This is an RP-turned-story I did with @sandiegosquadrp as my blog @rymccrimmon10. in it, an alternate version of Ryan is their Carmen’s Player.
"Heya Princess how's it going this morning?" Player shouted. Carmen jolted awake with a start.
“HUH?! WHAT?!” She looked around her hotel room and settled back down, grabbing her phone.
"Carmen, you didn't sleep in did you?" Player inquired.
“W... what are you talking about?” She mumbled, grabbing her phone. “Am I late for something?”
"No, but you'd probably like to know I just hacked into a security camera and saw a young woman with white hair. And we both know we know only one person like that." Carmen groaned.
“I don’t want to get out of bed for a stupid ass furry...” She complained.
"You will when I say she's heading for...The Portland Art Museum."
“Uuuuggghhhh...” Carmen whined. “Why?”
"Y'know, the place where art of the Day of The Dead is displayed? I only assume if she doesn't steal something from the showing on the Day of The Dead, it's something from one of the other exhibits. Sorry Red, no sleeping in today."
“I know, I know...” Carmen said. She groggily got up and began to get ready for the day. “Call Zach and Ivy and tell them to meet me here.”
"No prob." Player switched over to his line to Zach and Ivy. "Yo twins, Tigress is on the move. Carmen needs you at the hotel."
“Right-io! Ivy wake up!” Zach shouts into the receiver.
“Uuugghhh!!! I don’t wanna fight no dumb ass furry!!” Ivy complained.
”Carmen said the same thing, but it's the Portland Art Museum. She could be stealing something from the Day of The Dead showcase." A few minutes later, Carmen and the Twins met at the hotel.
“Aw!” Zach complains. “What about breakfast?”
"Typical." Player scoffed.
“No time for breakfast, Zach. But, I do know that I’m getting a bagel later. But, right now, we gotta move.” Carmen says.
"Focus Z, food's the least of your concerns right now." Player added. "It's Carmen and Ivy you should be worrying about."
“Aw, but my tummy hurts...” Zach says.
“Whatever, Zach-Attack! You heard the boss! Let’s get movin’!” Ivy barks. They all head out the door. It’s the middle of the day in Florida, and it’s HOT. Ivy and Zach are dying on the walk over. “Cahmeh, how ain’t you DYIN’ of heat stroke?!” Ivy said.
“I guess the heat makes me feel energized,” Carmen said, tipping her hat. “Now come on.”
"Careful Red." Player warned. "I know you're probably sick of me saying that but we all know how Tigress operates."
“Relax, I got it. Any clue where she is now?”
"Looking now.” Player told her. “Ngh, either the museum's gotten smart or she jammed the security cameras. either way, you're unfortunately stuck going in blind."
“Works for me. After I’m done kicking her ass, I’m getting a nap in,” Carmen boasts, smiling. Smiles are rare in her line of work.
“We’ve got a Mime, 12:00 o clock.” Carmen glances upward.
“There he is.” She hissed. “The furry’s little errand boy.”
”I’ll work on the cameras while you take care of him." Player assured them. It looked like Mime Bomb went out of sight while they were talking.
“Twins, split up, get inside.” Carmen instructed. “Looks like our friends in there are going to try to work in plain sight.” The Twins nodded and went in opposite directions while Carmen walked into the museum.
"Got it." Player said as the camera feed blipped . "Looks like I could be right. She's going in the Day of The Dead showcase. But take it easy Red, I can't tell if she's just passing through to another exhibit."
“I can’t just attack her either. It’s crowded in here,” Carmen observed. There were people everywhere. “I wonder what she plan to-“ Carmen stops, having spotted Tigress. She was wearing a trench coat and seemed to be loitering around the back entrance. “What is she up to? Waiting for Mime Bomb or something?”
"SHITE!" Player hissed. "She's not stealing anything thing, it's Mime Bomb!" Carmen was surprised to hear her buddy swear, even if it wasn’t really a swearword.
“What do you mean?” She asks.
"She's just waiting for him to pass the....whatever! Maybe...I don't know. Better find out Red." Carmen realizes what he means.
“I think I got it. Give me a second, I’m going to swipe it when he comes by.” As if on cue, Mime Bomb approaches. He does a little bow to her, which looks a bit dorky. Carmen bites her lip. “What is he hiding?” Her question is answered when he gives her a mask. Carmen reaches for it from her hiding spot, but she misses. She can’t risk getting seen. Tigress takes it.
“Thank you. I’m sure you can get back to your post now?” Tigress says to Mime Bomb, who begins to make all sorts of miming motions. Tigress giggles.
“Hold on a minute are they flirting right now?” Carmen whispers, in awe.
“Aww...” Carmen cooed. But then she snapped back to attention once she realized Tigress was leaving with the mask!
"Focus Carmen!" Player whisper-shouted. "She's heading towards an emergency exit!"
“I know I know!” She whisper shouted back. She darted frantically back to the outside. “Ugh! Where did she go?”
“Boss!” Ivy shouted, from somewhere to the side. “We’ve got company!”
Carmen turned and... oh shit! It was Virus!
“Hehe. You didn’t think we wouldn’t take extra precautions with you around, did you?” Virus said, and with a loud CRACK!! her electric arm activated.
“Nope! I just was hoping you wouldn’t be here!” Carmen said as she backflipped out of the way. On top of the building, she could see Tigress getting away.
"Damn it!" Player swore, hitting a fist against his table. "Carmen, you'd better think of something!"
"Wait a minute!" He snapped his fingers. "Any police copters around?"
"Or anything related to the police."
“Uh, kind of preoccupied!” Carmen said, trying and struggling to keep Virus’s claw away from her.
“Don’t worry, Boss!” The Twins shouted. They jumped on Virus and pulled her off of Carmen, allowing her to escape. She sprinted after Tigress.
“Doesn’t look like it, Player,” Carmen panted.
"Ngh, I was hoping to send a signal to warn them about Tigress to a police car, but the station itself will have to do." Player stated. "Keep her in your sights for as long as you can while I rig up a code for the message."
“Good. Great. Gun wielding air heads,” Carmen said grouchily.
"At least it's something to maybe throw her off!" Player retorted.
“Ugh fine!” She began to run over the roofs of buildings, chasing the Tiger girl.
“Hey! Betcha can’t catch me!” Tigress yelled.
“How much you wanna bet?!” Carmen screamed back. “I say 100 bucks! Cuz I’m gonna get you!” Player scrambled to get the code up and running. Carmen quickly tackled Tigress and they fought over the mask. Carmen won. She starts to sprint away until Zach and Ivy pulls up in a car.
"Phew." Player sighed. "Thanks Z, didn't want to actually send the message if I could avoid it. You know how Carmen is with cops.” Carmen suddenly started breathing heavily and sweating.
“Oh god not now...” she whines, as the heat takes over her.
“Boss?!” Ivy and Zach said with worry.
"She's fainting!" Player assumed. "GUN IT ZACH!" He screamed. Ivy gives Carmen some water, or at least attempts to while Zach NYOOMS the car.
"I swear it's that coat." Player scoffs. Carmen fell asleep, as Player can hear from her steadied breathing. Soon, night falls, and they are out of Florida, skull mask in hand.
"Carmen!? Carmen, you okay?" Player was trying to get her to speak. Carmen slowly awoke. “Hm... You have a... lovely voice...” That threw everyone for a loop.
“She’s higher than a seagull!” Ivy exclaimed.
“Speaking of, Mime Bomb and Tigress were flirting before she took off." Player said in disgust.
“Aw! That’s cute, but not what we’re worrying about here,” Ivy interjected.
"Carmen, focus!" Player cried.
“Wha... what happened?” Carmen said, groggily. “Ugh, my head hurts...”
“Give ‘er water, Zach!” Ivy said.
"And now!” Player added. Carmen practically downed the whole gallon of water when Zach gave it to her.
“Yikes." Player said, hearing it all.
“What happened? Did we get the mask?” Carmen asked.
“Yeah! It’s here!” Zach said.
"What was that?" Player asked. "I think you flirted with me."
“... What?” Carmen asked.
"You said I 'had a lovely voice'." Ivy snorted.
“What?!” Carmen said, a blush flying to her face. “I did not!”
"It's okay, you were delirious." Player said. "You probably heard Crackle or something, who knows."
“Yeah, probably...” Carmen said, shifting. The Twins glanced at each other.
“OH MY GOD YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT HIM!!!” Ivy screamed.
“N-no! I wasn’t! I would never think of Player that way!” Carmen says, now desperate to defend herself.
"What?" He shook his head. "Guys leave her alone." Ivy and Zach are laugh and cheer loudly as they leave the room. Carmen is now pouting. “I can’t believe them... thinking I was trying to flirt with you...” She grumbles.
"To be fair, it did seem that way.” Player noted. “I was trying to get you to think straight after all."
“Well, I don’t have any feelings for you. You’re like, what 16?” She realized that was incorrect. It’s been 3 years since she first met him when he was 16. “Wait, you must be 18 now?”
“Yeah, I’m 18, why?" Then he thought-. “Oh my god Carmen, seriously!?””
I-I DIDN’T MEAN IT LIKE THAT!!!” Carmen screamed.
"Oh, sorry." Carmen blushed deeply, her mind now racing with new possibilities. Possibilities and thoughts that disgust her.
"So....now what?” Player asked, mind still reeling. “Do we just let that go?" Carmen’s breathing was unnaturally slow.
“I... I’m uncomfortable...” She has always been so good at telling him how she was feeling. But, now it felt.... well, she didn’t know. Her face was burning and she wanted to cry, just a little.
"Should I clock out for the night?" Player inquired cautiously.
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to...” Carmen says. Her voice sounds... shaky. Not like her. Player didn’t like it.
“I feel like you need to be left alone." He said.
"You sound like it." Player noted.
“I’m… I’m sorry... I... didn’t mean to yell or any of those other things...”
"I know." Player stated. He looked at his map screen blankly, trying to think of something to change the topic to. "Hey, did you know blood isn't actually red? It's clear, it's just that the red cells make it look red." He knew it wasn't a good fact, but he was desperate to distract Carmen.
“Heh... did you know that red is my favorite color?” Carmen asked. Her stomach hurt. She hadn’t eaten all day.
"Huh, remind me to wear my red t-shirt if we ever have to meet in person." Player quipped. Realizing something, he spoke again. "For once Zach was right to complain about food. You should eat something."
“Actually, I’m tough so I don’t get hungry...” Her stomach rumbled. She wanted to curse herself for it.
"C'mon Carmen, we've known each other for a long time." Player stated. "I've kinda learned how to read you.”
“Have you...?” Carmen said, through grit teeth and rubbing her stomach. It suddenly hurt to move.
"CARMEN!?" Player yelled. “Something's wrong!" There is no answer for a few seconds. Then...
"ZACH, IVY, GET IN THERE! SOMETHING'S UP WITH CARMEN!" Player wasn't buying it. The Twins rush in and they’re trying to shovel food in their mouths.
“What?!” Zach screams with a mouthful of peanut butter. Carmen looked at the nice bagel Ivy was holding and her mouth watered.
“I’m... I’m fine! Don’t worry, guys.” She was a bad liar to her friends at the best of times, but especially now that Player had deducted what happened.
"Carmen hasn't eaten anything." Player said. "Force-feed her if you have to."
“Oh, really?” Ivy said, a mischievous look on her face. Carmen’s eyes went wide and she shot up.
“NO! That’s not happening again!” She screamed.
"Then eat!" Player insisted. Carmen looked like a kicked puppy.
“You heard the man, “Princess”,” Ivy teases, mocking Player’s voice.
"Hey, I thought we agreed only I get to call her that! Wait...Shut up!" Player realized too late how what he said could be taken out of context. Zach handed Carmen a plate and dumped food on it. Carmen was visibly grumpy. Ivy was snickering.
“Eat up, pretty Princess,” Ivy teased.
“Stop or I’ll chop out your tongue,” Carmen growled.
"Maybe for me Red?" Player asked. Ivy and Zach both laughed loudly as they left the room.
“If she calls me a “Pretty Princess” again, we’re going to have an issue,” Carmen said, before taking a bite out of a everything bagel.
"Yeah, only I get that right.” Player said defensively. “Wait...no...not like that." He flushed with embarassment Carmen finds herself grinning.
“You do. You have that right.”
"Stop it, I can't explain how I know, but you're grinning." Player grumbled.
“Why wouldn’t I be? You’re still here.”Carmen told him.
"Thanks?" Player didn't know how to respond. Carmen sighed and continued eating. She started to feel less pain in her stomach "Maybe I should've listened to Zach for once and let you eat.” Player said guiltily. “I feel like this is my fault for rushing you into the job. Well, you did, but I enforced it." Carmen felt herself flinch.
“No. It was my decision, Player. It wasn’t your fault. I’m glad, because if we hadn’t left at that time, Tigress would have gotten away. And who knows what Virus would have done to those poor people?”
”What about that new recruit?" Player asked abruptly.
“What new recruit?” Carmen asked.
"Biohazard, remember?" Player clarified. Carmen breathed a little awkwardly.
"You okay?" Player asked.
“Yeah... Yeah, I’m fine.” Carmen insisted.
"That's what you said about being hungry." Player teased.
“Christine Greater isn’t with VILE anymore, Player.” Carmen told him. “I think you know that.”
"Carmen, you do realize I meant the new recruit for us right? She helped us when you first met her in Austrailia?" Carmen’s eyes went wide.
“Oh... oh! I’m sorry, I... I’m not thinking straight tonight...” She muttered
"Clearly.”Player stated. "Okay, I'm gonna clock out. I'll let you and/or the twins know if something comes up."
“Wait! Player!” Carmen cried.
"Huh?" Player had just had just been about to turn his computer off when she’d shouted.
”C-can you... stay? Just until I go to sleep... please?”
"Huh. Never asked me to do that before." Player stated.
“Is it odd?” Carmen asked, uncharacteristically worried.
"No, just...unusual." Player mused.
“So... is that a yes?” Carmen asked tentatively.
"It's not a no." Player said. Carmen sighs and lays down in bed. She gets comfy under the covers.
"Need a lullaby?" Player joked, struggling not to laugh. "Sorry, I couldn't help it."
“Do you sing?” Carmen asks, after a few seconds of silence.
"Well, I made up a song, but I'm not sure I'm good." Player had answered without thinking. "Wait, what?" He realized what he said.
“You’ll never know if you don’t try,” Carmen giggles.
“All I have on hand is my ukulele." Player said. "My real guitar's in the other room. Do you mind? I think the ukulele's more soothing in this case anyway."
“Of course not,” Carmen says sleepily.
"In that case..." Player picked it up and started playing. "Well she sneaks around the world from Kiev to Carolina, she's a sticky-fingered filcher from Berlin down to Belize! She'll take you for a ride on a slow boat to China! Tell me where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? Steal their Seoul in South Korea, make Antarctica cry Uncle! From the Red Sea to Greenland they'll be singing the blues! Well they never Arkansas her steal the Mekong from the jungle Tell me where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? She go from Nashville to Norway, Bonaire to Zimbabwe, Chicago to Czechoslovakia and back! Well she'll ransack Pakistan and run a scam in Scandinavia, then she'll stick 'em up Down Under and go pick-pocket Perth! She put the Miss in misdemeanor when she stole the beans from Lima. Tell me where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? Oh tell me where in the world is, oh tell me where can she be? Ooh, Botswana to Thailand, Milan via Amsterdam Mali to Bali, Ohio, Oahu!” A pause, then-. “Well she glides around the globe and she'll flimflam every nation! She's a double-dealing diva with a taste for thievery! Her itinerary's loaded up with moving violations! Tell me where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? Oh, tell me where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?" Player stopped. "That's the first time I've ever sang for anyone." Carmen was smiling like a dork and small tears fell down her face. “You... you should pitch that and make it big.”
"Only if you buy my albums...or steal them." The last part was a joke of course. Carmen smiled wider than she has in a while.
“You should sing more.” She insisted
"That was the only one I got.” Player admitted. “Anything already written you like?"
“Well... do you know “Pretty Lies” by Written By Wolves? I like that one.”
"I'll try. I don't mean to brag, but these fingers aren't just good on a keyboard." Carmen blushes, but she knows what he meant.
“G-go for it then...” Player did.
“I’ve been starting to accept that, maybe this is all there is and dreams that I've held in my head. Should be forgotten just forget…That you thought you were bound for greatness; rock and roll could be a savior. Keep that to yourself and just fit in. Don't stand out or they'll destroy you…Words are sharp and filed with poison. Every step that you take forward, they'll pull you back a thousand more. So give up your imagination. Take the pill it's just sedation. Be a member of society..That's not worth living for. I won't be afraid anymore. Like a thief in the night, armed with their pretty lies…they will haunt you, consume you. But you can't let them win, Let the fear be your friend. Let it guide you, fulfill you. Like a thief in the night, armed with their pretty lies…They will haunt you, consume you…But you can't let them win. Let the fear be your friend. Let it guide you…Fulfill you. You close your eyes and dreams start racing…Feels so real that you can taste it, See the crowd and all their faces. Hear them screaming out your name and wish this was more than a vision, you could break out of this prison! Taking back control defiantly. Feel the fear and let it guide you. Let the fire burn inside you. Think of all that they've denied you, Remember and use the drive you've always had but buried deeper. You give up they get what they want; Don't let them win. Like a thief in the night, armed with their pretty lies They will haunt you, Consume you. But you can't let them win. Let the fear be your friend; Let it guide you, Fulfill you. Like a thief in the night. Armed with their pretty lies. They will haunt you, Consume you…But you can't let them win. Let the fear be your friend. Let it guide you, Fulfill you…I’m sick of all their pretty lies, They sparkle like a blade. But I will make damn sure that I will not die wondering What could have been…I’ll take nothing to the grave! That's not worth living for…I won't be afraid anymore! Like a thief in the night, Armed with their pretty lies. They will haunt you..Consume you. But you can't let them win. Let the fear be your friend. Let it guide you, Fulfill you. Like a thief in the night. Armed with their pretty lies..They will haunt you..Consume you…But you can't let them win. Let the fear be your friend…Let it guide you…Fulfill you." Player smirked when he finished. "Of course you like it. It mentions a thief." Carmen was fast asleep. He can tell from her heart rate and breathing. "'Night Carmen." Player sighed, content. He put down his ukulele and went to get ready for bed.
