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zylophie · 9 months

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🏮 . 月 — day five featuring shinonome ena

knock knock!

heres some mail!

ଘ(੭´꒳`)°* ੈ‧₊ 💌

⌨️ᶻᶻᶻ...anon is typing... ♡

↻ᴹᵉˢˢᵃᵍᵉ ˡᵒᵃᵈᵉᵈ !

❝Hope you have a good birthday, can I get Ena for 5? Thank you❞

━━❝Please don't hate me... I have a good reason for this! ❞

Information: reader has heterochromia!

NIGHTCORD CALL:

TAP TAP!

Ena was scrolling through her selfies she has posted online with you in it.

"Look at this selfie [name]! I can't believe we had to wait for 2hrs to dine in, ugh. However it was worth it."

"Oh oh! How about this one? You look so adorable with this kuromi plush!"

Ena was enthusiastically showing off every selfies with you in it. However, it couldn't be said the same to you..

"..."

"[Name]? What's wrong?"

"O-oh.. It's just nothing.. I just feel a bit insecure since all the selfies I'm in with you has lesser likes than the ones you do with others or by yourself. Are my eyes really that weird..?"

"Nonsense! Sure, they may have lesser likes but they're honestly missing out on what a cute person you are! Besides, you don't need to care about the likes! I'm your girlfriend aren't I? You should only pay attention to me!"

"..."

"I'll love you regardless [name]. Don't let anyone change that."

"..Heh, I guess you're right Ena."

As your cheeks turn a little red from what she had just said in the call.

"Hey Ena, I'm going to end the call so I can get ready for our date!"

"Alright, just don't be late!"

You then got up to prepare yourself, since you and Ena were going to go on a date for just a bit.

»»-----► After a while... ❍✧

"That was a fun ride. Glad we came to phoenix wonderland. Right Ena?"

"..."

Ena was seen being on her phone swiping furiously at it.

"Hey Ena?"

You came up behind her trying to see what she was doing only to scare her.

"[N-NAME]?! Don't come up behind me like that again."

She quickly covered her screen.

"Are you okay Ena? You didn't reply to my statement and was swiping a lot so I wanted to see what you were doing.."

"Aha. Don't worry too much about it."

"Now come on, we have more rides to go on!"

As she dragged you to the other rides in hope of distracting you.

⋘ Back at home... ⋙

"That was a fun date.. Though I wonder what Ena was doing on her phone.."

-and like that, your prayers have been answered.

DING!

"Huh? A message. From who?"

As you opened your phone screen to see your best friend texting you. You decided to open the chat, only to be shocked and upset.

Had it all been a lie? What was the goal of doing that? To just shatter someone random's heart?

You were done.

⋘ At night school... ⋙

"Hey [name], have you seen th-"

As you turn around to face Ena, she was kind of shocked seeing that you've put your contacts back on.

"[N-name]? Why are you putting your contacts on again? Were you getting harassed or bullied??"

"Funny seeing you ask that."

You replied coldly towards her, before bringing your phone screen up to her, showing her a screenshot of one of her post making fun of your different eye colors.

"..We're done by the way.. Now leave me alone."

As you started to walk away from her.

"W-Wait [name]!"

"I didn't post that! You got to believe me. This was all a misunderstanding!"

"Please don't hate me.."

"I don't have a good reason for doing this!"

"I'm being framed.. Please believe me!"

As her pleas slowly drowned out as you walked away from her.

..Though why were her cries so genuine..?

No.. Surely your best friend wouldn't lie to you right?

(っ'-')╮=͟͟͞͞💌 You receive a letter from X

↻ᴹᵉˢˢᵃᵍᵉ ˡᵒᵃᵈᵉᵈ !

𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. . .

Wooo, happy birthday to me! :D

..Now where's my furina fic yue?/j

calling...@mizu-nights

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hbogirls · 1 month

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riverdale characters as parkey poser performances?

literally no one gets me like my anons. wow. this is major.

okay so cheryl and jason are jackie-o and marty in the house of yes. like whether you believe the incest happened or not, the idea of it is undeniably present. plus, they're twins in a mansion. this one is shockingly one-to-one.

penelope is fiona from josie and the pussycats for sure. childhood trauma that leads her to a life of strange, sad crimes as an adult, crimes that shape the lives of the youth within her reach.

veronica is jo from the daytrippers i think. mostly in-your-face and kind of self-centered and flippant, but when it comes right down to it, she's a good friend and she knows what she wants and what's good for her and the people around her.

really, all of them are libby mae brown from waiting for guffman. they want to leave their town, they know they would be happier and doing bigger things than working at the dairy queen if they were somewhere else, but things just can't align for that to ever happen for real, whether it's mr. guffman not showing up at the big musical or being trapped in pop's forever as a 17-year-old.

alice is meg in best in show. sort of a tense, repressed, strict weirdo who is always on edge and blaming other people for various issues in her life.

fp is mary in party girl because he leads a wild and crazy life but then finds a love for being an upstanding citizen

archie is margaret in clockwatchers because i think she tries to call a strike at some point? tbh i haven't seen this one in years lol

betty is miami in kicking & screaming mostly because (and this is lazy reasoning) i think lili reinhart would kill the 'ding that, skippy' monologue. but also because betty is very capable of a kinda mean vibe

i think reggie might be patricia in you've got mail??? at least in the regular timeline he's kind of a loveably rude, very funny, slightly frustrating presence.

okay i think i'm going to quit while i'm ahead because i can feel my reasoning getting shakier and shakier lmao

#<333333

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randomvarious · 2 months

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Today's compilation:

Baby Boomer Classics: Soul Sixties 1985 Soul / R&B / Funk

Well, I mean, if you've never once in your life given any kind of soul music a chance before, then I guess this 60s kit makes for some solid 101 material, because what we have on this thing are a bunch of big deals, like Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Otis Redding.

But beyond that, we've got a less rembered gem too, from a guy named J.J. Jackson, whose "But It's Alright" managed to hit #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966, and then #45 on that same chart again in 1969 after being re-released. And you can't really tell from listening to it, but it's something of a British showcase. Jackson was a New Yorker at the time, but he recorded this song in the UK, and as such, it's one of R&B's first successful hit singles to ever be recorded there. And backing him were some of the country's finest jazz musicians too. Extremely catchy mid-60s guitar riff that guides this one, but the thing that really puts it over the top for me is its dinging vibraphone on the bridge.

And another tune worth mentioning here is one from the always underrated Johnnie Taylor, who is definitely a soul music entity unto himself, but despite being the single-highest selling artist in the history of Stax Records, which is one of the most vital R&B and soul labels that this world has ever known, I still feel like he doesn't get the recognition that he duly deserves. And if you've ever wondered where Queen got the idea for their iconic bass riff on "Another One Bites the Dust," it was probably Johnnie's "Who's Making Love," which used Booker T. & The M.G.'s—of "Green Onions" fame—as its backing band, might've had Isaac Hayes on keyboards, and went to #5 on the Hot 100 in 1968. I haven't found anything official where Queen admits that they derived direct inspiration from this song, but the melodies between them are definitely remarkably similar.

So a bit of a mailed-in cheat code comp here overall for this Baby Boomer Classics series, but a good release nonetheless if the mission was to load up on a bunch of indispensable hits. It's just that not very many selections here do very much to set this comp apart from the countless others that also recount soul and R&B from the 60s.

Only one more of these Baby Boomer Classics comps to go! 😎

Highlights:

Sam & Dave - "Hold On, I'm Comin'" J.J. Jackson - "But It's Alright" Otis Redding - "Try a Little Tenderness" Brenton Wood - "Gimme Little Sign" James & Bobby Purify - "Shake a Tail Feather" Carla Thomas - "B-A-B-Y" Aretha Franklin - "Respect" Wilson Pickett - "Mustang Sally" Doris Troy - "Just One Look" The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - "Do Your Thing" Johnnie Taylor - "Who's Making Love" The Bar-Kays - "Soul Finger"

#soul #soul music #r&b #r & b #r and b #rhythm & blues #rhythm and blues #funk #oldies #music #60s #60s music #60's #60's music

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4dango-the2nd · 1 year

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I had recently discovered HAL_berd through you and was wondering where the comic for the fic Ding! You've got mail. that HAL_berd mentioned at the end. The link there leads to a suspended account and I couldn't find the comic on any of the socials

Oh! My first twitter acc was suspended because I threatened a fictional character's kneecaps LMAOOOOO but anyway that comic should be in my IG!

#4dango ask

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theasianinfluence · 5 months

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I'm trying to find music that uses a lot of like video game or windows sound effects but i dont know how to search for it. I get like 2 songs that aren't even close to what im looking for. Like. I need to hear "*ding* You've got mail!" Right when the beat drops

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xihe1874 · 2 years

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The first chapter of my IceMav "You've Got Mail" AU promised to you!

Tell me what you think! Like it? No? I want to hear everything!

Since I will be back to work tomorrow, I expect my updates to slow down a bit. But I will post as soon as I can.

--------

Pairing: Iceman/Maverick, Carole/Goose

Rating: T

Word Count: 1680

Completed: No

Additional Tags: Fluff, Angst with a Happy Ending, Enemies to Lovers, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Competition, Texting, Falling In Love, Getting Together, Love Confessions, Mutual Pining, Alternate Universe - You've Got Mail Fusion, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Interior Designer Maverick, Interior Designer Iceman, Chatting & Messaging, Anonymity, Idiots in Love

-------

“Wallpaper?”

“Ready, Mav. Exactly the kind of pinkish blue-green you asked for, though I believe Ellen from the purchasing department is going to kill us.”

“She won’t, we are her bosses. Curtains?”

Pete Mitchell, endearingly called by his close friends (or friend, honestly, who is walking beside him right now) as “Maverick”, takes the cup of iced black coffee from Nick Bradshow, or “Goose”, co-founder of M+G Design Ltd.

“Done. But do you really think brocade will go with the style? Most people will choose linen if you ask me.”

Pete walks into the elevator and holds the door for Nick. “Well, what can I say?” He pulls down the aviator and winks at the moustached blonde, who rolls his eyes. “I am not most people. Most people can't start the number one interior design company in the state from scratch, either.”

“I admire your confidence, Mav, I always do, but…” The lift dings, and they strides towards their office, greeting employees on the way. “But someone may have something to say about the number one thing. Some Kazansky guy, to be specific.”

Pete dumps the tons of folders he is holding on his desk, randomly opens one and takes some glances, before drops it on top of the pile to his left. “I don’t know how many times I have told you, Goose, but trust me, that pompous dumbass can’t even hold a candle to us.”

“I don’t know, Mav…” Nick sits down and strokes his chin. His serious and deep-in-thought face triggers a string of uncontrollable giggles from Mav, and the brunette receives a smack with a scroll on the head. “That guy is good. Perfect grades, top-notch university, turned down several excellent PhD offers, ace at the Minimalist and Scandinavian… and so many famous projects. Remember the Jester’s house? Yeah, yeah,” Nick waves at Pete, “I know you can do that too.”

“All right, I admit he is not bad, OK? He knows his stuff, unlike all the others. BUT.” Pete slaps the table to emphasise the word. “He lacks creativity. It’s 2022 now, who still needs a one hundred percent by-the-book boring dork to design their homes?”

“Hmm, Beau Simpson? You know, that famous movie star who speaks of Kazansky like he has a huge crush on his interior designer.” Nick glances at his phone and puts it away. “We have a meeting at ten with the suppliers. ”

“Meeting with the suppliers.” Pete repeats. “Always the worst. And, Simpson probably does. That guy is not horrible to look at. What?” He flips Nick off at his suggestive smirk. “Just being objective. Relax, Goose, Kazansky Concept is no match for our ‘innovative boldness and pioneering unorthodoxy’, as I quote Penny from Design Review.”

“Annnd we both know why she said that.” Goose shrugs. “Mav, I just… The Viper project is no joke, OK? He is the most respected art critic in this country, and getting this assignment is gonna mean a hell lot for our company. For us. I just don't want to let Carole and Bradley down.”

Pete softens. He rises and goes to his best friend, offering him a half-hug. “We won't. I promise.”

They have been working almost two months on the proposal for Mike Metcalf's new villa, or as they refer to it, the Viper project. That old man is notorious for being extremely picky at the layout of his houses, and, unfortunately, he has profound influence in the industry. So all staff at M+G have been keeping their noses to the grindstone as the deadline of submitting the final pitch approaches.

Rumors have that Kazansky Concept also eyes the project hungrily. Tom Kazansky, founder and CEO of that company, recently expressed his absolute self-assurance about getting the contract. “We have every confidence that Mr. Metcalf will choose Kazansky Concept for our scrupulous attention to detail and cautious professionalism.” The blonde flashed his perfect teeth at the camera (Did he bleach and spike his hair? Looks ridiculous.) “We are not some amateurs who casually and carelessly experiment with clients’ precious properties.”

Pete snorts at that smug face in the Youtube video, titled “Interior Designer WAR? Kazansky implicitly called Mitchell ‘an amateur’! ”.

—-You know what’s worse than meetings with suppliers? This Kazansky idiot.

Another day busy as a bee, and when they walk out of the building, night has drawn in.

Pete waves goodbye to Nick who lives with his wife and child, and walks home by himself. He lives in a luxury flat two blocks away from the company, alone. Now, being single is not uncommon at the age of 32, plus he is happily married to the job. He has flings, sure, but he never finds someone who is worth settling down for. Maybe he just has to keep looking.

When he is about to turn the corner, Pete catches a glimpse of some posters on the wall. In the dim light, he can barely make out the words on it.

“Anonymous chat… safe and private… find your soulmate… make relationships pure and simple again… one heart to another…”

Pete blinks and shakes his head dismissively.

He takes two steps, and then stops.

—-----------

Twenty minutes later, Pete is back at his dining room, eating Chinese takeaway. He takes out his phone and stares at the snap. Driven by some unknown forces, he inputs the website in the browser and hits enter.

A mail emoji appears on the screen, followed by a short list of log-in questions.

“The website can use some designing…” Pete murmurs and looks at the quiz. “Choose your call sign? What is it, secret pilot program?” He hesitates for one second, before entering “Maverick”. There is no chance that Goose, a contentedly married man, will use this website, so he is safe.

He answers the remaining questions (“Gender… Male… Aged over 18? Of course…”) then sees a progress bar. When that ends, a message pops up reading “Congrats! You have found your soulmate!”

Pete rolls his eyes.

He is matched by the website with some anonym called… Iceman?

Pete tentatively types.

[Maverick: Hello?]

The response comes immediately.

[Iceman: Hi.]

[Maverick: I thought it would take longer for a… thing named Iceman to reply.]

[Iceman: A thing?]

[Maverick: I am still not sure whether or not you are a robot.]

[Iceman: I am the same species as you.]

[Maverick: What if I am a robot?]

The response slows down a bit. Pete can’t tell if the thing is amused or worried.

[Iceman: Sounds suitable for a thing named Maverick.]

Pete smiles.

[Maverick: Why are you calling yourself Iceman? You like being cold?]

[Iceman: I actually hate coldness. But that’s what my friends call me.]

[Maverick: You must be very calm then.]

[Iceman: You can say that.]

[Maverick: Calm people are the worst.]

[Iceman: Why?]

A certain blonde comes to Pete’s mind. He throws away the empty beer can and types.

[Maverick: They are often fakers. Upright on the surface but full of evil shit on the inside.

I bet you are one of those people.]

[Iceman: Such a charmer.]

Pete huffs a laugh. Is this Iceman thing flirting with him?

[Maverick: I am competing with one of such bastards irl rn.

It's the worst situation, if you believe me.]

[Iceman: Actually, I do, although mine is exactly the opposite as I am fighting the most reckless and impulsive dummy on this planet.

Blowing their own trumpet all the time.]

[Maverick: Is that why you are using this website? To let the stream out a bit?]

[Iceman: Yeah. That guy is brainless, but they are good at their job, if I am being completely honest.

I have to work extremely hard.]

[Maverick: What a coincidence, huh? We are both stuck with some idiots.]

Pete washes and dries his face, casting sidelong glances at his phone the whole time. When no reply is coming, he grabs the device.

[Maverick: I am so fucking tired because of the current task.]

[Iceman: Me too. Everyone has such high expectations, so I have to put in extra effort and pretend to be relaxed.

Sometimes being too outstanding is hard.]

Pete sinks himself into the king-size bed.

[Maverick: I am stunned by your humbleness.]

[Iceman: I only speak the truth.]

[Maverick: So, tell me, Iceman, what do you do irl?]

[Iceman: I create dreams.]

[Maverick: Now we are entering mythology. Should you change your call sign to Jesus?]

[Iceman: What about you? Your job?]

[Maverick: I create better dreams.]

There is no response for a long time. Pete turns and tosses and decides he is not going to fall asleep in a while.

[Maverick: Where are you?]

[Iceman: Missing me already, Maverick?]

Pete doesn’t want to acknowledge the funny somersaults his heart is doing. Really, this is so stupid, he is not feeling things just because some anonymous person he just met online is teasing him. He is not a teenager, come on.

[Maverick: In the dreams you create, maybe, Iceman.]

[Iceman: I was just getting ready for bed.]

Huh. So they seem to be in similar time zones.

[Maverick: Is it OK if I ask where you come from?

Doesn’t matter, I ask that already.]

[Iceman: My origins are kinda complicated, But now I work in California.]

[Maverick: OMG. ME TOO.]

[Iceman: What a coincidence.]

[Maverick: Do you think we will ever meet irl?]

Long silence.

[Iceman: I hope not.]

[Maverick: ... Why?]

[Iceman: My elegance will take your breath away.]

Pete giggles.

[Maverick: Should I learn to get used to your humbleness?]

[Iceman: You probably should.

Good night, Maverick. Good luck fighting your calm fool.]

[Maverick: And good luck defeating your careless idiot, Iceman.]

Pete bites his lower lip and sends the last message.

[Maverick: Will I see you again?

I mean online, of course.]

[Iceman: You can count on it. Night.]

Before he puts the phone away on the bedside table, he receives an email from Mike's secretary, inviting him to a party for shortlisted designers. Pete scrolls down and groans when he sees the guest list.

Kazansky is invited too.

Fan-fucking-tastic.

#icemav #tom iceman kazansky #pete maverick mitchell #top gun #top gun 1986 #icemav fanfiction #top gun fanfiction #nick goose bradshaw #then I open my eyes and see you

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kanene-yaaay-o-retorno · 9 months

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ding dong, you've got mail! >:D

1. what are 3 things you’d say shaped you into who you are?

17. name 3 things that make you happy

21. are you a spiritual person?

24. what’s one thing you’re proud of yourself for?

38. fave song at the moment?

This is from this Ask Game

Not gonna lie, it took me some time to think about this because, bruuuuh, it is a deep one!! Hmmmm, as the first one I would say the people close to me, the second all the things that I lost and for the third I would say literature. Both reading and writing. It may seem silly, but all of this took me as far as I am right now and it also costed me a lot! Life is kind of crazy when you stop to think about it.

17. Ohhhh, NOICE!!

SONGS!!!! AND SINGING!!! If I could I would spend an entire day just blasting my songs and singing at the top of my lugs but unfortunately I share the street with other human beans >:[ jhgfdsdfghjk

FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!!! Not even kidding I literally lost the count of the amount of times I was about to explode or melt because of Life and Responsibilities and then I turned around and saw someone I am close to and instantly everything else doesn't matter anymore I am calm, I can do this, I am smiling, thank you so much for existing

Literature! Once again! Writing and reading is extremely important to me, I really love it.

21. Not gonna I am not sure what exactly could be described as spiritual but! I think I am less of a spiritual person now that once I was

24. Awwwww, bruuuuh, it always change from time to time but if I answer "writing" again I think I will sound like a broken record so xDD I am proud of the fact that I am still bouncing after 2023. :D That year was fucking hell and still I am still creating! Talking to my friends! Going thro college! Reading stuff that I love! Doing boring things that are necessary! I can't always do all of it, but I am trying so yyyay

38. Bruh that is always an answer that changes so quickly but!!! currently I am simply obsessed with "Partners in Crime" by Madilyn Mei! When I realize I am already listenning it to the 4º time in a row on the day yhgfdfghbnk xDD although if you ask me next week my answer may change xD

#Me being Me #ask game #citrus-circuss is just the sweetest #<3 <3 <3 #also there is now a qsmp animatic with this song so my brain is going BRRRRRRRRRR non stop since I first saw it ygfdsdfghjm #Thank you so much for the ask!!

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lgbtshawn · 2 years

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refuse to watch any version of boy meets world that isn’t the one in my head where shawn and cory are happily married thanks (also if you had any fic recs to share i would not be mad…ily)

soo Real!! i wish i had that kind of restraint, i watched a little bit of girl meets world, most of the eps of shawn’s appearances and my god... BUT i will take the scrap of shawn getting himself and cory matching rings when cory was 25. i swear i saw a screenshot of the gmw writers room twitter agreeing w/ someone that cory and shawn should’ve gotten married which is so sick and twisted..

they were onto something w/ the early ‘why don’t you just marry shawn?’!! they kinda do visually, standing at the wedding altar together in S07

i’ve been thinking of making a fic rec post as i’ve scoured the internet for shory fic, i’ll offer these 2 ao3 fics here!

the next thing by Mollyamory / G / 5.9k words

one of the first C/S fics i read and i was v happy to have found it. i Love dialogue and this one has a lot of it, it’s really good! it takes place post-S6E17 resurrection.

i’m scared to show just how i feel by salvatorestjohn / G / 4.4k words

takes place during S02E13 cyrano and has shawn’s helpful love confession be about cory. i rewatched this ep recently and thought of how this could look out of context, w/o the switch to frankie, cause cory didnt contribute much to it all lol, they’re just cramped in that locker for maybe just kicks, and here this fic was! it’s cute and fun and i love them :)

#ding! you've got mail #fic recs #FIXED. first fic link/line disappeared i hate tumblr #cory x shawn #boy meets world

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minhoinator · 2 years

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I'm reading your minkey hp au fic and it's a Ride. Glad to see you are on tumblr too! :D Just wanted to say hi!

p.s. Im supernova on ao3

lmao hello! I’ve been enjoying your comments so far <3 I hope you continue liking BMS!!

#*ding* you've got mail!#dreamer9817 #hogwarts!Minkey au #may or may not be working on another bonus chapter for this one...................

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megarywrites · 3 years

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🎪🎠 + 🌕🌃

abandoned carnival + full moon

Blood dripped off my fingers, soaking into the snow at my feet. Violent shudders wracked my limbs as I backed away from the limp form of my husband. Or, what was left of him.

I had to.

Do it. I had to.

It would have been him or me.

Him or me.

The kitchen knife slipped out of my hand and hit the frozen ground with a dull thunk. My heartbeat stuttered in my ears, the primal pounding that had spurred me to run when he grabbed that knife returning. I still had to run. They’d find me. It was a small town, his shop was popular. They’d miss him when dawn broke, and they’d follow the trail of blood.

And they’d find me.

Staggering, I ducked into the shadows of the forest, my steps heavy. Twigs and long-dead leaves cracked and rustled under my every step. Ice-wrapped branches rustled together on a ghostly breath of wind. It whispered past my ears, myriad soft, cold voices discordant.

They will come. For you. They will find you. You cannot escape.

Chest heaving, I stopped running, eyes darting wildly about for the source of the voices. But the forest was empty. Noiseless, aside from my labored breath. Tears pooled before spilling onto my cheeks, warm then chilled in the frigid night air. I wiped at them, my already-slick hands gliding across my bruised face.

Shelter. That’s what I needed. Shelter from the night. The eyes. The voices.

Everything would look better in the morning.

The wind picked up again, tousling my hair. You desire shelter, child? the voices asked again.

I had to be…either mad or imagining things, and yet... “Yes, I do,” I said, my voice achingly small and thick with tears.

The wind stopped, the air tingling with anticipation around me. I stood a little straighter, casting my gaze about the clearing I had stumbled into. We can provide. The winds picked up, spurring me to walk, to run. It was a miracle that I didn’t fall on the slippery, rotting leaves or trip on a felled tree or protruding root.

It carried me to the edge of the forest, sending me tumbling into the untouched snow of a familiar valley. Snow-cloaked mountains carved out the heightened horizon of the cloudy night sky. Ice frosted over the lake my mother and I had visited in summers of old. My gaze naturally fell on the island near the center of the lake. A carnival sat upon it, long since abandoned as the days and nights had turned cold.

The clouds above the lake shifted, the full moon’s light peering through the cracks. And when it fell on the carnival, my breath threatened to choke me.

Lights sparked and shone, glimmering with the promise of fun and whimsy. The machines whirred to life, rides starting to shift and move. The throaty call of a barker rang out in the night, beckoning me to my feet.

To step closer.

To join them.

I stopped in my tracks, shaking my head and stepping back. “I really must be mad.”

Do you not desire our shelter? Do you wish to be discovered? Are you not desperate, child?

My gaze flicked around at the invisible chorus of voices, my shoulders sinking as dread leadened my bones. “No, I am.”

Join us, then, they said, their voices hissing in my ears as the wind picked up again. Powdery snow blew in tendrils around me. Curling around my legs, wrapping around my wrists, dragging me toward the lake.

I couldn’t keep myself from tripping along. Nor could I make myself call out for help from the villagers. Even if one of them happened to wake at my yells, was I prepared to explain my current state?

The wind sent me skidding across the lake, with nothing for me to hold onto. Still, I scrabbled for purchase, but the wind didn’t allow me to fall as it hurtled me toward the shore.

There was no snow to cushion me as I rolled onto the ground. Just cold, packed earth. I pressed my forehead to the dirt, catching my breath before I dragged myself a few yards on all fours before I pulled myself to my feet.

The lights and smells and sounds of the carnival of my childhood greeted me. Intensified, though. The lights of the booths and food stalls and the torches lining the tent in the center glared and blinded me if I looked at them too long. The food smelled cloyingly sweet, yet irresistibly enticing. I lurched toward the closest stall, stopping as one of the other carnival-goers walked through me.

I stared after them, but they were already lost in the teaming mass of shimmering bodies. Spurts of light—such colors, I couldn’t have even named most of them—traced them all. As if a bubble encapsulated them.

“Can I help you?” came the quiet voice of the woman by the pot of oil. She met my confused gaze with hollow eyes and a too-wide smile. “Hungry, perchance?”

“Uh, yes, but…” My voice trailed off as another person walked through me. A child with an effervescent laugh. “I have no money.”

Her smile grew, her eyes unnervingly unblinking. “Worry not. There are other ways to pay, here.”

“How?”

She looked away, still smiling—it looked almost painful—as she pulled a stick of flaky dough from the pot of oil and drowned it in spiced sugar before passing it to me. “Enjoy.”

I took it from her, mouth mouth watering, yearning for a taste. “How do I pay?”

But when I looked up, she was gone. Blinking, I looked around, and without thinking, I ambled down the path and took my first bite. Warmth burst through me, my eyes closing in pure bliss.

Time passed without notice or thought, caught up as I was in the loud attractions of the carnival. The lights no longer hurt me, and I ate ravenously each bit of food that crossed my path. Night transposed into day, the sun peeking over the tips of the forest.

It shone right through me, and looking back, I cast no shadow.

I was nothing. Spirit, perhaps. The wind picked up again, carrying me along. Gently now. It whispered again, words of welcome, of comfort, of pure and unadulterated joy.

I whispered back, my voice blending into the chorus as we swept across the lake to the forest where my husband lay dead.

But that didn’t matter anymore.

Nothing did.

#*ding* you've got mail!#nectargrapes #ask game #this was so much fun!!!!#fun fact: i have a book I want to write eventually about a haunted circus and people escaping from it so i wanted to channel that into this #the prompt: a full moon and abandoned carnival #me: right....time to kill a man #asdlfjalsdjfa

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