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Post by Fiery Firefly on Sept 7, 2013 19:35:25 GMT -8
Natasha frowned at the "communist" comment from Jay, "Can I just transfer my registration from Russia somehow?" she asked him, "Or do I have to fill it out from scratch also?"
She turned to Elvis when he commented about her father, " Pobedagrad was just as filled with metahumans. Not that he ever trusted me at home either..."
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Post by Adlai Stevenson on Sept 7, 2013 22:37:00 GMT -8
While Lauren had opted to stay at her new home, thanking the entire group (especially Isolde) along the way, Sleeping Boy stuck around, eager to try out some more modern cuisine.
"Confused?" he had repeated what Natasha had asked. "Well, I--"
Then, she was gone. Her cellular device was making noise. She began speaking in her native tongue again, rushed and urgent and low.
So, yes, he was indeed confused.
Sleeping Boy frowned, concern on his face as Natasha returned. "What's happened? Why is your father so displeased?"
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Post by Fiery Firefly on Sept 7, 2013 22:48:58 GMT -8
Natasha sighed, "My father is normal... wait thats not the right term. He has the same powers as me, but they're dormant, he's never used them once. He doesn't like super powered people. And well even though he doesn't use his powers, I inherited them from him. Dominant genes and all. But he wishes I would be normal like him... and he got very angry when I talked about what I did at the mall."
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Post by JW% on Sept 7, 2013 23:35:47 GMT -8
Jay frowned at the question and pulled out what looked like a phone, working the controls on it with taps and swipes of the screen. "I think there's a license transfer... not sure about... Pobedagrad was it?"
Meanwhile Patty and Serenity were pestering Isolde about her abilities. "Can you fly?" "Your scepter is powered by love?" "Does your outfit protect you?"
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Post by Penny Royals on Sept 7, 2013 23:40:40 GMT -8
Meanwhile Patty and Serenity were pestering Isolde about her abilities. "Can you fly?" "Your scepter is powered by love?" "Does your outfit protect you?" The answers were, in order, "Not really, unless you count that one time I got thrown but I don't," "As far as I know! It seems to be, at least," and "Sort of... but sometimes my tights chafe..."
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Post by JW% on Sept 14, 2013 19:53:50 GMT -8
"Why do your tights chafe?" "You should use baby powder so they don't." "If they chafe why do you wear tights?"
The torrent of questions went on, wanting to know about all the others in the area, and the conversation, if one could call it that, didn't die down as the food was served.
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Post by Penny Royals on Sept 16, 2013 19:58:28 GMT -8
Isolde was now having to do an impossible task: choose between eating, and talking.
She decided on both. Which meant breaks in between eating when she'd answer their questions, rather than talking with her mouth full.
"Baby powder would work if they were like... real things? They're just summonable, I dunno how they work. They chafe because silk does that. And I wear tights because they make me feel less exposed and they're a part of the costume!"
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Post by Adlai Stevenson on Sept 16, 2013 22:35:39 GMT -8
Natasha sighed, "My father is normal... wait thats not the right term. He has the same powers as me, but they're dormant, he's never used them once. He doesn't like super powered people. And well even though he doesn't use his powers, I inherited them from him. Dominant genes and all. But he wishes I would be normal like him... and he got very angry when I talked about what I did at the mall." Sleeping Boy frowned, not out of anger or indignation, but, as he had yet to shake, sheer perplexity. "I'm sorry, but I just can't understand why your father would be so ashamed of his blessings. In my culture, those bestowed with the Wakan Tanka were heroes, great spiritual leaders who preserved the old ways and watched over the new. To deny an act of the Great Spirit . . ." Sleeping Boy simply shrugged, unable to wrap his head around it. "Even still, while your father may deny his gift, he cannot deny yours, Natasha. You have been blessed by the timber and smoke, and to deny it would be to deny yourself, would it not be?"
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mekasoundwave
Persistent Member
King of Braves
Filthy acts, at a reasonable price
Posts: 4,711
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Post by mekasoundwave on Sept 16, 2013 22:51:51 GMT -8
"Well, hate to break it to you, dude, but not all powers are exactly what you'd call 'blessings,'" Elvis responded, cutting in. "I can say that from experience."
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Post by Fiery Firefly on Sept 16, 2013 23:09:08 GMT -8
"Well my culture... his culture was a lot different then that. Back when the Soviet Union was around, it was a lot harder to be like us. We had to be registered with the government and be monitored, and all kinds of things. Lots of restrictions. We weren't embraced, we were an other. I was born a few years after the Soviet Union fell, so me and my father kind of grew up in two different worlds. Its...hard to explain. It involves a bunch of history you missed out on anyway. I guess its kinda like you and me. You have a hard time understanding me because we grew up in different worlds."
Natasha took a bit out of her food, "But I am not going to deny myself as you said. I'm not going to sit on my ass and pretend to be normal."
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Post by JW% on Sept 17, 2013 17:46:11 GMT -8
"Registration is entirely voluntary in Triumph City." Jay mentioned. "The Son of Liberty has done a lot of lobbying and political appearances to keep us that freedom, and at the moment the federal government is staying out of the matter, allowing local governments to make their own call on the matter. Pinnacle City is much harsher, with registration mandatory. Here you don't have to register if you want to keep your privacy. I rather doubt that anyone but the most patriotic would register if it weren't for the benefits the city provides."
"So... I don't have to register?" Serenity asked. "I... mean... the Maiden might not have to register. Because I'm certainly not her... not a superheroine at all..." Secret identities were hard to manage in this group.
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Post by Adlai Stevenson on Sept 17, 2013 18:06:55 GMT -8
Sleeping Boy, before addressing Natasha, looked to Elvis with hopeful eyes - evidently, eyes that misunderstood the tall man's true powers, and their source.
"I would say that they are," he countered as politely as he could, though he knew through the look the man was giving him that this was quite easily disputable. "It is true, many people lose their way. They stray from the paths that may bring them closer to realizing themselves. Sometimes, the power they are given may not be the most . . . desired, the word may be."
Sleeping Boy's eyes flickered mournfully for a moment. While it was true that his tribe, the only family he had ever known, had raised him up to accept his destiny with the advent of his spiritual empowerment, such was not necessarily true outside their own ranks. He could not recall a time he had neglected to use his powers for good; he could not recall a time he and his family had been hunted like beasts with slings and blades and rifles.
"Sometimes people just get scared. I was very scared, at first. In my tribe, we learned to ride before we learned to walk. We learned to shoot before we learned how to speak," a wistful smile appeared on the timelocked teen's face. "As fate would have it, I was a terrible shot, and I spoke far too much. I did not know if the responsibility of a Chosen One of . . . anything, should have been mine to bare. But, my family helped me stay on the path, for every step we took.
"The spirits smiled on me, I have no illusions of that. I was not alone on my journey, at least until now. The Wakan Tanka is not the 'Great Mystery' for nothing, I think the phrase is. The same spirits that bestowed upon me my gifts looked upon you for a purpose too, whatever it may be. It matters little if your power is dazzling or big or bright and shiny, but it matters that you have been blessed with it, and we have it in all of us to use it for much good, for as long as we are here. Truthfully, I do not know you well, but I believe that you have it within yourself to make many differences. I wish you well and plenty on your path to find them."
With a breath, Sleeping Boy looked down, his face flushed with guilt for rambling for so long. He looked to Natasha as she continued to speak and explain these things, greatly admiring her adamancy in the face of such complexities.
Complexities to him, at least. He didn't even know what a Soviet Union was.
"That is very good, Natasha," Sleeping Boy smiled to the Russian girl. "I wish your father could see the same, you have much power, from what I saw at the . . . uhh, the big mall place. The shops and all the other, umm, things. And stuff. It is stuff, right?"
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Post by Fiery Firefly on Sept 17, 2013 18:33:46 GMT -8
"Well our policies are harsh compared to America's. There are definitely benefits to registering, though I don't know how I feel about my name being in government records. Cause the federal government still is the one managing it."
Natasha listened to Sleeping Boy's ramble, "...Are you really alone Sleeping Boy?" she finally asked. It sudden;y hit her that he probably no longer had any family to speak of. "And I wish my family could be supportive. My father hates my powers, and he's banned me from telling my mother about them, so she thinks I'm just a normal girl. ...Your family sounded great. You must miss them a lot."
"Yeah it was a mall. And yeah the word is stuff..." she laughed, "Its okay I know how it is, English isn't my first language after all."
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Post by Adlai Stevenson on Sept 18, 2013 21:19:33 GMT -8
"Well our policies are harsh compared to America's. There are definitely benefits to registering, though I don't know how I feel about my name being in government records. Cause the federal government still is the one managing it." Natasha listened to Sleeping Boy's ramble, "...Are you really alone Sleeping Boy?" she finally asked. It sudden;y hit her that he probably no longer had any family to speak of. "And I wish my family could be supportive. My father hates my powers, and he's banned me from telling my mother about them, so she thinks I'm just a normal girl. ...Your family sounded great. You must miss them a lot." "Yeah it was a mall. And yeah the word is stuff..." she laughed, "Its okay I know how it is, English isn't my first language after all." Sleeping Boy continued to nod along; he wasn't all that versed, among just about every other discussion topic imaginable, on government overreach and corruption, beyond federal troops and rangers popping off shots at him and his family on the trails. He looked down when she changed the subject to him, caught off-guard and a bit bashful of the attention. "Alone?" he repeated. In all honesty, he had never thought about it very much. "In all honesty, I have never thought about it very much . . . but I would not be truthful if I said I do not miss them all dearly. For whatever it's worth now, they are one with the Wakan Tanka, just as I am, having died at the hands of our enemies to protect me. Their sacrifice may be forgotten in this life, but it will be legend in the next."
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Post by JW% on Sept 20, 2013 20:13:17 GMT -8
Patricia turned her attention to the one very silent girl in the party. "What about you? Where'd you get your name from? Can you fly? Do you use dark magics? Can you use the power of love and justice like Cupid too? Does your outfit chafe? Are you registered? Do you have a hero license or just a learners permit?"
"Is that your natural hair color?" Serenity tried to add to the hyperactive questions directed at Midnight Pulsar, but she was out of step and Patty was just getting into the rhythm.
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Post by Alkonost Storm on Sept 20, 2013 20:51:15 GMT -8
Anais de St. Alyre had been distracted by her thoughts when the barrage of questions came her way. However, she took it all in stride.
"I get my name from my powers. I cannot fly and I suppose some would count my powers as 'dark magics'. I have a hero license, though I'd probably have to trade it in for an American one."
Anais blinked at Serenity's question.
"Yep. All natural."
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Post by JW% on Sept 20, 2013 21:33:42 GMT -8
"Neat." Serenity seemed pleased with the answer. "It like goes from blond to brown at the ends..."
Patty on the other hand made a little frown and turned her attention to Elvis. "What about you? Can you fly?" She apparently wanted at least one teammate who could fly, since of the group she was probably the only one. It was also one of her most obvious features, and if, as Jay said, she had been born with her powers(cybernetic though they might appear to be), she had always flown. Everyone forced to walk all the time, and never having anyone to go flying with weighed heavily on her.
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mekasoundwave
Persistent Member
King of Braves
Filthy acts, at a reasonable price
Posts: 4,711
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Post by mekasoundwave on Sept 20, 2013 22:17:24 GMT -8
Elvis had been quiet since Sleeping Boy had given him a reply. Elvis certainly didn't see himself a pessimist, but the Sioux Super sitting across from him was certainly a contrast. Was this a gift or a curse? This wasn't something that plagued him it was a question that scientists and politicians had asked for decades. For all he knew, he was Pandora's box, a ticking time bomb and a disaster waiting to happen.
But maybe the box wouldn't get opened. Maybe the disaster was a long ways off. Maybe he could make some use of what he'd been given. Even if he couldn't end hunger or save children from a burning orphanage, someone could always point him the direction of an asshole who'd get what was coming to them.
Elvis wasn't thanking whatever divine force or stroke of luck that made him who he was. But he was definitely giving his abilities a second thought. Of course, there'd be time for that late. Patty had a question.
"Hmm? Oh no, I can't fly," he said. "Probably not. Even if I could, there'd probably be a messy landing. Why do you ask?"
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Post by JW% on Sept 20, 2013 22:48:49 GMT -8
But like every Pandora's box, the box would always be opened, and there would always be horrors inside. The question was if the opener would slam the box shut, or if they would let out the last of it's contents: Hope.
"Aww..." Patty said. "I can fly. And daddy can sorta levitate with his gravity powers..." Her attention caught on Natasha. "What 'bout you?"
"Yeah!" Serenity looked as if she'd wanted to ask Elvis a few questions of her own... maybe giving the boy her phone number... but fortunately Patty's undeveloped sexuality and hyperactive curious nature pulled her along.
"Can you fly?" "You can't light small fires, only big ones?" "Does your outfit protect you from like sharp ouchies?" "Is it fireproof? 'cuz I think it should be fireproof." "When you make fire, does it feel warm or cool?" "Is that your natural haircolor?" "What's your name in Russian?" "Was is really cool helping the Maiden Antonia Ravenswing Yami to save the day at the mall?"
Patty gave her new friend who was technically speaking in the third person a look at that last question.
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Post by Fiery Firefly on Sept 20, 2013 23:01:31 GMT -8
"Uhh... I can fly if I boost myself with fire..." Natasha said, "I can light small fires sure, but whats the point of that? Of course my outfit is fire proof, or I'd probably be naked at the end of every battle," she laughed, "It feels warm, but it doesn't burn me. Yes this is my natural hair color... its just brown. Its what most people's hair looks like. Uhh... my name is Natasha in Russian too... or if you wanna be technical Natalia Dmitriovna Zakova... and uhh why are you talking about yourself in the third person? And no it wasn't fun helping you, you made me detransform."
She took a breath and took a sip of her iced tea. She looked over at Sleeping Boy, "I'm so sorry about your loss," she said sympathetically, "I'm sure they'd be very proud of you if they saw you now."
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Post by Alkonost Storm on Sept 21, 2013 7:30:57 GMT -8
Anais couldn't help chuckling a little as she heard Natasha dealing with her own barrage of queries, simply choosing to listen in on the conversation.
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Post by Penny Royals on Sept 26, 2013 20:28:35 GMT -8
Cupid gave a soft yawn, done with everything and waiting for the others, or at least Natasha, to be done before the family all went home.
Halfway across town, in a brand new, pre-furnished apartment, Cesspit and Karma were unwinding after a long day of multiple battles with a bottle of scotch and late-night TV, all curled up in a bundle of cuddles on the couch.
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Post by JW% on Sept 26, 2013 20:52:58 GMT -8
(Okay, timeskip to the next morning will be posted tomorrow. If anyone wants to have their characters doing something in the intervening time, make a comment on it.)
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Post by JW% on Sept 27, 2013 14:40:38 GMT -8
The group finished their late dinner while talking and comparing notes and having a surprisingly pleasant and friendly chat for such a group of strangers. Serenity bowed out early on, and Jay took the rest of them on a brief tour of the city center. It wasn't a long walk from where they were to where they could get copies of the paperwork to fill out. The license from other places was easily exchanged after a short quiz on local legal statutes, and all the kids were given homework of filling out a short worksheet explaining what they did at the Mall, how this was infact helpful, and why they should not be charged for the property damage that had been caused by throwing fireballs and chunks of stone about.
The team broke up shortly after that, but not before Jay gave Isoldes father a way to contact him saying that communication was key for this sort of lifestyle.
~~~~~~~~
Mirage noticed that she was being asked no more questions, so after leaving a business card for Powers Automotives R&D Department, the name and number on it for one Jackson Wheeler, she faded from view. That left Creeper to lay in bed and get some rest. Along with all the other heroes in need of medical attention that night.
Changeling was already asleep, several rooms away, his own damage being tended and cared for. Both he and Creeper would be healed up and ready to leave in the morning, which was probably good for them.
~~~~~~~~
Warrior Hopper managed to haul the wrecked motorcycles back to his garage. He'd have to work on them some, but these were top of the line parts. He was sure he could make something out of all this stuff. Cheaper than a police auction really, the two cycle police giving him their broken powered armor suits.
~~~~~~~~ The next morning.
Kyle felt himself being prodded awake by the demon in his mask. Rather slowly his mind started to process where they were and what they were doing, but that was a bit too slow for the demon. It wanted to get out and away as soon as possible.
Kyle pulled himself off the couch that he was too big for, rubbing his neck as he staggered for the door. It was a one room apartment, with no bed. Instead there was a coffin that the demon was telling him not to mess with. Something about having gone out with that other hero, the one with the white hair and red outfit. They'd busted up some minor groups of gang bangers, following a specific trail. There had been a fight in a park with baseball bats... Kyle remembered he'd punched out a tree. Something about the gang had been a bit wrong... oh yeah, demon worshipers. They'd started to get demonic abilities. Yeah that's right. Buncha posers.
The two heroes had interrogated their way up the food chain for a bit, finally busting in on a run down house that some warlock had converted to manage his demonic forces and street punks. There had been a fair amount of beating people senseless... and Kyle had taken a few more blows in the process.
Oh yeah, the warlock had summoned up a pretty mean demon to stop Kyle and Darkson. Kyle started punching the Warlock until the guy in his stupid purple robes had spilled about some kind of mystical tournament was gearing up, and folks were getting ready for it. The prize was going to be some maiden. That had to be Kyles girlfriend, right? Because... no wait, what was Darkson doing while Kyle was punching the warlock? That was probably important...
Right. He'd eaten the attack demon. And that was probably a good reason for them to leave the apartment while Darkson was still asleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Good morning." The dark skinned girl said demurely to Karma as she woke up sandwiched between the young woman and Cesspit in the bed that really wasn't made for this many people. They were not as naked as they could have been, considering how rough the night had been, but Karma didn't remember the girl even following them home. The girl had somehow managed to press herself into the two heroes cuddling, focusing her attentions on Karma and practically ignoring Cesspit.
"Would my husband like me to fix him breakfast?" The girl asked, looking into Karma's eyes with a slightly fuzzy expression that implied she needed glasses. Not that nearsightedness was any reason to mistake Karma's gender after spooning with her. "I'm... not very good at cooking, but I could try."
~~~~~~~~~~~
Today was sign up day for school. Cupid and Scorched Earth, in their civilian guise, both went to the same school together, along with a fair number of the city. It was a big inner city school, and needless to say it would be crowded and complicated and bothersome. And they still needed to check in before they could get their classes.
Fortunately, they had school supplies and a change of clothing, with breakfast being prepared and they were going to be driven in early that morning so they didn't end up late to school.
Unfortunately, they were all still in bed at the moment. The girls had been up too late last night. Sleepy heads.
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lovely corte
Persistent Member
Lindsey Looseflaps
HE LOOKED AT ME! HE LOOKED RIGHT AT ME!
Posts: 1,402
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Post by lovely corte on Sept 27, 2013 15:23:05 GMT -8
It was the best rest that he had ever had in the entirety of his life. With the rise of light came the feeling that a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Both literally and metaphorically.
When he was allowed, he was given his belongings and pushed on his way. The trip from the hospital to his apartment wasn't long and nobody gave him trouble, even when he walked through associated gangs and dark alleyways, retracting the path that the Madness Inside walked almost everyday.
Entering his decaying apartment, Creeper... or whatever was left of him, threw his keys onto the warped coffee table strewn with bottles, needles and scrap. He had no idea what he was going to do from here.
After clearing a spot for a seat, he rummaged through his belongings for the business card that the woman had left him. He needed a job.
Walking outside to find a phone that didn't have blood splattered over it, he began to dial the number. He let it ring.
"Hello?" He spoke into the phone, his voice hoarse and drawn out. "U-Uhm, is this... Jackson Wheeler?"
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Post by JW% on Sept 27, 2013 16:37:46 GMT -8
"Yes? Hello? You've reached Professor Wheeler. May I ask who is..." There was the sound of an explosion in the background. "Excuse me a moment." Some shouting about 'precautions' and 'trying not to weaponize it' before the voice came back. "Wonder how it did that... very interesting results... oh yes, who is this?"
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lovely corte
Persistent Member
Lindsey Looseflaps
HE LOOKED AT ME! HE LOOKED RIGHT AT ME!
Posts: 1,402
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Post by lovely corte on Sept 27, 2013 19:07:58 GMT -8
"T-This is Risto Wicker." He started, before he waited for the explosions to pass, wanting to frantically ask if he was alright. But his tone and attitude on the phone let Risto know that was a familiar thing. "I-I was given a business card by... Mirage."
"Do you mind if I come in? I need a job." He asked. "I-I harness electricity and... I make power armor. L-Look, I can explain it more in person. I-If you want."
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Post by JW% on Sept 27, 2013 19:41:29 GMT -8
"Risto Wicker. Gotcha. Never heard of you of course. I don't get out much. By a mirage? Or was it a hologram? Could have been a hologram... though how did you get this number from... maybe I need to talk with public relations if my personal number is getting out like... oh, right! Power armor! Yes, yes, if you know anything about that please, please, do come in! You know where our main lab is I could... no, wait, explosions... we'll need time to clean up. Maybe the office. Yes. Give me a second, can I send you an email? No... seems your phones not equipped for it. But tell you what, later this morning why don't you come in. I've yet to have breakfast and finish watching stuff explode."
There was a pause, with some talking away from the phone by Prof. Wheeler. Something about 'Yes, turn it on, it should be perfectly safe.'
There was a several second pause before. 'See, didn't explode at all.' and Prof. Wheeler finished giving Wicker instructions on how to find him and when to meet.
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Post by Penny Royals on Oct 2, 2013 19:23:53 GMT -8
"ISOL-DE!"
The shrill voice of the girl's mother rang through the house, waking the girls up before their door opened.
"Why aren't you two up yet?! We need to get you to school, now!"
"Oh no... we slept in late?!"
"Yes! I tried getting you up like five times!"
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Post by Fiery Firefly on Oct 2, 2013 19:36:38 GMT -8
Natasha groaned and several indiscernible syllables escaped from her mouth, as she tried to untwist herself out of her sheets. "I don't wanna,' she pleaded.
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