#But i'll have more time to work and can graduate faster now

[ghostsandfools]

Me after switching to homeschool, effectively leaving all my friends and my romantic partner to fend for themselves, so I can stop having mental breakdowns in the middle of class:

At least I can write more tsams fic now :)

[a-b-riddle]

Part Five

Can't stop thinking about the attempt of reconciliation and reader ain't having it. Our girl is going to be wilddddd y'all. Also goodnight. See y'all tomorrow (maybe)

You call Meredith when you get home.

You. Are. Fuming. She's not sure she can ever remember a time you using so many swear words at one time.

How fucking dare them? Immature? You're the immature one? You were the one trying your best to salvage four failing relationship meanwhile none of those assholes could be bothered to try and keep one. They had one person to manage: you.

"I wanna go out this weekend." "Wear something tight and borderline risk indecent exposure."

"You know what I always say," Meredith begins. "The best way to get over someone-"

"is to get under someone else." You finish. You weren't exactly keen on the idea of bringing someone to your bed just yet, but a little attention would do you some good. "I don't want to fuck someone just yet." You admitted. "I'm more on the getting drunk and making out."

"I didn't know we resorted back secondary school heavy petting?" She teased.

"University, Dear." You corrected. "I didn't peak until after I graduated."

"No." She argued. "You didn't put your books down long enough to realize that boys actually wanted to fuck you." You were glad she couldn't see you roll your eyes. "Saturday work for you? I have a late night Friday and won't be up for it."

"That works."

"Sorry." She apologized. "I plan on getting you absolutely smashed so I need to be ready to play the nanny. I know how you love to get drunk and run off."

It was true. You had always found it hilarious when you were drunk to just run. Quite literally run away. It got to a point during university where Meredith would handcuff you to her so you didn't stray.

"I won't run." Your sober mind promised.

"Uh huh." Meredith's tone told you that she knew that was a load of shit. "I'll text Tabs. Let her know the plan."

The next day at the shop was pretty uneventful. No more unexpected visitors. You still had them all blocked. Not caring if now they decided to offer up some bullshit apology.

Months. This had been a steady decline for six months. A text or a simply sorry won't fix this. You weren't sure anything could.

But it didn't matter. You were done and they obviously were too.

You had picked up enough take out to feed a family, but you didn't plan on making your lunch before work or cooking when you got home. The rest of the week you planned on just going through the motions until you could go out Saturday and hopefully get everything out.

You weren't paying attention as you walked down the hallway to your flat. Fishing in your purse for keys. You were at almost at your door when you saw him.

Sitting next to your door was a familiar face. A face you felt you haven't seen in forever.

“What are you doing here, Kyle?" Your voice was flat as you continued to blindly try and find your keys with one hand. Fuck. You really need to clean out your purse...

“My key wouldn’t work.” He explained. "So I’m out here.”

"I'm aware why you're not in my apartment since I changed the locks," you said, trying to keep your irritation at bay. "What I am asking is why did you come here?"

"You won't return any of our messages."

"You're all blocked, so technically I didn't really get any messages." "Besides, you don't get to complain to me about not responding to texts, Kyle Garrick." Your fingers finally wraps around them. God bless. "If you're here for your things, it'll have to wait. I have to sort through everyone's shit and I don't know whose is whose."

"We need to talk." He explains as you put the key into the lock, opening the door.

"Nah," you say scrunching your nose in that way he used to adore. "I'm good. But you can swing by tomorrow and pick up your things if you'd like." You say before trying to shut the door on him. You were stupid in thinking you could be faster than him.

Dammit.

"I know things haven't been good and I've definitely could have been better,'' he admits. "But can you at least try and let us apologize? Let us try and work it out."

"No." You answered, trying to close the door. Not caring if you had to resort to kicking his shins to get him out.

"Why not?" He countered.

“Maybe because I've already tried, Kyle?” You gave up on trying to shut him out. You were strong, but he didn't have any issues in besting you. “Because I actually tried with you. With all of you. You didn’t need to come here giving me excuses about your life being hectic because I’ve made the excuses for you.” You didn't miss how he practically flinched. He had always blamed his busy life. Family. Work. You stopped caring about whatever excuse he gave you and realized it was just that. An excuse. “I’ve been telling myself for months that everything you guys didn’t do for me wasn’t because you didn’t care about me. It was because of the stress of your deployments is the reason none of you tell me when you get back from until it’s time to fuck. I tell myself it’s because of the fucked up situation of me being with all of you that makes it awkward to meet your families. Families you all have that I now know I’m not worthy of meeting.” He wanted to correct you. You were. You were worthy. He was an idiot. “It’s not that I need your excuses to make me feel like what you did was justified. No matter what it was, it was apparently to you because you did it.”

He took a step back, processing everything you had said. He had been selfish. You were the reliable constant in his life. Someone he believed he never disappointed. Someone he couldn't disappoint no matter how many times he fucked up.

You took the opportunity to slam the door. Quickly turning the lock before he had a chance to open it back up.

God...

That felt good.

You had spent that evening collecting their thing in case Kyle did show back up tomorrow. You wouldn't make their lives easier by sorting all their shit and organizing it. Everything. One box. Let them figure it out. You almost had a mind to add a shirt that you knew didn't belong to any of them just to have them argue over it. Or least make them think there was someone else...

You were almost tempted if not for the premise that you wanted them to realize this was their fault. Their fuck up. But now that you were officially all broken up, you were free game.

[count-on-mi]

Twice Interactive Story Part 8 Why are you always so naughty (Sana, Mina)

You sigh and ready to back to work after dropping Momo, your phone breeze and you receive two message, one from your step sister Chaeyoung, another one from Sana.

I check the messages really quick to see what they're messaging me about.

You first check on your stepsister Chaeyoung's message, she said the semester is going to end soon, and she would be back from the dorm and reminds you to leave some time for her during the sem break. She said she misses you, either another step-sister Dahyun, who already graduated this summer, who lives in your family's house alone currently, as your parents have immigrated to US since you graduate from College. You are more like a father to your sister, as you are the one who raises them.

You then check on Sana's message, flirty as usual. 'Boss, can you come to pick me up? I am not familiar with the road near the hotel, and I think I get lost.🤧🤧 I promise I would only be naughty at your office from now on😳😳.'

I message Chaeyoung and tell her to bring Dahyun so they can stay over at my apartment for a little. I then message Sana that I'll come by but she better not try anything.

Chaeyoung replies she is looking forward to live at your home, but also suggest you could visit Dahyun before She's back.

You then drive to Sana's hotel and ready to pick her up. She did not wear the shirt she tore yesterday, instead with a short dress and your jacket, her cleavage can be easily seen. She gets in the car, kisses your cheek, and hands you a coffee, you could see there is some lipstick remaining on the straw.

I put the coffee in the cup holder and drive to the office, telling her I don't have time for her today, so she should actually be working. I quickly leave her and head to my office where I call Mina in.

'Can you just spare some time for me?' Sana asks when she gets off the car. You tell her that you are busy and quickly leave her.

You back to your office and see Mina is already in your room and prepared coffee for you.

I enter the office, closing and locking the door behind me as I come up behind Mina and start kissing her neck.

Mina enjoys your kiss from behind, she grabs your hair and pushes you deeper, hoping you can mark more hickeys on her neck.

'Give me more, let other know I belong to you.' Mina moaning while you start getting off her clothes.

I slide my hand under her panties and start to finger her. "Does little Minari like having my fingers deep in her tight pussy?" I ask.

Mina blush when you are teasing her, her whole body is lying on yours, hoping to hide her fed face. You try to go deeper, forcing Mina to answer your question.

'Minari likes everything from boss, but Minari does not make boss cum from the alarm this morning, Minari deserves punishment.' Mina starts to collapse due to your teasing.

"No, no, no, Mina. You did good, it's my fault that I cut you off like that." My fingers go deeper into Mina, and I go faster making her cum quickly. "You can make up for last time right now."

Mina completely falls on you when she reaches the orgasm, too shy to show her facial expression at the moment she peaks. Biting you clothes to minimize the noise of her moan.

It's too cute that you just caress her cheek and ask her to clean your finger.

'Taste yourself, tell me how is it.'

Mina follows my orders slowly licking my fingers and sucking on them. "That felt good, didn't it Mina? Your about to get something much bigger, so get ready."

Mina kneels down after cleaning your finger.

'Let me continue my job, sir.'

Mina starts removing your trousers and caress your shaft, you just sit on the sofa to enjoy her services. Mina strokes your cock until it is fully erect, then she starts to lick it.

"That’s nice Mina, keep going" I put my hand on the top of her head and gently guide her to taking the top of my cock in her mouth as she starts to give me a blowjob.

You slowly push Mina's head, guiding her to swallow whole your length in her mouth. She starts sucking it immediately after you are all in, her tongue licking your shaft, while her hands are massaging your ball.

'OH, Minari, such a good girl.' You start pushing her head deeper for more pleasure, you reach her deep throat once again. Her suction becomes greater, and she starts to Bob her quickly, while her hands are playing with your nipple and the balls at the same time.

"You're such a good secretary Mina, always doing such a great job." I cup her cheek, and let her continue at her own pace.

Seeing you still not cum, Mina starts to Bob her head faster and looking you with an innocent face. You were triggered by her innocence, you just grab ger head towards you, and cum in her mouth.

Mina swallow all of your seed, start stroking you and ask with a sad face, 'Boss take longer time to cum, is Minari doing bad today?'

"That’s not it at all Mina, I just wanted to last a little bit longer. I love when you give me a blowjob, you always do a great job. There's something else I want though. Sit on my lap Mina."

Knowing you want more, Mina removes her panties and sits on your lap, you plant hickeys on her neck again as per her request.

Mina's thigh is rubbing your dick while you are caressing her. You soon are ready for another round.

'Can you cum inside me, boss?' Mina asks while she kiss your cheek.

"Of course, Mina" I align my cock with her pussy and bring her down onto it quickly. "Does little Minari love being filled by my cock?"

'OH, it feels so good. I feel I can never leave you again, your cock feels so good inside me, I love you so much, boss.' Mina starts moaning and riding on you.

You keep spanking her ass while Mina is moaning louder as you spank each time, she seems so needy today.

I hold onto Mina's hips and make quick thrusts into her. "How bad does Mina need my cock? "

Mina stops her riding and hugs you tighter, allowing you to control the rhythm.

'Boss, Minari can't live without your cock. Minari need your cock every day, Minari need your cock now!'

She keeps moaning as you thrust faster, you can feel she is going to cum, as her wall is squeezing you tighter.

I tell Mina to cum for me as I feel her walls tighten around me. As she cums I continue thrusting into her, not giving her any break.

Hearing your approval, Mina cums. You grab her waist tighter and increase your speed of thrusting. Her pussy becomes even tighter, it takes much more effort to go in every time.

Soon Mina cums again by the intensity fucking, her walls squeeze once again, and her cums hit your tip making you cum instantly. You keep thrusting while you shooting waves of your cum inside her.

'So Warm, boss, Minari feels so happy that you cum inside me.' Mina still milking you with her pussy, you two hug tighter while enjoying the aftertaste of the orgasm.

"You were great Mina." I move Mina's body so she's grinding against me. "Mina I might have family live with me for a little so I can't have you give me my morning alarm."

But Minari wants to wake you up everyday.' Mina looks sad when you tell her the news.

'The girl this morning should not be your girlfriend, right? If you want someone to sleep with you at night, you can find me rather than sleep with some random girls. I guess I am prettier than her?' Mina is being affectionate by laying her head on your shoulder.

'Please still let me come, boss.' Mina kisses your cheek one more time.

"You can come over but don't wake me up with the regular alarm, how about you make me breakfast instead. Oh you know what, you should  take cooking classes so you can make more things besides your omelet"

'But Minari needs that for breakfast, otherwise, I don't have the motivation for work.' Mina starts grinding your cock again, trying to seduce you, your cock starts to erect again in her pussy.

"What if we had some fun here everyday? Would that motivate you?"

'OK, but can Minari have 2 more loads every day, I will be very hungry if I only have breakfast when we back to the office.' Mina kisses you again and ask shyly. She slowly starts to ride you again.

"Of course Mina," i grab Mina's ass and give it a light smack. "You can get 2 more loads"

Mina moans again while you spank her ass, and she rides you faster as she is happy that her breakfast is now guaranteed although no more alarm is required.

Suddenly, someone is knocking on the door when Mina rides you fiercely, she feels scared and try to hide behind you. You quickly wear back your trousers and answer the door.

It is Sana, she is only wearing your jacket, just like yesterday. You can see her finger is playing her clit, her face is red and breath so heavily.

'Can I join you, sir? I feel so horny when hearing Mina moans like that, I can't focus on my work, I need you now sir.' Sana asks while grabbing you inside the jacket and play with her tits.

I turn around and tell Mina she was too loud, and Sana heard her.

Mina blushes when she hears you say she was too loud. 'Sorry boss, I didn't mean it, but it's feeling so good. I feel so dirty when you fuck me after you fucking other girls last night, I love this feeling.'

Sana kisses your and pushes you in the room, 'What if we continue?' The door is locked again.

"Fine, but I'm going to need you two to clean me up."

Of course, I will clean you sir, but let me finish you off first.' Sana pulls down your trousers again and starts jerking you off. You unbutton her jacket so you can play with her tits freely. You two just stand by the door, and make out passionately.

Mina is sitting on your chair, watch you two make out, don't know how to join the threesome, so she just fingering herself.

"I've got an idea, Mina lay on my desk. Sana you're going to clean Mina's pussy, while I fuck you."

Mina lays on your desk, and shyly spreads her leg for Sana. You can see the mixture of cum slowly dripping from her pussy.

Sana can't wait to taste it, she licks Mina's clit immediately, 'Damn, so tasty, I want it inside too, you are so lucky, Mina.' Mina just keep moaning while grabbing Sana's hair.

You align your cock with Sana's pussy, ready to take her from behind. Sana is so wet that you can easily penetrate her with one thrust.

'Shit, I have waited for this for whole night long, faster sir.' Sana moans happily, you bend down and grab her breast, while enjoying their moan echo in the room.

I push Sana's head further into Mina. "Come on Mina, force her to get everything. She's your plaything too"

Mina shyly follows your order, grabbing Sana's head harder and push her toward her pussy. Sana obeys, and go deeper with tongue, Mina moans louder as the sensation is becoming stronger.

Meanwhile, You fuck Sana faster and keep spanking her ass, her ass becomes red, and she is excited by the spanking, her walls become tighter. With three more thrusts, she cums, she sucks Mina harder and bring Mina reaches orgasm at the same time.

I quicken my thrusts and eventually cum inside Sana. I give her ass on last spank as I pull out.

You pull Mina for a kiss and then put her on the table, ready to fuck her again. Sana is not happy to be ignored, she stands at your back, pressing you with her breast and pushes you to thrust in Mina before you are ready to start. Mina was shocked and moaned loudly. You find that you had entered Mina's ass.

As I find it to be tighter I start thrusting into Mina's ass "oh fuck, Mina your ass feels so good, I could get used to this." I moan.

Mina slowly get used to your size within her ass, but it is so tight, you can just keep a lower pace, preventing Mina suffer from pain.

'OH shit, Minari never tried in ass before, it feels so good, sir. Please fuck me better.'

Seeing Mina totally adapted to your size, you start fuck her harder, her pussy is already very tight as you are the one who takes her virginity, but her ass is even tighter. You just can't stop fucking her ass.

'Seems I have done a great job, can I have some reward?' Sana licks your ear while keep pushing you by her breast.

"No your punishment for pushing me is you don't get any more cock for today. You can sit on Mina’s face if you want."

'Maybe you will have another answer soon.'

Sana kisses your cheek one more time before she kneels down, you do not care what's she going to do, you are just focusing on the sensation from Mina' s ass.

Until you feel something warm on your balls, Sana is playing your balls and licking your shaft, every time your cock comes out of Mina's ass, Sana licks your cock before you put in again. Her another hand is playing with Mina's clit, both you are receiving a double pleasure now.

Mina reaches her orgasm soon,' My ass is so hot, fuck me harder boss. I'm cumming!' Her ass squeezes you tighter, and you feel you are ready to reach your orgasm either, your cork is pulsing very hard.

My cock throbs inside Mina's ass, and I shove it all inside her as I unleash a wave of cum, flooding her asshole.

You thrust all in as you released waves of cum into Mina's ass, Mina's leg just grab your waist tighter, hoping you can reach deeper into her ass. While Sana is keep playing with your ball, allowing you to cum more in Mina.

'Boss, it feels so good in my ass, I would never forget this feeling.' Mina still recovering from this intensive orgasm, you bend down to kiss her. 'Mina, you are doing a good job, I have so much fun in your ass.'

Once you pull out from Mina's ass, the semen keep dripping out, Sana is waiting for this moment too long, she sucks Mina's ass and swallow your seed.

'No, Miss Sana, that's mine, don't rob it.' Mina is still recovering, as she could just contest feebly and shivers from the pleasure that Sana sucking her ass.

I move to Mina's side and tell her "You can have it from the source Mina."

You move to another side of the table and push your shaft into Mina's mouth. 'If you work harder, maybe you can have more for your breakfast.'

Meanwhile, Sana is playing with her ass and clit at the same time, Mina could not handle the pleasure from all 3 holes used at the same time, she can just twist her body, making your documents fall to the floor. The sensation makes Mina want to moan, but she couldn't, as you are face fucking her.

Three of you are going to cum soon, as you can hear Sana moan louder and feel Mina's mouth becomes tighter, as Mina could not moan, she could just apply more force on her muscles to release her pleasure.

I cum inside Mina's mouth, and she drinks it all. "Oh you did such a good job today Mina." I moan, "I think we'll be having lots of fun with the extra cum I need to give you.”

Mina is excited by the comments that she can have more cum, she starts cleaning your shaft and start sucking it again. You shaft is still sensitive from the orgasm, you just start face fucking her again. Sana sees you start the round, she participates again, this time licking the pussy and fingering Mina's ass.

You two just spend the whole morning playing with Mina's body, you use Mina's mouth like a pussy, cumming three times inside, and for the last orgasm, you shoot all of your seed on her face.

You don't know how many times Mina cum, her body still shaking from the intensive sex, even after You and Sana has left her body. Mina seems want to say something, but she is too exhausted to even move her lips.

Sana stands up and comes to you, caressing your cock. 'Did my performance satisfy you and Mina? Do you still have one more load for me, master?'

"I told you would get no more for today Sana, as a punishment."

Sana did not give up, she starts stroking you and kissing you. 'How about in my mouth, or on my face, I wanna everyone know I am your cum slut. Ruin me, Ruin my jacket.' Sana whispers seductively in your ear.

Yes, Sana is still in your jacket, all unbuttoned, but it is nearly a mess, the previous sex makes it wrinkle, anyone can know Sana just have fierce sex if she wears this go out of your room.

"Sana I'm willing to give you extra cum tomorrow of you leave, properly dressed, right now."

Sana unwilling to let your cock go after one last stroke, then she helps you to tidy the room and pick up the documents that fell on floor due to Mina. Meanwhile, you put Mina on the sofa, allow her to rest better.

Sana buttons the jacket, still with nothing inside, ready to get back to work. Before she opens the door, she asks while she bites her lips ' Boss, what do you want me to wear for tomorrow, just like today, or I should wear a Shirt and skirt so you can tear it down.'

"Wear some regular clothes" I tell her. Once the door is closed I get back to work. Making plans for what to do after. Thinking about maybe going on a run.

'OK boss, I will wear something that you can easily tear tomorrow.' Sana leaves after sending you a wink.

You turn back to your seat and see Mina already fall asleep. You text Jihyo that you will go jogging tonight and ask her will her join you.

[togenabi]

with flowers under the stars

inumaki toge x fem!reader (royalty au)

♡—Toge does his best to impress you, even when others might not want him to.

previous♡— [PART 1]

word count♡— 4.1k words (oml)

genre♡— fluff, romance, royalty au

aged up characters♡— 18+

content notes♡— potential lovers to actual lovers, mutual pining, courtship, dating, everyone is a prince or princes, older brother!gojo satoru, no use of y/n, romance, very fluff, mentions of engagement and marriage, toge uses sign language, some characters may be ooc >< pls forgive me

author's note♡— after rising from the grave (I'm so sorry this took so long! buT! I'm graduating! AAA) I finally finished the sequel to my first toge fic. thank you so much to those who have appreciated my previous work! now that I'm back, I hope you enjoy this as well! (⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)♡

Exchanging letters with prince Toge occurred frequently before you finally met again. He talked about many things, but they all ended the same way: mentioning how lovely you are and how he wishes time could run faster so he could meet you.

Toge's kingdom was a week on ship and a day by train away, so visiting was saved for important duties or events. ‘Maybe I should ask your brother to appoint me an official position in the council so I can stay in the palace.’ He wrote to you once. You reply that he doesn't deserve it, since he wouldn't be working with the empire or its people in mind.

He writes back that he fell for you a little more, and you trace that line an infinite number of times before tucking the letter away.

When the day of the banquet finally arrives, Satoru notices that you appear a bit more lavish than you usually care to look during events.

“Why! My dearest sister! How stunning you look! And for my birthday, no less! I love that color on you, your taste has improved so much!” He suddenly gasps dramatically and loudly—so loud, that the maid helping you with your earrings flinches.

“Are those... the earrings I got you last year? But I've never seen you wear them! I would give you a hug if it wouldn't ruin your clothes!”

You ignore him the entire time he fusses over you. He looks nice today, you admit. His hair is styled down which gives him a softer aura, and his white suit with gold details looks pristine. A midnight blue cape drapes over his shoulders and flows down his back. It would be difficult for anyone else to pull it off, but you don't tell him that. Goodness knows he would never let you hear the end of it.

You sigh as you watch him through the vanity mirror, but he only becomes even more giddy at your silence.

“Hey, give me that.” Satoru says to the attendant holding your brush. “Leave us.” He says as he stands behind you to brush your hair. You stare at him in disbelief.

Satoru knows you love when he brushes your hair. Even if you never outright told him, it was obvious that you enjoyed it when he cared for you. But because you were embarrassed to ask him as you got older, he hasn't done it since you were children.

He's silent and focuses on brushing your hair gently. The moment feels strangely emotional, and your resolve to ignore him cracks a bit.

“So...” Satoru meets your eyes in the mirror, then winks. “You and Toge, huh?”

You tsk, letting your resolve fully break. “I should've known you would notice.”

He laughs and places a hand on your shoulder. “Well, he wrote saying his father wanted to trade silk from their territory, and that he would like to stay at the palace to handle the negotiations.”

“...Add that to the letters you're receiving everyday, and it wasn't too hard to piece things together.”

You groan and cover your face in embarrassment. You and Toge weren't exactly a secret, but you didn't want your brother to know until it got more serious.

“So what now?” You dread having to ask. “Are you going to tell me to call it off?”

“Nope.” Satoru says, smiling. “Besides, if you're anything like your dear old brother—which, you are! Don't deny it!—I'll end up driving you into his arms if I try to keep you away.”

His eyes suddenly turn serious as he considers his next words. “He's a good kid... Good enough for you, though? We'll have to see.” He places the brush on the dresser, and takes your hand to help you on your feet.

“But what's important is to know yourself and decide for yourself. Don't let anyone else make that choice for you.” He looks sincere as he places your hand on his arm. “Shall we?”

“Satoru...” You call him, touched. He grins and kisses your forehead.

“And of course, if you end up marrying him, that saves me and the ministers the work of looking for your match!” You slap his shoulder, but he only laughs harder as he escorts you out.

The ballroom was sparkling when you arrived. There were already plenty of guests partaking in the revelries as the event had begun half an hour before. Satoru had insisted on the importance of being fashionably late. Normally, you wouldn't have let him actually be late, but you caved only for today.

“Entering, their Royal Highnesses, The Imperial Crown Prince and The Imperial Princess.”

As you descended the stairs with Satoru, the people bowed and you took that as an opportunity to look for a head of white hair, a mask or a high collar covering half the face.

“You're being too obvious.” Satoru whispered. “He'll show up, don't worry.”

He led you to the center of the hall. You were so caught up on looking for Toge that you had nearly forgotten you were to share Satoru's first dance; as he still wasn't engaged. The both of you took your positions gracefully as the music started to flow through the air.

“I'll spin you a few times.” He was grinning. “Try to spot him.”

And yet, the song ended without you seeing Toge anywhere. After giving a hasty bow to your brother, you went on with your search once again.

Your eyes caught princess Nobara the same moment she did yours. You were about to go greet her when her eyes trailed off to something behind you. When her gaze returns to yours, she's smirking and it makes you turn to look at what she saw.

Toge takes your breath away as he walks up to you. He wasn't wearing a mask, or a high collar like he had been during the previous ball. His suit was pitch black and every bit as elegant as him. Your eyes were immediately drawn to his lips and you blushed when he caught you staring. All you wanted to do was to dance with him so that you had an excuse to be close.

It seemed that he picked up on that, as he bowed and offered you his hand.

“It's good to see you again.” You greet him. He kisses the back of your hand with a smile before sweeping you away to dance.

Suddenly nervous, your words get stuck in your throat as the beginnings of a soft waltz reach your ears. “I... tried looking for you when I arrived.”

Toge leads the dance as effortlessly as he did the first time. It almost amazes you how natural it feels to move and sway with him. He seems pleased to know that you were paying him as much attention as he gave you.

Not wanting to simply dance, you took to asking him questions. “Did your journey here go smoothly?” Toge nods.

“When did you arrive?”

‘Today.’ He mouths.

“Ah. I'll have to take you sightseeing then.” You grin up at him. “Would tomorrow be alright?” You get your answer in the form of Toge grinning back, and before you could prepare yourself, he twirls you around and catches you in an embrace as the song finishes with a flourish. A number of people around you started to clap, and you couldn't help but blush in his arms.

After settling at the less crowded side of the ballroom, Toge explains, ‘I also tried to find you. I arrived as early as I could, and yet you and your brother were late.’ He looks at you almost as if to scold you, but you see mischief in his eyes. ‘I thought that you might be by the window where we met... So I went to check.’

“Oh, I see.” You respond, a bit embarrassed. “I should have warned you about my brother's flair for dramatics. He tends to do that when he's the star of the event.”

‘Do you have any remaining commitments here at the ball?’

That makes you think for a moment. “No, Satoru's the one the people want to bother today. Why?”

Toge gives you a look that makes you want to agree to almost anything he asks. ‘Will you allow me to whisk you away?’

And so you were both running, hand-in-hand and laughing, on your way to that secluded hall with the stained glass window. It shouldn't have been possible, but it felt more magical than before to be with him here again.

Toge slows his steps when you both reach the window. You realize that despite coming to cherish this place, you never sought it out when he wasn't around. Something tells you that would have only made you miss him more.

Looking at you with a serious expression, he begins to sign, ‘I know I have been very upfront about myself caring about you... But I want to ask this properly, because you deserve nothing less than the best.’

‘I would like—if it is alright with you, to formally court you.’

The smile on your face glows before you can help it, and you throw your arms around him.

“I would very much like that as well, my dear prince.” You lean to kiss his cheek.

Toge looks dazed and happy as if drunk on something you had given him. Maybe he was.

The moonlight shining through the glass paints him in a kaleidoscope of colors. Before, the only colors on him were the purple hues in his eyes. And now he stood before you, bright and shining.

‘You look beautiful.’

He took the words right out of your mouth.

⋆｡˚ 🌸 ˚｡⋆｡˚✨˚｡⋆

Satoru came to find you the day after the banquet. Naturally, he entered your office without knocking, and unceremoniously dropped a heavy document in front of the one you were already working on.

“What's this?”

“Toge's proposal...”

The floor seemed to sink, your heart and your breath gone along with it. “What?”

“—for the trade negotiations.”

It took everything in your power to not throw the block of papers at him. “You're unbelievable.”

Satoru only hummed. “So is your boyfriend. I can't believe he's making me work right after my birthday! He should be kissing up to me, not giving me paperwork!”

“Last time I checked, he's courting me. Not you.” Nevertheless, you take a few moments to sift through the document. It was very detailed and efficient. You note that the length of the proposal was due to the many alternative plans Toge had prepared. This would certainly help the negotiations go smoothly. Satoru and the ministers merely had to look at the options.

Looking back to your brother, you couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. What was he complaining about, when all he had to do was select the best plan and tweak where it was necessary?

“We're to begin the negotiations in two days. I think his plans have potential—” You couldn't help but snort at that, from what you'd seen, Toge was already excellent. (You were not biased. Not at all.) “But, I don't think the older ministers will be kind to someone who acts like a know-it-all.”

“Toge doesn't—”

“A-ah,” Satoru waves a finger at you, as if you were a child being told what you did wrong. You scowl at him but he ignores it. “This will be a test for him, to see if he's able to win against those old goons.”

“You mean yourself, then?” His expression drops at that, and you don't bother to hide how satisfied that made you feel.

⋆｡˚ 🌸 ˚｡⋆｡˚✨˚｡⋆

As the weeks flew by, Toge ended up being a lot more busy than you both anticipated. Despite officially dating, lunches together turned to having tea during breaks; then that turned to catching him in the hallway for a few moments before he had to go.

You didn't understand why his workload only seemed to grow, no matter how much effort he put in. Once, when you caught him just before he entered his chambers, you had asked him if anything was going wrong with the negotiations.

Toge looked exhausted, and yet he gave you a smile that made your heart melt. ‘No, the talks are going well, I suppose I'm just having trouble adjusting to the empire's work culture.’

You must have looked unconvinced, because Toge suddenly leaned in and rested his forehead against yours. Mischievously, he stared into your eyes until you were too flustered to be worried anymore. He laughed when you had to push him away.

That night, he bid you farewell with a kiss to your cheek.

‘Good night, darling.’

The next time you had Toge to yourself for an entire day, it was due to a holiday celebration. Everyone was too occupied with the festivities to work. You were supposed to be at another banquet Satoru had hosted, but you were determined to monopolize Toge's time today.

So you showed up at his door at the earliest respectable hour of the morning, dressed for warm weather and a picnic basket in your hand.

“Will you allow me to whisk you away?” You asked when he answered the door.

You took him on a tour of the parts of the palace he hasn't seen yet. Your office, the private library, and even some of the secret passage ways. His eyes lit up with curiosity when you showed him one behind a portrait.

You had lunch in the gardens, under a tree that offers wonderful shade. A soft blanket laid across the grass, with a spread of the empire's specialty dishes arranged all over it.

“This one,” You show Toge a cookie with flowers piped on top. “Has been my favorite since I was a child. It has just the perfect amount of sweetness, and goes beautifully with tea.”

You move to hand Toge the cookie, but he doesn't take it. Confused, you're about to ask him if anything was wrong when he leans forward and opens his mouth expectantly.

Wordlessly, you raise the cookie to his lips. The moment feels oddly intimate as he takes a bite without removing his gaze from yours.

Toge hums and moves his hands to sign, ‘It's indeed delicious.’ He leans to you and opens his mouth again.

You push the half-eaten cookie into his hands and turn away to hide your blush. “If you're able to tell me what you think about it, you can eat it yourself.”

He breathes out a laugh. Smirking at you while he chews the remaining cookie.

It was so peaceful, just sitting there with him. And it seemed as though you weren't the only one who wanted to sit with Toge. A tiny white butterfly fluttered about before landing on his knee. He looked so enchanted by it. Staring close, but being careful that he didn't move his knee or disturbed it.

The butterfly flying away made you want to explore too. Getting yourself up, you look over your shoulder and gesture for him to follow. He offers you his arm once he catches up, and you rest your hand on it. Birds chirp and leaves rustle in the wind as you walk towards the shimmering lake at the edge of the gardens.

Bracing yourself on Toge's arm, you kick your shoes off. You set them aside to dip your toes into the water. “It's so refreshing!”

Toge feels his chest grow as warm as the sunlight kisses your cheeks. He gets down on one knee to untie his shoes when he's abruptly hit by a splash of water. Flabbergasted, he looks up at you, blinking away the water droplets in his lashes.

Of course, Toge isn't one to back down from a challenge. The result is the both of you shivering and drenched by the time the sun has set. Your maids fuss all over you when you get back to the palace, and the other staff almost faint at the puddles that trail after you and Toge.

It was useless to insist that you could walk alone and that you both should get cleaned up at the soonest. Toge didn't leave your side until you entered your chambers, your gazes only being broken by the door once it closed.

⋆｡˚ 🌸 ˚｡⋆｡˚✨˚｡⋆

You got the most dreadful fever after that day with Toge. Satoru, wanting you to rest properly, made you swear not to lift a finger for work related reasons until you got better. Which, you followed without complaint. You took a break for a few days.

Toge did his best to see you, but he only got busier. His eyes looked more and more tired, dark circles under them when you caught him in the library one morning. He stayed there to work overnight. You were barely able to convince him to rest.

On another night, one of your maids caught him trying to sneak in your room, screaming and kicking him out. You could have sworn half the palace had woken up to that, and you couldn't help but hide under your sheets due to the embarrassment.

What irritates you most, however, was that the first thing you heard when you get back is, “Oh. Finally decided to return to your duties, eh?” from a delegate who spent most of his time gossiping, and whose biggest contribution to the empire was refilling the inkwells in the conference room...

The conference room has five inkwells.

Those ministers and court members were proving more and more to be nuisances. You gave them an earful when they had assumed you were slacking off when you were sick.

Not to mention, you suspected that they have been making Toge do more work than he needs to. Even if he never complains, you don't fail to notice how some courtiers turn their noses up at him just because his kingdom was distant and smaller compared to the scale of the empire.

The thought of Toge being belittled makes you pause during work, frowning at a chart of kitchen expenses as if it's done something offensive.

Dropping your pen, you head out of your office with brisk steps. You had to speak to Satoru.

⋆｡˚ 🌸 ˚｡⋆｡˚✨˚｡⋆

“Overworking Toge? Why, dear sister, I can't believe you're accusing me of such a thing!” Satoru puts a hand to his heart as if he was wounded by your words.

“Maybe not.” You're not going to let him weasel out of this one. “But you let the other ministers and court members walk all over him! Is Toge supposed to just sit there and take it? He's a prince, damn it!”

“Listen,” Satoru leans forward, his elbows on his desk as he uses his hands while explaining. “The ministers are just a bit frazzled, that's all. They think he forced you to skip the holiday banquet, and that he got you sick. He's good at his work, sure. But in their eyes? He just looks like a bad influence on you.”

You scoff.

“Now,” Satoru interrupts before you can say anything, “They were going to try and match you with prince Megumi—”

“Megumi's already engaged.”

“I know, I know. And that's why they're planning on pitching you with prince Yuji or princess Nobara.”

“I'm already with Toge.” You say sternly. “And what happened to not letting others make my decisions for me?”

“As far as those old goons are concerned, Toge is only the third best for you. ‘For the greatness of the empire’ and all that.” It doesn't escape you that he dodged your question. “They're going to try to push you apart until you break up or get hitched.” He leans back, crossing his arms on his chest. “Whichever comes first.”

“Why don't you stop them?” Frustrated, you run your hands through your hair. “Tell them I really like him and that they should leave him alone!”

“Sweetheart,” Satoru's tone becomes deeper, and you hate how it instantly makes you shut up. “The thing is, if Toge isn't capable of handling this, or if he backs out of your relationship because of it, he's not worth your time.”

You stare at him, unlinking. The thought of Toge leaving you had never occurred to you before, and Satoru could tell.

“I told you I would test him.” He shrugged. “It seems I'm testing you too.”

Rushing back to your office, you grab a piece of parchment and your pen from your desk. Not bothering to sit down as you write: Meet me at the gardens, by the tree. Midnight.

You fold it and hastily stuff it into an envelope. Delicately melting wax, you stamp your seal onto it before calling for your most trusted maid.

Handing her the letter, you instruct her, “Deliver this to prince Toge and prince Toge only. If anyone hinders you or attempts to read it, report back to me immediately. Go.”

She bows, and exits the room.

That night, Toge arrived before you. You note that he has a penchant for being early as he reaches to squeeze your hand. He looks you over to check if you're alright, and despite seeing nothing of concern, he asks anyway, ‘Are you okay?’

“We need to talk.” You nervously purse your lips. “The courtiers, the ministers... My brother. They've been making your work difficult.”

He sighs. ‘You found out.’

“You didn't tell me!” You rest a hand on his cheek, absentmindedly grazing your thumb over the marks near his mouth. “Do you understand what they're trying to do?”

‘Testing me.’

“Yes.” A lump forms in your throat. “Satoru said it's until you give up on me, or if you... propose.”

Heart racing, your hands can't stop fiddling with things. His face. His hair. The fastenings of his suit. “I'm just so worried. I care a great deal about you, and I just wanted to ask if you're enduring this because you want to.” You bite your lip in thought. “If it's because you're sure about... me.”

You can't look at him. You suddenly feel foolish. You should have given it a night and slept on it to gather your thoughts. You should have—

Toge embraces you. Everything stops.

You take in the view of the gardens over his shoulder. It was dark, and there was barely any light save for the stars twinkling above. You closed your eyes and let yourself be held.

Pulling away, he doesn't seem as fazed as you do, if at all. He turns to you slowly, and after taking a deep breath...

‘Marry me, then.’

You choke on air.

“Wh-what?!” A warmth creeps into your cheeks. “What are you—”

He places his hands on your shoulders and stares into your eyes. He gives you a look and mouths, ‘Breathe.’ And you do.

Once you've calmed down, he begins to explain.

‘We can come forward and make a statement that we've been seeing each other with marriage in mind. Which...’ He pauses, suddenly shy. ‘I have. I've been thinking about swearing everything to you... Intertwining my future with yours.’

‘I know it's only been a few months, so we could have a long engagement if you want. For us to get to know each other more. And if—’ Toge's hands freeze, his movements are slow as if the next words pain him.

‘...If you decide to break off the engagement, I will not force you to stay with me.’

You immediately stop his hands, holding them tightly with your own.

“Toge... I wouldn't even consider this with anyone else,” You feel genuinely happy as you smile at him. “But I'm willing to try. With you. Only you.”

He glows in a way that reminds you of when you first met. His expression is soft as if he's melting, and he smiles at you brightly. You think of how lucky you are that he looks at you this way.

‘This isn't the way I wanted it to happen, but...’

Toge picks a small, white flower from a bush nearby. It faintly reminds you of the butterfly that had flown to him the last time you were here together. His eyes are focused and he frowns in concentration as he fiddles with the stem. Your heart stutters as he makes... a delicate ring.

He kneels.

You say yes.

⋆｡˚ 🌸 ˚｡⋆｡˚✨˚｡⋆

A letter from you and Toge arrives on Satoru's desk the next day.

‘Dearest brother,

Please approve this statement that prince Toge and I have been seeing each other, and that we have decided to get engaged. You will find the formal document stamped with our seals attached to this letter.

We expect your approval posthaste, and I will not consider any objections. Please let us know when you will be available to discuss the engagement ceremony.’

“Your highness, what should we do with these documents you had forged?”

“Oh. Hand them over.” Satoru waves a hand to dismiss the attendant after retrieving the files.

He gets up from his desk and walks to the fireplace. “I can't believe he proposed before I could falsely accuse him of treason.” He tsks and throws the documents into the fire.

His eyes find a framed photograph on the fireplace mantel. It was of him and you as children. Satoru was laughing after you ran to him for a hug. His gaze grows sad yet understanding... He won't be the first person you'll turn to anymore when you get married.

Sighing, he considers that he should be thankful you chose someone determined and true like Toge. But then Satoru grins.

“I suppose I can always mess with him as his brother-in-law.”

⋆｡˚ 🌸 ˚｡⋆｡˚✨˚｡⋆

© togenabi 2023 | see here to be added to my taglist ♡

[crusty-chronicles]

Hi,

Can I request kurama x human reader who share his love for plants and nature which makes him fall for them?

Thanks for considering this requst

An: My man's would be gushing 💯.

Kurama With An S/O Who Loves Plants

It's inevitable he becomes smitten

Someone else who shares his love of plants? You're his.

You start out as one of his classmates.

Just another face in the crowd.

It isn't until you have a project together that he gets to know you.

You'd chosen to do it at your house. It was more convenient that way. There'd be no interruptions and you'd get to finish faster.

There was just one catch though.

“My house is kinda humid. I like to keep the temperature high. If it's too much we could always work in the library,” you explained.

The heat was something he could handle. It wouldn't bother him in the slightest. And when he stepped foot inside, it was pleasantly bearable.

What he was not expecting were the ferns littered around your living room. Along with several other types of potted plants.

They all looked to be well taken care of, too. Seems you had quite the hobby.

He followed you to your room. Fingers skimming over the leaves of a pothos as he passed it. If you saw the action, you didn't mention it.

In your room were a few more plants placed towards the window sill. One in particular caught his attention. Through the foliage he could see glimpses of red.

“An anthurium,” he mumbled out.

“Huh?” You called from your spot on the floor.

He met your confused gaze and offered you a smile.

“You're a bit of a plant enthusiast, aren't you?”

You seemed to light up at his words. Excited to talk about your favorite hobby.

“Are you kidding me? These are my babies. I'm a single mother of about 24.”

Maybe it was a little endearing to see you talk so passionately.

“In all seriousness, I think I'm gonna become a botanist when I graduate. What about you?” You asked.

What would Kurama do? He'd probably be offered a job at his stepfather's company. If something else hadn't killed him first. But he felt like that wouldn't have been a favorable answer.

“I haven't decided yet.” Was his response.

He expected you to pry further. Instead you playfully nudged his shoulder.

“You could always join me.”

Surprisingly, he was left speechless by your offer. You'd wanted him to study plants with you?

“Don't think I didn't notice how you addressed Derek by his full government name.” You gestured to the anthurium behind you.

“You really know your stuff.”

Oh you had no idea.

“You name your plants?” He questioned. You were an intriguing individual.

“Hello? I told you they were my babies. And don't you try to change the subject.” You scolded.

“I'll consider it. How about we start on our project now?”

He figured that would've been the last time he interacted with you. That couldn't have been any further than the truth.

You showed up to his desk the next morning with a small potted plant.

He looked up at you quizzically before you spoke.

“What's this?”

You were trying to test him. A part of him found it cute. You had absolutely no clue how vast his knowledge was. Of both this world and the demon one.

He took you up on your challenge without hesitation.

“Bear’s Paw succulent. Also known as the Cotyledon tomentosa.”

“Aha!” You cheered triumphantly. As if you caught him red handed on something. Whatever connection you think you just made, he'd never know.

It became a daily habit of sorts.

Every morning you'd stop by his desk with something new.

The same question of ‘what’s this?’

And he'd always answer correctly.

You were persistent in whatever endeavor you were chasing. He thought you would've gotten bored by now, yet you kept at it.

Little by little, he starts to consider you a friend. He started anticipating your presence in the morning. Enjoying how you stuck around after quizzing him now. Getting to know each other more and more.

You didn't fawn over him like the girls in your class. And you weren't jealous of him like the boys. You were just you. And somehow you wormed your way into his life for the better.

You trusted him wholeheartedly with your plants. Even going as far as to ask him to take care of one for you.

“I have to go on a family trip. Watch Cornelius for me.” You'd looked up at him with pleading eyes. Ones he found himself unable to say no to. So he (not so) begrudgingly said yes.

A cactus. You gave him a cactus to look after.

He makes it bloom for you by the time you get back.

“Some green thumb you have.” You mused once you got it back. A small feeling of pride washing over him.

Eventually Kurama starts returning the favor and bringing you plants instead.

The first time he did it, he had left a special type of rose on your desk.

“What's this?” His words mirroring yours.

You gave a smirk at the challenge.

“Easy. It's a Falstaff rose.” you answered.

“Now what's this~” you pulled what looked like a white and pink flower from behind you.

“A trick. That's an orchid mantis.”

“Damn. I almost had you.”

Every now and then he'll throw you off by growing a plant from the demon world.

“Is that a hybrid of some sort?” You asked, prodding at the rather sentient looking plant.

Did it just blink at you?

“It's cool whatever it is. How'd you get your hands on it?”

By now your guessing games had started to take place out of school and in your homes. Right now, you were at Shuichi’s because he said he ‘wanted to show you something.’

He appeared amused by your curiosity.

“I have my ways.” He responded.

“This plant is carnivorous. It produces a saliva stronger than acid.” Though he'd never let it hurt you.

And instead of being frightened by it, you were ecstatic.

“Let's feed it a bunch of things!” You suggested.

Did you hear that? That was the sound of his heart beating in overdrive. You were a very brave human.

But you also found beauty and wonder in things most would cower at.

He makes sure to bring and grow you more plants from demon world. Most of them are relatively harmless.

As long as you don't get too close that is.

It becomes a new game for you to guess what they do. What makes the flowers bloom. The conditions they thrive in.

Most of the time you end up being correct. Using your prior knowledge to make logical guesses. It's surprising how accurate you are for a human. But then again, you weren't exactly normal.

He's still not over how you fed that plant your entire backpack.

He would be lying if he said he hadn't taken an interest in you.

Not just because of your shared hobby. He liked how you made it a point to check on him everyday. How you'd let him ramble on excitedly about some new fauna. The way you explored and investigated something new without fear. The exaggerated movements of your hands when you were talking passionately.

All of it had pulled him in little by little.

He makes it a point to confess to you in a way only you two would understand.

“What do all these mean?” He asked you, presenting you with a small bouquet.

“Oooh! Going the extra mile today? You're on.”

You took the flowers from him and began mentally listing them off.

You hadn't taken in the full context until you were already speaking.

“Red carnations mean my heart aches for you. Forget me nots mean true love. Baby's breath means everlasting love. And a rose means passion…Oh.”

It hit you like a truck then, the implications of why he might've gave you this. Was this still part of your usual game?

You looked to Shuichi who didn't hide the softness in his expression.

“You're being serious? I…”

‘Say yes you idiot!!!!’ You internally screamed at yourself.

Instead you plucked one of the flowers and offered it back to him.

“Here's my answer.”

You'd given him the rose in return.

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

An: yeet! Google came in clutch for this one.

[pikespendragon67]

Pikes Small Fall 2024 Check-in Post!

I technically can still talk with friends but eh why not

IRL: o ye gods i have 2 interviews next week, one in person and one over the phone that may lead to an in person interview. They pay way more than my current job but I fear deceiving my supervisor to go to the in person ones. I'm in the middle of my annual review for my current job though so I think I'll get like. A very small raise and get asked why I've been coming in late for a while now (mainly due to traffic). Hrm.

It’s gonna rain for 2 weeks fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck

In December I'm making up for not walking for my college graduation since I graduated during quarantine! I met Jamieson Price at my brother's graduation back in 2016 since he was announcing so my foolish hope is that he announces for mine. Sadly not a SoCal school so highly unlikely (especially with BS technology nowadays) but a fish can dream.

I also...spent way more than I realized this year so once I replenish enough funds I hope I can stick to a budget that my mom helped formulate. Getting the new jobs will help a bunch in those. Terrible timing since the Switch successor is coming out next year and who knows what guests will arrive at cons I can potentially go to. (Like if Jamieson Price, Akio Otsuka, Kenjiro Tsuda or Junichi Suwabe got invited to a con I might need to sell a kidney or 3). I tried using a Windows 11 laptop and it is somehow much slower than my 2019 laptop. Like. How. It's more recent. So I might need to invest in a tablet (like an iPad) or something instead since those tend to be faster. If it has HDMI ports I'd be set.

Also terrible timing for going on a budget since I want to get the Shunsui blind keychain in stores like GameStop or BoxLunch. I have Ukitake at least. I'd be willing to trade a spare Soifon that I have. Oh, and also Squishables plushies always tempt me as well as physical DVDs/games/manga but I am running out of storage space aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I want to get back into art but I need a bag to carry my art supplies and hopefully I can sneak in doodles when I run out of tasks at work. I'd draw on weekends but my computer takes up way too much space on my desk.

And I'm in a bit of a music rut, need to find new stuff to listen to. I usually like smooth cadences in things like electroswing, R&B or pop punk rock, but maybe with how hectic the world is becoming I can get into a new genre of music. Maybe folk? Maybe a ska renaissance that I keep hoping to happen in the public attention?

Animu: I just finished rewatching Digimon Adventure (1999)! I rewatched the dub since I'm nostalgic towards it. I recognized more voices than I did in my rewatch from 6th grade wrow. (I forgot Doug Erholz was in the OG series as Joe's brother and MachineSeaDramon). As a kid my favorite was probably TK or Kari but these days I relate way too much to Joe. I think my favorite arc is the Myotismon arc, and I really loved the Piedmon fight. The show really started feeling special after SkullGreymon appeared. It went from regular monster of the week show to something that explored more character depth, like when Sora felt she couldn't use the Crest of Love. Gonna start 02 next week.

I'm about to finish Delico's Nursery (thank GOD) and Moribito so I can finally move onto other stuff to either watch or rewatch. Maybe Big O, maybe ID: Invaded? Who can say. ...Probably after Beastars season 3 comes out.

Pokemon Horizons' next dubbed portion will air in February so I will see who voices Hassel and Larry then put it on hold until another character I like shows up. Unless something plot relevant happens. It's a good show but hhhhhhhh I only have so much time in my days now.

I'm liking Ranma 1/2! Originally I was a bit squicked about the bathing scenes but I really like the character interactions and the over-the-top jokes (like using your brother as a weapon, hilarious)

Tower of God season 2 is...there. Definitely in the gambler's fallacy where I want to finish this and have it be done with. I really miss season 1's animation.

Orb: On the Center of the Earth is a really intriguing drama. I'm hoping it has a scene that makes me think about life like with other dramas that I've enjoyed. It has sparks of it, so only time will tell.

I’m really enjoying Dandadan so far. I might not delve into the fandom side but I’m loving the art direction and the main character bickering. Dare I hope for a Mothman arc?

In my Jojo rewatch I’m 4 episodes away from finishing Battle Tendency. I’m not the biggest fan of Stardust Crusaders though so I’m gonna see if I can watch the OVAs instead

And finally, I'm not sure how many episodes Bleach TYBW part 3 will have but I'm lowkey waiting for when Shunsui's big moment happens. Hopefully it doesn't feel too rushed, as if we do follow the 13 episode structure we'd only have...5 episodes left to finish this. I'm also hoping that the light novels get animated. Or that Kubo makes the rest of the Hell arc an anime exclusive thing.

Videya games: I thought I could switch between Brothership and Dragon Quest 3, but hoo boy do I feel the grind more in 5 minutes of DQ3 than I do 20 in Brothership. Aside from the Luigi A controversy and odd way to do basic jumps/hammer attacks, I'm liking the combat again. Makes me want to go back to play Dream Team more.

I got Webfishing and I made my avatar Ogata. Life is goooooooooood. Also on some weekends I play with some buddies in either Granblue Versus, 100% Orange Juice, and recently we went through the prologue of Paranormasight. I grinded with some other friends in Granblue Relink and man I need to assemble that squad again so I can get Ambrosia.

Oh yeah, an IRL friend helped me start up collecting for Wii again! Meaning I can hopefully get Gamecube games too because while I do have Dolphin and Parsec, I still have trouble opening files, configuring my controller and configuring a memory card. True there's a risk of scratched discs and spending way more than I need to. Hm.

[ofandrastes]

LET'S GET REACQUAINTED ! hey rpc ! lets be honest, datv brought us all back in one way or another either you're a veteran or new, i'm sure there is stuff that has changed or we don't know each other so let's have a game about it to reintroduce each other ! repost this to do the same & tag some pals if you want !

Name / Penname: Ray for veterans, did you go by something previously ? name &/or penname: nope, always just Ray age & gender ( if comfortable sharing ): 28, female what was your first dragon age muse: Does all of them count? Ha! I guess I would say Maverick though, but he was originally a BG3 muse that I converted over for the DA setting when I started this blog up again. do you have any other darp muses / blogs: Nope, this is my first. what muses / blogs do you have outside of darp: My personal blog is @sambergcrs and tbh I am so inactive on that it's not even funny. It's my general musing & gif making blog because I've spent the last like 12 years or so doing rp groups. I only made my indie last year when BG3 came out and I was ITCHING to write in that universe!! So now I'm here, took a bit of a break over the last like 5 months because of a new job, but I'm back with my Dragon Age obsession reignited (even though I have not finished Veilguard...oops). thedas has two moons: I am unfortunately TERRIBLE at keeping track of lore so truly Bioware I feel you.

single line, para, or novella: Para/Novella. I don't mind what other people do but I am incapable of shortening replies half the time. SORRY. plotting or winging it: I am fine with both but I find I typically reply a lot faster and become more engaged in threads where we've plotted things out. Winging it with memes, starter calls and such are a great way to gauge chemistry and can serve super well as a jumping off point, though. fighting threads, you bold enough for them? They scare me truthfully but I could be down! My writing style is very...internalized as far as my characters go. I can dive into their psyches and write about why they do and feel the things they do and feel all day. So, admittedly I wouldn't say I'm super comfortable with them BUT I am more than willing to as long as we plot something out in detail & my partner is patient with me. what content warnings are on your blog?: Very few, just a general NSFW content may be present. I can always add more, but in general it's just possible smeggsual content and possible violence/gore. what things do you need tagged for your comfort?: I truly don't need anything tagged for my own purposes, but if that changes I will update my rules & let my writing partners know..

shipping preferences: single | multi | no ship | polyship. Wrote up a rule about this earlier this week! I am very versatile, happy to pair my muses up for multiple ships, but when it comes to canon characters I impose a limit. For example, I probably won't ship with more than one or two, say, Fenris' (FYI, I currently don't have any wink wink) because I find coming up with so many different dynamics between multiple portrayals a bit tiring, personally. Also, if my partners have rules I will typically follow them. But! Overall, I'm a ship fiend. Happy to discuss anything and everything. Also, would love more polyship opportunities. shipping boundaries: See above regarding canon characters, but I don't have too many hard boundaries right off the bat. Nothing generally inappropriate, obviously, or outright problematic. I'll always be open to ideas but will enforce my boundaries when they come up, and I hope others will feel comfortable to do the same.

fun facts about yourself that may have changed since in the past ten years( when inquisition dropped )-- damn I mean I graduated high school and college and then went into the working world, got married, moved a bunch, bought a house. It's certainly been a hard journey, especially the past few years or so in dealing with some of my husband's health struggled, but overall it's wild to see how much growth I've had and see how long these games have endured the test of time.

be honest, did you miss darp. come on now: I have never been a part of this community before, but I love it. I've had a great time & I can't wait to interact with more people!

challenge round! put a small top five things unrelated to dragon age ! - i have a 9 year old pitbull/corgi mix named dingo, and a 2 year old tuxedo cat named suki. i would do terrible things for them - i have a degree in television production but now i market forklifts for a living LMAO - hot rod is the greatest movie ever made - diet pepsi is superior to diet coke dont even @ me - go birds!!!!!

tagged by: @alitlantern & @onlyinthedas & i think more a while ago i am SORRY IM SLOW

tagging: you!! bc i cant keep up with who did this already and im shy!!

[noyasaur]

hi! Can you talk a bit about you jjba dr? (If youre comfy ofc!) ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶

an introduction to my jjba dr! ✩₊˚.⋆

cw: spoilers for jojo's bizaare adventure!

-> hihi! and yes omg ofcc!! i haven't shifted to my jjba dr yet but i would LOVEE to just ramble all about it if you don't mind 😌 gonna make it all aesthetic and cute too cuz hell yea😍

-> all images used (except the dividers) are from pinterest and full credit goes to the authors of these images :)

★ . about my jjba desired reality!

right now, i only have one jjba desired reality which the whole thing about is me going on all the adventures from part three to five!

i think in the future i want to have a few more desired realities like one experiencing part two and part six and maybe even more of the parts if i end up finishing the other mangas! i also want to have a jjba dr set in modern times and also a jjba-based reality with kpop idols!

the timeline: in my main jjba reality, i've changed the timeline of some things so i can experience all the adventures in the different parts with the jojo boys in succession one after the other.

for example, when i first shift to this reality, i start with going on the adventures of part three with jotaro and the other stardust crusaders. the events of part four happen a year after the events of the stardust crusaders adventures when me, and jotaro are ordered to go to morioh by the speedwagon foundation to investigate well, jotaro's 'cousin'😭

in this reality, there was no affair 😙 joseph has a daughter and a son: holly and hugo. hugo is holly's younger brother and when he graduates high school, he goes off to japan for university. however, he meets tomoko there and they become a couple. long story short, he gets her pregnant and he never told any of his family, in fear of what they might say about him having a child so young. so that's how there is no affair that makes everyone go crazy, how josuke exists and how i can experience adventures when i'm not an old lady and i don't have to wait like twenty years between each adventure! (lmao)

obviously i can't live without kakyoin being dead and everyone else, so they live in this version 🤗 also, i made dio sort of less? evil? he doesn't actually commit any crimes against other humans (except blood-sucking ew but he doesn't kill anyone and just keeps people hostage as slaves and maids while he does his evil bidding eek) but is just hellbent on 'destroying' the joestar bloodline.

thinking about adding some other people into this reality too? for example, i was really contemplating adding sunghoon into this reality and making him one of dio's sons or something but during part three, he turns on his father and helps us defeat him 😜 this is a possible addition but i'm not sure if i'll go through with this or not!

i also have some generational pact with the brandos (i didn't do it, my grandpa did smh), though i fight with the joestars. long story short, my grandpas was in love with dio and made a pact that he would swear to protect the brando bloodline (my grandpa = speedwagon but dio's version) /hj might explain this later but im still in the works with figuring out how it's going to work and the backstory behind it!

★ . about me!

background: i was born in australia on the (??\??\???? - not sure on the dates and whether i want it to be set in the 80's or the 00's). i was born with a faint, butterfly-shaped marking on my back. none of my parents knew what it meant but as i grew older, it continued to grow darker, and darker. self-conscious of the odd mark etched into my back, i bandaged it up to hide it. i lived a pretty peaceful childhood. however, the after i turned thirteen years of age, very strange occurrences kept happening to me.

there were some instances where things would become heavier or lighter, or where my parents felt as if they were moving in slow-motion or faster than usual. i would get weird dreams, some of the past, and some of the very, far future.

little did i know, this was all the work of my stand manifesting.

not knowing what was happening, i was shipped off to japan to live with my uncle, in tokyo in hopes that my uncle would be able to fix whatever was going on with me. you see, my uncle is a very spiritual man. while he works as an astronomer and a psychologist, he is very knowledgeable in the likes of tarot cards, magic, and otherworldly forces (etc). he did everything he could and that was in his power to try and figure out what was happening to me, since that was his forte and all.

and thus, after years of dealing with these strange incidents, at the age of 15, my stand manifested before me. i was crossing the street, on the way back to my uncle's apartment from visiting a convenience store. however, i didn't notice a car zooming towards me until it was too late. i shut my eyes, assuming it was all over. this was my fate: i was going to die a horrible and painful death. and there was nothing i could to about it.

i shut my eyes, bracing myself for the impact and my inevitable doom.

i waited.

and waited.

and yet, i felt nothing.

the impact never came. the excruciating pain and blast i expected to feel, never hit my body.

i was alive. and completely unscathed. but. . . how?

i wearily opened my eyes and to me confusion and horror, i saw her. i saw a strikingly beautiful but eerie human-like creature floating in front of me. it had it's arms extended out toward the car, which was now moving at an impeccably slow snail's pace.

after standing there in shock for a few seconds, i shook my head and scurried away.

around a few times after this incident, the frequency at which i had those 'weird' dreams dramatically increased. they turned from being a fortnightly, even monthly occurrence, to having those dreams many nights in a row, back to back.

oddly enough, with every dream i was having, i couldn't help but feel they were starting to feel a lot less like dreams but a lot more like visions.

after two weeks of more odd visions and happenings, i finally told my uncle. he was deeply puzzled as he tried to make sense of what was happening to me. and after a few minutes of pondering, something washed over his face.

was it relief? or more confusion?

did he finally work out what was happening to me?

but in the end, all he told me what that if i were to ever run into a man with the name 'Joseph Joestar' he made me promise i were to stick with him if i ever met him.

i asked him who he was, and all he replied with was: "Joseph? oh why, he's just a very good old friend of mine."

and so, i continue my life as usual, trying to deal and overpower these strange incidents and even became familiar with my beautiful and endearing new creature. luckily for me, i was enrolled in an online school so any incidents i would have would hardly leave a scratch on my grades and records.

although, this completely changed in the last year of my high school.

you see, my uncle wanted me to have a 'fun' and 'memorable' high school experience, especially considering it was my last year. and so, he enrolled me into an actual high school, which would change the course of my fate forever.

and what a 'fun' and memorable year it was. . .

(i am so sorry if this is so corny omg this feels so corny sdsdjs)

★ . my stand!

my stand name: Ancient Dreams (In a Modern Land)

statistics: power: B Rank speed: A Rank range: B Rank durability: A rank precision: B Rank potential: A Rank

abilities: weight drop! (weight change): the ability to change the weight of anything. can make objects or people light, or make objects or people heavier. the stand user cannot use this ability on themselves. the ability can be activated by shooting small orbs or energy at the opposing object or person, where they will have a butterfly emblem on them, shaded corresponding to a highlighted moon phase on my stand, which corresponds to the 'levels' of weight taken off the person. flash! (speed manipulation): the ability to change the speed of any object or person. however, this can only be done when the stand makes contact with the object of person. dream telepathy/communication/travelling: has the ability to communicate with others during their dreams, or enter one's dream through a meditative trance, with the help of their stand. the stand user can appear in one's dreams and communicate with the person, and also manipulate their dreams. however, the stand user cannot physically harm their target's through their dreams. rather, it is a soothing and positive technique that puts the target in a state of comfort. dream energy: the stand has the ability to shoot out energy orbs as a way of fighting. the orbs are made of 'dream energy' and can easily damage and slice through objects, depending on the manipulation of the orb. the orbs can be thrown in their pure form, or even me manipulated into whatever the stand user desires. for example, i could turn dream orb into a 'dream sword,' made from the cosmic energy of dreams and fantasy.

appearance: has a slim and feminine appearance. it's body is a gradient and mix of light baby blue, lilac purple and cotton candy pink, with the phases of the moon imprinted on it's chest. it wears a majestic headpiece of a butterfly on it's head, which is coloured a shimmering mix of pastel gold, purple and pink. it's eyes are a deep blur colour, and has transparent blue 'butterfly' wings.

🪐 saturn's note:

-> um this was a little more than just 'talking a bit about it' but i hope you found this interesting and enjoyed! kinda scared to post this because i've never really talked about my drs like this so it's new to me but also fun 😍 i might update this here and there and i def swill reblog if i do or just make another post for anything else you're interested in!

-> oh and when i shift there? hell yeah am i going to be writing and sharing my experiences omg 😩

[jsprnt]

Healing Hearts PT.2 | Virgil van Dijk

Would a fresh start bring you more than just a new job?

WC: 2.892

Summary: Y/N L/N is a very skilled and praised physiotherapist. A certain event pushing her for a fresh start, as a physiotherapist for Liverpool FC. One question always being in the back of her mind: Will she be able to let go of her past and allow herself to experience new things?

I am awoken by the blaring sound of my alarm. Why do I always have to wake up when my bed gets so comfy? I groan, fighting the urge to snooze my alarm, checking the time while at it. It's six now, two hours to make this face look like it has seen more than four hours of sleep.

I check my messages before washing up. Walking out to the bathroom to put on my outfit. Some 90's style jeans and a body hugging cropped shirt. Nothing too much, I'll have to wear my scrubs anyway. I make my bed and do some breathing exercises to calm my nerves, meeting new people was still a big challenge for me. I finish eating breakfast and turn on the coffee machine for a nice frothy cup of coffee. Admiring the view behind my window as I sip the last bit of my coffee. The city is not entirely up yet, people still enjoying their last minutes of sleep before going to work or school.

Walking back to my room for the best part of my morning, doing my make up! I apply my base carefully. First day means first impressions, I can't go overboard, not yet. I curl my long lashes, coating them with mascara. Lining my lips with brown liner, some lip balm on top for a subtle look. I take out my jewelry box, grabbing my usual gold necklace. It was custom made, adorning my name, a graduation gift from my mom. I look into the mirror, humming a song in satisfaction as I do my hair. I grab my bag, stuffing it with things I might need throughout the day. Finally, putting on my Nike dunks and leaving my house.

I walk downstairs to my car. Thankfully my dad had arranged for it to be imported from Spain a couple weeks ago, when I accepted this job. My dad had a thing for paying for my things, maybe it  was to make up for our strained relationship or something. Either way, I wasn't going to refuse his help, it benefited us both anyways. He'd feel like a present father, and I'd feel like he cared.

I jump into my car, the dashboard lighting up. I run my hands around the steering wheel for some comfort before I hit the road. The leather soft as I trace the Mercedes logo, I loved this baby. My G-class never failed to make me feel like the bad bitch I am. I told you working hard and spending hard had its perks. I turn on the navigation system, hoping it would take me straight to the training grounds without any issues.

I turn on some music, trying to drown out my nerves and thoughts. It was never too early for some Drake. I try to pay special attention to my surroundings, since the more I memorize, the faster I can get used to this route. My navigation system pings as it tells me I've arrived. I scan my surroundings, being greeted by a security post. I drive up to it, turning my music off and rolling my window down.

"Good morning, I'm here for the new physiotherapist job." I flash the security guard a smile, he is an older man, his hair graying slightly. I might as well get friendly since I'll be here almost everyday from today onwards. "Morning to you as well. Could you some show me some sort of identification, please?." I can't help but stare at the man, his scoucer accent making it hard for me to understand right away, I should get used to it quickly. I nod quickly pulling my ID from my wallet. He looks at it, scanning through a list, probably a list of staff? His eyes light up as he, I presume sees my name on the list. "Welcome, Dr. l/n, I'll call up the head coach so he can greet you at the door." He gives me a kind smile, handing me my ID back. "Thank you, I appreciate it." I shove my ID back into my wallet, driving into the training center parking lot as the gates open for me. I park, collecting my bag as I jump out of my car. Though, not before fixing my hair and make up.

I take in my surroundings, so this is what I'll be partially calling home now. I notice some other, what I presume to be staff walk into the training center. I walk in as well, immediately being greeted by the huge Liverpool FC emblem. I hold onto my bag tightly, trying to contain my nerves.

I look to my right, the reception. The woman behind the desk looks up, flashing me a smile as I go up to her, sitting down on the chair in front of her desk.

"Hi, I'm y/n l/n. I'm here for the physiotherapist job." She stares at me for a moment, before typing something on the computer. "Nice to meet you! I'm Clara, welcome to our family. I'll call down our head physio, just a second honey.”

Her response warms my heart as I nod. So far, I think I'll feel quite comfortable here. She picks up the phone, though her expression changes into one of surprise as she looks behind me, over my shoulder. "Oh, he is here already."

My eyes follow hers, being greeted by a man, around his 50's. He walks up to me, extending his hand to me. "Welcome Dr. l/n. I've heard a lot about you, nice to finally see the woman being so highly spoken of by my colleagues." I smile and grab his hand in a firm handshake. "It's an honor to finally meet you, Dr. Woods."

He chuckles, before letting go of my hand. "Let's talk more inside, the boss wants to meet you as well." I turn back towards Clara, mumbling a quick thank you to her, before following Dr. Woods inside the training center. I glance around, it’s is even bigger in real life. I had watched some YouTube video's of the club just to prepare and calm my anxiety, but seeing it in real life was very different. We stop in front of an office, the label reading 'Manager'. I raise my eyebrows in surprise. I'd already be meeting THE Klopp. I rub my hands together trying to get rid of that anxious feeling.

Dr. Woods knocks on the door loudly, the door is opened a couple of seconds later, revealing Klopp.

"Hey, I'm here to introduce our new physiotherapist." The doctor informs. Klopp looks at me, giving me one of his famous smiles. "Right of course, come in." He opens the door wider, we both walk in. He ushers us to sit down on his red sofa's. He sticks out his hand, we shake hands as he introduces himself, with that all too well known German accent. "It's always nice to greet new members of our big family. Welcome, I'm Jürgen Klopp." I introduce myself as well, his eyes light up in recognition as I tell him my name. "I've heard very great things about you Dr. l/n. I'm very happy to see you here."

"No it's an honor for me, this club is amazing and I'm happy to contribute to the team." I reply, my worries and nerves had been washed away just like- that. I just know that this was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

We start chatting about how I've adjusted to living here, my education and my experience before they start asking different questions.

"So that means you speak how many languages?"

Dr. Woods asks curiously.

"Well my native tongues would be Dutch since I was born and raised in The Netherlands and Turkish, since I'm half Turkish. I'm also fluent in English as you can hear." We chuckle. "Though I do speak some Spanish and Catalan since I worked at FC Barcelona for two years, as you know."

"Great so you'll have no problem with speaking to the players huh? Especially our very loved Dutch players." We laugh at Klopps comment. I secretly hope that too.

Our conversation comes to an end as Klopp suggests I meet the players. He checks his watch, before looking at me. "Players will come in any moment now. They'll start with warming up." Dr. Woods chimes in. "It will be a recovery day since the team played a match yesterday as you may have followed."

Oh yeah I did. I watched it just so I could take notes on the players, the draw at the end was kind of disappointing. Though, it was better than losing.

"Right, I did watch it. Just to study a little before I do see the team play in real life."

"You're impressive Doctor, doing homework before even starting to work." Klopp says. "Oh it's nothing really, just prepares me for what I might encounter as I start working here." I dismiss.

We stand up after a short while, Dr. Woods taking me to put on my scrubs. I mentally pray they have pink ones, both of my former clubs did have them. He walks up to a machine, telling me exactly how the scrub dispenser worked. I nod, pressing some buttons before choosing my size. The scrubs are a- dark red? Well, at least they are part of the club colors. Dr. Woods leads me to the woman's staff changing room. I walk and change quickly putting my hair up in a claw clip.

I walk out of the room after putting my stuff in my locker, and installing a code on it. "I'm ready."

I tell him, he looks at my scrubs for a second. "Red looks great on you Dr. l/n, part of the family already." We chuckle before he leads me to the gym.

A sudden wave of nervousness hits me. I had known that the players were very friendly, still I couldn't help but feel like an unsure inexperienced intern again. We walk into the gym, it's big with plenty of space for calisthenic training like, push-ups and burpees. I look around seeing some the worlds best star players. I've worked some of the best football players like Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong, but this still felt super insane.

I notice Klopp walking in as he calls for the players to gather around to introduce me. I glance around, they all give me a kind smile as Klopp tells them I'll be their new physiotherapist starting this new season, and of course he couldn't help but mention I'm Dutch. "Nice to meet everyone, I look forward to working with you all." I give them a smile, my dimples on full display. Suddenly, one of the players walks up to me, I immediately recognize him, who wouldn't? It's the caption of the team, well of his national team too. Virgil towers over me, sticking out his hand, his tall frame couldn't be compared to what you see on TV or the pitch. "Welcome to our team y/n, or should I call you doctor." He flashes me a beautiful smile, making me shake his hand and smile in respons. "Hi, y/n is fine, it's good to be here." Other players come to greet me as well, not to forget Robertson, who has to crack a joke about another Dutch person joining the club. "You'd think it was planned huh." We laugh and chat for a bit before Klopp redirects the attention back to him.

"Alright everyone, it's recovery day so take it easy and tell our doctors if something's up as they assist you."

Dr. Woods turns to me, telling me to follow his lead as I slowly start getting the gist of how everything works here. I nod at him, watching as he talks to the players about any soreness they're experiencing.

The day progress quickly as lunch time hits, we walk into the canteen. Seems like players and staff eat at the same time just like in Barcelona.

I walk through the the buffet as I'm greeted by Gakpo.

"Dus je bent echt Nederlands?" (So you're actually Dutch?) he asks in Dutch, full of curiosity. "Natuurlijk, geboren en getogen. Net als jij." (Of course born and raised. Just like you.)

He gives me a cute smile before we continue speaking in Dutch as we fill up our plates with healthy and delicious food.

He invites me to sit with the team. I glance at him wondering if it is a good idea. Well I did sit with the players at Barca too. "Are you sure?" I ask. "Yeah, look around players sit with staff at every table." I take a glance around, he was right staff and players were sitting together at every table. Chatting and laughing together. "Okay then, I'll sit with you guys."

He leads me to a table, already occupied by Trent, Virgil, Joel, Andrew and new star transfer Dominik Szoboszlai. "Doctor, very nice of you to sit with us." Virgil chimes in. "Well I couldn't refuse when Cody offered, we're practically already family based on the fact that we're Dutch hm." The table erupts in laughter, as we glance at Cody. "Of course the Dutch lad steals the doctor before we get to know her." Trent teases, his Scouse accent thick. "Where did you work before joining us?" Robbo asks, shoving a spoonful food into his mouth. Everyone at the table turns to me for my answer.

I clear my throat before answering. "I first interned at Ajax, I got a three year contact there after graduating. Then I got offered a position at Barcelona, worked there for two years." They nod in acknowledgement. Before Cody mentions something. "Oh you're the famous pretty doctor?!" I stare at him confused. "What do you mean?" "Well the national team players used to always talk about a pretty doctor working at Ajax." I raise a brow at his words, glancing at Virgil to confirm, since he also is apart of the national team. "Can't lie Doctor, they did talk about a pretty Doctor." I give them an impressed look. "I guess that would be me?" I chuckle.

We chat some more as everyone chimes in, though some of their faces turning confused. "Wait how old are you then?" One of them asks. "Oh I'm twenty-five." I reply. "Wow, you're pretty impressive for someone so young." Joel says. I thank him as we all continue eating and chatting in between bites.

Recovery training had gone by fast. I had gotten much more familiar with team and how they operate. Klopp dismisses everyone, as we all walk back into our designated changing rooms. Though, I'm quickly stopped by Dr. Woods. He tells me he'll make sure someone adds me to the staff group chat, as well as the group chat the entire club is in. We then bid each other goodbye as I enter the female staff changing room. I take a minute to sit down and to take it all in, that really just happend huh.

I change quickly putting my outfit back on and discarding my scrubs into the laundry basket. I do a quick make up refresh and hair fix before I grab my bag and take out my car keys. I walk through the hallways slowly, looking around for things I might have not seen yet. I’m totally in my own world before I hear my name being called. I turn around, I'm greeted by both Trent and Dominik, seems like they had been getting along nicely since Dominik had transferred here.

"Are you going out?" The new star asks. "Yeah, you guys aren't?" I lift a brow at them. I can see small smirks on their faces, they look like schoolboys hiding something. "Oh yes, we're leaving just now." We chat a little before we walk outside, saying goodbye to Clara at the reception. I notice other cars had parked right next to mine. "Bye doctor, we'll see ya tomorrow, right?" The Scoucer says. I nod "See you guys!" They wave before they both get into their respective cars.

I unlock my car, climbing in before closing the door. I place my bag onto the passengers seat, leaning back for a second. First day: survived.

Sadly, my peace is interrupted by a loud car horn. I raise my head and lower my window, it's the car next to me? I squint, it's an English car so I can see who it is from my seat. The person lowers down his windows as well. It's Virgil?

"What's wrong?" I half shout, so he can hear me through the loud engine of his car. "Nothing just wanted your attention." I chuckle, man these football players never got tired of teasing people. I roll my eyes playfully, before starting my car. I wave at him, before driving my car out of the parking slot.

I get home rather quickly, my speakers playing my favorite songs loudly. I enter my house, feeling fulfilled. I throw myself on my couch after washing up. I reflect on the day, the players and staff were amazingly kind. Though, that small interaction with Trent and Dominik was weird, why were they so smirky?

[deerspherestudios]

Game Progress Update!

Since I've posted this devlog on the game page, I'm happy to announce Day 2 script is complete! :-D However, this doesn't mean the next update is right around the corner. In fact it's probably a long ways off as I still have the artwork, coding, and sounds to do next; but progress is progress!

For now my game plan is to keep working on the script for Day 3 and onwards, while also coding Day 2 into Ren'py. For all I know I'll be done with the script before starting any of the artwork ;v; But I think it's a good compromise as I have better balance between personal work and college work. For more ramblings info and sneaky peeks:

@isabellaswork Since I'm not sure if you can respond to submissions, I'll address this here! The next update will be a full one!! Regarding the timeline, I've stated before I'm hoping to release and finish the game by this year but uh, judging from the amount of content I have for Day 2 alone, that might be further off than I realized.

This might be sad news to some, but I assure you the longer I work on the script, there could possibly be hours' worth of MO content in store. (Just proofreading the Day 2 script took me an hour start to finish so imagine the scale of,,,, possibly 5 days, ,,)

I never expected people to have this much interest in MO; I really want this game to be the best I can make it, even if it means delaying it for the foreseeable future.

Anyway, enough with the downers. Here's some sneak peeks for Day 2 (don't mind the formatting, I've yet to streamline my writing to coding process):

I'll start to implement it into Ren'py with the proper code work and ask my beta tester to play it once that's done! :-) Overall I'm happy with it, I'm as excited as ever to share this project with everyone. I wish I could graduate faster just to work on it full time but oh well, that's a little bit further in the future </3

I'll leave you with these until my next update; Mushroom Oasis Day 2 spoilers without context:

Have fun speculating <3 Until next time, fireflies <3<3

[shelandsorcery]

I had a question about what gouache I use over on cohost, so I'm crossposting the answer here for anyone who's curious:

So I've tried a few different types of gouache, including the very affordable jelly gouache sets they have on aliexpress/amazon, and I've settled on forking over for the good stuff as the best way to get the results I want with minimum fuss. So here's the lineup of my collection of tubes right now!

The bulk of my paints are from Winsor & Newton - this was the brand we bought our starter kids from at art school, and if you notice any doubles in that lineup, it's because friends gave me their half-used tubes after graduation when they vowed to never gouache again. Some of those tubes are VERY old, but as long as they aren't fully solid, they're still good to go, so I keep them around. Also if they ARE fully solid, it's never a bad idea to try cutting the paint brick out of the tube and using it like a pan gouache. It usually works.

Through the pandemic tho I've been watching a lot of other gouache painters all over the world on youtube, and it did indeed get me hungry to try other brands! So the rest of my paints are from M. Graham (honey based gouache, dark colours aren't as opaque but holy heck they are pigmented) and from Holbein (really creamy consistency overall), including a bunch on the right there that I bought as one-offs from their fancy seasonal Irodori sets (some of my favourite pastels oh my gosh).

These are all traditional gouache, not acryl/acrylic gouache (though my partner @goshdarnheck has a solid collection of those), so these will rehydrate from dry - some faster, some slower, but it means I can often work with them dried out in pans instead of squeezing out fresh paint every time I sit down. This does take the sting off the price tag a bit - and makes plein air a lot less stressful and messy.

The other nice thing these days is that most art stores now sell online and ship worldwide (or nearly) and it's possible to track down some decently affordable paints that way. If you're also in or around Toronto, fyi, you can find W&N and Holbein gouache tubes at Gwartzman's art supplies for very good prices, and that's where I was able to get my single irodori paints as well. They do one day delivery in the city limits, it's amazing.

If you have any questions about my palettes, or particular colours, definitely drop them in the replies or my asks and I'll be happy to go into more depth!

[jamsandsuch]

i'll be honest i've been having a little of an existential crisis since getting my graduate school acceptance.

in the opening to teaching to transgress, bell hooks talks about how when she was offered tenure she fell into a spiral. and for me, i thought that getting my acceptance to my master's program would help but if anything it's only made me feel terrified that i'm doing the wrong thing with my life.

i'm a budding sociologist and kind of by nature of that my work is tied up in activism; even moreso when my entire body of research is about my diasporic community and ways to improve our standing, the histories that brought us here, the future trajectory of our community. growing up with crippling anxiety, i've strayed away from having strong opinions, from upsetting anyone too much. growing up as a southeast asian immigrant, i strayed away from being noticed too much at all. academica offered me that space to form those opinions, and i think there was some power in that: for once i was encouraged and even rewarded for my years of quiet observation and the pent up rage and injustice i've locked away in response. naturally, academia became my safe space and i decided to pursue grad school and a career in academia. but as i see myself moving forward, i increasingly realize that as a person of color in academia, especially with the particular subject matter i've chosen for myself, i kind of need to step into that spotlight i've been so afraid of. and especially when those opinions will carry so much political weight, so much responsibility, those anxieties i've carried with me since i was little, that unfamiliarity with being seen is weighing down on me so much and i feel like i'm suffocating.

a few months ago i attended an event in my diasporic community hosted by a local activist group. they were extremely supportive and interested in my research and asked for more insight into what research like mine looks like. at the time my study was still in ethics board purgatory so i didn't have much progress to share with them, which i understandably lamented about. one of the members, who shared with me previously how they had been disillusioned by academia and thus dropped out, remarked as I outlined all the bureaucratic barriers that exist in academia: "You see that's the problem - I could go out into the neighbourhood and ask people those questions right now, put them together, distribute leaflets or organize a rally, and it would all happen so much faster and without this red tape." at the time i only agreed - mostly because i first read this as sympathizing with my academic exhaustion - but recently i've been revisiting those words as a question about if i'm really doing the right thing with my life, bigger questions about the purpose of my work more generally.

last week i attended an incredible talk by a journalist visiting from my home country who documents the human rights abuses happening domestically. as a qualitative researcher, and particularly as an urban/community sociologist, i was interested in the subject of her talk which was pertaining to building community through journalism. i was wondering if i may be able to 1) learn more about my country's politics and 2) learn more about how my work might facilitating community building. but what i walked away with was a growing discomfort in my stomach as that activist's words returned to me during that talk - this journalist was doing admirable, incredibly valuable work. the work was timely. it was immediate. it was influential. then what of my work? i've been working on my undergraduate thesis for eight months. this week alone i've spent over twelve hours hunched at my desk painstakingly transcribing interviews for analysis. and for what? to present at an undergraduate conference? to have it tossed into a sea of uncited papers? at the end of the talk a professor raises her hand to ask how academia and journalism can partner together to work towards a common goal. the speaker's response was geared towards the support they've received from quantitative researchers' data. as a qualitative researcher, what makes me different from a journalist besides a fancy university title and years' worth of institutional bureaucratic barriers my work must pass before publication? and beyond that, will it ever even be cited at all? i hoped to speak to the speaker afterward with my question, but they promptly had to leave. i walked back home and stared at my wall for a while.

two weeks ago one of my classes i teach for hosted a panel with activists from various diaspora. one student raises their hand and asks if one panelist, an iranian woman, feels afraid about the possibility of being targeted and killed for her activist work to which she calmly responds that she is expecting it. i feel a chill go down my spine as i wonder if i should be that selfless too. later during office hours a student shares with me that he's starting a project in partnership with an activist group to make critical race theory and asian diasporic history accessible beyond the ivory tower to laypeople. i wonder if i should be doing that too. with every moment i stand in front of these folks i feel like i'm standing up against everything that my work is not doing. i should be making this work accessible. i should be making this work faster. i should be ready to die in defense of my work. this guilt chokes me like a noose and with every moment i spend lying awake in bed thinking about it i string myself up higher like a flag for the world to laugh at. look at me, another useless scholar with impostor syndrome.

when it comes to the kind of work i do, i recognize that academia without activism is nothing short of ego boosting and extraction. and yet at the same time we're asked to somehow distance ourselves from political opinions so as to maintain the objectivity of our work. when i see the advocacy work done by fellow students on campus, i increasingly feel like a phoney intellectualizing work that's happening in real time on the ground that myself and my colleagues are removed from. this and my years of anxiety, and the fear around activism generated by being raised by parents from a country that has targeted academics for their politically provocative work have concocted the perfect storm of existential crisis, paranoia, guilt, and a deep seated desire to disappear. i feel useless in my work, helpless in my desire to be a part of an activist scene, and hopeless about my impact as a human being all at once. cue a pathetic image of some tortured scholar locked away in an ivory tower wiping their tears with sheets of gold leaf or something while the world burns outside. woe is me.

i brought these thoughts (or at least these thoughts as they were half baked) to one of my professors previously and he told me that i need to stop thinking. that i need to focus on what's immediately important to me: finish my thesis. get my bachelors degree. so this week during my midterm break i tried, i really did. i dove back into my old hobbies. engaged in some self care by spending time with my friends, exploring the city. and as i've done so i've realized - i'm so happy. so, so happy to be doing my hobbies. and that's just left me increasingly wondering if i'll ever claw my way out of this hole i've dug for myself: when I look at my instructors around me i see their work life balance wrecked. i see their unsustainable salaries despite all the incredible work they do and all the extra time they sank into their extra years of education (i recently learned that the published faculty salaries in our university's financial report are actually inflated, so the salaries are in fact much worse than I was led to believe and believe me, my expectations were already low - and this is at a T40). i wish i was kidding when i say that there are instructors i've known that began teaching during my first year and who i've slowly watched have the light drained out of their eyes over the last three years.

is this my destiny? to forever feel this way? to sink years of my life earning poverty wages as a TA and RA, delaying when i will finally settle down, sinking my family's money into a education for a job that won't make that money back unless by some miracle i land a tenure track position out of my phd? and all that knowing that there's a shortage of jobs for the number of phds in my field? and all of this knowing that there are folks out there doing work that's actually on the pulse of what's going on, more timely, and without the hierarchical nature of academic research?

do i think i'm going to find any of the answers i'm looking for right now? probably not. but i just feel the shadow of my future looming over me as i'm committing to grad school and i don't know what to do about it. i wake up every morning with a weight on my chest and when i think about it i can't breathe. maybe bell hooks really is a lot more relatable than i thought.

[aladaylessecondblog]

Miraak's Lounge

There was a lull in business at the moment, and Miraak took the chance when he had it. Let the sous chef know he had to make a phone call and headed off to the back office. He dialed his sister's number and waited for her to pick up.

"Miraak?" Sadrith sounded tired. It was mid-day, she'd probably only just woken up. "How're you doing?"

"Well enough," he said, "You don't sound good, are you still working at the club?"

"Yeah, I am," she replied quietly.

"You know you don't have to keep working there, right? I can get you a job at the Akaviri place I manage."

"Miraak, we've talked about this. It'll pay the student loans off faster, I'll be a lot more comfortable without that hanging over my head."

"Yeah..." Miraak paused, and looked at the picture on his desk. The graduation photo she'd taken with him three years ago. Things had been bad then, but not as bad as now. "Listen, are you free Tirdas, say, at eleven in the morning?"

"What for?"

"Granddad's dead. Dead dead, and his lawyer called me the other day to say we've been left something. You and me both."

"Why would he leave us anything?" Sadrith questioned, "When we cut ties with dad, he cut ties with us."

"I don't know, he just says we're in the will, thought I'd let you know. Are you free?"

"Yeah, but can you pick me up? I had to junk my car."

"How've you been--don't tell me you WALK to work!"

"Miraak, don't be silly. I don't walk to work. I walk BACK."

"At FOUR IN THE MORNING? In the neighborhood you live in--" For a few moments Miraak was practically hysterical, before calming down. "Yes. Yes, I'll pick you up."

"Miraak, I'm a Dovah. I have literally nothing to worry about. The crime stats in this neighborhood are incredibly overblown...." There was a pause of her own there. "Dad's going to be there, isn't he?"

"When has dad ever missed the opportunity to reach for some of his father's money?" Miraak gave a rueful laugh. "We should be glad Vile's office is small, he'll be forced into his mer-ish form."

"Good. ...good."

They said their goodbyes and Miraak hung up, heading back into the kitchen when he heard a shout.

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

Sadrith was usually outspoken, but any proximity to Alduin and she clammed right on up, giving answers as short as possible. Miraak figured he'd do the talking - it was how things had always worked when it came to their intimidating father.

It started when they were seated in the office, before Clavicus Vile entered. Their father's mer-ish form was tall, pale-skinned, and covered in several places in the black scales that showed he was only the disguise of the true dragon beneath.

"I suppose," came the glare from those slitted eyes Alduin favored, "That you are still making a spectacle of yourself in front of strangers?"

"That's my job, yes." Sadrith's tone was muted.

"Disgusting. You had many better options and that was--"

"Father," Miraak said in a warning tone. "We have talked this to death."

"The talk did not end when you decided it did."

"The talk is OVER, father." Miraak let an edge slip into his voice. "As I told you four years ago, we aren't fighting with you any longer."

"Weak," Alduin growled, nearly slipping into a Shout. "Nikriinne, ney hin."

(Sadrith, seated on Miraak's other side, had suddenly grabbed at his hand and squeezed. He squeezed back.)

"No, we are simply taking our ball and going home."

"Home to a common slum, no doubt, which is where you belong when you--"

"Ah, my dear dovah family!" The polite tone of Clavicus Vile sounded off then, "Apologies. My expertise was needed on an emergency matter...but here I am. Let us proceed to the reading of the will quickly, and not waste any more time."

The first part of Akatosh's will regarded his donations as expected to the church of the Nine Divines. Miraak could still hear his father's familiar ranting on the upstart Talos, but kept focused on the reading at hand.

The donations to various charities took up the first third of the will, and after a few small bequests to friends it then moved on to family.

"Let me begin by saying it is also part of this contract's terms that any attempt to contest the will, will result in partial forfeiture of ones own share."

"You daedric swine," Alduin growled again, this time at Clavicus Vile.

"And of course," Vile showed no signs of being afraid, "Threatening the lawyer's person will result in a consultation fee's worth of gold being cut from the threatener's share. Are we clear?"

Brimming with anger, Alduin sat back. Showing a bit of his fangs as he spoke, he replied, "We are clear."

Alduin retained a great deal of things. Dovah Manor, a trust fund, an insurance policy, the position in the company he'd filled for the last few decades. Still, it was less than he expected, and he said as much.

Clavicus Vile merely went on with the reading. To the two children of Alduin went a manor house in the upper east side of Solitude, and another in Ald'ruhn. If either of them wished not to occupy these houses, offers were already on hand for their sale. A joint trust fund, and individual sums of money - for the remainder of their student loans, and the Dovah Lounge, an Akaviri restaurant in Vivec City with an incredible reputation.

"Gods, the weight this'll take off my shoulders..." Sadrith breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Had you not insisted on dual-majoring in art, you would already have paid it off," Alduin snarked, "Art is for Dibellans, and you are a Dovah."

"Father," Miraak interjected.

"Alduin, if you don't mind, my paralegal--" Clavicus Vile gestured to a plump and rather nervous looking imperial woman, "Has paperwork for you to sign. If you don't wish to risk a conversation that will result in any losses, I highly recommend you get on that."

Still brimming with anger, Alduin left.

"Always angry, that one," Vile went on. "Now, decisions do not need to be made about the houses now..."

"What do you think?" Miraak asked Sadrith, "You want either of those houses?"

"Wouldn't mind living in Ald'ruhn again," she replied, "I don't imagine you'd care for being a nord in Dunmer territory, though."

"I've been in Ramsay's kitchen, there's nothing they can say that'll faze me," Miraak huffed. "I'd prefer to be close to the Dovah Lounge...that, that's a bit more to my taste than a house in Solitude. Provided you don't mind having your big brother in the same house over your shoulder all the time."

"With dad ready to shout us down at every chance, I WANT you there. He didn't care about us before, he'll 'care' now. I'd...rather have you close."

"Does this mean you'll want to be rid of the house in Solitude?" Vile asked.

Miraak and Sadrith both nodded, and the lawyer drew out another envelope. "A list of contacts for you, then, of those who are interested in its sale. And may I say..."

"If we ever need a contract written, you're available. We know," Sadrith said, "How much did you get out of our grandfather for this will?"

"Enough," Vile said with a smile, "But he knew if he wanted something Alduin couldn't find loopholes in he needed to come to me. I am the best choice for writing ironclad contracts - period."

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

It was a breath of fresh (ashy) air, going back to Ald'ruhn. They hadn't been back in years; when they were a lot younger Alduin hadn't much cared for the ash-blasted city of Ald'ruhn. But it felt - right, to Sadrith, it felt like home. The foul weather outside was nice to watch from inside.

Miraak, of course, wore his mask outside, and only lifted it once he'd come inside.

"How you can feel at home here, I don't know," he laughed, "I feel like I've smoked two packs even with the mask on my face...but I guess your mother took you here often enough."

"When dad was...a bit too much. Before she..." There was a pause. "She said here it didn't matter, everything would turn to ash anyway, that it was pretty to watch."

Another pause.

"Do you think you'd want me waiting tables at the lounge?"

"Thought you didn't want to work for me."

"That was before. The loan's paid off. I can actually breathe." Sadrith took a mocking sort of deep breath, and coughed slightly as she inhaled the slightest bit of ash. "I hated stripping but I was making a fortune doing it."

The evening news here seemed to be handled by some dunmer who also wore a mask, and he looked only long enough to see the weather tomorrow was going to be ashy but sunny in both Ald'ruhn and Vivec City.

Good. It would make things a lot easier.

Miraak put a blanket over Sadrith when he realized she'd fallen asleep and then headed to the kitchen to see what was in the fridge.

[starbberryblue]

TODAY IS ALMOST OVER AND I NEARLY FORGOT TO MENTION IT!! I AM NOW OFFICIALLY ONE YEAR ON TESTOSTERONE‼️💪🎉🔥💯

so much has changed. i have a shitty little mustache now. i can speak comfortably in public or in class. i realized im like 90% hetero (at least as of now) but still retain my bi card because some dudes are fine as hell. i dont have to hide my face with my hair anymore. i can lift like 3x what i used to despite not working out at all. i dont have to bind every time i leave the house cause my shit deflated. im starting to feel like the meat mech im piloting kinda looks like the guy in my brain!! :]

my goals before i hit year two which i will update on this post if i remember to are:

legally change my name

increase my dosage (i started low bc i had naturally higher t levels pre-t, but now i feel like it could definitely go a bit faster lol)

research doctors + insurance stuff and get my top surgery referral

possibly maybe perhaps get an actual workout routine so i can alleviate some more bodily dysphoria via sick gains? (very tentative due to my horrid little adhd brain's routine aversion but i REALLY want to give it a solid try)

and from there i'll just see where that takes me! i'm really hoping i'll be able to get top surgery by 2026, and since i graduate next semester i wont have to worry about taking time out from school to recover, just work which i will hopefully be doing from home.

okay today ends in five minutes and i dont know how to finish this poast. IF YOU ARE TRANS YOU HAVE TO LIVE!! ILY 🫶🏳️‍⚧️

[themoonsbride]

hey darling<3 i would love to request a fluff with peter protecting y/n when she's having an argument with dr brenner or someone from the stuff and he's like "touch her or say smth about her and i'll kill you"🧎🏻‍♀️😫

hello!! yes of course I can do that for you, thank you for requesting ! <3 I hope you like it/enjoy.

Protected.

Summary; Reader gets threatened by one of her co-workers for breaking one of the lab rules, Peter threatens their life as his way of protecting the reader.

warnings; mentions of murder, anxiety, and threats

requested; yes!

You roamed down the hall looking for the double doors that lead to the rainbow room. You were about to be late as you checked you watch and then began to walk at a faster pace to reach where you're meant to be as of right now. As you turned down the hall you'd bumped into one of the male orderly, you knew this due to the work attire that was clothed onto the person's slim frame. Though you didn't bother to look at whom you'd rammed into and only replied with a sorry as you continued practically running down the hall. The male you bumped into watched you turn down the next hall as he straightened out his shirt and fixed his blond curl.

You entered through the double doors and saw multiple of the children's eyes land on you, in response you smiled softly at them and flattened out your skirt with your hands as Alec looked over at you with an expression of disappointment and confusion. You stood in your place on the other side of the double doors since Alec was already standing on the left side of the doors.

"Where the hell were you?" Alec whispered over to you. you looked over at him with your brows furrowed a bit as you felt your nose scrunch slightly. You never liked him, he was such a teachers pet towards Brenner, well, more like a bosses pet then.

"It's not your place to ask Alec." You said as calm as possible even though annoyance was straining your voice like nails on a chalkboard. You tried to be polite but it was clearly failing as miserably as the staff were feeling here. Except you seemed to be the only one who thought I was just the tiniest bit decent. The children were nice to work with, though it mightve been because there were no other female orderly, atleast not that you've met or seen, or even heard of.

Alec scoffed at your reply as he rolled his eyes and went back to his duties of keeping an eye on the subjects and also zoning out whilst wishing he'd never even got hired for this damn job. The coffee was as pathetic as the orderly's efforts of caring about anything anymore. Yeah Brenner was a stuck up hag, but he could be easy to deal with if you just did your job correctly.

Brenner seemed to have taken quite a liking to you though, whether it was because you were well behaved, or because he thought you were pretty you weren't sure, but you just assumed it wasn't anything creepy, because you were well behaved, you did do your job the way it was meant to be done. You graduated highschool and collage and were pretty smart. There were more than just Brenner who'd seemed to take a liking in your smartness, not only just that but your beauty too.

You knew you were beautiful, your mother always told when you were growing up that you were developing into a beautiful young woman and would make something amazing out of yourself one day, she was right about beauty, not so much about making something out of yourself. Seriously, you were practically working inside of what felt like a mental hospital, not something most people would be proud of or call 'amazing'.

But there was a particular individual who seemed to catch your eye quite often. His name was Peter, and you guys were actually decently close, each day you grew closer and closer. Over time you'd find yourself thinking about him whilst looking over the children, or would catch yourself staring at him in the breakroom or in meetings sometimes. There were even a few incidents where you caught him looking at you before he'd quickly bat his eyes away and focus back onto what he'd been originally doing.

Peter was never typically one to open up or be talkative with people, and you didn't mind it at all, you used to be the same exact way in middle school and highschool. But it was because of your anxiety that you didn't talk to people and had very few friends. Even though you knew Peter didn't have anxiety, it could be difficult to find it in yourself to talk to the other people here, especially if it isn't necessary.

But when you were around eachother, it seemed like there wasn't any fear, or difficulty when it came to talking. You could tell him stories and things you've heard in your life and even just give him random motivation life advice and he would listen. He could listen to your voice for hours. And after awhile, he'd realized he fell in love with you, and wanted do anything to keep you out of dangers way. And he would too.

You hadn't even realized you were zoning out until you felt small tugs at the end of skirt, when you looked down, there was a small Eleven looking up at you with innocent dough eyes, and you just couldn't help but smile at her, she was your favorite out of all of them.

"Did you need something?" You asked her sweetly and quietly. she pointed over to a small bin of building blocks and took your hand as she lead you over to them.

She sat down on her knees as you sat criss cross infront of her as she took out the blocks one by one, when she finished she looked up at you again.

"Build." she said quietly, You were confused what it was exactly that she wanted you to build, so you just looked at her for a couple of seconds before grabbing some blocks and attempting to build a house with them. Once you finished you smiled at her, She moved one of the blocks slightly with her mind and they all toppled over.

She looked down at the pile of scattered colorful wooden shapes before sadness laced around her pupils.

"It's okay Eleven, why don't you take a turn building something." You spoke softly and she looked at you without moving her head, you smiled comfortingly at her before she looked back at the blocks and just decided to attempt to hand you one with her mind. You were confused again.

You just stared at her. She started at you. "What am I supposed to do with this sweetie?" You asked her. glancing at the other wooden pieces and at her. Alec watched the 2 of you from across the room, eavesdropping in on what you'd been saying to Eleven. 'Sweetie? what was she, your daughter?' Alec thought to himself. He didn't like how you'd been acting so kind to her like she was your daughter.

You'd never thought of having kids before, but that didn't mean you couldn't treat these kids with kindness right? It's the least you could've done for them after all. Besides, what's the harm in calling them cute names like 'Sweetie' and 'Honey'?

You just got odd break with Peter. You could feel your face was warm and a smile was curved on your lips, making your mouth muscles sore. There were butterflies tickling the inside of your stomach as they fluttered around inside your body. The way he'd make small flirty comments every now and again, how he'd look at you with his glistening blue eyes as deep as an ocean that you could drown in if you stared into them for too long. He felt like a dream to be around and to look at, his hair was always perfectly neat and done everyday, and his clothes were always pristine and straightened.

Later on that day as you roamed the halls during your break, someone from behind had called your name. You stopped abruptly and turned your head to look behind you, it was Alec. 'Great. what does he want' you mentally asked yourself feeling annoyance rush over you.

"What is it Alec" you said trying to hide the fact you didn't want to see him as a child would hide candy behind their back.

"I need to talk to you." He said somewhat sternly, You felt yourself groan in annoyance, he treated you as if you were 5 and didn't have common sense, it pissed you off dearly.

"About what?" you asked as he approached you, suddenly goosebumps crawling up your spine as you began to feel as though someone may have been watching the two of you, somewhere from afar where you wouldn't be able to see, you tried to ignore it as he stood infront of you, his facial expression seeming like a parent who'd just reviewed their child's report card that had F's and D's printed on it.

"You know you're not allowed to mother the children." He said, the sterness in his voice not leaving. "What does it matter? they don't even recognize they're being mistreated, the least I could do is make them feel like someone cares." You instantly reply.

"Someone who cares? Why would you even care in the first place? They don't 'regonize' that what your doing is wrong." He said harshly.

"What I'm doing is wrong? Have you not seen what goes on in this place? If anything Brenner is the one whose doing them wrong." You barked back and he immediately made you hit back against the wall, his hands that pushed against your shoulders were rough and hard. It caught you off gaurd as fear began to tremble inside your body.

"If you continue to mother those subjects, or speak of our boss that way again, I'll make sure you pay for it." Alec threatened you, You didn't exactly know how you were meant to react, but you knew you were scared. You'd seen how Brenner had punished Peter before. It was horrible, you didn't want to have to go through what he unfortunately went through, You hated this place and everyone inside it.

"Is that understood?" He asked glaring deep into your pupils filled with fear, his filled with anger. You nodded quickly and gulped nervously.

He quickly moved away from you and soon was out of your sight. You stood there in complete shock of all the events that just occurred as your deep scared breathing slowly regulated. Your head shook quickly as if you were trying to snap a thought outside of your mind to make it go away as you checked your watch and continued on with your day.

Later that night whilst you were sitting at your desk inside your bedroom, working on paperwork and filling out a few forms, you'd thought you heard something outside in the hallways but just decided to ignore it, assuming it was one of the night guards just working the night shift.

Peter was walking down a hall, as he checked his watch and took note of how his shift would be over soon, he searched for something, or more so someone. His blue eyes darted and scattered the halls like a wild fox looking for its meek pray.

He found Alec only a few moments later and straightened out his mind, clearing his thought process and began to walk towards him.

"Hey Alec" He said calmly. Alex turned his head to see who'd been calling him, his expression not changing much when seeing Peter as he was opening one of the storage closet doors, about to walk inside.

"Hey Peter." He replied simply as Peter caught up to him.

"May I speak to you for a moment?" Alec walked inside the storage closet as he spoke.

"Yeah, What is it." He said as he was rummaging through a box looking for something. The blond man unnoticeablely checked for anyone around before stepping inside and quietly closing the door, turning the lock slowly.

"Earlier today.." Peter said as his voice had suddenly deepened while he looked down at his shiny black shoes. Alec turned to face Peter, nothing the door was closed, but he didn't seem to care all that much.

"Yeah?" He said confused, waiting for him to get to the point, He never spoke to Peter, and didn't prefer to either.

Peter looked up at him as his now soft blue eyes had turned cold and hard, as he walked closer to Alec, making his back hit the wall just like Alec had previously done to you. He was extremely confused now and even a bit nervous, as Peter used what little power he could that his sorteria didn't fully block to start to choke Alec, it was only cutting his oxygen off by a small amount.

"Don't ever fucking speak to Y/n like that or think about getting that close to her ever, again. Or I'll kill you." He said clearly, sternly, calmly. He turned his head to the side just a tad bit as he'd threatened Alec's life, He just stared at Peter feeling terrified.

"Don't let Brenner find out about this either." Alec quickly shook his head in agreement, signaling he understood, he'd leave you alone, he'd live. Peter waited a few extra seconds before letting him go and simply leaving like nothing happened.

He soon approached your bedroom door and knocked, feeling his veins tingle as they hit the hardwood door. You got up and answered it, suprised to see him at your door.

"Hey peter, did you need something?" You asked while smiling at him a little confused, he stepped closer to you and kissed your forehead.

"No, I'm just here to say goodnight." He said looking down at you a bit as you stood there frozen in suprise and felt yourself become flustered as your cheeks became warm.

"Goodnight Y/n." He said smirking and closed the door, leaving you there with your face as red as a bundle of roses.

[blargenswarg]

I recently started doing some part-time freelance programming work. Which feels great because I've had very little income since I graduated college.

Still working on my game Spider Endeavour, its just taking a long time to make, and now that I have a job its going to take even longer. I would post more devlog stuff, but that too takes time, and putting effort into social media is just not really that much fun for me. Still, I appreciate anyone who wants to stick around and see my stuff when I do post them.

I'm doing my best to have the first beta version out this year, then I'll finish it with updates, and then I'll either work on a project with a simpler artstyle so I can make art faster or I'll get a full time job instead.

Here's a screenshot: