#Gotta love a mystery critter

[universallydestinytaco]

The Little Smiling Mermaid (Chapter 8)

Guess what kind of feral edgelord gremlin has eight legs and one bad attitude? 🔮 Also double the musical numbers, double the fun! :D

As Damien rested under a tree to take his mind off his blunder, his eye briefly caught Pim, plus a reluctant Alan and Glep, all swimming off with the unscrupulous eel taking them somewhere. Damien closely inspected with open ears as they swam farther, catching wind that he was taking them to see a miracle worker who could grant one's heart's desire, and in Pim's case, legs. Knowing right away that something was a miss, he followed the party in an attempt to set right what he did wrong. "Pimberly, no!" Damien cried, catching up from behind. Pim whipped his head back and shot the nastiest glare he ever gave towards him. "Look, I know we've been distant for so long, but you gotta believe me, I tried to tell him not to destroy-" Pim furiously chewed out Damien: "You left me behind like Amy did and joined in with the rest of the family ostracizing me and Graham for years and NOW you want to have anything to do with me? Not to mention snooping around and revealing where I was hiding!? IS THIS JUST A SICK JOKE TO YOU!?" Damien backed away, not used to the usually sweet and passive mercritter just now unleashing his wrath. "Pimberly...It wasn't my choice...I tried to stop it...please don't follow this guy, I have a sneaking suspicion you're getting tricked!" he fruitlessly pleaded, Pim replied before swimming off in a huff, not looking back: "Why don't you go tell our father? You're good at that!" Damien stayed in place, witnessing the headstrong Pim trail off once again, before his conscience nagged at him to at least quietly follow and make sure his littlest sibling wasn't getting into trouble.

~

Charlie woke up in the twilight hours of the night, after one peculiar dream where he was about to propose to Mipnessa in front of his friends, family, and nameless background peons until the mysterious rosy-haired stranger emerged from the sea in a sparkling blue dress to lure him away with her beautiful voice; Next thing he found himself breathing underwater and the beautiful mystery lover he swam with turned out to be a mermaid. Charlie immediately recalled the time-around these hours was when he first met the pink maiden. Suddenly having a hunch he might get another change to reunite with “her”, Charlie carefully tip-toed outside to run out to the beach side near his castle, observing closely on every corner, yet still no sign of the mystery critter (yet). Perhaps “she” was angry over “her” cloak being given away to someone else, or maybe “she” was just waiting for the right time to save him again. Feeling overwhelmed, Charlie had to let it all out: “All I ever wanted was the open sea and sky.... freedom from the life I always knew... now all I am is haunted as days and hours roll by, all I ever think about is you…” Charlie felt the wind blowing in his face and the waves becoming stronger as he poured more of his feelings into his song: “There you are, over me, taking me with your song... to wild uncharted waters~ Miles beyond the sea! I was darkness-bound, I had almost drowned 'til you came around, and you found me!! Now I am on the shoreline but I'm still lost at seaaa! in these wild uncharted waters, come find me...again...” Suddenly it all came back to Charlie, the wild party that went off the hook and lead him to that fateful encounter, oh how it started to rev up his adrenaline. “All I do is wonder who you are and where you'll be~ In my mind, your melody goes oooon~ stronger than the undertow~ The night you rescued me, silhouetted by the rising dawn~” Vivid flashbacks haunted Charlie's memory, it all became clearer now: the loving, gentle critter who sang to him after saving his life juxtaposed to the sting of guilt he felt over how he just-so happened to be Mipnessa's suitor. How's he gonna explain this dilemma? "Oh, over you...I cannot get over yooou in wild uncharted waters beyond where man can see~ when your eyes outshine the horizon line~ and you're finally real, here beside me~ Now I'm right here on the shoreline~ I'm right where you left meee! And your voice is like a siren that guides me to wild uncharted waters~ alone, just you and meee! And I hope you're there in the open air~ There's no map or compass to guide me! No time may change the shoreline but time will not change meeee~!" Charlie faced the roaring tides, singing one last passionate vent of frustration and love: "If it takes my life, I will finally find you aaaagain!~ In uncharted waters, come find me aaagaaaain!!!~"

~

"Well, what are you waiting for? Come on in." An ominous voice echoed from inside a freaky-looking cavern fashioned out of a long-dead sea beast's remains, with crop of long spindly vines to have long-claimed it's dominance over the massive corpse as a long period of time passed, much of which made some admittingly cool-looking curtains. As Pim (hiding Alan and Glep in his hair) slowly proceeded, he felt as if where stringy little hands trying to reach out to him, as he turned around he was surprised to find that some of the vines decorating the cavern where seemingly trying to hold him back from potentially making a decision he'd regret for all time. Pim had finally caught a glimpse at the fabled sea witch himself, lounging on an anemone sofa and casually watching a couple bicker on his crystal ball. The sea witch casually muttered: "Oh yeah, and don't go lurking in my doorway like that, that's just annoying." Pim swam inside the witch's room and curtsied, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be a bother...My name is-" The witch sassed back: "Honey, you're a critter that needs no introduction! I know all about you! You're the little scamp who fled from that ever-burning shipwreck of a palace!" Pim felt creeped out. "How do you know about me?" The witch let out a bold laugh, getting off his sofa and putting on some theatrics as he swam around Pim with a doting voice: "I'm kinda like your guardian angel watching over you, making sure everything would lead to you finding me so I could make your biggest dream come true...they call me Grim around these corners." Pim greeted: "Thank you helping me, Grim." Grim got down to business, further elaborating: "Now, then, you're here... because you have a thing for this land critter, this uh...Prince fella?" Pim replied: "Not only that, but because the surface is such an amazing place and I'd love to further explore it! My father always told me it was cruel and uncaring, but from what I've seen it's gorgeous and full of life!" Grim couldn't help but remark: "You must be real easily-amused, because from what I've seen, it's more boring than dangerous....not that I blame you. That land critter is quite a catch, isn't he?" Pim grinned and nodded in agreement. "Well, angelfish, the solution to your problem is simple! The only way to get what you want is to-" "-become a land critter myself!" "Woah there, bloke, did I ASK for you to cut me off?" Pim bowed his head in regret, "I'm sorry." Grim put his finger under Pim's chin and pushed it up so they'd meet eye-to-eye, only for the shy critter's pupils to trail off. "But, of course I can do that, that's what I do! It's what I live for: to help poor little bastards like you who have no one else to turn to!" The music started up, Alan and Glep (plus Damien spying in a blind spot) anxiously anticipated what this magician had up his sleeve.

"I admit that in the past, I've been a little nasty~ They weren't kidding when they called me a real sunnovabitch! But you'll find that nowadays I've mended all my ways! Repented, seen the light and made a switch True? Yeeees~ And I fortunately know a little magic, It's a talent that I aIways have possessed! And here lateIy, please don't laugh, I use it on behalf Of the miserable lonely and depressed-" Grim couldn't help at make a side-glance with a snark- "Pathetic."- before continuing his song. "Poor unfortunate soooouls~ In pain, in neeeeed~" He conjured up an image of two of his past clients, a weakling shrimp and a brunette mermaid with lovely green eyes and freckles, both of which looked down in the dumps. "This one longing to be stronger, that one's a pretty lonely girl! And do I help them?" He altered the images to make it so that not only they where happily wed, but that the shrimp possessed a true "Alpha Male" physique. "Yes, indeed!" Grim made the images vanish, continuing: "Those poor, unfortunate souls~ So sad, so true! They come flocking to my cauldron, crying: Spells, Grim, please! And I help them? Yes, I do! Now it's happened once or twice, Someone couldn't pay the price..." Everyone witnessing Grim got increasingly nervous. "...and I'm afraid I had to rake 'em across the coals!" Grim grinned menacingly, before he waltzed across the room and wrapped his head around some curtains: "Yes, I've had the odd complaint! But on the whole I've been a saaaaint~ To those poor unfortunate sooooouls!!" He took Pim by the hand to his cauldron in preparation for the spell.

"Now, here's the deal...." Grim conjured another image, a silhouette of Pim happily skipping around with legs. "Listen closely...I'll make you a potion that'll give you legs for just three days, take it or leave it, before the sun sets on the third day, you've got to get dear old Princie to fall in love with you! All you need is a kiss of true love to seal-the-deal and make you a land critter permanently!" Pim gulped, asking: "...and if I don't?" Grim made the image vanish as he hissed: "You'll dissolve into seafoam, never to be seen or heard from again." Alan cried out: "NO!" before the vines grabbed his mouth. "Have we got a deal?" Uneasy, Pim opined: "If I become a land critter forever, I'll never see my friends again." Grim reassured: "But, you'll have your man, and your family will finally get off your back!" Pim realized how safer he'd feel with them, especially his father, out of the picture. Grim expounded: "Life's full of tough choices, innit? Oh yeah, one more thing: we haven't discussed the subject of payment! You can't get something for nothing, you know." Pim admitted: "I don't have any-" before Grim ultimately cut him off, wagging his finger: "Oh nonono, I don't ask for much really, something so insignificant that you won't even miss it! What I really want from you is....your voice." "...my voice?" "You got it, Pinkie! No talking, singing, zip." "But without my voice, how can I talk? I don't even know sign language and I guess I could write on paper-" Grim rolled his eyes and snapped out: "COME ON! You poor unfortunate sooooul!! Go ahead, make your choice!" Grim immediately got to work tossing ingredients in the cauldron as he prattled off: "I'm a very busy critter who doesn't have all day! It won't cost much, just your voice! You poor unfortunate sooooul! It's sad, but true~ if you want to cross a bridge, my sweet, you've got to pay the toll! Take a gulp and take a breath and go ahead and sign the scroll!" Gnarly presented the scroll to Pim, who hastily wrote it down to the horror of Alan, Glep and the stealthy Damien. Gnarly swam up to Grim and whispered: "Boss, we finally tricked the boy!" Grim belted out with a miraculous spin as the potion was completed: "THE BOSS IS ON A ROOOOOOOOOLL!!! THIS POOR UNFORTUNATE SOOOOOOOOOOOOUL!!!!" Gnarly opened a book of spells, black leather-bound with a gilded sigil, turning to a particular page Grim read off: "Paluga, sarruga, come winds of the Caspian Seaaaaaaa~ Now rings us glossitis and max laryngitis la voce to meeeee!!!!" Grim, looking like an unhinged madman pointed towards Pim, commanding: "Now...sing." Doing as he was told, Pim sang like the last time, but instead the deep admiration and jealousy where replaced with uncertainty, fear and hoping for the best. Pim helplessly witnessed his own voice escaping his mouth, entering Grim's iconic seashell necklace to be sealed for lord-knows how long. Grim once again reassured, yet with a tone less faux-comforting and more intimidatingly: "Don’t worry, I’ll keep it safe and soundless here with me..." Emerging from the cauldron was a small glass vital that Grim caught with one of his tentacles, presenting it to Pim. "On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate that?" Pim opened his mouth, until realizing what he just traded for the potion, so he raised his stubby hands with all his fingers up on the left and only one finger up on the right. "There you go, now slug that sucker down! Bottom's up!" Pim opened the bottle and drank from the tiny vessel until there was no more...all of a sudden Pim started glowing as sparks of light started bursting around him, it was as if fireworks got set off in the room, then he suddenly felt a sharp pain slash at his tail, as if a sword was slicing him in half. He wanted to scream in pain but he could no longer feel his gills as all of a sudden the poor critter could no longer breathe underwater. Scared out of their wits, Alan and Glep immediately rushed over to lift Pim and guide him out of Grim and Gnarly's lair and upwards towards the surface.

Damien couldn’t believe what he bore witness to, his littlest sibling, let alone any mercritter for that matter, successfully gaining legs and becoming a land critter. Still, he didn’t trust Grim nor Gnarly one bit. He sprang out of his hiding spot to confront them. “You! What have you done?!” Gnarly quipped: “Hey boss, another costumer.” Grim joined in: “Well if it isn’t all-brawn and no-brains himself: the Fresh Prince of Meeplantica?” Damien scowled, demanding: “I’m NOT letting my littlest sister turn into sea foam!” before slumping in a rare vulnerable disposition, groveling: “…I’ll do anything to prevent such a thing….not my Pimberly…” Grim grinned, asking: “Anything, you say?” Gnarly immediately piped up: “Shave your head bald and eat dirt, then will spare-“ Grim cut his dimwitted henchman off by wrapping one of his tentacles around his face, prattling off: “As I meant to say, I’d be delighted to spare your little Pimberly! But first, you must fulfil a super important task! It'll be hella difficult but don't fret! It's all gonna work out in the end..."

Everything had been a blur to Pim ever since he took that quaint little potion, all of a sudden being underwater like he always had been his entire life now felt completely alien to him, not to mention he had to get used to swimming without fins, let alone gills. Just in time for the break of dawn, Pim dramatically emerged from the sparkling waves while flipping his rosy curls back, taking his first breath of fresh air as a land critter before being lead by his two brave friends to a nearby shore. Alan served the former sea Princess some pep talk in his usual air of monotone sass: "Come on now, Pim, you just have to put your back into it!"

✨ Chapter 9 Arrives September 6th ✨

[pumpkinnqueenn]

I need some feedback so replies and reblogs are very appreciated!

I’m making these little 2” crowned critters and the question is- were you to buy one of these, which would you be more likely to pick?

I want to know which I should be focusing on

Edit: update- I got some feedback and both friends seem to be equally loved however the consensus is the ravens need some distinguishing features like the frogs so I’m gonna give them ribbons,necklaces,and ruffles. I also got butterfly wings so I can make fairy frogs- more to come soon

Edit 2: the plan is to make 20 of each:

10 “plain” frogs

10 fairy frogs

5 ravens with ruffles

5 ravens with pearl necklaces

5 ravens with burgundy ribbons

5 ravens with a jewel necklaces

These will be first come first serve and here’s hoping it gets enough online traction that ppl actually see them and buy them🤞

I’ve done the proper calculations for materials and time and these will be priced at $20usd (I know it’s kinda expensive but given the work and wear and tear on my wrists and eyes and stuff I gotta price them this way) shipping is around $13usd I only have Canada,United States, and the United Kingdom (untracked) available right now however if you’d like them and you live elsewhere message me and I’ll look into the pricing and add it if I can

I’ll update again once I have the ravens decked out in they’re fancy accessories

*update*

I have a launch date! These will be available March 23 at 2pm est! Along with my mystery dice goblins

[farfetchedshow]

Hi my names Icey (she/her) and I'm excited to see your work on this project! I just wanna ask you some questions for a bit: Does this show have any lore?, How would the gang face the terrifying monsters?, Dose Kira have a hidden past and how did Rue meet Kira in the first place? That's all the questions! Thank you have a great day! Hope to see more news!

- Love Icey 💜🖤🤍✨️

Hey!! Thank you so much! Happy to answer any questions people have. We can't reveal TOOOOO much yet, but I'll talk about what I can!

Does the show have any lore?

Lots! Our show is filled with all sorts of magic, science, monsters, mutants, history, and every character has their own history that ties into the story.

How would the gang face the terrifying monsters?

Each member of the gang has their own way of dispatching pesky critters and you'll see lots of that in our comics and ESPECIALLY the pilot so stay tuned ;)

Does Kira have a hidden past and how did Rue meet Kira in the first place?

Kira and Rue's lives are deeply connected, but the exacts on that you'll just have to wait to see more of. Gotta leave a few mysteries for now haha

- 🐰

[srahpaulsons]

[text]: it is frightening. in three years, she'll be driving. tell me that doesn't make you feel some kind of way! alright, alright. i can wrap my head around you spoiling the kids, but it's absolutely not necessary to worry about me. their happiness makes me the happiest! he's a smart one, in more ways than one. haha, that will make two of us! these hormones are no joke. it's the truth! when you do, be sure to give me credit! wait, wait, wait. WHAT?! tell me more! and tell me when we can come see you! whatever you say, queen sarah. you can have as many pinches, rubs and pats for as long as your beautiful heart desires. if only he brought you gold. a long lost bracelet would do, but no critters. no critters at all!

( t e x t ) aaron's gonna be within silver fox territory with the amount of grey's i'm sure 'getting her license' is gonna giv'em! and that's minus everything else a teenage girl brings. shuuush, just except the maximum amount of affection we're throwing your way. It's a love language 😉 regardless everyone in this equation's gonna be the happiest, lady. we can't give him a bigger head, we can't let him know just HOW smart aha. can i blame my weeping on your hormones too ? but i do gotta know if your cravings or completely different then the last, i'm forever curious about the cravings. YES. i'm finally getting my booty back on stage this fall. Preview's start nov 28th and opening nights December 28th, it's '‘Appropriate’ a brillient play that won me over 🥹 so umm my favourite people being there would be the whole world, you guys need to use it as a 'date night' excuse that i end up crashing. as if my heart couldn't be more full. or a mysterious glass bottle with a note, something you'd read in a romance novel....but no, i'm not about to wake up to anything else besides those pups or jess in my bed.

[merlinpetpraises]

[katsukis-foxie6]

Ok, so I've been chatting with @tteokdoroki about this for a couple days now. So like let's talk about cottagecore/farmcore/generally folksy poly Kiribaku. Just bare with my, this is gonna be disorganized as hell.

So first of all, yall would be living in a cute quaint cottage/old farm house. Probably a little bigg r than average. Ya know gotta fit two giant men.

So I picture kiri as a wood worker/craftsman. He's probably customized everything in the house for the three of you. Builds you anything you may want/need. You mention you'd like a little table/desk for crafting? Give it a little time it's there. You say it'd be cool to refinish the wood built-ins that came with the house? That's the weekend project.

Continuing! So, imagine you guys got chickens. And probably at least 1-2 of those adorable fluffy cows. Kiri is gonna be attached to any and all animals you guys have but I can just imagine him loving the chickens in particular. Just picture the little baby chicks coming in the mail and he's holding one in the palm of his hand. And it just makes the chick look comically small. He's build a over the top coop. I found a pic of a chicknic table. Yea he'd be that extra I think.

On that note. Bakugou and most the farm critters have a tenuous relationship. The fluffy cows like to headbutt the back of his knees and he has fallen down more than once. One time he made the mistake of threatening to turn them into steaks. Kiri was inconsolable for a couple days.

Also, Bakugou runs a local farm to table type restaurant. Probably attracts hipsters from out of town. This was not his goal, he just wants to cook damn good food and he does.

What Bakugou cannot do is grow a plant for shit. You took over the garden after he glared too hard at the rasberry bush and it died. How he managed it is a mystery cause rasberries are generally unkillable.

So, with no plants too take care of and most the farm animals being iffy about him, Bakugou turns to getting a dog. I like to picture him with an american akita. Big fluffy protective doggo. And yes, Bakugou will sulk if the dog seems to favor anyone else more. Except when y'all have kids. He loves that.

Ok, so this is gonna be oddly specific. So prior to like the very late 1800s quilts were made from whatever scraps you could get your hands on. Clothes too worn out to wear being a go to. So imagine making quilts from the guys and your old clothes. So sentimental. And you know they'd eat it up! You gift each other them one and kiri will be over the moon. Bakugou also will be but we all know he won't directly say it. Also. Fun fact. Denim quilts are the bomb. Old timey weighted blankets.

Also, idk why this sticks out so much but just the image of you and kiri making/canning jam. And he'd totally be sneaking tastes when he doesn't think you're looking. You are looking. But usually you let it slide.

So yea. These are just a few of the things. Gonna make a separate post for pregnancy and baby headcanons. Also, I have spent hours on pinterest for this stuff. If you guys would like photos of what I picture maybe I'd throw something together.

[missed-connections-of-fear]

Hey to anyone in the fishfly/mayfly corruption domain. I was the hive, I’m so sorry. Id give a fuller apology but I don’t think I have the words to cover it. I tried to keep them under control but they didn’t exactly listen. To the girl to duck-taped a plastic cutting board to the end of a baseball bat and started swingin. I am both impressed and terrified of you. id love to meet you under better circumstances, you’re incredible. she also deliberately passed up a clear opportunity to take a swing at me in favor of going for the bugs which was. So much more mercy than I deserved. So thank you

also. Anyone else who was a hive,,, y’all uhh any of y’all still find that the type of critter you had still have an affinity toward you? I mean, its a good thing that miraculously the experience didn’t make me hate them, cause. Fish flies still love me.

Literally there are people in my small town who just. Regularly call or text me so I can go over to their house and pied-piper the fishflies over to the old boatlaunch where they won’t bother anyone. The neighbors keep getting them in their hair on the way to work in the morning cause the lil buggers like to hang around my house so much? it’s rough for my one neighbor who was in my domain. Thank god he holds no hard feelings, but every now and then I hear him bellow my name, “Lizzie!!!” echoing across the nighborhood like that “kevin!!!��� bit at the end of Home Alone, and I know I gotta run across the street and make them stop harassing him.

So yeah I know I loved my hive like a family in the apocalypse? Now that I’m not actually an avatar and not supernaturally connected or infested, they’re just like. my weird extended family who I care about but mostly just tolerate and try not to let bother my friends. Not sure what to do about it, because as much as I hate to admit it, I think I’d be kinda sad if they left. Which is probably kinda messed up with the way it’s affecting my hometown. Guess I’ve become the local cryptid? Although everyone has me on speed dial as pest control at this point “Lizzie come and get ur bugs” so I guess I’m not that mysterious 😂 I’m glad i can help ease the problems I’m responsible for though.

Damn. That sounds fuckin’ rough but also wild.

Hope you’re alright. And your victims too.

Glad you’re able to help folks in your town with the mayflys.

- Rose

[hops-hunny]

The Daft and Dashing

Pairing: Ron Weasley x Male! Reader

Pronouns: He/Him

Word Count: 1.3k

Request: “can I request a ron weasley x male reader where ron just discovered his feelings for the reader and he kinda freaks out because its the first time that he feels attracted to a boy and he is just so cute and kind to the reader and everyone its like ??? because ron its treating the reader like that and just they end together and super fluff?”

Summary: Ron is a bit daft but he eventually realizes what he feels.

Warnings: A bit of swearing (as usual), fluff, slightly sassy Luna.

A/N: Sorry for the wait anon! Hope I captured the prompt well enough!

Ron had a very unusual life. He lived in the middle of nowhere in a house that could fall apart at any moment, he had as many siblings as a small class, and his best friend was Harry-fucking-Potter for merlin’s sake! He had come to a point in his life where nothing was really surprising to him no matter what circumstance he found himself to be in. That was until (Y/n) came into his life.

(Y/n) had transferred from Ilvermorny half way into the year. No one wanted to befriend the new kid, especially the new kid sorted into slytherin. After the things (Y/n) had heard about his house, he couldn't blame them. The sad thing is, if anyone would've taken the time to watch the boy they'd see he really wasn't much harm if any. He loved to stay after and help professor Sprout out with the green house. He’d sneak from his dorm late at night to prepare meals for the next day with the house elves. And although up to that point no one had noticed him, that one night someone had.

(Y/n) had bid his favorite house elves goodbye, eating the vanilla cupcake they had given him. His heart dropped at the sound of a jingling collar and the swearing of Filch’s gravely voice. He had always been careful, making sure to keep track of time to avoid this situation but it seemed that Filch was patrolling earlier than usual. 

“Oi! Weasley, get back here! I’ll get ya just you bloody wait!” He heard as a mess of red hair rounded the corner.(Y/n) hid behind a pillar debating whether or not to help the boy. He grabbed Ron’s wrist, pulling the larger boy with all his strength. He began to run, moving a tile on the floor as he jumped through it, dragging Ron as well. 

“What are you doing? Who the hell are you?!” The ginger boy said loudly, looking at the smaller boy as he muttered ‘lumos’. Even with the light illuminating from the unknown male’s wand, he could barely make out his features.

“Shh!!I’m the guy who’s saving your ass. Keep moving, quickly now!” (Y/n) said. He was very thankful for all the free time he had to himself due to his lack of social life. While everyone else had a blast at Hogsmeade, he simply explored the castle finding new ways around that would even put Fred and George’s passage ways to shame. (Y/n) and Ron went through many twists and turns, ducking under cobwebs and avoiding critters. They finally reached a wall. The shorter boy hit the wall three times, a passageway opening up and a ladder falling down in which the Gryffindor common room could be seen. “Here’s your stop.” He said. Ron stood there, inspecting the boy before looking down at their hands. He quickly pulled his back as they had at some point began to hold hands.

“Thank you… I’m sorry, what was your name? I don’t think I caught it.” Ron said, looking down the hole he had come up from. His eyes widened slightly at the Slytherin emblem embedded on the boy’s sweater vest.

“I didn’t throw it. See you around.” He said. He smiled slightly and winked before hitting the wall 3 times again as the hole that was once there vanished right before Ron’s eyes.

To say Ron wasn’t amazed with the boy after that would be an utter lie. He recalled how he didn’t sleep any that night, thinking of the mysterious Slytherin boy he had seen. It gave him a feeling in his chest that felt familiar and when he saw the boy that following day in potions, he knew he had to know him. And now, months later he was glad he did.

“I think you’re in love.” Luna said, knocking the boy out of his daze.

“Yeah? And how the bloody hell would you know?” Ron said, getting defensive over the subject. Luna wasn’t phased by the boy’s demeanor however.

“Well, the real question is, how the bloody hell wouldn’t you know?” She said in a calm state, continuing to weave together the flower crown she was making. Despite how Ron and his two best friends thought the girl was an absolute loon, he knew she was very intuitive especially when it came to emotions. He knew Hermione would just tease him and rush him and that Harry couldn’t keep his trap shut. So, he came to the only other person he knew could help. “Okay, let’s try something. Close your eyes.”

“What? Why?”

“You’ll see, just close them.” she looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to do so. As he did, she started to speak again. “Okay, now picture this: you’re hanging out with (Y/n). You’re having a blast, studying together in the astronomy tower. All of a sudden, someone approaches him. They hold him, kiss him deeply, hold his hand. How would that make you feel?” Ron’s brow furrowed as he listened to the situation. He clenched his fist slightly, visibly getting more angry. Luna gave him a knowing look even though the boy couldn’t see her.

“I’d bloody kill them! No one should be doing that to him, no one but me that is.” His eyes snapped open, widening at the realization. “Bloody hell. No way...I like him. I fucking like him!” He said in shock, Luna shaking her head in agreement. He stood up quickly. “I gotta go! Thank you Looney- I er- mean Luna!” He said as he ran back to the castle. The girl rolled her eyes when he was out of sight, sighing softly as she placed the freshly done flower crown on her head.

Ron continued to sprint, not stopping until he reached the gryffindor common room where he found his friends. They were all deep in conversation, looking up when they saw him coming. Hermione moved over, making room for the boy to sit in his usual spot which was next to (Y/n). (Y/n) smiled up at him.

“Hey Ron! Where’ve you been? I was lookin’ for ya earlier!” He said as his friend sat next to him. Instead of Ron saying anything, he simply grabbed the boy by his sweater, kissing him rushed and roughly. The slytherin boy gasped, but melted into the kiss nonetheless. Ron pulled away from him.

“I love you, I love you for merlin’s sake! I don’t want some fucking bloke to hold or kiss you in the astronomy tower!” He said, stroking the boy’s cheek softly as he looked into his eyes. (Y/n) looked at him, tilting his head confused as he chuckled slightly.

“I’m not quite sure I understand what you mean by that, but I am sure that I don’t want that either. Although, I was wondering when you’d realize you were into me that way. I was starting to lose hope.” He said, rubbing his arm sheepishly. Ron continued to caress the boy's cheek delicately, before he hugged him close.

“You owe me a fiver, Harry. I told you Ron would tell him first!” Hermione said, breaking the silence as Harry groaned, pulling his money from his pocket as he handed it to the girl.

“What? You guys knew?” Ron said, mouth agape as he watched his friends who had lost bets exchange money with the ones who won. “All of you bloody knew?! How come no one told me?”

“Ron, you carry the boy to his dorm when he’s too tired, bring him soup and flowers when he’s sick, and let him wear your sweaters. Anyone would be a damn fool not to notice! But, I suppose that’s why you didn’t.” Ginny exclaimed, shaking her head at her brother's stupidity. He was about to get steamed but the smaller boy kissed his cheek, grabbing his hand.

“Everyone calm down. The important thing is that he DID notice! I’m just glad to have him now.” He said, not wanting a repeat of the last time Ron and Gin had gotten into a fight. He yawned and began to rub his eyes. “Carry me to my room, love?” He asked him. Ron didn’t hesitate, picking the boy up bridal style as he began to walk off to the slytherin common room. He turned around, looking at the lot of their friends, giving a devilish smile as he winked.

So, as the sun began to go down, so did Ron….on (Y/n) that is.

--------------------------------------

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[thelastspeecher]

Stan Falls in Love With a Frog

We started talking about a new Scenario in the Discord, and it’s been making me very happy, especially since the Scenario takes place in a Mystery Trio-style AU, and I’m a big fan of the Mystery Trio AU.  So, I whipped this up earlier.  Enjoy.

——————————————————————————————

              Stan sat on the edge of the dock, looking out over the water of Lake Gravity Falls.  In the fading light, mist curled above the lake surface.  He sighed and reeled his fishing line back in.

              Dammit.  I shoulda got here earlier if I wanted to catch anything.  Stan wasn’t opposed to night fishing in general, but he was opposed to it in Gravity Falls.  He had seen in person some of the weird things that came out when it got dark.  Something surfaced in the lake, breaking the thin layer of fog.  Speaking of…  Stan idly watched it swim.  Wonder what kinda spookum this one is.  The creature pulled itself out of the lake and onto a large rock.  Stan’s jaw dropped.  That’s a chick!

              It was rapidly getting darker, so he couldn’t make out many fine details.  But the creature looked eerily like a human woman.  With the exception of elongated, webbed feet and ears, what looked like a pair of antennae, and mottled skin.  She pushed back her short hair with hands that also seemed to be webbed.

              What the hell is that?  Stan leaned, squinting, trying to get a better look. The movement knocked his tacklebox into the lake.

              “Shit!” he swore.  The woman looked over.  Her eyes, glowing a soft blue, widened.  She dove back into the lake.  Stan sighed. “Great.”  He got to his feet and trudged back to the Stanleymobile. Before he got in, he glanced back at the lake.  The water was as smooth as glass.

              It was like the woman had never been there.

-----

              Stan returned to Lake Gravity Falls the next morning at the break of dawn.  Normally, he wouldn’t wake up so early just to go fishing, but Ford and Fiddlenerd had a full day of traipsing around in the forest planned.  If he wanted to actually have enough time to catch something, he needed to fish before, not after.

              If Fiddlenerd’s weird little sister wasn’t visiting, this wouldn’t be a problem.  Stan sat down at the edge of the dock and opened the tacklebox he’d “borrowed” from Fiddlenerd.  But Fiddlenerd wants someone with actual muscles to be there to protect her from whatever’s in the woods today.  There was a loud thunk to his left.  Stan looked over.  He gaped. The tacklebox he’d dropped in the lake yesterday sat next to him.

              “What the hell?”  Stan opened the tacklebox to inspect its contents.  It was soaked through, which made sense, given it had been at the bottom of the lake the night before.  But other than his fresh bait, nothing was missing.  “How did-”  There was a soft splash.  Stan looked up.  A creature was in front of him.

              It’s that one lady from yesterday.  She was mostly submerged, with only her eyes and the crown of her head above the water.  Her hair was a black that, like her light green skin, blended in with the lake. She looks sorta like a frog.

              “You brought me my tacklebox,” Stan said.  The frog woman nodded.  “Why?”  She hesitated, then sunk underwater.  Stan waited for a few minutes to see if she would come back up.  When she didn’t return, he sighed and began to set things up to fish.

              The missing bait makes sense now.  Of course a frog would eat all my worms.

-----

              “It’s about time!”

              “Yeah, yeah, nice to see you too,” Stan groused, pushing past Ford and into the house.  He’d spent more time than he meant to fishing.  Naturally, the moment he came back home, Ford got on his case.

              “We were supposed to leave an hour ago! Today’s plans are completely ruined!” Ford said.  Stan rolled his eyes.

              “Walking around in the woods isn’t something that takes all day, Poindexter.”

              “The specific location Fiddleford and I were going to take his sister to is quite some distance away.”

              “It’s fine, Stanford,” said the aforementioned sister of Fiddlenerd.  She was laying on the living room couch, reading a guidebook on amphibians of the Pacific Northwest.  “I was hopin’ to check out some of the cute places in town, anyways.”  She smiled at Ford.  “The forest can wait fer tomorrow.”

              “I- but-” Ford started.

              “Before you short-circuit, Sixer, I’ve got a question,” Stan interrupted.  Ford glared at him.  “So, I saw this frog-lady at the lake-”

              “Frog-lady?” Ford scoffed.  Out of the corner of his eye, Stan saw Fiddlenerd’s sister still. “Are you mocking me?”

              “What?  No!  I thought you liked weird shit.  I mean, you came up here to study it and dragged me along to be your muscle.”

              “I like magical creatures, Stanley,” Ford said, crossing his arms.  “Not regular humans who have features you might think resemble an amphibian.”

              “She wasn’t a regular human!”

              “There are no humanoid amphibious creatures around here,” Ford said firmly.  “There is, however, a woman in town who was born with webbing between her fingers and couldn’t afford the surgery to get it removed.  I think it’s rather cruel of you to make fun of her.”

              “No, I wasn’t-”  Stan sighed.  “Whatever.”

              “Go upstairs and change,” Ford instructed.  “You smell of fish.”

              “Like you’re one to talk, Mr. Doesn’t Shower For a Week,” Stan muttered.  Fiddlenerd’s sister snickered softly.  He began to walk upstairs.  “At least someone around here’s got a sense of humor.”

-----

              Though he had returned to the lake at dusk that day, Stan hadn’t seen the frog-lady.  He came back the next morning at dawn, hoping to spot her again.  As he sat at the end of the dock, he found himself dozing off, lulled into sleep by the early hour and peaceful surroundings.  He was jolted back to wakefulness by a splash nearby.

              “You came back,” a voice said.  Stan looked up.  It was the frog-lady.  Her head was now fully emerged from the water.  She looked at him with intelligent blue eyes.  Though her face was one shade of pale green, the rest of her head was mottled with darker greens.  Her nose was thin and flat, evidently nonhuman.

              “Well, yeah,” Stan said with a shrug.  He could feel his heart pounding in his chest.  “I’ve gotta thank you for giving me back my stuff.”

              “It’s yours.  Why would I keep it?” the frog-lady asked.  Her voice was lilting and musical, sounding almost like raindrops hitting leaves.  And yet, there was something about it that seemed familiar.  Like he’d heard her talk before.

              “I dunno.  ‘Cause you could?”

              “Heh.”  The frog-lady smiled.  “I don’t really have a need for human things.”

              “What are you?” Stan blurted out.  The frog-lady froze.  “Wait, shit, was that racist of me or something?”  The frog-lady nodded silently.  “I take it back.”  He cleared his throat.  “My name’s Stan.  What’s yours?”

              I don’t wanna scare her off.  She might be a frog, but she’s pretty cute.

              “…Rana,” the frog-lady said after a moment.

              “That’s pretty.”

              “Thanks.”  Rana chewed on her lip for a moment.  “Why do you want to talk to me?”

              “What do you mean?”

              “I know what your brother does.”  Rana’s eyes bored into Stan.  “I know he likes to study critters like me, with or without their consent.  Are you collecting data for him?”

              “Please.”  Stan waved a hand airily.  “Even if he and Fiddlenerd were both in full-body casts, he wouldn’t want me to collect data for him.”  Rana managed a small smile.  “He’d probably hire some weirdo from town to do it instead.”  Rana snickered softly.  Like her voice, it sounded familiar.  A car engine roared to life, the sound echoing across the lake.  Stan looked over.  Someone had pulled into the parking lot.  He looked back at Rana.

              She was gone, only a few ripples remaining on the surface where she’d been.

-----

              Stan paced in the living room.  It had been a week since he learned Rana’s name, and many more meetings with her at dawn.  And to his shock, he was beginning to fall for her.

              Sure, she’s not human.  Sure, she hasn’t come out of the water all the way yet.  But she’s nice and funny and teases me when I say something racist against frogs.  Stan smiled fondly, remembering how he had brought her worms yesterday, only for her to throw them at him.  I like a lady who doesn’t take any shit.  He frowned. She doesn’t like worms…what does she like?  I’ve gotta impress her if I’m gonna make a move on her.  She gets spooked so easily.

              “Stanley,” Fiddlenerd said wearily.  Stan stopped.  He looked over at the card table in the corner, where Fiddlenerd was working on some sort of machine.  “Yer goin’ to wear a hole in the wood if ya don’t stop pacin’!”

              “Nah, let him keep goin’,” Fiddlenerd’s sister said. Once again, she was on the couch reading a book about amphibians.  “Maybe he’ll pick up the pace and start a fire.”  She smirked at Stan, who merely rolled his eyes in response.

              “What are you still doing here?” he asked. Fiddlenerd’s sister shrugged.

              “I like it here.  I’ll stay until Fidds kicks me out.”

              “So, you’re never gonna leave,” Stan said flatly. Fiddlenerd’s sister snorted in amusement.  Stan sighed. He looked back at Fiddlenerd.  “Do you know anything about frogs?”  Bringing up frogs to Ford only resulted in him scolding Stan, no matter how Stan phrased his questions.  Fiddlenerd shook his head.

              “No.  But Angie does.”

              “Who’s Angie?”

              “Wh-”  Fiddlenerd set down his wrench, staring at Stan.  “My sister!” Stan looked at Fiddlenerd’s sister, apparently named Angie.  She waved at him cheerfully.  “She’s been here fer over a week and ya haven’t even learned her name yet?”

              “It didn’t come up,” Stan said with a shrug. Ignoring Fiddlenerd’s sputtering, he sat down next to Angie.  “So. Your name is Angie.”

              “Yes.  It is.”

              “It’s a lot more normal than Fiddlenerd’s name,” Stan remarked.  Fiddlenerd let out a squawk of protest.  Angie sighed.

              “Spit it out.  What do ya want?”

              “Do you know about frogs?”

              “I certainly hope I do, since my doctorate is in herpetology,” Angie said tartly.  Stan frowned at her.  “The study of reptiles and amphibians.”

              “Ah.  Okay.” Stan scooted a bit closer.  His nose picked up on a faint pondwater smell coming from Angie.  She eyed him warily.  “What do frogs like?”

              “What do-”  Angie stared at him.  “What?”

              “You heard me.  What do frogs like?”

              “I mean, it depends on the frog.”  Angie rubbed the back of her neck.  “What do ya need to know this for?”

              “There’s this frog-lady that I met-”

              “Oh, pish posh,” Angie scoffed.  “I’ve heard ‘bout yer frog-lady from Stanford.  He says that she don’t exist.”

              “And you’re just gonna believe him?”

              “I ain’t an expert in the wildlife ‘round here. Stanford is.  I don’t really have a choice but to take him at his word.”

              “Where’s that famous herpetology skepticism?” Stan asked.  Angie rolled her eyes and got up, setting her book on the nearby end table.

              “I’m goin’ fer a walk,” she said.  “If I see any frog-ladies, I’ll let ya know.”

              Great.  She was my best shot at advice for Rana.  I mean, she knows frogs and she’s a woman!  Stan’s eyes landed on Angie’s book.  Hmm…  He picked it up.  There was a bookmark.  He thumbed to the bookmarked page.  It was the beginning of a chapter on a specific genus called Rana.  Huh.

              “That’s weird,” Stan muttered out loud.

              “What?” Fiddlenerd asked.

              “None of your business,” Stan shot at him. Fiddlenerd rolled his eyes and went back to working on his machine.

              My frog-lady has the same name as a kind of frog. Makes sense.  Stan looked over at Angie, who was putting her shoes on by the front door.  But why was Angie looking up that kind of frog?

-----

              Rana giggled at Stan’s latest terrible joke. Stan beamed.

              “Glad you’ve got a sense of humor,” he said. Rana smiled.  Car tires crunched on gravel.  Stan didn’t have to look to know that it was the arrival of the early fishermen.  After two weeks talking to Rana, he’d developed a routine.  He would sit at the edge of the dock and wait for her to emerge, then the two would chat until the first fishermen showed up.  Stan sighed.  “Same time tomorrow?” he asked Rana.  Rana nodded. She dipped underwater.

              Stan got up and made his way down the dock, ignoring the fishermen who clearly thought he was insane to be at the lake so early for no apparent reason.  He walked over to where he normally parked the Stanleymobile, only to remember he’d parked by the edge of the forest that day.

              “Great decision-making, past Stan,” he mumbled idly. “Parking where the gnomes could bite through your brake lines again.”  He went to the Stanleymobile.  Before he opened the door, however, he heard a large splash and leaves rustling nearby. A voice swore softly.

              That sounded like Rana.  Stan tucked his car keys back into his pocket and went into the woods, following the sound of Rana’s voice.  He arrived at a small clearing at the edge of the lake.  Rana had pulled herself onto shore.  Stan stared at her.  It was the first time he was seeing below her neck up close; he’d only seen her full body once before, back when he knocked his tacklebox into the lake.  Her front was the same pale green as her face, with darker greens mottling around her sides and back.  The texture of her skin looked soft and slimy.  Despite her hourglass figure, she was fairly flat-chested.

              I mean.  She is a frog.  Why would she have boobs?  Rana pulled herself up into a seated position, leaning against a tree trunk.  Stan stared at her long, flipper-like feet.  No wonder she swims so fast.  Suddenly, her feet began to shrink.  Stan’s eyes widened, watching Rana’s flippers change to pale, human feet.  His eyes widened further as he realized that her feet weren’t the only thing changing. Before his eyes, Rana was transforming from a frog-lady into a naked human woman.  One that Stan recognized.

              Rana got up and grabbed a pile of clothing from behind the tree, mumbling to herself.  A twig snapped under Stan’s foot.  Rana’s head shot up.  She stared at Stan in horror.

              “Stan?!” she squeaked.  Stan swallowed.

              Damn, her nose gets flat when she’s a frog.

              “Hey, Angie.”

[razzle-zazzle]

1178 Words; Gamzee Lalonde AU; 13 years pre-SGRUB

Ariane looked at the egg she was in charge of as the incubator housing it beeped.

The egg had pipped, a long cut in the shell allowing the grub inside to stick its nose out and breathe lest it drown in its own embryonic fluid. Trolls were like reptiles in that way.

And indeed, a small gray nose was already poking out, snot bubbles forming as it took its first breaths.

It was a shame Ms. Lalonde couldn't be here—the egg was technically placed under her care, but she was off on maternity leave with her two month old daughter. As a result, Ariane and Serril had been trading off watch duty.

The egg shuddered, the tear widening further. Unlike most reptiles, who might not come out for a full twenty-four hours after pipping, trolls were much faster in hatching. And indeed, right before Ariane's eyes, a small grey head was forcing its way out, chirring and honking softly as it went.

Ariane sent out an alert to Ms. Lalonde and the other personnel in charge of this egg. Within moments, the room was abuzz with activity as researchers took readings and prepared equipment for the new hatchling. Normally, who—or what—ever delivered the eggs delivered them in batches; not only was this egg the first to arrive in years but it was delivered alone, with only a name, a sign, and a honk horn.

Ariane didn’t ponder on the mysterious benefactor for long—it was much better to let such a detail go unquestioned, so long as eggs kept being delivered and none of the trolls were taken away. But she did glance over the file for the critter, taking note of its name and sign: Gamzee Makara, Capricorn.

Ariane only stuck around long enough to watch the little creature wriggle out of its shell, leaving once the nurses moved in to clean the grub and give it a physical—it wasn’t Ariane’s job to supervise, and she didn’t particularly care for grubs.

Out in the hallway, away from all the noise, Ariane leaned against the wall and took a breath. Her hands were still shaking, though, and Ariane fumbled through her sylladex for a stress ball.

Fuck, she needed her moirail.

That was about the moment that Serril—perfect, pitiable Serril—showed up, likely eager to see the newly-hatched grub.

“Ariane!” Serril immediately took in the situation and came to a stop in front of their moirail, one hand already gently papping between the bases of Ariane’s horns. “Too many people, huh?”

Jade eyes met cerulean. Ariane smiled, cupping Serril’s cheek in one hand. “I’d say I held out pretty well, this time.” She leaned forward, touching her forehead to Serril’s, which had the wonderful benefit of touching their horns together.

Serril chuckled. “Wanna jam?”

“You should go see the grub first.” Ariane said. “I’ll be fine out here for a few moments.”

“You sure?” Serril leaned back, taking Ariane’s hands in their own. “I can always go back to look at it later.”

Ariane shook her head. “You came all this way to see it, and you didn’t even get to watch it hatch.” She nodded towards the door. “Go on. I’ll be fine.”

“Alright,” Serril giggled, “But if you’re not fine when I come back out then I’ll have to pap you out of existence for lying to me, okay?”

Ariane snorted. “Just go!”

<+><+><+><+><+>

“Serril Roscor, reporting for duty!” Serril grinned brightly, standing at attention.

Roxanne Lalonde giggled, passing off her infant daughter for Serril to hold. They immediately started cooing at Rose, eyes alight with delight and adoration.

Roxanne nodded, and began walking down the halls, Serril close on her heels.

“It’s a shame you couldn’t be there for the hatching, Ariane told me that Gamzee was quick to crawl out. And he’s a real cutie, too!” Serril rambled, “You really lucked out, getting chosen as his primary caretaker. Especially since his egg was the only one we’ve gotten in years.”

Roxanne nodded, taking note of one of the groups they passed in the hall—Diantha Watterson and Silika Lillit, with the six youngest wrigglers following after them. Daycare service. Serril gave the group of four year olds an adoring glance, but remained at Roxanne’s side.

One of the children toddled up to Roxanne anyway, and she paused to smile at him. Arkhal Poiple grinned up at her, fins fluttering. “Is it true that there’s a new grub?”

“Yes, dear.”

“And you’re gonna be its foster momma?”

Roxanne nodded.

“Arkhal,” Diantha called out, “Let’s not distract Ms. Lalonde from her job, okay sweetie?”

Arkhal nodded and returned to the group of wrigglers. Roxanne and Serril continued along their way.

“God, wrigglers are always so cute,” Serril gushed, “And don’t get me wrong, I love working at the lab full time, but oh do I wish I could be stationed at Site B and work with all the little ones in the community sometimes, they’re all so cute~.”

They came to a stop in front of door C491, and Roxanne fished out her keycard to unlock it.

Serril shifted Rose in their arms to hold her better as they entered the room. “Aw, but you already know all of this, don’t you? Because you’re an A-Class researcher and all. And it's not like I haven't rambled about children before.”

Roxanne nodded, and they were approached by two of the nurses: Vera and Dreska.

“Ms. Lalonde.” Dreska greeted, nodding his head slightly. Roxanne returned the greeting with a nod of her own.

“May I see him?” Roxanne asked. Vera nodded, leading her over to the bassinet.

Inside, curled up and asleep, was a small indigo grub. Roxanne lifted Gamzee gently, smiling warmly.

“Hello, little one,” She cooed, recalling the data she’d been given upon arrival. A fully healthy grub, from the indigo caste; thirteen inches and nine pounds; no outstanding or more subtle health conditions; and, most peculiarly, this egg had been delivered alone, with no eggs in the months between arrival and hatching.

Gamzee yawned, shifting slightly in Roxanne’s arms. The little grub—and oh, he was so tiny, were all newly hatched grubs this small?—blinked open violet eyes, honked—

And bit Roxanne’s finger, drawing a few tiny beads of blood.

Roxanne snorted. “Oh, so that’s how you’re going to be.” She teased, carefully prying her finger free from Gamzee’s mouth. Dreska took Gamzee from Roxanne while Vera grabbed a bandage.

“Here,” Vera said, “Let’s take care of that.” Roxanne waited patiently as Vera disinfected and bandaged the cut.

Roxanne looked towards Gamzee, who had been placed back in the bassinet and was honking his protest. Serril had moved to stand over the bassinet, and grinned. “Sorry buddy, but if you do the crime then you gotta do the time.”

Roxanne chuckled, looking down at her new charge. Gamzee wouldn’t actually be leaving the labs for the first six months of his life, so daily visits would be required to familiarize him with her and Rose.

Roxanne could tell that she would enjoy caring for them both quite a lot.

[nightsinneverland]

Aura, the Shield, and the Sword

Although Aura Storms hasn’t been around that long, she was given certain skills, gifts and wisdom that could fit into several centuries of living. Along with a sword engraved with Nordic and African runes and a dog that holds more to the visible eye, can Aura take any more challenges? Maybe say a soulmate who she thought was dead? Or maybe an entourage of heroes that are constantly in her way?

-

Chapter Five.

12:00am. Midnight. My favorite time of the night and my favorite day due to the full moon energizing me. 

I sigh, laying down on my back, in my birthday suit, and listen to the trees and the air. This is where I feel completely at peace. Under the great Luna and beside Brooklyn. His dark, knowing eyes surveying me and our surroundings, always making sure I’m safe. I turn my head to make eye contact with him hoping he can see the gratitude in mine. 

In response, I received a prolonged blink and a long talon that caressed my bare face. I love when he’s in his given form; free, not hindered by some species that he has to conform to fit into this world. 

I don’t know how long we lay there soaking up the renewing moonlight, but when the temperature starts to lower and I start to drift away into a calm slumber, Brooklyn ruins my almost sleep by shooting up like he saw the Devil himself.

“What?”, I whine. The sweet grasp of sleep being chased away and irritation lingering behind.

Long black masses of arms gently sit me up and cover my nudity in a black cloak, ignoring my fussing. I angrily rip my arms through the cloak, shoving the oversized hood up over my head, knowing I’m acting like a child, but goddamnit I’m tired!

The widow’s time is almost upon us…

I stop my tantrum and stare at Brooklyn in shock. Shock in the fact that I’ve only heard him speak twice, his first being when he swore himself to me when I was awakened years ago and the second being now.

The fact that the second time I’ve heard his voice is to tell me about that insect that tried to steal what was mine lit a fire inside me.

“Oh for Luna’s sake!” I huff, getting to my feet, “FUCK THE WIDOW!” I shout, gathering the cloak at the waist, trying to walk away from Brooklyn, not wanting to deal with the fact that the sticky-handed bitch just won’t die.

Over the minuscule squeals and scattering of the forest critters and small animals trying to get out of my way, Brooklyn growls lowly, not liking my attitude. In retaliation, he extends his arm over to the few feet I’ve made from my aggressive stomping and wraps me up like a snake, bringing me back only to throw me over his strangely soft shoulder. 

“YOU PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU!! I SWEAR I’LL-”, My flustered tantrum cut short from air being sucked out of me due to Brooklyn jolting up into the sky and transporting us onto Tony Stark’s launchpad.

The big oaf gently took me off his shoulder and set me down, readjusting my cloak so it covered my modesty. I received a long blink and a pat on the head before he shifted back into his usual canine form.

I huff at the dog, trying to fix my curly hair, tangled from the wind. “You and I are gonna have a serious chat about manhandling because that was just uncalled for mister.” My response was an eye roll and a gentle nudge in my backside to move me towards Stark’s tower.

-

So far in his time of being in the modern world, Steve Rogers has not gotten a full night's sleep. But he did not dare voice his opinion as he slouches in the gray chair with the rest of his teammates in Natasha’s room. The air is tense as everyone watches Dr. Cho work over the red-headed woman, knowing that we might only have a few hours before we lose one of our own.

“You know what, maybe Point Break over here can work his otherworldly magic on Nat?”, Tony suggests, standing up and making odd hand gestures, “I mean it wouldn’t hurt to try.”

The hammer-wielding god smiles sadly at Tony, “My friend, this venom is something I’ve never seen before. I wouldn’t know where to start. My apologies.” 

Steve lets out a long sigh, “Well we gotta do something. You told me a dog bit her? I don’t know what kind of dogs people are breeding these days but that just doesn’t sound natural.” His voiced confusion getting the attention of the woman of the hour laying on her deathbed.

“Unnatural is right. That dog is something else. Something more dangerous,” Natasha’s voice, frail as it is held hatred and regret and even fear as she spoke into the room.

Clint ran a hand down his face in frustration. “Has F.R.I.D.A.Y. gotten any further with details on that mutt? We know it’s not an actual dog.” His tired voice asked Tony.

Upon hearing his teammate, Steve’s brow furrowed with confusion. “What do you mean not an actual dog?” 

Before anyone could answer any of the questions being thrown around, F.R.I.D.A.Y.’s voice rang out in the room, “Boss, she’s back”. 

This was Steve’s day for being clueless because no one had told him about this special dog that’s not actually a dog and now there’s a stranger in the tower that was here before that he hasn’t met yet. He really needs to have a talk with Tony about the need for communication.

Before he could open his mouth to complain about being kept in the dark, a sharp flash temporarily blinded him and everyone in the room. When he opened his eyes, he was met with a giant curly-haired dog, and a woman so beautiful that she must be what dreams are made of.

Her curls were wild yet tame. Sharp cheekbones creating shadows that could scare just about anyone. Except him. He was curious and aroused. And dying to know more about her.

“Hello again,” her deep sultry and sarcastic voice slithered out. Her lips pursed together as if she were annoyed. “Y’all here for the finale?” Her pursed lips morphed into a sadistic smirk that he didn’t approve of.

As a result of her smart-mouthed greeting, the room shot back to life; standing and advancing on the strange woman he felt strongly connected to.

Clint taking the first verbal shot towards her, yelled, “You got some fucking nerve coming here!” His anger bleeding into his words. Still advancing on her until he was towering over her, an obvious power play although it was apparent to the entire room that she was the one who held the power.

The woman in question simply blinked twice up at Clint and stepped aside to make her way to Natasha. Having a vague idea of how much of a threat this woman stood to his teammates, Steve, who had gotten to his feet during her entry, blocked her path to Nat.

“Why are you here? Who are you?” He was aware of how shaky his voice sounded as he questioned her. He straightened his broad shoulders to compensate for his weak voice even though he knew she saw right through him just like she saw through Clint.

It was when she looked up to meet Steve’s eyes when everything seemed to blur before coming into focus. His wrist tormenting him with the intense burning he felt in his dreams. He could tell from the pained expression in her eyes that she felt something similar as well. 

The beauty in front of him quickly masked her expression and replied quietly, “I’m here for the widow,” Her eyes showing hesitance but her voice was still strong as his shield, “But it looks like I found something as well”. 

Tony, looking like he had just about enough of this mystery woman opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by the woman’s order, “Brook.” With her one word, everything stopped. He tried to call out in panic but he could not move his mouth. Time was not frozen but he was. So was the room, except for her and Natasha and her strange “dog”.

The curly-haired woman slowly made her way to her intended destination; trailing her symbol-covered fingers up the bed railings until she reached his teammate’s upper body.

“This is your last chance little spider.” Her fingers hovering over Natasha’s failing organs. “Why did you take from me?” Her face a mask of indifference as she casually asked her questions.

Natasha tried to put on a strong face for herself and her team but the pain slowly bled through her mask, “It doesn’t belong to you witch” Her breathy response sent chills down Steve’s spine. He felt like an unwelcome guest as he and the rest of the team watched the scene unfold.

A small cruel smile found its way onto the “witch’s” face. It was beautiful as well as alarming. She stopped her trailing fingers on Natasha’s chest, stopping one graceful finger over her heart.

“It belongs to no one. It chooses its own path. And you interrupted that path”, The witch’s smooth voice lowered with her body, leaning over to whisper loud enough for the whole room to hear, “And that’s why you’re going to die.” 

Her eyes left Natasha and roamed across the room until they landed onto her companion and with a tilt of its head, Steve had regained control of his body as well as everyone else in the room.

With that sealing statement and the renewed movement of his limbs and muscles, he stalked towards the witch, pinning her against the nearest wall, his large hand grasped tightly around her slender, symbol-covered neck.

Attraction aside, he wasn’t going to let this strange beautiful woman murder his friend.

To his surprise, the woman looked to enjoy his strangling. A content smile stretched across her face and she slightly leaned her head back as if she were in ecstasy before she righted herself and looked him square in the face.

“Well, this isn’t how I envisioned our first meeting.” Her face turned almost murderous in a flat second as she finished,

 “soulmate”

[sebastianshaw]

RP meme from "Chapter Two:Infesting the World" in The World of Darkness Ratkin Breedbook, Part 2 of 2

"Not everyone follows the same path."

"They just define loyalty by a different set of standards."

"In fact, anything that brings about chaos is good, regardless of the consequences."

" It’s more important to assign blame when something fails."

"Infamy is good enough for them."

"They take pride in the accomplishments of their carefully bred offspring."

"A talented few find reasons to associate with other supernatural creatures."

" They’re high-maintenance relationships, to say the least."

" If you’re wise enough not to trust your own kind, scurry away from these places as quickly as you can."

"Travelers refer to these hideaways as “crash space.”

" After all, no one can give a dirty look like your momma can!"

" The only way to depose such a ruler is to kill him and conspire to take his place."

"If his solution is unpopular, his enemies may attempt to conspire against him, or even kill him."

"Any who fail to depose him will be exiled, crippled, killed or even eaten, depending on how much the ruler hates him."

"This usually involves driving the rage of everyone present to a fever pitch."

"The participants begin by launching into ritual combat, lashing at each other with non-lethal weapons."

"Everyone present turns on each other for a brief while, fighting bitterly over trivial matters until the swarm is full of fury."

"There are reasons for such prolonged isolation."

" The desert isn’t really desolate, after all; it just teems with life most humans don’t recognize."

"Watch your step; from here on out, things get a little strange. . ."

"Sadly, a few of these legends have at least some basis in fact."

"Ever hear odd noises in an old house late at night? You

don’t believe it’s the “house settling,” do you? Do you really think it’s just “hot air expanding in the walls?” Of course not."

" As long as no one goes poking around under the stairs, or gets trapped in the crawlspace under the house, everyone stays happy."

"If you haven’t already been dissuaded from risking your life in one of these otherworldly dimensions, you’d best study up on the spirits who live there."

"Pain-spirits seek out places of suffering, whether it’s inflicted by torture, torment or infection."

"Anyone who owns an electronic device inhabited by this spirit becomes its owner. . .or its victim, depending on your point of view."

“Really, the computer likes it when I sing.”

"I’ve never understood why we have this tradition, though."

" I guess this is a way to hand down the same stereotypes from one generation to the next."

"What, do I sound a little cynical?"

"C’mon, ask me about someone you’ll really have problems with.”

"They like to play pranks on people."

"Crap, you studied for this, didn’t you?"

"You already know about these bastards."

"Don’t tell the boss I told you that, though."

"These guys are great."

"These guys are great. Born thieves and deceivers."

"These guys are great. Born thieves and deceivers. Like the ravens they live with, they like shiny things, and love secrets even more. You gotta watch ’em, ’cause they’ll set themselves up in a perch somewhere and spy on everything they can."

"You gotta watch ’em, ’cause they’ll set themselves up in a perch somewhere and spy on everything they can."

"Make sure you betray them before they betray you."

"Pretentious, egotistical assholes."

"I think they eat children and drink blood."

"Where’d you hear that word?"

"Okay, are we done with this?"

"That was pitiful. Let me do this."

"I’d watch this guy if I were you, kid."

"They’re all, like, radical feminists and lesbians and stuff."

"Yeah, that’s right, they’re females who have weird ideas about breeding."

"They tend to have trouble controlling their anger, so I’d think twice about starting a fight with one."

" All I’m sure of is that they all act like they’ve got something to prove."

"That means that it’s really easy to push ’em into a frenzy."

"Once you get them angry enough, it’s easy to outwit them."

"Make some smart-ass remark about their riot grrl combat boots, and you’ll have them swinging at anything."

"Here, let me do this one."

"Street people are desperate, no matter what they really are."

"First off, don’t try to poison them. It’s futile. They drink stuff that would make rat’s piss taste like champagne."

"First off, don’t try to poison them."

"They drink stuff that would make rat’s piss taste like champagne."

"Don’t fight them unless you absolutely have to."

"I hear they’ve got all sorts of dark rites they perform when no one’s around. Even if it involves sacrificing humans, I still don’t want to see it.”

"I hear they’ve got all sorts of dark rites they perform when no one’s around."

"Even if it involves sacrificing humans, I still don’t want to see it.”

"I wouldn’t want to meet one of those critters anywhere!"

"Seems they’ve got a habit of going back on their word, or trying to Clinton their way out of trouble."

"I hate these guys."

"I hate these guys. Two words-- Sanctimonious nobles."

"They're just a shadow of who they used to be."

"Now they’re all dangerously inbred, half-insane and overcome with depression."

"I can never tell if one of ’em’s going to kick my ass or challenge me to a game of go."

"Too damn smart for their own good."

" Seemed like a good idea at the time."

"So, anyway, a long time ago I was watching this TV show called In Search Of. You know, with Spock? And they had this story about a place called the Roanoke colony, where there was a bunch of settlers. Pilgrims and shit. And then one day, they all mysteriously disappeared, and the only clue was one word scratched on a tree; Croatan."

"No more crack for you, okay?"

"No, you idiot! That’s it, you’re not doing this anymore!"

"They’re never coming back!"

"All right, let’s wrap this up."

"These guys are no friends of ours."

"They hate chaos and things they can’t control, so they hate rebels like us."

"Nothing worse than a sulky guy who throws lightning bolts."

"His name sounded kinda like a sneeze."

[twi-sight2020]

I’ve got a theory...that it’s a Vampire

So before I say anything else, I just wanna say, wow...I have so many followers. Thank you all so much! But also, who would have thought that, in the year of our lord 2020 the most popular blog I’ve had would be me reviewing Twilight. The fandom is still very much alive and well! But damn, so many of you. I love you all! So Bella is supposed to give her theories, but she begs for another question to be answered first.  She wants to know how he found here which is....her scent. Charming. Then she is aghast at his theory that her brain is on a different frequency than everyone else’s and that’s why he cannot hear her thoughts. Edward pretty much sums up my thoughts on this with this. “I hear voices in my mind and you’re worried that you’re the freak?” All that being said, again, here we have this mystery about Bella, this aspect of her that could have been built upon and explored. After all, as of yet, the villains have yet to be introduced,  it seems like this is set up to be more of a self contained story and yet.... sigh. This is pretty much  dropped. So after a bit of these, Edward demands to hear her latest theory which is ....vampire. Yes, after 124 pages Bella drops the “V” word and then explains to Edward all about Jacob and how she flirted with poor Jacob to get the information about the “legends” and she came to the vampire conclusion....and then decided she didn’t care . Edward is, honestly kind of appalled that she doesn’t care if he is a murderous little critter. Like....bless him, he knows that he is trash sometimes and is very concerned when other’s don’t see it. Side note: Edward also feels sorry for Jacob, because , bless , the poor boy did not deserve this. We get the “How long have you been seventeen line” and I honestly love how Edward is just like “Yea....done that for a while “ And then they go through the  myths and facts of vampires. They don’t burn in the sun, no sleeping in coffins. And he doesn’t sleep, at all, ever. In fact he seems wistful about the idea . Kinda makes you feel sorry for him for a minute. Which ...i go back and forth with Edward, tbh. Sometimes I love him..other times I wanna throttle him. It’s a tough road. So then he, of course, brings up the fact that, you know....vampires have very very special diets. Bella tells him that Jacob mentioned his family doesn’t nom nom on people. Edward points out that, yes, they do try to avoid people but they are still, you know, dangerous. of course, Bella has the self preservation of a capybara ...hell, at least they can hide in water, Bella just....dives right into danger every time. She’s like my cat that tries to jump on the dog that chases her and nips at her on the daily. no self preservation, nada. Course, Bella at least is going after a hot vampire. My cat is just...not right. So Edward explains he doesn’t  want to be a monster, the Cullen’s “vegetarian” diet, and the fact that sometimes it’s harder than others to keep from biting humans. And oh, Bella, honey, he might have told you he wanted to kill you but, you have NO idea how close you came to being Lunch.  Bella clues Edward into the fact that she’s noticed how his eyes change when he’s hungry. Which he finds amusing, but then...then he explains how it “makes him nervous” to be away from her. Now, it kinda makes sense from Edwards point of view, because this girl is...well she’s kinda taken over his brain. Her smell drives him nuts and yet he feels protective of her because she NEARLY DIES EVERY FIVE SECONDS. as he points out when he sees the scrapes on her hands.  Again, this could have been a really neat plot, him being destined to be the one to either save her or kill her...but no....not that. Because, instead, we get Bella also being anxious when she doesn’t see him because.... teenage hormones? Idk...i get being upset when you don’t see your crush but the anxiety bit is kinda over the top, especially when she starts FUCKING CRYING when he points out that it’s one thing for him to be fixated on her and another for him to drag her into it. *sighs* Maybe this is a me thing, I dunno, but crying makes...no sense to be at this part. If it were supposed to be the rush of all the night’s events catching up to her...sure, but over this? This girl was completely unfazed 5 minutes after being rescued from a possible gang rape, but is crying over this? I don’t get it, I really don’t. I know I’m basically the worst at reading emotions, and I really don’t understand people a lot of the time but this...... seriously, if anyone has any idea on how her brain works...drop me a line? Cause I’m...really at a loss for understanding this part. Like maybe it’s because I’m a #dead-inside millennial, or maybeI’m a robot , but the emotional trainwreck that is Bella.....yikes. Edward apologies for making Bella have an random crying spell, and then ask her what she was thinking when she was nearly attacked-cause, you know, bringing  up trauma is a great way to make someone feel better/s. Like, come on Edward, you’ve been alive for a long ass time, and yet you really suck at people. Apparently Bella thought about trying to fight and scream because she....falls down alot when running. Edward says he’s fighting fate trying to keep her alive and i’m just like???? “Dude...compassion??? She almost ...fucking hell.’ I am a bit frustrated with these children.  Edward promises to be in school tomorrow and then ask Bella to promise not to go into the woods alone because ‘he’s not always the most dangerous thing out there.” Bella...you’ve been nothing but curious this whole time, but when he says “Let’s just leave it at that.” you have no questions? None? You’ve had it confirmed vampires are real and one is telling you there is worst stuff out there and you just....let it go? Like I get we’re setting things up for a sequel but...... come on, it’s a bit lazy for her not to prod a bit.  Also, does this mean Edward was stalking her when she went into the woods that morning to? Jesus...   He tells her to sleep well  and then we get a bit on how...nice his breath smells. Which, i know, it’s all part of his apex predator self to draw people in but it’s still a weird thing to read about.  She gets inside, takes a shower and realizes she’s freezing and begins shaking and trembling. she talks about her mind trying to suppress things and, for a brief minute, I think she’s actually going to have a ...reaction to everything that happened. Now, mind you, I don’t want her to be a shrinking violet, but her emotional responses are so ...over the place. She cries when Edward isn’t around, or when he points out he’s dangerous... but when she is put in actual danger, it rolls off of her. Gotta say it confuses me but...what do i know? I can watch horror movies till kingdom come, ready mystery novels, see medical gore and autopsy with no problem but I cry every damn time a pet dies in a movie...or music video. (I’m looking at you”Happier” by Bastille) So she’s not freaking out over the days evens, no, instead we’ve getting one of the most famous (and sometimes infamous) lines from the series.  “About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him-and I didn’t know how potent that part might be-that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.” Imma...just need a sec to unpack this here. Obviously we know he’s a vampire and it’s pretty obvious he wants to eat her (and not in the fun way) but the last bit.... In love with him...oof. I know teen love comes on fast and hard but this...you’ve only had a few actual conversations with him, and even fewer have been him not being a douche. Do I think she’s in LUST with him? Definitely.  IS she in awe of him saving her life all the time? Of course. Intrigued because...vampire? Oh hell yea. But...you’re not in love with him Bella. Do I think she is later? Of course. But at this moment, I think it’s way more infatuation than love. She knows very little about him, in fact, with the exception of the vampire bit, I know more about a stranger from their facebook page than what she knows about him in this moment.  Edward has stalked Bella enough that he knows everything about her. And while that brings up a whole fuck ton of other issues, at least it means he knows enough about her to have genuine feelings (as creepy as his behavior may be)  But Bella, you’re not in love...not yet. Alright guys, i know this one was a bit more ranty then some of my other’s and this may turn some people off , but i said from the start I was gonna be honest about the good, the bad, and my feelings on it. I don’t care if people disagree, in fact, I welcome discussion. If you wanna message me and talk about certain bits, go for it! Just, make it clear if it’s a question/conversation you wanna have in private or something you’re cool with me sharing on the blog to futher discussion. Alright guys, love you all and , until next time,  Stay safe!

[badcowboy69]

Homeward Bound part 5

Whew yet another chapter in my ongoing saga about my courier six, Travis Blackfox, rediscovering his family.  Still in the important “banter” phase.  Next chapter should be more interesting with new discoveries for my dear boy.  

@fuzzyelves here we go...lol hope you like it  

You can find the previous four chapters in the writings section of my blog.  Chapter put under the cut due to length.  Enjoy!!!

The pleasant aroma of food filled the air as Travis and Riley stepped out into the hallway.  Instantly, Travis felt his mouth water and his stomach growled hungrily.  Eagerly, he strode towards the dining area, his boots clunking loudly on the wooden floor.  He came to a halt a few feet away from the dining table to look over the impressive spread of food: a bowl full of mashed potatoes, a plate piled with ears of corn, a loaf of bread, and the main course, a platter with a small mound of prairie fowl which Riley noted the pieces were larger than what you might get from an average chicken.

Travis’ parents entered the room and his mother immediately began filling their glasses with ice water from the clay pitcher she was holding.  “Help yourselves, boys, and don’t be shy asking for seconds or even thirds.  There’s plenty to go ‘round,” Mrs. Blackfox said with a warm smile while leaning into the kiss her husband planted on her cheek before taking his seat.

“Oh dang!” Travis exclaimed under his breath.  “Ain’t gonna think the spread at the Tops is so great anymore after seeing this!”

“Reminds me of family gatherings back in the day,” Riley reminisced in a low tone while impulsively pulling out Travis’ chair before taking a seat himself.  “This is really kind of you,” Riley directed to Mrs. Blackfox with a grateful smile.  “Thank you so much for your hospitality.”

“Y-yeah, much obliged,” Travis chimed in while scooting in his chair.  “This is really amazing.”

“Alright y’all, ‘nough chatter, let’s get to eatin’!” Dante exclaimed with a chuckle as his wife gave him a playful shove.

“Ain’t gotta tell me twice!” Travis responded hungrily and began to pile food onto his plate.

About mid-way through the meal when the food consumption and small talk slowed, Tracy set her fork down and directed attention to her son.  “Travis, since you got here we bombarded you with constant questions.  Is there anything you’d like to ask us about?”

Travis paused from shoveling more food into his mouth and glanced from her to his father.  There were a million possible questions he could ask and so many things he was burning to know.  However, he wasn’t one that enjoyed being put on the spot and hastily blurted, “Yeah...what...uhh...wh-what kind of critters y’all got here?”

His parents blinked in surprise and even Riley was a little taken aback by Travis’ unusual question.  “Of all the dang things ta ask, ya ask about critters!  Why don’t that surprise me?” Dante chuckled, his pale eyes shining.  “Ya always had a deep fondness for all animals.  Well, lessee...we got ‘bout thirty head of brahmin...maybe ‘bout ten bighorners.  Got a few grazers and a small flock of prairie fowl.  Also got us five steeds and one dog.”

Travis grinned broadly hearing about the assortment of animals on the ranch.  “Oh man, that all sounds great!  Ain’t quite sure what steeds are exactly, but…”

“Don’t forget our newest addition, Dante!” Mrs. Blackfox eagerly interrupted.  “We got these new critters from a caravan a little while ago.  They had these tiny, furry baby things in a basket and they were simply darling.  Ain’t never seen anything like them and I fell in love with them instantly!  Your father bartered with the owner and we managed to obtain a pair.  We were told they’re good for keeping vermin out of the feed and such.  They’re called cats and sort of remind me of teeny versions of Maulers.”

Travis practically choked on his drink and stared in wide-eyed disbelief at his parents.  “D-did you say cats?”

Dante arched an eyebrow and nodded slowly, wondering what made his son so incredulous.  “A’yup.  Fella said he picked ‘em up at some corn farmer’s place miles west of here.  Said they’re newly introduced into the area.  Why?  Y’all got ‘em in New Vegas?”

“Do we got cats in Vegas?  Shit, we got plenty seein’ I was the one that what brought ‘em back from the Boston Commonwealth in the first place!” Travis replied excitedly.  He began to fidget and his eyes darted about looking for a glimpse of the cats.  “Where they at?  I wonder if they’re from Pepper’s litter?  Are they in here anywheres?  No, they can’t be otherwise you’d be sneezin’,” he babbled, directing the last sentence to Riley as he pushed his chair backwards to take a look under the table just in case.

“Boston Common-what?” Dante asked then suddenly rapped his knuckles hard on the table to get Travis’ attention, putting a stop to his frantic search for cats.  “Hey!”    

“Commonwealth,” Travis repeated while righting himself and scooting his chair back to the table.  “It’s a far off place on the east coast of the country.  ‘Bout three thousand miles or something.  Took me two weeks to get out there on my motorcycle.”

“Motorcycle?  Shit...son, is there nothin’ you ain’t done?” the cowboy chuckled and took a swig of his beer.  “Ya always did like to tinker.  All the projects you started and never finished are still in the barn.  Glad to hear ya finally got something completed for once.  You build that car out front too?”

“No, Mister House gave it to me, but I did help in fixing it and getting it running.  Reckon that’s a story to tell y’all later on.”

“Back to this Boston place,” Tracy excitedly chimed in.  “What in the heck enticed you to drive three thousand miles?”

“Cats!  Found out about ‘em in a book Mister House had.  I asked him about them and he said that as far as he knew they didn’t exist anymore, but he wasn’t entirely sure.  I started putting the word out over the radio to anyone that would listen. I was curious if anyone saw or heard of a cat.  I mean we still got dogs, there had to be cats, right?  Anyways, got a response from some fella in a place called D.C. saying he saw some up in Boston.  Gave me the coordinates and I planned the trip and went.”

It was evident this topic greatly excited Travis as he continued on with his tale.  After breezing over the two weeks it took him to drive across the country, his entire demeanor suddenly changed.  No longer did he look lost and distraught.  Instead, his expression was that of pure happiness.  However, getting to the part about staying in Diamond City is when his emotions simmered down slightly.  It was there his cat quest shifted in a completely new direction as it was where he noticed, met, and hooked up with Riley.  As wonderful as that meeting was, he had to keep their romance quiet until he knew how his parents would react.  Still, there was no way he really could continue the story without mentioning something about their friendship.  Coming up with a quick solution, Travis instead skipped to the part where Riley assisted him on the quest and took him to the small town of Covenant to see the legendary cats.  

Travis soon lost himself and carried on and on about how awesome the encounter was, the lemonade making Mister Handy named Deezer, and even Riley’s allergies.  All the while, his parents hung on every word with Tracy absently gathering a small handful of her hair and twirling it between her fingers while Dante crossed his arms in front of his chest as an amused smile danced faintly on his lips.  They were both glad seeing their son finally showing some excitement tonight even if it was simply over cats.    

However, while Travis continued to ramble on, oblivious to much else other than what he was talking about, Riley thought he detected a knowing glint in the rancher’s eyes.  Though Travis’ praise of Riley helping him achieve his dream of seeing cats was simply that, it was evident there was something more by how his voice would go up slightly with every mention of the redhead.  If Riley noticed, surely Dante did too and he suddenly felt a wave of nervous uncertainty fill him.  He wasn’t exactly sure on how to read Dante as the man seemed to be quite the mystery.  

Before Riley could worry himself over something that might not even be there, he heard Travis begin, “Kinda funny that I had gone all the way to Boston in search of pu---”

Without even hesitating, Riley began to purposely cough once he realized what Travis was about to say.  It was a tasteless joke of Travis’, proclaiming he had gone to Boston in search of pussy, but found dick instead.  When Travis’ good friend, Arcade, heard the phrase a while back, the blonde doctor stated that he gets the humor Travis was going for, but for a gay man making a remark like that was a bit unusual and very out of place.  Since then, Travis stopped with the joke, but today it seemed like it wanted to surface again for whatever reason.  Being in the presence of his folks, regardless if Travis remembered them or not, Riley knew the comment would be in very, very bad taste.

Fortunately, the subtle distraction was all it took to divert Travis from making a huge error in his choice of words.  After making sure Riley was alright, Travis didn’t pick up where he left off and instead unwittingly ended his story in a more tasteful way.  “Thanks to a good friend of mine who’s got access to a Vertibird, I was able to bring back a bunch of cats to Vegas!  I got a few at my casino and the rest got spread around to my friends in the Mojave.  It’s really cool to see they made it out this way and that y’all got some!”

“Wow!  This is absolutely amazing!  So far this is two things now that affected our lives in some way and both were at the hands of my own son!” Tracy beamed proudly and her eyes began to glisten with tears.  “To think, you were with us all along in some way...first by being the anonymous person that helped defeat the Legion, then as the person who brought us those kittens found in that caravan.  It was almost as if you were subconsciously trying your best to reach out to us.  Oh, Travis, if only you reached out for real…if only...” she trailed off and bit her lower lip not wanting to say what was truly gnawing at her.  

However, Travis knew exactly what she was wanting to get at.  His jovial mood quickly vanished and he downcast his eyes while anxiously flicking his fingers against his drinking glass.  Truly, there was no excuse for him to not make the effort to come home for almost a decade.  He knew it was fear of rejection that kept him away, nothing else.  Countless times his friends in New Vegas begged him to take that chance.  They told him even if it didn’t work out at least it would give him some kind of closure.  At the very least he would learn where he had come from and maybe discover who he used to be.  Still, it was never enough to fully entice him to take that big step. 

Riley was quick to notice Travis’ sudden shift of mood and was about to make an attempt to save the conversation and lighten things up again when Mrs. Blackfox continued.  “Listen, I know you probably have a million more stories and questions for us.  We most certainly do, but I realize that this is probably super hard and awkward for you.  I know it’s all overwhelming and there’s plenty of time for more story swapping later.  That being said, did you boys save room for dessert?” 

“N-no, thank you.  Dinner was great and I’m quite full,” Travis replied with a forced grin.  He knew he could eat much more, but the last thing he wanted to do right now was come off as a starving glutton in front of his folks.

“I’m fine too, Mrs. Blackfox.  Dinner was fantastic, thank you,” Riley said as he passed his plate to Tracy’s outstretched hand as she gathered up the empties.

“Well, I reckon now that we got our bellies full, next thing for me to do is get the place buttoned up for the night and let the rest go as they may,” Dante chimed in.  “Ain’t got too much time left of the sunlight to show y’all around proper.  There’s always tomorrow for more exploring and chores and whatnot.  You think your fancy pants is up to learning about ranch life, Riley White?”  Seeing the redhead blink behind his glasses and blush slightly, Dante smirked.  “Ah hell, looks like we got a late risin’ greenhorn city boy in the house,” he chuckled.

“Thought I told you to quit antagonizing that man,” Mrs. Blackfox groaned and rolled her eyes as she gave her husband’s shoulder a playful shove.  “Don’t mind him, Riley.  That’s just his way of showing he likes someone.  Now, why don’t you boys go step outside and get some fresh air.” “A’yup, and mebbe y’all can explain that crazy critter ya brought.  I ain’t seen one of ‘em in years,” Dante interjected as he stood and stretched.  “Great meal as always, love.”  The lanky cowboy leaned in to give his wife a tender kiss on the cheek before turning on his heel and making his way out the backdoor.

Taking what dishes she could carry to the sink, Mrs. Blackfox asked over her shoulder, “Are you sure you had enough to eat, Travis?  Ain’t like you to skip dessert.”

“Um...n-no.  I mean yes.  I’m fine, thank you.  Please, let me help.”  Travis snapped to his feet and scooped up the remaining plates and took them to his mother.  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to wash these.  It’s the least I can do as thanks for the meal.” 

“Nonsense,” Tracy replied, waving her hands to shoo Travis away from the sink.  “You go on outside.  There’ll be plenty of other chances to help out ‘round here if that’s what you want.”  Taking the plates from her son, Tracy paused for a moment to stare at him.  She shook her head in disbelief, never imagining that after so many heartbroken years her son was actually back from the dead and standing in her kitchen.  Her blue eyes began to get moist from tears and she turned away back towards the sink.  “Go on now, go outside before it gets too dark to...oh no.”  Letting out a soft laugh she gave a nod towards the window.  “Looks like the help is hanging around, no doubt wanting to see you, Travis.  Best go and see them lest they have a stroke and die ‘cause they ain’t gonna stop ‘til they get a gander at you.”

Travis furrowed his brow while giving Riley a hopeless look.  Even though he wasn’t exactly anxious to meet anyone else right now, seeing a glimpse of the ranch before nightfall certainly appealed to him.  Travis pushed open the screen door and the cooler evening air greeted him as he stepped out onto the porch.  He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled while he looked out over the rows of corn and wheat.  Various fruit trees dotted the fields and he could almost picture the livestock grazing in their shade.  A shimmer in the distance caught his eye and he figured it was a creek or at least some sort of water source.  That calming, pulling sensation began to flow through him again and he found himself yearning to walk through those cornfields to the creek and find a place to sit until the moon rose high in the sky.   

Unfortunately, he couldn’t savor the peaceful fantasy for too long as he heard the shuffling of boots on dirt.  His father was heading his way while a gray and black hound dog trotted at his side with Rex in tow.  Diverting his gaze from them, Travis noticed the corrals were now bustling with livestock.  Brahmin were in one pen while Big Horners were in another.  He could hear the soft lowing, grunts and snorts of the animals seeming to encourage him to go get a closer look.  Travis eagerly jumped off the porch, but was instantly sidetracked as the hound dog broke from Dante’s side and trotted over to investigate Travis instead.  The dog gave him a few interested sniffs before giving his hand a lick.  “You’re a good pup, ain’t ‘cha?” Travis asked the dog while patting him on the head.  The dog wagged his tail in response then flopped on the ground at Travis’ feet.

“This cyborg of yours is pretty nifty,” Dante remarked, nodding in Rex’s direction who took his place next to the hound.  “Saw some like him a few times, mostly in town as NCR passed through.  Sometimes Legion had ‘em.  I see the faded paint mark of the Bull on this one.  Cain’t wait to hear the story in how you got this fella.” 

Travis numbly nodded then felt his stomach suddenly sink as he realized two men were also making their way towards him.  He was so caught up in the scenery, dogs, and livestock that he completely forgot his mother mentioning the ranch hands were lingering in the area in hopes to finally see him.  They both seemed to be about the same age, early to mid-forties, and were grinning broadly and waving at their long lost friend.  Not wanting to come off as rude, Travis stood and brushed the sand off his jeans with one hand while feebly waving back with his other.

“Ooowee, lookie’chu!” the taller of the two men exclaimed while snatching Travis’ hand with his and vigorously pumping it up and down.  “All grown up and filled out...ain’t the lanky squirt you was before you left for Vegas.”  Seeing the blank look he was getting from Travis, the cowboy smacked himself upside the head.  “Shit, where’s my manners?  You got that memory loss thing goin’ on and don’t even know who’n the hell I am, huh?  Name’s Tim.  Been on this ranch ever since you was a little kid.  Dang, ain’t never thought I’d see you again!  When you went missing all those years ago...well...was devastatin’ I tell ya what,” Tim said solemnly while kicking at the sand with the toe of his boot.

“Oh, Tim, quit bein’ so dramatic!” the shorter man chimed in.  “I’m Brad, by the way!  So glad to get to see you alive an’ well, Trav!” 

Travis tried to smile as the man grabbed his hand and shook it while thumping him on the shoulder with the other.  The awkward feeling he felt earlier when his mother suggested he go out to meet these people only intensified now that he was finally face to face with them.  He tried to distract himself by looking over their matching black cowboy hats and their neatly trimmed moustaches that meshed with their goatees.  He wondered if they could be brothers and for a fleeting moment he wondered if  they could be related to him or if he even had any siblings for that matter.  

Hoping to overcome his nerves, Travis thought it’d be good to ask about their relations, but the ranch hand’s sudden burst of chatter prevented him from even getting a word in edgewise.  Fortunately for him, rescue from the banter and fawning came in the way of his partner almost seeming to materialize by his side holding two beers.  Feeling a sweep of relief as Tim and Brad paused from babbling over the interruption, Travis twisted off the cap and gestured towards Riley with the bottle.  “This here’s my friend, Riley.”

“Nice to meet you both,” Riley said with a warm smile while offering his free hand to them in friendship.       

Once the introductions and handshakes were done, Brad couldn’t help but suddenly smirk and give the courier a wink.  “Friend my ass, Trav.  If my feelings are correct, I’m gonna bet that this fella’s your boyfriend.”

Hearing the mention of boyfriend, Riley’s face instantly turned a bright shade of red and he bit his lower lip while distracting himself with his beer.  Travis, on the other hand, did his best not to show any reaction to the remark.  He didn’t admit anything to his parents yet so there was no way he was going to admit anything to these people.  However, when faced with a direct remark or question, he was never able to lie or hide his emotions no matter how hard he tried.  Besides blushing fiercely, a dopey smile tugged at the corners of his moustache and he began to rub the back of his neck.  Those actions alone spoke volumes without Travis having to say one word.

Brad’s brown eyes widened and he grinned broadly.  “Oh!  I knew it!  I knew it!  Hot damn, you sure did get yourself a cutie!”  Giving Tim a spirited shove, Brad gestured with his hand and exclaimed, “Ya owe me five caps!  I told ya the fella that brung him here was his boyfriend!”

“Boyfriend?”  The sharp voice of Dante cut through the air making the laughter and gentle teasing abruptly stop.  The four men turned to see a deeply scowling Dante stomping their way.  “Whaddya mean, boyfriend?” he snapped, stopping a few feet away from his son.  Dante glared hard at Tim and Brad whose jovial attitudes instantly vanished.  He then gave Riley a sideways glance before focusing his burning, pale blue eyes on Travis.

Riley felt his stomach clench and heart almost break hearing the tone of Dante’s voice and seeing his towering frame looming over that of Travis.  His deepest fear about this entire meeting seemed to have come true.  However, the possibility of a fight that might break out now from his partner’s defensive nature was what scared him the most.  He saw Travis’ eyebrows instantly lower and eyes narrow dangerously while he corrected his posture and balled his fists at his side.

The air was thick with tension and it was almost as if this were the typical cliche sort of showdown one would see in old western movies.  Neither of the three men moved and scarcely dared to breathe for fear of sparking the confrontation between father and son.  Riley was almost waiting for a prop tumbleweed to roll by or the recorded call of a hawk to cry out overhead.  Even though those thoughts were amusing, it hardly was enough to take away the uneasy reality of the situation.  

Twitching his moustache, the cowboy shook his head in disbelief and threw his hands up in the air.  “Y’all have been together how long and you’re still just boyfriends?  What’n the hell’s wrong with you?  Y’all shoulda been married by now!”

Blindsided and bewildered by what his father said, Travis blinkled and took a step back.  “Muh-m-m-married?  I…” Travis stammered and looked helplessly to Riley whose wide-eyed, shocked expression only served to puzzle him more.  “I...umm…”

“Pfft...lordy!” Dante snorted.  “When I met your ma it was only a few months of courtin’ ‘til we got hitched.  And you two are together for what…five or six months or something?”

“Y-year an’ a half,’ Travis numbly replied, his mind still racing from the entire conversation and the unexpected turn it took.

“Year and a... Oh fer the love of Pete!  Even Tim and Brad done got hitched sooner’n that!” the cowboy laughed and clamped his hand on Travis’ shoulder.  “I know love ain’t determined by a band of gold on yer finger or whatever, but damn, son!”

Travis weakly chuckled and put the beer to his lips with a trembling hand.  He noticed poor Riley was paler than usual, still staring at the ground and biting his thumbnail.  Brad was collecting his caps from Tim and their smiles and jovial moods have returned now that the tense moment was defused.  Apparently Dante had an odd sense of humor and it was one Travis hoped he’ll learn to understand in the near future.

“Sorry, son, didn’t mean to startle ya about the boyfriend thing.  Glad to see ya got yerself a good man...even if he’s a city slicker,” Dante chuckled while giving Travis a wink and a pat on the shoulder.  Turning his sights on Tim and Brad, he made a shooing motion with his hands.  “Alright you two, ya saw Travis.  Let’s get back to work while we still got sun!  We’ll talk ‘bout things later, Travis.  Right now I gotta make sure the pens and barn’s locked up for the night.”  Giving his son another pat on the shoulder, the cowboy sauntered off towards the corrals.

Travis sighed heavily and his entire posture slumped now that he was finally alone with Riley.  “Shit,” he muttered before guzzling the remainder of beer in the bottle.  He toed at the dirt with his boot for a few moments before turning on his heel and heading back to the porch.  Dropping heavily on an old wood chair, Travis set his empty beer bottle down and rubbed his face with his hands.

“You okay, babe?” Riley asked as he leaned against the porch rail, still nursing his own beer.

“I’m whupped,” Travis simply replied as he leaned back against the chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest.  He was drained both mentally and physically.  The day’s events were finally taking their toll on him and Dante’s weird way of showing acceptance to Travis’ relationship with Riley took the last of his strength.  Taking in a slow, calming breath, Travis stared out at the corn and did his best to relax his frazzled mind.  “You know...I think I’m ready to head back to town and get ourselves a room.  Get us a good sleep and come back in the morn if they’ll have us.”

“I’m sure they will,” Riley said gently while stepping closer to his man.  “I know they’re just as excited to show you the ranch as you are to see it.  I’m ready to go if you are.”

Travis nodded and was about to whistle for Rex, but decided against it.  The dog would be better off here for the night, especially since he wasn’t sure if a hotel would be all that keen about an animal in the room.  “Let’s go then.  Maybe after we get settled you can give me that blow job you sorta suggested back when we first got here,” the courier teased, making Riley blush and roll his eyes with a chuckle.

Entering the house, Travis looked around for his mother and spotted her sitting on the couch reading a book.  He softly cleared his throat to get her attention.  “Well...it was really great seeing y’all and dinner was really great.  It’s getting kinda late right now so Riley and I are gonna head to town and try and find a place to stay.  I’d love to come back tomorrow and have that tour of the ranch if that’s ok.”

“Heading out?  Travis, really!” Mrs. Blackfox exclaimed while putting the book down.  “I didn’t shoo y’all out for dinner and I sure ain’t going to shoo y’all out now.  You boys are more than welcome to stay here.  Ain’t like we’re being put out or anything since you already have your own room and big enough bed.”  Seeing Travis suddenly squirm at that statement caused her to lightly laugh.  “Oh, come on, Travis.  Me and your father both figured you two were a couple from the get go.  We weren’t exactly sure how to bring it up without embarrassing y’all.”

Rubbing the back of his neck and feeling much more at ease knowing both his parents were accepting of his relationship, Travis responded wearily, “Well, thanks for the offer.  Most appreciated.”  

Riley quirked a brow, catching the subtle change in not only Travis’ voice, but his posture.  The courier looked completely exhausted now that he knew the stresses of today was finally over.  “Travis, why don’t you go and relax.  I’ll get our things out of the car.”  

Travis gave him a grateful smile, bade his mother goodnight, then shuffled down the hall to his bedroom.  Feeling for the switch, Travis flicked it on and blinked as his eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness.  He stood in the doorway for a few moments, looking around in hopes that maybe now something might look familiar to him, but as expected, nothing did.  Sighing, he made his way to his bed and pulled off his boots.  Grabbing the box of matches on the nightstand, he struck one and lit the oil lamp.  He watched the flame dance enticingly behind the glass shade making him yearn to go outside somewhere and torch something.  

At length, Travis stood and disrobed down to his boxes then draped his clothes over the chair.  Flicking the light switch off allowed the gentle flame from the oil lamp to illuminate the room in a soothing yellow glow.  As he pulled back the quilt, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his moustache from seeing the faded, but clean sheet that covered the mattress.  He knew that once he lays down and succumbs to the comfort of the bed he wouldn’t be conscious for much longer.  He had hoped to stay awake for when Riley returns with their things, but it was a losing battle.  

Flopping onto the mattress, Travis instantly felt all the stress and tension leave his body.  Closing his eyes with a sigh, he turned over to face the wall and pulled the quilt up to his chin.  Although his body was rapidly relaxing, his mind was still buzzing with the day’s events as well as what he hoped tomorrow would bring.  All things considered, his reunion with his parents went rather well.  He was immensely happy that they welcomed him back into their lives and more so that they were accepting of Riley.  He was anxious to see the cats his parents acquired and he was very interested to find out what exactly steeds were.  

His mind next shifted to the final conversations of the evening.  Hearing that Tim and Brad are married was wonderful enough, but the fact Dante was shocked Travis wasn’t already married to Riley blew his mind.  Travis squirmed and felt a pleasant warmth surge through him at the very thought.  The idea of proposing to Riley has crossed his mind plenty of times in the past.  However, he never knew how to go about it or if it was even something Riley would want to do.  There’s no way he’d say no after all this time, would he?  Certainly now was not the time to ponder it and his body let him know by bringing on a large yawn.  Rubbing his eyes, Travis settled against the pillow and did his best to clear his mind and drift off into what he hoped would be a peaceful sleep with dreams to match.

 to be continued...

[popatochisssp]

Starting off with Sans (Undertale) and his PokePals!

Dwebble: Well, this fella was kind of an accident. “When it finds a stone of a suitable size, it secretes a liquid from its mouth to open up a hole to crawl into,” and one just so happened to claim poor ol’ Rocky as its home. ...welp, guess he’s gotta look after it now! At least this one’ll actually eat the sprinkles his bro keeps leaving out. And what a fantastic name for the little critter, he kinda loves it on that basis alone.

Klefki: This was on purpose. Sans is a guy who’s always leaving his keys everywhere, it’s really inconvenient, kind of a mess, there’s gotta be a better way! Oh, there is-- “It never lets go of a key that it likes, so people give it the keys to vaults and safes as a way to prevent crime.” His keys are pretty shiny and make a nice gift for his new pal. The only trouble now is getting it to give ‘em up... but luckily, the convenience of shortcuts takes away a lot of the need for a key, y’know? ;3

Psyduck: This one’s a bit of a pity case. Found the poor thing crying from a bad headache and tried to figure out how to help it. Apparently, they’re a real good match: “Using psychokinesis gives it a headache, so it normally passes the time spacing out and doing as little as possible.” That’s fantastic, Sans loves doing absolutely nothing and kinda takes it upon himself to be Psyduck’s life coach, training him in the art of clearing your mind and doing fuck-all for as long as you can get away with.

Shuckle: Round, slow, constantly emitting...juice? “It stores berries in its shell. The berries eventually ferment to become delicious juices.” Ah, alright, Sans can work with that, he considers this one to actually be a business partner of sorts-- after a delicious ‘dog, you’re gonna want something to wash it down with, right? How ‘bout some mysterious berry liquid from a Shuckle? Guaranteed refreshing! What’samatter, ya’ don’t trust him? How ‘bout some fried snow, then? XD

Slakoth: This was definitely his first. “Slakoth lolls around for over 20 hours every day. Because it moves so little, it does not need much food. This Pokémon’s sole daily meal consists of just three leaves.” Easy to take care of, doesn’t take up much space, and hoo boy, what a mood. Sans takes a lot of naps with his Slakoth and calls it ‘bonding,’ but...y’know, whatever works? When it’s awake, it definitely seems fond of him! He could’ve evolved it ages ago but that middle evolution...oof, he doesn’t have the energy for that. It’d take a really Bad Time for him to want to push his buddy into its other forms...

Spinda: He hones some of his skills with this one-- his dodging skills, at least! “No two Spinda have the same pattern of spots. Its tottering step fouls the aim of foes.” Gotta stay loose and ready to make your opponent MISS in case of emergencies, especially when you’ve got low HP, and Spinda’s almost as good at ducking and weaving as he is. It’s important to stay sharp, though, and his pal has fun with it, too...y’know, until it...makes itself actually sick and needs to sit down for a minute, at which point Sans has got its back! :3

[tenderlittleyehaw]

A Reason to Celebrate (Nakamichi wedding)

(CONGRATS TO @frogmoji!!! I really wanted to write something for you! You’re honest to god one of my best and oldest friends, and I love you very very much! I hope this works! Have a beautiful wedding, and I’ll stay tuned!!) ---- It wasn't often they had something to celebrate. Abe looked at themself in the reflection of the glass cabinet that housed the Menagerie of Dr. Macabre's more delicate displays. Chemically preserved eyes stared through their jars, past the reflection, and met Abe's gaze with a sort of milky recognition. The tent's keeper blinked and looked down to their buttons again. They liked to think the jar's inhabitants; dead things, unusual things, were looking at her with a sense of approval. It was like their preparation for the big day was part of some 90s movie montage and instead of stepping out of a dressing room to face a sea of their closest friends, they were presenting their new look to an old pickling jar containing a two headed shark baby. Abe laughed at the thought. They needed to get out of Bartholomew Oswalt's Infinite Bazaar more often. The fair did funny things to your sense of humor. So, of course, the only thing to do about it was go to the circus down the road. They had heard someone once say that circuses and carnivals were the same creatures, but Abe had to disagree. If a circus was a dog, the fair was a raccoon or something. It was nice to visit one's relatives, especially on such an important day.

It wasn't that they didn't celebrate at the fair. In fact, the carnies celebrated all the time, with parties and shouting matches and extravagant bets on the outer limits of the human body, but there was never any good reason for any of it, but today was going to be different. Not that Abe participated all that often. The Menagerie took up most of their free time, and any moment they weren't scheduled to be operating some rickety death trap, they were most likely tending to the fair's meager scientific collection. Ever since Oswalt had decided to invest in living specimens, domesticated animals harboring the rare, minor mutation interspersed with general creepy crawlies, as well as dead, the Menagerie had needed more and more attention. While Abe's official job description was rides operator, they had been quick to jump on the offer. Anything to do with science, anything to even suggest their degree wasn't useless. The other carnies were thankful, especially the titular Dr. Macabre, or Brian, as they knew him. As long as Abe was maintaining the collection, they could stay the hell away from it. Abe didn't mind much. They never liked sharing projects.

But the Menagerie was going to have to hold its own for tonight. Abe had asked off weeks in advance, the very second they had gotten the invitation. The paper sat against the edge of the cabinet, crumpled from where Kero had shoved it into their hands. Wedding of the century, it said, with a big top smack dab in the middle. It was cute. Kero wouldn't have it any other way. Abe's lips twitched into a smile at the thought. They had been so happy when they told them they were getting married. It never crossed Abe's mind that their friend would ever tie the knot, but the second the engagement had been announced, it was as if they and Arlequino had been engaged for years. When Abe went back to earlier memories, the ring was grafted in. Abe was certain that following today, they wouldn't be able to dream of a time where the pair were not Kero and Arlequino Pierrot.

"Knock knock." Abe glanced up. A figure stood silhouetted in the tent's opening, filling all but the upper third. They grinned, and the fair's mechanic smiled back. "Glad to see I ain't too late. Yer still getting ready." "Almost done, Dell, hang on," Abe said, turning back to their reflection. They finished buttoning up the somewhat wrinkled dress shirt. Brian had been kind enough to loan it to them. As a performer, he had a better variety of outfits than they did, and he was always happy to help. Dell walked up from behind them, leaning against a display table containing different sorts of spiders. The Texan eyed them warily for a moment before moving to an ornamental bookshelf on Abe's left.

 "Thems Brian's clothes?" "Yeah," Abe said, struggling with the borrowed tie. "My only pair of dress pants got fucked up in the wash. Just got my uniform. Pretty sure Arle would kill me if I showed up to his big day wearing cargo shorts." "Oh, I betcha they wouldn't," he drawled. "Row boat'd say yer addin' a little... little grit to the ceremony. That crowd could use a lil' grit in some situation like this. Gonna look like a debutante ball in there, just a little weirder." Abe smiled. Dell's ability to jump from 'Kero' to 'Row Boat' still astounded them.

"Is that why you're wearing that suit?" Dell looked down. His face, tanned by the sun, flushed at the cheeks. He was wearing a suit alright. It was white, and Abe could not fathom why the hell a mechanic for the dustiest carnival around would own something so pristine. "Ain't nothin' wrong with my suit." "You look like Colonel Sanders." "Why are you so goddamn mean to me?" Abe snorted a bit, but backed off. Dell leaned back again and let them struggle with their tie for a moment longer before sitting upright. "C'mere. Lemme help you..."

 Abe leaned forwards. As Dell began to fix the moth-eaten tie, they couldn't help but watch his hands. He had lost his right one years ago, long before he came to work for the fair. This wasn't too unusual, the average carnie had something missing, but what made Dell unique was his prosthetic. It was beautiful, intricate, and perfectly sophisticated. What's more, he claimed he made it himself. Strange, considering that he had told Abe he had dropped out of high school at sixteen. Abe found themself doubting him, but not in the way they would have expected. They had watched them work before. Dell was brilliant, the smartest person Abe knew, but why lie? Then again, why not? Secrets were more common around these parts than limbs weren't, and any one of them had their reasons to lie. But today wasn't about lies.

"There we go..." Dell murmured once he finished. He sat back and gave Abe space to look at themself. "You wear ties often?" "Have you ever seen me in one?" they asked, putting on Brian's old, velvet jacket. Dell's smile softened. "Guess not. But I gotta say, they suit'cha mighty well. You should wear 'em more often. Should'ya get the chance."

Abe blushed, and Dell had the decency not to call attention to it. They picked at a loose thread on their coat and tried to find their next words. The sentences wouldn't come easy. Abe and Dell had known each other for years, but this... this was still new. It had only been a few weeks since they had decided to tiptoe away from 'just friends' together.

"Thanks for agreeing to come with me." "Oh, wouldn't miss it fer the world," he said. "Love weddings, and I'm tickled pink to know they're finally gettin' hitched." Dell took a step closer to Abe, and when that was received well, carefully slipped an arm around their waist. Again, he chose not to acknowledge the way they blushed and hoped to God Abe would do the same.

"Now, look at us. Ain't we a sight." Abe leaned into Dell very slightly. If they were a sight, it was an unusual one. Dell in his white suit and bolo tie, Abe in a wine-colored velvet jacket, but it worked. Somehow, it all worked.

“Are you ready, Abe?" he asked. "Think so, I- wait!" Abe pulled away, and Dell let them pass through his grasp. They began to search through boxes and crates, muttering to themself until they stood, holding a jar, with a triumphant 'aha!'. Dell squinted as he looked inside.

"Is that a damn..." "Pink bullfrog!" Abe said proudly. "For Kero! Some kids brought it in two stops back." Dell knelt down, resting his hands against his knees, and took a better look at the critter turned wedding present. "Well, he certainly is big." "And pink." "And pink. Now, c'mon Abe, it just looks like y'rubbed some highlighter on that poor thing." "I know," they said, pulling the jar back protectively, "But honest to god, that's its skin. I've got no idea why it's like that, but I just hope they like it." "Certain they will... Oh, and I got the music box."

 Dell pulled a small, ornately decorated box from within his suit pocket. It had come from a tent three stops down, the one depicting the 'tragic, mysterious story of a murdered duchess'. Abe wasn't sure if any of 'artifacts' they kept truly belonged to late Madame Adeline, but if they were, this one certainly didn't. Some kid wound the music box too tightly and busted something inside. They were just about to throw it away before Abe snagged it and asked Dell to fix it. That was when they asked if he wanted to come along.

"Still think it sounds creepy?" they asked, taking it from Dell's calloused hands. "Think it sounds annoyin'. Must've listened to it a hundred times while fixin it'." “As long as Arle doesn't think so."

Abe put the gift in their pocket. That was the great thing about fair performer's clothes: you were never in want for pockets. They even managed to slip the bullfrog into their coat with only a slight lump to give it away.

"You think he's scared?" they asked. Dell chuckled. "Nah. Reckon he thinks he's scared, but he'll be just so damn excited you wouldn't believe. Kero's a good'un. They'll be fine together. But we're gonna have to get a move on iffin we ever hope to see it!"

Abe grinned and took half a second to fix their coat in the reflection once again. The jar's inhabitants grinned blankly back at them and watched giddily as Dell offered his arm and lead them out of the Menagerie. It was a big day. Spring was here, the skies were clear, and Kero and Arlequino were finally reaching their happily ever after.

What better reason to celebrate than that?"