This has been such a boring day

Exchanges and Compromises - Chapter 20

The dinner was just as Jason expected, bland, dull, a lot of formalities in which Bane was visibly struggling with and did not even bother to pretend to know the difference between steak or salad forks. Jason, Dick, and Tim managed to keep the conversation alive and light, somehow without offending the formality of the dinner. Good thing, Jason thought, that The League had taught him of formal dinner etiquette and whatnot, otherwise he would have been slurping the baiwang with the soup spoon instead of the Chinese soup spoon provided by Alfred - like Bane.

Dick, for all of his lack of etiquette education, won in the manners division - regardless of the fact that Tim was helping him by pointing out which cutlery should be used for what. At the very least, he was not beneath asking what he wasn't sure of. 

The day after was a little duller. Alfred merely informed them that the police were there along with the District Attorney, Harvey Dent, to arrest Bane on several counts of murder. Bane was arrested nearly without a fight - he had been purged of his venom strength and knew that he had no chance against some of the cops who were ready to taser him.

Jason was... frankly, a little disappointed.

"Would've been nice if there was a brawl or something," Dick voiced Jason's thought out loud just as he walked outside.

"Oh, goodness, I'm just glad this is over," Bruce commented, glaring apprehensively at Dick's back as the latter walked away with Damian. There was a good long silence before he added, "I presume now that Bane is out of this house, Damian will no longer need you two? I mean, he has me now - and his grandparents." he pointed out.

"I have vowed to guard Damian until he is an adult," Jason replied simply. Ignoring Bruce's sudden change of expression. "it is my order."

"Well, Talia... no offense. But Talia won't-- is no longer around to hold you accountable." Bruce argued.

"No, she's not. But Damian is." Jason looked at the child, sitting under one of the Manor's massive trees with a thick sketchbook before him. Dick, Jason knew, was on the tree. Even with Bane arrested, Oracle had warned that as long as he's not fully incarcerated in a maximum-security facility, he could still either get out and hurt the Waynes - including Damian. Therefore Jason asked Dick to remain with them for a little while longer. Thankfully, Dick didn't mind.

"He's a child. Children adapt well with changes of environments," Bruce said. "and if you're afraid that Bane would come back, I can hire some bodyguards for him."

Jason managed to hold back his smirk. People always thought that he was there to protect Damian; not realizing that he was protecting others from Damian's temper. Instead, he smarted, "like you protected your parents by sending them overseas."

"Oh, now, that's not fair." Bruce protested. "It was... we all thought that... at least mother and I..." he didn't finish his sentence as he exhaled exasperatedly. "His DNA check is back," he continued after a few moments of silence.

"Obviously, he hasn't a drop of Wayne blood in him," Jason suggested, a little dryly. "Something anyone with knowledge of the molecular structure of DNA would have known right away. You accepted Damian right away because you saw he has your mother's ears, in spite of his green eyes. Yet you doubted your father's denial in spite of the fact that there is nothing on Bane that resembled any of you - including about all of the portraits of your ancestors.

"And then there's something else I realized. Bane came with nothing; whereas Damian came with the Al Ghul wealth. You were more accepting because Damian would not equal splitting the Wayne wealth..."

"That is not true!" Bruce growled. "I would not have turned Damian away even if he was not Talia's child. He is my child, and I know that he is!"

"Then we're back to my initial point: You were unable to defend your parents because you did not have 100% faith in their virtues. The Al Ghuls are known leaders of the League of Assassins, to which the leadership shall now be Damian's. What will be your argument, when he decides to take over the League fully? 'Oh, I can't be associated with criminals, even if said crimes were just allegation and not a video recording of someone snapping off another person's neck'?" Jason sneered. "Now, Mister Wayne. I also would like to remind you, that I have Damian's legal custody. If you insist I should leave, I shall bring him along."

"You can't do that," Bruce scowled. "He's my biological child..."

"You have studied your country's laws, Mister Wayne. But you forgot the one crucial thing: Damian is not your country's boy by any means other than your claim." Jason mentally realized that he has placed one of his ace cards onto the table. But he honestly prefers this kind of conversation not to be had when Damian is present. And from the looks of it, he has packed his sketching materials and was making his way back indoors. "Do not try to deny Damian's access to me, or the League, Mr Wayne. He is not yours to manipulate," he added softly while Damian was still out of range.

"Hey guys, Damian and I are hungry," Dick announced as they went past the door. "Think Alfred would let us have cookies?"

"He's the one who is hungry, Todd," Damian told Jason. "I shall wait until tea time for the cookies. It is only a mere hour away."

"Why don't you scrub up a little? Tea should be ready by the time you're done." Bruce suggested.

Damian's scowl could have killed a cobra. "While I am planning on refreshing myself, father, it would be kind of you to cease directing me as if I am an imbecile," he stated, and for the second time in less than 10 minutes, Jason bit the inside of his cheek to stop a snicker.

Bruce, however, was not amused at Damian. "Well! That is not what a child should say to his father!" he admonished.

"Todd," Damian glared at Jason. "Did you not inform Mr Wayne here that I merely referred to him as 'father' due to common societal practices?" he asked with air quotes around the word 'father'.

"I have informed him that, Damian," Jason assured him.

"Do remind him on a daily basis that I am not obliged to remain here beyond what is demanded by his country's societal norms." Damian continued.

"I shall, Damian," Jason replied.

"Very well, I shall be in my quarters until tea time. You might consider feeding Grayson here, Todd," Damian said dismissively.

"I actually have some matters to discuss with you, Damian, if you don't mind. I think Grayson can fend for himself just fine," Jason told him.

"I don't mind. Let us, then." Damian said, leading the way back to his room.

Jason nodded politely to Bruce and motioned Dick to join him. "Mr Wayne, Grayson."

As they left Bruce, still standing in confusion - probably - Dick remarked, "ouch," softly.

"Go on and get your own cookies, Grayson," Jason remarked.

"I need to discuss something with you, too. You two, actually, somewhere safe." Dick said. Both Jason and Damian paused their steps. "Yeah, and we might need to call upon a certain bird for backup," Dick added, almost nonchalantly. It was not until then that Jason noticed the tenseness on his shoulders. He remembered that Dick, too, was trained to keep an eye out for danger.

"You go on ahead with Damian, I'll ask Alfred if he may have tea in his quarters." Jason decided. Damian nodded, realizing the urgency in Dick's posture, and stepped a little closer to Dick as Jason turned the other way.

Whatever it is Dick has to say, Jason could be certain now that besides himself, Dick would protect Damian fiercely. And/or protect other, possibly innocent people, from Damian's tempers.

He was just wondering why did it seem that Bruce Wayne was so intent on removing him.

And why Dr and Mrs Wayne would suddenly take a trip to Europe right after they were proverbially and literally freed from Bane.

Alfred, as usual, was in the kitchen preparing for tea time. In spite of being Americans, the Waynes seemed to like the habit of afternoon tea time.

Jason told Alfred of Damian's request, and Alfred nodded slowly. "Is Master Bruce still in the sun-room, then?" he asked.

"Last time I saw him, yeah."

"Ah, then... young Jason, may an old man request something from you and your vast knowledge of herbs?" Alfred's face was as impassive as ever when he said that, just a shade before he returned to his task of preparing some small sandwiches. But Jason was a little confused. Why would Alfred ask him for herbs? As far as Jason could tell, he was as healthy as... well, someone Jason's age, which has got to be at least a third of Alfred's; half at most. Jason didn't think that Alfred was any older than mid- to late-40s.

"Sure, how can I help?" he answered, anyway.

"Oh, I was wondering if there is any method you may suggest to... how do I put it... Chafe off surgical remains within oneself? I have had work done for my nose, you see, on a whim as a young lad; and I do not believe it looks becoming on me as I age. I feel as if it makes me look like another person is inhabiting my body, as Master Bruce was wont to say."

Jason blinked, and partially wished Dick was there to confirm his thoughts. In spite of being the exact same height as Jason, Alfred was bowing his head a little as he spoke; and Jason knew that there was a surveillance camera that would be able to record their conversation in the kitchen. His shoulders were tenser than the task of cutting bread would have required.

"Well, wow... okay. I'll need to actually search my books. You know some of the ladies back then would apply something to their skin for scars or bruises. But I'm not sure if it'll work on surgical stuff. I'll let you know?" Jason replied carefully.

"Thank you, Jason, for considering. While it shames me for being vain, it is... rather crucial." Alfred smiled at him.

"No problem, Alf," Jason patted him on the shoulder and made his way back to Damian's room - where each and every surveillance device has been disabled and/or misdirected by the combination of Tim, Barbara, and Damian's own skills.

Once Jason walked in and closed the doors of Damian's room behind him, he was greeted by both Damian and Dick's voices.

"That man is not my father, Todd! I believe my grandparents may still be in danger!" Damian exclaimed as Dick stormed over and announced 'There was an increase of drone activities outside, that's why I brought Damian in!' - followed by Damian and Dick glaring at each other, and Damian said, "Todd, we might need to acquire some new exit strategy!" at the same time as Dick saying, 'I've sent a text to Tim, but he hasn't answered. I've texted Babs, though!'

Jason cringed at them. "Whoa! Hold up! If this is how you two kids report, nobody would need surveillance equipment to hear you from Gotham Harbor!" he snarled. The two promptly stopped and glared at each other again, as if they both were hoping to have Superman's laser vision or something. "Okay, I've heard you both, and I'm upping the ante. Alfred just asked me practically for a method to dissolve foreign objects inside someone's body and allude that someone in the house is not who they seemed. And said someone might be Bruce."

Damian threw his fist to the air, stating, "I knew it!"

Dick's eyes were wide as saucers. "Okay... I would... I've wanted to say the same thing since we got in. But I was kinda scared I might be wrong. What makes you sure?"

"Alfred referred to Bruce in the past tense when talking to me," Jason said. "You? --wait, no, Damian first."

"He looked and behaved differently than the videos mother had shown me," Damian replied.

"I second Damian on this. Well, dude... we need to communicate better, don't we?" Dick said, telling the last bit toward Damian. "I've only met him once, way back when-- when my parents were... you know. But like I've told you, I remember everything from that day as if it has just happened. I remember Bruce Wayne was there with a blonde girl wearing chinchilla fur, a 50s hairdo, and an actual pearl pin. But when my parents... right after, I saw him directing traffic of people out of the tent calmly. His presence then was literally calming, like, everyone was looking at him for direction. This Bruce... generally, looked too nervous on everything; if that makes sense."

Jason thought a moment. Dick was really good at reading people's body language - even the most stoic Alfred. Before Bane was removed, Dick's assessment of Alfred was that he was uncomfortable with Bane, yet very welcoming of Damian. Thus his immediate trust in Alfred. However, since Bane was arrested and proven to not have been a Wayne; Jason hasn't got the chance to ask Dick to re-assess Alfred.

"Okay, I'll retrieve the video footage of your dad from 10 years ago from the League's servers. We'll cross-check. We'll tell the Birds once we're sure, yeah?" Jason suggested.

"Agreed," Damian nodded slowly.

"I'll have Tim keeping an eye on the Doc and Missus while we're at it, though. I mean, you know, precautions and all." Dick suggested.

"Okay, call Tim. If he doesn't answer, call Babs or his mom. I'd like this whole thing settled quickly before Bruce can do anything to harm Damian." Jason huffed a breath slowly, wondering what the hell is it with the Waynes that seemed to run on endless conspiracy theories, anyway.

Miraculous World: New York - United HeroeZ live-blogging (sorta)

Okay, it’s hard for me to live-blog everything I want to squee about, especially with the first watch. But I’m still wide awake and watching the re-air so let’s see how I do. (Turns out, I’m a slower typer than I thought and most of this was done post-watch again :P )

I absolutely love this special’s opening credits. It has a very Marvel feel. Nice.

Um... Uh... Did... Did Cristina Vee forget her Ladybug/Marinette voice over the break? I’m not liking this voice. I’m not liking it at all. STOP WITH THE VOICE! NOOOOOOO! (Also... Mr. Pigeon... Again? -_- )

Love that Adrien has started looking up the meaning of roses so he can find one Ladybug will actually accept. XD The boy tries so hard. <3

Hubby thought that Cristina might have decided to change up Ladybug’s voice so it’s not so obvious she’s Marinette (a la Batman) but the deeper voice is still here for Marinette. WHYYYYY!? The hiatus was clearly too long. She’s completely forgotten Marinette’s voice. OTL

Awww, Miss Bustier is pregnant!? She’ll be a great mom! eeeee

Also, smoooooooooth Marinette. Adrien is TOTALLY just a friend now... >_> Poor Luka. -_-

Also... ALYA’S VOICE IS WRONG TOO! WHAT THE HECK! WHYYYYYYYY. THIS IS SO AWESOME BUT I JUST CAN’T WITH THESE NEW VOICES! Everyone sounds deeper and gruffer... is that because the VAs are out of practice? Is it because they had to record at home with different equipment? What’s going on!?

Of COURSE Gabriel suspects a Miraculous in America. Good way to bring him to the States. At least Keith Silverstein remembered his Gabriel/Hawk Moth voice. I don’t know if I could have handled either Hawky or Adrien having the wrong tone of voice in this.

Oh. Oh no! Oh dear! Nathalie’s voice is the worst! At least hers can be explained away that she’s still recovering from the Battle for the Miracle Box but... *cringe*

KAGAMI’S OFF TOO! I think it’s 100% the actors not remembering the voices they used for these characters. -_- Such a shame. This movie is amazing, but the voices are so hard for me to get past. 

OMG, THE LITTLE CAT TO ALERT LADYBUG IS FLIPPIN’ ADORABLE! I’d hit the button a million times myself, so I feel ya, Chat Noir. Also, BRILLIANT play, Ladybug. :D

Equally brilliant plan on Plagg’s part. At least, it would have been if they were able to actually exercise it. Also.... WHERE DID THIS POWER OF FLIGHT COME FROM AND WHY DIDN’T THEY USE IT BEFORE!? >_> Me thinks the recipe for this power is magically going to be forgotten again once we get into the show proper.

Also, I know there will be salt thrown by the handful at Adrien after this special BUT THE BOY DIDN’T WANT TO ABANDON PARIS! He was going to stay and give up his class trip, but Plagg was right, when does Gabriel ever give him the freedom to do something like this? As someone who never got to go on any out-of-state (let alone out-of-country) class trips, I know how hard FOMO hits. If I had the chance, I would have jumped at it, ESPECIALLY after Plagg came up with a solid plan. EVEN SO, HE WAS GOING TO STAY! PLAGG CONVINCED HIM! And Plagg meant well. He wanted his kid to have a taste of freedom. Just... JUST LEAVE THESE TWO PRECIOUS BEANS ALONE, SALTERS!

UPDATE: The salters did NOT leave Adrien alone for this -_-

-_- And of course Luka’s voice is ALSO off. Still, my boy RACING A FRIGGEN BUS so Marinette can make the trip to NYC! SUCH A FRIGGEN GOOD BOI AND HOW CAN FANS HATE HIM HE’S JUST AMAZING AND *chef kiss* My heart just BREAKS for him though, because he’s sending his would-be girlfriend off on a weeklong class trip with her “former” crush and he KNOWS she’s still in love, but he’s not asking her to stay or pushing her to give up on Adrien and omg this kid is too pure my poor son!

UPDATE: So, apparently the hate mostly comes from Luka being - excuse the pun but - “one note” where as Kagami is more fleshed out and well rounded? Really? We know just as much about her as we do Luka. Just because we’ve seen Kagami flawed and we haven’t particularly seen Luka stumble that makes her more well-rounded? What if we just haven��t seen what Luka’s bad at? It IS possible to write someone whose flaws don’t necessarily come up often without them being some 2D Mary Sue. Give the writers (and Luka) a chance....

Awww. Adrien feeling guilty about leaving Paris and Ladybug. :’( But look at how cheered up he was just by SEEING Marinette! LOOK AT HOW HE RACED TO HER TO SEE WHERE SHE WAS SITTING!

Aaaaand then she panics. -_- This could have been Startrain all over again, but NOOOOO she’s now so focused on “he’s just a friend and I have to get over him” that she just has 0 chill around him anymore. -_- Go back to admitting you have a crush and just stumbling over yourself around him, huh?

(The Adrienette is STRONG in this scene though and I’m eating it up)

LOOK AT HOW DISAPPOINTED ADRIEN LOOKS SINCE SHE RAN OFF FROM HIM! WHYYYYYYY? And he has to be stuck sitting between his bodyguard and Mendeleiev. Poor kid doesn’t even have a friend to chat with on the long flight. TT3TT 

(So kind of serves Marinette right that she ALSO feels guilty about leaving Paris and now she has Mr. Damocles falling asleep on her instead of Adrien!)

I do appreciate that Cristina seems to be remembering Marinette’s voice more-or-less finally. Yay.

EEEEEE The sunset on the plane scene!!!!! <3 He speaks so softly to her and <3 <3 <3 (Also... Bryce Papenbrook seemed to have lost his Adrien voice in this recording... -_- )

UUUgh... was that still Ben Diskin doing Nino’s voice during the whole Operation New York dialogue with Alya? That didn’t sound anything like Nino! *sigh* Again, the main problem I have with this is the actors didn’t seem to get back into character before recording. Such a shame.

UPDATE: It was in fact NOT Ben Diskin anymore. :’( The new voice actor did well enough, but it just wasn’t Nino. I’m sure it will feel more like him the more I hear it, but I already miss the Southern Cali 90s Surfer Dude accent, even if it made no sense for a Gen Z Parisian to have it in the first place.

Awww, Mr. Damocles changing into his Knight Owl costume. <3 And then had to change back out of it. XD

They... actually named a superhero Uncanny Valley......

Knight Owl and Sparrow, AKA Batman and Robin.

“That’s just Captain Redlight directing traffic.” XD I mean, yeah, we have a lot of superhero characters but I think this is a bit much.

Alya oh so discretely pointing to Marinette as Nino directs Adrien to look out the window to see how beautiful NYC is. XD

AAAAAAND sliding doors vs Adrienette part 1. LOL I love how Aeon instantly figured out that Adrienette belong together.

Ooooooo Sabrina is gonna get herself an American boyfriend (And look at how jealous Chloe gets XD)

Adrien’s Soft Smile as Marinette realizes she was resting her hand on his stomach as she was hiding from Ms. Mendeleiev. So cute!

“Is it a bird?” “A plane” “No, it’s Hotdog Dan!” Oh. Em. Gee. Seriously? Ketchup Boy and Mustard Justice? Why!? Who came up with these code names!? XDDD

HOW DID NINO AND ALYA JUST RIP A HOTDOG IN HALF!?

eeeeeeeeeeeee THE FLOATING SCENE!!!!

Also, helium-voiced Nino commenting about his chick having wings <3

“Do you know this song?” I KNEW INSTANTLY WHERE ALYA WAS GOING WITH THIS AND I’M 100% HERE FOR IT. I AM SCREAMING!

Adrien’s soft asking Marinette to dance with him? He was practically PLEADING for her to say yes! And then she just scurries away from him!? And he grabs her hand to stop her from floating away. And then they just... nuzzle into each other as they dance and... yup. I’m screaming. <3 <3 <3 <3 (Also, the dance was at a party Chloe threw to prove to Adrien that she can be nice; it wasn’t her birthday, but I guess canonically it now was????)

Superheroes in America don’t have to hide their identities... perhaps someone should look into the comic book run of Avengers Civil War and decide if that’s a good thing... >_>

“I don’t mind being stuck with a friend like you” My heart is just flatlining. Like. ADRIEN, JUST SAY YOU ARE IN LOVE WITH HER ALREADY, OKAY!?

Jess and Aeon’s plan is as convoluted as one of Marinette’s XD I just love these two and I hope we see more of them.

Ah, Alya and Nino are good at manipulating their friends. 

Paris is under attack! Oh no! 0_0 

Ah, bargain-bin Doctor Octopus

After fully watching the special I know the answer, but when first hearing Sparrow I wondered if maybe Jess was genderfluid. Kind of a reverse of the Sailor Stars.

The transformation for the American heroes is both awesome and ridiculous and I love them.

“Marinette’s in danger” Adrien then INSTANTLY becomes Chat Noir to save her! <3 <3 <3 <3 I FREAKED when I first watched this part because I was afraid he might have spotted (excuse the pun) Marinette transforming. I was also curious how they were going to explain why they were in NYC. “I’ll explain later” is a good excuse. They are preoccupied by the villain and that gives him time to come up with a lie. Smart?

Aaaaand Cristina Vee forgot her Ladybug voice again. I hope this isn’t a new thing; switching up her voice for Ladybug. I’m not much of a fan, especially since she hasn’t always done it. :/

It kills me that Sparrow constantly comments about not calling for backup and gets in trouble for not calling when Sparrow DID try and the communicator was destroyed.

*flinch* The Chat Noir Cataclysm scene. My heart. It hurts. Poor Adrien. </3 All the guilt he has to hold for the majority of the second half of this thing.

EDIT: Totally forgot about the “American superhero gets understandably emotional over a loved one and smashes the villain through about half-a-dozen buildings with complete disregard for the collateral damage” trope.

Dollar Store Batman couldn’t figure out the manhole cover wasn’t in place. Whoops.

The breakdown scene where Ladybug lets Chat Noir know about how her powers work and how she can’t repair Paris. And Adrien giving up his powers. </3 And even though she’s so upset, and she felt betrayed by Chat Noir, the fact that she INSTANTLY yelled when she heard him renouncing his Miraculous and relinquishing it to Ladybug! And her TEARS as she realizes she lost him and won’t be able to return his Miraculous to him since she can’t even ask Fu to return it anymore!? Aaaaaaaaa! My heart!

“Gilbert?” XD I’m sorry but just hearing the poor little Eagle calling out the name is just too adorable.

ADRIEN WANDERING ALONE IN THE RAIN!? MARINETTE LOOKING ONTO THE CAT MIRACULOUS ALSO IN THE RAIN!? MY HEART IS BREAAAAAAAKINGGGGGG

The press conference requesting the NYC residents to stay inside until further notice. >_> Yeah... that... that might not work out so well if real life is any indication.....

“I wouldn’t have minded being stuck here a little longer with a friend like you.” >______< OH MY GOD, ADRIEN! (Also, Bryce lost his Adrien voice again... *sigh*)

Oh, and Marinette trying to chase him down to finally confess!? TT3TT

Oh man. Releasing a superhero from her fear of her powers. That can’t be.... yup. There goes like a dozen buildings in Manhattan.... -_-

Of course the POTUS is a superhero as well.... with access to weapons. Greaaaat. This isn’t a terrifying thought right about now.

I adore Sparrow. I ADORE SPARROW. I ABSOLUTELY FRIGGEN ADORE SPARROW!

About a million missile launchers hidden throughout the streets of NYC... >_< This isn’t hitting close to home or anything.

Eeeeeee. Marinette isn’t just unsure she can be Ladybug without A Chat Noir. She needs HER Chat Noir. She needs ADRIEN specifically. (Also, there goes Bryce once more forgetting his Adrien voice. Maybe he forgot what Adrien sounds like when he’s sad???)

UPDATE: Can we just talk for a minute the significance that Uncanny Valley - the superhero (accidentally) KILLED by Chat Noir (even if she was revived shortly after) - is the one happily returning Adrien’s superhero powers to him? How she has NO malice towards whatsoever towards Chat Noir? How SHE is the one to tell him that “to err is human”!? Beautiful! Love it! 

Nice. I liked that Uncanny can’t see the kwamis. Nice continuity.

THE LADYNOIR GLOMP! She was so afraid to never see him again. I LOVE how much this solidifies how important he is to HER, if not the team itself. 

The Americans being coerced by a foreign power to start a world war. -_- This truly is hitting too close to home right now....

Uh...How did Ladybug come up with the plan to trick Doorman to go to the Statue of Liberty? Both her and Adrien were already out of the room when he talked about the mystery of Eiffel’s safe inside the statue, and Marinette didn’t have any time to talk to Alya, so the two of them couldn’t have discussed how Doorman resisted figuring out this mystery because you don’t use your superhero powers for personal gain. Did she just luck into there being a mystery there that Doorman wanted to solve? Slight continuity issue there with the writing.... Whoops.

Awww, poor Doorman. He just wants to know the answer to the mystery!

Eagle’s transformation is so awesome! I love it. I love her. I want more of these American superheroes and wielders.

I love that Knight Owl and Sparrow are hand-me-down superhero titles! 

Oh my god, Hawk Moth slowly walking backwards dramatically from the window. XD WHY IS THIS MAN SO EXTRA AS WELL!? At least we know where Adrien gets it from. :P

I FORGOT ABOUT THE GORILLA! OMG! THAT IS AN AMAZING CALL BACK TO HIM! XDDD

So the American Miracle Box looks like it’s filled with Native American styled jewelry. So... are they based off the spirit totems!? I NEED TO KNOW MOOOOOOOORE!

UPDATE: Upon really paying attention to the opening credits, yes, the American Miraculous do indeed seem to be based off spirit totems.

I’m sure there’s more that I reacted to in real-time, but, as I mentioned at the top, I wasn’t writing fast enough to keep up with the pace of the show itself, so this is also largely by memory. :P Oh well. Always wanted to do a sort of reaction post about this series. One thing off the fandom bucket list, I guess.

I didn’t know where else to go

Fics Masterlist

Previous Chapter

Chapter 10: Feyre

Ughhhh, can’t a girl get some sleep around here? My phone ignored my internal bitching, continuing to ring. My fingers reached out, fumbling for it.

I didn’t bother looking at the caller, knowing who it was already. “Lucien,” I answered, my voice thick with sleep.

“There’s been reports of shots fired at the docks, looks like the Veritas could have been involved.”

Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit. “How can you know?” Adrenaline pounded through my system, waking me up. I had only gotten home barely an hour earlier, Cas dropping me off with a grin and a wink.

“Wishful thinking, mostly. Maybe a bit of a hunch,” Lucien admitted. “But this is a close area to where we think the Veritas base is…” I now knew that was nowhere close to true, it was several blocks north of where we were trying to narrow it down.

“You woke me up for a hunch?” trying to bring my heart rate back down, doing my best to put a grumble in the words to sell them.

“I know you need your beauty sleep,” he teased, sounding unfairly awake for the ungodly hour, “But I thought I should give you the heads up.”

I sighed, flipping onto my back to stare at the shadowy ceiling. “Thanks, Lucien. You want me to come meet you at the docks?”

“Nah, I’ve got it covered, the area was abandoned except for some bullet casings and tire marks. You need your sleep to heal from those bruises, I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Okay, call me if you need backup,” exhaustion pulling me down again despite the heart attack he almost gave me. The line went dead and I sank back against my pillows, relieved that there seemed to be almost no evidence of Veritas involvement from tonight.

Lucien didn’t mention the possibility of another group being there tonight. Had he not completely examined the scene yet? Or had he just assumed it was an internal Veritas skirmish?

Questions for the morning, Feyre, I reminded myself. I had been pushing myself hard the last few days and my body cried out for rest.

Slowly, I managed to sink down into sleep again, my dreams filled with clashing violet and green eyes.

The normal Monday flurry of activity greeted me when I stepped off the elevator at the precinct. The night shift shuffled by, heading home for sleep. Cops bustled back and forth, stopping to talk to others if they had a question. Those that had been arrested yowled obscene things from the bullpen every now and again. Typical for a day at Precinct 12.

Except now there was a huge board set up in the briefing room, covered in reports, clippings, photos and other various bits of paper.

“Uhhhhh Lucien?” I called to my partner who had beaten me our desks, “What’s this?” I took a few steps into the room, eyes darting across the board. They settled on a pair of violet eyes looking directly at whoever was taking the photo, a hint of mirth in them as though he knew who was taking the photo.

It was me. I took that photo on one of the first stakeouts with Lucien to get a handle on the new gang that had popped up in town. Just him knowing exactly when and where to look was the first hint that we were biting off more than we can chew. Rhysand Noc wasn’t running a new gang but an organized criminal enterprise with an MO of kidnapping scientists.

Rhysand Noc, who had seemingly appeared from nowhere in Velaris a week before, immediately started causing waves in the underbelly of the city with his family.

Rhysand Noc and his family that practically was laughing in our faces at how they were able to walk down the street without a care in the world because they knew we had nothing on the.

Helion had put the two of us on his tail soon after, ordering us to trail him and catch him as soon as possible with an arrestable offense.

Weeks went by and the only thing we saw him do was run a stop sign. And after bringing him in on that charge, it was clear he did it on purpose to feel us out. Get a look inside the precinct and how we think. He had been completely at ease the whole time, going as far as to flirt with me at one point. Had it not been for my stellar ability to grit my teeth and sit back, I might have been tempted to punch that smug look off his perfect face.

“Captain made the Veritas Crime Syndicate our top priority after the shooting last night. Even though there were no bodies or blood, it looks like they’re becoming more violent. Vargas and Boyle are now working with us on this.”

Velaris was a pretty big city but safer compared to those further down south. It had its standard run of the mill gangs and lowlife, but Rhys and his family and Amarantha went far beyond that. The oncoming storm might end up being one of the worst in this city’s long history.

The thought of that sent a shudder of ice crawling down my spine. When I joined the force, I knew I would be dealing with blackened and lost souls, seeing someone’s life spilled out on the cold ground, but a threat on this scale would be devastating for the citizens of Velaris.

Lucien had continued on in the background, oblivious to my dark, troubling thoughts. He followed me back to our desks, handing me the file from last night. Flipping through it, it didn’t have much information other than the facts from the scene and stipulations that the Veritas were involved.

There was one thing I had refused to let my conscious confront from last night until now.

Hot lips pressed against mine, strong hands pulling me closer.

I mentally shook myself, No, not that. The other thing, shoving Rhys far, far, far from my mind.

Tamlin.

He had been there last night, working for Amarantha.

And I had knocked him the fuck out. If I had to admit it, it felt damn good to drop him after all the shit he put me through.

I flashed a glance over at Lucien. His chin was propped on his hand, the other scrolling through whatever was making him grimace slightly. The morning light streaming in from the windows caught the gleam of glass from his left eye. Sometimes I completely forgot that he only had one eye having lost it when he was little. As close as we were, that was one story he hadn’t told me yet, the scars from it running deeper than the ones I could see.

I can’t tell him, not yet at least. Other than me, Tamlin was Lucien’s closest friend and that kind of pain might send him into a spiral that I can’t pull him out of. If I was lucky, and I rarely am, maybe Tamlin getting knocked out last night had made him realize the money wasn’t worth the pain and jail time.

A steady flow of work passed me by, Lucien and I leaving only once for a basic B&E scene and making it back before lunch.

It was in the break room where Captain Cartana found us. Despite the growing concern for the Veritas, he was practically glowing with happiness. And despite my growing concern for Rhys and Tamlin and everything else, his happiness was infectious, and a smile sprung to my face.

“Ready for your wedding this weekend, Captain?” I asked, knowing what the answer would be already.

“I wish it was tomorrow,” he answered, a slightly glazed look coming to his eyes when he thought of his fiancée. Lucien and I looked at each other and laughed, Helion was absolutely smitten with Leana.

“Anything else need to be done for the big day?” I asked, taking a bite of my sandwich.

“Nope! Everything is made or booked or ordered, now all we have to do is count down the days,” that glazed look deepened, causing Lucien and I to groan our disgust, barely hiding out shaking shoulders.

That broke Helion out of it, a mock glare sweeping over us. Here was a man that had no shame in how much he loved his soon to be wife.

“Well, we’re excited to be there,” Lucien assured. Even though Helion could be a tough captain, he treated everyone under him fairly, encouraging trust and friendships to grow in the precinct. Lucien and I were practically the poster children for that fact after he put us on night shift duty for six months. Now nearing six years on the force and we had become close enough to the captain to be invited to the wedding, along with half of the precinct.

With a nod and a smile, Helion stood up and strode out of the room. And I’ll be damned if no one was watching, he would be skipping instead.

Next Chapter

La La Land

Why the Backlash? and The Cipher of the Musical Film

By Colby Herchel

Originally posted here. 

       La La Land is a movie that is doing exceptionally well across the board, and deservedly so. It’s getting people from all walks of life into the theatre, and this reviewer has been dazzled by the work of both director Damien Chazelle and composer Justin Hurwitz, from both this outing and 2014’s Whiplash. So some are rightfully confused with the “Oscar backlash” it’s getting from both film critics as well as lovers of musicals. Why, if something is reaching out to everyone as a fun dose of optimism, is it worth the trouble nitpicking? There are certain moments that the film goer should relax and take it in, and not linger on inconsistencies. Tom Hanks said of it, “if the audience doesn’t go and embrace something as wonderful as this then we are all doomed.” I guess we’re not doomed.

       But there comes a moment, namely tying the record number of Oscar nominations, that gives these critics a pause for thought. This is no longer a fun distraction— this has become the representation for the musical film. And to answer the question, should it be? No, it should not.

       I’m certainly not making any friends here, but I urge you to see it this way: this article is not a put down of the movie in any way, but more importantly, a context provider, a reaching hand into another understanding. What were choices, what were mistakes, and, most importantly, where do we go next?

Musical on Film on Musical

       First and foremost, I would like to make one thing clear: a medium is a means of expression, like a book, a painting, a play, or yes, a film. They do different things and have their strengths in different areas. None are superior; they are different at the basest level. A genre is a trend or style of storytelling, like science fiction, horror, or comedy. As you may have noticed, the world at large lists the musical as a genre. This is understandable, as there are certainly tropes in classic Hollywood musicals that are consistent. But when you really think about it, the musical doesn’t have to have a romantic or cheesy slant in order to be a musical. It simply has to be a story told with the characters singing. In fact, musicals have their own genres, think of Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair as rock musicals, and Hamilton and Bring in ‘da noise, Bring in ‘da Funk as hip-hop musicals. So you can find it problematic that in the same genre are smushed Sweeney Todd and Hairspray. They tell completely different stories with completely different music, but both happen to have characters who sing. Isn’t the musical beginning to sound like a medium to you?

       Now, when you throw in the musical film, you have a whole new set of issues. For some reason or other, when people see a musical live, they are more forgiving of the singing. Whether people used to treat showtunes as pop songs or that hearing music live adds a concert feel to the event, it seems to work. But when you film a character singing, it is an entirely different moment. Film is constantly trying to create the most realistic scenario, and Theatre always requires a bit more imagination (which is why puppetry is especially jarring at first). When a character in close up belts that she is telling you she’s not going, there is no realism. The illusion is immediately shattered, and many film goers can no longer stomach it.

       This issue is usually explained away by this (which Damien Chazelle has discussed in interviews): the character has reached an emotional point in which they can do nothing but sing their feelings. I am not fully subscribed to this, as have you ever met anyone who has been so emotional that they have to sing? With backup orchestra and all? Chazelle, for that matter, does not subscribe to this either, as there is probably one instant in La La Land that the character sings a song out of desperate emoting. Oddly, we have some modern entries in this category, Les Miserables and Into the Woods, which I think both work pretty well, but lack a certain reasoning which is inherently off-putting. Adapting a stage musical to film is always an issue, to be sure.

       So alright, the Gene Kelly and Vincent Minelli explanation falls flat. And it physically did, in 1969, when the Hello, Dolly! film was an inordinate flop (which is a shame, that movie is comic GOLD). The stories that had characters just sing for no reason other than singing were no longer working.

       The musical film could never be the same. Bob Fosse, that rascal, was the first to really challenge back. With Cabaret in 1972, Fosse made a film where every number took place diegetically in a music bar, which offered commentary on the scenes. This device was so well received Fosse beat Francis Ford Coppola for Best Director at the Oscars the year The Godfather was up to bat. We all forgot about this device until Rob Marshall brought it back for Chicago in 2002 to similar praise. Every song occurs in Renee Zellweger’s booze addled brain. I personally like this idea, but unfortunately, it doesn’t allow for the freedom other solutions bring.

       So along came a little picture, a humble, indie darling you’ve never heard of. Moulin Rouge! I think it’s called. This was the first to sell the idea that sometimes, in a musical, everything is ridiculous and you can get it or get out. This is fun, but not very challenging. This embrace of the ridiculousness of the medium also bleeds into La La Land, but to a lesser extent. Obviously people in the real world don’t sing, but forget it, it’s fun! “What if they don’t like it?” “Fuck ‘em.” I usually find myself crinkling my nose at these outings, mostly because they do really well, and stigmatize musicals even more than they are by everyday moviegoers. To put it in perspective, I also classify Mamma Mia! in this subset. The post-Seinfeld cynical self awareness can go so far, but meta humor is a kind of well that all too quickly runs dry.

What is The Umbrellas of Cherbourg for Christ-sakes?

       What is this reviewer’s favorite, you may ask? Well, let’s rewind back to 1964, before Hello, Dolly! and even The Sound of Music. And while we’re taking the time tour, let’s pop over the Atlantic Ocean. Jacques Demy’s les parpluies de Cherbourg, or, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, is a film entirely told through a jazz soundtrack about two ill-fated young lovers (Michel Legrand the more than competent composer this time around). Sound familiar? The differences, then, are twofold. The characters only sing in this film, which makes Les Miserables critics moan. Don’t worry, the songs never take their time to withhold information, but rather press on at the rate any movie would (its run time is a blessed 90 minutes). It actually has more in common with opera than you would expect, but that’s a thesis for another day. The other difference between this and La La Land is in the fact that the characters are decidedly not dreamers. They are a poor daughter of a single mother, and an orphan who works at a petrol station. The dramatic kick comes at the end, at the pan out from a gas station. These emotional highs and lows came from the most mundane of locations, and the reason for singing is a beautiful one: your difficult life is worthy of music. How does this translate as a format, then? Simple: give a thematic reason. It doesn’t have to be revealed the minute the movie starts, but as long as it plays into the major themes of the film, it fits. These characters constantly talk about the opera, and about the melodrama in their lives. Genevieve and Guy are much more self aware, and both get full, emotional arcs. I’ll say no more, everyone who likes musicals should see this film.

       “Aha!” you may cry, “Chazelle has cited that very film as his major influence! Isn’t La La Land just as thematic?” Well, you certainly have a point, but please don’t interrupt me until I’m finished. Certainly, the choice of color palette, the cinematography, and many portions of that ending are swiped right from les parapluies de Cherbourg. The name of Mia’s character in the one act? Genevieve. That circle wipe that stops, then keeps going? Demy. The use of a jazz score? Gershwin, but Michel Legrand really was the one to perfect it on film. There are full scenes swiped from it in La La Land, and Chazelle seems to be kind of embarrassed about it. From a personal friend who broached these similarities with him, this is one of his favorite movies (as well as Casablanca). That’s not to say it’s a bad film— no, steal away! What else do we make art for but to be a reference? And to answer the question on whether the music comes in thematically, well, yes and no.

The Themes of La La Land

       Alright, so before we go any further, you should probably have watched La La Land if you don’t want to be spoiled. Below, I will discuss the thematic push behind the film.

       First, of course, is dreams. This is made apparent from the opening number— the difficulty of living life for one’s dreams. And this is essentially what’s at stake throughout: will Mia achieve her dreams, and to a lesser extent for some reason, will Seb do the same? This concept is brought forth in Whiplash, Chazelle and Hurwitz’s earlier venture, which makes this reviewer ponder if they are meant to be companion pieces. Whiplash is a much more cynical outing, exploring the selfishness of dreams in a high paced thriller. La La Land, is, essentially, the optimistic fluff. The stakes are never that big, and that’s ok. It is interesting that Mia is not punished for cutting off her connections to other people as much as Miles Teller’s character. She gets her dream, and leaves Seb (I really, really hate this name) behind. He’s sad about it, but all in all more than supportive.

       The second theme is less inherent— the death of art. Namely jazz, and Hollywood sensibilities. Seb explains that jazz is lost on young ears. You have to listen to it for the dialogue, which gives a cue for the rest of the film, particularly concerning their relationship. Mia, who claims she hates jazz, once taught how to hear it, finds a way to appreciate it. But other than these two, everyone else seems to be just fine with its fade from popular ears.

       Of course, there’s love, but isn’t there always?

Song to Theme

       I’ve heard some silly critiques that say Hurwitz’s score is not “hummable.” That is an absolutely useless critique unless you are trying to make popular songs. When you are writing songs for characters, all that matters is you honor the character and the story. Hurwitz’s score is deeply lyrical and rich and his orchestrations for that matter are quintessential. I give him every credit— but thematically, I have a few issues.

       Let’s begin with that opening number, Another Day of Sun. I personally really like what this song is saying. It’s an excellent way to delve into the struggle of all these everyday dreamers. As important to the song in a musical film is the way it’s shot. And Chazelle has done his homework, because we begin with Fellini’s opening scene from 8 1/2: a person in bumper to bumper traffic who, through some bout of magic realism, finds a beautiful escape (Guido Anselmi flies up and out, the cast of La La Land break into a musical number). This is a great way to indicate to the audience that their watching an old-style musical, right?

       But how does Chazelle shoot it? After celebrating the width of the aspect ratio (dear God, throw a parade why don’t you), we pan along different cars listening to all different kinds of music, some pop, some hip-hop, some classical. Oh! What an excellent way to launch into the death of jazz! Ah, but hold on. We keep panning, and begin to have that sure feeling that, oh no, he’s going to try his hand at the long take. And suddenly everyone, all these different people who from the first minute were shown to have separate tastes in music, are jumping out of their cars and belting jazz music! Is jazz truly dying in the world of this movie? No! It seems to be the heartsong of an entire traffic jam! The idea here is that since we’ve decided this is an old Hollywood musical, you can suspend your belief. Which is all well and good, but largely why I find this more akin to Moulin Rouge! than les parapluies de Cherbourg. “What if they don’t like it?” “Fuck ‘em.” Why on earth not use the music that the people were listening to in that same take? Make a fusion of styles to accurately represent the modern world, and, therein, one of the major struggles for our main characters? What could, and should have been an introduction into the major theme of the movie ended up being sacrificed for nostalgia.

A note on the long take: I think it’s absolutely fun, but unless there’s a good reason behind it, it is only a gimmick, an ‘Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better’ between directors. Alphonso Cuaron has made it his trademark, but you’ll notice he always has a thematic and filmographic reason to use the device. The Spielberg “Oner,” like the ferry scene in Jaws, is always trying to hide in plain sight, without convincing the audience that he is clever, but rather exploring the dialogue with proper attention and depth. Hitchcock, who explored it to its fullest extent in Rope, found it to be cheap and unfulfilling for the rest of his career, and very much regretted using it in the first place. Reel it in, Chazelle, Mendes, and Iñarritu.

       As you imagine these problems bleed throughout, at least concerning the other large group number, Someone in the Crowd. The song doesn’t seem to decide whether it’s critical of this ambitious world or not. Is it a joyful celebration of the struggling actor, or a condemnation of the shallow world? The prevailing image is the yet another long take of spinning in the pool, watching the chorus dance around like zombies. But in the following scene, we have an 80’s cover band featuring Seb at one of these parties. Good Lord, what is the real world of this picture? Is it in Mia’s Turner Classic Movie Mind? That could work for the party number, even A Lovely Night (sweet as a song, but clearly the talents the number is given can’t make it spin), but not the opening.

       Moreover, John Legend gets a song too, We Could Start a Fire, which clearly delineates popular music from jazz. Why, since the production was openly aware of their choices and the world around them, would they not remain consistent with this theme?

       Now, I do give a lot of credit to the cinematography, even in its gimmicky moments. It’s very difficult to shoot chorus numbers in a non stagnant way. Famously Tim Burton cut the wonderful chorus parts from his adaptation of Sweeney Todd, but this in effect made his film work that much better. Chazelle crafts a deft and complete world.

       Mia and Seb’s love theme is gorgeous, and a rival to many love themes throughout cinema history. The dance scene in the planetarium is just wonderful. But after a while (and as a composer I absolutely have suffered from this) it’s repeated a little too often. Hurwitz’s jazz arrangements are lovely, particularly Herman’s Habit. Here’s to the Ones who Dream is the only number to really come from a character’s emotions, as stated before, and largely it is the best song in the movie, if preachy. A few lyrical flubs, but we’ll certainly get to that.

       That dream ballet at the end is basically a medley of all the songs to come before it, which orchestrally, it’s lovely, but thematically, it’s weird. When we get into sequences of the film repeated we have all the right beats, their love theme and the audition song most prominent. But at the beginning, there are musical mentions of Another Day of Sun and Someone in the Crowd whichonly serve as musical filler. When a musical theme is assigned to a scene, whenever it is played again, it should have a direct correlation between them.

       You’ll notice I left out a rather popular song.

City of Stars is Terrible

       The big question that always comes up for a songwriting team is “What is written first, the music or the lyrics?” Friends, we don’t have to ask this question about Hurwitz and his lyricists. We know. It is the music first.

       The lyricists of the film are actually fairly well versed in the musical genre, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. They are both composers and lyricists, known for Rent of the year Dear Evan Hansen as well as Dogfight and the Christmas Story musical. This reviewer thinks they are more than competent and have a deservedly rich career ahead of them.

       Therefore, it is troubling how many awkward lines sneak into the final film. Theatre can always be changed and edited, but a film is forever. We have some slant rhymes in many songs:

“When they let you down/you get up off the ground”

Another Day of Sun

“Then everybody knows your name/we’re in the fast lane”

Someone in the Crowd

       In City of Stars, we have issues of prosody (how syllables and poetry are naturally spoken) and the difference between masculine and feminine rhymes. To illustrate the culprit of prosody, I have put the strong syllables in bold:

City of stars/Are you shining just for me/

City of stars/There’s so much that I can’t see

City of Stars

       Repeat those lines back in the as if you’re speaking them, then in the rhythm of the song. Do you feel how they don’t fit together? Rhyme goes beyond words, it’s in the meter as well. An example of how it should be done:

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens/

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

My Favorite Things, The Sound of Music

       Feel how they’re different? And now the culprit at the end of the song, the recipient of the masculine/feminine rhyme debacle. A masculine rhyme has the center of the rhyme based on an emphasized last syllable, i.e. Men/Den or Forgot/A Lot. A feminine rhyme puts emphasis on the second to last syllable, i.e. Belly/Smelly. You would never force a masculine and feminine rhyme together, like Foreplay/Today, simply because you never say Today or Foreplay. For each rhyme, the emphasized syllable must fall on an emphasized beat of music, be that at a downbeat or at least on a kind of beat. Not off. That’s when you feel that weirdness. So our culprit in question:

City of stars/Are you shining just for me/

City of stars/You Never shined so brightly

City of Stars

       Other than “Me” rhyming with “-ly,” there is really nothing in common with the final couplet. You never say “brightly,” you say “brightly.” These flaws show that the text was smushed in to fit the music, and not composed hand in hand. This juxtaposition ruins the intent of the song.

       “What a nitpick!” you must be screaming. “People don’t need to rhyme correctly for it to be good!” And I would say you’re correct if we were talking about popular music, and stuff you can listen to day in and day out, without needing to pick up everything on first listen. But what, I ask you, is the function of rhyming? Clarity. And what, then, is the great function of film language? Clarity. So, in a film, if you’re not doing your due diligence to perfect every facet of being clear to an audience, then, you are doing a disservice the audience and diluting your craft. But don’t take my word from it— living legend Stephen Sondheim quoted lyricist/composer Craig Carnelia in his book Finishing the Hat:

       “True rhyming is a necessity in the theater, as a guide for the ear to know what it has just heard. Our language is so complex and difficult, and there are so many words and sounds that mean different things, that it’s confusing enough without using near rhymes that only acquaint the ear with a vowel… [a near rhyme is] not useful to the primary purpose of a lyric, which is to be heard, and it teaches the ear to not trust or to disregard a lyric, to not listen, to simply let the music wash over you.”

       Moreover, City of Stars stops the movie still to sing a Falling Slowly wannabe, which never really comes back into play. It could be there love theme but we already have a clear theme in their waltz. The lyrics, on the whole, try and double as generalizations about love and what the characters Mia and Seb are feeling. The song, at least in terms of the movie, is largely a lie. Everyone in Los Angeles is looking for their dreams to come true as dictated in the opening number, but now we also say that everyone is just looking for love. Dreams win, poor Seb.

       So, other than a hit love song, it doesn’t really service the movie. We already gleaned they were happy in love from the waltz, and maybe this articulates their thoughts with less subtext, and maybe (though it’s never clear) this is Seb’s love song that he’s testing out with her. Either way, we’re not learning anything.

       And then there’s the fact that-

Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are… Okay

       Alright, alright, they’re absolutely cute together on screen. But in a film that tries so desperately to soar with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, it feels like your college’s club musical. I’m the first in line to claim that it is better to see an actor who can sing over a singer who can act, but goodness. If we’re buckled in for a nostalgia trip, why cast people who cannot tap in a tap number? What a Lovely Night made me long for the actual Singin’ in the Rain. And though this reviewer respects both of their acting abilities in a great way, and loves their work, Emma Stone’s singing voice is rather breathy, and Ryan Gosling is, frankly, flat. Whilst Russel Crowe felt the brunt of the masses for Les Miserables, ol’ Gos gets a pass.

       There is the rebuttal that this amateurishness was entirely the point, which is absolutely fair. Most dreamers are amateurish, and only the lucky few make it. But ask yourself seriously, in a world where they casted some of the myriad of amazing singer/dancer/actors who might not have the name recognition of Emma and Ryan, would you have been upset that they gave good performances? Not really.

Conclusion

       Is La La Land a musical? Yes, it has songs, but you’ll notice that after the first 20 minutes, there are barely any tunes until the end. This is more of a romance/drama than a complete musical. And that’s wonderful for it. It seems to keep the music as a reference to happy times, and the spiraling out of Mia and Seb’s relationship is done in silence. But when a musical is plotted, that’s when the songs really mean the most. They say Broadway composer Jerry Herman makes his name on production numbers, namely Hello, Dolly!, Mame, and The Best of Times. But go to one of his shows, and you find yourself enraptured in the sad moments, the I’ll be Wearing Ribbons Down My Backs, the If He Walked into My Lifes. The musical has not been explored to its fullest extent, and La La Land has ignited a spotlight. It is dangerous to be represented by a mere pastiche of the past, albeit lovingly and warmly. We must understand that this movie is not the example— rather a doorway. I really enjoy this film, even plan on buying it when it’s available, which is why I’ve thought so deeply about it. Through this lens, we can clarify much about where we are to go. Focus on telling a story with music, telling it surely, honestly, and clearly. There are a myriad of possibilities, and perhaps it’s time to move on from nostalgia and pastiche, and into the forays of tomorrow. Medium, not genre.

Sakura Tales book one

I wake up from sun's rays hitting my eyes I get out bed Chang and go in my living room and stare down streets as I see people walking and I give out a small sigh " life is lonely" I recently moved to new place and today starts my first day of school. I look at time " I must get going I don't want to be late ." I grab my stuff and walk my way to school look at sky " It's beautiful day out here not cloud In sky but yet no one to enjoy. I arrive at my new HS. My mother died of cancer and I now live with my father but he never has time to have fun or do something he is workaholic but I can't complain he only doing it to keep money up and helps clear his mind but as for me well I it's hard. I walk in my class as the teacher introduces me " class we got a new student coming in his name is Eric now I want you to give your respect for him." As the teacher sits he points me to empty desk I walk to it and I focus on lesson. After first lesson last through half day the bell rings and I get up till the teacher ask me to see him " yes teacher " " Eric my boy I want stay this school is happy to have you as I was looking at your records you are excellent student and have great work ethic I hope see best of in my class " " yes sir I will " " good now go and make new friends and join club we have lot to boost up your social " " ok sir " As I walk out of class I head to cafeteria but as I walking I bump myself into person we both fall " I-I am sorry here let me help you" the stranger lets me help as I look it was a girl a shy one I great her my name " I am really sorry my names Eric " the girl looks up and sees me but with a smile that I see before but can't remember when " E-Eric " then I remember in a shock scary way "H-Hyo" the girl looks and runs. I got scared but I shacked my head and go to cafeteria and grab lunch and find somewhere to eat and I look around and I see another person looks familiar agian it's that Momko. As the girl walks by I say her name " Momko " the girl looks and gets sacred and goes off" I am I going crazy I seeing anime Girls from Sakura games I watch. As rest day went by I walk home " this day was weird I see two familiar girls that I saw but ran why I don't know * I walk. As I walk I heard some foots steps behind me but not normal I take glance and I see a demon beast like creature but I stand and shot" what ever you are bring it on. The throw a hit in face and gut but I get in pain "OWW" the beast gets an anger look and gets change to attacks but something bright as sun blinds my sight and beast tribe smoke and I hear voice " that was very close to him " I hear other in a mean way " SUT Up he can hear you we need to leave before " as light clears I see too girls one happy and one grumpy " ahh he can see us " I speak " who the heck are yo--" then I realized it can't possibly them but they look familiar "Sayaka Hikari" the girls jump but Sayaka speaks " Hi Eric " I jump how do u know me " well umm we known you sense you play our game" Hikari punches here " oofg well we have tell sense he knows " " so that thing attack was a you call shadow " Sayaka nods " then what going on Hikari speaks" before my parter speaks what's going on after you stop playing our games something in space were a dimensions split causing all games you break through and now well there after you to have you with them forever " I faint. I wake in my room on my couch what happen Sayaka and Hikari appeared in front of me " well you fainted when you told you " " ah yeah so how come you guys aren't affected " " ahh well we are but we protect you " well that reefing I get up and grab my laptop Sayaka was couriers " what is that " I look " o this my laptop when i played the games you came out so I looking what games are after me " Sayaka smiles and then blushes " um Eric can I watch you " as Hikari heard she jump " No you don't I want too " I blush " ah ok sure " as they watch me but as I was scrolling something went through screen and grab me " ahh help me out " Sayaka and Hikari grab me from its grasp. They break me free from its grasp and I close the laptop " yikes thank you " I relax " I think i m going to get some sleep this been rough day. As next moring rises I get up " ahh what a day I wonder what going to happen today" I walk to bathroom I feel steam up against my face and see Hikari she gets embarrassed " ERIC close the door " I gawk at her "ERIC close the door! " sorry my bad I close the door." I walk and change and go downstairs and see the girls "good Morning Eric " " morning Sayaka and Hikari " " Eric want me make breakfast " " no " " aww plz " " no don't forget I played your game so I know why " " let me " I walk in kitchen and make waffles " " I finished and put on table " dig in " they dig in and smile I clean up " are you ready to go school " They smile and get ready. I walk out till I saw 2 girls one I saw I slowly backup till I trip and make noise the girls take notice and move forward suddenly they speed up till they chech up and they look at me with smile one speaks " hello Eric longtime no see " " ahh H-hyo " I look at other " R-roes " Rose smile " yes " " uhh what are you going to do to me " they both smile " you coming with us " as they about grab me Sayaka and Hikari show up " ERIC!!" They run to me and went in front " YOUR NOT TAKING HIM AWAY FROM US!!" They transform into there guardian angel close with there weapons Rose speaks" I guess we are going fight how going to grab him " Sayaka " Bring it on" all four girls spread and draw there weapons Hikari first strikes rose and strikes back as Hyo brings out her electric wipe Hyo strikes as Sayaka pulls her arrow and fires at Hyo. Hyo doges and wips her shirt and her shirt falls I look and try not stare at but can't stop then her shirt re-generate as they continue fight but as I was watching something behind me sneaks and grabs me with its leg by neck " Ahhh help me " Hikari hears me " ERIC " she swings a big hit knocking off her balance but Hyo see and wips Hikari down as I was getting kidnapped I was sueded. The person grabs me and drags me to others Sayaka see other and tries fire but a dimension open taking me and rose and Hyo. Hikari got up I am not given up she runs and grabs Sayaka to dimension as the dimension closes the girls make through and taken into void " Hikari what is this " " I don't know it's like a time window " the rest Rose Hyo and other Arrive in there own time. I slowly come back seeing 5 girls looking at me one spoke we got him but we got tail on us another girl goes to a machine and change something so that they don't get to me however they brake through the dimension before change were made but knock out both of them I hard Rose voice I will tie them off then I go unconchens. I hear some voices " what should we do with those other too we only need Eric" another " I thinking don't rush me " Mmm the girls heard my noise and walk to me and saying " wake up Eric " I slowly open my eyes seeing 5 girls and I remember there faces " wahh why are you so close Hyo to me " Hyo smiles " well you were waking from your knockout and well I wanted to be first one " as Hyo finished she grab my hand and drag me to entertain certain leaving Hikari and Sayaka tided. As we went to entertain place Hyo throw me to couch and she started to undress. O no I forgot there much more sexual desire after re-enter there realm " now we are alone from others now let start what we didn't finished " I sowle scares way " uhh " as Hyo gets closer to me but a swing door open and voice called " HYO you get way from him he is mine " " I look over seeing Rose " no his mine " Rose runs and grabs her arm takes her off then Rose sit in front " now that trouble maker is gone now mine turn " she takes off her cholths too Hyo gets up " HEY not fair "she runs to Rose and squeeze her over me this going to be bad. As Hyo and Rose battle to see which one who going to have fun with m- another voice came " That's enough you too !" I look and see Michel coming in ah no but Michel didn't bother me yet she only separated Hyo and Rose " LISEN YOU TWO YOU'ER COMING WITH ME " Michel grabs them and takes them away and as for I I fall on couch with fear and look at seining auhg not these girls they will do anything in time window to get my attention I keep looking but I head door open I get scared and voice speaks " My my Eric you haven't Changed " I hear footsteps closer to me and started looking down at me " Bu-bunny " o no " aww you miss me " she bends letting her breast dangling " Ahhh " bunny smirks " I know miss me most " see swings " you miss these hmm" " I..I ahhhh " " so shy hehe but shame you can't touch these yet till we get ride off your unwanted guess " I jump " No bunny don't you " bunny walks out and locks the door " o no " In the time window room Hikari wakes and yells " Sayaka wake up!! " she kicks her partners leg Sayaka jumps " OWW really " " yes we are tied up and who knows what things there doing to Eric " Sayaka gets back on guard " No they don't " " yeah but we need to get out these " Hikari reaches for her sword and slices through ropes and get up as Sayaka stands she brings her bow out " We're is he we need to find him to get out " " I don know just look around " as I lay in room trying to adjust of what just happen but as he adjusting the door unlocks and I jump in fright " o no what are they going to do now " the door opens and stands there is Michel " hi Eric " with smirk " M-Michel " " aww you do remember me " walks in forcing me to sit in chair she trips chair over and she is on top me " how I miss you Eric I miss your heroism and your sweet personality and those gawking eyes " she smirks " now its time for that kiss " she pucker her lips to kiss me till "MICHEL!!" she looks up see rose and Hyo " write in good moments what do u want " Rose spook " The other girls are gone " Michel gets up in anger " How can you not do simple job you were supposed to keep them on watch " as Michel yells I felt something cold around me and on my shoulder I look and see Akain the fox spirt she put finger on her lips to tell me to be quite she grabbed me take me down I let out a pain Michel turn around " No get him !!" Hikari heard my pain grabs Sayaka and runs fast and see the girl " Hey " the others look and get rammed spreading apart Hikari and Sayaka run and grab my leg and get pulled into Akian portal. Michel gets up and shouts " We Had Him " she looks at girls and points to time window for tomorrow " Now We are going to need new things so you two girls get some rest I going to be up all night to pinned point his destion " the girls follow. As for me I go through a realm scared but I see my guardian angels there I smiled lightly but as we enter the dimension the girls fly miles away from me as I see them flying away I feel a painful thump it knock me unconscious leaving me with Akian. The priest sees me " bring him in he you and your friends don't want him getting cold now." Akian stands holding me " yes priest " she brings me in and gently places me down and kiss my head " walk back my dear " " Let him rest now Akian I will let you know he about to wake" Akian nods and disappears the priest looks at me " glad to have you back Eric it's been hard when you left " Hikari and Sayaka crash lands in snow and Hikari gets up so does Sayaka " we need to find him before anymore people can take him away and keep them " " i know Sayaka now let's fly and look for town he probably in them " Sayaka nods and flys with Hikari. I began to wake up as I do I see the priest " what happen " Priest smiles " glad that your awake Eric you crash into ground with Akian making you unconcness " I look around and see the shrine I was in " yeah I remember now the Christmas one smiles I miss this games " " glad to hear that but " priest sits next to me " after you stopped paying game Akian was sad lonely but never give up knowing you would come back right as she was to give up she felt something in spirit realm that was not normal " something pop up " the dimensions split " " correct than Akian smile as she felt your spirt so she went to different dimension to find you till she find right one" I smiled " priest can I see Akian now " the priest smiles" of course you can Akian he wake" Akian appeared smile with happiness that I know of she ran and hug me close " I miss you so much dear " hugs back " I miss you too I don't want you to be alone anymore " she smiles with tears of joy " o dear i have some friends they want to see you after you were gone long time" " let them in " Akian smiles and brings them in as I look and remember there faces " Itsumi and Santa " the girls smiled brightly run to me and piled me " oo" Itsumi goes to my lips and kiss them " Eric I miss you most " I blush but kiss back Itsumi smiles Santa hugs my body. After the reunion the rest of girls stand except for Akian who nuzzling me showing off that I am her's but the rest girls grab her off " now remember Akian we need to spend time with him now " Akian sighs and let go of me and Itsumi grabs me and takes me " now my turn " Hikari and Sayaka still flying and saw the town " there that town he in " " are you sure " " I know so " the girls fly on top building looking for me. Itsumi and I went shopping trying to catch on what we miss after I left. Time went by and I arrive to my apartment in this world I put stuff down and Itsumi smiles and ask in blush way " um Eric it was fun spending time with u " " me too " " um can I spent night here " " of course " she smiles hugs me and kisses my lips and I kiss back. Next morning I wake seeing Itsumi hold me I smile kiss her head and I hear " Eric don't forget your promise " smiles " I won't " I slowly get up and Itsumi wakes " morning " Morning " I go to kitchen and make pancakes I finished and hand them to Itsumi " here she smiles " thanks Eric " " No problem ". Hikari and Sayaka look till they see someone claiming my apartment building " Hikari look " she looks " let's fly above the building and see a girl in Santa cloths. As we finished eating I clean up and Itsumi goes and take shower. I finish cleaning till I hear knock on my window " yup just right on time " I go open window and Santa falls in " hi Eric ready for my turn with you " " yeah but wait I got tell Itsumi " I go to bathroom and open door and see Itsumi naked " do you ever knock " " my bad you still haven't changed haven't you Itsumi " " of course not only to get your attention most " she smirks " yup and I can't stop looking any way I going out with Santa now see you soon " " yup " as I close the door I heard Itsumi voice " I going to need up my game " I smile and go to Santa " well I'm ready now let's go I hold Santa hand she blushes and holds back. We walk out building Sayaka looks on other side I found him Hikari she runs to her partner " wow " " is some one worried" she gives smirk Hikari blush " no.. I just want to get him before more do " " right but that little late he is out with someone now" " What " she see me and Santa. I felt something wired but I ignore it and continue walking " Hikari did you saw that he felt us near " " yeah but why her " " is someone jealous " " i.. I " right as she continued a time void appeared " Sayaka look " she points " ah no we need to get to him before they do " they fly As I walk Santa lens on mu shoulder and we enjoy view but as I heard some crash noise " ah no " " Eric is everything ok " " yeah lets continue "smiles and walk to store " wow this awesome so many clothes " " yeah " I pick out some clothes out. We finished shopping " that was amazing experience " " yeah it is "I look up and see my guardians fly and I smile " it beautiful day " " yeah it is " we both went to a bench and sat Santa went closer to me and lay on my should I was about to blush but instead I kiss her head. We went back to my apartment Itsumi was gone and Santa left. The next day I got up and stretch " these days were the best but now begins compilation for my attention. I heard double knocks " I wonder who that is " I open the door "oof " I look and saw Sayaka and Hikari holding me and kissing me " Eric we miss you so much we tried to find before more take you away" " well your little late but not in bad way anyway I heard a crash yesterday and that means Hyo, Rose, Bunny, and Michel found me" they nodded" great now we all got to be on guard now two try keep them away from me and let me continue I don't want the other girls to be hurt during Christmas or something bad may happening " they both nod " anyway so what you two girls want to do no-" as I was finishing I heard knocking on widow " Eric help me " excuse myself Hikari and Sayaka I need to grab Santa " *let Comption begin* " I told you take door " " sorry I panic again" I open window and Santa falls on floor and gets up " thank you Eric so I have something for you " then I heard a himf " " what was that " " o sorry Santa this is my two guardian angels Hikari and Sayaka " " o nice to meet you are you close Eric like me " they both blush and say " yes" " Eric I thought Akian is your guardian " " no there a difference between them and I will explain more till we are together with the rest they want to know who they are so yeah you go and get Itsumi while me and two get Akian " " ok " Santa waves her wand and disappears " so on world " the girls rush to me holding my arms to get more attention on who we walk to shrine " Akian were are you " I hear ruff noise behind in bushes and she appears runs to me and brings me down and kiss me " I miss you dear " o god I hope they didn't hear that too late " hey get off him " Akian looks and gets off " Eric who are they" " ahh there my guardian angles " Akian gets little anger " But I am your guardian " the girls get surprised I look at them " she my guardian spirit" the girls get jealous to see there rival then themselves right as they going to say I heard " Eric i got Itsumi " I get out of Akian grip and stand and I see them both and I see Itsumi reaction on other too " Eric who are they " " there my guardian angels Hikari and Sayaka I will explain " " plz do " I explained how i was before then start new school meet 2 then how I met my angles then how I got taken by others then been rescued by Akian I came here everyone was surprised expected Hikari and Sayaka " yeah " I sit down and all girls comfort me I smiled hold them in my arms they all smiled till somebody walk in front of us then split into two one spoke " my my Eric what do we got here " other " it looks like separate Harm " I look oh no then something hit me with electric pulse and dragging me to them Hikari and Sayaka see them and pull there offense " your not take him away this time rose and Hyo " " make us he going to be with us forever " Hikari gets angry and strikes on rose as for Sayaka she fires a bow at Hyo and she blocks it but gets pushed far. Rose swings her sword at Hikari but blocks and hits her " you not going to get him this time " "o really " she makes an motion setting someone as it did someone jumps land tall and pushes rest of girls away from me Hikari and Sayaka look " NOOO" but Akian stands and defends me " come one bunny girl " " this just to easy " bunny wipes her leg hitting Akian but strangely vanish behind bunny hitting her " ahh you dirty cheeky fox " Akian smirks but stands at hult when bunny touch her ears and slowly falls and fainted " not to smart fox " bunny ran with me on singles for time window which in sky open and sucking me away as for Rose hits Hikari far and Hyo wipe Sayaka lose her balance an both ran to window and window closes. I wake in a room when all girls look at me " Welcome back Eric " they all smile " uh" girls smile and hug him close I lightly smiled that they were being nice than fighting who going to have fun with me." So how much did you miss me " they all smile with grin" a lot more than your others have. " Oh that's not good Hyo sands up " I want to have him first " Rose beg differ " No me I want him first " as they were fighting Bunny and Mizitum didn't bother me yet Michel intervenes " No both of you will have time with him so will I but let's Eric dicid on who he wants to take " They all stare at me " uhh " who should I chose Michel, Hyo, or Roes " I would choose Hyo " Hyo smiles wide " yeah told you now let's go she grabs my hand and drags me to elevator " Hikari, Sayaka, and Akain get up exsuthed way and pain way they all met rest as Itsumi and Santa hold themselves and cry " We lost him again " as the others join them hold on to each other "now how are we going to get him now he gone " Akian speaks " not exactly I can grab him from the spirit realm but we got to wait 2 days till they are inline " Hikari and Sayaka sands up " Akian can you take us to our world we need to get extra help to defend Eric" Akian smiles sure she grabs there hands and goes in spirit realm while Itsumi and Santa wiping. Me and Hyo relaxing in elevator " so how did you find me both times " Hyo smiles " well first when you bump into me and ran off I told others have that I saw you and brought rose and bunny to take you. The second it took Michel a long time to pin point you." " o wow you guys really miss me " Hyo smiles and gets closer " yeah we really did and we won't let you leave our site " the elevator stop and we got off and went shopping for new cloths for me and Hyo. After shopping spree " hey Hyo lets go to GameStop " " Oo yeah let's " I grab her hand and enter the gamer store " what game would you like to get " " I..I don't know you pick Eric " I smile " ok " I pick out two games " Here Hyo call of duty Black ops III and The Division " Hyo smiles " yes " I smile and pay them and we head back " thank you for choosing me first Eric " " It's no problem and I think I can beat you in BO3" Hyo smiles " no you won't " " well we have to see won't we " she nods and gets closer to me holds my arm I blush and smile I slowly kiss her cheek Hyo blushes. We arrive back and brought my stuff in my room and help Hyo in her room and bring new games in room I look at clock " hey Hyo i going make dinner for you guys " " ok don't take long I wanna play " " i know but you can't rush perfection " I walk to the kitchen and bump into Rose " o sorry Rose her " I lit her up she smiles " thanks did you and Hyo had fun " yeah we did " " that's great "she sighs " hey don't be sad I am here now and you will spent day with me don't worry " she smiles " good so what up to " " well I going to make dinner for all you " " aww can I help " " of course " me and Rose walk to kitchen " so what are going to make " I smile " well spaghetti" " that's going to be good I woke on sauce" " ok I got noodles and meat " I put water in pot and and meat in skilet I start moving the meat to brown. I start boiling noodles and keep moving meat. Everything ready I pull noodles in bowls and meat as Rose puts sauce in I pull out serving tray and put bowls in " thanks Rose " I kiss her cheek she blushes " no problem Eric" I bring trays with me " here you go Hyo " " thanks " I go to Michel " here you go Michel " " thanks Eric " I go to bunny and hand to her " thanks Eric " I give to Mizitum " thanks Eric" " no problem you two " I walk out and hand the last bowl to Rose " here you go " " thanks Eric " I smile " no problem " I grab mine and head to Hyo. I enter room " ready now " "you know I am " " good " I start game. Hours went by and Michel walk in "I think that's enough you two time get some rest " " right Michel good night Hyo " I kiss her lips and go to my room and go and lay on my bed. The next morning I woke with Michel at my face " good morning Eric " " Morning Michel " come out bed we got things to do today " "ok " I get up and change and walk to Michel as I enter room and Michel looks at me smirk " uhh what do you want from me Michel " " I just want to do is to wipe your memory of others and focus on us "smirks " uhh " Michel get close pushing me down on couch and bends over me with smirk as she get closer she brings her breast on my face and squeeze them. A click on door open " MICHEL " " what now rose " " what are you doing with him it's supposedly my turn to spend time with " " o well to late for that " rose pushes her off and grabs me " as Michel was pushed she hit something and it cause the time widow activates and a vortex pulls me away from there grips and I get suck in through time and landed face first on beach and go unconcness. " Michel why did you have to do that " " well not my fault you took him away we won't have this problem. Akian felt something she gasped and was relief now it's much easier now. As I lay in sand couple of girls walk by see me. I slowly recover and sit up then I saw two girls look at me. Oh no it's Ayumi and Momoka " hi Ayumi and Momoka " the girls run to me and pile over me " Eric we miss u " " I miss both of you " they both got up Ayumi speaks " we're have you been " " ahh I have been... " you haven't been with any other girls " " Y-yes " I close my eyes Ayumi get angry but Momoka intervene " now Ayumi don't get angry we couldn't reach him" Ayumi thinks " yeah I can forgive you this time " I smile with relief I get up and hold there hands " now what are you two were going to do today " they smile " well the beach " " that sounds great " walks to spot I look out sea " ahh I miss this view " they smile " come in water with me Eric " Momoka grab me and we went swimming and Ayumi join us and splash water each other. We finished went back at beach " I miss having fun with you guys " they smile. We arrived at hotel i sit on bed trying to figure what has happened over the 4 days. First I was enjoying school till I saw two people both ran but one told others and other is unknown I probably should ask sometime. After school I walk back and saw a demon beast then my guardian angels protect me told me what happening. The day after I was walking till Hyo , Rose were there to grab me eventually they did till a sexual activity spike in them then I was grab and transported to Akian, Itsumi, and Santa. Hyo and Rose spotted me and end up back in there hands but to there normal selfs till Michel try to get me forget but I got suck in the time window and end up here. I need to rest. 3 hrs went by than I felt something warm up against me I look and saw Ayumi holding me and I smiled as I see her then went back to sleep. Next morning I wake slowly and still see Ayumi I gently move her off my grip and stretch and look out of deck. I heard a little voice " mm plz don't let go Eric " I blush little then go back in bed and let her hold me. Couple hrs went by and Ayumi wakes " Morning Ayumi " she blushes " M-Morning plz don't tell me you saw everything " I nod " You Fo-" hold on there Ayumi don't speak to loud or Momoka hears you " Ayumi goes silent then speaks " did you like Eric " I smile "of course I did Ayumi " she blushes and smiles " did you like it " she nods " it was great um Eric could we do it agian " I smile sure but don't forget your agreement with Momoka cause if you don't it can cause supination and if she notice she will fight to be on top again" she nods " good but you should go back to your room before Momoka notices your not there " " alright Eric " she goes in room I get up and change then I hear the door open * I guess Ayumi got back in time before Momoka woke * I turn around "good morni-" I Momoka holding Ayumi " Eric plz don't tell me that Ayumi slept with you in bed " uhh yes " Momoka has sad face but smiles back up " well I going to up my game hope you are prepared Eric " she walks in room and changes. We arrive at beach but sence early she been bring me close to her then Ayumi but she grabs me back. Momoka wanted to play volleyball and Ayumi agrees the net set up and start to play. As there were playing go back and forth till I stop looking at Momoka " ahh " " MOMOKA stop taken Eric attention off you " " no he all power I need to keep winning " " I don't think so " the volleyball ball comes in her hands hits it and miss guide it "Eric watch out " wha-" the ball hits my face and makes me unconcness. I wake seeing both of them looking down at me Ayumi speaks " I am sorry Eric " " it's fine " I sit up " you need to have more control over the ball do doesn't go out control " Ayumi nods " I will find ball " I go through Pam trees and see the ball ahh Than I heard a twig break I look and see nothing * must been animal * I walk out till I heard it again I look nothing * ahh no that fox it's up to something * I keep going and made back * here the ball I pass back to Momoka " thank you Eric now one more round Ayumi " " Ok " the round past and as usual Momoka wins but I comfort Ayumi she smiles and puts her arm on my close to her's and Momoka does the same. We arrived back at hotel Momoka was egsuted not as much as Ayumi though Momoka went to sleep as for me and Ayumi she took shower and went to sleep also but I stayed up to star gazing and lay down then heard some twigs brake more but in odd way * a person who brakes twigs brakes one but I heard 6 and couple more o no I slowly turn my head at woods and saw two things sparkling then goes away * must be my guardians* than I felt vibration I look at my phone it was text from Ayumi " were are you " text back " I went star gazing sorry I didn't tell you " " it's fine but your still going to be punished " * this going to hurt *" ok I heading back " I put my phone away then I saw 3 figures in front of me * Oh no * figures move closer I back up but hear more * I am so dead * they all move closer I start to run in middle get around them and run to hotel look back and breath heavy I walk in the room and saw Ayumi and Momoka waiting for me * o yup punishment * " sorry about that I got stop for 10 minutes " you didn't tell us that you were star gazing " but- " " no talking divine punishment " wait- " I feel two sold pillows hit me making me unconcness for rest night. "Ug my head " I get up and see note" morning we went to beach hope you enjoyed your nap" " well at least there at beach. As I walk to beach I look around making sure someone grabs me after last night I arrive see them relaxing in sun light I join them. They looked " morning Eric " " morning you two how did you guys sleep " " we slept fine " " that's good " than Ayumi ask " Eric what have you been doing after you stop playing with us ?" I was shocked " ok then I tell you after I stop playing I was sad to do that because I left my childhood friends out in the game I moved to others like different versions Sakura angles, Sakura Santa , Sakura swimming club and well time Tesla " I look down * oh no * " Eric what's wrong " " nothing really I just remember something" " o ok so what happen after you stop playing them " " ahh ummm how should I say this " as I was about to answer I heard noise in back us and jump from behind us and said " He met us " * oh no not now * we all turn around and Hyo flings her wipe and brings me close to them then a rush of wind came and 3 people came down hitting ground I look and see Hikari,Sayaka, and Yuzuki * oh this can't get better * rose walks up " well looks like you two have any there teammate" Yuzuki grinds and pulls out here weapon " are we here to talk or to fight on who grabs Eric " bunny shows " well this won't be easy one " Rose sends first strike but block by Yuzuki and Hikari hits rose back Hyo fires her wipe and strikes at Yuzuki hits her and reflex Ayumi and Momoka run to me " that's why after I stop playing something happened caused dimension to split into my world then to your world all fighting to keep me " they were shocked and tried to brake me free. Then I felt something " girls hold me now don't ask " without hesitation they grab me and a time stutter hit cause time stop Ayumi and Momoka were scared " it's fine for now let's get going " they slightly smile I stand and grab there hands and move somewhere far from battle " this good spot ok what happened there a time studer hit stoping time for bit " " how did you now " " well this * I move my hand and time sparks from it * yeah I have time powers " The time studer stop. The battle rage on till Michel calls Rose " Rose Eric gone " " no he can't he* looks and doesn't see * he not here why is that " " A time studer hit he couldn't gone far go find him and grab him " wait why didn't effect him " " he has time powers it's long story now go we can ford loosing him to them" Michel leaves Rose contacts rest and follow her " why are they running he right * Sayaka looks * he not there go the after them " the rest run. " we need to split so they don't reach him " they split. Hyo gets struck by Sayaka bow bunny runs faster but stop from Yuzuki Rose looks back but keeps going she sees him and gets closer I look and time run fast away but hits something really hard make me of balance and crash to ground my guardians see me and run to me protecting from them. I slowly get up but as I am rose see my body fidgeting " TIME STUDER " the girls run to hold me before the studer hits they break through and grab me before time studer hits and everything went black. " that was close one Michel we got him " " good now let's go before time studer stops " the time window opens and leave " the time studer stops the girls get up in pain and looking for me but don't " they got him we need to Akian to go in there realm". They all shove off. I slowly wake " ugh my head this just never gets any easier" I look around and see rose in front me " hi Eric miss me " " of course I did how can I miss a cute beautiful girl like you " she blushes " aww well we still haven't spend time yet " " yeah " I get up and reach for her hand " we're would you like to go rose " well I was think the store I need new recipes " I smile "alright " we walk to elevator and go up. " you guys really really love me by do anything to grab me " Rose blushes " yeah we do your kind, brave, caring, and well cute to all of us " I blush and smile "thanks " the elevator reaches top and me and rose walk through town. We go through building after building to grab some recipes and ingredients " wow this going be some busy days and I will help you " Rose smiles " thanks Eric now let go " we go to elevator and entered rose gets close and kiss my cheek " thanks for helping me pick " blushes it's no problem" we arrived and drop stuff in kitchen and rest in Rose room " umm Eric can you stay for bit more " I blush " yeah sure " I sit on her bed she moves closer and lens on my shoulder " Eric why did you leave us " " well I wanted try some new things out and enjoy them but with you and rest others you face trying to get to me it's really different well in my world I am alone all time" looks down " what about your friends " " I do have friends but there busy and have no time to talk only in school " she wraps her arms around me " don't worry I am here and rest are here with you " smiles " yeah " I get up "good night" rose " good night " I walk to my room than I felt a hug around me I look and saw Hyo " I here too Eric " smiles thanks good night Hyo" " good night " I walk in my room And lay on bed and fell sleep. I wake up " well I think I have some alone time for now " I get up and bring my laptop out and open it " let's go through steam to see what next I will be visiting " I look through list " Sakura angles, Sakura Santa, Sakura beach , Time Tesla and Sakura swimming club so next thing I will be visiting will be Sakura swimming club oh no " I heard knock at my door and close my laptops " come in " the door opens and it's bunny " morning Eric did you sleep well " I look " yeah I slept well you " bunny gets close pressing her breast against me " I slept good " Michel walks by see me and bunny " bunny don't bother Eric " bunny looks " o why not are you jealous that you not near him " Michel blushes " y-yes now just leave him " " fine I be looking for you * kisses her lips and send flying to me * " Thanks Michel " " your welcome so what were you doing " " I was just on my laptop "I open my laptop and feel Michel arms around me " yeah I was looking what places I visited * points * I visited Sakura angles were you guys fight to grab me * scroll down * Sakura Santa were you met Akian fox spirit that drag me to here* scrolls more * to Sakura beach were that huge battle fighting and when I express my time powers and the time studer and now you guys Time Tesla were you guys are" Michel was shocked " wow so were your next place " I point to Sakura swimming club in nervous way " there this were everything accelerates if something happens I will be drag to there and it won't be easy to get me there" " no it won't we make sure that you stay with us so that never happens" Michel kiss my cheek and walks out " are you coming or are staying " "I going to stay " " alright then " the door closes the something pops on screen I haven't noticed a message boxes to the limit I open and see all conservations from everyone from each game " how can miss this o that's why wow I am idiot* I look through * "wow they really miss me and I miss them too I turn off laptop and close it walk out. I look around rooms of each girl Hyo enjoy games I got her, Michel tinkering to make sure nothing grabs me away , bunny doing leg exercises * him that how she got them* I heard something " Eric will be Mine " I laugh quietly and move to Rose try new skills. I go to swimming pool enter it " ahh I miss smell of chlorine I change and go swimming. As I practice I see the girls watching " really you 4 if you want to swim with me then change and join me " as I said that Hyo and Rose change while bunny and Michel continues. As I wait I see them in there swim suits I couldn't help myself but look " you look cute and sexy in those " they blush " thanks Eric " they join in. After while of swimming I relax on wall Hyo, and Rose join me and hold my arms close * Best thing today * I look at them then look at pool enjoying view and smell of chlorine Michel walks in pool " time to get out take break " " ok Michel everyone got out I was walking with girls till I forgot my towel " you girls go head I will chech up I grab my towel till something grabs my mouth and takes me and says " don't be scared I got you Eric" I look and see Sayaka " what how did you get here " " Akian " she moves away wall show portal were Hikari was wait till she coundn't wait longer she lung to grab me but Sayaka stops her but pushes me away and " Rose notice and runs to me " Eric are you ok what happ--" as Rose was going finished Sayaka fires her bow and hits her into water the noise caught every one attention and ran with there weapons they arrive and see me on ground and rose floating " Who ever you are show your selves " Sayaka, Hikari, and Yuzuki sands Hyo get furious " You will never grab him away " Hyo first strikes then bunny then Michel fight Yuzuki strikes at bunny as Sayaka fights Hyo and Hikari stands fights Michel " why you doing this we want him for us " " cause we want him as well" swings her sword and Michel kens her in stomach and runs after me but stop by Sayaka Arrow and runs to me but loses balance from Hyo. I slowly see what going on but I saw Akian she grab me and drag me to portal but doesn't succeed after Hyo wipe knocking out there grasp I accelerate speed and full speed in other dimension. Sayaka, Hikari, and Yuzuki runs for it close portal so others don't go through and they try find me " Nonono were is he" " Sayaka there " Yuzuki points and they all go after me but dimension closes causing everything accelerate higher. I wake in apartment * what happen *I look around and then some memories reappearing * Oh oh no not here * I look out and see it's night * well lucky it's night I need to rest * I lay on bed and look at ceiling * well I haven't spent that much time with them let's hope they don't go accelerate or recognize me * I slowly fall to sleep. I wake with sun rise I get out bed and put some clothes on and walk out * I got to admit this dimension is beautiful in its way but compared to others well it's hard to pick favorite by all hard work the girls tried to reach me and I fall in there arms and love everything about it * I walk to the high school then I stop and look around school yard and see them Hiroki and Meiko I grab my shirt and walk through but accidentally bump into Meiko " I am sorry " she looks at me with a long stare * I am so dead * " it's ok " I walk away with nervous then Hiroki speaks " have we met before " I stop and look back and run " Hey " they run after me * I am screwed * I run through school and hide among crowds " Hiroki we need to go to class it will be impossible to find him now " " fine " they darted off I breathed with relief " and go to class. After class I walk downstairs * that was clos-* before I finished I hear footsteps two of them I look and see them and they see me I run but get stop by them I try too retreat back but stop and began to close me in and they grab me " ok who are you and why did you run " I close my eyes " I-It's me Eric " they both are shocked " E-Eric is it really you " I nod and try to escape they grips " We're have you been and why did you run away from us " " ahh it's a story that you don't want to know " " I escaped them and run fast I can away from them * they not going to give up to know truth and they will do anything to break me out * I run out school and sit in back Allie. Hikari , Sayaka,and Yuzuki wait for Akian to let them go find me Akian returns " we can go but we have to wait but we can see " she moves her hands and portal shows me " why is he there and why does he looks scared. Other dimension Michel found the time but rest can't go till Rose is ok " girls" they all walk in time laboratory " I found him " she opens time overview seeing what rest are seeing. I get up and look around and walk " this not going to be good if I keep this up and let me exposed to them I am so violated " I look at sky's " plz get me out of here plz " the girls react " why does he want to get out there " Michel " well Eric was showing me what he went through and at end he got nervous and scared when he said this one" Akian " we don't know but we can infer that he is scared of this realm than others " we need to grab his computer and play the game to understand why " Santa steps up " I will get it " . Michel suggested the idea also and they play. As I walking around Meiko sees me and runs to me I noticed but I couldn't run I was trap " now that you have no were run now tell me everything " " fine " I told her everything I went through and told her about the others "so that how I end up here in fear cause I remember what you will do to me " Meiko stops and thinks " Eric you know you could told us they ending up like this cause I got punished you meet me after school at pool Hiroki won't be there tomorrow " she walks off Hyo keeps watching me same for Sayaka, Akian, Itsumi, and Santa. I arrived at home and go to bed " this going to be bad " I fall asleep and rest stop. Michel brings the news of why I am afraid and scared of this dimension " this dimension goes to far in sexual way than ours they do anything to grab his attention " girls were shocked " we need to get him out there soon" Hyo cuts her off " we can't till Rose is fine and better we need her to keep Eric in our hands but with out her the others will take him easily" That true Hyo how much longer will Rose be ready " " maybe in week depend on her healing rate " " ok then you girls practice new ways to defend and grab Eric cause from this dimension it's going to be hard one to grab him I will keep eyes on him and you girls can also just remember to practice " they nod. As for others Santa brings my computer and puts it on as they look they get same reaction but Santa has different ones based on her innocents "this way to much for him that why he so scared from those girls and by my looks there not going to give him up easily and they will do anything till one them is his first " Itsumi gets a reaction " h-his first I want to be his first " " well all do especially the others but it's going to be hard we need to wait longer and practice more to grab him and defend him " they nod " good now gets some rest you will need it " . In Dimension I am I wake up * it's time for day * gets nervous chill * well let's get to it I hope isn't that bad * I go and get ready and walk to school. The morning classes go by and time hits for swimming I go in swimming pool and see Meiko waiting for me " I am here " " good you came now for you punishment " I get nervous " you got swim 15 laps " alright " I get in water and swim 40 minutes past I finished " such exsuthed " Meiko walks front " well you shouldn't have run " " sorry just a reaction " " it's fine now your hear that's all for today go change " I get out and head to locker room * that what I am afraid * changes and walks out walks to home I saw Hiroki * hope she didn't notice me * I continue to walk till I heard footsteps follow * yup she did and there no point running cause she will out run me * I slop and Len against wall as I predict Hiroki caught up to me " you didn't run this time " " yup cause you will out run me " she smiles with a little grin " o now I caught up to why were you still at school did Meiko got to you first " yeah and told her everything and I will do the same* I tell her what happen and how I got here * Now you know " when I told her she got little angry at me then got grin * this not going to be good * " well come after school again tomorrow in swimming pool I tell everything there " I nod and she let me continue walking * this not going to end well. Next day I wake and take shower and go school *good today Friday i won't be punished till Monday.* other dimension Rose is getting better and Michel opens the overview looking down at me * I keep walking. After school ended I walk down to pool * hmm where's Hiroki *then I head locker door open * oh * she walks out in a tight swimsuit then she wears I start gawking she smirks "sorry I was late I had to find another swimsuit but instead I stick with this tight swimsuit hope you don't mind " " N-Not all" Michel see on girls and see my eyes gawking at her tight swimsuit she rushes rest of girl to watch me. As for others they do same but with anger " good now go do 5 laps " I move to pool and start I finishes and hang on " good now * just as she was going to finish hear breast burst out with not tear I couldn't help the stare * o my I hope this doesn't distract you " " ahh not not all " Michel speaks" I see the reason why he didn't want to go there " " yeah it's so exposed " said Hyo " aww no fair I wanted to do that" said Bunny Michel gets up " how far is Rose Hyo " " she fine but be back on her feet in 3 days " Michel sighs looks at girls then me " let's hope he won't be violated " looks at me " s-so what next * try's not to look but can't " " well let's try some tactics " * I hope this doesn't go wrong way * " o- ok " Hiroki gets in water and doesn't try to put back her breast back in suit " let's practice on how long you can hold ur breath " she moves close and place my head between here breast. Hikari get furious and attacks something Sayaka " I see reason why he can't stay long on in there poor Eric " Itsumi sees and gets sad and anger face " that was supposed to be me " " well it's not too late they haven't violated him yet but one getting near." " how much longer before we get him " " just 3 more days ". I get up when blushing Hiroki smiles with smirk " not bad I think that it for today " " yeah " I get up change and walk outside * I was right it was a bad feeling I am scared for tomorrow * I look at Sky * well the sun is saying up there bit longer lets hope none pay visit. Well at least I don't need help with my study's then that would be bad thing * I arrive at home drop my stuff down and take my computer and lay on couch*ahh well at least there no other dimension lef-* as I was about to finish I saw a new game Burokku Girls from creators of Time Tenshi * do I dare* I look at * I do * as I was about to buy I heard knocking * I guess there not giving up* I walk to door as I left my laptop Michel sees what I going to buy she calls the rest and they came " Michel what's going on " Saids Hyo " he has another game in mind to buy play " " what's that " Saids bunny " it's Burokku Girls from our own creators " everyone Gasps " have you tried stoping him " I am trying " I open door and see both of them " hi Eric my we come in " " yeah you can let me do something quickly you can walk in its going to be short " I go to my laptop and close it " Michel sighs " well he not buying the game for bit we can breath " " Michel " ask Hyo " what will happen if he buys game " " well that will mean we have a bigger threat to worry cause there more of them than us and they have weapons " " oh " i walk back to them " so what doing here " " well senc you have been gone so we want to spent time with u " " ok then " I turn around then I heard some clothes fall off I turn around and see both girls in sexy tight hot clothes " ahh~~~ " Hiroki smirks " like what you see " Meiko looks embarrassed but then gives off smirk " I..I-love it " in other dimension they cant help but watch in anger and slightly sad back in my dimension the girl get close and till they body's press against mine they took off my t-shirt and my pants and then my boxers " o my " smirks and start to both stroke I moan. They speed up I moan louder then Hiroki get on top of me and pushes down on my dick inside her and she move up down she moan add I Hiroki get off and Meiko does same. We keep going and switching positions then I came inside them and fall asleep. I woke when sun is rising see the girls holding me I smile and reach for my computer I open and click on steam and see a sale I go through and find the game earlier then something pops " Sakura spirit " * hmm looks interesting I click and look at then I was interested I click to buy. In other dimension Akian felt a unbalanced action in spirit realm "Akian! " Sayaka runs to her helps her up Akian looks at me seeing buying Sakura spirit she runs and say " don't Eric don't. In other Michel sees Burokku game she does same but I don't hear and buy them Akian faints while Michel falls on kens. Sayaka throws water at her she revives and gets up open spirit realm to my place * go in we can't wait longer just go * with no hesitation Yuzuki, Sayaka, and Hikari run in realm enter portal in other Michel gets up and turns time window open" we need to grab Eric before those other girls get ur gear on and go we can't lose him " every girl gets ready even Michel they jump in as for control Teshi is controlling it. As for me I heard two loud booms sounds * oh no * I look * o great I brought to more games in the dimension split * I get up gently with out waking other I changed and wake others up they got dress and left I left also but in different way and hide * what I am I doing I can't help to resist *i heard crash I look nothing then I felt something that was not normal thing i try to move but it hardens quickly but I make in time I look down * is that pink slime I quickly open my computer and see one girls a pink slime girl I close it and look up and see the girl I jump " ahh slime spirt " girl spoke " my u look cuter up close " she moves close bring her slime to capture me than a bow arrow comes and stops the girl * stay away from him u slimy creature * Sayaka , Yuzuki, and Hikari stand in front of me " slime girl mention my name " I take guess that u know these girls Eric " " ahh yes" then a another crash came down but I know that sound then 3 more girls walk in front one speaks " Eric we miss u " i tug on my shirt " he belongs with us " Sayaka " no us " slime girl smirks and in shadows i saw two kanshun walk up next her * this not going to be-* as I was going to to finished I felt sharp blade against me I look over my shoulder see two samurai girls I leap in middle of all of them fighting over to see who going to have me I can them go back forth saying" no he ours. No ours" and they eventually start to fight as I sand in middle * every one hear expected* then 3 fire blazing balls hit ground in triangle around me * just as I speak I need to get out of this battle zone * I start to dart then I was caught in a slime " hehe I got u now " she moves closer but I get wipe around my waist and takes me out of her slime " He no going with u *said Hyo " nor you * Sayaka pulls her bow and fires arrow to get me out there grasp and she fly in and grabs in air and flys away. Rest of girls saw this action and run after and one of them fires " incoming " Sayaka doges but one fires making Sayaka dropping me I fall " Ahhh " then I look were I was crashing down into it was a pool " o thing going to hurt " I brace for impact" I hit water hard and made me unconcness. Meiko and Hiroki were in pool as they saw me crash they dive in to grab me as I was floating a dimension portal open up sucking me and two into. Sayaka flys back were she drop me and Hikari Yuzuki were up there two they dive in but Yuzuki tried to defend them off as the other two dove after. Yuzuki was kick out of there way but was too late the dimension close and all them ran off quickly before one fights. Michel calls Teshi " Teshi were is Eric now " " he back in the beach area " " makes us go there " alright " Teshi adjusted there next destination but he calls back * Michel we can't the time widow is over heating you girls need to come back and change its cooling " alright Teshi " he open window and grab them back. In dimension we crash in ocean water " Hiroki are u ok " " yeah I am are u " " yeah we need grab him out * they grab me out and drag me on sand they felt my pulse " he alright here" Meiko throws and bucket of water at me. I revive " what who were " I see Hiroki and Meiko and kiss them both " thanks for saving me " they smile " your welcome " and they kiss me back . I look at surroundings and see the bay and then two figures " oh no " one figures come close and has angry expression " hi Ayumi " " Eric what are these two girls doing on u" " ahh well it's a " Hiroki speaks " cause he ours not yours " *o no* when Ayumi hears answer she gets furious " Eric Devine Punishment!" " Wait Ayumi don't oww * She goes and grabs my ear and takes me away the girls follow as I left Sayaka and Hikari burst through the dimension portal and landing in sand " back here again " Sayaka gets up and helps Hikari " they are not far they left 2 minutes ago " " alright Sayaka what should we do " " I don't know Hikari after incident we got be highly alert who nows what those spirit up to " they shove off . As me and Ayumi walk back to hotel when she still holding on my ear others stay back we enter the room and Momoka sees me with Ayumi she jumps with happiness " Eric ur back Ayumi why are u holding his ear " " cause it his divine punishment " " why are u punishing him " " well I caught him with two girls around him and kissing in front of me " " Eric is that true " " well " Ayumi pulls my ear " tell us whole truth " " Ow alright after I got captured I was just relaxing and playing my computer then I went swimming I swim for bit I got out I forgot my towel so I went to grab it till I was grab by other made noise causing rest go after then I fell in another dimension were u saw the two girls I tried to run and hide but failed then I was punished by doing 20 laps in pool. They began teasing me then they came over and.." She pulls my ear " then what " " ow we had sex." They eyes light in shock and sadness and I heard Momoka " I was supposed to be his first " Ayumi re-focus and pulls more " then what " " I went on my laptop and bought two new games which came crashing down and surprising me and trying to capture me to come with them I avoid then rest came causing into battlefield to take me but I grab fly in air and got loss falling into pool with girl and I ended up here " " that all " " yes plz I beg u Ayumi let go " she lets go " thank u now can I go back to others and find them a place to stay " Ayumi gets more angry " No u can't for now on ur staying with us " " but" " no do u want other divine punishment " I go quite and go to deck and look down Ayumi goes in room while Momoka is still shock and I can still hear her " I want to be his first " in low quite way. As for Meiko and Hiroki they look up at me and see me and call" Eric " " hu " I look down and see them " are u coming down " " no I can't " " why" " well " than I heard " Eric come inside and close door " " sorry " I leave them and enter room " you nee-" as I could finished Momoka lungs at me " uf " and Momoka kisses my lips with lot passion " I not giving up " I kiss back also. Ayumi sees us " Momoka!!" Momoka gets up " o come on Ayumi u know u want to kiss him " Ayumi blushes than runs and kisses me " yes I do " she kisses me more. She stops " I love it " they both smile " so did we ". Hrs went by and I went to lay in bed * well today was great but sad though good part I kisses both girls other hand I can't go by others * I get up and stretch and change * well looks like they will be sleeping in for bit I should write them a note * I write note " Ayumi and Momoka I went to beach alone I didn't want to disturb u two so I will been on beach when u wake up from Eric " I place note on my bed and walk out. As I was walking I heard couple foot steps I turn and see Meiko and Hiroki they grasp there arms around me " ahh my two cute girls how I miss u " they both smile and kiss my lips " we have miss u more so what are doing alone " " well the others sleep in and I came down here " " oh" yeah do u two want to go swimming?" They smile wide " yeah we do " we're would u like to go the bay or pool " " the pool " " alright then " we walk to the hotels pool. Hiroki and Meiko went in pool as for me I watch them they challenge each other beat who go to do something with me and I enjoy it. I gently lay back in my chair and close my eyes till I felt two hands on my shoulders and moved in mussaging way make me sleepy then I heard a voice " Eric!!" I open my eyes seeing Meiko and Hiroki with mad expession " Eric who is she " I look and see Momoka " Momoka what are u doing " O I woke up to wake u up till I saw note saying that ur at beach so I got ready went down then I saw u relaxing by pool watching these girls made me jealous so I went behind u and have u a mussage but got caught " I was about to speak till Meiko spoke" he spend all day yesterday with u now our turn " after Meiko said that they both move in close to me and put there arms around me Momoka start to cry and i take action quick " Momoka I get u ice cream then till sunset I spend time with u " she smiles " alright Eric " she kisses my head and walks off " that better. I relax "so girls do want a swimming challenge with me " they nod I get up and went in the pool " alright ready " they line up " on ur mark get set go " they lunch off and I also lunch I swim fast and see Hiroki first I try my best as we hit finished line I end up second. " do u girl ever stop ending up in tie " I laugh softly girls smiled at me but they get little mad at each other and talk on how Meiko should win or Hiroki should have, I intervene " enough you two let's just relax and enjoy the day * I put my arms around them and they move in close and I smile and look at sky and see a line of light go through sky * I guess Sayaka and Hikari are here well there not in rush take there time * I relax till I heard a foot step behind my head at first I though is just and regular person talk to another but nope I was wrong I felt something that grab my ear I open my eyes and scream in pain " Oww " " I thought I told u forbidden to see these girls " then I realized who it was " Ayumi it's not what you think " right as Ayumi was going to reply Meiko sand up " hey u don't have to keep grabbing Eric ear we are just relaxing in pool we are not doing anything " * oh boy this not going end well with these two * Ayumi replies back " I know Eric sense childhood I know what going to happen in his pervert minded " I speak " in ur dimension that u know that and I-" I was halted then grab my Hiroki and kiss right in front of them both" even if Eric has perverted mind all boys do and some of us girls like that especially me" Ayumi was frozen up after Hiroki said that then she unfrozen, she got angry expression and grab both my ears * " oww " perverted mind or not he's ours not yours in our dimension " as Ayumi said that Hiroki gets out and grabs me places me in both Hiroki and Meiko arms right in her face then speaks " if u want him u going to try harder take him away from us " " it's on" *In my knowledge of Ayumi I never expected that to happen *. Ayumi storms off and as Hiroki and Meiko well " now that bitch is gone we are not going let you out our site " I look over at sun in dissents I saw Momoka she darted off * well this is going to be interesting. As the day went on I went to special cliffs eye view and look out at sun as it setting and I slowly talk to my self " a beautiful sunset beautiful as all the girls I see and love and each girl has they own nickname Ayumi is the hot sun full of love that burns for me Momoka the blooming red rose the smell of Rose are sweet beautiful and hard not to resisted, Meiko the beautiful mermaid her passion her talent that show her beauty and yet so hypothesizing that u can't lay eye off, Hiroki the sneaky snake her ways to per swayed me are undetectable and are so alluring-" as I was talking I heard voice " aww how sweet what is mine" I jump and look and saw Sayaka " Sayaka did u hear all of it " yeah and I want to know mi-, oww" " and also mine" "Hikari how did u to finally found me " we already did " " then why didn't u pop in " " cause of her she wanted to study u on what u do in a another dimension and as we saw u" I stop them " you don't have to say it I-" I was stop when something made me sleepy and I pass out " Eric!! Hikari stay alert I think some one or something is going to take him" a mysterious voice " well looks like Eric has some protesters " Hikari " who are u what do want with him " " to take him with us" out of nowhere a shot of pink slime hits Hikari and hardens keeps her on spot " SAYAKA!!" " how so weak helpless " another slime shot fires and hits Sayaka and pins her to tree and a slime girl walks up and grabs me " wait till I get out of this " I don't think so " me and the slime girl vanished and slime melts off. Sayaka gets up and helps her partner " what was that Hikari " " I don't know Sayaka but what matters that thing has Eric and we need to get him before others do" Sayaka nods and they make portal and go through however they didn't close it. After some days Meiko, Hiroki, Ayumi and Momoka got worried went off to find me instead they found portal and Meiko and Hiroki know what happens they push Ayumi and Momoka away went through portal close it and said one thing " Eric going to be ours " then portal closes. In Time Tenshi dimension girls were about to go through time window to get me however Tenshi halts them Michel speaks " what's matter Tenshi " " Michel we have a problem " " oh what is that " " well Michel it appears that Eric is not in the beach dimension anymore and none in others " " oh that really big problem " Michel grabs the pad from Tenshi and does a quick scan for any new locations and time and they did " there he is " Tenshi looks at location and gets a worry look " Tenshi is everything alright " " yeah it is Michel but the location he at the people in that time I have a dislike to new comers cause of spirits so be careful down there " " we will Tenshi " " alright then let's get going " Tenshi walks to controls and starts up he puts his hand on switch " good luck " he pulls switch down and time window takes girls away. In vortex girls are quite till one speaks " let's hope we get Eric before other do " " yeah let's hope " they arrive at destination. As for me I wake up in an village mansion I look around and talk to my self " I'm in Sakura spirit now this won't be bad I hope " I get up and look outside and enjoy view " ah i remember this view " then I heard and voice " welcome back Eric " I turn around and see Maeko and she run to me and fall on ground " Eric I miss u soo much " " I miss u to Maeko " and a voice calls behind Maeko " well I guess my little sister miss u " I look and see Machiko " yeah she did and don't tell me u miss me too " and as I said that she comes running to me and joins Maeko " yes soo much too " smiles and kisses both them " so how did I end up here " " well u were brought here by Sakura " " oh " yeah she told us to keep u here with us and others " " why did she say that " " she said there were other girls after u " my eyes light up * others * " ok well I glad to be back here with u too love girls " they smile and hug me " so were others " " oh there in village " " ok can I get up and see them or u lovey girls won't " they both giggle and get off I stand and walk out. Hikari and Sayaka arrived at new place " so this were Eric been taken to its very old and yet strange feeling " " Sayaka what ever this place is is not normal place what ever that thing was it has him and there probably more so let go-" as Hikari was going to finish a flash of light appears " what is it Hikari " " the Time Teshi girls are here but won't last long from this world let's get move on " . I go to village and look for other girls and as I was I walking I saw one of them training * lets get creative hehe * I walk slowly and behind her " say Narumi try practicing on some real then dummy " I will not only if ..." Goes quiet " if only what " it's none of ur business " Alright u ask for this " * I place my hand on her shoulder and flip her not in any pain * " What the--" * looks at me * " E-Eric is that really u " who else " as said that I felt a sharp end pressing my back and I hear " who are and what did u do to Narumi " Ahh Miyo " her eyes light up " how do u know my name who are u " remember this "* I quickly grab blade without pain and flip her land her next to Narumi " miss me " Eric " yup " they grab me and bring them in there arms and hugs me close " we miss u " " I miss u too " from a far there were two figures in woods and they were mad. I get up and help Narumi and Miyo up " where have u been Eric we where worried and sad when u didn't came back we even ask Maeko and Machiko to know we're u are and we got answer u move to another game " place my hand back of my head " hehe well I can't stick with one game " from a far they were ese dropping and whispered " we know there more but how many did he go " other replies " who cares let's listen " I was explaining what happened from past days and now seems like month or 2 " we won't let anyone take u away from here "when Miyo finished I heard a voice " that what u think " * oh no not now * I look and see Hikari and Sayaka * oh hi Hikari and Sayaka been long time since u were only ones that found me first ehh " yeah it has and it will be last " says Hikari " you are coming with us and no one will take u " says Sayaka then I push backwards then Narumi and Miyo steps in front " no he not he staying here with us if u want him u have to go through us " I hope Time Tenshi girls don't show * " alright then * Hikari sends first attack and Miyo blacks it with her sword then Sayaka fires her bow arrow and it's block my Narumi " he not going with u he staying here " no he not " Miyo pulls back her sword and cuts Hikari cloths " ahh " she strikes back and her clothes regenerate Narumi pushes Sayaka to ground and hits her head and she loses a clear site making everything all blurry. Hikari is impressed on how Miyo hasn't lose footing but keeps fighting till Narumi charges at her pushing her to ground and loses her weapon gets up " haha is that best u got " she moves her hands making magic spell but before she cast it another force of magic hits her and makes her vision same as Sayaka. Narumi looks and sees Maeko " Maeko !!" " it's nothing " I quickly intervene " stop for memories that we can do later now we need to get moving there still another coming " they nod and head to Maeko and Machiko place . As for Hikari and Sayaka they regain there site " that was unexpected but now we're did they went off to " now no time to talk we need move before Time Tenshi girls arrive . They also ran off as for two figures " come on Meiko we need to follow " alright Hiroki " they go also. However the Time Tenshi girls have arrived " Michel this place looks very beautiful and yet old are u sure this place " it's is but we need to look deeper and more vigilant " Loud noise of battle Michel stops " do hear those loud noises we are near come on " the girls went to source and found the battle but we have just run off so have Hikari and Sayaka " Rose go scout ahead to give us a lead of there direction " Rose did what she said. As for Sayaka " hold up Hikari " she stops " what is it " Sayaka pulls her bow and fires causing the motion of rose to run off " dam it there here and following us we can't let them follow " what should we do Sayaka " get them off our tracks " she pulls 4 arrows fires them in air and cause a small fire to blind there site " run now Hikari " without hesitation they ran far out off there rang and small fire goes out " Michel they know we're he is but now we don't know we're " alright then let's move . As for us we arrive at Maeko and Machiko house and I fall on couch " thank u Miyo , Narumi and Maeko they nod " what where those girls " they are my guardian angles from another game " oh but what about u said there another " that's another game and they are bit more harder and more but I haven't see them yet " as I was laying all girls kiss me I was shocked " what was that for " for staying with us " hehe well for now we have take some protection causes from finding me " Maeko stands up " I know a spell to hide us in plain sight " but what about us " u will do ur everyday activities and I will visit you " but what if we see or notice anyone of girls " tell me then we can continue from there but to tell this girls u saw ones here others " I pull out a picture of time Tenshi girls then i turn them into this time " there these girls u need to look out for " I point to each of them " Michel darker red hair and taller , rose a blond yet looks may deceive she smart and know how to act and finally Hyo a very active girl with blue hair and be careful out there " Miyo grabs pic " we will come on Narumi lets go " they both leave" if u don't mind girls I need to rest " I turn my head and rest . Machiko whispers " let go Maeko let him give his rest " alright sis " they leave and as said Maeko cast spell over house. * I wonder how the other girls are doing without me * I close my eyes and rest. As I was sleeping I was hit by something small I woke up and saw it was a smartphone than it ring I answer " hello" hi Eric so finally buy watch dogs " my eyes light up "badboy17" ah so u do know " how did u get this phone to me "oh your not only one experiencing dimension split so that how" oh so why are u calling me" oh just want to great my number one client and plus to give u phone u probably now hacking tools " yeah I do " well then that settled bye" the call ends and I go back to rest .In Sakura beach Ayumi and Momoka are together but with sad minds and depression " poor Eric I really miss him now " Momoka looks at ocean with tears in her eyes " me too I miss him " Ayumi holds Momoka and tears fall from her eyes too. With there tears makes puddle and a portal forms and a fox like girl comes out and goes by them " he's ok you too he misses u too " both girls look back and see a fox girl Momoka speaks " he really does I'm Akina fox spirit I know your person Eric come now let's get up and get out here " Akina walks back to there tear pool and goes in " don't be scared ur safe " without a fear they enter portal and come out to Different place " welcome to Sakura Santa " the girls look around and see beautiful shiny snow " wow is this one of other places that Eric played and enter Akian gives a little sigh " yeah it is but now let me introduce you to others " she pulls Ayumi and Momoka inside a shrine " let me introduce you to Santa clause, and Itsumi " Ayumi looks at Santa " u are not real Santa " of course I am I'm just one of his many daughters " if u are real one then what did u gave me for my Christmas present " o I gave u superhero comics " Ayumi gets a shock of surprise " alright Santa what did u gave me for my present " Momoka ask " oh I gave u a doll for something to keep Eric with u when he not around or gone " she gets shocked as well. Akian interrupts them " ok before we do Christmas question all day we are here for one thing and that's Eric Itsumi walks up yeah I want to show them that Eric belongs with us and me mostly " Ayumi and Momoka get furious " who says that Eric should belong to u than us " because us don't give devon punishment and get tease constantly " there intersection rise " ok that enough we all want Eric but right now he stuck " Akain makes a huge portal of all the locations from my steam games " right there in Sakura spirit along with others " others Momoka ask " yes others Sakura swim club , time Teshi and Sakura angles however there nothing major at moment it's but " Akian pushes the dimension I was in and shows what's going on " everyone looks and sees Maeko, Machiko and me at there home " nothing bad is going on just resting and view watching so Eric is protected by spell casters and sword defense " points to Miyo and Narumi " these two will never give up a fights involving Eric " so how are we going to get him back " that problem we actually don't know and we are running out of time cause the Teshi girls and the angle girls are very Harding search " Ayumi barges in just let us go in and retrieve him sense they haven't seen us " Akina thinks " alright but be careful there are many dangers stuff out there " Akian widens the portal for them and let's them go in " Akian u seem worried " yeah I am Itsumi what scares me that Burokku girls haven't shown up at all and this place " zoom out and goes to the located world " what ever that place is its scary let's just watch Ayumi and Momoka " Akina looks at them. Ayumi and Momoka arrive at world Momoka looks around " beautiful place " yeah it is now let's go that way " she points to direction and they both head forwarded and stumble to something strange " we must be on right path base on that long line of burned grass let's keep moving " they went forward and saw Narumi and Miyo and Ayumi whispers " we are at place let's go " they stealthy pass them and see the mansion. I get up and walk to window edge and look at my phone I activated it and as I did a new pair of cholths appear I look at my self " I look like Aiden Pearce haha nice " then I saw white digital lines hit 6 people and show them " Narumi recently trained good for u Narumi, Miyo on guard patrol well that good " I look on my left and hits them " Maeko gathering fruit , Machiko carrying basket must be for Maeko " I look at my right and I was shocked " Ayumi and Momoka but how " then my phone detects two more people " Meiko and Hiroki oh no" the door opens and Meiko and Hiroki sand in front of me " hi girls " hi Eric " they say in very romanticly * oh no * then Ayumi and Momoka come behind me and grab me " Eric we-" they both look at Meiko and Hiroki " u two " they walk in front and get in fighting stance " ur not taken him away this time " with all the noise Narumi, Miyo , Maeko and Machiko come up to us and they yelled " What going on up her-" they all look and get in fighting stance as well " ur won't take him from us too "* how can this get worse * without hesitation two people come crashing throw roof and it was Sayaka and Hikari * yup it can * Miyo and Narumi look at them back for another defeat u two angles " they respond try us " as they answer they charge at them braking through house into yard and began fight with all the noise the time Teshi girls go to source and see them fighting and joy in * o great everyone is here what else can happ-* before I finish my sentence Momoka grabs me with her iron grip and bring me close to them " he ours " they ran and Meiko, Hiroki , Meako and Machiko go after as well and I was grab back and forth till I was toss to wall in pain in Sakura Santa they watch battle " Akina do something " I'm thinking I got it Eric phone has all hacking powers it can also make portals " Akina create app sends to my phone and Saids portal creator " this better work " as it installing Michel contacts Teshi " Teshi opens time window so we can take them " are u sure that good idea " just do it " he does what Teshi Saids the time window start I look * oh come on its done * I hit the button and cause the window to close " Michel we got problem someone hack our time window " what impossible " no it's true I can trace the hack and it's Eric phone get his phone so we can end this or u will be stuck there " alright " Michel runs to us and I notice * oh no time to use app * I click on it and a portal forms and sucks me, Ayumi and Momoka " hold on " as I look at battle I open another and takes Sayaka and Hikari " I'm sorry but it's for u own good " there portal closes and I re hack the time window and it grabs the time girls back. As our portal closes we pick up speed and we go crashing through Sakura Santa I hit ground and pass out and my phone hack deactivates taken the cholths off leaving rest was on before " the girls look " ERIC!!" They run to me and hold me close " it's fine now ur safe now. As for Sayaka and Hikari they traveled through portal and crashed " ahh this never get old " Sayaka stands up looks around " this place is different from all others " " yeah it is" Hikari stands up but falls backwards " ahh " " Hikari !!" Sayaka goes down where she fall" oww " Hikari lands on hard ground " Hikari are u alright " helps her up and looks in small room and in front chest " let's take look " as they heading to chest a bell jingles " what was that " a small giggle echoes " alright who here with us " a cat like girl walks out shadows " this chest isn't for you so you should leave or u want fight " razor sharp claws show " challenge accepted " Hikari pulls out her blade and Sayaka pulls out bow. Hikari swings her sword and stripes her cholths off and defeat her " I believe it's our treasure now " hmp go head * looks angry * Sayaka opens treasure and finds gems " well excellent goods " they gather all and walk off And as they came out two figures walk up a fox like girl and a Knight like girl they notice them and knight girl pulls here sword out "stop right there " "Ceri easy " ok Yomi " yomi do you know what are they " I don't know these are different type monsters " what did u say Hikari get angry and reaches for her sword and pulls out " Yomi back off I got this Creri pulls her out and Sayaka pull her bow. Ceri unless triple slash on Sayaka and her clothes ripped but regenerate " that remarkable * Hikari unless her sword stun Ceri she strikes back and sends a capturing spell that captured both of them " these creatures are not from here let's head back i need to talk to these girls " " alright Yomi ". Sayaka and Hikari woke in there individual cell right next to each other " Sayaka are u ok " yeah fine you Hikari " I'm fine also " looks around * " I wander what else has Eric haven't played in long time " " Me too but like what he said he finds what games interest him and lucky for us we found us to play " yeah it's hard not to love and resist him " footsteps walk downstairs " here comes the fox " yomi walks down and walk up to them Hikari speaks " what do you want fox " yomi pulls out a chair and sits in it " I want to know who you are what you are and why you came here " listen here fox I'm not going to tell " Sayaka interrupts " we are guardian angles " SAYAKA!! " " what Hikari I want to get out of here and reach to Eric more than you do " Hikari gets mad yomi listens " so you two are guardian angles ok but why did you came here " we didn't have choice a portal was formed and suck us in we have been traveling through portal to portal try to grab someone special too the both of us but we have been succeeding but failing at same time." Oh why is that so " well this special person has many more people who love him and want him and we want him too " so your relationship with this person is a love relationship between the both you " " yeah we formed a harem with him " yomi eyes were shocked " and others as well " both Hikari and Sayaka nod " oh wow so who is this special someone " Hikari gave Sayaka the look " alright I guess I will leave you two " yomi walks to stairs then Sayaka speaks " no wait it's Eric " then yomi gets an angry look but hides it walks back down " you know him " Sayaka ask " yomi sighs " yes I do but for short time he played us for little time till he didn't and I investigate and found he got another game " Hikari and Sayaka look at each other's " what was it he bought " I didn't see but I saw game called Sakura Santa I thought it was that " Sayaka look at Hikari " Akina " yomi eyes perk when they said that " how do you that name " well like we said we travel through many portals and one portal had a fox girl name Akina do you know her" " yeah she was my friend " than yomi went quite than thought of an idea" hey you I will let you out but if only you can bring me to ur next portal travel with my servant " ok fox you got deal but I hope you know way to travel us there " oh I do " yomi opens cells and other two came out " let's get move on ". Yomi, Hikari , and Sayaka walk out jail and meet Ceri " yomi did these two sassy guardian angles accept your offer " no Ceri we are going to help them get back to there realm " alright whatever you want yomi " let's head to library " yomi pull out warp stone and we arrive at library " wow this huge library " yes Sayaka this place holds many many spells you can learn and master " yomi walks and pulls out dimension book " ah here it is " yomi cast spell and huge portal forms " there now which one is Eric in " " this one " Sayaka picks the one and it zooms and see me , momoko , Ayumi , Santa, Itsumi, and Akina. there he is and I guess they won't give him up like you too " Sayaka and Hikari nod. Yomi thinks and gets idea " hey girls sense we are here in the library let's study some spells and abilities to help you get Eric in ur hands " both look at each other than look at books " alright that can work " the girls go into different section and pull out books. Yomi looks at portal then Ceri speaks " so what are we going to do with him " Ceri get your sword out we are going in " but what about them * points at others " they will fall now let's go before angle girls comeback " alright let's go " Ceri and yomi go through portal. I slowly wake " ug my head " I look around and see 5 girls hugging me " Eric you are wake " momoko " hugs me tight with her iron grip " I miss my silly Eric " momoko press my head to her body then Ayumi pries momoko grip " Every time " oh come on Ayumi u want hug him too " hey your not only one who wants to hold him too " Itsumi shouts as the rest girls fight and force grabs me and a sharp blade press my neck " HELP ME " as I shouted the girls stop fighting and head where i am " ERIC " well well it's been very long time hasn't Akina " yomi stands behind Ceri " Yomi it's has I see you found your self another lackey to protect you " yomi gets mad " Ceri " yes I yomi " Ceri pulls her blade " WAIT!!" Ceri stops " what do you want yomi " what I want haha I want revenge from Eric for killing my entire party of monsters to regain my dungeon " ahh look I'm sorry for killing them I'm bad at those RPG games " Ceri press harder " ahh " plz Yomi don't " yeah plz don't do it " Santa begs " nope " Yomi gives single and Ceri pulls her blade and cut my throat " NOOOO!!!" Everyone shouted and fall on there knees and starts to cry " now is time for all to go " yomi cast spell that force everyone back into there own world . I slowly and dazzle grab my phone " hey yomi " she look and sees my phone " goodbye " I hit it and force them back into they world and grab Sayaka and Hikari in there own world and for me back into my world.