New Player is Suss
“All I am saying, Fjord is that there is no way you could have gotten over to weapons that fast with no one noticing,” Molly declared. There was a slight echo as he was just on the other side of the room from Fjord.
“I’m telling you, I saw Astrid!”
“I have no idea how you could have seen me,” Astrid commented. She had become more comfortable with them after almost an hour of playing with them and sitting in the lobby while others joined.
“Astrid, why do you hate me? You keep tossing me out the air lock!”
“Green is suss, all I’m saying,” she shot back. A few people murmured in agreement. Veth heard the smile in all of their voices as she watched Beau’s stream while she made dinner.
“I’m telling you, I’m not the imposter. I saw pink (“Cad is an angel and would never hurt a fly,” Molly shot back while laughing) running from that direction.” Fjord was sounding frantic, but she knew it was his bluffing game voice and not serious.
“How do we know this is not a self-report,” Beau asked with a devilish smirk on her face. Her name was glowing red next to her little cyan bean.
“Please, Caleb never self-reports,” Jester sighed. Veth could both hear the eyeroll in her voice and see that it was not true.
After all, Caleb’s name was also red next to his own orange bean. Veth knew that one of the ways Caleb did so well was his naturally breathy voice and he knew when to stay quiet. He was also secretly devious when it came to this game and was more likely to pull bold kills. However, he was also atrocious as a crewmate because he seemed more suspicious than anyone else. An annoyed sigh came through the speakers that sounded a lot like Bryce.
“We have to vote. I’m voting Fjord.”
“What?!”
“Yeah, same.”
“Yep.”
“I hate you all.”
“Bye, bye imposter scum,” Beau snarked as they all voted for Fjord, except for himself. That green node was on Caleb’s name.
“Alright, well that was easier than I thought,” Beau laughed as they started the next round. She began narrating her thought process and how easy it was to frame Fjord in this as he always sounded guilty. Veth went back to cutting the potatoes as Beau faked a few tasks to gain some trust in Jester and Yasha. By the time she had them in the pan with the oil, either Beau or Caleb shut off the lights and Beau was headed toward Yasha when a body was reported. She hadn’t even noticed Jester vanished into the building.
“What the fuck,” Beau breathed then saw that Caleb had been busy as she was stalking the other two. Once the meeting opened, immediately the accusations started.
“I take that back, my brother is a vicious killer,” Molly stated. “I was in Navigation when the lights went off. I was with Bryce and Cad joined us. The lights went off and then Bryce was fucking dead.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Cad replied with a calm voice. “If anything, you are accusing far too many people, Molls.”
“No, don’t start with that!”
“Hey. Hey guys,” Yasha cut in as the brothers began bickering. “Jester’s dead. It can’t be Beau because she was with me pretty much this whole round. We were together when we last saw Jes.”
“Yes, baby, vouch for me. I’ll kill you last,” Beau muttered to the chat before popping into the meeting. “I was going to say, I was with Yasha and there was no way she could have killed either of them. Cad or Molly have to be it.”
“Caleb was with me for some of it, so if we were right that we got Fjord then it is one of the Clays.”
“Woah, what? Why am I suddenly suss,” Molly asked indignantly.
“Because you’re blaming everyone and you’re infamous for a self-report,” Beau pointed out. Veth snorted and added the seasoning and put the lid over the pot.
“I’m good with voting Molly now,” Astrid chimed in.
“Ja, if that is what everyone thinks is best,” Caleb replied. Veth noted that he only voted after two others did it.
“Fuck all of you. It’s Cad. He fucking set me up because he knows I’m shit at sounding calm!”
Veth watched as Beau started laughing in her small window. “Alright guys, I’m going to wait to call a meeting and hopefully Caleb doesn’t set off reactors or O2 before I get to. See if we can get Cad tossed out.”
And that was what happened next. With their fates sealed by the fact that Cad was suspicious, he was sent into space next, leaving Yasha and Astrid alone. Once Cad was sent into space, the victory screen showed and the lobby chat opened up to a cacophony of noise. Yeza joined her in the kitchen and watched the screen with her for a moment before getting out one of Luc’s waters and heading back to the living room.
“Caleb!” Jester yelled as the man’s breathy laugh filled the room. “What was that?!”
“How the fuck did you slip away?” Astrid asked right after. “You’re a psycho.”
“I dodged into the other room while you had a task screen up and then turned off the lights just my cool off hit and got Bryce between Cad and Molly.”
“That was fucking brilliant, fucking Christ,” Beau told him. “I was stalking Yasha when Molly called Bryce’s death.”
“I was so fucking confused,” Bryce told them with a laugh. “I seriously thought Molly had done it. No doubt in my mind.”
“Astrid, why do you hate me,” Fjord asked with mirth in his voice. “What did I do to you.”
“Look,” she stated and the word was immediately parroted by a few of the others. “You make it so fucking easy normally. I’ll stop killing you off immediately. I promise.”
“I don’t believe you,” Fjord told her as the next round started.
He was right not to because Astrid was apparently the imposter and immediately offed Fjord in front of Dagen, who called the meeting. To her credit, she did not even bother hiding that she had done it just because it was too funny not to. She was sent into space cackling.
It was nice to have her reaching out. Veth knew that it had been a struggle for Caleb to merge the two friend groups. Wulf was still stubborn and reluctant to bond with anyone. It was a shame, because from what Caleb had said he would have fit in decently with Cad and Yasha. There was a hang up on a few factors. She often wondered if it was an overprotectiveness that he felt for Caleb portrayed in possessive and controlling behavior. He seemed to genuinely think what he was doing was right, after all. And it was hard to truly fault someone who was trying to do the right thing.
Still, it was causing a lot of stress on him. He had finally reached out to herself and Cad in the last few days about everything. Since then, Astrid had joined their games a few times and she had followed some of them on social media. She was an interesting girl and Veth saw easily why Caleb had fallen for her so hard. She was pretty and intelligent with a sharp and clever mind. A sharp wit and playfulness helped, as well. And she fit in with the girls of the group easily. It was also clear that she had always been the most social of the three. It was good that she was trying. But she noticed that there was something off with how she responded to some of the interactions. All in due time.
Veth turned off the stream and finished making dinner. They’d be playing for a while.
SICK OF THIS SHIT
MT I literally hate them on a level that makes me think I have ascended to godhood
SleevesRBS wtf does that even mean lmao
MT s e l f i e s
MT so
MT many
MT selfies
ItsYaBoi …
MT NEITHER HAVE SNAPCHAT
MT IT WOULD MAKE LIFE EASIER
SleevesRBS Molly, do you need a drinking night
MT daddy please
SleevesRBS I got you bb ill be there in 10
ItsYaBoi You two are a study in friendship psychology I could not be paid enough to observe.
SleevesRBS ilu2
DM: FjordTough and Widogast
FjordTough how was your test
Widogast Not terrible. I am just glad this is the last course that I must take before I am exclusively studying my major.
FjordTough that sucks.
FjordTough up to anything exciting this weekend
Widogast Fjord.
FjordTough Caleb
Widogast When do I ever do something “exciting” on the weekend?
FjordTough when you visit us here
Widogast Would you like me to visit you?
FjordTough …
FjordTough if that’s an option I wouldn’t mind
Widogast Ja?
FjordTough Yeah. I mean, I’ll be out of town next week for two games so itd be nice to see you before then
Widogast Oh, yes. The season.
FjordTough yep. I’ll be here and there a bit more than usual
FjordTough less gaming time
Widogast But I can still message you here, too, ja?
FjordTough of course you can. Why wouldn’t you?
Wiogast Ah. Well, you would be busy. I don’t want to distract you from anything.
FjordTough Caleb
FjordTough I want to talk to you every day still if you want to
FjordTough ngl its sometimes the best part of my day
Widogast Oh.
Widogast Well. I guess it would be mean of me to deny you that, then.
FjordTough very mean in fact
Widogast it seems I have no choice then but to keep you company.
FjordTough big of you to do this for me.
Widogast This is hardly the most I would do if you asked, do not be ridiculous.
Widogast So, this weekend?
FjordTough yeah sorry. I got distracted
FjordTough Saturday? Friday we’re going clubbing
Widogast Ah, the delightful return of Drunk!Fjord.
FjordTough I am not that bad
Widogast You say that now until you are messaging me how pretty I am then about the tragedy that is watching any more with a dog as a main character
FjordTough that is not a drunk fact, that is a life fact. Dog movies will always be sad and that is bullshit
FjordTough and no more free compliments, you need to work to be called pretty this time
Widogast … Noted.
GAME HOES
FjordTough can someone PLEASE tell Molly it is not the weather for tank tops
HotNDangerous I disagree
ZoolandersNipples ok who changed my name
MissJester >:)
BlueDevil NUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
ZoolandersNipples don’t play with fire
DrunkChild molly are you why someone gave fjord tequila
ZoolandersNipples uh
ZoolandersNipples negatory I ordered the royal highness peach ciroc chilled
BlueDevil Is that good?
DrunkChild if you like pure sugar vodka and flavoring sure
ZoolandersNipples no
DrunkChild otherwise it tastes like jolly rancher backwash and last night’s mistakes
NottListening …
NottListening that
NottListening no that is actually pretty accurate
NottListening also I though there was a no tequila rule for Fjord?
DarkAngel Molly is in the clear. It was the chick with the face glitter who got it for him.
DrunkChild fuck
DrunkChild ill try to get his phone off him
ZoolandersNipples he’s on the dance floor, we’re good for 10 minutes
BlueDevil FJORD~ IS DANCING!!?
ZoolandersNipples dancing is a stretch
ZoolandersNipples more like conveniently swaying to the beat while a chick uses him to scratch her ass
ItsYaBoi Okay. I did not need to read that while drinking a hot tea.
ItsYaBoi RIP my phone.
DrunkDaddy hey who chang my nam
DrunkChild man of the hour, welcome
DrunkDaddy mnot a daddy
SoullessWonder I see he has had at least two things to drink already.
DrunkDaddy CALEB
SoullessWonder Halo, Fjord.
DrunkDaddy hi :)
DrunkDaddy I have water.
SoullessWonder I’m glad.
ZoolandersNipples Caleb, you beautiful man he was distracted long enough
SoullessWonder ?
DrunkChild Yasha got his phone while he was smiling at it
DrunkChild thank fuck his reflexes are shit when hes drunk
SoullessWonder He said he was going to go easy this time?
DrunkChild pretty girl and drink in hand
SoullessWonder Ah.
ZoolandersNipples I hate him. Caleb, he wants me to transcribe messages for him
ZoolandersNipples he has been sulking since you went quiet
SoullessWonder Assure him I was merely driving home.
ZoolandersNipples sure he wants to know if you are coming by tomorrow
SoullessWonder Only if he does as you ask and stays hydrated.
ZoolandersNipples now he wants to know if you dance
SoullessWonder Ah. Quite well actually. Astrid and I used to take lessons in high school. She has convinced me to start up again.
ZoolandersNipples alright well I am not typing that comment but heavily paraphrased let’s leave it as he appreciates that information
DM: MissJester and TeaLeaf
MissJester OOOOOOH~ what did he say?!
TeaLeaf lets leave it at he is now quite fascinated with the thought of hip movements
MissJester wefh wifhwfeks dm
MissJester I love Drunk!Fjord
GAME HOES
SoullessWonder Would it ensure he stops being a hassle if I promise him at some point we can dance?
DrunkChild hold on I think molly inhaled an ice cube while laughing at the noise fjord just made
DarkAngel Why do I go clubbing with you if no one gets off their phone?
MissJester I CAN COME UP DURING SCHOOL BREAK AND WE CAN ALL GO OUT ~
MissJester I promise I will not ignore you for my phone <3
DarkAngel Thank-you Jester.
ZoolandersNipples hoe whY IS YOUR NAME BACK TO NORMAL
DM: FjordTough and Widogast
FjordTough Caleb. Caleb ru up
FjordTough cant.sleep
FjordTough :(
Widogast I’m here
FjordTough no punctuation u tred
FjordTough I woke ou
Widogast I was simply reading. What’s wrong?
FjordTough mindnis racing
FjordTough dunno was hoping ucould distractnme if you werrup
Widogast I can try my best.
FjordTough :)
Widogast Did you have fun tonight? I heard you were getting your groove on.
FjordTough our anold man Caleb no one sayshat
FjordTough was god but idk
FjordTough woulve liked others therr
Widogast Darrow?
FjordTough ye but not for tht no
Widogast I thought the girls were pretty.
FjordTough they wre but
FjordTough duuno there r always pretty gils in clubs
FjordTough mayb one tim we cn g out
FjordTough thn itd be better
Widogast You wanted me there?
FjordTough alwys so
Widogast [Image Sent]
Widogast That way you didn’t break your promise of a free compliment.
FjordTough spretty
Widogast Fjord are you in bed?
FjordTough [Image Sent]
Widogast How about I call, and you can just stay on until you fall asleep.
FjordTough mkay.
Call Duration: 1:05:38
Widogast Good night Fjord.
“Who the fuck are you,” a gruff and aggressive voice asked as Caleb stopped in front of Molly and Fjord’s door.
He looked up to find an intimidating man with broad shoulders and a heavy jaw and brow. He recognized the voice vaguely but could not place it. His brows furrowed as the shorter man looked up through his hair that had fallen from his beanie. While he knew there were rules against visitors at times, especially those who did not attend that school, but he only knew of strict RAs and the more priss of students who actually followed that. And Caleb knew he was a dime a dozen in New England. Outside of the long red hair, which in this lighting looked almost sandy in tone, he could probably pass as at least a dozen other students in the dorm alone. He doubted this man was an RA, however. Outside of the stance that said brute more than authority figure, he reeked of alcohol and Caleb was not sure he had changed his shirt in the last decade with how stained it was. A memory tickled in the back of his mind and he tossed it up to a neighbor who maybe was just annoyed he was outside this far before noon.
“Ah, I am stopping by to see the people who stay in this dorm,” Caleb said in lieu of any actual information, then kicked the door lightly to be let in.
“You would be friends with the queers,” the man snarled and glared down at him. “You one of the fucks that keeps them up all night, too? Bet you could find someone better to do with your time.”
The whiplash that Caleb felt from the two contrasting comments left him blinking and dazed. He was sure that this man was aggressively homophobic, sure. But it almost seemed as though it was something he was interested in? If not out of actual interest then perhaps out of dominance? Conquest? His eyes were predatory and almost blazing as they watched Caleb watch him right back with a forced blank expression. While his heart pounded heavily in his ears and his knees felt ready to give out, he took the glare that was sent his way, let it smolder, and sent it back blue hot in return. It was not comforting that it seemed to only make his smirk grown hungrier.
The door opened finally, and one exhausted Fjord stepped into the frame. Caleb turned in time to watch the sleep-bleary expression blink away into one of cold hardness. His jaw muscle flexed hard enough that it was visible, and his nose flared.
“Best not leave your toys out where others can play with them, Palomares,” the man sneered as he backed toward his own door.
Caleb felt Fjord grip his elbow hard and he was not so gently guided into the room. It was only after the smaller man let out a hiss that Fjord started and let go immediately with his eyes softening and looking apologetic. His eyes fell to the hand that had gripped Caleb’s arm and frowned at it before looking back up. Fjord licked his lips in preparation to speak, but Caleb cut him off. There was no need to say anything.
“Breakfast,” he announced instead and offered the back of breakfast tacos and the drink carrier of coffee.
“In hindsight,” Fjord muttered sheepishly as he took the bag and headed to the table he and Molly called their counter. “Last night may have been a mistake with you heading in so early.”
“Hungover?”
“Not as bad as Molly,” which got a groan in reply from the pile of blankets that Caleb assumed was the third man, “but a headache.”
“Would be a shame if I didn’t think about that and bring you some extra strength aspirin,” Caleb replied with a hum.
“Caleb, I think it’s time I fight Molly for your hand in marriage,” Fjord sighed as he dug into the plastic bag.
Molly grunted a negative out from under the blankets.
“Sorry, Molly, he has been the one talking to me all night,” Caleb solemnly informed the pile of blankets. He assumed the muffled reply was a string of swears. “Breakfast. Up. You promised me a whole day.”
“I got drunk,” Molly whined as he poked his head out from under the blankets with a pout.
“Not my fault. Up or I am asking Beau to come over.”
“Beau got laid last night,” Molly replied.
“Oh, Yasha finally bit the bullet,” Caleb replied both genuinely shocked and hopeful.
He heard Fjord inhale sharply, snort, then start coughing uncontrollably. The man turned and saw him holding a napkin to his face with tears forming in his eyes as he tried to get his breathing under control. Caleb frowned in confusion then hummed a light, “ah,” in realization. They were still dancing around it, then. He turned back to Molly and shook the bed a few times before the man groaned and rolled out of bed. Caleb blushed and averted his eyes as he watched Molly stroll naked to his dresser to fetch out shorts. His gaze drifted back over to Fjord only to finally process that the other man was in low-slung sleep pants that showed off far too much of his lower abdomen. Feeling his face on fire, the man turned and grabbed his coffee.
“Did I hear Enzo earlier,” Molly asked as he joined them while running his hand through his now floppy mohawk. “I need to redo the color.”
“Yeah, fucking creeping on Caleb here.”
“Of fucking course, he is,” Molly replied. “Princess Peach here is exactly his type.”
“Underweight and so pale I could white balance a camera,” Caleb offered in a desperate attempt to stop himself from blushing. “Also, I played as her once.”
“No,” Fjord replied bitterly. “You’re important to me, so he needs to break it.”
Caleb froze, not trusting his hand to properly handle drinking coffee in that moment. As much as he reveled in the idea of meaning that much to Fjord, he was not sure he liked the prospect of being a target to the man who he now understood was the guy who harassed Molly constantly. He finally took a drink of his coffee and decided to focus on the rest of the day instead.