Pikipek

Shower complete and raccoon named, time for the latest in a series of increasingly emo outfits. But today is the day I break this vicious cycle and decide to go big and also go home, by dressing to impress. I root around in my wardrobe for a long time before i come out with my tallest stiletto heels in cherry red and find a full length crimson dress to match, followed by some earrings that say 'POP!' and 'BANG!' in the style of old comics. Already quite cool, but this could be improved. More piercings get replaced from the usual silver sleepers to gold studs and some red eyeliner is applied, with some hot pink shimmery eyeshadow along my cheekbones. Gold rings stacked on every finger and a simple fine gold chain choker add to my outfit more until I decide that is enough- if I keep adding to the jewellery, it takes away from the overall look sometimes. You know? But that's really not the image I usually aim for- maximalism; not minimalism. I'll do whatever I can, but I guess I can thrive like that.

The look is unlike anything I'm used to, and I like it- but it's not quite right. And I know exactly why. It's my curls. Time to see if I have my straightener, and if it works. I'm not sure why it wouldn't, but given my history, I have my doubts.

And it does not! What a shock. However, I do not know anybody else with curly hair. Or do I... I think one of the pirates does. It's ridiculous calling them 'the pirates' it just gives me flashbacks to having a pirate themed birthday when I was like eight. I need a new name. I'll ask if they have a preferred name, and if not... well. I'll help with that. Corsairs is a really nice synonym, so maybe a play of that. Who knows?

After an hour of painful negotiations, the details of which I won't bore you with writing down, I get the straightener (But they did ask for a string of pearls in increasingly large sizes, which I sincerely hope is not for what I think it's for).

And as I look in the mirror, I'm reminded of how feminine I can look when I put the effort in. Which I certainly did, and I'm reaping the rewards.

When I walk out of my room, I'm faced with quite a sight. A damn impressive sight as well.

In front of me stand every member of The Seven Devils.

>rectified< with their staff upraised, mask in place and hair neatly braided, then threaded with barbed wire, in case someone tries to grab it. They are prepared to fight, most clearly. There's now a small dinosaur

ItSnIceWhEnThEyScReAm with her mace and whip, the whip laid over her shoulder and falling down her back, and the mace crossed over her chest, a long scar trailing from her neck into the folds of her beautifully simple black dress.

i_make_bodies_not_friends stands as well, her paired daggers at the ready. I've heard them named many things- 'love' and 'war', 'mercy' and 'justice', and 'pain' and 'pleasure' but she has never told me which, if any, are trues. Still; the storied blades are out, both in arm sheaths designed with her in mind. Her masquerade mask, hot pink, and emblazoned with the slogan

"Bitches really do be crazy... for blood"

Assault-has-many-definitions is with her, his cape (or cloak, in his words) is behind him, still fluttering as if there were a breeze, his mask merely the deep cowl of his hood. Once again, I suspect him of engineering a device to give him such a dramatic effect- but I cannot prove a thing, sadly. His train gun is in hiding beneath the cloak, but I know it's there.

It's Nothing Personal, clad with knuckledusters enamelled with baby blue and pastel pink, and wearing a suit- of leather. It's badass. I can respect it greatly. Fists raised, they look fear-inspiring, and having sparred against them I know it's deserved.

EXPLOSIVE_enthusiast, with an axe I don't recognise slung over his shoulder like it were no more than a handbag. Given the axe is about half my height and looks like it has the weight to match, I'm intimidated. And his look is no different, the carefully torn waistcoat, dirtied by time and effort.

Then the Amours, even little Ranger, and Kara and the Gardener, and the Corsairs. All armed, all dangerous, and all extremely mad. It's time we took back our strength. And we all know who is to blame.