[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you tagged

Sunbathing was something that Rhea didn't necessarily need to do, but it was something that she found oddly relaxing. She wasn't quite sure why; maybe part of the reason why was because the Japanese sun was more forgiving than it was in other places, maybe it was because she was literally a snake. Well, resembled a snake. The scales she had were limited to her shoulders and neck, which she was proudly sporting with a strapless bikini. Either way, things were going well today. No one was bothering her, she could casually doze, she didn't have to work tonight, bills were paid, life was pretty grand. She was even going out with Lilith tonight! It would no doubt turn into a stealing spree, but she had to get her kicks from somewhere.

Although...what exactly was that shadow passing over her? She opened her eyes and pushed up her sunglasses, and-

"AHHHHHHH!"

While Rhea could be menacing in her own way, she relied heavily on mind games and veiled threats. Physically, she was beautiful and as such most people wouldn't assume she was a threat. A giant lobster-looking man with tentacles for a face, however, was physically intimidating and something that Rhea wanted nothing to do with. And unfortunately for her as she started to get up to run it casually reached down and clamped down on her leg, beginning to drag her across the sand. "Let me go!" she screamed, trying her best to figure out a way out of this mess. She was grown. She could do that!

0 Victims

OWL

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

I’m not at the beach I’m by the beach.

I promised to meet some classmates at Lady Liberty. They need my American eyes to confirm how accurate the replica is. And if that wasn’t enough, they want to take me to two other locations over the weekend to do the same. For whatever reason, this is a popular tourist attraction. A part of me — most of me, really — regrets informing them of my New Yorker status.

People might think I don’t speak Spanish or Nepali because I grew up in the greatest city in the world. I was fortunate enough to live in The Big Apple, a melting pot of culture, and learned to love The United States, blemishes and all. Truth be told I don’t really feel much about places. I have a genetic lineage taking me back to this country and that country. But I don’t feel Latino or South Asian or much like a New Yorker at all.

I don’t like boxes. I’m not something you can check off. But if you think you can, I have a mighty close phrase I’d like to share.

Let me go!

That’s not the phrase.

I was begging for an excuse to be late. And if I’m lucky I’ll have an excuse to not show up altogether.

I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck. Goosebumps sprout across my body. And the beating of my chest sounds like a one-man war drum.

Kick off the sand as I find a point of impact. I slam my fist down on the propodus. It cracks enough to loosen its grip and I grab the woman and drag her a dozen or so feet away from the monster. The tentacles on its face make it alien to my human sensibilities.

“What is that thing?” I ask her, helping her to her feet. “And can you walk?”

---

rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

The monster let out a screech as its arm was cracked, muscles forced to release Rhea as it took a few steps back. Rhea, meanwhile, found herself manhandled and was not in the best of moods. Even through the adrenaline she felt the rawness of her back, and her leg was bleeding. She didn't think it was life threatening, but it hurt, dammit!

And then there was this guy! She didn't need to know much about him to know that he was either a hero or a hero in training. Her blood boiled knowing that she owed something to someone, and that was the worst position she could be in. Although...perhaps she could use this to her advantage. Yes...maybe nothing definitive, but something she could pull off in the long term. Almost immediately she let that hotheadedness cool, and she let a look of relief wash over her. "I-I'm fine," she says, forcing herself to relax in order to sell the bit. She put weight on her leg, and while it hurt she could manage.

He didn't have to know that.

She feigned almost falling over, grabbing onto his arm as she let out a gasp of pain (that was at the very least genuine). "No, I don't think I can! It hurts..." She shook her head, looking back at the monster as it tested its mauled pincer, some motion coming back to it as it advanced on them. "Oh, no, I don't know what it is! Please save me, Mysterious Stranger!"

0 Victims

OWL

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

Even a child knows that crabs have two claws. But what their uninformed drawings don’t show is its asymmetry. Motion returned to the sea monster’s appendage but that was never my concern. It had dragged her because it didn’t want to maim her. Otherwise, it would have used its smaller, sharper limb meant for cutting.

If that had caught her, she wouldn’t have a limp she’d have a nub. And if that were the claw I struck, it would have been out of commission. The larger, duller weapon was a blunt instrument meant to crush whatever it swung into. Primarily the skulls of its prey. As it lumbered over I could see the glint of murderous intent imbued into the heart of every predator born on this accursed planet. It might have been a monster but it was no different from the men or beasts of the world.

Escape is ideal.

Judging by the impact, its shell was thick — I should be faster. Limp or not, I intended to carry her to safety. But with so many variables I’m not liking the odds of a tactical retreat. How tactical is it to expose your back to a creature of unknown parameters?

“Do you have a lighter perchance?” If she did, there was only one place to keep it. I can’t help but take a quick glance at her chest. “Or a way to start a fire.”

---

rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

She flushed a little as his gaze dipped. She wanted to make a joke about how she was capable of setting fire to anyone with her looks, but now was not a very good time for that. Perhaps later, when the matter of life or death wasn't on the line. "I-I'm not a smoker, sorry," she says, giving an apologetic smile.

Meanwhile, the monster continued on, a second pair of pincers appearing from its abdomen; these looked more like the cutting ones that Rahul was thinking of. Rhea blanched a little, and despite her earlier scream threatened to rip her vocal cords apart she felt she had no use but to employ her quirk. "If you get me out of here, I'll give you anything you want!~" She hated phrasing that like this, but she was not a fighter and preferred to force combatants to kill themselves if it came to it. She didn't think she could force that creature to do anything she said, and at worst she had to do unsavory acts with this hero...student...

Okay, maybe this was not a good idea in the slightest. How could she revert that order...

1 Victim

OWL

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

Her words fell onto my heart like meteors. What I wanted was a lighter. Even a match would suffice. I wouldn't be happy until the sea monster was a Michelin dish charred in protest. If we rate food with stars then the least we can do is cook in a supernova.

Instead, this woman and the illogical urge to protect her at all costs pulled me down. There are no easy answers; anything and everything was on the table. I systematically eliminated every idea in orbit reaching the inevitable conclusion: retreat.

But my cognitive safeguards cower before the fear in my gut demanding a fight. Through revelation, I understood what was once illogical.

If I cannot save her, I cannot save Abuela.

Inhale.

The air reaches my lungs. Oxygen enters my bloodstream as carbon dioxide leaves.

Exhale.

My hand points outward. From my breath and the breath of all living things a bunny emerges. With black fur and eyes like mine, it multiplies.

There's a small, intentional gap that keeps our eyes locked — the monster and I unblinking. I throw my phone with all my might and as it charges in defiance, it cuts with its smaller claw, splitting the phone. Simultaneously, the bunnies turn to smoke. The damaged device causes a spark and ignites the dust cloud the monster stepped into.

We take three or four steps back. The fire ends in a moment and all that's left is a one-star review from a dissatisfied customer. It's dead.

"Anything I want?"

---

rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

Rabbits?

That was an odd quirk. She couldn't talk much as in this day and age any strange power could appear from nowhere. It was because of these powers that she wanted to see this world burn. That included this young man. And he was throwing his phone away? Well, that was something at least. She could potentially send him at the monster, use him as a distraction while she ran away-

The sudden explosion threw her off guard, and...well, what could she say? It was impressive. Her talents never lied in violence like this, so seeing a plan that like come to fruition was...well, interesting. Of course, then he had to go and ask his question. Her blood ran cold, and she looked up at him, blinking. "U-uh...yes?" Her face flushed, which she guessed worked in her favor. Altogether, this was an embarrassing experience that she just wanted to be over...maybe he'd ask for something small, like a kiss. She could easily dodge that with a peck on the cheek. Though...what if he asked for something more? And that in turn blossomed into more? She couldn't have that, not at all! If that happened then she'd be in some serious trouble! It was one thing for her or Lilith to let their interests wander from time to time, but never to fraternize with hero types! That was like flying too close to the sun, letting one's arrogance get the better of them!

0 Victims

OWL

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

Her face flushed.

A surprise considering how little she wore, even for the beach. It might have to do with the obvious glance I took earlier, but that was pragmatic. We didn’t have time to waste. If she were carrying a lighter that’s where it would have been. Then again, I’m a stranger. She might think me a pervert looking to get my grubby little hands all over her body. And while I understand the concern, that would frankly be disgusting.

You don’t save people to get your rocks off. Even if you did, vagrantly taking advantage of someone you rescued is crossing an ethical line that every conscious being should adhere to. Still, theft, while illegal, was fair game.

“Your phone.” I don’t serve the law. The law serves me. Therefore, theft is acceptable when it’s the only way to contact my Abuela. “Consider it insurance. I have places to be and people to meet. You’ll buy me a new one tomorrow and I’ll return this.”

I haven’t let go of her.

“We’ll meet two blocks up, safe from wandering sea creatures,” I start heading towards town. “I’ll take you to the hospital before I leave.”

---

rhea

[rhea]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

If there was any worst way to be forced to do something, then that was it. Her phone! As if she also didn't have places to be and things to do! This was downright criminal, and she should know! To make matters worse, his condition wasn't unreasonable. You know, to anyone with money. Something she had little to spare.

Calm down. Don't let the emotions get the better of you, Rhea. You just have to see him one more time after today. And we can make him regret his decisions. She shifted a little in his arms, pointing at something on the beach. "My bag," she says, indicating that needed that. "If you wanted my number, all you had to do was ask. This is possibly the most elaborate way you could go about it!~" Much as she figured he was more than a Good Samaritan, she had to hide her disdain. The best way she knew how to do that was through flirting.

Tomorrow, though...that was going to be tough. She didn't anticipate sleeping tonight, and she had to work tomorrow night. Only thing she knew to do was to cancel her plans for tonight, something she really didn't want to do. But there weren't many options, were there? "You have a deal. But I have to make a few calls myself before handing it over. I expect you bright and early. And perhaps we can make a date of it?" Much as she hated this society, if she could wrap one around her finger then she could cause a bit of corruption, or at the least expose it.

0 Victims

OWL

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

Flirting was a coping mechanism. With the discovery of quirks, there was an uptick in near-death experiences. But statistics are irrelevant to the human qualia. Whether you’ve been through one or one hundred, you find a way to make it through the day.

There were two reasons she was alive, one of which was me. The other, more important reason was the creature’s ulterior motive. It could have killed her, but it wanted her alive. It might have had a malicious spirit or worse. I made a note to research this later.

“If I asked for your number where would I save it?” I grabbed her phone and let the question hang. I have no phone to save her number with. So, what good was it?

A few texts later and it’s all hers.

My friends are disappointed, but they’ll live. And this also frees me from my other obligations this weekend. Visiting replicas of Lady Liberty seems like the worst way to introduce someone to the Land of the Rising Sun.

“Sure,” I say. I’m not interested in the date itself but the free food. “You can pay for brunch.”

We make our way to the hospital, she makes her calls, and I leave with her phone. I’ll be back in the morning for our ‘date’ and then I’ll never see her again.

---

rhea

[Sol]

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[attr="class","likedotitle2"]Approved

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Propodus... new word for me! Can't wait to see who really pays for that date!
Thread approved, nicely done you two!

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲 - 175 tokens + 75 = 250 tokens
rhea - 200 tokens + 75 = 275 tokens

PHARAOH LEAP.

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