#;; we've all done this before (dash games)

[advertisesouls]

should've gotten these up sooner but oh well

blog tags and ship / character tag with @praeteritus-memories' alastor!

🔥 VISAGE → Hell's top advertiser at your service! if you want your fifteen minutes I'm the one to talk to. 🔥 MUSINGS → never the type to just kiss and tell — perhaps this will offer a glimpse of what she really is like. 🔥 AESTHETICS → who can deny the siren call of finer things? these items speak of who she truly is. 🔥 INBOX → you've got a new request! just who is it from? 🔥 DESIRES → this is just my way of unleashing the feelings deep inside of me. 🔥 MUSIC → we've got a special request from our caller. 🔥 MANNERISMS → she only lets people see the mask as every action is calculated. 🔥 WARDROBE → proper attire makes the appearance as they say but even she likes fancy garments. 🔥 STUDY → facets of who she really is underneath the calculating expression and demeanor.

🔥 OUT OF THE OFFICE → leave a message with my receptionist. 🔥 PROMOTIONS → a service? a product? a new book? whatever it is I'll promote it. 🔥 SELF-PROMOTION → of course you get a full page spread — it's YOUR paper after all! 🔥 DASHBOARD COMMENTARY → and just what is the rumor mill circulating today? 🔥 DASH GAMES → it's all fun and games until someone's bankrupt from monopoly.

🔥 RADIOFIRE 📻 i just want to start a flame in your heart; my soulmate; my other half — with you I feel whole. 🔥 ALASTOR 📻 the radio demon to most but to me he's the reason my heart has healed with his love and charm.

🔥 VERSE: BEFORE THE DAMNATION 🔥 a heart full of hate that's closed off; may the world burn for what it's done. 🔥 VERSE: HELL IS NOW YOUR HOME! 🔥 a second chance to continue the streak; from nothing to something almost overnight.

[felassan]

Snippets. 🐺💜 DA:TV spoilers under cut.

Kala has heard rumors that there may be merch pins coming of Assan and Manfred [source]

(Previous comment for context - Dev Brenon: "You can sprint, there is also a dash/dodge move you can do for short range mobility - though I don't tend to use that much when exploring.") A user asked on this, "Will it be a push-to-sprint key, a sprint toggle, or other (to be explained later)?". Brenon replied with some more detail on this feature: "Right now it's a pseudo-toggle, you press it once (while moving) to start sprinting and then as long as you keep moving you keep sprinting. If you let got of the movement controls, you stop sprinting." [source: the official BioWare Discord]

User: "if a choice i made 30 hours ago affects me.. best believe im restarting the whole game". Brenon: "Uh oh''. User: "UH OH???". Brenon: "I mean... we do have "decision saves" before big choice moments, but there are still a bunch that depend on a whole mess of stuff you've done earlier... so... yeah... RIP :P" [source: the official BioWare Discord]

They hope to get a bunch more BioWare-themed emojis for the Discord [source: the official BioWare Discord]

Trick Weekes has been signing DA:TV stuff with "with love and appreciation for your patience" [source]

Carly: "theres so much id love to say, but i unfortunately can't , that being said, i hear y'all and love working on a game for such passionate people and hope y'all enjoy when it does come out 💕" [source]

Actor signing attendees report that it was amazing and that we're in good hands with this acting cast. You can see more photos from it here [source].

Dev signing attendees report that it was packed. You can see another photo from it here [source]. and here is a photo of the sign from it [source]

Another photo of the booth [source]. Sometimes at the booth the devs had a Solas statue [source] (this is done by Dark Horse). I think Dark were also displaying somewhere a Varric and a Cassandra statue too, and I think these were the ones that Dark Horse do too (Varric, Cass), but I can't find the image or video where I originally saw this anymore, sorry >.<

The companion tarot-style art from the website was shown on the big screen at the acting panel [source]

A few more details from the actor panel, from an attendee: John Epler said that this is the best group of companions written because of their relationships with each other, not just Rook. They can become friends, lovers, rivals with each other. Zach thought that Lucanis was the coolest character he gets to play. It sounds like he mentioned Illario [I'm assuming] by name. Lucanis is quick-witted. Neve is a bit of a romantic. Jessica found voice acting freeing as it felt like playing pretend when she was little. In her role, she felt like she could embrace being very powerful. Neve is passionate. On Emmrich, "wisdom, calm to group, warm-hearted, loves learning". Emmrich has some fantastic lines. Along with working with Varric to track down Solas, Harding has also been working with Rook and Neve. Ali talked a lot about how much collaboration there is between BioWare, the actors and the material they're given to work with. Harding has been through some things and has more of an edge to her, but they can't talk about it! [source]

A few more details from the actor panel, from an attendee - Jessica Clark: "A lot of the time, we kind've really all bonded in the way that we were intended to, you know? And that's why we've been so excited all week and all weekend, because we can be like 'oh my god you're here', 'oh my god you're here, you're here, you're here', finally, you know? You know, I know on a lot of projects people are like 'oh yeah, we're all like, we love each other', but we really do, we really really do, and it just evolved so organically, and there was something magical about it just being our voices in the beginning, you know, like, sort've taking anything else out of the [equation.]" [source]

A few more details from the actor panel, from an attendee - Nick Boraine: "I think I've been preparing for Emmrich all my life. I was very attracted to the role initially, and I was so, I was so, I was overjoyed when I got it, because I think it was, the writing of Emmrich is really fascinating, it's this, this man that is obsessed with death, on one hand, but on death as a comfort, death as a transition, death as something that is not scary, and that, that ability to enable people to transition and the investment that he gives in that sphere, which we don't give in our own lives. I was immediately attracted to that and I thought that that was, I'd never seen that before, so to go in these two ways, to talk about death and to talk about it in a way that is kind, and that the transition becomes a kind transition, that was fascinating to me, and I think, will be fascinating to you too." [source]

A few more details from the actor panel, from an attendee - Zach Mendez: "[before they started shooting] I did kinda get an idea about how passionate the fanbase was, which made me really excited. I don't wanna say nervous, because I don't say I'm nervous, I say I'm excited. And so, before the first day of shoot, I was very excited. And luckily, you know, Ashley and them, didn't have me do too much on the first day. I played a lot of darkspawn. I darkspawn-ed my ass off, though. I want you guys to know, I really. And when I got home, I thought to myself, 'Zach, did you darkspawn hard enough?' I was just worried. You know, and within an hour I got texts from Jeff, who's a part of this cast as well, and G, telling me what a great job I did, and then I'll never forget, I got a call from Ali Hillis down here, and I'll remember that conversation, because for thirty minutes she made me feel like I was welcome in the Dragon Age family, and it gave me so much confidence moving forwards. So thank you, Ali, so much, I still remember that." [source]

[Character limit text break!]

Varric and Manfred: "not romanceable" [source] ?

Neve mostly eats deep-fried fish [source], it makes up the bulk of her diet [source]

Bellara loves pan-fried fish [source]

John on SDCC: "thank you to everyone who came out to the signing. thank you to everyone who came out to the panel. thank you to everyone who said hi, swung by the booth, or otherwise expressed how excited you were about the game. absolutely amazing experience. was wonderful to see you all" [source]

There's a lot of lovely concept art for DA:TV [source]

Trick Weekes: "One of the things I was proudest of was inviting leads from other teams/departments into writing peer reviews and having them later say, "Wow, those critiques went deep, but everyone stayed professional and compassionate the whole time." My junior-most writer knew she could tell me I was wrong." [source]

Violet: "As we get closer to DATV, I just want to send out a reminder Var lath vir suledin 😭" [source]

Derek on the casting department: "They really did an incredible job! Every single one of these folks deliver such amazing performances." [source]

Derek: "a lot of great talent doing awesome stuff from KY nowadays. I count myself extremely lucky that I can work on such an amazing project with such a wonderful team straight from my home state!" [source]

Michael Gamble: "i know a few people on the DA team, and i want them to have a nice time." [source]

User, on the recent word count news: "Sooooo , when will I (we) get to hear all these words". Michael: "hopefully when the game is out." [source]

User, on the news of no microtransactions: "This is great news that I hope survives past the review period". Michael: "it will" [source]

User: "What class have you been playing as in DAV mostly?" Michael: "mage. i light everything up. everything." [source]

DAMP / multiplayer mode is not returning [source]

Ghil: "Im very sorry for the teasing tweet but to be very real, i really miss playing veilguard and to stop THERE and have to wait over a year is killing me tbh. Im bothered. My crops are dying. I am withering. I want to know what happens" [source]

A user asked a question around if there are dialogue options and choices available in the game that indicate a mixed or less favorable positive perspective on Solas. Bria, a Councilmember, shared: "As an Egg Cracker, I was pretty satisfied with what we saw. I don’t want to go into spoilers but I was able to play my Rook the way I wanted when it came to the Sad Egg Man." [source]

User: "would you be able to tell us if you can change your perspective while in a fight? Those circles we saw on the video were kind of hard to see from that angle". Ghil: "Like a bit- no promises but they told us a lot of stuff like that would be in an accessibility feature. I get pretty motion sick so I remember talking about backing it up a bit." [source]

Kala: "The amount of gasping, screaming, @/ElbenherzArt having to lay on the floor, @/hattedhedgehog and @/chaosbria having to stand up from excitement and us just being in shock the whole time. Yeah 🔟 😎" [source]

Kala shared that there are moments in the game that she knows people will freak out about [source], that in terms of marketing, she knows that the devs have more things planned [source], and that she found Bellara endearing, despite not usually vibing with optimistic and energetic characters [source]

Kala shared that she feels that the Lighthouse is way cooler than Skyhold [source]

Also, in early May 2024 Zach appeared on a podcast:

Zach: "I'm very excited because it looks like at the end of this year, the video game that I've been working on for about three or so years is gonna come out, and I'm really excited for that. I'm gonna come back on and I'm gonna promote that, you guys, you will have no choice, I'm coming back on." Host: "Does the video game feature dicks?" Zach: "I can't say too much about it, but it, it doesn't ignore dicks, you know what I mean? It doesn't, you know what, there might be, yeah, there's, it's a sexy video game, it's a hot video game." Host: "So are you a character?" Zach: "I'm a character in the video game." --- Zach: "I'm gonna come back on to promote the hell out of that, because I'm really excited about that. I'm still working on that, and that's been, like, I'm super grateful for that, because that's been going on for like three years and it's been consistent work." --- Zach: "I'm super excited about it [...]" "Other people help you make really amazing things, when humans get together they make pretty stuff, and this game looks amazing"

[source (acting career segment. source link isn't work-appropriate. I don't recommend the podcast)]

[fluidstatick]

FCG's sacrifice | Critical Role - Bells Hells ep 91

If you've not seen Sam's video on the Crit Role channel, It's Been Awhile, go watch it now. Then come back and watch this again. Then bear with me, I need to talk about this for a bit.

When I saw this the first time I thought it was odd that everyone was crying so much. Laudna's death gave everyone focus, and Molly's was met with solemnity, but few tears. Why did Sam's decision rock the table so much harder this time?

Everyone is crying when FCG decides to sign off. Matt cries harder than we've seen since the C2 signoff. Taliesin hides his face. Liam is visibly crushed, and then snarling with rage, and then numb. Marisha is bargaining, Ashley is protesting, Laura is speechless. At the time I wrote it off as the cast being tired, frustrated by the Otohan battle, disappointed by a rough run of ineffective strategies.

Most of all, I thought Travis' body language and quiet remark were so strange. He's smiling throughout this death scene, eyes sparkling, awed, and he says in a level, sincere voice - "I'm so proud of you." We all know Travis laughs when he's panicking, so I thought he was just enjoying the symmetry of FCG's character arc. But now that we know why the table was so broken up at this, I understand Travis' amazement and pride, too.

Everyone is in tears because they don't know if Sam is going to come back. They don't know if he'll make it. They know they can't make their fear and hurt explicit, because it'll breach Sam's privacy at a very dark and frightening time. But he takes this poetically timed opportunity to allow Bell's Hells to endure. He removes himself narratively, preserves his privacy, and lays a plot point that will allow the others to channel their grief and fear into the game in his absence. Travis sees what this decision does not just for the narrative, but for the health of the brand. That's CEO Travis telling Sam how proud he is. And when FCG bolts for Otohan at a full dash, thinking about Bertrand, and Dorian, and Frida -- That's Sam, squaring up to cancer, thinking of his predecessors in the fight, his comrades in his own battle, and the people who most need him to win.

When Matt said "The stakes are higher than ever", he wasn't talking about Exandria. He was talking about Sam, the table's one of a kind friendship, and the joyful soul of CR. And nobody knew when or how they'd come out the other side.

At the Greek, When Ashton failed his wisdom save against Dominox and it used FCG's voice to accuse them of letting him die, I was thrown a little by Tal's performance. If Ashton failed the wisdom save, why is he so strong in the face of this accusation? But now I see it's Taliesin asking cancer, how dare you try to make us feel guilty while our best friend kicks your ass? How dare you tell us that we've fucked up, when we've all done everything in our power to protect this man that we love?

I didn't like Braius when he debuted. I thought he was too vain, too brash, too pushy. I thought he was a goofy swing and an ill fit for the party. But now, in context with everything we didn't see before, he's perfect. He's a husky-voiced warrior of few words, a jittery fanboy, a wounded jester, a powerful healing force of darkness, a joyful slut with a slit throat, so alive, alive, alive.

I could say so much more but I'm emotionally exhausted. Get your HPV vaccine. If your body needs pelvic exams, get them, every year, no slacking. If your body tells you something is weird, listen to it, and find a doctor who will also listen to it.

If you're reading this, I love you. Go tell someone who needs to know that you love them.

Fuck Cancer.

[sportsthoughts]

I am sick of Yohe's misery and spent five minutes thinking I wish I had ten nice things to read this morning before realising I could write them myself:

Jarry - who, let's not pretend otherwise, is not my favourite goalie in the NHL - was fantastic at lots of points especially at the start of the game (let's not talk about the bit where he wandered off at the end, we've all gone rouge at the end of a night out haven't we, let's not be judgemental). Do I know what makes a goalie fantastic? Not really. But he made lots of saves and there were many points where I thought we were done for but he came through. He really really tried and God loves a trier and it's also really nice that Ned got a bit of a break. Being a goalie for a special team like ours must be tiring

Nostril boy scored a great goal which is an enormous feat considering he was skating on a line with a Drew O'Connor who's shaved head looks so bad it would frankly throw anyone off their game. I wonder if Sid will now declare the baldness unlucky and send him to Geno's hair man

On that point - Doc admitted that his hair looks terrible - which, yes, I know that isn't exactly a win from a hockey perspective but it's a man showing self awareness which is a rare win for humanity and not to be overlooked. I think Yohe could actually really spice up his journalism by writing a piece on our hair to win ratio

Sid's assist on Raks' goal was gorgeous. Gorgeous!! It wasn't goal 600 but it was a point and a beautiful one AND we got to see him smile

Our powerplay wasn't horrific. Our PK wasn't horrific. At points they looked good! I didn't feel sick watching either and the dash managed to stay mostly sane!

All our young guys were pretty good! And hey!! We have young guys!! Young guys playing on our team!! Let us not be ungrateful for what we have. Do I squint at their numbers on my grainy livestream and say who is that? What line is that? Where did you come from? Yes, but change is sometimes good and they lower our average age by like ten years

Geno showed so much energy towards the end of the game. I know he didn't do much but my gosh he really tried! He clearly had the legs. I don't like to dwell on it but at some points last season he just looked slow and tired not quite there and last night he looked hungry for it! He's been so great this season. I could make a point about the motivational powers of the stache here but i'm not Rossi so i'll leave the RPF to those better qualified

Also, Geno's line started the game! We rarely get to see him being broody on the ice during the anthems so that was a lovely treat.

For my fellow stachefuckers, the sidstache (and rustache and others) are all going strong. How long will they survive? I'm not sure. But we've made it 20 days with our beautiful slugs intact and that's so much better than last year. We have so many pictures! So many gifs. So many clips of the stache being discussed! Movember 2024 has not disappointed

Finally, it was a Hockey Fights Cancer night! There were some lovely stories and it was so moving to see survivors celebrating at the game. I think this is where Sid would say something nice about hockey being more than a game and having the power to unite people and include them in a community and give hope and inspire and and and. So insert that here. I think he's right.

[0v3rcast]

Gnaw (part 1)

Contains: Body Horror, Blood, Violence

You had fallen to Teyvat some time ago, pulled down from the sky by a brilliant platinum star, the elements gently beckoning for you, all of them trying to prove their land the most suitable for your descent.

"Welcome back, Sea-shaper," Hydro murmurs, their voice the babbling of streams and the roar of the angry sea all at once. "Fontaine has such sights to show you. As you created, we have created to honor your actions. For your beauty, we have made our people beautiful. You will want for nothing-"

"COME TO US, HOLY TINDER," Pyro roars, its voice the starving crackle of flame and the churning of molten rock as volcanoes erupt. "NATLAN AWAITS YOU WITH AN OFFERING OF ENDLESS PASSION. YOU SHALL NEVER GO UNPROTECTED, UNLOVED, OR HUNGRY."

"Welcome, almighty Whirlwind of Creation," Electro purrs, speaking with the rattle-boom of echoing thunder. "Shall you grace my people with your presence?"

"Welcome home, Blessed Foundation," Geo hums, their voice the whispers of sand and the ancient growl of tectonic plates shifting. "Liyue has grown prosperous since you've last seen it. Perhaps you should come to us instead, where the riches of Teyvat could be put directly to use in pleasing you?"

"Don't listen to them, First Breath! We've waited for you the longest, like, a whole forever! We were first!" Anemo pleads, in the tones of breeze softly rustling leaves and howling tornadoes. "Even if you just stop by, that's totally fine!"

"You've finally come home, Heart of Winter? Good. We have missed you so." Cryo coos, the flurrying of snow and ancient creaking of glaciers their voice. "Snezhnaya may be a harsh land, but faith is enough to warm the bodies of my people."

"Flower of Irminsul, Root of All, please! You cannot come down! Another wears your face, please turn back if only for a few more days!" Dendro howls, desperate, voice a cacophony of falling trees and leaves rustling. "You ar-"

Dendro's voice fades as you pass the point of no return and begin to burn through the sky towards Mondstadt, Anemo ripping at the air to direct your course even as the other elements rage at them for their impudence.

As you fall, the memory of this conversation fades from your mind.

Welcome home, Maker, whispers the Abyss into the back of your mind.

Since that day, your time in Teyvat had become quite difficult. Whatever hopes you'd had for this world were soundly dashed.

Mondstadt 'welcomed' you with scorn and hostility for sharing the same face as their Heiliger Schöpfer, the Divine above Divines.

You were unsure as to why they hated you so, simply for your face- especially since that face is one that's otherwise looked kindly upon in this world.

You do your best to take in the sights, all the same. Though you are confused by the frosty reception, this place is so much more interesting than the game shows.

There are many more homes and people, you see (and pet) some stray animals, pick a particularly low philanemo mushroom after a couple seconds of jumping and stretching in an attempt to reach it, and generally just enjoy the (rather tense) locale.

Your confusion became fear when the Knights of Favonius begin to chase you. You'd done no crime, why would they hunt you like this, especially with such wrathful looks on their faces?!

The closest you get to meeting any of the allogenes on friendly terms comes when you breeze past Sucrose, yelping out a greeting to her. She just watches you go, incredibly confused, before a Knight accidentally bowls her over in his maddened rush after you.

Just as you exit the gate, the Knights just behind you, yelling curses and what you presume are threats-

P a i n.

Eula Lawrence just pushed a greatsword through your lungs and out your back. You have no clue how she got here so fast, where from, or how you didn't notice her.

You gag and choke as your blood quickly rushes into the space (and out of your body, simultaneously).

With a vicious yank, she tears it from you in a diagonal motion, nearly carving you in half.

A darkly satisfied look in her eyes is all you receive when you uselessly try to gasp for air and plead for help.

Your vision begins to fade, but before you can die of blood loss her boot comes down.

(Your nascent godhood activates the moment you die, and it plots a new trajectory: your misery will shape you until such a time comes that you will never feel this suffering again.)

You wake screaming in the woods, hands coming to clutch at your chest.

A massive golden scar lies just between your xiphoid process and sternum, perfectly horizontal in a way that only comes with practice.

Your clothes are covered in the brownish rusty red of old dried blood, and quite badly torn from where you were sliced nearly in two.

Breathing feels... easier, somehow. Like your lungs didn't just heal from immense trauma.

Your stomach aches badly and your mouth feels like it's full of sand. How long have you been laying here beneath the sun?

Your attempts to rise from this resting place are fruitless. You're so exhausted you can barely move your fingers.

Darkness slowly weighs your eyelids down and you fall asleep, even though you know you should not.

---

Elsewhere in the world, a being wearing your face stares up at a statue to themselves, noting with some alarm the golden scar across its chest.

The only recent news they had about an imposter was the Lawrence outcast running one through.

Now they'll have to find some way to replicate your scar and keep up the ruse.

"The original has truly descended, then... fine." They hiss, words venomous, glaring at the face of the statue. "If I can't have this place as my playground, then they won't get to have you."

---

The next time you wake, it is night, and the hunger in your belly is gnawing at you with such fervor that you feel lightheaded.

When you stand, your head twinges with pain as if to protest even this miniscule expenditure of energy.

Your body stumbles at first, briefly overcome by vertigo, but quickly adjusts.

Your mind changes its tune completely upon seeing a plump, ripe Sunsettia growing on its branch.

You desperately scramble over to pull the Sunsettia from the tree- only for it to drop into your waiting hands as soon as you reach up.

The 'how' of this doesn't quite matter to you in the moment. You bite into the ripe fruit and moan in bliss at the tart taste of the flesh and the sweetness of the juices. Within twenty seconds, you've reduced this fruit to a nubby pit, almost like a peach has.

That's kinda neat, actually. You distantly wonder what you have to crossbreed with a peach to make Sunsettias.

You pat the tree as if to thank it, not noticing that it suddenly stands a bit straighter or how its leaves are just a tiny bit greener, and go to find a nice place to put down this future Sunsettia tree.

You eventually get bored of looking for a good place and just poke a hole into the ground with a fallen branch, then stuff the remains of your first Sunsettia into the hole.

You wander off into the woods in hopes of finding a road, unaware of the golden-leaved sapling slowly growing behind you.

With a new source of energy in your system, you feel the urge to get moving- might as well make the most of this while you have it.

Your stamina is better than before, it feels like. Distances that previously felt difficult feel easier on your legs- and definitely on your lungs.

Perhaps this has something to do with your demise?

...what's that weird whistling soun-

You fall, dead, an Anemo-enriched arrow punching through the back of your head.

For a brief moment, you dream of a place deep beneath the surface of Teyvat, and a ruined statue oozing corruption into infinite darkness.

You wake with a small headache, very hungry, and more than a little pissed. Won't people just leave you the fuck alone?

Somehow, you feel sturdier. Less breakable. As nice as that is, you don't particularly feel up to testing it.

You stand.

Perhaps you should avoid civilization from now on.

[oceandiagonale]

Volo here got a speedrun record of getting into a meanful relationship AND breakup, bro just went for it

Meanwhile Guzma over here is stuck in a 500k slowburn fic like a true soldier

PFFFTTTTTT

volo, speedrunner: and if we stand in this spot at JUST the right time and we have the right Secret ID and world seed -- this is why we did the RNG manipulation at the start of the game -- you can clip out of bounds and go directly to the end credits. It's all really quite simple, I got it on my first try, though I did have an advantage in that I was familiar with most of the controls from the prequel series --

guzma, completionist: so we're almost done with collecting every recipe -- we just gotta remake a couple of 'em with different toppings and we're missing some of the desserts that're locked behind other events and the skilltree. Now we've been grinding up for skill points, but we're actually gonna put these towards upgrading our dash ability and mitigating effects of low sleep, it's gonna really matter in the next -- chat, I already TOLD ya the romance skill tree's locked for a couple more plot points -- no, I'm not gonna use a speedrun strat to activate it before the cutscene!! -- chat, this isn't rigged, it's -- you're here at an 100% stream, you're gonna have t'wait -- all right, knuckleheads, I'll unlock the screaming sound for 2 minutes if ya wanna waste all your channel points on it, but I'm gonna keep makin' mac n cheese while you're doing that -- IT'S NOT RIGGED!

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.153 Another one

It's 3 a.m., and I'm jolted out of that good good sleep because Desiree is screaming like she's trying to raise the dead or something. I jolt up, disoriented and dazed, and dash to the nursery to see what she needs, but when I get there, I see that she is flat out pissed. Of course, I don't like that she is unhappy, but her little down-turned eyebrows and poked out lip make me laugh. She looks like I owe her money or something, heh. Infant life is so hard. Your caretakers are asleep when you're awake, you can't do anything for yourself, and to top it off, there's no one to hold you at night. That's what she's really mad about because as soon as I pick her up, everything is peachy. She's getting so smart and figured out how to game the system and bend it to her will. When she screams, I come running and pick her up. Fortunately for her, I love holding her. At some point, however, she's going to have to learn she can't be in our arms 24/7.

She's so beautiful and looks more and more like Sophia every day. And she's strong too. I think it's time to get her mobile, or at least sitting up on her own. Then we can feed her in the highchair and start exploring different foods. As fun as that adventure sounds, I also kinda want her to stop growing for a little while. Tami, Dub's daughter, is a toddler already, and it feels like she was just born a few days ago. They grow up too fast, and before we know it, they'll be in high school making googly eyes at boys.

I tried to put her back in the crib a few times, but she had a fit at every attempt. It was just after dawn when she was sleepy enough to accept I know best. I need a nap too, but there's no use in trying to go back to sleep now. The sun is rising, so I grab Rosie and go for a jog. Fresh air and an increased heart rate will wake me right up. It's been a minute since we've done this, and she is stoked. My knees, on the other hand, are not. (sigh)

When I get to Dad's house, I want to stop in and say hello even though I know he's not there. It's so weird seeing it there, waiting for me to do something with it. I know grief is a process, and eventually I'll get to a place where seeing it brings back happy memories instead of reminders that he is no longer with us, but I want to be there now.

It's funny how being a parent changes how I look at the world. Things I've ignored for years suddenly become relevant. Like, I just realized there's a park behind his house. I probably saw it many times and forgot about it because it had nothing to do with me. But today, I feel like I'm seeing it for the first time and am glad Desi won't have to go too far to meet other kids and stretch her imaginative wings. At least I hope there are other children in this neighborhood. All the ones I knew are all grown up now. Regardless, there are plenty of places in this city where we can take her to socialize.

Just as I headed back home, Mama called to tell me Dwayne had passed away. I give her my condolences and tell her we'll be around as soon as Sophia wakes up. This is just not our family's week. Mama lost both her loves pretty much at the same time, and despite my feelings about that situation, it can't be easy for her to deal with, and I feel for her. But what alarms me the most is knowing her time is even shorter than I thought, and I don't know how to reconcile that.

[luciellita]

The Fallen Apple: Stained Memories

"Memories last forever."

╰---•❥ Written by: Lucielitta

A Haitani brothers x sister reader One shot.

Length: 1,666 words

"Don't you think it's also time?" The eldest peered in, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips; his voice trailing off the moment he looked forward.

"Nevermind," He dismissed with a soft chuckle, returning his gaze at the crimson red that was in his hand. "You're never sure of your answers anyways." The sound of the knife carefully peeling the skin off of the apple was quiet, steady.

"No, no," the middle mused, his smirk never leaving his face as he leaned on the wall beside his elder brother. "She's not one to decide on anything at all." His chuckle was a hint of fondness and humor as he thought about their sister. "She always has to have someone else tell her what to do."

"Yeah, that sounds about right." Ran hummed at Rindou's words with a small smile on his lips, finding it humorous. He snickered; reminiscing the time when they were younger.

When the evening scene would fall and the siblings snuck away from the harsh reality of living and escaped to the nearby playground, the empty expanse of the area served as their sanctuary. They would swing on the swings with reckless abandon, chased each other through the shadows in a game of tag, and fill the cold air with their laughter and fun, embracing the simple joy of being just kids.

"Not this time!" She ran as fast as her legs could go as she rounded a corner with fixed street lights. Her brothers followed behind as one stopped a halt. Holding her knee, she caught her breath. "That-that was fun!" She spoke between ragged breaths, smiling wildly. Though, Rindou was more worried than happy. "ARE YOU INSANE?!-" he practically yelled. Sure, he had his fun. But she surprised him with the sudden dash. Before he could say another mouth full of worry, his sister calmly spoke.

"Hey! Rin-nii, come on! It's okay. I mean," raising her hand, she softly pats him on the shoulder reassuringly. "When was the last time we've done something like this?" She expressed. It was true. It's been a long time since they have last done this. Ever since their involvements with a dangerous community, they haven't had much fun like this. All they did was wait, wait, and wait. Be there for each other and avoid danger at all times. But not today. This day, they're going to have fun.

No busy schedule, tiring days, or worry will stop her from having fun once in a while.

"Nii-chan-really. It's okay! Stop worrying so much. Come on. Let's have some fun," reassuring her anxious brother.

Sweat was running down his frowed brows and fogged his glasses. "Even just for a little bit." Wanting to let this slip, even just for once. As she looked at her brother, pleadingly.

"Fine... I give in." Rindou sighed heavily. Finally: giving in, cracking a slight nervous yet mischievous smile on his face. "Finally. You're so lame all the time." The girl teased, laughing lightly while he playfully rolled his eyes at her, adjusting his tilted glasses.

"Oi! You two!" An angry voice yelled behind, running after the two with urgency and worry. "Where are you going?!" The silhouette stepped into the light, casting the veins on his forehead. "You either get back here or else!" He warned.

The girl laughed in amusement as she grabbed Rindou's shaky hand, turning their backs on Ran and dashed for it. "I'M- I'M SORRY!!" The brother screamed, his coolness went away as fear took over him while he let his sister lead him away from the unavoidable trouble they faced.

He wondered, just what are they gonna do once Ran catches up to them?

The girl laughed nervously, a blurred mix of fear, adrenaline, and fun filled her senses. Her brother, Rindou, beside her, looked up at Ran with regret and fear in his eyes.

Ran snickered, laughter bursts out of his calm facade, "It's either that or she just freezes up and leave or do everything at once." He snickered at the memory, "It was so damn hilarious."

"I can't believe she just did that!" Rindou spoke with disbelief and nervousness in his face as he pointed at their sister, "I was just trying to catch her before you come back but- She just grabbed my hand and ran away!" He explained hurriedly to their older brother who wore a frustrated expression on his face. His two braided hair slightly disheveled from the chase.

"You..." Ran's voice trailed to a low grumble, burying his face into the palm of his hand before looking down on her, sighing. "I know you want to have fun but you have to let me know next time." He spoke to her, looking between Rindou and the girl. Even he can't handle her wild attitude.

Sweat ran down her forehead as she looked up their older brother with nervousness. Rindou, stepped back away from the tension with a apologetic look on his face for her.

"And next time..." His voice dropping na octave lower, a hint of warning in his tone. "Don't. Cause. Trouble."

"I'm..." She gulped, "Sorry..." She smiled nervously, standing still as his worried and frustrated figure walked towards hers.

His knife made its way around it's skin, separating it's flesh, it followed by a crisp snap that broke away from the flesh of the apple; snapping both the brothers thoughts away from the memories that kept them away, away from the recent incident that occurred because of themselves.

A quarrel between the Haitani's, a rare occurrence for them began in their residence. Harsh words were hurled at between the two; each word threatening their bond and loyalty towards one another as inner turmoil fogged the mind of the eldest's calm facade.

"Nii-chan! Just what is going on? Why are you doing this?? Why leave?!" Rindou let out a yell, slowly approaching him from the door, a mix of anger and confusion in his voice as he stared at Ran who turned his back on them.

"You two... Are well off in where you are. I don't want to bring any more danger in our family."

His response bubbled up emotions within Rindou. Worry, fear, and the unsureness of this sudden decision. "Do you even hear yourself?! We've always lived this kind of life- and you- you're just gonna leave when everything's going on our way?!" He questioned, seeking an explanation from his older brother's behavior. "You're being unreasonable! Maybe you should listen to us instead of trying to control everything yourself!"

Muffled voices rang in Ran's ears as his vision fogged up.

He had always thought that as long as they have each other, they can get through anything. Being the driving force behind their rise, that influence and power would allow them survival and living. But the moment he led them into the life of delinquency, danger loomed behind them like a cloud of raining disaster and that was then he knew that it was no longer enough.

With their sister's presence, he realized how fragile their lives were more fragile that he had thought. He couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to them, and he knew that his own actions and choices had led them down a dangerous path.

However, he realized that this life was his and his alone. His siblings did not belong in this world, no matter how skilled or resilient they were. It was a dangerous and unpredictable life, and he wanted to keep them as far away from it as possible. And so, he decided to distance himself now that he knows that they are well off by themselves. Away from the danger that he's carrying.

But how could they understand that when it's engraved in their minds about their loyalty and bond with one another?

His fists were clenched to his sides and as he spun around to beat some sense into his little brother. The time suddenly slowed down yet he couldn't stop his fist from swinging once from the sudden realization.

The girl stumbled backwards, her head crashed into the sharp corner of the ground with a sickening thud and crack. A gasp escaped her lips, her vision swimming as she crumpled to the ground. It left her dazed and disoriented. And within a few seconds, she let out a pained cry, her hand instinctively flying to the back of her head where a lump was starting to form.

The sound of her pain echoed throughout the room, snapping the brothers' horror-filled gazes of their sister on the ground. Ran rushed to her side as Rindou stumbled his way on her other, unsure of what to do while worry and fear overtook his mind.

Ran reached down to carefully lift her pained head up from the ground and placed her head on his lap while reassuring her that she'll be fine.

"Rindou! What are you doing there- call an ambulance!" Ran called, his voice breaking Rindou out of his shock as his hand shakily dialed the number and called the operator.

The elder brother looked down as sweat dripped down his forehead and onto her shaking form. Her blood was so red, it mixed with his hands' as her skin turned cold and pale.

It was in his hand-The pale unsliced innards of the apple were laid upon their eyes, leaving a reminder of their sister's current state.

She laid on her bed of white, skin; pale. The monitors hooked on her body made a rhythmic intervals that broke the stillness that sounded the room. Each a quiet, reassuring soft hissed whisper reassured her waiting brothers that she still clung onto to life.

He looked down at his hand, mind still in the past, feeling the slick warmth and seeing the vivid reddened hue staining his skin.

Ran wondered if it was her blood or just the lingering heat from the apple that still clung to his palm. Perhaps it was both.

- Did I do this Tumblr thing right?

Notes:

This is my first time in years since I started writing again so I'm starting to try to get comfortable with this.

It's messy but I tried.

[hazel-islivingtrash]

New chapter inbound! Satoru and Suguru have a little date together, which leads to them being covered in flour and [redacted]~

You'll have to wait until tomorrow to see where it takes them ;)

This chapter will be posted at my usual time of around 3pm eastern time! I meant to post this sneak peak yesterday but I was busy moving back home from college and revising the chapter :))

Also! Before we get into the sneak peek, I want to thank everyone for all their support and questions lately! We've hit 300 kudos on From the Start which is absolutely breathtaking😭😭 ❤️❤️ I've been having a lot of fun answering them and interacting with you guys <3 You're all the best! Lots of love❤️❤️

Now, sneak peek time~

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Sneak peek of chapter 15: More Than Anythin’ I Ever Felt Before (spoiler free)

“Almost done,” Suguru said, sliding over the tray filled with cupcake liners. “We’re gonna fill these around halfway then stick ‘em in the oven for around 18 minutes.”

Satoru nodded and started to help him, filling up all 12 slots, sneaking a taste of the batter when some of it dripped onto the pan.

He started trying to wipe up the mess he left on the counter as Suguru placed the cupcakes into the oven. They both cleaned up most of the mess, and as Satoru was tossing a paper towel into the trash can, a cloud of white dust curled around his head.

“What the…?” He said as he turned to Suguru, who was suspiciously hiding his hands behind his back, his eyes lit with a bright fire.

“What was that?” Satoru questioned, leaning to try to get a look at Suguru’s hands. He barely had enough time to register what was happening when one of those hands came up and splashed his face with flour. 

Suguru started laughing hysterically as Satoru stood there dumbfounded, his jaw hanging open in shock as flour dusted his face. Suguru had to brace himself on the counter, he was laughing so hard, which gave Satoru enough time to come to his senses for revenge. Two can play at that game.

He grabbed a handful of flour himself and dashed behind Suguru, bringing his hand up to the man’s chest to pull him upward. Suguru’s laughs abruptly stopped at that motion and turned into a shrill gasp when Satoru tossed flour back into his face.

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If this intrigues you, it would be amazing if you could check out my fic! Updates are posted every Saturday!

Current status of fic:

Current status of fic: 14 out of 25 chapters complete, just under 80k words ❤️❤️

**The story is rated mature and with a warning of graphic depictions of violence.

[666writingcafe]

Hello, hope you've been well! May I please have an order of,

“Look at you, squirming under me, all flushed and pretty looking. Can’t even take a little teasing, can you?” for Levi with a side of femdom if you don't mind

You've done such lovely work with your menu items, I'm 😍

Order #8

“Look at you, squirming under me, all flushed and pretty looking. Can’t even take a little teasing, can you?” Levi x FemDom!MC

I really wish MC was here right now. Their presence alone would have stopped tonight's dinner conversation in its tracks before it had even begun.

Unfortunately, they're in the human world with Solomon at the moment, running errands and visiting their parents, so I'm stuck having to listen to my brothers talk about pegging.

It predictably started with Asmo recounting one of his latest adventures at the club. Apparently, one of the frequent succubi visitors convinced him to go home with her and have her top him. Normally, I'd pop in my earbuds and drown him out with music, but Lucifer has recently put a ban on using our phones at the dinner table. I get that he wants us to bond as a family or whatever, but if that's the case, then he really ought to set some ground rules for appropriate conversation topics, because I'm pretty sure Asmo's sexual escapades would not make the list. Then, at least I can sit through a whole meal without feeling the need to throw up.

"Don't get me wrong, it was a nice experience, but I felt like something was missing," Asmo tells us. "It was almost like...I didn't trust her authority or something. Isn't that weird?"

"Not necessarily," Satan replies, much to everyone's shock. "Think about it for a second: we've all given control over to someone else. We feel an obligation to serve this particular individual in a way that we haven't ever done previously, which will make it harder for another person to change where our loyalties lie."

"I guess, but there's no way she's done something like that, right? I mean, getting on top and riding is one thing, but to have that much control over someone? Surely she'd think it was crossing a line and potentially abusing her power?" Silence. Lucifer and Beel exchange glances before taking a sip out of their drink, and Mammon's face reddens as he stares down at his plate. I try to take the opportunity to excuse myself so that I can hole up in my room, but Belphie's voice stops me in my tracks.

"MC has, and she will continue doing so." I nearly drop my plate. You would think that I'd be used to my brother's bluntness by now, but there are times where it still catches me off guard.

"And how would you know, Belphie?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Asmo's eyes widen.

"When did this happen?" Belphie shrugs.

"Last time she was staying with us."

"And you did it before me?!"

"You were busy. She didn't want to bother you." Belphie pauses. "Although if you're looking for the person who put the bug in her ear to begin with, I'd focus your attention at the head of the table."

"Seriously, Lucifer?!" I take advantage of the ensuing squabbling to leave the dining room completely. Putting my dirty plate in the sink, I dash up the stairs and into my bedroom, quickly closing the door behind me before sinking down into my gaming chair.

I'm more flustered than anything else. To be honest, I've thought about asking MC to do that sort of thing with me, but I was afraid they wouldn't be into it. But the fact that they've done it multiple times with different people...

I boot up my computer and pull up the human world's take on Solitaire on it. I don't have to think too much about it, and it should distract me from the unwholesome thoughts brewing in my head, at least for a little while.

~~~

Bzz-bzz.

A text notification.

Are you awake?

Shit.

yeah. everything okay?

Yep. Will be outside your door in a moment. I have a present for you.

I swallow nervously as I get up from my chair and walk towards the door. After the events at dinner, I can't imagine MC's visit is going to go all that well; I'm going to end up being a stammering mess.

Turning the door handle, I step out of the way so that she can enter my room. She's wearing a black trench coat, the belt tying it shut around her waist.

"Close the door." I do as she asks, and she mutters something as she draws symbols on the door with her finger. When she's finished, the symbols faintly glow white.

"Making sure no one can barge in and interrupt us," MC explains, stepping away from the door before plopping down on the beanbag chair in the corner.

"Your brother blew up Solomon's phone. He was furious over what was discussed over dinner tonight, and I think Solomon only succeeded in enraging him even more. I figured that if he felt that way, then you'd be moments away from flooding the damn place, and I wanted to make sure you were okay." I know she can see right through my forced laugh.

"I'll be fine," I tell her. "Just a lot to take in, that's all."

"Understandable. Didn't think I'd be into it, but I've come to enjoy making powerful, stoic men whimper and beg for me." Another swallow. I feel my face warm up.

"Solomon's been a bad influence on you," I murmur.

"Oh, I've always been blunt. I just know when to reel it in and when to let it out. Which brings me to my main point." MC stands up and beckons me over to her.

"I want you to unwrap me," she instructs. My brain momentarily shuts down, but then with shaking hands, I untie the coat's belt. MC pulls her arms out of the coat and lets it drop to the floor, revealing...

Fuck.

I find myself dropping to my knees.

It's my color.

"I knew you'd like it," she whispers, gently stroking the plastic strap-on. "I found it the other day at one of the shops Solomon and I stopped through. Wanna touch it?"

I tentatively wrap my hand around it and instantly freeze. It shouldn't feel like that.

"Magic, I'm assuming?" MC nods their head.

"Created to feel like the real thing to the person on the receiving end. They had different colors, and I might go back and get more, but I wanted to test it out with you first, if that's okay with you."

I'm in a daze as she helps me up and guides me over to my bed. A recent purchase, mainly for MC's benefit. The bathtub is too small for two people, after all.

She removes my pants and underwear and tosses them to the side, then reaches over me to grab the lube off the bedside table. Once her fingers are coated adequately, she circles my rim a couple times before sticking one inside.

The sensation makes me squeak, and a couple thrusts have me shaking at her touch. MC giggles.

"Look at you, squirming underneath me with that pretty flush all over your face," she coos. "Can't even take a little bit of teasing, can you?"

Taglist: @lost-in-time-wanderer, @fuzztacular, @dianedancer18, @sweetbrier2908, @flare-love, @completelyshatteredbrokenmschf, @thunderlightning351, @l3v1chan, @anxious-chick, @5mary5, @expressionless-fr, @tenkobitch, @budbuddnbuddy

[blackjackkent]

Prompt fill for @theajaheira from this ask meme: Lord Huron Lyric Prompts

Jaheira - "do you know what loneliness does to a man"

As I'm doing more often these days - didn't use the exact quote but let it inspire me and then modified a little to fit the story. Set about ten years pre-BG3. Caden is my Bhaalspawn PC from BG1/BG2. Hope you enjoy! c:

-----

Caden’s eyes drift half-open drowsily and he stares up at the ceiling of the guest room of Elerrathin’s Home. At first he’s not sure what woke him - perhaps one of Jaheira’s small horde of adopted children causing chaos downstairs - but then he hears it. A muted, rhythmic, slightly atonal whistling coming from the roof.

“D’you hear that?” he mumbles. Aerie, still sleeping peacefully at his side, doesn’t answer. After a moment’s hesitation, he gives in to his curiosity and slides carefully out from under the blanket so as not to wake his wife.

It’s a little hard to find the route upwards, presumably so the children don’t make use of it - a ladder carefully inset into the climbing vines along the upper floor’s rear balcony. (Plants among more plants - the balcony is strewn with pots of flowering buds, jars of dirt waiting for use, long planters with the stems of autumn vegetables just starting to poke into view. Like so much of Jaheira's house, it is a sanctuary of green amidst the dusty brown of the city streets.) Caden carefully avoids damaging any of the vines as he clambers up the ladder; his shoulder twinges with the unexpected exertion and he grunts. Gods, getting old, aren't you, boy?

Emerging onto the gentle slope of the roof, he blinks, for a moment dazzled by the brilliant orange of the sunrise against which the endless buildings of the Lower City are silhouetted. The fall air is crisp and cold and raises goosebumps on his skin as he steps out of the cozy warmth of the house below. 

Jaheira sits with her back to him on the edge of the rooftop, looking out to the west away from the sunrise and towards the grey sheet of the harbor not yet touched by the daylight. Her head is ducked slightly, and it takes him a moment to realize that the strange sounds are coming from her - she’s playing, very unsteadily, a simple tune on a small and very battered tin whistle. 

He moves softly, but she hears him anyway, and her head snaps up, turning to glance over her shoulder. She fists one hand tightly around the whistle, dropping it into her lap as if to hide it. “Ah. You’re awake, my friend,” she says.

He smiles. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just came up to listen.”

She snorts softly. “We have known each other long enough that there is no need for flattery, Caden.”

“I didn’t say I was listening because it was good.” He sticks his tongue out at her.

This elicits a soft laugh, and her shoulders relax slightly. “No, I should think not. I cannot quite get the touch for it, despite my efforts.” She lifts the whistle again and turns it slowly in her fingertips, watching as it catches a muted reflection of the slow-rising sunlight. “I do believe it is mocking me.”

He grins, moving to sit beside her so his legs dangle off the roof edge. “I’m sure someone in the city could teach you.”

“For coin and time - neither of which I have to spend on such frivolity,” she says wryly.

He raises an eyebrow. “Ah, right, you’re the High Harper now. No more fun and games, hm?”

“Just so.”

“There are those who would say we, of all people in the world, have earned a little frivolity,” he points out.

There’s a dash of humor in his voice, though, because he already knows the answer she will give him even before she speaks the words. So he’s not surprised when she shakes her head. “There is always yet more work to be done,” she murmurs. “For the city. For my children. Perhaps for the world, if it should have need of me again.”

Caden juts his lower lip out stubbornly. “If the world should have need of me again, someone can bloody well tell it that I'm not available for hire. And nor is Aerie. We've given enough.”

“You and Aerie have many happy years yet ahead; I would not take that from you,” Jaheira says quietly. 

A pause, and then she laughs again, but this time it is a somewhat darker sound, sardonic, self-deprecating.“But… ah, well. You see that this is what loneliness will do to a woman.” She gestures vaguely with the whistle. “She takes to brooding on rooftops and plotting self-sacrifice, and tormenting the local cat population with the squeaks of a whistle.”

Caden frowns. “Is that what you are?” he asks. “Lonely?” 

Her head jerks, her gaze flicking away out across the buildings around them. Then she smiles, and suddenly the moment passes, the tension in her face loosening. “We may call that a slip of the tongue,” she says mildly. “What time do I have to be alone, with that crop of rascals running about downstairs? Not to mention the Harpers under my command - who seem younger every year. And you, just now, as my guest.” She shakes her head. “No - I am not alone, and for that I am grateful.”

“Alone and lonely are not the same thing,” he says gently.

Again that flicker of a shadow crosses her face. “Do not press me on this, cub,” she says. “A slip of the tongue, no more.”

“Cub. You’re not really so much older than I am, you know,” he says dryly.

“Nonsense.” Her expression softens as she glances at him affectionately, and then she grins. “You were the first wayward child I ever raised, long before Rion.”

“I was twenty!” He laughs, nudging her gently in the shoulder. “But believe whatever you want.”

She smiles. Whatever dark thoughts led her to the rooftop seem to have passed, or at least burrowed themselves into better hiding; she tucks the whistle casually into a pocket and pushes herself to her feet. “Come. I will leave aside this travesty against melody, and let us go down to breakfast.”

[lifesver]

Im so in love with you and your friends’s interpretations of the victims, can I ask how you and your friends are able to develop such interesting lore for them?

hey anon! this is so, so kind, thank you sm for the message <3 ;; honestly like, i think the best answer is everything my writing partners/pals and i have written on these blogs has been a slow-cooked built over time kind of endeavor! stuff that has definitely changed and developed majorly over the months that we've been hanging around on this goofy website, haha.

i started with this blog back just before the public beta test happened for the game, and for a little bit it was just me and rae sitting here like 'well what if we just made blogs for super niche horror game characters'. which tbh, something rae and i have historically loved to do with our diff muses on diff blogs, just kind of grabbing characters that have limited lore but exist in a cool universe and have a cool 'starting point' to jump off from, sort of. it gives a lot of space to really get creative imo.

ALL THAT TO SAY rae and i were working with like... beta gameplay, character models/cosmetics/baseline lore snippets, and doing dumb stuff like combing through gameplay vids just to try and collect voicelines to see how these characters might interact w each other! and we had some months to wait before the game would actually release, so in that time we simply started crafting our own ideas and it kinda built organically! just sending prompts back and forth, trying to think about what some of the key story beats would be, as if we were retelling a movie or w/e. but i think the most fun part about tcsm is that the inherent gameplay, and how differently each match can go, lends itself well to creating all kinds of different trajectories of where the story Could go, some endings happier than others, some allowing us to explore more dark themes.

for me that's a big part of what keeps me writing on this blog-- the possibilities for exploring, esp within the slasher genre. esp within the texas chainsaw franchise, where imo, the protags are often sidelined/cut down, and where the antagonists can sometimes be more complex and even sympathetic at times. the game itself, despite what the creative team later said, implies that there's the possibility that the victims survive this horrifying event. and there's like, not a lot of exploration done in that area within slashers, i feel? when i do see it, i cheer furiously tbh like hell yeah halloween hell yeah friday the 13th 4-6 hell yeah anoes 1 + dream warriors hell yeah scream movies. i just think there's a lot to expand on in terms of the effects and healing process of trauma, the emotional connection between the characters, and complex dynamics in general that might tend to get overlooked in stories like this usually.

but anyway, through just being silly and passionate, we met our other friends who were equally silly and passionate about the game/genre/franchise/characters/etc, and started slowly connecting our ideas. like sometimes we'll just slam our general verse ideas on the dash, and someone else will start cooking with it and thinking about it, and then we have a whole connected au going. sometimes we'll be writing with each other, and naturally bring up other characters in those replies and it gives a little bit of worldbuilding too.

roleplaying is honestly such a rewarding hobby, bc i get to collaborate with really talented writers and help bring a cohesive narrative together. idk it's like instead of having to sit and write your story by yourself, you got a funny little writers room. except we're all throwing paper airplanes and also crying on the floor sometimes. but like, you naturally get to bounce ideas off each other and learn how your muse would handle certain situations just by interacting with another muse, you know? and i get to read my friends' stuff and go wow! that was a cool use of wording! or wow i really love how they visualized this scene/character thought process, and then i am able to implement certain things to improve how my own writing goes.

when you find writing partners that really Get You on that front and have the same style of worldbuilding as you, it's just really awesome and keeps the passion and muse flowing in a funny echo chamber almost. and it's like, even for people i've written with that haven't stuck around for whatever reasons, sometimes pieces of their portrayals of their own muses will stick with mine, like we all kind of help each other build our character interpretations out. and even if they end up very very canon-divergent as lore is slowly drip fed to us by the devs, we're confident in what we do have built and just kinda change and work things in as we go. it's just nice and no pressure around here, and it's rly just built off of and inspired by each others individual creative passion. ik that's how it is for me, anyway! i love seeing my friends just say w/e random hc about their muse bc then suddenly we might all be talking about a related hc for our individual muses, that kinda thing!

i'm sorry this was super long winded! i hope that kinda answered the question, i got a lil carried away LMAO but thank you again for idk, perceiving our stuff! it's not like fic writing on ao3 so it's always a pleasant surprise when ppl stumble upon our nonsense it's like oh hey man- welcome to our weird little corner!

[reve-writes]

—courtyard kisses. | hades game zagreus x reader.

he's trying to escape. again. you need to stop him. again.

IF IT WEREN'T FOR ZAGREUS, you wouldn't have to be posted at the House of Hades for most of the day—or night, you could never really tell in the Underworld. As much as you loved his company, Zagreus was always too stubborn for his own good. Now, his hard skull was fixated on escaping to the surface and many were already assigned by Lord Hades to do everything in their power to stop him.

“Ah, ___,” He greeted you as he dashed quickly into his bedroom, seeming slightly disheveled. You rolled your eyes, following him inside as he rinsed his face with the basin by his bedside.

“Pleasant trip?” You asked.

“As pleasant as the last twenty,” he replied, dabbing the water on his face dry with a towel. “I might go for the twenty-second trip.”

You collapsed on the quilted sofa in his room. “Seriously, Zag? Take the day off. I can't be bothered to fight you for the fifth time today.”

“This will be easier if you simply let me pass, my dear ___.” Zagreus leaned against the doorway to his courtyard, shooting a pleading look towards you.

“Stop looking at me like that. While you have no concerns with upsetting your father, some of us actually don't want to be on the receiving end of his wrath.”

“Well, in that case.”

He immediately dashed out of his room and you peeled yourself off of the chair, running after him. When you reached the courtyard, he was still standing there by the railing with an amused look on his face.

You groaned in frustration, pushing him by the chest until his lower back was pressed against the balustrade. “Get back inside, Zag.”

Zagreus chuckled, combing his dark hair back with his fingers. You thought your heart skipped a beat. “And if I don't?”

You unsheathed one of your blades—one half of your double-ended sword and held it in front of you. “We've done this dance before. You know I don't want to hurt you.”

The two of you treated it as a normal sparring session, although usually Achilles would be there overseeing Zagreus' training. Usually, neither of you would actually be dead, as well. However, Zag's escape attempts had all turned regularity into chaos.

“Me neither.” Zag raised both of his hands up in surrender. You lowered your weapon, thinking that at least, for today, Zagreus would just stop running amok in the Underworld, but you underestimated how stubborn he was.

With a swift motion, he had knocked the short blade out of your hand and twisted his body around you, so now you were the one pressed against the balustrade. Your hands were clutching the top of the railing. His calloused hands covered yours, applying slight pressure to keep you in place. Your thighs were slotted in-between his. The lack of space was both suffocating and exhilarating at the same time.

“What are you doing?” You asked, trying to wriggle free. You couldn't move an inch without brushing against him.

He leaned forward and you felt his breath on your face. Instinctively, you leaned backwards, away from him. He smiled smugly. “What do you want me to be doing?”

A flush crept up your neck as his mismatched eyes bore into yours. It would be so easy to lean forward and kiss him. Blast. He was the Prince of the Underworld, dammit! You were not going to kiss him. You had known each other for most of your lives, anyway. It would be weird if—

“Let's make a deal, ___. I'll make sure Father doesn't know you're slacking on your guard duty.” He raised an eyebrow invitingly.

“You can't make sure of that,” you retorted, trying to push him off of you, but he didn't budge.

“He will be too busy being furious at me to care, ___. Moreover, do you really enjoy fighting me to death every time?” He emphasized his question with a frown.

You sighed, letting your head fall onto his shoulder. “You know I don't, Zag.”

He hummed. Zagreus tilted your chin up with one hand, forcing you to look at him. He's beautiful, you thought. The ambient dark lighting of the underworld framed him perfectly, showing off his sculpted jaw and brushing against his dark hair.

Like this, he only needed to say the word and you would be willing to do whatever he required of you.

“If I have to fight you one more blasted time, I may actually lose my mind,” he whispered. His free hand slid up your arm, to the back of your neck, tangling in your hair. While your heart was thumping so fast it could beat Hermes in a race, you held his gaze for one long moment, and then two.

“Okay, Zag,” you finally replied.

His eyes were unfocused, sliding down to stare at your lips. “Huh?”

“Let's make a deal,” you said. “I am frankly tired of fighting against you multiple times a day— Zag? Are you listening?”

“Can I kiss you?” He said that as if he was in a dream-like trance.

Did you mishear? Your eyes widened as his question registered and you subconsciously licked your lips.

“Stop kidding around, Zagreus.”

His different-coloured eyes shifted to stare into yours. He repeated the question once more, with the same stubborn look he would give you whenever you advised him against doing something.

“Can I kiss you, ___?”

The corners of your lips twitched upwards and you leaned forward, closing the gap between your lips. Your hands made their way up his chest to circle around his neck while he cradles your face, pressing his body against yours so impossibly close until all your senses were overpowered by him. You felt him everywhere on your skin. His taste lingered in your mouth. All you could hear was your own heartbeat and his gasps for breath.

His teeth caught your lower lip gently as he pulled away to trail kisses down your jaw to your neck. Your hands tangled in his hair as he pressed your body towards him.

“Zagreus,” you sighed out when he gave the juncture of your neck a tentative bite.

It felt like forever until the two of you broke apart with racing breaths. His thumb swiped at your lips as he reluctantly pulled away from you, while still keeping an arm around your waist. You smiled at him, brushing your hand through his hair to comb out the messiness.

“We should have done that sooner,” Zagreus said, chuckling.

“This is one of the rare occasions when I think you're absolutely right.”

Zagreus smoothed out your outfit as he finally let go of you. You tugged at his chiton to fix it as you stole another peck from him.

“Go show them, Zag. I'll be here when you return.”

[ ].

[nightingaelic]

Alright, let's spin my sexy little wheel with every challenge, exploit, and perk in the game. 3... 2... 1... And it's landed on the Infinite Companions Glitch. Companions react to traveling as a group, Fallout 4 & New Vegas.

And what occasion would bring everyone together like this, I wonder

Fallout New Vegas

"I've had worse," Raul admitted, chewing thoughtfully.

"See?" Veronica offered some of the toasted night stalker tail to the others. Boone and Arcade declined, but Cass laughed and humored her. Lily daintily took a piece as well, and Rex snapped up the rest with relish.

"And that's normal for you," Arcade said, clearly dismayed. "When you're out on your own, hunting for supplies - you just cook up whatever attacks you that day, whether it's venomous or not."

"Beggars can't afford to be choosers, doc," Cass replied, crashing her shoulder into his.

"But we can," Arcade insisted, digging through his pack. "I've got pork and beans, I've got mutfruit, I've got cornmeal and brahmin jerky and barrel cactus-"

"Then save it for when we don't have coyote snake meat," Veronica suggested with a smile. "I cooked the tail, Arcade, not the fangs. If you really want to have a heart attack about wasteland diets, ask Six for their radscorpion venom casserole recipe."

"Very tasty," Lily rumbled, with a wistful look on her face.

Arcade gave up and began unsealing the can of pork and beans with his can opener. The tool broke halfway through the task and fell to the sand in front of the fire. The rest of the companions made noises of sympathy, and ED-E swooped down to scan it immediately. Arcade put his face in his hand and passed the can to Boone, who pulled out a knife and resumed prying it open.

"Dame eso, por favor." Raul nudged ED-E away gently and bent down to pick up the fallen can opener. He looked it over, then pulled a screwdriver out of his jumpsuit pocket and began tightening the faulty hardware while the eyebot watched with interest.

Boone loosened the top of the can sufficiently and pulled out a small, enamel saucepan from his pack. He dumped the pork and beans into it and set it in the nearby campfire's embers, watching it like a hawk from behind his sunglasses.

"Big day tomorrow," Veronica remarked, licking night stalker grease from her fingers.

"You said it." Cass leaned back on her pack and pulled her hat down over her eyes. "Almost makes a girl wish she'd written her story down. In case of the worst."

"You'll be fine," Veronica reassured her, though there was a little trepidation in her own voice. "We'll all be fine. A positive attitude is half the battle."

Boone shook his head and unearthed a spoon from his pack. Cass caught the movement and raised an eyebrow. "What do you reckon our odds are, sniper?"

"Hard to say." Boone crouched down to stir the pot of beans.

"We've done everything we can," Veronica insisted. "We got my family, Arcade's, even the Boomers... it might be enough."

"Enough, not enough..." Cass shrugged. "There's no other way. We fight, or the Mojave burns."

Boone nodded. Arcade ran a hand through his hair and stared into the fire. Lily patted Veronica on the shoulder, and the Scribe leaned into it, chewing her lip as she did. Rex, who until this point had been stretched out before the campfire, perked up suddenly. One by one, the companions turned in the direction of the cyberdog's interest. The crunch of boots and rustle of creosote heralded the courier's arrival, returning from their perimeter check.

Immediately, the mood lightened. "Hey boss," Raul greeted them. "Turn the radio on?"

The courier obliged. Radio New Vegas was halfway through Peggy Lee's "Johnny Guitar," and everyone around the campfire groaned.

Fallout 4

"Come and get it!" Piper yelled.

There was a mad dash for the first helpings of stew, with MacCready, Cait, and Deacon all elbowing and shoving to put their bowls forward. Codsworth doled out ladles with some exasperated remarks about manners and decorum, but the bot couldn't completely contain his delight that his cooking was such a hit. Curie, Preston and Piper formed an orderly line behind the first three ruffians, while Hancock finally shook himself free of the nap he'd been taking and stretched leisurely before the campfire, nearly knocking away Nick's cigarette in the process. "Watch it," the old synth warned him.

"Can you even process that?" Hancock wondered aloud. He pulled one of his own cigarettes out and touched it to the end of Nick's to light it.

"Old habits die hard," Nick replied.

"Ain't that the truth." MacCready sat down on the other side of Hancock. "Still find myself itching for one, occasionally."

"Strong hungry," Strong complained from the other side of the fire.

"Sorry, big guy," Deacon said, waving his spoon at the super mutant. "Cooked food goes to the FEV-free crowd first. General's orders."

"I still don't think we should be feeding an... a mutant at all," Danse muttered from the back of the stew line.

"Watch it, tin can," Hancock growled.

"Lighten up, Danse," Cait suggested. "He's going to kick in the Institute's back door with the rest of us tomorrow morning. You don't want him going in on an empty stomach, now do you?"

Strong stood suddenly and flexed his arms. "Strong go hunting!" he announced, before crashing into the nearby brush.

Piper took his abandoned seat and turned to check his meager pile of possessions. "Didn't even take his sledgehammer. He must be starving."

"Hunger is not known to inspire patience," Curie commented, sitting next to the reporter. "Puis-je avoir du sel?"

X6-88, who had been hanging back and munching on an Institute-issued ration bar, passed her the shaker of salt from Codsworth's supplies. Curie thanked him and added a dash to her stew. "How are you feeling about tomorrow?" she asked him.

"I am prepared," X6-88 replied, but the space between Curie's question and his answer was enough to betray the Courser's unease.

"You know, we could use a lookout to cover us," Nick said casually. "In case things go bad enough that we need to retreat."

"Retreat is not an option," Danse cut in. "The Institute's grip on the Commonwealth ends tomorrow."

Preston cleared his throat. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, Danse, but Nick's just being practical. Two of us should stay behind to guard the entrance to the cooling water tunnel system. If X6-88 wants it, one of those spots is his."

X6-88 nodded. "This would be acceptable."

"Fine." MacCready gulped down a spoonful of stew. "Who gets the other spot?"

The companions all looked at each other. Deacon coughed, and Hancock scratched around his collar, avoiding eye contact with anyone. "I'm not missing out," Cait muttered. Clearly, there weren't going to be any volunteers.

Codsworth, sensing an approaching presence, swiveled two of his eye stalks away from the stew he'd prepared. "Perhaps we should ask the general."

The sole survivor approached the fire from the southwest, huffing a little from their hike up the nearby embankment. "Ask me what?" they said.

"We need two rear guards at the tunnel entrance tomorrow," Preston explained. "X6-88 is one. We want you to choose the other."

"Oh, easy." The sole survivor bent down to scratch the ears of the German shepherd that had loped into camp with them. "Dogmeat. If he gets shot down there, I'll never forgive myself."

Deacon jabbed a finger at them. "I knew you loved that dog more than us!"

The sole survivor grinned. "He gets in way less trouble than all of you. Come on, if you're really that stuck on this decision, we'll draw straws."

[kissoflightning]

A Long Way Down

KissOfLightning

Summary:

What were Chris Miller & Gavin Reed up to that night after Hank & Connor took over the investigation at Eden Club?

Rating:

Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Category:

Gen

Fandom:

Detroit: Become Human (Video Game)

Relationships:

Chris Miller & Gavin Reed

Leo Manfred & Gavin Reed

Characters:

Gavin Reed

Chris Miller

Leo Manfred

Additional Tags:

Leo Needs a Hug

Hurt Leo

Emotional Hurt/Comfort

One Shot

References to Drugs

References to Depression

Suicide Attempt

Gavin Reed Being an Asshole

Chris Miller POV

Language:English

Series: Carl Dies

Published:2023-11-20

Words:2,371

Chapters:1/1

A Long Way Down

Notes:

What were Chris Miller & Gavin Reed up to that night after Hank & Connor took over the investigation at Eden Club?

First half is serious, second half is silly fluff~ Chris Miller gets a POV story like he deserves!   CW: Attempted Suicide

Work Text:

Saturday, November 6th, 2038

Gavin Reed was inspecting the crime scene; the man known as Michael Graham had been found dead at Eden Club. The scene showed the deceased man in a bed with bruises on his neck, and an incapacitated brown haired female Traci android across the room. Gavin examined Michael's corpse closely; the bruising was an indicator the victim had been strangled. "Now the question is..." Gavin speculated out loud as he crossed his arms. "Did the android act with the intent to murder him, or did he just not know when to call it quits? Is the killer a deviant or a defective android that wasn't inspected properly?"

The door to the room whooshed open. As the cop and detective noticed who had entered, Gavin opened with "Lieutenant Anderson and his plastic pet. The fuck are you two doing here?" He sounded confused.

"We've been assigned all cases involving androids." The android informed.

Oh Reed was NOT going to happy about that! "Oh yeah? Well you're wasting your time. Just some pervert who uhh...got more action than he could handle!" Gavin laughed boisterously.

"We'll have a look anyway. If you don't mind." Anderson told him.

Surprisingly Reed did not complain or cause a scene. "Come on let's go." He told Chris. The detective passed between Anderson and Connor wafting his hand in the air. "It's uhh..." He sniffled. "Starting to stink of booze in here." He purposely nudged against the android on his way out.

"Good night Lieutenant." Chris said in farewell before leaving. The cop did not have any personal qualms with Connor; he was polite and seemed to know what he was doing. As for the lieutenant, Chris held respect for him in the highest regard.

Gavin stormed off to the car and slammed the door shut after entering.

Chris settled into his seat. "Well you handled that surprisingly well." He pointed out.

The detective shoulder checked and pulled out of the parking lot. Once Gavin was on the road, he shouted angrily "It wouldn't have done shit if I had an outburst in there! It's FUCKING BULLSHIT Chris! Every time there's a case involving a fucking android, Drunkerson gets it just because he's been paired with that pretentious plastic prick! I'm SUPPOSED to be working in homicide - but my cases keep FUCKING getting taken over by that obnoxious tin can! At this rate I'm going to get my fucking job REPLACED before I can get a promotion!" Gavin angrily slammed his fist on the dash, and lost his grip on the wheel for a moment before it veered to the side.

Chris' heart rate escalated. In panic he exclaimed, "Shit Gavin! You're going to get us killed! How about we stop somewhere for a bit to chill out."

The detective took a heavy sigh. Chris understood Gavin needed to vent, but none of this was his fault. "Okay...there's a place I like to go when I need to think. We'll stop there for a bit." Gavin declared.

As Gavin drove along Ambassador Bridge, Chris noticed a figure standing near the ledge. "Shit! I think that person's about to jump!" Chris warned.

The detective stopped his car and activated his hazard lights. Thankfully there was not much traffic coming through. "Chris, stay a few feet behind me." Gavin ordered while cautiously stepping out of the car. "Hey, you! What are you doing?" He shouted to the individual standing on the ledge.

As the figure looked back and talked to Gavin, they recognized who it was. "I'm going to jump! Please leave me be. I can't go on anymore!" The man's name was Leo; they had seen working at the coffee shop until a few days ago. Chris recalled the detective complaining that everyone there had been replaced by a 'fucking android'.

"I'm with the Detroit Police Department. As per the law, I can't allow you to do that." Gavin stated.

"Why the fuck is taking my own life against the law anyway? I'm not hurting anyone except myself." Leo retorted.

"Firstly that's likely not true; you're hurting those that care about you. Secondly, if suicide wasn't illegal, there would be no way for us to intervene." Gavin argued.

"You're wrong on the first part; nobody fucking cares about me. Both my parents are dead and I don't have any fucking friends! I'm going through Red Ice withdrawal and I'll never make it out on my own. I'm better off dead."

Gavin's hands were shaking...he seemed really worried. He was probably fond of Leo, as Chris was; seeing the same people on practically a daily basis, you naturally grow attached to them. Despite Gavin being irritating seventy percent of the time, Chris saw him as his friend, and he would despair if something were to happen to him.

"I've been where you are Leo! You don't need to do this! It feels like you have nothing now but...hell my parents are alive, but they're fucking dead to me. I've been through hell and back, but I had the strength to pull myself out!" Gavin exclaimed. Was he really telling the truth? Or was this all part of an act to convince Leo not to jump?

"Well I'm not strong like you Detective Reed! I can't even function without Red Ice! I blamed the android but..." Tears streamed from Leo's eyes. "My dad DIED because of me! I broke into his mansion and stressed him out while I was high on that shit! He died of a heart attack." As Leo broke into a sob, Gavin cautiously moved closer, and Leo noticed. "Don't fucking come any closer! I'll really do it!" The man threatened, but his whole body was trembling.

Gavin took the gamble and gradually inched closer. "Don't do it. We can talk this over. We can get you some help."

"I'm a worthless piece of shit." Leo closed his eyes for a moment and steadied his stance. "I'm better off dead." As soon as Leo closed his eyes, Chris took the opportunity to sprint towards him.

Leo stepped over the edge, and Gavin lunged forward catching the man's right arm. However, Leo slipped off anyway due to the wet terrain resulting from the storm. "Shit.. I'm losing my...CHRIS!" Gavin shouted frantically.

"Help me. I don't want to die!" Leo exclaimed.

Just in time Chris clutched onto Leo's left arm, and Gavin readjusted his grip on Leo's right. "Okay on one...PULL!" Gavin ordered as they pulled Leo back up.

They were successful in their endeavor and in the aftermath, the three men were heaving. After catching their breath, Leo was trembling. "I...I'm so sorry. Thank you for saving me." He gasped with weariness in his breath.

"All in a day's work!" Gavin said cheerily as he smirked and did that weird double wink. For the life of him, Chris had no idea why Gavin thought that was appealing.

"How are you feeling?" Chris checked in on Leo.

"A bit traumatized but better...I think. I'm starving actually." Leo stated.

"Anyone feeling like going to Denny's?" Gavin asked the group.

"I could eat." Chris answered with a grin.

Gavin and Chris were seated in a booth beside each other and across from Leo. The officer was staring at the menu, having flipped through the whole thing over four times. "You decided what you wanted to eat yet, or are you going to continue reading that menu like it's a fucking novel?" Reed complained.

Chris always struggled with deciding what to eat. "Uhh...uhh."

"Just fucking pick something god dammit! I'm starving!" Gavin groaned.

The waitress approached, "Hi, my name is Tabitha, and I'll be your server today! Are you all ready to order?"

"Thank fuck! An actual human waitress! Yes, we're ready to order, right?" Gavin responded, checking in with Chris and Leo.

"Oh yeah! I know what I want!" Leo said cheerily. "Gimme a chicken tenders and fries. Hold on the gravy - your gravy tastes like shit!"

"And what are you having to drink?" She asked.

"I'll have a hot chocolate! Make it extra chocolatey if you can! With marshmallows, whipped cream, and sprinkles." He answered with a cheeky grin.

"Sure I can throw some Oreo chunks on top of it too for no extra charge if you'd like." She offered.

"Oh FUCK YEAH!" Leo chortled enthusiastically.

"What are you, nine?" Gavin ridiculed.

"It's my go-to drink when I've had a rough night, alright!" Leo protested. "Geez for a person who's trying to convince me to continue living, you're doing a terrible fucking job!"

Chris smirked. "That's just the way Gavin is. I think if he went five minutes without being an asshole, he'd spontaneously combust!"

Leo laughed at that.

"I'll have what he's having." Chris added. Chicken tenders and fries did not sound half bad, but the image of that hot chocolate was dancing in his head.

"And you?" The waitress asked Reed.

"I'll have a lumberjack slam with eggs over easy, and rye bread." Gavin ordered.

"And to drink?"

"I'll have a beer, like a REAL man. Pint of Guinness."

After the server left, Gavin stated directed at Leo, "I hadn't seen you at Starbuck's recently. When we were there it seemed to be completely taken over by androids. It's shitty your job got replaced by those fucking things!"

"I wasn't replaced. I was fired. I'm not surprised in the fucking least that the shitty manager wouldn't bother to hire any more humans. Sheryl and I were the only ones left. Some asshat decided to throw hot coffee on her because it 'tasted old'. She ran out crying. I jumped over the counter and beat the shit out of him." Leo explained.

"I'd imagine it'd be hard to keep a job after that." Chris concluded.

"Yeah, no shit. It wasn't the first time I messed up at work. I can't put up with that fucking shit at all without Red Ice. I've only gone 24 hours without it and I'm losing my fucking mind! I can't sober up on my own...I can't do it. And I have no-one...that's why I..." Leo expressed as he seemed like he was about to cry.

"Listen, if you need someone for emotional support. I'll be there. I don't have a fancy place, but you can stay in my apartment for a little while, and give you a chance to go through rehab." Gavin's tone softened to Chris' surprise. What could his ulterior motive be this time?

"Really, you'd let me stay with you? It'd be great to not be alone right now." Leo responded. Tabitha came up to the table with their food. Leo rubbed his hands together as he gleefully shouted "Thank fuck! I'm starving!"

"First the hot chocolate for the cutie." The server announced placing the drink on the table near Leo.

"Hey, what about me?" Gavin protested.

Blatantly ignoring him, Tabitha proceeded, "And the second hot chocolate for the handsome gentleman over here."

"Oh I get it! I must be the hottie then." Gavin assumed.

"And Guinness for the asshole." She deadpanned.

"The...hot asshole?"

"The average-looking asshole." She deadpanned once more before handing over the food. Her tone brightened back up as she cautioned "Careful sweeties, it's hot!" She glared at Gavin, "Except for you, you can burn your hands."

Chris and Leo laughed heartily. "Okay, that settles it! I'm paying for the whole table so I can give you a proper tip!"

Gavin turned to Chris and glared at him as the server left. The detective shook his head and shrugged. "She must just have terrible taste."

"Yeah, you keep thinking that." Chris sassed as he took a sip of his hot chocolate.

"Fuck you Chris." Gavin grumbled.

"No thank you!" Chris replied. Leo belted out laughing.

"What about you, Leo?" Gavin asked as the man was sipping his beverage, pulling away and leaving a whipped cream moustache.

"Huh?" He responded.

"Do you think I'm attractive?" Gavin clarified.

"Oh- yeah I do!" Leo confirmed.

"See?"

"But I also have a terrible taste in men." Leo added with a giggle. Gavin frowned and Chris laughed.

After taking another sip of his hot drink, Chris stated, "Well your taste in men is nothing like your taste in drinks. This is damn delicious!"

"Can I try it?" Gavin asked Chris sheepishly.

"No. Thought you said men only drink beer!" Chris scoffed.

"Leo?"

"Nah! This is all mine! Order your own!" Leo told him.

"Pfft!" Gavin huffed.

After finishing their meal, a familiar Dean Martin tune played on the radio. Lay some happiness on me. Soon the brighter side, you'll see! No more loneliness to be! Lay some happiness on me. Leo started bobbing side to side. "Hey, this old ass song is pretty nice."

Chris expected the detective to make some snarky comment, but instead his gaze was focused on Leo. If the officer was not seeing it first hand, he would never believe that Gavin Reed could actually smile.

Tabitha came back to the table with a tray of dessert. "Three slices of apple pie on the house." The waitress announced as she placed them down. She looked at Reed. "You're actually a sight for sore eyes with that smile!"

Leo had taken a bite of his apple pie and complimented, "This pie is BITCHIN'! Thanks for the free dessert!"

"I'm glad you like it! Here's the bill. Pay whenever you're ready!" She smiled at Chris as she left the statement with him.

"Excellent service! We'll absolutely be coming back." Chris complimented. After the server left, Chris noticed that not only was Reed's gaze focused on Leo, but they were reciprocating with a soft smile. The officer thought back to when he first met his wife; she was a waitress at a diner when they first met and they looked lovingly at each other just like that. Chris looked forward to coming home and snuggling in bed with his beautiful wife. In the morning he would tell her and Damian about how his day went. He took part in saving someone's life today. For the time being, it felt like everything was going to be alright; he had not felt this blissful in a long time.

[The End]

Notes:

The second two thirds of this became an eating at Denny's scene with almost no actual plot, but I felt so fuzzy when writing this! I hope you enjoyed it too!

If you enjoyed the story, consider leaving a Kudos/Comment on AO3!

[rondoel]

For ramble friday, here's a funny story:

A friend and I occasionally play HK Randomizer races. We've messed with various settings and curses via other mods, and over time, we've bumped up the difficulty of what skips might be necessary to get vital pickups. The important part for this story is that in addition to using the same randomizer settings and seed, we play using the multiplayer mod so that we can see each other if we're in the same room. Usually, we won't see each other once we get out of the starting area (which is also randomized). But it's fun to pass each other in a hallway or to accidentally both start fighting Grimm around the same time or whatever.

Well, we've done a few sessions of our current run (hard to win the game in a single session with as challenging as we've made it), and last night's session had some very silly moments.

We've had the same few abilities for hours at this point (downslash, left dash, monarch wings, and isma's tear) and we've almost run out of places we could think to check that were accessible. We even resorted to going through most of the dark rooms! Eventually, between dark rooms and unsuccessful enemy pogoing, we both independently set our sights on the right side of City. We couldn't use the big elevators, we didn't have claw to climb up Ogrim's way, and we couldn't do the spike tunnel towards the Isma's Grove because we didn't have right Crystal heart or right dash.

Between double jump and tenacity, he managed to find the tiniest of ledges along the gated right side of the fountain room, giving his wings a refresh to make it to the second story ledge.

Meanwhile, I completely fumbled an enemy pogo in the waterways, died, and then realized that that my shade would cooperate better than a flukefey. So I pogoed that, fought Dung Defender, and climbed up into the City from there.

So, you would think that my experience would keep the option of shade skips fresh in my mind, right? So that I would remember it and use it in another situation where I needed to get up higher than wings would allow, right?

Wrong!!!

Thus, sometime later, I hear my friend exclaim in triumph that he found Tram Pass and now finally had new places to explore.

So I'm like, oh damn, there's no way he's gonna hint at where that is. That's a huge advantage that will help him get ahead.

And then he enters the room I'm standing in.

Out of all the places I could've been in Hallownest, I happened to be one room over from his discovery.

So, I know it's in the first room of Crossroads, and the only unchecked item is the one up the well that you would usually need wall jump to reach. Or, if the Crossroads are infected, you could use the furious vengefly that spawns to the left. My crossroads were uninfected, and I was boggled at how to get it. Meanwhile, he's saying shit like, "it's the most obvious thing! it's so easy!" before eventually he tells me to use my shade.

Smh.

Takeaway of the story is to never forget that sometimes the embodiment of your regrets can be smacked with a nail to help you attain new heights.

The second takeaway is that I continue to be so fucking lucky in these races, and my friend hates me for that hahaha (though I do think he'll win this race, but he'll have to work hard to stay in the lead!)

Oh I have just the biggest grin on my face! The sheer comedic timing of some of these moments haha! The hivemind moments!

And yep, I like those takeaways, truly a wisdom for the soul. I'm gonna go smack my shadow now xD

This is absolutely delightful and sounds so fun (HK randomizer races pog??), thank you for the story!