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lachlann-macnab · 4 years ago

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At Tiana’s Place Grand Opening

Alternative title: “Totally not a date, we have no idea why anyone would think that” and “Just a couple of dudes being guys”

Dated: November 12- 15, 2020

Lachlann MacNab Lachlann wasn't even sure if he was even welcomed at Tiana's Place after Chippamunka's fiasco and actually wondered if there'd be a moment in which she'd catch a glance of him and then kick his ass out of the place while screaming. That scenario would be completely fair, really, but Lachlann would rather not get kicked around while his side still hurt like a bitch and felt still way too tired to deal with that too, like, seeing Mister Mac T after dissapearing on him for more than a couple of days was nerve-wrecking enough (and while Lachlann could argue that nothing about that had been something he had any kind of control over, well, he'd rather not tempt fate and have an angry Scott talking his ear off about not doing stupid things). In that moment the only thing that Lachlann wasn't nervous about was the prospect of tasting some of Tiana's food and getting some extras to send Tito and Greg's way later, since that scenario didn't involve someone giving him angry or dissapointed looks. He was slowly passing by the door, just waiting, before he finally spotted the other and gave him a little "hey, Mister Mac T"

Seamus MacTunnag Seamus was...very hesitant to appear at the opening of Tiana's Place but, ultimately, his wanting to show his face and offer his support for the restaurant. Though he'd not personally met her, he thought Tiana had spunk, and he'd heard wonderful things about her from most everyone in town, social media and otherwise. Still, there was still a touch of anxiety behind the appearance, though he did his best to swallow it down and put on a smile. He hadn't heard from Lachlann but that was fine. Despite what had happened shortly before the previous weekend, Seamus had been assured he was still alive thanks to social media (and Louie). It was only mildly shocking when he turned and caught sight of the very man in question, slinking around like a dog with his tail tucked between his legs, offering a nervous little wave and a "hey, Mister MacT," like he hadn't just gone radio silent for days. Seamus just raised a brow, eyes sweeping across to Lachlann's side, noting the thick bandaging beneath the fabric, and said: "Lachlann. Feelin' better, I presume?"

Lachlann MacNab 'Lachlann', he said. And, oh, the former pilot could tell, just with that one word, that the other wasn't happy -and, again, he couldn't blame him a bit. "I feel like sleeping for three more days, actually" he said, trying to joke his way out of any potential trouble as he, tentatively, got a step closer to the other "but I couldn't possibly refuse the oportunity to get some good food or- well, you know" 'To see you again' were words left unspoken, but very much there. "How about you?

Seamus MacTunnag Well, now that that little snitt was out of the way, Seamus let his shoulders fall into a more relaxed position, still eyeing the other man as he edge closer, if ever so slightly. The Scotsman snorted at the joke, which probably wasn't really a joke if the look around his eyes was any indication, and nodded slightly. "Aye, I can imagine, considerin' 'm sure ye pulled yer stitches already." He paused, briefly, to smile at someone walking by whom he recognized, another businessman who was intent on being seen for the opening. When he turned back, there was an air of "kicked puppy dog" hanging around the younger man, and Seamus rolled his eyes. "Ie yer expectin' me tah chew ye out, yer shite outta luck. I ain't yer keeper. Ye disappeared, which I cannae say 'm pleased as punch about, but yer nah dead, so that's somethin'."

Lachlann MacNab As Seamus' shoulders relaxed, so did Lachlann; It just seemed easier to approach the other when there wasn't an imaginary barrier between them (just a fancy-dressed man, but he quickly passed them by so it wasn't a big deal). "Yeah" he admitted just because there was no use in denying something like that (the man had more experience with that kind of things and would realize sooner than later, anyways) "but I'm totally getting those fixed as soon as the hospital isn't full and the doctors aren't exhausted" Swynlakers recovered from trauma considerably faster than normal people, so Lachlann figured it wouldn't take long for things to get back to kind-of-normal. "And I don't mean to get all "it's complicated" on you, so I guess we're even, right?" he joked once more, giving the other a soft pat on the shoulder " 'sides, I'm sure Louie already told you 'bout the chaos. It just...seemed like the right thing to do"

Seamus MacTunnag The corner of his mouth quirked up at the admission, glad he wasn't trying to wave it off. "Mm, ye need someone tah hold yer 'and while they fix 'em," he quipped, a cheeky grin passing over his face. He had heard from Louie, who had done equally as stupid things while the town went to shite, that Lachlann had been saving a man's life. A man who, Seamus had heard through the grapevine, needed his medical bills paid off. So guess what had happened. "Sure, ye didna mean to. But ye did." Seamus shrugged. "An' it was. I did somethin' similar when we had zombies. Drove around on me motorcycle. It was jus' stupid tah do with yer side th' way it was. But...I get it."

Lachlann MacNab Oh, how had Lachlann missed the man -just a couple of minutes and he was laughing once more and things just seemed to be way, way easier to deal with. "My what noble offer, Mister Mac T" he joked back, letting his palm rest on the other's shoulder for a second before moving it to his upper arm "I'll keep it mind" He'd made the previous pain more bearable, so it wasn't just a joke. "...zombies" he echoed with a confused look "that sounds like...something. A little bit better than people attacking others and people burning buildings, I guess" At least zombies weren't people. " 's Donnie ok? I imagine he was worried out of him mind 'bout Louie playing the hero, even if he looked cool while doing so"

Seamus MacTunnag "Aye?" The smile that cracked across his face was both a flash mischievous and that normal cheek. "Good." Nodding, Seamus shrugged again, confirming. "Zombies, yes. And it...was, to a degree, but it was...a lot. Running 'em over was fun though." Placing a hand at the small of Lachlann's back, Seamus steered them around another few people as they entered the entrance of the establishment, considering what the other man had asked of him. "Far as I know, yes. 'M sure he was worried. I know I was. An' I hope he chews his arse out, but I wasna gonna stop 'im."

Lachlann MacNab Lachlann was very, very aware that laughing about running anything over while being an Uber driver was the biggest possible faux pas -but he couldn't help but chuckle anyways at the mere idea of Mister Mac T enjoying himself in such a way. Granted, he was also happy about the physical contact, even leaning a little into the other as he guided him around. " 's a very Donnie thing to do- worrying about 'em, I mean" and he wasn't complaining about it, just pointing it out. Saying the man loved his nephews was like pointing out that water was wet, it was just... natural "and a very Louie thing to do to do whatever he wants anyways" He paused for a second, suddenly feeling as if he was being watched, then shrugging that feeling off. "He kind of takes after you" he added, fondly, almost in a whisper

Seamus MacTunnag It was nice to hear the other man laugh, even if it wasn't the, uh, best topic to laugh about. It was just good. Good to hear and good to cause. When Lachlann tilted into the arm that was curved at his back and waist, Seamus his the smile that came with that, too. A bark of laughter escaped him at the thought of Louie doing what he wanted (because it was true) and Donald being a worry wart over things he couldn't necessarily control. It was the Mallard way and the MacTunnag creed, as it were. "Which one? The worry wart or th' reckless one?"

Lachlann MacNab That was a valid question, but the answer was so very, very simple. "Both" he said, not even stopping to think it over "Louie trying to save people while driving a moped is like a lighter version of you running zombies over" (And it was. and actually quite funny to think about) "And Donnie worrying about things that will be just fine" he added, just stopping on his tracks to carefully avoid bumping into someone, then getting a little bit closer to the other "of...what is kind of certain, I guess? I mean, the boys will cause some trouble for a while but will always come back and won't love him any less even if he was being a big worrywart" 'Just like me, I guess' "Unrelated, but...do you fancy southern food? I've heard wonderful things about Tiana's cooking

Seamus MacTunnag Well that wasn't entirely accurate at all. "Both, huh?" Seamus scratched the side of his neck, behind his ear, with his free hand, the other one hooked somewhere near the closest loop on Lachlann's pants, thumb toying with the material as they waited for someone else to pass them by. "Fast answer. Ye sound pretty confident, Lachie," he said, a touch teasing, but let it be. It was unflinchingly true. And Seamus hadn't really thought about it, how much parts of himself could be reflected in his nephews, until someone else mentioned it. Still, something certain was that Seamus couldn't help worrying, and he said as much, quietly, as they maneuvered through the crowd. The other question was a distraction, and a welcome one, and Seamus answered it easily. "Absolutely. Someone I was very close to, before everythin', used tah cook it often. If 's anythin' like th' food from her hometown, 'm sure it'll be good." It also helped he had heard good things about Tiana herself.

Lachlann MacNab How long had it been since Lachlann had enjoyed himself that much? The recent events had made the days feel like a blur and- well, there hadn't been much to feel good about, anyways. Things without the other just seemed boring and thinking about it made Lachlann's head spin (because it seemed so silly, right? It had only been a couple of months since he'd arrived to Swynlake so saying something sentimental like "he makes my days worthwhile" seemed way too out there -true is it all might be-) "I'm glad to hear that" he said with a nod "I'm sure that if anyone can capture the magic of that kind of cuisine, it's Tiana" That was another thing that seemed so very natural -her posts were always so enthusiastic about that, she had a passion for what she did and he knew that would show on her food. "I just hope she isn't mad at me. But maybe if we have a lot of food she'll forgive me, right?"

Seamus MacTunnag There was a lot about the past few days that Seamus had realized had been...off, and he had just now recognized that it was because Lachlann had shown up, however many months ago that it was now, and hadn't left. Save for the times he was away crashing through town as an Uber driver and crashing at the apartment that needed to be condemned in Benbow, he was at the house in Besydus. It had been strange not to have the younger man crashing through the front door with some story or another about his adventures in town, the people he's met, the "friends" he may or may not have made. It had become something very much like a routine, a constant, and it was weird when it wasn't around. More than weird, in fact, though Seamus had no idea how to address it. "'M sure she can though that's nah what 'm interested in." Seamus turned to look at him from the corner of his eye. "What'd ye do?"

Lachlann MacNab "Well..." he said after thinking about it for a second and moving his arm so he could link it to the other's, even if the movement was kind of awkward at first thanks to the placement of the other's hand (but they got comfortable after a second and walking around that way seemed way more practical) "Where to begin...?" And suddenly, he realized that he didn't need to give a long talk about it. "Remember the other day when I told you about spending the day with a family? The Polleys?" he'd told him about that fiasco, before (that very same night, actually, since he'd arrived at Besydus with a head full of ketchup and Maeve had been thrilled about him smelling of bacon) "About the baby throwing a piece of bread then some teens starting a food fight in which I valiantly fought for the family's honour? Yeah, it was that. Tiana was the waitress" How curious that he didn't have to elaborate even more. To know the other would understand. "Maybe I can make it up to her by buying a lot of food -some for us, some for the boys, some for Tito and Greg"

Seamus MacTunnag Shifting around a bit so Lachlann could link their arms without straining his shoulder, or Seamus's own, for that matter, the Scotsman hummed in interest. "Aye, I remember. Took ye twenty minutes tah get th' bloody catsup outta yer hair." But, as he listened, Seamus inwardly cringed. That poor woman. "She deserves tah have 'er own place after dealin' with that." A small laugh escaped him and he shrugged, fingers of the hand Lachlann had looped his arm through into the edge of the other man's pants pocket. "Or ye could just apologize, though I figure Mr. Eeyore could do with food that ain't from th' hospital." While he had never met Tito, he seemed like a decent sort, enough to join Lachlann on his quest to make sure Greg survived. "Maybe th' beignets?"

Lachlann MacNab "It takes a special kind of teenage rebellion to start a food fight because of a literal toddler. I only joined in because of that, like...who attacks a family with a baby!?" and, sure, his actions hadn't made things any easier for Tiana and he was sorry for being part of what finally made her snap, but he wouldn't apologize for doing what he thought was the best thing for the Polleys "But...yeah, I guess-" His hand moved, searching for the other's, partly because he needed something to ground himself with and because it seemed a better option that having the man grab him by the pants (not that he'd ever complain or that he, of all people, knew or cared about what was socially acceptable, but, hey) "An apology 's good but it won't...change what happened, I guess? I think actions would be better than words" (which was a very relevant thought during that moment, in many ways) "And I'll have to be extra careful 'bout that, yerp! Tito says Greg 's vegan so we'll have to ask about the ingredients!" He paused for a second. "You remember the beignets!" he said, amazed. They'd seen them at Al's Potluck and had been such a little thing, mentioned in passing and yet...!

Seamus MacTunnag "Teenagers," Seamus responded, voice dry, as he continued listening to the younger man defend his supposed defense of the Polley family who, quite frankly, should not have been where they were at that place and time if it had meant poor Tiana dealing with it as she had. Still, the mental image of teenagers starting a food fight because of a baby was a funny one. And, subtle as Lachlann was not, Seamus couldn't help but find it amusing that he’d joined in a food fight purely because he'd thought it was the thing to do. Also, that the man was now trying to wiggle his hand from his pocket. The Scotsman obliged with a huff, sliding their fingers together with an ease that bellied the actual action itself. "Both, then. An' apology of ye see 'er an' buyin' the food, too. That's why yer here, anyway, ain't it?" It certainly wasn't because Seamus might have shown up or, at least, that was the thought anyway. The amazement that crossed over Lachlann's face at Seamus's memory made him laugh outright, loud and long, and shake his head. "D'ye think I canna remember things, Lachie? 'M nae that feeble minded yet. But, course I did. They were good, fer one, and fer another they're all over social media." Apparently they were one of the best desserts in town.

Lachlann MacNab "Teenagers" Lachlann replied with a nod and a somehow-defeated expression. Thinking about it wouldn't do any difference now to them, the Polleys or Tiana, so he just accepted what had happened and his part on that whole fiasco. Besides, he had more important things to worry about, like the other's laugh. "Ah" he said, suddenly feeling specially stupid for forgetting about the existence of social media (of course! Those posts were nice reminders too!) "I didn't say that or, like, meant to imply it. It was, just, nice that you remembered" He tried to cough the blush away. "And the food's good and I'd like to, like, ask for forgiveness but there's other reasons too-" he shrugged just one shoulder "--you know?"

Seamus MacTunnag Seamus snorted at the other man's defeated expression, the somber tone with which he foretold the destruction wrought by teenagers. It was a sincere understatement. But it was good to see that Lachlann was trying to make ammends for the part he had played in the fiasco. Tweaking the other's hand with his own, Seamus raised a brow at not only the cough, but the red tinge that colored his face and neck, as well. "Saw that," he teased, before smiling slightly, "but, aye, I do. 'M sure she'll appreciate it."

Lachlann MacNab Swynlakers could be scary. Normal teens were scary. Ergo, Swynlake teens... "I think the real surprise 's that you decided to come, Mister Mac T" he said, forgetting about the blush for a second "'s it because you heard The Robinsons were coming too? Or because of the Tritons? Or are you secretly a Jambalaya afficionado?" (Which was a funny mental image) "I heard Mrs. Robinson is playing some songs!" he added, taking a couple of steps to the right in order to now move away from the bar, knowing the thing might be a complicated topic for the other "you think it would be a faux pas if I were to dance? Like, I mean, my dancing 's almost criminal but I think it'd be fun" Hey, if he was making a fool of himself he might as well go all out, right?

Seamus MacTunnag "An' why wouldn't I? Figure, 've survived all o' this shite, a restaurant openin' couldna be too bad for me health." He was only mostly kidding, too. There had been far too many things trying to kill him over the years; he'd begun to grow tired of hiding from them, from running. "Heard all th' food's good, nah just the Jambalaya. However, I wouldna say no tah a good helpin' of it." They had somehow made their easy through the crowd by now, meandering through the building as they went. Seamus took the place in with a critical, but friendly, eye. The place looked good, to say the least. He tuned back into the conversation somewhere around his cataloging of their location (the bar, regrettably, though he noted the subtle change in their course and was grateful for it) and nodded his head. "'S prob'ly true, then. I doubt she'd miss this." He doubted Cornelius would, either, particularly if his wife was here. When dancing was brought up, however, Seamus brightened up a bit. He hadn't danced seriously in years but he was still fairly good at it, if he had to say so, but he still glanced the other man over, a smirk on his face. "D'ye 'ave two left feet, MacNab? Or are ye actually worried 'bout yer side?" Or both, which was a distinct possibility, but doubtful.

Lachlann MacNab Well, that was an unexpected reaction. Lachlann had expected for the other to chuckle at the idea of him dancing but he seemed to be legit thrilled by the concept. "A little bit of both" he admitted, now stopping for a second to take a look at the big painting that decorated the place (and that seemed familiar, somehow) "I think it'd be dangerous for the furniture and my side if I were to try and dance. 'sides, the music will probably be jazzy or, like, swing or neo-swing, right?" (And as much of a Big Bad Voodoo Daddy fan he was, he'd rather not cause extra trouble) "I'd probably step on you anyways" the (former) pilot added, bumping the other's hips with the least damaged of his and grabbed the other's hand a little bit tighter (in case he lost his balance).

Seamus MacTunnag Pausing as Lachlann did, Seamus tilted his head to look at the (weirdly familiar?) mural as well, wondering where he'd seen it before. "Yer nae gonna run intah anythin'...well, ye shouldna," he clarified, but nodded his head in agreement. "Thas' what Franny does, aye." And, suddenly, he missed the swing dancing when he was younger, probably around Lachlann's own age, when he'd tossed his younger sister up into the air and heard her laugh aloud. While they certainly wouldn't be doing anything fancy, Seamus figured at least one dance wouldn't hurt. Just the one. "Who said ye couldna? 'S how I taught Adelaide. Yer a mite bit heavier but I think we could make it work," he teased, nudging back. "'Course 's up tae you. Slow 's fine with me, too."

Lachlann MacNab "It may come as a surprise, Mister Mac T, but I have some self-awareness" (just a little, really, but it was way better than nothing at all) "and being as accident prone as I am...that can only end it in tragedy for you and your shoes" And yet, here he was, moving a little from side to side as he held the other's hand, not really minding the lounge-style music in the background at all and instead just moving a little for the sake of it. "And I wouldn't want to ruin your squeaky clean image by doing something silly in front of everyone" (Yup, the squeaky clean part was a joke)

Seamus MacTunnag "Do ye, now?" The grin that crossed his face, then, was bordering on impish, but no one else would ever really see it. "I'd've never guessed ye were accident prone, Lachlann MacNab. Not after how we met." No, he was never going to let him forget that. Even with his words, though, Lachlann was swaying a bit from side-to-side, almost in time with the music but not quite, so Seamus let him, sliding a leg back a bit so he didn't take a tumble if he over corrected. The bark of laughter that escaped when he caught the joke was surprised but, really, he didn't know why he was. He was far from squeaky clean and he shook is head, amused by the insinuation.

Lachlann MacNab "Unbelievable, I know" Lachlann joked back (because at this point there was no use in pretending to be offended or that the other wasn't absolutely right) "but it happens" Besides, his attention was now on the other's movements and laugh; He'd been honest with the 'I can't dance' comment, so even something as easy as swaying implied some effort and concentration he didn't quite have, partly because of his wounds and partly because of his...general self. So he moved his free arm to surround the other's side and use his as a guide, even if the rythm wasn't a slow-dancing one (or anyone else was dancing, but he was ready to ignore the rest of the world for a couple of minutes). " 's this like...one two three, onetwo three? or, like, one. twothree, onetwo. three?"

Seamus MacTunnag "Absolutely unbelievable, mmhmm," he agreed, leaning into the joke for a moment more before he caught Lachlann looking at him and tilted his head, arching a brow in silent question. Lachlann moved his free arm around his waist and, he thought, he had his answer. They continued swaying but now Lachlann was asking questions, too, and...really he must have been desperately hopeless at it all if he was asking about a simple three-step. "'S more one two, three," he said, demonstrating with the side-step left, right, and a small backyard rock on his right heel. "Fer swing anwyay. Yer left foot would rock back, since it'd be th' opposite. But fer a slow dance 's nothin' that complicated." As if to prove his point, Seamus nudged Lachlann around to face him using the arm he'd had slipped around his waist and the one he still clutched as a guide. "Jus' following along 's really all it is. Don' gotta worry about yer feet. Jus' follow."

Lachlann MacNab Lachlann was desperately hopeless and the other's words weren't all that easy to follow anyways, so that was a bizarre situation all around (but at least it was a funny one). "One two. Three" he mumbled, trying to mirror the other's movements and failing by a couple of beats before he tried again -and again and failed again -and again. They were lucky that as silly as the whole thing was, it was also actually quite entertaining to be part of; They were quite literally 'dancing' (though the mileage might vary about the dancing part) to their own rythm and while Lachlann couldn't tell if the other was as focused as he was... well, at least he seemed to be enjoying himself. 'Jus' follow' the other said. "To the end of the world" the (former) pilot replied "...but dancing wasn't in the contract, Mister Mac T"

Seamus MacTunnag So engrossed was he in simultaneously making sure Lachlann didn't pitch over sideways and that they didn't run into any other people milling around, Seamus almost didn't hear what he said. Almost. Suddenly, he was the one making a misstep, grip tightening on Lachlann's good hip and hand to keep them both upright. He could feel the surprise cross his face, too, and he had no idea what to do about it. "...s'pose it wasna. Ye don' mind alterin' th' contract a mite, do ye? 'Cause yer gonna learn, actually learn. Jus' so ye know what t'expect, an' all."

Lachlann MacNab The sudden misstep almost made Lachlann trip, but he (almost miraculously) managed to regain his footing before he stared at the other, now a little bit closer and even more confused than he already was. Had he said something wrong? "I- buh" he tried to say, then tried again "that sounds like a plan, yerp, and I guess learning something new won't hurt" He didn't know what he'd even needed to learn to dance for, or if that was a relevant talent to have, but whatever the other offered, he'd gladly take. "But, are you ok? Or was that part of the dance? Should we take a seat, Mister Mac T?" (A silly offer from someone that wasn't really planning to let go just yet)

Seamus MacTunnag The confused look that passed over Lachlann's face after Seamus's misstep and recovery and Lachlann's own (miraculous) recovery was remarkably endearing. As was the apparent concern. "Old dogs, new tricks, Lachie, old dogs an' new tricks," Seamus hummed, stepping back and out and giving a twist ofis wrist to (slowly) spin the other in a small circle. When he came back to center, Seamus slid his arm around Lachlann's waist again and just...idled with a small grin on his face. "'m fine. Jus' tripped. But if ye need tah sit we can find a table 'fore everyone else takes 'em."

Lachlann MacNab "You sure? I-" Lachlann began, going so far as letting go from the other's waist with the intention to pat his (good) shoulder to make sure- -but the next thing he knew was that he was being guided into a little spin he couldn't help but whisper a happy "weeee" at. But soon enough he was back to facing the other, returning his grin with a smile of his own as he rested his palm on the older man's shoulder and not doing much for a second save for just watching him. "Yeah, maybe we should stop now" he whispered, unaware that they had already done so.

Seamus MacTunnag "We already 'ave," Seamus said, voice pitched lower so it didn't carry, didn't interrupt anyone else around them (whoever was close enough anyway). There was a slight smile that softened the edges of Seamus's mouth, crinkled the edges of his eyes, caused by the little noise he'd heard the other man make. They stared at one another for a moment before someone cleared their throat behind him and Seamus snapped back to reality. He stepped to the side, an arm still resting around Lachlann's waist, and nodded his head as a man and woman passed. "Come on," he said, using the hand he had curled around Lachlann's hip to nudge him toward the tables. "Find a seat."

Lachlann MacNab The realization of having stopped before and his words being silly because of it didn't really bother Lachlann, nor did the other's words -because both of those things seemed completely irrelevant at the moment. "I-" he whispered still, with the intention of pointing out how much he'd missed the other during the days that were still much of a blur on his mind (because of the fever and how the incident with Greg had shaken him way more than he cared to admit and the fact that without him around things just seemed senseless and so very forgettable). And suddenly he was leaning a little closer to the other's face and- -a couple distracted him -distracted them- because, well, they were still on the way. On a public event. So, yeah, those two being bothered by them being on the way was completely understandable. No biggie, not at all. "Yeah, lets" he finally said, once again following the other.

Seamus MacTunnag He hadn't known, rightfully, what he'd seen staring back at him from Lachlann's face, nor for certain that he'd been leaning in closer, closer than before anyway. That Lachlann'd been saying something and had lost it, had seemed distracted, by the couple. In truth, Seamus had forgotten where they were for a few minutes, drowning out the sounds and focusing on the steps, not having to worry about thinking or doing but just being somewhere. But it was still no reason to feel like a stone had settled at the bottom of his gut at having to move out of the way. Yet, there it was, leaden and heavy. Lachlann moved with him as he maneuvered his way through the oncoming throng of pairs and groupings of people, navigating them easily enough to a smaller table away from the main pathway, a place where Lachlann could stretch out his leg and not have to worry about tripping any one and where Seamus wouldn't feel swallowed in by the oncoming tide of people. The privacy was an added afterthought, if a bonus

Lachlann MacNab Things had just...happened, really (or, rather, hadn't really happened) and Lachlann was, once again, at a loss. Again, he couldn't blame the couple for wanting to make their way around, but they had rained on his parade and- -aaand he was feeling specially stupid for even considering doing that while in public, but with the closeness and the sudden feeling of intimacy it (the dancing and the chat) brought...well, he hadn't really considered anything save the other for a brief moment. That said, he felt very glad when they found an empty table and took a seat, since that brought a sense of stability he hadn't realized he needed. "As I was, eh, trying to say..." he began, after taking a moment to make himself as comfortable as possible "I- wait, is that Huey?!" Waitwait- was Huey really on a date just some tables away?!

Seamus MacTunnag Seamus watched the other man out of the corner of his eye as they sat, both to gauge if Lachlann was able to sit without pain and if the almost...discontent he saw was actually there. It was, but Seamus chose not to comment upon it. Rather, he sat in his own chair with a small sigh, glad to be off his feet for a short while. Though he enjoyed dancing, and would have continued if he could, he'd been up on his feet since well before the day had begun and a certain tiredness tugged at his bones now, though it didn't show on his face in the slightest. His head turned to take in the other man, patiently waiting for him to continue before being surprised by his outburst. Straightening and turning to look where Lachlann was, Seamus chuckled quietly. "Aye, so it is." A pause and then a mischievous smile. "Think he'd like tah be told hello?

Lachlann MacNab Oh, what a delightfully devilish idea! Buuut since the other was being the michievious one right now, Lachlann feel the moral obligation of being the voice of reason for now. "Maybe later?" he joked, moving a palm to one of the other's legs, resting it there for a second "it'd be fun to say 'hi' and see what happens but they deserve to have a nice moment first, right?" They, themselves, had been interrupted a second ago and he wouldn't wish that kind of anticlimatic feeling on the teens. " 'sides, I'm having a lot of fun already, Mister Mac T! Maybe we should get something-" he now pointed at one of the menus "-and then, I don't know, maybe continue partying somewhere else?"

Seamus MacTunnag He didn't pout nor did he frown, but there was a furrow between his brows and he sighed, slumping in his chair in mock dejection. "Fine, fine. Yer right, I s'pose." And he was right, at that. Seamus made it a point to let the boys do whatever they thought best, to make their own mistakes and choices and be a voice of reason if Donald asked it of him or he was called to speak to them, but he was not inherently close to them, not truly. But Huey did deserve his date with....who looked to be the youngest Triton lass. So they would stay put for the time being. Dragging his gaze back to the table and the menus Lachlann pointed at, Seamus nodded and pulled one closer, pausing as the end of the thought caught up to him. "'ll keep that in mind. What d'ye reckon ye'll get?" Seamus hadn't had the chance to decide but they had time to, he supposed

Lachlann MacNab Well, Lachlann didn't know much about the Tritons (having only heard of Aquata thanks to the Elections and Alana thanks to Loppy's makeup) and, as such, he couldn't recognize the girl Huey was on a date with as one of them and, instead, just assumed she was the girlfriend he'd mentioned that time at Chapter Three. "Well, I'll have to ask for their vegan options and if they aren't against me taking some food home..." he said, giving the menu a quick look "and, buh, I guess I- we-? should try Tiana's gumbo. I've heard it's a must" Then again, everything Tiana cooked sounded amazing, so there wasn't a bad option. "What do you think?" the (former) pilot trusted the other's tastes, so he wasn't against asking for the same thing as the other.

Seamus MacTunnag Humming as he scanned over the menu himself, Seamus nodded his head absently at the other's words. "Mmhmm gumbo or the jambalaya. Take one home. 'M sure they'll letcha." It was a restaurant, after all. Still, he scanned through the pages and looks everything over, bypassing the drinks and desserts pages, though he knew he'd be taking a container of beignets home for later. "Pick whatcha want an' if there's more than one jus' take th' second one home."

Lachlann MacNab Lachlann blinked a couple of times before he remembered that the other was loaded and, as such, didn't have to go through the whole 'discreetely eyeing the prices and deciding based on them' process everyone else had to. "Ah, yeah" having both was technically, an option "I just don't want to impose or make my part of the tab way more expensive than yours or anythin', Mister Mac T" Ah, the struggles of the non-billionares....! "I guess I'll have Gumbo and ask for some to give Tito, then ask 'bout the vegan options for Greg" but that would had to wait until they were already done eating their parts" he paused before thinking out-loud "...you think we should buy Maeve something?"

Seamus MacTunnag Glancing over at Lachlann, Seamus shook his head at the clear hesitancy to buy what he wanted on the menu versus how much the price was. "I know what yer doin', ye know. Sometimes I think people forget I didna always 'ave money. 'M tellin' ye tah get whatcha want 'cause it don' matter if ye do tah me." And that was the truth. Seamus had worked hard for the money he had, had invested what he had in places that had been lucrative, had been downright lucky at other times, but there had been the times where he'd barely had enough to eat, too. "'S fine by me," he hummed, and answer for the man's entire thought process summed up into a single sentence, closing the menu and sliding it across the table to sit with the other one. He draped his free arm across the back of Lachlann's chair. "Think I saw chicken an' rice we could get 'er"

Lachlann MacNab "I don't know what you're talking about, Mister Mac T" he lied (even if he didn't even bother to make it a convincing lie), taking a moment before nodding and closing his own menu, placing it above the other's "and I'll insist on paying my part. Like, I still have the Gala's money so there's no need for you to worry about it" Hey, Lachlann was kind of dim-witted but he wasn't completely oblivious and was very much aware that some people believed he was around only for the money (Boba's words hurt every now and then) and while he generally tried to not mind other's words a lot... Yeah, he wasn't letting the other pay for his part of the tab. "Can dogs eat rice, though?" that was a legit question, even if he was distracted with the return of the closeness

Seamus MacTunnag A slight laugh broke out of him as he slanted a smile toward the other man. "Aye, that was very convincin' Lachlann. But if ye insist, I ain't gonna stop ye." See, he knew what people said about anyone he was around for longer than a few days, particularly someone that he'd grown...close to. Seamus had heard it before and he would probably continue to. It didn't help matters that Lachlann was younger than him, too. He could only imagine what people said. If the gossip blog was anything to go by, of which he'd seen plenty thanks to Lachlann, the lads, and a few other random moments of fortune, it wasn't always nice. As though to convince the other about the sincerity of his words, Seamus squeezed the hand that Lachlann had yet to move from his leg and nodding his head. "She can if 's cooked white rice. Good carbohydrates an' protein if ye give 'er meat too. Cannae 'ave it often though."

Lachlann MacNab "That's really appreciated, Mister Mac T" and it really, really was. The last thing he wanted to do was become yet another thing the other had to worry about (again. The whole Black Annis ordeal was a prime example of what could go wrong if he didn't think things twice) " 's not like I don't, eh, appreciate the idea of you paying but I'd rather pay my part, it's only fair and I really don't mean to impose" Specially when they haven't seen eachother during the last couple of days -he didn't want the other to get the wrong idea. (Gee, maybe he should stop reading The Spill. He loved Boba but they were far from unbiased when it came to some people) "Then she can have some, as a treat" he joked, once again interwining his fingers with the other's, not thinking too much about it -that kind of proximity just...happened, really. "And I'll give her some peanut butter as dessert"

Seamus MacTunnag Seamus nodded his acquiescence and his acknowledgment of what Lachlann said, offering up a small smile as he did. "Ye worry too much, ye know that," he said, voice leaning toward teasing to soften the words as he nudged him with the knuckles of the arm curled around his shoulders. "Startin' tah give me a run fer me money." A moment later he dropped the teasing and became serious, leaning so he made sure Lachlann could see his face. "An' yer nah an imposition, ye ken? Ye can pay if ye wanna, I ain't ever gonna tell ye yah ain’t able tah, but it ain't about fair." Fair was nice, sure, but that's not how anyone else would see it. And Lachlann, for whatever his reasoning, had decided to hitch his horse, so to speak, with Seamus's own for the time being. He wasn't going to make it any harder on the man. The joke was one that hit center mass but all Seamus did was shake his head, thumb idly tapping the top of Lachlann's hand while they waited for the waitress. "She's spoilt, ye know that right?"

Lachlann MacNab There were many ways in which Lachlann felt like replying to that: from the typical "I worry too little, actually" to the "I'm trying to dethrone you, you know?", some options a little bit more playful than the others, some a little more serious- but instead, he decided to be a little more direct about what was on his mind, since he hadn't had the chance to do it some minutes before. "She kind of is" he began, then stirred the phrase into what really was on his mind "and I really missed her" A beat. "I missed you" (and that hadn't been his best segue ever, but at least he finally said the thing) "A lot"

Seamus MacTunnag "An' yer mostly tah blame," he mumbled, knowing that was only half the truth. 60/40 at the very least. But he didn't say that. Instead, he listened to the change in Lachlann's voice, a more serious tone than before. Saying he'd missed the dog and, then, him. That he’d missed him a lot, and something about that twisted a bit in his chest, squirmed around and burrowed in between his ribs, a bit disarming but...not necessarily a bad thing. The corner of his mouth curled upward, the edges of his eyes crinkling. Seamus decided to tell a bit of the truth, too. Fair was fair, after all. "Tah tell ye th' truth, it was...strange. Th' house was quiet fer th' first time in months an' it--" It had been alien, is what it had been, and it suddenly dawned on him how easily it had been to get used to having someone in his space for longer periods of time than a few days every so often. "--aye. I missed ye, too."

Lachlann MacNab Lachlann wasn't sure of what he had expected the other's reaction to be like- -but this was way better than the best of any possible scenarios he could imagine. The other was smiling (genuinely smiling!), didn't answer his words with a comment about him being daft or being the one to blame for the brief separation to begin with and, most importantly, he was smiling. His smile was contagious, and Lachlann was smiling back before he even knew it, all semblance of any previous nervousness completely gone. "I didn't mean to dissapear and-" he paused, trying to get his ideas in order. He was a man of his word (because he'd learned from Darkwing's series, of course) and, as such, couldn't promise to not dissapear on the other ever again because things sometimes happened out of nowhere (just like the whole previous ordeal) "-I'll try to not do it again" He couldn't promise because he couldn't control that sort of thing, but he could promise to do his best. "I wouldn't want you to get too comfortable without me, you know?" he joked.

Seamus MacTunnag Apparently, what he'd said had been the correct thing because Lachlann was smiling back at him, his entire face lighting up. It was nice to see, particularly after the last few days' ordeal, that the last time he'd seen him there had been tears and injuries to tend to. Granted, the tears had been his own, first, but Lachlann had followed suit. Seamus still didn't quite understand why (though he was, maybe, beginning to shape up something like one). Squeezing the hand still curled in his own, Seamus acknowledged what he was saying with a quiet murmur of his thanks, anything else he might have said sticking in his throat. Lachlann couldn't promise he wouldn't leave, just like no one else could, but the fact he had promised to try not to do it again well...that meant something. And that something was good enough for Seamus. Without really thinking about it, or making sure he couldn't, the Scotsman lifted the hand in his and pressed the back of it to his lips, dropping it just as swiftly back to where it had lain and turning to the waitress that came alongside their table with a well-practiced smile.

Lachlann MacNab Ladies and Gentlemen (and those who identify as 'neither'), Lachlann MacNab's brain had just left the building. And the planet. And this side of the galaxy, probably. Lachlann's current state of mind could be described with two memes: 'no thoughts, head empty' and with the blurry images full of colourful hearts -the red on his face (that was almost as dark as the one of his hair) did a good job expressing that last idea without any need for words. His thoughts didn't return when the waitress finally appeared, nor when the older man started ordering food, nor with the casual 'customer service-like' jokes she made every now and then. He had been reduced to a blushing, grinning idiot and he regretted absolutely nothing.

Seamus MacTunnag The waitress was friendly, incredibly so, the small talk she made before taking their orders was casual, friendly, and professional. Seamus was pleased to see that she knew the menu expertly, answering the questions he had about certain dishes. Out of the corner of his eye, Lachlann still hadn't stopped grinning. A self-satisfied smirk curled, briefly, around Seamus's mouth before it fell away, returning to something more pleasant. Their waitress caught it, nevertheless, and hid her own smile behind her notepad. Seamus ordered everything they'd discussed, vegan option included, and merely asked for part of the order to be brought out to-go, along with the dessert (unless their minds were changed about that, later). Then she left and the table had fallen silent again. Seamus turned to Lachlann and chuckled at the red flush that had spread across his face. "Did we lose ye Lachie?"

Lachlann MacNab 'Did we lose ye Lachie?' The answer was, of course, a dazed "buh" before any semblance of coherent thought returned to Lachlann's mind and he became, slowly but surely, capable of articulating words. "Yeah, I- wha-? I- sure?" he obviously hadn't heard the other's words (but, hey, at least he was trying), cleared his throat, then tried again "I'm ok, I just- I- yeah. That was- really cute" He then realized 'cute' wasn't necessarily the best word to convey his idea but at this point the fact that he hadn't fainted (like when he was sufficiently near Jim Starling) was practically a miracle in itself. "Sorry, I just-" he laughed "-sorry, Mister Mac T, you have my attention now" (As if he hadn't before) "Would you believe me if I said that blood loss finally got the better of me? and, eh, thanks for ordering, by the by"

Seamus MacTunnag The brunette waited patiently for the other man to be able to express emotions through words, but it was a bit if an amusing wait, if he was being honest. It was almost like watching a computer reboot, except the computer was Lachlann's brain and it had gone completely off-line. "Cute, huh," he questioned, good-humor coloring his words, still a touch teasing as he shook his head and laughed, quietly, again before nudging a water towards the other man. "Nope. Not in th' slightest." The grin that curled around his mouth was cheeky, now, as he motioned towards Lachlann's face, gently ribbing at him. "Seein' as yer face is th' color o' yer hair, I'd say 's fine. An' if it wasna, well, ye'd probably be goin' tah th' hospital." He was, after all, proclaimed a worrier. Had to keep that intact, even if he was messing about. "But yer welcome. Figured it wouldna hurt."

Lachlann MacNab "You know what I meant" was the best argument Lachlann could offer (and he was sure the other indeedknew). 'Cute' wasn't the best of words to express the idea but it was close enough. (And, again, the other's smile had disarmed him a long time ago and he regretted absolutely nothing) "Maybe I should go to the hospital, but I'd prefer to get some food first" he joked back, just letting things be "I'm a man of priorities, Mister Mac T!" It was almost surreal to think that he had been nervous at the beginning, specially now that things felt so ...natural, as if no time had passed or the town being in literal flames some days prior hadn't been that big of a deal

Seamus MacTunnag "Do I though," he hummed, one side of his mouth still curled upward. He sipped at his own drink for a moment before Lachlann spoke again. "Food first, then. Go tah th' hospital on a full stomach," he murmured, following along on the thread of the joke as his eyes roved over the other patrons. There were a great number of people clustered near the front still, many more seated at tables and booth seats. Tiana's Place seemed to be doing wonderfully well.

Lachlann MacNab "Food first, everything else can wait" he nodded with a smile still on his face. The atmosphere was really, really enjoyable and they were in no hurry to do...well, anything -the previous interruption had been kind of rude but now that they had decided what to eat and had made themselves comfortable it seemed like such a trivial thing to think about. Maybe they'd give dancing a second try, later, and maybe he'd manage to find Tiana and chat her up, maybe the other would find some of his acquaintances and have a good time with them, too- -but that moment, that little moment, was perfect just like that.

Seamus MacTunnag Nodding his head, Seamus agreed to Lachlann's words wordlessly. Instead, he returned the grin. He found himself continuing to do that. Perhaps any other person would have been angry that Lachlann had disappeared, that he'd gone out and done something idiotic because he thought to help a friend. Perhaps, at one time, he would have been. But Seamus had learned in his irregularly long life not to hold a grudge. At this point, it would probably die with him, and he didn't want to hold grudges against the man next to him. He hadn't promised not to leave again, but he'd said he would try, and trying counted in his book. They could dance later or they could not. They could sit and talk or they could walk back to the car and drive back through Besydus. But whatever they did, Seamus was alright with that. It was the trying that counted, after all

#I like talking this way cause it makes everything sound important (Writings)#S: At Tiana's Place Grand Opening #c: Scrooge #/This is a recap for the non-group friends so they can kind of understand the chaos

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sireneia · 5 years ago

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@knightlydumbass sent: 🎰I THINK I HAVE BARELY ENOUGH MUSES FOR THIS... // rng ships / interactions. honestly i don’t know why i pretend like i haven’t been writing all these as platonic first

for complete transparency, for this one i rigged them on ur part just to showcase all your muses but i still randomized mine akhskhgr i also randomized mine after i wrote your muses’ names down so as to avoid just picking pairs i’d like to talk about

1. Reyson & Rowan

You know, the nice thing about Rowan is while I theoretically can put him in Heroes verse to interact with anyone, I can also just as easily literally throw him into any FE world without much of any explanation either or vice versa LMAO so I could have Rowan visit Tellius or maybe Reyson can chill in the unfortunate rubble that is Aytolis

Rowan, though he now has an interest in other realms, has little to no idea about what Tellius is and so would be surprised to know of a world where there’s all these shapeshifting animals! While Rowan has issues with people who are royalty but can’t fight due to his own issues with his father, I think he’d easily be able to look past it with Reyson considering how much Reyson himself wishes he could participate and fight. Rowan could see that anger! That determination! That’s what matters more to Rowan than actual physical capability -- the drive to fight, and while maybe Reyson might not be too fond of Rowan, Rowan could easily be swayed into vibing well with him.

The power of the herons’ singing and their ability to purify the soul would be of particular interest to him though. It might actually get Rowan to dial himself down since it’d probably make him wonder if Reyson had been there with him during his own adventure, if Reyson could’ve potentially saved Rowan’s own friend from possession. He wouldn’t ask to turn back time or anything, but I think Reyson might be one of the only characters in FE with the potential to make Rowan more contemplative and even mournful to an extent.

2. Sara & Raigh

hahaha so. Raigh canonically is strangely okay with girls with long purplish-silver hair that happen to Know Everything About You so he’d probably be alright with Sara, though he might struggle with the idea of seeing himself as an equal to her with the fact she can read as childish at times with how she works to her own whims as opposed to others. That could lead to him being exasperated but he still wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone either.

If he sees her as overly childish, then that opens up him to be even more willing to be kind on her considering how he can’t bring himself to be anything but kind to those he sees as troubled children. Beyond that though, I think Raigh would be interested in her bloodline which could get to a no-go territory, but still! She may be a healer, but she’s associated with the darkness! It’s notable darkness even! Raigh at his heart is also a researcher and would love to know more about any darkness he can. He has a reason to be interested in spending time with her from the get-go as a result.

3. Eldigan & Febail

Hm, this becomes an interesting question of how much does Eldigan know first and foremost. Edain is childhood friends with Sigurd, so would Eldigan know her well by extension and thus maybe know of Brigid even if not her present self? Would Eldigan recognize Yewfelle ( i don’t like assuming everyone knows what the holy weapons look like in-game considering how clueless patty and febail seemed at balmung and yewfelle but i think it’s probably reasonable to assume a majorblood would know akhshgr ) and not even need to know Brigid at all to understand what Febail is? Or would Febail just seem like another companion of Ares that Eldigan would be meeting in Askr?

If they meet with no information at all, I think Febail would more than anything read to Eldigan as a really bad example of the common people getting screwed over by those that rule over them; here’s someone who had to resort to a job he probably shouldn’t have had to because there was basically no way to financially support a bunch of the future generation of Jugdral suddenly with the Empire’s executions. It’s not the kind of Jugdral Eldigan would’ve wanted, and I don’t know if his ideal heart would like to hear Febail’s story consequently.

If Eldigan has an idea though, I think he could be a source of helping Febail at least... somewhat prepare for his future and what being a duke would entail. Febail at no time really understands in-game what he’s getting himself into, even when he’s told he’s Brigid’s son, and so Eldigan might be the wake-up call he needs.

Regardless of the previous two ifs, there’s always the potential of Febail giving yet another viewpoint on what Ares has been doing and what he’s like, though of course he’s a lot less helpful of a source than Lene would be lmao

4. Ares & Dew

I have all these Jugdrali muses who live in / are relevant during the time period Ares is and yet RNG chooses Dew, huh. The One (1) that isn’t. Close with an FE4 muse yet so far ok.jpeg

With the interaction we had with Eldigan and Dew already, I think the idea of Ares having inherited alongside Mystletainn the sword Dew gave Eldigan and Dew recognizing it could be wild hahaha especially if it’s like. Wow. This Sword Either Went Entirely Unused Or You Took Really Good Care Of It, Huh considering I doubt Eldigan would’ve done anything with it. //:

There’s also the potential of Dew being alive in Gen 2 and them meeting quite literally that way, though ofc they can just meet up in Heroes verse with Dew being a ghost like all the other gen 1 units. This is basically a role-reversal of the Eldigan and Febail pitch I had where now Dew is able to tell Ares more about the time period where his father was living, maybe clear up some unanswered questions, but from the perspective of someone who is a bit more detached than, say, Lachesis or Sigurd who would have their biases or might be troubling in their own ways to approach due to heavier consequences should the conversation go wrong. But with Dew, those consequences don’t exist. After all, who cares much about a thief from Verdane and upsetting him?

There’s also the strange barely mentioned ties between Verdane and Agustria post-game that could make a conversation between them based upon the countries they belong to in a way, or I guess if we really wanted to go there, there’s always the fact that Dew is one of Aunt Lachy’s predestineds. God, wild uncle possibilities for Ares going from Beo to Dew to the only reasonable man of Naoise.

5. Yuri & Clive

I still know next to nothing about the Ashen Wolves but from what information I’ve been given (whether it be canon or just people feeding me hcs in a way that seemed like canon to me), I’m not so sure I think these two would be on very good terms. It sounds like to me Yuri might have an issue with Clive as a knight based on Yuri’s own experiences and ideals, but I also cannot get a good read on Yuri at all with how some people say him and also you telling me he’s not very receptive to Crimson Flower as a route, throwing me a big curveball in my attempt to understand his motivations or principles LMAO

I think Clive’s always an interesting comparison point for a lot of FE characters with his views on duty, class systems, merit and what people ought to be recognized, affection, etc. and it sounds to me like Yuri has strong opinions himself! Even if i don’t know them

Maybe Clive’s thoughts on accepting those shunned by his peers because they too might have the potential to shine could be received well but all the other parts aren’t. Who Knows. I don’t know why I tried talking my way through this when I know absolute jack maskhgr i am So Sorry

#// i can't believe i have not one but two muses who would not be creeped out by sara's all-seeing ways LMAO #knightlydumbass #+. / ooc.#+. / inbox.#long post ---

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hisgirlfriday22 · 5 years ago

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Untangle Me

Chapter One - McGuire’s Pub

.........

"Come on, Molly, you never do anything fun! It's only one night, and it wouldn't be the same without you!"

Molly sighed as she rolled her eyes at her coworker and friend. "That's not true, Hannah. I do plenty of fun things.." She muttered as she continued to straighten up her classroom. Due to the rainy weather outside, she'd been forced to keep her toddlers inside, and they'd practically trashed the room out of boredom. Ahh, the life of a preschool teacher...

"Pffft, sure you do. You work and you babysit. And when you're not watching kids, you go home and watch Netflix, am I right? Don't even try to deny it. Besides, what is one night out going to hurt?" Hannah asked. Her brow was raised as she gave Molly a smug smirk. She was right and she knew it.

Molly sighed and opened her mouth to speak, but she was quickly cut off by her friend once more.

"You haven't even had a night out since you broke up with Asher..."

Molly tensed a bit as she turned to look at Hannah. A hard glare was evident in her eyes. "That's not fair." She said firmly. Molly hadn't had the best relationship with Asher, and though it took so long for her to admit it to herself, breaking up with him had been the best thing she'd ever done for herself. But, it still was painful. She'd spent years with him, and it was hard to just let all of that go.

Hannah frowned at the look on her friend's face. She was regretful of her words, or rather, how she'd put them. She knew Asher was a tough subject for Molly and she should have never brought him up. Still, she knew a night out with her friends was exactly what Molly needed, even if she didn't see it. "Look, I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you, that's all. You're always doing things for others, but you never do anything for yourself. I think a night out is just what you need. "

Molly sighed as she placed the last stray toy on the shelf. She really just wanted to go home and have a relaxing night in, but perhaps there was some truth in what Hannah was saying. "You know what...fine, I'll go. But just this once, okay? And you have to promise not to harass me about going out again."

A bright grin spread across Hannah's face as she nodded eagerly. "Deal! We're meeting at McGuire's pub at 8:30, don't be late! I swear you're going to have the best time! You won't regret it!"

.....

And so that's how Molly found herself seated at a table with Hannah and Sophie, surrounded by drunk people and loud Irish music. If she was honest, this wasn't her cup of tea and she longed to go home, but she didn't want to disappoint her friends. So, she sipped idly at a glass of wine and took in her surroundings the best she could.

Sophia and Hannah had gotten lost in their own conversation, and though Molly knew they weren't trying to exclude her in any way, she felt like a third wheel and didn't want to butt into the conversation. Using the excuse of getting a second glass of wine, Molly stood from the table and made her way toward the surprisingly less crowded bar and took a seat. She let out a quiet sigh as she pulled out her phone from her pocket and began scrolling through her notifications. She quickly got lost in her own little world until she was interrupted by the feeling of an arm wrapping around her waist.

With a gasp, Molly looked up to see the smiling face of a man about her age, maybe a bit older. "There you are, Sweetheart, I wondering where you'd gotten off to." He said in a thick Australian accent. His bold actions and words earned a look of complete bewilderment from Molly. Who was this man and what the hell did he think he was doing?

"I..." Molly started, but she paused when the man leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

"Just play along...The man beside you slipped something into your drink. " He whispered, causing Molly to tense. She did her best not to look at the man beside her or her drink. Instead, she forced a smile and looked up at the oddly familiar man.

"Hey! Just thought I'd wait for you at the bar." She told him. Molly wondered if her face betrayed her confusion, and perhaps her fear. She really hoped not, though she did have a hard time controlling her expressions.

"Good call." The man replied before looking to the bartender. He ordered himself a Guinness before turning his attention to Molly. "And what do you want, Love?" Damn this man was laying it on thick, wasn't he?"

"Oh,um, just water with lime please." She said to the bartender, forcing a smile. She wanted to get away from this whole situation, but it seemed she was rather stuck. If she walked away now, it'd be quite clear to the man who attempted to drug her that she wasn't with the man who was being far too familiar with her for her liking.

Thankfully the man seemed to note Molly's discomfort, so he removed his arm from her waist before reaching for her hand. "Want to step outside a bit?" He asked her in a whisper, to which Molly nodded as she quickly slid off the barstool, not letting go of her water for a moment. She kept a hold of the man's hand as they weaved through the crowd of people and headed straight toward the outdoor seating area.

Molly was apprehensive about going outside with this man, and understandably so. She didn't know him, she didn't know his intentions. Still, he had saved her from something horrible, and though looks could be deceiving, he seemed completely harmless.

As they stepped out into the cool autumn air, Molly let out a shaky breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Her hand was still holding on to the man's hand as he led her to an empty table toward the back of the patio.

"I'd let you keep it if I didn't need it." The man teased with a grin as he gently tugged his hand away from Molly's grip.

Molly felt her cheeks burn with a blush and she quickly stuffed her hand into the pocket of her skinny jeans. She cleared her throat and took a seat at the table. "Sorry about that...Uh, thank you for...back there. I should have been paying more attention." She said.

A soft smile tugged at his lips as the man took a seat across from Molly at the table. "It's alright. I can tell your mind is a bit preoccupied. I'm just glad I got to you before you took a sip." He said. His smile faded slightly as the gravity of the situation seemed to hit him. However, his smile quickly returned as he offered his hand to Molly once more. "My name's Lachlan, uh, but my friends call me Lachy."

Molly slipped her hand into his and shook it gently, her smile mirroring his. "It's nice to meet you Lachy, despite the circumstances. I'm Molly." She couldn't help but wonder why he seemed so familiar to her. There had to be somewhere she'd seen him before, though she couldn't think of where. It wasn't really all that common to see an Australian in Folly Beach, South Carolina...

Molly was once again pulled from her thoughts by the sound of a muttered curse. She looked at Lachy to see an apologetic look on his face. "I have to go. My set starts in ten minutes." Molly must have had a confused expression on her face because Lachy gestured toward the door as he continued. "My uh, my band. We're playing next. I'm sure they're wondering where I'm at. Uh...You could come with me if you want? I'm sure it'd be okay for you to stand where out guitar cases are..."

Molly nodded slowly. "Oh, of course. Yeah, you should go." She said, smiling a bit. "I have friends here, actually. And they're probably wondering where I went. I should go find them." She explained.

Lachy gave her a curious look, and Molly figured he was wondering why she'd separated from her friends, but thankfully he didn't question it. Instead, he scratched the back of his neck nervously. "I see. Well, uh, if you're planning on staying for a while, would you like to have a drink after the set?"

Molly hesitated for a moment before she responded with a nod. She didn't know this guy, she really shouldn't be agreeing to spend time with him, but she felt she owed him at least a drink. He did potentially save her life, after all. Besides, she was certain Sophia and Hannah would be in their own little world the rest of the night anyway if they hadn't found guys to dance with already, that is. "Sure, that sounds nice." She said, offering him one more smile.

Lachy's smile brightened a bit as he offered her his hand, which Molly took against her better judgment and the two made their way back into the bar. After a quick 'see you later", they quickly went their separate ways, Lachy heading toward the small stage while Molly returned to the table with her friends. She wasn't even certain they had realized she had slipped away until Hannah gave her an accusing look.

"And where the hell have you been?" She asked her. "You slipped away to get another glass of wine almost 45 minutes ago!"

Molly bit her lip and held up her glass of water. "Uh, long story." She said as she slid into the chair she'd occupied previously.

"Mhmm, and who was that guy you were walking back in with?" Sophia questioned. A sly smirk tugged at her lips, and Molly had to stop herself from rolling her eyes.

"Just a guy I met. He kinda saved me from a potentially bad situation." She said with a shrug before she sipped the cold water. "Apparently someone slipped something into my drink." She held her hand up before her friends could begin freaking out. "Don't worry, I didn't drink any of it. Thankfully he was there."

"Molly, you have to pay attention. That's why it's better to stay with the group you came with." Hannah's voice was edged with annoyance, but Molly ignored it.

"Well, I'm fine." She left the conversation at that, not offering to say anything else on the matter as the sound of Irish folk music began to drift through the pub. Molly turned her attention to the stage, and her eyes widened slightly as she looked at the other people who joined Lachy on the stage. At least two of them seemed familiar as well, and she knew exactly where she'd seen them before.

"Molly, you okay?" Hannah asked, having noticed the strange expression on her friend's face. "I take it you recognize them?"

Molly looked to Hannah, her eyes were still wide with shock. "Why are the..."

Sophie interrupted Molly as she yelled out over the loud music. "They have 21 and up gig at Irish pubs and bars when they tour the U.S. and Canada, we thought it might be fun to go. We see enough of them at work, after all, maybe their adult shows aren't so bad. Oh don't look so put out, it's going to be fun! They sing Irish and Scottish Folk music from what I understand."

"But the damn Wiggles?" Molly asked, in exasperation. That's where she'd seen Lachy before. She'd seen him almost daily on the classroom TV for 30 minutes before the toddlers went down for their nap. The same man on stage, singing the first few lines of Loch Lomond was the same man who pretended to fall asleep in the most random places on her toddlers' favorite tv show.

"Well, their band is called the Unusual Commoners. But yes, three of them, at least are Wiggles." Hannah replied with a snorted laugh. "What, you didn't recognize him earlier?"

Molly's eyes widened again as the girls continued with their giggles. "You look shocked...We saw you step out with him, and no, we didn't think you knew who he was...You should get his number, he's a cutie." Sophie teased. Her words were slurred a bit, which told Molly she'd probably already had more than enough alcohol for the night.

Molly rolled her eyes and sipped her drink. She didn't dignify that comment with a response as she turned her attention back to the stage where the man she'd just spent almost an hour with was singing his heart out and playing the hell out of a guitar. She had to admit, he was good, very good.

"For a Wiggle." She murmured with a small smile as she settled in her chair to enjoy the rest of the set.

#lachy wiggle #lachy gillespie #lachlan gillespie #the wiggles

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lachlantrash · 5 years ago

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Oh can you do a blurb where Lachlan is a senior and you're a junior and he's graduating? And it's like super sad because he's leaving but he's super cuddly

You’re so full of tears as you watch your babe walk across the stage and get his diploma. It’s such a heartfelt moment because this day begins the rest of his life really. This day ends one chapter of his life and begins the next one, college. It’s bittersweet for you, so you can only imagine what he’s feeling. You’re so proud of him for doing everything you knew he could to get here, so proud he passed that calculus class he was worried about. But you’re nervous for the future of you guys. Of course Lachlan promised that he’d stick with you even while he’s in college, he’s only going to be in the city and it’s a few hour drive at most from where you are. He guarantees you’ll make it work, you’ll last even while he’s away from home. It’s not that you don’t believe him, there’s just the sliver of worry in you on whether or not he’ll find some sorority girl and leave you in a heartbeat. Though as you watch him walk across the stage all the negative thoughts leave your mind and you’re just so proud of him. You scream alongside his parents, making the briefest eye contact with him before the ceremony carries on. Once the ceremony is finished droning on, and all the seniors throw their caps, everyone on the field is screaming and hugging their friends. You and his parents walk onto the field, letting them hug him first and you immediately offer to take photos of them together, teasing Lachlan about how he could at least pretend to be happy about graduating when he doesn’t smile for the camera. He’d roll his eyes but smile afterwards because you asked him to. Then his mom ushers you to take photos with him, and you immediately hug him. He’s chuckling as he hugs you back, lifting you and spinning you for a minute, whispering, “I did it, baby” in your ear. “I know you did, and I’m so proud of you.” You tell him, smiling up at him as soon as he puts you down. You press a quick kiss to his cheek, not wanting too much PDA to be shown in front of his parents. “Oh c’mon, we know you want to give him a real one. Go ahead, we’ll look away.” His father teases, causing you to blush as they actually turn around. Lachlan laughs, pressing his lips against yours quickly before pulling away. “Okay, you guys can turn around.” He laughs, standing behind you and wrapping both his arms around you, holding his diploma in front of you. “You two are the cutest couple ever.” His mom sighs, taking photos of you. “Now stand beside her, Lachy. You don’t want her looking trapped in ever photo.” His mom says, and he moves into the position she requested. “Okay, is she coming with us back home or are you driving her?” His dad asks, referring to you. “I’m taking her.” Lachlan immediately says, adding “We’re just going to take some more photos here and we’ll meet you guys at home.” “Okay, just remember we have reservations for tonight. Enjoy yourselves.” His dad tells him, both his parents giving him a final hug before going to leave the ceremony. “Who do you need a photo with?” You ask, grabbing his hand once his parents are walking away. “Nobody really. I just want to spend time with you for awhile before going home.” He smiles down at you, dropping your hand to hug you again. “I’m really done with high school. It isn’t setting in.” He sighs, squeezing you to him tighter. “You really are. It’s gonna be weird not seeing you in the halls, but I’m so happy for you babe. I’m so proud of you and you worked your ass off to be here.” You hum, pressing a trail of kisses from his cheek, pressing a final one to his lips. “You promise you won’t leave me when I’m off in college?” He asks, pulling away to look at you. “Of course I promise, I love you, Lachy.” You tell him, squeezing his hand. “Okay, because I love you too.” He smiles, rushing another kiss to your lips. “C’mon Powers, take your girl and let’s go! We’re gonna go to the lake, celebrate the end!” Lachlan’s friend Jerome yells over at you two. “Want to go?” You ask him. “For a bit, but then we’re going to my house for some celebratory cuddles.” He smiles at you, yelling back to Jerome that you’ll meet him there

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ambivertthemag-blog · 5 years ago

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a conversation with JUSTN collective.

A phone call with the Sydney based collective, discussing how they got into film and visuals, future endeavours and why creating is important to them.

JUSTN is made up of Nick Ward (18), Jack Soepono (18) and Lachlan Thompson (17)

- so, introduce yourself..explain how JUSTN came to be

Nick - okay so, just to clarify JUSTN is the name of our ex film and tv teacher called Justin. And we were kinda taking the piss out of it, so that is why we named it JUSTN. We were all in the same film class throughout the start of high school so we started making a lot of short films together and we decided why don’t we put a name on it and call it a collective.

Lachlan - yeah and the name has like all of our initials in it so thats kinda cool

Nick- that’s more of a coincidence thing

Lachlan - so yeah, i guess its - building on what nick said a place to put our films and somewhere we can kinda put ideas under. i mean we are sorta seen this abundance of like pages on the internet with like film makers and like a bunch of collectives in Australia and around the world which is just a place for people to put their films under.

- how would you describe the content you guys are making?

Nick- kinda anything creative.

Lachlan- i think its content thats sorta relevant, in the sense that - its content thats based off of what we see around us, whether it be nick and his music videos or me and jack with films. so we all create stuff thats relevant to us.

Nick- we really love Brockhampton and i guess we love how they have a super DIY kind of edge to them but they still make things that are really cinematic -

- are you referring to the saturation series

Nick- yeah all that type of stuff. we love brockhampton.

- cool.

Nick- um yeah. just making stuff at home with no money-

Lachlan- with no budget

Nick- and trying to make it as good as possible.

- so, how do you feel that you fit into the film scene in Sydney and in your area?

Jack- who wants to take this one?

Lachlan - I guess... now that we are finishing school and kind of moving off, i guess like film and music and everything creative is going to be part of our lives and is going to be relevant. so i think um we kind of fit into this industry by fitting into the younger generation of creatives that are creating and building content that is relevant through the world and thats actually achieving something.

Nick- yeah, but um we had a film at Tropfest last year and we were the only kids there but the other filmmakers were really inviting to us but there still was a sense of ageism through the whole thing, like some people were really patronising and sh*t like you know. we kind of felt some times we were seen as token youth.

- but at the same time now more of the creative scene in Sydney and the world in general and the music industry is being pushed by younger people, so i guess you guys still have an advantage because your still relevant in the sense that you are still young.

all of them- yeah.

- so, what are some future plans and goals that you guys have for JUSTN and where do you see it heading?

Jack- i don’t know, we haven’t really talked about it but i guess like over the next couple years just like sticking close to each other and kind of just chilling out and making stuff that comes to our heads. like especially in the years that we finish school and in between university or those first years of university and kind of just getting those ideas to come to us-

Nick- we want to make a feature film is one thing we really wanna do.

Lachlan- yeah, i think we are all- i don’t know what jack is doing but i think me and nick are going to go off and be in creative areas, hopefully. yeah i guess just creating and having a place to put our work.

- cool, so what does being a creative mean to you and being a filmmaker, how does that affect the way you go about things and creating?

Nick- i think that creative expression especially for teenage boys is so important and isn’t taken advantage of because.. i think its a good way and quite therapeutic and collaborative and its just like a more productive way to spend your time then doing nangs.

- so, when did you guys first get into film making and making the content that you guys make now?

Jack- i was probably the most recent to get into it to this kind of stuff, i know Nick and Lachie have been doing this for a while i will let them speak about, but for me it was just like my little brother started making holiday videos and i thought it was cool and wanted to have a go at it and started learning about it at school and then met these kids at school, and started hanging out and started making some short films and it kind of grew from there.

Lachlan- i think a lot like nick, i was sort of doing creative stuff quite young i guess.. my parents are quite creative people in creative industries and that sort of impacted me in going in that direction and i think with something i found myself and i guess i won heaps of awards and photography then eventually film. I guess I’ve been involved creatively with stuff for quite a while and so is nick and i’ve been enjoying being able to make content and make films.. so yeah

- any advice to younger creatives trying to start a platform and make films and content?

Nick- i think the main thing is making authentic art on things and topics you really have something to say about, you know? i think a lot of kids are trying to make sci-fi movies and sh*t like that, when you know they have never been to the f*cking moon. Yeah but i think if you tell a story that nobody else can tell but you, i think you are on the right track.

Jack- like i don’t have the gear and i don’t have the time but if you have that attitude just actually do something about it with whatever you have.

Lachlan- yeah exactly, i think now with technology being so accessible, i mean all the sort of gear you need is like your iPhone or your phone i guess to film content. i think in a world that is so connected with just so much content and just so much stuff... i think same as nick making content that is authentic to you and authentic to your story and just i guess start making stuff. and there are instagram pages where photographers are just shoot on their phone and they have huge numbers so i guess... just create.

special thank you to the boys at JUSTN for having a chat with me. super talented and creative guys who deserve so much success and support! the full IGTV video will be up on the ambivert instagram.

JUSTN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justncollective/

Nick’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nickwarddd/

Jack’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jacksoepono/

Lachlan’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/lachlan__t/

Nick has a new single called “skin” so check it out:https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsong.link%2Fi%2F1468616676&e=ATNCt8vnTfRNmmjSmi8oAzr2vsgcIPBoxxrCL_d0jIKSucRkvBKyY5UaVyG90c6L8tPhphGeuLsRLbcs

Lachlan also has a photography account so follow him:https://www.instagram.com/burntnegative/

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general-du-vallon · 7 years ago

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post Death of a Hero, because because. I did already write an episode tag to this but i have deleted every instance of that in a fit of pique so let’s forget that. I can write as many as i like, anyway.

“Well, I’m going to go and find my wife to kiss her again,” d’Artagnan says, getting up and looking a bit awkwardly between Porthos and Treville.

“I have duty,” Treville says, short and sharp, and he gets up too, leading d’Artagnan out.

Porthos looks around the empty office, thinks about Athos off with Sylvie, Aramis off meeting the queen in secret (as he surely is right now), d’Artagnan in the arms of his wife, and laughs. That hurts so he stops and turns back to the window. He breathes as deeply as he can for a while, then shakes the bitterness off and goes to find Hannah. She’s been here since about the same time as d’Artagnan showed up, stitching them up, giving them salves, looking after them. Some friend of Constance’s. Porthos hasn’t seen her since they came back from the front, he goes to knock on her door and is surprised to find it answered by a very small child, and surprised again when a slim lad with one arm comes to lift the child onto a hip. Porthos peers over the man’s shoulder.

“Um, is Hannah…?” Porthos asks, uncertain all of a sudden. He hasn’t been hurt since returning, or not more than a scrape or bruise that Aramis or Athos hasn’t taken care of. He went to d’Artagnan with a cut once and only once: d’Artagnan’s solution was to punch Porthos in the shoulder and cheerfully suggest he use a smelly pot of something orange that was apparently a recipe of his mother’s.

“Oh, you’re from the garrison,” the man says. “I’ll get Hannah.”

Porthos waits, having not been invited in. Hannah comes out a few minutes later and smiles seeing him.

“Monsieur du Vallon,” she says, drying her hands on an apron. “My husband said it was someone from the garrison, can I help?”

“No, I’m sorry, I thought you were still…” Porthos trails off. Husband. That means the kid’s probably hers, too. He definitely should have found out who runs things around here before barging in on someone.

“I’m still working, if that’s what you mean, Constance usually comes and knocks when I’m needed, so I can spend time with Claude and Esther. Are you injured?”

“A broken rib, I think,” Porthos says. “I wanted someone to check my back and make sure I’ve not missed something.”

“Come on in. Usually we’d go to the sickroom, but as it’s you,” Hannah says.

Porthos follows her into the little house, just a few rooms, a garret really. She’s got it beautifully set up, all the things neatly sewn, everything bright and fresh and clean. He nearly falls asleep as she’s examining him but Esther comes in and distracts him. He lets her assuage her curiosity about many things. Like his beard, and his bright buttons, and the coins she finds in his boot, and is gloves. She’s not in the slightest shy but she isn’t much of a talker. Hannah’s husband comes and stands in the doorway and watches over the child, and in his attentive focus Porthos recognises him as one of the sharp shooters Porthos worked with at the front, two years ago, back at Alsace. They barely worked together for more than a few days, Porthos doesn’t refresh his memory: Lachy took out a man about to shoot Porthos, that day. He’d then got them both captured by the Spanish yelling when a ball hit him. Not that Porthos had blamed him. The wound had festered, locked in the prison there, Porthos had done his best but had been watching over a dead man until Athos and d’Artagnan hatched their foolhardy plan. Hannah must have seen to him when he returned home. But no, because Esther’s coming on three or four, surely. Porthos’s idle wondering comes to an end as Hannah decides that, as he suspected, it’s just a broken rib. Or two, according to her. And extensive bruising.

“I’ve taken my time cleaning these cuts and grazes so they don’t infect,” she tells him, following him out.

“I’m glad you’ve found some family,” Porthos blurts, squinting at the sun.

“Hm,” Hannah says, hands on her hips. “He’s a good man.”

“I know,” Porthos says. “He saved my life two years ago. He’s a damned good shot.”

Hannah smiles, a little shy, a little uncertain. Porthos wonders if she loves Lachy. He doesn’t ask, Lachy comes out and Hannah turns, and he doesn’t need to ask. Porthos heads for his rooms, then changes tack and goes to Athos’s instead, lying face down on the bed. Athos is with Sylvie, he won’t be back for hours. Days, even. His bed is nicer than Porthos’s. He’s about to drift off when the latch lifts, sending a spike of adrenaline through him. He recognises Athos before he does anything like skewer the intruder.

“Nearly killed you, startling me like that,” Porthos mumbles, ignoring the fact that he’s still face first in Athos’s pillow, belt and jacket and weapons discarded somewhere near the door.

“I would have knocked,” Athos says, sarcastically.

“Next time,” Porthos says, ignoring the sarcasm.

He doesn’t ask about Sylvie. He can guess, he’s seen Athos with relationships before. Not necessarily romantic relationships, but relationships. He remembers, early on, Athos trying at least ten times to break away from Porthos, to persuade Porthos he wasn’t worth being friends with, wasn’t worth trusting. Wasn’t worth loving. Couldn’t love Porthos in return. Athos fits himself into the small space Porthos isn’t draped over, groans, fits his arms around Porthos in a way that doesn’t hurt, shoves and cajoles until Porthos isn’t lying on his broken ribs, and then subsides, still grumbling, against Porthos’s shoulder.

“I hurt,” Porthos says.

“Me too,” Athos says, fervent.

“Today was not a good day.”

“We didn’t die, that’s something,” Athos says.

“I lost a good barrel of wine, that’s almost as bad,” Porthos says. Athos chuckles, scratching his fingers lightly against Porthos’s chest. “I suppose living is more important than wine."

“What will I do with you?” Athos says, softly, catching something in Porthos’s tone.

“More what I’m going to do with myself, now you have all found other family,” Porthos says.

“Mm-hmm,” Athos says, unimpressed by Porthos’s misery.

“What?”

“Well, what shall I say to you?” Athos says. “I could tell you that you’ll always have a place, with any of us. That we share whatever we have, as always. That… you’re the truest friend I’ve ever had, the best man I’ve ever met, you have never wavered. I have no intention of losing that. Or of losing this.”

“Sylvie’s not as patient as I am,” Porthos says, into the pillow, face pressed there to keep from laughing or crying. Or both. “Lose her if you don’t get it together.”

“I can’t. I put her in danger. My job doesn’t allow me-”

“Uh-uh,” Porthos says. “Not my problem.”

“Then leave it,” Athos says. Porthos grumbles, but that’s fair so he does it wordlessly. “Broken ribs?”

“Just one,” Porthos lies. “The same as always breaks.”

“You could stop barrelling into fights,” Athos says.

“You could stop nagging,” Porthos says, but without any heat.

“I was so surprised when I realised I loved you,” Athos says. “I can’t believe how much I do, it’s ridiculous.”

“Love isn’t kind,” Porthos says.

“Then I promise besides,” Athos says, stubbornly. “Promise you’ll be my family until the day we die. I couldn’t throw you off now if I tried.”

“Yeah, you’re a weakling. I’m too big,” Porthos says, leaning back into Athos. Athos hisses so Porthos quickly removes his weight. “Especially now. Useless, now.”

Athos huffs but doesn’t refute any of that. Porthos smiles happily and goes to sleep. d'Artagnan was right: he does have good friends. He mightn’t have a wife and child yet, or any of the things d’Artagnan was dreamy over, but he has plenty of his own. Maybe Sylvie will be just patient enough and she’ll give up her sedition and have many many children who Porthos can dote on. Porthos hums, pleased with that idea. Athos probably likes Sylvie’s sedition. Probably wants to join her. Cause mischief, like Aramis. Porthos can’t exactly blame them, war tears a country apart and makes orphans and refugees, plenty there to fight over. Plenty of places that things could be done better. Porthos sighs, the gauzy image of Sylvie and Athos and himself raising many many little Athoses dispersing.

“What now?” Athos sighs. “Are we never going to sleep, Porthos? Today has been trying.”

“At least we’re not dead,” Porthos says. “I was just thinking. Serving my country, long and well. I’ve one good, right, Athos? In the world?”

“You’ve done wonderfully,” Athos says, dry and irritable but no less genuine for that. Porthos nods and settles down again. “I admire the way you move through the world, my friend. Please get some rest.”

“Let you get rest you mean,” Porthos says. “Up all hours doing who knows what.”

Athos huffs again, tightens his arms just enough to hurt for a moment then relaxes, kissing Porthos’s shoulder. Porthos shifts and settles again, eyes heavy, gritty with dust and exhaustion. Today really was not a good day. He had thought that he might never have a child, might never meet the woman he is going to marry, might never have a family. And then, underneath, he’d been afraid. So very, very afraid. Because a trap set for them, for him and d’Artagnan and Aramis, meant danger for Athos. And Athos was alone and vulnerable, unfocussed. But Athos had come and hauled him out and held him for a moment, and now Porthos rests in his arms. So very much to lose, but so very much to come home to as well. So very much to life for and fight for.

#fic #General Porthos du Vallon #porthos #death of a hero #portos/athos

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deetvar-moved · 7 years ago

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Levin'var if nobody asked yet? Also finn/lachesis bc im curious of your thoughts on em!

Levin’var sounds like a monolithic battle station, I love it.

Levin/Deet’var

What I Like - This is cheating because it’s my flagship but its a dual progression of Levin becoming King and Deet’var accepting and moving forward with her choices. What I Don’t Like - That I have to work with so little. Like absurdly little, not even the Oosawa manga makes Deet’var something. Bias aside, I do have struggle a lot with timelines and the constrained-ness of a less 1 chapter romance. At least Finn with Brigid or Tiltyu has time gap to work with. What I Would Fix - Make it an option.

Finn/Lachesis

What I Like - TBH I don’t really have much to go on for them aside from canon, I just think they’re cute. This is more so a fault of me not really looking into Lachy more as a character....which eventually ended up with me putting her with Azel...whoops. What I Don’t Like - It’s Finn and while his devotion to Leif is admirable it’s bound to cost a lot in the process. Hell it kind of does, he almost loses Nanna early on in the game. He loses his wife(?), almost loses his daughter(?), his friendship with Selfina is strained, he struggles with feelings of guilt & inadequacy carried over the death of his lord, and not that’s even withstanding all physical struggles afterward. Finn’s a good guy deep down and his heart is in the right place, just that something is going to give.What I Would Fix - Yeah I don’t think Finn is need of fixing, those attributes are what make him interesting. If anything just give more convos between the two.

#Loptyr speaks #Finn #Lachesis #Levin #Deet'var #Levin/Deet'var Bias #lunatiion

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survivor-rebelsvsroyals · 5 years ago

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EPISODE 3- F*ck Disney. F*ck the Lion King. -Dan

Tribal was a right mess last night, but I managed to survive it. I should have expected Nic to turn on me considering what he told Asya. Luckily, we managed to pull through with the Godfathers + Dan. I confronted Brien and Trace today. Brien revealed that there was an alliance made to get me out with him, Trace, Nic, Asya, and Dan. He seems truly sorry, but I can't trust him anymore. Trace said he only voted me because he thought that there was a majority there and he didn't want to be in the minority. I get that they are both apologetic, but I cannot align myself with people who are so willing to vote me out. The Crackheads are thriving because we are a part of two majority alliances. The Godfathers and the Hotties. I truly want to work with Chloe and John till the end because they are my kindred souls. Hopefully, Asya, Lachie, and Dan do not form their own three. Right now, we're letting Dan think he is in control of the tribe in order to have someone as a shield for the rest of us. I think it'll pan out well if someone gets swap-fucked in the near future. Finally, I hope that we do well in the challenge. We need this win for tribe morale and for the numbers to continue to be on my side.

*lateR*

Brien told me something real interesting. In that alliance with Nic, Asya and Dan were talking shit about me. He says that Asya said that I bark orders and that Dan says I rub him the wrong way constantly. Asya's POV I understand since she thought I was targeting her. Dan's I don't. I thought I had good conversations with Dan, but evidently not. So I'm going to be wary about him moving forward and try not to talk to him.

im annoyed i wanted to sit out and i woke up and seamus and linus sat out first. but glo wasnt on so they sat her out last challenge but im not on but i gotta compete!!! i think ppl hate music video challenges and same

Fuck the royals

Trace is real desperate to stay. He's, evidently, popping off on Chloe. I'm hoping that this means he'll have beef with her which will paint her as the primary target if the majority slips from the Crackheads. Because I guruantee that I'm the target if the majority flips on me, so I need someone to be louder/more extra such that they paint a bigger target. I just want to make it farther in this game, and this sort of thing just sucks if it keeps happening.

*more*

Brien hasn't made any mention of the challenge yet which is strange. I hope he'll be able to participate. We need to win this challenge or else this game will rig it self in favor of the Royals which sucks.

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I'm growing increasingly frustrated with these challenges. It just seems like everyone who is good at them is on the other tribe, and I'm left with people who can't. Can we just have an easy challenge for once where someone can just carry the team? I'm so over it. I want a swap at this point so that I can be put on a tribe who wins immunity. I don't know who I'd vote personally. It has to be between Brien and Trace, but I'm scared to throw out a name because of what happened at last tribal. So, I'm just gonna keep my mouth shut and hope someone puts a target on someone who isn't me or the crackheads.

Fuck the judges. Fuck tumblr survivor. Fuck RTP. Fuck Disney. Fuck the Lion King. Here’s my OTTN5 edit. Mwah

I’m glad that my tribe is winning but I feel like we’re in a constant honeymoon mood or something. I’m ready for just a little bit of drama and to see where everyone stands. I also feel like maybe a swap a roo is coming up soon and as long as I’m not the only royal on a tribe of rebels I think that will be a good way to spice things up.

No one is saying anything because of what happened last tribal. No one wants to be That guy. Dan suggested Brien which I'd be perfectly OK with. He hasn't been loyal to me at all. Also, if we let Dan take control of the vote, then he will further believe that he is in control. Sorry Brien, but it has to be this way.

we lost again ! shocker ! anyways i’m not too mad bc i did what i had to do, and i’m kinda sitting pretty as of now? like it’s gonna be brien or trace, and i’m okay with that. i’m very scared of swapping tho. i can see myself getting fucked in a swap since royals already have a huge lead in majority. my odds aren’t great. i know some people on that tribe but i don’t know that those connections will save me. so right now i just need to make sure i’m good with absolutely everyone on manahune, including whichever of the two in the hot seat stays, so that whoever swaps with me will have my back 100%

*lateR*

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Who has the imaginary friend today? Have a guess Yep! It's Brien!

It seems that the tribe consensus is that Brien is going to get voted out which sucks. He seems like he could have been a true friend and ally. He is really a great guide and I hate to let him go. Our paths just weren't meant to cross. He's trying to make it seem like Dan wants Chloe out, but that is just an unrealistic expectation. It's either a lie on his part or Dan's part. I'm about 99.99% sure that Brien will be the vote.

Can we just take a moment to think about how I’ve been to every fucking tribal council so far!!!! Wtf is that shit about. I’m scared for a swap tho bc it would be so easy for the royals to stay strong and kill me. I’ve been so vocal and people know my reputation (wow that makes me sound like a dick) and I’m an easy first boot on a swap tribe who throws the challenge. I’m just GAY AND DOING MY BEST.

oh lord ladies buckle up. After DAYS of trying to kiss ass and get back into good graces after Dan and Asya literally destroyed me and my first born child, I think I have sufficiently laid low enough to not be a target? everyone wants to vote Brien but cute Brien has an idol (or at least claims to have one). He wants me to vote Dan and I feel HORRIBLE doing it but I think that it is the best option for me moving forward. I am just hoping that everyone isn't lying to me and that they don't split the votes. Because if so I am ROYALLY fucked. Wish me luck!

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thestraggletag · 8 years ago

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The Offering, a Bellish May Day Fic

Giftee: @applejackcat

Summary: Lochdubh is the quintessential Scottish town, which often meant nosy townspeople, a few rowdy locals and more fires than a constable could put off in a day. But it had never meant being incapacitated, stripped down and left in the forest to appease some non-existent spirit.

Yet.

AN: So sorry for the wait, giftee/Zookeeper! What started as a much simpler story devolved into something much more complicated that I had to later wrestle into a short story. I hope you like it!

Written for the @maydaymenagerie exchange of 2017.

It started with a few sheep, and later three pigs and a cow. Dead as doornails for no reason, at least none the vet could find. No signs of an animal attack, or traces of poisoning, though the animals had been burned after a thorough examination just in case. Since all the animals were from different farms and none of the farmers could find motive to believe it being intentional Hamish suspected some local was up to no good involving chemicals and the animals had died of poisoning of some sort. It was unusual for some prank or crazy scheme to have such drastic consequences but he wouldn't be too shocked either if he sooner or later found one or both McCrae's behind the whole thing.

After the animals came the rain. Though Lochdubh was no stranger to the weather phenomenon- it always seemed to either be raining or about to- no one had seen it fall in such magnitude. By the end of March, it had rained in three months the same amount as the whole of the year before, and the resulting floods had caused all manner of losses and damages. Hamish himself counted at least three leaks in the living room and two in his own bedroom, one conveniently located right above his pillow. It didn't help the situation that wee Jock was determined to jump onto every mud puddle they came across. He was considering letting all the grime and muck crust over so the little mutt would be forced to shuffle around like that.

But the physical damages were nothing compared to what the rain did to people. For some reason, he could not quite figure out every resident seemed to think raining was some sort of crime and therefore fell under his jurisdiction. It became commonplace to be stopped on the street or harassed at the pub regarding something water-related. Soon enough it was almost impossible for him to get any peace and quiet anywhere outside his house except for the library, and it was mainly because the residents of Lochdubh were convinced it was haunted. For one it was located near the woods, almost outside the town limit, and that alone was enough to scare most locals away. Like most places in Scotland the forest ripe with lore and local tall tales of nature spirits and sacred trees, guardian goddesses both unimaginably kind and terrifyingly cruel.

It didn't help either that the library had once been part of a monastery and was likely the oldest building in the village, its sad, grey stone walls covered in ivy. It looked, for all intents and purposes, like a prime haunting location, the kind spirits would fight over to inhabit. The interior was a bit disappointing, with a utilitarian use of the space, old library furniture and a modest collection of books. Not even the librarians were spooky. Mrs Aldridge, who had retired a few months ago, looked like everyone's favourite grandmother, down to the annoying habit of pinching everyone's cheeks without reason or warning (Hamish wasn't too proud to admit to having more than once crossed the street to avoid the lovable old bat). The new Librarian was even less impressive, a little mousy slip of a person, short and nondescript, most of her face hidden by big, old-fashioned glasses that made her look like an overgrown owl. Her choice of nondescript brown/beige clothing and the muddy shade of her lanky hair didn't help either.

Strangely enough even though Lochdubh was not the kind of town to get new residents all too often no one had made much of a fuss about little Miss Caill. She had moved in with very little fanfare and almost no attention whatsoever, as if people barely registered at all. Hamish himself could attest to the fact that he hadn't noticed her about the village at all, which seemed odd. Lochdubh was almost painfully small, after all. But somehow he'd managed to only have a very vague idea of her presence in town until one night, when the heavy rains had just begun, when he'd chanced upon her on the side of the road, making her way from the library to the pub, most likely. He'd almost passed her, small and insignificant as she seemed.

He'd offered her a lift, smarting a bit at seeing the shocked look on her face. He was a respectable constable, it rankled a bit that she would think a small gesture of gallantry surprising. She'd barely said a peep during the short ride, though he'd sensed her looking at him, as if trying to figure him out.

Curiously after that first incident he'd noticed her more around town, as if she'd been invisible before and now was allowing him to catch glimpses of her. He'd tip his hat at her, giving her a charming little smile and after a while she'd smile in reply, delightfully shy in a way that put a spring on his step. It was a pity no one else in town seemed to notice her much, Belle was truly one of a kind. Kind, for one, the sort of compassion that shone through the eyes, blue and warm, and unbelievable curious. She said nothing whenever he'd take refuge in the library to escape the nagging of the town, and seemed to find his passion for detective novels endearing.

After a while he got used to her rather unique appearance, finding her more charming that ugly. The overly-large clothing only accentuated how wee she was and the glasses looked rather adorable on her, highlighting her rather impressible blue eyes. The more he thought about it the more he decided it'd be wise to keep an eye on the little librarian. Soon enough others would notice her proper and come sniffing at her skirts, which could easily turn into a spot of trouble. She looked so... innocent in many ways. As if the world was new to her. Since she didn't go into town much, and feeling like he imposed on her far too much, he had taken to taking little treats with him when he visited, which they would eat in a corner of the deserted Ancient History section as if they were naughty little school children sneaking food into the library under the nose of some matronly librarian. Often during those times something about the way Belle behaved, especially when he'd thought to bring ice-cream, seemed off, almost as if she was tasting things for the first time.

Other times, however, there was something very old about her. Not in appearance, since every time he saw her she seemed to get younger rather than older, but in spirit. An old soul, TV John would say, old and powerful. He had a strange sort of reverence for the Librarian, treated her with a level of respect that seemed almost too much. Still, TV John was amongst the last sane people in Lochdubh, specially once the rumour got around that there were no animals in the forest. No one had seen a rabbit or a fox for days and some, the most outrageous ones, claimed there were no birds either.

It was then that Lachlan McCrae Jr got roaring drunk at the pub, climbed atop a table and confessed to anyone who could understand his drunken ramblings that he'd accidentally crashed his motorcycle against the old druid stone ruins in the forest. They weren't much, certainly nothing to help attract tourism. Just a small stone altar, crudely made and covered in moss and ivy. And now, according to Lachie, a pile of rubbish, as was his precious bike. It was that discovery that turned the covert, whispered conversations about the supernatural into open, heated debates, with most people convinced something magical was afoot but disagreed on the who or what. Some people ranted about druid practices, about deities and the like. Others spoke of fairies and nymphs, and those older of forest spirits, one of which inhabited the woods. The breaking of the altar, once a gift of the town to this... being, had caused it to curse the village in retribution and there would be no peace in Lochdubh till things were made right again.

Hamish hadn't taken the town talk seriously once it turned towards the magical. He'd ignored it at first, thought it unimportant. But it didn't really surprise him much to find fireman Peter walking home in the early morning stark naked but for a small towel he clutched tightly across his hips, weird symbols painted with some sort of ashy substance on his skin. The poor sod, shaking from head to toe with cold, stuttered some excuse about it all being Lachie's idea- like Hamish needed to be told that- and scurried away. He wisely decided not to give chase, not very eager to arrest him for public indecency or have him half-naked inside his newly-washed patrol car. TV John later told him that he'd heard some boys at the pub some time before talking about old rituals, Celtic stuff they'd gotten from the internet about May Kings, virile men offered to appease forest deities. Since the smashed stone structure had broken the pact the original people of Lochdubh had made with the deity they thought another offering, of pleasing flesh, would do the trick. Hamish rather thought it a horrible idea, not even because magic didn't fucking exist, but rather because Peter wasn't exactly fighting women off with a stick. Thank God magic wasn't real or otherwise they'd be getting hail from an overly-pissed spirit rather than simply rain.

Just in case, however, he went over to the library to check things out, skimming through books of Celtic lore while he talked to Belle about old movies. She talked about films like she'd just discovered them at all and was enthusiastic about anything with Bette Davies on. He ended up renting Now Voyager just so he could talk to her about it and had to hide it from TV John, lest he imply something that wasn't. Just because he found the librarian pretty, something beautiful hidden in layers of ill-fitting clothing and comical glasses, didn't mean he was looking for something to happen between them. So he thought about her often, of course he would. He spent more and more time in the library, it was natural for her to become an important part of his life. And sure, he sometimes fantasised about her, wondering what her blue eyes would look like half-lidded and liquid, what her mouth and hair would feel like. But that just meant he was a healthy adult man with the accompanying urges.

He was sure Belle didn't see him that way anyway. She was lonely and was grateful for a friend and it was better to leave it at that. Women and him didn't mix well, at least not in the romantic sense. And there was something so... other, about her. Like she was somehow just out of his reach, like she belonged elsewhere. She was a fascinating friend, nothing more. Someone that made life a little bit more interesting, that cut through the dullness of his routine and made him look forward to things.

It didn't seem worth thinking about it at all, especially since he was too busy dealing with the rain and the town and the general madness that had taken over everyone. Too busy to think about much else or to pay attention to more mundane things. Too busy to be suspicious when Lachlan Sr left a bottle of fine Scotch on the station's doorstep, a gift for "May Day". And certainly too busy to notice the strange aftertaste of it. A few minutes later he was asleep to notice much of anything else.

"Kidnapping a police officer is serious business, Lachie, are you even sure it's gonna work?"

"Look, a police constable has got to be a good enough offering. Seems to have taken a liking to Macbeth in any case, it's worth a shot."

The voices faded away a bit after that and for a moment there was bliss in the silence. Though it was difficult to string thoughts together Hamish tried hard to piece what had happened to him. He raised his sluggish hands to his face, sensing something pressing against it. It felt hard, a mask of some sort, covering half of his face, with horns protruding from it. Everything else felt disturbingly bare, though his skin itched around his hips. Patting the area, he found that he was wearing some sort of kilt, new and stiff, like the ones sold at the local tourist gift shop.

His head felt heavy and light at the same time and everything around him seemed to be moving, spinning in dizzying circles. Whatever they had given him had his blood boiling and his adrenaline pumping, as if preparing for a fight or some other form of exertion. Though the woods must have been freezing he felt hot all over, either from the drugs or the bonfires surrounding him. Dimly he thought of the very real possibility one of them could end up burning the whole forest down. He tried standing up but his legs wobbled and soon dropped him on his ass, and even the thick wool of the damn tourist-trap kilt didn't help soften the blow, though he barely felt it. The almost pungent smell of rosemary wasn't helping his efforts to clear his head. Rather it seemed to numb him even more, till he could barely feel the horned mask that at first had been so fucking cumbersome.

At some point, he lay back down, humming in delight at the cool softness of the moss beneath him. It wasn't that bad, really, just a spot of involuntary camping. In the morning TV John would come pick him up, hopefully bringing some of his clothes with him, and he'd proceed to meticulously and ruthlessly ruin everything the Lachies and their cronies loved. Perhaps he could convince Agnes and Barney never to serve them anything stronger than Earl Grey for a month. It'd be fun to rub their noses on a cold pint of Guinness.

"Constable?"

It was unsettling, for a brief moment, to hear a voice after so much silence. He startled, hoisting himself up and moving his head to one side and then the other, as if the stag mask didn't completely blind him to everything around him. He tensed, suddenly aware of his vulnerability. He wished above all for his uniform, not because he was half-naked in the woods but because it brought him confidence, it made him feel almost invincible, like he was nothing he couldn't do, no problem he couldn't solve.

"Who's there?"

He felt a soft, almost whispery touch down his arm and then someone was taking his hand, helping him up. He stumbled upright like a new-born colt, or a man more than in his cups.

"Shh, it's alright. It's only me."

The scent of wildflowers reached his nose, making him instantly relax.

"Belle."

His owlish little librarian had tracked him down, thank God. At last the one sane person in the crazy fucking town he called home sweet home was there to end the madness. He tightened his hold on her small, delicate hand. She was such a wee thing, small and dainty. And she smelt so good...

"Constable? Constable!"

"Call me Hamish."

He was feeling incredibly mellow, all of a sudden. Happy. Like he didn't have the weight of an entire deluded town on his shoulders. Like he was wobbling semi-starkers in the middle of the bleeding woods because he felt like it and not because he had been fucking kidnapped in the middle of the night. Like he couldn't find better use for his fingers than ghosting them along the supple flesh of the librarian's inner arms.

"You don't seem alright, Hamish. Do you need help?"

Did he? A minute ago it seemed like it but now he was feeling perfect. Belle always had that pacifying-yet-electrifying effect on him, calming him down while at the same time filling him with a strange sort of restlessness. A bit like he was itching all over, eagerness humming softly through him, low but ever-present. He traced a path from her hands to her shoulders, frowning when he didn't encounter a scrap of fabric on the way.

"Did the little pricks drag you here too? Did they fucking undress you? Because I'll fucking kill them, cut them in teeny-tiny pieces and feed them to wee Jock if they did, I swear to-"

Her hands cupped the lower half of his faced, bared by the mask, and she pressed her thumbs softly over his lips, cutting off his diatribe.

"I'm here for you. Do you want me here, Hamish?"

On the back of his mind his skillfully-honed police instincts were screaming at him, telling him in no uncertain terms that something was off. But it was hard to find in himself to care. Everything smelled so good and Belle felt so soft under his hands. She no longer shied from his touch, no longer seemed interested in keeping that last bit of distance that was always between them. There was nothing to do but to nod enthusiastically and sigh when her fingers delved into his cropped hair.

"And what do you want me to do?"

His rational side, sputtering and on its last legs, supplied a long list of things. They needed to get him some clothes, douse the fucking fire and go home. Find out what the hell those little cunts had given him. Make them pay. But above all go home, and sleep this whole night off. Instead he found himself leaning forward and, blindly, kissing her. Far from pushing him away and slapping him, the sensible response, she pulled him closer, her arms wrapping around his naked shoulders and a mouth-watering little sigh escaping her lips. She took control almost at once and he let her, more than happy to allow her to completely devour him. She was almost feral, rough and bruising and completely fucking perfect. He clung to her as tightly as he could, splaying his hands across her thinly-covered back and letting out the neediest little moans he'd ever heard.

At some point, in between the savage kissing and the undignified groping, he found himself back again on the mossy forest floor, with Belle sucking on the spot where his right shoulder met his neck. He was too far gone by that point, barely noticing when kissing turn to biting and the tips of her nails began to carve patterns into his chest and arms. The pain only added to the euphoria of the moment, turned the pleasure bittersweet and heightened it at the same time. His clever fingers dipped low to feel her upper thighs, as smooth as marble and as cold as ever. When he stumbled across the hem of what felt like a sundress or a nightgown he pulled it up impatiently, managing to wrestle it off her without much problem. He was quick to claim his reward, moving his hands to grasp her hips, dip into her waist, flutter across her tummy and finally cup her breasts, as perfect as he'd often found himself picturing them beneath layers of shapeless clothing.

Abruptly Belle released him altogether and scampered away, giggling as he protested loudly. Instead of ripping the mask off to give chase he chose to let his hearing guide him, the sport warming his already hot blood and making him grin maniacally. They laughed like little kids as he clumsily hunted around for her, his fingers grazing skin or a lock of hair before she was out of his reach again. It felt as if she was almost guiding him somewhere, like a siren weaving her spell on a hopeless sailor. And he couldn't find it in himself to care.

Finally, he managed to hook an arm around her waist and send her crashing into his chest. She felt warmer, strangely, as if she'd drunk some of the heat in his veins from his lips, as if she was absorbing it from his skin and into hers. When she captured his mouth again he gave himself to her willingly, eagerly, raking his blunt nails down her sides and grabbing her by the back of her thighs, all the encouragement she needed to wrap her legs around his torso. The added weight made him stumble forward till something- a tree most likely- broke their fall. Propping her up against it he found it easier to manoeuvre the tip of one of her breasts into his mouth. Her hiss of delight made his cock twitch in eager anticipation.

She was divine. Small and dainty but fierce and completely in control, taking from him what he was only too eager to give. Her hands did not tremble as they undid the buckles of his ridiculous kilt, nor when they grasped his erection, guiding it to the entrance of her sex.

"Do you offer yourself to me, Hamish?"

Fuck, she was talking. It took him a moment or two to try and make sense of what she'd said, at which point all he could do was nod enthusiastically, groaning in utter relief as she allowed his cock to sink into the heavenly warmth of her cunt. It felt as if a shock passed through him, something powerful and unsettling. But a moment later he was thrusting into her, his ears ringing with her mewls and delightful cries. Every one of his senses was full of her, his skin prickling all over with an awareness of her that was almost uncanny. The moment seemed to stretch for hours, as impossible as that was, and Hamish could've sworn dawn was breaking when he finally felt her flutter around his cock, bringing him finally to release.

A minute later, or several, he found himself somehow back on the clearing in the forest, the bonfires dimmed to nothing but burning coals and Belle wrapped snugly against him.

"You've pleased me well, my King. Now rest, darling, rest. It's all done now."

"Rough night, eh, Hamish?"

Constable Macbeth was greeted by an array of jeers and catcalls. He stoically pretended not to hear any of it, making a show of talking to TV John to make it clear he was not paying attention. Barney greeted him with a pint of beer and a slap of the back.

"It's on the house, lad. You took one for the team, it's the least we could do."

Never in all his years in service had Barney given him as much as a glass of water on the house. The gesture itself left him too speechless to reply. On the booth next to him TV John whistled, impressed.

"That's a first."

Hamish could scarcely take the first sip of his glass before someone else vigorously clapped his back, making the scratches there sting like hell. One by one it seemed every man in Lochdubh was dead-set on showing him some gesture of male camaraderie and, strangely, sympathy. They brought with them snacks, cigars and other small gifts.

"It must have not been easy, but you pushed on and came through." Lachlan Sr patted his shoulder forcefully, making him bite back a howl when his hand made contact with the bite mark there. "It's all over now, lad, you did good."

He shot him one last pitiful look before ambling back to his seat to high-five his son, who flashed Hamish a thumb's up when their eyes crossed.

"Fucking barmy. What do they think, that they can butter me up and I'll pretend they didn't kidnap and drug a police officer?"

"Well, the way they see it your impressive manhood appeased the cailleach and saved the town. Quite a feat, really."

"Don't tell me you believe those sods too. The rain had to stop, it just happened to coincide with the day after my unwilling nature walk. And with the rain over of course all the little critters start to reappear, there's nothing fucking supernatural about it. And what the hell is a cailleach?"

"A hag. Vengeful spirits that can take the form of old crones, or ugly women. So, you see, the way they see it you just made a great sacrifice for this town. It certainly calls for a bit of buttering up, some well-deserved pampering at the least."

"What?!"

"Well, it was Lachie Jr that figured it out and you know his reading comprehension only gets him so far. No sense in trying to explain the nuances of Celtic folklore to him or anyone else that listened to him, the complex nature of spirits and deities. I tried, believe me, but nobody wanted to listen. It's all most complicated than that, you know?"

The door of the pub swung open and though Hamish had his back to it he could immediately tell who had walked through it. He nodded distractedly at TV John, making a vague sound to signal he was engrossed in the conversation even as his eyes and most of his attention, focused on her.

"Well, hags are complicated figures in lore. Some say kind, guardian spirits and vengeful hags are but two sides of the same coin. There are tales of deities turned into hags to wander amongst mankind, ignored and ill-treated. A test of worthiness, sometimes said to be passed by men in possession of a kind heart and a noble spirit, who'll prove worthy. This later became a very common figure in medieval literature, that of the loathly lady, made famous by Chaucer in his tale..."

"Belle."

She was dressed very differently than usual, a royal blue short dress paired with sky-high heels and not a cardigan or a coat in sight, though she appeared not to feel the cold. Her glasses were gone too and her hair shone just like he remembered it doing under the light of the bonfires in the forest. Her eyes, however, looked the same as they'd always been. Bright blue and overly curious, as if the world and everything in it was new to her.

"Hamish."

Suddenly he felt like a sodding pre-teen with his first crush, completely clueless. Thankfully the librarian seemed not to suffer from the same problem, looping her arms loosely about his neck and planting her lips firmly on his, a gentle kiss with a playful hint of tongue, that, embarrassingly, turned the tips of his ears red. Around him everyone was suddenly deadly quiet, not even the sound of clinking glass to be heard. Briefly glancing around he noticed the wide-eyed stares of everyone in the pub, including a rather delighted Esme and Flora, the town's main source of gossip (and knitted scarves). The Lachies were both gaping at him, their mouths almost comically open. Beside them Reverend Snow crossed himself, which Hamish thought was a bit much.

"Miss Caill... there's something different about you. New haircut?"

The librarian smiled, and for a second there was something faintly dangerous about her, not altogether human. A moment later it was gone. The constable blinked and took a swig of his ale, cursing himself for letting the craziness of the town get to him for a second. Gnomes and fairies and Scottish deities, what a load of rubbish.

"So kind of you to notice, John. How's that book on the Opium Wars going for you? I thought it was a fascinating read."

Soon both the older Scotsman and Belle were engrossed in a discussion. Too tired still to contribute Hamish contented himself with letting Belle lean on him, his arm around her waist and her hands toying with his shorn hair. When her fingers grazed the bite-mark she'd made he shivered, feeling heat pull on his lower stomach.

May Day hadn't turned out so bad after all.

#bellish #applejackcat #anyelle #mayday menagerie

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smartgirlsaremean · 8 years ago

Text

My Heart’s in the Highlands - Chapter 11

Fandom: OUAT, Hamish Macbeth

Pairing: Bellish

Rating: T, **TW: suicidal thoughts

Summary: With Rumplestiltskin gone, Belle can't face going back to the Enchanted Forest without him. She leaves Storybrooke forever, travels the world, and ends up in a small village in Scotland, where she meets a constable with a very familiar face.

AO3

Chapter 11 - Justice Cauld and Stern

Hamish's conscience has been eating at him since Belle told him about Gold, and he feels it's time to come clean. *~*mild mention/discussion of suicidal thoughts*~*

“Is everything okay?” Neal asked when Belle slid back into her seat.

“Yeah, fine. He, uh - we had a miscommunication. About us.”

“You and me?”

Belle nodded.

“He was jealous,” Neal concluded.

“A little.”

“Right.” Neal leaned back in his seat and studied her. When her face began to redden, he grinned. “You like him.”

“Of course I do.”

“No, I mean you care about him. Maybe even love him.”

Belle ducked her head and studied her chips. Did she love Hamish? He was kind and clever and thoughtful, and far too handsome for his own good. She liked him. She definitely wanted him. But love him?

She wasn’t even sure she would know if she did. What she felt when she talked to Hamish - that slow, sweet warmth that glowed in her chest like embers - was so very different from the burning, desperate ache that had consumed her when she was with Rumplestiltskin. Their love had been fireworks and lightning and crackling flames, and she’d known it was love because she recognized its description from her favorite books. Not to mention that the magical proof of True Love’s Kiss was a good indicator. Without that, how could anyone in this land be sure of love?

But they must have some way of recognizing love. Rory and Esme glowed with it; Barney and Agnes, for all they bickered and teased, adored one another; Lachie and Jean were utterly devoted. Whether True Love was a phenomenon that appeared in all the realms, or whether this particular town had unseen qualities, Belle wasn’t sure, but if the citizens of Lochdubh could know love, surely she could learn to as well.

“I don’t know,” she said at last.

“Well, he’s obviously pretty crazy about you. I thought he was gonna deck me one in the library.”

Belle rolled her eyes. He was probably right.

“I know it feels wrong, but you know Papa would want you to be happy, right?”

“I know.” If there was one thing in this world she could be sure of, it was that Rumple had loved her and wanted the best for her.

Neal eyed her as if he wasn’t fully convinced, but he took a drink and let the subject drop. “Do you ever think about coming back?”

Belle shook her head. “This is where I want to be now, and I don’t plan on leaving.”

“Even if the others find their way back somehow?”

“Even then.” Belle reached for his hand and squeezed it. “If you ever need me for anything, of course I’ll do whatever I can. But...I’m happy here, Neal. Happier than I’ve been in ages.” He smiled wanly, and Belle narrowed her eyes. “What is it?”

“I just…” Neal sighed. “I told you we were fine, but the truth is...I don’t know. Emma looked for her parents for so long, y’know? She had them for...what? A few months? And now they’re gone forever. And Henry - he found Emma, but he lost Regina, and he misses her.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Hell, I think Emma misses her, too.”

“I don’t know Emma’s parents very well,” Belle said gently, “but they don’t seem the type to give up. If there’s a way back, they’ll find it, of that I’m certain.”

“If there’s a way. Papa spent three hundred years searching, and he was the most powerful wizard in the realms.”

She didn’t know what to say to that.

“Anyway, I’m glad you’re happy. I’ve been a little worried about you, but you’re okay.”

“Yeah, I’m good. Save your worrying for Henry’s maths scores.”

“Oh, God, I thought his teacher was gonna kill us,” Neal groaned, and Belle giggled as he launched into a story about disastrous parent-teacher conferences. She thought of Rumple and smiled. They were all doing well, and he’d be pleased.

Belle’s story had been eating at Hamish for a week.

The magnitude of her loss had rocked him; he’d never really been able to picture what could have driven her around the world for years, miles and miles from anyone or anything familiar. Some people - most, even - would have buckled under such a blow, but Belle - she seemed to have taken the tragedies of her past and melded them with her bones, making her strong and supple and nigh indestructible. He’d always liked her. Over time he’d grown to respect and admire her. But now…

Well, now he knew just how far out of his league she really was.

And of course, because there was really no end to his idiocy and talent for self-torment, he’d chosen that moment on the wall to fall head over heels in love with her.

He visited the library every day because he couldn’t keep away, but every hour in her presence reminded him that she was everything he wasn’t, and that she still didn’t know the whole, unvarnished, damning truth about him. He would have to tell her sooner or later - if he didn’t some busybody in the town might - but he dreaded that moment. Even more, he lived in terror of the moment she looked into his eyes and knew.

There would be no more cozy chats in the library after that, no more companionable walks home, no more friendly tea invitations. A little flirtation - innuendo, possible stolen kisses, maybe even a night of mutual satisfaction - was one thing. What he felt - he couldn’t fool himself into thinking she felt anything close to it. She’d be uncomfortable, and he’d be the cause. He couldn’t bear that.

So here he was, walking her home and trying not to look at her for too long or brush his arm against hers too often or call her something stupid like “darling” or “sweetheart.” He was concentrating so very hard on being friendly and neutral that he didn’t realize she’d gone very quiet until they reached her house.

“Have I done something to upset you?” she asked when they were at her gate, and Hamish started.

“What? Ay course not!”

“You’ve been a little distant recently. Are you sure I haven’t done or said something wrong?”

He met her gaze then, and Belle’s eyes widened. Whatever she saw in his expression, it wasn’t good.

“What is it? What’s happened?”

“Nothing. It’s just…” Hamish lifted one shoulder and sighed. “I have tae tell you something, and I don’ really want to.”

“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to,” Belle frowned, shaking her head.

“Aye, I do. ‘s only fair. You should...have all the facts. About me.”

A strange expression, something like guilt, flickered across her face. “I - If you really want to tell me something, I’ll listen, but...Hamish, you don’t owe me anything, understand?”

“Yeah, I understand.” He glanced up and down the street. “D’you mind if we talk inside?”

Belle took him into her living room, insisted on brewing tea and scrounging up some biscuits, and then sat on the couch next to him, her back against the armrest and her knees pulled up to her chest. His tea sat on the table in front of him and it was rapidly cooling, but he didn’t trust his hands to hold the cup steady.

“Is it about...Isobel?” she asked when he’d sat nearly five minutes in silence.

“Yes...and no.” He took a deep breath and fixed his eyes on his hands. “I told you I was engaged once. It wasnae to Isobel. Alex. Alexandra Maclean.”

“Isn’t that…”

“Yeah, she was Major Maclean’s daughter.” Hamish winced at the past tense, but soldiered on. “She was...she was bloody brilliant. Beautiful, too. I was mad for her from the minute we met.”

He still saw her lovely face in his dreams sometimes, always angry and hurt and accusing. Belle was silent, her gaze locked on her knees.

“Alex was a writer. She loved books and words and ideas and...well, Lochdubh just wasnae big enough for her. She needed scope. I dunno what that means, really, but that was what she said when she left for London. Four years ago, now.”

“Was that when you met Isobel?”

“Ah, no, I’d known Isobel just as long. A bit longer, actually, Alex and I didn’t meet until a few months after I got here - she’d been traveling in France.” Hamish scratched the back of his neck, trying to work out how best to unravel this tangled knot of feelings and history. “Alex and I - we never really - quite got it together. When we were together things were grand, but she wanted me to go with her and I - I just couldn’t. The city - it’s no’ for me, and Lochdubh wasnae for her. It was hard, but we both accepted it. I thought we did, at least.

“And then Isobel,” he sighed. “She was brilliant, too. Beautiful. And God, she was crazy about me, had been for months. I knew it, too. I tried not tae to take advantage, but…it was nice, after the mess with Alex, to have someone like me that much.”

When Hamish glanced at Belle, she looked thoughtful, but not disgusted. She still didn’t say anything, so he pushed on.

“I dunno when exactly it happened, but I fell for her, too. We were getting closer, and I was just about ready to make a move, when something - well, there was a bit of a disaster and she told me she loved me. And then out of nowhere, there was Alex, and she was asking me to marry her.”

Belle looked up, her eyes wide. “How long had she been gone?”

“Two years, at that point. She’d been back for a week or so in between, but yeah, two years.”

“And she just...showed up and asked you to marry her?”

Hamish shrugged.

“And you said yes?”

“She loved me,” he said helplessly. “And I...I was supposed to love her. She’d come back for me, to be with me. I owed it to her to try, didn’t I?”

“But you didn’t love her.”

“No. Hell, I wish I did, but I didn’t.” He took a deep breath. “She moved into the station house but I kept putting off the actual getting married part. And Isobel was still around, and I was still so mad for her, I couldnae help it.”

“You were unfaithful,” Belle whispered, squeezing her knees closer to her chest.

“Yeah. Yeah, I was.” Hamish sighed and didn’t blame her when she frowned and looked away from him. “I truly didn’t mean to be. I told myself it was just a kiss, but I knew it was more than that. I heard someone say something once: ‘unfaithful in his heart.’ That was me, right enough. Unfaithful to both of them, really, when you think about it.”

“Esme said Isobel moved to Glasgow,” Belle said slowly, “but she never mentioned Alex.”

“Yeah, most people don’t.” Hamish crossed his arms over his chest and pulled tight, wishing he could skip through this part to the end. “She found out about me and Isobel. Not directly, mind, but she guessed. She called it all off. And then a few days later...we had a fight. Doesn’t matter now what about. She tried to leave town.”

He felt his blood turn to ice and he fought against the shivers that always assailed him when he thought about that awful night.

“It was stormin’ somethin’ fierce. I guess she wanted tae get out as fast as possible - she tried tae go over Devil’s Hump. The best we could figure - the best we could figure it, the van - it slid off the road and - and she got out tae see what was wrong - only she didnae know how close she was tae th’ bank.”

With a jolt Hamish realized Belle had moved closer to him and slid one arm around his shoulders, which were shaking violently. She pressed her forehead into his upper arm and squeezed tight, and he took a deep breath and licked his dry lips. They were salty with tears and he blinked. He’d been crying.

“I’m sorry, Hamish,” Belle whispered, her other hand rubbing his arm soothingly. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t,” he snapped, and she shied away. “I don’t...I killed her, a’right? Sure as we’re sittin’ here. She was here because of me, she left because of me, and she died because of me. It’s my fault, all of it.”

Belle was quiet for a long moment. She had moved away, but not as far away as she had been in the beginning.

“When Rum died, I felt guilty,” she said at last.

“It’s not the same,” he ground out, anger bubbling up in his throat.

“I hated myself for weeks. I thought, ‘What if I’d noticed what was wrong earlier? What if I’d been a little stronger, a little smarter, a little faster? Could I have kept Malcolm from cornering me and Neal? Could I have protected myself and not forced Rum to save me?”

“You said yersen the man was evil, Belle,” he said impatiently. “I know what yer tryin’ tae do, but it’s different. You didnae drive someone tae her death.”

“I know it feels like that’s what happened,” she said gently, and he wanted to throw the teacup across the room, watch it shatter in a million pieces and stain her pretty new pale yellow rug. “Was it your van she was driving, then?”

“No, ah...it was Lachie’s. He was using it for his radio station, and it’d just been shut down.”

Belle frowned, momentarily distracted. “Radio station?”

“Long story.”

“So...Lachie loaned her his van?”

“Yeah.”

“And...if he hadn’t?”

Hamish blinked at her. “I, uh...I dunno.”

“You said you fought after a few days. Why did she wait so long to leave?”

“She was reading Far From the Madding Crowd on Lachie’s station. She promised everyone she’d stay ‘til she was done. That’s what we fought about, actually. The radio station was illegal and the feds came to shut ‘er down. I put ‘em off the scent as long as I could, but in the end...I am the constable, after all. I had to do my job.”

“So if she’d left earlier she wouldn’t have been out in the storm?”

His head felt fuzzy. “I…”

“You hurt her very badly, I’m not denying that,” Belle said, her voice still low and gentle. “You made a lot of wrong choices. But so did she. She chose to come back. She chose to be with you. And in the end, she chose to leave.”

“But I…”

“Was Alex weak and foolish and easy to persuade?”

Despite everything he almost laughed. No, Alex could never have been described as any of the those things; she’d always been as strong-minded and stubborn as he. “Not a wee bit.”

“She made her own choices. It wasn’t all your fault. We choose our own fates. I’m not saying you weren’t wrong, because you were. Very wrong. But you didn’t kill her.” He couldn’t answer her. He couldn’t even tell what he was feeling, let alone put it into words. She got to her feet and took their teacups, now long gone cold, and took them into the kitchen. He had a strong suspicion that she cared less about tidying up and more about giving him a bit of space.

That was all well and good, but he wasn’t finished destroying himself in her eyes, and he hoped she wouldn’t be gone too long.

“There’s more,” he said seriously when she came back, and finally the calm mask of her face slipped and he could see worry etched into her eyes.

“Oh?”

“We had an island, Alex and me. I mean, it wasnae really ours , but we went there a lot when we wanted tae be alone.” He took a deep breath. “After Alex’s funeral, I took a leave of absence. Needed time tae grieve, I said. I went out to our island and...and I wasnae planning on comin’ back.”

He heard Belle take a shaky breath beside him. “But,” she said quietly, “you did.”

“Yeah. Made a friend on that beach. An older lady out for a stroll, stepped on a landmine and couldnae move. I stayed wi’ her. I figured if I could help her, that’d be grand. If not...well, it was as good a way to go as any.”

“Oh, Hamish.” Her eyes were swimming with tears and he knew she wanted to reach out for him again. He was glad she didn’t.

“She talked me through it, though. Reminded me of all the people back here I cared about. Can you imagine that? A woman standing on the brink of her own death tryin’ tae talk down the coward with a death wish.” He shook his head, a tiny smile on his lips at the memory. “Saved my life, she did.”

“What was her name?”

“It was…” Hamish turned to look at her fully. “Well, how about that? Her name was Belle. Belle Carter. We wrote each other for awhile, ‘til she died last year. Safe and warm in her bed, her kids told me.”

“You saved her life, too,” Belle pointed out.

Quietly he thought about that. “Guess I did,” he said. “I dunno as it counts, though. I wasnae exactly worried about my own safety, after all.”

“So you’re saying that if you weren’t so sad and angry and hurt, you’d have left her on the beach to die?”

“What? No! No, I could never…” His voice trailed off and he could see exactly what she meant. “You’re clever, you are,” he sighed, meeting her eyes once more.

“So I’ve been told,” she smiled.

They sat in silence, his truths swirling about them, and Hamish knew only Belle could decide what effect they would have on their relationship, such as it was. He’d never met anyone like Belle for absorbing darkness and creating light where there seemed to be none, so she supposed he would have to trust her. If there was a way for them to remain friends after his confessions, he knew she would find it.

“Thank you,” she said suddenly, “for telling me.”

“‘s fine. I probably should have told you awhile ago, but…” He shrugged.

“No, you told me when you were ready to tell me. That was the perfect time,” she said firmly. “And...I should tell you some things, too, but...not tonight.”

“Yeah, okay. Whenever ye’re ready.”

He didn’t know how he knew, but he had the feeling she meant to tell him whatever she’d told John that night in his caravan. Somehow he doubted a dead lover and secret stepson would take an entire night to discuss; there was more to her than she’d let on. While he’d been impatient and suspicious a few months ago, he was willing now to wait and trust her to tell him when she was ready.

Walking home that night, it occurred to Hamish that he’d never actually spoken to anyone about Alex and Isobel, and he’d thought he never would. Even TV John didn’t know the depth of his betrayal of Alex, but Belle, with her open face and sweet sympathy, had dragged the whole story out of him as if by magic. He felt lighter than he had in years, and he even smiled a little. It was perhaps a little too soon to say that things were looking up for him, but at least they didn’t look as bleak as they had that morning.

The bell at the front desk of the hotel rang and rang until Alice simply couldn’t pretend not to hear it anymore. What sort of lunatic needed a room at two in the morning? Shrugging into her robe, she shuffled out into the lobby without even bothering to look in the mirror. At this hour they were lucky enough to see her at all.

“What is it?” she snapped.

“A room for one, please.”

Agnes squinted up at the source of the voice, a tall man with a mop of brown hair. “How many nights?”

“Let’s start with two and see what happens.”

“Name?”

“Christoph Walsh.”

#fic #ouat fic #bellish #hamish macbeth #belle french #neal cassidy #tw #suicidal thoughts #tw: suicidal thoughts

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onehundredandten-percent · 8 years ago

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AFL grand final 2016: Dog fight turns to puppy love for Luke Dahlhaus and Tom Liberatore Luke Dahlhaus hated Tom Liberatore. He was mouthy, arrogant, so in your face you wanted to hit him. Couldn't stand Mitch Wallis either. Liberatore thought the same of Dahlhaus: stupid hair, cocky, surfer boy. He was too quick to catch to hit him, which made him want to hit him even more. "I hated him. He had his dreadlocks and … he was like that little quick bloke you just hate playing footy against, the one that always gets away. Obviously I have got elite speed but he would get away," Liberatore said. They were in under-18s and the two sons of Footscray stars were playing for Calder Cannons. Dahlhaus was playing for Geelong Falcons. "I hated him [Liberatore]. I know hate is a very harsh word but him and Mitch Wallis I hated. I was a Falcons boy and he [Liberatore] was Calder so we had a grudge every time we played," Dahlhaus said. "You know what Libba [Liberatore] is like. You see it every week, sledging and into blokes, and for Calder they would be telling you how good they were and it just really annoyed me. "We didn't get in too many fights but we always had great battles and we would beat them in the season and they would win the grand final. It was so annoying." When he was then rookie-listed to the Bulldogs, Dahlhaus knew that meant he would be playing with Liberatore and Wallis, who had already been drafted there. He was overwhelmed with dread and loathing. "Libba was the first bloke to come up to me on day one when I walked in the door and said 'if you need anything, let me show you around' because he got drafted and I got rookied a couple of weeks later. Ever since, we've got on like a house on fire and best mates ever since. He is a legend. "It was a bit weird becoming friends with him after that, but footy clubs are like that." Liberatore laughs and mocks surprise. "He said that? He has given me 'best mates'?" he asked. "Dal has been playing with me probably my whole career. We have been through every change in the club, which is really significant when you get to a point like this to share it with someone." Dahlhaus, Liberatore and Wallis were the young Dogs the club worked to build a team around, Jason Johannisen arrived the same year as Dahlhaus, also through the rookie draft, but took longer to make his move into the senior team. Marcus Bontempelli, Jake Stringer, Jack Macrae, Lachie Hunter all came later. Suddenly, at the age of 22, Dahlhaus became a mentor to others. He was asked to take Toby McLean under his wing. He found it amusing to be considered a mentor so soon into a career that began as a rookie. "He is one of the best blokes at the club, along with Will Minson," McLean said. "He is really easy to get along with and he has definitely looked after me." Dahlhaus recalled: "It feels like yesterday it was my first year. I had dreadlocks, was running around in the forward line. Obviously I still play a fair bit forward, but to be a senior player now – I don't feel like an older player at all – but it's good. "I was still pretty young myself when they said to mentor Toby, but that shows the confidence some of the people in the club have in me and my leadership skills. "In my second year, I got a lot of media with the dreadlocks and at the time I was probably the only real young bloke besides Libba and Mitch [Wallis] who were coming through and playing games. I look at Bont and Caleb [Daniel] this year and they have got the attention and handled it really well. I like to think I handled it well when it was me." Chris Grant likens Dahlhaus to the baby in The Incredibles movie. He's placid and small and cute, until something happens and he erupts in a ball of flames. He plays the game as his alter-ego, for away from the field he is quiet and genial with a sharp, wry line that he drops at the right moment in meetings. "I don't know any different than to jump in head-first," Dahlhaus said. "I am not one of those outside players. I have never, ever played on a wing or anything. I have always been an inside player, always tackling, always jumping around, making it look like I am working hard." When he was recruited as a rookie, clubs had doubts about Dahlhaus for his size, fitness and skills. He quickly answered each query. When other clubs overlooked Caleb Daniel it was similarly for doubts about his size and impact. His first year has challenged those concerns. The Bulldogs have illustrated a recruiting policy more prepared to consider what players can do than what they can't, to look at what they are, not what they are not. Bontempelli, the player who more than any accepted the baton of young Dog pin-up boy from Dahlhaus, is struck by the boundless enthusiasm of the small midfielder. "He's a ball of energy, he's incredibly well liked across the whole playing group. He has a really good bond with probably every single player and we ride the energy wave that Luke is. He's an incredible player but the type of bloke he is, he'll help you get up when you're a tiny bit down," Bontempelli said. Dahlhaus emerged at the club as a buzzing, fast, hard defensive forward and that might have remained his role but for Luke Beveridge's arrival as coach. "In my first four years I don't think I started in at the centre bounce once but in the first practice games when Bevo got here he put me in there. He likes that versatility in a player and he really tried to drill into me that first pre-season that I would be playing a lot in the midfield." His relatively smaller size might have helped create differences in his game and the way he played it. Easton Wood said Dahlhaus had rare talents. "I don't know if there is a world record for the ability to hit the deck and get back on your feet but if there is, he holds the record," Wood said. "It's almost like I have seen him in games hit the ground and gain speed bouncing up. It is a unique ability. He's a unique player." And a popular one, even with Libba, well now anyway.

#luke dahlhaus #tom liberatore #western bulldogs #grand final #2016 #premiership #dahleratore #libhaus

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kjg222453kjg222454 · 6 years ago

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Week 10 - Studio

Guest Lecture - Grant Robertson!

WHAT AN AWEOSOME LECTURE!! Super cool to hear about how govt is recognising service designers/designers/design thinking and the value it holds. Was really cool to have Grant start to talk about design and prisons without knowing about my project and so cool to be able to just kōrero with him about something I’m so passionate about. I’m excited to be able to go out into the world and do the work I want to do!

Notes:

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Workshop 1

Crafting - not what I thought it would be but got Kerry Ann to look over my new style of illustrations and she said they’re all good.

Have mostly been trying to wrap my head around my offer of employment from PwC! whoop!

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Workshop 2

Presentation with Karl and Ant - this was a great lil workshop, I’ve been trying to wrap my head around the presentation and this workshop really helped!

Notes: - Need to look at hardcopy again for structure - start with how you want your examiners to look at it i.e. this is a human-centred design project. - you cant go to the prison so how might you take them there in some way? - Have a plan B-E - Rehearse in your space - “Not in scope” - Use your voice - Need kai! - Disarm the assessor > acknowledge what’s not good!

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Chat with Ant

Wanted to talk to Ant earlier in the week about the health and safety/what’s possible aspect of doing my body storming idea - he suggested that I maybe even do the presentation offsite and really transport my examiners and transform a space. He suggested the Block 10 dungeon. I’ll go check it out this week. He also loved Lachie’s idea of putting headphones on the examiners.

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Twitter > Grant Robertson

Thought I’d tweet Grant and see if he’d like to kōrero some more as he seemed really passionate about design and prisons. I’d also love to ask his opinion about designers becoming politicians. I’ve been joking a bit with mum this year that one day I’ll be PM.... I have a feeling that could be very real.

Hopefully going to catch up with Grant on the 26th!

#s2w10

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lachlantrash · 6 years ago

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“There’s a leaf in your hair.”

"So (Y/N), what brings us here today?" Mitch asks, camera pointed at you as you shut the car door with a water bottle in hand.

"Well, Lachlan doesn't really get to experience fall in Australia, and since we flew out here I thought it'd be nice to show him it." You say, smiling at the camera.

"You used to walk this trail all the time, right?" Lachlan asks, walking to the side of the car you and Mitch are at.

"I did, don't worry we won't get lost." You laugh, a smile resting on your face that only seems to appear when you're near Lachlan. "Here, I'll lead the way." You say, holding your free hand out for Lachlan to take.

"Wow, who's hand am I going to hold?" Mitch jokes, recording you two leading the way and walking in front of him.

"You have your camera, plus you've walked down here before you dork. This is Lachy's first time being here, if we come here again this week I'll make sure you get a turn having your hand held." You turn to look at Mitch's camera, rolling your eyes for dramatic effect.

"I'm sure that's why you're holding his hand." Mitch laughs, knowing you two are dating. Lachlan hasn't come out to the fans and said you two are together yet, having decided it's best to prevent them from having the confirmation they so desperately want for as long as possible, just to try and prevent any negativity being directed at your relationship. You don't actually believe many people would send hate your way, most of his fans seem to thrive on the idea of you two being together.

"Hey now, shut your mouth and enjoy the view." Lachlan laughs, though you know he's trying to shut down any hints of your relationship being said in front of the camera. Mitch can vlog this walk all he wants, as long as he doesn't confirm any rumors of a relationship. "Oh here, lemme help you over this (Y/N)..." Lachlan trails off, letting go of your hand so he can easily hop over a log with his long legs. Once he's on the other side, he grabs both of your hands to help you balance yourself as you walk over the log that's over a stream.

"What a gentleman Lachlan, you're such a catch. A pure ladies man, that is." Mitch says, camera picking all of that up.

"Shut up Mitch, we all know how clumsy (Y/N) can be, I didn't want my tour guide falling in a stream." Lachlan says with a laugh making you pout.

"I'll walk off alone right now, you two can get lost here." You fake threaten, letting go of his hand and leading yourself further into the path.

"Awe c'mon, y'know I didn't mean it ba- (Y/N)." Lachlan says, jogging to catch up to you so he can grab your hand again, having to stop himself from calling you babe because Mitch is still recording.

"Ooh, what was that Lachlan? Did you just try to call her babe?" Mitch comments, momentarily turning the camera to him to wiggle his eyebrows.

"No, I didn't mean it. It's just, my girlfriend back home acts like this all the time, I just got lost in the moment." Lachlan says as his excuse.

"Well I'm sure your girlfriend is going to love that you just almost called me babe." You laugh, a smile on your face again as you and Lachlan are holding hands, leading the way to a clearing that has a fire pit in the middle. "We should have a campfire here, I used to all the time when I lived here. Remember Mitch?" You add, turning to face him.

"Yeah, that was before you oh so suddenly moved to Australia." Mitch says. "I'd be down to have a campfire, we can have Jerome drive here to join us and bring stuff for s'mores." He adds.

"Could you text him Lachy?" You plead, looking up at Lachlan with a gleam in your eyes, wanting nothing more than to have a nice campfire tonight.

"When you look at me like that, how am I supposed to say no?" He says, resisting the urge to kiss you and tell you he'll give you everything you want in front of the camera.

"You could just say yes, it makes dealing with me a whole lot easier." You laugh, giving him a friendly hug before letting go of him completely to try to prevent any questioning when Mitch uploads this video.

"I'm sure your boyfriend back in Australia knows all about that, (Y/N)." Mitch says, making you turn around to give him a glare.

"Put your damn camera down and help me find some logs for us to sit on tonight." You say, giving Mitch a stern look as he laughs.

"Alright, alright... Guys I'll be back with more footage later." He laughs, turning his camera off. "Was that really for me to help or is it so you two can be an actual couple?" He adds once the cameras out of sight.

"A little bit of both." You say, pulling some logs from the woodline closer to the pit.

"Jerome says he's on his way, he's bringing some blankets too since it's supposed to be a chilly night." Lachlan says, putting his phone in the pocket of his jeans before going to help you carry a longer log.

"There, Jerome and I can each have our own logs and you and Lachlan can share that bigger one." Mitch says, plopping down on the log he pulled over.

"Really? You trust us sitting so close to each other?" Lachlan laughs, sitting on the larger log. You sit next to him, which he immediately reacts to by wrapping his arm over you.

"Why wouldn't he trust us sitting next to each other? The only one who needs to worry is your girlfriend back in Australia, the one that I reminded you of." You laugh, smiling as you look at him.

"C'mon babe, you know I only have you." He says, planting a kiss on your lips. "Want to go through my phone?" He offers, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

"No, I believe you." You smile, quickly pecking his lips a second time. "I'm happy Jerome is bringing blankets, it's getting chilly." You sigh, looking to the fire pit that's lacking a fire.

"Here, I'll get a fire started." Mitch offers, getting off his log and grabbing some leaves off the ground and throwing them to where the fire pit is.

"If you told me sooner I would've held you closer." Lachlan says, pulling you closer to him to the point you're basically on top of him in his lap.

"You're so good to me." You hum, planting a kiss on his cheek. "What do you want to do tomorrow? We only have a few days left here." You sigh.

"I don't know, maybe just spend the day with Mitch and Jerome in their pool." He shrugs.

"And get coffee from dunkies?" You ask hopefully, making Lachlan laugh and bury his head in your shoulder.

"You're fucking adorable, yes we can get coffee." He says, kissing your shoulder exposed with the off shoulder t-shirt you're wearing.

"How is my addiction to caffeine making me adorable?" You ask, looking at the fire Mitch just successfully lit in front of you. "Thank you Mitch."

"Not a problem." He smiles, sitting back on the log he claimed as his.

"Well, you're adorable because I can't say no to you, like, ever." Lachlan says, gaining your attention again.

"That works in my favor, I think it's good." You laugh, watching him roll his eyes.

"At least you don't take advantage of it, like you don't go spending all my money. I love having you around." He says, squeezing your sides appreciatively.

"Hey guys, parties here!" Jerome shouts, walking down the path you guys previously came down. He's carrying two bags, one seemingly having the blankets and one having things to successfully make s'mores.

"Can you toss a blanket our way? She was cold." Lachlan asks after Jerome sits on the available log.

"Awe, what a good boyfriend she has, here." Jerome says, tossing a blanket which Lachlan catches. He wraps it around the both of you, making you snuggle into him more.

"Hey guys, I'm back and Jerome's here now!" Mitch says, taking his camera back out and facing it to Jerome who says hi. "(Y/N) and Lachlan are over there, snuggled in a blanket because I guess living in Australia has weakened (Y/N)'s resistance to the autumn air." Mitch laughs, facing the camera at you two which you and Lachlan don't notice.

"There's a leaf in your hair." Lachlan murmurs, just loud enough to be picked up the the camera. "Stay still, I'll grab it for you." He says, picking the orange leaf from your hair.

"Thank you." You hum appreciatively, looking up at him and going to give him a kiss before being cut off.

"HEY GUYS, say hi to the camera." Mitch shouts, making you jump away before your lips are close to Lachlan's. You're happy for the warning of the camera being pointed at you.

"Oh hi guys, sorry there was a leaf in my hair." You laugh awkwardly, adjusting yourself so it looks like you and Lachlan are just sharing the blanket in a platonic way.

"I'll have you know those two sat their cold asses down and had me start the fire all by myself." Mitch asks, moving the camera to the fire. "I believe I did a pretty good job too."

"You did, we knew we wouldn't be able to do it as well as you could, so we decided to leave it to you." Lachlan laughs out as a defense.

"Are you sure that's it and it has nothing to do with your best friend (Y/N) being cold?" Mitch asks, directing the camera back to you two.

"I'm pretty sure it had almost everything to do with that." You whisper to Lachlan, making him laugh.

"What did she just say?" Jerome asks, taking his eyes off the fire to look at you two.

"Oh, nothing." Lachlan says, eyes meeting yours with the flickers from the fire bringing out every hue of blue in them.

"Mitch, take that camera off of us." You say in a joking tone, wanting nothing more than to kiss Lachlan right now.

"Alright guys, we're going to go make s'mores." Mitch laughs out, because as soon as the camera was pointed at him you attached your lips to Lachlan's before he even began to speak, too lost in your own world.

#lachlan #lachlan power #lachlanpower #lachlanyt #lachlan x reader #lachlanxreader

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bigbrotherorre · 6 years ago

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episode one: “TODAY WE LEARNED UNLESS BRYCE FEELS LIKE THE PRETTIEST GIRL AT THE DANCE EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY, YOU'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH” - AUTUMN hoh: BRYCE evicted: ROXY - 13 to 3

Okay WOOOO. So hey, I'm here doing a DR pre-season, because? I am cracked, a mess and SOOO EXCITED. Also, I looked up fun words, to find something to use as my confessional codeword, and "brouhaha" means "a noisy and overexcited reaction or response to something" WHICH IS SO APPROPRIATE. So woo, enjoy the brouhaha that is my excitement for this season. I just wanna say a couple of things: 1) Nicholas and Julia posting those clock gifs is gonna make my head fall off, thats so scary. If it means past season twists like someone said in the VL, I'm NERVY. RoseGold POVs are my biggest fear, and I know there was a season where prejury was all about them so YIKES. Calling it now, I'm gonna get sent home by a rosegold PoV. 2) Emily and Lukas was such an iconic F2, no matter whomst the F2 is in Orre, we will never match them 3) I wanna make some pre-season picks of who I expect to see cast, that way if they win, I can take total credit. I'm feeling like Raffy, Sammy and Aren might be in the cast, based on literally nothing khajsdfla. Raffy as a player terrifies me (I was also the person who brought him into this community so whew), but he gets CRACKED so whew! Aren is a scorpio so we stan. ANYWHO. I'm so excited for this season, its gonna be a HOOOOOT.

Wooh so ready for the season to start!!!

Hola, did you miss me? This is going to be me reflecting back on my Johto experience and trying to point out the mistakes I made, and how this game will be different. (this is before cast reveal) The first mistake I did in Johto was go against the premade. I was wary of Connor and Ari, and I thought painting the target on the returnee wouldnt only be easy but would be successful. And then I found out that I couldn't, and then Connor made friends with everybody on my team and fucked me over in the long run. The second mistake I did in Johto was being messy. A prime example was making pseudo "alliance" chats in order to sway the vote for people to keep me. This proved to be unsuccessful. I also had a mental breakdown like every night, so that just buried me more. The third mistake I did in Johto was throw the veto the week I was nominated. I felt like I couldve won it but I decided to study for my test. I didnt compete in the pov that i shouldve won. SO now its time to do what I need to do for my redemption is quite simple. The last 3 ORGs ive played for BB i have made 2nd, 4th, and 3rd. And I learned quite a lot To negate my first mistake I'm not going to publicly target anbody. I will join the mob mentality to ensure my safety in early weeks. To negate my second mistake I am going to keep all my alliances as 1on1s. No alliances bigger than 3 people, and make sure to keep whatever information I have to myself. I will not snake out any information. To negate my third mistake is to try in all competitions. I will not throw anything I will not submit for anything unless I really cant. If I give it my all and still leave I can't beat myself up that bad. I'm nervous, but I'm ready. These freaks aren't gonna know what hit them.

Okay one hour to premiere! The fact that I've made two DRs pre-season? thats wild. I am gonna give a go at predicting the cast, based on... borderline nothing, beyond paranoia: Veronica Constance Raffy Autumn Olivia Eddie Elmo Hals Sammy Aren Those are guesses I'm confident in, so I'm gonna stick to that! Lets see if I get anyone right ajlkdsfas

Okay this isn't as bad as i thought except i'm a hot ass mess and messaged a picture into the house chat and i'm about to DIE

wut in the FUCK is happening who the hell are these people theyre mental all of them. nice to see sammy and ali though i fucking love them but i am terrified of playing with ali i literally said to my host chat 3 hrs before the game started "please say its all newbies so im not playing with zeezo" AND SHES HERE WTF

omg this FREAKING CAST IS WILD and i'm not gonna lie i'm a little worried that i might fight over half of them before the second week is finished...

not gonna lie seeing ashvika and roxy made me wanna kill myself but also i'm totally dying at the sight of ZEEZO AND BRYCE <3 also THIS COMP FREAKING SUCKS i need to find a group of friends asap so i don't flop. i'm gonna try to bring together bryce, zeezo, sammy, kat, and maybe ricky.... either gonna be lit or bite me in the ass

Hi!!! Y'all casted way too many people but it's ok cause I really like everyone so far whew. Also I really will do my intro video I swear... first thing tomorrow lmao

THIS SHIT IS OVERWHELMING AF! SOOOO MANY FREAKIN PPL IM TALKIN TOO! I LIKE MOST OF THEM but som im like k. then like the call i do not want to join bc shit they cracked af! hopefully its not my undoing but i feel like my social is pretty strong atm. #BBgameEVER

i'm just happy that ashvika is willing to put our unnecessarily tragic rivalry behind us and play this game right this time around. hopefully we'll be able to keep up the "we hate each other" look in the house chat and such so we can actually WORK TOGETHER this time. obvi i love her, and i just want the backstabbing madness to stop. hopefully she really has put out past behind her bc i'm ready to move on. like we're both pretty, we need to stick together. also shook that i talked to blake the longest today in pms???? like???? okay??? bryce and i look like we're in this for the long haul, hopefully we aren't first and second boot!! bc i have a weird feeling imma be pre-jury for some reason dsgdf

Night 1 Thots: Short term goal? to be as pathetic as possible. Probaly shouldn't have told alivia so soon that I was johnchen from bbtc world as after watching her intro vid. the could come back to bite me. Ryan seems like someone who I can ride on his coat tails for a while to get my foot in this game. So short term I need to be as pathetic as possible and hope this julia/bryce/sammy thing from house of shade starts to erupt.

me at alivia

Really regretting making my code word tractor.. Not a fan. But um me and alivia talked for like 4 hours and we're both legends. We have a cute google sheet bet ur all jealous. Her and ashvika are gonna pretend that they hate each other but they dont actually!! How fun. Hope i dont slip and blow their covers JKDFHKSJD. Everyone seems to know everyone which is scary. When i first saw Jela and Julia were cast I was scared that theyd target me b/c we had a rough introduction, but honestly theyre legends. Idk why i told jela i was missing a left toe.. but i did and now idk what to do about that whole thing. Maybe ill say i got drunk and dont remember saying that but it isnt true.. IDK WHAT TO DO. But um yaa happy to see zeezo here too but scared ppl will think we're a duo but honestly I dont think ppl will. Um I should do a cast first impression thing wooh! Ricky: Played my first tumblr game with him but dont really know him. Seemed nice but not much there Randy: seems like a legend. Poc king. Um talked to him and he wanted to know more about me but wouldnt talk about himself so!! Idk hope we talk more seems fun. Julia: Um called me out. Called me fat. Fun tho!! Seems untrustworthy but no bad blood. Roxy: Talked a bit, um shes fun?? Dont think she likes me Ashvika: how can one girl be so pretty??? Shes smart too. Like i want to hate how perfect she is. The type of girl to throw my game away for tho so I need to make sure I dont!! Alivia: how can one girl be so pretty??? Shes smart too. Like i want to hate how perfect she is. The type of girl to throw my game away for tho so I need to make sure I dont!! Honestly want to go to the end with her tho so I just am gonna have to make sure I outplay her so we can be f2. Bryce: ugly cast pic. Is he even a poc??? Zeezo: THE LOML I LOVE HER SO MUCH. we both seem to be working together so im happy. Hope to work with her and have her carry me in comps. She will beat lachies record. #menareover Kat: wish she was jade ;(. JK!! Love her so much already. She is so nice and fun and like just seems like a great person. Honestly shes gonna mist me too. Jose: Epicmafia king. We never work together and always betray each other so... first chance for everything??? He seems fun tho love him hope he slays (less than me tho) Sammy: I literally love him hes so nice but i never pm him so thats awk KDSJFHDKSj hope that this game changes that!! Lynn: Legend. Loves hufflepuff, hates middle school. Like I think we click but i know her and blake are like super close so idk if shed ever be closer with me but i hope so b/c shes just like.. amazing!! Saxon: Talks a lot. About himself. Maybe itll change when i talk to him more. Likes super hero movies so wooh i guess. Jela: Thought she hated me but maybe now she doesnt. Shes really funny actually so hopefully we can be allies. Blake: know that hes super smart and good at the game but like he got rekt by queen tara so maybe ill do that to him. We talked but it was bland but guess ill push through it Dennis: So his name is annoying to spell so had to change that quick. Kind of hate him??? But hes fun!!! Didnt know carly rae jepsen made music still so like the stan in me wanted to hang up the call on him. BUT then he msged me asking for carly songs to listen to so like.. love him now. Cant believe he knew all the social game hed need with me was just pretending to like my queen Autumn: We talked about her past games and it was basically me fangirlling about her ENDING eddie LOL. think we can work together because we both like intersectional feminism John: Tried talking to him but didnt go anywhere. But im gonna make it work!! Ive decided we'll be close so wooh Olivia: took 2 hours to respond to me. like musicals tho. kept ignoring me tho. Alivia outsold. Ali: PURE KING. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. NO ONE IS BETTER. I COULD NEVER TURN AGAINST HIM. SO IM GONNA NEED OTHERS TO DO IT FOR ME. Love his dog even tho i misgendered her but it wont happen again. Think we'll be close. reptiles stick together!!

WHEWIE. Okay I tried filming a video confessional, but my thoughts are such a mess, so I've decided writing it out will be considerably more coherent. YIKES SO. This season is already so wild, like this cast.... is gonna be a lot. I already can tell this season is going to have lots of fights and I don't know... how ready I am for that eeeek. But otherwise, my illiteracy means I don't understand the lottery twist so I love that. The returnee twist is fun though, like I feel like at the start of games, I go into panic mode, so having returnees I can go to about that, might make them feel like I'm an easy number and that they want to work with me? The people I knew before this season (like I'd actually spoken to): Bryce, Julia, Ashvika, Autumn & Olivia (I loosely knew Ricky, Blake & Sammy too) Within the game itself, the people I've had the best conversations with are Jose, Kat, Olivia, Ashvika & John. Olivia is like one of my favourite people in the community, and also a super good player so I'd love to work with her. I also think the fact that we are friends is something nobody in the cast should know (I think) so thats fun. Jose was such a big threat/player last season, and the vibe I get from him this time is he wants to tone that down? I'm not good at working with super cracked people, so him being slightly in the middle between UTR and cracked, will make him a super good person to work with I think. He is also the only person I've like...talked game with, even though its super limited, just that I wanna work with him. I'm a weirdo and watched all the Alola cast assessment stuff, and it sounds like Kat was playing really well, but got stuck in a funky position and couldn't recover, so I think she is gonna be a major threat this time and I'd love to work with her too woooo. Ashvika is a queen. Just plain and simple. She is so wholesome and nice, and already seems loosely on the same page as me, so thats iconic. John scares me ajkhsdfaslf. i think he is a total newbie, and I also think he is gonna get super cracked, and thats.... scary asdkjflas Dennis I just started talking to properly, he is in my timezone-ish, so that will be good for my sleeping pattern if he ever wins HoH or anything, but I worry he may struggle to make connections, so I'm not sure how much he can help me as an ally? The others I'm gonna try and do more rapid fire, since this confessional is already massive hjkasdflsaf: Alivia: Really really nice! We haven't spoken all that much, but she seems super friendly and she was really loyal in Unova, which makes me feel good about maybe working with her? Also Ali in the name? we love legends Ricky: Ricky is.... an interesting one ljaksdfla. He is a fun personality to have around, so I hope he sticks around. I'm not sure how invested he will be in any of these games, but I hope he gives it a good go woo Randy: Randy is gonna be such a threat already I can tell sahkjfdla Also he lowkey scares me, because whenever I would start pm'ing people on call yesterday, he would run to my pms asking why I wasnt pm'ing him which freaked me out sjkadflas. He seems fun though, and Dom stans him so we stan Julia (The Witch): An icon. A legend. An inspiration. Also terrifying skjahdfla. She mentioned all stars on call yesterday and my heart stopped, because I hated how I was in that game and dont want it talked about. I think she is gonna fight people and I don't especially want to get on her bad side! Roxy: Havent spoken to her much, it might be tricky talking to her, since we are both in weird timezones, we will see Bryce: A SWEETHEART. I love Bryce soo much. We worked together in a mini once, and it was super fun, so I'd love to work with him more. Zeezo: She seems super nice! I don't really know her, beyond that she is POVzo and probably a comp threat, but I think she will be fun. I know her and Bryce are friends so we will see where that goes jahdfka Sammy: Super nice! I loosely know him, but he seems like he will be good fun. I havent spoken to him much, so I hope he is gonna be active rip Lynn: I know of her from Moheli, and I know her and Blake were ride or dies which I am wary off.... Otherwise, she has been super quiet and I could see her.... potentially going early rip a queen Saxon: FUDGE. I havent spoken to him at all which is scary, since I feel like he probably already knows a lot of this cast, so if he wins RIP me I guess. Otherwise, he seems like a fun personality so wooo Jelaminah: Ummm. She is wild. Like really wild. I think I stan her, but I also am like.... concious that she is a lot, and its sometimes too much for me. I'm a bit annoyed by her tbh, but its just because she was like laughing at people's sexualities, as if she didnt believe them, and thats super ugly, but I couldn't exactly say anything to her. I think she is gonna be a super dominant personality, but whew we will see. Blake: I know he was a big player in Moheli, but I think he also rubbed people the wrong way.... We will see how he does, he seems iconic Autumn: A QUEEN. She is the most inactive so far which is worrying. I don't want her to go early. I could really see her going up this week, but maybe us two havent talked much, since she is just comfortable in our relationship? AND WHEW. Thats everything, if anyone read this, I love you for that. Otherwise, wooo I'm super nervous, I love my DR guests Owen and Emily and eek. We will see!

ahhh okay so, I’m super excited about meeting new people....BUT...this cast is so huge and I’m so nervous. I like everyone for the most part and I’ve been trying to like talk to some people I’ve played with in the past to maybe smoothe over some bad relationships? The only person I’m still like nervous about is Julia because she kills the straight men and she hates Gemini’s. AND WHAT AM I? A STRAIGHT MALE GEMINI. I don’t think she’s very good at comps tho and I know she would go for Bryce before me. Anyway I seriously love Kat because she is so genuine and I just want to work with her. Also I want to work with alivia, roxy, zeezo, Olivia, randy, Jela, ricky, and autumn! There’s a few others as well but I’ll prob do like a video DR and talk about how I feel about everyone...who knows.

Jose is officially my showmance and we stan asjdkfaslf. He is so nice and my favourite new person I've met in the cast anyway, and he won lots of comps last season so I'm ready for him to drag me to the end dlakjfasfa.

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bryce better not fucking put me up or i'm gonna SHOOT

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wow so happy bryce is HoH!!!! perfect week one :$

I am actually really happy that bryce won this HOH bc that means my ass hole is safe! PRaise BE. MY showmance that was made by ALIVIA has saved my ass and partly to me sorta already knowing him through tara! BITHCH TARA LOLOVE UR ASSSS. ANd shoot idk what these gays are lookin at but ppl be sayin they think im cute. maybe its like when i look at a potato or like a waffle fry?? who knows ahaha but like some of these boys be good lookin like damn. hit me and my crocs up boys ;P

I am not a bottom. ya dumb bitch

Bryce is nomming me for not playing in the hoh. Gurl gurl im not a newb who would buy up that excuse

Just say we arent alligned and im good with the other players and id belive you why would i buy that you, a player whose played a few games by now, would nom someone for abstainimg

Okay SO. I filmed a video confessional earlier, but its already super out of date so its time for an update! I have spoken to lots of people that I hadn't talked to since premiere night which is good, Alivia & Kat are so nice! Jose is, as always a king, and I think (other than Olivia) he is my closest ally rn, so woo we stan. Otherwise, I spoke to Bryce, and it seems like (praise be), I'm not getting nominated, WOO! He says he is nominating Roxy/Autumn, with Julia getting the future shock thingie. Like I told him, the future shock is kind of like a curse and we know Julia loves a good curse, so its a good matchup aljdfkas. Otherwise, these nominations make sense. I LOVE Autumn, but she has been the quietest person in the cast, so I assume she is gonna go first rip. Roxy I have spoken to a fair bit, but I know she is in a funky timezone, which probably throws off her ability to be active. Bryce seemed like he was being pretty open with me, so I hope I'm not the backup plan if somebody comes off. I feel like my social game is pretty strong so I wouldnt have thought people in the house would push for me as a renom and eI'd be suprised if I get nominated! Last but not least, the unfortunate thing is how MENINIST these nominations are akjsdfla, we are really putting the orre in discriminatorrey.

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First DR of the game. I'm not going to do first impressions because I'm not that dry. The game started when I was put in this bitch, so I'm here to go at full force. I'm going to play a strong balance of a great 1 on 1 social game while still being a great personality people love. As of right now I'm being constantly dragged and roasted, and I wouldn't want it any other way. (But this is before HOH so the claws are bound to come over) So my game has been very social as of right now. Before HoH I focused on making genuine connections. I'm good with all the returnees at this point. None of them have beef with me, and I made it clear that I want to work with all of them (while this is farther from the truth). I'm just being diplomatic because there's some tension between the returnees that will have to be released soon. With the returnees I connected automatically with Zeezo. Me and her didnt even small talk its was just game talk from moment one. Thats a great relationship to have, and I'm definitely maintaining it. Jose and Alivia have been talking to me more. Jose has been more open with working with me than Alivia so : \\. All the returnees from Kanto-Sinnoh are here because theyre entertaining, the bitches from Unova-Alola would be casted for redemption but don't meet the criteria. I made an alliance with Jelaminah and Ricky. This is mostly because I need to be on Jelaminah's good side because I know the bitch knows how to play. So i would rather be scheming with her than against her. Ricky is just a number. On housecalls I saw that Jela was talking to Julia a lot. So I started talking to Julia a lot more. I surprisingly trust her a lot more than I thought I would. So me and her aren't beefing, but her and Bryce are. HOS20 affects this game because Julia and Saxon are aligned in this game and they're against Bryce and Sammy as of right now. I know Julia can drop a vendetta, but Saxon is just horrible about it. And I hate Saxon so much. He just gives me second hand embarassment and i dont know why. Like I'm so happy I've trained myself to hold my tongue because the shit he wears on housecalls actually make me laugh. He posted a picture of him shirtless and it was literally looking at rotten spam meat. Its not cute, and he is just so prude in pms because he obviously doesnt want to talk to me. I can make a separate DR about Saxon because he brings out all the hate and all the angst I had when I was in Johto. But going back to the topic Julia fought Sammy and Bryce ig and Saxon thinks Julia is right because he's a kissass and is a savvy feminist. I love Julia so her having beef isnt good. I talked to her and she said she didnt have good relations with Olivia, Bryce, Sammy, and Autumn. And i was shocked that this game is so against her, but this is great information because its something I can utilize. But those are her problems, and they dont affect me. If she wants to play with me she's gonna have to fix amends or take them out 1 by 1First DR of the game. I'm not going to do first impressions because I'm not that dry. The game started when I was put in this bitch, so I'm here to go at full force. I'm going to play a strong balance of a great 1 on 1 social game while still being a great personality people love. As of right now I'm being constantly dragged and roasted, and I wouldn't want it any other way. (But this is before HOH so the claws are bound to come over) So my game has been very social as of right now. Before HoH I focused on making genuine connections. I'm good with all the returnees at this point. None of them have beef with me, and I made it clear that I want to work with all of them (while this is farther from the truth). I'm just being diplomatic because there's some tension between the returnees that will have to be released soon. With the returnees I connected automatically with Zeezo. Me and her didnt even small talk its was just game talk from moment one. Thats a great relationship to have, and I'm definitely maintaining it. Jose and Alivia have been talking to me more. Jose has been more open with working with me than Alivia so : \\. All the returnees from Kanto-Sinnoh are here because theyre entertaining, the bitches from Unova-Alola would be casted for redemption but don't meet the criteria. I made an alliance with Jelaminah and Ricky. This is mostly because I need to be on Jelaminah's good side because I know the bitch knows how to play. So i would rather be scheming with her than against her. Ricky is just a number. On housecalls I saw that Jela was talking to Julia a lot. So I started talking to Julia a lot more. I surprisingly trust her a lot more than I thought I would. So me and her aren't beefing, but her and Bryce are. HOS20 affects this game because Julia and Saxon are aligned in this game and they're against Bryce and Sammy as of right now. I know Julia can drop a vendetta, but Saxon is just horrible about it. And I hate Saxon so much. He just gives me second hand embarassment and i dont know why. Like I'm so happy I've trained myself to hold my tongue because the shit he wears on housecalls actually make me laugh. He posted a picture of him shirtless and it was literally like looking at rotten spam meat. Its not cute, and he is just so prude in pms because he obviously doesnt want to talk to me. I can make a separate DR about Saxon because he brings out all the hate and all the angst I had when I was in Johto. But going back to the topic Julia fought Sammy and Bryce ig and Saxon thinks Julia is right because he's a kissass and is a savvy feminist. I love Julia so her having beef isnt good. I talked to her and she said she didnt have good relations with Olivia, Bryce, Sammy, and Autumn. And i was shocked that this game is so against her, but this is great information because its something I can utilize. But those are her problems, and they dont affect me. If she wants to play with me she's gonna have to fix amends or take them out 1 by 1. Until then I'm going to spend my time with investments that are bound to pay off. Which are with the newbies. I've been spending a lot of time on Blake because Blake lives 20 minutes away from me. I'm trying to hold this down as secret as possible. He likes me, and I want to work with him so I'm just going to continue our friendship and ensure that we're a duo. He doesn't talk a lot in the housechat which is concerning to me, but he does hold very strong one on one relations with most of the house. Lynn is also a south carolina native, and she is just so infectious. She is very intimidated by the large cast meaning that she hasnt bonded that well with a lot of people. So i put two and two together and made a South Carolina alliance. I know Blake is genuine about it. But the main purpose of this alliance is to keep Lynn under my sphere of influence. I can't have no newbies on my side. No ma'am Another newbie who stands out for me is John. John is just really active, and such a social threat. Meaning that his word has saying. So far my relationship with him has been "hey let literally help you with anything and expect nothing in return". With him im trying to show myself as a puppet, or somebody who is very very useful with him. And I actually showed that this week when Bryce won HOH. Won't lie I didnt want but also wanted HOH at the same time. When Bryce won it I was very wary of what was going to happen. Then John comes up to me saying that Bryce is thinking of nominating him. And since I had a decent bond with Bryce I know that I had to save John. So when Bryce talked to me he was dead set as Roxy as the initial nom and target, and Julia for safety this week. Then he mentioned that he was on the fence because he didnt know if he wanted Autumn or John nominated. So I told him the truth that it would be silly to nominate somebody as active as John. And so John wasn't nominated. I stuck my neck out for John and was one of the reasons he isn't nominated this week. And these game things build genuine trust since I'm not just talking to talk. I'm walking to walk and this game isn't ready for Randyy.

Hello ladies and gentlemen you're looking at the first nominee of the season waysup

Imma get to the bottom of this so ain't even worried. I just feel bad y'all didn't even get one happy confessional from me. We just jumped straight into poppin off. That's ok though! Nice for what am i rite

Bryce is full of shit and I'm embarrassed for him. Like who makes an enemy out of me on Day fucking 3? Really my guy? That's the first thing you thought of when you had 19 people to pick from? Apparently I'm getting nominated because the other 18 people in the cast talked to Bryce yesterday and I didn't. Not only do I not buy that, but we just not gonna acknowledge the fact that I talked to him on 2 of the 3 days the game has been going on so far? K cool. Today we learned unless Bryce feels like the prettiest girl at the dance every minute of every day, you're not doing enough Also can we talk about how the "I'm so happy to play with you I always root for you" energy that Bryce was selling to me on day one didn't even last a round? Hiigghkey I feel like the people who know me in the cast are secretly happy cause they know I'm petty enough to take Bryce out and I'll have no problem taking the fall for it. Ali, Ashvika, Sammy, Julia, Olivia- they know I don't play that shit. Can you imagine being first HOH, using it on me, and then thinking I'm not mad at you because I "understand" that nominating me was "the easiest thing to do"?

SHIT YOUR BOI JUST DID THAT TONIGHT! IF U KNOW YOU KNOW. 😜😂

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CLICK HERE TO SEE ALI’S VIDEO DIARY ROOM!

woo I'm on call with Autumn, Sammy, Jela & Dennis. THEY ARE SO FUN. I am back on the Jela stan train, she is actually super nice! I think I want Autumn to stay this week (and I think she could too)! Roxy is super sweet, but Autumn is a queen and the queen stays queen! Oh, I'm not using the veto too, its way too early to make a move and I don't know who would go up instead. I'm still SHRIEKING that I won that veto somehow kjlasdfa

CLICK HERE TO SEE RANDY’S VIDEO DIARY ROOM!

[5/9/18, 2:45:32 PM] Blake Sanders: do you want money?? [5/9/18, 2:45:41 PM] Blake Sanders: BC THE MONEY WANTS YOU! [5/9/18, 2:45:43 PM] alivia: do you wanna be rich??? [5/9/18, 2:45:53 PM] Blake Sanders: ^^^^^^ RICH [5/9/18, 2:45:58 PM] Blake Sanders: not just driving nice car rich [5/9/18, 2:46:07 PM] Blake Sanders: I mean using cheeta fur as toilet paper rich! [5/9/18, 2:46:15 PM] alivia: 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 [5/9/18, 2:48:20 PM] alivia: YOUVE BEEN HAND SELECTED [5/9/18, 2:48:31 PM] alivia: BECAUSE WE THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES [5/9/18, 3:07:19 PM] rixxy 🦄: Hi I just got off work [5/9/18, 3:07:23 PM] rixxy 🦄: what the FUCK is this? [5/9/18, 3:07:33 PM] alivia: DO YOU WANT MONEY??? [5/9/18, 3:07:52 PM] rixxy 🦄: i'm scared but absolutely [5/9/18, 3:07:58 PM] Blake Sanders: FUCK YA! [5/9/18, 3:07:58 PM] alivia: WE WANT YOUR HELP SCAMMING THIS HOUSE! [5/9/18, 3:08:09 PM] alivia: it’s good to be a little scared [5/9/18, 3:08:12 PM] rixxy 🦄: I definitely don't like where this is going. [5/9/18, 3:08:12 PM] Blake Sanders: MONEY WERE GOIN TO RULE THIS AND MAKE MONEY [5/9/18, 3:08:26 PM] Blake Sanders: BUT U WILL RIXXY [5/9/18, 3:08:31 PM] rixxy 🦄: god [5/9/18, 3:08:34 PM] Blake Sanders: <3 [5/9/18, 3:09:00 PM] lynnt: yes [5/9/18, 3:09:53 PM] alivia: you’re gonna be rich so you gotta live rich [5/9/18, 3:11:57 PM] Blake Sanders: There’s like a joining fee [5/9/18, 3:12:01 PM] alivia: yep [5/9/18, 3:12:09 PM] alivia: like scientology [5/9/18, 3:12:21 PM] alivia: but like this is real [5/9/18, 3:12:56 PM] rixxy 🦄: i'm not paying for this [5/9/18, 3:13:01 PM] rixxy 🦄: is this like a legit game thing? [5/9/18, 3:13:03 PM] rixxy 🦄: bc [5/9/18, 3:13:07 PM] lynnt: then imma opt out b/c this rich bitch is cheap and that’s why i’m rich [5/9/18, 3:13:55 PM] Blake Sanders: I mean we legit love u guys [5/9/18, 3:14:07 PM] rixxy 🦄: is this an alliance [5/9/18, 3:14:12 PM] rixxy 🦄: bc i'm uncomfortable and confused [5/9/18, 3:14:35 PM] alivia: woah woah woah [5/9/18, 3:14:41 PM] alivia: everyone calm down [5/9/18, 3:15:09 PM] alivia: don’t worry about the money. you can pay the joining fee AFTER we’re rich [5/9/18, 3:15:15 PM] alivia: don’t worry [5/9/18, 3:15:16 PM] rixxy 🦄: like i'm actually having an anxiety attack can you RATMEME.PNG literally..... WHAT???? blake and i were talking and started joking about being scammers bc sdfkal and then i was like "we should start a scammer alliance" and that's how it all started. we thought it would be SO funny if we just added them to a chat and started trolling them about scamming houseguests out of their money dljgdkfjg and i thought MAYBE lynn and ricky would be confused at first but ricky literally lost his mind like ooops my bad WE THOUGHT WE WERE FUNNY BUT I GAS NOT. [5/9/18, 3:16:08 PM] alivia: it’s a joke but kind of an alliance [5/9/18, 3:16:21 PM] alivia: but mostly a joke [5/9/18, 3:16:44 PM] rixxy 🦄: i literally thought i got dragged into some kind of game twist and i wouldn't play my own game god [5/9/18, 3:17:08 PM] alivia: omg WHAT [5/9/18, 3:17:19 PM] alivia: LITERALLY THE BIGGEST JOKE NOT SERIOUS [5/9/18, 3:17:25 PM] alivia: IMSORFY [5/9/18, 3:17:28 PM] rixxy 🦄: like i thought it was some saboteur/team america bullshit [5/9/18, 3:17:35 PM] alivia: omg noooo [5/9/18, 3:17:42 PM] rixxy 🦄: all i want to do is play the game and i literally thought that was snatched from me [5/9/18, 3:17:50 PM] alivia: HOW??? [5/9/18, 3:18:17 PM] rixxy 🦄: idk i thought y'all were a twist sdksksksksks sdfjsdl wow fuck me i gas??? my social game is really off to a great start!!! gotta get ricky outta here asap now

Right now i am on CAll with SAMMY SAM bc im bad at talking to multiple people at a time! SOOOOOO SAMMY is like wanting to be ym ally but like do i trust his ass??

CLICK HERE TO SEE JOSE’S VIDEO DIARY ROOM!

okayyyyy so this is definitely something different like bb is hard tbh. there's too many people to talk to and i just really don't care about continuing to keep up a convo with some of them but you have to or bye bye. i have definitely not been as social as most and that is def scary but the people that i have talked to and made connections are super nice. so that's why i was so glad when the people that won HOH and POV are people i talked to. uuhHHuh i have no fucking clue who i want to evict tonight so that's fun! ya know autumn is super nice and chill but she did go dark for a while and roxy is super fun and i still haven't heard ANY singing and i want to and she is campaigning really hard so she really wants to stay BUT since she's campaigning so hard to stay and kinda saying anything to EVERYONE who knows what she'll do to stay in the game later on. idk is it too early to be thinking about later in the game?? idkkk thanks for coming to my rambling ted talk. find out next time on if i've decided.

CLICK HERE TO SEE DENNIS’ VIDEO DIARY ROOM!

OK SOOOO the eviction is coming up tonight and its either going to be Autumn or Roxy! NOw autumn is a super sweet queen but i feel like she will kill me if need be! but i still lvoe her! now roxy she is fighting for her life like she is making me promises i think she will not be able to keep. bc ive heard form other hosue guests she is making the same promises to them. NOW i love talkin to her about food and cooking but i feel awful that im most likely going to evict her! but o well it has to be done im glad its not me

i feel like i should give like a summary of like where i am with everyone and how i feel about them all before the first eviction! ALI: Well i first knew him because he reached out to me about a game he is gonna host. He like doesn't talk to me much which makes me nervous... I like him a lot but looks like we are just acquaintances atm. ALIVIA: OK I FREAKIN LOVE HER! SHE IS HILARIOUS! WE STARTED A ALLIANCE CHAT CALLED SCAMMERS R' US AND RICKY LEGIT FREAKED THE FUCK OUT AND WE WERE ALL LIKE WTF JUST HAPPENED HE IS INSANE! i hope i get to work with her a lot during this game and talk about ice cream! But i do see her stabbing me in the back later on so ill prob strike first. LOVE YA ASHVIKA: now this girl is a goddess she is beauty and she is grace! we talk like avg and stuff we have small chats nothing about gamewise. I see her as not being a threat as in targeting people or winning HOH i see her as a social threat. I think she will go far but not win she will def be jury. I think she is amazing tho and shes a model soo like i want to be her. AUTUMN: Now Autumn is a delight to be around so sweet and seems so pure but she will kill me i just know it. She's the beautiful flower in the garden that turns into a man eating plant <3 she is temptation and i may fall for it BLAKE: ive been told i was a certified good boy BRYCE: Now i knew him b4 this game bc of my friend TARA LOVE YOU BITCH <3 ! i think he will keep me around but idk if our bond is tight enough. i dont think he will choose to evict me yet. but other thsn that i want to work on having a closer bond with him for sure! DENNIS: I like dennis he just iidk theres not alot to say? me adn him talk about video games and stuff but whenever i talk to him i like forget like why im talkin to him lol! but he is super chill! JELAMINAH: THIS WOMAN <3 IS AMAZINGLY FUNNYY! SHE IS ONE PERSONALITY I WANT TO GET ON MY SIDE~! she is hilarious amd an amazing person i want to work with her sooo bad! i talk to her in oms sometimes but she is more of a on call person i believe or she just doesn't wanna talk to me ahah . O AND JELA I TAKE BACK TO WHO I THINK THE CUTEST BOY HERE IS ! JOHN : I love john! me and him talk trash about random things and it is hilarious! i hope he feels as close to me as i am to him! i feel like we can work together in the long run. JOSE: Ive only talked to Jose just a little bit so im worried if he ever wins HOH bc i may be nominated! so i better get my ass into high gear and talk to him more. other than that i remebr him as the guy who someone hit his fence with a car. JULIA: NOW i have heard things about this girl! like that she is ana amzing player and i better watch out for her! IM SO SORRY JULIA BUT U R ON MY HITLIST! AND SADLY U NEVER U LEFT ME ON READ IN MY PMS RUDE~! KAT:I WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT KAT BUT WE JUST STARTED TALKING TODAY AND WE HELPED names each others plants! she is a precious person and i love her! she is so funny! i want to work with her for this game! LYNN: YALL THIS IS MY BITCH ! I LOVE YOU LYNN WE PLAYED IN MOHELI TOGETHER AND AFTER THAT IT WAS HISTORY WE BECAME BEST FRIENDS VISITING EACH OTHER AND STUFF! SHE ONLY LIED 2 HOURS FROM ME WHEN I WENT TO SCHOOL I SAW HER ALL THE TIME! I AM MOST DEF WORKING WITH HER! SHE IS MY BESTFRIEND! <3 LOVE U OLIVIA: OK WELL IDK MUCH bout her. ummmm i talked to her a little im ttrying to become her ally but its not really workign she wont talk to meee!! RANDY: omg i have not heard good things about him.... i shouldve been told these things sooner omg! i feel like he hates me he might! we live in the same city and live like 15 mins away! omg rip rip rip . he goes to my old highdchool! thats crazy af! im working wiht him rn but i i think im going to nom him in the middle of the game or try to get him out around then. sorry randy! also hes been giving me the cold shoulder and not talkin to me which is rude. adnwe r in an alliance chat bro. come on really... RICKY: TBh u annoy me. everything i like u say its dumb or u don't like it. i say goodmorning/afternoon to u adn u say its morning its not even close to afternoon whatre u doing. AND IM LIKE WTF HAV U NEVER HEARD OF TIMEZONES! LIKE HELLLLLO! damn just we are not compatible people and well if i ever win HOH ill prob nom him. ROXY: DAMN BITCH I CAUGHT U IN A LIE AND U DONT KNOW ABOUT IT! THIS IS THE REAOSN IM VOTIN TO EVICT U IM SORRY OMG IM GOIN TO MISS TALKIN TO U ABOUT FOOD! ur sooo sweet omg and u hav a lovely voice! SAMMY: I have been told not to trust him bc he is a snake. But shit he is one of my closest allies now! like we talked for hours on call and watched survivor it was such a cute little date! GOD i hope he doesnt betray me ill cry so much! i mean he might but like i dont wanna back stab him.... yet <3 SAXON: who r u?? talked like never. ur probably nice?? ZEEZO: Girl u be freakin lynn out with eveyrhting u saying to and about her! soo idk like aht to do wiht u ahahah prob get u nominated?? SORRY IM A LOSER AND DIDNT MAKE A VID I LOOK LIKE A THUMB ATM <3

what bitch Randy, 3:05 PM hola 3:05 PM you never sent me a pm Randy, 3:05 PM ur coll bc you aint never talk about interesting shit 3:05 PM uh huh Randy, 3:05 PM tf am i supposed to reply to "yea" 3:06 PM sorry I'm not your source of entertainment you twink I was busy with my life Randy, 3:06 PM wow this is something we can TALK ABOUT Randy, 3:06 PM what did you do I kinda snapped sorry Randy

Are u gonnaget ur tattoo coloured? :0 or will it be lines? Rn im hungry waiting for ma burger heh 9:21 PM It’s just lines henny 👑, 9:23 PM Sweet! What inspires the one u chose? 👑, 6:35 AM Hey saxon! I wanted to wait to speak to you in person but im tired and sorta not feeling well so i cant stay up. I wouls love it id you vote me to stay!! I really enjoy this game and im a p loyal ally! Im active and have jackbox too xd. Ill try be up at least 2 hours bfr eviction if you wanna chat about the vote! 👑, 3:03 PM Morning 3:03 PM Hiya 👑, 3:03 PM Hows it going? 3:04 PM fine busy 👑, 3:04 PM Ripp with what m? 3:05 PM a 5 page paper 👑, 3:06 PM Ew Wtf 3:06 PM ye 👑, 3:06 PM Just quit school. Death sound sbetter than that Hshsbs 3:10 PM i omg 👑, 3:11 PM Lmfao Man now my eviction worries seem meaningless 3:14 PM Why is that? 👑, 3:15 PM :o cause your 5 page thing is gross :o have you started on it or still got a ways to go? 3:20 PM I still got a ways to go 👑, 3:20 PM yikes 👑, 3:20 PM how are you feeling about this week? like hame wise Roxy I think you're a lovely person but holy fuck can you just please shut up sometimes when you know someone is busy

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALI’S VIDEO DIARY ROOM!

CLICK HERE TO SEE PT 1 OF BRYCE’S VIDEO DIARY ROOM!

CLICK HERE TO SEE PT 2 OF BRYCE’S VIDEO DIARY ROOM!

I'd say it was an effective campaign xoxo Summer Shrek

CAST ASSESSMENT

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE WEEK 1 CAST ASSESSMENT!

#episode #bborre

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mikeyd1986 · 7 years ago

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MIKEY’S PERSONAL BLOG 69, September 2017

On Monday morning, I had my second last Healthy Cooking on a Budget class at Balla Balla Community Centre in Cranbourne East. Today’s class honestly felt like a bad episode of Hell’s Kitchen minus the nasty chefs. Just a lot of sharing ingredients and cooking utensils. But on the positive side, I was gaining more confidence with making a dough mixture. The hardest part is getting the consistency right, so that it’s not too sticky or too dry. But with the help of Jodie, I finally got there.

Today we ended up making a pumpkin, red onion and feta pide (Turkish bread) and a vegan citrus cake. We started the class by dicing up the vegetables and roasting these in the oven whilst kneading the dough and allowing it to expand for about an hour. Next we worked on the citrus cake. Jodie claimed that this was the “easiest cake recipe” but everyone was looking confused as hell. It required a lot of juicing, zesting and patience but eventually it all came together.

The last part of the class involved assembling the dough mixture into pides. We had cut up the mixture into equal sections and then rolled them out flat. Next we layered the vegetable mixture into the middle of the pides and folded the edges up so that they resembled boat-like shapes. After baking, we seasoned the pides with danish feta, parsley, salt and pepper. http://www.ballaballa.com.au/progra...

On Monday night, I did my Body Balance class with Kaz at YMCA Casey ARC in Narre Warren. They say that the only way to get better at something is to keep practicing. This is certainly the case when it comes to balance and Pilates. I find both of these aspects quite challenging at times but it doesn’t mean I instantly give up because the poses are too hard. I make sure that I give everything a go, even if I’m uncoordinated and look ridiculous doing it.

In tonight’s class, we did the following exercises: Tai-Chi Warmup (Wide-legged stance with overhead sweeping circles), Yoga (Standing forward fold, Downward facing dog, plank, baby cobra, Warrior 2), Balance (Tree pose, Chair pose with raised heels), Pilates (Single leg raise and lower, Bridge pose with pulses, Double leg stretch), Hamstring Stretches (Seated wide legged forward fold) and Relaxation. https://www.lesmills.com/workouts/f...

On Tuesday morning, I had my first appointment with Dr. Yasmin Baliz at CNS: Comprehensive Neuropsychological Services in Narre Warren. Sitting in the large spacious waiting room outside the Waterman Business Centre, the nerves were already kicking in and I could feel myself getting hot and flustered in the chair. But thankfully those feelings began to subside when she walked in and introduced herself to me. She guided me into one of the suites which contained comfy leather sofas, fake plastic palms and oval-shaped lamps. Next door was the “Rainforest Room” which made for an interesting session, hearing these random frog and cricket sounds.

Dr. Yasmin is a clinical neuropsychologist and I was here to begin my assessment for the Autism Spectrum Disorder. Both my mum and my counselor recommended this due to a family history of the disorder and for the sake of clarity. During the session, Yasmin asked me questions about my childhood, school life, employment history, education, how my mental illness has affected my life and current interests. I felt like I was on episode of Millionaire Hot Seat though she was friendly, patient and easy to talk with which made the process easier.

My biggest concern was the cost of the sessions. At $200 a session, she really doesn’t come cheap though I do get some of that money back through a Medicare rebate. Still I really had to make some tough sacrifices this month in order to keep myself afloat financially. Money will always be a huge stressor in my life but I’m gradually learning ways to improve my spending and saving habits. Plus this assessment is really important and will be worth the money to do. http://www.cnspsych.com.au/

On Tuesday night, Mum and I attended a Mindfulness & Meditation workshop held at Balla Balla Community Centre in Cranbourne East. There were about 40 people who attended and it was great to see the community really get behind it. The facilitator Fiona talked about what mindfulness and meditation are and some specific research studies that show how implementing M&M into our daily lives can create such a positive change. This includes reducing stress and anxiety levels, switching defective genes off (epigenetics), rewiring parts of the brain (neuroplasticity), prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancers and forming better, healthier habits.

Fiona then guided us all through a 10 minute meditation, focusing on the breath, sensations and feelings in the body, any internal and external sounds and thoughts going through out mind. The idea behind meditation is to have a non-judgemental approach to it. So it’s okay that your mind is overloaded with thoughts or that you have to shift around in order to be in a more comfortable position or that you can only do it for a few minutes. It’s about the intention behind it and being kind to yourself. There’s no right or wrong way of doing it. http://www.ballaballa.com.au/event/...

On Wednesday morning, I had my Strength Training session with Luke Davey at Breakaway Fitness in Berwick. Sitting on the bench waiting for Luke, my annoying anxious thoughts were trying desperately to break through and ruin my day (Why isn’t anyone talking to me, paying attention to me or even acknowledging me?). So then I decided to use my waiting time productively instead of getting caught up in my thoughts. I did some gentle yoga stretches as I was still feeling sore and tight in my lower back and hips. And it certainly helped to take my mind off things.

WARM-UP...I started my session by rolling out my lower back and quad muscles before doing some scorpion stretches and 3 rounds of 10 single arm kettle bell lifts. I felt like I was getting better with it too and I focused my attention on keeping my lifting arm straight whilst using the other arm for balance. The pain was beginning to flare up a little in my lower back but no where near as bad as last time. I also did some stretches into my hips using the aerobic stepper. It was quite challenging keeping my other leg straight but I got there.

DEVELOPMENT...Today I was working on my deadlifts, doing 5 rounds of 5 reps with the last round being maximum reps. Initially, I was getting myself easily distracted by what the other trainers and clients were doing in our space and also getting frustrated because my technique and form felt really off. I was deadlifting 75kg and it felt harder than usual.

Thankfully after my first round, I was able to turn that self-talk around...”Come on Michael, you can do this. Just take your time with it. Be patient. Be consistent. Pace yourself. Take a couple of seconds to readjust if you have to. And remember to breathe!” And that’s all I really needed. It just takes a shift in mindset and focus. I wasn’t going to get myself upset or beat myself up because it wasn’t my best performance. In fact, I felt better about it after each round.

And smashing out 20 reps in the last round was beyond what I expected. After my 15th rep, I was starting to struggle heaps but Luke knew that I could do more and so I kept pushing for it. I’m more than what I think I’m capable of always. I surprise myself all the time. And thankfully a few of the trainers did start saying hi to me which made me feel a lot better about myself. Thank you Joel, Sheena, Kane, Brendan and Lachy.

WORKOUT...Today’s workout was a 500m sprint on the rowing machine in the fastest time possible. I got myself a little confused during my first round as I was expecting the numbers to increase not decrease on the display. But after that, I gave it 110% effort. The challenge for me was the consistency and after the 250m mark, the fatigue quickly set in. Still I gave it everything I got, even during the last round which was my slowest overall. My best time was 2 minutes and 4 seconds. https://www.facebook.com/breakawayfitnesstraining/

This Thursday was R U OK? Day! There are significant benefits to asking that question. It shifts the attention away from yourself and your own problems. It shows that you care about somebody else and how they're really feeling inside. And it's a great ice breaker. For somebody who has suffered with mental illness for a past 13 years, this day and cause is extremely important to me. Make sure you look out for one another. Stay strong. Stay positive. Ask R U OK? and you could change somebody else's life for the better. https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

On Thursday night, I had my Water Workout class at YMCA Casey RACE in Cranbourne East. It was a much smaller class than usual tonight but that meant we had plenty of room to move around the pool. The class was instructed by Mary again who I remember from last time. We did our usual series of exercises including jogging, ski slopes, tuck jumps, pendulum, rock n’ roll and donkey kicks.

We also swam up and down the pool using the underwater dumbbells as a flotation device. I feel like my confidence when it comes to swimming is gradually increasing every time I do one of these classes. It just takes practice and consistent strong kicks in the water. I’m no longer sinking as much either which is always a good sign. Maybe one day I’ll consider doing some adult swimming lessons to further improve my technique. https://www.goodlifehealthclubs.com.au/...

On Friday morning, I had my second Strength Training session with Luke Davey at Breakaway Fitness in Berwick. After reading a chapter on dealing with the main causes of low self-confidence from The Confidence Gap by Dr. Russ Harris, I decided to put his advice into practice. This session seemed to be more mentally challenging than usual. I’m still learning to let go of things such as the perception that people are ignoring me or deliberately leaving me out socially, getting easily distracted by what’s happening around me and getting frustrated when I can’t perform a particular movement. It’s all a work-in-progress.

I’m still searching for a sense of belonging at UFT PLAYgrounds. I’m determined to make a difference, get involved, participate, matter and feel important. The fact that I’m shy and introverted is irrelevant. I feel like a lot of people do like me there. Sometimes it’s hard of get their attention but it’s fine. It doesn’t mean they don’t like me. They’re probably just busy training clients or in the middle of a conversation. Regardless, I deserve to be a part of the UFT Playgrounds family.

WARM-UP...This morning’s warmup was a bit more intense than usual. After my Y-T-I stretches on the bench, I had to do 3 rounds of the following: 100 skips, 10 squats, 10 pushups and 10 situps. I was doing pretty well until I got to the situps. I was beginning to get really hard on myself as I couldn’t keep my feet planted to the ground. But I reminded myself “It’s not like every trainer, coach and client is closing in around me and telling me how shit my performance is. I’m trying hard here and I’m doing the best I can.”

And eventually I did improve. All I needed was Luke to stand on my shoes in order to be able to do the situps and have enough momentum to keep swinging myself up. The fatigue was also starting to take its toll but I got there in the end.

DEVELOPMENT...Today I worked on doing bench press, doing 5 rounds of 3 reps at 42.5kg with the last round being maximum reps. Again, I was finding this mentally challenging. I kept colliding into the racking and my bar path was all over the shop. But eventually, I managed to re-focus on the task at hand with the help of Luke (Be strong, think strong!).

Even in the face of a seemingly impossible goal (beating 6 reps in the last round), I summoned all of my mental strength and energy to push myself through it. “You’ve got this Michael. Don’t give up. Stay focused. Take deep breaths.” I genuinely did more than I thought I could do, smashing 8 reps. Now that is a remarkable achievement to be proud of.

WORKOUT...Today’s workout involved a 7 minute AMRAP (As Many Reps As Possible), doing the following exercises: 20 Russian twists, 15 butterfly situps, 20 mountain climbers and 15 hollow rocks. It seemed pretty full on especially with that tough mixture of cardio and core strength but I was up for it. The Russian twists and the hollow rocks were the hardest of the lot. The pain was a difficult distraction but I kept fighting it thanks to Luke’s constant motivation. I completed 2.5 rounds plus 13 butterfly situps. https://www.facebook.com/breakawayfitnesstraining/

“So I'll speak my truth though my voice shakes. Try to summon the strength to look fear in the face. But I'm kicking and screaming 'cause it won't be easy to break all the patterns. If I'm not evolving, I'm just another robot taking up oxygen.” Katy Perry - Bigger Than Me (2017)

“So, just take those punches on the chin, yeah. Don't fight the changes in the wind, no, no 'cause you'll find your way home, oh. If you find a way to let go, just let go. Don't try and reinvent your wheel, 'cause you're too original. Baby, just stay classic. Ain't broke, ain't broke, don't fix it. Your highs, your lows, just ride it.” Katy Perry - Pendulum (2017)

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