#Curfew extended for a week

[lilacgaby]

day one

~2k

chapter select!

i do not got this.

[name] could barely sleep because of her nerves. she kept replaying the worst scenarios possible in her head.

what if he rejected her in front of everyone? she'd have to leave the school from the embarrassment. she'd be trash-- the trash of society!

maybe she just needed to eat.

she crawled out of bed, put on her house slippers, and made her way down to the kitchen.

she saw a couple other early risers along the way, momo greeted her and congratulated her on her successful mission, and iida told her not to stay out past curfew.

same old, same old.

she started to make some chai to drink. "maybe momo would want some, i should make her a glass." [name] pondered out loud while preparing the tea.

she went up to give the glass to momo. "ah, thank you [name]!"

"no problem momo."

she then on her way down, eyed katsuki who was heading to the kitchen at the same time as her.

okay [name]. stay cool.

she poured herself a glass. he walked up beside her.

"yo."

"hey, you want some chai?"

"sure."

she poured him some in a glass, and he nodded appreciatively.

so far so good. she didn't even need a third wheel.

katsuki looked around as if to make sure no one else was with them, then he said...

"did you see when usui kissed misa, and jumped off the building?"

"yes! it was so cute, he really is the best."

"how did he not break his legs though? he should've broken a leg, it would've been such an easy plot point to develop. she could've taken care of him and gotten closer to him that way."

[name] thought for a second. "i mean, maybe the author thought it was too predictable though? you gotta read the next volume. what happens next is so cool!"

"no spoilers [name]."

she sighed. "it wouldn't be spoilers if you weren't such a slow reader. hurry up! it's literally pictures!"

"you didn't even finish ouran high school host club loser. don't talk to me."

"pfft. i watched the anime, who needs the manga?"

"the anime didn't even go in depth to all the arcs!"

"whatever man."

"do you even remember the characters?"

"yes i do! i'm not an idiot."

"then who's your favorite host?"

"kyoya."

"why?"

"because-" oh no. "because sometimes he reminds me of--"

"heya guys! what're you doing? flirting over here?" kirishima exclaimed. expertly cutting her off.

she really did need a third wheel. and she did need to thank kirishima and call him the manliest man in the world, because he really saved her ass.

"no, shut up shittyhair." katsuki remarked, before going off to the side to cook something.

'thank you!' [name] mouthed.

'for what?' kirishima mouthed back.

she facepalmed internally, but mouthed back, 'i'll tell you later.'

he did a signature smile, before going to pester bakugo.

she was saved, for now. she went to go get cleaned up for classes. she did her hair, a bit of makeup, ironed her clothes, and readied her bag.

now, to survive school.

✧˖*°࿐

luckily, she sat next to mina the entire day. unluckily, all the girls in the class were avid gossipers. which would've been great.. every week except this one.

normally [name] would never be nervous while gossiping. she could read others like a hawk, and if she didn't have shoes on, she could focus to an extent and feel their heart beats to confirm or deny whatever they're saying.

of course, she wasn't a bully. she'd only ever think about whether they were lying or telling the truth to herself. she just wished she could keep it to herself today.

"hey [name]." oh no.

"we all always talk about our crushes and stuff-"

stop please.

"so we gotta ask,"

mina please step up!

"we gotta ask why you're so respectful? like c'mon! live a little and talk a bit of trash about some people. there's gotta be something or someone you don't like." mina cut in, saving the day.

who knew the third wheeling would extend to people she didn't even have a crush on?

"uh, well it's not that i don't like people, it's more i don't wanna bother myself thinking about them."

"really? well, who don't you like?" damn it jirou and your good questions.

"mineta." phew, good save me!

"that's too easy of an answer, like, do you hate anyone from 1-b?" Uraraka asked.

yay another easy answer! "i don't hate anyone from 1-b."

the girls all seemed to accept it, phew, nobody ask the opposite and we're good.

"hey, but aren't we asking [name] the wrong question?" tsuyu suddenly said

no! not when i was just safe!

"oh yeah, [name]. who do you like?"

"b--"

"who's ready to learn?" present mic yelled as he jumped onto one of the desks in the front.

"get down. alright settle down and get into your seats. class is starting." mr. aizawa said, the commotion effectively covering her answer.

the girls all went to their seats.

                                     --------

the next hurdle was lunch time. piece of cake.

except for the fact that she'd always sit in between katsuki and mina.

no big deal.

everything started out normal. everyone besides bakugo did their best to not question [name] directly, as they found out only when it was directed to her that she'd be forced to answer.

bakugo was luckily never much of a talker himself, only butting in to defend himself or jokingly insult others, even though majority of his insults held no weight.

but sometimes they'd catch themselves in the middle of their sentences, and have to fix their speech before [name] would be forced to answer. the goal post was moved from not confessing to not making her answer any odd questions at all. because bakugo would definitely notice her robotic answers.

"yeah like, didn't [name] totally-- i mean uh-- didn't we all totally flunk that test?"

-

"[name] remember when we-- uh-- i mean guys remember when we snuck out that one time?"

"which time?"

-

"dude, the convenience worker totally has a crush on [name]! right [na--] uh-- everyone?"

[name] focused almost unconsciously, and she noticed that katsuki's heart beat was speeding up for some reason. huh.

-

"you idiots are acting weird today." bakugo said out of no where.

"what? pfft. no way." sero said, trying to play it off.

"you're crazy man, i mean.. we're all acting normal. it's you who's acting weird!" denki said, before laughing awkwardly.

"yeah something is definitely up. how many of you dumbasses are in on it?"

"what? bakugo you're being uh-- irrational."

"since when do you talk like that raccoon eyes?"

"uh-- since i studied?"

everyone face palmed at that.

"okay the jig is up. the fuck is going on?"

"uh.. gotta go. i'm uh-- real hungry! needa get some sun y'know? see ya!" [name] left before anyone could stop her.

mina followed after her, leaving denki, sero, and kirishima to use the collective 5 brain cells they have to try and convince bakugo that nothing was up.

she was so gonna owe them more than a dinner for this.

                                       ၄၃

[name] didn't know what lie they were gonna come up with. and to be honest, she really didn't want to find out.

as she sat on the rooftop, she let the chloroplasts out on her skin, which made her have a couple green-ish spots all over.

"eating really does help." [name] murmured.

"watching you eat is so crazy! i mean you're literally turning green!" mina said, eyes wide and wonder filled.

"...you're literally pink.. but okay."

"hey, can't we ask mr. aizawa to nullify the quirk while we're in class?"

"... mina that is the smartest thing you've ever said."

"cool! we'll need to update everyone at our daily meeting today. as long as he agrees we'll only need to worry about other times!"

"we should go now, before class starts."

"okay! you go ahead, i'm gonna go see what our other agents said to bakugo."

"agents?"

"just go!"

                                        ‧₊˚✩彡    

"um.. mr. aizawa? may i come in?"

"yes." he grumbled sleepily. he was in his sleeping bag, barely looking up at her.

"what is it [name]? is this to clear up about you being on the floor? because i really didn't care."

"uh.. no. this is about something that happened while i was on the mission."

"go on." she could tell that even though he seemed completely uninterested, that she had his full attention.

"well, you see, i was hit by a quirk. a truth telling quirk. and it's going to last for 6 more days."

"oh?"

"and.. i'd really appreciate your help. if you could nullify my quirk during just time when we're sitting in the classroom, it'd help a lot." she bowed respectfully as she made her request.

the room was silent as aizawa was seemingly thinking it over.

"sure, why not."

"thank you! i won't forget this!"

                                      ೀ

the second half of the day went by like a breeze. because mr. aizawa was cancelling her quirk, she lived her life in temporary peace for the remaining hours of the school day.

she smiled with relief, everything is going good now.

she cleared up her answer with the girls while she still could,

"guys, i don't have a crush on anyone. im just too busy."

and then she relaxed fully.

the walk to the dorms was easy, she didn't have to worry about dinner since she didn't eat, and she could always call an early night to get out of uncomfortable situations.

easy peezy.

she had no time to talk to bakugo for the rest of the day, since he had such an early bed time.

at last.. the daily meeting was here.

"alright guys! great saves today! here are the rankings for best agents. [name] would you do the honors?"

"yes. unless the honors is a person. i do not know them well enough to do them.

...

just give me the damn chalk."

mina held back a laugh while she walked up.

"okay, on the bottom we have.. denki."

"what? no way!"

"yes way! you were being way too obvious earlier! which brings me to my next loser: sero."

"no way, this is rigged."

"no it's not! what point of no questions do you not understand! anyways

next up, we have kirishima. amazing work this morning!"

kirishima bowed jokingly.

"and lastly, one for one, we have alien queen mina!"

"this is so rigged!"

"obviously she'd win, they're best friends!"

"sounds like jealously! anyways-- thank you [name]! take a seat."

[name] took a seat as mina resumed her place as the leader.

"okay agents! we have a new addition to the team: mr. aizawa!"

"what?" everyone said collectively.

"correct! i came up with the brillant idea for him to use his power on [name] during class time when we're all just sitting around. that's how i earned top spot!

so now, our sub-operation is this:

plan [name]'s perfect confession."

"what?" [name] scoffed, "that's not part of this operation!"

"and besides.. with what denki told bakubro earlier.. we can't go on with that yet."

"what the hell did you idiots tell him?!"

"we just said you were embarrassed because you have crazy woman issues and don't want anyone to question you right now!  he interpreted that however he did!" denki defended.

"hey-- i didn't say any of that. it was all you man."

"way to throw me to the wolf sero!"

"just get out! all of you!"

"meeting over guys!"

"mina what the hell?! i thought you went to make sure they didn't say anything super stupid!"

"i did! but it was too late.. see ya [n/name]!"

my life is over.

prev | next!

[stargazing-imagines]

New Girl ( Conrad Fisher x Fem!reader )

Description: your family decides to take a summer vacation to cousins beach for the first time, but what happens when you catch the eyes of none other Conrad Fisher

Warnings: none,

A/n this is my first tsitp imagine so please be nice! 😂

Part two

You sat in the back seat of your cousins SUV as you and you’re family were driving to cousins beach for a family vacation. Everyone of your family took 3 cars, your aunt and uncle and their family, your mom and dad, and your grandparents. It was a 4 hour car ride and you were getting tired of the constant bickering that you endured with your cousins which consisted of what movie to watch. Princess and the frog, or Spider-Man.

“Mommy! I want to watch tiana!” Said your little cousin at the age of 5, who was in her Princess car seat

“But I want to watch Spider-man!” Said your other cousin who was the age of 8

“Guys guys, you both can watch both movies at the beach house.” Said your aunt as she looked at the two kids “now we’re almost there, why don’t you guys bother Y/n.”

‘Great’ you thought as you sunk in the very back seat looking out the window

After an hour driving, and Ambree’s constant bickering about all the things that she wants to do this summer even though she’s five, you finally arrived

“Finally.” You said as you got out of the car

“Y/n wait for me!! I have little legs!!” Shouted Ambree as she tried to get lose from her car seat “mommy!”

You ignored your family as you took in the glory. The wind in the air that brushed your long y/h/c hair, the smell of the ocean breeze in the air, let’s just say that this was long needed after being in the car with your cousins for 5 hours

“Y/n help me with the bags will you?” Asked your mother as she had 3 bags in her arms as she carried them in, you walking to the trunk of the car until you heard something in the distance

“Hey!”

You looked up confused at the boy.

“Hey?” You said

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you around here.” Said the boy as he walked closer to you “I’m Jeremiah by the way, I’m in the house next door.”

“Y/n.” You said as you shook his hand “this is actually my first time visiting this place.” You said as you tried to get a bag out “I’m here with my family for the summer.”

“Cool!” Said Jeremiah as he smiled, you two looked at each other before you were interrupted by Ambree

“Y/n, you promised me you would play princesses with me.”

You looked down at your little cousin before muttering something under your breath

“I told you I’m not playing princesses with you.”

“Im telling mommy!” Said Ambree as she ran off hollering towards your aunt

“Princesses?”

“Don’t ask…” you said “the perks of being the only oldest cousin in the family.”

“Well if you ever need an escape you can always come over if you would like.”

“Thanks, I’ll take that into consideration.” You said, you were interrupted when your aunt hollered your name

“Y/n L/n, you get over here!”

“I better go.”

“Ok see you around.” Said Jeremiah as he waved at you, watching you walk away before walking away himself

——

It’s been a couple weeks, and you heard that there was a party down at the beach, you wanted to go but you were afraid of what your parents would say, so you snuck out until you got caught by your mom

“Where are you going?” Asked your mom as she was putting dinner away into the fridge “and why are you dressed like that?”

You looked down at your outfit, which consisted of a red and black striped cropped top, and some Jean shorts, along with some black strappy sandals before looking back up at your mom

“Clothes…” you said “I’m actually going next door, Jeremiah invited me.” You lied

“Ok just be home by 11.”

“12?” You said as you let out a big smile, hoping that it would convince your mom of extending your curfew

“Make it 11:30! And that’s it!”

“Thank you mom.” You said as you hugged your mom before walking out

——

You arrived at the Beach, you were standing around being new to the area was kinda hard as you didn’t know anybody, that was until you saw a familiar face.

“Y/n you made it!” Said Jeremiah as he approached you, drink in hand “I want you to meet Steven.”

“Hi,” you said as you waved at him “I’m y/n.”

“I heard some great things about you.”

You nodded your head, before rubbing the back of your neck sheepishly, that was until you caught someone staring at you

“That’s Conrad.” Said Jeremiah as he noticed you looking his direction “he’s my brother.”

“Oh, cool.” You said, you looked down at your phone before realizing that it was past 11:15 “sorry I have to get going, promised my mom I’ll be home by 11:30.”

“Ok, you should come over sometime.” Said Jeremiah as smiled at you before walking away, leaving steven behind

“It was great to meet you,” said steven “by the way, welcome to cousins beach.” Then he walked away.

You did a salute before walking the other direction, that was until someone stopped you

“Hi, I don’t believe I’d seen you around here.”

“Oh, that because I’m new here, my family and I are staying at a beach house for the summer.”

The boy smiled before extending his hand

“I’m Conrad.”

“Y/n.” You said as you shook his hand, which lasted about 10 seconds before you let go of his hand “I better get going.” Then after that you walked away leaving him staring at you as he smiled.

——

The summer I turned pretty masterlist

[liquid-luck-00]

Red Binding 1

Maribat March Day 1: Origins

@maribat-calendar-events @maribatserver

Next

Trigger for implied neglect, blood, and violence towards a minor

~~~~~~~~~~

Marinette was, what most would consider a normal, happy, child. But that was far from the truth.

She was ten when she finally noticed something was off.

Her parents as much as she loved them and they said that they loved her. Never made time for her. Never asked more than how was her day, so she would ramble about anything and everything. She never had a curfew and her parents never seemed to worry. That's when the bullying began.

She was eleven when she recognized that the bakery was the top priority and not her.

Her school life was in shambles. Her friendships were strung by a thread, with even a whisper from Chloé, they would abandon her.

So when a small box appeared in her room, at the age of twelve, and from it a small red creature asked her to leave with them she agreed. They talked for hours, extending for days (a bit over a week in total), before she was truly good and ready to leave Paris. They spoke about their lives (existence in Tikki’s case), the powers and responsibilities that would be placed upon Marinette, but most of that time they enjoyed one another’s presence.

The creature listened to her, actually listened to what she had to say, gave her a choice, so she agreed to follow the creature.

In the middle of the night she packed a small bag and stood in the center of her room. "Are you ready, Marinette?" The creature, Tikki they called themselves, chirped. "As much as I can be." She looked the creature in the eyes and everything spun. It felt as if she was floating, or not, as she slammed onto the stone floor.

When she stood up, she dusted herself off and looked around. She was in a well kept garden, the air was thin, but the moon was bright over head.

"ལགས་སོ། ཁྱེད་རང་ཕེབས་བྱུང་།" A voice startled her as she jumped from the sound.

"Who are you?" She questioned. "Where am I?"

The man was still, he didn't seem to hear her, or maybe he didn't understand.

"ང་དང་མཉམ་དུ་ཤོག" The man turned and walked into a building that looked like some sort of temple. She stood there staring where the man used to be before he turned back. His even strides carried him right to her. "ངས་རང་ཉིད་ལ་བསྐྱར་ཟློས་མི་བྱེད།" The man's tone surprised her, she jumped to her feet, following him at a brisk pace.

Lanterns lit the walls of the hall, no doors or even windows could be seen. The two of them walked in silence for what seemed a half hour, but she couldn't tell. She tried to remember the path, but there were too many turns and steps to remember.

They stopped at an ornate circular red door, that was roughly twelve meters in diameter. Golden knots were carved expertly into the wood.

He stepped aside as if she was supposed to do something, but she didn't know what. So Marinette stepped forward and placed a hand on a golden vein.

A flash of golden light erupted from where her hand touched the wood, as it swung open on silent hinges.

She had turned away, in an attempt to shield her eyes.

"Welcome, child." A voice from inside was warm and she stepped forward.

She wanted to say something but thought better. Yes she understood this new voice, but the man before she still has no idea what he said. She just followed him and he led her here.

"Do not fear to speak child." The voice came from everywhere, echoing through the large cavern. What looked like an island garden sat in the middle. A giant oak tree with flowers blooming in complete darkness sat at this center. Chimes rang thought the branches without any wind.

"Who are you?" She finally asked, voice small, as she looked around. "Where am I?"

Chimes rang almost resembling laughter. "I am known as the supreme. As to where you are, you are with the Order of Miraculii, my child of creation."

"Order? Creation? Where is Tikki?" She started rambling questions in the hopes of at least one being answered.

"All will be answered in time." Chimes once again filled the cavern.

"སུའུ་晗་ང་ཚོའི་ན་གཞོན་སྲུང་མཁན་ལ་བཀའ་སློབ་གནང་རོགས།"

"ཁྱོད་ཀྱིས་བཀའ་གསུང་གནང་བ་བཞིན་དུ་ངའི་བླ་ན་མེད་" The man spoke with a bow, before placing a hand on her shoulder and leading her out of the cavern.

He led her to a room that was somewhere deep in the temple, at least she assumes it is. The room was simple, a four poster bed sat against the far wall. A desk was set next to it with a bookshelf that was carved into the wall above it. A dresser was next to the door, and a thick rug was spread underfoot.

"Tikki."

"Yes." The little god appeared in front of her with a poof.

"What’s going to happen now?"

"There is a lot for you to learn, but for now rest. The morning will come soon."

•••

Jason didn’t know why he left that night.

Scratch that he knew exactly why.

Bruce and Dick were arguing again, and no matter where he was at the manor he still heard them. But it wasn’t them it was Cathrine and Willis fighting for the uptenth time. So he did what he always did, he snuck out.

He was running roof tops trying and failing to get the voices out of his head. The weather was starting to change and a sludge of rain and snow fell around him. If only…

He shot out to grapple to the next building but with the semi frozen and slick exteriors the hook slipped. He began to free fall, as the line retracted, and everything was quiet. He heard his heart flutter then a sharp click. The line was back and he shot it again, this time it landed. He was yanked and thrown into a graceful arc before landing on another roof.

He stood in the middle of the high rise roof. Completely soaked but he didn’t care, he just wanted to stay in this quiet for a little while longer. He sneezed, breaking him from his stupor, sure the suit helped keep him relatively dry, but it didn’t do much for the cold, less still for his head that was completely out to the elements.

He kicked a few rocks that were strewn in the roof in an attempt to warm up, but stopped when some sort of metal glinted underfoot.

He reached down and found a ring, and when his fingers wrapped around the metal a flash of green illuminated the rooftop.

"Finally!" A nasally voice echoed around him. "I thought you were never going to notice it."

"Who are you?" He half whispered half yelped. "Show yourself." He reached for a batarang.

"No need kitten." A tiny cat like creature floated up to his eye level. "Names Plagg, and you are?"

He didn’t answer, he’ll he didn’t know if this was real or if he might actually be asleep. He gripped the batarang, feeling as it sliced through his glove straight to his hand.

"Not asleep." He whispered to himself. "So what are you?" He attempted to poke the creature with his finger, but it easily evaded him. It took hold of the ring and dropped it on to his finger.

"I am a kwamii, specifically of chaos and destruction." They puffed their chest, watching as the ring emanated a soft glow before it stopped. "And you are my kitten."

"I’m not your anything." He didn’t want to be involved with magic, it only seemed to cause problems, if the reports Bruce had was anything. "It started with that ring, right?"

"Yes an…" He didn’t let him finish speaking, he tried to pull the ring off, but it was gone.

"What did you do?" His attention snapped to the supposed god, or whatever it was.

It was about to say something when his vision started to blur. Something heavy slammed into his head. He felt himself starting to crumple forward, laughter ringing behind him.

When he woke up, Jason was tied and laying face first in a dingy old storeroom or maybe a warehouse. There wasn’t much light except for three industrial lights towards the center of the room. And under the furthest one was the silhouette of a person.

"Is the birdie awake?" The voice was tinged with laughter, it sent chills down his spine. He knows who that voice belongs to.

I’m sorry.

"Let’s have some fun now!" Joker came into his view and then he noticed the item in his hand, but he couldn’t stop him. The crowbar swung down and it connected with his upper arm. He was thrown into a box to his right. The next hit was to his stomach, as he coughed up blood.

I’m sorry. He heard again, but Joker didn’t react to it. So he knows Plagg is in his mind.

Stop apologizing and talk. He thought, and he did.

Plagg told him a story. He tuned out best he could, but it was difficult whenever he would be thrown around. It even felt like Plagg was holding his breath at times, waiting for his attention to continue.

"Well it’s been fun, Boy Blunder, but you should go to bed. Don’t forget to brush your teeth and say hello to the Big Bad Bat." He left him there in a heap on the floor, a ringing his ears silenced everything except for Plagg.

"Come on, get up! Please!" He saw Plagg flying in frantic circles over a box.

"There is a bomb, and…" Plagg placed two paws on his forehead before flying back, to where the bomb must be. "You will live, Kitten, I swear it."

A flash of green and black rolled over him, yet the blast of air did however destroy the building they were in. But he saw Plagg fly back to him. He felt him curl into his hair, his purring rhythmic, as he began to loose consciousness.

"What a waste." He felt someone turn him over. Changing the path of the blood on his face to stream into his mouth. It tasted like iron, and dirt, and it burned his throat. "I will see you when you awaken."

His world went black, Plagg’s put was a constant rumble. The next time he opened his eyes it was dark, Plagg was on his chest staring at him, his green eyes glowing in the dark.

Steady breaths kitten. Plagg’s voice echoed in his mind, as he tried to explain what was happening. You’re in a coffin.

"How!?" He began to panic, but Plagg began purring which calmed him.

You need to stay calm, you can get out. Focus my power.

I don’t know how. He thought, not risking wasting the little air he had.

The ring on your finger is a focus for power. Do you feel the space my presence takes up within your mind?

He searched concentrating on Plagg’s voice and presence in his mind. Yes.

Good. Now pull that towards the ring. He pulled at it but there was a resistance, like a rubber band being stretched too far.

Slowly. He made the connection and his palm glowed with a faint black and green light. Now touch the area in front of you.

He did and as soon as he did the rubber band snapped back. But a hole big enough for him to pass though was above him, along with a foot of dirt above it. He was tired but he tried again. It was harder this time, but he managed. He touched the top of the dome, but only a few inches disappeared this time. He was about to try again when Plagg stopped him.

Don’t kid! You’re exhausted. Channeling magic requires energy along with training it, like any other muscle. We have to dig the rest of the way.

Fine. He huffed.

The ground was wet and soft from all the rain. But he knew if he didn’t hurry that would be an obstacle. It was starting to freeze. That’s how he knew he was getting close to the surface. Plagg had been moving the dirt into the casket, allowing him to stand. Yet he flew up to him this time with a broken piece of wood, and he knew just what he needed it for. He finally broke through the surface and pulled himself up. He laid back, legs still in the hole, but he stared at the cloudy sky, taking giant gulps of air.

"I knew you could do it, Kitten." Plagg stiffened and his hackles rose before disappearing. Guard yourself.

What do you mean?

"You were quicker than I thought." A feminine voice carried through the cemetery. He stiffened, knowing what Plagg was warning him of. "Now let us be off."

Someone grabbed him and he tried to fight them, but he was exhausted and they weren’t.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

Permanent Taglist:

@jennifer-rose123 @toodaloo-kangaroo @joydone07 @mizzy-pop @starling218 @crystalqueertea

[zvaigzdelasas]

At least three people have been killed in the worst unrest in New Caledonia in more than 30 years, as rioting continued and schools remained closed after France adopted controversial reforms to the Pacific territory’s voting rules.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday convened a defence and national security council meeting to discuss the riots, cancelling a scheduled trip to a French region.[...]

Despite heavily armed security forces fanning out across the capital, Noumea, and the ordering of a night-time curfew, rioting continued overnight virtually unabated. The curfew has now been extended until Thursday night, said Butler.[...]

Anger has been simmering for weeks over plans in Paris to change the constitution to allow more people to vote in New Caledonia’s provincial elections.

Critics say the move would marginalise the Indigenous Kanak people, who make up about 40 percent of the population, by allowing more recent European arrivals to vote.[...]

Denise Fisher, a former Australian consul general in New Caledonia, said she was not surprised at the violence of the past few days and told Al Jazeera it showed “a real and fundamental breakdown in the way the territory is being managed”.The voting rules are part of the so-called Noumea Accord of 1998.

Under the deal, France agreed to cede the territory more political power and to limit voting in New Caledonia’s provincial and assembly elections to those who were residents of the island at the time.

About 40,000 French citizens have moved to New Caledonia since 1998, and the changes expand the electoral roll to include those who have lived in the territory for 10 years.[...]

On Wednesday, the main pro-independence Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) urged calm and condemned the violence, calling in a statement for the rioters to return home.

Socioeconomic marginalisation, land dispossession and disenfranchisement of the Kanaks have long been a source of violent civil unrest in New Caledonia.

15 May 24

[manjirosanosgf]

Stuck With Me - S. Todoroki

Chapter 4: Oh..!

M.list

WRITING:

Once you got your lunch and the 7 of you sat down, Mina noticed a smaller group walking towards one of the many tables around the lunchroom.

“Ochaco! Tsu! You 5 can join us!” She exclaimed before Bakugo kicked her leg, “Ow! What was that for?”

“Why the hell are you inviting the nerd to sit with us? You’re so damn loud about it too!” He hissed, you threw the hard piece of bread on your plate at his head.

“If you don’t wanna talk to him then just shut up and don’t hit anything or explode anything because then we’ll all get in trouble.” You shut him up as Tsu, Ochaco, Iida, Deku, and Todoroki sat with you, filling up the lunch table.

“So, tonight we have Mario Kart night, and since it’s the day before the weekend, curfew is extended soooo… do you guys wanna join us?” Denki asked the group, trying to watch his wording so Iida wouldn’t make you guys cancel even if they all were to decline.

“Unfortunately, I have to decline. I’d prefer to work on the homework we were assigned today in order to make sure my weekend is as productive as possible.” Iida explained.

“I’m sorry but Uraraka and I already planned on a small movie marathon tonight. I think my presence would just cause more chaos…” Deku rejected the offer and Ochaco nodded her head before winking at Tsu.

“I’m studying tonight, I’m sorry.” She apologized with a ‘ribbit’ at the end.

“I’m available, but isn’t 8 people a lot?” Todoroki asked.

“Not at all! We always rotate regardless so an 8th person is nothing!” Sero brushed off his concern, him and Denki grinning at each other. You didn’t miss the knowing glances your friends shared with each other. After lunch ended, everyone was ready to begin sparring in the gym. You were extremely stressed out.

Jirou got a Bewitched vinyl! (You’re trying to get your spending privileges back because you have no money anymore)

Bakugo is already expecting double the money

I swear they don’t hate you! (Maybe Bakugo does… js a little!)

Even though they love you, Bakugo is too creative and quick with his insults.

Mina begged Ochaco and Tsu to make sure they all had plans so you could have your moment

Will you waste this chance though?

From afar, you hide your crush very well which is why other people are practically oblivious to any of it unless you tell them

A/n: 2 chapters in a week??? Hope you guys like this chapter, next chapter maybe you’ll finally make a little progress???

Taglist (ask to be added):

@serxndipity-ipity-blog @lemon-lav @your-mum3000 @tridentgumfreshy

[slaymitchabernathy]

Mr. Peacekeeper

Coriolanus can see his breath in the air while walking back to his sleeping quarters. It's been an adjustment, being here in Two. Mostly because he wants nothing more than to go back home to the Capitol, but he figures that he'll have to stick it out here a little longer before making his final move.

Soarynn teases him about his impatience. It's easy for her to laugh about it, she doesn't know what awaits them in the Capitol, how much better it is there than in the Districts. She'll learn though, he'll teach her how to have proper manners and to be the perfect Capitol lady.

He just has to be patient.

He unlocks the door to his little shack and peers in to find Soarynn isn't in bed. The bathroom door is shut though, she must be in the shower. Their sleeping quarters are less than desirable, there's little room to move around and the bed is quite small but they make it work. Coriolanus pulls open the top drawer of the dresser and carefully places his gun in the corner he always leaves it in. Being a Private gave him a lot more privileges such as owning a smaller gun, easier to conceal, his curfew was also extended by an hour and he was able to leave the base without having to be cleared by his Commander.

Commander Potts was a stern man who rarely ever cracked a smile. He had greeted them when they arrived at the base and Coriolanus would never forget how his eyes roved over Soarynn, taking her in. She had been in complete awe of the base and the mountain that stood behind it so she hadn't even noticed his wandering eyes. But Coriolanus had.

Soarynn was a...special case. She was given certain privileges such as staying with Coriolanus and being able to leave the base with him but her curfew was the same as a basic Peacekeeper's and she was expected to help out with some of the chores. She didn't seem to mind though, it kept her busy. Coriolanus didn't want her lounging around in bed all day so it made him feel better to see her moving about the base.

The other men, of course, loved Soarynn. While she mostly kept to herself, she was flirtatious by nature and Coriolanus would often find her in the company of several Peacekeepers who would be in the midst of teasing her, pulling on her ponytail, teaching her little games.

Coriolanus didn't like it.

He shuts the drawer and opens the one below it, the one where Soarynn keeps all her belongings. There's not much, some underwear, a few shirts and pants. She hadn't had much to begin with and Commander Potts managed to scrounge up some clothes that decently fit her and allowed her to blend in with the basic uniform. She's also got a stack of playing cards, something she bought from the Mill a few weeks ago.

Coriolanus and Soarynn had been navigating their new life in Two together and that included wandering around the town and getting to know the locals. Soarynn faired much better with these people, all of them being District. Coriolanus would often linger behind as she spoke to people, asking questions, getting the scoop. His Peacekeeper uniform certainly wasn't helping his case but people were more wary of him than they were of Soarynn.

They'd discovered that District Two had their own version of the Hob. It was the Mill. It was relatively the same idea and layout as the Hob, a black market of sorts. Coriolanus wouldn't be surprised if every District had something or the other related to a black market of sorts. Soarynn always begged to go on Friday nights, always wanting to socialize and dance. Sometimes Coriolanus would indulge her requests and take her with him, other times he'd leave her behind or they'd both stay back on the base so that he could do some paperwork.

His workload had increased significantly since being promoted and he found that he enjoyed the challenge it posed. His brain had been turning into mush back in Twelve, but in Two, his mind was sharp and alert.

He digs around her drawer until he finds what he's looking for, that little pouch. He opens it and dumps out the contents into his hand. There are several dirty old coins, not worth much but they're something he supposes. Soarynn being here with him offered him a great advantage over everyone else on the base who was severely touch-starved. They didn't have whores in Two the way they did in Twelve and Soarynn was such a sweet little sight to all the men on base.

So, Coriolanus began to extend her services to some of the men. Not all of them, no, he had to be selective. He chose higher ranking men, like Officers and Privates and Generals. Men who could help him climb up the ranks.

Soarynn had protested the idea at first, even threatened to run away. "You said things would be different here," she'd cried, "you said that I wouldn't have to make a livin' doin' what I did back in Twelve." Coriolanus hadn't been in the mood for a full-blown tantrum from her, not when he put his neck out on the line to bring her with him. He'd grabbed her by the hair and craned her neck back, forcing her to look up as he towered over her, "If you're going to be an ungrateful brat then I can see to it that every man on this base has a turn with you and that tight little cunt of yours. If you want to be my good girl, then you can do as I say and I'll see to it that you're not sleeping with anyone who would pose a major threat to you or to me," he'd said so calmly.

A few tears escaped her eyes but he knew he had her trapped. So far away from home and anyone she knew. Soarynn knew that too.

Sometimes they gave her a little something, a coin, some ribbon, a new pair of socks. Soarynn always came back to him the same way, with a distant look in her eyes while he cradled her in his arms and whispered about how good she was for him, how obedient and helpful, how no other girl would do this for him. "We both help each other darling," he'd say, running a loving hand over her head, "what you're doing is helping me reach the top."

And he would reach the top, no matter the cost.

꧁ ꧂

"Your girl's been causing problems Private Snow."

Coriolanus is stunned. As far as he knew, Soarynn was well-behaved and rather well-liked by everyone on the base. Besides the fact that she was a good fuck, the men were more than kind to her, even the cook, Goose, had taken a liking to her and apparently, he didn't like anyone.

Coriolanus swallows, "What kind of problems sir?"

Commander Potts sighs and runs a hand over his clipped hair, "Some of the men have come to me with complaints. They're saying that...that she's been sleeping around with some of the other men."

If this is what the problem is then Coriolanus is more than willing to let Soarynn take the fall for it. He's not the one sleeping around. And he knows that the men he does let her fuck would never complain. It must be those dirty, lowlifes who have never gotten a chance with her. He feigns a look of disgust, "Sleeping around? Sir, I...I'm as appalled as you are. Soarynn's a good girl I swear. She'd never cause any trouble. But um...she used to do this back in Twelve."

Potts widens his eyes and he leans forward, "You don't say." Coriolanus nods, acting as if this pains him to talk about, "They called her the barracks bunny. She'd hop around and sleep with anyone. I thought by bringing her here and taking her out of that environment that she'd change but I suppose she's played me for a fool."

Commander Potts sighs and shakes his head, "So this is something she's known for then. I see. Well, I don't want to cause any problems for you Private, so why don't we make a little deal?" Coriolanus hadn't come here to make a deal, but he doesn't have much of a choice. He sits up straighter, "Of course sir."

Potts could say anything, suggest anything, and for once, Coriolanus doesn't have the upper hand. Potts turns to the door that stands on the right of his desk and waves his hand, "Bring her in." Coriolanus watches as two Peacekeepers drag Soarynn into the room. Her eyes are wide with fear, her hands are bound behind her and she's been gagged. It also looks like she's put up quite the fight because both men had scratches all over their faces. He can see a nasty bruise blooming over her left eye though, meaning they got the last word. She's shaking and she's looking right at him, begging him to save her.

He can't.

It's like his mother's compact all over again.

Potts sighs and gives her a pitiful look before turning back to Coriolanus, "I apologize for the extreme measures. Standard protocol for all detainees as you know." Coriolanus keeps his expression neutral, he doesn't need to over react. "She's been detained? On what charges?" All three men chuckle like they know something he doesn't, "For being a whore," one of the Peacekeepers says with a smirk, "and who knows what kind of diseases she's been spreading."

Coriolanus refrains from telling them that Soarynn is clean, doesn't have any sort of sexually transmitted diseases even though he can see Soarynn trying to get him to talk, to help her. He doesn't. "Here's the deal Private," Potts says, "you start making sure your girl is paying attention to all the men on the base, not just the higher-ranking ones," he gives Coriolanus a knowing look. A look that means either Soarynn talked or he's put two and two together and realized that Soarynn's only been fucking the most important men on the base.

And Coriolanus decides to play right into his hand in order to come out of this unscathed. So he shrugs, relaxes into the chair, slouches a little for good measure. "Of course. You can even take her for a spin if you want, she's good for it." There's betrayal written all over her face but Coriolanus wisely ignores it and focuses on the more than pleased face that Commander Potts is wearing. "You sure?" He asks before giving Soarynn another glance, "I wouldn't want to get too greedy."

Coriolanus laughs and waves him off, "It would be my honor. Soarynn knows how to behave, she'll show you and your men a good time," he nods towards the two men currently restraining her who look like kids in a candy store at this open invitation.

The deal is made.

Soarynn will spend the rest of the week in the small jail they have on base so that Potts can "keep an eye on her" and in exchange for his generous offer, Coriolanus won't be written up and he's looking at a good chance at being promoted.

As Coriolanus strides out of the office he feels on top of the world.

꧁ ꧂

"They forced my hand," he reasons, stretching his hand through the iron bars, a piece of bread in between his long fingers.

Soarynn remains in her spot in the dark corner, her knees pulled up to her chest. Even though it's dark he can see the bruises on her knees, all over her body if he's being honest with himself. She shoots him a glare, "I was there when it happened," she says, her voice trembling, "I'm not some idiot Coriolanus, you let them take me."

Coriolanus scoffs, so past caring about what happened at the beginning of the week, "Well what does it matter?" He snaps, dropping the bread on the ground, "We're just one step closer to getting home Soarynn, and don't act like you didn't run around the base back in Twelve, willingly might I add." Soarynn sniffles and looks away, staring at the wall, "That's the point, I did it cause I wanted to do it. What they're doin' to me here isn't what I want. And it's your home, not mine."

For some reason, those words bite at his heartstrings. He's trying to be helpful, be understanding but if she's going to act like this then what's the point? He stands up from his crouched-down position, one of his hands holding onto one of the bars, "When you get out of here you'll be able to think about all the choices you've made leading up to this point." He stares down at her, at the barracks bunny, the District whore who's still so far beneath him even now, "In two months I'm leaving for the Capitol," he says quietly, still unable to believe it himself.

Out of the corner of his eye, he can see Soarynn straighten up at that news, then she slouches back down. Once he leaves, that's it, there's no walking this back. He's her ticket out of here if he'll have her. And it's so fucking funny how quickly she slips a switch. Soarynn pushes herself off the dirty ground, smoothing down her dress like it'll help shape up her dirtied appearance before she walks over to him. She's got that look in her eyes that she has whenever there's a customer talking to her, or a potential customer in most cases.

It certainly worked on him.

Coriolanus had been at the Hob one night, nursing a drink when she caught his eye. He had seen her around the base and she'd seen him. She gave him that sweet smile before making her way through the crowd. Once she got up to him he had to do a double take at how small she was compared to him. His Peacekeeper diet and training helped him nearly double in size. He could break her so easily.

She'd used all her tricks, said all the right things and the little slut got him hard in the middle of the Hob. "Looks like you might need some help with that sugar," she'd purred, batting her lashes up at him. Coriolanus had chuckled before throwing back the rest of his drink, "What a coincidence that you're here to help then, hmm?"

He took her out back and fucked her throat and once Soarynn swallowed all the cum he shot down her throat she stood up on shaky legs and flashed him a smile. He had offered her a shiny coin for her services but she turned it down, "One day," she'd said, "I might need some help gettin' out of a sticky situation, and maybe you could help me out of it."

He'd been so surprised by her boldness but he was also so entranced by it as well. Most Capitol girls just giggled and waited for him to make the first move but not Soarynn. "What makes you think I can help you?" He had asked her, leaning up against the wall. Soarynn shrugged, twirling her blonde hair around her finger, "I've got an itch that you're not from around these parts. You might know some important people Mr. Peacekeeper."

She had been right, and right now, she was wearing that same look, the look of desperation mixed with a bit of hopefulness.

"That's great news Coriolanus," she says softly grabbing the same bar he's holding onto, her hand is below his and much smaller than his large one. She'll always be below him. He nods, "It is." Soarynn stares at the ground for a moment, she's not wearing any shoes or socks and Coriolanus knows that he'd have a slight meltdown if his bare feet had to touch the nasty floor.

"You remember that coin you tried to give me? When we first met?"

Coriolanus smirks at her question. It's a gamble she's taking and he has to give her credit for it. "Yeah, I remember that coin."

Soarynn leans forward until they're almost eye to eye except he'd have to lean down for that to happen, "Then now is the time to help me and get me out of here," she whispers, glancing at the guards stationed a good ten feet away from them, "please Coriolanus, take me with you. If you don't then I'll be stuck here forever and once they're tired of me then they're gonna string me up."

Coriolanus feels a frown tug on his lips at the idea of Soarynn seeing the noose, a punishment meant for criminals. And this sweet girl isn't a criminal. She's a whore but that's not the worst thing in the world.

He reaches through the bars and holds her chin in between his fingers, "I'll have to make another deal with Potts, bigger than the last one," he tells her, both of them knowing what kind of deal it would be. Her chin trembles for a moment before she takes in a deep breath and nods, "I can handle it," she whispers.

Coriolanus smiles, "That's my good girl. I knew I could count on you Soarynn. If everything goes well then we'll both be out of here before you know it." Soarynn smiles up at him like she believes him, "Then we can be together in the Capitol, and you can show me to all your fancy friends." Coriolanus smiles down at her like he believes her.

꧁ ꧂

The train whistle wakes Coriolanus up from his sleep. For a moment he forgets where he is, where he's going. One glance at the blonde girl in his lap reminds him of their final destination. The Capitol.

He can't believe it. He made it. He did it.

No more Districts.

He looks out the window and can see the Capitol skyline beginning to appear. Soarynn is sound asleep, nearly dead to the world. They had left Two last night and she spent one final night pleasuring the men on the base. Coriolanus had gone with her for the final sendoff. He could tell that the men had been slightly put off by his presence but he didn't care. Soarynn belonged to him.

For a while they just touched her, warmed her up. A caress on her shoulder, a squeeze on her knee, a kiss on the cheek. Then they had one last chance to get all their pent-up energy out. Coriolanus had never borne witness to such vulgar and aggressive behavior. They bent Soarynn every which way, fucking her on the mess hall tables, holding her in the air, throwing her around really. She tried to keep it together for a while, mostly because he was watching but after a certain point she broke. Probably because they brought out some rope to use on her.

Eventually, she ended up in his lap, reeking of sex, dripping with cum from who knows how many men while they all gave her one last kiss goodbye. She was shaking the entire time, tears streaming down her face as she was forced to be intimate with all these men once more.

But it was all over. That's what he told her once they were done. She'd never have to give her body away like that again. In the Capitol, they had order, laws, class. Things would be different there.

The only thing that wouldn't be different was the fact that once again, Snow lands on top.

| Part 2. |

| tumblr oneshot/drabble |

[omelu]

The Class Ever After

So for a long time (since about 2018ish) I’ve had this kind of EAH story idea floating around in my head. Basically it’s about the class directly under Apple and Raven (aka the first-years) and how they handle the whole aftermath of Legacy Day and the destiny conflict. Pretty much all of the eah ocs I’ve made fit into this idea, and while I don’t really have a plot per say, I have lots of scenes, concepts and ideas floating around in my head (and in my computer).

I found a draft I had written that was supposed to be a “beginning” to the story and I revised it. I don’t know if I’ll extend this to an actual fic (since I have a lot of other original projects I want to be writing right now), but maybe I’ll write down some of the concepts and scenes I have.

The Class Ever After (snippet; ~1700 words)

Legacy Day was, by far, the biggest event at Ever After High. Thronecoming, Spring Fairest, and even Graduation Day were just breadcrumbs in comparison. That was fitting, since Legacy Day was so vital to the survival of Ever After. Every year, Ever After High’s second-years donned their ceremonial outfits, climbed the steps to the podium, and pledged to follow their fairy-tale destiny to the world by signing their names into the magical Storybook of Legends.

Without Legacy Day, fairy tales would stop being told.

Without Legacy Day, Ever After would go extinct.

Without Legacy Day, everyone would go poof.

And that’s how Marshal Nottingham found himself teetering on the edge of his seat, trying to catch a glimpse of the second-years lined up on the terrace. He’d never been to a Legacy Day ceremony before, and so he felt that it was his duty to study it all as closely as possible. The grand, book-shaped podium glittered in the moonlight, tall and regal. Above it, half a dozen mirrors magically floated in the air like jewels on a crown, prepared to broadcast each student’s face to the audience as they made the most important pledge of their lives. 

All around him, students buzzed with conversation. Third and fourth-years leaned back in their seats, reminiscing about their own Legacy Days. Faculty members congregated in their designated section, deep in hushed, frantic conversation. Second-years lined up in the hall, pacing anxiously or straightening their parent's outfits. First-years, like Marshal, watched anxiously to see what would happen.

“I should’ve brought my MirrorPad,” he muttered. “It would be much easier to take notes.”

In the seat next to him, Owlen von Rothbart yawned. “Oh, give it a rest. It’s not like you’re going to forget how to sign a book next year.”

Next year. Marshal looked up at the podium, dark eyes glittering. In just three hundred and sixty-five days, it would finally be his turn.

“One year!’ Marshal shook his head. “That’s barely any time to prepare! Do you know how quickly a year passes by if you’re not paying attention?”

Owlen just shrugged and flicked his mahogany bangs out of his eyes.

Marshal sighed. Normally, he got along well with Owlen. When he’d met his new roommate just a few weeks ago, on the first day of school, he knew that they’d be friends. Both boys were destined for villainy, and more importantly (at least to Marshal), both of them cared about keeping their shared room clean. They had so much in common that sometimes Marshal was taken aback by their differences. He just couldn’t fathom how casual Owlen was when it came to preparing for his destiny. But whenever Marshal brought it up, Owlen brushed him off and changed the subject. Which he was doing again now.

“Are they going to start soon?” he asked, craning his neck to see if Headmaster Grimm had gotten up yet. “I want to get some more barre practice in before curfew.”

Marshal sighed. Sometimes, he felt like the only one who took his destiny seriously.

“Hey, Marshal!” Bella Donna Gothel and Amber Fox stood in the aisle, waving at him. “Can we sit by you guys?”

“Of course!”

Bella and Amber slipped into the row, brushing nonexistent dust off of their formal clothes. Bella had dressed in a purple witch gown adorned with thorns, while Amber had opted for an orange pantsuit with a foxtail hem. Her bright red hair had been swept up in a ponytail, putting her fox ears on full display.

Marshal and Owlen had met the two girls in their General Villainy class, and together, the four of them had formed a coalition of sorts. Bella was the daughter of Rapunzel’s princess-napping witch, and Amber was the daughter of the fox who had tried to eat Coach Gingerbreadman once upon a time. With Owlen, the son of the sorcerer who had cursed the Swan Princess, and Marshal, the son of the sheriff who chased after Robin Hood, they made up the FVEAs– Future Villains of Ever After.

Marshal liked hanging out with the three of them. They understood what it was like to have a villain for a parent. They knew what it was like to have other kids run away from them, to be scolded for being polite, and to live with the hexpectation of being ruthless at all times. Being a villain kid was tough, but Marshal knew he could handle it with these three at his side.

“Ooh, don’t look now, but–” Amber elbowed Owlen in the ribs and stealthily motioned to the aisle.

Laura Stahlbaum, the daughter of Clara, glided down the aisle, shimmering in her red and white dress. She was holding hands with a short boy made of wood. Nathan Nutcracker. The two were laughing about something, looking every bit like the picturesque fairytale couple they would become one day.

Owlen’s face went pink and he slid down in his seat.

“You should say something to her,” Bella gently urged.

Marshal frowned. He didn’t understand why Bella and Amber kept feeding into Owlen’s crush on Laura. He wasn’t her destined prince. In Marshal’s mind, he should just forget about Laura and focus more on mastering evil spells.

“Absolutely not.” Owlen slid down further as they came closer. “You know she’s with Nathan Nutcracker.”

Marshal swelled with pride. Owlen was staying strong in his destiny!

“Hi Owlen!” Laura called, waving daintily at him as she passed their row.

Owlen sat up quickly, fixing his feathered bow tie and blushing madly. “H-hey…” 

Marshal deflated. Or maybe not. Even if Laura and Nathan’s story didn’t technically end in a fairytale wedding, Owlen still had no part in their destinies. Why was Marshal the only one who saw that?

The fairy lights dimmed as Headmaster Grimm took to the podium. A hush fell over the crowd. Marshal sat at attention.

“Today is a momentous day,” he began, his voice deep and regal. “Today, we will witness the very magic that allows the world of Ever After– and our lives– to exist.” He shifted to face the second-years, who had lined up on the podium stairs as he had spoken. “By fulfilling your destinies, you ensure that stories continue to be told. You ensure that we all have a future. No part is too small or insignificant. You each have a part to play, a duty to fulfill. I urge you not to take this responsibility lightly.”

Marshal straightened his spine. Even though Headmaster Grimm was speaking to the second-years, he could feel the weight of responsibility resting on his shoulders. He wished he could be one of the students lined up by the podium, but he only had a year to wait. One year before his destiny began. Yes, he would grow to be despised and hated, but he would be fulfilling his duty to the world. He would have a purpose.

Headmaster Grimm finished his speech to thunderous applause and stepped back, letting the second-years into the spotlight. Marshal watched intently as a girl carved of wood took the stage and announced herself as Cedar Wood, destined to be the next Pinocchio. He gasped when the key magically appeared and the Storybook of Legends flipped to life. Though he couldn’t see the book, he could see the story playing out in the girl’s eyes. The slight changes in her expression as she saw her whole life play out in front of her. Marshal longed to be in her place.

When she signed, the crowd erupted into cheers. 

“Go Cedar!” Nathan Nutcracker cheered, leaping onto his seat. 

“Sit down, you scratching post!” Cato en Boots hissed, his ginger ears flicking in annoyance. “Some of us are trying to watch!”

Sheepishly, Nathan plopped back down and the ceremony continued. Marshal watched it all with wide eyes, trying to commit each pledge to memory. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Owlen take out his MirrorPhone and start lazily scrolling through MyChapter. He frowned. Shouldn’t he be paying attention? His focus shifted to the rest of his friends. Amber looked at her long, sharp nails, and yawned. Bella was quietly using her magic on a patch of clover growing through the terrace tiles, letting it wrap around her chair leg.

Marshal’s spirit sank. Once again, he was the only one who cared. Suddenly he felt alone, like he was stranded on a little island with all the passing ships too far away to call out to.

He was distracted from his internal woes when Apple White took the stage. The daughter of Snow White was a legend amongst Ever After High’s students, a person that everyone admired and looked up to, including upperclassmen. She was everything any future fairytale should aspire to be.

She delivered the pledge perfectly, grinning so widely that she could have been mistaken for the daughter of the Cheshire Cat. When she signed the book, the crowd erupted into its loudest and most raucous cheers yet. Someone started tossing confetti in the air, and a few royals tossed their crowns with it. Apple White was the ultimate celebration of destiny.

The celebration died almost instantly when Raven Queen took the stage. Lightning crackled behind her. Marshal sat a little straighter. She was the first future villain to take the stage. Next to him, his friends abandoned their distractions, staring up at the future Evil Queen with wide eyes. Hope stirred in Marshal’s chest. Maybe they cared after all.

He watched with bated breath as Raven nervously stumbled through the pledge. Her key appeared, and the Storybook of Legends flipped open. Raven watched her destiny unfold with a frown. The hope in Marshal’s chest stirred and became something uncomfortable, settling like a pit in his stomach. 

The quill appeared, and Raven reached for it– and then hesitated. Stopped. Suddenly, she pulled her hand back, squared her shoulders, and looked directly into the audience.

“I am Raven Queen,” she announced, her voice powerful and bold. “And I’m going to write my own destiny. My Happily Ever After starts now!”

She slammed the Storybook of Legends shut. Above her head, the projection mirrors shattered and exploded, along with Marshal’s hopes for his future.

Next to him, his friends cheered.

[shares-a-vest]

Prompt: Home (Discord Drabble) Trying my hand at some Stommy for @momotonescreaming's birthday and chosen prompt! Warning: this has some light angst/unrequited vibes and is open-ended.

March 27, 1986

Tommy hops back into his car and slams the door. He frowns, taking one last look over the front facade of the Harrington's house, just to make sure.

Steve's parents aren't home, that much he has worked out. Not that his parents needed to tell him twice. Steve's parents were never home all that much, especially not after Steve started high school and was deemed 'old enough' to stay home alone, often for weeks at a time.

Tommy checks his watch. He guesses that Steve could be out on a date on a Thursday night. Hell, maybe the guy finally got his mojo back or something. But...

He crowds the steering wheel, looking over the house yet again.

It's just that Tommy came here last week. And Steve wasn't home then, either.

Or the night after that.

Or last night.

Nor was he at Family Video.

Carol had told Tommy that she had heard on the grapevine (the game of telephone extends two states away, it turns out) that their former best friend was working at the local video store. But nope, all he got was an earful from that snivelling Keith Andrews quizzing him about Steve's whereabouts.

And that's the part that really doesn't make a whole lot of sense – along with everything else that has been going on this week.

Hawkins is teeming with cops. The news is saying that Eddie 'The Freak' Munson is skulking around town like a real-life Michael Myers, hiding in the shadows and offing people one by one. There is a curfew (that Tommy is more than aware he is currently breaking) and, well...

He sinks back in his seat.

Steve still isn't home.

Call him selfish, but he just wants to talk to Steve.

Tell Steve... a few things.

Maybe they can hang out after the awkward part is over. Shoot the shit. Smoke something. Maybe even head out to Smith's Old Mill for a joyride, just like they used to.

Tommy sighs as he places his keys in the ignition, deciding he'll take a chance on the backstreets. He figures he should be able to drive around for another hour before his parents work out he isn't actually moping in his old bedroom.

And then the ground begins to shake.

[britcision]

I have not slept more than 5 hours together this whole fucking week and not more than 7 hours a day

It is therefore appropriate today to give you TIM! And TUCKER! All aboard the Lore Drop!

Chapter 14’s nearly fucking done I swear I was waylaid but I think I have solved the problem. Now the new second secret much bigger problem is my intense desire to commit Dragon Age crimes

Soooo chapters will probably stay a lil slower here for a bit, but hopefully not this slow again until June, when I will be Busy As Shit

————-

A Good Excuse To Be A Bad Influence V

It was a weird feeling to have his body shaken while his consciousness was so far from it.

Feeling his face pull into a frown not quite mirroring what he felt it should be. Tucker could never have explained precisely what part of him entered his devices; just that it was him.

Quintessential, pure essence of Too Fine. Everything he was without the meat he was born in.

But then he did have to slot back into that meat, and trying to do that without matching positions always left him feeling weirdly off kilter the next day. Like he’d put on a shirt but the shoulders were skewed too short.

So despite not being conscious of a face on his extended form, Tucker tried to form it into a frown anyway, sliding back under his own skin like a teen sneaking back through a window after curfew.

Hadn’t those been heady days?

Eyes slowly opening, it took Tucker a moment to remember how to focus them. That they weren’t cameras. But then Tim Drake-Wayne came into focus, and the frown changed to a grin even before he fully “woke up”.

“Morning,” he mumbled, rolling and stretching, getting used to the feeling of a body again. It was a little weirder each time, which he might have worried about if he didn’t see himself as an extension of his PDA anyway.

“You were singing in your sleep,” Tim told him without preamble, returning the smile.

Tucker hesitated for a moment, suddenly embarrassed. If… well. If he’d been singing along, that…

Look he’d picked songs that’d embarrass Danny, he wasn’t gonna give a fuck about it. The only actual question was, did he tell Tim?

Who else would ever understand better just what it meant to interact with tech the way he could? Could get excited with him about how cool it was?

He wasn’t fucking gushing to Technus. No way. Tuck was easily the one winning that ongoing hackathon, but it was the principle of the thing.

To the zone with it. Tim knew about Amity Park, he knew about the ghosts and the liminal tech. And while they hadn’t exactly discussed liminal people, it’d come up.

Tim could have a sneak preview. As a treat.

Decision made, Tucker gave the younger man another broad smile because yeah, bragging about your super powers to a very cool and impressive person? That felt good.

Tim might be a vigilante too, but Tucker was pretty sure Jason was the only souped up Robin. Most of the bats were famously power free.

“Oh, yeah. I was bullying Danny,” he explained with a light chuckle, glancing up to find his beloved PDA, Ida. She was half under a blanket now, so he tugged her back out.

Tim chuckled softly, leaning back and stretching himself.

“Good dream?” He asked and Tucker snickered, stroking gently across the screen.

“Danny wishes it was a dream.” Tucker paused, frowning a little at the confusion on Tim’s face. “So you remember we kinda talked about the whole liminal thing?”

That seemed to jog Tim’s memory, confusion fading into an analytical frown that Tucker was already becoming familiar with. That good ol’ geek face.

“The humans with budding ghost powers,” he agreed, and Tucker had to wonder if maybe he just hadn’t put the right pieces together yet.

He hadn’t exactly said that most of Amity Park were liminal, but it was a little hard to remember he had to. Like, they lived on a portal to Hell.

Maybe he shoulda.

Well, at least it was a cool way to introduce it to him.

Tucker pulled Ida into his lap, flipped her over, and tapped the plain plastic backing to demonstrate.

“Mine’s a low level technopathy at the moment,” he explained as the PDA hummed and then began playing… well, still Montero, so he flicked it again and changed it immediately to Country Roads.

Tim was watching him with a kind of hungry fascination, and Tucker turned the music off with a thought, then passed her to Tim so he could check for secret touchpads.

“It’s not something I can do with anything,” he explained with a modest shrug, grinning with pride as Tim immediately got to scanning the casing.

All simple plastic, not even biometrics; what would be the point? Even touching the PDA was pretty much a formality at this point. She was a part of him.

“Technopathy? So you can control it with your mind? Why not with anything?” Tim asked eagerly, hands stroking over the plastic, eyes darting between it and Tucker.

Like he wasn’t sure which was more interesting, Tuck or tech, and Tucker absolutely took that as a compliment.

“It has to be a device I’ve really gotten into. Like, down to the source code, or something I’ve cracked before a couple times, and then I can just feel how all of it works.”

Tucker wiggled his fingers demonstratively and the PDA beeped to life under Tim’s hands, making the other man gasp. And yeah, totally envy in those cute blue eyes he turned all balefully on Tucker.

“How many of the functions can you use? Anything the PDA can do, or…” Tim trailed off, clearly thinking of everything he’d already seen the PDA do.

The real question would have been what couldn’t Ida do. And honestly? Yeah, Tucker remembered the trial phase.

He gave another shrug.

“Technically? Yeah, anything it can do, but I still prefer hacking the old fashioned way. Most of the network stuff too, cuz I’m only really “in” the PDA. Or Danny or Sam’s phones.”

Tucker hesitated, wondering how best to really explain the difference. Danny had never been any good at it, Tucker’d had no idea what he was talking about from the video game thing right up until he’d been sucked in himself.

Which… was probably gonna be a next-hangout adventure for Tim and the bats. And Oracle, if he could swing it.

For now he gave up, giving Tim a hopeless grin.

“Honestly it’s something you’ve really gotta feel for yourself. Danny’s great at the transition from real world to code, but he always just punches things, y’know? Turns out knowing how code is actually supposed to work doesn’t translate well to being part of it,” he added with a sigh.

Because frankly? It was bullshit unfair. Tucker could code an entire other galaxy around Danny with his eyes closed, but put them in the same metaphysical layer as a firewall and Danny could just.

Punch it.

Which, theme for the week, was also not how firewalls fucking worked. At some point Tuck figured he’d either gain a new level of understanding through liminality, or give up and ask Technus a couple questions.

Technus was currently Tucker’s subject instead of Danny’s anyway. They’d made a bet.

Which meant Technus shoulda told him about their shenanigans in time, which was probably what Tucker would hold over his head for the whole firewall thing.

It was so nice when things just worked themselves out.

Tim looked a little disappointed, but mostly still intrigued. Tucker could see his fingers just itching for his own tablet to take notes.

“Do you think that’ll change?” He asked, blurting it out like he couldn’t hold back now that Tucker stopped talking, “I mean, if you become more liminal? Or just practice your abilities more?”

And see, this was what Tucker loved about Tim Drake-Wayne. They were on the same wavelength. He grinned back.

“Probably. But I mean, it’s kinda cheating too. For now I kinda like that I have to do things the way I always used to first, before any ghostly powers kick in. It’s more me, y’know?” And like hell he’d let anyone think his code skills were just some meta ability.

He’d worked damn hard for those skills, and he was damn good. One of the best, and he was also good enough to know he still wasn’t actually top of the charts.

That was the Oracle, although knowing they still hadn’t cracked his servers felt really good.

Tim was all but vibrating, clearly full of questions, but they were both interrupted by a loud growl from Tucker’s stomach. Immediately echoed by Tim’s, so at least he wasn’t alone.

The two shared sheepish grins, and then Tucker stretched.

“So, breakfast and then Twenty Questions?” He offered cheerfully, and Tim nodded at once, thrusting the PDA back and rolling off the frankly massive bed.

——————

Tag List: @welcometosasakiworld @kyrianclawraith @someonebored0100 @stealingyourbones @starkcravingmad @frostedthroughghost @akikkobara @rainbowbunny0159 @littlefeather345 @violet-catsarelife @serasvictoria02 @wolfjackle @blacksea21090 @secretdestinywerewolf @anime-hipster-the-amazing @undead-essence @skitscratched @blackroserelina @snoodly-boop @trickerdi @mayoota-blog @xysidhe @idkmrpianoman @little-apricot-the-writer @chaoticmistake @the-legal-shipper @bun-fish @aroranorth-west @demon-cat-goes-woof @perfectwastelandcreation @onyxlightdragon @larks-and-katydids @peachesandcreamfemboy @jesus-camp-the-sequel @may-rbi @mothman-the-mothman87 @viyatrix @stargirl1331 @idfk-man10 @thedepressedrobin @skulld3mort-1fan @rootsmudge @ravenshadow17 @cankoking @phantom-dc @mentalcarebear @magic-pincushion @redamancyardor @lyra689 @itsparadoxlacuna @alcorbearson @asphyxia778 @why-must-i-be-like-this @tkiesai

[t4tduncney]

au or not, where do u think duncan took courtney for their first date?

their first date was accidental 🫣 (JOKE BUT NOT REALLY?)

in a non alternative universe their offical “first date” KIND OF started in the boat house.. that’s pretty spontaneous to me

but even in an au, maybe a highschool one, they are together on a project and the study session extends past courtney’s curfew without her noticing because duncan WILL NOT focus. they spend almost the entire extension arguing untill courtney realises the time and freaks out. she gets really mad at duncan untill he’s like “calm down i know a shortcut to your house from here.”

“???? you know a shortcut to my house??”

anyways they argue the entire way home and it’s getting really heated, they pause outside a small park on the way so they can argue face to face (romantic) (no but to possibly increase your punishment just so you can stare in the eyes of someone you are berating is so..) (KIDDING) until courtney just breaks down exclaiming how there’s no point even showing up at home because she knows EXACTLY what’s going to happen. duncan, never relating to something more, empathises with her internally but being the piece of shit he is cant vocalise it or offer her support. that is untill he lifts her up and guides her to a bench in the park. they spend awhile talking about stuff untill the sun fully sets. neither of them really touch on the argument at all in favour of talking about distractions and things that don’t remind them of what’s to come. duncan makes her laugh, he thinks it’s the cutest thing ever. they kiss!! which never ends good in duncney fics the first time around which i find extremely amusing. courtney runs off home down the path only duncan knows.

they both get home really late that night (for different reasons) and it’s hell to pay for the both of them. the resentment they have for eachother grows after that and they don’t talk untill they start allll over again weeks later because these two absolutely cannot see the good in anything (and that’s why they are perfect for eachother) sad! anyways

in conclusion it’s never about where he takes her because we all know it’s gonna be shit, it’s where those two make themselves comfortable to play some insane mind games with eachother in puplic

[mdianasims]

There currently are 7 contestants, which means the minimum has been reached! Woo!

There are still 5 spots left, so feel free to submit a Sim! I would like them filled, because I meticulously planned a challenge based on 12 contestants.

As for timing, real life* has been rather busy lately, so I might (have to) extend the deadline again. Know that I am really grateful for all the amazing people who have submitted (or are going to submit) their incredibly lovely Sims. Seeing them and reading their bios really makes me want to start - but I can't start with a half finished house... So please be patient, I'll get there, because I truly am excited about this project/adventure/challenge. I also intended to post a pre-challenge/teaser post like the two I did last week (or was it the week before?), but I've barely had time for that, let alone build. Hence the banner above this post and not an actual picture. And I'm already half an hour past my (self-imposed) weekday screentime curfew (although, today, I only used the computer for adulting before making this post).

Longer real life explanation under the cut (everything's fine, just busy).

Real life has all positive, yet somewhat (or a little more than somewhat) scary, developments. I've been in the process of building a new house the past few years. After going from plan A, to plan B, to plan C, we're currently at plan D. And well into it. We got the planning permit (is that what it's called? anyway, the piece of paper that says you're allowed to build and costs a small fortune) in Spring. And now, past the Summer holidays, stuff is really starting to happen. Which I sort of knew, so having to postpone the bachelor challenge is definitely a case of poor (or should I say reckless?) planning on my side.

So, last week we heard our temporary home, which is a (somewhat) moveable unit, would be coming today. Which meant re-arranging some (or maybe a lot of) fencing. Which took a lot of time and caused a lot of sore muscles. But, the unit is here. And not usable, because it's not connected to the utilities. And that might take another month or two... At least there will be plenty of time for sorting out stuff and downsizing. My entire childhood came down from the attic, so there's a lot of memories I still need to sort through. Which is fun, but also mentally exhausting.

In the meantime I have my incredibly boring job that drains all my energy. And because of that I have career coaching that also takes a lot of mental energy. I'm trying to find a way to balance things, and I think I'm making some tiny form of progress. The balance is still off, but not as much as before.

But overall, it's just a lot. Doing things like simming, or playing another game I really enjoy would really help. But there are only 24 hours in a day and I do need sleep.

In short, real life consists of more adulting than I'd like, lots of decision making, mentally draining things and spending investing large sums of money (which is scary). I really wish reality was more like the Sims. I just need to sell al my amateurish paintings, then pop in to build mode, build my dream home and return to live mode. So much easier!

[mha-platonic-yanderes]

OK but imagine yandere dad All for One going to check in on teen Reader and she's not in her room! So he tracks her down and he catches her in the act of eating ice cream at 3AM

He doesn't panic. This is a man who's lived past his expiration date, yet has no plans on leaving anytime soon. He's carefully constructed a life for himself and has built it so that he can control every little pawn in his chessboard.

So, when you wake up and slip out of your room, he's already notified. A quirk from long ago keeps him awake forever. His work is perpetual and eternal and keeps him busy all hours of the night.

But that's not important. What's important is why you've decided to leave your room post curfew.

He walks down the halls, peeking into every room. Shigaraki's, the library, the games room, the living room. Over and over and over again, he makes sure that you aren't in there, while staying in the shadows to catch you.

You haven't left the property, because the chip in your ankle would've said something. So he doesn't worry.

Though, the thought of you being in the kitchen didn't cross his mind, until searching literally everywhere else.

AFO feeds you. Sometimes by hand. You and Tomura are given the right nutrition to combat hunger and extend your health, because you both need it, considering neither of you all see the sun.

He finds you there, with a tub of ice cream one of his servants must've bought. And he cuts on the light telepathically, looking down on your shocked face.

"Sorry..." You speak first, a lackluster apology, sheepish in the way a child is when getting caught.

He supposes that's what you are, after all.

"You are supposed to be asleep."

"Couldn't." You reply, "thought I'd get some ice cream."

You aren't lying. He would've known from a different quirk, gifted to him long ago.

"Put down the ice cream."

"Are you mad?"

"No." He isn't lying now. He knows you are a kid. And kids do stupid stuff.

You follow his directions, seemingly waiting, relaxing after he said that.

"Let's get you something to help you sleep." He grabs some water and meletonin. No need for a fancy quirk with modern medicine, "C'mon. Tomura will take you for ice cream if you behave."

"Really?" You haven't been allowed to leave for at least a couple of weeks.

"Really." AFO confirms, keeping you complacent and happy.

[library-ghoulette]

Under the Spell - Chapter 3/?

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2

Pairing: Mary Goore x f!OC

Rating: Mature

Tags: First person POV, he/they Mary Goore, unnamed Sister of Sin OC, slowburn, romantic strolls through the graveyard, breaking and entering, wine tastes better when it's stolen, sexual tension, tongue-in-cheek references to Repugnant lyrics

Words: 4448

Summary: A definitely-not-a-date in the cemetery leads to a close call.

A/N: Enjoy this long chapter!

ao3 link

I tell no one about Mary accosting me in the library, but our conversation replays over and over in my head for the rest of the day. It’s there as I finish my library shift and as I grab dinner with my roommate in the dining hall. It’s all I’m thinking about when I slump behind my desk back in my dorm, pretending to make corrections to the translation that has been giving me headaches all week.

And it’s what I’m thinking about when, my roommate in the shower, I pull on jeans and a cropped black t-shirt instead of my pajamas and tuck myself into bed.

“Early night?” she asks when she comes out and finds me with my lamp turned off and the comforter pulled up to my chin.

“Yeah,” I say, throwing in my most convincing fake yawn for emphasis. “I’m really tired. Busy day.”

I lie there, doing my best imitation of sleep and listening to the sounds of her running through her nighttime routine, so antsy that I can barely hold still. Finally I hear her lamp click off and the rustling of sheets as she turns to face the wall, and when her breathing drops into the easy cadence of sleep, I dare a peek at my phone beneath the covers: almost midnight.

Am I really doing this?

Apparently so. I feel like my body is moving of its own volition, dragging the rational part of me along helplessly as I push my comforter back as quietly as I can and creep over to the window.

When I first moved in, one of the other Sisters had told me that she was jealous I got the best room in the dorms. It was one of the easiest to sneak out of after curfew, she had claimed, because of the big, old oak tree that grew near the building, and the branch that extended so close to my window.

I've never tested this claim before. But now I find myself easing the window open and throwing first one leg and then the next over the ledge. I move quickly, knowing that if I pause long enough to consider what happens if I slip and fall, I'll freeze.

At least it's a full moon tonight. There's just enough ambient light that I'm not clambering down the branches blindly. I drop down onto the grass, wipe my scraped palms against my jeans, and head off across the campus toward the cemetery.

Set up on a hill behind the Abbey, it's a peaceful place and very old, with stones worn to illegibility existing alongside newer markers. Obelisks and imposing statues nestle in among maples that blaze red in the autumn and magnolias that scent the air with a delicate, citrussy aroma in the summer. I’ve been there plenty of times, both on Papa Primo’s educational history/horticulture walks and on my own, wandering along the winding pathways to gather my thoughts.

But now, as I climb up the hill to the filigreed iron gates, I feel a chill of fear prickle along my arms and down the nape of my neck. The pale stones cast long, spidery shadows that could conceal anything, and I feel uncomfortably exposed here on the high ground, under the stark light of the moon, alone.

Because Mary is nowhere to be seen.

Of course they’re not. This was all a joke, a ploy to get me to do something dumb and reckless, stand me up and then laugh about how gullible I was the next day. Probably along with that group of girls from the dining hall earlier. Fury rushes through me at the thought, followed by a nauseated, embarrassed certainty.

“Fuck this.” 

Suddenly I’m exhausted, and there’s nothing I want to do more than go back to my room, take off this stupid outfit, and go to bed. But before I can make it more than a couple of steps down the hill, something reaches out and wraps long, cold fingers around my wrist that only tighten when I attempt to jerk out of its grasp. A scream rips out of me, and I only scream harder when the thing clutching me shouts, too.

“Shit! It’s me! It’s–for fuck’s sake, stop screaming, it’s me!”

I whirl around, fist clenched and ready to land a punch, but my form is bad and Mary catches my forearm and holds me still long enough for my fight or flight instincts to calm down.

“What– the fuck– is wrong with you?” I gasp, my breath hitching. “Sneaking up– on me–”

“I didn’t sneak!” Mary protests. “I was sitting right there, you just didn’t see me!”

He releases my wrists and runs his hands up to my shoulders, bracing me.

“You”--I still can barely breathe, but now it’s because frantic laughter is welling up in my throat–”you scared the shit out of me!”

And then we’re both laughing, and I’m not even sure why, but it feels strangely good to be standing here with them, their hands reassuring on my shoulders, giggling and alive at the threshold of so much death.

“I didn’t even think you’d come,” they say, when our laughter abates enough to speak. “You kind of left me hanging back there at the library.”

“Well, I was promised a picnic,” I say.

“Oh, yeah.” Mary steps away and retrieves something from the shadows where he was concealed—definitely sneaking—moments earlier. He holds aloft a bottle of wine and crows a triumphant “Ta-dah!”

“That’s it?” I ask, incredulous. “A bottle of wine is not a picnic.”

“Yeah, well, if you knew the efforts I went through to get this, you’d be more grateful.” They tilt the bottle in the moonlight to inspect the label. “I can’t even pronounce this, but judging by how old this is, they must have been saving it for a special occasion.”

“Did you—did you steal that out of the clergy wine cellar?”

Mary wrinkles their nose at me. “You always choose the worst words, you know that? Follow, sneak, steal. I didn’t steal it. I… liberated it.”

I cross my arms.

“It was going to waste down there in that basement,” he insists. “Now come on, let’s find a good place to crack this open before someone sees us."

Mary holds the gate open for me—so chivalrous—and follows as I lead the way along the main path. 

I try to think of where to go.“There’s a really pretty mausoleum up on that rise, toward the back.”

Mary’s grin is a silvery flash in the moonlight. “Come here often, Sister?”

“Sometimes.” I shrug.

I realize that I have no idea what I’m supposed to be talking about, or what I’m supposed to be doing. I don’t even know what this is. Is this a date? Surely it’s not a date. Not that I want it to be a date, but I would know if it was a date— Wouldn’t I?

“Hey,” Mary interrupts my rumination. “Truth or dare?”

I roll my eyes. “What are you, 14?”

“What are you, 90?” They’re walking close enough to nudge me with an elbow. “Come on, humor me. Truth or dare?”

I relent. “Truth.”

“Ugh, I knew it. So boring.”

“Well fine, then. If I'm boring, I’ll just go home.” I shoot them a mischievous look and turn on my heel to head back toward the gate, only for them to hook their arm around mine and haul me back.

“Don’t you even think about it. Now let’s see, truth…” They tap the lip of the wine bottle against their chin contemplatively as we continue to walk, and I pull my arm away. “I know— How’d you get into the whole nun… habit?”

I groan. “Proud of yourself?”

“Very.”

I sigh. I consider giving a flippant answer, something guarded or even untrue, but once again what I want to say transforms into something else by the time it comes out of my mouth.

“I went to a Ghost ritual with a friend of mine about a couple of years ago. It didn’t do much for her, but I don’t know… It just made a lot of sense to me? And everyone was so nice? I ended up talking to one of the Sisters afterward, and she gave me some information, and before I knew it, I was coming to mass every week. And then I petitioned to join the order.”

I expect a snarky response, so I’m taken aback by the seriousness with which Mary asks, “Do you like it?”

“Yeah. I mean, there are parts that are hard, but I do like it. I didn’t have much direction before, so it feels good to have that now. To be a part of something bigger than me.”

I can sense Mary getting ready to ask me something else, something I don’t necessarily want to answer. “Technically that was two questions,” I say, before he has a chance to dig deeper into my spiritual life. “You cheated.”

“Alright. I pick truth.”

“I thought truth was boring.”

“I’m saving you the embarrassment of saying whatever weak-ass dare you would come up with.”

“Whatever. Um…” I’ve never been any good at this. I always say whatever pops into my head first, and it’s never something fun. Half of the time it’s something depressing that brings the mood down. “Why are you always pestering me?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, like today at the library. And in mass. And everywhere. And convincing me to do this!” I gesture vaguely at the entire cemetery. “Everywhere I turn, there you are.”

Mary skims a hand over the tops of the tombstones as we walk. We’re off the path now, cutting through the grass to reach the mausoleum. 

“Maybe I like following you around.”

“Yeah, but why? There are plenty of”—I almost say better—”other people you could be following around instead. People who are clamoring to have you follow them around."

They huff out an exasperated-sounding laugh. “And miss out on your warmth and friendliness?”

There’s a beat of silence. I feel like I should say something, maybe apologize, but before I can, Mary says, with an edge of bitterness, “So that’s me, but what about Sister Imperator? Why is she so obsessed with you?” 

“What do you mean?” I’m so surprised that I catch my boot against a footstone and stumble. Mary reaches out to catch me, just before I manage to right myself.

“I mean that I got a whole lecture after she saw us smoking together the other day. About how I was to stay away from you and not do anything to… Fuck, what did she say? Something about ‘causing any unfortunate detours from the distinguished path that you’re on’?”

“Oh.” Hearing Mary repeat Sister Imperator’s lofty opinion of me makes me feel self-conscious, the words too weighty to possibly apply to me.  “She has plans for me to do some sort of special work after my novitiate ends. I don’t have all the details. But I’m taking extra classes this summer so I’ll be ready to take my temporary vows in the fall, ahead of schedule."

Mary looks confused, so I explain: “After we take temporary vows, we get more specialized training, and we have more responsibility. It prepares us to take final vows, which are more… permanent.”

Mary considers this, watching his feet as he makes his way between the stones. The silence feels ominous.

“Well?” I prompt. “No thoughts? You usually have so many of them.”

“Look.” Mary sighs and stops, looking at me full on. “I don’t want to fuck up your perfect little life or your perfect little Ministry career. Do whatever you want. All I’m gonna say is that if Imperator had any kind of big, special, vague plans for me?” He points to his chest and raises his eyebrows for emphasis. “I would be a little nervous.”

I don’t like that insinuation, but I don’t know how to counter it, so instead I just say, “We’re here,” and gesture at the mausoleum. It's the largest in the cemetery, its iron grate double doors flanked by stone columns and topped with a bas-relief of a skeleton in repose, draped in a burial shroud.

“It’s a nice mausoleum,” Mary concedes, sitting down beside me on the front step. “Solid.” They brace the wine bottle between their knees as they pull a Swiss army knife with a corkscrew from their jeans pocket.

“I like the view of the Abbey from up here,” I say, then turn my head up toward the sky. “And the stars are really clear tonight.”

The cork makes a satisfying pop as it comes free, and when I look back down, Mary is offering the bottle to me. “Didn’t steal any glasses?” I tease.

“‘Fraid not. But if it offends your delicate sensibilities…” They pull the bottle away from me, bringing it to their lips and turning it up in a long gulp that’s so indelicate, so unsuited to a wine as expensive as this one probably is, that it's downright vulgar.

“Hey! Give me that!”

I wrench the bottle away and take my own–much more civilized–sip to find that yes, this is the good stuff, rich and full-bodied and dark, and absolutely not intended for furtive drinking in a graveyard in the middle of the night.

Slightly horrified that this almost makes it better, I take another, deeper drink before passing the bottle back to Mary.

They drink again, wipe their mouth on the back of their hand, say “Ask me again.”

“What?” 

“Truth or dare. I cheated when I asked you two questions, so this way we’ll be even. Ask me again.”

“Oh.” Mary’s fingers brush against mine as he hands the bottle back to me, and I feel a rush of heat in my cheeks that’s definitely just because I’m a lightweight and the wine is strong and we're drinking so quickly. “Truth or dare.”

“Dare." Mary shoots me a look that’s a dare in and of itself. I’m suddenly, vividly aware of the fact that I can ask them to do anything, and that they’ll do it.

I take another drink to stall for time, trying to think of something good. Then my eyes land  on the chain and padlock holding the mausoleum doors closed. “Break in."

“Break in here?”

“Yeah. I– I’ve always wanted to see what it’s like inside.” It’s not a lie, but it sounds like one, a justification for choosing this dare when I could have asked for something else.

Mary shrugs. “Alright.” He stands, examines the lock briefly before digging around in his pocket again. He does something that I don’t see, and then I hear the metallic snap of the lock opening, and the clink of chain unwinding from around the door handles. "Piece of cake."

I was not expecting it to be that fast, that easy. “Do I even want to know why you’re so good at that?”

“Probably not!” He opens the doors wide and extends a hand to help me to my feet. “Come on, milady. Your tomb awaits.”

“Ew. Can you please never say ‘milady’ ever again?”

The mausoleum is roomier inside than I expected. A little antechamber leads to a wider space, lined with sealed crypts to the left and right. I run my fingers over the carved names—none of which I recognize—and make my way to the small stone bench set against the back wall. I sit there, under the stained glass window depicting the sigil of Lucifer surrounded by panes of red and yellow and orange, and watch Mary approach.

We sit together on that tiny bench, shoulders brushing, thighs pressed against one another from hip to knee, and my cheeks burn to be so close to him here in the gloom. I look down at my hands, suddenly too nervous to return his gaze.

But then they nudge me to get my attention, to hand over the now nearly empty wine bottle, and I do turn to face them. A tumble of dark hair, the right side of their face limned in flame, the moonlight thought the stained glass; the left side of their face lost to shadow. My breath catches in my throat.

When they speak, their voice is soft. "Truth or dare?"

I never choose dare. I've never looked at a risk and seen the potential for fun, only the potential for mishap, for embarrassment. But now, sitting here with Mary, I want to be the kind of person who does. I want to be reckless. I want to hand him control over me, even for a moment, just to see how he choose to wield that power. I want to find out what he would ask me to do, sitting here so close, surrounded by the echoes of our breathing bouncing off the marble walls.

“Truth.” It comes out as a whisper. It comes out as a disappointment.

But to my surprise, Mary doesn’t groan with annoyance. They don’t say anything snide. They just watch me watching them, their green eyes intent and inescapable. My gaze drops down to their lips, to the wide dip of their Cupid's bow. The corner of their mouth twists upward, and then they're asking me, “Just how bad do you want me to kiss you right now?”

"I—" I can barely think through the cresting wave of panic that rolls over me at Mary's words, and at the realization that I'm not denying it, I'm not getting up, I'm not going back to my room, I'm not fleeing back to everything that makes sense. That instead, I'm setting the bottle down by my foot with a tiny clink of glass against marble. I'm leaning in as Mary cups my cheek, thumb running over my jaw, pulling me closer. Everything in me that should be saying no is singing yesyesyes and I—

"Oh, fuck!"

Mary jerks away from me as a beam of light flashes through the window—a flashlight. Before I know what's happening, he's pulling me down off of the bench and to the floor, down out of the line of sight of the window. He tucks us into a space along one wall, flat on the floor, his arms wrapped around me from behind.

"What—"

Mary cuts me off with a hand clamped over my mouth and, when I struggle, shushes me sharply. That's when I hear the footsteps, swishing through the grass as they skirt one wall of the mausoleum and come around to the front. The metal grate of the double doors and the shadows are all that hide us from view.

"Did you see anyone?" Sister Imperator.

A man's voice, muffled, farther away… the groundskeeper, I think? I catch the end of his sentence as he draws closer: "—into the woods?"

A beat, then Sister Imperator again. "No. No, whoever it was, I think they're gone. No need to go tromping out there tonight."

Most of what they say after is lost to me, partially because it sounds like they're moving farther away, out into the cemetery, and partially because I'm finding it hard to focus on anything with Mary touching me.

Their body is a firm line against my back, their breath warm on the nape of my neck. They're still holding one hand over my mouth; their other arm is wrapped around my waist, all strong, lean muscle and sweat-dampened skin against my belly where my shirt has ridden up. I'm buzzy from the wine, and every point of contact feels tingly, electric.

Finally the footsteps recede completely, leaving only the hum of crickets and the sounds of the night outside, and Mary loosens his grip on me. "I think the coast is clear."

I let out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding and roll over onto my back. Mary grins down at me, head propped up on one hand. He leaves the other where my motion left it, resting on my hip right above the waistband of my jeans. His thumb plays idly over my skin.

"Fuck. That was really close." I think of the beam of the flashlight pouring over us through the window. It was pure luck that she didn't see us, or notice that the mausoleum was unlocked, that she didn't push the doors open and find us lying here.

What would she have done? I imagine being called into her office, her fury and disappointment as she kicks me out of the order. Would she do that? Take away everything that I've been working for? And where would I even go, if she did? The thought is terrifying, cutting through the haze of horniness that had crept over me.

"Where were we?" Mary squeezes my hip and leans in close to finish the kiss Sister Imperator interrupted, but I stop him, palm pressed against his chest. The faded logo is soft and cracked under my palm.

"I should probably get back to my dorm."

Furrowed brows, a bitten lip, an expression of almost pained disappointment. Expecting to have to argue my case, I'm surprised when all Mary says is, "Sure. I'll walk you back."

We say nothing as we straighten our disheveled clothes, as Mary chains the mausoleum doors and carefully secures the padlock so that no one would know we were ever there. We cross the cemetery, picking our way through the tombstones, and I struggle to unpick my jumbled thoughts.

I feel like I've fucked up. I feel like I need to find the right thing to say, to fix it. I feel like I'm running out o time. And I can't find my words.

But when I stumble over the same footstone as I did on our way in, Mary silently reaches out and slips their hand into mine, steadying me. And I leave it there.

We stop at the edge of campus, the dormitories just in sight. "I—" I don't know how to say it so that it doesn't sound mean, so that it doesn't sound like a rejection. "I should probably go alone from here."

The rest is unspoken but understood. How bad it would look if someone saw me walking around in the middle of the night with them, holding their hand. The understanding doesn't make me feel any better.

"Okay." Mary gives me a halfhearted smile and squeezes my hand before letting it go. "See you around."

I don't want them to go yet.

"Wait." They turn back, and I search my brain for a reasonable justification for why I called them back, and then I remember. I reach into the pocket of my jeans and find the red lighter from the day we met, hold it out to them, cradled in my palm. "I never gave this back to you."

Mary regards it with a half-smile, then folds my fingers back over the lighter, letting the touch linger. "Why don't you hold onto it for me for a little bit longer?"

And then he leans in and kisses me. It's quick and clumsy and I'm not expecting it, so it catches me on the corner of my mouth, half on my cheek. Imperfect and too fast. I want to try again, to get it right this time, but before I can say anything, Mary is already disappearing back into the night, with a a quick "'Night Sister, see you around." Melding with the shadows like he belongs to them.

My cheeks are burning when I make it back to the oak tree beside my dorm, and as I pull myself up onto the lowest branch, all I can think about is the feeling of Mary's lips on mine.

And then I hear my name called from down below, and my stomach clenches with dread. I instinctively close my eyes, as though not seeing Sister Imperator glaring up at me means that it's not actually happening.

"Could you come down here, please?"

I drop back down to the ground with a muffled thump. My ankle twists uncomfortably on landing, and I bite back a cry of pain and do my best to stand up straight under Sister Imperator's glare. "Care to explain?" she asks.

I stammer out apologies and try to think of a plausible excuse. "I- I know that it's after curfew, but I couldn't sleep because I was worrying about my Latin class, so I decided to— to go for a walk? To calm my nerves?"

She quirks a skeptical eyebrow at me. "Alone?"

"Yes, Sister."

"Did you happen to see anyone else around?" she asks. "Or hear anything strange? There was a report of a scream coming from the cemetery around midnight."

"No, Sister. I wasn't anywhere near the cemetery."

I squirm under her scrutiny, expecting her to call me on my lie, but all she says is, "Well, let's go in through the front door, shall we? No need to sneak in like thieves."

She leads, and I limp behind, sweating with anxiety as we round the building and walk in. I bid her a quick goodnight and head for the stairwell to my floor, but she calls me back.

"I don't like the thought of you wandering around at night. It's not safe, especially for a young woman." She pauses, as though giving me an opportunity to argue, and when I say nothing, continues: "So, to help your stress about your Latin class, I think perhaps you should get some extra tutoring?"

I start to voice my agreement—however reluctant—and assure her that I will stop by one of the weekly review sessions that the other summer students are organizing. But she cuts me off mid-sentence. "I will secure a daily tutor for you. Report to the library tomorrow evening after dinner. They'll meet you there."

A daily tutor? Does she intend to take away all of my free time, what little there is between class, my work duties, my library shifts, and preparation for taking my vows?

Yes, I answer myself, with certainty. She does. And there's nothing I can do about it, nothing I can say other than, "Yes, Sister Imperator."

"Very good." She gives me a flinty smile that holds no mirth but brims with satisfaction. "Sleep well."

I feel her eyes follow me all the way upstairs. I think I feel them even after I've locked the door behind me and crawled back into bed.

But my last thought before I fall asleep isn't about how much trouble I'm in. It's when will I see Mary again?

[royalhausblack]

I miss your one shots. Can you do a small one on the Yule ball… dramione of :)))

Yes, yes, and yes! I haven’t written in far too long, and I can positively say that this has taken me out of retirement. Please let me know if I should extend this little piece of Drabble further ;)

Here goes nothing, please be kind, it’s my first story in months!

••••••

Winner Winner

“I’m glad that you’re taking this a little more seriously than what you originally had said, but tell me why you’re…stressing over it?”

Ginny wasn’t one to make ridiculous observations. No, Ginny was always right about her observations and what they meant.

Often times, this would be a great relief for Hermione - if she ever felt like she needed a truthful explanation or opinion, she knew Ginny was the exact person to get it from. But today, this only made her angry.

“However do you mean, Ginny?” Hermione sighed loudly as she began playing with her hair.

It was the night of the Yule Ball, and Hermione was indeed, stressing. She had agreed to go with Viktor Krum as his date, but only because the person she truly had wanted to go to the Ball with was… well, it doesn’t matter.

“Look at you,” Ginny exacerbated. “You look like you’ve lost your mind! I get that you’re going with none other than Viktor Krum, but surely he liked you before all of this… stuff.” Ginny pointedly look at Hermione whose face had swelled up red in frustration.

Hermione glared at Ginny. But she was right.

“You’re right.”

“I know I am-

“But what if he thinks I’m… you know? Nothing but brains.” Hermione shyly admitted, looking down at the wooden floors in their Gryffindor Common Room. “I mean, he’s now one of the most prominent figures at our school, and everyone thinks he’s so devilishly handsome… what if he doesn’t think I’m pretty enough.”

“Oh ‘Mione. He’d be a real blind prat if he doesn’t see how gorgeous you are - with or without the hair and make up!” Ginny embraced her friend, the smell of strawberry and lavender infiltrated her surroundings and for what felt like the first time that night, Hermione was a little less stressed.

Only a little, she’d say.

Because she’s not talking about her date. She was talking about a very devilishly handsome Hogwarts student who had come back to Hogwarts that year, looking very different and very handsome. Not only had he grown into his pointed nose and striking jawline, but he was now a little less– frustrating. That year, he hadn’t made fun of her, in fact, she would catch him staring at her in class often times. This week, in total, it had been five times. Twice in potions when she had answered a question, once in divination when she was getting her quill from her bag, once during dinner and once in the library.

At first, she had assumed it was nothing but an accident. But it had been happening more and more frequently, and everytime she’d catch him, he’d hold her stare for a second longer and turn away. She couldn’t help that her cheeks started to glow red when this happened and she couldn’t understand why. But, now, she knew.

It was the same way every girl looked at Viktor, she looked at Draco.

She hadn’t told anyone, not even Ginny.

And she certainly couldn’t mention the fact that she had bumped into him, either.

5 days ago.

She had been out in the library late at night, Professor McGonogall had provided her with a pass to access the library past curfew to help Harry with his tasks if need be. As she was leaving the library, she bumped into him. He was wearing his Slytherin uniform, and she remembers his jumper smelling distinctively like rich cologne and peppermint.

“Sorry.” She had muttered, looking up at him as she moved herself away. His cloudy eyes looked deep into her ones, almost as though he was searching them.

“You keep staring at me in class, Granger.” He smirked. Her face had grown red.

“Only because I catch you staring at me first!” She responded through gritted teeth.

His smirk widened and he leaned in, their noses almost brushing, leaving Hermione to gasp at their closeness.

“Oh, yeah? Let’s see who cracks first.”

“What does that even mean?”

His eyes trailed down to her lips and back up to her eyes. She thought he would’ve kissed her, but instead, he walked away - leaving her mind is shambles and her heart racing.

Ever since that day, she was adamant to not look at him, despite feeling his eyes on her. But it failed. She couldn’t help it. And that’s when she started noticing her cheeks feeling hot and heavy when their eyes caught.

“I’ll see you down there, ‘Mione.”

Hermione nodded. She looked at herself once more in the mirror, placed her wand in her sleeve that had an extendable charm, and left to the Ball.

She could hear people chatting and shoes clattering against the tiles, and couldn’t help but smile to herself. He would see her today - in a way he never had before - and that was oddly terrifying but also positively exciting. As she rounded the corner, she bumped into someone.

Rich cologne and peppermint. Again.

She looked up at him, his grey clouds inhabiting his eyes widened - raking over her figure. He looked back up at her and she noticed his cheeks too went a little red.

“Sorry.” He muttered. She took the time to look over his dress robes. He looked dashing, yet like a rich aristocrat who knew he was too good to be in her presence. In saying that, would that kind of person say sorry to her?

She knew she had to be brave and bold. For far too long has he been inhabiting her mind and forcing her to act foolishly around him. She decided to take a leap, but before she could, he leaned in, their noses brushing the time around.

“It’s me.” He whispered to her, his eyes softening for the first time ever. “I’ve cracked.”

And he leant in.

Ha, she thought.

She wins again.

[myplace2fangirl]

Zoey 101 (I took over the show while DS can go sit in a far away cave. I do NOT own anything and this is strictly a fictional perspective if there were a season 5 leading up to the post 15 years reboot). (also, this would be rated TV-14).

All episodes are now 48 minutes instead of 28 (so an hour instead of 30 mins).

PCA 101

Season 5 Episode 1: Its My Party pt 1.

Plot A: With senior year kicking off at Pacific Coast Academy, and a mysterious summer downfall; Zoey is dreading it all. 🙍🏼‍♀️

Plot B: Michael, James Vince, Logan heck even DelFigalo throw a secret guys soirée while Lola and Quinn decide to spy on them.

Season 5 Episode 2: It’s My Party pt 2.

Plot A: Despite Zoeys fallout with her friends, she meets the new guy Ty (Daniel Kelly) and finds comfort in his ways of escape. 🚬🌿

Plot B: After revealing a scandalous game of never have I ever, Quinn and Lola have no choice but to warn Lisa about Michael’s summer secret. 🇫🇷👩🏼‍🦰

Season 5 Episode 3: Turn Out the Light

Plot A: Chase may be in England but what happens when he reunites with an old classmate at Covington Prep? (Kristin Herrera)

Plot B: Logan and Quinn are celebrating their early acceptance into university, but mutually agree to live up their senior year. 🤝🏼❤️🪂

Season 5 Episode 4: I’m Okay

Plot A: Rumors are swirling around PCA about a potential investigation. With Dean Rivers nowhere to be found, there’s been interesting activity on campus.

• Michael Barrett who is now student president of PCA secretly approves incoming freshmen to extend curfew at the “welcome to upper school beach bash.” This leads Dustin finding himself in a pickle when he hits it off with a transfer student without being aware he’s been talking to twins! (Rebecca and Camilla Rosso)

• Zoey Lola and Quinn have a girls night in, only for Zoey to sneak out with Ty while his roommates are out.

• Ending scene goes back to England where Dana and Chase are in his room catching up on life. They kiss, the episode ends.

Season 5 Episode 5: Don’t Know Why

Plot A: Things between Logan and Quinn have been nothing but amazing, until the week of required sex education. One’s curious while the other wants to but is deep down nervous.

Plot B: Lola has been hiding her early acceptance into Juliard. What happens when Vince finds out before she tells him?

Plot C: Chase tell’s Michael about his senior fling with Dana, but swears it remains between the 2 of them.

Season 5 Episode 6: She’s No You

Plot A: Zoey Brooks is the girl who has it all together. Everyone goes to her, she’s that “it” girl, and guys would kill to be her plus 1! This years been turned upside down. After Quinn finds a pregnancy test in their trash can, she confronts a fatigued looking Zoey and encourages her to go to the clinic down PSH. (Ty should probably get himself checked too)

Plot B: Logan warns Dustin that dating twins behind each others backs is wrong and that it won’t end well. Will Dustin take his advice, or will Monica and Lauren find out first?

Minisodes:

1: Quogan study session plus too many! (9 minutes)

Quinn and Logan are wrapping up on studying for their midterms, but afterwards Logan has planned a cozy movie night for the 2 of them. Maybe the lounge wasn’t a wise idea? Lights are out at 10, but soon comes Lola, Michael, Ty and Vince! What Quinnvention is going to be revealed to get them out of this ordeal? 😉

2: And this years Homecoming king and queen is…🇬🇧 (9 minutes)

Covington Preparatory School has homecoming! Chase and Dana have been enjoying each other’s company while he’s trying to move on from Zoey and she’s up for whatever adventure. Though the 2 go together as a casual couple neither were expecting to be crowned King and Queen! Dana reveals in her speech that Chase is the greatest guy there ever is and she’s lucky to have reconnected with him for their last year of high school.

Though they enjoy each other’s company, they reveal to each other during their dance that it’s best to remain close friends and part ways romantically. Both mutually in agreement they dance the night away! 😊

3. iwonacontest (iCarly crossover) (10 minuktes)

Stacey Dillsen and the butterfly she is has won a contest through Carly Shay and Sam Pucketts web sensational art contest. There’s just 1 problem: Stacey is locked in the bathroom. The live video chat is in 10 minutes!!! But fear not Mark DelFigalo to the rescue! Until she can get out Carly Sam and Spencer get to talk with Mark! “Wait iCarly? What am I supposed to say? I don’t know anything about it.” 🤣

As I said, this is all strictly fictional and in no way real. I plan on doing episodes 7-14 at some point but I wanted to connect this with the sequel as best as possible. How else would Danielle have known about Dana? I think if Chase returned to Covington, and Dana studying over seas is a fair connection 😉

I don’t really want to add any real drama between Logan and Quinn as they lasted 15 years…this is more about them navigating their new chapter as a teenage couple. The drama is all saved for Zoey. And adding a new male character (I used to love Owen Milligan on Degrassi) who’s more of an escape rather than a love interest spices things up!

As much as I loved Micheal and Lisa I think like many teenage boys, it’s fair to have him make a big error over the summer and have to learn from it. (He definitely had a fling with a random French girl while doing a summer program). Lisa still thrived and is the sweet boss she is though 😉 plus his time to shine is seen all over campus as the student president!

Dustin…he’s gonna have to figure this one or two out. Lol.

Lola and Vince don’t last, but that’s okay because they kinda had their time to shine season 4 and are headed separate ways.

Stacey and Mark are strictly side characters who pop up quite a bit throughout the season.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments! But please be respectful and appropriate 🙂

[incrediblyaccuratethoughts]

A little Spiderman Crack as a treat :)

The problem with Mr. Stark never letting himself be handed anything, is that Peter becomes the one to which things are handed.

Which, normally is all good with him.

But when he's holding 4 data pads, a cup of coffee, his laptop, and his backpack is barley dangling by one shoulder… yeah. Peter seriously considers extending the 'do not hand' rule to himself by proxy.

The issue today is that his badge was tucked into his front pocket about twenty floors down by innocent, nieve Peter who thought he could just ‘run through RND real quick’.

Rookie mistake.

Peter studies the elevator door in front of him with resignation.

Normally, Friday would open it for him without even having to be asked.

However, after an incident with his spider silk, a bucket of oil, about half an hour of sleep, and seventeen fully functional, miniature replicas of Dummy, Peter got his ‘ask Friday for inane shit’ privileges taken for the week.

He'd like to say that the punishment didn't match the crime, but he still had full access to his lab, his projects, and anything else he could want in the tower. So really, he got let off lightly.

If only he'd realized how often he called on Friday before then. They say that you don't realize how much you use something until it's gone.

So here Peter is, balefully staring at the little red LED on the keypad that unlocks the elevator that'll take him to his lab.

There's an obvious solution here, but if he does it, he'll have one more thing added to ‘Peter's Folder of Mildly Embarrassing Moments, Brought to you by Friday Herself’.

But on the other hand, he's only got so much time to finish the project he started yesterday before he needs to head home for curfew.

With a heaving sigh, Peter decides he can suffer one more moment of humiliation, and jumps awkwardly to hip check the machine.

…the machine that promptly makes the tell-tale crunching sound of breaking plastic.

Dammit.