#Cloudy Day Time Lapse

[dk-thrive]

Twilight to Sunrise Time Lapse on Christmas Day. 6:15 to 8:00 am. 105 minutes in 24 seconds. 27° F. December 25, 2024. Cove Island Park, Stamford, CT. (@dkct25)

[witchpassing]

a request written for a kind patron, under the prompt "catgirl seeks help in the practice of Stillness, as she wants to part time as a maneki-neko".

The shop bell jingles as Jun shoulders in, shaking snow from her cloak, huffing against the cold. “Welcome to the Golden Coil Medicine Shop, young miss! How may this one serve - oh, it’s you. Hi, Jun.” The doll running the counter slides out of its ramrod posture with an inelegant little yawn. 

Jun snorts, hooking her hat onto the stand. “Aw, Ginseng, you’re not going to take my coat? I’m nearly a fully-certified witch now, y’know. You should keep it up with the young miss stuff, get yourself into the habit.” 

Ginseng sticks out a teal-blue tongue in answer. “The usual, it assumes,” it says, turning to the dark wall of lacquered drawers behind the counter, each one’s contents labelled in print-perfect doll handwriting. 

“The usual.” While Ginseng goes through the monthly routine, stepladder and scales and brown paper bag with label and seal, Jun’s eye wanders about the shop. Ginseng is always changing something or other about the decor in here - pre-Becoming, it was probably an interior designer or something - but the new addition this time is… really something. A poured-gold statue of a beckoning cat, the full shape and scale of a felinid woman kneeling upon a cushioned pedestal. Its upraised paw swings almost hypnotically, as if to the beat of an unheard metronome. 

A folded paper bag is pushed across the counter by finely jointed fingertips. “Crushed extract-of-venus, five grams. Enriched black cohosh, ten grams. Thank you for your custom, young miss.” Ginseng curtseys just slightly too deep to be sincere, the sarcasm of gesture that dolls do best, and Jun snorts. 

“See, now you’re getting it.” She folds the package into the witch-pocket beneath her coat, but she just - can’t take her eyes off that cat statue. “Hey, uh - what’s with the maneki-neko? It’s a bit, I don’t know…” 

“Striking?” Ginseng says, hopefully. 

“... Gaudy?” 

“Hey!” says the statue, and Jun jumps about a foot in the air. “Rude!” Its tail switches about the base of its pedestal, aggrieved. In motion, the glinting gold of its skin reveals itself to be… a considerable amount of fur-safe paint?

“Oh, what the fffff –” a witch must never swear, “- Cleo?” 

“Yes! Cleo!” says Cleo. “Aw, fuck, Jun, you really think I look gaudy?” 

“Uh - no, no, you look - gold’s a good colour on you. What’s going on?” 

“Oh, you two know each other?” Ginseng leans its elbows on the counter. “How droll. Jun, she’s the new part-timer. It’s really nothing to get worked up about.”

“Uh... huh. Cleo, I know you’re not getting the kind of money out of Ginseng that makes sitting on a pedestal all day worth it. What are you actually in this for?” A roll of glass eyes, as if Jun, having helped out here once or twice a week back before her workload got too heavy to manage, isn’t entirely qualified to opine on how Ginseng pays its shop’s part-timers.

“Well, y’see. I’m lucky now,” Cleo says, as if that explains it completely. Jun waits for some sort of elaboration on the thought, but she just takes advantage of the lapse in kayfabe to start preening her fur. 

"The customers have been petting her," Ginseng supplies. 

"Yeah! That too!” Cleo chirps.” C'mon, c'mon, you know you wannaaa-" 

As she tilts forward on her knees, head seeking Jun’s touch, the silver-chased bell hung upon her neck ribbon stirs into a chime; a high, pure tone that is somehow, for the two seconds for which it hangs in the air, the most important thing in the shop. When the sound fades, Cleo has rocked back into her luck-beckoning pose, swishing tail and twitching ears statue-steady, her eyes cloudy with the kind of deep, thought-ending calm that freewilled creatures do not attain without magical intervention.  

"I thought that bell looked familiar," Jun says. 

"Then - then you know as well as this one does that it's perfectly harmless!" Ginseng says, detecting the baleful note of consequences in the junior witch’s voice.

"You have attached a category-four cursed object to our mutual friend - which I loaned you, from my mistress’ collection - so that she can part-time at your master’s shop as a good luck charm." 

“She was so eager to start! And, and she’s been a huge hit with the customers, and you can’t expect a cat to master Stillness on her own overnight-”

“I’m telling your Miss.” 

“Noooo, Juuun.” 

“I am. You’re not wheedling me out of this, you wretch.” 

“C’mooonnn, it’s fine, she likes it…”

“I should kick your ass myself! Another shift’s worth of this and she’ll Become right here in the middle of the shop, and then what are you going to do, huh, tell your Lady she just walked in and did that–"

[theroseredreaper]

Hi! I heard about you from Ry-Ry’s recommendations! I’ve read some of your stuff and it seems really amazing! I’d like to have a piece of your work!

Could I have a Malleus and reader just watching the starry night skies, but Malleus is watching the stars in the reader’s eyes? I love him sm 💕💕 if not, completely understand! Don’t worry!

I’ll be reading your future posts! You have my support! 💕💕💕💕💕

(Main blog is @minimallyminnie, not this one by the way, in case I ever tag you in anything)

Stargazing (Malleus x Reader)

(A/N): I’m sorry it took so long to get to your request! I’m glad you like my writing!!! 🥰 Thank you for your support and mutual love for Malleus! I love him just as much, and your request inspired me greatly! I hope you enjoy!!

Reader is implied to be the player character/the prefect. Reader is written as someone who hasn’t had the chance to see the stars before.

“I must confess, sometimes I miss being able to see the stars while here at Night Raven College. As nocturnal fae make up the majority of the castle staff, there is little need for the halls to be lit at night. I often had a clear view of the stars from my bedroom window, when it wasn’t storming or cloudy.”

Malleus’s eyes were fixed on the sky above as you sat side by side on Ramshackle’s porch, your eyes fixed on his face as he spoke, hands just shy of touching each other. The two of you were weakly illuminated by the dim porch light, awake far beyond curfew. Malleus’s visits were always worth the cost of your sleep, in your opinion, though.

Tonight, he seemed wistful as he looked up at the sky.

“Do you feel homesick, when you look up at the sky?”

He smiles, a gentle tug of lips that you wouldn’t have noticed if you weren’t so focused on him.

“At times.” His eyes shift from the night sky as his head turns to meet your gaze. “Do you?”

You shake your head, thoughts scattering for a moment as he intertwines his fingers with yours.

“No. Even in another world, the sky is the same no matter where I go. It’s comforting, in a way, to be honest. But…”

Now you were the one looking up at the sky, cloudless and dark, faintly illuminated by the school building in the distance.

“I’ve never really had the chance to see the stars, actually. I’ve always lived in places with too many lights to see them.”

His lips parted for a moment as he blinked, his eyes turning to follow yours to look at the school building as he turned over that confession in his mind.

“I suppose as a diurnal species, the constant need for light during the night means that you cannot see the stars as you please.”

You nod, pulling your fingers from his just a bit to idly play with his hand.

“It’s kinda a shame, honestly. I guess it can’t be helped, but…I’d love to be able to see them one day.” You slot your hands back together, eyes glancing up to meet his for a moment before glancing away again just as quickly. “Especially the view in Briar Valley.”

Malleus gives your hand a gentle squeeze, his eyes seeming to glow as he gives you another smile. “You need only say when.”

The two of you lapsed into a content silence, pressing shoulder to shoulder as you both returned to looking up at the blank night sky, your joined hands a warm anchor in this dream-like bubble.

“Hm…would you join me, to some place further than our usual walk?” You look up at him, question dying on your tongue when faced with Malleus leaning into your space much closer than was good for your heart, his eyes aglow with excitement. “I know of a place here, with a clear view of the stars. I can take us right now, if you’d like.”

You had to take a moment to swallow, struggling to remember how to turn your thoughts into coherent speech. In the end, you can only manage a nod, ready to to stand, when Malleus grins and withdraws his hand from yours to quickly wrap his arm around your waist, tugging you close into his side. His murmuring into your ear to close your eyes is the only warning you get before his magic flashes and you feel weightless, Malleus’s arms around you the only support you have. You slowly open your eyes tentatively when you feel his feet settle on the ground just as the smell of the ocean hits your nose, and you can’t help the gasp that escapes you as you take in the sight before you.

“It’s beautiful, Malleus!” you whisper, leaning against him in your attempt to take in everything. To talk any louder would feel as though it would shatter this private moment with him.

Before you lay a blanket of stars, brightly indistinct like fluffy clouds of blue and purple, white and pink. They were so brilliantly plentiful that they were as though a master painter had created his magnum opus, a painting that one would never tire of looking at. You had no idea the night sky could be so colorful, or that the ocean waves and sandy shore could glitter like this under the glow of the moon and stars.

“It is,” he agreed, but his response came distractedly late. His eyes were much too focused on observing the stars that were reflected in your eyes as you looked up at them with open awe, a quiet smile on his face. He would have never thought he’d find a view he loved even more than looking up at the stars back home, before he met you.

“You saw skies like this all the time back home, huh?”

He hummed in another distracted response to your question. Curious to see if he was as in awe of the stars as you were, you turned your face to look at him, only to find his eyes already meeting yours. The surprise left you breathless.

“It’s a sight I’ll never tire of,” he says, the words so quiet that they would’ve been stolen by the sound of the waves cresting upon the shore if he hadn’t been holding you so close.

His eyes continued to remain fixed on yours.

Your lips part, an attempt to form a response, thoughts scattered and trying to not be further distracted by the way his eyes followed the movement of your lips.

“Can…” you hide your face against his shoulder, hiding from his tender gaze. “...can we come and watch the stars again soon? Just the two of us?”

The corners of his eyes crinkle in delight, nudging you with his shoulder to look up at him. As soon as you peeked at him, face warm with embarrassment, he took the opportunity to quickly press a kiss to your forehead.

“I’d love nothing more.”

(A/N): Once again, sorry it took so long! I hope you enjoyed it! :)

[remusjohnslupin]

💔 WYLER VALENTINE'S DAY EVENT 2024: Red

In hindsight, Wednesday should have expected this, with the ritual involving blood sacrifice and all. But still, it was rather alarming and fascinating to watch the colour return to Tyler's rotted skin, and the way blood surrounded every available surface on his skin a spiral-like pattern. So much red. If Wednesday liked any colour at all, the colour of his regenerating blood would be her favourite shade.

Her mother warned her that it would be messy, dangerous, not to mention she might not get the answers she sought. But even a whole decade after Tyler's death and Wednesday receiving his cryptic letters, during which time she went to college, became a published author, even got engaged for a time (a momentary lapse of judgement), she could not get their last meeting and those damned letters out of her head. Memories buzzed around her like a particularly persistent fly, and there were only two things she did with annoying things: ignore them, or grab them to crush them in her palm.

And, Wednesday thought as Tyler's eyes finally lost their cloudiness and he took a long, rasping breath, If his answers failed to satisfy, she had a sharp knife and a ready grave right here.

[the-shiftshop]

TSS Shorts: Car Freshener

I'm tryna be back. I got involved in a bit of minor accident on the road and my hip is in pain. It's boring to just lie down so I decided to try and write stories again. Missed you, guys!

----

I got in my car with my phone and a small box in my hand. Yet another gift from my roommate Kenny. I wonder what he got me this time.

I strapped myself with the seatbelt and placed my phone on the holder in front of me. With now a free hand, I opened he box.

"An air freshener?" I said to myself.

I took a short sniff from it and damn does it smell good. It was lemony with a bit of mint. I couldn't grasp why but it's somewhat addicting to smell. Not wanting to waste it just by snorting on it time to time, I placed it to the fan near me and I turned the car on to let the air condition do its work.

Within a few seconds, my car smelled nicer than before. Damn, my does my head feel kind of cloudy.

I then received a call from Kenny. I quickly answered it and turned my video on.

"Hey, Ralf! Just checking out howdya liked my gift for you." Kenny asked as soon as I answered.

"Hey. It smells great, not gonna lie, but... Is it normal that it kinda makes me feel fuzzy?" I asked.

"Nah don't worry 'bout it, man. That's probably just because of how hard you fucked me last night, you big hunk." Kenny teased, which made me feel off.

I- Huh? I'm not.... We didn't....

"Missing those nipples of yours already, man. Let me see em through your shirt." Kenny smirked at me which somehow made me find him hot.

"Yeah, man. I miss how much you make me moan too just by licking these bad boys." I teased by, grabbing my phone and positioning my camera just enough for Kenny to see my nipples.

Wait I... I'm not supposed to be this muscular, right? When did I get...

"Fuck, yeah. Bounce those pecs for me, babe." Kenny chuckled and I followed, bouncing my chest for my boyfriend.

No... Kenny and I aren't...

"Missing you already, babe. Take care going to your parents house." Kenny signaled and I showed my face on cam.

"Same goes, babe. I'll send you some updates later. Kisses." I gave him virtual kisses before I put my phone back to the holder.

"Glad you love my gifts, Li-Hua. Belated Happy Valentine' Day, baby" Kenny ended he call.

Li-Hua... Yeah, that's me. Li-Hua. What's up with these lapses recently? Anyways, I drove to my parents house for a visit and without any more time to wait, I just greeted them and rushed back to my bedroom with an excuse to fix my stuff first, but in reality, I just couldn't wait to tease my baby once again.

"Home, babe. I know how much you miss this bod. Sending more of this later ♡" I texted him.

[3lle-l-black]

The Lapse (Part 2)

George Weasley x Reader

Part 1

Warnings: English isn't my first language, use of you/your, use of she/her sometimes, swear words, beginning writer/not reviewed 🧡

George slowly opens his eyes.

Head spinning a little from lying down still drunk, me he looks around and mentally thanks when he realizes that he's in his own bed, even without know how he got there. George only remembers that you brought him home, the rest is all messed up. He turns around and sinks his face into the pillow, ‘Maybe if I don't move, my head will stop hating me’.

Luckily, George always dealt well with hangovers, he knew he would be fine soon. After a few minutes of complete silence, the bedroom door creaks and Fred slowly enters the room, looking for his brother with a glass of water in one hand.

"Are you awake yet?" — Fred's face lights up with a mischievous smile, and he gives the foot of the bed a little kick. George lets out a muffled grunt before turning over and sitting up. Fred's smile softens as he sits next to his brother on the bed, "Seriously, are you okay? When I arrived yesterday, you were already asleep."

"Yeah, just a little dizzy, but" — George reaches over and takes the glass from his brother's hand. "I think I had a dream" — He drinks the water in a hurry.

"A dream?"

"I dreamed that I told her that I like her," George speaks each word hesitantly, looking at the bottom of the empty glass. "Was it just a dream, right?" — He says placing the glass on the dresser next to the bed, his voice tinged with hope. Hope this isn't a memory messed up by alcohol. Hope that he hasn't ruined everything with you.

Don't get it wrong. He wants to tell you, he even has a plan to ask you out and tell you, a very elaborate plan, by the way. He just doesn't know when he'll do it. Fred gets lost in his own thoughts, eyes fixed on a corner of the room, trying to remember something that could help his brother.

"Well, when she said it was better for you to go home, you said you would only go with her" — Fred starts rambling about the last night. "You even preferred walking back instead of using magic, just so you could 'spend more time with her,' and I might have seen you hugging her as you left the bar. So I'm pretty sure it wasn't a dream."

George rub his face with his hands, letting out an indignant growl. Did he really tell you? What if you didn't want to talk to him anymore or felt uncomfortable around him from now on? As if Fred could hear his twin's thoughts, he pats George's back, trying to comfort him.

"It's not a bad thing, we both know you've wanted to say this for a while, and I know she likes you too," he pauses, even though you never said it out loud, he knows you do. "We are already adults, the excuse that you will wait to see if it isn't just teenage love doesn't work anymore."

"I know"

"Not even the excuse of making the store work first, or the excuse of waiting for the right moment, or"

"Okay, I understood" — George slaps his brother's chest with the back of his hand, not too hard, enough for Fred to stop talking.

"Aggressive" — Fred held his chest in false offense, "Get ready soon so we can open"

The rest of the day was lazy. The weather was cloudy, the cold outside contrasting with the warm atmosphere inside the WWW, making the place more cozy, the sky was threatening rain and the store was quieter than last week. Fred stopped in front of one of the huge windows, watching outside, while George went upstairs to clean up the mess left over from the weekend. Throughout the day, George remembered one thing or another that he had said to you, so he was trying to keep his mind busy to avoid serving a customer with a red face.

Somewhere between tidying up the last shelf and throwing away an empty box, George remembered you complaining about the difficulty of opening their front door. "Bloody hell" — He curses himself under his breath as he rubs his face, trying to shake off the shame of having hung onto you like a spoiled child. Or a clingy boyfriend.

George rests his forearms on the railing and lets his head fall between his shoulders, eyes fixed on the floor and his mind doing what it does best: coming up with a plan and thinking about you. As if the universe is in a good mood, the doorbell rings and a familiar voice, greeting Fred, can be heard.

Your voice, sending shivers down George's back.

He lifts his head, looking for you, his body reacting faster than he cares to admit. You enter WWW, immediately enveloped by the cozy warmth. You don't bother taking off your coat; there's a light rain outside and the stores are starting to close, so you wouldn't stay long.

"I just stopped by to say hi," you greet Fred and look around, missing the other redhead.

When your eyes meet and George realizes you've caught him looking at you, a shy smile plays on his lips. You smile back waving at him, trying to decide between to face the situation head-on or pretend nothing happened.

"I came to see if you were okay. Are you ok?" — There's a playful tone in your voice, you really care, but seeing George awkward like that is funny and a little cute. He clears his throat and composes himself before answering you.

"Yes, and you? It's late. Are you going home?" — You live in an apartment above your own store, similar to the twins' place. It isn't that far from the WWW but it was already dark, and even though he knew you knew how to protect yourself, George was always worried about you walking alone.

"Yeah, I planned to walk back, but the day was busy, it got dark in the blink of an eye, so..."

"Do you want company?" — A wave of confidence hits George, "They say I'm great company, if you want..."

Fred, behind you, shoots a quick OK sign and an exaggerated wink towards George. It takes you a few seconds to respond, the idea of talking about yesterday appearing in your mind, a mix of emotions hitting you.

"Okay, I'd love to," you say.

George goes downstairs, picks up his jacket that was leaning on a counter, and puts it on, while you head towards the exit. Before you can open the door, George arrives first and opens it for you. Taking care of you has always come naturally to him.

You made small talk most of the way. You talked about the weather, the new store in the alley, everything except what had been on your mind all day. That is, until a couple passed by you – a drunk girl and a boy helping her. They laugh as she hugs his arm, almost making them fall.

They walk away and a silence settles, broken only by the light rain and the sounds of shoes on the wet ground.

"About last night, I'm sorry for making you take care of me," George says as you walk side by side, using the storefronts as an umbrella from the fine rain. He swallows hard. It had always been easy to talk to you; he didn’t know why it was so difficult now.

"It's okay, I don't mind. You leaned on me like a koala, but I like taking care of you," you reply throwing him a small smile. You know George would always help you, why wouldn't you do the same for him? What you don't know is what this simple sentence did to George.

He feels amazing, like every time he is with you. His heart races, and a warmth spreads through his chest.

"And what I said..." George speaks slowly, analyzing your reaction. You click your tongue as if you don't care but start fiddling with your fingers nervously. It wasn't hard to fall in love with George; even Fred jokes about you acting like lovers since your 4th year at Hogwarts. But since he didn't make the first move, you conclude that you've fallen in love alone.

"There's no need to worry, Georgie. I don't believe the words of drunk people", you say, crossing the street and looking down, suddenly finding the floor very interesting. But George stops. Something clicks in his head with your sentence; he doesn't want you to think it was a lie. George would never lie about it.

Damn, he had to be exhausted and drunk to be able to tell you, but he meant it. George is really good at doing stupid things; luckily, he's also good at solving them. Maybe he can fix the mess he made yesterday.

"I'm not drunk now" he says loudly, making you stop. George tenses as you turn to him with a confused look on your face, the drizzle catching you now, "If I say it again now, would you believe it?"

"Are you serious? Like, do you really mean it?" — Your voice comes out louder than you expected, you weren't mad, just surprise. The possibility that you are hallucinating crosses your mind, but the sincerity in George's eyes tells you otherwise. George didn't want to hide this from you anymore, even if it made you hate him. If you want to hit him for ruining your friendship, Merlin knows he would let you.

You take a deep breath. "I would believe"

He lets out a breath he didn't even know he was holding. George looks at you with wide eyes, like a deer caught in headlights, trying to process the situation.

"I wanna be" — Before he can finish, the drizzle turns into heavy rain, drowning out the noise around you and soaking your clothes. Without hesitation, George grabs your hand and runs towards your place, the rain and his gentle touch catching you off guard. Luckily, your store isn't far away and has a large facade where you can escape the rain.

As soon as we both huddle under the shelter, bursting into laughter, he lets go of my hand to fix some strands of hair that stuck to his face, and I have to hold myself back so I don't grab him again. "Don't worry, you're already pretty enough" — I say as George uses the window as a mirror. I run my fingers through my wet hair and wipe the cold water off my face as much as I can.

George let out a chuckle, "And people say I'm the flirt" — He says shaking his head, as if in disbelief. How can someone be so idiotic and handsome at the same time?

"Cause you're" — He turns to me with his eyes wide and his jaw dropped, if I didn't know George, I would be worried. Quickly, his expression changes to a proud one, he shrugs with a smug smile, enjoying the compliment. We stand in front of each other, the cold breeze passes through both of us and although the wet clothes are starting to bother me, I don't want to leave here. Not without knowing first.

Maybe I shouldn't have waited for him to take the initiative, maybe I should do it, I'll do it.

"So," — I keep my hands in my pockets, trying to ignore the cold, trying to look more confident. "You were saying..."

"I was saying that... we can be more, you know?" — He plays with his eyebrows making me laugh. George has a calm smile that contrasts with the hesitant step he takes closer to me. I wanna tell him that he can stop with the nonsense.

Go direct to the point.

But what's the fun in that?

"Hmm? What do you wanna be?" — I lean in, letting my hands draw circles on his chest as I try to calm my heart. His body feels warm against the slightly cold weather around us; 'I feel my body getting warm too'. George catches on to my teasing, the expression changing, a lustful gleam passing through his eyes.

His gaze shifts from my eyes to my lips and I have to take a deep breath, George gently places his hands on each side of my waist and pulls me closer. Our chests touch and I'm sure George can feel my heart racing, the tension between us palpable in the air, crackling like electricity.

"You know what I want, sweet"

"Yeah, but I want to hear it. I need to hear you say it"

"Fuck..." — George's breath catches against my skin. He leans in, your mouth hovers over my ear. Knowing the effect this would have on me, he whispers

"I wanna be yours"

The heart skipping a beat, George's warm breath sending shivers down your spine, and for a moment you lose your breath. You turn your faces at the same time. Eye contact returns, but the confident pose and provocative look that you had a few seconds ago is gone.

George could admire you for hours from this position, but now was not the time for that, without hesitation, he closed the gap between you and captured your lips in a passionate kiss, making a sigh escape you. Your hand instinctively reached out, fingers curling around a fold of his coat.

George holds your hand tightly, as if you could disappear, holding on to the one he always wanted and wouldn't let go so soon now that he finally has.

And it feels so right.

Like you always should have been here.

Your tongues explore each other and George's hand travels over your body, hugging your waist. The feeling of his lips on yours is soft, his touch is soft, in contrast to the hunger for the kiss. The intensity of the kiss slowly fades, and with one last peck, you reluctantly part, but George doesn't move away from you.

He rests his forehead on yours, the breaths mingling with the cold wind, you stayed like that for a while, enjoying the moment, in no rush to separate. George lets out a low muffled laugh as you wrapped your arms around his waist inside the suit, you're still feeling the heat of the moment, but now the breeze is starting to get to you. George's face lights up with the same pretty smile you've always loved.

He admires you with red cheeks and ear tips. 'I must not look different', you think, looking at him with a downcast gaze. George hugs you and you snuggle into his chest. "Are you cold?" — He asks, adjusting the sides of his jacket around you as much as he can.

"Yes" — You pause, gathering the courage to ask, "It's really cold out here, do you want to come in?"

"Come in? Like... just until the rain stops or spending the night?” — George jokes, unable to stop looking at you, with a twinkle in his eyes. 'You shift your weight from one foot to the other muttering a low drawl 'yeah'.

"I don't know, I just want to spend more time with you, If you don't wanna"

Before you can finish, George interrupts you, "If I ever say no to you, I want you to take your wand and curse me. I'm talking about an Avadra" — You laugh loudly pushing him lightly.

···•···

Bônus: "Just so you know, if you hadn't slept, you would have heard me say I wanted to be more than friends sooner, idiot." — You say with a wide smile on your face looking for the key in your coat pocket.

"I was exhausted. You're lucky I turned off after we were already inside the house." — George says, hugging you from behind and purposely making it difficult for you to open the door.

···•···

This should have been post sooner but oh well, I posted, that's what matters It's my first time writing a kiss and I don't think it's amazing but it was fun to do so... i hope you like 🧡

[bloos-bloo]

This is kinda based off BBH’s stream today btw- more specifically, the scene where he has a memory lapse with the pillagers:

The night sky gently brushed through the windows. It’s soft light nudging it’s way throughout the room. The demon laid on a sleeping bag in the middle of this spiral tower. It’s been a day- spending time with his roommates, learning that he’s stuck on an island, learning that there’s bears and rabbits that act like a government. It was great.

Yet the uneasy feeling he had when he locked eyes with a lone pillager. It’s crossbow pointed directly at the demon. Bad tossed and turned on the sleeping cot- his hands slowly gripping onto his pillow.

A memory of endless white snow piling up underneath a vast black sky. His breathe clouding up his vision as he watched his blood spill over the floor, nearly matching the red carpet below. In front of him- a top hat backed into a corner. His little hands holding up a sword that was 2x as big as her.

“NO!” Bad shouted as his body collapsed. Waking up in a red bed surrounded by white pillows. He ran towards the mansion.

“Dapper! Crawl to the entrance!” The demon shouted, a pillager swiftly plunging arrows into his back.

“FUDGE!” He cried- his body limp on the floor. “Dapper- Crawl! You have to CRAWL!”

The demon continued shouting.

Watching in agony as his son held up her sword. The pillager knocking him down- the clang of the metal ringing throughout the room.

“NO!! DAPPER PLEASE!” Bad screamed, once again waking up with a jolt on the red bed. White pillows, cloudy breath.

“CRAWL TO THE ENTRANCE!”

The demon ran.

The image of the pillager’s smile as it drove a sword through his back.

The image of the little egg forced into a corner.

The image of her eyes welling up with tears.

The Vindicator stepping towards her.

Blood stains.

Dapper was slain by a Vindicator

“NO!” He wept, his knees weak from the message. “NO NO NO- DAPPER!!”

The demon cried, wiping his eyes as his fists slammed into the snow below. He felt a little tug as he beat at the ground. Each tug growing more frantic than the last.

“NO! NO NO!” He screamed, thinking the pillagers and vindicator found him outside. His fists going wild on the ground. He felt his hands be pinned- his eyes streaming at this point.

“DAPPER!”

He felt his palm being forced open, rapid tapping followed soon after.

“I’m here!”

Bad gasped as his eyes shot wide open. The sleeping bag underneath him nearly ripped to shreds- the remains of it left over his claws.

It took a minute before his vision caught up with his brain. His tears still streaming down his face as he looked up. In front of him, holding his palm in her tiny hands- messy hair and tear filled eyes, was Dapper. Next to her, a concerned filled expression- red and blue blushed cheeks and neatly braided locks, was Pomme.

“I’m here. I’m here. It’s- It’s ok.. It was all a bad dream.” Dapper continued to tap on Bad’s palm. Bad taking the time to recollect his breath and wipe the tears away.

“I- I’m sorry. Was I too loud-? I didn’t- mean to wake you two…” He trailed.

Pomme shook her head, Dapper continued tapping. “No, it’s ok. We heard you calling me- and- we knew you were in distress.”

Bad clutched the tattered sleeping mat, “I- Thank you.. I never- had someone.. care so much about me.”

Pomme smiled. Holding up a little sign for her father to read. “Would you like for us to stay with you?”

The demon winced- he didn’t want to be a bother. Especially with how well these two have been treating him.

“I- I wouldn’t want to bother you guys- I’ll be fi-“

“Nope. We’re staying.” Dapper interrupted. Next thing he knew, both kids were lying on each side of the creature. Their faces carefully nudged on each side.

Bad felt a small ping in his chest- for some reason, this felt familiar. Everything about this felt right- but he couldn’t place why. He carefully laid back, his eyes gazing over the star decorations. The sun’s early morning light carefully kissing it hello.

The demon couldn’t help but wrap an arm around each child.

He smiled, his eyes fluttering shut. “Thank you- kids.”

[clumsiestgiantess]

Day 23; share a story with an nonhuman character!

Here’s another piece for the DNAliens universe! This one’s a rather short story of how Aethra got her first human pet!

Aethra knew Eracin specifically told her not to bother the village of humans to the north.  “Let them be,” she’d said, “You will only scare them off if you get much closer.”  Eracin was on a long trip to the western lands at the moment, however.  There was no one around to turn Aethra away from her temptations.  After five days of intently watching the village of humans, she’d finally found the perfect pet.

He was a young male, long fluffy fur covered his head like a vale, and he was oh so cute.  Aethra had her eye on him for a while now — from the moment the new humans had arrived.  Today was the perfect day to adopt him.  It was both cloudy and foggy, which created the perfect cover for her to sneak close enough to bring him home.  The silly little humans probably wouldn’t even realize he was missing.  Even if they did, they reproduced quickly enough that they wouldn’t miss him for very long.  Slinking quietly through the heavy fog like a predator on the hunt, Aethra positioned herself on a path that led directly into the village.  Once her little human came this way, he would undoubtedly fall directly into her clutches.

At the same moment Aethra situated herself on one of the hunting trails, the human she wanted so badly, Jin, was packing up for a three-day hunting expedition with two of his friends.  They’d almost postponed the expedition till tomorrow, but the rainy season was getting closer with each day.  The moment the first storm hit, the river would be too flooded for them to cross.  It was now or never. 

His younger brothers cried out one last time for Jin to take them with him.  His mother kissed him gently on the head and made him promise to return home safely.  He might have returned perfectly unharmed if he and his friends had taken a different trail.  He also might’ve died a horrible death at the claws of some unknown beast.  There’s really no way to know what might’ve become of Jin if he’d taken another trail, but he had just so happened, on that particular foggy morning, to take the same trail Aethra was guarding.

Jin had been joking with the others about what they would find in the vast new territory, when his mind suddenly drew a blank.  Who was he?  Where was he?  Why was he here?  Oh, right.  He was walking into the woods, heading south to a large cavern. 

This lapse in memory was caused by Aethra’s unique ability to make others think her own will is theirs.  She was delighted when her little human came wandering through the fog right to her side.  Continuing onward to her home in the caves of the large southern mountain range, Aethra and her unsuspecting human traveled kilometers without a single break.  The 5 meter tall being could complete the journey fairly easily, but the human struggled to keep up, even with Aethra’s ability tugging him onwards further than his usual stamina would carry him.  Right before nightfall, the pair finally arrived at the cave that would now house them both.

After a long drink of water from a natural pool nearby, Aethra returned to her faithfully waiting pet.  Once she deemed everything ready, she released the human from her influence.  “What..  Where am I?” Jin gasped, aching and out of breath though he wasn’t sure why. The moment he was let go, Jin had instantly recalled everything he’d forgotten, but this place was still foreign to him.  He looked around every which way, trying to find out what happened, when his gaze landed on Aethra.  The human cried out in alarm, scrambling backwards as the creature sidled closer.  

“Stay back!” Jin cried, brandishing his hunting knife.  The strange being drifted backwards slightly, suspended in the air by her many lean tails, eyes wide in confused fear.  Briefly, Jin forgot who he was again.  The next time he regained his own thoughts, his hunting knife was gone, as were the rest of his possessions that he'd brought with him for the trip.  Not only that, he found himself suddenly much closer to the being than he’d been before.  Jin realized in shock that whatever kept happening to his mind must be this creature's doing.

"There there little thing, it's alright," Aethra said clamingly, "You do not have to attack me, I do not want to hurt you."  Jin spoke a completely different language, however.  The only thing her comforting words did was make him more anxious.  "Come with me.  I will show you your new home."  The human had no idea what this creature wanted from him, but it didn't seem vicious.  Suddenly, Jin was nudged forwards by one of Aethra's many appendages.  

"Where are you taking me?" he asked cautiously, but the strange being only made an amused noise before continuing to guide him in the direction of a cave nearby.  He might've been more scared if the cave was dark and cryptic, filled with bones and smelling of death, but the cavern she took him to was furnished with strings of welcoming glowing lanterns.  There were countless carpets covering the cold stone floor, and various strange shining contraptions lining the walls.  Jin had never seen anything like it.  The cave was decorated in the same fashion as a palace.

Aethra happily guided the human through their home, showing him all the little things she'd prepared for him.  He seemed most fascinated with her padrings, which were secured in their charging stand at the moment.  "I just knew you were the one the moment I saw you!" she gasped, watching her pet explore his new home, "You are so cute!  Yes you are!" 

Excited by the human's interest in her things, she pulled out two items she'd made specially for him.  Well, for any pet really, but they were his now.  She placed down a little bed for him in the corner next to her own, and scooped him up, placing a homemade collar around his neck.  Now, he was officially hers.  The human squirmed in her grasp, so she placed him back down with a small sigh.  "Aww, you do not like being picked up?  I will train you to like it eventually, but right now I think you have had enough excitement for today, right little guy?"

As Aethra sweet-talked her nonsense, Jin was beginning to panic.  When he first saw the being's strange glittering possessions, he thought she might be a lesser goddess, or princess of some otherworldly realm like in the stories his mother told to his younger brothers.  He thought he'd finally found a real adventure.

Then, the being pulled out a pillow-like bed that seemed vaguely similar to the ones given to the village dogs to sleep on, though they were not nearly as exquisite.  Jin put the uneasy thought to rest, but it quickly resurfaced once the being pulled out a little band that was very clearly a collar.  Before he could run, she'd wrapped him in her tangling appendages, and forced it onto his neck.  This creature hadn't brought him here to bestow him with a magical gift or secret wisdom like the stories.  She'd abducted him here so she could make him into some kind of pet!

The second she put him down, Jin raced full-speed out of the cave.  Upset cries echoed from behind him, but he didn't dare turn around.  Still unsure where exactly he was, Jin picked a direction and ran.  He was one of the fastest in his village, so it wasn't too surprising that he'd soon left that monster in the dust.  However, night was falling fast, and Jin didn't have his flint anymore.  It had been taken by the creature along with the rest of his things.

Aethra herself was now in a state of panic as well.  She hadn't seen which direction her pet had bolted off to.  She assumed his swift exit had something to do with her picking him up, and he was simply being overdramatic .  Thankfully, as the evening faded to the dark of night, Aethra gained a crucial advantage.  According to both her and Eracin’s studies, humans couldn't see very well in the dark, and they were diurnal, meaning her human would probably stop to hide somewhere for the night.  She also has vision much better-suited to the dark.  It wouldn't be long before she found her pet again.

Despite what Aethra thought she knew, Jin didn't stop once night fell, even as the sun disappeared over the horizon.  He didn't plan to ever stop running until he got back to the village — wherever it was.  Unfortunately, a few miles into his journey he'd tripped over a root sticking out of the ground that he hadn't seen in the growing dark.  His leg twisted painfully as he fell — knocked unconscious.

When he woke, he found himself swaying to a strange rhythm of footsteps.  At first he thought in relief that someone had found him and he was being carried back home.  His hopes were shattered once he opened his eyes.  The monster was carrying him to her home.  Quickly, Jin shut his eyes, pretending he hadn't yet woken up.  Whenever the creature set him down, he would spring into action and escape back into the forest.  Eventually, Aethra did set her human down for a moment to rest.  Her arms were starting to get tired of carrying him.  "Why have you not woken yet?" she asked the unconscious human, turning to find empty space.

"What!?  Where have you gone?  I know I put you right here!"  Suddenly, a cry echoed from the trees nearby.  Soon, Aethra caught up to her runaway pet.  He wasn't moving very fast now.  Examining him more closely as he fell to the ground, she could see that one of his legs had been twisted painfully out of shape.

"Oh you poor thing!" Aethra cried, watching as the human struggled to get back up.  "Come now child, you will wear yourself out.  Let me take you home."  Her small human protested and writhed the entire way back, but once she laid him down on his bed, he went limp, groaning in agony.  Aethra quickly grabbed some natural medicine from one of her shelves.  She wanted so badly to give him some of her own medicine — the kind that could heal broken bones within a few minutes — but he was still a wild creature.  Who knew how his body would handle the foreign substance?

She did the best she could with the healing remedies made from things of her pet's own planet.  In time he would get better.  He drifted back into unconsciousness again, so there was really nothing much to do besides wait.  While her human was sleeping, Aethra made sure to block the bottom of the entrance to her cavern with a few small boulders — tall enough to keep her pet inside, but not so tall that she couldn’t slip over them.  This way, her human couldn't run away and hurt himself anymore.  If luck was on her side, she could have him healed up before Eracin returned.

[vickyvicarious]

The following morning the rain poured down in torrents, and thick mists hid the summits of the mountains. I rose early, but felt unusually melancholy. The rain depressed me; my old feelings recurred, and I was miserable. I knew how disappointed my father would be at this sudden change, and I wished to avoid him until I had recovered myself so far as to be enabled to conceal those feelings that overpowered me. I knew that they would remain that day at the inn; and as I had ever inured myself to rain, moisture, and cold, I resolved to go alone to the summit of Montanvert.

1818

Where had they fled when the next morning I awoke? All of soul-inspiring fled with sleep, and dark melancholy clouded every thought. The rain was pouring in torrents, and thick mists hid the summits of the mountains, so that I even saw not the faces of those mighty friends. Still I would penetrate their misty veil, and seek them in their cloudy retreats. What were rain and storm to me? My mule was brought to the door, and I resolved to ascend to the summit of Montanvert.

1831

By removing the context of Victor's family being with him, the reasoning for his decision to climb the mountain is necessarily changed in 1831. In the original, Victor's lapse back into depression fills him with a dread at his father's reaction. He knows he will be letting him down again, and so his trip up the mountain is a deliberate avoidance of his family, and by extension his duties to them. This makes for some very poignant echoes in his confrontation with the Creature, who almost immediately takes Victor to task for not living up to his familial duties:

Yet you, my creator, detest and spurn me, thy creature, to whom thou art bound by ties only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of us. You purpose to kill me. How dare you sport thus with life? Do your duty towards me, and I will do mine towards you and the rest of mankind.

The Creature speaks in a way as a son castigating Victor for failing as a father; meanwhile Victor is already up here because he sees himself/knows his father would see him as failing as a son. This echo really ties in themes of the strained familial relations and duties he fails to fulfill, and how they relate to him and the Creature. He was avoiding his family and especially his father's disappointment/not handling his grief over his mother well when he first made the Creature. Now he is again avoiding his family and especially his father's disappointment/not handling his grief over his brother and Justine well, when he meets the Creature in person for the first time.

By the end of their confrontation, Victor seems to feel a little uncertain about his swift judgement of the Creature based on no evidence. However it also seems like a certain sense of familial responsibility takes hold ("For the first time, also, I felt what the duties of a creator towards his creature were"), showing just how strong an effect the linkage of the Creature and Alphonse's words had.

Of course, in 1831, that context is lacking. Victor chooses to climb the mountain almost as a challenge towards nature, or perhaps to his own feelings of misery. He decides to master the elements to an extent, to seek out the 'friends' currently hidden to him by the mist. An interesting word choice given that he has deliberately left his entire family behind to come on this entire trip alone, thus fully isolating himself from actual human friends. And while pretty much nothing is changed in the conversation with the Creature, this difference once again strips away the complexity of Victor's family life. If I had to pick a prevailing theme to the changes thus far, that would absolutely be it. Victor's family is shown as far less flawed, and I really think it's to the detriment of the story.

[cookies-over-yonder]

Walk in the Park

CO-WRITTEN BY @silverlistenstothings

Nicky chooses the wrong dialogue option while chatting with Taylor.

Part 22 of The Mortifying Ordeal of Being Roommates

ao3

Maybe kicking a ball around was a no-go for Taylor, but the park still seemed like a good idea, no sports required. It’s a nice day, slightly cloudy and not too hot, so it’s as good a time as ever to take Taylor out for a little picnic, Nicky figures. He even planned ahead this time, though he’s starting to think he should have planned more. But creating a bullet list of conversation topics to bring up with your son is definitely lame, right?”

"So, um, how's school?"

Is that what people are supposed to ask their kids? Nicky wonders, sitting at a park bench with Taylor, who's finishing up his takeout sushi from a restaurant nearby.

 

"'S fine,” Taylor says around a mouthful of rice. 

 

"That's good, uh…"

 

How are you doing?

 

Are you holding up okay after everything?

 

"What do you think of the blue sky?"

 

"Uhh, it's weird,” Taylor responds, glancing balefully up at it. 

 

"I grew up with it looking like this, you know."

 

"Mm,” Taylor hums. He’s losing him. 

 

"Do you… miss it being red?"

 

"I guess, yeah… I dunno. It's weird, because technically this sky is the—" he does air quotes, " normal sky, but I don't… like it… I mean—sorry—I dunno—"

 

Taylor scratches at the back of his neck and directs his gaze to the empty takeout container on his lap.

 

"That's okay, kiddo,” Nicky reassures. “I get it, you know?"

 

"Mm."

 

Taylor is biting at his lip now, staring back up at the sky.

 

"I mean, everything was like, uh, super weird for me when the sky turned red, so, like, yeah."

 

There's a look of unease on Taylor's face—furrowed eyebrows and a slight frown—and he's got this faraway gaze that wasn't there before.

 

Nicky concludes that attempting this conversation was a bad idea, if his silence is any indication.

 

Fuck. He’s blowing this so bad already. 

 

Then Taylor's head tilts, as a bird flies by, and he's following it with his gaze. It’s small and brown, kind of orange around the head and the base of its tail. He’s sure that Sparrow told him what it was in another lifetime, but Nicky has no idea now. 

 

"I think that's a, uh… california towhee,” Taylor offers, a bit weakly, trying to regain his usual confidence. It doesn’t really work, but Nicky is more than willing to take the distraction. 

 

"Do you like birds?"

 

"Hermie does,” Taylor corrects, relaxing a little.

 

“Oh yeah?” Nicky wouldn’t have guessed that. They always seemed to be the other kind of nerd. 

 

“Yeah. They were telling me about sparrows the other day,” Taylor confirms, smiling slightly. “They’re really smart, they know a lot about birds.” 

 

Nicky hums, and they lapses back into silence, paying slightly closer attention to the sounds of the birds around them this time. 

 

A gust of wind blows through, and Taylor shivers. Nicky knows better than anyone how cold-sensitive being part-demon makes you. 

 

"Say, you wanna head back to my place and watch some anime?"

 

Taylor locks eyes with Nicky, and they're so full of light. The vacancy from earlier seems to have left them completely… or the light is bright enough to hide it.

 

“Hell yeah,” Taylor says with a grin. 

 

And so they leave, and Nicky resolves to save his earlier line of conversation for another time. He should check up on his son, and he will, just not right now.

 

Definitely.

[eldritchaccident]

Timing: just after chapter 6, so also April 20th Location: Echo, Ontario Canada Warnings: Parental Death tw (mention) Summary: Teddy meets the fam

Why did this keep happening? 

As consciousness swirled back, heavy and cloudy, singing with pain and ringing in their ears as they flickered between the cold bunker in the mountains and wherever they actually woke up. Tied, sure, but not next to an exceptionally attractive detective who loved to help Teddy get out of tight spots. 

Before they had a minute to take stock of their surroundings and get a good feel for them, the door creaked open. The tattooed hand that entered was familiar enough, one of the men from the first day. Eric, as Ted had learned. Their cousin, a couple times removed. Not part of the main branch family, but still pretty powerful. Those runes etched into his skin lit up whenever he casted. Enhancing, somehow, the already immense magical energy he wielded. Didn’t seem fair that he was also ripped as hell. Built like a lumberjack. And he wasn’t alone. The other one who’d been at the stables entered by his side. They flanked the door on either side and stared Teddy down with a mixture of malice and intrigue. 

“You guys here for the arm wrestling competition?” 

Neither reacted. Teddy opened up to shoot some other irreverent quip but a third figure entered and they ate the words before they could exit their mouth. Ishaan. With all the presence of an oncoming storm, electrifying the room with his dark gaze. 

“So you were the one on the phone, I presume.” His voice was even, low. Gravelly. 

“Yeah, sorry I hung up.” Teddy started, a smirk starting on their lip, trying to keep their spirits high. “It was pretty rude of me, that why you had the goon squad come and kidnap me?” 

“No.” Unamused, Ishaan stepped further into the room. Pacing around the chair, forcing Teddy to strain their neck to watch. “That was more for the trespassing.”  

“Ahh well tha–” A fist (unfortunately gloved) hailed from the opposite direction, cutting Teddy off from whatever they wanted to say. 

“So. How is Lydia?” Their father continued on, unphased by Eric’s action or Teddy’s pain. 

“Dead.” Ted sputtered, spitting a glob of blood on the floor between them and the man. Why were they acting like this? What the hell was going on? 

“Ah. Such a shameful waste. She was such a powerful summoner.” Between the blood pooling over their eye and the wound on the opposite cheek, vision wasn’t exactly clear. But Teddy almost, almost thought they saw something like regret. “Tell me, who’s magic did you inherit?” 

“How do you know I’m magic?”

“Don’t be stupid, boy.” Ishaan nodded towards one of the two guards. The taller one followed through this time. Punching Teddy dead in their ribs. Something cracked beneath the weight of the blow. Teddy gasped, doubled as far over as the bindings would allow. 

“Well– that’s kind of my specialty.” 

“This will go a lot smoother if you just answer truthfully.”

“W-why are you even doing this? If you–” Air seemed in such short supply. Pain hollowed them out and made catching their breath near impossible. “–If you know Lydia, you know who I am. Know I’m Teddy–” 

“Theodore.” Ishaan corrected.

“Teddy.” They snapped back. “But if you know who I am, you know I’m family.” 

“Lydia betrayed this family when she took you.”

“Yeah and then she tried to kill me so she could live forever.” 

Ishaan’s eyes widened slightly. Calculations suddenly washing over his mind as he studied his captive child. “So she was still chasing immortality then?” 

“I– I guess.” Teddy shook their head. Dismayed, disheartened. “I was only five when she–”

“Then how did you survive?” Something in his voice was different. Daresay hopeful. A sliver of something Teddy didn’t expect at all. 

“Maybe I’ll tell you about it over family dinner if you just let me ou–” The momentary lapse in anger from the older man was quickly righted. His nostrils flared and he snapped. The taller guard took action again, Teddy braced for another punch but was greeted with a sharper sensation. The blade slid into Ted’s gut wasn’t normal. Something about it was meant to provoke a reaction. And it did. A sheer wave of energy poured from the wound before it could pierce more than an inch in. Teal light flashed through the room, sending the tall one flying backwards, slamming against the wall in an unfiltered gout of magical energy. It spiked and shattered the light overhead, dimming the room to total darkness. 

“Well.” Interested and yet disappointed at the same time. “So you are connected.” Ishaan stepped over the brute, lifted a hand and illuminated the room with a simple spell. The very same glow that colored all of Teddy’s magic hung in a mote of light above the man’s hand. Hard to stare at, harder still while Teddy panted and bled. Aching to grab onto any one of these assholes and let them have a taste of their own medicine. Something they couldn’t possibly have planned for. 

The raking light showed something else they didn’t understand though. Their father’s expression. Haunting like the photo, but filled with something else. Somewhere between the sweet sighs of repose, and the harrowing halls of miserable grief. 

“Connected?” 

“And still unascended.” 

“What?” 

Ishaan looked down. That sorrowful remorse consuming more of his features even while his shoulders relaxed. “It’s incredible you survived, that you are here, and yet… it’s astounding how little you know.” He walked over, studying their face with an intensity. Teddy looked away. He sighed. 

“It’s a shame. You could have been great.”

Without another word, he left the room. The guards followed. Teddy heard a ringing and felt a surge of energy as something was done to the door, and the whole of the room plunged into pitch black darkness. So stark that Ted couldn’t even see the blood welling in the chair from their weeping open wound. 

Even without another blow to the head, they passed out. Those five words ringing like an alarm as they drifted away. 

You could have been great. 

[jahayla-parker]

Bewitched Love : Peter Parker x Reader

Part 30

Bewitched Love Series Navigation

SPOILER FROM LAST PART & NEW MOODBOARD BELOW THE CUT!

Desc. & Warnings: 1.8k wc, see navigation for description and warnings

Recap:

“I love you,” Peter told y/n, finally able to say it back to her now that they were together again. His cheeks flushed crimson but his smile was so bright and wide it made his dimples and smile lines shine through the cloudy New York City day.

Y/n giggled and promptly pulled Peter to her. She closed her eyes as her lips met his, both of them smiling into the kiss. Y/n hooked her fingers in Peter’s hair, earning an innocent moan as he scooted impossibly closer.

Y/n squinted as she waited for Peter to react. She’d told him a few minutes ago that she wasn’t sure which spell she had done allowed her to remember him. It might’ve been the one from her Book of Shadows that was designed to counterbalance Strange’s forgetting spell. Or it might’ve been her mentally conjured salvation spell/longing. Either way, it has worked and that’s what mattered.

However, that’s not what had y/n awaiting his response. Instead, it was that she had confessed that she lapsed in her confidence a bit during the first spell. Well, that and the fact that she also told Peter how she hadn’t focused very hard on ensuring Ned and MJ remembered him. Y/n admitted that she while she had at least attempted to add their friends into the counterspell, she’d selfishly primarily focused most of her efforts on her own memory of Peter.

Peter noticed y/n’s nervous energy and set his hand on her shoulder. About a half hour ago, they’d realized that Ned and MJ didn’t remember Peter after all. Y/n had given him privacy as he stopped in the cafe MJ worked at in hopes of seeing their friends. While they’d been there, Peter quickly picked up that they didn’t remember him. He’d left promptly the cafe after that, y/n guiding him to the park bench they were at now.

Peter would be lying if he said he wasn’t a bit upset his friends truly had forgotten him. But, he could tell y/n felt horrible and responsible for such an event.

“Hey, hey,” Peter hummed, eyes soft as y/n cautiously looked up at him. “It’s okay,” he promised, holding a finger up when she tried to argue. “It is. This time I knew what I was getting into when I asked Strange to do the spell,” Peter reminded her, “and I stand by it”.

“But,” y/n sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I.. I was supposed to help them not forget, and I-… I was selfish, I know you wanted-” she mumbled.

Peter shook his head. “Stop,” he whispered. “Deliciae, your spell, your role in all of this was to try and make the outcome better,” Peter argued. “Which you did! Y/n, I don’t know what I would’ve done if you didn’t remember me, remember us. You took care of the most important part of that, I love our friends… But you, I told you, I can’t lose you.”

Y/n wiped a tear that fell as she heard Peter’s reassurance. “Are you sure? You’re okay with me being the only one who remembers you?” She questioned.

Peter nodded, “I am”. “I’m so fucking relieved that you remember us, me, our experiences, I-I,” he exclaimed breathily. “It hurts to know Ned and MJ won’t. But, I would’ve been absolutely devastated if you’d forgotten me… I don’t know how-“ Peter laughed lightly and shook his head. “Actually, I do,” he interrupted himself.

Peter learned forward and grabbed y/n’s face in his hands. “If you had forgotten me, I’d have been miserable. But, I wouldn’t have stopped trying to get you to remember me until I tried everything I could think of. And even then,” he promised, a smile forming on his blushing face. “Even then, I would only shift my efforts towards getting you to fall for me all over again. I trust what you said about how you fell for me and not for what I can do or for being Spider-Man. So, I’d find a way back into your life and start over, from scratch if that’s what it took.”

Y/n sucked in her lips as she lovingly shook her head in disbelief. She watched as Peter tenderly stroked her cheeks to dry her tears. “I- I seriously am…” she laughed and took a moment to compose herself. “I’m in love with you Peter Benjamin Parker,” y/n said. “So unbelievably in love,” she murmured as she leaned in for a kiss.

As they parted, Peter grinned widely. “And I, maga meae cordis, am so immensely in love with you, y/n y/m/n y/l/n.”

“Are you sure about this?” Y/n asked as she and Peter walked, her elbow hooked through his.

Peter took a deep breath and nodded continuing their walk to the cafe. “I need to see them at least one more time,” he said.

Y/n hummed softly, trying to tuck her chin down far enough to lift her scarf over her nose without removing her hand from Peter or her pocket. “I meant, we could tell them. It might take time, but I’d help.”

Peter stopped walking and turned to y/n without breaking apart their interlocked elbows. He smiled lovingly at his sweet girlfriend. “I appreciate that love, I do,” he admitted. He placed a soft kiss on y/n’s frozen nose before lifting her scarf up until it covered her nose. “But, it’s safer this way. They won’t be in danger. They can still know about your abilities if you want-” he offered.

Y/n stepped back into Peter’s side after he placed the scarf over her lower face. “No, I don’t want to explain that again. Plus, like you said, it’s safer this way,” she agreed. While she felt bad for keeping her secret from her friends who technically knew at one point, she knew Peter was right.

Y/n had not anticipated their friends forgetting about her powers after Strange’s spell. But, it made sense. The spell erased any memory of Peter and Spider-Man. Meaning, the memory of trip in which Ned learned about y/n’s abilities from when she told Ned in front of Peter no longer existed for Ned.

Similarly, y/n had told MJ of her powers in order to help explain the incidents that occurred during said school trip. She’d done so after the trip but at the same time Peter was answering her questions about him being Spider-Man. Which, for obvious reasons, meant that memory too was erased now.

Y/n and Peter had learned of this a week ago, after they’d realized Ned and MJ didn’t remember Peter. The couple had read through y/n’s Book of Shadows and talked with her parents about how Strange’s spell would work.

Y/n’s parents hadn’t initially remembered Peter. However, Peter had been okay with this as he felt it sped him to properly meet them unlike he had given the chaos following their Europe trip. Y/n did catch them up as much as she could, giving them the generic rundown of events. When they started to question her sanity, y/n used a spell to help them remember; only after she forced them to teach her how to do so without complications.

Y/n and Peter shared a look before he opened the cafe door for them. She walked in, lowering her scarf to smile at their friends. Y/n walked to to the counter to greet MJ. “Uhh, hey,” she mumbled shyly, trying to figure out how to go about this. “This,” y/n waved to Peter behind her, “is… Uhh my boyfriend, Peter”.

MJ nodded slowly, shooting Ned a confused glance as he watched from a nearby table. “Umm, cool. Peter, what can I get you?” She asked, pulling a pen out of her apron’s pocket.

Y/n rose her eyebrow faintly in surprise. She suspected more of a reaction out of her friend. Especially when y/n had walked in here announcing she had a boyfriend, seemingly (to MJ and Ned) out of nowhere.

Peter cleared his throat, a similar look of shock on his face. “I-Uhh… just a coffee please, Uhh small, please,” he rambled.

MJ nodded, scribbling on her notepad. “And you miss?” She asked, looking up at y/n.

Complete and utter confusion took over y/n and made her freeze. Miss? Was MJ trying some weird new joke? Or maybe her boss was getting on her about her professionalism again?

Y/n pulled herself together and forced a light laugh, hoping that was the response MJ had wanted. “The same, please,” she answered. She glanced at Peter in confusion.

Peter quickly moved to y/n’s side, grabbing her hand in his as he too looked at MJ in bewilderment.

“Of course,” MJ nodded with a half smile. “Two small coffees, coming up.” She looked up from her register at y/n, “did you want it under his name too, or?”

Y/n squeezed Peter’s hand nervously. “Uhh,” y/n laughed breathily, “no, mine is fine”. Maybe this was some joke about how she had introduced Peter as her boyfriend?

MJ squinted a bit at the couple and nodded slowly. She maintained a professional smile despite her annoyance at the couples’ odd reactions and vague responses. “Okay, which is?” MJ asked.

Y/n felt a sharp pain in her chest. Her eyes snapped to Peter for help. She tried not to cry as Peter faced with with his own uncertainty. Y/n took a deep breath. “Y/n…” she whispered, her voice shaking.

MJ forced a smile before she walked off to make the coffees.

Y/n spun to Ned and sucked in a breath. “Umm, do you, uhhh,” she muttered, not knowing where to start. She needed to know if this was something weird MJ was playing at or if they’d really forgotten her too. And y/n knew Ned was one of the worst liars, he’d fold easily if this was a joke.

“That sticker,” y/n said, pointing to the sticker with a cheesy science pun on it that she’d customized for Ned. “Where.. uh, where’d you get that?” She asked. Y/n tried not to tear up when Ned shrugged and told her he couldn’t remember. It wasn’t like Ned to not remember that kind of thing, unless she didn’t exist in his memories anymore.

“I remember getting it for my birthday a few weeks ago,” Ned admitted, a guilty look on his face as he added, “but… I Uhh… For some reason… Don’t recall who gave it to me”.

Y/n swallowed thickly. She felt Peter’s hand holding hers tightly and she squeezed back. Y/n forced a polite smile and nodded at Ned. “I see.”

“Coffees for,” MJ called, setting two small cups down beside the couple. “Peter,” she called, looking at the name on the first one. “And, Y/n,” she said, doing the same with the second cup.

Y/n quickly thanked MJ and paid for both drinks. She slid her hand from Peter’s and excused herself, rushing out to the street. Y/n wanted to give Peter some time with their friends if he wanted it, but she needed to get out of there.

Peter took in one last look at Ned and MJ before running out after y/n. He tossed his coffee in the trash next to the street and then ran up to y/n’s side. “Are you okay?” Peter asked, immediately pulling her into a hug as he heard her shallow breathing.

“I don’t understand…” y/n murmured dazily. She leaned into Peter as he rubbed her back. “I… I want to go home,” y/n whispered.

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[strattonxpressions]

Sid Iyer

1. Name, Year, Major, and Hometown

Sid Iyer, 2nd year biological sciences major from San Jose, California

2. What is your earliest childhood memory? 

My earliest childhood memory is having a fight with my sister about something(I don’t remember what)

3. What’s stopping you?

Nothing is stopping me

4. What is something about yourself that you’re proud of?

I’m proud of staying consistent in the gym this year even though I am really busy

5. If you could have any one question answered truthfully, what would it be?

Is God real

6. Who is your celebrity/fictional crush? 

Used to be Ariana Grande, but now I don’t really have one

7. How would you spend your ideal birthday? 

My ideal birthday would be spent chilling at home with some friends and watching movies and playing videogames till the morning

8. What food that starts with the first letter of your name would you only eat for the rest of your life?

Spaghetti because there aren’t many foods that start with the letter s

9. What’s one niche interest you have that you must share with the world?

A niche interest is that I love this one band called Weston Estate because they make the best music ever

10. What is a memory with your closest friend and how does it exemplify your friendship together and how you value friendship as a whole (250 words minimum)

One of my most cherished memories with my best friend is the time we went to the top of the parking structure near the ARC to watch the sunrise. It was a simple plan—just the two of us, bundled up against the early morning chill and excited to share a peaceful moment together. Once we reached the top, the view was breathtaking. We had decided to take a time-lapse of the sun rising and it was one of the best ideas we’ve ever had since it turned out really good. Since it was a very rainy and cloudy day the night before, we didn’t expect to actually see the sunrise. But when it peaked out for just a couple of seconds, the view looked insanely beautiful and it made the rest of our days.

This memory exemplifies the essence of my friendships. I value the simple, meaningful gestures that don’t require elaborate plans or grand gestures but instead focus on being present with each other. Sitting there with my best friend, sipping on warm drinks we’d brought along, and sharing our thoughts about life, goals, and memories, reminded me how much I appreciate these moments of connection. It wasn’t about doing something extravagant; it was about taking the time to be together and creating a shared experience that deepened our bond.

This moment also reflects my belief that the strongest friendships are built on mutual understanding and the ability to find joy in the little things. Watching the sunrise that morning reminded me how meaningful friendship is.

[alwaysonelectrical]

Cost of Solar Panels

Solar Panels are used to capture sunlight and convert it into clean electricity. Solar energy is abundant on the planet and can help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

However, not all solar panels are created equal. Understanding what to look for in a good solar panel can save you a lot of money over time.

Cost

The cost of solar panels varies based on the type and size of system, plus the addition of extra hardware like batteries for energy storage. Also, each installation company has a different pricing structure for labor and other costs.

Using solar power reduces utility bills and helps to protect the environment. It can even be used to power remote areas and appliances where channeling electricity through a grid is impractical or impossible, such as satellites.

Solar Panels can be easily maintained at home with regular cleanings and inspections. A good rainstorm or melting snow usually does the trick, but if you have a large buildup of pollen or moss on your panels, you might consider hiring a professional to take care of it. However, be careful not to use hard water, which can leave a white residue that diminishes photovoltaic performance. Using lukewarm water is recommended, and you should avoid using abrasive sponges. You can also sign up for a maintenance plan, which typically includes an annual cleaning and inspection at a cost of $140 to $180.

Efficiency

Solar panels convert sunlight into direct current (DC), which is then passed through an inverter to create alternating current (AC). AC is the standard energy form used in homes and businesses. Solar systems with high efficiency are capable of producing more electricity with less sunlight.

Solar panel efficiency is measured under strict test conditions, known as standard test condition (STC). This test procedure combines a fixed cell temperature with a variable load resistance. A one meter square panel with 15% efficiency will produce 150 watts under these conditions.

Despite their durability, solar panels degrade over time. This degradation is caused by thermal cycling. When it’s warm, everything expands, and when it’s cold, it contracts. This stress can cause microcracks in the silicon that disrupt electrical connections. Regular maintenance can help prevent these cracks, including using distilled water rather than hard water and avoiding harsh cleaners like abrasive sponges or solvents.

Energy output

Solar panels are a great choice for homes because they produce electricity even on cloudy days. However, they will not perform as well on hot days. Heat also affects their efficiency by lowering the conductivity of their semiconductors. To maximize energy output, a panel should be placed facing the sun in the northern or southern hemisphere.

Solar energy is most effective in the summer, so you should choose a location with peak sunlight hours. For example, a 400-watt panel in the US with 4.5 peak sunlight hours per day will generate enough electricity to power your household appliances and other uses.

It is important to clean your solar panels regularly, especially after storms. Regularly rinse them with a garden hose or a soft brush. Avoid using abrasive brushes or detergent, which can scratch the surface of your solar panels. You can also use a telescopic pole or extendable handle for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. If you don’t want to do the work yourself, you can hire a professional solar cleaning service.

Maintenance

Solar panels can be a costly investment. While these devices are long-lasting and durable, they do require a bit of maintenance from time to time. This maintenance involves checking the cables, output meter, and inverter on a regular basis. It also includes a visual inspection to check for any damage. In addition, you should track the energy output of the solar panels regularly to detect any lapse in performance.

Solar panel cleaning is an important part of maintaining efficiency and longevity. It helps to remove dust, dirt, bird droppings, and leaves that can block sunlight. This can be done using a soft brush or sponge and a hose with a gentle nozzle. However, you should never use a high-pressure spray because this could damage the solar panels.

It is recommended to clean your solar panels two to four times a year. However, it is important to check the solar panel manufacturers manual for specific recommendations. This will ensure that they are properly cared for and able to continue to perform at their peak potential.

[wildcxrds]

true intentions

(Note: the italicized text is not spoken in English, but in their native tongue, A’irth.)

The late afternoon was gray and muggy, with the skies cloudy and a small drizzle falling over the land. This area was far from any of the remaining kingdoms and cities, closest actually to a long abandoned village in the heart of a desolate field. In a corner of the large, barren field, under leafless, gnarled trees, there was a small tent was pitched up - larger on the inside than it seemed on the outside. Outside, it was incredibly unassuming and honestly seemed abandoned. Inside, it had the essentials - on thin wooden floors, there were two beds tucked in a small room across from the entrance, a couple tables at the forefront, a small kitchenette propped against the canvas walls to the left, and a few large wicker bins filled with supplies on the right.

Sat at one of the tables was Kori, focused as he was carefully disinfecting a particularly nasty wound on Kairo’s shoulder. It wasn’t bleeding, thankfully, but the wound spread from her shoulder nearly to her collarbone and had begun to turn a nasty, bruised purple. Kori gauged from the wound that she had left it for a day or so to see if it would get better on its own before summoning him. One of many injuries she retained living in the desolate lands, encountering various others who challenged her strength.. and her temper.

They had a brief lapse in conversation, having been making some catch up small talk since the last time they’d seen each other was a few months ago.

“So what’s the prognosis?” Kairo asked.

“It’ll take some time - with the way your body rapid heals, likely two weeks at the most.” Kori replied, spraying a thin layer of the antibiotic, earning a displeased hiss from Kai. “Sorry,” He added, genuinely apologetic.

“It’s fine. I can wait the two weeks.” Kairo sighed slowly, and Kori watched the skin around the festering wound cautiously for any reaction. It would take the wound itself time to close, but she was adapting quickly with the antibiotic and recovering from the infection rapidly, as he watched edges of the purple tinge already begin to fade. He redirected his attention back to Kairo, recalling the last time they’d seen each other, she had a small group of other thieves with her.

“So what happened to the company you kept?” He asked, suspecting he knew what the answer was.

“Killed them.” Kairo replied, shrugging her good shoulder. Not a response he was surprised by, honestly.

“What is it they’d done?” Satisfied that he’d applied enough of the antibiotic, he moved on to carefully applying medicated gauze to the wound and wrapping it up.

“Tried to steal from me. They slipped something in my drink to make me sleep and attempted to rob my gold. Their little greedy hands didn’t account for my tolerance and how quickly I can get up and fight, even inebriated.” She said matter-of-factly, picking at a spot on her sleeveless tunic, haphazardly cropped to account for the heat and humidity (and her personal comfort). “Happened last month.” She vaguely gestured to the wound on her shoulder, and the now mostly healed claw marks down her arm.

“You never seem to do well traveling with others.” Kori commented lightly. “The only time you have was when you were part of that brothel.”

“It would go better if they didn’t tunnel vision consistently on stealing from me. They should know better than to test my patience. It doesn’t matter anymore, I’m no longer interested in groups. I have other things in mind once I’ve recovered.”

“Oh?” Kori’s brows rose. In the time he’s known Kai, her goals have been primarily short-term. The longest goal she’d ever had was… well, keeping out of the Hunters’ radar.

“It’s something I’ve asked of you.” She said flatly, looking at him with her mouth tightening and her gaze hardening slightly.

Kori’s breath caught nervously. They were revisiting a subject they’d circled around many times in the past. He frowned deeply. “Kairo, I—”

“I know,” She interrupted, “you don’t approve and whatnot, but I’m sorry to tell you that I don’t really care. I want to find the human realm.”

Kori frowned. He knew better now than to try and convince her otherwise - she had made her mind up and if Kairo was anything, she was incredibly stubborn. “And do what? You risk exposing yourself to the Hunters - it seems counterintuitive to what you’ve been doing so far.” He tightened his jaw, as a wave of realization swept over him. “That’s why you’ve been in so many different groups.”

“So smart.” Kairo sighed, leaning away from him in her seat. “Sometimes the best sanctuary is right under their nose. Nobody but you knows this portal exists, and they don’t know who you are or if you’ve found the portal. You’ve had no tracking, so how would they find me there?” She half-turned back to face him. “I’m not looking to run for much longer, Kori. I’m going to find who’s running this operation, and I’ll kill them myself.”

“Revenge.” Kori frowned.

“Justice.” Kai corrected through gritted teeth, a dangerous flare in her eye.

“That’s a suicide mission, Kairo—“

“No more of that.” Kai interrupted again. “It’s going to happen whether you’re by my side or not. I appreciate and respect our friendship, but if this will be something I do alone, then so be it.” Her tone grew sharp and Kori sighed. She held her gaze at him, peeling away at the already fragile layers of counter arguments to find and force him to relent.

“…Very well. I will give you a general direction, but that is all. Do you have a plan of disguise?”

“I’ll figure it out as I go along.” Kairo nodded, satisfied that she’d worn him down. “I want to sleep soon, so that you can get your rest. You look like shit.”

A small interruption of a tense discussion, Kori suspected. Kairo was hard headed, brash, and usually not very emotional, if at all (outside of her temper), but he suspected she likely felt… at least a touch guilty for putting him on edge. “We’ll be finished soon.”

He completed cleaning up the worst of her worse wounds and bandaging them properly, and within the hour, she had gone to sleep.

Only a few hours passed before it was Kori’s turn. He knew Kairo was capable of resting up in a handful of hours, but despite his protests and insistence that she could sleep a little longer, he was forced to bed while she took watch at the entrance of the tent. And despite the World Eater clawing at the edges of his mind as he attempted to meditate to relax, he felt himself drift off eventually.

-

There was warmth in the darkness. Something pressed gently to his chest. Hi, it said, but not in A’irth. He mentally switched to match its language, realizing it was speaking in Feli’airth.

Who are you?

It didn’t respond, instead the warmth spreading and a light bloomed before him, revealing the sight of a small form curled under a blanket, and a figure made of solid green overlooking the form with a sort of protective aura. The room looked vaguely like a human living room. This figure in green whispered, This is going to be the start of a new story. The voice was deeply familiar, reaching for the threads of Protector woven tightly around his soul. His heart clenched anxiously. Was this the Guardian speaking to him?

Look down, they said. He saw a dormant thread of gold leading down to the form. Impossible. Was this-?

Hi.., the voice said again, tentatively. Now the form was standing before him, holding both his hands and pressing them to his chest. He gripped the front of his tunic.

I know you, he said to them. They giggled.

Guide me home, they requested shyly. This was a vision; he hadn’t had one since his first reunion with Kairo. Please.

He nodded firmly, and he felt the warmth begin to fade. I’ll see you soon! They giggled again, this time in relief, the warmth pulling away from his grasp, like a candle burning out, the embers dissipating to nothingness.

S̷̡̪̦̝͔̄́͂̚͝͝o̸̡̨̥̘̖̚m̸̝̥̫͓͊͛̀ę̸̛͓̬̆̒́̾t̸̢̺͐͐̕ḧ̶͍̯̩́͠i̴̛͙͊̍̈ͅn̵͖͐ǵ̸̱͖̠̪͋͊̚ ̸̨̼̱̰͇̝̈͂ņ̶̨̛̻̼͉͚͒̽̍̋͊e̷̛̝̼̟̦̩̼̊̔̔̕w̴̨͈̝̯̆̊̄̒̃?̸̣͓̠͓̿̽̑̅

Kori jolted awake, inhaling sharply. Painful buzzing vibrated under his skin from where the seals were. Even barely awake, he grit his teeth against the zaps, feeling the magic work through to keep his darker half at bay.

He stared at the canvas ceiling above, the edges of his sleep creeping away from him, consolidating in his mind that this trip of Kairo’s into the human realm, as dangerous as it was, could potentially prove to be the start of the right path. If potentially he could slowly convince Kairo out of seeking the Hunters…

This vision told him all he needed to know - they were going to meet a new Protector. This was good. A very very very good sign. Kori would take any optimism he could get.

[sauyuenchan]

DMA Final project 1 - Making it Real

Blog 4 Making

This is the 3D model I have done in PC

I then printed a FDM format of 3D QR code for testing, but it doesn't work.

This is the 3D print I got from SLS printing (stairs are missing since they are too delicate to print)

I printed a SLA format of the QR code and thankfully it is working.

Then I cut the original one and glued the SLA one on the top, and painted the top surface with white, to make it more distinctive to scan.

Then I modified my stairs and got them in SLA printing (SLS is not available). After that I removed the stretches by myself. Another picture showing some failed attempts in the process, wrong scaling size of SLA stairs from printer, FDM unscannable QR code.

Then I glued them into the model.

This pretty much demonstrates the topic - "Making it Real". From a virtual model to a physical one then connecting back to a virtual world by its QR code. I also gave the model a meaning - an immersive experience that users will feel like they are a god controlling the whole QR pyramid atmosphere. This model can be a toy providing interactive experiences. The website from the QR code can be updated time by time, which also shows the dynamic aspect of digital media.

This is the website from the QR code.

Video showing how it works.

References

QR Code Generator. Accessed January 16, 2024. https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/.

blackboxguild. Freepik. “Premium Stock Video - Heavy Dramatic Clouds Time Lapse.” Accessed January 16, 2024. https://www.freepik.com/premium-video/heavy-dramatic-clouds-time-lapse_526331.

blackboxguild. Freepik. “Premium Stock Video - 4k Rainy Black Background, Video Overlay.” Accessed January 16, 2024. https://www.freepik.com/premium-video/4k-rainy-black-background-video-overlay_717489.

Freepik. “Free Stock Video - Time Lapse Storm Clouds Travel over the Sierra Mountains in Lone Pine, California 1.” Accessed January 16, 2024. https://www.freepik.com/free-video/time-lapse-storm-clouds-travel-sierra-mountains-lone-pine-california-1_179250.