#A LITTLE MORE YAPPY TODAY!

[tulpartrials]

YA KNOW, SOMETIMES I THINK ABOUT MY SOURCE. AND I’M LIKE, WELL, DAMN.

I DON’T CONSIDER MYSELF PARTICULARLY SOURCE SEPARATED, IT’S NOT A GOAL OF MINE. DON’T REALLY CARE ABOUT IT. BUT IT’S JUST THAT THINGS CHANGE, NATURALLY, WHEN YOU FRONT MORE.

YOU HAVE NEW EXPERIENCES. YOU MEET NEW PEOPLE. DO NEW THINGS. I MEAN, FUCK, I’VE ONLY EXISTED FOR MAYBE A YEAR AND A HALF, AND NOW I DO REGULAR HUMAN THINGS LIKE… GO TO MY OFFICE JOB. GET COFFEE. GO TO THERAPY. HAVE RELATIONSHIPS, FRIENDSHIPS. FIND HOBBIES. DYE MY HAIR. EVEN MAKE A TUMBLR BLOG.

NOT LIKE THOSE WERE PRIORITIES TO ME IN MY SOURCE, BUT IN THE WISE WORDS OF FRANK SINATRA, THAT’S LIFE!

I USED TO HATE THE IDEA OF BEING STUCK LIKE THIS, AS IF IT HASN’T ACTUALLY BEEN PLEASANT. SURE, IT’S A LOT TO GET USED TO AT FIRST. I DON’T EVEN KNOW IF I AM, FULLY, USED TO THIS ALL YET. BUT IT’S NOT THAT BAD?

I LOOK AT MY SOURCE, AND LIKE, SURE. THAT’S STILL ME, I GUESS. BUT IT’S NOT ALL OF ME. IT’S NOT AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION TO WHAT I AM, WHAT I’VE EXPERIENCED, WHAT I REMEMBER NOW. IT’S LIKE JUDGING YOUR WHOLE LIFE OFF OF YOUR HIGHSCHOOL YEARS! SHIT GOES ON!!!

SO, YEAH. WORD OF ADVICE TO ANY FICTIVES IN A ROUGH SPOT GETTING USED TO “LIFE NOW” NOT LOOKING LIKE IT DID. YOU’LL FIND SOME SIMPLE JOYS. THE HUMAN BRAIN’S A PRETTY ADAPTABLE THING. YOU’LL MAKE IT THROUGH, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

[togament]

as much as i love cute festival fluff with togame (someone else pls send in an ask for it lmao), consider confessing to togame on valentines with homemade chocolate since he’s a big foodie & he, more than anyone, would appreciate the effort 🥰

i can see him maybe not clocking the intention right away either bc he didn’t have friends until shishitoren (+ find it hard to believe anyone would be interested in him like that) & the thought of choji of all ppl making him realize it’s romantic bc the chocolate reader gave him “wasn’t as nice looking as kame-chan’s :<” is soooo funny to me

GHHRHRJRH GNAWING ON YOUR ARM THIS IS ADORABLE!!!!! kinda teared up a bit ngl. imagining a soft blushy togame got me in my feels. i feel like (Also yes pls someone send in a cute festival date hc with togame/any of your faves!!!! I have things to say about our turtle guy in particular but we can do your other faves too. idk i'm in a yappy mood.

“you’re finally ready to confess to togame after mulling it over for months. you even made chocolates for him to (hopefully) immediately devour. things don’t go quite as planned though.”

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 : none just fluff, gender neutral reader, reader’s jelly and an overthinker, togame’s in looooove, choji’s a little shit (affectionate)

full story under the cut! fully SFW.

standing at the gates of the ori, you bounce on your heels in sheer nervousness, eyes tirelessly darting around in search for togame with two chocolate boxes in one hand. one smaller one and one huge and beautifully decorated one. god your heart’s beating a mile a minute and your brain’s working overtime. what if he got into trouble? a possibility. what if someone’s confessing to him? of course someone would. he’s tall, handsome, kind, can cook—what’s not to love?

what if someone asked him out on a date? shit.

..what if HE asked someone out on a date? double shit.

oh god. oh no. your form visibly slumps at the thought, doubtlessly breaking your own heart again. but hey, on the bright side, you could eat your own chocolates, right? you made them extra delicious too, making them into flavors you know he’d like. you even snuck in some ramune flavored sweets for him.

…you know you’d hate eating chocolates for the rest of your life after this.

but then, the sun in the form of choji, shines through the dark clouds in your mind. your body visibly straightens back up when you hear his distinct laughter and endless yapping along with the soft crinkles of cellophane and boxes. listening even closer, you can hear togame speak and get promptly cut off by the smaller boy.

breathe. he’s here.

shit— what if those boxes you heard were all his and choji was just carrying them with him? what if he already gave someone a kiss today? what if he’d take your box of chocolates and hand it to his date instead?? what if—

“oh hey it’s bunny.”

you were just ready to walk away when you were stopped in your tracks by his deep voice calling out the nickname he so annoyingly picked for you. even when you’re looking away you could just hear him smiling. you turn, giving both boys a slight wave before you’re met with the absolute mountain of chocolates choji and him are carrying.

you’re not the only one who wanted to confess to him then.

“hey uh-mind adding these to your pile?” you say, failing to mask the sadness in your voice. you catch yourself though, immediately correcting yourself. “got these for you guys. no biggie, really.” you made the chocolates. granted the smaller box’s for choji and it’s way less decorated compared to togame’s. more ‘default’ chocolate box than ‘I have liked you for the longest time please accept my love’ chocolate box. you yap some more, digging your own grave, “these were on sale today so… thought you guys might want a snack.” you didn’t get them on sale. hell you made each and every single one by hand for the both of them to suit their tastes. god knows how much time you and him have spent talking about cooking and food.

but then choji gasps.

“hey! lying’s not nice!” choji chirps at you, dropping the boxes of chocolates on the ground unceremoniously. togame could only look on since his hands are already occupied with even more of choji’s valentines chocolates. the smaller boy looks at you suspiciously, albeit playfully. "you made these, didn't you?"

fuck. he noticed. you stare at choji like a deer in headlights now, too stunned to utter a single word.

he eyes the beautifully painted box in your hands and you pray for the ground to just eat you.

“iiiiis that one mine?” choji points at the larger box, eyes shining. togame looks on though, silent but his mind’s racing too. little did you know the chocolates they were carrying were all choji’s, given by his droves of admirers and friends alike. while togame didn’t mind not getting any chocolates this year and all those years before that, he finds himself hoping.

please don’t let that be choji’s.

“Wh-no! it’s-“ “-kame-chan’s? waaah his box is way larger and prettier than mine is!” he cuts you off, eyeing the boxes as you hold them in your hand. still, he takes his smaller box from you. “why’d you give kame-chan a bigger one? you like him or something?”

a pause.

“is that why you’re blushing?” he prods, wiggling a finger at you. "is that why you're blushing too, kame-chan?", he adds, wiggling two fingers at the both of you.

you could just explode at that moment.

“HUH?? What??? n-no! I mean YES-“ “oh so you do?” choji adds, cutting you off again. Taking togame’s larger box of chocolates from your hands, he shuffles through the chocolate boxes he dropped on the floor, handing the taller, now stunned boy his first legit box of valentines chocolates.

you three are blanketed in silence. with the exception of choji’s giggles.

"choji wait-" “welp, I’ll be in the ori!” he brightly exclaims, swiftly taking all of the chocolate boxes from togame’s arms and off the floor, leaving him with the single, most prettiest one in the bunch.

yours.

choji leaves you both with a playful wink and you both stand there, glancing at each other and fumbling awkwardly.

silently, he opens your chocolate box and is immediately greeted with a beautifully arranged selection of chocolates and sweets. his gaze flits from the box, to your reddened face and back again. you motion for him to eat. and he does.

he didn’t think it was possible to like you even more.

he pops one of the ramune shaped bites in his mouth and his eyes immediately widen in delight behind his amber sunglasses. pushing the glasses up his forehead to meet your eyes properly, you fail to tear away your eyes in time.

“sure you made these yerself, bunny? could've fooled me. these are restaurant quality. ” he says in between bites. his tone’s something he only uses around you and choji. vulnerable, safe, gently.

your heart’s beating way too fast for your own good.

“mhm. thought you might like that one because y’know… ramune and all.” you respond, “your favorite, right?”

with an acknowledging hum, he closes the box, twisting and admiring the beautifully decorated container, a forest green box speckled with gold and ornate lines. you really set the bar way up high for him. he smiles softly to himself and you swear you see his cheeks redden a tint.

“…can ya teach me to make them?” his voice grows softer, just enough for you to hear him. “how’s next weekend?” as soon as the words escape his lips, his heartbeat rises up to his throat. what if you didn't want to? he's never done this before, making the first move. he still can't fully grasp why you'd go so far as make something for him, someone who's only respected out of fear, someone who's wronged so many for just one cause. it haunts him sometimes. the Shishitoren could forgive him but he can't forgive himself. why would you?

you'll convince him soon enough. make him see what you see in him, what others see in him.

now's not that time though. your mind’s already in another dimension, thinking about him giving his date YOUR dessert with the recipe YOU made for him. letting out a soft disappointed sigh before opening your mouth, you respond, “maybe I could.“

“Maybe huh.” he echoes you, arching a brow at you with a small frown ghosting his lips.

“yeah, maybe. I could send the recipe over to you if you want. you could try making it with your date-“

“date? I want to make them for you next month, doofus. only you.” he retorts, wanting to get his point across. he realizes you're overthinking again. he's assuring you. meeting your eyes, he sees the shade of red on your cheeks darken. you look like a fish out of water, mouth agape and eyes wide. extending a hand towards you, he nudges your chin up with his knuckle. “y’know what that means right? I like you.”

a small gasp escapes your lips.

“you do..?” a pause. “why?”

he laughs, playfully pinching your cheek.

“I just do, cutie. always have. I take it you like me too?”

you nod. do it properly this time.

“yeah. I really do.”

he smiles, dimples deepening on his cheeks. he looks so relieved you like him back. you swear you feel like you’re on cloud nine — is this really happening?

“it’s a date then." he says as he reaches over to pat your head. "you better not flake on me, bun. Else I’d take that imaginary date of mine out instead.”

scoffing, you push his chest and he lets out a soft 'oof'.

“you wouldn't dare—“

“ARE YOU GUYS DATING YET??”

choji screams from the distance, the entire Shishitoren gang’s staring at you both from the ori, desperately waiting for the both of you to finish. they've been watching you both the entire time with bated breath. his friends are all cheering him on.

a pause.

togame reaches over to hold your hand, intertwining his long fingers through yours. hoots and hollers echo as he waves them off with a hand.

you could only smile up at him, squeezing his hand into yours.

he squeezes back.

a/n: hehehehe self doubt togame making me soft. MAKE HIM FEEL WORTHY GOD DAMN IT. DATE HIM AND DATE HIM HARD.

[wandering-pirate]

Headcannon: controlling jimmy like your evil little dog. Is he lowkey a psychopath? Yes. Will he do literally anything for you? Also yes

a/n: To the lovely anon who sent this, mwah, chef's kiss🤌🏻 you’ve unleashed something unholy. be warned tho, this entire thing? no thoughts, no logic, just pure, unfiltered degeneracy for our co-pilot (sometimes you just gotta let the intrusive thoughts write the headcanon, y’know?)

So enjoy the ride—you sicko. (cause girl, same.)

Jimmy x Reader

Jimmy Zane is one peculiar man, and somehow, he became your boyfriend. How'd that happen? You better blame your slasher-film obsession as a kid.

Your Human Guard Dog

The man acts like you're gonna get snatched from him 24/7. Imagine being in public with him. Scaring some, unnerving many.

Some guy accidentally brushes past you, and Jimmy’s already stepping up with a cold smirk

“Apologize. Or don't. Been looking for an excuse today.”

You have to grab and drag him away (not helping that the man's built like log) before he ruins a face for the second time this month. “Baby, please, we’re here for snacks.”

But the moment you give him a subtle signal, tho? Oh, it's game over.

Some creep starts chatting you up with a repulsive smile, and Jimmy doesn’t even raise his voice when he appears behind you. Just leans in, looking them dead in the eye:

“You wanna keep those teeth or should I start counting them out.”

You casually mentioned being annoyed at your co-worker for being too yappy and Jimmy?

Yeah, already halfway out the door

“Say no more, princess.”

Physically stopping him was impossible and you wagered with the pervert, all night letting off his steam through you

Your Unhinged Yes-Man

After the restaurant's reception was rude on your friends' night out. You texted him

“Ugh, I’d love to see this place burn to the ground.”

No replies from him, but 5 minutes later, you nearly drenched your friends with the wine you're drinking when you saw him outside, holding a can of gasoline

One time, you complained about someone’s annoying laugh. Jimmy didn’t say anything, just calmly glanced your way with that familiar glint in his eyes.

“Don’t even think about it,”

“What? I didn’t say anything, love.”

Later that night, he casually asked

“How much do you hate that laugh? Want me to rip their throat out? No more ha-ha’s ever again.”

“STOP TRYING TO SOLVE EVERYTHING WITH VIOLENCE!”

The man's pride was more hurt than his face when the pillow landed, you paid for it tho ;)

Your Deranged Liaison

Want something without spending a dime? You can get it by the magic effect of compliments!

"Oh, I love your jacket!" Boom, appeared in your closet the next day, suspiciously smelling like someone else’s perfume

"That scarf’s so cute!" Already folded on your pillow the week after, and you’re 90% sure you saw a TikTok about it missing

“Jimmy, why is there a name tag stitched into this shirt?”

“Souvenirs are better with backstories.”

"Is-- is this blood?"

You finally confront Jimmy: “Isn’t this… someone else’s?”

He just shrugs, smiling sweetly (unnervingly wide) “Not anymore.”

[fawnsflowerbed]

hi bee!! im back again :3

okok, we know all the hype for hybrid reader, but what about puppy hybrid leon? i imagine he would be so happy to see you come home from work and start pawing and jumping on you 💔

- 🧠

UGH DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTEDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!

Puppy Leon is EVERYTHING TO ME!!!!!!! It's always RE2 - Darkside Chronicles Leon I think of for the puppy posts cause he's more puppy than dog if that makes sense :3

He's such a lap dog!!!! Biggest cuddly baby ever!!!! Huge whiner, has to pad around after you like a lost pup because he needs to know what you're up to!!!! Does the little circles at the bottom of your bed before slowly crawling his way up inch by inch to stare at you until you pull back the covers so he can climb in <3

HE IS A SHELTER. DOG. I TAKE THAT TO MY GRAVE. YOU GOT THAT SWEET MAN AT A SHELTER OR FOUND HIM CURLED UP AT YOUR DOORSTEP. HE SHINED HIS BIG OL' WET PATHETIC EYES AT YOU AND YOU C A V E D !!!!!!

AND YES THE JUMPING!!! He hears you get home and his feet and skittering across the floor almost sliding as he yaps and paws at the door for dear life, greeting you with rushed words of 'You're back!' 'Hi!' 'I missed you!' 'How was today?' 'Do you need help carrying that?' 'Hi owner!' 'I was good today!' 'Did you miss me?' Yappy little man you own my HEART!!!

He HATES the vacuum cleaner, bites at the air around it with perked up floppy ears and furrowed eyebrows. He LOVES tug of war and fetch, and grumbles during bath time until it gets to the scrubbing and soaping part cause then his foot is tapping when you scratch a good spot behind his ear or on his scalp all gentle!!!!

[da-birb-writes-sometimes]

Hi, I discovered your writing today and I loved it. So I wanted to request the frist years with a partner who is gender fluid.

First Years With a Genderfluid Partner

Characters; Ace Trappola, Deuce Spade, Jack Howl, Epel Felmier, Sebek Zigvolt

Content; Genderfluid reader (I don't use pronouns though, since everyone's experience is different), fluff, crack, romance, some implications that strangers are rude but not in detail

Word Count; 600+

Author's Note; Sorry that these are pretty short anon (brain is being mean), but I hope that you enjoy!

Ace Trappola

He’s still a little imp, regardless of everything else. But he’s perceptive. He notices the small things; and he’ll reaffirm you as well.

“Huh, they’re not all that bright if they can’t see that you’re obviously the coolest person around,” he’d scoff. “I mean, my dad only allows me one gender- OW WHY DID YOU HIT ME?!”

But he would say things like that, but he does in fact think you are the coolest person around. 

He does take mental notes; of what terms make you happy (pronouns and pet names), what clothing makes you comfortable, and more. No, he doesn’t keep a little notebook, but he has it memorized. 

Deuce Spade

Always checks in to make sure that you’re comfortable; he doesn’t want to screw up, even if it’s something you may consider small. He’s just trying his best and wants you to be happy.

“Wait, do I call you my boyfriend, girlfriend, joyfriend, partner? I want to make sure that you’re okay with it.” He asks that question pretty often, since he wants to make sure that you’re okay with it; you always come first.

He learns more about your identity, only because he’s curious and feels that he needs to do so. Please tell him to put the books down and just come and hang out.

Well-meaning but a little too gung-ho. He just doesn’t want to mess up, but he also wants you to be happy. 

Jack Howl

The most normal of the group; he likes you for you and nothing changes really. He’ll touch in though, making sure that you’re comfortable.

He would let you (within reason) try out some hairstyles or makeup that you want to try out on him. He doesn’t really mind, plus sometimes it takes looking at someone else to realize that that look is indeed a look and a great one at that.

Jack is a pretty large guy, so if you’re smaller than him he raises a brow at you stealing his clothes. But if you’re larger than him? He might wear one of your outfits (he likes lowkey matching outfits couples do).

Super understanding if you have ‘blah’ days, and will let you vent to him. He may not have much to say, but he’s there when you need him.

Scary dog privilege #1

Epel Felmier

He would come to learn more about your identity throughout your friendship before the two of you started dating. May have messed up here and there at the start, but not anymore.

The accent will be coming out if someone is being rude towards you, and Epel doesn’t care if he gets scolded or not; no one treats you rudely and gets away with it.

Pomefiore also helps him understand that gender is a spectrum; nothing is wholey masculine or feminine, that they blur, and that blurring is beautiful. 

“Pardner” is one of his go-to endearments; you’re his partner (in both the romantic, but also if either of you feel like committing felonies).

Scary dog privilege #1.5 (scary like a very yappy pomeranian way)

Sebek Zigvolt

Sebek definitely knows a few people who are genderfluid back in Briar Valley; fae live for a long time, so playing with gender is pretty normal. He commends you for being honest with yourself.

Now, he is putty in your hands, absolutely WHIPPED for you. You thought the praise he was singing for Malleus was bad? Well, multiply that by fifty.

But it’s quiet, not shouted. Yes, it is still obvious for anyone to see; the way he holds your hand and looks at you. You are the royal of his heart; his Monarch, King, and Queen.

Would be semi-awkward if the two of you went to a pride event; he just doesn’t know what to really do. He's having fun, just awkward.

Scary Dog Privilege #2

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Tag List; @afunkyfreshblog @bloomstruck @eynnwwyjth @ithseem @krenenbaker @leonistic @lucid-stories @ryker-writes @syrenkitsune @the-v-lociraptor @xxoomiii

[koffeesfancy]

The Tutor Ch. 2 | Letitia x Reader

Summary: You are a broke graduate student hustling through college when you unexpectedly land a job tutoring an actress in your native language—a language you've nearly forgotten. Instead of teaching, you find yourself becoming the student in this unexpected journey. As you fall in love for the first time, you begin to uncover profound truths about yourself and the world around you that you never knew existed.

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Romance, fluff, slow-burn, comedy

Word Count: 2716

A/N: Feedback is always appreciated! If anyone wants to be added to my taglist, the link is in the pinned post on my page

Taglist: @lyfeofbilly @prettymrswright @onyxstones-world

On Monday afternoon, you found yourself perched on a folding lawn chair behind a makeshift stall on the street. The weather was humid from the threatening awning of rain clouds overhead. You were out with Dominique, a fellow teaching assistant, manning a table covered in wallets in hopes of making a few quick bucks. The wallets were of dubious quality, but that didn’t deter Dominique; nothing ever did.

Dominique, your fearless and fiery friend, was short in stature but towering in personality. She had a confidence that could level skyscrapers, and her voice carried with the authority of someone who knew how to command attention. Today, she was in her element, her cocky charm on full display.

“Aye! Dude with the hips! Yeah, I’m talking to you Beyonce. When was the last time you bought a new wallet?” she shouted at a passerby, her tone an indistinguishable blend of humor and offense. The man, caught off guard, looked down at his curvaceous sides and then back at Dominique, who flashed him a winning smile. He shuddered, shook his head, and moved on, but not without a backward glance. “Broke ass…” she murmured under her breath. 

You, on the other hand, were content to sit back and let your friend do her thing. Reclining in your chair, you immersed yourself in a round of Subway Surfer, the electronic beeps and boops a comforting distraction. Every so often, you’d glance up, just to see Dominique engaging another potential customer with her sharp wit.

“Come on, lady, you spend more on coffee every day than one of these wallets! Treat yourself!” Dominique called out to a woman walking a small, yappy dog. The woman looked scandalized for a moment before curiously stopping to look at the wallets.

Dominique’s relentless energy was both impressive and exhausting to watch. You had always admired how she could turn any situation into an opportunity, how her confidence could make even the most skeptical stranger pause and consider her pitch.

As you swiped and tapped on your phone, lost in the virtual world, Dominique’s voice grew louder, more agitated. You frowned and looked up, the familiar feeling of trouble brewing in the air.

“Why be stingy though? You got on a pair of Gucci shades- lady, you know you got $20!” Dominique yelled, her tone sharp with challenge. You squinted, trying to make out who she was addressing, and your heart skipped a beat when you saw her.

It was Letitia. She stood there, looking slightly amused and a little confused as Dominique tried to pressure her into buying a wallet. Her shaved head gleamed in the muted sunlight, and she wore another chic outfit that looked effortlessly expensive.

Letitia must have spotted you before approaching because her eyes lit up with recognition. She called out your name with a wave and smiled, a genuine warmth in her expression that made your stomach flip. You felt a flush of embarrassment and excitement, the memory of your last encounter rushing back with full force.

Dominique looked between you and Letitia with confusion. "You know this lady?" she asked, eyebrows raised.

Before you could respond, Letitia chuckled and said, “Oh, we know each other quite well. We kissed.”

Dominique's eyes widened in shock, and instead of laughing along, she inhaled dramatically and shook her head while crossing her arms over her chest. “What? You kissed? Seriously?”

You opened your mouth to explain, but Dominique’s expression had turned sour. “Yo, this cannot be forreal! You were just on my line, talm bout- see, I’m just getting in my bag, I ain’t worried about these broads,” She mocked in a voice that was spitefully deep, her face screwed up and her hands waving wildly. 

“I swear it’s not what you think—” you tried to interject, but she cut you off, her voice rising.

“Bet I’ll never let you use my cousin’s Footlocker discount again.”

“Nique, listen to me-”

“And I’m locking you out the Netflix,” she pouted. 

Letitia, watching Dominique’s outburst, began laughing loudly, clearly finding the situation amusing. “Hey, relax, it was just a funny misunderstanding,” she added.

But Dominique wasn’t having it. “I don’t care! I’m mad! We’re supposed to be friends!” She glared at you, her eyes practically shooting daggers. “I wanna know everything from the beg-”

Dominique’s rant was abruptly cut short by the shrill ring of her phone. She glanced at the screen, and her eyes widened in panic. Without another word, she frantically answered the call.

"Hello? Yes, ma’am, I’m actually picking up the test papers right now," Dominique said, her tone urgent. She shot you a quick, apologetic look. "Damn, Doc got me caught up. We’ll talk later, okay? Hold down the fort!"

Before you could respond, Dominique was already hurrying down the street, leaving you alone with the table and Letitia, who watched the scene unfold with an amused smile.

Letitia turned her attention to the setup, her fingers lightly grazing the various merchandise on display. “So, this is your other gig?” she asked, her voice smooth and casual.

You nodded, still reeling from Dominique's sudden departure and Letitia’s presence. “Yeah, y’know, bills gotta get paid somehow.”

Letitia picked up a particularly gaudy coin purse, examining it with a bemused expression. “Interesting line of work. How did you end up selling wallets on the street?”

A part of you wanted to feel offended, but instead her words sent a wave of heat through your body. You shrugged, trying to focus on the conversation and not the fluttering sensation in your core. “Dominique had the idea. She’s really good at selling things, and I just tag along for the ride.”

“She seems... protective of you,” Letitia remarked, her tone light but her gaze sharp.

You chuckled nervously. “Yeah, that’s Dominique for you. She means well.”

Letitia’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in slightly. “Means well? Isn’t it clear she wants more than that though?”

The question caught you off guard, and you felt a blush creeping up your neck. “What? No, Dominique and I are just friends. She’s not... I mean, I don’t think she—”

Letitia laughed softly, a rich, warm sound. “Relax, I’m just teasing. But maybe you should start seeing someone soon. Wouldn't want anyone, especially Dominique, to get any ideas...”

You stared at her, flustered and unsure how to respond. “Dating? I don’t really have time for that right now. Too busy with grad school and, you know, making a living.”

Letitia’s smile was both knowing and kind. “Sometimes, you have to make time for things that matter. And who knows? You might find someone who makes everything a little easier.”

Her words, though spoken lightly, carried a weight that made you pause. Letitia’s smooth and casual demeanor only added to your growing confusion and intrigue. You couldn’t quite tell if she was just being friendly or if there was something more to her words.

As she continued to browse the wallets, you tried to regain your composure. “So, are you in the market for a new wallet?” you asked, attempting to steer the conversation back to safer territory.

Letitia grinned. “Maybe. Got anything that says… ‘girlfriend potential’?”

You laughed, the tension easing slightly. “I’m not sure these wallets say anything other than ‘potentially poor,’ but I’ll see what I can do.”

As you helped Letitia sift through the wallets, the conversation flowed more naturally. Despite your initial flustered state, you found yourself enjoying her company, the playful banter, and the easy way she seemed to navigate the world. The encounter was unexpectedly pleasant, leaving you with a pathetic feeling of neediness to be closer to her than just a tutor.

After a length of banter, Letitia picked out two wallets, one sleek black and another with a bold, colorful design. She handed you a couple of bills, her fingers brushing yours ever so slightly. The brief contact sent a jolt through you, leaving your heart racing.

“These will do nicely,” Letitia said, her voice warm.

“Thanks,” you replied, trying to keep your cool. “Hope they serve you well.”

As Letitia transferred the contents of her old wallet into one of the new ones, an awkward silence settled between you. Neither of you seemed to know how to end the conversation, both hesitating, searching for the right words. You giggled nervously, and Letitia joined in, the sound rich and melodic.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you around,” you finally managed to say, your voice a little higher than usual.

Letitia nodded, her eyes twinkling. “Actually, I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

You blinked, taken aback. “Wednesday?”

“Yeah,” she said, stepping closer. “For our next tutoring session. Don’t forget.”

“Oh, right,” you stammered, feeling a mix of relief and nervous anticipation. “Wednesday.”

Before you could say anything else, Letitia closed the distance between you and wrapped her arms around you in a warm, tender embrace. The scent of her perfume enveloped you, a delicate blend of jasmine and sandalwood that made your head swim. Her body fit perfectly against yours, her touch sending a cascade of shivers down your spine. You felt her heartbeat, steady and reassuring, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

As you melted into the hug, Letitia gently pulled back just enough to look into your eyes, her gaze soft and filled with something that made your breath catch. She leaned in slowly, her lips brushing your forehead in a kiss so tender, it felt like a whisper against your skin. The contact lingered, time stretching out as the world around you seemed to hold its breath.

When she finally stepped back, Letitia gave you a playful wink with a chuckle. “See you then.”

Without another word, she turned and walked away, her movements graceful and confident. You stood there, rooted to the spot, watching her retreating figure, your mind swirling with a hundred different emotions. Your forehead tingled where her lips had been, a sweet reminder of the unexpected intimacy.

On Wednesday evening, you found yourself standing outside Letitia's brownstone, pacing back and forth on the sidewalk. The elegant facade of the building loomed over you, adding to your already mounting nerves. You took a deep breath and muttered to yourself, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts in your head.

"Okay, this is fine," you began, speaking in a low voice. "It's just a casual meeting. Nothing to freak out about. Sure, she kissed your forehead and left you speechless, but that's totally normal, right? Right. Happens all the time."

You stopped and rubbed your temples. "Oh, who am I kidding? She’s... so cool. And I’m just a mess selling wallets on the street. What am I even doing here?"

You resumed your pacing, occasionally glancing at the door. "Maybe I should’ve brought flowers. Or chocolates. Or, I don’t know, an escape plan?"

You chuckled nervously, shaking your head. "Get it together. She invited you here. She wants to see you. It's not like she's going to open the door, laugh in your face, and slam it shut."

Taking a deep breath, you finally mustered the courage to approach the door. You raised your fist to knock, heart pounding in your chest, when suddenly, the door swung open.

Letitia stood there, looking as effortlessly chic as ever, a smile spreading across her face. "Hey there," she said warmly. "You coming in, or are you planning to wear a groove into my sidewalk?"

Caught off guard, you jumped back, letting out a nervous laugh that sounded more like a hiccup. "Oh, hey! Didn't see you there. Just, you know, practicing my... knocking technique. Very important stuff."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Practicing your knocking technique?"

"Yeah," you said, feeling your face heat up. "You can never be too prepared for a door, right? Anyway, hi!"

Letitia laughed softly, shaking her head. "Well, your technique is flawless. Come on in."

You stepped inside, the warmth of her home enveloping you, and suddenly, the nerves didn't seem so overwhelming. "Thanks," you said, trying to sound casual and failing miserably. "Nice place you've got here."

"Thanks," Letitia replied, still smiling. "It’s only on loan from my agency, but make yourself at home."

As you followed her inside, you couldn't help but feel both embarrassed and exhilarated. This was going to be an interesting session. 

"Only on loan from your agency?" you asked, trying to keep your tone light. "Sounds like a pretty sweet deal."

Letitia led you through the elegant foyer, past a spacious living room adorned with tasteful artwork and expensive-looking furniture. The walls were lined with antique sconces casting a warm, inviting glow, and the intricate crown molding added a touch of old-world charm. "Yeah, they like to keep us comfortable," she said with a shrug. "Perks of the job, I guess. But enough about that. How about we work in the kitchen today? The study feels a bit stuffy, no?"

You followed her, marveling at the sheer opulence of her home. The floors were polished wood, the kind that creaked in a comforting way with each step. Large, heavy drapes framed tall windows, letting in just enough light to give the rooms a soft, golden hue. Every piece of furniture seemed to have a story, from the velvet-upholstered settees to the grand, ornate mirrors that adorned the walls.

As you entered the kitchen, you were struck by how inviting it felt. Despite the modern appliances and sleek design, there was a cozy, lived-in quality to the space. Letitia motioned for you to sit at a small table near a large window that overlooked a lush garden in the backyard. The table itself was a beautiful antique, with a weathered patina that spoke of years of use and love. You took a seat, the sunlight streaming through the window casting a soft glow on Letitia's features. She looked stunning, her skin radiant and her eyes sparkling as she moved about the kitchen. You found yourself mesmerized by her beauty, momentarily forgetting why you were there.

"Can I get you something to drink?" Letitia asked, pulling you out of your reverie.

"Oh, uh, sure. Anything's fine," you replied, trying to play it cool.

She smiled and poured two glasses of iced water from a crystal pitcher, bringing them over to the table. "Here you go."

"Thanks," you said, taking a sip and savoring the refreshing taste. "This is really nice. I mean, the house, the garden, everything."

Letitia settled into the chair across from you, her gaze softening. "I'm glad you like it. It's nice to have a place where I can relax and unwind. And it's even nicer to share it with someone."

Your heart skipped a beat at her words, and you struggled to find the right response. "Yeah, it's... it's great. Thanks for inviting me."

She leaned back in her chair, studying you with an amused expression. "You seem a little nervous. Everything okay?"

You laughed nervously, fidgeting with your glass. "Just, you know, not used to being in such a fancy place. And... well, you're kind of intimidating."

"Intimidating?" Letitia raised an eyebrow. "Me? I think you're giving me too much credit."

"It's true," you insisted, feeling a bit bolder. "You have this... presence. It's hard not to be a little awestruck."

She smiled, a hint of a blush coloring her cheeks. "Well, I'm just a person, like anyone else. And right now, I'm really glad you're here."

Her words made your heart flutter, and you felt a rush of warmth. "I'm glad I'm here too."

For a moment, the two of you sat in comfortable silence, the sunlight bathing the room in a golden glow. You couldn't help but feel that this was the start of something special, even if you weren't quite sure what that something was yet.

"So," Letitia said, breaking the silence, "how's everything going with school and... life in general?"

You smiled, feeling more at ease. "It's been busy, but good. Just trying to keep up with everything, you know?"

She nodded, her eyes full of understanding. "I get it. Life can be overwhelming sometimes. But it's important to take a break and enjoy the little moments."

"Like this?" you asked, gesturing to the sunlit kitchen.

"Exactly," Letitia replied, her smile widening. "Like this."

[phanbeats]

🦉Positivity owl reporting for duty! This was sent by a friend who wants you to smile as much as you make them smile. Please feel free to respond to this ask by listing some of your happiest memories, favorite qualities about yourself, or discussing something you are super passionate about. You may send the owl to those who you feel deserve to smile (but no pressure).🦉

ahh hello!! you've caught me in a yappy mood and you've handed me an excuse to yap about ANYTHING I WANT so i shall!!!

we're going to talk about painting today bc that's what I'm doing rn. remember that one time Phil attempted to do a Bob Ross painting? well, i love him dearly, but he was not holding anything correctly. the paint palette should never be held vertically, bc that leads to the paint sliding right off onto you and every surface in the vicinity. the palette knife should be held carefully, like a pencil or perhaps a fork, with the tip of the blade parallel to the canvas and angled upwards so that when you apply it to the canvas in a downward diagonal stroke, the paint slides off of the knife smoothly and evenly. also, that easel Phil was using was worse than garbage, you need a sturdy surface to work on. And the paint brushes- pay attention to the way Bob Ross holds them through each step, because Phil was not doing that and it is in fact possible to achieve different effects with the paint based solely on the way you are holding your brush (or your palette knife, or any other tool you might use).

now, i personally have never tried oil painting, because oil paints are expensive and they take a long time to dry. i use acrylics instead. but i will say that Phil did the right thing by making sure his canvas was wet before he started! unfortunately, he used too much paint when he started on the clouds, and not enough when it came time to paint the mountains. Between that and the way he held the tools it really is no wonder it started to go wrong! And then, of course, he started panicking, which made things worse overall <3

i love that video, and i love pointing out all of the little mistakes Phil made as a novice, because those mistakes help me better understand how a beginner might approach painting. I've been doing it for so long that i no longer remember the mistakes I made personally, so it's very refreshing to be able to look at Phil's work and say "Oh, that's what went wrong!" I feel like it helps me better understand how the medium works from a technical perspective, because I often work intuitively and don't really know how to explain my thought process while working.

At this point I feel the need to share some of my work, because while this is just a hobby of mine, I do know what I'm talking about. I mostly paint landscapes, so that's what I will display here.

It should be noted that the last piece is my current work in progress; I haven't finished with the clouds yet at all (truly I've barely begun with the clouds) and I'm sure I'll find a few other things to fiddle with as well along the way, but I figured I ought to include it anyway as I used the same palette knife technique for the volcano that Bob Ross uses for the mountains in Phil's video.

The other paintings I've shared are older; the waterspout I finished about two years ago and the other two were each completed four or five years ago now. I don't keep the majority of my work, as I simply don't have enough wall space for it, but consequently I also don't have a ton of examples for my more recent work on hand.

Anyway, I hope this little rant has been entertaining! I'm going to get back to painting now. :)

[living-mites]

Mnnnbb angst

angst is my middle name omg let me cook

(idk if u were asking for it but i js got my acrylic nails off and im a yapping machine) TW for alcholl and depression ig

SO when Dallas died Buck went into a crazy depressive/manic episode where he couldn't keep the bar/road house thingy open bc that is where dallas lived ofc and Buck saw himsself as a father figure to Dallas and it was hard to watch Dallas run himself to the ground.

Tim also had a hard time and he took it out on his gang and Curly + Angela. He drank more, and smoked more, started to become a lot more reckless which ofc effected his little siblings. AND Pony let him have the st. Christopher necklace which he wears NON-STOP

When Johnny died his parents cared but they didn't go to the funeral because it was "too much for them" but in reality- they were drinking themselves under the table and didn't even try to attend.

Ponyboy suffers major major trauma (obvi) but it's to the point where Darry can't light a fire on the stove or fireplace or even a candle because it brings back too many memories- similarly, ponyboy can't take baths or go to the pool without getting harsh flashbacks of the drowning.

Cherry suffers from depression and she believes that what happened to Bob was all her fault, and that she could have prevented it by not sitting with Ponyboy, or trying to stop Bob from drinking and driving.

Marcia already has mental issues (in my mind) and her parents are kinda forgetful and I feel Marcia as bpd or something of the sorts, so when Cherry is distant and depressed from her literal Boyfriend dying, she feels like she is alone and nobody wants her as a friend.

Randy cuts off all ties with everyone (even Marcia) after Bob's death so that he can improve his mental health.

-This is all Headcanon but bro i'm so sorry im feeling extra yappy today.

[changingplumbob]

Yappy little ramble

Just wanted to let y'all know why I might be less talkative than normal. This stomach bug is absolutely draining my energy right now. My IBS is so not impressed and the nausea and pain are pretty constant. My digestive system is gurgling 24/7 which helps 0%. My shoulders seemed to have stop hurting though so that's... nice?

I watched Taylor Swift's Era's Tour Taylor's Version and loved it! Great distraction, do recommend. I probably shouldn't have sung along to every song though because now my throat is threatening to kill me as well.

Anyways it's hard to write when I feel like this but I'm hoping to be able to play sims after my lunch. Someone is going to age up and you know how much fun I have learning more things about my characters and doing a makeover/room reno for them (and then remembering all the things I had planned to do in their previous age span but forgot about)

Okay I'm off and with any luck my lunch will stay inside me today. Toodles! Can you tell I am also sleep deprived?

[cass1x1]

things you said when you were crying | keiran/yasmin 🥺

@gerrykecy tw lots of gun mentions

For a long time after, Yasmin sat in the bedroom, eyes fixed on the little bit of window not covered by the curtain. The pistol lay, empty and safety on, in her hand, almost like an afterthought. She hardly seemed to be breathing, which gave the room an eerie silence that Keiran's presence disrupted. She didn't react. She didn't turn around. She just sat and watched, unblinking. Unmoving. Unfeeling.

"Babe," he said softly. Nothing. "The officers said--"

"And you believe them?" It was the first time she'd spoken in--god, hours, probably. Her voice was rough from disuse. Made rougher by her offense at the idea that Keiran listened to a blessed the feds said. "I never took you for stupid."

He didn't answer that, though she heard his sharp exhalation. Outside, their neighbor with the yappy dog walked out and let the dog piss right on their mailbox. Bitch. Yasmin's fingers flexed against the pistol. When Keiran spoke again, he was closer. On the other edge of the bed, maybe. She couldn't look. It would mean turning away from her sliver of window. "They've increased surveillance. They are trailing the car we saw. We're--it's going to be okay."

His voice was so gentle that it made her sick. She couldn't stand it. It didn't belong with her, here, in this place. In this time, where the only way to keep them both alive was to hold her pistol, watch the window, and regret that she hadn't brought anything bigger with her.

He belonged with that other woman. The one she had to pretend to be, who smiled and made nice. She could have this man with his gentle, coaxing voice and his soft mannerisms and his trust in the fucking feds. She was welcome to it. All of it. Yasmin would keep her pistol and her watch and keep them both alive.

He continued to approach her slowly and when he was close enough to enter her periphery, she turned her head away. She couldn't see the window, but she didn't have to see him. At least, not until he came all the way too her, right up next to her, the side of his body lightly brushing the side of hers.

When he spoke, this time, it was only a whisper. The quietest sound. "Yasmin." It was that--the sound of her real name, even in the barest whisper--that startled her. His hands came to hers and she let him lift the gun out of her grasp without any fight.

Despite herself, a small sob escaped. It was hardly more than a hiccup, but it was enough. His arms came around her, pressing her gently but firmly to his chest, and the dam broke. She didn't weep so much as shake and sob. He cooed and petted her hair nonetheless, whispering sweet nothings into her ear.

"I don't trust them to protect you," she whispered against his shirt, hoping he could only feel the breath but not hear the words.

He rubbed her back. "It's okay. We're okay."

"It scared me. When I thought they were here, it scared me."

He just shushed her, tracing circles with his palm on her back.

He couldn't hear her. Or he wasn't listening to specifics. Either way, it made her next words safe. "I can't let them get you."

His hands stopped so abruptly, she knew she'd been wrong. He put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her away so he could look her in the eye. So she would have to look him in the eye, after that. "We're going to take care of each other. I won't let them get you, either."

She watched him after he said it, as his eyes seemed to be trying to drill into her. She watched, and blinked away tears as they tried to well up, and sniffled when her lungs wouldn't bring air in right. Twice, she opened her mouth, but she couldn't find the words.

After the second attempt, he slid his hand up to cup her cheek. "Let me take care of you, amali." My heart, he'd told her. She pressed her lips together as her eyes welled up again and gave a small nod. She would let him take care of her, for today.

[heliosthegriffin]

Shadow Knight XXI

Ao3 Link

Chapter 21

----

Velvet was having a great time. She honestly couldn’t remember a time in recent memories that she had such a good time. Walking around the Museum with her new friends, and learning about times long past, well, not that long past, it was still a time before the current era. One that was full of things that they could learn from.

“Nora, no.” Ren grabbed the diminutive ginger from stepping into a Mistral exhibit, displaying a lush jungle, with the exhibit theorizing the first meeting between Valish explorers and Minstrali fishermen. 

Nora pouted. “But, Renny! The sloth, he calls to me,” Her eyes dilated to black pools with a aquamarine edge. “He wants to be free!”

Velvet felt her dat-, friend, Jaune look to the side, shaking as he covered his mouth. She had never seen this from him. Though, to be fair, she had only seen him be sleepy, be heroic, and politely distant. 

Her ears twitched, and she nudged him, gently, she didn’t want to hurt her arm. “Um, are you alright?”

“Yes, just-, just look at them.” He wheezed a bit.

Velvet looked back at the pair. Nora dodged Ren’s attempt to move her, only to be tripped by his leg catching her ankle, as he caught her. The ginger pouted angrily, hanging by the back of her shirt, resembling a small, yappy dog who wasn’t allowed to get her way. 

She chuckled, not as hard as Jaune, but still amused. “They’ve been like that all their lives,” His voice was distant and dreamy. “I can still remember how Nora ink-bombed all three of us in junior-high.”

Velvet felt a little lost. “May I have some context?”

“I wish there was, but that’s just Nora.”

That matched up what she knew about Nora, Velvet thought chuckling.

“Nora!” Ren cried out, as In a flash of movement, Nora had managed to lose her shirt and escape. She was only wearing a sport’s bra underneath. Velvet felt her eyes go wide for a moment, she had known Nora was … blessed, but she didn’t realize by how much, until the shirt went off. If she wasn’t so stunned, she’d have felt ego pop.

Her eyes darted to Jaune, who looked unbothered, as faster than her eye could track, he had ripped off his button up, revealing a second long-sleeve underneath, having unlatched himself from her without her noticing, and turned around, just as Nora tried to dart behind them to hide from Ren.

“Nora,” He stared down at his childhood friend. Holding his shirt like a bullfighter's muleta.

“Jaune,” Nora stared up at him, managing to look his equal despite him being well over a foot taller than her. “My girls are free, look at them be petrified, just like poor Renny.” Velvet looked at Ren, who was holding his hands over his eyes, blushing, though she noticed he had his fingers open a bit. 

Velvet didn’t blame him in the least.

“We’re long past that point,” He waved his shirt. “I am the final boss, Nora, defeat me, or be shirted.”

“Then, I will defeat you!” She charged at him, arms flailing around. 

Without even missing a beat, Jaune side-stepped her, in a way that Velvet found mind-itchingly familiar. His arm flashed out, just as Nora passed. The girl stumbled forward a few steps, then looked at Jaune, wearing a shirt several, several, several sizes too big, it going down below her knees like a dress. Nora looked at him, sadly. “You did it again! How?”

Jaune smiled down upon her. “A magician never reveals his secrets.”

“Agghh!” That was the wrong answer as Nora descended upon him, small fists pounding upon his much larger body.

In the distance, a whistle was blown, a security guard was running towards them. The four of them looked at each other, and ran for it.

---

Today was their most important mission so far. No mere Grimm extermination, or watching the city, but actually working to save the city. It was different from extermination, but this was decisively more dangerous. Energy was building up in this place, and they needed to find the source, or otherwise it would set off. The chaos that would ensue would be beyond imagining. Now they just had to -

Yang draped herself over Weiss, her head resting on top of the smaller girl's head. “I’m boooooored!”

Weiss felt her eye’s twitch. “Silence, we’re here on a mission.”

“I know, but it’s a boring one!” She looked around the art exhibit. “Can’t we at least look at the dinosaurs?”

“We need to break down the museum section by section, otherwise we’d be here for days, Yang. So no, we’re not looking at dinosaurs, yet.”

“Uggh, but” She looked at the exhibit. “But, I don’t want to learn about the-” She read off the plack. “How the invention of this painting style- ugh, I can’t even finish reading this, it’s so dull.”

“They’re not meant to be fun! We’re carrying out our duty, it’s a matter of heroics. Something that you could improve upon!”

Weiss waited on the brutes' unimaginative and lowborn response. Only to be met by silence, as the blonde pulled herself off Weiss. She looked around the art exhibit, her eyes somewhere else, though. 

Weiss felt a brief shock run through her, her words had an effect? How unnatural. It was almost enough to make her want to ask her if something was the matter.

“What are we looking for, exactly?” The blonde was abrupt with her question, halting Weiss’s thoughts. The brute seemed back to normal, attempting to look intelligent as she ogled the priceless artworks around them.

“Hmmp, can’t even remember the basics of a mission, can’t you be bothered to-”

Yang rolled her eyes.. “I asked for the mission, not a lecture, Priss-cess.”

Weiss resisted the need to freeze the blonde's mouth shut. “As I was saying, the mission is to locate the source of the magical buildup, before it is unleashed.” Weiss puffed her chest up. “Which is why you’re working with me, with your utterly lacking perception of magic and downright, horrible control. We can’t have you setting it off by accident, like how you normally blow everything up..”

Weiss saw a flash of red in Yang’s eyes, her magic raising up to offensive levels, and Weiss readied her own defensive magic.

Only for it to disappear, Yang’s eyes go back to their normal, dare she say it, prettier purple color. “Yeah, I’m trying to work on it.” She then muttered low and quietly, with Weiss barely catching it. “Among other problems.”

Weiss felt uncomfortable, what was going on with her? She was … vulnerable. That wasn’t right, that wasn’t right at all. Did it have something to do with that other night when she went off on her own, and didn’t meet back up with them till school the next morning?

Should she …? 

“Let's get back to the problem at hand,” It wasn’t her place, Weiss would be of no use to her. They all had their roles to play, and Weiss was to be the most skillful among them in the manipulation of magical energy and the most perceptive of it’s flow, whatever Blake may imply. “Lacking or not, keep your eyes open, we need to find this build-up. Who-knows what might occur?”

“Let’s stop it, we need to do it, for everyone that might get hurt.” 

Weiss looked at Yang. What was going on with her? “Agreed.”

Regardless of Yang, the mission came first, there would always be time afterward to have her diagnosed by a professional, if she truly needed it. Should she ask of course. Weiss wouldn’t pry into someone’s business without asking.

----

Velvet breathed hard against the table, they had managed to get away from security, and possibly being thrown out. 

“That was awesome!” Nora wasn’t even winded, or the other two. “I haven’t been chased like that since we egged those guys in middle-school.”

Ren gave a sly smile at Jaune. “Wasn’t that a fun day?”

The bigger of the two boys looked away, blushing. “That’s what they get for cheating on my sister.”

“Yet, they still got back together.” Ren added.

Jaune smirked. “And, we egged his cars two weeks later,” He suddenly looked at Velvet. “Sorry, if we’re being weird.” He got closer. Velvet felt her heartbeat go up.“You looked warm, should I get you something to drink?”

“... Please.” Velvet managed to squeeze out the words, some eternity later.

A shirt was thrown across Jaune’s face. “Here you go,stud.” Nora had somehow reacquired, and redressed herself during the run. “Not my style, you know I prefer going wild and free.”

Jaune, shirt still over his head, nodded in resignation of a man trying all his life to fix something. “Yeah, whatever, nudist.”

“One day! One day, Jaune! We will have a clothless society, you, me, Ren, and Velvet too! All naked~! Free~! Imagine it Jaune, imagineeee it!”

Jaune slipped his shirt back on, rebuttoning it. “I don’t wanna,” His eyes blank and very much in reality, as opposed to imaginationland.

Velvet felt her mind drift off a moment, thinking about… something else, definitely not what Nora said, not in the slightest. She looked at Ren, he nodded his head, he too was definitely not imagining anything like that in the slightest. She gave him a thumbs up, and he returned it.

Jaune sighed, “I’m going to get some drinks, Ren you want to come with?”

The slender young man shrugged. “I’ll do it.”

“We’ll be back in a minute,”

Velvet watched as the two went off, her mind was trying to get attention again. Something about the way Jaune walked, it was triggering something, as her mind was trying to match it up with a scene she had watched. 

She looked back and forth between Jaune and Ren, but only got more confused. The way they walked was bothering her. In fact, the way they moved was -

“Enjoying the view?” Nora popped up in front of her blocking her view. “If it wasn’t illegal, I’d video-tape it and sell it.” She sighed dreamily. “I can only imagine the riches. Then I could buy that island.”

Velvet shook her head, giggling. “That’s not it, you goof-ball.”

Nora sniffed. “Hey! I resemble that remark.” Then also broke out giggling, sharing the moment with Velvet. “So, what's got your goat?” She paused. “That’s not offensive is it?”

Velvet was confused. “I don’t get it?”

“You’re a faunus? So, I- Whatever.”

“Oh. No? Maybe. Let’s just let it slide.” 

“Nice. Anyway, uh, what's bothering you. I know the two of them have super-class booties, but the way you were looking at them was kinda … uh, sciency? Maybe, ughgh! Nora no likely big words!” The ginger gripped her head.

“Oh that,” Velvet nodded, she understood the pain of words, as she thought about how she wanted to put this into words. “I just feel a tingle in my brain, watching him move,” Nora’s eyebrows rose up, practically disappearing into her bangs. “Not like that! I mean, though I wouldn't. Uhg,” Velvet buried her head into the table.

Nora patted her on the back. “Go on, I’m listening.”

“What I mean is… They move. I’ve seen the way they move before, and I’m trying to place it. They move so similarly too, it’s driving me crazy!” Velvet bemoaned.

“Oh! That’s easy, I know what you mean!” Nora smiled broadly.

“Would you help a friend out?”

“Totally, it’s super easy to explain. Ren’s a martial artist, and Jaune was his punching bag for most of our teens.”

Velvet blinked. “Don’t you mean sparring partner?”

“No. Punching bag. Jaunes has always been like super-durabile, but Ren’s always been like super fast, so it was always, Jaune punch, Ren dodge, Ren counterattack! Nora cheers! Yay! It connects! Completely ineffective! Nora cheers! Yay! It was just that all day for all of puberty.” Nora mimed them moving, with what Velvet noticed, eerie accuracy. “Sometimes I’d jump in, but I like to wrestle, it’d usually go south from there into a free for all. Well, at least until these girls developed.” Nora proudly thrusted her chest out.

“So, the reason they move is so similar?”

“Yeah, because they learned to fight from each other, well, Ren’s dad, and Jaune’s dad. But, Jaune only really learned a couple punches, a little foot-work, and how to take a hit. He was never as into the Sport side as Ren is.” Nora mimed a scale going up and down. “He’s the one that's training for the circuit, once he graduates.” Nora smiled, bouncing in place. “I’ll be there, with Jaune, cheering him on.”

Velvet smiled warmly. “That’s so nice.” She thought for a moment. “Would you mind, one more?”

Nora looked at her confused, until a spark went behind her eyes. “Oh! Yeah, definitely! We always need more cheerleaders for Team Ren!” She paused. “Though, I think we’ll need Jaune’s uniform custom made.”

Velvet laughed. “I think so too.”

----

Jaune paused, carrying an armful of drinks. He felt a twinge in his peripheral vision, something calling to him. Ren looked at him strangely. “What’s up?”

“Uh, just an eyelash in my eye, I’m trying to blink  it out.”

“Oh, you need to rinse it out?”

“No, I think I almost got it.” 

Something wasn’t right here. He had gotten a feeling as soon as he entered the museum, but had ignored it, being too busy with the group. But, now that he didn’t have any distractions, he felt it all the more strongly, how off everything was feeling. Jaune flinched, as a sudden weight appeared in his pocket.

Jaune felt his eyes go wide as he reached in with his free hand, feeling in his pocket, he froze. It was a book, he knew exactly which book too. Pulling his hand back, Jaune felt a buzz pass through his book, and a buzz coming from the ring he got from his ancestor. It was pulling his attention somewhere. He turned and looked around, searching for the source. Then he saw a display, it was from a recent dig in Vacuo. Something in it was catching his attention. 

“Ren?”

“Yes?”

“I want to take a look at that.”

Ren nodded. “Ok. But, shouldn’t we get the girls?”

“I don’t think it can wait.” Jaune was already moving, Ren following him. “I got to see this, right now.”

“Jaune, are you ok? This isn’t like you.”

“I know, but just let me. Just let me do this real quick.” He looked at Ren. “Stop me if I do something dumb.

Ren nodded. “Always. Also, be quick.”

Jaune looked at the exhibit. He didn’t bother reading the background, he was busy studying the exhibit. Looking around for whatever it was that was throwing him off. It was utterly bursting with uncovered things from the dig. Dolls. Bronze knives. Cups. Those sorts of things. Apparently led by some big wig from Atlas.

He looked at the date, which was alleged from the dig. Jaune’s eyes bugged out. “Ren, none of these artifacts, their age, it hasn’t been decided, but any of these things.” He paused thinking.

“What about it?”

“They could be older than any other civilization known on Vacuo, or even the world.”

Ren’s eyes opened in awe. “But, that doll there, it looks like it could be from the last century.”

Jaune found the source, he looked at a casket that could easily fit someone around Nora’s size. HIs hand reached out, a sudden need to open it. A tight pressure was applied to his wrist, one that could easily put it into a hold behind his back, stopped that attempt.

“Jaune, don’t get us in trouble.”

Despite that, Jaune felt a deep rumble inside, a need to open that casket. His servant was waiting for him, they needed him to give orders. The pressure deepened, and Jaune snapped back. What was he doing? That wasn’t right at all. He didn’t have any servants, or need any. Jaune lowered his hand.

“Thanks.” Jaune met Ren’s eyes, giving him a grateful smile.

“Anytime.” Ren nodded.

“Jaune!” The blonde turned, seeing a short redhead zooming towards him. “Are you trying to steal from the museum! I thought you were done being a bad boy!” Before Jaune, a pair of silver-eyes looked at him full of disappointment, poking a tiny finger into his chest, then recoiling at the sturdiness. “Owie! Ignore that! What’s your excuse?” Ruby Rose puffed her chest, asking with all the authority her frame would allow.

“That Ren wouldn’t let me.” Jaune gestured to his best friend.

“Oh!” Ruby nodded. “Wait! That means you would have done it if he wasn’t here! Do I need to keep you on a leash?”

Ren looked at Ruby, then at Jaune. “I think Velvet wouldn’t appreciate that, Ruby.” He paused. “Or maybe, she would? You should ask her opinion first.”

Jaune looked at him confused. Why would Velvet care? He looked at Ruby, who looked equally confused. 

“Velvet’s here?” Was Ruby’s response. “You’re not bullying her, Jaune?”

“Don’t worry, Ruby.” Ren proceeded. “She wants to be here, it was her idea.”

“Oh! Great!” Ruby nodded.

Jaune met her eyes for a minute, and flinched, her eyes, were they always tha bright? A sense of unease hit him. No. They were just normal silver eyes, he was just tired. “What are you doing here, Ruby?” He asked. “Did you miss me?” Jaune teased.

“Yep!” She answered honestly. “I tracked you down, and now,  you got to hang out with me!”

“Oh.”

“Just kidding! Only a little bit, uh, me and the rest of the girls, we’re on …” Ruby’s face scrunched in concentration. “A scavenger hunt! Yeah! That’ll fool ‘em!”

“Fool who?” Ren questioned.

“... The police?”

“Why?’

“Because? … Why not?”

“Ok, that’s certainly an activity to do on the weekend. I hope you enjoy yourself.”

“I will!” Ruby nodded energetically. Then paused, looking at the casket, then shrugged. “Nope, not it.” Then kept moving, though not before waving goodbye. “I’ll be back later, don’t leave without saying bye!”

“Sure thing,” Jaune waved back. The buzzing was gone. Did Ruby calm the feeling? No, she couldn’t have. Or could she?

“She’s one of a kind.” Ren told Jaune.

“Yeah,” Jaune agreed.

“I’m glad you met her, though. She’s really brought you back around.” Ren started walking back to where the girls, Nora and Velvet, were.

The blonde looked at him curiously. “What do you mean?”

“Really? Look back on your actions, and tell me that you haven’t been a complete wreck the last year.”

Jaune shook his head. “Well, can’t deny that. I don’t regret it, though.”

Ren gave him a piercing look. “At all?” His eyes were calm, Jaune knew better.

There was some hesitation, but Jaune met his friend's eyes. “No. Not at all.” Because, it had to be done. Even if he'd never share his secret with anyone that didn’t already know.

“I’ve always resented this part of you.” Ren didn’t raise his voice, but in some ways that was worse with how calm it sounded. “This unrepentant self-centeredness, you go about it like it’s only you versus the world, never asking for help no matter what.”

There was a part of Jaune, and no small part either, that wanted to lash out against that statement. Argue, yell at him, tell Ren how little he knew. Ask what he really knows about him, and how could he say that about him, after all the blood he shed, all the pain he endured, all the trauma, all the nightmares, and how often he stared at the jaws of death. 

It didn’t mean Ren was wrong, though. If he said anything like that, it would only prove the statement.

“I never liked how passive you are either,” Jaune fired back. 

It didn’t mean he was in the wrong, either. 

“Growing up with you and Nora, somebody has to play the calm one,” 

“Yet, it hasn’t pushed you away.”

“Keep trying, and we'll see,” He hummed a bit, it was something Ren had done since they were children. “But, you’re fortunate that your good points overshadow the bad, otherwise, I’d have stopped talking to you, long ago.” He always hummed it when they ended up in the ER, or worse.

Jaune shook his head, smiling. “ Really? I don’t see them. But, since I trust you, I'll take your word on it.”

Any building tension was gone, and for a moment, they felt like just two boys hanging out at a museum. Two friends, falling back into their long-time roles, the goof-ball and his handler, just like they used to be. Playing the hero was overrated, Jaune would take this anyday over it, if he could. If there were no more Grimm. Or people that took advantage over other people. Or-

“Come on, the girls are waiting on us.”

“Yeah, sounds good.” Jaune walked just a tad slower than he normally did, if Ren noticed, he didn’t comment on it.

----

Pyrrha walked through the armory, admiring the craftwork of the weapons. Some were centuries old, and no less sharp for it. The armor, it was dull and aged, but in her mind's eye, she could easily see herself wearing it into battle. Even if she thought it would fit on someone else she knew better.

The thought of wearing it caught her for a moment. In another world, could she have been a warrior? She was certainly athletic, the most athletic after Yang, but did that translate to being a good fighter? She’d like to think her hard-work and drive would carry her through it, if it didn’t. It certainly had worked for anything else she put her mind to.

Before she gained her powers, and started attending Beacon, after she felt the pull to come here like the rest of the girls. Pyrrha had been in almost every club she had been introduced to at her old schools in Argus. It had brought her no small amount of fame, as there wasn’t a skill she couldn’t master if she put some effort towards it. 

Competition after competition in her childhood, she was unbeaten, golf, tennis, track and field, dance, academic competitions, anything she was put in front of, she mastered and then left, unbeaten, as the Invincible Girl, as the challenge to her was gone. Her talent had brought her no end of attention back in Argus, but there was a part of her that resented that word, talent.

It implied, Pyrrha thought, that she didn’t have to work for it. That she didn’t put effort into it. When she puts in more effort than anyone. Her parents wouldn’t allow for anything less than perfection, as she had to live up to her talent and destiny. It wasn’t out of selfishness, or a need to live out through her, they just wanted Pyrrha to live up to her potential.

When she wanted to study abroad, they were all too happy, at the thought that her potential made her outgrow Argus. She missed that city. But fate called, and she answered. Maybe, her potential was granted to her by destiny, so that she’d be prepared to master these powers? Was life so planned out, though? Pyrrha wasn’t sure, and was less than happy to see that as the case.

The Magic she had, she resented it. She didn’t work for this power, it was thrust upon her. An unwanted gift, that she couldn’t return. It spat at her feet, a score in favor of those that said she didn’t have to work to get results.

Pyrrha’s mind wandered over to her first ‘lost’, to the Shadow Knight. She may not have used the full breath of her power, but the man was the better fighter by far. He was just a man, given no powers, no help, and he fought with a mad passion that she used to have, before she was given what was essentially cheats compared to the rest of the world.. She envied it. That situation, of every mistake being fatal, and still managing to succeed. It made every victory all the more worth it.

What would it be like, if she hadn’t received these powers, and found out about the Grimm? Could she really say that she would have become a warrior like him? Pyrrha wanted to say yes, so very badly, to have a challenge worth taking. But, she’d never know, her destiny lies elsewhere. 

Walking forward, her gaze lingered on the armor. She smiled, Jaune would look very dashing in them. He was a fighter too, though, she wasn’t sure what kind. A part of her, admitted, her interest in him was his presence, his demeanor, he put up no illusions around himself. He was entirely Jaune, and was fighting something, though what, she wasn’t sure. She wanted to monopolize that feeling his presence gave her, be the only woman to see his battles, to watch his struggles, failures, and his success. Pyrrha knew it was a sick mindset, but she didn’t care.

Perhaps, (she wasn’t in a club at the moment, and neither was he ,to her knowledge) they could join some sort of club together (Maybe, weapon, or marital arts related?). Something to refine him into something greater, and let her live out that fantasy of the struggle, that want, that drive to succeed against adversity? Sure, he had a size and muscle advantage, but Pyrrha had a drive to succeed and a track record of not losing. Just the two of them together against the world. No magic, no destiny, just raw will and effort.

What a world that could be.

Pyrrha stared at the weapons laid before her, wondering which one would be best suited for her? She used a spear, since she was familiar with javelins from track and field, but couldn’t help but wonder, was something better for her? She’d have to choose one and train, if she ever wanted a rematch against the Shadow Knight to be meaningful. That rematch would happen, she was sure of it, her fate wouldn’t throw a loss against her without a chance to redeem herself, would it?

She sighed, banishing the thoughts. She had a duty to do, returning to searching for any magical buildup, ignoring the minor artifacts that were among the weapons. They were far too weak to be of use to her, or the other girls. Nothing a skilled craftsman, and hedge mage couldn’t make together. Pyrrha was looking for something on level with them, something that could build up enough energy to damage a city, potentially destroy it. Something that could siphon energy from a ley-line.

Pyrrha looked around the room, deciding that there was nothing in here, and moved on. A thought came to her as she was moving, that despite how busy it was earlier, she hadn’t seen anybody in a while. Strange, didn’t people enjoy a good weapons exhibit? 

----

In the halls of the museum a man with a white mask walked, poorly, jerkily, as though a puppet controlled by an amateur of the art. One arm would fly out like a lever suddenly pulled down, his legs stiffly sticking out and wobbling, only barely not falling from the odd movements. It was disturbing to watch, and pitiful, as the man clearly wasn’t right in the head. A couple saw him, looking at each other, they were both in the medical field, and went over to help him.

“Sir, are you ok?” The man asked, while his female partner stood next to him. “Do you need any assistance?” The oddly moving man didn’t respond, the man looked at his partner and she nodded, pulling out a scroll to call for help. “Sir, we’re going to call for help, is that ok with you?”

The masked man stopped moving, observed them. Then he jerked his arms out, grabbing both of them by the neck. People around them stopped and stared with horror, as the kind couple were suddenly attacked, no moved to help them. So tight his grasp on their necks, that they couldn’t even call for help.

Something oozed out of his hands, that instead of dripping down his arms, climbed up his hands over the faces of the kind couples. Smothering them under a dense, cold, and unnatural black substance, that suffocated any resistance out of them as they went still. 

Screaming came from the crowd, hysteria breaking out, as group think took over and the crowd fled. Many tripped over and were left behind, injured and trampled on, blood and trash left over the floor. The lone standing man there didn’t care, as he dropped the unmoving couple to the ground, uncaringly. He stared at the groaning people on the ground. Red eye beneath a white mask looked at them with alien thoughts.

Behind him, the couple then stood up, but they weren’t breathing. They did not give off any heat either, or heartbeat. They were dead, but they moved, controlled by the black mass that covered them. Red eyes stared around the room.

The people stuck on the ground froze in fear, daring to hope they wouldn’t be noticed by whatever this thing was.

They would have no such luck.

----

Blake felt something was wrong, but couldn’t put her finger on it. The energy buildup she was feeling, it had moved.

Not out of the building, but around the building, like it was moving. Instead of being concentrated, it was being divided. She didn’t like this one bit. Should she call for backup?

She was in the history section, and no one was around, not one soul, either. Hadn’t the museum been packed when she got here? That was when she saw it, a red-headed man pushing a sinisterly familiar bone mask on a couple's face. He saw her too, spinning a mask on a finger, it popping in out of nowhere. A smile on his face.

“Hello dear, how would you like a deal of a lifetime? A free-mask, in return for an undying servitude.”

“I think I’ll pass, it sounds like a bad deal. You should work on your sales pitch.”

“Is that so? Oh well, new offer. I take your freewill, and you get a new purpose in life.”

“Still no, creep.”

“Oh. Well then I’m done offering, I’m giving them away for free now!”

“Ew. No means no.” Blake was backing up, this guy was wrong, on a fundamental level wrong, and he had a magical presence too, that was just evil. She needed to regroup with the others.

The man sprinted at her, mask in hand, Blake dodged into the shadow of a statue, she considered not using her powers, but that would be worse. Molding into the shadows, she vanished.

The masked wielding man stood there, and sighed. “Great, just what I needed, an infestation of magical girls.” He tapped the side of his head. “To my lovely servants, stop whatever your doing.” He took a deep breath. “Kill any dark-haired girls you see, then kill everyone else.”

Roman would not have any interference in his heist, sure he might lose his shiny new servants, but he didn’t need them, they’d carry his essence as long as the mask was on them, and that was all he needed, at least till nightfall. Well, not even that, it just made stealing a whole museum that much easier.

----

Semi-Omake - Masked Soldier Arrives!

Melanie looked at her sister. “He took a night off?”

“Weird, right?” 

“Is that allowed? Not he doesn’t deserve it, or us, but it feels weird.”

“As his physician, I say, it’s more than deserved.” Amber chimed in.

“So, what are you two going to do tonight?” Vernal asked, flickering through channels, a cup of coffee in hand.

“Well, I’d like to go clubbing for the first time in ages, sounds good Militia?”

Her sister looked unimpressed. “Meh. Not really, they’re not fun anymore.”

“What really?”

“It’s too loud, the music is trash, drinks are overpriced, and frankly, the eye-candy isn’t as nice as here.”

Melanie opened her mouth, but an argument failed to emerge. “Ok, fair. But-”

The door was thrown off its hinges, all four girls ducked. Nothing came, though, it set them on edge.

“What was that?” Vernal had drawn a large handgun, looking alert. “I thought this place was secure?” She looked calm, her eyes piercingly scanning the front door.

“It is!” Militia groused from behind the couch. “Uncle has the whole neighborhood under truce, anybody crazy enough to try would have all of Vale’s Underworld after them, they, their gang, and family, friends, they’d all be reduced to ash!

A window behind exploded, a shield bashing it way through as the man wielding it crashed into the room, then opened fire.

At the ceiling.

Standing there on the coffee table was a tall, slender man wearing the Vale flag over his face with a pair of goggles over his eyes, dressed like he was ready to fight the world and give it his best shot at winning.

“Huh, expected better.” He ducked to the side as a bullet from Vernals big-ass gun shot at him, whizzing. “So, this is what my grand-, I mean apprentice works withs. Not too good.” He muttered.

“Excuse us?!” Melanie screamed. “You break into our home, and say we’re not living up to expectations?!”

The mysterious man nodded. “Exactly.” He pointed at Amber. “I would have shot you first.”

“Why me?”

“Always shoot the medic!”

“That’s a war-crime!”

“Meh. Hasn’t stopped anyone before, nor will it in the future.”

He point at the twins. “Damn, you two need to be more prepared,  you are never safe!”

Melanie scowled at him. 

Militiades just shrugged in acceptance.

He pointed at Vernal. “You. You do alright, but try to aim better, sweetie.”

A middle-finger was her answer in response.

“Oh, she has gumption! I like that, I’ll put in a good word with my grand- uh, fuck it,” He took off his flag-mask. “You already know who you’re working with, and I’m done with fuckin black ops, I’m your main man’s grandpa!”

Everyone went silent.

“Do you greet everyone by shoot at them?” Militia asked after a moment.

He shrugged. “Ask Jaune.”

The room was silent. 

“Anyway, I’m here to fill in for him tonight.”

“Uh, you’re kinda of old.” Melanie filled the silence.

“Yet, I’m still kicking more ass per second than a master crafted custom-made Atlesian ass-kicking machine.” There was no shame in his voice, whatsoever. “Anyway, take it up with Jaune tomorrow, I’m here to train you girls up to standard, and kill a couple Grimm.”

Melanie and Vernal circled him. “Yeah, why don’t we see about that?”

Grandpa Arc shrugged. “Oh well, I’m ready when you girls are.”

The girls fell over in a heap, exhausted. They had tried every cheap-shot and trip to put that old man down, but he knew them, countered them, and used a counter-cheap shot they hadn’t even known had existed, before beating them plain and fair. Jeremiah Arc stood over them with a smile. “Alright, that was a good warmup, let's get to training, and then some light Grimm killing, alright?”

All four of them never felt more terrified of a old man’s smile than at that moment.

[chrissturnioloo]

Bro I got these 2 fake ass friends and they always liked to leave me out n shit (we’ve known each other since we were 11 and 10 keep in my mind we’re 19 n 18 now) growing up my mom was more strict wit me like I can’t go out alone (she would have to come chaperone all out hang outs and they didn’t like it) type shit and because of that they would make plans without me, n im just like cool ion really care but when I turned 16 my mom was becoming a bit more lenient with hangouts and boys and all that shit but they would still leave me out like they would make plans together in our group chat or like in front of me, and obviously i starting getting mad bc like come on bffr and they would both dismiss my feeling n shit. Now the dynamic of our lil trio is im the oldest more like the yappy cheerful one, the other girl lets call her Gabriella is more like the stereotypical leader of the group? She kinda like Regina George from mean girls and then we have Sarah who is Gabriella’s little minion and the other day me and Gabriella hang out but Sarah couldn’t come and today she would tell me “I feel like u and Gabriella have this special bond and like I always feel left out with you too” I wanted to tell in her face so bad and punch all her teeth out her mouth.

Anyways sorry for my lil rant im upset

That's really rude from them but its okay love you can always rant

[chaotic-orphan]

*cough cough* intoxicating fear when *cough cough*

i will offer a streaming river of tears instead of my firstborn

i don't like children

lots of love

lowk. dying anon

p.s. intoxicating fear when

It WILL BE TODAY!!!! I promise!!!

Personal life is in chaos right now, and I finally realised why I love whumping men🙃 because GAAAHHHH!!! Why are men?!?!!

It’s a little rebellion, for fuck’s sake, and GOD DAMN IT!!!! Everyone is SUFFERING IN INTOXICATING FEAR TODAY IDGAF, I’M MAD

I will take your stream of tears, but I will need more blood offerings too, if you really want it😌😏 annoying aunties, dumb neighbours, yappy dogs, I’ll take ‘em all as sacrifices, I am seeing red, but I will drink your tears and smile at the saltiness dying anon🥰

[chemtrails-over-the-cvntryclub]

Always Almost

Authors note: Sorry for the long wait on chapter 2, I had started it over a week ago but the holiday season took so much of my time, also why its kind of a boring and short chapter I promise chapter 3 will be better. Chapter 2: Larissa had been showing me around the school for what had to have been about 30 minutes at this point and I had not noticed one thing about it. Despite her long descriptions of almost every last square of the school the only thing I seemed to retain was every feature of her as if scared to never see it again. Although I knew nothing of what she was saying I still loved hearing her speak, her voice elegantly flowing with every last syllable she spoke, the kind of voice that will forever be etched into my brain.  Out of nowhere a raven haired girl approached with her bubbly blonde friend not far behind. I hadn’t paid much attention to her but some part of me felt she may be important. The one thing I noticed of her was her almost knowing look. I used that as my que to stop staring at Larissa, I couldn’t take the chance of a yappy student risking my brand new job. As the two friends had passed I noticed that I missed Larissa talking to me for the second time that day, great first impression. “I'm so incredibly sorry, I think I missed what you said again, I'm not normally like this I have no idea what has come over me today-“ she cut me off again “It's quite alright, this school is definitely a lot to take in” I wasn’t about to tell her I hadn’t noticed a thing about the school. “I was just asking since we finished our tour if you would like to go grab a hot chocolate with me so we can talk a little about your job” “Oh, well I mean if you have the time this afternoon I wouldn’t mind going out with you” WRONG CHOICE OF WORDS WRONG CHOICE OF WORDS “haha umm I mean like going out to town with you” Absolutely kicking myself for the mistake of words She chuckles in return, definitely noticing the effect she holds on me now if she hadn’t before “then it's a date” I definitely hadn’t missed the very short wink she had given me after saying that. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The drive to the coffee shop was long but far from awkward. There was barely any exchange of words but words were not needed. Just being in the presence of such a goddess was enough for me, the talking could be saved for another time. We approached the coffee shop, The Wethervane,  it was quite the charming little place it fit perfectly into the small town. It had a modern yet cozy feel, with lots of wood accents, adorable red benches, a bit of greenery, and the amazing smell of coffee, quite a basic coffee shop but it definitely had its own charm and sense of community. We had ordered our drinks, her a simple hot chocolate and me a peppermint bark hot chocolate.  We only spent maybe five minutes talking about what my new job would entail before getting into our life stories, surprising I know, we spent what felt like hours talking about ourselves and I had a very good feeling we would get along more than swell.  After around 2 hours Larissa had checked the time and a second of panic washed over her. “I hate to cut this short but if we dont head back now I may miss my meeting.” she said in a sorry way. “It's quite alright, I need to unpack my stuff and get my classroom ready for Monday. We should do this again sometime.” I proclaimed  “I quite like that idea” she smiled “how about this Wednesday!” “That sounds perfect” I smiled back

[hismercytomyjustice]

Also, because I have nothing better to do with my life, here are the song inspos for my Bloodweave BG3 fic Ancient Books and Horror Stories title and chapter titles!

Mostly I pick them because of particular lines I like in songs that embody what I’m trying to write. Almost all my fanfics have song titles as their titles because I’m terrible with and get very stressed out about titles! Yay!

Songs beneath the cut to save people’s screens. I don’t think there’s any spoilers included for the fic if you’re a reader who wants to check these out.

I am apparently just very bored and feeling particularly introspective today. And also in a wildly yappy mood.

Oh, well! ┐(´∀｀)┌

Fic Title: Ancient Books and Horror Stories - Big Houses by Squalloscope

Heard this one originally on the podcast Welcome to Night Vale. It’s the weather for, I believe, episode 33. I’m not caught up on Night Vale, tho I did an actually get to meet Cecil Baldwin and Joseph Fink at one of their first live shows back in 2013. I even got a pic with them and an autograph and they are so beyond fucking nice. I fucking love their show and them.

This song ended up working better than I thought for the fic as a whole and I love it so much.

Chapter One: Why did it have to be me? from the Mamma Mia 2 Soundtrack. I’m sorry I’ve only ever really experienced ABBA through covers, please forgive. (ಥ﹏ಥ)

I struggled with this chapter title because it was originally gonna be “Ancient Books and Horror Stories” before I realized I wanted that to be the actual title. I like it tho! A little more upbeat than I necessarily wanted this chapter to feel, but captures the “helplessness” of falling in love with someone haha.

Chapter Two: All I Know is I Don’t Know a Thing - Dust and Ashes from The Great Comet of 1812 Musical

I fucking love The Great Comet of 1812. Hands down one of my fave musicals of all time. I am NOT IMMUNE to Josh Groban’s wiles.

I feel like Gale and Pierre have a lot in common, both being nice scholarly types who long for connection and a Great Love��.

Chapter Three: For I Sing Songs Until the Break of Dawn - Noel’s Lament from Ride the Cyclone

Not as familiar with this musical but love a few of the songs from it. Felt Noel envisioning himself as a sex worker really fit with how Astarion sort of views himself. Y’know minus the part of actually wanting to “be that fucked up girl.”

Chapter Four: This bottle of light from the sun - Calling the Moon by Dar Williams

I think this was actually an accident, oops. I was looking up the lyrics for Call on the Moon by D’Anna Stewart because I really liked it on the First Kill soundtrack (LET’S GO LESBIAN VAMPIRE LOVE STORY). I don’t know if I’ve ever heard the first song prior to me trying to find the lyrics again for this. OH WELL, still like the chapter title.

Chapter Five: Lucky to have what's left of your sanity - Digital Hallucination by OR3O

Spotify recommended this to me and it is a BANGER! Love OR30’s music in general (my fave is Greedy) even though I’m not super familiar with her inspiration for most of them. OR3O was the start of my descent into Electroswing, I fear, but damn if I’m not loving every minute of it.

Chapter Six: Give me one reason why I should live - I Imagine You’re Upset from Bat Boy

My bff in high school introduced me to the Bat Boy soundtrack. I thought she was joking at first. But here I am, still listening to it and loving it all these years later. Yay more vampire related inspo! Can you tell I like vampires?

Chapter Seven: A Hunger So Strong - Comfort and Joy from Bat Boy

MORE BAT BOY?! It’s more likely than you’d think!

Chapter Eight: Shared our Tears and Shed Our Sorrows - Stay, I Pray You from Anastasia

This is the result of me mishearing the actual lyrics of “shed our tears and shared our sorrows” and fucking loving the twist of expectations. OH WELL. More oopsies on my part. BUT I REGRET NOTHING.

Chapter Nine: I should be fine but it's all too much - Overwhelmed by Royal & the Serpent

Damn if this song doesn’t speak to my anxious ass OCD having self.

Chapter Ten: Sink your fangs into my soul - Hold Me, Bat Boy from Bat Boy

Uhhh only just now reading how many chapter titles are from Bat Boy. This was not intentional. WHOOPS.

Chapter Eleven: The Pretty Lies, the Ugly Truth - Teen Idle by Marina and the Diamonds

This group was introduced to my bff who used to listen to them a lot while I was riding in her car with her.

Chapter Twelve: How can nothing seem to last - This Too Shall Pass by Danny Schmidt

Heyyyy!!! More Night Vale weather! This time from episode eight! I started relistening to the podcast recently as well as their after show (this one included the weather artist) and came to really love this song.

Chapter Thirteen: Under a gathering storm - A Gathering Storm from Hadestown

Fucking LOVE the music from this musical. Yay Greek mythology too!!! Only been obsessed with that since I was I a literal child. Hermes has always been my fave, which is why I gravitate towards rogues/thieves in BG3 (coughAstarioncoughmyTavcough).

This may have actually begun my descent into Jazz related music and thereby Electroswing… And then Hazbin Hotel attacked…

Actually got to see this musical in person and loved every minute of it! Tho I’d suggest maybe knowing how the story of Orpheus and Eurydice plays out before going. Was with some friends who DID NOT and were a bit upset at the ending, haha.

Hmm. I’m sure there’s no parallels to that myth and this fanfic AT ALL.

Chapter Fourteen: Hoping you will ever find me in any place - The World from .hack//sign

Got into this anime around middle school/high school (can’t remember which) and fell in love with Yuki Kajiura’s music. Still listen to a bunch of songs from the .hack//sign soundtracks and used to actually own the CD haha. Really need to sit down and rewatch the anime it at some point.

…also just found out she composed some of the music for Demon Slayer and Aldnoah.Zero too. God she’s fucking amazing.

Chapter Fifteen: And they'll teach you not to pray to light - This Too Shall Pass by Danny Schmidt

LOOK WHO’S BACK. Didn’t realize I used this song twice but IF IT FITS!

Chapter Sixteen: At least then I would be free instead of frozen - I Think You’re the Devil by Ellee Duke

The vampire lesbian romance from First Kill is BACK BABY! And this time I didn’t confuse the song for a different one! Yay! Fucking obsessed with this song tho. Love so much of that soundtrack in general tbh.

Chapter Seventeen: I have Died only to Find I’ve Come Alive - Teen Idle by Marina and the Diamonds

Ayyy look who’s back! Another unintentional repeat but OH WELL. Apparently I have no self control. This is going to be part one of the two part epilogue!

Chapter Eighteen: Trees Instead of Gravestones - Big Houses by Squalloscope

And the only INTENTIONAL repeat in this whole thing is *drumroll* Big Houses!!! This is for part two of the two part epilogue!

Felt very fitting to “start” and end the fic with the same song. It’s also not lost on me that the song is kind of about dealing with religious trauma and embracing your spirituality your own way.

Between this and This Too Shall Pass, one might think there may be “complicated relationship with spirituality” undertones to this fic! Definitely couldn’t be inspired by me growing up in the Bible Belt! No siree!

Anyway, if you read this far, kudos to you! And if you check out any of the music, I hope you like it!

Did not intend to steal from so many vampire related songs, but OH WELL.

I literally went through my Spotify playlists looking up lyrics for songs I liked that I thought might fit and put the snippets I liked in a notes doc with no added context. So yeah, serendipity lol. Genuinely the only one I actually meant to use twice was Big Houses. Dunno how the rest of those repeats snuck in.

So, ahem, can you tell I fucking love musicals???

ꉂ (´∀｀)ʱªʱªʱª

[pan-fried-autism]

Lab Accident Chapter 4: Marching to the Hare

Characters: Swap!Leonid (@bowlerhatwearer), Swap!Jack, other people

Summary: Leonid finds his target.

Thursday, May 21.

Still don't know much about JacksnJackson.

Things I know and learned:

works at BUsiness finances Inc

28 year old

has wife?

apparently funny

Don't know the location of his residence.

With that, Leonid clicked his pen, putting the tip back into the chamber.

He lay back on his hotel room bed with a sigh.

He'd been trying for the past two days to find Jack, or at least his home... but he couldn't. He couldn't exactly ask his coworkers either-- to him, if he was here to visit Jack, wouldn't he already know? The man just never seemed to exist in the same area as him, too.

He sat up a bit, looking at his phone screen. The messages app was open.

'Hello, Detective. have you found my son yet? signed J Harris Sr.'

Leo couldn't help but giggle as he replied to Mr. Harris.

'No, I haven't yet. But I'm trying.'

Send.

Leonid went back to lying down, still unsure of what to do in the situation. Any thinking was interrupted, however, by a sound-- a rumbling from his stomach.

Leonid turned his head to the alarm clock by the bed.

5:09 pm.

Eh. Might as well get dinner.

Leonid sat up and picked his phone back up, going into Maps to search around New Anderville.

A few caught his eye-- The Coffery, Yappy Hour Bar and Grill, Minhs Din-Din, a downtown McDonalds, Pubbingtons, Greasy Joe's-- so he checked out their reviews.

Nothing too impressive, however... The Coffery only had fish and chips and liver and gravy as dinner options, Greasy Joe's was mainly for families with small kids, and the McDonalds had the 3rd lowest ratings of any McDonalds location worldwide.

That left Yappy Hour, Pubbingtons, and Minh's.

He decided to check out Yappy Hour a little more, seeing what they had on the menu... and something caught his eye.

'Boney Thursday today! From 5-8pm, all ribs and wings are half off! Try our delicious Mexican Grilled Ribs and Beer Battered Chicken Wings at a discount!'

Leonid's stomach growled.

He hadn't had ribs in a while.

The detective got out of bed, mind set on the prospect of ribs, and left the room.

---------------

No wonder they call this place Yappy Hour, thought Leo. It's LOUD in here.

In fact, it was so loud, Leonid didn't even hear the bell above the front door ring.

All around, he could see people at the tables and the bar, eating and chatting away while occasionally watching the sports on the TV. He felt himself cringe at the slight increase in noise as he walked up to the stand, where the seater stood.

They saw him and cleared their throat. “Table for?…”

“Table for one.”

“Just a moment.”

The seater walked away for a few seconds.

After those seconds, they came back, quickly grabbing a menu,

"I'll lead you to your table, sir."

Leonid followed the seater to a table, where one side had both seats, and the other had regular chairs.

As the seater placed the menu on the table, Leonid sat in a booth chair, reclining into the leather padding.

The seater leaned down a bit. "A waiter will be with you soon."

They left as quick as that.

Leo opened the menu, taking a look at some of the menu items (ginger beef on johnnycakes, spicy poutine, chicken wings and fries, hot-smoked salmon sandwich) as he sighed a bit.

He couldn't help looking around the pub as he moped in his thoughts. Look at me, he thought, sitting around in some pub while a kidnapping suspect is on the loose. What kind of detective am I?! His FAMILY'S paying me to find him and I can't even find one measly--

-- Holy shit.

Across from him was Jack Harris.

... Or at least he thought it was. From the back view at least, the hare matched the description of Jack-- chestnut brown fur, smoothly brushed headfur, wide eyes, mediocre fashion sense. He was sitting at a table with about four other people, all of them in different business garb.

It had to be him.

As he was looking, one of the people there happened to see him. Leo recognized him-- he was the grolar bear he first talked about Jack to. The man tapped the hare on the shoulder and started pointing to Leo, speaking words Leo couldn't hear over the other patrons. The hare turned around.

He looked exactly like Jack.

It HAD to be him.

The hare got up with a smile and walked over to Leonid, sitting down at the chair as Leonid continued gawking at him.

Finally, the hare opened his mouth and spoke.

"So... you're a college buddy, huh?"

Leo gulped a bit and composed himself. "UH. Yes."

The hare chuckled. "I didn't know a detective could have to go to the Missoury Economics Collegiate, let alone take courses in business."

"Wh-- how did you know I was a detective?"

"Ruben told me. Plus, your badge is sticking out of your pocket."

Sheepishly pushing the badge back down, Leonid cleared his throat and put on his best serious detective voice.

"Truthfully, I've never went to college with you. I'm Leonid Aksakov, Private Investigator."

"Jack Harris. Charmed."

I KNEW IT! Leonid shouted in his mind. Out loud, he continued.

"I've come to ask you some questions, Mr. Harris."

"About what?"

"Well... a few months ago, a woman named Grementine Mewton went missing. I was told you were a former associate of hers."

A strange look seemed to pass over Jack's face after he said that. Before Jack could respond, however, a shadow loomed over the table.

Leonid looked up and met the eye of the waiter-- a moose, looking to be around 8 feet tall. His nametag read "Steven".

"Are you gentlemen ready to order?" The moose asked in a deep, gentle voice.

Leonid's eyes flickered between him and Jack before he answered.

'I-- uh, yeah, we're ready."

Out of the corner of his eye, Leonid almost swore he saw Jack's eye twitch.

"Alright, then. I'm obliged to inform you that today is Boney Thursday, and you get half off any wings or ribs you order." the waiter replied.

"I'm aware, thank you." replied Leonid, going back to the menu.

Jack raised a finger. "If you can, I'll have a tall drink of water." he announced.

Steven the waiter chuckled a bit. "If you say so, Mr. Harris. What about you, sir?"

"Glass of Pepsi." piped Leo.

Steven wrote it down on the pad.

"Alright, Pepsi and water... what about your meals?

Leonid went back to the ribs and wings, looking over the potential foods-- Mexican Barbeque Ribs, Ginger Ribs & Peameal, Classic Hot & Smoky, Mooseback Ribs, and--

"... What are Maple Fried Ribs?"

"We coat the ribs in maple syrup and Panko breadcrumbs before deep frying them."

The detective grimaced. "I'll have the Mooseback Ribs."

"And for your side?"

"Uh... curly fries?"

"Got it."

"I'll have the Beer Battered Wings and a side salad, please." stated Jack.

Steven scribbled their orders down, before putting the notepad back in his pocket, simply saying, "Your orders will be ready in a little while."

With that, he sauntered away, giving Leonid a little wink as he did.

Flustered and a little confused, Leo shook away the blush on his face and refocused on Jack.

"Again, I'd like to ask you a few questions about Ms. Mewton." he restated.

"Sure, shoot!" Jack replied, elbows on the table and holding up his head.

Jack took the notepad he usually kept around in his backpocket, a golf pencil besides it. He took a deep breath.

Well, I know Ms. Mothgo didn't paint that good of a picture of you, he thought to himself. Let's see if you really ARE a piece of work.

"Alright, Jack-- what was Ms. Mewton like?"

Jack let out a dreamy sigh. "Beautiful... stunning... smart... tantalizing... feisty... mysterious... basically the most desirable woman you could ever ask for."

Trying not to frown, Leonid pencilled in his answer.

"What is your relationship to (or with) her?"

A wistful look with a touch of real sadness washed over Jack's face as he answered again. "She was... my first love. We dated for five positively dreamlike months until she... she dumped me. Since then, we'd see each other around sometimes, maybe talk a bit here and there."

Leonid nodded, writing that down as well (along with a little note reading 'Что за неудачник...').

"When did you see her last?"

"Back in November. The 15th I think. Saw her getting stuff at a grocery store and we chatted a bit."

"'Bout what?"

"Y'know... life stuff. How we were doing in them. She told me she was going away for a little bit."

Scribble scribble.

"Did you know her specific plans?"

"Naw, she wouldn't say. She was being weirdly secretive. That's part of why I like her so much. I love figuring out how she works."

Scribble scribble scribble scribble.

"Do you know anyone who may wish ill will upon her?"

"I know two."

Leonid raised his eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Her dads-- Lionel and Lupus Mewton. They never had a great relationship. Lionel's a doctor, Lupus is a bigshot lawyer, they had great expectations of her. Grem wasn't entirely keen on those expectations, and she could be a bit... troublesome, too."

Leo nodded. "Do you know where they live?"

"Hometon, Missoury, 45 [STREET NAME]."

The detective jotted it down.

"Now, I want to talk about something your cousin said... Does Paula Lopez ring a bell?"

Jack nodded. "Yeah, she's my aunt Luanne and Uncle Anton's kid. I'm guessing you know she took my house?"

"Yes. She mentioned you had a lot of 'weird pictures' of a girl in your house. I was wondering what that was about."

Jack scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "Man, ever since she married Cary, she's been overthinking everything. I get she's got little kids, but you don't gotta look into things so much! Anyway, I had a couple pictures of Grem around the house, mostly from when we were dating... they're just nice keepsakes. I left 'em behind when me and the wife moved."

A-HA.

Quickling scribbling that down, Leonid got to the last question:

"Can I hear about your wife?"

The dreamy look returned to Jack's face.

"Claire is... amazing." he sighed. "I couldn't ask for anyone better. She's so nice, and caring, and smart... I can see us staying together, til death do us part."

Leonid nodded again, writing this information down-- as well as underlining his wife's name.

"Thank you for answering all of my questions, Mr. Harris." Leonid stated, putting away the pad and pencil. "I hope it wasn't too botherso-"

The two were interrupted by plates.

Specifically plates being placed quite quickly in front of them (along with glasses, though they were drowned out by the sound of ceramic against hardwood). On Leonid's plate was a rack of very large ribs, over twice the size of any regular ribs he'd been given before, drowning in a spicy-smelling sauce. Next to it was a steaming pile of crispy curly fries. Jack's plate had 4-5 chicken wings in flaky batter, plus some Caesar salad.

The waiter-- Steven again-- looked down at them with a grin.

"Bon Appetit, you two."

----------------------------

Leonid only managed to finish half of the moose ribs.

As delicious as they were, he simply couldn't handle the amount of food he'd been given. He only got a third of the way through the fries, too.

While Leonid suffered where he sat, Jack picked the last of the meat off his wings using his large front teeth. Sitting back with a sigh, he chirped, "It was nice talkin' to you, detective. I hope I could answer your questions well!"

"Same for me," Leonid groaned out, "You've been a valuable source."

Steven the waiter came back with a checkbook and portable card scanner. "I'm here for the bill, now."

Leonid started reaching into his pocket, but Jack spoke up with "It's alright, Leonid." before taking out his wallet.

"You... You're paying for me?" Leo blurted.

Jack nodded sagely as he tapped his card again the machine.

A receipt was printed out (which Steven briefly scribbled on) before he gave it to Jack.

"Pleasure doing business with you, gentlemen." He crooned.

With that, the moose was gone again.

Jack briefly looked over the receipt before handing it to Leonid, explaining, "I think this is for you."

Leonid took a look of his own.

Under the amount paid was a phone number and a doodle of a moose.

Blushing furiously, Leonid stuffed it into his pocket before getting up.

"Well... I'm gonna be leaving now. I'd get a takeout box, but I don't think I can handle any more of this."

"Same here," Jack responded, "I don't think there's any room for the crumbs on my plate. I don't think my wife'll want 'em either."

"I see then. Goodbye, Harris."

"Bye, detective!"

So they both left.

In the parking lot, leaning against his car, Leonid took a drag off a cigarette as he reflected on his encouter with Jack.

Well... I know he's annoying, that's for sure. I'm still not sure if he IS a kidnapper, but... it's a bit weird how his wife has Grementine's original name. Plus, the way he answered didn't really feel right.

Oh well. Maybe his wife has answers?