#Bethany MO

[spdk1]

REVIEW: Tri States Wrestling - King of Missouri Tournament (2024)

A Live Professional Wrestling Event I mentioned in a previous review that Tri States Wrestling’s late September event, Hornet Havoc, felt like a fitting “season finale” for the promotion in 2024. However, it wasn’t their last hurrah for the year. They held a show in Iowa a few weeks ago (sadly out of my travel range), as well as an intriguing tournament event in Bethany, Missouri, that served as…

[leclercss]

Tainted Love, Part 1 (Charles Leclerc)

Masterlist

plot: in an attempt to fix your marriage, you've reluctantly agreed into being in an open relationship with your husband. so far, it's only been your husband that has taken advantage of your recent arrangement until one night out you meet a man who makes you begin to question your marriage.

pairings: charles leclerc x fem!reader

warnings: (+18) mentions of smut, cheating and some swearing

authors note: this is based on a story that i was writing in my spare time but thought it would be interesting to use Charles and a couple of other drivers as characters instead. so Charles is used as a character inspo rather than it including his life as an f1 driver. would love to hear your thoughts and if you'd be open for a part 2. i'm thinking of making this a longer fic.

word count: 4.8k

"[Y/N!]”

You don't really hear your name being called at first. You've been stuck in your own thoughts for the last five minutes, staring at nothing in particular.

"[Y/N]!" It's a little louder this time but still not enough to knock you out of the deep trance you've found yourself in. It's only when you get an elbow into your side and the champagne that's in your hand falls onto your lap that you finally snap out of it.

"Shit!' you squeal as you look down at the champagne that now soaks the bottom of your dress.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry," the girl beside you laughs, "We've been trying to your attention for the last minute."

You look up at her, eyebrows furrowed. You can't remember her name. Was it Bethany? Stephanie? You didn't care, to be honest. It didn't really matter anyway; she wasn't your friend. You were only here as you were roped into pre-drinks before a girls' night out by your best friend, who was the only person you know here.

"It's fine, I was totally out of it," you mumble as you reach out for a napkin to dry the bottom of your dress.

"No shit," you hear a familiar voice say with a hint of smugness. You look across the table and see your best friend Whitney holding back a smirk. "You're on your fourth glass of champagne. I'd be out of it too if I was drinking as quickly as you've been".

You chuckle half-heartedly. Laughing it off as if it was the bottle of Moet that you mostly managed to get through on your own which caused you to be zoned out for so long. Not the fact that you’ve been replaying the arguments that you’ve been having with your husband over the last few weeks in your head. Nor the fact that you’ve been thinking about your shambles of a marriage.

As Whitney takes her attention off you to start cleaning up the mess, you let out a little sigh to yourself and go back to your previous thoughts.

How had your marriage gotten to this point?

You had been so in love with your husband when you first met. In fact, he’d been the only person you had ever been in love with. There was a ten-year age gap between the two of you but that hadn’t stopped you both falling for each other so quickly. He was one of the first people you had gotten to know when you first moved to London six years ago. You’d met on a night out about three months after moving to the city. The physical attraction was instant but that blossomed into something much deeper and within two years you had gotten married. He was your rock, your entire world. And maybe that was a bit of a risk for a girl, who at that point was in her early twenties, to depend on somebody so much and so quickly.

You had a few sceptics when it came to your relationship back in the early days. A few friends from back home had told you it was just a whirlwind romance with a hot older guy. Your mother had been unsure about the age gap. What would a girl in her early twenties need from a man in his early thirties? And what would a man in his early thirties need from a woman in her early twenties?

Your brother had joked that it was probably daddy issues.

You married him anyway. And the first two years of marriage had been bliss. Until about eighteen months ago when things had started to change.  Your husband spent more time away from home (he said it was work related), the sex had become less regular (not by a lack of trying on your part) and you slowly started to feel like a spare part in your marriage.

You started to have a feeling that someone else was now involved in your marriage. And that feeling was unofficially confirmed to you when your husband had brought up the possibility of having an open relationship - basically, he could fuck whoever he wanted, and you couldn’t (and wouldn’t) complain about it. You reluctantly agreed. You loved your husband, and you were willing to make this sacrifice if it means that you could start to repair your marriage. But you were so wrong.

Deep down you knew that you were never going to leave him. And your husband knew that too. Six months into your “open relationship” and your husband had been taking full advantage of the arrangement. Meanwhile, you took the opposite approach and hadn’t slept with anyone outside of your marriage. Despite that, your jealousy grew towards your husbands’ new partners and your loyalty was wearing thin. You had initially been quiet about your doubts when it came to your arrangement. But lately you had been more vocal to your husband about your feelings. Of course, he dismissed those feelings. That’s why you were arguing lately. He had told you that it was something you both needed in your marriage, you guys were too dependent on one other. You told him that you should be enough for him, you didn’t need other people to fill whatever void he was feeling. But you were beginning to realise that maybe you weren’t enough for him.

“Oi! Snap out of it. I’ve poured you another glass. But you better drink it quickly. And fix your dress because the Uber is getting here in ten minutes,” Whitney scolds as she shoves the champagne glass back into your hand.

“Thanks, Whit.�� You can’t help but smile at her. Apart from your husband, Whitney had been your only other source of love and stability during your years in London. And that was why she had dragged you out tonight to pull you out of your recent misery.

“You know what you need? A girl’s night out! And before you roll your eyes and tell me how you’re officially too old for clubbing, we’re going out. You need to spend time with someone else other than him. And it’s been so long since you’ve been shitfaced,” is what Whitney had said when you had told her that you and your husband had been arguing more and more these days. You still hadn’t told her about the open marriage thing. She’d never forgive you for agreeing to it.

You flash her a smile before downing your last glass of champagne. Despite your hesitation, maybe a girls’ night out was what you needed.

-

“To getting shitfaced!” you yell before throwing the hard liquor down your throat. You try not to gag as you slam the empty shot glass down on the bar. Despite your previous doubts of this girl’s night out, you had been having a good time. It wasn’t your usual scene, but you had made an effort to join in and found yourself in a tipsy but playful mood.

“Come on, Stephanie has found a group of hot guys who’ve got a table,” Whitney shouts in your ear. You look at her and giggle, “Seriously?”

“Seriously! Now come on, I think they’re French.”

You allow yourself to be dragged over to the table where the other girls were mingling and flirting with a group of guys. You take a quick glance; they look about two or three years younger than you. Not your type (there was no harm in looking) but they were definitely good-looking.

“This is my friend Whitney, she’s single by the way. And this is her friend, [Y/N},” you hear Stephanie tell them. “But she’s married”.

One of the guys looks at you and lets out a laugh, “What a shame. Lucky guy”. You try to fake a smile at his remark, but your mind momentarily flashes back to your husband.

Rather than trying to come up with a response, you look around the table for something to drink. “Who’s up for some shots?” you ask before grabbing whatever alcohol you can find on the table. God, the hangover is going to be deadly tomorrow.

Just as you’re about to pour yourself something, you feel someone lean over to place a tray of Jager bombs on the table in front of you. “Did someone say shots?” he shouts before being met with a round of cheers. Before you have a chance to look up, the guy has sat down beside you. He leans over and whispers in your ear, “Weren’t you just doing tequila at the bar?” His breath is hot in your ear, his accent even hotter.

“Didn’t know there was a limit to how many shots a girl could have,” you tease, your playful mood apparent.

As you turn to face him, you’re met with a pair of piercing green eyes staring back at you. Fuck, they’re gorgeous. He’s said something to you but you’re too busy staring into his eyes that’s you have no idea what he’s said to you. “Huh?”

You only break eye contact with him as you notice his eyes start to scan your face, most notably he’s looking at your lips before lowering his eyes towards your cleavage. His eyes stay there for a moment before he’s looking into your eyes again. A knot begins to tie in your stomach.

You feel yourself starting to blush at the intense eye contact when you see his mouth start to move again. You really have no clue what he’s said this time.

“I’m sorry, what?”

He chuckles. He quickly scans your face again, smirk still intact, before leaning over to your ear once more. “I said, there’s no limit as long as it doesn’t stop me dancing with you later.”

As he leans back, you can’t help but admire his face. He has a light amount of facial hair, making his somewhat boyish face slightly more mature and handsome. You notice his dimples as he continues to smirk at you before taking a not-so-subtle glance at his lips. As you look back up at his eyes, you realised your staring is painfully obvious.

He leans over you and grabs two glasses from the tray of shots, handing you one. His eyes are back on yours again as he clinks his glass against yours, “Cheers!” You down the shot, wincing in the process before slamming the glass back on the table. “That was disgusting,” you groan before letting out a giggle.

You look back at the Frenchman who’s smiling at you. “Now I’ve gotten you a drink, are you going to tell me your name?” he asks. As he does so, he leans in slightly, so his face is a little closer to yours.

“It’s [Y/N],” you reply. “And yours?”

But before he has a chance to respond, the guy sitting behind your drinking companion leans over and chuckles, “Leave the girl alone, Charles. She’s married,” before turning back to his previous conversation. The beautiful man in front of you, who you’re assuming is Charles, looks back at you. “Married, huh?” He doesn’t look phased.

You nod. “And he’s not with you tonight?”

“No, it’s girls’ night. No husbands or boyfriends allowed,” you reply.

“And what other rules do you have on these girls’ nights?”

“Get as drunk as humanly possible with a group of hot guys.”

-

You’ve spent quite a while talking to Charles. He’s still flirting with you, lightly pushing the boundaries of “I know you’re married”. You’ve learned he’s from Monaco, not France. And he’s been living in London for about a year with a group of his friends from back home. He’s single (you’re not entirely sure how when he looks like that) and he’s better at handling his alcohol than you are.

You’ve spent a short amount of time getting to know some of his friends. His best friend Joris has been getting cosy with Whitney. You didn’t even get a chance to learn one guy’s name before he had started making out with Stephanie. The others you’re too drunk to remember they’re even here. However, your attention always falls back on Charles. And his attention always falls back on you.

You hadn’t even spared a thought about your husband until you saw your phone light up. First you notice your phone background, a picture of you and your husband kissing in front of the Eiffel Tower (and you’re aware that Charles is looking at your phone too). Then his name pops up on your screen. You glance at the message through your alcohol-blurred vision. It says something along the lines of how your night was going and if you were coming back home tonight. You roll eyes before swiping away the message.

“Husband?” Charles asks you. His finger has been tracing your knee for the last few minutes. You nod, trying to push the face of your husband to the back of your mind.

“Yeah, nothing important.”

Charles smiles at you. “How long have you two been married?”

“Four years, together for six.”

“Six years, you must have been late teens when you got together right?” you think it’s his attempt of saying you look good for your late twenties (as if that’s old). But it works on you momentarily, or it’s the fact that the finger tracing your leg has now turned into a hand.

“Well, I was twenty-one. He’s ten years older,” you tell him.

“And how’s that going? Is he okay with these girls’ nights out?”

You’re not sure why he’s quizzing you. It’s probably because of the face you pulled when you saw your husband’s name pop up on your screen. Or the fact that you haven’t mentioned him once all night. Most girls Charles has come across quickly name-drop their partner into conversations quite quickly if they aren’t interested but not you. Your body language has changed since the mention of your husband. And you’ve only been giving short answers when being questioned about him which tells Charles that your husband may be the reason you’re here tonight.

“He has his nights out, I have mine,” you lie before having a quick look around the table. “I’m not here to talk about married life.”

You momentarily look back to Charles who seems a bit taken back by your bluntness before looking back across at Whitney who’s no longer being occupied by Joris. “Whitney, can we go dancing?”

“Let’s do it!”

You stand up from your seat and look down at Charles. “I’m going to go dance. Whenever you want to do another shot come grab me,” you tell him before Whitney takes your arm and leads you to the dance floor. You feel a bit rude for ending your conversation with Charles so abruptly. But you weren’t here to spend the night talking about a man you’re trying to avoid.

-

Swaying your hips to the music and dancing with your best friend was exactly what you needed. The alcohol was well and truly coursing through your body at this point and it gave you the confidence you needed to feel sexy on the dancefloor. You weren’t a bad dancer by any means, but the numerous shots and glasses of champagne were a big help.

Whitney had reunited with Joris on the dancefloor, grinding and making out with one another. You didn’t mind dancing on your own. You were lost in the rhythm of the music, attracting some bystanders who you subtly moved away from when they got too close.

That was until you felt someone place their arm around your waist from behind. The hand felt familiar, but you couldn’t quite place it until you felt a mouth press against your ear. “You were looking a little lonely, thought I’d come and join you.”

You could get used to that voice whispering in your ear.

You look up at him and smile, “How thoughtful of you, Charles.” You were a little too drunk to care about the fact that his other hand found itself around your waist, pulling your body towards gently towards him. Mostly because you were enjoying it.

You felt his torso press against your back, and you leaned against his body as his hips joined yours in swaying to the music. As the both of you found your rhythm, you pressed your ass against his crotch and grinded a little harder on him. Truly letting yourself get lost in the moment with him. You think you hear Whitney cheer at the sight in front of her, but your only focus is on your movements against Charles. You feel one of his hands slide from your waist towards your ass, squeezing it a little before running it back up your waist to just below your breasts.

Fuck, that felt good.

You lean the back of your head against Charles’ chest and peer up at him through your lashes. He’s looking down at you and slowly moves his face towards yours, hips still moving in synchronisation. You look into his eyes, his attention fully on you before you take a quick glance at his lips. They’re slightly parted and if you didn’t have a slight nagging voice in the back of your head you totally would have kissed him. You’re suddenly nervous, you haven’t felt like this with a guy since you first met your husband. It’s new territory but it excites you. Is this why your husband wanted an open relationship? For the thrill and excitement of being so close and almost intimate with someone that wasn’t you?

Charles notices that you’ve gotten lost in your thoughts but wants your attention back on him. He lifts your chin with his thumb, so your face is closer to his and mimics your actions from a few moments ago – looking into your eyes before looking at your lips. You can feel his breath hitting your face and so you lick your lips. If he wants to kiss you, he’s going to have to make the first move.

He senses this and leans in; your parted lips meet his. You’re not sure if it’s nerves but it’s almost like you’ve forgotten how to kiss. The feeling of Charles’ lips against yours has caused all thoughts and logic to leave your body. You’re thankful that he takes the initiative once again and starts to move his lips against yours. You find your momentum again as your place one of your arms behind your head and place your hands on Charles’ cheek, your back still firmly pressed against his torso. As you continue to kiss, you notice that his crotch is still placed firmly against your ass, the bulge in his pants is slightly harder this time and it causes you to feel a slight tingle in your underwear.

As your kiss becomes more passionate, Charles turns you around so you’re face to face. He cups your cheeks with one of his hands, his thumb firmly under your chin and he reconnects your lips together. This time he slips his tongue into your mouth, and it begins to move against yours. The tingly sensation in your underwear is back again and it causes you to moan against Charles mouth. You can feel him smile against your lips, but it doesn’t stop him, it only encourages him to deepen this kiss even further. It’s like you’re the only two people in the room. Your body is tightly pressed against his, slowly tracing his chest with your fingers while Charles’ hands are covering as much body surface as possible. The hand that was cupping your cheek is now on your breast, his thumb grazing over the area where your nipple is. You’re not wearing a bra, so your nipple hardens at his touch, causing him to smile into your kiss once again. His other hand is very low on your back, his fingers spread across the top of your bum.

You’re not sure how long you’ve been kissing for, it could be thirty seconds or thirty minutes but you don’t want to stop. One of your hands finds its way into his silky brown hair and you tug on it lightly. In retaliation, he squeezes one your bum cheeks. This time you’re the one smiling against his lips.

After what feels like an eternity, you both part from the kiss. Your eyes meet his and it feels like you’re in a trance with him. All you can do is just look at him, only him. You’re not sure how long you’ve been standing like this, your hands on his chests, his on your waist. Once again, it’s Charles that takes the initiative but this time in conversation.

He leans down to your ear, your body lightly pressed against his. “Do you want to come back with me tonight?” He leans his head back slightly to gage your reaction. You quickly lick your lips. Your body is telling you to say yes – the tingle in your underwear is only getting bigger. But your head is pounding and you’re not able to open your mouth. The only thing you can do is move and so you move one of your hands from his chest up to Charles’ cheek, your thumb slow soothing the soft skin beneath you.

He's still waiting for an answer. His green eyes staring into yours.

As you finally muster up the courage to speak you feel you feel a strange hand placed on your shoulder. You jump slightly at the sudden touch of contact which clearly isn’t from Charles and turn your head into the direction it came from. Stephanie, the queen of impeccable timing, is smiling at you. She’s saying something to you but you’re not really paying attention.

Only until she starts waving your phone in front of your face do you realise what she’s saying. You thank her before taking your phone and looking at the screen.

It’s your husband. Out of all the nights he could have given you attention, it had to be tonight. You quickly look at your phone and see a missed call accompanied by three or four more unread texts. From a quick glance, you see he’s a bit concerned that you hadn’t responded to his previous message telling him what time you’d been home. He’d never usually ask so it’s a bit baffling to you why he’d suddenly care now. Then again, it’s the first “girls’ night” you’d gone out to in about two years. And you remembered the arguments you guys had been having for the past few weeks and the way you stormed out of the flat this morning.

And what you didn’t realise is that he had seen you pack one of your more revealing dresses in anger when you told him you were going out with Whitney and a few of her girlfriends tonight.

He was worried. Not about you. But about what you might be doing.

“Is everything okay?” Charles voice brings you back to reality and you look up at him for the first time since Stephanie had given you your phone. You hope he hasn’t seen you gulp but he has. He notices a flicker of hesitation in your eyes.

You nod and smile at him, but he’s not convinced. Your husband’s messages have brought you back to reality and your body language has become closed off. You’re no longer touching Charles. He removes his hands from your waist and you’re both left standing there awkwardly on the dancefloor.

You open your mouth to say something but at first nothing comes out. You let out a deep breath before you finally allow yourself to speak, “I can’t. I’m… I’m married, Charles.” He breaks eye contact with you and place his hands into his jean pockets. He’s nodding but doesn’t really say anything.

You both stand there awkwardly for a few moments before you speak again, “I think I need to go. I’m sorry, Charles”. You lean up to place a soft kiss on his cheek. His posture softens a little bit, but he’s disappointed.

“Don’t worry about it,” he says. It sounds a little deflated and you can’t help but feel guilty. Moments before Stephanie had handed you your phone, you would have easily said yes to anything Charles would have asked you but now you find yourself in a weird mindset. You’re curious and you want to know what going home with him feels like, but your husbands’ messages are now imprinted in your brain. And so, you take the easier option which is to go home to your husband and be the loyal wife you’ve talked yourself into being for the last eighteen months.

“Have a good night, Charles,” you say softly before flashing a sympathetic smile. You turn away to leave the dancefloor when you feel Charles’ hand wrap around your arm. He tugs you back towards him and grabs your phone out of your hand. He gestures for you to put in your pin, and you oblige. He takes your phone once again and taps away on the keyboard before handing your phone back to you. You look at your screen to see he’s put his number into your phone.

“For whenever you need another “girls’ night”,” he whispers into your ear before letting you leave.

You quickly search for Whitney to let her know that you’re leaving before ordering an Uber home. As you hug Whitney goodbye, she leans in and whispers, “I hope you had fun tonight. I won’t say anything”. And you know she’s referring to the kiss that you’ve shared with Charles not so long ago. You thank her before making your way out of the club and getting into the Uber which arrives a few minutes later.

-

You rest your head against the window as you the Uber takes you through the busy London streets. You can’t help but feel disappointed with how your night ended and your mind flashes back to the look on Charles’ face when you told him you were leaving. A part of you wishing you had stayed.

You let out a little sigh and shut your eyes, pushing the image of Charles and the feeling of his lips against yours to the back of your head before opening your eyes again. Your phone lights up, catching your attention and you see a text from Whitney asking if you had made it home yet. You scroll down a little further on your notifications to see the unread text messages and missed calls from your husband.

You unlock your phone and start to type up your replies.

The first text.

Whitney: Just in the Uber now, be home in 20 x

The second text.

Lewis ♥: Staying at Whitney’s tonight. I’ll be home before noon tomorrow. Love you xx

You close your conversation with your husband and click on the + icon to open a new message. You let out another sigh before you begin typing the message.

To Charles: Hey, it’s [Y/N]. We didn’t get to finish our dance, mind if I come to yours? X

Your thumb hovers over the send button. You’ve typed your message, now all you have to do is send the it. Shit! You’re such a coward. You tell yourself that if you count to five you’ll send the message. Okay…

5…

4…

3…

2…

1…

Sent.

You quickly lock your phone out of embarrassment and throw it onto the seat beside you. Shit, why did you just do that? You refuse to look at your phone and tell yourself it was a dumb idea to message Charles. You just need to get home, get to bed and pretend like it never happened.

It’s about fifteen or so minutes later and you’re only a few streets away from your apartment. You’ve told yourself not to look at your phone but at the same time you’re curious to see if Charles has responded.

You pick up your phone quickly and see a couple of texts.

First from Whitney:

Text me when you’re in. Love you! Thanks so much for a great night xxx

Then from your husband:

Okay, text me if you need me to pick you up in the morning. Night, love you x

But it’s the third message that piques your interest the most. From Charles:

You changed your mind? We’re on the way home now. Here’s my address if you’re still up for it? X

You can’t help but smile to yourself. As the Uber driver pulls up outside of your apartment building, you look up towards your apartment window, the curtains are closed but a flicker of light is breaking out from the lamp on inside. Knowing Lewis is awake prompts you to make your next decision and you hand your phone to the Uber driver.

“Sorry, I need to go to this address instead”.

The Uber drive grunts at you but he begrudgingly types in the new address before pulling off. You can’t help but smile to yourself as he drives away from your building , and you let out a little giggle as excitement starts to course through your body. That tingly sensation is back as you type your next text:

Charles: I’m on my way x

[nickrocketrodriguez]

Oh! I thought of something that I haven't see many of y'all pick up on!

Yes, Ben and Darius used they/them pronouns for Mo (from "Rest Stop"). These discussions were from over two years ago, so I don't totally remember if Mo themselves uses those same pronouns, but I'm pretty sure that they do. (You'll have to confirm with our amazing Head Writer/Story Editor, Bethany.)

Either way, I liked Ben and Darius at least not assuming their pronouns from the get-go. I also believe the voice actor also went by they/them!

[camelliagwerm]

HAWKE I • ANDRASTE

for veilguard30 day 4 — for the prompt: andraste | with knight-commander meredith | cw: grief, parent death, set after all that remains | 782 words | full collection here

At the foot of the statue of Andraste, Rosalind lights four candles. Father, Carver, Bethany… and Mother. She had hoped the ache in her heart would ease with time, but lighting the fourth is just a reminder of the acute loneliness that not even her friends and associates could fill. With time, she’d accepted Father’s death, but the blame still felt heavy upon her shoulders for the loss of the twins and Mother. 

This is a familiar movement, transferring flame to each wick as she mouths her prayers to the Maker and his saintly bride in the relative quiet. Few come to the Chantry at night, and Sebastian, in an unspoken understanding, makes sure she is not bothered when he can be around. Not tonight, however — she is alone. 

“And for Mo—” she begins, the word catching in her throat. The butcher’s den in Lowtown might have been burned to remove the rot, to make sure no more demons can possess the dead, but the horror is seared into her mind. Of Mother’s head stitched onto the body of another, her face being what the killer had desired most. It is her face too, and so comes the guilt. If he had come for me instead of Mother, I might have… she might have… 

The solitude of the Chantry allows a peace that she would not have back home, in that now too-large mansion where Orana and Bodahn would fuss over her, where every time she walked past a mirror and see her own face, she’d be reminded of Mother, where the curtains and furnishings are everything Mother would have picked, where she’d pushed everyone away.

Tears well up in her eyes, and she allows herself the gasping sobs of grief to take her; the structured bodice of the mourning gown feeling too tight around her ribs, the skirts too heavy as she trembles from the cries and every sob makes her feel just a little more lightheaded. The four candles’ flames dance and flicker at the foot of Andraste’s likeness, just four red candles amongst the many lit in remembrance, and she is so wrapped up in her sorrows that she does not hear the doors open, the heavy footsteps of one clad in plate against the tile, or the shadow of a stern woman cast across the walls — not until the new visitor speaks.

“Champion.” A single stern word to bring Rosalind back to the warmth of the Chantry, the foot of the statue, and Knight-Commander Meredith casts a long shadow.  On hearing her voice, Rosalind looks up and wipes the tears away with the back of her hand.

“Forgive me, Knight-Commander. I did not hear you enter.” She rises from her kneeling position on the ground, straightens out the mourning gown silks. She does not offer the polite, wan smile she offers the rest of them.  Those piercing eyes, the colour of lyrium, surprisingly easy to get lost in, can see through any mask.  “You’ve come to pay your respect to those you have lost?”

“Indeed, for my family and a predecessor.” The older woman, standing next to the statue,  looks uncannily like the Lady Redeemer, wearing a similar shaped crown over cornsilk blonde hair.  “Yet I do not wish to rush your own remembrances.”

“No, it is fine. It is getting late and Orana will worry for me.” Orana had been terrified every time she’d left the mansion at night, pleading her to be careful. Sweet Orana, who’d offered her condolences for Mother and fussed over her health — Rosalind had always warned her the streets were not safe at night, and it had been Mother’s death that had made her take it to heart. “I shall leave you be, Knight-Commander.”

She dips a respectful curtsy, a movement still unfamiliar to her, but the proper one in the heavy gown and as she turns to leave, a cold gauntlet touches her wrist. It makes her flinch.

“Champion. I read the report on what had happened to your mother and the other women. If you wish to ensure that this does not happen again, come speak with me in the Gallows when you feel ready to. I believe we may be able to assist one another.”

Rosalind gently withdraws her hand away as she considers it. Meredith’s methods are harsh, but the memory of cradling Mother dying in her arms, choking on the cloying scent of decay and lilies and blood, makes her wonder what Meredith could do for her. A proposal worth keeping in mind, but not one to make lightly.

Now she offers the smile she reserves for those offering their sympathies out of decency. “Perhaps we might.”

[darkhawk1126]

@benchleyfan looks like he set up shop in Bethany MO.

[tomsmusictaste]

Tom’s Top Ten | ALBUMS OF 2023

It's (belatedly) that time of year again, let's get into it.

10. Hotel Bleu - Broadside

I’ve made peace with the fact that Broadside record is likely to top Old Bones for me but Hotel Bleu is choc full of plenty of upbeat catchy tunes, a refreshing dose of positivity after their more sombre previous record Into The Raging Sea.

Favourite song: Dazed & Confused

9. Past // Present // Future - Meet Me @ The Altar

MM@TA have delivered a very solid debut record. One downside is the lack of easycore-style riffs and breakdowns (one of the main things that drew me to this band’s previous EPs) in favour of a more generic pop-punk sound - that said, all songs are plenty catchy and do a great job of showing off Edith’s vocal range, which is front and centre of this record.

Favourite song/s: Say It (To My Face) / It’s Over For Me

8. Childhood Eyes - Yellowcard

A big year for Yellowcard putting out their first new music since breaking up in 2016, and it delivers. It may just an EP but it's earned it's spot on the list and made me incredibly excited to see what else is on the way from this new era of Yellowcard. Also a collab with Dashboard Confessional? A Spider-Man 2 soundtrack reunion, you love to see it.

Favourite song: Childhood Eyes

7. Slow Burn - Conquer Divide

One of the later albums from the year but I'm glad that I didn't miss this one - Conquer Divide have been something of a 'background band' for me up until now, but this is a record I found myself listening to front to back over and over.

Favourite song: N E W H E A V E N

6. One More Time - Blink-182

I have to confess I have mixed feelings on Blink-182's big comeback album - great to see Tom back in the band and the band back to their classic lineup, lots of great emotion on the title track. Maybe contro but I do think some of the non-single tracks feel a bit pale or watered down compared to the singles, but the singles themselves do have a lot of what I love from that classic Blink sound.

Favourite song: Dance With Me

5. Postcard From A Living Hell - RedHook

RedHook were a new discovery for me this year, and a welcome one at that. This is one of those albums that soon as it came out I had on constant repeat, just banger after banger, not to mention a collab with Mik from Yours Truly; that gets a hell yeah from me.

Favourite song: Inarticulate ft. THE FAIM

4. Join The Club - As December Falls

One of my hottest anticipated releases of the year, As December Falls have come soaring this year, with this their third album and constantly selling out their tours (before i can get a ticket >:( ). Every single song on the tracklist is single worthy and the record makes no shortage of showing off Bethany's vocals, in particular on the emotionally driven 'Home.'

Favourite song: Mayday

3. A Call To The Void - Hot Milk

After knocking out of the park time after time with their EPs, Hot Milk finally released their debut full-length and brought everything that's good about them to the table. From the very first listen I knew this was gonna be a strong contender for AOTY, and indeed was only beaten out by two others.

Favourite song: Alice Cooper's Pool House

2. The Surface - Beartooth

It should be no surprise to my followers seeing Toof pop up on the list, there truly never has been a Beartooth album that hasn't made my top ten and The Surface is no exception. Going against the grain of their MO up until now and releasing an entire metalcore album full of love and positivity was an incredible move, and wonderful to see Caleb find himself in a place where he can write this kind of lyrical content and celebrate his own journey overcoming mental health struggles. The Surface is a welcome addition to the Beartooth catalogue.

Favourite song: I Was Alive

Before we get to the Number One, I'd like to shoutout some honourable mentions that didn't quite make the cut - those being 'Til The Wheels Fall Off - WSTR, Tear Me To Pieces - Story Of The Year, Power To Play - McFly, Untitled Mixtape - Carousel Kings and Linkin Park's 20th Anniverary Edition of Meteora

Also a special shoutout to Sum 41, Neck Deep and Green Day, for their singles off albums that will be released in '24. Good stuff.

With that all out of the way, let's get into my NUMBER ONE ALBUM OF 2023...

1. So Much (For) Stardust - Fall Out Boy

It was tough to crack down on the order of the top three here, but ultimately the number one album couldn't be anything else. I've made no secret that I'm not the biggest fan of the three FOB records prior to this, but here the boys return with a bang combining all that's good about both their pre-hiatus and post-hiatus sounds, resulting in an incredible record that has been definitive for my 2023. What more can I say? Fold Out Bed bloody did it.

Favourite song: Love From The Other Side

And there you have it! Those are my top albums of 2023. We're already a fair way into '24 at the time I'm posting this and this year too is shaping up to have some strong contenders... bring it on.

[walkswithmyfather]

“Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” —John 12:1‭-‬9 (NLT)

“But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” —Matthew 26:10‭-‬13 (NLT)

“When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” —Matthew 26:12‭-‬13 (NIV)

“Easter Explained: An 8-Day Guide to Celebrating Holy Week.” A Devotional By Spoken Gospel - Day 4: “Holy Wednesday”:

“For the last 1,600 years, Christians around the world remember the last days of Jesus' life during Holy Week. Today is Holy Wednesday. Holy Wednesday remembers the day when both faithful Mary and treacherous Judas prepare Jesus to die.

After an increasingly public string of challenges to both Rome and the temple system, the religious elite believe that Jesus is a threat to their kingdom and religion (John 11:48). If Jesus is not killed, they believe Rome will come, take what little power they have left, and destroy their temple (John 11:50; Matthew 26:3-4). Believing it's better for one man to die than for a whole nation to be lost, the religious elite make their final plans to kill Jesus.

Meanwhile, a woman named Mary takes a jar of perfume valued at 300 pieces of silver (or a year's salary), cracks it open, pours it over Jesus' head and feet, and rubs it into his skin with her hair (John 12:3). It's not only lavish but socially awkward and humiliating. Horrified, Judas speaks up for the disciples. He calls Mary's display wasteful and argues the perfume should have been sold and spent on the poor (John 12:4-5; Matthew 26:8-9). But Jesus quiets Judas and tells the disciples Mary is doing the right thing. He says: 'You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me' (Matthew 26:11).

Jesus isn't dismissing care for the poor with this statement, he's highlighting the value of what he has come to do. Like the religious elite have said, the only way to save God's people is if he is killed. Mary understands that Jesus must die, so she embalms him in advance. To her, it's no 'waste' to offer her most precious possession if it prepares Jesus for the burial that will save God's people (Matthew 26:12). But Judas realizes Jesus is no longer useful to him. So he sneaks away and tells the religious elite he will betray Jesus for a tenth of what Mary poured out (Matthew 26:14-15).

Strangely, everyone in this story is preparing for Jesus to die. The religious elite offer a bribe to more easily capture Jesus. Judas betrays Jesus for another month's expenses. And Mary prepares him to be laid in a tomb. Even more strangely, everybody believes Jesus must die in order to save them. Judas thought Jesus' death would save his financial status. The religious elite thought Jesus' death would prevent Rome from breathing more heavily down their necks.

But Holy Wednesday is good news because Jesus announces that his death will save God's people not from Rome or poverty, but from death itself (John 11:51-52). Mary had just seen Jesus raise her brother from the dead (John 11:43-44). She hopes that if Jesus dies, then all God's people can be saved from death. Jesus is worth her most precious possession because Jesus has the power to give eternal life to all who ask.

So I pray that on this Holy Wednesday you will accept that Jesus must die in order to save his people from death forever.”

[dungeons-and-dragon-age]

🎲🌌🪤

For Liam and June! C:

[ask game]

Thanks for the ask Mo!! :]

🎲 If your OC played a pen and paper RPG, what class would they pick? Warrior, mage, thief, ranger, cleric, paladin, druid, necromancer, bard (or other, if that’s not enough).

Liam: Warrior probably? He'd go for something more straightforward and dps based lol

June: Druid! She never gets the chance to learn shapeshifting magic (and even if she did she would be bad at it) so she is living out her shifter daydreams on paper

🌌 If your OC has a nightmare, what’s it most likely about?

Liam: Carver. Bethany. Leandra. Take your pick <3 When his back acts up then sometimes Arishok ones, but those are much more of a blur and more Sensation based

June: Nightmares tend to become a jumble of whatever she's been experiencing more recently. Burnt bodies. Red lyrium. Being trapped. Pain in her hand. Red lyrium.

🪤 What is one thing that could be used to lure your OC into a trap?

Liam: He's easy: Threaten a loved one and he will walk into that trap even if he knows it is one

June: This one's harder.. i wanna say knowledge, maybe? If there is something specific she Wants To Know she is very persistent in trying to learn/find out, so if you bait her with knowledge that is enticing enough and hard to come by she will be more willing to take the risk of it being a trap. Alternatively, during DAI, your best chances are baiting her with a promise of helping get rid of the anchor, although making that claim sound legitimate enough for her to take the bait might be hard.

[greypetrel]

26 for Raina and happy Friday!

Hi Mo, happy next Friday to you!

Super-duper late, but I hope you’ll like it anyway. Merrill finds a stray raccoon on the street and bring her home, back in Act 1.

Tis the prompt list.

Must be you.

"I'm sorry you had to see me like that."

“Hawke!”

She didn’t notice the twine. She wasn’t noticing much of anything, except that the corner between two walls she was resting in was more comfortable than her bed in Gamlen’s house. Sure it was less crowded and loud, the smell was debatable. She was sleepy, and she knew she shouldn’t fall asleep. But she was so tired…

“Sylaise’enaste, Hawke, can you hear me?” The voice said, as a hand rested on her shoulder and the other patted her cheek, with more force than one should. It wasn’t delicate, and it made her wince in pain.

“Sorry! I’m sorry… Creators, is that blood?”

Ah. Yes, it was. She hadn’t had the time to actually notice much of it, right now her head felt light and she couldn’t concentrate well. She recognized the voice as Merrill. Yes, that was Merrill, she lived in the alienage that wasn’t that distant… Or so she hoped: Raina had been walking towards her house when her head had started to spin and she fell onto her butt, crawling in a corner to rest a little before making the rest of the way. How much time had passed?

Two arms snaked under her armpits, moving her torso forward and up, with a loud huff of complaint. The elf hauled her up, wobblying and faltering under her weight: she was shorter than her, and lithely built, not used to carry heavy weights nor people around.

“Hawke, do you hear me?” Merrill huffed. “Can you… Can you stand? Please…”

“My legs are wobbly.” She said, trying to stand on her own made her head spin, and blood stopped reaching her eyes for a while. “Must be you.”

“Me?!” Merrill squeaked, shifting with difficulty on her side, still sustaining her as she pulled Raina’s arm over her shoulders and grabbed her waist. “What did I do? Did I… You tripped on my twine, didn’t you? Oh, I told Varric it was a terrible idea…”

The concern in her voice was genuine, and in a better moment Raina would have felt a little guilty of teasing her. They haven’t known each other for so long, and even if they were in good terms... But she wasn’t in a better moment, and her thoughts worked funny, and it seemed crazily funny and clever.

“A cute, pretty girl hauling me up? Enough to make a girl swoon, you see.”

“I’m not-” A pause. The world was deliciously spinning. “-you’re joking.”

“I always am. But I do think you’re pretty.” Raina said, light-heartedly. And light-headedly, she didn’t really know where they were going, she just felt drowsy and followed Merrill around: with her help walking wasn’t half that bad. “Do I put you ill at ease?”

“N-no. But it’s better if you keep talking, I guess, your head looks really bad.”

“Ouch!”

“Creators! Not in that sense!”

Laughing hurt, but Raina did anyway, grunting in pain right after. It made her want to laugh more, if only. Caught in a never-ending circle of hurting and laughing, Raina just took her time to tell the elf to please don’t bring her home. Not in that state.

“Why not? I don’t know many healing spells, Garrett and Bethany-”

“My mother would kill me.” She laughed again, grimacing right after. “She hates when I get beaten up and… And please, take me to the Hanged Man, I’ve got some coin in my pocket for a room… Or well, I had them, I think.”

Merrill didn’t say anything at that. She didn’t reply, and Raina honestly was too dazed to really get where they were going, or to check if she did make some sense in her rambling. She didn’t want to see her mother in that condition, that she was sure of. Staying awake was difficult, she didn’t need the extra pressure of her mother fussing over her and complaining because look at where her brilliant ideas brought her.

And indeed, look at where her brilliant ideas brought her: forcing a relatively new friend to keep her awake, struggling under her weight as she tries not to make the pair of them fall to their doom down a flight of stairs. They made it eventually to the little house that Merrill was occupying, and Raina was left there on her own, sitting down somewhere, not that she minded much the place right there and then, as the elf ran outside to fetch… Something. Or someone, Raina didn’t really understand well. The world was spinning too much, and truth to be told the woman was too confused and drowsy to really think for more than following instructions. It could have been five minutes or five hours when Merrill got back with a healer, and they started fussing over her.

Actually, she protested the fuss, complaining as best as she could that it was too much over her and she just needed to sleep it off, she was fine.

“You’re not fine, serrah. You lost too much blood and you should pray your skull hasn’t broken.”

“Lucky, then, my head is very hard.”

“I can see it.”

And indeed, her head proved to be hard enough: the bone wasn’t broken, she just bumped it very hard -she couldn’t recall exactly against where or how, just that it hurt a lot. Alongside that, a couple of broken ribs and a good deal of other cuts and minor injuries around her body. For Raina, it was all in a haze, she just protested a little when they tried to move her, because movement made her head spin and made her nauseous. The worst of the nausea, tho, came from the herbs that the healer collected and started treating to make a poultice. The smell smelled revolting, and as much as she tried to keep it in, her stomach twisted and turned so much that she met with her dinner all over again, turning abruptly to maybe avoid the healer. She felt warm hands on her shoulder and back, patting soothingly, and Merrill shushing her and saying it was all right.

In the dizziness of everything, she felt shame and a pang of blame that was all what Leandra would have told her: and right then and there, she was very prone to give her right.

They patched her up and she let them, too tired and ashamed to put up a fight or a brave face. Her head was bandaged and cleaned, a bad cut on her left ribcage sewn shut, and between the two of them they managed to bring her in the other room, and in Merrill’s bed. Raina protested weakly to that, but she was too weak to put up a resistance. As soon as her head was lain on the pillow, she fell asleep.

---

When Raina woke up, her head was pounding badly, and some noises from somewhere around her made the pressure get worse. She opened her eyes and tried to blink sleep away, rubbing them with a -bandaged- hand to make her vision less blurry than it was. When it cleared enough to recognize her surroundings, the first thing that came to her mind was that she wasn’t in her bed.

All alarm bells in her head started to trill, and she jumped up on the bed… And had to place both hands on the mattress beside her thighs, because her head started spinning wildly, and her stomach painfully twisted on itself with nausea. Someone took her trousers off and she didn’t think she could stand, let alone get away from… Wherever she was, she couldn’t really remember much about yesterday evening, after those thugs caught her as she was walking home.

Daggers. She had to find her daggers and maybe-

“Oh, you’re awake! Thank Sylaise!”

To her right, Merrill popped in the room, moving a cloth that made for a door and smiling at her. Too bright and too happy, her voice was too shrill and only added to Raina’s headache. Nonetheless, it made her relax instantly, as memories from the night before started to return. Slowly and with difficulty, catching some glimpses was like trying to move through mud.

“I wouldn’t exactly thank her, it doesn’t really feel good, being awake…”

“I’d bet!” She giggled, hopping in the room and sitting on the bed beside her. “You were pretty battered down yesterday, you know.”

“Yeah, somehow I figured it out…”

She let Merrill place a hand over her brow -her fingers were very delicate, and pleasantly cool against her skin, and she sighed at the contact. The elf bid her to return to bed and stay there, and even tucked her in again. Raina protested the thing, saying she wasn’t a child, and it made Merrill laugh, batting off her hand and tucking her in anyway. It was no trouble, the elf said, and somehow the human had not in her to deny it any further. Even if the more she was awake, the more memories got back to her about what exactly happened. It was still all fuzzy and cloudy but…

Merrill got back into the room when Raina let out a long, dragged groan, remembering what happened. The flirting and the puking, in particular. She met her with both her hands covering her face -she could feel bandages over the left side of her head, but didn’t bother to check if they were dry or soaked through. One thing at a time, maybe losing more blood would have eased the pang of guilt that she felt.

“What is it, Hawke? Do you feel so bad?” Merrill said, kneeling beside her, a ceramic mug held in both her hands.

“I’m sorry.”

“About what? Here, drink… Tomas said to make you drink when you woke up.” She took one of Raina’s hands in hers and closed her fingers, always very delicately, over the mug.

Raina sat up, carefully and slowly not to pour the content all over herself and the sheets -she just missed to force poor Merrill to change them and wash not one but two pairs of them. And as she sipped slowly the water, not to trigger any more nausea than what she was feeling, she slowly replied.

“I’m sorry you had to see me like that, I…” She sighed, deeply. Thinking was difficult, and finding words was like fishing in a frozen lake. “… I’m sorry if I puked on your… Tell me it was the floor and not the bed, please.”

“Don’t mention it!” Merrill giggled again. What was that she found funny? “It was no trouble, really.”

“Tell me I didn’t say anything stupid or too forward.” She groaned again, not finding it particularly funny.

“You were very confused, Hawke, don’t worry. It was no trouble.”

“It was. I occupied your bed the whole… What time is it?”

“It’s the afternoon. You can stay here this night as well, I don’t mind. I placed a cot before the fire, I sleep there anyway when it’s too cold.”

Merrill was happy. Too happy and easygoing for Raina’s taste, and… It was weird. She was kind and gentle, but they weren’t acquainted for so long. Was it normal between elves? Was it her? Or…

“Did you need something from me?” Raina asked, turning to look at the elf, suspiciously.

She was there, smiling happily at her, and just frowned in confusion at the question, the tattoos on her brow scrunching up. It was cute.

“What? No! Why would I need something from you?” She thought about it and continued right after “Is it a human custom I’m not acquainted about? Should I… ask for something now or wait for you to get better?”

And now there were two confused people in the room. Well, that was funny. Raina stopped to look at Merrill, Merrill kept her eyes and… And Raina started to laugh, hard and loud. Or well, she would have, if a wound on her side hadn’t started to pull pretty annoyingly with the movement, and her ribs themselves as well. She curled on herself soon after, groaning in pain.

“Hawke!”

“Oh shit.”

“You should rest, Tomas said to let you rest plenty.”

“I should go back, tho.”

“Nonsense! I don’t mind having you around, really! I…” She sighed, looking down and falling back on her heels. “…I like it here, but it feels a little lonely. I never had that much space on my own, you see. In the clan there was always someone around.”

There was something, about Merrill, that tugged at something deep inside Raina. It wasn’t anything maternal, no, that was reserved for Garrett and Bethany. No, it was… Something that relaxed her. Maybe it was how earnest she was, pushing her to be as well. Raina couldn’t say. What she could do, was showing interest.

“Oh? One would assume that living in the wild made up for more space than in the Alienage…”

“Yes, but no.” She giggled. “It’s not very wise to roam on your own in the wilderness. Bears are not friendly. And aravels are rarely occupied by just one person. I shared the one with the Keeper, as her First and with none of us bonded. This house…” She looked around, with a smile. “…It’s more than I would have thought.”

It wasn’t much, by all means. Two rooms and a smallest one for bathing, few furniture that they had found around town and put together as best as it could be, once cleaned. A hearth. The roof was safe, at least, but it wasn’t much. And, come to think of it, it was still more than what Hawke had, all them cramped in Gamlen’s house… Which wasn’t all that bigger anyway, or more densely furnished. Sure, this smelled better.

“Are you sure I’m not bothering you?”

“Not at all!”

“I puked all over your floor, tho…”

Raina grimaced, and Merrill giggled, shaking her head.

“That’s all right, you didn’t do it on purpose. You’ve helped me a lot since we met… I’m glad to help you in turn.”

It was very weird to hear someone say that they did something for Raina without wanting nothing in return. Actually, it wasn’t something she had heard since… Outside her family, maybe since she came of age and started working in the fields and helping the neighbours out to bring some more coins home. Her body seemed to be made of lead, everything hurt and her head pounded annoyingly: Raina still felt some weight lifting from her shoulders, shily and tentatively. She smiled back, a little ill at ease from the novelty, but… Liking it.

“Anytime, Merrill. Just ask. And, I’ll help you wash the sheets, at least.”

“Sure! But now… Do you think you can manage to stay here alone?”

“I’ll be as quiet as a mouse and make a nap. Go, I don’t want to steal your time as well as your bed. I’m big and strong, I’ll survive.” For once, she didn’t feel like making a show out of it. It was weird, too.

“That’s good. I’ll go fetch Anders. And maybe tell your family you’re here.”

And not before assuring that her guest didn’t want some food -she really felt her stomach was closed and didn’t want to be sick again-, Merrill waved her goodbyes, ready to leave.

“Merrill?” Raina called, hearing her pull the lock.

“Yes?” The elf peeked from the door, wide eyes full with worry.

“Thank you, really.”

She smiled, sweet and all too bright.

“Don’t mention it, Hawke. That’s what friends are for.”

Maybe that was it for real. Come to think of it, Raina never had many friends, outside her family. Not anyone that she could fully call friends, with the implicit rule that a big part of her family had to be kept secret as Apostates. Oh, she had her sympathies and trysts… But friends? People who didn’t mind her puking on their floor, offered their bed and knew that both the brother and sister she had left were mages? Maybe, after all, Kirkwall was good.

[spdk1]

REVIEW: Tri States Wrestling - Earth, Wind & Fuego (2024)

A live professional wrestling show in St. Joseph, MO To Read my preview, click HERE. Tri States Wrestling is a family-friendly wrestling company that largely operates in Northern Missouri but strives to showcase some of the best pro wrestlers in Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas. They are one of the more affordable companies out there, with tickets for children going for as cheap as five dollars at…

[pan-fried-autism]

OC LIST

you know what. maybe i'll finally make an oc list thing.

AHEM

GREMS FUNNY WORLD

MAJOR

Grementine Mewton (28-37, she/her or they/he [pronouns go to the latter set once grem is 32])

Merell Morgan (29-38, she/her)

M0u5e Mewton (4-13ish, he/she/it)

Cr1ck3t Akdow-Mewton (6, she/her)

Al4baster Akdow-Mewton (1, they/them)

Jack Harris (28-37, he/him)

SUPPORTING

Bunny Harris (nee Hopper) (28-37, she/her)

Easton Harris (2-11, he/him)

Minnie Harris (1-10, she/her)

Natalie Harris (couple months old-8 1/2, she/her)

Beans Akdow-Harris (7 mo, she/her)

Lionel Mewton (55-64, he/him)

Lupus Mewton (55-64, he/him)

MINOR

Leslie Mewton (2, she/her)

Lopsy Shepherd (24-33, all pronouns)

Rolando Rojas (baby, he/him)

Raymond Rojas (baby, he/him)

Lucy Rojas (5, she/her)

Tony Rojas (3, he/him)

Quillin Mewton (6-15, he/him)

Jane Welker (37, she/her)

Willow MacDonald (nee Jerseytail) (37, she/her)

Lewis Flores-Little (37, he/him)

Dorina Whittebaker (nee Wong) (57, she/her)

Louise Whittebaker (26, she/her)

Finnley/Finn Whittebaker (23, he/him)

The Harris family

ROCK MONSTERS WORLD

MAJOR

Keith Beaston/Rock Monster (22, he/him [later he/she])

Maria Wayne/Fame Monster (25, she/her)

Virgil Beaston (19, he/him)

Addison/Addie Blair Fogle (22, they/them)

Mabel Fogle-Beaston (14, she/her)

Lime Beaston (13, she/her)

Nicolas Beaston (11, he/him)

SUPPORTING

Kendall McCormick (21, he/they)

Ferrel Williams (22-41, he/him)

Wendy Tiburóna (22, she/her)

Reese Beaston (nee Wayne) (46, she/her)

Frank Beaston (46, he/him)

Roger Nulling (22, he/him)

MINOR

Arty

Bethany

Lily

Pixel Hernandez (19, it/they)

Jodi Milch (19, she/they)

Holland/Holly Watanabe (19, she/her)

Kevin Ryan (20, he/him)

KINGSLAYERS

MAJOR

Mason Keller (24, he/him)

Amira Gutierrez (24, she/her)

James Lytton (24, he/him)

Maxie Dawson (16, they/them)

Charlotte/Lottie Cumberdale (15, she/her)

Chamberlain/Lain Cumberdale (15, he/him)

Ashwyn Toa (129, he/him)

Derik Strangern I (25, he/him)

Marisel Peters (22, she/her)

Carrie von Sensenmann I (23, she/her)

SUPPORTING

Martin Vulcaton (24, he/him)

Victoria Strangern (nee Crossica) (50, she/her)

Barnabas/Barny Dawson (47, he/him)

Morana Strangern I (23, she/her)

Auric Strangern I (dead, he/him)

MINOR

Janice Watterson (nee Lytton) (24, she/her)

Chloe Dawson (nee Sasaki) (39, she/her)

Jericho Weber (29, they/she)

Nero Strangern II (19, he/him)

Katrianne le Clerk (nee Allard) (dead, she/her)

Elise Keller (nee le Clerk) (54, she/her)

Almorte (immortal, it/he)

Vajasi (immortal, she/he)

Paulina Moore (16, she/her)

Dion Morgan (7, he/him)

THE BAT OUT OF HELL

UH I ONLY HAVE THREE SORRY

Bronach O'Byrne (28, he/it)

Mother Helena Sullivan (24, she/it)

Champagne Stirrwell (30, they/them)

MIITOPIA OCS. I DONT HAVE THAT MANY OF THESE

Help Mii/Helamea (17, she/her)

FNF OC

Lime and Nick

MP/Minus!Plumeria (26, she/her)

MG/Minus!Guzma (26, he/him)

MK/Minus!Koko (15, they/them)

8-Byte (juvenile, it/its + she/her if ur close)

A-Body (adult, he/bit)

RAR OCs

Strawberry/Strawbei (23, any pronouns)

Partridgeberry/Party (23, he/him)

Tomato/Tom/Tommy (23, he/she)

Golden Delicious/Goldie (23, she/her)

Red Delicious/Red/Rouge/Rosie (22, he/she/they [depends how he feels])

Spherekhail Davies (29, he/him)

Fumonis but only because they and Strawbei are dating

DEMON OCs

John Jonn/Mr. Bland/"Osteorachnid" (looks early 20s, he/him)

Laurel/"Amedusa" (looks early 20s, he/she)

Fumonis (looks mid 20s, he/she/they)

Spirece (30+ but demons age differently so they're around 18-19 in human years, they/them)

Beetle (baby, she/rot)

Abalain/Abbie (old, she/they)

Plasma (old, he/him)

Scorpent (not as old but still old, ve/ver)

Spherekhail

A-Body

Help Mii/Helamea

Helena

POLYGONAL ALIENS

Trianna Isomer (25, she/her)

Angulaure Arithmette (22, she/they/ze)

Pentylle Murphy (32, she/xe/it)

Spherekhail

MMHOPH OCS

Ryoshi Mao (16, he.him)

Meowlentine Mao I (14, she/her)

Hanna Keys (11, she/her)

Vinnie Mao (6, he/him)

Nia Mao (5, she/her)

Lennie (15, he/him)

POKEMON OCS

Koherna/Koko Addleson (15, she/her)

Noir Bellin (13, she/her)

Mohna Aether (14, she/her)

Blanca (11, she/her)

Lexi Lox (16, she/they)

Reya Smith (17, she/her)

Robyn Decker (12, she/they)

Kagome (scrafty, she/her)

Inari (scrafty, he/him)

Chihiro (scraggy, he/him)

Trixie (tinkaton, she/it)

Sneaks (salandit, he/him)

Professor Merlin Mahogany (30, he/they)

STEVEN UNIVERSE OCs

Emerald (she/her)

Yukonite/Yukie (she/her)

Blue Sandstone/Blue (he/him)

Calypso Barriga (15, she/her)

MISCHELLANOUSE

Kira Mori (16, she/her)

[ericsonclan]

Happiest Season

Summary: Therissa wants to take Bethany with her to visit her family during Christmas but there's just one issue, they don't know that Therissa has a girlfriend.

Word Count: 3000+

Read on AO3:

“And this is the new coat I got,” Bethany worked to get her light pink winter coat and smiled when she heard her friend give a small gasp.

“That looks amazing!” Brody chimed from over FaceTime.

“Better than the darker pink one?”

“Hmmm, I think light pink suits you better,”

Bethany nodded and worked to shuffle off her coat. “I also got some more things to show but first how are things going on your trip?”

“Good. Willy and Mitch got super competitive over everything. I got some funny slow-mo videos of them when we went sledding if you want me to send them to you.”

“Yeah, send them on over,” Bethany smiled as she worked to change her earrings.

“So what are your plans for the holiday season?” Brody asked and waited for Bethany’s answer when suddenly Bethany was wrapped in a hug from behind. Bethany let out a small yelp of surprise before giggling.

“Cut it out, Therissa, that tickles.”

“Aww, but your laugh is really cute,” Therissa grinned as she kept tickling her girlfriend then spotted Brody. “Oh hey there, Brody. Is Butt Sniffer there with you?”

“Nah, he’s out on a hot cocoa and candy cane run with Willy.”

“Oh, gotcha,” Therissa rested her head on top of Bethany's. “Well when you see him again, tell him I said he sucks.”

Brody sighed and shook her head goodnaturedly. “Okay. I have to get going but before I forget Renata kept bringing up some sort of big get-together with the girls after Christmas.”

“Oh yeah, the gift exchange. Me and Bethany will be there,” Therissa looked at her girlfriend who gave a short nod as she held onto Therissa’s arms.

“Great, okay, with that I really need to go. Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas!” Therissa and Bethany spoke at the same time and waved goodbye before the call ended. As soon as the call was done, Therissa let out a long sigh and fell backwards onto the bed.

“Damn, looks like this is gonna be a busy holiday season.” She stared up at the ceiling before she felt her heart do a little flip when Bethany sat on top of her.

“Yeah, but it's gonna be a lot of fun,” Bethany leaned over and stole a quick kiss. “By the way, my moms said we could come to Christmas if we wanted to.” Her smile stayed on her lips until she saw her girlfriend’s face. “What’s spinning in there?”

“It’s just I promised my family I’d come up for a few days before Christmas and well…” Therissa didn’t continue her sentence as her hands brushed up and down her girlfriend’s arms.

“That’s okay. You can go for a bit and then I can go home for a bit and then we can celebrate Christmas together.”

“Yeah,” Therissa mumbled, her focus stayed up on the ceiling.

“Okay, Therissa, what’s up?”

Therissa thought for a minute as she messed with one of the multiple rings on her fingers. “Nothing. Do you want to grab some Thai for lunch?”

Bethany gave her girlfriend a look then got up from the bed. “Come on, we promised no bullshit between us.”

“It’s not-” Therissa took a deep breath before grabbing the back of her neck and tightening her grip on it for a second. “I want you to come with me.”

“That’s it? Sure, I’ll come with you. I’d love to meet your family,” Bethany could sense that that wasn’t everything. “What else are you hiding?”

“Well, I haven’t told them about you yet,” Therrisa sat up and started to fiddle with her fingers. “I’m not out to them yet.”

A soft “oh” left Bethany’s lips and a moment of silence passed between them. “That’s okay. You don’t have to come out to them.”

“Well, I want to if I bring you with me. I thought that it might help me get up the courage to say it but… I don’t know. I don’t want to seem like some dick of a girlfriend who’s only bringing you for that reason. It’s not that I want you to feel like some kind of accessory to me coming out and being like ‘look, proof I’m gay’ or some shit like that. I really want you to meet my family so maybe it’s better if I just call them right now and get it over with,” Therrisa stared down at her hands; she could feel the ball of nerves reappearing in her gut. It felt really fucking stupid for her to be nervous. Her family had always been supportive of her so why would this one thing change it? Still, she also didn’t want to risk putting Bethany in a tense or uncomfortable situation.

“Hey, it’s gonna be okay.”

The pressure of Bethany’s hand on her arm made Therissa glance up, noticing that her body had betrayed the nerves that she had wanted to hide. “Yeah, sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize. If you want me to come with you, I will.”

Therissa looked into her girlfriend’s eyes and saw the sincerity in them. “Okay, thanks.”

Therissa worked to make sure the car was all set to go and had enough gas for the trip. Once she was sure of that she jogged back inside her apartment to help her girlfriend with her bags.

“Here, I’ve got it,” Therissa worked to carry the rest of the bags but it was going haphazardly.

“Babe, it’s fine. I’ll help out, I don't want you hurting yourself,” Bethany took a bag or two then pressed a kiss to her girlfriend's cheek. She smiled at the dorky grin that the kiss had caused and soon the two of them were finishing packing up the car.

“Okay, let’s go over everything. Clothes.”

“Check,” Therissa got into the driver’s seat and worked on her seatbelt.

“Toiletries.”

“Yep.”

“Someone to look after Bandit?”

“Yep, she’s having fun with Esperanza at Minnie and Renata’s place.”

“Gifts.”

“Yep, if it goes well and list of hotels if it doesn’t.” Therissa took a shaky breath.

Bethany gently placed her hand on top of her girlfriend’s.

“You’re gonna be my top priority. If it doesn’t go well then we’ll leave and find a good hotel to stay the night.”

“Okay, if worst comes to worst we can head to my parents’ place for the holidays.” Bethany squeezed Therissa’s hand. Therrisa lifted up her girlfriend’s hand and pressed a kiss to it then took a deep breath.

“Alright, rest of the checklist,”

“Right,”

The drive over to the Moore’s residence was filled with laughs and small little adventures. More than once they had ended up off track either due to Therissa missing an exit or Bethany messing up the directions. Neither of them seemed to mind though; being together was always great and being able to listen to Christmas music as they drove through the snow felt special.

“Did I ever tell you how sexy you look when you refill the car’s gas tank, because damn girl,”

Bethany looked over at Therissa and shook her head with a smile at the flirting. “Oh yeah and what gives you the right to look that good?”

“Mmm, I don’t know,” Therissa rested her hands on her girlfriend’s hips while Bethany wrapped her hands around the back of her neck and the two shared a long kiss.

Bethany hummed softly then worked to put the gas pump back. “Okay, we should hit the road again,”

“Yeah, we’re not far from there, about twenty minutes I think,” Therissa worked to shake off her nerves and got back in the car.

“I’m gonna be with you the whole time, babe.”

Therissa nodded. “Yeah, thanks.” With one more deep breath, she turned the key in the ignition and pulled out of the gas station. Both of them stayed quieter than they had for the entire trip as the last few minutes of the drive came to an end. Each second that passed in the driveway made Therissa’s gut tighten more and more. Shit, this was really happening. Therissa couldn’t believe it.

“We can stay in the car for as long as you need.” Bethany rubbed her hand against her girlfriend’s arm in hopes it would calm her nerves.

“Yeah, I don’t think that’s gonna happen.” Therissa looked over at the front door and saw Delfia who strolled out towards the car calmly while Dewey ran forward in his large winter coat as the cold fogged up his glasses.

“Ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Therissa unclipped her seatbelt and got out of the car. “Hey, long time no see.”

“You can say that again. What, is it really that hard to call sometimes?” Delfia quipped then gave Therissa a side hug.

“Yeah, you don't respond in the family chat.” Dewey chimed in before sharing a big hug with Therissa.

“Uh yeah, because there’s way too much there all the time. I react sometimes.”

“Sometimes but not- Who’s that?”

Dewey’s sudden redirection turned Delfia’s attention over to Bethany.

“Hey there,”

“Hi,” Bethany tried to give a casual wave but it had turned more awkward than she had planned. Before her girlfriend’s siblings could pry and find out who she was, the front door opened again.

“What are you all doing out there, you’re gonna freeze your asses off.” A mountain of a man appeared by the door. His platinum blond hair contrasted slightly with the white winter wonderland outside. His sheer height made Bethany share a silent conversation with Therissa. Therissa had definitely underplayed how tall he was.

“How about we all say hi when we’re inside and not- shit my nuts!” Tripp nearly slipped as he took a step outside. “Son of a goddamn,” He huffed and awkwardly held out his arms.

“Are you okay, baby?” Sarita carefully stepped outside and closed the front door.

“I’m fine. Nearly split my pants but I didn’t.”

“Damn, well it’s hardly Christmas without you ripping your pants, Dad,” Therissa gave a teasing smirk over to her dad who frowned at her before giving a hearty laugh.

“That’s true.” It took him a few seconds and the help of his wife but soon he was back on safe ground. With that worry out of the way everyone seemed to pick up on Bethany’s presence.

“Oh, hello there, are you a friend of Therissa’s?”

Bethany was quiet for a second; she didn’t want to say something that would either shut down or force Therissa to come out right now. After an awkward second though Bethany felt Therissa hold onto her hand.

“No, she’s my girlfriend.” Therissa could feel her entire gut on fire as her anxiety shot through her body. Time seemed to stand still and seconds felt like they lasted for minutes until the silence was finally broken by Delfia.

“Oh, now it all makes sense. Gay.”

Dewey did an overexaggerated gasp. “Be gay, do crimes! It all makes sense now!”

Therissa stood there for a moment, blinking slowly. “That’s it?”

“Well it was really obvious you were gay,” Delfia shrugged.

“No??? What, no it wasn’t!” Therissa was still reeling from how casually her siblings had taken the information she hardly even registered her mom’s hug.

“You two, enough teasing. It was very brave for you to share that with us, Therissa,” Sarita’s hug tightened around her daughter and she swayed her back and forth gently.

Therissa was in a perpetual state of shock while Bethany was smiling, relieved that everything had gone well.

“Well, what was your name?” Tripp stood before Bethany who immediately became intimidated.

“Bethany, sir.”

“Uh huh and have you been treating my daughter well?”

“Yes, Mr. Moore.” Bethany swallowed roughly. She didn’t think she had ever seen someone so tall.

“Dad, cut that out, stop giving her a hard time,” Therissa spoke up and came to Bethany’s defense.

Tripp raised his hands up. “Hey I was just looking out for my kid.”

“Don’t mind our dad, he looks really intimidating but he’s a big softie. Come one, I wanna hear about everything.” Delfia grabbed Bethany’s hand and started to guide her inside.

“She mainly wants to hear about all the embarrassing stories you have of Therissa.” Dewey called out with a grin then went to help unload the car.

“What? Hey, Delfia, you better not!” Therissa yelled but Delfia completely ignored her younger sister and continued to talk with Bethany.

“Therissa, I need a hand here!” Dewey struggled with the bags, trying to push his glasses up at the same time. Luckily it wasn’t that hard to bring in the bags and get back into the warmth of the house with the help of their dad.

“I set up the guest room for you but I’ll be sure to grab an extra pillow and some blankets so Bethany is comfortable too. Oh, I’m so glad you’re here,” Sarita wrapped her daughter in a tight hug then wandered off to get that task done.

“So, wanna help me with setting up the after-dinner DnD game?” Dewey walked forward and Therissa followed close behind him.

“So, that’s it, everyone just accepts me as being bi?”

“Yep. I mean me and Delphia had a hunch but we didn’t want to just go declaring it.” Dewey got out a tablecloth and worked to drape it. “Why? Were you worried or something?”

Therissa stayed quiet for a few seconds as she helped her younger brother.

“Well you don’t have to worry anymore. Mom and Dad might grill Bethany a bit during dinner but besides that I think she’ll fit right in. She seems nice.”

“Yeah, she’s great. I really wanted her to meet everyone,” Therissa reached for a D20 dice when a small hiss left her brother’s lips. “What?”

“That’s my lucky die.”

“Really? But there’s two here,”

“One is Erin’s.” Dewey spoke before realizing what he had said.

“What?”

“Nothing. Forget I said my girlfriend’s name!” Dewey’s eyes widened when he slipped up again. “Shit!”

“Damn, is this holiday gonna just be a reveal of different girlfriends?" Therissa teased her sibling as she sat down. The two of them talked for a long time while their mom had wandered back into the kitchen.

“So then Therissa tried to steal another dollar but when she got back to our room she realized that it was just one of those fake dollars that we used to play with,” Delfia explained and smiled when it got a laugh out of Bethany.

“So she’s always been a mischievous thief, huh?”

“Yep, that’s always been the case,” Delfia explained then looked over into the kitchen. “Need help, Mom?”

“Hmmm yes that would be great.” Sarita smiled softly.

“I can help too. I’m not the best cook though so maybe just leave me to chopping duty,” Bethany walked into the kitchen and worked to roll up her sleeves.

“Oh, you don’t have to do anything. You’re a guest.”

“Well as a guest I figured helping out was the least to do since you’re letting me spend some of the holiday here.” Bethany noticed how much those words had meant to Sarita.

“You are a very thoughtful young lady.”

Bethany scratched the back of her head for a moment. “I try to be.” She wandered over to wash her hands and listened to the different instructions that Sarita was giving.

“So how did you and Therissa meet?” Sarita asked while Bethany worked to cut up an onion.

“Oh, we met during our last year of college. I spotted her in the gym and kept seeing her around so I asked her out for coffee. One thing led to another and now we’ve almost been dating for two years.”

“Two years,” Delfia gave a small whistle. “Damn, and my sister still hasn’t proposed to you.” She tsked teasingly.

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with dating for a while!” Therissa called out from the living room as she helped her dad fix the dancing holiday jazz Santa.

“Uh huh,”

“Well I think there isn’t anything wrong with it.” Sarita added then got out a pot to put on the stove. “Can you tell me how much butter and flour I’ll need for this, Bethany?”

“Sure,” Bethany walked over and studied the recipe card. It would take her a little longer with how fancy Sarita’s cursive was.

“Is it not that much? I can always eyeball it.”

“Sorry, my dyslexic brain isn’t registering your writing yet.”

“Oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to put pressure on you like that.” Sarita apologized but Bethany waved her hand dismissively.

“No, no, it's totally fine.”

“Oh shit that reminds me!” Therissa yelled and her loud footsteps were heard through the house before her face poked out from by the wall. “Bethany can’t handle dairy well so could we have some dishes that don’t have it? I could help make them.”

“Yes, any help would be great. And don’t worry, Bethany, I’ll make sure there is plenty of food you can eat.” Sarita reassured Bethany who gave a soft smile.

Soon everyone was focused on their tasks at hand. The conversation kept going at their usual speed.

“So, I know Therissa only said that she’d be here a couple of days but if you want you can stay longer.” Sarita offered and worked to get some of the dishes in the oven. It was obvious that she had already bonded with Bethany and enjoyed her company.

“That’s really sweet, Mrs. Moore,”

“Please, call me Sarita,”

“Okay,” Bethany gave a short nod. “That’s a really kind offer but me and Therissa were planning to spend some time at my parents’ place after this so I get to see them during the holidays.”

“Are your parents cool with you dating Therissa?” Tripp asked before swearing as he'd knocked over a cup on the table during the set up.

“Yeah, they’ve been really supportive.”

“That’s wonderful, maybe one day our two families can get together and meet.” Sarita looked over and spotted Therissa’s smile as she shook her head. “What?”

“Nothing,” Therissa wandered over towards the table and got back to work setting it. She should’ve figured that if things had gone well then her mom would want that.

After about twenty minutes everything was ready and they all sat at the table. Tripp worked to carve up slices of ham while everyone else passed around the sides. Warm, buttery rolls, collard greens, mashed potatoes and gravy, baked mac and cheese. There was more than plenty for all of them. Dewey struck up a conversation about Bethany regarding DnD. Oof course as soon as she had shared that she hadn’t played a game yet Dewey told her that that would change tonight.

“Yeah, my brother always puts together a crazy Christmas DnD campaign so get ready for that,” Therissa whispered over to Bethany.

“‘Crazy’ as in fun. Believe me, you’re gonna fall in love with DnD,” Dewey exclaimed enthusiastically, causing a smile to appear on Bethany’s lips.

“Sounds good to me.”

Her attention was quickly pulled away into another conversation. For most of the meal both Bethany and Therissa would be put on the spot answering all kinds of questions. Once dinner was done Tripp went to work making some decaf coffee while Sarita along with Delfia’s help served the tembleque. Bethany stared down at the cinnamon-dusted coconut pudding in awe.

“This looks great.”

“Thank you, it also has coconut milk so it should be okay for you to eat.” Sarita sat back down before giving a small thank you as her husband brought over a cup of coffee. Everyone happily dug into the dessert, eating it quickly.

“Mmm, this is a damn good cup of coffee, Mr. M,” Bethany smiled when she saw how happy that had made Tripp.

“Thanks, I’ve had years of practice to perfect my coffee,” He went on and on about brewing techniques and while his kids weren’t really paying attention to Bethany was and kept nodding along as she listened.

“Anyway, I’ve been talking your ear off. Are we still gonna be doing the Christmas picture tonight, cupcake?” Tripp looked over at his wife who hummed quietly in thought.

“I would like to. Bethany, do you want to join in for pictures?"

The question surprised Bethany who was taken aback for a few solid seconds. “Umm, sure if that’s okay with everyone.”

“Yeah, it’s fine with us,” Delfia responded and Dewey nodded in agreement.

“Okay then yeah, let’s do pictures!”

Sarita seemed happy at that and quickly worked to clear the table along with the help of the family before getting ready for the picture. Everyone tried to find the best spot for all of them to fit in as Tripp got the timer ready for the camera. It took some time and maneuvering but soon everything was set and everyone had found a good place. Therissa stood behind Bethany and immediately wrapped her arms around her shoulders. Bethany’s hands came up to hold onto her girlfriend’s arms and the two shared a smile.

Therissa couldn’t believe everything had gone okay. No, it went better than okay. It was perfect. Her family had accepted her and loved Bethany as much as Therissa had hoped. The happiness that it had brought her was indescribable. Without thinking twice, Therissa leaned over and pressed a kiss to her girlfriend’s cheek.

“Te amo.”

The words made Bethany’s heart melt and she swore she hadn’t ever smiled as brightly as she did in that moment. Those words were etched into her memory and the timer on the camera went off, capturing a perfect holiday memory in the making.

[blightbear]

Hello! ✨

Random headcanon meme, here we go. For all your babies..

✍ : What is your muse’s handwriting like? Is it neat? Sloppy? Fancy?

⚠ : How does your muse react to possibly dangerous situations? Do they face them head-on, or do they plan out their actions first?

❀ : What is your muse’s opinion about flower crowns?

📐 : Is your muse good at math? Do they like it, or do they hate it?

Of course, feel free to skip those questions you may not wish to answer to, or just assign characters to each one! :3

Ok, this is rather long (of course I’m not going to skip any) so I’m going to put the first question up top and the rest under a read more so I don’t clog everyone’s dash :3

✍ : What is your muse’s handwriting like? Is it neat? Sloppy? Fancy?

Ashari: Very simple print, nothing too fancy but definitely not illegible

Faye: Cursive that flows beautifully like water yet simple script that still looks more elegant than it is. Leandra taught all her children proper penmanship, but Faye’s was always the one to go up on the fridge

Mori’na: Doctor’s handwriting aka chicken scratch. Often illegible to the untrained eye, it’s a miracle they allow her to write some of the reports. Usually Josie has to take over from one too many complaints from the advisors. She’s not illiterate, just terrible handwriting

Cyra: Most elaborate, elegant cursive you can imagine. She turns handwriting into an art form, a lot of it looking like the The from Spongebob

⚠ : How does your muse react to possibly dangerous situations? Do they face them head-on, or do they plan out their actions first?

Ashari: In the early days, head on; things will rarely got her to back down. It’s almost like she was on a suicide mission half the time. These days she thinks things out a tiny bit more, but there’s still that fire within her.

Faye: Faye is often calculating in the back, constantly thinking magic reserves and where their companions are. Some things require head on, but if Faye has the time to think they’ll take it.

Mori’na: A bit of a mix, it really depends on the situation. There is a bit of a calculation, examining the danger instead of running in guns blazing. Sometimes she’ll determine a situation does require someone to take the first move so she’ll rush in. However sometimes danger does make Mo freeze like being stuck in the fade with a bunch of ravenous fear demons

Cyra: Head on with the calculation of a warrior. She may be a mage but that never stopped her from thinking like a seasoned warrior (hence the knight enchanter class haha)

❀ : What is your muse’s opinion about flower crowns?

Ashari: Neutral, was fine with one for her wedding day because tradition (in my mind anyway haha) but most of the time finds the falling petals to get in the way. If someone gives her one she won’t say no to it but she’ll usually just regift it to someone who would appreciate it more

Faye: Bethany would bring them flower crowns when they were younger so it holds a bit of a sentimental value, but they don’t seek out making them or wearing them.

Mori’na: Constantly making them, has loved making them ever since she was little. Their mamae and papae ( from one of the very few memories she has of him ) taught Mo and Bo how to make them. Bo lost interest after awhile but she’s never stopped making them. If there’s a field with flowers you can usually find Mo plopped down there humming an old lullaby as the flowers stems are being weaved in and out. She’s probably given Solas like 10, although they aren’t always crowns. Sometimes they’re bracelets or woven around the string of his claw necklace.

Cyra: Wears them for her daughter and if anyone laughs about it during a meeting there is a possibility of murder (they can only be made by her daughter though, anyone else and she doesn’t care)

📐 : Is your muse good at math? Do they like it, or do they hate it?

Ashari: Doesn’t like math, but is fine with most base level and some algebra. She’d rather just use a calculator

Faye: Very good at math, able to calculate a lot of complex equations in their head or very easily with a whiteboard in front of them. Likes math

Mori’na: Like Faye, extremely good at math. Complex equations and theories, she’s got it. Able to calculate the trajectory of an arrow very easily in her head. Has a neutral/hate relationship with it. Understands it, doesn’t understand why it’s relevant to the field ( it’s a science degree Mo, just because it’s about plants doesn’t mean you don’t need math )

Cyra: Despises it, never wants to be anywhere near the subject. It gives her too much of a migraine and she’s perfectly content with just knowing 1+1=2

[jayrjournal]

I came from old money, my ancestors are rich in culture and my surnames are easily distinguishable in the country. We got a library in our house that have lots of books some came from 1950's. I am smart and can impress anyone with my eloquence in my native tongue. I graduated with flying colors and unique by my special talents and abilities. With that said, I cannot be easily fooled by anyone. _ Ways to Dump Girls and Ditch Pikot: (What is Pikot? - ever since I was a kid I got the idea of pikot, gayuma, mahaba antenna, tigidig, mosang, bayot and praning, I do not even know if these are known Tagalog words because these are first hand information and I never encountered some of these words at school, confident about my looks my grandmother always say that we have relatives who are "pinipikot sa kama" because we know that we are good-looking, are US Military and like me, smart young boy), these serves as a warning just in case I will be desperate enough to just have sex to any girl that I meet who might "pikot" me, my emotions and cause anxiety in my head which will be more likely rumination and not really truly "TRUE LOVE". 1. Jessica Jose Jessica Jose is my classmate since Nursery until Grade 6. I cannot see that she is one of my childhood friends anymore because I only recently discovered about allegiances and I was fooled from Nursery to Gr. 6 up until recently. She is always partnered with me since Nursery, in fact she was my partner in our graduation ball in Elementary. The thought here is that they told that they are also a Christian or Baptist (which can fool anyone since everyone who said that they are Christians are not true to their heart like Paolo Tan, Amiel Diolata, Nicky Tan, Bethany Barro, John Carlo Caladiao and Hannah Santiago), the thing here is that there are more chances that I trust Christians than other religions and might treat them as my friend. How I dump her: When they went to our house when I was in 4th year, (my balikbayan relatives returned to the country), I hid in my parent's bedroom and did not appear to them face to face. 2. Mary Rose Dela Cruz Bermudo 3. Angel Hannah Shaira Santiago How I dump her: I said to her that she looked like our launderer, Marina because I was too irritated by her pamimikot and I do not really like (I was just nice because that is who I am), she also pretended that she is Christian which is their entrée, like Mary Rose who always wants to get noticed, she even told that she lives near our place, went to our dental clinic for the Root Canal Therapy project on tooth specimen, she said that the CI's always eat at the school's clinic (which I agree, but she should not just tell bad stories like Mary Rose because it will just aggravate my thoughts against the school or might subdue my thoughts that I should think). 4. Mariel Faundo How I dump her: I do not stalk anyone on the internet and just like Hannah, I might only learn that she lives near our place, and is related to Mhike Shimoda which is a classmate in Elementary, at the end of the course unless she told it to me. I too have bad experiences with Mhike Shimoda because I also do not know why he gets angry at me (I thought that he is not eloquent and smart and seen in his below 75 grades), he even told that I look like butete in my 6th Grade, I have no reaction back then because I want to graduate Dentistry just like every threat and bullying I experienced when I was a kid up until I am studying BSN and DMD. She too bullies me saying to me that I am "yuck", "kadiri", "wag mo nga akong lapitan". Andrea Sushimita Quitalig who is a fat girl who feels like petite did the same. Be as innocent as a dove and shrewd as a snake, I am smart like a dog because of innocence because I do not really know who are connected to 1999 but I got the idea that they and Denize Carlo Isogawa are not just "businesswoman" in Japan but are hostesses or prostitutes in Japan or in colloquial term "JAPAYUKI" like Jaycee Tanghal.

[the-littles-in-hell]

✨Intro✨

((Obviously, this is an rp blog for the Crazy OCs I think of on a daily basis. Let’s meet the crew))

((update- Cat’s color is now blue, instead of pink. Added OC Emmalynn))

About the Littles-

The Littles is a group of children who have ended up in hell, by either dying or being Hell born. They are a group of kids, comprised of five members. Cathrine, Mouse, Axel, Jack, Emmalynn and Bethany. Bethany is the newest member and Cathrine starts this whole project. They have a hideout under the busy roads of hell in the pride ring.

…

🐈‍⬛Cathrine-

Female, She/her.

5’7

More commonly known as Cat. She is eighteen years old and the second oldest. The rest of the group thinks of her as a big sister. She is Hell born and her parents are unknown. She can shapeshift into a cat form ((like above)). She’s calm and sweet, but if you hurt any of her ‘siblings’, you asking for your painful death.

🐁Mouse-

Female, she/her

4’5

Mouse is Cat’s biological sister. Mouse is seven years old and the youngest of the group. She can shapeshift into a cat, like her sister ((picture above)). She’s rambunctious and a little reckless, but under her infinite energy, she has a heart of gold.

🦇Bethany-

((Just imagine her w/bat ears))

Female, she/her/they/them

5’5

Bethany, or Bethy, is a bat sinner. Brown hair, red eyes. She hasn’t told how she died but she said she was seventeen. She has bat ears, fangs, and wings. Like a bat she is nocturnal. She’s quiet and collected, even after falling into hell at a young age. Cat and mouse saw her in an alley after she fell and took them back to the hideout. Bethy and Axel instantly became friends, and She has a crush on him. really easily flustered and has abandonment issues.

🕸Axel-

Male, he/him.

6’6

Axel is a weird thing. He has dragon tail and fangs. It looks like poison is dripping from his fangs when he’s mad. Dirty blonde hair, green eyes that look like hazard symbols. He is eighteen. He’s a cannibal and visits Cannibal town every Tuesday. It was rumored in his earthly life he was a Test subject for a popular scientist, and before he died he was turned into a monster. He’s flirty and cute. He tries to be responsible but fails every time, giving into Mouse’s Kitty eyes. Him and Bethany are best friends. Though Axel has feelings for her.

🦉Jack-

Male, He/Him.

7’0

Jack is a sinner. A black Owl sinner. He has black messy hair, yellow eyes and owl wings. He the adult, being twenty. He was rumored to have a bunch of owls until they were his death. Ironic huh? He’s flirty and confident.

🐑Emmalynn-

Doll, She/her/doll

5’5

Emmalynn (Nicknames Emma or Lynn) is a combination of multiple things. A doll, a lamb, a dog, and wherever the horns come from. She’s fifteen. She lived during the WWll as a spy. she lived on a ranch. She loves the color red (But Bethany already took it). She worked for her father’s business before she was killed after being caught as a spy.

More info below the cut…

!!You can join the littles if requested!!**

Rules-

No hate.

Be kind. We all have different opinions.

No politics please.

Cursing is allowed. It’s hell.

Nsfw is allowed* but don’t be over bearing

Be respectful to characters and mod

Any blog can interact with this one, even if it’s other universes.

*Do NOT give an Nfsw prompt to Mouse. She’s seven y’all. If you flirt with the boys they will flirt back.

About Mod-

((Hi, I’m Mod. You can call me Dove. I own like seven other Rp blogs. I am a minor, sorry if you don’t like that. I do watch HH and HB. Y’all don’t come at me. I speak in parentheses.))

How to ask the Littles-

Think of a question or prompt

Hit the ‘We all listenin’.” Button at the top of my blog page.

Write down your question.

please specify who you want your prompt or question to go to.

Hit send.

I’ll respond as soon as I can

Colors-

“Cat talks in Blue”

“Mouse talks in purple”

“Bethy talks in Red”

“Axel talks in green”

“Jack talks in orange”

“Emmalynn talks in Pink.”

*Actions look like this*

((Mod talks like this))

Masterlist-

Mouse meets T and Sam

Partners-

*None*

My blogs-

((Main)) @doveatheart

((Husk and Angels daughter, rp blog)) @adeline-dust-rp

((Vox’s loyal pet shark)) @varkthesharkthing

((Fallen Angel Oc and her pets)) @vally-the-x-angel

((random shit)) @that-one-birds-blog

((Vox rp blog)) @vox-the-cg

Custom tags-

#Cat talks ((Cat rps))

#IT BABY MOUSE ((Mouse rps))

#Uhm- It’s Bethany ((Bethany Rps))

#Axel rocks! ((Axel rps))

#Jack attack ((Jack rps))

#the little lamb Emmalynn ((Emma rps))

#The little’s overlooker ((Mod talks))

#the littles in hell artwork ((Picture of the crew, mostly picrew))

**You can join the littles if you request. Cat will question you a bit. You are allowed to even if your a follower, or not at all.

[eggman-is-fat-mkay]

alright listen, okay, compilers are hard

back in ye olden times, circa 80s and early 90s, CPUs were pretty slow, but they were deterministic. out of order execution, superscalar, hyperthreading, none of that had been invented yet. they also didn't have operating systems that could run multiple programs at the same time. heck some of em didn't have operating systems at all. your code was the only thing running on the hardware.

turns out it's a LOT easier to optimize when you know exactly how the CPU will behave under any given set of circumstances. when you know for a fact that there's no other code running that could interrupt you. when you know for a fact what the end user's hardware configuration will be, and exactly, down to the nanosecond, how long the CPU takes to execute one instruction. when a single person can easily understand every single detail of how the computer works and what all of the different instructions hardware registers do. since you know for a fact that no code other than yours is talking to the hardware at any given moment, you can do cool tricks like sending a command to the graphics chip at the exact right moment in the middle of a frame to change the sprite table and double the number of sprites you could show on screen at once.

none of that is possible anymore. the MOS 6502 CPU has 56 unique instructions and the complete spec doc is under 40 pages that you can read in an hour or two. the instruction set document alone for a modern intel CPU -- just the list of all the different operations the CPU can perform and what they do, nothing about the hardware -- is over 2,500 pages. making matters worse, different instructions take different amounts of time to execute, depending on the make and model of the CPU, its current temperature, operating system, what other programs are running, and the phase of the moon. one approach will be 20% faster than another on an Intel CPU and twice as slow on an AMD. worse still, graphics chips are completely proprietary now. NVidia and AMD refuse to publish documents detailing how their chips work internally for fear their competitors will copy them, making it impossible for anyone but them to write a driver for it. games have to talk to the hardware through this driver which sometimes lies about what features the underlying hardware supports to maintain backwards compatibility. and when the exact same game engine (Unity) has to run on everything from a top of the line gaming PC to a smartwatch with minimal or no changes to the game itself beyond being recompiled for different targets (basically just a button the developer pushes when they're already done), it becomes acceptable to sacrifice some performance for cross-platform compatibility. and since modern graphics APIs like Vulkan are almost impossible for developers who don't want to do full-time development on a game engine to directly use, using a pre-made engine like Unity or UnrealEngine is basically a necessity if you want to do any sort of 3D anything.

as for programmers breaking the laws of physics to get games to run where they shouldn't, they absolutely still do -- check out this demake of Portal to the N64, for example. they just do it where it's possible to do it.

2D indie games are so easy to make (from a computational perspective, at least) that most of them don't use hardware acceleration at all. they do ALL of the rendering on the CPU and then send the completed frame to the graphics card to be displayed, because CPUs are that fast now. That would absolutely not have flown in the 16 bit era. Indie devs aren't magically better at optimizing than AAA studios -- they're just doing orders of magnitude less, and the performance of their game scales accordingly. Solo indie developer Bethany Esda absolutely could not make an open world game in her basement without borrowing a premade game engine (either by making a Unity game or by making a total conversion mod for a game like Skyrim), not before her death. it is absolutely true that if crunch culture didn't exist, and project managers didn't get scope creep and gave developers time to finish, we'd see a LOT less of these day one, completely game breaking bugs -- but let's not pretend like that's because AAA developers are bad at their jobs, mkay?

we should globally ban the introduction of more powerful computer hardware for 10-20 years, not as an AI safety thing (though we could frame it as that), but to force programmers to optimize their shit better