BIRDCAGE vinyl release copies came in today, courtesy of Black Screen Records.

You can find links for this, the MiniDisc release and digital streaming here:

❝Neglecting my happiness, I never want to sober up.❞

in which, Ace and Deuce know you have a crush on someone, but can't figure out who...

ft. Riddle. Just Riddle this time. Yeah, i’m tweaking too.

You should have anticipated that your newfound tendency toward daydreaming would not escape the notice of your most observant friends. Ace's sharp eyes miss nothing when it comes to potential entertainment, and Deuce's earnest concern for your wellbeing makes him remarkably perceptive to changes in your behavior. Together, they form an investigative duo that would make the Mystery Shop's proprietor proud.

"You're doing it again," Ace announces during lunch, waving his fork in your direction with theatrical accusation. "That weird, distant look where you smile at nothing and forget to eat your sandwich."

Deuce nods sagely, though his expression carries more worry than amusement. "It's been happening for weeks now. Are you feeling alright? Should we take you to the infirmary?"

You hastily redirect your attention to your neglected meal, hoping the warmth in your cheeks might be attributed to the greenhouse's ambient temperature rather than embarrassment. "I'm perfectly fine. Perhaps I've simply been contemplating academic matters more thoroughly than usual."

"Academic matters," Ace repeats with undisguised skepticism. "Right. Because you definitely get that dopey expression when thinking about Professor Trein's history assignments."

The following days bring increasingly creative attempts at investigation. Ace employs his talent for misdirection to steer conversations toward various NRC students, watching your reactions with the intensity of a hawk observing field mice. Deuce, bless his straightforward heart, takes a more direct approach by simply asking if you'd like to discuss whatever has been occupying your thoughts.

"It's someone at school, isn't it?" Deuce ventures one afternoon as you walk toward the library. "You've been different ever since that joint event with the other dorms."

You nearly stumble over your own feet, which only serves to confirm their suspicions. "Whatever gave you that impression?"

"The way you keep checking your appearance in reflective surfaces," Ace supplies helpfully, appearing at your other side with his characteristic grin. "And how you suddenly care about being punctual to everything. Yesterday you showed up to Potions fifteen minutes early just to organize your workspace."

Their detective work intensifies to almost comical proportions. They begin trailing you between classes, taking notes on your interactions with various students, and engaging in hushed conferences that cease abruptly whenever you approach. You find their dedication both endearing and mildly concerning, particularly when Ace starts carrying around a notebook labeled "Operation: Cupid's Target."

The truth reveals itself quite by accident during an afternoon study session in Heartslabyul's library. You're reviewing your notes when Riddle Rosehearts enters, his presence immediately commanding attention despite his relatively quiet demeanor. He approaches your table with characteristic precision, setting down a carefully wrapped package beside your textbooks.

"You mentioned yesterday that you were having difficulty locating a first-edition copy of 'Advanced Magical Theory,'" he states formally, though his ears betray the faintest hint of pink. "I recalled seeing one in my personal collection and thought you might find it useful for your research."

The gesture is so thoughtful, so perfectly considerate, that you cannot suppress the radiant smile that transforms your entire expression. "Riddle, this is incredibly kind of you. I don't know how to thank you properly."

"Your academic success is gratitude enough," he replies, though his own smile softens his usually stern features. "Should you require any clarification regarding the more complex theoretical concepts, I would be pleased to assist with your studies."

The exchange continues for several minutes, filled with the sort of polite, careful conversation that barely conceals deeper feelings. You're so absorbed in Riddle's presence that you entirely forget about your audience until a dramatic gasp echoes through the library.

"THE HOUSEWARDEN?" Ace's voice carries enough shock to violate several library rules simultaneously. "You have a crush on RIDDLE?"

Deuce's expression cycles through surprise, realization, and something approaching panic. "Oh no, what if he overhears? What if there are rules about this? What if—"

"What if you both lower your voices before you get us all in trouble?" you hiss, mortified beyond measure.

Riddle, to his credit, handles the revelation with admirable composure, though his face now matches his hair in chromatic intensity. "I believe," he says carefully, "that we should perhaps continue this conversation elsewhere."

Later, after explanations have been given and feelings tentatively acknowledged, Ace shakes his head in amazement. "I can't believe you fell for Mr. 'Off-With-Your-Head' himself."

Deuce, however, beams with genuine happiness. "Actually, it makes perfect sense. You both care about doing things properly, and he's always looking out for everyone's wellbeing. I think you're perfect for each other."

You find yourself grateful for friends who, despite their occasionally chaotic methods, ultimately want nothing more than your happiness.

Once the forensics investigation revealed that Geordi's visor was at the centre of the destruction of the Enterprise-D (and Starfleet would be keen to know how 1 obsolete Bird of Prey destroyed their flagship) would Starfleet have forced Geordi La Forge to get new ocular implants?

I'm trying to keep track of what every major or semi-major political player is trying to do about the Reapers in 2185 before, during or after Shepard waltzes in, pirouettes into them then fucks off, and it's kinda mind-boggling.

Major players with their own agendas include but are not limited to :

the Reapers, who may or may not have been already traveling to the galaxy at this point, and are using their pawns - the Collectors - to siphon many humans to their base to get going on the baby-making. Beside assassinating Shepard in 2183 to one-shot an anti-Reaper coalition in its infancy, the Collectors are presumably prepping Omega for collecting (see also : Mordin's recruitment mission) and have contacts with at least one non-Reaper operative (the Shadow Broker) to facilitate their plans.

Cerberus, which has set up one operator cell to deal with the Collectors, and is completely reshuffling its structure to gear up for the incoming Reaperocalypse.

the Shadow Broker is aware of the incoming Reaperocalypse and is actively collaborating with the Collectors, though to what extent is unknown ; one thing we do know is that he uses an agent embedded in Cerberus (Wilson) to try to kill Shepard before they can be up and about. We also do not know how his manipulating of events behind the scenes is meant to benefit the Collectors/Reapers. Then the Shadow Broker gets replaced by Liara who leverages the exact same network and resources to do the exact opposite, preppin' the galaxy against the Reapers. EDIT : I should note that the yahg Shadow Broker planned to attack Cerberus in retaliation one year after Shepard's resurrection, and those plans included the assassination of the Illusive Man, the destruction of Cerberus as a whole, and, if possible, the recruitment of Miranda.

the Alliance itself is doing shit all to prepare against the Reapers because they don't believe it's a problem, but within the Alliance, Hackett is running an undisclosed number of operations to prepare them against the Reaperocalypse.

officially, the Citadel Council dismisses this "Reaperocalypse", but in reality they're very aware of that, presumably doing something about it off-screen, and not keeping some very important people in the loop, such as : Shepard, and seemingly Anderson and the Alliance as a whole.

Also not kept in the loop : the Turian Hierarchy, since they learn about the Reapers from Garrus' dad. Oops.

Actually in the loop : the STG, and presumably the Salarian Union as a whole, since Mordin has been authoring studies on indoctrination and the military has been developing stealth dreadnoughts.

The geth have quit their self-isolation and sent a unique platform past the Perseus Veil to ascertain what the hell is going on.

The geth heretics, meanwhile, have been losing the war against the Systems Alliance and reduced to sporadic offensives in three clusters, but they're preparing an indoctrination-like virus to take over the orthodox geth and add their numbers to their own to service the Reapers.

And these are just the players we know about. We have no idea what, if anything, the asari or the batarians are doing (or know) about the Reaperocalypse.