Sparkle on! It’s wednesday! Don’t forget to be yourself!

I was tired as fuck last night and I started doodling

This morning I woke up and immediately finished it

Enjoy ^^

What's your hcs abt every merc's kinks?

Kink Headcanons (All Mercs!)

🔞Minors DNI🔞

The Masterlist

👟 Scout 👟

Very stereotypical interests, I honestly see Sout as kinda the most vanilla of the mercs

Not completely vanilla though. Not by a long shot

He’s definitely adventurous, and would he willing to try almost anything once as long as he’s with someone he trusts

Plus he’s an addict when it comes to praise

Tell him how good he’s doing while he’s fucking you, and he’ll have a very hard time keeping himself from coming right then and there.

If you’re willing to explore with him, I feel like you would witness quite a few kink awakenings.

Some things I think he would grow to enjoy are pegging, pet play, and femdom, but those are just my opinions!

🦅 Soldier 🦅

America is this man’s kink.

Ok, I’m joking. Kind of.

Soldier likes discipline, and he’ll definitely use his riding crop on you if you let him

However, that discipline goes both ways

He’ll start out with you as the bottom, so prepare to be the receiver of many spankings and swats

Then one day, he comes up to you, uncharacteristically bashful, and hands you the riding crop with a pleading look

He’s too ashamed to say that he wants you to top him, but you get the message real quick.

Once you unlock his switch side, you might even convince him to try pegging. He’s a real “man’s man” though, so make sure you’re delicate about it

🔥 Pyro 🔥

Thankfully, while Pyro is more than eager to play with fire on the battlefield, that fire does not translate into the bedroom (at least, not literally)

While Pyro doesn’t have a mask kink, a partner with a mask kink would be ideal for them, as they don’t like to show their face

However, if you don’t have a mask kink, blindfolds are always an option, and Pyro happens to like those very much

They love watching the way you squirm as the lack of sight enhances all of your other senses

Pyro also has a huge praise kink as well. They like to be told they’re doing a good job.

If they have an especially good day on the battlefield, you could offer to reward them later that night

💥 Demoman 💥

I’m gonna be honest, I was stumped on this one for a while

Eventually I finally settled on pegging

Allow me to explain

Watching the Meet the Demoman I just saw a man who, while he definitely enjoys his job, probably has a shit ton of stress

Add in the comic lore, and you’ve got all these familial expectations he’s gotta live up to as well

Basically, I think a night where he just gets to sit back and get ravished would be good for him

He would also probably have an affinity for oral, as he likes to eat you out in return

🥊 Heavy 🥊

This guy has a size kink. He likes smaller partners, and lucky for him, almost everyone is smaller than him, so he has quite the pool to pick from

There’s almost a kind of protective aspect in it for him. He likes to be able to protect his partner, to shelter them, and most importantly, pamper the absolute hell out of them

Seriously be ready to be waited on hand and foot by your own personal Russian bodyguard

I guess you could almost see it as a kind of service submission

Wow, service sub Heavy was not a take I was prepared to make but it does oddly make sense…

But as for his more dominant side, he doesn’t show it often, especially since he often worries about causing you pain during sex.

Usually you’ll be riding him

However, on the rare occasions when he’s willing, and you’re feeling especially comfortable and receptive, he will allow himself to be rough with you, teasing you about how small you are beneath him

🔧 Engineer 🔧

Toys. Specifically, ridiculously high tech toys.

Say what you will about a mercenary salary, it sure as hell lets you splurge sometimes.

And Engineer has definitely splurged, both on actual toys and on parts that he used to make his own

Yes, you heard (or rather, read) that right, this overachiever is out here making his own sex toys.

You and I both know that the Gunslinger probably has a vibrate function 😏

That said, I think Engie would have a particular kink for the classic “vibrating panties” scenario

Basically you are wearing the panties (or just a bullet vibe inside- it can really be anything that vibrates and stays put, it doesn’t have to be underwear) and Engie gets to press the buttons controlling the vibrations whenever he wants

He likes watching how you squirm and start to talk faster and louder, trying to cover up both the noise and your embarrassment.

He is the king of aftercare though, always letting you know how good you did.

🏥 Medic 🏥

Let’s get the obvious out of the way

I feel like Medic likes a lot of edgeplay. Possibly including blood, scalpels, and a few itty bitty surgeries here and there

Of course, it’s all consensual, but some people could still find it morbid.

On the more chill side, his kinks are actually pretty common.

These include impact play, edging, and sensory deprivation (for example, blindfolds). All of these go for both giving and receiving, btw

However one kink that I think is specific to him is how much he seems to love, and even prefer fucking you in the operating table.

Something about it just seems much more erotic than a normal bed

🦘 Sniper 🦘

Primal play, specifically being the predator in the scenario

Sniper is a pretty outdoorsy guy, so it figures that he would enjoy tracking you through a dense forest while you act as prey

Along with this comes outdoor sex as well

Something about taking you outside just seems so carnal and raw, it really gets him going

Plus, the chase just makes the final capture all the more satisfying, for both of you

Afterwards he’s immediately chill, carrying you back to the van for some much needed aftercare

And I just know someone out there is upset that I didn’t mention piss. I’m sorry. I’m still not gonna mention it.

🌹 Spy 🌹

A weirdly specific idea I’ve always held for Spy is that he likes waxplay

Something about the way the melted wax drips and solidifies in your body is very elegant and erotic to him (I have written a fic about this 👀)

Another big one is knife play. It definitely fits his theme

However, he never uses a sharp knife. The blade is always too dull to actually break the skin. But the way he builds up a scene is effective enough to make you feel as if you’re truly at his mercy

Basically Spy seems like a very formal dom to me, the kind that will lavish you with gifts while also making sure you never act spoiled. Brat tamer Spy, anyone?

Oh, and he likes to be called “sir.”

The Chrimer: 2015, F3.

Everyone loves a good rivalry.

Charles and Max's karting history could-- and probably will-- be their own primer, but for Charles' 2015 season only one part really matters: Max jumps from F3 to F1. This casts a long shadow on Charles as his childhood karting rival.

Charles spends most of the year getting asked about seeing Max compete at the highest level of motorsport, like in this segment from a South China Morning Post article about the 2015 Macau Grand Prix:

For his part, however, Leclerc is keeping the focus on what’s right in front of him, rather than on what the horizon might offer as he sets out to tackle the tricky Guia circuit for the first time, knowing, of course, the greats of racing who have gone out there before him and still with comparisons to former VAR – and current Formula One – star Max Verstappen ringing in his ears. “I am taking things step by step,” says Leclerc. “I want to arrive in Formula One when I am more than ready and Formula 3 is a good choice in that I can learn and develop. And I raced Max all through my karting years and we fought each other at the finish, so I have always had the comparisons with him and I am okay with them.”

The jump to F3 is a last minute surprise: Charles had originally been tipped for a full-time Eurocup spot. Eurocup would have been more of the Formula Renault 2.0 level of competition Charles had experienced the previous year; F3 was considered a promotion.

In an interview, Charles was asked why he decided on F3 instead of Eurocup:

"After the season of last year, my manager and I thought that it would be better to jump to F3! Firstly, there are 3 races per weekend and 11 weekends so we drive a lot and so we gain a lot of experience! Then loads of drivers were planning to do it! And I felt really good in the car and the tests went well."

Surprisingly, Charles picks to race for Dutch team Van Amersfoort in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship like Max did the previous year. He essentially steps into his former rival's spot, replacing Max as team leader and taking his former engineer. This was allegedly on Jos Verstappen's suggestion, but there isn't much reference to that connection out there that I could find.

This doesn't help the comparisons.

Formula Scout-- in their 2015 Driver Profile of Charles-- would write:

Leclerc marked himself out as a real prospect in karting – so much so he topped our 2012 ‘karters to watch‘ feature, ahead of Verstappen. But it’s never a foregone conclusion that a successful karter will make a successful car racer. [...] Those performances suggested he would be capable of stepping up to F3, particularly as his old rival Verstappen had made it look easy and didn’t have the benefit of a year of car racing experience. And so he has proven to be. It’s still early days, but Leclerc has so far been the class of a large crop of rookies and taken the fight to proven F3 winners with multiple years of experience already under their belt. His early performances are on a par with what last year’s star rookies Esteban Ocon and Verstappen were doing – in fact, his record of two wins and five podiums from the first six races replicates the 2014 champion’s start. If he keeps it up, he will deserve to be held in the same high esteem as them a few months down the line.

They would ultimately summarize Charles' future as so:

While he’s got plenty in common with his old karting rival and Van Amersfoort F3 predecessor Verstappen, a lesser reputation and sensible management mean he’s unlikely to be making the jump straight up to F1 next year. He will therefore need to sustain this impressive form into an intermediate category like GP2 in order to make the grade.

Even with the comparisons to Esteban and Max, Charles still appears to be able to joke with both at the beginning of the season.

This lightheartedness would be needed, especially when Max was the special F1 driver guest for one of Charles' podiums:

Charles would start the season strong. As a rookie, Charles would top the morning running at the pre-event test of the opening round weekend by nearly half a second.

In true Charles fashion, he's unable to take the W:

"A good day," said Leclerc at the end of the test, after reviewing the results and drawing conclusions. “We have learned a lot, both about the set-up for qualifying and for the race. However, this does not mean that I am automatically one of the leading drivers this weekend as well, testing and racing are two different things. But needless to say, it's my goal to do it."

He would bring this momentum into winning in Silverstone, Hockenheim, Spa-Francorchamps and Nuremberg. I find the races themselves a little dull to break down race-by-race, but if you're interested.. an anon has provided video of every race here.

Charles would explain that:

“We arrived at the first race quite confident but obviously there were still had doubts from some people who didn’t know me when I arrived for testing. We were really fast from the first race which was a bit of a surprise because I was a rookie among all these experienced drivers so they didn’t really expect me. But from another point of view we were prepared, we worked hard and after testing it wasn’t that much of a surprise for us, how we went. We were quite confident.”

However... Charles' season would become inconsistent after a crash in Zandvoort with Lance Stroll would damage his chassis in a way that could never be correctly repaired.

Jules would pass the next week.

Charles would only podium once more during the remaining season, five months later in Macau.

He is quoted as saying:

“It is a good result, but I am never happy when I'm not first. Since I was a child I was never happy when I wasn't first. So, it is the still the same.”

Charles would end up finishing the season in fourth place behind Felix Rosenquist, Antonio Giovinazzi, and Jake Dennis. He'd still have 4 wins, 13 podiums, 3 pole positions and 6 fastest laps, making him the rookie champion over future F1 competitors George Russell, Lance Stroll and Alexander Albon.

Formula Scout would summarize his season:

VAR, like most, couldn’t keep up with Prema in the later part of the season but Leclerc seemed to lose some individual sparkle too. That’s forgivable for a teenage rookie though, particularly with the early-season highs becoming impossible to match. And no young racer should have to say goodbye to a life-long friend and mentor mid-season. Leclerc might not have been champion but he was F3’s standout talent in 2015.

Even with the issues in the later half of the season, he was still tapped to go into GP3 with Todt's team, ART Grand Prix. And he had some lighthearted moments:

(Behind the scenes footage here.)

One of the most lasting legacies of this season, though, is how it would set up the rest of Charles' career.

Charles did go into 2015 with very few sponsors outside of Todt. In a pre-season assessment, Formula Scout summarizes his off-track relationships:

No doubt assisted by the Bianchis’ tutelage, Leclerc signed with Todt Jr’s All Road Management firm in 2011. At present, Leclerc has no ties to F1 teams, but through his work with Felipe Massa, Pastor Maldonado and Bianchi, Todt has dealt with most of them and will be very well-placed to get his protege a role when the time comes. A potential stumbling point is that most F1 teams are already overflowing with some serious sub-F1 prospects, but if he continues to impress as he’s doing at the moment, they could begin falling over each other to find a space for him. Funding-wise, Leclerc benefits from partners usually tied to Todt’s projects, and watch maker Richard Mille (currently a sponsor of the Lotus F1 team) is his loyal main backer. And you’d imagine that being billed as a future F1 star from Monaco could well tempt some further future investment.

Lance Stroll would spend most of his single-seaters career against Charles as the Ferrari-backed driver until 2015, when he left to take a development driver role with Williams.

By this point, the Ferrari Driver Academy was heavily scrutinized to the point where it was speculated that they would do away with the initiative entirely. While Red Bull's junior program had brought Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kyvat to its senior team, no driver from the FDA had successfully made the jump. At the end of 2015, Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene decided to appoint a new head and restructure the program entirely.

Charles was rumored to be the next addition to the Ferrari Driver Academy in November 2015 as part of these changes; by December, articles were already talking as if the signing was inevitable.

In 2020, Charles would talk about visiting Maranello for the first time-- not as a friend of Jules'-- that year with his father:

I went with my father to Maranello (the home of Ferrari). I was 17 years young and extremely shy. I was scared because I didn't know if I was good enough to be included in the programme.

He was. He would end up impressing Ferrari in his two days of testing.

They would announce Charles as a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016, setting up both his next year and the rest of his career.

X-Men '97 and the Gambit Ford F-150 Trailer Hitch Clutching

So I haven't watched all the episodes yet, but I wanted to address the stuff I've seen/heard about certain dudes in the "fandom" getting all upset about Gambit's crop top and how it made him seem gay or bi coded, even though in the entire episode he's classic Remy LeBeau from the original 90s series--not too interesting in helping out or doing anything other than what he wants to do, shamelessly flirting with Rogue, and busting everyone else's balls/possibly flirting with them too, but will still jump into the fight when it's time.

Oh, and Gambit was my favorite X-Men character growing up and I'm a cishet male, if that matters. Spoiler alert: It shouldn't.

"Holy Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, Batman! It's his belly button."

If that's you, you clearly were too young in the 90s to remember the fashion of the day. The top photo and the ending basketball scene (a references to the comics as well), was soooo 80s/90s. Bishop's got a lime green tank top on and Cyclops' tank top is tucked into his shorts. The animators understood the assignment.

If anything, Remy (above) is rock-n-roll coded more than anything else. Just Google most 80s era rock bands that had songs about partying, sex, hot babes, etc. and you'll see big hair, eyeliner, bright colors, leather pants, jewelry, fishnets, fingerless gloves, and yes... crop tops. Maybe the 80s and 90s were "gay", IDK, but I remember most of my childhood clothes in the 80s and early 90s were some variation of a neon color as was every other kid's regardless of gender.

As mentioned above, he soooo badly wants in Rogue's pants, which possibly eliminates any gay coding, which only leave bi coding if a 90s crop top = being bisexual.

Who. Freakin'. Cares. Say this out loud with me. You can like, love, and enjoy a character without identifying with that character in any way, shape, or form (and that's probably a good thing for some characters). This can mean their sexuality, gender, ethnicity, religion, morality, or anything else about them. Yes, we can bring in the Punisher debate and how military and law enforcement appropriated the Punisher logo as their badge of honor and intimidation, and how they cherry-picked traits from that character to signal their toxic masculinity when Frank Castle is not meant to be a patron saint of law enforcement or the military. But it is also possible to just enjoy a character without making that character your identity. You can enjoy their characterization, storylines, or even something as simple as their costume, superpowers, or where they're from because you were born or grew up there too.

As mentioned above, Gambit was my favorite character growing up when I first got into X-Men, mostly thanks to this series, and he and I are very different. To me, Gambit was the cool, confident guy that I wasn't. He also wasn't Cyclops or Wolverine.

As a kid, most kids wanted to be Wolverine when playing X-Men on the playground because he had the claws and the healing factor. To us, he was OP which fit in with the whole childish argument of big, bigger, biggest, and finally infinity whatever... until someone busted out with the infinity times infinity argument. Also, there was no real internet and comics weren't readily accessible, so most of the knowledge at that time was from the show and limited comics one might've had. Plus, I think the whole Magneto pulls the adamantium from Wolverine's body storyline hadn't happened yet so yeah, that would've been a good game changer on the playground.

Anyway, outside of Batman, I was never a fan of the "popular" thing growing up and often preferred more underdog characters, teams, and things. Also, due to self-esteem issues I always felt less than, so while I liked Wolverine it was hard for him to be my favorite since he was everyone else's and I felt like I wasn't cool enough to like him. Cyclops on the other hand was the clean cut boy scout, which also didn't appeal to me because that was also something I didn't relate to. Outside of Beast and Morph, who got sidelined earlier in the series, that then left Gambit. (Note: Bishop wasn't a part of the main group and came later on.) But Gambit also seemed cool to me. He had a cool looking outfit, was agile and knew how to fight (I was into martial arts at the time as well), and could throw explosive cards. He definitely fit the "Rule of cool" in my child brain.

Lastly, and this goes back to point #4 above, it shouldn't matter what a character is like or how they identify. They're fictional and enjoying them as a medium should be fun. They are not you and you are not them, even if you have things in common. That said, I do think it's great when there's representation as well. I don't recall if this was in the OG series, though I seriously doubt it was, and I don't know about main Marvel canon, but I also think it's cool that Morph now has they/them pronouns as seen in the profile credits and Marvel wiki. I'm sure some people have missed this and I'm sure that'll be the next hot-button issue, but whether Gambit is gay, bi, straight, or whatever, he's still one of my favorites and it's why I grabbed this guy when it first came out.

I have more things to say about this first episode and my experience with the X-Men growing up, but I'll save that for other posts as this has gotten long enough already.

Oh i was gone for a while lol. Sorry bout that

While i was away, though:

1. I made a new OC, his name is Frank :)

2. Crop top sniper and scout (real)

KIᒪᒪEᖇᑕOOK - ᑕᕼᗩᑭTEᖇ 3

Welcome to Raven's Reading Nook - a small corner of this blog dedicated to cozy story times. Join us in the family room as we sit around and browse our phones, and eat some Girl Scout cookies as we begin tonight's story. Rated Mature for language.

NEW ALERT – LIVE VIDEO: KillerCook ~ 420 joint sesh

You fumble to press play on your screen device. It’s your favorite time of the day! A new KillerCook upload. The sound of laughter fills your ears as you see KillerCook, PunkNeverDied69, Scream_Maim_Fire, and FlamingHot420 sitting on bean bags in the kitchen. They were passing around an item that was censored but the smoke in the air and the date was enough to determine what was happening. You sigh, you only wish you could share something that touched their lips.

“Hey guys, KillerCook and the Crew here for a new kind of format. We had some 420 friendly goodies pre-prepared for quality assurance review but uhhh… during our preliminary taste test we got overzealous and uhhh well now we’re baked! So instead, I’ll post the recipes real quick for you and pin them to the top. Then we’ll be reading aloud some questions you all have had and top comments that made us chuckle.”

The others laughed in the background, waving multiple bakes goods and censored items in the air. They all looked zoned out and relaxed. KillerCook was without his apron or hair net but he still looked damn good in his jeans and tight-fitting shirt. PunkNeverDied69 was wearing loose joggers and a half-cropped band shirt with ripped sleeves and safety pins tucked on the collar; you were absolutely not drooling in private as you ogled his bare abs. Scream_Maim_Fire was wearing a dark hoodie vest, showing off muscular arms, but his long legs remained a mystery hidden behind sweatpants. FlamingHot420 looked the most bake compared to all of them. His eyes were hazy and red, his face pretty flushed and his head sort of lolled in agreement even in the silent moments. He was cute looking in his basketball shorts and jersey, his gorgeous blue locks pulled backwards in a bun.

A ping on your phone goes off and you see that KillerCook posted the recipes to the message board. The first was a recipe for cannabutter. The same cannabutter that was listed in the THC cookie recipe – a recipe for cream filled mini-cookie sandwiches. You took screenshots of the recipes to try out for yourself later.

KillerCook presented to the camera a cold butter dish filled with an almost amber looking block of what you presumed was the cannabutter.

“It does smell a bit strong of TCH but just use a tight-seal cover and it won’t be an issue,” he explained.

Then he presented a platter of the aforementioned cream-filled mini-cookie sandwiches. The cookies themselves were cinnamon cream cheese and the frosting in the center was vanilla. Both infused with the cannabutter making it a higher dosage of edible than the typical standard.

“Anyways, Heat complained they weren’t hitting fast enough. Four cookies an hour and a half later and he was zonked out. He had two more cookies before we went live and now we have this,” KillerCook pointed to the blue haired man.

“Four now,” Heat giggled as he popped another cookie in his mouth.

“Jesus Christ man, don’t forget to drink water.”

KillerCook himself did not eat any cookies but he did smoke out of a hilariously long pipe. Like Gandalf the Grey once had.

“Puff puff, so sorry I can’t do my normal baking and flexing routing but we thought we could still enjoy the holiday for a little bit with your favorite fans. We’ll be opening the reward tiers to questions and comments for 10 minutes and the highly voted ones will be chosen to be read aloud. They can be addressed to anyone in this group. We won’t answer any highly inappropriate ones so don’t waste your coins on those – or do, I get paid either way!” He smoked and explained.

Kid finished his turn with the joint before taking over. “For now, we’re going to go through some questions we’ve received in the past that we want to answer. If a top message gets answered by any of these questions, another message has an opportunity gets chosen. Since today is a national holiday of which we highly enjoy partaking in, today’s live is only 30 minutes before we dip.”

Wire held out an index card, the side that faced the camera was a question mark. Must be a question.

“’Where are you guys from or where did you meet to create your crew?’ Well, we’re from Scotland, a long way from where we are now. We were tired of being considered a part of the Royal British Empire” Wire said in near disgust, “So we said fuck it, traveled around by ship for a few years doing trade and shit before we decided to steady our legs and start anew.” He popped a creamy cookie in his mouth.

Kid held up the next card, the icon facing the camera had an action bubble. “ThePigeonsAreSpies asks, ‘do you guys work out a lot or are you lot just genetically blessed with mass?’” He snorts at that. “We work out a lot. And play sports in our free time too. We’ve been known to enjoy football, rugby, hockey, shit basketball even. You get in what you put in when you work out. Want results? Do the fucking work.”

Heat picked the final index card after 10 minutes went by, “Final question! This is open to everyone. ‘Do you guys have any ‘special someones’ in your lives?’” Heat’s face flushed almost as red as his eyes were. “Uhhh that’s pretty personal, not sure how comfortable anyone wants to answer tha—”

“Single,” Killer, Kid and Wire immediately answered.

Heat sighed, “Single.”

A timer went off signaling time was up for the submissions and voting. Killer pulled out a separate Ipad and began scrolling through the message board as he smoked his pipe.

“M’kay got a couple of good ones here and I’m deleting the repeat ones now to get ‘em out of the way. Ok, I’ll lead this round of messages and then we’ll wrap it up. RippedBongGoBrrrrsays, ‘If you guys create a workout channel I’d subscribe to it. Or any meal prep plans/boxes you sell. I want to give you all my money.’” Killer chuckled as he smoked. “Appreciate the offer, we’ll put it in a box of ideas to explore later. Keep the ideas coming – we love easy work and fast money.”

Kid chewed on a cookie as he chose a message to read. “HopelessRomantic asks, ‘What would you consider a perfect date? Question open for all,’ For me, something lowkey and fun. Going to a bar or movie, maybe mini golf or some shit. Too many bullshit expectations put on a ‘first date,’ just go out and have fun for fucks sake.”

“For me I think a perfect date is eating at a good restaurant and then a follow up to unwind. I agree that first dates have too much pressure on them but I also want the opportunity to learn about my date and dinner is the perfect time to do that. Movie or something fun after is a great follow up,” Killer mused.

Heat perked up, “For me, I’d want to do something outside the box. Let’s go to a skate park or a beach bonfire for our first date. Something chill and laid back.”

Wire lifted his joint with a shrug, “Don’t really have a preference. If I get lucky at the end of the night, I’d call that a perfect ending.”

The group laughed and continued answering messages. At one point they took a bathroom break and Heat pulled out his guitar and sang a song. Something from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The minutes burned and you grip your phone tightly, wondering if they’d get to your message. You were surprised at the number of votes it got, but then again you did pay a hefty sum to boost your message for more people to see it. As the final minute ticked down—

“Alright we’re going to wrap this Live up with one more question. I’m going to pick at complete random by covering Kid’s face and letting his finger pick the message.”

Killer stood up and kneeled behind Kid, holding the screen in front of the redhead as he puffed his joint. A purple nail painted hand covered the beautiful amber eyes as Kid lolled his finger around in anticipation before jamming it down on the screen.

Killer sat back down in the beanbag and took another puff from his pipe before turning it upside down on the 420 organizer tray.

“The final message comes from WishUpon11:11 says, ‘I don’t offer much except adoration. You guys are so fucking cool and look so fun to hang out with. You seem to have a close friendship with each other and with your other crewmates and it makes me wish I could be a part of a group like that. I love you all and wish you nothing but continued success and happiness. If I can ask a question on my already long comment, can you tell us about that girl in the framed photo on the refrigerator?”

The men took on a somber look that replaced their relaxed and content faces from the initial praise. They all turned to look at the picture. From the camera stand it wasn’t a close angle but even from its placement you could clearly see a much younger Kid, Killer, and a young woman between them. The two friends exchanged a look before Kid gave a meek nod and took a long drag of his joint.

Sighing, “That was our close friend from childhood. She is no longer with us, having passed back in Scotland under an unfortunate circumstance. Part of the reason we left that place behind. We don’t like to talk about it and this isn’t the place for it either but I will say this – cherish the people closest to you. You never know how much time you have with someone.”

Kid gave a stiff nod and held out his joint, “To Victoria!” he barked.

“To Victoria,” the others lit up new joints and tilted them to the air before they all took a deep drag.

Killer clapped his hands, “On that note, it’s time to wrap this party up. Thanks for hanging out with us and sending us all your messages. This has been Faffaffaffa-Food with Killer.”

Live ended.

Read on Wattpad | Read on AO3

Crop top Scout is the only real Scout in my mind

a handful of my TF2 headcanons (especially the trans ones)

(includes modern headcanons/disregard to what technology existed during the time period because we all saw the Apple store)

Mann Co. brand HRT

(many strange side effects, including enlarged hands)

All of the mercs (who partake) are synced up to the same day for efficiency's sake. Medic administers it and will announce over the intercom the day of. It makes sure that no one accidentally misses a dose due to forgetfulness.

Scout is the only one of his brothers who's trans

Sniper and Pyro are "the same" in terms of how the feel about gender:

Use he/him and masculine terms, but don't really care about gender in the grand scheme of things. Just use them because it's easy. (I will gladly go on a rant about this)

Genderfluid Spy (unoriginal, I know):

Not in a drastic "switch" genderfluidity is often portrayed as. He stands heavily on clothes not being gendered. Just because he's in a suit doesn't mean he's a man. No one can tell how Spy feels per day, but he doesn't mind much. Uses any pronouns at all times, but will occasionally correct people if it's especially strong. You know the board? The alert board? The "IS A WOMAN"/"IS A MAN" lights? Yeah, he uses those.

Scout didn't have top surgery before becoming a merc. (Medic fixed that)

Engie is a MASSIVE cat person:

He loves dogs, don't get me wrong. He's Texan, I think it's a crime to not like dogs there. But having a little lap warmer? A little guy to pester you into getting up from your work to feed them, forcing you out of your focus to remember that you also need to eat? Cats are also better for doing Rubber Duck Debugging.

Scout is great at using a microwave, but Pyro is better.

Which state Soldier is from + misc:

Despite being a born-and-raised Midwestern man myself, I don't have a specific state I think Soldier is from. DEFINITELY a corn state, though. He knows about the dangers of corn fields but has a soft spot for corn mazes. Lover of hayrides and cornhole. Either made fake crop circles or was convinced they were real when he was younger.

Engie is both the titular Grill Dad™ and the granny that bakes you sweets at the same time:

He loves making everyone food. Brings people together, y'know? He's not a master at baking, but he'll do his damnedest if someone mentions an old regional food they miss. He is a master of the open flame. Loves cast-iron. Hates microwaves.

Heavy, Sniper, and Scout all seperately want to get a dog for the base but have not spoken about it to anyone.

Demo and Pyro have a little knitting club together. (Demo taught Pyro)

That's all I've got for now!

If you want to talk to me about any of these, or talk about your own headcanons, my DMs are open!

Chapter 13 - New Rules, New Moves

Kisara changed into more casual clothes just as she always did whenever she knew some fighting would be involved, mainly, a pair of fashionable and slightly large high-waisted black pants, a cute crop top and her kitsune-patterned haori, with the katana attached ever-permanently at her hip. She instructed Ohma to go outside and train, while she goes to scout around the ballroom and get some food for him when she's done listening to Katahara's announcement.

As soon as she got there, she spotted Agito, of all people, chatting rather friendly with Naoya and Himuro. She couldn't help but chuckle and step over to them, finding out that they were talking about Ultraman and Zetton, the boss monster Okubo compared Agito to. But it seems like the Fang really is out of this world, for he knows just about nothing about real life.

"Agito, do you not know about video games at all?" Kisara asked, getting in front of him, next to the other MMA fighter. "What are those?" that genuine question made both the girl and Naoya gasp in disdain. "How can you not know of video games?!" they yelled in unison, as he simply shrugged. "Kisara, we must teach him about video games, some day! And soon!" she nodded vigorously, their arms crossed over their chest, as if they meant business. "If you don't know about video games... Does it mean that you're not familiar with most of the things that happen outside of Katahara's circle and general fighting?" the stupefying answer was an affirmative nod of his head. "I never needed anything else but to get stronger and protect the Chairman." what a heartbreaking life. "But would you like to experience and see the world with your own eyes, someday?" came the red head's question. "I don't know." he replied simply. "For as long as Chairman Katahara needs me, I cannot leave my spot by his side." it was a shattering explanation, but it made a lot of sense. "I understand... You're very loyal to the Chairman. I can see all the people who work for him trust and respect him a lot." she realised. "Man, but what a sad life. You need a hobby. Next thing, you'll tell us you never watched a movie before!" but the answer was negative. "That's, by far, the saddest thing I've ever heard in my life." Naoya's head was spinning, hearing the Fang being so unaware of the world outside. "Wait, hold up. Hatsumi Senpai said he was a candidate for the spot of The Fang when he was younger. I think 20 years ago, which means you weren't The Fang 20 years ago... And 20 years ago you must have still been a child, or at least, not an adult yet, so that means you weren't as indispensable to Katahara as you are now. So... What about your youth? Have you done nothing fun, or picked a hobby before that time?" Kisara pointed out, remembering the horror with which Hatsumi explained the time he went to Katahara's home after being personally picked as The Fang candidate, but got bored in about two days. "I don't remember much of my childhood, but Chairman Katahara took me in and gave me a proper education from a younger age. I guess I never thought about anything else." he was pretty unbothered by not having knowledge of the fun activities. "Alright, alright, I understand. Well - If you ever want to go travel the world, hit me up. After this tournament is over, I'm planning to go on a complete world tour." she smiled friendly at him. "Thank you for the invitation." he spoke, as formal as ever. "Naoya. Himuro. Better teach Agito about video games and movies in the meantime." the girl gave them a thumbs up, and they gave her a mock military salute, as they started showing various video games on their phones. In a way, she wanted to spend a bit more time with them - Although clueless, Agito was a nice person, and with Naoya and Himuro there, the conversation wasn't awkward in the least - Damn, extroverted, social people. On the other hand, she spotted both Gaolang and Kaneda there, having a jovial chat, and whilst she wanted to congratulate the Thai on his outstanding performance, and hopefully, convince him to teach her a few Muay Thai moves, and hype up the smaller one for inspiring people to get better and better.

"Hey, you guys, how are you after having such a fantastic match?" the girl held a large, encouraging grin on her face. "Ah... Hahaa... Miss Kisara, don't tease me, that was anything but fantastic. Gaolang beat me up without even sweating." Kaneda stuck his tongue out like an awkward little kitten. "No, no, don't say that, you were completely inspirational! If I had heard you four years ago, I'd have started crying. I really needed to hear something like that, and I think more people were moved by your words." she praised the man who grinned shyly. "You're embarrassing me, Miss Kisara, but thank you. I just... Said what I've been feeling my entire life. I was born with a weak body, and during my childhood, I've suffered tons of diseases and surgeries. Ha... I don't really like speaking about it, it's not a manly thing, admitting to your weaknesses... But the point of it all is striving to get better and stronger every day." the man with fox eyes explained, watching the girl nod her head in approval. "Yes, exactly! Four years ago, my Senpai told me the same thing. Four years ago, I was living off of coffee and a light meal per day, buried deep into studying medicine. I was tired all the time, physically, mentally, emotionally, and I always felt so weak and good for nothing. I then got introduced in this whole kengan mess, and my friend introduced me to my senpai, who taught me what it means to be strong and reach out for your dreams." Kaneda's eyes opened, beaming at the girl with wonder and awe - He had actually managed to inspire someone to become better! His heart was swelling with pride! "That's right, Kaneda, you were a true warrior in the battlefield. You, as well as your fighting style and wit, were admirable." Gaolang agreed to the praise given to his opponent. "Enough, you two, you are embarrassing me..." he chuckled, waving his hand dismissively at the two. "I was wondering... You two... Since tomorrow is a free day... But it be okay to ask you to teach me some of your simpler moves?" the girl asked, smiling a bit timidly, seeing as they were looking at her with wide eyes of surprise and mouth slightly agape. "There's a lot of things I can't do, because I don't have the body built for all this... And I'll never have it, anyway. I couldn't possibly become a pro-wrestler or grappler or brawler, you know? Aside for aikido, I don't think there's anything that I can really do, that would put me on an equal line with all of you, guys. But I've been training for four years now, and I've been picking up different moves from different styles, and I've been adapting them to my own capabilities. I want to get better for myself, so that if anything ever happens, there's no doubt I'll get out of whatever predicament I'm thrown into... And I really enjoyed your fight. And I want to start being able to do elbow and knee hits too." she grinned sheepishly, earning a hum of amusement from the Thai. "It would be my honor to teach you, Miss Kisara! Let's meet up tomorrow and practice together, yes? I think it would do you some good for your next match, yes, Gaolang?" Kaneda looked up with glee at the boxer. "Yes, that sounds good. I will need good practice against the strongest man in the underground. He's a worthy foe indeed." he spared a glance towards Agito, who was looking into Naoya's phone, still as confused as before. "I must win, for His Highness..." though Kisara had no time to thank them, for the biggest child in the world appeared like an obnoxious jump-scare out of thin air and wrapped his arms around the two fighters. "GAOLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!!! KANEDA SUEKICHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! THAT FIRGHT WAS SO AWESOOOOOOOOOME!!! I WAS SOOOOOOOOO MOOOOOOOOOOOVED!!!" his scream resounded through the hall room, and whilst Kisara couldn't help but cringe from the ear pain, she knew Kaneda and Gaolang were doing much worse, probably even ruptured eardrums. "Damn. He found me." the Thai grumbled, exasperated. From a little behind, Sayaka cheered happily for Saw Paing, for finding his friend, and another man that sported beautiful red hair just like the fox girl's, and a long side plait that complimented the one Sayaka wore on the other side, put his jacket over her shoulders. He must be Retsudo, Katahara's child that was in charge of the bodyguards or whatever, as Gaolang pointed out. It was the first time she saw him, but he was as beautiful as his sister, despite how different they looked.

As if on cue, Katahara's face appeared on the large screen, booming his announcement with the same jovial voice as always. "Hello, everybody~♪ Are we having fun? You've all been a delight today. Now, I know this is sudden, but I'd like to announce an additional rule. Also, this video is being broadcast across the island. It would be, how you say, 'unfair' if you had information that people who didn't attend the party didn't have." the whole place was mumbling around, flustered at the idea of an additional rule. "Okay, here it goes~♪ From the second round on, you are allowed to substitute your fighter no more than once. You are free to select anyone, so long as you have their consent. The substitution can be made right up until the match begins, so give it a good think. That's all, bye-bye~♪!" the man chirped as the screen closed and everyone was left chattering amongst themselves. What an awful rule. People can scout from the winners, from the losers, from anything, anyone and whatever. Those CEOs out there might need to keep their fighters safe... And vice-versa.

"Stay safe, you guys, and I'll be seeing you tomorrow." with a smile and a peace sign, Kisara went to get a tray and put lots of food on it, before turning to leave the party and go into the forest.  Her mind was on Ohma and how people would try to scout him for being so strong. 

As soon as she found her way around to wherever Ohma was, she saw he was already pretty tired and sweating, and in front of him, a huge boulder had  pretty large craters made by his punches. They were still steaming from the impact. That's remarkable, Kisara thought, as she whistled to the man, who turned around, a frown on his face. "Hey, pretty boy, lookin' good~❤️!" the girl smiled at him, sitting on the ground and urging him to come over and eat. "Not now. Hold up a second. I'm still pissed off at how fuckin' pathetic I was, letting that greased up asshole provoke me into attacking him. Nikos' ghost showed up too and threw me the hell off. I thought that all I wanted was to kill Setsuna... So why did I challenge that son of a bitch? I don't get it... If this keeps up, I'll never..." he kept trailing on, his fists clenched in anger. "You challenged him because, as you told Setsuna, and me, and Yamashita and Kaede... You want to prove to all those arrogant bitches that it's YOU who's the strongest out there. Setsuna doesn't matter, he's just another pawn in the long run. You probably won't even get to fight him in the tournament. But if you end up winning this whole thing, that means you've already defeated him, by default, yes?" she tried to calm him down, but just as she explained that, the man turned around, his eyes wide with shock - His gaze was fixed towards a certain point into the horizon, and he started speaking by himself. Was he seeing Niko again...? "You again? ... That, huh? I guess I haven't done it in a while. Fine. I'll do it if it'll make you get the hell outta my head." he muttered, putting his fingers tips close to each other, creating a sphere-like shape. "Watch closely, Hasashi Kisara. This is Niko style Nil Kata Void. You might learn something." he took a deep breath, and in that instant, it felt as if he had transcendent into another universe and allowed the God of War to possess his body into a stance Kisara was unfamiliar with. He corrected his center of gravity and the angle of his fist, and launched a punch towards the boulder. This time, however, the impact created a crater that took half the radius of the boulder surface. "Wh-What the fuck was that?!" he gasped in complete bewilderment. "THAT WAS FANTASTIC!" Kisara jumped up to her feet, running by his side. "This is almost as big as Takeshi's craters...! Ohma, what was this move, it was amazing!"  "A...Adamantine... Kata...? Ironbreaker...?" he muttered softly, staring in disbelief at his fist - HE did that crater! "Adamantine Kata? The one that you said was lame and useless? You've managed to perfect it in an hour?" she asked, just as in awe as him. "I... Don't know." he muttered, letting his hand fall down by his side. "I saw Niko again. He told me to meditate, just now... And I got a flashback of some of my memories. I didn't even realise I was punching the rock until I actually did. He said... This was how the Adamantine Kata was supposed to go... And that I had to get back my memories to get my real self back." he raised his gaze up towards the punched boulder. "To hell with him. He's always spoken in riddles. I hate him for that." he huffed, shaking his head. "That was fantastic, what do you mean? As soon as you took that that deep breath, it was like you were a complete different person." she explained, placing her hand over his fist. "Do that again." "I see. Fine. Step back, let me try again." just as before, he took a deep breath and took a stance, yet the impact wasn't as strong as before, yet much better than the first time around. "Why didn't it work...?" "Because now, it's you from the present. The big one was made by the past-you possessing your present-you. As soon as you managed to get your past-self in tandem with your present-self, you'll get your mind and body in complete equilibrium and succeed like this." Ohma looked at the girl, and with a scoff, he flicked her forehead. "Niko didn't die for you to take his place and piss me off with those fancy words and riddles of yours." he chuckled, watching the girl clutch her forehead in pain.  "Well, if Niko was alive, he's have slapped you over the head for being a jerk to your girlfriend." she huffed, but was unable to stop the amused smile on her face. "Girlfriend, huh?" the man teased her - It was a slip of the tongue, but Ohma realised, he didn't really mind calling Kisara his girlfriend. At first, it was weird, being in a 'relationship', while he only wanted to get stronger and get revenge. Partner - He liked that. It sounded like Kisara was his partner in crime... But it wasn't as close as 'girlfriend' was. But 'girlfriend' also sounds rather shallow, and 'lover' almost sounded like she was a mistress. All the other nicknames that she uses for him in private, he loves them, but he couldn't possibly call her the same, they're too sappy. So... What is he left with? Just the best. Hasashi Kisara. Her own name. It was beautiful, just like her, and it had a certain ring to it whenever he called her that. He didn't have many people that he'd call by their full name, it was endearing, and only two people ever had that privilege. Yamashita Kazuo and Hasashi Kisara. "Sounds good to me. And does my girlfriend still want to learn that shitty technique, once I get the hang of it?" he asked, letting his arms rest on her shoulders, his face close to hers. "Of course. But first, you have to eat something, at least while it's still pretty warm. And don't rub your sweat all over me, these are good clothes." she smirked, stealing a quick kiss before ducking down from his arms and going back to the spot where she let the food plate on a smaller rock. "That's not what you say at night." he always loved teasing her. "Well, duh. You don't let many clothes stay on." she muttered, rolling her eyes and stealing the fork from his hand, that was holding a veal steak. "You want me to eat, but you steal my food. Little vixen. I'll just end up eating you." he let out a barked chuckle, getting another piece of meat. "And what a shame that would be~❤️" she let out an enigmatic giggle, looking to the side with rosy cheeks. "Still as shy as always, Hasashi Kisara." he shook his head, yet his smile spoke what words couldn't convey. "A'ight, now get up, let's get to work." he jumped up to his feet and extended his hand towards her, helping her stand. "So, what do I do?" Ohma got behind her, taking off her haori and adjusted her stance so she would be clearing out her head the same way he did when meditating. She took a deep breath and relaxed her muscles, the same as when she was meditating under a waterfall. When she felt ready, she was to prepare and punch Ohma's flexed arm. "Not bad. Go again." The point was to achieve a good punch without prior seconds lost on the meditating. "Good. Faster now." and she amped up her speed. "Harder" in detriment of speed, she managed to amplify the strength of the punch. "You got slower. You have to keep up the speed." it wasn't as easy as he always made it look, but it felt good. "Good girl. That's it. Keep it up." more and more and more, Kisara punched away at his arm until it felt sore. "Okay, that's enough for now, you got the hang of it. It's not wall-breaking punch, but it should do the trick, for now." the two let their guard down. "Oh no, now we're going to the blocking, huh?" she smiled wryly. "Don't test THIS technique on me, please. You'll kill me." "I wouldn't go that far with you. Take this stance - Yeah, like that - The point of it is the complete opposite of the meditation Kata. You have to flex up the part that you'll use to block the hit to the point that it's tougher than the hit itself." the girl's eyes bulged with horror. "Doesn't sound as appealing anymore, does it?" "No, not at all. I don't want to end up with broken bones before the tournament end - I still have like three more night to have fun." she chuckled nervously, getting in the stance instructed. "You won't die, chill out. Alright then. I know you can keep up with my speed, to the point is, flex as hard as you can just before the moment of the impact. Understood?" with a nod of understanding, Kisara got ready. "Here it goes." as promised, the punch wasn't enough to kill her, but it threw her balance off.  "Ouch, that hurt." she muttered, rubbing her arm up and down. "Never said it wouldn't. Try to stay on your feet. Let's go again." the two got in a stance, and the girl took a deep breath, readying herself. Ohma made sure to amp his strength up a bit and he punch the girl. This time, though she stumbled a bit, she was able to keep it up. "Go again." it was Kisara this time who urged her partner to go again, and as he did, she managed to plant her feet well enough that she didn't stumble. "Again." another amp up in strength and speed, and she did just as well. "You're doing good. Let's make it better. Get in the stance and flex with a twist. Stay relax, and use your reflexes to pick up when I'm going to strike. Ready?" with a nod, Kisara let her guard down and took a deep breath. "Ready." it always fascinated the man how she could just drop everything she was doing and look so incredibly focused, like a samurai facing an enemy, ready to lash out the decisive strike. Her eyes were unblinking and fixed on his stance, his shoulders, his fist, his torso and each line of his toned muscles were carefully analysed. As expected, she easily predicted the moment he wanted to hit, and stood her ground, guarding perfectly. "Again." this time, she went harder and faster, and she was able to guard again. "Again." instead of a direct hit, he did a feint first - Though the girl immediately inched back, she swung her arm up to guard only when the real hit was initiated. "Good, good. One more time. I won't coddle you. Ready?" though she gulped, Kisara nodded and got in position. Judging from his tensed up body, he wasn't going to mess around with this one. As soon as he struck her arm, she was sent flying to the ground with a grunt. "Gah, that really hurt..." she held her arm, rubbing and clutching onto it. "Maybe it hurt, but you did good. It's almost the same amount of strength I used in my fight against Inaba Ryo." it was a praise in itself hearing Ohma say he used about the same strength as when he fights professionally. "Thanks for the compliment... And the bruise. You really surprised me... But I don't think I could have done any better." she muttered, getting helped to stand. "I've been training my whole life, Hasashi Kisara. You barely have four or less. It better than most weaklings out there who think they're some real deal. Look at Rihito and Kaneda, or that annoying dancing guy with the stupid hair. You'd destroy them in a fight." and if this didn't make her feel better, the fact that he gave her a piggy-back ride back to their room definitely did the trick.

Though, that night, instead of spending the night in their usual room, Yamashita Kazuo informed them that Nogi had them move to a house, away from the center of the island and away from many other people, in fear of having Ohma scouted by the competition. It was a bit weird, and yet, their own room was much bigger than the suite from the hotel, which was amusing, but no one complained. Even the bed was bigger, though the decorum of the room was... Leaning towards a more eccentric side. The suite was much classier, and Kisara liked it a bit better. Hopefully, she won't be losing her way to this new house, just like she did with their apartment suite many times.

That night, Ohma and Kisara were laying on the bed, looking up at the awfully kitsch painted ceiling, and making jokes about this whole place and whoever was the idiot who came up with all the... Surrealistic art, but in more simple words. Though she was pretty inattentive and reveling in the peaceful relaxation of the atmosphere, the Picasso-esque ceiling, her vision was obstructed by a flock of dark seaweed tickling her face. The cocky smirk of her lover was so close to her, that if she bothered she lean up a bit, she could easily steal a kiss. "Hi." she breathed out softly. "I did a good job with your hair, huh?" she reached out her hand to caress her soft ebony hair - It was always so soft after a proper bath. "Small talk's boring, Hasashi Kisara. Why don't you tell me what you see right now?" he was resting in a position that looked very much like a low plank, his forearms on either side of her head, and his body flushed against hers. "I see the same thing that I see every day. You. Only you. All the time." she smiled tenderly at him, her other hand reaching to his back, pulling him closer to her. "I see the strongest man I've ever known. The man that will always be on top. The one who will win this tournament. How's that? Do I still have perfect sight, or do I need some glasses?" she mused, caressing his face. "Good girl." he let out a teasing breath. "Come 'ere, you little vixen." his hands went underneath her torso and he picked her up in a tight hug, his face nuzzling at her neck. His hot breath was making the girl struggle - She was so ticklish that she couldn't hold it together. She was giggling so much that she had no air left in her lungs. "Ohma. Can you promise me something?" as soon as he stopped messing around, Kisara's voice calmed down. He merely let out a grunt that signaled her to continue her question. "Promise me... You will do everything in your power not to disappear. That's all. Don't disappear on me. Go out there, be the best because you are the best... But don't... Don't disappear." her arms coiled around him in a tight hug. "Disappear? Ha. You've been doing great by yourself. You've now got a shit ton of friends. You won't have time to realize that I'm missing." he chuckled, teasing the girl. "But they're not you." she muttered lightly. "Just because I'm doing fine by myself, doesn't mean that I want to be my myself. I was always looking forward to seeing you again, as soon as you'd leave." Kisara's confession was moving, and Ohma couldn't help but lean away from her neck, getting a good look at her face. She was genuine as always.  With a hum of hilarity, he touched his forehead to her and smiled fondly. "You're abusing the fact that you know I'm into you being upfront with your feelings like that."  "That's what I've always bet on." she offered him that sweet, kitten-like smile before putting him into another loving kiss.

The next morning, early on, all the occupants of the lodging sans the manager woke up around late afternoong - After a wonderful breakfast prepared by one of Katahara's bodyguards, a blond with long hair and an eyepatch. His name was Yoshioka as he was assigned to do just about everything the Yamashita co. people wanted.

In the meantime, Kisara got in her light clothing and took off to meet with Gaolang and Kaneda, who were already there, having conversation. With some small talk going, the trio went deep into the forest, away from prying eyes, so they can warm up and get ready to train. The first teacher was Kaneda, and he explained the gist of his Foresight after hearing that the girl has great reflexes and speed, and though the drawback of this ability is that you need to take several blows to be able to understand the opponent's move pattern and create a complete counter-strategy. To practice this, Kaneda had Gaolang face the girl, so he would be the one pointing out what she must do - Of course, the Thai wasn't going to actually fight the girl, just help her understand how to pull the Foresight.

Much to all their surprise, as soon as Gaolang lunged to throw a punch, Kisara side stepped and grabbed him by the fist and wrist, flipping him and slamming him to the ground. "OH -- SHIT, I'M SORRY, THAT WASN'T INTENTIONAL, I'M SO SORRY GAOLANG!!!" she watched the man laying on the ground with a horrified expression, as the men's eyes were wide. The Thai was looking up at the girl with complete disbelief as she quickly crouched to his level, helping him up. "I'm so sorry for that, I really didn't mean to. It became an instinct... Whenever someone tried to hit me, I throw them away." she apologised profusely for the thousandth time. "That was a good throw. You did mention you knew some fighting techniques but I didn't imagine they'd be at this level. I am impressed." he disspelled all her worried and apologies. "Alright, I don't think Miss Kisara needs much training in the Foresight. I'm a practitioner of the Kujin style, and though it's used as a battlefield hand to hand combat style, I adapted it to my own person. What you did was similar to some of my moves, so I was thinking we could try out some of these moves." the smaller man suggested and thus, he got next to her and showed her each of the stances and postures, when and why to use them, and the physics behind them, while using Gaolang again as the opponent, though this time, he was prepared for a potential beating down, so he defended all her counters. "You're doing well. Let's move on." Gaolang nodded at the girl. "Show me your jabs" "I wouldn't say they are my forte, especially if the opponent is considerably more powerful than me. But I have pretty good speed and balance, so I guess that would work in my advantage." the girl explained, watching as the Thai walked next to her and got in his famous stance, before performing the Flash with 15 jabs, in slow motion, breaking down the technique. Kisara was absolutely fascinated, but more than anything, she was shocked that he was actually teaching her his famous signature move. "Gaolang... This is your move. You made this. You perfected this. I couldn't... I couldn't possibly..." she trailed on, only to feel a pat on her head, followed by a soft smile by the man. "Everyone already knows my move, if they wanted to, they could easily learn it themselves. But you came over to me and Kaneda and asked for help, so we're helping you. I see no reason why you would feel you shouldn't be taught these techniques." with his reassuring, Kisara flashed back a matchingly charming smile and tried to mimic his stance, and with a bit of adjusting, she got the gist of it. Little by little, step forward, step forward, a dangling forearm, followed by numerous jabs that, with each try, got faster and faster, until the master was satisfied with her progress, and had her face him. "No Aikido or other techniques. Let's just practice this. I'll go slower so you can pick up easier on the key points and body movements needed for each strike." the man instructed, and getting a few feet in front of the girl. The two got in their stances, with Kaneda watching and initiating the fight, and the first to move was the instructor.

Though he said he would go slow, he was still remarkably fast - Fortunately, he still wasn't as fast as Hatsumi, so she could follow his moves with great ease and retaliate. With her guard up, and her elbows slightly apart, just like she was taught, she looked through the small gap and made sure she blocked all strikes. Though, she left a bigger gap between her elbows on purpose, tempting the Thai to attack just below the neck - And the temptation paid off, for in that instance, she side stepped and elbowed his wrist away, combining the disruption of the fighting flow that Ohma taught her, and the elbow usage that she mastered with Gaolang's help - And she hit an uppercut to his chin, before doing multiple jabs to his abdomen and diaphragm. If she were taller, she'd have punched his face, like all real fighters do, but due to her being about 25 centimeters shorter than him, elongating her arm fully would not only slow her, but also work in her disadvantage. Keeping her arm slightly bent and quick, repeated punches in key-areas was the perfect strategy for her. "That was ruthless. I didn't expect you to pull off something so sneaky. Well done." the man smiled at her, giving the approval for her performance. "I don't have outstanding strength like all of you, so I have to make it up for my weaknesses in some way. I'm sure Kaneda gets what I mean. I already know I have great reflexes and speed, and I know a few techniques by now, I learnt how to read people's body language... So I need something that would give me the edge over anyone trying to fight me. And that is... Being tricky. My friends always called me a vixen for being playful and devious... So I have to come up with different tricks that would fool my opponents somehow. Watching you all fight in the tournament gives me a ton of ideas. If only I knew how to grapple, I would get even better. Cosmo really fascinates me, but I could never be as resilient as him, and I can't hold grips like him." the girl grinned sheepishly, explaining the reason behind her cunning. "People working hard and smart to overcome their weaknesses are the ones that will win it all, in the end. Just don't give up and keep getting better every day." Gaolang nodded in acknowledgement. "I don't know the reason behind you learning how to fight, but whatever it is, it's clearly a very strong motivator. Keep it up, Kisara. We are rooting for you." "Gaolang's right. Even if we weren't friends, I'd still be rooting for you. As someone weak who strives to be strong, I hope you'll reach the level that you want to achieve." with this encouragement from Kaneda, the trio went their own ways. It was already past lunch so Kisara really hoped there was still something left at home... If Ohma didn't eat everything.

And thankfully, there were still enough food laying around, so with her lunch in her belly now, she went to look for her messy haired boyfriend who was wet from head to toe, standing next to a lake nearby. Who knew this island even had lakes. As soon as she spotted him, she sat down by his side, and they stood like that in silence for a while. They stood like that for a while, but it was weird for them not to say anything for so long. 

"Hey, you. You're awfully silent today. Have you trained too hard?" she asked, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I was just enjoying the very few moments of silence." he teased her, putting his arm around her and pulling her to his side. "Funny as always. That means your training is going perfectly." Kisara looked up at him with a smile, and as expected, that confident smirk was gracing his features. "Is it. I should go back to it soon." he muttered under his breath.  "If I were a fighter, I'd volunteer to spar with you... But I don't think I could do you any good to improve." she let out a small chuckle, only to see the man turn to her abruptly. "Sparing with me means you'll get hurt, yet you'd still volunteer?" the girl nodded. "Why?" he asked her again. "Why, you ask? Because I want to help you win. I'm not a great fighter - No, actually, I'm not a fighter at all... But if I can help with anything, I want to do it." she declared so leisurely that it made Ohma's jaw go agape. "Who are you and what have you done to my Hasashi Kisara?" his tone was filled with disbelief. "Hey, you - Don't be mean to me! I just want to help, what's so wrong with that?" her cute pout only made him pull her into a kiss before getting her up on her feet. "I can't afford to go easy on you if I want a proper sparring." he explained, his hands squeezing her shoulders. "Are you still sure you want to help me out? I already trained with Yoshioka a lot today."  "Uhm... Not the face... Please? I still wanna be pretty?" this sheepish comment earn a chuckle and another sweet kiss before Ohma moved a few steps backwards and got into his stance. Kisara didn't. "Get in your stance." but his order was met with a simple smile as Kisara put her hands in her pants pockets. "I'm not a martial artist, Ohma. I have no stance." she was such a little vixen, always surprising people, even him, after so many years. "Fine, have it your way, Alpha Queen whatever - At the count of 5, begin. Ready?" with a leisure nod of her head, Ohma began the counting. As soon as he reached the last cipher, Ohma lunged at the girl with top speed, yet, to his surprise, the moment he blinked in her proximity, he found himself far away, laying face up on the ground, staring at the clouds. "What the hell was that?" he was absolutely bewildered. Did he slip on something? "Is your back okay, Ohma? I hope you've healed up after yesterday's fight with Ryo." she casually turned around, yet her look expressed her genuine worry for his injuries. "I'm fine." in an instant, he jumped up and went for a high grab, but just as he got about three steps away from her, she fell on all fours and tripped him with her body, making him stumble over. Still, he regained his balance quickly and went for a straight punch, but she had new surprises as always - Just as Kaneda taught her, she side-stepped and grabbed his elbow joint so he wouldn't be able to flex it, and at the same time, she glued her leg to his and threw his balance away with his own technique. Though he was able to recover quickly from it, Kisara went further with Gaolang's fast Flash to his abdomen. "How many people have you trained for so far? By the end of the tournament, you'll get techniques from every fighter." Ohma chuckled, knowing very well what she was doing, as he was very impressed by how far she's gotten, even without him. "Gaolang and Kaneda just a few hours ago." as she admitted that, she saw how Ohma tried to grab her, but instead, she placed her palm on his own, sliding it so that she could get him in an Aikido grab, before she performed Hatsumi's famous Gathering Clouds: Triple Strike on his face. Even though it was nowhere near his level, followed by a punch to his temple, it did the trick. For a split second, Ohma thought he lost consciousness, and with an uppercut to the chin, he was sent on the ground... But that was her weakness. She didn't know wrestling, grappling, tackling or anything closer. Once the opponent was on the ground, she couldn't do what Agito or Cosmo did and wrestle and grapple on the ground, fighting for dominance. She couldn't suffocate anyone. If she couldn't knock the opponent with her strikes and tricks, then she couldn't follow with anything. Even if she mounted him, like Naoya did with Agito, or Cosmo with Adam, but her weight was a feather compared to theirs. Grappling someone 30 kilograms or more heavier than her would be an instant flying away to the other part of the arena. "Why didn't you follow?" Ohma asked, getting up. "I don't know how to. I know what to do all the way until the opponent is on the ground. After that, I haven't come up with a smart way to keeping them there." she admitted. "I see. Now that I've got a hang of your moves, I know how to counter them. You're pretty unpredictable, that's good, especially for someone who's never seen you fight. Let's go." once again, Ohma lunged and was ready to punch the girl's stomach. She was unable to side step or block because of his speed and strength, so she tried to redirect the hit my pushing on his forearm. Though it did work, Ohma already knew that she would do it - It was him who taught her how to use the Redirection Kata, after all - It was Ohma who actually controlled the flow of the battle and turning her to the side, he grabbed her other arm and slammed her to the ground before mounting her.  "Shit, this is scary as hell-" she's been in this position before, and she hated it. She hated it. She hated it so much. Though, she never had anyone actually hitting at her, the position was making her heart scream away with tension and anxiety. It might have been from the adrenaline of the fight, or the fact that Ohma was being rightfully rough and merciless with her, that this old fear of her re-emerged. But she had to fight through. It was Ohma and Ohma was the sweetest man in the world. She's been intimate with him, he'd never hurt her. He'd never. Get a grip, girl, you'll get killed in a fight if you act up like this. Get strong and fight. Fight. Fight.

She kept her guard up through all this, blocking all fights just like she saw Akoya blocking Haruo's blows - But then, she remembered the pelvic thrust that Agito did to get rid of Naoya. What did he do now... He planted his feet to the ground and kept his strength and balance on her upper back and scapula. She knew he had to do sort of a corkscrew turn to the side and get enough momentum - One, two three... UP!

"Nice try, but you're not that greased up asshole, though I'm surprised you were even capable of making me bounce a bit." he praised her, carefully taking her hands away and holding them to his face, a proud look visible. "Thanks for holding back on the punches. You'd have broken my radius and ulna bones." she sighed in relief. "I did promise I wouldn't hurt your pretty face, yes?" he chuckled, leaning down to steal a kiss. "Did you learn that by just watching that bastard's fight?" the girl nodded. "Impressive. If you were a built fighter, you'd have thrown me off. Good girl. You gave me a run for my money today." "What I did won't help you against Raian. All I do is tricks and hit and runs. He's pure strength. He's a beast. He's a monster. He's brawn and brains and 100% bloodlust. I'm... Really afraid that he'll drive you to the edge so much that you'll overuse even the Advance. I want to see you snap his neck like he did to Mokichi." she confessed, squeezing his hands dearly. "Have you forgotten where I spent my whole childhood? I've killed since before I even had a name. That guy is so fucked in the head, I won't have any problem surviving and winning." Ohma chuckled at her. "Let's go again." "Before that - Tonight I'm going to a party. It's club-like, not fancy like before. I know you're not fond of loud music and dancing and all that... But I'm still asking you." Kisara asked as she was helped up an she rubbed her aching spine. "Go have fun. I'll train and sleep in the meantime. Lucky you, the tournament starts around noon, so you can sleep in." he ruffled her hair before stepping away and getting into a stance. "Okay. Let's go. No more mounting, please, that's an instant kill on me." he nodded, and on the count to three, they started sparring again. Though Ohma was dominating as always, Kisara still put a hell of a fight and by the time the moon was beginning to go down, the red head stopped sparring and went to get ready for the party. 

She called up all of her friends and got together in the club-like room. Of course, Cosmo, who never went to a club before, was the most excited to party,, though Akira was just as enthusiastic as he was to have a good drink and have fun. Wakatsuki and Hatsumi were at the table, and while Takeshi didn't drink alcohol that night, Hatsumi was really having fun and flirting around with girls all over.

Loud music, smoke, lots of fun, great songs, blinding, colourful lights, neon paint splattered all over and lots of sexy people dancing and having the time of their life on the dancefloor. Though Kisara wasn't a frequent club client, she always enjoyed her time there, if the music was good and the company was fire - And they definitely were now. Chocolate shots, fruity cocktails, lots of snacks and the whole night was spent like this. Though most of the fighters chose a reasonable hour to go sleep, considering they had to be fresh for their next fight, those who were already out, and some CEOs like Akira didn't leave, as the surfer dude said, 'I couldn't let a beautiful lady all by herself in a club', but really, he just wanted to have more fun, considering the stress this whole competition was putting on him.

By the time 5 AM struck and the Sun was beginning to rise, Akira and Kisara took a barefoot stroll by the shore, letting their feet dip in the water. Though none of them was anywhere close to wasted, they were still a bit sleepy, running on the fun and euphoria from the party. "I had lots of fun. Maybe we can do that tomorrow night too, as celebration for going to the next round." "You've got lots of confidence, don't you?" Akira chuckled at her. "Yeah, I agree. I'm sure Cosmo will win tomorrow. I want to celebrate that." "See~! Of course you've got confidence in your lil' bro. He deserves all that confidence. He's super cool, and he's so young. As his age I was too afraid to go order a coffee from Starbucks." the girl chuckled lightly, looking up at the brightly twinkling stars. The breeze of air was blowing through her fluttering summer dress and her long, now very messy crimson hair. "You? Really? Ha! Wouldn't have guessed." the man teased her, watching her carefree grin as she nodded. "Oh, yeah, totally. Just around the time we first met. I guess you always ordered for all of us when we went out, so you didn't notice, but I was so awkward. I mean, I still am, but not to that degree at least." she started stretching her limbs a bit, enjoying the cool water going up her shins. "You're funny, Red. It's fine, it happens. People are just different, but you grew out of it. You're strong and you fought your fears. But you know what? You totally trip me whenever you make me chase you around. I don't get how you do it, but you always trick me." he laughed, patting her back. "Have you forgotten, Akira? 'Tsuki-san called me a 'Kitsune'. I took that to heart and perfected my tricky skills. I'm just cool like that. I'd like to see you do better, surfer dude." she flicked his forehead, walking towards her lodging. "Do better, she says! What, you think you're cooler than me?" he mocked indignation, only to see her grin wickedly, as if she was a devious fox. "Hella." she sniggered, rushing her speed walk. "Apologise, you little vixen!" she shook her head and started running - Him, after her. "Red, apologise! Admit I'm cooler than you!" "Never~!" he might have been a tennis player and knew some martial arts, but in speed, he couldn't top her, so it was easy to fool around with him, diving under his arm, tripping him and what not.  "See! That's what I'm talking about, you sneaky little fox!" he must have danced far too much, for he stopped and put his hands on his knees, panting. "I win~" and with that, Kisara booped his nose shamelessly. "You're impossible. I can't keep up with you. Good night, Red." he laughed breathlessly, walking away towards his residence as the girl quickly disappeared inside her own temporary home, making sure she doesn't wake anyone up. 

As usual, she took a quick shower and changed into one of Ohma's weirdly comfortable Tshirts that are perfectly large on her, like her nightgowns are. Careful not to make noises, she got in bed next to her man and raising his heavy arm so it would stay over her, she cuddled into his side and let out a sigh of content, only to hear a low chuckle. "You slob. People usually wake up at this hour to work. You go sleep after a night of fun. You're incorrigible." even so, he shifted and pulled her closer to chest, resting his chin on the top of her head. "Just living the life, babe. Livin' la vida loca."

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Global Digital Agriculture Market Size Expected To Reach USD 41.48 Billion With CAGR 11% By 2030

The Global Digital Agriculture Market size is expected to grow from USD 18 billion in 2022 to USD 41.48 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 11% during the forecast period (2023-2030).

The digital agriculture market has experienced rapid growth in recent years, fueled by advancements in technology and the need for more sustainable and efficient farming practices. Digital agriculture encompasses a range of technologies, including precision agriculture, agricultural drones, sensor-based monitoring, and data analytics, among others. These technologies enable farmers to optimize resource usage, improve crop yields, reduce environmental impact, and make data-driven decisions. With the world population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, there is increasing pressure on the agricultural sector to produce more food with limited resources, making digital agriculture solutions indispensable.

Top Key Players for Digital Agriculture Market:

Deere & Company (U.S.), IBM Corporation(U.S.), CNH Industrial (U.S.), Microsoft Corporation (U.S.), AGCO Corporation (U.S.), Raven Industries (U.S.), COFCO International (Switzerland), Agrofy (South Africa),Eden Farm (Indonesia), HummingBird Technologies (England), Cranswick PLC (U.K) and Other Major Key Players.

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Scope For 2024

Brief Introduction to the research report.

Table of Contents (Scope covered as a part of the study)

Top players in the market

Research framework (structure of the report)

Research methodology adopted by Worldwide Market Reports

Moreover, the report includes significant chapters such as Patent Analysis, Regulatory Framework, Technology Roadmap, BCG Matrix, Heat Map Analysis, Price Trend Analysis, and Investment Analysis which help to understand the market direction and movement in the current and upcoming years. 

Market Driver:

One significant driver of the digital agriculture market is the increasing adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and sensors in farming operations. IoT technology allows farmers to collect real-time data on soil moisture, temperature, crop health, and weather conditions, among other variables. This data provides valuable insights into crop performance and environmental conditions, enabling farmers to make timely and informed decisions to optimize their operations. The ability to monitor and manage farm activities remotely using IoT devices enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and ultimately improves agricultural productivity.

Market Opportunity:

An emerging market opportunity in digital agriculture lies in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies. By leveraging AI and ML algorithms, farmers can analyze large volumes of data collected from various sources, such as sensors, satellites, and drones, to gain deeper insights into crop growth patterns, pest and disease detection, and predictive analytics for yield optimization. AI-powered agricultural solutions have the potential to revolutionize traditional farming practices by enabling autonomous decision-making and enhancing overall efficiency. As AI and ML technologies continue to evolve, there is a vast opportunity for innovation and growth in the digital agriculture market.

Segmentation Analysis of the Digital Agriculture Market:

By Type

Crop Monitoring

Artificial Intelligence

Precision Farming

By Technology

Peripheral

Core

By Application

Field Mapping

Crop Scouting

Weather Tracking

Drone Analytics

Others

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Regional Analysis of the Digital Agriculture Market:

North America (US, Canada, Mexico)

Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Rest of Eastern Europe)

Western Europe (Germany, UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Western Europe)

Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, The Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Rest of APAC)

Middle East & Africa (Turkey, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Israel, South Africa)

South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of SA)

Key Industry Development:

In November 2022, AGCO Corporation launched a brand new online tool called Geo-Bird to help farmers around the world independently plan and optimize their global navigation satellite system (GNSS) machine guidance lines.

In October 2021, CNH Industrial launched an innovative platform named AGXTEND for digital agriculture solutions in Brazil. AGXTEND develops and provides ground-breaking technologies that allow farmers to extend their efficiency, and sustainability of agribusiness by precision farming, and thereby their economic success.

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North America's old gods:

This list will be edited as I learn of more of the folkfigures and discover ones new to me.

Annie Oakley

Based off of the Annie Oakley, she was known for her incredible markmanship.

Buffalo Bill Cody

Based off of the man of the same name, he was known for his abilities as a soldier, hunter, and showman of the Wild West.

Calamity Jane

Based off of Martha Jane Canary, she is know for her aquaintence to Wild Bill Hicockok and being a top notch frontiersmen and scout.

Captain Stormalong

A giant nautical figure with a large clipper ship known for his many adventures on the seas.

Charlie Chan

A Hawiian figure based on Chan Apana, he is known as a great detective and solver of mysteries.

Cordwood Pete

A lesser figure, he is brother to Paul Bunyan.

Daniel Boone

Based off of, well, Daniel Boone who was a pioneer explorer and frontiersman that had many great adventures.

Davy Crockett, King of the wild frontier

Based off the man of the same name, he was a frontiersman, soldier, and politican that represented tennessee; he took part in the Texas revolution and Battle of the Alamo.

Jigger Johnson

Based off of the real Jigger Johnson, he was a lumberjack and log driver known for his off the job exploits.

John Henry

Based off of the African-American steel driver, John Henry, he is known for his strength, work ethic, and most of all going head-to-head in a race and winning against a steam powered hammer that was threatening to put man railroad workers out of work.

John the Conqueror

An African-American figure known for his trickster ways to gain and maintain his freedom from the slave masters, possibly the inspiration for the Br're Rabbit.

Johnny Appleseed

Based off of John Chapman, he is credited for planting forests of cider apples across multiple states.

Johnny Kaw

A settler of Kansas, he is credited for shaping the state's landscape and making wheat and sunflowers major crops.

Lone Ranger

Possibly based on Bass Reeves, he is known for his battles against raiders, robbers, and other criminals.

Mike Fink, King of the keelboaters

River boatman and brawler that personified the men that ran keelboats on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.

Molly Brown

A lesser figure known for her time on and survival of the Titanic.

Molly Pitcher

Thought to be based off of a woman named Mary Hays or possibly a college of many couragous women, she is known for her part in the American Battle of Monmouth.

Paul Bunyan and Babe the Oxe

Created by the lumberjacks and woodsmen of Canada and the US, and thought by some to be based off of Bon Jean of French-Canadian folklore. He is known for his giagantic stature, immense strength and endurance, large appatite, and feats of logging with his faithful, loyal, and hardworking companion Babe the Ox.

Pecos Bill

A cowboy known for being able to ride anything into submission, he lassoed and rode a tornado until it dissipated.

Stagger Lee, Stagolee

An African-American figure known for being a big shot in the criminal underworld and murdering an aquaintence for trying to take his hat.

Zorro

Based off of salomon Pico and other mexican bandits in the California area, he was known for combatting the corruption in the political and wealthy circles in California.

The NCAA Men's Basketball season is a thrilling journey, filled with high-stakes games, unexpected upsets, and unforgettable moments. As we look ahead to the 2023 season, one of the most anticipated aspects is the performance of the top 25 teams. These teams, ranked by the NCAA, represent the cream of the crop in college basketball, and their scores are closely watched by fans, analysts, and scouts alike. "In NCAA basketball, every game matters, every score counts. But when it comes to the top 25 teams, the stakes are even higher." - Jay Bilas The Importance of the Top 25 The top 25 teams in NCAA Men's Basketball are determined by a poll of sportswriters and broadcasters across the country. These rankings are updated weekly and are a key indicator of a team's performance and potential. Keeping track of the NCAA Top 25 Basketball scores is crucial for fans and analysts alike, as it provides insights into the teams' strengths, weaknesses, and progress throughout the season. The Role of Scores in NCAA Basketball In NCAA Basketball, the scores are more than just numbers. They represent the culmination of hard work, strategy, and teamwork. A high score is not just a testament to a team's offensive prowess, but also a reflection of its defensive capabilities. After all, to score high, a team must not only make its shots but also prevent its opponents from doing the same. Understanding the NCAA Basketball overtime rules can provide further insights into how teams strategize when the scores are tied at the end of regulation time. It's a high-pressure situation where the team that scores the most points in the overtime period wins the game. Tracking the Top 25 Scores Keeping track of the top 25 scores can be a thrilling experience. You can follow the NCAA Basketball scores on SportyConnect to stay updated with the latest results. In addition to the scores, you can also check the NCAA Men's Basketball standings to see how each team is faring in the season. NCAA Basketball Tournament: The Significance of Scores The NCAA Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, is the pinnacle of the college basketball season. It's a single-elimination tournament where the scores carry even more weight. A high score can propel a team to the next round, while a low score can end a team's tournament run. "In March Madness, every score matters, every second counts. It's not just a game, it's a battle for survival." - Dick Vitale The Role of Bracket Scores In the NCAA Tournament, the bracket scores are of paramount importance. The NCAA Basketball brackets represent the tournament's structure, with each slot in the bracket representing a game. The team that scores the most points in a game advances to the next round, while the other team is eliminated. Keeping track of the bracket scores can provide a clear picture of the tournament's progression. You can follow the NCAA Basketball scores bracket on SportyConnect to stay updated with the latest results. Live Scores: Staying Updated in Real-Time In the fast-paced world of NCAA Basketball, staying updated with the live scores is crucial. The NCAA live basketball scores on SportyConnect provide real-time updates, ensuring that you never miss a moment of the action. "Live scores are the heartbeat of NCAA Basketball. They pulse with the rhythm of the game, keeping fans connected to the action in real-time." - Bill Walton Looking Ahead to the 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Season As we look forward to the 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball season, the anticipation is palpable. Fans are eager to see how their favorite teams will perform, and analysts are busy making predictions based on the teams' past performances and current rosters. "The beauty of NCAA Basketball lies in its unpredictability. Every season brings new surprises, new stars, and new champions." - Clark Kellogg Staying Updated with the Top 25 Scores Keeping track of the top 25 scores in the 2023 season will be an exciting endeavor.

You can follow the NCAA Basketball scores 2023 on SportyConnect to stay updated with the latest results. In addition to the scores, you can also check the NCAA Men's Basketball standings to see how each team is faring in the season. ESPN and NCAA Basketball Scores For many fans, ESPN is a go-to source for NCAA Basketball scores. The ESPN NCAA Men's Basketball scores provide comprehensive coverage of the games, including live scores, game highlights, and in-depth analysis. Wrapping Up In conclusion, the scores in NCAA Men's Basketball are more than just numbers. They represent the culmination of hard work, strategy, and teamwork. As we look forward to the 2023 season, keeping track of the top 25 scores will be an exciting journey filled with thrilling games, unexpected upsets, and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned to SportyConnect for all the latest updates! "In the end, it's not just about the scores. It's about the passion, the excitement, and the love of the game. That's what NCAA Basketball is all about." - Jim Nantz #SportyConnect

May 12th, 2022

Hey so today has been interesting. So I was up earlier but I didn't get out of bed for a long time. I also kinda nearly missed the bus because I need to take my meds and my multivitamin. That was interesting. Then at school Hyena used an apple slice to spread cream cheese over his bagel because they didn't give us anything to spread with. Also fun fact we got our silverware taken away and we have to use plastic sporks. Not my point. Anyways one of my favorite teachers, Mrs. W, said that she isn't gonna dress code anybody because it's too hot. That reminds me I don't know if I mentioned it yesterday but Hyena got dress coded. His sleeveless shirt was cut too deep down the sides apparently and you could slightly see his binder. Yeah makes no sense since kids wear lower cuts and crop tops. This school also doesn't really have ac so we kind of have to dress against the dress code to stay cool. I also got my math homework done. Also turns out that the ski hill near me actually bought an old coffee shop. Oh so I did my worksheet isn't getting graded today. Oh ok. So chem was ok except for the fact we did more difficult stuff then yesterday. Then in bio, everything was sticky. Then my shorts were irritating my thighs. Not very fun. Anyways now Penguin has my other tumblr account and asked me a stupid question to which I am severely disappointed but not surprised. We also have fans stationed everywhere around the school 💀. So I told Penguin about this tumblr but I didn't give him the details or anything just that it exists. I really didn't want to tell anyone I am close to about this just yet but I don't know why I mentioned I have more than 1 tumblr? My brain confuses me which kind of makes no sense since I really don't have conscious thought processes. Idk but all I know is that next week Wednesday I get screenings done and I get to see my therapist again. I really like her. She is the only therapist that I have had that actually listens to me and doesn't go behind my back and tell my parents things. I don't like that. Yeah so the auditorium was so much better than the rest of the school. It was cooler and less humid. Also don't know how to feel since we will have a full table and I hate being touched. This is not fun. Hey at least food is good. I'm excited. Rest of the school day was fine. In English M (a fellow student) was eating raw pasta which honestly is a mood. Then Mrs. O got mad at her and took it a way. That was fun. Anyways it is now super hot outside. Also kids try to jump out the windows in English because no screen and our school is one floor. So back to the weather it is currently 93°F and 33.9°C. It apparently feels like 100°F and 37.8°C. The hottest that it's been here that I can recall is 104°F and 40°C. Anyways no matter what it is way to hot for my liking. My ideal temperature is like 45-50°F and 7.2-10°C. So it got even hotter than I previously stated not fun. Anyways my mom brought home some puppy chow and it was so good. Anyways my dad got real pissy per se and was kinda passive aggressive. Not fun. Also got to try one of the strawberries today and dang are they good! I also played Stardew Valley for the rest of the day where I am trying to get 50000 points in the endless mode for Junimo Kart. Yeah I'm not that good at that-- anyways that's all for now. See ya tomorrow.

Songs on Repeat:

She's So Nice by Pink Guy (I actually fell asleep to this nor God Complex)

Rules by Doja Cat

Sweet Cis Teen by Dazey and the Scouts (I love this song)

Vagina by cupcakKe

MULLET DADDY by XXKATSUJINSUX

Fell asleep to Coño by Puri, Jhorrmountain, Adje

New Information:

Nothing much I think

Goal Progress:

Yeah I really did work on goals today

Hargrove’s Redemption Pt2

New Billy Hargrove x OC fanfiction 

posted: 13/03/22

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Blurb: Nicole is in her final year at Hawkins High, surronded by her best friends and their siblings she encounters the strange secrets of Hawkins. Having fought a demagorgan (a ferocious, ugly, slimy dog like beast) alongside them she’s looking forward to a quiter year. That was until the Californian, bad boy, type of a man a girl can’t resist Billy Hargrove arrived. He thought Hawkins was a dump, overly protective of his step-sister Max and usurping Steve as King of Hawkins High Billy was unstoppable. Until he noticed his neighbour Nicole. Nicole tried hard not to fall for his charms but it isnt as easy as you’d think... because he was changing with every moment her saw or spoke to Nicole. Billy beleived he was finally done with playing the field and was in love.  This tells the story of Billy and Nicole, fighting togehter the secrets that hid in Hawkins, fighting each other and fighting for love. 

Nicole dramatically collapsed on her bed and sprawled out. She lay there in her rainbow striped crop top and high waisted jean shorts. Having arrived home after a late night cheering on Steve...and a little bit of Billy, at the Hawkins High basketball game she was exhausted. Seeing Billy running up and down the court, owning the game was tiring, one minute she would catch him looking her way and she'd pretend she saw nothing. Then the next moment she wouldnt be able to drag her eyes away from him. It was tiring in the sense she had to keep up a facade that she wasn’t admring Billy. She hadn’t forgot about Steve, who was also doing very well, but since Billy had joined the team Steve was overshadowed by him.  

"You don't fancy him, do you Taylor?" Jonathan's quiet voice chirped up as the crowd cheered for Billy who just scored. Nicole shrugged her shoulders not phased by his question.

"He's handsome... he's fun... a bit of a bad boy you know?"

" Don't fall for it Nicole! Nancy's voice was stern and so were her eyes, it was like they pierced her soul.

"I'm not Nancy! I don't have time for silly boy games... okay" Though Nicole was convincing to her friends she couldnt convince herself.

She remeberd how after the game, walking down the bleachers, Billy was talking to some men in suits, she wondered if they were scouting Billy for scholarships. Walking past him, she tried so hard not to look but the urge got the better of her. She felt as though it happened in slow motion, as she walked past Billy and the men in suits, her hair flicked over her shoulder as she turned her head to catch a glimpse of Billy. To her delight he was already watching her as she walked past, as their eyes locked he quickly winked at her before turning his attention back to the men who stood in front of him. Breaking her from her memories and the silence she enjoyed she could hear the guttural noise and reving of Billy's car parking into the driveway next door and the door slamming shut as Billy exited his car. Suddenly a quiet sound began to annoy her... a clinking sound. She couldn’t locate the area where the sound came from so she waited to see if it would happen again. As if like magic a second 'clink' was heard. Nicole sat up waiting for a third...seconds passed and another 'clink.' This time she made her way over to her window, pulling open her curtains that she had previously shut.

Looking out of the window there stood Billy Hargrove, cigarette in mouth, one hand in his jean pocket, waiting for Nicole. With force Nicole lifted up her window and leaned her palms on the ledge.

"What are you doing Billy?" Nicole questioned with a slight giggle, totally ready to see what nonsense Billy could muster up this time.

"Trying to be romantic..."

"Billy Hargrove and romantic in the same sentence? Ha!" Nicole raised her eyebrows as if to question Billy's real intentions.

"Will you let me up?" He asked pouting and pointing to the door.

"Nope" Nicole shook her head instantly. Billy scowled up at Nicole and took a big drag of his cigarette... Nicole was captivated by Billy as he stood there pining for her attention, something he wasnt used to doing. They both just stared at each other in silence as she continued to watch him smoke. A habit that was so ugly but somwhow Billy made it effortless.

"Did you like what you saw?" Billy projected his voice so Nicole could hear.

"What are you talking about?" Nicole folded her arms on the ledge and rested her chin on them to get more comfortable.

"The basketball game?" Billy breathed out a puff of smoke, watching the smoke drift away before returning his gaze back to Nicole. He loved how she had suddenly relaxed as if she wanted to stay and talk to him.

"Oh yeah... Harrington looked so dreamy" Nicole knew what she was doing... playing games with Hargrove was going to become one of her favourite things. She remembered what she said to Nancy about not playing silly games and here she was entertaining it. Again, Billy faked being wounded by stumbling back as if being shot by Nicole's words and his reaction caused laughter.

"You're killing me here Taylor!" Billy began to speak before being interrupted by another window sliding open, this one came from Billy's house on the bottom floor. Both of you looked to this window to see Max's face pop up.

"Who are you talking too Billy?" Max questioned slightly annoyed... Billy stubbed out his cigarette with a force.

"You fucking shitbird, can you just go away" Billy strided up to Max at her window...She looked up to see Nicole smiling down at her...her frown from Billy's words turned into a grin as she saw Nicole giving her a little wave. Billy slammed down Max's window before turning back his attention to Nicole. Well aware that he must have looked like a douchebag now.

"You really shouldn't talk to your sister like that" Nicole commented, feeling sorry for Max.

"She's not my sister" Billy's rapid and blunt response startled Nicole who arose from her lean out on the window ledge.

"Good night Billy" Nicole gripped onto the window ready to pull it down.

"Nicole! Wait! There's a party at Tommy's tomorrow. Can I take you?"

"Why me... why not your squad of booty calls?"

"Oh they'll be there" Billy smirked before realising that wasn't the point he was trying to make as he watched Nicole shake her head in frustration

"What I mean is they'll be there...but I don’t want them."

Nicole contemplated his response sensing a hint of honesty.

"Can Nancy, Jonathan and Steve come?"

"Nancy and Jonathan yes, Steve no!" Billy growled mentioning Steve's name... Nicole shrugged her shoulders and lips ready to say no by bringing the window down. As it came down she heard Billy shout "fine"

"Fine?" Nicole questioned, raising the window back up.

"They can all come...now will you go with me?" Billy pleaded... Nicole bit her lip as if to contemplate her asnwer... Billy gave her a thrill... she was such a goody two shoes and Billy was the opposite... he could be the fun she was looking for... just as long as that fun didn't disappear once he got whatever it was he wanted. So for that reason Nicole agreed to go to the party but not WITH him.

"I'll see you there though" Nicole replied with her own smirk for Billy.

As she closed the window she heard Billy grunt, let out a 'shit' and pick his feet up to head inside his home.

As the sun set and rose Nicole spent the Saturday afternoon at The Palace Arcades with Steve, unsurprisingly Max was also hanging at the Arcade with Lucas and Dustin.

"Hey nerds!" Steve jokingly greeted the guys, rustling the curls on Dustin's head. Though he was annoyed by Steve's petting, Dustin smiled and greeted him with a handshake afterwards.

"Hey Max! You still kicking their asses?" Nicole asked leaning against the game Lucas was playing. Lucas stuck his tongue out at Nicole as he tried to concentrate on the game.

"Of course! They ain't got nothing on me" the boys scoffed trying to shrug off how totally tubular Max really was!

"So you and Billy last night?" Max randomly popped her lips at the end of her question.

"You and Billy?" Steve's head rapidly jolted to face Nicole, hearing that she'd been hanging out with Billy, his mouth was hung open a little bit and had a look of disgust. He flicked his hair to get it out of his face, his eyes instantly landing behind Nicole. She observed Steve's face, watching hid features turn into a scowl as he started to approach Nicole. Nicole noticed how Steve's demeanour changed, she swore she could here Dustin and Lucas gulp and a sigh from Max. Sensing she turned her head and followed Steve’s gaze, her eyes meeting the open chested Billy, she let her stare dance over his chest before looking up to his face. Nicole was confused about her own feelings, she wanted desperately to not like Billy and to not be even the slightest attracted to him. His behaviour was usually inexcusable but he was chiseled by the Gods and after last night he was genuinely making an effort to be nice to Nicole. Even if he was still being a dick to everyone else around him.

"Yeah Nicole, what about you and Billy?" Billy pondered sarcastically by referring to himself in the third person. As he stood there cool and collected as ever, he wasn't even looking at Nicole, his eyes were firmly fixed on Steve a smirk forming in between his lips as he chewed his gum. Billy knew that the idea of Nicole being near him would piss Steve off, so he enjoyed using this leverage against him and he knew this because he felt the exact same way whenever he saw Steve and Nicole together. Slowly Billy's eyes fell upon Nicole, he had caught her staring at him, obviously mesmerized by his presence. She then began to realise she was staring too intently and decided to speak up, turning back to Steve and the gang she clarified...

"We were just chatting outside my house last night. That's all. No biggie!"

"I heard Billy say he was trying to be romantic..." Lucas spoke up... Nicole and Billy's attention left each other and focused on Lucas throwing him cofnused looks. The tension was thick as the gang tried to comprehend what Lucas had said.

"You idiot" Max whispered avoiding eye contact with Lucas or Billy. Lucas had stepped away from the game and hid behind Steve and Dustin just as Billy's eyes squinted upon realising Lucas had been at their house last night.

"Was Lucas in your room last night Max?" Billy hissed taking a step forward.

They both gulped looking at each other trying to find an explanation together.

"What the fuck did I tell you about even hanging out with this lot Max. My words were NO!"

Nicole had placed her hands on Billy's chest, she used herself as a shield like in a battle, trying to hold him back. Her hands felt like heaven to Billy, soft like a peach, warm like a cosy blanket and yet though he'd adored her and craved for her touch... Lucas was not getting away with being in Max's bedroom without his permission.

"Hey Billy! Billy! Look at me!" Nicole quivered trying to knock some sense into Billy, if anyone could reason with Billy surely it would be her. Billy stole a moment with Nicole before staring back at Lucas then eventually maintaing eye contact with Nicole. Max looked down at Billy's hands, they were clenched, ready to strike, she in turn grabbed Lucas', making sure that he was okay and would be protected. Billy's nostrils flared when he saw this and began to take another step.

"Billy, Max is with me okay. She's safe. Safe with me... I promise." Billy relaxed a little as Nicole moved her hands to his cheeks, moving his face to look down at hers. They searched each other eyes but Nicole knew when Billy saw red it was hard for him to come back from it and though he was looking at Nicole he spoke to Max.

"Get in the car Max" Billy commanded, his voice quiet and stern to make a point.

It was silent... and Nicole felt a little hurt that Billy didn't trust her. Billy didn't trust anyone, especially boys... he knew what men were like... and he wouldn't let what happened to his mom happen to his sister. No one moved, enraging Billy as Max defied his commands.

"Get in the fucking car" Billy yelled, slamming his fist into the side of the game machine causing the group to jump. As Nicole searched his eyes she could sense pain and hurt and she was desperate to know why but at the same time she was just as frightened at Billy’s outburst..

"I hate you Billy" Max exclaimed with tears forming, grabbing her skateboard that leant against the video game she ran out the Arcade with Lucas calling after her. Billy reluctantly stepped away from Nicole, letting her arms fall to her side, defeated she watched Billy exit.

"Well that was interesting" Dustin cheered, receiving an annoyed look from Lucas.

SCOUT TF2'S "SEX BOM" TATTOO VIOLATES THE LAWS OF TIME.

explanation below

EXHIBIT A: SCOUT'S "SEX BOM" TATTOO

[ID: A screenshot of 3 panels from the team fortress 2 tie-in comic The Naked and The Dead. The top panel is cropped out slightly and only a small sliver of the 3rd panel is visible. The centre panel, which is the focus of the screenshot, is a close-up of the Scout from Team Fortress 2, a skinny white male wearing a red shirt and bandages tied around his hands, lifting up his shirt and showing a tattoo on his upper chest of the singer Tom Jones with a banner underneath labelled "SEX BOMB" in all caps, with the B on the end missing. There is blood visible on the lower half of his chest.

The Spy, disguised as Tom Jones, is offscreen, talking to him.

There are several speech bubbles on the image, which are transcribed below.

Scout: Psh. I'm a human alive on Earth, ain't I? Check this crap out.

Spy/Tom Jones: It's a Sex Bomb tattoo.

Scout: Yeah, it is.

Spy/Tom Jones: Spelled incorrectly.

Scout: Yeah, it is. Wait, is it?

/end ID]

EXHIBIT B: The Team Fortress 2 Timeline.

The story of Team Fortress 2 begins in 1968 and ends in 1972.

EXHIBIT C MOTHERFUCKERS!

The release date of Sex Bomb in most countries is 2000, however in several European countries it was released in 1999

THEREFORE!

There is no way Scout can have that Sex Bomb tattoo. Unless of course we accept in this universe that Tom Jones wrote Sex Bomb 27 years earlier than he did in real life. Which isn't hard actually, considering in this universe there is also an Australian trillionare who is basically if Chuck Norris' characters were real.