#G!Hudson

[thoughtfulfangirling]

lol Poor Goliath. The Youth are picking up slang so much faster than him, and he's so confused. The age old experience of adults XD

[eloordi]

HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (2003) Dir. Donald Petrie

[peikonlainen]

I couldn't resist to make my own version of favourite character bingo 🌟 I'll draw you a thing if you actually get bingo out of this!

Character list

Silver from Treasure planet

Hypno potamus from Rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles

Warren Stone from rose of the teenage mutant ninja turtles

Oswald Cobblepot / The Penguin from Batman the animation series

Ricket from Monkey Wrench

Zorglub from Spirou and Fantasio comics

General Skarr from the Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy

Captain Haddock from Adventures of Tintin comics

Papa G from Kid cosmic

Sir Pentious from Hazbin hotel

The Professor from the Puppet history

Bob from Bob's burgers

Oggy from Oggy and the cockroaches

Rowlf the dog from the Muppets

Wander from the Wander over Yonder

Grizz from We bare bears

Demon / Sakuma from Ping pong the animation

Susie from Summer camp island

Hudson from Gargoyles

Zulius from Centaurworld

Entrapta from Shera

Snow queen from the Snow queen (1957)

Tiny manticore from Adventure Time

Muffin from Bluey

[dame-de-pique]

G. H. E. Hudson - Pear blossoms in Mr. Stirling's orchard, Kelowna, British Columbia, 1909

[illuminated-in-darkness]

Spain Black Sails Musical Parallels | XXXIII. XXXIV.

I spent a year rewatching Black Sails and tracking all the bits of music that repeated at any point during the show, and my findings are reinforcing that Bear McCreary is a genius and this show should have been called 'parallels that will kill you over and over again'* (tag | chronological)

[slxshh]

𝖠 𝗄𝗇𝗈𝖼𝗄 𝖺𝗐𝖺𝗒

chapter seven

October 3rd

-

It was around 10 in the morning. Still a little cloudy out but sunnier. Saul quietly opened the door to the guest room where Luna had been sleeping. His firm gaze met her soft body lying on the bed with her plushie beside her. She looked so peaceful... so sweet. He figured it was time to wake her for the breakfast he made. He gently walked over, looking at her vulnerable body, how innocent she looked lying there. Her glasses off and nightgown riding up a little, bunched around her soft thighs. He walked over to the side of the bed, his larger calloused but oh-so-gentle hand softly on her smooth thigh. He almost groaned at the feel of her skin, his hand rubbing her thigh gently, sliding to her inner thigh. She whimpered softly and quietly in her sleep, shifting a little. His eyes darkening. His hand softly rubbing her inner thigh. He slowly withdrew his hand before walking quietly out. Waiting for her to awake and come downstairs. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she slowly regained consciousness, her surroundings coming into focus.

Luna blinked a few times, her vision adjusting to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, she felt a pang of confusion, struggling to remember where she was and why she was there. Then, the events of the previous night came rushing back, and she sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. Reaching to put her glasses on again. her mind still a bit foggy. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, noticing that her nightgown was slightly wrinkled and very faintly damp from the rain. She smoothed it down, trying to regain some semblance of composure. Luna took a deep breath, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.

After a few minutes, she felt a bit more awake and presentable. She picked up her teddy bear, giving it a comforting squeeze, laying it on the bed, before heading downstairs to see Saul. As she descended the staircase, she noticed the aroma of freshly cooked food wafting through the air, making her stomach rumble with hunger. The dining area was just as cozy as the rest of the house, with a dark wooden table set for two. A plate of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon awaited her. a warm smile on his face as he gestured for her to sit down. Her gaze was soft and appreciative. She hadn’t had this good of a meal in forever.

"Good morning, Luna," he said, his tone gentle and welcoming. "I hope you like pancakes."

Luna smiled so sweetly and happily. "I love pancakes!" she replied, taking a seat across from him. "t-thank you so much Mr hudson- I- I don’t know what to say" she was rambling a bit. It always happened when she was happy or anxious.

"It's my pleasure," Saul said, his eyes twinkling with a hint of something she couldn't quite place.

They began eating, the clinking of cutlery the only sound for a few moments. Luna savored the food, realizing just how hungry she was.

"So, Luna," Saul began after a while, his tone casual yet inquisitive. "Tell me some more about yourself. What do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies besides drawing?” Luna hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit shy. But Saul's genuine interest made her feel more comfortable. "Well, I love animals.." she said, her eyes lighting up slightly at the mention of her favorite pastime. "I-I care so very much for animals..” she said gently.

Saul nodded, interested. "That's very sweet." Luna smiled softly, feeling a sense of warmth from his words. "Anything else you enjoy doing?" Luna thought for a moment, feeling a bit more at ease with the conversation. "I also like reading," she said. Saul's eyes gleamed with interest. but something else as well."That's fascinating, Luna. You must have a vivid imagination."

Luna blushed slightly at the compliment. "yea.."

“anything else?”

Luna hesitated for a moment. She didn’t wanna bore him with all the stuff so she kept it short. “I- I like flowers.. and plants as well.” She said softly. Taking a sip of orange juice in the glass cup next to her.

He grinned. “how fascinating..”

They continued talking, the conversation flowing naturally as they shared more about themselves. Despite her initial wariness, Luna found herself feeling more comfortable with Saul. His kindness and genuine interest in her life made her feel seen and valued, something she hadn't experienced in a long time. it was around 11 now. Her and Saul just finished talking, “well.. thank you for everything Mr Hudson.. but I should probably go now.. I don’t wanna bother you or anything.. plus I need to find my way back home.” Luna said softly. Looking at him as he sat across the table for her. Saul’s eyes darkened, she couldn’t go. Not now.. not ever. Plus.. the sweet girl had nothing to go back for. What would she go back for? Her mom? Her mom was just gonna be mean again. Never gonna Change.

Saul's smile faded, replaced with an almost dark look. "Luna, you don't have to go back to that," he said firmly. "You can stay here as long as you need. I have plenty of space, and I don’t mind the company.” Luna hesitated, her eyes searching his for sincerity. "I... I don't want to be a burden," she said softly, feeling torn between her gratitude and her desire to not impose.

Saul reached across the table and placed his larger calloused reassuring hand over her smaller soft one. "You're not a burden, Luna. Far from it. I enjoy having you here." Luna's heart softened at his words, and she found herself considering his offer more seriously. The idea of returning to her mother's house, where she faced constant neglect and disdain, filled her with dread. Here, with Saul, she felt a glimmer of hope—something she hadn't felt in a long time. Still, a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that there was something she didn't fully understand about him.

"Are you sure, Mr Hudson?" she asked tentatively. “Saul.” He corrected sternly. “S-Saul sorry.” "I mean, I don't want to disrupt your life or anything."

Saul's eyes met hers, filled with a mix of warmth and something deeper, something she couldn't quite place. "I'm sure. I want to help you, I want to make sure you're happy." Luna smiled softly, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Thank you, Saul. I can't tell you how much this means to me."

Saul's smirk grew, satisfied with her response. "It's no trouble at all, Luna. Now, how about we spend the day doing something fun? Maybe we could go out and get you a new sketchbook and some art supplies. What do you think?" He said. Luna thought it was an act of kindness, but what the poor girl didn’t know was that he was trying to bribe her. Make her see he’s kind, and stay with him.

Luna's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "That sounds wonderful! I've been wanting to draw again, but I didn't have the chance to get my things from home."

Saul nodded, pleased with her enthusiasm. "Wonderful. There's a nice little art supply store in town that I think you'll love." He said with a grin. She smiled softly. About to get up and get freshened up before he stopped her. “Hm.. maybe a bit later. I just want to show you around the house a little since I couldn’t yesterday.” He said with a gentle smile. He didn’t care about the house.. he just couldn’t go out till night or evening. It would risk his identity. One that she just couldn’t resist. Her soft lips making the shape of a gentle “oh.” “Okay.” She said gently. Sitting back down. He wanted to show her the house.. he wanted her to get used to it. Cause she was gonna be living there.. he was gonna make her.

Saul stood up, extending his hand to help Luna. "Let's start with the living room," he said, leading her towards the cozy space where they had spent the previous evening. Saul making small talk, talking about the furniture and all.. As they were talking, the TV had been on. Lunas eyes drifted to the television, watching as they talked about another brutal murder in the small town of oak falls just last night. Slash still hadn’t been spotted.. “oh my…” she whispered softly. Watching as the news lady spoke.

“Police say they still can’t find the person who’s behind all of this. But some reports and people near by, say he seems to go by the name… “slash.””

Saul's eyes flickered to the TV for a brief moment, his expression unreadable. "It's terrible, isn't it?" he said, his voice tinged with false concern. "This town has been on edge ever since those murders started happening."

Luna nodded, her unease growing. "Yeah, it's really scary," she replied softly. "I hope they catch whoever is responsible soon."

Saul placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, the touch both comforting and oddly unsettling.

"Don't worry, Luna. You're safe here with me," he said, his tone soothing. "Let's continue the tour. I think you'll like the library."

Lunas eyes lit up, she glanced at the TV one last time before following Saul down a hallway that led to a wooden door. He opened it with a flourish, revealing a cozy, dimly lit room lined with bookshelves that reached the ceiling. The scent of old paper and polished wood filled the air, creating an atmosphere of quiet intellectualism.

Luna's eyes widened as she stepped inside, taking in the sheer volume of books. "Wow, this is amazing," she said, her voice filled with awe. "I've never seen so many books in one place outside of a library."

Saul smriked, pleased with her reaction. "I'm glad you like it. Do you see anything you like?" She walked along the shelves, her fingers lightly grazing the spines of various books. "I see a lot that like," she admitted. Saul grinned, watching her closely. Watching the way her small body stood there, god he just wanted to grab her and..

Luna paused, pulling out a worn copy of a classic adventure novel. "This one looks interesting," she said, showing it to him.

"Ah, a great choice," Saul said approvingly. "Feel free to borrow it."

"Thank you, Saul," Luna said with a shy smile. "I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome," he replied, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. "Now, cmon.."

They left the library and walked back down the hallway, entering a spacious, modern dark kitchen. Stainless steel appliances gleamed under the soft lighting, and a large island stood in the center, adorned with a bowl of fresh fruit. Luna saw the kitchen last night. but she hadn’t gotten a good look due to the dim lighting.

Luna looked around, impressed. "This is beautiful," she said. "Do you cook a lot?"

"I do," Saul said, leaning against the island. "Cooking is another one of my passions.”

Luna nodded, feeling a pang of longing. "I used to cook a little with my mom, but it was never anything fancy."

"Well, maybe we can cook together sometime," Saul suggested, his tone inviting. "I'd love to show you some recipes."

"I'd like that," Luna replied, feeling a bit more at ease. "It sounds fun."

"Great," Saul said, his smile widening. "Now, let’s go to the backyard hm? Pretty sure you’ll like it."

He led her to the back door. the small garden he had in the back was a riot of colors, with blooming flowers and lush greenery. It was so neat, and beautiful.

"It's gorgeous," Luna said, her eyes lighting up. "I-i love these flowers so much! They’re so pretty" Luna exclaimed sweetly and excitedly. Looking down at the light pink peony flowers.

"Yes, they are," Saul agreed, watching her closely. Luna wandered down the garden, stopping to admire a bed of vibrant roses. turning to look at him. "You've been so kind to me. I don't know how to repay you." "Your happiness is all the thanks I need," Saul said smoothly. "I'm just glad I can provide you with a safe place to stay." He said, his dark eyes looking at her. Her gaze softened, stay.. Luna did really wanna stay. But I mean.. she barely knew the man. But from what she knew he was so sweet to her.

Luna smiled softly, feeling a mix of gratitude and unease. "I really appreciate it," she said. "It means a lot to me."

Saul walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. " you're not alone anymore. You have me now.. I can be your friend.” He said gently, but a hint to something she couldn’t quite place, persuasion.. and it was working. Luna smiled sweetly. “Okay!” She said softly, Luna always wanted a friend..

As they stood in the garden, the clouds began to part, allowing a few rays of sunlight to filter through.

Luna looked up, feeling a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things would get better. But as she glanced back at Saul, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something she still didn't understand about him.

"Shall we head back inside?" Saul suggested. "We can plan our trip to the art store in a bit."

"Alright," Luna agreed, following him back into the house. As they walked through the door, she took one last look at the garden, hoping that she could find some semblance of peace in this new chapter of her life.

As they re-entered the house, Saul closed the door behind them, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of satisfaction and anticipation. Everything was falling into place, just as he had planned. And Luna, blissfully unaware, was right where he wanted her.

[rayjuss]

Happy SP404 Day

[original-character-championship]

Bracket G Round 1

Poll 8

Vin - Sentinel-General Vincent 'Nate' Hudson & RJ MacCready (@theartofblossoming) vs. Musicbox (@mxdragonica)

399. Vin - Sentinel-General Vincent 'Nate' Hudson & RJ MacCready (@theartofblossoming)

He/him and he/him

Because together, they are the best Cap-'Stache you will ever find.

Vin is 6'2", auburn hair, kind green eyes, muscular; he has a vertical scar down from his hairline, over his eye (lucky he still has it) and down to his thick horseshoe moustache. Eagle tattoo on his neck, others on his arms and back. Mac is 5'11" (in the morning) and, well, you know what he looks like.

400. Musicbox (@mxdragonica)

it/its/itself

A fancily dressed and well spoken warforged (magic robot from D&D), Musicbox is a friendly face found at many noble parties and diplomatic functions in the name of its Lady, a high profile noble of mysterious identity. Previously a scout in a war some 60 years ago, it has since found passion in the musical arts, its skill with a violin rivaled only by its ability to perform emotions to a degree comparable with the born living, even if it cannot feel them on such a level.

Hindered mainly by an inability to properly portray fear in much of any capacity (often opting for another emotion when needed), and a monotone voice. Musicbox takes great pride in its skill as a bard, and most certainly does *not* believe its coworker, The Lady's personal entertainer, is a hack who cannot have been hired for his musical skill, don't worry about it.

A well dressed and polished silver robot with blue glass eyes, often wearing a hat with a yellow feather in it. It always has a rapier on its hip, and a violin ready to play strapped to its back, accompanied, of course, by a bow.

Usually wears a white suit top accompanied by a matching skirt, at meetings or performances. Also often wears a dark blue and black suit with matching jacket and pants, and occasionally and more dull, if better for long travel, brown leather outfit.

[biitchcakes]

@gwenbiote said: mom can i crash here tonight ? i just crawled out of the hudson and really don't have the energy to move ---- // unprompted !

Wordlessly, Jess extends an arm for Gwen, wrapping it around the young spider's back to act as SUPPORT as she ushers her into the office. Damp strands stick to the edges of her face, Jess moving them back into place as she checks for bumps and bruises. There's LOADS.

Now in the bathroom, she helps her DAUGHTER onto the closed toilet, noticing only then as it coldly clings to her that her sleeve is soaked entirely through. ❝ One sec ⸺ ❞ She darts from the room, reappearing only moments later with a tank top, running shorts and underwear. ❝ I always keep a spare set handy for me just in case of, I mean, y'know ⸺ ❞ She gestures at Gwen's dripping form. ❝ THAT. ❞

Setting the clothes on the tiny ledge of the sink, Jessica folds her arms and leans against the doorframe. ❝ You're welcome to stay here the night, I've not got any problems with you here on your own. But, if ya want, you can come back to Miguel's apart— to OUR apartment. ❞ A warm smile begins to form as she offers, shifting to pull out the FIRST AID KIT from the medicine cabinet.

❝ If you're wantin' a shower at any point that's better than barely tepid, can't say you'll find that here. Plus, Lyla'll dry your SPIDEY-SUIT for ya. ❞ Jess looks toward the direction of her futon, then back to Gwen ⸺ eyeing up a fresh, red scrape on her cheek. ❝ Plus plus, there's a spare bed, instead of a futon, at the APARTMENT. ❞

[hotvintagepoll]

Congrats to the ultimate winner of the Hot & Vintage Movie Men Tournament, Mr. Toshiro Mifune! May he live happily and well where the sun always shines, enjoying the glories of a battle hard fought.

A loving farewell to all of our previous contestants, who are now banished to the shadow realm and all its dark joys and whispered horrors—I hear there's a picnic on the village green today. If you want to remember the fallen heroes, you can find them all beneath the cut.

What happens next? I'll be taking a break of two weeks to rest from this and prep for the Hot & Vintage Ladies Tournament. I'll still be around but only minimally, posting a few last odes to the hot men before transitioning into a little early ladies content, just like I did with this last tournament. The submission form for the Hot & Vintage Ladies tournament will remain up for one more week (closing February 21st), so get your submissions in for that asap! Once the form closes, there will be one more week of break. The first round of the Hot & Vintage Ladies Tournament will be posted on February 29th, as Leap Year Day seems like a fitting allusion to leaping into these ladies' arms.

Thanks for being here! Enjoy the two weeks off, and send me some great propaganda.

In order of the last round they survived—

ROUND ONE HOTTIES:

Richard Burton

Tony Curtis

Red Skelton

Keir Dullea

Jack Lemmon

Kirk Douglas

Marcello Mastroianni

Jean-Pierre Cassel

Robert Wagner

James Garner

James Coburn

Rex Harrison

George Chakiris

Dean Martin

Sean Connery

Tab Hunter

Howard Keel

James Mason

Steve McQueen

George Peppard

Elvis Presley

Rudolph Valentino

Joseph Schildkraut

Ray Milland

Claude Rains

John Wayne

William Holden

Douglas Fairbanks Sr.

Harold Lloyd

Charlie Chaplin

John Gilbert

Ramon Novarro

Slim Thompson

John Barrymore

Edward G. Robinson

William Powell

Leslie Howard

Peter Lawford

Mel Ferrer

Joseph Cotten

Keye Luke

Ivan Mosjoukine

Spencer Tracy

Felix Bressart

Ronald Reagan (here to be dunked on)

Peter Lorre

Bob Hope

Paul Muni

Cornel Wilde

John Garfield

Cantinflas

Henry Fonda

Robert Mitchum

Van Johnson

José Ferrer

Robert Preston

Jack Benny

Fredric March

Gene Autry

Alec Guinness

Fayard Nicholas

Ray Bolger

Orson Welles

Mickey Rooney

Glenn Ford

James Cagney

ROUND TWO SWOONERS:

Dick Van Dyke

James Edwards

Sammy Davis Jr.

Alain Delon

Peter O'Toole

Robert Redford

Charlton Heston

Cesar Romero

Noble Johnson

Lex Barker

David Niven

Robert Earl Jones

Turhan Bey

Bela Lugosi

Donald O'Connor

Carman Newsome

Oscar Micheaux

Benson Fong

Clint Eastwood

Sabu Dastagir

Rex Ingram

Burt Lancaster

Paul Newman

Montgomery Clift

Fred Astaire

Boris Karloff

Gilbert Roland

Peter Cushing

Frank Sinatra

Harold Nicholas

Guy Madison

Danny Kaye

John Carradine

Ricardo Montalbán

Bing Crosby

ROUND THREE SMOKESHOWS:

Marlon Brando

Anthony Perkins

Michael Redgrave

Gary Cooper

Conrad Veidt

Ronald Colman

Rock Hudson

Basil Rathbone

Laurence Olivier

Christopher Plummer

Johnny Weismuller

Clark Gable

Fernando Lamas

Errol Flynn

Tyrone Power

Humphrey Bogart

ROUND 4 STUNGUNS:

James Dean

Cary Grant

Gregory Peck

Sessue Hayakawa

Harry Belafonte

James Stewart

Gene Kelly

Peter Falk

QUARTERFINALIST VOLCANIC TOWERS OF LUST:

Jeremy Brett

Vincent Price

James Shigeta

Buster Keaton

SEMIFINALIST SUPERMEN:

Omar Sharif

Paul Robeson

FINALIST FANTASIES:

Sidney Poitier

Toshiro Mifune

and ok, sure, here's the shadow-bracket-style winner's portrait of Toshiro Mifune.

[thoughtfulfangirling]

WHAT IS THIS MOMENT?!

Goliath looks so proud of her?! Smug?

Hudson is making his compelling, philosophical argument and asks if one would name a river, and Elisa just like, 'Yes' by telling him the name, amusement in her voice. Hudson looks to Goliath, and we get this reaction, followed by Elisa looking to him as well for his reaction. He approves.

I really have felt like it takes Goliath a lot longer to be interested in Elisa but like this sure is a moment! I certainly think part of it is watching the old one have to encounter such a radical shift, but it's almost like Goliath was the one trying to convince him or that he set Elisa upon it.

I think. Maybe. He is assessing her for being the one to show him about the human world? If it were me, I'd want to know more about that whole 'why do you need something to call me,' but there is something about Goliath and Elisa that has a common thread. For Goliath, it would just be the way things are. I think he would have answered much the same as Elisa. So perhaps we're coming around to the way they can relate to each other. Perhaps in fact it's the way Xanatos might wax poetic about the power of names and naming things (at least as Goliath might imagine one might do) that would set him on edge. Elisa is also matter of fact here in the way he was earlier with 'I wanted to make sure you were alone.'

Whatever is going on, it's certainly A Moment! Haha

[eloordi]

HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (2003) Dir. Donald Petrie

[britneyarmee]

very underrated show

“what’s game shakers?!”

[dame-de-pique]

G. H. E. Hudson - Kelowna, BC, from across the Lake, 1911

[beansprean]

manipulative grown baby colin rly is the star of the show

My Familiar’s Ghost part 86

Masterpost Masterpost 2

See the latest pages on Patreon!

(ID in alt and under cut)

ID: 1a. Close up of Guillermo's orange vampire eyes with slitted pupils, looking tired and frustrated. He says, 'This is so unnecessary...' 1b. Background showing the cage in the basement draped with silver chains, Nandor and Guillermo trapped within while Nadja, Colin, and Laszlo stand outside. Guillermo is pressed against the side closest to them, hands gripping the bars, and Nandor is leaning on the back wall with his arms crossed. Several bubbles with close ups of the characters pop up in the foreground as they speak. Colin, grinning maniacally and holding up the sparking cattle prod so the light reflects off his glasses, shouts 'We decide what's necessary, fool!' Guillermo turns from Colin to gesture frantically toward the others, asking, 'Who bought him another cattle prod?' Laszlo glances away, looking as contrite as he is capable of, and replies 'Whomever it was, I'm sure they regretted it immediately.' Nadja looks down sympathetically at her husband and says 'My love, I know you have been absolutely whipped by Colin Robinson, but we will have that intervention at another time.'

2a. Split panel, close up of Nandor on the left and Guillermo on the right in their same positions in the cage. They both startle and blurt out in unison, 'Intervention?!' Offscreen, Laszlo says 'Too right, by darling. These lobcocks have been left on the shelf too long.' 2b. Chest up of Colin, who is twirling the cattle prod authoritatively in the air as he says, 'Unlike Harvey Lowe Lifetime Achievement Award winner Dale Myrberg, we're tired of all this g-damned yo-yo-ing!' An asterisk on Dale Myrberg's name leads to a footnote which reads 'Decorated yo-yo player and US national grand master (yo-yo.fandom.com/wiki/dale_myrberg)' Next to him, Nadja gestures toward Colin with a hand and says 'What he said! ...I think... Yes, we have been exhausted by the slow burning of your groins,' 2c. Close up of Nadja in profile in the foreground as she rounds on the cage and points at Nandor and Guillermo accusingly. She continues, snarling through her fangs, 'And we are not letting you out until you un-stink your sad penises!' In the background, Guillermo, still hanging onto the bars at the front, blushes, snaps his mouth closed, and brings his knees in as if to cover his crotch. Nandor, still positioned at the back wall, blushes and looks away, hands darting down to cover his own. 2d. Waist up of Laszlo as he begins to ascend the stairs out of the dungeon in the foreground, Nadja close behind. In the background, Nandor stands wide-eyed in the cage, watching them go. Guillermo presses himself again to the bars, desperately calling out, 'Wha-? W-wait, guys, come on!' Laszlo raises one finger above his head to point dramatically over his shoulder at the cage below and says, 'When we return, there had better be words in mouths or dicks in arses!' Guillermo shouts, 'Laszlo!!'

3a. Waist up of Colin at the dungeon door, already leaving but leaning back in as Guillermo calls out uncertainly from below, 'Colin?' Colin puts on a shiny-eyed pleading expression, sparkles forming around his head, and says, 'Sorry, Uncle Memo, but as the great lyricist Katheryn Hudson sang, 'we fight, we break up, we kiss, we make up.' It's time to finish the song.' An asterisk after the lyrics leads to a footnote which reads 'from 2008 hit single 'Hot N Cold' by Katy Perry (katyperry.fandom.com/wiki/hot_n_cold).' 3b. Repeat. Colin slams the door shut behind him, leaving with the parting words, 'I don't wanna be a child of divorce!' 3c. Shoulders up on Guillermo back in the cage, Nandor stepping forward behind him to point an accusatory finger up at the now-closed door. He sneers, 'Playing the 'child' card will not work on me, Colin Robinson!!' Guillermo, eyes shining with guilt and mouth going wobbly as he looks toward the closed door, says nothing. Text nearby points at him and reads 'working on him'. /end ID

[slxshh]

A knock away.

𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗈𝗇𝖾

———————————————————————

September 30th 2010

-

Luna had been sitting in the small but comfy space of her room for what felt like hours. The room was filled with a sense of familiarity and comfort, especially with her soft light brown teddy by her side. Laying in bed, she let her eyes wander to the window, watching the gentle rain tapping against the glass. The soft, rhythmic sound was almost soothing, even though it was gloomy out. This kind of weather was not surprising since it was quite normal around there. She was home alone again, a situation that had become all too familiar. Her mom had gone out, claiming she was "getting groceries," but Luna wasn't stupid. She knew what her mom was really doing—out with another guy. It was a pattern she had come to recognize. Not surprising, but still disappointing. The realization left her feeling even more alone in her room, confined not just by the walls but also by her thoughts.

The room seemed to echo with silence, amplifying her sense of isolation. The soft rain outside was the only companion she had, a constant backdrop to her inner monologue. She sighed, hugging her teddy bear closer, wishing for the comfort and security that seemed to elude her. The world outside might be gloomy, but the storm inside her mind felt even more intense, swirling with feelings of abandonment and loneliness.

As the minutes ticked by, Luna found herself lost in thought, wondering how different her life could be if things were more stable at home. She often fantasized about escaping to a place where she felt truly safe and loved, away from the uncertainty that clouded her daily life. In her mind, she pictured a cozy little cottage nestled in the countryside, surrounded by fields of wildflowers and the gentle hum of nature. There, she imagined herself waking up to the warm embrace of sunlight streaming through the windows, greeted each morning by the cheerful chirping of birds. And maybe somebody by her side.

In this dream world, Luna was never alone. She had friends who truly cared for her, a community that supported and uplifted one another. Her days were filled with laughter, adventure, and the kind of joy that seemed so elusive in her current reality. She would spend her afternoons exploring the nearby woods, collecting interesting rocks and leaves, and creating little art projects with her findings.  she already did that here. But maybe it'd be more appealing in her fantasy world. As her thoughts drifted, Luna's gaze returned to the window. The rain had picked up, the droplets now racing down the glass in a hurried dance. She sighed once more, feeling the weight of her solitude settle more heavily upon her shoulders. The dream of the cottage was a comforting escape, but she knew it was just that—a dream. The reality was that she was still here, in this room, waiting for her mom to return from yet another night out.

Determined not to let the gloom consume her entirely, Luna decided to distract herself. She got up from her bed, clutching her teddy bear in her gentle small hand. As she walked down the narrow hall that led to the kitchen, she could hear the faint hum of the refrigerator and the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. She continued her journey into the living room, where she was greeted by the gentle rustling from the cage in the corner. Inside the black-barred cage was a soft, fluffy white rabbit. Luna smiled softly, feeling a wave of warmth wash over her.

Luna had always loved animals and tried her best to take care of them, but it was quite hard since she barely had any money to get the right things for them. Her bunny, nestled in a cozy blanket at the bottom of her cage, looked up at her with curious eyes. "Hi, Sprinkle," she said softly, her voice filled with affection. Kneeling down, she placed her teddy bear next to her and carefully opened the cage door to let the bunny come out. She always took Sprinkle out when her mom wasn't home because if her mom was around, she'd get mad. Luna wished she could keep the bunny in her room, but there was barely any space left in her small, cluttered room. As Sprinkle hopped out of the cage and onto the living room floor, Luna felt a sense of joy and companionship. She watched him explore the room, his little nose twitching as he sniffed around. Luna knew that these moments with Sprinkle were precious, offering her a brief escape from her worries. The bond she shared with her bunny was special, and she cherished every second of their time together. With Sprinkle by her side, Luna decided to make the most of the evening. She gathered a few art supplies from the cupboard and sat down at the small table in the living room, ready to create something beautiful. The rhythmic sound of the rain outside blended with the soft rustling of Sprinkle's movements, creating a serene atmosphere that allowed Luna to momentarily forget her troubles.

She began by sketching a simple outline on a piece of paper, her pencil gliding smoothly across the surface. As she worked, she could feel her mind unwinding, each stroke of the pencil helping to ease the tension that had built up throughout the day. Sprinkle hopped around the room, occasionally nudging her foot with his nose as if to remind her that he was there, sharing this peaceful moment with her. Minutes turned into hours as Luna lost herself in her artwork. She added layers of detail and color, bringing her imagination to life on the page. Her drawing depicted a scene from her fantasy world: a cozy little cottage surrounded by fields of wildflowers, with a bright blue sky overhead and birds soaring freely. In this world, everything was perfect, just as she had always dreamed. As she worked, Luna found herself humming a soft tune, a melody that seemed to flow naturally from her heart. The music mingled with the sound of the rain and the occasional thump of Sprinkle's hops, creating a symphony of calm and contentment. She felt a sense of accomplishment as her drawing took shape, a tangible representation of the dreams that kept her going.

Eventually, Luna leaned back in her chair, admiring her finished piece. A sweet smile spread across her face as she took in the vibrant colors and intricate details. She felt a sense of pride and satisfaction, knowing that she had created something beautiful from her own imagination. It was a small victory, but one that brought her immense joy. With her artwork complete, Luna carefully set it aside to dry. She then turned her attention back to Sprinkle, who had settled down on the floor, contentedly nibbling on a piece of hay. Luna reached out and gently stroked his soft fur, feeling a deep sense of connection to the little bunny. In that moment, she knew that no matter how tough things got, she would always have these precious moments of peace and creativity to hold onto. As the evening turned into night, Luna decided to prepare a small meal for herself. She headed to the kitchen, rummaging through the sparse contents of the fridge and pantry. She managed to put together a small simple dinner of pasta and vegetables for sprinkle, which she brought back to the living room to eat.

Sitting on the couch with Sprinkle beside her, Luna savored each bite of her meal. The warmth of the food filled her with a sense of comfort, trying not to think about how she just used the last of the ingredients in the home. But a small but meaningful respite from the challenges she faced. After finishing her dinner, she cleaned up and returned to the living room, where she spent the rest of the evening reading a book and enjoying the company of her beloved bunny. As the night drew to a close, Luna felt a sense of calm wash over her. She knew that the challenges of her life would still be there when she woke up the next morning, but for now, she allowed herself to simply be in the moment. She put Sprinkle back in his cage, making sure he was snug and comfortable, and then retired to her room, clutching her teddy bear close.

After brushing her teeth, Luna climbed into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin and letting out a contented sigh. The rain had slowed to a gentle drizzle, and the soft patter of droplets against the window was like a lullaby, lulling her into a peaceful slumber. As she drifted off to sleep, she held onto the hope that one day, her dreams of a better life would come true.