Turns out Ryan was actually having fun at his work's lock in. He had been keeping Reya updated on what was happening there, some of the events earning a chuckle out of her. With Rai having to leave for the moment - having pissed off James by jokingly calling him his girlfriend, thus the latter trying to steal his phone - Rei decided to wait on him by watching the performance on stage. Then it finally hit her, the singer on stage was Marcus, the guy she meet before the bar fight. She was happy and relieved to see him okay after that, smiling when they made eye contact with each other.

Then the power went out. Fantastic.

Using her phone as a flashlight, Reya stood up from her seat and looked around the room, before turning her attention to the club owner. They had candles prepared for a power outage, thank god. "H-Hey, is it okay if I help set the candles out?" She asked, walking up to Marcus and Leo.

Capella suppressed a laugh with his free hand as well as to hide the snugness on his lips. He didn't want to be rude...well he kinda did, but he didn't want to make fun of Ash's attempt to protect the three of them; he had to show some gratefulness. Speaking of Ash...now there was two of them?! One was already too much to handle, and Capella made sure his face showed it.
"T-Two...?" He stuttered in disbelief as Toasty attempted to climb into his grasp, oblivious to his owner's distress. He almost missed the fire department part. Thank goodness he didn't.
"Wait, did he just say 'fire department'? Does that mean you can help us?" He chimed, tilting his head curiously before smiling warmly once they shook hands.

This smile quickly turned into one of confusion as Ashton grabbed hold of his smaller hand and started to press sign letters in the center of his palm. And while he did know sign language, it's been quite a while since he had to deal with someone like this...great, just great...
"Nice to...wha?" Capella mumbled as his face scrunched up as he tried to understand what the now acquaintance was trying to say. "I guess you mean, 'nice to meet you'? Hopefully? Maybe? Yeah, let's go with that." He hummed as he brought his hand down and immediately patted down on Toasty's head, opting to sit on the floor now. Unaware of the communication going on between the...two Ashs', honestly Capella still couldn't believe the odds, the much shorter blonde spoke up again. "So, can we leave now? I pretty sure our silent friend here isn't a scary monster or anything..." He frowned, his stomach growing sadly in agreement.

Honestly, if he went another hour without food, specifically the cake he was promised, he'd start eating people.

---

Marinalia laughed, her cousin sounded like he deserved abit of teasing. You had to be abit silly not to stock up with warnings of a storm coming like this, it was rather well heralded and proclaimed. Well if he got too hungry, there probbly would be some old frozen food that might not be frozen after a while.

men... Is he gonna go out,m and hunt some squirrels in the park?

Laughing at him going all primitive man making fire and hunting with home made speers as the super market closed and likely out of basics anyway. Things where pretty crazy out there you seriously did not want to be out in this storm though, even Vika would not risk things, and she was more used to it.

Disney movies where always fun, even if they had some strange relationship ideas... One kiss does not make a marriage, and shoes... Cindrella drank too much?

loved em since I was a kid... Lion King! Hukana Makata...

Singing along abit and managing a fair version of the song, she was rather rusty, so very rusty but she remembered ernough to sing along. Though when the king died that always made her she'd a tear as a kid. Xia definitely not as extremelt open and her comments seemed to be constantly up beat. This woman was a freaking battery to keep being like this all the time.

milk goes well with tea... Il take that.

Life definitely... Not boring nay where near you! Yep, Ball room, used to host alot of parties back in times past. Il show you later it's beuterful.

It was pretty impressive with full ceeling paintings and large windows that let in lots of light. The small room could be closed off but opened up it was a huge room, way to huge for them to make use of yet. That would have to change and find some way to have some fun now they had a venue to entertain.

Ball room, yep. Parisian design and just been restored, the house was shuttered and sheeted for a long time. Il show you later!

Explore, definitely. Safari... Abit too cold for lara croft outfit I'm afraid.

Cannot promise anything.

That was a alittle cheeky but, she did have that from a fancy dress party once, and not changed size much, of all the things she had shipped over was eclectic to say the least. Photos, clothes and more. This place was starting to feel more like home, especially her little scnctury upstairs.

The seach of the room was not entirely fruitful but they did find a few old board games, some of the things where strange, dated or so but they found a few funny things, and evidence the place had a colourful past, even a book that must predate there ownership of the house... There was a reason someone kept it at back of a cupboard though. The old days where not quite as wholesome and prudish as they claimed. Relics of the past of then found a way to survive.

ernough to knock up a home made pasta sauce, shops where so crazy I could not get anything too fancy. Tasty though!

Whatever forced us together today... Not sure of that's good or bad...

Giving a honest answer to her wink and comment, that definitely was a 50/50 on which way the line fell. Xia definitely had a somewhat infectious enthusiasm though and that caused a random hug. Xia was working Marlin out her shell abit without noticing, after all the trouble she had called back. But it seemed safe ernough to poke out and see the air right now. Some events definitely did not leave you in a few weeks..

Thr next question took her back and nearly dropped a vase she was putting back after piling up a few board games, some cards and a old fashion magazine from the 40's that her curious. The style back then was... Well plain nice in its own way. Her suprise was more how direct it was worded, well that was not exactly beating about any Bush, plant. Or tree. Deflecting showmwhat, that was a question that she was not sure even how to answer and context what it might imply. It was not quite as simple as it seemed.

umm... That's.. A... Your on pasta duty...

Il answer that one, just when I'm ready. Wanna explore?

Taking her on a quiet tour of the downstairs after dropping the games, the ball room was large and lower levels where more ornate and aimed for show than comfort. A tad old fashioned but it gave a slight hint of lost class and style that modern homes could not quite carry across. Light even with the snow piled up windows and a tall ceeling that was fully painted and with designs inspired from Greek myths and legends.

The conservetroy was colder and Marinalia kept the blanket using as somthing to throw over her shoulders for warmth, mostly a odd potted plant, table, chairs and some garden furniture stacked up in the corner. It was evident thr house was a while off being fully lived in. The rest was pretty basic and a downstairs loo. Store. The front drawing rooms where under used offices.

Heading back upstairs where it was warmer, Marlin kept the tour quick, with a few explanations, but it mostly told its own story. Getting help from Xia to make a quick pasta, mostly small talk though. Making up a quick pasta sauce, onions, some herbs and bits thrown together into a quick but healthy meal.

upstairs, exploring plus its always warm up there. There's a system in the walls... Old.. Well Roman.. fashioned central heating...

Waiting before leading her up a set of stairs off to the side, and onto a landing on the 2"nd floor. Glass lined looking over the entrance hall and it's ever more snowed over glass roof that she was not sure you would want to be under for a prolonged period. The storm was definitely biting and thick flurries fell outside the glass.

The smaller private living room with a open pair of doors that lead to a bedroom, queen's sized bed and a walk in wardrobe and be suite.and a rather snow covered balcony, comfortable sofas rou d a coffee table and small fire place. It was her personal corner and had alot more items like photos of family, friends, a picture of her flying the said race vs Joel and more scattered about. A small desk had a aviation theme and a few little models of what she flew sat about with a short light robe she threw under a cushion to quickly tidy up.

The balcony in the darker winter light was snowed in heavily and you'd probbly struggle to even push open the French doors.

Sat eating her pasta, it was more cozy and bit more "normal" up here than downstairs. The surroundings where also comforting for her. It was her little safe spot away from the world. Playing with her fork against the bowl, abit nervous, but deciding to be honest. Sliding up the t shirt hem a inch or two. the scar was visible and in the light, a alittle more obviously not a medical one. She did not make it obvious to many people, her family, close friends, and lovers found it obviousy... But world. No.

my little sanctuary... It's warmer and abit more comfortable.

Its personal. But il answer you. I was 18, went out down shops just to grab some stuff. Was abit late but area was meant to be safe. You know done it a 100 times.

So i get mugged... Gak turns bad. Soon I'm finding myself in hospital. My Aunt who happened to follow me as I forgot my bank cards saved my life. She a Trauma surgeon.

So... I woke up... In pain, hooked. Up to a million things. Blood ttansfusens the works. I was gonna join natinal program, the injury left me out of it for a long time, and told me. Well I lost my shot at what I love. So... I kinda Don, t feel comfortable with questions as reminds me of my old dream I never got a chance at. I'm telling you because... I trust you for some reason I cannot fathom!

So... Umm... Silly as it sounds I just Don,t feel so confident showing in public. Especially after been asked me super awkwardly if I had a botched C section... Strange as it all sounds....

Olympic gold is forever... And no one could say I not earn it. I missed my chance at it... All thanks to one asshole... Whom il add is still locked up and got years left...

Sighing, the story was suprising difficult however strange it sounded. It reminded her of a rather deep loss, and despite only bring thr potential, it was a loss of the opertunity... The what if was worse than a fixed loss. Pausing a second at times, and blinking a wet eye away before wit became overly notable. Oh. Xia asked somthong or let her ask?

It always sounded odd. She was successful pilot and rated to fly high power aircraft and more.. Yet still hung up over losing her shot at well... Forever. Winning at Olympics is a name in history, a name you earned...

personal. Maybe not quite.

Well,.. What you thinking... Freinds, some lost stray you wanted to help. Somthing else? Or perhaps more?

Im not tricking you. I'm just curious. You seem to be layered... And maybe more meaning to some things than meet the shell spicey egg.

Switching more to thoughtful, her accent had lost some crisp edge and softened somewhat. Slower and softer, though slightly still carrying a troubled edge from her story that took time to bleed off. Not sure what might happen, or what answer... But least it might end the slight confusion she had about some of the previous comments and whatever happened... Happened.

@King Tai

---

Maria gave a relaxed as the woman seems freindly but also knew what she was doing and got what she needed pretty quickly and easily, thankfully she was a experienced travaler and was way to prepared and extremely planned for all Manner of documents, isurence and more besides. She had isurence, certificates, hospitals that took her company directly and her various pet and medication documents. Maria had helped her dad many times to fly international and had a pretty good amount of air miles built up.

As she brought over what she needed Maria pulled out a purse out her hand bag and flicked through finding her personal credit cards for the right one among a corpate one, bank cards, discount cards and her pass card she left in hand bag. Oh... Boots, coat. That might be useful if this kept up.

Thankyou miss. Not cheap but she worth it.

Fairly clam, she waited as the woman working did her bit, anything remotely medical meant a ton of paperwork. Giving Fluffy a alittle fuss as she stood waiting, a rather well behaved dog just needed a strong hand to reign in her distrust of males and protective nature. Shaking her head at her dog, she needed one at times but just never took to a coat, but boots where alot easier.

your really not a coat fan are you... Come on... No. Stay.

I swear she get bad habits off my fiance... Boots, and mabe some treats. I tried coats but she just never took to one... It's pretty obvious she was uncomfortable.

Swiping her card for the purchases on a credit card, it was alot easier than carrying alot of cash and she traveled so much at one point she still had cards compatable across alot of regions.

can you help me? She fairly calm, just is not used to much bar a lead or harness. Someone who knows sthem better may help. Just go to easy, she not always the ebey when meeting new people.

Making abit of small talk as she waited for help and put some of her packages in her hand bag, always was worth having a larger handbag than normal when traveling. Credit cards sometimes where a alittle delayed. Especially when the city was... Not exactly running quickly.

I'm in the city to see my daughter, and to be step daughter in law.

Though getting agreement from those two and my sister on bridesmaids colours will be a nightmare. You got anyone special back home?

Hopefully you not got too long, I'm not sure Youl be able to get home in a few hours even of you had a tank.

Fluffy was fairly well behaved though was a alittle apprehensive of strangers waiting for Maria to give her a nod and a OK before the German shepard lifted a paw slowly to help the woman put the boot on. Though with a alittle aprenesion and somewhat testing a prodding the ground as it felt strange at first.

Maria was abit excited... Well alot excited about things but mixed with nerves about how her daughter would react. How Victoria would and how to face the fact she lost her own mother when she was young. It was alot to deal with. Ontop of arranging thr wedding, guests, even with a planner, her sister, fiqnce trying to help... Maybe they should just elope and host a party later.

@LunarMist

THOMAS LANCASTER

Solaris Universatas - Thursday - #industrialscience

---

Sometimes we, as normal person, usually imagine scientists being the mysterious ones who spent decades inside a laboratory or a library trying to find their Eureka moment. And when they do, it would revolutionizes the world as we know it.

But things weren't so simple and dramatic.

"If our brain really emits electromagnetic, which is measurable in a room shielded with mu metal, a special material that blocks external magnetic, using MEG scanner, then..."

That Eureka moment could last for a while.

"The electromagnetic wave created by the brain could suggest human consciousness coming out of there."

But not entirely comprehensible.

"Isn't that basically what Susan was claiming in her book as well?"

And require a little bit of tweak.

"Yes, but we can't really measure it through classical physics. If we look deeper into the subatomic particles present and charged within the electromagnetic field, through the use of quantum theory, we can uncover how those particles generate these non-physical thoughts that our brain usually think, perceive and imagine."

Visible to all passerby, the man sitting in the wheelchair, in his black suit, was swiftly drafting his illustration on the whiteboard nearby, while the middle-aged man nearby was pinching his chin in thoughts of the new proposition. A room reserved for only great minds.

"My prediction is that our consciousness exist in the state of superposition. Our thoughts are a form of quantum state, and when added together creates another valid quantum state. To measure this state of the brain, we can project a well-tuned signal into the brain. If the oscillation occurs and measured after a certain amount of time..."

"Then quantum superposition occurs." The professor finished.

"Within decoherence time, yes."

A small but happy smile formed on the professor's lips.

"Keep going. Develop the mathematics."

One could have a brilliant and ingenious idea or theory that could explain everything in the universe, but reality lives on numbers. If one could not develop the appropriate equations to back his or her theory, then it would merely be as rubbish as any conspiracy theories already out there in this world.

Thomas was frozen for a while long. He surely wasn't prepared for his hypothesis to be accepted for mathematical proving so easily. It really was just a spur of a moment thing that he just got out of the book that he just finished reading in the last few hours. Minutes passed, nothing coherent and clean came into mind.

And here is when the Eureka moment subsided, and potentially crushed...

---

"Hmmm."

Over an hour had passed, but the man in the wheelchair was still in front of the whiteboard, his marker still firmly in his hand. In front of him was an artistic masterpiece of numbers and signs. And yet, it remained unfinished. A quarter of the board remained unpainted. And one almost invisible corner, a single equivalence notation stood lonelily, sad and making no sense. He was stuck.

"Now where can I come from here?"

The wavelength variable constant k always had to remain fixed during the whole process. But then when the wave function was sent into its favor, its value could be altered with the effects of the Rabi oscillation. So it wouldn't be well-defined, not to mention being a constant as well. Then...

"Why is it so cold in here all of a sudden?"

He knew it was cold outside, but in this room was already monitored by proper heater already. How come he was still chilly here? It wasn't any common feeling of coldness. It only occurred in his palm and feet area. He could feel his grip on the marker hurting a little bit. His breathing hastened a bit.

"I might be thinking a little too much."

It wouldn't hurt to take breaks. He probably should get some hot snack to warm up.

While his wheelchair rolled across the library hall, as his mathematical equations still stuck around in his head, something slammed into his wheels. Something flesh and blood. Someone.

Before he knew it, his chair, after having one of its wheel locked in place while the other was still moving, rotated to the left forcefully, as the person fell on him. He could visibly see flocks of pink hair over his glasses.

"Oh! Terribly sorry." He said as he tried to regain his stance in the wheelchair, before helping the girl up. "My apologies, I wasn't paying attention."

[@Amalthia]@Rodiak

Paige Kennedy

Paige smirked a little at Dustynn’s comments about the car and that she was from the Southside of Sol City. “I'm actually from Florida, this is the first time I ever drove in snow.” She replied. It wasn't her intention to scare the hell out of Dustynn, she knew they would be fine, but she couldn't resist the way it sounded particularly with her characteristic, very not Sol City accent and as the defrost and heat roared, she spotted Milo’s truck coming down the street, throwing snow out from the giant tires while bright headlights pierced the air thick with snowfall. She shook her head and couldn't help it as her little smirk grew into a little grin. “Look at this redneck...” She said slyly nodding ahead towards him. Her tone made it obvious she knew the driver.

It was about that time the front-end of the truck seemed to veer slightly towards the snow banks already heaped up by the city's plow-trucks and further towards, a person. “Oh, shit.” Paige's lips slightly mouthed the words, but no sound escaped. She watched as the truck slid further. Thankfully, Milo caught the skid and corrected, though the result had him very ungracefully spun around in the middle of the street. Paige let out a small sigh seeing him jump out to help the person and put the Suburban in gear shaking her head before they drove up to the scene. Knowing Dustynn had also seen the whole thing, she felt obliged to explain….something before the poor girl thought they were all completely unhinged. “That’s my…” She thought about the word briefly before she spoke and how juvenile it sounded, but also, in a flash of less than a second behind her eyes, the name behind it. It was a phrase she’d never uttered her entire life and the first person to hear it would be an almost complete stranger: “...boyfriend, Milo. He’s going to help us get out of here, I think.” If he doesn’t kill anyone first. Instantly remembering, that around a month ago they were ready to kill each other.

The snow crunched beneath the tires as Paige pulled up behind Milo and the other woman letting the window down. It was somewhat strange being stopped in the middle of what was usually a very busy street, but there was a fortunate break in the sparse, though panicked traffic. “Nice drivin’ Dale Jr.” She said sarcastically looking at Milo with an eyebrow cocked and knowing how much he liked his silly Nascar racing. She glanced at the blue-haired girl, which was slightly unexpected. “Are you okay?” She asked.

@RoccanIronclad

#betterlatethanpregnant - Now Fully Assembled!

@MissCapnCrunch@Rodiak

---

---

Ethan smiled at her cursing as the lights went out. He flat-out grinned at her statement of her interest and that lunch wasn't on the menu. “So glad to know that even in my early thirties I can still be interesting.”

He chuckled. “I wasn't worried about you being a leech. I need someone who is secure about themselves. And you seemed you could be that person.

Speaking of keeping your name out of the media. I pulled a few strings and kept yours and your sister's names out of the papers. On one condition. You and your sister owe someone a favor, not money just a favor. Trust me when I say that this can open doors for you in places you weren't even if aware of. So if you get a call you don't freak-out just breathe and listen. I'll remember to get a nice warm cabin and a romantic candlelight dinner next time.” He grinned and shrugged as the waiter set things up.

When the waiter left he sat forward and pulled Vika closer spearing his fingers in her hair and just shy of pulling her into his lap. She wanted to tease him he could do the same. He locked eyes with her and whispered in a low growl. “I don't think you can keep up little goddess. I think you'd be begging for mercy before the end of ten minutes.” His lips brushing hers with each word the low growl vibrating through her. “Prove me wrong I dare you.”

A PHONE CALL...

Upstairs in Leo’s office the hardline phone rings all to itself as Leo, Marcus and the other staff of Club Aether tend to keeping the Club running and taking care of those seeking shelter from the storm. The call is from a local number, only just across the river in Central Point, the Caller ID display reads: ES Holdings, Inc.. As the call rings out, a chipper female voice comes on the voicemail speaker seemingly unphased by the weather outside:

Hi, this is Carla calling from the offices of Elvin Santos in Central Point. Mr. Sullivan, we hope you and your staff find yourselves getting along safely through the storm. Once the weather settles, Mr. Santos would like to arrange a meeting to discuss your future plans for the Club Aether property as well as helping you to nullify some of the recent bad press in the local media.

The fax machine sprung to life as she spoke.

I’ve sent over a proposal prepared by Mr. Santos personally for your review before the first meeting. He hopes that you will find it worthwhile and that we are all very excited about the prospect of working with you. Thank you very much and have a good day.

The fax machine finished off a several page transmission a few moments after the phone call ended. In it Leo will find a cover letter with contact information, a few pages of legal text and an offer for the club at 25% over its current market value.

Mentions for active Club Aether staff:
@MissCapnCrunch@CaptainSully@Zaxter996

---

Victoria blinked as the darkness Suprised her at first but soon adapted and looked round watching people react complain, swear or so. It was a alittle fun in the end with all the suprises. It was a strange day, date and entire thing indeed. Teasing him somewhat, he deserved a alittle bit. It was all in good fun though.

yhrnni can be young and pretty ernough for both of us.

His second remarks caught her off guard somewhat and was not sure which direction to take things, favors owed to people, media and more. His condition where strange... And she was alittle unsure to to take it. Debts to unknown people for unkwn reasons where exactly a welcoming or reliable idea. They seemed abit... Dangerous. Rather not ideal, but maybe moderated.

maybe, I changed alot recently.

Yeah, that had been a... Change definitely. Being able to walk unaided made a large change and people just thought she was abit small, frail or so and not completely helpless. There was no way to hide her lack of height or extremely light build.

within reason. Favours I Don,t know whom you owe to or never asked for are a little suspect at times. Thankyou though... I do apericate the discretion. Il keep a open mind. I can t answer for my sister.

If it's within my skills, I'm sure I can lend you a hand, or your mysterious friend.

Thats promising, there may be rewards for that.

Adding with a small teasing smile and a slight mischievous glitter to her dark grey eyes. She was not entirely without logic but a desire to live a alittle and have some fun was rather tempting. She was Suprised a alittle BT the next part but the teasing was definitely working and getting a rather strong response. Letting him play with her hair abit, long Raven black with thr highlights standing out more against the darkness. Slightly shiny her hair was a intense black with odd reflection of reds, yellows and oranges but pure singular matt and lifeless it was not. Her accent was somewhat mixed and taking back its natural Russain tinge to English, a quirk that had confused the odd person before.

Playfully sitting on his lap and giving a full kiss, no one could quite tell what they where up to thanks to the darkness and the light of thr candles and fire was not strong ernough to make the room bright. The two of them did somewhat manage to trigger influences deep down that here definitely not inocent. Victoria was not sure where this new confidence or slight lean to her dark side came from but it was there and not hiding. It was always present, just now peaking out.

you will just have to see you can Ethen.

They rent rooms here... And its pretty cold outside... Driving might be dangerous

With a growing Russain twinge to change her accent making it sound more foreign and intriguing, she was not entirely reckless, but it was more she only had once chance to live, one chance to be free and enjoy the momment. She had plenty of time to be a responsible adult, and whatever life brought. Grabbing her coat, scarf and gloves after sliding off his lap Victoria pulled his hand slightly walking over the desk. Smiling to a lady and man at the desk, she requested a room off a fraction smirking receptionist who seemed lost wothout a pc. Realising her booked name would have to match the credit card and realising which one she had.... Well find out eventually anyway

one double room... It's abit harsh outside... Lady Victoria Darya Romus... Yes. That's correct... No I'm not joking.

Sighing. It was a strange one for sure and most people thought it was a curiosity at best that she was a titled lady, legally anyway. There was no grand estates or so, the family had lost in a good century ago. No one could take the name. It could not be legally sold... They might of if they could.

Waiting for them to find a key, well this was definitely not normal Victoria but we'll, they both where pretty open about what they wanted from there intentions.

@Almalthia

One down. @LunarMist il have yours done in a few hours once I charge my phone.

Maria paid on credit card and put things away in a overzied handbag, it was definitely a handy thing whennyou where traveling. The woman seemed genuinely to love her job and love animals. Though aomeone to cuddle at night was always a bonus.

It was suprising, Fluffy was pretty wary of strangers, well it helped she was female and Fluffy distrust for some reason that did not change was she distrusted men. People close to her where fine, scenets and family. Strangers though she just needed a firm hand on the lead and a small tug to being her back into line.

Thanks, I'm maybe abit soft in her. True. Im sure she understands what I'm intending before I ask sometimes. She a smart a lady is Fluffy. Stop... Come over here.

Giving her dog a small fuss whom thr large German Shepard seemed a alittle willful but obeyed her implied command and fell in next to her, as her attention was wandering slightly in thr mass of new smells and sounds, overwhelming her a alittle. So she lived alone, and rather Deadicated, that was.. Well what was normal.. She usually was in and out of pet shops as busy or had a dozen things to do recently.

The older woman was relaxed and enjoying a break in the warmth before she had to brave the outdoors and face the walk back to the hotel. Brushing a somewhat gold blonde hair out her eye and cast a slightly annoyed look at the snow. It never would ease up... She returned a small smile to the woman at the shop, she was in for a long shift.

I had a daughter to take care of at your age, enjoy it life while your free and can do anything. Though you should find a nice guy! mine was was tall dark and handsome, he just abit more grey than when we first met. Got there... About 27 years later!

My family always had a weakness for handsome men in uniform, my sister married a marine. I'm enageged to a ships captain...

Good luck. It might be a long night. Its more like the North Pole than north America out there. You might want to get the coffee on.

Pulling on a thick scarf, glove and a vintage fur that which was a strange combination for a woman who loved her dog, to some anyway. Dressed as best she could for the weather anyway. If she waited for it to clear it could be all night. Fkuffy gave the woman a playful goodbye before she cottened onto Maria without a verbal command and turned to trot after her, though she could not help but nibble on a bone lieing a second before being chastised by her mistress with a small tap to the ear and shake of head that was understood.

Still a alittle strange on the boots, but with warm paws, Fluffy was treading the ground a alittle as if a fraction still unsure if these where good and r bad, but airing on good as her paws where warmer.

Her comments where abit strange but she was happy, and some subjects just came so easily right now. The whole in love and glowing bride thing was... Well not entirely true. But she was alot happier than life had been before. Pregnancy glow in her medical and personal opinion was a myth spread by crazy people though!

@LunarMist

There were only the flashing lights and the sound of tires screeching and skidding across the snow-covered road before Aoki dared to breathe again. She stared at the headlights of the truck just inches away from her spot by the bus station, the lights burning into her eyes. When she heard the familiar voice, she finally shook herself out of it and turned her head to look at Milo, the man she had met before. "Oh. My. Fucking. Fucks." Aoki dropped to her knees and began to take shallow breaths while the pain in her chest increased with every passing second. Her shaking hands reached for her purse, but her fingers felt numb and her arms weak. She closed her eyes tightly and tried to concentrate on the voice around her.

I'm not okay! I almost got hit by a fucking truck! Aoki wanted to scream at them, but the only thing that made it past her lips were shallow breaths and "just breath." Her hands moved over her chest as she continued to force herself to breathe normally while ignoring the pain in her chest. It took her a few minutes before he normal breathing resumed but her hands still shook, and sweat ran down her temples.

Aoki stayed sitting in the snow, ignoring everyone else around her until she was sure that it had passed.

"I'm fine now," Aoki pressed a leather gloved hand against her forehead and closed her eyes again. She was afraid if she stood she would have to lean against someone to keep her balance. "I think I am anyway,"'she added and opened her eyes to look at Milo and another woman who had climbed down her own car a few feet away to check out the scene.

Aoki was alive. No big deal. Just a near death experience followed by an attack that probably lasted a few minutes. A few minutes that felt like an eternity for her and probably made herself look stupid in front of someone she barely knew and some strangers. Great. Aoki hated when these things happened, and they didn't happen very often. Back in college, she would get attacks like these almost every week a point she avoided anything that caused her stress, including school altogether. Now, she took medication to help her, but that only did so much for situations like these where she couldn't control shit.

Another breath and Aoki tried to get up from the melting snow under her, but her feet still felt numb just like her fingers, so she stumbled a bit and fell back down on her knees. "Fuck me..." She muttered as pressed her hands against her cheeks again and took deep breaths.

Marcus Ainsworth

---

Okay, set up candles… I can do that… Marcus thought to himself, scrubbing his thoughts to remember where the box of candles was kept. It took him a moment, but he tried to make sure that didn’t show. He smiled and gave his boss a fake confident smile. “Sure thing!” His mind was racing now, but he had gotten good at hiding it and pretending he knew what he was doing. Luckily he wasn’t completely pretending, he was fairly sure he knew where the candles were, but that little sliver of doubt always hid at the back of his mind, causing him to second guess himself at every turn.

Marcus turned around as Leo walked off, towards the direction of the storage room, although as he turned around he was caught by surprise, by the girl he recognised as Reya. Unfortunately for her, he was holding his phone’s flashlight at about her eye level, shining the light into the girl’s eyes. Marcus lurched back a little, slightly startled, and then instantly feeling bad for the flash of light. “Oh, oh shit… Sorry, I, uh, I didn’t see you there… You, uh… You’re Reya, right?” He asked softly, stuttering slightly. He offered an apologetic smile, taking a moment to realise that she asked a question. “Oh, right, yeah sure, if you want. I’ll go get the box, and uh, you can help me set them up.” He smiled again before walking over to the storage room.

It didn’t take him long to find the box of candles, sighing with relief. Taking the box out to the closest table and setting it down, he hands a handful to Reya, along with a lighter. “Here you go, just put two on all the tables over this side, I’ll take the other side.”

@CaptainSully@Majoras End

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Siobhan rises with assistance. “I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting anybody in the library since classes were cancelled. I was just taking some photos for reference material. Do you work here? Sorry my name is Siobhan.”

Suddenly the lights went out. Siobhan pulled out her phone and noticed she had no signal. She grimaced and turned on her flashlight app on. “Well let's find a phone and I can see if we can get out of here.”

Moving slowly she found the desk at the front of the library and picked up the phone. Grinning she dialed Joel's number since she knew it by heart, same with Paige’s number.

The two women talked back and forth as the car warmed up, it wasn't good to start your car and go during these colds months, at least that is what Dustynn was always told. "Oh wow Florida? I've always wanted to go there. I was born in Nevada, but haven't had the chance to go back since I moved here to Sol when I was a little kid." Dustynn looked out of the front windshield into the winter wonderland. She didn't hate the snow, but when it was as vicious as it was today- there was a bit of distaste for it. Paige mentioned the "redneck" who was flying through the snow, without hesitation. Suddenly a person came into view and Dusty let out an audible gasp, this maniac was going to kill someone.

Paige explained quickly that this mad lad was her significant other.

What the fuck had she gotten herself into?

Dustynn laughed nervously, as they pulled forward to pull up to the next to Paige's boyfriend as well as the woman he had almost flattened. "I thought my boyfriend was good at making an entrance, but yours takes the cake.." Dustynn smirked thinking about Leo. He hadn't really asked her if they would be official yet, but since Dusty assumed these two would never cross paths again, it was safe to assume the small white lie wouldn't come up again. As they came to a stop in the middle of the road, Paige asked if the girl if she was okay and Dustynn nodded in agreement; though she hadn't been ran over that type of experience could be a bit scary; albeit a bit exhilarating.

When the woman dropped to the floor, Dustynn felt a pang shoot through her stomach- she definitely didn't want to be here right now, especially if they had just killed this woman. Climbing out of the car after watching the woman fall to her knees the second time, Dusty pulled her leather jacket tight around her as she squatted down next to her. "Are you hurt? Or are you just all shook up?" Dustynn questioned, trying to make eye contact with the woman as she watched her breathe in quite a panic.

Dusty was not the best in emergency situations, as she reached into the pocket of her jacket and pulled out a box of cigarettes and a lighter she had taken from work, "You smoke?" she questioned, pulling out two sticks and lighting them both. She kept one between her lips and offered the one to the victim.

Joel Nicolosi

Eyes blinked open. Groggy, Joel for a moment stared straight up at the tile, drop-ceiling of his upstairs “living room”. Somewhere during the night his curiosity had pulled him from his bed to the couch where he wanted to get a look at just what level of panic was setting in on the local newscast. The TV displayed quietly where he’d left it with some mid-morning national talk show that danced shadows all over the room and a news ticker ran across the bottom of the screen with alerts about power outages and other chaos across the city that he squinted at briefly with some amusement. Joel’s upstairs could be near pitch-black any time of day which was how he liked it and made it easy to fall back asleep. The kerosene heater roared downstairs in the shop, but that wasn’t what woke him. The vibrating hum of a call sent his phone crawling across the table and he swatted at it to make it stop, grumbling to himself as did so. He wasn’t expecting any calls with the weather.

Sure enough, there was an unread message from Sio to go along with an incoming call from the University. He stared blankly for a bit as his drowsy mind considered who in the hell would be calling him. This better be good… He thought to himself contemplating just letting it ring out, but then remembering Sio saying something about going over there for some reason… He hadn’t really been paying that much attention. She was probably pissed about the message he sent about her car, which would in turn be hysterical. He shifted a little back under the warm blanket that he tossed over the couch as he grabbed the phone. WIth the kerosene heater running, he had the heat-pump turned down significantly to save on the power bill. Even with all his winnings from the race and other promotions, he still couldn’t bring himself not to be frugal. He yawned and stretched a bit as the call continued to vibrate in his hand, knowing it would soon cut to voicemail.

Swiping his thumb over the screen he switched it over to speaker phone. “Joe’s bar and grill.” He answered.

@Almalthia

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Ethan watched Victoria walk over and faintly heard her get a room. He raised an eyebrow at that. He walked up behind her and took the key from the receptionist. “Send up champagne, fresh strawberries and a bucket of ice with two champagne flutes to the room in about an hour.”

Ethan leaned down and kissed Victoria passionately and swept her up in his arms in a bridal carry. He quickly took out his phone and breaking off the kiss he lights his path with his phone. Victoria is so light he could easily carry her for hours. They get to the door and he opens it and carries her over the threshold and kicks the door shut. He kisses her passionately again as he strides into the bedroom and tosses Victoria lightly and playfully on the bed.

...Fade to black...

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Victoria was definitely riding the impulse as she collected the key for the room and they had to do a bunch of old fashioned stuff to write down the credit card number etc for the transactions, names, banks and so. They even had to ask a older manager just to know how given it had not been done in years.

Yes... Can I get my key, and...

Victoria was not always the most patiant woman at times and tapped her winter boot slightly, answering a dumb joke with a fairly cold reaction. Title jokes she never minded from freinds, just strangers where more difficult. Yeah, well they where going to end up there, and not for a warm place to stay the night saving money. The last one made her pale skin a alittle more normal. Though not the sheer snow like colour. She still was definitely on the extremer pale range.

That to. Maybe hour and abit...

They definitely where taken in the momment and that was a rather intense one that had taken charge.m, before her thoughts where leveled out a intense kiss and a gentle force lift her up with a suprise. Lost utterly in the momment, she merely returned the gesture and gave a look that was pretty clear what she wanted in that single momment. Dark grey eyes glittering in the changing light.

Being carried was... Intresting and did not quite protest heavily bar a few tuts and reade about saving his energy for where it mattered. About as subtle as a oil tanker to the head but they where not exactly a romance novel right now.

hope you have plenty left mr rockstar.

Falling back onto the bed, she threw her jacket and so aside along with boots before finding her balence again. Pushing her long blaxk hair out her face from the landing and dark eyes glittering in the phone light. It was dark and her hair and blended somewhat bar the highlights that hung closer to her face. It definitely not how things planned to go but.. Well go wimhere the widmnd takes it.

Then things escalated... Quickly... (censored) That's all folks!

~ fade to black ~



@Almalthia

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Siobhan smirks at the groggy tone in Joel's voice. She'd know that voice anywhere. “I need a nice hot beefcake. Rare as possible. If you have the race car driver version, I prefer that one but I'll take mechanic I'm pissed at for working on my car while I wasn't there. Side of sarcasm and innuendo.” She'd let that sink in for a good five seconds. “And on to the real reason I called. I'm in a bit of a jam. I'm stuck at the university due to the weather and cell service is out and not only that but the power as well. Can I please get a lift out of here? Before I become a Vaughn-sicle and you have to hold me to warm me up.”

Siobhan smirked at the phone a moment waiting for a reply. Her camera, a Nikon mirrorless model, hung around her neck like jewelry. Staring out at the falling snow she was more worried about later when it froze or if this weather came with ice. Seriously though Prague never got this cold. Or at least I don't remember it. Maybe I was on tour whenever it did. Or I just never paid attention to it. She gathered up the camera bag and put the Nikon away along with her phone.

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Milo helped Aoki to her feet, as Paige pulled up and gave him a jab, "Junior would have turned her to paste for a trophy." He threw back as he looked at Aoki again, "Seriously though, real sorry bout all that, little hard to see out here. Where are you headed anyway? Do you need a ride, I'm getting this one out of here then I can get you to where you need to go." he said nodded over to Paige. He noticed Paige had another person with her as well, first thought through his head was that that bottle of Wray was going to disappear faster and faster.

"See you found yourself a new friend. I'd make a full introduction for fuck sake it's a blizzard here, can we please get a move on to somewhere?" Milo was jovial a bit though the cold and wind were biting hard and the longer they stayed put the harder it would be to get the vehicles going again.

@Pilatus@Rodiak@MissCapnCrunch