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[sirianasims]

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Bonus + Transcript below the cut:

Atlas: Hey everyone, we have something to tell you.

Asher: Okay, I know you’re all hungry, so we’ll make this quick. While we were in Selvadorada, Atlas and I got married. Everyone: You what? Oh my god! Congratulations! Married? Daddy UP!!! Yay! Can we eat now?

Spencer: Pssst Atlas: What? Spencer: Félicitations!

Atlas: [laughing] Aww merci beaucoup!

[cheerful chatter]

Aspen: Love you, Ashes. Asher: [happy tears] Love you too, kiddo.

[sirianasims]

After his date, Don hurried upstairs to tuck Matteo in.

[sirianasims]

Subplot 4.2 - Revenge is Best Served How?

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(Part 2 of 2)

If you want to see what Luna was doing at the carnival, click here. Don’t worry, there’s a link at the end to jump back to the main story.

[TRANSCRIPT]

Later that night…

(moaning + other sex sounds)

(gasping + nonsense compliments)

Doli: Are we always going to fuck next to a portrait of your dead wife?

Jacques: We can fuck at your house.

Doli: You do this because I look like her.

Jacques: I do this because I like to fuck. 

Doli: We can’t go to my house. Jay is home, and Tala is sleeping. 

Jacques: Thanks for the reminder. I hate kids. Jay can stay, though.

Doli: For someone who needs my help, you sure are a huge asshole to me.

Doli: I’m just saying you hated each other. Keeping her picture by your bed is weird.

Jacques: Someone killed her. More specifically, some witch killed her. And I will shake down every spellcaster until I find out who. I’m finally close.

Doli: And then what?

Jacques: I’ll burn the spellcasting aristocracy to the ground. 

Doli: And then what?

Jacques: What do you mean, and then what? Then they’ll be dead.

Doli: And then what? Your revenge is done. The Magic Realm rebuilds with new leadership. What do you do with the rest of your time?

Doli: And the Conclave of Casters is not made up of amateurs. Sage is not a political position, you have to be strong enough to hold it. What is your plan?

Jacques: Luna’s home. Don’t let her see you leave. And call me if Simeon makes any more moves.

Doli: Jacques, you need more than just revenge. You need—

Jacques: You can go.

(Jacques mutters “and then what” to himself over and over again)

[sirianasims]

Subplot 4.1 - Revenge is Best Served How?

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(Part 1 of 2)

[TRANSCRIPT]

Villareal Residence

Jacques: What’s the news about Miko? 

Akira: The witches are keeping her close. The Order of Enchantment is all over her. 

Jacques: She tell you that?

Akira: Didn’t need to. I watched it happen. 

Jacques: And what about her friend? The artist—

Akira: Photographer.

Jacques: Whatever. 

Akira: Not whatever. It’s two different things. And anyway, there is nothing to say about her. 

Jacques: [laughing] If you give a fae a cookie…

Akira: What the fuck did you just say to me?

Jacques: Do you like cookies so much you would die for them?

Akira: What kind of question is that?

Jacques: The kind that matters.

Akira: I am really not in the mood for this shit.

Jacques: Neither am I, Akira. I don’t care what you do in your free time, but I want to know why the witches want Miko so badly. Scramble whoever’s brain you need to, and bring me answers.  

Akira: Noted.

Jacques: Akira—

Akira: Hop off my dick. I already said I would do the job, so let me do it.

Gunnar: Why do you let him talk to you like that?

Jacques: He reminds me of myself when I was young. And Akira won’t fail. He is incapable of breaking a vow.

Gunnar: If you ask me—

Jacques: I didn’t.

Gunnar: It sets a bad precedent.

Jacques: I’ll keep that advice in mind. Now, onto business. A spellcaster is going to come to you for a job.

Gunnar: Unlikely. We spy on the witches. They don’t hire us.

Jacques: This one will. Because he’s desperate, and every desperate creature makes their way to the Devil.

Gunnar: True. And the witches on the fringes still do business. Got a name?

Jacques: Simeon Silversweater.

Gunnar: A fuckin’ sage? You’re telling me a Sage of the Magic Realm is going to hire us?

Jacques: Yes. When he calls, send Akira. Oh, and Luna wants to go to some carnival with her friends. Tell JJ to take her.

[sirianasims]

The Don Diaries

The call from Gina is long forgotten by the time Don arrives at the restaurant and sees Dani.

We request a table, only to be temporarily held back by a pesky EA bug. But nothing will stop this date from happening tonight, and the problem is quickly resolved through ruthless application of UI cheats.

However, from the kitchen, a familiar chiselled face is watching.

It's honestly a little tragic. The heartbroken slacker finally got a job, but it's much, much too late.

Kyle's loud crying in the bathroom makes for a slightly awkward start to the date, and Dani really hopes they get a different server.

Don tries to focus on the menu when his phone goes off - it better not be Gina again.

Thanks for the support, JoAnna, but can we maybe get through THEIR FIRST DATE before we think long-term? You and Matteo need to chill, seriously.

Despite the constant distractions from old friends and unhinged exes, the date is going well. Don is mesmerised by Dani's lips while they wait for their food.

But he's determined to keep his cool and take things slow. He'll be the best possible version of himself, prove that he's changed, that he can be the man she deserves.

The food has barely arrived before Dani lays down some ground rules. She's seen him in the past, and if this date is going to lead anywhere, she needs to know Don is serious about it this time.

Thankfully, Don has changed. His fuckboy ways never brought him happiness, and he wants more stability for both himself and Matteo.

The conversation flows more freely after that, jokes, banter and light flirting flying back and forth.

A while later, Kyle is finally done crying in the bathroom.

Dani suggests that maybe this is their cue to leave. Besides, it's getting late and Don's neighbour can't look after Matteo all night.

Their plates are cleared and Don takes care of the bill. It's the moment of truth.

He slowly caresses Dani's cheek, trying to make sure they're on the same page about this, but it seems like he has nothing to worry about.

And then, at long last...

Took you long enough.

There are many other things Don would like to do with Dani tonight, but he needs to get home to Matteo. Instead, he invites Dani to come and stay with them for New Year's Eve.

It'll be worth the wait.

chrono - previous - next

[sirianasims]

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Transcript below the cut:

Aspen: Daddy? Phoenix: Hi. What are you doing out of bed? Aspen: My tummy hurts. Phoenix: It does? Aspen: Mhm

Phoenix: Do you need to go potty? Aspen: I don’t know. Phoenix: Think we should try? Aspen: Okay.

Phoenix: Feel better? Aspen: Uh-huh!

Phoenix: Let’s get back to bed then. Aspen: I’m thirsty. Phoenix: [sighs] Okay, I’ll get you a drink, but then it’s bedtime, got it? Aspen: Got it.

Phoenix: Alright, back to bed.

Aspen: Will you read me a story? Phoenix: No, it’s too late, Annie. You gotta get some sleep. Aspen: [whines] But-- Phoenix: No buts. Goodnight. Aspen: Goodnight. Phoenix: Love you. Aspen: Love you.

[sirianasims]

The Don Diaries

The call from Gina is long forgotten by the time Don arrives at the restaurant and sees Dani.

We request a table, only to be temporarily held back by a pesky EA bug. But nothing will stop this date from happening tonight, and the problem is quickly resolved through ruthless application of UI cheats.

However, from the kitchen, a familiar chiselled face is watching.

It's honestly a little tragic. The heartbroken slacker finally got a job, but it's much, much too late.

Kyle's loud crying in the bathroom makes for a slightly awkward start to the date, and Dani really hopes they get a different server.

Don tries to focus on the menu when his phone goes off - it better not be Gina again.

Thanks for the support, JoAnna, but can we maybe get through THEIR FIRST DATE before we think long-term? You and Matteo need to chill, seriously.

Despite the constant distractions from old friends and unhinged exes, the date is going well. Don is mesmerised by Dani's lips while they wait for their food.

But he's determined to keep his cool and take things slow. He'll be the best possible version of himself, prove that he's changed, that he can be the man she deserves.

The food has barely arrived before Dani lays down some ground rules. She's seen him in the past, and if this date is going to lead anywhere, she needs to know Don is serious about it this time.

Thankfully, Don has changed. His fuckboy ways never brought him happiness, and he wants more stability for both himself and Matteo.

The conversation flows more freely after that, jokes, banter and light flirting flying back and forth.

A while later, Kyle is finally done crying in the bathroom.

Dani suggests that maybe this is their cue to leave. Besides, it's getting late and Don's neighbour can't look after Matteo all night.

Their plates are cleared and Don takes care of the bill. It's the moment of truth.

He slowly caresses Dani's cheek, trying to make sure they're on the same page about this, but it seems like he has nothing to worry about.

And then, at long last...

Took you long enough.

There are many other things Don would like to do with Dani tonight, but he needs to get home to Matteo. Instead, he invites Dani to come and stay with them for New Year's Eve.

It'll be worth the wait.

chrono - previous - next

[sirianasims]

The soft ticking of a clock kept time in the corner of the room. For Antoine it seemed almost like a metronome, a steady beat to offset the rhythm of the fifth song he’d played for Zelda tonight. Or was it the sixth? The passage of time here just didn’t feel the same as it did on the road. It was softer, welcome even, the way the wrinkles on his hands made him smile now, or the laugh lines growing around Zelda’s eyes only made them sparkle more. It was safe. Like the loving embrace of home that only grows better with time. 

He didn't need to look at the lyrics or the notes to play the songs anymore. Weeks of practice had ensured that. So his compositions sat in a pile next to Zelda's feet as she read and reread everything he had put to paper, spilled out before her like the contents of his soul laid bare. “Did you really write all of these in so little time?”

His coy smile told her yes, and his pride emanated through the room like afternoon sunbeams. It was hard not to smile back at him when she spoke. “It’s amazing. Truly.” Her thumb rustled back and forth over the paper, as though trying to pull what she wanted to ask from the words written there. “So you’re happy when you’re out there?”

A brief, pregnant pause filled the air, as though it were the last question he had expected her to ask, especially not when he had already said so much with every lyric at her feet. “I’m happy to be home.”

She set the paper in her hand down gently atop the jumble of other songs. She traced her finger along the messy script running from left to right, most of it filled with nothing but love and longing for her and their home. It should have made her happy, but it was hard to read them without remembering that those were the very things he had agreed to leave again so soon.

A less rational fear would have told her that he had written them as some sort of apology, a balm for the rhythm that was to become their lives now; but she knew better than to think he would ever be so dishonest. No, the rustling presence at her fingertips and the fear clouding her mind was more nefarious than that.

The soft sound of wood hitting the rug reverberated through the room as he set the guitar down between his legs and extended his hand. “Come here.”

She moved toward him, nestling herself where the guitar had been moments before. His arms wrapped around her as he spoke, "This isn't about the next tour, is it? You know what I said, Zelda. You say the word and I won't go. I mean it."

Yet the crinkle of paper at her feet continued to tell her that he meant it less than before.

She leaned her weight onto the hand running along her hair as she shook her head no, it wasn't about the next tour. He looked down straight into her eyes, which were filled with worry. “You don’t have to worry about me, my love. All I do is worry about you and Violette when I'm there. I don't want you here doing the same."

Her feet ever so gently pushed the pile of papers further away, taking with them the question he had never really answered. Are you happy when you’re out there? She tried to nudge away the thoughts they had spurred too.

But they clung to her like wisps of fabric trapped in the breeze, wanting so desperately to be let free but unable to do so. She had promised herself that wouldn't hold him back, and if nothing else, she was wise enough to understand that her own anxieties were unwanted thoughts from the depths of her mind sent to lead her astray. She wouldn't let them lead him away from his destiny too. “Its my job to worry. I always will. But this...”

She stopped, gesturing toward the song lyrics before she rolled her head onto him and transformed her mouth into a smile. Only as soon as her eyes met his, it spread across her face, and finally, the ragged edges of her worry flew away on the wind, “this makes me feel like it’s worth it. All of that time away. All of the moments of longing, that at least all of this came out of it. That you're happy."

He kept his hand on her chin and gently angled her face closer toward his own, as though to ensure her eyes stayed trained on his when she answered his question. "You promise me, Zelda? You promise that you're okay?"

Her answer came breathlessly, and with no memory that he was the one who had never answered her question in the first place. “I’m sure, I promise.”

Even if the papers rustling below my feet make me worried you are happy. Too happy. More happy than you are here. Or at least more inspired. More alive. And sooner or later they mean you'll stop coming home, because this is what you were made for, and I'm nothing but a line in a song about a woman you used to love.

[sirianasims]

Beginning/Previous/Next

[sirianasims]

[sirianasims]

Honeymoon ✨😍🌴💖

Previous| Beginning  | Next

[sirianasims]

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Oscar: Ohh a uniform and everything, staying for a while I take it? Alex: Hopefully! Oscar: Yeah? Alex: Yeah, dad said he's covering for some extended leave in a museum or something-.. I don't know, I've been too distracted to ask properly. Oscar: Well, you're welcome whenever-.. as long as your dad doesn't mind. Alex: Eh, he's usually working anyway and he likes being alone. [Although he appreciated his parents’ warmth toward Alex, Robin eventually had to drag her away-.. being trapped in a conversation he couldn’t join in on was boring anyway, and he had an experiment to conduct…] … Alex: Ooooh I love attics, you should make this your bedroom so you caaaAAn-… Alex: Ahhhhh! This rug it's uh.. I LOVE it! So colourful and.. dusty. [Robin grinned as he whipped out his phone, his test clearly proving successful] TEXT: You can see Clementine, can't you? Alex: I uhm-.. you do too? I've never met anyone else that could-.. she can hear us, right? Clementine: Yes, dear. Alex: Oh, oh my god! HI! Clementine: You must be Alexandra. Alex: Ohh you're posh! You must've been here for ages, how old are you? Clementine: I'm not-.. I’m not sure. [Robin tensed beside Alex, typing furiously; he needed to explain before Alex put her foot in it and sent Clementine into one of her less favourable moods, but he needn't have worried] Alex: That's okay! Loads have no idea-.. I guess Robin must've mentioned me? [Clementine agreed with a nod, successfully distracted] Alex: I bet he's annoyed he can't join in right now-.. quick, tell me an embarrassing secret before he can shush us!

[sirianasims]

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Transcript below the cut:

Dawn: Whoooosh!! Wind blows colorful leaves across the yard… [Ringtone chimes across the room] Dawn: Hold on, I gotta get my phone okay?

Dawn: Oooh guess who it is! Aspen: ??? Dawn: Uncle Atlas. Aspen: [grabbing for the phone] Me!

Aspen: Bonjour tonton! Atlas: [laughing] Bonjour! Who taught you that? Aspen: Mommy. Atlas: I’m impressed. Can I talk to your mom? Aspen: Okay.

Dawn: Are you home? Atlas: Yep, just walked in a few minutes ago. Dawn: Oh good. How was it? Atlas: It was…

Atlas: …perfect. Dawn: Perfect? Tell me everything. Atlas: I will, I promise, but not right now. We’re exhausted and jetlagged. But we’ll see you for Harvestfest, right? Dawn: Yeah, of course.

Atlas: Ok good, then we can tell everyone at once. Dawn: Tell everyone what? Atlas: We’ll tell everyone at once. Dawn: [gasps] You’re engaged, aren’t you?

Atlas: Yes, I’m here… No, I’m not engaged. Now, stop trying to guess.

Asher: Hi mom. Just calling to let you know we made it home.

Megan: How are you? How was the flight home? Asher: Long. We’re tired. Just gonna take it easy for the next couple days. Megan: Yes, you two rest up. We’ll see you Thursday? Asher: Yeah, we’ll see you then.

Megan: Listen, sweetie, before you go, there’s something I need to tell you. Asher: What’s wrong?

Megan: I was going to call you, but there’s nothing you could do from there, and I didn’t want to ruin your trip. Asher: Mom, you’re making me nervous. What is it?

Atlas: Wait, Phoenix has a brother? Dawn: I told you; we have a lot to catch up on. Atlas: Okay, we’ll meet up this weekend and talk about everything. In the meantime, I need to go lie down. I’ll see you soon. Dawn: Fine. I’m glad you’re home. I missed you. Atlas: I missed you too.

Atlas: Apparently, we missed a lot while we were— Ash? Asher: [sobbing] Atlas: What’s wrong? Asher: Jasper. Atlas: Oh no.

Atlas: I’m so sorry. Asher: [sobbing]

[sirianasims]

Jen, though different in her appearance, is the same as I remember. Our last meeting, at Christmastime, we took a walk in the dark misery of St. Stephen’s day. Lights twinkled in the eaves of the seafront houses, reflecting on the slick tarmac after days of rain, and as usual, with Jen I felt normal, like nothing had really changed all that much since I moved away.

“There you are,” she says, like she saw me yesterday. 

“Your hair’s pink.” I say.

“It is, yeah.”

Now she is burying her face in the front of my coat, and her arms are stiff from the layers of clothing she’s wrapped around herself. From my chest, her voice is muffled. “Have you gotten taller?”

“I think you’ve shrunk, Jenny.”

“Probably my horrible diet. Can you imagine, I’ve not eaten a vegetable since Christmas?”

“I actually can imagine that.”

“Why? Do I look deathly?”

“No, you look nice.” She tilts her face to me, her round cheeks and upturned nose pink from the cold. “I’m still getting used to not seeing you every day.”

“It’s been a good while since you moved. Time you get used to it.”

I smile. “Are you hungry?”

“Starving.”

“Come on, then. We haven’t far to go.”

“This is actually pretty good,” Jen says, eating around the braised fennel on her plate, and picking out only the pieces of chicken. “Is there lemon in it, or something?”

“Lemon and some other stuff, yeah.”

“It’s tasty.”

“Jude is an excellent cook,” Astrid says. “I’m very lucky to have a boyfriend who cooks almost like a chef.”

“Yeah, you are,” Jen replies. 

The apartment is warm and clean, candles lit around the little living area, and one on the table, casting a warm glow over the food. It looks like a place an adult would live, one with intentional design choices, the right lampshades sourced from second-hand shops, artfully stacked books on the coffee table and all the little things one can accumulate just from living having found their place in organised drawers, or little ceramic bowls placed around the place. In the bathroom, there is incense lighting, and a little bouquet of dried flowers in an amber glass vase by the sink. It matches the other amber glassware, containing soap and lotion and shampoos, all carefully chosen from heaps of rubbish at flea markets. Only Astrid’s artistic eye could spot the potential in junk, take it home, clean it up, and make it worthy.

When I was at Jen’s little kip in Ranelagh a couple of months ago, I got drunk and drew a crude, biro drawing of a little bald man with a huge bare arse. I gave him a speech bubble saying ‘TIOLET’, and we stuck it to her bathroom door so that nobody would get lost trying to find it. We fell about laughing at it until I thought I’d get sick. Now, weeks later, I have served her roasted chicken marinated in ouzo on a table with linen placemats. I ignore the blatant divergence in how I have presented myself, and pray she doesn’t bring it up. 

“Jen, won’t you eat the fennel?” Jonas says. He’s finished his dinner, and she offers him the remains of hers. He piles her vegetables onto his plate. “It is so delicious, you know. It makes me wish Jude would cook for me at home.”

“He doesn’t?”

He laughs. “Not once. He’s always eating out or making toast for dinner.”

“That’s crazy. Jude! You’ve always been good at cooking. Why haven’t you treated your poor, suffering housemate?” Jen gapes at me in mock outrage while clinging to the sleeve of his shirt. He chuckles. He likes her. She likes him. I knew it would be like this, because everyone likes Jen, and everyone likes Jonas, and these people, the kinds that are easy to like, easy to get along with, fall into a simple rhythm with one another every time they encounter one another. This is one of the many benefits of having a personality that others do not find challenging. 

“I should,” I admit. “I’m just busy, you know?”

“Busy being a bad housemate! I can’t believe this.”

“Me neither,” Jonas nods, making valiant inroads into his second helping. “All this time, I thought you were some typical kind of student who cannot make even a bowl of pasta.”

“Well, I’ve proved you wrong.”

“You have. I misjudged you.”

“I’m surprised to hear you talk about Jude like this,” Astrid says. “I don’t see him that way.”

“Like what? Unable to cook pasta?” says Jen. 

“That he’s so irresponsible. For me, this has been a very grounding relationship. I feel he’s a steady person.”

How did I get this woman? I think, for at least the fourth time this evening. How have I been so fortunate?

Jen’s raucous laugh shatters the moment. “Him?” She says. “You find him to be reliable?”

“Well, yes, actually.”

“Easy know that you didn’t know him at school.”

“Oh, really?” Intrigue twinkles in Jonas’ eye. 

“Yes, he was a complete wild card. You should start just asking him to tally up the amount of days he was in detention over the six years. The things I witnessed…”

“He tells me almost nothing about his life in Ireland!” Jonas tosses his napkin onto the plate, and I roll my eyes. “There’s not much to tell. I’ve said already that Ireland was crap. There was never anything to do.”

“That’s true,” Jen says, “fair enough. But we made our own fun. We weren’t ever bored for long.”

“This makes more sense to me,” says Jonas, “I had a feeling there was more to you than what you have told me.”

“Jude, I can’t believe you haven’t been sharing your hilarious stories. I swear to God, he’s gotten up to the funniest things. There was never a dull moment when we were growing up.”

“Yeah, we had a lot of fun, alright. We were really stupid kids.”

“We’re still stupid kids, what are you on about?” Jen grabs Jonas’ arm again while she giggles into her sleeve. “Did you know Jude got suspended from school twice?”

“Twice?” He echoes. “For what?”

“Right, okay,” I protest. “One was for fighting. That was bad. I’m not proud of it.”

“And the other was for starting a fire in the boys’ toilets.”

I glance at Astrid, who has something related to a smile on her lips, but it’s clear she’s confused, a small line forming between her brows. “Why would someone do that?” She wonders. “Was it on purpose?”

“No, no! It was a total accident,” Jen lets out a squawk of laughter before launching into the story. “So, set the scene, boys’ toilets, 2004…”

With dirty plates cleared and the dishwasher humming, we take our conversation to the little nook of Astrid’s studio apartment that closest resembles a living room. Our bodies are strewn around on big, soft, thrift shop furniture, where we talk and laugh until our bellies hurt. Jen wipes tears of laugher with the front of her t-shirt, legs thrown across Jonas as he tells us stories from his teen years, of ghost chilli peppers, and dirty mop water and stolen costumes from the theatre, painting an image of himself more mischievous and silly than the sensible man I’ve met, who reads the political column in the newspaper over his morning coffee. 

We have lost track of time, and the candle wax is making castles at the bases of Astrid’s brass candelabras. She is sitting politely while we throw ourselves about, howling with laughter, no longer at the stories, but at how silly we are being. Finding hilarity in our own hysteria. Giddy from it. At some relevant point, Jen shows Jonas a picture on her phone of the drawing I made for her bathroom door, and the laughter starts again. He shoves his knuckles into his eyes to stop the tears. “You misspelt it,” he wheezes. “The word toilet. It was on purpose?”

“Of course, like, what, we can’t speak English?” 

Astrid sighs, and examines her bare foot, rested against the coffee table. I present my hand to her, and she drops hers into it so I can massage it with my thumb. She gives me a humourless smile that doesn’t touch her eyes. “Are you tired?” I murmur.

“Yes, a bit.”

“Astrid,” Jen says, “I was actually wondering if you have any stories from school, sorry! I should have asked you earlier. As in, what’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you?”

She hesitates. 

“Or anyone, really. It doesn’t have to be you specifically, just, like, something you heard.”

“I can’t think of anything.”

“Surely there’s something,” I insist, though it’s hard for me to imagine Astrid at school. I attempt to conjure her at a desk, being told what to do by a teacher, sitting in a cafeteria eating a packed lunch, but I can’t. I can see a girl doing it, some faceless blonde girl, but not Astrid. She’s too sophisticated to have ever been in a school, with sticky linoleum flooring and bathroom stalls studded with chewing gum. This woman wasn’t born, but materialised one day, and has been swanning around Europe being mesmerising ever since. 

“What kind of school did you go to?” Jen says. “Mixed? Like, boys and girls?”

“Yeah.”

“I feel like there’s always a story about that. Like, in our school, someone got fingered in the science lab.”

“Well, that’s just disgusting.”

“I agree with you. Foul.”

We’re all smiling at her, nodding in encouragement, but she looks mildly irritated. At last, she sighs. “Someone once threw an eraser into the teacher’s coffee mug.”

A pause. 

“And then?” Jonas says.

“And then it splashed, and the teacher got coffee on her shirt.”

“Oh! That’s funny!” Jen leaps in. “God, I used to get tea down my uniform all the time. And then you’re there walking around all day with a stained shirt. So embarrassing.”

Astrid frowns. “Okay, well, I just don’t think my school was like your schools. Nobody was doing anything disruptive. We just had our classes, talked to friends and we went home. I don’t know why someone would want to cause such a fuss. It annoys everybody when some students being so problematic.”

“Yeah, we were fairly annoying alright,” I say. “I suppose it really shows up the differences between places like Ireland and Denmark, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, I’m sure it was very nice to go to school there.” Jen gives her very best, warm smile, which Astrid does not return. I make a note to tell Jen it’s not personal later, that Astrid’s smiles are an extremely rare event. 

Astrid doesn't reply.

The smell of an extinguished candle drifts beneath my nose. I suddenly feel a bit awkward. 

“It’s kind of late.” I point out. ‘Maybe we should go.”

“Oh, yes, I’m tired,” she says. “I’d really like to go to bed.”

We get up and put on our coats, and as I bend to kiss her goodbye, she murmurs, “It was good of you to cook.”

“Anytime, love.”

“Good. You should do it more.”

“You think so?”

“Mm.”

“Then I will. Just tell me what you want and I'll make it.”

“I will.”

I kiss her cheek. “Goodnight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, Jude. Love you.”

Beginning // Prev // Next

[sirianasims]

Drag Superstar Episode 5: The Finale

Diamond: Hello and welcome to the finale of Drag Superstar! Tonight we will be catching up with all of the contestants and finding out who will be crowned this season's Ultimate Drag Superstar!

As always, I'm joined by my fantastic panel of judges. Please welcome Diego Lobo, Penny Pizzazz, and Izzy Fabulous! Judges, who do you think will be taking home the crown tonight?

Diego: For me, it has to be Lady Astrid! The artistry she's brought is unmatched!

Penny: I love Lady Astrid, but I haven't been able to get Vapore LaWave out of mind mind since the acting challenge!

Izzy: I'm rooting for Velvet Envy. She's serving up glamour on a silver platter, and I'm eating it up!

Diamond: Thank you, judges! Before we crown our winner, let's see what life has been like for our queens since the season started. First up, it's Kylee Kouture. Kylee, your time on the show was short, but you've had social media buzzing.

Kylee: Yes, the internet can't get enough of my looks--and okay, maybe I've been running my mouth a bit, too!

Diamond: I heard that you and Jacqueline had some beef on Social Bunny. Can you tell me about that?

Kylee: Well, apparently some old, bitter queens can't handle us younger girls getting attention.

Jacqueline: I'll tell you exactly what happened, Diamond. All I've heard from the clubs I've been performing in is how Kylee is always late, she's being a diva, she's cancelling gigs...so yes, I had some words with her on SB about how you have to earn your dues in this business.

Kylee: Yeah, whatever. Jealousy is an ugly trait. Anyway, my follower count shows who the public really loves.

Jacqueline: The followers you bought?

[The other queens laugh]

Diamond: Ok, let's move on. Darla, how has life been for you after the show?

Darla: It's been great, Diamond! Despite our conflicts in the girl group challenge, I've gotten close to Vixen and Vapore. And I'm releasing a single!

Diamond: A single???

Darla: Yes, I took some voice lessons and I've really improved!

Jacqueline: I've heard they're doing amazing things with autotune these days!

Darla: [laughing] Okay, I'll admit there was a lot of autotuning, but it's a fun track!

Diamond: I can't wait to hear it! Vixen, how is your ankle?

Vixen: It's doing fine! I had some physical therapy and it's healed well. I'm happy that it hasn't impacted my burlesque act!

Diamond: I'm so happy to hear that! And I want to let you know that you're welcome to rejoin us next season to have another shot at competing!

[The queens applaud]

Vixen: Thank you so much! No more injuries, I promise!

Diamond: I'm going to hold you to that! Valerie, when you left the show, you were dealing with some difficulties at home. How are things going now?

Valerie/David: Well, Diamond, everything has been wonderful! My son was going through a rough time, but he really turned it around. I'm really proud of him! I'm proud of all of my children. My oldest daughter is getting married and touring with her band, and my younger daughter is starting a business.

Diamond: That's fantastic! It seems like you didn't have anything to worry about after all.

Valerie/David: That's right. It's a relief knowing that I've set my kids up with a good foundation. Even when times get tough, they know how to pull through. I've learned I can't control everything, but I also don't need to.

*I forgot to take a solo pic of Jacqueline, oops

Diamond: What a wonderful lesson to learn! Thank you Valerie. Now it's time to catch up with our finalists, starting with Jacqueline Galloway. Has your life changed since the show?

Jacqueline: Well, you've already heard about my conflicts, but there have been a lot of positives as well. I've been booked and busy. It turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Diamond: Tell me about it! Any more social media fights in your future?

Jacqueline: I'm going to try to let my career do the talking from now on.

Diamond: Wise decision. Lady Astrid, how has the show impacted your life?

Lady Astrid: In the best ways, Diamond! I have more time and money to work on new looks and it's really pushed me as an artist. Plus, I've had a lot of trans youth tell me I've inspired them to express themselves freely.

Diamond: That must make you feel good!

Lady Astrid: It really does. It shows how important visibility is to our community.

Diamond: Absolutely! Thank you, Lady Astrid. Next up, Vapore LaWave. How has life after the show surprised you?

Vapore: Well, going into this competition, I never thought of myself as being a funny person. But everyone really loved my campy performance in the acting challenge!

Diamond: You were hysterical!

Vapore: Thank you! Since the show, I've been taking acting lessons. I'm always up for expanding my skill set!

Diamond: That's great! Best of luck to you! And last but not least, it's Velvet Envy! Velvet, how do you feel about your performance on the show?

Velvet: I'm feeling very proud! I didn't know what to expect going in, but I'm happy that I not only won a challenge, but I've made it all the way to the finale.

Diamond: It's well deserved!

Velvet: Thank you! I never thought I would come this far when I started doing drag on a whim years ago!

Diamond: And look at you now! Thank you to all of my queens for making this a season to remember.

Diamond: And now it's the moment you've all been waiting for. I've taking the opinions of the judges and the viewers into consideration, but ultimately this was my decision to make. The winner of this season of Drag Superstar, our Ultimate Drag Superstar, is...

[dramatic pause]

Diamond: Lady Astrid!!!

[confetti falls from the ceiling as everyone applauds]

Condragulations, Lady Astrid! Do you have any words to share?

Lady Astrid: This is for anyone who's ever been told that they can't be who they are. Let our voices of love drown out the hate!

Thank you to @sirianasims for sharing Lady Astrid and Velvet Envy with me, and @invisiblequeen for Vapore LaWave! I enjoyed having them in this project!

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[sirianasims]

🌻 *boops your nose* Send this to ten blogs you think are lovely and deserve a boop on the nose!! 🌻

[sirianasims]

The Don Diaries

While his son is at school, Don takes care of the farm. Matteo masterfully handles the petting of the animals, but Don does most of the feeding and cleaning.

While emptying out the chicken coop, Don finds an egg that might hatch. He decides to leave it, there's still room for a couple more hens.

He ponders the orb egg for a while. Dani is a city girl, she loved the penthouse. Would she ever be happy living on a farm?

Would she be happy living with him?

Don likes his freedom. Despite the size, there was something claustrophobic about the penthouse, but maybe Dani would feel isolated out here. And he can't go back in the cage.

A sudden shower of rain melts the thin layer of snow, confusing Woofer.

Don is also feeling restless. He's more nervous about the date tonight than he'd like to admit. Some womanizer he is. Woofer is happy to take him for a run to shake off the anxiety.

But first, he has to show the leash who's boss.

Then, they're off. Don is determined not to fuck up tonight. He just need to be chill for once in his life, and not try to rush things.

Woofer can tell that Don is going through something. He's not sure what it is, but he knows he's helping. He always helps.

Back from the run, Woofer has learned that the fastest way to get Matteo back is to take a nap. And he hasn't slept for long before Matteo comes running home, eager to pet him.

Woofer knows he's not allowed to, but he can't help himself from licking Matteo's face. Surely Don will understand, Matteo has been gone for at least a lifetime!

Don helps Matteo with homework until the neighbour arrives to look after him, and then it's time for Don to get ready for the most important date of his life.

But Don has barely gotten into the shower before his phone goes off.

Typical.

Wait. Gina??

GINA I SWEAR I WILL DELETE YOUR MESSY ASS IF YOU KEEP THIS UP

Don has no time for her bullshit, though.

He's got a date. And you can die mad about it, Gina.

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