A/N Drop
Alt title:
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The reason this took so long to come out, is because I now have 4 fics that I bounce between. And people vote for which one they want to see get another chapter.
The Wild Tale of Cyril Leon now has three chapters.
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Guest: Which side character?
Kaykaykaykayan: Home? Oh, oops! You'll see what I mean in a bit.
Grimnosh: I sent you a PM, but basically Coil has given up on taming Blanka and just intends to set him loose as a distraction when he needs it.
Vadrulesall: The Travelers want Kitsu to fix Noelle, and being the little Ziz bombs that they are, decided that kidnapping her would be better. Typical Worm bad decision making.
LBS: The gas was specially made for her, and even then, her illusions require concentration. So being caught off guard can really mess with her.
RadChaos897: I don't have much of a response for you, seeing as most of what you commented on is revealed in this chapter, and the other(s) is a spoiler!
Redburndragon: Even our fluffy protagonist is not immune to fucking around and finding out.
DancingLeaf: Thank you. Something I've noticed is that the more popular this gets, the more people tend to come in an shit on it. I ignore it unless it's actual criticism. And post the shit talkers on discord for the 9000 people on the server to laugh at!
The most recent one, was someone complaining about how my Lilyrael story is a good premise ruined by the addition if the Gamer system in it. And how they hate gamer stories and "especially Dark Wolf whatever guy." They left that review on ch. 5.
The title of the story is, The Last Heir, A Gamer's Guild Submission. And Chapter one, the first few lines talk about how The Dark Wolf Shiro got me to write that story.
If you don't like Gamer stories, then why read a gamer story, that says it's a gamer story, IN THE FUCKING TITLE?
Chapter 62 WHEN: Now
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
[Shard]
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Sounds/Actions*
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-Wednesday, August 11th, Medhall General Hospital, 12pm-
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Victoria "Glory Girl" Dallon POV
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I'm currently sitting in the private E.R. afforded to capes after the incident with Hookwolf and Mechanic. Amy's spent the last hour healing me as I was, not looking too hot. Seeing as I was ran over and trampled.
"There was just, so much." I say as I stare at my hands.
"Yeah, people tend to have a lot of blood." Amy says as she patches up my gashes. Or at least, that's what I assume she's doing.
After that dickwad Mechanic ran me over, my shield failed just in time for Hookwolf to run over me. Tearing up my back. But before that, I failed to save the woman, or the boy. The force of Mechanic hitting me, caused me to, to-
"Vicky!" Amy yells in my face.
"What?" I ask as I'm pulled from my thoughts by my sister. Looking in her eyes, I see she's scared, concerned, worried.
"Chill, you're gonna crush my arm." She says.
Looking down, I see I had grabbed her forearm at some point in her healing me. And I had her in an iron grip.
"Shit!" I hiss at my mistake as I let go and pull my arm back. "I'm sorry Ames! Are you okay?"
"Yeah." She says as she rubs her arm through her sleeve. "Yeah I'm fine."
"Look, I'll just go." I say as I hover out of the chair. "Thanks for the patch up and uh, I'll see at home for dinner."
"You can stay, if you want." Amy says to stop me.
"Ames, as much as I'd love that." I say as I turn to face the best healer in the U.S. "You've got people to help, and I've got people to ensure you don't help, or, don't need to help or. Fuck! You know what I mean!"
Why is it that the brain can't, brain when you're tired. Or when you have other things on your mind. It's bullshit.
"I got time." Amy says evasively as she tears her gaze away from me. "Besides, I could use a break."
"It's fine Ames, really." I reassure as I float towards the door and go to leave.
"Besides, you should enjoy your break while doing something relaxing." I say as I open the door and fly out, leaving her behind to relax as I leave.
Flying down the busy hall, I stick close to the ceiling to avoid the doctors, nurses, patients, the likes. But, I just, it's getting too uncomfortable. Being above them that is. So, I eventually lower myself and start walking.
It's, it's not that I don't like flying. I do. Just, it's good to walk every now and then.
God it stinks in here. How does Ames stand it? It's like a mix of old people and rubbing alcohol.
Eventually making my way out of the building and to the streets. I marvel at how, unaffected everything is. I mean, just a few hours ago there was a massive wolf made of metal chasing a super car a few miles north of here! People died!
Do they not care? I, I suppose they don't. I mean, how many people are dying every day? I never cared. Not until it was right in front of me. In my arms, all over my suit, the pavement-
"Calm down." I tell myself.
Looking around the busy drive way of the hospital, I decide I'm better off elsewhere. I'm just in everyone's way here. So, I take off, sticking low to the ground where I can easily ground myself if needed.
Using the streets will be good anyway. Help me learn the actual street names and all that junk. Just, a normal day.
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-Wednesday, August 11th, Brockton Bay Precinct 7, Central District, 5pm-
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Officer Kayden Warnick POV
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Leaning over on the front desk. I talk with Garret as we enjoy what little down time we have.
"I'm telling you man. Take the promotion." Garret says as he sips his coffee.
"I can't." I reiterate for the third time. "I'd be moving to Boston and I can't do that to Melissa, or the kids."
Garret scoffs at my excuse. Setting his foam cup down on the counter as Janet, the desk clerk, picks it up and puts a coaster under it. Giving the oblivious man a glare the whole while.
"Take them with you!" He stresses, leaning forwards for emphasis. "City's going to shit man. People are starting to call it the Brockton Games. Get out while you can."
"I refuse to believe it's that bad." I respond, standing my ground against the idea. "Look, Melissa's whole family is here. And the kids are starting second and fourth grade next week. I can't just uproot them for my career."
"You're an idiot." Janet butts into our conversation. Never once looking up from her computer.
"What!?" I ask in a mix of confusion and offence.
I didn't say anything stupid. And I'm not doing anything!
"Did you ask Melissa if she'd be okay with moving?" Janet says with attitude as she looks up to me. "Hmm?"
"No?" I tell her. "But why would she want to move? Like I said, our lives are here."
Her job at the antique shop is here. Her family is here. Our kid's friends are here. Why would she ever want to move?
"Oh my god." Garret says as he throws his hands up and turns away. "I give you two more years before a divorce."
"Hey!" I bark at him.
Before I can defend myself further, Garret turns to me with wide eyes and shoves me. Sending me sprawling back and skidding on the tiles.
* CCRRAASSSHH*
Looking up from the ground, still splayed on my back. I'm greeted to the sight of the infamous red Oldsmobile 442. Tricked out with side exhausts and armored blinds.
The Mechanic's car.
Scrambling to get up. I get to a kneeling position as the car shuts off and the driver's side door opens to reveal the man himself. Wearing a navy blue mechanic's jump suit. Welder's mask with a gas filter attachment. And leather shoulder guards.
I pull out my gun and train it on him. I know it's not likely to do much. A tinker doesn't just crash through a police building's front doors without a plan. But, fuck, instincts are instincts.
He takes a few steps towards the desk, boots crunching over the rubble as he walks away from his car. Reaching the desk, Janet peeks up in time for him to slowly hold his hand out in a fist. Before opening it and dropping a set of keys on the counter.
'What?'
He then steps back as I see Garret slowly stand up from behind the counter. Wide eyed and terrified.
Understandably so. This man has more counts of vehicular manslaughter than I've had birthdays. And he's just, standing there.
More of my comrades in blue, filter into the main lobby of the precinct. Only to stop and train their guns on him while a few others call in the code.
We all watched dumbfoundedly as Mechanic raises his hands, grabs the straps of his mask. Lifting his arms up, we all witness the face of the tanned latino with a square face is revealed. Oily black, curly hair and an unkempt stubble. He drops the mask, and gets to his knees as he raises his hands back up in surrender.
"My name, is Steven Rivera Pappagallo." He says in a tired, mild voice I wouldn't have expected from The Mechanic. "I am The Mechanic, and I'm turning myself in."
There's a silence that fills the lobby before an officer puts his gun away and walks towards the man. Pulling out a pair of cuffs, he detains him while listing off his rights.
Maybe I should take that promotion.
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Steve "The Mechanic" Pappagallo POV
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As I'm pushed to ground while the officers frisk me, taking my spare set of pocket tools, flask, sunglasses and pocket knife. I lay here numbly against the cold tile as I let everything pass by in a blur.
Before long, I find myself in a cell. With two officers staring holes into me.
I tried to turn myself in normally. But the officers at the front desk laughed me out of the building. Called me a drunk and a lout.
They're not wrong. But, they wouldn't believe I was The Mechanic. So, I gave them proof. Now, I'm sitting in a cold cell. It feels oddly familiar. Just more proof I belong here.
The flickering of the fluorescent lights above, the cold metal bench under me. The numbing silence as I'm left to my thoughts. The only thing missing, is a bottle.
Sorry Joey, you'll have to go on without me.
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-Thursday, August 12th, Warehouse backup base, Industrial district, 6am-
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Thomas "Coil" Calvert POV
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After weeks of being stuck in my base. I finally figured it out. With the assistance of a little snitch of course.
The blindspot. Kitsu. Ever since she was captured by The Travelers, my power has been working properly. No more unexpected demises when walking out the door. No more needing to work around the masses from a hole in the ground.
So currently, I'm putting one of my contingencies in place. Well, one I admittedly had to come up with on short notice. But one I believe is sufficient, given current circumstances.
I've been declared missing. And so I can't just, show up. So, I'm setting in motion a stage to allow me to, move back to my old life with a, reasonable explanation to my disappearance. Hence my current position.
Locked in an empty room that appears to be lived in for several days, dehydrating myself and fasting over the last week. Using a burner I manage to call an old friend from Elisburg. Set the stage for a rescue using only white mercenaries and having them capture a few more men of color to sell the story.
The plan is simple. Pose as an early kidnaped victim of Stormfront. And, using my admittedly rusty skills from my time as a ground troop. Managed to swipe one of their burners long enough to contact a friend.
All the while, The Undersiders are at the docks. And once I'm busted out, they'll release the Case 53 I have in lock up. A suitable distraction. With the city the way it is, and with a new threat about to make its way to the scene in the form of a rampaging green savage, I doubt many will be looking my way.
I'm not sure how she did it. But the Endstopper not only deduced I was Coil, but also that I ordered a hit on Bitch. Hence, her targeting of me lining up with the completion and announcement of Rachel's demise. Meaning there's a good possibility that she knows of the Undersiders being on my payroll. What else does she know? The database and Tattletale both confirmed that her Thinker power allows her to recall seemingly random events that she wasn't there for as memories. Hence her knowing Grue's phone number, but not knowing of Poltergeist.
I'm not foolish enough to believe she'll be contained indefinitely. Whatever game she's playing with The Travelers will end eventually. And I intend to be long gone for when that time comes. Whether that be moving out of the city, or assuming a new identity, so be it.
Any moment now.
*Pop* *pop*
"Shit!"
"Capes!"
'I love it when the hired help is punctual.'
I tune out the chorus of chaos as I hear the warehouse get overrun. The PRT and heroes flooding into the fake Aryan Empire "store house". My escape secure, and soon I'll be able to leave home free. Set myself up outside the city, and continue my operations from there.
A setback to be sure. But a little patience can go a long way. And well, I can always try again.
As I think this, a cape, Dauntless by his golden gladiatorial outfit, makes it to my cell. I stand up, playing the part of the victim, eager to be free.
"You, you're Dauntless, correct?" I ask hastily. "You have to get me out of here!"
As I'm talking, he grabs the lock of the door and squeezes. Breaking it off, and opening the door.
"Thank you!" I praise the man. "I, I've been locked up for so long." I say tiredly.
"You're alright sir, I understand." He says calmingly as he holds his hands out. "Can you tell me your name?"
Something's not right. That's not standard procedure. I'm not frantic, so he shouldn't be trying to ground me. He should be hurrying me out as he looks for the other prisoners.
"Thomas Calvert." I say, maintaining the act, just in case it is merely my paranoia acting up.
He puts a hand up to his helm, the visor gaining a brief light before turning off.
"Alright, just making sure you are who you say you are." He says as he steps aside, leaving the door open for me. "Right this way sir."
This is wrong! I can't place what, but it's wrong! Every alarm in my head is going off and I did NOT get this far by ignoring my instincts!
"I feel I'd be safer if you were ahead of me." I say softly, still playing up the victim act to dissuade any suspicion.
There's a pause before he tilts his head to the side. Likely listening to the comms in his helm. And in a blinding speed, Dauntless is behind me. I'm shoved to the floor as I feel my arms twisted behind my back.
"Thomas Calvert, you are under arrest for the crimes of villainy, conspiracy against the government, money laundering, aiding in villainy, accessory to grand larceny, illegal use of armed forces, participating and aiding in gang activity, and contributing in the delinquency of minors. You have the right to-"
(Timeline Closed)
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-Fortress Constructions, Coil's Base-
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"FUCK!" I curse as I close the timeline. Three days of careful planning, ruined!
I open another throwaway. In the first I sit back down at my desk, taking deep breaths to calm myself. In the second.
"Fucking piece of- HOW!?" I bellow out in a murderous rage. Taking my computer and throwing it against the wall. Before taking my keyboard and smashing it against my desk. "HOW DO THEY KNOW!? How did they find out!? How!?"
Did Kitsu tell them? No, no that's not it. It can't be! I'd see my funds and accounts frozen and seized! Someone told, someone, tattled.
"Oh, oh-ho-ho." I laugh as I realize what happened. The moment she saw a chance, that little cunt ratted me out!
"If she thinks, she can fuck me over, in any, WAY!" I take a deep breath, and calm myself down, before closing the throwaway.
Returning to the main timeline where I sat down. I go through my options. The green beast I have locked up is wearing down on my resources, he's inconsolably violent and while one of my men claimed he speaks some form of Guajiboan and broken Portuguese. He hasn't spoken a single coherent word. Just goes between brooding in the corner of his cell, and raging at the door.
I have an unknown deadline. My resources are running out, and if I don't make an appearance soon, my external resources will be frozen until confirmation of my status.
I planned to fake my death. To go missing. I know twelve languages in case I need a new identity and even have the heads of three different major organizations on speed dial. And here I am. Struggling against a case of forced house arrest!
The fool that I am. I never planned for anyone to discover my power. I told no one, only two other people know. And they'd never tell. I'm too useful to them for them to risk it.
I open another timeline. In the first, I call Lisa, in the second, the throwaway, I call Piggot.
I will get to the bottom of this. And if there's one thing my power is good at, it's information gathering.
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-Thursday, August 12th, Northern Warehouse Hideout, 8am-
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Joseph "Scarecrow" Crane POV
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Mechanic, has been, arrested. Needless to say, I'm less than happy.
His drunk driving led him to crashing into a police station lobby. And now, it's up to me to get him out. Annoying, but it's not like I had anything going on. Just need to bust him out before he's transported to the Rig tomorrow.
Again, it's annoying. But, the man is too useful to our day to day operations. Unlike Carnage who was just an attack dog, and Permafrost who was overstaying her welcome. Mechanic's cars can be driven by anyone. It's just that only he can maintain them.
Fuck, I'm running out of capes. Luckily my enhancer aerosols are proving to be a good equalizer. Turning the average mook into a level one brute. Nothing extreme, but when given to a handful at a time, quantity gains a quality of its own.
Now I just need to plan Mechanic's bust. Can't risk Snowflame. He's the only one running our drug rings. Mush, he's an idiot, but he's a decent enforcer for the slums, and he keeps me up to date on what's happening.
"Let's see here, a bit of calcium sodium edetate to offset the lead in the compound, should stop the lead poisoning." I mutter.
I tend to ruminate while tinkering.
"Agh, but that lowers its dispersal distance. Hmm, what to do?" I think to myself.
Knock* *knock*
My eyes shoot up at the noise. My men know not to disturb me at this time. And if they do, it better be life or death. Or it will be life or death.
Turning from my apothecary, I look to the heavy metal door of my office. My mask is on like usual when I tinker. So, taking a few mini canisters and loading them into my sleeve, I check my pocket for my gun. Sure enough, still there.
Good.
Going to the door, I open it to reveal, a woman. In blue skinny jeans and a purple tank top. Latino by the complexion, wavy brown hair that reaches the middle of her back. She's not one of my Merchants. She's too clean for that. Oh, and she's wearing sunglasses.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, my mask turning my voice gravely and rough.
"I'm here for you of course." She smiles as she steps into my office. Taking long, deliberate strides as she moves around me. "Your men sent me in. Thought you could use some, relief. What with all that's going on, and with Mechanic being caught."
She steps back and leans back on my desk. Her hands on the edge behind her as she gives me a sultry smile.
That's, a bold faced lie.
My men wouldn't send me a prostitute or a call girl. I've never indicated any interest, and they know not to interrupt my tinkering. Further more, the lenses on my mask are tinting. Telling me that there are foreign particles in the air that my mask is filtering.
Similar to how silver blackens when exposed hydrogen sulfide. The lenses on my mask are treated with a special cleaner that darkens when new elements are exposed to the air. The darkening fades as the layer of clear primer adjusts, but it makes any changes in the air noticeable to me.
Running through the possibilities in my head. I come to a few conclusions. But I need a bit more evidence.
"I suppose my week has been stressful." I say as I walk around to my sink. Using the mirror to look at my worktable that she's currently leaning against.
Nothing's tipped over. So whatever is in the air, is not from me. I didn't think it was, but it was best to confirm in a way that didn't arouse suspicion.
"Exactly." She says understandingly as she slowly makes her way over to me.
Another point against, she's not afraid of me. As pretentious as that sounds. But it still matters. It means she either doesn't know who I am, or she has a plan and is confident I don't know what she's doing.
She also isn't put off by my mask. Which, is just idiotic.
"So, come on sweetheart, take of the mask, and relax." She says in a husky tone as she reaches to hug me from behind.
Drawing my gun from my pocket, I turn around and smack the back of it to her face.
"Aagh!" She yelps in pain as she collapses from the blow. Her sunglasses flying off as she hits the floor.
Not letting her recover, I step forward and kick her over. Much to her pain and panic. And then I see the confirmation. Bright blue, pupiless eyes with pink sclera.
She's a cape. And with her this being close, my lenses are darkening faster. So the unknown substance in the air, is coming from her. Who would've thought the safety measure I installed in my mask to detect accidental spills, would've saved me so handily.
I put my foot to her throat, enjoying the sight of her eyes widening in fear. Her life now in my hands. And she realizes it.
"You think you can come into my office and use airborne substances on me!?" I say as I point my gun at her.
"Grk!" She tries to speak out.
The door bursts open to reveal two men in cape outfits. One, a blue bandanna and darkened scuba goggles on his face. In blue camo cargo pants and a navy blue tank top. The other, a man in a gray jumpsuit and white drama mask.
"Shit! Mel-Circe!" The blue one cries out.
"So, you're not alone?" I mumble as I feel the gears turning in my head.
Air starts swirling around the blue one. While the gray one hops back outside the door, and runs back in with a crowbar. A fucking, crowbar.
"Ooh, scary." I mock as I press my foot down harder, eliciting a harsh choke from the girl underfoot. "Lest you have a way to attack me without me killing her, back off."
The blue one goes to charge, only for the gray one to hold him back.
"Don't." He hisses. "We don't know what he has on him!"
"He's right." I say calmly and deliberately. "You are in my workshop after all. At, my, mercy."
"Bullshit!" The blue one calls out. "Anything you toss at me, I can just deflect!"
"Can you deflect a bullet?" I ask as I point my gun at him.
The gray one says something behind him, but it's lost in the growing whirlwind the blue one is manifesting around himself.
"Bullshit!" He calls my bluff. "Guns are against the unwr-"
Bang*
I watch in mild amusement as the bullet does get deflected. Though only slightly. I was aiming for his head, and the winds deflected it to miss, and hit the gray one in the head.
"What the fuck!?" He says as his whirlwind disperses. "You, you shot me!"
It's a spacial effect, not actual wind. The amount of force needed to push a bullet off course from less than twenty feet away is not something mere wind could do. Not unless it was blowing with enough force to shred bone.
Good to know.
"And I missed, seems you can deflect bullets." I say easily enough as I lower the gun back to the wide eyed, now crying girl. "Though it didn't do much good for your friend."
He turns around and freezes at the sight of his dead comrade. His blood leaking onto the floor in a red puddle under his head as he lays there, lifeless.
"Ga-Gary?" He says in a shaky voice.
His knees are shaking as he wobbles back and forth. Seemingly unable to decide on whether to move or not.
'Amateurs.' I think to myself. They're likely recent triggers. No armor, no utility, not to mention their idiotic actions.
"So, this is how this is going to go." I say, getting his attention as I pop out a small canister from my sleeve. "I have a bit of a dilemma on my hands. I'm short on capes, and you seem to be perfect for a job I need done."
"Wha-why would you, would you, I don't." The man stumbles over his words, clearly rattled.
"Simple, a smart man uses his resources." I say and shoot the girl in the shoulder before dropping the canister next to her head, letting the small, almost invisible amount of gas to spread out.
"Agh!/Melanie!" The woman and the man shout respectively.
"Come back here tomorrow, and I'll have your assignments." I say as I take my foot off of her neck.
With a swift kick to her side, I knock her towards the man in blue. Watching as he hastily picks her up. They talk idle chatter, are you okay, I'm fine, that sort of cliché nonsense. Before the blue one turns to look at me again.
"Why would we ever work for you?" He growls. "Hell, you just tossed away your hostage!"
"You truly are an idiot, aren't you?" I snide as I walk towards my workbench. "I don't know what you three were trying to pull, but you should know to never attack a Tinker. In their own workshop."
The wind around him starts to swirl again. And I simply hold up a canister from my desk. He stops in place, his winds dying down.
"I wonder what this does?" I say as I toss it up in my hand, watching it idly twirl before catching it, and setting it back to grab another. "Or this one perhaps? Do you have any idea? No? Didn't think so."
The girl in his arms coughs up blood as her skin starts to get paler.
"Oh, looks like it's started." I say as the man frantically tries to figure out what's wrong.
"What? What did you do!?" He starts to panic.
"Venomous gas." I shrug before explaining. "And no, I don't mean poisonous gas. It only bonds to the blood. It's why I wasted a bullet on her. You have, two hours before she dies."
"What?" He asks shakily.
Without looking, I open the side drawer of my desk. Reach in, count to the third bottle, grab it. And toss it to him.
"A counteractive agent. It'll buy you about twenty hours." I say as he catches it. "Meet me back here tomorrow if you want more. And feel free to bring your friends. It's tinker tech medicine sooo, don't try to recreate it."
"What, why, I." He tries to come up with something, and is clearly failing.
"Go, and take the body with you." I demand.
"Why-"
"I don't repeat myself." I say slowly.
I watch as he tentatively, carries the two out. Two separate lines of blood dragging on my floor as he hurries out the door. Whatever plan they had, having failed miserably.
Taking a deep breath through my mask. I walk forward and close the door before locking it. Heading back to my apothecary, I continue working on my project.
"Hmm, seems good things do come to those who wait." I mutter to myself.
It's like I said. Interrupting me, becomes life or death.
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-Thursday, August 13th, Dallon House, 10am-
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Missy "Vista" Biron POV
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"And they won't even let me patrol the northern end of the boardwalk!" I vent to Vicky from my end of Kitsu's bed at the headboard.
"You did break a guys' rib with a lamppost." She points out from the other end of Kitsu's bed.
"He ran into it." I mumble as I press my face into Mr. Star, Kitsu's stuffed narwhal. "It was his fault."
"Oof, future domestic abuse charge." Vicky chuckles.
Not finding the poor attempt at humor funny, at all. I throw one of the pillows at her.
"Hey!" She says with a good natured smirk. "Just calling it how I see it!"
"Not, funny." I grumble as I shoot her a glare.
We sit in an awkward silence as Vicky's chuckles die out. I've been staying here more and more often as my parents keep fighting. Arguing about moving, who I'm staying with, who gets what, everything. Not once thinking about how I feel about it.
I know it's a little selfish of me to think that. But, shouldn't two parents think of their kid as well? I just, I don't like being where I can't do anything. And right now, there's nothing I can do, anywhere.
The Rig has put me on mental health leave. My parents can't be in the same building without devolving into roaring maniacs. And there's nothing I can do to find Kitsu. I, I just, I never had any real control in my life. But, I, I don't know. At least things were stable and not so uncertain.
"I hear the Director of the PRT in Seattle is coming over tomorrow." Vicky says to break the tension. "Know what that's about?"
"No, where did you hear that?" I ask automatically.
"Dean." Vicky shrugs as she leans back and lays down. "He was there when Piggot mentioned it to MM."
'Well they didn't tell me about it.' I think bitterly. 'Though I shouldn't be surprised. They never tell me anything.'
"Hey, what's with the death glare?" Vicks asks as she props her head up on her hand. "You still pissy from the abuse joke?"
"No just, thinking." I mutter as I try to calm myself down. "It's nothing."
"Didn't seem like nothing." Vicky counters.
Tunk* *Tunk* *Tunk*
Caught off guard by the sound. Vicky and I look over to Kratos's tote. Where he's being, oddly energetic. He has a stick stacked on top of another in a sort of seesaw. With a leg on one end of the stick, he's making a bit of noise as he keeps using it to tap the tote.
"What is with that thing?" Vicky asks as she sits up.
"I don't know?" I say as I get up and walk over to check on him. "Maybe he's bored?"
"That thing can get bored?" Vicky asks.
" He can get bored." I say as I pick up the fist sized beetle.
"How can you hold it?" Vicky asks, clearly grossed out. "Eugh!"
I roll my eyes at her words. Sure he's a giant bug. But it's not like he's dangerous or anything. Heck, Kitsu gave up on her plans to make him bigger and combat orientated because she likes him like this. Tiny, harmless, and low maintenance.
"What's the matter little guy?" I ask as I hold him up.
He just wiggles and swings his legs wildly, if slowly. And soon enough, the lights in the hallway start flickering.
"What the?" I ask in confusion, before I feel it.
An area I can't effect is moving in on the house quickly.
"We gotta go!" I say hurriedly as I set Kratos back in his tote and seal the lid, picking it up as the lights in the hall pop.
"What the fuck?!" Vicky blurts as she shoots up. " Pllleeease don't tell me Vergil's not wigging out again!"
"It's not Vergil!" I say as I head out of Kitsu's room with Kratos's tote in my arms.
Whoever it is, they just made a dead stop above the front yard. Vergil can fly on his saucer, but he can't make dead stops. He has to slow down, or swerve. This is a natural flyer, and my gut is giving me a bad feeling.
"What the hell is going on!?" Mrs. Dallon shouts as she stomps into the hall from the kitchen, followed by Mr. Dallon.
"Someone's here, I think?" Vicky says from behind me.
Pop* *Shatter* *Pop* *Shatter*
Before I could say anything. All of the lights in the house pop.
"Aah!/Jesus!/What!?" We all scream as we all reflexively duck down.
More spots are moving in! In groups! Cars!
"Cars!" I say in a panic. "There's a group of people moving in outside the house!"
Mr. and Mrs. Dallon shoot up and rush to what I presume is their room as Vicky pulls out her phone.
"Fuck!" She curses as she pockets it again. "No signal!"
"Do you have a home phone?" I ask.
"Yeah?" She says. "It's in the garage because it never got used. Why?"
"Landline phones don't need signals." I explain. "So if we hook it back up we can call for help!"
*Crackzap*
I freeze up at the sound of lightning hitting the house.
"Fuck!" Vicky says as she turns around and flies towards the front of the house.
"Wait!" I call out, only for her to ignore me.
Okay, okay think.
'Kitsu loves strategy games! I've played enough with her to recognize an ambush. Like risk and DnD! Just think!'
Okay, focusing on my power, there are thirty two spheres of no outside the house. So, thirty three people. One is flying. Now two as Vicky leaves and makes the number thirty three.
Pulling my phone out and verifying there is no signal. I dial 911 anyway. Some areas without signal will still allow emergency calls. Don't know all the details, but, never mind because it doesn't work anyway.
So, landline! Which means I'll need to get out of the house and into the garage to find a, no! That'll take too long because I don't know what I'm looking for!
Mr. and Mrs. Dallon run past me out the door, now in costume, as I set Kratos's tote down on the kitchen table.
Everything in me is screaming to run into the fight. To help and fight off the attackers. But, as Kitsu has reminded me. I'm not a close quarters fighter. I'm mid to long range.
Long range! That's it! I know where the people are and can avoid them as I sneak out and warp to The Rig! Get help there! Or at least far enough to call someone.
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Klara "Stormfront" Risinger
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"We finally got the whole family out!" I smile at the three rushing out. "Good, I won't have to repeat myself."
"Whatever this is Stormfront, drop it!" Brandish says as she powers up two spears. "This is a clear violation of the un-"
"The unwritten rules are a joke, Carol!" I shout back down to her as I cross my arms. "You don't have secret identities, and the limp wristed yes men running this country put a kill order on me. The unwritten rules no longer apply!"
Krieg, the little coward that he is, pulled out and fucked off after that. Claimed I was too high of a risk for Gesselshaft to invest in.
Cowards. They'll come running back as soon as I'm back on top. They certainly didn't mind the wares I was providing.
"What do want?" Carol grits out.
I slowly fly down with my arms open in a clear sign of peaceful intent. Not wanting to lead with the stick after all. Everyone deserve at least one chance to fall in line.
"Simply." I say calmly. "I want you, to join me. You're clearly of higher stock than those you protect. Hell, it was you who took down the previous ruler of this city. And you were teenagers going against an adult with an entire army at his beck and call."
They really are the perfect additions. Superior breeds in every aspect. Aside from the Jewish looking dyke. But she's adopted, so she doesn't count. And the freak, well, I doubt they're too attached to her. And she's not even here.
"No." Brandish says soundly, not dispelling her spears.
"I really don't think you-" I start.
"Final answer." Flashbang says as he holds a glowing green orb in his hand. "Leave."
'Seems I have no choice.' I think tiredly with a bit of frustration.
"I see." I say calmly. "You know how this is going go, right?"
"Hey boss!" I hear Crusader say as he jogs around the side of the house. "Caught a straggler!"
Sparring a side long glance to him. A glance the Dallons share. I see he has a little blonde girl in a purple hoodie bound with his clones. She's wearing purple sunglasses, so I can't see her eye color. But it's clearly Vista.
'Hmm, maybe I can take a few pages out the Herren's book.' I think as I look at the little girl.
"Perfect!" I call to my lieutenant. "Tie her up and toss her in one of the cars."
The Dallons start spouting off some, heroic drabble about how that's wrong, and, I can't do that. Blah blah, consequences. I'm not paying attention.
"Ain't she ah, y'know?" He says awkwardly as he makes a few crude gestures with his hands.
"Yes she's a little lesbo." I roll my eyes. "It's a free country, just fucking say it."
That get's her to furrow her brow at me and her face to redden. Aww, she's mad.
"Then, why would we?" He starts asking.
"She's young and impressionable." I say calmly as the Dallons keep, going, on. "We can teach her right. Undo the corruption that's been shoved down her throat."
Always been meaning to start up some good old fashioned conversion therapy.
My thoughts are halted as my instincts kick in and I dodge a light spear. Only to get sucker punched by Glory Girl not a moment later. Throwing my hand up, I catch her fist and bend it back as I stare her in the eye.
"Wrong move." I say with a glare.
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-25 minutes later-
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Kitsu POV
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"W-what?" I mumble as I look upon the scene before me.
My house, in ruins. Surrounded by white skinheads. Dad half under a support beam, Mom slumped against a car. Missy cuffed and held down by ghost knights. And Stormfront standing over Vicky as she charges her electricity.
"Let it be known, I gave you a choice." Stormfront says as she holds her hand out towards Vicky. Electricity crackling along her forearm.
All I can feel, is my blood, boiling .
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Bonus
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Dallon house DnD pt 2
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-?, Neverwinter, 6pm-
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Leyawen POV
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(18 for survival)
Making our way through the sewers of this, city. Dodging the slime hoards and giant rats. Hateron pulls out his map of the sewer system, before pointing to the left. Nodding, I lead us down a narrow passage in the sewer meant to connect two waterways. Keeping my eyes up, I spot the sewer grate above.
Checking my pocket watch, I see we have three minutes before Oog and Backpack start their distraction.
"Aight then, this's the spot." Hateron says. "We should be right under the storehouse 'ere."
"But how are we going to get in?" I ask curiously. "The rungs are ripped out and it's twenty feet up."
"Jus' you watch in awe little lass." He says as he pats my head.
"I'm in my eighties! You're twenty five." I point out with a huff.
"Who's allowed to drink?" He says with what I assume to be a smirk on rabbit face.
I huff as he takes a rope out of his bag, slings it around his shoulder, and leaps straight up-
(17 for acrobatics)
-And throws his legs and arms out. Catching himself in the narrow passage just at the grate. Before reaching up and-
(Roll me strength, and then stealth.
(Why both?)
(Sewer grates are heavy, and moving them is loud.)
(Can confirm)
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(18, and, nat 20)
-With expert dexterity, Hateron nimbly slides the grate over before climbing up and out. And after a few moments, the rope drops down.
(Roll athletics to climb the rope)
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(I'm using my inspiration.)
…
(Um, five?)
I try and climb the rope, but I'm more used to vines. Not stupid, rough, itchy, whatever this is made of! Besides! I can make vines carry me up!
My struggle is noticed by Hateron, who face palms at me before motioning for me to sit tight. I do so as he-
(16 for my strength check.)
-pulls me up with little effort.
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-IRL-
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Victoria "Leyawen" Dallon POV
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This is actually kinda fun. We're on session five, and what I'm learning is the fails are many, and the successes are awesome.
We even learned that Dad's character, Roger, is so dumb. They don't know the difference between boys and girls, and they themselves are a girl. But think that their cock rotted off, hence, Roger Cawkough. Also, can't read.
Anytime we tell Roger that she's a girl. He insists he's a he because Roger is a boy name. And Roger chose a boy name, so Roger is a boy.
We decided to say fuck it and leave it be. Though my character has been trying to teach him how to read.
Missy plays Oog pretty well. And Amy is smart. Like, I'm having a bit of trouble keeping up. Though she's good at roleplay, her character is attracted to mine and she pulls off the act well. Though he backed off when I mentioned the I'm basically fifteen for an elf.
Though now he won't let me live it down.
"Okay." Kitsu mumbles as she rolls a few dice.
"What was that for?" I ask nervously.
"Hmm?" Kitsu hums as she looks up. "Oh, nothing. Can you two give me perception checks? And uh, Missy, Dad, what are you two doing?"
"Getting drunk." Missy says calmly.
"You mean pretending to be drunk in front of the warehouse to distract the guards." Amy says. "Right?"
'Oh no.'
"I uh, already marked off my gold, and uh, me and, Backpack already gave our, first constitution rolls." Missy says awkwardly. "I, thought the plan was to actually be drunk. Not, pretend."
"In her defense, so did I." Dad says.
"Whyba, ha, what, kwhy would you get drunk and risk passing out? Or worse?" Amy stutters before turning her attention to the DM. "I why wouldn't you explain the plan when they started going off course?"
"Two things." Kitsu says between bites of her pizza. "One, I don't railroad, two, if you guys mess up on your own, I'm not helping you. That just undermines player agency, you fail or succeed on your own merit."
Fuck.
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-Neverwinter, Gored Boar Inn-
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Oog POV
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"Another round please." I say slowly and easily. "For both of us."
"Of course, five silver each." The barkeep says.
Reaching into my coin purse, I toss set the amount down, and slide it forth. The kindly barkeep accepts as he sets two mugs down in front of us.
"Backpack drink!" Roger says as he downs the beer-
(Pfft! Nat 1.)
-only for the big guy to immediately start hacking and coughing.
"Wrong pipe?" I ask the poor half orc.
"Drink burn!" Backpack coughs.
Too be continued
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Bonus 2, Possible Future, because I need to write more happy and fluffy to offset this depressive shit.
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Missy "Vista" Dallon POV
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"So we had to move some funds over to the Wards program. Needless to say, Overture was not happy." Weld says as he sips his cup of soda.
"Well any Tinker is gonna be upset when their funds are cut into." I respond.
We're hosting a party for friends and family. Nothing special really, just a little social event for us. And our house is big enough for it. With the massive yard, big house, and the pool. We usually end hosting all of the parties.
"I know." Weld says evenly as he sets his glass down on a servers platter. "At this point I'm just venting."
"I understand." I relate.
Why is it that Case 53's seem to have better communication skills than most other capes? I've met, a lot of capes. And being married to Kitsu has seen me meet a lot of Case 53's. And I'll say it, on average, Case 53's are far less temperamental than other capes.
"Heya hot stuffs." Speaking of Case 53's.
Kitsu leans against me as she nuzzles my side. Nuzzles being her equivalent to a hug. Looking down to the shortstack, appreciating the formfitting, back dress and skinny jeans combo she's wearing. I smile at the, flushed face, droopy eyed, oh damnit.
"Kitsu, please tell me you didn't drink." I ask quietly, knowing she can hear me.
Alcohol, goes right through her. Like, if you gave her a beer, and a toddler a beer, she'd be plastered way before the toddler. She's that much of a light weight.
"Just, a little." She says as she puts more of her weight on me. "Besides, I think, I'm getting a tolerance."
She's not, and she can't. Amy confirmed this long ago. Her inability to handle liquor is a part of her innate mutations.
I'm just hoping this is cuddly drunk Kitsu, and not flirty drunk Kitsu. One is manageable, just stick by her, and don't let her wander off. The other, well-
"You're so sexy." She purrs. "You know that? Like, really hot, and cute."
Fuck me.
"I'm sorry Weld, I gotta deal with this." I say as I put my hands on the drunk fox.
"It's quite alright." Weld says with a smile. His metallic body making a literal glint as he does so. "I need to go track down Sveta anyhow."
"Oh, she's in the bathroom." Kitsu says as she leans away from me. "Hurry up big man! I think she could use an iron injection!"
I cringe at the dumb joke and fight to keep my blush down. Weld just gives me a pitying smile as he walks off. Meanwhile, Kitsu is giggling at her own joke. Flirty Kitsu isn't horny or anything. Just way more inappropriate than cuddly Kitsu.
Guiding her through the patio, past the hot tub with Tori who is currently stealing Amy's burger while she isn't looking. If you leave your food unattended for a tortoise to steal, you don't deserve it.
"Aww, look at da turtle munch." Kitsu giggles as I pull her inside. "Om nom nom."
"Yes the turtle is very cute." I agree as I guide my shorty through the kitchen.
I have about an hour until the alcohol wears off. Until then, it's just a matter of keeping her in my sights, and away from anyone. She's not, problematic. Just, inappropriate and shares too much.
"Okay, Kitsu, sweetheart?" I say as we make it towards our upstairs bedroom. "What do I need to do to get you to behave?"
"Hmm, am I not behaving?" She asks sweetly as she lays back on the bed, before she starts pouting. "Have I been, a bad girl?"
"No!" I say as I sit her back up. Bad girl and good girl are our, code words. "Kitsu, I love you."
She cuts me off, leaning forward to steal a quick kiss.
"I love you too!" She says with a wide smile as she hugs me. "I love you so much!"
Oh thank god! She's not flirty drunk. Just cuddly drunk. It's hard to tell sometimes.
"I love you very much." I say as I hug her back. "But we have guests over, and you're drunk."
"I didn't mean to!" She whines. "Amy gave me juice, dizzy juice."
Of, fucking, course. Amy loves messing with others. And sneaking Kitsu alcohol, is one of those ways. She knows how Kitsu gets when drunk. Was probably hoping for flirty Kitsu and when she didn't get that, sent her over to me.
Flirty drunk is funny to everyone, but me. Cuddly drunk, is annoying.
"Mmmrm, Missy~?" Kitsu sings playfully as she goes slack in my arms. "Am I pretty?"
One of cuddly Kitsu's quirks, is fishing for compliments.
"You're very pretty." I say as I scratch her ears.
"Am I fwuffy?" She asks as she presses herself into me and wraps her tail around my back. "I am fluffy! Fluff me!"
She means brush her tail. This is gonna be my life for the next forty minutes. Thing is, I don't mind Kitsu when she's drunk. I actually find her rather endearing. But, I'm mature enough to recognize that that's not a healthy mindset.
Warping the dresser over and grabbing her brush, I get work on brushing my little wife's tail. Positioning her in my lap as she leans into me, chest to chest as she nuzzles my neck.
"Hmm, feel free to squeeze my butt." She mumbles. "I know you like dat."
"I'm fine." I say as roll my eyes.
"Hmmm, yeah you are." She giggles as she wiggles that thick butt in my lap.
'Don't take advantage of the drunk fox.' I tell myself. God that would sound so wrong without context.
"Rrrrmmmm, yeah, that's it. That's the gooood stuffs baby." She says in a gravely whisper as I brush her tail. "I love, how, you, you're you. Hey, I got an idea!"
She shoots up and looks me in the eye. Probably giving her best attempt at bedroom eyes. But one is droopy, and the other is closed.
"What's that?" I ask as I struggle not to laugh at her drunken silliness.
"We should, we, we oughtta, I forget." She mumbles and falls over sideways, onto the bed. "Mrrmm, nap time."
In a few seconds, she's out.
She'll be good in half an hour. Now to go talk to Amy.
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-1 hour later-
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"Sweetie. Snuggle bug." I coo as I gently shake the sleeping shorty. "Wakey wakey."
"Mrmm." She moans and stretches out as she slowly open her eyes. "Oh hey."
She gives me a soft smile as I sit on the bed beside her. Reaching over to brush her golden hair out of her face. She blinks a few times before impishly sticking her tongue out me.
"Keep that tongue out and I might find a use for it." I tease my wife.
"Don't be gross!" She giggles as she playfully slaps my hip.
"You didn't think it was that gross a few days ago." I smirk as she blushes.
She rolls over and buries her face in my hips. Hugging my waist as she kicks her legs in embarrassment.
"Mrrrrmmmm!" She screams into my jeans.
Five years of marriage and she's still so easy to tease. Despite being a massive tease herself. She just can't handle getting as good as she gives.
In more than one way.
"Alright you little drama queen." I say I unhook her arms from my waist and hop up to plop down beside her. "I'm tired and I want my cuddles. So scooch that booty over."
"What are you tired for?" She asks as she nonetheless scooches back to give me more room.
"Remember the dizzy drink?" I ask as I move closer.
"No?" She says as she holds my head to her chest, wrapping her large, fluffy tail on top of me to act as a blanket. "Wait, damnit. I'm sorry!"
"You're fine." I cut her off as I wrap my arms around her and close my eyes. "Just had to do the clean up, Vicky helped."
"That was nice of her." Kitsu says as she runs her fingers through my hair. "Is there anything I can do to make up for it?"
"Hmm." I hum as I relax. "You're doing the dishes from the party when I'm done recharging."
"Yeah, that's fair." She sighs.
"Oh, and Sveta wants me to tell you she gets plenty of iron in her diet." I mutter mischievously as we cuddle.
She's stops running her hands through my hair for a bit. Looking up to see what made her stop. I'm met with a confused look on her face.
"Huh?"
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Bonus 3!
Cute and wholesome Fun facts about adult Kitsu and Missy's lives.
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1 Kitsu is four foot and ten inches tall (147.3cm), and despite accepting the fact she's short, she still doesn't like it. And will angle camera's down or up to make herself look taller.
2 Missy likes medical dramas. Every Tuesday night they can, they watch at least an hour of medical dramas together.
3 Missy likes coffee, and Kitsu has spent countless hours learning and buying equipment to make frappe's, latte's, cappuccino's, and more. Kitsu makes sure to make Missy a cup every morning.
4 Kitsu wakes up an hour Before Missy. And spends thirty minutes cuddling her before starting her day.
5 When Kitsu is playing a video game and gets stuck on a level or area, Missy will secretly look up a walkthrough, and make suggestions to help her. She's been doing this for years and Kitsu has yet to find out.
6 Pizza night is a monthly occasion where Kitsu and Missy set aside a day to spend with each other. It's called pizza night because the only thing they consistently do is make Chef Boyardee pizza. And clean their kitchen. (This might be a future bonus)
7 Any time Missy thinks of something romantic to say, but Kitsu isn't around. She'll write it down, date it, and then hide the love letter around the house for Kitsu to find.
8 Kitsu has almost completely pulled out of cape life because she doesn't want to out shine Missy or influence her career. I.E. Missy getting promotions and more accolades because they're married. (Took a few years, but people got the hint that sucking up to Missy will not suddenly have Kitsu showing up to their kid's party)
9 Kitsu and Missy have 3 Halloween events every year. The 30th, where they'll host a Halloween party for family, the 31st, where they'll host a Halloween costume party for PRT and New Wave, and late at night on November 1st, a private costume party for the two of them where they decide who has the sexier costume that year.
A winner has never been decided.
10 If Missy is late getting home or is out of town, Kitsu refuses to sleep their bed and will sleep on the couch until Missy gets home.
11 Kitsu and Missy both workout and do yoga. Missy does so to stay in shape and keep her body in top condition. Kitsu, because she likes watching Missy workout and knows Missy likes watching her do yoga.
12 Kitsu and Missy never shower together for two reasons. 1, Kitsu uses a special soap for her fur that is not healthy for human skin. 2, anytime they've tried, they run out of hot water before any actual cleaning gets done.
13 Missy will often pretend to be cold, just to get Kitsu to cuddle with her. Likewise, Kitsu will pretend to be mentally worn out from her streaming, content creation and networking, just to get Missy to carry her to bed.
14 Missy is Five foot five inches tall (156.1cm) and will angle her phone when taking pictures to make herself look shorter, because she finds it funny when people see her and Kitsu together and notice their height difference.
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A/N
I want to make it clear. That DnD character about Roger Cawkough being confused about gender, is not a political statement, this is a joke my FTM little brother told me about his own DnD character of the same name.
He loves making characters with stupid names and stupid reasons for them.
Such character include-
Richard Nautilus Miaz (Dick N. My-az) he's a fighter from a long line of seamen.
Phineas Germi (Phin Ger-Me) a warlock with a fae patron (Gay fairy joke)
Jack Hoffman, he's a barbarian with a big axe.
Michael Hawks (Mike Hawks) a bard who can never shut up.
And more!
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I really want to end this arc and go back to the fluffy story, but I finish what I start. Fluff will return! But not before the bad is finished.
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Mechanic was determined to end his life. Whether that be literally, or figuratively. After several failed attempts, he took the dive, outed his identity, and turned himself in. Intent on pleading guilty and being sent to the birdcage. Where villains like him belong.
So pathetic, he can't even bother to go out with a bang.
From his perspective at least.
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Also, he still thinks Scarecrow is as tragic as he is. It was hinted at before, but Scarecrow was enabling his addiction while gaslighting him to keep him under his control.
He was simply too caught up with himself half the time, and too drunk the other half, to ever piece together Scarecrow's true colors. And that was Scarecrow's intent. Any chance Mechanic had to sober up, Scarecrow would nudge him back to the bottle. And the one time Mechanic seemed to be wising up to Scarecrow's true intention, Scarecrow put on an act of being the victim. A toxic cycle at its worst.
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As for Vicky? She's associating the death of the woman and the boy, to being too carefree. And she's associating that with her flying. Hence why she's avoiding flying too high off the ground. It's not that she's afraid of heights, just that if she's closer to the ground, she can reach the civilians better.
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Link to the discord: discord .gg/DarkWolfShiro
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Next chapter.
Chapter 63: Break