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stillbandofbrothersthirsty · 3 years

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Rock Bottom

Joe Liebgott x OC

*Rated T for language and adult themes. (5,471 words)

“Have you guys seen that new girl?” Frank Perconte asked as he squeezed into a small seat along the dining table bench.

“What new girl?” Bill Guarnere asked through a bite of food.

“The new intelligence girl,” Frank said as means of explanation.

“She’s an intelligence officer?” Joe Liebgott asked.

“I heard she was with the OSS before this,” Pat Christensen added.

“I don’t think intelligence officer,” Frank pushed the food around on his plate, “but apparently she speaks like 20 languages.”

“No,” Joe said doubtfully, “no way, that’s so many.”

“Who knows? Once you know one language it’s easier to pick up others,” David Webster said.

Joe shot him an annoyed look.

“I think she’s from the Bronx too, Web.”

“Well hey, there ya go! There’s so many languages going around in the Bronx, she probably picked them up there. It’s so much easier to learn languages when you’re young ya-“

“Where’d you get all this info?” Bill cut David off.

“Luz.” Frank was barely intelligible with his mouth full.

“Hm,” Bill grunted. The information was likely true coming from George Luz, the kid had a way of finding things out.

Their formal introduction to the newest G-2 recruit occurred the next day prior to starting their classroom instruction. The men hadn’t expected the classroom time. They knew the forecast had predicted rain but they didn’t dare to hope Sobel would let them off just because of “a little water”. However, by eleven, the early morning drizzle had grown into a downpour that even Sobel didn’t want to be caught in. He relinquished his company to the instruction of basic compass and map reading.

“Gentleman,” Sobel addressed them dryly, his hands folded behind his back, “before we get started, I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the intelligence general staff.”

The men were gathered in a large tent propped up by recently constructed whitewood. Beside Sobel stood a woman dressed neatly in an army issued pencil skirt, jacket and tie.

“This is Valerie Marchetti, she will be working with the intelligence office as a linguist.”

“Told ya she knew like 20 languages,” Frank whispered to Joe.

“Italian!” Bill nudged Johnny Martin.

“Please make every effort to make her feel welcome,” Sobel finished unenthusiastically, “Alright, let's get started. Radio men, follow Ms. Marchetti.”

“Lucky!” Floyd Talbert clapped George on the shoulder as he stood up. George winked at him with a grin.

“So, what’s she like?” Floyd asked as they headed back to the barracks.

“Aw she’s an angel,” George enthused, “so sweet, and she knows her stuff too!”

“You’d think anyone that pretty was an angel, Luz,” Frank said.

“That,” George said, “is because angels are beautiful.”

But George wasn’t the only one over the moon to have a woman among them. All of the Toccoa men were eager for any chance to ogle Valerie. They were oversexed and grateful to have a beautiful woman in their midst, if only for the hope of earning a smile. Most of the men were limited in their interactions with her seeing as she was part of the intelligence general staff but somehow Bill really got to know her, and by extension, Johnny Martin did too. They became a trio on nights out. Bill jumping from group to group, socializing with all the men while the more mellow Johnny posted up at a table with Valerie.

“Does she actually know 20 languages?” Shifty asked Bill innocently.

“Nah, not actually twenty, but she knows quite a few. She’s damn smart!” Bill said taking a long drink of his beer.

“What languages does she know?” Joe asked.

“Italian, her pa’s Italian. Polish ‘cuz of her ma. Yiddish and I think her German’s okay too,” Bill listed.

Joe nodded thoughtfully, “not bad,” he admitted. “Not gonna be any use to us if we go to Japan though.”

Bill shrugged, “who knows where we’re goin’, they got her here for a reason.”

“Was she posted somewhere else before this?” Moe Alley asked.

“She was a code breaker! Can you believe that? So smart,” Bill shook his head in awe.

“Ya sound like you’re in love there, Bill,” Joe teased.

“God damn right, I love that girl. She’s great!”

Joe chuckled, she was a good looking dame that was for sure. Just his type: curvaceous, dark hair and warm eyes. He admired her just as much as every other guy in the bar. There were plenty of local women around, some of who Joe had gotten to know quite well, but there was something about that army pencil skirt that just did it for Joe.

“She gotta fella?” Joe heard himself asking.

“Why? You interested Joe?” Bill asked.

Joe shrugged, “just curious.”

Bill looked over his shoulder where Valerie sat smiling, her full lips painted a rich red. “I don’t think so, but I’ll tell ya what Joe, she’s not any ol’ dame. She’s a spicy one that’s for sure. She’ll tell you what’s what.”

Yeah, Joe found that out for himself the first time he experienced classroom instruction with Valerie Marchetti.

“Well, actually we’d actually refer to this group as the Allgemeine SS,” Valerie said.

“Deutsche Ausrüstungswerke is German Equipment factories so I don’t-“ Joe defended.

“Well yes, but it’s important to know that this is an armaments division under the SS, Allgemeine SS.”  “Are you sure? You said yourself you aren’t fluent in German, are you sure you’re translating-“

“Yes. I don’t speak fluent German but I know these terms and I know the organization of the SS. You would do well to listen to me, I know what I’m talking about.” Valerie snapped.

“Okay, calm down,” Joe threw his hands up.

Valerie sniffed at his gaslighting before spinning on her heel and walking away. After that it was game over, nothing about her was attractive to Joe any longer; not her silky, dark curls, not her full red lips, not the way the dark lines on her hose travelled seductively up her leg. He decided she was more trouble than she was worth.

A cheer rose up from the dart boards that Friday night where Bill, Johnny, and Bull were playing darts with Valerie. She was wearing trousers that night, which Joe found rather flattering. But he caught himself as his gaze travelled down from her waist, and quickly looked away.

“Okay, if I make this last one, drinks are on me.” Valerie bit her lip in concentration.

“Well now I kinda want you to win,” Bill said jovially.

“Ah!” The men around her cheered again as the dart hit another bullseye.

“Damn, how do you do it?” asked Don Malarkey in awe.

Valeria smiled coyly and shrugged. “Who needs a drink?” she asked to the men gathered.

“Nah, you can’t possibly cover all the drinks here,” Bill held up his hand in protest, a cigarette burning between his fingers.

“Don’t worry about it Bill, I pretty much owe everyone in here a drink anyways after the way they all tripped over themselves to buy me a drink when I first got here.”

The men sung her praises all the way up to the bar where Valerie instructed the tender to pour everyone in proximity a beer and to put it on her tab. She had come up right where Joe had been standing with Moe. Valerie glanced down at his nearly empty glass, “you need a beer Joe?” she asked.

“No thanks, still workin’ on this one.” Joe held up his glass.

“James?” Valerie asked Moe. He nodded appreciatively and accepted the drink even though his original glass held more than Joes.

“You sure Joe?” Valerie asked in a sing song voice. It grated on Joe’s nerves.

“I’m good, thank you though Valerie.” His dark eyes met hers. The piercing darkness of them sent a shiver down her spine and she abruptly looked away, blushing.

Joe was walking back from the latrine later that night when he heard some voices out in the dark, in the direction of HQ. The tone of the two male voices that carried on the air made Joe stand to alert. The speakers weren’t too loud, but there was a forcefulness to them. Then the voice of an agitated female broke through. A coldness rushed into Joe blood. He rushed towards the noise. He came upon two F company men who were walking on either side of Valerie. They were walking fast, the pace clearly set by Valerie who sped forward. The men kept in step with with her all while trying to box her in between their bodies.

“Hey!” Joe snapped, stopping them in their course, “what the hell is going on here?”

Joe looked at Valerie, a chilling look in her eyes: fear.

The men hardly seemed bothered by Joe’s presence. “We’re just making sure this young lady gets back to her quarters safely,” one said.

“Are you?” Joe asked, “do you even know her?”

“Sure we do,” the other said arrogantly, “mind your business pal.”

“Val, you know these guys?” Joe asked. Even with adrenaline coursing through his body he winced internally at his use of her nickname. He wasn’t familiar with her like that, why did he call her Val in that moment?

“Don’t worry about it Joe, I can take care of myself,” she said firmly, “I’m just right here,” she turned towards the main HQ building where she was posted up with the other few females. The men made to follow her into the darkness. Although it was only yards away, there were too many spots of darkness for Joe to feel comfortable letting those men follow her all the way up to her doorstep. Joe stepped in front of them, giving Valerie the time and space to disappear into the fold of the night.

“What’s your problem man?” one of the men snarled.

“It’s late, you’re just gonna have to accept you struck out tonight,” Joe sneered back.

The other man, who was significantly larger than Joe, took a menacing step forward. “She your girl or something?” he asked with narrow eyes.

“She’s no ones girl,” Joe said, and he turned away to head back to his barracks.

“Hey, you should’ve stayed out of it, guy.” Then Joe felt a hand on his collar spin him around before a fist made contact with his eye.

“Do you know what guys from F company?” Edward Tipper asked as he took in the blue and blackness that was beginning to come out around Joe’s eye socket.

Joe shrugged into his breakfast, “whatever, I’m not worried about it.”

“Those bastards,” Moe said, “we oughta give them what they deserve.”

“I said I’m not worried about it,” Joe said, “will you drop it?” His friends reluctantly sat back.

It was then Joe noticed Valerie standing a few feet away, a breakfast tray clutched in her hands. She was staring mournfully at the injuries he incurred. As soon as his eyes met hers she quickly walked to the table where Johnny sat, taking a place beside him and disappearing behind the figures of the Easy Company men she loved. Not Joe, he was not part of that group.

“Joe,” Valerie came up behind him as he was bussing his tray. He turned around to face her. Bags hung under her eyes but her signature red lipstick was applied flawlessly.

“Yeah?” he asked impassively.

“Um, I..” she hesitated, taking in his appearance. His jacket was unbuttoned, revealing his PT shirt. His dog tags hung heavy around his lean neck. His cheek bones were sharp, the top of the left one was split just slightly below where the blueness had spread to fill his entire eye socket. Valerie winced looking at him.

“I just want to say I appreciate you checking in on me last night,” Valerie began.

“Don’t mention,” Joe flicked his hand dismissively and began to walk away.

“But you didn’t need to, I feel bad, you’re eye, I would’ve been fine-“

Joe looked at her like she was crazy, “Valerie I saw how you looked last night, you knew it wasn’t goin’ in a good direction.”

“I was almost back to my quarters, I would’ve been fine,” she insisted.

Joe let out a sharp laugh, “why were you alone anyway? Walking in the dark?”

“It’s none of your business,” Valerie said.

“Wow, this is a hell of a thank you, Val,” Joe winced. Damn it, why did he keep using that nickname?

Valerie wrinkled her own nose in discomfort, “well thank you, but next time I got myself.”

“Valerie I wasn’t going to just leave you there!”  “You don’t need to worry about me! I can take care of myself,” she doubled down.

“God damn it, would you get over yourself?” Joe snapped. Valerie reeled back in momentary shock.

“Get over myself?”

“Those guys were trouble! We both know it!”

“Get over myself? What do you mean? You don’t trust me-“

“I don’t even know you, I would’ve done the same for any girl-“  “So because I’m a girl you don’t trust me to take care of myself?”

“It was two against one.”  “I’m a soldier same as you and you were prepared to take them on-“

“Don’t be ignorant, it’s diff-“

“Ignorant? Who’s calling who ignorant?”

“See, you just think you’re so much better than every-“

“I have to be better than everyone! I have to work twice as hard as everyone here!”

“In your cozy little intelligence office? Yeah, sure, try doing the stuff we have to do.”

“I have to train too! I’m strong!”  “But not strong enough to-“

“I am strong enough!”

“Look what those bastards did to me, you don’t think they would’ve done the same to you?”

“Well, maybe not, because like you said I’m just a girl.”

“Yeah well let me tell you that’s exactly why they could’ve done worse.”

“Do you just assume the worst of your compatriots?”  “Do you not? How dumb are you? I thought you were from the city!”  “You know what, just stay out of it next time Liebgott. I don’t want you getting injured on my behalf.” Valerie stormed away angrily.

“You’re welcome!”Joe shouted after her defiantly. “God damn it,” he cursed under his breath. He kicked a trash bin nearly kicking it over, “fuck this.”

Joe was still heated later that night when he finally retired to the barracks.

“Tough day, Joe?” Bull asked. A cigar hung from his mouth as he unlaced his boots.

“Little bit,” Joe eased down on his bed. His face throbbed where he had been hit. Bull looked up at him thoughtfully, “everything alright now?” he asked cryptically.

“All good, Bull,” Joe lay back on his cot exhaling.

“Not all good,” John Martin was suddenly standing over him, “you were fighting with Valerie?”

“Not really, it’s fine,” Joe draped an arm over his eyes, trying to block out the little light that filled their canvas living quarters.

“It better be, I heard you two shouting at each other earlier. What’d you do to deserve that?”

Joe sat up, “I didn’t do anything!”

John crossed his arms and eyed Joe suspiciously, “well, if she’s after you you probably deserve it.” He stalked off and Joe fell back onto his bed.

“She’s a tough one that Valerie,” Bull said.

“So I’ve heard,” Joe muttered.

“No shit from nobody,” Bull continued.

“You gotta point, Bull?” Joe snapped glaring at the guy in the bunk next to him.

Bull chewed on his cigar, carefully considering what he was going to say next, “it was good of you to look out for her. You did the right thing, Joe.”

Joe hadn’t expected that. He nodded at Bull then rolled over in his bunk. He didn’t know how much Bull knew, or what exactly he had heard through the grapevine, but Bull’s words meant more than he thought the would. Finally a little acknowledgment for preventing the crime he had seen coming. No matter how tough she was, there’s no stopping that when two men decide they’re going to do it.

Joe slid his arm under his pillow, trying to get comfortable. That’s when his hand grazed something hard and rectangular. From underneath his pillow he pulled out a chocolate bar. Wrapped around it, fastened with twine, was a note. In neat cursive were the words: You were right. Thank you for your help.

Joe couldn’t help but smile a little bit. Who the fuck was this woman.

She was a goddamn rule following narc when she wanted to be, that’s who she was. Joe and Moe may or may not have snuck out of the base one Tuesday night and gotten pissed at a nearby bar. They were too drunk to be cautious when they stumbled back onto base, their arms around each other, singing.

Valerie was walking along the well lit path to the women’s latrine when she ran into them.

“What are you guys doing?” she hissed confronting them.

“Hello sweetheart,” Moe slurred with a grin.

“Valerie!” Joe said enthusiastically, “wow thank you for the Hershey bar.”

Valerie flushed bright red, “you guys are being so loud! You’re going to get in trouble.” She looked them up and down, “how drunk are you?”  “Not drunk at all,” Moe shook his head.

Valerie wrinkled her nose, “sure smells like you are.”

“That’s rude Valerie,” Joe said jokingly.

“Yeah well you guys are going to get all of Easy in trouble tomorrow if you show up hungover.”

“We’ll be fine!” Moe waved his hand, “don’t worry about us, doll.”

“It’s not you I’m worried about,” Valerie said sharply, “its the rest of the company you’re screwin’ over. Goodnight!” she walked off shaking her head.

“What a bitch,” Moe said off-handedly.

“She’s not a bitch,” Joe immediately snapped.

Moe swayed in place, grinning stupidly at his friend. “Whoa there, you’re not in love with her now too are you?”

Joe rolled his eyes and the men stumbled back to their barracks, now a little quieter.

He would never admit it after the way Valerie had confronted them, but waking up the next day was rough. Joe was determined to keep it together just to spite Valerie. He had muscled through the morning and was hoping for a moment of respite at lunch. But to his great misfortune, tuna casserole was being served. Joe’s stomach churned as he looked down into his plate. He was hungry but he was sure that the final remains of alcohol digesting inside of him would not be happy to share his stomach with this meal.

As he contemplated whether to eat or not, Joe felt eyes on him. He looked up to see Valerie’s sympathetic face from across the mess hall. She smiled at him tenderly at him and he immediately felt pathetic in her eyes. A irrational sense of anger flared up in him and he stabbed at the casserole with his fork. He brought a first big bite into his mouth all while maintaining eye contact with Valerie. The sympathetic smile dropped from her face as she watched his performance. She narrowed her eyes, her lip curling in disgust at his juvenile defiance.

After the meal ended she came up to him, her tray as empty as his was.

“Feeling alright, Joe?” she asked as sweet as syrup.

Perspiration was beginning to form on his forehead. He was not feeling alright, in fact he felt rather clammy. Moe had done the wise thing and only eaten his buttered bread. Joe was seriously regretting not doing the same.

“Feelin’ great, how’re you feeling, Valerie?” he asked obstinately.

“I’m feeling great too,” she said smugly, because she was, and he clearly was not even if he wasn’t admitting it. “Enjoy the rest of the day!” She sashayed off.

Luckily, the mess hall was mostly empty because as soon as she was out of sight, Joe dived for a nearby trashcan and regurgitated the lunch he had just consumed.

“Better out than in,” Moe said as means of comfort, looking equally washed up.

By the end of the week Joe was ready to go out again. Just as it happens to all young men, the short term memory of how he felt after a night of binge drinking had left him by that Saturday night. Having secured and successfully retained their weekend passes, Joe and his friends bought tickets to the dance that Saturday evening.

The majority of Easy Company had the same idea and they, along with the other companies of the 101st airborne, filled the local dance hall. Joe was having a pretty good time. Beer was flowing, the band was hopping, and there was an endless supply of beautiful women to dance with. Joe was taking a break from the dance floor when he spotted Valerie spinning across the room in the arms of a dark haired gentleman from another company.

“Look at her,” Edward said appreciatively from next to Joe.

“Who?” Joe asked, pretending not to know who his friend was referring to.

“I know you don’t like her much, but Valerie, she is a looker,” Edward whistled.

Joe scowled but allowed himself a moment to check Valerie out. She wore a slightly-outdated red belted dress. Little white flowers peppered the fabric from the hem to the shoulders where the cinched neckline generously revealed her delicate collarbones.

Joe cleared his throat, “yeah, but there’s lots of good lookin’ broads around tonight.”

Edward just shrugged and downed the rest of his beer before setting out for the dance floor again. Joe did his best to avoid Valerie. He distracted himself with drinks, jokes, and other beautiful women. Despite his best efforts Joe still found himself looking across the low lit dance floor directly into Valerie’s eyes when a version of Mood Indigo came on.

It wasn’t Valerie in his arms, it was another woman. A woman he hadn’t known long enough to truly enjoy the moody slow dance with. Valerie was in the arms of the same guy she’d been with all night and she did look like she was enjoying the dance. Joe realized she was enjoying it a lot more than he wanted her to be.

The glance they had shared had been brief, she had broken it off quickly to nestle her cheek against her fellas shoulder. But that short moment had stirred something in Joe. In the dark golden light of the numerous high-hanging light bulbs Valerie’s eyes had looked like melted amber. The shadows that flickered across the hall softened her face, giving it an ethereal look. She was breathtaking and Joe wanted to be the one with his arm around her waist. He wanted to be the one she leaned her cheek against. He felt an overwhelming unreasonable hatred for this random man he didn’t know simply because he was the one who held Valerie so close.

Once the song ended, Joe politely bid goodbye to his partner and made a beeline for Valerie. She stood talking to her partner and a few other guys Joe didn’t recognize. He approached their group stiffly, his hands in his pockets. Everyone looked surprised at his arrival, especially Valerie, who was obligated to introduce him considering she was the only one who really knew him.

After a quick nod to the group Joe said, “Valerie can I talk to you?” Valerie’s brow furrowed in confusion but she politely excused herself. Joe lead her to an unoccupied side of the room near the door.

“Is something wrong?” Valerie asked, a fresh glass of champagne clutched in her perfectly manicured hands. Joe had no clue as to what he had wanted to say to her or what exactly he wanted from her. His goal had simply been to remove her from that man’s presence. In all honesty, he had no plan because he was confused on how exactly he considered her; was she a friend? An enemy? Or just another beautiful woman?

“Well, I just wanted to give you the option to dance with me,” he hesitated, watching her face for a reaction, “or one of the other Easy guys,” he added.

“Um, I’m alright, thank you, I’ve been happy dancing with-“ she gestured back at her partner.

“That guy? Psh,” Joe said dismissively, “guys a cement mixer, don’t you wanna dance with someone good?”

Red rose up in Valerie’s cheeks, “who? Like you?” she asked.

Joe shrugged, “anyone’s better than that fool.”

“You don’t even know him, Joe.”

Fair point, Joe thought, but he didn’t like the guy. “I can tell he’s a dip, just look at him!” Joe laughed.

“This is a really terrible way of asking me to dance with you!”

“Hey, I’m doin’ you a favor.”

“Me a favor? Could you be more full of yourself?”

“Me full of myself? What about you little miss perfect. I’m not the one walking around acting like you know everything.”

“I know more than you!” “See there you go, why do you gotta go around putting people down?”

“No one seems to have a problem with me except you!” Valerie shot back.

“Take it outside lovebirds,” an intoxicated private said as he passed them.

His interruption killed the argument between them. Instead they just stood glaring at each other, dark brown eyes meeting golden ones.   

Finally, Joe said, “come on, let’s dance.”

“You wish!” Valerie stomped on his foot.

Joe swallowed his curse, “fuck,” he said in a strangled a voice. Valerie turned to stalk away but Joe grabbed her elbow.

“Get off of me,” she hissed, trying her best not to make more of a scene than they already had.

“Come on.” Joe pulled her out the nearest door, throwing them both into the cool Georgian night. Now engulfed by darkness they were really free to fight it out.

“What the fuck was that for?” he demanded.

“Who do you think you are?” she shot back. “Interrupting my evening for what? Just to invite me on a pity dance? I don’t need your pity, I was enjoying myself quite a bit tonight until you started all this!” She threw her hands up in frustration. Some of the champagne from the glass still in her hand spilled over the side, onto her hand. “Ugh,” she exclaimed. She wiped her hand angrily on her dress.

Jealousy stabbed through Joe’s chest at her words. She had been enjoying herself with that guy. “What’s so special about that guy anyways? Didn’t you just meet him tonight?” he sneered.

Valerie opened her mouth to speak, then stopped. She closed it, examining him. A devilish smirk crossed her face, “oh is this what it’s about Joe? You jealous?”

  Yes. “No!” he said, “I just don’t know why you’re all moony over this guy. This is a social, not something you bring a date to.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Don’t believe me about what? This isn’t a place for dates? Not usually-”

“That you’re not jealous! What’s your problem Joe? If you’re interested in me just be a man and tell me.”

“Typical, you thinking that everyone has got to be in love with you.”

“Then tell me why you’re being so rude tonight! Either you’re jealous or you hate me.” Was there a third option? Because Joe felt like he was somewhere in between. He definitely didn’t like Valerie. She got under his skin like no one else. At the same time, there was a magnetism about her that kept drawing him in. Those eyes, those lips, even that temper. He wanted to grab her and kiss her just to shut her up.

“And if you hated me you wouldn’t be bothering with all this!”  Joe was barely even listening to her at this point.

He could feel his blood pumping; the adrenaline and anger mixing together to create a roar in ears that made it impossible to comprehend everything she was saying. He knew he was going to do it even as he counseled himself against it. He surprised himself with his sudden movement; he snatched her waist and pulled her into a hard kiss.

Immediately, she pushed him away. “What the hell!” she threw the remainder of her champagne in his face. Cooly, Joe wiped the liquid off his face with the sleeve.

“You told me to tell you!”

“Not like that!”

He stood glaring at her. She glared back, her now empty glass hanging pointlessly from her hand. There was nothing but silence between them, and the chirp of insects in the night sky. The faint sounds from the festivities inside filtered out but Joe and Valerie were completely in their own world, in a standoff.

Then suddenly, mutually, something shifted between them. Flaring rage turned to lust. Simultaneously they lunged for each other. Joe wrapped one arm around her waist, the other hungrily snaking up her thigh. Valerie’s fingers twisted in his hair, tugging at the thick, dark tendrils. He bit down on her lip as she pulled on his hair. Their kisses were messy and hungry; all the pent up anger and tension that had built up between them expressed in an intimate power struggle as they moved to devour each other.

“You drive me crazy,” Joe pulled away for breath.

Her lipstick was completely gone, its last traces staining her swollen mouth red. “I can’t stand you,” she retorted. He kissed her again, tangling her hand in her hair. Their pace slowed from the previous feverish speed to something more sensual without losing its fervor. Joe had her pressed against the building wall. His hands cupped her her jaw and slid down her throat. His mind was muddled with his detestation for this woman and the aching physical desire that was taking over him. She must have felt similarly as one hand pushed against his pelvis, as if warding him off, while the other dug fingernails into the nape of neck, forcing him in closer.

Once again they surfaced for air, this time taking time to really look at each other. The sound of their panting filled the space around them as her eyes searched his for some explanation.

“What’re we doing, Joe?” her voice was oddly vulnerable. Joe traced her jaw with a calloused thumb.

“I don’t know.” He pushed away from her and ran a hand through his tousled hair. Cold air entered the space where their bodies were previously connected. It sent a shiver through Valerie. “I don’t know,” Joe repeated.

He stepped back even further into the dark, his hand on his hips. He kicked a rock on the ground.

“You don’t like me,” Valerie said with the slight intonation of a question. Joe sucked his teeth. “And,” she continued slowly, “I don’t know if I like you.”

“I don’t know how I feel about you,” Joe said.

Valerie crossed her arms, her eyes bore into him. She was waiting for him to say something else, to offer a but. But it never came.

After a few unbearable minutes of silence she finally said, “I’m going back inside, Joe.” The patch of darkness he stood in was filled with a momentary field of light as she opened the door. Then, she was gone and Joe was alone in the darkness.

Joe did his best to avoid Valerie after that, but he felt her golden eyes on him in the mess hall. He wanted to provide her with answers, to tell her how he was feeling, but he didn’t know. He told himself there was a nothing to like about her - she was a pretentious kiss ass who seemed to have every guy wrapped around her finger. But he saw through her - he wasn’t going to fall for her like everyone else had.

Yet, she consumed his thoughts. All the pieces of love and hate swirled in his mind as he desperately tried to conceive a clear way to explain how he was feeling. He didn’t like her, but he might be falling in love with her. But even if he had realized this sooner, it still came too late.

In a matter of weeks she was stepping out with the dark haired guy she had hit it off with that night. He was a boring, strait laced guy, or at least that’s what Joe had gathered from Bill. The guys dullness was obvious. From what Joe witnessed, there was no fire between them. Not that it was his place to care, he reminded himself. Every time Joe saw them together he avoided her gaze. He knew he would see that look that was begging him to step in, to step up and interrupt this course she was on. But, as long as she was with this guy Joe had an excuse not to love her.

#hbo war #band of brothers #joe liebgott #joe liebgott x oc #fanfiction #BoB #hbo band of brothers #angst #heartbreak

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photochoco · 3 years

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First days are always the most hectic

Black Cauldron’s newest recruit learns the ropes. She hopes she isn’t in over her head!

---

Wisty had always loved sleeping late. In a world where the night was eternal, and the city had only colored lights to indicate the time, it was easy to lose track. They often would stay up until the deep purples of “night” would slowly gradate into the bright yellows of “daytime”. People more or less adhered to the idea that yellow was for doing things and being awake, and purple was for sleeping. Though Wisty had found that the city came alive during the purple hours in a way it didn’t when the lights were yellow. They themself worked better during purple hours. Ah, night life.

But if they looked out the window now, everything was just a muddled soup of values. Greys mixed together dully. Had they known this would happen, they would’ve appreciated it all a lot more.

It’d been several weeks since they’d been cursed, and everything had changed. Wisty had tried to go on with life as normal, but quickly realized that the old “normal” was not coming back. People stared at them, whispered and glared. Creating art had been immensely frustrating. And their friends…

It had all come to a head around the time of their birthday. Wisty always enjoyed throwing a party with all their buddies, and they were determined to make this year no exception. They’d gone all out, decorating with colorful streamers that they couldn’t see, balloons everywhere, and a cake they’d made themselves.

No one had shown up.They’d been so sure their curse didn’t matter to their friends. Apparently it mattered a lot. They had curled up on their bed and sobbed their guts out for what felt like hours. It hurt, not seeing any color. It hurt even more to know the people they’d considered their friends were so ready to just abandon them for being cursed. So what if their eyes were gaping black voids? So what if they occasionally leaked? So what if they hung out at Black Cauldron? So what if they hung out with cursed people? So what if they were cursed? So what? How could that matter so much?

I’d love to hang out but...y’know how my mom feels about curses and...yeah, I don’t wanna argue with her-

Uh...what if the witch comes back…? They have tracking magic and stuff so...I don’t know-

Ergh...last time you hugged me, your eye goop got all over my clothes. I still haven’t gotten the stains out. Sorry but that’s just too messed up-

It smells really weird, like chemicals? You sure it isn’t poisonous? Yeesh-

The cake had been shoved into the fridge, but Wisty couldn’t find it in them to tear down the decorations. So they threw on a hoodie and went for a walk.

It was very embarrassing when, as they wandered around with swollen red eyelids and tear streaks on their cheeks, they ran into Dex by chance. His perpetual grin slipped as he noticed their tears, and very easily got them to say why. Wisty tried to brush it off as not being a big deal, which was very obviously a lie.

An ice cream and 30 minutes later, and Dex had insisted Wisty come with him to Black Cauldron. Something about Ela wanting to speak with Wisty about something.

What awaited them through those doors was the last thing they’d expected; a surprise party thrown together just for them. Dex, the sly nerd, had told everyone what happened. Said Wisty would not be going to bed without having a party to celebrate their birthday.

Well. After they’d managed to finally stop crying over the touching gesture, Wisty was treated to an admittedly last-minute but nonetheless wonderful party with all the Cadets. Some of them had even gone out and bought them small gifts. At the end of it all, Wisty went home happily, with a full stomach and a camera roll full of memories. These people barely knew them, yet dropped everything to give them a shotgun party. It was enough for them to finally make up their mind.

After the party, Wisty approached Ela with their answer. They wanted to become a Cadet. The new couple weeks were filled with visits to BC to meet with Ela and Harvey. Today marked the day of their orientation, and their stomach fluttered with nerves. They couldn’t really imagine themselves out there fighting yet, but the prospect of it was weirdly exciting. And it gave them something to do while they figured out what to do with their artist career. Sitting in their apartment fighting off a creeping emptiness wasn’t going to help.

They put on their headphones, tugged their hair out from behind and gave it a flip for good measure before looking themself over in the mirror. Perfect, coordinated, adorable. Wisty adjusted their headphones and took a deep breath, forcing themself to keep looking when all they wanted to do was shut their eyes.

You are okay.

In front of their apartment complex, Wisty wrestled on their roller blades, selected some music, and took off. The breeze as they skated along eased their mind some, and their favorite tunes in their ears eased it more.

They wondered if Harvey had finished designing it yet.

---

The bustling of activity in the bar of Black Cauldron was the same as always, Cadets walking around and chatting with each other. Everyone stopped though, at the sound of something banging into the front door. A few moments later, the door swung open and Wisty practically tumbled through the threshold, a pair of roller blades in her hand.

“Ack, sorry! Didn’t mean to run into the door like that.”

“Now that’s what I call an entrance,” Bianca giggled, giving a wave. “You ready for your first day?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be!” Wisty said, raising her arms in a stretch. “I’m like, both nervous AND excited?”

A tall mage in a bunny mask rounded the corner, a giant calligraphy pen in his hands. “Ah, perfect. I just finished the final adjustments to your weapon. Here.” Harvey held it out with both hands. Its tip gleamed of newly polished brass. Its long body was black and smooth as Wisty took it in her hands. It was-

“It’s perfect!” she squealed in her excitement. Harvey gave a satisfied nod.

“Aaaand here are your ink canisters. I took the liberty of filling them up for you already. And here are the colors in powder form, just add water. Once you run out I can make more for you. And the colors are in the order you requested so you can easily pick them without seeing the hue. There should be enough ink to last you a whole fight, but don’t y’know, go painting the entire city.”

Wisty hugged her pen and ink pack tightly to her chest like a child being gifted a new toy. “I love it I love it I love it thankyouthankyouthank youuuuuuu!!” she exclaimed, hopping up and down. She hurriedly clipped the ink canisters to the back of her belt before doing the same to her pen across her back. “How do I look?” she asked with a twirl.

Harvey’s bunny mask was stuck in a perpetual grin, but Wisty could glean from his body language that he was quite pleased with his handiwork. “You look ready for your first day! You’ll get a chance to try ‘em out today during your sparring.”

“My what?”

“Sparring!” Bianca appeared out of nowhere and slung an arm around Wisty’s neck. “You said you don’t have a whole lot of fighting experience yeah? Plus like Harvey said, you’ll totally wanna try out your weapon before heading out there, see whatcha can do!”

“Okay…” Wisty said slowly. “But who am I gonna be sparring?”

It was then that she was lifted bodily off the ground by an enormous hand, which wrapped around her middle as easily as if she were a doll.

“That would be me, cupcake. You should get a feel for what it’ll be like fighting powerful enemies with a lot of physical strength.”

“As ya probably know, ghouls are usually witch cronies, doin’ their dirty work. Not the smartest, but really damn strong,” Bianca added.

“...Did you just call Pinprick stupid? That’s not very nice!”

“Oh no, cupcake, she is mostly right. Being turned into a ghoul scrambled my brains, hehehe,” Pinprick replied with a wide smile.

Wisty paused to consider this. “...Still! Be nicer to yourself! I’m fairly sure you’re not stupid.”

“My oh my, what a sweet cupcake you are! But no time for chatter, we must be off to the sparring spot!”

“Oh cool!” Wisty looked down to be put down. “Where is it?”

“Near the outskirts of the city,” Pinprick replied as he squeezed through the small doorframe.

“Are we gonna walk then? You don’t hafta carry me, I got functional legs!”

“Nope! No walkin’,” Bianca said, walking up behind them and jumping onto Pinprick’s other arm, balancing herself against his shoulder.

“Rooftop hopping is much faster. Observe!” Pinprick bent his legs.

“WhaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA--”

---

“Here we are!” Pinprick chirped, setting a very windswept Wisty down on the ground.

Well, that was another form of travel she could check off the list. Bianca hopped off Pinprick’s back and tossed a bracelet to the newbie.

“All Cadets carry these bracelets,” Pinprick explained. “They’re a magic disrupter, placing them on witches or ghouls disrupts their flow of magic to incapacitate them. But of course, they don’t always do the job, so you all need to know how to fight. That one is just a dummy bracelet of course, completely harmless.”

“Oh, okay,” Wisty said, turning it over in her hands. “So I just gotta snap the bracelet on you?”

Bianca and Pinprick exchanged a glance and a mischievous grin, with the former shoving her hands in her pockets and backing up. Way up.

“Get that bracelet on me, and we can call it a day. Unless you get it on real quick though!” the ghoul snickered.

Wisty unclipped her pen and spun it. “Oof, you don’t have to worry about that. I haven’t done a lot of fighting, remember.”

“Chin up, cupcake, back straight! Cuz here I come.”

“Ok so what--” Her words were cut off as Pinprick’s arm shot towards her at an alarming speed. “ShiT!!” Wisty barely had time to dodge out of the way, one of Pinprick’s fingers clipping her cheek.

Geezus, he’s fast!! She hopped backwards, trying to gain some distance between them. He lunged towards her again, arm outstretched to grab her. Gripping her pen, Wisty rammed it against his arm, knocking it off course. Undeterred, the rest of Pinprick caught up like a released rubberband. His massive hand swiped through the air; Wisty flipped out of the way in a backwards handspring, her foot kicking his claws away. They felt remarkably like rubber. Her sense of gravity was then thrown sideways as she slipped on her pen. She let out a sharp squawk as she landed roughly on her side.

She barely had time to feel even an inkling of embarrassment before she was slammed into the ground and pinned there by his other hand.

“Not a bad start, cupcake. But you’re gonna have to do better than that,” Pinprick crooned.

Wisty wheezed. “HhHhhhffffiiiihhhhhhhhne- Le’go please my lungs ack-”

Pinprick let her go and she stood up, wincing. Dude could pack a punch.

“Impressive maneuvers! But didn’t you just say you don’t have any fighting experience?”

Wisty swung her leg out to the side. “Gymnastics. And maybe like a month’s worth of self-defense classes while I was in high school. But that’s it.” She gripped her weapon in her hands, tightly this time.

“Ready? Again.” He lunged.

She dodged and slid underneath him, bashing the end of her pen into where she thought the back of his knee was. She must’ve struck true; the giant ghoul kneeled with a small grunt. Wisty yelped in surprise as his entire upper half pivoted to face her.

“Surprise!”

Wisty barely managed to bend out of the way of his swipe. Noticing the ridges on his arm, she grabbed one and swung herself up onto his shoulders. Pinprick bucked, trying to throw her off. She impulsively grabbed the first thing she could, his hair. It was as hard as plastic and hard to keep a grip on.

“Sorry! Sorryyyyyyyy!” she yelped as she reached for the bracelet.

Her apology was answered by Pinprick grabbing her ankle and yanking her off. Upside-down, she could see Bianca ambling up to the scene, a burger in her hand.

“Howzit goin’?” she asked.

Wisty let out a loud groan of frustration. “I’ve been getting my ass kicked!! SO! I’ve come to the conclusion that I will absolutely die if I go fight anything,” she grumbled as she dangled from Pinprick’s hand. He snickered in response.

“Hey, don’t feel too bad, this is only a baseline! Imagine how good you’ll be after me ‘n Nate ‘n Dex have taught ya!” Bianca said.

“Hopefully it’ll be a less shameful display than this,” Wisty replied as Pinprick idly swung her from side to side like a pendulum. “I kinda thought I was gonna learn how to fight. I know I shouldn’t be complainin’, it’s very nice of you two to take time out of your day to help me, but is this the best way to go about it when I haven’t ever fought before?”

“Here at BC, we believe in learning on the job!” Bianca replied, licking remnants of ketchup off her fingers. “We are not gonna let you go out there until you feel confident enough you can hold your own, so don’t worry.”

Pinprick gently set Wisty on the ground. “Ready whenever you are, love,” he grinned widely.

“I yield.” Wisty’s legs were far past beginning to wobble. Now she could hardly keep herself upright. Pinprick was not only stupidly fast, but stupidly powerful. He absorbed all of her attacks like they were nothing and dished out brutal counters one after the other. Wisty had been reduced to blocking and dodging, Pinprick never letting up for even a moment. She didn’t even have enough time to grab an ink canister. At least she could safely say she was better at avoiding attacks now. Her lungs burned with heavy breaths and her arms ached from swinging her pen around. Goddamn inertia.

Pinprick raised his hands again in preparation, grinning still. “We’re only getting started, love!”

“C-Could we take a break or something? I’m frickin’ exhausted and haven’t landed a solid hit on you once!”

“Of course we can stop! After you get the bracelet on. That was the agreement sweetheart, don’t back out on me now.”

“Ugh c’moooon. You have no mercyyyyy.” Wisty forced herself to stand up straight.

“What’s happening?”

Bianca turned and gave a nod of greeting to Dex, who had strolled up to the scene and was now watching with interest.

“The newbie is getting broken in,” she said, cringing as Pinprick sent Wisty flying again. “I think she’s doing...okay…”

Dex smirked. “Sure doesn’t look like it, hehe.”

“Hey, go easy on her dude, she just started today! I’ve been watching the whole time, I can tell you she’s gotten a lot better already. Aw geez,” Bianca winced as Pinprick threw a punch that caught Wisty on her right cheek, resulting in her swearing loudly.

“Remember your safe word!” Dex shouted to her.

“My WHAT? PINPRICK YOU CHEATER, YOU NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THAT!!”

The ghoul only cackled in response. “You never asked about it, cupcake!”

“OF COURSE I DIDN’T, I’M NEW HERE! YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO TELL ME!” Wisty screeched.

As Pinprick rushed her again, she didn’t wait. This time she lurched to meet him, slamming the butt of her pen into the ground and using it to jump up to his height, landing an impressive high-kick on his chin that actually got a grunt of pain out of him.

“Close!!” Dex shouted. “Keep trying--oof, that looked like it hurt.”

Pinprick had slugged Wisty full force in the torso, her pen caught in between his fist and her stomach. It seemed to absorb much of the impact, but it wasn’t enough to keep the girl from slamming into the ground hard and skidding several yards away where she collided with some boxes. Dust flew everywhere.

“I’ll go get the nurse bed ready,” Bianca sighed, turning to head back to Black Cauldron. “Hey Dex, if it looks like Pin is getting a bit too into it, make sure he doesn’t punch Wisty into nonexistence. He’ll feel horrible if he accidentally hurts her really bad.”

Was Pinprick just that strong? Or did she just suck that bad? Wisty coughed on the clouds of dust filling the air and tasted the sharp tang of iron in her mouth. She spat onto the concrete, a gob of red. She could feel more on her tongue and dripping from her mouth. Her pen hadn’t broken, (thank you Harvey), but having it rammed into her gut fucking huuuuuuuuuuuuurt. What if she couldn’t get the bracelet on? What if she never got better at this? Her vision swam and she felt ink dripping from her face again.

Wisty grit her teeth and bit back a snarl. No. This was her first day. She’d get better, she’d get way better. And she was going to get that fucking bracelet on! She could do this!

“So...hff...that’s how it’s gonna be, huh…? Fine. Fine. You want me to play rough, I’ll do that.”

She reached behind herself to her ink cartridges. One, two, perfect.

“Yo Pinprick! Did you kill ‘em, man?!” Dex called to his comrade.

“Ahoho, I certainly hope not, we were having so much fun!”

Before he could say anything more, though, a thin jet of orange ink fired from the dust cloud. The instant it made contact with the ground, a huge explosion blossomed outward.

“HOLY MOLY!!!” Dex hollered as Pinprick skidded backwards, blinking in surprise.

“Oho, it seems the newbie has a few tricks up her sleeve! Good, good!” he laughed.

The dust was settling, and now he could see Wisty standing with her shoulders hunched and her face twisted with a determined scowl. Black liquid was oozing from both her eyes, making her look quite frightening. A canister full of green liquid was clutched in her hand, Dex and Pinprick watched as she tipped it back and took a swig of the ink inside before wiping her mouth on the back of her hand and grabbing another canister. This one she shoved into her pen.

But she didn’t make a move yet, panting.

“Oh come now love, you can’t be that tired already! You’re leaving yourself...wide! Open!” Pinprick sprinted forward and thrust his left arm out. Wisty swiftly jumped to the side, his right, and he attempted to grab her again, this time with his right hand. She ducked again, resulting in both Pinprick's hands smashing into the wall, sending pieces of brick flying.

Wisty took aim with her pen, and fired. Black ink streamed from the tip and coated Pinprick’s hands. His first instinct was to tug--

And they didn’t budge. The ink was like tar.

“What in the--” White ink spattered the wall and a blinding light filled his vision. He grunted and squeezed his eyes shut against the stinging illumination. When it faded, he swiveled his head round looking for Wisty-

And caught her out of the corner of his eye sprinting towards him. With a mighty heave, he wretched his right arm free of the ink to deal another devastating blow-

In the blink of an eye, Wisty had taken a mighty leap, vaulting herself upwards using Pinprick’s shoulders. As she shot up into the air, twisting, she aimed the nib of her pen downwards into his face.

“Boom.”

Orange ink streamed. Pinprick was caught in a huge explosion. Dex shielded his face as the heat wave slammed into him.

“Jeezus God, what the hell did Harvey put in those inks??” he muttered to himself.

As the smoke cleared, he could see Pinprick, still standing, his hands free from the black ink, but looking significantly more banged up.

“Yeowzers,” Dex trotted up next to the ghoul to get a closer look at the damage. “That was pretty awesome. Might cause some property damage, though.”

“But really, when don’t we cause just a little property damage?” Pinprick pointed out, dusting himself off.

“Wait...where’d Wisty go?”

“Hmm...did she get blown away from the explosion…?” Pinprick mused. “She was right--”

A stream of bright yellow ink hit his back, and his entire frame spasmed as electricity coursed through him. His body was knocked to the ground as Wisty dropped down from above onto him. Dex barely managed to jump out of the way with a squawk.

“You--little--” Pinprick hissed through gritted teeth, but the girl had a firm grip as she snapped the bracelet around his neck, fighting against her shaking arms as the shocks spread up them.

“Friggin...got it...Geezus…” she huffed.

She slid off Pinprick as he straightened himself up, wincing, yet looking very pleased.

“Well well well, color me surprised, cupcake! What a way to show off what some of those colors can do.”

“Hehe,” Wisty grinned sheepishly, her legs quaking. She tried to take a step forward, but stumbled, opting to lean on her pen for support.

“Tell me, what was that green ink for?”

“Healing. It -huff hff- can heal wounds if applied topically like a- hff- salve. Or you can drink it to- help with something internal.” Her smile looked a little pained. “I guess I’ll be using it a lot, eh?”

Pinprick suddenly looked rather worried, his smile dropping and his brow creasing. “Oh no...I must’ve hit you a little too hard, huh? I’m sorry about that, sometimes I can forget my own strength.”

“D-Don’t apologize! It was really hard, sure, but it was necessary right? You said it yourself, ghouls are scary strong! So if I was able to take you down, then I should be okay with practice! Plus, y’know,” she scratched the back of her head. “I did kinda electrocute you. And make you explode. Twice.”

Pinprick had to nod in agreement with that, his grin returning. “You were quite clever to coax me into getting my hands stuck to the wall. And that light! I couldn’t see a thing.”

“I know I got here like halfway through, but you were pretty impressive out there, rookie,” Dex piped up. “Pretty fast, too. And usin’ your opponent’s size and physical features to your advantage with those twisty moves? You might give even witches a run for their money with smarts like that. But for now, howsabout we call it a day? You look like you’re gonna collapse. Your cheek ain’t lookin so good either.”

Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, throbbing aches began to make themselves known all over Wisty’s body. Her right cheek really, really hurt, and she gingerly pressed her fingers against it, wincing as the swollen flesh protested.

“You two got pretty banged up. How about we head back to BC to getcha patched up?” Dex jerked his thumb back to his bike, which was parked nearby.

“Do forgive me for goin’ so hard on you cupcake. Needed to make sure you were prepared; out there, it could be even more dangerous.” Pinprick reached out and ruffled Wisty’s hair, wiggling her whole head back and forth.

“Oh c’mon Pin, I’m a hugger! Gimme one!”

Pinprick chuckled and picked the girl up with one arm, giving her a squeeze.

“You did very well today! See ya back at BC, cupcake. And you too, Dex,” Pinprick wiggled his fingers in farewell.

“Awwwww C’mon Pin, aren’t I a cupcake too?” Dex asked, his puppy-dog voice belied by the shit-eating grin on his face.

“Absolutely not! Go on now, I’ll see you two back there!” With a mighty leap, Pinprick was off, hopping from roof to roof with ease. Within no time at all he was out of sight. Wisty slumped.

“Urgh, I barely hurt him at all. Look at him doin’ parkour shit while I can barely stand--” Right on cue, her legs buckled. She was saved by Dex, who swooped down and grabbed her under the arms.

“Tracy will get you all fixed in no time. Pinprick only went so hard on you because he felt you had potential you were holding back. His method of bringing it out is to hit as hard as he can, hehe. You seem promising, rookie. I’ll have to be extra careful when we fight.”

“You use GUNS.”

“In the field! Sparring I use blanks. And my lithe body.”

Wisty burst out laughing as Dex helped her to the bike. “You guys are merciless! I don’t wanna do anything until I’m not hurting everywhere.”

“Nothin’ a lil magic n’ a hot bath can’t fix. Aight, get on the back,” Dex said, turning the key in the ignition. “DeeDee likes to go fast, so you might wanna hold on.”

“Okay...uh where…” Wisty hesitantly gripped Dex’s shoulders.

“Here we go!” The bike flared to life and Dex squeezed the handle.

The inertia as they took off was unexpected and Wisty had to momentarily throw her arms around Dex’s middle to keep from tumbling off the back. But soon enough her hands were back to his shoulders as they drove along, buildings and power lines passing by in a blur.

It was exhilarating.

“Not too fast for ya, newbie?”

“It’s awesome! I love going fast!”

“Heh, hang on then!”

Wisty closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose, lost in the feeling of the wind as they drove along. This was giving her an idea for…

She opened her eyes.

Ah. Right.

What she would’ve given to see what this all looked like in color. The blurred buildings. The bright moon. Dex’s scarf as it fluttered and danced behind them. He had told her it was red, but what shade of red? What shade were her inks? What if she forgot the colors she knew? Her mouth twisted as tears again stung her eyes. Not that any would fall, the wind was drying them up.

“Hey just so ya know, you might wanna actually hang on to my middle or else you’ll fall off!” Dex called over his shoulder.

“What?” Wisty shouted back right before they went over a bump. She yelped and clung to Dex again. He snorted.

“Soooooo, have you thought about partnering up with anyone?” he asked her.

“Uh...no, not really.”

“Would you like to? Newbies usually tend to, though I don’t think Alphus ever did, heh.”

“I dunno. I mean, I...” The truth was, she’d love to partner up with someone. Like Bianca and Pinprick. They’d been the ones to save her, and she’d gotten pretty attached to them both. After she’d been cursed, it felt like everyone she once had in her life had left. Her friends abandoned her, people she’d known for years. Even now, it was a stubborn ache in her chest that wasn’t going away yet. And BC...the Cadets had taken her in immediately, even when she wasn’t yet sure if she wanted to join. They accepted her, curse, quirks, all of it. They’d given her friendship and comfort.

She wanted to partner up with someone. She’d known these people for such a short time, and each of them had undoubtedly gone through their own horrible shit. Some of them more so than others. Ghouls weren’t seen as people. People without souls were surely damaged and sad to others. People whose eyes reflected no light and oozed black ink were creepy.

Her grip tightened. If Dex noticed, he didn’t say anything as he rounded a corner hard, tires screeching.

“Y’know, you should really wear a helmet, especially driving like this!”

“Naaahhhh, I’m too cool for one!”

“No one is too cool for head safety, my dude.”

“This hair is!”

He weaved easily in and through the crowd. Wisty could see people staring as they flew by. What a strange pair they must look, a boy with glowing white eyes and a girl with black voids for hers. If they could even see them. A couple of freaks, huh?

Couple of freaks.

Those weirdos at Black Cauldron...you’ve been hanging out with them? They’re all freaks!

A smile suddenly found itself creeping across Wisty’s lips.

All freaks? Huh? Well if we can accept each other regardless, then I'll be a freak too.

“...Hehehe.”

Wisty stood up suddenly, her arms spread wide.

“Whooooooo!!!”

“Wisty SIT DOWN! You’re gonna fall off!”

“My balance is really good!”

Luckily for her, and Dex’s blood pressure, a street lined by trees with low-hanging branches forced her to remain seated for the rest of the ride. Her little burst of excitement had sapped the last of her energy, and Wisty rested her cheek against Dex’s back. She felt really tired. Happy. Veeeeeery sore. She closed her eyes, listening to the sounds of the city as they whizzed past.

Tired...

“Alright, we’re here. Hopefully Bianca has that nurse bed ready.” Dex came to a smooth stop in front of the staircase leading up to Black Cauldron. “Let’s get you to Tracy. ... ...Hello? Kiddo?”

He now became aware of Wisty’s weight slumped against his back. He twisted his head round to look back at her. She was fast asleep.

Dex sighed and chuckled to himself. “Damn, you’re really gonna make me carry you up all those stairs? Guess this is what I get for teasing you about the safe word. Hyup-”

With no small amount of effort, Dex hoisted the sleeping teen onto his back and began the trek up the stairs. Wisty let out a soft snore.

---

Unexpectedly, it's a kind of future like that.

#and then Wisty slept for 44 years #my writing #fic #story #stories #skz #skullkidz #out in the field #wisteria #wisty #dex put a helmet on

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theblackandgold-series · 5 years

Text

The Prince and The Boy (7)

Chapter 7: Talk 2 U

A College AU

Texas Southern University (Houston, TX)

Ship: Chiron Harris x Erik Stevens

Warning(s): none

Song Playing In The Car

Erik is great at many things and procrastination is definitely one of them considering he was supposed to leave to meet up with Khalil for warm up 10 minutes ago. An incoming call from Khalil interrupts Erik’s frenzied state.

“Nigga where the hell you at? Coach is lookin’ for you. You were supposed to be here a while ago. ”

“I’m on my way, just give me a mi—“. Another call, this time from Shuri on his kimoyo beads, interrupts him yet again. “Man what the fuck do y’all want?” Erik brooded, “I got shit to do.” He raises his phone back to his ear, “Look, Imma be there. Just give me a few more minutes.” He hangs up with Khalil and answers his beads , “What’s up cuzzo?”

“N’Jadaka! How are you? I haven’t heard from you in a while.”

“I know, I’ve been busy. What’s up? How’s auntie?”

“She’s doing well; so is T’Challa. Speaking of mother,” Shuri quickly changed the subject, “she told me that you made a new friend.”

“A new friend, huh?” Erik chuckles, “Yeah, she be telling all my business.”

Erik walks out of the door with his stuff in his hand and heads to meet his teammates, all while continuing to talk to his cousin, who, just like her mother, wanted to know all about Chi. “Soooo, are you going to tell me about this ‘friend of yours?”

“What do you want to know about him?” Erik smiles, thinking about Chi as he drives to practice.

“Well, mother already told me his name, so what’s he like? Is he as wild as you?”

“Nah, he ain’t wild like me. you gotta chill on me lil cuz, but he’s chill. Real quiet, runs track. I don't know what else to tell you about him.”

Erik pulls into the gym parking lot, quickly grabbing his things and rushing out of the car, still continuing his conversation with Shuri.

“I mean he real shy, so I’m not trying to push him into anything, but he knows how I feel about him. He had a bad relationship so he’s not sure, which I understand. When things are back on track and we get to know each other more, y’all can meet him.” There’s a brief pause as Erik tries to end the conversation with Shuri since he’s getting closer to the gym. “But hey, I have a game to get ready for, tell everyone I love them and I’ll call you tomorrow or something.” He hangs up on the beads, Shuri barely getting her “goodbye” out.

Erik walks in the building, rushing to where his team is. He only gets a few seconds until he’s getting greeted by various teammates and eventually makes his way to Khalil. “What took your ass so long, man?”

“Sorry, I got caught up on the phone with my cousin.”

“Don’t let it happen again, Stevens,” his coach scolded him as he walks past. Erik nods in acknowledgement and turns back to Khalil.

“You sure that’s all that held you up,” Khalil questions lowly so only Erik can hear. “What you mean?”

“I thought that maybe,” Khalil continues “that Chi might’ve texted you or something.”

“Nah, I keep checking my phone for him,” Erik admits, “but I was just talking to my family.” Khalil nods, lightly tapping Erik on the arm, “Hey, he’ll call eventually.”

Erik just gives a shrug “Look man, it is what it is. It’d be great if he calls, but it’s not much I can do at this point.”

Erik brushes the conversation off and focuses on this game tonight. He can’t stress about Chi right now.

Erik and Khalil start talking about other non-Chi related things, when Erik’s attention is pulled away when he hears his name being called from across the locker room “Stevens!”. His head snaps toward where his name came from and finds his teammate, Sean. Erik looks over to him, “What you want nigga?”

Erik never really got along with Sean due to his cockiness, which leads to frequent arguments on and off the field about his ways, but Sean wasn’t changing for anyone.

“I just wanted to say ‘good luck’, nigga. Damn.”

“You too, nigga” Erik nods with not a bit of sincerity, and goes back to what he was doing.

As Sean walks off, Khalil speaks up again “Yo, I heard something about him the other day.”

”Who?”

“Sean. Apparently him and some dude had a thing and he played him.”

Erik doesn’t really think anything of it, only adding “Sounds about right. That nigga ain’t no good.”

After an intense game ending in victory, Erik talks to Khalil and one of his other teammates, Chance, as they all file back into the locker room. Slowly, everyone starts to leave until its just Erik and Khalil left.

“I’m bout to head out,” Khalil tells Erik as he grabs his bag and starts towards the door, “You comin?”

“Yeah, man. Give me a second.”

Chance walks back in, wondering why the pair is taking so long. “What y’all niggas doing?”

“We walking out, bro.” Erik gets up, grabs his bags and they start to leave.

As they’re walking towards the door, they see Chi walking up and give a small wave.

“Hi,” he looks directly at Erik, “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

Erik's face lights up, “Yeah, yeah, of course we can talk.” He turns to Khalil and Chance. “I’ll catch up with y’all later.” Khalil and Chance smirk to each other as they walk to their cars.

After they leave, Erik gives his full attention to Chi. “So...how are you?”

“I’m good. How’re you?”

“Better now that you’re here.” Erik’s flirtatiousness never took a break. They might not have spoken for a minute, but he still missed Chi. He especially missed how he made Chi nervous in a good way; his shyness made him even more adorable. Chi smiles and Erik’s reminded of how much he missed that pretty ass smile, too.

“Good game tonight by the way” Chi snaps out of his daze just taking the sight of Erik in.

“Thank you, I appreciate it. Thank you for coming tonight.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” There’s a slight pause before Erik continues, “So...what did you want to talk about?”

“Us,” Chi responds boldly. “I figured,” Erik breathed, “What about us exactly?” Erik doesn’t show it, but he’s bracing himself for the worst. If Chi calls this whole thing off, he has to be ready for it.

Chi begins to speak as he leads Erik out of the building and out into the parking lot, “I took some time out to think about us, and what you said the last you came over after the date” Chi begins. “Okay,” Erik mumbles cautiously.

“And I think,” Chi continues “I finally figured it out.”

They stop in front of Erik’s car. “I do want this. I’m nervous, but I’m sure that I want this” Chi says, as they walk to Erik’s car.

Erik lets out a breath he didn’t know that he was holding. “Well that’s good, because I still want this, too. There is one thing I want to get straight if we are gonna do this, though.” Chi gets worried. This was going good, so what did Erik want to talk about?

“I wanna make sure that this doesn’t happen again.” Chi’s confused for a second before Erik continues. “I’m not talking about you needing space, that’s fine, I’m talking about us communicating. I know I said something about it before, but I just wanna be clear: if this is gonna work, we need complete honesty. That means telling me when something’s bothering you. It’s also means trusting me to tell you things. I’m not the type to hide things.”

Chi nods. He realizes him shutting down when he’s not sure about things or he’s upset isn’t going to work this time. If things are going to be different with Erik, he has to be different.

Chi catches movement out of the corner of his eye over Erik’s shoulder.

It’s Sean, making his way over to him and Erik.

He walks over and addresses Erik first, dapping him up, which Erik reluctantly returns. “Proud of you nigga. Keep it up E.” Hand still clasped with Erik’s, he winks at Chi, “How you doin’, Chiron?” He smirks, drops Erik’s hand, and walks away. Erik’s eyes boring into his back until he disappears He looks back to Chi “What was that?

Chi’s playing with his keys, avoiding Erik’s eyes, “That’s my ex.”

Erik’s shaking his head. It all makes sense now. Erik’s thinking “I knew I didn’t like that nigga for a reason.”

“Yeah, his attitude is terrible,” Chi says rolling his eyes which land on his shoes, not wanting to make eye contact with Erik after what just happened.

“Hey, I don’t wanna talk about that nigga. We talking about us.” Erik holds Chi’s hands to stop him playing with his keys. “Ok.” Chi’s voice is soft. Erik unlocks his car and puts his stuff inside.

“Let’s sit in the car and talk” Erik offers. Erik, ever the gentleman, open Chi’s door for him, then walks to the driver’s side to get in himself. As soon as the door closes, he turns his body towards Chi.

“Everything I said after our first date and now, I mean it. I'm so serious, I want this and I'm not gon do you like he did. You deserve more than that. You gotta let me in, though.”

Chi gives him a small nod and another quiet “Okay”. He’s ready to try, he’s ready to try and let go of all the past pain because if the future looked anything like Erik, then that seemed pretty good to him.

“Okay?” Erik wants to hear Chi louder.

“Okay” Chi’s a little louder so Erik can hear him, with a teasingly exasperated tone “I hear you” Chi looks over to Erik.

Erik reaches over to hold Chi’s hand. “So what’s next for us?” Chi asks. He’s never really had this conversation before.

Erik’s playing with Chi’s hand as he answers him, “More communication, more spending time together.” Erik looks to him.

“I like the sound of both of those things.”

There’s a comfortable silence as they just stare at each other. They both start to lean in, but Erik closes the gap. Chi’s tenses up at first, but quickly eases into the kiss

He allows himself to fully give into the kiss, trying to convey to Erik through the kiss that he’s willing to give this relationship a real shot and that he wasn’t going to run away. Not this time.

Chi pulls away first, smiling at Erik. “I'm gonna hold you to everything you’ve said.”

“I got you, Chi” Erik smirks at him.

After almost two hours of them sitting, talking and smiling at each other, Chi starts to get out of the car. Erik stop him before he can fully open the door. “Hold up, you think Ima just let you walk to your car”

“What, you gon take me over there?”

Erik looks at him like it should be obvious. “yeah, now get back in” Erik motions for him to get in. Chi settles back into the car, “Thank you.”

“No problem.” Erik turns his music back up and pulls off.

Music comes through the speakers. Erik’s vibing and Chi’s riding with his eyes closed, thinking back to the kiss. Even with Sean he never felt anything like that, it always felt forced. He felt at ease with Erik.

They pull up to Chi’s car too quickly for either of their likings, so they continue to sit for a minute, not wanting the moment to end. Erik’s sitting with his seat back as they talk some more and continue to listen to music. Finally, they both decide that the night has come to an end. “Ima call you later tonight” Erik looks over to Chi, that seductive smirk still on his face.

“I'll be up,” Chi grins.

“Say less.” Erik’s enjoying the new courage Chi has found. It’s enough for him to flirt back and Erik can’t wait to see what else the newfound courage will lead Chi to do.

Chi makes the first move this time, leaning in with Erik meeting him halfway. Their lips stay locked until they have to come up for air. Erik wraps his arms around him, hugging him. Erik pecks his lips one last time. “Text me when you get home.”

Chi has to stop himself from saying “okay” for the 30th time. “I will. You’ll answer, right?”

“Of course, I got you.” Erik grabs his hand and squeezes it, “I always text you back” Erik laughs. Everyone else knows he’s a terrible texter but for Chi, he makes sure to respond.

“Ima go, but I’ll be up when you call.” Chi finally gets out of the car gets into his. Erik watches as he drives off before going home himself. He spends the whole ride home thinking about Chi, the smile not coming off of his face once.

Once he gets home he showers and changes real quick. Once he’s in bed he calls Chi and they end up talking the rest of the night about them, school, and other things that come to mind. Before he hangs up, Erik remembers seeing that Kendrick Lamar will be in Houston soon and has a date idea in mind.

“Hey, so next weekend I’m free and Kendrick’s coming to Houston. Do you want to go with me? I’ll pay for the tickets and everything, it ain’t no issue for me.” Erik beamed excitedly, not waiting for Chi’s answer before he continues. “We can get something to eat before a chill around the city. Whatever you want.”

Chi’s loving it. Just being able to see someone being so happy at the thought of spending time with him was amazing. “Sounds good to me.”

“Cool, it’s a date,” Erik yawns as he sets the date.

“You tired?” Chi guesses, rubbing his own eyes as he lays in bed.

“Yeah, I need some sleep. I’ve been busy all day” the night’s game finally catching up with him, zapping all of his energy. “Good night, Erik.”

“Good night, Chi. You gon sit with me in class monday, right?” Chi laughs. “Yeah, I am.”

Erik smiles, “Aight, I’ll talk to you later.”

tags: @wakandas-vibranium @bartierbakarimobisson@randomwordprompts@storibambino@theultimateblacknerdwithglasses@stressedgyal @great-neckpectations @wakandan-flowerz@blackgirloneshots @panthergoddessbast@maya-leche@texasbama @killmongerdispussy @yaachtynoboat711 @hearteyes-for-killmonger@erikaintdead @blackmissmarvel @blackpantherislife @awkwardlyabstract @blowmymbackout @forbeautyandlife @babygirlofwakanda @theunsweetenedtruth @icedcawfee @killmongersgurl @babybluepeaches @eriknutinthispoosy @vikkidc @killmoncoochie@nicknameiskittie @onyour-right @hidden-treasures21 @afro-royalty @hazzasunrise

#erik killmonger fic #Erik Killmonger #moonlight x black panther #chiron x Erik #killmonger fic #Chiron Harris #erik stevens #black panther fanfiction

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commentaryvorg · 4 years

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Danganronpa V3 Commentary: Part 5.12

Be aware that this is not a blind playthrough! This will contain spoilers for the entire game, regardless of the part of the game I’m commenting on. A major focus of this commentary is to talk about all of the hints and foreshadowing of events that are going to happen and facts that are going to be revealed in the future of the story. It is emphatically not intended for someone experiencing the game for their first time.

Last time in chapter 5’s investigation, Shuichi spent all of it constantly telling himself Kaito might not be dead in a desperate attempt to cover up the fact that he subconsciously believes he is, Monokuma was eager to watch the investigation so he could figure things out himself, the antidote bottles in Shuichi’s lab delightfully told the story of Maki’s utter panic last night, Shuichi stubbornly kept looking for missed evidence of Kaito’s survival rather than accept the alternative and found some which really didn’t prove it nearly as much as he told himself it did, Maki was steeling herself to get all her friends killed, and Shuichi was determined to prove his best friend is still alive.

Now, the trial! This one’s going to take several more posts than any trial before it, even trial 4. I hope you’re ready, because I sure am.

Keebo: “We don’t need your rules anymore! We’ll find our own reasons to live!”

We never needed his rules in the first place, Keebo. You are still just spouting the vaguely heroic-sounding bullshit your inner voice wants you to.

Monokuma: “Wow! An actual talking robot! I’ve never seen one of those before!”

I like how Monokuma is basically lampshading the fact that Keebo has only just started becoming properly relevant to the narrative.

Maki: “What happened to Kokichi? Why isn’t he here?”

Monokuma: “Aw, don’t make that face, killer.”

It has to hurt that Monokuma calls her that, given what she thinks she did. And Monokuma knows it, too; even if he didn’t see the antidote situation, he did see who shot who with the crossbows.

Monokuma: “Given these circumstances… I decided to start off this class trial while the victim is still anonymous! After all, it’d be a shame if I let such a rare opportunity go to waste!”

Aaaaand Kokichi’s plan is still just playing into Monokuma’s hands and giving him more of an excuse to make things as uniquely entertaining as possible, which is exactly what he wants and exactly what Kokichi knew he wants. What an idiot.

Everyone is quick to assert that obviously Kokichi did it, but not Shuichi.

Shuichi: “It’s too soon to decide anything for certain. We don’t even know if Kaito was the victim…”

Not because he has a problem with thinking Kokichi might be the killer, of course, but because that comes with the automatic assumption that Kaito is dead. He’s still hoping he can somehow use his logic in this trial to determine that Kaito is alive after all. Which he’s not wrong about, but… this is going to take a lot longer and be a lot more painful than he’s hoping it will.

Shuichi: “If we don’t positively identify the victim… the other person will never show themselves, right?”

Haha, no, that’s not at all how this is going to work. Poor naïve Shuichi, thinking that he’s going to be sure one way or another before long. I remember when first-time-me thought that too.

Shuichi: (Everyone thinks that Kaito is the victim, but I have my doubts… There’s a chance Kaito is still alive…)

There is, but what you think is proof of that really isn’t proof at all, Shuichi.

Himiko: “The victim has to be Kaito.”

“It has to be Kaito.”

Definitely Maki’s white noise there. She is certain he is dead and wants everyone else to stop acting like he might not be.

Himiko: “We lost a really good guy today… Kazing! …if only mages could cast revive spells.”

I like that Himiko also seems reasonably upset about Kaito’s apparent death! They weren’t close friends or anything, but I bet she appreciated his optimism a lot and misses having that to help her out.

Shuichi: “I have evidence that points to Kokichi being the victim!”

No, it doesn’t, Shuichi. It only points to him having been injured.

Shuichi: “The fact that these were flushed down the toilet implies they were evidence of a crime.”

Yes, but not necessarily that the crime was the murder of Kokichi! If Kokichi was under the press then his killer wouldn’t have needed to get rid of his clothes like this!

It’s honestly kind of surprising that Maki doesn’t use this rebuttal, since she’s all about arguing that Shuichi is wrong here. She just jumps to insisting that Kaito’s clothes being in the press proves he’s under there, which is also not an airtight argument.

Shuichi: (Ever since she found the body in the hangar, Maki’s insisted that it’s Kaito’s… But why is that? I thought we had an understanding… I thought… she’d want to believe Kaito is still alive.)

Shuichi flashes back here to the “training” where the three of them just chatted all night long! Aww. He is thinking of the fact that they are FRIENDS and wondering how Maki could possibly so easily accept that her friend is gone.

Shuichi: (Either way, it seems Maki is hung up on Kaito’s clothes. In that case, I need to demonstrate the flaw in relying on that evidence.)

He’s able to see the flaw in relying on Kaito’s clothes as evidence of his death, but not able to see a very similar kind of flaw in his own reasoning that relies on Kokichi’s clothes as evidence of his death. You’re not quite being objective here, Shuichi.

Shuichi: (If I do that… I think she’ll realize. There’s a chance that Kaito is alive.)

No, she won’t, just like Shuichi wouldn’t change his mind if someone pointed out the flaw in his theory about Kokichi’s clothes. Neither of them are being objective about this.

(But Shuichi really wants to try and get her to hope for Kaito’s survival again, and that’s adorable.)

Maki’s words in this Rebuttal Showdown (hi, Rebuttal Showdown typography anon!) are in fairly simple, straight arrangements. They’re moving fairly fast, but they’re still doing so in a straight line. This probably represents how Maki’s not exactly trying to get in Shuichi’s way here – she’s just trying to get him to see and accept the obvious truth that Kaito is definitely dead already, and the speed simply represents her impatience.

Maki: “If you can’t see that… then you weren’t looking hard enough.”

It’s ironic how she’s accusing him of this when they’re both guilty of it – Shuichi for not looking hard enough for evidence Kaito is really dead, and Maki for not looking hard enough for evidence he might be alive. Shuichi doesn’t want to properly consider the possibility that he’s dead because it hurts too much, but in exactly the same way, Maki doesn’t want to consider the possibility that he’s alive, because it hurts too much for her to think about that hope when she’s convinced there is none.

Maki: “He never put his arms through his coat sleeves.”

If you happen to swing the wrong Truth Blade at Maki’s statement here (not that Shuichi would get it wrong, but)…

Maki: “What did you say? After all that time you spent together, you still don’t know anything about him.”

Maki is again accusing him of something she’s even more guilty of, if she has apparently forgotten that it’s only one sleeve and not both that Kaito doesn’t wear. Or alternatively, she’s fully aware of that and is just hoping Shuichi doesn’t remember so that he’ll concede her point.

I really like how Kaito wearing his coat asymmetrically like the ridiculous doofus he is is very briefly a plot point, by the way. Interestingly, if you look at Kaito’s various beta designs, most of them have him wearing either both sleeves or neither sleeve of his jacket, and only the last one is asymmetrical. Apparently this plot point was only decided upon late-ish into development of the story.

Maki: “Then maybe neither of his arms were through the sleeves.”

No, that’s not possible. The fact that there is an arrow hole and a bloodstain on the sleeve proves that he was wearing it at some point prior to being in the press regardless of which sleeve it is. It is kind of frustrating that Shuichi apparently doesn’t realise this, especially given how desperate he is to find any kind of proof that Kaito isn’t dead – this is a genuinely strange point here that actually does indicate he might not be dead! Why would his killer take his jacket off his arm but still keep it under him while he’s in the press unless there’s something more elaborate going on?

Shuichi: (Maki… what’s really going on? Seems you’ve made up your mind that Kaito is definitely dead. But why would you do that?)

Shuichi is somehow only now noticing that this is clearly the state of mind Maki is in. Probably because the idea that she would do that when he doesn’t see a reason why is so bewildering to him.

Tsumugi: “Kaito’s gotta be the victim. Cuz if Kokichi, the mastermind, was dead, the killing game would be over.”

Good job helping everyone jump to a wrong conclusion by reminding them all of the premise that you know full well is false, Tsumugi.

Maki: “Monokuma, hurry up and bring Kokichi here. We already know who the victim is.”

Monokuma: “Huh? Already? You sure it’s not too soon?”

Monokuma knows that it is way too soon and they have not remotely properly figured out who the victim is at all. This argument about Kaito’s sleeve just now went nowhere.

Monokuma: “Hey, Mister Suspect! That’s your cue!”

And then Monokuma calls him this, partly for drama but mostly because he genuinely doesn’t have a goddamn clue who it is.

Heeeeere’s the Exisal! Hooray! I have been looking forward to this part of the commentary for so damn long you don’t even know. (Well, maybe you do.)

Before he actually says anything, let me get one general point about the Exisal out of the way. I’m playing on the Vita version, which is a downgrade in technical quality with regards to the Exisal model’s polygon count… but this happens to be a slight upgrade in story immersion.

See, the thing is, with the HD versions’ higher-res Exisal model… you can see inside the cockpit. Which you obviously emphatically should not be able to do. And it appears to be empty, which obviously it should not be either. Every time I watch this trial in HD, which is what I usually do (this is actually only the second time I’ve played this trial on my Vita), I can’t help but notice this and it is incredibly frustrating. The screen and cable are admittedly a lot harder to make out without the contrast-adjustment I did here, but the white edge of the seat is always quite noticeable from several angles. You’d think that when the 3D modeller made the Exisal, they’d have been told that it’s a vital plot point that the cockpit is completely sealed off when closed and can’t be seen into from the outside. But at least the simpler Vita model doesn’t have this issue!

(If you’ve managed not to notice this fact until now… you’re welcome, now you’ll never be able to unsee it like I can’t either.)

The other general thing I should introduce right now about Kaito in the Exisal is my favourite trial minigame! We’re going to be playing a game of “Script Or Ad-Lib?” throughout this entire trial. Kaito mentions at the end that he had to ad-lib some parts even despite all of the possible lines for various outcomes that Kokichi wrote for him in the script. One of the most fun things to do on a rewatch of this trial is to try and figure out which bits were Kaito following the script and which bits were him making his own choices.

One general rule of thumb to keep in mind while doing this is to remember how much of this case’s events Kokichi was even able to write the script for in the first place. He’d have been able to work on the script ever since finding the hydraulic press in the hangar and finalising the main details of his plan, so anything related to any of those parts: the press, the Exisal, and the fabricated video, should be assumed to be scripted unless there’s a specific reason to think that Kaito might have changed something about his words. But, everything regarding the events Maki kicked off – breaking into the hangar, the crossbows, the poison and the antidotes – could not have been predicted in enough detail by Kokichi beforehand for him to include in the script. He didn’t have enough time to add any of it afterwards either, since he was dying from the poison. So literally all of the discussion surrounding those parts of the case should be ad-libbed by Kaito. That’s like half the trial - way more than he makes it sound like he had to do! Serious props, dude.

It’s possible that Kaito helped himself by spending part of last night writing some of those Maki-related parts of the script himself. He’d be able to use Kokichi’s existing lines as a template to write more lines that sound appropriately Kokichi-ish, which would be better done in advance when he has more time to think about them and get them sounding right, so that he doesn’t have to come up with it all completely on the spot. I doubt he got all of his ad-libs down that way, but maybe he did at least for the most prominent topics that were almost certainly going to be brought up.

Also, remember that Kaito is trilingual despite not having a multicultural background and is therefore evidently very good with languages. Learning how to emulate Kokichi’s speech pattern is essentially a much simpler version of learning a new language. He’d have spent last night basically teaching himself to speak “Kokichese” using the script as an example, sometimes by writing lines down like he’s preparing for a spoken exam where he knows what some of the questions are going to be, but also enough that he’ll be able to ad-lib answers to questions that he’s not going to be expecting. Kaito’s talent as an astronaut – or at least a skill he has that’s related to that – is genuinely coming in extremely useful for him here. He is and has always been best with words.

(For that matter, Kaito’s astronaut talent is also coming in very handy at piloting the Exisal, being stuck in a tiny cramped cockpit with only a bunch of controls and a screen to let him actually see and interact with the world outside it. That’d be really difficult and disorienting for most people, but Kaito has trained for precisely this kind of thing.)

So, to start us off: I always like to think that Kaito starting out in-character as himself was not specifically in the script and just something he chose to do on his own. It would have made a lot of sense for Kokichi to not script this and to want Kaito to pretend to be him the whole time if at all possible, because then nobody would know the Exisal had a voice changer and that it could potentially not be Kokichi in there despite having his voice.

But, Monokuma would already know the Exisal has a voice changer and that it sounding like Kokichi doesn’t necessarily prove anything. So Kaito might well have figured that fooling his classmates into thinking he must definitely be Kokichi isn’t actually that important when Monokuma isn’t going to buy that argument anyway, since fooling Monokuma is the whole point of the plan. (See also: Kokichi’s ridiculous lengths to convince everyone he’s the mastermind when Monokuma already knows he’s not, what an idiot.) Therefore, Kaito wouldn’t really care about making things seem unambiguous and might have chosen to be himself first to let his friends see that it’s possible he could still be alive, just so that this won’t hurt for them quite as much. If Monokuma knows that it’s possible he could be alive, then his friends deserve to know that, too.

Exisal Kaito: “Haha, whoops, my bad. Seems like I gave you guys a scare, huh?”

Haha, of course you know that you gave them all a scare, Kaito. Too bad you’re going to have to keep doing that and making it even worse for them.

(Look at him still managing to apologise for it. Even though this is a very deliberate part of the plan that he’s choosing to do, he still feels bad about the fact that he’s choosing to hurt them as part of that.)

Shuichi: (…What is this?)

Shuichi is so surprised! …He wasn’t truly expecting it to be Kaito at all, was he.

Maki: “…Kaito?”

Maki Roll! She actually looks like she believes this, just for a brief, shining moment! God, that’s only going to make it hurt her even more when that hope gets crushed, because as soon as it becomes ambiguous, she’s going to be right back to being convinced Kaito is dead. I’m… not sure Kaito realised that when he decided to be himself first. Even if he was thinking about trying to give her hope, it probably didn’t occur to him that she’d go right back to being utterly certain he’s dead afterwards, because he’s used to a more optimistic outlook on things. Surely Maki Roll would want to believe he’s still alive if she could?

Exisal Kaito: “There was a lot going on, so I just hid in an Exisal and kinda dozed off. Haha, and that’s why I’m so late! Anyway, what’s goin’ on, guys?”

See, now, this… does not sound like Kaito. It is way too vague and flaky and unreliable to be him – and while, yes, Kaito sometimes comes across as flaky and unreliable, he never ever wants to, and most certainly would do his best not to in a situation as serious as this. Even if he genuinely did fall asleep and miss the investigation and really was clueless as to what had happened, he would then sound a lot more urgent about learning what’s going on so that he can understand the situation and help.

Which made first-time-me already a lot less sure that Kaito was in there at all. But that’s exactly the point, because, hopeful possibility aside, Kaito does not actually want them to think he is in there. He is pretending to be Kokichi pretending to be him, and Kokichi would not completely accurately emulate Kaito’s behaviour, so he’s not doing it, either.

(I’m not sure whether or not Kokichi would have had the gall to script Kaito’s lines here, assuming he even scripted the notion of Kaito temporarily being himself in the first place. But I also feel like even if he did script Kaito’s lines, Kaito would have stubbornly ignored them and decided to do his own lines, even though he knew that had to involve coming across as not-quite-himself.)

Also, let’s appreciate the Exisal’s Kaito-like body language. It is pretty great. He does not do this while being Kokichi, so we don’t see much of it.

Tsumugi: “H-Hold on. Then the one that died wasn’t Kaito—”

Exisal Kokichi: “Stuuupid! That was just a lie!”

Please imagine Kaito sighing and taking a deep breath to steel himself for this before switching characters. Another reason I think he might have chosen to be himself first is because he was not remotely looking forward to having to put on this mask and lie to everyone in this way and wanted an excuse to put it off for just a tiny bit longer.

Exisal Kokichi: “Ah-haha, you guys thought I died!? I would never! Noooo way!”

This is something I really wish I could let you hear, because the way this line is voiced sounds just a tiny bit too over-the-top to be Kokichi. Admittedly Kokichi is quite over-the-top in general, but there’s still something very subtle and nuanced here that just doesn’t quite sound right for him. It’s not just this line: there’s quite a lot of them throughout that sound just ever so slightly off, which I’m probably going to be feeling compelled to point out even though I can’t let you hear the voice acting.

Again, I’m doing this in English. The Japanese may also give a similar effect, but I’m not sure I would be able to pick up on something this subtle when it’s not in a language I’m fluent in, even if I’d been listening to and familiar with Kokichi’s Japanese voice the whole game. This is one reason I’m really glad I chose to watch this game in English on my first time through – because first-time-me picked up on this too, and it gave me just a tiny bit more hope that Kaito really was alive.

It’s also absolutely fantastic that Kokichi’s voice actor can pull this off. He’s pretty damn good at his job in general, and I see a lot of people praising his performance in trial 4 specifically, but I personally don’t see what’s the huge deal about that – sure, it’s a lot of angry yelling and it is well-done, but any voice actor is expected to be able to do that kind of thing. This, though? He’s sounding like his character while also not sounding like his character, just subtly enough that it’s there and you can hear it if you’re listening for it, without it being obvious enough to definitively prove anything. That takes some serious skill. Kokichi’s voice actor is at his very best right here, when he’s voicing Kaito.

Exisal Kokichi: “‘I’m gonna live till I die! I’m gonna laugh ‘stead of cry!’”

Himiko: “Wow, that’s old! How old are you!?”

This song he just sang is by Frank Sinatra and is from the ‘50s. Obviously this wasn’t in the original Japanese. In that, he says something like, “I won’t die! Because I love you guys!”, except that he says it in some kind of unusual dialect/accent, and Himiko still comments on how old it is, so I can only assume that it’s some old Japanese cultural reference that would be lost on an English audience. This is good localisation, changing things to something that the new audience will get while keeping the original nuance: it’s a dated cultural reference with the literal content being about not dying.

Whether Kaito just sang a Frank Sinatra song or made a reference to probably some old Japanese TV show or something, I’ve seen a lot of people argue that this is a strong hint towards his identity, since Kaito was raised by his grandparents and would potentially be into more old-fashioned media like that. But I don’t personally think this means anything, because it shouldn’t be Kaito who chose to do this. There is absolutely no reason to assume that this moment – “Kokichi” commenting on the suggestion that he might have died and asserting that he definitely didn’t – wouldn’t have been in Kokichi’s script. And especially right at the beginning, Kaito would want to make sure he gives a first impression as Kokichi that really convinces them it’s definitely him, so I doubt he would have wanted to put his own flair on the script already and risk messing it all up so soon. Plus, if this was a reference that Kaito was personally fond of and chose to make just to be himself, I feel like he’d have wanted to make it while in character as himself, because doing it as Kokichi just cheapens the point of him having chosen to do so to express himself.

It is worth noting, though, that even though Kokichi chose the song, Kaito apparently is somewhat familiar with it himself, since he knew the melody. As it turns out, the full song in question has lyrics that happen to fit both Kokichi and Kaito quite well – I can definitely see why Kaito would like it, but if Kokichi happens to have old-fashioned tastes then he might like it too. There’s one bit about aiming for the sky which is more specifically Kaito, but then there’s another bit about being a devil which is more specifically Kokichi (although that fits Kaito quite well right now). Everything else pretty much works for them both, especially in this situation where they’re both literally about to die. I wonder if the localisers deliberately went for something that’d potentially fit both of them in order to keep things ambiguous when they were deciding what to change this to.

(Picture Kaito in the Exisal last night as he read that line of the script for the first time, going “huh, I know that song”, and then realising that the lyrics were very appropriate for his current situation and singing it to himself to boost his spirits. Damn right he’s not going to let the fact that he’s going to die tomorrow get him down!)

Maki: “I thought as much.”

You did not think as much, Maki. You thought for a brief fleeting second that Kaito really was invincible and had pulled off a heroic miracle, just like he promised you he would.

Maki: “Your appearance right now is fit for a lowly asshole like you.”

By “appearance”, she can presumably only mean the fact that he’s hiding in an Exisal, and just pretended to be Kaito apparently simply to be a dick, which sure does sound fit for Kokichi. Cowardly and hiding behind something so he doesn’t get hurt? Check. Being a dick just to mess with people who are already emotionally vulnerable? Check.

Shuichi: “… Is that really you, Kokichi?”

While it could be that Shuichi is genuinely sceptical because he picked up on the slight discrepancy in “Kokichi”’s intonation, I somewhat doubt that and think it’s more likely he just doesn’t want to believe this because that’d mean Kaito really is dead.

(None of the characters ever comment on his voice sounding ever-so-slightly different, which is fair enough because that would make it an explicit thing which is definitely happening and therefore practically confirm on an out-universe level that it isn’t Kokichi. But consider: if any character would have been able to pick up on something like that… it’d be Kaito, if he weren’t the one in the Exisal himself. His intuition would come in incredibly useful in a situation like this. If Kokichi had actually done the sensible thing and chosen Shuichi to be his accomplice, Kaito wouldn’t have had the first clue how to conclusively prove Shuichi was alive, but he would have been able to sense, to have a hunch, that the person in the Exisal doesn’t quite seem like Kokichi and hold on to hope that way.)

Exisal Kokichi: “Oh, this is more for self-defense. Little Miss Crankypants would kill me if I showed myself.”

Maki: “…”

This is quite a believable excuse as to why he’s in there. Maki absolutely would kill him the moment she could, so that she doesn’t have to sacrifice everyone else. Even just opening the lid a little bit to wave at them and prove it was him would be too much of a risk, because Maki can almost certainly throw that knife of hers very quickly and accurately. And fun fact about the trialgrounds which hasn’t really been relevant until this trial: Maki and Kokichi’s podiums happen to be directly opposite each other. She’d have a very clear shot.

But while this line is obviously scripted, I’m certain Kaito edited it a little. Kokichi probably wanted him to call Maki something much worse and more geared towards the fact that she’s supposedly a heartless killer, and Kaito is not having any of that, especially not after what Maki thinks she did. So he changed it to something that’s still mean-spirited and therefore still believably Kokichi if you don’t think about it too hard, but which is much more light-hearted and silly and not harmful.

Imagine Kaito reading through the script last night and emphatically crossing out every line in which he was supposed to call Maki a murderer because NOPE fuck that, and then amusing himself by thinking of sillier things to call her that still technically sound like something Kokichi might say. It may have a negative meaning and therefore a more mocking tone, but “Little Miss Crankypants” kind of has the same brand of cute silliness behind it as “Maki Roll”. Kaito is adorable, even when he’s a murderer who’s pretending to be an asshole.

(In the Japanese, he did not call Maki anything nearly as creative here and just said “a certain someone”, so we have the localisers to thank for this. Which begs a question. This game had I believe four different people localising all the dialogue because there was so much of it to do, and apparently each character was given to a single localiser so they could keep their voice consistent. So… who localised “Exisal Kokichi”’s lines? Because those lines are mainly Kokichi’s but still often influenced by Kaito to some extent, which is never more clear than it is here. It’s this that makes me speculate that Kaito and Kokichi might have been deliberately assigned to the same localiser, so that this trial did not have to involve massive amounts of inter-localiser communication, which is something they are evidently not great at based on inconsistencies elsewhere. I don’t actually know if this is the case, though – if anyone knows of a list of which characters had the same localiser, I’d be really interested to see it.)

Exisal Kokichi: “I understand how you guys must feel. You can’t believe it because I’m like this, right?”

This is another line (and in fact, so is this entire ensuing speech about the video camera, which there’s no point me quoting all of when I can’t make you hear it) which sounds slightly over-the-top in its delivery. It’s like Kaito’s trying just a tiny bit too hard to sound like Kokichi.

Exisal Kokichi: “The moment the victim died…”

Himiko: “Nyeh!? Wh-What did you say!?”

Exisal Kokichi: “Alrighty then! Let’s watch this shocking moment!”

Kaito definitely does not enjoy having to sound so callously excited about this when he knows exactly what seeing this video is going to do to his friends.

For that matter, the video does, in fact, show the moment the victim died, despite the initial apparent fact that the press must have been crushing an already-dead body because of the safety function, and despite the fact that the victim is not actually Kaito like the video makes it seem. So I can’t imagine Kaito enjoys sounding so callously excited about watching this himself, either. He’s probably watched it all of one time, just to make sure the fabrication was convincing, and then didn’t want to think about it again until the trial came along and he had to.

Speaking of the fabrication being convincing… let’s talk about Kaito’s left arm in this video. It should not be angled outwards like it is. The Closing Argument shows him with his arms tucked in such that it’d have been out of sight at the moment the press stopped, which is definitely supposed to be the way things canonically happened. If it’d happened like this, with his arm still visible, then there’d have been a split-second of it suddenly turning into Kokichi’s arm before the press descended. Even if Kokichi had worn Kaito’s shirt to help it match – which he did not do – there would still be differences in skin tone and the size of their hands that would look off, and that’s assuming they could even manage to co-ordinate to get their arms in exactly the same position, which would be difficult with a camera this basic and only the two of them doing this.

So basically, this arm was the biggest reason first-time-me stopped questioning the video almost immediately even though I really wanted to think it could have been faked somehow and Kaito could still be alive. Which I’m maybe glad about, because if I had figured it out sooner then I wouldn’t have had the terrifying baselessness of my hope last nearly as long as it did and I wouldn’t have fallen into despair at any point either, but it’s still frustrating that my judgement of this was influenced by a detail that simply isn’t what canonically happened.

Fun fact a lot of people apparently know: Kaito’s arm was actually not like this in the Japanese game’s version of the video! It was at his side, like it should be. But before you start yelling – trust me, I know the feeling – there’s more to it than that.

Because not in the video itself, but in the thumbnail of this video that you see when looking at your Truth Bullets in the Japanese game… his arm’s incorrectly sticking outwards like in the localisation.

So what I’m assuming happened is this: the Japanese game designers originally drew the art for the video with Kaito’s arms spread out, not getting the memo that they really needed not to be. Then at some point during quality testing, someone noticed that contradiction, and they fixed it by redrawing it, but they didn’t actually remove the original file from the game’s coding and forgot to change the Truth Bullet thumbnail. Fast-forward to the English localisation: as it happens, the Japanese version, while more correct, is missing the bloodstains on Kaito’s arm and jacket. Someone obviously noticed this and figured that’d be easy enough to edit in… except that apparently when they did so, they took the wrong file from the game’s coding to edit, the original incorrect one with his arms spread out, and this time nobody noticed the mistake before the game was released. So it is a mistake on the localisers’ part, but it’s a mistake caused by meaning well but being careless and short on time, rather than one caused by them having somehow deliberately decided to add a massive non-canon contradiction into this vital piece of evidence.

…Okay, hang on, hold the fucking phone. I wrote all this having not checked actual Japanese footage of the game in ages, because Spike Chunsoft had done a big crackdown on Japanese footage past chapter 1 and I could literally no longer find any. Instead I just referred to an image that the wiki has for the supposed Japanese version of the video. But I checked again for Japanese footage just before putting this post up in the hope of finding a shot of the thumbnail (and as you can see I found some), except, also… this is the actual video in the Japanese game:

It has the bloodstains! And you might also notice that, unlike in every other version of this image, they moved Kaito slightly closer to the edge of the press to allow more of his sleeve to hang down and added the buttons that shouldn’t actually be visible, to better match what the sleeve looks like in the investigation. (Despite being moved, Kaito’s arm is still just barely out of sight when the press stops in this version.) I have no idea where the wiki even got its image from, then – probably by digging through the game files to find an earlier version without these extra fixes, but apparently not from actual finished game footage.

In which case, I am SO CONFUSED. I have no idea any more why the localisers felt they needed to change anything about the Japanese video. I still maintain that it must have been some kind of careless oversight rather than deliberate idiocy, though, since an image of Kaito with his arms spread out does already exist in the original game.

{Later addendum edit: OKAY SO, sometime way after posting this commentary post, I happened to see relatively-recently-uploaded footage of the English game in which the video is the entirely correct version as seen in the last of my screenshots here. Apparently, the game got patched or updated or something to fix this, and this footage was from a newer release of the game! I am very happy that the game devs cared to do this. And what this presumably means is that the Japanese footage I checked for this commentary in which I saw the version with everything correct was also a more recent version of the game, while the original Japanese version of the video was indeed like the one labelled “wiki” here. There. Mystery solved.}

I really like this shot panning out from behind Shuichi as it focuses on the screen, to really give you a sense of how Shuichi in particular must have felt having to see that video – especially since the screen is almost directly opposite him.

Maki is also wincing. She claims to not be bothered at all by what apparently happened to Kaito, but it seems like seeing this got through her defences slightly.

Exisal Kokichi: “By the way, I’d like to add that this footage has not been doctored in any way!”

And Kaito very quickly continues on with following the script, quite probably because he doesn’t really want to linger for too long on anyone’s reactions to seeing this (not even his own).

Shuichi: (Was that…? Was that really him? …Why? Why was… Kaito… killed?)

Even though Shuichi has no idea how to prove that the video could have been faked right now, he still doesn’t want to accept it at all. He’s so hesitant to even directly “voice” that thought in his mind.

Shuichi: (Kokichi had no reason to kill Kaito… He had just told us all that he was the mastermind, and that the killing game was over. So what would he gain by killing Kaito?)

And as soon as he does voice that thought, he then immediately starts questioning why this would even happen, as if the fact that there’s no conceivable reason behind it right now means it still can’t be true and so he doesn’t have to think that it’s true.

Exisal Kokichi: “Nee-heehee… It looks like you finally believe that I’m the one in this Exisal.”

Congratulations, Kaito, you’ve successfully convinced your best friend that you’re dead! He has to be so painfully torn by all this – on the one hand, the plan is succeeding for now and that’s a good thing because then he didn’t murder Kokichi for nothing, but on the other hand, he’s hurting Shuichi and Maki so much to do this and he must hate that.

I don’t think he quite has convinced Shuichi of that yet, though, not fully. Shuichi’s train of thought stopped at the “he’d have no reason to kill Kaito” and didn’t re-settle on “but I guess Kaito really must be dead regardless��. He’s still running away from it, even after the video.

---

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#danganronpa #danganronpa v3 #drv3 #ndrv3 #chapter 5 #class trial #commentary

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gulescamisade · 6 years

Text

Betty Crocker Headquarters: Prison Break

[It's been quiet here in the prison area... Maybe the prisoners have accepted their fate at this point, or maybe the stillness is something like the calm before the storm. The atmosphere seems to foretell a happening -- but there's little more evidence of that than a fading blood stain on the floor.]

TEREZI: =In a soft glow of light, a body returns to it's area of expiration, plopping gently feet first onto the floor in a garb of green. For the second time in a short time, Terezi is returned to the land of the living. She clenched and unclenched her hands - was this real? It wasn't quite as jarring as the last time, but unlike last time, she wouldn't hesitate. Whether it was real or not, she didn't have time to doubt it; she had to believe it was.=

TEREZI: =Noticing that she stuck out quite literally, being smack in the middle of a hallway along with her attire a colorful beacon, Terezi ducked down against the wall. Hoping no cameras caught that, she continued moving. Even though she didn't know where she was going or where she could remain out of sight, the very least she could do was make herself a little harder to track.=

TEREZI: =slipping down another hall, she stuck close to the left side, keeping her ears open.=

[If the cameras did pick it up, no one has immediately swept in to deal with her... Definitely not little red riding hood and her pointy jam. The only signs of life are those inside the cells, if Terezi takes a peek...]

TEREZI: =she does. A very slow, careful peek. Guh, gotta get this hood out of the way first.=

[Let's say luck is on her side and she happens upon JAMES very quickly, catching a glimpse of him through the tiny slot in the door.]

JAMES: -is seated at his cot and meditating. He has been conserving his energy for this moment. TZ only needs to get his attention.-

TEREZI: !

TEREZI: =She taps a finger against the slot.= ((h3y m1st3r 3gb3rt s1r, psssssst!)) =tiny wave=

JAMES: -That'll do it. He recognizes the voice and rises to stand. Subtly cracking his neck as he does so.- MISS PYROPE.

JAMES: I TAKE THAT IT IS TIME FOR ACTION?

TEREZI: ((1m go1ng to gu3ss so, y3s))

TEREZI: ((1 dont r34lly know wh4t th3 h3ll 1s go1ng on, but 4ct1on 1s 4 gr34t pl4c3 to st4rt)) >:]

JAMES: SAY NO MORE. -coming over to brace his hands by the door.- I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU CARRY A KEY WITH YOU?

TEREZI: ((no, 1 just got h3r3)) =Literally=

JAMES: WHATEVER THE CASE, I AM PLEASED TO SEE YOU HERE.

JAMES: I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST YOU STAND CLEAR OF THE DOOR.

TEREZI: ((y34h, sur3 th1ng)) =She disappears from view as she stepped aside.=

JAMES: -Wastes no time, pulling his fist back and swinging it againt the door in a single mangrit-charged punch. One punch, if you will. Please expect the cell door to explode off its hinges. Crashing into the hallway.-

JAMES: ...

JAMES: -steps through the forced hole he just created.- HELLO.

TEREZI: =....= ....

TEREZI: W3LL 1 GU3SS TH3R3S NO PO1NT 1N B31NG QU13T NOW, 1S TH3R3? =but she's smiling!! ITS WONDERFUL TO BE ALIVE. She was stock still for a moment before continuing=

TEREZI: L3TS G3T TH3 OTH3RS

TEREZI: TH3R3 4R3 OTH3RS H3R3 TOO, R1GHT?

JAMES: ROXY, JAKE. THE CHERUBS. LAST I WAS INFORMED.

JAMES: -Does take a moment to take in the state of her... but decides not to dwell on it.- THEY ARE CLOSE.

TEREZI: =Most of her is hidden under these green jammies, but there are conical horns poking through slits that seemed to be made just for them.=

TEREZI: GOOD! L3TS G3T GO1NG! =she motioned with a hand, to lead them further down this hallway. She paused only to peek through the slots thoroughly for more of the crew and friends.=

JAMES: -as Terezi peeks for friends, James is going to take the initiative and scout further down the hallway. Checking the doors don't lead to cells.-

[There is one door, that at first glance just appears to lead to another cell, but behind the window slot is instead something like a locker room. The door is locked, of course, but a panel opens on it to reveal a keypad.]

TEREZI: =with no one else in the cells she checked, she joined James, glancing down at the keypad.= TEREZI: KNOW 4NY SW33T H4CKS? =she does take a glance down towards each end of the hallway to make sure they weren't being followed.=

JAMES: I PERHAPS KNOW ONE SWEET HACK. -reaches far into the steel trap of his memory and tries a code.-

JAMES: ...

JAMES: IT IS THE BINARY NUMBER FOR CAKE.

ROXY: =RATTLES HER BARS, only no=

JAMES: - 01100011 01100001 01101011 01100101 -

[THE DOOR OPENS.]

JAMES: -Golly... it worked. Of course, it did. Cake is the answer to all the world's problems. He's pretty sure CrockerCorp had a slogan of that nature some years ago... Anyway, James is taking a cautionary look into the lab.-

TEREZI: W41T 1...

TEREZI: =she returned to one of the cells she had previously checked. The room was full of fucking green.... How??=

ROXY: =Heckin magic is how=

JAMES: WHAT IS IT?

[It's mostly just lockers and storage bins stacked on shelves. James might notice that one of the bins has a HANDSOME WALLET in it.]

JAMES: -Strong fatherly exclamation point! Swiftly moving to pluck this wallet out and looking to ransack the rest of the storage bins for STUFF. Clips his whole sylladex back onto himself. He is ready.-

TEREZI: =Still peeping through the slot. Is there anyone in there?=

[Roxy, Jake and the Cherubs sylladexes are definitely in the bins too, if he can recognize them. They maye or may not be obvious.]

JAMES: -Retrieve sylladexes.-

ROXY: =Some of the cubes shift about, two of them move to the side and there's pink eyes staring back=

ROXY: !!

ROXY: =Suddenly the disappear and after a few seconds Roxy (and about 50 green cubes) decend on Terezi= rexrezzie!

ROXY: =Get buried=

TEREZI: !!!!!!!!!!! >8O

TEREZI: =That was perhaps the most startling thing she experienced in her new life so far=

TEREZI: ROXY! >:D

ROXY: =HER EYES, holds her face also her body, looks around and sees James= wut.... wait

ROXY: explain on the way this is a bust out right? i have snausages 4 the guard dawg

TEREZI: STR4NG3LY 3NOUGH TH3R3 H4V3 B33N NO GU4RDS

TEREZI: OR GU4RD DOGS

TEREZI: >:\

TEREZI: =gives roxy a quick, tight hug though=

ROXY: =SQUEEZES even tho she stank= that's suspicerous

ROXY: =Squints a bit and looks around=

JAMES: -returns back to their place of convening.- ROXY.

JAMES: ...

JAMES: -scoops both these girls in a brief strong fatherly embrace.- I HAVE RETRIEVED YOUR SYLLADEX.

JAMES: HOWEVER I FEAR THERE MAY BE A REASON WE HAVE YET TO ENCOUNTER ANY CONFRONTATION.

JAMES: -hands roxy back her sylladex.-

ROXY: =A BIG HUG FOR EVERYONE SHE'S SO HAPPY=

ROXY: =takes her dex back and immediate puts on her strife spec= let's take advantage of that for now n find jake n callie

TEREZI: =that's okay! she's happy to see her alive and well! Terezi on the other and smells fresh and new like laundered linen.=

[Roxy likely remembers the way to where they're being held from before she was chased away by the guard dog. It is basically a straight shot through this exit, the next hall, and through a spooky and suspicious door labeled "we do horrible experiments here" OR SOMETHING. It was implied.]

ROXY: =SHE SURE DOES=

ROXY: =stretches her legs a little then nods down the hall=

ROXY: this way itll b a good place to start at least also maybe theyve made progress since i last been there =starts to guide them down the hall=

JAMES: -carrying up the rear. Will leap to defend the ladies if he needs to. He is armed with his photon watch shield and 100 count of cakes kept fresh in his sylladex. Hope everyone is hydrated. James is going to make sure they are.-

JAMES: -distantly fussing at them children.-

ROXY: =A sweet hot dad :') =

TEREZI: =she's got nothing on her except the literal clothes on her back=

[They exit the prison area and into the next hall with the tech labs. The staff NEVER seems to be around here... That probably isn't a good sign, but oh well. It makes their trek to their destination all the easier. The super secret lab they're looking for is still locked, but nothing void magic, gadgets and gizmos, or fists thru the wall can't fix.]

TEREZI: =Is there another keypad for this door?=

[INDEED. Or it requires a keycard... I can't remember. Either way.]

ROXY: =Is someone gonna fist that wall? 👀 she missed wall fisting=

ROXY: =she can totally handle this but like.... 👀=

JAMES: -What about cake override codes... Aw, darn.-

JAMES: -There was a door punched off its hinges back in the hallway. She def can appreciate that now.-

ROXY: =She does but also she'll just give some SWEET HACKS to this door for now to save her energy. All this absence she feels like she'll need it=

[DOOR: HACKED.]

ROXY: =turns to them= im in

TEREZI: H33

ROXY: =NOW WHAT NERD SCIENCE BULLSHIT HAVE THEY EVEN DONE UP IN HERE?=

JAMES: WELL DONE, ROXY. -He's proud of you... but also focused on this serious business.-

[Inside, as she remembers, there are some panels on the wall where video feeds used to be, but everything is shut off right now. She would ALSO rememebr another door being locked in here, but it's WIDE OPEN NOW. This will lead to, you guessed it, even MORE rooms. But they are less like prison cells and more like dingy examination rooms. One of them has pumpkin vines peeking out from under the door...]

JAMES: ...

JAMES: ODD.

TEREZI: D1DNT J4D3 GROW PUMPK1NS?

ROXY: =Squints at that open door and peeps all at the one with vines growing from under the door- WAIT! Is there a panel to this door too?= hang on....

ROXY: cuz i remember jake was like.... o =she remembers... the greenery... the tiny shorts. Yes, it's all coming back to her=

JAMES: THEN IT ONLY STANDS TO SAY JAKE IS BEHIND THIS DOOR. -Should he pry it open? Or maybe he doesn't need to. If Roxy would like to do the honors?-

[Flashback cut to photos of Jake in tiny red Crocker Corp booty shorts and suspenders.]

TEREZI: W41T 4 S3C GUYS, 1---

TEREZI: MMMNG... =a hand hovers to squeeze at her temples before she moved to the door, her hand lowering to the keypad. Reaching into the past, she searched for someone who had used the keypad last.=

ROXY: =Ah.... yes... she remembers......=

[Whoever used this keypad last LOOKS LIKE A NERD. Probably a scientist. So definitely a nerd. She can see them typing in the code.]

TEREZI: =After a pause of her looking COMPLETELY out of it, Terezi's fingers moved, punching in the code.=

[DOOR: SEER'D.]

TEREZI: =a little surprised that worked actually!=

JAMES: -He is... so concerned. And also surprised. Before James can think to comment on it, however a pumpkin is being FLUNG from behind the door. Thrown with such a force that it explodes violently against the wall opposite his cell.- !!!!!!!!

JAKE: BACK AT IT AGAIN YOU WEASLY SONS OF BITCHES??? TIME FOR ROUND TWO!

JAKE: -PUMPKIN FLINGS. PCHOO POCHOO.-

JAKE: -SPLAT-

ROXY: =👀= girl wu-!! =YIPE=

[If Terezi seer'd just a little bit longer, she might have seen the nerd get pelted with a pumpkin.]

ROXY: =but also= JAKE!

JAKE: -a mustached face peers from behind his cot/pumpkin fort. But not another second is spared before he is EMERGING. Hello booty shorts. It's also apparent that he is armed with pumpkins attatched to a vine sash on his back.- ROXAROO!!!! TEREZI? JAMES?

JAKE: Good golly is it time??????????

TEREZI: =everyone ELSE had exited calmly!=

TEREZI: =RELATIVELY=

JAKE: -don't blame him... he's got bandages plenty on his arms from many needle pokes... He's BEEN rowdy.-

TEREZI: =peeks around the door at Jake= GOOD GOLLY 1S 1T S4F3?

JAKE: -He doesn't care and is blubbering a little bit. Q_Q- You came...

TEREZI: >:D

TEREZI: H3CK Y34H W3 D1D!

ROXY: =Baby no.... she frowns at him then goes to give him a gently FIRM squeeze= baby ...... :C

ROXY: ofc we woulda come

JAMES: -There, there Jake... James is ruffling his hair in support.-

JAKE: -obviously takes a minute to be scooped in Roxy's muscle embrace and cry a little bit. Terezi too. Come here quad in law.-

JAKE: -he hug...-

JAKE: I knew you would! -It's all he could tell himself all alone in his kennel.-

[ENOUGH HUGGING TIME IS MONEY MONEY IS POWER POWER IS PIZZA PIZZA IS KNOWLEDGE.]

JAKE: -He wants pizza!!!!!!!!!! Swipes his face clean of tears and puts his angry eyebrows on.- Now what the hoo heck hash are we diddydaddling around for? Weve some cherubs to track!

JAMES: WE WERE SEARCHING FOR YOU, SON. -hands him his sylladex- JAKE: !!!!! -EQUIPS. HOLA double pistols.-

TEREZI: =quad in law....= >:']

ROXY: yeah! but i dunno where they are :c

ROXY: least with u i had an idea..... =starts to get back out of this cell=

JAKE: -suddenly guns. 🔫- Well find them no problemo. -he BELIEVES IT.-

JAMES: -Son... do you maybe want to change into a different garb? He has extra clothes.-

JAKE: -No........................................... Leave it............................................... He burns to see this through to the end.-

JAMES: -I'm proud of you.-

ROXY: =jake she can make you more booty shorts and suspenders its ok=

TEREZI: S1NC3 NO ON3S S41D 1M GONN4 S4Y 1T

TEREZI: 3V3RYON3 LOOKS SO R1D1CULOUS

JAKE: -they cling to his every curve. He breathes out with a low hiss.-

JAKE: All the sweeter the victory when we blow this laboratory to SMITHEREENS.

JAMES: -fixing at his tie self consciously... Does he look ridiculous? Oh dear.-

TEREZI: =Youve been in jail a month, sorry mister=

JAMES: - :( He'll have to put on his hat to hide his shame.-

ROXY: im hot always

ROXY: also we got a sweet precious baby girl 2 find! =Trnansformers.... ROLLOUT=

[Its true, they will find the Cherubs no problemo. For all the cells are empty, but further investigation will take them to an open lab... But it isn't a pretty sight here. Large tubes with floating... body parts? Inside of them. Vials and beakers of rainbow blood standing against the red of a human's... Stained slabs and tables.... Just to name a few of the unpleasant sights. There are large drawers, too, which give the whole lab the look of a morgue.]

TEREZI: HOT HOT T4T3R TOT

TEREZI: .......

ROXY: =MMMNNG GROSS.....=

JAMES: -Entire vats drained of blood. There are no words.-

JAKE: -the sight and feel of this place is freezing the breath in his lungs a little bit. Big old, cold sweat gulps.-

TEREZI: WH4T...H4PP3N3D H3R3?

TEREZI: =but even as she asked the question, something in her reached out for her to reach back, and her mind delved into the decisions made in this place. =

JAKE: Id...

JAKE: Rather not know. -hiding behind roxy just 8C -

[But Terezi will know, decisions were made here to follow out their Empress' fucked up, and frankly ridiculous, endeavors to make humans more like trolls. Going so far as to even try to fill their veins with caste colored blood. It isn't limited to that, and what all was decided and executed here would likely be overwhelmed. Particularly when it involves familiar faces like Jake's and Calliope and Caliborn's.]

TEREZI: =she tried to pull herself away from the memory - the visions? - and when she finally had control over her limbs again, she used them to propel her to the nearest trash can=

TEREZI: =blaaaaaar=

ROXY: .......oh

ROXY: =Rushes over and rubs her back= ... what happened are you okay???

JAKE: -gHGHGHHGHHG. Now he feels terrible...-

JAMES: -swiftly fetching a bottle of water for Terezi.-

TEREZI: =shes dry heaving; food isn't real in dreams=

TEREZI: 3XP3R1M3NTS...ON HUM4NS

TEREZI: TO M4K3 TH3M MOR3 L1K3 US =she felt like she really NEEDED to have something in her stomach because nothing felt so much worse=

TEREZI: TH3 CH3RUBS...W3 H4V3 TO F1ND TH3M-- W3-- =but a part of her knew that search would be fruitless=

TEREZI: =finally noticing the waterbottle, she took it tentatively=J4K3 =she turned to spitting stomach acid into the wastebasket= 1M SO SORRY...

ROXY: mmmnnng :c

ROXY: =She looks to the drawers now.... a little scared to open them=

ROXY: fuckin.... maniac bitch fish =goes over to them to like, peek in a few=

JAKE: I-- hmm hn... -he can't exactly be left to try and think about EXACTLY what they did with all those pokes and prods from before. He feels more conscious of the bandages on his arms than ever before.-

JAKE: Im whole and here. What more can i ask for?? -gathering himself up, still cold and sweaty. Roxy, don't... Jake can't handle this.-

ROXY: =she'll SHEILD THEIR GAZE WITH HER BODY=

ROXY: =But she really can't not...=

TEREZI: =no need, she's seen everything all at once. it was horrible=

JAKE: -HE'S VERY AFRAID OF WHATS IN THE DRAWERS AND DECIDES TO TURN HIS BACK AWAY.-

JAMES: -stern and steady hands on his back. Look away, son...-

[Unfortunately for Roxy, most of these are full... Mostly of ashen skinned humans, but there is one body that is very distinctly green.]

ROXY: ..... =like... with ganggreen?=

ROXY: =She'll take tthat=

ROXY: =But also her expression falls and something in her tightens up.... wtf=

TEREZI: =she would have told Roxy not to look, but she's busy coughing into the trashcan again=

ROXY: =SORRY EVERYONE SHE'S TOO CURIOUS FOR HER OWN GOOD=

[CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT.]

[At the very least, it made her quite sad...]

[She can BELIEVE the skin tone is unnatural, but of course she knows the truth. They found the cherubs.]

ROXY: =WOW THIS IS A BAD CASE OF GANG GREEN=

ROXY: =but no she's crying and holding the handle of the drawer tight=

ROXY: (fuckin.....)

JAKE: Theyre dead arent they? -he doesnt have to see. He knows in his hopes of heart.-

ROXY: =Can she just... sylladex this body= ROXY: .. yeah

ROXY: =They deserved so much better.... better than all this. All these people did=

JAKE: - ;__; - Oh callies...

[Caliborn is flipping you off in the afterlife, Jake. It's okay...]

JAKE: -HE WOULD CORPSE SMOOCH YOU BACK TO LIFE IF HE HAD TO, HE SWEARS!-

[She can steal the body if she wishes, however.]

ROXY: =Steals it she does and strides out of the lab with rage renewed= lets get the fuck out of here and find these dicks >:''(

TEREZI: =wiping her mouth with the back of her hand=

TEREZI: SH1T...

TEREZI: 1M W1TH YOU TH3R3

JAKE: -cocks his pistols. The world's grimmest, most grumpiest look on his face.- They wont even know what hit them.

TEREZI: =Is there anything lying around that she can use as a weapon?=

ROXY: o the fuck that yes they will =time for her ROXY LNDE brass knuckles=

JAKE: -Why not hopevoid her a weapon?-

[Good plan, because there isn't much else around besides scalpels and needles.]

TEREZI: =Imagine, flying into combat: NEEDLE JAB! Now you have some horrible troll disease! Congrats!=

JAKE: -eyeballs Terezi.- Say...

JAKE: How...

JAKE: I mean.

JAKE: How did you manage to get here?

TEREZI: UH....UM....W3LL

TEREZI: ....

TEREZI: 1TS 4 LONG STORY

[For all intents and purposes, they should be able to escape easily between Roxy and James' sweet hacking skills, whenever they are ready to vamoose.]

[AKA their work here is done. MISSION COMPLETE. You found your dead friend.]

ROXY: =SQUINTS WHILE HACKING SO MUCH, water u hidin rez=

JAKE: Oh okay... Would you like one of my pistols? -He literally has a whole pile of them in his sylladex. Ushers after the HAXXORS, letting them do their thing.-

TEREZI: =perks a bit= Y34H!

TEREZI: =She hasn't quite used such a precision weapon in a while, but it's a weapon and she'll take it.= TH4NKS

JAKE: -potentially giving a blind troll a gun??? This is normal. He has yet to be updated on things.- THATS THE SPIRIT!

JAKE: -Assuming Terezi is wearing the seer hoodie that covers her eyes. Not weird in the slightest to him.-

TEREZI: =She is indeed wearing the hood. You'll see, Jake. You'll see.=

ROXY: =Touches Terezi's bitchin jammies, so soft=

TEREZI: =softer than a baby's booty=

JAMES: -assisting in leading the way through the building and all the confusing layout business. They are well on their way OUT OF HERE.-

TEREZI: =takes the gun and checks to see how much ammo is left in the chamber. She remembered how to do that at least.=

TEREZI: TH3 SHORT OF 1T 1S 1 D13D =puts the clip back in and turns off the safety= TW1C3

JAKE: -Wall eyed...- Erm....

JAKE: Now that sounds like some tale. Too bad its so short!

JAKE: Terezi!

ROXY: ...wtf??

ROXY: ughh :c

ROXY: UGH >:(

ROXY: thats... bullshit!

[Outside they will probably see a GIANT ASS DRAGONFLY.]

TEREZI: M4J3ST1C

JAKE: -spongebob caveman memes in his booty shorts.- What the piss???

ROXY: =MORE LIKE A BITCHASS DRAGONFLY, SHE KICKS OPEN THE DOOR= MA-DEAD-STIC!

TEREZI: =there's dragon in the word. it's close enough=

ROXY: =GUN READY SHE READY TO BLASTEE U ASSTEE=

#gulesCamisade #practicalFamiliar #tankedgnostomanic #gunhardyTemerity

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