Carlos sat down next to his friends on the overly large picnic table. He suddenly felt bone-tired. Everyone's voices felt too loud. Audrey laughing at something Uma said, Harry taunting Chad inappropriately, Gil, Lonnie and Jay talking about sports, Jane, Evie and Doug talking about some ball, and Mal and Ben bickering quietly. He could feel the paparazzi's camera's glare on his skin and he felt like he was breathing manually. He curled up on himself slightly, and his three best friends immediately surrounded him.
"What's wrong?" came Jay's voice, close to his ear.
Carlos could feel Evie's hand on his back and Mal sitting in front of him to shield him from the cameras. He mumbled softly:
"Nothing, really... Just... got broken up with..."
Jay immediately started "Oh, that bi--"
"No! No, it was mutual. It was mutual, Jay."
"Shit, sorry."
"Do you wanna leave?" asked Evie, running a hand through Carlos's curls.
Carlos shook his head and grabbed a little sandwich.
"I'll be fine, probably take a little nap or something..." He suddenly chuckled. "Mal, I have just gained so much respect for you. I mean, you do twice the things we do and you're doing fine!"
"Fine is debatable, squirt. I also find myself in frequent need of naps-"
"Jay, stop acting as me!" Mal said with a laugh.
From slightly far away, Ben watched them talk. He was confused and a little upset. They were all laughing, carefree... But when he would join them later, he knew they'd all look uncomfortable, and everyone but Mal would dip. And even then, she didn't really enjoy his presence anymore. Was he being childish? But surprisingly, what hurt the most was Carlos's reaction. Since that morning, Carlos had been avoiding him. He wasn't blind, he noticed that he left to look for Jay just as he stepped out. And how he had reacted in the car...
But now he was laughing. He knows he should be happy for him and how he's doing better, but he couldn't help but feel a little jealous. After all, Carlos was always there to make him feel better, and Ben couldn't even return the favour.
"Ben!" Jay's voice rang out from the other side of the Enchanted Lake. "Come race in a swim!"
Ben laughed.
"To be clear, we are competing for second place, right? We have a literal octopus mer-maiden with us!"
Uma smirked and jumped up to ruffle Ben's hair.
"Of course, your King-ness."
Carlos watched their interaction with a smile. It still felt crazy to think that only a few years ago, Uma had kidnapped Ben and almost fed him to sharks...
Carlos suddenly frowned. Ben had gotten kidnapped and almost killed by Uma. Ben had been turned into a beast and suffered from a chronic pain in his wrist because of Audrey. Ben had been drugged by Mal. How was he still so chill around those women? Carlos suddenly found himself staring at Ben intently, trying to figure out if he was hiding under a facade, even after all this time.
But his expression softened when he saw Ben looking up at him with worry, and he flashed him a smile and a wave.
He wasn't aware that Ben turned around very quickly because he felt a kind of pain right near his heart.
Woo! This was a doozy to write. I do love me some Ben thoughts. And addressing how fucked up his life has been. And giving him chronic pain on the wrist because I'm evil.
There might not be updates soon because I have a job now. With children. And it's hella energy consuming.
Either way, I think Ben and Carlos will interact in the next chapter. But who knows!
Ooh, and check out Lonnie's legal name I came up with :)
Li Jianlan 李涧蘭
Li Shang's Surname
Jian, meaning mountain stream
Lan, meaning magnolia, MuLan's same character
Li, Magnolia of the Mountain Stream. She just goes by Lonnie cuz Auradon's white asf. As a white person myself.
Rdr2 faithfuls we need to discuss what "I'm a good boy, I wash" means
- how would washing make him more of a good boy
- why would he think that it would make Arthur, a man he just robbed, like him more
What am I not getting
Btw it's completely fine to be like "Meghan U idiot this is so obvious" but if you do that it's illegal to not follow up with the why. Ya girl's gotta know I have a conundrum
{Excerpt from Killjoy’s movie night recordings, Valorant database}
[00:27:58] >------|------------------------<
Killjoy: Dear Lord, there’s no way these people are scientists.
Raze: Not everyone thinks like you, linda.
Chamber: Wrong. Scientists have some kind of reasoning that goes for every step of their daily lives. I need to formulate all the time.
Killjoy: I do calculus even for our movie sessions.
Phoenix: …And you’re sure you aren’t autistic, right?
Toxic - Yael Naim
To reach a scientifically approved and proven conclusion, a method must be followed. This is what validates scientific production as factual knowledge in any field.
The scientific method is based on five general steps: Observation, Hypothesis, Experimentation, Analysis and Conclusion.
At the moment, Chamber was using a scientific approach to get closer to Viper, his target. He assumed he would have to do this research from scratch, considering how much she had changed in the years they had been apart. So he had spent the last few days observing and formulating hypotheses about his subject.
Like any child of the 21st century, Chamber researched Viper on social media. She didn't have Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat, or even an inactive Facebook account. Lacking the usual information, Chamber sought out the scientist's academic career, where he had plenty of sources, both on LinkedIn and Google Scholar. She had published several articles and theses, making Chamber wonder if she ever slept. Sleepless nights were the only way to explain how she had time to produce so much. He researched some of her publications, becoming more surprised with each new page. Exceeding all his expectations, Viper wasn't just brilliant. Her brain was so extraordinarily brilliant it was actually quite a turn-on.
The extraordinary beginning of her academic career already demonstrated how promising she was. Her initial graduation was in biomedicine, specializing in toxicology. Her thesis for this degree was based on the use of snake venom for experimental cancer treatment. This thesis led to the development of drugs that slowed the spread of cancer cells, which were approved for use a few years ago.
Her master's thesis in chemical engineering focused on the use of poisonous flowers affected by radianite in the recovery of patients undergoing chemotherapy. Along with her previous research, the chances of patients recovering increased by 60%, even in the most severe cases.
However, what made Chamber feel like a Neanderthal was her doctorate in biochemistry. Using knowledge from past experiences, as well as several years of applied research, Viper wrote her thesis on the use of radianite in neuronal recovery in patients with severe neurodegeneration.
She wasn't just curing cancer. She wanted to reverse Alzheimer's.
1st hypothesis: Viper was interesting.
It wasn't exactly a hypothesis. But the statement could be explored further. After all, as a researcher, Chamber knew full well that the final product presented there was only a fraction of all the work she'd done. He imagined how many useless articles she'd read, failed experiments, and the desperation of meeting deadlines and targets. He wanted to know why she'd begun her research and how it was to develop it. Chamber wanted to discuss some of her controversial propositions, with which he didn't fully agree.
It wasn't just her scientific side that made her interesting. Chamber, observing her, noticed how agents who seemed to have nothing to do with her approached her. He wondered how long her relationship with Brimstone had lasted for them to demonstrate such complicity. He noticed that the barbs she exchanged with Reyna were passive-aggressive, as if they had a relationship that went beyond what they showed to the other agents. And she actively conversed with Sova.
He wasn't jealous of the Russian agent. If he hadn't had that fixation on Viper, Sova would probably be on the list of people he'd actually flirt with in the Protocol.
Chamber envied Sova because Viper talked to him.
And all the Frenchman wanted was to be able to talk to her.
He had spent the days in the shared lab sending a "Bonjour" to her and being ignored, when he wasn't met with a brief skeptical glance. On missions, he received silence or monosyllabic answers. The only place Viper spoke to him more was in the portal workshop. There, he would discuss her theories, and she would respond aggressively or mockingly.
Her attitude led him to the next hypothesis.
2nd hypothesis: Viper didn't like being the center of attention.
In his research, he realized that Viper avoided giving live lectures at all costs. When she couldn't escape, she would read a text and then leave the scene as quickly as possible. She kept her head down at all times, almost never revealing her face to the cameras.
She didn't join the agents, practically hiding in the lab. Usually, the others came to her to initiate contact.
And this hypothesis led to a sub-hypothesis.
Sub-hypothesis "a": Viper didn't know how to give or receive compliments
He realized this after twice commenting on how great her chemical engineering work was, and her replying with, "Shut up and focus on your mission, Chamber." Killjoy, on one of those occasions, agreed with him, and Viper changed the subject. The same thing happened in combat.
On the other hand, when she praised other agents, which was rare, it was almost dismissive. As if she never wanted to show vulnerability.
These two scenarios made Chamber's life much more difficult. He loved being the center of attention, and it was hard for him to understand how anyone wouldn't like it. Especially someone as unique as Viper. She was beautiful and brilliant, almost too good to be true. All Chamber wanted was to shout for the world to hear how incredible that woman was. And he would spend all day admiring her beauty, if she would let him.
So, considering hypothesis 2 and its subhypothesis, Chamber chose to give her space. While they were sharing the lab, he maintained silence, as promised. And he tried very hard not to compliment her every five minutes on some attribute he liked about her.
But that would still give him convulsions. For Chamber, a chatter by nature, staying quiet when someone so supposedly special was around was a superhuman effort. No amount of radianite in the world would make him strong enough to endure it for long.
At the moment, the French agent was in the lab, alone with his thoughts. Viper was rarely absent, at least gracing him with her presence. She always arrived before him and left before him. This delay was unusual. Her routine in the Protocol led him to more hypotheses.
3rd hypothesis: Viper was extremely attached to her routine
And he made other hypotheses to explain this one. There was one that he found plausible, but unlikely.
Sub-hypothesis "a": Viper was autistic
She was extremely methodical, and her research could be considered her hyperfocus. She definitely didn't appreciate a lot of noise. However, she didn't seem overstimulated by various sounds in the environment. Despite not handling human relationships very well, Viper was very ironic and sarcastic. These and other aspects made this sub-hypothesis somewhat less likely, but Chamber kept it in mind just in case.
Sub-hypothesis "b": Viper had OCD
Chamber found this subhypothesis more plausible and likely. It would justify her obsession with schedules, deadlines, and goals. Viper was noticeably more stressed than usual when things were beyond her control. And her side of the lab was impeccable. Chamber thought the snakes' terrariums were better maintained than he was. And he was very clean.
Still had Chamber's favorite sub-hypothesis, which made him chuckle with himself when he thought about it.
Sub-hypothesis "c": Viper was simply goody-goody.
He imagined Viper younger, wanting to be the top girl in class. An old habit she could have carried into life. Chamber liked this sub-hypothesis because it gave the bioterrorist a cuter air.
He was sketching out a new weapon design while calculating how long he could hold out before going after Viper. He'd been here an hour, and so far, nothing from the other one.
Until she entered the lab, carrying a large glass terrarium with a green snake inside. Chamber turned to her, putting down his pencil.
- Bonjour, mademoiselle.- He said, following her with his eyes, relieved that she had arrived. She placed the terrarium on her table, walking towards the other terrariums next. - You're late...
- Not today, Chamber. - She said hurriedly, opening a refrigerator near the terrariums and taking something from it. The Frenchman swiveled his rolling chair, watching her movements. She picked up a limp mouse and walked over to her desk. Viper opened the terrarium and picked up the mouse with tweezers, offering it to the snake. Chamber leaned in, trying to see what was happening. - Come on… - She murmured.
Chamber tilted his head, studying her. He had forgotten to point out a hypothesis, which wasn't even a hypothesis, since it was so obviously factual.
Fact: Viper liked snakes.
He'd seen her catch the snakes a few times. Sometimes she'd let one that was completely black hang around her neck while she worked on the computer. It was terrifyingly sexy.
- Stupid reptile! - She said after a moment, irritated. - You're going to kill yourself, and I won't do anything to stop it. - The last sentence came out as a snort, as if she were trying to force the snake to react through emotional blackmail. She rested her head on the edge of the terrarium, eyeing the animal carefully.
Chamber studied her. Apparently, she was worried about the snake. Would it be wrong to take advantage of her momentary vulnerability to get closer?
He didn't question the morality of the matter, appearing beside Viper as if he had teleported there.
- What's the matter? - To Chamber's delight, Viper was too disheartened to immediately adopt a defensive posture due to his proximity. She remained silent, never taking her eyes off the snake, dangling the mouse near her. - She doesn't want to eat?
Chamber watched the two for a moment and thought for a moment. He left the lab, heading for another, filled with support agents. He remembered that support agents had received deliveries of mice for radianite experiments that week. He went to one of the boxes containing the unused rodents and picked one up, saying he would use it for his own experiment.
Chamber left the lab and looked at the mouse, sighing.
- It's for the greater good. - He whispered, squeezing the mouse in his hand. He ignored the animal's squeaks and the sensation of crushing a living being in his palm. Until the mouse stopped moving, limp. Chamber opened his hand, checking to see if it was dead. - Désolé.
He walked back into the lab, his hand behind his back, standing next to Viper. She hadn't moved, having simply left the mouse on a rock in the terrarium.
- Can I try?
Viper glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, raising an eyebrow suspiciously. The Frenchman smiled in response.
- Please?
The American looked from him to the snake and shrugged, handing it the pincers. She backed away slightly, crossing her arms. Chamber could tell from her look that she was just stalling for time to weave a mishmash of ironic comments and insults.
The Frenchman picked up the mouse with the tweezers and brought it closer to the snake. The animal turned toward the mouse, flicking her tongue out a few times. Chamber held the mouse close and tried hard not to instinctively pull away as the snake lunged at its prey, then curled up to eat.
Viper couldn't help but part her lips, approaching the terrarium, watching the snake eat. She turned to Chamber, who wore a victorious smile.
- Since when do you understand about snakes? - She raised an eyebrow, questioning him with her gaze.
The Frenchman shrugged, clasping his hands behind his back.
- I had a friend in the army who had a boa as an emotional support animal. - Chamber never thought he'd thank his strange colleague for bringing a snake into their barracks. He made a mental note to send him a gift later. - She wouldn't eat the usual refrigerator mice for a while. We found her a few weeks later swallowing half a dead rat. - Chamber looked at the snake in Viper's terrarium. - Maybe she just wanted to change the menu.
Viper pressed her lips together, never taking her eyes off Chamber. He noticed her nails digging into her arms, seemingly irritated. He was about to walk away to his side of the lab when she spoke.
- Thanks.
This was Chamber's turn to be flabbergasted. He was going to give a Porsche to the guy who made him know that about snakes.
He smiled, tilting his head to the side.
- At your service, mademoiselle. - Viper was apparently a little more receptive. He could test his luck. - And, what's this lady's name? - He nodded at the snake, resting his hand on Viper's desk.
The American hesitated for a moment, but answered.
- Caladium.
- Caladium… - He repeated, struggling to make some connection with the name. It sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. However, he still had to make the subject stick somehow. - What species is it?
Viper shifted her weight from leg to leg, running her hands over his arms.
The scientist narrowed her eyes, considering whether to respond directly or be ironic.
- Her defense system is based on curling up her body into herself. Like a ball.
Chamber smiled again, noticing Viper's posture, arms wrapped around herself. Apparently, animals imitate their owners. Or vice versa.
- Cool. - He looked at the snake, which was now digesting. - She looks cute.
Viper nodded slowly and made to walk around the table. Chamber stepped forward.
- And the others? What are their names?
The American frowned, looking at him suspiciously.
- Are you a snake lover now? - She raised an eyebrow, almost in defiance.
"Well, I can be a Viper's lover if you want." He tried hard not to blurt out the comment, shaking his head.
- I prefer cats, actually. - He spoke sincerely, then looked toward the other terrariums. - But you never introduced me to our lab mates.
Viper glared at him, closing Caladium's terrarium.
- They're just snakes.
- Oh, Viper… - Chamber complained, walking toward her. Viper gave him a disapproving look, forcing him to keep a safe distance. He had a quick flashback to how the python had snatched the mouse minutes earlier and thought Viper would do the same. He wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing. He decided not to risk it. - I saved your snake from starving to death. Go on. Tell me about them.
Viper glared at Chamber, but then looked away to the terrariums. He thought she was going to turn him down and he'd have to insist even more, but she exhaled. Viper walked over to the terrariums, standing next to them.
- Curie. - She pointed to a green snake, then clasped her hands behind her back.
Chamber caught the reference this time. Marie Curie. It was obvious. He smiled, walking toward her.
- Every scientist has something about her. - He approached the terrarium, tilting his head to the side. - Oh, she's cute too.
Viper gave a small smile, crossing her arms.
- She’s a Boomslang. Her venom makes you bleed from your pores. - Chamber stepped away automatically. - I have to be very careful when cleaning her house. It would be terrible if I left this open, don't you think?
The Frenchman swallowed dry, before turning to Viper.
- There must be an antidote, non?
- Umm… - The American woman pouted thoughtfully. Chamber loved her expression enough to forget he was terrified. - You know I don't remember? - Just then, another snake, one with white scales, lunged at the glass of the terrarium, heading toward Chamber. The thud of the snake's impact against the glass caught him off guard. Chamber jumped back. Viper exhaled, as if laughing. - That's Lilith. She's always angry.
- Notable… - Chamber commented, observing the glass of her terrarium with liquid dripping into it. - Is that poison?
- Uhum… - Viper nodded, scratching her eyebrow. - She's a king cobra. She's always trying to blind someone.
Chamber nodded slowly, turning to a seemingly less vicious serpent.
- And this one? - He leaned toward her, eyeing the snake with prominent yellow scales. - It looks like it has eyelashes. -He smiled, amused by her peculiar appearance.
Viper gave a small smile, looking at the snake too.
- She's an Eyelash Viper. Her "eyelashes" are scales. Her name is Mustard.
Chamber turned to Viper, raising his eyebrows. Did Viper have that kind of sense of humor?
- Because she looks like mustard?
- Because her venom has an effect similar to the mustard gas.
- Ouh... - He blinked and turned to another snake as beautiful as the previous one, with bright blue scales. - And this pretty one here?
- Ah, the show-off… - Viper said with amusement, standing next to Chamber. The blue snake moved as if posing for a photo, highlighting her best features. - It's an Indonesian Pit Viper. Cyanide. - She glanced at Chamber sideways, giving a smirk. - Because of the cyanide.
- She's beautiful... - Chamber commented, almost hypnotized by the snake's beauty.
- She is… - Viper nodded and put her hands in her lab coat pockets, turning to a green snake in another terrarium, resting on a tree branch. - This one's from the same family as Caladium. It's a green tree python. Her name is Chrysolite. - Chamber looked at the other snake, and she flinched when she noticed his gaze. - Unlike the show-off, this one is shy. - Viper commented, amused by the snake's reaction.
- Own...
Viper looked at Chamber and smirked, pointing to the last terrariums.
- This is the Trinity. Black Hole, Black Jack and Jack Daniel.
Chamber smiled, eyeing the snakes curiously. They didn't look similar.
- Why Trinity?
- Black Hole is a black mamba and Black Jack is a black Mexican kingsnake. Both species prey other snakes. They came to me together and almost killed each other. - Viper explained, looking at the snakes. - Jack Daniel came with them and never realized he's a smaller snake. He's also trying to get into the fight. He'll definitely kill himself someday.
Chamber gave a light laugh, looking at each of the snakes in turn, considering an idea that had occurred to him.
- Which one is the least bad for me to hold?
Viper raised her eyebrows in surprise.
- Try Lilith. Since you're talented as a snake charmer. - Viper said as she bent down, opening Jack Daniel's terrarium.
- I guess it was beginner's luck. - Chamber tilted her head to the side, looking at Viper. He wanted to ask if he was succeeding in charming that snake, but the comment might go down badly. He wasn't going to risk it on a day when Viper was so open to dialogue.
Viper stood up, holding Jack Daniel's in her hands. The small snake has an orange color, the color of whiskey.
- Keep your hands open and follow his movements. Avoid sudden movements, okay? - She offered him the snake.
Chamber took a deep breath before picking up the snake. He hadn't expected it to go this far for a woman, but... There he was.
And... He thought it was cool. Jack Daniel's was soft and moved playfully in his hand. He smiled, watching his moves.
- It feels... Strange. - He said, letting the snake move between his hands, instinctively following where he wanted to go.
- It's a bit the first time, but you get used to it. - Viper gave a small smile, looking at the snake. She touched the tip of Jack Daniel's snout with her fingertip. - Boop.
Chamber glanced at Viper, who was watching Jack Daniel's movements. The American woman's features were softened in a way Chamber had never seen while in Protocol.
Her lips were always pressed together, ever alert. Now, her mouth, beautifully defined by wine-colored lipstick, formed a tiny smile. He noticed that her smile created small dimples at the corners of her lips.
And then there were her eyes. Viper had breathtaking, vivid green eyes. They were two mesmerizing emeralds, and now they held a calmness. Chamber liked Viper's serene gaze much more than the usual fury she instilled in them. Viper's anger was attractive, but nothing could compare to her peace.
Chamber didn't even realize he was lost in that gaze, and his legs nearly buckled when she turned to him. What wouldn't he do to have those eyes looking at him like that every day? With serenity and... joy?
- He's trying to eat you.
While admiring Viper, the snake bit Chamber's hand. He didn't notice it until the other commented, then he felt the unpleasant pinch.
He looked at Jack Daniel and blinked twice, trying to regain his wits.
- Ouch. - He said finally.
Viper nodded and walked away, much to Chamber's displeasure.
- He has venom, but it's harmless to humans. He must be hungry.
The American woman went to the refrigerator, getting something for the snake to eat. Chamber watched her go and sighed.
Nina Aquila: Legal Eagle Chapter IV is due out soon
Nina Aquila: Legal Eagle Chapter IV for the detective visual novel game is coming to Linux, Steam Deck, and Windows PC. Thanks again to the awesome devs at Tanuki-sama Studios for bringing us the good stuff. Which is due to find its way onto Steam and itch.
If you’ve been following the Legal Eagle series, get ready — things are about to get wild. The indie devs over at Tanuki-sama Studios (TSS) just released some exciting updates about Nina Aquila: Legal Eagle Chapter IV: Sacred Feathers, and it looks like we’re in for the most intense case yet on Linux and Steam Deck.
First off, TSS has totally refreshed the detective visual novel game’s Steam and Itch.io pages, which usually means one thing: a release date is coming soon. And to get us all ready, they have a brand-new story summary that’s full of hints.
So, where are we in the Nina Aquila: Legal Eagle Chapter IV story? It’s been a few months since Nina wrapped up that high-speed courtroom drama with the Rostro Racers. Now, Fledge City is buzzing about a new season of Valkyrie: Sacred Feathers, a super popular magical girl streaming show. But things take a dark twist when the lead actress, Millia Nordin, ends up accused of murder — and she has no idea how it even happened.
Nina steps in to defend Millia, but this isn’t your average courtroom case. Strange stuff starts happening all over Fledge City — people are disappearing, explosions are going off, and there are even reports of monsters lurking in the shadows. Yeah, this case is way deeper than it first seemed.
"Sacred Feathers" | Nina Aquila: Legal Eagle Chapter IV Teaser
Meanwhile, out in the wastelands north of the city, a biker gang is going missing one by one. A lone rider decides to head south, looking for someone who can help her figure out what’s going on. That path? It’s about to lead her straight into Nina’s world.
As all these events start crashing together, Nina has to dig deep and face more than just legal trouble. With mysterious forces at work and the line between fantasy and reality getting blurry, she’ll need to bring all her skills. And maybe a little magic to save the day.
Nina Aquila: Legal Eagle Chapter IV promises mystery, action, courtroom drama, and yes — sparkly, sparkly magical girls. Whether you're here for the story, the puzzles, or just to see Nina show her skills in court again. This chapter’s shaping up to be the biggest yet.
Feathers will fly, secrets will be revealed, and Fledge City may never be the same again. Nina Aquila: Legal Eagle Chapter IV is a complete detective visual novel game, to be sold on Steam and itch, that acts as the sequel to the prior release, that's named “Season One”, which contained Chapters 1-3. Coming to Linux, Steam Deck, and Windows PC. The release date is TBD.
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