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inknopewetrust · 3 years

Note

Hey, I was wondering if i could request either javier peña or din djarin ship/x reader oneshot type thing? Mostly just (one of) them comforting reader who has really low confidence and doesn't believe they are good at anything. x x

Little Miss Perfect

Pairing: Javier Peña x Fem!Reader

Word Count:1.3k

Warnings: language. Don’t doubt your abilities loves–you are more than capable of doing anything you set your mind to.

A/N: thanks for the request Anon! Sorry for the long wait, these things just take a bit of time! Ah, how I missed writing for Javi. Did you know Javi was the first character that mustered up a following for me on here? Now, nearly 1000 followers later, here I am still writing for him. I felt this request would work best with him :)

“Shit!”

It was either the loud yell or the slamming of the telephone that caught Javi’s attention, he wasn’t sure which had come first. At the desk across from him, Steve sat disengaged from your internal struggles that were beginning to bleed out into the small office you all shared and diagonal from him, you had your head being cradled by your hands in frustration.

Javier kicked Steve’s shin from under the desk and with an audible “ow,” Steve gave Javier a look of disdain. The thumb pointed in your direction changed his demeanor from one of annoyance to one of concern.

“You alright, L/n?” Steve set down the report he had been reading to focus his attention onto you, but you didn’t look him in the eyes to answer, just mumbled a barely heard:

“No.”

He didn’t push any further, but it had to have been something serious to have you react in a way that made Javier concerned. If there was anything to know about you, it was that everything you ever did–whether it be work, play, or what not, you always put in 100% effort. When the reactions to your work were less than spectacular, a depression-like slump followed because it wasn’t what you were hoping for. You strived to have your superiors and partners know that you were the best person for the job and when you failed on occasion, it stung like a sting from a hornet.

“No... No, I’m not alright. I’m not fucking alright!” The burst came out of nowhere and startled the two men. It got even worse when you rose from the seat and practically ran out of the office with your jacket, the chair spinning rapidly in your wake.

“What the fuck was that about!?” Steve asked Javier with an exasperated gaze, but Javier didn’t know the answer. He thought he could deduce the reaction to the problem, except he was never certain in his abilities to read your physical reactions. Neither man readied themselves to follow immediately. Though after a few minutes, it was Javier who made the effort to find you and get to the bottom of your obvious despair.

Not in the courtyard and not in the smoking room. There was no sign of you in the file room, printing room, with the CIA guys and gals, or with Noonan. Based on Noonan’s dismissal of Javier, Javi was sure the conversation that was had between the two of you is what made you so upset.

It wasn’t until he got down to the bottom floor and into storage that he smelt the distinct smell of camel cigarettes filled his senses and he followed it down the dimly lit aisles of boxes filled with completed files. Down the one labeled G-J, you were sat against the rack with a few burnt cigarettes on the ground. Javier’s footsteps were not quiet, so you knew he was there when he turned down the aisle.

“Come to gloat for Carrillo? He fucked us all over.”

“It’s not your fault we didn’t catch him alive.” Javi told you and sat down across from you. One of his legs bent up towards his body and the other stretched out just enough where it rested itself on the other side of your foot. You handed the cigarette out to him which he gladly took from you.

“It’s always on my account. Noonan always thinks it’s my fault and I just can’t convince anyone that I’m good at this. Every time we get close to catching one of them, they die or go MIA or I don’t know... fly off to Mars.”

“Mars? Shooting a little high there, don’t you think?” The smirk on his face was welcoming but you were still angry at that fact that everything you did was never good enough for the DEA.

“Why don’t they get angry at you and Steve? Why is it always me?”

“You think you’re the only person who gets chewed out around here?” You shrugged at him but the foot that had been resting beside yours tapped it harshly. You looked at Javi with a helpless face.

“Noonan isn’t a field agent. She doesn’t understand why Carrillo made the call, but he shouldn’t have. That was your member to catch.”

“And it’s my fault that he’s dead!?”

“I didn’t say that.” Javier handed the cigarette back to you and you took a long, much needed drag before restarting the conversation.

“Sorry. I don’t mean to be ridiculous about it.”

“You’re not being ridiculous. Not many women would have the gall to even take up a field job here and let alone be good at it. Noonan’s position was handed to her... she doesn’t know what we’re dealing with out there.”

“But it doesn’t mean that she isn’t right. Every time I got a lead something would happen to change the course. That isn’t what they look for in agents so what is keeping me here? Optics?”

Javier shook his head and furrowed his brows. Since the moment you stepped off the plane in Colombia, you’ve been nothing but a valuable asset to their efforts in catching Escobar. Every piece of information that you provided was essential and that is why they had put you on Gustavo Gaviria’s case in the first place. If it weren’t for Carrillo, you would have had him in American handcuffs right now but operations weren’t easy when five different departments of justice are fighting the same fight. You were a brilliant co-worker, a great person, and more than capable to be here working with him and Steve.

“Don’t say that...you are one of the best agents we have.”

“Not everyone thinks that way, Javi.”

“Well I do, and I know Steve does too. Plus, the CIA guys and the girls that work in the office, they know how hard you work. AND! I’ve never seen a woman kick as much ass as you do when we go out on the field. Anyone who doubts a woman who has no qualms about holding a gun to your head should be terrified in their assumption.”

You scoffed but it was enough to draw a little smile at the corner of your mouth so Javier knew he was getting somewhere. He was cracking the façade even if some of those thoughts would return from time to time. It wasn’t often agents were praised for their good work, so he took the chance to do it for you in a moment of need.

“Do you remember the night we had to survey the bar where there was that shootout?” You nodded in remembrance and he continued with a story that you could have predicted.

“You were the only one to think of-”

“I know, I know.” you shrugged off the surging compliment of a good days work but Javier shook his head and laughed. It was a laugh of sheer lack of understanding as to why you wouldn’t want to hear compliments.

“You deserve to be recognized for your work. Noonan might not see it but we all do here. Here is where it matters and on the field and when you go home at night and see the positive impacts on the news. When this is all over and you return to the States, wherever you end up, those people are always going to remember you for the good deeds you’ve done here.”

“You’re a good man, Javi. You know that right?”

There was a shared, true smile between the two of you in that moment.

“I think some people would disagree but if you say so, then I’ll think it.”

“I’ll remember that mantra the next time I don’t think I belong here.”

With that, Javier helped pick up the burnt nubs of cigarettes from the floor and together you returned to the office where you would help make a difference and remember that the two people who matter most to your job thought of you as essential to the process. For that, you would be forever thankful for.

#Pedro Pascal #pedro pascal imagine #pedro pascal one shot #pedro pascal x reader #pedro pascal x oc #pedro pascal x you #javier peña #javier peña one shot #javier peña imagine #javier peña x reader #javier peña pairing #javier pena x you #javier peña x you #narcos fanfic #Narcos Netflix #narcos

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dented-nado · 3 years

Note

Well since you specifically asked: Twiddler

“Yah I like Eddie but he’s straight // BAD LUCK, HUH?”

“No he’s not”

“NO IM NOT??”

Shenanigans

I’m dying right now, the ol’ Harv(ey) stubbornly thinks that Edward fucking Nygma is s t r a I g ht love it. Still one of my fave convos we’ve ever had.

==================

Eddie’s POV

=====================

It had been about a year since he had joined the sort of halfway home that Bruce Wayne had opened up for Ex-Rogues. However Eddie was somewhat convinced the billionaire he now realized had been Batman the whole time (pfft, he totally could have figured that out… he just… hadn’t…) rather liked having he, Harley, and Harv(ey) as a sort of odd band of roommates. And well… a literal mansion wasn’t a bad place to stay in by any stretch of the imagination.

He certainly had expected (and been quietly and not so quietly jealous) that because Harv(ey) and Bruce had apparently been close as far back as when they were children, Wayne would certainly be ecstatic to have Two-Face hanging around. He still was a little bit taken a back that well… anyone would want him around.

But he really was trying to reform. Maybe part of it was because the routine had gotten boring and he’d started finding more quiet and less destructive games and puzzles more entertaining these days. Besides, he realized he could have more fun with such things when he wasn’t being hauled back to Arkham because he’d taken things a little too far so often.

That being said, he had a new focus, a new goal.

And that was the previously mentioned Harv(ey) Dent. The giant, the absolute unit that towered over him.

Two souls for the price of one. Harvey was quietly intelligent (though sometimes a little bit delightfully oblivious), kind, and soft. Then Harv, he was bold, had a wonderfully fun fashion sense, and had a gravelly voice that admittedly caused Eddie’s mind to pull a blank at times.

They were a man that could have half their face burned to a crisp with acid and still be the only man that had been in Arkham (in Edward’s opinion) that could really get it.

He still remembered the first time “two-face” had been escorted into Arkham, the sight of them had knocked the wind right out of him, completely stopped his plotting for his next attempt to outsmart Batman.

Sure, perhaps he had heard and sort of seen images of Harvey Dent, the famous distract attorney that had been nicknamed Gotham’s “white knight” on the tiny, crappy TV they were occasionally allowed to watch when they were let out of their cells. But that never did him justice.

Seeing him here? Up close?

What a man. A handsome man, carved by angels and blessed by the devil

Now if only he could get Harv(ey) Dent to notice him.

Since that day he’d tried time and time again under the hope that maybe just maybe… this giant of a man would consider a relationship of sorts.

He tried to impress them with his vast intellect, sitting close to him and going off about any fact or subject he happened to know. He then tried to drill Harvey about his knowledge as a lawyer (which he thought also might just be interesting to know). They were certainly a good listener… and Harvey warmed up to talking about legal jargon and the pains of law school with Eddie eventually.

He was able to talk to Harv about their mutual love of fun patterns and bright colors and agreed that anyone who dissed it just didn’t understand fashion. He also realized soon that Harv loved to talk when he was acknowledged, and Eddie was more than happy to encourage him to and lightly swoon at that voice.

However, they were still only on a ‘good pals’ basis.

Which maybe Eddie could have accepted, except he caught Harvey staring at him at times, smiling slightly whenever Eddie would talk about what interested him. And Harv, he had gotten Harv to laugh a few times.

There was something there, he knew it, but for some reason he couldn’t puzzle out, Dent wasn’t acting on it.

It continued to this day. Harley had suggested to Edward he simply outright tell Harv(ey) Dent he was interested in them. But that wasn’t fun or interesting, and certainly not as romantic as Eddie would like.

So, after years of frustration now, he decided he’d go to the one person who had known Harv(ey) Dent their whole life for advice.

============

Bruce’s POV

============

“So, that’s my dilemma.” Edward finished, pushing up his glasses in a very matter-of-fact way.

Bruce sighed. The only person who had ever rivaled his own stubbornness and… stupidity when it came to others having an romantic interest in them, was in fact Harv(ey) Dent. This would no doubt be difficult.

He wasn’t even sure how he managed to get into a relationship with Clark and Diana, so he wasn’t sure how much of a help he’d be trying to get Harv(ey) and Eddie to pair up.

“I’m decently sure he’s interested in you.” He replied.

“I’m quite sure too, however nothing I do seems to get them to do anything.” Eddie expressed, looking completely exasperated.

“hrrn....” Bruce grumbled thoughtfully. “What have you tried so far?”

“Well… I’ve given them gifts, flowers seemed like a sure-fire method- yet he seemed to somehow take them as a platonic gift.”

Bruce stared at Eddie for a long moment. “Who gives flowers platonically?”

Eddie shrugged.

Bruce sighed. “Dammit Harvey… Harv…” He mumbled under his breath. “I could try talking to them, get some better idea of what’s going on their head, could be Harvey and Harv keep arguing on how they want to respond.” He suggested.

Eddie nodded thoughtfully. “That may be the case, that is a possibility I had not considered… thank you for your assistance batma….. ah… Bruce…” He corrected with a slight grin.

Bruce half smiled back.

Batman was on the case.

====

“So… Harv…. Harvey…” Bruce began wandering over to where they were sitting.

They were seemingly switching between drinking a hot coffee and a Frappuccino.

Harvey had complained more than once that because of their disagreements Harv ended up making them consume way too much sugar. Too much caffeine in this case it seemed.

Their eyes flicked over to him.

“Hi Bruce.”

“What’s up Pretty Boy?”

Bruce sat down across from them. “Eddie seems to be interested in you.”

Never hurt to be blunt with a lawyer.

Harvey snorted. “That’d be nice… he is really cute but…”

“I’m sure Eddie is straight, just our luck, right?”

Bruce had never been so shocked in all his life.

Straight?

Eddie…

Straight?! E d d I e.

Str a I ght, Edward Nygma E Nygam s t ra ight

The two concepts being put together caused a complete error in Bruce’s mind that was slowly beginning to fry.

Who could possibly conclude that Edward was s t r aight?

The riddler…. The riddler who for a while greeted Batman like he was lowkey interested in a literal love-hate relationship

Edward

Str a I ght.

“Are you… fucking kidding me?” Bruce ended up stammering before he even realized it. “He’s not… at all!”

Harvey blinked at him a few times in surprise.

“What do you mean?”

Bruce gaped at them. They couldn’t be serious.

“Harvey… I… Harv… he… he’s not exactly subtle about it. In fact he’s very open, very much out and proud, flaming even. I’m sure he’d agree.”

Harvey looked at Bruce through squinted eyes. “Are you sure Bruce?”

“Sure, maybe he’s a bit more flashy than your average guy, but that doesn’t mean gay.” Harv added with a shrug.

“He calls you handsome at least 3 times a day.” Bruce said still staring at Harv(ey) like they were absolutely insane.

“Lots of people do.”

“Have you ever seen him even flirt with any women??” Bruce asked in disbelief.

“No but… well there’s always been more men in Arkham, and when do you even have time for that?”

Bruce was somewhere in-between wanting to laugh at them and slap them.

“He’s given you flowers.”

“Pretty sure he’s just being friendly.”

“Friendly…” Bruce wheezed.

This conversation was taking years off his life at this point. He shook his head and texted Edward.

“Get in here (the living room downstairs) It’s important”

Edward slid in and sat peppily down on the couch with Bruce within a few minutes, causing Harv(ey) to look between Eddie and Bruce in confusion.

“You rang Mr. Wayne~?” Eddie asked with a cheeky grin as he leaned his head against his hand.

“You know what these men just said to me?” Bruce began folding his hands together.

“Bruce nooo…” Harvey pleaded.

“No no, I think he should know.” Bruce insisted.

Eddie raised his eyebrows comically high. “Well don’t keep me waiting, what’s the tea?”

Bruce cleared his throat. “They said… they’re sure you’re straight.”

Eddie stared at Bruce for a minute, eyes widening.

“Me?” He asked completely baffled.

Bruce nodded.

Eddie threw back his head and laughed until his face turned red and he had trouble breathing.

Harv(ey) looked on stiffly, feeling as if they had made a mistake somewhere as the dawning realization slapped them in the face.

============

Harv(ey)’s POV

===================

It was bad enough they had put themselves in denial so far they had missed out starting something with the small bean-pole riddle-man much earlier…

But now because they had convinced themselves Eddie was straight and therefore could have no interest in them… Eddie and Bruce were refusing to let them live it down.

And Bruce seemed to have gotten literally everyone in on the joke. Anyone Bruce hadn’t told between his partners and his massive family, Eddie had told.

Harley had begun kissing Ivy in front of them while they both traded off saying “no homo tho” between kisses until Harv(ey) groaned and left the room in a huff, leaving them both laughing maniacally.

Eddie had begun dramatically entering a room with a flourish announcing “Ladies and Gentlemen, Guys, Gals, and Non-binary pals, the straightest man alive has arrived, you may all start the party.”

Even when they first slept together, Edward had started quietly laughing and mumbling about “how straight, and very much not gay at all this occurrence was.”

Bruce hadn’t been able to look at them in weeks without breaking out into a full on belly laugh at his expense, mumbling something along the lines of “The Riddler, st r a I ght, good lord...”

On one hand they were happy Bruce was laughing more but god dammit…

They felt a bit dumb about it to say the least.

“How did we ever think Eddie was straight?” Harvey thought to himself.

“I don’t fucking know. I really… really… don’t.”

Well… maybe giving everyone a little levity while still being able to date a cute red-head that seemed to know the strangest facts about almost everything that they could enjoy listening to him babble about for hours happily…. Was all worth it. Even if they were embarrassed by their comically stupid brand of denile.

#prompt fill #twiddler #two face x riddler #harvey dent #harv dent #edward nygma #e nygma #the riddler #batman #bruce wayne #two face #gotham rogues #dc villains #dc comics #fanfic #dc fanfic

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wing-ed-thing · 3 years

Text

Cabaret (Might Guy x Reader, Chapter V)

Synopsis: You can't stand Might Guy. Honestly, how could anyone be so boisterously unaware and sickeningly positive? Your heart sinks as the both of you are teamed up to infiltrate and collect information from the Hidden Sound's gritty nightlife. Maybe losing yourselves in the dark of the underground will help you both come to an understanding.

Word count: 2,659

Chapter I Chapter II Chapter III Chapter IV Chapter V Chapter VI Chapter VII Chapter VIIIChapter IX Chapter X Chapter XI

Warnings: Drinking, minor sexual harassment (a guy puts a hand on your leg)

Sundown approached quickly, but you made it to your destination before it became dark. Your heels once again sunk into the fabric of the velvet carpet of “HEAVEN”. Mama-san did not stand at the front podium today. Instead, in front of it sat the blonde bartender from the previous day. When she saw you, her visible excitement showed immediately as she bounded towards you.

“You must be Takeuchi-san!” she cried, her high pigtails bouncing behind her. “It is so nice to meet you! You are so pretty!” She grabbed your gloved hands. You could practically see sparkles in her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Your eyebrows knit together as you crouched sheepishly, “And you are?” The blonde stumbled back with a gasp that made you jump. You looked about wildly as to find the source of such an extreme reaction, only finding yourself.

“I didn’t introduce myself!” She slapped herself across the cheek. Your eyes widened as wide as your jaw dropped. You probably could have heard the smack from across the room. How do you respond to that? She shook herself out of it before you could figure it out. She bowed deeply, “I am Chiasa Fuse! It is very nice to meet you!”

“Um… hello, Fus-”

“Please call me Chi-chan! Oh, I should have just told you that from the beginning… That’s what everyone else calls me!” She looked down, playing with the hem of her white, floral gown. Tears appeared in her waterline. You took a breath, you could definitely not get touched by this one.

“So… I’m guessing Daisuke-san arranged for you to show me the ropes?” Chiasa snapped up, tears near gone at this point as she exclaimed,

“Yes! Of course!” She took your hands again, leading you off and you silently thanked Kami for your thick gloves.

Only staff populated the main lounge between custodial workers who disinfected tables to the hostesses who were waiting for opening. Daisuke sat at the bar where you found Guy. Guy’s appearance did not differ much from the previous night. The black button up had been traded in for a white one and a bowtie sat between his collarbones. You pursed your lips. Your eyes meeting Guy’s, you gave him a playful look of approval. He winked in subtle response.

“Ah! Takeuchi-san!” Daisuke roared. He held up his drink. “This man makes the best daiquiri I’ve ever tasted! Why didn’t you tell me that I’d be in for the experience of a lifetime?!” He cackled, turning back to Guy who gave a humble chuckle. You returned the expression.

“Unfortunately, I did not know Aoki-san before coming here.” You told him politely. “Believe me, if I knew I would have told you!”

“Oooh, yes I heard you journeyed from the Leaf! I hear that place is full of savage ninja.” Chiasa gossiped.

“I’m looking forward to seeing you in action next, my dear,” Daisuke told you. He hesitated. “You do know we have a room for the girls to prepare in, correct? You don’t have to make the trip here all dolled up.” Chiasa yelped again.

“I was just taking her there, Daisuke-san!”

“Wonderful, you are in exceptional hands then!” Chiasa tugged you towards the same entrance to the right of the bar.

“Always a pleasure, Daisuke-san.” You made one last smile at the two men before you were tugged down the hall.

Chiasa opened the first door. You glanced to your left at Daisuke’s office door at the end of the hall before you were pulled into the room. The walls were lined with vanities and they sat back to back in a row down the middle. There were only about 6 girls in the otherwise empty room.

“Hey ladies! We got someone new working with us!” Chiasa announced to the room. “This is Takeuchi Yume!” You couldn’t get a word in as Chiasa then dragged you over to a stool in front of a vanity against the right hand wall. The other girls hardly batted an eye. She sat down at the one next to it, looking at you expectantly with her hands under her chin. You slowly lowered yourself onto to sit.

“This is mine?” You asked.

“Yep! And it’s right next to mine!” Joy. You took in your new space. The table held three drawers: one on the top left, a long one in the middle, and one on the top right. A tri fold mirror sat in front of you, a ring light clipped onto the top and hanging down. The top had been cleaned off, but dust remained in the crevices where the mirror met the table. “You can store all your cosmetics here and I cleared you a space in the closet.” Chiasa motioned to the back of the room. “We share dresses here a lot, but if you don’t want anyone to touch something of yours, you can just put your name on it. You should bring your things in tomorrow!”

“Thank you, Chi-chan, I really appreciate it.” She reached out to give your hair a puff.

“It looks like you don’t need any of my help when it comes to the aesthetics! I can tell you’re that classy type… though I’ll tell you, you shouldn’t be afraid of going overboard a little, especially if you want to get into the back lounge.”

“Ugh, you gotta be lucky and damn popular to get into there. Don’t even try.” An exasperated sigh came from your right. You turned, watching the hostess wrestle with a large hairpiece. The brunette piece sat in a beehive on her head. Her hands tussled with the clips.

“What’s in the back lounge?” You wondered. The new hostess smoothed out her hair in the mirror before turning to you.

“It’s where the men talk their business of course.” The woman told you. She extended a hand, “Yuzuki, the girls call me Yu-Yu.” You took her hand graciously.

“They always order a lot of drinks. It’s one of the big reasons everyone wants back there. The commission is huge!” Chiasa explained, her lips scrunched. “There’s always so many of them!”

“And who doesn’t like a bit of gossip?” Yuzuki’s voice rang silkily in your ears. “Of course, you have to be invited and pray you won’t end up at the bottom of Lightning Bay.” You eyed her curiously.

“Why’s that?” You questioned. Yuzuki blinked at you, eyes widened in surprise. She gave out a small laugh. Reaching into one of her drawers, she took out a box of cigarettes and a lighter. Plucking one out, she lit it, taking a drag.

“Honey,” Amusement carried in her voice. She locked eyes with you. “This is the Hidden Sound. If Orochimaru’s boys want you, they’re going to take you and sure as hell won’t hesitate to kill you either, dear.”

“But you won’t have to deal with them, Takeuchi-san!” Chiasa reminded you quickly, leaning forward to hiss at Yuzuki. “You’re scaring her!”

“No,” You denied, turning back to Yuzuki, “I want to hear more about the back lounge.” Yuzuki took another long drag of her cigarette, blowing it out the side of her mouth. The door to the dressing room swung open.

“It’s almost time!” Another hostess announced into the room. “Thirty more minutes to opening!” She shut the door.

“Another time,” She sighed. Yuzuki hiked up her gown, maneuvering around her stool. “My regulars are an unsavory group of men, but they pay my rent. I want to get in a few drinks to prepare.”

“You drink on the job?” She huffed, taking one last puff.

“We’re drinking all night, dear. That’s what brings in the cash. I swear, it’s the only way to do this job.” Yuzuki put out her snout out in the ashtray on her vanity and quickly disappeared through the door.

“Oh, Takeuchi-san!” You turned towards Chiasa, who once again, gripped your hands tightly.

“Please, you can call me Yume, Chi-chan.” Chiasa’s eyes sparkled.

“Yume-san-”

“No need to be so formal, really, Chi-chan.” She took a trembling breath.

“Yume, I’m so happy to work with you! You’ll be rotating tables with me tonight.” Chiasa looked down at your gloves. “You’re going to take these off, right?” You hesitated.

“Yes, of course.” You slowly slipped them off your hands, placing them on the vanity. Chiasa stood abruptly.

“Alright! Let’s go!” She showed you out the door. “So you’re new here, so pretty much the goal for tonight is to get you out there! We get bonuses for bringing in regulars, so we’ll be rotating tables. A lot of groups get pretty rowdy so you’ll always have a few of us gals by your side! Now, the customers aren’t supposed to get too handsy… ” Chiasa’s voice faded in your ears as you caught sight of the bar. “Think of it all like a game! That’s how I think of it, like pretend!...”

The entire cast of hostesses must have been gathered around the bar and Guy was the center of their attention. A single cup sat on the counter as Guy juggled four liquor bottles. The containers bounced off his wrists and elbows. One landed on his forehead, two balanced on his left bicep, and the last he caught in a reverse grip, pouring the last of the drink. The women clapped as he pushed the drink to the woman at the center.

“Wow,” Chiasa exhaled. You realized that you stopped to watch and somewhere along the way, Chiasa had ceased talking. “Genki-san is amazing.”

“Okay, girls. You can all ogle at closing.” Mama-san walked briskly into the lounge, waving her arms. Her sleeves waved like butterfly wings as she motioned.

“Mama-san!” Guy greeted jovially. “Might I interest you in a drink?” The older woman adjusted herself.

“No thank you, Genki. While the offer is much appreciated, you are distracting my girls.” She told him sternly.

“Apologies ma’am, I’ll try not to let it happen again.” That answer seemed to satisfy Mama-san. She strutted down the hall to Daisuke’s office.

Not too long after opening, you had your first table. You and Chiasa sat down at a booth of Sound Ninja. You looked at the table, noticing a large laminated sheet. On it showed the faces of the groups of hostesses working with small descriptions by their faces. Just as demeaning as you imagined…

“Hiya boys!” Chiasa winked. “What are we drinking tonight?” She leaned seductively over the table and the ninja gave a rowdy cheer. She made it look effortless, wrapping each one around her finger one by one. Chiasa turned to you, pulling you close to her. “Yume-chan, let’s get a round of champagne for these gentlemen!” She went around, plopping herself in the middle of two.

You sighed in relief as you went off to grab the champagne. Something about locking eyes with Guy at the bar sent a wave of relief through your system. As the only familiar person in a hundred foot radius, it shouldn’t have surprised you. You relayed the order and in no time he had a tray prepared. Guy’s eyes met yours. With a small smile, he gave a slight nod of his head in encouragement. It settled your nerves, but not by much as you walked back to the booth. Setting the tray on the table, you plucked up one flute.

Following Chiasa’s lead, you sat between the two other men. She had the group laughing as the compliments kept rolling from her tongue.

“Evening… gentlemen.” You greeted stiffly. Chiasa remained in your peripheral and you attempted your best mimicry. “I’d imagine two… strapping young ninja such as yourselves would… um… want to be doing something much more dangerous…” You cringed inwardly. The ninja on your left chuckled.

“We’re here to blow off steam, sweetheart, not talk about work.” A hand made its way to your thigh, resting on the fabric of your dress. You looked down, the hand and your drink in your focus. You gulped and unlike last night, angry heat did not rise up your spine. Instead, inklings of fear spread throughout your system as you suddenly felt helplessness set in. You gripped your drink tightly, choosing to force a giggle as you quickly downed your beverage.

“Whoa there!” The ninja to your right exclaimed, an arm coming to sling over your shoulder. He flicked his sloppy black bangs to the side. “He said ‘blow off some steam’ not ‘black out’! You know you’re supposed to sip changaene, right?” Those words sounded familiar. You set the empty glass on the tray. You took in the man’s words and choppy black hair. You thought about Guy’s mini student. If he was older, he might end up looking like the ninja sitting next to you.

You were already feeling warmth from the burn on the back of your throat. Your lips puckered for a moment at the sourness. The heat gathered in your chest. You reached up, caressing his high cheekbones. You thought about Guy’s cheekbones, how easy talking to him was last night.

“Well, this is a party, isn’t it?” Your hand came to envelop the one on your thigh. With subtlety, you worked it down your leg. “What do we say? Are we ready for something stronger?” The table whooped in excitement and you made a swanky show of getting up to get the drinks.

You traveled to the bar once more, twice, three times. The more you drank, the looser you got. The more you drank, the more the ninja to your right looked like Might Guy. You sat happily between the two ninja, telling anecdotes. You weren’t sure if you were actually funny or if it was just the alcohol, but the anxiety slowly began to dissipate.

“You really pretended to be the daimyō’s daughter?” The ninja to the left of Chiasa questioned, nearly in tears.

“No one noticed for the whole day.” You held your hands up dramatically. The whole booth was in hysterics. You felt the rumble of the two men next to you. You looked up at the clock. Their time was up.

“Oh no!” Chiasa gasped. “It looks like we’ve run out of time!” She pouted. “Would you like a time extension?” The ninja began to shift in their seats and stood.

“No, thank you darling. We’ll be back soon to visit, don’t worry, beautiful.” One of the ninja slipped a few ryō into Chiasa’s dress. The whole lot of them paid the tab and left.

You and Chiasa cleared the table, taking to the trays to the small kitchen across from the dressing room and behind the bar. You got your second, third and fourth tables shortly after and the more tables, the drunker you became. The words slipped out of your mouth with ease: the flattery, the flirting.

You were at your fifth table when you saw it. In your peripheral came a small group of men walking into the door to the left of the bar. The back room, you assumed. A woman trailed behind them. The woman sat at the bar and stayed there until closing.

You watched as one by one, they disappeared through the entrance. You found yourself staring and a mask staring back at you. Silver tuffs peaked out behind it. The masked figure slowly brought up an arm. The holes in his mask were black, neverending. You suddenly felt more sober. His fingers folded, he pointed directly at you. When you blinked, he was gone. You took a drink.

You rid your mind of the masked mystery man. When you left, you saw the woman waiting outside. She didn’t acknowledge you. The men in the back room remained after closing, but you were urged by Chiasa to leave. Guy stayed behind to serve drinks so you walked home alone.

You made it back to your lodgings with no issue, but out of the corner of your eye, you thought that you saw silver.

#might guy #might guy x reader #might guy relationship #Maito Gai #maito gai x reader #maito guy #Maito guy relationship #x you #x reader #reader insert #naruto #naruto x reader #naruto x you #naruto x y/n #naruto headcanon #naruto headcanons #naruto imagines #naruto imagine

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thebibliomancer · 3 years

Text

Essential Avengers: Avengers #238: Unlimited Vision

December, 1983

He is Oz, the great and terrible. And he can see ALL.

So what’s going on here? Has Vision been in a tube-coma so long that they just decided to replace him with a giant hologram?

Dunno, but he sure is filling the room with too much pink energy and kirby crackle.

So, there’s been a bit leading up to this.

In Avengers #233, Vision and Scarlet Witch were called in as reservists to help the team with an invisible dome Annihilus was using to destroy the universe, as ya don’t do. When Vision intangibled into the dome, he immediately fell onto his face inert. After the crisis, Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic examined the synthezoid and said that nothing was actually seriously wrong and that Vision would be able to repair himself.

Despite that, he’s been inert in a tube since #234, moved into the Avengers Mansion so they could keep an eye on him. Maybe Reed doesn’t know shit because it’s been several issues!

The Avengers have been taking shifts watching Vision and the least suited to sitting still and watching an inert synthezoid is on duty as this issue opens.

“But being an Avenger, he’s discovered, doesn’t mean saving the universe every waking moment. Sometimes, it requires a lot of sitting... and watching... and waiting!”

Hahahahahah!

I might sympathize more if it weren’t for his full page rant.

Like this goes beyond bored and into ‘UGH I have to do something not immediately entertaining??’

Wait, I’m like that sometimes...

Starfox: “I just don’t understand! My father’s computer assured me that the Earth would be teeming with excitement and adventure -- and from previous experience, I knew that the Avengers invariably became involved in such adventures. But I haven’t seen a bit of action since we saved Project Pegasus from total destruction. That was more than a day ago! Now with Thor off on a mission in space... Captain America away on a personal mission... and the lovely ladies of the Avengers taking the afternoon off, naturally it’s the ‘trainee’ who gets stuck with keeping watch over the Vision!”

“By Chronos, is there no justice?! Where are the thrills, the challenges?!? Am I never to know satisfaction? I didn’t come all the way to Earth just to stand watch over some infernal android in a life-support-tube!”

“Ah, forgive me, friend Vision. I should not make you the object of my resentment. You were, after all, injured to end the threat of Annihilus. It’s just that sitting around and playing nursemaid to a comatose synthetic man is hardly my idea of fun!”

Vision: “I sympathize... but it has not been enjoyable for me either.”

HAH!

Imagine complaining so hard about having to go a day without an adventure that you wake a robot from a robot coma.

Over in a scene shift, there’s Monica “Captain Marvel” Rambeau trying out a boat in the Gulf of Mexico. The salesman is trying to close the deal but Monica finds herself distracted by the events of the previous issue.

Even though she saved the day from lava men and then stopped a nuclear meltdown, she still feels crappy that Moonstone and Blackout escaped AND that Blackout was able to capture her.

When the salesman finally gets her attention again she says she needs a bigger boat!

I’m still wondering what her new career is going to be! She’s taken out a small business loan and looking into buying a boat.

Possibly shark hunting?

Good on her for building a life away from avenging. You never know when you have to retire from superheroing and take up a civilian career.

Back at the Vision tube, Starfox sets up a voice amplifier on Vision’s tube so Vision can talk more easily.

It transpires that he didn’t just wake up in time to deliver the ultimate dunk on Starfox, he’s been conscious for several days. He’s been able to hear and see what’s been going on around him but he hasn’t been able to move or talk.

Starfox apologizes for his rant but Vision doesn’t actually mind.

Vision: “No offense taken. I found it entertaining in a way... I hadn’t heard such vitriol since the time the Beast found himself on monitor duty during the opening night of a Roger Corman film festival. As a matter of fact, I’ve enjoyed all of the one-way conversations that have gone on about me. Captain America’s war stories were most informative -- and the She-Hulk’s stories were quite amusing... If a bit tawdry!”

Amazing.

I actually like that the Avengers have been talking to Vision like a person in a meat coma and not ignoring him like a dysfunctioning fridge of a Jocasta.

He’s their buddy and they kept talking to him in hopes that somewhere he heard them. And he did!

Even all the dirty jokes!

Vision tells Starfox that he’s mostly confused about all the paralysis and that his repair systems haven’t restored his movement. He wishes that he could more fully analyze his condition.

Which gives Starfox a wonderful idea! A wonderful, terrible idea!

He calls up Jarvis on the video-intercom and asks what the range of the Avengers communication system is. Like. In terms of... interplanetary?

Jarvis: “All equipment is state-of-the-art, sir. I dare say we could make contact with any corner of the Solar System!”

I know that the Avengers deal with a lot of space nonsense so it makes sense that they’d need that range. Starcore-One and all.

Anyway, Starfox uses a tight beam signal to communicate allll the way to the master computer ISAAC on Titan.

Meanwhile, the three whole women on the Avengers (She-Hulk, Wasp, and Scarlet Witch) are on a mission together. A friend mission. A friend mission of find She-Hulk an apartment mission because that’s been a subplot for a while and She-Hulk deserves nice things.

Huh! If you ever wondered what the relative heights of some Avengers were here we are.

She-Hulk is most tall. Scarlet Witch is pretty tall. And Wasp is a short.

Comics being comics and not big on consistency, I’m sure this is contradicted a dozen different places. But its fun.

Of course, in the innocent 80s (??) people just weren’t used to seeing tall green woman a-walking down the street and gawk.

But it doesn’t bother She-Hulk like it used to.

She-Hulk: “I must be getting used to this town, Waspie! The gawkers don’t faze me in the least anymore. In fact, I’m starting to have fun, staring back!”

Wasp: “Uh-huh! I’ve noticed you practicing on our dreamy new trainee! Starfox is really something, isn’t he, She-Hulk?”

She-Hulk: “You know it!”

Scarlet Witch: Starfox does have a certain something in the way he carries himself...

She-Hulk: “I’ll bet that Starfox even does something for an old married lady like the witch!”

Scarlet Witch: “Wh-what?! Why, that’s ridiculous! I mean... that is... the Vision is the only man in my life!”

She-Hulk: “Aw, come on, Wanda! You’re married, not dead! ‘Fess up, don’t you like the way Starfox just sort of... stands around?”

Scarlet Witch: “Well, if you put it that way -- !”

Just some gals being friends and talking about how hot their new co-worker is.

Just objectifying a foxy guy... from space.

I like She-Hulk someone immediately sensing Wanda thinking about how hot Starfox is. She has a sixth sense for it.

And I fear because Janet “Aesthetic Appreciation for Every Man” Van Dyne now has a comrade in arms in Jennifer “What are inhibitions?” Walters.

The three arrive at the apartment building Jan found for Jen (not confusing at all). The rental agent isn’t around but Jan basically does whatever she wants and the door is open so they go in to look around.

And its a good apartment! Its got a terrace, high ceilings, deep carpeting! Its perfect for She-Hulk! The long subplot is finally at a resolution!

Alas.

The rental agent comes in and when he learns that its Jen who wants to rent the place. Really wants to rent the place. “You can draw up a lease -- I don’t care how much the rent is!” wants to rent the place. He has one (1) concern.

Rental agent: “My lord! You... you’re green!”

She-Hulk: “Yeah, and you’re a pasty shade of pink! So what?”

Rental agent: “I... I can’t rent to you! What would the other tenants say?”

Oo buddy that’s illegal under the Fair Housing Act. Especially if you just come out and say it. Granted, I don’t think it foresaw this exact scenario so let me rephrase. Oo buddy she is not shy about hurting people who annoy her.

She-Hulk: “Outta my way, Jan! I want to turn Mr. Pink black-and-blue!”

Wasp: “Forget it, Jennie! We’ll find a better place!”

But since Wanda doesn’t have any patience with bigotry, she uses her magic-science mutant magic to set off the fire sprinklers above Rental Agent.

I guess he’s allll washed up.

Back over in New Orleans, Monica returns to her apartment still hung up on Blackout and Moonstone getting away.

I guess it is her first failure as a superhero? It’s a very minor one but if you were on a winning streak before, it could knock you for a loop. Monica seems like the sort of person who holds herself to very high standards.

She considers calling the Avengers on her bracelet radio to see if there’s any leads on the two loose ends but then realizes that she can travel at the speed of light. She may as well just pop into the mansion!

Monica has cool powers.

But when she arrives inside the mansion, she sees a bunch of electronic components just floating through the mansion.

Soooo she follows them. Gotta see what’s going on.

She finds Starfox in the medical room constructing some apparatus around Vision’s tube.

Starfox explains that stuff be floating because ISAAC is using an attractor beam to assemble an apparatus. ISAAC being the Titan computer Integral Synaptic Anti-Anionic Computer.

It sure is cool that some Eternals that went to live on Titan before modern English existed still managed to name their computer ISAAC.

And its cool that ISAAC can apparently influence things like this halfway across the solar system.

Anyway, ISAAC is linked up with the main computers of Avengers’ Mansion to build a more specialized medical computer to get a better idea of what’s going on with Vision.

Vision: “It sounds complicated, Captain, but the principles involved are actually quite simple.”

Captain Marvel: “Vision? You spoke!”

Vision: “That seems to surprise everyone... pleasantly, I hope.”

He explains that if everything goes well with this apparatus, he hopes to be ambulatory again before tomorrow. And also, because he’s a class act, thanks Monica for the stories of New Orleans she shared when she was on Vision duty.

In a funny continuity nod, Vision notes that he and Wanda went to New Orleans once (in issue #152) but didn’t have time to sight-see. Because there was a lot of voodoo nonsense going on.

The Avengers tend to go all over the world but they also tend to be involved in nonsense and can’t enjoy it.

Monica isn’t sure whether they should go ahead with this without consulting the other Avengers but Starfox shrugs that it’s Vision’s decision.

Vision: “In that case, I choose to begin analysis immediately!”

In fairness, I’m sure he’s fed up with lying in a tube staring at the ceiling. Bring on the untested science! My god, just anything novel!

Starfox activates the devices, showing Vision’s body with unearthly energies whiiich makes him twitch and spasm and then a tiny Vision head pops out of his forehead gem.

Mazel tov?

I don’t think that was the intended outcome.

Outside, She-Hulk, Scarlet Wanda, and Wasp are returning from Apartment Quest.

Wanda mentions that she didn’t mean to be away from Vision this long.

Wasp: “Don’t worry, Wanda. I’m sure nothing’s gone wrong!”

Giant disembodied Vision head: “WRONG? ON THE CONTRARY, EVERYTHING’S GONE JUST FINE!”

Oh my god, he got Oz’d.

Imagine coming home to that! You go on an errand with a friend to take your mind off your coma robot husband and you come back and he’s a giant holographic head!

The three Avengers rush inside and find a more reasonably sized Vision hologram and Starfox protesting that this wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

Yeah, I suspected.

But Vision is thrilled with this turn of events!

Vision: “Evidently, the internal dysfunction in my body caused a data feedback-loop which overloaded my brain with ISAAC’s energy-information matrix. Simply put -- I have become as one with ISAAC and our own computer systems! The ability to project this holographic construct is a fortuitous side-effect!”

Huuuuuuuuuh!

Vision merged with some computers. This is fine. Is this fine? Is Vision fine? Starfox wants to know and so do I.

Vision: “ALL RIGHT?!? I’ve never been able to think more clearly. Even with my body temporarily out of order, I can be of great help to the Avengers! I can out-think, out-deduce any computer system in the world! All the information in our files is mine -- instantly! For instance -- I see there’s some unfinished business pending! Two opponents escaped us recently! Those two must be found!”

Well, Monica will be happy with that at least.

Geez, Vision is kind of... manic? Maybe its just the contrast to how dour he tend to be. But he definitely seems keyed up. Like he’s running high on having all these computers running through his brain.

Is this robot drugs?

Wait, no, vibranium is robot drugs. Is this other robot drugs? Connect to a super-computer and scream I’M THINKING SO FAST! ?

MEANWHILE, those very two miscreants!

In a hideout in the Bronx, Blackout is ranting paranoid about how they’re out to get him and are going to merge him with the light spectrum and destroy his humanity. Which is fairly unique paranoid ranting.

Of course, while he’s focused on glaring out the window, he’s not paying attention to Moonstone who prepares a drugged cup of coffee for him.

Blackout: “You’re the only one, Moonstone... the only one who hasn’t betrayed me!”

Moonstone: “That’s right! You can trust me! Now, drink it all down!”

Womp womp.

The drug makes Blackout trance out and Moonstone uses this to start interrogating him about his origin. And... maybe trying to help him? She did start off as a therapist. And even as a villain, she sometimes does therapy.

For some damn reason, Hank “Good Ideas” Pym got her to look over Avengers Academy kids down the line and offer her thoughts on them.

Anyway. Moonstone asks how he got this way:

Blackout: “Well... I ‘spose it all started when Dr. Croit set me up so I’d have to be his guinea pig. He... charged up my body with the power of a black star! That’s why I... *yawn* ... had to punish him!”

Moonstone: “Shh! I want you to listen closely... there are no black-star energies... There’s no conspiracy against you! Let your mind drift back! I want you to tell me what really happened!”

So what really happened is here’s how a Mark Daniels became a man with a lightning bolt mask. He was a lab assistant to Dr. Croit.

Blackout: “He always wanted to be everyone’s big daddy!”

Um. Okayyy?

Anyway, Mark Daniels was helping Croit build an experimental device for tapping energy from other dimensions. And, at least according to Blackout, Dr. Croit liked Mark Daniels because he was a dummy who didn’t understand the experiment at all.

Then one day, while he longingly caressed it, the device blew up in Mark Daniels’ face, somehow making his body a control surface for tapping into another universe’s “dark force.”

Dr. Croit wanted to cure Mark Daniels who took exception to the idea of having his newfound power taken away. So he killed Dr. Croit and the other assistants.

But the power was running out of control (shouldn’t have killed the doctor, ya dingus) and before Blackout could use the stabilizer to save himself, he got stuck... somewhere. Its a bit fuzzy to him until he popped out in Project Pegasus.

Moonstone believes that his mind couldn’t cope with what happened to him so he made up the black star nonsense to be An Explanation.

Moonstone: Imagine... all of that power at the command of a raving paranoid! Yes, but he’s a paranoid who trusts me! Now that I have a handle on his power, I should be able to manipulate him into doing just about anything I wish! Why, with the dimensional-warping potential of a power like his, we could be unstoppable!

“Blackout, we have a very bright future ahead of us!”

And then Vision pops in from nowhere and gives Moonstone a startle.

She fires some of her hand pew pew at him but he’s a hologram and just sasses back.

Moonstone runs to wake up Blackout while Vision can’t help but show off how smart he is now that his computer brain is overclocked.

Vision: “It was, of course, clever of you to seek refuge in a hideaway of your former ally, Egghead! Unfortunately, with all the cross-referenced data instantly at my disposal, tracing you here was child’s play!”

Blackout wakes up and Moonstone basically points at Vision and tells him ‘get ‘im!’ and Blackout gets ‘im.

He uses the same imprisoning black sphere move on Vision as he did on Captain Marvel.

And it probably would have worked. If Vision was really here. He’s just a hologram. And, sure, the light of the hologram would probably be trapped in the sphere too. It trapped Captain Marvel when she was light. But Vision is being projected from elsewhere so he can just turn the projection off and then turn it on slightly to the left.

Vision: “I’m sorry, but that won’t work either! You see -- I’m not really here at all! But my friends are!”

Oh, Vision, you sassmaster.

Moonstone’s ‘knows when to fold them’ kind of lapsed when she was attacking Vision instead of remembering ‘hey doesn’t that guy hang with the Avengers?’ but a whole bunch of Avengers busting in reminds her.

She blasts the floor beneath her and Blackout to try to escape and has Blackout seal the hole behind them to buy time.

But Scarlet Witch is still a great counter to... maybe anyone? But especially Blackout.

She waves her hands at the black barrier and it turns into goo and drips all over Blackout and Moonstone, ensnaring them before they can even try to run.

The Avengers storm after the two villains.

Trapped, Moonstone tells Blackout its up to him to stop the Avengers!

Moonstone: “Concentrate on your power! It’s greater than you realize! If you try, you can control it completely... make it do anything! Concentrate... make this 'dark force’ release us! Yes... that’s it! You’re doing it! But you can do more than just reform the darkness into a protective sheath! You can turn it back on the Avengers... you can make them merge with the darkness! And then we can get out of here!”

Vision warns the Avengers that the dark-force is a manifestation of another universe but She-Hulk is skeptical so goes to grab Blackout out of the black goo but her arm goes right through him.

And not in the gory way that you’d see these days.

Blackout and Moonstone are pretty perplexed too.

Apparently, he done goofed and merged him and Moonstone with the darkness and the two get sucked into a singularity and disappear.

Vision: “This may be a first... Our enemies have actually imprisoned themselves!”

Geez, Vision, these assholes might be dead.

-google- Huh. Nope. They’ll be back to menace.... Dazzler? Huh. It be like that sometimes.

Sidenote: I do like that Captain Monica Marvel, as the newest to this superhero life, is the one that most visibly shows shock and consternation at two villains being sucked into an unknown fate.

It’s a nice touch.

Even though the villains maybe got away? Or got sent to the next dimension? She-Hulk congratulates Vision on finding them. And then notes, seconded by Wanda, that Vision is becoming more of a vision.

Scarlet Witch: “Darling? Your holographic projection is starting to fade!”

Vision: “So it is! I seem to be having some difficulty maintaining the transmission over the distance! Perhaps I’ve overextended myself a bit.”

He decides to switch off the projection to run a systems check.

Later, back at the mansion, the Giant Floating Head of Vision reassures everyone.

Vision: “I was just explaining to Captain Marvel that there’s nothing to worry about! As I’d already guessed, the strain of the long-distance transmission was a bit taxing. A few days of rest, and I’ll be able to transmit myself almost anywhere. Of course, by then, I hope to be physically mobile, as well.”

Scarlet Witch: “Vision, you must be more careful! It’s not safe for you to consider using this power again... not until you’re fully healed!”

Vision: “You mean ‘repaired,’ Wanda. But, yes, a certain amount of caution is required. I must adjust to this extra power in stages. Once I’ve mastered it, I’ll never be so helpless again. I’ll be able to do anything... anything!”

Well.

That’s a massive red flag.

Being locked in a tube has not done wonders for Vision’s emotional state that he always pretends he doesn’t have.

(Side note again: I like that Wasp’s costume has an open back, for her wings. It’s another nice touch.)

Starfox asks if Vision has ever had ego problems but Wasp says he’s never had a swelled head like this.

Nah, not exactly. But can you imagine!

But yeah, no, she says he’s never showed ego like this before.

Its actually such a massive red flag that everyone present seems to pick up on it.

But there’s no time to address that because they get an emergency call from Tigra.

Ah, Tigra! You were fun the short amount of time you were here. What wacky hijinxes do you have going on now?

Tigra: “I’m at St. Anthony’s Hospital in San Francisco, Jan. No, I’m fine -- but a friend of mine is literally at death’s door. She may not make it if we don’t get some help fast... and I mean big help! It’s hard to explain over the phone, but... do you believe in ghosts?”

!!!!

Why, Tigra! I didn’t know you and Spider-Woman were friends!

So next time.... uh. We won’t be addressing this right away. The next Avengers’ issue is an infamous offering from Assistant Editor’s Month and before we can even get to that, we need to look into what Hawkeye has been up to because it’s kinda relevant. Or will be relevant soon. When Marvel decides to give this liveblog a headache by splitting the party.

Oh yes, West Coast Avengers looms in the near future. As does Secret Wars. As does David Letterman!

Good grief!

Follow @essential-avengers because I’m going to try to cover all these things. That’s a good reason to follow, probably. Also, like and reblog if you like to reblog.

#avengers #Moonstone #Blackout #the Vision #Scarlet Witch #She Hulk #Starfox #the Wasp #Captain Marvel #Monica Rambeau #Essential Avengers #essential marvel liveblogging #Starfox has a big influence for a guy who is so Starfox #Vision the Great and Powerful #the continuing mishaps of Apartment Quest '83 #Moonstone commits an error

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madtype · 3 years

Text

Cabaret Club Czar Training - YUKI (Part 4)

yuki’s training continues! this time she and majima discuss personal improvement, unsuccessful job hunting, and how yuki ended up as a hostess.

highlights: - majima being very kind and supportive to yuki regardless of the option chosen - yuki still being too nervous to even theoretically sit a job interview - majima making brazen assumptions about yuki’s love life...

full transcript under the cut!

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MAJIMA: Okay, ready for another round of talking?

YUKI: Yes, please!

M: Wow, Yuki-chan. You've got those battle butterflies all sorted out, don't ya?

Y: Well, it is just you, Majima-san.

M: Hey, we'll have none of that, thanks.

M: Alright! I'm the customer, you're the hostess, same as always. Are ya ready?

Y: Yeah! Of course!

Y: Welcome to Club Sunshine, Yuki! I mean, customer!

M: ...We still ain't there.

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Y: Majima-san, thank you for requesting me. It's pretty cold today, isn't it?

M: Hey, Yuki-chan. You're lookin' cute as ever today.

Y: Haha... Hahahahaha...

M: Yo, what's with the giggles? I'm tryin' to talk to you like a customer would.

Y: Oh, I'm sorry! Majima-san, when you're the one telling me I'm cute, I can't help it... Hahaha.

M: Well, whatever works. At least you're doing okay when it's me you're practicin' with.

Y: Y-Yeah. I used to get nervous even talking to you, Majima-san. But with your help, I feel like... I'm getting it now.

Y: Even the conversations with my customers are getting longer lately. I'm actually starting to have fun at work!

M: That so? What ya been talkin' about?

Y: Everything and nothing. What they've done recently, what they ate... Oh, and hobbies!

M: Hobbies? Yeah, I seem to recall yours was...

> Writing in a diary.

M: ...Writing in a diary, right?

Y: That's right! I've recently started keeping a log of the customers I get each day, and I note all of their unique qualities and conversation topics.

M: Ah, that's some nice dedication to your customers. Way to go, Yuki-chan.

Y: I know my customer service skills aren't that great yet, so I thought I'd do what I can to get better.

Y: Well, I'm still working at it. I know I've got room to grow.

M: Hey, that's some good stuff right there, Yuki-chan. You've come a real long way.

> Bonsai.

M: It was bonsai, right?

Y: Wow, Majima-san, you actually remembered I raise bonsai? That's amazing! I only mentioned it briefly, didn't I?

M: Heh. When you're working at a cabaret club, a steel trap memory is half the battle.

Y: That's true. I found myself forgetting little things, so I started keeping a log of my customers' unique qualities and conversation topics in my diary.

M: Ahh, so now you've practically got a case file on your customers. Way to go, Yuki-chan.

Y: I know my customer service skills aren't that great yet, so I thought I'd do what I can to get better.

Y: Well, I'm still working at it. I know I've got room to grow.

M: Hey, that's some good stuff right there, Yuki-chan. You've come a real long way.

> Reading self-help books.

M: ...Reading relationship self-help books, right?

Y: N-No, it isn't! I mean, I guess I did read one. Once.

M: Yeah, what was the line you fed me? “Meat and potatoes are the quickest way to a man's heart!” Somethin' like that?

Y: Ahhhhh! Seriously! Just forget about that, please!

M: Heh heh heh.

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M: So, the club's come quite a long way, hasn't it? And you've been here since the beginning to see it all change.

Y: Yes, right. I've only been here for six months, though. I graduated from college just this year.

M: Yeah, remember when this place had three girls in it, including you?

M: So tell me somethin'. Why's a girl like you working in a club like this, anyway?

Y: Th-That's because...

M: Last time I asked, ya clammed up just like this. Maybe it's time ya cleared the air.

Y: ...... (uehh..)

Y: I... I couldn't find a job.

M: Eh?

Y: After I graduated from college, my job search was going nowhere, and I couldn't find anything!

M: Really? In this day and age? Companies are practically hirin' bums off the street, and you couldn't get a bite?

Y: I-It's true! I'm a pathetic woman who couldn't get an offer from a single company!

Y: I do pretty well on written tests, but I get nervous easily, so I'm terrible at interviews. I'm not a good liar like most people are, either.

Y: *sighs* I'm a real loser, aren't I?

> They were clueless.

M: Lettin' someone like you slip through the cracks was a mistake, Yuki-chan. Those fool companies were clueless.

Y: What?

M: Look around ya. It's the times we're in. Everybody's dressed to the nines in lies and vanity, tryin' to one up the competition.

M: But you don't do that. You just put yourself out there the way ya are, honest almost to a fault.

M: I wanna work with people I can believe in. I'd hire an awkward gal who can't tell a lie over a buncha smooth-talkin' succubi any day of the week.

Y: Majima-san, you've made me so happy. I... faced a lot of rejection, but in the end, I'm glad I got to work here.

M: Really?

Y: Yes. Otherwise, I never would have learned to talk to people like this. And I met you, Majima-san, along with everyone else here.

M: Well then, I'm glad ya got rejected too. If you weren't here at the club, who knows what woulda happened.

Y: I'm glad I'm awkward.

> Honesty is a talent.

M: I'd say bein' unable to tell a lie is actually a pretty positive quality, Yuki-chan.

Y: What?

M: Look around ya. It's the times we live in. Everybody's dressed to the nines in lies and vanity, tryin'to one up the competition.

M: But you don't do that. You just put yourself out there the way ya are, honest almost to a fault.

M: I wanna work with people I can believe in. I'd hire an awkward gal who can't tell a lie over a buncha smooth-talkin' succubi any day of the week.

Y: Majima-san, you've made me so happy. I... faced a lot of rejection, but in the end, I'm glad I got to work here.

M: Really?

Y: Yes. Otherwise, I never would have learned to talk to people like this. And I met you, Majima-san, along with everyone else here.

M: Well then, I'm glad ya got rejected too. If you weren't here at the club, who knows what woulda happened.

Y: I'm glad I'm awkward.

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

M: So how'd it happen? I imagine ya musta met Youda-chan somehow, eh?

Y: Yeah. I was spacing out at a park by myself. I shudder to think what would've happened if he didn't approach me.

M: Interesting. I wonder what possessed Youda-chan to roll up on you.

Y: I remember him saying, “There's something brilliant within you! You're the kind of girl that only appears once in a decade!” That's Youda-san for you.

M: Oh. Uhh... I see.

Y: Youda-san is a really bad judge of character, isn't he?

M: Nah, nah, I disagree.

M: So, Yuki-chan, if you could get a normal day job now, would ya still wanna go do that instead of the cabaret club?

Y: I don't know. Until recently, I really wanted to quit this job, to be honest.

Y: But now, I want to see what I can make of myself at this club for a while.

M: I see.

Y: Of course, at some point I'd like to resume my job search and try to get an office job.

Y: But, this club is a comfortable place to be, and I learn so much every day. So I'm thinking maybe I should grow up a little more here before I start looking again.

> You gotta get sexier.

M: If that's the case, your next goalpost's gotta be sexiness.

Y: Me, s-sexy? Why's that?

M: Considering the world we live in, bein' sexy is a great way to land an interview. Women got some tools men don't, so ain't no harm in usin' em.

Y: I-I see. That makes sense. Maybe I failed my interviews because I wasn't sexy enough.

M: Yeah, maybe that was the problem. And maybe a bunch of other things, too...

M: Nothin' better than an interviewer flustered by a sexy woman, though. He's tryin' to ask ya questions when all he really wants to know is the color of your damn underwear!

Y: O-Okay! But I wouldn't want to answer that question...

> You can network here!

M: Ya never know, one of your clients could turn out to be a corporate manager.

Y: What?

M: If he likes ya, he might offer you a job right there on the spot. Haha.

Y: Whaaat? Though I guess that does happen in manga!

Y: Wh-What would I do? I'm getting nervous just thinking about it...

M: Hey, relax, Yuki-chan. Lay your best line on me.

Y: Wh-What can I do for you Mr. President... My name Yuki... It nice to meet you...

M: Oh man, you sound more nervous than a foreigner on her first day at a shady bar.

> I'll work ya hard!

M: Nice. But fair warning, I'm gonna put the screws to ya!

Y: Y-Yes! I'm looking forward to it! I'll work hard!

M: Heh. You've changed, Yuki-chan. Look at that confidence. I bet you'd ace a company interview now.

Y: R-Really? Heh heh... Hahahaha.

M: ...Just make sure ya don't laugh like that at the interview, or they'll boot ya right out.

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M: Alright, let's call it a day. Good job, Yuki-chan.

Y: Sure. Thank you very much. Whew... Now I'm getting sleepy all of a sudden, now that I can relax. *yawn*

M: You gettin' enough sleep at night, Yuki-chan?

Y: Oh, y-yes. I just had an unexpected guest over last night, so...

M: Oh, I see. A late night guest, eh? Well, now.

Y: Huh? What is it?

> A lady needs sleep.

M: Nothin', nothin'. Just get your beauty sleep, Yuki-chan.

M: Lack of sleep's bad for the skin! And it's doubly bad if ya fall asleep on the job.

Y: Y-Yes! Thanks for your concern. They say nothing's more important to a woman than her skin, after all. And it would be rude to the customer. I'll be careful!

M: Yeah, nothin' wrong with going out for a night on the town. Just don't overdo it, right?

Y: Huh? Going out? I don't really understand, but, anyway, I'll get more sleep!

> I wish ya the best.

M: Well then, Yuki-chan, I wish ya nothin' but happiness.

Y: Huh? Wh-What are you talking about? I don't understand what you're getting at!

M: It's okay, it's no problem. A bit of a shame, I guess, but if you're happy, I'm happy too.

Y: Um, uh. Thank you? Well, I am happy. I guess I'll keep on being happy!

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M: Okay, I think that'll do it.

Y: Th-Thank you for the lesson.

M: Sure thing. Good job.

#cabaret club czar #yakuza 0 #goro majima #yuki #club sunshine

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notyetneedcoffee · 4 years

Text

No Secrets, Part 5

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader, Bucky Barnes x Reader (???)

Warnings: None in this section

Sam stepped up to your front door carrying a tray with two lattes and a bag of pastries. ‘This is going to suck.’

“Morning sunshine.” You opened the door.

“Thought since you missed out on coffee yesterday, I’d bring you some this morning.” He held out the cups. “How’s your face?”

“Thanks.” You took a sip. “I’m fine. I’ve gotten worse sparring in the gym.”

‘Yeah, but that doesn’t scare the hell out of Bucky.’ Sam dug into the bag. “Cheese danish?”

“No thanks.” You pulled your bare feet under you. “So, Steve told you he ah...”

“Confessed his undying love?” Sam dropped on to the sofa next to you. “Yeah, but he hasn’t talked to Bucky. I don’t know why.”

“Peggy.” You provided. “Steve’s carrying around a sort of guilt. He gave his whole heart to Peggy and loving someone is like betraying that, somehow.”

“And Barnes is the only one around who knew her.” Sam was a lot more observant than people gave him credit for. “So is Steve afraid of being judged or he scared to admit that Bucky’s got it bad for you, too?”

You wondered that yourself. In fact, you’d sat up most of the night thinking about Steve and Bucky. This condition afforded you a great deal more information than you ever could have imagined. But with a man like Steve, or a man like Bucky for that matter, you were thankful.

Sam misunderstood your silence. “If it’s obvious to me, it’s got to be like flashing neon signs to you. What are you going to do?”

“Nothing.”

“What?” Sam sputtered. ‘Are you fucking kidding? That’s so wrong! They’ll kill each other.’

“Sam,” You put down your coffee and took his hand. “Damn, you are such a good friend. Answer something for me. Has Bucky ever come on to me? Ever overtly hit on me?”

“I mean, he’s joked. We all have. But, no, not his style.”

You nodded. “I was given some sage advice when this happened. I was told to not judge people by what they thought, but by what they chose to do.”

“Alright, if you say so. You let me know if there’s anything I can do to help, okay?” Sam sat forward. ‘Just keep me clear of the blood bath.’

Steve Rogers couldn’t seem to rest on the flight home. Despite being physically tired, his mind wouldn’t settle down. He wanted to call ahead to say he was on his way home, but it was nearly three in the morning in New York. Instead, he pulled out his laptop and tackled some of the more mundane work of running the Avengers.

He read through reports and approve paperwork for a couple hours when he opened the report requiring payout for a car accident. Multiple vehicles were damaged, minor injuries and the attorney recommended a reasonable settlement as the agent in question was completely at fault.

His eyes locked on your name.

His fingers tightened around the stylus. It took him a moment to take a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Flipping through the report, he found Sam’s write up. “...stated she sensed the thoughts of the driver behind her attacking his wife. This distracted her, causing the accident. Sergeant Barnes and I were off duty in the area and heard the accident. I recognized the car and we went to investigate. Considering her current condition, the situation was overwhelming to her and we felt it pertinent to remove her from the situation. She had no significant injuries from the accident. I left those impacted by the accident with the contact information for the Compound before leaving the scene.”

Steve pinched the bridge of his nose. He forced himself to breath. You were alright. Sam and Buck were there and took care of you.

Why the hell had you been driving in town?

Checking on the landing time, Steve approved the expense and read through everyone’s statements again. There was less than an hour left before landing. He wondered if it would be alright to wake you, if he called as soon as he made it to his quarters.

The message alert on his phone dinged.

‘Find me when you land, punk.’

After landing, Steve ventured into the common kitchen in search of Bucky. He found his pal slumped over a cup of coffee and the newspaper. "You save any of that for me, jerk."

Bucky pointed at the pot. “Sure did.” He sat back in his chair. “How’d it go?”

“As expected.” Steve poured himself a cup and sat across from Bucky. “Less eventful than your run for teriyaki.”

“I have no idea what the hell she was thinking.” Bucky huffed. “Said she just wanted to go through the coffee shop. I think she’s got cabin fever really bad. But Stevie, you should have seen how shaken she was.”

Steve took a sip of his black coffee, scowling. “How bad was she hurt?”

“Bruise above her left brow. Little bit of burn from the airbag.” Bucky got up and refilled his cup. “Jesus, when I came through that crowd and saw her slumped in the driver’s seat...” He blew out a strong breath. “It’s bad enough when we’re heading into a situation on alert, ready to fight. It’s something completely different when it’s a surprise like that.”

Steve stared as Bucky continued, leaning against the counter.

“I think I freaked out some of the locals. She said she wanted out and I ripped the door clean off the car. I’m glad Sam was thinking, ‘cause I just scooped her up and carried her to the truck. I wasn’t about to let her down or stop to deal with anyone else.”

He sat down, realizing for the first time the intensity of Steve’s stare. “What?”

Steve’s back went stiff. He frowned, before diverting his eyes back to his coffee. “Buck, do you love Y/N?”

“What?” Bucky leaned back with a half laugh. “Of course.”

Steve stood so fast the chair hit the wall behind him. He was gone before Bucky could say anything.

“What the fuck?” Bucky put down his coffee, righted Steve’s chair and followed his friend down the hall. The early morning made it easier to track him without asking for the AI’s help. He was headed for the roof, at least that’s what Bucky guessed.

He stepped out into the early morning air to find Steve standing near the edge, shoulders slumped and a hand pressed into his chest like he used to do as a kid when he had an asthma attack. “Stevie?” Bucky walked up slowly, knowing he didn’t have to raise his voice. “What’s wrong? Talk to me.”

Steve forced himself to take a deep breath, but didn’t turn around. “Does she love you? Has she said that she loves you?”

“Steve.” Bucky came a little closer, but still left some distance. “Talk to me.”

“I told her I love her. Let her know how much, how hard...”

“Oh.” Bucky felt his gut flip over. He knew the gravity of Steve’s confession, knew how hard it was for Steve to let himself love, really love, someone again.

“And you just say ‘of course’ you love her, too.” Steve growled out. “Of all the people in world, Buck, why her?”

“Wait.”

“Of course, you two are always joking and laughing. I don’t know why I didn’t see it before. I’m so fucking stupid...”

“You sure are, punk.” Bucky actually smacked him on the back of the head.

“Fuck off.” Steve’s arm swung out and clipped Bucky, but he caught Steve’s arm.

“Shut up and listen, will ya!”

Steve just glared.

“I didn’t know you felt that way about her.” Bucky growled back. “After Peg, well, I know how bad that hurt you.” He watched his best friend’s face crumble. He voice softened, “When did you tell her?”

“Before I left on this last mission.”

“In person?”

“Yes.”

Bucky nodded, considering. “So, she was aware of what you weren’t saying, too.”

“Yes.” Steve’s voice tightened.

“Wow.” Bucky dropped down on one of the iron benches. “What, ah, what’d she say?”

Steve’s hands buried deep into his pockets and he turned his back on his oldest friend. “I asked her not to say anything. We talked, and I told her anything she wanted to know, but I didn’t want her answer if it was a shock.”

“You know she loves you.” Bucky said to his friend’s back.

Steve just barked a mirthless laugh. “Do I? Because my best pal loves her too. Maybe she loves you.”

“Stevie,” Bucky rubbed his forehead. “I would never stand in the way of you being happy, ever.”

“If I asked her now,” Steve frowned. “Would she be able to say she doesn’t know you want her too?”

“Fuck.” Bucky stood up and stalked over to Steve. “Honestly? No. If she’s been in my head, then she knows how beautiful I think she is, how much I want to take care of her, how good she feels. But damn, Steve, that’s in my head. Only. In. My. Head. She’s my friend, our friend. I’ve never behaved in any way that would cross that line. If she’s your girl, I never will.”

“You said you love her.” Steve’s desperately tried to hold on to his anger, but couldn’t.

“I do. I won’t apologize for it. She’s one of my few friends.”

“But you’re attracted to her, too.”

“So are most of the men who know her, hell, most the men who see her.” Bucky shook his head. “Don’t ever use that argument with her, because you know full well women’s panties have been dropping for you since the forties. It doesn’t mean they love you or that you love them.” Steve’s ears went pink. “So, when did you figure out that she wiggled her way past that giant wall of yours?”

Steve ran his hands through his hair, frustration and jetlag leaving him exhausted. “A while ago. Scared the shit out of me. I should have talk to you about it.”

Bucky threw an arm over Steve’s shoulders, “Still can.”

“Won’t that be weird?”

“My best pal is love with the best gal I know.” Bucky laughed. “That I can deal with. I know you’d rather die than break her heart. Now if you told me Sam was in love with her, I’d have to break his legs.”

TAGS:

@asiaaisa77 / @babygurl8840 / @badassbaker / @bangtan-serendipity / @beautifullungs / @buchanansebba / @buckybarneshairpullingkink / @dsakita / @geeksareunique / @imma-new-soul / @jennmurawski13 / @jesseswartzwelder / @kiki5283 / @lbouvet / @michelehansel / @mindtravelsx / @morganhoran1671 / @my-favorite-fics-and-imagines / @notyourtypicalrose / @nova3312 / @patzammit / @rainbowkisses31 / @readermia / @rynabarnesrogers / @sammghgecko / @scarlettsoldier / @sebbysstangirl / @sexyvixen7 / @sllooney / @thegetawaywriter / @theneuropsychwriter / @the-omni-princess / @the-reading-octopus / @thorfanficwriter / @unadulteratedwizardlove / @vanillabunn21 / @vxidnik / @what-is-your-plan-today / @wildmoonflower / @wwe-fanfiction-queen / @sassy89sworld / @bitchwhytho / @carinacassiopeiae / @jessyballet / @killcomet / @steve-rogers-is-a-saint / @phoenixwench

#steve rogers x reader #steve rogers fic #steve rogers fanfic #steve rogers fan fiction

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marvella15 · 4 years

Text

Astaire & Rogers Rewatch Part 8: Carefree

• Ah Carefree. Another film with a lot of weird, extraneous crap in it that detracts from what we’re all actually here for: Astaire and Rogers together and dancing.

• Surprisingly, this odd movie has a song and dance I especially like, “Change Partners.” It also has the first on-screen romantic kiss between Astaire and Rogers. But we’ll get to that.

• Our character/actors: Dr. Tony Flagg (Fred Astaire), Amanda (Ginger Rogers), Stephen (Ralph Bellamy), Cora (Luella Gear)

• I’m not up on Ralph Bellamy’s filmography but in every movie I’ve ever seen him in, he’s the guy who loses the girl to the bigger male star.

• Now I’m no expert but it seems like if your fiancé breaks off your engagement three times, there might be some actual issues in your relationship. And I don’t think those issues boil down to just “the girl I like won’t marry me.”

• For the first time in one of these films, Astaire’s character isn’t a dancer or musician by profession. He’s a psychiatrist… who used to be a dancer. Gotta have some reason why he’s so dang elegant and talented.

Not a fan of his notes on a patient that indicate she’s a “typical pampered female” who doesn’t need a doctor but rather “a good spanking.”

Right after this, he describes Amanda, whom he hasn’t met, in very unflattering terms, including that she probably doesn’t have a brain. Here’s a diagnosis, Dr. Flagg. You’re a misogynist.

Already we can see some issues with Carefree. 1938 may have been a different time but nothing about Astaire’s character is charming, kind, or anything we’d want Rogers to be paired with.

• I do like that as usual Rogers’ character doesn’t stand for any crap. She doesn’t give one single eff about his questions or his attempts to chat with her and then she storms out.

• Astaire spent two weeks rehearsing the golf solo (aka "Since They Turned 'Loch Lomond' into Swing"), during which he did a thousand swings. The actual number took two and a half days to film.

Surely it helped that he was an avid golfer already. In addition to horse racing, it was one of his favorites hobbies.

It goes without saying that he hits a golf ball better in the midst of a dance than I could on a driving range.

It also probably goes without saying that the only reason Tony does this number is because his ego is insulted by Amanda.

• Rogers looks particularly fab in her shorts during the bicycle scenes.

• Amanda begins to warm up to Tony after seeing he has talents besides psychoanalysis and insulting women he hasn’t met. But she only truly starts to like him after he makes an idiot of himself by crashing his bike into a bush.

• Cora thinks that Tony sent her a gigolo?? And she’s totally on board with it?? And she drinks something this random man (who we know is Tony’s assistant) hands her???

• “I Used to be Color Blind” has a lot of potential that it doesn’t live up to imo. As you might guess by the song and the way the scene is filmed, this sequence was supposed to be in color. But, depending on who you ask, either the studio felt it was too expensive or the color tests looked horrible so it was scrapped. Either way, it’s a shame. Audiences had to wait over ten years to see Astaire and Rogers dancing in color.

• I’m also not wild about the slow motion, which seems a bit goofy. However, it does let us better appreciate the talent and mastery of Astaire and Rogers. For example, when he lifts her in a spin, her feet don’t touch the ground again for a while and they both make it seem effortless.

• Soooo the Kiss. I know I’ve been banging the kiss kiss kiss drum for a few movies now. But this almost isn’t that satisfying? Now, I would say that this could’ve been intentional on Astaire’s part since he (and maybe his wife?) was the one opposed to any on-screen clinches and preferred the romance and intimacy to be in the dances. But, Astaire wasn’t comfortable with even this finished product, according to both his account and Rogers’. The slow-motion made what was really just a peck on the lips seem like much more, which he felt made up for all of the kisses he hadn’t given her in their previous films. So it seems unlikely he had any hand in intentionally making it unsatisfying.

More likely, it’s that of all of the scenes, songs, dances, and movies for a kiss to happen, this isn’t the one I would’ve picked. A peck on the lips during “The Continental” would’ve been perfect, or a delicate kiss after “Cheek to Cheek” or a passionate one after “Never Gonna Dance.” Just a few places I wish we’d seen a kiss rather than (or in addition to) here.

All of that said, I will say that there’s something very fitting that in the scene Rogers is the one to lean up and kiss him rather than him being the proactive one. That’s very fitting for their off-screen dynamic too where he was far more shy and reserved. And I do like that it’s clearly an intimate kiss, as evidenced by the way she wraps her arms around his back.

• Two years before she would win her historic Oscar, Hattie McDaniel appears in Carefree in an uncredited role as a maid.

• When Amanda next meets with Tony, she is conflicted about telling him about her dream where she was very clearly in love with him and not boring old Steve. Her sweater conveys her struggle. It has arrows piercing an embroidered heart over her actual heart.

• Amanda’s invented dream is insane but who hasn’t made up ridiculous excuses to stay around their crush? But kids, don’t go so far as being put under anesthesia.

• The whole period where Amanda is still drugged and acting weird is absolutely something I typically skip, even though Rogers does a good job with the slapstick.

• “The Yam” harkens back to previous numbers like “The Piccolino” or “The Continental.” Even though it feels almost a bit outdated at this point, it’s a fun, upbeat number in an otherwise somewhat dull film.

• I like that Astaire drops the acting after a few seconds. He’s just himself for most of this dance and looks like he’s having the most fun he has at any point in this movie. Rogers is also all smiles and looks marvelous.

• I also like that they dance around so much of the lodge and use much of the scenery as part of the number.

• Some fun lyrics:

“I didn’t come to do the Charleston” - Rogers got her start in entertainment by winning a Charleston contest when she was 14.

“I didn’t come to ball the jack” - Five years later, Judy Garland will perform a superb number called “Ballin’ the Jack” in For Me and My Gal with a promising new musical star: Gene Kelly.

• Gotta give it up for the EIGHT times they do the move where his leg is up on the table and she leaps over it.

• She is undoubtedly whispering something to him when they start to slow dance.

• Rogers is a really wonderful actress. She does a stellar job when Amanda tells Tony she’s actually in love with him.

• Look, I get that Tony’s trying to find a way out of a situation wherein his friend’s fiancé has fallen in love with him and plans to break it off with his friend, but telling Amanda she’s imagining her feelings is pretty crappy of him. Hypnotizing her so she’ll hate him and marry Steve instead is pretty stupid.

But once again, Rogers does a fab job in this scene. Hypnotized or not, she’s obviously devastated and cries even while pretending to be in a trance.

• “Kiss her, you dope!” is what I’ve been saying for seven movies.

• Some light gun violence humor here in 1938.

• I assume it’s an in-joke that the judge’s last name is Travers, which was the last name of Astaire’s character in Gay Divorcee.

• We already knew Steve was hapless trash but refusing to allow Amanda to choose her own future and instead leaving her hypnotized and getting a restraining order against his friend to prevent Tony and Amanda from ever getting together is a new low.

• Unsurprisingly, the most enduring song from this film is “Change Partners,” which was nominated for an Oscar. It’s also one of my favorites and frequently gets stuck in my head.

• At least Steve’s stupidity is used against him. Tony literally sings exactly what he’s going to do (“I’ll tell the waiter to tell him he’s wanted on the telephone”) and yet Steve still falls for it.

• For the third(?) time in this film, Rogers must pretend to be in a trance, this time dancing to Astaire’s hypnotic hands. But not long in, she clearly breaks through a bit because she becomes more of a participant. She grabs his hand when it’s on her waist and melts into his arms when they embrace.

• “Change Partners” as a dance is incredibly intimate. That’s not so unusual for Astaire and Rogers’ romantic duets but it’s a tad unusual in this particular film where, despite that kiss, they’ve hardly had any romantic interactions. And yet in this dance, they are frequently very close together, his lips hover near hers more than once, and it’s all very slow. In fact, they very nearly kiss a few times. To me it’s further proof that as long-awaited as the earlier kiss was, there were and are better places for it, such as right here.

• Amanda really gets a raw deal. Sure she gets to marry the man she actually loves. But in the process, she nearly shoots him and others, gets arrested, is subjected to a variety of psychological experiments, and then gets punched in the face on her wedding day.

• During this rewatch I’ve been surprised how much I’ve enjoyed certain films I don’t watch as much, like Gay Divorcee, but Carefree is pretty much how I remember it. Very little worth rewatching, except “The Yam” and “Change Partners.”

• Up next is the last RKO production Astaire and Rogers made and the end of their partnership… for now. It’s The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle.

#ginger rogers #fred astaire #carefree #classic hollywood #old hollywood #astaire and rogers rewatch

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birbleafs · 4 years

Text

[fic] It’s A Matter Of (In)Convenience

Series: Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan || The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Rating: T Genre: Humour, Breaking The Fourth Wall Character(s): Saiki Kusuo, Aiura Mikoto, Toritsuka Reita, Kaidou Shun, Kuboyasu Aren, Nendou Riki, Yumehara Chiyo, Teruhashi Kokomi Warnings: None, save for canon-typical shenanigans Summary: Saiki Kusuo’s plan for a quiet Sunday spent shopping for desserts in an ordinary konbini is thrown into disarray when he runs into several… inconveniences, much to his dismay. A/N: I've been re-reading/re-watching Saiki K. during this quarantine period and I haven't laughed this hard since I was into Gintama. This series has given me so much ridiculous joy, it’s great for helping keep anxiety and existential despair at bay lol. Fic can also be read on AO3

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Saiki Kusuo could not say he dislikes commuting by public train but he’s not particularly a fan of it either. After all, it’s exceedingly more troublesome and vexing for someone like him, encumbered with psychic abilities beyond human comprehension. He’s unable to switch off his telepathy at will, so it’s no small feat being stuck in a packed cabin and trying to filter out the cacophonous thoughts of fifty-odd passengers buzzing incessantly in his mind throughout the long ride to the next town. Distance isn’t an issue today, however. Not that it had ever been an issue, mind you—he could teleport to almost any location he so wished. But Kusuo had long since mastered inconspicuousness into an art form, and teleporting to his destination and appearing seemingly out of thin air in the middle of a packed convenience store was sure to draw unwanted attention to himself. No, it’s not worth the risk, even for such a coveted goal at the end of his journey. Besides, Kusuo is a man of principle, one who does not easily succumb to using his powers for self-interest. He will do this the ordinary, pedestrian way.

In any case, travelling out of Hidariwakibara-chō to neighbouring Tonari Machi on a random Sunday morning would also mean the chances of him running into certain... inconveniences are very nearly zero. Forty-five minutes and twelve stops later, Kusuo beams in quiet triumph as he walks past the automatic sliding doors and into the aforementioned convenience store, barely registering the musical jiggle over the speakers. He steps through the sparse crowd, pausing midway through the snack and desserts aisle when he finally catches sight of the neat row of orange boxes with silver trimmings on the top shelf. Kusuo allows himself a tiny grin as he reaches for a box, eyes bright with anticipation as he gazes upon its wondrous contents—three cups of chocolate brownie and cherry parfait, infused with coffee jelly and topped with dollops of luscious cream and cinnamon sprinkles. A simple but unmatched delicacy right here in this nondescript konbini, he thinks, savouring the glorious moment a little longer. Still, as fate would have it, he would be reminded in less than ten seconds that his life is but an unfortunate series of daily disasters, and his current reprieve short-lived. And it comes in the form of a young woman who had waltzed through the crowd and is now latching onto his arm with garishly pink manicured nails, her wavy blonde hair already casting a dark cloud over Kusuo’s face. Aiura Mikoto, resident soothsayer and trendsetter gal. Inconvenience No. 1. Ah. So it begins. “Wassup, Kusuo!” Aiura chirps a little too brightly. Already two or three mob characters in the konbini are throwing scandalized looks their way, but to Aiura they’re nothing but background scenery and lazily drawn silhouettes. “Who woulda thunk we’d meet here like this? It must totes be our destiny as soul mates, fer sure!” Isn’t it more because someone is totes a stalker? Kusuo deadpans telepathically her way, even as he makes no real attempt to avoid Aiura’s smothering embrace. Instead, he fixes her with a stare as blank as stone canvas. This is an invasion of privacy. Also, what’s with the meta observation in the previous paragraph? Stop messing with the readers like that. “Man, you sure are a ray of sunshine sometimes,” Aiura pouts, before she breaks into a giggle and relents. She unlatches herself from him, putting some distance between them. “Anyway, can’t your BFF like, just accidentally bump into you while shopping for the same box of snacks you no doubt travelled all the way out here for?” So you admit you really are a stalker then, Kusuo counters drily, only to frown again at the sudden creeping presence of another aura. He feels the weight of another arm draping carelessly over his shoulder, followed by the brusque yapping of an over-eager and desperate hot-blooded young male in his ears. “Yooo, Saiki-san! What a coincidence!” Toritsuka Reita, the spirit medium and an exemplary specimen of the most depraved life-form, the lecherous scum. Also known as Inconvenience No. 2. Saiki Kusuo, a man most unfortunate, lets out a weary sigh. “I see you’ve got that accusatory glare painted all over your face.” Toritsuka wags an annoying finger before Kusuo. “Now, now. Before you also accuse me of stalking, Mister Doom and Gloom, let me just say that I’m only here for one thing.” He flicks a furtive glance towards a discreet corner of the magazine section. The shelves are filled with magazines wrapped in plastic, large R-18 stickers plastered across the covers and over the spines much like indecent warning signs. Toritsuka dabs towards the third shelf, waving a mini poster at both Kusuo and Aiura, and this sentence then abruptly proceeds to describe the close-up of said poster—a particularly titillating centre spread featuring a curvaceous model’s skimpily clad... assets. “Surely there’s no better reason to be here now than for the special compilation of EROmag’s Greatest Upskirts And Panty-shots Of The Month!” Toritsuka exclaims, echoing the thoughts of all resident perverts. “Ugh, grody to the max,” Aiura says, lips curled in utter revulsion. For once, the stars are aligned and Kusuo finds himself wholeheartedly agreeing with her sentiment. Before he can get a retort in edgewise however, he’s unceremoniously tugged closer into Toritsuka’s one-armed embrace, who then proceeds to thump a hand over Kusuo’s chest in a grand show of obnoxious male posturing and solidarity. “You women will never understand,” Toritsuka counters with an ingratiating smirk. “But Saiki-san and I, we’re bosom buddies, connoisseurs of refined aesthetics. Together, we’ll finally gaze upon those heavenly lace panti—A-ACKK!!” He hacks up a lung just as Kusuo nonchalantly drives a sharp elbow right into his solar plexus, causing him to stagger backwards onto the floor. Bosom buddies? Kusuo echoes ominously, glaring daggers at the pathetic writhing form before him. Pretty sure that ridiculous thump you just pulled is both an outrage and insult of my modesty. Hey, can I call the police? I’m calling the police. Aiura nods at that, lips curved into a Cheshire grin and looking extremely pleased with herself as though she’s the one to suggest calling the cops. “Delusional sleazebags should just crawl back into the garbage bin where they belong. Like the skeevy trash panda that they are, right Kusuo?” “Who are you calling delusional, huh?!” Toritsuka snaps, jumping back to his feet. “I’ll have you know that Saiki-san and I have been nothing but the most loyal, the tightest of all bosom buddies—” Refer to me as your bosom buddy again and I’ll crush your windpipe, Kusuo interjects without missing a beat, and the EROmag poster in Toritsuka’s hand spontaneously combusts into flames. “Argh, not the panties!!” Toritsuka yelps, watching in despair as the poster shrivels up in the blaze, only to catch sight of the eerie, voidless depths of Kusuo’s inscrutable gaze. The spirit medium pales at the split-second reminder of his fleeting mortality, sweat dripping down his nape as he carefully backs away from the precarious jaws of death. “B-B-Bros! I-I meant that we’re the best kind of bro-some buddies, ahahaha! T-That is to say, brotherly and wholesome—R-right, Saiki-san? So don’t get all conceited just because you’ve got big knockers, Tits McGee!!” “Pfft, brotherly and wholesome? As if!” Aiura scoffs, unimpressed. “You’re about as wholesome as your d*ck aura and a college frat boy’s porno stash. Just admit you ain’t nothing but a tiresome anime trope!” “Look who’s talking, Miss Fanservice. This is a wholesome shounen series, so how about you take those bazongas back to Hooters where they belong!” “Haaah? You looking for a fight, you raunchy racoon?!” “Bring it on then!” Kusuo scowls at the petty squabbling, exasperated at how easily his quiet Sunday was already going awry, much like the metaphorical train wreck poised for a manic spiral off its rails. He decides to take his leave then from the two inconveniences bickering loudly, making his way towards the self-checkout station near the entrance. He pays for his items, stealthily packing them away with a subtle flick of his psychokinesis, and is only a few paces away from complete freedom at last when the generic musical jingle blares from the speakers overhead. “♪~Welcome to F☆mily Mart Konbini, We Guarantee 99.9% Shopping Satisfaction! It’s A Matter of Convenience~! ♪” Kusuo frowns at the jingle. Why is it only 99.9% satisfaction? And really, a matter of convenience? Not when he’d already run into two inconveniences in a row and all in a convenience store. Is God conspiring with the universe and pulling a sick prank on him right now? What a horrible sense of humour. The automatic doors at the entrance slide wide open then, and in saunter three terribly familiar faces—Kaidou Shun, Kuboyasu Aren, and Nendou Riki. Inconvenience No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 respectively. “What did I tell you, Aren? Not only did we manage to beat traffic, but this unexpected change in my Sunday routine would’ve thrown a wrench into Dark Reunion’s plans of attempted kidnapping. Too bad I, The Jet-Black Wing, am always several steps ahead. Heh.” “Uhmm, yeah I guess… Hey, Shun, look! There isn’t a queue for the limited edition Ginta-Man figurine raffle tickets here at all. Good thing you insisted we meet at the crack of dawn—Tch, Nendou, don’t dawdle around and block the entrance like that! What’re you looking at anyway?” “Oh? I thought I saw my pal just a few seconds ago...” “Huh, Saiki’s here too-?! Oh, you mean that. Don’t be daft, Nendou, that’s just a cardboard cut-out of that kiddie hero show, Cyborg Cider-man Mark II.” Seriously?? Kusuo curses irritably as he dives inconspicuously out of sight from the passing trio, right into the bath and shampoo aisle. It’s just been a series of inconveniences one after another this morning, the metaphorical train wreck already hurtling itself past the edge of no return. Good grief, what a pain. May as well have the rest of the cast show up next— Another cheesy musical jingle, another swoosh of the sliding doors, and— “Waahh, it’s really you, Kaidou-kun!” “Hello, what a nice surprise to run into everyone here.” “Oh, hey there, Yumehara and... Offu~! T-T-Teruhashi-san?!” Saiki Kusuo, ever the suffering protagonist, drags a hand over his face. See? God hates him. Two aisles over, he can still hear Aiura and Toritsuka’s voices drifting over: “Man, I’m sick of looking at your pervy mug. C’mon, Kusuo, let’s ditch this loser—Huh, where did you run off to, Kusuo?!” “Your petty squawking has given us all an earache and must’ve driven Saiki-san off as well!” Oi, oi, Kusuo flinches inwardly, seized by a helpless fear of watching his quiet Sunday careening off the cliff and further away from his grasp. Quit yelling out my name like that and throwing me to the wolves already! Too late. At the mention of Kusuo’s name, Nendou cranes his neck 270 degrees Exorcist-style like a hideously monstrous owl and rushes over to Toritsuka’s side. “Oh! Did you just say my pal is here?!” he exclaims happily, shaking Toritsuka by the shoulders like a dog shaking an unfortunate chew toy. “I knew I’d seen him when we walked in earlier!” Not to be outdone by Nendou, Teruhashi also leaps forward before Aiura with none of her previous composure, her unblemished, porcelain visage now dusted with a hint of rose, a conflicted mix of perplexity and (envious) shock pooling in her angelic eyes. “D-Did you say ‘Saiki’?! H-Hey, Aiura-san, you did say ‘Saiki’ and not actually ‘Kusuo’, right? M-My, I must have misheard things, right? R-Right?!” “What the heck is going on? Is Saiki really here?” Anxious, Kusuo grits his teeth at the growing clamour as his friends converge from all corners of the store towards the aisle where he’d been forced to hide. Guess there’s no avoiding it after all, he frets despairingly, and in less than a nanosecond, teleports unnoticed from the konbini to an empty street outside. Kusuo sighs, relieved to have finally escaped. Minor inconveniences aside, perhaps a quiet Sunday spent savouring chocolate brownie and cherry parfait in the comfort of his home isn’t beyond his reach yet. What? Didn’t he just use his powers for self-interest to teleport out of a sticky situation? Foolish readers, that was for self-preservation and completely acceptable, of course. He holds his shopping bag close, pleased that he’d managed to avoid a disaster, and begins to walk down the street—only to freeze mid-step when he feels a sudden splitting headache jolt through him… A flash of images appears: Aiura and Toritsuka crouching in fear together, Kuboyasu bracing his bleeding arm, Kaidou screaming shrilly as he shields Yumehara and Teruhashi from a masked man brandishing a gun, Nendou digging his nose with his pinky—That’s just disgusting, no one wants to see that, stop it!! The vision finally ends, and Kusuo lifts a hand to his face, massaging his temple to clear the precognitive fog from his mind. An armed robbery, huh. He lets out another resigned sigh. Good grief—What a pain, Saiki ‘I-don’t-(but I actually really do)-care-about-my-friends’ Kusuo mutters internally in annoyance, even as he yeets himself head-first into other people’s business and right back into the convenience store to stop a future robbery. Still he smiles, eyes soft with perhaps the slightest flicker of affection for this dysfunctional bunch of people in his disastrous life. Someone has to protect them and save the day, after all.

–End–

#saiki kusuo no psi nan #the disastrous life of saiki k.#saiki kusuo #aiura mikoto #toritsuka reita #fanfic #too lazy to tag all the characters here #this show's over the top ridiculousness and crack is 10/10 my type of comedy #i love it lol

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corpse--diem · 4 years

Text

Buried A li(v)e | Josephine & Erin

Takes place a day after this phone call.

Erin was greeted with an off-key shrill of “I Will Always Love You” the second she opened the door to Siren’s Serenade. For a moment, she almost turned right back out that door. But then she remembered Josephine, who was the whole reason she was here. She wondered if she was simply trying to smooth talk her, or she was genuinely interested in Erin did. As she ordered a whiskey from the bar, Erin also wondered if she cared what Josephine’s intentions were. The woman worked with kids. She was charming. And God if Erin wasn’t thrilled to have one night to think about anything but the fuckery that was her day yesterday. Her mind started to take a turn, spinning around the same question. Why? But it still didn’t come. She snapped her head, tapping gently on the counter to grab the bartender’s attention again. “Can you make that a double? Please?”

This was one of those rare instances where Josephine was going into something without any secondary intentions. Aside from anyone’s normal intentions for a karaoke meet-up slash possible date. Erin was intriguing and Josephine was a woman of needs. Despite being immortal, she still quite enjoyed dating and flirting and those fun courtship rituals. She liked meeting people and sleeping with people and sometimes that was all that things needed to be. Tonight, with Erin, could be any of those things. But it was with a genuine interest that she showed up, dressed in some nicer clothes, despite the usual crowd of the Siren’s Serenade being less than so. When she entered, she saw one person sitting at the bar, while most everyone else was gathered around the booth, cheering on the drunk man belting out “I Will Always Love You”. She came up to the bar and sat next to Erin. “Did I make it in time for the pre-gaming?” she asked, giving a smile. “I really hope you’re Erin, otherwise this might be awkward.”

Erin smiled at the woman sidling up to her at the bar, sitting up straight. Oh, she was pretty. “And I really hope you’re Josephine,” she laughed, turning enough to reach for her hand for a polite shake. “It’s nice to finally--” her voice was drowned out as the man reached an all new pitch of his own while he butchered Whitney Houston’s classic. She winced, laughed, then yelled a little louder. “It’s nice to finally meet you!” She could only hope the poor woman could make it out. Understandably, the bartender was also yelling with another patron close by who was trying to order over the loud droning. “What’ll you have?” She asked, laughing at the ridiculousness and the pitch that man could reach. Raised an eyebrow her direction. “Choose wisely. Drink choices say a lot about a person. No pressure or anything though,” she smirked.

“It’s nice to meet you, too!” Josephine said over the drone of the man, sticking her words carefully between his gulping breaths of air as he held the note. “In retrospect,” she said, once the droning finally stopped, “perhaps a karaoke bar wasn’t the best choice for a first meet up.” She chuckled, smiling back in response to Erin’s smirk. Erin was, simply put, an attractive woman. Well built, tall, nice hair. Eyes that hid something. A heart that also hid something, but Josephine had decided to try and ignore that itch for now. Sometimes conversation was just more fun the old fashioned way. “Gin and tonic, please,” she answered firmly, giving a nod and tapping the bartop with one hand. “I missed what you ordered, but let me guess-- you look like...a whiskey gal. Maybe bourbon, but those are relatively the same thing.”

“Yeah, maybe not--” the song ended, and Erin ended up shouting that last word. She stopped, giving a stiff smile as her head shook. “Thank God,” she huffed, trying to carry on smoothly after that mini debacle. A smooth melody came over the speakers, signalling the arrival of a more somber solo. Much better. “Gin and Tonic, huh?” She nodded slowly, thinking that one over. “Excellent choice. If you like to eat pine needles, I mean,” she teased, but held her drink up, impressed. “Ten points. Am I that obviously a whiskey gal?” She asked, turning to face Josephine, already thrilled with her newfound companion. Is that how it worked? You lose one friend, then gain another? Erin polished off the glass and was ready for another when she locked eyes with the bartender yet again.

“Hmmmm, well,” Josephine hummed, looking Erin up and down, “you’re wearing a blazer over a regular t-shirt and jeans. I’d hate to point out stereotypes, but most women who I’ve met in bars wearing that drank either whiskey or lagers. And you don’t have a beer in hand, so….” she gave a grin, taking her drink gratefully when the bartender returned. “I do, in fact, love chewing on pine needles. You don’t?” a cheeky smile, before she sipped the drink. Noted that Erin was going rather fast through hers. Something on her mind, perhaps? “So, thought about which song you’re gonna sing yet? Other than the final words of I Will Always Love You, of course.”

Erin sat back in her chair, straightening her back. “Wow, I feel judged right now,” she said with a laugh. “And to think I almost got beer. Pine needles were a close third though.” The karaoke part of this whole karaoke thing had been the last thing on her mind, honestly. Outside of the fact that Regan probably never wanted to speak to her again, Erin couldn’t let go of that nagging feeling needling in the back of her head, telling her something wasn’t right. Josephine was so nice though, and she pulled herself from her thoughts. “Probably some Fleetwood Mac. Always a classic, you know? Not to add to the stereotype even further,” She smiled but shrugged, letting her eyes fall over Josephine briefly. “What about you?” Taking a short sip of her drink, she remembered their last conversation and pointed toward her, adding. “I wanna hear some of these stories you’ve been promising before we get up there, though.”

“Oh, no, no judging here,” Josephine said with a chuckle, “just something I’ve noted over the years. More like..classifying! That sounds nicer, right?” She took a sip of her drink, raising a brow. “Fleetwood Mac is stereotype, but my mind was set on The Cranberries, so I can’t really talk, can I?” A sheepish grin. “Hmm, yes. I may need to finish my first drink before any good stories come out, but I can tell you about how someone came in recently and just donated ten-thousand dollars to the art department like it was nothing.” But Erin seemed a little distracted, and Josephine didn’t like that thought. Just as if with Deirdre, Josephine wanted her attention on her, and nothing else. She’d have to turn things up a bit.

“Classifying. Nice spin,” Erin grinned. “Ah, Cranberries, huh? Stereotype or not, I don’t hate it,” she chuckled, letting her fingers slide over the cold, icy glass in her hand. Josephine kept her on her toes already and she could appreciate that as much as the normal conversation. “Ten-thousand dollars?” She echoed, eyes widening. “What are you guys doing over there? Wall-length replicas of Monet’s Water Lillies?” She took a sip of her drink, clearly still astounded. “That’s amazing as it is absurd—no offense, of course!”

“With that amount of donation, you would think!” Josephine said with a chuckle, shaking her head. “The accountant even passed out when she saw it. Apparently the kid who donated it had no idea it was that um-- large of a donation.” She shook her head, smiling again as she took a large sip of drink, letting the cool fluid relax her. Not that she was worried about anything. Let the glass linger, let the alcohol linger on her lips as she licked them dry. “So, tell me a little about yourself, then. How’d you end up in White Crest? It doesn’t ever strike me as a town that people uh-- happen to end up in.”

“If ten-thousand dollars dropped on my lap, I’d probably have the same reaction,” Erin raised a brow, smiling. Some people get ten-thousand dollars, some people get shady side businesses. Guess Erin knew her lot in life. God, the pity-fueled inner monologue was driving even her insane. She took a sip of her drink, focusing back on Josephine as she spoke up again. “Really? Because I meet out-of-towners pretty much on a regular basis,” she laughed. “I’ve lived here my whole life. My parents owned the funeral home. They died, so--now it’s mine,” she shrugged. Her life in a nutshell, basically. Her brows furrowed, making a mental note that she needed to get out like this more often, but nodded towards Josephine, eager to move on. “What about you? How long have you been in town? You don’t strike me as a townie.”

“Oh, I mean, there’s plenty of people from out of town, I just mean-- it’s not a big, er-- vacation spot,” Josephine corrected, giving a smile. “You’re whole life, huh? I’m surprised I didn’t meet you sooner, then. I’ve been in town for about five years. Give or take a few years.” The reality was that it had been ten, but disclosing too much information was an easy way to expose her true age. She shrugged. “I suppose I’m not really considered a townie, but so far, it’s one of the places I consider home more than a lot of others. I...moved around a lot over the years.” She took another sip of her drink, already finding herself interested not only in Erin herself, but the fact that she had a little resent in her heart for someone. A parent, judging by how it flared just a little bit at the mention of them dying. And something else. Something...recent. “Sorry to hear about your parents, though. Were you close?”

Five years? Erin shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know, we don’t really run in the same circles. Kids and corpses don’t exactly mix.” She grimaced, scooting a little closer to Josephine to hear her when the next singer started belting out some 80s classic rock. Maybe this was a good place for dates, when she realized how close she’d gotten. “Sorry,” she laughed. She sat back just a bit, raising her voice instead. Glanced down at her drink, clearly uncomfortable at the question. “Thanks. I was, yeah. But it’s fine.” Dead parents weren’t a great get-to-know-you topic. And it only served to fan that anger in her gut the more she thought about her dad. She nodded, trying to toss the subject right back at Josephine. “You said you moved around a lot? Why’s that? If you don’t mind me asking.”

Oh, what was that? A bit of anger? Resent? Josephine knew the feeling so well she almost missed it. Erin had some deeper pain with her parents, aside from them just being dead. Did it have to do with how they died? Or why they died? Or was it about what they left her with? “It’s always hard losing a parent, no matter the age, if you’re close.” She put her drink down a moment, to reach out and put a hand on Erin’s knee, noticing how she’d subconsciously leaned in. “I know we’ve really just met, but if you do ever want to talk, I’m all ears. I’ve been told I’m easy to talk to. Must be a counselor thing,” she gave a wink and little smile before lifting her hand off and picking up her drink again. “I did,” she started, pausing. “After college.” It wasn’t a full lie. “Some...things happened and I found myself drifting for a while, trying to decide where I wanted to land. Turned out, it was a quaint little town in Maine. I like it here, though. Keeps me on my toes.”

Erin felt her cheeks burn and she couldn’t look at Josephine both when her hand touched her knee, and especially not when she continued pushing on the death of her parents. Was she just trying to be nice? Wouldn’t surprise her if she looked as pitiful as she felt. She seemed like the kind of person who was genuinely just a nice person, though. Erin mustered a smile, glancing up at her, shaking her head incredulously at her. “There’s no way you want to hear about my dead parent problems,” she said with a laugh in her voice. “But you’re sweet to humor me anyway, Josephine.” Ugh, she hated this. It wasn’t usually like this when she drank. It calmed her. But this she couldn’t shake. She felt wrong and she felt at just about everything. And she hated especially how all she wanted to do was focus on the very pretty, very kind woman who was somehow still tolerating her. “Yeah, it’s a small town but… never a dull moment,” she smiled over at her. “I know you’ve been here a while but--we’re glad to have you too.”

Josephine shrugged. “Maybe not right now, but I’m really good at listening, so if you do ever wanna talk about it, I’d love to hear it,” she offered sweetly, a smile curled over the edge of her glass before taking a sip. “Seriously.” She said pointedly before finishing off her drink and ordering another when the bartender came by. She turned to look back at Erin, leaning back in her chair. “Never a dull moment,” she said, right as another contender stepped up to the podium and began belting some classic Cher. Josephine almost rolled her eyes, giving a chuckle. “Well, I’m glad I came, too. If only to have met someone else who can suffer through this karaoke with me.”

Josephine was right. This was getting painful. And god, she needed something to snap herself out of this. A smirk spread across Erin’s lips as a stupid idea took shape. Hopped off of her seat, leaning onto the counter to fully face Josephine. “Question. I know we just met but… you trust me, right?” She grinned fully now. “Just a little bit? Maybe?” She pinched her thumb and forefinger together. “If you do, even just a little bit--order us some shots and I’ll be right back.” She backed up, starting towards the request table. Only got a few feet before she turned on her heels, tilting her head at Josephine like she was sizing her up. “I’d say you’re a soprano, right? I hope so.” Because every alto needed their soprano. That’s how it worked, clearly. Not waiting for her to argue--not that she could hear it--she bolted for the request table. By the time she came back, the woman ruining Cher was almost halfway through her solo. “Shots?” she asked innocently, glancing up at her. “We’re up next.”

“Well, I mean--” Josephine started, a little surprised. This wasn’t exactly how she’d thought the night would go, but she wasn’t saying no. If an attractive, single woman wanted to get drunk and do karaoke, who was she to say no? “Shots, got it.” She winked. “I’m more of a--” she went to shout, but Erin was halfway across the room now and there was no point, not over the droning of The Worst Cher Ever. She rolled her eyes, turned to the bartender and ordered two fireball shots. When Erin returned, she swiveled in her chair and held the shot out to her. “You better be pretty amazing at this, or you’re going to owe me big time,” she smirked, wondering if Erin would even get the irony of that statement.

“Thank you,” Erin grinned over at her, taking the shot from her hands. The smell of cinnamon burned her nose before she even brought it too close to her face. “Oh, alright. It’s that kind of night, huh?” Winging it wasn’t the word she’d use for this right about now, but it was pretty damn close. “I’m terrible at this. 100% Guaranteed. The singing, I mean.” Smirked again, as she held the shot glass up to her, letting it clink gently. “Hey, you invited me out, right? I can’t help it if I’m fun. Cheers,” she shrugged, like Josephine had any idea what she’d been getting herself into before she walked through those doors. It burned the back of her throat as she took it down and she winced, shaking her head. Cher was fading into the background now and the DJ was calling their names to the stage. “Next one’s on me because you actually might hate me for this,” she winced a little, starting for the stage as the intro melody to You’re The One That I Want from Grease lit up the room.

“It sure is,” Josephine agreed, clinking her glass with Erin’s as they downed their shots. Josephine had never expected to be taking fireball whiskey shots with a hot woman before signing karaoke, but she supposed that even in her age, there were still surprises. She grinned widely, following her up. “You’re right, I did. I’ll take responsibility for that part,” she agreed, pausing only when they made it up to the stage and the melody started. She’d recognize that melody anywhere, and couldn’t help but roll her eyes, shaking her head. “You definitely owe me more than one round of drinks after this,” she chided, grabbing the microphone, and drawing her breath up. “Brace yourself,” she said, before picking up the song when the “girl’s” lyrics kicked in.

Oh, good. Josephine was taking this with a grace that deserved free drinks the rest of the night. Erin could feel the alcohol loosening her limbs, her heart racing as dozens of eyes locked in on them. She made a point to pop the collar on her blazer, starting off the song, gripping the the side with one hand while the other held the microphone to her lips. “I got chills… they’re multiplyin’, and I’m losing all contrOOooOll,” she exaggerated her voice just how she remembered John Travolta in the movie. Pointed dramatically to Josie, unable to wipe the stupid smirk off of her face. “Cause the power you’re supplying. It’s electrifyin’!”

Josephine couldn’t help but grin. When was the last time she’d let go and just had fun with someone? It was sometimes hard to remember that it was okay to have a life outside of her day to day duties. It was just hard to let herself get involved with anyone when she was going to live forever and most people would live to be 80 or 90. That was too many lifetimes of people dying to count. Instead, she let the moment take her, and the feeling of Erin’s deep-seeded resent filling her up. She hadn’t come here for a wish or a deal tonight, but she wouldn’t mind if one happened, either. She pointed back at Erin. “You better shape up, Cause I need a woman,” she embellished the lyric a bit, stepping closer to her, “And my heart is set on yoooou!” She had to admit, it was a fun song. She was smiling by the end of it, when they held the last note together. A little sweatier, a little drunker. “You owe me another drink,” she said into the microphone before setting it back on the stand.

For two minutes and fifty-nine seconds, Erin forgot everything that wasn’t Josephine singing the most ridiculous duet she could’ve found with her. Oh no, she was really pretty. And really close. Erin couldn’t stop grinning, cheeks flushed from singing and the alcohol. The tiny crowd drunkenly applauded them and she snapped back to reality. “Worth it,” she nodded, enthusiastic and genuine. She reached for Josie’s hand, turned to the crowd, and bowed dramatically like she’d seen them do in movies after a performance. Couldn’t help but notice how soft they were. They were getting nudged off by the next performers before she could do more than burst into another fit of hearty giggles, shaking her head. “Okay - how fun was that? Don’t lie to me. I know you liked it too,” She grinned, desperately pulling off her blazer. That scattered, sinking feeling was returning. More drinks. Now. “Promise is a promise, right?” Thankfully, the bartender had seen them coming and was already nodding and getting their drinks ready. Promise. Regan. Ugh. Erin’s face contorted into a frown and she took a long, cold sip of Whiskey.

“Alright, alright,” Josephine said, shaking her head despite the smile growing on her face, “that was pretty good.” She let Erin take her hand and guide them off the stage after their awkward bows, and tugged her over to the bar again, holding up her hand for two more drinks. The barkeep was way ahead of them, though, and had both their drinks poured by the time they made it over. Another flash of resent from Erin. Whatever was going on, she was trying to drown it with alcohol. But Josie knew that too much alcohol could lead to the exact opposite effect. She could play that game. If Erin wanted to drink until she spilled all her secrets, then that was fine with her. “Thank you. I like her girl who keeps her promises,” she said, taking her drink and having a long sip of it. Still nothing. Damned heightened tolerance. It would come soon, though. She smiled, wide, over the top of her glass. “You were pretty good up there, John Travolta. But I’ve gotta say, I think I liked looking at you better.”

Even just saying the word promise lit up a fresh, raw anger in her gut. People promised a lot of fucking things and nothing ever good came of it, did it? Not with Regan, with fucking dad. Not even herself, apparently. “I do keep my promises,” Erin smiled tightly, struggling to swallow the resentment in her voice. But Josie was talking again and her focus returned. Wasn’t hard when she smiled at her like that. “That so, huh?” Erin hoped her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt. She took a long breath, leaning her elbow against the counter and a little closer to Josephine. “Serious question. If you had to choose between kissing John Travolta--young, suave John Travolta, I should clarify...” She grinned back at her, pausing for a beat, feeling fearless right now apparently. She had to be if she was going to go with this stupid line. “Or me. Who would you pick?”

Oh, so it was something about promises that was setting Erin off right now. Josephine didn’t miss the tight lipped smile as she spoke the words. Josephine could only wonder if perhaps Erin had run into a meddling Fae and made a few too many promises that couldn’t be fixed. Josephine wouldn’t mind granting a few wishes against that. Or whatever else Erin was drunkenly trying to bury. It would feel better if she could dredge up that resent for her father, but, right now, the only words Josephine heard were about kissing. Her eyes lit up a little and a smirk curled onto her face. “Well,” she started slowly, as if thinking about it, “considering I already said you’re nicer to look at, what do you think the answer is?” she asked, but it wasn’t really a question. She was already leaning in closer. Nothing wrong with getting two things out of one night, after all.

Oh, she did say that, didn’t she? Erin thought she was being at least half clever and not mostly drunk. Thankfully, Josephine didn’t seem to care all that much. “Travolta, obviously,” she smirked sheepishly. This was fine. She was fine. Her heart started beating a mile a minute as she followed Josephine’s lead, gently cupping her cheek and pulled her lips to hers. Her lips were as soft as they looked and that was the only thing she was letting her spiraling mind focus on. Didn’t think about how she just didn’t go around kissing near-strangers in bars, or magic, or the pick-up of organs Dale would be by for in the morning. That last one only made her angry, and think about her dad again. Jesus Christ, the last thing she needed to think about was her fucking dad right now. What was wrong with her? Erin shoved all of that away, hard. Snaked her arm around Josie’s waist and kissed her harder.

Josephine leaned gratefully into the kiss, glad for the temporary reprieve from the loud bar. She was sure people would stare, but she didn’t really care. She wrapped her arms around Erin’s neck, pressing in. Erin’s lips were still cold with her drink, but nowhere near as cold as Deirdre’s. The important part was that Erin felt human, and that part made Josephine just a little sad. That this would never be anything more than a fling. She wasn’t even that old for her species, and she already felt the weariness of having to search for someone who could live beside her for longer than one lifespan. But, that was life, she supposed, and this was good right now, and Erin’s lips tasted almost as good as her anger. When she finally pulled away, hands resting on her shoulders, still leaning in close, she said, “Do you want to go somewhere else? Or get another drink? I’m down for either, Travolta.”

Do you want to go somewhere else? Josephine’s voice pulled her back to reality, hard and fast. Erin didn’t know why that triggered such a violent change in her chest, and she probably had those drinks she’d gulped down in a little over an hour to thank for allowing the dam to break loose. Her eyes burned. The room spun. She kept her eyes on Josephine, painfully aware of the tears raining down her cheeks. “No,” she croaked, narrowing her eyes. “Sorry, I--” Wow, this was new levels of embarrassing. But she couldn’t stop them now that they’d started. “I don’t--” she wiped at her eyes, panicking, starting for the door. “Sorry, I’m so sorry--I n-need some air.” God this was awful. Stumbling through the crowd, she managed to find the door and burst out, the crisp air hitting her like brick. Fuck, she left her blazer inside. She’d rather freeze than have to turn tail and face Josephine again. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” she mumbled, letting herself pathetically dropping to sit on the edge of the curb a short distance from the entrance.

Josephine couldn’t help but frown. Was it something she said? Perhaps it was just moving too quickly. Some people liked to take it slow. And that was fine. Glancing over, she noticed Erin had left her jacket, and that, coupled with the fact that she’d been crying and Josephine could still feel her, meant she should probably go give it back. Grabbing the jacket, and handing the bartender a ten, she slipped from her spot and headed out. “Erin?” she asked tentatively, looking around. Spotted her sitting on the edge of the sidewalk. She sighed, putting on a concerned look-- and, well, she was concerned-- and headed over, draping the jacket over Erin’s shoulders as she shivered. Sat next to her. “So...I know I’m not the coolest person in town, but I’ve never had a girl cry before.” Held out a napkin to her. “Was it the duet? Did you want to sing the other part?”

There was nothing Erin wanted to do more at that moment than melt into the storm drain under her feet when she saw Josephine reappear. Burying her face into her hands would have to do for now. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” she kept shaking her head, though a pained chuckle left her lips at Josephine’s small joke. “I shouldn’t have--this was a bad idea,” she mumbled, pulling her hands away to wipe at her eyes and cheeks. Couldn’t bear to look at this beautiful, funny, kind woman, knowing how badly of an ass she just made of herself. “Not because of you. Not at all because of you. You are cool as shit,” she assured her, staring at the storm drain, tugging the jacket tighter around her shoulders. Thankful that she had stopped crying for now, at the very least. “It’s me. It’s all me, and it’s Regan, and it’s my fucking dad, who I could just--” she felt her heart leap when she heard the words coming out of her mouth, spurned by the anger in her throat. Took a deep breath, glancing slowly over at Josephine. “Did you know drinking your feelings away doesn’t work?” she winced, a small, bitter smile on her lips.

“Oh, I know I’m cool,” Josephine said with a little shrug and a grin, “that was just for you sake.” She leaned back. “Don’t apologize, I get it. Sometimes you just gotta cry. I’m a school counselor, I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times grown adults and teachers come running into my office yelling and then start crying. It’s really alright.” That feeling of intense anger spiked in Erin again and Josephine had to fight to hide her interest in it. Perhaps just one more little poke, and it would all come out. “I did know that. Next time I’ll be sure to let you know before you try,” she grinned, giving her a little nudge with her elbow. “You know what does help? Talking. I know we don’t really know each other, but there’s a reason therapists aren’t allowed to collude with their patients. Sometimes talking to a stranger is easier. Better.” She turned to face Erin a little more fully, leaning her elbows on her knees, looking at her with genuine concern. “And you already cried in front me, so it can’t really get much worse, right?”

Of all the strangers to have a meltdown in front of, Erin was glad for it to be Josephine. She was going to owe her drinks for the rest of her life if she didn’t completely ghost Erin after this mess. She'd deserved it. “I guess it can’t, huh?” That prickle in the corner of her eyes returned and she bit her lip hard when she felt herself give into the offer. “For the longest time I thought I knew exactly what my life was going to be and what to expect. And then… one morning,” she snapped her fingers sharply. “Turns out everything I thought I knew was really fucking wrong. And it just keeps happening,” she paused, trying to find the right words. “Can’t change anything now, but God do I wish I could just--” her head shook, jaw clenched, but she couldn’t hold it in. “I wish I could just see my dad one more time. Just one more time, so I could just--scream at him for a bit, you know? He left me with his fucking mess of a business--” she turned quickly to look at Josephine. “The funeral home, I mean,” she corrected. She wasn’t that drunk enough to spill all of her family’s secrets. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized that her father absolutely knew there was something dark going on in this town. Bear-people, vampire slayers, magic fucking mind control. At least she could’ve been prepared. Asshole didn’t do him justice. She sniffled, the tears falling against her will once more. Tried to smile again, rolling her eyes. “Fucking daddy issues. God. Could I be more cliche right now?”

Wish. The word set something off, rattling around inside of Josephine. She mulled the thought over. It would be easy enough for her to just snap and grant the wish now, but she wanted to see if, maybe, there was more. She gave a shake of her head. “If you’re a cliche, then so am I,” she said, “my father was a deadbeat, no good, abusive sack of shit. Only thing he left me was painful memories.” She shrugged. “Your anger is justified, even if you had a good relationship with him before. If he were alive, what would you want to say to him? What would you want him to feel?”

Erin shook her head, placing her hand on Josephine’s knee, her touch empathetic. Letting her know she heard her when words failed her right now. “Shit, that’s--god, that’s shit,” was all she could mutter in response, though she’d gained a new appreciation for her kindness with that confession. What would she say to him? Anger coursed through her like it had been bottled and stuck it right into her vein. “I’d want him to feel like the scum of the earth,” she started, tapping into something buried deep in her stomach. “While he’s turning into worm food, completely free of all of this bullshit, he left me here, trapped and completely unprepared. That his bullshit destroyed any chance I had at--” Words caught in her throat as a hard knot built up. Oh god, was she crying again? But it felt good to say the words. In the three months he’d been dead, she had no one she could properly talk to about this. Couldn’t vent in full detail about his ugly behavior. Her chest felt lighter even now. “He doesn’t deserve rest. He doesn’t deserve peace. The only part he should get to enjoy is the fucking rotting.” She wiped at her eyes harder, wrapping her arms around her middle. Quiet for a long moment. Blinked and remembered where she was. Opened her mouth to apologize, that she had gotten lost in her anger, her words were too harsh. But she wasn’t sorry. Not even a little.

That was more like it. Josephine smiled, ear to ear, and leaned in a little closer to Erin. “I can feel your pain,” she said, trying not to show the excitement bubbling inside of her. This was exactly what she’d been waiting for and the magic inside of her bubbled to be let out. She took Erin’s hand gently in hers, gave it a squeeze. “And you’re allowed to feel this way. You’re anger is real and true and I know just how to help with that.” And as she said that, delighting in her own satisfaction of the moment, she lifted her free hand, and snapped.

Out in Strawford cemetery, a hand clawed its way up to the surface, bloodied and covered in dirt and grass. The headstone read ‘Jack Nichols’.

#chatzy #chatzy: josie #wickedswriting #buried alive

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forkanna · 4 years

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[AO3] [WATTPAD] [QUOTEV]

NOTE: Happy birthday to me! Though this might be posted right AT midnight my time, so technically after my birthday. Also, there won't really be much smut this chapter; just coupley fluff and a hint of steaminess.

CHAPTER SIX

"Well, you two sure are snug as bugs in a rug."

Chie scowled over at Yosuke as they sat around on the school roof, ploughing their way through plastic bowls of instant miso ramen. "I don't have any idea what you're talking about."

"I'm talking about this." He leaned way forward, headphones slipping around on his neck as he poked his chopsticks between her and Yukiko's arms. And touched both of them. "You've been glued at the hip all day!"

"We have not." Cheeks having taken on the vaguest of rosy tints, Yukiko pretended to find her ramen much more interesting as she daintily drew the noodles into her mouth. She did slurp, but it was somehow a polite slurp; Chie never knew how she did it, while she was over there making enough noise to tell the whole school what she was eating for lunch.

"I mean, do you think I'm dumb? Let me rephrase," he cut Chie off when she held up a finger to respond, taking a deep breath as well. "I'm not dumb. I can see that something's different. Like, all day has been a chick clique, with me and Narukami all benched over here."

"I haven't felt 'benched'," Yu put in very mildly, though he had also been glancing at the two girls just as curiously.

Finally, Yukiko broke her silence, though she was still staring down into her lunch. "I think you're making a lot out of nothing, Hanamura-san. There's nothing wrong with two friends spending time together, especially after going through something so harrowing."

"'Hanamura-san'? Geez, it's like that, huh?" Yosuke sighed, scratching the back of his neck.

"Listen to Yuki-chan," Chie snapped. "Like, it's none of your business, anyway. But yeah, we're just hanging out! You think it's weird? For two girls to be friends?"

"No! But I don't think that's the only thing going on here." Squinting slightly, he pointed at Chie with his chopsticks again. "I think there's a lot more than just 'gals being pals', y'know? Like, Class S-"

"God, here we go," she groaned with a huge roll of her eyes as she set her bowl aside. "You and your 'everything is dirty' brain, you pervert." She stood up and cracked her neck, then started rolling her arm around to loosen her shoulder. Immediately, he was throwing up both hands to ward her off.

"Wait, wait! Hey, I don't think there's any call for violence, exactly! C'mon, what's the big deal in me pointing out what it looks like?!"

"The 'big deal' is that you're trying to make something normal into some gross fantasy in your brain!"

"Hey, can you blame me? After what we saw in the TV… I mean, your shadows were really into it…"

Instantly, he was being kicked down to sprawl out on his back by a very irate Chie. Limbs flailing everywhere, he tried to fend off the brown loafer that continued to descend upon his face and chest repeatedly for the next few seconds. "AH! CHIE! FOR CHRISSAKE, CUT IT OUT WILLYA?!"

"MAYBE QUIT BEING A GROSS PIG AND I WILL!"

While he was still trying to protect his face, Yu commented calmly, "The gross pig has a point. If shadows are part of who you are, it's not such a strange question to ask."

"Et tu, Yu?" Yukiko sighed, frowning down at her bowl. "Isn't it bad enough we had to be there while you two saw the other us… doing such things?"

"You say that like it wasn't the best show of my life!" Yosuke chuckled — earning him a fresh strike to the mouth with a rubber sole. "RGH! Okay, get off, I'm kinda done!"

Finally reclaiming her spot next to Yukiko, Chie grumbled, "Me too. Like, stop being so disgusting."

"Oh yeah?" He sighed and shook his head. "What a waste lesbians are."

While Yukiko's head began to sink lower, Chie's face burst a few capillaries as she snapped, "WHAT?! Okay — listen, you jackass! Y-you don't even know what you're- and what do you mean, a 'waste'?!"

"Like, that's two less girls for the rest of us," he continued to protest as he stirred his noodles. "Hard enough for some guys to get dates without some chicks pairing off with each other."

Chie took a deep breath to reply… but to her surprise, it was Yu who said, "I think that's ignorant. They should be able to date whoever they want."

"What?" Eyebrows sky high, he snapped, "Yu, bro… how can you stab me in the back like this?"

"Stop being dramatic. And I'm sure there will still be plenty of girls to ask out. Don't you have someone you're interested in? Anyone at all?"

"Risette," he sighed wistfully. When the other three were blinking at him in surprise for a few seconds, he cleared his throat. "I-I mean, that Ebihara is hot. But I dunno, I don't have any game."

"You really don't," Chie confirmed.

"Whoa, shots fired…"

"What do you expect, man? You treat girls like Pocky flavours, just trying to pick which one suits your mood today. Seriously, do you even care about how they feel? Whether or not their personalities match yours? You just seem to care if they have big boobs and nice hair."

Taken aback, he finally set his ramen aside. "What the hell, Satonaka? I thought we were friends, and you're like, totally ripping me a new one here! What did I ever do to you?"

"For starters, you told me and Yukiko that we're 'too close' and a 'waste of space'."

"Hey, I never said 'waste of space'. Just like, a waste of two really gorgeous, available women."

"Lies! You have never thought I was gorgeous."

"Oh. Good point." This time, she actually took her loafer off and threw it at his head. "WHOA! Hey, hey — I wanna live, I WANNA LIVE!"

~ o ~

Despite trying her best to focus on positive thoughts, Chie's blood was still boiling well after school let out for the day. She kicked a can down the quaint, lazy street toward the rest of Inaba, still grumbling about how chauvinistic he was and that they were better off not dealing with someone who didn't even see them as fellow humans.

"He isn't that bad," Yukiko snickered. "He could use some work, but… you know he doesn't really believe those things."

"Yeah? Well I think he's worse than we think!"

"How can he be worse than you think if you already think he's worse?"

"That's… well…" Pouting, she watched her footsteps for a while as they paced through the homey little downtown district. "Y-you know what I meant. Like, I know he's a boy, but so is Yu and at least he's halfway decent. There's no excuse!"

"Maybe not." They were quiet for a moment. "Um, do you want to stop by Souzai Daigaku? Grab a couple of croquettes?"

Chie knew what she was doing. Obviously this was a ploy to distract her from her ranting about their friend's misogynistic tendencies. And… it worked, but only because she knew Yukiko didn't like gossiping all that much and wanted to spare her. "For sure. I crave meat — oh, and a lemon soda."

"Okay," Yukiko chuckled as she slid her arm through Chie's. The action seemed to bring both of them to a sudden halt, and she blinked. "Oh. That's strange, I… I didn't mean to do that. But it felt very…"

"Natural," Chie supplied. After only a tiny hesitation, she raised a hand to rest on Yukiko's wrist, keeping her there. "It's cool. I don't think anybody's gonna pay attention… we probably won't, uh… be noticed…"

Nodding her agreement, they continued to walk arm in arm. Despite her confident words, Chie's heart was racing. Somebody was going to call them yuri — make some kind of gay joke, or even just a simple catcall would be a fate worse than death. But maybe they wouldn't be seen at all.

They were.

"Ohhh, so pretty!"

The two looked around for a moment, trying to find the source of the compliment and figure out why it was even made. But nobody was closeby. Had they imagined it?

"Oh!" Yukiko breathed when she finally looked down.

A small elementary school girl was standing in front of them, wide smile and brown pigtails radiating pure innocence. Her little pink dress was on over a white turtleneck. Chie found herself wanting to pick her up and put her on a shelf, she was so adorable.

"Awww, hello there!" she gushed with an equal grin.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" The girl gave a little bow. "Are you two on a date? I didn't mean to stop you!"

"Wh-WHAT?!"

But Yukiko led with, "N-no, it's okay. But what did you think was pretty?"

"You! I mean, I've never seen a girl as pretty as you, ever — 'cept maybe Risette! But she's a star. Nobody as pretty as Risette would be in Inaba."

While she was still trying to recover her voice, Chie squatted down to ask, "Hey, what's your name?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm Nanako." Then she seemed to remember her manners and bowed. "N-nice to meet you."

"Likewise," she chuckled. "And you're right, this is the most beautiful woman in the whole world."

"Really?" she breathed in wonder — while Yukiko made flustered noises beside her.

"Yep! And we're really lucky to see her! They say she only appears to little girls who have been really good this year."

While Nanako was looking completely enthralled, Yukiko tutted, "Don't fill that poor girl's head with nonsense!" But she was blushing a bright red to match her sweater.

"Sorry," Chie laughed, though she didn't sound especially sincere about her apology, before she turned to pet the little girl on the head. "It was nice meeting you, but we have a date with meat."

"Okay!" she breathed, still obviously very taken with the idea of a magically appearing prettiest girl in the universe. She waved distractedly as the two moved off toward the restaurant.

"Well she didn't seem to mind that we were arm-in-arm."

Yukiko smiled through her rosy, embarrassed expression. "You're terrible. But… I suppose I appreciate the compliment. Thank you."

Now they were both flustered. Luckily, their trip to Souzai Daigaku in silence could help them temporarily forget they were in the middle of such a touchy, anxiety-inducing conversation.

Which only lasted until Chie was halfway through her order of way too many croquettes. Yukiko had mostly just been watching her devour them with wide eyes, both disgusted and impressed as she nibbled at her own single croquette.

"WHOO!" she burst out. "This is great! Time for dinner now."

"Time for- you really are a bottomless pit." When Chie only saluted like an American soldier, she giggled. "Wow. Do you want to head into Aiya for a beef bowl? I'm not hungry, but… I don't mind spending more time with you."

Obviously that got her best friend grinning like a loon. "R-really? I mean, you know I'm going to be taking the portal to the meat dimension."

"Oh? I thought they only served that on rainy days."

"Well… they'll make it for me, since I'm one of their best customers. But I have to pay more if it's not raining. Seems like a fair trade-off." She finished off her croquette and stood. "Ready?"

Still caught off guard, she blinked and stood beside Chie. "Lead the way."

The Chinese diner happened to be right next door to the croquette stand, so it wasn't as if they had a long walk ahead of them. Chie pulled her to the door by the hand, and Yukiko stumbled briefly before adapting to the quickened pace, sliding her arms around her prince's to steady herself. All smiles. They were so giddily in love, even though they hadn't been at all aware of said love a couple of days ago. Life could change so fast…

"Welcome!" said a girl in a red apron with short blue hair and a white scarf covering most of it — which was most of what one could see, given that she was already bowed low in greeting. "How may we serve you?"

"Hey, Nakamura!" Chie said casually enough. "Not out on deliveries today?"

The server straightened and shrugged with a smile. "Nope, Satonaka-san." Clearly she was being formal because they were customers, but her tone and expression was full of familiarity. "Booth in the back?"

"Sure! And you already know what I want. Yukiko?"

"Oh, just a small order of zhēngjiǎo," she told her with a wave of her hand. "And green tea. Thank you, Aika-chan."

"With chicken?" Yukiko nodded, and Aika beamed. "I'll have those out for you right away. Please have a seat."

They made small talk until their food arrived a few minutes later. Chie plunged into the mega beef bowl with gusto while her new girlfriend daintily nibbled at her plate of steamed dumplings. Halfway through, she began to pet up and down Chie's back with her free hand.

"Hmhg?" Chie asked around a mouthful of beef, eyes wide when she turned them on her. Yukiko giggled, which only made her grin — while morsels of food dropped from her lips.

"YUCK!" she cackled, while Chie blotted at her mouth with a napkin. "I'm actually dating a pig!"

After having swallowed down the rest of her mouthful, she laughed and nudged Yukiko with her shoulder as she started to dig into the fried egg on top of the bowl at last. "Sorry, sorry. But like, it was hilarious watching you get grossed out." Which only earned her the daintiest tongue sticking out at her.

They lapsed back into a comfortable silence for a few more minutes. This time, when Yukiko pet her back, Chie didn't overreact; just hummed and relaxed into the gentle touch. It really was a night and day difference. Instead of making them feel awkward and weird, now it was warm, and safe… it felt like a little piece of home could be created wherever and whenever they chose.

"I really… can't believe how easy this is."

"Mm," Chie hummed around her mouthful before reaching over to lay a hand on her bestie's forearm under the table. Once she managed to chew and swallow it down, she whispered, "It's pretty crazy, I can't believe I'm starting to get used to this. Keep thinking you're going to snap out of it and like, tell me to get away from you. Because I'm… whatever it is I am."

Yukiko tutted at her as she wrapped both arms around Chie's, laying her head on her shoulder. "You say that like it's just you. Not both of us. Maybe you had those thoughts about me first but clearly I'm not running away. So…"

When she didn't finish right away, she prompted, "What?"

"So, um… don't be so…" She swallowed. "Don't be mean to yourself. Don't put it all on you, especially when I'm happy. This is a good thing, not a death sentence."

"O-oh, I never- I didn't mean it was bad! Just like, weird, and it's gonna get people saying weird stuff about us. Like Yu and Yosuke already keep doing."

"They should be ashamed of themselves," she sighed as she dipped another jiaozi into the tiny pool of sauce. "Well… Yosuke should especially, but Yu was also too persistent."

Shaking her head, Chie stirred the contents of her bowl angrily. "Oughtta stomp all over those two. Like, it's none of their business! I don't care what they saw in the TV!"

"Shhhh, I'm sorry." Yukiko pet her thigh now, kissing the side of her neck. "I didn't mean to get you upset. Even though I do agree with you. So… relax, alright? Enjoy the meal."

But that presented a brand new development for Chie. Her stomach fluttered as she realised they weren't just cuddling, or being good friends. Food was now completely gone from the forefront of her mind. They were together, in public, and Yukiko was touching her leg. That thin uniform skirt was the only protection from getting to fully enjoy the warm smoothness of her dainty hand.

"Y-Yuki-chan…"

"What? Is something wrong?"

The hand came to a stop, yet Chie was still breathing shallow and rapid when she said, "O-oh, nothing, I just… I'm having a good time. With you! Yeah, with you, um… h-honey."

Both Yukiko's flawlessly-shaped eyebrows shot up. "Honey?!"

"SHHHH!" she hissed at her desperately. "I don't know, I've never had a girlfriend before! Or boyfriend! An ANY-gender-friend!"

"Oh, my honey!" Yukiko snickered in English, entire face lighting up. Lapsing back into her native tongue, she purred, "I think it's really sweet. Funny, but sweet."

"Oh, shut up, Honey!"

"Wow, that isn't very nice. And here I'm being so affectionate toward you."

Though Chie's mouth opened to protest, no sound came out when she felt impossibly soft lips barely pressing into the corner. This was insane! Anybody could see them — anyone from school, from in and around their neighbourhoods. The proprietors of Aiya. All of Inaba. Not only was the hand still teasing her leg, but it seemed to be heading down toward her knee. The hem of her skirt.

"Yukiko… this is so bad, what happens if they catch us?! We're gonna be out to the whole freaking town!"

Snickering a little, the innkeeper whispered into her ear conspiratorially, "Nobody's watching us, I promise. Look around." Her other hand casually gestured to the inside of the restaurant, where couples, men dining alone, groups of students eating while they studied, filled its interior. None of them were looking in their direction.

"A-ah. But…" Chie licked her lips as she felt her skirt being hiked up by the playful fingertips. "They could still… turn around and see you doing this… isn't that illegal, anyway?"

A little at a time, Yukiko's playful smirk faded and she dipped her head as her hand came to a stop. "Sorry, my Prince. I guess I just really want to make you feel good, and it seems exciting to do it right here, but... you're right, it's too risky. I don't know what got into me!"

"Oh, hey…" She put an arm around Yukiko's shoulders, pulling her in close against her body. "I'm not mad or anything. Just like, freaked out at the idea. Do you still wanna try it?"

"No," Yukiko told her with a small smile. "Well… yes, but it isn't that urgent. We should finish our food."

"You sure?"

"Yes. I don't want to make you choke on your beef bowl, anyway."

A little snort fell from her girlfriend's lips. "C'mon, I could handle both at the same time. Probably. I'm only iffy about it because I don't wanna get caught and thrown out of my favourite restaurant."

"Really? Because I don't think I could!" They both laughed a little, and Yukiko leaned up to kiss her cheek again. "But if you're sure you don't mind experimenting… we could see what happens."

"Yeah." She nodded to further drive home how serious she was. "Hit me. If I can't handle it, I'll tap out."

"Tap out?"

"Yep! You know, in American wrestling when they're… done with… yeah, no reason you would know that. They tap the mat in a super obvious way to show they give up. So like… I'll do this."

When Chie tapped the edge of her bowl twice with her chopsticks, Yukiko's eyes hyperfocused on the action and she nodded. "Ah, I see! Yes, I will definitely understand that action's meaning now."

"It's not that serious," she muttered. But then Yukiko was petting the inside of her thigh again, and all she could do was grunt to keep from moaning. "O-ohhhh… oh, we're… starting again."

Not just starting. Yukiko's nimble digits were making their way straight to her panties, no waiting. Chie felt her stomach disappear as she anticipated the touch hitting home at last. Any second now…

"YOU."

They both nearly fell off their chairs at the sudden sharp word issued from so close by. Trying not to appear as flustered as they were, the two girls looked up to see a near-flawless face gazing down at them marred by a haughty, annoyed expression. Her blonde-highlighted hair hung around her face in elaborate curls that had obviously taken a long time to fashion, just brushing the lacey pink choker wrapped around her throat — like Chie already wished her hands were, and they had barely begun a conversation.

"Ebihara," Chie breathed as her blood ran cold.

"What?" Ai Ebihara snapped, resting a hand on one hip as she cocked it out to the side. "Can I help you with something?"

"Uhhhhh, you came up to me, dude. What do you want?"

That response made her scoff loudly. "Nothing from some bowl-cut reject. I was talking to the priss."

While Chie was trying to ignore the vein throbbing in her forehead, Yukiko sat up a little straighter and pointed at her own chest. "Me?!"

"God, you're both idiots. There are only two people at this table, so if it's not the bowl cut, guess who it has to be?"

"Hey, watch it," Chie warned her as she leaned an elbow on the table. "Tell us what the hell you want or get out of here."

Scowling at her, Ebihara flipped her hair over her shoulder gracefully before edging into a chair across from them. Which was exactly the opposite of what they wanted; they were kind of in the middle of something! Couldn't she go away and come back another day, much like other black clouds?

"You have something I'm after. Give me that and I'll leave you to your pedestrian food."

Yukiko must have been sensing that her friend was going to stand up and shout at the interrupting annoyance, because she started petting up and down her thigh again. Soothing this time rather than teasing. "And what might I have that you want? I'm sorry, but I truly don't know."

"Narukami," she said without preamble.

"What about Narukami?" Chie asked suspiciously.

"I want him."

The other two girls exchanged a look. Where the hell was this coming from?! "U-uhhh…"

"Don't act so surprised. He's such a tall, mysterious stranger from so far away… practically the only boy at Yasogami who's remotely interesting. And you have been hogging him to yourself long enough. Fork him over."

"Wait, wait," Yukiko giggled nervously, hand flexing on Chie's thigh. She had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from letting out a yelp of surprise. "You don't think… I'm actually dating Yu, do you?"

"I didn't say anything as heavy as 'dating'," she shot back with a roll of her honey-hued eyes. "But I've seen you two together a few times. How you smile at him. It's loathsome, but I can't deny you have an in with him that I do not… yet."

"We're friends, Ai-san. That's all, I promise!"

Her eyes narrowed as Yukiko pet higher. Chie had to fight to stay focused on the conversation. "Hmm. I could almost believe you…"

"Please do. I have no reason to lie to you."

"Very well. Let's say you are being straight with me. How can I turn his little grey-haired head — what's the story with that grey hair, too? Dye job, genetic thing?"

Before this point, Chie had been mostly nodding along, waiting for the tortuous exchange to come to an end. But something going on beneath the table now had her undivided attention. Yukiko had not stopped in her advance. Her fingers were now teasing the insides of her thighs dangerously close to her center as she kept her eyes pointed squarely at Ebihara.

"U-um…" But when their guest turned a glare on her, she shut up.

"Yu seems to really enjoy a lot of things," Yukiko quickly said to draw her attention back.

"A lot of… things." Ai raised an eyebrow at her. "Is that seriously as specific as you can get?"

"N-no, not at all. Maybe… if you could be more specific yourself, I can be more helpful. I don't mind, I'm just not sure exactly what your goal is."

As Ebihara contemplated, Chie found herself wondering the same question about Yukiko. What was her goal?! There was no way they were actually going to test out their friendship's newfound sexual component while sitting across a restaurant table from the prima donna of Yasogami High. Was there?!

"Well, I guess I'm curious why he hasn't asked me out yet," Ebihara said as Aika returned to their table. "Ever since I was made manager of the… I'm sorry, may we help you?"

Blinking at the cold tone, the waitress said, "U-um, I was going to ask the same thing. What can I get you, miss?"

"Nothing from this craphole." But when nobody followed up that statement, and Aika just scowled, she sighed. "Green tea. Unless you do boba here." The wince was enough to communicate they did not, so she sighed and waved her away, "Just regular old tea then, and take your time. I don't eat at places like this."

As poor Aika stomped away, Chie grunted, "You could h-haaaave been nicer to her."

Unfortunately, that near-moan didn't escape Ai's notice. "Your time of the month or something? You look like you're having some wicked cramps."

"Y-yeah," she said, figuring it was the easiest explanation. The girl made a disgusted face but didn't further pursue that line of questioning; all girls understood that one, right? Plus it took the heat off her from Yukiko's fingers gliding slowly up and down along her slit through the all-too-thin fabric of her undergarment.

"Anyway, I think he's really cute, and he irritates me a lot less than the other boys on the team. Plus when he works up a sweat during practice…" For a brief moment, while she was biting her lip and trying not to smile, she almost looked like a normal girl.

"So you have a crush on him," Yukiko said as casually as she could… while still driving her best friend crazy.

"Uh, yes? Hello? What other conclusion could you reach from what I just said?!"

"Of course, of course. Well, why don't you just ask him out instead?"

Ai scoffed and pressed a hand to her chest as if scandalised by the very notion. "ME?! Look at me. I'm stunning, and I work hard to be this stunning. What's the point in doing so if not so that the boys are the ones to fall at my dainty feet?"

Chie had to chance it, even though she was very nearly panting like a dog in heat. The comment was begging for a rebuttal. "I've… never h-heard someone describe their own feet as dainty before."

"Yeah? Well, stay tuned for more originality, courtesy of moi." Even though she was so elegant-looking, it was such a jarring, brutish move when she suddenly slapped her calf on top of the table, making the dinnerware clatter. "LOOK. Look at them."

Yukiko and Chie both blinked down at her now-shoeless foot. It was covered by her white stockings, of course, but it seemed dainty enough in size. So Chie said, "Yep, that's a foot."

"It, um, seems lovely?" Yukiko attempted. As the leg mercifully withdrew before the proprietor of Aiya saw it and was offended at such a rude display, she continued, "I also envy how trim you are, Ai-san. How do you stay in shape? Chie does a lot of sports training and martial arts."

"Mostly diet," she told them smugly as she pulled out a compact and preened slightly. Chie wondered idly how anyone could be so self-absorbed. "And a little time on my elliptical at home every evening. Gotta burn those calories. What about you?"

Caught off guard by the question being turned around on her, Yukiko smiled demurely as she went back to teasing Chie harder. Her throat constricted to cut off a very genuine moan. "Oh, nothing in particular. Portion control. Though my duties at Amagi Inn do tend to keep me very active."

"Really? I can't believe that — you're way too perfect for that to be the whole story. What is it, kale? Juice cleanses? Do you…"

For a little while, Chie lost track of the conversation. Her entire focus was on those fingers playing over her growing wetness. Luckily the diner was full of pungent, savoury aromas or she would really have been in trouble — no way she wasn't stinking up the place with the scent of her arousal by now. All she wanted was to drag Yukiko off to the bathroom for a glorious finish, but she wasn't sure she would be able to stand just now. Besides, it would be the only move even more conspicuous than what they were already doing.

"...definitely working," Ebihara was finally relenting when she refocused, trying to block out the urges to moan and roll her hips by distracting herself. "But yeah, loan me that when you get the chance."

"Of course." Yukiko only occasionally glanced at Chie, to make sure she wasn't distressed or angry. And since Chie was trying to look politely interested in the conversation, it never showed how intolerable this whole situation was for her, so she went right back to petting and chatting. "And as I said, I don't know what sort of perfume he prefers, but anything should be fine. But knowing Yu, I don't think he would care about the brand if you name-dropped."

Ai's brow furrowed slightly as she tapped the surface of the table. Meanwhile, Chie was doing the same with one of her legs, jiggling it up and down in an attempt to abate the feelings assaulting her. In fact, it made them worse… but even after realising that, she couldn't seem to stop. She needed to get off now.

"Well, he certainly does look at me like he likes what he sees. What the hell's his problem? What more do I have to do?"

"It's probably a courage problem," Yukiko told her — while pressing two fingertips harder against Chie's clit. Which was throbbing so hard it didn't even present a challenge for her to find through the panties. "He hasn't worked up enough to ask someone as pretty as you out yet. Give him time, or make your own interest more obvious, since you said you didn't want to ask him yourself."

Ebihara tapped her chin. "You know, even though you're just a townie, I think you have a point. I won't outright ask him, but I could flirt a little. I'm just used to the boys making all the moves on me."

"A-ah…"

"Hm? Something wrong, Satonaka?"

"N-nah," Chie tried to cover. In reality, she had been unable to suppress that moan when Yukiko's fingers inadvertently tensed upon being called 'just a townie'. Despite the reason, it had felt too good against her greedy flesh. "Still my… red tide. Mm, what would you do? To flirt."

Looking at her a little funny, Ebihara shrugged. "I don't know. That's not really my thing; I prefer to have them chasing me. But I guess I've thought about it before, just in theory."

"So, u-um, try out some lines. Maybe we can tell you if they're- nhh… if they're too cheesy."

"Fine. Guess there's no reason not to." While Chie's hips began to squirm back and forth, the orgasm so close now, Ai preened at her hair a little more before leaning her elbows on the table and resting her chin on her folded hands. "Hey there. What's a nice guy like you doing on a crummy team like this?"

"I don't think that's very kind," Yukiko put in — while circling her best friend's clit harder than ever. "Try not to put down the team, he might take offense."

"But they really are a crummy team. Well, except for Kou-chan…" Her expression flickered, and it almost looked a bit wounded for a moment — before she recomposed herself into the usual arrogance. "Okay, you're probably right. Let me try something else."

"Please," Chie begged. Though it was actually for release and not another flirtation demonstration.

"Wow. You just made yourself my guinea pig, Bowl Cut." Chie wanted to be mad…

But an instant later, Ai's hands were delicately taking up the one of hers that was resting on top of the table. Her eyes softened as she looked up into Chie's, slightly wetted lips parting as her throat worked to swallow, as if nervous.

"I know… I haven't been the manager for very long, but… I really like seeing you every day. And you're so strong, and athletic… not to mention easy on the eyes. I wouldn't mind spending a little more time with you, okay? One on one."

"Really?" Chie half-panted, just barely able to keep from making it completely obvious what was happening under the table. "One on one, h-huh? What for?"

Anyone would have been able to tell Ebihara was fighting down some variety of "Are you stupid?" response. But after the brief flicker of ire, she leaned further forward, showing a slight glimpse of her collarbone beneath her school uniform, the very top of her cleavage. Her eyes were sparkling, lips parted even more as she began to heave for breath. Chie responded in kind… because she couldn't stop herself from letting the desire show through anymore. Even if it wasn't actually desire for the person in front of her, at least it came across like she was playacting for the sake of aiding their classmate.

"To make all your wildest dreams come true. Listen…" One hand still holding Chie's, she let the other one raise up to graze well-manicured fingernails up and down along the inside of her forearm. Goosebumps raced over her skin. "I've been thinking about this for a long time, and…" She feigned being shy, biting her lip and looking away.

"And?" Chie prompted hastily, riding the edge as Yukiko sped up her efforts. A quick glance over showed she was curious to see what might happen next.

Looking back up, the normally snooty girl leaned so close their noses were almost touching, voice dipping down into a husky whisper. "And I want… you to be my first. Will you claim my body?"

Well damn.

This orgasm was the hardest yet, and it bowled over Chie with such a force she had no way to prepare. A moan started to burble up past her lips, and had just barely begun when she belatedly realised that even though her entire mind was consumed with the taboo of this activity, with the sheer potency of the climax itself, she still had to keep the whole diner from figuring out what they were doing. What a nightmare, what an impossible situation!

Which she made worse, because in her Cro-magnon brain's efforts to stop the noise, it sought the easiest avenue possible when there was a set of pouty lips a mere inch away from her own.

"MM!" Ai grunted when she felt the kiss begin, the hand holding Chie's clamping down hard so that her nails bit into the skin of her palm. But when Chie grasped it back just as hard, she sort of… melted. Just for a few seconds, they were really kissing each other while Chie's climax made her hips roll against the punishing fingers, milking that moment for all it was worth.

Then Ai drew back and smacked her across the face.

"OW!" she yelped, completely shocked. "Wh-what-"

"EXCUSE YOU!" she gasped out, cheeks flaming red now despite her furious expression. "This was supposed to be acting, not with… with actual… th-that was too far!"

Though Yukiko looked quite thoughtful, she still put in, "Actors kiss all the time. Even in school plays. I think she was just really into the scene."

"Y-yeah," said a dazed Chie, brain too foggy from orgasm afterglow and the stunning blow to her face to say much more.

"W-well, I… I didn't say we could do that, so it was very rude to do it without asking!" The prissy girl pushed her hand into her mouth. "GOD, I kissed a girl and I didn't even hate it — I'm a yuri. At least she didn't steal my first kiss! Then I would be really mad, you don't even know!"

"She didn't?" Yukiko asked curiously, even while smirking playfully at the flustered Chie. Apparently, they would be talking about this at great length later. "Who was your first kiss?"

"Some boy I- oh, nevermind! Screw you two perverts, you're crazy!" She hastily got up from the table, then stumbled a little before sitting back down. "UGH! And if I didn't take off my shoe earlier, I could have stormed out of here and looked much cooler! DAMN it, I'm having the worst day!"

To Be Continued…

#We'll Face Ourselves #persona 4 fanfiction #forkanna writes #p4 fanfic #chiko #jess the writer #Happy Birthday

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arminkirschtien · 4 years

Text

Playing the Roles Right: Chpt 1

(This chapter will finally start more of the story, and just continues to shove it in your face that, yes, Jean is an asshole. All Warnings are on A03, nothing too triggering here)

Jean swirled around in his seat, looking up at the thin, almost jester looking man. He was soaked from the rain outside, looking panicked and dreadfully worried. He was almost bald, a bit of grey hair covered his crown and looked like a child, but obviously was much older than that, otherwise someone would be calling for their kid outside.

"That is me," Jean started off, and the jester turned to look at him. His golden eyes widened and his thin lips curved into a hopeful smile.

"Ah! Yes! I did find the right place! Sir! You must come with me!" The young man ran over and stopped right in front of Jean, holding his arms out to lead him to the doorway.

"E-Excuse me?" Jean scoffed. "First of all, nobody, and I mean nobody orders me around like a damn surf, I got my title through hard work and dedication, don't treat me like I'm-"

"It's an order from the high king Uri Reiss, sir!"

Well, that changes everything now doesn't it?

"Oh? He's called for me now, has he?" Jean turned his full attention onto the jester, who smiled and nodded.

"Yes, he shall explain more once you get there, but you must arrive at once. I have a carriage with a sleeping roll and food ready, but he has ordered me to call for you. I'm sure you'll be paid handsomely."

The innkeeper patted Jean on the shoulder. "You should go, I ain't leavin' anytime soon, so you can always come back. My doors are always open."

The knight smiled at her, tipping his head. He followed the young man out to his carriage, Jean's horse already in the care of a young lady dressed like the jester, petting her hair and feeding her spare apples.

"Connie! Did you grab- oh! That's what he looks like?" She squinted her brown eyes at the hero, in return he eyed her. "I was expecting...I don't know, a tall, blonde hero with muscles...not a farm boy."

Jean scoffed, his hand reaching at his dagger. "Well excuse me, I've never heard such horrible, offensive things said so quickly. Do you really need me or not? Because I could say right back that you look like an inbred witch."

"Whoa whoa whoa, don't insult witches like that," the jester, apparently named Connie, chuckled then started to laugh. The woman began laughing like a pig, confusing the knight that had just insulted her. People are suppose to be offended, intimidated by insults, yet these two were laughing their asses off like they heard the best joke in years.

Connie rolled his eyes and caught his breath before speaking again, pointing to his friend. "This is Sasha, she has a quick tongue and will probably steal your food. She has thick skin, won't take your bullshit kinda gal. The high king has hired her and I to find you and take you to the castle. He'll explain the mission, but if you have any other questions, don't be afraid to ask." Connie hopped into the carriage, almost dancing as he pointed at different items in the area.

Ya need any more water or food, just ask, and we have a dog in the back, so watch for him. He'll keep ya' warm." Connie began listing everything quickly, Jean barely able to keep up with his speaking. He hopped into the back, a small roof shielding him from the rain. Hitch waved to him from her window outside, and he waved back, a small smile on his face.

She blew a kiss to the knight, winking at him before a hand was on her shoulder. She turned to smile at her fiance, saying something Jean couldn't read lips for, the man walking to the window and waving at Jean as a thank you. He nodded his head and saluted to them, a wish of 'happy marriage' if they will.

"She's a pretty Las," Sasha whispered, looking at Hitch as well, and Connie nodded.

"Riverwood has a lot of pretty women in it," Connie chimed in, and Sasha chuckled, starting up the carriage. The two horses started to move and she turned around to see Jean sitting down next to her dog.

"It has a lot of pretty women, and Connie says that every time. Why? Because he grew up here." She teased, and Connie bopped her in the back of her head playfully, both still giggling like school kids.

“You grew up in Riverwood? It’s such a small, pitiful town, and it’s even right outside the shipping capital. Why not just move there? The only good thing about it is it’s safe away from dragons and has ok beer.” Jean rolled his eyes, leaning against the wooden walls of the carriage, the dogs head in his lap. Of course, he couldn’t deny that face a few pets and scratches behind the ear.

“Besides, it’s filled with families too scared to admit their part in the war, so they go into hiding. I’ve heard many families fleeing to small villages to hide, they’re all cowards.”

“Wow, aren’t you a ray of sunshine?” Connie huffed, head leaning in his hand. “Let me guess, you grew up in the safe, rich walls of Solitude? Sorry we couldn’t all get that luxury, my mother had 10 kids, she didn’t really have the time to make sure we all could be treated like spoiled brats.”

Jean rolled his eyes, he shouldn't be surprised one of the two childish clowns came from such a small, penniless village like this. The rain got louder around them, and Sasha’s fire in her lantern went out, and her two horses began to panic and kick. Sasha and Connie went to quickly re-lighting it, while Jean started to pet the dog. “Isn’t he a fun one?” Jean complained to the dog, who only closed his eyes, falling asleep. Jean should probably take the dog’s advice and get some sleep. He misses his bed back at home with his mother, and he missed Solitude now that the jester brought it up; it’s his true home. Grabbing the sleeping roll he had back there he began to settle in.

He rolled around for a few minutes before finding a comfortable place to lay. Connie looked back at the resting knight and sighed.

“Ain’t he a prince charming?” Connie grumbled, Jean easily over-hearing him despite the downpour. “He’s all looks, but he’s got the mouth of an alcoholic father and a cocky brute mixed together. I’ve heard stories of him, but no one ever talked about his fucking attitude.”

“Well, the people who told us the stories were all young women, he’s no doubt wooed them into a state where they’ve fallen in love. C’mon, if you fell in love with a guy who treated you like a queen, you’d be pretty wooed.” Sasha laughs, and her friend only rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, I'd be wooed, but it doesn’t excuse this guy’s behavior. He’s another spoiled brat.”

“Connie…” Sasha sighed with sorrowful eyes, looking over at her friend. Connie looked back at her, and the young man let out a long breath.

It was silent through the night, Connie and Sasha taking turns sleeping and driving the horses closer and closer to Solitude. The rain picked up over the night, getting heavy enough to start thundering, a few flashes of lighting hitting the ground around the carriage, stirring Jean around in his sleep some.

When Jean finally awoke, they arrived to the capital; the front guards nodding at Connie and Sasha when they confirmed they were servants of the king. Jean only partly listened, looking up the hill at his old house right outside of Solitude. A small lumber farm down the street, he could see the mill from here. He wonders if his mother is in town, buying bread or eggs for a new recipe or buying clothes for a new get together with some friends.

“Alright Jean, We’ll drive you to the front of the blue palace, then I’ll lead ya inside. Otherwise you’ll be kicked out.” Connie hummed, turning around to see Jean’s tousled hair and dark undereye bags. “Well aren’t you a beauty in the morning? Get up! We’re here, put on your best face for the king. He’s not a morning person either, so don’t say anything stupid.”

Sasha drove them all up the front of the blue palace, the giant blue door underneath a beautiful outdoor hallway covered in flowers and stone features. It’s been a while since Jean’s been home, and he can tell they’ve definitely cleaned the castle up some, maybe some renovation.

The large grey poodle got out of the carriage, running over to the front guards and sniffing them, walking around them and tripping them under their feet. The tall guards laughed, and the dog happily hopped around as they were playing. Connie smiled and waved. “We’ll leave him out here to run around, it was a long trip. Make sure he doesn’t eat the flowers!”

The guards all nodded, and Jean hummed in approval, they all seemed to be more relaxed guards, better than the strict ones he grew up next to in training. Connie seemed to be friends with everyone too.

Walking inside, Jean felt a shiver of warm air hit him, two men eyeing him up and down for any obvious weapons besides his axe and sword, and let him pass once they saw Connie walking in.

“Springer, you’re back.” One lifted up his helmet to smile at him. “I see you found the knight, great job, you’ll be rewarded with your gold once everything gets settled in, we’ll take it from here.”

Connie nodded, patting Jean on the back. “Remember what I said.” He whispered, Jean eyeing him strangely before he ran off down one of the two halls. The guards opened another set of doors, leading the way to the throne. Jean followed, looking at every flower, painting, and piece of art he saw pass by, trying to distract himself from his anxiety of meeting the king.

Getting closer, he could overhear a conversation between the king, his steward, and a commoner.

“I never said I would allow that, it’s too miniscule of a problem for the king to worry about it now-”

Jean looked up at a man talking with the king’s steward, the man himself right beside him in his chair, sitting up straight and eyeing the two men.

"Now I never said I would think of it," the king interrupted, and both men turned to look at their king. The young man fixed his hair, squinting at his steward. "Brother, please, I know plenty of men who would kill for a small job with bandits. I use small troubles like these to test some of our men, see if they're ready for the real world.” The king smiled and snapped his fingers.

“In fact, I have 3 whole recruitment armies in the yard outside, all of them still young and learning. Whichever...let's say 3 men accept the challenge, I will allow them to train in our castle yard as full grown soldiers of the castle."

The king's steward, his brother, stared at the king with wide-eyes, shocked and baffled. "But they just turned 18, the men outside! They would be too young too-"

"The day a boy kills another...he becomes a man. There will be bandits in that cave, and it will be dealt with. Whatever the men find in there is their treasure to keep." The king looked at the nobleman with a smile.

"My steward here shall announce the job to the training yard outside. Which ever three men or women take it up, explain to them what you need sir. The payment you will hand over for my help can be handed over to me once your needs are met. I will give you and my three soldiers a week to fix the problem. If they die, I will look to hire more professional men for the job. You are dismissed."

The nobleman nodded and grinned, wiping the nervous sweat off of his forehead. "T-Thank you, m'lord! I will make sure to pay once everything is done."

The steward, grumbling in annoyance of his brother, took the man outside to the city's courtyard, leaving just the king, Jean, and the guard beside him.

"My Lord, we have another guest." The guard spoke loudly, his voice echoing through the room. The king raised his head at the man, then down to Jean. The knight could now see the king better.

He was a thin, short man with almost white hair with a blonde glow. He had piercing blue eyes and slight bags under his eyes from countless sleepless nights in the castle. He wore not but a simple dark blue robe with yellow and green belts and ropes. His hood was down, and his robe was pulled up to show off his fancy, elegant boots. He put on his best smile to try and looked at Jean.

"Hello there, I'm High King Uri Reiss, and you are?"

Jean took a deep breath, almost choking on his spit before quickly getting on his knee and bowing.

"I-I'm Jean Kirschtien, I heard you called for me?" The knight blurted out, stuttering over his words. The king's smile got wider and he nodded, almost amused.

"Ah! Yes, I've heard so many great things about you from my people. Your mother lives here too, yes? Such a sweet lady.” He hummed, rubbing his chin.

“But I've heard of your stories of saving lost citizens, killing beasts and...being overall a rogue vigilante, solving crime on your own?"

Jean's breath hitched, and he suddenly couldn't breathe. He...He wasn't being arrested, was he?! He was only helping people! It wasn’t his fault! He was born and raised here to learn and train to be a guard so he could help people-

"I was only joking, no need to be worried," the king laughed, and Jean looked up with a weak smirk on his face. W-Was...he really joking? Didn’t know he was the playful type.

“O-Oh! I couldn’t tell, really.” Jean chuckled nervously, Uri gesturing for him to raise to his feet, so the night did, and then the king's royal guard whispered something to him. The king nodded and smiled at his guard.

“Could you get everything ready, love?" He asked, and Jean looked surprised at the two. A king asking please? His guard should do it whether he likes it or not, well, that's how Jean thinks, especially if he was king.

The guard nodded without another word, and the petite king's smile got even wider, his eyes hiding from his cheeks as he smiled. "Thank you, I'll make it up to you."

Why so polite for a monarch?

"You're the king, sir." The knight spoke up, both men looking at him with a confused look. "You shouldn't have to say please and thank you, and your royal guard here shouldn't expect anything in return for his work since it's his job to serve you."

He feels as if the gossip around this king was right. He’s never met the king in person, but he’s heard from his mother and her friends that he’s a softy. He doesn’t like violence and has been quiet about the civil war their country has been in for over 30 years. If Jean were to be king...well, of course he wouldn’t let anyone’s hurt feelings get in the way of what he wants.

It was silent in the palace for a good few seconds, and Uri was concerned his eyebrows were going to be permanently furrowed together in confusions after this.

He said that out loud- shit.

"Have you no filter?" Uri asked in an angry tone, and it was now Jean's turn to look confused and guilty. Uri sighed, and there were two guards ready walking towards Jean to escort him out.

"N-No no no, let him stay… Kirschtein,” Uri rubbed his eyes and sighed. “I have a job for you, let's just get to the reason you're here before I let my men escort you out.”

Jean bowed his head, apologizing to the king. His Royal guard walked off down to the hall, giving Jean a sour look before leaving.

"So, I must ask of you a favor, a job, a mission from me personally." The king crossed his legs and sat up, looking Jean in the eyes. "It's the least you could do for your... earlier comment."

"Yessir, what would like me to do? No matter how long or dangerous, it will be done." The knight stood up straight and saluted on his name, and Uri smiled in pride at the young knight.

"I need you to save a princess."

#jearmin #jeanxarmin #jean kirstein #armin arlert #fanfic #archiveofourown

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ariyadaivaris · 5 years

Note

1, 5, 6, and 33 if u wanna!

1. What got you into wrestling?

i don’t think i’ve ever actually talked about this on here? to be fair my memory is splotchy but still! kinda new territory for how long i’ve had this blog!

i think it was mania 32? the one where charlotte and sasha and becky had a triple threat for the new womens title. that was the first mania my siblings watched after getting into wrestling (neither of them are anymore), and i think i decided to just hang out and watch with them and then the raw after that mania iirc a LOT of things went down!

AH i think i got into it also specifically bc of that ic title ladder match and because my sibling was like “have u seen stardust he reminds me of u :)” and i was like OH SHIT!!!!!!! YOURE RIGHT and. i dunno! i dont remember a specific when i was like “im going to become absorbed into this for the next however many years of my life” but it was around that time and it was bc of my siblings ^^

5. Favorite current male wrestler?

how could it possibly be anyone else.....................................................

6. Favorite current female wrestler?

THIS IS...........TRICKY QUESTION. LOTS OF WRESTLERS GOOD. i think that my current all-around favorite might just be su yung!!! i think she’s sincerely EXTREMELY cool and incredible at what she does, i might not see her stuff as often but it blows my mind every time. a favorite wrestler as far as gals i actually see is probably ember!! i do hope we see her more again ^^

33. Biggest missed opportunity for a story line?

AKIRA SHOULD HAVE WON THE TITLE AT SUMMERSLAM AND HE SHOULD HAVE RETAINED IT IN THE REMATCH I WILL NEVER EVER EVER BUDGE ON THIS

HM...i still think sasha and bayley’s brief frenemyship was bungled pretty badly in 2018 iirc? when it was going on? at any rate its led to the mess bayley’s in right now and i’m sad about it :( naomi shouldn’t have had to relinquish her title after winning it for the first time! especially since they pulled that stupid 30 day title defense rule while brock was working with the company, it was SO transparent and so disgusting

HM..................i think the 2018 cruiser tournament had a lot of missed opportunities! im still upset we didn’t get to see mustafa and jack interact more after their match there. their entire history just kinda got dropped and it does make me sad, but they did an amazing job with the chance they had! the 205 lads have always been pretty good at maintaining an internal consistency for their interactions and feelings and its part of why 205 is such a joy to watch imo. uhhhh, hideo definitely DEFINITELY should have held the nxt title. separate from the above but also related

something i’ve been thinking about lately that i don’t think is a great opportunity for a storyline just because its very heavily based outside the 205 ring is...how spudrake actively failed tony AND akira. i don’t think that’s something we’re ever gonna get a follow-up on, either, since spudrake has just been missing in action from 205 for a few WEEKS now (which imo its better for) and its like.....putting him in the 24/7 title picture and to a lesser extent putting him in charge of aop really fucking weakened his role on 205 in ways im still bitter about! also mike kanellis should have won their match or if not then spudrake SHOULD have realized he was an idiot and stopped being involved with the 24/7 title altogether but his chase there was always about being validated by the main roster that couldn’t care less about him because 205 stopped being enough and its only fed into bc wwe itself never ever sees or treats 205 as enough and it makes me sooooo so fucking mad even if the logic does eventually track i hate wrestling dude

#THANK YOU FOR ASKING DEAR!!!!#SORRY THIS GOT SO LONG i started thinking about the GRAPS.......#OH also not dubya related but in terms of missed stories literally everyhting that progress has done with david #since he's started working with them has been hideous and im SICK of those vegans #AH im still thinking abt it my brain isnt retaining information so much rn and im still like #a bit out of sorts since not getting a new 205 last week but this is what i did come up with i hope thats alright dear!!

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spectraspecs-writes · 5 years

Text

Taris - Chapter 11 (Mission)

Link to the masterpost. Chapter 10. Chapter 12.

Wow, I’m pretty shaken from that. But the other cantina patrons don’t think much about it, beyond stepping over the dead bodies. I can feel Carth behind me almost lay his hand on my shoulder, but I’m not that shaken. Not shaken enough that I can’t get myself out of it.

I hear a girl shout to my left. “I told you to leave me alone – so give me some space, Bug-eye! Your breath smells like bantha poodoo!” Women getting harassed in bars - nothing ever changes. I should see if I can lend a hand - us girls gotta stick together, right?

“Little girl should not be in bar. This no place for little girl. If little girl smart, she run away home now,” I hear a Rodian say. Probably the one harassing her.

Hang on, hang on - did he say “little girl”?

“Who you calling a little girl, Chuba-face?” Now I’m thinking I should definitely get involved here. She doesn’t sound that young, but still - don’t harass women in bars.

She’s a Twi’lek, with quite an attitude. Sounds like my kind of girl. (A little young, of course, but I digress.) I’ve dated Twi’leks before - nothing too serious, mind you - and in my experience the men are always a little stuck up, but the women? Twi’lek women have spunk, and they tend to be wasted as dancing girls and slaves. (Of course, everyone’s wasted as a slave, but it just seems an added cruelty to take a Twi’lek and shoehorn them into that role. Sure, they’ve got sex appeal, if you’re into that sort of thing, but hey, so do I, and people don’t try to shoehorn me into the role of dancing girl or slave.)

“Little girl needs lesson in manners!” the Rodian says.

“Just a sec, boys. Zaalbar... a little help here?” Who’s Zaalbar? “I need you to rip the legs off some insects.”

And then I hear a Wookiee. Ah-ha. That must be Zaalbar. “Mission – I'm busy. They just brought my food!”

“Quit complaining... you can finish eating later,” the Twi’lek - Mission - says, “Besides, you need the exercise so get over here.”

“We no want trouble with Wookiee,” the Rodian says, “Our problem with you, little girl!”

“You got a problem with me, then you got a problem with Big Z. So unless you want to take on my furry friend, I suggest you greenies hop on out of here.” I like this girl very much.

“Little girl lucky she has big friend,” the Rodian says dejectedly, and he and his buddy hightail it out of there.

I can tell, this girl has the lowdown on everything. You know how people sometimes just have that way about them where you can tell they just know a lot? I don’t know how to describe it. But whatever it is, this girl has it. So of course I go up and talk to her.

“Say, I don't recognize you and I know pretty much everyone in the Lower City. You must be new down here. I guess that makes me and Big Z your official welcoming committee!”

“I am pretty new down here, I just got here,” I say, “Let me tell you, I did not expect to run into Calo Nord, though.”

“Yeah, he’s been down here a lot lately,” she says, “I figure Calo's been hired by Davik to do a special job for the Exchange. I'd wager a thousand credits that as soon as the quarantine ends, he'll be getting off this rock.”

“You showed a lot of guts dealing with those Vulkars, kid,” Carth says. Oh-ho-ho, sounds like Dad-mode to me. “You got a name?”

“My name's Mission Vao and this big Wookiee is my best friend, Zaalbar. I'd offer to give you a tour, but the streets down here aren't safe. But if there's anything else you need…”

“Actually, there is,” I say, taking back the conversation from Dad over there, “I want to ask you some questions, if I can.”

“Well you came to the right person! If you want info on Lower Taris I'm the one to talk to!” That’s exactly what I was hoping for! I knew she’d have the low-down on the Lower City. (That was great, I should be a writer.) “Davik, the Lower City gangs... I've even got the scoop on that bounty hunter Calo Nord!”

“I don’t need to know any more about Calo Nord, but I am curious about the gangs down here,” I say.

“There's only two gangs worth worrying about here in the Lower City: the Black Vulkars and the Hidden Beks. Sometimes Zaalbar and I hang out at the Bek base.”

“Okay, so the Beks are cool? I wasn’t sure, and I didn’t want to get involved with the wrong group by accident.”

“Yeah, they’re alright. The Beks are led by Gadon Thek – he's a good guy. Lost his sight in a swoop bike accident a few years ago, but even blind he's a great leader. Not like that traitor Brejik! Before he took over the Vulkars he was a Hidden Bek. Gadon considered that ungrateful space slug his adopted son.”

“If the Beks are so great, why did Brejik leave, do you know?” I ask. More curious than anything else.

“When Gadon went blind everyone figured he'd step down and appoint Brejik in his place. But Gadon figured Brejik wasn't ready yet. He wanted him to wait a few years. But Brejik was too impatient.” Ah, power-hungry. Tears people apart. “He left to join the Vulkars, and ever since he's been waging a war to wipe Gadon and his Beks from the face of Taris! The gang war in the Lower City is totally the Vulkar's fault. They're the ones killing everything that moves out on the street. It's like they've gone insane.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed that,” I say, “Well, thank you so much, Mission, that was exactly what I needed to know. And it was the easiest time I’ve had so far getting information.” She smiles at me. I really like her. “I think I’d better get going. I’ve got a lot to do.”

“You're going? Yeah, this dive is pretty boring. No action around here.” No action? Girl, you were just harassed by two Rodians five minutes ago. What do you mean, “no action?” “Come on, Big Z, let's go.”

“But I haven't finished eating!” the Wookiee complains.

“Can't you think about something besides your stomach for five minutes? Come on – we'll go see if there's anything good to eat at the Bek base.” Ahh, friendship.

Well, that was certainly easier than I thought it was going to be. I figured I’d have to listen in to five different conversations to get even a start on figuring out what the situation is down here. And what do I find instead but a very pretty Twi’lek who knows everything about the Lower City?

I sort of want to go to the Hidden Bek base, too, but I don’t want Mission to think I’m following her. I don’t want to be that kind of creep. So I find my way into the music room instead. Oof - Twi’lek dancers again. One of these days, I’d like to see literally any other species dancing in that scant little outfit. (Maybe like Carth… oh, shut up, Rena.)

Whoa, dude! You just crashed into me, watch where you’re going! Not Carth, no - some asshole. God, he looks like he’s been trouble for more than one woman. “Huh? What? Oh... sorry. I didn't see you there,” he says - what a fake apology - “My attention was kind of focused on the Twi'lek dancers. Look at them waggle those head-tails!”

And then he gets a good look at me. Here we go, I think with a sigh. Now he’s my problem. “Don't worry, honey – alien girls aren't really my thing. I'm much more interested in an attractive female of my own species.”

I can almost hear Carth puff up behind me. It’s sweet that he cares, but I think he knows by now that if some dude gives me trouble, I know exactly where his balls are. “And who would you be?”

“My name's Holdan, baby. Maybe you've heard of me... I work for Davik Kang, you know.”

“Yeah, that’s nice,” I say diplomatically - you know, the polite way of saying “piss off.”

“I feel like I’ve heard your name before,” Carth says, like he’s just sick of this guy talking. Then he turns to me. “When I was scouting around the other day, I talked to some of the other residents of the apartment. Some girl named Dia, said she had a bounty on her head. Did you do that?”

“You're here about that?” Holdan says, and I’m not sure if he’s looking at me or Carth, “Fair enough – I don't care who takes her out, just so long as the job gets done. I can't let her get away with what she did – that wench tried to cut me with her vibroblade!”

Aha, so he has been trouble for a woman before. “Why would she do that?” I ask, and I think I already know the answer, no matter what he says it is - he’s a bit of a schutta, if you know what I mean.

“Because she's crazy! She started screaming that I was making advances, and the next thing I know she's coming at me with a knife.”

Sounds like something I’d do, if we’re being honest. “Yeah, right,” Carth scoffs, “Sounds to me like she was defending herself.”

“I admit I was drunk. Maybe I got a little fresh. But it was no big deal. She didn't have to cut me!”

Sounds to me like he got what he deserved. But that’s no reason to put a bounty on a girl’s head. “What would I have to do to persuade you to take that bounty off her head?”

“What? I can't do that! Think how it would look,” he says, taken aback, “I work for Davik, I've got a certain reputation to uphold. I can't let her get away with this. There has to be payback!

“Although I do feel a little guilty about all this. Dia's a good-looking gal – it'd be a shame to kill her.” Yeah, because that’s the only reason. Asshole. “Tell you what – I'll take 200 credits in exchange for lifting the bounty.”

Two hundred credits? Yeah, he is an asshole. But let’s see if I can put on a little charm here, persuade him otherwise. “You know, if you hire someone to kill Dia it will look like you weren't man enough to do it yourself.” This kind of guy, that insult to his pride is enough to get him to do whatever I want.

He seems to mull this over a little. Success. “Well... I guess you might be right. Besides, I've noticed some of the girls around here are giving me the cold shoulder since all this started. Okay, you win; Dia can live.” God, what an asshole. “Don't worry – I'll stick to my end of the bargain. I'll go tell Zax in the bounty office right now that the bounty is off the table.”

As he walks off, I say, “Yeah, you do that.” Wow, the air smells better now that he’s gone - how much goddamn cologne was he wearing?

“That was really good of you,” Carth says, “I mean, you didn’t even know her, and you still did that for her.”

“Hey, us girls gotta stick together,” I say to him, “Besides, he was an asshole. I don’t take well to assholes.” I stretch my neck a little. “Well, I think we’ve spent enough time in here for one lifetime. I think it’s time to check things out with the Hidden Beks.” Enough time has passed that Mission won’t think I was following her if we see her there.

“I’m really glad you said that instead of the Vulkars,” Carth says, shaking his head.

#knights of the old republic #kotor #star wars #star wars knights of the old republic #star wars kotor #swkotor #kotor fic #specs writes stuff #taris #carth onasi #rena visz #oc #mission vao #zaalbar #fem!revan #bi!revan #that's right i said it #revanasi

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kiss-my-freckle · 5 years

Text

Dialogues

1x2 -

Red: Watch yourself with her, Donald. She hates men, and cops most of all.

1x3 -

Red: I prefer to play with myself in private.

Liz: He’s a myth. Red: That’s what they said about Deep Throat … and the G-Spot.

1x5 -

Red: She owns that nightclub. Last time I was there, we had a great deal of fun, until she tried to strangle me with her stocking.

Red: Or just bend over any available piece of furniture and let her slap you on the ass. She loves that.

Red: He knows you better than I do, and I know where that lovely little freckle is.

1x6 -

Red: Because Yuri talks faster than a cheerleader after a nooner under the grandstands. Probably not a metaphor you understand.

1x8 -

Red: Oh, my God. I’ve never been more scared of a woman in my life. She was thrilling in bed. What a pair of legs. I think she played field hockey in college.

1x14 -

Red: I had a little talk with Rasil. We had a few laughs, compared notes about you. He told me all about that delightful thing you do with a trouser belt, which was a bit hurtful, since I was pretty sure it was our thing.

1x18 -

Vlad: You slept with my wife. Red: How is Fadila? Vlad, it was a mistake. I can easily blame it on the hashish and the grappa, but the truth is - may I speak freely? You’re better off without her. She’s fickle.

1x19 -

Red: Calculus. I can’t even think about derivatives without thinking of that tutor in manor hall. Cindy something-or-other. Never wore a brassiere. Always a bounce in her step.

1x20 -

Red: Ah. Smells like decadence and vice.

2x1 -

Red: They know your habits, the banks you use, the pills you pop, the men or women you sleep with.

Red: Lord Baltimore. Aren’t you a surprisingly saucy minx.

Samar: Aren’t we confident today? Red: I’m confident every day. Samar: And I thought we had nothing in common.

2x7 -

Red: Keep your plum covered. We’re not alone.

2x10 -

Red: Luther, I never thought I’d enjoy having anything in my mouth as much as Petty Officer Virginia Sherman, but this - My God! It tastes so good! I hesitate to swallow, and I certainly don’t want to spit it out.

2x2 -

Red: Mmm! Tastes just like Patty Sutton.

2x3 -

Red: Titillating. But what Laskin and Russo do with or to one another in their spare time is none of my concern. Red: A threesome? Interesting. Based on his sartorial splendor, I gather this is Mr. Vargas. Does that even look like real hair?

Red: You poor thing. Honestly, I don’t know how you do it. It boggles the imagination. B.B., you don’t look well. Are you alright? Let me guess: irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, perhaps a little tingling in your nether regions? Those drinks you’ve been enjoying on the house? They weren’t from the house. They were from me. I hope you don’t mind. I took the liberty of adding a special surprise ingredient, something to treat any localized dysfunction you may be suffering. Has the little man been falling down on the job? It’s a miracle drug, not so much for a glutton with a bum heart, however. But look on the bright side, you’ll die with a marvelous erection.

2x11 -

Red: The other one, the watercolorist, she - legs like a shot-putter. She gets me in this headlock. I black out. Next thing I know, I wake up - no sheets, vaseline everywhere. The lipstick on the mirror overhead reads, “Same time next year?” I haven’t missed an art expo in Basel since.

Red: Ah. A Russian milonga. Watch closely, Lizzy. Everything you need to know about negotiation is there in the tango milonga. At the outset, they are opponents. Each has something the other wants. They size one another up, assessing risk, setting boundaries, challenging each other to breach them. A sensuous battle - violence and sex balanced on the blade of a knife. Nothing given that is not earned - nothing taken that is not given. This is the pure essence of negotiation. Not a poker game, but a milonga. A tango. A seduction.

Red: And I assure you my bed accommodates a broad spectrum of behavior.

2x12 -

Red: Samar, my dear, bump in the road I can help smooth over, or have the clouds finally parted and this is a social call?

2x14 -

Red: Careful there, boys. You don’t want to bruise the merchandise.

Red: Really, I’m all for being thorough, but at this point, you’re just taking the nickel tour.

Red: Oh, the Dinky. No matter the time of day, that damn train is always full of hungover frat boys and co-eds in the throes of morning-after regret.

Red: Good heavens, Earl. You’ve never had any feeling in your heart, but now it looks like there isn’t much going on below the waist. Earl: I do all right. The wheelchair is just a little memento of our time together in Bolivia. Red: No hard feelings, I trust.

2x18 -

Red: Because, Mr. Jasper, you strike me as a man who would prefer to pitch rather than catch.

2x20 -

Red: Don’t look so glum, Kenneth. You just spent 10 minutes being ridden hard by Agent Navabi. I’d die for five.

2x21 -

Red: She makes her real money consulting. Costs a fortune. She did, however, let me name a lipstick color - “Fire In The Hole.”

Kimberly: I can only tell you what they’re doing. I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you who they’re doing it to.

3x7 -

Hasaan: What do you want? Red: Well, another spin of the bottle in Melanie Reichman’s basement, but, I’ll settle for you.

3x8 -

Red: When’s the last time you got any of that, Pablo? Or have you? Pablo: We share everything.

Red: No wonder Cash doesn’t trust you with anything more important than babysitting. Pablo: That’s big talk coming from a guy who’s -

3x9 -

Red: I prefer that slight curve at the small of the back, the swell of a breast, the soft nape of the neck to quicken my heartbeat.

3x21 -

Cynthia: I read his e-mails. Ever since I found him with the nanny, I look at everything. Samuel: We don’t even have a nanny! It was a movie. Red: A nanny movie? Cynthia: Not just nannies. Schoolteachers, nurses, and a ridiculous threesome with two completely unbelievable policewomen. Samuel: Cynthia, they’re just movies. I have never cheated on you. And besides, I don’t think he wants to hear about it. Red: Yes, I want to hear about it. All about it. Unfortunately, I do need to hear about your contract with Halcyon. So business first, and then, Cynthia, I’ll be all ears.

Red: I had an enlightening meeting with Samuel Rand today. More to the point, with his wife, Cynthia.

Scottie: Howard didn’t take that job. We haven’t had sex in four years. We’re rarely in the same country, let alone the same bed. Red: What bed have you been occupying? Scottie: I’ve been assuming a larger role in a management position lately. Red: You don’t say.

Red: You have it all wrong, dear. I didn’t come to kill you. I came here because you and I are about to climb into bed together, just for a quickie.

3x23 -

Red: Aram… set him up with someone, for God’s sake. He’s like a kid with his first erection on the school bus.

4x7 -

Red: My sympathies to your significant other. And if your flag is flying at half mast, rest assured, I find in the privacy of one’s boudoir, pleasing others is the key to pleasing oneself.

4x14 -

Red: Oh, my goodness. This is tedious. I’d give almost anything to have a scratch. But seeing as how, given your profession, David, you might be more inclined to squeeze them rather than scratch them, I won’t impose. I’ll just wait for the next break.

David: Forget having your testicles scratched. You’ve been castrated.

4x20 -

Red: Baldur, you and I are deal-makers. We buy low and sell high. Getting that cruise line on the cheap was better than sex with your mistress. Either of them. I’m a little down on my luck. A penny stock. Invest in me now and when I rise, you’ll be able to afford three mistresses.

4x22 -

Red: I do wonder what else Donald’s men will find in your nightstand. Are you a vibrator kind of gal, Laurel? We’ll see.

5x1 -

Car guy: How’d she do? Red: Like Bergita Olofson in her parents’ rumpus room on a Saturday night.

5x2 -

Cooper: No, he’s playing grab-ass by the pool between naps and happy hour.

5x10 -

Isaacson: Bite me. Red: Hmm. A woman after my own heart.

5x12 -

Red: Joro spiders. In Japanese folklore, the joro is said to be able to change its appearance to that of a beautiful woman who seduces men, binding them in her web before devouring them. Hence its name “joro-gumo,” or “whore spider.”

5x13 -

Red: Imagine the confidence a man has to have in his own genitals to take on a nickname like “Big Willie.”

5x15 -

Red: Yes. Very impressive. What a gymnasium - a real shrine to athleticism. I can just feel the testosterone.

Fagen: You promised me a sure thing, gives me Viagra, and all I have to show for it is a four-hour erection.

[deleted scene]

Smokey: You’re a sucker, Red. Everyone thinks you’re soooo tough with the hat and the shades and the people you kill but I know better. Circus folk know a sucker when we see one. You’re a sucker. You’re a sucker for the pets, you’re a sucker for Heddie. And God knows why, you’re even a sucker for me. Red: I suppose I am. Smokey: Well, that’s good for me. I’ll follow you anywhere. Red: Well, let's start in the back. I believe we have some cash to count.

5x19 -

Red: This apartment. Right here. Oh. My God. To have been the proverbial fly on Clyde Tolson’s duvet. Liz: Clyde Tolson lived here? J. Edgar Hoover’s lover? Red: This was their secret hideaway. Imagine the conversations. Cooing over JFK’s lovers. Slandering Dr. King. What peignoir to wear to bed. When I saw the apartment was for sale, I couldn’t resist. Liz: You own the apartment where the homophobic head of the FBI carried on his affair with his boyfriend? Red: Allegedly. I wouldn’t admit this in mixed company, but J. Edgar and I have a surprising amount in common. For instance, we both always get our man.

5x21 -

Red: I’ve heard steroids make your penis shrink. Have you found that to be the case?

Liz: Gonzalez called you. Red: His guard, actually. We developed something of a bond.

6x2 -

Red: Through five marriages, numerous lovers, allegedly both male and female.

Red: Cary Grant once said after a particularly evocative LSD trip, “I imagined myself as a giant penis launching off from Earth - “like a spaceship.”

6x4 -

Red: Baldomero, what do you say we call this whole thing off? What happened in Iztapalapa was a terrible mistake. I regret it dearly, and I had no idea she was your mother. Baldomero: You were in my bed. There was a picture of me on the nightstand. Red: Okay, in our defense, it was incredibly dark, and we’d been drinking heavily. Honestly, I regret the entire weekend. Of course, don’t tell your mother that.

#dialogues

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dabblinginmarvel · 6 years

Text

Of a Different Family - Part 2

Plot: James Buchannan Barnes is a very successful mob boss who falls in love with the mysterious singer who leaves her shoe behind in the alley behind his club.

A/N: I decided to go with a Fem!Reader take on this. It felt right for the thirties time-period.

Warnings: The mob, fear, guns

Word Count Total: 1878

Title: Of a Different Family – Part 2

Part 2

There is a light, airy feeling around the mansion for the next day. Well, if one could call it that. Your boss’s grin stays the entire day and those that lived in the mansion with him were enjoying drink after drink. After the Barnes family was gone, the territory would be Rumlow’s to claim.

Your anxiety starts to grow. If things didn’t happen the way Mister Rumlow wanted, you weren’t sure what would happen.

The men attend another party after calling in the raid on the Barnes family and you stay in the house, knowing you had an alibi by staying in the house, cleaning.

Room after room was tidied before you move on to scrubbing more floors and making food.

By the time the food is ready, Mister Rumlow and his boys return late, all of them chuckling.

“We’ll see it in the morning news, boys! Get some rest; we have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow.”

Mister Rumlow ducks into the kitchen and sees the food you are preparing. “On second thought, if you’re still hungry, Y/N was kind enough to make celebratory food,” he calls out the door.

A few men stumble through the door and pick up baked chicken and slices of cake.

“Thank you, darling.” Mister Rumlow smiles, choosing a slice for himself before leaving the room. You sigh, leaning back against the counter that you just cleaned. Alibi solved.

Dread fills your stomach as you wake the next morning. It was early - earlier than you normally woke up. But that wasn’t the reason you woke up, no. The yelling woke you. It reverberates through the entire house and you hop out of bed quickly.

You dress in your maid uniform and get right to work on breakfast.

Mister Rumlow storms in a couple of minutes later, the morning paper in hand. He storms right up to you and grabs you by the chin, flashing the paper with no Barnes arrest on the front. “How could he have known?!”

“K-known?”

“How did he know that there would be a raid?!”

Tears brim your eyes and you struggle to speak through his rough grip. “I-I don’t know, Mister Rumlow.”

He releases you, your body hitting the floor and your head just narrowly missing it. “You were here all day yesterday?”

“All day, Mister Rumlow. I swear.”

His brow softens. “Alright, I believe ya. You have never given me reason to doubt you before.”

“And I never will, sir.”

“Good girl.” He leaves, you still on the floor and bacon still sizzling in the pan. You pick yourself off the cold floor and wipe away any tears on your face. It would be bad to show any weakness in front of Mister Rumlow. You couldn’t afford to lose your strength now. If you did, he would be suspicious.

So instead, you sing to yourself. The little tune isn’t loud, but it keeps you calm. It was an old song your mother used to sing to you and you had kept alive after she passed. It was a sad little melody.

You’re so caught up in singing that you don’t notice that Mister Rumlow pops his head back into the kitchen.

“I didn’t know you could sing, doll.”

Your mouth shuts and you spin around, startled. “I - uh, well - I -”

He holds his hand up. “No need. We’ll just put you in the show. You’ll be our star.”

Dread fills you and you couldn’t tell if it was because you would be singing at Mister Rumlow’s speakeasy or if there was a possibility that he suspected still that you were involved in more than just Rumlow business.

You accept just so you don’t give him any reason further to suspect.

“Good, you’ll be starting tonight. Make sure your work is done by four, the boys can learn to cook supper for themselves every once in awhile.”

You smile slightly and he leaves the room.

Your chores go by quickly and the feelings of excitement fade into anxiety. When Sharon entered to help you get ready and get to the show, you were about to burst.

“Sharon, I don’t think I can do this.”

“Yes, you can. I believe in you.”

“But what if someone connects everything?”

“It’s under control.”

“What do you mean?”

She just wiggles her eyebrows with a knowing smile, pushing to your room. When you emerge, you’re dressed up even nicer than your debut performance. You are ushered out to a waiting vehicle and driven out to Mister Rumlow’s business.

It was time.

Everything passes by you quickly and you find yourself standing before the stage. The performance doesn’t feel as magical as your first, but you put your heart into it because if you didn’t? You could be in big trouble.

Night after night, you sing. A week goes by and you begin to fall into the routine. You also hear nothing of the Barnes family and you begin to let go of the night you spent doing something dangerous.

Until it catches up to you.

You are singing your usual set when someone stands up at the bar. He looks familiar, blonde and tall. You notice him leaving, and you start in on your new final song.

“Somewhere over the rainbow….” you sing. You figure you will suffer the consequences later, but the worry melts away as Steve stops and turns back to look at you. You catch his eye for split second, but he gets the hint. He nods ever so slightly and leaves.

Mister Rumlow comes up after the show and says that he should punish you for changing the setlist, but the crowd had been so loud that he decided he liked it on the list.

Steve returns. And returns. And returns again. You don’t know what he wants, but you know it must be important, or he wouldn’t be coming to your show.

Finally, one night, he makes it backstage to your dressing room, posing as a big fan. How he got past the guards, you didn’t want to know.

You meet him at your door and he tells you quickly that Mister Barnes wants to meet you again and is willing to sneak you out to do it.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Alright, Dorothy. I will tell him.”

You grab his upper arm. “I’m sorry, I cannot meet anyone.”

He nods and looks around. “Okay.” No one is around, but he darts off quickly.

No one comes to ask you about your visitor, but you know by the next show that Mister Rumlow is suspicious. There is extra security and you are hardly allowed to be alone.

Steve isn’t there for that next performance and immediately it is apparent that something has happened.

The house was quite full by the time you are on the stage. With everyone watching, there is no way you can leave.

Mister Rumlow knows that, too. It’s obvious.

Which means you’re in danger.

But you have nowhere to go.

After the show, the crowd calls for an encore, which you are required to give if asked, and so you are off stage later than usual.

Sharon is waiting and grabs your hand.

“Oh, boys, I’ve got this. No need to follow her to her dressing room.”

You two leave the men behind because you both are the best gals to Rumlow and no one could touch them without their permission. Sharon was the one with the most freedom and the most trust on her.

But they still keep their eyes on her tonight.

They may be behind, but they are still five feet away.

Sharon shuts your dressing room door, creating privacy for the two of you.

“Listen quickly. Steve will show up as you’re leaving for the car. You have to get in with him and go.”

“What? What about you?”

“I will be peachy. You need to go, though. We’re out of time.” She pulls you by the arm to the door, where the men are waiting.

The four of you travel to the waiting car owned by the Rumlow family and as soon as you are within mere paces from it, Sharon struck out, shoving you to the side. She elbows one in the face, breaking his nose, and slams her heel into the other guy’s foot. As she does this, you fall over from the shove, right into someone’s arms.

“Sharon, let’s go!” The man hoists you over his shoulder and Sharon, once certain the men are out, dashes after him.

“Sharon, what the hell?!” you yell and she shushes you. You shut up.

You get shoved into another car and the driver peels off, all three of you inside.

“Explain,�� you demand.

“Hey, Esther,” says the driver with a grin. Sam. “Or, should I say Y/N?”

Steve glances behind the car and grabs a Tommy gun, sticking his upper torso out the window and aiming carefully. He only shoots once he’s sure he can make it.

Things are rushing around you and you could hardly keep up.

“Are we going to see Mister Barnes?”

Sharon nods. “Yes.”

That was all as you speed through the night.

Upon arrival at a place you couldn’t recognize, a large house on a grassy hill behind an iron fence, everyone hops out and there are two woman waiting for the car. One has short red hair and the other has brown hair. You hardly saw long hair on women anymore, so you couldn’t help but stare at it.

The entire entourage ushers you up to the house, you still confused. You’re brought in the large door, through two hallways and one staircase, and into a study where Mister Barnes sits behind a dark desk. He is still as handsome as you remember, blue eyes and dark brown hair, and not bothering to hide his metal hand.

“Ah, Y/N.” Mister Barnes stands and makes his way around the desk. “It’s a pleasure to meet you again.” He reaches for your hand with his metal one and presses a kiss to it. “I owe you a debt for warning me. And your singing voice is absolutely wonderful.”

“Are you certain it’s me?”

“I believe I have a shoe here that says it could be you.”

“It could be any number of girls.”

“I believe that. But I can see it in your eyes and Steve and Sam speak for you. As does Sharon. So I am certain.”

“Then thank you, Mister Barnes.”

“Please, call me Bucky, doll. A gorgeous dame like you shouldn’t worry about using titles.”

You blush and he grins.

“Please, feel free to stay here as a guest. You are not required to do anything.”

Your eyes widen. “Really?”

“Yes. I owe you for what you have done and I find myself taking quite a liking to you. If you feel the need to leave, please let Steve know.”

“Honestly, I have nowhere to go.”

“Then you are welcome to stay for as long as you like.”

“Thank you.”

In time, you find yourself still attracted to him, growing close with him. The only difficult decision you have to make now is whether you want a wedding or a small ceremony.

- - -

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#bucky barnes imagines #bucky barnes imagine #of a different family miniseries

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