When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody)

Aily Tierney

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 12, 2018 22:47:26 GMT -5 Cody Weadge likes this

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Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 12, 2018 22:47:26 GMT -5

For a good year, almost two Aily had gotten to know what the life of a spoiled affluent high school girl was like. All to complete her education, Imperial education that is, to allow her the chance to discover just how to blend into a society that was entirely foreign to her. And she was still a teenager too, one needed those years after all.

That life she had been handed was more than a luxury to a young woman like her, in a way it was heaven. If not for having to put on the mask of a spoiled brat it would have been just that for the former slave. Now if only she knew why she had really been rescued by the Empire, that might have changed how Aily thought about it all.

Now nineteen the svelte brunette sat quietly in a quiet cafe sipping a little cup of tea while casually sketching the faces of those that passed by, her drawing skills had been progressing quite well in the last year, closing in on her older sister’s talents with it.

Her hair was curled neatly save for one piece that kept falling into her eyes that she constantly fought to force it back into place. Her makeup flawless - at least she had learned how to do that bit of foreign magic and stopped smearing it all over the place - her clothing every bit the stylings of a chic wealthy young woman, well grown up from the tiny fragile slave. It seemed she may have finally figured out what this Imperial life was all about, and it certainly was looking good on her.

With a slightly sore wrist, she paused and lightly tapped her pencil against the pad while cocking her head to the side looking off into the distance, a little lost in thought before she returned to sketching the next face she saw wander by.

Last Edit: Jul 12, 2018 22:47:43 GMT -5 by Aily Tierney

Cody Weadge

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 12, 2018 23:32:59 GMT -5 Aily Tierney likes this

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Post by Cody Weadge on Jul 12, 2018 23:32:59 GMT -5

Among the people outside the cafe, a single figure blended in seamlessly. He dressed nicely, but not so nice as to draw attention. Only someone trained like he would realize he was anything more than a typical Imperial citizen. It was the eyes that gave him away, always watching his surroundings while trying not to look like he was. It was part of the job, and a trait all good spies had if they wished to live long.

Outside the cafe window Cody paused to watch inside for a few moments. Drawing again. The young woman was skilled, even if she had not quite reached the photo-realism of her big sister. Of course, her big sister was also... special. Best not to judge anything she did by normal human standards.

Satisfied, the Imperial agent stepped quietly into the cafe. Moving through the patrons coming in or leaving he made his way to Aily's table from behind, partially circling around the room in the process. He arrived just out of the edges of her vision, the best spot to take out a target from, and looked down at her current sketch. "You missed the mole on her cheek."

Aily Tierney

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 15, 2018 19:35:48 GMT -5 Cody Weadge likes this

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Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 15, 2018 19:35:48 GMT -5

Aily had just set her cup down and started to sketch another person passing by the windows when she heard a voice speak up from behind her. It was only natural that she jumped slightly before it clicked just who the voice belonged to. "Cody!" She snapped as she spun around to glare at him, "Not cool. You startled me." He was one of the only people who could actually sneak up on her. She'd been forced to be very much aware of her surroundings during her years as a slave.

Glancing back to her drawing pad she shook her head, "No, I didn't. My memory is better than that." Her attention then turned back to Cody, "So what are you doing here? I haven't seen you in a little while."

Aily Tierney

Cody Weadge

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 15, 2018 23:10:48 GMT -5 Aily Tierney likes this

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Post by Cody Weadge on Jul 15, 2018 23:10:48 GMT -5

"Your memory is good, but do not think it infallible," Cody said as he sat down. "There are subtle ways to alter what you think you saw, as well as techniques to change existing memories."

After ordering himself a Caf, Cody answered her other question. "Just saving the Galaxy like I always do. I've heard things have been going well here, you even had someone ask you out for the Imperial Day Ball? Not bad for how quickly you had to learn Imperial social mannerisms. You could go to any Imperial academy in the Galaxy and blend in now if you wanted to. Have you decided on your future?"

While she was technically a hostage to keep her older sister in line, it was a lot easier to keep her hostage when it was a life she chose. If Ephelia tried to interfere in the future, she would be tearing her sister away from a life Aily had set for herself. That it also gave Aily a good life far removed from slavery was just a pleasant bonus in Cody's eyes.

Aily Tierney

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 17, 2018 14:52:20 GMT -5 Cody Weadge likes this

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Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 17, 2018 14:52:20 GMT -5

"Didn't say it was infallible, but I know what I saw with that one. She had an odd golden earring with an interesting embellishment on one side. It made me pay more attention to her. There was no mole." The young woman seemed a tad annoyed but that soon passed. She just didn't like it when people pointed out perceived flaws in her drawings. Though she usually accepted them after the fact.

A vivid smile soon passed across her lips, eyes sparkling "Carth Brishen," The Brishen family was one of the most prominent families on Imperial Center, and Aily had managed to catch the attention of their eldest son. It was a connection that perhaps someday might be useful. "The Ball was honestly more fun than I imagined it would be."

At the mention of the academies, Aily gave a shrug as she put her pencils away into a small case before dropping it into a small backpack. "I could, sure. The Academies just really isn't for me from what I saw when I toured a couple last month. Not to offend, but there is not enough of the freedom that I desire with those. Though I suppose I could take a more scholarly route, or go to art school in some form. However, it's just not my thing."

Her shoulders rose and fell with a soft sigh, "As for what I actually want to do, my mind is still set on becoming an agent like you. IIB and all it offers has kept my interest and attention in the last year, almost two now. I've done my research well enough between all my options, and still, I'm set on IIB." Aily said firmly. Her mind was completely made up on the matter and there was little anyone could do to talk her out of it at this point, stubborn as she was. "Which leaves me the question of where we go from here. Where and how would someone like me get started with the IIB?"

Cody Weadge

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 20, 2018 22:29:12 GMT -5 Yurie Ishida likes this

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Post by Cody Weadge on Jul 20, 2018 22:29:12 GMT -5

When she mentioned the boy's name, Cody's face did not change but inside he was impressed. While strictly speaking the IIB was not supposed to operate within Imperial borders, having contacts at home was invaluable for collecting information. And such a prominently placed one could prove especially useful. Of course he had no way of knowing Aily was thinking the same thing.

"I am glad you enjoyed it," he said truthfully. "You would be surprised how often attending parties is important, and being able to enjoy it... or at least pretend to, can be vital."

In the time since Cody had first met the girl, he had known she had what it took to do what he did. Perhaps not with the same... zeal, but certainly with the same competency. He had been careful in nudging her toward that career path, making her want to choose it for herself. She had the smarts, the fortitude, and the past to do it. It was said that broken homes, or in Aily's case no home, made for the best spies.

"You do not," he said to her question. "If they see someone with talent, the Bureau chooses them. It is not the other way around. Anyway, I must leave for today, but I would like to discuss your future more tomorrow morning. Make sure you head home and hit the bed early. Unless of course you want me dragging you across the city before you've had a chance to dress."

Given Cody's unpredictability, that could mean he could show up any time between midnight and noon. Like any good spy, he never kept to a schedule. His movement were always random, frustrating as that might be for a teenager trying to get some sleep.

Aily Tierney

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 22, 2018 23:20:45 GMT -5 Cody Weadge likes this

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Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 22, 2018 23:20:45 GMT -5

"As many parties and events you have drug me to, I think I can manage to pretend to enjoy them. And occasionally actually enjoy them." She teased, appearing to actually be enjoying the opportunity to pick on Cody, just a little.

When he spoke of the Bureau and just how one would get started in that particular line of work, her lips twisted into a frown. "I suppose that is fair enough." Aily sighed heavily as she gathered her backpack up, and looked around one more time to ensure she hadn't left anything behind.

"Well, home it is then. Since I don't have more pressing matters to attend to. So... I'll see you sometime in the wee hours of the morning." She said as she stood to head off to her apartment. Aily turned back to Cody one last time, "You wouldn't dare ... You'd better let me have time to put some clothes on first."

With Cody being Cody, she expected him just to randomly show up when he pleased. Tomorrow technically started at midnight so the possibilities were there of any moment after that. With that thought in mind, she headed home and quickly went through the routine of getting ready for bed. at least she had some sense to go to bed in something more than a nightgown. Soon enough she slipped between the sheets and fell asleep.

Cody Weadge

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 22, 2018 23:41:59 GMT -5 Yurie Ishida likes this

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Post by Cody Weadge on Jul 22, 2018 23:41:59 GMT -5

The chrono in Aily's room turned 12:01, and at that moment four dark figures appeared in the room. They were silent as space moving with practiced skill. They surrounded the bed on all sides before one slowly brought up a cloth that smelled of chloroform. In a single fluid movement, he placed it forcefully over her mouth and nose as the other three grabbed her arms and legs.

Even without the drugs, the girl could not overpower the four large men, and so they disappeared into the night. If someone were to try and find Aily the next day, there would be no obvious signs of a struggle and no signs of forced entry. No clues to where she was, or what had happened.

When she awoke, she would find herself in a featureless room. She sat on a metal chair with bindercuffs securing her arms behind her back. Before her, she would see a back she might recognize, though it was dressed in a rankless Imperial uniform. From her angle, she could not see his face, but she could see him pulling on black leather gloves different than those normally worn with the Imperial uniform.

Aily Tierney

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 23, 2018 13:38:07 GMT -5 Cody Weadge likes this

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Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 23, 2018 13:38:07 GMT -5

When Cody had said he would see her tomorrow, Aily had expected him to just drop in for a chat as she figured at this point that perhaps the Bureau didn't see the talent in her that was required. At least that was the doubt in the back of her mind that was eating at her. She wanted it, but perhaps they didn't want her. What Aily hadn't expected was to be kidnapped in the middle of the night.

The instant the rag hit her face the girl's eyes snapped open and a scream followed as her mind attempted to work out just what was happening to her. To go from a dead sleep to this kind of situation the brain just couldn't work fast enough to formulate an idea or plan about it. She struggled for just a couple of seconds against the hands that pinned her down, trying to escape it as fight or flight kicked in. However for her, it was already too late, the odds were against her before the attack even began. Aily's struggles were useless as her body relaxed and she fell unconscious.

Waking up always was the hardest part. Her mind hadn't quite put together the attack and what was happening now, at least not yet. Aily groaned as she came to, tugging against the bindercuffs as she shifted. Feeling that restraint her eyes snapped open and she took a moment to calm herself as she inhaled slowly and let the breath back out. Only then did she lift her head to calmly, well as calmly as she could under the circumstances. Aily took a little more time to briefly look over her surroundings taking note of all she possibly could. Though there wasn't that much to see.

She'd been bound before, that part didn't frighten her. The girl's fingers were already working over the cuffs, to get a feel for what she was up against. For she was Ephelia's sister and had learned a thing or two from the elder Tierney. She simply needed the right tool and her hands would be free.

It was then that her attention turned to the single other person in the room. Her eyes did linger on the gloves as she finally spoke up, "Cody?" She asked, a little timidly. "Please tell me that isn't you?" This part concerned her. She didn't wish to be on the receiving end of questioning and or torture from someone she considered a friend. So Aily hoped against hope that the form she could see, that seemed so familiar didn't belong to who she thought it did. Though a part of her knew well that betrayal often came from those closest to you. "And if it is, what the hell?"

Cody Weadge

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 24, 2018 23:47:06 GMT -5 Yurie Ishida likes this

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Post by Cody Weadge on Jul 24, 2018 23:47:06 GMT -5

The uniformed man did not immediately turn around as she spoke. Instead, he finished putting on the gloves making sure they fit tightly. Only then did he turn around revealing that he was Cody, though not the Cody she knew. His eyes were cold and lifeless, and his face showed none of the cheer or friendliness he normally showed Aily.

"You, Miss Tierney, have been chosen," he said in a lifeless voice that matched his eyes. "You have shown talents that are desirable to the Bureau and so you now have the opportunity you so wanted. However the path to joining the Bureau is not easy. If you choose to accept, you will face pain and humiliation and in the end, you will either succeed or be broken. You will want to hate me, but I will have taken that away."

He paused for a moment and folded his hands behind his back. "So that leaves one question. Do you still wish to join the Bureau?"

Aily Tierney

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 25, 2018 18:58:38 GMT -5 Cody Weadge likes this

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Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 25, 2018 18:58:38 GMT -5

The voice, the attitude, those eyes - that alone made her straighten up in her seat, pressing her back against the chair. It had caught her off guard, the sudden change in him from just yesterday. This was by no means the Cody she knew. That much was crystal clear.

His words hung in the air for a few minutes while Aily gave them a chance to sink in, to really make sure she understood what was going on exactly. So she had been chosen. For all her wants and desires this was what she had wanted. Well, she thought she did anyway.

All her years of slavery seemed to be coming in handy. Between all that time and what Cody had taught her already, she was managing to keep the reigns on her emotions tightly held, initial surprise aside.

"Pain and humiliation have been my life for a long time, you know that Cody. I know you know that. That wouldn't be anything new to me. I'll survive." Her fingers were almost absentmindedly working over the cuffs to formulate a plan there. Being a slave for as long as she had, she loathed being bound. Didn't fear it but hated it because she knew trouble always came with bonds like this. Aily simply wanted out of them, before whatever plan Cody had in mind went down. "My answer remains the same. This is the path I want. No matter what end comes with it."

Her fingers had traced over the cuffs well enough by now that she knew the reality with them, Damn it, Merr-Sonn Munitions model 874-B... Just had to choose a more difficult set. She thought to herself, annoyed at the choice in binder-cuffs. She had her own experiences with both Merr-Sonn and Tagge cuffs. Tagge was far easier to get out of, while Merr-Sonn tended to be temperamental. They had a tendency to shock those that weren't careful enough in their attempts to escape them.

Today she was hoping for an easier set, to be able to free her own hands much quicker. Today, luck was not quite with her. Now this problem, puzzle, would just take time. Twisting her wrists slowly she reached for a button on the cuff of her sleeve. The button design used a small wire to attach it to the material, and Aily was intent on pulling that wire out and using it to short out the cuffs.

Cody Weadge

Last Edit: Jul 25, 2018 19:01:50 GMT -5 by Aily Tierney

Cody Weadge

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 25, 2018 22:29:42 GMT -5 Nakai Kahoshi likes this

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Post by Cody Weadge on Jul 25, 2018 22:29:42 GMT -5

Cody should have felt relief at her accepting the offer, but such emotions were beyond him. He simply nodded in solemn acknowledgment. If he was going to prepare her for the rough life that now laid before her, the spy could not afford to show her sympathy. That is why he had shown her this side of himself, despite hiding it from her for so long.

"Very well, welcome to the Bureau Miss Tierney," Cody replied. Then his proper stance dropped as he fell back on his heels and brought it hands up in loose claws. "The most important thing that any agent must do is survive. So that is your first task."

It might be unfair to attack her while she was still in bindercuffs, but life was rarely fair to spies. Plus, Cody knew Aily's sister well enough. He had even picked out the bindercuffs special, just for her. Moving forward, Cody shifted his weight to his left foot and brought his right leg up and around into a sweeping keep aimed at the girl's midsection.

Aily Tierney

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 26, 2018 23:45:23 GMT -5 Cody Weadge likes this

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Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 26, 2018 23:45:23 GMT -5

No one, no one ever fought fairly at least not when survival was on the line. There were no rules and no moral grounds when it came to a fight for survival. You either did what was necessary or perished. Ephelia had always taught Aily to come to a fight prepared to do what was needed to make it out alive. Its how slaves survived. Observation and a willingness to do what must be done, otherwise death was the natural result. It was how Aily had made it all this while.

Of all people that could be in Aily's position, she was more than ready. In a way, her entire life had been training her for this moment. Aily wasn't just a survivor, she was a fighter. With Zesa's goons and the other slaves, they'd all brought her to this moment teaching her the needed skills. The movements Cody made at least alerted Aily to the fight that was going to ensue. And what she perceived as a betrayal had already put her on edge.

Aily had just gotten the wire into position as Cody spoke and stepped forward. The cuffs hissed slightly as his leg made contact with her stomach, throwing her and the chair backward. Her hands came free about the time she hit the ground. Her instinctual reaction was to roll, grabbing the chair as she went and came to her feet to swing it at him. She wasn't messing around in the least. Even if she still hadn't quite caught her breath from his first attack.

Cody Weadge

Last Edit: Jul 27, 2018 9:07:19 GMT -5 by Aily Tierney

Cody Weadge

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 28, 2018 23:44:13 GMT -5 Aily Tierney likes this

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Post by Cody Weadge on Jul 28, 2018 23:44:13 GMT -5

Cody had known she would escape the cuffs eventually, she was Ephelia's sister, after all, he just had not expected her to do it so quickly. His expression did not change though, even as he saw the chair heading toward his face. His lead foot stepped down on the ground hard, and his body leaned back so the chair legs just barely missed his nose as they swept past.

Straightening back up he grabbed the wrist closest to him and pulled it hard in the direction she swung the chair before letting go in an attempt to send her off balance. Using the momentum of pulling her to the side he spun his body and brought his hand up to strike at her head with a palm strike.

Aily Tierney

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Jul 30, 2018 18:25:17 GMT -5

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Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 30, 2018 18:25:17 GMT -5

With her right hand when Cody grabbed it, Aily released the top of the chair go on that side. Letting momentum do the work, she managed to fling the chair behind her with her other hand.

For the moment that kept it out of play with her being between Cody and it. Being slightly off balance the girl stumbled a bit, forcing her backward just enough that while his hand did slam into her head the force behind it wasn't as powerful. Still hurt well enough.

She stepped forward with her left foot, still keeping the other back and in line with the front, knees bent ready to dart away. With an elbow, she aimed to strike out at his midsection to try and at least knock the wind from him. It might not work but in her eyes, it was worth a shot.

Cody Weadge

Cody Weadge

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Aug 7, 2018 0:58:59 GMT -5 Aily Tierney likes this

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Post by Cody Weadge on Aug 7, 2018 0:58:59 GMT -5

Even as his hand struck he could tell it was to shallow to have done any serious damage. Feeling more than seeing as she moved to strike at him, Cody reached down with his free hand to wrap around her arm to stop it before it hit hard enough to hurt. Pulling her toward him he brought his legs up suddenly trying to use the momentum to bring her to the ground and roll on top of her.

Aily Tierney

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Aug 25, 2018 22:00:04 GMT -5

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Post by Aily Tierney on Aug 25, 2018 22:00:04 GMT -5

The move was quite unexpected causing Aily to yelp as both her wrist was caught and suddenly she found herself falling to the ground. Briefly stunned, it gave Cody the opportunity to roll right on top of her, pinning her to the ground. Though she wasn't about to give up the fight there. She brought her left knee up hard, aiming to hit his family jewels as it were. Anything to get him off of her. However Cody's physical weight against her own made it difficult if not impossible to push him off her tiny frame, and she knew it. So she had one last resort at that moment. Aily lashed out with a free hand and attempted to claw his face as a second means to force him off of her.

Cody Weadge

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When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody) Aug 25, 2018 23:09:37 GMT -5

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Post by Cody Weadge on Aug 25, 2018 23:09:37 GMT -5

His attempt to pin her worked, not that she was going to simply give up on that. He used his hip to block her knee from hitting something more tender, then grabbed both her arms at the elbow and used his weight to pin them down so she could not gouge his eyes out. Letting gravity help he brought his head down against hers to stun her, letting go of her arm as he did so that he could swiftly grab something from inside he\is uniform. A moment later he had a blade pressed against her throat, pressing down enough to draw a thin line of blood.

"You are dead," Cody announced emotionlessly.

Standing up he put the blade back into the hidden sheath it had come from. "You will die many more times before your training is complete. Only when the blade has been tempered by countless strikes can it be wielded against its enemies. We will continue tomorrow. For now, clean up, there is a sonic shower down the hall. Use it. Your detailed clothing will be deposited into the laundry chute, you will be provided new clothing after as well as directions to your new room."

Without saying another word Cody left the room. When Aily did find the sonic shower and send her clothing down the chute, she would exit the shower to find only a datapad waiting for her. It would show a mapping leading through the complex, to what was designated as her room. Only a single path was shown through was what clearly a massive complex, and that path led through multiple common areas including a cafeteria. She would find little relief when she reached the room, as she would find only a hard mattress and a rankless uniform just as Cody had been wearing.

When the Mask Finally Fits (Cody)

Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 12, 2018 22:47:26 GMT -5

Post by Cody Weadge on Jul 12, 2018 23:32:59 GMT -5

Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 15, 2018 19:35:48 GMT -5

Post by Cody Weadge on Jul 15, 2018 23:10:48 GMT -5

Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 17, 2018 14:52:20 GMT -5

Post by Cody Weadge on Jul 20, 2018 22:29:12 GMT -5

Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 22, 2018 23:20:45 GMT -5

Post by Cody Weadge on Jul 22, 2018 23:41:59 GMT -5

Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 23, 2018 13:38:07 GMT -5

Post by Cody Weadge on Jul 24, 2018 23:47:06 GMT -5

Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 25, 2018 18:58:38 GMT -5

Post by Cody Weadge on Jul 25, 2018 22:29:42 GMT -5

Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 26, 2018 23:45:23 GMT -5

Post by Cody Weadge on Jul 28, 2018 23:44:13 GMT -5

Post by Aily Tierney on Jul 30, 2018 18:25:17 GMT -5

Post by Cody Weadge on Aug 7, 2018 0:58:59 GMT -5

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Post by Cody Weadge on Aug 25, 2018 23:09:37 GMT -5

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