Watching TFA for the first time!! :3

🎃🎃🎃 ooooh, spooky halloween smut 🎃🎃🎃 (based on a prompt by anon)

“This seat taken?”

Callum looks up from his drink and into clear, blue eyes, surrounded by the dark silk of the man’s mask. There’s some fake blood dripping from the corner of his mouth and he’s wearing a cape over a black dress shirt and dark pants. He’s obviously supposed to be a vampire, albeit a kind of low-budget one. 

Granted, it’s not like Callum himself can talk; his costume consists of his old work suit and a painted-on moustache in a sad bid to look like Gomez Addams. It was a sort of last minute decision to go to this year’s Halloween party in the Vic, which explains why the only mask he was able to find is a black, glittery one, that completely messes with the rest of his outfit.

It’s the theme for the party tonight - everyone has to wear a mask. It’s a fun idea; even if you can still kind of tell who’s who, there’s a little element of mystery to it all.

The guy in front of him definitely wears the mystery well though. There’s some fire in his eyes, the interest clear as day, and Callum is very much on board with this. He nods and gestures to the seat next to him at the far-end of the bar, watching the man as he sinks into it and immediately turns towards him.

“All alone tonight?”

“Seems like it.”

Flirting isn’t really his strong suit; he’s more of a romance and rose petals kind of guy. It doesn’t deter the guy though, on the contrary, he tilts his head to the other and there’s a devastating smirk crawling onto his face at the confirmation that Callum is here alone.

“Let me buy you another drink then.”

He’s already motioning for the barman before Callum can even agree to his proposition and it doesn’t take that long for another beer to appear in front of him, the guy handing over some notes to pay for both of their drinks. He goes to clink their pints together but Callum moves his glass back towards him before they have the chance to meet.

“I don’t even know your name. Bad luck, innit.”

It’s a complete lie; just a pretense to find out the guy’s name, to tease him a little bit. By the looks of it, it’s working well, if the way his eyes darken that little bit is anything to go by.

“Ben.”

He holds his pint forward again, rim tilted towards Callum, his tongue running along his bottom lip. Callum is transfixed by it; has to follow it with rapt attention. He lets Ben wait for another moment, almost enough for him to pull his glass back again, before he finally clinks their glasses together.

“I’m Callum.”

They hold each other’s gaze while taking a long pull from their beers and just this simple act is so full of sexual tension that Callum can barely swallow the alcohol in his throat. He’s about to suggest that they get out of here and go back to his house when one of Ben’s hands finds its way onto his thigh, effectively cutting off any possible remark in his brain. It slides further towards the inseam of his suit pants and then slowly inches upwards, closer and closer to his groin. There’s a wicked smile on Ben’s face, the rich blue of his eyes slowly being swallowed more and more by the black of his pupils.

“You know, Callum, I live just ‘round here.”

Callum gets what he’s implying, of course he does, but he hesitates to take him up on his offer. He wants him and it’s more than obvious that Ben wants him as well, but for some reason, he doesn’t really want to be taken home by him right now. There’s fire licking up his spine, anticipation making every extremity tingle and burn, and he doesn’t want to waste those precious minutes it’ll take for them to make their way to Ben’s home. Not when he knows that there’s somewhere a lot closer they can go - the thrill of it technically being in public only adding to the fire in his veins.

“Me too. Can’t really wait that long though.”

His words make Ben bite his bottom lip in response, eyes travelling over the expanse of Callum’s body. He regards him for a couple of moments, almost so long that Callum thinks he’s about to decline the offer, before he gets up from his seat and threads their hands together, pulling Callum with him.

“Come on then.”

It seems like Ben has the same idea Callum had, because he pulls them both through the heavy, wooden doors into the backroom of the Vic and then into the toilets, checking to make sure they’re the only ones in there before he finally seals their mouths together in a fiery kiss.

The kiss is heated and hurried, but so so good. Their tongues brush together briefly but it’s enough to make want spread throughout Callum’s entire body, his hands coming up to squeeze Ben’s waist before they’re making their way to the man’s neck, settling just under his jaw. Ben makes these little noises whenever one of them dives back in for another kiss and it’s intoxicating to say the least.

When they both come up for air next, Ben uses the moment to walk them backwards and into one of the stalls along the back, pressing Callum against the now closed door of it. He dips his head to mouth along the sharp edge of Callum’s jawline, darting his tongue out to run along the skin afterwards.

“Are we really gonna do this here?”

The question makes Ben kiss up his neck and lips again, pulling back to catch Callum’s eyes.

“Don’t tell me you’ve never thought about it. Besides, this was your idea, Cal. You wanted to do a little ‘roleplay’.”

He’s right, of course he is, how could he not think about dragging his boyfriend in here to have his way with him whenever they’re sat around a table and Ben is laughing, is looking, like he does. He’s pretty much irresistible to Callum and they aren’t exactly shy or conservative when it comes to sex. And Callum isn’t afraid to bring up things he wants to try anymore, completely confident that Ben will agree to try pretty much anything as long as Callum is into it.

And he did agree when Callum brought up the idea of pretending they don’t know each other at this party and feign that they’re just two strangers meeting and having some fun with one another. It feels good, right even, that they can be spontaneous and open like that. That they can try things and have a partner that’s not judging, but always willing to go along with their wishes.

“Yeah, you’re right, come on.”

They immediately get back into the swing of things, mouths and tongues sliding together and hands roaming each other’s bodies, unbuckling belts and prying open each other’s pants. Ben reattaches his mouth to Callum’s neck, sucking on the skin over his pulse point until Callum is panting into his ear. He runs his mouth along Callum’s neck until he reaches the side of his face, his mouth now right below his ear, breath fanning out over the shell of it.

“Did you like it? Some stranger chatting you up, buying you drinks, wanting to take you home with them?”

There’s no real jealousy in his voice. They both know for certain they only want each other; that they’ve only ever wanted the other since becoming serious. They don’t like to share, don’t want to, but he wants Callum to know that he’s desirable even if they were just pretending to be strangers. He would choose Callum in every version of his life, whether they knew each other or not. He’s sure of that.

“Only ‘cause it’s you.”

His last words are strangled, cut-off by a groan forcing its way out of his throat when Ben wraps his hand around his rapidly hardening cock. There’s some fake blood on Callum’s chin now, obviously caked from Ben’s face onto his while they were kissing and his little drawn-on moustache is smeared beyond recognition. He looks thoroughly debauched already and Ben absolutely loves it.

Ben drops to his knees in front of him, pulling his pants and boxers down just enough to get Callum’s dick free, trailing his tongue from the base all the way to the head. Callum lets out a groan at the action, tangling his hands into Ben’s hair.

The best thing about being together for almost a year now ist that Ben knows exactly what makes Callum tick; what makes him lose his mind. He knows to press his tongue just to the underside of the head, knows to tongue the slit on the upstroke and knows to keep as much eye contact as possible, because that really gets Callum going.

He hollows out his cheeks and runs his mouth up and down a few times, tongue darting out and tracing the thick vein in-between. Callum has to break the eye contact between them before he’s coming just from the sight of Ben on his knees in front of him and his head thumps backwards against the door, eyes squeezed shut.

It doesn’t really help, not seeing anything, because it only intensifies the feeling of pleasure Ben’s bringing to him with his talented mouth. What’s ultimately his undoing is Ben trailing one finger down to his rim, just pressing against his entrance, coupled with Ben humming around his dick. The vibrations send shockwaves through his whole body and before he can even warn his boyfriend, he’s coming down his throat with sharp pants and grunts.

Ben swallows him down completely, making sure that no drop escapes and stains the dark material of his suit pants, before he’s making his way up his body again until he reaches his mouth, making Callum taste himself on his tongue. They’re still trading kisses when Callum reaches down to Ben’s pants, lowering the zipper and getting Ben’s dick out of its confines.

He’s running his hand over it in a steady rhythm, running his thumb over the slit on every other upstroke. It makes Ben keen, his head falling forward into Callum’s neck, where he takes the skin back into his mouth, sucking on it and running his teeth along it.

Ben is well on his way to climax, can feel the white-hot pleasure of his orgasm approaching from how turned on he’s been practically since Callum had suggested this little charade, when they both hear the door to the toilets open and feet shuffle in. They catch each other’s eyes for a second, Callum stopping his movements on Ben’s dick. It’s like they’re silently communicating whether to try and keep going or wait it out, even if the idea of listening to some guy relieving himself isn’t the most arousing right now.

There’s a glint in Callum’s eyes suddenly and before Ben can question it, he continues tugging on Ben’s cock, harder and faster than before, letting the wet slap of skin against skin fill the little room. Ben can’t stop the loud moan from spilling out of his mouth and Callum's smile is nothing short of devastating at hearing it. It’s the first time he’s even remotely let on that there’s some small exhibitionism kink hiding in him and the revelation does nothing but fuel Ben’s budding orgasm.

They barely register the embarrassed cough and the door opening and falling close again, too caught up in getting Ben to tip over the edge. It doesn’t take more than a couple more tugs from Callum’s hand, turning his wrist on the last stroke, before Ben is coming as well, coating Callum’s skin with cum.

Callum cards his hands through Ben’s hair and down his face until his breathing returns to normal and his heartbeat normalizes. He presses another deep kiss onto Ben’s lips, but it’s less heated now; slow and full of love this time.

He loves this about them; that they can be passionate and wild one minute and then soft and gentle the next. It’s been that way since the first time they collided with each other, like some sort of weird yin and yang, and it still remains the same today.

“That was something new.”

“I just hope it wasn’t someone we know.”

Ben’s pressing his forehead against Callum’s, laughter spilling out of his mouth that Callum joins in on immediately. Eventually, Ben pulls away and starts tucking them both back in, making them look as presentable as they can be. Callum’s gelled back hair is a mess, as is his face, caked in fake blood and smeared eyeliner. There’s glitter falling from his mask onto his cheekbones and the whole picture is equally funny and hot to Ben.

“God, your costume is shit.”

“Hey, Lexi did her best okay.”

They’re sharing another small smile with each other, Ben finally reaching up to take off Callum’s mask and Callum doing the same for him in return. They come together in another gentle kiss before carefully opening the stall door, making sure that they’re still alone in here.

“Come on, let’s go home. Callum, was it?”

Callum darts his hand out to swipe at Ben, but all he does is capture Callum’s hand in his, using it to wrap it around his body so their bodies come close again, Callum’s arms around him; chest against back. Someone yells at them when they go through the doors into the pub again, Callum not deciphering whether it’s because they’re not wearing their masks or because they just got off in the toilets, but he doesn’t even care. 

He’s happy and fucked-out and so in love and the best thing is, it’s all real and his forever.

1) Koeman pressure

Now embarking on the second year of his three year plan, Ronald Koeman has had most of the presents he was promised when abandoning Southampton for the ‘Everton project’, recently declaring “everyone now understands why I chose Everton”. Despite still not landing the coveted target-man striker, Koeman can have little complaints towards the board this summer. Which means the pressure is all on him this season to get his players playing, and get them playing very good. If the Blues hit a bumpy patch in the road and some of the more anxious fans with itchy fingers who dreamt of Jose Mourinho as manager become disgruntled, it will be all too easy for them to point at the Dutchman. The pressure will be far greater than fucking up the colour of the tinsel on your Christmas tree. But if ever their was a head on a set of shoulders made for soaking up pressure, it would be the celestial-shaped dome of Ronald Koeman’s. You just wouldn’t want to be a journo at the front row of one of his press conferences during that period. The big Dutch crank.

2) Rooney revived

Wayne Rooney was dead to Evertonians. Or so we thought. A cameo appearance at a Duncan Ferguson testimonial panged the hearts of some of the bitterest Blues, and from that day on it was quietly hoped the prodigal son would return whilst his flame still burnt brighter than most. We all know the story since, Rooney is back, and ‘proving the doubters wrong’ is the journos go to theme of his first few months back on Merseyside. But it’s been spooky how similar some of his iconic moments have been so far, straight re-enactments of goals and celebrations from thirteen years ago. If Rooney was dead to Evertonians, the national press, and the national side, we really could witness an epic revival this season. Like a huge lion bellowing out one last soul shaking roar before it passes off into the night. Rooney undoubtedly has two goals in his mind – end the Everton trophy drought, and score a winning derby goal. It would be a great way to end the story.

 3) Bramley Moore Dock vision

The new stadium at the Bramley Moore Dock site will be placing Everton, and football, at the geographical and architectural heart of the city’s waterfront. It represents Everton Football Club coming in from the wilderness, the end to a forlorn search for a new home which would have always felt third rate behind Goodison Park and the failed Kings Dock dream. The fact we are now going back to the waterfront, claiming the centre of Liverpool as our own in such an iconic location is the most unbelievable development since Farhad Moshiri got Everton all jacked up on money and ambition. What we now look forward to seeing is the architectural designs of Dan Meiss’ vision for the 57k seater stadium. This will be our new home, and our kids’ kids’ new home.

 4) The return of Bolasie

“When I come back I know I’m the full package rather than still needing to do some little things. The hunger is to be back. I want to be back to prove to the fans at Everton what I’m really about.” After suffering a devastating ACL and meniscus injury early in to his Everton career, it remains to be seen how Bolasie will perform on his return, but he has been making all the right noises during his recovery. We saw flashes of his brilliance last season, although the best aspect of that was the link up with his mate, Lukaku (he jibbed you for Pogba, Yannick *spit*), he was always looking to influence the game, even if things didn’t always come off for him. With Everton crying out for options out wide, just how good the winger is on his return could play a massive part in the second half of the season. Yannick Bolasie 2.0 will be eagerly awaited.

  5) The return of Coleman

If we are eagerly awaiting the return of Bolasie, then we are absolutely pining for Seamus Coleman. A class act both on and off the pitch, the whole football club is proud of its flying Irish fullback and was left devastated by his horrific leg break on international duty. Almost five months after that double leg fracture Seamus Coleman is back in training and running again. With early reports suggesting he would be out of action until 2018, it is now hoped he could be back before the end of the year, which would represent an incredible feat of rehabilitation. It will take time after returning to first team action but Coleman’s game is vital to Koeman’s approach. The narrowness of Everton’s play would be remedied by Coleman bombing on down the right, offering assists and goals, as well as solid defensive play and leadership. Manchester City spent £50m for the same reasons this summer. Hopefully all we have to do is wait.

 6) Barkley’s fortunes

Ross Barkley now has no future at Everton, that much is clear. The real reasons behind the midfielder’s decision to reject a huge contract offer to look for ‘a new challenge’ are probably multiple, but it seems as though he is pinning them on Koeman’s public criticisms last season. Criticisms which seemed to induce a reaction from the player who undoubtedly put in some of his best and most consistent performances in an Everton shirt through the second half of the season. Barkley, forever lamented due to poor decision making has revealed that it is immaturity that he is most guilty of. Still only 23, that is a natural problem to have. They say your prefrontal cortex - the part of the brain responsible for decision-making - isn’t fully developed until the age of 24. Wayne Rooney has returned to Everton for all the reasons that Ross Barkley is now turning his back on, but the last person who could lecture Barkely on staying at Everton is England and Manchester United’s all-time record goalscorer. So here we possibly have a little bit of history repeating itself, except Everton do not need to sell their star player’s out of necessity anymore and Barkley’s fortunes away from Everton could look a lot more like those of Franny Jeffers than Wayne Rooney’s. Only time will tell, but it is one to look out for because if it all clicks for Barkley like we hoped it would, at another club, it would be a painful loss for Everton… especially if he ends up leaving for free.

 7) The next academy breakthrough

Everton can spend £45m on Gylfi Sigurdsson but it would take something for the big money signing to match the impact on fans that the Tom Davies goal against Man City last season had. Evertonians love nothing more than seeing one of their own perform on the big stage. The academy is bubbling with talent, and the Ketwig Kaiser is the first in line of a queue of players of a golden generation that it is believed have what it takes to make the step up. As I wrote about a few months ago, Davies was part of a trio of players who earned the nickname the ‘Holy Trinity’ at Finch Farm. The other two being Liam Walsh and Kieran Dowell. By all accounts of his early performances whilst out on loan at Nottingham Forest, it looks like it will be Dowell. However, Jonjoe Kenny is waiting in the wings for the right back slot, should an opportunity arise this season. Blending top quality new signings with top quality academy graduates is the way forward for Everton.

 8) Which of the new signings will make it?

Everton’s summer transfer business currently stands at 13 new recruits, with seven expected to be involved with the first team this season. Wayne Rooney, Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Gylfi Sigurdsson, and Cuco Martina all come with Premier League experience. Davy Klaassen and Sandro Ramirez arrive with experience of the Eredivise and La Liga so will be expected to find life at their new club a little harder than the rest as they adjust to the pace of the Premier League. To offset the loss Lukaku and Barkely, the side’s two most productive players in 2016/17, will prove the greatest challenge this season. Pickford and Keane have already improved the side, without a doubt. Cuco Martina has looked precisely the player we was expecting – temporary cover for Coleman. That leaves the pressure on Sigurdsson, Rooney, Klaassen, and Sandro to provide the goals. With Sandro and Klaassen lacking Premier League experience these two will be under most scrutiny. They should both be allowed the time needed to bed in, and patience from fans will be needed.

 9) Winning at Anfield

Since Everton last won at Anfield, Blackpool have risen from the fourth tier to the Premier League, won at Anfield, and fallen back to the fourth tier again. Yeah, we all seen that tweet doing the rounds at the end of the season. The simple law of averages says we are a due a win there, and flukey win with an offside goal would be celebrated hard into the next day but what would be much preferred would be a statement win. Of the starting line up at Anfield last season you wouldn’t expect the following to be on the team sheet the next time around this December: Robles (Pickford), Pennington (Keane), Holgate (Martina), Davies (Schniederlin), Barkley (Sigurdsson), Lukaku (Rooney), Calvert-Lewin (Sandro). It will be a different side to the one that lost 3-1 last time, one that will offer different goal threats and a shored up defence with a massive improvement inbetween the sticks. What would a win at Anfield do for momentum going into Christmas? It would put a huge marker down in the development of this new Everton.

 10) Winning some silverware

Any will do. That stubby cup they give out when we’re all still wearing our winter coats would be sound. A victorious night in Lyon would be even better; that’s a tin pot and Champions League qualification in one go. The dream ticket right there. The last time Everton won something the kids were playing Subbuteo, not FIFA. A whole generation of Blues know nothing but heartache when it comes to actually winning stuff. Above all else this season, if Ronald Koeman could lead Everton to some honours, it would be the clearest sign of the direction the club is going in. It would send shockwaves through the football establishment, who are already noticing that things have changed on the blue half of Merseyside: Moshiri, money, and mentality. Winning is contagious, and all Everton needs now is that spark.

Bendy and the Ink Machine/Among the Sleep

Welcome to the 'highglossfinish' room. Thenightetc: Oooo?  Starting soon? Knock Out: Oh yes! Knock Out: How's the picture? Thenightetc: Looks fine! Firstclu: Looks good here! Knock Out: Excellent! Thenightetc: (...I might have to leave at some point for dinner, but I'll come back after.) Thenightetc: ...So it's an abandoned animation studio? Knock Out: Apparently. Knock Out: Alright. Onwards we go!

Thenightetc: "There's something I need to show you... your grave!" Thenightetc: How...ominous? Thenightetc: The floating stuff, I mean. Thenightetc: (whoops, afk.  dinner) Firstclu: do the drawers open? Knock Out: O Knock Out: *I'll check. Knock Out: Has anyone spotted a book or a doll hanging about? Firstclu: I haven't so far Firstclu: go back Firstclu: I saw the doll Firstclu: it was on top of the drawers Knock Out: Thank you! Smokescreen: Woojit! Thebes: Hello!  Have I missed anything? Smokescreen: ... this isn't a horror game is it Smokescreen: /LOUD BEEP/ Firstclu: nahhhh Firstclu: it's cute Smokescreen: are you sure Shockbox: Hm. Got the stream to work for games, I see. Thenightetc: (Back!  Did I miss anything spooky?) Firstclu: yep, see it's got these little critters dancing and stuff Firstclu: and happy music Smokescreen: Shockbop! Shockbox: Oh no. Smokescreen: :O Shockbox: ....Do not stare in such a manner. Smokescreen: :I Shockbox: |<o>| Smokescreen: :D Shockbox: |<o>| Smokescreen: ;) Thenightetc: I have to say, it kind of bugs me that they clearly reused the floor texture for the ceiling.  Despite the floor texture having "planks lying around" bits Thenightetc: Oooooo?  You got something working? Smokescreen: ... Okay who glued planks to the ceiling Shockbox: Yes, it doesn't look natural. Smokescreen: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaa Smokescreen: KNOCK OUT WHY Knock Out: Because. Knock Out: And hello, Smokescreen! Shockwave. Shockbox: Greetings. Smokescreen: thats it Shockwave's my NEWbest friend Shockbox: What....led you to that conclusion? Firstclu: congratulations, Shockwave Smokescreen: because knock out scared me Knock Out: Breakdown has all the thoughts about my sense of direction and cowardly yelps. Knock Out: Don't listen to him. Firstclu changed their nickname to Immortalspark. Smokescreen: you trying to AXE someone a question here knock out Shockbox: ....You do no believe me capable of doing so as well, if I felt inclined? Smokescreen: Nope! ... Well, not in the same way. Shockbox: Hm. Fair enough. Smokescreen: Hey Shockshock shocky Shockers hey hey Thenightetc: ...wait.  Credits?  Is that the whole game? Shockbox: Oh. Short game. Knock Out: The Pit? That game cost me five stolen dollars! Thenightetc: That was... underwhelming. Immortalspark: I fail to be scared Shockbox: You needed something, Smokescreen? Knock Out: I expected nothing and I'm still disappointed. Knock Out: Hmm...is anyone in the mood for the Horror Castle? Thebes: I could go for that Thenightetc: Horror Castle? Shockbox: Sounds riveting. Knock Out: Excellent! Smokescreen: Shockytoot hey you wanna make friendship bracelets Smokescreen: ... horror castle? Knock Out: The Caroline human's gift that we never finished because a bed got stuck in a hole. Immortalspark: that sounds good Shockbox: Participating in arts and crafts is no simple matter when one has but a single hand to work with, Smokescreen. Thenightetc: Oh!  Amnesia? Knock Out: That's it! Thenightetc: Yeah! Smokescreen: I can help you if you need it, Shocky. Shockbox: The most likely course of action will be /you/ making both bracelets alone. You would then go to hand one to me, and I will then dispose of it while you are not looking. Thenightetc: *snickering* Smokescreen: ... I promise you'll help with it? We can make one both of us like! Can you draw a design? Shockbox: I am afraid I will have to refuse. Smokescreen: Aww. Maybe we can play a game sometime, then? Is six lasers a thing again over there? Thenightetc: ...so, these wails and such in the distance.  Is there actually someone else there, a ghost say, or is the player character hallucinating? Knock Out: Of course, the one time I need a monster, there's none to be found. Smokescreen: it's so dark, I can't see the walls. I consider that lucky Knock Out: One klik. Let me look this up. Shockbox: I have little time for recreational activities. It takes enough effort to attend a stream. We should reserve interaction for interdimensional social media instead. Smokescreen: Awww... I'd love to hang out with you, though, new best friend. But you're busy with a lot of science stuff, right? Thenightetc: ...is this Fallout Knock Out: No, a game I played three years ago that didn't have the courtesy to remember my progress. Shockbox: Yes. And no, before you ask the inevitable, you cannot be my assitant. Shockbox: This game is called Among the Sleep, I believe. Thenightetc: Ohhh. Shockbox: Artistic. Rather somber end, however. Smokescreen: hhhhhhhhhhh Thenightetc: *leans waaaaay back* Smokescreen: please shocky? I can assist! I know science! Shockbox: Why is the audio quality so....painful? Shockbox: Oh, that's better. Knock Out: Better? Shockbox: Yes, my thanks. Shockbox: You would need to go to great lengths to prove such a thing, Smokescreen. Thenightetc: This just gets less and less ominous Smokescreen: Okay! I can do it. Give me a challenge, and I canprove it! Knock Out: I remember this game. We used to play it as newbuilds before the caretakers made us stop. Shockbox: Your challenge is to thoroughly impress me. Thenightetc: it'd help if Mommy weren't so uncanny-looking Shockbox: ....It's still day time. Immortalspark: Mommy doesn't understand about time zones Shockbox: That too. Knock Out: "Time for bed. Mommy needs some quiet." Smokescreen: :O! Okay! So- I can balance chemistry equations? Bet you didn't expect that, right? Shockbox: Demonstrating the ability to make calculations, invent something, or conduct an experiment would not be enough. Shockbox: No, you would have to sacrifice more than that. Smokescreen: Really? Like what, exactly? Shockbox: Your current set of beliefs. Your sense of morality.  Whatever loyalty you have left to the Autobots. Shockbox: I would guide you, yes. But you must realize, unprofessional conduct is not to be tolerated. Thenightetc: ...is someone under the bed? Thenightetc: I'm sure I saw a face Thebes: It's possible Smokescreen: Dang. You ask all your assistants to do that? Smokescreen: nonononono Smokescreen: NO NO NO Thenightetc: so I DID see a face. Smokescreen: put that face away Smokescreen: why are there feeet Smokescreen: And- of course I'll be professional, Shocks. Shockbox: The only 'assistants' I've had for the past 2.5 million years have been drones. Thenightetc: o_o Shockbox: Your conduct would be required to extend to your online presence. Smokescreen: What? Why? Smokescreen: I'm perfectly professional, anyway- aren't I? Thenightetc: (That song she's humming is weirdly familiar...) Shockbox: ....I am inclined to disagree. We appear to have very different standards. Shockbox: It is sure that such a change would be unnatural for you. You would not fit the role without compromising your ability to work efficiently. Knock Out: Baby's first monoxide leak. Shockbox: Ah, good times. Smokescreen: I can do it, Shocks! Really! Think about it when you need an assistant. Shockbox: Your offer is acknowledged. Shockbox: What are you looking for, Knockout? Knock Out: Something to open the baby boiler. Knock Out: Or whatever that door leads to. Shockbox: Hm. I remember the bear's paw being used to open the door. Shockbox: .....Hm. Knock Out: Ahh, there we go! Knock Out: Much appreciated! Shockbox: /Nod. Thenightetc: Are those eyes Knock Out: Now, see, we never did anything fun like this when I was a newspark. Immortalspark: Really? That's a shame Knock Out: Always "go to berth, share your datapad, memorize the names of all the sinus cavities." Knock Out: It really was. Shockbox: As enjoyable as this has been, Knockout, I must be leaving. Thank you for the stream. Knock Out: I mean, did you ever get to have adventures with shadow beasts? Knock Out: My pleasure. Thank you for stopping in! Thenightetc: Goodnight! Immortalspark: See you Shockwave! Immortalspark: Shadow beasts were a mainstay for my childhood Immortalspark: I thought everyone had them Knock Out: They build character. Immortalspark: indeed Smokescreen: Awww, night Shocky! Smokescreen: Wait really? I'm glad I missed that part of being a bitlet! Thenightetc: Maybe the shadow beasts stole your memories of them. Smokescreen: ..... Immortalspark: That does sound like something they'd do Smokescreen: noooooo Immortalspark: they like to pull pranks like that Smokescreen: no no no no Thenightetc: They're such playful creatures. Smokescreen: knocky hellllp Thenightetc: :) Knock Out: Oh, don't worry. I'm sure the shadow beasts will return your memories eventually. Thenightetc: After they've had their fun with them. Knock Out: They're "that" type of friend. Smokescreen: no no nnnnnnooooo Thenightetc: They might not be in the same shape after you get them back, though. Smokescreen: you're all the worstttt Knock Out: What? We didn't say they'd be *harmed.* Knock Out: Just scuffed. The edges folded down. Knock Out: Maybe a copper stain or two. Thebes: And that's assuming JUST the memories of the shadow beasts are missing Thenightetc: Don't worry, I'm sure you're safe from them these days, though. Smokescreen: what??? they took other things too? Thenightetc: Quick question: you don't have any shadows in your room, do you? Smokescreen: I. How would I know? Immortalspark: is anything in your room casting a shadow? Thenightetc: I'm sure it's fine. Smokescreen: ... Any shadow? Everything casts a shadow~! Smokescreen: NO NO NO Immortalspark: No reason to panic at all Immortalspark: or make sudden movements Smokescreen: if I don't recharge at home I'll be fine Thenightetc: ? Thenightetc: Why would it matter whether you're at home? Smokescreen: ... Aren't they just at my home? Thenightetc: *awkward silence* Thebes: I mean.  If they were a unique phenomenon, *maybe* Smokescreen: wait what about my own shadow? Smokescreen: are they in here Thenightetc: Well, I'm not in the room with you, Smokescreen.  How would I know if there were a shadow beast there? Thenightetc: gosh. Smokescreen: can I send pictures Thenightetc: The glowing eyes on the horse thing are a nice touch. Thenightetc: Not unless you want to multiply them. Smokescreen: what?? they multiply with pictures? Smokescreen: ... am I taking pictures of them- multiplying Knock Out: Make sure you ask if that's what you plan on doing. Thenightetc: I thought everyone knew that Knock Out: Not everyone's into that. Smokescreen: what Thenightetc: What? Immortalspark: snickering Smokescreen: hhhhhhhhhhh mommy is terrifying Thenightetc: Probably reminds you of something. Immortalspark: that bear is what creeps me out Immortalspark: those big soulless eyes Immortalspark: the constant stating of the obvious Smokescreen: no no no Thenightetc: What?  The bear *is* pretty creepy. Smokescreen: no i mean what you said- and I refuse to think the bear'll be evil. no no no Thenightetc: What?  About mommy reminding you of something? Immortalspark: even if he's not...I don't trust relentlessly cheery things in un-cheery worlds Thenightetc: Usually when something's inexplicably terrifying, it IS because it subconsciously reminds you of something. Thenightetc: Even if you don't necessarily remember what. Immortalspark: this is true Thenightetc: ...that looks like a giant, wounded spider crouching in the middle of the room Knock Out: WELL, THEN. Immortalspark: no it's dead it's a dead spider very dead Thenightetc: What've you got against spiders :/ Immortalspark: not me Immortalspark: aw look that tree is waving at us Thenightetc: I think I saw one of those shadow beasts again Thenightetc: Not that tree, a different one, further away Thenightetc: ...Where *is* the bear at this point?  Is he walking around behindyou? Knock Out: On its back, I believe. Immortalspark: he is hanging onto the kid's back Thenightetc: ...Ahhhh. Immortalspark: radioactive sentient teddy bears, standard for every toy store Knock Out: I'm not sure I understand what this memory is supposed to represent. Knock Out: That time mommy did a stint in a Scooby Doo-esque haunted house? Immortalspark: that time when Mommy was a vampire? Thenightetc: Camping trip gone wrong? Knock Out: That time Mommy ferried the dead back and forth? Knock Out: Did they go camping because Mommy had to tie stones to the feet of a snitch? Knock Out: This place is awful. Immortalspark: it does have quite an...atmosphere Thenightetc: Is it just me or does the bear sound like Winnie the Pooh now Knock Out: You can hear it whenever he's distressed about something. Knock Out: Or stating the obvious. Smokescreen: I'm gonna have to head off- thank you for the stream, Woojit! I gotta get rid of all the shadows in my home Knock Out: Best of luck! Give them my regards! Thenightetc: Just remember, every light you turn on makes more shadows! Immortalspark: See you later, Smokescreen! Smokescreen: what?? but. I'm covered in biolights Thenightetc: Oooo, hard luck there. Smokescreen: hhhhhhhhhhhhh Thenightetc: woah what Thenightetc: welllllll have fun with that, I guess. Thenightetc: So what's with the well, wasn't that in a picture with someone standing beside it? Thenightetc: Is someone going to crawl out of there Immortalspark: another bear?? Knock Out: The Boot Lady who mysteriously disappeared ten years ago? Immortalspark: I'm glad you rescued that Thenightetc: I'm glad you didn't fall in. Thenightetc: ...I saw something moving Knock Out: Where did you see it? Thenightetc: Dunno.  But it looked like a sort of light humanoid figure walking hurriedly past Knock Out: That frightens me more than anything that's actually happened thus far. Thenightetc: (I'm afraid I have *no* sense of directing when watching someone else play.) Thenightetc: Well, it seemed to be going *away* from you... sorta. Cardinal: Greetings! Cardinal: Uh oh, one of THESE games. Thenightetc: You missed all the fun! Knock Out: Hello, Cardinal! Cardinal: Hello alternate! Cardinal: Also, awww. Thenightetc: Smokescreen went home to turn on all the lights.  Or possibly turn off all the lights. :) Cardinal: Is the moon after him again? Knock Out: Oh, I wouldn't say you missed much. Just a mysterious figure and Smokescreen's education on shadow beasts. Cardinal: Bless that boy. Thenightetc: I wonder what that weird tentacle-shaped thing is Thenightetc: I keep seeing it in the background. Knock Out: ...Interesting! Thenightetc: ...VERY INTERESTING Knock Out: DEAR SWEET SCRAP. Immortalspark: !! Thenightetc: Hey, I think it's that picture again! Thenightetc: And it... changes when you go up to it? Knock Out: Well, frag me flying! You're right! Thebes: Well that only has good implications Thebes: certainly nothing horrifying about this Thenightetc: What a lot of blood.  I'm sure nothing awful happened here. Knock Out: I liked the Swamp Mother more when she was an imaginary thing we made up to frighten Smokescreen. Thenightetc: Maybe our ~imagination~ made it real. Knock Out: ...I refuse to take away a lesson from that. Thenightetc: I'm busy imagining that she's going to go away and never come back. Immortalspark: teddy bear isn't saying "this place is unsettling" anymore Thenightetc: So when this happens, does it mean she's close, or Thenightetc: I hear humming again Thenightetc: Wait, are you sure the book isn't something you're supposed to pick up? Thenightetc: Yeah, that one Knock Out: ...You do it. Thenightetc: Just, it looked like the picture you went through to get here was of the mother reading a book to the daughter Thebes: It did look like that Thenightetc: ...Huh. Thenightetc: ...is the bear plotting to murder the mother Knock Out: "Child" my tailpipe. *I* shouldn't have to go through all this. Thenightetc: because I'm getting that feeling Thebes: that does seem to be what it is aiming at Thebes: ... 'aiming' Knock Out: I was going to suggest packing it in, but it looks like we're almost at the end. Knock Out: Should we try for it? Thenightetc: Yeah! Knock Out: That's the spirit! Immortalspark: go for it! Thenightetc: what the heck Immortalspark: ...what Knock Out: This couldn't have less to do with childhood. Immortalspark: I have very little frame of reference and even I was questioning that Immortalspark: though I imagine I would have had a lot of fun with a really long conveyor belt thingy with sheep on the side of it Thenightetc: ...picture of Swamp Mother? Knock Out: Or some variety of root vegetable. Thenightetc: You can see the resemblance, though, right Knock Out: I was going to suggest packing it in, but it looks like we're almost at the end. Knock Out: Should we try for it? Thenightetc: Yeah! Knock Out: That's the spirit! Immortalspark: go for it! Thenightetc: what the heck Immortalspark: ...what Knock Out: This couldn't have less to do with childhood. Immortalspark: I have very little frame of reference and even I was questioning that Immortalspark: though I imagine I would have had a lot of fun with a really long conveyor belt thingy with sheep on the side of it Thenightetc: ...picture of Swamp Mother? Knock Out: Or some variety of root vegetable. Thenightetc: You can see the resemblance, though, right Thenightetc: well, that sure is a shadow of some description Knock Out: Wasn't it just? Thenightetc: Why are there marks on the floor and ceiling there Knock Out: I've been wondering that myself. Immortalspark: hanging baby clothes Knock Out: Well, I'm stuck. Knock Out: ...And tempted to spend the right of my life in the closet. Immortalspark: green cabinets? yikes Knock Out: *The horror.* Immortalspark: truly Thenightetc: O_O Thenightetc: more drawings Knock Out: This had better nor turn into a Tattletail scenario where those drawings matter. Knock Out: *not Thebes: They probably do though Knock Out: And how is this infant humant scaling narrow boards and knocking down bottles with fruit? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most humanlings have trouble directing their fists to their mouths? Thenightetc: Possession? Knock Out: That works. Thebes: plus what if this stuff just... isn't actually happening? Thenightetc: Yeah, it did start when the toddler went to sleep Immortalspark: seems like some deranged nightmare thing Thenightetc: what IS all this black stuff everywhere Knock Out: Smears of the teamwork that brought us this far? Thenightetc: It's kind of like something squeezed into the corner between the wall and the floor and left those behind Thenightetc: Is this going to have something to do with the elephant the bear hid and made you find at the beginning Thenightetc: nnnnnnope Thenightetc: wait was that a death Immortalspark: that one was in a coat Thenightetc: what HAPPENED there Thenightetc: what the Immortalspark: oh Knock Out: Oh indeed. Immortalspark: the bear got it Thenightetc: ohhhh dear Knock Out: ...Well! Thenightetc: Well indeed Knock Out: That was an experience that brought no one joy. Thenightetc: Well put-together, though Cardinal: Yet we survived. Cardinal: Right? Knock Out: We did. We really did! Cardinal: Or did we. Immortalspark: do not fix the bear Knock Out: Was that a thing we were supposed to do? Immortalspark: the voice at the end said he would Immortalspark: ominously Thenightetc: ...I found what the song she was humming apparently was https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIiuaXEZodE Immortalspark: I am left feeling that this is a bad idea Knock Out: EUGH! Thenightetc: ...Hey, that was the link in the thread, don't blame me. Knock Out: Well, at least it's a nice song. Knock Out: And the troll appears to be a better mother. Immortalspark: it does Knock Out: So! That was Among the Sleep. Knock Out: I wouldn't say that's a *good* place to leave it for tonight, but it's...a place? Thenightetc: I thought it was good.  Very atmospheric, resisted the temptation to kill the player every two minutes Cardinal: A place it is. Knock Out: Thank you all for coming and experiencing...that? With me? Thebes: Certainly can't argue that Thenightetc: ...and much better than the ink thing Immortalspark: much better Knock Out: Much, much better. Thenightetc: Thank you for the stream. :) Knock Out: Always a pleasure!