if in exchange for your time

On a lighter note: geography fail.

2009-08-14T02:20:44Z

"Kuwait until you find you where they think Iraq is."

If nothing else, go for the comments, if you enjoy good bad puns.

[fic list]

2009-06-30T06:31:58Z

Stargate: Atlantis

Domesticity is Not an Art Form [NYC AU, John/Rodney]
Like Russia in Winter [NYC AU, John/Rodney]
Untitled [canon (The Return, pt.1), John/Rodney, incomplete]
Untitled 2 [Master & Commander AU, gen, incomplete]
The Ground in White and Grey [Dream Boy-inspired AU, John/Rodney, incomplete]

Prince of Tennis

Untitled Shishido drabbles [canon, gen]
How to Avoid an International Incident [crack, Niou/Yagyuu]
some weird, untitled Hyoutei-centric thing [canon, crack, gen, incomplete]

Potentially embarrassing things

Mixed Nuts: Iranian Conflict [RPS crack, Steve Naghavi/Anderson Cooper, drunk!fic -- as in, I was drunk when I wrote this]

--

I was clearing out my memories, and for the sake of consolidation decided to make a post for these. I will likely regret doing this in the morning, but right now I'm driven by lack of sleep and it seems like a good idea. Please note that, more or less, most of these are a couple years old now.

I write such bizarre stories.

[spring 2009] classes

2009-01-28T14:32:29Z

Here is my schedule, which I'm rather pleased with. I may suffer academic death, as per, but it will be a great way to go.

MONDAY

11:00 - 12:15 Introduction to Archeology
13:15 - 14:30 Greek Sanctuaries
14:40 - 15:55 Latin: Tacitus

TUESDAY

09:00 - 09:50 Beginning Yoga
11:00 - 11:50 Ballroom Dance
13:15 - 15:55 The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

WEDNESDAY

11:00 - 12:15 Introduction to Archeology
13:15 - 14:30 Greek Sanctuaries
14:40 - 15:55 Latin: Tacitus

THURSDAY

09:00 - 09:50 Beginning Yoga
11:00 - 11:50 Ballroom Dance

FRIDAY

Nothing, so far!

Greek will go somewhere in there, but I don't know when yet. We're reading the Odyssey and Philoctetes this semester, which I'm actually looking forward to (I am usually a prose ho).

Also, body, you know what would be fantastic? Sleeping for more than three hours at time, or, you know, not sneezing. I'll take either right now.

Check out these fucking artichokes.

2008-10-17T18:43:15Z

So close to being back in the realm of the living. Just have to study for and take my Greek test by tomorrow. I was actually kinda proud of the paper I handed in this morning, which is rare for an English paper despite that being my minor (I am overly critical of my writing forever, even when I make As); let's hope it doesn't go down in flames. I'm also in that state of exhaustion where everything is hilarious, minus the phone call I got this morning.

2-for-1 meme deal!

Leave me an anonymous comment pouring your heart out. Say anything. Tell me your stories, your secrets, those things no one ever asks but you wish to tell. Tell me about your love, your hate, your indifference, your joy. Tell me about what's inside of you when you're reading through these entries on your friends list, and tell me why you continue to come back here. Tell me anything. Tell me what you really think of me or yourself. Anything.

Post anonymously. Speak honestly. Post as many times as you like.

AIDS walk.

2008-05-24T03:53:40Z

I decided yesterday to participate in this year's AIDS Walk in Boston. I don't normally make posts like this, but since I am terrible at fundraising for the most part, if anyone reading this is feeling particularly generous and would like to help a good cause, you can sponsor me here. Any bit helps; and if you're feeling particularly generous and wish to pass on the link that would be greatly appreciated as well.

let's give this a try

2008-01-21T14:03:37Z

taken off of flimsy:

Leave me an anonymous comment pouring your heart out. Say anything. Tell me your stories, your secrets, those things no one ever asks but you wish to tell. Tell me about your love, your hate, your indifference, your joy. Tell me about what's inside of you when you're reading through these entries on your friends list, and tell me why you continue to come back here. Tell me anything. Tell me what you really think of me or yourself. Anything.

Post anonymously. Speak honestly. Post as many times as you like.

Also screened in case you don't want it to be seen by others.

[fic] more McShep; wc: ~3000

2007-11-05T03:40:51Z

Title: Like Russia in the Winter
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Do not own nor claim to own.
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Warnings: Established relationship.
Summary: John and Rodney pick Teyla and Ronon up from the airport.
Notes: Part of the NYC AU.

The drive to JFK during rush hour was as futile a battle as trying to invade Russia in the winter without the assurance of a quick and painless death. Rodney could be holed up in his favorite coffee shop right now working on something of actual importance instead of stuck in the passenger seat as John put both their lives in peril to cut across two lanes of traffic so they wouldn't miss their exit. And this was all for someone he didn't even know.

"Let's go over this one more time. You invited some chick you picked up months ago in Athens to stay with us for the weekend?"

John didn't even have the decency to look apologetic. He just slouched in his seat, one hand on the wheel, eyes hidden behind his pair of aviator sunglasses. "Her name is Teyla and I met her at a dig site."

"That doesn't make her any less of a floozy and you any less of a man whore," Rodney grumbled.

The truck came precariously close to the guard rail as they squeezed through the maze of roadwork going on and Rodney felt a few months come off his life. John, however, seemed not the least bit phased. "She's an archaeologist and works for the British Museum."

Rodney narrowed his eyes and watched suspiciously as a Buick tried to cut in front of them. "So you keep claiming. For all you know she could be an ax murderer."

"She does have to go through airport security, you know." John shifted gears and sped up. "And it's not like we make it a habit to keep convenient axes for murdering laying around the apartment."

"She could use the ice pick." Then Rodney's mind turned toward their fully stocked kitchen and all the tools for his untimely demise. "Or, oh God, that knife set, I told you we should have returned it. Then there's the frying pans, or she could throw the toaster in the shower with me."

It wasn't something he needed to see to know that John had rolled his eyes at him. "The bathroom door locks, remember?"

Rodney folded his arms across his chest. "Yes, and I also remember that the time you locked it you had to play Spiderman in a towel and crawl onto the fire escape so I could let you back in the building from the roof."

John sat up a little straighter, glancing at Rodney for a split second, putting his eyes back on the road before Rodney had the chance to tell him to do so. "I fixed it."

"Like how you fixed the stereo?"

John frowned. "I thought we weren't going to talk about that one anymore."

Rodney dug between the cassette tapes in the glove compartment to find spare change for the toll. "We're not, I'm just making a point -- that you invited a stranger into our home and it's going to get me killed."

John steered into the "Cash Only" lane and waited, letting the Ranger roll forward as they crept toward the booth, not bothering to put his hands on the wheel. "She's not a stranger. I've kept up regular correspondence with her. She's the one who sent that link for Latin Battleship."

Rodney rolled his eyes. "Oh yes, because after a few e-mails you know everything about each other."

John quirked an eyebrow and looked at him as they moved another few feet forward. "Didn't you meet Zelenka through a web forum?"

"That is an entirely different situation. I had to respond to him since his theory about the limestone dating was completely full of holes and it's my duty to keep the misinformation from spreading. Besides, I didn't invite him to stay with us."

John handed the money to the attendant and pulled through to merge back onto the highway. “Yeah, but you did lose that bookshelf to him in a game of street chess upon the whole face-to-face meeting thing.”

Rodney mentally grimaced and shifted his seatbelt so it was more securely across his chest as John started to weave through traffic. “I was having an off day and I won it back three weeks later.”

“But who plays, well, any stakes chess?”

A car in the next lane honked and Rodney used creative sign language to avoid adding to the air pollution. John sped up a little more. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about the time you and Lorne threw money away on the turtle race guy.”

“He was cool.”

“You were betting on turtle races.”

“You’re just sore I didn’t pick the turtle you told me to.”

"Oh please. Not that it mattered since that race was rigged." Rodney still maintained Turtlus Maximus should have won; John had put his money on the less creatively named Sophia Loren.

"How do you rig a turtle race?"

Rodney shrugged. There had to be a way since theoretically you could cheat at anything, or anything where Rodney lost at any rate. "How should I know? I'm not the man with a box of turtles hustling foolish people out of their money."

There was a slight furrow to his brows as John seemed to consider something for a moment then said, "I think his name was Steve."

Rodney rolled his eyes. "That's not the point. Carson's turtle won and he was sane enough to not bet on it."

John glanced over his shoulder and merged over as the signs started to welcome them to JFK. "Missed out on a good fifty dollars."

"Maybe he knows how to rig a turtle race. He's the biologist."

"He's a neurosurgeon."

With a wave of his hand Rodney dismissed the distinction. "It's all the same to those people."

"Keep an eye out for parking."

Rodney frowned. "Why do we need to park? She can just hop in at the terminal."

"I told Teyla we'd meet her at baggage claim."

"Why? We're hard to miss."

John made a face. "Rodney," he said warningly.

"Fine, fine. There's a sign for hourly parking."

"And one for a Kiss and Fly."

Rodney made a face. "Sounds like a breeding ground for herpes."

John pulled off his sunglasses and clipped them to his shirt as they pulled into a tiered parking garage. "I think it's supposed to be romantic."

"What, don't they still allow blowjobs on the plane?" Rodney tried to avoid flying when he could since it made him motion sick. John liked it though, so he couldn't stay out of the air entirely, though they had given up on going for the high altitude sex after the third disastrous attempt. "I wonder if that breaks the three ounces of liquid rule."

"Maybe if you don't swallow," John said absently, attention focused on trying to wedge the truck into a space between two SUVs. "C'mon, we've got an hour."

Rodney sighed as he got out. "Seriously, why didn't you just have her take the subway to Grand Central? She's from London. They know how to color code."

John ran a hand through his hair and stretched languidly before he started taking long strides toward the terminals. "Stop complaining. We're here now."

Rodney hurried a few steps to catch up and fell in beside him. "Hours later. Wasting my valuable time."

John let him enter first as the automatic doors slid open. "You could've stayed at home."

Rodney snorted. "And let you meet your tawdry mistress alone? I think not."

John started toward the baggage claim area, pausing every so often between conveyors to stand on his toes and survey the crowd. "She and I will just have to save the reunion make out session until later then."

Rodney made a face. "Very funny."

"There she is. Teyla!"

A woman with long brown hair and an olive skinned complexion turned toward them, a wide smile lighting her face as soon as she spotted John. It was easy to recognize her from the pictures John had brought back, though now she was dressed in a patterned flowing skirt and a tight laced top. It was all very bohemian. Rodney wondered if she was a hippie.

"It is good to see you, John." She clasped hands with him warmly and Rodney's fingers twitched. She then turned her attention toward Rodney, finally breaking off the physical contact. "And you must be Rodney. John has told me much about you."

Rodney crossed his arms over his chest to warrant off any unnecessary introduction."Oh did he now?"

Teyla didn't seem bothered in the least. "Yes. He tells me you do excellent work and from what I have seen I am inclined to agree. There are a few things I would like to consult you on while I am here."

Rodney lifted his chin and puffed up proudly. At least she wasn't stupid. "So he tells me you're an archaeologist." Out of the corner of his eye he saw John shake his head.

"Yes, but let us speak of that later." She took a step back and regarded both of them, though she mostly addressed John. "I have brought a friend with me. I hope you do not mind."

"Oh sure, the more the merrier," John said before Rodney had the chance to reply.

With that she glanced over her shoulder and waved someone over.

Rodney wasn't sure how he had missed the man the first time, considering he was over six feet tall and had dreadlocks -- definitely a hippie he decided. He wore a muscle shirt and what he almost suspected to be leather pants as he came toward them. He looked built to take out a roomful of marines and not even break a sweat. A vague part of his mind thought he should be reassured that she had brought her own male along, but holy crap that guy looked like he could snap Rodney in two if so inclined.

John on the other hand broke into a wide grin. "Hey, Buddy."

'Buddy' then proceeded to pull John into a crushing bear hug, John's grin echoed in his own. "Good to see you again Sheppard."

Teyla seemed pleased as she watched on with approval. Rodney eyed the newcomer warily and thought this was one of those situations where nature shows would tell you to walk quietly and carry a big stick. Rodney didn't have a stick with him though and he was never quiet, so instead he asked snidely, "Who are you?"

The other's expression turned serious as he sized Rodney up from head to toe. Maybe Teyla wasn't the ax murderer herself but she kept one in her collection. "Ronon Dex, FBI," he said gruffly.

Rodney took an involuntarily step back. "Seriously?"

"Wanna find out?"

"Is this one of those situations where if you tell me you'll have to kill me?"

Ronon shrugged noncommittally. "Guess it's a risk you'll have to take."

John looked like he was trying hard not to laugh - typical, he never took his peril seriously, Rodney thought - and Teyla seemed to be keeping more of an eye on the conveyor belt as it dumped bags onto it. "I believe I see our luggage."

"I'll go get it." Ronon loped off back into the crowd from whence he came, but at least he was big enough that it was easy to keep an eye on him so he couldn't sneak up on Rodney from behind. Maybe.

"Perhaps I should go help him," Teyla said, shouldering her backpack and starting off after Ronon.

"Is he really in the FBI?" Rodney asked turning to John.

John shrugged. "Not my secret to give away." Rodney suspected John was grinning on the inside, but there was no exterior proof of the sort at the moment.

Frowning, Rodney glared at him a little. "It so is if you're expecting to have them both stay with us this weekend."

John didn't seem the least bit concerned, though. "I didn't know she'd bring Ronon. It'll be a little cramped but not bad."

Rodney huffed. He had enough experience to know better than to hold any stock in John's idea of 'not bad'. "Says the one who once a year happily 'vacations' for weeks at a time to play in the dirt."

"You come with me."

"Yes, but I'm never happy about it."

John looked at him with barely controlled impatience. It was the same expression he tended to have when Rodney tried to explain to him the finer points of deionized water or came home with three different types of milk. "If I didn't do it you wouldn't have as many things to work on," he finally said.

"Oh don't try to use that as an excuse for your Indiana Jones complex."

John's tone turned thoughtful. "Do you think I should buy a whip?"

Before Rodney could fully appreciate the implications of that, Teyla and Ronon returned. She had one bag less than she had left with and Ronon had two bag straps hanging across either shoulder and a roller suitcase in each hand. Rodney thought he seemed disturbingly at ease and moved as though the weight was nothing. John didn't seem to find this anything out of the ordinary as he asked, "Got everything?"

"Yes, we have all our things," Teyla said with a nod, though she hesitated a moment. "Though, before we leave, perhaps it would be best if we found somewhere else to stay while we are here. I know I did not inform you of Ronon joining me ahead of time and we do not wish to pose too much of an imposition for you."

Rodney looked over at her and brightened a little. "That's very considerate of you. There are some nice hotels in the area if you'd like to get a-- ow!" He was cut off by a sharp, bony, elbow to the side.

John smiled reassuringly. "It wouldn't be an imposition. We were already planning for you to stay, one more isn't that big of a deal as long as you don't mind sharing."

Teyla looked uncertain. "Are you sure?

John slapped Rodney on the back, hand staying on his shoulder. "Of course we are. Aren't we, Rodney?"

Rodney sighed. "Yes, yes. Let's get out of here before they tow the truck."

The walk back to the parking lot was shorter than he remembered. That may have in part been due to the fact that each step brought the invasion to their home closer to their doorstep. Rodney looked at John and asked, "So, you told me about Teyla. How'd you meet Ronon?"

"Same place, same time, actually. I introduced him to real football."

"Canadian?"

John rolled his eyes. "American."

Ronon grinned. "And I taught him how to play rugby with some of the other guys."

"Yeah, and cracked a few of my ribs in the process," John said with a grimace.

Rodney turned on John accusingly. "You told me you were in a minor car accident one night!"

"I was! Some kid on a moped ran into my taxi." There was a beat and John at least looked a little guilty, but not a lot. "I didn't say that was responsible for my injury."

Rodney glared hard at him. "You said you went to the hospital right after."

John shifted his weight from foot to foot. "Well, yeah, the kid had a concussion and I wasn't just going to leave him there."

Rodney scoffed at him. "What else have you told me that's been made of lies?"

Teyla and Ronon fell a little behind them and kept out of the conversation.

"Look, I didn't tell you because I knew it was a stupid way to get injured and it wasn't anything that serious, it just made the flight home extremely uncomfortable."

"Good, you deserved it. Really, John, you played rugby with him?" Rodney turned to gesture emphatically at Ronon. "He could flatten you with one arm tied behind his back!"

"Hey." John frowned at him. "You don't have to be that mean about it. Besides, it really wasn't my sport."

"You failed miserably at it, didn't you?"

"I wouldn't go that far..."

Rodney narrowed his eyes at him and didn't say anything. John finally said, "Look, I'll make it up to you. We can stop at Dunkin' on the way home."

Rodney sniffed. "It's still not as good as Tim Horton's," he mumbled.

"I'll also make you blue Jello later." John brushed his shoulder against Rodney's and looked at him far too hopefully.

"You think you can bribe your way back into my favor with food?"

"Yeah," John admitted. He really had no shame.

Rodney tried to remain resolute, but the world really was a cruel, unfair, place. "Lots of blue Jello?"

"As much as you want."

"I guess you're forgiven for now," Rodney conceded magnanimously.

They reached the Ranger and John clicked the button to unlock the doors.

Ronon surveyed the truck. "Nice color."

"I picked it out," Rodney said defensively.

"It's bright like a lemon."

Rodney shuddered. "Don't say that."

John scratched the back of his head. "We might have a slight problem, since the truck isn't really meant for more than three people."

Rodney cast his gaze to Ronon who continued to do a fine impression of a baggage rack. "We could always dump him in the back."

John's hand swatted the back of his head and he pulled a face at him. Teyla gave them both a faint, bemused, smile and said, "If it is too much trouble we can take a taxi."

Rodney tried not to sulk as John took the bags from Ronon and loaded them into the back. "We'll figure something out. We can send Rodney on the subway if we have to, he knows the way back."

"So do you," he said to John accusingly.

Ronon pulled open the side cab door and eyed it for a moment. Then, through some defiance of physics, maneuvered himself easily into the backseat. His knees were practically pressed against his chest with his arms folded on top. Rodney didn't know how he managed it, but he looked neither awkward nor uncomfortable, even if cramped. "I'm good."

John blinked, Rodney stared, and Teyla serenely slid in next to Ronon, legs tucked under her.

*For the curious, since one of my friends asked upon reading, Rodney bought three different types of milk one time because one was for drinking, one was for cooking, and the other one was for cereal. John was less than impressed.

[drabble] Domesticity is Not an Art Form

2007-10-29T02:54:16Z

Oh God. This is what happens when you work at Linens 'N Things, live with an art conservator, and owe a friend fic. Anyway, this is very domestic and established relationship-y. John's an art dealer, Rodney is an art conservationist, they both work for the Met but not.

Title: Domesticity is Not an Art Form
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Do not own nor claim to own.
Summary: John and Rodney receive a house warming present; Rodney is not impressed by kitchen gadgets.
Notes: For flyingmachine, since the Windsor Knots will come in at some point.

John came home to find Rodney with an orange box cutter in one hand, bent over a large box situated on the coffee table. There were three others on the living room floor and scattered pieces of tissue paper. It didn't look like he had been at it very long, just enough time to dismember the tops of the boxes, cardboard flaps askew. He looked up when he heard the door close and waved a spatula he had just picked up at John. "What the hell was Jeannie thinking?"

He toed off his shoes then locked and bolted the door. On the back of the couch was a brightly colored card with some balloons on it and two stick figures with wide smiles, holding hands. He assumed the last to be an addition from Madison and wasn't surprised when he flipped open the card to see it signed by not only Rodney's sister, but most of their other friends as well. "It's called a housewarming present, Rodney. You know, to help us feel more welcome in our new home."

Rodney rolled his eyes and dropped the spatula back into the box, trading it for a blender. "Oh yes, because me moving across town to Chelsea and you moving two floors up is such a drastic change. However will we cope."

Before Rodney could start gesturing John grabbed the blender from him and moved to place it on the kitchen counter. "Don't be an asshole. It's the thought that counts."

Rodney rolled his eyes, but deflated a little. "It's a waste of money."

John quirked one eyebrow at him. "I've seen your kitchen. She probably thought you could use the help, with the plastic cups and paper plates and all."

That got Rodney to lift his chin defensively. "I was getting along perfectly well."

It was John's turn to roll his eyes. "Because Mr. Coffee and three cups for each day of the week is all you need."

Rodney smirked at him, then his brow furrowed as he pulled out a cheese grater and examined it critically. "Exactly."

John grabbed it from him when it looked like he was about to toss it onto a pile in the armchair that already had an apple corer, a colander can, and some Tupperware in it. He picked them up and moved them to the kitchen before the living room could escalate into a battlefield of cookware. "C'mon, I think what your sister did is sweet."

There was more rustling as John ripped off plastic and cardboard packaging as he began putting things away. "You would. What is this even for?"

He looked over his shoulder. "I think the technical term for it is a melon baller."

"Who the hell would want to have balls of melon?" Before John could do more than waggle his eyebrows suggestively Rodney cut him off. "Don't answer that."

John grinned crookedly at him as he started in on one of the boxes that as of yet had not fallen victim to the brunt of Rodney's assault. He pulled out a set of plate chargers and some place mats. "It'll help us get ready for all those fancy cocktail parties."

Rodney was too distracted trying to pull apart what John assumed to be a can opener to even take the joke. "Caterers were invented for a reason," he dismissed absently.

"Rodney..."

The can opener was tucked under one arm and Rodney stacked two boxes of utensils on the floor, then picked up a wide two-headed hammer with slits on both sides. "All right, all right. I get it. But really, you cannot tell me you find having a slicer just for tomatoes to be at all practical."

John had wondered what that thing was for. Rather than admit Rodney had a point - he'd never hear the end of it if he did - he moved a stack of newspaper wrapped plates and stumbled across something Rodney would actually be fond of. "Look what I found."

"What is it now, a plated gold ice cream -- oh my God."

It was the high end Technivorm coffee maker, the one that Rodney had claimed to be the "other Holy Grail". Between New York rent, college loans, and the instability of the art world it was too impractical to justify, but the few times Rodney mentioned it his voice had been filled with reverence and longing. John didn't bother to hide how smug he felt. "You still think this was a waste?"

Rodney gazed at the box the same way he had looked at the painted acrylic canopic jars John had acquired off a peddler in Cairo when they turned out to be legitimate, practically drooling and eyes alight. "I love my sister."

Shishido drabbles.

2007-10-10T21:01:40Z

These were timed until I hit "three". That one broke the pattern, but pretty much all the other ones were written in their time limits. Really, this is just gen Shishido fic set in a canon-ish timeline. I need to brush up on said canon, so I will fix any inaccuracies once I realize them. Unbetaed. Pretty much no pairings, main focus on Shishido with helpings of Ohtori and Atobe on the side.

Shishido hits the ball until his shoulder aches and the sun has gone down and the night lights are on. There is nothing beyond his racket, the ball, and the plain concrete wall that stands impenetrable before him. It is an act of futility, he knows, but right now that's all he has left.

The return is instinctive. Reflexes act faster than the mind and he likes it that way, thinks it's better, has to hone in until they're good and sharp enough that they can act without need for too much direction. Logic dictates that there's no pulling himself out, that he's off the team, end of story.

Whatever. He doesn't care. Years of stubbornness are almost broken by a thirty second conversation that he wasn't even part of, but not quite. If he moves fast enough reason can't catch up to him and there's nothing to stop him from trying no matter what the costs.

Arrogance got him here. Pride will get him out.

After school on Friday he catches Ohtori while he's headed toward tennis practice. There's a flash of surprise mixed with guilt and discomfort, but it's gone before it can settle. Shishido feels an answering pang of conscience that he brushes aside, instead forcing lightness into his tone.

"Hey, Ohtori."

"It's good to see you, Shishido-san."

He scratches the back of his head. He's never been good at asking favors of anyone, much less someone who seems like he'd willingly help out of genuine good faith and nothing more. Still, he would rather die than ask Atobe, and oddly - though not surprisingly - out of the other members of the team Ohtori's the only one he trusts enough to be useful. "Would you be willing to do me a favor?"

Ohtori regards him for a moment, curiosity written on his features. He doesn't commit quite yet, though, and instead asks, "What is it?"

Shishido sucks in a breath, steeling himself to say the words. "I want to get back on the team."

There it is in the open. Somehow it seems more real now that he's said it, maybe even a little crazy.

"No one's managed to do that before," Ohtori says, and somehow the words hold only mild interest with no hint of criticism or doubt.

Shishido relaxes and even manages a cocky grin. "They just haven't tried hard enough."

"And are you willing to?"

The inflection of tone and Ohtori's look is serious enough that it draws Shishido into a moment of pause. He doesn't answer immediately, giving the question the consideration it's due. In the end he lifts his chin and returns his gaze squarely.

"Yeah, I am."

Ohtori smiles and it's different than the other smiles Shishido's seen him give before. Still just as polite, but it touches his eyes this time. "I'll see you once practice is over, then."

"This is insane, Shishido-san."

Ohtori stands across from him with his arms crossed, racket resting against his bicep. Shishido is inclined to agree; there's a tennis-ball sized bruise forming on his thigh and his right shoulder hurts like a bitch. He shakes his head, though, gritting his teeth against the pain. "Maybe. Just serve the damn ball again, Ohtori."

"I'm not going to keep injuring you."

Part of him is surprised Ohtori's being this unyielding on the point, but really, he should have expected it since no one in their second year makes it on the team without some sort of stubborn streak. He sighs, tightening his ponytail as he glares a little across the net in frustration. "You aren't injuring me. I'm purposefully putting myself in the way of the ball, so if it's anyone's fault it's mine."

Ohtori has the grace to give him an exasperated look, lips pursing. "Hence the insanity that I don't know if I want to have any part in."

"Come on, you agreed to this."

Ohtori frowns at him. Shishido knows that isn't a fair argument since he didn't exactly give him a lot to go on, but it's pretty much the only card he has in his deck to play. "I didn't know helping you entitled physical abuse."

"All training is. Just think of this as more hardcore."

Ohtori just stares at him and Shishido can feel the impatience crawling in his skin. It's only the first day; he has the feeling that if they can get through this they can get through anything. Ohtori turns his back on him and walks toward the baseline. "Just another half hour."

"All right," Shishido relents, though mentally he swears, since he was hoping to at least get another hour or two in. Still, he'll take what he can get. "Now, serve."

Two weeks later he has gotten used to the routine. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays Ohtori stays long after regular practice has ended to help Shishido. Sometimes in the interim he'll practice by himself against the wall on the other side of the school, but most of the time he hurriedly does his homework tucked away in a corner of the library where no one disturbs him. They meet up on the weekends, too, at the street courts near his house.

He hasn't spoken to Atobe in nearly three weeks now. It isn't quite the blessing he would have once expected, but he isn't going to break the silence either. Most days he eats his lunch with Mukahi, who within a day after his loss still insults his face and argues with him over his choice in music. Oshitari sometimes joins them, but more often he's with Atobe. Whenever Shishido offers to Mukahi to go join them as per the norm, the brat just rolls his eyes and later throws a wadded piece of paper at the back of his head during their chemistry lesson.

When he gets home his mother frowns at the newly forming bruises and furrows her brows at the ones that are healing and tinged violet and green. She never gets around to saying anything, however, and his father rests a hand on her arm and nods at him in understanding, to which she huffs a little then gives him extra rice at dinner. His brother has taken to simply chunking an icepack at him as soon as he enters the door.

The days aren't as bad as he thought they would be and not once does he question if it is worth it.

It's threatening to rain the night everything falls into place. The gray clouds from earlier don't leave with the setting sun and night seems to press around the halos of light provided by the overhead electric lights. It doesn't matter much to him as long as the courts aren't slick and it's not cold enough for either of them to catch a cold.

Ohtori serves ten times. Shishido catches the ball nine.

He isn't perfect yet, but each time there's a hard thud against the palm of his hand his grin threatens to split wider and Ohtori's answers in return. He knows the next day he'll barely be able to flex his fingers or hold a pencil. It doesn't really matter much in the light of everything. Ohtori's doesn't even frown when Shishido yells at him to not hold back and give him his best shot.

Taki's not a bad guy. They're friends in that gravitational sort of way, where it's more out of mutual amicability than anything particularly deep in common. He plays doubles with Ohtori who seems to like him well enough and he's loyal to Atobe. It's still enough to raise him from the level of acquaintanceship, oddly, since those two traits along with the fact that he's got an impressive backhand warrant Shishido's respect.

It's all a matter of bad luck, really, that he got Shishido's spot on the team, and it's him that Shishido needs to beat to get it back from.

He challenges him after school. It's all rather stupidly melodramatic and a hush falls around the courts for a good five minutes as their game begins. Then starts up the usual taunts and yells, mostly against him, and isn't quiet again until he's up in Taki's service game 0-40.

When he takes the set, he wonders if his shock is equal to that on Taki's face. He assumes so, as he stands over him in a daze, not seeing or hearing anyone else around him. It's all about to come back to him in a rush of elation, of victory, when Sakaki's voice cuts through that, loud and clear.

"Taki's lost. Hiyoshi, you'll take his spot on the regulars."

His hair hasn't been this short in years. It almost makes him feel light-headed, and he cringes as he stares at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. He did a shitty, sloppy job of it, but that's to be expected. He had kept that as a last resort, one he didn't want to have to fall back on, but nevertheless it has gotten him what he wanted.

"Congratulations."

He hears Atobe before he lifts his eyes to catch the other's reflection in the mirror. He doesn't say anything, still scrubbing a hand through his too short bangs. The glare he casts is half-hearted at best.

"You're welcome, too."

That gets Shishido to roll his eyes. He turns to face Atobe, who simply quirks one eyebrow and smirks thinly. "I didn't ask you to interfere."

"No, you didn't," he says coldly. "Which is why you could be a little more grateful that I saved your ass."

That bastard. First time he speaks to Shishido in weeks, and that's what he's got to say, when before he hasn't done one single thing to even acknowledge his existence. "Oh, right, because a few words from you are what really got me back on the team."

"If memory serves correctly, why yes, they did."

It's in that moment Shishido punches him, a clean hit across the jaw; Atobe gives him an answering blow in return. "You're an asshole."

Atobe sneers, rubbing one hand against his cheek. "Funny, I was just thinking the same thing about you."

They fall silent and Shishido turns his back on him, gripping the edges of the sink. He closes his eyes and sighs. "You didn't have to step in for me."

"You could have asked for my help at any time."

The words are soft and Shishido's insides freeze for a moment. He bites his lip, shakes his head once in negation. "No, I couldn't have."

Neither of them speak for a long moment and the silence stretches long enough to be uncomfortable. Then Shishido laughs, an exhausted, rueful, sound that he can't really control. Atobe looks at him like he did the time he melted all those weird fancy cheeses to make a sandwich, then just shakes his head. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were completely hopeless."

"Yeah. Thanks."

"You really made a mess of this."

Shishido watches Atobe suspiciously in the mirror as the other attacks his hair with comb and scissors. He flat out refuses to go to see the other's stylist and if he lets his mother take care of it he'll probably end up with hair like Hiyoshi. "Yeah, well, I'd like to see you do better."

"I am doing better, since now at least you don't have random long chunks of hair."

"It's not like I really planned for this." Atobe just stares at him. He shifts uncomfortably, which earns him an annoyed sound and a hand on his shoulder to keep him from moving around. "Well, not a lot anyway."

"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to run with scissors?"

"Shut up."

"Hey, Choutarou."

Ohtori looks up from where he's tying his sneakers. It's Shishido's first real practice back on the regulars, and he's practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. Ohtori grins at him, straightening up. "Good to be back in Singles 3?"

"Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about." Shishido bites the inside of his jaw. He still isn't good at asking, even if he feels more comfortable doing so with Ohtori than anyone else. "Play doubles with me. I'm sure we can kick Mukahi and Oshitari's asses and take doubles one from them."

"Of course, Shishido-san."

The first game he wins back on the team leaves him with the best fucking feeling in the world.

when you hear this sound take shelter

2007-10-01T03:14:18Z

Boy liked VNV Nation. I do not have to disown him. In fact, he will henceforth be known as M to me.

Most of the guys at work are all rather nice to me, which is entirely amusing. It's all going well so far, though I still don't know how I feel about the 36 hour work week.

Leave an ANONYMOUS comment with:
0. Screen this comment?
1. One secret.
2. One compliment.
3. One non-compliment.
4. One love note, but it does not have to be for me.
5. Lyrics to a song.
6. How old you are.
7. How long we've been friends.
8. And a hint to who you are.
9. After you do it for me, put it in your LJ and see who does it for you.

chiasmus @ 2007-08-31T21:51:00

2007-09-01T02:52:56Z

Nadal's not wearing his short pants. I'm disappointed.

[drabble] Naked.

2007-08-29T06:52:21Z

I steal prompts from 1sentence when I can't decide what I want to do.

Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Rating: PG-ish.
Word Count: 366

"What are you doing?" Sheppard asks, amused. He lays stomach down on the bed, cheek resting on bent arm. His expression is lazy, but Rodney can feel his eyes on him, steady and alert.

Self-consciously he shifts, drawing up the sheets around his waist. He looks down at curve of Sheppard's spine and the slight rise and fall of muscle with each breath. His back is smooth and scarred with a map of memories that he only half-knows how to read. Fortunately he is a fast learner, even if in ways he is reluctant to adapt his own behaviour.

It's ridiculous, he knows, but he hasn't expected the morning after to be quite so bright.

"I'm going to take a shower." Rodney clutches the fabric around him and starts to rise, eyes darting toward the haphazard array of clothing discarded around the room.

Sheppard shifts and pushes himself up into a sitting position. Rodney can feel the smirk more than see it, though a quick glance confirms it. "I'll go with you."

"You don't have to do that," he says, perhaps a beat too quickly.

There's the rolling of the eyes as Sheppard scratches the back of his head. He casts a pointed look at himself then Rodney. "I think we're kinda past the point of modesty here."

Rodney doesn't relent, edging toward the edge of the bed. "It's not everyday I wake up naked next to, well..." he trails off for a moment, then waves in Sheppard's general direction. "You."

"Gee, thanks."

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah, I do." Without prompt Sheppard's hands are cupping his face and he's kissing him. Doubt Rodney hasn't acknowledged fades away, a few dozen less pinpricks to his nerves. His palms rest flat on the mattress as he leans forward, teeth scraping over Sheppard's lower lip before he pulls away.

"Shower?" This time he sounds more hopeful.

Sheppard smacks him lightly on the shoulder and stands, grabbing him by the wrists to pull him along. "Nothing's ever simple with you is it?"

"Not particularly, no." Rodney stumbles after him, legs tangled in the sheets before he frees himself. "You can't possibly have expected otherwise."

Yeah, breaking a lot today.

2007-08-27T16:50:47Z

I made a Twitter: dimethyl

I made an InsaneJournal: dimethyl

View Poll: Journals redux.

I'll probably be updating Twitter a lot until I get settled/moved in.

Breaking hiatus.

2007-08-27T15:38:29Z

Look! Looklooklook.

chiasmuschiasmus

I have a layout! Made for me by the ever wonderful flyingmachine since I have no visually artistic bones in my body.

:D :D :D Yay, yay, a thousand times yay. It well reflects my obsessions of coffee, equations, and Sheppard.

[Can you tell I'm excited?]

chiasmus @ 2007-08-24T00:45:00

2007-08-24T05:48:37Z

HAPPY BIRTHDAY sapphirus!!! ♥

You already know I love you bestest. ;D See you in November! ~~I'll hijack a train if I have to.~~

listen to my voice that's my disguise

2007-08-20T13:20:32Z

Pay It Forward: I will send a handmade gift to the ~~first 3~~ people who leave a comment here on my blog. I don’t yet know what that gift will be, but you will receive it within 365 days. The only thing you have to do in return is "pay it forward" by making a similar agreement on your blog.

Year's a longtime, so not putting a cap on the number of people. 8D

I do a lot of illegal U-Turns, so many I do them in my sleep.

chiasmus @ 2007-08-04T03:43:00

2007-08-04T20:48:28Z

I'm moving, so I'm trying to get this stuff sold soon. This time a couple cds, plushies, and a DVD. Plus the doujinshi. Prices are negotiable if you want to make me an offer. I am without scanner, but I can take more close-up pictures upon request.

Prices in USD. Shipping to be determined based on location. I will ship internationally. To give a general idea, 1 doujinshi overseas costs around $5, domestically around $3. Paypal is my preferred method of payment, but I will also accept money orders or cash.

Shishido Ryou - ALive (official cd)
Price: $5
Note: Slight water damage to the cover, but the cd is in perfect condition.

Dream Live 2nd Limited Edition First Press
Price: $25
Note: Opened, but like new.

The Prince of Tennis OVA Zenkoku Taikai hen Vol.2
Price: $35
Note: First Press edition. Region 2 encoded. Opened, but like new.

All plushies are priced at $8.

Title: Hyoutei Blue and Rokkaku Red
Circle: Flower Place
Pairings: Ohtori/Shishido, Bane/Saeki
Price: $9
Note: If you want an inside shot, I'll take one; I just forgot to beforehand.

Title: 39C no Torokesou na Hi
Circle: Oda Suzuku + Amatou
Pairing: Niou/Yagyuu
Price: $8
Note: Please ~~at least pretend to~~ be of legal age to purchase this one, for there is sex in a pool.

Title: Sensei Kunshu {Autocrat} (Danchizuma Series)
Circle: Flower Place
Pairings: OshiAto, ToriShishi, TezuFuji, Niou/Yagyuu, and Bane/Saeki.
Price: $12
Notes: Collection of short stories, of which the ToriShishi one has about an R-level of sex and the TezuFuji didn't bother me (I'm not a fan of that pairing, but it was cute since they were eating with Yuuta). The D1 is the best out of there, but I may be biased.

Title: Unknown
Circle: G7+breath
Pairings: ToriShishi, OshiGaku
Price: $10
Notes: Shishi's doing something with a microphone, and Oshitari is hitting on everyone.

Title: Square
Circle: Kanai Yura / Nanaka Amu MYTOHS / AM 　
Pairing: Oshitari/Jirou
Price: $5
Notes: Half of this is just text, so for all I know it could be wombat porn.

Title: Silent Lovers
Circle: Akira Nezu
Pairing: Tezuka/Ryoma
Price: $10
Notes: There seems to be quite a bit of talking, and Ryoma is short. Light shounen-ai.

Title: Mousou Aquarium
Circle: Juuokubunritsu 　
Pairing: Tezuka/Ryoma
Price: $6
Notes: There's a Hyoutei story at the beginning, though it's not too obviously pairing-ish. This one is really, really cutesy, but not in a bad way.

Title: garden
Circle: sachi-hanahara+rika-isaki
Pairing: Jirou/Oshitari
Price: $8
Notes: Jirou's putting the moves on Oshitari, and Oshitari seems kind of freaked out.

Title: Unknown
Circle: Katsura Natsume + Tohgo Yamada
Pairing: ToriShishi
Price: $7
Notes: The artwork isn't bad, but Shishido looks extremely uke. Again, standard rules for the porns apply.

Title: Hyotei Healing II
Circle: Am&Mythos
Pairing: OshiAto
Price: $8
Notes: Oshitari is kind of forceful during sex, Atobe is a bitch to him the next day. Not that graphic, but I wouldn't let my nonexistent kid sister read it.

Title: 2057
Circle: NANA
Pairings: ToriShishi, OshiAto.
Price: $29
Notes: All right, this one is a bit of a special case. It's around 70 pages, and twice the size of your average doujinshi, so it needs to be shipped by itself, and that'll likely run more than the others. The artwork is gorgeous, there are some nice color pages, Oshitari and Ohtori sharing a cigarette, and yeah. I'd keep it if I actually liked either pairing. Age rules apply.

Title: Laundry
Circle: Lotus
Pairing: None
Price: $5
Notes: Why is Niou dressed like that on the cover? Your guess is as good as mine. Or better, since I just gathered they wanted me to believe he was raised by clams on the beach, but I suspect I am wrong.

Title: unknown
Circle: colophon
Pairing: ToriShishi
Price: $10
Notes: Two picture stories (about 40 pages total), two text stories (about 28). There's locker room sex, then shower sex. Age yadda yadda.

Title: Heavenly Blue
Circle: Coltopithon
Pairing: ToriShishi
Price: $12
Notes: I love the way they draw Silver Pair -- both still look like guys, and some of the random chibis of them are adorable. This one takes place during Senbatsu time frame.

Title: Nusumenai Houseki
Circle: Coltopithon
Pairing: ToriShishi
Price: $10

Title: Love Squall
Circle: Coltopithon
Pairing: ToriShishi
Price: $12
Notes: Story art isn't chibi. This one has some non-graphic sex toward the end.

Title: Meet Me
Circle: Coltopithon
Pairing: ToriShishi
Price: $8

Title: Unknown
Circle: Flower Place
Pairing: ToriShishi, Oshitari/Shishido
Price: $12
Notes: ToriShishi have sex, then later Shishi may or may not be getting on by Fuji, and definitely is getting hit on by Oshitari.

Title: Unknown
Circle: Riichi Takahisa
Pairing: ToriShishi
Price: $10

Title: Zero System
Circle: kotoribu
Pairing: Sengoku/Tezuka
Price: $3
Notes: This is mostly, but not entirely, text.

Title: unknown
Circle: Chiiko
Pairings: none
Price: $6
Notes: Just general Hyoutei.

Title: unknown
Circle: Flower Place
Pairings: Bane/Saeki, TezuFuji, ToriShishi
Price: $10

Title: Yoru no Danchizuma Bon
Circle: Flower Place
Pairings: Bane/Saeki, ToriShishi
Price: $10
Notes: Porns, so plz to be old enough.

ganked from kittyling

2007-08-02T08:25:09Z

confession meme

Anonymous commenting is ON. What I want you to do is a post a confession in a comment. It can be about anything, even me, but you must make it anonymously. Hell it can be the most retarded, pointless confession ever for all I care. DON'T FORGET TO POST ANONYMOUSLY!

Click on "more options" when you post to comment anonymously.

chiasmus @ 2007-07-19T11:40:00

2007-07-19T16:47:35Z

Friends cut. Mostly went for people who I didn't think would mind. :D;;; I'm not that interesting anyway. Comment to be re-added, if you like.

chiasmus @ 2007-03-28T08:30:00

2007-03-28T13:55:57Z

sapphirus!

Though for some reason in the dream I kept calling Zack 'Syaoran'? And they could turn into cats. Billy was a Leopard and Zack was a panther. For some reason they were hunting some guy who could turn into an elephant (I think he wanted to kill Zack?). So there was chasing him around a pool maze, and then losing sight of him. In a room nearby there were some people doing ballet; they wanted Billy to join, but it wasn't a good time.

Zack kept hunting the elephant man, and Billy decided that they should leave. As they were about to, though, Zack caught site of the elephant guy (now in man form) going into a dinosaur skull looking contraption and wanted to follow him. Billy didn't want to since it seemed like a dumb idea, and they sort of got into an argument about it. But, as Zack was about to go in alone, lion lady jumped out to attack and Billy took care of her. So then they went in and took down the elephant man together, which left Billy oddly upset.

After that they reverted back to human form and uh, sat around for a while.

chiasmus @ 2006-05-30T16:35:00

2006-05-30T20:34:57Z

Happy birthday akahannah!

Also, a meme.

If you wanna leave me a testimonial to put on my userinfo, please do so in a comment.

And again, big thank yous to everyone who replied to this post, or otherwise submitted to my harassment for things. Much ♥♥♥ to you all. ~~Now to hope Jennifer doesn't kill me for losing Oz.~~

chiasmus @ 2006-04-10T00:29:00

2006-04-10T04:29:01Z

Now Kintarou and Kurakura get to play. 8D With other appearances as they come.

chiasmus @ 2006-04-09T12:27:00

2006-04-09T16:27:51Z

THIS IS A POST FOR SPAM.

We do not take responsibility for any crack/ooc/etc. that pops up along the way. 8D

Stolen from kcst. Procrastination.

2006-03-20T23:58:58Z

Give me 1000 comments in this entry. Or whatever, really. YOU, in particular, don't have to supply the whole 1000, but a tiny contribution would be nice. Then let me know if you post this in your journal and I'll return the favor.

Dudes, so this is your chance to spam me with anything! Pictures, lyrics, the word SPAM over and over. Feel free to tell me something about yourself, or screen your comments. Do whatever you want! It's all up to you.

Okay, so I realise 1000 is a tall number so just spam away and we'll see where we get up to. Please entertain me!

And yes, RP comments are fun. (So, fourthed? :D)

chiasmus @ 2006-02-15T02:18:00

2006-02-15T07:18:17Z

AkuSen. Rated R.

For sadisticsaint. Might revise tomorrow, might not.