Constellations (Worm/Okami)

Czlyydwr Llrngwl · Dec 8, 2016

Vicjer said:
That sounds about right. There has certainly been no mention of her coming back so far.

And nothing of value was lost.

Seriously, who cares about Sophia? Let her get put on a bus and never be seen again.

Evil Plan · Dec 8, 2016

Terrabrand said:
The Amy interlude predates the bank.

Tranquil Zebra said:
(edit: no, it's Amy, sorry)

No it's not. You're thinking of interlude 2, which is Victoria's interlude. The Bank is arc 3.

(I don't think Amy has an interlude until she meets Bonesaw.)

Dead Pann · Dec 8, 2016

Twei said:
EDIT: ...also, I just realized how rare it is to get a positive first impression of Collateral Damage Barbie in fanfics.

The first introduction for Glory Girl usually involves her in a fight, when she is most likely to make a poor decision, or surrounded by others, when she is using her aura irresponsibly.

Random Lurker · Dec 8, 2016

For more positive Glory Girl intros, why doesn't anyone mention chibipoe's Firebird, or even Shadowghost's Nightingale?

TheDivineDemon · Dec 9, 2016

I am so glad I found this fic.

Improving the world through community service!

RBomber · Dec 9, 2016

TheDivineDemon said:
I am so glad I found this fic.

Improving the world through community service!

Isn't that the very idea behind the concept of "community service"?

Tranquil Zebra · Dec 9, 2016

Evil Plan said:
No it's not. You're thinking of interlude 2, which is Victoria's interlude. The Bank is arc 3.

(I don't think Amy has an interlude until she meets Bonesaw.)

I don't even know anymore! I'll edit things some more...

ThePastryKing · Dec 9, 2016

I was wondering, if leviathan shows up, will it be like a boss battle like the ones from Okami? Ultimate throw down?
(My phone wanted to say ultimate Frisbee. What even.)

Czlyydwr Llrngwl · Dec 9, 2016

Good doG likes playing frisbee with her Taylor, if you'll recall. Perhaps Levi-tan has just been looking for a pickup game all this time? It's hard to find a worthy opponent when you can zip around faster than the sound of your footsteps.

ThePastryKing · Dec 9, 2016

Czlyydwr Llrngwl said:
Good doG likes playing frisbee with her Taylor, if you'll recall. Perhaps Levi-tan has just been looking for a pickup game all this time? It's hard to find a worthy opponent when you can zip around faster than the sound of your footsteps.

Quick! Someone write an omake about Sunny playing Ultimate Frisbee with Levia-tan. We need this.

Datcord · Dec 9, 2016

Huh? What're we doi- Oh, US, you sneaky devil!

Okay, I'm not gonna repost my C&C of the first part of this out in the raw, since that feels like spammy double-dipping. Instead, we'll tuck it behind....

UnwelcomeStorm said:
32

Eeeeeee! More more more!

Director Emily Piggot's day was going about as usual,

Oh, god, THAT badly?

sitting at her desk

A desk, I feel it should be noted, that now has a Big Red Button labeled "M/S Containment" on it. She got tired of needing to CALL someone for it.

spitting in the eye of God as he threatened her with carpal tunnel.

Which is a good deal. Normally, you have to pay extra for that!

Halloween was just about here, and while most holidays saw a slight uptick in crime (at least in the Bay), the October sendoff always brought out the kooks.

*pauses*
*looks at the REST of this story*
"brought out the kooks" oh lord my body is not ready

The Merchants still had their full roster, but apart from their leader Skidmark the gang lacked ambition.

Also, the ability to walk a straight line or not see double.

The biggest problem with combating the Merchants wasn't the gang's capes, but the sheer resilient infestation of its ideology, such as it was.

I... uh... I know someone who might be able to help with that. Big, fluffy, white... showed her butt to Assault? This ringing ANY bells, Piggot?

And as long as she was wishing, she'd like a new kidney and a bottle of Jack.

*SPLAP*
*CLINK*
"Bark!" ("Helping!")
"GET THOSE OFF MY DESK!"

It was only a matter of time before the Nazi metal-shaper made a bid to restore face,

After Sunny took his face... off. (And now my mental image of Sunny is Nic Cage in a really shitty dog costume. Don't look at me like that, YOU KNOW HE'D DO IT.)

The main problem was that, excepting Hookwolf, the Empire still had its hardest [...] capes.

*puerile giggle*

Night and Fog were unaccounted for, and those two were not capes you wanted to lose track of.

Because that's when you choke in a poison cloud and get stabbed by a murdersquid. And not the fun kind of murdersquid, either.

The Undersiders were a new group that had formed, but among them only Hellhound was known to be violent, though there were suspicions about their master cape, Regent.

Regent's too lazy to be really violent, though!

That left only the ABB, and the Asian conglomerate had gotten a bit weird lately, to say the least.

I'm pretty sure that's purely out of self-defense, though. I mean, they're dealing with SUNNY.

Having one of the most dangerous capes on the East Coast fall into a cult based around a pacifist wasn't anything she'd seen coming, but she'd take it.

Meanwhile, ...somewhere, Contessa is laying down with a cold rag across her eyes and popping migraine meds like they're Skittles.

the short version is that the weather disturbances never stopped. In fact, they probably started earlier than we knew.

*facepalm* Oh, god. Sunny, what have you DONE now?!

According to my data, Brockton Bay is somehow receiving more sunlight than it should.

*hopeless laughter* Sunny... is making it sunny.

That's awful, US.

The Tinker paused, and her accented voice grew frustrated.

Hey! You can't blame that entirely on Sunny! A LOT of that is Armsmaster's fault. If you know what I mean. *eyebrow waggle*

it's still sunny in Brockton Bay.

It's Always Sunny in Brockton Bay!

The Thinkers can deal with it until we know more, then.

*snicker* Piggot is JUST FINE with making things problems for OTHER PEOPLE.

Dragon hesitated. "A more personal inquiry. You're aware I'm on good terms with Armsmaster and his civilian life?" Was there anyone who wasn't aware of that?

Uh... Armsmaster?

Dragon's avatar drew her eyebrows together in concern. "He mentioned Chessman doing something similar."

Piggot snorted. "Who do you think gave Chessman the idea?"

I feel like those two should REALLY be kept separate at all times, given things like this.

Piggot noticed the faint sound of disappointment in Dragon's voice, and made a mental note to adjust her bet in the shipping pools.

!
ONE OF US! ONE OF US!

THE CHART SEES ALL. THE CHART REACHES ALL.

Piggot checked the clock-- about 30 minutes before the week's briefing. Just enough time to finish this proposal.

"...and in conclusion, Director Tagg, if you would like to come to Brockton Bay and make the idiotic suggestion to conscript Good Dog and Brushstroke in person, I will personally ensure my schedule is open long enough for you to suggest it to my big, fat ass. Sincerely, Director Piggot."

I'd like to start a new public relations initiative.

And everyone groaned. Assault began to slowly try and sink out of sight under the table.

Now that Brushstroke and Good Dog are rather firmly established, I'd like the Protectorate to maintain cordial relations with them.

And everyone suddenly remembered the new hot springs. Assault began to try and figure out blackmail to be able to get the majority of those PR visits....

At minimum of once a week, I want at least two heroes to make a visit to the Shrine and meet with Brushstroke.

Now... how long until she's gone through and scheduled Chessman for EVERY SINGLE TIME SLOT? I'm betting... a week, tops.

And I don't want a repeat of last time.

"You people should not have 'your usual' M/S cells, dammit!"

"Hey! I wasn't the only one there, why are you glaring at me?" Assault protested.

Because you're the one who suggested having a few drinks, wandering over to the hot springs, and, allow me to quote: "seeing where the night takes us."? (For the record, I think your wife wouldn't have been as upset... if you hadn't been leering at Lung for that last part.)

"You know what you did."

"No, I really don't. It all kinda... blends together after a while."

Miss Militia, I want you to also broach this with the Wards, though there must be an adult hero along with them if they decide to go.

I was going to make a mean comment about Shadow Stalker HATING that... but then I remembered. And my schadenfreude gland gave me a big ol' dose of happiness. Mmmmmm.

She gave the paper a practiced flick

(Miss Militia can kill a man 19 ways with a folded piece of paper. ...oddly, she can only kill a woman 17 ways with one.)

'Pawprint Shrine.' It fit with The Sidewalk, she supposed…

Calling it: Sunny's going to get into the paint and everyone who visits will leave with at least one pawprint. (It will take Armsmaster two weeks to find his.)

The flyer was a simple computer printout, but the back had a hand-drawn design-- a rectangle with looping spirals and several Japanese or Chinese characters stacked atop one another.

Is... is Sunny making Taylor put exorcism seals on every flyer? Is THAT what she's doing here? Holy cow, she is really working to get ahead of things here, isn't she. She does NOT want to be caught off guard like with Lung, does she.

She'd send it along to the Thinkers to worry over.

"Look, all I'm getting from it is the same tune over and over and over!"

Around the table, heads turned towards Velocity, who was practically beaming.

Velocity, you weeb bastard. Well... have fun, I guess?

Well, at least someone would have a happy Halloween.

Oh, now you fucking jinxed it! Great job. *facepalm*

UnwelcomeStorm said:
The fun thing is that she's actually betting against Armsmaster/Dragon, because she's confident Armsmaster will reliably torpedo his own chances.

I feel she underestimates Dragon's sheer gumption and stubbornness.

And now.... 32, Part B! (The Sequeling! ...Sequelling? ...crap, now nothing looks like a real word. Whatever, MOVING ON.)

UnwelcomeStorm said:
Because that wall was not supposed to be bare, he was sure of it.

He'd spent THREE HOURS spray painting the mural of Emma Barnes getting... acquainted with a mule, after all. Hell, he'd gotten an A in his Art class because of it!

Maybe someone had taken it, instead of just copying down the Shrine's address? Or maybe the Winslow faculty were just being pissants again.

Or maybe Emma has been yanking it down. ...or a demon removed it. (But I repeat myself! Ho ho ho!)

Yuuta took a quick glance at the clock on the wall, mentally adjusted for this particular clock being behind by four minutes,

...and now I have the headcanon that every clock in Winslow is off by just a little bit and part of the Winslow freshman orientation is learning how to average the times out.

Quinlan wasn't exactly a bad teacher, not like some of the others, but he had a monotone that just put Yuuta into a fog as soon as he heard it.

Quinlan had dressed up as Ben Stein every Halloween for the last ten years. So far, no one's even noticed.

seriously, who the hell thought it was a good idea to put math and science before lunch?

There is NOTHING a high school student will learn before noon. ...except how to sleep with their eyes open.

"Perfect timing as always, Dragon. I only just sat down."

"It's 2:33 p.m., you always get back here around then."

"But I'm not stalking you! ...I'm inventing new Tinkertech so I can smell you while you sleep."

"What?"

"NOTHING!"

"You could just… make a bigger helmet."

"Nah."

"Size isn't everything, Drag- why are you laughing like that?"

"Colin, I've been running some numbers recently… and I think there's something we should talk about."

"Yes?" He didn't look up.

Colin, you fucking idiot. When a girl says "we need to talk" or ANY variation thereof... PAY ATTENTION. (Because you might need to bail out a window really soon.) Oh, well. You'll learn. Oh, how you'll learn.

"Sure I do. The polyphasic sleep cycle took a bit to get used to, but it's working fine."

"Why, the hallucinations have nearly stopped! ...is anyone going to answer that damn phone?!"

"I meant social and emotional."

*coff*coff*physical*coff*coff*

And I really enjoy Movie Night,

I... I am curiously endeared by the way they capitalize Movie Night.

but once every three weeks is not exactly sufficient.

*puerile giggle*

"Did you want to move to every two weeks?"

You know what? I LIKE this pairing. I do. Even in canon, I liked this pairing. They're a good couple and I'm glad they earned their happy ending. And it's bits like THIS that reinforce that liking. Armsmaster has ZERO idea what Dragon's talking about. But... he's still instantly trying to MAKE IT BETTER. Because he trusts her to know these things and she's his friend-who-is-a-girl-shut-up-we-don't-talk-about-it and he wants her to be happy because her being happy makes him happy and he's not sure WHY that is, but... still!

I would certainly be willing,

*puerile giggle* And how!

Every two weeks, maybe? We could do it opposite Movie Night.

Note how Dragon immediately snatched up Movie Night being every two weeks, too. (These two, you guys. These two.)

"You remember those blood panels done on you and your team, after that last Good Dog incident? And how I correlated Brushstroke's Master effect with lowered cortisol levels?"

"What about it?"

I can't help but read that line as being spoken between gritted teeth.

"Besides. Stress is a useful reaction. It focuses attention and provides an extra impetus for effort."

And then it makes your heart explode and kills you instantly, which really cuts down on hospital bills later in life! Win-win!

her visual feed picked up a slight twitch of Armsmaster's face and fingers. A small tell for guilt.

Not that she's spent entire weeks designing, making, and refining the program just to read Armsmaster's emotional tells, no. Noooo. (It took months.)

Colin… I'm worried about you. I'm worried for you.

Dragon uses Emotional Plea!

Look-- I go to a casual gathering, every couple weeks.

*crosses fingers*
*hopes*
C'mon, key party....

Alternatively: "It's a Sorayama Appreciation Club, and...."

I'd like you to go with me.

Wait, like... with her... or WITH her? There is a major and very important difference.

if you're really uncomfortable you can leave right away. Okay? Please. Promise me you'll just give it a try?

I'm trying really, really hard not to make jokes about Dragon sounding like a hormone-laden teen boy here.

Her friend's face settled into an unhappy frown, and the biometric sensors in his armor registered his heartrate rising into a nervous patter. He promised.

"Emotional Plea" is SUPER EFFECTIVE!

Taylor sighed and went back to attempting to tie more charms to the torii's arches. Both it and two of the fences bordering the Shrine were already fluttering with every breeze, laden with slips of paper as they were, but Sunny was insistent.

Now, if Sunny would just stop trying to paint exorcism charms into the inside of her clothing "just in case"....

Souta had been recruited to purchase and haul back a bunch of small pumpkins for the party by virtue of being the only person present with a car,

Ah, yes. I know THAT pain. (Fun fact: At one point, I was the only person at my work who had a driver's license. It meant I did ALL the errands.)

Haru had gotten ambushed by a few ambassadors from the Baachan Collective

"Clever gir-ARGH!"

while she wasn't sure exactly why the ABB had decided to begin such widespread restoration… she had a feeling she should make some more omelettes for Oni Lee. Just a hunch.

"It would sure be nice if someone were to clean up these shops." Oni Lee said in his usual monotone, staring at the assembled gang members... as one hand toyed with the pins on his grenade vest. (This is what he thinks subtlety IS.)

Taylor was just climbing down from the stepladder, the torii finally meeting Sunny's expectations,

(You could no longer SEE the torii due to the charms on it.)

Taylor folded up the stepladder and set it aside, suddenly aware of how much dirt and sweat she had to have accumulated, working all afternoon.

Taylor, as my dad always said: "If honest dirt earned through hard work offends someone... that's someone you shouldn't care about anyways."

She'd seen photos of New Wave's poster child--who hadn't, really--and she couldn't remember a single one where the New Wave poster child didn't look both pristine and stunning.

"stunning" you say? HURRAH! I can finally get The Chart!

"You're the kitten peddler!" Taylor blinked a few times.

"I'll destroy you, evil scu- no, wait. Sorry. Sorry. I... I only have the one speech, really. ...sorry."

Dallon. Wow, how had she missed that?

I have my suspicions. *slowly eyeballs Sunny*

"Ohh. I didn't know you were that Dallon! How's the kitty?"

"That's a mighty personal question and I'll thank you to not ask it!"

Glory Girl leaned back, just a bit, her hands gravitating towards her hips. Taylor wondered if everything she did looked like a pose.

*narrows eyes*
Ehh... I'll take it. The Chart is starving over here!

"Would-- would you like some tea?"

*hopeless laughter* Oh, Taylor. When in doubt... TEA! You get a tea! You get a tea! EVERYONE GETS TEAS!

"Seriously? Well… maybe I can fill you in a bit sometime."

*opens mouth*
*pauses*
*checks timeline*
*closes mouth*
OH LOOK TIME FOR SCOTCH

"I've never met anyone from New Wave before. She seemed... nice. Think we'll see her again, Sunny?"

Sunny made a chuffing sound, and smiled.

Sunny: *whuff* ("All proceeds according to the Scenario.")

NemiTheNen said:
Trying to decide if Ammy was enjoying the upskirt.

I... screw it, I'll ship it. Team "The Sun In Glory" is a go!

Czlyydwr Llrngwl said:
And nothing of value was lost.

Seriously, who cares about Sophia? Let her get put on a bus and never be seen again.

On a bus, in front of a bus, under a bus... repeatedly. Whatever.

munchkinomatic · Dec 9, 2016

Datcord said:
Or maybe Emma has been yanking it down. ...or a demon removed it. (But I repeat myself! Ho ho ho!)

Uh, excuse me, sir...

munchkinomatic said:
Aren't these the same thing?

That's mine. You own me your soul now.

CaesriusPolybius · Dec 9, 2016

Datcord said:
I... I am curiously endeared by the way they capitalize Movie Night.

Eh, it's probably just because they had to fit it around their Sheldon Cooper. And with Sheldon Coopers, events have Names.

NemiTheNen · Dec 9, 2016

Datcord said:
I... screw it, I'll ship it. Team "The Sun In Glory" is a go!

L-Lewd!

We Just Write · Dec 9, 2016

CaesriusPolybius said:
Eh, it's probably just because they had to fit it around their Sheldon Cooper. And with Sheldon Coopers, events have Names.

Actually, part of me wonders what would happen if you gave Sheldon Armsmaster's power.

Torgamous · Dec 9, 2016

I just write said:
Actually, part of me wonders what would happen if you gave Sheldon Armsmaster's power.

You'd get Armsmaster.

BRG · Dec 9, 2016

I just write said:
Actually, part of me wonders what would happen if you gave Sheldon Armsmaster's power.

Torgamous said:
You'd get Armsmaster.

are you saying that Armsmaster is Earth Bets Sheldon Cooper?

TheDivineDemon · Dec 9, 2016

RBomber said:
Isn't that the very idea behind the concept of "community service"?

That is the goal, not always what happens.

CaesriusPolybius · Dec 9, 2016

BRG said:
are you saying that Armsmaster is Earth Bets Sheldon Cooper?

Armsmaster has a better instinctual grasp on social constructs.

It's just that he couldn't give less of a shit about it, while Sheldon Cooper's actually trying.

vyor · Dec 9, 2016

On the flipside, Armsie is also much, much smarter than Sheldon, who is honestly a blistering moron with a superiority complex.

Scify · Dec 9, 2016

... Let's head off the derail right here, shall we?

AbZHz101 · Dec 9, 2016

munchkinomatic said:
That's mine. You own me your soul now.

So does that mean that you're giving him yours or is he supposed to give you his? Because if it's the latter... I wouldn't hold your breath.

Terrabrand · Dec 9, 2016

AbZHz101 said:
So does that mean that you're giving him yours or is he supposed to give you his? Because if it's the latter... I wouldn't hold your breath.

Are we entirely sure Datcord has a soul? I'm around 45% sure he sold it to the dread powers of the Shipping Chart.

Krika · Dec 9, 2016

Datcord said:
"stunning" you say? HURRAH! I can finally get The Chart!

But The Chart has seen use from the first word of the story.

Danny x Annette

It's never been unused!

Richardson · Dec 9, 2016

Krika said:
But The Chart has seen use from the first word of the story.

Danny x Annette

It's never been unused!

Well, no, that ship was terminated. Why do you think The Chart hates Terminators?

No, unfortunately we only have a platonic-class ship at the moment in the harbor. The Chart is annoyed, and is now attempting to force a DragonMaster ship via Halloween Shenanigans. One of the best kinds of shenanigans.

Constellations (Worm/Okami)

"Sell ya a door Learn gull," Czly/Celly for short

Not nearly so nefarious as my name signifies

Equid of Peerless Tranquility

Burnt Butter

"Sell ya a door Learn gull," Czly/Celly for short

Burnt Butter

I will sing you the giggle of my people.

Douchiest of Bags

Worldgate Mechanic

Perpetual Phone Poster

Blatantly Plural

Aspiring Gynoid

Worldgate Mechanic

KITTY! \o/

It always starts with a lighthouse.

the Ordainer

CAN YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING?