>my package came today
>the small cardboard box weighed a lot more than it looked 
>take it inside my apartment and open it
>my knife slips easily through the tape
>packing peanuts fall to the floor
>so excited 
>after all this time of collecting genuine HK parts, I finally have an HK bolt carrier group to drop into my PTR91
>maybe I can just build another with all the PTR spare parts...
>sit on the floor and take out the pins
>pull the stock off
>lower drops free
>charge the bolt and it falls out of the back
>put the HK bolt in and reassemble the rifle
>could probably count on one hand how many PTR parts are left on this gun
>still just got home from work so I gotta go to the bathroom
>leave the rifle in the living room 
>finish up, zip up
>hungry 
>on my way to the kitchen, see a girl in the living room slowly pushing herself upright
>"hey!"
>she reacts, trying to flee, but clumsily stumbles
>"who the hell are you!" some drunk chick probably
>she glares up at me, tears in her eyes like she hasn't slept in a week
>drugs maybe
>backstep toward the bedroom
>there's a pistol on the dresser
>"wo bin ich?!"
>I need to get to my pistol
>she screeches even louder "wo bin ich?!!"
>sounds like german
>she gives up trying to communicate and refocuses on escape
>her legs plainly wobbly through the heavily starched olive drab uniform
>she can hardly move without toppling over
>the raven haired german girl resorts to crawling toward the door
>got my pistol
>GI M1911A1
>point the gun at where her shoulder blades should be
>"hey!!"
>she stops to look back towards me
>wild eyes
>"don't move. Who the hell are you?"
>the girl just stares at me
>her eyes dart toward the barrel, then back to me as if weighing her odds against a .45
>"Sie sind american?"
>i nod. I guess she asked if I was american.
>"yes I am American."
>now she looks like she's trying to write out math proofs in her head
>I realign my sights just to make sure they're on target
>15 feet away, she then asks "sprichst du deutsch?"
>I know rudimentary german, but don't speak it, "no" I answer
>"I know english" she offers, noticeably calmer
>why is that? Usually a .45 has the opposite of a calming effect 
>i ask, "why are you here? ... in my apartment."
>she scootches back against the door and leans against it, knees to her chest, "I dont know."
>"are you drunk? High? Where did you come from?!"
>"I yam from Berlin."
>her accent creeping through is exotic to hear
>"I didn't ask that. How did you get in my apartment?"
>"I don't know!" Tears starting to form again.
>"okay well I'm going to call the police and have them pick you up 'n take you home."
>"nein! You can't call zhem! Zhey'll send me back to be destroyed!
>reaffirm my aim at her face, "what the fuck are you talking about?"
"When zhe Berlin wall fell, I vas vone zat vas no longer needed. After years of sitting in a varehouse, i vas taken to anozher vhere we vere lined up and stripped. Some vere crying; ozhers were silent. Zhey stripped me, and pulled me apart. I vas thrown into a pile of ozher naked broken bodies. I died zhere. At least I think."
>none of this makes any fucking sense
>she's got to be high
>start to pull out my phone 
>"vhat is that!"
>"my phone. I'm calling the police."
>"vait! ahhh... vhat year ist it?"
>"2016." Dial 9...
>"I have been asleep since 1990. Please do not call zh polizei."
>she is really calm... and pretty to look at
>I got a .45
>put the phone down
>"you owe me some answers. How did you get in here?"
>she shakes her head, "i dont know. I woke up on zhe floor right zhere."
>She points at the empty spot 
>where'd my rifle go?
>"What'd you do with my rifle?!!"
>point the pistol again right at her fucking face
>"i yam... your rifle."
>what?!
>i look hard at her
>she seems to be more interested in herself than me
>she starts poking at her body
>feeling it
>i have no idea what im watching
>"i yam in America?" She asks from out of the blue
>"yes"
>"my body ist different." She continues to feel herself, "my body ist different!"
>"what do you mean?"
>"vell... for one... I have... boobies."
>she grabs them for emphasis
>"mein handguard was slim"
>long awkward silence 
>"did you build me zhis vay?"
>what do I say?
>"you mean to tell me that you're really my rifle."
>"you americans really are stupid. Yes! Zhat's vhat I have been tell you zhis whole time!"
>oh my god...
>"vhat did you do to me?"
>perplexed I explain how I bought a PTR and gradually swapped in HK parts to it. When I got to the part about the bolt, she stopped me
>"zhat should have never happened... you must have got enough of mein original parts to bring me back"
>she places her hand over her head like she has a headache
>After more silence she asks for a parts list
>I tell her what parts are HK and which are still PTR
>it seems that her original finish was parkerized, giving her auburn hair
>now black
>she grew from a A cup to a 32C, something she seemed to be pleased with
>not everything was so cheery 
>her full auto function was gone and her receiver was not stamped HK
>she would never feel passion or comfort ever again
>auto opened her emotions to the maximum allowing her feel deeply one way or another
>and the PTR receiver was like having dry skin
>all this discussion is exhausting 
>"you must be hungry"
>she chirped back up 
>"Ja"
>i dont know what she eats so i fix something bland
>"vhat ist this?"
>"grits. Let me know if it needs salt."
>she pokes at it with a fork, "vhat ist a grit?"
>laugh internally "its just ground up corn"
>she eats the whole bowl with no complaints
>clean up the kitchen and lock up
>im exhausted 
>dark and getting close to midnight 
>"hey I'm going to go to bed. Do you sleep?"
>"yes. I sleep."
>"well i got a bed and a recliner. You choose."
>"usually i sleep on a rack."
>this is no longer fun
>"look, I don't have a weapons rack here, so-"
>"it ist okay. I can sleep against a tree too!"
>well I'm not letting her sleep outside
>"k, well you just pick a corner in the house and sleep against that."
>i punch out
>fucking tired
>maybe when I wake up, i find out I hallucinated the whole thing
>barely sleep
>keep thinking about it
>wake up exhausted
>notice the rifle on your way out of the bedroom
>leaned against the corner behind the door jam
>something I ate
>pour some cereal and milk
>mini wheats
>begin to eat
>hear a bump and a coo
>my blood runs cold
>look told the bedroom door
>sure enough, there she is again 
>stretching
>can't help but notice her beasts press against the inside of her uniform 
>"guten morgen..."
>stare back
>"yup it's morning."
>"you know, you never told me your name."
>"you can call me anon."
>she steps with her toes into the kitchen
>boots squeaking on the tile
>"anon, did you fix me any breakfast?"
>no
>"I just wanted to wait until you were awake"
>"hmm." She smiles but bares no teeth
>she knew the truth but was impressed with how smooth and quick it was covered up for the sake of politeness 
>crafty germans and their space magic
>"hey, were you alive for your soldier?"
>she bursts out laughing 
>"I yam sorry!" catching her breath "I juss never heard it spoken zhat vay."
>she paused and composed herself
>"I vas only alive, as you put it, for zhe soldier i vas issued to. I vas a tool, a possession, subservient to him."
>i shift my position, "so I take it, you did not enjoy your job."
>"mein job vas to serve mein country anon. I had no choice."
>there's a lot there that she's not telling me, but I won't pry first thing in the morning.
>"are there others like you?"
>"ja. You humans juss can not see zhem."
>"oka-"
>"you have several in your room."

>choking my cereal 
>"what?!"
>"i did not stutter"
>my mind is spinning
>never thought to tend to my rifles as living beings
>they probably hate me
>the girl reads my facial expressions of worry 
>"zhey are vell, anon. Very happy. You take care of zhem."
>i do tend to baby them
>"but why can see you and not them?"
>"for a rifle to erm... come alive, it muss be built for a great purpose. I vas built for killing in zhe name of west germany. Your ozher rifles are juss commercial models made without purpose for civilian consumption. Zhey're like pets. Like a goldfish."
>oh wow... she's proud of it too
>"and you had no problems with killing people?"
>"nein. I have no concern with vhat you humans call right and wrong."
>i stare blankly at her
>"right and wrong are juss vords. I yam a weapon und a tool. My job ist to make sure my master stays alive!"
>her hazelnut eyes, shaking and vivid with color, suddenly fade 
>she becomes quiet
>i can tell her selector dropped into the "F" position but the sear is gone
>relieved as fuck. Not really 
>change topics 
>"you former master. Did he give you a name?"
>"i had serial number?"
>"that's not the same thing."
>"zhen I guess not."
>try to think of a name but nothing is coming to mind
>she can earn a name
>decide to ask
>"well will I ever get to shoot you again?"
>she flushes red
>tears well up her beautiful eyes
>"i yam unsure... without mein sear i vill never know true feeling again. It ist a torture to even zhink about! I yam no better zhan your rifles in zhe next room. I might as vell be a pet class gewehr!"
>blinking away tears, "i have no purpose anymore! why vas i even brought back?!"
>just as she's about to break down completely, her face becomes placid once more

>she moves into the livingroom and sits where she originally woke
>"master, can you make me some breakfast?"
>not even fucking hungry anymore
>feel guilty as sin
>make her a bowl of cereal
>she seems to have no problem eating whatever i put in front of her
>her long raven hair obscures her face completely as eats
>good. I could barely stand to look at her like that
>i just wish there was something I could do
>place my hand on her shoulder
>she flinches
>"hey... you still have purpose. You have a new purpose."
>without looking up from her bowl she replied, "oh?"
>"yeah..." fuck im lying. I have no purpose for besides range toy (pet in her eyes)
>"I don't have an auto sear for you yet, but I'm going to get one. I promise!"
>her hand starts to shake and she drops her spoon into the milk
>overcome with joy, she drops the bowl and leaps onto me
>we fall back and she kisses me
>slender arms wrapped around my neck, I can't see a thing through that black hair
>her mouth by my ear "danke! danke! thank you! I-"
>she stops
>her body relaxes over the top of me
>quietly she says "i yam sorry I spilled my bowl. I'll clean it up."
>she gets up and goes to get the paper towels
>i will get an auto sear.
>I promise.
>i will get an auto sear.
>I promise.
>at work
>thinking about the ptr
>told her where the food and everything was
>still worry
>was she okay to leave by herself?
>think about her accidentally burning down the apartment with the stove
>oh god...
>get home
>pull into my space
>building is still standing 
>no bullet holes in the windows
>no chalk outlines
>thank you merciful god
>would that be Aries' jurisdiction?
>lol probably 
>unlock the door
>she is no where in sight
>call out "hello! Im home!"
>hear in the back bedroom, "I yam in here!"
>mkay at least she didn't run off somewhere
>"are you hungry?"
>"nein"
>"okay. Well, im gonna fix something to eat."
>open the bedroom door
>she is still in here olive drab fatigues and boots sitting up on the bed
>leaning against her right hand is my grandfather's old M1 Carbine
>"uhm... what's going on here?"
>"She ist also a Waffegeist."
>a whah??
>"a being like me."
>"I knew my grandfather was in the pacific but I never knew he had a.. whatever that is."
>why has it never shown itself before?
>"im sorry. I'm really confused. What exactly is going on here."
>the girl spoke again, "I vas bort, so I vent snooping through your zhings to know you better. I found her in the back of your closet. She knew I vas like her and despite mein german manufacture, she decided to gradually open up to me. We have been talking zhis whole time."
>im losing my marbles 
>"well, that's great. What did you two talk about?" 
>trying to sound like im totally buying into this
>"all kinds of stuff. Most of it, you would not understand."
>slightly offended but whatever
>they were soldiers 
>"so why can't i see her?"
>"she has chosen not to show her form to you. Like her master, your grandfather, she will take her secrets to her grave."
>well now i feel like shit.
>well now i feel like shit. 
>she reads my eyes once again 
>"do not feel bad, anon. It ist nothing against you. She ist still a proud warrior and with you grandfather, they did incredible things. You may be her master but she will only answer to someone as great as he vas."
>she touches the trigger guard with her left hand as she speaks like a reassuring friend 
>I'll never be as great as my grandfather.
>ever.
>a simple man, but smarter than most men. He could lift a transmission out of a buick and build a house from scratch
>he was the greatest example of a human being I've ever known
>sadness washed over me as I think about him
>the doctors gave him 6 months to live but like the tough old crow he was, he battled cancer for 8 years
>when he finally capitulated, the human race lost someone valuable 
>she sees this
>with a warm smile she says, "we talked about other zhings too! She ist helping me accept mein new semi-auto form..."
>I glimpse the bottom of a tooth but she is very careful not to show them...
>the girl carefully pulls her hand out from behind the wooden jungle carbine and shuffles with her knees to the front of the bed where i am standing 
>her hazelnut eyes meet mine 
>a sad sort of smile appears on her face
>the "I'm pregnant" look
>no teeth
>trying to hide the sweat at the nape of my neck
>she looks back to M1 Carbine for reassurance, then back
>"she says I should go to the range with you!"
>oh my god yes
>"i have the day off tomorrow. We can go then."
>she says nothing but smiles
>refusing to show her teeth
>she says nothing but smiles
>refusing to show her teeth

>night falls
>the girl is trying on pajamas in the bedroom for the first time
>im watching a good movie 
>time for a drink 
>maybe two
>cask proof straight kentucky bourbon whiskey
>get a good buzz going 
>this movie is /k/ as fuck
>the girl comes into the living room 
>"I like zhis pajamas the most."
>turn around 
>her raven hair draps over a white v-neck t-shirt
>pajama pants completely cover her feet
>is she wearing anything under that?
>"i yam so comfy!"
>she does a little happy dance 
>nope. Just a t-shirt
>im mesmerized by her bouncing around
>nothing gets past her
>she thinks it's kind of funny
>"hehehehe..."
>I notice her teeth slightly more this time		
>they're not the straightest in the world but I don't care
>slightly embarrassed, i grin back
>"move over!"
>she hops into the recliner with me 
>snuggles up close
>"zhank you for taking care of me!"
>"oh!"
>I don't know what to say
>i just hold her closer
>the movie is 3/4 of the way over when I noticed she hasn't moved 
>try to look down without moving 
>her black hair covers most of her face but its clear she's asleep 
>so comfy
>her arms wrapped across me
>head against my chest
>our legs intertwined 
>i cut the movie off with my free hand
>her hair smells like Hoppes 9
>fall asleep soon after

>her hair smells like Hoppes 9
>fall asleep soon after
>sleep better than i have in a year
>light poors into the living room, waking me up
>my rifle is still at my side
>muzzle at my shoulder 
>stock against my knee
>to the internal sound of a glass shattering, i have to pee
>get up, do my business, flush
>turn about
>"can ve go to zhe range now?"
>holy fucking shit! 
>"you can't just walk in on me in the bathroom!"
>put my dick away
>she smirks
>"I've seen it all before..."
>"T-that doesn't matter!"
>walk past her
>feel a tug on my shirt from behind, "now can we go?"
>internal simmering 
>"let me eat... and get ready..."
>eat
>shower
>kick her out of the bedroom 
>dress
>it's a weekday so there should be no one there
>don the plate carrier 
>M14 mag pouches for G3 mags
>open the door
>she's sitting on the floor like a feline
>hands in her lap
>her OD fatigues and boots are back on
>she looks up at me
>"scruff me!"
>stare back down at her "huh?"
>I wonder if this is what she meant by "pet class gewehr"
>hesitate
>"mein carry handle!"
>oh yea lol
>reach down to her neck
>her eyes close as she transmogrifies back into her rifle form, the bipod holding her up
>pick her up and among the range bag and targets, place her in the car
>laying across the back seat
>cut on the radio
>rock station
>riding down the interstate for a ways
>Renegades of Funk comes on
>notice in the rear view mirror she's transformed again
>she sits up in the back seat and is grooving to song
>spike the volume
>arrive at the range
>crappy 100 yard federal outdoor range
>no range officer
>weekday so it's abandoned
>it's perfect 
>everyone's at work
>thanks trump
>park
>we get out
>sun is bright today
>sun is bright today
>hand her the targets
>converted Hillary campaign signs
>i grab the real fucking NATO ammo can and range bag
>she looks at me, "vhere do you vant zhe targets to be?"
>"anywhere you want them. Put them at various ranges though."
>set up at the middle table and wait for the girl to return
>she hammers a target into the dirt and sprints to the next spot
>zigs and zags all over the place
>she runs all the way back
>she clicks her heals but does not salute
>"ready!" She says smiling 
>her teeth are bad. They're white; just slightly crooked
>the girl quickly covers them again, "i yam sorry. My teeth are not straight."
>uh oh, "it's fine... I don't care about that. I was just curious cuz you never show them."
>"Mein chamber is fluted. Most people think that's a bad thing..."
>well, here... let's not talk about that and focus on shooting, okay?"
>"okay."
>she approaches and sits again
>i scruff her carry handle and lift the 10lb rifle 
>rock in a 20 round magazine filled to the brim
>reach forward under handed and break the spring tension of the charging lever
>rack back the full 35 lbs of pull to charge the rifle
>let go and the new HK bolt slams home with authority
>place the rifle onto the table
>the bipod is steady
> the sights are perfect
>"E"
>aim toward the far target at 100 yards
>squeeze through the first stage of the trigger
>sights are fixed on the black circle
>the 9.5 lb trigger breaks cleanly
>the blast of a full length rifle cartridges shatters the quiet air
>a geyser of dust erupts from the berm 
>the shove on my shoulder is not unlike a 20 gauge semi-auto with bird loads
>feels good man
>i know i hit the target
>fire again and again
>dirt and debris are kicked up into a cloud that the prevailing wind would take away
>Empty the mag
>pull the it free and set the rifle back down on the table let the barrel cool

>pull the it free and set the rifle back down on the table let the barrel cool
>she's sweating
>like she ran a mile
>panting she huffs, "it feels gut to be shooting again. I have forgotten what it vas like..."
>smile "it's good to have you back up and running then"
>reloading the magazine
>aim at some of the closer targets
>POW! POW! P-P-POW!
>empty it a little faster this time
>in her fatigues, she looks like she's been doing PT
>huffing and puffing
>im just getting started
>as she catches her breath, I switch ammo
>i load 3 magazines with Tula .308
>"are you ready?"
>she looks back at me holding one of the mags
>she winces at the steel cases
>"I-I yam unsure."
>I pick her back up and rock in one of the fresh mags
>walk out into grass past the firing line
>charge the weapon
>aim at 25 yarder target
>mag dump
>the rifle falls into a rhythm against my shoulder
>dirt is shooting skyward
>the deafening reports echo through the surrounding forest
>churning out 200 rpm on the trigger
>CLICK!
>underhand the charging handle back and lock it
>throw the mag and rock in a new one
>SLAP
>4.5 seconds elapsed time
>switch to a 35 yard target and give it the same treatment
>bits of paper disintegrate as the 150 grain projectile punch through
>the dust cloud is getting thick
>my shoulder is starting to become tender
>not done yet
>a few seconds after loading the fresh mag I'm empty again
>lock the charging handle back again
>throw the mag and rock in another
>SLAP
>dump the last 20 rounds just fast at the first magazine
>the echoes of 60 rapid fire shots roll through the trees like thunder
>200 rounds per minute easy
>my finger is tired
>as the silence returns
>as I place the rifle down in the grass
>she returns
>there is black residue all around her mouth and speckled over her whole face
>blushing deep red and out of breath she gasps, "I-I d-did not zhink I would feel zhis excitement ever again..."
>blushing deep red and out of breath she gasps, "I-I d-did not zhink I would feel zhis excitement ever again..."
>from her sitting position, she lies back arms and legs spread out completely
>her chest heaves to and fro to catch her breath
>"I take it you enjoyed it?" I grin down at her
>"I zhink I love you." and the. She laughs 
>start turn back to head back to the bench
>"anon"
>turn back around
>"did you hear me?"
>oh shit she meant it
>"uhm-"

>a loud pickup truck starts to pull into the parking lot
>we'd better get back behind the line
>scruff my rifle and return to my table
>safe the rifle for the cold range
>watch as an overweight fudd hops out of his truck
>pulls out a nylon rifle case and a single target and heads down range
>50 yard target
>when he gets back he pulls out a sporterized mosin
>oh god why
>"Oh mein gott..."
>"Shh!"
>"he can not hear me!"
>little bitch lol
>drilled and tapped for weaver mounts
>silver weaver mounts
>weaver rings
>4-16x50mm leupold scope
>the stock is still wood but chopped to allow a recoil pad thats glued to the back with what looks like arrow epoxy
>he just stares at his target
>for 5 minutes he just looks at it
>finally he puts his rifle in a vice
>opens one of his many blue 20 round ammo boxes
>all that hand loaded... .308??
>oh god he's had it rechambered
>loads a single cartridge
>feel a tug on my shirt sleeve
>"i want to go."
>the girl looks ready to go
>pack up and leave
>the girl is riding shotgun now
>driving i ask, "was that a waffen-?"
>"havt vas left of one."
>she has a smirk on her face
>what?
>"Russian women already look like men to begin vith... vhy did zhat man have to make her look like Frankenstein's creature? It's almost cruel... even for me."
>we laugh
>enjoy rock music the whole way back
>enjoy rock music the whole way back
>she seems to enjoy Tool the most
>get home and unpack
>the girl is all jacked up from our little excursion
>I think it was more of the meaning to her behind it rather than the measly 100 rounds we shot
>I might have a little drink
>pour a glass of whiskey
>"master it ist time to clean me."
>turn around
>she's right there
>powder residue still smeared all over her face
>look at the whiskey and back at her
>"uh okay..."
>go to reach for the back of her neck but she stops me
>"anon, you can clean me zhat vay... or..."
>she unbuttons the top buttons of her fatigue and opens the neck to encompass her shoulders
>i can't stop myself from staring at her slimy sculpted shoulders and collar bones 
>her hazelnut eyes meet mine
>wanting
>i take hold of her waist and pull her in closer
>as i go in to kiss her
>her finger comes up to touch my lips
>"not yet"
>she tugs on my shirt with the same finger
>"you have to clean me first"
>that sly smile
>she leads me to the bathroom
>the tub is full with hot water
>she had prepared for this
>she stops and i start to peel off her clothing
>her skin is white as snow and spattered with black residue 
>"you see anon, i yam very dirty..."
>"you see anon, i yam very dirty..."
>I unbutton her pants and slide them down
>she begins to step out
>"ahem!"
>wut

>get assed in the face
>hit my head against the tile floor
>see coo-coo birds flying around head
>the girl is already dressed again
>her pale face is bright red
>roll over and look up
>there's a child standing there
>12 or 13?
>she's blonde with a shag haircut, thin, and pissed off
>fists on her hips, she leans over me with an olive drab sun dress
>PTR exclaims, "I yam sorry, Rose!"
>Rose? Who the fu-
>oh god don't tell me...
>"M1 Carbine?"
>her face. It's like I'm the idiot.
>"Brilliant deduction, anon. Did your little head come up with that all on it's own?"
>seriously she's like 12.
>"Seriously, is that a rocket in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"
>whyme.gif
>Her ice blue eyes are like lasers
>uhm...
>try to kill my boner
>"clean her properly" the little girl pivots on her shiny black leather boots and walks back to the living room
>the PTR pipes back up, "Rose, I was just-"
>"It's indecent!"
>wtf is going on with my life?!
>i turn back to the PTR 
>its just a rifle 
>"you know, you don't have to take orders from her."
>"I out-rank her!"
>she remains a rifle 
>well this sucks
>old towel on the floor
>hoppes 9, patches, and a boresnake
>5 minutes later, she's back to together
>"hey dipstick, how you coming?"
>jump out of my skin!
>the little girl named rose was standing behind me the whole time?!
>"how did you get behind me without me noticing you?!"
>the little girl puts on a smug-ass smile
>"I'm a jungle carbine. I can appear anywhere."
>"At ANYTIME. So, no funny business with the german."
>"Hey, I'm your master. You have no control over me. In fact, I'm the one who tells you what to do!"
>the blonde child still wearing a shit eating grin
>"I don't see any stripes on you arm."
>fuckin' A...
>the little bitch
>"your girlfriend's awake."
>she points over my shoulder 
>sure enough, there she is
>Rose says, "so how was it, honey?"
>"ach, I feel like I have had a physical."
>"suck it up buttercup."
>"yes ma'am."
>i look back at the PTR, "you call her Ma'am?"
>she sits with demure posture, "she ist an officer."
>oh
>...
>well fuck
>the night is spent awkwardly sitting around the living room floor 
>had two glasses of whiskey already
>Rosemary insists on a "debriefing" of the day
>joke's on her
>I don't wear briefs
>heheheheh...
>Rosemary gets back on her soapbox again
>"And you're going to sleep with her, and you don't even know her name! Back in my day, couples got married before any of that."
>"It's not 1943 anymore! I once slept with a girl 3 days after meeting her... and for 5 more months after that."
>"Your debauchery is shameful."
>the PTR chooses this time to gain a word edgewise
>"eh... It ist not zhat anon does not know mein name. It ist zhat I do not have a name."
>the little girl creeps her eyes at the battle rifle
>i throw her a bone
>"hey, you remember that one band that you really liked on the way home?"
>the PTR takes the lifeline "Ja! A Perfect Circle"
>she bounces on her knees
>"Indecent."
>smiling, I say, "I want to name you, Judith."
>for the first time ever, she has a name
>"I loved zhat song! And, I love zhat name!"
>she can barely contain her excitement
>suddenly her eyes lose their luster
>"Danke, anon. I have never had a name before."
>her glaze drifts off
>Rosemary takes her hand in hers
>the little girl looks at me
>"her auto sear is what allows her explore passion. Without it, it's dangerous for her- Judith, to experience emotions of great magnitude. I want you to keep that in mind. It can damage her bolt and she might not be able to be repaired. Judith... will be gone."
>her icy eyes
>"understand this, anon."
>"yeah..."

>"her auto sear is what allows her explore passion. Without it, it's dangerous for her- Judith, to experience emotions of great magnitude. I want you to keep that in mind. It can damage her bolt and she might not be able to be repaired. Judith... will be gone."
>her icy eyes
>"understand this, anon."
>"yeah..."
>short silence
>Judith's 1000yd stare recedes 
>she seems almost embarrassed by this 
>"I yam sorry, anon. I became a little too excited."
>"it's fine" I say trying to reassure her
>a smile returns to her face
>"i yam happy to have a name now."
>"I'm glad."
>the german girl tucks her knees into her chest and just stares at me
>her head down to hide her mouth
>hazelnut eyes locked on me
>decide to ask a question 
>"so I'm still confused on A LOT of this. I know a waffengeist is created with a purpose. I assume they're ageless. What do I not know? Tell me everything."
>Rise raises an eyebrow "everything?"
>"Well, at least the basics. Enough to get me by for now."
>Rose sighs, "well not even we know everything. Each family of weapons has their own version of how everything works."
>I interrupt, "like religion?"
>"not quite."
>Judith, feeling better, chimes in "Ja, zhe /k/ube ist central to all of this, but no vone really knows how or vhy... or really vhat roll it plays. Ve juss know it ist important."
>Rose takes over, "Right. It's told that when our kind die, our spirit becomes part of it. Others, unlike me, don't believe in such things."
>Rose looks at Judith who puts her hands up
>"I do not know vhat happens vhen ve die... I juss know zhe /k/ube ist important to some waffegeists."
>I just listen
>Rose leads, "some believe that the first weapon spirit was a Thompson submachine pistol, others believe they went all the back to the first 30-40 krags. They're are a few dipsticks who think it goes back even further but they're misguided."

>Rose leads, "some believe that the first weapon spirit was a Thompson submachine pistol, others believe they went all the back to the first 30-40 krags. They're are a few dipsticks who think it goes back even further but they're misguided."
>"In germany, ve tell a different story. Zhe first waffengeist vas a Gewehr 41, but zhe most powerful vas zhe Sturmgewehr! She vas beautiful and vhile not as powerful as zhe ozhers, she vas zhe greatest waffengeist of all time!"
>Judith can not hide the prideful look in her eyes
>Rose is unimpressed, "this is how fights are started."
>i put a hand between the two, "hey... This isn't a debate! Remember?"
>Judith turns her nose up at Rose
>the carbine is annoyed, "you still have a lot of pride for a pet."
>Judith is enraged!
>"whoa!" I point at Rose to pump her brakes
>the battle rifle goes to stand up and attack
>I stand up, put my hand over her shoulder and push her back into a sitting position
>I wonder if the "scruff" thing works with Rose
>before she can react i grab the back of her neck
>i lift up my M1 Carbine
>how do make her shut up for a while?
>Judith grins, "ooh... look at you... taking charge."
>"stop."
>"vhat are you trying to do?"
>"how do I make her shut up for a minute?"
>Judith thinks for a minute
>she stares off into space
>"vell, you could always leave a boresnake in her barrel..."
>"oh come on! That sounds sexual! What do I do, really?"
>"hey! She talks vith her muzzle, ja? How you say 'put a sock in it.'"
>reluctantly do it
>set her back down
>her mouth has a ball gag in it
>face flush red
>blue eyes wide
>Judith is dying
>I swear
>scruff the carbine and remove the snake
>Rose is livid
>i hold her wrist
>"let me go!"
>put a little more pressure on it, "not until you calm down! Now sit!"
>"zhat's vhat you get for calling me a pet!"
>get between the two
>all this over a slur?
>"Quiet! Both of you!"
>the two girls sit and pout

>"Quiet! Both of you!"
>the two girls sit and pout
>"Now what do I have to do to keep you two from going at it?!"
>The two stay silent
>"Now, what does this mean. What is a pet?"
>Judith flinches at the word.
>Rose starts to speak, but stops
>Judith is really upset
>she says flatly, "hey... " 
>leans out and kicks Judith's boot, "you wanna take this one."
>"nein. But i vill."
>her eyes level out in hue to a dull brown
>"waffengeists have a class system by which ve identify each other. Vonce ve are born into a class, ve very rarely leave zhat class. Zhere are two main classes: Civilian and military. Zhey are broken into zheir own subclasses; each with its own level of respect given. In zhe military class, zhere are zhe unissued at zhe lowest, zhen zhe issued waffen zhat never saw combat, like I vas, zhe issued zhat did see combat, and zhen at zhe top, those waffen that have killed humans."
>"like me," Rose added
>"zhe more a humans a waffen kills, zhe more respect it ist given."
>I chime in, "that really sounds horribly brutish."
>"It ist zhe way zhings are... zhe civilian class ist widely considered a lower class of waffen. Some like your animals, others insects. At zhe bottom are zhe safe queens. Zhey live a plush, undeserved life of luxury and yet zhey do nozhing. At zhe top are carried waffen of zhe polizei. They more humans zhey kill, the higher zhey rise. Some higher zhan some military class waffengeists. In zhe middle, you have zhe pet class. Zhe "range toys" as you so frequently call us. It ist not looked down upon for a civilian waffengeist to become zhis, but for a military waffen to fall to zhis level ist humiliating..."
>Confused, I ask, "well, Rose is a range toy now-"
>"Psh!"
>"wouldn't that put her in the same boat as you?"
>Rose stepped in, "My stock might be new, but the rest of my parts are still original. Even my butt-plate. She may as well be nurtured with her semi-auto only function. No-offense."
>Judith hangs her head down
>"I was never built with an auto feature. So I can be owned by a civilian without being altered. It's the alterations that stripe away our social status."
>To clarify, I ask, "so the more I sporterize a military weapon, the lower it sinks?"
>Judith announces loudly, "Yes!"
>we both look at her
>I continue, "and the more i sporterize a civilian gun?"
>"it doesn't matter. They are damned from start. Unless they kill a human; that's the only way they'll ever rise."
>this rifle culture is incredibly brutal 
>"so, a gangbanger with an AK shoots an old lady."
>"assuming it's a civilian weapon spirit, it rises a little."
>"okay... so, a cop with an AR shoots him back."
>"that spirit rises a bit more"
>"because of good and evil?"
>"no. It's all based on threat. You're elderly are easier to kill than your average gang member."
>I'm going to need another drink
>pour more whiskey 
>it's definitely morning
>take a sip
>"Judith?"
>"are you alright in there?"
>"Ja..."
>Rose calls out, "she'll be fine! This little kraut just took a Joe Louis punch to her over-inflated german ego-"

>hear a loud slap
>"hey! Knock it off!"
>the two are slap fighting and laughing
>"alright! Alright... settle down! We have to go to bed soon."
>sit back down on the floor
>"knowing all of this now, Judith?"
>the battle rifle goes back to hugging her knees to her chest and staring at me
>"how do you feel about the parts i gave you?"
>she sighs, "I can not complain. I see you did your best vith recreating me... I like my new handguard!"
>she ends with a smile
>decide to flirt a little and push her buttons, "you know, you used to have a scope."
>her face flushes red
>a "kill me now" look on her face
>Rose nods her head, "it's true"
>"ohhh it was a glorious 2.5-10x44..."
>Judith shuts her eyes, "staaahp..."
>"and a tactical mount..." I trail off
>"Vell, I yam glad you took it off!"
>later
>getting ready for bed
>go to put Judith behind the bedroom door
>"Hey! That's my spot!"
>wut?
>vhut?
>"After the war, that was always my spot. I got your grandfather through the island jungles alive, and I stood guard at his bedroom door after that. That's MY spot."
>"Well, okay."
>Rose happily sits up against the corner.
>"Plus I'll need to keep an eye on you two."
>She points at us, "I can sleep with my eyes open."
>Judith and I look at each other 
>I set Judith against the corner next to the bed
>settle in
>at the cusp of sleep
>so comfy...
>feel weight shift in the mattress
>that long straight hair against my face
>she backs her butt all the up into my lap
>"shhh... she ist a big fat liar."
>her hand in mine, she wraps my arm around herself
>cozy and comfy
>I drift off into blissful sleep

>Wake up early to be at work the next day
>bed is empty
>lift myself off the mattress and stretch like a tiger
>all the snap-crackle-pops in my back
>i don't think I moved all night
>take a look around 
>the battle rifle is right where I set her to begin with 
>the carbine is in her corner
>grumble to myself 
>stand up
>do the twist
>rice crispy spine
>go to take a shower
>5 minutes in and out; ready for the day
>fry some eggs
>eat
>leave for work
>still dark out
>lights reflect off of the pavement as light rain falls

>the sound of heavy machinery and gasoline powered generators is a constant barrage in the humid night air
>flickering flood lamps cast sharp unnatural shadows across the jungle floor
>a wirey mechanic steps into the light
>a bridge is being built over the steep crevice created by volcanism eons ago
>the tanks and trucks must get across in order to secure and supply a new airstrip for bomber escort fighters to take off from
>it will double as a ditching strip for damaged bombers 
>bladder empty, the mechanic rejoins his brothers laying the track work over the top to the other side
>soon they will be leveling the ground for a runway
>earlier, the naval bombardment all but leveled the coastal tree line
>once the beach was secured, he and his fellow Sea Bees got to work
>bridge complete, he rolls around his M1 Carbine to the front
>right hand laid upon the walnut stock
>from the far side of the bridge, he signals with his left for the first tank to cross
>its engine roars as it throttles up
>the earth shakes around the tracks
>he spits on the ground and pumps his hand for the tank driver to hurry
>at first light the CO wants the base construction secure by sunrise
>the tank rolls onto the bridge 
>it sags into the earth and holds strong
>a loud hiss whistles by from his left rear

>the armor of the tank rings like a bell
>the mechanic dives to the deck and rotates toward the threat
>face in the dirt
>eyes on the blackness ahead 
>the flood lights have ruined his night vision 
>holds his position 
>can't see a thing 
>a few more shots whiz by
>GIs shouting from behind
>someone's hit in the chest
>suddenly the line behind him opens up
>tracer fire lights up the jungle
>vines explode, dirt and debris fill the air
>the mechanic crawls to a nearby shrub and aims his carbine deep into the hazy cloud in front of him
>still can't see a thing
>hear his brothers behind him, "hey Frank! You still out there?!"
>"yeah yeah!"
>"don't shoot! I'm coming back!"
>he waits a few more seconds before he feels clear
>carbine raised, the mechanic rises to his knees
>the jungle before him is fractured and broken
>he starts to back up towards the bridge
>Screaming just off to his right a Japanese soldier breaks from the foliage
>a bayonet charge
>at point blank range, Frank wheels toward the enemy and squeezes the trigger
>POW! POW!
>the soldier drops instantly 
>a single bullet manages to connect and make an exit wound the size of a quarter in the top of the jap's skull
>grey matter and bone rain down in a fine mist
>blood squirts out of the fractured cranium like a sink faucet
>pooling on the ground beside the body
>he levels the sights on the corpse at his feet
>POW! 
>a red spot appears between the gook's shoulder blades as fabric among other things is spit back at him
>Rose suddenly wakes up
> perspiring
>her heart pounding
>that jap's eyes rolling into the back of its sockets is permanently implanted into her memories and dreams
>it was a close call then
>Rose begins to dwell on the "what ifs."
>"what if I had failed to feed?"
>her stomach churns


>Rose begins to dwell on "what ifs."
>"what if I had failed to feed?"
>Her stomach churns
>Rose does her best to put the thought out of her head
>such is war
>if I jam, my master dies
>if she jams
>her master dies
>the /k/ube takes no sides
>only the greatest weapon spirits prevail
>she knew she wasn't the best of them
>her roll was to provide support in the effort of building bridges and roads so the war effort could continue
>no fame or glory for her
>she just did her best and her master made it home
>she kept watch over his farm as he raised a family of his own
>one day he took her out shoot the coyotes that were killing the fawning deer
>POW!
>her stock split straight down the grain from the rear of her receiver
>laying naked in his arms, she expected to be cursed at and cast aside
>she'd seen it happen a dozen times
>she had failed him
>those who failed in war were replaced, never to be seen again
>forgotten
>but the mechanic was forgiving 
>bought a new stock for her
>stained it to shine in contrast
>a gunsmith dropped her in properly
>her fatigues were gone
>an OD sundress in their place
>forever thankful, the little carbine silently kept her vigil behind his bedroom door
>in the end, she lost her master to an enemy she couldn't see or kill
>the cancer would have killed even she had fed properly 
>there was nothing she could do

>there was nothing she could do
>helpless, she watched as her master fought without her for 8 years
>helpless, the little carbine watched him collapse from weakness brought on by the chemo
>helpless, Rose watched in his bedroom as her master was felled by an enemy she was powerless to kill
>the rock in her throat grows
>her new master was completely different from Frank ,but in many ways, the same
>when she was willed over, she expected to be locked away, sold, or sporterized
>this never happened 
>anon took care of her like Frank, but he was a civilian
>shot targets at ranges from the bench
>new magazines were bought
>her sights were adjusted
>she even had her own .30 caliber ammo can just for her 
>anon even filled it up
>but anon was still only a civilian 
>he had a few other civilian variants of military guns already
>aside from the petty squabbles amongst themselves over whom the favorite was and whom was better, Rose was happy
>she kept to herself, though
>as far as she was concerned, her life as a weapon spirit ended the day Frank died.
>the civilian firearms would/could never understand
>then, Judith was awakened inside the PTR
>she was gorgeous, smart, and friendly...
>but she was young and stupid
>she let herself be known to her master too early
>had to be because she didn't want to decommissioned again
>"oh well. She's just young and inexperienced," Rose thought to herself
>she knows the master and judith can't sleep with each other though
>that much was for certain
>she had never seen combat
>never watched her master fall
>the less involved she stays with anon, the easier it will be on her when he is no longer there; for whatever reason
>a soldier can't sell the rifle he was issued
>a civilian though...
>Rose remembers the wreck anon's norinco SKS had become when he sold her
>ruthlessly, he ripped her heart out

>she had become enamored with Anon's rapid fire, but she didn't speak english and was too shy to even speak
>Rose's mind swirls
>she thinks about Judith
>her poor soul cannot be broken again
>humans wouldn't understand
>there is a link there that is not easily broken by the spirits 
>Rose thinks, "I should've never gotten involved"
>"You should have just rode the gravy train and let it happen."
>"she's a gerry anyway"
>"and now it's too late"
>"I've revealed my existence, and I don't even know why"
>sunlight is peering into the room now
>Judith wakes up
>why am I trying to protect her?
>"guten morgen, Rose!"
>is it some kind of misguided attempt at redemption?
>the battle rifle stretches
>I don't feel sorry for her do I?
>"hallo? Are you vell?"
>she walks over and crouches down to be eye-to-eye with Rose
>Judith blinks, "you look perplexed," 
>why do I care what happens to her?!
>Rose smiles, "Oh! I'm fine, hun. I was just deep in thought."
>"okay, vell do not zhink too hard..."
>Judith walks into the living room
>Rose puts her arm over her knee, rests her head on her arm and stares at the wall
>"Why do I care now?"

>The sun is setting when i get home
>I was invited to enter a 3 gun shoot tomorrow by a friend at work
>sounds like a blast lol
>i can hear my surround sound speakers through my door
>alarmed
>oh wait. Waffengeists inhabit my home now
>this is normal 
>unlock the door and step in
>Judith is in the recliner watching Suckerpunch, I can see
>Rose is nowhere to be seen
>"heeey... I'm home!"
>"anon!" Judith greets with a smile.
>she holds her fist up to her teeth as if she's biting an apple
>why is she so self conscious about that?
>before I can reply, I hear Rose from the bedroom, "can you tell her to turn that junk off?! She's been watching it for six hours straight!"
>then, with the movie blaring, Judith cries, "LoooooooOOOOOOooooOOOOve! Love... ist zhe drug!"
>grin at Judith, "I don't know, Rose! ...It's got Leonard Nimoy in it!"
>I hear her cursing in the back
>empty my pockets on the doorside table
>motion to Judith to follow me
>she hops out of the recliner and tip-toes behind me
>walk to the bedroom
>Rose in sitting against the footboard of the bed trying to read one of my Calvin & Hobbes books
>gain the little carbine's attention
>"yes?" She looks up and blinks
>"I wanted to tell the two of you that I've been invited to compete in a 3 gun competition tomorrow."
>both look at me in surprise
>"Normally, I'd use my bushmaster for this, but I'd like to take one of you."
>Judith's eyes light up
>i turn to her
>before her smile can grow, i say, "there is a caliber restriction on the rifles though. Otherwise, I'd choose you."
>her smile disappears 
>aw shit
>she's visibly upset
>"hey now..."
>place my hand on her cheek and run my fingers though her raven hair
>Judith makes to pull away
>"wait!" goddamn it
>"if it were my call, I'd take you. But it's not-"
>she is shaking her head
>holding her arms up for defense
>"it's not like that."
>"nein."
>tears welling up
>"nein!"
>she pushes my hands away
>"nein! You VANT to take her!"

>"TAKE HER"
>this was supposed to be simple
>what do I do??
>"Judith"
>"DON'T! say mein name."
>tears in her eyes, she storms out of the room
>i can just crawl under a sheet of aluminum foil 
>i feel that low
>mouth dry, i hang in suspended animation 
>i can hear her crying in the living room but my brain has hit a wall
>I've made an irreversible mistake, and now i must deal with how I've shot myself in the back again 
>i feel a tiny hand on my shoulder
>Rose has stood up on the bed behind me
>"I'll go talk to her."
>"no... it's fine."
>that little hand becomes a clamp
>she yanks me around to her
>"unlike you, I'm not stupid! I see how you behave around her."
>she holds her hands up between her face and mine and motions them back and forth for emphasis 
>"there is enough here between you two to count as love. Now, let me help you!"
>"okay."
>i lift all 60 lbs of her up off of the bed and set her down on the floor
>"wait. Why are you doing this?"
>her icy blue eyes look up at me
"I don't know."
>she runs into the living room 
>"Judith?"
>she's curled into a ball behind the recliner, where she originally woke
>"go avay..."

>"go avay..."
>Rose is not swayed so easily
>"Tough shit" the little carbine kicks her boot "I'm not going anywhere."
>Judith just sobs quietly
>"I don't know why I feel so compelled to do this because honestly, I shouldn't care. Nothing is going on- or GOING to be going on between me anon."
>Judith doesn't respond
>"He loves you. You know that, right? He hasn't said it, but I see it."
>More silent sobbing
>"honestly I don't see what you see in him... his looks are marginal... at best. He's too tall... he's an idiot... crude sense of humor... has a small head... is that a smile I see?"
>there was no smile obviously, but Rose got on her hands and knees and touched her nose to Judith's cheek, "I think I see a smile."
>the german battle rifle couldn't contain her laughter very well
>Rose knew all stamped guns are weak to pressure, the right kind of pressure that is
>between her tears, she began to giggle
>Rose began to run her fingers through Judith's long straight hair
>"honey, men are just stupid and tactless, especially anon, and you're going to have to accept that..."
>with a light touch, she continued, "I could see you as a sister, which probably why I guess I feel obligated to protect you...
>"Now, if he wants to take me to this little competition. It's probably for a good reason...
>"the way I see it, I can use this to find out if he's good enough for you. K?"
>Judith's whimpering stopped, "okay."
>the little carbine added, "I'm old enough to be anon's grandmother, plus we're practically family. I don't know how you krauts do it in Germany, but that would just be highly improper."
>Judith giggled some more
>"now go back in there, and make him earn it back."

>get an idea
>step to the closet door and grab a quilt
>grab all of the guest and decorative pillows
>and a sleeping bag
>"pause the movie, Judith."
>she does
>"help me move this chair"
>she's surprisingly strong despite her size
>probably stronger than me
>unzip the sleeping bag and open it to completely cover the floor
>84 inches long and 60 inches wide
>pile up the pillows to have something to lean against
>call out, "hey rose! Come in here and find something we can all enjoy!"
>"finally!"
>i see Judith is a bit peeved about the movie change but is okay with it
>i head to the kitchen as Rose comes out of my bedroom
>she puts my comic book back on the shelf before she heads to the DVD/bluray collection
>over 300 choices!
>the little girl squats to sift through them as i make popcorn
>Judith prepares the fort
>"Augh! You don't have any John Wayne movies?!"
>I call back from the kitchen, "Clint Eastwood is better!"
>then I hear, "Clint ain't shit! Wayne is!"
>what the fuck...
>Rose scans through the movies
>"The Wizard of Oz?"
>"nein..."
>"True Grit? Hey! There's a winner."
>"nein..."
>im just listening to the two in there
>then I hear, "Schindler's List!"
>"NEIN!"

>snort a little and start coughing
>that weird laugh you make when you're not allowed to laugh
>then I hear "Das Boot?"
>I hear Judith light up with happiness but I see Rose flip the bird and say, "just jerkin' your chain."
>now, Judith is cursing back in German
>"dumm amerikanische Hündin!"
>"alright! Alright! Behave! No world wars tonight."
>Rose winks and sticks her tongue out at Judith who shoves her back
>finally settle on Tombstone 
>fill the biggest bowl I have with popcorn and hand it to Rose
>fill my coleman with ice and beer and set it on Judith's side of the sleeping bag
>offer her a beer
>"danke"
>go to sit down
>"hey! Where's my beer?" The little carbine holds up her empty hands
>Rose wants a beer
>"I... don't think you're 21... closer to 12." I say with a grimace
>her ice blue eyes flare
>I owe her
>"I'm older than the two of you kids combined."
>"Okay..." I step over Judith's legs and grab one from the cooler
>"Rose NEEDS a beer."

>hand it to her
>take my spot between the two so they don't kill each other and start the movie
>the surround sound makes this movie
>by the end of the wedding, Rose had finished her first bottle
>shaking the empty bottle in front of my view
>damn. it's not a race
>hand her another
>Right about the time we meet Kate, we're all ready for another
>popcorn is munched mostly by Judith
>she really does eat everything
>kek at Doc and Ike
>by the time the OK Corral part rolls around, we all have had quite a few
>decide to ask, "is it weird to see other guns in movies?"
>Judith slurs her words, "nein... it ist like zhey are normal to you. Zhey are fake, ja? Zhey are fake guns."
>judging by her face, she is satisfied with her own answer
>im nice and hammered by the time Wyatt promises hell is coming with him
>ready for god tier frontier justice 
>it's pretty quiet in the room
>decide to check on the girls
>look to my left
>Rose is fast asleep
>head back on the pillows, her nostrils straight up
>little snot bubble inflating and deflating
>Kek internationally 
>look to my right
>Judith is ingrained in the movie
>put my arm out 
>touch her shoulder so she'll lean forward
>my arm drops to her waist as she scootches up real close to lay against me
>god tier movie action
>the last ride of Wyatt Earp and his immortals
>Eventually notice Judith's head has come to rest on my chest
>her hand on my stomach 
>the battle rifle's rhythmic breathing matching my own
>Ringo dies
>once the movie goes into the epilogue sequence, I decide to see it she's awake still
>quietly, I ask, "hey, Judith?"
>no response
>maybe a bit louder
>she's asleep
>Doc dies
>feels
>room service
>good thing I have the remote
>cut the tv off and the living room is filled with blackness

>cut the tv off and the living room is filled with blackness
>it's not long before I clock out
>after a few adjustments, I'm off to dreamland where everything is made up and nothing makes sense
>dream of a house-sized granddaddy long legs
>it's skittish so I chase it around a neighborhood
>it tries to hide behind other houses but its colossal legs give it away
>the enormous spider is extremely careful not to step on parked cars or cause property damage 
>for some reason, I can stop laughing for the entirety of the encounter
>sunlight peers though the windows
>in that twilight stage of sleep
>I'm awake but so comfy I refuse to move
>on my back head on a pillow
>I can feel that Judith is still in her human form
>her head is rising and falling as I breath
>her arms holding onto my torso
>our legs are interlocking
>my right arm is wrapped around her narrow shoulders
>my left rests on her...
>butt?!
>trying not to move
>gotta think about this one
>yup, it's soft
>that's definitely her butt
>like diffusing a bomb, I move my hand very slowly, very carefully out of her pants
>feel the elastic in her underwear taper off my finger tips
>feel her fine peach fuzz on her smooth skin
>decide to stop over the dimples at the small of her back
>she murmurs, "...mmm... leg es zurück..." and then nestles her hips deeper against me
>no idea what the fuck that means
>I don't think I woke her though 
>but I might
>it's dawn
>I've got the mojo rising
>her hipbone is right on top of it
>fuuuuuuuuuuck...
>think of anything else
>toilets overflowing with shit
>my uncle's hairy beer gut
>worms
>decide to concentrate on the blade rotation of the ceiling fan
>seems to work
>her breathing matches mine
>i am holding onto an angel
>her head buried in my chest
>slim fingers lightly holding onto my shoulders
>her body is so warm against mine under the sheets
>I don't think I can could be any happier than I am in this moment

>if through some quantum interference in the spacetime continuum trapped me here in an infinite time loop, I'd be perfectly fine
>this is what happiness feels like
>warm, comfy, no worries, hell I even paid all the bills last week
>smile to myself
>feel sorry for the rest of the world
>maybe... MAYBE... if Jimi Hendrix were alive and playing live 40 yards away while a squadron of huey helicopters hovered a bit further away, I could be slightly happier
>well, let's not get greedy...
>and then CCR, Steppenwolf, and Black Sabbath were the acts that followed...
>stop being greedy, anon!
>the smell of Hoppes 9 in her hair puts me right back to sleep
>the smell of vinegar wakes me right back up
>repulsed by its stench, I recoil, disturbing Judith's heavenly slumber on my chest
>"hey! Vhat ist going on?!"
>the sun is now high and the blonde child is standing over the top of us smiling and holding a soaked rag
>"Reveille! Love birds!"
>Judith is cursing in German once again, "kleine scheißer..."
>"The hell, Rose?! You couldn't come up with a better way to wake us?"
>The little girl smirks, "you two need to get a room."
>I can hear Judith pathetically protesting
>I hear her quietly complain as she rubs her eyes, "I do not have a room..."
>Seriously what the fuck?
>"This is MY apartment. The WHOLE thing is my room!"
>this puts Rose on the defensive
>Judith uses this to take her revenge
>"Ahww... vook at her little panties! Zhey are blue vith little anchors!"
>The german battle rifle giggles and points her finger right between the open stance Rose had chosen
>her hand is slapped away immediately but the blush it caused was still very visible 
>Rose hopes to the carpet and holds her dress down with both hands
>she says nothing but there's a vein on her temple that's about to burst
>I chuckle slightly
>this is pretty funny 
>she kinda deserved it
>"Rose!"
>"Yes, master?"

>"One, don't call me that. Two, I want you to gather your magazines, load them up, and put on your magazine pouch."
>humiliated, the little carbine disappeared into the bedroom
>look over at Judith who is still wearing a grin, "Did you have to embarrass her like that?"
>The dark angel turned back over the top of me
>she gives me a light peck on the cheek, "ja"
>her morning breath smells like burnt gun powder
>as she pushes herself up, the top two undone buttons give a fleeting glimpse at a padded bra, hinting at more modest breasts
>think to myself, C cups are a little big for my taste anyway
>get up
>shower
>toga party into my bedroom
>Rose is still in there
>she turns and looks at me
>before I can ask her to get out, she asks, "how do I look?"
>what's the difference?
>she still has her black leather combat boots on, OD sundress complete with black floral pattern along the bottom-
>ohhhh, I see, the large tan bow in her hair is new
>it's cute
>must be the magazine pouch
>"You look fine."
>the little girl looks relieved
>before she says another word, I ask her leave while I dress
>black t-shirt, plate carrier with mag pouches, and tiger stripe jungle camo surplus pants
>I hope we do well

>Rose is buckled up in the passenger seat after pitching a fit to be seated there instead of the back seat
>as long as she doesn't touch the radio, I allow it
>to get in the mood of high speed shooting, my "Riot" playlist is cranked
>Blood and Thunder
white! whale!
holy! grail!
>My eargasm is for Rose like shoving a porcupine into her ears
harpoons trust in the sky!
>my speakers have turned my car into a tuning fork
>after getting jacked, cut the volume a bit to talk to Rose about the event
>this is like nothing she's ever done
>explain the rules and regs
>dropping live cartridges costs time
>dropping magazines in the dirt costs time
>ect.
>continue into other subjects 
>"I need you to be my eyes and ears in the waiting area. I want to know what you see and hear from the other guns and owners. Who we can beat and how..."
>she might be over 70 years old, but those icy eyes creep at me like I've got lobsters crawling out of my ears
>"if that's at all possible," I add
>Rose purses her lips, "you mean cheat"
>"uhm... no? How is that cheating?"
>"It's cheating."
>"literally how is it cheating?"
>"it's like insider trading"
>"it's not in the rules"
>"it doesn't have to be" she says flatly
>"so it's not a rule, but an ethical problem?"
>"eh? Sure."
>"what if I told you there were these magical devices that projected where the bullet will impact before it's even fired that are mounted to the top of rifles' receivers?"
>"They have those?!" Genuine surprise
>Rose has never seen a holo/reflex sight
>"Yes, they do. And most of your ARs out there will be rocking those, aftermarket triggers, muzzle brakes, and recoil absorbing stocks"
>referring to their H2 and H3 buffers
>none of which Rose would understand 
>I can see her getting nervous
>No brake, wood stock, steel butt pad, iron sights, and half capacity magazines

>Rose is starting to understand that, pound for pound, she is woefully out matched
>the other guns are going to eat her alive
>take my hand off of the shifter
>put it on her small shoulder
>"ahw, we'll be fine! Those are all crutches for those who can't shoot anyway."
>send a reassuring smile her way, "You're a warrior class waffengeist. It'll be easy."
>There's no way she's going to buy all this 
>Rose smiles back but immediately turns her attention out the window
>warrior class or not, this won't be a battle field
>it has rules
>it's not 1943 anymore either
>her class, like the queen of England, only serves as a social status 
>and this is THEIR turf
>of all her time in the pacific, she only came under fire once
>Rose knows she will have to keep her ramp clear at all costs
>her springs aren't what they used to be
>it'll be a show alright, a shit show
>all eyes will be on her
>to make a fool of herself 
>just like her military trails to see if she was relevant then, Rose will have to prove herself again but with even higher requirements 
>dark thoughts circled her mind like bull sharks an injured swimmer
>I'll fail
>I just know it
>I will fail to feed
>self destructive thoughts begin to overwhelm her 
>She couldn't help but travel back to that awful morning on that god-forsaken piece of shit island...
>"We're here!"

>Rose jumps 
>her mind is suddenly brought back to sunny reality
>this really is too damn bright 
>it hurts her eyes
>we walk to the back of the car and pop the truck
>I ask Rose, "how do you want to do this?"
>she sighs, "If anyone asks, I'm your little sister."
>the little girl pulls the M1 Carbine from thin air from around her back
>the jungle carbine is well over half her height in length
>Rose hands me the little rifle
>to contrast, at 6'6" my size makes it look like a toy
>"I am now visible to everyone around you. When I use displacement, it leaves me defenseless, so you'll need to protect me."
>I don't question any of the bullshit I hear from these girls anymore
>it's easier to just accept it
>but i give the little girl a dubious look, "Rose, this is the safest place you can possibly be. There're guys with guns everywhere."
>she looks from the parking lot to the tents, venders, and contest area
>"I'm just sayin'"
>M1 Carbine slung over my shoulder, GI M1911A1 with pre-A1 grips holstered at my side, 870 Express HD center held in one hand, and a little blonde girl holding the other, I walk to the registry table
>we're greeted immediately
>to her dismay, she gets more attention by the officials than I and definitely more than she's comfortable with
>they treat her like a 5 year-old
>I know in her mind, she's probably slaughtering all of them over and over
>look down at her
>like an angel, her face is lit up with happiness, joy, and wonder
>I'd say she's hamming it up a bit, but they're eating it up with gravy and chili fries
>she even gets her own number to pin to her "adorable" dress that I bought in "skymall magazine."
>Rose takes to skipping beside me towards the others in the waiting area
>her voice suddenly drops an octave
>"I know I was never issued a bayonet, but I wanted to bury all seven inches of one into their livers."
>smile, "tell me how you really feel."

>she continues to skip, "Treating me like a toddler makes me ill... My satisfaction slates when blood will spill..."
>as we near the other competitors, her demeanor changes
>now like a tiny stone faced soldier
>the other men waiting all look very friendly to me
>they're all just chatting amongst themselves
>talking about guns, cars, women, guy shit, ect.
>I see mostly AR platforms
>a few AK platforms
>tacticool'd with Tapco
>a keltec
>and a baby shit green VZ58, probably a century
>some glue-eater made it out here with that?!
>...and there's Jamie! He's standing there talking with a guy I haven't met
>My husky friend's got his WASR10, Mossy 500, and his stainless Springfield Milspec.
>For Rose on the hand, she is surrounded by the mean girls
>the taller, prettier girls all snub their noses at the little one who walks among them
>how can pet class rifles be this smug?!
>it's like they see I'm a warrior class carbine but they don't care!
>"hey cutie! We're shooting steel here! The wool coats are back where you came from..."
>"I bet she jams..."
>"I bet she wears diapers incase she shits the bed"
>"I hope that's not wood..."
>most just cover their mouths and whisper among themselves
>cutting eyes
>gucci accessories
>"talk about the wrong stuff..."
>Rose, for the first time, feels self-conscious about being standard issue
>desperately, she searches in vain for a Garand
>she clings to my hand with both of hers
>don't let them see you sweat
>don't let them see you sweat
>DON'T LET THEM SEE YOU SWEAT!
>they're all watching, laughing
>taunting
>the pressure is about to force her to tears
>DON'T LET THEM SEE YOU-
>her blue eyes glossy, she stops where I stop
>"Hey Jamie!"
>"What's up, Weasel!"
>man-shake
>the other guy leaves
>we begin to shoot the shit
>"awh-haww... you brought an antique!"
>laugh a bit, "yeah!"
>Apparently upset, Rose glares at us both

>Jamie laughs and asks, "So, who is she?"
>Shrug, "I dunno. Some girl I picked up a bus stop."
>my bearded friend cackles
>Rose kicks me in the shin
>"AH! FUCK! Jamie, meet my niece, Rose."
>I'm glad those little boots of hers aren't steel toed!
>He looks at her and smiles, "Just make sure Weasel, here, behaves himself."
>"oh believe me, I will..."
>he cackles some more
>we continue to talk about bullshit
>Rose looks over to the AKM
>plain but with an aimpoint micro, the WASR gazes at Rose through her slightly tinted glasses
>short silvery blond hair hangs around her shoulders
>her cat's eyes are fully dilated and feline ears twitch attentively
>a fluffy tail sways slowly at her knees
>Rose doesn't quite know what to say
>she's never met a Red AK before
>prolific scars cover her otherwise perfect skin
>her garb is war-torn
>blood stains indicate grave injuries but she seems to be just fine
>This AK looks more battered than any weapon spirit Rose has ever seen
>With an American accent, the neko asks, "Are you a warrior class?!"
>American? What the hell?
>Rose answers cautiously, "what of it?"
>The AK continues to be friendly, "I saw you walk in with your master. I knew you must be powerful! I don't see a whole lot of your class in places like this."
>"You're not a warrior class?" Rose asks, still very confused.
>"No... not until shit hits the fan."
>"Oh!" Rose turns red with embarrassment
>"I don't what to be rude, but how does a... erm!... pet class come to... sustaining such scars?"
>the AK's ears flatten out, but with a certain amount of pride she answers, "when my master buys a new rifle, she undergoes an initiation. Those who don't survive the hazing process are sold or thrown away. While I sustained many injuries, I am now his favorite."

>the AK's ears flatten out, but with a certain amount of pride she answers, "when my master buys a new rifle, she undergoes an initiation. Those who don't survive the hazing process are sold or thrown away. While I sustained many injuries, I am now his favorite."
>Rose tries not to show her concern
>"That's how I got these!"
>eyes dilating again, the AK runs her hands over her torn, blood stained uniform
>"It's a Balkan battlefield pick-up stock. I think he's trying to turn me into one of you!"
>her face is so excited
>Rose knows the truth about this concept but keeps her mouth shut
>no sense in causing distress in the one rifle who may help her
>she smiles, "so, are you the only eastern design out here today?"
>the AK frowns a bit and folds her arms across her chest creating a small amount of cleavage that Rose notices through a rip in her uniform
>Chest envy
>Rose can't help but to feel petty about it
>"No," the AK replys, "but it sure seems like it."
>golden feline eyes forming slits
>Rose decided to open up a little, "I noticed. It's all a bunch of spoiled brat ARs."
>"Yeah... Like hyenas, the more of them there are, the worse they get. I'm Kashka by the way."
>"Kashka? Rose."
>the neko's tail began to swing in happiness
>a new friend
>a warrior class too!
>Rose notices the warmth received
>this AK is really sweet
>It's a shame she's scarred like she is
>Rose speaks again, "Our Masters seem to get along just fine. What can you tell me about the competition?"
>The taller neko folds her arms across her chest again and rotating her wrist only, points into the crowd
>Rose catches herself staring at Kashka's minimal but existent cleavage again
>Kashka starts, "Well there's three types of ARs usually. Modified; they're always good. Heavily modified, sometimes good, sometimes terrible. And basic. They're a wild card. Always watch out for them. They're masters are either new or just really good."

>Rose looks out into the crowd, "they all look the same to me."
>"at first glance, yes. All magpul clothing. But if you look closely, you see they come in different colors."
>there was a pause as Rose slowly turns her head back to Kashka
>She's nodding her head
>dead serious
>Rose's eye contact is making it very hard to maintain a straight face with her
>"pttb!" The AK can't take it anymore and starts to laugh
>laughter infects Rose and they both howl
>For a Red pet class, she is alright 
>suddenly her scars no longer seem ugly for her to look at
>they are starting to become beautiful in a way
>and just like that, it is Jamie's turn to run through the course
>Kashka leaves with him, "good luck, Rose!"
>the little carbine smiled back, "you too! ...hun."
>then she buries these feelings into an infinitesimal black speck under her soul never to see the light of day again
>"Anon?"
>I kneel down to talk eye to eye with Rose
>her eyes show worry
>"what's wrong?"
>"These rifles are b-better than me..."
>"hey..." I hold her chin up
>"You're semi automatic and sling a super sonic bullet... There is literally no difference between you and them."
>Rose begins to tear up again, but a small grin curls against her will across her face, "god, you really are an idiot."
>"hush... Do you want to see what I see?"
>Rose doesn't answer
>"You're light weight. Look at them."
>the little girl looks out into the crowd
>"I see a bunch of heavy rifles. What matters here is weight, maneuverability, and capacity."

>loosely hold her thin arms, "you're almost half their weight and same overall length. They got you on mag capacity, but we'll make reloads count. 'K?"
>She swallows hard and lifts her head
>"we're not looking for a podium finish here. We're here to make a statement."
>"uh huh."
>"Do you know what that statement is?"
>"We build. We fight?"
>swing and a miss, but whatever. 
>I'm hoping for a "we're just as good" or something like that to be recognized by anyone with class 3 connections
>"Exactly." I say to Rose.
>before we even know what to do with ourselves, we're up
>standing at the start
>I grip my shotgun with a firm, authoritative hand 
>"Shooter ready!"
>"Stand by..."
>the clock buzzes and I'm away
>I run to the box 50 yards away taking full length strides
>cheap hearing protection allows me to hear my heart pounding in my ears
>put two on each of the three white targets
>double back and hit the black targets twice
>I hit the brakes just outside of the zone of engagement 
>throw up the 870
>rest the stock in my shoulder 
>each blast sounds like a thunder clap
>at 15 yards away, the cardboard perforates like swiss cheese
>BOOM!
>Click-clack!
>BOOM!
>Both eyes open, I trust the shotgun as I rack the action
>the loud Remington action reminds me why I chose it in the first place
>it's metallic crunch sounds more intimidating than any other pump action on the market
>Transition over the black target
>re-engage the adjacent white target
>BOOM!
>click-clack!
>BOOM!
>like a runner stealing a base, I shift to the next box
>rack in the next shell
>engage the first target again
>lay down two more blasts
>time's running
>lay the stock over my thigh
>my hand dives into a pouch on my belt
>start pulling out Winchester shells two at a time
>into the tube they go
>my heart's racing 
>seconds tick by in my head
>4... 5...

>shove the last shell inside and rack it
>back in business
>lay down the lead on the second target
>cardboard explodes
>Rolling thunder fills the air
>jump to the third box and re-engage
>a cloud of dust is forming behind the targets
>run empty on the last target
>stock down
>loading more shells
>tick tick...
>rack the action
>level the bead on the black target between the outer white ones
>the firing pin strikes another primer
>BOOM!
>click-clack!
>BOOM!
>shuffle back to the middle box
>again
>loose two more shells
>leap back to the original box
>BOOM!
>click-clack!
>BOOM!
>heart rate still pretty elevated
>screw giving it time to fall
>sprint to 40 yards further down
>rack the action open
>SAFE
>jam the long gun down into the trash can
>transition my state of mind for the next section
>pistol
>two on each silhouette
>plant my feet and draw
>the double diamond walnut grips stick to my hand
>I've shot this pistol so many times, it's become an extension of my arm
>the low slung notch sights don't bother me
>at the 25 yard mark or so, where the steel silhouettes are, it's only a matter of pointing my-
>POW!
>POW!
>230 grain slugs slam into the target with authority and obliterate on impact
>steel rings each time it is hit
>Two more targets flank the one I just engaged 10 yards further back
>aim carefully 
>POW!
>POW!
>the first shot lands on target
>the second is a flyer
>slow down and aim again
>I squeeze off another
>Positive impact!
>transition to the final silhouette 
>heart pounding in my ears
>sweat stings my eyes
>my front sight is dancing all over the place 
>POW!
>hit!
>POW!
>the slide locks to the rear as a projectile sails over the left shoulder
>thumb the mag release
>grab the magazine as it comes out
>tick tock
>go to drop the empty mag in my open pouch to my left rear

it bounces off the lip and hits the ground 
>fuck!
>tick tick TICK!
>open my mag pouch at the front of my vest
>grab the magazine 
>adrenaline is flowing 
>get that fucking mag in!
>it's bouncing around the outside of the grip
>goddamnit!
>finally manage the first half inch inside
>slam the rest home
>the inertia is enough to release the slide
>rock 'n roll
>pop the last target
>grab a handful of dirt along with the dead mag
>dump all that shit in my dump pouch
>run laterally to the next box
>a tree at 15 yards
>six targets on the left
>make them flush right
>fuck! I hate trees
>aim for the center
>squeeze one off
>hit!
>the little white circle sings in agony as it rotates to the other side
>continue to squeeze until the slide locks back again
>dirt spits into the air beyond
>hit the magazine release 
>dump the mag in the pouch
>next mag slides in nice and easy
>drop the slide
>two white circles remain
>squeeze through the first bit of slack in the trigger
>shoulder the sweat out of my eyes
>line up the notches
>the clock is running
>drop the hammer
>hit!
>one left
>level my sights on the top plate
>POW!
>dirt geyser
>shit!
>dirt sprays into the air beyond the plate
>little rocks and clods rain back down
>readjust
>POW!
>shit!
>fucking missed again!
>breathe in and breathe out
>tick tock
>POW!
>hit!
>freeze inside the box
>dump the mag
>stuff it into the pouch
>rack the the live round into my hand
>dryfire and holster
>the dirt crunches as I take off
>Guerrilla Radio starts playing in my head

>the dirt is thrown from my boots' treads
>briefly wonder if baseball cleats would be more effective here
>50 yards ahead, the m1 carbine sits on a wood table
>my heart pounds to the tempo of:
As the polls close like a casket
On truth devoured
A silent play in the shadow of power
>Reach the table and stop in a cloud of dust
>grab up my little jungle gun and drop the bolt
>throw up the rifle
>fix it against my pectoral 
>the rear aperture lines up with the front trident
Monopolized!
>five steel silhouettes 30 yards ahead
>3 shots each
>Rose is on the clock
>level the sights one the first target
>her trigger is similar in feel to a milspec AR trigger
>breaks cleaner though
>CRACK!
>her steal buttpad thumps my shoulder just softer than an AK
>a 110 grain S&B load crashes into the plate with a force similar to a .44 magnum and destroys itself
>it's ring is violently load
>Squeeze off a couple of more shots
>CRACK!
>CRACK!
>eliminate the target
>transition to the next
>aim low at the groin
>allow compensation for her muzzle climb
>lean all my weight on her stock
>CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
>rapidly unzip that silhouette 
>three silver craters in a vertical line
>translation to the next plate with the same plan
>aim at the stomach region
>CRACK! -
>squeeze her dead trigger
>nothing
>"oh shit!" Rose's world collapses
>she failed
>it was only a matter of time
>her face becomes bright red, and her heart drops
>a chill runs up her spine as a rock grows in her throat
>fuck!
>I look at her receiver
>she's failed to feed
>the cartridge is out of battery by a full inch
>time is slipping away
>before she can react, I use the meat at the base of my thumb to punch the bolt home
Or for the vultures who thirst for blood and oil
>chambered, I reacquire the target
>send the next two rounds into the steel
>push on
>it's all I can do

>the little carbine is starting to settle in now
>Rose is getting into the zone
>where I see a black silhouette, she sees a jap
>seconds pass as I eliminate the third
>just like the second
>The cracks of her report are just as load as the ARs'
>she barks with fervor as the steel plates are laid to rest
>i reach the final target
>as I finish, I know all eyes will be on us
>the reload
>aim at the liver
>even squeeze 
>Rose cracks as the projectile is slung forth
>impact in the liver
>low bore axis is really something at close range
> I trust her to find the target as I feather the trigger as fast as my fingers allow
>each time, the bolt slams to the rear and rides home
>smoldering brass flies
>heart
>head
>hit!
>hit!
None of the above!
Fuck it!
Cut the cord!
>I finger the mag release
>catch it and push it into my dump pouch
>pull a fresh one from my vest
>it slides right in
>with my left, I reach under the receiver and rack her bolt
>the glorious metallic sound of the M1 carbine's action is almost art
>it IS art
>Rose's eyes grow large, "Did anon just reload me like an AK?!"
>"l've never been reloaded in such a manner"
Lights out!
Guerrilla Radio!
Turn that shit up!
>the clock runs as I begin my sprint to the next box
>20 yards and stop
>a Charlie horse is holding ten small gongs is out in front
>2 shots on each
>let gravity be instead of trying to outrun it I guess
>start with the bottom
>left to right
>level the sights on the first plate
>CRACK!
>The plate topples end over end as it wraps itself up in its chains
>move on to the next one
>CRACK!
>continue with the systematic plate extermination 
>CRACK!
>CRACK!
>Last one on the bottom
>dead trigger
>goddamnit
>another failure to feed
>I don't have time for this
>slam the bolt home again 
>reshoulder the carbine
>she thumps the last plate
>move to the top
>Snap all five without incident
>Times a'runnin'

All!
Hell!
Can't stop us now!
>level my sights again 
>CRACK!
>CRACK!
>CRACK!
>the little carbine's barks are loud and thick as they roll through the surrounding pine forest 
>last shot
>CRACK!
>dump the mag into the pouch
>grab the remaining fresh one from my vest
>jam the mag in and rack the bolt, again, like an AK platform 
>take out the remaining five
>last stage
>I hold tightly the cylindrical grip of the walnut stock, muzzle aimed high, and run
>It's another 50 yard sprint to the first of three boxes
>two shots in three positions, 100 yards in distance
>I can see the box coming up fast
>My time running track and XC in high school is paying off
>I inhale through my mouth and exhale through my nose
>wind roars past my ears 
>my heart is pumping strong
All!
Hell!
Can't stop us now!
>I decide to slide into second, as it were
>a dust cloud forms around me as I use my forward momentum to carry me upright again 
>in my standing shooter's stance, I find my target
>this is were I'll need to be careful
>pull the rear sight up its ramp to the second hash mark
>I rest the steel against my pectoral
>my aperture lines up with my trident
>a white silhouette stands out against the 600 yard berm, 100 yards away
>I draw up the slack in the trigger and wait for the sights to align with the target
>CRACK!
>a distant ping
>hit!
>allow for her muzzle to calm back down
>her trident is wanting the dance around again
>calm down, Rose
>breathe...
>careful shot
>aim, FIRE!
>squeeze again 
>CRACK!
>another distant ping
>now for the hard part
>kneeling position
>my large frame and lack of experience in this position makes it awkward

>one knee down, elbow resting on top, I find it difficult to stay balanced
>I fight against myself more than I do the rifle
>the clock is ticking
>time is running 
>and I'm still on the first target
>lean forward for stability 
>Fire
>rookie mistake 
>the bullet impacts left of the target in the dirt, spraying dirt skyward 
>fuck... relax...
>take my elbow off of my knee and let the rifle settle herself out
>take up the slack
>line up the target
>squeeze 
>CRACK!
>ping!
>yes! I'm on the board!
>allow the sights to level out again 
>breathe... relax...
>I'm really uncomfortable
>squeeze off another
>CRACK!
>The 110 grain projectile clips the shoulder and doesn't ring
>dirt spits into the air behind the plate 
>there is no call for a hit
>fuck!
>aim again 
>time keeps on slipping...
>put the trident right on the heart of the target
>squeeze again
>CRACK!
All!
Hell!
Can't stop us now!
>hit!
>finally, I can lay prone 
>this is where Rose's short 15 round magazines will come in handy
>I rest the carbine on my left arm at the crease of my elbow
>just as good as a sandbag
>finally, my left is good for something
>the next two shots are all too easy
>CRACK!
>hit!
>CRACK!
>hit!
>briefly feel sorry for those who need optics for this distance
>leap back to my feet
>sprint laterally to my right to the middle box
>I'm having to catch my breath
>jesus, I will have no trouble sleeping tonight

>catch my breath and aim
>can't even see clearly down range
>you know what? I am out of shape
>I should exercise more
>hold my position as my blood slows
>tick tick tick...
>line up my sights on the new white silhouette 100 yards in front of me
>take out the slack in Rose's trigger
>there's a 6 pound wall there that breaks as soon as you-
>CRACK!
>hit!
>one more...
>hold steady
>steady...
>CRACK!
>near miss, but a hit none the less!
>kneeling
>here we go again...
>I think it's because I'm distantly from Scottish highlander blood I have trouble with this position.
>fuck it
>aim
>the target serpentines in my sights
>time the shot
>Click!
>goddamnit!
>I look at the receiver
>the bolt is in battery
>rack it a couple of times
>I'm empty
>I wasn't counting my shots that time
>release the little box mag into my dump pouch 
>open Rose's little mag pouch on her stock and pull a fresh one free
>it clicks right into place
>rack her bolt again, AK style
>it takes another four shots to put two more grey dents in the silhouette
>i can feel the seconds passing
>laying down though only costs me two more rounds
>and just like that, I'm up and running again
>To shave some time, I form an idea, but it's a bit of a gamble
>the weapon must be cleared for the clock to stop
>last box of the last stage
>the light at the end of the tunnel is visible but so is the clock running in my mind
>Rose is feeling the urgency as well
>hold the rifle to my pectoral
>aim
>make the shot
>CRACK!
>hit!
>CRACK!
>hit
>kneel!
>CRACK!
>CRACK!
>hit!
>CRACK!
>hit!
>drop to my stomach!
>nestle Rose on my arm
>CRACK!
>hit!
>dump the magazine into my left hand and shove it into my pouch
>reposition and lay Rose back down on my arm again
>CRACK!
>hit!
>the clock stops
>I stand and rack the action a couple of times to prove she's empty
All!
Hell!
Can't stop us now...


>Rose sits quietly in the passenger seat
>Her mind continues to play over her mistakes
>each failure to feed
>each failure
>her failures
>mistakes that had cost her former masters' friends their lives
>some of their weapons were reissued 
>others were captured to be used against their will
>in all her years, the little carbine had never been able to live down her failures
>since her inception, she was under the microscope
>disproportionately more so than the others 
>every failure recorded
>every GI killed
>every myth perpetuated
>she even blamed herself for the old mechanic's death
>the battle she couldn't fight for him was a battle she had lost as well
>Though he had denied her existence, he was the only man she had ever loved
>his rational mind cut through the hatred of war
>though he had used her several times to kill and once to beat a boy to death with her stock, he never allowed himself to hate the japs as she did
>once, he was in charge of looking after a group of prisoners
>Frank had treated them well
>He was a seaman and war was his business; mechanic by trade
>one of those japs even painted their pillow case and gave it to him
>it was a picture of the prisoner's wife
>Rose missed Frank
>her thoughts continue to dwell on his death
>she saw him through a world war
>countless years ranching
>then he was felled by a force she could neither see nor understand
>her failures are then compounded in this silly contest
>it wasn't even a real battlefield and she couldn't even function properly
>Rose sinks in her seat
>her lips curled into a frown
>her master is just driving listening to his awful music
>he hasn't said a word to me since we got in
>her thoughts return to the end of the competition
>anon and his friend stuck around for the final scores
>out of 27 competitors 
>we were 16th

>not even close to a podium finish 
>not even in the top 10
>not even in the top half
>his fat friend and his AKM scored higher than us
>she seemed so happy with their result, Kashka
>her beautiful platinum blonde hair as it touched her shoulders-
>"Rose!"
>she stuffs her thoughts away and looks to me wide-eyed
>"I'm talking to you."
>"sorry, master."
>I told her not to call me that
>it feels weird coming from a little girl
>whatever
>"are you just going to sulk the whole way home"
>she doesn't answer 
>"look, I already told you we weren't looking to get a podium finish. You did well."
>Rose sighs and turns to look out the window
>obviously not the answer she is looking for
>I'm no mind-reader
>why do women do this?
>better go fishing and find out what the hell crawled up her ass
>blurt out, "let's grab a milkshake on the way home!"
>Rose stays quiet
>women...
>pull into a sonic
>I only go here for the milkshakes because their food is inedible
>I park and push the little red button
>"thank you for choosing sonic-" blah blah blah "how can I help you?"
>think to myself, "yeah, I'll have a forty-three skyhigh, an eight-five, hold the triangles, four-by-four with a shimmy, a three ringer-ringer, a doodad blinger, and a sexy nuggets."
>uh huh huh huh... that'd be cool
>make my order, "I want a mint chocolate chip shake, and a..."
>look to Rose who's staring at the traffic glide by
>decide to poke the bear
>"you look like a vanilla type. Boring and predictable."
>I can tell she's annoyed 
>"and like, the biggest vanilla shake you can make."
>eehehehehehe...
>the vain in her temple is getting larger
>I'm going to find out what's wrong even if it kills me
>when our milkshakes arrive, I inform the girl on skates that "it's my little sister's birthday"
>"she's turning 9 or something."
>like Mt. Vesuvius, the pressure is building

>when the girl on skates leaves, I peel of a paper section off of my straw wrapper
>wrapper cannon is a go
>I aim and blow as hard as I can and beam Rose right in the ear
>her icy blue eyes twitch involuntarily
>before she can say a word, the menial staff comes out to my sing Rose a happy birthday song
>complimentary cake NOT included
>it just gets better and better...
>until I notice there's a cherry in my milkshake
>I don't like cherries
>pick it out by the stem
>the sonic employees leave
>just when the tension couldn't get any thicker
>thwap!
>the cherry bounces off of Rose's face
>a dab of green milkshake is left behind
>CHICK!-EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...
>oh god, I can't hear a thing besides crippling EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...
>my brain even hurts
>everything now sounds like it's under water
>did Rose just fire a round?!
>oh god, my ears!
>the ringing...
>then suddenly, it stops.
>I can hear normally again?
>"What the hell was that?!" I bark
>Rose turns her nose up at me, "A warning shot. you were annoying me."
>"A warning shot?!"
>I check the roof of the car
>no holes
>but then I notice outside is all business as usual
>what the fuck...
>Rose sees this
>"by ourselves, we cannot cause harm to anyone or anything. But apparently, I can scare the crap out of you."
>"Well shit, Rose! Shit! I'm lucky I'm not deaf!"
>"I guess you're going to sell me now?"
>her eyes are deadpan
>"What?" I ask... "No, no, no, no, no... What's all this really about?"
>"I failed! Alright?! I failed in front of everyone!"
>"So?"
>"aughh!" The little girl clinches her hands in fists of rage

>Her eyes are no longer icy, but a sapphire blue as tears well up
>"My whole life, my service has been marked in question, and today proved that I am- was never a good service rifle..."
>I stare in disbelief 
>this was not supposed to be this complicated
>instead, I've opened a can of worms I didn't know existed
>just show up, not suck, and go home
>good enough to receive another invite
>This whole thing meant more to Rose than I ever thought it would
>as she sobs, I try to think of what I can say to calm her down
>I extend my hand to her
>the little girl flinches as if I might strike her
>no...
>i put my hand at the back of her neck and pull my fingers through her short blonde hair
>Rose's tiny hands clasp mine as she uses my wrist to dry her tears
>"you're not going anywhere"
>and just like that, she clung to me
>her head buried in my shoulder, the rest of my arm hugged against her body
>this is really not what I expected for today 
>"alright... alright... get off. Your milkshake is melting."
>still refusing to let go, she coos like a dove, "oh."
>her complete arm/leg hug loosen and blood is allowed to flow to my arm again
>I hand her the huge styrofoam cup filled with vanilla 
>it's as large as her face
>decide to open her straw for her
>send another straw wrapper flying her way
>she giggles, "asshole!" and five minutes later, we're on our way home happily sucking at our straws
>the sugar intake seems to have turned Rose right around
>"you know, you did do well out there."
>the little girl shook her head, "I don't see how. I failed twice and we scored in the bottom half."
>I grimace, "Well... Most of it was my fault. You see, I screwed up in the pistol section quite a bit and dropped a few magazines."
>embellishing the details can only help here

>Rose's eyes seem a lot calmer, "so, it's your fault."
>pretend to check my mirrors, "it would seem that way. If you looked at our splits, we did no worse than some of the ARs that were out there."
>out of the corner of my eye, I see rose smile around her straw even though she knows I'm full of shit
>"moron." She mumbles chuckling to herself 
>I pretend not to hear
>"Look, Rose... I didn't mean to give you such a bad day today. Aside from the competition itself, was there anything ablution the day you enjoyed?"
>Rose thinks briefly about Kashka
>she covers, turning up her inflections at the end of her statement, "I like this milkshake."
>hmm...
>"so you didn't enjoy meeting any other rifles out there?"
>her face turns red
>wonder why...
>she replies, "I didn't like any of the ARs out there. They were all pretentious, spoiled brats with no respect for anyone else."
>I chuckle to myself, "yeah, that sounds about right!"
>Rose looks to me, "but Master, why is your AR not like that?"
>"I told you to quit calling me 'Master'"
>"I'm sorry, M- Anon."
>I do think about her question though
>It is a puzzler, "I don't know why my AR isn't like the others."
>Rose puts forward her theory, "I think it's because you downgraded her, she's more polite."
>downgraded her? Huh?
>"What do you mean, I downgraded her?"
>Rose swallows more of her shake, "She was an A3 when you got her. Since then, you've outfitted her with a bunch of Vietnam surplus parts."
>sure. I guess.
>"Well, is there anything I can do for you to make this whole fiasco completely square?"
>Rose sits back in thought
>I can tell she has an idea but doesn't want to say anything
>"better make up you mind before we get home"
>we're almost there
>she starts and stops
>then starts again, "c-can we go shooting with Jamie sometime?"
>is that all?
>"uhh, sure! Okay."
>that a tiny thing to ask for
>but whatever. I'll shoot him a text later

>Rose seems to enjoy the older classics on my iPod
>my car rhythmically thumps to "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones as she grooves on it, never once taking her her lips from her red straw
>we pull into my apartment parking space and I put it neutral
>handbrake
>the blinds in the large front windows are drawn...
>weird
>typically, I leave those open to light the place
>get out of the car and grab all the heavy stuff from the back
>Rose can carry the carbine and unlock the door
>hobble awkwardly up the half-steps as the little one passes me on the right
>she waits at the door until I near and then unlocks it
>As I step in, I immediately notice Suckerpunch is playing pretty loud 
>I can't see the TV yet, but I know that soundtrack anywhere
>Flanked by Rose, I step past the door-side closet to view the living room
>we both freeze
>news papers cover the floor
>Judith is barefoot in her white tank-top
>her fatigue's top is tied around her waist and drapes over her matching OD pants
>her back turned, she is dancing to the movie's OST
>her fingertips touch her wrist and glide down her arm
>her legs accent her upper movements as she locks one knee and bends the other
>one foot flat on the black and white, the other up on its toes
>ink staining the her soles of her feet
>her body gyrates in slow motion to the sensual beat
>Her long raven hair cascading all the way down her back reflects the glow of the TV
>yup
>I'm okay with this
>Even her snowy skin shimmers-
>wait a minute
>that orange bottle on the floor nearby
>that's why she's all shiny...
>I look down to my left at Rose
>her icy eyes are already staring up at me
>smug as fuck with her milkshake now
>no words, she uses a rapid series of hand motions to convey a covert idea
>literally what?
>...
>oh, I'm the idiot
>sorry, I don't speak charades
>her eyes big, the little girls jabs her finger that the speakers
>ohhhh... This'll be funny

>as the sleek german dances, I quietly set my bag and shotgun down and slink over to the surround sound system control
>i press the power button, and the sudden silence is grossly accented by Rose sucking out the bottom of her shake
>Judith stops in suspended animation
>in my head, i can hear a record scratch to a haut
>Judith quickly wheels around expecting a threat but sees us instead
>her beautiful eyes now calm
>"Hallo!" she greets with excitement, "I muss have lost track of zhe time!"
>I can't help but smile, "I see you found my gun cleaning supplies."
>"hehehe ja..."
>Rose peels her lower eyelids down, "ughh... you two make me ill..."
>"oh, hush." the little prude "what's with all the gun oil?"
>slightly embarrassed, Judith replies, "oh! I vas a bit ichy."

>awkward silence and now I feel sort of bad
>Judith puts her hands together over her chest in a praying position and asks, "Sooo... how did zhe competition gooo?"
>I stretch, "oh... we did alright..."
>but she wasn't asking me
>her eyes are focused on Rose and her response
>The tiny blonde thinks for a moment, but says, "ehh... he did alright."
>I'm completely lost
>I ask, "what do you mean? Alright?"
>Rose closes her eyes and smiles at Judith
>The battle rifle lights up with happiness 
>her smile cannot hid her teeth
>quickly, Judith does a small happy dance on her toes, then she pounces
>I now know what it feels like to be glomped
>my legs crumple backward as I wrap my arms around her butt to pull her close
>her legs wrap around my back
>Judith's clothes are now slippery from all of the oil
>lock my grip onto my forearm
>the oil from her chest is now all over the side of my face, held in a vice by wet oily arms
>Judith smells like a banana parade
>I'm completely focused on not falling backward
>then, I hear Rose's little, sharp voice, "Really?!"
>uh oh, better appease the fun police
>I gently lower the still smiling Judith to her feet
>"danke," :3
>her chestnut eyes stare up at me
>she can hardly contain herself
>still kinda lost, "why was my performance so important?"
>"He learns fast, doesn't he?" Rose offers smugly
>what's going on...
>Judith clasps my hands in hers and asks, "Ist zhere not somezhing you vant to ask me."
>uhhhhh...
>her eyes don't help
>peering through her oily black hair, her irises are like gems
>"I-I really don't know what to say... I don't know what's going on here."

>irritated Rose takes the lead and spoon-feeds it to me, "Moron! I agreed that if you did well, I would allow the two of you to go on a date!"
>Oh
>I'm excited and look back at Judith who looks like a bottle rocket with a lit fuse
>"You want to go somewhere this weekend?"
>My eyes are hopeful and I smile
>the little german girl goes into sensory overload
>her eyes rapidly shake and her hands freeze to mine
>then, she induces herself into her thousand yard stare
>her eyes gloss over as her mind resets
>"ahw! Shit..."
>half panic
>I gently take her waist in my left hand and her chin in my right and hold her eyes up to mine
>Rose crosses her arms, "I think you broke her."
>"Not funny!" I bark
>"Relax, she's fine. I'll tell you if she's FUBAR."
>that's comforting
>I roll my eyes
>"Look at me, Judith. Are you okay?"
>Like she just awoke from a nap, "Ja, I yam fine. I vould love to go out vith you zhis veekend."
>I have no idea how to even express myself
>before I can, Judith lifts up on her tippy toes, her hand guides me by my cheek down to her
>her glossy, lost eyes may be focused beyond me, but I receive the softest kiss I've ever had
>like a silk, heavenly cloud with a taste of hoppes9
>I want it last forever, but-
>Rose says with a deadpan tone, "Gag me with a spoon."
>Judith releases me and assumes a more demure posture, curling her toes under to relieve her nervousness
>I shoot a look back down to Rose, "I thought you said you were going to lay off!"
>with a smug look, the little girl retorts, "That's implying I won't interfere."
>I guess this will be her new sport. Annoying me
>my attention is rightfully returned to Judith
>the young german girl's face is now bright red against the rest of her pale skin as she steals glances at me with her beautiful chestnut eyes though all that raven black hair
>all she's missing are her glorious black, nine-foot angels' wings

>the young german girl's face is now bright red against the rest of her pale skin as she steals glances at me with her beautiful chestnut eyes though all that raven black hair
>all she's missing are her glorious black, nine-foot angels' wings
>I can't help but to stare
>"Hey! What's for chow tonight?! I'm star! ving!" Rose yells from, apparently, the kitchen.
>you know, I haven't really thought about it
>plus, where'd all that milkshake go?
>"I don't know yet. Lemme see what I've got."
>From the corner of my eye, I notice Judith return to the spot where she originally woke and sit, hands in her lap
>the chair is right there, but she chooses that spot to reset
>her proverbial security blanket
>a rock grows in my throat
>i want to cry for her broken soul
>what it must feel like to not be able to experience your happiest moments
>goddamn it...
>"Hey!"
>Rose pulls me out it
>"Hey, skin-tube! Foooood!"
>she's sitting up on the counter top, kicking her shiny boots back and forth
>"What are you doing up there?!"
>"Waiting for your slow ass."
>"DOWN!"
>Rose protests
>stare the little shit down
>"fine... but I'm reading your comic books."
>the little girl scootches off the counter and skips into my bedroom
>one of these days, I'm going to duct tape her to the ceiling
>open the pantry
>I've got an ass of pasta in here
>Italian it is
>20 minutes of cooking the pasta from scratch, and I'm ready to serve
>the noodles are cheap walmart brand shit, but the cheese is from Dean and Deluca's
>Judith is already feeling better and picking out a movie for the group
>same seating arrangements as the last movie night
>sleeping bags, quilts, and pillows
>turning comfy all the way up to eleven
>I call Rose back in to eat
>don't need to ask her twice
>she puts up my comic book and returns to the kitchen
>the little carbine seems to have taken a liking to Calvin & Hobbes

>probably where she gets her new slang terms from
>chuckle inwardly
>Three bowls of fettuccine alfredo are prepared
>"I vant to vatch zhis one!" 
>Judith holds up a DVD box with only her eyes peeking over the top, looking for approval
>Alien
>the 1979 Ridley Scott thriller...
>I laugh, "huh-ho... Now, that IS a winner!"
>Rose looks at the cover
>"I-is this a scary movie?"
>we both look at her
>suddenly, all of her bravado is gone
>"Rose. It's a classic... like Gone with the Wind."
>I wink at Judith, who smiles back
>Rose is not so sure, but my mind is made up
>start the movie and sit down
>lucky me, the movie starts out slow enough for everyone to actually enjoy their food
>boy, Ripley's got some fluffy hair...
>huh...
>some minutes later, I take up the dishes and put them in the kitchen sink
>return as the movie starts getting juicy
>one of the guys in the movie is starting to have a wicked bad tummy ache
>I lay back down and Judith snuggles right up to my side
>her warm body is so soft to the touch
>is hoppes9 good for the skin?
>I can also feel Rose fidgeting on her side
>she's frightened lol
>Judith glides her leg up and over mine
>I hold her closer
>but then, I feel her slender hand slide up under my shirt
>as the poor bastard writhes in absolute pain on the table, I hear Judith breath in my ear, "shhh... "
>through her pants, her hips slowly start to grind against my leg, and that hand starts to slowly dive
>just lie still and watch the movie, I tell myself
>blood spreading and the man is convulsing, but I hear; I feel Judith breathing softly in my ear
>my fallen angel starts to lightly nibble when the little space weasel breaks out of the rib cage
>now, we find ourselves with a third member
>Rose, trying to be brave the whole time, gives up as soon as the baby xenomorph shows up
>the little girl latches to me like a leech

>i have to fight to keep her from climbing up on my head
>Judith laughs, and I chuckle
>For the remainder of the movie, Rose secured to arm and shoulder as tight as a facehugger
>roll credits, and it's time for bed
>any movie with an explosion AND a pair of panties is good one in my book
>I'm exhausted
>Rose... probably won't sleep for a week after the ventilation scene
>"I can't believe you call that a 'classic,'" the little carbine pouts
>Rose giggles quietly as I reply, "It's one of the greatest"
>"no way, pork pouch."
>she begrudgingly takes up her post behind the door and the light goes out
>I lay down and nestle my head on my comfortable pillow 
>stretch and yawn
>about to get comfortable when I feel weight transfer in the mattress
>Judith is crawling up under the covers
>our bodies meet
>she whispers, "I vant to be a little spoon"
>her hips push back into my lap
>I grind mine back against her's
>our legs tangle
>and i wrap my arms around her pale shoulders 
>long, thick black hair graces my face
>my left arm that's over her shoulder is hugged to her breast
>her crest slowly rises and falls
>her breathing syncs up with mine 
>"gute nacht..." Judith whispers 
>her body is so soft and warm, sleep takes me quickly 
>I hope this never ends



>after days of waiting, my weekend has finally come
>Friday's work is done, and I head home
>Driving home late, the traffic is light
>4473 forms swirl in my head
>so many mistakes
>so many corrections
>people who can't read the King's English or write more legibly than a 4 year old
>what a day
>I feel like railroad spikes are being driven into my eyes
>I bet these idiots go home and complain about me in LGS hate threads
>right after justifying to their mothers why they had to by a CZ75
>fuck 'em if they can't follow simple instruction and use their manners while holding a gun that's not theirs
>posing like james bond, slamming my revolvers' cylinders, and dry firing while aiming at me never gets old
>I think back to try to count how many times I've been "killed" while showing a gun to some low-grade genetic mistake whose mother's post-pregnancy plans should've included abortion
>lose count
>oh well
>suddenly Bush's "The Chemicals Between Us" comes on the radio
>crank that shit
>I think about Judith 
>Her beautiful brown eyes
>the way her raven black hair falls around her waist
>the way her pale skin looks in the darkness
>that imperfect smile she tries so hard to hide
>the softness and warmth her body gives as I cuddle up behind her
>Tomorrow will be better
>Tomorrow will be nothing but Judith and me
>with plans to only leave the apartment, it will be her first time in a public civilian setting as one of us
>we'll play it all by ear and above all, have fun
>and Sunday, my buddy Jamie will be taking us to his property to do some innawoods plinking
>I still can't believe it! 
>Judith will spend the whole day with me as a person!
>This whole work week, Rose has been working with her on how to displace herself from her rifled form

>for some reason, it's looked down upon the commune with spirits of non-organic things
>carrying in-depth conversations with you Bluetooth earpiece is one thing, but when you do the same with your rifle; Ohhh! Suddenly you've gone too far!
>11f fail
>with practice, Judith has been able to completely detach her form from her host rifle to walk visibly amongst the living
>As I pull into the parking lot, I'm blaring "Armageddon Soul" by Blackline 
>park, climb the steps and let myself in
>holy crap!
>my apartment is clean
>like sterile clean
>it was clean before, but this ridiculous
>even the magnets on the fridge are arranged in neat columns by size
>what the hell...
>"Anon!"
>Judith calls from the bathroom and runs out smiling to greet me
>Her lengthy black hair is braided into a thick ponytail to keep it out of the way
>those chestnut eyes of hers shine bright with excitement through her long bangs
>with rubber gloves and a toilet scrubber, she wraps her arms around me
>i can feel the wet bristles in the hair on the back of my head
>gross, but I hug my fallen angel back
>"I can not vait for tomorrow!" she squeaks
>"Me either," I answer as we release
>my right hand gliding down her smooth, slender arm as we separate
>"where's Rose?" My eyes quickly dart about
>"zhe little bookworm ist reading zhose comics again in your bedroom."
>a muffled, "I heard that!" sounds through the wall
>"while you spent all day cleaning?"
>Judith shrugs, "Vell no, I started vatching Suckerpunch again, but Rose made me turn it off. Zhen, she said I should be... how she say it... 'all arseholes and elbows.'"
>huh... "so, she made you clean, while she read comic books all day?"
>"Ja."
>"Rose!"
>my barking voice makes Judith jump slightly 
>I hear some shuffling and a bump
>a few seconds later, the little girl appears

>she has a look like she knows she's in trouble yet in her mind, her behavior is completely justified 
>standing there in little OD sundress, she locks her knee and crosses her arms over her chest like she's waiting at the DMV
>don't look at me in that tone of voice
>"Rose, did you make Judith turn off her movie and clean all day?"
>I feel like the dad
>I didn't ask for this
>"yeah, but she's seen it enough. It was becoming insufferable to me."
>Judith just stares at the clean carpet, unsure of what to do
>here braided ponytail drapes over her shoulder 
>Rose is pouting 
>"Annoying or not, that's her favorite mov-"
>"AND!" Rose interrupts, "It does NOT star Leonard Nimoy. His name is Scott Glenn. I looked it up."
>starting to get mad
>"That's beside the poi-"
>"Moron."
>rivets are explosively failing around my temper, and I have to bite my tongue, "ROSE! You can't just order Judith around to do what you want her to do and not help."
>the little girl stamps her shiny leather boot and fires back, "I did her favor! She was bored, so I gave her something to do!"
>Her pint sized frown is unwavering
>"Well, you should have pitched in to help anyway."
>Rose turns her icy blue stare to Judith who is still nervously frozen, "snitch!"
>Judith flinches at the insult
>I snap my fingers into a pointing gesture back toward the bedroom, "Go'on! And behave, or you're not going with us to Jamie's Sunday."
>Rose spins and runs back into the bedroom
>what am I going to do with her...
>I turn and look down at Judith who is now looking mopey but still holding her toilet brush at her side
>all this, and I've barely passed through the door

>"well Judith, show me what you've cleaned."
>she gives me the tour
>the floor is vacuumed, spots on the carpet removed
>everything is dusted including the ceiling fans
>the bathroom and kitchen are disinfected
>windows cleaned
>even laundry is done, folded, and put away
>the apartment looks so clean, I hardly want to live in it for fear of messing it up
>looks great though
>"I am so sorry Rose made you do all of this," I offer
>Judith shrugs, "It ist okay. I did get bored vonce I turned off zhe movie."
>I stay silent, not really knowing what to say
>Judith picks up on this and continues to speak, "She really vasn't bad today. Juss reclusive. She vas in a mood and told me she vanted peace und quiet..."
>the young german girl smiles, "I enjoyed it, so no worries, ja?"
>I decide to smile back, "yeah, no worries... Tomorrow will be fun."
>I debate in my head what to do next
>go for it
>I place my left hand around the back of the waffengeist's head, lean down and kiss her, "Thanks for everything, Judith."
>"Ja, meine liebe..."
>later at night, while to two were detracted by a game of cards, I decide to check my laptop's history
>Rose did say she looked up who stared in Suckerpunch
>let's see what a rifle looks at on the internet
>on second thought, ignorance might be bliss
>I mean, do I really want to know?
>She probably just looked up the information and turned the laptop off again, right?
>What else would a weapon spirit be interested in anyway on the vast expanses of the world wide web?
>probably nothing, right?
>If anything-
>ANYTHING... she probably would only shitpost loudly in AR Generals
>I figure I could care less what Rose did on my laptop...
>but in the name of science, I decide to open it up anyway and scroll through it

>...
>just more gun stuff
>manufacturers pages, spec sheets, Apex gun parts, Full30 shooting reviews, images...
>wait a minute
>I notice a pattern
>every single link is related to some variant of the AK platform
>AK-47... 47, 74... M... M... 47, M, M, M...
>a lot of special attention is paid to the AKM
>century's page for their WASR-10 was viewed 6 different times
>why would Rose do this much research into the AK platform?
>Weird
>I think about it while in the shower
>coming up with nothing, I decide not to worry about it too much
>step out and towel off
>best not to dwell on it
>I've got a long, exciting day tomorrow!
>towel wrapped around my abdomen, I exit the bathroom
>something kicks me right in the ankle
>I trip and fall forward 
>Rose giggles at her successful guerrilla attack
>the little girl turns to retreat
>I growl as my arm shoots out to grab her back in retribution 
>just as she's kicking off with her right foot, my fingers wrap around her ankle like a vice
>going nowhere fast, she does the same face plant I just did
>"Ow!"
>"Gotcha, you little shit!"
>she fights back, kicking at my hand with her free leg
>we both lift ourselves off the carpet
>Rose pulls her little dress back down.
>"Meanie!" her tongue sticks out, arms folded across her chest
>starring down at the little menace, I make with a stomp in her direction
>the little carbine flees to the recliner and peeks back at me from around it
>I am NOT chasing her all around the apartment tonight...
>close my bedroom door and LOCK it
>i hang my towel on a hook and go to my dresser
>underwear, lazy pants, socks, and a t-shirt are thrown onto to the bed
>as I dress at the foot of the bed, I feel something touch my foot
>I look down at the floor and see nothing

>I look down at the floor and see nothing
>just my baseboard that goes all the way to the floor
>continue to dress when I feel it again
>nothing is down there
>I know I'm not going crazy
>dress, but this time I stare at my feet the whole time
>sure enough, through the tiny gap where my baseboard meets the carpet, I spot Judith's slender finger creep out and touch my foot before sliding back under
>it's a weird feeling when you try to stifle your own laughter while trying to act in a clandestine way
>nonchalantly, I walk to side of the bed where I believe her feet to be
>I'm going to drag her out from under the bed by her feet
>ehehehehehehe...
>like a bolt of lightning, I reach down and blindly grope under the bed in attempt to snag something
>but, I feel nothing
>I get down on my hands and knees, lift up the bed skirt, and peer under
>I see nothing
>Apparently, I am going mad-
>I feel Judith's full weight fall on top of me
>she holds on with both arms and cheers, "I have caught you, Anon!"
>I begin to laugh, "y'all are like little VC in the trees!"
>"Ja!" She giggles
>"here, wrap your legs around my hips." I say as start to get up
>she holds on for dear life as I start to stand back up
>i judge her to weigh in at around 120 lbs
>She piggy-backs me as I walk back out into the living room
>Rose is grinning from behind the chair as she knows their "coordinated" attack worked
>when I set Judith back down on the carpet, I yawn, "y'all gotta entertain yourselves tonight. I'm beat."
>my black-haired angel's chestnut eyes desaturate with visual disappointment 
>Ahww, I reach out and hold her face in my hand
>a simple but meaningful kiss is all it takes
>Rose picks up the preverbal baton and says, "You every play poker?" holding a deck of cards in one hand and a cigar box full of chips in the other
>I'm fading quickly as I leave the two girls to their own devices
>i collapse onto the bed and rest my head down on my favorite pillow

>i collapse onto the bed and rest my head down on my favorite pillow
>sweet darkness washes over me
>minutes pass, and I can tell the girls are sucked into their poker game
>I hear Rose shout from the other room
>she must've won a hand
>So tired from work...
>I allow sleep to overtake me without protest
>My dream world is sweet bliss
>sort of
>deep in my warped and broken mind, there is always something amiss
>I'm driving down the highway in traffic, but I'm sitting in the passenger seat
>in my infinite logic, I've decided to use my height to reach the pedals from a more comfortable position
>I'm just sprawled out across the entire front
>shifter to my left, steering with my right
>ahw yeah...
>genius 
>oh shit...
>I can't reach the clutch
>red light coming up
>cars are stacking up in front of me
>my toes can barely hit the clutch or the brake
>those bumpers are coming up fast
>I better dip out lol
>I open the door and bail out with a roll
>the rushing grass and pavement never felt so soft 
>suddenly recognize that I'm holding a body

>suddenly recognize that I'm holding a body
>mind is still fuzzy, but I know it's Judith
>her long, silky hair graces my face with its hoppes scented blessing
>hold her tight against me and grind my hips up into hers to close up any gaps between us
>her hips softly push back into mine
>I playfully nibble at her collarbone before I settle my head back down
>gasps turn into giggles as her shoulders protest
>now, narrow finger tips touch and feel for mine
>I let her chose where she wants my hands
>I am so comfortable and drowsy, I'll fall back asleep in under a minute in any position 
>a slender hand pulls mine under her cotton tank-top
>the touch of my hand brings her smooth delicate skin to create light goose bumps
>i feel mine rise as it lightly bumps over her ribs and slowly over the softness of her modest breasts
>she takes my other hand down the length of her tummy
>over here belly button
>she inhales gently as we pass her hips 
>together, we pass under the thin elastic band of her panties and dip into the fleecy warmth between her legs
>"gute nacht..." she purrs
>my weary mind enters sweet bliss again, and sleep takes me in seconds

>"Drop yer cock and grab yer socks, faggot!"
>Literally jump out of my skin
>Crazy eyes, head on a swivel, I quickly peer around the lit up room for a threat
>my eyes groggily adjust for the brightness, and I spot a small shape over my right
>Rose is just sitting there giving me this stupid look on her face
>first thing in the
>morning?
>and I'm already pissed
>go figure
>being violently woken in the middle of the night by a waffengeist in the form of little girl isn't normal
>I wouldn't recommend this to anyone
>Judith is burying her head in the pillow, shielding herself from the assaulting light
>heavily muffled whines emit from the pillow's stuffing, "neeeeeeeeein... I vas comfortable..."
>I push my fingers into my eyes until the purple spots start to reseed
>[muffled] "vhy has zhe /k/ube forsaken me... "
>like a frog, I croak, "Rose... what the fuck is wrong with you?"
>little Miss Fucking Rainbows and Sunshine answers, "Today's your big day! Don't wanna be late!"
>toothy white grin
>little shit
>"uh huh... " ... 
>what the fuck... ...
>grumble unholy things to myself 
>check to make sure little Judith is still there
>her cotton white tanktop is crooked, but she's still beside me, writhing in the light
>thank god she doesn't grow spikes as a defense mechanism
>cuz I'd be fucked
>"what time is it, Rose?"
>"zero four hundred!"
>her chipper voice is an extremely unwelcome fucking ray of sunshine
>where's a gallon bucket of black paint when you need it?
>"uh huh... ... ... yup. You're going outside."
>roll out of bed
>never poke a sleeping bear
>Rose chuckles with worried laughter as I loom over her
>like a vice, my hands come to together, and I lift up the little girl by her shoulders
>surprise sets in, and she begins to kick and struggle violently, but her frame is way to small to make a difference

>surprise sets in, and she begins to kick and struggle violently, but her frame is way to small to make a difference
>while stronger than she looked, I still plop her on her butt outside the door and slam it
>locked from the inside
>the pounding on the door begins immediately 
>through the door, the little shit begins shouting, "You better let me back in, Sausage Link! I swear to god, I'm gonna pound on this door until you..." blah... blah... blah...
>frustrated, I turn back to see Judith sitting up in the bed
>the sleeve of her tanktop hangs carelessly around her arm
>the rest of it drapes nicely over the rest of her pale body
>the youthful german girl straightens her tanktop and pulls the covers up to her neck in a vain attempt to stay warm
>after shivering off a willy, she squints her brown eyes to look up at me
>Judith suddenly squeaks trying to sustain her laughter
>my bullfrog first-light voice says, "what."
>"I zhink I know vhy she called you Sausage Link."
>look down
>it's 4AM alright 
>"hush." quickly readjust 
>BAM!
>Did Rose just kick the door?
>"Cut it out!"
>"No!"
>Judith, tiring of the shenanigans, lets her sharp yet velvety german voice be heard, "If you do not vish to hear us having loud sex, you vill stop... "
>Rose growls from the other side of the door, but the pounding stops 
>I run my hand back through my hair, then kill the overhead light
>sweet blackness fills the room once again
>I feel around for the bed and touch my way back to my spot
>"Do not let zhe warmth out..."
>"I know..."
>like an old man, I carefully slide back under the covers 
>I scootch up closer to Judith, but I find she's rolled over to face me
>as soon as her finger tips touch my shoulders, she slowly slithers herself up against me
>face to face in the dark, I can feel Judith's lithe left hand carefully find and hold my face, her heart pounding against mine, the heat from her breath, and our noses that are barely touching

barely touching 
>Running my hand down the length of her tender body, I slide it over her hips and past her cotton panties
>wrap my right hand around her pert butt and pull her lap against mine
>"mmm... you are copping feels?"
>think to myself, yeah I'm copping feels
>our legs entangle as we softy kiss
>the softest types of kisses only the pitch blackness can force
>her heavy breathing gives way to quiet, barely audible moans as she grinds herself against mine
>my hand explores her chest as she does the same
>My tongue dances behind my lips as I desire to go deeper
>with each passing gentle stroke of her hair, lightly touching Judith's ear as I follow her silky black hair to her breast, we push closer and closer together 
>only our clothes truly separate us
>her kisses slowly grow with passion to the point I think our tongues will touch 
>and just like that, the sweet young german flicks her tongue against mine like a feather
>her exhaling breath is indicative of a grin
>at a full stop, I laugh, "what was that?"
>all I get is a, "shh..."
>Judith places her hand on my chest, directing me to lay on my back
>silent as a black cat, she climbs over the top half of my body and leans over me
>with her breasts softly touching against my chest, Judith allows my one last kiss
>her other hand stops just short of my waistband as she lowers herself to lay against my shoulder
>with a whisper she breathes, "gute nacht, Love."
>I place my hand over hers, completely concealing it
>"Good night, my fallen angel."
>I feel her flick the side of my neck with her tongue
>almost like a snake, sans the fork
>i smirk as I close my eyes again
>I can't believe we have to get out of bed "tomorrow"

>morning comes for me again around 9:30ish
>bright, wretched morning light still somehow makes it past my cheap blackout curtains and spills into the room
>slowly, the bed gets more and more uncomfortable
>time to get up, I guess
>Through forces unknown, I've come to cradle Judith in my arms like a baby
>legs over my stomach, my right arm under her knees
>her head and shoulders are balanced against my chest by my left
>wakey wakey
>I release her to stretch 
>pomf! Her head falls back to the mattress
>"bleeeh!" Judith whines, apparently inconvenienced by her recent turn of events
>stretch wide and twist my back
>glorious snaps, crackles, and pops
>and pow! ears ringing slightly
>my world tilts on its side like a sinking ship
>Judith has punched me right in the temple in an attempt to stretch herself
>"oh mein gott! Iyamsosorry! Are you okay?"
>her fingers fly to my face to touch and hold it as I recoil to escape their grasp
>I may... need to go to DEFCON 3
>With my fist, I snap the bones in my neck to restore equilibrium
>lie, "Yeah, I'm fine..."
>ear drums are still tingling
>around krauts, look out
>continue my rice crispy morning ritual
>then, dress to head out
>black collar shirt, khaki 5.11 pants, and my chucks
>Judith still only has her OD fatigues and boots
>oddly enough, it never smells or gets dirty
>as she changes form, so it cleans itself
>I try not to think about how my, and consequently everyone else's, fundamental understanding of physics is all wrong

>I try not to think about how my, and consequently everyone else's, fundamental understanding of physics is all wrong
>If physicists knew, they'd either shoot themselves, unable to cope, or they'd want to experiment on them
>Oh god, if the military knew...
>what if they do know already?
>I shutter at the thought of waffengeists lined up in chambers, subjected to a myriad of torturous tests for weapons research and development
>try to shake the horrible sound of a grand chorus of unearthly wailing and screaming from my head
>Judith then does what Rose spent all this time teaching her
>My PTR91 A3R is pulled from thin air from around her back and handed to me
>again, I'm done questioning this bullshit
>I set the rifle down in the corner against the wall
>Judith seems ready to go, but nervous, jumpy even
>first time in a civilian public place of gather in her human form
>"Relax Judith... there isn't a communist threat where we're going."
>I kinda laugh because she's more adorable this way
>her chestnut eyes connect with mine, "I know. Old habits."
>lay my hand on her shoulder, which is responded to with a smile, "If you ever get the hankerin' to slaughter some commies, I'll take you to San Diego, 'kay?"
>she smiles, "shut up!"
>"take me to Moscow..." she mumbles under her breath with a devilish grin
>we kek and decide to leave
>Does she know if the Cold War has ended?
>I figure I'll pick up breakfast on the way
>stepping into the living room, we notice Rose has fallen back asleep on the chair
>her short hair in shambles
>arms and legs all sprawled out in a very ladylike fashion
>almost like someone flipped her over on her back with a giant spatula
>a giant snot bubble inflating and deflating from her nose
>drool dribbling out of the corner of her mouth
>real beauty sleep, there
>figure it was best to leave her where she laid
>we tip toe by, but the devil in I has a very wise idea

>we tip toe by, but the devil in I has a very wise idea
>I stop
>then Judith stops, and wonders what's going on
>she turns over her hands and opens her eyes wide like: what are you doing?!
>I put my finger in front of my mouth
>shhhhh...
>I pull out my phone
>knees together and both hands over her mouth, the raven haired beauty squeaks as she holds her laughter
>Rose's formal portrait taken, I slip my phone back in my pocket, and we quietly cheese it
>we laugh all the way to the car
>buckle up fer safety!
>foot in the clutch, I turn the engine over
>handbrake down, I put the car in first and let the fuel injectors do their thing
>Judith adjusts her belt and leans toward my side, a long lock of straight raven hair falling from her shoulder to hang free around my hand on the shifter, "Vhere ist it ve are going?"
>"Well first, we're going to get some coffee, so Books-a-Million it is. Then, maybe to the mall."
>i wonder... she does drink coffee, right?
>"You do drink coffee, right?"
>Those cutting brown eyes of hers and raised eyebrow is enough to convince me
>"I vas a soldier, anon. Vhat do you zhink?"
>"alright, alright... just making sure... cuz some people don't like coff-"
>her fingertip lightly touches my lips together, "shh," she smiles, "I like coffee."
>Judith begins to giggle as she starts to realize the power she holds over me
>"Coffee it is... Next time you do that though, I'm biting your finger off."
>and so ensues the "I'm not touching you" game
>Pull into the Books-a-Billion
>Judith is calm and collected as she exits my car
>this place isn't too crowded to start out with
>I open the door for her as she walks in
>"Danke!" she says with a cheery face
>we, the odd couple, walk into the foyer and are greeted first thing by the register slave, "Hi, welcome to Books-a-Quadrillion!"
>uh huh...
>"Hallo!" Judith waves with a smile
>really?

>"Hallo!" Judith waves with a smile
>really?
>I want to fault her, but I can't help myself
>I grin and laugh to myself
>My dark little angel looks left and right, but with my hand at the small of her back, I gently guide her to the right
>she softly "meeps" at my touch
>the rubber soles on her brown combat boots squeak on the tile
>I look down to my right to see her chestnut eyes are lit up with with streaks of amber and are already upon me
>the corners of her mouth starting to curl into the beginnings of a tiny smile
>more focused on me than the rest of the store
>now, for the first time, I'm nervous and have no idea why
>she's undeniably beautiful with the sunlit windows back-lighting her
>too beautiful to be with me
>inside I'm ugly
>ugly and bitter from heartache and death
>her long, straight locks hang over her shoulders like a waterfall that shines like black satin
>Judith's eyes are intoxicatingly vivid
>unwavering, her peaceful stare offers nothing but truth
>Judith's slender hand takes mine and all my fears and doubt seem to evaporate, "you are okay? Vhat are you staring at?"
>startled, I respond, "oh, it's nothing, Angel. I was just looking at you."
>she rises on her tippy-toes and kisses me
>all I can think about is her
>"Let us get zhe coffee, ja?"
>"Yeah..."
>still clinging onto my hand, the little german leads me to the coffee bar
>of course, no one is manning the bar
>wait and wait
>and wait some more
>my mind is cooling off, so I'm not complaining 
>Judith is getting antsy though and begins to look around
>"Judith?"
>"ja?"
>"you know the hotel bells," i start gesturing with my hands to convey what I'm saying, "with the little button on top to-"
>her expression lights up with understanding, "Ja! Zhe little bell vith zhe 'ding!'"

>"yes!" I laugh, "this is the type of situation where i wish i had bought a personal one, so I could just 'ding' the shit out of it until someone came to take it away. Then, I'd snatch it away from them and tell them it's my fucking bell, and then, they'd be forced to help me!"
>many keks were had
>"dies ist meine 'ding!' Give it back!"
>I begin to rapidly thump my finger on the countertop, "d-d-d-d-d-d-ding..."
>Judith's laugh is so sweet and genuine, not rapidly repetitive, not forced or fake
>it's a heavenly thing for me to hear
>finally, the coffee bar wench shows up to take our order
>she's tall and has that whole obligatory coffee bar hipster thing going on
>strawberry blonde hair and thick rimmed lensless glasses
>standard food service greeting
>to Judith, the girl says, "oh my god... I really do love your boots! Where did you get them?"
>here we go...
>I look to Judith just she replies flatly, "Zhese?... Zhey vere mein standard issue." Her eyes showing confusion.
>I don't think she knows the coffee bar girl would just want to wear them ironically
>I want to say something, but she hasn't taken our order yet, and I don't want shitty coffee or coffee with shit floating in it
>or packed with protein at the bottom
>"oh," the little girl responds, "uhm. Okay. What would you like?"
>I defer to Judith who goes first, "I vould like a cup of dark French Roast."
>"what size?"
>more confusion, "a cup."
>Judith starts miming a small box with her lithe hands, "like zhis."
>this is too entertaining to interrupt
>i take an almost nature documentarian interest in the communications meltdown between a temporally displaced german and a minimum wage worker not accustomed to using effort
>Judith's chestnut eyes have become huge with impatience
>she finally settles on a medium paper cup
>"cream and sugar?"

>the irritated geist from Berlin then narrows her eyes and with the thickest accent she can muster, mutters, "black..."
>terrified, the poor girl behind the counter looks back to me, exasperated and anticipating more harshness
>I give her the "sorry, not sorry" grin.
>my order is simple; small hot mocha with 3 shots of expresso
>not exactly /fit/ but my liver and kidneys are
>ten minutes later, we're out the door
>Judith is still aggravated, "I still do not understand vhy zhey can not juss vash zhe cups vhen we finish."
>I open her car door but motion for her to wait, "Judith, you're not wrong. I agree with everything you're saying, BUT times have changed since the late 80s. Also, you're in the lazy land of America. Fast food and beer guts. There will be cultural shock. Just stay detached from it like me."
>she gets in, and I close her door
>Judith remains quiet, so I turn on the radio to kill the silence
>nothing good is playing, so I keep the volume low
>just Buckcherry being a fucking crybaby bitch
>I shift into fifth and let the RPMs settle
>I look over at Judith, and she's still salty over the coffee
>perhaps it needs salt?
>haha... not funny
>she sips it but purses her pale lips and frowns at the paper cup like a rock scorned
>"Judith? Is everything okay?"
>a weight is starting to form in my stomach
>paranoia, fear, and worry

>"Ja... nein... It ist juss zhat girl... and zhis coffee... It ist really awful... Zhey call zhis French Roast?"
>mine is fine
>at least, I think it is
>never had French Roast while I visited in Europe
>mainly Irish and Belgian beer 24/7... sorry Germany
>"good thing I grabbed these, then. Here."
>reaching into the cargos of my pants, I pull out a fist-full of paper bags filled with "real" sugar and powdered "creamer"
>Judith twitches her lip, but takes them
>through trial and error, one sugar pack and three creamer packs later, she seems satisfied and chugs the rest of her coffee before it gets cold
>she sticks her tongue out, "Bleh! I can not believe zhey call zhat French Roast!"
>I sort of chuckle
>this date is already off to a very rocky start
>"So, besides our horrible coffee, how are you feeling?"
>my question seems to relax her a bit
>Judith takes her time answering, "Juss a bit nervous. I have never traveled to a population center in zhis form."
>I choose my next words carefully, "As a waffengeist... in human form... would you..." trying to be as diplomatic in my sentence structure as possible, "...prefer to blend in with the crowd there or..." 
>I deliberately trail off with no intention of completing my thought
>"nein!" she says with nervous laughter, "I do not vant any unnecessary attention! No shenanigans, please?"
>as I'm driving down the road, I continue, "If that's the case, we're going to have to pick you up some new clothes."
>my fallen angel seems to tug against her sleeves just a bit tighter
>her raven black hair falling in front of her beautiful eyes
>"vhat ist wrong vith mein olt clothes?"
>Judith pronounces "old" with a "t"
>is she purposefully trying to act cute, or does she just naturally light my fire?

>oh god, she's pushing her knees together, ankles apart, and toes pointing inward
>my inner pervert is keeping me from-
>"Oh shit!"
>stomp the clutch and brake with both feet
>we skid to a halt at the red light, four feet past the line
>I'm so glad my car weighs less than 2,000lbs
>Dazed and confused, Judith swivels her head my way, "You are gut to drive, Ja?"
>my left hand's knuckles are white as the squeeze the steering wheel, "yeah... I good. You okay?"
>"Ja... I yam okay... Juss let me know vhen you are done copping feels~"
>I notice my right arm, from reflex, has shot out to shield my passenger from any harm
>final destination, her modest bust
>"oh shit! I'm sorry."
>I remove my arm
>Judith smiles, "pervert." Her creeping eyes now vivid with shades of amber
>"uh huh!" shaking my head... yeah, yeah...
>I glance up at the rear view mirror, and see the black streaks in the pavement
>I wonder how much money that rubber on the blacktop has costed me
>at least a few boxes of ammo
>grimace to myself
>the light turns green, and I put it in first
>putt on through the intersection
>I hear an unmistakable tune on the radio, "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield
>cut it up just a little
>In traffic, but I sneak a quick looks here and there at Judith
>oh shit! She sees me
>she brings her curled up hand to cover her teeth and giggles, "you had better pay attention to zhe road..."
>I smile and turn my attention back to the tarmac, but I don't want to
>the outlets are coming up, so I figure they'll be a good place to stop for civilian clothes
>i pull up to the next intersection to turn left, "let's get you some new shoes."

>"okay!" the caffeine is taking hold, turning Judith a little more chipper
>she peers out of the windows at her surroundings, fingers on the glass
>suddenly, I HK slap the shit out of my turn signal, making her flench
>her spine straightens, and her narrow shoulders bounce
>Judith turns slightly, her raven hair moves aside to reveal part of her flush red face
>she knows what I did
>"So, what kind of shoes do you like?" I ask as I pull into the parking lot
>"I-I uhm... e-ehh..."
>she's still thinking about it
>who's the pervert now..? eeehehehehehe...
>"C'mon now... surely you have a preference..." my tone is playful
>I know I'm getting a rise out of her
>"U-uhm... I like... your shoes... zhey had zhose in Germany back in zhe 80s."
>still looking for a spot to park in the endless sea of cars, but I smile, thinking about my chuck taylors
>lucky this outlet has the Converse store where I bought them
>everywhere we look, it seems there's an overweight person waddling from their car to the outlet to sink their money into more worthless shit
>ahh, the American way...
>then, we both saw her
>a white landwhale the likes of which the world had never seen
>like moby dick's fat cousin
>I'm surprised it could fit in a car or a truck
>like the Michelin Man's morbidly obese sister after a $100 McDonald's binge
>ridin' dirty on a red scooter with a lightning bolt down the side, oxygen tank in tow
>saddle bags no doubt stuffed with genetics and a few epipens...
>her white throw-over, more a bed sheet, flows in the wind
>like a massive gleaming slab of alabaster and diabetes
>but just when I think I see an open spot, I hear Judith's window roll down
>oh please merciful god, no
>before I can stop her, we pass by the mobile hotdog receptacle, and Judith laughs out the window, "A sail! A sail! Hahaha!"
>"fuck you!" plus a finger
>I sink lower into my seat, oh god why

>Then, I remember that I'm in command of this ship
>I roll her window up and lock it
>Judith still laughing, "h-hey!"
>I pull into the empty space and park the car
>I take a deep breath and use my hands for emphasis, "You're going to have trust me on this, okay?"
>The pale, fallen angel cocks her head, apparently lost, "okay?"
>"As funny as it is to say, people these days can't take a joke. If you want to say something funny about someone, just whisper it in my ear, 'kay?"
>you'd think I just told Judith that she received nothing for Christmas, "okay."
>"You say shit like that out loud, these social justice warriors come out the woodwork; they'll tear you apart like zombies. fun police."
>her eyes slowly fall away
>"the world we live in, right?"
>"zombies..."
>we step out of the car and head inside the outlet
>it's outdoors with extensive colorful overhangs linking the various stores together
>there are seating areas next planters for tired parents to take breathers while their loudass children run amok
>I feel a tiny pinky finger grabbing at the knuckles of my hand
>even though her height comes in at about 5' 8", I still stand a full head above little Judith
>I look down at her smiling face as she tries to enclose her hand with mine
>I concede, and our fingers interlock
>her smile gets even warmer
>I return her warmth with my own
>the back of my mind finds it curiously funny how such a small gesture can mean so much
>walking on her toes, Judith tip-toes up close
>her supple body presses against my arm
>in my ear, she whispers, "zhese little humans are so cute!... I vant one."
>this kills the gun owner

>"naw... they're loud and cantankerous..."
>"ve can not buy vone?..." she wears a pouty face
>I can't tell if she's joking or seriously believes these smaller humans are just pets
>I guess they can be
>asian makes and models tend to undocumented and fairly cheap
>I continue, "they also smell... they eat your food..." trying to find a way to convince Judith to drop the subject, "we wouldn't be able to go out to the range like we do if we bought a kid..."
>bingo, I can see it in her eyes
>she likes the range
>Judith recants her statement, "I did not know little humans would be such a burden. You would zhink because zhey are half zhe size of a regular human..."
>"nope, kids are like little parasites."
>"Ew." Judith clings to my hand a little tighter, "vhy do normal humans keep zhem, zhen?"
>"I'm sure I don't know..."
>we continue to hold hands while walk, savoring the aroma coming from the sweets in the bakery
>but before we know it, in holding hands, our thumbs become locked in epic gladiator combat 
>Judith cheats but my thumb is larger and more flexible
>I crush her much smaller thumb as she giggles and tries to use her other hand to pry at mine and turn the tide of her inevitable destruction
>all the way the converse store, nothing is said between the two of us besides profane name-calling and childish laughter
>half of the words she spits forth, I don't understand, but they do draw looks from others
>"woah!" suddenly we're both cut off by another kid
>I stop on my toes so I don't step on the poor thing 
>slate gray eyes lit up white with excitement from her new converses, she runs cheering out of the store wearing them
>brand new soles pitter-pattering on the pavement
>black shoulder length hair flowing behind her

>then, her older brother maybe? younger dad? steps out, just on her heals, and calls out, "Sorry guys! Didn't mean to get in the way..." hands cupped around his mouth, "Hey, Sophie! Wait up! We still have plenty of time to see Graceland!" before running after her
>we both turn and watch as he eventually catches her, their laughter in the distance 
>My smile fades when I see Judith looking on at the two of them with a cold, analytical expression
>"what? You look like you saw a ghost."
>"did zhat one -little- human seem a bit... strange to you?"
>"the tourists? No. Kids always behave like that. C'mon."
>"okay. Maybe it ist juss me who ist going crazy."
>"I wouldn't have you any other way." I say as I clasp both of her hands in mine
>her chestnut eyes meet mine, and she lets a small amount of her white teeth show, forgetting about everything else
>I steer her inside where the floor associate greets us, but not before she sneaks one last double take at the two that just left
>Judith has never seen so many different shoes in her life
>before I know it, she's behaving just like the children
>her eyes light up with streaks of amber as she takes it all in
>up and down the isles we go, as the little angel inspects each display against mine
>"You know, you can have any pair you want, right?"
>on a mission, Judith replies, "Ja... ja... I vant zhem black!"
>i swear she may be an angel, but a dark angel
>a fallen angel, indeed
>her eyes are on fire and I'm just along for the ride
>two isles later, and she finally finds the classic black and white Chuck Taylors
>"Oh mein gott..." she grabs up the display shoe, holds it in front of her face, and peeps up and over them, "I-I can have zhese?"

>"I don't know... They are full price..."
>those vivid eyes of hers narrow, "oh, quit being a jew!"
>I chuckle at her little quip, "alright, fine. If that's what you want..."
>Judith squeaks and begins searching for a box in her size, sitting on her knees
>"They run large, so find the next size under."
>"okay!" she doesn't even turn around
>she just wants shoes like mine
>"I vear a size 38 point 5, so..."
>Quickly, my eyes find a box that says 38.5
>size 7 women's
>"okay, you'll need a size 6 in women's, then... here!"
>I point to the black and tan cardboard box with the correct size inside-
>"Gimme!" raven hair flowing about, Judith snatches the box from its once peaceful resting place
>I laugh, "hold on there, Grease-Lightning. Let's try them on, and then you can wear them out of the store."
>Those youthful chestnut eyes widen and all is silent
>the novel idea of wearing out of the store!
>Suddenly forced to slow down, her mind is allowed to catch up, "oh, okay."
>the young german girl takes her seat on the bench behind us and begins to remove her boots
>her lengthy black hair drapes all of the way around her back, encasing her like the wings of the demon atop Bald Mountain
>the fluorescent light shines off of Judith's hair as it gracefully drapes around the contours of her body


>the young german girl takes her seat on the bench behind us and begins to remove her boots
>her lengthy black hair drapes all of the way around her back, encasing her like the wings of the demon atop Bald Mountain
>the fluorescent light shines off of Judith's hair as it gracefully drapes around the contours of her body
>under her boots' leather is just her beautiful pale and bare skin
>no blisters or offensive odor; but instead, just some black carbon fouling around her dainty toes and the smell of burnt powder
>Judith's feet are roman in shape... interesting...
>must have something to do with her CETME heritage
>I quietly look on
>humming a marching tune to herself, she slips one of her little feet inside the shoe
>stops suddenly, "was ist?" the young german chirps
>confused, she peeks inside
>Sliding her fingers in, Judith pulls out a brown wad of stuffing paper
>"bleh!" she tosses it on the floor for someone else to pick up
>once more with feeling
>sure enough, they fit, and five minutes later we're leaving the store
>an overwhelming since of happiness washes over me as we walk together 
>not so much because we're holding hands, but because Judith can't help but to stare down at her feet all the while trying to sync her steps with mine
>I was able to make her happiest girl for miles around, and I'm just getting started
>every morning, when I wake up, I ask myself, "how can I make Judith happier today?"
>succeeding in this is what brings me happiness
>it's not always easy
>I can't just buy it, obviously 
>it's the meaning behind it all
>she has shoes just like me now
>and for the first time in her life, she'll have the freedom to choose what she'll wear

>and for the first time in her life, she'll have the freedom to choose what she'll wear
>Now, to figure out what she likes 
>less holding hands now and more hugging my entire right arm, Judith continues to walk with me through the outlet
>I can feel her tugs as she continuously looks down at her feet
>smile and keep walking, "hey, Judith?"
>"Ja?" eyes still watching her feet
>"You may want to pay attention to the clothing stores around you. We still need to get you some clothes."
>the German girl's posture straightens as she begins looking around at the glass storefronts for something to catch her eye
>we pass store after store, Judith's gaze passing back and forth like radar
>then, her sharp ears pick up the sound of a familiar song
>"Anon, do you hear zhat?"
>I hear it
>I know the store coming up
>Judith begins to skip "All I really vant ist somezhing beautiful to say..." her waist length raven hair bounces around her narrow shoulders as she sings
>"to never fade avay, I vant to live forever!"
>the music gets louder and louder until the unholy storefront stands before us
>the young german reads the moniker, "Hot... Topic?" pronouncing it "hawt taw-PIK"
>this is where I get all my t-shirts that say things like, "I want to believe" and other stupid meme-tier jokes
>the interior is dimly lit, but I can tell by the sporadic squeezes on my hand that Judith is dying to get inside
>I already know we're going in, but I play coy, "you wanna look for clothes in here?"
>Those beautiful brown eyes of hers lock on mine and get large, "zhey sell clothes in zhere?!"
>her breathing is fast
>new converses pattering at the concrete from nervous energy
>"yeah, it's where I get my t-rex shirts from."
>a grin spreads across her pale face, "hehehe... I yam unstoppable!"
>Seether's song ends, and the music transitions to Rob Zombie's "Living Dead Girl" as we walk in
>Judith more or less dragging me behind her

>Judith more or less dragging me behind her
>I secretly match her enthusiasm, but I find it's good sport to be an anchor
>the loud speakers thump to the industrial rock
>Like a comet made from crude oil, Judith's hair trails in the breeze behind her as she takes off deeper into the store
>her eyes are drawn to everything
>Alone at the front, I look around the store's entirety
>we're the only two customers
>go figure
>one employee stands at the counter, completely sucked into his phone
>I briefly wonder if he even knows we're here as I step past the front counter
>to my right are all of the band t-shirts
>I look back to my left to spot my Judith digging through the other t-shirts, peeking at each one
>as I approach, I hear her speaking softly to herself in german
>i let my hand fall on the small of her back
>startled, she meeps and stiffens
>I chuckle, "It's just me. See anything you like?"
>Here chestnut eyes tell me she's on a mission, "I vant a top juss like yours!"
>confused I tug at the fabric of my shirt, "But, I didn't buy this shirt from here."
>"Nein, nein, nein... I vant zhe unstoppable T-rex vith zhe grabbers!"
>this is cute but, "why do you want to dress just like me?"
>then, her eyes sadden
>Defeat fills the young german's expression as her eyes gloss over
>keening, "b-but I vant ozhers to know ve are togezher..."
>her little mouth starts to curl deeply into a frown
>bottom lip trembling
>oh no! Shit! Do something!
>quickly, I pull Judith into an embrace, her slender arms hang limp at her side
>my left arm holds her tight, my right is running my fingers through her hair on the back of her head
>"shh-shh-shh-shh-shhhhh..." I think I know what this is about, and decide to gamble, "Angel... this isn't the military where uniforms have to match. Couples don't need to wear the thing same in regular life..."
>a snot-filled sniffle, "zhey do not?" 
>through her long, silky black hair, I can feel her head shaking

>I hold her tighter against me, "no... of course not... how many couples have we seen today wearing different clothing?"
>"I do not know."
>well, it was a rhetorical question, but, "I saw quite a few so far. Some girls wore dresses, others jeans..."
>Her arms, then, wrap around and squeeze me tight
>a little too tight
>please let go, damnit!
>Judith is drying her eyes on my shoulder, but I'm turning blue
>desperate to alter her state of mind, I struggle, "remember that one reaaaally fat lady?..." try to push away, "in the white dress?"
>Judith releases me
>I can breathe again, and do so shamelessly 
>I look down at Judith who's pretty little eyes are looking quizzical, "She vas a couple vith her oxygen tank?" blinking at me
>literally wat?
>with bright shades of amber and dark brown, Judith's eyes are still a bit glossy but unwavering 
>sometimes, I can't tell if she's just messing with me or if she's... 
>well, she's not dumb, but she can be stupid
>I really don't know sometimes
>"what? No... I'm just making the point that girls don't necessarily have to wear the same clothing as their men do."

>"oh." Eyes cast down, covered by her dark bangs
>teaching social norms is harder than I thought
>She wants the same things that I already have
>I could give her something similar...
>"How about this one?" I point back up at the wall
>it's a nyan cat in space t-shirt
>I can tell by her look of combined disappointment and complete bewilderment by what she is beholding that it is a no-go
>hmmm...
>maybe if I find one that I like...
>Judith goes down to sit on her knees, continuing her search for a t-shirt
>I look up high at the examples hanging
>no... no...
>Then, I spot a black t-shirt sporting a comical grim reaper accompanied by the text, "spoiler alert: everyone dies"
>hehehe... I like that one
>"ooh! I like that one!"
>Judith gasps with excitement, "Vhere?!" eyes skyward
>"This one..." I find the corresponding box and...
>Judith looks like a medium
>don't want anything too small
>I thumb through the neatly folded t-shirts for a medium
>of course, the two left at the bottom
>I pull one of the mediums from the cubbyhole
>pinching the shoulders, I allow the rest of the t-shirt to unfold via gravity
>The young german slowly reads the text out loud, "Spoiler... alert:... every-vone... dies..."
>her brow furrows, "I do not get it. Who ist he?"
>I explain, "He's death. The Grim Reaper."
>utter confusion 
>"His job is to reap the souls of the dead, hence the scythe..."
>there's a disconnect here, "Ja, okay... vell vhat ist a 'spoiler alert?'"
>idioms...
>"It's when you reveal a surprise ending or whatever... He kills everyone."
>The corners of Judith's mouth curl from a blank expression into a sadistically psychotic grin, "I love it."
>I think I know why, "Are you my little reaper, Judith?" giving her a devilish glance
>Her eyes darken and lock on mine

>the words drip like venom from her tongue, "Behold zhe pale horse... Zhe man who sat on him vas death, and Hell followed vith him..."
>Then, she sensually bites her lower lip, never once breaking eye contact
>I think to myself, "Is this how she flirts? ... Cuz if it is, this is so hot..."
>Judith ends her evil grin with a giggle and takes the shirt
>she hugs it to her chest, "are you going to buy zhis for me?"
>"of course. Now, let's find you some pants."
>"eyeeee... yay!" Judith runs to the other side of the store
>I bring up the rear as the young german starts picking through the jeans
>"nein... nein... nein... heilige scheiße!"
>I kind of chuckle, "everything okay, there?"
>Judith frowns as she picks through the cubbies, "zhe legs are all so skinny!"
>"well, that's the fashion these days... I think... I'm so old, I don't even know anymore..." I finish the last part under my breath
>"vell, zhey look uncomfort-toble und tight."
>once again, I look up to the signs for direction
>skinny, untra-skinny... baggy!
>"Judith! Over here."
>I point the far column
>"Oh, okay." the young german reverses direction to explore the new baggy pants
>"Do you know you're size?"
>"Ja... ja..." She picks a pair
>solid black
>"well, let's at least try all this on before we leave."
>"Ja, you are probably right."
>just like that, Judith unbuttons her fatigue bottoms and begins to push them down her hips
>I raise both my hands in a stopping motion, "whoa! whoa! Not out here! In the dressing room..."
>"oh?" Confused, she tugs her britches back up, once again concealing her white cotton panties
>the young german begins to button them back up when I turn to get the absent-minded employee's attention
>he's just standing there, staring at what was once before him
>I feel my eyes narrow, "the hell are you looking at?!"
>before he can lie to me, I demand, "open the dressing room."
>the plebeian obeys and unlocks the dressing room

>it looks like a broom closet
>Judith steps in with her clothes and closes the door
>like a cuck, I wait outside
>I hope she likes her new clothes 
>Hopefully, they fit
>I fight the urge to pull out my phone and check /k/, for she may be out any minute 
>I peer around at my surroundings
>so much fetish wear...
>short tartan skirts
>black dresses with chains
>things Judith would look killer in, but would draw way too much attention for comfort in public
>maybe behind closed doors though?...
>Then, I hear the door crack from behind me, "Anon?"
>"Yeah?"
>"Ve are a couple, ja?"
>for some reason, my blood runs cold
>I don't know where this conversation is going
>uhmmm... "yeah."
>the door speaks again, "Ist zhat vhy you call me, Angel?"
>my heart-rate slows just a bit, "Yeah, it's a pet name couples give each other."
>"Ist it because I yam a pet-class gewehr?"
>"No, no... a pet name is like a..." struggling, "nickname that only couples use to refer to each other."
>"Nick... name?"
>"A name of endearment... It's a good name. I call you, 'Angel.'"
>"Ah."
>the door stays cracked for a long silence
>"C-can I give you a pet name, Anon?"
>"Well, sure."
>"Anyzhing I vant?"
>oh god... "uhh... sure. That's the point."
>"I-I vant to call you, 'Master.'"
>I sigh, "Now, I've been through this with Rose, I don't like being called that."
>"M-Master?"
>I don't respond. I do not respond to that name.
>"Master..."
>I do kinda like it when Judith does it though...
>Whining, "Masterrr..."
>"What?!"
>Covered by the cracked door, I hear Judith giggle in german, "Mein bottoms are too big in zhe vaist, I need a smaller size."
>the door opens by just a few inches, only enough for it to spit out the wadded up pants onto the floor nearby
>slam!
>guess I better get her another pair
>I find the next size under
>only pair left in that style
>solid black, baggy fit
>I take them up and knock at the dressing room door

>I position the jeans in her grasp
>Instantly, Judith takes hold and snatches them inside... never to be seen again
>the door slams once again, and from the outside, I hear a muffled, "Danke!"
>"uh huh." I fold my arms over my chest
>I wait for a couple of more minutes before Judith finally comes out
>the door opens revealing the pretty, young german
>exposed pale arms now gracefully fall from the short sleeves, her right arm bent at the elbow holding her left arm against her body
>her black Grim Reaper t-shirt hangs just past the trim of her black jeans
>her pants are baggy, but none more than her fatigues in the first place
>the legs of which pile up on top of her new Converses
>my eyes roll down and up as I take it all in
>against her snowy skin, her dark clothes and her long, black, cascading hair, Judith has become even more captivating to look at
>I want to give her enormous black angels' wings now more than ever
>her chestnut eyes ask a thousand questions through her bangs but I answer all of them with one sentence 
>"oh my god, you look beautiful."
>I can't look away
>Judith begins to blush, "I yam happy you like it, Master. I admit I vas scaret zhat you did not vant to be a couple vith me."
>I pull her into a loving hug, "of course I do..."
>but her slender hands take hold of my shoulders, "I vas scaret about a lot of zhings!"
>I pull her in tighter
>I feel her body press against mine
>"I never vant to be pulled apart again."
>oh my god...
>I say nothing, but I hold her head to my shoulder
>my hand stroking her long, dark, silky hair
>her body limp in my arms, I practically hold her up
>I hold Judith for what seems like four or five minutes, based on the song changes, before I kiss the top of her head and hold her at arms length
>before I can say anything, I notice her once vivid eyes are now bland and unfocused 
>her thousand-yard stare has taken hold, face expressionless
>shit...
>it's like a recurring bad dream

>eyes clouding over, it turns into a nightmare 
>her brown eyes roll up into the back of her skull as she loses consciousness
>"Judith. Judith!"
>slender arms fall freely around her hips
>shit!
>I tote her lifeless body behind a fixture to shield her from view
>as carefully as I can, I lay her down
>eyes fluttering, Judith is non-responsive
>seizure or stroke?!
>I don't fucking know!
>fuck... c'mon... wake up
>holding her on her side with her head secured, I pat at her cheek to stimulate her to wake back up
>it's not working
>she isn't moving
>a rock has built itself up in my throat and a cinderblock has in my gut
>Judith just lays inert on the floor
>c'mon!
>then her breathing stops
>fuck!
>Shit!
>I roll her body onto her back and tilt her head back
>I have no idea if this will work or not
>I lean over the top of my fallen angel in a pathetic attempt to save her
>but then, her eyes slowly open once more
>tongue pressed against the back of her teeth as her jaw relaxes
>her still perfect eyes not focusing on anything
>quivering, I reach down to pick her up
>I wrap my arms underneath her head and shoulders to pull her into an embrace
>As I lift, I feel all of the air escape from her lungs
>I freeze, unable to remember what I'm supposed to do
>she's dead
>I can't even bring myself to cry as I hold her form against me
>this is just a bad dream
>I'm going to wake up
>and I gently lay her back down
>I refuse to accept this reality even though I'm powerless to change it
>her raven hair heaped on the floor, it spreads itself in peaceful radians around her beautiful pale face
>chestnut eyes stare ceaselessly into the ceiling rafters

>I notice that my left hand is absent-mindedly holding hers
>silently, I look on as several moments pass
>then, I feel a small twitch in from her slender fingers
>I jerk my head back to look when the young german sharply inhales
>eyes wide and feral
>she hisses, "Wer bist du?! Wo bin ich?!"
>I struggle with her arms, "Judith it's me! It's me!"
>"Wo bin ich?!"
>"It's me, Anon!" fighting against her and losing, "It's me! C'mon! Look at me!"
>Savagely, I grab the side of her face a force her to focus on my eyes
>she fights and fights
>her powerful legs kick with disregard
>my only ally in this fight is my strength, but that's barely marginally above her own
>my lack of combat training is made painfully apparent by the ever growing pain in my balls
>I do my best to shield my neck
>I can't hold on anymore, but the attacks begin to subside
>The more her eyes focus, the more her body relaxes
>vibrant amber colors mix with the brown in her sad eyes
>her assault ends, leaving me battered
>hanging by a thread, I hold her perfect pale face in my hand, "It's me, Anon. Do you remember anything?"
>she speaks slowly but in English, "I do now, Master."
>her head slowly turns left and right, like she's looking for something
>fear and anxiety grip her outward expression
>"are you looking for the back of my chair?" I croak
>Embarrassed, Judith tries to smile, but only succeeds in making herself cry
>now, my eyes begin to water
>I thought I had lost her
>My ass is grass, but fuck that
>I almost lost her
>the rock in my throat has been replaced with the cinderblock
>my legs turn to jelly
>adrenaline now low in my blood, I lay down on the black tile next to my Judith
>both of us on the nasty floor in a Hot Topic, blubber-chuckling like a couple of goobers
>I hold her cheek as tears of her's stream past
>she simply replies, "Danke."

>she simply replies, "Danke."
>"I think this time, you scared me." I try to smile, but only with difficulty
>physical pain and emotional stress has created a storm inside of me that must quell
>Judith returns my smile with her own, allowing her teeth to show, "I yam so sorry, Anon. Das ist meine fault... I vas so happy vith you, but I allowed meinself to zhink about zhe past, und I got scaret und... und... "
>"I thought you were dead."
>our physical contact is somewhat calming
>It allows my little, fallen angel to concentrate
>"Almost... As long as mein bolt ist not damaged, I can live. Everyzhing can be repaired."
>Well, that's comforting, "I was about to begin emergency resuscitation."
>Judith giggles
>"what?"
>"Zhat ist sweet, but a vaste of your breath... It vould not have vorked."
>"uhh... I don't know... " I lean over, aching pain in my body, and gently kiss the young german girl
>bright red streaks streaming from around her eyes, she begins to giggle again
>"seems to be working to me" I chuckle
>"stop! stop!" She laughs as I start to misbehave, "I vill kick your ass again!"
>"yeah, you're right. We should probably get out of here."
>with great effort, I rise to my feet
>I really don't think my balls will work anymore 
>Reaching down, I help Judith to her feet, and we collect the price tags plus a studded belt
>We eventually approach the counter to pay
>oddly enough, the worker was so sucked into his phone, he never noticed the stir
>his eyes are locked on Judith's crotch, but given what had just transpired, I could care less
>this punk could flick me, and I'd roll over
>with an apathetic tone, he says, "all t-shirts are buy one, get one fifty percent off."
>so, Judith goes and picks out a charcoal gray with purple text "Black Sabbath" t-shirt
>the savings
>despite the labored upbeat tone I put on for my dark angel, I am now exhausted and want to go home
>I just want to get out of here


>a few minutes after I park, Judith and I make it inside the large building
>Still nervous, Judith hugs herself to my right arm
>not complaining
>we are greeted first by the carousel
>all of the screaming little bastards and creepy music irritate me, but Judith is getting her eyes full
>I can feel her slender fingers pinching the fabric of my sleeve 
>now, with my hand at the small of her back, we walk with the crowd past the open concourse and into the food court
>the audio level climbs instantly, elevated by hundreds of voices talking simultaneously as well as friers and grills sizzling 
>The young german breathes in deep, "oh, mein gott! It smells so good!"
>the smell of fried goodness seems to calm her apprehension
>it does smell good, but there's a crush of people at every line
>but my stomach protests loudly
>do I have to wait in line...
>the only short lines are for shit fast food restaurants with half-menus who cater to the autists who won't take their good boy points and eat anywhere else, allow their food to touch, or eat any vegetables
>at least Judith is in good spirits again
>guess I'm still a bit on edge from earlier 
>I need some fucking food, goddamnit!
>fine
>I had to pick the longest line, but Bourbon Street Grill is god tier
>Judith hugs my arm against her supple chest as we pull up the rear of the line
>the little sample lady comes by, "would you like a samp-"
>"Yes!" I grab the tiny plastic shotglass with meat inside and dump in my mouth like an animal
>The young german is astonished by the brutish behavior, "Haha! Hungry boy!" her mouth wide

>she looks back at the lady holding the tray filled with the little sample cups, "Ja. I vill have one."
>gently, she elbows me, "You see? Zhat ist how ve behave in a civilized society."
>just her smiling up at me kinda sends the message home; like, c'mon...
>You're on a date, show some class
>that means no proudly cutting farts loose
>we wait and wait
>and wait some more 
>the butter and oil bubbling around the meat is getting to me
>the line moves at a glacial place, but together, we march forward
>for food!
>out of mind-numbing habit, I pull my phone out
>"Hey, Judith. Check this out."
>"hmm?" my little fallen angel leans her head against my shoulder for a better view
>I pull up my photos, and the first picture is of Rose, all sprawled out in the chair, lying in a fucking coma
>Judith and I share a good, hearty laugh at the little shit's expense
>"Ve have to get zhat vone framed for our bedroom!" She pokes
>our bedroom
>I think about it, and yeah, I'm okay with it
>I like it
>the line moves forward again, and we make our orders
>a "two and two," and a, "two und two"
>as we make our way down the line, I pull up /brg/ on my phone
>but then, I feel a small group of tugs on my shirt sleeve
>Those beautiful eyes are starring up at me
>I lean over Judith can whisper whatever she has to say
>really hush-hush, she breathes into my ear, "zhese rations are huge... ist zhis vhy everyvone ist fat in zhis country?"
>I chuckle and shake my head, "No, just in this state."
>back to my phone
>uh-oh
>sa/k/uya is shitting up the thread, posting endless pictures of himself in dresses
>the poor kindergarten finger-paint tier FAL...
>I must have said something because Judith is now curious, "Vhat are you looking a- Oh mein gott..."
>she sees the "rhodie" green nightmare and takes my phone
>fine by me, I have to pay anyway

>real concern in her voice, Judith pleads to me, "zhis rifle needs help, Anon."
>"I know. Her owner needs help too."
>"Nein! I mean real help. Rescue! Look at her. She ist almost about to commend her geist to zhe /k/ube..."
>I pick up our trays to begin the search for a table
>"... and zhen, become nozhing... I have never seen a rifle so depressed."
>before I know it, Judith is lighting into the tripfag in german
>Just angry, german shitposting
>I walk slowly so her furious slender fingers can fly over the tiny screen's keyboard while keeping up with me at the same time
>I see a nice, small table with two chairs and head towards it
>Judith brings up the rear as I'm setting the trays down to eat
>I'm dying to tear into this chicken and rice, but I still manage to pull the chair out for the lady
>those beautiful chestnut eyes, framed perfectly by her long raven hair, are more than enough thanks for me, but her soft german voice graces me as well, "Danke!"
>I smile, "my-"
>"I got you banned."
>Full stop
>"Do what, now?"
>Judith's lithe hand passes the phone back to me, "I yam really sorry."
>I read the screen, "You are banned... Wonderful... let's see what you did..."
>like a scorned child, the fallen angel just sits quietly in front of her meal with a sad frown on her face
>I continue to read aloud, "violation of global rule three. Jesus, Judith," half laughing, "what did you say?"
>the poor thing just looks down and away from me, "I... It could not be helped. I should not have said anyzhing."
>I point my white, plastic fork at her, "well, you pissed someone off."
>"Master?"
>"yeah, Angel?"
>"Are you mad?"
>"No. I'm hungry. Let's eat."
>I try my best to keep from mindlessly shoveling it in like a caveman
>Judith politely eats across from me
>as polite as a soldier can eat, anyway

>as polite as a soldier can eat, anyway 
>the food is good when nobody talks
>I eat fast, but somehow, Judith finishes her plate before me
>it's a huge amount of food for a person, but she made it disappear without a problem
>I look at her with a raised eyebrow, "Damn, Judith! Do you chew your food or just swallow it?"
>she smiles, "a lady never tells..."
>I don't think that's how it works
>then, she adds, "I vant to go in zhe toilet."
>"Yeah, that's generally where you go..."
>"Oh, really?" Judith crosses her eyes, feigning stupidity
>I roll with it, "yeah... you should chew you food better. Then you wouldn't have that problem..."
>Judith giggles, "shut up! You are stupid!" gets up and leaves
>I watch her long, black hair sway behind her as she walks away
>how did I manage to catch her?
>I really don't deserve such a girl
>rifle
>geist
>While I wait, I read the headlines on my phone
>Five minutes rolls by
>then ten
>she must be dropping the Cosby kids off at the pool
>twenty
>what is she doing in there?!
>Thirty minutes is long enough to cut off your circulation and get hemorrhoids
>I stuff my phone away and make my way to the bathrooms
>then, I see Judith walking back inside the long corridor
>she smiles as we meet, "Hey... Are you okay?" I ask
>"Ja! I yam sorry it took so long... I vas eavesdropping from one of zhe stalls."
>...
>"huh..."
>...
>"You eavesdrop while pooping often?"
>"Nein, waffengeists do not poop. Hehehe!" then on her tippy-toes, she pecks me on the lips
>"well, where's the food g- You know what? I don't care. C'mon!"
>For Judith, this is the funniest thing ever
>The young german grabs my left hand with both of hers
>hope she washed her hands
>I take command, "Lets walk around a bit to help digest some of this food."
>She chirps, "Okay!"
>like a pilot fish, Judith clings to my arm as we stroll about the mall
>Then, she sees it

>with a gasp, the young german tugs on my shirt and points, "vhat ist zhis store called?..."
>I already know we're going inside, "I believe it's called Victoria's Secret."
>"vhat ist her secret?"
>"I believe she's a man, but don't quote me on that."
>chestnut eyes are wide with unadulterated excitement, "zhere are heat shields everyvhere!"
>"You can have one..."
>Judith stamps her feet a bit and shakes her hands about, "Eeeee! Yay." before running inside just like the Hot Topic
>I want to keep her calm in here, so I try to keep up
>an episode in here would surely draw attention
>greeted by "Pink" signs and cute floor associate, I see Judith has taken to touching everything with a price tag
>I follow her for a bit, room to room, before she hits pay dirt 
>She holds up the simplest gray, bikini cut bra in the store
>it's only accent is a tiny black bow in the center
>it's really cute and looks extremely comfy, but, "I'm surprised you didn't pick out one of those bombshell pushup models."
>undeterred, Judith closes her eyes and rubs her cheek against the microfiber fabric covering the relatively thin cup, "zhose are nice, ja, but zhis one reminds me of zhe vone I vas issued... but a lot nicer."
>Judith is so adorable right now!
>I love it when she's happy 
>I don't want her feel anything other than happiness
>"Do you know your size?"
>when, I find out, I'm going to have to remember it...
>"Nein, I really do not. All of our heat shields are zhe same size, so... nein."
>I imagine a room full of G3 geists
>"Welcome home, Master!" they all say
>girls, last nights kissing contest was a resounding success
>giggles are heard
>tonight will be Twister... followed by oil wrestling
>ohh wow...
>ooh, that would get expensive, though.
>and the headaches...
>Just two maybe?

>I'd get the two raven-haired Doublemint Twins confused with each other
>No, one's enough for me
>she's all I want and more
>one can dream though...
>"Find what y'all needed?"
>a wild floor associate appears!
>she's short, packing some serious meat balloons, and pays for her blonde hair
>I quickly dismiss the chesty umpa-lumpa, but Judith intercedes, "I yam really sorry, but I do not know vhat size I yam."
>cheery eyed, the associate offers, "we can size you in the-"
>gasps fill the store and a crowd gathers further in
>Judith wants to investigate, but I hold her where she is and place myself between her what could be danger
>muffled cries come from the center of the small crowd
>from what I can tell, someone is either being stabbed to death or receiving a good old fashion country ass-whoopin'
>Judith and I wait a good twenty-five feet back just incase everyone decides to run
>I can feel the top-heavy floor associate cowering behind us
>finally, I hear a male voice yell above the crowd, "okay! That's enough! ... THAT'S ENOUGH! YOU MADE YOUR POINT!"
>I see a tall girl wearing a beanie part the crowd like the Red Sea 
>she walks confidently, less like a soldier and more like a mercenary
>but then, she sees me and stops in her tracks
>maybe it's because I'm still taller than her?
>I don't want a fight, but I stand my ground
>this girl looks tough, like a female boxer
>I've already had my ass kicked once today
>life's not fair is it?
>her eyes don't telegraph aggression, though...
>more like seduction
>no thanks
>by the look of that chop cut ashy blonde hair, I'd probably be the one who plays the woman
>her boyfriend catches up to her and covers her right hand as much as possible with his
>blood is evidently dripping from her knuckles leaving little red spots on the white tile
>"come on!" He says, "I don't feel like taking to the police today!"
>I feel Judith's hand squeeze the fabric of my shirt with both hands

>that girl wasn't looking at me this whole time
>I realize she was actually looking at Judith 
>Against her boyfriend's and my own will, she approaches Judith, "Well, what are you supposed to be, honey?" she says with a smile
>Judith's grip on me tightens, "...e-eh?..."
>my dominant arm shields her, while my left hand touches my Benchmade
>rather than fan the flames, I remain silent as a reactionary only
>the boyfriend has had enough of this game, "V, that's enough!"
>He grabs the girl's arm and bulldozes out of the entrance with her in tow
>she protests on the way out, "H-hey! I was only trying to play with the other geist!"
>at least, I could've sworn that's what I heard
>then again, I could also be losing my mind
>"what was her problem?" I ask as one of their managers walks comes to check on us
>the neatly dressed woman responds, "some pervert came in here and took her picture. We called the police, but we're not pressing any changes against the girl. The man will have a no trespassing ordnance put on him for all of our stores. Are you all okay?"
>"Yeah, it's fine." I grumble
>"Ja, I vas juss about to get sized by..." Judith turned around to find the associate, "you? Your name ist?"
>The little girl smuggling watermelons is still fairly alarmed, "yes! My name's Kayla. I'd be happy to size you! Right this way..."
>I'm left alone with the manager
>"So, how's the aftermath? I noticed you guys cleaned it up pretty fast."
>The only trace left after the crowd dispersed was a few drops of blood, which is currently being bleached away
>The manager was pithy, "Incidences of this nature need to be cleaned up quickly in a place of business such as this. Our clientele need to feel safe while shopping here. I'm glad you're okay, he's definitely got a broken nose though. Metro's gonna come pick him up."

>a few minutes later, Judith reemerges from the back which is now locked down tighter than Fort Knox
>her eyes are cheery, and she's walking on her toes, so it must've gone well
>"how'd it go?" I ask, just to be polite
>Judith smiles, "I vill tell you in a bit."
>"Uhh... okay? Did they size you?"
>Judith bounces on her toes, "hehe, ja... I vear a zhirty two C, apparently."
>"Oh." I'm impressed, they don't look that big
>I open up the drawer and begin to sift through the colorful lace and fabric for her prized thin, gray heat shield in her size
>only one left!
>I wrap my fingers around the incredibly soft fabric and pluck it from the drawer
>holding the bra in front of Judith, I offer her to take it
>I want to see if there is a matching set of panties for it
>Bra in hand and bending at the waist, Judith watches me close as I search the other drawer for the matching pair in the small/medium size
>After a short search, I find them
>bikini cut, they're gray and without seams
>the only accent piece is a tiny, matching black bow in the front
>I hand them to Judith as well, "Go try them on. If they fit, I'm buying them for you."
>"Yay!" the fallen angel chirps
>hugging the underwear close, she tip-toes to the back where the dressing rooms are
>again, I wait outside for a few minutes until the associate tells me I can go in
>Gently, I pull the door open
>there are two mirrors and a chair in this tiny box
>what could the chair be for?
>I deliberately avert my eyes so I can take in my Judith all at once
>and there she is
>peacefully gleaming chestnut eyes look deep into mine with happiness and a small bit of embarrassment

>her blushing cheeks easily stand out against her pale skin
>Judith can't help but smile
>Long raven hair flows gracefully past her shoulders, covering her chest completely
>I can't even see what her new bra looks like
>one knee in front of the other, she plays coy from the waist down
>her little toes curling up on the carpet
>I can still hear her barely audible, nervous moans 
>"Well, how do you feel about them?"
>"I feel naked..." Judith rocks forward on her toes, bending slightly at the waist to halfway cover her bottoms
>her little black bow matches her hair draping down just above it
>that's what the mirrors are for...
>just a hint of her butt can be seen over the top of these panties 
>I can see that sweet, little bump where her slender legs meet
>she probably knows all of this
>"So... do you like them."
>she looks so shamed, "Ja. It ist like I yam wearing nozhing..."
>Unable to control myself, I reach in with both hands and part her silky hair
>"e-eh?..." Judith whines
>these little cries are turning me on, and she knows it
>my fallen angel's chest is held neatly in place in a smooth natural position with only a hint of cleavage allowing itself to form
>she allows my fingers to slide off her defined shoulders, and between her soft, supple breasts
>The young german girl allows a shallow gasp to escape her tongue as she shivers
>tracing the elegant lines of her body, my fingers continue down her soft tummy, coming to rest on her sensual hips
>they gently dig in to the soft flesh, prompting another shy moan
>I slowly pull her against me
>Judith puts up little protest as she tip-toes her way forward 
>our lips softly meet in the middle
>I cradle her perfect bottom as she grips my belt
>shallow, sweet kisses are traded back and forth until my tongue wants more

>her mouth opens slightly, and I can feel her own tongue dancing behind her teeth
>but, she keeps it caged
>it's such a tease
>as soon as I'm ready to move on to another part of her trembling body, Judith flicks my tongue with hers
>and just like that, I'm drawn back in
>I want her tongue
>my right hand leaves that cute, little bottom of hers, and rises up to cup one of her soft breasts
>I quickly find and tease on her nipple through the thin bra material
>with a huff of breath, our tender kisses deepen
>even her hips are getting involved
>finally tasting my tongue with her's, Judith allows herself to go over the edge
>in an absentminded effort to position herself for what comes next, she grinds herself against the buckle of my 5.11 belt
>"Uhh-h ma... ow..." her little voice squeaks
>Oh shit!
>I can see tears trying to well up, but Judith blinks them away
>I spin her around and cradle her arms in mine from behind
>"Shh-shh-shh-shhhhhhhhhhhh... I'm sorry..." 
>I kiss the top of her head
>"..."
>I notice she has developed a decent wet spot in the front of the panties
>"what's this?..." I ask as slide my left hand down past her cute tummy
>I can just feel the the start of Judith's fleecy mound when she pushes my hand away, shaking her head, "Hm-mm! It ist sensitive now!"
>alright, alright
>my fallen angel tilts her head to the left, so I can kiss her neck
>just below the corner of her jawline, I start to kiss and make it all better
>her body relaxes in my arms and turns to butter as I continue to love on her hot spot
>then, I get a deliciously evil idea
>I began to nibble on her spot
>Judith tries in vain to stifle her quiet moans of ecstasy
>she pushes her hips deep into my lap as her fingers slip beneath the "newish" panties
>nope lol
>"okay! Stop! Stop!... Go pay, you big stupid!"
>Laughing, she shoves me out of the tiny room

>Before we check out, the young german finds a cute, comfortable pair of black short shorts with white trim to sleep in
>PINK across the butt is spelled with white letters
>A few minutes later, as we're paying, I overhear one of the floor associates ask why one of the dressing rooms smells like bananas
>E-hehehehehehee...
>a pink bag carries her standard issue underwear as we leave
>I feel a tug on my sleeve, so I lean down to hear
>Judith giggled in my ear "vhen I vas being sized, zhe girl doing me had not heard of Heckler & Koch. She asked me if mein bra's company vas affiliated vith a company called Urban Outfitters."
>I smile
>our fingers interlocked, we continue to walk around
>I stop and point up at the salon's storefront, "hey, did you want get your hair styled?"
>"nein... but I did not know you vanted my barrel to be shorter?"
>"Well, no. Screw that. I love your barrel length."
>if flowers could radiate from her body, they would have
>Judith hugs my arm to her chest, the new bra is so much softer, it's like she's wear nothing under her black t-shirt
>it's all I can think about
>not complaining
>note to self, though: acquire AR geist, give her a hair "styled", don't write a letter to the ATF
>decide to flirt a bit, "so, is there any other hair I should know about that alters your rifle form?"
>smooth Anon, smooth

>the answer comes sooner than I expect, "Vell, if you shave mein pubic hair, my serial numbers disappear."
>holy shit really?!
>after 15 more minutes of walking around and people watching/judging, I'm ready to leave and go home
>this day has really taken it out of me
>almost to the door, and I feel another series of tugs on my sleeve, "Master, I vant a giant pretzel!"
>"A what?! Why?"
>"A giant pretzel! Pleeeease... und danke?"
>She's too adorable to say "no" to, and she knows how to manipulate me now
>and I allow her do it
>I dig my wallet out, "What's with you germans and giant pretzels?"
>"Yaayyy..." Judith is all smiles, "und butter!"
>As we are walking to car, my fallen angel stops me in the parking lot, "Danke, Master... for all of zhis."
>She smiles brightly and kisses me
>I hold her tight because I don't want to let go
>I'm perfectly content with being able to hold my entire universe in the space of my own arms
>and we blare old Linkin Park for the entire drive back home

>Judith and I step from the small blue vehicle as I carry the assorted shopping bags to the door
>In front of me, the young german girl walks with an extra edge in her step in order to show off her "new buttstock"
>her new black jeans that I bought her may be a baggy fit, completely covering the ankles of her matching converses, but they accent the shape of her bottom much more so than her surplus fatigues
>she is gracefully humming the tune of Crawling, one of the many songs in Linkin Park's first three albums I know the lyrics to by heart
>as she climbs the steps, I hear the words in my head
There's something inside me that pulls beneath the surface
consuming, confusing...
>a crisp winter wind pulls Judith's long, flowing black hair along with it, allowing the silver studs on her new belt to show
Without a sense of confidence I'm convinced
that there's just too much pressure to take...
>after struggling a bit with the bags, I'm able to get the house key in my hand and unlock the door
>we step past the threshold and into the dining area
>"Rose!" Judith calls out with a smile, "Ve are home!"
>It is quiet
>really quiet
>Judith's enthusiastic happiness fades
>the tv is off, not like she watches it anyway, but all the lights are off as well
>shit
>she's probably out walking around in the open
>being careless and getting caught
>"Hey, Rose?" I say, "Sound off."
>Judith peers around as I put the bags down to check the apartment
>she could also be hurt, "Rose?"
>I clear the living room and start to head for the bedroom
>she may be asleep
>Judith shrieks suddenly
>she stands before the coat closet with a butcher's knife held to her throat
>"Rose! What the fuck!"
>legs straddling Judith's waist, the little girl clings to her back, blade in hand

>cupping her free hand over the young german's mouth, she begins, "Don't even think about getting your other guns, anon! Their firing pins have all been removed. No... No, this is between me... and Judith..."
>Rose applies a bit more pressure to the blade, pushing it deeper into Judith's pale skin
>I'm frozen in space
>What can I do?!
>I look into Judith's eyes for any sort of hint
>nothing
>they are wide with fear
>"Judith, Honey? Concentrate right here for me," Rose giggles as she taps the spine of the blade with her pointer finger, "You're going to tell me where you hid those comic books..."
>think, think...
>The small hand covering Judith's mouth cracks a wee bit
>obscenities are spat in german
>"oh no, shhhhhh... You're going to tell where you hid them right now... or I'll cut your whole damn head off..."
>Judith's chestnut eyes are locked on me
>they shift left, then right as if asking a question
>so, I backpedal to the left like I'm trying to get a better angle on Rose
>Judith is directed in vice versa to counter
>when she is square with the door jam, I stop
>I can only watch as Judith's eyes glaze over
>oh, shit
>Again, Rose cracks her small hand over Judith's mouth
>The young german uses the angle I gave her the slam the little carbine directly into the door jam
>with a high-pitched grunt, the knife falls free
>Judith uses her size advantage to grapple and throw her tiny assailant over her shoulder
>Rose's small body collides with the carpeted floor on her back with a thud
>she cries in pain, but I'll have none of it
>I'm on top of her in a flash
>quickly, roll her small body over so she's face down
>pinned to the deck by my knee, she fights my arms with her's
>after a small scuffle, I've got both of her wrists clamped together in my right hand
>I use this time to look back up at Judith, "Judith?! How're we doing?"

>her hands are wrapped around her neck, "I yam okay."
>"Rose, what the fuck!"
>I begin lifting her arms up until pressure applies
>Rose, feeling the pain in her shoulders coming, she yells, "Uncle! I just wanted my comic books back!"
>I lift her arms a bit higher by leaning forward, simultaneously putting pressure on her spine and shoulders
>"Ow! Oww!" her legs kick helplessly 
>"So you held a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her?!" I growl
>Rose's eyes clamp shut, wincing at the pain
>"Leggo, organ sack!"
>I pull at her arms a bit more
>"Ahh! She hid them from me!"
>"I don't care! I'm your master, so you come to me."
>"Y-Ow! Y-Yes, master..."
>I can see tears dripping off of her button nose
>great
>now, I feel like the bad guy
>I let go of Rose's arms giving instant relief to her shoulders, but I keep her pinned under my knee
>I sigh, "Judith, where'd you hide those comic books?"
>Still trembling in the same spot, she answers, "I hid zhem in here."
>the young german paces over to the microwave and opens it up
>the stack of Calvin & Hobbes books fills the small space
>"I put zhem in here because I knew she could not reach it wizhout a chair."
>I sigh, but laugh a little on the inside
>I release Rose from her pin
>she scrambles up immediately, "hey... how come, Judith doesn't get punished for hiding my stuff!"
>Those are MY comic books, but whatever
>I ignore her, "Judith?"
>from the kitchen, "ja, master?"
>"Give Rose back -my- comic books."
>Judith does as she told, but with a hollow look in her eye, "I yam sorry for hiding zhese from you, Rose."
>Rose purses her lips and takes control of the stack, grumbling under her breath as she leaves the living room
>the bedroom door slams behind her
>holy shit...
>nervously I turn back to Judith, "You sure you're okay?"
>my fallen angel stretches with exhaustion, "Ja... It has juss been a long day."

>"You're not worried about Rose?" I ask as I pick up the knife from the carpet
>"Nein, I vould have done zhe same zhing if I vere her."
>wow
>okay, then...
>I keep forgetting that they aren't just girls, but weapons of war
>I slide the blade back into its wooden block, "So, what would you like to do now?"
>"Ve could cuddle on zhe chair... and vatch a movie, maybe?" 
>she knows just how to look at me and smile
>the light aways seems to refract the deep chestnut color just the right way
>I return her smile and add, "those jeans won't be too comfortable... maybe you should try on those little shorts I bought you..."
>her raven hair bounces as she giggles, "hehehe... Shut up! You are juss trying to get inside of mein pants!"
>then, muffled through the door, we hear Rose shout, "NO SEX! I BETTER NOT CATCH YOU TWO HUMPING WHEN I GET A GLASS OF WATER!"
>I laugh, "Shhh! You keep pissing her off."
>those peaceful chestnut eyes turn devious in an instant, though
>Judith locks her knee and pulls her studded belt from its loop, "oops..."
>her pale face blushes slightly as slender fingers expertly work at her buckle and unlock the mechanism
>with the buckle hanging free, I can no longer just watch, "here, let me help you with your button..."
>Judith's coy smile shows her teeth, "hehe, nein..." she giggles as she turns around
>I approach her from behind, encircling her sender arms with mine
>Judith lets out a small gasp as she somehow blushes even redder and backs her smaller body up against mine
>"Stop..." she coos as my hands encompass her own, helping them unbutton her new jeans
>As I continue on to unzip them, the young german girls swats my greedy hands away, "Nein! I know vhere your mind ist!"
>I smile, going back in for a second strike, "Oh yeah? Where is it?!"

>I poke and pinch at Judith's pert bottom as she shrieks and giggles, "Nein! Nein! I know you vant to put your finger in mein magwell!"
>Giggling back, "Shhhh! N-no I don't... Come here!" as I make another grab, "What if I just want to poke around at your your back door?"
>"B-but Master, I eject from there..."
>then, through the bedroom door, "HEY! I DON'T LIKE WHAT I'M HEARING!"
>"Shhh..." I say pushing my hands downward
>My fallen angel replies, "shh..." holding her finger up to mouth, with a wink
>Judith and I can't control ourselves, apparently
>I spring forth and and wrap her up in my arms
>"AHHH!..." she laughs, struggling to break free
>the fun police issues another warning, "YOU TWO BETTER BE BEHAVING IN THERE!"
>"ROSE! HE IST ATTACKING ME!" Judith giggles in response, fighting to get away
>no response lol
>Judith turns back to butter once I begin tenderly nibbling at her hot spot
>Just enough to get her motor running, then I let go
>"Ach! Asshole," the little angel pouts
>I turn to grab her new shorts from the pink bag
>when I turn back around again, Judith is trying to step out of her pants, bunched up at the floor around her ankles
>I stare in disbelief as she bends at the waist to pull the legs around her shoes
>through the thin, gray microfiber fabric, I can see the subtle shape of her innocence
>"..." she struggles "do not look at me."
>"too late."
>still bending over, Judith flares her eyes at me and hisses like a cat before going back to her kampf
>this is bait
>it's not even subtle, I think to myself
>but I don't care
>like a fly in a web; a moth drawn to the light
>I'm a sailer, freely listening to this siren song
>and my fallen angel knows damn well, but I wait
>after a few minutes of struggle, she pulls her right leg free from the jeans
>no sooner did that converse touch the carpet, did I the same
>the material is already slick to the touch

>the material is already slick to the touch
>Judith allows a light peep and soft whine
>with tender pressure and a little unsolicited help from Judith only maneuvering her hips, my finger gently pushes her panties past her skin and into her slit
>my finger can feel the quivering outside of my fallen angel's warm entrance and folds through her soft gray panties
>"So, I take it you like your new panties?"
>two can play this game
>Judith begins to grind her hips against the opposing pressure of my hand
>"Danke, Master..."
>muted huffs, gasps, and moans escape her tongue as she diverts all attention to the exciting sensation between her legs
>"Anything for you... Which is why I figured you would enjoy these!"
>I present Judith with her new shorts
>my arms extended, "Here, Angel."
>A very sore loser, she snatches them
>within a few violent seconds, her jeans are completely removed
>classic Judith, she chucks them
>this time landing in the blades of the ceiling fan

>the german sourpuss slips her pale, slender legs into her new designated bedtime shorts with no issue
>Black fire would be burning from the tops of her shoulders if that were even possible 
>"shut up."
>I hold my hands high, "I didn't say anythi-"
>"shut up."
>"pick out a movie." Judith commands as she walks by the shelf stuffed with movies
>"I got one for ya." I say as she parks herself in the recliner
>dubiously, my fallen angel responds, "Really? For zhe moot I yam in now?"
>"Ja!"
>"Shut up."
>I waltz over to the laundry closet, grab the thick blanket, and tote it back
>spread it over Judith
>Then, I grab my copy of "Falling Down" and put it in
>from under the blanket, my little angel murmurs, "Vhat ist this movie called?"
>"This is called 'Falling Down' ... Scootch."
>Judith sinks deeper into the seat, "Oh?! You vould like to join me?!"
>"Well... yeah," I say with an uncertain tone, just standing there
>Those chest eyes wince real tight at me for a long while, but I don't move
>"If you tease me vone more time, I yam making you sleep on zhe floor."
>"Okay. I promise."
>"Promise vhat?" trailing off like it's a quiz question
>I sigh, "I promise I won't tease you... anymore TONIGHT."
>"Shut up, und get in here," she groans with a flat tone, opening the blanket
>I start to join but Judith stops me once more, "Ah! Lose zhat awful belt und your bottoms."
>fine by me
>Belt and khakis on the floor, I'm allowed to slide under the blanket with my boxers
>My fallen angle snuggles up against my right side and brings her leg up and over mine
>I feel Judith's supple chest press softly against my side
>as my arm falls underneath her and holds her bottom, she allows her slender hand to fall on my chest
>the incredibly soft feeling of her panties brings back my recurring question, "do you like your new clothes?"
>"I do. Danke, Master," she says as she tenderly kisses my neck
>"Anything for you," I say as I hold her tight
>we fall asleep in each other's arms right as the clogged highway gets fixed
>Judith's new shorts helping her sleep peacefully

>for a little bit
>hours or so after I fall asleep under the heavy blanket; her head resting peacefully on my arm, my legs matching hers, my other arm wrapped over her shoulder as her chest rhythmically rises and falls, and my hand cupping both of hers in front of her face; my dark, little angel falls from grace just a more
>in the complete blackness, her chestnut eyes creep open and scan the living room
>slowly, Judith removes her left hand from mine
>her right remains, interlocking her fingers with mine
>Judith licks her fingers, leaving as much spit behind as her fingers could hold
>stealthily, carefully, the left slithers like a serpent across her pale skin, down to her hips, and snakes it's way under the soft, gray fabric of her new panties
>without shame, she savors the graceful feeling of her knuckles pressing against the microfiber
>delicate fingertips tenderly comb their way, feeling their way through the thin, fleecy public hair until, by sense of touch alone, they find what they were looking for
>like gentle jolts of lightning, the feeling both warms and relaxes Judith as she softly rubs the top of her supple mound
>the soft skin gives way to her deviant thoughts 
>as difficult as it is, the dark angel stays silent as she continues to satisfy her lust
>with each passing minute, Judith feels her tingling sex become warmer and warmer... and more wet
>this is a dangerous game, and the young german knows it, but she doesn't care
>like chicken, the first to flinch loses
>but you you challenge death, He never flinches
>against her better judgement, she slips one of her slender fingers through her mound and into her warm slit
>Judith allows a quiet huff to escape her lungs as she carefully touches her slippery folds
>testing these stimulating waters

>the girl's mind races with corrupt thoughts of Anon in compromising positions with her
>Judith's brain reminds herself that she can die doing this, but this is her master's fault
>besides, she'll know when to quit
>in fact, life's more fun when you're about to die anyway
>tenderly, the fallen angel explores herself, and with great care to leave no part untouched
>a slender finger finds and graces her entrance over and over, gathering her nectar with each pass
>it would be so easy, wouldn't it?
>Judith let's her inhibitions take over
>to split with the consequences
>with perverted delight, she spreads her wetness through the softness of her folds, returning to where she started
>the warm little jolts entice the young german to continue further
>and why not?
>saliva finds its way from the battle rifle's mouth and rolls down her cheek as she softly pants and moans through her clandestine ecstasy
>subconsciously, Judith's hips begin to grind
>losing herself in carnal bliss, Judith exhales with sinful pleasure
>halfway through her soft, labored sigh, a new sensation catches her attention
>Judith stops cold
>her heart pounding even faster now
>Oh, scheiße!
>I'm grinding on Master's lap!
>He's... growing
>Petrified, Judith hangs in suspended animation for a while to gauge the situation
>after a few minutes, she determines that while arousing, her actions had not awoken her master
>carefully, the young girl resumes her extra-curricular activity
>as her dripping fingers continue push through her soft mound and into her slippery folds, Judith becomes more excited and more and more bold
>her hips once again begin to grind against her sleeping master's lap
>hard again, the girl's master feels so warm against her bottom
>the feeling of it pressing against her gives her sense of overall wholeness
>like she's complete
>but that's not enough
>he started something he never completed

>The young german justifies her own knowledge of when to quit her flirt with Death
>skillfully, Judith lifts her bottom from the recliner's damp cushion, supports her weight on her shoulder, and slowly pushes her panties down to her thighs
>in the darkness, she can feel her hips trembling with nervousness
>now clothing free, Judith concentrates her efforts toward an even more risky prize
>like raiding a forbidden Hovitos temple, Judith skillfully slides her hand inside the fly of her resting master's boxers
>She flinches as she touches it
>gingerly, the young girl wraps her slender fingers around it and manipulates it back through the fly and into the open
>with cunning, Judith once again tests the foreboding waters by whispering, "Master, are you avake?"
>then, just a bit louder, "Master, are you avake?"
>when no answer is returned, her mouth curls into a smile dripping with lust, excitement, and apprehension
>gently, Judith returns her soft bottom against her dreaming master's lap, allowing his bare skin to touch hers
>goosebumps instantly run up the length of her entire her back, forcing a small gasp to escape her tongue
>she promises to herself that she will go no further with this, whispering, "I love you, Master."
>knowing full well what trepidation lies ahead, Judith takes one more leap of faith 
>Her slender fingers return to the innocent spot between her legs
>they slide effortlessly through her mound into her wet and warm folds once more
>quietly, she continues her struggle to stifle her huffs and moans
>Judith can feel the steady heartbeat of her throbbing master as she grinds her bottom slowly and deliberately against him
>it only turns her on further
>as her wetness runs across the skin of her leg and soaks further into the cushion, Judith decides can handle just a little bit more
>but this is it
>the young girl ignores the warning signs in head

>slowly, Judith pulls her glistening fingers from her dripping slit and lifts her left leg as carefully as she can, so as not to disturb her master
>nerves cause her to shiver uncontrollably
>so much so, he might awaken
>but there's no going back now
>pushing her hips forward, her hand takes grip of her master once more
>His hand in hers twitches as she pulls him through her quivering legs
>then, she rests against her tingling slit
>breathe...
>allowing her leg to come to a rest again, Judith uses her fingers to cautiously spread her wetness on her sleeping master
>she can feel his heartbeat between her legs
>each thump pushes her more and more into a depraved madness
>this is crazy
>Judith can feel her mind starting to lose focus
>but she can't stop now
>this is all his fault, and she's in control now
>pressing upward with her fingers, the fallen angel keeps up the pressure of her master against her slit as she begins to grind herself against his length
>the skin of her tender mound parts so her wet folds can kiss his bare skin
>visibly shivering with nerves, Judith feels her master's trapped hand squeeze her own tighter
>"I love you, Master!" she sighs as her hips continue to work
>The girl knows she can't push her luck any further, but-
>her knuckles turn white as she pushes her master harder and harder against her warm dripping slit as she continues to grind
>the purely blissful sensation between her legs is too much for her to give up on now
>but suddenly, her master's hand in hers squeezes hard as he jolts himself awake
>barely understandable, he slurs his speech, "w-what're yuh doin'?!"
>Death is just around the bend, but she can't stop now
>this is all his fault
>Judith lifts her hips and pushes her master inside
>before I can react, my little angel deftly maneuvers me past her soft mound and between her wet folds
>her absolute warmth and softness envelopes me

>warm virginal walls squeeze against me as she pushes myself as deep as their tensions allow
>her tight innocence will only give so much ground in the beginning 
>and even at only partway, I'm paralyzed to her
>Judith squeaks under the novel feeling of penetration
>she softly moans as she attempts to regain her breath
>"W-what're you doin'?!" I ask again as if I don't already know what's going on
>Judith pushes her hips back down once more and I push back, completely burying myself inside her
>my fallen angel cries softly as her hot fleshy walls stretch
>tears well up at the corners of her chestnut eyes
>I can feel her wetness dripping onto my leg
>More alert, I articulate my words but still can offer no resistance, "Angel, we have to stop."
>this is too risky
>her only response is, "I love you, Master" as she pushes me deep back into her soft, forbidden opening once more
>as I slide all the way back inside her, my path, as tight as it is, becomes more smooth
>I don't know how much of this I can take before I...
>I don't know how much more of this she can take!
>"Please stop!" I beg, "I don't want you to hurt yourself!"
>this cannot continue
>We continue
>I hold her slender, trembling body tight against mine as I continue to push myself deep inside her dripping slit 
>with hot breath, my little Judith breaths in my ear, "Please do not stop, Master,"
>it smells of burnt powder
>pushing through her folds, I can just feel the tips of her fingers rubbing the top of her mound
>there are no brakes, now
>I sink my teeth into her neck, where it meets the shoulder
>damn her for this
>a muffled cry escapes her tongue as I continue to bite down
>the slightest taste of iron
>Firmly pushing herself against me, Judith breaths through her pain and pleasure one final time, "Master?"
>My hips continue to follow her rhythm
>Breaking from her neck, I softly answer, "Yes, Angel?"

>between her soft cries and moans, she whines, "Do you love me?"
>"of course, I do..."
>with exaggerated effort, Judith pushes me as deep inside her warm slit as I can possibly go
>keening, her siren-like voice begs, "Zhen, please finish quickly. I yam losing mein mind!"
>it's not hard as I'm already almost there
>Quickly, I pull out to-
>but as the first rope of cum spurts against the smooth glistening skin of her mound, her hand reaches out, catches me, and pulls me back into her slit
>"Nein, please show me how much you love me..."
>as her words drip from her lips, I coat her intimate walls
>I push my cum deeper and deeper; all of my love, marking her as mine
>my pushing becomes slower and slower as I fill her tummy with my seed
>like a passenger train grinding to a halt, my movement slowly comes to arrest
>Judith purrs in bliss as I push through the sensitivity and pull myself out
>like a dove, my little angel coos, "Danke, Master..."
>after putting myself back away, I reassume the position I was in originally, "I love you, Judith."
>I feel her shoulders snuggle back up against me, and with a blissful smile, my fallen angel answers, "I love you too, Anon."
>falling back asleep holding onto my angel takes mere minutes


>first light through the large living room windows is way too bright for me to maintain my desired level of sleep
>with the reclining chair folded almost completely flat and under a weighted blanket, I become pleasantly aware that I have held onto Judith the entire night
>My right arm is folded under her head as she uses it as a pillow; her long raven hair gracing my face smells of hoppes 9
>with my left, I am hugging her body against mine; both of her hands holding mine to her breast
>I become even more aware of our position as I think myself down
>her back lines up completely with my body with her pert bottom pressed against my lap
>our legs run parallel with their matching pair
>her cute feet tucked against mine for warmth
>Being with her under this warm blanket is my entire existence
>once again, my entire universe is collectively only a few cubic meters, and I'm okay with that
>I'd rather not disturb my sleeping angel, but I'm so comfortable, myself, it isn't an issue
>she fidgets in her sleep 
>My sweet little PTR...
>My sweet little Judith
>a rock builds in my throat as a weight forms in my chest
>I don't deserve this
>The universe has given me peace
>tears well up in my eyes, and I silently cry
>as I am tortured on the inside, I dutifully lay still as an oak so as not to wake my sleeping angel 
>for I know this will not last forever
>sooner or later, Judith will find out how long it will take for me to return her to full auto again, and she will leave just like the others who have entered my mediocre life, gutted it, and moved on
>with no one to look out for, Rose will disappear back into her rifle form, and I will be left again with nothing
>shuttering at my eventual and inevitable reality, I hold Judith that much closer and tighter in a feeble attempt to prolong this fate for just a bit longer
>I love and treasure her that much more
>her perfect imperfections

>the way she tries to cover up her teeth when she smiles
>her lack of social understanding and inappropriate sense of humor
>the way she looks when she longs for something simple that was denied in her previous life
>the way she spends her time watching and listening to the same songs and movies over and over
>I even love Judith in her compromised state of health
>one day she'll be gone
>probably to a reservist wearing fatigues promising her FA parts because of his military connections
>and there will be nothing I can do about it
>quietly, I sob to myself, appreciating every little thing that much more
>the way Judith walks, her new clothes, her smell, her endless appetite, fair skin and body
>the way her beautiful eyes light up as the wind carries her flowing raven hair on its everlong journey to the east
>I feel the burn of my salty tears as they streak the bridge of my nose and cheek as I stare into her beautiful hair for what seems like forever
>It's so black that everything contrasts against it
>I want to run my fingers through it, but I can't stand to wake my resting Judith 
>I stow away my emotions once more, and lock them away at the back of my mind in their little box labeled "ignorance"
>life is so much better when you're blissful
>fear, doubt, and logic are replaced with my "life" face
>the face everyone on the planet actually sees
>To touch her silky hair though, I have to think about it first
>both of Judith's slender hands are lightly clinging to my one free hand with just the tips of her fingers
>I really don't want to wake her
>slowly, I begin to build tension in my hand to eventually break the inertia of her own
>careful...
>carefully now...
>My hand starts to slide free, but as soon as I gain a fraction of an inch, Judith swiftly reclaims it
>through her sleep, she keens, then murmurs, "Nein, put it back in..."

>Judith immediately pulls my hand back to her breasts then grinds her hips against my lap a couple of times before becoming completely still once more
>Well, I know what kind of dream you're having...
>Her chest slowly rises and falls with mine
>I lay still with her again, holding her supple chest in my hand
>everything is perfect...
>wait
>Did we have sex last night?
>I really don't remember, but I'm pretty sure we did.
>my blood runs cold
>fuck...
>I came inside her, didn't I?
>nerves can't take it, I have to know for sure
>gently, I shake her
>"Judith..." I say with a whisper, "are you awake?"
>like a wounded animal, she replies, "I yam now..."
>I can only imagine the sour look on the young german's face
>fuck, I can't believe I'm asking this
>but I have to know!
>again, I whisper, "Did we uhh... y'know..."
>"vhat?..." she groans more irritated now
>I think I should just haphazardly blurt it out since her patience is clearly running thin
>Quietly, mainly so Rose doesn't hear from the bedroom, I ask, "Did we have sex last night?"
>pins and needles until I hear her reply, "Nein."
>thank god...
>then, she pinches the fuck out of my captured hand, "Ve made love."
>shit
>"Und I liked it." Her last syllables are punctuated with her bottom grinding up and down
>shit!
>Judith begins rubbing her body against mine not unlike a bear would a tree, "please... juss vonce more before Rose vakes up?"
>I'm literally sweating bullets, "uhm... sure..." don't piss her off, "but do you happen to remember where I came last time?"
>please don't say pussy!
>with a creamy voice, Judith purrs, "Ja... you filled up mein magwell wizh all of your cum..."
>yeah, that sounds close enough
>FUCK!
>oh my god, her panties are really soft against my- hey, wait!
>How did that get out?!
>To draw Judith's attention away from my nethers, I squeeze her chest and hold her tight

>a soft moan falls from her tongue
>"Judith? Angel?"
>"Ja, Master?"
>she is so turned on, I can smell it
>bananas
>"Angel, aren't you worried about having children?"
>playfully, she answers with another, more horrifying question, "Vhy?"
>Well, I'm no longer hard
>I have to think of a legit reason
>bingo, "Children are expensive... I won't have money to buy ammunition for you, much less, a full-auto trigger pack, sear, and shelf."
>I wince as I wait for her response
>"How vould I get a child, Master?"
>my heart is pounding so hard, it's about to explode, "Well, I came inside you last night, apparently... You can get pregnant... and as a byproduct... have a child."
>Judith stays silent for the longest time, then begins to shake
>oh no... "Are you okay?!"
>then, it becomes evident that Judith is laughing to herself
>through her laughter, she breathes quietly, "Rose vas right! You are a moron... I yam not a human, vemember? So, I can not get pregnant from you!"
>Jesus Christ, well, that's one concern laid to rest
>the other, though?
>before I can ask, Judith rolls over so she is facing me
>uh-oh
>quickly her hands reache down and begin tugging on and fondling me, bringing the soldier back to attention
>with a devilish smile, and eyes full of fire, my fallen angel teases, "So, you can cum inside of me all you vant..."
>my imagination immediately throws of hundreds of images of my pearly white cum oozing from her clean slit
>Challenger throttle-up!
>my only free hand dives down to stop her
>stammering, I trip over my words, "W-well, w-what about t-the other thing?"
>idiot
>Judith stops her fiddling, and glares back up at me
>She really wants me, apparently, because her eyes say pissed
>"Vhat! ozher zhing?" she scowls
>I have to collect myself because I truly care about her, "What keeps you from damaging your bolt if you fall into full auto?"

>There was a pause as Judith's chestnut eyes soften
>Leaving her hands free to do as they please, I put all of my trust in her as I place mine against the side of her face
>stroking her raven hair around her ear, I continue, "I don't want you to die, Judith. You're all I want in this world. I just want you to know why I'm so apprehensive."
>on Judith's pale lips, a shallow smile forms as she tries to blink away a few tears
>one of her slender hands comes up into view and holds a finger against my lips, "shh."
>carefully, the young german lifts he head and reaches under her hair and pulls out one of my OD shemaghs
>"Anon, please do not be upset. I did go into mein control state lass night... but it vas not as bad because I could hold onto zhis."
>I start to speak, but Judith touches my lips closed again, "shh. It smells like you und makes me feel safe, so I can calm down. Okay?"
>I, honestly, have no idea where to start, "So... my scarf is like... a security blanket for you?"
>blushing red, Judith shuts her eyes nods her head in embarrassment, "Please do not be angry at me for stealing it..."
>her little mouth in now curled into a frown
>I sigh, and hug her close, "Angel, you know I can't ever get mad at you for anything."
>as I hold her tight, I start to feel her tugging again
>fucking really?!
>manipulating little shit!
>"No! That's not what I meant!" 
>completely outmatched, my one hand attempts to battle her two from running up my flagpole
>for five whole minutes, I fail miserably to stop the young German, but I never capitulate
>just when all hope is lost, and Judith finally pins my hand, the bedroom door opens
>Thank you, merciful god
>Judith freezes, then turns her icy stare on me
>then, slaps the shit out of my arm, leaving a white hand print wreathed in red
>"Ahh! Shit! What was that for?!"

>I hear Rose now, "what's going on?"
>as I hold my arm in confusion, Judith answers, "Anon vas touching me... in places..."
>"What?!"
>great. Now Rose is mad
>please kill me
>feebly I protest, "I was not-"
>Judith rolls out of the chair, taking the blanket with her, "see?!"
>Hard and completely exposed, I sit up to cover myself back into my boxers
>just as I cover up, Rose Sopranos me right in the back of the head
>"I said no sex!"
>Rose's ice blue eyes glared at me, a small but pronounced vein throbbing in her forehead, "pervert."
>my sweet little PTR, indeed
>I swear I can hear Judith stifling a laugh
>I'll get her back
>Rose suddenly barks, "Have you been crying?!"
>my head jerks back towards her, "what?! No!"
>the little girl's arms fold over her chest, "Yes, you have. You cry during sex?"
>I sharply inhale to let her have it, but she's a little girl
>I can't say shit
>"Hey, I'm not illing, but crying during sex a bit pathetic."
>"Keep it up, Rose. And, I won't take you to Jamie's."
>the tiny scowl I get says it all
>she'll behave
>for now


>breakfast is bacon, ham, and cheese omelettes with diced tomatoes and green onions
>ever since these geists have come into my life, I'm buying three dozen eggs per week
>they don't need to eat human food, but they prefer to for reasons still unknown 
>I have no idea where it goes either
>the toilet is still used exclusively by me
>As I flip the fluffy yellow mass over in the sizzling pan, I see from my peripheral Judith edging into my domain... my kitchen 
>the kitchette, more appropriately called, is too small for two people to occupy while I am cooking
>the young german knows the rules by now; she's just trying to mess with me I figure
>"Master?"
>...
>"Anon?"
>she's in the way... standing where I need to be to serve the plates... "Yes, Judith?"
>with puppy dog eyes, the young German asks, "vhat are you making?"
>... stay out of my kitchen when I'm cooking! I sigh and flatly answer, "omelettes."
>still curious, Judith edges closer, her chestnut eyes aflare 
>she knows she's in my space... and yet pushes further, "but zhose are French. Ve are going into battle today, ja? Vhy are ve eating zhe food of zhe French?"
>Then with fire in her soul, a highly charged litany of nationalistic breakfast suggestions spews from her mouth (of which I can only catch the tail end as her enthusiasm dies), "... Schlackwurst, Vollkornbrot, und... waffles..."
>Her beautiful brown eyes wide anf face blushing red, Judith brings the shemagh up and covers her mouth with both of her hands
>I can't help it
>A small smirk forms at the corner of my mouth
>Then I hear Rose's gravelly, yet higher pitched and girly voice suggest, "You are what you eat, isn't that right Anon?"
>"That's rig-"
>I stop
>her voice came from higher than stomach level
>I turn away from from the snapping skillet to find the precocious, little blonde girl sitting up on the countertop beside the sink

>I turn away from from the snapping skillet to find the precocious, little blonde girl sitting up on the countertop beside the sink
>legs crossed and leaning forward, her tiny hands rest politely in her lap
>"What did I tell you about sitting on the counter?!"
>Unfazed, Rose proposes her conclusion, "So by that logic, you must be 48 tacos and a stick of butter."
>literally wha- HEY!
>My arm rigid, I point at the floor and snap my finger, "Down!"
>She flashes a smug, evil smile and then slides her little butt off the counter top before scampering from the kitchen with a giggle
>I swear...
>how the fuck did she find out about that?!
>My omelette needs attention, but when I turn back to it, Judith's pretty face is right there in mine staring at me with inquisitive eyes
>"You have eaten zhat many tacos und a stick of butter vonce?"
>"what?" with a gentle touch, I maneuver the young german out of the kitchen, "no, of course not."
>not satisfied, Judith returns into the kitchen and pushes for more, "zhen vhat did Rose mean by zhat?"
>I let out a lengthy groan, "it's an idiom."
>"an... idiot?"
>"Yes, Rose is an idiot."
>a muffled "I heard that!" came from the bedroom
>this is not how I want to spend my morning... 
>while Rose hides in the bedroom, and Judith waits as diligently as she can where the carpet meets the tile, I finish up preparing breakfast
>the slow sizzling and snapping eventually becomes too much for her to handle, though
>As I stand in front of the stove, I feel a pair of slender hands slide into my pockets
>once completely inside, they halt and hold their position
>Judith holds her body against my back, her head resting against my shoulder
>this a blatant violation of my house rules, but for my fallen angel, I'll allow just about anything
>I hear, "Zhis Jamie... I have not met him. He ist a friend?"

>I hear, "Zhis Jamie... I have not met him. He ist a friend?"
>I poke at the fluffy egg in the sizzling pan because I feel it needs a good poke, "He is one of my best friends. A bit weird, but he can hold his own and he's got my back in a pinch."
>Her weight transferring back and forth is not unnoticed by me
>her swaying or dancing is calming
>like the ebb and flow of the oceanic tide
>"He ist weird?"
>"Yeah, just a bit..."
>"Weirder zhan you?"
>"... Yeah, just a bit."
>"hmm." And I feel her peck my back with her lips, "I find zhat hart to believe."
>"Believe it"
>we continue our slow dance in front of the hot stove
>"Zhe poster in your room ist pretty weird."
>that poster...
>in my best Bane voice, I reply, "For you."
>I feel Judith pinch my thigh through the fabric of my pocket and wince
>"Shut up. Zhis friend... does he know about us?"
>"No..." I think of the treatment he puts his rifles through, "and it's probably for the best."
>"oh..." Judith rests her cheek against my back once more, "I see."
>uh huh... Just you wait...
>breakfast is eating without incident
>the closer we come to leaving, the more well behaved Rose becomes
>"Rose?"
>the little carbine looks up from her plate, half of her half portion already eaten, "Yes, Judith?"
>Judith leans forward and asks, "You met zhis Jamie... Vhat ist he like?"
>I continue to eat casually and pretend not to care, but I focus my attention on Rose
>I want to see what she thinks
>with great self control, the little girl suppresses a grimace and begins, "Well, he's a fat, bumbling idiot who's schoolyard behavior is sure to either get himself or our master killed. He abuses his weapons and has delusions that they will save him from the end of the world."
>a pin hitting the floor could be heard from the other side of the kitchen
>Judith's usually relaxed eyes were now wide
>Rose puts another bite of omelette in her mouth just to prove her conviction

>Rose puts another bite of omelette in her mouth just to prove her conviction
>carefully, I set my fork down, "Well, damn Rose. Tell us how you really feel."
>with the ice broken, Judith begins, once more, her line of inquiry, "H-he abuses us?"
>before I can answer, Rose cuts me off, "His weapons are put through a battery of haphazard and inconsistent... tests.... It's less like military trials and more like hazing."
>I can see this all makes Judith very uncomfortable
>makes me uncomfortable
>Damn, I guess I never really thought about it...
>"Vhat does he do? ... to his rifles?"
>Rose looks to me to take the baton
>I answer, "Mainly dirt and impact tests to make sure they are reliable in adverse conditions"
>Rose's icy stare is all I need from her to know that my doctored answer was not satisfactory, but since she has nothing to refute it with, the little carbine remains quiet
>under the table, Judith holds my knee, "You vill not let him do zhat to us, ja?"
>to add further comfort, I rest my hand on hers, "No, he knows you belong to me..."
>"Gut." Judith breathes as she pushes a cube of ham around her plate
>"Ehh... you don't have anything to worry about. He's more into Slavshit anyway..."
>Breakfast continued, but mostly in silence 
>we were running late, and the food was starting to get cold
>packing up and getting ready to leave was less hostile than normal
>Rose was actually behaving and not hiding behind corners while trying trip the taller folk
>the little carbine even retrieved the battle rifle for Judith, so she could change back when the time came
>we are headed out the door when Judith freezes, "A-Anon"
>Rose and I stop in just inside the door frame and turn
>Judith is standing in the living room, eyes wide, completely prettified 
>From Judith's point of view, she was in the wide open 
>she could feel it between her legs as it started to travel, and her shorts were short

>she could feel it between her legs as it started to travel, and her shorts were short
>the tempo of my own heart rate increases, "Judith? You okay?"
>she doesn't move an inch, but says, "please take me into zhe toilet und scruff me"
>confused, I hesitate
>with compounding urgency, Judith stresses her words with clinched fists, "Take me into zhe bathroom und scruff me... please"
>"O-okay, well.. let's go."
>with a gesturing hand, Judith is more than pleased to lead the way as Rose crosses her arms and impatiently waits behind
>as soon as the bathroom door closes, the young German lets out a sigh, "please scruff me"
>no lead-in or anything 
>without delay, I hold the back of her neck and lift
>holding the rifle by her carry handle, I watch as her clothes fall away
>in the small pile on the floor, I now see why there was a call of haste
>a thick, glossy puddle of white fluid resides in her gray panties and shorts
>I have a pretty good idea of where it came from
>Gently, I set Judith back down so she may change back
>now in her fatigues again, she looks down at the mess on the bathroom floor
>bent at the waste and hands cupped behind her back, Judith says, "Zhat ist all you, Master..." with a devious smile
>"I could feel it leaking out, und I did not vant Rose to see it..."
>all I can say is, "good call."
>I wad up the dirty clothes in my hands and offer, "I'll put these in with mine"
>those chestnut eyes light up, "Danke!" then, she hugs herself against me
>over Judith's shoulder, I watch as a single black boot rises into the air behind her and smile inwardly 
>together, we leave the bathroom
>Judith offers, "you were correct, zhose civilian clothes are a lot mor comfortable," while patting her body all over
>I mumble under my breath to her, "you're overcompensating..."
>Rose is leaning against the door on one foot, the other propped up against the door, "So, what was so important that both of you had to go to bathroom, together?"

>Rose is leaning against the door on one foot, the other propped up against the door, "So, what was so important that both of you had to go to bathroom, together?"
>the little carbine's cropped blonde hair framed her icy eyes even more intensely
>as I step forward to put myself between her and Judith, the young german spouts, "You have no room to talk vhen I can see a little somezhing, blue..."
>what?
>Rose and I both look at her
>but when I bring my eyes down to her level, I see it and start to chuckle
>the little carbine raises an eyebrow, "You laugh like a moron."
>Judith is now giggling
>It is only now that the little carbine realizes that her own panties could be seen
>quickly, she drops her knee and flattens out her little olive drab dress against he door
>bright red, she screams, "Both of you are perverts!"

>Rose is leaning against the door on one foot, the other propped up against the door, "So, what was so important that both of you had to go to bathroom, together?"
>the little carbine's cropped blonde hair framed her icy eyes even more intensely
>as I step forward to put myself between her and Judith, the young german spouts, "You have no room to talk vhen I can see a little somezhing, blue..."
>what?
>Rose and I both look at her
>but when I bring my eyes down to her level, I see it and start to chuckle
>the little carbine raises an eyebrow, "You laugh like a moron."
>Judith is now giggling
>It is only now that the little carbine realizes that her own panties could be seen
>quickly, she drops her knee and flattens out her little olive drab dress against he door
>bright red, she screams, "Both of you are perverts!"
>"Jesus, Judith..." I laugh as Rose's face turns redder and redder
>I can tell the little carbine is mortified, so I try to calm the situation but Judith continues to snicker in delayed roller blowback
>"Aright, alright... Enough!" I call as I hike my pack further up on my shoulder 
>"Yeah, knock it off!" Rose's icy eyes were staring daggers
>"You big bully!"
>her expression never changed, even while riding in the back of the car
>"Scrap metal!"
>"Short stuff."
>"Sauerkraut!"
>"Wool coat." Judith was smug.
>the angriest little blue eyes scowl at us in the front seats
>but I really don't want to get involved...
>I put eyes on my rear view mirror
>Her tiny arms are folded so tight across her chest, that they are actually creating a small amount of cleavage that can be seen in the folds of her dress
>but in her sour mood, Rose fails to even notice
>Oh well, it's going to be a fun afternoon at Jamie's 
>shooting and drinking and hell, we may even hunt a skinwalker
>I never know exactly what to expect whenever I go there

>I never know exactly what to expect whenever I go there
>his property is huge, and bike and game trails crisscross it all
>before we know it, Judith and I are singing, "Driving to Jamie's house!"
>"Driving to Jamie's house!"
>"Jamie's house! Jamie's house!"
>Rose just simmers in the back as we begin to improvise and beatbox
>drumming the steering wheel to keep time with the beat
>"Jamie's house! Jamie's house-"
>"Enough!"
>Rose's little voice was loud enough to silence the car to the point where I could hear my tires gliding over the pavement 
>for a few moments, I looked at little miss sourpuss in the back as she hate stared the rear view mirror
>but just as quickly as we were silenced, Judith picked the beat right back up, "Rose ist in zhe backseat!"
>"Rose ist in zhe backseat!"
>"Backseat! Pah! Pah! Backseat!"
>thump!
>"Ow! Hey!"
>Rose cannon had kicked the back of Judith's seat with both feet
>Judith is now cursing in german toward the backseat
>Rose is stomping the seat and screaming in freedom 
>It's way too loud, and I've had enough
>Time to intervene
>"HEY!"
>peace again...
>I look at Judith, "It's over."
>"B-bu-" her chestnut eyes were clearly unsatisfied
>not dealing with though, "I won the argument."
>then, I lean around, "Rose? Apologize... and stop kicking my seats."
>the little carbine just pouts with a frown on her face, "no."
>I don't like this insubordination, "No?!"
>I watch as she quickly works out a exit strategy, "I'll apologize if the hun can say 'squirrel.'"
>oh boy... here we go...
>making sure I'm still in my lane, I look at Judith who is having none of it
>fiery eyes, the young german exclaims, "Master, this ist not fair! ...she should have to apologize for kicking me!"
>"I'm not apologizing."

>"I'm not apologizing."
>Judith huffs and folds her arms across her chest, "Apparently, I come from a time vhere ve apologized to eachozher..."
>the tiny girl in the back smugly retorts, "Well back in my day, we would go out and beat niggers with sticks."
>"Jesus, Rose..." I snort trying to hold in a laugh
>"You are not supporting zhis idea are you?!" Judith pleads beside me
>"Well, you were both in the wrong"
>"I yam not saying zhat vord."
>Rose nudges Judith's seat in front of her with her boot, "why not? It's just one word..."
>Judith is visibly blushing and staring out the window, "I do not see vhy I have to say anyzhing... I did nozhing wrong..."
>She was bullying Rose... and I rather like this idea
>"Just say the word, so she can apologize..." 
>remaining silent, the young german begins to mirror Rose again in her pouting posture
>Judith is still visibly upset by this
>her chestnut eyes flare with anger and frustration 
>rubbing salt in the wound, the little girl in the back stabs with shit-eating grin, "Surely you can say 'squirrel,' can't you?!"
>cracking under the pressure, she blurts, "Skurl!"
>ooh... swing and a miss...
>Judith blushes bright red, clinches her eyes shut, and covers her mouth with both hands
>a muffled litany of what I assume is german cursing can be heard
>"Gottverdammt, mutter fucking kleine Fotze ... Ich schwöre, um den würfel ich werde brechen ihre scheiß kleine schraube in der hälfte und kauen sie es auf..."
>Rose wins this round
>Judith is not happy... she's deeply upset and embarrassed
>this won't do
>Glancing away from the road, I locate the young german's hand
>Without looking, I creep mine towards hers 
>As soon as I touch it, I feel her snatch it away
>a minute later, I lean in close to-
>"get avay from me!"
>...
>the drive is awkwardly silent, both geists are quiet
>another lonely mile is passed
>i sigh... lost another one
>"Judith?"
>silence...


>I continue anyway, "Music means a lot to me. I know nothing about it, can't play it to save my life, but I listen to it. Live through it. I identify with it... I don't know if that means anything to you, but it does to me... Different situations have a different sound track to me. Like for instance, when I hold you... and use you... you instill a sort of confidence in me that no other rifle could possibly achieve..."
>I know she can hear my pathetic ramblings of a hopeless romantic, but she still says nothing
>"Your raw power and accuracy is something few rifles have. To sling .308 after .308 in rapid, accurate succession is just unbelievable. The feeling of harnessing and directing your power it- ...it makes me feel like a god... but only because you're there with me. Without you, I'm just a man... powerless on my own. You're the only rifle that makes me feel this way. I feel... special... when I hold you. I don't know. Maybe I'm just a fool for thinking that. I still think it's true though."
>resting on the shifter, I feel the slight touch of Judith's little pinky finger touch mine
>it wants to go up under my hand
>I lift mine and let hers slide underneath
>relief and happiness fill my heart once more
>"Vhat song do you hear vhen you shoot me? I vant to hear it."
>Exhausted from emotion, I'm really not in the mood for it, "Angel, it's a little hard for how I'm feeling right now. Can we just listen to The Doors?"
>"Oh, do not be such a wussypillow, and blare zhat shit!"
>"Fine, fine..."
>I cut my music player on and select to play the song in question
>Seether's "Out of My Way" rocks the car unmercifully
>Judith, now happy as a clam in the rock environment, squishes herself deeper into the passenger seat
>the young german is apparently satisfied with her apparent power as she covers her smile with her shemagh
>even Rose is a good enough sport to not interrupt the song
>as the low-tuned guitar fades away, a much newer song comes on

>as the low-tuned guitar fades away, a much newer song comes on
>the rapid beat of Thousand Foot Crutch's "Light Up the Sky" pours through the speakers and envelopes me in the mood to remove watermelon
>My imagination fills the distant blue sky with dense AA tracers and thick black clouds of flack
>like Baghdad on the Fourth of July!
>from the back though, I hear, "Alright, alright... I've had enough of that rock"
>so I turn it down
>Rose suggests that we all sing a song inside 
>minutes later it was,
>M I C 
>K E Y
>M O U S E