#BUT it's still pending so i have to find the merchant

[beaversatemygrandma]

I deserve $1000 cash, a pound of weed, and a full gourmet cheese cake right now.

[wyrmwinds]

realizing that on top of Koryu SAM (Name STILL pending after so long) i have four (main) ffxiv OCs so i could assign them to the four lords for funsies. Not actual assignments ofc, but I thought it would be fun to draw them all together with the 4+1 Lords as a theme.

It's... surprisingly hard to get more in-depth, consistent information on what each beast represents, other than direction, element, and season. I tried finding virtues associated with each, but each source I found gave a different answer. I gave it my best shot, though!

Ava - Seiryu/Qinglong. Of course I'm giving Ava the dragon. While XIV associates him with water, he's more traditionally associated with wood/wind - Perfect for a dragoon who soars through the sky. It's also associated with leadership and gives luck with victory.

Sayin - Genbu/Xuanwu. The black tortoise seems to have roots in a form of fortune-telling where the tortoise would commune with ancestors in the realm of the dead. Fortune-telling and family are key aspects to Sayin's character. In addition, Genbu also is represented by the time of midnight.

Opheliaux - Byakko/Baihu. The biggest stretch. According to some, Byakko helps with business/money luck, and Opheliaux is a merchant. Byakko also seems to represent benevolence. Finally, Byakko is associated with the element of metal, written 金 (gold), and there's a link there with alchemy and the gold accents in Liaux's fashion.

Skay - Suzaku/Zhuque. Perhaps the most regal of the four lords, Suzaku gives fortune with love in Japanese astrology. According to some, the Vermillion Bird also leads one to immortality. Also, what Black Mage doesn't love a good Astral Fire?

I considered having Skay represent Genbu as the black tortoise is actually a tortoise and snake intertwined, and that dualistic nature could be cool to incorporate Baal into the mix -- plus, Genbu has an association with longevity as well.

I also pondered switching Byakko (Liaux) and Seiryu (Ava) as Byakko is a war deity and Seiryu also gives luck in business, but I was really adamant about giving Ava the dragon lol.

[cashappreviewus]

Your Cash App Refund Questions Answered: A Comprehensive FAQ Guide

What is Cash App?

Cash App is a mobile payment service that allows users to send and receive money through their smartphones. It is developed by Square Inc. and offers various features, including peer-to-peer money transfers, direct deposits, and Bitcoin trading.

Can I get a refund on Cash App?

Yes, you can request a refund on Cash App for certain transactions. If you accidentally sent money to the wrong person or made an unauthorized payment, you can request a refund from the recipient. Additionally, if a payment you made was for a product or service that you didn't receive or was unsatisfactory, you may also be eligible for a refund.

How do I request a refund on Cash App?

To request a refund on Cash App, follow these steps:

Open the Cash App on your smartphone.

Tap on the clock icon in the top-right corner to access the activity tab.

Locate the transaction you want a refund for and tap on it.

Select the "..." (three dots) option.

Choose "Refund" from the menu.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the refund request.

How long does it take to get a refund on Cash App?

The time it takes to receive a refund on Cash App may vary depending on several factors, such as the recipient's response and the processing time of the banks involved. Typically, it may take up to 10 business days to receive a refund, but it could be faster in some cases.

What if the recipient refuses to refund my payment?

If the recipient of your payment refuses to refund you for a legitimate reason, Cash App may not be able to force them to issue a refund. In such cases, you can contact Cash App support to report the issue and seek their assistance.

Can I cancel a payment before it's completed?

If the payment is still pending and hasn't been completed, you can cancel it by following these steps:

Open the Cash App.

Go to the activity tab (clock icon).

Find the pending payment.

Tap on the payment and select "Cancel Payment."

Are there any fees for requesting a refund on Cash App?

Cash App does not charge any fees for requesting a refund. However, keep in mind that if you are receiving a refund from a merchant, they may have their own policies regarding refunds, which could include restocking fees or other charges.

Does Cash App protect against scams and fraud?

Cash App has measures in place to protect users against scams and fraud. However, it's essential to be cautious and avoid sharing personal information with unknown individuals.

Is there a customer support number for Cash App?

Cash App primarily provides support through its app and website. They do not have a public customer support phone number. You can contact them within the app or through their official website for assistance.

Is there a limit on how many refunds I can request?

Cash App does not have a specific limit on the number of refunds you can request. However, it's essential to use the service responsibly and avoid abusing the refund feature.

Please note that Cash App's policies and features may change over time, so it's always a good idea to check their official website or contact their support for the most up-to-date information regarding refunds and other features.

[amrago]

What if - Writing exercises pt. 3. 2

I'm continuing the exercise I left pending because I was too busy to do.

So here are the prompts for a recap. I have to do from 2 to 6.

See, I have three given:Death and Birth Falling in love and filing for divorce Spring and summer.

Death and Birth

Falling in love and filing for divorce

Spring and summer.

My own:

Autumn and winter (that's a given lol)

Creating and object and destruction

Moving in and moving out

Let's get started then! Spring and summer. In the summer it snows so much everyone cannot leave their homes for days sometimes. Even if the sun is hot, that pink-ish thing still comes out from the sky and covers everything. But the flowers of Beltzah likes the snow. It fills them of colour and magic. Especially magic - and this is also why every summer foreigners would come and steal as much flowers as they can. Only for the flowers to turn themselves into coal only a day later. As far as the people fo Beltzah knew, no one ever successfully transplanted or used one of their flowers after that time period.

(I'm not high, i just turned it fantasy)

Autumn and winter Sarah hated autumn. She kept slipping on the wet leaves after the rain. She couldn't rake them all alone, with that bad back of hers. And no one was willing to help her, no one would ever come to her hut and clear the pathways for her. Winter was another matter. Sure there was ice that was more slippery than the wet leaves, but she didn't need to walk the tiny but long pathways. By the end of october she had everything she needed in her own house.

Creating an object. It was the chair of a king - and he took his time to complete it. It was painted with a special platinum and gold mixture (okay he was sure there was something more in it, but he wouldn't or couldn't prove this theory) that made the throne look like it was made of glass - or diamond even. He was proud of his work like an honest man should. But that paint didn't convince him enough. So he asked more time from the king to make another chair. But the new chair next to the old, glossy, diamond-like one was... horrible to say at least. The fucking paint it is then, he told himself while watching his two best creations next to one another. It was the more he looked at the magnificient chair the more bad feelings he had about it. Even if it was just a chair.

And here i am noticing that i made a mistake - I did two prompts with one beginning. Who cares - these beginning are awesome and I love them regardless.

Destruction. He then stopped looking. He took an axe and hit the chair as hard as he could with it, smashing it into pieces. It was evil, he told himself, That merchant did played a trick on me, huh? Selling me the paint... He didn't trust that chair enought to not do evil deed when burned into his own fireplace. So he took the pieces of wood, loaded a cart with it and went on the borders of the village. The then cursed. He forgot to take something to dig an hole with. He looked around. No one was around. He emptied the cart behind a bush, hoping and praying no one would find that tainted wood.

Welp! I went out of time this turn again. I don't have a lot of time to write in general due to my job and household duties. I'm going to do the last prompts when I can - probably Sunday or Monday.

[yloiseconeillants]

going through my old caps again while my work continues to be a clownfestival

i may have gone mad with power (lmao) when i realized that gpose was a thing i could in fact do on a console and there are a couple of really early quests in arr where the npcs are much more obliging to pose than in other scenarios and the very first thing i did with erasmus before even loading into the rest of balmung is take some couples photography w/ wymond? EDIT: MY GOD THAT IS THE SAKURA PARTICLE EFFECT I WAS OUT OF CONTROL.

idk why not - he saw erasmus off at the airship after all

my notes are a huge wreck rn with cramming for febhyurary, which i don’t think is going to be a thing after all (on this blog anyway, as mentioned, i simply do not have the content volume) BUT i do have an entire backstory plotted out for erasmus which came together really quickly and i have to wonder if i’m getting better at this or if i’m going to scrap it all in like two weeks (Yloise’s backstory literally went through at least three MAJOR alterations - I mean, like, she was a pirate at some point lmao).

Erasmus comes from a mining family who were just starting to reach a point of financial stability before the Calamity. He had already been apprenticing at the Goldsmith’s Guild for a few years at that point, but when his youngest brother is injured in an accident, he takes up adventuring to help support his family.

He’s got a close working relationship with an older Roegadyn merchant (or perhaps mentor goldsmith? whose name is still pending but I know what he looks like) who he absolutely ends up having an affair with until the merchant/goldsmith goes missing one day (UL’DAH MAFIA PLOT). This may have happened A While Ago, but it keeps Erasmus wary of doing any business as a sellsword outside of the Adventurer’s Guild.

He does have the Echo and I think he is also a WoL (in addition to Frederyk the Monk - my partner’s character, who is gonna stay up tonight and see if they can transfer into Mateus lol - and Yloise, Zezesu the Black Mage is not, which means I need to find some other DPS to join their adventuring party at some point). Fred and Erasmus were definitely part of an adventuring party together (and members of the Scions) before Yloise joined, and I think they defeated Ifrit without her (and lost their healer, who was tempered, in the process).

Joining the Scions went almost exactly the way it happened in the game - Thancred’s like ‘oh nice Echo there, go visit Momodi pls” whereas with Yloise, it’s a more formal process where Y’shtola petitioned Minfilia on Yloise’s behalf (so Yloise doesn’t do any of the early ARR dungeons, except maybe Sastasha, as a Maelstrom recruit on loan to the Adventurer’s Guild).

I think his eye injury is just a corneal abrasion, he’ll be fine in like a week. Scar’s gonna take a while though.

I have written THREE COMPLETELY SEPARATE AND UNRELATED DEATH SCENES for Erasmus and ended up scrapping every single one so I think my brain has given him plot armor. I may... make this into a whole thing with him, honestly. 

(if everyone else gets the death scene fakeouts, my WoLs certainly can)

[p-artsypants]

I Do...I Guess (2)

Mushroom Rock

Ao3 | FF.net

--

The chocobo eater was a great team building exercise, though Yuna’s new Aeon did a lot of the leg work. 

What was the name again? Ifeert? Oh well, Hot Dog it would be to Tidus. 

Zanarkand was really missing out on those Chocobos though. They were fun to ride, and pretty easy to handle...though they were a little smelly. 

Of course, Tidus tried to imagine riding one around back home, among the motorcycles and the cars...and thought that maybe the chocobos were fine here in Spira. 

The birds allowed for much quicker travel of the High Road, and they made it to the crusaders blockade before lunch. 

“A blockade?” Wakka wondered aloud. “But how else are we supposed to get to Djose?” 

“I’m sorry folks,” one of the nearby crusaders explained. “The road will be closed off during our operation. We’re very sorry for the inconvenience.” 

“We have to get through,” argued Lulu. “This is Summoner Yuna, and you are hindering her pilgrimage.” 

“I’m sorry. Summoner or not, I have strict orders not to let anyone pass.” 

It was then that Wakka made the startling discovery. “Hey, there’s Al Bhed here.” 

“The Al Bhed and the Crusaders are teaming up?” Asked Yuna. 

Wakka frowned. “What kind of operation needs the Al Bhed a part of it?” 

“I find myself asking the same question.” A wispy voice interrupted. 

The party turned to see Maester Seymour joining the fray. He seemed none too bothered by the presence of those so-called heathens. 

He almost looked excited. 

“Lady Yuna? Is there something the matter?” 

Tidus felt an uncomfortable crawling sensation in his veins. This blue haired clown really made his skin crawl. Jealousy, the others might say. But no, he could read those sleazy bedroom eyes from a mile away. 

How old was this dude anyway? Should he be allowed to look at Yuna like that? 

Why did he care? He wondered. He was a guardian now, so obviously he was watching out for her. 

And a pending marriage proposal, his subconscious reminded him politely. He had managed to forget about that all morning. 

“We need to get through to continue my pilgrimage,” Yuna said simply. 

Tidus really admired that she didn’t try any persuasion at that moment. No beating her enchanting mismatched eyes, or pitching her voice up like so many girls had done to him.

She didn’t even say please. 

“I’ll take care of it.” Seymour smiled. 

Tidus mimed a gagging motion at Kimahri, but the joke was wasted on the stoic ronso. 

Miraculously, Seymour did take care of it. They were waved on almost immediately, much to the chagrin of Dona, who was asked to stay back. 

They were prompted forward, down the Mushroom Rock trail, to the beach and the command post, where everything was going down. 

The Mi’ihen Highroad was lush with greens. A perfect day with ideal blue skies, with happy chocobos fluttering around. 

But the closer they got to the operation, the grayer the sky, the drier the ground, and the more fierce the fiends. 

Yuna shivered slightly as they entered a valley. 

“You okay, Yuna?” Tidus asked. 

“Oh, yes. Just got a chill up my spine.” She came a little closer to him and admitted. “I don’t know why, but I got a sense of dread all of a sudden.” 

“What’s the operation all about, anyway?” 

“I’m not sure. But I suppose we’ll find out more when we reach the command post.” 

They found out plenty when they crested the hill and found a half a dozen machina canons all lined up and pointed out to sea. 

The horror on his teammates faces proved that whatever was going on was likely very heretical. 

“What are all these Machina doing here?” Asked Wakka. 

A crusader answered. “We Crusaders and Al Bhed share the same dream. To be rid of Sin forever! And if we can take the burden away from the summoners, we’re going to try!” 

It was a noble cause, Tidus thought. He had seen the devastation that Sin was capable of. Were these little canons good enough?” 

They were explained the situation. A huge canon sat on the cliff side, easily big enough to wipe out a city if they weren’t careful. And there was an army on the beach, ready to fight and distract with swords. 

He hoped this would all work, maybe then Yuna could stop her journey. 

Maybe Sin would come to shore and he would go home, and then he wouldn’t have to come up with an answer for Yuna’s marriage proposal. 

He felt like maybe all these things were unlikely, and that only the worst was to come. 

The army was still preparing, and there was no sign of Sin, though the bait was set and waiting. 

Tidus spotted a familiar merchant standing back, behind the cliff wall. 

“O’aka, right?” 

“Ah, so my name is catching on, eh?” 

“Well...maybe. We rode in the boat over from Kilika, remember?” 

“Oh yes. I never forget a face! You lent me a pretty penny, and for that, I’m grateful. Are you after anything? I have a special rate because of the operation.” 

“Do you...have any rings?” 

“Rings? Ah yes, all sorts of magic wards. And they’re pretty too!” 

Tidus had been given an allowance for such an occasion. 

O’aka displayed his tray of jewelry, with about a dozen different choices on it. Golds and silvers, with all sorts of jewels. 

“What about this one?” He pointed to a silver and blue one, with a very intricate design. 

“Excellent choice! A real heavy hitter! Stone, water, fire, and lightning proof, and it's blessed!” 

“How much?” 

“For you my friend, only 9999!” 

Tidus opened and closed his mouth in shock. “Uhhh...” 

“What are you doing?” Auron asked, coming up behind him. 

He yelped in surprise, and then tried to school his expression into something that didn’t look like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Uhh...just looking at rings.” 

“For Yuna?” 

O’aka’s eyes widened. “For Lady Summoner Yuna? My my, how interesting!” 

“Mind your own business!” Tidus scolded with a blush. 

“So you decided to say yes?” Auron asked. 

“Not...completely. I’m still thinking things through...I just want to be prepared. You know? I thought, maybe having it would help me think.”

“A wise decision.” Auron took out a sack of Gil and handed it to O’aka, then took the ring, and a thicker, plainer band. “You get one too.” 

“Oh. Right.” For now, Tidus just pocketed them, and decided to concentrate on the mission. 

A mission that was doomed to fail, according to Maester Seymour and Kinoc. 

“Let them keep dreaming.” They said. It was almost an admission to a genocide. 

Everybody here, crusaders, Al Bhed, and a few Yevonites, they were all fighting for peace. For calm. 

And yet, these ‘Holy Men’ had laughed behind their backs. 

Tidus had nothing against the temples. Faith and prayer were vital in keeping hope in such a dismal world. But these Maesters smelled heavily of nepotism and flagrant thirst for power. 

In Zanarkand, such men would find places of power. In government, in business, on boards and councils. But of the religions back home, he thought of them as pious and self sacrificing. 

Not whatever these two men were. 

How many others were like this? How many others were willing to sacrifice people? 

Why wasn’t anyone speaking up? 

They shouldn’t have come. They should have stayed at the blockade, or gone back to stay another night at the Travel Agency. 

But no. Now Tidus was in the water, rapidly chasing down his old man. The beach was littered with bodies and shrapnel of destroyed Machina. The operation had failed catastrophically, and yet, all he could do was swim on, chasing. 

He wouldn’t let this opportunity pass him by. 

But Sin was gone. Just as Jecht had vanished from his life, so had the beast once again. Giving no answers, leaving more questions, and leaving oblivion it's wake. 

How long had he been passed out for? Minutes? Hours? He wasn’t sure. The wet sand pressed against his back as he washed ashore. All his chasing and he was back. 

“There you are! You good, brudda?” Wakka hurried to him and pulled him to his feet. 

“Yeah. Just...I just fell.” 

And he had. He had been up top fighting that Sinspawn before he fell below. So it wasn’t a complete lie. He just didn’t want to explain to Wakka that he had tried to chase down the biggest menace on Spira because of a childhood grudge. 

“Where’s Yuna?” He asked instead. 

“Talking to Maester Seymour.” He pointed up towards the ridge. Yuna stood there, head bowed as Maester Seymour stood too close, speaking to her. 

“I gotta go.” 

“I don’t know man, seems like a private conversation.” 

“Like I care!” Tidus staggered to his feet and hurried over to her. He stood below the ridge, just out of sight, but not out of earshot. 

“…so you mustn’t cry.” Seymour preached. “You must be a beacon of light to Spira, you must be strong for these survivors.”

“I know,” Yuna said, in a tender voice. “But some of these people were my friends, and I want to grieve their loss.” 

“Yuna, being a summoner means removing your emotions from those around you. You can care, but not too much. You know that, right?” 

Tidus wanted to grab that cretin by the robes and push him into the sea. Maybe Sin would come back and swallow him. Was that too much to ask?

“I understand. Thank you, Maester Seymour.” 

The man patted her head, like she was a dog, and moved on. 

Yuna stood there for a moment, just staring at the ground. 

“Yuna?” Tidus spoke behind her. 

She turned, and saw him just below her on the ridge. She nodded with resolve and sat down on the edge. “Will you help me down?” 

He held his arms up for her, and she took hold of his shoulders. She slid down, to stand with him, keeping her eyes locked with his. “Thank you.” 

“Anytime. You okay?”

She just nodded. Then added, “I have a sending to do.” 

So he let her go, and watched as she began her dance. 

A dance devoid of joy, of fun, of merriment. It was still graceful, and haunting, but the tightness in her face contrasted with the fluid movement in her body. 

Sobs and wailing filled the air, as survivors of the massacre witnessed their friends and family rise as Pyreflies into the air.

If it was up to him, she’d stop dancing. So she could stop hiding her sorrows. 

Her strength did amaze him, though. He watched as she danced up and down that beach, long after the sun had set. She wouldn’t allow one soul to not be sent. They already suffered, they didn’t need to remain as fiends. 

Long after Seymour and Kinoc left, long after the other guardians set up camp, Tidus still followed Yuna down the beach. All the way to the other end, before she collapsed in exhaustion. 

“Yuna?” He asked softly. 

“I just need a moment,” she breathed.

She sprawled out on the sand, and Tidus wondered if she cared about it getting in her hair. 

She looked exhausted. Her lips pulled into a tight line, and her eyes were shut hard. 

“Why did this have to happen?” She asked aloud, mostly hypothetical, but loud enough for him to hear. 

“Because people were sick of Sin. And death was a better alternative to sitting and twiddling their thumbs.” 

She sighed. “My mind knows that, but my heart...”

He sat in the sand beside her, just a hands length away. “You know, it’s okay to cry.” 

She shook her head.

“Even I let out a few tears back there, and most of these people were complete strangers. You knew some of them.”

“I have to be strong. Summoners are a pillar of strength to the people of Spira.”

“So I heard,” he shrugged. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t ever cry.” 

“I don’t want to.” She protested. “I want my journey to be full of laughter, and you’ve been so good about helping with that. Don’t tell me to cry.” 

“Fine. I’m not going to make you cry. Just...sometimes, being happy isn’t possible. Then it’s the best to just be less sad.” 

Yuna turned to look at him, but didn’t say anything. 

“Maybe I don’t know anything about Yevon, or hardly anything about life. But I think grief is when you love too much, and you can’t give it. I think if I saw a summoner cry from loss, I would feel better. My future, my world, is in the hands of someone who loves.” 

Yuna hummed softly, garnering his attention. She had streaks on her cheeks, but he politely chose not to mention it. “What happened here was a tragedy, but for a moment, everyone was United and working together, and I thought it was really beautiful. So maybe it was bad...but not all bad.” 

“Feel better?” 

“Yeah...not happy, but less sad.” She sat up, dusting the sand from her clothes. She admired the stars above and the crashing of waves before pushing to stand. “We should get back soon, before they worry.” 

“We will,” Tidus assured. “But I want to ask you something first.” 

“Alright?” 

With resolve he hadn’t felt in a while, he took the ring out of his pocket, and got down on one knee. “You know, it might feel like weird timing, but I want to help.” 

“Tidus?” 

He held the ring up to her. “Yuna, will you marry me?” 

She just stared at him for a long time. 

“I know you asked me, but back home, it’s kind of tradition for the guy to ask. Hope you don’t mind?” 

“So...you’re accepting my proposal?” 

“Only if you accept mine.” 

She laughed, a genuine smile breaking out on her face. “Alright. I accept!” 

He smiled too, and pushed to his feet. Then he held out for her hand and slipped the ring on for her. 

“I never thought I’d propose to a girl I wasn’t dating.” He joked. 

“Already getting cold feet?” 

He shook his head, before gathering her into a hug. 

Yuna was startled for only a moment, before snuggling into his arms. 

“Whatever you need, you come to me, okay?” He asked. “If you need to laugh, or cry, or a hug. I’m your man.” 

Yuna smiled into the embrace. “Yes, you are my man.”

[usjenniferlopez]

How To I Get Refund on Cash App?

There’s no doubt that Cash App is a great online platform that allows you to send and receive money from friends and family. You’ve probably used Cash App to send money to a friend or a relative, and you must have loved its simplicity and convenience. But have you ever wondered what happens when you accidentally send money to a person you don’t know via Cash App? Here is our guide on how to get Cash App refund.

Getting a refund if you’ve accidentally sent money to someone you don’t know is never easy. Well, it may be impossible if the receiver has accepted the payment and is not willing to send it back. Generally, your best chance of getting a refund on Cash App is to know the platform’s refund policy and the procedure.

Obviously, Cash App refund is a sensitive issue that needs to be taken seriously just in case you accidentally send money to the wrong person. Let’s, therefore, look at how you can navigate through this unfortunate situation.

Can You Cancel a Payment?

It’s impossible to cancel a Cash App to Cash App payment. This is because they are instant, and you can’t cancel from your end, especially if the recipient has accepted the payment.

On the other hand, you can have the chance to cancel a payment if the recipient hasn’t accepted it. If the payment receipt is still displaying the cancel option, then you have a chance to cancel.

Can the Recipient Refund Your Payment?

Yes. In fact, this is your best option if you’ve accidentally sent money to the wrong person. If the recipient is not crooked and is willing to refund the payment, you can ask him/her to do the following:

Tap the clock icon on their Cash App home screen Select that particular payment Tap, select refund, and press OK.

If this process is successful, the funds will be sent back to your Cash App balance instantly. The funds can also be sent back to your credit card if you sent it to the wrong person from your credit card.

What if the Recipient is Uncooperative?

We all know that the world is full of crooked people. You can be on the receiving end if you accidentally send money to the wrong recipient, and he/she is unwilling to refund the payment.

Generally, it’s not advisable to use Cash App to buy things online, especially from people you do not know. This is because the platform doesn’t have a buyer protection policy in place to protect consumers from crooked merchants.

That being said, it’s impossible to receive cash refunds if you sent money through Cash App Card. However, you can get a refund if the merchant is cooperative and is willing to process credit adjustments. The amount can then be returned to your Cash App.

Keep in mind that Cash App is not responsible for the safety and legality of any transaction and will let you handle the dispute directly with the merchant.

What is the Refund Timeline?

As we noted earlier, Cash App to Cash App payment refunds will reflect instantly if the wrong recipient agrees to refund the cash app money. On the other hand, it can take 2-7 business days to process a refund that involves credit cards.

How to Refund On Cash App?

Now, if you someone have sent money to your Cash App account by mistake, you can refund them as well. In that case, Cash App has a simple procedure to initiate a refund directly from the app. To pay using Cash App is very easy. Also, refunding a payment is as easy as that.

Anybody can make a mistake and send you a payment. Also, if you are returning a purchased product, you can refund the money that you have paid via Cash App. There are many reasons that you would want to refund a payment. And, with Cash App, refusing money is not an issue at all. Let’s learn how to refund payment on Cash App in a step by step manner.

Steps to Follow

Launch the Cash App on your phone and log in to your account if you haven’t already

Now, tap on the ‘Activity’ icon that looks like a clock from the bottom right corner of the screen

A list of all the previous transactions would appear. Simply, tap on the transaction that you want to refund from the list

Now, tap on the ‘horizontal 3 dots’ icon from the top right corner of the screen to bring out the overlay menu

Next, tap on the ‘Refund’ button from the menu

And, tap on the ‘OK’ button finally

That is how you refund payment on Cash App. Now, the refund will be processed instantly if the payment was sent from the sender’s Cash App balance or a debit card. Plus, if the payment was made from a credit card, the refund will be sent to the exact credit card as well. However, if the payment cannot be refunded to the sender’s Cash App balance, it will be returned to the originating card of the sender.

In short, the money you are refunding will be returned to the exact same source it was received from, be it a debit card, bank account, Cash App balance, or a credit card. Typically, all P2P (Peer-to-Peer) refunds will take place instantly. However, in the case of some merchants, the refund could take up to 10 days.

How to Request a Payment in Cash App?

If you have made a payment by mistake on Cash App, then you can request a refund from the receiver. In that case, the receiver can easily refund the money by accepting your request. However, it is totally up to the receiver, whether they refund the payment or not. There is nothing Cash App authority could do.

So, once again, you should be very careful while sending a payment via Cash App. Because all the transactions in Cash App are instant. There’s no refund button or feature to get a refund without the help of the receiver of the payment. Now, if you have already made a payment by mistake, you can send a request to the receiver for retiring or refunding the money. Here’s how to do that…

Steps to Follow

Launch the Cash App on your smartphone

Now, navigate to the ‘Cash’ tab from the bottom of the screen, the icon will look like a dollar sign

Next, enter the amount you want to request

Now, you can select any user from the suggested list below. You can also select multiple people to request money from

In addition, you can also add a tiny note with the request in the ‘For’ box

After you have selected everything needed, review the request once again

And, finally, tap on the ‘Request’ button from the top right corner of the screen

Instantly, the request will be sent to the users you have included. Now, if they refund the money or send the money that you have requested, you will have to accept it for the first time only. In case, you have already received payment from the same user previously, you will not have to accept it.

The payment will be deposited on your account automatically. Matter of fact, anybody can send you money via Cash App without receiving any type of request from you as well. Now, let’s learn how to accept payment in Cash App from a new sender.

How To Accept Payment in Cash App?

Steps to Follow

Launch and log in to Cash App using the required login credentials

Now, tap on the ‘Activity’ tab from the bottom right corner of the screen. The icon will look like a clock

Next, navigate to the ‘Pending’ tab there

Here you will find all the requests you have made to all the other users. If anybody has accepted your request and sent you money, you will find a green-coloured ‘Accept’ button next to the transaction

So, tap on the ‘Accept’ button from next to the name of the user that has sent you the money

At that moment, a popup will appear asking you to confirm the payment. So, tap on the ‘Confirm’ button from the bottom of the screen

Finally, tap on the ‘Done’ button

In doing so, the amount will be deposited into your Cash App account. Interestingly, you will not have to confirm any new payments from this user in the future anymore. The payment will be deposited automatically in an instant from the next time.

The Cash App refund can be a complicated issue if you accidentally send money to a recipient who is not willing to refund the payment. This is because Cash App payments are instant. There’s nothing you can do once the recipient accepts the payment and is unwilling to refund the funds.

With that in mind, it’s imperative to be extra careful when using Cash App. Make sure that you confirm all the details before hitting the send button. This is your best chance of avoiding the complicated Cash App refund.

[cashapphelpbook]

Cash App Refund - How Do I Get a Refund on Cash App?

There’s no doubt that Cash App is a great online platform that allows you to send and receive money from friends and family. You’ve probably used Cash App to send money to a friend or a relative, and you must have loved its simplicity and convenience. But have you ever wondered what happens when you accidentally send money to a person you don’t know via Cash App? Here is our guide on how to achieve a Cash App refund.

Getting a refund if you’ve accidentally sent money to someone you don’t know is never easy. Well, it may be impossible if the receiver has accepted the payment and is not willing to send it back. Generally, your best chance of getting a refund on Cash App is to know the platform’s refund policy and the procedure.

Obviously, Cash App refund is a sensitive issue that needs to be taken seriously just in case you accidentally send money to the wrong person. Let’s, therefore, look at how you can navigate through this unfortunate situation.

Can You Cancel a Payment?

It’s impossible to cancel a Cash App to Cash App payment. This is because they are instant, and you can’t cancel from your end, especially if the recipient has accepted the payment.

On the other hand, you can have the chance to cancel a payment if the recipient hasn’t accepted it. If the payment receipt is still displaying the cancel option, then you have a chance to cancel.

Can the Recipient Refund Your Payment?

Yes. In fact, this is your best option if you’ve accidentally sent money to the wrong person. If the recipient is not crooked and is willing to refund the payment, you can ask him/her to do the following:

·         Tap the clock icon on their Cash App home screen

·         Select that particular payment

·         Tap, select refund, and press OK.

·         How Do You Get A Cash App Refund

If this process is successful, the funds will be sent back to your Cash App balance instantly. The funds can also be sent back to your credit card if you sent it to the wrong person from your credit card. 

What if the Recipient is Uncooperative?

We all know that the world is full of crooked people. You can be on the receiving end if you accidentally send money to the wrong recipient, and he/she is unwilling to refund the payment.

Generally, it’s not advisable to use Cash App to buy things online, especially from people you do not know. This is because the platform doesn’t have a buyer protection policy in place to protect consumers from crooked merchants.

That being said, it’s impossible to receive cash refunds if you sent money through Cash App Card. However, you can get a refund if the merchant is cooperative and is willing to process credit adjustments. The amount can then be returned to your Cash App.

Keep in mind that Cash App is not responsible for the safety and legality of any transaction and will let you handle the dispute directly with the merchant.

What is the Refund Timeline?

As we noted earlier, Cash App to Cash App payment refunds will reflect instantly if the wrong recipient agrees to refund the money. On the other hand, it can take 2-7 business days to process a refund that involves credit cards.

How to Refund On Cash App?

Now, if you someone have sent money to your Cash App account by mistake, you can refund them as well. In that case, Cash App has a simple procedure to initiate a refund directly from the app. To pay using Cash App is very easy. Also, refunding a payment is as easy as that.

Anybody can make a mistake and send you a payment. Also, if you are returning a purchased product, you can refund the money that you have paid via Cash App. There are many reasons that you would want to refund a payment. And, with Cash App, refusing money is not an issue at all. Let’s learn how to refund payment on Cash App in a step by step manner.

·         Launch the Cash App on your phone and log in to your account if you haven’t already

·         Now, tap on the ‘Activity’ icon that looks like a clock from the bottom right corner of the screen

·         A list of all the previous transactions would appear. Simply, tap on the transaction that you want to refund from the list

·         Now, tap on the ‘horizontal 3 dots’ icon from the top right corner of the screen to bring out the overlay menu

·         Next, tap on the ‘Refund’ button from the menu

·         And, tap on the ‘OK’ button finally

That is how you refund payment on Cash App. Now, the refund will be processed instantly if the payment was sent from the sender’s Cash App balance or a debit card. Plus, if the payment was made from a credit card, the refund will be sent to the exact credit card as well. However, if the payment cannot be refunded to the sender’s Cash App balance, it will be returned to the originating card of the sender.

In short, the money you are refunding will be returned to the exact same source it was received from, be it a debit card, bank account, Cash App balance, or a credit card. Typically, all P2P (Peer-to-Peer) refunds will take place instantly. However, in the case of some merchants, the refund could take up to 10 days.

How to Request a Payment in Cash App?

If you have made a payment by mistake on Cash App, then you can request a refund from the receiver. In that case, the receiver can easily refund the money by accepting your request. However, it is totally up to the receiver, whether they refund the payment or not. There is nothing Cash App authority could do.

 So, once again, you should be very careful while sending a payment via Cash App. Because all the transactions in Cash App are instant. There’s no refund button or feature to get a refund without the help of the receiver of the payment. Now, if you have already made a payment by mistake, you can send a request to the receiver for retiring or refunding the money. Here’s how to do that…

·         Launch the Cash App on your smartphone

·         Now, navigate to the ‘Cash’ tab from the bottom of the screen, the icon will look like a dollar sign

·         Next, enter the amount you want to request

·         Now, you can select any user from the suggested list below. You can also select multiple people to request money from

·         In addition, you can also add a tiny note with the request in the ‘For’ box

·         After you have selected everything needed, review the request once again

·         And, finally, tap on the ‘Request’ button from the top right corner of the screen

Instantly, the request will be sent to the users you have included. Now, if they refund the money or send the money that you have requested, you will have to accept it for the first time only. In case, you have already received payment from the same user previously, you will not have to accept it.

 The payment will be deposited on your account automatically. Matter of fact, anybody can send you money via Cash App without receiving any type of request from you as well. Now, let’s learn how to accept payment in Cash App from a new sender.

How To Accept Payment in Cash App?

·         Launch and log in to Cash App using the required login credentials

·         Now, tap on the ‘Activity’ tab from the bottom right corner of the screen. The icon will look like a clock

·         Next, navigate to the ‘Pending’ tab there

·         Here you will find all the requests you have made to all the other users. If anybody has accepted your request and sent you money, you will find a green-colored ‘Accept’ button next to the transaction

·         So, tap on the ‘Accept’ button from next to the name of the user that has sent you the money

·         At that moment, a popup will appear asking you to confirm the payment. So, tap on the ‘Confirm’ button from the bottom of the screen

·         Finally, tap on the ‘Done’ button

In doing so, the amount will be deposited into your Cash App account. Interestingly, you will not have to confirm any new payments from this user in the future anymore. The payment will be deposited automatically in an instant from the next time.

Cash App Refund Conclusion

The Cash App refund can be a complicated issue if you accidentally send money to a recipient who is not willing to refund the payment. This is because Cash App payments are instant. There’s nothing you can do once the recipient accepts the payment and is unwilling to refund the funds.

With that in mind, it’s imperative to be extra careful when using Cash App. Make sure that you confirm all the details before hitting the send button. This is your best chance of avoiding the complicated Cash App refund.

For more Visit here – The Cash App Contact

[musubiki]

🅱️ls tell me more about the merchant so I can make him the moodboard he deserves

👀

i talked a lil bit about him here, but heres some more!!!

- as per usual for the mood boards…his favorite oreos are………………………the mystery flavor oreos LOL

- he’s almost always smiling/grinning!! only times he’s not is when his wares spoil and/or he somehow got ripped off or lost some money

- a total con man. he will try to market his unfavorable goods to you. do not listen. just buy what you went there to buy and leave before you gets you to spend more than what you want

- this is why the merchant doesn’t have many friends (if any at all) and also why no one really challenges his prices. they just wanna buy shit and LEAVE before he tries to sell them. like. some pencils or something

- mochi and lime are one of the few guilds that actually take some time to talk to him/give him a hard time. he both loves and hates them for it

- has a policy of no fighting near his shop. sometimes two witches will end up going to him at the same time. the merchant’s shop is a neutral zone and all scuffles will be done at least 20 miles from his present location

- surprisingly, he doesn’t seem to mind being a loner. he’s just enjoying his life. he doesn’t even have a lil friend to keep him company. he’s just riffin

- mochis offered to summon a little flame wisp for him as a little friend, but he refused. guess he just likes his alone time

- doesn’t seem to have a home either. when he’s not found wandering with his backpack or setting up shop in some town, he's just camping out by some fire in the wilderness. 

- animals don’t seem to mind him

- easy to run into at random, but if you go looking for him, its almost impossible to find him. why? no one knows. just stop looking and he’ll pop up soon.

- also a regular at the underground fighting ring/goods market, where there are plenty other shady salesmen selling their wares. sometimes you can get unique stuff down there, but the merchant prides himself on having the highest quality goods

- i think……he might have a scarier, unhinged form. for when someone steals his backpack. still working on the beta but he., definitely changes form. to some degree.

- i WANT to say hes a pun master because he gives off that vibe, but doing so would require ME to make the puns so lets just say pun master pending..,…depending on how much effort i wanna put into his puns..

- even though he has no home/family/whatever, he claims to come from the mountain region. everyone just says “yeah okay that makes sense.” the mountain region has too much weird shit that they just accept it. normal mountain region stuff

- seems to be known far and wide. hed show up somewhere and the most unlikely people would be like “oh the merchant? yeah i know that guy. he sold me a rotten tomato once.”

- no backstory. no history. no past, present, or future relationships. no records. claims to have a homeland, but its unconfirmed and foggy at best. no friends. no family. nothing to spend his money on. no information to be had. and no questions asked or answered

- when mochi (and most witches) find this out they feel bad for him??? and a lot of them (mochi included) offer to let him live with them, hang out sometime, make friends or whatever, and he refuses. usually with a grin and a joking remark, but refuses nonetheless. no one knows why. mochi thinks it has something to do with the inscriptions on his arms, but again, it’s unconfirmed and foggy at best.

- and i can’t stress this enough but Sullivan DOES NOT LIKE THE MERCHANT.

- not that he hates him, but the merchant is maybe the only person in the hundred-thousand-something years Sullivan has been alive, that he has no idea what this man is. and Sullivan is supposed to be like. the information archive. he keeps the info/records on everything and everyone. hes the guy witches go to for information on LITERALLY everything,. and he has nothing on the merchant. NOTHING,. it’s unnerving and unsettling and it makes his stomach sick and he doesn’t like the implications behind it.

- also keep in mind sullivan is also like. lord of the underworld, the gatekeeper between life and death, maybe one of the most powerful members of the magic community. hes been alive for so long and has been everywhere, seen everything, he doesnt hate people easily, or at all. again, hes like a hundred-thousand-something years old (and still fairly young for an undertaker), so even despite these interactions he has with mochi, lime, murda, pom, everyone, theyre essentially a moment passing by for him. he sees them more like mice. children, really. to be taken seriously, but not for long (at least for him). hes nearly all-knowing and on another plane of reality than the rest of the magic community. he operates more like a brick wall than anything (with some teasing here and there to entertain himself), but the merchant….,.,.,..he does not like him. 

- the merchant knows Sullivan doesn’t like him. he has no comment on the matter other than an ominously cheerful laugh and an “Old horn-brains gotta lighten up a bit! Maybe buy some lizard tongues from Fichard Mire! Fresh in stock!” 

- i cant emphasize or convey how much the ability to unnerve Sullivan is terrifying to me. 

- i dont know how else to describe that Sullivan is both an unstoppable force and an immovable object, and this one fucking guy, who poses no outward threat to anything but your wallet, upsets that. 

- honestly, i personally am horrified of the merchant i have no idea what he is and im terrified to delve deeper into him to find out

[sea-and-storm]

KJRN, THE CRAFTY CORSAIR

* Here’s the redone version of Kjrn! Ignore the other profile going around!

[ BASIC INFORMATION ]

[FULL NAME]   Kjrn Fythe.

[PRONOUNCED]   Kee-ehrn Faiythe (rhymes with lithe).

[ALIASES]   None at present. At least, none to which she’ll answer.

[GENDER]   Female.

[AGE]  Somewhere in her 80s-90s, but appears approx. early to mid-thirties.

[NAMEDAY]   21st Sun of the Fourth Umbral Moon (8/21).

[RACE]   Rava Viera

[RELIGION]   Non-practicing.

[LANGUAGES]   Common, Dalmascan.

[ACCENT]   Icelandic, by real world standards.

[HANDEDNESS]   Ambidextrous.

[ APPEARANCE ]

[HAIR]   A mid-back length mess of loose brunette waves, generally pulled forward to drape over one shoulder. Soft and silky smooth, its care obviously involved much love and attention – and vanity.Touch at your own risk.

[EARS]   Short-furred, not overly long, and standing straight upright, with the same brown of her hair giving way into some white dappling towards their tips. 

[EYES]   Pale, rosy pink.

[COMPLEXION]   Medium tan with coppery undertones.

[HEIGHT]   6′2″ (before ears)  -  7′0″ (with ears)

[BUILD]   She’s neither muscle-rippling powerhouse nor dramatically curved bombshell, but equal enough between both to boast both a bit of shapeliness as well as being sturdier than one might expect.

[POSTURE]   Upright, cool, and cocksure are all good ways to put it.

[SCARS]   If she has any scars, she goes to great lengths to conceal them and she’s certainly not going to tell you about them.

[MARKINGS]   A set of three white markings almost always don her face, set in patterns of lines and dots. It’s an odd, almost tribal touch to a woman who for all else seems to rebuke her more traditional origins. She doesn’t seem wont to speak of their meaning.

[MANNER OF DRESS]   Kjrn is quite fond of nice clothing that shows off her wealth, and she has somewhat of a weakness for jewelry and gems. It’ll be a cold day in the seventh hell before you catch her willingly garbed in something drab or of low quality make.

[ COMBAT SKILL ]

[COMBAT CLASS]   Gunslinger.

[MELEE PROFICIENCY]   None  |  Low  |  Intermediate  |  High  |  Masterful

[RANGED PROFICIENCY]   None  |  Low  |  Intermediate  |  High  |  Masterful

[MAGICAL PROFICIENCY]   None  |  Low  |  Intermediate  |  High  |  Masterful

[HEALING PROFICIENCY]   None  |  Low  |  Intermediate  |  High  |  Masterful

[ATTRIBUTES] - - -  STRENGTH:   11 (+0) - - -  DEXTERITY:    15 (+2) - - -  CONSTITUTION:   11 (+0) - - -  INTELLIGENCE:   15 (+2) - - -  WISDOM:   13 (+1) - - -  CHARISMA:   14 (+2)

[WEAPONRY]  A 6-shot pepperbox revolver (mid range), single shot rifle (long range), and a thin-bladed estoc (close range) as a final line of defense.

[ARMOR]  Usually not terribly much. She prefers not to be weighed down, so if she’s going to wear armor, it’s usually in the form of leathers.

[COMBAT STRENGTHS]   Excellent aim. Fights well at mid- to long distances. Quick on her feet, both physically and mentally. Resourceful.

[COMBAT WEAKNESSES]  Struggles in close quarters or when in need of a reload. Not the strongest or most durable, physically. Particularly sensitive to magical effects cast upon her;  too much aetheric exposure, even of the positive variety, may trigger a brief berserk state until the excess aether is expended and exhaustion takes over.

[ EARLY YEARS ]

[HOMELAND]   Good luck finding out, because she’s not telling.

[PARENTS]   Mjra Fythe (mother)  -  Father Unknown.

[SIBLINGS]   Aela Fythe (younger sister)

[CLAN ROLE]   Huntress, tracker.

[CLAN STATUS]   Exiled.

[REASON(S) FOR LEAVING]   Kjrn left her homeland not once but twice, and that’s about as much detail as she will willingly impart on anyone without at least a fair few rounds being bought for her first.

[ LATER YEARS ]

[PAST RESIDENCE]   Dalmasca.

[PAST OCCUPATION]   Magitek salvager.

[PAST AFFILIATION]   Dalmascan Resistance.

[PAST FINANCIAL STATUS]   Moderate, comfortable.

[PAST SOCIAL STATUS]   Respected.

[PAST RELATIONSHIPS]   Pria Atoel, wife - deceased.

[PAST FRIENDSHIPS]  A number of friends and allies from the Resistance, as well as other Dalmascan citizens. (Open to background connections!)

[REASON(S) FOR LEAVING]   Left Dalmasca and set herself to wandering aimlessly once her wife, Pria, had passed.

[ PRESENT DAY ]

[RESIDENCE]   The open skies aboard her own small airship, the Fortuneseeker.

[OCCUPATION]   Some would define her lack of qualms about taking anything that isn’t nailed down (and some thing that are, with enough effort) as piracy or flat-out thievery. Kjrn prefers to call herself a simple treasure hunter and merchant of myriad miscellanea.

[AFFILIATIONS]   None actively, but still sympathetic to the Dalmascan Resistance and occasionally will send a bit of extra coin or goods their way through old contacts.

[FINANCIAL STATUS]   Well-off, or that’s what she’d like you to believe. Even when the money isn’t so good, she certainly won’t let on as if she’s broke.

[SOCIAL STATUS]   Hasn’t really stuck around in one place long enough in recent history to establish any roots, but there’s a few places that she may or may not be wanted by local authorities.

[RELATIONSHIP STATUS]   Widowed, shows little interest in courting anyone.

[PRESENT FRIENDSHIPS]   Keeps in touch with a few people from her Resistance days, but not many that she could call a close friend. (Open to connections!)

[VICES]   You can readily find Kjrn drinking, smoking, and even occasionally indulging in some drug use. But her worst vice of all is gambling. She can hardly turn down a good game of chance, especially when there’s betting involved.

[ ROMANCE & SEX ]

[GENDER IDENTITY]   Cisgender Female.

[ROMANTIC ORIENTATION]  Demi-homoromantic.

[EMOTIONAL ROLE]   Submissive  |  Dominant  |  Switch  |  Unsure

[RELATIONSHIP TENDENCIES]   Her biggest tendency is to just not get herself into a relationship, period. Relationships are like anchors that weigh her down from the skies she’s come to love most of all. 

[LOVE LANGUAGE]  Kjrn isn’t much of a verbal lover. She’ll drop an ‘I love you’ every now and then, but her love speaks through things like lavish gifts and pampering.

[SEXUAL ORIENTATION]   Homosexual.

[SEXUAL ROLE]   Submissive  |  Dominant  |  Switch  |  Unsure

[LIBIDO]   Average. She’s not bereft of want, nor is ruled by base physical needs.

[ATTRACTED TO]   Confidence. Wittiness. Ability to hold a good conversation. Thrillseekers. Fellow lovers of the skies. Physical attractiveness. Money.

[TURN OFFS]   Shyness. Indecisiveness. Clinginess. Jealousy. Lack of intelligence. Anyone afraid of heights.

[ PERSONALITY TRAITS ]

Extroverted / In Between / Introverted

Disorganized / In Between / Organized

Close Minded / In Between / Open Minded

Calm / In Between / Anxious

Disagreeable / In Between / Agreeable

Cautious / In Between / Reckless

Patient / In Between / Impatient

Outspoken / In Between / Reserved

Leader / In Between / Follower

Empathetic / In Between / Apathetic

Optimistic / In Between / Pessimistic

Traditional / In Between / Modern

Hard-working / In Between / Lazy

Cultured / In Between / Uncultured

Loyal / In Between / Disloyal

Faithful / In Between / Unfaithful

[ HOOKS ]

TREASURE HUNTER Kjrn presently makes her living by delving into ruins, tombs, and other such places most folk have no business wandering into in search of anything she might turn a profit on. Want some company on a good ol’ dungeon delving? Or your character responds to a posting she’s made seeking assistance? 

SKY PIRATE Annnd sometimes when the more legally palatable treasure hunting jobs are lacking, Kjrn may or may not turn to a bit of piracy to fill the gaps. She’s targeted everything from small Garlean crafts to merchant vessels, usually trying to avoid violence where she can. Maybe your character was on one of these vessels, or has come to seek one of the bounties placed upon her for said crimes? Or maybe – just maybe – your character is interested in signing on with her?

CAPTAIN OF THE FORTUNESEEKER As mentioned before, Kjrn owns her own small airship by the name of the Fortuneseeker. She claims the title of captain upon her, with a crew of about ten (NPCs) underneath her. Maybe you’re looking to sign onto the crew? Or maybe you just have a more temporary need for someone with an airship to ferry yourself or any goods – legal or otherwise – from one place to the next? The sky’s the limit!

MERCHANT OF MYRIAD MISCELLANEA Naturally, after a victorious venture in dungeoneering or plundering, Kjrn will usually come out of it with a number of items in need of off-loading. She has a particular eye for anything shiny and beautiful like gems and jewelry, but she’s also been known to come back with anything from weapons to magical items to sell to whomsoever is inclined to pay good coin. Come buy something shiny from her!

DALMASCAN RESISTANCE AFFILIATE Kjrn and her wife, Pria, were once fairly respected members of the Resistance, salvaging Garlean magitek to refit and use against them when all was said and done. However, after the former’s passing, Kjrn stepped down from her active position in the Resistance to take on a more auxiliary role by helping support it financially. She still maintains connections to the Resistance to this day, and some still haven’t given up the hope that she might eventually return to the fight.

GAMBLING ADDICT Kjrn’s vice of choice would be a good drink, some good company, and a good game of cards. Or dice. Or anything, really, so long as there are stakes involved. It’s a pretty general and basic hook, but hey! It works!

GOT OTHER IDEAS? Maybe you’ve read through this profile and something other idea than these hooks has sparked your muse? If so, let me know! This isn’t an exhaustive list of hooks, so I’d be excited to hear your ideas!

[ OOC ]

[CALL ME]   Jali, Ghoa, Kjrn.. Anything but weird overly familiar petnames! (She/her)

[I AM…]    A 27-year-old woman who works a full time job and plays multiple tabletop games as well as playing FFXIV, so my schedule can be kinda all over the place. I also love cats and really bad puns and writing drabbles that make people’s hearts hurt.

[AVAILABILITY]    Most weekday evenings from 5PM - 10PM Central. Weekends, pretty much whenever. Not available most Wednesdays, and some Thursdays/Saturdays due to various D&D games! Also please note that Kjrn is an alt character. Meaning I won’t be available for RP on her 24/7! Please be sure you’re okay with this before reaching out!

[IN GAME NAME]   Crafty Corsair.

[SERVER]  Balmung (Crystal), but willing to world-visit for RP!

[PREFERRED RP METHODS]   Discord has quickly become my #1 RP platform because I can post even when I’m busy with something else or when I’m having a slow day at work. I can also do in-game RP, usually so long as we work out a day/time in advance! Sometimes I can do impromptu RP requests, but not often!

[HARD NO’S]  

RP of any sort with real-life minors. Sorry, I just don’t feel comfortable writing with anyone under eighteen!

Characters that are minors ICly are tentatively fine, but I will absolutely not RP any romantic, sexual, mature, dark, or otherwise questionable themes with such a character;  and likewise, I will not RP with anyone whose minor character engages in this sort of RP with others, either.

Fetishistic characters, i.e. “f*ta”, “tr*p”, etc. Actual transgender, agender, genderfluid, etc. characters are 100% fine, but if your character is written not as a fleshed out person but as thinly veiled ERP-bait, I’m not interested.

OOC Romance or possessiveness or clinginess. Just… don’t. I don’t want to date you. I don’t want to sext with you. I don’t want to be up your butt 24/7, and I sure as hell don’t want you up mine. RP partners with reasonable personal space boundaries only need apply, please!

ERP-heavy/only connections.  I’m not opposed to sexual RP coming up, but I ask that it not be the goal of every single or even a good deal of the RP we do. To be entirely honest, I much prefer fade-to-black as opposed to writing out such scenes, anyway. Please respect this! Pressuring for ERP is immediate grounds for ceasing all RP and potentially all contact entirely.

[everlarkficexchange]

Better Tomorrow

Part Two

Written by: @mega-aulover

Prompt 78: forced to share a bed and building a pillow barrier but still waking up tangled together. [submitted by anonymous]

Continuation of March 28th Birthday Prompt for @thestuckinbed Read Part 1  Here . Special thanks to my friend and Beta @norbertsmom for editing this monster and inspiring me. Also thanks to the ladies of EverlarkFicExchange for hosting this event and for extending it a week.

RATED M, (Mature Subjects, Violence & Sexy Everlark Times)

“What’s going on?” Gale said from behind.

“I’m getting married to Peeta,” Katniss said softly not removing her eyes from Peeta’s face. She liked the way his face filled with color. He looked cute.

“What?” Gale sputtered.

“Tomorrow, I’ll meet you at the Justice Building.”

“Tomorrow it is,” Katniss agreed. Tomorrow she was getting married to her boy with the bread.

“No,” Gale sputtered. “No you’re supposed to marry ME!”

“Gale, it’s over, I’ve made my choice,” Katniss tried to diffuse the situation, but it was no use. Gale threw down the contents he carried and lunged at Peeta.

“PEETA WATCH OUT!” Katniss shouted.

Peeta was skilled at defending himself. He was a champion wrestler in school and had two older brothers that picked on him as a kid. He easily deflected Gale’s attempts to tackle him. “Gale I don’t want to fight!”

“You stole my woman!” Gale lunged at Peeta once more.  

“Gale, Katniss is her own woman.” Peeta gave her a brief glance, right before he avoided Gale rushing at him. “She makes her own decisions and she doesn’t belong to anyone.”

“Screw you, you ugly moron,” Gale shouted, “You bastard!”

“Gale stop, this is useless,” Katniss pleaded. Gale was a hothead and shouting profanities at Peeta didn’t help his cause with Katniss. He was acting like an idiot. “Peeta and I are getting married in the morning.” Katniss tried to get in the way but Gale pushed her to the ground.

“Katniss,” Peeta ran to her. “Are you okay?” He cupped her cheek, his eyes searched her face.

“I’m okay.”

“You’ve got a scrape on your face.”  Peeta gently helped her get up.

As she stood Katniss saw Gale was heading for Peeta. “Peeta, behind you…”

The warmth left Peeta’s eyes when he turned to face Gale. His jaw tensed, his amiability was replaced by a cold menacing look. Katniss was sure seeing the way Gale carelessly shoved her, caused Peeta to snap.  It was then the fight began in earnest.

Peeta tackled Gale to the ground, they rolled around punching the other. Both ended up in the street. Gale was a tall brute and often used his anger to win fights. Peeta wasn’t as tall but he had more mass and experience. By now half the district surrounded them. Mrs. Mellark watched from the bakery. Her face pressed up against the window.

Peeta had Gale in a headlock when Darius turned up. By then half the town was outside, each with the knowledge the fight started over the upcoming marriage.

“Okay you break it up,” Darius said, pulling Peeta off Gale.

“It’s not fair, that Merchant stole MY girl,” Gale cried as he was pulled away.

Gale’s declaration made Katniss mad, she’d never been his girl.

“This is over a girl,” Darius said incredulously.

“Katniss and I are getting married in the morning. Gale overheard our conversation. Instead of being happy for his friend he attacked me. I tried not to fight but Gale pushed Katniss on the ground,” Peeta said wiping his mouth.

All eyes turned to Katniss who touched her cheek to try to cover up the scar and bruising that was no doubt coloring her face.

“Hot stuff,” Darius glanced at her face, “You want to press charges?”

“No, let him go home to his mother.” Katniss sighed.

“Peeta stay out of trouble,” Darius said. Turning to Gale, he added, “You let’s go, your mother is going to bust a gasket when she learns you got into another fight.”  Darius led Gale away and Katniss was relieved.

“YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED!” Peeta’s father’s smile was wider than the man on the moon.

“Yes dad, Katniss and I are going to get married at the Justice Building in the morning.”

“Eileen, did you hear Peeta’s getting hitched in the morning!” Mr. Mellark shouted to his wife, who looked like she’d eaten something sour. His exuberance caused a few in the gathered crowd to chuckle.

Mr. Mellark boasted, “EVERYONE GET YOUR BREAD TODAY. IN HONOR OF MY SON’S WEDDING, THE BAKERY WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW!!”  

Peeta pulled Katniss to the side, “You okay with this, everyone knowing.”

Katniss glanced at the ground, lost for words. What should have been a private affair turned into a public spectacle, and all because of Gale. The only thing she could think of saying was,  “I’m okay with it if you’re okay with it.”

“Okay, I’ll have to go down to the Justice Building now and make the appointment, I’ll try for 9 or 10 am is that okay? Will that give you enough time to get ready?”

“I guess so.” Katniss thought for a second about what she would wear. Renting a dress was unnecessary since they weren’t going to have a Toasting. Maybe she’ll take a bath and wear the light blue dress she was supposed to wear at the 74th Hunger Games Reaping. It was so nice to know she would never have to dress up for another Reaping again.

“Okay, I’ll send word, so that you know the time.”

Katniss nodded and began to walk away.

“Oh, Katniss,” Peeta called.

She turned around.

“Thank you.”

Katniss smiled, glad that she had helped her boy with the bread. The news had spread across the Seam by the time she arrived home. Prim and her mother were waiting for her. They were both excited, whispering and giggling into the night.  They became even more secretive when Mr. Mellark stopped by with bread to inform them Katniss was to be at the Justice Building by 10A.M.

When it was time for bed, her mother was called for an emergency. Katniss was with her sister in their bedroom.

“I can’t believe you’re getting married,” Primrose said. Her sister was laying on her belly on the other bed, she had her chin propped up by her hands, and her feet  were slowly waving back and forth like Buttercup’s tail. Her baby sister looked like their mother, blonde blue eyed. At fourteen she was already taller than Katniss. Without the Games, her sister no longer lived in fear. The only thing her sister had to do was eat and dream of a better tomorrow.

Katniss brushed her hair calmly. By now the entire district knew of her pending nuptials in the morning. Gale had caused such a ruckus because of her deal with Peeta.

“I can’t believe Gale tried to punch your future husband,” Prim said with a far off dreamy look. “It’s so romantic being fought over.”

“Prim,” Katniss said. She put the brush down. She wanted to dispel those archaic notions from her baby sister’s head.  “Gale and Peeta’s fight today was not romantic. It was dangerous and foolish, either one of them could have gotten hurt or could have been thrown in jail for disturbing the peace. Fighting is never the answer.”

“But Gale had it coming to him! For years I’ve seen him hound you mercilessly about getting married. I know you, you don’t have an inkling of romance toward him because if you did you’d be like the other simpering females in the district. They always sigh and get googly eyed whenever Gale walks by.” Prim made a face like she’d eaten something foul. “I don’t get why all of my friends dream about kissing him.”

Katniss grimaced as she conjured up Gale’s image in her head. She was repulsed by the idea of being anything more to Gale then his hunting partner. She would rather have a skunk spray her than kiss Gale.

“So,” Prim said moving from one bed to the other. “I want to know how is it that you and Peeta agreed to get married? And how did Gale find out about it? I need details.”  

Katniss gave her sister a look to drop the subject.

“Katniss, we don’t have secrets, spill!”

Honestly Katniss didn’t know how to tell her sister that the marriage was arranged and there was nothing romantic or passionate about the proposal.  It was a simple agreement made between two consenting adults. As far as Katniss was concerned Peeta was now able to keep the bakery and she would get Gale off her back. It was a win-win for both parties. Katniss would never again listen to Gale nag her about getting hitched. Prim was another problem altogether. Her sister was just as stubborn and persistent as Katniss.

Her sister pounced on top of her, stopping Katniss from moving. Prim was surprisingly heavy. “Come on Katniss, you have to tell me how it happend, how did you agree to get married? You’ve always claimed you never wanted marriage or children, so for you to want to get married to a merchant of all people, the son of the worst person in all of District Twelve is pretty mind blowing!”

“Prim, Peeta and I came to an arrangement,” Katniss hesitantly said. She wasn’t sure how she was going to put it into words what happened since she was bad at talking. Taking a steady breath she said, “I wanted to repay a debt. So I asked him to marry me with the understanding there would be no Toasting.”

“Wait,” Prim said sitting on the bed. She scrunched her nose as she puzzled over what Katniss said to her. “You asked him to marry you because of a debt?”

Katniss nodded suddenly feeling less sure about her decision today.

Her sister, gave her the legendary Everdeen intimidation scowl. “You made the suggestion?”

Katniss had never been able to keep a secret or tell a lie. She blurted out, “I overheard about his predicament from Darius and Greasy Sae. His mother wouldn’t agree to let Peeta have the bakery unless he married. Honestly I don’t even know if it’s true now that I think about it. It could have just been Darius and Greasy Sae gossiping about nonsense.”

“It’s not hearsay Katniss. I heard his mother tried to get Peeta to marry several girls, but he refused,” Prim interjected.

“You knew about this?” Katniss couldn’t believe her ears. How did her sister know about Peeta’s predicament? She sat back, now it was her turn to scowl.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Prim crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s been happening  for months. Peeta’s problems began the moment he graduated and his father announced he wanted to pass the bakery off to Peeta. Mr. Mellark didn’t want to to give the bakery to River because of his drinking problem and the oldest, Carlton is happily married and likes working with his wife’s family. He didn’t want the bakery.”

“Really?” Katniss was taken aback by the news, she was in awe that her sister knew all of this information, while she was oblivious. “How do you know all of this?”

“Vick Hawthorne is Phill Cartwright’s best friend. Phill and Vick are mentors in the Young Engineers of Tomorrow Scholastic Program.” Prim shrugged. “Phill said they were celebrating both Peeta’s and Delly’s graduation when it all happened. Mrs. Mellark invited Tilia Cordata and her parents with the expressed purpose of arranging a marriage. When Peeta found out he became upset and told his mother he didn’t want to marry. He asserted he was the best baker and that if need be he would name Colton’s first born his heir.”

Until she had overheard the conversation at the Hob Katniss had no idea this was going on. She felt bad for Peeta, being forced to get married was barbaric.  She identified with him and his struggle. “I’m sure that didn’t go well.”

“Mrs. Mellark got into a terrible fight with Peeta over his refusal. The argument could be heard from the street. During that row Mrs. Mellark declared that if Peeta didn’t marry then he wouldn’t inherit the bakery when they retired at the end of the year. It would be handed to River. And since Mr. Mellark has never stood up against his wife, he agreed Peeta needed to get married.”

“Huh,” Katniss mouthed. “What else do you know?”

“There’s been a succession of girls that his mother has tried to unsuccessfully pair him up with, Flori Crabapple, Myrtle Carpe, Amy Yellowwood, Honey Locust to name a few. His mother even got Mabel Meadows to come to dinner at the bakery one evening.  Peeta said no to all of them. Until he said yes to you the entire district thought Peeta would never marry.”

Katniss scratched her head going over the conversation. Why would Peeta say no to Mabel Meadows, she had a very nice dowry. Her father owned the town grocers where all of the Peacekeepers purchased their goods. She was well off and she was one of the most beautiful girls in the entire district.

“Why would Peeta not want to marry any of those girls?” Katniss pondered out loud. Why would he agree to marry her. She wasn’t the prettiest girl, nor was she rich. Beyond her hunting skills she a wasn’t good candidate for marriage to anyone. Maybe Katniss thought it was because she didn’t want to have a Toasting with him. In District Twelve a couple wasn’t really married until they had a Toasting ceremony, no matter what the documents given at the Justice Building said. The exchange of toasted bread between a couple was the traditional binding legal way in Twelve, one recognized  by the new government, and Katniss figured that’s why Peeta agreed.

Katniss picked up her brush after braiding her hair, getting ready to go to sleep. She got up and put the brush on the dresser.

Prim climbed into the other bed, and turned to face Katniss. “I have one question though, if you’re marriage is arranged and you’re not doing a Toasting what are you going to do about sex?”

At the word sex, Katniss stubbed her toe on the bed, “Ouch!”

“You okay,” Prim was out of bed and was trying to grab her toe to examine it.

“Yeah,” Katniss said jumping around.

“Stop jumping around and let me take a look,” Prim grabbed Katniss foot and Katniss fell onto the bed. “It doesn’t look bruised, but you should put some of mom’s healing balm on it,” Prim said reaching into her draw for it. “So what are you going to do about sex?”

“Prim!” Katniss hissed not at the balm but at that word again.

“What,” Prim said looking up. Her stare reminded Katniss of Buttercup’s superior look whenever the stinker knew he was being pampered. “Are you embarrassed by the word or the act?”

Katniss was sure she was bright red. Her jaw stung from the rush of warmth to her cheeks.

“Seriously Katniss, you have to be realistic. Sex is a natural part of life. Mother and I counsel every newly wed girl that crosses our door about intimate marital relations. It’s important for women to know of their options.”  

Katniss didn’t want to have ‘this’ conversation with her sister. Nor did she want to hear those words coming out of Prim’s mouth. Her sister kept on talking and there was nowhere Katniss could run off to.

“Legally you’ll be married, but because you’re opting out of a Toasting you have to face the fact that Peeta is a man, and he’s going to want sex. Now before you get all I’m not having children, there a hundred ways to not get pregnant when the time comes. However, if he doesn’t have sex with you then he’s going to engage with someone else. Are you prepared to share him with another partner?” Prim finished applying the balm.  

Everything her sister said was like the cold slap of a wintry breeze upon her face. With frightened eyes Katniss watched her sister put the bottle back in the dresser and climb back into bed without considering the state she left her. Her sister turned down the oil lamp in the room and Katniss was plunged into darkness. Within seconds her sister was fast asleep.

The conversation kept Katniss awake. She lay in bed thinking about sex. Katniss understood the function of it, but she’d never gave mind to the act. Up until she was fifteen she’d been preoccupied with surviving the Reaping. After the President died, Katniss sole responsibility was to feed her family and graduating school. Boys and relationships didn’t enter her frame of existence until a few moments ago when her fourteen year old sister brought it up. In fact the only guy in her inner circle was Gale and Katniss could not imagine him touching her.

She wasn’t the type of girl for public displays of affection. She just didn’t like to be touched.  Katniss didn’t even like hugs from her mother.

Her thoughts turned to Peeta. Asking Peeta to marry her was a rash decision. She really didn’t think about the other stuff Prim brought up. She never thought about marital relations between herself and Peeta. The idea itself wasn’t repulsive. She didn’t mind the way he smelled. From her observations throughout the years she found Peeta’s kind ways appealing, plus she favored the way he looked. Katniss enjoyed looking at him, watching him speak, even his voice was pleasant, it was mellow but masculine.

She pictured what it would be like to hold his hand and she felt a rush of warmth to her cheeks. She was tingly all over, much the way she felt that one time she shot a buck all by herself.

Would Peeta mind holding her hand? Katniss sat up in her bed and crept to the basin of water. It was a warm night, she splashed her cheeks with water. Her mind churned with thoughts and questions. What if what Prim said was right? Katniss asked herself. What if Peeta didn’t favor her, what if he wanted relations with others?

Katniss turned around in her bed, punching the pillow. The idea of Peeta sharing another person’s bed did not sit well with her.  There were things that needed to be discussed and as much as Katniss hated to talk, she was going to have an honest conversation with Peeta. She decided to sneak out early.

In the morning her plan to go see and speak to Peeta was thwarted by the rush of getting ready for the wedding. Her mother pulled out a white dress from her Merchant days. It had ruffled cap sleeves, scoop neckline, was gathered at the waist and trumpeted outward at the hem. It’s hemline was shorter in the front reaching past Katniss knees but the back was longer falling to her mid-calf. Her mother even had crinoline to put underneath her dress. Katniss’ hair was braided and pinned up in a crown around her head. Prim went to the herb garden and picked small flowers and wove them into her hair. Katniss didn’t even recognize herself in the mirror once her mother and sister were finished with her.

“This was the dress my family had made for me when I was supposed to get married to Peeta’s father, Lionel.” Her mother smiled over her shoulder in the mirror.

“You were engaged to Mr. Mellark?”

“Yes and I chose your father. It was a shock to the entire district that I chose to be with a miner, from the Seam.” Her mother chuckled, then her face became serious, “I did what was best for me, and you Katniss have to do what is best for you. Especially when dealing with Eileen.”

Katniss nodded.

“My advice to you is always keep Peeta in the loop about what’s going on in your head, especially when Eileen does something spiteful. Communication is the cornerstone of any relationship.” Her mother squeezed her shoulders.

Katniss didn’t have time to process the information as it was time to leave. When they opened the door there was Gale, Gale was standing there.

“I’m asking you once more,” Gale ran his hands through his hair, “to reconsider. He’s a Merchant Katniss, one of them!”

“Gale my mother is a Merchant,” Katniss pointed out. She was angered that Gale wouldn’t take the hint. Why couldn’t he accept the fact that she didn’t want him, they were too alike.

Gale glanced over her shoulder to her mother who stood just feet away. “I…”

“Which makes me a half-breed.” Biting back her anger she said, “Goodbye Gale.”

Katniss walked by him with her mother and sister right behind.

“Good for you,” her mother whispered.

“Gah,” Prim said, “Why does he smell so funny?”

Katniss began to laugh. She’d always thought the same thing. They passed a few people on the road who greeted them and wished her well. Others simply stared at her, because she never wore a dress or looked so clean. Katniss always looked like she’d rolled around in dirt for fun. Climbing trees to make a shot had its perils and one of them was getting dirty.

When they arrived at the Justice Building the Mellarks were waiting for them outside.

“Maggie,” Mr. Mellark greeted, “Primrose, and my dear Katniss.” His mood was jovial.

Mrs. Mellark rolled her eyes and gave them a curt nod.

River Mellark was dressed smartly and oddly did not appeared to be drunk, he and Haymitch Abernathy the old Victor were known as the town drunks. “Ladies.”

“Lionel, how are you?” her mother greeted.

“Peeta is inside no doubt wearing a hole in the floor.” Mr. Mellark clapped his hands.

They walked up the stairs and made their way into the building. All around Katniss everyone was speaking in excited tones except for Peeta’s mother. She mutely walked behind everyone. Katniss didn’t want to think about Prim’s conversation or the fact that Peeta’s mother was probably shooting daggers at her back. The woman was probably upset to have lost the control of the bakery. Her demand was that Peeta had to get married. She never stipulated that he had to marry a merchant girl. Katniss tried not to pay attention to the old witch, as long as Peeta’s mother kept her mouth shut everything would be fine. Her concentration was on signing the papers so that Peeta could become the new owner of the bakery. Once that happened Gale would surely disappear from her life.

She came around the corner and there was Peeta dressed in his best suit. He looked nervous. The moment their eyes met he smiled and it caused her to smile back. He looked wonderful, like one of those posters they used to use for the Hunger Games where they depicted a good looking strong young man filled with youth and vigor. Peeta walked toward her and her heart skipped a beat.

“Shall we?” Peeta held his hand out to her.

For some reason her knees shook and Katniss reminded herself this was all her idea. She forced her shaky hand to reach for his and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze to reassure her. Taking a deep breath she took her first step toward him and allowed herself to follow him into the room where the officiant was performing weddings. There were five couples ahead of them. Each ceremony took twenty minutes.

When it was their turn, Katniss’ nerves got the better of her and her mind went blank. The only thing that kept her anchored to the room was the man standing beside her. His voice was the only voice that she heard. He gave her hand another gentle  squeezed when she needed to speak and put his arms around her to comfort her when they were signing the papers.

“You’re doing great,” Peeta whispered in her ear as she signed the last document.

Katniss glanced up at him and he gave her a reassuring smile. Peeta signed right next to her. And with that they were married according to the laws of Panem. But until the toasting took place the marriage wasn’t considered legal before the eyes of the district. This thought caused Katniss to have more anxiety.

“Congratulations!” Primrose tackled her from behind, and Katniss jumped. Prim was the only person who had the ability to surprise her. She behaved so much like her darned cat Katniss was surprised her sister didn’t purr at times.

“Thanks Prim.”

“Just remember to speak to Peeta about you know what.” Prim smiled like the cat who stole the cream as she turned to Peeta.

Katniss was sure everyone could see how flushed she looked because she could feel the warmth rushing to her cheeks.

“Please call me Lionel, now that we’re family!” Mr. Mellark said enveloping her in a big bear hug.

“Okay, dad let go of Katniss before you suffocate her,” Peeta came to her rescue.

Katniss gave her father-in-law a nervous smile, she wasn’t sure she could ever call him anything but Mr. Mellark.

“We should get going, there is a feast to be had!” Mr. Mellark said.

The entire party left the Justice building and walked toward the bakery where  Peeta’s older brother Carlton waited with his wife. The Cartwrights waited for them as well as Madge. At the bequest of her mother the Hawthornes were present. Gale was sulking in the background, like a sullen black rain cloud.  

With all of their family and friends gathered in the backyard of the bakery Katniss didn’t know how they were going to get through the rest of the day without a Toasting. The stress of it all was the equivalent to her hauling a stag all by herself, an adult male deer could weigh between 120 pounds to 330 pounds.

There was a feast with squirrel stew, roasted rabbitts, medlies of garden vegetables, honied roasted carrots, potatoes made three ways, mashed, baked, and boiled, fresh bread, and a beautiful cake decorated like a meadow. Each family brought something to eat. Everyone began serving heaps of food onto their plates.

Katniss couldn’t eat, she wanted to find time to speak to Peeta alone. She never got the opportunity because she was constantly whisked away, because the Mellark’s neighbors came by to bid Peeta and her well wishes. Peeta marrying a girl from the Seam wasn’t why they came to the wedding reception. Many were familiar with her as they bought or traded for her fresh game. It was the curiosity of seeing Peeta married that made them come.

“Peeta.” Katniss was finally sitting next to him, a plate of food before her. She couldn’t find enjoyment in the meal. She was pushing the food around on her plate.

“What’s wrong?” Peeta said.

“They’re all expecting a Toasting,” she whispered.

“It’s okay I’ve got this covered.”

“You do?” Katniss eyes searched the gathered crowd. The only one who wasn’t participating was Gale. He was sitting next to Delly Cartwright who was chirping away.

Peeta put his hand over her’s and once more for the hundredth time he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

“We’re a team, allies, right?”

Katniss breathed easier. He was right, they were a team. Although she proposed this crazy scheme, he agreed to it and was making it happen. She relaxed and began to eat and enjoy herself.

As the meal was finishing Peeta stood up and addressed everyone, “I know it’s a custom for the bride and groom to have a Toasting on their wedding day. However among the Merchants its a custom to wait a month for the Toasting to allow the couple to get acquainted and to test if the marriage is a good match. Katniss and I have made this agreement.”

Katniss saw Gale perk up. He was staring straight at her. Katniss instead looked at her sister. Prim’s face wasn’t all too happy, she was scowling. Katniss glanced at her mother who looked stoic. In fact as she glanced around the only other person who looked okay with Peeta’s announcement was his mother.

Katniss stood up knowing she had to do something to distract the crowd. Standing on tiptoes she braced her hands against his chest and place the kiss on his lips. It was her first kiss and she didn’t know what to expect. She’d heard rumors about how wondrous kisses were. Katniss didn’t expect for currents of electricity to run throughout her body and make her feel as if she was on fire. She was dazed and her knees gave out at the simple peck on the lips. Peeta’s arms were there to catch her.

The simple kiss had the desired effect, everybody was standing and cheering. She looked at Peeta whose face was bright red and Katniss was sure hers was in the same condition. Her cheeks stung from heat that raced to her face.

That night after the meal, the dancing, and the subsequent cleanup, Prim pulled Katniss aside. “You’ve got to talk to him, you have to ask him questions.”

“Prim we’re going to be okay.” Katniss thought about how she and Peeta were a team. It reassured her they could overcome any obstacles.

“Look, you’re my sister and the same way you’ve been looking out for me all of my life, I have to look out for you too.” Prim’s face was serious.

“What’s wrong Prim?”

“Tonight I heard a few rumors.” Prim took a big breath then said, “The only reason he said yes to you , a girl from the Seam, was to get back at his mother. Everyone knows Mrs. Mellark doesn’t like Seam Folk. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

It was true Peeta’s mother did not like people from the Seam, she treated them poorly, and made them come to the back of the bakery to trade.

“Even if this is an agreement between you two, if you want this to work out,  you need to have a serious conversation with him and it has to happen before the 30 days are over.” Prim sighed heavily. “And just be careful of Gale. Peeta’s announcement made him perk up like Buttercup when he sees a mouse.”

Katniss was back to feeling all out if sorts as she watched her sister leave.

“Hey, stop frowning, it’s your wedding day,” Peeta said, coming to stand beside her.

Katniss took a deep breath and inhaled his scent. The smell of fresh bread, dill, and cinnamon calmed her down.

“Okay son,” Mr. Mellark said interrupting them. “The place is all yours. Your mother and I applied for housing when you graduated. We picked up our keys this morning, and while you came down here to finish the paperwork Carlton helped us move into the new house. We have a nice little cottage near the edge of town. Your brother River elected to convert a small shed at the back of the house into his living quarters. I’ve told your mother she is not to set foot in the bakery. I would like to continue to work in the bakery on a part time basis, if that is okay with you?”

Peeta took the keys, his eyes watered. “I think that could work.”

“Thank you, I just need to be able to get out of the house.” Mr. Mellark cleared his throat. “River decided he wants to continue to work there until he find something else for himself.”

Katniss stood to the side half listening to the conversation between Peeta and his father.

“That’s great you guys can show Katniss the ropes when I do not have time,” Peeta said.

“I’m proud of you son, for holding out for what you want. It’s not easy standing up for yourself, not willing to become a part in her game. Your mother is a force to be reckoned with. You’ve set a precedence for Mellark men, son.” Mr. Mellark dragged Peeta into a bear hug.

While Peeta and his father hugged Mrs. Mellark slithered next to her. “My son is not like other men, he’s never had a girlfriend, never batted an eye at another girl. He rejected every single one of the girls that I chose for him and yet you come around and he wants to get married in less than a day. And now he wants to wait thirty days to have is Toasting.” She cackled. “Good luck having children, though by the looks of you I doubt you could carry a Mellark full term…if he ever desires to touch you.”

His mother’s words shocked her and gave her doubts about Peeta’s reason for accepting her proposal. She wondered if he did it out of spite for his mother. If that were true then he would tire of the partnership that they formed earlier. These thoughts plagued her for the rest of the afternoon. And that night as she stood in the bathroom, Katniss hoped everything her sister said and his mother said was wrong. She’d unpacked her meager belongings and stored them in the closet that was inside of the bathroom.

Her mind went over the kiss once again. Hours later and she was still affected by it. It brought up the idea of the marital bed and the things that happened in it and other possibilities. Even though she was sure she didn’t want children now, she admitted to herself  further down the line she would like to have one small boy or girl with blond hair and Peeta’s eyes. Her hand flutters down to her stomach.

The idea of motherhood wasn’t something she often wanted or thought about but she wouldn’t mind with Peeta. The question remained would he want her to carry his children. For that to happen they would need to do stuff to the other. Maybe she was wrong maybe she should have agreed to marry Gale. At least he would want to talk to her. He would want her and desire to have kids.

However, as soon as a thought came to her mind about Gale she was repulsed and rejected that idea. “Ugh, that’s so gross.”

Taking a deep breath she exited the bathroom and found Peeta had made a pillow barrier, separating the two sides of the bed. Both had individual blankets and sheets.  “Oh.”

Peeta rushed across the room, “I thought this would be more comfortable for both of us.”

Katniss straightened her shoulders. The truth was evident by the amount of pillows on the bed. This was going to be her life, the one she chose, until death do they part. Glancing at him, it occurred to her maybe they could be friends, companions of sorts. Katniss told herself that wouldn’t be that bad and she didn’t want children anyways so at least she would never have to worry about avoiding unwanted pregnancies. However before she resigned herself to a platonic marriage, they did need to have an open and honest discourse about their expectations for the marriage. Tonight was not the night to have it she was exhausted and oddly disappointed. 

Putting on a brave face she asked, “Which side do you prefer sleeping on?”

“The window side, if you don’t mind, because I get hot at night.”

“Works for me.” Katniss said climbing into the bed, while Peeta opened the window and got into bed.

She thought she would never go to sleep, but the moment her head hit the pillows she was a goner.

It was the morning light that woke her. She was still half-asleep but she found she couldn’t move as if there was a barrier in her way, much like when Prim climbed into bed with her after a nightmare. She was comfortable and felt like she was at home.

Her only problem was that eventually she had to go to the bathroom.

“Prim,” she murmured her mind was holding her into thinking she was at home. It was the smell of fresh bread, cinnamon and dill that made her eyes pop open. She was being spooned by Peeta. With her hunter like reflexes she rolled out of bed. Sometime during the night the pillows that separated them were tossed onto the floor and and they met in the middle holding each other throughout the night.

Katniss touched her cheeks and her fingers smelled like his. Her lashes flutters closed with delight. This was an a side effect she could get used to. On the bed Peeta groaned, Katniss panicked and flew into the bathroom.

Once in the safety of the bathroom she took a good look at herself in the mirror. Her face was flushed with a glow she’d never seen. Her gray eyes looked luminous and she she felt achy all over as if her body wanted to be back in Peeta’s arms.

Sleeping with him was not a hardship. Smiling, she thought this would be hers. This small space of time when she didn’t have to worry about his preferences.  This was her niche and she could find happiness here. But as she got ready for the day she knew they still needed to talk. She quietly crept into the room and found him asleep on his side. Katniss gathered the pillows from the floor and created the barrier that he had made last night before leaving the room.

She went downstairs to the bakery and smiled when she saw Peeta’s father and River working. One glance at her and his father grinned. “My son put that glow upon your pretty cheeks.”

Katniss didn’t know where to look, she was so embarrassed. Demurely she asked, “Is it okay if I go hunting?”

“By all means go hunting. My son likes the squirrel meat you catch with your arrow. He’s always fascinated by the way you manage to shoot them through the eyes.”

Katniss thanked him and made her way out of the bakery. She headed for the woods. Finding her bow, she set off to hunt. Sometime later she had fishes, rabbits, birds, and a few squirrels.

Satisfied with her hunt she went first to her home and dropped off a rabbit for her sister and mother, even though no one was home. Next she went trading, first to the hob, then to the merchants. Everyone seemed so happy for her and congratulated her on her wedding.

It was around 3 in the afternoon when she arrived back at the bakery. Her father-in-law was happy when she handed him a nice fat goose.

“She’s a keeper,” he sang.

She smelled Peeta before she saw him.

“I’ve never seen my father so happy before.” Peeta’s arms were dusty from flour and Katniss had a sudden urge to run her hands up and down her arms. She jammed her hands in her pockets. “My dad really likes you.”

“I’m glad.” Katniss hoped the warm sting of her flush could be attributed it to the heat found in the bakery.

“So would you like for me to make dinner?”

Peeta washed his arms and Katniss noticed the he turned the hot water and the cold water handles. She became fascinated with the way he washed his hands and arms. She shook her head, by now Peeta was at a counter preparing to make something.

“Nope, I can make dinner.” Katniss stopped moving remembering the hot and cold tap. Shyly she asked, “Is it true you have hot water?”

“The water is always hot. The ovens heats the pipes.”

“Even in the dead of winter?” This was surreal for her.

“Even in the dead of winter.”

At home they had water but it was cold and it needed to be heated up to take a warm bath. Many buckets have to be heated on the pot belly stove and poured into the tin bathtub. She glanced at Peeta, asking for permission.

Peeta chuckled, “Go enjoy.”

She didn’t even blink she ran up the stairs. This was another thing that she could fully enjoy. Hot water was a luxury.

She turned the tap of the bathtub and felt the warm water gushing into the bath. Within seconds she was sighing into the hot water. Normally she didn’t do this. She was efficient, she scrubbed herself down quickly because often her sister and she shared a bath. This was decadent, she took a little longer scrubbing her limbs.

This wasn’t something Katniss did always but she promised herself she would do this at least once a week if not once a month. Getting dressed in clean clothes she began to cook. Soon the meal was done and Peeta came upstairs he was tired but he ate quietly and yawned a few times.

Katniss anticipated once more going to bed. In the morning the same thing happened again. In fact for the next few days it happened over and over again. Each morning Katniss enjoyed waking up wrapped up in Peeta’s arms. She loved smelling like him. She loved the way his breath felt on her neck. She loved staring at his long, nearly translucent eyelashes and she wondered how they never tangled. On Saturday she found her sister at home.

“Katniss,” Prim squealed giving Katniss a bear hug.

“Hey little duck,” Katniss greeted even though Prim was taller than her, and acted like a know-it-all-like her cat. “I haven’t seen you since Tuesday.”

“I’ve been busy helping mom, and I’ve been helping out Vick at the school.”

“Gale’s baby brother?” Katniss turned up and eyebrow.

“Oh my goodness you are glowing?” Prim turned the tables on Katniss she came close to her and inspected her face. “I’ve never seen you like this before.”

Katniss couldn’t help the happiness she felt. She felt tingly all over. Waking up in Peeta’s arms each morning was as great as eating a hearty bowl of stew on a chilly day.

“I’m assuming you spoke to Peeta and you guys are on the same page?”

Katniss busied herself with taking out the fish and goose she’d caught for her mother and sister. She took elaborate lengths to put them down on the table, as she tried to find the words to explain to her sister what was happening to her and the status of her relationship with Peeta. She opened and closed her mouth several times but nothing came out. This was a situation where she needed Peeta to speak for her. He was so much better at words and expressing himself.

“Katniss are you trying to tell me you haven’t spoken to him yet?” Her sister stood arms akimbo.

Katniss said in a high-pitched wimpy voice, “No.”

Katniss had never seen her baby sister get mad. It was a sight to see, but she became red and her eyes narrowed. She gave her that legendary Everdeen scowl.

“Oh for crying in the mud,” Prim said stomping over to the medicine cabinet, much the way her cat would thump it’s paws when it angrily walked away. Prim took a couple packets of her tea mixtures. “Here boil a third of each package, and drink the tea each morning without stopping.”

Katniss sniffed the package and by its smell she knew what they were used for. “I’m not having relations with Peeta.”

“You may not be having ‘relations,’ as you call it right now with Peeta, but by the look of you it won’t be long.” Prim held her hand up as she walked Katniss to the door. “Don’t  try to argue with me. I would rather you be safe than sorry since you’re both not ready for kids. But you really should have a conversation with him in regards to your expectations of the relationship, and if after this trial period you want to separate, stay together in name only, or have a Toasting and make a go out of a real marriage.”

Katniss stood outside looking at her front door wondering what just happened. She’d come here to drop off food but she got scolded, medically diagnosed, and advised in the space of minutes. Looking at her hands she slipped the small packets in her pocket before heading back to the bakery. As she walked through the meadow her sisters words had a deep impact, what if Peeta wanted to separate at the end of the 30 days. His mother wanted him to get married and he did so that the bakery was his now.

Katniss asked herself what she would do, if that happened? She couldn’t find an answer. She did know however then if Peeta didn’t want to do a Tosting with her she could remain in the way that they were right now. The more she thought about it, it became apparent she was happy.

As for the other possibility of them having a Toasting right now that was as far away as the Moon. As she arrived at the bakery after selling her goods she noted how busy they all were. She washed up, went downstairs and helped with little things like cleaning the dishes and making sure the surfaces were clean so that they didn’t have to do that.

That night right before she fell asleep Peeta spoke to her. “Thank you for pitching in today. We were able to end the day earlier because of your help.”

“You’re welcome.” Her smile was so wide her hands clutched the pillow. Katniss was happy she could help him in some small way. Back home with her mother and sister she was always in the way and she didn’t have the tolerance to deal with the sick.

The next day was Sunday. Katniss woke up extra early. She wanted to catch something special for her boy with the bread. Also she didn’t want to run into Gale after what she observed at the reception.

Normally Mr. Mellark would be downstairs to greet her. Today the bakery was silent. After four days of marriage she discovered the bakery was always busy and noisy. The Mellarks never took a break. Lunch was a quick piece of bread with a cup of water.  If the miners were allowed a 30 minute lunch then Peeta and his family deserved the same. Katniss had in mind to speak to Peeta about giving each one of them a break or even closing down for lunch. It would help them in the long run.

It was still dark when she stepped outside. It was beginning to get chillier. Fall will soon be upon them and Katniss’ mind turn to saving up for the winter. She could make jerky to help them during the long months. She could also ask her mother to help her can vegetables.

As she slipped underneath the fence, she thought about asking Peeta if she could share the food that she preserved with her family. Peeta was generous and by extension so was his father. River, however, was still a mystery to her. While he did like to drink, she’d seen him frequenting Rippers white liquor booth at the Hob, when he was at the bakery he didn’t even smell of alcohol. He worked just as hard as his father and Peeta.

Grabbing her bow she made her way into the woods. By now the sun was rising and the forest became alive with the sounds of birds chirping. She went to the lake and after setting her nets she set out to hunt. As the sunlight became stronger, she shot a few geese, then she shot a couple of  rabbits and squirrels. Her biggest catch was a turkey. They were easy prey as long as they weren’t running. They were as fast Mr. Henderson’s old jalopy, a car left over from the dark days.

With her turkey in hand she sat down to check her nets. Greasy loved the fresh fish. Her customers liked the summer delicacy fried. Satisfied with the amount of fish, she decided to go back to the bakery. Normally she would head to her mother’s, but it was still early. Her sister and mother would still be sleeping.

She was headed toward the tree where she hid her bow and arrows.

“I see you went hunting without me, Catnip.”

Gale’s voice made her flinch. She turned around looking for him. She couldn’t spot him. A leaf drop from the sky, most likely he was hiding in a tree.

“What do you want Gale?” Katniss took a step back, his smell made her stomach turn.

“I wanted to have a talk with you.” He squinted up at the sun. “Why didn’t you want a Toasting with Mellark?”

“That’s my private business with my husband.” Katniss said watching Gale carefully.

Gale chuckled, took a step forward, and waved his finger in her face. “That’s a lie and you know it. Let’s be honest Katniss, before the eyes of the district, Mellark isn’t really considered your husband. Everyone knows you’re not married, not until you have a Toasting.”

Katniss hated the grin on his face, he made her mad. “In the eyes of the laws of Panem I am married.”

“This is District Twelve Katniss. Around these parts folks consider what you and Peeta are doing a sin. They believe you’re shacking up with the baker’s son and that once he tires of you he’s going to toss you out into the streets.  Katniss can’t you see he’s using you. If he wanted you he would have Toasted with you the day you signed the paperwork at the Justice Building.”

“I asked him not to Toast with me Gale and he agreed because he’s a gentleman.” Katniss said through clenched teeth. She couldn’t believe Gale was questioning her life with Peeta. It was none of his business!

Gale mercilessly laughed. “You’re so freaking naive. He knows you don’t want a real marriage, Katniss. He knows you don’t want kids that’s why he agreed to only sign the papers. He doesn’t care for you the way I do. He doesn’t know you the way I do. Hell he doesn’t want you the way I do.”

Gale reached out to touch her and she took several steps backwards. She was angered by his dogged persistence. She’d been telling him ‘no’ in various ways for the better part of three years. She’d hoped by going through the ceremony at the Justice Building with Peeta, signing the paperwork, and having the reception, Gale would understand that she was off limits. Yet here she was, once again, having the same tired conversation.

“We could be so good together, me and you we are the same, don’t you see Katniss can’t you see…how much I want you.”

“Anytime you talk to me all you say is how much you want me as if I’m something to be had.” She yelled, “A possession for you to put in your house like a trophy.”

“Is that what he’s told you? That you’d be a trophy!” Gale grabbed her by the forearm and growled at her.

His eyes looked feral and his grip hurt her arms, yet, Katniss stood her ground. “Let me go Gale!”

“Mellark won’t ever give you kid, or a chance at a real marriage. I can give you that.” Gale moved in to kiss her. He murmured as he leaned down, “He’s soft, using you to get back at his mother.”

Katniss kicked him in the shins. He fell like a tree being cut down by an expert lumberjack from District Seven. She quickly notched an arrow, aiming her bow at his chest.

“Peeta is a wonderful man. He’s gentle and kind and he loves his family. And if you touch me or do anything to me I can go to Darius and he can have you locked up.”  

Gale put his hands up.

She walked backwards until she was near the fence wanting to get away from Gale she went underneath the fence and ran toward the bakery.

Luckily it was still early enough, none of her neighbors saw her slip into the backyard. River was outside when he spotted her running. Her nerves were still strung high and she aimed her loaded bow at River.

“Hey Katniss…don’t worry, I’m not spying. It’s my turn to clean the ovens with Peeta.” He greeted, but his look turned to concern.

Katniss was shaking with anger, shock, and a myriad of other emotions she couldn’t identify. Uncharacteristically of her she burst into tears. Her knees gave way and she dropped to the ground.

River sat by her but didn’t touch her. His silence was comforting. As she calmed down he gave her a handkerchief. “You want to tell me what happened out there in the woods?”

“How did you know I was in the woods?” Katniss blew her nose.

“Well besides all the dead carcasses you have in your game bag, and the turkey you dropped as you ran into the back yard, not to mention the twigs and leaves adorning your head, you’re still carrying your bow and arrows.” River was examining her weapon. “You’re so tiny, how the heck do you pull that string back far enough to catch birds in mid flight? And how in hell do you get them right through the eye…”

River’s comments made her chuckle. Although he was curious he was also very serious. “I had an altercation with Gale in the woods.”

“Did he hurt you?” Although his voice was calm his eyes we’re not, they raging with fire.

“Don’t tell Peeta he tried to kiss me.”

“I don’t think my brother needs to know about Gale. The last time Gale put his hands on you, Peeta put Gale in the type of headlock that can cause you to lose consciousness. I shudder to think what my baby brother would do if he found out Gale tried to kiss you.”

“He did grab and squeeze my shoulders, but I kicked him in the shins. He let go when he fell backwards.” Katniss admitted, “I kind of, notched an arrow and pointed my bow at him.” When she lifted her arm to show him how easily she could notch her bow she grimaced in pain, her shoulders hurt. Gale had hurt her.

“Good for you.” River got up and pulled a small glass jar with a Capitol label on it from his pocket. Go inside get washed up and put some of this medication on the bruises. It should clear up by tomorrow.” He took her bow and began walking toward the the cellar.

“Where are you going?”

“I going to hide your weapon in the cellar. Then I am going to get Carlton. It’s time we had a chat with Gale. He has to understand even if you and Peeta don’t have a Toasting, you’re still my baby brother’s wife. And no one should ever put a hand on you. Oh and Katniss, not everything you hear is true.”

Katniss nodded. She went inside, luckily Peeta was still asleep. Katniss felt disgusting, Gale’s scent was all over her and she hated it. She scrubbed her body from head to toe. Her shoulders were tender and the bruises on her arm looked violent a mixture of red and purple shades. The white gel like content of the glass jar River gave her immediately took away her pain. By the time she dried her hair and dressed, the bruising was fading. Peeta was awake and was making breakfast.

The moment she saw him she bit her bottom lip to keep from telling him what had happened.

Peeta gave her a brilliant smile and opened his arms up to her. Katniss did not waste any time and when he wrapped his arms around her she felt safe like when she was a kid with her father. She sniffled.

“Hey you okay?” His voice was tender.

“I feel like I’m home.” It was important for her to tell him how she felt.  

Peeta gently rubbed her back, and embraced her tighter.

Monday morning it rained and Katniss was glad she didn’t have to go into the woods. Both Carlton and River showed up at the bakery. They had busted lips but had goofy grins on their faces.  

“WHERE IS THE LITTLE SEAM BRAT!” Mrs. Mellark blew into the bakery as if she’d flew in with the easterly wind guiding her broom.

“Now dear,” Mr. Mellark began.

Mrs. Mellark marched right up to Katniss. Mr. Mellark stood in her path. “You stupid man get out of my way,” she screeched.

Carlton, River, and Peeta came out from the back, all three stood behind their father. One Mellark was taller than the next. Katniss wasn’t sure what to make of the situation.

Mr. Mellark cleared his throat once more before he began speaking. “I thought you said you wouldn’t step a foot in the bakery, it’s not our property any more. Now take a deep breath and tell me what has brought you here on this lovely morning.”  

“My Carlton stayed out all night and I am sure that little -”

“Watch what you say about Katniss, mom,” Carlton warned cutting off his mother.

“She’s a Mellark,” River supplied.

Katniss peeked her head around the Peeta’s side. She could see the woman’s eyes narrow, her lips puckered disapprovingly, as if she got a fly caught in her teeth while flying over here. Katniss had enough of hiding, she wasn’t one to cower behind men.

“If you have something to say, say it to my face,” Katniss said moving in front of the men.

“You’re a bad influence,” Mrs. Mellark spat.

“No she’s not,” Peeta countered.

“I think Katniss is the best thing that happened to our family.” River raised an eyebrow.

“Dad’s happier, River comes to work on time. Heck, he was here yesterday early to clean the ovens. The business is making money with Peeta in charge, its up a good 12 percent,” Carlton said. “The books don’t lie. I came by to balance them today.”

“Have you all lost your mind?” Mrs. Mellark’s voice sounded strangled.

“Mom, Katniss is my wife, and I can assure you we spent the entire day and night  together,” Peeta said.

“She did go out hunting yesterday,” Carlton said.

“But she didn’t trade with anyone. She brought all of the game home to share with us. I can’t wait to eat that turkey!” River rubbed his belly.

“She caught a turkey?” Peeta’s mother eyed her, though something in the woman’s eyes was different there was no malice behind the her harsh words, almost as if she was impressed. The woman was known as a witch. She wasn’t friendly and she was known to hurt her kids. Katniss puzzled over her behavior.

“Shot it right through the eye,” River boasted.

“She’s quite the marksmith,” Peeta said.

“Are all of you telling me you like that dirty…”

“Mother, please refrain from saying anything that later on you will regret,” Carlton warned. “Katniss is a-”

“Mellark,” all three said at the same time.  Katniss watched a myriad of emotions flash through Mrs. Mellark’s face from anger, to disbelief, to astonishment.

“She’s a good, hard-working girl who will pitch in the bakery, even after spending all morning hunting. She even cooked food for our lunch today.” River winked at Katniss.

“Plus still helps out her mom and sister,” Peeta said.

“Dear, you see Katniss is blameless of whatever imagined crime you were going to accuse her of.” He placed a kiss on Mrs. Mellark’s forehead. “Now I don’t know what these two knuckleheads were doing, but look at them, dear, when was the last time we saw our boys seem united. River and Carlton haven’t threatened each other.”

“Yeah, and River had one drink mom. He restrained himself last night, took care of me.” Carlton shrugs, “We settled our differences.”

“It’s true dear; after Katniss agreed to marry Peeta you and I both know River has come home with me after work. He wants to help with the orphaned children. He and I have been making plans to help the kids transition out, find them jobs, help feed them.”

“It’s true mom,” River said. “I’ve been sober for the past two months. After Peeta made his decision to not marry I started to ask myself if I wanted to be like Abernathy. I didn’t and if Peeta could get what he wanted so could I. It wasn’t easy, but last night was the first time I touched a drink in two months, and I didn’t even drink it. I asked the bartender to give me sarsaparilla.”

Mrs. Mellark inspected each one of the men before she crackled a laugh.

Katniss was confused by her mother-in-law’s quick turn around.

“I’ve been trying to make this lot act like men for years and suddenly because of you they are,” she grinned wickedly. “I would like some tea, preferably chamomile.”

Katniss turned to Peeta and his brothers, whose mouths hung ajar.

“I told you your mother liked Katniss,” Mr. Mellark whistled.

Katniss made Mrs. Mellark some tea and joined her as she told Katniss how she had to toughen up her boys because their cousins used to beat them. She wanted her boys to be tough, and was surprised when  all of them stood up to her. She stayed for lunch and behaved civilly. Mrs. Mellark, turns out, was taking full advantage of her retirement. She loved her bridge club, her gardening, her knitting club, and her future travelers club. She was planning on taking a trip to each of the districts. She even hinted at grandchildren which made all three of her children extremely uncomfortable.

Katniss was amazed when she left with Carlton in tow. River said he’d never seen his mother act so human, and asked Katniss what sedative she’d put in her tea. Before he left he took Katniss to the side.

“Don’t worry about any guy being rude or mean to you, we’ve got you. I know you’re capable of shooting them through the eye, but I don’t want you to be imprisoned. I like what you’ve done to my family.” River grinned patted her head and left.

With her secret safe, Katniss continue her path with Peeta. After her admission on Sunday they began talking, about their likes dislikes, favorite colors. It happened at night when they had the house to themselves.

They were in bed lying on their respective sides of the bed, the pillow barrier between them.  

“So you want us to take a break after the midday rush?” Peeta sat up and peered over the pillow barrier.

“You’re so tired when you drag yourself upstairs, you yawn during dinner. If you had a half-hour so that you could rest, you’d feel better at the end of the day.” Katniss could see Peeta weighing her case. “Especially your father. He’s not the young man he used to be.”

“Dad does take longer to do things.”

“I would do the cooking, I can make something fresh or reheat leftovers for all three of you.”

“My mom never let us have a break. It’s why we work the way we do, but my mom is not the boss anymore. She hasn’t set foot here since the day we married.” He scratched his chin. “Alright, we’ll start tomorrow? So what’s on the menu?”

Katniss smiled shyly. “Is there anything you would like to eat?”

“I personally love your squirrel stew. Or a fried rabbit sandwich.” Peeta laid down and his stomach rumbled.

“Sounds like you could use a snack now.” Katniss got up.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to make you a sandwich; you’re still hungry.”

Peeta grinned and sprang from the bed. Katniss laughed at his antics. He wiggled his eyebrow. “What, I plan on growing nice and fat.” After this Peeta stopped making the pillow barrier, and they would ease their way closer to each other as they talked and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

The third week when she couldn’t go hunting, because it was thundering outside she cleaned the bakery and often found herself watching as Peeta made bread. His hands were fascinating tools.

Her heart fluttered every time he walked into the room. Her cheeks became heated when he touched her hand or brushed her hair away from her face. There were times her insides would grow warm and mushy when he placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

They were preparing to go to bed and talking about the bakery. “I got word today and that the Capitol wants to get rid of the flour that was given in Tesserae. I was thinking of buying some and seeing what bread I can make from it and maybe making it as an economy bread for the people who can’t afford a higher priced bread. I thought possibly to enrich it with raisin or nuts to make the loaf heartier.”

Katniss was slowly starting to realize just how much money went into making the baked goods they sold. “As long as you can keep the cost down, make the price affordable for the people who can’t buy the more expensive bread. It will be a great idea.”

“You really think so?”

“Tesserae flour is not as refined as the flour you get here for the bakery.” Katniss recalled those days. At the 74th games she would have had 20 slips in the bowl. When the president died and the games discontinued the government decided to give all of its workers a pay raise. The miners’ raise what’s so significant their weekly salary lasted longer. The quality of life changed and Tesserae was no longer needed.

“What does the flour look like?”

They were both in the bed by now, his window was opened, and the lights were turned off.

She thought about the flour that came in those packs. “It was grainy and harder to mix into bread. Most people made flat-breads or they use it as a thickener for soups and stews. They also made dumplings with it.”

“Thank you, that was very insightful.” He reached out and lightly touched her hand.

Katniss felt electrical currents running up and down her arm. Heat poured into her cheeks and she was glad the room was dark. He rolled to her and she didn’t waste time in settling her head on his chest. Listening to his heartbeat was as soothing as listening to a cool breeze filter through the trees in the woods.

A few nights later Peeta came out of the bathroom. “Green, your favorite color is green?”

“Why do you sound so surprised?”

“It does make sense; you do love the woods.”

“Thank you for letting Prim stay last night she enjoyed her hot bath.”

“Katniss, your sister is family, and as long as your mother is okay with it, she can stay over any time she wants.”

“Thank you.” Katniss gave him a shy smile. “Maybe tomorrow night you can show me the shade of orange you like?”

Peeta got into the bed but didn’t lie down as was his custom. “What else do you like?”

Katniss was puzzled by his question. It must have shown on her face because he said, “I know you’re deadly with a bow, but squeamish when it comes to injuries. I thought you were going to faint when you saw the blister on River’s hand as you tended to him.”

Katniss was embarrassed she nearly threw up several times.

“I know you prefer honey over sugar in your tea. I know you hate getting up early but do it anyways because the game you catch helps out everyone. By the way, Carlton would like for you to catch an extra squirrel he wants to make a three meat stew.”

“Consider it done.”

“But besides your favorite color and tea I don’t know what else you like.”

“I like cheese buns.” Katniss mouth watered as she recalled the taste of the savory cheesy roll.

“Cheese buns?”

“Anything with cheese really. Prim makes the best goat cheese and in the Spring and Summer she adds different herbs that make it taste unique.”

“Okay what else?”

“I like to read. I didn’t have much access to books in the Seam. After Snow died and the government sent all of the those books to the school  I used to pour over the books in the library during lunch. One time I snuck one out and took it with me to the woods to read.” Katniss said fondly.  “To this day the Diary of Anne Frank is my favorite.”

Peeta reached over to her and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Thank you for sharing.”

Katniss went to sleep and the next day when she came home from hunting her spirits were low. Gale ruined all of the traps he made for her. It began to down pour and she wasn’t able to catch much. She didn’t want to say anything to River because she knew they would want to have a ‘word’ with Gale. Katniss wanted to cut out the middleman and go directly to the power behind Gale. Her old hunting buddy was as stubborn as a mule but there was one person in the entire district he never dared cross, his mother.

She took a shower, despite wanting a bath. It was busy downstairs and they needed her help. After she was dressed and feeling a little better Katniss walked out of the bathroom, and frowned when she saw the box on the bed. It hadn’t been there when she walked in earlier. Curious, she walked up to it and saw a note.

“Please enjoy - Peeta.”

Opening the box she squealed when she saw the books. “She read out loud the titles as she picked up each book, “Catcher in the Rye, Pride and Prejudice, Of Mice and Men, Romeo and Juliet, Jane Eyre, A Christmas Carol, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, The Hobbit, The Fault in Our Stars, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Jurassic Park, Night.” She dug around some more and then her hands stopped and tears clouded her vision momentarily. In a shaky voice she said, “Diary of Anne Frank.”

Within seconds she was down the stairs. Like one of her arrows seeking it’s prey she sought out Peeta. Finding him she hugged him and placed small kisses over his face. “Thank you for the book!” Katniss said before hugging him and burying her face in his neck. His scent wound itself around her.

Peeta wrapped his arms around her, holding her. Both forgot he was in the front of the store helping out patrons with their purchases.

“Oh young love,” one of the women sighed. She turned to her husband, “Why don’t you do nice things for me?”

The husband replied, “Start kissing me like that and I’ll give you the moon.”

A few days later she was with her sister. They were putting the books away on the shelf the boys made. It took them three days to put three shelves up; shelves that fell to the floor by themselves. Katniss chuckled. All four of the Mellark men were experts with pastries and bread, but between them they could not figure out how to properly saw a piece of wood. Katniss and her sister ended up finishing the project.

“Where do you think Peeta found all of these books?”

“I don’t know Prim, but they magically appeared from one day to the next.”

“They must have cost him a lot of money.” Prim carefully touched one of the books with a paper cover.

“Prim,” Katniss sat down on the bed. “Do you think he likes me?”

Her sister spun around. “You haven’t had the talk with him yet?”

“No,” Katniss said embarrassed. They talked every night but not about the one subject they needed to talk about. She really did care about him in a way that was different than the love that she felt for her sister.

“Katniss, you can’t avoid this talk forever. Your 30 days are almost over and if you don’t have this talk with him he might not want to have a Toasting with you. Then you’ll never know unless you ask him what he wants.”

“I know, I know I should have the talk with him and ask him what he wants and how he feels about sex. But sometimes I just like being kept wrapped up, talking about other stuff with him.”

“Like what?”

“Everything,” Katniss shrugged. “We talked about everything, the weather, the bakery…you.”

Prim rubbed her face. “Vick said you weren’t going to chicken out.”

“Gale’s baby brother?” Lately her sister mentioned Vick increasingly in her conversations.”

“By the way Vick, said his mom pulled Gale’s ear and sent him to bed without his dinner. She was so mad to hear about what he was doin to you in the woods she prohibited him from hanging out with his mining buddies. She doesn’t like that they drink and he spends way too much of his salary at the slag heap. To ensure his buddies don’t get out of hand, she convinced his mining buddies’ wives and mothers to pick them up at the end of their shifts.”  

Katniss grinned. She knew Hazzelle was a no-nonsense kind of mom, who appreciated honesty. Katniss was brutally honest when she had a talk with Hazzelle, including why Carlton and River fought Gale. Hazzelle was madder than a hornet’s nest. “So you’re spending a lot of time with a boy who is two years younger.”

Her sister turned red. She had a guilty look on her face, much like her Buttercup did that one time he drank the goat milk Prim needed to make cheese.

“What’s going on between you and Vick?”

“Nothing, I know he’s so young, but he’s so different from his brothers…he’s just a friend.” Prim trailed off.

“You know what they say, when there’s smoke there’s fire,” Katniss said enjoying how the shoe was finally on the other foot.

“The same could be said of you and Peeta. I mean, look at all these books he got you. Something is there.”

Katniss wasn’t sure. They were growing closer but she didn’t know what it was between them. It could be friendship or a type of camaraderie; they were allies. Though lately she wanted to be kissed and touched. She wanted to know what ‘it’, was like. Did she simply lie there while he stuck his appendage inside? Was it supposed to feel good? Would she feel those electrical currents like when he placed kisses on her forehead or when he touched her hand.  Katniss wasn’t sure, but she did not want to discuss these things with her baby sister.

Katniss picked up the Diary of Anne Frank and clenched it tightly against her chest.

Prim sat by her. “You need to talk to him and you need to do it as soon as possible because at the end of the 30 days there is only three possible outcomes. You have a Toasting with him. He lets you go and you seperate. And the last option, stay in the same position. Yuu know there are those who have the same mindset as Gale who will try to take advantage of you or Peeta, and those who will shun you.”

Katniss knew what Primrose said  was true. She needed to put her fears aside and talk to Peeta about them, and her desires and whether or not he wanted to be with her, a girl from the Seam.

The Sunday before the 30 days were up, she felt ‘it’, his manhood pressing up against her bottom. Her body became damp down there, and her breasts ached for his touch. The bubble had burst as Katniss realized she wanted more out of the marriage. It was time to have the dreaded talk.

This time she did not get up from the bed as she had been doing for days. She waited for him to wake up. He moved closer to her and she held onto him knowing this would possibly be the last moment she would ever be this close with him.

As he awoke his breathing changed and his arm tightened around her momentarily before he became stiff and pushed away from her. The rejection hurt.

“Katniss…,” he stammered pushing his blond hair away from his face.

Katniss sadly sat up in bed. She held a pillow in her arms as a sort of fortification for her body, her heart, her mind, and spirit. “I’m not good with words, but I know we have to talk.”

He ran his hands through his hair in an agitated way. “Yeah, I know.”

Katniss closed her eyes and blurted, “Do you find me attractive, like in the way a man wants a female?”

“What?”

Katniss cracked open one eye to find Peeta staring at her slack jawed.

“I warned you I’m not good with words, and frankly I wouldn’t even know how it works between men and women in a situation like this, but if you don’t or can not want me because I’m from the Seam, then we’ve got to be honest to make this situation work for both of us.” She was so embarrassed she buried her face into the pillow. “I want sex with you!”

Peeta was a talker; she knew it from watching him at school. He always said the prettiest things. So she expected him to talk and say something brilliant. What she didn’t expect was the silence after her declaration. She waited with her face buried in the pillow for him to speak, hell for him to walk away. Nothing happened.

Just when she thought she was going crazy he began to laugh. Curiously, she looked up to see he was laughing so hard he fell over on the bed clutching his side with tears running down his face. 

Angered by his reaction to her gut-wrenching declaration she took the pillow and hit him with it several times.

“Hey,” he exclaimed.

One moment she had a pillow in the hand the next moment she was pinned underneath him, his hands on either side of her face, and her legs trapped by his. This poked at the embers of the fire she felt stirring when she kissed him on their wedding day.

Peeta lazily smiled at her. “You’re so pure and perfect for me.”

Katniss wasn’t sure what he meant by that but she was sure there was an insult in there. “ I’m not pure…I…I…want…”

“Go ahead say it. I dare you to but you can’t because you’re not built that way, and it drives me insane with lust for you.  Always has, always will.”

Katniss was confused.

“I asked my brother River to start the rumor that I didn’t want to get married. He did it because he knew I was in love with a girl I thought I could never have. I thought she was in a committed relationship. I didn’t want to end up like my father in a loveless marriage. I would rather be alone for the rest of my life. But my mother made it harder for me. She wouldn’t give me the bakery unless I married.”

It occurred to Katniss she was missing out on a great big joke.

She wanted him and he wanted some unattainable girl. Unwanted tears gathered in her eyes.  This was the other scenario her sister warned her about. “What’s her name? You know we haven’t Toasted yet. You can still have her in your life. Anything, as long as you’re happy.” Katniss figured someone should be happy in this relationship, and if not her, she wanted it to be him.

“This is why you’re so pure because you are willing to give up your own happiness for mine.” His eyes became soft, his voice tender, “I love you Katniss. I’ve I’ve loved you for so long, since I was a boy.”

“A boy,” Katniss whispered with awe and disbelief. “You’ve  loved me for that long?” The interior of her being burst into flames by those words.

“I heard you sing the valley song when we were kids and I was a goner. River used to make fun of me because I was so committed to you and you were with Gale.”

Katniss wrinkled her nose at hearing Gale’s name.

“The day you came to see me I thought I was going to lose the bakery. My mother was fed up with me and threatened she was going to hand the bakery to River.” He loosened his grip cupping her face.

He began placing small kisses on her face. Katniss wound her arms around his neck. Each kiss caused the embers to become brighter, the fire spread from her heart to her belly and to the tips of her toes. She glowed from a combination of his words and his kisses. Sweet kisses that made her hungry for more.

“When you proposed, I grabbed onto that and I wasn’t going to let you slip from my fingers. Had there been enough time I would have married you that same day. When Gale showed up I thought it was over for me but then I saw the way you had my back during the fight and I knew I had a real chance.”

“You don’t have competition anywhere Peeta.” She arched into him when he nuzzled her neck.

“I know that now.”

He kissed the her forehead, when her eyelashes fluttered closed he placed a kiss on each one. Katniss anticipated a kiss on her lips, but he traced the tip on her nose and her lips with his finger tip. Katniss’ breathing was erratic as if she had run a mile. Her body was hot, the nightgown she wore was suddenly itchy and cumbersome. Her lashes opened and she hoped he could see the heat.

He groaned at her fierce look. “You’re so beautiful. It’s been hell keeping my hands off of you.”

He gently kissed her bottom lip before slipping his tongue inside her mouth. She mewled at the contact of his mouth and the fire spread to the juncture of her thighs. She squirmed beneath him, until she could wrap her legs around his middle. He was hard and the friction felt good; the fire was beginning to get out of control.

Peeta sat back and she growled at the loss of contact, until she watched him tear his pajama top off exposing his muscled chest. For Katniss it was like Christmas. A little happy cry escaped her mouth when it dawned on her he wanted her to touch him. Her fingers eagerly reached out and touched his flesh. He was soft and warm, yet she could feel the hard muscle beneath her fingertips. She was drawn to the sprinkling of hair that ran down the middle of his chest. Without thought or preamble she began trailing little kisses on his chest following the line down.

Hearing him gasp and moan at her touches fueled the fire within her and the need to touch and be touched.

Peeta hands trailed down to the hemline of her nightgown. He paused as if asking her permission. By Nature she was shy, but she felt bold around Peeta and she took the hem and pulled her nightgown off over head and threw it into a corner.

He drew in a sharp breath and his blue widened and became dark at the sight of her near naked form. “You are beautiful.”

Embarrassed by his compliment she turned her face away. This was the moment she decided how to live the rest of her life. She could move forward with Peeta letting him have her body or she could cover herself up and deny what she desired.

Taking a big breath she laid back down and opened her arms to him. Her whole body was a flame, hot and bothered. The juncture between her thighs was wet and achy, with need. Her underwear was soaked.

He laid on top of her. “Are you sure? We don’t have to do anything until you’re ready.”

Katniss reached up and kissed him; it was all he needed. They touched and discovered and tasted the other and when it came time for her to receive him she didn’t feel the pain that she heard whispered about. His movements were at first cautious, but as he noted her enjoyment he became confident; each stroke meant to bring her to an unknown volcanic summit.

Katniss was burning, her skin and soul were as hot and radiant as the sun. As her entire existence seemed to burst into a pure beam of light, from her lips she shouted Peeta’s name. Her soul had found its home. She was loved, cherished, and desired by her boy with the bread.

As they came down Peeta asked her, “You love me real or not real?”

With all of the love that she felt in her being, she whispered, “Real.” 

***

Two days later, at midday their family gathered around the fireplace. It wasn’t a lavish affair, a private toasting which suited both Katniss and Peeta. Everyone gathered around them was happy as love filled the room. Katniss stood before Peeta smiling, her sister and mother stood by crying silent tears as Peeta finished toasting the bread. They each ripped off a piece and fed it to the other. They didn’t need the bread because they were already committed to the other, ready to have their better tomorrow.

[swindlersstole]

7, 32, 42?

i really hate to do this to you right now because it’s Go Time but also. it’s Girl Time

32. hammock

Gemma was learning a lot of things about herself these days. Specifically, about herself and travelling, and the lesson of the day was this: she was not good with boats.

This was good to know for the future, because now, as the official first apprentice of the master merchant Derk (titles pending), she would be doing a lot of traveling, both with him and alone as his proxy. Traveling to Dundrasil now was exactly such a proxy service--Derk had been away from his wife for far too long, and Gemma had done such a remarkable job organizing Cobblestone’s repairs, that Derk insisted that she help oversee Dundrasil in his stead. 

Of course, even if he hadn’t asked, Nova had wanted her to come along for the exact same reason. It would be hard work, to be sure, far harder than their village, but Gemma would do anything for her best friend--and she couldn’t turn back from a challenge. The people of Cobblestone were resilient, perseverant, and did not give up, and Gemma was no exception.

The boat did not respect that resolve in the slightest.

Gemma rose from the table on unsteady feet, and Nova caught her before she could hit the floor. “Oh, crumbs…”

“Not a fan of the ocean, huh?” Nova laughed, very obviously worried.

“Ugh…” She pushed herself up off his shoulder, one hand holding her stomach. “It’s not your grandad’s boat on the river, that’s for sure.”

Sylvando leaned out from behind the partition of the galley, chin in his hands and a frown on his lips. “Oh, Gemma, honey, I’m so sorry! Everyone got their sea legs so quickly before. I didn’t even think about someone getting sea sick.”

“If memory serves, Sylv, we didn’t have much of a choice on the sea legs front.” Erik poked out from behind Sylvando; without Jade on board, he’d been tasked to help prep dinner in her stead, but he seemed ready to jump at the slightest inclination that Gemma needed another hand. “You gonna be alright there?”

“I’m going to hafta be, aren’t I?” Now standing straight and independent of Nova, Gemma forced a smile. “So, I’m a little green around the gills--it’s alright! Better I find out now than later. I’ll just… ask to go on foot next time! That’s possible, right?”

It wasn’t the most convincing bluff of her life, and whatever parts of it actually held up as believable were quickly dashed when her stomach lurched again, loud and clear and impossible to disguise as creaking floorboards. Gemma doubled over the table with a groan; Nova raised his arms ready to catch her again, and Erik leapt over the counter in a bolt, and the only thing that stopped them was her was the hand she held up.

She took a few deep breaths, and then stood tall, but much more pale. “I’m okay!”

“Oh, no, darling, you’re really not.” Sylvando had crossed into the dining cabin, hands on his hips. Gemma might not have known him for as long as Nova had, but she definitely understood right away why Nova had said he reminded him so much of his mother. “Now, you need to go take that pretty little face of yours to the sick bay and get some rest. Captain’s orders.” 

“But…” She looked between the three of them, somewhat helplessly. “What about dinner?”

“Honey,” Sylvando raised an eyebrow, “do you think you’re actually going to be able to eat anything right now?”

Gemma opened her mouth.

“Without throwing up.” Erik added.

Gemma closed her mouth.

“Please, Gemma,” Nova pleaded, “We need you at your best in Dundrasil, and I don’t want you catching something more serious because of this.”

Gemma wasn’t sure that seasickness was an open door for pneumonia, or shypox, or--well, actually, it was probably more of a prelude for shypox--but the point was, even after a near two decades of knowing him, she still hadn’t built up an immunity to Nova’s puppy-dog eyes. Which, she supposed was fair, he wasn’t very strong against hers, either, but this was a weakness that had worked against her time and again, and this was no exception. Gemma accepted defeat with a sigh and falling shoulders.

“...Fine, fine. You win,” She’d accepted her defeat, yes, but that didn’t mean she had to be happy about it. “I’m awful sorry, Sylvando, it smells lovely…!”

“Darling, I won’t hear of it!” Sylvando had a complete turnaround from his motherly insistence, clasping his hands together in delight. “This ship runs on happy faces, you know, but forcing a smile on someone isn’t how I do things. So, you go get lots of rest, and then you come back and show me the best smile you’ve got! Deal?”

“Deal,” Despite what he’d said, that did get a smile and a laugh out of Gemma--but, she knew she could do better, and a deal was a deal. She breathed in deep, and steeled herself for the brief trek ahead, turning towards the door to the deck.

As she walked, Nova turned to Erik. “I’ll go with her to be safe. I won’t be too long, just a--”

“Ohhh, no you don’t!” 

It didn’t matter how ill she was, nothing could have stopped Gemma from turning on her heel and stomping back to Nova, just to stick the scolding; he jolted back from her shift in mood. “You’ll be up all night worrying about me if you do that, and then what are we going to get done in Dundrasil? Maybe I have to skip a meal tonight, but that’s not an excuse for you to, Nova. You’re so much more worse about taking care of yourself than I am.”

“Gemma, you’re over exaggerating,” Except she wasn’t, and everyone present knew that, but Nova persisted. “It really wouldn’t be that bad if I--”

“Ah-bup-bup!” She raised a finger to his mouth, effectively shushing him, before turning to Erik. “Erik, you have to make sure he stays put while I’m out. Feed him yourself, if you have to. He had a dream about it once. I read his journal.”

Nova’s face erupted in red. Sylvando cackled. And Erik brought a hand to his chin with a devious smile. “Oh, he did, now?”

“He’s a gentle, romantic soul, you know,” Gemma returned the smile despite her weariness, saccharine sweet and sly, “So I’m trusting you to do whatever you have to do to make sure Nova won’t leave to check on me--or even want to.”

“Ooh, Gemma!” Sylvando howled with laughter, slapping a hand on the dining table. “You naughty little thing, you, I love your style!”

Nova opened his mouth to object, to Gemma, to Sylvando, to anybody who could understand his sputtering, but whatever words he had turned into a gasp and a jolt when emerald-clad arms wrapped around his waist. Erik laid his chin on Nova’s shoulder, and looked to Gemma, all too proud like the cat that ate the canary.

“Ma’am, yes, ma’am,” He sounded far too enthusiastic about this allowance, and it made Nova groan and hide his face in his hands, “I won’t let you down~”

“...You know,” Nova said at last, after the resounding ‘clap!’ of Erik and Gemma’s high-five had faded, “there was this… a good ten minutes, when I was so happy you two became friends? I would love to live in those ten minutes again right now.”

~

Gemma found her way to the infirmary cabin without much difficulty. Once she was on her feet and moving, it was fairly easy to find a rhythm that could deter the rocking of the boat, and she reached her destination with little stumbling.

The sick bay itself looked not much different from the regular cabins. It was certainly bigger, to accommodate all the beds needed for an infirmary, but much of the room for closets and bookshelves replaced with a good deal of cabinets for medicines and herbs. She thought about taking an herb for herself, to see if it would ease the pain, but decided against it; if it was that easy, Nova would have just used magic in the first place, and that would have been that.

Interestingly enough though, Gemma noted, was the hammock strung up near one of the windows--at least, she thought it was a hammock, she’d never seen one shaped like a box before, but there wasn’t much else she could think it to be--which struck her as a bit odd, considering. A hammock on a ship wasn’t a strange mental picture, but in a sick bay, it seemed more… counterproductive, to the seasickness problem. Not that seasickness was the only reason to go to a sick bay but--

A loud churn from her stomach cut off her string of thoughts, and Gemma crumpled over onto the nearest bed with a whine. The more she thought about being sick, the worse it was going to get, and she wasn’t about to spew and make a nuisance of herself on Nova’s account. And that was a worry that was already eating at her appetite enough without the ocean’s help, thank you very much.

Gemma shuddered miserably at the thought, and when her stomach had stilled once more, she kicked off her boots and tucked herself under the blankets, waiting to slip away into troubled sleep.

~

A knock at the door roused Gemma with a groan. She glanced at the window, and grumbled when she saw the sun setting above her, turning her back to the door, and tugging her headscarf over her eyes. “Novaaa, go to dinner…!”

“Oh no, he’s there!” came a voice that was very much not Nova’s, “I brought you something to eat, Gemma.”

It took a moment for Gemma’s groggy mind to fully recognize the voice, but when she did, she rose out of bed slowly from surprise; her headscarf fell around her neck. “...Serena?”

Serena came in at the sound of her name, all smiles and polka dots--she was in that pretty red dress that Gemma had complimented to no end (and that Nova had said he’d made her, and that Gemma could still not believe that Nova had made with his own, human hands), carrying a tray of bread and mugs along with her. She reminded Gemma in that instant of the old picture books her grandad would read to her when she was little, of milkmaids and farmhands living happily in the flower fields of Zwaardsrust before heading off on a grand adventure; all Serena needed was her hair in braids.

Well. Not really, actually, Gemma thought, because then Serena would look too much like Veronica, and she rather liked Serena the way she was.

“Oh, my! You’re looking much better already,” And if such a profound healer like Serena was saying that, Gemma supposed it had to be true, “Do you think you’re well enough to eat something?”

Good question, actually--Gemma supposed she was feeling a bit peckish now. “I… maybe? Is that a good idea for me?”

“As long as it’s nothing too heavy, yes.” Serena closed the door behind her with her back before entering the room in full, setting the tray she’d brought on a nearby table. “Some fresh, warm bread ought to do you good. And ginger ale will do wonders for nausea!”

The scent of the bread wafted through the room. That was one of Gemma’s favorite smells in the world, and her stomach made a noise again--but this time, it was an honest to goodness growl, and she was too relieved that it was a normal sound to be embarrassed that Serena heard it. Then Serena giggled her sweet giggle, and Gemma felt just a smidgen of embarrassment, but not enough to deter her from food.

“That sounds... really good, actually,” Gemma stood up from the bed, blanket wrapped around her shoulders, and made her way to the table with care. “Did you bring all this for me, Serena?”

“I did!” Serena waited until Gemma had sat down before doing the same. “Although… I was hoping if I could join you, if that was alright. I couldn’t eat much of dinner tonight.”

“Oh, no! Ah, I mean--of course you can stay, but did you get queasy, too?”

“No, not quite,” Serena waved aside the worry bashfully, and reached for the bread; she cut a generous slice for Gemma before serving herself. “There was cabbage in some of the servings. I’m allergic.”

“Oof, that’s a rough one,” Gemma nodded in sympathy as she reached for the butter, “My grandma? She’s got a little onion allergy. Refuses not to eat it, though, so it makes cooking a right nightmare sometimes.”

“Gosh, I can imagine!” Serena covered her mouth while she chewed, soft and dainty, like a pretty princess Gemma had dreamed up long ago. “You’d have to substitute it, I’d imagine?”

“Oh, of course--but Grandmum’s so stubborn about it, y’see, so we have to be careful with switching things around so she doesn’t see. Nova’s had to sneak me fennel from him and his mum more times than I can count,” And speaking of, actually... “You know, I’m surprised Nova didn’t come with you!”

“Ah ha, well! He tried to, bless him,” And Serena laughed behind her hand, and that princess Gemma had dreamed up seemed more and more to come to life, “But we all know what he’s like when he gets worried. Nobody was having it when he said he wanted to come with! Erik had gone far enough to sit in his lap to feed him by hand so I could leave alone.”

Gemma squeaked, and put down her mug before she could take a drink and choke on her laughter. “Crikey, I didn’t think he’d actually do it!”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“Oh--I was teasin’ Nova, before I got here. Told a little fib about reading his diary. And I said to Erik, if he tried to follow me, to do whatever he had to to stop ‘im,” Gemma raised her mug again, and grinned around the rim. “Might’ve given him a few ideas on how to do that.”

Serena’s eyes went wide as dinner plates, her cheeks tinged pink, but she soon fell into a fit of laughter--a bit more boisterous than her giggles, Gemma noted, but no less elegant and lovely. “Goodness, I wish I’d known it was that easy! Veronica teases him sometimes, too, but he always seems to shake it off. I didn’t think anything could get under his skin! You must have a gift for speaking ‘Nova’, Gemma.”

“Aw, it’s nothing special, really,” Gemma tugged off her headscarf and fiddled with it in her lap just the slightest bit shy, “I’ve just known him a long time, is all. I know what buttons to press.”

She wasn’t sure she could keep talking about herself, with Serena praising her so genuinely for something so small. She had to shift the topic. “But, you said Veronica’s tried? What’s she done before?”

“Oh! So,” Serena set down her mug, and her hands fluttered to life, a story on her lips and fingertips, “there was this one time, I remember quite clearly--we were visiting Gallopolis, and it was a particularly dry day—Veronica made a joke about Nova’s hair, and how he must use an army’s worth of conditioner?”

Gemma hummed, already understanding where this was going. “And he had no idea what she was talking about, right?”

“We were floored! Erik looked like he was about to lose his mind when he said that. I wouldn’t be surprised at this point if you told me he’s never used a brush in his life.”

“Oh, he wouldn’t get away with that one, not if his mum had anything to say about it,” Gemma shrugged, clearly faking exasperation, “Dumb boys, right? What can ya do?”

“Not very much at all!” Serena laughed again, and it struck Gemma now that Serena’s laughter was so striking to her because it sounded like a melody--a sweet, simple song that made Gemma fall into laughter too, and into a gentle, easy evening gossiping with her new friend.

~

They talked late into the night, much later than Gemma had realized, but not enough to make it urgent. Serena had a calming aura about her, which was something she’d always known since meeting her, but her voice had such a timber to it that all of Gemma’s earlier troubles were forgotten. 

They swapped stories, about nothing, about everything. Gemma talked about Cobblestone, about growing up with Nova (“I can’t tell you the real embarrassing stories, he found out I told Erik about when he put the slimedrop in his hair and he’s still mad about it,”), about how she wanted to go into the clothing business, and how some of the other kids thought she was odd for liking math so much. Serena responded in turn with stories of Arboria, about her and Veronica’s misadventures (“Oh, I was so hungry, Gemma, you have to understand, I was desperate to get out of studying! And the page had a picture of an herb on it, and I just--”), about all her favorite books and songs and plays, and, “I would be happy to loan you something, I have some books I think you’d rather like!”. 

And Gemma was sure she would like them, but hearing Serena tell her about those stories instead was fulfilling in its own way. She was such a gifted storyteller--Gemma could have listened to her forever.

She might have very well done just that, the way they were going; Serena was just finishing up an explanation on the musical complexity and range of Graham Globe when Gemma yawned, much louder and longer than she’d meant to. She clamped a hand over her mouth in shock, and it took her a moment before she could meet Serena’s worried gaze.

“Oh, gosh,” Gemma felt her cheeks burn. If it had been Nova, she wouldn’t have been nearly as embarrassed (he’d seen much worse with nary a blink as a response), but she couldn’t stand the idea of Serena having seen that, “Serena, I’m so sorry! I’m not bored, or anything, I promise.”

“No, no! You’re perfectly fine, Gemma,” Serena took it all with grace, as Gemma must have imagined she did with everything, “If anything, it’s my mistake. I didn’t even realize how late I’ve been keeping you.”

“‘Late’? But it’s not…” Gemma’s point was lost as soon as she turned to the window and was met with the dark, night sky. “Oh! Well, what do you know?”

“The lamp’s almost out of oil, too,” Serena noted, “Time flies when you’re having fun.”

“I’ll say,” Gemma wasn’t about to comment on how happy she was to hear that Serena had fun talking with her, there were bigger concerns at hand, “Should you be getting to bed, Serena?”

“Hmm… oh, probably,” She sounded disheartened by the idea. How odd, “but I would hate to leave if you’re still unwell.”

Oh. That was right! She was seasick! That’s why they were here! Gemma had all but forgotten about it, though now that Serena brought it up, she was conscious of the dull ache slowly growing again in her stomach--not painful, yet, but present.

“Well…” Gemma placed a hand over her stomach, brows furrowed, “We dropped anchor already, didn’t we? I don’t think it can’t get much worse until we start moving again.”

“No, you’re right,” Serena admitted, “I suppose I’m just being a bit of a worrywart… but, since we’re talking about it? I wanted to ask you something, Gemma.”

“Yes? What is it?”

Serena reached forward, tentatively, curiously, and picked up one corner of the blanket around Gemma’s shoulders. “Why didn’t you lay down in the hammock?”

“Uh--” Her sudden forwardness stunned Gemma into silence, and it took a moment for her to collect her thoughts. “I--it didn’t seem like the best idea, you know? If all this rocking is what’s making me sick, then more of it would just make it worse, wouldn’t it?”

“Oh, no! Quite the opposite, actually.” Serena clapped her hands together; her expression was still no less concerned, but her eyes sparkled with knowledge she was more than happy to share. “Sea sickness is just motion sickness. Laying in a hammock helps cancel out the movement of the boat, so you should have a much easier time sleeping in one than a bed.”

“Ah--no kidding!” So much for the hammock being a weird addition to the room. She wished Sylvando had mentioned that earlier. “You think that I should…?”

Serena, ever the dedicated healer, nodded assuredly. “With how out of sorts you were, I don’t think it would hurt.” 

“Well… I guess you know best. Gosh, I hope it’s as comfy as the bed was,” Gemma fiddled with her scarf in her lap, laughing a touch awkwardly to herself, “Definitely won’t be as easy getting in, that’s for sure. Never was too good getting settled in a hammock.”

“No?”

“No, but… hm. I guess I might’ve been just too little, then? I could never get in one without… oh.”

Gemma stopped. 

“...O-Oh.” Oh.

Something… struck her, just then. She’d been sharing so many stories tonight so haphazardly, she’d barely given it much thought, but now that she was giving them thought, the dull ache in her stomach began to grow into a pounding intensity--the strongest it had been all night. She doubled over, wincing and whining and clutching onto her abdomen, and all too suddenly, she felt far too small.

“Gemma!” Serena was upon her in an instant; she’d barely let a gasp escape her before she began to reach out. “Gemma, what’s wrong? Is your seasickness back?”

But Gemma shook her bowed head, quietly denying the hands that came to her aid. 

“Gemma…?”

“I couldn’t do it,” Gemma spoke quickly, and pained, trembling in voice and body, “I couldn’t do it without Nova’s help.”

The confession alone made Gemma run cold. She’d agreed to this trip--to work in Derk’s stead, to organize the reconstruction of a kingdom she’d only seen in storybooks, to help her friend when he called on her--to make a point to herself. To prove to herself that she could stand on her own two feet, without relying on Nova all the time. Gemma had grown dependent on him, and complacent, she could admit that now, and such a thing wasn’t fair to her or him.

She wasn’t jealous. She wasn’t bitter. They would always be best friends, Gemma always in his heart, and Nova always in hers, but Nova wouldn’t always be right next to her to catch her when she stumbled. She had to learn. She had to get better, but she’d already caused Nova so much trouble and worry with just a stomach ache--and now here she was, being a nuisance to Serena, too. Serena, who was so soft and gentle and impossibly lovely, who said her name so sweetly, who had only ever shown her kindness since they met that night in Heliodor, and Gemma couldn’t understand why, but it didn’t matter. A burden was still a burden.

She didn’t think her heart could bear much more of this.

“Gemma.”

Serena’s hands were warm over her own, pulling them away from her stomach, and Gemma realized just how badly she was shaking. And when she finally made herself meet Serena’s gaze, she found that Serena was looking at her with soft, gentle, almost revering eyes, and any response Gemma could have made was gone before it saw the light of day.

“...You know,” Serena started, “you and Nova are very much alike. You both think far too loud.”

Gemma sniffled, and pulled away one hand to rub at her eyes. “W-What do you mean?”

“You’re both rather hard on yourselves. You both take on so much, on your own, because you think that you have to do it on your own. And… to be fair, that might be true, for some things. But certainly not everything, and I think that ends up forgotten along the way.”

Serena paused, breathing in deep. Gemma couldn’t think of a time she’d ever seen her so serious. “Nova’s gotten better about it. He has a lot of help from a lot of people...plenty of people who are happy to remind him that he doesn’t have to do everything by himself. But, Gemma… I’m not sure if anyone has ever told you that.” 

She swallowed. “So. I’m going to.”

Gemma felt her shoulders tense, and her cheeks burned in the dimming lamplight. Her lips parted, as if to speak, but so in shock, she didn’t dare interrupt Serena now.

“I… I think you’re very amazing,” Serena said, “If I try to put myself in your shoes, I’m not sure I could do what you do. You’re a much braver and more resourceful person than I think you’re giving yourself credit for, Gemma. And I really mean that.”

And she really did, Gemma could tell, but she didn’t think she’d ever know why.

“So… please, don’t be disheartened. We can’t make it on our own--we need other people to help us, and they need us the same. Asking for help isn’t a crime, Gemma. It’s in our nature. It’s what makes us human.”

Serena bit her cheek. Her thumb ran circles around Gemma’s knuckles.

“...I wish I could make it better for you, just saying that, but… we both know I can’t. It’s a deeper problem that magic and words just can’t fix. But if nothing else… you should know I’m here for you. And I’ll help you in any way I can. If you can’t turn to everyone yet, please know you can turn to me.”

Gemma swallowed, but she nodded a grateful nod, and subconsciously squeezed Serena’s hands. She really did know, Gemma thought, she understood, and the world didn’t feel so lonesome anymore.

“...Thank you, Serena,” she sniffled out her thanks, but Gemma managed a tiny, grateful smile, if only for a second, “I’m… sorry, you had to see all that. I was planning to talk to Nova about it all, I swear…”

“Please, don’t be sorry, Gemma--I truly did mean what I said,” Serena patted her hands consolingly, “We’re all companions here, remember? And that means you and I, too.”

Companions. Right. The word alone alleviated some of the pain in her stomach; in retrospect, it figured that Gemma would stress herself sick. But it had been reassuring beyond measure for Serena to say that regardless. Nova would never tell her if she was causing trouble, so he was an unreliable opinion, but Serena had no previous attachment or ulterior motives to lie. 

If Serena said she wasn’t a bother, then Gemma could finally, slowly but surely, start to believe it.

“Now then,” Serena stood from her chair, her hand still holding Gemma’s, pulling her up with her, “let’s go and get you all settled, shall we? I don’t know about you, but I’ve always found a warm bed the best comfort after a good cry.”

She bent down a moment, to pick up the blanket that had fallen off Gemma’s shoulders, and wrapped it back around her. Gemma watched her, stunned, but vacantly grabbed at the blanket’s edges and tugged them over her chest. Satisfied with this, Serena gave her an affirming nod and smile, and stepped around her to prepare the hammock, and she watched her go, a thousand thoughts spinning in her mind, and suddenly-- 

“Serena?”

Serena stopped. “Hm?”

“Could I ask… would you stay with me? If it’s… not a trouble to you,” Gemma fidgeted with the blanket, burying her face in the fabric, “I--I’m feeling better, really, but I… I’m not sure I can be alone, right now.”

Goodness. Asking for help did ease some more of her aches, but it did nothing for how embarrassing such a thing was to say out loud. It wasn’t as though Serena hadn’t made… something of an offer like that herself earlier, but that had been before she’d seen first hand how needy Gemma could be. It felt silly of her, to bank on Serena’s support so soon after she’d made it known.

“It would be my pleasure.”

But Serena, voice tender and delighted and relieved, answered her as clear as day, as easy as breathing, and a part of Gemma had to wonder why she’d been worried in the first place.

~

As promised, Serena helped Gemma in first.

The hammock was snug, to say the least. Gemma wasn’t sure if that was because it was meant for only one person, or because she and Serena were just too big. Distantly, she remembered those warm autumn days where she and Nova and Sandy would nap in her grandfather’s hammock, but they’d only been children, then, and Sandy still a puppy; a part of her wondered if this hammock might fall over like Grandad’s did, too, when Sandy jumped on it fully grown.

But Serena climbed over the edge and settled in beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist like they’d done this a thousand times before, and Gemma pushed the thought away, because that was then and this was now, and now felt much more important to address.

Their legs brushed together, and Gemma jumped from the contact. “Ah! Sorry—“ It was unavoidable, but Serena was so warm and soft the brief touch made her heart race.

Serena whispered a laugh, and her smile illuminated by the moonlight made Gemma’s heart race even faster. 

“It’s alright,” she explained, hushed, “I’ve done this before. Veronica--she never got seasick before, but when she shrunk, it changed her center of gravity. The first few nights we were at sea, I stayed with her here like this.”

“O-Oh,” said Gemma, unable to parse if that actually did set her at ease or not, “was it... easier with her?”

“Easy or not doesn’t matter,” Serena answered, “I just want to protect what’s important to me.”

Something about hearing that made Gemma let go of a breath she hadn’t noticed she’d been holding, and as her mind and lungs reeled, Serena raised her hand to the back of Gemma’s head, stroking her hair idly. She hadn’t realized until now, with her head near tucked under her chin, how much taller than her Serena was--or perhaps, Gemma was projecting confidence onto stature. It wouldn’t be the first time; Erik still refused to tell her his real height because her (apparently wildly incorrect) guess had fed his ego far too much.

“Shh--don’t overthink it,” Serena’s voice grew softer, more soothing than it already was, and Gemma felt her muscles start to lax from that alone, “Just feel. Let yourself relax. I’ve got you.”

Gemma had heard stories of mermaids before, and about how their songs could hypnotize even the most fearsome of sailors the seas had ever seen. Nova had explained that those stories of sirens were greatly exaggerated, but listening to Serena talk, and feeling the way her body gave in to her every kind request, she had to wonder if that was really the case. 

Serena had told her to relax, and she did. Serena had said that she had her, and Gemma felt beyond secure. She let her eyes close, to fully immerse herself in the feeling; the scent of a bakery was on Serena’s skin, and a hum buzzed delicately from behind her lips, and Gemma thought--

No. Don’t think. Just feel. And what she felt was...

“...Serena?”

“Yes?”

Gemma nuzzled herself closer to Serena’s chest, as close as she could dare. If she concentrated, she swore she could hear Serena’s heart beat like the beat of a drum, in perfect tune with her voice. “I think you’re amazing, too.”

Serena stilled against her, and for a second, Gemma worried that she’d gone too far, but she was pulled into a tight, warm hug, and the worry ebbed away with the quiet lull of waves. 

~~~

“Knock-knock, get the door, it’s Erik.”

Serena looked away from the window--she’d been watching the clouds roll by the rising sun as Gemma slept--and craned her neck towards the door with a smile. “Quiet now, it’s Serena.”

It took a moment of fumbling with the handle before Erik opened the door just a crack, slipping in without so much as a creak. From Serena’s angle, he looked like he’d just woken up, still in his pyjamas and hair more wild and askew than usual. It must have been earlier than she’d thought; Erik was usually one of the first awake, and he put enough care into his appearance to be dressed before anyone could see him this disheveled.

He closed the door behind him with a soft ‘click’, then turned to her with a knowing grin. “How’d I know,” he whispered.

Serena smiled at him, and there was an underlying air of mischief in her smile that she knew he would pick up on, and she whispered back, “Oh, you knew, did you?”

“Not exactly, but I had a pretty good feeling,” Erik shook his head with a sigh, but he wasn’t trying at all to hide his amusement as he made his way over, “Leave it to you to vanish for the night, and then be found cuddling a cute girl.”

“Well, that was just a pleasant surprise. But you and I have always had similar priorities, Erik,” She spoke wisely, knowing full well that she was correct, “I’m impressed Nova let go of you long enough for you to make it here.”

“It’s never easy. Despite what dinner would have you think, he’s incredibly clingy.”

“And it’s great?”

“The best,” He peered over the hammock to look at Gemma, still nestled up underneath Serena’s chin, “Seriously, though. Is she doing alright?”

“Mmn. Much better now,” Serena fiddled with the ends of Gemma hair between her fingers, “I think she was just anxious, is all.”

“That’s seeming more and more like a Cobblestone standard every day. Not that I can blame them.”

“It’s a good thing we’re here for them then, isn’t it?”

Gemma sighed in her sleep, and the two of them fell silent, but it quickly proved to be a false alarm; instead of waking up, she burrowed herself further into the blanket, and into Serena’s arms. Serena beamed at the sight.

“Man,” Erik whispered with a roll of his eyes, “and here I thought I had it bad.”

“You did,” Serena didn’t look up, “You had it worse.”

“Details,” he nudged Serena on the head with one knuckle, drawing her back to look at him, “I’m gonna go get dressed. I’d say you have another two or three hours before breakfast happens.”

“How long before Nova comes to check on her?”

“If we play our cards right? Hopefully he’ll sleep till midday,” Erik raised his fist above her, “I’ll keep him in bed long as I can.”

Serena raised her first in turn, bumping it quietly against Erik’s. “You’ll succeed.”

“Not unless I want to eat, too. But thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“And thank you for yours.”

Erik pulled back, his fist becoming a two-fingered salute, and he stepped away as quietly as he came. The door opened and shut again with barely a sound, and soon enough, the only sound remaining was the quiet crash of waves against the boat, and Gemma’s soft, peaceful breathing.

Serena had to watch her while she slept--to watch the way her lashes fluttered and chest rose and fell, to watch the subtle puff of her cheeks and the way her lips puckered ever so slightly, and Serena had no other option but to smile at the sight. 

She already knew that Gemma was amazing, for a multitude of reasons both said and unsaid, and had long since thought that--but it was always nice to see those facts take shape.

[lampsabout-moved]

The Persona 3,4, and 5 Rewrite FAQ Masterpost

Everything under the cut! Including my plans, current fics, and spoilers for all three!

Persona 3 Rewrite, titled “Pull The Trigger” (https://archiveofourown.org/works/18834676/chapters/44696302) -Hamuko is the main character, and protagonist! She does all the major plot important things, cause it’s what she deserves. -Minato is not excluded though! He is still a part of S.E.E.S, and is a senior student. He takes the role of the Navigator. His Persona is Eurydice, to mirror Hamuko’s Orpheus! -Fuuka is no longer the team’s Navigator! I’ve reworked Lucia into a battle oriented Persona! She uses the nuclear skills from p5, and has a big fuck off sword. -Yukari/Hamuko/Aigis RIGHTS! -Minato/Akihiko RIGHTS! -More LGBT Rep! -Not as many social links, mainly cause i’m not a big fan of the P3 SL’s, keeping the party members and a few favorites. -Both Elizabeth and Theodore are included, with the added addition of Theodore staying out of the Attendant fight. They are represented by the Temperance social link. -Shinji still dies, sorry!  -Ken isn’t used in combat as much, cause he’s 9. Same with Koromaru.  -Operation Babehunt? Don’t know her! The gang meets Aigis when Hamuko spots her on the beach. -The Awnser’s time loop isn’t just hand waved??? It’s def more explicit with (SPOILERS), Metis’s whole deal of being Aigis’s Shadow? -Little stuff, like Pharos ending everything conversation with “Time Never Waits”, Hamuko using ultimate personas after finishing social links, Rio’s inclusion, Hidetoshi’s exclusion, Fuuka being trans, etc, etc Persona 4 Rewrite, titled “Part The Fog”! -First off, Kanji is mlm, and Naoto is a trans boy. Those are the stories that Atlus wrote, but refused to follow up on. Naoto’s arc is about accepting himself as trans, Kanji’s is about him recognizing himself as gay. -Kanji is now the Navigator! Featuring a redesigned Take-Mikauzachi! Rise takes his role as an active party member. -Soukanji rights!!! Yukichie rights!!! Naorise rights!!! -Yosuke, Yosuke is bi. His social link itself is about overcoming his internalized biphobia and homophobia. It’s not his shadow’s main focus, but it’s a part of it. -Rise’s shadow is no longer a pole-dancer! her shadow takes the form of a clown like Rise, putting on a LOVELY carnival (her dungeon) to get people to look at her for who she really is. She finally takes off her make-up in the boss fight, splitting into a bunch of different rise’s and begging her to tell her who “The Real Rise Is?”, kinda like P4TA. -Adachi is dead. Full stop. He does not come back for P4AU. -Speaking of spin-offs, Kanami Mashita! After the events of P4D, she gets a Persona of her own, Laetitae! -Biggggg social link changes. A disguised Kanami, Amnesiac Labrys, and Sho all apear as Social Links. Kanami being The Hanged Man, Labrys being Strength, and Sho as the Moon. Other SL’s changed accordingly. -Marie is still present, and is more integrated into the story. She is one half of Izanami, and willingly erased her memories after seperation. She herself carries Fog with her, and appears...off. She has a too-long shadow, her smile’s a little too wide, her eyes a little too yellow, rain seems to follow her.  -Teddie is not a perv character. He’s close to the plot so I couldn’t write him out??? But he’s not as pervy as he is in canon, just a flirt. Also Teddie’s Bi, so jot that down.  -I really liked the concept that Rise’s non “Risette” personality was harsh and aggressive? So she’s really rough around the edges when she first meets the IT, only warming up to them after her dungeon is completed. Think Severa from FE13. -Overall, a lot more actual truth finding, a lot less homophobia and transphobia. Persona 5 rewrite, titled “Invitation To Freedom”!  -this is the one im most excited for HOLY S H IT -okay so, -redesigns for everyone’s phantom thief attire. especially the girls. Ann’s design is more like, a mix between her persona and Shego from Kim Possible? If that makes sense? Less dominatrix, more cutesy evil queen. (Makoto is more knight like, but is still spiky like a biker, Futaba resembles a video game merchant mixed with a tech super villain, and Haru is full on Musketeer.) -MORGANA ISN’T CREEPILY INTO ANN. NO MORE ANN BEING CONSTANTLY SEXUALIZED. G O D -speaking of Ann, her entire awakening scene is reworked. No more writhing for my girl. She still kicks the sword and kills Cognitive Ann tho. -Pegoryu rights!! Shihoann rights!! Okujima rights!! Kasutaba rights!! -Akechi joins during Kaneshiro’s palace, along with Makoto! Makoto gets herself in too deep thanks to her being over-protective, and Ren folds, saying that they need someone with detective work to help them, and as much as he hates it, Akechi’s probably been onto them for awhile now anyway. -Akechi is still the traitor. -There are not one, not two, but three players in Yaldaboath’s game! Whose’s the third player? Kasumi Yoshizawa! -Kasumi actually has her own team of Phantom Thieves! They interrupt The PT’s antics the palace, messing with them in Mementos, being rascals. her team includes Hifumi Togo, Sho Minazuki (the weird uncle who followed her into the metaverse), and an OC! (She’s currently based oN Hatsune Miku because I do what I want.) [This was inspired by a tumblr post I saw once,] -When I say that Kasumi messes with the PT, I mean like. They have this elaborate plan to steal Madarame’s treasure, but whoops! Kasumi has already swiped the thing and is a making a break for the exit! -Along with the standard chapters, smaller ones will be added to give the reader Kasumi’s perspective! She is also a wild card. -Goro lives and has a palace, sorry atlus!! -That one scene where Ryuji gets beat up for scaring everyone? Not fucking happening babey! -All those extra cells in the Velvet Room? there are only three! This is how Kasumi and Ren figure out each other are Royal (Codename still pending) and Joker. Miscellaneous

-I am currently in the process of adding more Personas and Demons to a growing roster so I can give each Arcana an even amount! Most info on the actual Personas, their skills, and the associated Social Links, can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uHJv26RnGryvx_yhfzloPzIQUAB_cYOtwyzWGAxKdlQ/edit?usp=sharing EDIT: i completely forgot that most of the new personas im adding are from Bayonetta!

-also im indecisive so uhhh help me decide P4 protag and p5′s protag’s name!

https://www.strawpoll.me/18128738 (P4)

https://www.strawpoll.me/18128740 (P5)

[southdakotafreereport]

Get Out of Debt Guy - New Articles

Get Out of Debt Guy - New Articles --- * Student Debt Doctor Scam Returns Money to Victims * Should I Cancel My Contract With Lakeview Law Group Over High Fees? * What is the Best Place to Save Money and Earn Interest to Make Your Money Grow? * I Want to Get Rid of My Fingerhut and Credit One Bank Cards * I Paid My Bank Twice But They Say They Only Got One Payment * Merchant Cash Advance Company Forced to Send $9.7 Million to Small Businesses * It Will Surprise You Who is Not Happy With Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Student Debt Doctor Scam Returns Money to Victims Posted: 22 Jun 2022 11:04 AM PDT The Federal Trade Commission is sending 22,817 checks totaling more than $2 million to borrowers who lost money to a student loan debt-relief scam that operated under the names Student Debt Doctor. Consumers who receive checks should cash them within 90 days, as indicated on the check. Recipients who have questions about their refund should ... Read more Should I Cancel My Contract With Lakeview Law Group Over High Fees? Posted: 22 Jun 2022 07:41 AM PDT Question: Dear Steve, So, I was reading a situation someone was having with Lakeview Law Group on your site and all of the legalese on the agreement. I called Lakeview to discuss my case and get information about what has been paid off and is still pending. I have been paying since Nov 2020, and ... Read more What is the Best Place to Save Money and Earn Interest to Make Your Money Grow? Posted: 21 Jun 2022 11:56 AM PDT Question: Dear Steve, My husband and I have about $50,000 on hand, we can’t invest it because we need it to put new siding on our house, but we are also trying to save more money to add a garage to our home. Are there any quick places to put this cash to grow it ... Read more I Want to Get Rid of My Fingerhut and Credit One Bank Cards Posted: 21 Jun 2022 10:08 AM PDT Question: Dear Steve, About three years ago, I acquired three credit cards – two from Credit One Bank and one from Fingerhut. I only applied for these particular ones because I had a bankruptcy in 2011, wanted to build up my credit score again, and could not find any other companies who’d issue me one. ... Read more I Paid My Bank Twice But They Say They Only Got One Payment Posted: 21 Jun 2022 09:32 AM PDT Question: Dear Steve, I initiated two equal payments to my credit card account by computer a week apart. One was posted to that account one was not. My bank faxed the credit card bank the transmission statements, which showed the payments to them. My bank can’t do much more than that for me. The credit ... Read more Merchant Cash Advance Company Forced to Send $9.7 Million to Small Businesses Posted: 21 Jun 2022 09:10 AM PDT The Federal Trade Commission is sending 7,731 checks totaling more than $9.7 million to small businesses who were harmed by Yellowstone Capital, a merchant cash advance company that withdrew money from their bank accounts without permission. Eligible businesses are getting 51% of their money back, averaging more than $1,200 for each check. Recipients should cash ... Read more It Will Surprise You Who is Not Happy With Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Posted: 20 Jun 2022 09:11 AM PDT President Biden promised college borrowers $10,000 in student-loan forgiveness when he was on the campaign trail. He has yet to deliver on that promise. Some progressives urge Biden to forgive more student debt. The NAACP said, “$10,000 is not enough, We’re calling on our elected officials to cancel federal student loan debt with no means-testing.” ... Read more You are subscribed to email updates from Get Out of Debt Guy. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. Email delivery powered by Google Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States https://cambridgemassachusettscreditrepair.blogspot.com/2022/06/get-out-of-debt-guy-new-articles_22.html

[sea-and-storm]

LFRP (CRYSTAL)  ||  KJRN FYTHE*

* Exact name & other details may change pending release of naming conventions.

[ BASIC INFORMATION ]

[FULL NAME]   Kjrn Fythe.

[PRONOUNCED]   Kee-ehrn Faiythe (rhymes with lithe).

[ALIASES]   None at present. At least, none to which she’ll answer. 

[GENDER]   Female.

[AGE]  Somewhere in her 80s-90s, but appears approx. early to mid-thirties.

[NAMEDAY]   21st Sun of the Fourth Umbral Moon (8/21).

[RACE]   Rava Viera

[RELIGION]   Questioning, non-practicing.

[LANGUAGES]   Common, Dalmascan.

[ACCENT]   Icelandic, by real world standards.

[HANDEDNESS]   Ambidextrous.

[ APPEARANCE ]

[HAIR]   A long and wildly voluminous mess of deep, rich burgundy, usually swept up into a long ponytail or left to trail down her back. Very soft, very shiny, and clearly tended to with much care and love. Touch at your own risk.

[EYES]   Pale gold.

[COMPLEXION]   Medium tan with coppery undertones.

[HEIGHT]   6′2″ (before ears)  -  7′0″ (with ears)

[BUILD]   A sturdy fighter's build. Whilst not wholly bereft of curvature, she's far from soft or delicate. Instead she bears the distinct musculature and build of someone who has poured many hours over many years into training their body for the rigors of battle.

[POSTURE]   In the public’s eye, upright and confident. Behind closed doors or in the company of those she trusts, her posture is more often than not that of someone tired and with much phantom weight bearing down upon them.

[SCARS]   She bears a number of general scars, mostly bestial in nature, across her body from the nature of the work she does delving into ruins and lairs. However, the most notable are the multitude of burn scars that cover a good portion of her body. They start at her right temple, mercifully skirting around the outer corner of her eye and proceeding downward over her cheek, jaw, neck, shoulder, the entire length of her arm, both hands up to the wrist, and down her side and back until coming to a rough stop around her hip. Save for her face, she usually tries to keep the rest of the scars covered from prying eyes.

[MANNER OF DRESS]   Nothing overly ostentatious, nor overly drab. You’re just as likely to find her in her working gear as opposed to street clothes, though. She seems just as, if not more comfortable in them. 

[JEWELRY]   Her ears are pierced thrice each, with three golden studs in each ear. Under her gloves on her left hand, she wears a simple golden band on her ring finger. There seems to be something inscribed on it, but the lettering is worn from age and she doesn’t often let anyone close enough to read it.

[ COMBAT SKILL ]

[COMBAT CLASS]   Gunblader & Markswoman.

[MELEE PROFICIENCY]   None  |  Low  |  Intermediate  |  High  |  Masterful

[RANGED PROFICIENCY]   None  |  Low  |  Intermediate  |  High  |  Masterful

[MAGICAL PROFICIENCY]   None  |  Low  |  Intermediate  |  High  |  Masterful

[HEALING PROFICIENCY]   None  |  Low  |  Intermediate  |  High  |  Masterful

[ATTRIBUTES] - - -  STRENGTH:   16 (+3) - - -  DEXTERITY:    15 (+2) - - -  CONSTITUTION:   16 (+3) - - -  INTELLIGENCE:   10 (+0) - - -  WISDOM:   9 (-1) - - -  CHARISMA:   10 (+0)

[WEAPONRY]  Salvaged and refitted Garlean-make gunblade & six-shot revolver.

[ARMOR]  Changes depending upon the circumstances. Varies from light leathers to heavier plate and chain, depending on the job.

[COMBAT STRENGTHS]   Fights well against beasts & Garleans, within open spaces. Excellent teamwork, fights well in a group setting. Highly protective of teammates.

[COMBAT WEAKNESSES]  Struggles against spoken races (except Imperials) and within tight spaces. Certain scenarios may trigger PTSD flashbacks mid-combat. Particularly sensitive to magical effects cast upon her;  too much aetheric exposure, even of the positive variety, may trigger a brief berserk state until the excess aether is expended and exhaustion takes over.

[ EARLY YEARS ]

[HOMELAND]   A forest village near the outskirts of Dalmasca.

[PARENTS]   Mjra Fythe (mother)  -  Father Unknown.

[SIBLINGS]   Aela Fythe (older sister)  -  Arla Fythe (younger sister)

[CLAN ROLE]   Huntress, tracker.

[CLAN STATUS]   Self-ostracized.

[REASON(S) FOR LEAVING]   Kjrn decided that she couldn’t see herself living her whole life in the Wood. Joined by her close friend and fellow huntress, Pria Atoel, she left for the city of Dalmasca to start a new life in the larger world.

[ LATER YEARS ]

[PAST RESIDENCE]   Dalmasca.

[PAST OCCUPATION]   Resistance fighter, magitek salvager.

[PAST AFFILIATION]   Dalmascan Resistance.

[PAST FINANCIAL STATUS]   Moderate, comfortable.

[PAST SOCIAL STATUS]   Respected.

[PAST RELATIONSHIPS]   Pria Atoel, wife - deceased.

[PAST FRIENDSHIPS]  A number of friends and allies from the Resistance, as well as other Dalmascan citizens. (Open to background connections!)

[REASON(S) FOR LEAVING]   Left Dalmasca and set herself to wandering aimlessly after a fire that stole both home and family from her.

[ PRESENT DAY ]

[RESIDENCE]   Wherever her weary feet wander. These days, it’s mostly Eorzea or an occasional jaunt to the Far East.

[OCCUPATION]   Treasure Hunter & Merchant of Myriad Miscellanea.

[AFFILIATIONS]   None actively, but still sympathetic to the Dalmascan Resistance and occasionally will send a bit of extra coin their way through some old contacts.

[FINANCIAL STATUS]   Varies. Sometimes well-off, sometimes dirt poor. Depends largely on how successful her treasure-hunting jaunts go.

[SOCIAL STATUS]   Hasn’t really stuck around in one place long enough in recent history to establish any roots nor reputation. Just another adventurer to most.

[RELATIONSHIP STATUS]   Widowed, shows little interest in courting anyone.

[PRESENT FRIENDSHIPS]   Keeps in touch with a few people from her Resistance days, but not many that she could call a close friend. (Open to connections!)

[VICES]   Occasionally numbs her pains with drink, smoke, and sex. She’s tried certain drugs before and while not entirely opposed to them, her sometimes light coinpurse usually keeps her from forming any sort of lasting habit.

[ ROMANCE & SEX ]

[GENDER IDENTITY]   Cisgender Female.

[ROMANTIC ORIENTATION]  Demi-homoromantic.

[EMOTIONAL ROLE]   Submissive  |  Dominant  |  Switch  |  Unsure

[RELATIONSHIP TENDENCIES]   Her biggest tendency is to just not get herself into a relationship. But if she were to do so, it would be a difficult thing to uphold given her tendency to doubt herself and her anxiety over the thought of loss.

[LOVE LANGUAGE]  Kjrn isn’t much of a verbal lover. She’ll drop an ‘I love you’ every now and then, but her love shines through more in her actions. Her love language speaks in things like gentle, careful caresses and thoughtful gifts.

[SEXUAL ORIENTATION]   Homosexual.

[SEXUAL ROLE]   Submissive  |  Dominant  |  Switch  |  Unsure

[LIBIDO]   Surprisingly average, given how often she finds herself in the company of ladies of the evening. Truthfully, she just prefers not to sleep in a cold and lonely bed, and sex without emotional attachments is safer and less painful than otherwise.

[ATTRACTED TO]   Confidence. Kindness. Thoughtfulness. Gentleness. 

[TURN OFFS]   Arrogance. Selfishness. Cruelty. Indecisiveness. Shyness. 

[ PERSONALITY TRAITS ]

Extroverted / In Between / Introverted

Disorganized / In Between / Organized

Close Minded / In Between / Open Minded

Calm / In Between / Anxious

Disagreeable / In Between / Agreeable

Cautious / In Between / Reckless

Patient / In Between / Impatient

Outspoken / In Between / Reserved

Leader / In Between / Follower

Empathetic / In Between / Apathetic

Optimistic / In Between / Pessimistic

Traditional / In Between / Modern

Hard-working / In Between / Lazy

Cultured / In Between / Uncultured

Loyal / In Between / Disloyal

Faithful / In Between / Unfaithful

[ HOOKS ] 

TREASURE HUNTER Kjrn presently makes her living by delving into ruins, tombs, and other such places most folk have no business wandering into in search of anything she might turn a profit on. But such expeditions are dangerous, and usually she’ll either put together a small team herself or seek out a job that’s hiring apt hands. Got a job in need of a sturdy fighter with a big ol’ sword? She’s your viera! (As a note, I would also potentially be interested in finding an RP FC with this sort of theme! If you’re part of one of these FCs or even just know of one that might tick said box, let me know and I’ll gladly check it out!)

MERCHANT OF MYRIAD MISCELLANEA Naturally, after a victorious venture in dungeoneering, Kjrn will usually come out of it with a number of items in need of off-loading. She has a particular eye for anything shiny and beautiful like gems and jewelry, but she’s also been known to come back with anything from weapons to magical items to sell to whomsoever is inclined to pay good coin.

DALMASCAN RESISTANCE AFFILIATE Kjrn and her wife, Pria, were once fairly respected members of the Resistance, fighting the Imperials and salvaging magitek to refit and use against them when all was said and done. However, after the former’s passing, Kjrn stepped down from her active position in the Resistance to take on a more auxiliary role by helping support it financially. She still maintains connections to the Resistance to this day, and some still haven’t given up the hope that she might eventually return to the fight.

HATRED OF EMPTY BEDS Since the loss of her wife, Kjrn has come to absolutely abhor sleeping alone. Yet those wounds are still fresh in her mind despite the decades that have passed, and relationships are always fraught with the peril of loss. And so, Kjrn has become something of a frequent flyer when it comes to the services of ladies of the evening as a coping measure against the loneliness she feels. (That said, I am NOT looking for ERP-heavy / ERP-only connections. In fact, I usually prefer for ERP to come up as little as possible unless it serves a purpose in a narrative or if I just plain feel like stretching those rarely-used literary muscles now and again. So connections of this sort would mostly be of the before and/or after the act variety, and could even possibly be entirely bereft of any actual sexual RP.)

[ OOC ]

[CALL ME]   Jali, Ghoa, Kjrn.. Just don’t call me weird pet names, basically!

[I AM..]   A 27-year-old woman who works a full time job and plays multiple tabletop games as well as playing FFXIV, so my schedule can be kinda all over the place. I also love cats and really bad puns and writing drabbles that make people’s hearts hurt.

[AVAILABILITY]  Most weekday evenings from 5PM - 10PM Central. Weekends, pretty much whenever. Not available most Wednesdays, and some Thursdays/Saturdays due to various D&D games! Also please note that Kjrn is an alt character. Meaning I won’t be available for RP on her 24/7! Please be sure you’re okay with this before reaching out!

[IN-GAME NAME]  TBD. My cheap ass is waiting on naming conventions!

[SERVER]  Balmung (Crystal), but willing to world-visit for RP!

[PREFERRED RP METHODS]   Discord has quickly become my #1 RP platform because I can post even when I’m busy with something else or when I’m having a slow day at work. I can also do in-game RP, usually so long as we work out a day/time in advance! Sometimes I can do impromptu RP requests, but not often!

[HARD NO’S]  

RP of any sort with real-life minors. Sorry, I just don’t feel comfortable writing with anyone under eighteen! 

Characters that are minors ICly are tentatively fine, but I will absolutely not RP any romantic, sexual, mature, dark, or otherwise questionable themes with such a character;  and likewise, I will not RP with anyone whose minor character engages in this sort of RP with others, either.

Fetishistic characters, i.e. “f*ta”, “tr*p”, etc. Actual transgender, agender, genderfluid, etc. characters are 100% fine, but if your character is written not as a fleshed out person but as thinly veiled ERP-bait, I’m not interested.

OOC Romance or possessiveness or clinginess. Just... don’t. I don’t want to date you. I don’t want to sext with you. I don’t want to be up your butt 24/7, and I sure as hell don’t want you up mine. RP partners with reasonable personal space boundaries only need apply, please!

[set-up-cash-app-direct-deposit]

How long does it take for Cash app to release funds?

Does Cash app release direct deposit early?

Cash App makes direct deposits available as soon as they are received, up to two days earlier than many other banks. Your first deposit may take longer to become available depending on your employer..

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Cash App now supports direct deposits for your paychecks. Give your employer the account and routing number in your Cash settings, and we’ll notify you the second that direct deposit hits.” Afterwards, they’re given an account and routing number so employers can start making the direct deposits.

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The Cash App failed to pay to avoid being charged. Although Cash App was unable to send money, any amount deducted from your account will be immediately refunded to your Cash App account or linked bank account balance. If not immediately, it may take 1-3 business days to reflect the amount in your account.

What time does direct deposit hit Cash app?

Direct deposits can take between 1–5 business days to arrive in your Cash App from the scheduled arrival date. As long as you transmit your payroll 2 banking days before the paycheck date, direct deposits are made available to the receiving bank as of 5 pm PT on the paycheck date.

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Cash App payments are usually available instantly. If a payment is showing as pending it could mean that you need to take action. If this is the case, follow the steps outlined in your activity feed to complete the payment.

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How long does it take for Cashapp to release funds?

Cash App offers standard deposits to your bank account and Instant Deposits to your linked debit card. Standard deposits are free and arrive within 1-3 business days. Instant Deposits are subject to a 1.5% fee (with a minimum fee of $0.25) but arrive to your debit card instantly.

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Will Cash app refund stolen money?

Once canceled, it can take up to 10 business days for Cash App to receive the refund. … If you need to prevent further fraudulent Cash Card transactions, report your Cash Card as stolen in the Cash App: Tap the Cash Card tab on your Cash App home screen.

How long does a deposit pend on cash App?

between 4-5 working days How long does a pending direct deposit take on Cash App? Normally, Cash App processes the direct deposit payment between 4-5 working days.

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Cash App lets you send and receive up to $1,000 within any 30 days. You can increase these limits by verifying your identity using your full name, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your SSN.