#Family Overnight at the Zoo

[pop-punklouis]

wanted to ask your opinion on the chappel roan tiktoks she made the other day about fame and boundaries. i know a lot of people are siding with her, but i just feel like she could've been nicer about what she said...? i get that she had this crazy rise in fame the past few months. and i dont know how i would respond to that change, but to be upset bc fans want to take photos with you and to be so rude about it bc you're on "your time" just???. idk i feel like im in the minority here

i think you're missing the entire point of her message, babe. you're choosing to focus on the "taking pictures with fans" part of her rant instead of what she was really talking about, which is the harassments and objectifications she's been the victim of due to this meteoric rise to fame. she was not saying you couldn't come up and ask her for a photo. she was saying, if she told a fan "no" that some fans have immediately called her rude and tried to start an agenda about her being ungrateful and harsh in person. she was never talking about nice fan interactions. she was most definitely talking about every other interaction she's gotten that has been. inhumane

regardless, why should she be nicer about... anything... she was talking about? i'm tired of the parasocial and chronically online dictating how celebrities must react to fame and to their fans. harassment, stalking, manipulation, condescension.... these do not have to be synonymous with fame because hey! people don't have to treat other human beings like they're caged animals in a zoo! because they! signed up for this lifestyle! those aren't normal things and no one should expect someone to just. adapt to those things like it is. she can be as mean as she wants, dude. i don't blame her

why are people stalking her family? why are people pushing her boundaries? why are people pretending like her very valid and raw critique of how she's been treated since she went uber-viral are actually her "showing her true colors" and being "unappreciative" for what she chose to do for a living? like she stated in her videos, you don't know her. she doesn't know you. it is not normal to pretend like you do and to interact with her like you do. tiktok has made this parasocial relationship with celebrities worse than i ever could've imagined and we are seeing the darker side of it with chappel roan right now because she is being vocal about it. it's overwhelming. it's very abnormal. and it should be discussed more.

these people don't owe you anything. it's one thing to be ungrateful for what fans have given you. its another thing to feel like you are living in a fish bowl because people are treating you like a commodity instead of a living, breathing human being. i'm all for more celebrities drawing a harsh line in the sand when it comes to their personal life and their public persona. you are not obligated to their time no matter how much you feel you are. i cannot imagine becoming a practical overnight-sensation like she has the past summer. i would go absolutely insane on day three. so, why don't people turn on their dome piece and think for two seconds about how irrational and brainless it is to be upset that she "could've said :( things nicer :(" and she needs to be "more :( grateful :( otherwise :( she's not cut out :( for fame :(" liiiiike. no perhaps its you that needs to reevaluate how you treat other human beings depending on if they have the label "celebrity" over their head and go from there!

because what she said is something that's needed to be said for a long, long time regarding celebrity culture i just hate it's happening to her on such a scale that she needed to say it at all.

[tokiwarcube]

Hello, I love your writing and hope you're doing well <3

Could you write hc's about Toki before dethklok got famous? Like in his flashback in Doomstar Requiem? Preferably with a reader that's very supportive of him and always goes to his concerts in shitty venues to cheer him on.

Aww, thank you so much! This week has been incredible — very tiring, but incredible all the same. And it’s been nice to come back to the hotel (or in this case, hang out in the airport) and work on fun requests like these! Below the cut! <3

Fresh out of Norway, Dethklok was nothing short of a dream come true for Toki. He doesn’t believe in God, but this is the closest thing he’s ever felt to divine intervention. That doesn’t even graze the gratefulness he feels for you — he can’t even begin to string together how much you and your unwavering presence mean to him.

He lives for the crowd, whether it be a shitty dive bar or… well, a less shitty dive bar. But frankly, this is his first time ever doing this — he’s gone from complete isolation to performing in front of others basically overnight, and he’d be lying if it wasn’t a little nerve-wracking. Especially when the crowd isn’t feeling it quite yet — there always seems to be a few people at the barrier who are clearly just there for the next band, and it can feel pretty damn crushing. But then he looks over at you, grinning and cheering for him under the neon lights, and suddenly he feels like he could do anything.

(He hates the idea of you tabling for this very reason — because yes you’re pretty, and funny, and you’d probably sell a damn-good amount of merch just by being you… but if he can’t see you in the crowd, he’s not quite the same on stage. And it definitely bleeds through into his performance, and his behavior after the show. He needs his number one fan!)

You’ve gotta keep him from throwing his pick at you every night. You have him — the fans can have a pick or two.

He always links hands with you after shows — hell, he’ll bring you into fan photos if you feel comfortable with it. You might not be on stage, but you're just as much of a band member as he is at this rate.

He begged you to come with them on their first tour — they were only opening for some other band, but still, they’re touring! And despite your better judgement, against the advice of your family and coworkers, love won out… and off you went. And the van was cramped, sure, and the food wasn’t exactly great; and yet, it was the most magical thing you had ever experienced.

(The memories still glimmer sweetly in your mind over a decade later, and even today, he still has all of the photos he took saved.)

It’s fun taking him to weird little American places — doesn’t matter what state you go to, there’s always something new and novel. His eyes light up just about every time you take him somewhere new, and honestly, it never gets old. He always has a myriad of questions, too. Doesn’t matter if its a national landmark or a fast food truck — he will have questions.

He’s particularly interested in zoos and animal sanctuaries, though. The first time he saw one of the big cats, he damn near vibrated out of his skin. You’ve gotta hold his hand pretty tightly so he doesn’t get too close to the leopards and jaguars when they start to chirp and meow in his direction.

He gets a very far-off look in his eyes listening to their stories sometimes, particularly as sanctuaries and rescues, but still, he always asks the keeper if you can just stay a few more minutes to watch them. Hand in yours, sat cross-legged on the ground, with nothing but fondness in his eyes.

(In modern times, you have to keep him from buying a big cat. He doesn’t forget the stories he was told, but he does think he’s different, and it’s a Herculean struggle to remind him otherwise.)

He experiments with fashion quite a bit, with… varying success. Truly, love knows no bounds. However, he does find that he does really like having facial hair after seeing how you smile against his lips when his hair tickles you just a bit.

He genuinely lives for your touch, to the point where he can’t really sleep without you at night anymore! But in the beginning, he was very nervous about initiating on his own. He would eat up anything you threw his way — even brushing by him in the cramped as fuck van is electric, to him.

He always asks you to tell him stories at night — anything will do (he loves to hear you speak), but he likes happy stories about you the most.

He loves holding your hand at night, gazing at you under the fluorescent street lights — they’ve become an odd little piece of your shared life, funnily enough. The dying streetlamp outside of your apartment, the highway lights as the boys drive the van around the country… it’s a simple thing, but their shine has lit up more than just the night for Toki.

[diazsdimples]

Writing Patterns!

Rules: list the first line of your last 10 (posted) fics and see if there's a pattern!

Tagged by @exhuastedpigeon @wikiangela @cal-daisies-and-briars @rainbow-nerdss @tizniz @puppyboybuckley @spotsandsocks @thekristen999 @hippolotamus and @aroeddiediaz thank you loves!

Starting from most to least recent.

You've got me whipped (Explicit, 10.8k)

It had only been a matter of time, Eddie reflects, before Buck did something really stupid. He’s heard all about the days of Buck 1.0, where Buck was very much act first, think later, and Hen had given him a thorough retelling of how Buck had scaled a crane after Eddie had been shot, imminent sniper threat be damned, but this is the first time he’s seen Buck go completely, well, Buck, and put himself into an insane amount of danger.

In a drought I'll give you water (Explicit, 8.2k)

Eddie’s hanging out the washing when he notices it. Just for the record, it’s not like he regularly inspects Buck’s underwear, thank you very much, but he’d felt something tacky on the inside of the flimsy fabric when he’d been about to peg it up, and had investigated like any sane person would do.

Kilty Pleasures (Explicit, 8k)

When Eddie had suggested that he and Buck attend a Scottish festival he’d seen advertised, he hadn’t really expected Buck to take him up on the offer, much less turn up at home two days later with two kilts and a shit eating grin.

With you I'm home (Teen, 20.6k) - WIP

“Daddy.” “Hmmm, go t’ sleep, Aid.” “Daddy, up!” “Five more minutes.” “Up now, Daddy!”

Play me like a fiddle (Explicit, 34k) MY BELOVED MUSICIAN FIC

Eddie Diaz likes to think he is a strong man. Physically and mentally.

Buck's Baby (By Accident) (General, 119k)

Buck had just gotten off a long 24-hour shift and was finally relaxing on his couch, beer in hand and TV set to a station that showed crappy reality shows. The shift had been taxing, with the alarm going off all night for various medical calls and then a five-alarm fire that had taken a few hours to get under control. Bobby’s dinner had cheered him up a little and had gotten him through the drive home, but he’d been relieved to finally pull up in the parking lot of his apartment building. Buck had the next 3 days off and planned to spend those days doing as little as possible. He’d organised to meet Eddie and Christopher at the zoo the next day, but the meeting had been organised for late enough in the afternoon that he could sleep in. Hen was going on a brief holiday with Karen for their anniversary and Chimney had made it clear that he and Maddie were not to be disturbed as they were trying for a baby and apparently Maddie was in her fertile time. Buck screwed up his nose as he remembered how thrilled his brother-in-law had seemed at the idea of a weekend of sex with his sister. It was not something he needed to think of right now.

Fucking Finally (Finally Fucking) (Explicit, 3.9k)

The car ride to the hotel felt much longer than it was, mostly because Eddie was fighting the urge to shove his hands down Buck’s pants that second. It was clear Buck was fighting similar urges as he fidgeted in the passenger seat, glancing over at Eddie and biting his lip every so often. When they pulled into the parking lot, Eddie quickly grabbed an overnight back he’d stashed in the back seat.

Burning with Need (Explicit, 3.8k)

The hot July sun was beating down on Buck’s bare back as him and Eddie hiked through Franklin Canyon Park, enjoying one of the few days off that aligned for them. It was a weekday, so Christopher was at school and, being bored and childless, the two men had decided that a hike was exactly the right activity to pass the time. They’d driven through Beverly Hills to get to the bottom of the trails, wistfully staring at the lavish homes and comparing notes on what they’d buy for their family if they had that much money. Eddie, it seemed, went for the more understated homes, generally single story with a large backyard, whereas Buck was of the mind of the more rooms the better, picking out large sprawling mansions that Eddie claimed would be an absolute nightmare to clean.

In sickness and in health (General, 3.7k)

When Eddie woke up with a pounding headache and a nose full of snot, he knew he was fucked. He wasn’t generally one to get sick, something he put down to his immune system constantly getting small doses of exposure to viruses between his job and parenting an elementary-school aged child, but when he did fall ill, he fell hard. He blearily creaked open an eyelid, squinting as the morning light filled his room, and fumbled with his phone to switch off his alarm. Flopping against his pillows, Eddie let out a load groan which quickly transformed into a hacking cough. Deep down he knew there was no way he was going to manage to get to work that day but he pulled back the covers and pushed himself off the bed regardless. He barely got two steps before the room spun sickeningly and he had to grasp his dresser to keep himself upright. With a sigh, Eddie accepted defeat and dragged himself back to bed, pulling up Bobby’s number as he settled back against the pillows, wiping his nose with the back of his hand as he did so.

Your Hands on my Body (Explicit, 1.9k)

Buck stood under the cold blast of the shower in Eddie’s bathroom, willing his erection to subside. It was the first morning in 3 weeks of staying with his friend that he’d woken up with morning wood, all because of a dream he’d had about Eddie. Buck wasn’t usually one to have sexy dreams about his friends and this one had him unusually hot and bothered. He could feel his heartbeat pulsing in his groin as his erection jutted proudly out from his body. When he first got into the shower, Buck had had full intentions of drowning himself with cold water and willing his erection away, but it looked as though that wasn’t going to happen. It almost seemed that the more he tried to ignore it, the harder he got. He tried firmly to not think of Eddie but all he could see in his mind’s eye was Eddie in the ocean, water dripping from his torso, his swimming trucks delicately cradling his package in a way that made Buck’s mouth water.

My writing style has changed SO MUCH. I have 2 eras, the before Buck's Baby era and the after Buck's Baby era and I really learned how to 1. be more concise and 2. where the enter button on my keyboard was adkjhashkdj. Recently I've been going for short starting sentences it seems.

Tagging some mutuals if you want to do it!

@theotherbuckley @daffi-990 @watchyourbuck @disasterbuckdiaz @bucksbackwardcap @fortheloveofbuddie @jesuisici33 @steadfastsaturnsrings @wildlife4life @evanbegins @slightlyobsessedwitheverything @spagheddiediaz @kitteneddiediaz @elvensorceress @alliaskisthepossibilityoflove @smilingbuckley @actuallyitsellie @epicbuddieficrecs @sunflowerdiaiz

[vintage-retro-queen]

Paris Reacts to Too Brutal? Yeah, Right

Akuma Class

Another weekend was among the students in Caline Bustier's class.

However, they were outside instead of being indoors watching the show. Ever since they started watching the show and started talking about it nonstop. When their families heard that, they believed that they were watching too much TV and being on their devices too much, and told them that they needed to lay off from the shows and do something else. As a result, the parents confiscated their electronic devices and unplugged every single device's plugs, and Max's mother even confiscated Markov, even though Markov surprisingly and shockingly (to Max) didn't mind and offered to help her with her studies to become an astronaut, they were sent to the great outdoors, and were told to avoid all screens of any kind.

The class was already feeling down about their stuff being taken away, and they couldn't watch the show; they were all now at the park, sulking and feeling the void of boredom. "Man dude, I can't believe we're stuck out." Nino complained. "Think of what next challenge Marinette is doing that we're missing." Alix complained.

They tried to fill the void of their boredom by going to their usual hang-out places to try and forget about what they were missing out on. At the zoo, at the shopping district, and some restaurants.

When school resumed, they all arrived at their temporary school, which they were told to attend while their school was still under investigation. They noticed many students talking about the same show they were supposed to watch: Total Drama Island.

"Did you see how Harold dodged them? He's already got me interested in taking figure skating myself."

"Yeah, and I didn't know that she learned all of those moves with her mom. That was awesome!"

"Who knew that a chained-kunai was almost thrown at her. Talk about a shocker."

"I wonder who will win that girl's heart in the show?"

"What?! They watched the show, too?!" Kim said in disbelief, feeling jealous. "I'm already hating my dad for this. My brother even said that it was "For my own good." Yeah, right, like he would know. They don't understand how it feels to have a friend who's in a reality TV show and is probably already getting famous overnight!" Alix complained.

As the Akuma Class sulked, whined, groaned, and complained about how it was unfair for them not to watch the show to see Marinette, Adrien feels more upset that his father has not been talking to him after that demand to get in contact with Marinette last week. After his father found out that he told Marinette to take the "high road" and tell her that lies were not hurting anybody, the two were on their separate ways ever since then, his father had no other choice but to try and get in contact with the girl himself. Since then, he shuts out Adrien until he learns of his mistakes.

Adrien swallows his pride and tries to be the lovable "sunshine boy," taking his high-road advice and trying to flow past it. He still hopes that Marinette will see the error of her ways, come home, and be the "everyday Ladybug" she was supposed to be.

However, he started to feel a harsh chill down his spine from a pair of furious and death/venging-looking eyes, glaring holes behind his head.

Celebrities + Friends and Family (+ ??? & ???)

It was the weekend once again for the friends, families, and celebrities of Paris, France.

After Jagged got his order from the bakery, he talked to Tom and Sabine about how Marinette was doing amazing in the show. They told him they agreed and knew since they had watched the show as well. After learning that, Jagged invited them to watch the show with him and the other celebrities, and they accepted the invitation. And when they brought along the other families, Jagged was glad. As the saying goes, the more, the merrier.

Where they all got together in the hotel, ready to watch the newest episode of Total Drama Island. When they called her on WhatsAppening, Luka, Jagged, Penny, Clara, Ali, Tom, Sabine, and the rest of Marinette's friends were happy to know that Marinette was up and better than ever.

After their talk, they hear one of the wunderkind celebrities telling everyone that the show is on. They turn on the TV, and the show starts.

"Last time, on Total Drama Island, the Screaming Gophers kicked butt in the Awake-a-thon, when Duncan took a snooze on the can, and the Killer Bass took their second loss in a row...harsh. Heather orchestrated the first Total Drama Island Alliance by convincing Lindsay and Beth to join forces with her, then pocketed Eva's MP3 player and sat back to watch the fireworks. Nicely played, Heather, nicely played." "Honestly, that was just low, even for her," Aurore said, with Mireille nodding in agreement. "Even though Eva could've pretty much kicked anyone's butt here, in the end, it was her temper that got her kicked off. She became the second camper to rock the Boat of Losers." "But at least Marinette and Lucy made her day better." Zoe pointed out, with everyone nodding and talking in agreement. "Who will break the rules of their new alliance? Will Lucy and Marinette be able to stay awake until the end of the episode? And who will take the next humiliating walk down the Dock of Shame? Stay tuned for the most dramatic campfire ceremony yet on Total Drama Island."

After watching the usual theme, they watched the Screaming Gophers looking happy and full of energy, enjoying their morning meal, while the Killer Bass looked like they didn't get a brink of sleep, which, of course, they obviously didn't get. That was until they watched as the camera cut to a sleeping Duncan. "Duncan." Duncan looks up to see Chris walking to their table. "You look like death, dude," he said. "Stick it," Duncan said before heading back to sleep. "Harold snored all night," Courtney explained. Chris laughed, "Wow, four nights with no sleep. How much are you hurting, dude?" "Wanna find out?" Duncan asked, causing his team to duck and cover to avoid what would happen. "No, no. It's cool. It's cool." "Man, four nights? That's crazy." one of the wunderkind celebrities said.

"Yeah, well, they were doing the Awake-a-thon for a while." another one said. That was until they saw Harold walking into the main lodge with a markered mustache drawn on his face. As they watched him sit down, they watched as the rest of the Killer Bass looked at him oddly and then started laughing. "Okay, what?" Harold asked. Geoff then said to him, "Someone messed with your face, dude." Harold then grabbed a spoon to see his reflection and then saw what Geoff was talking about. "Hey, sweet stache," he said. Chris then gets everyone's attention. "Hey, everyone, it's Lucy and Marinette!" the Screaming Gophers, celebrities, friends, and families cheered as they watched as Lucy and Marinette both walked into the main lodge, looking more exhausted than from the last challenge. When the two sat down, Marinette crossed her arms on the table, resting her head and closing her eyes while Lucy rested her head on her hands. They all then watch Lucy's confessional.

"Boy, even for the first time in the past two years at the ages of five and six, I stood up, not only just nights but days too. Man, I wish my friends were here to see it. But I still didn't think I would stay up for that long." "I'm sure they're very proud of you, Lucy." one of the actresses said happily. "I always wonder what friends she had back when she was young?" one of the musicians said, feeling curious about what kind of friends Lucy had that helped her gain the ability to stay up longer than ever. "Who knows? Whoever they are, they must've been very good friends." another actor said, proudly crossing his arms, feeling proud of Lucy. Everyone else agreed, not paying attention to Courtney's confessional or Heather explaining the rules to Beth and Lindsay. After agreeing, they hear Heather talking aloud to the Killer Bass, getting both their and the watchers' attention.

"Hey, fish-heads, way to kick out your strongest player. Why don't you just give up now?" Heather then moved over, making Courtney miss, and threw the oatmeal at Lucy's face. "Missed me," she said, causing Courtney to glare at her. They then watched as Lucy raised her hand to Courtney, telling her tiredly, "Don't worry about it. I had worse things thrown at me anyway." she then finished her sentence yawning, "Such as... a chained...kunai." Lucy's head then plops down on the table and falls asleep, snoring loudly, not even aware of the campers, sans a sleeping Marinette, looking at her with shocked and disbelief looks on their faces. Additionally, the shocked and disbelief looks on the faces of all the celebrities, friends, and families.

"D-did-did Lucy just say what I think she said?" one of the celebrities stuttered. "I think she did." another one muttered. Just then, Lucy's confessional got their attention. "I know what I just said. And sadly, yes, it's true." They all became shocked to hear that Lucy said that it was true. "It happened in the second week of my first year of high school. Most of my former schoolmates, who, by the way, were rivals to each other. They were labeled what my old school calls them 'The Sides'." Lucy says, air quoting the words The Sides. "Well, that's an odd name for a group of rivals." one of the celebrities commented. "They were all fighting about something that I don't know what, but frankly, I don't even want to know why and what they were even fighting about in the first place. But anyway, at the time they were arguing, and it then started a fight and a food fight at the same time. One of them then threw the chained kunai at one of the rivals, but it missed, and instead, aimed at me." They became even more shocked and worried than ever hearing that. But Lucy continued before they could say anything. "But not directly aiming at my face," hearing that made them relieved and confused at the same time. "The chained kunai only missed me by an inch and instead slapped my face." Lucy rubs the left side of her face, remembering that. "Ouch. That must've stung." another one of the actors said. "It really smarted, and it got me so mad that it caused me to snap and make a scene in front of everyone, angrily screaming and scolding them to knock it off and tell them that's someone could've been hurt or injured or worse." 

"I can understand that," Tom said. "Sabine explained to me that she was in the same complicated issue once when she was in school." "It's true. The school I was in was through the same issue as Lucy's." Sabine admits. "They were rivals too, they even fight a lot as well, and this one girl snapped and gave everyone a harsh lecture. And I do mean very harsh. So harsh that it made everyone realize that they could've hurt a friend or relative, and they could've been written up again like they always do. But thanks to her, they stopped, and the teachers came. They got written up again, were given detention, and one of them was told to apologize for slapping the girl in the face." Everyone understood that the Dupain-Chengs knew how Lucy felt when it came to lecturing kids to knock off whatever was happening on school grounds and continued watching the confessional. "When I finished giving a harsh scolding lecture, I left the cafeteria and ended up having the rest of my lunch break at the school library." "Bummer," one of the wunderkind singers said, feeling pity for Lucy having lunch in the library. "Well, you can't blame her for trying to cool off from giving a harsh lecture." Sabine said, with Tom nodding in agreement.

"When lunch was over, and we were heading to our next class, I was at my locker, getting what I needed and saw the same chained kunai in there with a note saying they were sorry for throwing it at me." "Ah, a peace offering. Although, I don't think giving her the same chained kunai that was thrown at her would count." "Oh, I'm sure she was fine with it. The girl that was at my school had a chained kunai as a peace offering too. It was the same chained kunai that was thrown at her. I guess the one who threw it must've wanted to give it to her as an apology." "Well, you can't blame them for wanting to make it up to her after accidentally throwing it at her." Nadja says with a shrug.

"Even though I accepted the apology and appreciated the peace offering gift, I'm still mad at the betapunks with their rivalry and the one who threw it while they were fighting." "Told ya that would catch on," Jagged said to Penny, looking at her with a smug look. "Know-it-all," she says, smiling and rolling her eyes playfully. They all then watch as Lucy starts to glare daggers, looking directly at the camera. "Yeah, that's right." She then points at the camera while looking more tired than before, letting out a couple of yawns, "I'm talking to you, Han...zo Scor...Ha....sa....shi." Lucy then fell face first, pushing the outhouse-confessional door open while she was asleep again. "You know, normally, most celebrities always never say a person's name on live T.V., but I believe I can understand why she would say the name of the person who threw the chained kunai at her." Nadja explained. Everyone started to agree with her on why Lucy said the name of the person on T.V. "You know, it is kinda odd that the girl in your school and Lucy have the same experience." one of the journalists said to Sabine, sipping on his coffee. "Yeah, talk about deja vu." said one of the interns. "I'm sure it's just a coincidence," said Tom. They then continued to watch the show. "Okay, campers, listen up." Chris announced, "Your next challenge begins in ten minutes, and be prepared to bring it."

They then watched as the scene cuts to the location of the campers' next challenge, which looks like a gym. They then noticed as they saw Marinette and Lucy, now fully awake, with cups of Starchild's Coffee in their hands. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Where the heck did those two get coffee from Starchild's?!" one of the wunderkind celebrities asked, looking surprised. They then hear Marinette talk to Lucy. "I'm surprised your family sent us some coffee, Lucy," Marinette said, sipping her coffee. "Yeah, well, sometimes my three uncles, auntie, and pop-pop always worry about my well-being. It's been that way since I was six," said Lucy. "Oh, that's where they got them from." another wunderkind celebrity said, understanding. "Wait, three uncles, auntie, and pop-pop...Oh! She's talking about her honorary family members. Okay, that makes sense." another one says, knowing who Lucy was talking about. They then watched another confessional from Lucy's while she was sipping on her coffee.

"Not gonna lie, I didn't think my family would be watching me. Even though we're a traditional family." "Traditional family?" "You don't think she means by..." "But not like that. It's just that we don't do technology." "Oh, okay. I was almost gonna say something else, but that's different, yet it makes perfect sense." "Well, except my three uncles, auntie, and pop-pop, maybe, but still. My family doesn't use technology like everyone else, such as watching television or having cell phones." "No wonder why Lucy doesn't have a social media account." Jagged said, now understanding why Lucy never had a social media account or two in the beginning. They all watch as Lucy continues on with her confessional.

"Although we only have a telephone that we use now and then, but that's all we have in our household." "Well, that explains how they take our phone calls from time to time." "Yeah, but I wonder if they ever have an answering machine is the question." "Heck, we even have two computers for school and work. Just school and work only and nothing more. I don't use the computers, honestly. Personally, I prefer doing my work by hand. The only people who use those computers are my mother and her sister, who is my aunt on her side of the family. They are the only ones in my whole family tree who use them for their work." "Well, that's Lucy being Lucy." "Yeah, she even does a great job on every handwriting the world has these days. Print, pre-cursive, cursive, heck, she even does a lot of the fonts the document writing sites ever have." "And it's surprising to know that it is only her mother and aunt who use the computers the most." "And whenever we're not at home, you have to go out to London and find a phone booth just to make a phone call or two." "Well, that certainly explains why I keep hearing a busy crowd in the background sometimes." after Lucy sipped on her coffee again, she continued talking and said, "But it was still nice of them to send Nettie and me some coffee." Lucy then looks directly at the camera, smiling, looking grateful. "Thanks, guys. I owe you one," she said, thanking her three uncles, aunt, and pop-pop. "It's nice to know that her family helps her whenever there is something needed." "Yes, and it was very nice of them to send her and Marinette some coffee." Sabine said, with Tom, Gina, and Roland nodding in agreement.

They continued watching as they saw Duncan planking on the benches. "Wake me up, and it'll be the last thing you'll do," he warns. "I don't think we're even going to," Lucy said, making the Screaming Gophers and the Killer Bass look at her odd. "What? I was like that once," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "Some people who I rather have nameless tried to force me to get up and join them on something I don't want to explain what, and I may have accidentally given each of them a black eye to leave me alone." the campers looked at her surprised, but understood since she did it in self-defense. All of the celebrities, families, and Marinette's friends were surprised that Lucy did that when some students were trying to wake her up for something that she didn't want to do. That was until they watched Marinette's confessional.

"I can understand that. My dad told me once that my mom was like that since this one time back when she was a teenager, someone was forcing her to get up and join them to train on something." "It's true. I was there. After that, they all looked like they just escaped from a serious crime scene," Tom admitted, with Sabine shrugging her shoulders and nodding, meaning that she admitted that it was true. "I guess it's true what they say. Some people will get cranky when they don't get their sleep." Marinette sips her coffee and says, "And it might be best to let them sleep, or else you will face the consequences." "You said it, Marinette," said Aurore.

After that, they watch as Courtney starts to scold Harold. "This is all your fault, you know?" she said, "You and your snoring face." "It's called a medical condition. Gosh!" said Harold. Suddenly, the celebrities all looked not so surprised when they saw Lucy grabbing Courtney and Harold by the ear, glaring at the two. "Less arguing, more focusing on what the challenge is." she snarled, with a hint of venom in her tone. Hearing Lucy scold Courtney and Harold caused more campers to shudder in fear of seeing an angry Lucy. All but Marinette, who seems to be used to it. They all then watch another one of Marinette's confessionals.

"I don't like to talk down on others, but with all due respect and in all honesty, Courtney should've kept the accusation to herself. Including Harold with his excuse. Even if it is true or not. Then they won't have to deal with an angry scolding from Lucy." "Hm, harsh, but true," Tomoe commented. "Yeah, but I still feel like someone was the one who manipulated her into learning that before heading over to Muskoka," Aren said, causing people to look at her, shocked and surprised. "How can you tell?" asked Socqueline. "No, she's right. It does feel like she was told to keep her mouth shut against her will." "Well, whoever it is told her, they're so dead when I find out who it was!" Jagged said, with fury filled in his eyes. "I'd save that for the lawsuits, Mr. Stone." Socqueline looks at Marinette with worry and pity, feeling like she failed to protect her more.

After seeing Lucy let go of both Courtney and Harold, they all hear a whistle blow and see that it was Chef, dressed as a referee. Chris then explains the challenge to the campers. "Today's challenge is the classic game of dodgeball." they see Lucy smile, looking impressed. "Ah, a basic sports game. Nice," she said. Chris continues. "The first rule of dodgeball is-" "Do not talk about dodgeball?" Noah asks, cutting off Chris's sentence and making Owen laugh at the smartmouth question. Chris then continues again, "If you get hit with the dodgeball..." Chris then throws the dodgeball at Courtney, hitting her. 

"You're out." "You can't just do that!" Courtney said, throwing the dodgeball at him. He then catches the dodgeball and continues, "If you catch the ball, the thrower gets sent out, and the catcher gets to bring another member out on the court." "Throwing balls. Gee, another mentally challenging test," said Noah. "I know, right?" Lindsay asked, butting in a bit. "Okay, now, Geoff, try to hit Lucy," Chris said, throwing a dodgeball to Geoff while Chef tossed another one to Lucy. "If you're holding a ball, you can use it to deflect a ball. But if it knocks the ball out of your hands, you're out." Chris explains. "So what do I do again when the ball comes at me?" asked Lindsay. "You dodge," Chris said. As Geoff threw the ball at Lucy, she used the dodgeball to deflect it, which headed over to Lindsay, hitting her on the head and making the others gasp. Chris and Lucy wince from that. Even the celebrities, families, and Marinette's friends winced from seeing that on television. "Ooh, you were supposed to dodge," said Chris. "Ow.. right," Lindsay said, rubbing her forehead, which showed a big bruise. "Ouch," one of the wunderkind celebrities said, as the rest of them looked shocked and surprised. "You have one minute until game time." Chris said, then turning to the Screaming Gophers, "Gophers, you'll have to sit one person out each game."

After some campers sat out, D.J., Courtney, Katie, Tyler, and Harold were on the Killer Bass team. Meanwhile, Heather, Lindsay, Owen, Leshawna, and Cody are on the Screaming Gophers team. "Bring it on, fishies," Heather said. "Otherwise winning three in a row just won't be as satisfying." "Oh, you're going down!" said Tyler. "We're gonna bring the dinner on the table, and then we're gonna eat it!" Courtney facepalms when Tyler finishes making that not-making-any-sense sentence. "That doesn't even make any sense." one of the famous writers complimented. "Both teams ready? Best of five games wins." Chris says, "Now let's dodge some ball!" When Chef blew his whistle, the game of dodgeball was on, and the sitting campers cheered their teams on. Cody then throws the dodgeball first, aiming at Tyler, but misses. This causes Tyler to throw his dodgeball at him, but instead, the dodgeball accidentally hits Sadie.

All of the celebrities, families, and friends winced and cringed from seeing that. "That'll smear the makeup," Chris commented. "You're doing your best, Tyler! That's all that matters!" Marinette yelled from the Screaming Gophers side. Luka, Tom, and Sabine smiled, knowing that Marinette was trying to cheer Tyler up from his accidental throw. Tyler gives her a thumbs up as a thanks until Courtney gets his attention. "Nice job. Now let's see if you can hit someone on THEIR team!" she scolded. Just then, Owen ran, heading over to them, and threw the dodgeball straight to Tyler, hitting him so far up to the wall. "Ow. Darn it." Tyler said, in pain from the hit. Chef blows his whistle, signaling that Tyler is out, while the seated Screaming Gophers cheer on their team, and Cody and Owen high-fived. Meanwhile, Tyler sits out in pain.

After that, Harold holds his dodgeball, looking confident. "Time to unleash my wicked skills," he said. "Yeah?" said Leshawna. "Then bring it, string bean! Let's see what you got!" As Harold tries to throw the dodgeball his way, it backfires. Leshawna then smirked after picking up the dodgeball, which got Harold running away screaming. Until Leshawna threw the dodgeball at him, making him slide on the floor to the glass wall and making Chris and Marinette wince from witnessing it. Chef then blew his whistle, signaling that Harold was out. "And that's how we roll!" said Leshawna. "Probably needs to work on his "wicked skills" more." one of the wunderkinder said, air-quoting wicked skills. Everyone nodded and agreed with them and continued watching the show.

Lindsay then walks to her team, asking, "Can someone remind me what I'm supposed to do with this again?" Suddenly, Katie threw the dodgeball at Lindsay, which became a direct hit. The Killer Bass cheered while Chef blew his whistle, signaling Lindsay was out. The Killer Bass cheered for Katie while Tyler waved to Lindsay, making Lindsay smile and Heather mad, which got her to throw a dodgeball at him again. Lucy then turned to glare deadly daggers at Heather, signaling she was done for when she gets the chance. Heather shuddered in fear, seeing the furious look on Lucy's face. "Ooh, Heather is making Lucy mad." one kid of one of the celebrities said. "If Heather keeps this up, she'll end up on Lucy's despise list." one of the novelists said, crossing his arms. "I'm with Lucy. What the heck was that?" Courtney complained. "Ref, he's not even on the court." "Oops! He slipped." "Now she's gonna get it." the wunderkind rapper said, laying back and watching to enjoy the small show. Hearing that, Lucy gets more furious and grabs a dodgeball. She throws it at Heather, hitting her in the face. Chef blows his whistle, signaling Heather is out.

"I'm sorry, Heather, but you made me do that. Even though we are on this team, it doesn't matter to me anymore," she said. Marinette nods in agreement. "You tell her, Lucy!" one of the female idols said, cheering Lucy on. Marinette then turns to Chris, saying to him, "Chris, I'm sorry, but we're going to be switching to the Killer Bass team." Lucy then turns, telling the Screaming Gophers, "And please, don't push us on this. If anyone is to blame for that, it's Heather." The two walk to the Killer Bass team. The Killer Bass cheered about Lucy and Marinette being on their team while the Screaming Gophers glared at Heather since she was now out and sitting on the bench. "Either when the Killer Bass win or lose. Those two are doing the right thing." "Yeah, what Heather did is just beyond low."

After a while, they watch that it was now Cody and Leshawna for the Screaming Gophers and D.J. and Katie for the Killer Bass. D.J. and Katie throw theirs. Leshawna deflects one until another one of them hits her in the gut. Chef then blows his whistle, signaling to her that she's out. It was now Cody against the two Killer Bass. "Easy out, guys. Easy out." Courtney said to D.J. and Katie. Cody tosses one dodgeball up in the air and then tosses it at D.J. Even though it missed, the dodgeball took a U-turn and hit D.J. behind him. "That is one tough ball to dodge." said Chris. Katie threw her dodgeball at Cody, but it missed. Cody then grabs another ball and rubs it on his shirt. He then throws it at Katie. Katie then tried to run from it, but it chased after her. Katie then slammed into the wall, and the dodgeball hit her on the back. The Screaming Gophers then cheered for Cody for winning the round.

Before the campers could start the next round, they all watched as the Killer Bass huddled up. "We can do this. We just have to believe in ourselves." "Oh, I believe. I believe you stink!" scolded Courtney. "Yeah, you throw like a wimp," Tyler said, causing Geoff to laugh and Sadie to nod in agreement. "You should talk," Courtney said, scolding Tyler. "It was a warm-up throw," Tyler explained. Before he could keep talking, a dodgeball hit Tyler, Courtney, Geoff, and Sadie. They looked to see that it was an angry Lucy, looking at them as if she was ready to pop a vein and beat the life out of them. They all looked scared, seeing her looking furious. The celebrities, the families, and Marinette's friends, on the other hand, looked unamused, now getting used to Lucy's anger. They then watch Lucy's confessional.

"And that, folks, is another one of my triggers. People accuse others. Talking down on them, calling them a girl, chicken, or coward, and making up some lame-cottontail excuses." Lucy crosses her arms, looking completely serious. "Yeah, that's right. I'm not afraid to say words close to the cursed ones. And we all know what I'm talking about." "What does she mean?" one of the kids asked. "Uh, it's probably for the best that you kids don't want to know." one of the journalists said, making all of the celebrities, families, and teens nod in agreement to the little ones.

They continue to watch the show. They then watch Marinette take Lucy's hand, leading her out of the room. "Okay, you guys focus on the game. I'm going to take Lucy out and get her to calm down," she said. The rest of the Killer Bass continued on while the two were out. "Look, I can dominate this game," Tyler said, continuing what he would say before Lucy interrupted him by throwing the dodgeball at them. "Just give all the balls to me." After watching the team fail again, they watch as the scene cuts to the cabin, where Lucy is taking whiffs of her stress and anger management essential oils. "You shouldn't let this get to you, Lucy," Marinette said, helping Lucy calm down. "I know, Nettie. I'm trying to. But when it comes to those punks doing all that and talking like that, it's too difficult for me to handle." "I can hardly imagine living in the same room as them." "Yeah, I can see where Lucy's getting at." "Believe it or not, I got all that from both my father and one of my friends." Marinette looked surprised to hear that. However, she was not as surprised as all of the celebrities, families, and Marinette's friends.

"Oh, that would explain why her expressions and tones look and sound so familiar." one of the dubstep wunderkinder said, now understanding their point of view. "I have my father's stress in my genes, and the anger thing is both from myself and my friend. Well, sometimes me, it was also him too, actually." Lucy admits. "See? What did I tell you?" "Who knew that she got the anger from her friend too?" "And believe it or not, people often mistook us for twins." "Because of the anger?" asked Marinette. "Nope. We just both talk at the same time." Lucy and Marinette both laugh at that.

"I wonder if it was also they look alike or not?" "Who knows?" After that, they see Lucy get two more stress and anger management essential oils. She opens them, revealing that they are roll-on essential oils, and rubs them on two of her wrists and behind her left and right ears. "There, hopefully, this will help me finish up the dodgeball challenge. And hopefully, I don't go overboard on this like the last one I did." "What happened?" "Oh, trust me. You don't wanna know." "I can't imagine what happened." after that, Lucy and Marinette head out of the cabin and back to the challenge.

When the girls returned to the challenge, they saw their teammates on the bench- all but Tyler. "Hey, where did Tyler go?" asked Marinette. "Long story," said Bridgette. Courtney then started talking. "Okay, this is really bad," she said. "One more game, and we lose the whole challenge, again! We can't let that happen, people. We need someone strong, someone mean, someone who'll crush those lame-o gophers into the dirt." They then see Marinette look at someone. "I think I know who we can have help us," she said, motioning to someone on her right. Most of the Killer Bass then looked at Duncan, who was still sleeping like a log. They all know that Marinette is saying he's now the only one who can help them. However, some of the Killer Bass looked a bit scared. "Unh-unh, if we wake him up, he'll kill us." D.J. protested. "He won't kill us, guys." Courtney said, "He wants to win too." "Courtney's right," Harold said, agreeing with Courtney. "We need Duncan's fierceness to win this." "That's the spirit, Harold." said Courtney. But before she can tell him to wake Duncan up, Lucy beats her to the punch.

"Alright, stand back, folks. Leave the bear-awakening to the professionals," Lucy said as she approached Duncan. As the Killer Bass did so, Lucy grabbed an essential oil out of her pocket and let the scent reach Duncan's nose. The oil woke Duncan up completely. After a couple of whiffs, he bolted up. They all laughed, seeing the look on his face after he bolted up. They were laughing so much that they never paid attention to him hitting on Marinette after she apologized to him for waking him up. After the laughter died down, they continued watching the show, seeing Lucy walk up to Duncan. "Alright, Mister Juvenile, listen up. We're down two, nothing. As much as we respect that you need some well-deserved rest, but we could use some of your assistance on this." "Oh, and why should I help you, princess?" asked Duncan. "Because we can personally guarantee you that if we lose this game, you'll be the one going home, Sir Juvenile," Lucy said, with a renascence accent in the end. Most of the celebrities and Marinette's friends quietly laugh at the nickname Lucy gave him. Duncan lets out a sigh and then says, "Fine, I'll play...on one condition. You do what I say when I say it." Lucy nods. "Okay, here's a strategy I picked up during my first visit to Juvie. It's called Rush the New Guy."

They watched as Marinette and the Killer Bass used the new Rush the New Guy technique. When they did, they won a round of dodgeball. They all cheered for that. After that, Courtney had a suggestion. "I think that we should do the same thing all over again. So Harold, sit this one out too." "But I sat the last one out." "We'll sit this one out with you, Harold." Marinette offered, with Lucy nodding in agreement. They all smiled for Marinette's kind, golden heart. And are happily used to Lucy's ticked-off moments as they watch her stare at Courtney with a death-threatening stare in her eyes before Courtney could protest about the two sitting it out with Harold. Harold nods to Lucy and Marinette as thanks and signals to them that he owes them one. "That was very nice of Marinette and Lucy sitting out with Harold." "Yeah, that's our Marinette." "Our favorite little lady,"

They then watched as their team used the Rush the New Guy strategy again, and they won the round. They all cheered, and the seated Killer Bass cheered them on when they did win. After that, they see Tyler finally walk in and sit on the bench with the rest of the Killer Bass. "Tyler, where were you?" Marinette asked. "Nowhere," he said. "You were with Lindsay, were you?" Lucy teased, raising a brow, smiling. "No...maybe...so?" "Tyler, it's okay. There's nothing to be afraid or ashamed of." Marinette said. Lucy nodded, "Exactly. Just as long as you're calm and cool as a cucumber and don't expose your weaknesses to her." she said. Tyler smiles, happy to know that Lucy and Marinette are okay with him liking Lindsay. The celebrities, families, and friends smiled as well after seeing that.

Chris then announced to the campers, "Okay, this is it, the final tie-breaking game." "Go team, Go." Noah cheered with sarcasm in his tone.

When the Killer Bass huddle, they start discussing strategy. "Okay, who's going in?" Duncan asks. "I think it's either Marinette's turn, Lucy's turn, or my turn?" Harold says. "No way. We actually have a chance to win this, " Courtney protests. Harold nods and heads to the bench to sit out. Luka shakes his head at that. "Gophers, Bass, let's send this sample to the lab and see what you're made of," said Chris. They all then watched as the teams started throwing and tagging in and out team members. Noah then cheers with full-on sarcasm in his tone of voice again. "Knock 'em out. Throw 'em out. Rah, rah." then, a dodgeball was thrown and hit Noah straight in the face. "My bad. I meant to do that." Lucy called out with another dodgeball in her hands. Noah signals her it's fine since he knows that she deflected Marinette from the dodgeball almost thrown directly at her. "You're right. Sports aren't your forte." said Heather.

After a while, it was Owen against Marinette Harold. "Oh, boy." Zoe and Socqueline gulped as they and the rest of the people around them looked at Marinette with worry in their eyes. The Screaming Gophers cheered for Owen, while the Killer Bass looked shocked and worried for Harold and the girls. "Sorry, guys, but you gotta go down," said Owen. "Good night, Harold," said Duncan. Lucy elbowed him and cheered Harold and Marinette on. "You got this, guys!"

Then, they all watch Harold become confident as he gets into his stance. Marinette then breathes in and out and becomes confident as well. As the two motion for Owen to bring it, he does so, and the two dodge every single dodgeball Owen throws at them. Everyone, including the Screaming Gophers and the Killer Bass, was surprised to see how the two dodged all the dodgeballs Owen threw at them. Courtney then tells them to time out, making Chef blow his whistle for it. "Man, those two got dodge," Duncan said. "Where'd you two learn to do that?" "Figure skating," Harold answers. And Marinette then said, "I've been training with my mom. I got the hang of it back then. I guess I still got it." "Oh, that's right. I almost forgot about that." Sabine said, now remembering how Marinette learned to dodge. Everyone looked at Sabine, surprised yet impressed and amazed, and then turned back to the TV. "Harold, Marinette, that was awesome." Geoff said. "But dodging isn't enough." "He's right," said Courtney. "To win this, you two either have to throw him out--" "Which we all know Harold can't do--" Duncan added. "Well, you can't blame them on that." "Yeah, and surprised they haven't said anything about Marinette though." "Well, she and Lucy did sit out through the whole challenge." "Yeah, surprised they're now letting her do this." "Tell me about it," "Or catch the ball." Lucy added as well. "Can you guys do it?" "Definitely," "I can try." "Awesome. Now go catch that ball." D.J. said, encouraging the two.

Then, they continued with the standoff. The Screaming Gophers cheered for Owen while the Killer Bass cheered and chanted Harold and Marinette's names. All the celebrities, families, and Marinette's friends cheered along with them. Owen then throws the two dodgeballs at the two, letting out a 'Cowabunga'. The dodgeballs then head to Harold and Marinette, slamming them both back at the wall. Everyone looked shocked, seeing that. But then, they see the two raise the dodgeballs up, signaling that they both caught them. Socqueline gasped, surprised, with a smile now plastered on her face. The whistle was blown once again, signaling that Owen was out, and Harold and Marinette won the tie-breaker.

"The Killer Bass win!" Chris announced. The Killer Bass cheered for both winning, and Harold and Marinette won the challenge for them. Every one of the celebrities, families, and Marinette's friends all cheered and jumped for joy for the two winning the challenge for the Killer Bass. "She won!" "That's my favorite little lady! Rock and Roll!" "That is my Marinetta!" "Alright, Marinette!" "Way to go!" Even though they never got the time to watch the end of the show since it was already starting to get late, they all agreed to meet and watch the show again next weekend to see what would happen. They were all looking forward to seeing what Marinette and her friends would do in the next episode.

Meanwhile, in another location, there is nowhere that no one is even aware of.

After watching the episode, they both were still shocked from watching and hearing Lucy confess about a chained kunai thrown at her. "She still remembers that. And even said his name." one of them said, holding the clipboard tightly again. "And since there is no other way to get into her connections and good graces after knowing she is now in a traditional family is not helpful. It's bad enough that Adrien's disrespecting and good-for-nothing high-road system to Marinette is shocking and unacceptable. See if there is any other way to connect with the girl. There has to be a way to get Lucy's trust again." "Of course.

"All right, so it wasn't the most dramatic campfire ceremony ever. But I still get paid," Chris says, laughing. "Bonus!"

Desc Prologue Get to Know My OC Chapt 1 Reactions Pt 1 Chpt 2 Reactions Pt 2 Chpt 3 Chpt 4 Reactions Pt 4 Chpt 5 Reactions Pt 5

[a-moment-captured]

No one cares that your bestie get to see Jack 2 times in a row or what she is wearing. Some of us can’t even get tickets to Gazebo because of life, bills, groceries, kids, families, and school. How nice it must be to have the money to do what you want🙄. So many of us can’t! I bust my ass and can’t get my head above water and then come post from you or here probers about what they have or are doing or have bought. Read the fucking room. Some people are struggling! Shut the fuck up about it. We get it.

Anon, I sympathize with you, I really do, but you have no right to come to my page to be upset how people spend THEIR MONEY that they have worked their ass off for!

I know first hand, better than anyone, how hard working in the ED is. Ree bust her ass for her patients night after night! Giving them the best and highest standard of care.

I refuse to let you or anyone else try to tarnish that just because you want to be jealous as fuck and for no damn reason.

I can’t go! I’ve got my son’s overnight zoo trip one weekend and graduation the following weekend so I won’t be able to go either but am I crying about it? No! That’s life! That’s how it goes sometimes. I get so frustrated and annoyed with anons on this app trying to dictate how other people live their own damn lives.

We all have bills! We all have families! We are all busting our asses to do what we have to do. So it’s her fault that she busted her ass to become an RN, make her mom proud, and make the money she does?! She isn’t allowed to treat herself?!

I’m sorry you don’t like me being happy for one of my best friends living her best life! I won’t stop! She has been my biggest cheerleader, confidant, and the extra nudge I need some days when I feel like I’m doing nothing right. Life is a struggle for everyone! We all have different struggles but one struggle does not outweigh someone else’s.

I have a child I have to take care of. An autistic child at that! Want to know my biggest worry? Worrying if I’ll live long and well into old age so he doesn’t have to live without me because I’m the one that knows how to do it all and take care of him.

I’m sorry you can’t go. You are not alone. But don’t try to make others feel bad because they get to do something you can’t.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Smithsonian:

For the first time, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) is celebrating the birth of two pygmy slow lorises, an endangered species. Small Mammal House keepers reported for duty the morning of March 21 and observed that 3-year-old mother Naga had given birth overnight and was caring for two infants. She and the babies’ 2-year-old father, Pabu, received a recommendation to breed from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP). These babies are the first offspring for both parents. Keepers have observed Naga carrying, grooming and nursing the babies, which appear to be healthy and strong. Animal care staff will determine the babies’ sexes at their first vet exam, which will take place in a few months. The family is on view at the Small Mammal House, and keepers say the babies are most active in the late morning and early afternoon. 

Slow lorises are the only known venomous primates. They produce a venom in their brachial glands in their upper arm. Combined with enzymes in their saliva, these primates can produce a painful bite, allergic reaction and a slow-healing wound. Wild slow lorises do not use it against predators because the venom is not fast-acting. Instead, the venom is used in territorial disputes with other slow lorises. They also groom themselves with the venom to ward off parasites and warn predators to stay away.

Native to Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Vietnam, pygmy slow lorises live in mixed deciduous and evergreen forests. The greatest threats facing this species are deforestation and the illegal pet trade. Much of their habitat has been cleared for the logging industry; they spend the majority of their time from 10 to 40 feet up in the forest canopy. The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers pygmy slow lorises endangered.

[margojacksonpotter]

Part in BOSAS books that should have been in the movie

-Dr. Gaul used on Avoxes for her mutation experiments, combining humans with gills, feathers, tentacles, and other animal parts. Also, Dr. Gaul spoke in rhymes sometimes which just made her character even creepier.

-When Arachne was killed by her tribute, Brandy, Coriolanus was asked to sing the national anthem at her funeral. The tributes were also paraded on the funeral while Brandy’s lifeless body swung high into a crane. It was meant as a reminder to the tributes of what would happen if they tried to resist. A few weeks later, when two other mentors were killed in the arena explosion, a hologram of himself sang Gem of Panem to their funeral as well.

- The large crowd forming in front of the arena during the Games. People dressing up their dogs as their favorite tributes. People at the zoo making the tributes do tricks for food. It was all so disgusting and just added to the horrors of the Games.

-All of the scenes with Coriolanus in the classroom. They had such deep, profound discussions about the Games, war, humanity. I can’t list all of them but the students made interesting points.

-How Coriolanus got the guitar that Lucy Gray used it in her interview before the Game. He borrowed it from Pluribus Bell, a family friend. Pluribus and his partner used to own a bar pre-war but now make a living selling items on the black market. Pluribus loved Lucy Gray and gave her a standing ovation after her interview performance where she sang. He even wanted her to headline at his bar if he ever reopened one. He kinda reminded me of Cinna.

- There were only a few microphones in the wall of the arena so most of the time spectators were watching the Games in silence. The microphones could only pick up so much sound, so they had to interpret facial expressions or body expressions to understand what the tributes were doing. I understand for the purposes of the movie they couldn’t do that but it would have been interesting to see.

-Lucky Flickerman being absolutely chaotic: being completely oblivious to Highbottom’s snide remarks towards him, doing tricks with his parrot Jubilee, Jubilee flying to the ceiling and refusing to come down because Lucky’s theatrics were too much for him, looking uneasy at Dr. Gaul who wanted to do experiments on Jubilee, giving the weather forecast when the Games were too slow and making snow related jokes at Coriolanus’ expense, getting sprayed with a fire extinguisher on camera because his sprinklers set off the alarm. The list could go on.

- Though that scene of Coriolanus saying “I was just sending water” was very funny in the movie, it did not happen in the book. Coriolanus was about to send water to Lucy Gray to fend off Jessup who was rabid with rabies. However, Lysistrata, Jessup’s mentor, insisted that she send the water because that’s what Jessup would have wanted. She and Jessup had also become very close before the Games. As she sent the water to him, a single tear rolled down her cheek.

-The Games did not end after Lucy Gray sang to the snakes. There were still five tributes left. Heavy overnight rainfall and cold weather caused most of the snakes to die in the arena. Honestly it seemed like the movie just wanted to wipe out the remaining tribute to get the Games over with.

-Reaper!! What a complex character! This is the guy who, before the Games, personally apologized to every tribute for having to kill him. And he is the only tribute who didn’t have a single kill. Instead, he formed a short alliance with Lamina, tore the Capitol flag off the arena wall ( which caused a commotion in Heavensbee Hall) and made a makeshift morgue for the fallen tributes. I think the movie did an injustice by having him die off from the snakes. He and Lucy Gray were the last two standing. Lucy Gray, knowing Reaper was starving and had contracted rabies when Jessup spit in his eye, tired him out to death when she ran off with the Capitol flag he used to cover the other tributes. Then poisoned a puddle using the compact, knowing he’d drink from it, which led to his death. He deserved to have more of an acknowledgement. All the tributes did really.

[the-chipped-cup-awards]

HOLD THE PHONES!

For those of you that have still been asking for more time to nominate... You have asked, and we have listened. As of today, the nominations form will remain open until NOON EST on Sunday 1/28/24.

Also, below the cut you will find a list of POTENTIAL nominees in case you want some more ideas. This list has been compiled from the FYCs put forward by the authors, and also by the nominations we have received so far.

Obviously, not all of the potential nominees will be nominated for each category. As per the rules, an entry can only be nominated for TWO categories for which the fic or art qualifies. Additionally, fics that have previously won (either in the TEAs or the CCAs) is ineligible. Mods have removed those fics/artwork based on currently available archives.

If you don't see a fic on the list that you think should be nominated, you can go ahead and nominate the fic. You are allowed as many unique entries on the nomination form as you would like.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and show our Rumbelle writers and artists all the love they deserve. Here is a link to the form:

Potential Nominees as of 1/16/24 below the cut:

FLUFF Family

The Tent of Infinite Adventure by @peacehopeandrats Leaving Storybrooke by @peacehopeandrats The Zoo by @peacehopeandrats Balloon by @peacehopeandrats Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups Tea and Roses by @ThatRavenclawbitch An Unconventional Gift by @Shadowedoracle Traditions Old and New by @Bad_Faery To Nurse by @Charon53 A House Built With Love by @Of_Princes_and_Savages A Knack for Losing Everything by @AntiKryptonite

Comfort

The Bedroom Chronicles by @serenalyon Illness by @peacehopeandrats Blast by @peacehopeandrats Premonition by @ace_cf_cups Struck By a Golden Arrow by @Otava Snow and Heat by @Hypatia3 A Present of Love by @reolf

Fix-It

Ritual by @peacehopeandrats Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups Everyone Has A Choice by @Taisch

Reunion

Finding You by @Silwenworld A Dream is a Wish by @Rowofstars

SMUT

Kink/BDSM

Wrapping Up Her Christmas Gift by @Kelyon Like An Open Book by @Serenalyon The Angel and the Devil by @peacehopeandrats One Lover, Many Dreams by @peacehopeandrats Indulgence by @emostpritelet On the House by @Kelyon Contract by @Kelyon Beasts: A Golden Cuffs Story by @Kelyon Courtship: A Golden Rings Story by @Kelyon

Romance

Brandy, Apples and Spice by @rufeepeach The Caretaker by @TheStraggletag Snow and Heat by @Hypatia3 Memory by @Peacehopeandrats Two Could by @eirian_houpe Star Crossed by @threepwoodmarley The Sweetest Dream by @threepwoodmarley

Comedy

Bare Facts by @BarPurple Accidents by @Peacehopeandrats

Threesome

Fulfilling a Fantasy by @TheScholarlyStrumpet

Best First Time

Queen Takes Knight by @Emospritelet The Good Sort by @wonderwoundedhearers Brandy, Apples and Spice by rufeepeach Snow and Heat by @Hypatia3 The Cunning by @mareyshelley Curfew by @emotspritelet Granted by @peacehopeandrats

PWP

All the Poisonous Thoughts by @serenalyon In the Dark and Wicked Hours by @rowofstars Beasts: A Golden Cuffs Story by @Kelyon Sunshine by @Peacehopeandrats Home by @peacehopeandrats

ANGST Death

Belle's Promise by @Bellerina98 Strong For Belle by @desperatemurph Things Unknown by @BelleGold Requiem by @once-upon-a-rewrite His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups

Hurts So Good

To Have and to Hold by @ThatRavenclawBitch Hang On Me by @nerdrumple Ritual by @peacehopeandrats Love Me Before The Last Petal Falls by @DeliriumsDelight7 Received by @Peacehopeandrats The Oldest Door by @peacehopeandrats Overnight by @peacehopeandrats Recovery by @peacehopeandrats His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups Time’s Curse by @eirian_houpe On Whose Hands? by @eirian_houpe Nobody Knew by @eirian_houpe Seven Tastes by @eirian_houpe The Black Swan by @deliriumsdelight7

Misunderstanding

Requiem by @onceuponarewrite Unexpected but Not Unwelcome by @tickletorso On Whose Hands? by @eirian_houpe

ROMANCE

Best Date (Overall)

Lost and Found by @peacehopeandrats The Finfolk’s Bride by @chippedcupwrites It's a Surprise, Dearie by @gingerdreams15 Down to the River by @Barefootandbookish How to Date a Librarian by @Peacehopeandrats Cactus by eirian_houpe

Best Courtship

Calm by @peacehopeandrats Cactus by @eirian_houpe The Sweetest Dream by @threepwoodmarley Ad Astra by @chippedcupwrites Letters by @poorobscureplainandlittle Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere by @chick-with-wifi Bluebelle by @eirian_houpe

Best First Meeting

Portrait of the Heart by @chippedcupwrites Midnight Flowers by @SerenaLyon Anoxia by@ RumbelleDearie I Know it's Today by @RosexKnight Lady of the Lake by @rumplestiltskinsbulge

General Categories

Best One Shot

Pages of Reverie by @chippedcupwrites The Angel and the Devil by @peacehopeandrats Warming The Chill by @peacehopeandrats Symmetrical Simulations by @peacehopeandrats Bed by @peacehopeandrat Calm by @peacehopeandrats Tea by @peacehopeandratss Premonition by @ace_cf_cup His Ray of Light by@ ace_cf_cups Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups Shades of Blue by @ReyloAreHairGoals Amends - @Shadowedoracle And Then One Thursday Night by @Jackabelle73

Best Series

The Finfolk's Bride by @chippedcupwrites Hellfire!verse by @wonderwoundedhearers Lover's Leap by @eirian_houpe Growing Up by @Peacehopeandrats The Language of Flowers by @eirian_houpe

Best Novel Length

A Knack for Losing Everything by @AntiKryptonite (AO3) A Good Life by @AntiKryptonite Mountains, Streams and Magical Things by @Peacehopeandrats

Best Short Fic

Warming The Chill by @peacehopeandrats The Message by @peacehopeandrats Wounds and Scars by @peacehopeandrats Ingredients by @peacehopeandrats Recovery by @peacehopeandrats Wild by @peacehopeandrats Tea by @peacehopeandrats Premonition by @ace_cf_cups His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups To Sleep, Dearie by @human_nature Distractions by @Shadowed Oracle Babysitting by @Timelord13

Best Holiday Centric

Brandy, Apples and Spice -by @rufeepeach If You Will Be My Queen by @eirian_houpe Traditions Old and New by @Bad_Faery The Sweetest Dream by @ThreepwoodMarley A House Built With Love by @Of_Princes_and_Savages Snowbunnies by @Peacehopeandrats Lost and Found by @peacehopeandrats Seven Tastes by @eirian_houpe

Best Remix

Our Masks by Lotus0Kid

Best Crossover

A Blade For Belfrey by @eirian_houpe Methedhenlu by @eirian_houpe

Best Dark Castle

Snow Bunnies by @peacehopeandrats The Oldest Door by @peacehopeandrats Ingredients by @peacehopeandrats Delivery by @peacehopeandrats Spy by @peacehopeandrats Tea by @peacehopeandrats Marble by @peacehopeandrats Pages of Reverie by @chippedcupwrites Premonition by @ace_cf_cups Shades of Blue by @ReyloAreHairGoals His Little Wife by @Lady_Janes_Fics Marble by @Peacehopeandrats The Weakness Inside Him by @Tickletorso

Best Storybrooke

A Good Life by @AntiKryptonite The Cunning by @mareyshelley Mountains, Streams, and Magical Things by @Peacehopeandrats Golden Thread by @Chick-with-wifi Snow Bunnies by @peacehopeandrats Symmetrical Simulations by @peacehopeandrats War In Pieces by @peacehopeandrats Leaving Storybrooke by @peacehopeandrats The Meeting by @peacehopeandrats

Best Missing Years

Leaving Storybrooke by @peacehopeandrats The Tent Of Infinite Adventure by @peacehopeandrats Balloon by @peacehopeandrats Requiem by @Once-upon-a-rewrite The Storybrooke Whisky Appreciation Society by @threepwoodmarley His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups Love Me Before the Last Petal Falls by @deliriumsdelight7 Unconventional by @Peacehopeandrats

Best Wish!Verse

Once There Was A Wish by @peacehopeandrats Granted by @peacehopeandrats Deception by @eirian_houpe

Special Categories

Best Golden Lace

The Angel and the Devil by @peacehopeandrats One Lover, Many Dreams by @peacehopeandrats War In Pieces by @peacehopeandrats Wax by @peacehopeandrats Lacey and the Tramp by @chippedcupwrites The Storybrooke Whisky Appreciation Society by @ThreepwoodMarley The Cupcake Trilogy by @ThreepwoodMarley Weakness by @ThreepwoodMarley Star Crossed by @ThreepwoodMarley Sore Hearted Souls by @nerdrumple

Best Woven Lace

Morning by @Peacehopeandrats

Best Woven Beauty

Gift by Peacehopeandrats Undefined Desires, by @worryinglyinnocent

Best Background Swanfire

To Have and to Hold - @ThatRavenclawBitch Fragments of the Past, Glimpses of Tomorrow, by @wierdogal

Best Afterlife fic

Granted by @peacehopeandrats Belle's Promise by @bellerina98 Awakening by @eirian_houpe

Best Drama

Recovery by @peacehopeandrats Premonition by @ace_cf_cups His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups Time’s Curse by @eirian_houpe Love Me Before The Last Petal Falls by deliriumsdelight7 On The House by @kelyon The Spirit of the Trees by @woodelf68 Ad Luceum by @reolf

Best Supernatural/Sci-fi/horror

No Light Over London by @lotus0kid The Cunning by @mareyshelley Morteus Loqueris Ad by @Jackabelle73

Best Comedy

The Third Wheel by @tickletorso Lacey and the Tramp by @chippedcupwrites

Best AU (Original)

On the House by @kelyon The Finfolk’s Bride by @chippedcupwrites Tomorrow by @chippedcupwrites Ad Astra by @chippedcupwrites Wretched Beginnings by @poorobscureplainandlittle Wild by @Peacehopeandrats Two Could by @eirian_houpe Ad Astra by @chippedcupwrites His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups Secret of the Seas by @eirian_houpe Scattered by @eirian_houpe

Best AU (Based on Once Upon a Time)

Tales of Gold by @JurisLadyAnna The Black Swan by @DeliriumsDelight7 A Knack for Losing Everything by @AntiKryptonite Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups Nobody Knew by @eirian_houpe Love Me Before the Last Petal Falls by @deliriumsdelight7 Caught On In a Flash by @villainsarebetter

Best AU (Based on Other Media)

Rumbelle’s ‘The Princess Bride’ by @Trash_000 Hatter by @eirian_houpe Modern Wonders by @eirian_houpe The Black Swan by @DeliriumsDelight7 Time’s Curse by @eirian_houpe

Best Creature

Tomorrow by @chippedcupwrites In the Castle East by @villainsarebetter The Finfolk’s Bride by @chippedcupwrites Ad Astra by @chippedcupwrites The Cunning by @mareyshelley Fallen by @eirian_houpe The Spirit of the Trees by @woodelf68 Caught On In a Flash by @villainsarebetter

Best Unexpected Twist

Contract by @Kelyon His Little Wife by @Lady_Janes_Fics The Price by eirian_houpe

Best Bobby Squared

The Gold Motel by mrgoldsdearie A Blade For Belfrey by eirian_houpe

Best Trope

Love Me Before The Last Petal Falls by @DeliriumsDelight7 Snow and Heat by @Hypatia3 Wounds and Scars by @Peacehopeandrats Beauty Compelled by @eirian_houpe Premonition by @ace_cf_cups Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups

Best English Language

To Nurse by @Charon53 Premonition by @ace_cf_cups His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups Sacred Promise by by @ace_cf_cups

Events

Best Rumbelle Secret Santa

Wrapping Up Her Christmas Gift by @Kelyon Gluttony, a RSS Fic by @thestraggletag The Sweetest Dream by @threepwoodmarley Christmas Secrets by @peacehopeandrats If You Will Be My Queen by @eirian_houpe Make Me Feel Alive Again by @cartoonjessie Finding the Fun - RSS 2023 Fic by @tickletorso They Said it Was a Party by @of-princes-and-savages There Can Only Ever Be by @notalwayslate Mysterious by @reolf Portrait of the Heart by @chippedcupwrites Rumbelle Secret Santa by @99goosebumps Already There by @Jackabelle73

Best Fluffapalooza Fic

The Tea Shop by @peacehopeandrats Dragon Day by @importantgalaxyrimaway Content Rumbelle #1 through #8 by @Jackabelle73

Best Fluffapalooza Art

Kiss Me Again, It's Working by @milaeryn (https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/709081818387906560/kiss-me-again-its-working) Rumbelle (Something There) by @personintheplace (https://youtu.be/j0Tw_dmaXUg)

Best Monthly Rumbelling

Encounter - Rumplerose (AO3) The Landlord and the Princess - Rumplerose (AO3) Honorable - Rumplerose (AO3)

Character Awards

Best Belle

The Not So Dark One by @CharlotteAshmore Lady of the Lake by @rumplestiltskinsbulge The Cunning by @mareyshelley On The House by @Kelyon Beauty Enlightened by @eirian_houpe Compromises by @tickletorso Caught On In a Flash by @villainsarebetter A Knack for Losing Everything by @AntiKryptonite Portrait of the Heart by @chippedcupwrites The Oldest Door by @peacehopeandrats Ingredients by @peacehopeandrats Delivery by @peacehopeandrats Premonition by @ace_cf_cups The Sweetest Dream by @threepwoodmarley Brandy, Apples and Spice by @rufeepeach

Best Dark One!Belle

Rags to Riches by @alphashley14 Fallen by @eirian_houpe

Best Lacey

One Lover, Many Dreams by @peacehopeandrats Stroll by @peacehopeandrats Wax by @peacehopeandrats Lacey and the Tramp by @chippedcupwrites The Storybrooke Whisky Appreciation Society by @threepwoodmarley Star Crossed by @threepwoodmarley Weakness by @threepwoodMarley The Cupcake Trilogy by @threepwoodmarley Sore Hearted Souls by @nerdrumple

Best Spinner!Rumple

Witch and Spinner by @Strummer_Pinks Outside In by @Lotus0Kid

Best Dark One!Rumple

Make Me Feel Alive Again by @CartoonJessie A Golden Mask by @lotus0kid Gilded by @eirian_houpe Compromises by @tickletorso A Golden Mask by @Lotus0Kid The Oldest Door by @peacehopeandrats Ingredients by @peacehopeandrats Delivery by @peacehopeandrats Portrait of the Heart by @chippedcupwrites Premonition by @ace_cf_cups

Best Wish!Rumple

Once There Was A Wish by @peacehopeandrats Granted by @peacehopeandrats

Best Mr. Gold

The Caretaker by @TheStraggletag Fire by @peacehopeandrats His Ray of Light by @ace_cf_cups Sacred Promise by @ace_cf_cups Courtship: A Golden Rings Story by @Kelyon The Cunning by @mareyshelley The Third Wheel @tickletorso Missing Person @eirian_houpe

Best Detective Weaver

Arson by @Peacehopeandrats Forgery by @Peacehopeandrats

Best Baelfire/Neil

A House Built With Love by @Of_Princes_and_Savages Steps by @peacehopeandrats

Best Gideon

The Message by @peacehopeandrats The Tent Of Infinite Adventure by @peacehopeandrats Slumber by @peacehopeandrats The Zoo by @peacehopeandrats The Meeting by @peacehopeandrats Finding You by @ClaraHue A Christmas Present for Mama by Shadowedoracle Christmas Secrets by @Peacehopeandrats

Best OC Rumbelle Child

The Zoo by @peacehopeandrats

Best (Worst) Villain

Regina in Spy by @peacehopeandrats Gaston in Scattered by @eirian_houpe Cora in On the House by @Kelyon Cora in The Dance of Love by @Malkat86 Gaston in Requited Love by @Melkat86

Best BFF/Wingman

Wounds and Scars by @peacehopeandrats Mountains, Streams, And Magical Things by @peacehopeandrats Overnight by @peacehopeandrats Blankets by @peacehopeandrats Healing by @peacehopeandrats Nobody Knew by @eirian_houpe Beauty Enlightened by eirian_houpe

Art

Best Fan Art

https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/709081818387906560/kiss-me-again-its-working - by milaeryn https://www.tumblr.com/ladyjanesfics/723405666574876672/sketching-rumbelle-is-literally-everything?source=share (@ladyjanesfics) https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/729258616383815680/belle-go-kiss-him-now https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/719206422850781184/goldenlacey-kiss-kiss https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/717578206992039936/some-rumbelle-fluff-im-100-sure-this https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/705184624822894592/the-magic-of-true-love https://www.tumblr.com/ace-cf-cups/740299612882075648 - happy ending at the end of realms; in my memory it doesn’t end; this silly little woven beauty set.

Best Graphic Art

https://chippedcupwrites.tumblr.com/post/736265729785151488/and-love-is-when-someone-who-even-knows-your (chippedcupwrites) https://www.tumblr.com/notonlymice/739060862996955136/rumbelle-little-red-riding-hood-au-moodboard - by notonlymice https://www.tumblr.com/ace-cf-cups/740299612882075648 - happy ending at the end of realms; in my memory it doesn’t end; this silly little woven beauty set.

Best AU in Art

https://notonlymice.tumblr.com/post/707899093547139072/au-where-belle-isnt-fascinated-by-the-idea-of (notonlymice) https://notonlymice.tumblr.com/post/707899093547139072/au-where-belle-isnt-fascinated-by-the-idea-of - by notonlymice https://www.tumblr.com/ace-cf-cups/740299612882075648 - this silly little woven beauty set.

Best Fluff Art

https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/704721714492375040/merry-rumbellemas-people - by milaeryn https://www.tumblr.com/ladyjanesfics/723648747582717952/prompt-from-fanfic-archive-rumple-steals?source=share (@ladyjanesfics) https://www.tumblr.com/chippedcupwrites/720948596432896000/it-was-an-arranged-marriage-i-was-doing-you-a https://www.tumblr.com/chippedcupwrites/714078397482041344/youre-the-sweetness-in-a-warm-cup-of-tea-when https://www.tumblr.com/ace-cf-cups/740299612882075648 - happy ending at the end of realms; in my memory it doesn’t end

Best Angsty Art

In my memory it doesn't end by ace_cf_cups

Best Comic/Graphic Novel

https://angelqueen13art.tumblr.com/post/109570038649/week-6-wearing-each-others-clothes-on-my - by angelqueen13

Best Use of Color

https://www.tumblr.com/notonlymice/731808073890611200/begacey-moodboard - by notonlymice https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/709081818387906560/kiss-me-again-its-working https://www.tumblr.com/milaeryn/705184624822894592/the-magic-of-true-love https://www.tumblr.com/ace-cf-cups/740299612882075648

Best Video

https://notonlymice.tumblr.com/post/737335283676282880/in-any-version-of-reality-and-all-that (notonlymice) https://chippedcupwrites.tumblr.com/post/719320180808925184/your-beauty-never-ever-scared-me-mary-on-a (chippedcupwrites) https://www.tumblr.com/chippedcupwrites/720948596432896000/it-was-an-arranged-marriage-i-was-doing-you-a https://www.tumblr.com/chippedcupwrites/714078397482041344/youre-the-sweetness-in-a-warm-cup-of-tea-when

Superlatives

Best Artist

@Chippedcupwrites @Notonlymince

Best Author

@Kelyon @Peacehopeandrats @Chick-with-wifi @Chippedcupwrites @poorobscureplainandlittle

Best New Author

@Once-Upon-a-Rewrite @Ace-cf-Cups @threepwoodmarley

Best Rumbelle Fic

The Language of Flowers by @DeliriumsDelight7 3 Witch and Spinner by @Strummer_Pinks 2 The Finfolk’s Bride by @ chippedcupwrites 2 Tomorrow by @chippedcupwrites Ad Astra by @chippedcupwrites Skin Deep by @bookwormchocaholic 2

Best Anyelle Fic

(In)discreet Math by @eirian_houpe 2 Let's Spend the Night Together by @ifishouldvanish 3 Tuesday by @eirian_houpe 2 Heal by @Evilsnowswan Passions Made of Nothing by @ KillerKueen Caught On In a Flash by @villainsarebetter

Best Anyem Fic

Tyger Tyger by @ShakespeareanHoneyBadgers 2

Rumbelle Lifetime Achievement Award

Kaylahastoomanyships 2 Peacehopeandrats 3 Jackabelle73 3

Once again, here's the link for the form:

[study-with-aura]

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Today was a lot of fun! Bible Study at church is on hiatus until later, and since we hadn't gone out to the zoo in a while, we decided to hang out there this afternoon. It wasn't as hot of a day today as it has been, so it was more enjoyable.

On Tuesday, we're going to the water park! E and H are going to come with us! We have a private space reserved. Julien will also have his best friend with him, so it'll be a good time for all of us to hang out before our academic studies start back up in a couple of weeks.

Another thing that I just found out today that I'll be doing is an overnight youth study with the youth group at church. It's from Thursday to Saturday, so once again, I will not be active, at least on Friday. I forgot Mom signed me up for it a couple of weeks ago, so I guess my summer activities aren't completely over yet. 😅

🌟 Have a good week everyone! 🌟

Tasks Completed:

History 9 - Studied La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi

KA GRF Algebra 2 - Completed Unit 3: Lessons 8-11 + Unit 3: Quiz 3

Duolingo - Studied for approximately 30 minutes (Spanish + French + Chinese) + completed daily quests

Piano - Practiced for one hour

Reading - Read pages 1-41 of The Luminaries by Susan Dennard

Chores - Put the dishes away + vacuumed my bedroom, the study, and the front room + swept and mopped the kitchen floor

Activities of the Day:

Church

Personal Bible Study (Psalms 139)

Zoo with family

Journal/Mindfulness

[peacehopeandrats]

Chipped Cup - For Your Consideration

This post is going to be a whirlwind of mixed up stuff. Some of it I was asked to put forward, some of it I was reminded to include, some of it is just stuff that I have always enjoyed. If you would like to nominate, please do. I've tried to get this post to match the form in order to make things super easy.

As always, I thank you for your consideration.

Family

The Tent Of Infinite Adventure

Leaving Storybrooke

The Zoo

Balloon

Comfort

Illness

Blast

Fix It

Ritual

Kink/BDSM

The Angel and the Devil

One Lover, Many Dreams

Romance

Meal

Best First Time

Granted

PWP

Home

Hurts So Good

The Oldest Door

Overnight

Recovery

Best Date (Overall)

Lost and Found

Best Courtship

Calm

Best One Shot

The Angel and the Devil

Warming The Chill

Symmetrical Simulations

Bed

Calm

Tea

Best Novel Length

Mountains, Streams, And Magical Things

Best Short Fic

Warming The Chill

The Message

Wounds and Scars

Ingredients

Recovery

Wild

Tea

Best Holiday Centric

Snow Bunnies

Lost and Found

Best Dark Castle

Snow Bunnies

The Oldest Door

Ingredients

Delivery

Spy

Tea

Marble

Best Storybrooke

Snow Bunnies

Symmetrical Simulations

War In Pieces

Leaving Storybrooke

The Meeting

Best Missing Years

Leaving Storybrooke

The Tent Of Infinite Adventure

Balloon

Best Wishverse

Once There Was A Wish

Granted

Best Golden Lace

The Angel and the Devil

One Lover, Many Dreams

War In Pieces

Wax

Best Woven Beauty

Gift

Best Afterlife Fic

Granted

Best Drama

Recovery

Best AU-Original

Wild

Best Trope

Wounds and Scars

Best Belle

The Oldest Door

Ingredients

Delivery

Best Lacey

One Lover, Many Dreams

Stroll

Wax

Best Dark One Rumple

The Oldest Door

Ingredients

Delivery

Best Wish!Rumple

Once There Was A Wish

Granted

Best Mr. Gold

Fire

Best Detective Weaver

Forgery

Best Gideon

The Message

The Tent Of Infinite Adventure

Slumber

The Zoo

The Meeting

Best OC Rumbelle Child

The Zoo

Best (Worst) Villain

Spy

Best BFF/Wingman

Wounds and Scars

Mountains, Streams, And Magical Things

Overnight

Blankets

Healing

Automatically Nominated, as of today's Chipped Cup post:

Christmas Secrets - Rumbelle Secret Santa

The Tea Shop - Fluffapalooza

[onenettvchannel]

FLASH REPORT OVERNIGHT: The 7th New Season and a Reboot of Totally Spies airs over to French kids TV channel 'Gulli' in the early mid-May 2024 [#K5NewsFMExclusive] (updated as final!!!)

(Written by Connie Maheswaran & Rhayniel Saldasal Calimpong / Regional Correspondent of Cartoon Network News & Freelance News Writer and Presenter of OneNETnews)

(3rd and FINAL UPDATE) BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA -- 'Totally Spies!' is thus making a fantastic comeback with a new refreshing reboot and an exciting new 7th season to hit the famous French free-to-air kids TV channel 'Gulli'. After 11 years since Season 6 back in 2013, the spy-tastic trio of Samantha "Sam" Simpson, Clover Ewing, and Alexandra "Alex" Vasquez are up to their old tricks on her sleeves, ready to sweep audiences' off their feet once again with their high-flying adventures and stylish espionage.

(ART PHOTO COURTESY: Banijay Kids and Family & Ollenom Studio via Gulli's X Network PHOTO / Originally scheduled from 10:40am -- France local time)

According to a recent tweet post last Monday night on April 22nd (U.S. Pacific local time) from Gulli's official 'X Network' social media account (formerly Twitter and owned by X Corporation), the highly-anticipated reboot of 'Totally Spies!' slated to be broadcast in France later next month. The ongoing revival promises to bring new energetic horsepower to the franchise, providing old-time fans from your nostalgic childhood for girls, and newcomers alike with a different take on the old classic, which much likewise to do so in selected target demographics aside for boys.

(POSTER PHOTO COURTESY: Cartoon Network via FB PHOTO)

Viewers in Canada and American fans are going to have to wait a little bit longer for the English-dubbed release, as reported by Comic Book Resources (CBR), the air of excitement surrounding the return of the aforementioned French animated kids show is palpable. Despite the initial plan for a potential 2023 release, the English dubbing on Cartoon Network (now owned from Turner Broadcasting to Warner Brothers-Discovery) had been pushed back to a potential debut in the fall of 2024, or later sometime by early 2025 onwards. This delay is necessary to create new episodes after the show premieres originally in France, giving fans around the world the opportunity to partake in the spy-filled adventure.

Within late this month of April 2024, we obtained an exclusive trailer video thru DWFH-FM 97.7mhz’s K5 News FM: Dumaguete that the trailer and a teaser combined, which previously deleted from a TikTok video last week (owned by ByteDance Limited).

(SCREENGRAB COURTESY & TRANSLATED BY: Liternaute & Archive_of_Alex via X Network PHOTO)

(PHOTO COURTESY for POTENTIAL REPRESENTATION: Amazon)

The said trailer for the upcoming Season 7 premiere of 'Totally Spies' features an episode titled "Pandapocalypse" where the Spies girls team faces a giant panda causing much chaos in Singapore, as cited from an episode synopsis via french magazine news outlet 'Linternaute'.

(SCREENGRAB COURTESY: Rhayniel Saldasal Calimpong / via Gulli LIVE VIDEO)

While the Spies girls team in later episodes will be futuristic to follow and the early generation of retrospective throughout a potential summer vacation. At the end of the trailer… Alex, Sam and Clover are taking selfies using a WHOOP-sponsored smartphones (which somewhat called Androids or iPhones / iOS). Overall, they will continue to follow the spies on new missions and adventures out of Californian state as they try to maintain their place as WHOOP spies.

(SCREENGRAB COURTESY: Zoo le Mag)

Additional exclusive details provided by the French magazine "Zoo le Mag", shed a light on the new cast as well. Joining our favorite spy trio are the new and returning characters, namingly Gerald James "Jerry" Lewis, now acting as a consultant at a global spy agency 'WHOOP World' after retirement (or World Organization Of Human Protection), and the glamorous Mandy Luxe, who has embarked on her own after high school adventures from Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) in California, United States of America; then studied at Malibu University in California, the said country, after which she now moved to Singapore.

(SCREENGRAB COURTESY: Zoo le Mag)

Apart from the familiar faces, the new blood is set to rock the place, with fresh new protagonists and a male villain, such as the formidable Zerlina (a new head of WHOOP), the ingenious gadget guru 'Toby', and the mysterious 'Cyberchac'. Blending in the old and exciting newcomers altogether, the upcoming new season promises to be an exhilarating ride from start to finish.

The 7th Season premiere of 'Totally Spies' every Sunday mornings in France at 10:40am / 4:40pm in Manila / 3:30am Central U.S., giving the fans a weekly dose of espionage excitement. And for the international fans in Spain and the Middle East for example, there is no need to worry - the series will soon be out in English-dubbed for streaming and viewing for Cartoon Network in various time zones within the later year, making sure no spy enthusiast is left behind on us.

Anticipation builds as the return of your cherished undercover WHOOP agents draws near, guaranteeing a world of excitement, fashion and indelible memories in the realm of the aforementioned French animated kids show.

(SCREENGRAB COURTESY: Rhayniel Saldasal Calimpong / via Gulli LIVE VIDEO)

So, gather your gadgets and get ready to join the big three (3) heroines, and the rest of the gang on their latest mission in Singapore - it's going to be one heckiest wild ride of your life! LIVE and exclusive, starting May 12th, 2024, only on Gulli and streaming LIVE for FREE for French viewers at "replay.gulli.fr/direct"!

ART PHOTO COURTESY: Banijay Kids and Family and Ollenom Studio via Gulli

SOURCE: *https://twitter.com/gulli/status/1782770041051623638 [Referenced X Network Captioned PHOTO via Gulli] *https://kidscreen.com/2022/01/21/gulli-discovery-kids-revive-totally-spies/ [Referenced Classic News Article via Kidscreen] *https://www.cbr.com/totally-spies-season-7-2024-delay/ [Referenced News Article via Comic Book Resources] *https://www.journaldugeek.com/2024/04/23/le-reboot-des-totally-spies-est-la-ou-et-quand-le-regarder/ [Referenced News Article via Journal du Geek] *https://zoolemag.com/actualites/articles/2024/04/1954-le-grand-retour-des-totally-spies [Referenced News Article via Zoo le Mag] *https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoo_(magazine,_2004) *https://www.linternaute.com/television/dessin-anime-totally-spies-p3115468/pandapocalypse-e6438572/ [Referenced Synopsis via Linternaute Magazine News] and *https://www.gulli.fr/programme-tv/totally-spies [Referenced Programme Listings via Gulli]

-- OneNETnews Team

UPDATE #1 (as of April 29th, 2024): We got a recording with two trailers, and is to be updated soon within this week. and FINAL UPDATE #2 (as of April 29th, 2024 at 9pm MNL time): We fully appreciate for your patience. Here is an exclusive preview, as recorded by yours truly (above this news article) ^^^^! JUST an IMPORTANT NOTE… It will expire after 3 months. Limited time only. Enjoy and thank you!

[bladedalchemistreplica]

Rp whishlist for cyber ghost scout

Well here we come and here we go!!!

RP Wishlist for the Cyber ghosty!

((In pinpoints to keep myself from going offtrack to much ^^""

For the main thread

Regris ends up being seperated from the group and Kolivan (With delta and alfor) goes after to save the youngest blade. This leads them to a planet that was thought to have been destroyed during the Galra empire's destruction in that corner of the universe.

Ozar is given some new limbs by the alteans and has to as well face the judgement of Flow's family unit (maybe not ghosty for his sake) once they all reunite.

((Fluff and if it happens)) On Olkarion the group settles in and helps flow move into her new space, Romelle choosing to stay back and help her with daily tasks and handling the upcoming situation with the baby. As well as helping those just arriving to the refuge settling in.

((Crack/Fluff) The giant lions reflect their paladin's moods and state, so when Keith falls ill the bots may have to step up and ensure the Red/black lion doesn't end up destroying anything or one as he recovers, as well as possibly babysit the oversized lionesses and keep her on olkarion while Keith is MIA.

Axca enters the scene after finding the energy signal that matches the bots, entering and infiltrating Olkarion, she ends up stuck in the middle of helping Romelle and Flow, before ending up in the hands of a grubby Phantasmas and her giant crab. ((Crack-Obviously)

((Angst)) Alfor isn't feeling well and some faces come back from the grave which tests the waters of the cloned maned trust and honesty among both blades, fighters, and the bots.

((Crack)) The bots get sick and the freedom fighters (And keith) have to watch over them until they get better for their sake of sanity. Including attempting to feed the cursed creature of unicron

((Cybertronians)) Somehow they ended up on Cybertron, and now they want to go home...but cannot, due to the fact they are now...attractions inside a space zoo.

((fluff)) A mission to find supplies for their next operation leads the group into a rather peaceful, if not stressful, mission into the depths of what civilians enjoy and call---A mall.

AU IDEAS

Colored tails ((MERMAID AU)) __The fight against the Galra has led the underwater cities and kingdoms into pure chaos, the land dwellers none the wiser to the upcoming threat of the empire's reign and search for a tool; one of which can both summon creatures which can be controlled to the users will, and as well control the waters way of movement and expendenture.

We can be heroes ((superhero au)) The Red Paladin keith is one of the first to arrive at the sight of a crashed ship, upon entering he enoughters the bodies of gigantic humanoid robotic beings, to which he is now debating on either aiding to escape before the government arrives, or keeping down until they arrive to take care of them.

Can we start over? ((Pre-voltron)) King Alfor comes across an incredible sight; one of which holds the inspiration for how he will deal with a comet which had just landed on Daibazzals planet.

Vrepid Sa ((Galra reign AU)) With Votlron now in the Galra's grasp, it is now known to be feared and obeyed, but that may change when a group of humanoid robotic beings appear overnight, sparking a change in a galra commander eyes.

A preservation of life ((Altean empire AU)) The bots end up in a universe in which the alteans took charge, taken in by then once seen as a nonthreat, they are given the option of aiding them or becoming part of the empire themselves. Going out and being shown around Altea by their guide named Axca, a lowly Half-breed of galra and altean, who ends up giving her aid in getting them out of there before things turn for the worst.

((haha- just a few ideas...I hope i did these right. Forgive me if i have not!

[wickedsrest-rp]

Name: Nicole Salazar Species: Balam Occupation: Park Ranger Age: 30 Years Old Played By: Mary Face Claim: Adria Arjona

"I was, uh— Nature retreat. Four years. They had— nature and… shit."

TW: Parental & sibling death, drug manipulation

Long before “Pogo”, the tailless jaguar became an overnight sensation in Wicked’s Rest Zoo, before the feline drew crowds with its majestic beauty and fiery personality, before becoming a fan-favorite among zoo-goers and social media alike, there was Nicole, whose personality paled in comparison to the jaguar’s. 

Nicole grew up in rural Vermont, and was expected to be extraordinary. Her family encouraged this belief as soon as she could comprehend words; instilling a sense of pride in who and what she was with tales of their ancestors, once regarded by mortals as otherworldly creatures. A magical spirit bound to its descendants even as their lineage thinned, tethering them to a fierce jaguar living within. A mighty beast that she’d one day set free too.

The illusion shattered once she matured. Not everyone grew up hearing such stories. And being ridiculed by peers for sharing them was enough for Nicole to withdraw. Pride turned shame, turned skepticism. She accepted that like all children’s tales, balams were nothing but fantasy. A fun bedtime story. There was no spirit; ghosts didn’t exist. Other family “anomalies” were rationalized as something they inherited from the past, of course. Genes. Not spirits, nor magic.

She relied on what was before her: Salazars lived an unremarkable, lonely life. There were no extraordinary circumstances surrounding them. Yet — Anxiety ticked like a bomb inside her. Or maybe it was always the beast, refusing to be forgotten.

At seventeen, life took a turn. In an instant, warm laughs at the family gathering morphed into frantic shouting. Hunters, her uncle shouted. Nicole stood transfixed in horror as her father snapped her out of the shock, pleading for her to run and hide, making a final promise to find them after. He had never given her a reason to question him. So her instincts kicked in. She fought the monsters chasing her, held onto her siblings, and sprinted toward their escape. 

With a blast, everything vanished. Her siblings, the forest, the hunters. Nicole. The jaguar took over, raced toward safety, got lost in the wilderness. It wouldn’t be the last time the animal within was unleashed to save her life.

Two years after that fateful night, hidden deep in a forest, Nicole opened her eyes. Claimed her body back from the beast. Memories trickled down slowly. Fragments of truth. Piece by piece it came together, until tragedy dawned on her: she had lost everything.

The following months were hazy. If asked, she wouldn’t be able to recall most of it. She had to get in touch with her humanity again. Relearn who she was. Only the desperate need to find her family someday kept her going. She got easy jobs here and there. Slept in abandoned vehicles. When she inspired pity in strangers, she had a roof over her head. 

A short return to her hometown revealed that no trace of her family remained; her childhood home didn’t exist anymore. From the ruins, another farm had emerged. Neighbors claimed the surviving Salazars went into hiding. Others believed no one made it. And one small tip turned into hope: They had been seen in a town called Wicked’s Rest. Nicole shoved the few things she owned into a bag and took off.

Wicked’s Rest didn’t provide the answers she had been hoping for, but it gave her a small community to rely on when her determination wavered. It gave her a new start. She found comfort and peace in nature, it injected life back into her soul. Working to safeguard her comfort place blossomed into a worthwhile goal, and a few seasonal gigs at the State Park turned into a stable job. Things were looking up.  

As she worked on moving past tragedy, another hunter barged into her life. The jaguar, whom Nicole had built a cordial relationship with, broke out again, but this time, it wouldn’t bolt; it sought revenge. No longer afraid of blades and firearms, it fought for the lineage lost. And though its deadly bite triumphed in the end, it came with the cost of its tail. 

That’s how other rangers discovered the animal. Bleeding, weak, missing a piece, sedative darts scattered. Following weeks of care, the jaguar landed in the Zoo. The place was painfully small for a beast who enjoyed long strolls, but there were upsides: It didn’t have to worry about catching prey, nor fighting hunters looking to cash in on its pelt. No, the jaguar was pampered. So it eventually accommodated, fell into the routine of the Zoo. Enjoyed the attention its human counterpart never desired. Another four years went by like that.

Until one night, half a year ago, a man entered the enclosure. The jaguar was immediately on edge by the presence. His intentions were irrelevant. He could’ve been trying to snap a picture or he could’ve intended to harm the balam — though the glint of a blade could’ve been a sign— the animal defended itself from the intruder, made a meal out of him and while at it, ran away from its confinement, deciding it was no longer safe for them at the Zoo. 

Deja vu hit Nicole as she woke up in the forest once again, more years of her life lost to the jaguar.

The rumors spread about the disastrous escape, it sent Pogo lovers into ill-advised search parties. With no technology to aid her, Nicole relied on the whispers of strangers commenting on the news. Day by day, those subsided. Until lion cubs were born and all the attention pivoted to them. It offered Nicole the chance to get her bearings in order. As long as she stayed human, no one would ever find the tailless jaguar, even if the campaigns to find it continued. Now more than ever, she had to keep the beast under control. Couldn’t let it lock them anywhere, rob her of the life she was desperate to get back to.

Taming a fearless jaguar should be simple enough, no?

Character Facts:

Personality: Empathetic, courageous, intuitive, loyal, humble, anxious, secretive, indecisive, cranky, solitary

She has a small cabin in The Pines where she lives with her dog, Nacho. It’s exactly the kind of environment she was looking for to keep the jaguar out of trouble, but too far from the world she wants to be part of. For now, she’s prioritizing not ending up in the zoo again.

She’s become even more solitary and reluctant to engage in conversations after her second stint as a jaguar. Having lost a good chunk of her young years means she’s not great at social interactions anyway. She missed a lot of “firsts” and common milestones people go through at a young age.

Too afraid of losing control again, she’s very particular about how much she allows the jaguar to shift. Rarely it’s a full shift, but when she does, she makes sure it’s far outside the town, where Pogo doesn’t risk running into a fan.

She found a way to get her park ranger job back after disappearing for four years. She really likes it. Even smiles on the job sometimes. She’s fine with doing tours and providing information for visitors and hikers, but the night patrols are her favorite part. It’s when she gets to look through the eyes of the jaguar. For that reason, she prefers doing it alone. She’s ended up encountering more than a few supernatural incidents as a result.

She has a quiet fascination for ghosts. It’s not a hobby per se, but if she’s stressed or can’t sleep, she’ll visit a cemetery. The world of spirits is wide open now that she’s growing into her abilities. But how far do they extend? Maybe one day she’ll get to speak with one? Can she speak to them? It’s all new.

[sweetnsaltymari]

How Did I Get Here (ch1)

             Dear diary…

             You know? I thought my life would be normal after I moved to Paris from the UK. However… It’s only been about two weeks since mom and dad moved us here that my whole life has changed. It seems that the whole concept of superheroes versus villains exists outside of the comic books. These random villains like Stoneheart, Stormy Weather, and even more. But nothing would prepare me for everything I’ve learned in these two weeks.

 “But dad I don’t want to go to a new school… I’ve already made friends here I’m all set!” The girl whined as her father was packing up their life to the moving truck. “Calm down Ayano, you’ll see that this is going to be a really good experience for you, and you know your fathers worked very hard for this promotion at the company.” The older woman said as she rested her hand on the younger girl’s shoulder. “You know. When I was your age, I had to make a huge change in my life as well. My mom gave me a book to write all my thoughts and feelings down about all I went through.” Ayano looked at her mom with a deadpanned expression, “You mean a Diary mom? I’m not six writing about unicorns and superheroes….” Her mother laughed softly and held out a small gold embellished journal, “no, but you are growing into a young lady. This will be a perfect way to share your feelings.” The girl sighed and took I with a small smile, “Thanks mom… I’ll... try it out...” She said softly as she looked down at the journal. “Great, now finish getting your stuff in the truck so we can be in Paris by this evening.” The girl tucked the book away in her bag before going to pack up the little bit of life she had in her old room. She sighed as she looked around at the emptiness around her, “I hope they’re right about this…” She spoke softly to herself before carrying the few boxes out to the truck.

Ayano’s father slapped down the door of the moving truck and patted it, “This baby could really fit a whole zoo in there if you let it. Let’s hit the road family!” He hummed and got into the drivers’ seat of the car. Ayano followed behind and got in the back, plugging in her headphones and turning on some calming music by Pacific Coolest. She sighed and leaned her head on the cool window and watched as the scenery pass before dozing off.

Soon she was woken to soft shakes by her mother, whining softly, “honey… we’re here” Her mother spoke softly, and she sat up to rub her eyes. She looked at the new place she now had to call home. It wasn’t the biggest house, but it was immaculate and showed status which was apparently important to her parents. She sighed and got out of the car, shrugging on the overnight bag she packed for the first few nights while they unpacked. “I’m going to bed…” She said softly as she went up the stairs and into the house. Her parents shared a similar look of worry between hem as she left but shrugged it off, “Teenagers...” He father sighed and left her to be. Ayano flopped on her new bed and looked around her bare room and let out a whine before looking through her bag, the new journal being at the top. “I guess I’ll try this…” She flipped open the journal to the first page and took out a pen.

Do I start this with the typical dear diary crap? I don’t know… Honestly, I don’t even know how to talk about my feelings but here we go. Today I had to finish packing up my already okay life and move to another country, well at least this country is only a train ride away from home, but still... I already had a life, a home, a friend group, and a school. So why do I have to restart that tomorrow in a place I barely know?! They didn’t even ask me what I wanted and told me this would be a great experience for me… But how could they know… To late now though I guess... I just have an off feeling about Paris…

Ayano set the journal to the side and let out a breath, that did make her feel a bit better. She got up to get ready for bed before curling up in bed and letting herself get some needed rest as the first day of school was tomorrow.

The next thing Ayano knew she was being woken up by her mom gently, “Morning sweetie! Time for your first day at school! I hope you’re excited, I’ve unpacked some of your clothes and got some pastries from a cute little bakery down the road.” Ayano huffed and rubbed her eyes as she stood up, “I’m not hungry...” She got up and looked through her closet. “Well then I’ll pack you some, so you don’t stay grouchy for your first day of making new friends.” She hummed and left her to change. Ayano rolled her eyes and got dressed in something passable from what her mom had already unpacked. Of course, the only things her mom had unpacked were her best clothes and nothing at all her style, but she could make it work. She went downstairs and shoved a croissant into her mouth before muttering out a muffled, “Bye” to her parents. She was lucky to have such a short walk to school from her home.

She looked around in the nice brisk morning as she walked, she admitted, there was a beauty to the city around her that London didn’t have, but she still didn’t like being in such an unfamiliar place. As she passed the bakery she assumed her mom had gotten the treats from she couldn’t help but notice the old man who was on the ground in the middle of the crosswalk. As she was about to aid, she saw another girl go for him, her sweets going everywhere. “Must be the bakers daughter..” She muttered to herself as she watched her help the old man and them part. She was going to the same place she was, so she just followed the pigtailed girl, watching as she went over to her friends and started chatting. She sighed softly as she remembered her friends from back home. She just passed by everyone and went to go map out her schedule so she wouldn’t get lost in the day. She eventually went to her homeroom and sit in the back of the class. She kept to herself during the class and quietly left to go to her first class which was PE, as she left the class she was bumped into a disgruntled student that told her to shove off and watched as he went to the principals office. “He’s.. rude..” She muttered and went to the class she had.

She heard a loud bang as she got to her class before the whole building shook and students freaked out, “What the hell was that?!” She exclaimed before hearing a loud ‘KIM’ in the distance and followed as the students went to the window. “What the hell is that?!?” Another student exclaimed as the chunky rock figure was going around causing destruction. The next thing she knew she was being dragged to go hide by a fellow classmate. They pulled up the news and watched as they covered what was going on. It was a long battle that took for what seemed like hours to fix, but these new superheroes had saved the day. She eventually was allowed to go home and was just done with the day. How was it that this could be real. Like what maniac could start this shit.

She went through the door to her house and her parents looked frazzled, “Oh my god you’re safe! We were so worried, and you weren’t texting us.” Her mother hugged her tightly. “Oh.. Yeah I was pulled into cover and my phone was in the other room off.. sorry… I just want food and to go to bed. This day has been… a lot to say the least.” She said deadpanned, still trying to figure out what the hell had happened today. “I think a good night of sleep will do us all good” Her father said and set out the food they had ordered. Ayano picked up her own plate and filled it before going up to her room, “Night..”

She got in her room and set her plate down on her desk before flopping on her bed and pulling her journal over and flipping to the next page.

Dear Diary,

What in the ever-loving HELL happened today. STONEHEAD….HEART….MAN?!? I don’t know what the hell that was. But apparently, I live in the multiverse of superheroes and villains and this ISN’T just my 6 year old brain playing make believe in this time. I literally saw a man get crushed by a car in front of my school and of course he’s now probably in the hospital or something. I knew moving to Paris would be the WORST. Now I live in a goddamn comic book world where my life is in danger?? I mean at least I understand what the NPC characters of the marvel universe feel after their regularly scheduled villain shows up to cause hell… I just hope tomorrow is normal….

————————

[aestheticvoyage2023]

Day 127: Sunday May 7, 2023 - “The Lou’s Zoo”

After a nice breakfast at Ben’s house, and a ride in Eve’s big tree swing, we rolled into the Central West End to visit Forest Park - whoa talk about nostalgia being back here!   I used to spend a lot of time in this park, circling the back path that now I crossed pushing a stroller almost 15 years later, but an old friend Ben beside me still after all this time commenting on how nice it is that he’s now seen William 3 times before he is 2!  That is pretty memorable and I am glad for the good men in my life and that I can count him as a friend, and that he’d be willing to go out in public with me on a muggy day like today where the sweat just ran out of me....like my desert dried bones didn’t know what to do with all the moisture in the air. 

The big adventure for today was to take William to the St Louis Zoo, which I believe to be one of the best zoos in the whole country on the simple fact that it is free on top of also being pretty damn awesome.  Beautiful here with all the greenery and the trees and the well done habitats with flowing water and waterfalls.   I made a big deal with William about finally seeing a Hippo for the first time and we went straight for that right away and with amazing luck, all three hipps were all together napping up against the glass where William could stand in awe and watch the bubbles come out of their noses, occasionally lifting for air, then settling back down on each other for their Sunday Siesta.  Ten Minutes in, and the zoo visit was a complete success. 

This Zoo, I’d always bring family and visitors here for a run around the park and a chance to see Giraffes.  I even sent AC here once on a long overnight to connect with a place that feels like home to me.  But to experience it all again with William in the stroller, after spending so much time together in our own zoo, was memorable - you see and experience it all different now as a Dad, seeing the wonder in his eyes while a polar bear swims in front of him, or real live penguins danced on the rocks for him, running with their arms out behind them like he does.  The Sun Bear definitely won for best overall habitat and we agreed that he is winning at Sun Bear life.  I was impressed with the new monkey habitat built in together with a kids monkey play area.  We saw several Asian Elephants, and Grizzlies, Sea Lions swimming.  It was a pretty awesome day - and several times I caught pictures of William looking lovingly and respectfully at his Uncle Ben - hes.a good Dad and a good man, and I appreciate that he has a good soul to look up to along with all the other really good friends and dad-models I have backing me up on this journey.  They played together and laughed and looked at Puffins and I imagine that William probably thinks this is Ben’s zoo.   Just imagine when we come back and get you the behind the scenes tour!   

A day after going to his fourth major league ballpark, this was William’s fourth major league zoo to go with Detroit, Phoenix, and Tucson and it really got me thinking that maybe this could be our thing for this next little stress.  Which zoo should we go to next?  Cant wait to find out!

Song: Bob Dylan - Forever Young

Quote: “The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” ― W.B. Yeats

[leafs-lover]

with Paul coming back into the picture, where does Auston stand with it? i know he was very angry at the beginning, but do they ever become cordial with each other? or does auston just avoid and ignore him?

He isn’t overly happy about it. At first it starts with Tia being on FaceTime and letting Paul and Taylour talk for a few minutes, Taylour would tell him about a movie or toy he has, pretty simple stuff. One day Taylour does ask to see his grandpa (he doesn’t understand why he has never met Paul but Brian comes to Toronto and he’ll have sleepovers with him/Ema in the summer) and that’s when Tia tells him he lives really far away so he can’t see him all the time.

Because of COVID and the constantly changing border restrictions, Paul doesn’t actually get to see Tia in person until early 2022 and that’s when he and Taylour meet. Auston sees Paul throughout that visit and makes small talk with him but he doesn’t go out of his way to spend time or talk to him.

As Taylour gets older they continue to FaceTime and he visits at least once a year. When Taylour is 9, Paul asks if he can take him camping for a weekend and that’s kind of the first time Auston considers saying no. Up until that point their relationship was largely virtual or afternoons bowling at the beach, the zoo etc and taking Taylour overnight is something only his family and their very close friends have been allowed.

That is the first time he realizes they are actually building a connection and finds himself uneasy about the situation. Over the years he found himself in therapy discussing Paul, his relationship with him and Paul/Tayloiur’s, but when Paul asked to take him camping Auston found himself in mutiple sessions over a very short window questioning if he should have let Paul be involved at all. Tia knows he is struggling and says they can put the breaks on their relationship, that she would tell her dad they need some space. Auston considers it but (through therapy) realizes Paul is Taylour’s grandpa and his only family on Tia’s side, and he can’t be the reason Taylour doesn’t know half his family.

When Taylour finds out of Tia being a stripper, she wants to tell Taylour what happened in the beginning (there is a lot on the internet and she doesn’t want him believing it) but Auston is the one that’s a little hesitant to tell him what Paul did because he doesn’t want to ruin his relationship with his grandpa. Tia argues that Taylour could blame him and assume Auston abandoned them, and that his relationship with his dad is more important than a relationship with his grandfather, and she ultimately convinces him they should be honest with him.

Paul does want to repair their relationship but Auston is never really open to that. He lets him be involved with Taylour but he has no desire to be anything more than cordial with him and Paul accepts it and hopes that one day he will be open to more.