Mary sat on her bed, her room dimly lit by a lamp in the corner. Her team had already left to enjoy the saturday while she stayed back to sleep in. She was dressed in sweatpants and one of her several black teeshirts, clutching a large pillow tightly as many thoughts raced through her head, a few causing her to blush slightly. Although shes knocked out of this trance as several knocks come from her door.

"...Hello?"

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/04/2017

"Maaaary? Frieeeend?" Finch's voice came muffled through the door. "I've come a calling!" In truth, Finch hadn't seen Mary in a while. He'd asked Beryl about it and she'd informed him of her situation, so he had taken it upon himself to go try and cheer her up. At least a little.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/04/2017

"Ah, hey finch. Come on in the doors unlocked!"

Mary sets the pillow down back on her bed and shoves a few dirty clothes and other items underneath her bed to hide how messy she's been. Mary was a little surprised that finch had showed up, it had been quite a while since theyve seen each other.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/04/2017

"Hiya!" Finch grinned as he poked his head, followed by the rest of his body, into the room. He was carrying a grocery bag loosely in one hand. "How are you? I haven't seen you in... uh... too long."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/04/2017

"Ah ive... been better... i didnt know you were coming, i wish you told me so i could clean up."

Mary smiles weakly and raises an eyebrow weakly.

"Hey uh... whats that? You go grocery shopping today?"

Mary stands up, her stance still a little wobbly but shes at no risk of falling now.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/04/2017

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. It's lunchtime but I ate... everything in my mini fridge. So. I had to go shopping and figured I'd pick stuff up for you, too!" his smile lessened and his features softened a little. "I... heard about your... Y'know. I'm sorry, I would've come to see you sooner but I didn't know about it." he grinned a little sheepishly before holding the bag up. "Sandwich?"

@BoogieBones | Mary

August 5, 2017

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary frowns a little bit and shakes her head.

"Ah... im not very hungry right now.... thank you though."

She took a seat back on the edge and let her feet dangle idly off it.

"So how are you?"

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling(edited)

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch sets the bag down with a shrug, pulling out a bag of chips "Suit yourself." *He sits crosslegged in front of her and pops a chip into his mouth. "I'm doing... pretty well, all things considered. I'm happy." He smiled up at her. "And you? How are you holding up?"

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary shrugs back, she looks down at her hands while she twiddles her thumbs.

"I dunno.... alright I guess... Beryl's been really helpful... hugging her's been making me feel better too, you and her are really good friends to me."

She smiles slightly and rests her hands on her thighs

"So what've you been up to?"

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Well, I'm glad you've found something that makes you feel better. And you're my best friend, Mary!" he said that because it came into his head, but when he turned the thought over in his mind and inspected it he found it to be true. He talked to no one outside his team more than her. "I've been avoiding my schoolwork as usual, hanging out with my team, and going on dates with Beryl." he mentally winced at the last part, realizing that probably wasn't the best thing to say.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary's smile widens as he says they're best friends.

"R-really? t-thank you finch!"

However her smile dissapears for a second as she flinches at the mention of dates, however she toughs through it and takes a deep breath

"That's great! How are you two doing? Good i hope."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"We're doing great! I think. Never been in a real relationship before so I have no reference but I think it's great. So thank you." He beams up at her, the smile sticking to his face. "Also, you're welcome. Thanks for being a great best friend. Although we should hang out more." he pokes his finger at her as he crunches on another chip.(edited)

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"Yeah, sorry.. I haven't really left my room much lately. I think the last two times I left we're when me and beryl went to that bathhouse and... yeah..."

She sighs and wipes her face before laying down on her side, removing her scroll out from under her and setting it on the bedside table

"How are things with the outside... anything neat happen lately?"

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Oh." Finch sat quietly, thinking about that. He was glad he was getting out and about with someone at least. "The outside world? Pretty same old same old. There was a storm yesterday- you possibly heard it but otherwise all is quiet on the frontline." he pauses and shoots her a question. "What are you favorite things? It's vague, I know, but, humor me."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"Oh.... uh.... I..."

It takes her quite awhile to eventually come up with an answer.

"....I.... guess my favorite thing right now is when beryl comes over to watch movies.... I like when you visit too... thats uh... thats it... oh I also like it when me and my team hang out."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch taps his chin for a while before an idea comes knocking at his brain. "Okay then! Wanna get outside and find yourself some movies? Beryl has a ton I know but we can go get some so you can surprise her with them next time?"

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"Oh uh... outside... I uh... I've already got all these..."

Mary stands up and wobbles over to her personal closet and opens it up. inside would be a plethora of movies, organized neatly, the shelf nearly as tall as mary. It's lined with many foreign and bootlegged sentai shows and beside the shelf is what looks to be two weeks worth of black shirts, varying in shape and size.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"...well then." Finch gently euthanizes his idea and looks for another, only to find his brain mostly empty of useful stuff. "That's pretty impressive. Also that's a lot of black shirts. Oh!" he stands up and points. "You watch Sentai shows?" he cocks his head to the side.(edited)

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"Yeah, I think most of these are sentai shows. Why, do you watch em?"

Finch could see a glimmer in her eyes and a smile creep up on her face.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Hell yes I do!" Finch grinned, more at the sight of a smile on her face than anything else. "I suppose I don't have to ask if you do."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary's matted down hair fluffed up slightly as she grins back

"Which one's your favorite?!"

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch leans back, thinking hard. "Well shit, that's a tough one. But I know my first was when as a kid I used to stay up late to watch Chroma Rangers whenever it came on."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"Ah I think I have season 3 of that one! My favorite's gotta be Sunshine Red!"

Mary looks through the shelf and pulls out a box set of "Sunshine Red: The blazing saga"

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Sunshine red..." Finch taps his finger over his lips "...huh, never heard of it. Tell me about it!" he smiles- he has heard of it, and watched part of it, but it clearly excites Mary so he wants to foster the positive feeling.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"Well he's the solo hero who's always willing to lend a hand! He fights against Evil's band! Hero of crimson! Avenger of dead! Sunshiiiiiiiine RED!"

Mary strike sunshine's red signature pose at the end, one hand in the air with the other across her chest, and standing only on one foot.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch is grinning like an idiot by the end of her little spiel. "Well that just sounds amazing! And kinda like you!" he grins. "Can I... watch it with you?" he cocks his head to the side, ready to do whatever it was that made Mary happy.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"Ah yeah if you want to! And... n-no it doesnt...."

Mary blushes and rushes over to pop in the dvd of season one.

"Hey should we invite beryl? Or just watch it between us?"

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Oh, cmon... it totally sounds like you! You've even got the color scheme down." He pauses to consider her statement. He'd like watching with both of them, Mary would, and he assumed Beryl would too. But would the relationship stuff be upsetting? "Fuuuuck. I hate thinking." "I'll text her and see if she's down for it, but also just between us is nice." he shot off a message to Beryl to ask her if she wanted to watch sentai with him and Mary.

@BoogieBones | Mary (or @Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL)

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"Ah okay, I'll go ahead and turn it on then."

Mary presses play on the remote before leaping back onto her bed and laying down on her side, although she really didnt take up much room. The audio explodes with the jaunty sounds of the Sunshine red themesong. finch could hear slight humming comming from mary as she lightly swayed to it.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch sat on the floor and leaned up against the bed, smiling to himself as he listened to the sounds of humming. "This looks like a good one!" he chirped. "Over the top, just like the best sentai shows."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"Yeah, it's a great one!"

mary can't help but grin as the first episode starts, the subtitles for the title read: "A BLAZING AFTERNOON". Mary becomes dead silent as she's enthralled in the story.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch leans back against the bed to watch- due to the fact that currently all the people at the high school are wearing muted colors except for the one person wearing a bright red shirt, it's easy to tell who the hero of the story is.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

The one strange thing about sunshine red was he always wore his mask, no one seemed to notice but finches suspicions on who the main character was were clearly thrown off as the camera panned over to the windows where a motorcycle flew by. Leaving a crimson streak, in the backround were many (whatever rwby's japanese equivalent is) students chattering in surprise. it then cuts to Sunshine Red, riding on the rooftops with his bike, chasing what appears to be a giant ghost. This clearly wasnt a usual sentai show

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch blinked in surprise as the action upcut from nothing to like everything. A power line got in the hero's way so he stood on his motorcycle, jumped and did a flip before landing back on it perfectly as he continued the chase.

(Also Mistral is the Asian one? I think?)

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

As the story continued on Finch would then hear soft sounds of what sounded like snoring.... Mary fell asleep by accident...

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch gently paused the show and stood up. She was laying on top of her sheets so he placed a hand on the blanket and focused. His forearm shimmered and faded, then his hand, and slooooowly he managed to phase out the blanket, lifting it over Mary before phasing it back in and laying it on top of her.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary shifts slightly and he hears the slightest of murmers

"...Beryl...."

She shifts once more before shooting straight up with a look of fear on her face

"A-ah! Sunshine Red! W-wait... what happened?"

She looks up to finch with quite a bit of confusion in her eyes

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch grinned, happy Mary had a good friend who was helping her cope. Then- "ahhh!" Mary startled him. He pointed to the show, paused with Red diving off his bike at the ghost. "You fell asleep so I paused the show and was letting you rest."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"O-oh! s-sorry i didn't mean to fall asleep! I guess i just got a little too comfortable."

Mary sits up and wipes her eyes, something had upset her for the short while she fell asleep

"L-lets continue yeah?"

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch watched her a little bit. "Hey, are you alright?" he noticed the upsetness and he couldn't just let it be. He sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her. "You seem kinda... well, didn't look like you woke up from something peaceful."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary hesitates for a few seconds.

"...I thought beryl got hurt because of me.... I missed my target and... get got shot..."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch's features soften, and his hand rests on her knee. "oh, Mary, I'm sorry. But, I'll have you know, I have every bit of faith that in a real scenario you'd keep her safe. And, Y'know, she's pretty capable herself!" he smiled gently.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"N-no.... I... I didn't do what i was supposed to again and she got surrounded and they had pipes and and..."

She buries her head in her hands

"...Finch take me outside please..."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Okay, okay." Finch gently pulled the blankets off of her. "Outside with you!" He turns off the show and steps back, opening the door to her dorm before turning back around and extending his hand. "Cmon, let's go."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary stands and wobbles over to finch, taking his hand and following him outside. If finch looked down he would be able to see that mary was barefoot, although it seemed to not bother her at all.

"...time to exersize."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch pulled her out into the sun- it was a wonderful day, sunny but not hot. "Exercise? What did you have in mind?" He looked to her, wondering if there was a plan she had.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary squints her eyes as the sun blinds her, she then steadies herself and drops to one knee

"Get on my back...."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Uh...?" Finch grins. "If you're sure... I guess so." He placed one leg on either side of Mary's waist, putting his hands on her shoulders. He could just phase off of her if he seemed to be pulling her down.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary takes a deep breath and lifts Finch up with ease, although she stumbles a little bit before catching herself.

"You good?"

Mary looks up at the boi on her shoulders

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch almost phases when she stumbles, but gives a thumbs up. "Yeah, I'm good. You're the one doing the heavy lifting though. You good?"

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"I'm fine..."

Mary hefts finch up again before bursting out into a sprint, it was an odd sight thats for sure, a young girl carrying a man who's clearly taller than her

"Hold on!"

It appears the only issue mary is having is her legs are still a bit weak, but other than that she's fine.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Woaaah!" Finch gives a shout, enjoying the ride but a little confused. "Hot damn Mary!" He grinned, trying to keep stable so as to not pull her over.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary didn't respond finch, instead she kept her eyes focused ahead. She practically flew across the sidewalk, her feet getting rather scratched up. Most bystanders look in awe at the two.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch, for the most part, had fun. A couple times he had to phase to not get hit with a tree or other low-hanging object but otherwise he sat in amazement of Mary's sheer physical prowess.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary comes to a stumbling halt, only before she begins to collapse. Looks like the hour and a half of running tired her out quite a bit.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch hops off of her and catches her by looping an arm around his neck and supporting her weight. "Come on, speedster. Let's get you some water, okay?" he points to a nearby vending machine and starts to help her over, buying her a bottle of water.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary is out of breath and is lead by finch, a pained look on her face every time she takes a step.

"Nooo... we can't stop..."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Actually not only do I believe we can stop, but I'm pretty sure we have!" he smiles and watches a tree rustle in the wind. "Mary, it's okay to take breaks and such. Here, drink." he held up the water bottle.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"but but...."

Mary takes the water bottle and chugs it, stopping only to take a breath.

"My feet hurt... Finch how far are we...."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch paused to look around. "Uh... I'm pretty sure we're at a mall. Oh... shit. No wonder your feet hurt- you're not wearing shoes!" he looks back towards the school. "You ran... a long way.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"Oh..."

Mary tries to sit down to look at her feet, they're very scratched up and it looks like she got a small cut from stepping on a rock the wrong way.

"...Can we go back?"

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Of course we can." Finch kneels down and undoes the tie that hangs loosely around his neck, gently wrapping Mary's cut foot in it and tying the thing into a loose bow. Then he spins and continues the kneel. "Alright! My turn. You carried me here, I'll carry you back."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"Ah okay, hey now both you and your girlfriend have carried me!"

She smiles weakly and drags herself up onto finch's back, wrapping her legs around her waist.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

*his

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Yep! Because friendship and stuff!" Finch stands, almost falls, and balances for a moment. "Allllrighty. Let's go! Finch express, leaving the station! Next stop: Beacon Academy!" he makes a choo choo noise and gets going. He's not quite as strong as Mary so it's not a sprint so much as... waking.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary rests her head on finch's shoulder, yawning softly as she hangs on the boy.

"...Hey finch..."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch lets her rest her head, walking smooth so it's not too bumpy a ride.

"Yeah, Mary? What's up?" he asked the girl.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"You're a good friend... I hope im a good friend too... a better one than i was a girl friend..."

Mary hangs on tightly and looks at her foot, frowning at the fact finch had to use his tie.

"...We could've just used the bandages I have..."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Mary, you're an amazing friend. My best friend." Finch grinned happily, turning slightly to look at her. "Jocasta lost out. You deserve only the best." then he laughs lightly. "Oh! Well I didn't know you had bandages. It's okay, I hate ties anyways."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"but it was a nice tie... also the material isnt really good for cuts, its not really absorbant enough... it might work if you tied it tight enough... but then that would make my foot all purple."

Mary lifts her foot and wiggles it slightly before letting it hang again.

"We should have a movie night... me you and beryl... and then we can go out and eat dinner... and sit in the park... and watch birds..."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"When we get back to school I'll undo the tie and put some real bandages on you, okay?" He points down at the foot. "And that sounds like an amazing idea. You, me, Beryl. Movies and dinner and park watching. I'll make it so!"

@BoogieBones | Mary(edited)

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"Yay..."

Mary yawns again and rests the side of her head back on finches shoulder.

"Hey... I hope you have a good relationship with beryl..."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch smiles brightly up at the sky. "I do too. She's really remarkable. She's amazing." he nodded happily. "I'm... new to the relationship thing. Hopefully I do it right." Finch didn't like being nervous about stuff, but he was. And he didn't like people knowing he was ever feeling anything but happy- but he felt like he could trust Mary with just about anything.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"You'll do it right... trust me..."

Mary pats his shoulder and points forwards.

"I hope this isnt too long of a trip..."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"It's gonna be a trip for sure!" Finch grinned optimistically. As they walked, people gave them odd looks- two students from beacon, one riding on the other's back, one bare foot wrapped in a tie. But they made it back eventually.

"Holy... wow. You ran really far."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"...I was really mad... I can't stand people getting hurt because of me..... and...especially not...."

She shakes her head and sighs. pushing open her door with her non wrapped foot.

"hey... have you and beryl done the thing yet?"

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"It's okay. It was just a dream." He helped her inside with a reassuring smile. "We... have not done the thing yet. Although we haven't been on many dates. Hmm... I'll ask her out again soon. Dinner i think." he nodded to himself. "Where be the bandages?"

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary takes a seat on the bed and lifts up her shirt to expose her stomach, she reveals her abdomen to be wrapped completely in bandages. she unrwaps a portion of them and reveals the scar on her stomach that appears to be fading now.

"Hey can you untie the tie on my foot?"

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Aye aye, capn!" He kneels on the floor and unwraps the thing, tossing it aside. "Luckily our uniform ties are already red." He reaches up for the bandages. "May I?"

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"Ah no I got it, I'm used to tying bandages and stuff for blisters."

Mary reaches down and, much like tying one shoes, she does it with ease and finesse.

"See? Now i can hug my pillow to sleep with a smooth bandage on my foot now... I will need to clean it later though..."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch is impressed by the skill Mary has at bandaging herself. "Fair enough! It's much smoother than my tie." he sits back on the floor with a fwump "Oof. I should've made sure you had shoes! Sorry for dragging you outside all rushed-like."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary furrows her brow and holds out a finger

"No, I was the one that forced both of us outside, you did nothing wrong."

Mary then dissapears by limping into the bathroom for a few moments before returning with clean feet

"I didn't wanna track dirt... now i do feel much better... I'm a bunch less mad... but I still can't shake the bad feeling..."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

While Finch waits he hums tunelessly, carelessly. Then he cocks his head to the side while Mary speaks. "Well I'm glad you're less mad. Sorry about the bad feeling. Hmmm... what d'ya think I could do to help?"

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"Nothing... I just need to be sure im always at my best when me and beryl go fighting at night..."

Her look seems distant as she stares at her closet

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Well that's fair enough. You do want to be at your best for that." Finch nods. Then his brain reprocesses that and sends up flares. "Wait hold up for when you and Beryl do what?"

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary's face goes blank and her hands clench together tightly

"....We play fight at night... we really just hug each other in superhero costumes and beryl told me not to tell you because she said it was embarassing... but it makes me feel much better so she does it because she's a really good friend..."

"oh no oh no oh no oh no..." Mary repeats in her mind

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch hasn't seen a less convincing lie since the one time he played poker with his sister. "Mary... you're not a great liar." he immediately holds up a hand. "Look, clearly Beryl doesn't want you to tell me. And I never want you to have to pick between friends, so I won't ask. Just... be safe, okay?"

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary takes a deep breath and shouts out in a blurt of nervouseness

"Beryl is helping me train to box again!!!"

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch blinks a few times. He HAD told her he wasn't going to push the issue, right? "Well... that's great! I'm glad you're doing what you want to." he smiled.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary is dead silent, clear fear in her eyes.

'......yeah...."

She tucks her legs in

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Mary...?" Finch sighs. "Look, something has got you scared. What's wrong? ...you really don't have to tell me if you don't want to, I'll understand." he keeps his voice soft and soothing, trying to convey hat he actually cared about Mary's wellbeing.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary slinks down into her bed and covers her head with her hands, almost in a tornado emegency position. as her scroll on her bedside table buzzes telling her she still has unread messages.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch sighs and sits next to her on the bed, gently rubbing small circles into her back. "it's okay... you're okay... no matter what I'm still going to be your friend, you got that? Wether you tell me or not, whatever it is that's got you scared." he keeps his voice gentle, ignoring her scroll.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Mary shudders under the covers and whimpers

"I told a secret and the last time i told a secret jojo threw beryl out the window and had star platinum punch me through a wall i can't tell another secret or else i'll get hurt again.. if you break a secret they get to hit you...."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch raises an eyebrow. "Mary... that poor girl." He keeps his hand on her, gently though. "Well you don't have to tell me then. I promise. But I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, okay? That's my other promise. If I'm around you, I won't let anyone hurt you. You're my friend, you'll always be my friend, and I'll keep you safe if I can."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

mary then bursts into tears as finch continues to rub her back

"What did i do wroooooong!! First i made jojo leave me and i don't know why and now i betrayed beryl!!! I don't wanna lose Beryl too!"

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch's eyes go wide at the sounds of crying. He didn't mean to cause crying! He didn't want her to cry! How does he fix that?!? Oh god what is the solution?!? "Mary, Mary! You aren't going to lose Beryl I promise, okay? You won't lose her. Clearly she means a lot to you and so you probably mean a lot to her. You didn't betray her. I'm very sorry if I pressured you to tell me. I didn't mean to."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

She speaks through shivering words

"I-I-I already told you we were fighting crime every now and then and I betrayed Beryllllllll!!!"

Mary continues to cry under the covers.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch pauses for a bit. "You-" "Finch if you tell her she didn't actually tell you that yet she'll be even sadder stop where you are." He processed this new information and decides to think about it later. "Trust me, I'm sure you didn't betray her, okay? Especially if I don't tell Beryl that you told me. If she doesn't want me to know... she's got a reason. So it'll be like I don't know." he reassures her.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"But i have to tell her!!! Because then im lying!!! And lying is the last thing i want to do to beryl!! Her hugs are the best!!!"

Mary continues to weep.

"I... im scared ill get her hurt by screwing up..."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Okay, that's fair. Don't lie to her then. Buuuuut I'm sure she'll understand and continue to hug you. I can talk to her if you'd like?" Finch asks, before giving a tiny smile. "Mary, she wouldn't bring you if she didn't trust you to keep her safe, right? And also, she definitely wouldn't be safer alone."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"B-b-but i promised to keep it secret..."

Mary keeps crying until she starts dry heaving from it.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

dry heaving on one's side isn't great, so Finch picks her up and hugs her, continuing to pat her back. "Please don't throw up on my back please don't throw up on my back" "I know you did but Beryl is your friend. Your good friend. Great friend. Friends forgive each other. She's forgive you. And I'll talk to her as well I promise."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"B-but im scared.... it hurt so much when jojo had star hit me because i didnt mean too... it was an accident and this was an accident..."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"I won't let Jojo or star hit you. And Y'know what? If Beryl tries to hit you I won't let her do that either. I don't let people hurt my fiends. Even my other friends."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"I... i...i i i.... i just...."

Mary just goes limp and sobs.

"I... i need to sleep... ah... ill s-see you later finch...."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Har har." Finch continues to hug her and pat her back. "I'm like a really bad case of the cold: I'm hard to get rid of and I come back after anyways. I'm not leaving until you're at least done crying. I'd be a bad friend if I didn't stick around to help."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"F-finch.... please..."

Mary slowly stops crying, whether through willpower or actual calming down.

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch nods. "Look, Mary. I just want to help you. You're my friend." Once she's calmed down enough he sighs and lets her go. "Okay, I'll go then. I promise you won't lose Beryl, Mary. I'll talk to her on our date." he stands and sighs a little.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"...youre my friend too... and i dont wanna ruin your date..."

Mary snatches her scroll from the table and nods

"H-have fun..."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Oh, I haven't even asked if she wants to get dinner with me. I'll ask her sometime before tomorrow night- I shouldn't just spring it on her last minute." Finch nods, making his way to the door. "Sorry. About all of this. I didn't mean to bring it up."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"I did something wrong... not you...."

Mary waves goodbye and rolls over to her side, her breathing calm and steady.

"Be safe finch..."

@Arc13x | Finch Sterling

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

"Be safe, Mary." Finch sighs softly. "You didn't do anything wrong. I'm not lying." He leaves the jar of peanut butter he got for sandwiches on her nightstand, hoping she doesn't eat too much of it and vomit on everything, and slips out the door. "I'll see you, okay? Text me whenever you want."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"I will.... bye finch..."

Finch could hear mary begin typing on her scroll as he leaves. "Beryl i made a real big mistake." She texts to beryl.

@Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL ( @Arc13x | Finch Sterling if you want to post finch leaving)

Arc13x | Finch Sterling - 08/05/2017

Finch sighed and stuck his hands in his pockets, wondering if there was something else he could've said, or could've done. He'd have to find out what else Mary liked so he could apologize, he thought as he walked out of the dorm, forgoing the doors by just phasing out onto campus.

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - 08/05/2017

"I look super cool right now." The action in question that made Beryl 'super cool' in her own eyes was the sharpening of the blades on her gauntlets. Her scroll buzzes, and upon reading the message, her eyebrows jump. "Don't panic. Usually if you text someone a mean thing you can play it off like a prank." she replies.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"I told finch about us watching movies... not the peaches movies but the movies. Please dont be mad because i really like being around you and when you hit me please dont punch to hard because that time jojo hit me with star platinum hurt inside and out and i know if you hit me itll feel even worse." Mary types up a storm, remaining in a huddled ball on her bed.

@Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - 08/05/2017

"Mary Im not gonna hit u. Honestly he was going to find out sooner or later. Secret identities kinda exist to keep ppl close to us safe but Finch can handle himself. He's got huntsman training. Soooo yeah. All good. No ones getting hit." Beryl appreciates Mary's honesty, but the references to her relationship with JoJo scare Beryl. She already feared the unhealthy possibilities, and Mary had essentially just confirmed them.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"But... i broke a promise... i thought whenever you break a promise the person who you made the promise to has to hit you... :(" Mary sat up and furrows her brow, unsure of what to do in the current situation.

@Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - 08/05/2017

"Im gonna be straight and I apologize in advance but if JoJo told u that shes a bitch." To say that Beryl is upset would be an understatement. The idea of JoJo having abused Mary like this sends Beryl into a fury. "If someone breaks a promise u take into account there situation and try to forgive them. It's not okay to hit people ur dating. I promise Im not mad at u just in general."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"I... no one told me that... i just assumed... it was the only time i broke a promise... so what do you do instead

of hit? Hug?" @Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - 08/05/2017

"Sometimes yeah. I forgive u so I will hug u. Usually it's not always hugs, like sometimes it's bad, but when its bad u don't hit the other person." Beryl has spent the last several minutes kicking her pillow, throwing it, and generally taking her frustrations out on it. "You don't fucking do that! Okay she fucked up, but that's just wrong! Fucking god damn cunt bitch! Fuck off and die!" By examining Beryl's exceedingly colorful language, one could easily discern how much she cares about Mary's well-being. "In the end yea u made a mistake but the consaquenses arent that bad so I forgive you. And ill totaly hug u bcus of it"

@BoogieBones | Mary(edited)

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

Beryl would then start getting a call from mary after a few minutes without a text back, mary would actually be laying on her bed squeezing her pillow tightly.

@Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - 08/05/2017

Beryl's hand shoots toward her scroll, dropping the implement she had been using to sharpen her gauntlet blades. "Mary! Hi! Are you okay? I wanna make sure you know I'm okay. I'm not mad at you."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - 08/05/2017

"...i... whyd you... what... please dont call jojo those things... b-but im fine... im glad youre okay... i went for a run today... finch was like a backpack..."

@Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL

August 6, 2017

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - Last Sunday at 1:28 PM

"Oh. Like I did with you? I mean, I guess it's good for you to get outside." Dropping back onto her bed, Beryl sighs quietly. "I'm sorry for saying what I did about JoJo. I just got really mad."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - Last Sunday at 1:31 PM

"Its okay... lets just forget about it. And yeah i got really mad because i had a bad dream so i ran to a mall with finch on my back... although i got a cut on my foot and he carried me. Hes really nice."

@Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - Last Sunday at 6:11 PM

"He is, yeah. Listen, don't hesitate to call me, okay? Aside from morning workouts (which you can totally join me on) and classes, I'll do my best to pick up." Beryl had been told before that, over the phone, she sounded like she didn't care very much. It was her goal to convey as much sincerity to Mary as possible. "We're both here to help."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - Last Sunday at 6:20 PM

"Okay... ill call you whenever i feel sad... and if you cant pick up ill uh... think about you... say... me and finch talked about it and we think we should have a movie night... all three of us..."

Mary cant help but smile at the thought of Beryl helping her out whenever she was down.

@Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - Last Sunday at 6:23 PM

"I think that would help all of us. Send us both a time somtime soon and I'll arrange it." Now relieved, Beryl allowed herself to smile. Things were getting better. "Also, do you mean peaches movie night or movie night movie night? Because I'm down for both."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - Last Sunday at 6:27 PM

"I.... uhm..."

Its clear it takes mary a few seconds to think on which one she actually means.

"I... i mean the ones where we sit on my bed watching movies and sometimes we hug... i uh... also it sounds wrong for me to think this... but... can the crime thing be just us? Like our own little thing?"

@Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - Last Sunday at 9:43 PM

"One: totally. I like our movie nights and I like Finch. Easy blend. It'd also probably be good for us to explore more awful foreign films. Two: it sure can. Bat-Faunus is usually one dude with his best friend." Beryl clears her throat, which is slightly out of place. Nonetheless, she continues. "I wouldn't rather fight crime with anyone else."

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - Last Sunday at 9:48 PM

Mary goes silent for a few moments, her face struggling hold back a smile as it turns slightly rosie.

"...I dont wanna do crime fighting unless its with you either... oh! Hey i almost forgot, the final piece of my costume came in before the whole... mess i had... i was wondering if you wanted to see the finished product."

@Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - Last Sunday at 10:10 PM

"I didn't even know there was a final piece!" She glances over at a pair of sweatpants still stained by tomato sauce from the pasta she had the previous night. Upon looking at her own legs, she could plainly see that they were bare. "Gotta love laundry day." "You wanna send me a picture or should I head over?"

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - Last Sunday at 10:20 PM

"Ah yeah i can send a picture hold on..."

Mary hangs up and after a few moments of dressing up in her costume of her red jacket, a black pair of spandex, bright red combat boots, a white muffler and a shiny red motorcycle helmet, she takes a picture and the mirror and tries to send it to beryl... only to realize she sent the wrong picture... she sent a much more revealing.... much more embarassing picture than her costume.... her jaw drops and she stands in silence, unsure of what to do.

@Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - Last Sunday at 10:37 PM

Upon seeing the image, Beryl is simply shocked. She blushes and speaks to herself.

"Huh...I think she didn't mean to send that."

Not long after, she shoots Mary a text. She wanted to be delicate, since she had only just managed to calm Mary down.

"I mean...nice"

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - Last Sunday at 10:43 PM

After a rather long time of typing and deleting mary simply sends the picture of the costume, followed by "Sorry i didnt mean to you have a boyfriend and that was a picture i took for jojo a while ago and i hit it accide tally i thought i hit the costume but i didnt and now it wont let me delete it and im so sorry." Mary ducks down in shame and begins to cry a little at her massive mistake before perking up slightly and rereading what beryl sent. "Wait you think its nice?"

@Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - Last Sunday at 11:13 PM

"well yeah. im not gonna lie, if u send that to sombody their gonna apreciate it." Not trying to encroach on Mary's comfort. "its hotttt lol ;P" She had no idea if that was helping or not. At this point, she figured a compliment would go over well.

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - Last Sunday at 11:17 PM

Mary takes off her helmet, her face bright red."i dont understand whats happening... i know youre not teasing but im also not sure if you want another one or not... its hard to understand through scroll." She begins to undress from the costume, her mind racing as it tries to find a way out.

@Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL

August 7, 2017

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - Last Monday at 12:02 AM

*" no no lol I dont need another one. im just complamenting u. in a friendly way." Beryl sincerely wonders if that makes sense to Mary. She considers deleting the photo, but upon seeing it, she quickly becomes distracted with a nearby bag of chips. Beryl could tell she wasn't falling for Mary; not in the slightest. Why didn't she feel like she shouldn't delete the photo. Forcing herself out of the funk, Beryl taps and holds on...Mary's exposed belly button, and deletes the photo from their conversation.

"hey I deleted it :thumbsup:"

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - Last Monday at 12:05 AM

"Thank you... so what are your thoughts on the costume."

Mary was very confused, she was both happy and strangely dissapoined beryl deleted it. Although she finally had an out and took it, she packs the rest of the costume back into the closet.

"Too flashy?"

@Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - Last Monday at 12:20 AM

"ur hands sparkle red lighting. I dont think u need to worry about being to flashy."

The photo still seemed to linger in Beryl's mind, like the light of an old television hanging on the screen seconds after turning it off. When she lies on her bed, the only thing she notices is her own sheets. Beryl quickly removes her shirt and positions herself similar to how Mary was, going as far as to rearrange her sheets to match the placement from the photo. Upon holding her scroll above herself, she notices a detail: Mary doesn't wear socks when she has the choice. When Beryl goes to take off her own socks, she grazes her hip with a fingernail. Beryl didn't expect this, and jumps slightly. This small misstep excites her. She hadn't ever taken a photo like this before. It doesn't take long for Beryl to position the camera and take a photo of her own. As frustrated as she was with her own bust, she figured it would be the optimal choice for what to show off. However, Beryl whistled once she glanced down at her abs.

"Not bad. Not bad at all."

She decides to text Mary about the situation.

"hey can u help me? i need you to see if I should send this to finch. (nude lol)"

@BoogieBones | Mary

BoogieBones | Mary - Last Monday at 12:26 AM

"Just send it to him." Mary texts back, she disliked seeing pictures of that sort, in her mind they were meant only for people in a relationship. She turned her scroll upside down and pulled her knees up to her chest, sighing and mumbles to herself.

"...this feels wrong..."

@Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL

Sloth | Beryl | The 5th BnL - Last Monday at 12:36 AM

The reaction wasn't exactly what Beryl expected. She replies with only a 'k' and leaves the issue be. She didn't know why she even asked Mary in the first place. After a moment, she tries talking to herself.

"I trust her with it. I know she won't do anything." She quickly ends the dialogue in her head. "Whatever."