#Charlie Ward

[sirianasims]

Chapter 43.5

Idiot.

The voice in my head is persistent. It’s been over two months but it’s not letting up.

I try to focus on the lines, struggling to keep the faint remnants of my Tartosan accent from creeping into Llama Man’s commanding voice. It’s always more difficult just after I’ve been home.

Idiot.

Images from the last year keep flashing by, little details seared into my brain. Her green eyes. Her smile. The delicate birthmarks artfully strewn across her face. I used to insist on kissing each of them goodbye before I left and it always made her laugh.

It was the best sound in the world.

Idiot.

The more recent images are a different story. Her tears. The look of shock and confusion in her eyes. She didn’t understand, of course, and some days I’m not sure I do either. Am I an idiot for leaving her? Or for letting myself fall in love with her in the first place?

Both?

“Alright, Paul, that was good, but let’s do an extra take just to be sure.”

I nod at the sound technician and start over.

“I’ve sent the files off to Mike. Personally, I don’t think he’ll demand another round, the last two takes were flawless.”

“Thanks. I’m sorry for dragging you in for pick-ups again, I’ve been feeling a bit off lately.”

“Hey, it’s a pay check. And I’m going to need it for the move. We want to get settled into the new house before my son’s wedding so we’re already packing.”

“Did you find a job in Henford yet?”

“Not yet, but my wife got an offer. We’ll make it work. My kid is the only family I have left, so if he moves abroad, we follow. And I never liked staying in one place for too long anyway, I get restless.”

“Well, best of luck over there, Charles. The new sound tech will have some big shoes to fill.”

“Thanks, Paul. It’s been a pleasure working with you.”

Charles leaves, and I turn on the coffee machine.

I’ve just finished pouring two mugs when Lee arrives.

“Oh, you must have read my mind, love, I am positively dying for a coffee right now.”

“When are you not?”

Lee settles onto the sofa with a sigh.

“It’s been one of those weeks, deadlines put such a damper on my creativity. But how was Tartosa? Did you have a nice birthday?”

“It was fine. I didn’t feel like making it a huge thing, but my mother had arranged a family dinner at the vineyard.”

“Ah, just an intimate and completely non-threatening gathering with fifteen to twenty people, then.”

I lean back against the counter and take a long sip of the coffee to avoid responding. It’s still too hot, and I grimace as the liquid burns my mouth. Idiot.

Lee isn’t so easily deterred, though.

“So, that’s it? You’re just never going to see her again?”

“Lee, first of all, she blocked me. On my birthday, no less. So I’m going to take that as a big fat hint and respect her wishes. Second, I broke up with her because it was a dead end. She’s not going to settle down for another decade, and when she does, she’s not going to pick some fifty year old relic.”

Lee raises an eyebrow.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Yeah, I said it. Sorry to break it to you, Lee, but you’re old. Ancient. Practically dust.”

“I’m choosing to ignore your hurtful remarks because you’re clearly heartbroken and out of your mind with grief.”

I snort. “Sorry. I’m fine, really, I’m just annoyed at myself.”

“For irrationally breaking up with the love of your life or for stubbornly refusing to reconsider?”

“For being an idiot in general, I guess. I knew it was a bad idea. I even told her as much the first time I met her. But then I just had to go back and talk to her again like a complete dumbass and she practically invited herself back to my hotel. How could I say no to that?”

Lee chuckles. “Oh, but you couldn’t, of course you couldn’t. I mean, she’s not exactly my type, but I can still appreciate the aesthetics, as it were.”

“Right? And that might even have been fine if it never went any further, but I got carried away and kept seeing her even though everyone could tell it was going to end badly. We’re both better off like this, I’ll get over it.”

Lee just looks at me over the rim of his glasses.

“Are you sure? I may be a dusty old relic but as far as I’m aware, the only way you could possibly know that she blocked you is if you spent your birthday trying to look her up.”

“Thanks, detective. It was a moment of weakness, you don’t need to rub it in my face.”

“I’m not trying to rub anything in your face, love, I know it’s not your thing. But you were clearly serious about her if you were planning to bring her to Tartosa. And just because the poor girl understandably got slightly intimidated, you drop her like a newborn giraffe. Why not give her some more time?”

“I didn’t… Lee, it was the sensible thing to do! I just turned forty, I can’t just spend years waiting for her to make up her mind and hope for the best.”

“I don’t share your fetish for monogamy, but I believe all relationships are like that, you can never be certain. But you’ve always been stubborn so I’ll just give you the usual break-up advice. Get a haircut, hit the gym, put yourself back out there. Will you at least see my stylist?”

“Never. I am not brave enough to let Jessica Clemons near my wardrobe.”

beginning / previous / next

[black-is-no-colour]

Tina Leung, photographed by Kolby Knight and styled by Charlie Ward for Numéro Netherlands N° 8 Spring Summer 2023

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Eric Hananoki at MMFA:

Commentator Ian Smith has shared material denying the Holocaust, defended Nazis as simply “protecting their sovereignty,” said World War II was actually “engineered White genocide facilitated by international usurers,” and attacked Jewish people for being behind “all of these things that are used to control us.” Trump National Doral Miami recently welcomed him as a speaker alongside key Trump officials, including Eric Trump.  As Media Matters previously reported, Trump’s Miami resort hosted the ReAwaken America tour last Friday and Saturday. Among the speakers were Eric and Lara Trump; Trump lawyers Christina Bobb and Alina Habba; former Trump national security adviser Mike Flynn; former Trump economic adviser Peter Navarro; longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone; and former senior Trump Defense Department official Kash Patel. 

All of them appeared at an event that also featured Ian Smith, a virulent antisemite. Specifically: 

Smith has posted content denying the Holocaust. 

Smith endorsed Europa: The Last Battle, an antisemitic movie that defends Nazis and portrays Hitler as “only trying to save Germany from the Jews.” 

Smith defended Nazis as only “protecting their sovereignty” from Jewish people.  

Smith alleged that Jewish people are behind “all of these things that are used to control us,” including banking, the media, pornography, and Hollywood. He also said that “everybody that he [Biden] surrounds himself with is Jewish.”

Smith shared a meme stating that “all this woke stuff” is actually “coming from Jews.” 

Smith said of World War II: “Let’s stop pretending that World War I and II were some heroic tales of the Allies saving the world from the boogeyman and call them what they really were - engineered White genocide facilitated by international usurers who needed gut the White world from the inside to keep up their parasitic lifestyle.” He also wrote: “If the good guys won World War 1 and 2, then why is the world being ruled by a bunch of self-appointed Bolshevik organizations like WHO, UN, WEF?” 

Smith responded to a meme about the “enemy” with a symbol used to indicate Jewish people.

In 2007, Smith killed someone while driving drunk. In 2022, he was arrested for driving under the influence again. That charge was dropped and Smith instead pleaded guilty over his “refusal to take a breathalyzer test and careless driving.”  Media Matters documented Smith’s antisemitism prior to the start of the Trump Doral event. The tour still went ahead with his speech, with organizer Clay Clark defending him. He stated: “Our next presenter is a victim of a lot of hit pieces in the last 24 hours. … I called him last night and I said, ‘The media's coming after you.’ I'm super excited to have him on the stage. And the reason why the media comes after this guy is because he unapologetically celebrates what it means to be an American. He loves our country.”

[...]

Eric Trump has appeared alongside at least four Hitler-promoting antisemites on the tour. In addition to Smith, they are: 

Jason Dean, who has said that he has “NEVER been able to buy the Hilter/Nazi ‘Official Story’” and praised Adolf Hitler for having a “vision” and wanting “to straighten everything out” but “the bankers got him.”  

Scott McKay, who has said that “Hitler was actually fighting the same people that we're trying to take down today.” He’s also claimed Jewish people orchestrated 9/11 and presidential assassinations and said Jewish people torture and eat children. 

Charlie Ward, who has shared posts praising Hitler for supposedly “warning us” about Judaism; claiming that “VIRUSES are Man (JEW) made”; and attacking the alleged Jewish media for supposedly lying about the Holocaust. 

While those three were removed from the tour after Media Matters revealed their antisemitic remarks, Smith will apparently continue his involvement with the Trump-backed tour. 

The Trump Doral National in Miami was home to the far-right conspiracy theorist convention called the ReAwaken America Tour.

It welcomed antisemite Ian Smith to the event.

[jbfletcher]

No doubt many will dismiss this characterization as an exaggeration, which is one way Trump gets away with this stuff. But no, the speakers for this ReAwaken America event, which was co-founded by former Trump aide and current QAnon celebrity Michael Flynn, really are that terrible. Podcaster Scott McKay told his audience last year, "Hitler was actually fighting the same people that we're trying to take down today," and blamed Jews for 9/11. Right wing commentator Charlie Ward posted a Hitler speech with the caption "Hitler was warning us about the ruling class" of "Freemasonry, Judaism, Communism, Globalism, Race Wars, NWO, the Cabal & the Bankers."

In neither case can these be waved off as a one-off (as if that would excuse it.) Media Matters has lengthy dossiers on both men, showing long histories of antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and championing Hitler as a brave truthteller. They are scheduled to speak alongside Eric Trump and his wife Lara Trump. The conference found, Flynn, has also promoted antisemitism and blamed Jewish victims for their own deaths in the Holocaust.

The tour isn't just about Hitler apologism, of course. As the Anti-Defamation League explains, ReAwaken America also features "prominent QAnon influencers, anti-vaxx activists, election fraud conspiracy theorists, Christian pastors, political candidates and elected officials." A real grab bag of the worst people in the country!

[kayohhey]

Day 3: Crossover/Memories

Jaden and Baxter surprise visited Golden Grove for the fall! (shhh don't think abt it being step 3 Qiu, its totally step 4).

Plus a little look at Charlie's photo book thing for memories, he doesn't remember to take photos but when people ask them to take photos he puts them in it.

Submission for @goldengroovy 's @olnfweek2024

Jaden (My Baxter OC, She/They) and Charlie (My Qiu OC, Any Pronouns) knew each other when they went to the same school for a year before Charlie moved! Technically a crossover from the two games. I just really wanted to draw them lmao. Apologies for the Baxter Alexander Ward jumpscare

[lady-phenix]

Ward of the Morningstars

(Closed rp with @charlotte-morning-star)

It was an unexpected arrangement, really. A goetia in the house of the Morningstars...she looked out of place among them. Lucifer had only known the girl's mother briefly, had been the one to decide that she and her husband would stay married. However, the king of hell had truly underestimated how far Paimon would go to be free of his marriage. All so he could in turn marry his mistress...

Again.

Perhaps the king felt responsible for the fate that fell queen Ravenna of the goetia. Or he felt a sense of obligation to the girl as he stood by her mother. Either way, an arrangement was struck between Paimon and Lucifer. Not a soul binding agreement, but rather a legal one. Lucifer agreed to take in Paimon's so called declared "bastard" in exchange for him allowing her to inherit her mother's old home, Raven Hall, when she came of age. The owl like king agreed, and Lucifer had taken the quetzal under his wing since then.

Now, ten years after the death of Queen Ravenna, phenix had grown up quite lovely alongside Charlie. They were best friends, playmates, sisters not in blood but in bond. So when the princess told her about her plan to redeem sinners, Phenix was quick to jump on to help with the planning.

"We need to keep something in mind though. Not every sinner will want to be redeemed, Charlie. There may even be some who can't be. Evil...truly does exist...and it's not always visible" Phenix paced in the library, her long tail feathers trailing behind her as she looked down thoughtfully.

[talknerdytome18]

Ranking All Books by Holly Jackson

Since I've read all of Holly's books, I'm going to rank them! Disclaimer: This is my opinion. If we don't have the same opinion, then respect that. Let's go!

Warning: this may contain spoilers for all books published by Holly Jackson. If you don't want to be spoiled, then scroll away.

6. Killjoy (2021)

I found this story cute! Very fun and fast-paced. I loved seeing how it all started and loved seeing the friend group's dynamic again. I just found this to not be the best out of all of Holly's books (granted this is a novella, but it's not my fave). Also, too much Ant Lowe in my opinion. I would have preferred more Jamie Reynolds. Also, I personally think Connor and Zach should've kissed but oh well.

Overall, fun book! If you wanna go back to where it all started, then this novella is worth it.

5. Five Survive (2022)

Guys... I have a reason why this book is ranked so low. I'm going to start by saying that I did not hate this book. I found the story intriguing and was engaged once the action started. For her first standalone, this book was really good and exceeded my expectations. My main problem with this book was that I found that I could care less about the characters. Personally, I found Red Kenny to be a weak protagonist in comparison to Pip and Bel and, not to mention how I could care less about Red and Arthur. Red and Arthur are cute, but honestly, I could care less if they got together or not.

Again, I don't hate this book. For Holly's first standalone, it was really good. However, I found that I didn't really care for any of the characters.

Overall, good book! Wish I connected more to the characters because the premise is incredible.

4. Good Girl, Bad Blood (2020)

All books in the AGGGTM series are five star reads in my opinion, but I find this the weakest book in the trilogy. Honestly, I love this book with my whole heart. Coming from being Connor Reynolds's biggest fan, I love how much he appeared in this book and how he aided in finding Jamie.

I think this book suffers from what I've dubbed "Sequel Slump" - meaning that the first book is so good that the sequel "slumps" in comparison. In this case, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is so good that this book just "slumps" in comparison, and I think it's because it takes a while for the mystery to officially begin, since we're taken through a quick recap over the previous book's events and then the memorial.

Also, I personally think that Connor and Zach should've kissed. Connor going to Zach's house to play Fortnite after the memorial? Very fruity to me (joking... or am I?)

Overall, love this book. Wish it got more recognition in the fandom.

3. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (2019)

LOVE THIS BOOK. This book is fast-paced, thrilling and mysterious. It has a healthy dose of mystery and romance, along with characters I truly felt interested in. Pip's an amazing protagonist who fought hard to prove Sal innocent and find the real killer under the guise of her EPQ, all as she got the guy (Ravi Singh) in the end.

I loved that this book kept me guessing until the very end. I was suspecting everyone (Max, Jason, Naomi, Elliot, etc) and was genuinely surprised finding out Elliot killed Sal. Holly had written him to be such a likeable person that I couldn't believe he would kill Sal just so he could frame him as Andie's killer. AND BECCA? Never would've guessed it. Holly Jackson knows how to write compelling thrillers and I love that for her.

My only real complaint is again, Zach and Connor should've kissed. Connor honey I get that you liked Pip, but Zach Chen is literally right there. You boys are soulmates and I pray that the show recognises that (along with LauCara).

Overall, AMAZING BOOK. Deserves all the hype!

2. As Good as Dead (2021)

AHHHHH I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. THIS BOOK IS HOW YOU END A TRILOGY GUYS. From the beginning, I was hooked by the mystery of Pip's stalker. This book broke my heart with Andie's email - poor girl was so scared of her father and died trying to escape him. I really like how this book doesn't give Andie a full redemption arc, rather it explains her actions. It really humanises Andie - a girl who grew up in a toxic environment and died trying to save herself and her sister.

My heart shattered when Pip broke up with Ravi. AND HIS SUGGESTION WAS TO MARRY SO THEY COULD GET SPOUSAL PRIVILEDGE??? RAVI FUCKING SINGH WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME???

The ending? EVIL. FUCKING EVILLLL BUT I LOVE HOLLY EITHER WAY. In my heart, I believe Pip got back together with him and they married. They also got another golden retriever in my mind after they got married.

Only complaint was WHERE WAS ZACH CHEN? CONNOR AND HIM SHOULD'VE KISSED WTF. Not to mention Lauren and Cara... Love my girl Steph though. Hoping that Lauren and Cara are a thing in the show though since we don't know much about Steph.

Overall, BEST BOOK IN THE TRILOGY GUYS.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price (2024)

HOLY FUCKING SHIT.

THIS BOOK... I WILL ONLY SAY ONE WORD: BRILLIANT.

When Holly Jackson said that this book was her favourite, I can see why it is. While I struggled to get into it from the beginning, once I read past 100 pages, I was hooked. Bel Price is such a complex protagonist that I could find myself relating to. All the characters were just so complex and you truly don't know who's lying until the very end, when we find out (spoiler alert) that Charlie (Bel's dad) had ordered his father to kill Rachel.

Not to mention how insane the sibling plotline was??? I NEVER WOULD HAVE SUSPECTED THAT CARTER WAS RACHEL'S BIOLOGICAL DAUGHTER. My heart broke when Rachel spoke about how Patrick took Carter away from her when Carter was only two weeks old. The Price family are truly disgusting - Rachel, Bel and Carter deserved so much better.

Also, I preferred the romance between Ash and Bel over Arthur and Red. Ash is such a fun character and I was genuinely sad when him and Bel weren't endgame. I believe that one day, in the near future, they reunite and get together officially.

Overall, LOVE THIS BOOK. If you haven't picked this up yet, then do so now!

~~~~

That's it! If you wanna talk, then my inbox is open :) - Em

[jalicecookie]

Duck or Treat?

A very Oktober Halloween(ish) Gift for the wonderful @ritualofcirice and her work Hazbin Hotel Imagines and Scenarios Chapter 3 : When Lucifer gave you your fiftieth Duck <3

While going Trick or Treat with Niffty an Halloween, Things not go as planned for you and you´re met with the Question - Duck or Treat.

Trigger Warning: NICU, premature Birth, Fear, Hospital Stay

“But Dazzle would look so cute in that costume” -  a sigh escaped your lips as you demonstratively held up the little ketchup bottle-style costume and put all your persuasion,  into convincing Charlie that Razzle or Dazzle could wear a costume for the annual Halloween. But the two bodyguards of the Princess of Hell were not keen and had hidden somewhere in the hotel.

“And Razzle would wear a matching outfit - ketchup and mustard” -  were your additional words and with a reach into one of the bags on the floor, you conjured up the second costume intended for Razzle.

A Halloween mustard bottle outfit. It would have been such a great combination and in your opinion Razzle and Dazzle already looked cute in general... only the costumes would have made them even cuter.

“Darling? Maybe our demon cat told Razzle and Dazzle that you put the hamburger costume on her and wanted to take her trick or treating with Niffty?”  - Lucifer gently placed a hand on your right shoulder. His words made sense.

“Oh yes, I think Razzle and Dazzle are hiding together with your cat, buuuuut Niffty is already excited, she hasn't talked about anything else for last days” -  Charlie said with a smile and took both of the packed costumes from you.

“Maybe we can use one of the costumes for the baby , when it comes in a few months and celebrates its first Halloween?”  - Charlie changed the subject and your hand automatically went to your Stomach,  resting gently on the fabric of your dress.

“Four more months... maybe I should have dressed up as a duckling, hm Luci?” -  you replied and with one hand you reached for Lucifer's to squeeze it gently.

The duck in the oven surprise was a few months ago and since that, you told almost everyone, the public's focus has been on you, more than ever.

And Charlie and Lucifer's concern for your well-being has increased.

But it's still four months until the birth date.

Nevertheless, the thought of all the holidays and special moments , that you could experience with your baby, the family and Lucifer enchants you. The little girl would be loved and protected by everyone.

"And what are you supposed to portray?" -  came the question from Angel, who had sprinkled a little orange glitter in his hair for Halloween and an upcoming shoot for a Halloween spin-off in Valentino's studio.

"Isn't that obvious?"  - Husk commented from the bar and you smiled at the grumpy bartender. He hadn't dressed up and you had already known it.

"Oh? And what exactly is the not so obvious?" -  Angel countered cluelessly.

“A strawberry” -  was Husk’s answer.

“I thought you were supposed to be a tomato… oh” -  said Lucifer, surprised.

You reached into one of the bags again and a small strawberry handbag and a green hat completed your outfit.

“I was already wearing it , when we went through the entrance to the hotel, but it’s a bit warm here today… but yes, Husk is right. I’m a strawberry for Halloween” - you giggled and it was a simple Halloween costume. But sufficient.

“A pregnant strawberry, how cute!” -  giggled Niffty, who came running into the entrance area of ​​the hotel in her Halloween costume and the sight elicited an amused laugh from you. Charlie, Angel and Husk also had to smile.

Because Niffty had put a lot of effort into her costume. She had sewn it by hand and of course chose a bad boy from the last few decades.

A serial killer costume.

Michael Myers.

She had styled her hair a little messier and the dark suit that was typical for Michael Myers had been changed into a knee-length dark two-piece dress and heels along with one of the kitchen knives, which completed her Halloween outfit.

“Exactly, Niffty… or should I say Michael Myers?” -  you said to Niffty who gave you a proud smile and a few moments later a Halloween bucket appeared in both your free hand and Niffty’s hand.

“Don’t forget to smile Ladies!”,  said Alastor from the reception before he and his shadow wrapped themselves in a dark cloud and disappeared.

“Alastor wanted to record a special podcast for Halloween… unfortunately he’s not coming with us”,  explained Niffty and rustled the bag once.

“Oh, he’s already put some sweets in the bags. How nice of him”, you said happily and heard Lucifer quietly grinding his teeth.

“Could be poisoned and….”

“Daaad! Alastor is really trying to be nice!”

“Char-Char it….”

“Dad! Would he try to poison Niffty or the mother of my little sister and your daughter?”

“No?”

You could hear Lucifer wanting to say something else, but the ringing of his cell phone interrupted him. He let go of your hand, walked a few steps away and talked on the phone for a moment.

“I'm afraid I'll have to join you later... there's a meeting scheduled with my brothers and sisters... I'd really like to skip it, I told Asmodeus and Leviathan , that we wanted to go trick or treating with Niffty and....”  - Lucifer had a pained expression on his face, but you completely understood. He was the king of hell, one of the seven deadly sins, and had obligations and duties that he had to fulfill.

“No problem Luci, we'll take care of ourselves and I think with Michael Myers by my side , nothing can happen to me”,  you said lovingly and gave him a kiss on the cheek. If he has to go to this meeting, then so be it.

Lucifer smiled gratefully and then said goodbye.

You say goodbye to Charlie, who waves to you and Niffty as you leave the hotel, and then you set off with the little cyclops in your Halloween costumes,  to visit the first shops and houses to do the well-known trick or treating.

It was something completely different to on earth.

Treat came first and usually something ends in flames or chaos if you have crappy candy... or don't open the door in the first place.

The children of hell, however, had a special position, got lots of candy and soon Niffty's little bucket was filled with lots of candy, a card for teeth cleaning at a Dentist Place, a poisonous green apple and a bracelet with a spider web design.

You also got a few things as a companion... candy and a saying like - well, pretty strawberry all alone? Niffty had scared the guy when she rang the bell and hit the air with the kitchen knife. She really took her role seriously. You shouldn't underestimate Michael Myers and the Strawberry Duo.

"What about the house? Does it belong to someone?", you nod once to an old building on the outskirts of the city, which was dilapidated and didn't look like it belonged to anyone...but appearances are deceptive, because as soon as you asked the question, a Hellborn with a broad smile appeared on the ground with a little yellow smoke.

"May I recommend our latest scare project to these costumed Halloween visitors? A Hunted House! For just a small entrance fee, there is an almost hour-long tour of scares and horror!", the Hellborn said mysteriously.

"Oh, that sounds exciting. Do you want to do that?", Niffty grabbed your free hand and you couldn't say no.

Maybe it was because of the baby fever,  that was flaring up or because the cyclops was so small, but the pleading expression on Niffty's face triggered something in you that made you nod.

“A haunted house, huh? Let's see if we can scare the ghosts there!” - were your words, and after paying the entrance fee, the spooky fun could begin.

You ignore the slight stomach ache , that makes you grimace when you enter. That's probably from eating sweets. According to Niffty, that's part of a trick or treating trip. And you ate a lot of them as you went from house to house.

The Hellborn hadn't under-promised, the haunted house was much darker and scarier on the inside than it seemed.

There were scare actors, hidden rooms... spooky decorations and something that looked like the shadow of a real ghost.

The goal was to find a way to the exit through the labyrinth of rooms, stairs, secret rooms and hiding places. And it was fun... to get scared and discover the little details of the haunted house... the fog that suddenly appeared enveloped it in an even scarier atmosphere.

Up to the point where you and Niffty parted ways.

A trapdoor had opened under your feet and pulled you down to a lower floor... into the basement and Niffty's outraged cries had been swallowed up by the dark walls of the basement.

Nothing had happened to you when you hit the floor, a mattress had been provided and a few flashlights had been switched on for the visitors to light up the way in the darkness. You weren't afraid. The relationship with Lucifer and moving into the king's castle had given you a little more self-confidence.

When you turned the next corner and met a scar actor in a zombie outfit with one eye hanging out, you were frightened and let out a surprised scream... but you didn't expect the intense stomach pain that brought your body to its knees.

An intense pain took your breath away. For a moment, everything went everything goes black. The colors start to fade and the zombie comes a few steps closer, waving his axe in front of you and making... zombie noises.

"Aaaaaah!"-  you scream, full of fear.

Real fear... something is wrong... your body is clearly signaling that something is wrong... and that it has nothing to do with the haunted house.

When something warm runs down your legs, you are confused... before a new threshold of pain causes you to scream louder, scared and panicked.

Tears form in your eyes and at that moment the scare actor , also realizes that something is wrong and contacts the owner of the haunted house via walkie talkie.

Only when the new wave of pain hits do you guess the reason.

It wasn't the zombie scare actor's great performance... that was premature labor.

But… it was much too early and… you instinctively push… a reaction from your body, while around you quick steps approached the basement… you are now lying on your back on the cold floor… another scream escapes you as your hands search for something to hold on to, but you can’t get a hold of anything, expect the gold ground.

Another contraction causes you to push, the panic and fear for your baby manifests itself in your brain. This isn’t how it should be… you… you… should have four more months left....four months of pure Happyness and looking forward to be a parent....to promise Lucifer he is going to be a good dad, he did a very good job with charlie after all....to have late night Walks in the Park with Lucifer, to kiss him good morning and in renturn he first gaves you a kiss on the forehead, and than a kiss on the stomach for the little baby girl.

It was much too early!

The next wave of pain exhausts you… your vision blurs and you feel, only half awake, how Niffty rushes to your side and grabs your hand, begging you to stay with her… the ambulance is on the way and you would be going to the hospital… but your eyes closed too fast....it went dark too fast.

Bright light blinds you as you open them again. The voices of the nurse and doctors are so loud. Your hand automatically goes to your stomach... your now flat stomach. Where is your BABY!? In a panic, you want to jump up and flee from the hospital bed, but a kind nurse stops you and the doctor treating you takes away your fear.

                                                                            ***

“There we have our patient again, don't worry, her little daughter is fine... she is in an incubator in the premature baby ward of the hospital, we will take her to her right away. Please rest” said the doctor.

She... is alive? Your baby, who was born four months early... survived? Was she okay? What happend to Niffty?

“How... what... and Niffty?”

What had happened to Niffty... was she still in the haunted house?

“Your companion threatened our head doctor, if he doesn't provide the best possible treatment and a single room for you and the baby... he will suffer...a lot” -  was the nurse's answer with a slightly tortured laugh.

“If…if they’re afraid of Niffty, they’re scared of my Partner”

Lucifer would be terribly worried…hopefully he had finished his meeting with the other sins…damn overthinking and people pleasing…another habit of yours.

You were soon taken to your private room and were able to see your baby for the first time.

The incubator frightened you…all the tubes and wires the baby was connected to, the beeping monitors and equipment monitoring her vital signs…the feeding tube that had been put in…the little body rising and falling as she breathed and the fact that she had come into this world too early.

Tears welled up in your eyes and you were scared. Terribly scared.

The nice nurse and doctor, however, assured you that the technological standards and the chances of survival were good, even for hell.

And as the partner of the King of Hell, you would take extra good care of Mother and baby.

You were told what to look out for, how important it was that no germs got into the incubator and that you should make physical contact with the baby as soon as possible, talk to her a lot, sing to her...caring for you and your premature baby , would be unusual for both of you...but you were in good hands.

Your body, after you had assured yourself that the heart rate on one of the screens remained constant...craved rest...and you dared to go into a restless sleep. Sleep that your body desperately needed.

Several hours later, you were woken up by the gentle sounds of an all too familiar violin.

Lucifer sat by the baby's incubator and hummed the song - Hush little Baby  - quietly accompanied by the music on the violin.

Another reason besides the hormones and the event that caused your inner dams to collapse and made you start to cry.

Silent…quietly just so as not to interrupt your partner's beautiful violin playing…but Lucifer notices it and is quickly at your side…apologizes to you so many times, even though he has done nothing wrong.

He is super careful, gives you several gentle kisses on the cheek and head of hair and swears to make the owner of the Haunted House suffer for putting you into premature labor.

“Luci….my Love, I don’t think it was the Haunted House’s fault….there are many reasons for a premature birth….we’ll be fine….will you stay with us….just a little bit, please Luci? I….am scared”, you whisper and grab your partner’s hands.

Lucifer stayed overnight.

The King of Hell had slept in a chair and you had woken up in a panic almost every time the machines used to monitor your daughter’s vital functions started beeping loudly.

Something else you’ll have to get used to…future false alarms,  from the technical equipment while your baby is sleeping peacefully.

The nurses and the doctor treating you,  are doing their best to take away your fear and worry...but mother and baby still have to stay in the hospital for a while...and it will be almost two weeks before Charlie and Vaggie can visit the intensive care unit.

"Naaaaaaw, she's so small and cute! Look at her Vaggie!", -  cooed Charlie and could hardly tear himself away from the incubator and quietly talk to her little sister in baby talk , while Vaggie stood next to her partner.

Now that your body was feeling a little better, you sat down on one of the armchairs on Lucifer's lap and laid your head on his shoulder.

Your partner had been with you as often as possible at night, trying to support you where he could...and of course placed the large - congratulations it's a girl - gift basket from Ozzie and Fizzy in the room.

The sympathy for the birth of the other deadly sins was so heartwarming and the congratulations cards from the hotel residents, had made you cry tears of joy.

The public knew nothing about the premature princess. Lucifer, together with Queen Bee and Charlie, had silenced the media for the time being... you should enjoy and use the few weeks of peace that you still have left... because media hype and photos for the press were out of place.

"We don't have a name yet but... her middle name should be Charlotte" -  you say and snuggle up to Lucifer, who lovingly strokes your hair. Which causes Charlie to let out an even more touched naaaaaw.

"Babe, we still have something for mother and child remember?", said Vaggie after another fifteen minutes in which Charlie had only looked devotedly at the sleeping baby in the incubator.

"Oh yes, of course... surprise!"  - Charlie handed you a small bag.

You recognized the logo of the Halloween outfitter immediately.

Curiously, you reached into the bag and were able to pull out a set of three Halloween costumes.

"But these are..."

“Duck family costumes!” - Lucifer finished your sentence enthusiastically.

“Then you have a mama duck, daddy duck and baby duck for the coming next years Halloween!” -  Charlie listed enthusiastically.

You didn't miss the fact that the princess' eyes started to light up when you said the word baby. Well, sounds like if someone start to get baby fever?

“Thanks Charlie and Vaggie... it's perfect!” -  you thanked him and Lucifer also expressed his thanks.

“Then we already have a theme for the next year coming Halloween” -  you said and looked lovingly at the baby duck costume... it would be a long time before your baby would fit into it.

“No haunted houses for the both you!”  - Lucifer said seriously straight away.

You give him a loving kiss on the mouth and add the following sentence.

“I was thinking more of something like - Duck or Treat?”

                                                 THE END

AO3

[victoriadallonfan]

Victoria and the Chocolate Factory

“Signatures detected.”

“All of them?”

“All. Alive too, but the signal is getting weaker. We don’t know if it’s due to the technology he uses or because… well, you know.”

I grit my teeth and nodded. I knew all too well. I’d read all the files, and seen what had happened in the aftermath.

The broken homes. The broken kids.

In some ways, it was worse than Cradle, because this fucker seemed intent on humiliating the kids just as much as he wanted to make them hurt. “We found him,” Dragon said in my ear piece. “His duplicates have been detected and targeted in London and Bath. Your strike team is clear to go.”

The cold air of Oxford whipped over my forcefield as I descended, feeling the chime in my ear as Dragon disconnected and my eye lit up with gold.  A quick rush of information poured into my vision and brain from Kenzie’s camera, logs of teams communicating where they didn’t feel comfortable speaking, coordinating battle plans and sharing files on the targets.

I had to ignore it all for now, blinking rapidly to swipe through vision modes, until I had the highlighted figures in view. Gold for allies and deep red for targets, the camera giving me a very basic outline of the building’s interiors and possible sources of egress.

Coming down through the clouds, I decided to leave those areas to my team; I had a means of making my own entrance.  

The gun chimed above my head, lines of circuitry along the barrel and handles alighting in gold as the charge readied itself, aimed near the largest red target. A top-hat symbol with a crescent grin beneath.

Traced by whatever power source the new gun used as a battery, the gold laser tore through the sky as I flew down, illuminating wisps of moisture from the clouds on my forcefield.  

It was smaller, tighter, and more concise than the original gun. The new gun was more like what Win had made to fight the Simurgh, more compact in use.

Size mattered not though, my eye camera noting how the beam of light tore through several floors of the building in mere moments. 

I cut off the beam as I approached, a few hundred feet away.

I flew down at an angle, collapsing my forcefield to a near skintight level and held the gun so that it trailed behind me like a straightened scorpion’s tail, just so I could lose that extra bit of air resistance.  With the angle of my flight, and my narrowed profile, I slipped into the glowing hole I made at full speed, the rings of melted steel flickering past me like a descent into hell.  

I came to a stop where the laser had hit near my target, a deep smoking crater that smelled of burning licorice and cinnamon. I turned to where the red symbol stood, both of us obscured by smoke.

“I've always wanted my factory to have that rustic, industrial look. How very avant-garde of you.” The smoke began to fade, the blood red top-hat and crescent smile flickering out of focus as my target became visible to the naked eye. “At least the new ventilation will help with the smell, young dear.”

Wonka, I thought with absolute loathing. The smile on the man’s face didn’t reach his manic eyes, casually leaning on a cane, seemingly unbothered by a lightspeed spear hitting the ground not even fifty feet away from him. 

Cloaked in a purple velvet jacket and adorned with a vibrant orange vest, he didn’t look much like a cape. Dark Society, the Ambassadors, and the Suits went with the professional look - even Limerick added splashes of messy color - but this didn’t feel like reinforcing a costume with high quality attire. 

Which made a level of sense. He had never advertised himself as a cape.

Curly brown hair jutted out from under his hat, and a golden goose-handled cane that felt more than a touch on the nose as he loomed over me on a small circular pedestal. A perfect match for the description of William Wonka.

One of the Wonkas, at least. The others had situated themselves across the United Kingdom of Gimel, portraying themselves as kind, loving, benefactors to the community. 

That had been before the missing families hit the news. Before the children were found, sans parents or guardians, dumped in alleyways or in the woods.

None of them were dead. We couldn’t even call it a mercy, with what he had done to them.

Last I had heard, Tattletale was trying to pull in favors from Semiramis to try and revert them to normal. Riley was looking over them too, asking about getting help from Chris for his parole.

A dark fucking irony, considering what his original had done.

“You going to surrender?”  I asked, even though I already knew the answer. More of the factory was coming into view now; giant candy carrots with leaves that looked glossy, almost like they were made of rubber. More alien looking plants and oddly designed pillars were strewn across the floor, looking more like a greenhouse from a TV show than anything that a professional business would have. 

The grass beneath our feet looked normal, but the smell of the burnt ground made me doubt it.

"Surrender?” His voice was soft and calm. He brushed some burned dust off his shoulder. “My dear, I'm afraid you misunderstand the nature of my work," he replied, twirling his cane with an eerie grace. "How nonsensical of a question to ask. Well, I suppose a little nonsense is relished for a reason. I must say, your entrance was quite spectacular, if a bit lacking in finesse."

I ignored his taunts, my gaze unwavering as I aimed the gun at him. He tapped his cane and a glass tube flashed up to encase him, glittering in the factory lights. The way the light was refracting off the glass gave me pause and the madman tipped his hat, “Little surprises around every corner, but nothing dangerous. To me, at least. For you? Well…” 

A flick of his wrist had a silver flute in his hand-

I fired a warning shot, the laser missing the tube on purpose, wanting to slow down whatever he was planning.

-and continued to play the instrument, a small melody, unbothered by the attack. He gave the instrument a twirl and it vanished beneath his coat.

Distorted echoes of laughter and screams seemed to linger in the air as the melody and blast of my laser died down, accompanied by music and the stomp of feet.

“Your fucked up game ends here," I declared, rising up and flying closer to the glass tube. “The heroes have you surrounded. Your duplicates are being hunted down.”

Wonka merely tilted his head. "Oh, my dear, you're not here to end anything. Can’t you hear it? The sound of dreamers and their fitful nightmares? Here they come, right… now."

As he spoke, the shadows within the factory stirred. Short men appeared, their skin orange and hair a sickening shade of green. Each one bore an expression devoid of any emotion, their eyes dead, even as they sized me up. 

Some of them were marching, while others somersaulted or vaulted from behind the candy colored jungle, adroit for their small size.

They sang, and music seemed to emanate from nowhere, reminding me of Nursery’s power.

Oompa Loompas, doopity doo,

Here's a lot of trouble, coming for you.

Oompa Loompas, doopity dee,

If you are wise, then now you must flee.

I turned and opened fire on the minions, only for them to cartwheel out of the way. Others were quick to put obstacles in the beam’s way, including the candy carrots that seemed slower to melt than solid steel. 

We’d captured a few of these Loompas in the past few days, canvassing the remnants of his artificial wilderness in the sewers of London. The ones we let our guards down were quick to duplicate as the song progressed and were surprisingly adroit. Cruel as well, considering what they did to their still-living victims. 

The Loompas that weren’t eradicated were quick to calcify, turning into what was best described as hyper-dense rock candy. Apparently, other locations would have different variations of the Loompas.

Another blast at a group of Loompas trying to aim a fire-hose sized vine my way, scorching chocolate spurting out before being vaporized.

Fast little fuckers.

And they were quickly surrounding me by the dozens.

What do you get when you mess with fate?

A clash of powers, a bitter debate.

What do you get when you challenge the stars?

A battle unfolding, bearing new scars.

You've entered our world of whimsical glee,

But beware, dear Victoria, of the chaos you'll see.

Heroes and villains, in a dance so divine,

Yet meddling too much might- “Gack!”

One of the Oompa Loompas fell to the ground, thrashing as barbed wire exploded out of his mouth. Pieces of a glass marble embedded his eyes.

“Wham! Bam! Shazam! Kablam!” Finale shouted, launching her own barrage of musical blasts, sending the small minions flying about as their empowered song was thrown off-key. 

The other Majors were arriving, Withdrawal blasting Loompas with goop that seemed alive, latching onto anything that moved. Caryatid was acting as a shield for Finale, unharmed as a trio of Loompas tried to bash her head in with a giant lollipop.

Sveta was in the rafters, tossing things at any unaware minion. Children were in her grasp.

The survivors.

“Oompa Loompa, doopity dee,” Limerick sang with the most bored teenage voice I had ever heard, putting away his slingshot. “Here's a new phrase, now listen to me. Oompa Loompa, doopity doo. You can’t do jack shit when we say fuck you.”

He tossed back a knife so casually that one almost would have thought it was reckless, had it not impaled a Loompa through the temple, causing him to fall atop a nearby squad and douse them all in a burning candy puddle from one of the laser blasts.

Loompas turned to him, and I got the distinct impression that his singing pissed them off more than the killing.

I turned to Wonka; chin raised.

“They say that looks can kill,” Wonka tutted. “But it seems being blindsided is what has done me in.” 

He smiled suddenly, “Come then. You and I have so little to do with so much time.”

I charged him, gun at the ready, Fragile One baring her teeth.

His child victims called the factory a ‘world of pure imagination’.

I would make sure to wake him up to reality.

[dollys-perfect-world]

agggtm fans assemble‼️‼️

I reslly like being able to blame Max for everything so how can we link him to Stanley and Charlie

[yarrystyleeza]

*trying to casually talk about daredevil when I'm mentally gnawing on metal bars*

[sirianasims]

It was nice being outside in the cool night air after sitting in the stuffy room. My clothes smelled like whatever he and Kari had been smoking.

I felt a little lightheaded as well.

As we walked back to the house, Charlie told me about touring, about trying to make it big. He told me about getting into trouble and running from the police. It was still baffling to me that he could laugh about things like being arrested, like it was all a big joke to him.

He also talked a little about Samuel. It felt like he was trying not to, but couldn’t stop himself. It sounded like his feelings about Samuel were just as complicated as Samuel’s feelings about him. There was definitely the same mix of resentment and envy.

After we got back to the house and I thanked Amelia for watching the girls, Charlie followed me upstairs to get a glimpse of his nieces. They were both sleeping peacefully.

In the hallway outside their room, he turned and looked at me with those mismatched eyes, one brown, one green.

“Cute kids. I know I haven’t been much of an uncle, but I’ll meet them properly tomorrow. My brother has always been the lucky one.”

I felt the lump in my throat. Tell that to him, maybe he would be here now. Maybe he would still care.

“Is something wrong? Freya? Hey, what’s up?”

There was actual concern in his voice. A voice that sounded so much like Samuel’s, except Samuel’s voice was causing me nothing but pain lately. I felt the tears coming.

“I’m sorry, Charlie, I’m a mess these days. It’s just – I don’t know if Samuel and I are going to last, and…”

He put his arms around me, and I leaned into him as I tried not to cry.

It felt good.

Samuel rarely held me when I was upset, he just explained why I shouldn’t be.

Charlie lifted my chin.

“My brother has also always been a fucking idiot.”

Then he kissed me.

Hard.

Insistent.

This was nothing like Samuel’s gentle kisses, bore no resemblance to his constant restraint. Or to his complete absence lately.

My knees buckled as Charlie continued kissing my neck, his other hand slowly, deliberately, untucking my shirt.

I should have pushed him away, told him to stop.

But I didn’t.

Somehow we reached the bed.

I had never felt this wanted, this desirable. All my frustration, doubt and hesitation obliterated.

As I wrapped my legs around Charlie, I knew this was wrong, this was a disaster. But all it did was turn me on more.

Charlie demanded instead of asking, ordered instead of suggesting.

Praised instead of criticising.

I let go of everything, lost myself completely in his arms, my mind blank, my body frenzied.

He looked up at me, eyes shining in the dark, as I moved my hips furiously, my nails digging into his skin.

“Fuck. If only my perfect little brother could see what his perfect little wife is doing right now.”

His harsh words cut through me without mercy, slicing through all the ties that had ever bound me.

They say the truth will set you free.

I had spent my life running from the truth, telling myself that everything would be fine if only I could find a way to be perfect.

I guess there’s nothing as freeing as accepting that you’re just a horrible human being.

Or maybe I was just human.

Flawed.

Broken.

Never meant to be perfect.

beginning / previous / next

[black-is-no-colour]

Dien Kim in "The Art of Fashion", photographed by Karl Simone and styled by Charlie Ward for L'Officiel Malaysia March 2023

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Eric Hananoki at MMFA:

Donald Trump Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle, Lara Trump, Trump lawyer Alina Habba, and other members of Trump’s orbit are scheduled to speak alongside antisemitic streamer Jason Dean this week. Dean, who also spoke at a May Trump hotel event with Eric and Lara Trump, has said that he has “NEVER been able to buy the Hilter/Nazi ‘Official Story’” and praised Adolf Hitler for having a “vision” and wanting “to straighten everything out” but “the bankers got him.”   He is at least the third Hitler-promoting antisemite that has appeared on the Trump-backed ReAwaken America tour. Two other tour regulars were set to appear at Trump’s Miami resort in May but were pulled from the event after widespread media criticism.  Dean is a chiropractor, Rumble host, and fringe conspiracy theorist who believes that the Earth is under the “control” of alien reptiles. He has appeared on One America News and Alex Jones’ Infowars network. Dean gained a following during the COVID-19 pandemic by pushing false medical claims and grifting followers by offering his own health “protocol.” 

Trump allies Roger Stone, Kash Patel, and Mike Flynn, and Arizona state Sen. Wendy Rogers have appeared on Dean’s program. He also posted a video of himself having a “strategic meeting” with congressional candidate and former Florida state Rep. Anthony Sabatini.  He is a regular speaker on the ReAwaken America tour and is scheduled to speak this week in Las Vegas. (Dean, tour co-founder Clay Clark, and the tour's website have confirmed his appearance.) The tour features QAnon conspiracy theorists and Christian nationalist rhetoric. In April 2022, Dean posted a picture of him meeting with tour co-founder Flynn, who also has a history of making antisemitic remarks, and thanked him for “giving me connections to people to meet with for the future.”

Members of Trump’s inner circle and past Trump administration officials are scheduled to speak at the event along with Dean. They include: Donald Trump Jr., Guilfoyle, Lara Trump, Devin Nunes, Habba, Flynn, and Stone.  Numerous other toxic commentators will be speakers, including Alex Jones sidekick and January 6 insurrectionist Owen Shroyer; far-right conspiracy theorist Lara Logan; COVID-19 conspiracy theorist Sherri Tenpenny, who has promoted antisemitic and Holocaust denying material; and election denier Mike Lindell. 

Streaming host Stew Peters, a white nationalist who is virulently anti-LGBTQ, is also scheduled to speak. He has also repeatedly made antisemitic remarks, including stating that Judaism “is a death cult built on the blood of murdered babies” and writing: “It’s become socially unacceptable and in some cases even illegal to question or critique Jews, Israel, or the Zionist mob. The murder of Jesus (Read Book of Matthew). The attack on the USS Liberty. 9/11 dancing Israelis. Rothschild family. Who controls international banking, Hollywood, and the entire MSM.” He also wrote: “Say what you will about Hitler, but people turned out for his rallies.” 

The tour invited Peters despite his attacks on Trump allies, including calling Trump adviser Ric Grenell “a sodomite ... who finds the meaning of life at the bottom of a shit hole.”  Dean has spoken at prior ReAwaken America events in Post Falls, Idaho; Branson, Missouri; Nashville, Tennessee; and, most recently, at Trump’s resort in Miami, Florida. While Dean has spoken alongside Eric Trump at those events, the Trump son is currently not on the schedule for Las Vegas. (Eric Trump has been promoted as a speaker for the Las Vegas event and Clark said in an appearance on Stew Peters' program yesterday that audiences would “see Eric Trump,” but he told Clark several weeks ago that he would be in Scotland for a golf tournament and miss the event.) 

Media Matters previously reported that Eric Trump repeatedly appeared alongside streamers Scott McKay and Charlie Ward, two antisemites who have a history of promoting pro-Hitler and Holocaust denying content. (Dean has done streams with both of them.) After criticism, including from MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, CNN’s Jake Tapper, and Trump ally Alan Dershowitz, the tour canceled their scheduled appearances at Trump’s Miami resort. Eric Trump responded by threatening “legal action” against Maddow. 

[...] Dean is also a believer in the “Khazarian mafia” conspiracy theory, which essentially claims that a group of fake Jewish people (the “Khazarian mafia”) stole Jewish identity centuries ago and now hides behind Judaism to control world affairs.  Mike Rothschild, a researcher and author of the upcoming book Jewish Space Lasers, previously told Media Matters that the conspiracy theory is “part of a long line of canards used by antisemites to claim that certain powerful Jewish families are ‘fake Jews.’” (Both Scott McKay and Charlie Ward have promoted the conspiracy theory.) 

Yet another ReAwaken America Tour speaker with a Hitler-loving problem has been detected, and this time, it's Jason Dean.

[holy-shit-comics]

[normalpeoplethiings]

i hate it when people ask me what i’m like, because i don’t even know. all i know is that i have a crippling internet addiction and can’t communicate to the vast majority of people.