*lays down* im thinking about minecraft again and the empty spaces you create. the flat lands. the grand halls. the picture perfect buildings and towns that no one lives in. have you ever entered a multiplayer world and found an empty town? it's like. people were there. there were players there, once, and maybe there will be players there again, but there aren't any now. now there are only empty buildings and straight-lined roads where forest used to be.

have you ever made a building that's just too Large? four chunks, one empty room. Or maybe found a megabase from the ground. you are so small, and the world you've and your players have made is so big.

i've seen so many people talk about how empty and lonely single player worlds are, but my favourite world is a single player one. i live in a valley and I've killed the dragon, and i live in a cave. it's messy and its homey and nothing fits together. i go to large multiplayer worlds with giant towns for hubs and its perfect. no one lives in any of the houses, no one explores them. we are all journeymen, never locals. "life" is a prop we hold up against the void so we don't keep staring into its depths.

or what about the big churches? the monuments? the gorgeous, sprawling builds that take hours and hours and are stunning and are so empty. when they're finished the builder moves on to the next project and the building stays. do you understand? the buildings are always lit up so nothing will spawn but nothing will spawn anyway because there's no one there. there are skyscrapers with a few chests and a crafting table inside. the purpose of the building is to be built and once its purpose is fulfilled it doesn't just go away. the buildings haunt their own halls, perfectly pretty and lovingly made and eventually forgotten.

i dont know. ive played this game for a decade. i've beat the ender dragon twice. i start a world and i restart them and i restart them and i restart them. there are posts going around that say that the world itself is not for you, but sometimes the things you build aren't for you, either

how to make a story, step by step, by me, who is not a professional and also has never finished a writing project in my entire life. also this isn’t strictly confined to writing but like that’s the main thing i guess??

look at other people’s stories. don’t steal stuff, that’s bad. but if you get an idea from something that feels original enough, use it. our planet is like 4 billion years old and there’s literally billions of people living on it RIGHT NOW all with their own thoughts and ideas. don’t worry too much about your idea being unique and original, if the hearts there, people will see it.

don’t be afraid to be cliche! seriously if you don’t want your story to fall into any popular cliches or tropes then you’re probably a bit of a loser :/ like that stuff is popular for a reason. it’s ok though! you can grow out of being a loser pretty quick, just maybe work on that individuality complex you have going on.

listen to music. no really! just listen to music that sounds cool and imagine cool stuff happening with it, amy style. that’s literally how i come up with most of my story ideas. with this one you have to let go of some musical biases, i’ve noticed there’s some bands and artists that a lot of people don’t like or are weird about liking, but are actually perfect for this use. cough imagine dragons cough.

read books. or something. that’s probably good. also watch movies. this is kinda summed up in my first step though. also these steps aren’t really in order, they’re more like tips. oh well.

write stuff down. i’m a massive hypocrite, so i don’t do that, but it’s one of those things that you REALLY SHOULD BE DOING IF YOU WANNA REMEMBER ANYTHING OR BE ORGANIZED AT ALL.

do research on random things. learn about how different different places in the world can be. read encyclopedias, watch documentaries, listen to somebody else talk about their life. you can get some pretty good ideas from that, and diversity in any way can definitely improve stuff, just don’t be weird about it. (to be more specific, if you have diverse characters, make their diversity make sense and also make them more than just that. they’re characters, not caricatures.)

make stuff up as you go along and pretend like you know what you’re doing. i don’t know what i’m doing, you probably don’t know what you’re doing, but you don’t need to know what you’re doing to have fun making stuff up. that’s my main point! you’re just making stuff up for the fun of it. if you wanna do it for a job, great! but you probably shouldn’t be listening to me if that’s the case because i definitely am not someone you should be listening to for ACTUAL advice. im just imparting bad wisdom here that might help somebody. (?)

and most importantly. have fun

Ugh bringing asshole Kirishima up again as I'm writing a new fic because Im obsessed with this concept, also I found this in my drafts from months ago and just added a few things before posting

Manipulation kinda, 18+, tell me if i should tag it with anything else

Kirishima is really not all that nice when his feelings are not being reciprocated in the way he wants. And I think he wants to work on himself so he can have better responses because youre supposed to cannot find anyone less problematic than him. He is always praised for being the pro hero that breaks all toxic masculinity stereotypes, he is the nicest with his fans, is always there for his friends, but i guess everyone has a bad side right?

He doesn't normally let it show because he recognizes it's toxic but the moment he decides he likes you and wants to give you his affection and you don't reciprocate his feelings then it's like a hit to whatever ego he's tried to build.

Because conversations with you roll smoothly from the very second you two meet and you end up talking to each other every single day, you go and grab coffees together all the time, you spent lunch breaks at the agency together and sometimes he texts you during his patrol and even if he knows you're only hanging out with him because you are going out with one of his friends that doesn't make him hold back at all.

You want to be his 'friend'? He hides all of his advances behind the flashy just-a-friend label. If it's his birthday he'll try to coax a birthday wish out of you, if he has something significant going on he's going to try to make advances for you to hug him, he's going to try and make you touch him-but he's never touchy when he shouldn't be.

You're mad because your situationship or relationship is going really bad at the time? He suggests you get coffee and pays for yours too and does his best to cheer you up while trying to be distant in a bakugo like way (because he thinks it's mysterious and that he'll win some ground by doing so). This is his big break and if he plays his cards right he can make you drop onto your knees for him

You have to know you're doing a number on him, with your nipples poking out of your tanks, with how you show up one day telling him that you finally got your nipples pierced as a gift to yourself after breaking up. His dick is always hard around you and he has to feel you want him too.

Flexes his skills to an egotistical extend too but very very subtly and (hypocritically) calls out people who are too 'bragging'. You need help to see how good of a hero red riot is and how you should swoon over him and next thing you know he so happens to point out his new action figure that's coming out in the following months. He insists you accompany him when he has to visit the artist in charge of the figure to make molds out of him in the heroic pose that he's chosen and he makes sure he flexes his muscles in a way thatll have you drooling.

And yes, he's still Kirishima, the sweetest fucking person, the one person everyone wants as their friend, and you are dazzled by him and he knows it. He works so hard to win ground with you that people will think you two are dating. He always has you attached to his hip. Until any other name surrounding you has been erased and morphed into his.

And that's where he starts trying to make his moves. He'll lean in to kiss you -or maybe that's him trying to whisper something in your ear- or give you compliments that could also not really be compliments. You'll think you're making a mistake and you'll be thinking about it and before you know it his thoughts will occupy your mind. Always. So much that you won't be able to not think about him. And when he stops texting you you'll be the one texting him despairetely.

And because he is Kirishima you always share things with him and he goes out of his way to make you see what you're missing when you're not giving him a chance. No one has eaten you like he has but he slams the door to the women's toilets when you tell him you're upset and he proves to you that you can cum in any position. You just haven't bad the right person to help you get your mind off things and bring an orgasm out of you.

No one has made you cum with their dick before but Kirishima makes you squirt on the first try, with his fingers teasing your clit and rubbing sticky circles around it. And you don't have to fake it this time, youre pulling him in deeper with weak knees and a hazy head and maybe it's the excitement about feeling that it's so wrong to use dear Kirishima like this. But he knows this is exactly what you're thinking, he know you want it to feel like this and he gives in to all of your fantasies.

Hii, I'm absolutely enamoured of your art! The style is so neat and expressive, the colours a delight and overall aaah, you're amazing, looking forward to see your future works :D

I have this question (I hope it doesn't bother you, feel free to ignore in case), have you attended any art school/academy or are you self taught? Because I'd love to learn how to draw, and I know that practice is the key, but I feel so lost thinking about what I should practice exactly. I think that a course would help, but at the same time I think it wouldn't since art is mostly yours to develop and vibe with yanno. Hope you're having a nice (insert moment of the day here)!

hi! first, thank you sm! I know it doesn’t seem like much but compliments regarding the funky way I draw make my day :). And for the second thing- nope! I attended public school that had a basic art class that you drew maybe a still life in and moved on in 8 weeks to do other extracurriculars like gym. Later on I did get the chance to learn some digital/photoshop stuff and paints for more serious courses but yea! mostly self taught :)

Next bit is LONG so we’re breaking it up:

aaaa ok so now when I heard of the “I’d love to learn how to draw, but I feel lost” I resonated with that BIG time. “Starting art” or in your case stating how you wanted to learn how to draw is a personal process that i wholly believe will be different for everyone. For me I started by drawing on rocks I found in the backyard as a kid and grew from there. To jump into drawing (for my personal method!) draw what your interested in or what you enjoy, and then mix that with some studies. Maybe an OC one day, and the next you’ll practice hands/ something from life you don’t really wanna draw. But! by doing this you build skills and grow- then when you redraw that OC maybe their anatomy is better or you drew a nice background with it. Once you learn the basics of some elements of art then you can stylize them!

“Well what do I study?” Anatomy, color theory, composition tricks, fundamentals of art, etc. are all pretty broad things to focus on! I would try to divy it up, maybe you practice shoes, or plant studies one day instead of the whole human figure and a forest painting. Keep it simple and fun, you’re learning and sketches aren’t meant to be perfect! There’s no “order” on what you should study first. As for taking courses vs going with flow with art/more self taught, I would say that if you have the opportunity to learn from masters- take it take it take it. I would never consider learning or taking inspiration from artists cheating. Of course I wouldn’t recommend copying an artists work (and CERTAINLY not positing it online) but maybe as a study draw a work that is based from them/their style and learn from it. I look at the way I draw noses for certain characters and they remind me of they way “x” person drew them, yeah? bits and pieces of inspiration and other artists work helped me create my own art that is personal to me :).

WHOOO okay finally last thing- going back to the no “order” bit. Establish goals! lets say you wanna draw characters first, then I would recommend looking up videos of drawing body types or tutorials online. Maybe clothes next, or you wanna learn to draw trees and do a whole week on that. Some people practice everyday, others do it like once a week- and that’s ok! Art shouldn’t be super stressful methinks. If you think taking an art course is good for your artistic journey, then do it. If you think practicing everyday but more self-taught (still use references, im the biggest hypocrite when it comes to this but they’re so so important), then do it! Yeah I might be throwing in what I personally do as an artist (but I’m still VERY much learning too!) however it is your choice to decide what path is best for you as a creator. Hopefully some of this helped! it seemed like a very genuine ask that I appreciated and wanted to give my input to the best of my ability :)

I Call This One: Bold & Brash!

The egos x artist! gn! reader

ty @pokemonpunqueen for the request!

A/N: I’ve decided that I’m gonna write for the egos when I can’t think of anything else or I need practice writing lmao. I mean I was doing that before? But I didn’t know it? listen it’s fine it’ll be fine but FOR NOW I thiiiink I’m gonna take requests. Just a few. I’ll stop when I think it gets too much. This is exactly what it says. I focused on like drawing/painting for “artist”, with some references to animation thrown in there. I did Darkiplier, Wilford, Yancy, Illinois, Google, Eric, and a Host thrown in there bc I love him and I miss him

Word count is 1.5k

Enjoy

Egos x artist!reader

Darkiplier

He’ll want to commission art from you

He makes comments about how Mark is a narcissist but also he’s a narcissist.

Oh look, Dark’s asking you for another picture. What does he want? He wants you to draw him? Again? For the fifth time this fucking month? Wonderful.

He likes looking at how you make art of him, be it stylistic or realistic

He will hang them up all over the fucking house so pace yourself

He’s fine if you draw anybody else

Except Mark. Never Mark. How can he tell, you ask? No fucking clue, but he does

Gets a bit worried that you won’t make enough money to live comfortably

Just because not everyone needs a fucking MANSION-

Will always buy things for you if you ask

Likes to be able to support your job or hobby

Sugar daddy? I mean maybe

Makes sure you eat, sleep, drink water, survive--

Leaves snacks for you at your desk for when you don’t want a meal.

Carries you to bed if you fall asleep at a desk

Recommends you wear comfy clothes at all times so you can fall asleep wherever

A bit of an enabler, he’s doing his best tho

If you take commissions don’t be surprised if he threatens to kill someone when they don’t pay or are rude to you

He loves you, that’s all

Wilford

Fucking elated

Draw him!!! Please!!!! Please draw him!!!!! He has coin!!!!! He can pay!!!!!

Ecstatic if you actually draw him like he’ll giggle for an hour straight just looking

Secretly commissions more art from you

So also sugar daddy

It’s always something so obvious so you know it’s him anyways

He likes bright colors and eyestrain for some reason

If you make that, he just. Stares at it. Unblinking. You have to snap him out of it (im not projecting what do you mean)

Gets extremely worried about you not taking care of yourself

Gets someone to fucking babysit you when he’s gone so you take care of yourself

When you get greatly offended by this he settles for texting you reminders

And when you ignore those he texts more

Don’t be surprised if you get spammed by several people and an alarm starts to play from somewhere in the house

You’re gonna be healthy whether you like it or not, asshole

Drags you to bed aggressively

He WILL NOT drug your food with melatonin because that’s illegal. B U T-

He’s a little confused, but he got the spirit

Will advertise your art to anyone and everyone and also on his show and threatens the audience with a gun

AGAIN, a little confused. he just wuvs u so much 

Yancy

I mean technically he’s kind of an artist too so he appreciates your skill and creativity

He’s very nosy and likes to look over your shoulder while you work

If you don’t like him doing that, he still does it, just more secretively

Likes to work in the same room as you. 

That is if you don’t mind constant singing or tap dancing in the background

He shows off your art to anyone and everyone and gets mad if they don’t immediately say it’s fantastic

May or may not have stabbed someone over it, you’ll never know

If you show him something you’re working on, he’ll show you something he’s working on in return

The law of equivalent exchange

You tell him you can make MONEY from things like art and dancing and he goes apeshit he gets so fucking excited

If you’re like an animator and offer to animate his dancing he might actually cry

He’ll deny it constantly every day until he dies

If you make things traditionally he hangs them on the wall Everywhere

You might run out of room

By which i mean you will run out of room as soon as possible

Will never tell you a drawing is bad ever unless it’s like Really Bad which it never will be in his eyes

He loves anything and everything you do u are so precious

You have a permanent support system within the man

Google

Used to see art as pointless

Then comprehended the chemical release it causes in the brain and thought that was fine

Then saw you get really mad with something you were working on and got confused again?

If art no make good chemical, why art?

He still doesn’t understand, but that’s ok

You tried to get him to make something once

He just. Kinda. Made a buncha ones and zeroes

You still framed it and hung in on the wall and he got embarrassed

If he could blush, he would

If you draw him he looks like he doesn’t care but it’s at that point he decides he would die for you

Primary objective: answer questions as quickly as possible. Secondary objective: make u happy. Tertiary objective is to destroy mankind

If you draw bing that will disappear IMMEDIATELY you have BETRAYED him

If you ask for a color palette recommendation he Always says the google colors. Always.

You might’ve thought he was going for an rgby type of thing. But then you realize.

He is in charge of your financing. He will tell you the most efficient ways to make money as an artist and you follow then

He is also in charge of making sure you FUCKING EAT A MEAL

“But isn’t an objective to destroy mankind?” shut up he’s not happy about it either

Despite his best efforts he loves you and that ain’t gonna change

Illinois

Doesn’t fully understand

He needs to be outside at all times and cannot stay in one place

And you’re like??? Required to stay still???? For prolonged amounts of time????? Disgusting. Anyway, whatcha workin’ on?

He might ask you to try and teach him

If you do try he gives up almost immediately

Sometimes you just get so into it that you forget to do basic things and he gets upset

(i.e. eating, sleeping, living, etc.)

He gets worried about you

He is a hypocrite bc he does the same

He will drag you to bed, motherfucker

Honestly he might lock your shit somewhere until you fucking take care of yourself. it’s like a hostage situation god

“Where the fuck did you put it” “I have no clue what you mean. I might know if you eat your dinner, though”

Asshole (affectionate)

Sometimes you like make faces when you try to draw a person and it’s hilarious and cute to him

He looks at your drawings the moment you walk away but acts like he doesn’t care

He cares a lot

Will support you no matter what but will also tell you without hesitation if he thinks something looks shit

Listen he’s out of line but he’s right

Eric

Loves you a lot and will support anything and everything you choose to do or make

Drawing? Awesome! Painting? Wonderful! Animation? Superb!

He often wants to buy you supplies or something but he does not know what anything is

Fuck is a chalk pencil???? What are gel pens vs normal pens?????? Watercolor????? What the fuck are you saying??????????

Will subtly drop hints that you could,,,, draw him,,,,, maybe,,,,, if u wanna 

And by subtly I mean he starts to ask and then starts crying

If you draw him he will cry again he loves u so much 

If he ever were to get a tattoo it’d be something u drew. Nothing else is as important to him at the moment

He enjoys photography and film, and likes to try and bond with you over artistic things

I mean. Some things overlap.

You could talk about a single drawing for hours and he’d listen intently the whole time

Don’t ask him for feedback, it’s always some version of “it’s perfect and I love you”

Even if he hates it

Which,,,,, he might hate it sometimes

He’s not a good reviewer. 2/10, very biased

He likes to take photos when you’re in the zone

If you tell him to delete them he will

While secretly making one his home screen

Host

Hey, he gets it

He writes, he understands the hyperfocus

Sometimes he wouldn’t move from his chair for a day because he was busy writing a script

That being said, you probably have to be the one to get him to take care of himself

Or you have to take turns

Otherwise you’re both gonna fucking die

He asks you to describe your art to him and tries to picture it.

He’ll tell you if he thinks it probably looks good or bad

You shouldn’t take it to heart because he can’t see it

He is a bastard sometimes

“Well, what do you think?” “I think it looks fantastic” “Thanks, babe” “...” “... you think you’re fucking funny, don’t you”

He asks if you can draw him sometimes

No, he won’t see it, but he’ll appreciate the sentiment if you do

He will ask for your opinion on his scripts sometimes

If you say it’s bad he gets really defensive

You work in the same room a lot of the time and forget the other is there

One of you has to preemptively order food or like set a timer so you can goddamn Survive

You’ll be fine

i think one of the things i liked the most about “the gang chokes” was about how it portray dennis’s denial and cognitive dissonance and like...his inconsistencies?? like most characters in general are far too consistent, in my opinion, bc they’re created by humans, who crave consistency in storytelling, but no human being is actually consistent. consequently, whenever a character is inconsistent, it can often feel like it’s just a mistake. and usually, it is. but in reality, everyone’s a fucking hypocrite all the time, depending on who they’re with or how they’re feeling etc. and the number of times dennis went back and forth between saying he didn’t depend on mac and then doing something that obviously proved that he did, like SEVERAL times in the space of a single scene but throughout the episode, it was like...kind of brilliant? bc it was clear that the inconsistencies were an artistic, narrative choice, the episode pulled it off in such a way where we saw the inconsistencies but dennis never actually figured it out. because in real life, people don’t figure out their inconsistencies. they don’t even notice. but our hypocrisies say a lot about who we are and what we care about. idk maybe htis doesnt make sense n maybe im just like...high and overly impressed w/ everything but. im never going to get over dennis saying “i’m feeling better, no thanks to mac and his protein shakes” (self-satisfied look at the rest of the gang to make sure they heard how independent i am) and then not a minute later going “actually i want that protein shake bc i think they’re working” 

hello hello all !!! my name is riley and this is my actual trash son maverick, aka the flight risk !!! i am so so hyped to get the ball rollin on this, so check out info on my kid under ze cut !!

warning: this got rlly mcfreaking long and i am so sorry fjdklsjs i am incapable of writing a short intro post

unfortunately i will not be able to be around for the official opening bc i’m on vacation w my fam and godparents, but i will try and intermittently read intros and chat to you guys about plots !!!! PLS feel free to bombard me through IMs or through discord if any plot sparks ur interest or u think mav could fit well in one of ur plots!!! :’)

THE BASICS

Name: Maverick Hobbes Braxton

Age: Twenty-one

Gender: Cismale

Pronouns: He/Him

Major & year: Philosophy, Third year

Faceclaim: Alex Fitzalan

Occupation: N/A

THE FLIGHT RISK

Maverick Braxton, as you might see, is an enigma—or rather, has evolved into one, slowly: a transformation that begun with his first breath. In his early years, the stage had been set for him, line by line. Act One: attend prep schools, excel in classes. Act Two: attend Covington, take center stage—you know, all of the things his older brother, Richard had accomplished with ease, just one year prior to all of his expectations. It was simple, really: a blueprint laid out ahead of him, with little to nothing in his way.

The only problem was that Maverick didn’t exactly see the point in choosing that path, that stage, that story. To him, it wasn’t challenging.

That, and the fact that the life laid out in front of him offered him absolutely nothing.

A series of banal expectations, unfair comparisons, and heartbreaking betrayals, and the traditional life of the Braxton child was thrown out the window—at least, in his brain, it was. See, Maverick Braxton, while independent, coy, and arrogant, isn’t stupid. He knows if he pleases his parents just enough, they’ll still distribute his trust fund and still bail him out of legal trouble when he inevitably tiptoes too far down the delicate line between ambition and rebellion. Perhaps it’s a bit selfish, but what does he owe to a family who paid him no attention, who never asked of his well-being, his own ambitions, his personal dreams?

He’s the kind of person to drive down the highway, windows rolled all the way down, cigarette lit—not because he necessarily likes the taste of nicotine, but because he likes the way the smoke creates clouds that obscure reality. He’ll surprise you in class when he interjects with a sarcastic but surprisingly salient point before throwing up his hood and retreating to the back corner for the rest of class. He’s the kind of person to start reading a book, flipping incessantly through the pages, both impatient by the pace of the plot, yet put it down before he reaches the final pages because he doesn’t want to be disappointed by the ending. He’s the kind of artist who rarely finishes a sketch, the writer who is never satisfied by a poem—for fear, of course, by deep-rooted insecurities that nothing that he will ever do will be enough.

A once-broken heart had taken time to mend, even though it seems ice-cold and whole from the outside. It’s why he has commitment issues: he doesn’t want to be burned again. He plays off his flirtatious bit as a personality trait, someone who is bored by the prospect of being tied down—and yet those who share his bed might consider him Covington’s most surprisingly deep pillow-talker.

An enigma, you see—one who doesn’t stick around long enough for anyone to truly understand, truly a Flight Risk.

BIOGRAPHY:

( You can read his full biography here! Still in the process of editing it a bit, but below are some important bullet points! )

Maverick was born the second of three children to the Braxton family—and as per usual with the Braxton children, he was born into a life filled to the absolute brim of expectation.

His father, a playwright, his mother, an actress. His brother, a theatre prodigy—what part did that leave him to play? The assumed expectations were to follow in his mother and brothers’ footsteps and take center stage; he excelled, for a while, but Maverick always felt lost.

Neighbors and family friends would always ask if he had measured up, in each and every shape and form: it was like the entire universe had a scoreboard with their names titling each section, and Maverick was always playing catch-up, never knowing where the finish line was.

For a while, he stuck to the script that was given to him: study, succeed, repeat. He tried to understand the ins and outs of his father’s work, of masterful acting techniques, trying to make a large enough splash to where his family would even notice the work he put into his life. Surprise: it didn’t.

It took him seventeen years to truly understand that his role in life was not exactly the story his parents had laid out for him, but rather, his sibling, instead.

Downcast emotions transformed quickly into cynicism. What used to make him feel sad now fueled a blue fire within Maverick’s chest, one that felt wronged by the system he was placed in: a complete first-world problem, but it was then and there when he decided to take advantage of his situation, given that he had spent his entire life dedicated to a part he wouldn’t play.

Hypocritical as he was, he still enjoyed the fruits of his parents’ work, cashing the unlimited checks with his name on them, as if it was some sort of sick version of love.

One piece of recognition that Maverick finally earned was an acceptance to Covington—and even that couldn’t be tainted by his brother’s success or his legacy status.

At Covington, Maverick has both lost and found his footing, multiple times. He’s quit acting, quit studying theater, in favor of a topic that stimulates his brain more than reading lines and

PERSONALITY:

Maverick Braxton is certainly a paradox. He’s charismatic, funny, and has a witty sense of humor –– and is generally appreciated by his peers because he’s able to move conversation and discussion without making topics seem dry.

Despite his apparent inferiority to his sibling, the Braxton family still breeds the cream of the crop. He’s certainly a bit arrogant sometimes, given that he’s intelligent, innovative, and clever, and wants to be recognized for it –– however, even if he might not show it on the outside, he appreciates a good challenger. He thinks it keeps his wit sharp, and of course, his ego would never show it, but he does appreciate learning from people. After all, his passion in philosophy, his current area of study, makes him certainly interested in how the world works.

Those who happen to get to know Maverick outside of the surface-level stuff, outside the initial cockiness and flirtatious front he puts on will know that he’s actually quite thoughtful. His lonely childhood has made him extremely loyal to those who have shown him similar trust and friendship –– he would never turn his back on them.

He asks probing questions, is a good listener –– perhaps because he’s interested in human decision making, but is also because he doesn’t quite know what it’s like to be loved unconditionally –– though he wants to.

Deep down, what almost no one knows is that he’s really quite soft. He passes his curiosity off as wanting to understand people, when really it’s a mechanism for hoping someone asks him questions in return, to give him the time of day he wished his parents ( and the rest of the goddamned universe ) had given him.

Despite his theatre prowess, he isn’t actually a particularly good liar. Those who spend enough time around him can hear his tone of voice incline slightly and see him scratch his brow.

AESTHETICS:

coffee-stained mugs, walking with headphones in but nothing playing, untied shoelaces, black hoodies, a cheeky smirk, small books in his back pocket, writing in the margins, unfinished poems, quoting old authors on a daily basis, incessant eye-rolling, pen ink stains, an unmade bed, mismatched socks, floral ties, empty bottles of liquor, rose thorn pricks, old worn poetry books, polished dress shoes, calloused fingers, unlit cigarettes between teeth.

HEADCANONS:

Funnily enough, Maverick’s name means ‘independent, a noncomformist’, which is exactly the path that he has taken to stray away from his family’s expectations.

He does have one strong connection to his family, though: his grandmother, on his father’s side. She understands the pressure he undergoes, who saw the pressure Maverick’s father endured to obtain the success he has. She is one of the only reasons that Maverick has not just jetted off to take on his own adventure. He loves her dearly, and wishes that her empathy and wisdom would rub off on the rest of his family.

Maverick has some form of synesthesia, which allows him to remember a lot more than the average person. He associates colors, smells, sounds, to words –– and allows him to efficiently study any subjects he doesn’t have immediate passion for.

In the privacy of his own bedroom, he sometimes writes poetry and sketches his thoughts and muses –– when he knows he’s in complete privacy. Faces and features that appear in his sketchbooks are often those he’s thinking of often, those who intrigue him. He’s actually quite good a sketching, maybe not quite as good at writing poetry.

His room is spotless –– evidence that he is a bit of a control freak sometimes. It shows that during his adolescence, he reveled in the parts of his life that he could control and perfect.

tw drugs. He more than dabbles in drug use, smoking marijuana maybe every other day, while partaking in harder drugs like cocaine and adderall and others probably once a week. He feels like he’s in control of his use, but it may start to get the best of him. end tw.

Maverick is left-handed. He hates that he gets pen ink stains when he draws, writes poetry, takes notes. His left palm is probably perennially covered with ink.

Though he’s often wearing headphones ( airpods, of course, the nerve of this rich kid ), half the time, nothing’s playing. Sometimes he forgets to press play on his phone, sometimes he purposely likes listening to decision-making and conversations of strangers. it lets him think about the nature of mankind.

Maverick’s favorite philosopher is Albert Camus, known for his work that heavily developed the idea of absurdism ( much to do with the meaning of life, and human inability to discern an answer ).

Maverick’s preferred method of transportation is his skateboard. he loved it first because his parents hated it: pushing himself around on a board like that would get him injured—besides, why not just take the car to school, the driver had been paid for anyway? It was his first taste of rebellion. Now at Covington, where skateboarding is far more efficient than walking across campus, it comes in handy when he sees someone he’d rather not stop and chat to.

Maverick could die with a poetry book nestled on his chest—it’s the one thing he got out of the impressive book collection his family owned. There was something daunting and beautiful about the way poems would transform metaphors into something fantastical, like the emotions were clearly there, but the words were skirting the issue. Kind of like how his parents would never really tell him they loved him.

Maverick often has headphones in when he walks to class. not particularly because he’s actually listening to music or a podcast, but rather because he’d just … rather not be bothered to stop and talk to people.

Maverick loves to draw. He’s mostly self-taught, with a bit of mentorship from his high school art teacher. Evidenced by the rest of his fleeting personality, he rarely finishes a sketch or painting. He claims he never has time to finish them, but the number of crumbled-up, half-finished sketches in his trash bin might say otherwise.

PLOTS

** see my wanted plots tag here too! // and my plots page here !!

* FIRST LOVE / OPEN.

It wouldn’t be easy to make Maverick feel like even more of a disappointment than he already had with his parents, his family—but your muse proved this feeling wrong. He loved them, more than he’d ever loved anything before. In the midst of confusion about where he belonged, he felt safe with your muse; he’d do anything for them. Things ended, he felt betrayed ( though the break-up could have easily been due to a fault of his ), and the split made him the one who now struggles fully with commitment. He doesn’t want to have his heart broken again. See: this entire pinterest board.

but also if u give me this ……………… i’ll name my firstborn after u

* BEST FRIEND / OPEN.

Those who go through similar childhood traumas are often able to understand each other –– that was how it worked with Maverick and your muse, at least. They’re thick as thieves — and have likely seen the ups and downs of Maverick’s life in real time.

* CHILDHOOD FRIENDS / OPEN.

Self explanatory—and also probably knows about the pressures the Braxton family imposes on their children.

* EX-FRIENDS / OPEN.

Friends who were close, close no longer. Maverick’s a real piece of work, and an asshole, too—there are myriad possibilities for why Maverick could have pushed them away. He wouldn’t openly admit that he misses being around your muse, but he certainly would feel a bit of guilt given that they’re no longer the closest of friends.

* MOMENT OF WEAKNESS / OPEN.

Your muse, in whatever unfortunate setting, saw a glimpse of Maverick’s soft side that hardly ever makes an appearance. He’s not going to let them tell the world about his vulnerabilities, though. Not a chance.

* DISLIKED / OPEN.

Maverick is sarcastic, cold, and sometimes emotionless. It’s not surprising that not everyone gets along with the middle Braxton. The possibilities are endless—throw in some sexual tension and I’d actually fall at ur feet.

* PREVIOUS ROOMMATES / OPEN.

Your muse, at one point, probably knew Maverick better than everyone else at Covington. They overheard some of his phone calls with his parents, saw his notes for how he was to achieve his life goals, heard him crying in the middle of the night when he thought your muse was asleep. They could be extremely close now, as in one of the few people Maverick opens up to, or could be distant friends who know about one anothers’ struggles. The possibilities are endless, tbh.

+ ANYTHING LEGITIMATELY ……… IF U THINK THERE’S POSSIBILITY FOR SOMETHING COOL W MAV AND UR MUSE. SIGN ME THE F UP. THANKS.

The Blocklist: A essay (this is very long)

I know everyones sick of it at this point but I got shit to say so feel free to not read this absolute unit of a poorly written essay. The jjbablocklist divided their list into two different list now. One for creators and one for consumers/rebloggers and I cannot stress enough about how dumb that is since it shouldve been done since the beggining. Also, following alot of these artist and “consumers” of these medias, I noticed some of them are falsely accused, others while being minors. here’s why:

1. A lot of teens and young adults in the community like ships like GioMis, FuMis, NaraGio, MisTrish and plenty more and I know your singular shared braincell cannot handle the idea of 2-3 year age gaps not being pedophilia, but uh, newsflash for ya, THEY AINT. Legally, it is not a crime and that in america where the age of consent is 18, not in Italy where its 15 and not in Japan where its even less. Under the general United States Law, which is where I assume the list makers/defenders are mostly from, these ships are not classified as pedophilia or should be problematic and the ages of consent change to lower ages depending on state. The only way you can add these shippers for their “crimes” is if they promoted or created the interactions of these characters in a sexual or intimate manner whether they are aged up or not, which is still wack if their age is above that of the age of consent in writing/art and the fact that minors, in this case teenagers with the VA cast, are allowed to express themselves with people of their own age group in a sexual manner, real life kids do it all the time amongst themselves so why shouldnt people be able to create it, the whole ordeal is ridiculous imo BUT I can see how it makes a lot of people uncomfortable, a lot of it makes me uncomfortable too so we gotta make compromises somehow so absolutely no lewding the mafia lolis/ jojo lolis in general and if you do, tag it properly so it doesnt spread onto the basic hastags of characters and the show. If you dont you on the list.

2. Claim genderswapping/r63 is transphobic all you want but until I see clear and definitive proof of it being purposely made for that purpose then it’s absolutely ok. If someone makes it to offend someone then its wrong and they should be called out for it (which has never been the case in this fanbase as far as I cant tell) It’s creative, it allows people create new desings for characters or adjust current ones for cosplayers or other artist. Im sure one of your mods can relate, since the do the exact same thing as we do while not addressing a certaint character properly by their canon pronouns. Genderbending does not promote the attack or harrasement of the trans community and that is a fact unless its done by actual problematic artist like Sh*dbase and others, which is still a stretch because I dont think they’ve done it to target people or make fun of them but they are the popular problem icons. So get the actual transphobes on the list, aka those who created the content specifically to harras a specific person, or remove the catergory entirely. Its unnecessary and hypocritical.

— The rest of these are just things that bother a lot of people in the community so if you only cared about minors being on the list then you dont have to continue reading. —

Tumblr is infamously known to be a shitshow of a site where all you can find is problematic content. If you dont like this kind of content, why the hell are you here in the first place? There’s a lot of safer websites to use where like instagram, twitter, amino, facebook, and more. They have actual filters unlike tumblr and finding content you dont like is a lot harder unless you are purposefully looking for it, and even then it could be a challenge due to shadow bans or privatized accounts. Tumblr has none of that, everyone knows it, all of those who dont like it try to stay away from it or use it very scarcely. Why do you think that most of these “problematic” artist/creators/consumers are here? Tumblr has always been its own weird realm, trying to make it anything else goes against what it stand for.

You’re crimes make are literal nonsense sometimes because you include such obvious personal attacks like “Made a literal essay defending GioMis” and “All kinds of awful stuff” as crimes. You added a few account because they message you about how ridiculous the whole ordeal is and you take to findind the slightest bit of “evidence” that can aid you into making them look bad. You know thats not a good reason right?? Even if it were, yall are even more guilty for committing acts of Liable and Defamation and you are choosing to for those you incorrectly put on the list, invluding the minors! Let alone hypocrisy but yall are tired of hearing that one.

Dont add other fandoms into this mess. The Hetalia fandom has been dead for more than 5 years and it aint none of your buisness. It has nothing to do with Jojo. Unless you plan on making more blocklist for ALL fandoms then, goodluck, though make em better.

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is a wonderful and yet problematic series, guess who’s fault it is... its Araki’s. Created a hilarious nazi character, nah its the fanbases fault for roleplaying such a funny character. Pedophilia and rape represented in Jojo and not treated seriously, nah its the fandoms fault for romanticizing it. Homophobia as character traits and degradation of women in Jojo, pfft nah f a n d o m s f a u l t for painting such “false” representations of the characters. Ah, but yall wont drop Jojo cuz that kid your trying to control media for wont drop it either. It is not your responsibility to create a childproof community when the show already has heavy themes. Its their caretakers/parents or the childs own responsibility.

I despise the argument “well Jojo is a 17+ only show so no kids allowed!” you might be right, but has that really ever stopped kids from doing anything?? It does the opposite, it creates a sense of overwhelming curiosity which leads to venturing unkown territory which they may or may not end up enjoying. The problem lies wether young teens are mature enough to watch it or not and judging by this whole fiasco, alot of the people, teens and adults, involved are not.

YOU ARE NOT JUDGE JURY AND EXECUTIONER AND YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO POLICE A MEDIA YOU DO NOT OWN OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY INTO DOING IT FOR SOMEONE ELSE

I will give you this guys this, theres a few artist and creators that do belong there, very few as far as I could see and read into and some are missing since they are mostly on twitter instead of tumblr. But hey, I managed to find like 12 accounts that I probably wouldn’t like seeing the content of, and I found a lot of good accounts too. A hell of a lot more.

I know Im harsh and a total loser but y’all really gotta do some damage control and think ahead. Merely ignoring the fact that your movement cause a floodwave of hatred, deaththreats and suicide baiting is disgusting, adress it properly, dont condone it. Cuz Im yall wouldnt like 200+ messages of “Kill yourself you of lowlife degenerate. I dont like your the disgusting trash you like so I hope you rot in hell for the rest of your life” It isnt fun, a lot of people have received these, some are even worse and a lot dont even deserve it.

Run the list correctly, its a good idea, it could’ve been handled way better than this and you guys know it. This would’ve been great for 14 year old me not stumbling onto a lot of problematic ships when I first looked up Jojo and it can help many children in the community in the future, but you are ruiling out a majority of the fanbase with such vague and pointless rules as regular shipping and creative freedom. You are demonizing people who like basic shipping and different character desings, and that’ll scare them because they dont want tobe hated for something they like. Because a few biased opinions decided to rule out that what the kids liked is morally wrong and irredeemable. Cuz thats all I can see on the list with the exception of maybe a 12 people on the list. Thats all the rest of the JJBA community sees.

very long, very personal post

tldr, im still not drawing but here’s a detailed account of everything that’s happened in case anyone is confused or misinformed

alright. let me start out by saying i’m not going back to art just yet. it still hurts to do anything art related and i’m still trying to find a way to heal from all of this. i need some kind of professional help first, and i don’t know how long it’ll take afterwards for me to begin feeling like myself again. i don’t even know if i’ll be able to get any kind of professional help at the moment; my university’s counseling center told me, in short, that i’m so mentally ill that their services would not be enough for me and i’d have to look elsewhere (which is reasonable, tbh, they’re almost always completely booked so it’s difficult to actually even talk to someone there in the first place, i only got to talk to them to begin with because i nearly killed myself one night after having the most intense panic attack of my life where i felt like i was actually in the process of dying) and as if that weren’t enough, if you follow me on twitter you’d know that my mom finally left my stepdad, but this means that we no longer really have a home to call our own and are now living with some of my mom’s friends. on the bright side, miso is a lot freer and gets to explore the house as he pleases, but on the downside money is tight and my mom is trying her best to find a place to live while working two jobs and trying to help pay for my tuition. long story short, i want some kind of professional help badly, but all the bullshit that’s been happening in my life makes that difficult. 

anyway, i understand that i’ve worried a lot of people through all of this, and i’m sorry. i truly, genuinely am sorry for everything that’s been going on. i blame a lot of it on myself not being strong enough. if i were stronger, i wouldn’t care about some stupid internet trolls, or some random grown man in florida stalking all my social media. if i were stronger, i could take my life back. i wouldn’t feel the need to constantly contemplate suicide, or to torture my own body by starving because of my physical form feeling like the only thing i have left to be in control of. if i had only been stronger, like my old stupidly foolish overconfident 16 year old self who got into fucking STEVEN UNIVERSE DISCOURSE of all things, maybe i wouldn’t care. even when it first happened to me, after the initial shock and hiatus, i was pretty much back to normal almost instantly.  but this kind of trauma is sneaky and will gradually eat away at you more and more while you pretend to be ok, and then eventually you reach a breaking point and it’s taken over your life. that’s why i’m still obsessing over that day two years later. that’s why i can’t be left alone on december 13th this year, or else i know for a fact i will harm myself in some way. (don’t worry about that though, burger is going to hang out with me that day and i’ll be fine.) still, even though i keep telling myself my past self was stronger, i do know that she really wasn’t. she was still struggling with depression, anxiety, and self harm issues. maybe it just manifested differently for a while. maybe she felt unstoppable at some point in time because she finally found a girlfriend and got a cat. i got into so many fights that weren’t worth my time or energy at all, and part of me wishes i could be that confident again, but i also know that was my downfall to begin with.

i have followers who haven’t been around for longer than a year or maybe less than two, so i might as well give everyone a true, thorough rundown of what happened leading up to that day, the day of, and after. 

i’m sure a lot of you who are worried about me at the moment have seen the recent callout for colboh and his involvement in what happened. i’ll be honest--i don’t know the full extent of his involvement, and i want to believe his foolishness ends at not leaving artists who have blocked him alone and uploading their shit to booru sites when they explicitly state not to. so let’s just start there. i honestly don’t remember if it was before or after i first blocked him, but he uploaded one of my NSFW drawings to danbooru when i first shared my NSFW blog. (PROTIP: if you’re a minor, don’t share your NSFW art with anyone. don’t care if you’re 17, i was about to turn 17 myself. it will bite you in the ass. as such, some of this is my fault.) i quickly contacted danbooru asking them to delete it, and they did--but that artwork subsequently ended up on gelbooru as well, and i was unsuccessful in my efforts to remove my art from there.  

fast forward to december 13th, 2016. it was a normal morning. i was getting ready for school, but also being dumb and lazing around in bed browsing tumblr. i saw a post from a blog that shares Funny 4chan Screencaps. my art was in it. the art was of a very muscular yuugi, a drawing i was proud of, especially in how much gay energy i thought it radiated--but this drawing was being used in one of those typical “here’s a touhou, i wanna fuck her! am i right guys? let’s talk about how badly we want to fuck her” threads. seeing my art used for this was appalling. my first mistake was reblogging the post and saying how it was wrong, and how my art shouldn’t ever be used for such a purpose. my second mistake was making a text post AND tweets expressing my disgust at the situation, thinking no one who frequented /jp/ would ever see, sure that it would be a big waste of their time to concern themselves with some random dumb “”sjw”” artist. i also probably shouldn’t have specifically called them “gross neckbeards,” in doing so i absolutely struck a nerve with basement dwellers everywhere. i got to school and during my second period class, suddenly felt a strange urge to look at /jp/. why i did that, i still don’t really know. maybe i was expecting hate. maybe i was trying to see if they used my art for something gross again. i don’t know. either way, that moment changed everything forever. i saw the screencap of my tweets posted for everyone in their  circlejerk to see. even worse--i looked in the thread, and someone had also posted the NSFW art colboh had uploaded to danbooru, mocking it and calling me a hypocrite for drawing two girls having sex while also saying i don’t like my art being used for those kinds of threads. this is what truly ignited the amount of hate i saw directed towards me in the threads. i got called a bitch, a drama whore, got told to kill myself, and in one reply etched into my mind forever, someone said something along the lines of “we should all call her local gang and have them rape her, she just needs a good dicking.” there were multiple threads, too; i don’t know how many, but there was another one about me after the first one was deleted, in which someone edited a typical fat balding NTR hentai doujin style man into art i made of kagerou nosebleeding at wakasagihime. more disparaging comments were made. in both threads, people expressed their hatred and dislike of my art, some calling it garbage, some just saying it’s “bad,” etc. some people said the threads were unnecessary and rude, but they were a kind few in a cesspool of violence.

i don’t know who started these threads. i can’t assume anything about anyone, but whoever did this was definitely looking through all my social media out of bitterness and hatred, or perhaps even following me on both my tumblr and twitter considering the timing of the threads immediately after i complained. it eats at me that i most likely will never know who did this to me. i’ll never know who hated me so much that they decided to completely destroy my self esteem. if whoever it is who did all of this is reading this and feels any ounce of remorse, i’m begging them to reveal themselves and why they did it, but i know the chances of that happening are incredibly slim. someone, i can’t remember who, maybe it was queenly, told me they hope someday i reach a point where i don’t have to worry about that because i won’t care in general, but i still don’t know if i’ll ever reach a point where i stop caring about all of this.

like i mentioned earlier, after this all first happened, i was destroyed. the next day, my school’s GSA happened to have a vote for whose art would be on the club t-shirts, mine or someone else’s. mine lost. i broke down completely--anywhere i went, i wasn’t good enough, not for anyone. for days, there was a constant feeling of horror and fear  in my chest, something i’ve only ever felt so intensely when one of these threads resurfaces or i suddenly relive my trauma due to other things triggering me. i took a hiatus that lasted a few weeks, i believe i came back sometime before the new year. i thought i was ok, and i pretended like i could go back to being myself. but as time went on, and i continued living with the weight of that day on my back, i became weaker and weaker. i stopped drawing as frequently as i used to. my final year of high school started and i ended up falling into such a deep depression that i constantly skipped school and eventually attempted suicide in november 2017.  the suicide note i wrote cites that day as being one of the main things leading me to my decision, telling whoever did this to me that i hoped in my passing they’d have to live knowing what they did to me. my attempt only failed because i swore to take every pill left in the bottle and there were only four pills. had it been full, i’m not really sure what would have happened. i was sent to a mental institute afterwards for a week. being there was the absolute definition of hell. i was alone. i cried myself to sleep every night. they claimed to be a place where people were improved and got help, but i did not get any help at all. they basically imprisoned me for trying to kill myself. when i got out, i was only glad to be alive because i just wanted to be able to talk to my friends, my family, and my girlfriend again. it still shocks me that i was able to graduate from high school considering how much school i skipped before and after my suicide attempt.

sometime before that school year ended, i became extremely upset one afternoon and decided to run away from home. i had what happened to me and what was said about me that day running through my head. i tweeted that i hoped maybe in running away i’d end up being raped like they wanted, like how i deserved. someone who i considered a friend replied to this with, “fuck you.” after all of this was taken care of and i was safe at home, i responded that i was sorry, that i wasn’t thinking right when i made the tweet. she responded that i was, and blocked me. i tried to explain that i said what i did because of the threads about me on /jp/ and the one response threatening rape, but this was disregarded and, seemingly, ignored. a few days later, the former friend in question started sending me anon hate on tumblr, asking me why i want attention so badly, accusing me of making light of actual rape victims by saying such a thing. i explained myself, but to no avail. i blocked her on tumblr, and left it at that. but then, at the end of the school year, when i was proud of myself for finally getting through high school without killing myself or failing or anything, i stumbled upon the second thread. the date the thread was created lined up exactly with the time between me running away from home and me receiving anon hate. she can try to act like she didn’t make the thread all she wants, but i’m not an idiot. the replies were also eerily similar--people in the replies remembered me, a year and a half after the original thread. some replies mentioned me having attempted suicide months before. some mentioned my NSFW art again. i had a massive breakdown and nearly drowned myself in the pond down the road. it was a wet, rainy night, and i sat on a bench by the pond sobbing loudly, trying to find some way to want to keep living. but i couldn’t. i might have gone through with it if it hadn’t been for burger coming and talking to me and giving me a ride home.

entering college, i thought things would be easier. in a way, they are. i have more freedom with classes. this semester, i attended almost all of my classes, almost every day, just with the exception of me being sick some days and me accidentally oversleeping once, and then one day when i just didn’t feel like it. but things continued to get worse for me--i developed an eating disorder for many reasons, one being the time i spent a year prior depressed caused me to gain a significant amount of weight, and the other being i had sworn off self harm in the form of cutting. i found that i was able to get the same gratification from starving myself. at one point, it turned into a game of sorts, where i tried to see how long i could go without eating anything. my record was a little over 72 hours. being constantly hungry or in pain this way felt like something i deserved in a way, but also something to distract me from the pain of realizing i was losing my love for art. i was in denial about it for months. i tried to keep drawing, but everything i drew upset me, saddened me, and even angered me. i looked at anything i made and only felt disgust. it was the one thing i used to love doing more than anything, and now i only felt shame. 

in november, i acknowledged this and decided to quit for good. recently, i discovered colboh had uploaded more of my NSFW art to gelbooru, even though i specifically stated on my blog to never upload my NSFW art to image sharing sites, specifically right after he uploaded my art the first time. by the time i found this, i had already sworn off art for good, but looking at the comments on my art on gelbooru (and rule 34--i guess they’re connected upload-wise like danbooru?) filled me with so much sadness and shame, not because they criticized my art, but because they said horrible things about my depiction of kagerou. for those who don’t know, i headcanon kagerou as a trans woman, and one thing i do not regret about my time as an artist is how that depiction has helped numerous trans women feel good about themselves and their bodies. seeing so many disgusting comments deliberately misgendering her and making other transphobic remarks hurt me on a completely new level. my trans friends have been such a source of strength for me through all of this and seeing that made me feel disgusted, especially with myself. i felt like i had failed them. i had made so many trans women happy, only to see a man i blocked two years ago had uploaded my art to porn sites, tagging it with dehumanizing words like “f*ta” that i specifically tell people never to refer to my art with, displaying that art for the exact same crowds of people that ruined everything december 13th 2016 to continue to pick apart. one comment even told me to kill myself, effectively bringing back every memory of that day. 

speaking of that, another thing i want to touch on now that i’m up to speed with the details of everything that’s happened related to the original threads two years ago, is kagerou. i’m positive you all know that i really love kagerou imaizumi, and that she’s my favorite touhou character. it’s embarrassing to say, but she’s brought me so much comfort through all of this. sometimes if i’m sad, i’ll imagine her giving me a big hug, or i’ll look at cute pictures i have saved of her, or something along those lines. it’s pretty cringy for a fictional character to make me happy, i know, but i’ve grown so attached to her and she really means a lot to me. and another thing that made me want to swear off art is because she’s loved by so many others that i don’t think my depictions of her do her any good. i’m constantly compared to other artists, and it’s never good. even in the threads, i’m told i should be more like those other artists and these things wouldn’t happen to me. i am not allowed to love kagerou imaizumi. i draw her as a hairy trans lesbian, and that disgusts people. hell, the fact that i draw lesbians in general disgusts people, which sure fucking sucks because i constantly hate myself for not being attracted to men and being able to draw happy lesbians made me feel better about myself. but i’ve ruined kagerou for so many people, especially with my stupid kagewaka bullshit. maybe that’s why those artists unfollowed me. maybe it’s a combination of that and my constant breakdowns becoming far too annoying. i think all the popular artists who used to like me and then unfollowed/softblocked me are really glad to see that i’ve given up. and that’s something else that saddens me too--even as an artist, in my own community of touhou artists, i often feel like i’m lesser, and that i don’t belong. maybe it’s because i’m so foolishly outspoken about my opinions that they dislike me. maybe it’s because i’m a woman, and a lesbian at that. i don’t really know why they hate me so much. i wish i could belong somewhere.

and i think that’s what it all boils down to in the end. i’ve lost all sense of belonging. when i was 14 and people started noticing my art for the first time, i finally felt like i had something. like i belonged somewhere. after being bullied through middle school and having to deal with abusive friends and an abusive dad, it meant the world to me that i finally had something. but it didn’t last long at all. it all came crashing down, not just because of others, but because of me. i was the one who was cocky, getting into fights that weren’t worth it. i was the one who provoked people and made them hate me. i was the one who complained about /jp/ posting my art in their threads. i know people want to believe that i’m a saint, but i’m not. i have myself to blame too. i at least want everyone to understand this, above all else. there was so much i could have done differently to prevent this all from happening, but i didn’t. i was stupid and naive. i was a massive fucking idiot, and now look where i am. i lost everything. i thought i had friends, i lost them. i thought i loved art, i lost that. i thought other really talented nice people liked me, i even lost that. all i have now is an empty shell of my former self. i don’t know what to do with it. i don’t know how i’m going to rebuild myself. it’s so painful to have to keep living like this. i don’t know if there’s any fixing me at this point. i’ve lost so much, i feel permanently broken.

but despite all of that, despite everything i’ve been through, i still receive so much love and support from my followers and friends and it means so much to me. it means the world to me and has kept me going through all of this. knowing that people care about me and want to see me get better and improve makes me want to try to fix myself even if i am broken beyond repair. i just want to thank you all for being that source of strength for me. these past few years have been so hard for me and time and time again i still get love and encouragement from so many people. from the bottom of my heart, thank you. there is nothing more precious to me than those moments when i feel like i do truly belong, when i feel loved, when i feel like i’m not alone after all. for those moments, i’ll keep trying. even if these threads keep continuing and breaking me further, i’ll keep trying. even if every last artist in this fandom comes to hate me and my shitty art, i’ll keep trying. it’s still painful to draw right now and i have a long way to go before i can share art with anyone again, but for you all, i’m going to keep trying my best. at the end of the day, i know everyone’s encouragement and love is worth far more than hate threads urging me to kill myself. 

i’m sorry how long and personal and unnecessary this is, but i felt like i had to set things straight. if you read all of this, i applaud you. if you just kinda skimmed through to read the last paragraph, i also appreciate it. again, thank you. 

TWICE title: we’re a mess (let’s finish what we started) pairing: NaMo, MiMo, Saida, JeongMi, 2yeon, Chaeyu read on Ao3!

So it starts like this: five years ago they all became friends, and then they realized that the reason they were so close to each other was not just because of their undying love for music, anime, and extremely terrible TV series, but also— girls.

They do say queer kids tend to gravitate towards each other.

High school sucked – especially for the younger ones who had to watch their older friends graduate first – and puberty was a bitch. There were feelings involved. Sana tripped on an ice cream cone and broke her wrist.

Then they all entered college.

Now they were all adults. Personalities changed, they met new people, someone dyed their hair, some tried to pretend they were cooler now (spoiler alert: they weren’t). Despite being involved in different things, the nine of them were still as close as ever. No one else truly knew them as deeply as each other, anyway.

And, well, the feelings involved never stopped being a thing. If anything, things just got more complicated. They just learned how to deal with it better.

Some of them, anyway.

Then Sana tripped again.

--

“Are you going to Nayeon’s party, please say yes.” Sana pretty much flung herself on her seat to catch Momo before she left her class to go to another.

“You mean the Drama Club party where everyone who’s someone is going to be at?” Momo finished tucking her notebooks inside her bag and finally looked at Sana. “No. Why?”

“What? Why?” She was pouting now and Momo rolled her eyes.

“Too many people I don’t want to see.”

“But Mina will be there.”

“I know,” Momo flicked a finger on Sana’s forehead and smirked down at her. “She told me. We have calculus together.”

Sana whined, rubbing the sore spot. “I’m having trouble understanding why you’re not going if both Mina and Nayeon are going to be there.”

That was a really good argument, but Momo was too tired for drama – both literally and figuratively. It’s not that she hated the Drama Club – also known as the people who had stolen Nayeon from the group (from her) – it’s just that she wasn’t particularly interested in the snobby, hypocrite, know-it-all theater students that were absolutely convinced that they were going to get an Oscar as soon as they graduated.

She had tried getting along with them – Nayeon had pretty much dragged Momo backstage to meet everyone at the end of her first performance – but those people seemed more interested in sucking up to Nayeon’s ego than making Momo feel comfortable.

The Drama Club was obsessed with Im Nayeon, which was… well, understandable. Confidence and self-esteem leaked through Nayeon’s every pore, and she fed off compliments. Her acting skills were no joke either, and she sang like an angel. Musical theater was everything she had ever wanted, and everyone knew that. Getting into the club was the best thing that could’ve possibly happened in Nayeon’s college life, and Momo was happy for her, they all were. Nayeon had become a little bit more insufferable, but at the end of the day, she was still a closet nerd who had every Sailor Moon season hidden inside her dorm closet.

Momo just missed hanging out with her on a daily basis, that was all.

Okay, maybe she was jealous of the Drama Club. Big deal.

As for Mina…

“I’m just not in the mood, Sana.” Momo walked off waving a weak goodbye, and Sana sighed.

“I’ll tell Mina you bailed on her!” She yelled in a last attempt to make Momo stay, but Momo just flipped her off with a laugh.

Fine. Sana got up, off to find her next target.

--

The art studio was a quiet, calm place, intended for soul-searching and inspiration. It was almost always filled with students who shared the same space, but didn’t interact with each other. It was kind of like a library, but with a lot more naked people and paint.

Son Chaeyoung pretty much lived there.

Her afternoon class had been canceled, so she headed down to the studio to get a head start on her art project; honestly, just an excuse for her to spend some time there. There was something appealing about the characteristic silence of the room. She used to go there at lunch time, too, mostly to get inspiration for a few of her poems and short stories. Her friends were starting to think she had an obsession, but she reassured them that it was simply her will to learn.

And also to run away from people. Anxiety and all that jazz.

Chaeyoung was almost done with her lineart when she saw the door moving from the corner of her eye. She tried to ignore it, focusing back on the canvas, but then a bubbly girl full of personality and a broken wrist started – quite literally – bouncing towards her. Chaeyoung didn’t bat an eye.

Sana approached her from behind and stood there, hands behind her back.

She stood there for five whole minutes in silence.

Chaeyoung finally sighed loudly, putting her pencil down. “What is it.”

“Chaengie, you’re so good at what you do. Has anyone ever told you that?” Sana bent over as she complimented the tiny artist, her breath warm against Chaeyoung’s ear.

“Yes. A lot in fact. Especially when they want something from me.”

Sana giggled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Come to Nayeon’s party with me.”

Chaeyoung frowned and finally turned to her. “Did you hit your head when you broke your wrist?”

Sana kneeled and Chaeyoung panicked, looking around. There were three other students in the studio and they all seemed to stare at them at that moment, which didn’t exactly do wonders for Chaeyoung’s social anxiety. “Get up, what are you doing?” She half-whispered, half-yelled.

“Son Chaeyoung. You’re my best friend. My partner in crime. My one and only.” Sana held her hand as she said that and Chaeyoung wanted to die.

“First of all, bullshit. Momo and Mina are your best friends,” She retreated her hand, blushing nervously. “Second, get up you absolute loser, you’re embarrassing me!”

“Not until you agree to come party with me.”

"I don’t do parties, Sana.” She turned her back on her dumb friend, focusing again on her project. “You know that.”

Sana got up and hugged her from behind, earning a grunt from Chaeyoung. It was really hard being around her sometimes, but what could she do? Sana was pretty much the heart of their group; her energy was enviable, and no one could hate her even if they tried. “Just this once, please, Chaengie! It’s going to be full of artists, just like you!”

“The Drama Club is full of actors, not artists. There is a big difference.”

“But—”

“This is about Dahyun, isn’t it?” Sana froze and Chaeyoung rolled her eyes. Jackpot. “I swear, you’re hopeless.”

“It’s not like that…” Sana tried to laugh it off, but she knew it wasn’t going to cut it. Besides Mina and Momo, there were two more people who knew about her… convoluted feelings for Dahyun, Chaeyoung being one of them. She’d always had a good intuition for her age.

“She’s going to be there and you don’t want to be at this party alone with her,” Chaeyoung continued. “And you already asked Momo, but she refused. So now you came to me. Is that it?”

“Have you been stalking me, missy?”

“You’re just too easy to read,” Chaeyoung giggled, Sana’s arms now loose around her. “And Dahyun is incredibly dense, that’s the only reason you’ve been missing each other for so long. It’s like you two live in a bad drama, or something.”

The older girl moaned, letting her go. “I don’t want to talk about that. Will you really not come?”

The way she pleaded was so pitiful, and Chaeyoung really wanted to help her out, but she was physically incapable of attending a party full of strangers. She hated crowds, and she knew that Sana was going to make friends fairly quickly in there. “I’m sorry. You know I can’t.”

They stared at each other for a while, then Sana smiled sweetly at her. “I know. I’m sorry, I didn’t want to force you.” She reached out and ruffled Chaeyoung’s hair. “Guess I’ll have to try Plan C.”

“Good luck.” Chaeyoung smiled back. She really loved Sana despite everything.

“I meant it, by the way.” Sana said, already walking away. “You’re a really great artist. Proud of you!”

She left then and Chaeyoung felt happy and warm. Her friends were hopeless when it came to their crushes.

Not like she was any different. Maybe she should call that person.

--

Entering the basketball court was always intimidating for some reason. Probably because the place was filled with tall, buffy athletes of all genders who were pretty much the campus’ rock stars. Everyone wanted to date an athlete in college. That was just a fact, even in art school. Sports might not be the strongest point of that particular university, but it was appreciated nonetheless.

The distinct sounds of sneakers sliding through the well-polished floor hit Sana’s ears as she walked into the gym, and she smiled at the smell of sweat and rubber balls. It brought back funny memories, like the one and only time she tried being athletic and, well, broke her wrist again. It was always her wrist for some reason; that was becoming a habit.

Sana immediately spotted the person she was looking for and waved at her. “Jeongyeon!”

The short-haired girl paused her hoops and waved back. “Yo, Sana-ya! Be there in a sec.”

Sana nodded and sat down at the bleachers, waiting for her training to be over. It didn’t take long, and soon Jeongyeon was making her way to her with a towel around her shoulders and a bottle of water in one hand.

“If I wasn’t painfully aware of your personality I’d probably faint right now,” Sana teased as Jeongyeon sat next to her. “Yoo Jeongyeon, all sweaty and messy, making her way towards me in slow motion like a dream…”

“Oh my God, shut up.” Jeongyeon pushed her with her shoulder and Sana laughed loudly. “You say that as if people didn’t want your naked body all the time, too.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sana crossed her legs, grabbing the bottle from Jeongyeon’s hand.

“Right. How many people did you kiss and never texted back last semester, again?”

“You make me sound like a slut.”

“We accept the titles we think we deserve.” Jeongyeon might be an athlete at heart, but her soul still belonged to the Fine Arts. Sana didn’t know a single person who had watched more movies than her, and their friends always asked her for recommendations based on their moods. Jeongyeon had the most sacred pen-drive in the whole campus, too, making her known not only for her basketball skills, but also for the pirated movie library she carried around in her pocket.

Really, everyone wanted a piece of Jeongyeon for lots of different reasons.

“So, what’s up?”

“Well…” Sana paused for a second, thinking about the best way to go about this. “As you know, our talented friend Im Nayeon has been having a few problems lately.”

“She has?” Jeongyeon’s features became serious, the playful aura vanishing into thin air. It was always like this when it came to Nayeon.

“Oh, she didn’t tell you?” Sana placed her bandaged hand on her friend’s thigh. “She probably didn’t want to worry you…”

“What happened?”

“Well, you see…” Sana looked down, bangs falling on her eyes. “She’s feeling isolated lately. It’s like the people from the Drama Club found a new toy to play with, and discarded her.”

Jeongyeon raised an eyebrow, skeptically. “That doesn’t sound like something they would do.”

“Oh, but they did! Nayeon told me off-handedly in a conversation yesterday.” She forced her eyes to become watery. “She made it seem like it was a joke, but I could feel the call for help in her voice.”

“Uh-huh.”

“So, then I remembered!” Sana shifted closer to her. “There is a party going on tonight. A Drama Club party. And Nayeon is going to be there, of course.”

“Hm.”

“And can you imagine leaving her all alone with a bunch of people who are surely going to ignore her and make her feel terrible about herself? So, as her faithful friends, I thought that we should attend—”

“You want to drag me to the Drama Club party.”

“Oh, I’m so glad Nayeon can count on you!” Sana threw her arms around Jeongyeon’s shoulders and the athlete just sighed, pushing her away.

“Not happening.”

“What!” Sana moved back, in shock. “Why not??”

“I actually have a test tomorrow that I have to study for,” Jeongyeon smirked, getting up. “And it’s not even an excuse. I’d tell you if it was because I hate those drama kids anyway.”

“Oh, come on, not you too.” She got up as well, latching herself to Jeongyeon’s arm. “Your roommate brainwashed you!”

“Momo didn’t brainwash anyone, I hated them way before she did.”

“So it was you who brainwashed her! How dare you, you know how easily influenceable she is.”

The two girls made their way out of the gym slowly, Jeongyeon shooting toothy grins and waves to some of her female fans on her way out, and Sana was still talking her ear off and trying to convince her. The athlete pretended to listen, but her mind was made about the issue.

The reason she didn’t get along with the theater students was pretty much the same as Momo’s – they had stolen Nayeon from the group. And it was fine, Nayeon was her own person anyway, it’s not like she belonged to anyone in the first place, but Jeongyeon had every right to not want to get near them for as long as she could manage. There was no way in hell she was going to attend a party filled with drama rats.

“Sana, can’t you ask someone else?” Jeongyeon interrupted her friend’s monologue when they reached the locker room, wriggling her arm away from her grasp. “You have a lot of friends who are probably going, don’t you?”

“I do, but… I want to go with you guys.” They both knew what she meant by that – the original nine. “And Momo is not going, neither is Chaeyoung, Tzuyu is sick…”

“Mina?”

Sana bit her lip, crossing her arms. “She’s going, but… it’s complicated.”

Jeongyeon hummed at this. “Interesting.”

“What does that mean?”

“Mina doesn’t like to party much, that’s all.” She then frowned. “Wait, are you guys fighting?”

“What makes you say that?”

“The fact that Mina is going and Momo isn’t. And you clearly wanting to avoid Mina at that party.”

She wasn’t exactly wrong, but there was no way Sana could explain what was going on. It was too tiring and too complex; she didn’t even understand it that well herself. “We’re not fighting, it’s just… a temporary setback.”

“If you say so,” Then a pause. “She’s okay, though, right? Mina, I mean.”

Jeongyeon’s concern for Mina was something that dated back from their high school years, and Sana thought it was the sweetest thing. She almost sighed at the whole scenario – poor Jeongyeon had no idea that she was involved in the mess as well. She’d rather not tell her right now, though; it would only make more questions pop up.

“Yeah, she’s alright.” Sana smiled sincerely, and it was all Jeongyeon needed to believe her. Minatozaki Sana might be a vixen and mess with people a lot to get what she wants, but it was easy to know when she was being truthful. It was rare for her to be a manipulative ass to their group of friends, too.

“That’s good.” Jeongyeon turned around to get into the locker room. “I’ll see you later, okay? Good luck with the party.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Sana slapped her butt playfully. “Go shower, you stink.”

“And, uh…” Jeongyeon scratched the back of her neck. “If you or Mina need some help, don’t hesitate to tell me, okay?”

Sana looked at her sympathetically – she didn’t need to add the ‘you’ at the sentence, Sana knew exactly who she was worried about.

It’s always been like this ever since she could remember: Jeongyeon looked after Mina all the time, and when she wasn’t with her, she was asking about her. She did this to the whole group, like a silent protector, but with Mina things were different. She was more tender, spoke softly, looked at her gently. Sana was the first to notice, but didn’t say anything.

“Will do, Romeo.” She replied teasingly, earning an eye roll from her friend. Jeongyeon finally bid her goodbye and they parted ways. Sana couldn’t help but to sigh at the whole tragedy.

“You need to stop being so caring, Jeong.” She whispered to herself, then moved to her next target. She wasn’t giving up just yet.

--

The first thing Momo wanted to do once she got back to her room was shower, then eat a protein bar. Her stomach was pretty much gnawing at itself, all thanks to that stupid diet she decided to start at the beginning of the year. The results were apparent once she looked at her abs in the mirror, but that didn’t mean she got used to eating like a rodent once every three hours.

She had just left her last class for the day and was making her way towards the building’s exit when she bumped into someone.

“Sorr—” Then she smelled the perfume. “Nabongs?”

“Momoring!” Nayeon’s expression lit up and she side-hugged her friend despite carrying a huge book in her arms. “I was going to call you later.”

“Oh, well. I’m here now,” She looked at the way Nayeon seemed to be having trouble carrying whatever that book was and immediately reached out. “Let me carry that.”

“Huh? Oh no, it’s okay!” But of course, Momo wouldn’t take a no for an answer, and she gave her the book with a sigh. “I swear, you’re turning into Jeongyeon with this whole ‘knight in shining armor’ act you two have going on.”

“A hotter version of Jeongyeon, right?” Momo couldn’t help but to tease despite her beating heart. She didn’t want to behave differently around Nayeon, it didn’t matter what her stupid feelings told her, and she wasn’t going to. She treasured their friendship too much for that.

Nayeon’s eyes slid from her face to her apparent muscles and smirked. “Perhaps. I’ll let you know.”

Momo pushed her gently with her shoulder and the two started walking. “Where to?”

“The Drama Club faculty office. This thing you’re carrying is the list of all the party guests for tonight,” Nayeon stared back at Momo. “Which is what I was going to ask you later. Are you coming?”

Momo opened her mouth to answer but spotted someone in the distance. It wasn’t hard to recognize Sana, even in the middle of a crowd, and Momo didn’t want to go through that whole trouble again. She knew that if Sana saw them together, she would use some very convincing arguments that would make Nayeon turn against her and force her to go to the stupid party.

“Shit, come here,” Momo pulled Nayeon by the sleeve to the opposite direction and walked faster with her until she was sure they were out of sight. Sana never ran, anyway.

“Who are you running from?” Nayeon asked in between chuckles.

“No one. Never mind that,” Momo sighed and resumed their path – she unfortunately knew exactly where the Drama Club faculty office was thanks to months of keeping an eye on Nayeon’s endeavors. “About the party, I don’t think I’m going.”

“Aw, really?” It was a lot harder to remain stoic when it was Nayeon whining at her general direction. “I was hoping you’d go. Mina and Dahyun are the only ones going from what I know. Haven’t talked to the others yet, but I doubt they would.” Then she thought a bit more. “I mean, Sana’s going, but she’s at every party, so.”

“That’s true,” Momo giggled, turning right at a corridor. “I’m just not really in the mood, I guess. Jeongyeon is gonna study for an exam so I think I’ll stay with her this time. Watch a movie from her holy pen-drive, eat something healthy.”

“You’re still dieting?” Nayeon looked upset. “Momo, you’re going to vanish if you don’t eat more.”

“Just for a few more months.” She smiled, despite the harsh tone. She appreciated when Nayeon showed her concerned side; it was a rare sight. “I promise I’ll eat more starting this Fall.”

Nayeon, seemingly unconvinced, stepped in front of her, making the brunette halt. “Look at me in the eyes and promise me you’ll stop obsessing over a perfect body and eat.”

And it shouldn’t be hard to do something so simple like that, but Nayeon became incredibly attractive when she was mad and demanding, and Momo could feel her cheeks heating up. She hated that feeling in the pit of her stomach that resurfaced every time Nayeon was close to her, paying attention to her, worrying about her, because hell, isn’t this what friends are supposed to do for each other? Worry and make sure they are okay? It drove Momo insane, sometimes.

After a nervous laugh and an eye roll, Momo finally stared into Nayeon’s eyes.

God.

She’s so beautiful it hurts.

“I promise.” She was glad her voice didn’t waver as much as her heart.

Nayeon squinted, but eventually smiled, teeth and all, and Momo wanted to tell her how much she loved her smile.

“Good.” She turned around and bounced up and down the rest of the way, with Momo’s eyes following her every move.

It was hard, but at the same time, she couldn’t help but to smile dumbly at the girl in front of her. Everything about Nayeon felt alive; she had this aura that spread to others and made them absolutely infatuated with her. Sure, she was self-centered and could be extremely annoying if you didn’t know how to deal with her flamboyant personality, but Momo had been by her side long enough to admire even the ugliest parts of her.

And she loved every bit of it.

Thinking about how easily she’d fallen for this girl made something gnaw at Momo’s stomach, and it wasn’t hunger this time. She had this sudden urge to do something stupid that would end up hurting her, but—

The words left her mouth before she could stop herself.

“Actually,” She was going to regret this. “I think I might go.”

Nayeon nearly tripped and Momo was by her side in seconds, checking if she was okay. “You will?” Her gummy grin was back, and close, and beautiful.

Momo’s eyes flickered towards her lips for a split second. “Yeah,” And then, “Can’t let the drama nerds steal you from me all the time.”

Nayeon’s expression was unreadable, but Momo was okay with it; she wanted to be with her, so she was going to.

Then the actress simply grabbed the book from Momo’s hand and dropped it on the floor, giving her a pen out of nowhere. “Then sign your name, Hirai.”

The way she said that was exhilarating for some reason. It felt like signing a death sentence.

She was suddenly excited for the party.

--

Sana was tired.

None of her most important friends wanted to accompany her to a simple party, her feet hurt from running around campus the whole day (her pals should really learn how to use a damn cellphone), and her broken wrist was hurting for some obnoxious reason.

After walking into the main building, Sana sat down with her back touching the nearest wall and sighed, burying her head on her arms. She knew no one would bother asking if she was okay, students in that same position in the middle of the hallway were a common sight, especially near finals. Maybe one or two professors might wonder, but they would probably just walk by as if nothing was wrong, and Sana appreciated that.

The evening classes were about to begin, but at that time the place was almost empty – like a limbo in between shifts. Janitors cleaned the bathrooms and courtyard, students walked back to their dorms (mostly getting ready for the party), and the setting sun glowed orange against the white walls.

Sana lifted her head, pressing her cheek against her good arm and watched as the birds flied outside.

Then she felt someone sitting down next do her. The warmth was familiar and she smiled, closing her eyes.

“Hard day?” The voice was so tender and relieving. Sana felt all of her worries floating away.

“Yeah,” She mumbled in reply. “I ran around campus all day. Almost tripped again, saw some people who recognized me, but I didn’t recognize them.”

“And then?”

“Argued with my friends. None of them wanted to help me, can you believe it?”

“Oh no.”

“Then I got tired. Decided to think about my life a little bit,” Sana opened her eyes, looking forward. “Lots of people call me easy, did you know that? Fake, a show off, that girl who slept with the whole Arts Department.”

The girl next to Sana shifted closer, touching shoulders with her.

“I know that I don’t own people anything. But sometimes I wonder if they’re right.” Then Sana finally turned her head to the girl. “Pathetic, right?”

“A little bit, yes.” The girl answered and smiled. Sana smiled back and they just stared at each other for a long time, Sana’s expression softening. She straightened her back and sighed, leaning her head on the girl’s shoulder.

“Come to the party with me?”

Jihyo leaned her head on top of hers. “Will that make you stop spitting bullshit about your perfect, talented, beautiful self?”

Sana giggled, hiding her face on Jihyo’s neck. She absolutely loved her friend. “Yeah.”

“Then I’ll come.”

And just like that, she found some company, and felt less alone. Maybe there was a lesson to be learned from all of this.

Maybe she should stop chasing people and wait for them to come to her.

--

Chaeyoung knocked on her bedroom’s door three times, then walked in silently. The lights were on, so that meant her patient was awake. She felt a bit concerned about this; she wanted Tzuyu to get as much rest as possible – it was never easy to miss three days of classes in a row. Sure, Chaeyoung brought back her homework and notes every day, but she wasn’t exactly the best teacher around.

“Tzuyu?” Chaeyoung approached the girl carefully. She was lying in bed, a bowl of soup next to her nightstand and the TV remote on her hand.

“Hey,” Tzuyu greeted her with a weak voice. She’d been getting better from her cold, but her throat was still hurting, so she tried to speak the least she could. “Dahyun brought dinner.”

Turning around to face the bathroom, Chaeyoung now realized that their other roommate was the reason Tzuyu wasn’t sleeping right now. “Well, it’s the least she could do after waking you up.”

“I live here too, you ass!” Dahyun yelled from the bathroom, which made the two younger girls laugh a little. Their room was usually messy because there were three of them, but today it was especially so – all thanks to Dahyun getting ready for this crazy party.

“It feels like a hurricane passed through here.” Chaeyoung walked into the bathroom to wash her paint-stained hands and nearly choked at the sight.

“A girl needs to be pretty, and being pretty is messy.” Dahyun’s makeup was literally half finished; she had this bizarre habit of completing one eye first and leaving the other completely clean. She said that it gave her a perspective, but it honestly made Chaeyoung laugh every time. “What?”

“Your stupid makeup.”

“It’s art, Son Chaeyoung. Art takes time.” Kim Dahyun was already extremely expressive, but with one small eye and one big one, she became the pinnacle of comedy. “Stop laughing! Go take care of Tzuyu, this bathroom is too small for two people.”

“Oh, man…” Chaeyoung wiped a tear from laughing too hard, but obliged.

“How is she?” Tzuyu asked, genuinely curious.

“I’ll sketch her later, I won’t be able to take that image off my head,” Chaeyoung replied, regaining her breath. Tzuyu laughed too, but started coughing. That made every protective instinct on Chaeyoung’s body act, and she sat down by her bed, grabbing the cup of water near the shelf.

“Here, drink.”

“Thank you,” Tzuyu swallowed the liquid and sighed, relieved. “I hate this stupid cold.”

“It’ll pass soon enough.” Chaeyoung’s features softened and she reached out to pat Tzuyu’s hair gently. Then she grabbed the bowl of soup. “Eat.” It was just natural to feed her at this point, and Tzuyu wasn’t complaining.

They chatted for a while, Chaeyoung told her about her day, and Tzuyu kept worrying about her photography project not being finished on time because she was sick. The painter assured her that she’d help her out once she was feeling better, and Tzuyu thanked her.

There was an element of softness between the youngest members of their group of friends – except for Dahyun, but that was another story completely. Chaeyoung and Tzuyu had always worked well together and gotten along better than most people. They’ve never had a real, bad fight before, because there was no reason to; they’ve always dialogued honestly and openly about their issues, so nothing had ever felt off with them.

They didn’t hide secrets from each other.

(Except that Chaeyoung was hiding one.

She just couldn’t tell anyone.)

After a while, the soup was finished, the TV program was fairly decent, and Dahyun was out of the bathroom – now with makeup on both sides of her face. “How do I look?”

“Like Dahyun.” Both girls answered at the same time and high-fived.

“Real helpful.”

“You look good.” Tzuyu said, honestly.

“Don’t forget to take your keys with you. You know we’ll be sleeping by the time you come back,” Chaeyoung warned her, getting up to put on her pajamas.

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Dahyun searched for her wallet and keys and put them all inside her purse. Looking around one more time to make sure she wasn’t forgetting anything, she nodded to herself. “Well, I’m going. Behave, don’t break stuff, sleep early, don’t watch porn on my Pay-per-view account.”

“As if.” Chaeyoung rolled her eyes. “Don’t get too drunk, I’m not taking care of you when you come back.”

Despite the hostile way they spitted words at each other, Chaeyoung and Dahyun hugged, and Tzuyu watched them fondly. They were still close friends, after all. “Rest well, Tzuyu.” Dahyun planted a kiss on top of her head, then jumped back, opening the door. “Goodbye, toddlers!”

It was incredible how quiet the atmosphere became once Dahyun was gone.

“She gives me a headache.” Chaeyoung complained taking off her shirt.

“She’s a lot to handle, yes.” Tzuyu agreed. “But our group wouldn’t be the same without her.”

“That’s the worst part,” There was a smile in her voice. “She’s as dense as she’s annoying.”

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing. Never mind.” Chaeyoung forgot that Tzuyu didn’t know about the whole drama with Sana and Dahyun, and bit her tongue. Once she was done changing, she grabbed the pillow from her own bed and climbed back on Tzuyu’s, getting comfortable under the sheets. The youngest girl giggled.

“You’re gonna get sick if you stay near me.”

“Don’t care,” She answered sitting against the headboard. “I want to be with you.”

Tzuyu looked down shyly, but didn’t complain.

“Besides, the TV is right in front of your bed.” Chaeyoung added later, receiving lots of slaps in return. She laughed and grabbed Tzuyu’s hand. “Okay, okay, I’m kidding!”

“You also give me a headache, sometimes.” Tzuyu teased, but leaned her head on Chaeyoung’s shoulder. They stood in silence after this, enjoying each other’s company and watching a cooking show together. They were still holding hands, and Tzuyu intertwined their fingers at some point, which made Chaeyoung’s heart skip a beat. She didn’t move them, however, and pretended not to notice.

Tzuyu’s medicine was making her sleepy, and it didn’t take long for her to nod off on Chaeyoung’s shoulder. Her little snores were really cute, and that was how you knew she was deep asleep.

Carefully, Chaeyoung got up and turned off the lights. She was about to head to her own bed when she heard Tzuyu mumbling something in her sleep.

“Stay here…”

Chaeyoung’s heart constricted inside her chest and she bit her lip, sighing. Moving back to Tzuyu’s bed, she grabbed a few cushions from their sofa and tucked them under the girl’s chin. Apparently convinced that there was now a warm body next to her, Tzuyu dozed off again. Chaeyoung let out a relieved breath and climbed on her own bed.

She turned off the TV and closed her eyes, trying to ignore the pain inside her chest.

Chaeyoung had a secret that she couldn’t tell anyone.

And she wouldn’t allow herself to indulge in it, either.

--

“I’ll see you tomorrow, professor.” Jeongyeon bid her Literature teacher goodbye and finally let out a yawn she’d been holding for the sake of her reputation. She loved Miss Sunmi to bits, but her class was dense and filled with too much information. She wanted to do well on tomorrow’s test, so she had asked for an extra lesson in the evening. Now that it was done, she could finally go back to her room and relax.

But there was still something tugging at her heart, and she wanted to make this weird feeling go away before going to bed. She grabbed her phone and dialed. It rang twice, then the person picked up.

“Minari?”

“Jeongyeon,” Her voice seemed cheerful, which was good. “How are you?”

“I’m good,” Jeongyeon replied, smiling softly. “A little tired, honestly. Training was hard, and I just left an extra Lit class.”

“Look at you, studying hard.”

“Someone’s gotta do it. You can’t be the only smart one in the group.”

Mina giggled softly like she always did and Jeongyeon felt lighter. “I’m glad you’re committed to stealing my title.”

“Yeah…” She ruffled her hair a little bit. “Listen, Sana told me you’re going to the party tonight.”

Mina stood in silence for a couple of seconds. “I am. I thought I’d try this whole ‘socializing’ thing before graduating.” She cleared her throat. “Besides, Nayeon will be there. If everything goes wrong I can always stick to her like glue.”

Jeongyeon turned left and started walking downstairs, imagining the scene. “You do know that this is the Drama Club party, right?”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning I doubt she’ll be left alone for a second,” She let out a breathless laugh. “Those theater kids worship her like some kind of goddess. Which is understandable, honestly.”

“Hmm, I suppose.” Mina sounded down all of a sudden, but it might’ve been Jeongyeon’s imagination. “Well, Dahyun will be there too, regardless. Who knows, I might make some friends.”

“Yeah, who knows.” The conversation trailed off and they stood in silence for a bit. It wasn’t uncomfortable, however; Mina and Jeongyeon could stay on the phone for hours without really talking about anything and it still felt nice. They had this kind of relationship.

“Is that all you wanted to ask me?” Mina spoke up suddenly, snapping Jeongyeon out of whatever trance she was in.

“Oh, um… Yeah. I just wanted to make sure you’d be okay.”

“As usual.” She could hear the gentle smile in Mina’s voice.

“As usual.” Jeongyeon replied. More silence followed and soon she was at the dorms. “Well… I gotta go. Call me if you need anything.”

“Will do.”

“I mean that. You can call me at four in the morning—”

“And you’ll pick up. I know.”

“Yeah. Okay,” She laughed awkwardly and climbed the last set of stairs before coming face to face with her door. “Have fun.”

“I will.” Then a few moments later. “…Thank you for calling.”

“No problem.” Jeongyeon stood in front of her door with a dumb grin plastered on her face. “See you.”

They finally hung up and the athlete sighed, looking at her phone. Despite having made sure that Mina was alright, she was still antsy for some reason. Jeongyeon shook her head pushing the thoughts away, and finally opened her door. She was going to have a study session and couldn’t be bothered by a senseless anxiety.

She took one step into the room and was greeted by a mess of clothes on Momo’s bed, with said girl applying lipstick on the mirror next to the bathroom. That was unexpected.

“Uh… Sana told me you weren’t going?” It was more of a question.

“Change of plans,” Momo answered, shrugging. Then she turned around. “Should I go with a top or a shirt?”

“Do you want people to see your abs?”

“Yes.”

“Top.”

Momo smirked and walked back into the bathroom to finish her makeup. Jeongyeon threw her bag on her chair and jumped into her bed, staring at the ceiling for a bit, then back at the clothes. Seeing Momo getting ready for the party made something snap inside of her and she frowned, closing her eyes. Then she opened them again, rolled on her stomach and scratched her head.

Ah, fuck it.

Once Momo was done, she walked out of the bathroom and halted at the scene. “What are you doing?”

“Being dragged to this damn party.”

“…By whom?”

Jeongyeon sighed, grabbing her best outfit. “By my stupidity, apparently.”

Momo raised an eyebrow, then laughed. “That makes both of us, then.”

This was either going to be great, or suck in astronomical levels.

Honestly, Momo couldn’t wait to find out which.

Questions Tag

tagged by @im-seokjin (also bub, you’re just 15? I feel sooo protective now!!!)

1| how old were you when you had your first kiss? Eh... well first “kiss” as in it wasn’t serious, probably around 14. First actual kiss? I’m 22 and haven’t had it yet :’) 2| What made you decide to have a tumblr blog? Back then in the far away year of 2011 I found a Supernatural meme and really wanted to post it somewhere. So I figured, this weird Tumblr place looks good, I’m gonna make a blog. 3| Been depressed: Yup 4| how many people have you fist fought? none  5| do you want to have kids? how many? Idk... maybe, if I find the right person. But I’d rather adopt, I’m really scared of pregnancy. 6| Do you want to change your name: no, I really like it 7| Right or left handed: lefty 8| do you have piercings? how many? only my earlobes are pierced 9| who was the last person you cried in front of? my mom after I found an old letter from my recently deceased godfather 10| do you believe in soulmates? no 11| Zodiac sign: aquarius 12| Do you have a dream job? no, idk what to do with my life 13| A crush: nope 14| What do you like about yourself: my eyes and lips, my body shape, I’m kind and I guess I can be quite fun with the right people 15| Right now eating: nothing 16| who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with? idk, one of my friends probably

17| Height:  155cm RIP

18| what is/are/were your best subject(s)? English, history, german 19| Met someone who changed you: I believe that all the people you get close to change you in some way, and even if it’s just little 20| do you like someone:  not in the like like way xD 

21| I’m about to:

finish reading a fic and go to bed

22| do you believe everything happens for a reason? no 23| Sports I joined: as a kid I was in gymnastics, then later football (the proper one, not the american crap ;)) and then tennis; but I haven’t been in any sports in like 7 or 8 years 24| what’s irritating you right now? my work  25| do you give out second chances too easily? depends on the person... I can hold SERIOUS grudges and push away people forever, but I try to be more generous with the people I’m close to; they’d have to pull some serious shit for me to not give them a second chance because I’m really selective about the people I’m super close to  26| What is one thing you wish you could change about your life: I wish I knew what I want.... I wish I had a goal in life  27| are you mean? I try to be nice, but when you piss me off, I can be SUCH a bitch 28| Cried when someone died: my godfather, whom I was super close to, died in October and I still sometimes find myself crying in bed because I miss him I generally cry a lot when I lose someone. It’s the one thing I handle the worst 29| Blood type: idk 30| If you could meet ANY Korean CELEBRITY (Includes Actors, Models, K-Music artists, etc.), who would it be? got7, especially Jinyoung 31| Birthday:  January 26th 32| Been drunk and thrown up: as often as I drink... I never threw up bc I’m super careful about that (I’m really scared of throwing up) 33| are you scared of spiders? not scared, but they’re so disgusting and I get really squeamish 34| What would you like to achieve (or experience) before the age of 60?  I want to travel to as many places as possible

35| What do you wish for the most to happen? find a work that I like and maybe someone I can share my life with... I just don’t wanna be lonely and lost anymore  36| is cheating ever okay? in relationships? nope exams? well I’d be a hypocrite if I said no because I did cheat quite a few times... I mean, cheating and getting away with it is a skill too, right? 37| Do you have any pets: sadly no :( 38| When did you get into kpop and how? August 2015 bc one of my friends kind of dragged me into it (well she spammed me until I started liking it xD) 39| Favorite animal? cats, owls and foxes 40| Love at first sight: don’t believe in it 41| how do you want to die? I don’t want to be in pain and I don’t want it to drag on; just peaceful and fast 42| Lips or eyes: dude, idek, I love both... but eyes I guess 43| Hair length: I don’t mind, but I’m not a fan of super short hair... it needs to be a length where I can comfortably run my fingers through it 44| would you go back in time if you were given the chance? just to look and then go back? yes... I love history, there is so much I would just like to observe first hand 45| who was the last person of the opposite sex you talked to? my dad 46| how exactly are you feeling at the moment? drained.... I’m so tired, I didn’t sleep well last night... and a bit down I guess? I haven’t been enjoying work lately and I barely have time for myself. And I have a million things to take care of 47| Laughed until you cry: yeah 48| favourite food? I can’t choose ONE favourite food! But I generally love anything with meat and seafood/fish 49| when was your last physical fight? I don’t fight, I’m a midget and I’m scared 50| Do you believe in yourself: idk... sometimes? with smaller stuff? I’ve been starting to feel like I will never make anything out of myself and it scares me 

I will tag: @amerikaikong @little-jyp @fhrannie @neoria @king-moriparty @littlelovelyfuck @gladibro-baracitia @twostepsfromrivia @queennati

det. au 12

Arsé-kun: Arséne: So, lets get this straightened out properly this time.

Arsé-kun: Arséne: To start, Saint Germain has started internal fighting in Idea. I'm not sure what the goal there is, but it will most likely come to bite us in the ass later. Along with that, he and Nyar did... Something? Where Naoya lives, but again, no details. Arsé-kun: Germain: I only reunited past lovers. It's nothing of a big deal. As for the latter, the Philemon.exe was corrupted and needed to restart. *he smirks a bit. he's not going any further than that.* Arsé-kun: Arséne: ... These are things I'd like to know before reviewing. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Moving on. Delly has insisted I make mention of something, but gave me absolutely no details to go off of. Very helpful. More importantly, I was able to arrest the homicidal artist, with help, and that's why rent is being paid this month. Arsé-kun: Arséne: And after THAT, I have been kindly informed that Tom has occasionally been communicating with others when he has his freak-outs. I'm personally inclined to guess it was to that Crow kid, as he and a few others were investigating a Byrd residency at the time. They did find some kind of evidence- I can't wait for a photocopy of it. Sheepy: Sherlock: *He's got a blank expression on his face* Arsé-kun: Arséne: ... Where did I lose you, Sherlock? Sheepy: Sherlock: Rent? Sheepy: Sherlock: The artist is paying rent? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Non. I mean I got paid for the assist, so I paid the bills in advance. Sheepy: Sherlock: Who pays rent usually? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Me, but much later in the month. Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh. Sheepy: Sherlock: Did you say something after that? Arsé-kun: Arséne: ... Literally everything else. Sheepy: Sherlock: Well. Sheepy: Sherlock: I guess we'll never know! Arsé-kun: Arséne: You could just read what I've got written down.. Sheepy: Sherlock: *He looks to the paper* Arsé-kun: *it certainly has everything he was saying beforehand, and more!* Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh, I'll read over this. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Certainly. *he passes them over* Just don't damage anything. Sheepy: Sherlock: When do I damage things? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Punching a wall comes to mind. Sheepy: Sherlock: When did I- Sheepy: SHerlock: Oh, right. Sheepy: Sherlock: I broke my hand... Arsé-kun: Arséne: You certainly damaged something that day. Sheepy: Sherlock: A lot more than my hand, I think. Sheepy: Sherlock: Like the wall! Arsé-kun: Arséne: With that, my point stands. Sheepy: Sherlock: I don't usually! Arsé-kun: Arséne: Fair enough. Arsé-kun: *Meanwhile, in the background, is Impey just yelling "Randy, your sticks!". There is no context attached.* Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh, I get it now! *Doesn't get it at all.* Arsé-kun: Arséne: ... There's a bit of information missing, so it's a bit of a mess. Sheepy: Sherlock: Great! Arsé-kun: Arséne: What do you mean "great"?? Sheepy: Sherlock: Well, we have some information. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Better than none? Sheepy: Sherlock: Right. Arsé-kun: Impey: Randy!! You can't just cook sticks and leave someone else to deal with them! Come get your sticks!! *he bangs the ceiling with a broom (probably?) Sheepy: Sheepy: You can deal with them. Arsé-kun: Impey: And I will! *he bends down to pull Randy's pan out of the oven* But they'll be gone before he gets any at this rate! Sheepy: Sheepy: He can perish. Arsé-kun: Impey: Harsh!! Sheepy: Sheepy: If he doesn’t want his sticks, he can perish Arsé-kun: Randy: Guess I'll perish. *he drags himself in, dropping Shaggy on the counter. Cat time.* Sheepy: Sheepy: There you are! Arsé-kun: Randy: Here I am, in the third dimension. *he picks up a hot french toast stick and chomps it. he immediately regrets this decision.* Sheepy: Sheepy: Third? Sheepy: Sheepy: Are you sometimes in the second?! Arsé-kun: Randy: I try not to. ... It's confusing. Sheepy: Sheepy: what Arsé-kun: Randy: what Sheepy: Sheepy: How??? Arsé-kun: Randy: I don't remember. Blame Nyar and move on. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh. Arsé-kun: Randy: That, and I can't eat pie anymore because I expect it to hit my face. :') Sheepy: Sheepy: Pie? Sheepy: Nyar: Guess who bought pie! Arsé-kun: Randy: Please, no! Sheepy: Nyar: I didn't! Arsé-kun: Randy: You're horrible. Arsé-kun: Randy: You're horrible. Sheepy: Nyar: I'm lovable. Sheepy: Sheepy: I'm Sheepy. Arsé-kun: Impey: I'm Impey! Sheepy: Tom: im dead Arsé-kun: Randy: No, you're Tom. *he picks up another stick. hes gonna munch. hes gonna crunch* Sheepy: Sheepy: Do your sticks taste edible? Sheepy: Sheepy: I tried cooking them once. Arsé-kun: Randy: I guess so. Arsé-kun: Impey: They smell edible. Sheepy: Sheepy: Wow. Sheepy: Sheepy: Teach me your ways. Arsé-kun: Randy: Don't set it on fire. Sheepy: Sheepy: Too difficult. Arsé-kun: Impey: How. Sheepy: Sheepy: Messed up step one and set the house on fire. Arsé-kun: Randy: Congrats, you summoned Cthuga instead of making french toast sticks. Sheepy: Sheepy: I feel so talented. Sheepy: Sheepy: A cool protagonist complimented me. Arsé-kun: Randy: Who? Sheepy: Sheepy: You! Arsé-kun: Randy: I'm not cool... But thanks? Sheepy: Nyar: Oh, me! I know you were looking at him, but that's because you're shy! Gosh, I'm cool! Sheepy: Nyar: On top of that? I'm an absolute studmuffin! Arsé-kun: Randy: Not when you're a little girl you're not. Sheepy: Nyar: NORMALLY I'm an absolute studmuffin. Sheepy: Nyar: You gotta back me up here, Randy! Sheepy: Nyar: You gotta! Or I'll pelt you with pie! Arsé-kun: Randy: No way! Even I know you're not! You're a noodle!! Sheepy: Nyar: What! Sheepy: Nyar: Okay, fine, see if I care! I do a lot but I won't say that! Sheepy: Nyar: I'm a tsundere! Arsé-kun: Randy: But you just stated, out loud, that you cared. You're a noodley hypocrite. Sheepy: Nyar: No, you're just a mind reader Arsé-kun: Randy: I wonder if I can still do that. Sheepy: Sheepy: You could read people's minds at one point?! Sheepy: Sheepy: You're cooler than I thought...! ... Although I guess you could always read mine. Arsé-kun: Randy: That's just telepathy.. When I was trapped in another alien's body, yes... But I never actually tried as myself. Sheepy: Sheepy: I'm an alien? Arsé-kun: Randy: No, before that. Sheepy: Sheepy: This happens a lot to you. Arsé-kun: Randy: ... That is true. It needs to stop. Sheepy: Sheepy: Try to stay with me! Arsé-kun: Randy: Don't make it sound like I'm dying! Sheepy: Sheepy: You could sort of pass for my older brother. Sheepy: Sheepy: Eh? Arsé-kun: Impey: Stay with me, protagonist, don't die! That sorta thing? Arsé-kun: Randy: Yes. And I can just say I was just away at Miskatonic University. Sheepy: Sheepy: Eh? Arsé-kun: Randy: Oh, they still have Astrophysics and Ancient Histories courses. ... *he thinks for a moment* They also own the original Necronomicon. It's a university of people aware of shit like this. *he pats Nyar's shoulder* Sheepy: Sheepy: Huh! Arsé-kun: Randy: It's in the States, so it's an easy lie to pull off, I guess. Sheepy: Nyar: Oh, ooohh! Randy! You said a meanie word! Arsé-kun: Randy: States? Sheepy: Nyar: Noooo! Sheepy: Nyar: You insulted me! Arsé-kun: Randy: Ng n'gha. Sheepy: Nyar: You're so mean. Arsé-kun: Randy: y'hah. I learned from the best. Sheepy: Nyar: Me? Am I the best?! Sheepy: Nyar: Man, I always wanted to be the best! Sheepy: Sheepy: Well, what do siblings do with each other? All I've got is Iris and she likes using inventions on me and showing me horrible things she found on the internet. Sheepy: Nyar: But I thought you weren't - eh, whatever. Arsé-kun: Randy: Sounds about right.. Sheepy: Sheepy: If you bully me, I'll bully you. Arsé-kun: Randy: Please do not. We've already got Nyar. Sheepy: Nyar: Curls, you're being mean! Arsé-kun: Randy: Calling you mean is mean now? You're not evil incarnate? Sheepy: Nyar: Well- Sheepy: Nyar: ... Sheepy: Nyar: ................................................ Sheepy: Nyar: Am, am I slowly turning into a good guy? That can't be right! Arsé-kun: Randy: What a sweet mask you've got on right now. Sheepy: Nyar: !!! Sheepy: Nyar: I need a new one! Sheepy: Nyar: If I take yours, I should be mean enough. Arsé-kun: Randy: But then who will I be?? Sheepy: Nyar: Nobody Arsé-kun: Randy: How fitting! Sheepy: Sheepy: What should we do today? Arsé-kun: Randy: I was going to try to write, but I've got nothing. So be depressed. Hooray. Sheepy: Sheepy: That's what I do when I write essays. Sheepy: Sheepy: Watson writes on the side, so maybe he can help. Sheepy: Sheepy: Iris also writes. Arsé-kun: Randy: That's how most of us feel when we write essays.. But this is true. Arsé-kun: Impey: whats an essay and whys everyone never happy about them Sheepy: Sheepy: Writing about a topic you dont care about and not being paid to do it. Sheepy: Sheepy: Iris loves them. Arsé-kun: Impey: That sounds terrible. Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah, they're for nerds. Arsé-kun: Impey: We don't want them. The preps can have them. Sheepy: Sheepy: You're not a nerd. Arsé-kun: Impey: Should I ponytail my hair and start lecturing on space shuttle physics??? Sheepy: Sheepy: Sure. Sheepy: Sheepy: Victor is a nerd. Arsé-kun: Impey: I? Can't argue about that? Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah. Sheepy: *Impey receives a text!* Arsé-kun: Impey: ?! *what?? this is rare! he checks immediately.* Sheepy: Iris: [text: to Impey] let's go somewhere fun today! I want to invite fran, too! but he never reads his texts!! Arsé-kun: Impey: [text: to Iris] Sure, I'm not busy! I'll drag him along, dw! Sheepy: Iris: [text: to Impey] I want to invite abby and sheepy too! Sheepy: Iris: [text: to Impey] ok great! thanks! Arsé-kun: Impey: [text: to Iris] I'm on it, princess! Arsé-kun: Impey: *he turns his phone to Sheepy* You've received an invitation to go outside for once. Sheepy: Sheepy: I can finally go outside?! Sheepy: Sheepy: I hate being inside constantly. Sheepy: Sheepy: Hey, Randy, you should come with us. Arsé-kun: Randy: I'm not really an outside person... But I may as well. Sheepy: Sheepy: You can be the adult of the group. Arsé-kun: Randy: I'm honored. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, I guess Van is an adult, too. Sheepy: Sheepy: I guess I should tell Arsene and Watson that we're going out. Sheepy: Sheepy: *He goes hunting for the two.* Arsé-kun: *Arséne is no longer at his desk. Good luck.* Sheepy: Sheepy: Where did he go... Sheepy: Sheepy: Arseeeene, where did you gooo??? Arsé-kun: Impey: You didn't know he left? *he strolls in, following Sheepy. Randy is behind him with his sticks. this is his food for the day* Arsé-kun: Arséne: Somewhere!~~ Sheepy: Sheepy: I need to find you and if you don't give me a hint I'll put mugs dangerously close to the edge of your desk to bother you when you see them. Arsé-kun: Arséne: My hint is that I'm answering you! Sheepy: *Sheepy follows Arsene's voice* Arsé-kun: *He's in Sherlock's kitchen! You found him!! Also featuring! Watson, before his coffee, trying to not doze off at the table. It's ass o clock am, wake up!* Sheepy: Sheepy: I found the two people I need to talk to! Sheepy: Harley: I hope I'm not one of them because I refuse to talk to you right now. Sheepy: Sherlock: But you're talking to him right now. Sheepy: Harley: I refuse to talk to you, too. Sheepy: Sherlock: Eh!? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Eh? We grumpy this morning? Sheepy: Harley: I'm not grumpy. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Yeah you are. Sheepy: Harley: No, how am I grumpy? Arsé-kun: Arséne: You're being Mr. "I can't talk to anyone until morning coffee" right now. Sheepy: Harley: That's always Watson. Sheepy: Harley: Anyway, I don't need coffee. Sheepy: Harley: I need something interesting to happen that's not magical in nature. I want a mystery to solve. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Oh, I agree entirely. I'm almost tired of it. Arsé-kun: Arséne: But yes, Sheepy? What did you need? Sheepy: Sheepy: Iris invited a few of us to go out. Sheepy: Sheepy: By that I mean she texted Impey and told him to tell everyone else but never actually left her room... Arsé-kun: Arséne: So the usual? Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah. Arsé-kun: Arséne: As long as everyone stays together, I've got no issues with it. Sheepy: Sheepy: What about you, Watson? Arsé-kun: Watson: ...? What? Sheepy: Sheepy: Iris invited a few of us to go out. Are you okay with us going out? Arsé-kun: Watson: I suppose so. Sheepy: Sheepy: Only suppose...? Did you have a problem? You can join us if you want. Sheepy: Sheepy: Iris didn't invite you, but it's all good. Sheepy: Sherlock: I want to go! But I doubt she would want me going. Sheepy: Sherlock: She never comes out of her room so I always worry about her. Arsé-kun: Watson: I can't stop any of you, so I'm not really going to try.. *he yawns and eyes the coffee machine. is it done yeeeet* Sheepy: Sheepy: It's bad to be a defeatist. Arsé-kun: Watson: It's not even ten yet. I'm about as functional as a ferret stuck in a shoe. Sheepy: Sheepy: I'd recommend being a teenager again. Sheepy: Sheepy: No, wait Sheepy: Sheepy: You wouldn't be able to wake up until noon as a teenager. Sheepy: Harley: Go to sleep earlier. Arsé-kun: Watson: I wouldn't mind getting up at noon. Sheepy: Harley: No, go to sleep earlier. Arsé-kun: Watson: Then you better start doing it too. Sheepy: Harley: I don't need to. Arsé-kun: Watson: If you say so. Sheepy: Harley: I just need to keep my mind active. Arsé-kun: Watson: Do not, do not, please take a break once in a while. Sheepy: Sherlock: I'm rarely tired. Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm exhausted for you both at this rate. Sheepy: Sherlock: We're secretly sapping your energy!? Sheepy: Sherlock: What a cunning scheme...! So genius, even I, the perpetrator, wasn't aware of it!!! Arsé-kun: Watson: Considering what I have to deal with nightly? I don't think it's a secret. *he leans down and puts his face in his hand. the nerve of these idiots* Sheepy: Harley: I can knock him out for you. Sheepy: Harley: You don't have to listen to him at night if he's unconscious. Arsé-kun: Watson: That's called giving someone a concussion, so no. Absolutely not. Sheepy: Sherlock: I don't like that plan... Sheepy: Harley: Then don't be a terrible roommate or I'll take matters into my own hands. I shouldn't have to tell you to take other people's feelings into account. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Hypocrite alert. Sheepy: Harley: I don't keep people awake at night. Arsé-kun: Arséne: You don't, but you can be an ass during the day. Sheepy: Harley: I weigh honesty and potentially hurting them and see which is worth more. Sheepy: Harley: I refuse to lie. Arsé-kun: Watson: And I shouldn't have to tell a grown ass adult to not put his hands on other people. But here we are!!! Arsé-kun: *he's so, so, SO done* Arsé-kun: *and it's still not even 10 am.* Sheepy: Harley: People need the views of others to know how to improve- I wouldn't put my hands on him. Arsé-kun: Impey: What are we yelling about! Sheepy: Sherlock: Harley's threatening to knock me unconscious. Sheepy: Harley: It's not a threat. It's undignified to threaten people. Only petty criminals threaten people. Sheepy: Harley: It's a suggestion on how to solve a problem. Arsé-kun: Watson: Which can lead to more brain damage, which can lead to being! Even! More! Annoying! Arsé-kun: Arséne: Hey I suddenly feel attacked Sheepy: Harley: How are you being attacked? Arsé-kun: Arséne: I completely expected "petty criminals" to be followed with my name. Sheepy: Harley: No, you're fine. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I'm honored. Sheepy: Harley: And...he can get more annoying? Sheepy: Harley: I didn't know. Sheepy: Harley: Unless you mean I am. Arsé-kun: Watson: Can't anyone? I mean, it's not that har-*the coffee machine clicks. it is done. This earns his 100% undivided attention* Sheepy: Harley: It wouldn't surprise me. I always have been in the past. Sheepy: Sherlock: It's done!! Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm saved! *he nearly jumps out of his seat to get at the machine. c a f f i e n e* Arsé-kun: Arséne: You could have done a flip during that maneuver..! *he's very clearly joking.* Sheepy: Sherlock: I want to see that! Arsé-kun: Arséne: I'd give it a shot but you're kind of on my lap right now. Arsé-kun: Watson: Absolutely not. *he's back with coffee. he is pleased. this is his favorite kind. i know nothing about coffee so sue me* Arsé-kun: Watson: I think I would break something in the attempt. Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh... Sheepy: Sherlock: Well, that would be a problem. Sheepy: Harley: Don't break anything. It'd be upsetting. Arsé-kun: Watson: I agree with both of these points entirely. Arsé-kun: Randy: It'd probably be lethal or permanently damaging. Arsé-kun: Impey: uh Arsé-kun: Randy: I'll see myself out. Arsé-kun: Impey: I, uh, I was gonna crack a joke about Delly taking care of the problem like ten minutes ago, but too late now! Sheepy: Harley: Oh, no, I'd love recommendations. Sheepy: Sherlock: Please don't knock me out. Sheepy: Harley: Get a better sleep schedule. Sheepy: Sherlock: Stop being a hypocrite. Sheepy: Harley: Ah, that's a weight off my mind, to find out how you truly feel about me. Thank you. Please be more honest with me in the future. Sheepy: Sherlock: What happened to you? You're different... You were really nice right after the amnesia, but now you're even worse than before the amnesia. You're unrelenting. Sheepy: Harley: Thank you for telling me. I want to know your feelings. Arsé-kun: Watson: Do you? Mine are "Stop hurting yourself like this" and "Please do not threaten people when you have no intention of acting on them," with a side of "Sit down and eat already kiddo, I'll fistfight you and lose". *coffee sip break* At least you're recognizing other people have feelings. That's a plus. Sheepy: Harley: How am I hurting myself? Arsé-kun: Watson: Not eating or sleeping, no matter how hungry or tired you feel, is extremely damaging. You know this. Sheepy: Harley: I'm neither tired nor hungry. Arsé-kun: Watson: *he sighs* You can just say "I eat on my own schedule", and that would be the end of it. You saying otherwise just makes me want to dump melatonin on you. Sheepy: Harley: ...And anyway, I'm perfectly willing to damage myself to pursue the truth, so if a case requires it, I'll starve. Sheepy: Harley: Why melatonin? Arsé-kun: Watson: Why not melatonin? Sheepy: Harley: How would it help? Arsé-kun: Watson: Do you really want medical term talk at ten am? Sheepy: Harley: I wouldn't mind it. Arsé-kun: *Watson promptly launches into a caffeine-fueled explanation of what melatonin is. the internet is checked on at least twice. his mug is refilled twice. Arséne completely tunes out in favor of literally anything else.* Sheepy: *Sherlock has also stopped listening. Harley seems interested.* Sheepy: Harley: I understand. Arsé-kun: Watson: Fantastic! So please do better with yourself before I prescribe it by force. Sheepy: Harley: Thank you for your offer, but I'm fine. You really shouldn't worry about someone like me. Sheepy: Harley: It's a waste of time. Arsé-kun: Watson: Too late. If I've wasted years, so be it. Sheepy: Harley: I appreciate that you do, even though I can't understand what would cause you to worry about me. Arsé-kun: Van: Stop questioning it. You won't get answers. *good morning van helsing. sir 'ive already gotten dressed for the day'. bastard* Sheepy: Harley: You've asked, too? Arsé-kun: Van: Numerous times. I've given up. Just take what you get and shut up about it. Sheepy: Iris: *She enters* Good morning! Sheepy: Sherlock: Good morning! Sheepy: Harley:... Arsé-kun: *Van absently pats her head as she passes him. Arséne notices this. Arséne will remember this.* Sheepy: Sherlock: I was worried...... Arsé-kun: *in the background, randy has run out of sticks. hes disappoint* Sheepy: Sheepy: You could make more! Sheepy: Iris:... ... Good morning, Daddy! Good morning, Herly! Good morning, Luppie! Good morning, Sh- Sheepy: Sheepy: It's actually nighttime. Sheepy: Iris: Say good morning...! Sheepy: Sheepy: Good mourning! Arsé-kun: Randy: *he blocks Sheepy's face with the pan* This one doesn't exist right now. Good morning, though. Sheepy: Iris: Good morning, Randy! Sheepy: Sheepy: I'm invisible. Arsé-kun: Arséne: You'll never see him coming.. Sheepy: Sheepy: Heck yeah Arsé-kun: Watson: *he appears to be Thinking. when he isnt making sure van isnt using any kitchen appliances, anyway* Sheepy: Harley: Is something on your mind, Watson? Arsé-kun: Watson: Certainly. Do you have any plans for today? Sheepy: Harley: No. Sheepy: Harley: Why? Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm taking you with me today. It might help you in the social department. Sheepy: Harley: Am I really in that much need of medical attention that you'll even drag me to your office to prescribe me something I don't want? Or is it for publicity? I'm a nobody. Bring Sherlock. Sheepy: Harley: Unless, of course, it's something else. Arsé-kun: Watson: Neither. I just said the reasoning. If I wanted publicity, I'd commit murder. Sheepy: Harley: Would I help you or capture you if you did that...? Sheepy: Harley: I don't know. Sheepy: Harley: How will it help me in the social department? Arsé-kun: Watson: Because you'll get outside for once, and I don't mean sitting in the park with the squirrels. Sheepy: Harley:.... Sheepy: Harley: Fine. Arsé-kun: Watson: I appreciate it. I've helped you and Sherlock enough times- You're helping me for once. Arsé-kun: Randy: Look on the bright side. It won't be weird. .. I forgot to see myself out. *he goes to back out, nearly smacking Sheepy's face with the aforementioned pan. Impey stops him in time* Sheepy: Harley: I apologize for never returning your good will. Arsé-kun: Watson: It's fine. Sheepy: Harley: I'll try to be better about it in the future. Arsé-kun: Watson: Don't worry about it. I don't mind, genuinely. I only mind when you're being difficult, and that doesn't apply purely to you. Sheepy: Harley: No good deed goes unpunished. Arsé-kun: Watson: Then why am I still alive? Sheepy: Harley: Pure luck. Arsé-kun: Watson: That's fair. Sheepy: Harley: It applies to all of us. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Excuse you, I get by on my skill. Sheepy: Sherlock: I live on because my body lets me! Arsé-kun: Randy: I don't think I have a choice in the matter. Sheepy: Sheepy: I'm actually a zombie. Arsé-kun: Impey: I'm actually a vampire, then! Sheepy: Sherlock: Uh? Everyone knows that. Arsé-kun: Arséne: what. Sheepy: Sherlock: I'm the last to know anything, so if I know it, everyone else does. Arsé-kun: Impey: What? What are you talking about? ^^;;; Sheepy: Sherlock: That's what I broke my hand over. Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he looks from Sherlock to Impey and back, repeatedly* What? What?? What the hell??? Sheepy: Sherlock: You don't need to act stunned. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Acting? Who's acting?? This is the first I've heard of this! Sheepy: Sherlock:...Huh? Sheepy: Sherlock: What... Arsé-kun: *and Impey slowly backs out, keeping a forced grin on, before very quickly retreating. There is Fear here.* Sheepy: Sherlock: .... Sheepy: Sherlock: Did I say something wrong? Arsé-kun: Arséne: ¿...? Did he think I was angry at him? I'm angry at myself for not realizing this sooner. Sheepy: Iris: I'll go after him. Arsé-kun: Van: It can't be hard. He already looks like a traffic cone. Sheepy: Iris: That's true. Arsé-kun: Randy: But if he stays hidden, it means he's got a massive advantage.. Sheepy: Iris: Oh... Sheepy: Iris: I'll just have to try harder! Sheepy: Sherlock: ???? Arsé-kun: Arséne: ¿¿¿¿ Arsé-kun: *what a duo.* Sheepy: Sheepy: Sheepy - 1, Arsene - 0... Arsé-kun: Arséne: My own son knew and kept it from me.. I am an absolute master of my field. Without a doubt. Sheepy: Sheepy: That's a cruel way of phrasing it. Sheepy: Sheepy: I just assumed you knew. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I had no idea..! ... *he frowns* Someone hand me the paper. Maybe I can excel in my primary field instead. Sheepy: Harley: *He hands Arsene the paper* Sheepy: Sherlock: Everyone has their bad days. Sheepy: Harley: I didn't know. Sheepy: Harley: However, I also didn't, and still don't, care. Sheepy: Harley: I've never had an interest in vampires, zombies, or whatever other horror movie creatures there are. I didn't believe in them, either, until they proved to be real. Arsé-kun: Watson: .... That's not what you said when you were younger, Mister. Sheepy: Harley: What? Arsé-kun: Watson: Do I mention it here in the open? I didn't think you would appreciate it. Sheepy: Harley: No, please don't. Arsé-kun: Watson: Alright. *and he drops the matter* Sheepy: Harley: When are we going? Arsé-kun: Watson: At eleven. Sheepy: Harley: Thank you. Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he lowers the newspaper. he's got an awfully sinister grin..* Sheepy? Hold down the fort. I know what I'm doing this weekend. Sheepy: Sheepy: What? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Why would I ask that of you? Why, oh why? Arsé-kun: *his grin gets bigger, in french* Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, let's steal something! Sheepy: Harley: You're a terrible influence. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I've kept him from committing arson. I am a fantastique influence! Sheepy: Harley: That's the basic first step for being a father, I would think. Sheepy: Harley: I don't know, I'm no father. Arsé-kun: Watson: The first step is having a child and it being alive. Sheepy: Harley: That first step will be difficult, considering I have no romantic partner. Arsé-kun: Watson: Adoption is fine. Sheepy: Harley: Yes, I suppose so. Sheepy: Harley: I've thought about what having a family would be like some over the years, but I quickly came to the conclusion I'd be an awful father. I don't want to put a child through that. Arsé-kun: Watson: I thought I would be awful as well. Sheepy: Harley: You actually had parents, didn't you? Sheepy: Harley: You had some type of reference. Arsé-kun: Watson: This is a fair counterpoint. Sheepy: Harley: I don't know how they're supposed to act. My only experience with them is being ignored. I wouldn't want to replicate that. Arsé-kun: Watson: It's mostly instinct based. You'd be fine. Sheepy: Harley: Instinct..? Sheepy: Harley: So it's instinctual to ignore them...? Sheepy: Sherlock: I don't remember anything about my parents! But, I suspect they loved me a lot because I love me a lot. Sheepy: Sherlock: I'm very lovable! Sheepy: Harley: Yes, the most. Arsé-kun: Watson: I said mostly, not guaranteed. Ignoring them is not instinct. That is choice. Sheepy: Harley: Mycroft, the second most. Sheepy: Harley: Meanwhile, they didn't love me a bit. So, I fear I'd duplicate that. Arsé-kun: Watson: Ah. With how you treat animals, though, I think you would be fine. Sheepy: Harley: But those are animals. Sheepy: Harley:...Animals... animals don't lie about their feelings. Arsé-kun: Watson: It's close enough. Arsé-kun: Randy: ... Is this a bad time to come back? Also, have you met a cat once? Sheepy: Harley: I have. Sheepy: Harley: There's Wagahai. Sheepy: Harley: Wagahai lives here. Arsé-kun: Randy: Cats refuse to show when they're hurt, unless it's bad. They'll even run away so no one sees it. This one taught me that. *and he dumps Shaggy onto Harley's lap. tiny meow* Sheepy: Harley:.... Sheepy: Harley: I can understand that viewpoint. Sheepy: *Harley begins petting Shaggy. hello!* Sheepy: Harley: When you're hurt, others drop their guard. They, too, end up hurt. Arsé-kun: *Shaggy rubs his face on Harley and stares up at him with those big ol' moon eyes.* Sheepy: Harley: It's best to keep them safe. Sheepy: Harley: Love is keeping those around you safe, no matter how much it costs you. Sheepy: Harley: It's not running away. It's a sacrifice. Arsé-kun: *and then it was awkward and depressing for a moment. 2x combo! double score!* Arsé-kun: Van: .... Good god, who died to make you all so silent? Sheepy: *Harley is still petting Shaggy, seemingly unaware of the mood drop* Sheepy: Sheepy: My mood. Arsé-kun: Arséne: The mood has, indeed, just been murdered in cold blood. I can confirm this. Sheepy: Iris: Is it over Barby? He's okay now! Arsé-kun: Arséne: Not at all, but that is good. Sheepy: Iris: Huh? Sheepy: Harley: I felt comfortable. I spoke out of turn. I'm sorry. Sheepy: Harley: I'll avoid discussing my feelings in the future. Arsé-kun: Arséne: It wasn't that you were out of turn, or that it was you. Don't apologize. *he rolls up the paper and lightly bonks Harley with it* Please don't imply you're a sacrifice again. Arsé-kun: Randy: ... He's got a point. Sheepy: Harley: So, in a way, I am. Sheepy: Harley: It would've left a much larger void in the group if he had passed than if I had. It's perfectly fine for me to be the scapegoat in that situation. It's simple analysis. Sheepy: Harley: I got lucky, of course. Sheepy: Harley: I predicted almost instantaneous death. Arsé-kun: *arsene whaps harley with the paper again* Sheepy: Harley: What? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Arrêtez ! Ferme ta tais-toi, and pardon my French, but devalue yourself again and I'll smack your ass with this paper! Sheepy: Harley: It's not devaluing myself. Sheepy: Harley: I'm completely aware I hold value. This makes me very happy. Arsé-kun: Van: The problem is you're addressing a morbid manner this early in the day. Stop it. Get help. Sheepy: Harley: I don't need help, but thank you for the recommendation. Sheepy: Harley: Once again, I shouldn't have talked about this, so I won't bring it up in thr future. Arsé-kun: Impey: Let's make a depression club! I'll make jackets! Sheepy: Harley: I'm not depressed. Arsé-kun: Impey: It'll be open to everyone! Sheepy: Harley: Why should I join if I'm not depressed? Arsé-kun: Impey: So there's a time and place to say stuff without ruining the mood! *he throws confetti. where did he get confetti. when did he. Van ignores it entirely* Sheepy: Harley: I'm not interested. I've already stated my feelings on the matter. There's no purpose in ever repeating them. Arsé-kun: Impey: That's fine too! Sheepy: Harley: It's a waste of time. I should be getting ready to go out. *He gently shifts Shaggy off of his lap before getting up* I have to get ready. Arsé-kun: Watson: Wise decision. I will join you. Sheepy: *Harley rushes out...* Sheepy: Sheepy: Huh, just like you were saying, Randy. Arsé-kun: Randy: For once, I was right about something. Sheepy: Sheepy: You're usually right. Arsé-kun: *watson grumbles about Harley leaving much too fast, dragging himself up to follow* Arsé-kun: Randy: That is a first. Sheepy: Sherlock:??? Sheepy: *Harley shouts from the entrance, "I'm going out, Watson!" before slamming the door behind him. slow down harley* Arsé-kun: Watson: Getting ready, he says, leaving entirely! Good lord. Sheepy: Sheepy: That's just his way of leaving uncomfortable situations. Sheepy: Sheepy: He always does that! Sheepy: Iris: I could chase after him! He couldn't have gone far! Arsé-kun: Watson: This is a Holmes you're talking about, dear. He's gone. Sheepy: Iris:...Does he...does he even know how to get there...? Arsé-kun: Watson: I should hope so. Sheepy: Iris: Oh dear....um... Sheepy: Iris: He should be okay! Arsé-kun: Watson: If he isn't, he'll come home wearing a cone of shame. Arsé-kun: Arséne: ... Like I was saying! Sheepy, hold down the fort! Sheepy: Sheepy: Okay, sure. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Then I'll be off! I'll probably be back on Monday, if I'm lucky. Sheepy: Sheepy: Have fun with that. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I fully intend to! ... Sherlock, please get up so I can be an evil gentleman thief. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Fantastic question! It is Friday. Sheepy: Sherlock: Ah...so four days. Sheepy: Sheepy: Three, including today. Sheepy: Sherlock: Friday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Sheepy: Sheepy: That's- that's not- Arsé-kun: Arséne: Sherlock? I just lost brain cells listening to that. Sheepy: Sherlock: What!? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Consider the calendar. Sheepy: Sherlock: Calendar.... Sheepy: Sherlock: ...........!? Sheepy: Sherlock: I don't look at calendars! Arsé-kun: Delly: Start looking! Sheepy: Sherlock: Alright. Sheepy: Sheepy: But... wait a minute! How'll I watch over the office if I'm out with Iris? Arsé-kun: Arséne: You know what I meant to say! You don't need 24/7 surveillance with all the people around. Sheepy: Sheepy: Great! Arsé-kun: Randy: Where are we going, exactly..? Sheepy: Iris: Good question. Arsé-kun: Impey: Ehh? We don't even know yet? Sheepy: Iris: What about the museum? Arsé-kun: Impey: Oh! I've wanted to go there! Sheepy: Iris: Let's go, then! Arsé-kun: Randy: Is it close...? Sheepy: Iris: It's not far, but it isn't walking distance. Sheepy: Sheepy: So it's far. Sheepy: Iris: It's not far! Arsé-kun: Randy: If we can't walk, how are we going about it? Sheepy: Iris: I don't know. Sheepy: Sheepy: I can drive but we don't have a car. Sheepy: Iris: Since when could you- Arsé-kun: Randy: .... Since he got behind the wheel of a car and worked it out. Sheepy: Sheepy: I've been behind the wheel multiple times! Sheepy: Iris:... Sheepy: Iris: Does- Sheepy: Sheepy: Shh, don't ask questions. Arsé-kun: Randy: Yes. Sheepy: Iris: I was going to ask if Luppie knows. Sheepy: Iris: But you're bad at keeping secrets so he has to. Arsé-kun: Randy: The answer is still yes. So is your next question. Sheepy: Iris: Is he a reckless driver? Sheepy: Sheepy: O-oh, y-yeah, as reckless as they come! Arsé-kun: Randy: You drive slower than my grandmother. Sheepy: Sheepy: I'm such a daredevil, just like Ar- oh, shut up! Sheepy: Iris: Huh? Arsé-kun: Randy: I'll consider it. Sheepy: Sheepy: You're the one who can't keep secrets! Sheepy: Sheepy: I can keep secrets! I keep tons of them! Arsé-kun: Randy: If we wanted to get there today, you driving would not improve matters. My driving is equally as bad. Sheepy: Iris: I've never driven before. Arsé-kun: Impey: I have! It's not too bad! Sheepy: Iris: Sherly has shown me how to fix cars, but that's my only experience with them. Arsé-kun: Van: It's not difficult. It's other people that make it hard. Sheepy: Iris: Huh? Sheepy: Sheepy: I'd drive at a normal speed if drivers weren't so aggressive. Arsé-kun: Impey: It's hard to drive when other drivers are jerks, I guess? I mean, yeah.. Arsé-kun: Randy: And because no one has said it- Do not trust Lupin driving a vehicle. I already feel sick thinking about it. Sheepy: Sheepy: See, this is why I'm trying to avoid learning from him. Arsé-kun: Delly: .. You're all still here?? You're so slow! Sheepy: Sheepy: Okay, fine, let's go then. Arsé-kun: Van: I suppose the bus is an option? Or the monorail. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, yeah, true. Sheepy: Sheepy: Let's go that way, then! Sheepy: *And so, they head out!* Arsé-kun: *but which way are they going??* Sheepy: *By the bus!* Arsé-kun: *is it at least a double decker bus* Sheepy asked the lost sheep to choose between yes and no. The lost sheep chose: no Sheepy: *yes. ignore chatzy. it is a double decker bus* Arsé-kun: *hooray!* Sheepy: *They eventually get to the museum!* Arsé-kun: Impey: \o/ *hooray* Sheepy: Sheepy: We're here! Arsé-kun: Van: And without casualties. Impressive. Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah, somehow. Arsé-kun: Randy: ughhhh.. I'd rather be one right about now. *he just caught up, just now, because he's makin' his way downtown, walkin' slow, motion sick flow, and he's dying DADADA DA DAAAA* Sheepy: Sheepy: You gotta go out sometimes. How're you going to become a phantom thief like this, eh? Arsé-kun: Randy: By not taking public transportation.. I'll just walk.. Sheepy: Sheepy: Uh, yeah, good luck with that! Arsé-kun: Van: If anyone has noticed, we've already been ditched. Sheepy: Sheepy: Eh!? Arsé-kun: Impey: *he waves from over there, on the museum line. bc iris needs adult supervision* Sheepy: *Sheepy rushes over to Impey* Arsé-kun: *as does Van, who drags Randy with him* Arsé-kun: *they eventually get in! far faster than getting in normally takes. is this the real life? or is this fantasy? da da da other words i dont know reality OPEN YOUR EYES, LOOK UP TO THE SKY AND SEEEE* Sheepy: Sheepy: Wow, that was shorter than I'd expect. Arsé-kun: Impey: Was it? Sheepy: Iris: Let's go, let's go! Sheepy: Sheepy: Slow down, the exhibits aren't going anywhere. (Yet.) Arsé-kun: Randy: *he glances at Sheepy* Sheepy: Sheepy: What? Arsé-kun: Randy: Oh, I thought you were going to say more. Sheepy: Sheepy: No. Arsé-kun: Randy: Let's just hope none of the exhibits get up and leave. Sheepy: Sheepy: Huh! Sheepy: Sheepy: Dinosaurs only do that when they're alive. Arsé-kun: Randy: Or so we hope. Arsé-kun: Impey: What are we saying? The exhibits are alive? Gee, I sure hope not! Sheepy: Sheepy: I hope not! Sheepy: *Iris has already run off.* Arsé-kun: *and Impey goes to chase after her. She's gotta be lookin' at something interesting too!* Sheepy: Iris: Barby, look at this dinosaur! It's little! Arsé-kun: Impey: Oh, it is! Why's it so small? Sheepy: Iris: Good question! Sheepy: Iris: Maybe being small was beneficial to it. Sheepy: Iris: Or maybe it was a baby! Arsé-kun: Impey: Maybe both? Sheepy: Iris: Oh, maybe! Sheepy: Iris: Which dinosaur is your favorite? Sheepy's is the velociraptor, but I think they're creepy. Sheepy: Iris: I like the triceratops. Arsé-kun: Impey: I like the feathery flying ones! The uh.. Not the pterodactyl, that's not it. Sheepy: Iris: Well, I guess it's the velociraptor. He stares really hard at it every time we come here before wordlessly leaving, but he claims his favorite is the - it starts with an a, right? Arsé-kun: Impey: Yeah! Sheepy: Sheepy: My favorite is the archaeopteryx, don't tell lies. Arsé-kun: Impey: That's it! That's the bird! Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah. Sheepy: Sheepy: They're talented. Arsé-kun: Impey: They're probably super cute, too... Sheepy: Sheepy: And soft! Arsé-kun: Impey: When will we get the real Jurassic park? I'd pay real money for it, if I had any! Sheepy: Sheepy: Maybe we shouldn't ask for that. Arsé-kun: Impey: All herbivores, no t-rex, final destination Sheepy: Sheepy: Archaeoptryx was a carnivore. Arsé-kun: Impey: Then just don't let it near the herbivores! Issue solved! Sheepy: Sheepy: What about people? Arsé-kun: Impey: If people can keep pet crocodiles, I think a big bird wouldn't be that difficult! Sheepy: Sheepy: I guess! Sheepy: Sheepy: Let's keep looking. Arsé-kun: Impey: Yeah, lets not just stay here. Sheepy: *Sheepy and Iris keep looking.* Arsé-kun: *Impey stays with them. Van occasionally joins them, but he's not really a fan of being in a big group* Arsé-kun: *Randy does eventually catch up. having gone to get a snack and coffee. His sociability meter has been refilled!* Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, there you are! Sheepy: Iris: Abby! Look at this one! It looks like a dog! We should bring Herly eventually. Arsé-kun: Randy: I just learned some moths can ruin a bat's echolocation by vibrating their genitals, how is everyone else doing? I formally dislike the given information. Sheepy: Sheepy: Wh... Sheepy: Sheepy: Thanks, JK Rowling. Arsé-kun: Randy: Listen, implying wizards reguarly shiat themselves is on a different level than moths wiggling their moth dicks. Sheepy: Sheepy: Hey, I've got an idea. Arsé-kun: Van: It's both of you not speaking. *he looks back to Iris* It does. Sheepy: Sheepy: Sherlock met with Merlin, right? Sheepy: Sheepy: Let's ask Merlin if JK Rowling is right. Arsé-kun: Randy: You can't just ask a wizard if they shit themselves. The answer is generally no anyway. Sheepy: Sheepy: We need to tell her she's wrong on Sherlock's official twitter. Sheepy: Iris: If you post bad things off of Holmesies's account because he never logs off and Daddy and I are the main ones who manage it, I'll tell Daddy. Sheepy: Sheepy: You would think that Merlin is senile, anyway. Arsé-kun: Randy: I don't know about that. Moon incubi don't become senile. At least, not that I am aware of. Sheepy: Sheepy: He's a moon incubus? Arsé-kun: Randy: Something like that. Arsé-kun: Impey: :D ? *you've lost him at least twice in this discussion. the air vent is more interesting* Sheepy: Sheepy: Wait, do you not know about Merlin, Impey? Arsé-kun: Impey: I sorta do, yeah. Sheepy: Sheepy: He's part Incubus. Arsé-kun: Impey: I got that part. Arsé-kun: Impey: Wild. Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah. Arsé-kun: Impey: Y'know what's pretty wild? Eggs. Just... Develop outside of your mom's body. That's pretty wild. Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah, dinosaurs had those. Arsé-kun: Impey: But speaking of! *he tilts his head back a bit* Somethin' smells like eggs, or is it just me? Sheepy: Sheepy: Uh? Sheepy: Sheepy: No. Arsé-kun: Impey: Wait, hold on! It's not me. *and he beelines accurately. bees do not go in straight lines. Have you seen bees? They go every which way, which Impey does while honing in on a single target* Hey! Egg! Sheepy: Eggs: *He jumps, whirling around in a dramatic motion and placing his hand over his heart with one smooth stroke* You startled me... Arsé-kun: Impey: Oops, sorry! I thought you'd have heard me! Sheepy: Eggs: *He looks down, embarrassed* I'm afraid I didn't. Arsé-kun: Impey: Oooooops! But how're you doin', bud? Sheepy: Eggs: *He looks up from the ground again, making almost direct eye contact* I'm fine. What about you? Arsé-kun: Impey: Nope, came with a group to get out of the house. WBU? *but he, like, said the words, not the letters* Sheepy: Eggs: Oh, I'm here so I can have more to talk about. Arsé-kun: Impey: It sure is good for that! Arsé-kun: *in the distance, randy can be heard saying "i am a higher being of pure anxiety”* Sheepy: Eggs: Yes, it is. Arsé-kun: Impey: Like, uhh... Some moths can mess up sonar. That's kinda neat. Sheepy: Eggs: Well, wouldn't they sacrifice other capabilities by specializing in one? Arsé-kun: Impey: I mean, sure, but would you really need other ones if you only deal with the one thing? Sheepy: Eggs: That's true. Sheepy: *A man in a suit, visibly panicked, knocks into Impey while rushing past. Rather than apologizing, he keeps going and exits through a door he certainly isn't allowed through. The nearby security guard follows him at a calm pace.* Arsé-kun: Impey: Looks like someone brought their keys through a metal detector. Sheepy: Eggs: Yes, that's likely. Sheepy: Eggs: Doesn't it make you curious? Arsé-kun: Impey: Sure, but it ain't our business. Sheepy: Eggs: That's true. I wouldn't want to get in-...Do you smell that? Sheepy: Eggs: Now I really don't want to get involved. Arsé-kun: Impey: *he tilts his head back a bit, again* ... Loud and clear, I do. It's still not our business... But it might be if we don't do anything. Sheepy: Eggs: *He heads for the door the panicked man exited through* Arsé-kun: *Impey follows him, looking around. Where's the other guards, anyway? Lunch break??* Sheepy: *Eggs, without any concern for safety, exits through the door, only to be greeted by the sight of the man in the suit bleeding out on the ground from two clean, calculated cuts on his throat, and the "guard" hovering over him with bloody metal claws. The guard looks up upon hearing them, his eyes briefly widening* Arsé-kun: *Impey just looks towards Eggs, raising his eyebrows. He's absolutely going to do something or other* Sheepy: Guard: I knew I should've been pashient. Sheepy: Guard: Lissen. Yeh can't tell ahnyone 'bout dis. Sheepy: Guard: I'll be on yeh 'n a flash if yeh do. So shut yer trap. Sheepy: Eggs: But you- Sheepy: Guard: Yer on th' list of people I can't kill, b't yeh can't f'llow instr- orders. Arsé-kun: *impey, meanwhile, has taken a step back and has lowered himself down like a track-running cat. or some shit. idk. but hes Clearly Not Important* Sheepy: Guard: *He slowly begins lifting up the body while stepping back* Sheepy: Guard:...'Ve goht a b'tter idea. Sheepy: Guard: Come wif me, both of yeh. Sheepy: Eggs: You can't possibly expect us to...! Arsé-kun: Impey: Aaaand if I don't wanna? Sheepy: Guard: I'll kill yeh, 'n everyone yeh luv. Sheepy: Guard: 'Cept fer yeh, Robert, I can't do anyfin' 'bout yeh. Arsé-kun: Impey: 'Ey, you'd have to catch me first! Sheepy: Guard: Yer luv ones that fast? Arsé-kun: Impey: You gonna make it that far? Arsé-kun: *Impey's really, really not happy about any of this, but a man is Dying here! He's saved up confidence for years just for this moment! And most of it is gone already. Yikes. He manages to, at least, bare his fangs and get out a low hiss. Is this scary???? He really hopes so!!!* Sheepy: Guard: Yer like Robert, eh? Sheepy: Eggs: I can't say I know you. Sheepy: Guard: *He's watching Impey closely* 'f yeh do what I say, yer safety is more likely. Sheepy: Guard: I really don't want t' 'urt yeh. Arsé-kun: Impey: *he recognizes that his intimidation has failed, and just stops bothering. He doesn't get back up, though- He's holding that position* Sheepy: Guard: I've tried 'gain 'nd 'gain. Sheepy: Guard:...Well. One lass shot. Robert. Yer friend's gettin' in th' way of yer papa's orders. Sheepy: Eggs:... Sheepy: Eggs: If it's just him, I'll go willingly. I was headed in that direction before this. Arsé-kun: Impey: Ehhhhh??? Sheepy: Eggs: I don't like admitting it, but this is normal. Arsé-kun: Impey: Given who you are, yeah, of course, but.... *he gestures to the scene. he's really got no idea what to do about this.* Sheepy: Guard: Don't worry 'bout it. Sheepy: Guard: 'E'll be up 'nd runnin' 'round wifin th' 'our. Arsé-kun: Impey: *he is... very visibly confused* Sheepy: Guard: I was 'bout t' deal wif 'im fer good, but yeh int'rupted me. Sheepy: Eggs:...*He clenches his cane tightly* You really shouldn't be so open about it. Arsé-kun: *Impey's voice has mysteriously been replaced with the distinct sound of a metal baseball bat meeting a humanoid skull. How strange!!!* Sheepy: Eggs: You could've gone about it any other way than that! Sheepy: *The guard strolls over and lifts up Impey* Arsé-kun: *he gets 0 resistance. Impey's going to be feeling that in the morning.* Arsé-kun: ?: Yous was taking far too long. *our new mystery man moves in. when did he even show up?* Robert, you damn well know better. Get your ass home, before I send it there. Sheepy: Guard: Boss, what d'we do 'bout th' body? Th' vocal cord's b'n cut, so 'e sh'd be 'armless. Sheepy: Guard: Can't give orders like that. Arsé-kun: ?: Leave 'em. Someone else can deal with it if they wanna. If we're real lucky, we'll get one 'ell of a show. Sheepy: Eggs: I'd appreciate it if you didn't injure my friends, threatening me aside. Arsé-kun: ?: Then they shouldn't have been a pain in th' ass. Sheepy: Eggs: He didn't know. Arsé-kun: ?: Sure does now! Sheepy: Guard: Go on, Robert! Go on 'ome! Yeh don't wanna be caught related t' this mess. Sheepy: Guard: We'll come wif 'im, right? Arsé-kun: ?: yeah, eventually. Now or later, I don' care. We did our job. I'm just gonna stick t'see if anythin' else happens. Sheepy: Eggs: I don't trust you with my friend. Arsé-kun: ?: Yer not supposed to. Longer you take, more likely sumthin's gonna happen. Sheepy: Eggs: Are you threatening me? Sheepy: Guard: Go, go. Arsé-kun: ?: Not you, just this one. So skedaddle! Sheepy: *Eggs heads home, visibly angry for once* Arsé-kun: *Welcome home, Eggs!! Smiley and Todd are nowhere to be seen. Neither is anyone else. At least, not immediately.* Sheepy: Eggs: Where is everyone...? Sheepy: Eggs: Is everyone out...? Arsé-kun: Mori: Not at all, Robert. *he wheels out into the lobby, and stops to look at Eggs' face* ... Moran gave you trouble, didn't he? Sheepy: Eggs: He bashed my friend's head in with a metal bat and then threatened me with further harm against my friend if I didn't go home. Arsé-kun: Mori: *he groans, loudly, and puts his head into his hands* He keeps making this far more complicated than need be. Now we have to address additional threads.. That bat is going through his skull this evening. Sheepy: Eggs: On top of that, his lackey said much more than what should've been said. Sheepy: Eggs: I don't quite understand what he was going on about, but we ended up witnessing him murdering someone who would apparently get up later. Arsé-kun: Mori: I told Moran the boy was a bad fit for the job.. But yes, they likely would. That part was correct. Arsé-kun: Mori: ... And to address your confusion, this marks your first time meeting dear Jack. Moran refused to let him meet you. Some nonsense about bias out in the field. Sheepy: Eggs: Jack? I don't recognize the name. Sheepy: Eggs: I do know that you can't afford to be biased in this field. People have specialized uses. They shouldn't diverge from those uses. Sheepy: Eggs: By having biases, you risk ruining a perfect plan. Sheepy: Eggs: Oh, speaking of which, I finished casing the statue. Sheepy: Eggs: There's a huge weakness in the security during lunchtime. It's positioned somewhat close to the exit as well, making for easy escape. However, if Moran doesn't get this murder scene cleared up before an actual witness appears, the museum in general may be shut down. Sheepy: Eggs: Concerningly enough, I saw the Phantom there as well, and I overheard discussion of him casing the "velociraptor". It's unclear if this means the statue or the fossil, but he has targeted this museum as well. We might need to make a move before he can, because otherwise they might strengthen the security to unmanageable levels. Arsé-kun: Mori: Lets go one at a time. Your statement on biases is entirely correct. Moran just insists you or Jack would act on bias. Arsé-kun: Mori: The security weakness I have known about for quite a while. This is not a new thing. *he rolls his eyes* The media claimed if anything else went missing, the issue would be resolved. It's been years. Arsé-kun: Mori: Next, try to open communication. We can't be clashing over something in the field. Arsé-kun: Mori: And finally, about Jack. You have met- He is just disguised as the mailman in most instances. Arsé-kun: Mori: Does that answer all of it? Sheepy: Eggs: Yes, thank you. Sheepy: Eggs: The phantom lives with Sherlock Holmes. Arsé-kun: Mori: Which one? They both do, but you'll need to be more specific. Sheepy: Eggs: Sherlock Holmes, not his brother who ... goes by Herlock Sholmes? Sheepy: Eggs: But they live together, so it doesn't matter. Arsé-kun: Mori: No, no. Which Phantom? Sheepy: Eggs: There's multiple? Arsé-kun: Mori: That's right. Sheepy: Eggs: He's a teenager with curly hair. Arsé-kun: Mori: The younger of the two, then. Sheepy: Eggs: Is it a father and son sort of thing...? Sheepy: Eggs: Or is the other phantom someone close to his age but a little older? Arsé-kun: Mori: The former, but I'm unsure if they ever worked together. Sheepy: Eggs: I haven't seen any mention of it. Arsé-kun: Mori: Of course not. Most believe they are a single entity. Sheepy: Eggs: There's power in that. Arsé-kun: Mori: There certainly is. Sheepy: Eggs: Anyway, communication will be difficult. Sheepy: Eggs: Holmes doesn't think you're active anymore. Sheepy: Eggs: Although... Arsé-kun: Mori: I would prefer he did not know how active I actually am. Sheepy: Eggs: With Jack and Moran's presentation today, there's no possible way Holmes is clueless. Sheepy: Eggs: If that's how they always are. Arsé-kun: Mori: It is not. It is usually a fast job, in, out. Sheepy: Eggs: Yes, well, he should account for how strong the smell of blood is in the future. Arsé-kun: Mori: Then they got sloppy. I will address the matter. Sheepy: Eggs: Alright, thank you. Sheepy: Eggs: Impey's friends will worry. What do we do? Sheepy: Eggs: I can come up with a lie, but I don't have any way to contact them. Arsé-kun: Mori: You have absolutely no contact with anyone in relation? Sheepy: Eggs:...Ah! Maybe Mycroft! Arsé-kun: Mori: He will do. Sheepy: Eggs: Hopefully he's available...ah, texting will leave a trail, but... Arsé-kun: Mori: You did no crime yourself- No action can be taken on you. Sheepy: Eggs: That's true. Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Mycroft] Do you have access to any of your brothers' numbers? Arsé-kun: Mycroft: [text: to Eggs] Of course. Do I need to send one of them to eat the crime? Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Mycroft] No, there's no crime. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: [text: to Eggs] There's always crime, but what is it? Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Mycroft] Can you pass on the message that Impey is okay and he's just fixing something that's broken for us? Arsé-kun: Mycroft: [text: to Eggs] I certainly can. To whom is this directed to? Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Mycroft] Any of his friends. Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Mycroft] I don't know if either one is friends with him. Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Mycroft] I don't think Sherlock is considering he broke his hand punching a wall out of pure rage directed towards Impey. Arsé-kun: Mycroft?: [text: to Eggs] Fair knowledge, but it is not in character for the other, either. Arsé-kun: Mycroft?: [text: to Eggs] Father left his phone unattended, but I will ask the most adjusted of them. Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Mycroft] Finis? Arsé-kun: Finis: [text: to Eggs] Correct. Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Finis] Please take care. Mycroft too. Arsé-kun: Finis: [text: to Eggs] Of course. Don't die. Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Finis] Thank you. Sheepy: Eggs: It's up to Mycroft now. Arsé-kun: Mori: This may take a while, or may not. Arsé-kun: Mori: While you were doing that, I've gotten good news and bad news. Sheepy: Eggs: What is it? Arsé-kun: Mori: The good news are: Your friend is okay, and the ghoul is properly dead. Sheepy: Eggs: Ah! That is good! ...But the bad news outweighs it, doesn't it. Arsé-kun: Mori: Questionably. The ghoul was put down by another party. It was still thankfully behind closed doors, but we can't let that get out. Sheepy: Eggs: That's a problem. Arsé-kun: Mori: The good news is the other party was the friends of your friend. Arsé-kun: Mori: But still in public. Sheepy: Eggs: If they release that information, it could link back to us. Arsé-kun: Mori: If they release that information, there is far more problems than just us. Sheepy: Eggs: People will know and intentionally seek them out? Sheepy: Eggs: Or will they feel more comfortable with their secret revealed and cause damage? Arsé-kun: Mori: If ghouls become public knowledge, what else will? Sheepy: Eggs: Vampires. Arsé-kun: Mori: And with that, everything else. It'll be utter chaos. Arsé-kun: Mori: And while I'd love to see it, I'd also like to survive it. Sheepy: Eggs: What was he thinking...? Arsé-kun: Mori: Who, Moran? Probably "Nothin' ever goes wrong, ever! I'm gonna suck the boss' dick so I don't get my ass whooped! Oooh, mr moriarty!" *and he groans* What a pain in the ass. Sheepy: Eggs: Oh, that's the exact opposite as how he is with me. Arsé-kun: Mori: So I hear. Sheepy: Eggs: I can't figure out why. Arsé-kun: Mori: He thinks you have no spine. Sheepy: Eggs:..What?? Do I really not...? Arsé-kun: Mori: You have spine. Just not in the way he would like. Sheepy: Eggs: Well, I don't really see a need to change myself just for him. Arsé-kun: Mori: And that's great. Sheepy: Jack: 'E's juss judgemental. Yeh can't please 'im. Sheepy: Eggs:...When did you arrive? Sheepy: Jack: Yer friend is 'ealin. Don't worry 'bout 'im. Sheepy: Eggs: That doesn't answer my question- ...hold on. please wash the blood off of yourself before somebody sees you! Arsé-kun: Mori: Who is going to see him? Me? Sheepy: Jack: Yeh 'ave a guess, Professor. 'E's recoverin from an 'ead injury. Sheepy: Jack: I brought 'im 'ere. Arsé-kun: Mori: .... Jack? Why? Sheepy: Jack: ? Arsé-kun: Mori: This would make it far easier to trace today's events back to us. Sheepy: Jack: Didn't know where 'is 'ouse was. Arsé-kun: Mori: You're lucky he has been here before. Sheepy: Jack: But 'e was injured, so I couldn't juss leave 'im. Sheepy: Jack: Lucky? Arsé-kun: *Mori explains how bringing a civ. here could have serious consequences. Impey is not a normal muggle civvie, so it's a bit better.* Sheepy: Jack:.... Sheepy: Jack: Yer all char'cters, yeh crim'nals. Arsé-kun: Mori: And yer not? Sheepy: Jack: Only 'cause 'f yeh. Sheepy: Jack: I wouldn't be a crim'nal if I 'ad the choice. I wanted t' be a cop. Arsé-kun: Mori: If it were entirely up to me, I would say go on ahead. Just don't turn us in for anything. Sheepy: Jack: I can't. Sheepy: Jack: Anyway, what yeh wanted is done. Arsé-kun: Mori: Much appreciated. ... Where is Moran? Sheepy: Jack:...?! Sheepy: *Jack slinks off wordlessly to look for Moran* Arsé-kun: Mori: No, no. Come back here. Sheepy: *Jack comes back.* Arsé-kun: Mori: If you don't know, that is fine. Sheepy: Jack: I don't. Arsé-kun: Mori: Fantastic. He's probably not here, then, which means I can say; Go do what you want to do, not what Moran wants to do. Sheepy: Jack: I'll consider it. Arsé-kun: Mori: Sure, you were made to be a fantastic killer, but nothing says you have to be- Oh, I was about to have a grand statement. Sheepy: Jack: Go on, I don't care a lick 'bout fancy, flow'ry language 'nd all that junk. Arsé-kun: Mori: All right, then. I'll be blunt. Arsé-kun: Mori: Rebellion can be a criminal act too. If you rebel against the criminal, it makes you the good guy. So fuck Moran, with claws, right down his throat. Do what YOU want! Sheepy: Jack: Well, I'll consider it. Arsé-kun: Mori: Fantastic. Now please clean up. I'm hungry just looking at this mess. Sheepy: Jack: *He slinks off again, this time in the direction of the shower* Sheepy: Eggs:....? Arsé-kun: Mori: ... You know, Robert, *he looks up towards Eggs* That applies to you as well. Sheepy: Eggs: I'm happy with my life currently. Sheepy: Eggs: I don't see any reason to change it. Arsé-kun: Mori: That's fine then. Just tell me if you do. I might be tied down to crime, but you're not. Sheepy: Eggs: Thank you. Sheepy: Eggs: I'll consider those words if I end up following my childhood dream. *He laughs a bit* But you don't have to worry about that. I'm not a child anymore. Arsé-kun: Mori: Maybe not, but you're still my child. *it's a good thing moran isnt here, this is so sweet it'd give his old ass diabetus* Sheepy: *Eggs appears pleased!* Arsé-kun: *Mori is pleased in return! This is, somehow, a functional family* Sheepy: *Crime keeps their bonds strong apparently. Unlike the Holmes brothers.* Arsé-kun: *they're brothers, not father and son. it's not the same!!* Sheepy: *true!* Arsé-kun: *but also, fleeing from a crime scene with high stakes is absolutely a bonding activity. clearly* Sheepy: *true!* Arsé-kun: *meanwhile, in the background, Impey's entered scene. He's staggering, and he's bloody- But nowhere near as bloody as Jack was. At least he's trying to clean himself up.* Sheepy: Eggs: ...You shouldn't be up! *He rushes over to Impey, moving to support him* Arsé-kun: Impey: ... Why not? Sheepy: Eggs: You're injured. I can escort you home if you want, but you shouldn't be walking around alone. Arsé-kun: Impey: ... That'd be nice. Sheepy: Eggs: Then I will. I know the way there, don't worry. Arsé-kun: Impey: ... Nnnnice. Sheepy: *Eggs heads out with Impey* Arsé-kun: *Impey eventually resumes his usual gait. This is a good thing. Balance and stability restored* Sheepy: Eggs: Are you feeling better? Arsé-kun: Impey: Yeah, gettin' there. Thanks, bud. Sheepy: Eggs: *He appears surprised. He's being thanked!?* ...You're welcome. Sheepy: Eggs: I know this is a lot to ask from you after what happened today, but... Sheepy: Eggs: If you could keep any information you may have heard within the household a secret, I'd appreciate it. Arsé-kun: Impey: ... All I heard was the part about doing what you wanted, or something. But yeah, o'course, it'd be the least I could do. Sheepy: Eggs: Thank you. Arsé-kun: Impey: But I did remove 'is vent filter..! Have fun with bugs in th' summer, sergeant! Sheepy: Eggs: Ahahah, it'll be nice to see him annoyed! Arsé-kun: *a semi-silenced gunshot is heard! but it sounds more like a t-shirt cannon? Also, Impey's nearly hit with a t-shirt* Arsé-kun: *Impey yells and nearly falls over himself* Arsé-kun: Van: I found him. *and he moves into view, with a tshirt gun on his shoulder. where did he buy that. who LET him buy that??* Sheepy: Eggs: *He steadies Impey before loooking to Van* Watch out for where you're shooting that! Sheepy: Iris: Barby! You’re okay! We were really worried...! Sheepy: Sheepy: Don’t go off alone like that agai- ... Why’re you bloody? Do you need help standing? Arsé-kun: Impey: I, er. ... Did you know baseball bats hurt a lot? Arsé-kun: Impey: I mean, I kicked the guy's ass but Yeowch. Sheepy: Sheepy: This wimpy looking guy hit you with a baseball bat? Sheepy: Iris: Sheepy, you shouldn't say stuff like that, even if it's true! Arsé-kun: Impey: No, no!! Not Robbie! Some big, military looking guy... Arsé-kun: *in the bg, randy retrieved the tshirt. he wanted that!* Sheepy: Sheepy: What? Sheepy: Sheepy: Did you see him, Van? Arsé-kun: Van: I may have, prior to Barbicane vanishing into thin air. Sheepy: Eggs: ........ (That idiot acts like he's all that, and yet, he can't even conceal his presence...!) Sheepy: Sheepy: Where? Arsé-kun: Van: Back at the museum. Sheepy: Eggs: (He's lucky that Dad doesn't just end him with this level of-) Sheepy: Sheepy: Did anyone else see him? Sheepy: Eggs: I didn't. Arsé-kun: *Impey turns and looks at Eggs. He looks utterly perplexed* Sheepy: Eggs: I'll keep my eye out for anything out of the ordinary. Arsé-kun: Van: That would be great. Sheepy: Eggs: Impey, did you want me to follow you home, or should I go home now? Arsé-kun: Impey: Head on back, bud. You might need a clean up in aisle seven. Sheepy: Eggs: I'll be going then. I hope you recover quickly. Arsé-kun: *impey gives him a thumbs up!* Arsé-kun: Randy: Lets get going. Maybe the doctor will be back before us. Sheepy: Sheepy: Right. Arsé-kun: *watson is, in fact, not there before them. resident healer saint germain is in, though!* Sheepy: Sheepy: Hi, Impey's been injured- Sheepy: *From anofher room, Sherlock loudly announces, "I'M NOT PAYING YOU $300 FOR OBVIOUS INFORMATION!!" * Arsé-kun: Germain: That's very unfortunate. .. Please excuse the yelling. Sherlock has a guest. Sheepy: Sheepy: So if you could help, that'd be great. Arsé-kun: Germain: Me? Hmmm, I suppose I can this time. Sheepy: Sheepy: Thank you. Sheepy: *From the other room, Sherlock: OF COURSE IT'S MORIARTY! IT'S ALWAYS MORIARTY! I'm not paying you for that!!* Arsé-kun: *Impey drops onto the sofa. Germain heals him. Please wait 24 hours to heal again* Sheepy: Sheepy: What kind of guest...? Arsé-kun: Germain: A loud one. Sheepy: ???: Okay, you clearly don't trust my word that what I'm about to tell you will surprise you. Sheepy: ???: But it wasn't Moriarty. And also, someone died, yet didn't. Sheepy: Sherlock: What is that supposed to mean- Arsé-kun: Germain: *he goes and leans into the other office, before leaving again. ... He returns a moment later, and throws a wad of cash at the visitor* Stop being vague. Just say what you need to say. Sheepy: ???: Moran set up the hit. Sheepy: ???: He also hit your friend wirh a bat. Arsé-kun: Van: I'd like to hit him myself. *he's just passing through. he's just being a smartass.* Sheepy: ???: However, they left the hit victim alive but unable to speak. Arsé-kun: Van: If you mean the one at the museum, he's not living anymore. Sheepy: ???: Oh, good job! Sheepy: ???: He wasn't alone. Arsé-kun: Impey: *from the other room* He sure wasn't! Sheepy: ???: He had the Prof's kind of sort of other kid helping him! Jack. Sheepy: ???: Oh, wow! You're alive? Arsé-kun: Impey: It takes a lot more than a bat to keep me down! *he drags himself in, and onto a chair* Sheepy: ???: I guess it'd take more than that to stop a vampire, though! Arsé-kun: Impey: Who told you?! Sheepy: ???: Oh, I should've put that behind a pay wall... Sheepy: ???: Hmmmm? Sheepy: ???: Hmmmmmm?? Arsé-kun: Germain: *he moves in, and smacks the guest with another stack of cash* You stop that. Sheepy: ???: My previous client. Arsé-kun: Germain: How detailed! Sheepy: ???: Nyarlathotep. Arsé-kun: Germain: Oh? Ohoho? So I get to strangle a squid later this evening? How exciting. Sheepy: ???: Well, actually, the client was his dad. Arsé-kun: Germain: Close enough. Sheepy: ???: It kinda consisted of me letting myself be experimented on. Arsé-kun: Impey: Zat why you smell like chemical burns? Sheepy: ???: Well, no. Sheepy: ???: He already finished testing on me, I'm pretty sure. Maybe I should ask. He paid me a lot. Sheepy: ???: My body's been acting really weirdly since then, though....Hmmmm... Sheepy: ???: Nah, a few thousand is worth it. Sheepy: ???: Speaking of which, he made Jack. Arsé-kun: Impey: Makes sense to me. Sheepy: ???: You know. Arsé-kun: Impey: Nope! Don't know you either! Sheepy: ???: I'm Porlock. Arsé-kun: Impey: So you're the guy mr. military didn't like! Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, he loves me! Sheepy: Porlock: I help so much that I've got help to go around to everybody! Sheepy: Porlock: He loves that. Arsé-kun: *a moment of silence for everyone's lost IQ* Sheepy: Porlock: I work for Moriarty by the way. Wanna know anything about him? Sheepy: Porlock: New evil plans? Employment list? Current motivation? Relationship status? Star sign? Favorite color? Arsé-kun: Germain: *he sighs* Kid, go home. No one is paying you anymore. Sheepy: Porlock: You really don't want to know anything? Sheepy: Porlock: Like... let's see. How about this. Sheepy: Porlock: There's tons of ghouls like the ones you faced out there. Sheepy: Porlock: That's probably not surprising, right? Sheepy: Porlock: But here's the thing. Sheepy: Porlock: Jack's the one who picks off the ones who become big in the criminal world and end up being a threat to Moriarty. Sheepy: Porlock: Jack's a trained assassin, despite his mess-up today. He was made to kill. But he doesn't want to. He wants to uphold the law. Maybe you could talk him into betraying Moriarty? Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, I really should go now! Time is money- ah, one moment. *He begins inspecting the money given to him to check if it's legitimate.* Arsé-kun: Impey: You really should. There might be a mess back at your place! Sheepy: Porlock: Well, see you later! Make sure to have more money for me next time, okay? *He strolls out.* Arsé-kun: Germain: We're saved! Sheepy: Sheepy: Huh. Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] WATSIN Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] What Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] MODIARTY'S GOON WAS HERE AGZKN Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] You'll have to give me the details once I'm back Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] THAT GUY LIED TO ME MORIARFH IS AXTIVE Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] How? The man's in a wheelchair. Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] HE HAD S MAB HIT Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] ANX IMPDY WAS ATTA KED TOO Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] You're lucky I speak bad texting. How is he holding up? Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] hw seems okay Arsé-kun: Impey: *he peers over Sherlock's shoulder* Can I correct you real quick, pal? Sheepy: Sherlock:? Sheepy: Sherlock: *He passes the phone to Impey* Arsé-kun: Impey: [text: to Watson] Impey takin' over here! Guy who fucked me up wasn't supposed to do it! I heard Moriarty complaining about this guy doin this n that and whatever! And the hit was on a ghoul, or somethin. It's good tho! Saint G fixed me up and I kicked the guy's ass! Ok, giving the phone back now! o/ :P Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] This is useful information and I now have several additional questions. Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] dont know, dont know, not hungry so i dont know Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] Fair answers. I'll find out for myself later on, then. Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] i dont want this guy baci in action because i dont want to ebd up thrown iff a waterfall again Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] It won't happen again. Do you think I would allow that? Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] it happened tje fiest time Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] And no parties involved want a repeat. Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] he has minions he can use Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] This implies you'll be near a waterfall for any reason. Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] i wasnt going to before but if a trail leads me there... Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] i cant just abandon a case overvthat Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] Then you can send someone else to investigate. Like Nyarlathotep. I don't think he'd mind the falls much. Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] ...can i do fhat? Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] Whyever not? Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] While you think that over, let me fetch Harley. Arsé-kun: *MEANWHILE* Sheepy: Harley: I, of course, was tired of hearing that I was unlucky and went out to prove everyone wrong. Sheepy: Harley: To prove this, I bought a scratchoff ticket. I scratched it off, only for it to reveal that it was a $1000 prize winner. I left, ready to show everyone the evidence I had, and crossed rhe road - legally, of course. During a red light when the crosswalk light said to walk, however, someone's car was defective and failed to stop, causing them to hit me. The scratchoff was destroyed and I was injured. Sheepy: *Okita bursts out laughing.* Sheepy: Harley: That wasn't the first time I've been hit by a car, unfortunately. Nor the last... Arsé-kun: Alex: Time to stay off the road. Sheepy: Harley: Oh, it's difficult to not cross the road. Sheepy: Okita: Man, your luck must be elsewhere. Sheepy: Okita: Wouldn't it be super unlucky if it were your love life that's lucky? Sheepy: Okita: Considering that you don't seem to care. Sheepy: Harley: Even if I were interested, I'm completely aware that I'd be unable to make any significant other happy. They'd be better off with someone else. Sheepy: Okita: Darn, I was hoping we could gossip about types. Arsé-kun: Alex: Types of what, exactly? Sheepy: Okita: Significant other. Sheepy: Okita: Like! My type is cute and easy to fluster. I want to be able to tease them and get a reaction that makes them even cuter. But, also, I want them to be a little dangerous, too. Sheepy: Harley:....That's oddly specific...Ah, mine... Sheepy: Okita: You have one!? Sheepy: Harley: Someone who loves me and accepts me for who I am. Someone who is honest. Preferably very intelligent. Kind. Sheepy: Okita: That's...boring. Sheepy: Okita: What about you, Alex? Arsé-kun: Alex: ... I've never thought about it. Arsé-kun: Alex: Should I have? Sheepy: Okita: I don't know. Arsé-kun: Alex: *he seems to be thinking* ... Any information I'd have about the subject is conflicting. I'm not entirely sure. Sheepy: Okita: Huh, too bad. Sheepy: Okita: Too bad. Sheepy: Okita: So, like, Sheepy: Okita: What if Bambi was remade into a live action movie? Arsé-kun: Alex: It would have no dialogue. Animals can't talk. Sheepy: Okita: You know. Sheepy: Okita: Parrots are animals. Arsé-kun: Alex: I've got no idea what that is. Sheepy: Okita: You don't know what a parrot is? Sheepy: Okita: They're, um... Arsé-kun: Alex: *he turns and waits patiently. this could take a while* Sheepy: Okita: Birds, but colorful and can speak English. Sheepy: Okita: They can speak other languages, too, but also they have beaks that're pointed. Arsé-kun: Alex: Why? Sheepy: Okita: Because they're smart. Arsé-kun: Alex: I see. Sheepy: Okita: They're sometimes kept as pets. Sheepy: Harley: How does Bambi not perish when fawns are so reliant on their mothers? Arsé-kun: Alex: Also a good question. Sheepy: Harley: I didn't need parental supervision past four years of age, but... Sheepy: Harley: Fawns need their moms. Arsé-kun: Alex: Is he actually a deer? Can we prove that? Sheepy: Harley: What? Sheepy: Harley: What else could he be? Sheepy: Okita: An alien. Arsé-kun: Alex: Changeling. Sheepy: Harley: Uh...no. Arsé-kun: Alex: Why not? Sheepy: Harley: I don't know. Sheepy: Okita: Wow, you like nonfiction, huh? Arsé-kun: Alex: I would prefer it. Sheepy: *Okita flips the channel.* Arsé-kun: *more cartoons* Sheepy: *He tries again.* Sheepy: Harley: I'm hoping for a new case soon. Arsé-kun: *more cartoons. there's three cartoon stations in a row. try a bit more* Sheepy: *Okita keeps trying.* Arsé-kun: Alex: I've got one for you. What the hell's in the lake? Arsé-kun: *he eventually gets to the discovery channel. good shit op* Sheepy: Harley: What? Sheepy: Okita: There we go! Arsé-kun: Alex: I said, "what the hell is living in the lake?" Sheepy: Harley: I, I don't know. Fish? Arsé-kun: Alex: Shit, I sure hope so. Sheepy: Harley: I really don't know what you're referring to. Arsé-kun: Alex: There's your next mystery. Sheepy: Harley: Not to be picky, considering how Sherlock gets all the cases, but... Sheepy: Harley: I'd...rather... a crime. Sheepy: Harley: Hmmm...if I formed my own detective agency, I'd get my own cases... Arsé-kun: Alex: .... Okay, I've got one. Figure out why none of the live-in doctors show up anymore. Have fun. Sheepy: Harley:...?... Sheepy: Harley:...I'll try. Arsé-kun: Alex: And don't bother asking any of the other doctors. They don't know either. Sheepy: Harley:.... Arsé-kun: Alex: ... Okay, fine, so the orange hair guy doesn't. Sheepy: Harley: Watson? Arsé-kun: Alex: Yeah, him. Sheepy: Harley: Yes, I doubt he would. Arsé-kun: Watson: Watson really doesn't. *he adjusts the files on the door bucket, and lets himself in. hello naughty children* Sheepy: Harley: Ah, Watson! Sheepy: Harley: How are you? Are you done for the day? Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm fine, thank you for asking. My shift's finally over. Sheepy: Harley: Oh, so we can go home? Arsé-kun: Watson: Yes. *he is equally as pleased about this* Sheepy: *Harley joins Watson. He's very happy!* Sheepy: Harley: Do you think Sherlock ate today? Sheepy: Harley: Lupin wasn't there to watch over him. Arsé-kun: Watson: Probably not. Sheepy: Harley:.....He likes, uh... Sheepy: Harley: I don't know. I was going to pick something up for him on the way home but we have food at home. Arsé-kun: Watson: We do, but I think we can get something else this once. Sheepy: Harley: I should eventually ask what he likes........ Sheepy: Harley: Whenever we go out to eat, he gets chicken. Sheepy: Harley: And your favorite is steak, isn't it? Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm glad you remembered that. Sheepy: Harley: I'd be an awful friend if I didn't. Sheepy: *Without the warning of footsteps or evidence of any kind of another presence, a voice behind them greets the two.* Sheepy: Jack: 'Ey. Sheepy: Jack: ...Yer not goin' t' th' lake, 're ye? Sheepy: *He's dressed as a policeman, but... something is off about it.* Arsé-kun: Watson: Not at all. Did something happen? Sheepy: Jack: Yes. Sheepy: Jack: You really don't want to go there. Sheepy: Jack: Yeh know, there's a lot 'f disappearances lately. They think it's connected t' th' lake. Sheepy: Harley: What happened, exactly? Sheepy: Jack: I found a dead body. Sheepy: Harley: AND YOU ABANDONED IT?? Arsé-kun: Watson: not again Sheepy: Harley: How incompetent can you be to just abandon the crime scene!? Sheepy: Jack: Uh? Sheepy: Jack: (...That a thing 'm not supposed t'do?) Arsé-kun: Watson: Are you TRYING to make a scene out of it, Holmes?? *he lightly hits Harley with his cane* Sheepy: Harley: I'm sorry. I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. Sheepy: Jack: *He tilts his head* .....??? Sheepy: Jack: 'Olmes? Sheepy: Jack: Yer Sherlock 'Olmes? Sheepy: Harley: No, I'm not. Sheepy: Harley: Let me see the crime scene. Arsé-kun: Watson: You want to go alone? I won't stop you, but I'm not waiting. Sheepy: Jack: No. I might've considered 'f you were 'Olmes, but yer not. Sheepy: Harley: I'm a Holmes but not that one! Sheepy: Jack: I don't care. Arsé-kun: *Watson, meanwhile, is doing a look-over of the area. There's something lit up on the water, but it's probably just a floating light. for searching. like a buoy. shut up* Sheepy: Jack: I don't know a lick 'bout th' man, juss that 'e's got a tendency t' shove 'imself onto th' crime scene. Sheepy: Harley: (His ears twitched upon saying that...) Sheepy: Jack: 'nyway, you two sh'd 'ead on 'ome. Arsé-kun: *meanwhile, a big ol something has slowly appeared under the light. what the hell is that. what the fuck. its moving towards the shoreline oh my god* Sheepy: Harley:.....!? Sheepy: Harley: Watson, what is that!? Sheepy: Jack: I keep tellin' yeh! Sheepy: Jack: Go 'ome. Arsé-kun: Watson: It's certainly something. Lets... Not get involved just yet. Sheepy: Jack: Yes, go 'ome. Sheepy: Jack: Yeh don't wanna git 'nvolved. Arsé-kun: Watson: It does seem that way. Well, good luck with that. Sheepy: Jack: Go 'ome, go 'ome, I'll 'andle it. Sheepy: Jack: That's what cops 're fer. Sheepy: Harley: *He appears annoyed but instead turns to leave.* Sheepy: Jack: Eh, 'Olmes. Sheepy: Jack: Be careful. Sheepy: Jack: Yeh don't know what might juss come crawlin' outta th' darkness. You too, Watson. Sheepy: Harley:...Th...thanks? Arsé-kun: Watson: *he turns to leave with Harley, but pauses* To you as well. I recommend you get out of here as soon as you can. It may get chaotic around these parts. Sheepy: Jack: I'm used t' it. Sheepy: Jack: Yeh gotta be. Sheepy: Jack: That's a cop's job, isn't it? Arsé-kun: Watson: Understandable. *he lightly pushes Harley, like a "get going" move* But it certainly is. Stay safe. *and it's time to get the FUCK out of dodge. slowly.* Sheepy: *Harley does as told.* Sheepy: Jack:....! Sheepy: Jack:....(...Someone wants me to stay safe...)...thank you. Sheepy: *When Watson and Harley return home, they're greeted with awful violin playing.* Arsé-kun: Watson: Sherlock, please! Sheepy: Sherlock: *sigh* Sheepy: Sherlock: Moriarty is back... That annoying Porlock is back....my hunger is back... Sheepy: Sherlock: Even if you get rid of negatives in life, they always come back. Arsé-kun: Watson: Please stop speaking. I brought you dinner. Sheepy: Sherlock:..........*He begins playing again....* Arsé-kun: Watson: Let me repeat that. I have food! For you! Sheepy: Sherlock: *He stops and sits up* ?! Sheepy: *Harley seems to have his mind on other matters.* Sheepy: Sherlock: For me?! Arsé-kun: *Watson plops a bag on the table. That's a yes.* Sheepy: *Sherlock immediately opens the bag and looks in. Arsé-kun: *CHINKEN NUGITS* Sheepy: Harley:....... Sheepy: Sherlock:!!!! Sheepy: Sherlock: Thank you! Arsé-kun: Watson: Quite welcome Sheepy: *Sherlock begins enjoying the chicken nuggets.* Sheepy: Harley: That man earlier wasn't a cop, you know. Arsé-kun: Watson: oh, I know that. Sheepy: Harley: I don't want to guess, but... Sheepy: Harley: Didn't he look oddly similar to Moriarty? And his talking pattern reminded me of Moran. Arsé-kun: Impey: Ey, did'e talk like this? B'cuz boy I got a story fer youse two! Sheepy: Harley: He did. Scarlet eyes, white hair, lanky, slouching? Arsé-kun: Impey: Same guy! Oh, boy!! Arsé-kun: *and Impey explains what happened earlier* Sheepy: Harley: .....Hmm, so he's one of Moriarty's minions after all. Arsé-kun: Watson: But that.. Thing.. Was absolutely not Moriarty. Sheepy: Harley: It strikes me as something a certain someone would know about. Arsé-kun: Watson: I wholeheartedly agree, but I am not finding him. *he sits down and drops his cane.* Sheepy: Harley: Let's say, theoretically, that Nyarlathotep was associated with it. Then, by extension, Moriarty is associated with Nyarlathotep. Sheepy: Harley:...I don't want to think about that. Arsé-kun: Watson: Which means it's par for the course. Sheepy: Harley: Ugh, he really does have a foot in everyone's door. Sheepy: Nyar: I love being talked about. Why are we talking about me? Arsé-kun: Watson: What the hell is in the lake. Sheepy: Nyar:.... Sheepy: Nyar: Uh. Sheepy: Nyar: Hm. Sheepy: Nyar: A business partner. Arsé-kun: Watson: ... Dearie, please explain in more detail. Sheepy: Nyar: He kinda looks like a slug? Sheepy: Nyar: His name is Glaaki. Sheepy: Nyar: He can, uhh.. Sheepy: Nyar: How do I put this in simple terms a human would understand. Sheepy: Nyar: Turn people into zombies? Sheepy: Nyar: But...dead bodies. Arsé-kun: Watson: .... You know, suddenly, a lot of things make sense all at once. Sheepy: Nyar: So, uh... Sheepy: Nyar: Dad would give him dead bodies. Sheepy: Nyar: You say someone is working for him? Arsé-kun: Watson: I suppose I can understand that, but yes. The boy looked stunningly like Moriarty. Sheepy: Nyar: Oh, Jack! Sheepy: Nyar: Dad made him. Arsé-kun: Watson: So he probably works for your father and not Moriarty.. Sheepy: Nyar: He's like a clone of Moriarty, mixed with someone else. Sheepy: Nyar: Yeah, I haven't kept up with him. Sheepy: Harley: But he was with Moran, according to Impey. Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm not sure if I should be more glad that Moriarty is minimally involved or not. Arsé-kun: Impey: He was! But he didn't seem happy about it, no sir! Arsé-kun: Randy: Hold on!! *if there was a door, he would have slammed it open* Glaaki is still acting up?? This isn't a new thing! Arsé-kun: Randy: I helped Sheepy save a kid named Jack from him a bit back. D-- Lupin knows about it! But your descriptions say it's a different kid.. ... *and then he realized he was yelling* ... I'll shut up now! Arsé-kun: Watson: No, no, do continue. I do vaguely recall you and him mentioning a slug but I didn't think that was, well, like that! Sheepy: Harley:..? Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh yeah, he didn't look at all like Moriarty. *He pokes his head out from behind Randolph* Sheepy: Nyar: That does explain why Glaaki targeted him! Sheepy: Harley: Can't we have a normal case for once? Sheepy: Nyar: Really, just let Glaaki be. Sheepy: Harley: We dealt with both you and your father. Sheepy: Nyar: Yes, but... Sheepy: Nyar: I'm most like a human of the bunch. Sheepy: Nyar: I planned to lose from the very beginning. Sheepy: Harley: What?! You broke Sherlock's arm and put us all in danger countless amounts of times! Sheepy: Nyar: Someone else broke it and everything worked out well in the end. Don't bother Glaaki. Sheepy: Nyar: I'll talk to him. Arsé-kun: Randy: At least let me come with you, so you don't commit mass murder as the answer..! Sheepy: Nyar: I'm bored!!! Sheepy: Nyar: It's so boring being a good guy! Sheepy: Nyar: Let me have this. Arsé-kun: Randy: Okay, correction. Mass murder on the one's still alive. Everyone else is allll yours. Sheepy: Nyar: Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiineeeee.... Sheepy: Nyar: Man, you know.. Sheepy: Nyar: Harley has been asking for a normal case, right? Sheepy: Harley: Do not. Sheepy: Nyar: So, like... Sheepy: Nyar: You know... Arsé-kun: Randy: Please do not commit crimes to solve. Sheepy: Nyar: Why!? Sheepy: Nyar: Humans are no fun sometimes! Arsé-kun: Randy: Because then it's just the matter of cleaning up your mess again! Sheepy: Nyar: I want to see chaos! Sheepy: Nyar: Fine, fine, I'll deal with the Glaaki problem, but..! Sheepy: Nyar: But. Sheepy: Nyar: I'm not promising anything else. Sheepy: Nyar: Well then. Nyarlathotep, on the case! Sheepy: Nyar: Eh, wait... Arsé-kun: Randy: What Now?? Sheepy: Nyar: *He poses* DETECTIVE Nyarlathotep, on the case! Sheepy: Nyar: Ohh, I've always wanted to do that!! Arsé-kun: *Randy applies hands to face in LIBERAL amounts. it is audible* Sheepy: Nyar: I'm going now!! Toodles! *He rushes out* Arsé-kun: Randy: ... *he sighs and drops onto the sofa* Can't wait for the homicide reports. Sheepy: Harley: Great Sheepy: Sheepy: Wow. Arsé-kun: Randy: Fantastic. How do we sleep knowing he's out there, doing who knows what? Sheepy: Harley:....... Sheepy: Sheepy: Like a baby. Sheepy: Harley: ............... Arsé-kun: Randy: So waking up every hour and screaming? Sheepy: *Harley immediately grabs Sherlock's violin, plops down in the usual Sherlock lying down position, and begins playing a depressing, but at least pretty, song. Stress mode activate.* Sheepy: Sheepy: Heck yeah. That's how I sleep every night. Arsé-kun: Randy: I relate heavily. Sheepy: Sherlock: But at least the chicken nuggets tasted good! Sheepy: Harley: We're all going to be considered guilty of aiding and abetting because we knew but did nothing. Sheepy: Sherlock: Huh? Sheepy: Sherlock: Did something happen? Arsé-kun: Watson: We can't be guilty because we did not know his actual intentions. Issue solved. Sheepy: Harley: I'm going to die at an early age from that man. Sheepy: Sherlock: Uh? Arsé-kun: Randy: Nyar's being Nyar. So, the usual. Sheepy: Harley: Whether it's directly or indirectly. Arsé-kun: Randy: And Harley, your first mistake is treating him like a man. That's a cuttlefish, obviously. Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh. Huh. Sheepy: Harley: He's man shaped. Sheepy: Harley: And, uh... Sheepy: Harley: He, he acts likea man. Sheepy: Harley: But his grin reminds me of... hmm. Sheepy: Harley: A predator grinning from amusement as he plays with his prey, mulling over how he can inflict as much pain as possible. Sheepy: Sherlock: Cuddlefish? Sheepy: Sherlock: You can't cuddle a fish. It'll die from lack of oxygen. Sheepy: Sherlock: It'll reverse drown. Arsé-kun: Randy: That's it, that's him-- Well, I suppose.. But I said cuttlefish. Arsé-kun: Randy: But calling him that annoys him the slightest bit, so of course I do it. Sheepy: Sherlock: Huh? Sheepy: Harley: Good. Sheepy: Sherlock: What's a cuttlefish? Sheepy: Harley: Sepia officinalis. Sheepy: Sherlock:........! Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh! Sheepy: Sherlock: Those octopus-like things! Arsé-kun: Randy: Yes, those. Sheepy: Sherlock: I know those. They look squishy. Sheepy: Sherlock: Do you think Nyar is squishy like octopi? Like...he can go through any gap so long as his skull can fit through it? Arsé-kun: Randy: Yes. Sheepy: *Harley hits a bad note, stops, and stares* Sheepy: Harley:......Is...he really. Sheepy: Sheepy: He's like a cat. Arsé-kun: Randy: He's like a cat. If he fits, he sits. But remember- He can change his skull. Sheepy: Harley:........ Sheepy: Harley:......I.... Arsé-kun: Randy: ... Also, jinx, get me a soda please. Sheepy: Sheepy: Aw! Sheepy: Sheepy: *He goes to the kitchen.* Sheepy: Sherlock: So! Sheepy: Sherlock: He can make his head a fish head? Reverse mermaid! Sheepy: Harley: Sherlock, what? Arsé-kun: Randy: Unfortunately, yes. There is an entire village of people exactly like that. It is horrifying. Sheepy: Harley: What!? Sheepy: Sherlock:....Reverse centaur! Arsé-kun: Randy: Haven't seen that yet. But a mantis could be called a centaur, technically, due to it's limbs.. Sheepy: *Sheepy returns with a soda and passes it to Randy before sitting down.* Arsé-kun: Randy: Thank you. Sheepy: Harley: *He's begun playing again. You know the worry music in old movies? It sounds like that.* Sheepy: Sheepy: No problem. Sheepy: Sherlock: He could make himself a double centaur! Sheepy: Harley:...Double? Sheepy: Sherlock: Top half is horse, bottom half is horse! Arsé-kun: Randy: Hey? I firmly dislike that. Sheepy: Harley: Sher-lock, that's just a horse! Sheepy: Sherlock: But it has human arms coming out of its shoulders! Sheepy: Harley: Watson, I'm being harassed! Arsé-kun: Watson: Sherlock? Do yourself a favor and look up 'double centaur' before making any suggestions. Sheepy: Sherlock: Huh? Sheepy: Sherlock: Do you think that, um, that a centaur and mermaid have ever met, fallen inlove, and had kids? Arsé-kun: Randy: ... Fuck, probably. Sheepy: Sherlock: One of their children is all human. Sheepy: Harley: And you're that child. Sheepy: Sherlock: EH??? Arsé-kun: Watson: It's possible, I suppose??- Harley, please. Sheepy: Harley: *He sticks his tongue out at Watson and keeps playing the violin. It's shifted to something more pleasant at least, but very mature Harley* Sheepy: Sherlock: Watson!! Sheepy: Sherlock: Am I adopted!? Am I a fish, horse, man combo?! Arsé-kun: Watson: I sure hope you aren't! Last I checked, you were human. Arsé-kun: Germain: Humans share over 90% of dna with bananas. Sheepy: Sherlock: I'm a banana!? Sheepy: Sherlock: F-fish horse banana human... Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he had come downstairs to greet everyone. he stops. Wisely goes back upstairs.* Sheepy: Harley: Lupin, come back. Arsé-kun: Randy: Eh? He's back already? Sheepy: Sherlock: Harley! You never told me- ow! Stop pushing your foot into my side... With that scary look on your face... Sheepy: Harley: You didn't notice? Sheepy: Harley: And stop being silly. You're scaring Lupin. Sheepy: Harley: Anyway, his footsteps are calculated and quiet. Sheepy: Harley: I'd instantly notice them. Sheepy: Harley: Furthermore, I heard them stop around the base of the steps, only for Sherlock to be, well, Sherlock. Arsé-kun: *And Arséne promptly throws open the front door, throwing flower petals everywhere. They're not rose petals- that shit stains* Arsé-kun: Arséne: Bonjooouuur! Sheepy: Harley: Thank you, Lupin. Sheepy: *Sherlock immediately rushes over and basically tackles Arsene in a hug.* Sheepy: Sherlock: I missed you!! Sheepy: Sherlock: It's been so looong...! Arsé-kun: Arséne: It's only been a few days..! *but he has accepted the tacklehug in it's entirety* Sheepy: Harley: It hasn't been that long. *He takes over the whole sofa with Sherlock gone. Comfy* Sheepy: Sherlock: It's still a long time! Sheepy: Sherlock: So long that Moriarty's minion was here and was asking for money...! Sheepy: Sherlock: Poorlock! My poor self! Arsé-kun: Arséne: I'm so sorry. What would I have done, though? Sheepy: Sherlock: Huh? Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, you're back. Sheepy: Sheepy: Welcome back. Arsé-kun: Arséne: What? Nothing else? Sheepy: Sheepy: What else did you want? Sheepy: Sherlock: You should hug him too!! Sheepy: Sheepy:....?? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Don't make me come to you! Sheepy: Sheepy: *He gets up and walks over to Arsene* Arsé-kun: *Arséne holds his arm out. Cmere you* Sheepy: *Sheepy hugs Arsene! Hello!* Sheepy: Sheepy: Welcome back. Arsé-kun: Arséne: :D! Thaaank you! *he hugs Sheepy back. he was waiting for this* Sheepy: Sheepy: You're welcome. Sheepy: Sherlock: Harley- Sheepy: Harley: I don't show physical forms of affection. Simply, I had, and have had, very little exposure to it, making it confusing to me. Sheepy: Harley: Hugging is an affectionate form of strangling. Arsé-kun: Randy: .... He's not wrong! Sheepy: Sherlock: You can learn now! Sheepy: Harley: Sherlock, you should know that there's no possible way he wants to hug me. Sheepy: Sherlock: I can - Sheepy: Harley: You have before and I felt every bone in my body crying out to me to escape your clutches. Sheepy: Sherlock: It's okay, Arsene. I can hug you for him. Sheepy: Harley: He didn't ask to hug me in the first place...! Arsé-kun: Arséne: No one has to hug anyone, it's fine..! Sheepy: Harley: The last time I attempted to do so, I was informed that I was most like a ragdoll. Sheepy: Harley: Further quotes: *He imitates Sherlock's voice* "when you're hugged, you should make sure to reciprocate it!" "It's scary when you just blankly stare them in the eye!" Sheepy: Harley: "Eh? I'm crushing you? The closer you hold someone, the better they know you love them! I love you a lot, so I'm holding you as close as I can!!" Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh, I don't remember this at all. Sheepy: Sherlock: It's true though. Arsé-kun: *sanchan has exited scene. he did his part, got the results, that's it. it is time for tea* Arsé-kun: Watson: Debatable. Sheepy: Sherlock: What? Sheepy: Harley: I don't remember ever being hugged past that. Sheepy: Harley: "Now you can hug others and show your affection...! Eh? Why aren't you hugging me, Herlock?" Sheepy: Sherlock: Could I have been wrong this entire time?! Sheepy: Harley: You're trying to trick me into getting up so Lupin can sit down here. Sheepy: Harley: I'm not getting up. Arsé-kun: Arséne: If I want to sit there, I will. You're not in the way at all. Sheepy: Harley:...What? Sheepy: Harley: What is that supposed to mean... Arsé-kun: Arséne: It means I'll sit on my couch. Sheepy: Harley: But I'm here. Arsé-kun: Arséne: And? Sheepy: Harley: I won't move. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I will pay you one hundred dollars to fuck off of my sofa. Sheepy: Harley: I'm comfortable. Sheepy: Harley: Anyway, Sherlock took over it first. Sheepy: Harley: Besides, Lupin. Sheepy: Harley: *He imitates Lupin's voice* "If I want to sit there, I will. You're not in the way at all." Sheepy: Sherlock: $100 is a lot....! Sheepy: Harley: You make more than that easily. However, it's important to be thrifty. Sheepy: I feel like harley mostly gets cases that have a bit of dishonesty on both sides because he's less well known Sheepy: Sherlock: But... you always used to say: "Sherlock, if we could steal $100, we could do so much with it! That could feed us and clothe us! And...."...uh... ... ... Sheepy: *Harley plays the wrong note and looks over, wide-eyed* Sheepy: Sherlock: That's all I remember. When did you say that? Sheepy: Harley: I, uh, that's not exactly what I would say, but... that's from a while ago. Arsé-kun: *Arséne pulls out cash, counts it, strolls over, and smacks Harley with it before plopping on the couch arm* Sheepy: Harley: I don't want your money. *He does sit up though.* Arsé-kun: Arséne: Too bad, too sad. *he shoves it into Harley's pocket. Fuck you.* Arsé-kun: Arséne: Sure, go ahead. Sheepy: Harley: What song? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Up to you. Sheepy: Sherlock: *He sits down next to Arsene* Sheepy: Harley: *He begins playing the violin again.* Sheepy: Sheepy: You ever think about how, uh.. Sheepy: Sheepy: Nyarlathotep is out there doing who knows what? Arsé-kun: Arséne: I try not to. Sheepy: Sherlock: Arsene, what did you do while you were gone? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Oh, you know what I was doing. *and to Sheepy..* Would you like allowance now or later? Sheepy: Harley: It's stolen, isn't it. Sheepy: Sheepy: Whenever is most convenient. Sheepy: Sheepy: I want to discuss something soon. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Some of it is~ Arsé-kun: Arséne: Oh? Now would be fine then. Sheepy: *Sheepy walks over.* Sheepy: Harley:.... Arsé-kun: *Sheepy is handed a small wad of cash. Something is inside of it!* Sheepy: *Sheepy looks inside.* Arsé-kun: *it's a new lighter! it looks fancy* Sheepy: Sheepy:....?! Sheepy: *Sheepy is very pleased!* Sheepy: Sheepy: I love it. Sheepy: Sheepy: Hugging you and getting Arsene cooties on me was worth it after all! Sheepy: Harley: Mm. Lupin. Be careful when walking around. Sheepy: Harley: Moriarty's men have been out in force. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Horrible. Thank you for informing me. Sheepy: Harley: That cop earlier said something a little concerning... Arsé-kun: Arséne: How concerning? Sheepy: Harley: "If you were Sherlock Holmes, I'd let you see the crime scene." Sheepy: Harley:....Of course, the crime scene was the location of Glaaki... Sheepy: Harley: Was it just an act, or are they planning something? Arsé-kun: Watson: You stated you weren't Sherlock. I figured it made sense at the time. Sheepy: Harley: Well, yes. Sheepy: Sherlock: Glaaki? Arsé-kun: Randy: That's its name. Sheepy: Sherlock: ....The guard is named Glaaki? Sheepy: Harley: The slug. Arsé-kun: Randy: No. Glaaki is.. Well, yes. Sheepy: Sherlock: Sometimes I see slugs on the sidewalk. Arsé-kun: Randy: Bigger. Sheepy: Sherlock: Sometimes I see Harley inspecting slugs on the sidewalk. He'd be able to handle Glaaki if Glaaki is a slug. Sheepy: Harley: No Arsé-kun: Randy: Absolutely not. Sheepy: Sherlock: Is it that big? Arsé-kun: Randy: It would look like a submarine in a lake. .. Maybe even bigger. Sheepy: Sherlock:!? Sheepy: Sherlock: So the size of a thousand slugs. Arsé-kun: Randy: And add in a small army of undead cultists. Sheepy: Sherlock: So alive cultists. Sheepy: Harley: Zombies. Arsé-kun: Randy: Some might be alive, but it's unlikely. Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh...we were too late? Arsé-kun: Watson: If this is the real cause to why others have been disappearing, then yes. We'd be far too late. Sheepy: Harley: I'm going to guess that he brought a dead body over to Glaaki.. Arsé-kun: Watson: Better an already dead person than a living one, at least? Sheepy: Harley: Hmmm... Sheepy: Harley:.... Sheepy: Harley: We could go ask- Sheepy: Sherlock: Absolutely not. Arsé-kun: Arséne: At this hour? Sheepy: Harley: Maybe in the morning. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I hate to suggest this? But it may be best if Sheepy and Randolph do it. They've encountered it before. Sheepy: Sheepy: Do what? Sheepy: Sheepy: Ask Moriarty? Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah, I don't mind. Sheepy: Sheepy: So, we should visit the museum soon. Sheepy: Sheepy: There's this fossil I want to show you. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Eh? Why? Sheepy: Sheepy: Eh, Harley isn't going to stop us. Sheepy: Harley: What? Sheepy: Sheepy: Let's steal it. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Count me in, Mouton! Sheepy: Sheepy: I already know the return address, too. Sheepy: Harley: We have more pressing matters. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Have you ever heard of de-stressing? It's fantastic. Sheepy: Harley: ...How is theft de-stressing... Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he just grins at Harley* Sheepy: Harley: It's incredibly stressful. Sheepy: Harley: What if you get caught and lose everything? Sheepy: Sheepy: Phantom thieves do not get caught. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Me? Get caught? In this town?? Sheepy: Sheepy: Phantom thieves catch everyone's attention. Arsé-kun: Watson: I personally recall the time someone here was caught, due to going after a person armed with an umbrella. Sheepy: Harley: *He reflexively begins rubbing his hand* I-I can't imagine who you're talking about. Sheepy: Sheepy:...Did...did you really... Arsé-kun: Arséne: I'm sorry for your loss. Umbrellas hurt quite a bit. Sheepy: Harley: I was desperate. Their purse was open- listen, I didn't deserve to be hit with an umbrella! Sheepy: Sheepy: I can't believe ace detective, law-abiding Harley Holmes is justifying his crime and getting upset over being punished. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Can I get this on recording? Sheepy: Harley: Oh, shut up! Sheepy: Harley: I don't steal anymore! Sheepy: Harley: I only did it because Sherlock and I had nothing...! Sheepy: Harley: It was a life-or-death situation, you know?! Arsé-kun: *Arséne nods and- wisely- shuts up* Sheepy: Sheepy: We've unlocked Harley's sad past by reaching rank nine of his social link. Sheepy: Sheepy: "The time I decided to devote my life to get umbrellas deemed as illegal weapons." Sheepy: Sherlock:??????? Arsé-kun: Germain: I'm surprised they aren't. One can easily kill with them. Sheepy: Sherlock: We had Watson ever since I can remember. Sheepy: Sheepy: Umbrellas can be used to protect yourself from bloodsprays. Sheepy: Nyar: If only I had an umbrella. *When did he enter? Anyway, he's absolutely soaked.* Arsé-kun: Germain: Did you have fun, Nyar? Sheepy: Nyar: I'm so cold. Sheepy: *Nyar begins shaking like a dog!* Arsé-kun: *Randy grabs an umbrella and opens it. Protection* Sheepy: *Sheepy joins Randy behind the umbrella* Sheepy: Nyar: So, you know. It went. Sheepy: Sheepy: eh? Well or poorly? Sheepy: Nyar: He was busy. Arsé-kun: Germain: ... With what, exactly?? Sheepy: Nyar: Cultists. Arsé-kun: Randy: ... Not too sure if that's more or less concerning. Sheepy: Nyar: Aaaaaaaand.... Arsé-kun: Randy: oh, no, there's more? *he lowers the umbrella* Sheepy: Nyar: *He lifts up the side of his shirt, revealing painful looking red marks* Arsé-kun: Watson: What did you get into. Sheepy: Nyar: I'm a ping pong ball. Sheepy: Nyar: I have at least three broken human ribs. Arsé-kun: Watson: Then sit the hell down, you idiot! Sheepy: Nyar: *He sits down where he's standing.* Sheepy: Nyar: I'll continue to bleed out internally until I bleed out onto your floor and permanently stain it with blood. Arsé-kun: Germain: Don't ask me. I used my daily healing already. Do it yourself. Sheepy: Nyar: Guess I'll human die on your nice flooring then. Arsé-kun: Watson: You can't human die if you aren't a human. Sheepy: *Nyar briefly drags himself out.* Sheepy: *A trail of black ooze shows where he once was.* Sheepy: *A few moments later, an octopus enters. hello octopus* Arsé-kun: *Germain leans down to scoop him up* Sheepy: *Nyar accepts this.* Sheepy: Nyar: (You know.) Sheepy: Nyar: (T-rexes lived above water.) Arsé-kun: Germain: (What does that have to do with anything.) Sheepy: Nyar: (And yet?) Sheepy: Nyar: (I saw a t-rex fossil down there with Glaaki.) Arsé-kun: Germain: (I wonder what he's up to.) Sheepy: Nyar: (I don't know.) Sheepy: Nyar: (I did see Jack. Why is one of Dad"s experiments helping Glaaki...?) Arsé-kun: Germain: That's a fantastic question. Arsé-kun: Germain: (Did your father offer him to Glaaki like the fool he is?) Sheepy: Harley: I almost want to look at it under a microscope... Sheepy: Nyar:........... Sheepy: Nyar: (HE WOULD.) Arsé-kun: Germain: ... We've determined Nyar's father probably gave Glaaki the assistance he currently has, like an utter fool. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh boy. Time to contact Azathoth. Sheepy: Sheepy:...or, I would. Sheepy: Sheepy: If I knew how. Arsé-kun: Randy: Oh, it's simple. It just requires a summon, but there's the chance he'll be.. Y'know, not humanoid. Sheepy: Sheepy: If only I asked for his phone number. Sheepy: Sheepy: Nyar can summon him. Sheepy: Nyar: *confused octopus noises* Arsé-kun: Germain: That's a *he clears his throat and lowers his pitch* "What the hell are you talking about??". Sheepy: Sheepy:...He's...He's Azathoth's messenger...so... Arsé-kun: Germain: Of course, but now? Sheepy: Sheepy: He is injured. Sheepy: Sheepy: Gosh, Nyar, you have bad timing. Sheepy: Nyar: *He crosses two of his tentacles* Sheepy: Nyar: (We should contact him, but I just got finishwd being beat up.) Arsé-kun: Germain: (That does make things difficult.) Sheepy: Nyar: (I guess I could contact him.) Sheepy: Nyar: (You all owe me so much.) Arsé-kun: Germain: (Good luck. I'll keep out of the way.) Sheepy: *Nyar hops out of Saint-Germain's arms and crawls into another room.* Sheepy: *Nyar begins attempting to summon Azathoth.* Arsé-kun: *Congratulations! Super success! Azathoth shows up, in a humanoid form. He seems to be at least somewhat awake. This is an improvement over his usual state of being. This, however, does not stop him from draping himself over a chair.* Sheepy: Nyar: (We need to ask you questions!!) Arsé-kun: Azathoth: (Right now...? ... I may not know the answer, but okay..) Sheepy: Nyar: (What's up with Jack helping Glaaki? That clone you made!) Arsé-kun: Aza: ... ..... (Who?) Sheepy: Nyar: (The one of Moriarty! White hair, red eyes, permanent bags under his eyes!) Sheepy: Nyar: (Jack! Millers! You know?) Arsé-kun: Aza: (Ah... Dhampir clone.. ... What was the question agai-- .. .. Oh, right. Glaaki demanded a closing deal... Donation, is it? Sacrifice? Those are the same, yeah?) Sheepy: Nyar: ...................... Sheepy: Nyar: (That is so-) Sheepy: Nyar: (No, no, no, how do I put this lightly.) Arsé-kun: Aza: (... Stupid. Thank you.) Sheepy: Nyar: (He's out there killing people and getting more victims for Glaaki.) Arsé-kun: Aza: (He was considered a failure due to his adverse reaction to violence..) *he picks his head up* (What happened?) Sheepy: Nyar: (Well, apparently he was caught killing a non human.) Sheepy: Nyar: (And then later, he offered up a corpse to Glaaki.) Sheepy: Nyar: (And I saw him there in Glaaki's base of operations.) Arsé-kun: Aza: (Offering inhuman remains... They've finally caught on to using nonhumans?) Sheepy: Nyar: (Glaaki threw me around, too!- That doesn't matter!) Sheepy: Nyar: (The point is that we aren't supposed to be helping him and we still are!!) Arsé-kun: Aza: (Again? .. But I have pulled back. What someone else does isn't my business, is it?) Sheepy: Nyar: (Your mess is making this mess bigger.) Arsé-kun: Aza: (... He's mine?) Sheepy: Nyar: (You made him!) Arsé-kun: Aza: (So that denotes ownership..) Sheepy: Nyar: (I guess???) Arsé-kun: Aza: (What do I do? Do I tell Glaaki to return my property??) Sheepy: Nyar: (YES.) Arsé-kun: Aza: (Now?) Sheepy: Nyar: (It'd be appreciated!) Arsé-kun: Aza: ...... (Oh, bother. Could you not do it?) Sheepy: Nyar: (I have one idea.) Arsé-kun: Aza: (I'm listening, I think.) Sheepy: Nyar: (I'm starting to consider it but everyone would hate me if I did it!) Sheepy: Nyar: (I might just collapse that stupid cave!!) Arsé-kun: Aza: (That would severely limit his options, maybe? Unless he gets a lot of humans to repair it..) Sheepy: Nyar: (Let's destroy it together!!!) Arsé-kun: Aza: (I've got no objections.) Arsé-kun: Randy: (Not to interrupt or anything, but Nyarlathotep was recently injured.. Just saying!) Arsé-kun: *meanwhile, aza falls off the chair.* Sheepy: Nyar: (Oh, hi Randy.) Arsé-kun: Randy: (Hi? But I wouldn't object as long as living people are cleared out first.) Sheepy: Nyar: (You're so PARTICULAR.) Arsé-kun: Randy: (Okay, fine! Willing conscious people, that are alive. Lets get MORE detailed!!) Sheepy: Nyar: (I limit myself to five.) Arsé-kun: Randy: (Nyar.) Sheepy: Nyar: (What??) Arsé-kun: Randy: (At least try for me.) Sheepy: Nyar: (It'd be really hard...!) Arsé-kun: Aza: (... Glaaki, keeping living humans? That's dumb on it's own.) Sheepy: Nyar: (Would he...?) Sheepy: Nyar: (Unless it's someone he's about to convert. .. Okay, I'll limit myself to 6! Let's go.) Arsé-kun: Aza: (What? Right now..?) Sheepy: Nyar: (....Um. Is now a bad time!?) Sheepy: Nyar: (Strike while the iron's hot, whatever that means!) Arsé-kun: Aza: (... I guess...) Sheepy: Nyar: (Randy, thoughts!?) Arsé-kun: Randy: (I'd join but it's so late..) *he can be heard yawning in the other room* Sheepy: Nyar: (We'll be back then! Goodbye, my self control!) Arsé-kun: Randy: (Good luck, don't get injured again. If you come back dying, I'm telling Yog.) Sheepy: *So Nyar leaves for the pond once more.* Arsé-kun: *Aza takes about ten extra minutes to arrive.* Sheepy: Nyar: (Took you long enough.) Arsé-kun: Aza: What did you want from me... Sheepy: Nyar: (For you to get here sooner.) Arsé-kun: Aza: He's just going to hear us if we talk like that... Are you still a wiggly? Sheepy: Nyar: (Yeah. Let me go back to a human form.) Arsé-kun: Aza: ... How did you get here without being stopped??? Sheepy: Nyar: (Hard work.) Arsé-kun: Aza: Good job, son. Sheepy: Nyar: Right, now, let's go. Arsé-kun: *they get down to the caverns. without diving. they take the walker's route. this takes a little bit longer.* Sheepy: Nyar: We could just nuke the lake. Sheepy: Nyar: But I want Randy to praise me... so I need to save someone. Arsé-kun: Aza: ... I understand, I think. Arsé-kun: Aza: You were always the most emotional of us. Of course you'd want that... Valet? What is the word? Sheepy: Nyar: Validation! Arsé-kun: Aza: Yes, that. Sheepy: Nyar: You don't give it to me so I have to get it elsewhere. Arsé-kun: Aza: I have only started understanding it as a concept. How can I? Sheepy: Nyar:...True. Arsé-kun: Aza: ... But this confirms my previous attempt fell flat. I'll double my efforts.. Later. Sheepy: Nyar:...! Sheepy: Nyar: I'll work hard!!! Arsé-kun: Aza: I know you can do, uh, that.. Pretty well?? Sheepy: Nyar:...!!! Sheepy: *Nyar is grinning. Stop that it's weird* Sheepy: Nyar: We should go and save them. Arsé-kun: Aza: If that's what you want to do. Sheepy: *Nyar heads inside, looking for live people* Arsé-kun: *Aza stumbles after him, yawning* Sheepy: Nyar: *Where are the live people???* Arsé-kun: *somewhere?? The undead cultists don't pay Nyar and Aza much heed. They've got books to write, things to learn, shit to do!* Sheepy: *Nyar continues, mostly ignoring them* Arsé-kun: *up ahead, plugging up a cavern, is a big ol ball of spikes. it's glaaki, and they're taking a nap. at least three cultists are sitting nearby and frantically writing* Sheepy: Nyar: ...........! Sheepy: Nyar: What to do.... Arsé-kun: Aza: He's got the right idea.... Sheepy: Nyar: You can't sleep just yet. We need to deal with this. Arsé-kun: Aza: Right, right... Sheepy: *Jack is very close by, taking a nap as well.* Arsé-kun: Aza: .... This one is living. Sheepy: Nyar: That's Jack. Arsé-kun: Aza: ... Yes, you're right. Sheepy: Nyar: Let's remove him first! Sheepy: *Nyar begins to approach Jack, who snaps awake and stares at the two* Sheepy: Jack: ..............What d'you two want? Sheepy: Jack: No, I changed my mind. I don't care. Do what yeh want. Arsé-kun: Aza: Such a change in behavior, and so quickly.. Those still living do best without contact of we Elders, you know. Sheepy: Jack: What? Don't dance 'round yer point. Jus' spit it out. Arsé-kun: Aza: ...? *he turns his head and spits on the ground before registering the statement entirely. He opts to not address this* I am saying "Get out of here". Sheepy: Jack: *He gets up* What, yeh got someone else yeh want me t'do dirty jobs fer? Sheepy: Jack: Whatever. Jus' git it ov'r with. I'll be waitin' outside. Sheepy: *With that, Jack strolls out.* Arsé-kun: Aza: ... Not sure if Glaaki has messed with him. ... Might need a deprogramming. Sheepy: Nyar: D...deprogramming? Arsé-kun: Aza: ... Oh, but you're far better at undoing whatever has been done. Sheepy: Nyar: Uh............... Sheepy: Nyar: Oh, yeah. Sheepy: Nyar: Let's keep going. Arsé-kun: *they continue through the caverns! So far, no one else encountered can be considered "Living", but some are moderately new. One's still bloody.* Sheepy: *Nyar ignores the dead ones.* Sheepy: Nyar: He's quick, isn't he. Sheepy: Nyar:...For a slug, anyway. Arsé-kun: Aza: He is not actually a slug, though? Sheepy: Nyar: That's true. Sheepy: Nyar: But still, I'd be faster if I were doing it. Arsé-kun: Aza: You're very fast... Sheepy: Nyar: Now where are the living ones...we should just collapse it soon.. Arsé-kun: Aza: I don't see any living around here... Sheepy: Nyar:........Ah, we should collapse it then, right? Arsé-kun: Aza: ... And lose the knowledge? I would like to collect what's been written first... ... But is that a bad idea? Sheepy: Nyar: No, go ahead. I'll keep hunting for live people. Arsé-kun: Aza: ... Okay... Sheepy: *Nyar keeps looking.* Arsé-kun: *none yet! unfortunately.* Sheepy: *And Nyar continues looking.* Arsé-kun: *Nyar finally finds one!! They're in a group of undeads, seemingly unaware of their pals' deteriorating states* Sheepy: Nyar:.....! Sheepy: Nyar: Hey! C'mere! Arsé-kun: *The entire group look towards him, briefly, before going back to whatever they were doing.* Sheepy: Nyar:.... Sheepy: *Nyar beelines for the one living one* Sheepy: Nyar: Hey! Arsé-kun: ??: ...? Sheepy: Nyar: You need to get out of here. Sheepy: Nyar: I'll help you as best as I can, but you need a willingness to live. Sheepy: Nyar: Otherwise, I'll let you end up like your buddies here. Arsé-kun: ??: ....??? They're people too, right...? Sheepy: Nyar: They're dead as a doornail. Sheepy: Nyar: Which you'll be if you don't escape, okay? Arsé-kun: ??: .... They look fine to me... *he goes to pat the undead to his right's shoulder. it falls off. He stares* ...?? Sheepy: Nyar:.... Sheepy: Nyar: You should go. Arsé-kun: ??: Go where? Sheepy: Nyar: Escape. I'll help you. Arsé-kun: ??: Why would I? Where would I go..? Sheepy: Nyar:.... Sheepy: Nyar: Listen. Sheepy: Nyar: You're going to die here. Sheepy: Nyar: I've got a place you can stay until things improve, but you need to get out of here. Now. Arsé-kun: ??: .... ...... *they seem confused* .. Okay? Sheepy: Nyar: Just - *He grabs their hand* Follow me. Arsé-kun: ??: Yes, sir? *they follow Nyar, seeming unsure even about the surroundings* Sheepy: Nyar: *He keeps his eye open for any other potential survivors he may have overlooked and for Glaaki* Arsé-kun: *He is not seeing anyone else that is living yet, but he's got a really bad feeling all of a sudden, in the dark deep pit of his octogut* Sheepy: Nyar:....... Sheepy: Nyar:.....! Sheepy: Nyar:...Shoot...something isn't right! Arsé-kun: ??: *he seems to have a similar feeling, and freezes up* ?! What was that?? Sheepy: Nyar: That's the guy who brought you here...I think...we need to get a move on! Arsé-kun: ??: Uh, sure! But first, where are we??? Sheepy: Nyar: The lake. You need to get out! Arsé-kun: ??: How did I get here?? *but he picks up the pace* Sheepy: Nyar: He brought you here. Arsé-kun: ??: I can't believe I got abducted on duty... Was I on duty? ... What's today?? Sheepy: *Nyar tells him the date.* Arsé-kun: ??: You're kidding me! It's been a week?! Sheepy: Nyar: I'm surprised you lasted this long. Sheepy: Nyar: We should be close to the exit. Arsé-kun: *and he's right! There's the exit!* Sheepy: Nyar: *He runs towards the exit, still holding the survivor's hand!* Arsé-kun: *And then, suddenly...! ... They make it out, with little to no fanfare.* Sheepy: Nyar: Great, you should be safer here. Sheepy: Jack: Took yeh long enough. Arsé-kun: ??: ... You.. That's my uniform! Sheepy: Jack: Sorry, I needed it. Sheepy: *He...does appear to feel bad.* Sheepy: Jack: I'll return it later. Alright? Arsé-kun: ??: That would be appreciated... *he turns and glances back at the cavern entrance* I never knew this was here. Sheepy: Jack: Most people don't. Sheepy: Jack: That's 'ow it should be. Arsé-kun: ??: I'll have to double my patrolling efforts.. Arsé-kun: Aza: Not yet you don't... *he drags himself out, soaked to the bone(?) and carrying a less-wet tome* Other than the one he had, no living ones are left. Sheepy: Nyar: I sure hope the one he had wasn't important. Arsé-kun: Aza: Don't know.... Don't care at the moment... Are you finished with your validation mission? Sheepy: Nyar: I'd like to have saved that last one, too, but.. Sheepy: Nyar: You do what you can do. Arsé-kun: Aza: Then.... You did more than I could. Arsé-kun: Aza: Great work. *he leans forward and water just pours out of his face. Like a dumb ass kettle* I was wondering why speech was difficult. Sheepy: Nyar:....! Me? I did great work? Arsé-kun: Aza: y'hah. Sheepy: Nyar:....!!! Sheepy: Nyar: I did! Me! I did a great job! Sheepy: Jack: Oi. What did yeh want me t' leave fer? Arsé-kun: Aza: 'Twas not my idea. *he looks towards Nyar* Perhaps you would be of more use to other humans than Glaaki. Sheepy: Jack:.... Sheepy: Jack: So yeh 'ave someone else t' shove me on, eh? Sheepy: Jack: Whatever. Do what yeh want. Arsé-kun: Aza: .... Actually.... I do. *he turns his head towards the survivor for a moment, who fails to notice because they're trying to get their bearings* I can see you being much better in the field you'd want over what you've done. Arsé-kun: Aza: .... *he leans over again and more water comes pouring out* ..... I have forgotten how to human breathe. I am certainly done with this excursion. Ya ch'fhtagn. *and he steps out of view entirely. he's going to sleep outside of human vision. he's spent all of his intelligence stamina and needs a long rest.* Arsé-kun: ??: .... I feel as if I'm supposed to ignore everything I just witnessed. Sheepy: Jack:..... Sheepy: Jack: Don't worry 'bout it. I'll walk you 'ome. Sheepy: Nyar: I'm going to report back to Randy. Sheepy: Jack: Yer able t' walk, aren't'cha? Arsé-kun: ??: Yes, I am. Uhm.. Thank you. Sheepy: Jack: Then let's go. Sheepy: Jack: Where do you live? Arsé-kun: *they lower their voice and tell him* Sheepy: Jack: Right, well, I'll walk you 'ome. *He begins heading in that direction.* Arsé-kun: *they follow him, but occasionally glance back. What if it's following us?* Arsé-kun: *also i realize i never specified the cult robes being worn but That's all I need to do. they're green. real dark green. ok now its in the records CARRY ON* Sheepy: Jack: What? Arsé-kun: ??: No one is following us, right? Sheepy: Jack: No. Arsé-kun: ??: Oh... Sheepy: Jack: I'm th' only one o' 'is grunts who c'n travel easily. Sheepy: Jack: And I don't care. Arsé-kun: ??: I see.. Sheepy: Jack: Glad t' 'ear that. Arsé-kun: *eventually, they get there! to a little shop we, the viewers, have seen before. it's a sweets shop, but seems to be closed- Except for the single face pressed against the window. It's gone rather quickly, though* Sheepy: Jack: ...Oi, they've noticed yeh. Arsé-kun: ??: Already? *they pull their hood off* Arsé-kun: *Seconds later, the doors thrown open and they get tackled by a very worried younger brother. Hello, Tatsuya* Sheepy: Jack: *He watches closely* Arsé-kun: Tats: Where have you been, you jerk?? Were you petting cats again, Kat? Did they accept you as one of their own?? Arsé-kun: Katsuya: Hah, I wish that was all it was. Arsé-kun: *meanwhile, Minato is looking at Jack. prrrrriorities* Sheepy: Jack: I abducted 'im fer a bit. Arsé-kun: Minato: ... Can I ask why? Sheepy: Jack: I was told to. Arsé-kun: Minato: And there's no.. Damage incurred? Sheepy: Jack:.... Sheepy: Jack: I don't know. Sheepy: Jack: Never thought 'bout it, really. Yeh sh'd be fine. Arsé-kun: Minato: We'll just have to check. If he turns or anything, it's on you. *he sorta shrugs* Sheepy: Jack: That's fair. Sheepy: Jack: Yeh got somethin' I c'n change into? I need t' give this uniform back. Arsé-kun: Minato: Yeah, we should. *he heads back in* Sheepy: Jack: Great. Sheepy: Jack: Lissen. Be careful in th' future. Arsé-kun: Kat: So that doesn't happen again, right? Sheepy: Jack: Yeh 'ave so many weak points. Sheepy: Jack: I 'ad no probl'm sneakin' up 'n yeh 'nd knockin' yeh out. Arsé-kun: Kat: I guess I do need to work on that.. Sheepy: Jack: Yer welcome. Arsé-kun: Kat: I should cite you for all of that, plus imitating an officer... But with everything happening, you're off the hook. ... Unless you do it again. Sheepy: Jack: Hah. Sheepy: Jack: I don't care what yeh do. Sheepy: Jack: Juss be careful what yeh stick yer nose into. Arsé-kun: Kat: Of course, but the same to you. Sheepy: Jack: I'm quittin' workin' fer th' guy who ordered yer capture, but... Arsé-kun: Kat: Are you sure you don't need to hide from.. *he just waves a hand* Sheepy: Jack: Mm. Nothin' I can do 'bout that. I was ordered t' stop workin' fer 'im. Sheepy: Jack: If 'e goes after me, oh well Arsé-kun: Kat: Oh well, come by if you need to. Arsé-kun: *Minato reappears with a bundle of clothes. Well, they're clean and not an officer uniform.* Sheepy: Jack: Thank you. Arsé-kun: Minato: 'Welcome. *and he goes back inside again.* Sheepy: Jack: I sh'd 'ead 'ome now. Sheepy: Jack: Stay sharp. Arsé-kun: Kat: Thank you. *he notes to himself to wash it at least three times* Stay safe, will you? Sheepy: Jack: Yeh. Thanks. Sheepy: Jack: *He puts his hands in his pockets and walks away.* Arsé-kun: *Kat is more or less ushered inside. Status; safe* Sheepy: *yay!* Sheepy: *Meanwhile......* Sheepy: Nyar: --*he busts into the room* RANDY!! Arsé-kun: Randy: Ahh! *he jumps a good inch off the chair he was on, dislodging Shaggy entirely* Nyar!! Are you trying to give me a stroke? Sheepy: Nyar: Eh? Sheepy: Nyar: Randy! I have news! Arsé-kun: Randy: Yeah?? What? Oh, come back, Shaggy.. *shaggy has left you* Sheepy: Nyar: DAD COMPLIMENTED ME!! Arsé-kun: Randy: Hooray...? I'm glad you're excited, but did you need to wake me up for it..? Sheepy: Nyar: Now you compliment me! Sheepy: Nyar: I saved one person!! Arsé-kun: Randy: Did you? Sheepy: Nyar: Yeah! Arsé-kun: Randy: And they're not going to die mysteriously? Sheepy: Nyar:...Uh? Sheepy: Nyar:.....!? You trust me so little...! Sheepy: Nyar: What have I done to make you NOT trust me??? Arsé-kun: Randy: When did I say you'd be killing them? Arsé-kun: Randy: I'm going to be forever bitter about the dreamscape stunt, though. Sheepy: Nyar: Hey! Sheepy: Nyar: You should be nicer to me. Sheepy: Nyar: Where's my compliment?? Arsé-kun: Randy: Okay, fine. You did a good deed, for once. Hooray. Sheepy: Nyar: Yes!!! I did!!! Sheepy: Nyar: Aren't I great? Sheepy: Nyar: Oh, oh, oh! Arsé-kun: Randy: Yeah, of course. I just wish you'd do good things without the prompting. Even little kids can figure that out faster- Oh? Sheepy: Nyar: The cavern was collapsed. Sheepy: Nyar: And, like... Arsé-kun: Randy: Already? Sheepy: Nyar: Oh yeah! And according to dad, Glaaki had someone with him! Sheepy: Nyar: Ahahaha! I wonder what happened!? Arsé-kun: Randy: *he sighs* We'll find out eventually. Sheepy: Nyar: I'm going to brag to Saint-Germain, so you go back to sleep before I drag you along! Sheepy: Nyar: Who knows! I might visit you in your dreams. Sheepy: Nyar: Oh, I have some fun ideas already. Arsé-kun: Randy: Thanks for the warning.. *he tries to get comfy again. might take a bit* Sheepy: *Nyar leaves for Saint's room* Arsé-kun: *Saint was waiting a while, having picked up a book to pass the time. But Nyar took too long, so he put it to the side and went to sleep. it's like 5 am, understandable course of action* Sheepy: Nyar: Saint-Germain!! Arsé-kun: Germain: ....? Germain: What took you so long...? Sheepy: Nyar: DAD COMPLIMENTED ME! Arsé-kun: Germain: ... Lovely. Sheepy: Nyar: I saved one person! Sheepy: Nyar: You'll praise me too, right!? Arsé-kun: Germain: Fantastic work. Tell me more in the morning.. Sheepy: Nyar: Okay, fine. Sheepy: Nyar: Good night! Sheepy: *Nyar lets hm sleep* Arsé-kun: *Now what are you going to do, Nyarlathotep?* Sheepy: *Be bored* Arsé-kun: *really.* Sheepy: *Nyar looks for things to do.* Arsé-kun: *he's Nyarlathotep!! How can he not find something to do?* Sheepy: *Nyar decides to watch an octopus documentary.* Arsé-kun: *that's fun! here, waste several hours on that and that alone!* Sheepy: *yes!* Sheepy: *Enough time for Sherlock to get up off the sofa and get the mail.* Arsé-kun: *Allllll of it. The poor mailman probably made a single stop, and it's this one! That's all for this week!* Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh, it's a lot as usual.......... Arsé-kun: *in the background, delly slips on a letter and falls on his butt. comedy* Arsé-kun: Watson: *he strolls in, coffee in hand, and rolls his eyes* And people say snail mail isn't used anymore. Sheepy: *Sherlock begins hunting through it* Sheepy: Sherlock: It's mostly fan mail. Arsé-kun: Watson: Save it up! Crack one open when you feel bad. It'll last at least a week! Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh, good idea. Sheepy: *Sherlock's sorting it into piles - his, Watson's, Harley's.* Arsé-kun: Watson: Oh, we got mail this time? Sheepy: Sherlock: Some. Arsé-kun: Watson: More than usual. Sheepy: Sherlock: Yes! Arsé-kun: Watson: If we're lucky, it might be decent this time. Sheepy: Sherlock: ...What does that mean? Sheepy: Harley: *He peeks in* Oh, do I actually have mail? Sheepy: Harley: How unfortunate. Sheepy: Harley: I guess I should read it, though. Arsé-kun: Watson: Yeah, I agree. I might have to bust out the old "See an actual doctor" stamp for this. Sheepy: Sherlock: But you are a doctor... Sheepy: Sherlock:...Aren't you...? Sheepy: Harley: Ah, yours have actual content in them? Sheepy: Harley: Oh, if only we could trade... Arsé-kun: Watson: To Sherlock- Yes! To Harley- No. People expect me to know their every malady just from a bad description on paper. I'm not their primary care giver! How should I know? Sheepy: Harley: You can make up medical terms that don't exist. Arsé-kun: Watson: That's cruel and unusual. Sheepy: Harley: The very few letters I get are related either to my appearance or ridiculous questions I don't understand. Sheepy: Harley: "Are you just Mycroft Holmes but under another name similar to Sherlock's to make you seem more important?" Sheepy: Harley: "Oh, yes, I am this man to whom I bear little resemblance to and is a few years older than me!" Sheepy: Sherlock: You are!? Sheepy: Harley: Ah, I know. Sheepy: Harley: You answer mine and I'll answer yours. Arsé-kun: Watson: Sherlock, take a joke. And hmm.. Not sure I trust you enough to not mess with people. Sheepy: Harley: Oh, I'm hurt. Arsé-kun: Watson: You'll just tell everyone they need to send in money. Sheepy: Harley: "Your eyes are pretty." "Thanks, I've never looked in a mirror so I don't know what I look like." Sheepy: Harley: I wouldn't scam people out of money. Sheepy: Harley: What are other ones I've received... Arsé-kun: Watson: *he grabs one and carefully opens it* ... This one wants to know what kind of grapes you color your hair with. Sheepy: Harley:....... Sheepy: Harley:.......It's..... Arsé-kun: Watson: Natural, I know. Sheepy: Harley:...I color it with genes. Arsé-kun: Watson: I like that answer better. Sheepy: Harley: I've had people ask me why I look nothing like Mycroft nor Sherlock. It's as though they think I know. Sheepy: Harley: And, of course...why do people keep thinking it's dyed??? Sheepy: Sherlock: It's not!? Sheepy: Harley: What makes you think it's dyed!? Sheepy: Sherlock: Ummm... Sheepy: Sherlock: Is that Harley's? Arsé-kun: Watson: I have no idea. I just wanted to bring it up. Sheepy: Harley: Whose is it? Arsé-kun: Watson: No idea. It's not high enough in mystery ranks for me to care. Sheepy: Harley: Do we have any new cases? Arsé-kun: Watson: Not yet. Sheepy: Harley: That's too bad. Sheepy: Harley: *He picks up another letter from his stack and opens it* Sheepy: Harley: "Please· pay close attention To your surroundings! For One, you may come To find something that will help· you on your way! I'm· hoping that in· this advice, you'll stay out of trouble· and Thrive!"- ah, it goes on a bit more.. Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh, that's weirdly ominous motivational advice. Arsé-kun: Watson: You showing up will help? For what? Sheepy: Harley: I don't know. Uh... Sheepy: Harley: "Do you have pollen allergies? That's a big problem. The trees will blossom soon. It's going to drive me cra𝔃y. They· will· be super bothersome. Where do you go to kill· time? Me·? I like casinos, really. Oh, that's all I've got. Hope everything goes well for you!" Sheepy: Harley: What kind of rambley nonsense... Arsé-kun: Watson: *he comes over to see too* Sheepy: *Harley shows him the letter* Arsé-kun: Watson: What's all these marks for..? Sheepy: Harley:....*He tilts his head* Arsé-kun: Watson: Sherlock, c'mere. Come look at this, too. Sheepy: Harley: The ones with dots are.... Sheepy: *Sherlock comes over and looks over Harley's shoulder* Arsé-kun: Watson: They, Will, Kill, Me. Is this a cry for help? Sheepy: Harley: And in the first section: "Please help I'm in trouble"...yes, it does seem it's a cry for help. Sheepy: Sherlock: To For One To Thrive? TFOTT? Is that a food? Arsé-kun: Watson: Two, four, one, two, five. An address? Sheepy: Harley: And finally, underscored: "Big Blossom Drive". Sheepy: Harley: It could be an address. Arsé-kun: Watson: I'll try to pull it up on maps.. Sheepy: Harley: Thank you. Sheepy: Harley: I wonder if there's anything else of importance? Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he slides over, using two envelopes for reduced traction* What's going on, men? Sheepy: Sherlock: Harley got mail. Sheepy: Harley: It's a cry for help. Please give it a read. Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he reads it* That Z... I'd know it anywhere! This is Diego's handwriting! Sheepy: Harley:....! Sheepy: Harley: But what kind of trouble is he in? Arsé-kun: Watson: If it says "They will kill me!", it's probably pretty bad! Arsé-kun: Arséne: Is this it? The legendary Normal Case?? With normal criminals and normal odds of defying death? Sheepy: Harley: Finally! Sheepy: Harley: I don't remember him liking to gamble, not that I knew him very well. Do you think casinos are related to the case? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Why would he mention it otherwise? Sheepy: Harley: Good point. Sheepy: Harley: Watson, did you find anything? Arsé-kun: Watson: Sure have. Sheepy: Harley: Goood job. Can I see? Arsé-kun: Watson: Certainly! Here, look, it's right smack in the middle of a bunch of shit. *he shows Harley the Maps result. Lotsa buildings* Sheepy: *Harley mulls it over.* Sheepy: Harley: So we can't just dash in. Arsé-kun: Watson: We could, in theory? But it'd be difficult. Sheepy: Harley: We don't know how many allies they have within the area. We should case it first. Arsé-kun: Watson: But even that may get attention if we aren't careful. Sheepy: Harley: Exactly. Sheepy: Harley:...Give me a moment... Sheepy: Harley: Are any of these stores? Arsé-kun: Watson: Doesn't seem like it, unfortunately. Sheepy: Harley: Too bad. Arsé-kun: Watson: Might I ask why? Sheepy: Harley: It limits the amount of disguises I could use. Arsé-kun: Watson: Oh, that is unfortunate. Sheepy: Harley: Mhm. Sheepy: Harley: Lupin, any ideas? Arsé-kun: Arséne: I could scout it out in my own time, perhaps. Sheepy: Harley: Your time is limited. Arsé-kun: Arséne: You know what I meant. Sheepy: Harley: Did I. Sheepy: Harley:...Anyway, we need to come up with a plan. Sheepy: Sherlock: Why don't we just, um, call the police? Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he just starts laughing* Sheepy: Harley: It's too dangerous. Arsé-kun: Arséne: And most of them are imbeciles. They'll just storm it! Sheepy: Sherlock: Hmmm... Sheepy: Harley: Are there any casinos near there? Arsé-kun: Watson: Yes, there is. Sheepy: Harley: I'd like to visit there. Sheepy: Harley: But I look too suspicious as I am... Sheepy: Harley: Lupin, here's a plan. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Go on. Sheepy: Harley: Let's say that the staff are in on it. Sheepy: Harley: Illegal it may be, but we watch them closely and knock out two when we get the chance and steal their clothes along with their "faces". Sheepy: Harley: With that, we can sneak into the address listed. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Ah, the classic Plan A. I was thinking of visiting the casino as a couple, dressed up fancy. But then one of us would have to be the woman. And I don't feel like it. Sheepy: Harley: Oh, I'm fine with that. Sheepy: Harley: I usually end up with that role, so I'm used to it. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Well, then I guess I know what we're doing this week. Sheepy: Harley: Clothes shopping? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Wasting lots of cash in roulettes. Sheepy: Harley: I don't gamble... I'll leave you to that. Arsé-kun: Arséne: How kind of you! If I'm not interrupted, I'll clean house nicely for you. Sheepy: Harley: Oh, thank you. What a great husband you are. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Hey! I hate this already! Sheepy: Harley: That's your problem. Sheepy: Harley: Don't worry. We married for status and you're having an affair on me with my brother and I'm secretly planning to have you mysteriously end up in an accident for your insurance money. Sheepy: Harley:...I'm kidding, of course. Let's play this straight and not seem suspicious. Arsé-kun: Arséne: But would playing it straight be the best? The first is far easier to pull off. Sheepy: Harley: Is it? Sheepy: Harley: I don't really want to plot your downfall. I care enough about you to not want to consider such a thing. Arsé-kun: Arséne: But if we want to run it straight, we'd need to be a solid mix of type A and B- Lovey dovey but also super casual. The traitorous route lets us go type A, exaggerated to our desires. Sheepy: Harley: Oh dear. Sheepy: Harley: How fun. Sheepy: Harley: You take me out on such a nice date to try to distract me from how you're having an affair. Sheepy: Harley: And I, meanwhile, am focused on...hmmm... Sheepy: Sherlock: Wow, you're really going into a detailed backstory. Arsé-kun: Arséne: We need to. The more foolproof, the better. Sheepy: Harley: We need to come up with names, too. Sheepy: Sherlock: There's a twitter for that! Baby names. Sheepy: Harley: Let's see. It's our anniversary. Sheepy: Harley: I wanted to go on a nice adventure in a place that, ah... Sheepy: Harley: Could end in your death. Sheepy: Harley: However, despite my heavy hints towards this, you chose the casino. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I do enjoy living, after all. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I think that would work. I, meanwhile, would certainly be giving everyone but you the interested looks, and would probably spend as much time away as possible. That way, even running off to the bathroom for an hour would have a solid base. Sheepy: Harley: I'd end you if you were. Arsé-kun: Arséne: You'd have to beat me to it. Sheepy: Harley: Oh dear. Arsé-kun: Watson: *he's started sorting more of the mail in the background. He is not needed right now* Sheepy: Sherlock: Have you found anything of interest? Arsé-kun: Watson: I found the bills, does that count? Sheepy: Sherlock:.....Ummm... Sheepy: Sherlock: N...not really. Sheepy: Harley: How kind of you to offer to pay them, Watson. Sheepy: Harley: I'll take you up on that offer. Arsé-kun: Watson: What! Again?! Sheepy: Harley: Well? I haven't gotten a case in a while. No case means no payment. Sheepy: Sherlock: Bills? Arsé-kun: Watson: Fair enough.. Sheepy: Sherlock: Are any for me? Sheepy: Harley: You were about to act clueless on what a bill was right after clearly acting like you knew what a bill was... Arsé-kun: Watson: Actually, Sherlock- Yes. This one is your problem now. I'll hang it on the fridge for you. Sheepy: Harley: You shift your weight to the opposite side when you lie, Sherlock. Sheepy: Sherlock: Eh...! I get a bill and information I didn't want to know! Sheepy: Harley: Actually, let me make a correction: when you consider lying. Sheepy: Harley: When you actively lie- Sheepy: Sherlock: Let's see that bill! Arsé-kun: *Watson tries to throw it over. He misses Sherlock entirely.* Sheepy: *Sherlock picks it up and opens it* Arsé-kun: *it's a bill, all right. for all those netflix shows. i don't know how netflix actually works.* Sheepy: Sherlock: Ah...I guess I haven't taken many cases either recently...! Sheepy: Sherlock: But I haven't felt like it. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Annnnd this is why I am in business. Sheepy: Sherlock: I just don't feel motivated. Arsé-kun: Arséne: You've still gotta do it. Sheepy: Sherlock: I know.... Sheepy: Sherlock: I don't feel interested in them... Arsé-kun: Arséne: People Will Die without assistance, Sherlock! Sheepy: Sherlock:....R...really? Sheepy: Harley: Surprise. Sheepy: Sherlock: I never knew that...! Sheepy: Sherlock: Watson, did you? Sheepy: Harley: I will begin taking them if you won't, Sherlock. Sheepy: Sherlock: I didn't know!! Arsé-kun: Watson: This isn't new information... Sheepy: Sherlock: I thought it was mass distributed to every detective! Sheepy: Harley: There are very few who aren't connected tothe police. Sheepy: Harley: I get very few cases due to my very specific use. Sheepy: Harley: However, you get the commonfolk. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Many of my cases are ones you passed by, for example. Sheepy: Sherlock: Ah!? Sheepy: Harley: Mine are...hmmm. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Yours are... Ehh.. Sheepy: Harley: Very rich people who don't want people knowing a thing. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Where's all your cash, mr. detective? Sheepy: Harley: Hmm? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Where's the rich payout? Or do you do the smart thing and store it all? Sheepy: Harley: Oh, did you want to steal it? Or know the contents of my will? Sheepy: Harley: Neither are options, I'm afraid. Anyway, I save almost all of it. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Why would I steal that? It's just money. Sheepy: Harley: I suppose so. Sheepy: Harley: We shoupd come up with how we will defend ourselves. Sheepy: Sherlock: Ah...I don't want to practice with you... Sheepy: Harley: Oh, I have an idea. ..But if he's in on it... Arsé-kun: Arséne: ...? Sheepy: Harley: Let's ask Mycroft about the owners of the home. He might know something. Sheepy: Harley: Of course, that's offtopic from self defense, but I think it'll help tremendously if we can find something. However, over text won't do. Ah, what if his home has been bugged... Sheepy: Sherlock: Do you go through this every case you take? Arsé-kun: Watson: He sure does. Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh.... Sheepy: Sherlock: I can't really help there. Sheepy: Harley: Watson, should we ask Mycroft if he can dig up any information on the home owners? Arsé-kun: Watson: You could try. Sheepy: Harley: Any piece of information is necessary. Sheepy: Harley:...Give me a moment... Sheepy: Harley: [text: to Mycroft] We need to talk. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: [text: to Harley] Not even a hello? What is it? Sheepy: Harley: [text: to Mycroft] 221B Baker's Street Arsé-kun: Mycroft: [text: to Harley] I know where you live!! You could have just said "come over"!!! Sheepy: Harley: [text: to Mycroft] Come over Arsé-kun: Mycroft: [text: to Harley] Right now? Sheepy: Harley: [text: to Mycroft] Need assistance Arsé-kun: Mycroft: [text: to Harley] I have work in half an hour. You'd better make it quick. Sheepy: Harley: [text: to Mycroft] 1 life is at stake Sheepy: Harley: He's coming over. Sheepy: Harley: Meanwhile, I'm going to look for information on the casino in the newspapers. Maybe online too. Arsé-kun: Watson: Good thinking. I'll try to figure out what's around it. Sheepy: Harley: Thank you. Sheepy: Harley:...By the way. Sheepy: Harley: If you're wondering where Sheepy is, he's out to go see Professor Moriarty. Sheepy: Harley: So it'll be quiet for a while. Make use of that. Arsé-kun: Arséne: One question. How on earth did you get him up at this hour? Sheepy: Harley: Hmmm? Sheepy: Harley: I have my ways. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I'm now afraid. Sheepy: Sherlock: Don't you get Iris up early by bribing her with going out to a fun place with you? Sheepy: Harley: Ah, I'm caught. Sheepy: Harley: I bribed him. Arsé-kun: Arséne: With..? Sheepy: Harley: Oh, nothing too interesting. Sheepy: Harley: He wants to know more about my pickpocketing days. Sheepy: Harley: So I just made some fantastical tale up that never happened and told him about it. Sheepy: Harley: The moral of the story is: the early bird gets the worm. Sheepy: Harley: It's a useful tactic. Sheepy: Harley: He's easier to please than Iris, as well. Arsé-kun: Arséne: ... Well, okay. Sheepy: Harley: After I gave her a picture of a pony when I bribed her with getting her a pony when she was five, she stopped falling for my tricks. Arsé-kun: Arséne: You're terrible to children sometimes. Sheepy: Harley: However, whether it's out of amusements or obliviousness, I can use any loophole I please with Sheepy and he doesn't care. Sheepy: Harley: Oh, it's not terrible. It's smart. Do you know how much a pony costs each year? Sheepy: Harley: More than a picture of a pony. I also don't lie. Sheepy: Harley: What do you do, Lupin? Arsé-kun: Arséne: I at least stick to my word. Sheepy: Harley: I am sticking to my word Sheepy: Harley: She asked for a pony. A picture of a pony contains one pony. Sheepy: Harley: Therefore, I fulfilled my obligation of giving her a singular pony. Sheepy: Harley: Today, I said that I would tell him a story, so I told him an embarrassing tale about you. I fulfilled my obligation of a singular story. I did not promise what the contents would be. Arsé-kun: Arséne: And I probably told him the same one already, so nothing lost. Sheepy: Harley: The other day, I promised Sherlock one sign of affection, so I put hard work into making a sign with the word "Affection" on it. Sheepy: Sherlock: *sigh* Sheepy: Harley: As promised, I delivered one sign of affection. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Did you at least make it look good? Sheepy: Harley: Of course. Sheepy: Sherlock: I wanted real affection... Sheepy: Harley: Therefore, I have not once gone back on my word. Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he snakes his arm around Sherlock's shoulder* Behold, as I do better than he ever could. Sheepy: Sherlock:!!! Sheepy: Harley: Unfortunately, affection is a completely alien concept to me. Arsé-kun: Watson: That's funny. You hug more dogs than people. *he returns with a fresh mug of coffee* Sheepy: Harley: That's not difficult. Sheepy: Harley: Have I ever hugged a human being in my life? Sheepy: Harley: I have been hugged, but it's not the same. Arsé-kun: Watson: Do you want an answer to the question? Sheepy: Harley: Yes. Arsé-kun: Watson: You absolutely have, and stopped at the age of twelve. "I'm an adult, stop crushing me!" You said. *he smiles smuggly. smuggu.* Someone never got out of their teenage rebellion, hmmm? Sheepy: Harley:....! Sheepy: Harley: I-!! Sheepy: Harley: I didn't go through teenage rebellion!!! Sheepy: Sherlock: I remember you being really rebellious, but not how you were before that. Arsé-kun: Watson: I feel like I should get the childhood photographs out in response, but the minute I take it out of its hiding spot, it'll be burnt to a crisp. Sheepy: Harley: I wouldn't burn it! Sheepy: Harley: They aren't embarrassing! Arsé-kun: Watson: Well, good. If you burnt up the pictures of my wife, I'd have to kill you. Sheepy: Harley: Uh? Arsé-kun: Watson: They're in the same book, and I honestly? Do not trust you with that book. Sheepy: Harley: I'm that untrustworthy...? Arsé-kun: Watson: In this single case scenario, involving this single book? Yes. The rest of the time, no. Sheepy: Harley: Fine. Arsé-kun: Watson: And if you still want to find it, I'll give you kids a hint- It's most definitely upstairs. Sheepy: Harley: I-I'm not interested. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: I am! *he comes in from the other room. must've come in the other front door.* I'd be willing to pay for photocopies. Sheepy: Harley: Mycroft...!! Sheepy: Harley: It wouldn't matter at all!!! Arsé-kun: Mycroft: Sure, sure. What was so important that you called me over? *he drops into a seat.* And make it snappy. Sheepy: Harley: I need you to look into something for me. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: Yes? Sheepy: Harley: *He states the address of the home mentioned in the letter.* Arsé-kun: Mycroft: That's... In a business center, I believe. Sheepy: Harley: I need any information on the owners. Your job lets you find that sort of thing, right? Sheepy: Harley: A man is being held hostage there. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: I could find out, yes. But how much information do you want? Sheepy: Harley: Occupation. Financial situation. Criminal record. Sheepy: Harley: I want to know if how they're linked in with the casino. Sheepy: Harley: Why was our victim investigating the casino? The owners of that home must be related. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: I'm going to stop you there. There are no "homes" around that location. It's all businesses. Sheepy: Harley:.... Sheepy: Harley:........? Sheepy: Harley: Then....what's...? Arsé-kun: Mycroft: That would be... The casino in question. Sheepy: Harley: I... Sheepy: Harley:..I'm so sorry. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: For what? Not knowing something? Sheepy: Harley: I didn't know.... Arsé-kun: Mycroft: You do now. Sheepy: Harley:....Yes. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: If someone is being held hostage in a public business, I would argue that's even worse, because they'd be in plain sight. Sheepy: Harley:...I, uh, still want any information you can dig up on its financial records..and, uh... Sheepy: Harley: Yes, we need to get them out, but I haven't figured out...how yet. Arsé-kun: Arséne: My plan is to wing it unless we've got the time Sheepy: Harley: Alright. Sheepy: Harley:...Sorry for dragging you out here....I didn't know... Arsé-kun: Finis: Sucks to be you. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: Finis! Sheepy: Harley: .....!? Sheepy: Harley: D-does it. Arsé-kun: Finis: *he shrugs* Sheepy: Harley:....... Sheepy: Harley: Sorry, I'll let you go now. Sheepy: Harley:..before I make a bigger idiot of myself.... Arsé-kun: Mycroft: I'm still going to get you the information, so it didn't change anything. Have fun? Sheepy: Harley: Thanks.. Sheepy: Sherlock: We three should go out together sometime! Arsé-kun: Mycroft: We'd have to find a good time for that, but I would enjoy it. Sheepy: Sherlock: Great!! Sheepy: Sherlock: Let's do it soon! Arsé-kun: Mycroft: Agreed. Sheepy: Harley: Oh, sure. Sheepy: Harley: I should let you go for now. I ill pay you for your services, of course. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: I'd like to go. I have work in... 15 minutes. Sheepy: Harley: Yes, go. Arsé-kun: *Mycroft hurries back out. Finis takes his sweet time following him* Sheepy: Harley: Ah, what to do next.. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Get everything we're going to need together? Sheepy: Harley: Yes, let's do that. Arsé-kun: *Meanwhile!!* Sheepy: Sheepy: *He knocks on Mori's door* And now we wait. Arsé-kun: Randy: Are you sure about this? Sheepy: Sheepy: Why wouldn't I be? Arsé-kun: Randy: Because you usually enter a different way.. Sheepy: Sheepy: I gotta shake it up a bit. Sheepy: Jack: *He opens the door* Sheepy: Sheepy: Hi, I'm selling windows and window cleaning. For only a whopping $100 a month, I personally will come to break your windows and replace them with new ones. Arsé-kun: *Randy has to turn around and cover his mouth to not start laughing* Sheepy: Jack:....Uh... Sheepy: Jack: Professor, this kid is threatenin' t' break yer windows. Sheepy: Sheepy: For an extra $50 a month, I'll break all of the old electronics in your house that you've been conflicted about replacing to push you in the right direction. Sheepy: Jack: And yer phone. Arsé-kun: Mori: But will you throw out a defective lackey? *he wheels in from scene right* Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, that's its own, separate fee, not bundled in with the rest. Arsé-kun: Mori: Fantastic. How may I be of help, Joker? *he folds his hands* You don't usually enter this way. Sheepy: Sheepy: I have some things I want to ask you about, but by the way, Porlock was begging Sherlock for money again. Sheepy: Sheepy: So anyway, how do you feel about slugs? Sheepy: Jack:..... Arsé-kun: Mori: .... .... Jack, let them in and close the door. Sheepy: Jack: *He moves out of the way. Sheepy strolls in like he owns the place.* Arsé-kun: *Randy follows him with the absolutely minimal level of confidence. This is all new territory to him. Sure, he's seen some shit, but people are dangerous too!* Sheepy: *Jack closes the door.* Sheepy: Sheepy: So, I want to know what you've got to do with Glaaki. Arsé-kun: Mori: As little as humanly possible. *he's frowning.* Which is still far more than I ever wanted. Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah, about the same here. I've met him face to face once and he didn't bother me for whatever reason. Arsé-kun: Mori: That's curious. As far as I was aware, it just takes what it can get. Sheepy: Jack: Naw, it's got int'rests. Sheepy: Jack: Yer not really Joker, 'r yeh? Sheepy: Jack: Not sayin' it won't go fer juss 'bout anythin', but... Sheepy: Jack:...Sorry. I spoke outta line. Arsé-kun: Mori: Well, you're not entirely wrong..! *he sits up a bit straighter* This is a different Joker. The one you're looking for is Kaito Joker. Different man. Sheepy: Sheepy: Wow, how creative. Sheepy: Sheepy: He's phantom thief Joker and I'm Phantom Joker... Sheepy: Sheepy: I'm gonna sue him for copyright infrigement. Arsé-kun: Mori: Very funny. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, thanks. Sheepy: Sheepy: Great, well this has been informative. Arsé-kun: Mori: Glad to have helped. All I ask is that you leave the full fossil set at the local alone. Everything else is fair game. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh? Arsé-kun: Mori: I want that. Sheepy: Sheepy: So that was Robert I spotted when I was there. Sheepy: Sheepy: Okay, well, I'm not interested in that. Arsé-kun: Mori: Lucky me. Sheepy: Sheepy: I want a part of the velociraptor fossil. Sheepy: Sheepy: But, uh, not the one you're interested in, right? Sheepy: Sheepy: Have you ever noticed how its leg bone is odd? Sheepy: Sheepy: They stole it from someone else but in a hurried rush they lost the leg bone. Really, if I had done it, I wouldn't have left a single piece. Arsé-kun: Mori: What a noble motive you've got then, stealing what's already been taken. Sheepy: Sheepy: That's all I do. Sheepy: Sheepy: Why would I have targeted you initially for any other reason? Sheepy: Sheepy: By now it's just fun. Sheepy: Jack:?! Arsé-kun: Mori: I figured as much. You can continue to try, but maybe be more quiet in those heels of yours. Sheepy: Sheepy: I'm not sacrificing fashion for trying to steal from you. Anyway, disappointingly, I lost interest in stealing whatever I targeted originally a long time ago. Sheepy: Sheepy: I now just want to break in for fun. Sheepy: Sheepy: I stole your shoe a few days ago by the way. Sheepy: Sheepy: Did you find it yet? Arsé-kun: Mori: It'd be strange if I hadn't. You can stop hiding things so low to the ground, though. Sheepy: Sheepy: Eh? If you say so. I just wanted to make sure to make it fair for you. Arsé-kun: Mori: It's my house. I have the advantage to begin with, Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, that's true. Sheepy: Sheepy: Well, I'll work hard on ideas for another scavenger hunt, so look forward to that, alright? Arsé-kun: Mori: I'm utterly terrified. Oh no. Not again. Sheepy: Sheepy: It'd be fun if we worked together sometime! I won't tell Sherlock, though, because he'll throw a fit. Arsé-kun: Mori: On the contrary, please do tell him. He might figure out that I'm fully capable of playing nice. Sheepy: Sheepy: Whenever you're brought up he gets all mad. Arsé-kun: Mori: Why? He already did enough damage to me. I've already quit major crime. What else does he want?? Sheepy: Sheepy: Attention, I dunno. Sheepy: Sheepy: Grudges never die with him, and it takes a bullet to the head and temporarily memory loss with Harley. Sheepy: Sheepy: I've decided to ignore him in favor of: You're more fun and therefore I don't care. Arsé-kun: *Meanwhile in the background, Randy is astronomically out of his element. This is all humans and humanoids. Awkward.* Sheepy: Sheepy: I can tell him though. He might throw a fit but I'll tell him. Arsé-kun: Mori: I'll take it. Making the great Sherlock Holmes throw a fit counts as a win in my book. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, it's fairly easy. Arsé-kun: Mori: I know. It's very amusing. Sheepy: Sheepy: Just tell him that the dinosaurs are all dead and he'll cry. Sheepy: Sheepy: Or that santa doesn't exist. Arsé-kun: Mori: You're only enabling me right now, you know. Sheepy: Sheepy: He was extremely bitter about Robert from what I remember, so now you have a reason. Sheepy: Sheepy: He was completely against investigating that case a while back, so now if you want revenge, he believes in Santa Claus. Arsé-kun: Mori: I'll consider it. Sheepy: Sheepy: Have fun. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, I was thinking this necklace that this rich guy owns. Obviously, he got it from illegitimate means. He has coats of armor. You want coats of armor? Sheepy: Sheepy: "I, the Phantom, will be coming for the precious necklace so beloved to you. In your darkest hours, not even your knights will defend you." Arsé-kun: Mori: Coats of armor are so... Difficult to manage. I'll pass. Sheepy: Sheepy: Aw, okay. I'll focus on the museum for now and stay out of your- Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh! Sheepy: Sheepy: We can work together on that. Sheepy: Sheepy: Just don't kill anybody. Arsé-kun: Mori: Is that the only condition? Arsé-kun: Mori: If it is, I may take up that offer. But not yet. Sheepy: Sheepy: That's all! Arsé-kun: *And Randy has ceased to exist in this location. He's gone to the far off planet of Outside.* Sheepy: *Randy no* Arsé-kun: *randy yes* Sheepy: Sheepy: Okay, now that I've rambled, do you have anything to say? Arsé-kun: Mori: How have you survived this long while being unable to hold your tongue? Sheepy: Sheepy: I know. Sheepy: Sheepy: How is it a mistake? Sheepy: Sheepy: You aren’t going to harm him, so telling you stuff like this is of no detriment to me. Sheepy: Sheepy: You have too much to lose by throwing your comfy lifestyle out the window just to get one final jab at a man with regular pain thanks to the fall. There’s no worth in it, since any further damage will never compare to that original scar. Arsé-kun: Mori: A solid guess, but a wrong one nonetheless. Sheepy: Sheepy: Where did I go wrong? Arsé-kun: Mori: You assumed I was referring to the other subject. Or something like that.. I don't do Language Studies for a reason.. Sheepy: Sheepy: Why is that a mistake? Sheepy: Sheepy: You won’t hurt me. Arsé-kun: Mori: You sound awfully sure of yourself. Sheepy: Sheepy: I’m of use. Arsé-kun: *not shown is moran glaring down the hall. he is pulled out of scene by unseen assistance. thank you unseen hero* Sheepy: Sheepy: There’s no benefit to hurting me. I’m your only access to Sherlock, and yet, simultaneously, we aren’t close enough for it to affect Sherlock to any level you’d deem worth the work of injuring me. Arsé-kun: Mori: Or are you? *he seems amused by all this* And your friend is still waiting for you. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, I guess I should go meet with him. Alright, let's talk again soon, okay? Arsé-kun: Mori: You imply I get much choice in the matter. You're going to show up whether I like it or not. Sheepy: Sheepy: Eh? Arsé-kun: Mori: You'll just break in anyway. Sheepy: Sheepy: You mean you don't like my visits? Arsé-kun: Mori: Have the windows been barred shut to prevent you yet? Sheepy: Sheepy: Great! Let's talk soon! Sheepy: *Sheepy leaves* Sheepy: Porlock: Wow, boss. I can't believe Jack has competition on Moran's replacement for Robert! How egg-citing! Arsé-kun: Mori: Porlock? Please close your mouth for five minutes. Sheepy: Porlock: Eh? Sheepy: Porlock: Is that my pun-ishment for witty wordplay, Boss? Arsé-kun: Mori: *he leans over and yanks the knife out of Porlock's chest* No, this is. Sheepy: Porlock: Awww, Moran gave me that as a gift. Sheepy: Porlock: It was excruciatingly painful though. Arsé-kun: Mori: If someone stabs you and doesn't take the knife, you're legally allowed to keep it. Sheepy: Porlock: Really? Arsé-kun: Mori: Well, no one has ever said no! Sheepy: Porlock: What if they do take it? Arsé-kun: Mori: Then they like their knife, I guess. Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, I see. Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, yeah, that pawn he was talking about was me! Sheepy: Porlock: Surprise, right? But I made so much money that I might just consider being charitable and give you some! Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, yeah, that pawn he was talking about was me! Sheepy: Porlock: Surprise, right? But I made so much money that I might just consider being charitable and give you some! Arsé-kun: Mori: You made money? That's a surprise. Sheepy: Porlock: I get money sometimes. Sheepy: Porlock: Like that reporter kid the other day. Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, do you think that's why Moran stabbed me? *He raises his voice some* Moran, why did you stab me? Arsé-kun: Moran: Because you don't shut up. Sheepy: Porlock: Eh? Sheepy: Porlock: My vocal cords are in my chest? Sheepy: Porlock: Wow! I learned anatomy today, Boss! Arsé-kun: Moran: I was hoping I'd hit your lungs. That would shut you up for once! Sheepy: Porlock: Oh! Well, that makes it all different! You missed my lungs. Try harder next time! Sheepy: Porlock: I'd recommend learning anatomy, for one. Sheepy: Porlock: For example, did you know that the head bone is connected to the leg bone? Sheepy: Porlock: And that bones are made up of smaller bones, which are made up of even smaller bones? Sheepy: Jack: That's.....that's not right... Yer "head bone" is called a sk'll, 'n it c'nnects int' th'- Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, it's all connected in the end. I was just skipping a few pieces! Sheepy: Jack: Yeh, I s'ppose that's t' be exp'cted. Yeh can't realy be stupid 'nough to b'lieve- Sheepy: Porlock: The head bone directly connects into the arm bone, and the arm bone directly connects into the leg bone. Arsé-kun: Fantomas: Yer half man, half skeleton! Sheepy: Porlock: Eh? Arsé-kun: Fantomas: Well, you got bones, dont'cha? Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, I sure do! Sheepy: Porlock: Two of 'em! Sheepy: Porlock: One arm bone, two arm bone. Arsé-kun: Fantomas: So where's the rest? Sheepy: Porlock: Uhhhh......... Sheepy: Porlock: A part of my body. Sheepy: Porlock: My arms won't be if Moran gets his way, aha! Sheepy: Porlock: If I'm cut perfectly in half, will I grow two mes? Arsé-kun: Moran: You'd better not! Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, oh! Sheepy: Porlock: If there's two mes, I can do two things I want to do at once! Arsé-kun: Moran: Then I get to kill one. Sheepy: Porlock: Whaaaaaaat!? Sheepy: Porlock: But my plans.............! Sheepy: Porlock: "Bond with Moran" and "befriend Moran"!! Arsé-kun: Moran: It ain't gonna happen, pipsqueak. Sheepy: Porlock: Why not!? Arsé-kun: Moran: You give me headaches. Sheepy: Porlock: How? Arsé-kun: Moran: By never, ever, shutting your mouth. Sheepy: Porlock: If you work on being my friend, I'll work on being quieter. Arsé-kun: Moran: Ughhhhh! Fine! Sheepy: Porlock: Great! Arsé-kun: *less importantly but meanwhile* Arsé-kun: Germain: *he lowers the newspaper* What were you going to say, Nyar? Sheepy: Nyar: *He takes a sip of coffee* So, uh, if a ghost possesses somebody and takes a pictures of the body it's possessing.. Sheepy: Nyar: Is, is that a selfy? Arsé-kun: Germain: Yes. Sheepy: Nyar:....But.. Sheepy: Nyar: That's not its body. Arsé-kun: Germain: But the intent is the same, yes? Sheepy: Nyar: But if that's the case. Sheepy: Nyar: If a scientist takes a picture of his cells, can't you say that it's a cell-fy? Arsé-kun: Germain: ... ... ... *he leans over and pours some of his (thankfully not hot) tea on Nyar* Sheepy: Nyar: Why!!! Arsé-kun: Germain: You are punished for bad pun crimes. Sheepy: Nyar: But! But! It was funny! Arsé-kun: Germain: But a scientist could always be taking pictures of their own cells, even with the camera pointed away. So every picture taken by a scientist could be a cell-fy. Sheepy: Nyar: Yeah! Arsé-kun: *Impey stops washing the dishes for 10 seconds to look over his shoulder* Arsé-kun: Impey: I mean, you're not wrong! Sheepy: Nyar: Right? So why did I get tea spilled on me?! Arsé-kun: Germain: Bad pun crimes are punishable, and that's the tea. Sheepy: Nyar: How come you can make puns and not me!? Sheepy: Nyar: *He huffs* Arsé-kun: Impey: This is a citizen's arrest! *he turns around and shakes his hands off, getting Germain a tiny bit wet.* Sheepy: Nyar: Yeah! Whatever that means! Sheepy: *Wilson, surprisingly, runs in, holding one of Fran's test tubes in his mouth. It smells like dad! There's a shout of Fran saying, "NONONO WILSON GIVE THAT BACK!" ...before him immediately tripping upon entering. RIP* Arsé-kun: Impey: *he goes to help Fran up. priority* Sheepy: Fran: Th-thank you...*He accepts the help and rights his glasses* Wiiilsoooonnn...! Sheepy: *Wilson play bows. He's having fun!!* Arsé-kun: Impey: Okay, okay, I can fix this one! *he nudges the under-sink cabinet door with his foot. it opens a little. what's in there?* Sheepy: Wilson: *He perks his ears up and struts over to see what's inside* Arsé-kun: *bad smelling stuff, bad smelling stuff, DOG TOY!, bad smelling stuff,* Sheepy: Wilson:....!!!! *He drops the test tube in favor of going in to grab the dog toy* Arsé-kun: *the tube is okay. it was only dropped like 2 inches* Sheepy: *Fran picks it up* Sheepy: Fran: Oh, you saved me. Arsé-kun: Impey: I did it! Sheepy: Fran: I'll try to be more careful.... Sheepy: Fran: Wilson wanted in and usually all he does when he's in there is sniff around for a bit and then leave... Arsé-kun: Germain: Then it's safe to assume he smelled his owner's property and ran off to give it back. Sheepy: Fran: Ah...Wilson, I didn't steal from your dad! Sheepy: Wilson: *blah wilson blah blah blah blah blah dad* ? Sheepy: Fran: I should've guessed that.. Sheepy: *Wilson walks off with his chewtoy* Arsé-kun: Impey: Well, he got something he wanted? Sheepy: Fran: Yes, I should be safe now. Arsé-kun: Impey: Or are you?? *he goes and plops his head onto Fran's shoulder. real threatening.* Sheepy: Fran: Why wouldn't I be? Arsé-kun: Impey: Dun dun duuuuuunnnn!.. I dunno, dramatic effect? Sheepy: Fran: Oh! Sheepy: Fran: I think I'm maybe making progress. Sheepy: Fran:...i hope. Sheepy: Fran: What about you? Arsé-kun: Impey: Huh? Me? I've made... Not much progress. Sheepy: Fran: That's too bad. Sheepy: Nyar: What are you trying to accomplish? Arsé-kun: Impey: I'm tryin' to, uh... I'm building rocket internals. Sheepy: Nyar: Oh, so you wanna go to space. Arsé-kun: Impey: Yeah. More specifically, I wanna go to the moon! Sheepy: Nyar: Oh? Sheepy: Nyar: I can arrange that. Arsé-kun: Impey: But that's not the same.. Sheepy: Nyar: Why not? Arsé-kun: Impey: I wanna go myself! Sheepy: Nyar: I can send you. Arsé-kun: Germain: Nyar.. Sheepy: Nyar: What? Arsé-kun: Germain: He's already established he wants to go on his own terms, himself. Sheepy: Nyar: And I can get him there alone. Arsé-kun: Germain: You're going to do it anyway, aren't you. Sheepy: Nyar: Yup. Arsé-kun: Germain: Make it quick. Sheepy: *Nyar uses his powers to send Impey to the Moon!* Sheepy: Nyar: *...before bringing him back a few moments later.* Arsé-kun: *Impey lands flat on his face. Ouch* Sheepy: Fran: Impey!! Are you okay!? Arsé-kun: Impey: *he holds up a thumbs up and loudly exhales. He was holding his breath the entire time.* Sheepy: *Fran helps him up* Arsé-kun: Impey: .... Y'know... *he's trying to catch his breath now, but it's not stopping him* ... I wouldn't mind that... on my own terms... Sheepy: Nyar: Great, hope that makes you more focused. Arsé-kun: Impey: I really wanna get to it now..! *huff, huff* Sheepy: Fran: Oh dear, what should I do... Sheepy: Fran: What if it's poisonous to be in space without a helmet... Sheepy: Fran: What if... Arsé-kun: Impey: Franny, bud, there's no air to begin with..! Sheepy: Fran:...Huh? Arsé-kun: Impey: I mean... I guess it could still be poisonous..? Sheepy: Fran: Do you feel odd? Arsé-kun: Impey: Nope..! Sheepy: Fran: If you start to, please tell me. Arsé-kun: Impey: Oh.. But... Rock! *and he pulls out a rock from one of his many pockets. there's gray dust everywhere. dusty rock.* I got you a rock! Sheepy: Fran:...! Sheepy: Fran: Thank you..! Sheepy: Fran: I'll, um, I'll treasure it. Sheepy: Nyar: You're fast if you could grab rocks in that short timespan. Arsé-kun: Impey: I'm super fast..! *he pulls out two more rocks* Fran, you want more rocks??? Sheepy: Fran: Um...! I don't know what to do with more than one rock. Arsé-kun: Impey: Uh... ... Pet rock? Sheepy: Fran: Oh! A pet for Adam! Good idea!! Arsé-kun: Germain: What a fantastic idea. Sheepy: Nyar: Wow, that's a lot of responsibility, taking care of a rock. Sheepy: Nyar: Are you sure you can trust him with such a huge job? Arsé-kun: Germain: Nyar, you killed a pet rock. Sheepy: Nyar: I did not. Sheepy: Nyar: I threw it at someone and missed. Arsé-kun: Germain: Releasing it from the mortal coil is killing, even if it wasn't the intended target. Sheepy: Nyar: That person killed Mr. Rock by dodging...! Sheepy: Fran: Do you know where he is, Impey? Arsé-kun: Impey: No idea..! Sheepy: Fran: Oh... Sheepy: Fran: I haven't spent aenough time with him recently because I got caught up.. Arsé-kun: Impey: Then les'go! Just lemme, uh.. Drop off all these other rocks? Sheepy: Fran: Okay. Arsé-kun: *Impey exits scene. He returns a couple of minutes later, with far less stuff in his pockets and a lot of dust on his hands.* Sheepy: Fran: Oh! You’re back. Arsé-kun: Impey: I'm back! Sheepy: Fran: Let’s go look for Adam. Sheepy: *Fran goes looking for Adam!* Arsé-kun: *and then other shit happens but 0% of it is important*

Det. AU Part 11

Arsé-kun: Arséne: So, lets get this straightened out properly this time.

Arsé-kun: Arséne: To start, Saint Germain has started internal fighting in Idea. I'm not sure what the goal there is, but it will most likely come to bite us in the ass later. Along with that, he and Nyar did... Something? Where Naoya lives, but again, no details. Arsé-kun: Germain: I only reunited past lovers. It's nothing of a big deal. As for the latter, the Philemon.exe was corrupted and needed to restart. *he smirks a bit. he's not going any further than that.* Arsé-kun: Arséne: ... These are things I'd like to know before reviewing. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Moving on. Delly has insisted I make mention of something, but gave me absolutely no details to go off of. Very helpful. More importantly, I was able to arrest the homicidal artist, with help, and that's why rent is being paid this month. Arsé-kun: Arséne: And after THAT, I have been kindly informed that Tom has occasionally been communicating with others when he has his freak-outs. I'm personally inclined to guess it was to that Crow kid, as he and a few others were investigating a Byrd residency at the time. They did find some kind of evidence- I can't wait for a photocopy of it. Sheepy: Sherlock: *He's got a blank expression on his face* Arsé-kun: Arséne: ... Where did I lose you, Sherlock? Sheepy: Sherlock: Rent? Sheepy: Sherlock: The artist is paying rent? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Non. I mean I got paid for the assist, so I paid the bills in advance. Sheepy: Sherlock: Who pays rent usually? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Me, but much later in the month. Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh. Sheepy: Sherlock: Did you say something after that? Arsé-kun: Arséne: ... Literally everything else. Sheepy: Sherlock: Well. Sheepy: Sherlock: I guess we'll never know! Arsé-kun: Arséne: You could just read what I've got written down.. Sheepy: Sherlock: *He looks to the paper* Arsé-kun: *it certainly has everything he was saying beforehand, and more!* Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh, I'll read over this. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Certainly. *he passes them over* Just don't damage anything. Sheepy: Sherlock: When do I damage things? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Punching a wall comes to mind. Sheepy: Sherlock: When did I- Sheepy: SHerlock: Oh, right. Sheepy: Sherlock: I broke my hand... Arsé-kun: Arséne: You certainly damaged something that day. Sheepy: Sherlock: A lot more than my hand, I think. Sheepy: Sherlock: Like the wall! Arsé-kun: Arséne: With that, my point stands. Sheepy: Sherlock: I don't usually! Arsé-kun: Arséne: Fair enough. Arsé-kun: *Meanwhile, in the background, is Impey just yelling "Randy, your sticks!". There is no context attached.* Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh, I get it now! *Doesn't get it at all.* Arsé-kun: Arséne: ... There's a bit of information missing, so it's a bit of a mess. Sheepy: Sherlock: Great! Arsé-kun: Arséne: What do you mean "great"?? Sheepy: Sherlock: Well, we have some information. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Better than none? Sheepy: Sherlock: Right. Arsé-kun: Impey: Randy!! You can't just cook sticks and leave someone else to deal with them! Come get your sticks!! *he bangs the ceiling with a broom (probably?) Sheepy: Sheepy: You can deal with them. Arsé-kun: Impey: And I will! *he bends down to pull Randy's pan out of the oven* But they'll be gone before he gets any at this rate! Sheepy: Sheepy: He can perish. Arsé-kun: Impey: Harsh!! Sheepy: Sheepy: If he doesn’t want his sticks, he can perish Arsé-kun: Randy: Guess I'll perish. *he drags himself in, dropping Shaggy on the counter. Cat time.* Sheepy: Sheepy: There you are! Arsé-kun: Randy: Here I am, in the third dimension. *he picks up a hot french toast stick and chomps it. he immediately regrets this decision.* Sheepy: Sheepy: Third? Sheepy: Sheepy: Are you sometimes in the second?! Arsé-kun: Randy: I try not to. ... It's confusing. Sheepy: Sheepy: what Arsé-kun: Randy: what Sheepy: Sheepy: How??? Arsé-kun: Randy: I don't remember. Blame Nyar and move on. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh. Arsé-kun: Randy: That, and I can't eat pie anymore because I expect it to hit my face. :') Sheepy: Sheepy: Pie? Sheepy: Nyar: Guess who bought pie! Arsé-kun: Randy: Please, no! Sheepy: Nyar: I didn't! Arsé-kun: Randy: You're horrible. Arsé-kun: Randy: You're horrible. Sheepy: Nyar: I'm lovable. Sheepy: Sheepy: I'm Sheepy. Arsé-kun: Impey: I'm Impey! Sheepy: Tom: im dead Arsé-kun: Randy: No, you're Tom. *he picks up another stick. hes gonna munch. hes gonna crunch* Sheepy: Sheepy: Do your sticks taste edible? Sheepy: Sheepy: I tried cooking them once. Arsé-kun: Randy: I guess so. Arsé-kun: Impey: They smell edible. Sheepy: Sheepy: Wow. Sheepy: Sheepy: Teach me your ways. Arsé-kun: Randy: Don't set it on fire. Sheepy: Sheepy: Too difficult. Arsé-kun: Impey: How. Sheepy: Sheepy: Messed up step one and set the house on fire. Arsé-kun: Randy: Congrats, you summoned Cthuga instead of making french toast sticks. Sheepy: Sheepy: I feel so talented. Sheepy: Sheepy: A cool protagonist complimented me. Arsé-kun: Randy: Who? Sheepy: Sheepy: You! Arsé-kun: Randy: I'm not cool... But thanks? Sheepy: Nyar: Oh, me! I know you were looking at him, but that's because you're shy! Gosh, I'm cool! Sheepy: Nyar: On top of that? I'm an absolute studmuffin! Arsé-kun: Randy: Not when you're a little girl you're not. Sheepy: Nyar: NORMALLY I'm an absolute studmuffin. Sheepy: Nyar: You gotta back me up here, Randy! Sheepy: Nyar: You gotta! Or I'll pelt you with pie! Arsé-kun: Randy: No way! Even I know you're not! You're a noodle!! Sheepy: Nyar: What! Sheepy: Nyar: Okay, fine, see if I care! I do a lot but I won't say that! Sheepy: Nyar: I'm a tsundere! Arsé-kun: Randy: But you just stated, out loud, that you cared. You're a noodley hypocrite. Sheepy: Nyar: No, you're just a mind reader Arsé-kun: Randy: I wonder if I can still do that. Sheepy: Sheepy: You could read people's minds at one point?! Sheepy: Sheepy: You're cooler than I thought...! ... Although I guess you could always read mine. Arsé-kun: Randy: That's just telepathy.. When I was trapped in another alien's body, yes... But I never actually tried as myself. Sheepy: Sheepy: I'm an alien? Arsé-kun: Randy: No, before that. Sheepy: Sheepy: This happens a lot to you. Arsé-kun: Randy: ... That is true. It needs to stop. Sheepy: Sheepy: Try to stay with me! Arsé-kun: Randy: Don't make it sound like I'm dying! Sheepy: Sheepy: You could sort of pass for my older brother. Sheepy: Sheepy: Eh? Arsé-kun: Impey: Stay with me, protagonist, don't die! That sorta thing? Arsé-kun: Randy: Yes. And I can just say I was just away at Miskatonic University. Sheepy: Sheepy: Eh? Arsé-kun: Randy: Oh, they still have Astrophysics and Ancient Histories courses. ... *he thinks for a moment* They also own the original Necronomicon. It's a university of people aware of shit like this. *he pats Nyar's shoulder* Sheepy: Sheepy: Huh! Arsé-kun: Randy: It's in the States, so it's an easy lie to pull off, I guess. Sheepy: Nyar: Oh, ooohh! Randy! You said a meanie word! Arsé-kun: Randy: States? Sheepy: Nyar: Noooo! Sheepy: Nyar: You insulted me! Arsé-kun: Randy: Ng n'gha. Sheepy: Nyar: You're so mean. Arsé-kun: Randy: y'hah. I learned from the best. Sheepy: Nyar: Me? Am I the best?! Sheepy: Nyar: Man, I always wanted to be the best! Sheepy: Sheepy: Well, what do siblings do with each other? All I've got is Iris and she likes using inventions on me and showing me horrible things she found on the internet. Sheepy: Nyar: But I thought you weren't - eh, whatever. Arsé-kun: Randy: Sounds about right.. Sheepy: Sheepy: If you bully me, I'll bully you. Arsé-kun: Randy: Please do not. We've already got Nyar. Sheepy: Nyar: Curls, you're being mean! Arsé-kun: Randy: Calling you mean is mean now? You're not evil incarnate? Sheepy: Nyar: Well- Sheepy: Nyar: ... Sheepy: Nyar: ................................................ Sheepy: Nyar: Am, am I slowly turning into a good guy? That can't be right! Arsé-kun: Randy: What a sweet mask you've got on right now. Sheepy: Nyar: !!! Sheepy: Nyar: I need a new one! Sheepy: Nyar: If I take yours, I should be mean enough. Arsé-kun: Randy: But then who will I be?? Sheepy: Nyar: Nobody Arsé-kun: Randy: How fitting! Sheepy: Sheepy: What should we do today? Arsé-kun: Randy: I was going to try to write, but I've got nothing. So be depressed. Hooray. Sheepy: Sheepy: That's what I do when I write essays. Sheepy: Sheepy: Watson writes on the side, so maybe he can help. Sheepy: Sheepy: Iris also writes. Arsé-kun: Randy: That's how most of us feel when we write essays.. But this is true. Arsé-kun: Impey: whats an essay and whys everyone never happy about them Sheepy: Sheepy: Writing about a topic you dont care about and not being paid to do it. Sheepy: Sheepy: Iris loves them. Arsé-kun: Impey: That sounds terrible. Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah, they're for nerds. Arsé-kun: Impey: We don't want them. The preps can have them. Sheepy: Sheepy: You're not a nerd. Arsé-kun: Impey: Should I ponytail my hair and start lecturing on space shuttle physics??? Sheepy: Sheepy: Sure. Sheepy: Sheepy: Victor is a nerd. Arsé-kun: Impey: I? Can't argue about that? Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah. Sheepy: *Impey receives a text!* Arsé-kun: Impey: ?! *what?? this is rare! he checks immediately.* Sheepy: Iris: [text: to Impey] let's go somewhere fun today! I want to invite fran, too! but he never reads his texts!! Arsé-kun: Impey: [text: to Iris] Sure, I'm not busy! I'll drag him along, dw! Sheepy: Iris: [text: to Impey] I want to invite abby and sheepy too! Sheepy: Iris: [text: to Impey] ok great! thanks! Arsé-kun: Impey: [text: to Iris] I'm on it, princess! Arsé-kun: Impey: *he turns his phone to Sheepy* You've received an invitation to go outside for once. Sheepy: Sheepy: I can finally go outside?! Sheepy: Sheepy: I hate being inside constantly. Sheepy: Sheepy: Hey, Randy, you should come with us. Arsé-kun: Randy: I'm not really an outside person... But I may as well. Sheepy: Sheepy: You can be the adult of the group. Arsé-kun: Randy: I'm honored. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, I guess Van is an adult, too. Sheepy: Sheepy: I guess I should tell Arsene and Watson that we're going out. Sheepy: Sheepy: *He goes hunting for the two.* Arsé-kun: *Arséne is no longer at his desk. Good luck.* Sheepy: Sheepy: Where did he go... Sheepy: Sheepy: Arseeeene, where did you gooo??? Arsé-kun: Impey: You didn't know he left? *he strolls in, following Sheepy. Randy is behind him with his sticks. this is his food for the day* Arsé-kun: Arséne: Somewhere!~~ Sheepy: Sheepy: I need to find you and if you don't give me a hint I'll put mugs dangerously close to the edge of your desk to bother you when you see them. Arsé-kun: Arséne: My hint is that I'm answering you! Sheepy: *Sheepy follows Arsene's voice* Arsé-kun: *He's in Sherlock's kitchen! You found him!! Also featuring! Watson, before his coffee, trying to not doze off at the table. It's ass o clock am, wake up!* Sheepy: Sheepy: I found the two people I need to talk to! Sheepy: Harley: I hope I'm not one of them because I refuse to talk to you right now. Sheepy: Sherlock: But you're talking to him right now. Sheepy: Harley: I refuse to talk to you, too. Sheepy: Sherlock: Eh!? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Eh? We grumpy this morning? Sheepy: Harley: I'm not grumpy. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Yeah you are. Sheepy: Harley: No, how am I grumpy? Arsé-kun: Arséne: You're being Mr. "I can't talk to anyone until morning coffee" right now. Sheepy: Harley: That's always Watson. Sheepy: Harley: Anyway, I don't need coffee. Sheepy: Harley: I need something interesting to happen that's not magical in nature. I want a mystery to solve. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Oh, I agree entirely. I'm almost tired of it. Arsé-kun: Arséne: But yes, Sheepy? What did you need? Sheepy: Sheepy: Iris invited a few of us to go out. Sheepy: Sheepy: By that I mean she texted Impey and told him to tell everyone else but never actually left her room... Arsé-kun: Arséne: So the usual? Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah. Arsé-kun: Arséne: As long as everyone stays together, I've got no issues with it. Sheepy: Sheepy: What about you, Watson? Arsé-kun: Watson: ...? What? Sheepy: Sheepy: Iris invited a few of us to go out. Are you okay with us going out? Arsé-kun: Watson: I suppose so. Sheepy: Sheepy: Only suppose...? Did you have a problem? You can join us if you want. Sheepy: Sheepy: Iris didn't invite you, but it's all good. Sheepy: Sherlock: I want to go! But I doubt she would want me going. Sheepy: Sherlock: She never comes out of her room so I always worry about her. Arsé-kun: Watson: I can't stop any of you, so I'm not really going to try.. *he yawns and eyes the coffee machine. is it done yeeeet* Sheepy: Sheepy: It's bad to be a defeatist. Arsé-kun: Watson: It's not even ten yet. I'm about as functional as a ferret stuck in a shoe. Sheepy: Sheepy: I'd recommend being a teenager again. Sheepy: Sheepy: No, wait Sheepy: Sheepy: You wouldn't be able to wake up until noon as a teenager. Sheepy: Harley: Go to sleep earlier. Arsé-kun: Watson: I wouldn't mind getting up at noon. Sheepy: Harley: No, go to sleep earlier. Arsé-kun: Watson: Then you better start doing it too. Sheepy: Harley: I don't need to. Arsé-kun: Watson: If you say so. Sheepy: Harley: I just need to keep my mind active. Arsé-kun: Watson: Do not, do not, please take a break once in a while. Sheepy: Sherlock: I'm rarely tired. Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm exhausted for you both at this rate. Sheepy: Sherlock: We're secretly sapping your energy!? Sheepy: Sherlock: What a cunning scheme...! So genius, even I, the perpetrator, wasn't aware of it!!! Arsé-kun: Watson: Considering what I have to deal with nightly? I don't think it's a secret. *he leans down and puts his face in his hand. the nerve of these idiots* Sheepy: Harley: I can knock him out for you. Sheepy: Harley: You don't have to listen to him at night if he's unconscious. Arsé-kun: Watson: That's called giving someone a concussion, so no. Absolutely not. Sheepy: Sherlock: I don't like that plan... Sheepy: Harley: Then don't be a terrible roommate or I'll take matters into my own hands. I shouldn't have to tell you to take other people's feelings into account. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Hypocrite alert. Sheepy: Harley: I don't keep people awake at night. Arsé-kun: Arséne: You don't, but you can be an ass during the day. Sheepy: Harley: I weigh honesty and potentially hurting them and see which is worth more. Sheepy: Harley: I refuse to lie. Arsé-kun: Watson: And I shouldn't have to tell a grown ass adult to not put his hands on other people. But here we are!!! Arsé-kun: *he's so, so, SO done* Arsé-kun: *and it's still not even 10 am.* Sheepy: Harley: People need the views of others to know how to improve- I wouldn't put my hands on him. Arsé-kun: Impey: What are we yelling about! Sheepy: Sherlock: Harley's threatening to knock me unconscious. Sheepy: Harley: It's not a threat. It's undignified to threaten people. Only petty criminals threaten people. Sheepy: Harley: It's a suggestion on how to solve a problem. Arsé-kun: Watson: Which can lead to more brain damage, which can lead to being! Even! More! Annoying! Arsé-kun: Arséne: Hey I suddenly feel attacked Sheepy: Harley: How are you being attacked? Arsé-kun: Arséne: I completely expected "petty criminals" to be followed with my name. Sheepy: Harley: No, you're fine. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I'm honored. Sheepy: Harley: And...he can get more annoying? Sheepy: Harley: I didn't know. Sheepy: Harley: Unless you mean I am. Arsé-kun: Watson: Can't anyone? I mean, it's not that har-*the coffee machine clicks. it is done. This earns his 100% undivided attention* Sheepy: Harley: It wouldn't surprise me. I always have been in the past. Sheepy: Sherlock: It's done!! Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm saved! *he nearly jumps out of his seat to get at the machine. c a f f i e n e* Arsé-kun: Arséne: You could have done a flip during that maneuver..! *he's very clearly joking.* Sheepy: Sherlock: I want to see that! Arsé-kun: Arséne: I'd give it a shot but you're kind of on my lap right now. Arsé-kun: Watson: Absolutely not. *he's back with coffee. he is pleased. this is his favorite kind. i know nothing about coffee so sue me* Arsé-kun: Watson: I think I would break something in the attempt. Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh... Sheepy: Sherlock: Well, that would be a problem. Sheepy: Harley: Don't break anything. It'd be upsetting. Arsé-kun: Watson: I agree with both of these points entirely. Arsé-kun: Randy: It'd probably be lethal or permanently damaging. Arsé-kun: Impey: uh Arsé-kun: Randy: I'll see myself out. Arsé-kun: Impey: I, uh, I was gonna crack a joke about Delly taking care of the problem like ten minutes ago, but too late now! Sheepy: Harley: Oh, no, I'd love recommendations. Sheepy: Sherlock: Please don't knock me out. Sheepy: Harley: Get a better sleep schedule. Sheepy: Sherlock: Stop being a hypocrite. Sheepy: Harley: Ah, that's a weight off my mind, to find out how you truly feel about me. Thank you. Please be more honest with me in the future. Sheepy: Sherlock: What happened to you? You're different... You were really nice right after the amnesia, but now you're even worse than before the amnesia. You're unrelenting. Sheepy: Harley: Thank you for telling me. I want to know your feelings. Arsé-kun: Watson: Do you? Mine are "Stop hurting yourself like this" and "Please do not threaten people when you have no intention of acting on them," with a side of "Sit down and eat already kiddo, I'll fistfight you and lose". *coffee sip break* At least you're recognizing other people have feelings. That's a plus. Sheepy: Harley: How am I hurting myself? Arsé-kun: Watson: Not eating or sleeping, no matter how hungry or tired you feel, is extremely damaging. You know this. Sheepy: Harley: I'm neither tired nor hungry. Arsé-kun: Watson: *he sighs* You can just say "I eat on my own schedule", and that would be the end of it. You saying otherwise just makes me want to dump melatonin on you. Sheepy: Harley: ...And anyway, I'm perfectly willing to damage myself to pursue the truth, so if a case requires it, I'll starve. Sheepy: Harley: Why melatonin? Arsé-kun: Watson: Why not melatonin? Sheepy: Harley: How would it help? Arsé-kun: Watson: Do you really want medical term talk at ten am? Sheepy: Harley: I wouldn't mind it. Arsé-kun: *Watson promptly launches into a caffeine-fueled explanation of what melatonin is. the internet is checked on at least twice. his mug is refilled twice. Arséne completely tunes out in favor of literally anything else.* Sheepy: *Sherlock has also stopped listening. Harley seems interested.* Sheepy: Harley: I understand. Arsé-kun: Watson: Fantastic! So please do better with yourself before I prescribe it by force. Sheepy: Harley: Thank you for your offer, but I'm fine. You really shouldn't worry about someone like me. Sheepy: Harley: It's a waste of time. Arsé-kun: Watson: Too late. If I've wasted years, so be it. Sheepy: Harley: I appreciate that you do, even though I can't understand what would cause you to worry about me. Arsé-kun: Van: Stop questioning it. You won't get answers. *good morning van helsing. sir 'ive already gotten dressed for the day'. bastard* Sheepy: Harley: You've asked, too? Arsé-kun: Van: Numerous times. I've given up. Just take what you get and shut up about it. Sheepy: Iris: *She enters* Good morning! Sheepy: Sherlock: Good morning! Sheepy: Harley:... Arsé-kun: *Van absently pats her head as she passes him. Arséne notices this. Arséne will remember this.* Sheepy: Sherlock: I was worried...... Arsé-kun: *in the background, randy has run out of sticks. hes disappoint* Sheepy: Sheepy: You could make more! Sheepy: Iris:... ... Good morning, Daddy! Good morning, Herly! Good morning, Luppie! Good morning, Sh- Sheepy: Sheepy: It's actually nighttime. Sheepy: Iris: Say good morning...! Sheepy: Sheepy: Good mourning! Arsé-kun: Randy: *he blocks Sheepy's face with the pan* This one doesn't exist right now. Good morning, though. Sheepy: Iris: Good morning, Randy! Sheepy: Sheepy: I'm invisible. Arsé-kun: Arséne: You'll never see him coming.. Sheepy: Sheepy: Heck yeah Arsé-kun: Watson: *he appears to be Thinking. when he isnt making sure van isnt using any kitchen appliances, anyway* Sheepy: Harley: Is something on your mind, Watson? Arsé-kun: Watson: Certainly. Do you have any plans for today? Sheepy: Harley: No. Sheepy: Harley: Why? Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm taking you with me today. It might help you in the social department. Sheepy: Harley: Am I really in that much need of medical attention that you'll even drag me to your office to prescribe me something I don't want? Or is it for publicity? I'm a nobody. Bring Sherlock. Sheepy: Harley: Unless, of course, it's something else. Arsé-kun: Watson: Neither. I just said the reasoning. If I wanted publicity, I'd commit murder. Sheepy: Harley: Would I help you or capture you if you did that...? Sheepy: Harley: I don't know. Sheepy: Harley: How will it help me in the social department? Arsé-kun: Watson: Because you'll get outside for once, and I don't mean sitting in the park with the squirrels. Sheepy: Harley:.... Sheepy: Harley: Fine. Arsé-kun: Watson: I appreciate it. I've helped you and Sherlock enough times- You're helping me for once. Arsé-kun: Randy: Look on the bright side. It won't be weird. .. I forgot to see myself out. *he goes to back out, nearly smacking Sheepy's face with the aforementioned pan. Impey stops him in time* Sheepy: Harley: I apologize for never returning your good will. Arsé-kun: Watson: It's fine. Sheepy: Harley: I'll try to be better about it in the future. Arsé-kun: Watson: Don't worry about it. I don't mind, genuinely. I only mind when you're being difficult, and that doesn't apply purely to you. Sheepy: Harley: No good deed goes unpunished. Arsé-kun: Watson: Then why am I still alive? Sheepy: Harley: Pure luck. Arsé-kun: Watson: That's fair. Sheepy: Harley: It applies to all of us. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Excuse you, I get by on my skill. Sheepy: Sherlock: I live on because my body lets me! Arsé-kun: Randy: I don't think I have a choice in the matter. Sheepy: Sheepy: I'm actually a zombie. Arsé-kun: Impey: I'm actually a vampire, then! Sheepy: Sherlock: Uh? Everyone knows that. Arsé-kun: Arséne: what. Sheepy: Sherlock: I'm the last to know anything, so if I know it, everyone else does. Arsé-kun: Impey: What? What are you talking about? ^^;;; Sheepy: Sherlock: That's what I broke my hand over. Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he looks from Sherlock to Impey and back, repeatedly* What? What?? What the hell??? Sheepy: Sherlock: You don't need to act stunned. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Acting? Who's acting?? This is the first I've heard of this! Sheepy: Sherlock:...Huh? Sheepy: Sherlock: What... Arsé-kun: *and Impey slowly backs out, keeping a forced grin on, before very quickly retreating. There is Fear here.* Sheepy: Sherlock: .... Sheepy: Sherlock: Did I say something wrong? Arsé-kun: Arséne: ¿...? Did he think I was angry at him? I'm angry at myself for not realizing this sooner. Sheepy: Iris: I'll go after him. Arsé-kun: Van: It can't be hard. He already looks like a traffic cone. Sheepy: Iris: That's true. Arsé-kun: Randy: But if he stays hidden, it means he's got a massive advantage.. Sheepy: Iris: Oh... Sheepy: Iris: I'll just have to try harder! Sheepy: Sherlock: ???? Arsé-kun: Arséne: ¿¿¿¿ Arsé-kun: *what a duo.* Sheepy: Sheepy: Sheepy - 1, Arsene - 0... Arsé-kun: Arséne: My own son knew and kept it from me.. I am an absolute master of my field. Without a doubt. Sheepy: Sheepy: That's a cruel way of phrasing it. Sheepy: Sheepy: I just assumed you knew. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I had no idea..! ... *he frowns* Someone hand me the paper. Maybe I can excel in my primary field instead. Sheepy: Harley: *He hands Arsene the paper* Sheepy: Sherlock: Everyone has their bad days. Sheepy: Harley: I didn't know. Sheepy: Harley: However, I also didn't, and still don't, care. Sheepy: Harley: I've never had an interest in vampires, zombies, or whatever other horror movie creatures there are. I didn't believe in them, either, until they proved to be real. Arsé-kun: Watson: .... That's not what you said when you were younger, Mister. Sheepy: Harley: What? Arsé-kun: Watson: Do I mention it here in the open? I didn't think you would appreciate it. Sheepy: Harley: No, please don't. Arsé-kun: Watson: Alright. *and he drops the matter* Sheepy: Harley: When are we going? Arsé-kun: Watson: At eleven. Sheepy: Harley: Thank you. Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he lowers the newspaper. he's got an awfully sinister grin..* Sheepy? Hold down the fort. I know what I'm doing this weekend. Sheepy: Sheepy: What? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Why would I ask that of you? Why, oh why? Arsé-kun: *his grin gets bigger, in french* Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, let's steal something! Sheepy: Harley: You're a terrible influence. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I've kept him from committing arson. I am a fantastique influence! Sheepy: Harley: That's the basic first step for being a father, I would think. Sheepy: Harley: I don't know, I'm no father. Arsé-kun: Watson: The first step is having a child and it being alive. Sheepy: Harley: That first step will be difficult, considering I have no romantic partner. Arsé-kun: Watson: Adoption is fine. Sheepy: Harley: Yes, I suppose so. Sheepy: Harley: I've thought about what having a family would be like some over the years, but I quickly came to the conclusion I'd be an awful father. I don't want to put a child through that. Arsé-kun: Watson: I thought I would be awful as well. Sheepy: Harley: You actually had parents, didn't you? Sheepy: Harley: You had some type of reference. Arsé-kun: Watson: This is a fair counterpoint. Sheepy: Harley: I don't know how they're supposed to act. My only experience with them is being ignored. I wouldn't want to replicate that. Arsé-kun: Watson: It's mostly instinct based. You'd be fine. Sheepy: Harley: Instinct..? Sheepy: Harley: So it's instinctual to ignore them...? Sheepy: Sherlock: I don't remember anything about my parents! But, I suspect they loved me a lot because I love me a lot. Sheepy: Sherlock: I'm very lovable! Sheepy: Harley: Yes, the most. Arsé-kun: Watson: I said mostly, not guaranteed. Ignoring them is not instinct. That is choice. Sheepy: Harley: Mycroft, the second most. Sheepy: Harley: Meanwhile, they didn't love me a bit. So, I fear I'd duplicate that. Arsé-kun: Watson: Ah. With how you treat animals, though, I think you would be fine. Sheepy: Harley: But those are animals. Sheepy: Harley:...Animals... animals don't lie about their feelings. Arsé-kun: Watson: It's close enough. Arsé-kun: Randy: ... Is this a bad time to come back? Also, have you met a cat once? Sheepy: Harley: I have. Sheepy: Harley: There's Wagahai. Sheepy: Harley: Wagahai lives here. Arsé-kun: Randy: Cats refuse to show when they're hurt, unless it's bad. They'll even run away so no one sees it. This one taught me that. *and he dumps Shaggy onto Harley's lap. tiny meow* Sheepy: Harley:.... Sheepy: Harley: I can understand that viewpoint. Sheepy: *Harley begins petting Shaggy. hello!* Sheepy: Harley: When you're hurt, others drop their guard. They, too, end up hurt. Arsé-kun: *Shaggy rubs his face on Harley and stares up at him with those big ol' moon eyes.* Sheepy: Harley: It's best to keep them safe. Sheepy: Harley: Love is keeping those around you safe, no matter how much it costs you. Sheepy: Harley: It's not running away. It's a sacrifice. Arsé-kun: *and then it was awkward and depressing for a moment. 2x combo! double score!* Arsé-kun: Van: .... Good god, who died to make you all so silent? Sheepy: *Harley is still petting Shaggy, seemingly unaware of the mood drop* Sheepy: Sheepy: My mood. Arsé-kun: Arséne: The mood has, indeed, just been murdered in cold blood. I can confirm this. Sheepy: Iris: Is it over Barby? He's okay now! Arsé-kun: Arséne: Not at all, but that is good. Sheepy: Iris: Huh? Sheepy: Harley: I felt comfortable. I spoke out of turn. I'm sorry. Sheepy: Harley: I'll avoid discussing my feelings in the future. Arsé-kun: Arséne: It wasn't that you were out of turn, or that it was you. Don't apologize. *he rolls up the paper and lightly bonks Harley with it* Please don't imply you're a sacrifice again. Arsé-kun: Randy: ... He's got a point. Sheepy: Harley: So, in a way, I am. Sheepy: Harley: It would've left a much larger void in the group if he had passed than if I had. It's perfectly fine for me to be the scapegoat in that situation. It's simple analysis. Sheepy: Harley: I got lucky, of course. Sheepy: Harley: I predicted almost instantaneous death. Arsé-kun: *arsene whaps harley with the paper again* Sheepy: Harley: What? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Arrêtez ! Ferme ta tais-toi, and pardon my French, but devalue yourself again and I'll smack your ass with this paper! Sheepy: Harley: It's not devaluing myself. Sheepy: Harley: I'm completely aware I hold value. This makes me very happy. Arsé-kun: Van: The problem is you're addressing a morbid manner this early in the day. Stop it. Get help. Sheepy: Harley: I don't need help, but thank you for the recommendation. Sheepy: Harley: Once again, I shouldn't have talked about this, so I won't bring it up in thr future. Arsé-kun: Impey: Let's make a depression club! I'll make jackets! Sheepy: Harley: I'm not depressed. Arsé-kun: Impey: It'll be open to everyone! Sheepy: Harley: Why should I join if I'm not depressed? Arsé-kun: Impey: So there's a time and place to say stuff without ruining the mood! *he throws confetti. where did he get confetti. when did he. Van ignores it entirely* Sheepy: Harley: I'm not interested. I've already stated my feelings on the matter. There's no purpose in ever repeating them. Arsé-kun: Impey: That's fine too! Sheepy: Harley: It's a waste of time. I should be getting ready to go out. *He gently shifts Shaggy off of his lap before getting up* I have to get ready. Arsé-kun: Watson: Wise decision. I will join you. Sheepy: *Harley rushes out...* Sheepy: Sheepy: Huh, just like you were saying, Randy. Arsé-kun: Randy: For once, I was right about something. Sheepy: Sheepy: You're usually right. Arsé-kun: *watson grumbles about Harley leaving much too fast, dragging himself up to follow* Arsé-kun: Randy: That is a first. Sheepy: Sherlock:??? Sheepy: *Harley shouts from the entrance, "I'm going out, Watson!" before slamming the door behind him. slow down harley* Arsé-kun: Watson: Getting ready, he says, leaving entirely! Good lord. Sheepy: Sheepy: That's just his way of leaving uncomfortable situations. Sheepy: Sheepy: He always does that! Sheepy: Iris: I could chase after him! He couldn't have gone far! Arsé-kun: Watson: This is a Holmes you're talking about, dear. He's gone. Sheepy: Iris:...Does he...does he even know how to get there...? Arsé-kun: Watson: I should hope so. Sheepy: Iris: Oh dear....um... Sheepy: Iris: He should be okay! Arsé-kun: Watson: If he isn't, he'll come home wearing a cone of shame. Arsé-kun: Arséne: ... Like I was saying! Sheepy, hold down the fort! Sheepy: Sheepy: Okay, sure. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Then I'll be off! I'll probably be back on Monday, if I'm lucky. Sheepy: Sheepy: Have fun with that. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I fully intend to! ... Sherlock, please get up so I can be an evil gentleman thief. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Fantastic question! It is Friday. Sheepy: Sherlock: Ah...so four days. Sheepy: Sheepy: Three, including today. Sheepy: Sherlock: Friday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Sheepy: Sheepy: That's- that's not- Arsé-kun: Arséne: Sherlock? I just lost brain cells listening to that. Sheepy: Sherlock: What!? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Consider the calendar. Sheepy: Sherlock: Calendar.... Sheepy: Sherlock: ...........!? Sheepy: Sherlock: I don't look at calendars! Arsé-kun: Delly: Start looking! Sheepy: Sherlock: Alright. Sheepy: Sheepy: But... wait a minute! How'll I watch over the office if I'm out with Iris? Arsé-kun: Arséne: You know what I meant to say! You don't need 24/7 surveillance with all the people around. Sheepy: Sheepy: Great! Arsé-kun: Randy: Where are we going, exactly..? Sheepy: Iris: Good question. Arsé-kun: Impey: Ehh? We don't even know yet? Sheepy: Iris: What about the museum? Arsé-kun: Impey: Oh! I've wanted to go there! Sheepy: Iris: Let's go, then! Arsé-kun: Randy: Is it close...? Sheepy: Iris: It's not far, but it isn't walking distance. Sheepy: Sheepy: So it's far. Sheepy: Iris: It's not far! Arsé-kun: Randy: If we can't walk, how are we going about it? Sheepy: Iris: I don't know. Sheepy: Sheepy: I can drive but we don't have a car. Sheepy: Iris: Since when could you- Arsé-kun: Randy: .... Since he got behind the wheel of a car and worked it out. Sheepy: Sheepy: I've been behind the wheel multiple times! Sheepy: Iris:... Sheepy: Iris: Does- Sheepy: Sheepy: Shh, don't ask questions. Arsé-kun: Randy: Yes. Sheepy: Iris: I was going to ask if Luppie knows. Sheepy: Iris: But you're bad at keeping secrets so he has to. Arsé-kun: Randy: The answer is still yes. So is your next question. Sheepy: Iris: Is he a reckless driver? Sheepy: Sheepy: O-oh, y-yeah, as reckless as they come! Arsé-kun: Randy: You drive slower than my grandmother. Sheepy: Sheepy: I'm such a daredevil, just like Ar- oh, shut up! Sheepy: Iris: Huh? Arsé-kun: Randy: I'll consider it. Sheepy: Sheepy: You're the one who can't keep secrets! Sheepy: Sheepy: I can keep secrets! I keep tons of them! Arsé-kun: Randy: If we wanted to get there today, you driving would not improve matters. My driving is equally as bad. Sheepy: Iris: I've never driven before. Arsé-kun: Impey: I have! It's not too bad! Sheepy: Iris: Sherly has shown me how to fix cars, but that's my only experience with them. Arsé-kun: Van: It's not difficult. It's other people that make it hard. Sheepy: Iris: Huh? Sheepy: Sheepy: I'd drive at a normal speed if drivers weren't so aggressive. Arsé-kun: Impey: It's hard to drive when other drivers are jerks, I guess? I mean, yeah.. Arsé-kun: Randy: And because no one has said it- Do not trust Lupin driving a vehicle. I already feel sick thinking about it. Sheepy: Sheepy: See, this is why I'm trying to avoid learning from him. Arsé-kun: Delly: .. You're all still here?? You're so slow! Sheepy: Sheepy: Okay, fine, let's go then. Arsé-kun: Van: I suppose the bus is an option? Or the monorail. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, yeah, true. Sheepy: Sheepy: Let's go that way, then! Sheepy: *And so, they head out!* Arsé-kun: *but which way are they going??* Sheepy: *By the bus!* Arsé-kun: *is it at least a double decker bus* Sheepy asked the lost sheep to choose between yes and no. The lost sheep chose: no Sheepy: *yes. ignore chatzy. it is a double decker bus* Arsé-kun: *hooray!* Sheepy: *They eventually get to the museum!* Arsé-kun: Impey: \o/ *hooray* Sheepy: Sheepy: We're here! Arsé-kun: Van: And without casualties. Impressive. Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah, somehow. Arsé-kun: Randy: ughhhh.. I'd rather be one right about now. *he just caught up, just now, because he's makin' his way downtown, walkin' slow, motion sick flow, and he's dying DADADA DA DAAAA* Sheepy: Sheepy: You gotta go out sometimes. How're you going to become a phantom thief like this, eh? Arsé-kun: Randy: By not taking public transportation.. I'll just walk.. Sheepy: Sheepy: Uh, yeah, good luck with that! Arsé-kun: Van: If anyone has noticed, we've already been ditched. Sheepy: Sheepy: Eh!? Arsé-kun: Impey: *he waves from over there, on the museum line. bc iris needs adult supervision* Sheepy: *Sheepy rushes over to Impey* Arsé-kun: *as does Van, who drags Randy with him* Arsé-kun: *they eventually get in! far faster than getting in normally takes. is this the real life? or is this fantasy? da da da other words i dont know reality OPEN YOUR EYES, LOOK UP TO THE SKY AND SEEEE* Sheepy: Sheepy: Wow, that was shorter than I'd expect. Arsé-kun: Impey: Was it? Sheepy: Iris: Let's go, let's go! Sheepy: Sheepy: Slow down, the exhibits aren't going anywhere. (Yet.) Arsé-kun: Randy: *he glances at Sheepy* Sheepy: Sheepy: What? Arsé-kun: Randy: Oh, I thought you were going to say more. Sheepy: Sheepy: No. Arsé-kun: Randy: Let's just hope none of the exhibits get up and leave. Sheepy: Sheepy: Huh! Sheepy: Sheepy: Dinosaurs only do that when they're alive. Arsé-kun: Randy: Or so we hope. Arsé-kun: Impey: What are we saying? The exhibits are alive? Gee, I sure hope not! Sheepy: Sheepy: I hope not! Sheepy: *Iris has already run off.* Arsé-kun: *and Impey goes to chase after her. She's gotta be lookin' at something interesting too!* Sheepy: Iris: Barby, look at this dinosaur! It's little! Arsé-kun: Impey: Oh, it is! Why's it so small? Sheepy: Iris: Good question! Sheepy: Iris: Maybe being small was beneficial to it. Sheepy: Iris: Or maybe it was a baby! Arsé-kun: Impey: Maybe both? Sheepy: Iris: Oh, maybe! Sheepy: Iris: Which dinosaur is your favorite? Sheepy's is the velociraptor, but I think they're creepy. Sheepy: Iris: I like the triceratops. Arsé-kun: Impey: I like the feathery flying ones! The uh.. Not the pterodactyl, that's not it. Sheepy: Iris: Well, I guess it's the velociraptor. He stares really hard at it every time we come here before wordlessly leaving, but he claims his favorite is the - it starts with an a, right? Arsé-kun: Impey: Yeah! Sheepy: Sheepy: My favorite is the archaeopteryx, don't tell lies. Arsé-kun: Impey: That's it! That's the bird! Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah. Sheepy: Sheepy: They're talented. Arsé-kun: Impey: They're probably super cute, too... Sheepy: Sheepy: And soft! Arsé-kun: Impey: When will we get the real Jurassic park? I'd pay real money for it, if I had any! Sheepy: Sheepy: Maybe we shouldn't ask for that. Arsé-kun: Impey: All herbivores, no t-rex, final destination Sheepy: Sheepy: Archaeoptryx was a carnivore. Arsé-kun: Impey: Then just don't let it near the herbivores! Issue solved! Sheepy: Sheepy: What about people? Arsé-kun: Impey: If people can keep pet crocodiles, I think a big bird wouldn't be that difficult! Sheepy: Sheepy: I guess! Sheepy: Sheepy: Let's keep looking. Arsé-kun: Impey: Yeah, lets not just stay here. Sheepy: *Sheepy and Iris keep looking.* Arsé-kun: *Impey stays with them. Van occasionally joins them, but he's not really a fan of being in a big group* Arsé-kun: *Randy does eventually catch up. having gone to get a snack and coffee. His sociability meter has been refilled!* Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, there you are! Sheepy: Iris: Abby! Look at this one! It looks like a dog! We should bring Herly eventually. Arsé-kun: Randy: I just learned some moths can ruin a bat's echolocation by vibrating their genitals, how is everyone else doing? I formally dislike the given information. Sheepy: Sheepy: Wh... Sheepy: Sheepy: Thanks, JK Rowling. Arsé-kun: Randy: Listen, implying wizards reguarly shiat themselves is on a different level than moths wiggling their moth dicks. Sheepy: Sheepy: Hey, I've got an idea. Arsé-kun: Van: It's both of you not speaking. *he looks back to Iris* It does. Sheepy: Sheepy: Sherlock met with Merlin, right? Sheepy: Sheepy: Let's ask Merlin if JK Rowling is right. Arsé-kun: Randy: You can't just ask a wizard if they shit themselves. The answer is generally no anyway. Sheepy: Sheepy: We need to tell her she's wrong on Sherlock's official twitter. Sheepy: Iris: If you post bad things off of Holmesies's account because he never logs off and Daddy and I are the main ones who manage it, I'll tell Daddy. Sheepy: Sheepy: You would think that Merlin is senile, anyway. Arsé-kun: Randy: I don't know about that. Moon incubi don't become senile. At least, not that I am aware of. Sheepy: Sheepy: He's a moon incubus? Arsé-kun: Randy: Something like that. Arsé-kun: Impey: :D ? *you've lost him at least twice in this discussion. the air vent is more interesting* Sheepy: Sheepy: Wait, do you not know about Merlin, Impey? Arsé-kun: Impey: I sorta do, yeah. Sheepy: Sheepy: He's part Incubus. Arsé-kun: Impey: I got that part. Arsé-kun: Impey: Wild. Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah. Arsé-kun: Impey: Y'know what's pretty wild? Eggs. Just... Develop outside of your mom's body. That's pretty wild. Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah, dinosaurs had those. Arsé-kun: Impey: But speaking of! *he tilts his head back a bit* Somethin' smells like eggs, or is it just me? Sheepy: Sheepy: Uh? Sheepy: Sheepy: No. Arsé-kun: Impey: Wait, hold on! It's not me. *and he beelines accurately. bees do not go in straight lines. Have you seen bees? They go every which way, which Impey does while honing in on a single target* Hey! Egg! Sheepy: Eggs: *He jumps, whirling around in a dramatic motion and placing his hand over his heart with one smooth stroke* You startled me... Arsé-kun: Impey: Oops, sorry! I thought you'd have heard me! Sheepy: Eggs: *He looks down, embarrassed* I'm afraid I didn't. Arsé-kun: Impey: Oooooops! But how're you doin', bud? Sheepy: Eggs: *He looks up from the ground again, making almost direct eye contact* I'm fine. What about you? Arsé-kun: Impey: Nope, came with a group to get out of the house. WBU? *but he, like, said the words, not the letters* Sheepy: Eggs: Oh, I'm here so I can have more to talk about. Arsé-kun: Impey: It sure is good for that! Arsé-kun: *in the distance, randy can be heard saying "i am a higher being of pure anxiety”* Sheepy: Eggs: Yes, it is. Arsé-kun: Impey: Like, uhh... Some moths can mess up sonar. That's kinda neat. Sheepy: Eggs: Well, wouldn't they sacrifice other capabilities by specializing in one? Arsé-kun: Impey: I mean, sure, but would you really need other ones if you only deal with the one thing? Sheepy: Eggs: That's true. Sheepy: *A man in a suit, visibly panicked, knocks into Impey while rushing past. Rather than apologizing, he keeps going and exits through a door he certainly isn't allowed through. The nearby security guard follows him at a calm pace.* Arsé-kun: Impey: Looks like someone brought their keys through a metal detector. Sheepy: Eggs: Yes, that's likely. Sheepy: Eggs: Doesn't it make you curious? Arsé-kun: Impey: Sure, but it ain't our business. Sheepy: Eggs: That's true. I wouldn't want to get in-...Do you smell that? Sheepy: Eggs: Now I really don't want to get involved. Arsé-kun: Impey: *he tilts his head back a bit, again* ... Loud and clear, I do. It's still not our business... But it might be if we don't do anything. Sheepy: Eggs: *He heads for the door the panicked man exited through* Arsé-kun: *Impey follows him, looking around. Where's the other guards, anyway? Lunch break??* Sheepy: *Eggs, without any concern for safety, exits through the door, only to be greeted by the sight of the man in the suit bleeding out on the ground from two clean, calculated cuts on his throat, and the "guard" hovering over him with bloody metal claws. The guard looks up upon hearing them, his eyes briefly widening* Arsé-kun: *Impey just looks towards Eggs, raising his eyebrows. He's absolutely going to do something or other* Sheepy: Guard: I knew I should've been pashient. Sheepy: Guard: Lissen. Yeh can't tell ahnyone 'bout dis. Sheepy: Guard: I'll be on yeh 'n a flash if yeh do. So shut yer trap. Sheepy: Eggs: But you- Sheepy: Guard: Yer on th' list of people I can't kill, b't yeh can't f'llow instr- orders. Arsé-kun: *impey, meanwhile, has taken a step back and has lowered himself down like a track-running cat. or some shit. idk. but hes Clearly Not Important* Sheepy: Guard: *He slowly begins lifting up the body while stepping back* Sheepy: Guard:...'Ve goht a b'tter idea. Sheepy: Guard: Come wif me, both of yeh. Sheepy: Eggs: You can't possibly expect us to...! Arsé-kun: Impey: Aaaand if I don't wanna? Sheepy: Guard: I'll kill yeh, 'n everyone yeh luv. Sheepy: Guard: 'Cept fer yeh, Robert, I can't do anyfin' 'bout yeh. Arsé-kun: Impey: 'Ey, you'd have to catch me first! Sheepy: Guard: Yer luv ones that fast? Arsé-kun: Impey: You gonna make it that far? Arsé-kun: *Impey's really, really not happy about any of this, but a man is Dying here! He's saved up confidence for years just for this moment! And most of it is gone already. Yikes. He manages to, at least, bare his fangs and get out a low hiss. Is this scary???? He really hopes so!!!* Sheepy: Guard: Yer like Robert, eh? Sheepy: Eggs: I can't say I know you. Sheepy: Guard: *He's watching Impey closely* 'f yeh do what I say, yer safety is more likely. Sheepy: Guard: I really don't want t' 'urt yeh. Arsé-kun: Impey: *he recognizes that his intimidation has failed, and just stops bothering. He doesn't get back up, though- He's holding that position* Sheepy: Guard: I've tried 'gain 'nd 'gain. Sheepy: Guard:...Well. One lass shot. Robert. Yer friend's gettin' in th' way of yer papa's orders. Sheepy: Eggs:... Sheepy: Eggs: If it's just him, I'll go willingly. I was headed in that direction before this. Arsé-kun: Impey: Ehhhhh??? Sheepy: Eggs: I don't like admitting it, but this is normal. Arsé-kun: Impey: Given who you are, yeah, of course, but.... *he gestures to the scene. he's really got no idea what to do about this.* Sheepy: Guard: Don't worry 'bout it. Sheepy: Guard: 'E'll be up 'nd runnin' 'round wifin th' 'our. Arsé-kun: Impey: *he is... very visibly confused* Sheepy: Guard: I was 'bout t' deal wif 'im fer good, but yeh int'rupted me. Sheepy: Eggs:...*He clenches his cane tightly* You really shouldn't be so open about it. Arsé-kun: *Impey's voice has mysteriously been replaced with the distinct sound of a metal baseball bat meeting a humanoid skull. How strange!!!* Sheepy: Eggs: You could've gone about it any other way than that! Sheepy: *The guard strolls over and lifts up Impey* Arsé-kun: *he gets 0 resistance. Impey's going to be feeling that in the morning.* Arsé-kun: ?: Yous was taking far too long. *our new mystery man moves in. when did he even show up?* Robert, you damn well know better. Get your ass home, before I send it there. Sheepy: Guard: Boss, what d'we do 'bout th' body? Th' vocal cord's b'n cut, so 'e sh'd be 'armless. Sheepy: Guard: Can't give orders like that. Arsé-kun: ?: Leave 'em. Someone else can deal with it if they wanna. If we're real lucky, we'll get one 'ell of a show. Sheepy: Eggs: I'd appreciate it if you didn't injure my friends, threatening me aside. Arsé-kun: ?: Then they shouldn't have been a pain in th' ass. Sheepy: Eggs: He didn't know. Arsé-kun: ?: Sure does now! Sheepy: Guard: Go on, Robert! Go on 'ome! Yeh don't wanna be caught related t' this mess. Sheepy: Guard: We'll come wif 'im, right? Arsé-kun: ?: yeah, eventually. Now or later, I don' care. We did our job. I'm just gonna stick t'see if anythin' else happens. Sheepy: Eggs: I don't trust you with my friend. Arsé-kun: ?: Yer not supposed to. Longer you take, more likely sumthin's gonna happen. Sheepy: Eggs: Are you threatening me? Sheepy: Guard: Go, go. Arsé-kun: ?: Not you, just this one. So skedaddle! Sheepy: *Eggs heads home, visibly angry for once* Arsé-kun: *Welcome home, Eggs!! Smiley and Todd are nowhere to be seen. Neither is anyone else. At least, not immediately.* Sheepy: Eggs: Where is everyone...? Sheepy: Eggs: Is everyone out...? Arsé-kun: Mori: Not at all, Robert. *he wheels out into the lobby, and stops to look at Eggs' face* ... Moran gave you trouble, didn't he? Sheepy: Eggs: He bashed my friend's head in with a metal bat and then threatened me with further harm against my friend if I didn't go home. Arsé-kun: Mori: *he groans, loudly, and puts his head into his hands* He keeps making this far more complicated than need be. Now we have to address additional threads.. That bat is going through his skull this evening. Sheepy: Eggs: On top of that, his lackey said much more than what should've been said. Sheepy: Eggs: I don't quite understand what he was going on about, but we ended up witnessing him murdering someone who would apparently get up later. Arsé-kun: Mori: I told Moran the boy was a bad fit for the job.. But yes, they likely would. That part was correct. Arsé-kun: Mori: ... And to address your confusion, this marks your first time meeting dear Jack. Moran refused to let him meet you. Some nonsense about bias out in the field. Sheepy: Eggs: Jack? I don't recognize the name. Sheepy: Eggs: I do know that you can't afford to be biased in this field. People have specialized uses. They shouldn't diverge from those uses. Sheepy: Eggs: By having biases, you risk ruining a perfect plan. Sheepy: Eggs: Oh, speaking of which, I finished casing the statue. Sheepy: Eggs: There's a huge weakness in the security during lunchtime. It's positioned somewhat close to the exit as well, making for easy escape. However, if Moran doesn't get this murder scene cleared up before an actual witness appears, the museum in general may be shut down. Sheepy: Eggs: Concerningly enough, I saw the Phantom there as well, and I overheard discussion of him casing the "velociraptor". It's unclear if this means the statue or the fossil, but he has targeted this museum as well. We might need to make a move before he can, because otherwise they might strengthen the security to unmanageable levels. Arsé-kun: Mori: Lets go one at a time. Your statement on biases is entirely correct. Moran just insists you or Jack would act on bias. Arsé-kun: Mori: The security weakness I have known about for quite a while. This is not a new thing. *he rolls his eyes* The media claimed if anything else went missing, the issue would be resolved. It's been years. Arsé-kun: Mori: Next, try to open communication. We can't be clashing over something in the field. Arsé-kun: Mori: And finally, about Jack. You have met- He is just disguised as the mailman in most instances. Arsé-kun: Mori: Does that answer all of it? Sheepy: Eggs: Yes, thank you. Sheepy: Eggs: The phantom lives with Sherlock Holmes. Arsé-kun: Mori: Which one? They both do, but you'll need to be more specific. Sheepy: Eggs: Sherlock Holmes, not his brother who ... goes by Herlock Sholmes? Sheepy: Eggs: But they live together, so it doesn't matter. Arsé-kun: Mori: No, no. Which Phantom? Sheepy: Eggs: There's multiple? Arsé-kun: Mori: That's right. Sheepy: Eggs: He's a teenager with curly hair. Arsé-kun: Mori: The younger of the two, then. Sheepy: Eggs: Is it a father and son sort of thing...? Sheepy: Eggs: Or is the other phantom someone close to his age but a little older? Arsé-kun: Mori: The former, but I'm unsure if they ever worked together. Sheepy: Eggs: I haven't seen any mention of it. Arsé-kun: Mori: Of course not. Most believe they are a single entity. Sheepy: Eggs: There's power in that. Arsé-kun: Mori: There certainly is. Sheepy: Eggs: Anyway, communication will be difficult. Sheepy: Eggs: Holmes doesn't think you're active anymore. Sheepy: Eggs: Although... Arsé-kun: Mori: I would prefer he did not know how active I actually am. Sheepy: Eggs: With Jack and Moran's presentation today, there's no possible way Holmes is clueless. Sheepy: Eggs: If that's how they always are. Arsé-kun: Mori: It is not. It is usually a fast job, in, out. Sheepy: Eggs: Yes, well, he should account for how strong the smell of blood is in the future. Arsé-kun: Mori: Then they got sloppy. I will address the matter. Sheepy: Eggs: Alright, thank you. Sheepy: Eggs: Impey's friends will worry. What do we do? Sheepy: Eggs: I can come up with a lie, but I don't have any way to contact them. Arsé-kun: Mori: You have absolutely no contact with anyone in relation? Sheepy: Eggs:...Ah! Maybe Mycroft! Arsé-kun: Mori: He will do. Sheepy: Eggs: Hopefully he's available...ah, texting will leave a trail, but... Arsé-kun: Mori: You did no crime yourself- No action can be taken on you. Sheepy: Eggs: That's true. Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Mycroft] Do you have access to any of your brothers' numbers? Arsé-kun: Mycroft: [text: to Eggs] Of course. Do I need to send one of them to eat the crime? Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Mycroft] No, there's no crime. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: [text: to Eggs] There's always crime, but what is it? Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Mycroft] Can you pass on the message that Impey is okay and he's just fixing something that's broken for us? Arsé-kun: Mycroft: [text: to Eggs] I certainly can. To whom is this directed to? Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Mycroft] Any of his friends. Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Mycroft] I don't know if either one is friends with him. Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Mycroft] I don't think Sherlock is considering he broke his hand punching a wall out of pure rage directed towards Impey. Arsé-kun: Mycroft?: [text: to Eggs] Fair knowledge, but it is not in character for the other, either. Arsé-kun: Mycroft?: [text: to Eggs] Father left his phone unattended, but I will ask the most adjusted of them. Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Mycroft] Finis? Arsé-kun: Finis: [text: to Eggs] Correct. Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Finis] Please take care. Mycroft too. Arsé-kun: Finis: [text: to Eggs] Of course. Don't die. Sheepy: Eggs: [text: to Finis] Thank you. Sheepy: Eggs: It's up to Mycroft now. Arsé-kun: Mori: This may take a while, or may not. Arsé-kun: Mori: While you were doing that, I've gotten good news and bad news. Sheepy: Eggs: What is it? Arsé-kun: Mori: The good news are: Your friend is okay, and the ghoul is properly dead. Sheepy: Eggs: Ah! That is good! ...But the bad news outweighs it, doesn't it. Arsé-kun: Mori: Questionably. The ghoul was put down by another party. It was still thankfully behind closed doors, but we can't let that get out. Sheepy: Eggs: That's a problem. Arsé-kun: Mori: The good news is the other party was the friends of your friend. Arsé-kun: Mori: But still in public. Sheepy: Eggs: If they release that information, it could link back to us. Arsé-kun: Mori: If they release that information, there is far more problems than just us. Sheepy: Eggs: People will know and intentionally seek them out? Sheepy: Eggs: Or will they feel more comfortable with their secret revealed and cause damage? Arsé-kun: Mori: If ghouls become public knowledge, what else will? Sheepy: Eggs: Vampires. Arsé-kun: Mori: And with that, everything else. It'll be utter chaos. Arsé-kun: Mori: And while I'd love to see it, I'd also like to survive it. Sheepy: Eggs: What was he thinking...? Arsé-kun: Mori: Who, Moran? Probably "Nothin' ever goes wrong, ever! I'm gonna suck the boss' dick so I don't get my ass whooped! Oooh, mr moriarty!" *and he groans* What a pain in the ass. Sheepy: Eggs: Oh, that's the exact opposite as how he is with me. Arsé-kun: Mori: So I hear. Sheepy: Eggs: I can't figure out why. Arsé-kun: Mori: He thinks you have no spine. Sheepy: Eggs:..What?? Do I really not...? Arsé-kun: Mori: You have spine. Just not in the way he would like. Sheepy: Eggs: Well, I don't really see a need to change myself just for him. Arsé-kun: Mori: And that's great. Sheepy: Jack: 'E's juss judgemental. Yeh can't please 'im. Sheepy: Eggs:...When did you arrive? Sheepy: Jack: Yer friend is 'ealin. Don't worry 'bout 'im. Sheepy: Eggs: That doesn't answer my question- ...hold on. please wash the blood off of yourself before somebody sees you! Arsé-kun: Mori: Who is going to see him? Me? Sheepy: Jack: Yeh 'ave a guess, Professor. 'E's recoverin from an 'ead injury. Sheepy: Jack: I brought 'im 'ere. Arsé-kun: Mori: .... Jack? Why? Sheepy: Jack: ? Arsé-kun: Mori: This would make it far easier to trace today's events back to us. Sheepy: Jack: Didn't know where 'is 'ouse was. Arsé-kun: Mori: You're lucky he has been here before. Sheepy: Jack: But 'e was injured, so I couldn't juss leave 'im. Sheepy: Jack: Lucky? Arsé-kun: *Mori explains how bringing a civ. here could have serious consequences. Impey is not a normal muggle civvie, so it's a bit better.* Sheepy: Jack:.... Sheepy: Jack: Yer all char'cters, yeh crim'nals. Arsé-kun: Mori: And yer not? Sheepy: Jack: Only 'cause 'f yeh. Sheepy: Jack: I wouldn't be a crim'nal if I 'ad the choice. I wanted t' be a cop. Arsé-kun: Mori: If it were entirely up to me, I would say go on ahead. Just don't turn us in for anything. Sheepy: Jack: I can't. Sheepy: Jack: Anyway, what yeh wanted is done. Arsé-kun: Mori: Much appreciated. ... Where is Moran? Sheepy: Jack:...?! Sheepy: *Jack slinks off wordlessly to look for Moran* Arsé-kun: Mori: No, no. Come back here. Sheepy: *Jack comes back.* Arsé-kun: Mori: If you don't know, that is fine. Sheepy: Jack: I don't. Arsé-kun: Mori: Fantastic. He's probably not here, then, which means I can say; Go do what you want to do, not what Moran wants to do. Sheepy: Jack: I'll consider it. Arsé-kun: Mori: Sure, you were made to be a fantastic killer, but nothing says you have to be- Oh, I was about to have a grand statement. Sheepy: Jack: Go on, I don't care a lick 'bout fancy, flow'ry language 'nd all that junk. Arsé-kun: Mori: All right, then. I'll be blunt. Arsé-kun: Mori: Rebellion can be a criminal act too. If you rebel against the criminal, it makes you the good guy. So fuck Moran, with claws, right down his throat. Do what YOU want! Sheepy: Jack: Well, I'll consider it. Arsé-kun: Mori: Fantastic. Now please clean up. I'm hungry just looking at this mess. Sheepy: Jack: *He slinks off again, this time in the direction of the shower* Sheepy: Eggs:....? Arsé-kun: Mori: ... You know, Robert, *he looks up towards Eggs* That applies to you as well. Sheepy: Eggs: I'm happy with my life currently. Sheepy: Eggs: I don't see any reason to change it. Arsé-kun: Mori: That's fine then. Just tell me if you do. I might be tied down to crime, but you're not. Sheepy: Eggs: Thank you. Sheepy: Eggs: I'll consider those words if I end up following my childhood dream. *He laughs a bit* But you don't have to worry about that. I'm not a child anymore. Arsé-kun: Mori: Maybe not, but you're still my child. *it's a good thing moran isnt here, this is so sweet it'd give his old ass diabetus* Sheepy: *Eggs appears pleased!* Arsé-kun: *Mori is pleased in return! This is, somehow, a functional family* Sheepy: *Crime keeps their bonds strong apparently. Unlike the Holmes brothers.* Arsé-kun: *they're brothers, not father and son. it's not the same!!* Sheepy: *true!* Arsé-kun: *but also, fleeing from a crime scene with high stakes is absolutely a bonding activity. clearly* Sheepy: *true!* Arsé-kun: *meanwhile, in the background, Impey's entered scene. He's staggering, and he's bloody- But nowhere near as bloody as Jack was. At least he's trying to clean himself up.* Sheepy: Eggs: ...You shouldn't be up! *He rushes over to Impey, moving to support him* Arsé-kun: Impey: ... Why not? Sheepy: Eggs: You're injured. I can escort you home if you want, but you shouldn't be walking around alone. Arsé-kun: Impey: ... That'd be nice. Sheepy: Eggs: Then I will. I know the way there, don't worry. Arsé-kun: Impey: ... Nnnnice. Sheepy: *Eggs heads out with Impey* Arsé-kun: *Impey eventually resumes his usual gait. This is a good thing. Balance and stability restored* Sheepy: Eggs: Are you feeling better? Arsé-kun: Impey: Yeah, gettin' there. Thanks, bud. Sheepy: Eggs: *He appears surprised. He's being thanked!?* ...You're welcome. Sheepy: Eggs: I know this is a lot to ask from you after what happened today, but... Sheepy: Eggs: If you could keep any information you may have heard within the household a secret, I'd appreciate it. Arsé-kun: Impey: ... All I heard was the part about doing what you wanted, or something. But yeah, o'course, it'd be the least I could do. Sheepy: Eggs: Thank you. Arsé-kun: Impey: But I did remove 'is vent filter..! Have fun with bugs in th' summer, sergeant! Sheepy: Eggs: Ahahah, it'll be nice to see him annoyed! Arsé-kun: *a semi-silenced gunshot is heard! but it sounds more like a t-shirt cannon? Also, Impey's nearly hit with a t-shirt* Arsé-kun: *Impey yells and nearly falls over himself* Arsé-kun: Van: I found him. *and he moves into view, with a tshirt gun on his shoulder. where did he buy that. who LET him buy that??* Sheepy: Eggs: *He steadies Impey before loooking to Van* Watch out for where you're shooting that! Sheepy: Iris: Barby! You’re okay! We were really worried...! Sheepy: Sheepy: Don’t go off alone like that agai- ... Why’re you bloody? Do you need help standing? Arsé-kun: Impey: I, er. ... Did you know baseball bats hurt a lot? Arsé-kun: Impey: I mean, I kicked the guy's ass but Yeowch. Sheepy: Sheepy: This wimpy looking guy hit you with a baseball bat? Sheepy: Iris: Sheepy, you shouldn't say stuff like that, even if it's true! Arsé-kun: Impey: No, no!! Not Robbie! Some big, military looking guy... Arsé-kun: *in the bg, randy retrieved the tshirt. he wanted that!* Sheepy: Sheepy: What? Sheepy: Sheepy: Did you see him, Van? Arsé-kun: Van: I may have, prior to Barbicane vanishing into thin air. Sheepy: Eggs: ........ (That idiot acts like he's all that, and yet, he can't even conceal his presence...!) Sheepy: Sheepy: Where? Arsé-kun: Van: Back at the museum. Sheepy: Eggs: (He's lucky that Dad doesn't just end him with this level of-) Sheepy: Sheepy: Did anyone else see him? Sheepy: Eggs: I didn't. Arsé-kun: *Impey turns and looks at Eggs. He looks utterly perplexed* Sheepy: Eggs: I'll keep my eye out for anything out of the ordinary. Arsé-kun: Van: That would be great. Sheepy: Eggs: Impey, did you want me to follow you home, or should I go home now? Arsé-kun: Impey: Head on back, bud. You might need a clean up in aisle seven. Sheepy: Eggs: I'll be going then. I hope you recover quickly. Arsé-kun: *impey gives him a thumbs up!* Arsé-kun: Randy: Lets get going. Maybe the doctor will be back before us. Sheepy: Sheepy: Right. Arsé-kun: *watson is, in fact, not there before them. resident healer saint germain is in, though!* Sheepy: Sheepy: Hi, Impey's been injured- Sheepy: *From anofher room, Sherlock loudly announces, "I'M NOT PAYING YOU $300 FOR OBVIOUS INFORMATION!!" * Arsé-kun: Germain: That's very unfortunate. .. Please excuse the yelling. Sherlock has a guest. Sheepy: Sheepy: So if you could help, that'd be great. Arsé-kun: Germain: Me? Hmmm, I suppose I can this time. Sheepy: Sheepy: Thank you. Sheepy: *From the other room, Sherlock: OF COURSE IT'S MORIARTY! IT'S ALWAYS MORIARTY! I'm not paying you for that!!* Arsé-kun: *Impey drops onto the sofa. Germain heals him. Please wait 24 hours to heal again* Sheepy: Sheepy: What kind of guest...? Arsé-kun: Germain: A loud one. Sheepy: ???: Okay, you clearly don't trust my word that what I'm about to tell you will surprise you. Sheepy: ???: But it wasn't Moriarty. And also, someone died, yet didn't. Sheepy: Sherlock: What is that supposed to mean- Arsé-kun: Germain: *he goes and leans into the other office, before leaving again. ... He returns a moment later, and throws a wad of cash at the visitor* Stop being vague. Just say what you need to say. Sheepy: ???: Moran set up the hit. Sheepy: ???: He also hit your friend wirh a bat. Arsé-kun: Van: I'd like to hit him myself. *he's just passing through. he's just being a smartass.* Sheepy: ???: However, they left the hit victim alive but unable to speak. Arsé-kun: Van: If you mean the one at the museum, he's not living anymore. Sheepy: ???: Oh, good job! Sheepy: ???: He wasn't alone. Arsé-kun: Impey: *from the other room* He sure wasn't! Sheepy: ???: He had the Prof's kind of sort of other kid helping him! Jack. Sheepy: ???: Oh, wow! You're alive? Arsé-kun: Impey: It takes a lot more than a bat to keep me down! *he drags himself in, and onto a chair* Sheepy: ???: I guess it'd take more than that to stop a vampire, though! Arsé-kun: Impey: Who told you?! Sheepy: ???: Oh, I should've put that behind a pay wall... Sheepy: ???: Hmmmm? Sheepy: ???: Hmmmmmm?? Arsé-kun: Germain: *he moves in, and smacks the guest with another stack of cash* You stop that. Sheepy: ???: My previous client. Arsé-kun: Germain: How detailed! Sheepy: ???: Nyarlathotep. Arsé-kun: Germain: Oh? Ohoho? So I get to strangle a squid later this evening? How exciting. Sheepy: ???: Well, actually, the client was his dad. Arsé-kun: Germain: Close enough. Sheepy: ???: It kinda consisted of me letting myself be experimented on. Arsé-kun: Impey: Zat why you smell like chemical burns? Sheepy: ???: Well, no. Sheepy: ???: He already finished testing on me, I'm pretty sure. Maybe I should ask. He paid me a lot. Sheepy: ???: My body's been acting really weirdly since then, though....Hmmmm... Sheepy: ???: Nah, a few thousand is worth it. Sheepy: ???: Speaking of which, he made Jack. Arsé-kun: Impey: Makes sense to me. Sheepy: ???: You know. Arsé-kun: Impey: Nope! Don't know you either! Sheepy: ???: I'm Porlock. Arsé-kun: Impey: So you're the guy mr. military didn't like! Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, he loves me! Sheepy: Porlock: I help so much that I've got help to go around to everybody! Sheepy: Porlock: He loves that. Arsé-kun: *a moment of silence for everyone's lost IQ* Sheepy: Porlock: I work for Moriarty by the way. Wanna know anything about him? Sheepy: Porlock: New evil plans? Employment list? Current motivation? Relationship status? Star sign? Favorite color? Arsé-kun: Germain: *he sighs* Kid, go home. No one is paying you anymore. Sheepy: Porlock: You really don't want to know anything? Sheepy: Porlock: Like... let's see. How about this. Sheepy: Porlock: There's tons of ghouls like the ones you faced out there. Sheepy: Porlock: That's probably not surprising, right? Sheepy: Porlock: But here's the thing. Sheepy: Porlock: Jack's the one who picks off the ones who become big in the criminal world and end up being a threat to Moriarty. Sheepy: Porlock: Jack's a trained assassin, despite his mess-up today. He was made to kill. But he doesn't want to. He wants to uphold the law. Maybe you could talk him into betraying Moriarty? Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, I really should go now! Time is money- ah, one moment. *He begins inspecting the money given to him to check if it's legitimate.* Arsé-kun: Impey: You really should. There might be a mess back at your place! Sheepy: Porlock: Well, see you later! Make sure to have more money for me next time, okay? *He strolls out.* Arsé-kun: Germain: We're saved! Sheepy: Sheepy: Huh. Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] WATSIN Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] What Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] MODIARTY'S GOON WAS HERE AGZKN Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] You'll have to give me the details once I'm back Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] THAT GUY LIED TO ME MORIARFH IS AXTIVE Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] How? The man's in a wheelchair. Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] HE HAD S MAB HIT Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] ANX IMPDY WAS ATTA KED TOO Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] You're lucky I speak bad texting. How is he holding up? Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] hw seems okay Arsé-kun: Impey: *he peers over Sherlock's shoulder* Can I correct you real quick, pal? Sheepy: Sherlock:? Sheepy: Sherlock: *He passes the phone to Impey* Arsé-kun: Impey: [text: to Watson] Impey takin' over here! Guy who fucked me up wasn't supposed to do it! I heard Moriarty complaining about this guy doin this n that and whatever! And the hit was on a ghoul, or somethin. It's good tho! Saint G fixed me up and I kicked the guy's ass! Ok, giving the phone back now! o/ :P Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] This is useful information and I now have several additional questions. Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] dont know, dont know, not hungry so i dont know Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] Fair answers. I'll find out for myself later on, then. Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] i dont want this guy baci in action because i dont want to ebd up thrown iff a waterfall again Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] It won't happen again. Do you think I would allow that? Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] it happened tje fiest time Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] And no parties involved want a repeat. Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] he has minions he can use Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] This implies you'll be near a waterfall for any reason. Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] i wasnt going to before but if a trail leads me there... Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] i cant just abandon a case overvthat Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] Then you can send someone else to investigate. Like Nyarlathotep. I don't think he'd mind the falls much. Sheepy: Sherlock: [Text: to Watson] ...can i do fhat? Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] Whyever not? Arsé-kun: Watson: [text: to Sherlock] While you think that over, let me fetch Harley. Arsé-kun: *MEANWHILE* Sheepy: Harley: I, of course, was tired of hearing that I was unlucky and went out to prove everyone wrong. Sheepy: Harley: To prove this, I bought a scratchoff ticket. I scratched it off, only for it to reveal that it was a $1000 prize winner. I left, ready to show everyone the evidence I had, and crossed rhe road - legally, of course. During a red light when the crosswalk light said to walk, however, someone's car was defective and failed to stop, causing them to hit me. The scratchoff was destroyed and I was injured. Sheepy: *Okita bursts out laughing.* Sheepy: Harley: That wasn't the first time I've been hit by a car, unfortunately. Nor the last... Arsé-kun: Alex: Time to stay off the road. Sheepy: Harley: Oh, it's difficult to not cross the road. Sheepy: Okita: Man, your luck must be elsewhere. Sheepy: Okita: Wouldn't it be super unlucky if it were your love life that's lucky? Sheepy: Okita: Considering that you don't seem to care. Sheepy: Harley: Even if I were interested, I'm completely aware that I'd be unable to make any significant other happy. They'd be better off with someone else. Sheepy: Okita: Darn, I was hoping we could gossip about types. Arsé-kun: Alex: Types of what, exactly? Sheepy: Okita: Significant other. Sheepy: Okita: Like! My type is cute and easy to fluster. I want to be able to tease them and get a reaction that makes them even cuter. But, also, I want them to be a little dangerous, too. Sheepy: Harley:....That's oddly specific...Ah, mine... Sheepy: Okita: You have one!? Sheepy: Harley: Someone who loves me and accepts me for who I am. Someone who is honest. Preferably very intelligent. Kind. Sheepy: Okita: That's...boring. Sheepy: Okita: What about you, Alex? Arsé-kun: Alex: ... I've never thought about it. Arsé-kun: Alex: Should I have? Sheepy: Okita: I don't know. Arsé-kun: Alex: *he seems to be thinking* ... Any information I'd have about the subject is conflicting. I'm not entirely sure. Sheepy: Okita: Huh, too bad. Sheepy: Okita: Too bad. Sheepy: Okita: So, like, Sheepy: Okita: What if Bambi was remade into a live action movie? Arsé-kun: Alex: It would have no dialogue. Animals can't talk. Sheepy: Okita: You know. Sheepy: Okita: Parrots are animals. Arsé-kun: Alex: I've got no idea what that is. Sheepy: Okita: You don't know what a parrot is? Sheepy: Okita: They're, um... Arsé-kun: Alex: *he turns and waits patiently. this could take a while* Sheepy: Okita: Birds, but colorful and can speak English. Sheepy: Okita: They can speak other languages, too, but also they have beaks that're pointed. Arsé-kun: Alex: Why? Sheepy: Okita: Because they're smart. Arsé-kun: Alex: I see. Sheepy: Okita: They're sometimes kept as pets. Sheepy: Harley: How does Bambi not perish when fawns are so reliant on their mothers? Arsé-kun: Alex: Also a good question. Sheepy: Harley: I didn't need parental supervision past four years of age, but... Sheepy: Harley: Fawns need their moms. Arsé-kun: Alex: Is he actually a deer? Can we prove that? Sheepy: Harley: What? Sheepy: Harley: What else could he be? Sheepy: Okita: An alien. Arsé-kun: Alex: Changeling. Sheepy: Harley: Uh...no. Arsé-kun: Alex: Why not? Sheepy: Harley: I don't know. Sheepy: Okita: Wow, you like nonfiction, huh? Arsé-kun: Alex: I would prefer it. Sheepy: *Okita flips the channel.* Arsé-kun: *more cartoons* Sheepy: *He tries again.* Sheepy: Harley: I'm hoping for a new case soon. Arsé-kun: *more cartoons. there's three cartoon stations in a row. try a bit more* Sheepy: *Okita keeps trying.* Arsé-kun: Alex: I've got one for you. What the hell's in the lake? Arsé-kun: *he eventually gets to the discovery channel. good shit op* Sheepy: Harley: What? Sheepy: Okita: There we go! Arsé-kun: Alex: I said, "what the hell is living in the lake?" Sheepy: Harley: I, I don't know. Fish? Arsé-kun: Alex: Shit, I sure hope so. Sheepy: Harley: I really don't know what you're referring to. Arsé-kun: Alex: There's your next mystery. Sheepy: Harley: Not to be picky, considering how Sherlock gets all the cases, but... Sheepy: Harley: I'd...rather... a crime. Sheepy: Harley: Hmmm...if I formed my own detective agency, I'd get my own cases... Arsé-kun: Alex: .... Okay, I've got one. Figure out why none of the live-in doctors show up anymore. Have fun. Sheepy: Harley:...?... Sheepy: Harley:...I'll try. Arsé-kun: Alex: And don't bother asking any of the other doctors. They don't know either. Sheepy: Harley:.... Arsé-kun: Alex: ... Okay, fine, so the orange hair guy doesn't. Sheepy: Harley: Watson? Arsé-kun: Alex: Yeah, him. Sheepy: Harley: Yes, I doubt he would. Arsé-kun: Watson: Watson really doesn't. *he adjusts the files on the door bucket, and lets himself in. hello naughty children* Sheepy: Harley: Ah, Watson! Sheepy: Harley: How are you? Are you done for the day? Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm fine, thank you for asking. My shift's finally over. Sheepy: Harley: Oh, so we can go home? Arsé-kun: Watson: Yes. *he is equally as pleased about this* Sheepy: *Harley joins Watson. He's very happy!* Sheepy: Harley: Do you think Sherlock ate today? Sheepy: Harley: Lupin wasn't there to watch over him. Arsé-kun: Watson: Probably not. Sheepy: Harley:.....He likes, uh... Sheepy: Harley: I don't know. I was going to pick something up for him on the way home but we have food at home. Arsé-kun: Watson: We do, but I think we can get something else this once. Sheepy: Harley: I should eventually ask what he likes........ Sheepy: Harley: Whenever we go out to eat, he gets chicken. Sheepy: Harley: And your favorite is steak, isn't it? Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm glad you remembered that. Sheepy: Harley: I'd be an awful friend if I didn't. Sheepy: *Without the warning of footsteps or evidence of any kind of another presence, a voice behind them greets the two.* Sheepy: Jack: 'Ey. Sheepy: Jack: ...Yer not goin' t' th' lake, 're ye? Sheepy: *He's dressed as a policeman, but... something is off about it.* Arsé-kun: Watson: Not at all. Did something happen? Sheepy: Jack: Yes. Sheepy: Jack: You really don't want to go there. Sheepy: Jack: Yeh know, there's a lot 'f disappearances lately. They think it's connected t' th' lake. Sheepy: Harley: What happened, exactly? Sheepy: Jack: I found a dead body. Sheepy: Harley: AND YOU ABANDONED IT?? Arsé-kun: Watson: not again Sheepy: Harley: How incompetent can you be to just abandon the crime scene!? Sheepy: Jack: Uh? Sheepy: Jack: (...That a thing 'm not supposed t'do?) Arsé-kun: Watson: Are you TRYING to make a scene out of it, Holmes?? *he lightly hits Harley with his cane* Sheepy: Harley: I'm sorry. I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. Sheepy: Jack: *He tilts his head* .....??? Sheepy: Jack: 'Olmes? Sheepy: Jack: Yer Sherlock 'Olmes? Sheepy: Harley: No, I'm not. Sheepy: Harley: Let me see the crime scene. Arsé-kun: Watson: You want to go alone? I won't stop you, but I'm not waiting. Sheepy: Jack: No. I might've considered 'f you were 'Olmes, but yer not. Sheepy: Harley: I'm a Holmes but not that one! Sheepy: Jack: I don't care. Arsé-kun: *Watson, meanwhile, is doing a look-over of the area. There's something lit up on the water, but it's probably just a floating light. for searching. like a buoy. shut up* Sheepy: Jack: I don't know a lick 'bout th' man, juss that 'e's got a tendency t' shove 'imself onto th' crime scene. Sheepy: Harley: (His ears twitched upon saying that...) Sheepy: Jack: 'nyway, you two sh'd 'ead on 'ome. Arsé-kun: *meanwhile, a big ol something has slowly appeared under the light. what the hell is that. what the fuck. its moving towards the shoreline oh my god* Sheepy: Harley:.....!? Sheepy: Harley: Watson, what is that!? Sheepy: Jack: I keep tellin' yeh! Sheepy: Jack: Go 'ome. Arsé-kun: Watson: It's certainly something. Lets... Not get involved just yet. Sheepy: Jack: Yes, go 'ome. Sheepy: Jack: Yeh don't wanna git 'nvolved. Arsé-kun: Watson: It does seem that way. Well, good luck with that. Sheepy: Jack: Go 'ome, go 'ome, I'll 'andle it. Sheepy: Jack: That's what cops 're fer. Sheepy: Harley: *He appears annoyed but instead turns to leave.* Sheepy: Jack: Eh, 'Olmes. Sheepy: Jack: Be careful. Sheepy: Jack: Yeh don't know what might juss come crawlin' outta th' darkness. You too, Watson. Sheepy: Harley:...Th...thanks? Arsé-kun: Watson: *he turns to leave with Harley, but pauses* To you as well. I recommend you get out of here as soon as you can. It may get chaotic around these parts. Sheepy: Jack: I'm used t' it. Sheepy: Jack: Yeh gotta be. Sheepy: Jack: That's a cop's job, isn't it? Arsé-kun: Watson: Understandable. *he lightly pushes Harley, like a "get going" move* But it certainly is. Stay safe. *and it's time to get the FUCK out of dodge. slowly.* Sheepy: *Harley does as told.* Sheepy: Jack:....! Sheepy: Jack:....(...Someone wants me to stay safe...)...thank you. Sheepy: *When Watson and Harley return home, they're greeted with awful violin playing.* Arsé-kun: Watson: Sherlock, please! Sheepy: Sherlock: *sigh* Sheepy: Sherlock: Moriarty is back... That annoying Porlock is back....my hunger is back... Sheepy: Sherlock: Even if you get rid of negatives in life, they always come back. Arsé-kun: Watson: Please stop speaking. I brought you dinner. Sheepy: Sherlock:..........*He begins playing again....* Arsé-kun: Watson: Let me repeat that. I have food! For you! Sheepy: Sherlock: *He stops and sits up* ?! Sheepy: *Harley seems to have his mind on other matters.* Sheepy: Sherlock: For me?! Arsé-kun: *Watson plops a bag on the table. That's a yes.* Sheepy: *Sherlock immediately opens the bag and looks in. Arsé-kun: *CHINKEN NUGITS* Sheepy: Harley:....... Sheepy: Sherlock:!!!! Sheepy: Sherlock: Thank you! Arsé-kun: Watson: Quite welcome Sheepy: *Sherlock begins enjoying the chicken nuggets.* Sheepy: Harley: That man earlier wasn't a cop, you know. Arsé-kun: Watson: oh, I know that. Sheepy: Harley: I don't want to guess, but... Sheepy: Harley: Didn't he look oddly similar to Moriarty? And his talking pattern reminded me of Moran. Arsé-kun: Impey: Ey, did'e talk like this? B'cuz boy I got a story fer youse two! Sheepy: Harley: He did. Scarlet eyes, white hair, lanky, slouching? Arsé-kun: Impey: Same guy! Oh, boy!! Arsé-kun: *and Impey explains what happened earlier* Sheepy: Harley: .....Hmm, so he's one of Moriarty's minions after all. Arsé-kun: Watson: But that.. Thing.. Was absolutely not Moriarty. Sheepy: Harley: It strikes me as something a certain someone would know about. Arsé-kun: Watson: I wholeheartedly agree, but I am not finding him. *he sits down and drops his cane.* Sheepy: Harley: Let's say, theoretically, that Nyarlathotep was associated with it. Then, by extension, Moriarty is associated with Nyarlathotep. Sheepy: Harley:...I don't want to think about that. Arsé-kun: Watson: Which means it's par for the course. Sheepy: Harley: Ugh, he really does have a foot in everyone's door. Sheepy: Nyar: I love being talked about. Why are we talking about me? Arsé-kun: Watson: What the hell is in the lake. Sheepy: Nyar:.... Sheepy: Nyar: Uh. Sheepy: Nyar: Hm. Sheepy: Nyar: A business partner. Arsé-kun: Watson: ... Dearie, please explain in more detail. Sheepy: Nyar: He kinda looks like a slug? Sheepy: Nyar: His name is Glaaki. Sheepy: Nyar: He can, uhh.. Sheepy: Nyar: How do I put this in simple terms a human would understand. Sheepy: Nyar: Turn people into zombies? Sheepy: Nyar: But...dead bodies. Arsé-kun: Watson: .... You know, suddenly, a lot of things make sense all at once. Sheepy: Nyar: So, uh... Sheepy: Nyar: Dad would give him dead bodies. Sheepy: Nyar: You say someone is working for him? Arsé-kun: Watson: I suppose I can understand that, but yes. The boy looked stunningly like Moriarty. Sheepy: Nyar: Oh, Jack! Sheepy: Nyar: Dad made him. Arsé-kun: Watson: So he probably works for your father and not Moriarty.. Sheepy: Nyar: He's like a clone of Moriarty, mixed with someone else. Sheepy: Nyar: Yeah, I haven't kept up with him. Sheepy: Harley: But he was with Moran, according to Impey. Arsé-kun: Watson: I'm not sure if I should be more glad that Moriarty is minimally involved or not. Arsé-kun: Impey: He was! But he didn't seem happy about it, no sir! Arsé-kun: Randy: Hold on!! *if there was a door, he would have slammed it open* Glaaki is still acting up?? This isn't a new thing! Arsé-kun: Randy: I helped Sheepy save a kid named Jack from him a bit back. D-- Lupin knows about it! But your descriptions say it's a different kid.. ... *and then he realized he was yelling* ... I'll shut up now! Arsé-kun: Watson: No, no, do continue. I do vaguely recall you and him mentioning a slug but I didn't think that was, well, like that! Sheepy: Harley:..? Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh yeah, he didn't look at all like Moriarty. *He pokes his head out from behind Randolph* Sheepy: Nyar: That does explain why Glaaki targeted him! Sheepy: Harley: Can't we have a normal case for once? Sheepy: Nyar: Really, just let Glaaki be. Sheepy: Harley: We dealt with both you and your father. Sheepy: Nyar: Yes, but... Sheepy: Nyar: I'm most like a human of the bunch. Sheepy: Nyar: I planned to lose from the very beginning. Sheepy: Harley: What?! You broke Sherlock's arm and put us all in danger countless amounts of times! Sheepy: Nyar: Someone else broke it and everything worked out well in the end. Don't bother Glaaki. Sheepy: Nyar: I'll talk to him. Arsé-kun: Randy: At least let me come with you, so you don't commit mass murder as the answer..! Sheepy: Nyar: I'm bored!!! Sheepy: Nyar: It's so boring being a good guy! Sheepy: Nyar: Let me have this. Arsé-kun: Randy: Okay, correction. Mass murder on the one's still alive. Everyone else is allll yours. Sheepy: Nyar: Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiineeeee.... Sheepy: Nyar: Man, you know.. Sheepy: Nyar: Harley has been asking for a normal case, right? Sheepy: Harley: Do not. Sheepy: Nyar: So, like... Sheepy: Nyar: You know... Arsé-kun: Randy: Please do not commit crimes to solve. Sheepy: Nyar: Why!? Sheepy: Nyar: Humans are no fun sometimes! Arsé-kun: Randy: Because then it's just the matter of cleaning up your mess again! Sheepy: Nyar: I want to see chaos! Sheepy: Nyar: Fine, fine, I'll deal with the Glaaki problem, but..! Sheepy: Nyar: But. Sheepy: Nyar: I'm not promising anything else. Sheepy: Nyar: Well then. Nyarlathotep, on the case! Sheepy: Nyar: Eh, wait... Arsé-kun: Randy: What Now?? Sheepy: Nyar: *He poses* DETECTIVE Nyarlathotep, on the case! Sheepy: Nyar: Ohh, I've always wanted to do that!! Arsé-kun: *Randy applies hands to face in LIBERAL amounts. it is audible* Sheepy: Nyar: I'm going now!! Toodles! *He rushes out* Arsé-kun: Randy: ... *he sighs and drops onto the sofa* Can't wait for the homicide reports. Sheepy: Harley: Great Sheepy: Sheepy: Wow. Arsé-kun: Randy: Fantastic. How do we sleep knowing he's out there, doing who knows what? Sheepy: Harley:....... Sheepy: Sheepy: Like a baby. Sheepy: Harley: ............... Arsé-kun: Randy: So waking up every hour and screaming? Sheepy: *Harley immediately grabs Sherlock's violin, plops down in the usual Sherlock lying down position, and begins playing a depressing, but at least pretty, song. Stress mode activate.* Sheepy: Sheepy: Heck yeah. That's how I sleep every night. Arsé-kun: Randy: I relate heavily. Sheepy: Sherlock: But at least the chicken nuggets tasted good! Sheepy: Harley: We're all going to be considered guilty of aiding and abetting because we knew but did nothing. Sheepy: Sherlock: Huh? Sheepy: Sherlock: Did something happen? Arsé-kun: Watson: We can't be guilty because we did not know his actual intentions. Issue solved. Sheepy: Harley: I'm going to die at an early age from that man. Sheepy: Sherlock: Uh? Arsé-kun: Randy: Nyar's being Nyar. So, the usual. Sheepy: Harley: Whether it's directly or indirectly. Arsé-kun: Randy: And Harley, your first mistake is treating him like a man. That's a cuttlefish, obviously. Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh. Huh. Sheepy: Harley: He's man shaped. Sheepy: Harley: And, uh... Sheepy: Harley: He, he acts likea man. Sheepy: Harley: But his grin reminds me of... hmm. Sheepy: Harley: A predator grinning from amusement as he plays with his prey, mulling over how he can inflict as much pain as possible. Sheepy: Sherlock: Cuddlefish? Sheepy: Sherlock: You can't cuddle a fish. It'll die from lack of oxygen. Sheepy: Sherlock: It'll reverse drown. Arsé-kun: Randy: That's it, that's him-- Well, I suppose.. But I said cuttlefish. Arsé-kun: Randy: But calling him that annoys him the slightest bit, so of course I do it. Sheepy: Sherlock: Huh? Sheepy: Harley: Good. Sheepy: Sherlock: What's a cuttlefish? Sheepy: Harley: Sepia officinalis. Sheepy: Sherlock:........! Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh! Sheepy: Sherlock: Those octopus-like things! Arsé-kun: Randy: Yes, those. Sheepy: Sherlock: I know those. They look squishy. Sheepy: Sherlock: Do you think Nyar is squishy like octopi? Like...he can go through any gap so long as his skull can fit through it? Arsé-kun: Randy: Yes. Sheepy: *Harley hits a bad note, stops, and stares* Sheepy: Harley:......Is...he really. Sheepy: Sheepy: He's like a cat. Arsé-kun: Randy: He's like a cat. If he fits, he sits. But remember- He can change his skull. Sheepy: Harley:........ Sheepy: Harley:......I.... Arsé-kun: Randy: ... Also, jinx, get me a soda please. Sheepy: Sheepy: Aw! Sheepy: Sheepy: *He goes to the kitchen.* Sheepy: Sherlock: So! Sheepy: Sherlock: He can make his head a fish head? Reverse mermaid! Sheepy: Harley: Sherlock, what? Arsé-kun: Randy: Unfortunately, yes. There is an entire village of people exactly like that. It is horrifying. Sheepy: Harley: What!? Sheepy: Sherlock:....Reverse centaur! Arsé-kun: Randy: Haven't seen that yet. But a mantis could be called a centaur, technically, due to it's limbs.. Sheepy: *Sheepy returns with a soda and passes it to Randy before sitting down.* Arsé-kun: Randy: Thank you. Sheepy: Harley: *He's begun playing again. You know the worry music in old movies? It sounds like that.* Sheepy: Sheepy: No problem. Sheepy: Sherlock: He could make himself a double centaur! Sheepy: Harley:...Double? Sheepy: Sherlock: Top half is horse, bottom half is horse! Arsé-kun: Randy: Hey? I firmly dislike that. Sheepy: Harley: Sher-lock, that's just a horse! Sheepy: Sherlock: But it has human arms coming out of its shoulders! Sheepy: Harley: Watson, I'm being harassed! Arsé-kun: Watson: Sherlock? Do yourself a favor and look up 'double centaur' before making any suggestions. Sheepy: Sherlock: Huh? Sheepy: Sherlock: Do you think that, um, that a centaur and mermaid have ever met, fallen inlove, and had kids? Arsé-kun: Randy: ... Fuck, probably. Sheepy: Sherlock: One of their children is all human. Sheepy: Harley: And you're that child. Sheepy: Sherlock: EH??? Arsé-kun: Watson: It's possible, I suppose??- Harley, please. Sheepy: Harley: *He sticks his tongue out at Watson and keeps playing the violin. It's shifted to something more pleasant at least, but very mature Harley* Sheepy: Sherlock: Watson!! Sheepy: Sherlock: Am I adopted!? Am I a fish, horse, man combo?! Arsé-kun: Watson: I sure hope you aren't! Last I checked, you were human. Arsé-kun: Germain: Humans share over 90% of dna with bananas. Sheepy: Sherlock: I'm a banana!? Sheepy: Sherlock: F-fish horse banana human... Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he had come downstairs to greet everyone. he stops. Wisely goes back upstairs.* Sheepy: Harley: Lupin, come back. Arsé-kun: Randy: Eh? He's back already? Sheepy: Sherlock: Harley! You never told me- ow! Stop pushing your foot into my side... With that scary look on your face... Sheepy: Harley: You didn't notice? Sheepy: Harley: And stop being silly. You're scaring Lupin. Sheepy: Harley: Anyway, his footsteps are calculated and quiet. Sheepy: Harley: I'd instantly notice them. Sheepy: Harley: Furthermore, I heard them stop around the base of the steps, only for Sherlock to be, well, Sherlock. Arsé-kun: *And Arséne promptly throws open the front door, throwing flower petals everywhere. They're not rose petals- that shit stains* Arsé-kun: Arséne: Bonjooouuur! Sheepy: Harley: Thank you, Lupin. Sheepy: *Sherlock immediately rushes over and basically tackles Arsene in a hug.* Sheepy: Sherlock: I missed you!! Sheepy: Sherlock: It's been so looong...! Arsé-kun: Arséne: It's only been a few days..! *but he has accepted the tacklehug in it's entirety* Sheepy: Harley: It hasn't been that long. *He takes over the whole sofa with Sherlock gone. Comfy* Sheepy: Sherlock: It's still a long time! Sheepy: Sherlock: So long that Moriarty's minion was here and was asking for money...! Sheepy: Sherlock: Poorlock! My poor self! Arsé-kun: Arséne: I'm so sorry. What would I have done, though? Sheepy: Sherlock: Huh? Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, you're back. Sheepy: Sheepy: Welcome back. Arsé-kun: Arséne: What? Nothing else? Sheepy: Sheepy: What else did you want? Sheepy: Sherlock: You should hug him too!! Sheepy: Sheepy:....?? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Don't make me come to you! Sheepy: Sheepy: *He gets up and walks over to Arsene* Arsé-kun: *Arséne holds his arm out. Cmere you* Sheepy: *Sheepy hugs Arsene! Hello!* Sheepy: Sheepy: Welcome back. Arsé-kun: Arséne: :D! Thaaank you! *he hugs Sheepy back. he was waiting for this* Sheepy: Sheepy: You're welcome. Sheepy: Sherlock: Harley- Sheepy: Harley: I don't show physical forms of affection. Simply, I had, and have had, very little exposure to it, making it confusing to me. Sheepy: Harley: Hugging is an affectionate form of strangling. Arsé-kun: Randy: .... He's not wrong! Sheepy: Sherlock: You can learn now! Sheepy: Harley: Sherlock, you should know that there's no possible way he wants to hug me. Sheepy: Sherlock: I can - Sheepy: Harley: You have before and I felt every bone in my body crying out to me to escape your clutches. Sheepy: Sherlock: It's okay, Arsene. I can hug you for him. Sheepy: Harley: He didn't ask to hug me in the first place...! Arsé-kun: Arséne: No one has to hug anyone, it's fine..! Sheepy: Harley: The last time I attempted to do so, I was informed that I was most like a ragdoll. Sheepy: Harley: Further quotes: *He imitates Sherlock's voice* "when you're hugged, you should make sure to reciprocate it!" "It's scary when you just blankly stare them in the eye!" Sheepy: Harley: "Eh? I'm crushing you? The closer you hold someone, the better they know you love them! I love you a lot, so I'm holding you as close as I can!!" Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh, I don't remember this at all. Sheepy: Sherlock: It's true though. Arsé-kun: *sanchan has exited scene. he did his part, got the results, that's it. it is time for tea* Arsé-kun: Watson: Debatable. Sheepy: Sherlock: What? Sheepy: Harley: I don't remember ever being hugged past that. Sheepy: Harley: "Now you can hug others and show your affection...! Eh? Why aren't you hugging me, Herlock?" Sheepy: Sherlock: Could I have been wrong this entire time?! Sheepy: Harley: You're trying to trick me into getting up so Lupin can sit down here. Sheepy: Harley: I'm not getting up. Arsé-kun: Arséne: If I want to sit there, I will. You're not in the way at all. Sheepy: Harley:...What? Sheepy: Harley: What is that supposed to mean... Arsé-kun: Arséne: It means I'll sit on my couch. Sheepy: Harley: But I'm here. Arsé-kun: Arséne: And? Sheepy: Harley: I won't move. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I will pay you one hundred dollars to fuck off of my sofa. Sheepy: Harley: I'm comfortable. Sheepy: Harley: Anyway, Sherlock took over it first. Sheepy: Harley: Besides, Lupin. Sheepy: Harley: *He imitates Lupin's voice* "If I want to sit there, I will. You're not in the way at all." Sheepy: Sherlock: $100 is a lot....! Sheepy: Harley: You make more than that easily. However, it's important to be thrifty. Sheepy: I feel like harley mostly gets cases that have a bit of dishonesty on both sides because he's less well known Sheepy: Sherlock: But... you always used to say: "Sherlock, if we could steal $100, we could do so much with it! That could feed us and clothe us! And...."...uh... ... ... Sheepy: *Harley plays the wrong note and looks over, wide-eyed* Sheepy: Sherlock: That's all I remember. When did you say that? Sheepy: Harley: I, uh, that's not exactly what I would say, but... that's from a while ago. Arsé-kun: *Arséne pulls out cash, counts it, strolls over, and smacks Harley with it before plopping on the couch arm* Sheepy: Harley: I don't want your money. *He does sit up though.* Arsé-kun: Arséne: Too bad, too sad. *he shoves it into Harley's pocket. Fuck you.* Arsé-kun: Arséne: Sure, go ahead. Sheepy: Harley: What song? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Up to you. Sheepy: Sherlock: *He sits down next to Arsene* Sheepy: Harley: *He begins playing the violin again.* Sheepy: Sheepy: You ever think about how, uh.. Sheepy: Sheepy: Nyarlathotep is out there doing who knows what? Arsé-kun: Arséne: I try not to. Sheepy: Sherlock: Arsene, what did you do while you were gone? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Oh, you know what I was doing. *and to Sheepy..* Would you like allowance now or later? Sheepy: Harley: It's stolen, isn't it. Sheepy: Sheepy: Whenever is most convenient. Sheepy: Sheepy: I want to discuss something soon. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Some of it is~ Arsé-kun: Arséne: Oh? Now would be fine then. Sheepy: *Sheepy walks over.* Sheepy: Harley:.... Arsé-kun: *Sheepy is handed a small wad of cash. Something is inside of it!* Sheepy: *Sheepy looks inside.* Arsé-kun: *it's a new lighter! it looks fancy* Sheepy: Sheepy:....?! Sheepy: *Sheepy is very pleased!* Sheepy: Sheepy: I love it. Sheepy: Sheepy: Hugging you and getting Arsene cooties on me was worth it after all! Sheepy: Harley: Mm. Lupin. Be careful when walking around. Sheepy: Harley: Moriarty's men have been out in force. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Horrible. Thank you for informing me. Sheepy: Harley: That cop earlier said something a little concerning... Arsé-kun: Arséne: How concerning? Sheepy: Harley: "If you were Sherlock Holmes, I'd let you see the crime scene." Sheepy: Harley:....Of course, the crime scene was the location of Glaaki... Sheepy: Harley: Was it just an act, or are they planning something? Arsé-kun: Watson: You stated you weren't Sherlock. I figured it made sense at the time. Sheepy: Harley: Well, yes. Sheepy: Sherlock: Glaaki? Arsé-kun: Randy: That's its name. Sheepy: Sherlock: ....The guard is named Glaaki? Sheepy: Harley: The slug. Arsé-kun: Randy: No. Glaaki is.. Well, yes. Sheepy: Sherlock: Sometimes I see slugs on the sidewalk. Arsé-kun: Randy: Bigger. Sheepy: Sherlock: Sometimes I see Harley inspecting slugs on the sidewalk. He'd be able to handle Glaaki if Glaaki is a slug. Sheepy: Harley: No Arsé-kun: Randy: Absolutely not. Sheepy: Sherlock: Is it that big? Arsé-kun: Randy: It would look like a submarine in a lake. .. Maybe even bigger. Sheepy: Sherlock:!? Sheepy: Sherlock: So the size of a thousand slugs. Arsé-kun: Randy: And add in a small army of undead cultists. Sheepy: Sherlock: So alive cultists. Sheepy: Harley: Zombies. Arsé-kun: Randy: Some might be alive, but it's unlikely. Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh...we were too late? Arsé-kun: Watson: If this is the real cause to why others have been disappearing, then yes. We'd be far too late. Sheepy: Harley: I'm going to guess that he brought a dead body over to Glaaki.. Arsé-kun: Watson: Better an already dead person than a living one, at least? Sheepy: Harley: Hmmm... Sheepy: Harley:.... Sheepy: Harley: We could go ask- Sheepy: Sherlock: Absolutely not. Arsé-kun: Arséne: At this hour? Sheepy: Harley: Maybe in the morning. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I hate to suggest this? But it may be best if Sheepy and Randolph do it. They've encountered it before. Sheepy: Sheepy: Do what? Sheepy: Sheepy: Ask Moriarty? Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah, I don't mind. Sheepy: Sheepy: So, we should visit the museum soon. Sheepy: Sheepy: There's this fossil I want to show you. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Eh? Why? Sheepy: Sheepy: Eh, Harley isn't going to stop us. Sheepy: Harley: What? Sheepy: Sheepy: Let's steal it. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Count me in, Mouton! Sheepy: Sheepy: I already know the return address, too. Sheepy: Harley: We have more pressing matters. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Have you ever heard of de-stressing? It's fantastic. Sheepy: Harley: ...How is theft de-stressing... Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he just grins at Harley* Sheepy: Harley: It's incredibly stressful. Sheepy: Harley: What if you get caught and lose everything? Sheepy: Sheepy: Phantom thieves do not get caught. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Me? Get caught? In this town?? Sheepy: Sheepy: Phantom thieves catch everyone's attention. Arsé-kun: Watson: I personally recall the time someone here was caught, due to going after a person armed with an umbrella. Sheepy: Harley: *He reflexively begins rubbing his hand* I-I can't imagine who you're talking about. Sheepy: Sheepy:...Did...did you really... Arsé-kun: Arséne: I'm sorry for your loss. Umbrellas hurt quite a bit. Sheepy: Harley: I was desperate. Their purse was open- listen, I didn't deserve to be hit with an umbrella! Sheepy: Sheepy: I can't believe ace detective, law-abiding Harley Holmes is justifying his crime and getting upset over being punished. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Can I get this on recording? Sheepy: Harley: Oh, shut up! Sheepy: Harley: I don't steal anymore! Sheepy: Harley: I only did it because Sherlock and I had nothing...! Sheepy: Harley: It was a life-or-death situation, you know?! Arsé-kun: *Arséne nods and- wisely- shuts up* Sheepy: Sheepy: We've unlocked Harley's sad past by reaching rank nine of his social link. Sheepy: Sheepy: "The time I decided to devote my life to get umbrellas deemed as illegal weapons." Sheepy: Sherlock:??????? Arsé-kun: Germain: I'm surprised they aren't. One can easily kill with them. Sheepy: Sherlock: We had Watson ever since I can remember. Sheepy: Sheepy: Umbrellas can be used to protect yourself from bloodsprays. Sheepy: Nyar: If only I had an umbrella. *When did he enter? Anyway, he's absolutely soaked.* Arsé-kun: Germain: Did you have fun, Nyar? Sheepy: Nyar: I'm so cold. Sheepy: *Nyar begins shaking like a dog!* Arsé-kun: *Randy grabs an umbrella and opens it. Protection* Sheepy: *Sheepy joins Randy behind the umbrella* Sheepy: Nyar: So, you know. It went. Sheepy: Sheepy: eh? Well or poorly? Sheepy: Nyar: He was busy. Arsé-kun: Germain: ... With what, exactly?? Sheepy: Nyar: Cultists. Arsé-kun: Randy: ... Not too sure if that's more or less concerning. Sheepy: Nyar: Aaaaaaaand.... Arsé-kun: Randy: oh, no, there's more? *he lowers the umbrella* Sheepy: Nyar: *He lifts up the side of his shirt, revealing painful looking red marks* Arsé-kun: Watson: What did you get into. Sheepy: Nyar: I'm a ping pong ball. Sheepy: Nyar: I have at least three broken human ribs. Arsé-kun: Watson: Then sit the hell down, you idiot! Sheepy: Nyar: *He sits down where he's standing.* Sheepy: Nyar: I'll continue to bleed out internally until I bleed out onto your floor and permanently stain it with blood. Arsé-kun: Germain: Don't ask me. I used my daily healing already. Do it yourself. Sheepy: Nyar: Guess I'll human die on your nice flooring then. Arsé-kun: Watson: You can't human die if you aren't a human. Sheepy: *Nyar briefly drags himself out.* Sheepy: *A trail of black ooze shows where he once was.* Sheepy: *A few moments later, an octopus enters. hello octopus* Arsé-kun: *Germain leans down to scoop him up* Sheepy: *Nyar accepts this.* Sheepy: Nyar: (You know.) Sheepy: Nyar: (T-rexes lived above water.) Arsé-kun: Germain: (What does that have to do with anything.) Sheepy: Nyar: (And yet?) Sheepy: Nyar: (I saw a t-rex fossil down there with Glaaki.) Arsé-kun: Germain: (I wonder what he's up to.) Sheepy: Nyar: (I don't know.) Sheepy: Nyar: (I did see Jack. Why is one of Dad"s experiments helping Glaaki...?) Arsé-kun: Germain: That's a fantastic question. Arsé-kun: Germain: (Did your father offer him to Glaaki like the fool he is?) Sheepy: Harley: I almost want to look at it under a microscope... Sheepy: Nyar:........... Sheepy: Nyar: (HE WOULD.) Arsé-kun: Germain: ... We've determined Nyar's father probably gave Glaaki the assistance he currently has, like an utter fool. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh boy. Time to contact Azathoth. Sheepy: Sheepy:...or, I would. Sheepy: Sheepy: If I knew how. Arsé-kun: Randy: Oh, it's simple. It just requires a summon, but there's the chance he'll be.. Y'know, not humanoid. Sheepy: Sheepy: If only I asked for his phone number. Sheepy: Sheepy: Nyar can summon him. Sheepy: Nyar: *confused octopus noises* Arsé-kun: Germain: That's a *he clears his throat and lowers his pitch* "What the hell are you talking about??". Sheepy: Sheepy:...He's...He's Azathoth's messenger...so... Arsé-kun: Germain: Of course, but now? Sheepy: Sheepy: He is injured. Sheepy: Sheepy: Gosh, Nyar, you have bad timing. Sheepy: Nyar: *He crosses two of his tentacles* Sheepy: Nyar: (We should contact him, but I just got finishwd being beat up.) Arsé-kun: Germain: (That does make things difficult.) Sheepy: Nyar: (I guess I could contact him.) Sheepy: Nyar: (You all owe me so much.) Arsé-kun: Germain: (Good luck. I'll keep out of the way.) Sheepy: *Nyar hops out of Saint-Germain's arms and crawls into another room.* Sheepy: *Nyar begins attempting to summon Azathoth.* Arsé-kun: *Congratulations! Super success! Azathoth shows up, in a humanoid form. He seems to be at least somewhat awake. This is an improvement over his usual state of being. This, however, does not stop him from draping himself over a chair.* Sheepy: Nyar: (We need to ask you questions!!) Arsé-kun: Azathoth: (Right now...? ... I may not know the answer, but okay..) Sheepy: Nyar: (What's up with Jack helping Glaaki? That clone you made!) Arsé-kun: Aza: ... ..... (Who?) Sheepy: Nyar: (The one of Moriarty! White hair, red eyes, permanent bags under his eyes!) Sheepy: Nyar: (Jack! Millers! You know?) Arsé-kun: Aza: (Ah... Dhampir clone.. ... What was the question agai-- .. .. Oh, right. Glaaki demanded a closing deal... Donation, is it? Sacrifice? Those are the same, yeah?) Sheepy: Nyar: ...................... Sheepy: Nyar: (That is so-) Sheepy: Nyar: (No, no, no, how do I put this lightly.) Arsé-kun: Aza: (... Stupid. Thank you.) Sheepy: Nyar: (He's out there killing people and getting more victims for Glaaki.) Arsé-kun: Aza: (He was considered a failure due to his adverse reaction to violence..) *he picks his head up* (What happened?) Sheepy: Nyar: (Well, apparently he was caught killing a non human.) Sheepy: Nyar: (And then later, he offered up a corpse to Glaaki.) Sheepy: Nyar: (And I saw him there in Glaaki's base of operations.) Arsé-kun: Aza: (Offering inhuman remains... They've finally caught on to using nonhumans?) Sheepy: Nyar: (Glaaki threw me around, too!- That doesn't matter!) Sheepy: Nyar: (The point is that we aren't supposed to be helping him and we still are!!) Arsé-kun: Aza: (Again? .. But I have pulled back. What someone else does isn't my business, is it?) Sheepy: Nyar: (Your mess is making this mess bigger.) Arsé-kun: Aza: (... He's mine?) Sheepy: Nyar: (You made him!) Arsé-kun: Aza: (So that denotes ownership..) Sheepy: Nyar: (I guess???) Arsé-kun: Aza: (What do I do? Do I tell Glaaki to return my property??) Sheepy: Nyar: (YES.) Arsé-kun: Aza: (Now?) Sheepy: Nyar: (It'd be appreciated!) Arsé-kun: Aza: ...... (Oh, bother. Could you not do it?) Sheepy: Nyar: (I have one idea.) Arsé-kun: Aza: (I'm listening, I think.) Sheepy: Nyar: (I'm starting to consider it but everyone would hate me if I did it!) Sheepy: Nyar: (I might just collapse that stupid cave!!) Arsé-kun: Aza: (That would severely limit his options, maybe? Unless he gets a lot of humans to repair it..) Sheepy: Nyar: (Let's destroy it together!!!) Arsé-kun: Aza: (I've got no objections.) Arsé-kun: Randy: (Not to interrupt or anything, but Nyarlathotep was recently injured.. Just saying!) Arsé-kun: *meanwhile, aza falls off the chair.* Sheepy: Nyar: (Oh, hi Randy.) Arsé-kun: Randy: (Hi? But I wouldn't object as long as living people are cleared out first.) Sheepy: Nyar: (You're so PARTICULAR.) Arsé-kun: Randy: (Okay, fine! Willing conscious people, that are alive. Lets get MORE detailed!!) Sheepy: Nyar: (I limit myself to five.) Arsé-kun: Randy: (Nyar.) Sheepy: Nyar: (What??) Arsé-kun: Randy: (At least try for me.) Sheepy: Nyar: (It'd be really hard...!) Arsé-kun: Aza: (... Glaaki, keeping living humans? That's dumb on it's own.) Sheepy: Nyar: (Would he...?) Sheepy: Nyar: (Unless it's someone he's about to convert. .. Okay, I'll limit myself to 6! Let's go.) Arsé-kun: Aza: (What? Right now..?) Sheepy: Nyar: (....Um. Is now a bad time!?) Sheepy: Nyar: (Strike while the iron's hot, whatever that means!) Arsé-kun: Aza: (... I guess...) Sheepy: Nyar: (Randy, thoughts!?) Arsé-kun: Randy: (I'd join but it's so late..) *he can be heard yawning in the other room* Sheepy: Nyar: (We'll be back then! Goodbye, my self control!) Arsé-kun: Randy: (Good luck, don't get injured again. If you come back dying, I'm telling Yog.) Sheepy: *So Nyar leaves for the pond once more.* Arsé-kun: *Aza takes about ten extra minutes to arrive.* Sheepy: Nyar: (Took you long enough.) Arsé-kun: Aza: What did you want from me... Sheepy: Nyar: (For you to get here sooner.) Arsé-kun: Aza: He's just going to hear us if we talk like that... Are you still a wiggly? Sheepy: Nyar: (Yeah. Let me go back to a human form.) Arsé-kun: Aza: ... How did you get here without being stopped??? Sheepy: Nyar: (Hard work.) Arsé-kun: Aza: Good job, son. Sheepy: Nyar: Right, now, let's go. Arsé-kun: *they get down to the caverns. without diving. they take the walker's route. this takes a little bit longer.* Sheepy: Nyar: We could just nuke the lake. Sheepy: Nyar: But I want Randy to praise me... so I need to save someone. Arsé-kun: Aza: ... I understand, I think. Arsé-kun: Aza: You were always the most emotional of us. Of course you'd want that... Valet? What is the word? Sheepy: Nyar: Validation! Arsé-kun: Aza: Yes, that. Sheepy: Nyar: You don't give it to me so I have to get it elsewhere. Arsé-kun: Aza: I have only started understanding it as a concept. How can I? Sheepy: Nyar:...True. Arsé-kun: Aza: ... But this confirms my previous attempt fell flat. I'll double my efforts.. Later. Sheepy: Nyar:...! Sheepy: Nyar: I'll work hard!!! Arsé-kun: Aza: I know you can do, uh, that.. Pretty well?? Sheepy: Nyar:...!!! Sheepy: *Nyar is grinning. Stop that it's weird* Sheepy: Nyar: We should go and save them. Arsé-kun: Aza: If that's what you want to do. Sheepy: *Nyar heads inside, looking for live people* Arsé-kun: *Aza stumbles after him, yawning* Sheepy: Nyar: *Where are the live people???* Arsé-kun: *somewhere?? The undead cultists don't pay Nyar and Aza much heed. They've got books to write, things to learn, shit to do!* Sheepy: *Nyar continues, mostly ignoring them* Arsé-kun: *up ahead, plugging up a cavern, is a big ol ball of spikes. it's glaaki, and they're taking a nap. at least three cultists are sitting nearby and frantically writing* Sheepy: Nyar: ...........! Sheepy: Nyar: What to do.... Arsé-kun: Aza: He's got the right idea.... Sheepy: Nyar: You can't sleep just yet. We need to deal with this. Arsé-kun: Aza: Right, right... Sheepy: *Jack is very close by, taking a nap as well.* Arsé-kun: Aza: .... This one is living. Sheepy: Nyar: That's Jack. Arsé-kun: Aza: ... Yes, you're right. Sheepy: Nyar: Let's remove him first! Sheepy: *Nyar begins to approach Jack, who snaps awake and stares at the two* Sheepy: Jack: ..............What d'you two want? Sheepy: Jack: No, I changed my mind. I don't care. Do what yeh want. Arsé-kun: Aza: Such a change in behavior, and so quickly.. Those still living do best without contact of we Elders, you know. Sheepy: Jack: What? Don't dance 'round yer point. Jus' spit it out. Arsé-kun: Aza: ...? *he turns his head and spits on the ground before registering the statement entirely. He opts to not address this* I am saying "Get out of here". Sheepy: Jack: *He gets up* What, yeh got someone else yeh want me t'do dirty jobs fer? Sheepy: Jack: Whatever. Jus' git it ov'r with. I'll be waitin' outside. Sheepy: *With that, Jack strolls out.* Arsé-kun: Aza: ... Not sure if Glaaki has messed with him. ... Might need a deprogramming. Sheepy: Nyar: D...deprogramming? Arsé-kun: Aza: ... Oh, but you're far better at undoing whatever has been done. Sheepy: Nyar: Uh............... Sheepy: Nyar: Oh, yeah. Sheepy: Nyar: Let's keep going. Arsé-kun: *they continue through the caverns! So far, no one else encountered can be considered "Living", but some are moderately new. One's still bloody.* Sheepy: *Nyar ignores the dead ones.* Sheepy: Nyar: He's quick, isn't he. Sheepy: Nyar:...For a slug, anyway. Arsé-kun: Aza: He is not actually a slug, though? Sheepy: Nyar: That's true. Sheepy: Nyar: But still, I'd be faster if I were doing it. Arsé-kun: Aza: You're very fast... Sheepy: Nyar: Now where are the living ones...we should just collapse it soon.. Arsé-kun: Aza: I don't see any living around here... Sheepy: Nyar:........Ah, we should collapse it then, right? Arsé-kun: Aza: ... And lose the knowledge? I would like to collect what's been written first... ... But is that a bad idea? Sheepy: Nyar: No, go ahead. I'll keep hunting for live people. Arsé-kun: Aza: ... Okay... Sheepy: *Nyar keeps looking.* Arsé-kun: *none yet! unfortunately.* Sheepy: *And Nyar continues looking.* Arsé-kun: *Nyar finally finds one!! They're in a group of undeads, seemingly unaware of their pals' deteriorating states* Sheepy: Nyar:.....! Sheepy: Nyar: Hey! C'mere! Arsé-kun: *The entire group look towards him, briefly, before going back to whatever they were doing.* Sheepy: Nyar:.... Sheepy: *Nyar beelines for the one living one* Sheepy: Nyar: Hey! Arsé-kun: ??: ...? Sheepy: Nyar: You need to get out of here. Sheepy: Nyar: I'll help you as best as I can, but you need a willingness to live. Sheepy: Nyar: Otherwise, I'll let you end up like your buddies here. Arsé-kun: ??: ....??? They're people too, right...? Sheepy: Nyar: They're dead as a doornail. Sheepy: Nyar: Which you'll be if you don't escape, okay? Arsé-kun: ??: .... They look fine to me... *he goes to pat the undead to his right's shoulder. it falls off. He stares* ...?? Sheepy: Nyar:.... Sheepy: Nyar: You should go. Arsé-kun: ??: Go where? Sheepy: Nyar: Escape. I'll help you. Arsé-kun: ??: Why would I? Where would I go..? Sheepy: Nyar:.... Sheepy: Nyar: Listen. Sheepy: Nyar: You're going to die here. Sheepy: Nyar: I've got a place you can stay until things improve, but you need to get out of here. Now. Arsé-kun: ??: .... ...... *they seem confused* .. Okay? Sheepy: Nyar: Just - *He grabs their hand* Follow me. Arsé-kun: ??: Yes, sir? *they follow Nyar, seeming unsure even about the surroundings* Sheepy: Nyar: *He keeps his eye open for any other potential survivors he may have overlooked and for Glaaki* Arsé-kun: *He is not seeing anyone else that is living yet, but he's got a really bad feeling all of a sudden, in the dark deep pit of his octogut* Sheepy: Nyar:....... Sheepy: Nyar:.....! Sheepy: Nyar:...Shoot...something isn't right! Arsé-kun: ??: *he seems to have a similar feeling, and freezes up* ?! What was that?? Sheepy: Nyar: That's the guy who brought you here...I think...we need to get a move on! Arsé-kun: ??: Uh, sure! But first, where are we??? Sheepy: Nyar: The lake. You need to get out! Arsé-kun: ??: How did I get here?? *but he picks up the pace* Sheepy: Nyar: He brought you here. Arsé-kun: ??: I can't believe I got abducted on duty... Was I on duty? ... What's today?? Sheepy: *Nyar tells him the date.* Arsé-kun: ??: You're kidding me! It's been a week?! Sheepy: Nyar: I'm surprised you lasted this long. Sheepy: Nyar: We should be close to the exit. Arsé-kun: *and he's right! There's the exit!* Sheepy: Nyar: *He runs towards the exit, still holding the survivor's hand!* Arsé-kun: *And then, suddenly...! ... They make it out, with little to no fanfare.* Sheepy: Nyar: Great, you should be safer here. Sheepy: Jack: Took yeh long enough. Arsé-kun: ??: ... You.. That's my uniform! Sheepy: Jack: Sorry, I needed it. Sheepy: *He...does appear to feel bad.* Sheepy: Jack: I'll return it later. Alright? Arsé-kun: ??: That would be appreciated... *he turns and glances back at the cavern entrance* I never knew this was here. Sheepy: Jack: Most people don't. Sheepy: Jack: That's 'ow it should be. Arsé-kun: ??: I'll have to double my patrolling efforts.. Arsé-kun: Aza: Not yet you don't... *he drags himself out, soaked to the bone(?) and carrying a less-wet tome* Other than the one he had, no living ones are left. Sheepy: Nyar: I sure hope the one he had wasn't important. Arsé-kun: Aza: Don't know.... Don't care at the moment... Are you finished with your validation mission? Sheepy: Nyar: I'd like to have saved that last one, too, but.. Sheepy: Nyar: You do what you can do. Arsé-kun: Aza: Then.... You did more than I could. Arsé-kun: Aza: Great work. *he leans forward and water just pours out of his face. Like a dumb ass kettle* I was wondering why speech was difficult. Sheepy: Nyar:....! Me? I did great work? Arsé-kun: Aza: y'hah. Sheepy: Nyar:....!!! Sheepy: Nyar: I did! Me! I did a great job! Sheepy: Jack: Oi. What did yeh want me t' leave fer? Arsé-kun: Aza: 'Twas not my idea. *he looks towards Nyar* Perhaps you would be of more use to other humans than Glaaki. Sheepy: Jack:.... Sheepy: Jack: So yeh 'ave someone else t' shove me on, eh? Sheepy: Jack: Whatever. Do what yeh want. Arsé-kun: Aza: .... Actually.... I do. *he turns his head towards the survivor for a moment, who fails to notice because they're trying to get their bearings* I can see you being much better in the field you'd want over what you've done. Arsé-kun: Aza: .... *he leans over again and more water comes pouring out* ..... I have forgotten how to human breathe. I am certainly done with this excursion. Ya ch'fhtagn. *and he steps out of view entirely. he's going to sleep outside of human vision. he's spent all of his intelligence stamina and needs a long rest.* Arsé-kun: ??: .... I feel as if I'm supposed to ignore everything I just witnessed. Sheepy: Jack:..... Sheepy: Jack: Don't worry 'bout it. I'll walk you 'ome. Sheepy: Nyar: I'm going to report back to Randy. Sheepy: Jack: Yer able t' walk, aren't'cha? Arsé-kun: ??: Yes, I am. Uhm.. Thank you. Sheepy: Jack: Then let's go. Sheepy: Jack: Where do you live? Arsé-kun: *they lower their voice and tell him* Sheepy: Jack: Right, well, I'll walk you 'ome. *He begins heading in that direction.* Arsé-kun: *they follow him, but occasionally glance back. What if it's following us?* Arsé-kun: *also i realize i never specified the cult robes being worn but That's all I need to do. they're green. real dark green. ok now its in the records CARRY ON* Sheepy: Jack: What? Arsé-kun: ??: No one is following us, right? Sheepy: Jack: No. Arsé-kun: ??: Oh... Sheepy: Jack: I'm th' only one o' 'is grunts who c'n travel easily. Sheepy: Jack: And I don't care. Arsé-kun: ??: I see.. Sheepy: Jack: Glad t' 'ear that. Arsé-kun: *eventually, they get there! to a little shop we, the viewers, have seen before. it's a sweets shop, but seems to be closed- Except for the single face pressed against the window. It's gone rather quickly, though* Sheepy: Jack: ...Oi, they've noticed yeh. Arsé-kun: ??: Already? *they pull their hood off* Arsé-kun: *Seconds later, the doors thrown open and they get tackled by a very worried younger brother. Hello, Tatsuya* Sheepy: Jack: *He watches closely* Arsé-kun: Tats: Where have you been, you jerk?? Were you petting cats again, Kat? Did they accept you as one of their own?? Arsé-kun: Katsuya: Hah, I wish that was all it was. Arsé-kun: *meanwhile, Minato is looking at Jack. prrrrriorities* Sheepy: Jack: I abducted 'im fer a bit. Arsé-kun: Minato: ... Can I ask why? Sheepy: Jack: I was told to. Arsé-kun: Minato: And there's no.. Damage incurred? Sheepy: Jack:.... Sheepy: Jack: I don't know. Sheepy: Jack: Never thought 'bout it, really. Yeh sh'd be fine. Arsé-kun: Minato: We'll just have to check. If he turns or anything, it's on you. *he sorta shrugs* Sheepy: Jack: That's fair. Sheepy: Jack: Yeh got somethin' I c'n change into? I need t' give this uniform back. Arsé-kun: Minato: Yeah, we should. *he heads back in* Sheepy: Jack: Great. Sheepy: Jack: Lissen. Be careful in th' future. Arsé-kun: Kat: So that doesn't happen again, right? Sheepy: Jack: Yeh 'ave so many weak points. Sheepy: Jack: I 'ad no probl'm sneakin' up 'n yeh 'nd knockin' yeh out. Arsé-kun: Kat: I guess I do need to work on that.. Sheepy: Jack: Yer welcome. Arsé-kun: Kat: I should cite you for all of that, plus imitating an officer... But with everything happening, you're off the hook. ... Unless you do it again. Sheepy: Jack: Hah. Sheepy: Jack: I don't care what yeh do. Sheepy: Jack: Juss be careful what yeh stick yer nose into. Arsé-kun: Kat: Of course, but the same to you. Sheepy: Jack: I'm quittin' workin' fer th' guy who ordered yer capture, but... Arsé-kun: Kat: Are you sure you don't need to hide from.. *he just waves a hand* Sheepy: Jack: Mm. Nothin' I can do 'bout that. I was ordered t' stop workin' fer 'im. Sheepy: Jack: If 'e goes after me, oh well Arsé-kun: Kat: Oh well, come by if you need to. Arsé-kun: *Minato reappears with a bundle of clothes. Well, they're clean and not an officer uniform.* Sheepy: Jack: Thank you. Arsé-kun: Minato: 'Welcome. *and he goes back inside again.* Sheepy: Jack: I sh'd 'ead 'ome now. Sheepy: Jack: Stay sharp. Arsé-kun: Kat: Thank you. *he notes to himself to wash it at least three times* Stay safe, will you? Sheepy: Jack: Yeh. Thanks. Sheepy: Jack: *He puts his hands in his pockets and walks away.* Arsé-kun: *Kat is more or less ushered inside. Status; safe* Sheepy: *yay!* Sheepy: *Meanwhile......* Sheepy: Nyar: --*he busts into the room* RANDY!! Arsé-kun: Randy: Ahh! *he jumps a good inch off the chair he was on, dislodging Shaggy entirely* Nyar!! Are you trying to give me a stroke? Sheepy: Nyar: Eh? Sheepy: Nyar: Randy! I have news! Arsé-kun: Randy: Yeah?? What? Oh, come back, Shaggy.. *shaggy has left you* Sheepy: Nyar: DAD COMPLIMENTED ME!! Arsé-kun: Randy: Hooray...? I'm glad you're excited, but did you need to wake me up for it..? Sheepy: Nyar: Now you compliment me! Sheepy: Nyar: I saved one person!! Arsé-kun: Randy: Did you? Sheepy: Nyar: Yeah! Arsé-kun: Randy: And they're not going to die mysteriously? Sheepy: Nyar:...Uh? Sheepy: Nyar:.....!? You trust me so little...! Sheepy: Nyar: What have I done to make you NOT trust me??? Arsé-kun: Randy: When did I say you'd be killing them? Arsé-kun: Randy: I'm going to be forever bitter about the dreamscape stunt, though. Sheepy: Nyar: Hey! Sheepy: Nyar: You should be nicer to me. Sheepy: Nyar: Where's my compliment?? Arsé-kun: Randy: Okay, fine. You did a good deed, for once. Hooray. Sheepy: Nyar: Yes!!! I did!!! Sheepy: Nyar: Aren't I great? Sheepy: Nyar: Oh, oh, oh! Arsé-kun: Randy: Yeah, of course. I just wish you'd do good things without the prompting. Even little kids can figure that out faster- Oh? Sheepy: Nyar: The cavern was collapsed. Sheepy: Nyar: And, like... Arsé-kun: Randy: Already? Sheepy: Nyar: Oh yeah! And according to dad, Glaaki had someone with him! Sheepy: Nyar: Ahahaha! I wonder what happened!? Arsé-kun: Randy: *he sighs* We'll find out eventually. Sheepy: Nyar: I'm going to brag to Saint-Germain, so you go back to sleep before I drag you along! Sheepy: Nyar: Who knows! I might visit you in your dreams. Sheepy: Nyar: Oh, I have some fun ideas already. Arsé-kun: Randy: Thanks for the warning.. *he tries to get comfy again. might take a bit* Sheepy: *Nyar leaves for Saint's room* Arsé-kun: *Saint was waiting a while, having picked up a book to pass the time. But Nyar took too long, so he put it to the side and went to sleep. it's like 5 am, understandable course of action* Sheepy: Nyar: Saint-Germain!! Arsé-kun: Germain: ....? Germain: What took you so long...? Sheepy: Nyar: DAD COMPLIMENTED ME! Arsé-kun: Germain: ... Lovely. Sheepy: Nyar: I saved one person! Sheepy: Nyar: You'll praise me too, right!? Arsé-kun: Germain: Fantastic work. Tell me more in the morning.. Sheepy: Nyar: Okay, fine. Sheepy: Nyar: Good night! Sheepy: *Nyar lets hm sleep* Arsé-kun: *Now what are you going to do, Nyarlathotep?* Sheepy: *Be bored* Arsé-kun: *really.* Sheepy: *Nyar looks for things to do.* Arsé-kun: *he's Nyarlathotep!! How can he not find something to do?* Sheepy: *Nyar decides to watch an octopus documentary.* Arsé-kun: *that's fun! here, waste several hours on that and that alone!* Sheepy: *yes!* Sheepy: *Enough time for Sherlock to get up off the sofa and get the mail.* Arsé-kun: *Allllll of it. The poor mailman probably made a single stop, and it's this one! That's all for this week!* Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh, it's a lot as usual.......... Arsé-kun: *in the background, delly slips on a letter and falls on his butt. comedy* Arsé-kun: Watson: *he strolls in, coffee in hand, and rolls his eyes* And people say snail mail isn't used anymore. Sheepy: *Sherlock begins hunting through it* Sheepy: Sherlock: It's mostly fan mail. Arsé-kun: Watson: Save it up! Crack one open when you feel bad. It'll last at least a week! Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh, good idea. Sheepy: *Sherlock's sorting it into piles - his, Watson's, Harley's.* Arsé-kun: Watson: Oh, we got mail this time? Sheepy: Sherlock: Some. Arsé-kun: Watson: More than usual. Sheepy: Sherlock: Yes! Arsé-kun: Watson: If we're lucky, it might be decent this time. Sheepy: Sherlock: ...What does that mean? Sheepy: Harley: *He peeks in* Oh, do I actually have mail? Sheepy: Harley: How unfortunate. Sheepy: Harley: I guess I should read it, though. Arsé-kun: Watson: Yeah, I agree. I might have to bust out the old "See an actual doctor" stamp for this. Sheepy: Sherlock: But you are a doctor... Sheepy: Sherlock:...Aren't you...? Sheepy: Harley: Ah, yours have actual content in them? Sheepy: Harley: Oh, if only we could trade... Arsé-kun: Watson: To Sherlock- Yes! To Harley- No. People expect me to know their every malady just from a bad description on paper. I'm not their primary care giver! How should I know? Sheepy: Harley: You can make up medical terms that don't exist. Arsé-kun: Watson: That's cruel and unusual. Sheepy: Harley: The very few letters I get are related either to my appearance or ridiculous questions I don't understand. Sheepy: Harley: "Are you just Mycroft Holmes but under another name similar to Sherlock's to make you seem more important?" Sheepy: Harley: "Oh, yes, I am this man to whom I bear little resemblance to and is a few years older than me!" Sheepy: Sherlock: You are!? Sheepy: Harley: Ah, I know. Sheepy: Harley: You answer mine and I'll answer yours. Arsé-kun: Watson: Sherlock, take a joke. And hmm.. Not sure I trust you enough to not mess with people. Sheepy: Harley: Oh, I'm hurt. Arsé-kun: Watson: You'll just tell everyone they need to send in money. Sheepy: Harley: "Your eyes are pretty." "Thanks, I've never looked in a mirror so I don't know what I look like." Sheepy: Harley: I wouldn't scam people out of money. Sheepy: Harley: What are other ones I've received... Arsé-kun: Watson: *he grabs one and carefully opens it* ... This one wants to know what kind of grapes you color your hair with. Sheepy: Harley:....... Sheepy: Harley:.......It's..... Arsé-kun: Watson: Natural, I know. Sheepy: Harley:...I color it with genes. Arsé-kun: Watson: I like that answer better. Sheepy: Harley: I've had people ask me why I look nothing like Mycroft nor Sherlock. It's as though they think I know. Sheepy: Harley: And, of course...why do people keep thinking it's dyed??? Sheepy: Sherlock: It's not!? Sheepy: Harley: What makes you think it's dyed!? Sheepy: Sherlock: Ummm... Sheepy: Sherlock: Is that Harley's? Arsé-kun: Watson: I have no idea. I just wanted to bring it up. Sheepy: Harley: Whose is it? Arsé-kun: Watson: No idea. It's not high enough in mystery ranks for me to care. Sheepy: Harley: Do we have any new cases? Arsé-kun: Watson: Not yet. Sheepy: Harley: That's too bad. Sheepy: Harley: *He picks up another letter from his stack and opens it* Sheepy: Harley: "Please· pay close attention To your surroundings! For One, you may come To find something that will help· you on your way! I'm· hoping that in· this advice, you'll stay out of trouble· and Thrive!"- ah, it goes on a bit more.. Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh, that's weirdly ominous motivational advice. Arsé-kun: Watson: You showing up will help? For what? Sheepy: Harley: I don't know. Uh... Sheepy: Harley: "Do you have pollen allergies? That's a big problem. The trees will blossom soon. It's going to drive me cra𝔃y. They· will· be super bothersome. Where do you go to kill· time? Me·? I like casinos, really. Oh, that's all I've got. Hope everything goes well for you!" Sheepy: Harley: What kind of rambley nonsense... Arsé-kun: Watson: *he comes over to see too* Sheepy: *Harley shows him the letter* Arsé-kun: Watson: What's all these marks for..? Sheepy: Harley:....*He tilts his head* Arsé-kun: Watson: Sherlock, c'mere. Come look at this, too. Sheepy: Harley: The ones with dots are.... Sheepy: *Sherlock comes over and looks over Harley's shoulder* Arsé-kun: Watson: They, Will, Kill, Me. Is this a cry for help? Sheepy: Harley: And in the first section: "Please help I'm in trouble"...yes, it does seem it's a cry for help. Sheepy: Sherlock: To For One To Thrive? TFOTT? Is that a food? Arsé-kun: Watson: Two, four, one, two, five. An address? Sheepy: Harley: And finally, underscored: "Big Blossom Drive". Sheepy: Harley: It could be an address. Arsé-kun: Watson: I'll try to pull it up on maps.. Sheepy: Harley: Thank you. Sheepy: Harley: I wonder if there's anything else of importance? Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he slides over, using two envelopes for reduced traction* What's going on, men? Sheepy: Sherlock: Harley got mail. Sheepy: Harley: It's a cry for help. Please give it a read. Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he reads it* That Z... I'd know it anywhere! This is Diego's handwriting! Sheepy: Harley:....! Sheepy: Harley: But what kind of trouble is he in? Arsé-kun: Watson: If it says "They will kill me!", it's probably pretty bad! Arsé-kun: Arséne: Is this it? The legendary Normal Case?? With normal criminals and normal odds of defying death? Sheepy: Harley: Finally! Sheepy: Harley: I don't remember him liking to gamble, not that I knew him very well. Do you think casinos are related to the case? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Why would he mention it otherwise? Sheepy: Harley: Good point. Sheepy: Harley: Watson, did you find anything? Arsé-kun: Watson: Sure have. Sheepy: Harley: Goood job. Can I see? Arsé-kun: Watson: Certainly! Here, look, it's right smack in the middle of a bunch of shit. *he shows Harley the Maps result. Lotsa buildings* Sheepy: *Harley mulls it over.* Sheepy: Harley: So we can't just dash in. Arsé-kun: Watson: We could, in theory? But it'd be difficult. Sheepy: Harley: We don't know how many allies they have within the area. We should case it first. Arsé-kun: Watson: But even that may get attention if we aren't careful. Sheepy: Harley: Exactly. Sheepy: Harley:...Give me a moment... Sheepy: Harley: Are any of these stores? Arsé-kun: Watson: Doesn't seem like it, unfortunately. Sheepy: Harley: Too bad. Arsé-kun: Watson: Might I ask why? Sheepy: Harley: It limits the amount of disguises I could use. Arsé-kun: Watson: Oh, that is unfortunate. Sheepy: Harley: Mhm. Sheepy: Harley: Lupin, any ideas? Arsé-kun: Arséne: I could scout it out in my own time, perhaps. Sheepy: Harley: Your time is limited. Arsé-kun: Arséne: You know what I meant. Sheepy: Harley: Did I. Sheepy: Harley:...Anyway, we need to come up with a plan. Sheepy: Sherlock: Why don't we just, um, call the police? Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he just starts laughing* Sheepy: Harley: It's too dangerous. Arsé-kun: Arséne: And most of them are imbeciles. They'll just storm it! Sheepy: Sherlock: Hmmm... Sheepy: Harley: Are there any casinos near there? Arsé-kun: Watson: Yes, there is. Sheepy: Harley: I'd like to visit there. Sheepy: Harley: But I look too suspicious as I am... Sheepy: Harley: Lupin, here's a plan. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Go on. Sheepy: Harley: Let's say that the staff are in on it. Sheepy: Harley: Illegal it may be, but we watch them closely and knock out two when we get the chance and steal their clothes along with their "faces". Sheepy: Harley: With that, we can sneak into the address listed. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Ah, the classic Plan A. I was thinking of visiting the casino as a couple, dressed up fancy. But then one of us would have to be the woman. And I don't feel like it. Sheepy: Harley: Oh, I'm fine with that. Sheepy: Harley: I usually end up with that role, so I'm used to it. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Well, then I guess I know what we're doing this week. Sheepy: Harley: Clothes shopping? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Wasting lots of cash in roulettes. Sheepy: Harley: I don't gamble... I'll leave you to that. Arsé-kun: Arséne: How kind of you! If I'm not interrupted, I'll clean house nicely for you. Sheepy: Harley: Oh, thank you. What a great husband you are. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Hey! I hate this already! Sheepy: Harley: That's your problem. Sheepy: Harley: Don't worry. We married for status and you're having an affair on me with my brother and I'm secretly planning to have you mysteriously end up in an accident for your insurance money. Sheepy: Harley:...I'm kidding, of course. Let's play this straight and not seem suspicious. Arsé-kun: Arséne: But would playing it straight be the best? The first is far easier to pull off. Sheepy: Harley: Is it? Sheepy: Harley: I don't really want to plot your downfall. I care enough about you to not want to consider such a thing. Arsé-kun: Arséne: But if we want to run it straight, we'd need to be a solid mix of type A and B- Lovey dovey but also super casual. The traitorous route lets us go type A, exaggerated to our desires. Sheepy: Harley: Oh dear. Sheepy: Harley: How fun. Sheepy: Harley: You take me out on such a nice date to try to distract me from how you're having an affair. Sheepy: Harley: And I, meanwhile, am focused on...hmmm... Sheepy: Sherlock: Wow, you're really going into a detailed backstory. Arsé-kun: Arséne: We need to. The more foolproof, the better. Sheepy: Harley: We need to come up with names, too. Sheepy: Sherlock: There's a twitter for that! Baby names. Sheepy: Harley: Let's see. It's our anniversary. Sheepy: Harley: I wanted to go on a nice adventure in a place that, ah... Sheepy: Harley: Could end in your death. Sheepy: Harley: However, despite my heavy hints towards this, you chose the casino. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I do enjoy living, after all. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I think that would work. I, meanwhile, would certainly be giving everyone but you the interested looks, and would probably spend as much time away as possible. That way, even running off to the bathroom for an hour would have a solid base. Sheepy: Harley: I'd end you if you were. Arsé-kun: Arséne: You'd have to beat me to it. Sheepy: Harley: Oh dear. Arsé-kun: Watson: *he's started sorting more of the mail in the background. He is not needed right now* Sheepy: Sherlock: Have you found anything of interest? Arsé-kun: Watson: I found the bills, does that count? Sheepy: Sherlock:.....Ummm... Sheepy: Sherlock: N...not really. Sheepy: Harley: How kind of you to offer to pay them, Watson. Sheepy: Harley: I'll take you up on that offer. Arsé-kun: Watson: What! Again?! Sheepy: Harley: Well? I haven't gotten a case in a while. No case means no payment. Sheepy: Sherlock: Bills? Arsé-kun: Watson: Fair enough.. Sheepy: Sherlock: Are any for me? Sheepy: Harley: You were about to act clueless on what a bill was right after clearly acting like you knew what a bill was... Arsé-kun: Watson: Actually, Sherlock- Yes. This one is your problem now. I'll hang it on the fridge for you. Sheepy: Harley: You shift your weight to the opposite side when you lie, Sherlock. Sheepy: Sherlock: Eh...! I get a bill and information I didn't want to know! Sheepy: Harley: Actually, let me make a correction: when you consider lying. Sheepy: Harley: When you actively lie- Sheepy: Sherlock: Let's see that bill! Arsé-kun: *Watson tries to throw it over. He misses Sherlock entirely.* Sheepy: *Sherlock picks it up and opens it* Arsé-kun: *it's a bill, all right. for all those netflix shows. i don't know how netflix actually works.* Sheepy: Sherlock: Ah...I guess I haven't taken many cases either recently...! Sheepy: Sherlock: But I haven't felt like it. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Annnnd this is why I am in business. Sheepy: Sherlock: I just don't feel motivated. Arsé-kun: Arséne: You've still gotta do it. Sheepy: Sherlock: I know.... Sheepy: Sherlock: I don't feel interested in them... Arsé-kun: Arséne: People Will Die without assistance, Sherlock! Sheepy: Sherlock:....R...really? Sheepy: Harley: Surprise. Sheepy: Sherlock: I never knew that...! Sheepy: Sherlock: Watson, did you? Sheepy: Harley: I will begin taking them if you won't, Sherlock. Sheepy: Sherlock: I didn't know!! Arsé-kun: Watson: This isn't new information... Sheepy: Sherlock: I thought it was mass distributed to every detective! Sheepy: Harley: There are very few who aren't connected tothe police. Sheepy: Harley: I get very few cases due to my very specific use. Sheepy: Harley: However, you get the commonfolk. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Many of my cases are ones you passed by, for example. Sheepy: Sherlock: Ah!? Sheepy: Harley: Mine are...hmmm. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Yours are... Ehh.. Sheepy: Harley: Very rich people who don't want people knowing a thing. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Where's all your cash, mr. detective? Sheepy: Harley: Hmm? Arsé-kun: Arséne: Where's the rich payout? Or do you do the smart thing and store it all? Sheepy: Harley: Oh, did you want to steal it? Or know the contents of my will? Sheepy: Harley: Neither are options, I'm afraid. Anyway, I save almost all of it. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Why would I steal that? It's just money. Sheepy: Harley: I suppose so. Sheepy: Harley: We shoupd come up with how we will defend ourselves. Sheepy: Sherlock: Ah...I don't want to practice with you... Sheepy: Harley: Oh, I have an idea. ..But if he's in on it... Arsé-kun: Arséne: ...? Sheepy: Harley: Let's ask Mycroft about the owners of the home. He might know something. Sheepy: Harley: Of course, that's offtopic from self defense, but I think it'll help tremendously if we can find something. However, over text won't do. Ah, what if his home has been bugged... Sheepy: Sherlock: Do you go through this every case you take? Arsé-kun: Watson: He sure does. Sheepy: Sherlock: Oh.... Sheepy: Sherlock: I can't really help there. Sheepy: Harley: Watson, should we ask Mycroft if he can dig up any information on the home owners? Arsé-kun: Watson: You could try. Sheepy: Harley: Any piece of information is necessary. Sheepy: Harley:...Give me a moment... Sheepy: Harley: [text: to Mycroft] We need to talk. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: [text: to Harley] Not even a hello? What is it? Sheepy: Harley: [text: to Mycroft] 221B Baker's Street Arsé-kun: Mycroft: [text: to Harley] I know where you live!! You could have just said "come over"!!! Sheepy: Harley: [text: to Mycroft] Come over Arsé-kun: Mycroft: [text: to Harley] Right now? Sheepy: Harley: [text: to Mycroft] Need assistance Arsé-kun: Mycroft: [text: to Harley] I have work in half an hour. You'd better make it quick. Sheepy: Harley: [text: to Mycroft] 1 life is at stake Sheepy: Harley: He's coming over. Sheepy: Harley: Meanwhile, I'm going to look for information on the casino in the newspapers. Maybe online too. Arsé-kun: Watson: Good thinking. I'll try to figure out what's around it. Sheepy: Harley: Thank you. Sheepy: Harley:...By the way. Sheepy: Harley: If you're wondering where Sheepy is, he's out to go see Professor Moriarty. Sheepy: Harley: So it'll be quiet for a while. Make use of that. Arsé-kun: Arséne: One question. How on earth did you get him up at this hour? Sheepy: Harley: Hmmm? Sheepy: Harley: I have my ways. Arsé-kun: Arséne: I'm now afraid. Sheepy: Sherlock: Don't you get Iris up early by bribing her with going out to a fun place with you? Sheepy: Harley: Ah, I'm caught. Sheepy: Harley: I bribed him. Arsé-kun: Arséne: With..? Sheepy: Harley: Oh, nothing too interesting. Sheepy: Harley: He wants to know more about my pickpocketing days. Sheepy: Harley: So I just made some fantastical tale up that never happened and told him about it. Sheepy: Harley: The moral of the story is: the early bird gets the worm. Sheepy: Harley: It's a useful tactic. Sheepy: Harley: He's easier to please than Iris, as well. Arsé-kun: Arséne: ... Well, okay. Sheepy: Harley: After I gave her a picture of a pony when I bribed her with getting her a pony when she was five, she stopped falling for my tricks. Arsé-kun: Arséne: You're terrible to children sometimes. Sheepy: Harley: However, whether it's out of amusements or obliviousness, I can use any loophole I please with Sheepy and he doesn't care. Sheepy: Harley: Oh, it's not terrible. It's smart. Do you know how much a pony costs each year? Sheepy: Harley: More than a picture of a pony. I also don't lie. Sheepy: Harley: What do you do, Lupin? Arsé-kun: Arséne: I at least stick to my word. Sheepy: Harley: I am sticking to my word Sheepy: Harley: She asked for a pony. A picture of a pony contains one pony. Sheepy: Harley: Therefore, I fulfilled my obligation of giving her a singular pony. Sheepy: Harley: Today, I said that I would tell him a story, so I told him an embarrassing tale about you. I fulfilled my obligation of a singular story. I did not promise what the contents would be. Arsé-kun: Arséne: And I probably told him the same one already, so nothing lost. Sheepy: Harley: The other day, I promised Sherlock one sign of affection, so I put hard work into making a sign with the word "Affection" on it. Sheepy: Sherlock: *sigh* Sheepy: Harley: As promised, I delivered one sign of affection. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Did you at least make it look good? Sheepy: Harley: Of course. Sheepy: Sherlock: I wanted real affection... Sheepy: Harley: Therefore, I have not once gone back on my word. Arsé-kun: Arséne: *he snakes his arm around Sherlock's shoulder* Behold, as I do better than he ever could. Sheepy: Sherlock:!!! Sheepy: Harley: Unfortunately, affection is a completely alien concept to me. Arsé-kun: Watson: That's funny. You hug more dogs than people. *he returns with a fresh mug of coffee* Sheepy: Harley: That's not difficult. Sheepy: Harley: Have I ever hugged a human being in my life? Sheepy: Harley: I have been hugged, but it's not the same. Arsé-kun: Watson: Do you want an answer to the question? Sheepy: Harley: Yes. Arsé-kun: Watson: You absolutely have, and stopped at the age of twelve. "I'm an adult, stop crushing me!" You said. *he smiles smuggly. smuggu.* Someone never got out of their teenage rebellion, hmmm? Sheepy: Harley:....! Sheepy: Harley: I-!! Sheepy: Harley: I didn't go through teenage rebellion!!! Sheepy: Sherlock: I remember you being really rebellious, but not how you were before that. Arsé-kun: Watson: I feel like I should get the childhood photographs out in response, but the minute I take it out of its hiding spot, it'll be burnt to a crisp. Sheepy: Harley: I wouldn't burn it! Sheepy: Harley: They aren't embarrassing! Arsé-kun: Watson: Well, good. If you burnt up the pictures of my wife, I'd have to kill you. Sheepy: Harley: Uh? Arsé-kun: Watson: They're in the same book, and I honestly? Do not trust you with that book. Sheepy: Harley: I'm that untrustworthy...? Arsé-kun: Watson: In this single case scenario, involving this single book? Yes. The rest of the time, no. Sheepy: Harley: Fine. Arsé-kun: Watson: And if you still want to find it, I'll give you kids a hint- It's most definitely upstairs. Sheepy: Harley: I-I'm not interested. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: I am! *he comes in from the other room. must've come in the other front door.* I'd be willing to pay for photocopies. Sheepy: Harley: Mycroft...!! Sheepy: Harley: It wouldn't matter at all!!! Arsé-kun: Mycroft: Sure, sure. What was so important that you called me over? *he drops into a seat.* And make it snappy. Sheepy: Harley: I need you to look into something for me. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: Yes? Sheepy: Harley: *He states the address of the home mentioned in the letter.* Arsé-kun: Mycroft: That's... In a business center, I believe. Sheepy: Harley: I need any information on the owners. Your job lets you find that sort of thing, right? Sheepy: Harley: A man is being held hostage there. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: I could find out, yes. But how much information do you want? Sheepy: Harley: Occupation. Financial situation. Criminal record. Sheepy: Harley: I want to know if how they're linked in with the casino. Sheepy: Harley: Why was our victim investigating the casino? The owners of that home must be related. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: I'm going to stop you there. There are no "homes" around that location. It's all businesses. Sheepy: Harley:.... Sheepy: Harley:........? Sheepy: Harley: Then....what's...? Arsé-kun: Mycroft: That would be... The casino in question. Sheepy: Harley: I... Sheepy: Harley:..I'm so sorry. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: For what? Not knowing something? Sheepy: Harley: I didn't know.... Arsé-kun: Mycroft: You do now. Sheepy: Harley:....Yes. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: If someone is being held hostage in a public business, I would argue that's even worse, because they'd be in plain sight. Sheepy: Harley:...I, uh, still want any information you can dig up on its financial records..and, uh... Sheepy: Harley: Yes, we need to get them out, but I haven't figured out...how yet. Arsé-kun: Arséne: My plan is to wing it unless we've got the time Sheepy: Harley: Alright. Sheepy: Harley:...Sorry for dragging you out here....I didn't know... Arsé-kun: Finis: Sucks to be you. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: Finis! Sheepy: Harley: .....!? Sheepy: Harley: D-does it. Arsé-kun: Finis: *he shrugs* Sheepy: Harley:....... Sheepy: Harley: Sorry, I'll let you go now. Sheepy: Harley:..before I make a bigger idiot of myself.... Arsé-kun: Mycroft: I'm still going to get you the information, so it didn't change anything. Have fun? Sheepy: Harley: Thanks.. Sheepy: Sherlock: We three should go out together sometime! Arsé-kun: Mycroft: We'd have to find a good time for that, but I would enjoy it. Sheepy: Sherlock: Great!! Sheepy: Sherlock: Let's do it soon! Arsé-kun: Mycroft: Agreed. Sheepy: Harley: Oh, sure. Sheepy: Harley: I should let you go for now. I ill pay you for your services, of course. Arsé-kun: Mycroft: I'd like to go. I have work in... 15 minutes. Sheepy: Harley: Yes, go. Arsé-kun: *Mycroft hurries back out. Finis takes his sweet time following him* Sheepy: Harley: Ah, what to do next.. Arsé-kun: Arséne: Get everything we're going to need together? Sheepy: Harley: Yes, let's do that. Arsé-kun: *Meanwhile!!* Sheepy: Sheepy: *He knocks on Mori's door* And now we wait. Arsé-kun: Randy: Are you sure about this? Sheepy: Sheepy: Why wouldn't I be? Arsé-kun: Randy: Because you usually enter a different way.. Sheepy: Sheepy: I gotta shake it up a bit. Sheepy: Jack: *He opens the door* Sheepy: Sheepy: Hi, I'm selling windows and window cleaning. For only a whopping $100 a month, I personally will come to break your windows and replace them with new ones. Arsé-kun: *Randy has to turn around and cover his mouth to not start laughing* Sheepy: Jack:....Uh... Sheepy: Jack: Professor, this kid is threatenin' t' break yer windows. Sheepy: Sheepy: For an extra $50 a month, I'll break all of the old electronics in your house that you've been conflicted about replacing to push you in the right direction. Sheepy: Jack: And yer phone. Arsé-kun: Mori: But will you throw out a defective lackey? *he wheels in from scene right* Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, that's its own, separate fee, not bundled in with the rest. Arsé-kun: Mori: Fantastic. How may I be of help, Joker? *he folds his hands* You don't usually enter this way. Sheepy: Sheepy: I have some things I want to ask you about, but by the way, Porlock was begging Sherlock for money again. Sheepy: Sheepy: So anyway, how do you feel about slugs? Sheepy: Jack:..... Arsé-kun: Mori: .... .... Jack, let them in and close the door. Sheepy: Jack: *He moves out of the way. Sheepy strolls in like he owns the place.* Arsé-kun: *Randy follows him with the absolutely minimal level of confidence. This is all new territory to him. Sure, he's seen some shit, but people are dangerous too!* Sheepy: *Jack closes the door.* Sheepy: Sheepy: So, I want to know what you've got to do with Glaaki. Arsé-kun: Mori: As little as humanly possible. *he's frowning.* Which is still far more than I ever wanted. Sheepy: Sheepy: Yeah, about the same here. I've met him face to face once and he didn't bother me for whatever reason. Arsé-kun: Mori: That's curious. As far as I was aware, it just takes what it can get. Sheepy: Jack: Naw, it's got int'rests. Sheepy: Jack: Yer not really Joker, 'r yeh? Sheepy: Jack: Not sayin' it won't go fer juss 'bout anythin', but... Sheepy: Jack:...Sorry. I spoke outta line. Arsé-kun: Mori: Well, you're not entirely wrong..! *he sits up a bit straighter* This is a different Joker. The one you're looking for is Kaito Joker. Different man. Sheepy: Sheepy: Wow, how creative. Sheepy: Sheepy: He's phantom thief Joker and I'm Phantom Joker... Sheepy: Sheepy: I'm gonna sue him for copyright infrigement. Arsé-kun: Mori: Very funny. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, thanks. Sheepy: Sheepy: Great, well this has been informative. Arsé-kun: Mori: Glad to have helped. All I ask is that you leave the full fossil set at the local alone. Everything else is fair game. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh? Arsé-kun: Mori: I want that. Sheepy: Sheepy: So that was Robert I spotted when I was there. Sheepy: Sheepy: Okay, well, I'm not interested in that. Arsé-kun: Mori: Lucky me. Sheepy: Sheepy: I want a part of the velociraptor fossil. Sheepy: Sheepy: But, uh, not the one you're interested in, right? Sheepy: Sheepy: Have you ever noticed how its leg bone is odd? Sheepy: Sheepy: They stole it from someone else but in a hurried rush they lost the leg bone. Really, if I had done it, I wouldn't have left a single piece. Arsé-kun: Mori: What a noble motive you've got then, stealing what's already been taken. Sheepy: Sheepy: That's all I do. Sheepy: Sheepy: Why would I have targeted you initially for any other reason? Sheepy: Sheepy: By now it's just fun. Sheepy: Jack:?! Arsé-kun: Mori: I figured as much. You can continue to try, but maybe be more quiet in those heels of yours. Sheepy: Sheepy: I'm not sacrificing fashion for trying to steal from you. Anyway, disappointingly, I lost interest in stealing whatever I targeted originally a long time ago. Sheepy: Sheepy: I now just want to break in for fun. Sheepy: Sheepy: I stole your shoe a few days ago by the way. Sheepy: Sheepy: Did you find it yet? Arsé-kun: Mori: It'd be strange if I hadn't. You can stop hiding things so low to the ground, though. Sheepy: Sheepy: Eh? If you say so. I just wanted to make sure to make it fair for you. Arsé-kun: Mori: It's my house. I have the advantage to begin with, Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, that's true. Sheepy: Sheepy: Well, I'll work hard on ideas for another scavenger hunt, so look forward to that, alright? Arsé-kun: Mori: I'm utterly terrified. Oh no. Not again. Sheepy: Sheepy: It'd be fun if we worked together sometime! I won't tell Sherlock, though, because he'll throw a fit. Arsé-kun: Mori: On the contrary, please do tell him. He might figure out that I'm fully capable of playing nice. Sheepy: Sheepy: Whenever you're brought up he gets all mad. Arsé-kun: Mori: Why? He already did enough damage to me. I've already quit major crime. What else does he want?? Sheepy: Sheepy: Attention, I dunno. Sheepy: Sheepy: Grudges never die with him, and it takes a bullet to the head and temporarily memory loss with Harley. Sheepy: Sheepy: I've decided to ignore him in favor of: You're more fun and therefore I don't care. Arsé-kun: *Meanwhile in the background, Randy is astronomically out of his element. This is all humans and humanoids. Awkward.* Sheepy: Sheepy: I can tell him though. He might throw a fit but I'll tell him. Arsé-kun: Mori: I'll take it. Making the great Sherlock Holmes throw a fit counts as a win in my book. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, it's fairly easy. Arsé-kun: Mori: I know. It's very amusing. Sheepy: Sheepy: Just tell him that the dinosaurs are all dead and he'll cry. Sheepy: Sheepy: Or that santa doesn't exist. Arsé-kun: Mori: You're only enabling me right now, you know. Sheepy: Sheepy: He was extremely bitter about Robert from what I remember, so now you have a reason. Sheepy: Sheepy: He was completely against investigating that case a while back, so now if you want revenge, he believes in Santa Claus. Arsé-kun: Mori: I'll consider it. Sheepy: Sheepy: Have fun. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, I was thinking this necklace that this rich guy owns. Obviously, he got it from illegitimate means. He has coats of armor. You want coats of armor? Sheepy: Sheepy: "I, the Phantom, will be coming for the precious necklace so beloved to you. In your darkest hours, not even your knights will defend you." Arsé-kun: Mori: Coats of armor are so... Difficult to manage. I'll pass. Sheepy: Sheepy: Aw, okay. I'll focus on the museum for now and stay out of your- Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh! Sheepy: Sheepy: We can work together on that. Sheepy: Sheepy: Just don't kill anybody. Arsé-kun: Mori: Is that the only condition? Arsé-kun: Mori: If it is, I may take up that offer. But not yet. Sheepy: Sheepy: That's all! Arsé-kun: *And Randy has ceased to exist in this location. He's gone to the far off planet of Outside.* Sheepy: *Randy no* Arsé-kun: *randy yes* Sheepy: Sheepy: Okay, now that I've rambled, do you have anything to say? Arsé-kun: Mori: How have you survived this long while being unable to hold your tongue? Sheepy: Sheepy: I know. Sheepy: Sheepy: How is it a mistake? Sheepy: Sheepy: You aren’t going to harm him, so telling you stuff like this is of no detriment to me. Sheepy: Sheepy: You have too much to lose by throwing your comfy lifestyle out the window just to get one final jab at a man with regular pain thanks to the fall. There’s no worth in it, since any further damage will never compare to that original scar. Arsé-kun: Mori: A solid guess, but a wrong one nonetheless. Sheepy: Sheepy: Where did I go wrong? Arsé-kun: Mori: You assumed I was referring to the other subject. Or something like that.. I don't do Language Studies for a reason.. Sheepy: Sheepy: Why is that a mistake? Sheepy: Sheepy: You won’t hurt me. Arsé-kun: Mori: You sound awfully sure of yourself. Sheepy: Sheepy: I’m of use. Arsé-kun: *not shown is moran glaring down the hall. he is pulled out of scene by unseen assistance. thank you unseen hero* Sheepy: Sheepy: There’s no benefit to hurting me. I’m your only access to Sherlock, and yet, simultaneously, we aren’t close enough for it to affect Sherlock to any level you’d deem worth the work of injuring me. Arsé-kun: Mori: Or are you? *he seems amused by all this* And your friend is still waiting for you. Sheepy: Sheepy: Oh, I guess I should go meet with him. Alright, let's talk again soon, okay? Arsé-kun: Mori: You imply I get much choice in the matter. You're going to show up whether I like it or not. Sheepy: Sheepy: Eh? Arsé-kun: Mori: You'll just break in anyway. Sheepy: Sheepy: You mean you don't like my visits? Arsé-kun: Mori: Have the windows been barred shut to prevent you yet? Sheepy: Sheepy: Great! Let's talk soon! Sheepy: *Sheepy leaves* Sheepy: Porlock: Wow, boss. I can't believe Jack has competition on Moran's replacement for Robert! How egg-citing! Arsé-kun: Mori: Porlock? Please close your mouth for five minutes. Sheepy: Porlock: Eh? Sheepy: Porlock: Is that my pun-ishment for witty wordplay, Boss? Arsé-kun: Mori: *he leans over and yanks the knife out of Porlock's chest* No, this is. Sheepy: Porlock: Awww, Moran gave me that as a gift. Sheepy: Porlock: It was excruciatingly painful though. Arsé-kun: Mori: If someone stabs you and doesn't take the knife, you're legally allowed to keep it. Sheepy: Porlock: Really? Arsé-kun: Mori: Well, no one has ever said no! Sheepy: Porlock: What if they do take it? Arsé-kun: Mori: Then they like their knife, I guess. Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, I see. Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, yeah, that pawn he was talking about was me! Sheepy: Porlock: Surprise, right? But I made so much money that I might just consider being charitable and give you some! Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, yeah, that pawn he was talking about was me! Sheepy: Porlock: Surprise, right? But I made so much money that I might just consider being charitable and give you some! Arsé-kun: Mori: You made money? That's a surprise. Sheepy: Porlock: I get money sometimes. Sheepy: Porlock: Like that reporter kid the other day. Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, do you think that's why Moran stabbed me? *He raises his voice some* Moran, why did you stab me? Arsé-kun: Moran: Because you don't shut up. Sheepy: Porlock: Eh? Sheepy: Porlock: My vocal cords are in my chest? Sheepy: Porlock: Wow! I learned anatomy today, Boss! Arsé-kun: Moran: I was hoping I'd hit your lungs. That would shut you up for once! Sheepy: Porlock: Oh! Well, that makes it all different! You missed my lungs. Try harder next time! Sheepy: Porlock: I'd recommend learning anatomy, for one. Sheepy: Porlock: For example, did you know that the head bone is connected to the leg bone? Sheepy: Porlock: And that bones are made up of smaller bones, which are made up of even smaller bones? Sheepy: Jack: That's.....that's not right... Yer "head bone" is called a sk'll, 'n it c'nnects int' th'- Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, it's all connected in the end. I was just skipping a few pieces! Sheepy: Jack: Yeh, I s'ppose that's t' be exp'cted. Yeh can't realy be stupid 'nough to b'lieve- Sheepy: Porlock: The head bone directly connects into the arm bone, and the arm bone directly connects into the leg bone. Arsé-kun: Fantomas: Yer half man, half skeleton! Sheepy: Porlock: Eh? Arsé-kun: Fantomas: Well, you got bones, dont'cha? Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, I sure do! Sheepy: Porlock: Two of 'em! Sheepy: Porlock: One arm bone, two arm bone. Arsé-kun: Fantomas: So where's the rest? Sheepy: Porlock: Uhhhh......... Sheepy: Porlock: A part of my body. Sheepy: Porlock: My arms won't be if Moran gets his way, aha! Sheepy: Porlock: If I'm cut perfectly in half, will I grow two mes? Arsé-kun: Moran: You'd better not! Sheepy: Porlock: Oh, oh! Sheepy: Porlock: If there's two mes, I can do two things I want to do at once! Arsé-kun: Moran: Then I get to kill one. Sheepy: Porlock: Whaaaaaaat!? Sheepy: Porlock: But my plans.............! Sheepy: Porlock: "Bond with Moran" and "befriend Moran"!! Arsé-kun: Moran: It ain't gonna happen, pipsqueak. Sheepy: Porlock: Why not!? Arsé-kun: Moran: You give me headaches. Sheepy: Porlock: How? Arsé-kun: Moran: By never, ever, shutting your mouth. Sheepy: Porlock: If you work on being my friend, I'll work on being quieter. Arsé-kun: Moran: Ughhhhh! Fine! Sheepy: Porlock: Great! Arsé-kun: *less importantly but meanwhile* Arsé-kun: Germain: *he lowers the newspaper* What were you going to say, Nyar? Sheepy: Nyar: *He takes a sip of coffee* So, uh, if a ghost possesses somebody and takes a pictures of the body it's possessing.. Sheepy: Nyar: Is, is that a selfy? Arsé-kun: Germain: Yes. Sheepy: Nyar:....But.. Sheepy: Nyar: That's not its body. Arsé-kun: Germain: But the intent is the same, yes? Sheepy: Nyar: But if that's the case. Sheepy: Nyar: If a scientist takes a picture of his cells, can't you say that it's a cell-fy? Arsé-kun: Germain: ... ... ... *he leans over and pours some of his (thankfully not hot) tea on Nyar* Sheepy: Nyar: Why!!! Arsé-kun: Germain: You are punished for bad pun crimes. Sheepy: Nyar: But! But! It was funny! Arsé-kun: Germain: But a scientist could always be taking pictures of their own cells, even with the camera pointed away. So every picture taken by a scientist could be a cell-fy. Sheepy: Nyar: Yeah! Arsé-kun: *Impey stops washing the dishes for 10 seconds to look over his shoulder* Arsé-kun: Impey: I mean, you're not wrong! Sheepy: Nyar: Right? So why did I get tea spilled on me?! Arsé-kun: Germain: Bad pun crimes are punishable, and that's the tea. Sheepy: Nyar: How come you can make puns and not me!? Sheepy: Nyar: *He huffs* Arsé-kun: Impey: This is a citizen's arrest! *he turns around and shakes his hands off, getting Germain a tiny bit wet.* Sheepy: Nyar: Yeah! Whatever that means! Sheepy: *Wilson, surprisingly, runs in, holding one of Fran's test tubes in his mouth. It smells like dad! There's a shout of Fran saying, "NONONO WILSON GIVE THAT BACK!" ...before him immediately tripping upon entering. RIP* Arsé-kun: Impey: *he goes to help Fran up. priority* Sheepy: Fran: Th-thank you...*He accepts the help and rights his glasses* Wiiilsoooonnn...! Sheepy: *Wilson play bows. He's having fun!!* Arsé-kun: Impey: Okay, okay, I can fix this one! *he nudges the under-sink cabinet door with his foot. it opens a little. what's in there?* Sheepy: Wilson: *He perks his ears up and struts over to see what's inside* Arsé-kun: *bad smelling stuff, bad smelling stuff, DOG TOY!, bad smelling stuff,* Sheepy: Wilson:....!!!! *He drops the test tube in favor of going in to grab the dog toy* Arsé-kun: *the tube is okay. it was only dropped like 2 inches* Sheepy: *Fran picks it up* Sheepy: Fran: Oh, you saved me. Arsé-kun: Impey: I did it! Sheepy: Fran: I'll try to be more careful.... Sheepy: Fran: Wilson wanted in and usually all he does when he's in there is sniff around for a bit and then leave... Arsé-kun: Germain: Then it's safe to assume he smelled his owner's property and ran off to give it back. Sheepy: Fran: Ah...Wilson, I didn't steal from your dad! Sheepy: Wilson: *blah wilson blah blah blah blah blah dad* ? Sheepy: Fran: I should've guessed that.. Sheepy: *Wilson walks off with his chewtoy* Arsé-kun: Impey: Well, he got something he wanted? Sheepy: Fran: Yes, I should be safe now. Arsé-kun: Impey: Or are you?? *he goes and plops his head onto Fran's shoulder. real threatening.* Sheepy: Fran: Why wouldn't I be? Arsé-kun: Impey: Dun dun duuuuuunnnn!.. I dunno, dramatic effect? Sheepy: Fran: Oh! Sheepy: Fran: I think I'm maybe making progress. Sheepy: Fran:...i hope. Sheepy: Fran: What about you? Arsé-kun: Impey: Huh? Me? I've made... Not much progress. Sheepy: Fran: That's too bad. Sheepy: Nyar: What are you trying to accomplish? Arsé-kun: Impey: I'm tryin' to, uh... I'm building rocket internals. Sheepy: Nyar: Oh, so you wanna go to space. Arsé-kun: Impey: Yeah. More specifically, I wanna go to the moon! Sheepy: Nyar: Oh? Sheepy: Nyar: I can arrange that. Arsé-kun: Impey: But that's not the same.. Sheepy: Nyar: Why not? Arsé-kun: Impey: I wanna go myself! Sheepy: Nyar: I can send you. Arsé-kun: Germain: Nyar.. Sheepy: Nyar: What? Arsé-kun: Germain: He's already established he wants to go on his own terms, himself. Sheepy: Nyar: And I can get him there alone. Arsé-kun: Germain: You're going to do it anyway, aren't you. Sheepy: Nyar: Yup. Arsé-kun: Germain: Make it quick. Sheepy: *Nyar uses his powers to send Impey to the Moon!* Sheepy: Nyar: *...before bringing him back a few moments later.* Arsé-kun: *Impey lands flat on his face. Ouch* Sheepy: Fran: Impey!! Are you okay!? Arsé-kun: Impey: *he holds up a thumbs up and loudly exhales. He was holding his breath the entire time.* Sheepy: *Fran helps him up* Arsé-kun: Impey: .... Y'know... *he's trying to catch his breath now, but it's not stopping him* ... I wouldn't mind that... on my own terms... Sheepy: Nyar: Great, hope that makes you more focused. Arsé-kun: Impey: I really wanna get to it now..! *huff, huff* Sheepy: Fran: Oh dear, what should I do... Sheepy: Fran: What if it's poisonous to be in space without a helmet... Sheepy: Fran: What if... Arsé-kun: Impey: Franny, bud, there's no air to begin with..! Sheepy: Fran:...Huh? Arsé-kun: Impey: I mean... I guess it could still be poisonous..? Sheepy: Fran: Do you feel odd? Arsé-kun: Impey: Nope..! Sheepy: Fran: If you start to, please tell me. Arsé-kun: Impey: Oh.. But... Rock! *and he pulls out a rock from one of his many pockets. there's gray dust everywhere. dusty rock.* I got you a rock! Sheepy: Fran:...! Sheepy: Fran: Thank you..! Sheepy: Fran: I'll, um, I'll treasure it. Sheepy: Nyar: You're fast if you could grab rocks in that short timespan. Arsé-kun: Impey: I'm super fast..! *he pulls out two more rocks* Fran, you want more rocks??? Sheepy: Fran: Um...! I don't know what to do with more than one rock. Arsé-kun: Impey: Uh... ... Pet rock? Sheepy: Fran: Oh! A pet for Adam! Good idea!! Arsé-kun: Germain: What a fantastic idea. Sheepy: Nyar: Wow, that's a lot of responsibility, taking care of a rock. Sheepy: Nyar: Are you sure you can trust him with such a huge job? Arsé-kun: Germain: Nyar, you killed a pet rock. Sheepy: Nyar: I did not. Sheepy: Nyar: I threw it at someone and missed. Arsé-kun: Germain: Releasing it from the mortal coil is killing, even if it wasn't the intended target. Sheepy: Nyar: That person killed Mr. Rock by dodging...! Sheepy: Fran: Do you know where he is, Impey? Arsé-kun: Impey: No idea..! Sheepy: Fran: Oh... Sheepy: Fran: I haven't spent aenough time with him recently because I got caught up.. Arsé-kun: Impey: Then les'go! Just lemme, uh.. Drop off all these other rocks? Sheepy: Fran: Okay. Arsé-kun: *Impey exits scene. He returns a couple of minutes later, with far less stuff in his pockets and a lot of dust on his hands.* Sheepy: Fran: Oh! You’re back. Arsé-kun: Impey: I'm back! Sheepy: Fran: Let’s go look for Adam. Sheepy: *Fran goes looking for Adam!* Arsé-kun: *and then other shit happens but 0% of it is important*

RuPaul Is Ready for His Legacy

With a new game show, Gay For Play, and more than 100 episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Mama Ru pauses for a moment of reflection: ‘I get to do whatever the f*** I want.’

“>

You dont question the motherfucking queen, bitch.

RuPaul Charles, at this point on a first-name basis with the world much like his fellow Unapologetic Bitch, Madonna, is nothing if not direct. 

The host of RuPauls Drag Racenot to mention drag icon, activist, actor, recording artist, spiritual leader to a horde of fabulous worshippers, and, thanks to a recent, provocative as it was profound real talk interview with Vulture, the newest dream candidate for presidentis on the phone the week after a rare and shocking elimination on his cult hit reality show. 

Asked to explain the atypical twist, RuPaul concluded his answer bluntly. Because the shows called RuPauls Motherfucking Drag Race, bitch. I get to do whatever the fuck I want.

Its an intimidating-bordering-on-terrifying reaction to a question, to be sure, were it not for the warm cackle he immediately delivers to diffuse any heart attacks. After all, the pulsing heart of nurturing compassion underwriting RuPauls unabashed realness is the driving force of his nickname, Mama Ru.

Besides, this is the RuPaul who, since the 1992 release of Supermodel (You Better Work) has become the face of drag, launched a long-running talk show, and became a spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics 20 freaking years ago, at a time when any conversation about drag going mainstream would have gotten you murdered with shade. 

To that end, RuPaul just celebrated the 100th episode of RuPauls Drag Race, now in the prime of its eighth popular-as-ever season, in an age when talent competitions are wheezing their last breaths. (So long, American Idol.)

So yes, to be fair, RuPaul can do whatever the fuck he wants.

(As Ru says on the show, You dont have to be gay to play. But it shore do help.)

More than that, as becomes increasingly clear over the course of our conversation, what RuPaul motherfucking wants is to make an impact, to leave a little something behind should he ever sashay away to the catwalk in the sky.

Hes passionate about it, too, as soberly earnest as he was playfully intimidating at the start of our talk. The fame, the money, all the stuff: after a whileIve been doing this 34 yearsits about the legacy work, he says.

Referencing the Drag Race contestants, he continues, The legacy lives through these girls. And the kids who love the show and who have learned so much about themselves and about the history of the bohemian through our show.

Make no mistake, Gay For Play is a very silly showloud and giggly and naughty and campy and, because of all those things, a whole lot of fun. But its also part of that legacy. Watch an episode and listen to the language, the proud way the celebrity contestants talk so very, well, gay.

Weve seen this language being tapped into by mainstream culture everywhere, RuPaul says.

He remembers when he first heard everyday people on the street saying, You go girl! and Hey, girlfriend! which has been taken straight from gay vernacular. It used to take about 10 years, he says, for the phrases to get to Betty and Joe Beer Can, the masses, but now because of social media the turnover is exponentially faster. 

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And so you have celebrities like Amber Rose and Ross Matthews being quizzed about Meryl Streep and Shonda Rhimes shows, with innuendos and entendres abound. There are hot, mostly naked male dancers everywhere. Michelle Visage, as always, reigns queen.

In many ways, RuPaul expects the appeal of Gay For Play to mirror what has become one of the more powerful hooks of RuPauls Drag Race. Again, its that vernacular. Its that language.

We encrypt Drag Race with the secret language that kept gay people linked for many years before the 80s, he says. Gay people had to be secretive. There was a certain way, a certain vernacular, a certain approach to pop culture that we maintained. We lost that in recent years, but we encrypt our shows with that secret language of our gay brothers and sisters past.

And for all of the shade, reads, and spilled tea that defines any stellar season of RuPauls Drag Race, the show and Gay For Play share another crucial elementagain, one that sets it apart from other talent competitions and game shows that populate TV.

Theres a palpable sense of fun that radiates from it. These people are enjoying themselves. In some ways, they feel free. The word that Ru uses: Joy.

Whats happening is that these kids are outsiders, and theyre coming together with other outsiders on this show, he says, speaking specifically about Drag Race.

Earlier in our conversation, he talks about the show being, at its core, about the tenacity of the human spirit, which is something that connects not just the contestants, but the fans who obsessively watch it as well. Especially those who feel disenfranchised from society, he says. Like, wow, here is my tribe.

He again brings up the secret code, the shared vernacular and shared spirit. Its why Judy Garland and Joan Crawford speak to us so much, he says. Theres a certain desperate, dark, painful element to these people that we can relate to. And in spite of that, they have overcome it and become glamorous, joyous, beautiful fun-loving people.

He pauses again, breaking a rule of his not to think about the past and reflect. Always think forward is a rule of his, as is not to have any expectations, a lesson learned the hard way in three decades of show business.

And certainly, theres no way he could have expected to launch the careers of 100 drag queens, or a fanbase that debates every lip sync, drag look, and challenge performance with rabid sinceritysome becoming encyclopedic scholars of the shows history. (Not to mention who worship the show even if theyre given a disappointing Snatch Game episode.) 

Its the tribe, RuPaul says, that theyre all connecting to, whether they realize that or not.

These are boys who were ostracized from everyone in the community and against all odds they were like, Fuck it Im going to do this anyway, he says. They made all the way to RuPauls Fucking Drag Race and here they are. Its so fucking awesome, I love it.

On Monday night, the night that Gay For Play premieres, RuPaul will host the 107th episode of RuPauls Drag Race. And, for the 107th time, at least on Logo, he will preach his famous affirmation to end the episode: If you cant love yourself how the hell are you going to love somebody else? Can I get an amen?

RuPaul has been saying that at every performance, not just on Drag Race, for 30 years, along with two other phrases he refers to as his doctrine: Everybody say, Love! and You were born naked and the rest is drag.

What is it like after all this time34 years and 107 episodesto say those words? Does he still feel them? Does the message change?

The truth is that I say that every single time not for the audience, he says. I say it to remind myself.

Again, he reflects. This time, back to when he was 14, maybe 15.

I was going through such a hard time thinking, Im becoming a young adult, how am I going to manage this fucking mediocre hypocritical world? Well, Ru, the only way I can do this is to make a pact to never drink the Kool-Aid, to never join the matrix.

Then RuPaul starts invoking the film InceptionI know, I was surprised, too.

Specifically, he references the totems that the characters in the film set to remind themselves that theyre in a dream. Ru has his totems, too. Theyre those three phrases. His doctrine.

Youre born naked and the rest is drag: Dont believe the hype, dont believe what it tells you on your drivers license. You are an extension of the power that created this whole universe. Dont forget it, and dont take any of this bullshit too seriously, because its hypocritical and mediocre at best.

The love yourself mantra, he says, is to remind you that it comes from the inside out.

The meaning behind Everybody say, Love! after our conversation, becomes more essential.

This is RuPaul, who began our interview with suchhow should I sayverve. Whose interview with Vulture clapped back at (and for good reason): Ellen Degeneres, David Letterman, the mainstream, the Emmys, Lip Sync Battle, the relationship between the drag and trans communities, educating youths, political correctness, and the wigs in The Danish Girl.

Everybody say love, indeed.

Its a neutralizing mantra to say to everybody, I come in peace, he says. I come in peace. Thats why its important.

Can I get an amen?

Source: http://allofbeer.com/2017/10/11/rupaul-is-ready-for-his-legacy/

from All of Beer https://allofbeer.wordpress.com/2017/10/11/rupaul-is-ready-for-his-legacy/

RuPaul Is Ready for His Legacy

With a new game show, Gay For Play, and more than 100 episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Mama Ru pauses for a moment of reflection: ‘I get to do whatever the f*** I want.’

“>

You dont question the motherfucking queen, bitch.

RuPaul Charles, at this point on a first-name basis with the world much like his fellow Unapologetic Bitch, Madonna, is nothing if not direct. 

The host of RuPauls Drag Racenot to mention drag icon, activist, actor, recording artist, spiritual leader to a horde of fabulous worshippers, and, thanks to a recent, provocative as it was profound real talk interview with Vulture, the newest dream candidate for presidentis on the phone the week after a rare and shocking elimination on his cult hit reality show. 

Asked to explain the atypical twist, RuPaul concluded his answer bluntly. Because the shows called RuPauls Motherfucking Drag Race, bitch. I get to do whatever the fuck I want.

Its an intimidating-bordering-on-terrifying reaction to a question, to be sure, were it not for the warm cackle he immediately delivers to diffuse any heart attacks. After all, the pulsing heart of nurturing compassion underwriting RuPauls unabashed realness is the driving force of his nickname, Mama Ru.

Besides, this is the RuPaul who, since the 1992 release of Supermodel (You Better Work) has become the face of drag, launched a long-running talk show, and became a spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics 20 freaking years ago, at a time when any conversation about drag going mainstream would have gotten you murdered with shade. 

To that end, RuPaul just celebrated the 100th episode of RuPauls Drag Race, now in the prime of its eighth popular-as-ever season, in an age when talent competitions are wheezing their last breaths. (So long, American Idol.)

So yes, to be fair, RuPaul can do whatever the fuck he wants.

(As Ru says on the show, You dont have to be gay to play. But it shore do help.)

More than that, as becomes increasingly clear over the course of our conversation, what RuPaul motherfucking wants is to make an impact, to leave a little something behind should he ever sashay away to the catwalk in the sky.

Hes passionate about it, too, as soberly earnest as he was playfully intimidating at the start of our talk. The fame, the money, all the stuff: after a whileIve been doing this 34 yearsits about the legacy work, he says.

Referencing the Drag Race contestants, he continues, The legacy lives through these girls. And the kids who love the show and who have learned so much about themselves and about the history of the bohemian through our show.

Make no mistake, Gay For Play is a very silly showloud and giggly and naughty and campy and, because of all those things, a whole lot of fun. But its also part of that legacy. Watch an episode and listen to the language, the proud way the celebrity contestants talk so very, well, gay.

Weve seen this language being tapped into by mainstream culture everywhere, RuPaul says.

He remembers when he first heard everyday people on the street saying, You go girl! and Hey, girlfriend! which has been taken straight from gay vernacular. It used to take about 10 years, he says, for the phrases to get to Betty and Joe Beer Can, the masses, but now because of social media the turnover is exponentially faster. 

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Thank You!

You are now subscribed to the Daily Digest and Cheat Sheet. We will not share your email with anyone for any reason

And so you have celebrities like Amber Rose and Ross Matthews being quizzed about Meryl Streep and Shonda Rhimes shows, with innuendos and entendres abound. There are hot, mostly naked male dancers everywhere. Michelle Visage, as always, reigns queen.

In many ways, RuPaul expects the appeal of Gay For Play to mirror what has become one of the more powerful hooks of RuPauls Drag Race. Again, its that vernacular. Its that language.

We encrypt Drag Race with the secret language that kept gay people linked for many years before the 80s, he says. Gay people had to be secretive. There was a certain way, a certain vernacular, a certain approach to pop culture that we maintained. We lost that in recent years, but we encrypt our shows with that secret language of our gay brothers and sisters past.

And for all of the shade, reads, and spilled tea that defines any stellar season of RuPauls Drag Race, the show and Gay For Play share another crucial elementagain, one that sets it apart from other talent competitions and game shows that populate TV.

Theres a palpable sense of fun that radiates from it. These people are enjoying themselves. In some ways, they feel free. The word that Ru uses: Joy.

Whats happening is that these kids are outsiders, and theyre coming together with other outsiders on this show, he says, speaking specifically about Drag Race.

Earlier in our conversation, he talks about the show being, at its core, about the tenacity of the human spirit, which is something that connects not just the contestants, but the fans who obsessively watch it as well. Especially those who feel disenfranchised from society, he says. Like, wow, here is my tribe.

He again brings up the secret code, the shared vernacular and shared spirit. Its why Judy Garland and Joan Crawford speak to us so much, he says. Theres a certain desperate, dark, painful element to these people that we can relate to. And in spite of that, they have overcome it and become glamorous, joyous, beautiful fun-loving people.

He pauses again, breaking a rule of his not to think about the past and reflect. Always think forward is a rule of his, as is not to have any expectations, a lesson learned the hard way in three decades of show business.

And certainly, theres no way he could have expected to launch the careers of 100 drag queens, or a fanbase that debates every lip sync, drag look, and challenge performance with rabid sinceritysome becoming encyclopedic scholars of the shows history. (Not to mention who worship the show even if theyre given a disappointing Snatch Game episode.) 

Its the tribe, RuPaul says, that theyre all connecting to, whether they realize that or not.

These are boys who were ostracized from everyone in the community and against all odds they were like, Fuck it Im going to do this anyway, he says. They made all the way to RuPauls Fucking Drag Race and here they are. Its so fucking awesome, I love it.

On Monday night, the night that Gay For Play premieres, RuPaul will host the 107th episode of RuPauls Drag Race. And, for the 107th time, at least on Logo, he will preach his famous affirmation to end the episode: If you cant love yourself how the hell are you going to love somebody else? Can I get an amen?

RuPaul has been saying that at every performance, not just on Drag Race, for 30 years, along with two other phrases he refers to as his doctrine: Everybody say, Love! and You were born naked and the rest is drag.

What is it like after all this time34 years and 107 episodesto say those words? Does he still feel them? Does the message change?

The truth is that I say that every single time not for the audience, he says. I say it to remind myself.

Again, he reflects. This time, back to when he was 14, maybe 15.

I was going through such a hard time thinking, Im becoming a young adult, how am I going to manage this fucking mediocre hypocritical world? Well, Ru, the only way I can do this is to make a pact to never drink the Kool-Aid, to never join the matrix.

Then RuPaul starts invoking the film InceptionI know, I was surprised, too.

Specifically, he references the totems that the characters in the film set to remind themselves that theyre in a dream. Ru has his totems, too. Theyre those three phrases. His doctrine.

Youre born naked and the rest is drag: Dont believe the hype, dont believe what it tells you on your drivers license. You are an extension of the power that created this whole universe. Dont forget it, and dont take any of this bullshit too seriously, because its hypocritical and mediocre at best.

The love yourself mantra, he says, is to remind you that it comes from the inside out.

The meaning behind Everybody say, Love! after our conversation, becomes more essential.

This is RuPaul, who began our interview with suchhow should I sayverve. Whose interview with Vulture clapped back at (and for good reason): Ellen Degeneres, David Letterman, the mainstream, the Emmys, Lip Sync Battle, the relationship between the drag and trans communities, educating youths, political correctness, and the wigs in The Danish Girl.

Everybody say love, indeed.

Its a neutralizing mantra to say to everybody, I come in peace, he says. I come in peace. Thats why its important.

Can I get an amen?

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/2017/10/11/rupaul-is-ready-for-his-legacy/ from All of Beer https://allofbeercom.tumblr.com/post/166276448887

RuPaul Is Ready for His Legacy

With a new game show, Gay For Play, and more than 100 episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Mama Ru pauses for a moment of reflection: ‘I get to do whatever the f*** I want.’

“>

You dont question the motherfucking queen, bitch.

RuPaul Charles, at this point on a first-name basis with the world much like his fellow Unapologetic Bitch, Madonna, is nothing if not direct. 

The host of RuPauls Drag Racenot to mention drag icon, activist, actor, recording artist, spiritual leader to a horde of fabulous worshippers, and, thanks to a recent, provocative as it was profound real talk interview with Vulture, the newest dream candidate for presidentis on the phone the week after a rare and shocking elimination on his cult hit reality show. 

Asked to explain the atypical twist, RuPaul concluded his answer bluntly. Because the shows called RuPauls Motherfucking Drag Race, bitch. I get to do whatever the fuck I want.

Its an intimidating-bordering-on-terrifying reaction to a question, to be sure, were it not for the warm cackle he immediately delivers to diffuse any heart attacks. After all, the pulsing heart of nurturing compassion underwriting RuPauls unabashed realness is the driving force of his nickname, Mama Ru.

Besides, this is the RuPaul who, since the 1992 release of Supermodel (You Better Work) has become the face of drag, launched a long-running talk show, and became a spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics 20 freaking years ago, at a time when any conversation about drag going mainstream would have gotten you murdered with shade. 

To that end, RuPaul just celebrated the 100th episode of RuPauls Drag Race, now in the prime of its eighth popular-as-ever season, in an age when talent competitions are wheezing their last breaths. (So long, American Idol.)

So yes, to be fair, RuPaul can do whatever the fuck he wants.

(As Ru says on the show, You dont have to be gay to play. But it shore do help.)

More than that, as becomes increasingly clear over the course of our conversation, what RuPaul motherfucking wants is to make an impact, to leave a little something behind should he ever sashay away to the catwalk in the sky.

Hes passionate about it, too, as soberly earnest as he was playfully intimidating at the start of our talk. The fame, the money, all the stuff: after a whileIve been doing this 34 yearsits about the legacy work, he says.

Referencing the Drag Race contestants, he continues, The legacy lives through these girls. And the kids who love the show and who have learned so much about themselves and about the history of the bohemian through our show.

Make no mistake, Gay For Play is a very silly showloud and giggly and naughty and campy and, because of all those things, a whole lot of fun. But its also part of that legacy. Watch an episode and listen to the language, the proud way the celebrity contestants talk so very, well, gay.

Weve seen this language being tapped into by mainstream culture everywhere, RuPaul says.

He remembers when he first heard everyday people on the street saying, You go girl! and Hey, girlfriend! which has been taken straight from gay vernacular. It used to take about 10 years, he says, for the phrases to get to Betty and Joe Beer Can, the masses, but now because of social media the turnover is exponentially faster. 

Cheat SheetA speedy, smart summary of news and must-reads from The Daily Beast and across the Web

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to have read the TermsofUse and PrivacyPolicy

Subscribe

Thank You!

You are now subscribed to the Daily Digest and Cheat Sheet. We will not share your email with anyone for any reason

And so you have celebrities like Amber Rose and Ross Matthews being quizzed about Meryl Streep and Shonda Rhimes shows, with innuendos and entendres abound. There are hot, mostly naked male dancers everywhere. Michelle Visage, as always, reigns queen.

In many ways, RuPaul expects the appeal of Gay For Play to mirror what has become one of the more powerful hooks of RuPauls Drag Race. Again, its that vernacular. Its that language.

We encrypt Drag Race with the secret language that kept gay people linked for many years before the 80s, he says. Gay people had to be secretive. There was a certain way, a certain vernacular, a certain approach to pop culture that we maintained. We lost that in recent years, but we encrypt our shows with that secret language of our gay brothers and sisters past.

And for all of the shade, reads, and spilled tea that defines any stellar season of RuPauls Drag Race, the show and Gay For Play share another crucial elementagain, one that sets it apart from other talent competitions and game shows that populate TV.

Theres a palpable sense of fun that radiates from it. These people are enjoying themselves. In some ways, they feel free. The word that Ru uses: Joy.

Whats happening is that these kids are outsiders, and theyre coming together with other outsiders on this show, he says, speaking specifically about Drag Race.

Earlier in our conversation, he talks about the show being, at its core, about the tenacity of the human spirit, which is something that connects not just the contestants, but the fans who obsessively watch it as well. Especially those who feel disenfranchised from society, he says. Like, wow, here is my tribe.

He again brings up the secret code, the shared vernacular and shared spirit. Its why Judy Garland and Joan Crawford speak to us so much, he says. Theres a certain desperate, dark, painful element to these people that we can relate to. And in spite of that, they have overcome it and become glamorous, joyous, beautiful fun-loving people.

He pauses again, breaking a rule of his not to think about the past and reflect. Always think forward is a rule of his, as is not to have any expectations, a lesson learned the hard way in three decades of show business.

And certainly, theres no way he could have expected to launch the careers of 100 drag queens, or a fanbase that debates every lip sync, drag look, and challenge performance with rabid sinceritysome becoming encyclopedic scholars of the shows history. (Not to mention who worship the show even if theyre given a disappointing Snatch Game episode.) 

Its the tribe, RuPaul says, that theyre all connecting to, whether they realize that or not.

These are boys who were ostracized from everyone in the community and against all odds they were like, Fuck it Im going to do this anyway, he says. They made all the way to RuPauls Fucking Drag Race and here they are. Its so fucking awesome, I love it.

On Monday night, the night that Gay For Play premieres, RuPaul will host the 107th episode of RuPauls Drag Race. And, for the 107th time, at least on Logo, he will preach his famous affirmation to end the episode: If you cant love yourself how the hell are you going to love somebody else? Can I get an amen?

RuPaul has been saying that at every performance, not just on Drag Race, for 30 years, along with two other phrases he refers to as his doctrine: Everybody say, Love! and You were born naked and the rest is drag.

What is it like after all this time34 years and 107 episodesto say those words? Does he still feel them? Does the message change?

The truth is that I say that every single time not for the audience, he says. I say it to remind myself.

Again, he reflects. This time, back to when he was 14, maybe 15.

I was going through such a hard time thinking, Im becoming a young adult, how am I going to manage this fucking mediocre hypocritical world? Well, Ru, the only way I can do this is to make a pact to never drink the Kool-Aid, to never join the matrix.

Then RuPaul starts invoking the film InceptionI know, I was surprised, too.

Specifically, he references the totems that the characters in the film set to remind themselves that theyre in a dream. Ru has his totems, too. Theyre those three phrases. His doctrine.

Youre born naked and the rest is drag: Dont believe the hype, dont believe what it tells you on your drivers license. You are an extension of the power that created this whole universe. Dont forget it, and dont take any of this bullshit too seriously, because its hypocritical and mediocre at best.

The love yourself mantra, he says, is to remind you that it comes from the inside out.

The meaning behind Everybody say, Love! after our conversation, becomes more essential.

This is RuPaul, who began our interview with suchhow should I sayverve. Whose interview with Vulture clapped back at (and for good reason): Ellen Degeneres, David Letterman, the mainstream, the Emmys, Lip Sync Battle, the relationship between the drag and trans communities, educating youths, political correctness, and the wigs in The Danish Girl.

Everybody say love, indeed.

Its a neutralizing mantra to say to everybody, I come in peace, he says. I come in peace. Thats why its important.

Can I get an amen?

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/2017/10/11/rupaul-is-ready-for-his-legacy/