alright I've got to do some quick math to explain attitudes towards AI to my boss.
we're looking to create an AI policy, and when we were talking about this, my boss (older millennial) was genuinely shocked to hear that younger people do not (seem) to view AI positively (a la the recent commencement speakers being booed)
please rb for larger sample size!
Question 1/3
What is your age, and do you feel AI is a net positive or net negative in our lives today?
not an apologizer but a contextualizer. yes the character did that but please understand the Circumstance. yes they had other options but they had to make this choice in a sea of available bad choices. and also it made the narrative more interesting. won't anybody think about the narrative!!!!!
SYNOPSIS: After a tough day, Caine and Aries decide to take a moment to talk about their next plan to deal with Cassandra, not before having some fun!
TAGS: roommates / competitive prompt, lycan & vampire lore, banter / teasing, rivals, flirting, one-shot, fluff stuff, goofiness, a lot of talking
WC: 1,850
WARNINGS:
1. Descriptions of Body Transformation: Self-Explanatory, characters turn into creatures — !
AO3 | MASTERLIST | TOS / CARRD
A.N: this is for the @ocdynamicsweek !!! ^^ hope y'all enjoy some OCs lol.
Aries watched as the pebble bounced across the riverbed, eyes following it sink into the murk and mossy depths in ripple.
All the pressure building inside had been blazing in her head since morning, clusters of rot and cavities had made her snappy, frustrated. Everything was in complete disarray, nothing was simple — how could she deal with Cassandra? She couldn't be a leader, not right now.
An open wound of warm colors spilled into the setting sky and all she could do was watch with tired eyes. Her senses picked up at the sound of footsteps and yet, she remained still. Caine's scent was familiar, she tried to muster a polite greeting. "Hey."
He stepped beside her, "Hey." There was a tender tint of exhaustion in his voice. Despite his years of experience, he was just as rocked as Aries. "What are you doing so far out? Figured you'd be talking with your friends in the yard."
"Needed a break, this whole thing is getting to me."
"So why'd you take the job?"
She snorted, unsure. "Because I wanted to prove you wrong?"
Caine's eyes relaxed and instead of returning Aries with mockery, he smiled. "Well, I think you're getting off to a decent start. I mean, you stopped a fight today, that's pretty good."
Donovan nearly ripped Patt to pieces over a simple disagreement, I didn't fix anything. Aries said silently. She only shrugged.
Aries walked closer to the water, pressing her boot against a moss coated rock and tipping it into the cold, green-faced water. "Yeah, just barely. Everyone is so fucking tense because of Cassandra and the whole blending thing. I've never dealt with something like this before."
"Me neither." Caine added, "Look. I know I talk a big game in front of everyone and get on your ass the whole time, but I do think you're what we need. You know how to keep everyone in check, it's what you excel at."
Aries, flattered, focused her gaze on the long grass waving in the gentle breeze. Her hands fell into her pockets, "And what are you good at, Caine?"
"I dunno, planning? Figuring stuff out? I'm a knack at puzzles." he answered, almost bragging. His hand found his neck, " But, I'm no-good at talking like you are."
"Then why did you take the job?"
He paused. "I also wanted to prove you wrong."
"You're ridiculous." She snickered. "I am glad it's you though, I don't think I could keep everyone civil if I had to work with Adam."
As she walked down the shore, stopping by a sturdy tree. She ran her nails against the bark, Caine had a different approach and swiftly scaled up from its branches. He ran his fingers through his face, picking up his rogue curls. "Well, you're lucky Adam is less popular than me."
"You are not popular." Aries laughed.
Caine played with a leaf in his hands, "Okay, likeable."
"Most people tolerate you." Aries teased. "Smart, maybe. Likeable?" She whistled to help her point.
He clearly took offense. "That's the same as likeable for us, most vampires suck." Caine protested. "Maybe it's different for you but I'm like, Prince Charming to those guys."
"Well, that's a shame."
"Very funny." Caine swung down and landed on his feet, Aries met him with a smug expression. "You know, I'm trying to make you feel better."
Caine was a lot of things, self absorbed, rude and sensitive but he was a good friend. Aries didn't know their relationship could go further than pure civility. Now, he was staying with her and they'd have to deal with their groups falling into the tempting grasp that was Cassandra. Aries smiled, "Well, it's definitely working."
"Then my visit won't be in vain." He fixed his shirt collar. Then stopped, catching Aries' gaze. Her face followed, halting and slowly shifting into confusion.
Caine sighed, "We should talk. About what we're going to do . . . People are going missing, what if it reaches some of our friends? You know, Cassandra . . ."
"I know, I know." Aries said. Truthfully, she wanted the rest of the group to converse with but she'd feel overwhelmed, below them — Caine made everything easier to digest, as annoying as he could be.
"So? Are we gonna . . . " He reeled his hands back, as if her response was swimming in the air, ready for catching.
She looked at the setting sun, black treetops and fleeing songbirds filled the air. Aries turned back, directing her head towards the woodland. "Can we stretch our legs first?"
Excitement flocked in his gaze and it spread into a soft smile, Caine nodded and they both walked closer to the water. Aries could feel the sweet air brushing against her face, the schools of noises circling her and keeping her in a constant state of awareness.
A long and heavy breath grew in her throat, barreling the burdens of the day and finally leaving her body in a slow exhale that left her cooler than the approaching cover of night.
Shifting took a lot of strength, your body burns and contorts. It bends, grows and sharpens, destroying the flesh in favor of creeping fur, scales and teeth.
Most expect pain, but it was one of the most freeing experiences a Beastian can go through. This was them, bare for only the forest to see and keep secret in its ever-lasting song.
At a certain age, Aries learned how to avoid falling on her knees and clutch the earth. She could just shift and her eyes would find her second body. Her dark claws dipped into the water, kicking the rounded stones and pushing across the mud.
To her surprise, a large shadow flashed above her once she dove under, reeling up with soaked fur to see Caine gliding into the darkening forest. Something playful ringed in her head, she splashed and struggled across the river until her claws stabbed into the short grass.
She lunged through the land, swiftly avoiding fallen trunks and jagged tones plaguing the soaked hills. Aries could see Caine leaping from the trees, shrieking happily as he flapped his wings madly. Aries wasn't going to lose to a bat, especially not to Caine.
His pride echoed through the limbs of wood, "I guess all that work slowed you down! You've grown soft,"
Aries returned his pride with a cackle. She increased her pace, settling underneath his shadow. "I'm just going easy on you!"
"Yeah right!" Caine hissed playfully. It felt like he was swimming in the air and he kicked himself further, catching Aries by surprise. An amused growl crossed her throat and she tumbled down a scarred hill, catching herself with a huff.
The trees were growing thicker, preventing Caine from flying as quickly. He had to resort to his sharp movements, perfect for Aries to rush onto a hill and lunge. Splinters sprinkled into her face, catching a tree instead. She pulled her claws, continuing the chase.
Aries kept moving, her nose followed his trail until she scrambled into a clearing. Fireflies danced in the grass, leaves. She huffed, large chest heaving as she caught her breath. Her tail dropped, ears peeling back. She couldn't smell or hear him, "Caine?"
It was a blur. She fell onto her side. His long claws gripped her fur and she could feel his flat snout brushing against her throat. The wrestle was short, Aries had the giant bat underneath her in a heartbeat.
Her paws pressed against his giant wings without struggle, his laughs came out in squeaks.
"You really lost your touch." Caine said, tilting his head. Vampires looked ridiculous up close, big ears and tiny black eyes. In a moment, he was a man again.
Aries' claws morphed back into fingers, which remained fixed on his arms."I'm the one on top of you," she scowled. "Guess we're both slacking, huh?"
"I'm just going easy on you." Caine mocked. She forgot what they were supposed to talk about in the woods, her heart was still racing and she averted her gaze, embarrassed.
"Don't be a sore loser, Aries." Caine flicked a string of her hair, chuckling. She scoffed in return. "We can't be good at everything."
"Careful. I am letting you live in my house."
His eyes widened and he smiled, folding his arms. "Seriously? Now, I can't say anything about you? Sensitive much."
Aries plucked a leaf from his head, brushing it against his temple. "Yeah, so zip it."
"And I thought Adam was a handful." Caine's voice deepened, his eyes wandered around her face.
She whispered, "If you think this is a handful you might not be as strong as I thought."
Caine stared into her eyes, flashing his iconic smile. She could see his sharp teeth and it made her stomach jolt. "You're so pretty."
"Oh, shut up. You're trying to distract me." Aries flicked his forehead with a snort.
Caine raised his hands defensively, "I'm just telling the truth!"
They stood still for a few seconds. Caine grew handsy, she had to remind him to stay professional even with the creeping darkness of the woods covering their backs.
He touched her face. "Back on topic . . . " Caine said, distracted.
"Right." Breathlessly, she answered. "Almost forgot." She tapped his nose, resting her arms on his chest.
Caine sat up, tilting his head. Aries rubbed her neck, "I know you're worried about her getting to our friends, but, I think I know how to deal with it. I'm going to talk to her."
"What?" He blinked.
"Look, Cassandra isn't like anyone we've dealt with before. She isn't forcing anybody, she's minding her own business. I think we can be civil. I mean, she did help us before . . ."
Caine shook his head, raising his hand to stop. "Wait, you want to reason with Cassandra? Aries, are you crazy? She's dangerous and —"
"I know what I'm getting myself into. Like you said, I'm good with talking."
Caine tensed. "I didn't mean . . . You need to talk with the group about this, if you want to represent the neighborhood."
Aries bit her lip. If Adam or any of the group knew of her plan, they'd shut it down. Talking with Cassandra was out of the question, she hesitated. "I was hoping this could be a secret, between the both of us."
"Aries . . ." he rasped.
"Caine." She echoed, stern. "I know what I'm doing. I just need your help. That's all, I wouldn't be talking to you unless I wasn't sure. It's been on my mind for days, I want you to listen."
She grabbed his hand. “I trust you, Caine. You're my friend, okay?”
“You trust me?”
Aries nodded. Caine sunk his teeth into his bottom lip, doubt filled his brow.
There was a moment, Caine was silent and serious. His eyes flickered about, he was still close to her. Aries could smell cigarettes and soap swirling around, her eyes glanced down at his lips as she anticipated an answer. His hands curled, filling with dirt. "Okay . . ."
Caine laid back and Aries rolled onto her side, he nodded. "What's the plan?"
A.N: writing fangs stuff .. finally lol. Finished the prompt. Like 2 mins before midnight. Anyway sughggff
Just quit my job to draw aliens all day hahahahahaha /hj
I’m now realizing I haven’t posted about Delta Cider at ALLLL on here so. might as well start with the kids lmao. I swearrrr im writing an alien book series even tho I only have Ethan’s novel finished and and every time I go to open google docs to work on Agnes’ I open procreate instead 🥱 whoops
I’ll summarize the premise and shit later but for now just imagine a bunch of zesty teenagers trying to enjoy their youth except their home planet is ruled by a 600 year old dictator who hates diversity lmao
The sentences "Asexuals can still have sex" and "Aromantics can still date" need to go up on the high shelf for everyone except aces and aros talking about their own experiences. From now on, everyone else has to use the revolutionary new phrase "Asexuals and aromantics can do whatever the fuck they want forever."
