *can* be amenable to others). However, I will need not one, not two, but a combination of three references to be brought to my attention before you may collect your well-deserved bounty.

Here is what you will be looking for:

A minor reference to an X-Files character

The name of the book/story has Demerzel restored and is reading tonight

A reference to a deranged character that has an infamously specific skincare routine - just like our girl Demerzel (hint: he needs to return some videotapes)

Direct references to book!Cleon/Demerzel relationship (From Prelude to Foundation, Forward the Foundation)

Up to two references to one of the earliest Asimov novels that feature Daneel Olivaw

And... if you get five... *gulps*... You're a very good bounty hunter.

Happy hunting!

Tagging:

@iamstartraveller776 @coraleethroughthelookingglass @thenookienostradamus @helenvader @occasionalmaven @brotherdusk @vellichormybeloved @daneelsolivaw @lady-of-imladris

Join my tag list HERE!

#foundation #foundation apple tv #foundation season 1 #foundation fanfic #somebirdortheother fanfic #electric tonight #demerzel #shadowmaster obrecht #demerzel & shadowmaster obrecht #cleon xiii x demerzel #demcleon #cleon #reader scavenger hunt #reader bounty hunt #Spotify

[riddles-n-games]

A few months ago, I had an anon request for Averyjameson headcanons about them spending time at True North for the holidays so here we are.

They arrive earlier than everyone else so they have a few days to themselves.

Jameson continues Avery's skiing lessons, teaching her a few tricks and some riskier ones when no bodyguards are around. Avery notices that he likes holding her waist a lot when he's teaching her a maneuver, sometimes longer than needed but she pretends she doesn't and secretly likes it when he does.

One day, they sneak out out of the lodge for an early morning game of Drop. Surprisingly, for her first time, Avery wins and manages to come back with barely a few scrapes compared to a certain someone. Jameson is all too happy, even if he's lost, but spends the rest of the day in bed or out in the hot tub with Avery tending to his wounds and giving him a kiss to the cheek.

When they're out on the trails, Jamie will sometimes sneak behind a tree, tug Avery along with him and have a quick make out sesh.

Before they come back in, both their faces are flushed red from the cold but Avery gets especially flushed, Jameson likes to pepper kisses along her cheeks and finish with a peck on her bright red nose. He calls her his Red-Nosed Reindear (cue eyerolling from his girlfriend).

They love to spend their evenings in front of the hearth wearing matching pjs and watching cheesy Hallmark movies. Jameson is actually a big sucker for them; it's his trash comfort.

Jameson makes hot chocolate and it's pretty amazing. It's his favorite holiday drink, as basic as it is. Avery doesn't judge him one bit for it but she prefers eggnog a little more.

Although they use the hot tub together, Avery has reverted to one piece bathing suits, she still isn't that comfortable in bikinis unless she has a pair of swim shorts on. Jameson is completely miffed by this as he really wants to see her in one again and even went so far as to sneak a red pair in her suitcase when she wasn't looking. She still hadn't put it on and he thinks maybe she hadn't found it (she has and knows that she didn't pack it but knows who did).

Throughout the holidays, he puts up a bunch of mistletoe and tries to catch her under it but ends up having to remove it because turns out, Libby is allergic.

For Christmas, Avery sets up a scavenger hunt for him to complete in order to find his present from her. It proves to be a bit difficult since they spend so much time together but when he's out on a solo ski, she takes a chance to hide another clue.

Jameson is ecstatic and pulls Avery along while he goes hunting, she merrily laughing at his antics. With every clue he finds, her smile gets bigger and bigger.

His gift from her is a card, the keys to the Chiron and tickets to the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France for the following year. She also secured a personal day with the Aston Martin F1 team for him to participate with in training.

Her gift from him is a locket and bracelet set and a month of pottery classes since she's been wanting to actually try something new but keeps forgetting and because she's been very busy with work. He also got her a signed book series she'd been eyeing.

For New Year's, he surprises her with a visit from Toby.

At midnight, when they're about to drink spirits, she gifts him with a bottle of Jameson, laughing. He simply rolls his eyes.

They also do something similar to the Countdown Party in TFG, except, after midnight. For the first hour, they celebrate the New Year but after, they're a flurry doing all the most craziest things around the lodge; snowboarding at 1:00, drop challenge into the hot tub at 2:00, karaoke battle at 3:00, snowball fight in swimsuits at 4:00, reindeer sleighride at 5:00, etc.

Both of them get sick the following week and Nash is playing nurse because he was the only sensible one to not participate in Hour 4.

I hope you had fun reading. Stay tuned for a Christmas party fanfic with our favorite duo and fake dating Averyjameson au featuring a hot tub during the winter break story.

#avery kylie grambs #avery grambs #jameson winchester hawthorne #jameson hawthorne #averyjameson #true north #hawthorne shenanigans #hawthorne headcanons #the inheritance games #the hawthorne legacy #the final gambit #tig #thl #tfg

[direwolfrules]

Oh my fairy godmother I am so happy you are post about Ever After High!!! Do you have any fanfic or au ideas involving them? Like, what if one character had another destiny or what if they were in the Star Wars universe?! It’s just interesting to think about!

Hey! Glad to see we share another fandom interest!

So, I have this barebones post for what I would have done as a crossover between g1 Monster High and Ever After High.

As for general fanfic ideas I have a few. I shall now list them in varying levels of detail:

1. A Very Charming Groundhog Day Year:

Basically, the Charming siblings time loop back from a bit after Dragon Games but before Epic Winter to the day before the school year started (the day of the Family Ball in the books). While it would be kinda angsty, the best time loop fics are usually crack fics, and this would be no exception (if I ever wrote any of these things).

So Daring, Dexter, and Darling are all initially in states of panic and anxiety. Daring, he was in the middle of a quarter-life crisis and now has to deal with everyone and their fairy godmother thinking he's Apple's Prince Charming.

"Daring Charming, more like Distressed Charming, am I right?"-- Dexter, who should get to exhibit asshole little brother energy more often, as a treat.

Speaking of Dexter, he's panicking cause of all the awful stuff that's going to happen during the school year and also because now he has to go through the nerve-racking ordeal of asking out the girl he likes all over again.

Darling's in hell because everyone and their fairy godmother expect her to be this perfect little damsel, again, which is just- ugh. There are days she wishes she could carry her sword around with her, and they're most days. Also, she never got to talk to Apple about their True Love's CPR, which is just tragic.

The loops go on for a while, some constants in them include: Darling freeing herself and helping little Good-Enough Charming get one of their grandfather's trophies for the scavenger hunt, Dexter and Darling teaming up to kill the changeling and free cousin Charity (sometimes Daring helps but he's content to let his siblings have fun for once), Darling accidentally on purpose flirting with Apple and Apple experiencing several degrees of gay panic, Dexter fumbling asking out Raven for the first time (he's really such a dork, just a funky dude), and the Charming Siblings teaming up to make Milton Grimm's life a living hell.

In one loop they secretly film him playing with his toy unicorns and his action figure of himself and they hijack Blondie's mirrorcast to play it to the entire school.

After several loops a Monster High crossover happens, and so in every loop after that the Charming sibs, who have grown incredibly gremlin-like after experiencing the insanity of the school several dozen times, make sure to drop monster slang when it's just them and Cupid. Like:

Darling: "Wow, Cupid, that top looks clawsome."

Daring: "Totally, it's freaky fierce."

Cupid: "What?!"

Darling: "That top looks nice on you. Anyway, we gotta run."

Dexter: "Yeah, see you later ghoulfriend!"

I have some other half-baked ideas for this one but it'd probably be it's own post.

2. Murdoch Mysteries-ish AU:

This one makes no sense if you've never watched the hit Canadian Detective Show, Murdoch Mysteries. Or maybe it makes some sense, idk. Instead of a modern AU, we have a 1895 detective AU. It's barely an idea, I have no idea if I'd even keep this in the fantasy setting of (an 1895) Ever After or not.

Dexter is the Detective William Murdoch of this AU, the man with no game and beautiful blue eyes who women keep inexplicably falling in love with. He's observant and a little strange but he's also a brilliant detective. One of the major differences though is Dexter is the disowned son of old money parents.

Raven's the Dr. Julia Ogden, the outspoken, independent, and compassionate coroner helping solve cases and being amazing. Her rich, controlling mother doesn't much approve of her life choices but old Mrs. Queen can suck it. Raven and Detective Charming have a clearly mutual attraction but they're both hesitant to act on it cause what's a romance without a good slow-burn.

Hopper's the Constable George Crabtree of this AU. Listen, the everyday George matches Hopper's human side, and writer George matches Hopper's frog side. I will not elaborate, because I really cannot. Just feel the vibes, cause the words aren't coming.

I'm not 100% sure who'd be the Inspector Brackenreid. Part of me kinda wants to make it Professor Badwolf, and then I could make Milton Grimm the asshole commissioner. Coach Gingerbreadman is the Inspector of Station 5, the rivals of Station 4.

Daring is heir to the Charming family fortune. Golden boy, everyone loves him, wants more than anything to be able to talk to his little brother in public, but their parents would disown him as well if he stepped out of line.

Apple is one of Raven's housemates at Sisters boarding house, run by Bella and Brutta Sister. She was once courted by Daring, it was at the point where people were expecting an engagement announcement any day. That's when they suddenly broke it off, with no explanation (the explanation is Daring's in love with another girl and Apple's in love with his sister). Snow White and her husband barely agreed to let her move into the boarding house, I honestly have no clue how Apple managed to pull that off but good for her.

Idk, Darling's a vigilante. She's got the same deductive genius as Dexter, she just doesn't have the same ability to join the police force. Inspector Badwolf is tired of his cops being outdone by the mysterious White Knight (yeah, yeah, I made Darling into Victorian-era Batman). Couldn't the White Knight patrol Station 5's territory? (The answer is no, because Darling really wants to catch a glimpse of her twin and also because Sisters Boarding house is in Station 4's territory and sometimes she likes to secretly crash with her girlfriend).

3. The Destiny Cycle AU (AKA: Ever After High but the Rebel Movement is an actual Rebellion AU):

What it says on the tin. Raven discovers the book is fake before Legacy Day. Her and Dexter, who in this AU is believed to be Ashlynn's future Prince Charming because someone made a good post about the potential dynamics that could cause and I love it, set out to uncover what other secrets those in charge are hiding.

Basically, in this AU Ever After is a dystopia where the Royal Families tied the survival of their dynasties' rule to their stories. Like, magically tied them. The Fates themselves have been bound by the magic of the Destiny Cycle. Ever After's Destiny-bound citizens are forced to repeat the same stories as their ancestors, all because Happily Ever After doesn't include a revolt or the institution of democracy. All stories are repeated as a precaution against anyone figuring out what the ancestors of the Royal Families did.

Taking some inspiration from the SDCC Raven Queen doll's letter from her mother, the Evil Queen discovered the truth about the Destiny Cycle, said "not my kid you bastards", and proceeded to try to break the Cycle's bonds. Her taking over other stories and cursing Wonderland was an attempt to stretch the probability bonds of the Destiny Cycle's magic to the breaking point.

Stuff's gonna go down and basically these kids know time is running out until there's a war, cause the only way to avoid being offered up as a lamb to the slaughter is to overthrow the whole system.

God, I really gotta make this into it's own post as well now. But here's a basic rundown of some stuff I'd include:

Dexter and Raven being young and in love and just all the secret romance feels

Snow White knows about the Destiny Cycle, but Apple absolutely does not know.

Apple being born blonde is a sign that the Evil Queen's schemes loosened the grip of the Destiny Cycle, at least for a moment.

Ashlynn, Hunter, Dexter, and Raven as secret rebel leaders.

The backgrounders will have actual roles dammit! (Looking at you Lawrence Bonecrusher III, aka Orc Boy).

An exploration of artificial Destiny Cycle "True Love" vs. real True Love, featuring Apple, Daring, and Darling.

C.A. Cupid, sent by her godly family to infiltrate Ever After and cure it of the Destiny Cycle, because it's interfering in the domains of the gods.

A unique Monster High crossover idea that I will elaborate on in another post.

These children absolutely end up having to kill someone and it scars them forever.

As for different destinies AUs or Star Wars AUs, I haven't really given them much thought.

I think, in a Star Wars setting (possibly Old Republic?), Raven would be a Jedi padawan descended from a long line of Sith. Instead of Mirror Prison, her mom is dead and her Force Ghost is bound to a giant, mirrorlike piece of kyber crystal. Uh, not 100% sure who her master would be.

Darling would also be a Jedi padawan, and Maid Marian would be her Master. Maid Marian gets into custody battles over this kid with this old Jedi Watchman known only as The White Knight. She'd still have her time-slowing hair flip, in this AU it's just a unique way of activating the Force Slow ability.

#eah #ever after high #ever after high au #apple white #raven queen #daring charming #darling charming #dexter charming #dexterous charming #c.a. cupid #eah evil queen #eah snow white #ashlynn ella #hunter huntsman #eah maid marian #professor badwolf #hopper croakington ii #dappling #milton grimm #headmaster grimm #all these can be taken and used as fic prompts btw #I doubt I'll ever actually sit down and write any of them

[honey-rye]

Mama's Boys Au Master Post!

welcome to my brain child, Mama's Boys! A ROTTMNT Separated AU lovingly titled DNA Doesn't Make a Family (We Do) on Ao3!

Draxum has a project, a project to create warriors that will conquer the surface under his command- only, he doesn't get that far. His DNA 'donor' escapes with the turtles, leaving his lab destroyed in the process. Luckily for Draxum, he recovers two of his subjects: L and D.

Flash forward through time, and Big Mama finds two clearly abused turtle children abandoned outside of her hotel, and decides to take them in. She unexpectedly falls into a motherly roll, and soon enough has a family she didn't know she wanted. Meanwhile Splinter, the former actor turned mutant rat, raises his own turtle children, teaching them the way of his ancestors.

Years later, the four subjects reunite and become an unlikely alliance in a fight they were never prepared for, (with the help of some more found family members.)

follow along for art, comics, maybe some animation, and fanfics!

Asks are always appreciated!

Find the fic here: DNA Doesn't Make a Family (We Do) [Rewrite]

Fun Stuff Under the Cut

Main Tag: #honeys mamas boys au

Art:

-> Main Stuff

New Lineup!

Fond Memories

Everything Comes Together

Dee Makes a Choice

Comic : First Meetings

Big Mama and Sons

Big Mama and Sons II

Big Mama and Sons vid

Lee and Mikey Vid

-> Fanart!

Lee and Dee by Shadow

-> QNA (#mama's boys qna)

discord question bomb

emoji ask thing

multiple au emoji ask

-> Old Stuff

there is,, so much old stuff that i'm not gonna link. i'm linking the fun stuff, and anything else can be found via # scavenger hunt :))

Screenshot Redraw

Intro for Sep Polls

Ch. 11 art (old fic)

Battle Nexus Twins

Old Sheets (Lee and Dee, Mikey and Raph)

Other Au's/ Works:

We Raise Our Cups (Apocalypse Au)

Barista By Day, Ninja By Night (Human/ Coffeeshop Au)

Dad Au

#honeys mamas boys au #rottmnt #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rottmnt leo #rottmnt donnie #rottmnt mikey #rottmnt raph #rottmnt au

[elvenbeard]

Exit Strategy

Cyberpunk 2077 Fanfic

Summary: V finally meets again with Dr. Fuentes, who during their first meeting already seemed very intrigued in his case. With not much left to lose, he takes her offer for an informal appointment - but even so, in Night City everything comes at a price. (Post-Sun-Ending, mostly canon-compliant, Chapter 13/?, 8258 words, Kerry Eurodyne/V - notes at the end) >> Previous Chapter >> Read from the Beginning

Kerry leaned over from the driver’s seat of his car and gently turned V’s head to give him a brief goodbye kiss. V didn’t want it to end, didn’t want to unglue his ass from the passenger seat, or go to that appointment with Fuentes. His hand lingered on Kerry’s thigh too long and gripped too tightly for Kerry to not notice. He had been right. V truly hated hospitals and doctors and anything to do with either.

“Ya sure you don’t want me to come?” Kerry asked with the utmost genuine worry in his eyes.

“Not that I don’t wanna,” V whispered, “But I’ll manage. And you’ll manage.”

He tried to convince himself more than Kerry really, and Kerry’s little grin told him that he knew that just as well. So, he just kissed him once more for good measure.

“I’ll give ya a call as soon as I’m out and I’ll be all yours for the rest of the day. Promise.”

“Okay,” Kerry nodded, beard brushing against V’s lips briefly. Then he withdrew, and V slowly lifted his hand to the doorhandle.

He wasn’t sure how, but somehow, he made it out of the car eventually. Exited the steel and gold colored Guinevre, waved Kerry goodbye briefly as he slowly drove off towards Charter Hill. Then he entered the MedCenter with his heart beating in his throat.

Finding the right name plate on the right room turned into a downright scavenger hunt in the hospital’s endless white hallways that all looked the same. A kind med-tech pointed V into the right direction eventually and opened the door for him. Now he was sitting in a too comfortable armchair in Dr. Fuente’s office. He had been a little early, but she was close to running late. V wasn’t sure if he liked it better that way or not.

His neck was stiff and hurt, partially from the accident still, but also from sleeping on the couch last night, huddled up to Kerry closely. After their pizza had arrived, they’d watched old movies until they both eventually dozed off. Falling asleep to the bad audio of an old action film and Kerry’s soft snoring had been another of those moments he wouldn’t have minded lasting a lifetime.

He pulled up the files on Fuentes again, gave them another quick read. Nix had sent them late last night and V had studied them over breakfast this morning. He had come to the same conclusion as the Afterlife’s resident netrunner: nothing too out of the ordinary with this doctor. At least on the surface.

Isabella Fuentes was born January 19th, 2024, in Puerto Rico. When she was two, the family moved to Tucson, Arizona. She was divorced, had two daughters, both adults around V’s age. One moved to Los Angeles two years ago, the other still studied at NCU. Fuentes herself had come to Night City with a medicine scholarship for the same university back in the middle of the century.

So much to the pretty ordinary basics. But V perked up when he learned that soon after finishing her studies, Fuentes worked for BioDyne for a considerable number of years. During their first meeting she had been quite adamant about not having any loyalties to that particular corporation. Nix was unable to turn up details on why – or how – she left, but that she got out of the corporate world alive after such a long time spoke for itself. BioDyne may not have been as militaristic as Arasaka, but V doubted they just let go of long-term employees without repercussions for either side.

After the end of her corporate career, Fuentes worked for Trauma Team briefly, in the field. She was injured during the time of the Unification war, although not related to war activities. She continued on the administrative side as she recovered and eventually took on her current role at the MedCenter’s neurology department. Ever since the end of the war she’d been exactly there, predominantly helping veterans and contributing to studies in her field. A long and remarkable career so far, even if not nearly as prestigious as it could have been with her prerequisites. V was certain there were parts of her past she would like to avoid talking about, and Nix had offered to dig deeper into some aspects… But for now, V was content with what he had. The rest would be determined by how this meeting went.

It was almost 10:15 at this point, no sign of the doctor still. V took a deep breath and looked around the room. The office was on one of the higher floors of the building. Not overly large or impressive, but it had a decently sized window. The shutters were closed, sadly, otherwise the view across Little China may have been quite beautiful this morning. All light came from some simple embedded ceiling lights, a warm white glow, a barely audible hum. The furnishings were sparse, a large grey desk front and center, two armchairs, an office chair, all upholstered with white synleather. V had uncomfortable flashbacks to Blue-Eyes’ office, but this room was thankfully too narrow for secret floor compartments containing synthetic bodies. The wall to his right was lined with shelves displaying mostly books, documents, and data shards, as well as a few personal items. Some quaint figurines that could’ve been Mexican, but V wasn’t sure. Souvenirs from a trip long in the past. There also were some tiny, colorful flowerpots that looked like they were hand-painted by children, containing even tinier succulents that may have been just plastic. To his left, on the wall opposite to the bookshelves, was a door, but not the one he had entered through. Just when he finished the thought, V suppressed a wince as the door right behind him slid open and a slightly out of breath Dr. Fuentes finally entered her office.

“Please excuse the delay, I had an emergency this morning and my whole schedule is shifted now,” she said, then stopped by V’s side briefly, extending a hand. V got up to shake it.

“Good morning, first of all,” she said, nodding and smiling politely, “I’m happy you’re back. You look better already than last week.”

“Thanks,” V said briefly and sank back into his chair while Fuentes went to open the window shutters, letting in some natural light. She hung her white coat over the backrest of her chair then sat down across from V behind her desk and folded her hands on her lap. Intelligent dark eyes were fixated on him, and V tried not to let his thoughts run too wild just yet with assumptions and theories about potential ulterior motives on her side.

“Alright,” Fuentes said as she had finally caught her breath again, “I suggest we cut straight to the chase.”

“Yes,” V nodded, “Thank you again for taking the time.”

“Of course,” Fuentes nodded, “I have to admit, I have been thinking about you and your case a lot these past days. Even with the limited knowledge I have so far, I still believe I may be able to help. If you are willing to tell me more about your condition now.”

‘Willing’ wasn’t the word V would’ve used. It was more a necessity at this point that he got help.

“I will,” he said, “But only if you can provide me with a certain level of security.”

Fuentes shifted in her chair slightly and frowned, then she opened one of the drawers of her desk and pulled out a tablet. She turned it on and began to search for something on it while maintaining eye contact with V as best as she managed.

“You’ve come here today as my patient. As far as I’m concerned, everything, anything that we discuss, falls under the doctor-patient confidentiality. My contract with the Little China MedCenter binds me to treat your data and information with utmost care and discretion. All data we store is locked away securely, all in accordance with your Trauma Team policy. I can resend you the patient information papers and contracts, although I think most of them you should already have…”

“I care less about the MedCenter than about what you personally do with the information I’m going to give you,” V said, and Fuentes stopped her search, narrowing her eyes slightly.

“I’m not sure what you’re alluding to,” she said, still polite, but shoulders visibly more tense than before.

“Nothing,” V shook his head carefully, “This is just not something I tell every random stranger on the street… no offense, of course.”

He paused.

“If I have to play with open cards, I need you to as well.”

A short, knowing smile flashed across Fuentes’ lips, and again, it was for just a split-second. V had known he was onto something from the first moment they ever looked at each other face to face. The question was not whether or not Fuentes could help him, but if he even wanted her to help him.

Fuentes put the tablet down and leaned back in her chair, brushing a black and grey curl out of her face. The late morning light coming in through the window right behind her framed her in a hazy golden glow, almost as if she wasn’t real, just wishful thinking in a hopeless situation.

“Alright,” she said calmly and nodded, “It is only fair.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, then rested her chin on her interlocking fingers.

“I know very well who you are, V. They call you ‘King of the Afterlife’ on the streets. A mercenary with a background at Arasaka’s department for Counterintelligence, and that’s only where the rumors and hearsay begin... Admittedly, I wonder how much of it all is true.”

V wasn’t surprised. He was certain his old Trauma Team records from his time at Arasaka were still stored somewhere. They must’ve come up when the hospital checked his insurance status after the accident. And the hearsay and rumors, well… Didn’t have to pay a fixer much for that kind of superficial intel.

This was not what he had hoped she would open their conversation up with, but it was a start.

“From my experience, telling the truth is the easiest way to make people believe you’re lying,” he decided to say. Fuentes chuckled briefly, then nodded, serious as ever. She looked him directly in the eyes, piercing, trying to read his thoughts. He wondered if she had cyberoptics – probably, as a neurosurgeon, and with her age. Doubtful though whether she had the means to covertly scan his system and biometrics. She wouldn’t be very successful either way, and the little information of him that was on public record he didn’t care about people knowing.

“Is it true you’re one of the best that money can buy?” she then asked with sincerity. Regardless, this time V was at least a little taken aback by how sudden and straightforward the question came.

“And I thought you wanted to help me, not the other way around…”

He leaned back in his chair too now and crossed his legs loosely. Undoubtedly, he was intrigued by this turn of the conversation, but at the same time his guts twisted into a knot.

“I think we can help each other,” Fuentes said, “And we both have a lot to lose.”

“Is that so?”

She smiled sadly, then shook her head.

“No, actually, I lost a lot already. And not even Night City’s best mercenary could bring it back,” she said, voice calm and composed, “But I would be satisfied just with plain revenge as well.”

The fire in her eyes was reignited, the same fire from their first meeting, the same anger Takemura had always spoken with about “restoring his honor” while to V it had always sounded more like a thirst for revenge at the core. Restoring an order that couldn’t be restored when he could’ve, should’ve just turned his back to the Arasakas the moment he had the chance.

Something like that was easy to say for V, of course, who hadn’t dedicated his whole life to a corporation.

And now, Fuentes, mysteriously non-associated with her former employer BioDyne, spoke of revenge. That could only mean trouble, and V hoped not to a similar degree as with Goro and the Arasakas.

“Not a fan of revenge,” he said truthfully, “It rarely solves anything and only creates more problems, usually.”

Fuentes laughed dryly.

“So what, live and let live?”

“Focusing on just living so far has at least brought me further than trying to get back at everyone who ever wronged me.”

“Maybe you haven’t been wronged badly enough yet then. You’re still young,” Fuentes smiled, but her eyes didn’t. V considered her words for a moment. Somewhere in the distance a barely audible announcement droned over loudspeakers, calling doctor so-and-so to room this-and-that. Otherwise, it was eerily quiet in this part of the hospital. No beeping machines, no hectically running people in the hallways. V began to understand why she’d wanted to meet him in her private office instead of an examination room downstairs now.

“Back in April I was shot in the head by my fixer and dumped in a landfill,” V then said, “I think I’ve been wronged a fair amount in my life so far. Although that surely takes the cake.”

He paused for a moment.

“Admittedly, had I had the chance, I’d returned him the favor. Although, I wouldn’t have called it revenge. Justice suits me better.”

Fuentes said nothing for a couple of moments, just studied his face. V could see her thoughts racing, although he wasn’t quite sure about her next move just yet.

“That’s your old injury?” she then simply asked and picked up her tablet again. She pulled up his brain scans and sat it down in the center of the desk so they both had a good view of the screen.

“A degeneration like this is nothing I’ve ever seen caused by a mere gunshot wound,” she said, “Although, I don’t recall someone still standing in front of me and talking normally with an injury as deep and massive in that general area of the brain…”

V’s pulse sped up just slightly when she looked back up at him again, inquisitive and head tilted slightly.

“You were very lucky…”

“’Luck’ doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface,” he said, peeling away at his cast again. The little plastic barrier between his left thumb and index finger was smooth as glass already from his consistent fidgeting with it.

“Was… or rather, is it an infection?” she continued to inquire, “I can imagine, ending up in a landfill barely alive with a wound like that…”

“I guess you could call it that, although not from the cause you assume,” V smirked, suppressed a chuckle. He almost heard Johnny’s disapproving scoff, saw him in the corner of the room leaned against the shelf, flipping him off with a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. Almost, not really. Not like he used to be able to.

“You remember the murder of Saburo Arasaka?” he tried to bring himself back into the conversation, out of his head. He wanted to bait the doctor some more, get her intrigued.

Fuentes seemed confused but nodded.

“His son killed him, or so was the conclusion in the end. Although, I remember assassins were blamed for it at first, hired killers. It was all over the news for weeks, until the parade. Then that was all over the news…”

Slowly, it began to dawn on her.

“You were involved in that?”

“Unwillingly, not directly,” V quickly clarified, “But before I explain how this is all connected and important… What do you want from me?”

Fuentes slumped back into her chair slightly and cleared her throat, disappointed almost.

“Would you be open to a job even if it boils down to a simple act of revenge?” she asked, then huffed amusedly, “I never would have guessed to ever ask a self-proclaimed mercenary that question.”

“Yeah, we’re generally pretty amoral people, all the way through to our cold, money-filled hearts,” V said bluntly, and Fuentes cheeks turned a slightly darker shade. She cleared her throat.

“Don’t worry, I’m joking,” V added after keeping her in suspense for at least a little bit, “Whether or not I take a job usually depends on what I can gain from it, so… Tell me the details. I’m listening.”

“You are very different from how I imagined you,” she then sighed, avoiding answering again, “I was surprised the other day already, but I chalked it up to the shock, your medication...”

V shifted in his seat slightly but tried to keep his posture relaxed and open.

“What did you imagine?” he asked.

“I’m not even sure anymore,” she said, “Less strings attached… or rather, different strings altogether.”

“You thought, ‘I’ll just hire someone to solve my problem for me, how complicated can it be’?”

V couldn’t hold himself back, because very often it boiled down to that. Not that he minded it particularly. Fuentes shrugged.

“Maybe,” she said, “In the end, it doesn’t matter. We’re here now and… And if you can help me with my problem, I’m more than willing to help you with yours free of charge in exchange.”

“Money’s not an issue,” V said, as Kerry had reassured him many times before as well. Truthfully, he still hoped he could somehow get out of having to assist her revenge plans, whatever they were.

“Well… regardless, you may not have a choice but help me.”

And here it was, the catch V had been waiting for, as if she’d read his mind.

“Why don’t we finally stop with the games, and you tell me what you want,” he said, no longer hiding his growing impatience.

Fuentes slowly turned to open a drawer on the other side of her desk. She pulled out a small black shard case, somewhat old-fashioned looking. Carefully, almost as if she feared it could shatter, she placed it on the desk and then slowly slid it closer to V without letting go.

“Have a look,” she said, “Far from a professional dossier, I fear, but I hope it helps as a start.”

V reached out to take the case and ejected the contained shard. He knew the model, knew that even if Fuentes had put a daemon or virus on it and this whole meeting was an elaborate trap, his system had enough countermeasures built in to catch it before it could cause any real damage. Not letting his hesitation shine through he inserted the shard into his free neck slot. A handful of files popped up on his interface, indeed not in the quality or as organized as he was used to from his fixers. But it was a more than decent start for the work of an amateur like Fuentes.

He opened a video clip front and center among the files. It was only a few seconds long and looped, showing a man around Fuentes’ age, maybe a bit older. The quality of the footage wasn’t the best, as if illegally captured from a public camera feed. The man wore a dark suit but was otherwise rather non-descript. Light hair, glasses… ironically, the same way Fuentes kept reminding him of Takemura, this man reminded V of Hellman. He had to do a double take, but no, the more often he saw him get out of a Delamain cab and hurriedly walk towards the entrance of what appeared to be a hotel, the more certain he was that this wasn’t Hellman. V skimmed through the other documents attached.

“Nathaniel Sutter,” he said, as he began to read through the files, “The name rings a bell… Not sure why though…”

Fuentes shrugged slightly and shook her head.

“It would surprise me if you knew him,” she said, “He is good at keeping a low profile, always has been. Finding a way to get to him, wherever he is at the moment, would be part of your job.”

“Last known place of residence Palm Street 78, Apartment 3, Charter Hill. Back in March still. Worked at BioDyne as a high-ranking researcher, manager… stopped active work for the corporation five years ago but remains on the executive board until today,” V summarized what he could gather from the files, some of them internal BioDyne documents he was certain were not meant for outsider’s eyes. Others were reports from business magazines, newsfeed articles, and so on, also not his go-to reading material. But he was certain he’d seen the name before somewhere.

“Let me guess…” he said after copying the data over and ejecting the shard again to return it to its case, “He ruined your career and you wanna get back at him as a late revenge, forever leave him in the unknown about what he did wrong?”

Fuentes smiled and shook her head as she took the shard back from V.

“No,” she said, holding the case gently between her fingertips before slowly looking back up at him, “I want his last thoughts to be regret. I want him to know that it was me who had him killed, and that it was for stealing my life’s work for nothing but the furtherment of his pathetic career.”

She spat her words out like venom, her eyes burning with disdain. V was quick to put two and two together. Also, he liked her bravado. He preferred clients that wanted their targets to know exactly why they met their demise over those who wanted him to do all the dirty work to keep their own conscience and hands clean.

“So, I think what you want is justice as well, not revenge,” he said after a short pause.

“What’s the difference, in your opinion?” Fuentes asked, leaning back in her chair again, eyebrows raised and shrugging slightly.

“Revenge is all about emotion,” V said, “You wronged me, so I’ll wrong you back, because I’m pissed or upset or otherwise hurt. Emotions always make things complicated. Justice, on the other hand, is logical. You analyze what went wrong, how you’ve been wronged… and then find an adequate punishment.”

Fuentes chuckled.

“A mercenary or a philosopher?”

“Neither,” V said, “Not really.”

Fuentes had no response to that, only smiled as if something had just clicked into place. V took the opportunity to change the subject away from him again.

“So, you did work on what they’re now marketing as the cure for MS?” he asked and finally Fuentes nodded. She let out a heavy sigh, her eyes drifting across her bookshelves briefly before finding V’s again.

“Of course, in the end, it was all in the name of BioDyne,” she explained, “It had always been a project intended to create great profits for people already a hundred times richer than what six generations of my family ever called their own. But somewhere deep down I was convinced, young and naïve, that regardless it was an innovation that could save the lives of thousands one day.”

“Was he your supervisor?” V asked, once more pulling up the video of Sutter and sending a handful of somewhat decent still frames to Nix for a quick background check. He would’ve loved to dig up some dirt on him himself, but if Fuentes kept her word he’d still be occupied for a while here for further testing and examination of his symptoms.

“We both started at BioDyne almost at the same time, both fresh out of university,” she explained, “He came here from a different city, and we bonded over both being outsiders in NC. Originally, we also shared similar goals, but somewhere down the line something changed.”

“Heard that story a million times before,” V said, exaggerating, but Fuentes just nodded again, knowingly.

“It’s as old as time,” she said, “But it still hurts, looking back… Anyway yes, you guessed right, he ruined my career – but not even in the sense that I was focused on advancing it. My primary goal was furthering my research, helping people. Long story short, something somewhere was going on in another department of the company, and because of it, even though we were ready, we weren’t allowed to publish our work.”

“Marketing schemes?” V wondered aloud, remembering similar ploys from Arasaka. Two departments that didn’t even know of each other’s existence influenced each other’s operations, which caused many frustrations on both sides. A handful of times it had been down to V and his subordinates even to play two departments against each other to test morale and company loyalty. He was sure all big corporations worked similarly on the inside.

“I have no clue,” Fuentes only shrugged, “I just know one night I went home none the wiser, and the next morning all my data and findings were gone because I had complained about the management’s practices.”

“To Sutter?” V asked and Fuentes nodded.

“He was also the only one who had access to my data, knew where I stored some more obscure findings that weren’t even relevant to our research. It was all gone, and I was told to pack my stuff and leave. And to better keep my mouth shut or else I’d never find work in my field again.”

“How long ago was that?” V asked, just to be sure the information Nix had given him matched up with her story.

“Fifteen years this year,” Fuentes said.

“A long time,” V nodded, “Why now the sudden lust for revenge?”

Fuentes smiled sadly.

“Because the cure is out now and people are being helped,” she said, “I saw some first results and findings, read the recent studies they conducted, and everything is working as intended. I don’t care anymore what happens now, as long as I can be sure my work wasn’t in vain.”

V frowned.

“Your work for BioDyne wasn’t in vain then, no,” he said, “What about you helping me though, what timeline of events are you picturing here?”

If she would only help him after he took care of Sutter and then instantly got assassinated by BioDyne agents, V would’ve been used as nothing but a tool once more. That he refused.

“I guess that depends on how urgently you need my help,” she said, “And how invasive my help is going to have to be.”

She finally returned the shard case to her desk, and V noticed now that there were some additional little clicking noises – a secret compartment probably, as she should keep something like that in one.

“Shall we begin with the classic ‘how are we feeling today, Mr. Ezaki?’, or would you like to continue where we left off, with the infection and the gunshot wound?”

The pit in V’s stomach grew as there really was no way to evade the topic anymore now. Fuentes had played with open cards, given him a decent bunch of incriminating information that he may as well use against her this instant if he wanted to. She’d put her trust in him, now he had to do the same.

“I will omit some details here and there, as they’re not relevant to my current situation anymore,” he began slowly, “And I want to protect the identities of some people – and you from knowing too much, too.”

“Of course,” Fuentes said calmly. V took a deep breath and steeled himself to tell his story once more, and once more as well to a person he barely knew.

“How familiar are you with Arasaka’s ‘Secure your Soul’ program?”

“Somewhat, but only on a superficial level,” Fuentes said, “It didn’t work as intended, as far as I know, but I can do some more reading on it.”

“If you need anything, I can also send you some more substantial data on it. It technically isn’t even classified anymore, was all part of the data leaks.”

More or less, at least.

“Sure…” Fuentes said, “Although I’m not sure I can follow why this is important. Wasn’t ‘Secure your Soul’ marketed as a means to speak to the dead, basically? What the engrams were actually used for in the end we’ll not delve into just now, but… You’re alive, most certainly.”

“Yeah… somewhat.”

V sat up straight again, cleared his throat, and began to recount the events that were set in motion at No-Tell-Motel in the early morning hours of April 17th 2077. He left out most details, especially about the hunt for Hellman, Evelyn’s involvement and what became of her. He didn’t mention Alt or Johnny by name and omitted all that happened in Dogtown entirely.

What he told Fuentes about was the Relic kickstarting him back into life, somehow, Johnny’s presence and his engram creeping into his brain. He explained how the Relic 2.0 was supposed to work and that his didn’t as intended and yet even better than imagined by its creator. He tried to explain what happened at Mikoshi, and how he felt like afterwards, ever since… Blue-Eyes he decided not to mention yet, but he touched upon trying varying “therapies”, of which the most recent one had many undesirable side-effects.

Fuentes listened with great attention, rarely interrupted him, and when she did, only to clarify the more medical aspects V touched upon. She noted down his symptoms during his attacks back then and now, and requested access to any of the scans Vik had done during all this time to get an idea of the overall development of his physical and mental state in the last months.

“So, if I’m understanding you correctly,” she eventually said after V had concluded his story, “The V I’m talking to right now, your personality, memories, and so on… is all stored on the biochip as an engram?”

Hearing it spelled out like that by a stranger somehow made sound even more surreal than it was. Or a slap in the face, a reality check V didn’t want or need.

“Can you understand now why this is not something I want to be public knowledge?” he asked, and Fuentes nodded pensively. She leaned back in her chair for a moment, looked up at the ceiling, then returned her attention back to her tablet.

“Your brain scans seemed so normal though,” she said, pulling the images up again as if she needed to be sure, “Well, a mild concussion, but other than that…”

“That’s beyond what I’m able to explain,” V said, “Some of my previous doctors said brain scans could seem normal on the surface, because my body has to be kept up and running somehow. There is some brain activity, but all higher functions are carried out on the Relic. The chip itself undid some of the damage from the gunshot because it tried to mimic, recreate the engram’s brain. I’m not even sure how far completed the process was, but given how easy it was for him to take over in the end, pretty far I guess.”

V's stomach turned at the thought, the memories, the feeling of sheer helplessness as he could only watch as Johnny piloted his body. Wondering still what happened during the times when he was fully blacked out, as Johnny had never been a fan of telling the whole truth.

Fuentes folded her hands on the table again, brow furrowed and studying V’s face.

“Your own engram can’t settle back in the same way… why exactly?”

“The Arasaka-AI I spoke to said the process I underwent couldn’t be reversed. My theory is that, since this specific Relic is a faulty prototype, it simply is incapable of kickstarting another process of rewiring my brain again. Or even if it could, my body has been through too much already to be able to take such radical adjustments.”

“Some radical measures may be needed indeed,” Fuentes said quietly, and V shivered, “But I am taking into account that you’re currently not in good health and we have to be careful. If you’re willing to accept my help still, of course.”

“I would like to hear out your plan at the very least,” V said, not trying to let his desperation show, “And, for my friends’ sake... maybe you can give me your opinion how bad it is. How much time I got left if things go on like they do currently.”

Fuentes nodded, then they both went quiet for a couple of seconds.

“This Arasaka-AI…” she broke the heavy silence, “Did it ever occur to you that it may have been lying about your condition?”

V thought about it for a moment.

“To gain what exactly?” he wondered.

“Not sure, just a thought,” Fuentes shrugged, “An AI created by Arasaka surely would act in Arasaka’s best interests. In this case, discourage you from leaving and carrying all their secrets out into the world.”

V shuddered, hoped that Fuentes didn’t notice it.

“The engram might’ve done it instead of me, had I given up my body,” he said, he hoped, “Besides, it’s a little bit more complicated than that with this particular AI. But that’s none of your concern.”

“Alright,” Fuentes nodded, “As I said, it was just a thought.”

She picked up her tablet again, read through her notes. Then she motioned to get up from her chair, setting the tablet back down, but hesitated.

“May I have a look at the chip?” she asked, still in her chair waiting for V’s okay. He froze.

“Just the slot, examine it externally,” she clarified, made tapping gestures.

V shifted in his seat slightly.

“I’d just… ask you to be careful.”

“Of course,” she nodded, then got up and slowly walked around her desk, past the bookshelves, coming to a halt to V’s right.

“May I?” she asked, smiling, and moving gently, as if she could sense his tension and fear. She probably could, to be fair. She motioned wanting to touch his head and neck, and after another couple of seconds of hesitation V nodded and turned his head away to bare his neck ports. Fuentes put one hand on the back of his neck, the other on his head, gently and slowly turning it to get a good look.

“Is this alright?” she made sure, “If at any point it hurts, let me know.”

“It’s fine,” V said, his voice much quieter and timid than he wanted. His whole body was tingling from tension and anxiety.

Fuentes’ hand wandered from the back of his neck to the ports behind his ear, embedded directly into his nervous system and connecting what was left of him on that chip with what was left of his body.

“This one?” she said, tapping beside the port that contained the Relic, and V shivered, his entire skin covered in goosebumps in an instant. He couldn’t reply.

“Does it hurt?” Fuentes asked gently, “It doesn’t look infected but…”

“Been having issues with these ports since I was a teen,” V explained briefly, “Didn’t take an upgrade well one time and ever since they’ve been prone to act up.”

“I see…” Fuentes nodded, “I bet slotting an experimental biochip in there didn’t improve the situation.”

“No...”

She let go of his head again and moved away slightly to give him space. V took a deep breath and almost reflexively his hand shot up to his neck, brushing over the slots as if to make sure they were still there.

Fuentes leaned against the edge of her desk, her arms crossed.

“You ever take the metro?” she asked after a pause, “Hang out in shady bars and dark alleys?”

“What?” V squinted up at her, hand still covering the Relic.

“I’m just wondering what you’re doing against picksockets,” she explained calmly, but her brow deeply furrowed with worry, “Or in general, any other protective measures you utilize to not have someone come up at you and yank this from your neck.”

V dropped his hand and began to fumble with his cast again.

“Doing everything in my power,” he said quietly at first, but at the same time, anger welled up in him. At his situation, not at the doctor necessarily.

“I’m well aware how risky it is to just step out the front door like a normal person, when my life is far from that. But… what’s the alternative? Lock myself up until I die?”

Fuentes nodded pensively, understandingly.

“You mentioned this therapy you tried… You think the medication has increased this feeling of apathy, of not being able to voice your thoughts clearly? How long since you’re not taking the pills anymore?”

“Just a day,” V said, not exactly happy about the topic change either.

“Do you feel clearer now than you did a few days ago?”

He paused to really think it through. His emotions were all over the place, the last few days had been an intense firework of horrible impressions and new, uncomfortable discoveries. He’d had troubles being honest with Kerry, although, their argument yesterday morning, even if it hurt, had been very straightforward. Much more so than many of the other conversations they’d had lately.

“I… can’t say for sure,” he said, “Maybe. But I’ve had clearer days in-between occasionally, too.”

“Alright,” Fuentes said, then she walked back to her chair to sit down. She looked at V intensely again for what seemed like an eternity. He didn’t recall the last time he felt as naked while being fully clothed.

“Knowing your case a bit better now, I see two main problems. The first: the decline of your physical and mental health. Your deteriorating nervous system, seizures, depression, depersonalization, and so on. That is something I need to examine more closely, put you through some tests. And we have to run a whole bunch of scans, unfortunately. Some we can do today, but others take some time and require planning in advance.”

“Yay, tests and scans,” V said as unenthusiastically as possible, and he didn’t even have to try hard.

Fuentes chuckled.

“I know, you’ve probably been through that a lot with your previous doctors. If you still have their findings available, I’d love to see them, too.”

“I don’t mean to interrupt,” V said, raising his hand to slow Fuentes down, “But can you tell me like… in general if you have any plan, any idea of how to tackle this already? Just so I know where I’m at.”

In fact, he solely wanted, needed something concrete beyond “we need to do tests” that he could tell Kerry. A sliver of hope, a promise, maybe, that V didn’t need to keep but the doctor. He needed someone else who could take the blame if things went down south if he was being completely honest.

“That would bring me to your second main problem: the biochip continuously taking up a slot in an already strained system while being extremely exposed to external influences,” Fuentes said, “There’s a reason why these slots are not intended for long-term usage, and we rely on built-in cyberware solutions for permanent modification purposes. In your case, you currently have no other choice, of course. But it is still something that should be tackled in the short rather than the long term.”

Fuentes turned the tablet back on and opened V’s brain scans in a program that allowed her to draw onto the 3D-model, visualizing her ideas.

“I should preface this by saying that yes, your case is unique. I’ve never done anything like this before. I have an idea, but I need to do a lot of research and preparations first, still… and you can use that time to prepare everything else you feel you need to prepare… Just in case, if you catch my meaning.”

V swallowed.

“That invasive, then, huh?” he tried to joke to ease the tension. Fuentes smiled sadly. She drew some lines along the backside of the scan of V’s head.

“My current idea is to create a safer container and environment for the chip inside your skull,” she explained, “We can make use of the existing connections… it will have to stay in its port, obviously, but we can pull it inside as a whole and place it roughly here maybe.”

She drew a vertical line along the back of his skull, right at the base.

“The exact spot I’ll have to determine once I have a full scan of your system configuration, nervous system, and so on,” she added, “And yes, the procedure how I’m picturing it right now will be invasive, painful, probably leave scars… but it will contribute to stabilizing the Relic’s overall state, having it in a container actually designed to hold it long-term.”

“I see,” V said, but he struggled to take in the information, even though Fuentes seemed extremely confident and competent in the way she explained and sketched out her thoughts.

“In regard to your deteriorating health, well,” she said after a moment of contemplation, “As I said, I need to run tests first. We need to take as much strain from your body as possible, you need to rest, relax.”

“Easier said than done. There’s an BioDyne executive board member I’ve been asked to kill.”

Fuentes’ face twitched briefly, and she just nodded.

“I know,” she said, voice heavy, “But as I said, there may be no way around it.”

V frowned.

“I think the best way to tackle your health concerns, would be a modified version of the nanobots we used in our studies at BioDyne back then,” she explained, “They’re not the same anymore as the ones utilized in the current treatments, BioDyne heavily controls their usage too. Obviously. But I know for a fact that Sutter kept some of our prototypes to himself, secretly of course. Gloating, and so sure of himself he’d never be discovered.”

V was tempted to ask for a moment what Sutter would keep them for, but with the information he had on him currently, the answer was obvious: to sell them at a huge profit should things ever go awry with BioDyne. Every single person rising high enough in the ranks of a corporation had exit plans like this. Had V not spent his last 6 months at Arasaka high out of his mind most of the time, had he not invested his spare time and money into drugs and random hookups but an exit strategy, he probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now. Admittedly though, he wasn’t sure where he would be sitting instead, and if he’d be any happier or maybe even more miserable.

“And you could reprogram these prototypes to… reprogram my nervous system, fix all the damages, basically?” V concluded.

“That would be my approach, yes.”

He leaned back in his chair again, rubbed his forehead, his temples throbbing slightly.

“This therapy I tried,” he said, “The one with the bad side effects. I think that one utilized nanobots as well.”

Fuentes tilted her head.

“You think it utilized nanobots?” she asked, “Your doctor didn’t discuss their use with you?”

“It’s… complicated.”

He lowered his hand and looked back at her again.

“Believe me, the less you know about this, the better. But I think I was given something as part of a treatment that I shouldn’t have been given. And I’m not sure how much damage it did. So, I’m a little wary about nanobots reorganizing my brain.”

“Understandable…” Fuentes said tensely, “Well… I can assure you at least that I will not administer anything to you that I did not thoroughly discuss with you before. And have your consent on.”

V nodded weakly, shrugged. Words meant nothing, deeds meant everything.

Fuentes eyes wandered back to her tablet, the 3d model, her notes.

“I wish I had something a little more substantial to offer at this point,” she then said, “I think I could already make a clearer assessment once we’ve run some initial tests.”

V let their whole conversation play in his mind again, trying to think if there was anything left he needed clarification on, anything he forgot to mention that would be important.

“You said that Sutter likely still has the nanobots,” he said, “What makes you so sure that he didn’t sell them years ago?”

Fuentes shuffled slightly, as V seemed to have hit the mark once more.

“Alright, there is one thing I wasn’t entirely honest about,” she said, and V steeled himself for whatever was to come.

“Well, now’s the time to spill it,” he said calmly, “Or I’m out the door.”

Fuentes’ eyes told him that she knew he was bluffing, but she also had to know that this would sooner or later backfire if she didn’t tell the whole truth.

“I’ve been keeping tabs on Sutter with the help of private investigators for years,” she explained, “As I said, he’s a slippery one, always extra sure to cover his tracks... But not impossible to find information on. Right before he disappeared off the face of the earth my P.I. at the time captured the video footage I already showed you, but… that’s just part of the clip. It goes on a bit further.”

“Where’s the rest of it?” V asked, but he knew the answer already.

“Not with me, not here, no,” she said, confirming his suspicion, “I can send it your way via some detours, just in case. But basically, he met with a businessman, and from what my P.I. told me and documented, I’m fairly certain he sold him the bots.”

V sighed.

“Then killing him will only be for your revenge purposes after all and not actually help me…”

Fuentes shook her head.

“No, no. He would still have the blueprints, I’m certain. He has to. He has a special memory chip, almost impossible to trace, that he kept all important data on that no one else should get their hands on.”

“In a ‘sell his nanobots but keep them too’ kinda way?” V asked, and Fuentes nodded.

“He prided himself with being so smart and playing everyone all the time. The chip is, according to him, pretty much unhackable, unretrievable. Killing him would instantly delete the chip’s contents, too, so, no point in doing that.”

“How to get your hands on it then?” V asked, “Cut it out of his body while he’s still alive?”

Fuentes said nothing, only looked down to her lap.

“Fantastic…” V sighed.

“I’m sorry,” Fuentes said, “There’s a reason I didn’t want to start off with this.”

“And you’re still not even sure if there is anything useful on the chip, mind you,” V said, trying to remain calm, “And you’ll still have to construct, reprogram, and get the nanobots working if I can get my hands on the blueprints at all. If I even manage to find Sutter. That is a lot of ifs in return for even more uncertainty.”

“Of course,” Fuentes said quietly, “I can promise you that constructing and adjusting the nanobots to work for your particular condition actually is not as complicated as it sounds. I would need a DNA sample from you from prior to the gunshot wound, but I’m relatively certain your profile is stored in your old Trauma Team records from your time at Arasaka.”

“Probably, yeah,” V said.

“There are means and ways, always,” Fuentes nodded.

“What if there are no blueprints, if he sold them together with the bots?”

“I could look into alternatives… constructing new bots from scratch would certainly take longer. A month or two but given your condition we might not have as long.”

“If I could get my hands on the bots from my therapy,” V suggested, “Could that help?”

Fuentes hummed.

“I would certainly like to take a look at them, yes. If only to tell you what exactly they’re doing and if they could be causing your symptoms.”

V shifted to reach into his jacket’s inner pocket, pulling out a ziplock bag with the pills coming from Mr. Blue Eyes. Fuentes’ expression was almost hilariously confused when he dropped the bag on the table.

“Don’t ask,” he said, “My Ripper thinks there’s nanobots embedded in these pills.”

“Not quite how you’d administer them, necessarily…” Fuentes mused as she picked up the bag and held it up against the light, “They’d have to dissolve over time or otherwise leave the body eventually, as you’d keep adding new ones by taking new pills. Not impossible, but the standard procedure is introducing them via the spine and extracting them again once their task is completed.”

“Everything about this whole situation is a special case,” V said, “I would say ‘I’d love to hear anything you figure out’… but actually, I’m not sure if I really do.”

Fuentes nodded sternly and put the pills away safely in the same secret compartment her shard on Sutter was stored in.

“I will have a look at them later,” she promised.

“Alright,” V said, holding on to the armrest with his healthy hand, “Anything else you can tell me that I need to know?”

“There is… one more thing,” Fuentes nodded, “I know where Sutter is.”

She paused, but V didn’t know what to respond.

“But you’ll still have to figure out how to get to him, I’m… drawing a blank on that.”

V squinted.

“You’re making it sound like he’s on the moon.”

Fuentes laughed weakly and tapped something into the search bar on her tablet.

“Almost.” she said. Then a familiar advertisement started playing on the screen.

*****************

>> Next Chapter

*****************

Notes:

This one has been in the works since January, and chapter 14 is almost done actually, as I let this one here sit and stew a bit in between, dreading the editing xD Ngl, when it comes to the medical stuff I always struggle a bit, because I want it to be realistic, but I also have no clue about much xD I hope this isn't all too long-winded and was still an enjoyable read with some twists and turns as V and Dr. Fuentes try to always keep the upper hand against the other, subtly!

I really wanted to develop the doctor a little bit more, give her an interesting background and shady goals and have those all make sense in the grand scheme of things... Maybe you can already guess where her enemy Sutter's exit strategy led him to, where V has to follow soon? 👀

Next chapter out hopefully soon! :D

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