Lurker > Cartridge88

super_felicia posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/7/9/6/AAdr6XAAE5Ls.jpg i found this, have my one contribution to this topic

thanks!

dioxxys posted...

heh nice

bump, will get this tomorrow

MegamanXfan21xx posted...

Had a scare with the cat today. She woke up from her nap wildly thrashing around for a few seconds; enough that I was worried she'd fall off the couch, so I made sure to gently hold her and ensure she didn't fall. When she hopped off the couch, she was kinda limping on her rear-left leg and stumbling sideways. She got better after a minute, but man, did it worry me. Is this something cats usually do, or is it a side effect of her advanced age? I never saw the male cat do it.

This is the second time she woke up thrashing. Last time was roughly a year ago, but there weren't any walking issues afterwards.

well little did I know, but cats can have nightmares and even night terrors like ppl can. idk if that was what you witnessed, but it feels the closest. there's even an episode from that show, My Cat From Hell, that covers such a scenario so maybe that'll help clear things up.

A

"We already know your father was a football fan," you say, "so what was your mother like?"

"Well, she was certainly a role model for how to be a mother," Arella says. "She made sure I got up, went to school, had food to eat and clothes to wear, as well as a shoulder to cry on. I can't say she was a great cook, certainly not on the level of what Rorek's capable of. But she always did a good job with deviled eggs. Great at peeling the shells, great at whipping up the yolks and dalloping it back onto the whites, all that."

"What did she do for work?" Raven asks. "Y'know, before she lost her job."

"She worked at Stagg Industries," Arella says. "Unfortunately, after Stagg Industries took a hit over the Rex Mason 'Metamorpho' incident, people needed to be laid off, and no other company needed a data entry specialist. Certainly not from a company whose boss accidentally created a superhuman when they meant to murder someone."

"Yeah, that probably doesn't look good on a resume," Beast Boy says.

Raven frowns at Beast Boy who just nervously shrugs and smiles.

"My mother tried to find other avenues of work," Arella continues, "like going back to certain old passions from her younger days. But she was too old to be in modeling, to play sports at a high level, and we certainly didn't have the money for her to go back to college and learn how to do anything new."

"That is a shame," you say. "But let's stay positive."

A) Ask more about her mother's looks
B) Ask more about her mother's hobbies
C) Ask about general family things

MegamanXfan21xx posted...

Jeez, NBA 2K24 has $150 packs of virtual currency for sale. At this point, microtransactions aren't really micro anymore. You could literally buy a brand new AAA game's super-ultra-deluxe edition for less than that.

sheesh, what crazy person would even go for that?

B

"What was your family like?" you ask. "Though, I guess I should say, Raven's family."

"Are your parents, er, my grandparents, still alive?" Raven asks.

"I don't know," Arella says. "I did happen to lose touch with them around the same time I had you. But... Hmm, last time I even talked to them... Well, it had to have been almost a whole year before... Um, I got pregnant."

Raven holds her mother's hand at this moment and Arella smiles softly in thanks.

"I'd let my life go down a dark path," Arella continues. "My parents weren't happy about all the goth and heavy metal and other more occult things I was getting into. I dropped out my senior year of high school and was just going around Gotham with this 'bad crowd.' As I told the girls the other day, this route ended up with a happy ending, seeing my daughter find all of you."

Everyone shares a heartfelt smile here.

"So then, working backwards from that," Arella says, "I suppose I ended up on that dark path after some things in my life.

"My earliest years, going to those football games, were a happy time. But as I turned 10 years old, things seemed to change. Firstly, the times changed. Gotham started down its own dark path to how it is today, and that worried many people. But secondly, the family dynamic changed. My father's job got harder, my mother completely lost her job, and I was... Well, I was growing, let's just leave it at that."

Everyone else stays quiet, aware of the ways she means, but you can see some of the others look away nervously.

"There was strain on the three of us," Arella continues. "With no other opportunities for work, my mother was miserable staying home all day. But then with how much he had to do to keep his bosses pleased, my father was miserable having to go in early and come home late. There were arguments about who had the worse situation. They ended up putting me in the middle of things, and no child should have to face that."

Raven again takes her mother's hand to comfort her.

"Well," Arella says with another soft smile, but eyes getting a little wet. "Let's not be so sad. For as angry as they got in those later days, they were still good people."

A) Ask more about her mother
B) Ask more about her father

A

You freeze some bananas, whip up some cold brew coffee, bring out almond milk and almond butter, as well as some pitted dates.

You use a blender on the bananas, cold brew, almond milk, almond butter, dates, as well as vanilla and cinnamon. Once that's all smoothed out, you add some ice and go again to really cool it down. Then everyone is served a nice tall glass, topped with cinnamon dust and chocolate shavings. Then everyone is served a portion of the French Toast Casserole, and everyone sits to watch the game continue.

"Mmm, I like the French Toast," Jinx says. "So soft and sweet."

"Thank you," you say. "The Magic Melting Pot is always researching and testing recipes, and we've found some really wonderful ones."

The Knights continue move steadily to midfield, with a "second and seven" right on the 50 yard line where their logo is painted. They snap, Battaglia pitches it to another runningback, Ranford, and Ranford spins around one defender, only to be wrapped up and brought down by another.

"Ranford got a few yards there," Tom says. "Makes it a third and three in Chords territory, with four minutes left in the half."

"The Knights need to be careful here," the second commentator, Max Garnick, says. "Shane Furth's leg is not that reliable this far back."

Another snap, Price is the runningback again, but then it's a great fake! Battaglia runs the other way, just barely makes the three yards, and then gets out of bounds to avoid being clobbered, all which the group cheers.

"Another great move from the Knights," Tom says.

"Battaglia isn't a great runner but even he can get three," Max says.

The next play is another solid stop of the runningback, making it second and nine for the Knights with the clock ticking down.

"This might be the last play before the two minute warning," Tom says. "The snap, and Battaglia drops back."

"His line is doing wonders for him again," Max adds. "Big pass from the 38!"

"TOUCHDOWN!" Tom shouts while fans go wild. "Wallace Heifetz at the back of the endzone!"

"Yes!" Arella says. "Wow, that was like Elway!"

"And there's the kick," Tom says. "And it's good. The Knights now lead 13 to 11 as we have a word from our sponsors."

With the half now at a minute and 50 left in the game, the broadcast goes to commercial.

"So, wait," Beast Boy says towards Arella. "Are you like, a football fan from Gotham? Or are you just supporting the Knights cuz you're from Gotham?"

"There's a difference?" Raven asks.

"No, I see what he means," Arella says. "The second one is a bandwagon fan. People in a city or state only get invested in a sport when there's a chance they can be proud of where they're from. I was definitely a football fan who grew up loving the Gotham Knights."

"Really?" Raven asks.

"Well, obviously I've missed quite a few seasons," Arella chuckles. "But my father, Raven's grandfather, was very big into football, so when I was a child, we always watched the games on TV and even went to a few home games. I started growing out of going to games in my teen years, so maybe in a way I became the bandwagon kind. But nine year old me would be very happy to see them this close to the Mega Bowl."

"I bet you looked so cute at those games," Argent says. "Maybe wearing a jersey and hat."

"I did have a good Barry Brockenbrough jersey," Arella says. "Oh, he was a top linebacker from the early days."

"We've heard of him," Robin says. "Brockenbrough was really good."

A) Talk about Arella's sports fandom
B) Talk about Arella's family life

B

Sports. American football season is in the playoffs leading to the Mega Bowl. This semifinal game, aka the National Conference Championship, is the Gotham Knights VS the Nashville Chords, being played in Gotham as the Knights are the higher seed.

"GOTHAM! GOTHAM!" the crowd chants for their team.

"Gotham! Gotham!" Arella and Robin join in, as they're both from Gotham.

"Yeah, Gotham's a good team," Cyborg says. "Still can't believe Jump City choked in the final week."

"They were making bad moves anyway," Beast Boy says. "Phoenix has too good a defensive line to be running up the middle. Everybody was saying 'throw the ball!'"

"The Flames indeed played the spoiler," Starfire says.

"Chords are leading 11 to 6 after a blocked extra point kick was returned all the way to the endzone," commentary says. "But it's still only the second quarter with 7 minutes before the half."

"That's right, Tom," the other commentator says. "A very defensive battle so far between these teams."

"Knights start with the ball on their own 15 after a powerful punt by Newcomb," Tom says. "Here's the snap."

The quarterback falls back, the runningback comes across and takes the underhand pass to catch in stride, and just look at him go around the right side!

"Great move from Battaglia to Price!" the other commentator says.

"Price gets ten, 15," Tom says, "stopped just past the 30 yard line! A big first down for the Knights."

The teams hurry to regroup, figure out their next plays, and it's another snap.

"Play action," Tom says as they fake the run for a pass.

"He's got a lot of time back there," the other commentator says. "But nothing seems to be opening up."

"Battaglia dumps it down to Price," Tom says. "But Price gets brought down almost immediately by two Chords."

"Hold on, there's a flag on the play," the other commentator says.

The camera focuses on the head referee with the white hat.

"Holding, defense, number 11," the ref says while making the hand gestures. "Five yard penalty, first down."

"Ouch," the second commentator says. "The Chords had a good stop but now it doesn't matter."

The French Toast Casserole is done baking so you bring it out and cover it with foil while it cools. In that time, you prepare some drinks.

A) Coffee Smoothies
B) Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies
C) Pumpkin Spice Lattes

MegamanXfan21xx posted...

Got a new couch set up. It took a lot of work, mopping, sweeping, and lifting, but it's finally set up. It's got two seats (since we never used the middle cushion of our old one), electronic footrests and back cushions, USB plugs, and the middle has two cup holders and a smaller cushion that lifts to reveal a storage compartment.

awesome!

RANDOMIZER

A

French Toast Casserole. You bring out thick, fluffy biscuits to make one inch cubes out of, the leftover scraps being something for the group to snack on. You grease a 10 inch by 10 inch baking dish, grease it up, and place the cubes. You of course whisk up the French Toast coating of eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt that you then pour over the bread cubes. This is to then stand in the open for 30 minutes so the bread can properly soak up the mix. Plus, you need time for the oven to preheat to 350 Farenheit.

"So what'd you boys get up to?" Raven asks.

"Oh, camping was fine," you say. "Dad and Sixth weren't allowed to go fishing since Beast Boy was with us. But that was alright, fishing for them was never about fishing but about being together, peace and quiet in nature, things like that."

"So what'd you do instead?" Jinx asks.

"Not much, actually," Robin says. "Well, we did take advantage of all the trees for swinging and acrobatics."

"Robin basically turned the camping trip into a training session," Cyborg says.

"It was good exercise, though," you say. "For us, my dad and granddad were not able to get around that way. I also did a few sketches of the view from where we planted our campsite."

You bring out your sketchbook and flip to the page.

"Oh how lovely," Arella says.

"Thank you."

"What more did you all do?" Robin asks the ladies.

You already know so you do your best to stay quiet.

"Oh, y'know," Bumblebee says. "Watched a movie, had a nice discussion about justice."

"What movie was that?" Cyborg asks.

"Murder on the Orient Express."

"Ohhh, yeah, that's a good one," Cyborg says.

After the 30 minutes, the oven finishes heating up. You drizzle melted butter all over the French Toast cubes, as well as more brown sugar. You cover the whole thing and put it in the oven to bake for 35 minutes. While everyone waits for this main dish, the group watches...

A) A television show
B) Sports

A

"We're sorry, we're sorry, we're sorry!" they both say quickly yet quietly.

"You better be!" Raven hiss-whispers. "C'mere!"

Now it is Raven easily moving Jinx and Argent as she swoops over Arella and puts the naughty two on the nearby empty bed.

"What the hell!?" Raven snarls. "Are you seriously getting frisky right next to my mother?! Wait. Were you two using my mother as inspiration?!"

"Um..." Argent says while Jinx repeats, "We're sorry, we're sorry!"

Raven keeps from gasping but that just makes her face contort and twitch.

"That is so innappropriate!" she manages to say. "It's my mother!"

Jinx and Argent are quiet, guilty looks on their faces. Jinx isn't about to admit it wasn't just Arella but Arella, Raven, Starfire, et cetera.

"And I also told you, as an Empath, I sense these things," Raven says. "So you two were practically radiating horny energy."

"Really?" Argent asks. "What does that feel like?"

Raven frowns but then sighs.

"It's like this tingle in my brain," she says. "And given you two dummies were this close, it was like my brain had that 'fell asleep' tingling."

"Oh. Did you have that feeling at Timber-"

"Stop bringing up Timberline Lodge!" Raven snaps. "But yes. Just..."

Raven grumbles while pacing, then lets out another sigh.

"Great," she grumbles. "Now I'm all riled up."

Raven takes a deep breath in an effort to calm down, and she even shakes out the nervous energy in her hands and arms. Argent raises an eyebrow and smirks as she leans forward.

"Are you saying... You're feeling-"

"SHH!" Raven says as she turns around. "Stop. No more talk about that kind of stuff. Just go, to, sleep."

"Okay..."

Raven sighs one more time, then floats back to the bed while Jinx and Argent quietly walk back. Raven does her best to settle back in between Starfire and her mom while Jinx again slides in and Argent follows behind. The three stay quiet, eyes closed, and let themselves drift off to sleep.

[cut to Rorek]

You and the fellas return into town and you see your father and grandfather off before they fly home. Then you and the Titans return to the tower to have brunch with the ladies.

"Wow, what're those?" you ask as you see Raven's arms.

"It's all henna tattoos," Raven says. "Azarath does their own sort of Mehndi, like from India, so the girls all did my nails and painted these feathers on me."

"They're lovely," you say. "They did an amazing job. Was that all you did?"

"No," Raven says with some hesitancy. "We told stories."

"Oh, that's nice," you say. "What stories?"

Raven stares at you blankly a moment.

"Timberline Lodge," she says.

Your eyes widen and your head tilts.

"Seriously?" you ask.

"Yes," Raven says. "So now Starfire, Bumblebee and my mother know about Three Goth Girls One Rorek."

"Hmm... That's actually a really good name for it."

"Oh don't even joke," Raven says. "Just help us with the food."

"Alright, alright," you say. "Are you okay? You look tired."

"Yeah, it's nothing. I'll tell you later. Maybe."

"Okay," you say.

With that, you go to the kitchen area and whip up...

A) French Toast Casserole
B) Breakfast Egg Muffins
C) Potato & Pepper Stir Fry

B

Though she's blushing, Jinx doesn't resist. Argent caresses Jinx's chest, massages it, and nuzzles her nose behind Jinx's ear. Jinx does her best to control her breathing, but her heart is already racing from Argent's breath on her neck.

Argent smiles as she smooths her hand down Jinx's side, feeling the soft silk of Jinx's nightgown against her fingers. Argent gives Jinx's "love handle" area a squeeze, then caresses her hip. The gown's skirt comes up a little so Argent brushes her fingertips on Jinx's thigh.

Argent thinks about that night at Timberline Lodge. If they'd added Arella to the mix back then, there's no telling what they'd have gotten up to. She's just so sexy!

As for Jinx, she's trying to "let go" like Argent told her, but what does she let go of? The feelings attached to those she's attracted to? Images of Kid Flash and Rorek swim through her mind as Argent brings her left hand back up her side. Jinx can't believe how Argent's so assertive about this stuff, yet not aggressive.

Kid Flash is definitely more the former. Much like his superspeed, his personality is all about getting to the goal as fast as possible. Sure, it feels great in the moment, but then what? Where's the emotional connection?

Then there's Rorek. He's assertive, too, but it was like he was tuned into what Jinx wanted. It was gentle and sensual. Definitely the better style. But ugh, she can't keep him in her heart, either, his heart belongs to Raven. Is Argent's point to not have guilt about fantasizing? Fantasizing about Kid Flash? About Rorek? About whoever else catches her eye?

Argent suddenly nibbles Jinx's ear and it startles Jinx into opening her eyes. She sees Arella right next to her, and Raven across the way. Arella and Raven... So beautiful and alluring. The most powerful mother-daughter combination Jinx's ever seen. Though, given Starfire is a space Amazon, who knows how stunningly gorgeous her mother was.

Jinx's mind creates an image of a tall, mature Tamaranian mother, hair up in one of those fashionable Hollywood bump hairstyles. It really ends up an orange Arella with red hair and green eyes but it's all Jinx has to work with. She imagines the two mother-daughter combos meeting, being friends, then maybe... more than friends? Mother with mother and daughter with daughter? Or crisscross, Starfire with Arella and Raven with the Tamaranian queen...

"She's so hot, isn't she?" Argent whispers in Jinx's ear.

Jinx's blush is red hot on her face as it seems the two of them were thinking the same thing. Jinx can only sheepishly nod, which makes Argent giggle.

Argent caresses then squeezes Jinx's chest, and Jinx has to bite her lower lip to keep from squeaking. Jinx's naughty mind now throws herself and Argent into that mix. But then, as Argent starts moving that left hand south again, Rorek pops in there for a second.

Jinx tries to stop her mind before it imagines too far, she's just seeing first and second base scenarios, or whatever percentages Tamaranians use. But telling her mind to not think that only makes it think that, and she goes right back to THAT moment at Timberline, where Rorek's beast was unleashed from its boxer prison right in front of her eyes, and how it-

Raven sits bolt upright! And she's glaring right at Jinx and Argent! Argent immediately stops moving her hands as she and Jinx look up at Raven.

A) Apologize immediately
B) Blame game
C) Keep absolutely quiet

and again today unfortunately. will try to get this tomorrow but no idea.

MegamanXfan21xx posted...

https://derpicdn.net/img/2023/9/17/3202195/large.jpg
https://derpicdn.net/img/2023/9/17/3202198/large.jpg

lovely.

Malcrasternus posted...

Apologies, losing a loved one after 33 years really took it out of me.

I'm better now. It's my mother that's really struggling with things.

been there. and we're here for you, man.

bump, rly busy today

bump

B

Starfire and Raven rest on Arella's right side, so Argent brings Jinx around to Arella's left.

"Okay, okay," Jinx says. "You don't need to keep pushing me..."

Jinx crawls onto the bed and carefully sidles up to Arella with Argent right behind her.

"Guess I'll just settle in back here again," Bumblebee says as she slips up behind Starfire.

Starfire and Argent are very giggly as the group settles in and gets comfortable. Raven and Jinx rest their heads on Arella's shoudlers, and they both blush as they make eye contact. But there's nothing they can do as Starfire and Argent trap them.

"We haven't shared a bed since you were five, either," Arella says. "Now I won't have to worry about smothering you."

"Well..." Argent says, but Jinx gives her a gentle elbow to the stomach.

"Let's just get some sleep, okay?" Raven says.

"Yes," Starfire says. "Let us drift away into Ep'aedra Blebbu."

Starfire then stretches her long legs that reach past Raven's and Bumblebee's, before resting on her back, head not even on a pillow, left arm still under Raven around her waist. Bumblebee isn't sure what to do but Starfire's right arm brings her in to rest against Starfire's side. Bumblebee blushes, but she's not going to be the one to ruin this Ep'aedra thing and upset Starfire.

Raven rests her arm across her mother's stomach, and Jinx's arm is just above, near Arella's chest. Argent full on spoons Jinx, arms wrapped around her waist, chest pressed against Jinx's back and head nuzzling the nape of Jinx's neck. Jinx tries not to feel awkward being stuck between so much marshmallow softness. Jinx never put it together before but Arella is definitely where Raven gets her curves from.

As time goes by, Starfire and Bumblebee drift off to sleep, followed by Arella. Argent starts feeling drowsy but Jinx and Raven are still awake. They both try to keep their eyes closed in hopes they'll fall asleep, but then they open their eyes to look around. Raven sees Jinx with her eyes closed, but then closes her eyes before Jinx opens her eyes again. Then they both open their eyes at the same time and lock eyes.

Raven and Jinx blush and even pout, but neither looks away. Jinx balls up her hand and bends her leg a little, causing her leg to brush against Raven's. This makes Jinx crane her neck to look, and then she moves her leg away.

"Oh whatever," Raven whispers. "We've touched more than legs before."

"Don't remind me," Jinx whispers back with a pout.

The two stare at each other, flustered.

"Stop thinking about it," Raven whispers.

"About what?" Jinx asks.

"You know what! The time at Timberline."

"I-I wasn't thinking of that," Jinx defends.

"Don't lie, I'm an Empath, remember?" Raven says with a frown.

"That doesn't mean you're a mind reader," Jinx retorts.

"Girls..." Arella mumbles. "No... arguing..."

Arella lets out a little sigh before going back to sleep. Raven and Jinx blush again, but they do quietly giggle. Raven settles in and closes her eyes, and Jinx does the same.

"How cute," Argent whispers right in Jinx's ear. "If only Rorek was here to witness it."

Jinx's eyes shoot open as she realizes Argent wasn't asleep! She can't even figure out what to say, she's so embarrassed! Argent giggles as she feels Jinx trying to shrink away.

"Don't feel bad, Jinxy," Argent says as she tightly wraps her arms around Jinx. "That should be a cherished memory."

"Easy for you to say," Jinx says. "You don't have romantic baggage."

"It's only baggage if you hold onto it," Argent says. "Just let go."

Argent moves her hands up ever so slowly and Jinx is flustered again.

A) Stop her
B) Let her
C) Go somewhere else first

Malcrasternus posted...

She's gone.

She's gone. . .

I'm so sorry, Mal.

so sorry to hear that, Mal.

A

"Okay," Raven says, "let's do Ep'aedra."

Starfire then glomps onto Raven and almost knocks her over on the couch!

"Star!" Raven blurts out. "Why'd you tackle me?"

"This is Ep'aedra!" Starfire says. "The Snuggling Mass!"

"Snuggling?" the others say.

"Yes," Starfire says with a proud, beaming smile. "We snuggle up to be physically close to our closest friends."

"Aw how cute," Jinx says. "Hey!"

Jinx is caught off guard as Argent spoons up behind her and pushes her into Raven from the other side.

"Ep'aedra!" Argent says as she presses against Jinx which presses Jinx into the side of Raven's chest.

"Argent!" Jinx complains.

"Well, guess I'll come in from this side," Bumblebee says as she cozies up behind Starfire. "That way, Raven's the middle."

"Wait, we need Arella in here, too!" Argent says as she reaches out.

"Oh, um, I don't know," Arella says, shy and flustered. "You girls don't need some old lady- AH!"

Argent uses her red energy to make a shape to push Arella forward. She stumbles forward to the couch, and Starfire swaps her and Raven around so that Raven sits on Arella's lap, head resting against her mother's bosom. Then Starfire snuggles up to them both, with Argent again pressing Jinx against the side of bosoms, but this time Arella's. Bumblebee scratches her cheek with a quizzical look before she settles back in behind Starfire.

"I don't think you've sat on my lap since you were five," Arella says.

"Yeah..." Raven says, red from embarrassment. "How long is Ep'aedra supposed to last once we start?"

"The amount of time is up to the group," Starfire says. "But the stronger the friendship, the longer it lasts."

"Or in other words," Raven says, "the length of time is seen as how close we are to each other."

"Yes," Starfire says. "And I am certain we can reach seven hours easily."

"Seven?!" the group blurts.

"Starfire, we might as well be getting some sleep at that point," Bumblebee says.

"Yeah, it's already pretty late," Jinx says.

"That is a good point," Starfire says. "But we can Ep'aedra Blebbu! The Snuggling Mass of Sleepers!"

"Uh... I-I guess," Raven says. "But my bed isn't going to fit all six of us."

"We can use the guest rooms like for Christmas," Argent says. "We might just be able to fit everyone on one of those queens."

"Then to the guest bedroom!" Starfire declares.

"Um, we still have to wash up and change for the night," Bumblebee points out.

"Oh," Starfire says. "Well, then we will put Ep'aedra on pause long enough for the brushing of teeth and changing of clothes."

The group gets up off the couch and exit the living room. They split up to use both bathrooms, and then regroup at the same guest room the ladies used for the holidays.

"Wow," Bumblebee says to Arella. "I had no idea you also wore a leotard like Raven's."

"Well, of course," Arella says as she puts her white robe aside. "What did you think I wore under my robes?"

"Um... Not really sure, now that I think of it."

"This one looks good," Argent says as she picks out the middle bed on the left side of the room.

"Then I'll just take this one," Arella says, going with the middle bed on the right side.

"No, no, Miss Arella," Starfire says. "Ep'aedra is for all of us!"

"Uh, are you sure?" Arella says. "Five is already a lot of people on one bed- Ah!"

Argent again uses her red energy construct to push her forward. Arella ends up on the bed face up, and then Starfire practically picks Raven up to bring her over to the bed.

A) Rest on Arella's left side
B) Rest on Arella's right side

MegamanXfan21xx posted...

https://derpicdn.net/img/2023/9/4/3194842/large.png
https://derpicdn.net/img/2023/9/7/3196206/large.png
https://derpicdn.net/img/2023/9/7/3196382/large.jpg
https://derpicdn.net/img/2023/9/10/3197772/large.png

oh my.

A

From out of the refrigerator, Arella brings out a chocolate-coconut-cherry sponge cake. It's a lovely, round cake with chocolate syrup and dried raspberries on top. It's cut six ways to leave nothing left over.

Everyone takes a bite at the same time.

"Mmm~!" they all hum together.

"Thish ish sho gud!" Jinx says, mouth still full of cake.

"It's so... so...!" Argent says while thinking. "Ugh, what's the word I'm thinking of?"

"Flerbusri?" Starfire says.

"Um... Depends, what does it mean?"

"The ecstasy one feels from eating or drinking something as delicious and decadent as this spongey cake!" Starfire says.

"Then okay," Argent says while she and the others giggle. "This is definitely fler-bus-ree."

"So flerbusri!" Bumblebee adds.

"Very flerbusri," Raven says with a big smile.

The group continues to eat the "flerbusri" sponge cake, then they chug milk to wash it all down.

"So when are the boys due back?" Arella asks.

"Sometime in the morning, but no later than 11," Raven says. "I wonder how they're doing, they should've had their own dinner by now."

[cut to Rorek]

"Beast Boy!" Cyborg shouts up in the tree. "Get down here with the pudding! You already had three of 'em with lunch!"

Beast Boy as a green spider monkey shouts at Cyborg from one of the branches, then goes back to eating the chocolate pudding out of the cup without a spoon. He's holding the rest of the "snack pack" with his feet while hanging from the branch with his prehensile tail.

"It's alright," you say. "We packed plenty of other desserts."

You go into the cooler and bring out chocolate cookie ice cream sandwiches.

"Wait, who already had some of these?" you ask. "There was ten but now there's seven."

"Uh, who knows," Grandfather Sixth says. "Maybe Beast Boy snuck some of those, too."

You look up at him and see chocolate cookie crumbs in his beard.

"Sixth, you're cut off," you say.

"Alright," he grumbles. "Just don't tell your grandma."

[cut to Raven]

"So are we doing anything special to wrap things up before going to bed?" Bumblebee asks.

"We could try Ep'aedra," Starfire says.

"Another Tamaranian tradition?" Raven asks.

"Yes," Starfire says. "I promise it has nothing to do with singing, dancing or sharing stories pertaining to one's romantic experiences."

A) Give Ep'aedra a try
B) Just play a game
C) Just watch another movie

bump, very busy today

MegamanXfan21xx posted...

I've thought up a couple possible vehicles for the theoretical Powerwash Simulator crossover. First, the Ponyville train. With it appearing in the intro, it's plenty iconic. And it's got a distinct style that sets it apart from the Western and Appleoosa locomotives.

The second one could be Twilight's princess coronation carriage. With the distinct design and it being part of a major event in the show, it would definitely qualify.

yeah those would be pretty good. the train would be extensive but there are plenty of big levels in OG Powerwash Sim equivalent to that.
and I feel like the princess carriage could be a really important level, maybe with like a time limit, or at least big incentives to get the job done quickly. it'd go with story of how important the carriage is and they don't want to be late for the ceremony.

MegamanXfan21xx posted...

https://derpicdn.net/img/2023/8/30/3191792/large.png
https://derpicdn.net/img/2023/9/3/3194170/large.jpg

nice.

A

"Agreed," Raven says. "As goth as I come off, I don't think I could face recent death time and again. We really have to respect those who do."

"Exactly," Bumblebee says.

"Don't you think we could do something about the crime problem if we did help, though?" Argent asks.

"Well, yeah," Raven says, "but sadly, so much happens every day, it would just be overwhelming. It's maybe a bit cynical, but our powers help us handle problems regular authorities can't, so that's why we only handle those problems. Occasional supervillain bank roberries aside, of course."

"I guess so..." Argent says.

With the movie over, and dinner almost over, that means it is time for dessert!

A) Chocolate, Coconut & Cherry Sponge Cake
B) Chocolate mousse & caramel popcorn
C) Peach & Raspberry Mascarpone

B

"I'm going with Countess Andreyni," Raven says. "Given that link of the maiden names, them being family, she might have wanted revenge on behalf of Sonia Armstrong."

"Not a bad point," Argent says. "I'd say Princess Dragomiroff then, for the same reasons."

Poirot gathers the suspects and describes two solutions to the murder. He advises them not to automatically dismiss either.

The first suggests Cassetti's murder was a Mafia feud killing - an unknown man disguised himself as conductor, stabbed Ratchett/Cassetti, and discarded the uniform coat, with the undetected assailant escaping from the train through the snow. This is rejected by Bianchi and Dr. Constantine as absurd but Poirot tells them they may reconsider that opinion. Poirot says that because the second solution is more complex and far-reaching, as it links ALL the suspects in the coach to the Armstrong case!

In addition to self-incriminating revelations Poirot had managed to extract from Hardman, McQueen, Schmidt, and the Princess, the detective has deduced Countess "Elena" Adreyni is actually Mrs. Armstrong's younger sister, Helena! Gasp!

Then, the Princess claimed the Armstrongs' secretary's was a "Miss Freebody," but this is in fact Mary Debenham, freely associated from the well-known British department store of the time known, "Debenhams and Freebody!" More gasp!

Thirdly, Beddoes was the Armstrong household's butle, Ohlsson was Daisy's nursemaid, and Colonel Arbuthnott was a close army friend of Mr. Armstrong. Additionally, Foscarelli was the family's chauffeur, Pierre was Paulette's father, Hardman was a policeman in love with Miss Paulette, and Mrs. Hubbard is in fact Linda Arden, Mrs. Armstrong's mother, and arguably the brains behind this whole plan.

Poirot then goes into his theory about how they carried out this plan: McQueen had drugged Cassetti, rendering him unconscious and allowing the conspirators to murder him jointly, 1the Andrenyis stabbing him together, totaling 12, one for each member of the jury, which would also explain wounds of differing damage. The scream and broken watch were provided by McQueen to convince Poirot that the murder had occurred earlier, when the other suspects were in the clear. In fact, the suspects joined to commit the murder once Poirot had returned to sleep, after two o'clock. The only passengers not involved in the murder would be Signor Bianchi and Dr. Constantine.

A hush falls on the room. Poirot asks Bianchi to choose one of the two solutions before the train is freed from the snowdrift, but admits that the Yugoslavian police will much prefer the simpler one. Bianchi, in sympathy with the suspects after learning how truly evil Cassetti was, proposes the first solution. Dr. Constantine and Poirot agree, although Poirot will struggle with his conscience. The train then, somewhat symbolically, is freed from the snowdrift and resumes its journey.

"Wait..." Jinx says. "So... It was no one?"

"No...!" Bumblebee says as the revelation hits her. "Poirot's second theory says it was everyone. So, that has to be what happened! But then, leaving it in Bianch's hands, Poirot knew Bianchi would let them all off the hook."

"It is quite the moral dilemma," Starfire says. "Arresting that many people would affect so much, even though it would be what justice demands."

"But it's also a bit of that sentiment that justice was already served," Raven says. "Cassetti being behind the kidnapping and death of an innocent child, which then ruined the lives of the Armstrong family and the maid, Paulette, there was no need to drag more people into the mud."

"Well, for us being superheroes saving the world from supervillains," Bumblebee says, "I'm glad to leave much more messy things to police and detectives."

A) Agreed
B) Disagreed

LMAO the Game Grumps are gonna play "Those Games!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDXK2lyVKh0

MegamanXfan21xx posted...

these are the remakes I can get behind.

https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/002/661/279/943.jpg

MegamanXfan21xx posted...

You know, with the variety of crossovers Powerwash Simulator has gotten, a crossover with MLP would absolutely be possible. It kinda alternates between cleaning buildings and vehicles, so I wonder what it could have. Sugarcube Corner, Carousel Boutique, Trixie's wagon, the royal throne room, Golden Oaks, Spike's statue in the Crystal Empire... basically anything is possible.

Not sure what vehicles there could be; the show wasn't really big on them. Carriages would be too generic, zeppelins would be too big, the cars from Manehattan aren't all that iconic, and the horse-pulled train would be pointless since PWS already has a locomotive level.

I feel like a carriage or coach would still be a possibility as the beginner level, maybe help introduce MLP specific abilities. but everything else makes sense.

C

The group goes for a mystery movie so that it has great thrills and chills, and of course the mystery to try and solve before the movie is over. As such, they find Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, the 1974 film adaptation which marks the 40 year anniversary of the novel.

The film opens with news clippings about the kidnapping of one Daisy Armstrong. She has been missing for almost five years, and then she is found... murdered!

Cut to December of 1935, Belgian detective Hercule Poirot has wrapped a case for a British Army garrison in Jordan and is now headed for London. He takes the Orient Express from Istanbul, where he encounters his old friend Signor Bianchi, a director of the company that owns the rail line. Bianchi offers Poirot a compartment and they ride together.

The other passengers are: American widow, Harriet Belinda Hubbard; English governess, Mary Debenham; Swedish missionary Greta Ohlsson; American businessman Samuel Ratchett, with his secretary/translator, Hector McQueen, and English valet Edward Beddoes; Italian-American car salesman Antonio "Gino" Foscarelli; elderly Russian Princess, Natalia Dragomiroff, and her German maid, Hildegarde Schmidt; Hungarian Count Rudolf Andrenyi and his wife Elena; British Indian Army Colonel, John Arbuthnott; and American theatrical agent, Cyrus Hardman.

"There's our cast of suspects," Raven mutters while pulling apart a crab leg.

The morning after the train departs, Ratchett tries to secure Poirot's services as a bodyguard for $15,000 as he has received death threats. Poirot declines Ratchett's offer, telling him, "My interest in your case is... dwindling."

That night, Bianchi gives Poirot his compartment and shares a coach with Stavros Constantine, a Greek doctor. The train is stopped by a snowdrift between Vinkovci and Brod in Yugoslavia, and Poirot is awoken from sleep several times, once by a scream from Ratchett's cabin. So of course the next morning, Ratchett is found stabbed to death!

"Guess there was something to those threats," Bumblebee says.

Bianchi of course asks Poirot to solve the case. Poirot enlists help from Dr. Constantine, who ascertains that Ratchett was stabbed 12 times in a distorted pattern and with seemingly varying accuracy and lethality.

Found at the crime scene is a fragment of a letter, revealing that Ratchett was actually Lanfranco Cassetti, a gangster, who five years earlier planned the kidnapping and murder of Daisy Armstrong, infant daughter of wealthy British Army Colonel Hamish Armstrong and his American wife, Sonia.

Starfire gasps, which actually startles the others.

"Relax, Star, this is all fiction," Raven says. "There was no real Daisy Armstrong murder."

Starfire calms down and then takes a huge bite out of her corn cob.

Cassetti had a Mafia colleague help him kidnap and kill Daisy, but then betrayed him and fled the country with the ransom money; he was only revealed on the eve of his partner's execution. Overcome with grief, the pregnant Mrs. Armstrong gave premature birth to a stillborn baby and died in the process. Colonel Armstrong, consumed by grief from the loss of his family, committed suicide. A French maidservant named Paulette, wrongly suspected of complicity in the kidnapping, had also committed suicide to avoid being arrested, but was found innocent afterwards. A truly tragic turn of events.

Further clues are discovered, including a pipe cleaner, a handkerchief with the initial "H", Cassetti's broken watch, and a conductor's suit. Poirot's timeline of passenger activities the night before indicates that Cassetti was murdered at about 1:15 AM, the time of the smashed watch and the scream. As the coach was isolated through the night, the murderer is still on the train! This is the big moment everyone gasps.

Poirot says one of its passengers, or the train's French conductor, Pierre Michel, must be the murderer. The investigation begins, and Mrs. Hubbard reports that she detected a man in her room, later finding the bloodied knife discarded in her compartment. Foscarelli dramatically hints the murder was most likely part of a Mafia feud.

Poirot interviews the passengers and the conductor. He learns: Hector McQueen is the son of the District Attorney working the Armstrong case, and was very fond of Mrs. Armstrong; Beddoes had been a British Army "batman," aka a soldier assigned to an officer as a personal servant, not the superhero.

Continuing on: Greta Ohlsson appears to have limited knowledge of English but has been to America; Countess Andrenyi is of German descent, and her maiden name is Grnwald (German for "Greenwood", Mrs. Armstrong's maiden name, making them relatives); Pierre Michel's daughter died five years earlier of scarlet fever; Colonel Arbuthnott, who displays knowledge of Armstrong's military decorations, also reveals his plans to marry Miss Debenham once his divorce from his philandering wife is finalized, which he claims was what the cryptic discussion Poirot overheard in Istanbul was about.

When Poirot questions Princess Dragomiroff, he discovers she was a friend of Linda Arden, retired American actress and Mrs. Armstrong's mother; the Princess was Sonia's godmother. Poirot also learns that the Armstrongs had a butler, a secretary, a cook, a chauffeur, and a nursemaid. Poirot flatters the Princess's maid, Schmidt, by noting how fine a cook she is, throwing her off. Foscarelli denies having been a chauffeur. Hardman reveals he is, in fact, a Pinkerton detective hired as a bodyguard by Cassetti. When Poirot shows him the photo of Paulette, he is visibly moved.

"Okay, who do you think it is?" Jinx asks quickly.

A) Hector McQueen
B) Countess Andreyni
C) An Armstrong servant

C

"I'm going to make a seafood boil," she says as she goes to the kitchen. "There isn't much in the way of variety for fish and other things in Azarath, so I am going to take full advantage of what's here on Earth."

Arella brings out the biggest pot the Titans have and fills it with water. She seasons it by adding some Cajun spices and hot sauce, as well as slices of onions and lemon. She puts in baby potatoes and Andouille sausages and lets those cook for about 15 minutes.

In that time, the girls have finished painting Raven's toes, and she reclines back, keeping her toes apart with the classic foam dividers. Arella remembers those days, and is happy to see her own daughter enjoying similar memories.

Once the potatoes are tender enough to poke with a fork, Arella adds several cobs of corn, and then the seafood. There's shrimp and pieces of crab, and these will cook for about seven more minutes while Arella makes the garlic butter sauce.

In a saucepan, of course, Arella uses medium heat to melt butter while adding garlic cloves, lemon juice, Cajun spices, parsley, paprika and more hot sauce. She stirs it as it simmers, and this takes only five minutes, perfect timing.

Arella lines a baking sheet with foil, turns off the heat and strains the boiling pot. The crab, corn, shrimp and all that are spread out evenly and she pours the garlic butter sauce over it. She tosses it like the salad to evenly coat everything, and it is finished.

"Alright, ladies," she says. "Dinner is served."

"These should be dry, right?" Raven asks the others as she checks her arms and finger nails.

"Yeah those look good," Argent says.

"And good thing I can levitate," Raven says as she gets her feet off the table.

Raven does float her way to the kitchen counter as the others walk over.

"Oh, those do look nice," Arella says as she looks at Raven's fingers and the fathers painted on her arms.

"These look good, too," Bumblebee says. "Love the smell of the seasonings."

Everyone fills their plates with what they want, between the corn, potatoes, shrimp and crab. Everyone has a tall glass of lemonade to go with the meal, then sit back at the couch to eat while watching a movie.

"Not horror," Bumblebee, Argent and Jinx say.

"What?" Raven says.

"This is a bachelorette party, not a Halloween party," Jinx says. "Even if it is Raven's bachelorette party."

"Fine," Raven grumbles. "But then no romcoms. I want something that's good."

A) Musical
B) Action
C) Mystery

MegamanXfan21xx posted...

Well, mom's back. She'll need some help for the next few days at least, but she's recovering.

that's good to hear.

A

"Yes, a wonderful idea!" Starfire says. "We shall give Raven colorful rainbow nails to contrast with the feathers!"

"No, no, no," Raven says.

"I was thinking more they should match," Jinx says. "Maybe blue to match the feathers, or black to match to outlines."

"Hmm, okay, that sounds better," Raven says. "Um, I'm not sure which would look better..."

"We should do each hand differently," Argent says. "Raven's right hand can have blue nails and her left hand can have black nails."

"Yeah!" the others agree.

They bring out nail polish and get to work, Argent and Jinx handling the nails while Bumblebee and Starfire paint the feathers. Raven sits very, very still, but she's a bit antsy. She uses a bit of meditation tricks to calm down. And before she knows it, everything is done.

Raven marvels at the sapphire blue nails on her one hand and the ebony black on her other, while also admiring the blue gradients in the feathers.

"Wow, Star, you're almost like a printer," Bumblebee says. "That's like, perfect."

"Thank you," Starfire smiles. "Now for Raven's feet!"

"Maybe just the nail polish," Raven says. "You all already spent a lot of time painting the feathers."

"That's true," Bumblebee says. "But let's swap 'em! Right foot gets the black nail polish, left foot gets the blue."

Starfire puts Raven's feet up on the coffee table for her and the girls get to work.

"Well you all have this well in hand," Arella says. "Or, well on foot? I'll go ahead and start on dinner."

A) Pasta
B) Casserole
C) Seafood Boil

B

... feathers, which just makes sense because she's Raven. The group then takes a moment to discuss the plan.

"The feathers should be pointing towards Raven's fingers," Argent says. "Y'know, like cuffs on sleeves?"

"But then what?" Jinx asks. "We only go up to the back of her hand? The fingers don't give a lot of room to work with."

"Yeah, yeah," Bumblebee says, "the stems of the feathers should be on the fingers, and then we use all of the hand and forearm for the fluff of the feathers."

Bumblebee traces her own hand on a piece of paper, then draws an example of a feather going from middile finger to wrist.

"That's a great idea," Arella says. "Each finger has a calamus, the downy feather and afterfeather, then as the calamus shaft extends into the rachis along Raven's hand, we carefully shade in the vane and the barbs."

"Uh, yeah, okay," Argent says, not keeping up with the feather anatomy terminology. "Maybe Miss Arella should draw them out first and we just kinda trace over to make them bolder."

"That probably would be for the best," Raven says.

Raven puts her hands out and Arella starts with Raven's right hand. Arella uses a thin brush to paint a calamus shaft on each finger. She makes sure each one is thicker at the start than at the end. The downy and afterfeather are the fluffiest and, in a sense, messiest part of the feather, so she draws very distinct follicles.

Then Arella moves to drawing the long oval shape of the feather's vane, a soft point at the end before coming back to the calamus. Arella leaves it at the first row, one each for Raven's eight fingers, leaving the thumbs alone for now.

"There we are," Arella says as she sits back.

"Wow...!" the others marvel.

"A-Are you sure you don't wanna draw all the feathers out?" Argent asks with a nervous smile.

"It's not so difficult," Arella says with a chuckle. "Just draw this same oval shape. Though, you can add some little indentations. You've seen that, right? Where the feather has the little breaks in the vane where the barbs are parted? Like this."

Arella adds a triangular indentation to the one on Raven's ring finger as an example.

"Oh, okay, yeah," Argent says. "That could work."

Argent and Jinx work on tracing the feathers, using broader brushes and heavier ink. They still do a good job of going broader at the base and thinner at the tip. They also choose for themselves where the indentations go, so that there isn't really symmetry between Raven's hands, but it works for some realism.

Argent and Jinx carefully start on the second row to cover the back of Raven's hands, making sure to match each other with placement. With four in the front row, they're able to get five in the second row, starting to extend to the side of Raven's hands, and along the way to the thumb.

The feathers are added row by row, all the way to Raven's elbow, and all around her forearm. Her palms were left alone, however, as she still needs to touch and grab things and they can't have henna ink getting everywhere. But even so, it all took over half an hour just for this much.

"Those look great already!" Bumblebee says. "Now, do we color them in or what?"

"Well, maybe," Arella says. "Usually coloring things in would mean just using more of this black ink, but we can't just have giant blotches of black ink on her body."

"Blue should be alright," Starfire says, "as Raven does like it the most."

"Blue would look nice," Raven says as she imagines it for herself.

"We should also paint your nails!" Jinx says.

A) Yes
B) No

MegamanXfan21xx posted...

Okay, she's doing fine. She'll be staying for another day or two, but the worst is over.

that's good to hear.

C

"Mehndi? Or, the Azarath equivalent."

"As in like, Hindu henna tattoos?" Bumblebee asks.

"Yes, that's the one," Arella says. "We simply draw nice patterns on Raven's hands, maybe up to her wrists and forearms, or even her feet and ankles."

"Oooh, yes, let us do the art on Raven's body!" Starfire says.

"Yeah, that sounds like fun," Argent says.

"Dibs on hands, though," Jinx says. "I don't wanna draw on Raven's feet."

"My feet aren't that bad," Raven says. "Are they...?

The group finishes up their salads, then moves back to the couch. Raven slips off her shoes but is a little self conscious about her feet now, namely the toes. Her big toes aren't that big, are they?

"Hold on, let me wash my hands and feet," Raven says.

Raven floats away to go to the nearest bathroom and washes her feet in the tub. Rorek's never said anything about her feet, other than that neither has a foot fetish. Though, he did choose not to draw her feet that one time. But that was because he doesn't do well with feet.

Raven grumbles and scrubs her feet harder, then washes her hands. She dries them all off very thoroughly, floats her way back to the living room. By this time, the others have gotten henna paint and brushes.

"Okay," she says. "Go ahead."

"Now, remember, the patterns have to match," Arella says.

"Aw, where's the fun in that?" Jinx asks. "Why not have unique art for each hand and foot?"

"Well, it's not the tradition," Raven says. "And it'll look nicer if the patterns are symmetrical. You put the hands together and you can have almost a mural or panoramic painting."

"That would look really nice," Bumblebee says.

"Let's agree on an overall theme, then," Arella says.

The group thinks it over, and they decide on...

A) Floral
B) Feathers
C) Geometric

A

Everyone is served a nice full bowl of garden salad, with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber and shredded carrots, as well as croutons and salad dressing. The group then sits at the dining table booth, Raven and Arella in the middle.

"C'mon, Ms. Arella," Argent says. "Don't you have some wild stories to tell?"

"I don't think we need to hear those," Raven says.

"It's not like I have anything as wild as what you three just shared," Arella says.

"But you still have some?" Argent says with an eager smile.

"Uh..." Arella says, seeing Argent has here there. "Well, even so, I'm still not sharing those stories."

"Aww..." Argent pouts.

"What's with you?" Jinx asks Argent.

"But I will say," Arella says, "for all of my ups and downs, I'm glad to have gone through them all, because they add up to my life with Raven, and her future with Rorek. I wouldn't change a single thing."

"Mom..." Raven says with a sweet smile.

Mother and daughter hug and the others let out a little "Aww..." together.

"Okay, okay," Raven says as she pulls back and blinks the wetness from her eyes away. "Let's not get all teary eyed here. Um, okay, we did Tamaranian stuff since Star is my maid of honor, but is there anything Azarath does for weddings?"

"Um, well, not having to do with songs or special outfits," Arella says. "Or sharing stories and revealing feelings."

Argent pouts hearing that.

"But there are maybe a few things specific to Azarathian culture," Arella says. "How about..."

A) Anointing
B) Cleansing
C) Mehndi

it's good to know you've got good neighbors.

bump, will work to get this tomorrow

A

Raven's hands cover her face but she doesn't stop Argent.

"It actually starts in a pretty funny way," Argent says. "See, Rorek's sisters made these really cute outfits for all of us, did our make-up, and it was a lot of fun. But Raven had snuck away to have some private time with Rorek. Jinx and I kinda interrupted that, total accident, but Rorek, that naughty little horn dog, goes and locks the doors to the room. Then he goes and wraps us all up and gets us on the bed together!"

"No...!" Bumblebee drags out again. "What?"

"Yeah, true story!" Argent says. "Cute little line-up the three of us make, right? Rorek's strong hands were all over us, too. But it was so funny to see Jinx's change of mood, the moment the boxers came down!"

Argent laughs and Jinx is bright red again.

"What? Why?" Bumblebee asks with a bit of a giggle.

"That actually is a good question," Raven says as she puts her hands down to look at Jinx. "What were you expecting?"

"Wait, wait, hold on," Bumblebee says. "Was it like...?"

She holds her hands out a few inches apart, suggesting the size.

"Oh, no no," Argent says. "If Rorek was available at Subway, he'd be $5."

Bumblebee thinks on that, and then laughs as soon as it clicks.

"Right, okay, I get it," she says with a nod and finger point. "That's a good one. So like, what? You two watched or something?"

"For the first part," Argent says, her coy smile returning. "It was super hot, too. Raven has really good moves."

"Raven," Arella says, now starting to sound disappointed.

"Don't worry, Mum," Argent says, "no one went all the way. Third base at most."

"What is that in Earth terms again?" Starfire asks.

"Uh..." Argent says while doing the math. "Tamaranians would say we only went to 40%."

"What kinda system do Tamaranians have?" Jinx asks.

"Well-" Starfire starts, but Raven puts a hand over her mouth.

"Let's not get started on that," Raven says.

"Anyway," Argent continues, "it was only a few minutes before Jinx and I got involved. Jinx was so cute having Rorek kiss her all over, and I got to kiss Raven all over."

"My goodness," Arella says.

"Raven and Jinx were surprisingly easy to please, so I got to have some fun on my own," Argent says with a proud smile. "Then Jinx and Raven got involved again, and Rorek stacked us. SO hot!"

"Wow," Bumblebee says. "Goth girls are built different, I guess. So this was the only time this happened?"

"Yes," Raven says at the same time as Argent.

"Well, I think that was enough revelation," Arella says. "Let's go ahead and have something to eat, hm?"

"Yes, let's," Raven says.

The group gets up from the couch to go to the kitchen to have salads.

A) Stick with the ladies
B) Return to the fellas

C

You slice up the nice, glazed ham and put it on a skillet that heats up over the fire. The ham has great sizzle to it, and a great scent to go with it that you omnivores enjoy taking a deep whiff of. At the same time, you rotate the cobs on the grill for a quarter turn to roast another side.

"So anyone know what the ladies are up to?" Beast Boy asks.

"Well, the Null ladies stayed home," your father says. "Rachel took it upon herself to be the wedding planner, and the four of them are working to keep things on track."

"I know Raven's mother, Arella, is, uh, 'in town' from Azarath," you say. "Perhaps she brought some Azarathian traditions to the bachelorette party."

"Who knows what Starfire's trying to get them do from Tamaranian culture..." Robin says.

"There might be a bachelorette party song and dance," Beast Boy chuckles.

"Or maybe a big headdress Raven has to wear," Cyborg chuckles.

"While doing the song and dance," Robin adds with his own chuckle.

"I hope someone records it so we can see it later," you say before joining in on the laughter.

[cut to Raven]

With a crown of peacock feathers, meaning they're very long and make the crown unwieldy, Raven spins around on one leg like a ballerina, with Argent, Jinx and Bumblebee on the couch cracking up with laughter over her trying to sing the Tamaranian song, Ballad of the New Bride.

"See say~, say see~," Raven almost wails, "reli, reli, reli~, hew-jass~!"

"And echo," Starfire cues the others.

"Reli, reli, reli~," they say, trying not to lose it, "hew-jass~!"

Raven then stops spinning, switches feet, and hops, hops, then drops to her knees, throws her arms out wide and lifts her head. Starfire and the others applaud while Raven catches her breath.

"Wonderfully done, Raven!" Starfire says. "See? Argent is even wiping a tear from her eye!"

"Yeah, it was so lovely," Argent says with a bit of a giggle. "That's why I'm tearing up."

"It really was a lovely little ceremony, dear," Arella says as she brings tea on a tray from the kitchen area.

Arella sets the tea down on the table and everyone takes a cup.

"Are you sure I couldn't have sung the lyrics in English, though?" Raven asks Starfire.

"No, it loses much of the meaning in translation," Starfire says.

"Yes, hew-jass doesn't really translate well," Jinx says, which makes Argent almost snarf her drink.

Argent gives Jinx a playful nudge for making that joke.

"Besides," Starfire continues, "I already compromised with you on reducing the ceremonial outfit to just the crown."

"For the last time, that 'outfit' you showed me was more like a giant necklace!" Raven grumbles. "I don't care how shiny the chains or how sparkly the gems, rubber bands would cover more than that thing."

"Plus, it's still too cold right now," Argent says. "If this were a Spring or Summer wedding, it'd be different."

Now Jinx stifles a laugh and gives Argent a nudge, and Raven frowns at the two of them.

"And now," Starfire says, "we move on to the next portion of the ceremony. Agor Tisura Hog-Hog Grum!"

"Is there at least a loose translation for that?" Bumblebee asks.

"The best way to phrase it in English would be..." Starfire says while thinking about it. "Revelations from the Unrequited."

"Wait," Jinx says. "Unrequited as in...?"

"Yes," Starfire says, anticipating the question. "Unrequited love. As we Tamaranians are very passionate people, it is not uncommon for feelings of romantic love to be in various directions. I believe there is the tradition in human weddings of, 'whosoever objects, speak now or forever hold your tongue.' This is much like that, only done before the wedding ever begins so as not to have any interruptions that would ruin the sanctity of the moment."

"That's actually a rather smart concept," Arella says. "No need for there to be drama on the day of if you can have it out with someone days before."

"Well, count me out on this one," Bumblebee says while picking out a cupcake from the tray. "He is all yours, girl."

"Thank you, Bumblebee," Raven says.

With Starfire and Robin as a pairing, and Arella past dating, they're not going to have anything to say, either. Raven then stares down Jinx and Argent.

"Oh, right, sure," Jinx says, rolling her eyes but still blushing and sinking into her shoulders. "Like that's even an issue."

"Yeah," Argent says with a coy smile and her eyes looking up and to the left. "Already got that out of our systems, y'know?"

Raven's mouth twitches ever so slightly and a few seconds tick by.

"Wait..." Bumblebee says as she stops unwrapping the cupcake. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Bumblebee looks at Argent and Jinx, then at Raven, an eyebrow raised and a smirk starting to form.

"Well..." Argent says, her smile getting bigger and her eyes shifting to look at Bumblebee. "I don't know if this is what the 'revelation' part is about, but... It was early in the summer last year, at the Timberline Lodge in Oregon... For Rorek's birthday..."

Argent's smile is as coy and curled as it can be and Bumblebee is hooked on every word she's saying.

"Rorek, Raven, Jinx and I got really naughty in his hotel room!" Argent says quickly before letting out a squeal.

Jinx is bright red while Bumblebee gasps, and then Bumblebee drags out a long, "No...!"

"Raven, is that true?" Arella asks in surprise; not judgmental or disapproving, just pure surprise.

Raven is also very red, and she pouts while grumbling, "Yes..."

Bumblebee joins Argent in another squeal.

"Okay, I know we're having tea," she says, "but y'all gotta spill the tea, like right now!"

A) Have Argent tell the story
B) Have Raven tell the story

MegamanXfan21xx posted...

There's a Switch game by the devs of the recent Katamari games called "YEAH! YOU WANT 'THOSE GAMES,' RIGHT? SO HERE YOU GO! NOW, LET'S SEE YOU CLEAR THEM!" or just "Those Games" for short.

lmao that's hilarious.

sigh, rly busy again today. but Labor Day is a holiday so I should be able to get this.

bump, rly busy today

bump

B

You, your father and your grandfather all take in a deep breath through the noses, and let out satisfied exhales from your mouths.

"Smell that fresh mountain air," your father says.

"Been a long time since three generations of Null men have communed with nature, huh?" Grandfather Sixth says.

"I suppose so," you chuckle. "How about you lads?"

You look over at the green dog happily sniffing around all the trees and bushes. Then it changes back into Beast Boy and he has a big smile on his face.

"Oh, you know me," he says. "I'm always one with nature. It's these guys we'll have to worry about."

He nods over to Robin and Cyborg as they set down their things.

"Hey, I can 'commune' with nature," Robin says.

"Yeah right," Cyborg says. "Gotham's got like two trees, and they're both in Central Park."

"There's more than two trees," Robin says. "Along some of the streets, where the beautification program... Alright, fine, that's not nature. But like you 'commune' any better."

"Well, unlike y'all, I'm actually from here," Cyborg says. "My dad and I used to go camping quite a lot when I was younger. Plus, anything I need to figure out, I can just look it up."

Cyborg points to his head and smirks as you hear a technical whirring sound.

"Good hike up here," your father says. "Now, how about something to eat?"

"Yeah, definitely," Beast Boy says.

Everyone else looks at you.

"What?" you say. "This is my bachelor party, why'm I the one cooking?"

"Do you really trust one of us to make something?" Grandfather Sixth says.

"We brought food that was supposed to be easy to cook for that very reason," you say.

"Let's get a fire going before we decide what we make," your father says.

"That's even easier," Cyborg says as he sticks his pinkie up and produces a small flame from it.

"Now, now, we don't need to use technology for this," Sixth says. "We can make a fire on our own."

"Without magic?" the lads ask.

"N-No..." Sixth says with only a slight blush of embarrassment.

While your father gathers pieces of wood and some dry leaves, Sixth finds a couple rocks and manages to make a spark. The fire gets going with some gentle breaths, and now you can set up the grill.

Beast Boy's is easy, there's corn cobs to season and grill. But for you omnivores, you break out the...

A) Chicken
B) Beef
C) Ham