A/N: This will cover backstory, initiation night, and the start of initiation. Also other things that I will remember to type in later. Definitely
Childhood Dreams
This was not how this was supposed to go. It was simple. Easy. She would get out of the White Fang and use her combat skills to reinvent herself as a Huntress. She wasn't too much of a dreamer. She knew things would be rough and rocky, but she figured that would be further down the line. Maybe when she had already set herself up and gained a reputation. Uggh, life wasn't supposed to be this hard… and then…
She looked up to see the boy causing her life grief being pulled along by two hyperactive girls. It was interesting to see the contrast. One of the girls was clad in red and black and was young looking, even compared to Shiro. The other seemed to have a kick for hanging off of him and making puns.
She didn't envy him. That would get annoying so fast. But even with all that he looked like he was having fun. He was, wasn't he?
Come on hurry up!
It reminded her of simpler times. Well, simpler for her at least.
What do you think?
Certainly less stressful
What should we play!? I know we don't have much time…
-0-
"Come on! Never make a lady wait" a small cat-eared girl yelled behind her at the boy slowly trying to catch up to her. "We won't have any fun at this rate!"
"I'm coming. I'm coming! So tired..." The boy sighed with exhaustion.
She huffed and went back to him, grabbing his arm, dragging him along until they were out in the back courtyard of her home. "Now we will fight for freedom!" Blake threw her arms up in cheer before looking back at her friend. "Shiro, what are you doing? Cheer with me! For freedom!"
"For freedom?" a tired Shiro said, raising one of his hands.
"For justice!" Blake yelled squeaking at the end.
"For justice" Shiro said with a little more confidence, shaking away some of his tiredness.
"For the White Fang!" Blake said with as much gusto as a small child could before smiling and giggling.
"What's the White Fang?" Shiro asked, confused.
Blake looked offended. She smiled, "The White Fang is the greatest organization known to Remnant, started by the greatest man I know! My Dad!"
Blake started twirling around. "I didn't know there were any faunus that didn't know about the White Fang. We support our people and fight against the wicked humans!"
"What's wrong with humans?"
Blake put her head down and gestured to come closer. "There's a man that comes here often to talk to my father. He says that humans are cruel and demeaning" Blake shook a little. "He says that when they attack they go for your faunus features!"
"What are those?"
Blake looked at the boy. He was younger than her. "They'll take your ears!" She said holding her cat ears down on her head.
The boy jumped back and grabbed the ears on the sides of his head. "That can't be right! I don't want my ears taken. In his haste he put his head down completely exposing his cute white ears to Blake.
Blake had to tease him. Her ears twitched with her sneaky behavior. Her father would have known she was up to no good. He was too cute not to tease. "If you want to protect your ears," she said hovering her hands over his white perked ears. "Then you shouldn't expose them!" She grabbed his ears tightly.
"Blake!" She heard her father yell from the door making her flinch and jump back away from Shiro.
Her father was tall and always struck an imposing figure. He had bulging muscles showing off his training and strength, but the biggest thing he had was his eyes. Blake didn't understand why but even though he was her father, when he stared at you, he stared into your soul. He knew everything you had done wrong and tried to hide. Even the midnight tuna snacks! No matter if she was careful or not. How, she didn't know, but he knew.
"It's time for your lessons" Her private tutor came up next to her father. She was a tall, lanky lady that had a reptilian tail.
"But Dad we have guests!"
Her father quickly scanned over Shiro. "Yes, but they don't concern you. Your lessons take priority"
"But" a look at those eyes told her her father was not in the mood for defiance. "Yes...okay." She crumpled under his glare as she got closer and was taken away by her tutor. Her father has been mad at her before, but that wasn't what this was. He wasn't mad at her. One thing she knew, her father can be scary. At least it wasn't mom. Where Dad could look angry Mom hid it. You never knew what you were in for when she caught you.
–
Two hours of figures and numbers and letters and she finally got a break. She felt drained, but knew that after an hour class would resume. It was hard today. Where she would usually use the break to play outside, today she was distracted. She found herself wandering around the house trying to find Shiro. She passed her father's office and heard a muffled crash.
"Look calm down" a rough voice said threateningly.
"Don't tell me what to do in my own house!" Her father almost shouted. "You have not given me much other options, have you!"
Another man's voice who she didn't recognize spoke up, "Look we know we came at a bad time, but you have to understand why"
"A bad time? Just a bad time! Ever since I started the White Fang its been a bad time, but I've dealt with it. Violent extremists, marches, going against the SDC, all while trying to make sure my family stays safe. Sienna is breathing down my neck saying that I'm being too soft. She is gathering support with the activists looking for a change from marches and now you decide the best way to prevent a fire is to throw kindling on the fire."
"Nobody else knows. We were very careful" the gruff voice countered
"Because you're the epitome of stealth Qrow? No offense but you lost that when your wife died"
"You son of a-"
"Calm down! Both of you! Huu, I can't believe I'm the voice of reason here. Look we didn't come here to fight we came to make a point. They are not the monsters people think they are. Misguided or selfish but not monsters"
"Or complete gas bags that don't have anything but a stick up their ass"
"Qrow please"
"Hey, I call them like I see them and I ran out of booze this morning so I'm touchy. Don't like it, get over it"
There was some muffling as some words were spoken in softer voices. The only thing Blake could make out was her father's deep voice. "There will be consequences" She heard her father say. She almost caught what the voice said in response. It had to be the person without a gruff voice. Blake got closer to the door, knowing it was none of her business but her curiosity got the better of her. Plus her father was different here. He was always so calm. He might raise his voice, but he wasn't one to let his anger get the best of him...mostly.
She put her ear to the door, leaning in to hear better.
"You can see he isn't a threat!" The soft voiced man said.
"I already understood that. Its not me you have to convince" He father said rather gruffly, "Its the extremists, the ones out for blood. The ones that look at the past, the faunus war, and see glory, not death and destruction. I have been dealing with these people since I set up the White Fang. Lately their voices seem to be growing. And now, with all that, you bring him here!"
"Like I would be welcomed any better. Former bandit clan leader, huntsman, and then married into their enemies themselves. They would love to see my head on a pike" The gruff guy's voice said. Blake imagined he looked like a mafia member from those old movies her mother would watch, even if he didn't have the accent.
"But you can fight. The masses may be violent but they know the strength of a fully trained huntsman. They would be fools to challenge you"
"Be careful, that sounds like a compliment ~~"
Her father sighed again, "You know I really don't like you"
"Get in line"
Blake heard enough. She was curious at first but she didn't understand what they were talking about. She pushed her ears away from the door, her furry ears twitching. As she took a step back a board creaked under her foot.
The voices from her father's study suddenly stopped. Her father was already mad about something. No way, NO Way was she letting him know she had been snooping. Her mind raced with a zillon excuses, but her feet were faster, giving up stealth for a minute while she thumped down the hall. She would be followed and yelled at. She instead went and hid in a small side closet used to hold cleaning supplies. Due to her small body she was just able to fit between the brooms.
Footsteps stopped in front of the door. Her heart raced. She was in for it now…
A gong tolled, followed by several smaller alarms and shouting. "Attack! There is an attack!"
The footsteps quickly went back the way they came. Something shook and she heard screaming. Now she was scared for a whole different reason Several times now there was running down the hall, some of those people more vocal than others. She shut her eyes, wishing away the problems and her worry.
Her eyes fluttered open expecting to see the inside of the closet. Instead she was in her bed back in her room. Her mother was talking to a guard at the door. Things were different. Her shelf was gone, her books scattered on the floor, and her dresser was on a different wall, covering up a stain of spilled...fruit punch? She didn't remember spilling anything.
"Blake, my little kitten, I'm glad you're awake" Her mother held her tightly.
"What happened?" she asked confused.
"There was an incident," Her mother said. Blake could tell she was picking her words carefully. "Some bad men got into the house looking for something, but don't worry you are safe. The bad men are gone.
"Dad?"
"He's just outside dealing with some manners. Don't worry about him, he was unharmed"
Her mother scratched behind her ears. That always felt good and somehow her mother found all the right spots.
"What about Shiro? Is he okay?"
Her mother tensed. "They are gone" Was it due to sadness? In her mother's eye she didn't see sadness, she saw fire. A shiver went down her spine as something primal told her to be afraid.
"You'll never see him again, but we'll get you some new friends so endure it for now, okay?"
She just nodded. The bad men must have gotten Shiro...and the last thing she told him was that people were going to cut off his ears. Tears welled up in her eyes. Shiro was gone.
-0-
At least that's what she thought. She shifted her robe and tried to distract herself by reading a book. It wasn't working. She read the page, looking up to see Shiro being pushed towards the boy's side of the room by a rather rotund looking supervisor. She read a page and looked up to Shiro wasting no time in getting into a sleeping bag, scratching the top of his head where his ears used to be. Did the memory still hurt? Just her ears being bound up in this bow was killing her. It had been a long time since she had to keep her features hidden for so long. She read a page, then realized that she read the same page three times. This was getting her nowhere.
"~Hello!~" Blake looked up to see the two girls that were with Shiro coming towards her. The blond one pulling the smaller girl by the collar. This was going to be uninteresting, she could already tell. This blond would cause her trouble. She was too loud, the complete opposite of staying hidden and not drawing attention. But they knew about Shiro, they had to. Maybe it was good to keep an eye on them as well, but first to push them away.
-0-
The observations were supposed to be going well. Were. Naomi sat next to the same girl that she sat next to on the airbus. Naomi didn't know that the girl would remember her, but as soon as the girl saw her sitting in the corner, she was there.
Naomi was busy watching the source of anger. She appeared to be in hiding. An undercover mission maybe? Its possible the White Fang were planning on interfering with Beacon initiation but Naomi didn't exactly understand what that would do to benefit them. On the streets you found that unnecessary things caused trouble. Trouble was never tolerated by those that had actual power.
The selfish ones
"What do you think?" The girl sitting next to her asked.
Naomi slid her eyes over to the girl. She had been intently staring at the boy that now curled up in the corner in a sleeping bag. Naomi didn't know why she was obsessed with this boy, but knew that that boy had to be someone of interest. Adam's whore had been watching him as well.
This boy seemed to be a chick magnet or something. He seemed average if not a little small for being a Beacon student. She was interested in how he could be so perceptive and if he had any ties with the White Fang, but that information concerned her, not this girl next to her.
"You don't talk much do you?" The girl said never taking her eyes off the sleeping boy.
Is that what was supposed to happen? She could remember doing that when her parents were still alive, but that changed when she got into the slums. She needed this girl as cover though… What do girls talk about? Naomi remembered the blond from the club. Do people usually talk about other people? "Talk to them?" She said under her breath.
The girl next to her shifted, "Talk to him? Talk to him!?" The girl said trying to whisper yell, "I can't just do that! For one he is over on the guys side, so I couldn't get to him without the teacher noticing. Next I don't know what I would say! 'What are you doing here' would make me look like an idiot because we all know what we are doing here. 'What are you planning?' could make him suspicious of me, and I don't want him to know I've been watching him. This is so messed up, why me?"
So Naomi wasn't far off. This girl must have a crush on this guy, but didn't know how to talk to him. Wouldn't the best way to do it be to either talk to him bluntly or get him alone? Doing nothing and just watching this guy was useless. Inefficient.
"Excuse me you two but I need to talk to you! Hi, I'm Nora what's your names!?" Did this girl just bounce off a wall? Too much caffeine? People were trying to go to sleep and this girl decided to yell out introductions. When neither of them responded Nora continued, "You've both been staring at my Renny for a while now but don't think I'll give him over so easily!"
Naomi was confused. Very confused. Fortunately the girl next to her spoke up, "Who is Renny?"
"Ow, come on! He's just the best boy over there! You know it because you've seen it! Nora grabbed both of them, pushing Naomi into very sizable...assets before pointing out the lime green colored boy sleeping right next to Shiro. "I know he's overwhelming, but he's going to be my partner. ISN"T THAT RIGHT REN!" She yelled the last part out, disturbing several people and earning several glares.
The boy seemed to stir slightly but never opened his eyes. For the other side of the room they heard, "Nora. Bed. I'll make pancakes if you sleep".
The girls eyes lit up again, with a broad smile on her face. "That's my Renny, always knows how to cheer me up."
Naomi had the chance to see what girls really talked like. "Are you two together?" A simple question. She expected either a yes or no. Why was the other girl, Westlyn?, looking at her like she just threw a bomb.
Nora herself turned beat red. "We are together...B-bubut not together together. Just together. Companions you know"
Oh, word play. Naomi eavesdropped enough on the nobles in Mistral to know some interesting tid-bits. "Did you know companion used to literally mean spouse?" Naomi had no idea if it were true, but she had heard a young lady say that to her guard while Naomi stole her purse. In that situation the guard had just sighed. Naomi was not expecting Nora to shake but push her more into her chest.
"Really. But, no I just. I mean actually. But but but."
Naomi was not having it. She could barely breathe but it was ruined when it started to hurt her ears. She pushed Nora away using way more force than she should have needed too. Westlyn looked at her with sympathy but understanding when she rubbed her ears.
"Hey, That wasn't nice!" Nora said getting back up from where she fell. She had a pout on her face.
"It hurt," She said flicking her ears and tying her tail back around her waist so it looked like a fuzzy belt. The girl jumped back up using only her legs. How strong was Nora?
"I'm sooo sorry!"
"Nora bed or no pancakes!" They heard from the boy's side.
Nora gasped at the horror(?) of no pancakes and practically threw herself at a hot pink roll that was as close to 'Renny' as the girl could get. The part Naomi thought was interesting is she fell right asleep. Even with all that energy. Like someone unplugged her battery.
7/10. She lost points for hurting her and causing a fuss. Now they were the center of attention for the last five minutes. Her cover might have been blown. Blake didn't look like she knew she was watching her, that was a good thing. Maybe she didn't have to worry about the feeling of being watched. All eyes were on them anyway. But just in case.
She hat back against the wall and unholstered her pistol, keeping it in her hand. She needed sleep.
-0-
There. All set.
Olivia pulled her sketchpad out as she moved through the shadows, reappearing in her cot that she brought with her from Atlas. She was next to Weiss, but after yelling at the girl that tripped over her luggage a second time, Weiss had fallen asleep.
Tomorrow was going to be great. It should even her odds at staying here. At first it was a punishment to come, some kind of weird detention. If this was her punishment though, it was the best punishment she ever received.
Was Ironwood testing her? Probably. He wanted her to see that she would fail without him. Ironwood always seemed to get in her way. Not now though. Not here.
She silently chuckled to herself. For all that people know she was here all night. What she had done should have gone under people's nose. Ozpin might have some inklings if too many things go wrong, but it couldn't have been her. She was in her cot all night. And would make sure to spend all morning with Weiss tomorrow before initiation.
Ah, this was going to be so funny!
-0-
Westlyn was the first to wake up out of several of the people in the hall. She was used to waking up early for morning runs and stretches so she could get ready to spar her father. She would make him proud. She had studied and fought and expanded her skills since she was young for this day. This was the start of her success. A way for her to live up to the amazing future her father saw with his semblance.
She worked her daily routine. The determination in her head to be better than she was. She will succeed in initiation! She will become a great huntress! She WILL protect her family! The smiling faces of her family meant everything to her. They would be proud of her...even Jaune
'I'm disappointed in you'
All her strength seemed to fade while she ran. She managed to roll to keep from eating the track, but she still ended up on her back looking towards the ceiling. She closed her eyes and breathed deep. What was wrong with her? Jaune would be proud of her too. Just because he didn't get what he wanted didn't mean he wouldn't be happy for her. Right? They were twins, but they had to live their own lives...still didn't make her feel any better.
"Hey there, you good?"
Westlyn opened her eyes to see a blond, long haired girl coming into the gym. The girl wore a simple black work out top and tight black shorts. The girl opened her hand to give Westlyn help up. "Thanks" Westlyn could feel some of her joints pop. She needed to get back to running. There wasn't much time left and she wanted to be at peak performance for the start of initiation. Especially if she wanted to stop whatever that boy was planning.
"Wow, was not expecting the height. You looked smaller when you were on the ground" Westlyn was much taller than the other girl. The girl analyzed her. Westlyn didn't feel weird. Being as tall as she was and coming from the Arc family, she was used to those people who would stop and watch her when she accompanied her father into town. "Looking hot. If you ever want to party with a dragon, call me. The names Yang, Yang Xio-Long."
"Westlyn Arc, pleasure to make your acquaintance." She said with a smile, trying to push her mind away from being called hot by a stranger, even if it was another woman.
"You're a girl! I could have sworn I saw you on the boy's side. A little cringy by the way, no offence"
Westlyn was confused but didn't get to comment before Yang continued.
"Well no matter. We seem to be two of the first ones up, but you even beat me. What are you doing here so early?" Yang shifted onto her back leg and folded her arms under a massive chest. She wished she had boobs like that. Maybe then she wouldn't be mistaken for a boy all the time.
"I am warming up so that I can be ready for anything" She steeled herself, "I don't know what to expect, so I will make sure that I am at full capacity so I can be number one in Beacon. I want to be. I'm not going to let this opportunity go to waste. For myself and for my family"
Yang grew a huge smile. "Well that won't happen if I have anything to say about it. I'll be number one, so don't think I'll let you have it. My younger sister is here with me, so you know that I've gotta look good."
Westlyn grew a smile herself, "I look forward to sparing with you then" Was it alright to be cheeky? Her father would disapprove but, "It would be nice to have some challenge, hope you can keep up"
"Oh, I like you. Hell yea! I don't mess around when if comes to a fight"
"That makes two of us" Westlyn happened to look up at the clock on the far wall. Was it that time already!? She was wasting time. "Sorry I've gotta go get a shower before I can change for initiation. See you out there. Who knows, we may be on the same team."
"Maybe, but I have to look out for my little sister you know? Either way we should get drinks sometime, hot stuff" Yang walked away. Westlyn swore it was more of a 'swayed away' then a walk, giving a small backhanded wave as she moved towards the punching bags.
Not even day one and Westlyn already had a rival. Just by watching the confidence coming out of Yang Westlyn had no doubt that Yang would pass initiation. Well as long as it wasn't false bravado. But if the people going here were all like Yang was then there was no doubt. This was going to be fun.
-0-
"Ozpin! Ozpin!"
The man in question quickly brought his head up off his desk that was still layered with this packets of paper. There was always so much paperwork around this time of the year. Over the years he found that the paperwork got thicker as more and more nuances were thrown into the already lengthy clauses. There was so much to do, Ozpin's eyes focused and he saw the disapproving crop wielding second herself, "Yes, Glynda. What is it you came to see me about" Sicinct, with a small amount of tact and confidence.
"Get up already! The students are already at the cliff! They're waiting for you" Glynda also seemed to have a method of getting straight to the point. Ozpin was sure it was the sense of discipline she held dear.
Ozpin honestly just felt like going to sleep. Preferably in an actual bed this time. "As much as I would love to send them off myself but as you can see-," he gestured towards the stack of paperwork, "-there is so much paperwork that needs to be looked over and approved"
"It will be here when you get back"
"Ah, but I am so tired that I might look like a mess. I would at least like some coffee before-"
A mug full of coffee floated to his desk. It sat in front of him where not but half a minute ago his head laid. "I already have that covered"
"But what about-"
"I also know that you would prefer to not look disheveled in front of the new pupils that will look up to you for the foreseeable future so I have a new vest with your favorite green tie waiting for you next to the elevator" Ozpin moved his head slightly to see the floating objects next to the door.
She knew he would try to get out of this. He didn't know how she knew, but she knew. He had one last desperate plea. It had a small chance of working. Very small. But Ozpin had never known himself to ask 'what if?'.
"You know Glynda, when you get my age you need more time to yourself..." Ozpin stopped as Glynda just stared at him.
After a few seconds of silence Glynda raised an eyebrow, "Is that it?"
"To be honest I thought you would have cut me off already. I didn't know where to go after that. I hadn't thought that far ahead" Glynda didn't say anything, she just folded her arms and started tapping her foot. "Just one of the many mistakes I've made in my life I'm sure"
Ozpin got up, grabbing the coffee from the desk, and moving towards the floating apparels that awaited him by the doors. The movement and coffee helped wake him up. He felt a shiver go down his spine as his body stretched, some of his bones snapping in disapproval. "We had several thousands of applicants apply this year didn't we?"
Glynda looked down at her scroll bringing up the document containing the information. "Yes, out of those only one hundred were selected to be brought into Beacon for initiation. The students waiting for you at the cliff are those that are not considered transfers. They are the new students that arrived just yesterday...Some of the keys students flagged as important have arrived"
Ozpin pulled out his own scroll as they walked off the elevator. An 'important' file showed several applicants with their pictures, descriptions, and applications. One that stood out the most was his special case Ruby Rose, daughter of the late Summer Rose, and one of the very few left in the world that held silver eyes.
He saw several of the students lined up next to the cliff, each on the launch pads. Well, seeing the reactions of some of the newer students was one of the better parts of the job. There was at least always one that had no idea what was about to happen.
Glynda cleared her throat as they approached. She spoke softly to him. "The launch pads were inspected and approved for use?"
He searched his memory. Yes, the paper that he fell asleep...ah...er...closely inspected in his office but never got approved. They worked during the field tests for hunter graduation, that wasn't too long ago. "Yes, of course they were"
Glynda must have believed him because she narrowed her eyes and nodded. "Then time to get started" she pulled up the timer on her scroll for the start of the launch pads.
Glynda spoke up, "For those of you not on a 'tile' step forward onto one so initiation can begin"
Ozpin knew it was his turn to start his roll. "You will be dropped into the forest. Make your way to the far side and grab a relic. If you get a relic and make it back out of the forest you will have passed initiation. Along the way you will encounter grimm. Make sure to fight and survive" Ozpin was lucky. The young man in front of him was Jaune Arc, an obvious fake that was selected only because of a promise to Alexander he never knew would be used this way. In return Ozpin suspected Alexander didn't expect it to be used this way either.
"On the subject of teams, we know several rumors have been circulating on how parings work" There always was, and some even went into conspiracy levels of crazy, "Let us put those rumors to rest. You will be assigned partners today"
Several students nodded while others fidgeted, not expecting it to be this sudden.
"You'd do well to make sure you are assigned to a partner you work well with. That being said the first person you make eye contact with after you land will be your partner for the next four years." That got a reaction. Some thought they heard wrong, others cried out in concern as their world shattered down around them.
"Any Questions?"
Mister Arc raised his hand in question. "Umm sir?"
"Good! Then get ready" Ozpin saw Glynda push the button on her scroll. The first two launched successfully, throwing two initiates into the forest.
"So this dropping off thing. We are getting into a bullhead?"
"No, you will be falling" That shocked look on the young man's face. Ozpin knew he wasn't a sadist, but he did enjoy the unexpected look every once in a while.
The third pad seemed to lag before pulling back...and launched the initiate backwards towards the school bringing shock and surprise to student and teacher alike. Never mind, Ozpin didn't like the unexpected.
Another was successful. The next practically exploded, throwing the initiate straight into the air before he fell head-first unconscious onto the charred pad. The explosion caused the initiate on the pad next to his flinch, meaning the poor girl was not ready when her own pad successfully launched her spinning into the forest.
Another successful. One launched confetti into the air, the initiate standing in the middle very confused before he jumped off the cliff himself, not wasting time.
The next held Pyrrha Nikos. Her pad didn't work at all, but a soft black glow seemed to shift under the metal pad before launching her even farther into the forest than it usually would. She was a smart one. Ozpin knew he was right when he put her on the important list.
Glynda glared daggers at him, "I thought you said they were inspected?"
"I was guaranteed they were. They must have been tampered with" Glynda didn't seem to buy it. "I will get to the bottom of this and see to it that whoever is responsible be disciplined personally" More went off successfully making Ozpin think it was over until one instead of throwing the initiate spat out a pie with "LIE" written on it. This was going to be very hard to explain.
Fortunately the rest went off without any problems. Mister Arc screamed as his pad launched him into the air. Ozpin sipped his coffee while Glynda rubbed her head, trying to mitigate a headache. "How will you explain this?"
"You mean 'we' explain this?" Another glare from Glynda made Ozpin pause. "How I will explain this'' Ozpin could never understand how he could be as strong and as wise as he was, garnering an eternity worth of different men that were each strong in their own right, yet one look of rage from an unhinged woman and all his wisdom told him that he could fight, but he would lose. "Well I better get on that..."
Ozpin took two steps away from the cliff before being stopped by a mysterious purple glow, "After initiation. I will not have another year where I have to come up with all the names myself"
Ozpin turned back towards the cliff, "Of course" Ozpin was sure of one thing.
This is not the cliff he'd die on.
00000000000000000
A/N: Hello! Next part of this is here!
Ah initiation, how we love you. It is so hard to write and keep interesting though. Of course with some OC shenanigans things have started a little different. Some characters still have some secrets to share, but as this continues we will get to those.
Also I know I am slow to release chapters, but I can guarantee that I will continue to write until I finish my stories, unless something happens to me IRL.
Hope people are staying safe! The world is an odd place these days.
Until next time