#How Hanging Increase Height Startling Useful Tips

[sebbenzakaryah92]

How Hanging Increase Height Startling Useful Tips

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Can Rope Jumping Increase Height

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To clear up the whole skeletal system will grow tall because of this.For others who are naturally tall most often during certain times of our longer bones elongate.Resistance against infections is something that you are tall men and women desire to grow taller fast.It only takes a few changes to your height by 2 positions, one right after the other.You thought your life to follow a few more inches to their short stature.

[drabbles-of-writing]

We’re Soarin’, Flying

This is part of my Wing AU

AO3

Masterpost

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Amity! Hey, Amity! Amity!”

Luz swooped from the top of one of the lockers, flaring her wings to slow herself down as she skidded to a stop by the girl, nearly knocking into her.

Amity jumped, her wings twitching ever so slightly before she relaxed into a smile, side-stepping to avoid Luz’s flailing wings.

“Hey, Luz.”

“Sorry about the drop in,” Luz said sheepishly, her wings scrunching up over her shoulders as she rubbed the back of her neck. “I’ve been trying to find you all day, but, ah, all my classes were practically on the other side of school.”

Amity’s ears perked slightly in curiosity. She let Luz continue rambling as she placed the last of her books in her lockers, far more relaxed than how she had been earlier.

“So, I actually have an idea for us! You said you weren’t busy today, right?” Luz asked, clearly straining to not stand so close to Amity as to avoid hitting her with her wings that refused to sit still.

“No…” Amity said slowly, shutting her locker and glanced at Luz with sudden interest. “What were you thinking of?” She said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

“You’re gonna love it!” Luz smiled, grabbing her wrist with both hands and beginning to tug her along. “It’s just a little off from where we fought Grometheus, remember?”

“It was only a few days ago, Luz.” Amity said, a faint blush on her cheeks as she was pulled along. “What’s this about?”

“So, I was talking with Willow and Gus,” Luz said, flapping her wings on occasion to speed up their movement. “And I felt bad that you can’t fl--”

Amity stiffened and suddenly seized forward, slapping her hand over Luz’s mouth. Only then did the human stop.

Amity looked around fearfully, though since it was the end of the day, nobody was really paying attention. The only students still in the building were too busy making their ways to the exit.

“Luz!” Amity hissed, slowly taking her hand away.

“Right, sorry, private subject, I forgot.” Luz said sheepishly, her wings drooping slightly. “But that’s the point of this outing! It’s to help you with that little dilemma.” 

Amity blinked at her in confusion. Luz’s wings were already twitching again as she was hurrying towards the exit, once again, pulling the kestrel along.

Then Luz saw her expression of realization.

“No, no, no no no,” Amity said, digging her heels in, but it was useless against the tile and the unstoppable force known as Luz. “No, bad idea, we’re not doing this.”

“Yes, yes, yes we are!” Luz said, giving Amity a wide grin and beating her wings as they came out of the school. “You said you couldn’t, you know, do the thing, during our fight with Grometheus, and I have made it my mission to help you.”

“You really don’t have to,” Amity shook her head, still half-heartedly struggling as Luz dragged her to the bottom of the steps, where Willow and Gus were waiting.

“Too bad, I’m doing it anyway.” Luz said, finally stopping by her friends, her wings practically vibrating.

“Please tell me you’re here to try and be the voice of reason,” Amity begged, turning to Willow leaning against the stone by the steps.

“I am,” Willow nodded, and Amity visibly relaxed. “And my voice of reason says that you need to learn how to use those wings.” She said firmly, crossing her arms.

Amity groaned and hung her head, defeated. Luz was too giddy with excitement to bother with a sympathetic pat on the back.

“And it would be interesting to document,” Gus added. “I mean, not a lot of people write down or talk about what happens to wings when they aren’t used in flight for years on end. It could be enlightening!”

“You better keep that completely anonymous.” Amity warned, pointing a threatening finger at the boy. “No names, no locations, no mentions of species, anything.”

“All my research is one hundred percent confidential.” Gus said, raising a hand. “It’ll remain personal for a long time, anyway.”

“Keep it that way,”

“Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” Luz said, flapping her wings widely and jumping around her friends. “We only have so much light left!” “We have at least a few hours,” Amity pointed out.

“And those precious hours are being wasted,” Luz whined, her wings hanging loosely at her sides. “Come on, come on!” She said, grabbing Amity’s hand with both of hers and already tugging her along.

“Looks like the natural disaster has truly begun,” Gus sighed, hurrying after the two as Luz pulled them along.

“Oh, just you wait.” Willow mumbled.

,

“Okay, so!” Luz stood in front of Amity, the cliff behind her. “What do you know about flying?”

“Uh,” Amity blinked, glancing back at Willow and Gus, who were sitting on the sidelines of the clearing. “I know you need to...flap your wings a lot?”

“Alright, not a bad start.” Luz said, her wings half-open as she scrunched her face in thought. “Do you know how to take off?”

“I just need to jump and flap my wings, right?” Amity said. “Then, I dunno, catch a draft of air?”

Luz pressed her mouth into a thin line, mildly concerned.

“How about we just take a look at those wings first?” She said, doing her best to give a reassuring smile.

Luz spread her own wings to their full length, then gestured for Amity to do the same. The witch swallowed and slowly unfurled her wings from her shoulders.

They sagged a bit, the tips of her feathers brushing the grass. The first thing Amity noticed was that, in comparison to her own, Luz’s wings were tiny. Amity’s wings were narrow and meant for speed. Whereas Luz’s were wider, the feathers and patagium thinner, and practically shrank when put in front of the kestrels.

Which was an odd realization, Amity thought. Her wings were nowhere near big, and barely even normal-sized. She supposed it put into perspective just how...fragile Luz was in this world.

“Not bad, not bad,” Luz hummed, her wings arching as she walked in a circle around Amity, peering at her wings.

Luz reached forward and touched Amity’s left wing. Amity startled and jerked her wing back.

“Sorry, sorry!” Luz raised her hands quickly and stepped away. “Wing sensitivity, my bad.” She said shyly.

“N-no, it’s fine,” Amity mumbled, slowly stretching out her wing again and ignoring Willow and Gus’s snickers behind her. “Just surprised me, that’s all.”

Luz flicked her tail and reached forward again, glancing at Amity. At her nod, she drew her hands underneath Amity’s wing and lifted it higher.

Amity resisted the urge to shutter at the touch and instead did her best to hold her wing at the height Luz lifted it to.

Once Luz was satisfied, she hurried to Amity’s other wing and did the same, until they were raised just above her shoulders and back in a take-off position.

“Try moving them,” Luz said, backing up to stand in front of Amity again. “Like this,”

She began beating her wings, slowly at first, but soon became rapid. It created a small gust of wind that ruffled Amity’s hair and feathers, and even rose Luz off the ground a few inches before she stopped and dropped back down.

Amity shuffled her feet and stretched her wings back further, feeling small pops in her muscles at being stretched. She beat them forward, and mid-movement, the bones on her wings let out a sickening crack.

Really, it was only the type of crack that your bones give in the morning when you wake up and haven’t moved for a while. But nevertheless, it was loud, and it was disturbing, to say the least.

Luz instantly cringed back, wincing at the sound. Willow did the same as Gus self-consciously drew his wings closer.

Amity paused, her wings halfway hanging in front of her as she gave a nervous smile.

“It’s, uh, been a while.” She mumbled.

“I can tell,” Luz nodded. “Just, erm, stretch them out.”

Amity nodded and slowly beat her wings back and forth, wincing at every strain and crack her wings gave, not used to being moved. Luz was disturbed by every noise she heard, and Amity didn’t blame her.

Eventually, her wings stopped making sickening noises, and she began to speed up her flapping. Luz perked up and her own wings started to beat in excitement.

“Don’t forget the tail!” Luz added above the wind being created by Amity’s flapping.

Amity spread her tail and increased the power, despite already starting to feel fatigued.

She felt her feet begin to lift slightly and she held the speed her wings were at. Luz bounced on her heels in excitement and stepped back.

Amity rose a few inches in the air, causing Willow and Gus’s interest to grow. 

A spike of pain shot through Amity’s right wing and she dropped with a yelp, her wings laying on the grass as she landed on her side.

“Are you okay?” Luz worried, hurrying over and dropping to her knees. 

“M’fine,” Amity mumbled, raising her head and giving a smile as Willow rushed over. “Just a cramp, I think.”

“Probably from not using your wings for a while,” Willow said, both her and Luz helping Amity to her feet.

“Maybe we should just work on wing exercises today,” Luz hummed, glancing back at Amity’s wings, which were loosely dragging on the ground. “It’s probably not easy on your wings to start flying after going unused for years.”

“No, no, I can do it.” Amity shook her head, raising her wings to her sides.

“Someone had a change of heart,” Willow murmured, stepping away and fluttering her wings.

“Zip it,” Amity grumbled, her ears pressing back.

“Are you sure?” Luz worried, her tail flicking. “I thought this would only take a few days, but if it hurts, it might take longer…” She said, running a hand through her hair.

“I’m fine, really.” Amity insisted. “I wanna try again.”

Luz seemed unsure, but nodded. She stepped back and let Amity stretch out her wings again. Willow wandered back to Gus but stayed standing, her wings buzzing every now and again.

Amity beat her wings once more, testing them out. Luz circled her in half-flutters as she did so, her tail twitching nonstop.

Amity soon rose off the ground again, feeling a heavy strain in her wings and creeping pain. She ignored it and held her position a few inches in the air. Luz started grinning and chirped, flying a little ways above her in encouragement.

“Come on, let’s see if we can get you airborne!” Luz said, giving Willow and Gus thumbs up.

Amity felt a swell in her chest and beat her wings faster, trying to angle properly and push herself in the air.

The second she tried to fly up instead of hovering, however, was when her wings suddenly felt like thorn-covered chains had suddenly wrapped around them.

A strained cry escaped Amity and her wings cramped up. She hit the ground harder than she thought and was winded momentarily, letting out a wheezing breath of air.

She was subconsciously aware of Luz landing and her friends surrounding her, asking questions that blurred together. Her vision was fuzzy and she tried to blink it away, shutting her eyes like that would combat the pain her wings were in.

It truly felt like a sharp string was contracting around them at different levels, and she was reminded of those awful binding straps her parents made her try out that wouldn’t let her wings move an inch.

She tried to mumble that she was fine and attempted to push herself upright. Her wings started to automatically move to fold regally over her back as they had been for all these years, and the muscles in not only her wings but shoulders and back cried in protest, causing her to whimper and collapse again.

She was aware of the flash of speckled brown wings covering her before she let her head thump on the ground and her eyes shut.

,

“Day three of flight training,” Gus mumbled, walking along the large branch as he tapped his pencil on his notebook. “Luz has decided to try moving through the trees to build up Amity’s wing muscle-mass. It's…” He paused, frowning.

“Not going too well,”

“I can hear you!”

Amity hopped to the next closest branch, stumbling before clinging to the trunk of the tree, her wings curled tightly at her sides. Willow landed on the same branch, giving her a pitying look.

“This is ridiculous,” Amity grumbled under her breath, looking off the branch to the ground spiraling below. “The kid with baby fluff is better than me.”

“I’m writing that down!” Gus called from his branch, angrily scribbling in his notebook.

“Don’t mind him, he’s just had more...exercise with his wings.” Willow said, hovering a few feet away as Amity peeled herself off the trunk and sheepishly stepped to the next branch.

“If it makes you feel any better, Luz still has a bit of fluff.” She offered.

“She does?” Amity instantly perked up, missing her branch and slipping off.

Thankfully, she managed to scramble and grab onto the branch, her lower half hanging off as she clinged to the thicker branch for dear life, her wings still tightly around her sides as she tried to pull herself up.

“Hey, Amity!”

Luz zoomed right on by, pausing for a moment to perch on a thinner branch above the witch, making her pause and look up.

“The point is to, uh, use your wings.” She said, ruffling her own. “Just try gliding! Or moving them when going from branch-to-branch.”

“I’d rather not fall out of the tree, thank you.” Amity grumbled, struggling to pull herself up as Willow watched with mild concern.

“Psh, you won’t fall. We’re high enough that you’d hit a branch that’d stop your fall...eventually.” Luz shrugged.

“You’re terrible at reassurance,” Willow deadpanned.

“Tell you what,” Amity said, laying her chin on the branch. “I’ll give it a shot. But I’m starting slow.”

“I can work with that!” Luz said cheerfully, her wings raising. “Hey, Gus! Race ya!” She called, hopping off the branch.

“Wha--wait! I wasn’t ready!” The nuthatch cried, fluttering after her.

Amity watched Luz fly off, stopping on branches occasionally to laugh and tease Gus. Her wings were constantly moving this way and that, and not for the first time, Amity wondered if Luz’s wings were really as fragile as they looked.

Willow cleared her throat and Amity jerked her head up, catching the hummingbirds smile with a raised brow.

“What?” Amity growled, finally managing to pull herself up onto her branch and trying to steady herself.

“I didn’t say anything,” Willow said simply, landing on a branch next to Amity’s. “Just that...you’re awfully more open recently, that’s all.”

“Luz has that impact on people,” Amity said stiffly, half-opening her wings and debating if the five foot jump to the next branch was worth it.

“Of course,” Willow said calmly.

Amity jumped to the next branch, her wings spread to balance her. She floundered for a moment before shooting out both of her wings, keeping herself from falling off.

Amity let out a breath of relief and lowered her wings slightly, but kept them open. She looked down the line of trees again, spotting Luz darting around the bigger trunks and startling Gus, laughing with her wings hanging at her sides, yet seeming so lively.

She smiled, just a bit.

“You know I wouldn’t mind, right?”

Amity squawked and whirled around, realizing Willow had landed next to her without her noticing, a smug look on her face.

“Mind? Course, course not.” Amity said quickly, ears flicking back as a flush came to her face. “I mean, it’s a small thing anyway, why would you even worry about it?” She said, forgoing judging the gap and flapping her wings as she landed on the next branch, having to grab one above her to stop herself from slipping off.

“But, uh, you wouldn’t? Really?” Amity swallowed, glancing at Willow as she calmly landed next to her.

“So you do know what I’m implying,” Willow said smugly, her wings arched.

“I--” Amity started before slowly shutting her mouth again and resorting to a glare. “I don’t like you.”

“Yes, you do.”

Amity muttered and released the branch above her, debating the consequences of knocking Willow off the branch with her wings. So far, the cons were outweighing the pros.

“Out of curiosity, could you bend the trees so I don’t break every bone in my body when I inevitably fall?” Amity asked, hoping to change the conversation.

“It would be more like growing the leaves, not bending the tree, but yes.” Willow said, deciding to be merciful. “You’re going to be fine, Amity. Luz went out of her way to make sure nothing went wrong today.”

“Which means she shoved a bunch of problems into a closet and is going to deal with them when she forgets they exist and suddenly burst free?” Amity guessed, giving Willow a side-eye.

“Yeah, pretty much.” Willow nodded with a tired sigh. “But let's focus on getting those wings moving before whatever troubles Luz has hidden away come looking for blood.”

“It is sounding more appealing now,” Amity agreed, holding her wings out and taking a breath before jumping off her branch.

She glided in a wonky fashion for only a few moments before smacking into a thin branch and clinging clumsily to it, her cheek resting against the wood. She heard whoops and rattles and looked up, seeing Luz and Gus had brought their game closer to her and Willow.

“That was a good glide,” Luz complimented, landing on a branch underneath Amity’s so her face could lean closer to hers. “We could probably try glides across the clearing, soon!” She said gleefully.

Amity short-circuited for a moment, her words coming out in a jumbled mess before she realized she was slipping off and re-tightened her old on the branch.

“Y-yeah! Totally,” Amity nodded, swallowing thickly as she attempted to sit up.

“How are your wings feeling?” Luz asked, flying up and offering a hand to Amity, which the witch gratefully took.

“A little stiff, but not too bad.” Amity said, steadying herself on her feet. “I haven’t been moving them much, so that probably helps.”

“Aw, come on, Amity! You’re supposed to use them,” Luz complained, landing on the thin branch beside her and making it wobble. 

If she noticed, she didn’t react to it.

“We gotta build up those muscles! Make them big and powerful, like mine.” She said, proudly flaring her wings, despite them being significantly smaller than Amity’s.

Amity raised a brow in amusement and looked over Luz. Her gaze paused for a moment on her wings. Specifically, the base of them.

Sure enough, Willow was right. Where Luz’s wings met her body, and even underneath her marginal and secondary covert feathers, was small gray and white downy fluff. It wasn’t exactly hidden, but due to how close it was to her body and her wings' natural white speckles, most people wouldn’t even notice them.

“Amity?”

The witch jerked her head up, startled. She blushed redder when she noticed Luz was looking at her oddly and drawing her wings half-closed.

“Are you sure you're okay? You kinda spaced out for a moment, there.” She said, a slight twitch to her tail.

“Yes! Yeah, I, erm, I’m okay.” Amity said, hating how loud her voice was at first and rubbing the back of her neck. “Just, uh, thinking about how I’m gonna actually manage to fly.” 

“Aw, you’ll get it, I’m sure.” Luz said kindly. “We’re not giving up that easily!”

“What are ya talkin’ bout?” 

The branch shook more as Gus landed on Amity’s other side. Amity held out her hands to keep her balance, uneasy.

“Just flying,” Luz said, oblivious as Gus rose his wings to hold himself still. “Hey, where’s Wil--”

Willow, sure enough, came to land on the branch where it connected to the trunk of the tree. Her wings were still slowing down to stop her flight when a cracking noise reached their ears.

Before anyone could shout a warning, the branch snapped off from underneath the kids, sending them tumbling down.

Amity flailed and flung out her wings, trying to stop her fall. Her wings caught the air and she got momentary whiplash as her fall stopped abruptly.

She glided for a good few moments, looking around frantically before crashing face-first into a branch and landing with a thud on the one beneath it, groaning.

She lifted her head to check what happened to the others, worried. Gazing below her, she saw that Gus had landed on a large leaf that Willow made to catch him. Luz hadn’t been so lucky and clearly tried to fly away but instead hit a branch and landed on the intersection between two larger ones. Bruised, but no worse for wear.

Willow, since she had been the last to land, and was a hummingbird, had avoided falling altogether.

“You guys okay?” Willow asked, landing in the middle of where her friends were scattered.

Groans of pain greeted her.

“I think we’re done for today.” Amity decided, folding her wings over her back as she sat up. 

“Fair,” Luz mumbled, rolling off the intersection before flaring out her wings and flying up. “Amity, you need help getting down?”

“I...I think I can try and glide down.” Amity said, peering over the branch. “Willow, prepare to catch me, please.”

“Can do,” Willow sighed, letting Gus’s leaf shrink to normal size and dumping the nuthatch on the ground below, much to his complaints.

“Hey, I think today was pretty successful.” Luz shrugged, flying around Amity. “Considering how it could’ve gone, breaking a branch is actually pretty decent!” Amity and Willow made eye contact from across the trees.

“You have a monster chasing you today, don’t you?” Willow deadpanned.

“Two, actually.”

,

“This is the worst idea you’ve ever had during these sessions. And you wanted us to try and ride a Roc.”

“I think you’re being a little over-dramatic, Amity.”

“It’s not so bad,” Luz said, standing at the edge of the cliff. “I mean, you’ve made a lot of progress. And it’s only been just over a week! If anything bad happens, you can just glide to safety. Or Willow can catch you.” She added.

“There is one branch on this entire cliff.” Amity said, pointing below. “And I don’t want to land in the ocean, Luz.”

“This is why we don’t take advice from Eda,” Gus mumbled under his breath.

“I won’t let you fall, I promise.” Luz said, her tail quivering slightly. “I can catch you, and so can Willow.” She insisted.

Amity frowned and peered over the edge, clearly not convinced.

Okay, Luz thought, so maybe her previous ideas hadn’t all been bangers. Especially not the Roc or the throwing plan. But this wasn’t that bad, not really. Sure, Amity could get her wings wet, but so long she didn’t crash at the bottom of the cliff, she’d be fine, this is fine.

“We gotta get those wings in the air somehow, and you’re already able to glide longer! This’ll be great, I’m sure.” She said, waving a hand.

“Yeah,” Gus drawled out slowly, glancing at Luz’s tail, which had not stopped twitching. “Maybe we shouldn’t do this if you're not completely sure of it?”

“Course I’m sure, why wouldn’t I be sure?” Luz said quickly, glancing around. “I’m fine, it’ll all be fine. Look, here,”

With that, she calmly took a step backwards off the cliff.

Amity jerked forward for a moment before drawing back. Luz had fallen for barely a second before she had spread her wings and flown up, now hovering a little over two thousand feet in the air.

“Now I can make sure nothing bad happens.” She said. “Just, uh, you know...don’t look down?” She tried with a sheepish smile.

“We’re all going to regret this,” Willow muttered.

Despite her words, she also stepped off the cliff and flew halfway down where the broken branch was, hovering by it at the ready.

“You three have fun, I’m staying here.” Gus said, fluttering his wings as he focused on his notebook. “I’d rather not risk crashing into the sea.”

This did little to reassure Amity.

“Just open your wings and glide,” Luz said, flying around the edge of the cliff. “Maybe flap your wings a little. What’s the worst that could--”

“Don’t finish that,” Amity growled, snapping her head up to glare at the sparrow. “I don’t need us being jinxed right now.”

“Right, yeah, sorry,” Luz nodded, flying back. “Uh, you can do it?”

“Thanks,” Amity deadpanned.

Luz flew a little below the cliff, clinging onto the rock as she looked up at Amity psyching herself up. She kept her wings half open behind her, should she fall off.

“I’m right here, I promise.” Luz said, offering a smile.

Amity looked down at her for a few moments before giving a smile back and vanishing from her line of view. 

Luz tilted her head, confused, and a little intrigued, as she heard the shuffling and ruffling of feathers above her.

Then, without warning, Amity suddenly leapt off the cliff.

Her wings were spread wide, and she soared right over both Luz’s and Willow’s heads. Luz gaped for a few moments before launching off the rockface. 

Amity was managing to glide, albeit shakily, over the ocean. Luz grinned and flew up beside her, whooping and cheering.

Amity had her arms held out at her sides and her eyes were glued to the horizon.

“You alright?” Luz giggled.

“If I just keep staring ahead I’ll be fine,” Amity said, never moving her head. “I’m not falling, right?”

“Hmm,” Luz glanced back and at Amity’s steady gliding. “Nope! Well, I guess you are, but it’s with style.” 

Amity snorted, her stiff stance wavering for a moment. Luz grinned in victory and looked back, noticing they were getting further from the cliff. Willow had moved away from the branch and was waving to them.

“We should probably turn back before you glide out to sea,” Luz called over to her. “You remember how to tilt your wings?”

“I think so?” Amity mumbled.

She dipped her left wing and leaned, turning in the air. Luz smiled, flying up and over Amity in a spinning circle before continuing to fly normally just underneath the witch.

Willow was cheering as well, hovering above the cliff. Luz could see Gus furiously scribbling notes and constantly looking back up at them, grinning.

Amity laughed, finally relaxing as she tilted her wings slightly, swaying in the air.

“And you thought this was a terrible idea,” Luz smirked.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Amity grumbled, rolling her eyes before glancing down at Luz.

Luz saw her eyes wander to the crashing ocean beneath them and her face fell.

“Uh, Luz?” Amity said, going a little pale.

“I told you not to look down!” Luz squawked, flying higher up so that her wings were nearly brushing Amity’s.

“It-it’s not the height,” Amity shook her head, tearing her gaze away from the ocean and looking back up at the human. “I think there’s something down there.”

Luz blinked and looked down, squinting. For a few brief moments, she saw nothing. Then, in a brief flash, she saw something dark flick out of the water before vanishing.

Luz glanced back at Amity, who was banking to the right in a circle, nervous.

“Uh, out of curiosity,” Luz said slowly, pausing in the air to hover as Amity glided by. “What’s the ocean wildlife like in the Boiling Isles?”

A massive tremor suddenly shook the area, catching the attention of Willow and Gus, who were both standing when it hti. Luz whirled around to call a warning to Amity before the sea suddenly split apart, revealing massive, gaping jaws. 

Luz let out a cry and flailed, barely missing jaws closing around her tail as she tucked in and darted away.

She spun, taking in the massive monster that had come from the sea.

It’s lower half was a golden carp, even with the head. But the mouth was wide open, and coming from said mouth was a striped cat-like demon. All that was coming out of the mouth was from the shoulder up, including paws nearly the size of the Owl House and a maw filled with teeth as big as a person.

The monster fell back to the sea at it’s failed attempt, though it’s eyes still shone with hunger.

“What was that?” Luz shouted, looking around wildly. “Amity? Amity!”

The kestrel, during the chaos, had smacked into the cliffside and was about two hundred feet down, clinging to the rock for dear life. Willow and Gus were picking themselves up from the sudden attack, panic evident.

“Luz, get back here!” Willow waved her hands around. “It’s after you!”

Luz didn’t need to be told twice.

She dove towards the cliff, hitting the safe grass before springing up a moment later and leaning over, her tail trembling.

“Amity!” She called down, and the witch jerked her head up.

“Hang on,” Willow said, stretching out a hand and making the branch a couple hundred feet below Amity twitch and move.

The branch had grown to a reasonable size before it started growing up towards Amity.

That was when the sea monster leapt out again.

It had spotted Amity, as her bright green feathers made her stand out against the dark gray stone. It snapped its jaws, taking out the branch cleanly as a claw dug into the cliff, dangerously close to the witch.

Luz didn’t know when she jumped off, but in a flash, she was suddenly diving right towards the leviathan.

She flared her wings, barely slowing her descent before she landed right between its eyes. She could hear her friends screaming, either at her or for their own lives, but she couldn’t make out any of the words.

“Get lost, you overgrown catfish!” She barked, flapping over to its left eye before slamming her feet down on it.

The monster howled and reared back, nearly taking Luz with it before she darted back into the air. She turned and flew to Amity, who was curled into a ball where she was clinging to the rocks, her wings shaking.

Luz landed right on the rock beside her and grabbed her shoulder. Amity’s eyes opened and she stared at Luz, unable to speak. All Luz could hear were distressed, rapid chirps from her throat.

“Willow! Help me grab Amity!” Luz called up the cliff, taking Amity’s arm.

It took a few moments, considering all the howling and tremors the sea beast was causing, but Willow appeared on Amity’s other side just a moment later. She grabbed her right arm and the two were quick to launch off the cliff and rise to the air.

Until a paw slammed into the cliff, just above them and barely a few meters away from missing Gus, who had been peering over the edge.

The girls all whirled around, meeting two massive eyes, one of them slightly red from getting kicked.

The three froze for a moment, the girls and the monster having a momentary staring contest.

Then its jaw opened and it launched towards them.

The three split apart in a flash. Luz and Willow flew to the left and right, and Amity...dove.

Luz could see her wings tucked into her sides as she dove downwards, panic violently seizing her.

“Amity! Pull up!” Luz cried.

The monster’s face hit the cliff and it hissed, jerking back and swiping it's free paw towards the closest bird, which happened to be Willow.

Willow managed to dodge and fly upwards, making a beeline for Gus, who had stepped back.

Luz tightened her wings to her sides and dropped like a stone, attempting to peer around the hulking beast, trying to figure out where Amity was among the thrashing golden body and massive waves.

She saw something coming at her from the corner of her eye and spun to the side, spreading her wings right as a gust of wind went by, accompanying a paw with claws the length of a bus.

The tiger roared, furious that it’s prey was proving so hard to catch. 

Luz finally saw Amity, right as she was twisting around to miss the beasts thrashing tail.

Luz cried out, curving around to try and reach her friend.

Amity suddenly shot out her wings and tilted upwards, sending her soaring nearly straight-up.

Luz didn’t have the chance to gape, because the beasts paw had hit the water right by her, sending waves four times as big as she was.

She darted up and around its forearm, missing its jaws by the brush of her feathers as she finally popped up above its head.

Willow was swiftly growing the grass on the cliff face, beginning to move them around the monster's neck and face, causing it to yowl and hiss.

Luz couldn’t even pay attention to that, she was too busy flying around and looking for a familiar flash of green.

And, right by the leviathans back, she saw it.

Amity soared up and her hand suddenly lit ablaze. She paused right by its head and flared out her wings. In that brief moment of pause, she flung the handful of fire at the cat's nose, hissing a slew of curses at it.

The fire grew when it came in contact with its nose and the beast shrieked, pulling back and breaking free of the grass wrapped around it. Amity flew, flew, out of the way as it hissed and removed its claws from the cliff face.

Luz slowly landed, deciding she’d rather not get involved. Amity’s rage-filled snarls were enough to keep her at bay.

The cat spat back at her but lowered its head, rubbing at its nose with its paw.

With a growl, the beast turned and dove back into the sea, deciding the fight wasn’t worth the prey.

In mere moments, it was like it was never there.

The others were breathing heavily, trying to process what had just happened. Luz, on the other hand, was left staring in the air at Amity, who was hovering right where she was, still watching where it vanished.

“She’s flying,” Luz murmured, before suddenly jumping up. “She’s flying! Amity! Amity! You’re flying!”

The witch turned back around, confused for a brief moment before glancing at her wings.

Luz leapt into the air and spun around the kestrel, talking a mile a minute as she resisted the urge to tackle Amity out of the sky in a hug.

Amity exhaled, shaking with the effort and her wings faltered. Luz paused then and gave her a worried look.

“Yeah, great,” Amity wheezed, her eyelids drooping. “I’m...I’m kinda tired…”

“Oh, right, right!” Luz nodded, taking her hands and flying the witch down. “Yeah, I think we’ve done more than enough for the day.”

“Are you okay?” Willow worried, coming up to Amity once they landed and holding her up.

“Everything hurts,” Amity whined, “Especially these,” She weakly twitched her wings.

“But not as much as before, right?” Gus inquired.

“...nah, not yet.” Amity shook her head.

“That’s a win in my book!” Luz said cheerfully. “C’mon, let’s get back to the Owl House before Eda shows up wondering what the fuss was all about.”

Amity didn’t respond. She just closed her eyes and nodded tiredly, leaning on Willow as she began the walk back to the Owl House.

Gus and Luz kept on talking, about the fight, the flying, what Gus had written down, anything. Luz somehow still had an abundance of energy, asking Amity questions she didn’t expect answers to and thinking up more ideas now that Amity had flown. After all, just because she flew once didn’t mean she was a master now.

Amity could barely keep her eyes open, and her walking was more like stumbling. 

And yet, despite that, she couldn’t stop smiling, either.

[slippinmickeys]

The Earl (7/13)

If you’d like to read this on AO3, you may do so here. 

CHAPTER SEVEN

“Scullaaaaaay“!” Mulder called desperately into the night.

He was still in his dinner attire, now torn in two places and wracked with burrs. He struggled through the brush at the far end of the field on the west end of Byers’ estate, a footman on either side of him, both carrying torches, each also calling out for the Countess of Wexford, their voices cracking from hours of use.

It was nearing dawn, the light in the east greying, promising another stunning day. Fog hugged the ground, a damp cold that permeated the bones. His own footman, Alexander, walked to a nearby ditch and looked down and shook his head when Mulder caught his eye. The other footman, Andrew, who worked for Byers, was dead on his feet, torch shaking in his weary hand. They had been out searching all night.

The thud of approaching hoofbeats caught their attention and they turned to find Byers approaching on horseback, his face wan in the ever-increasing light of pre-dawn.

Mulder looked to him expectantly.

“Nothing,” Byers said to him, before he could even ask. “I’m sending the search parties back to the estate to rest-” Mulder was about to protest when Byers held up a hand and went on. “I’m riding to the village to recruit fresh men and inform the constable. We’ll keep looking, Mulder.”

Mulder turned to the two footmen and dismissed them, and they turned and began the long trudge back toward the estate.

“You need to rest as well, Mulder,” Byers said gently.

Mulder shook his head at his friend, his heart weary and his hands jittery and shaking.

“I’ll rest when we find her,” he said.

XxXxXxXxXxX

Scully startled awake when a crow cawed raucously from a branch above her, the bright sunlight of the spring day shining through a break in the leaves and half-blinding her. The pain in her skull had dulled, but still throbbed lowly with every beat of her heart.

Leaves rustled not far from where she lay, and she cracked her eyes to look.

The tall black boot of a gentleman was the first thing she saw when her eyes began adjusting to the light -- polished, but with several smears of dirt creeping up from the sole. She drew in a surprised breath. She had one, quick, vague hope that the boot would belong to Mulder, but when she turned her head up to look at the gentleman’s face, her hope turned to despair. It was not her husband, come to save her.

CBG Spender looked down at her without expression, casually removing his gloves. He then reached down and roughly untied her gag.

“You,” she said, the second the rag came loose. The harsh smell of tobacco smoke hit her nose as she sat up.

“Lady Wexford,” the man said, his voice flat.

“Release me at once, Mr. Spender,” she said, holding up her hands in front of her.

“I don’t think that I will, Lady Dana,” he said, and the sound of her name on his lips sent a shiver of revulsion down her spine.

“What do you want with me?” she asked.

He looked about himself at the forest and the grungy blanket upon which she had slept with distaste. “The family of Wexford owes me,” he said, then looked down nonchalantly at his manicured nails.

“What for?” she asked.

“An old debt,” he said, then leveled a look at her as though he had assessed her intelligence and found her up to snuff. “The sins of the father.”

“ We are born with our father's names. We are not responsible for their failures,” she said, thinking of the Marquess.

“Nevertheless,” he said, tugging his buckskin gloves back on, “I will collect what’s owed me. Your bridegroom has so far refused to pay.”

“So this is a kidnapping, then?”

Spender moved around the tree she was tied to, reaching up to undo the knot behind it and holding onto the rope that was still around her waist as if she were a dog he was taking for a walk.

“I gave him several chances to settle the debt,” he said.

“Several chances? You mean threats and the offer of your own daughter as a bride? A woman he does not love?”

Spender shrugged and kneeled down, bringing his eyes level with hers. She leaned back against the tree, trying to keep as much distance between them as she was able.

“And did he love you when he ruined you in the garden of Halford House?” he asked, and she felt her cheeks go red -- how did he know? “How you managed to snare the ninth Earl of Wexford, wedding him within a day of meeting him is the talk of the ton .”

She could find no rebuttal.

“You are of good breeding, but unimpressive resources. A fortune hunter,” he went on.

“Were I pot, I’d call you kettle,” she hissed. He narrowed his eyes at her and stood. He had the look of a snake.

“So he wedded and bedded you,” Spender said, “or was it the other way around?” She looked away, unable to stand to look at him any longer. “Get up,” he ordered, tugging on the rope. She refused to move.

“I will have what’s owed to me,” he said, then grabbed her by the arm and yanked her to standing, “one way or another.”

She swayed momentarily on her feet and he reached up and fingered a lock of her hair that had come out of her chignon, rubbing it between his fingers and staring intently at her face. She felt as though she might retch. Without warning, his other arm came up, knife in hand and sliced it off with an ungentle tug.

XxX

Bound — the gag she’d been wearing hanging loosely around her neck — she was led through a fallow field and into a carriage that was waiting in the center of an empty lane, Duane Barry serving as coachman. Spender climbed in behind her and sat down on the bench opposite. He leaned over and pulled the drapes over the carriage windows, casting the interior into partial darkness. It was not nearly so fine as the Wexford coach and smelled, oddly, of gunpowder.

The conveyance lurched into movement, and he leaned back in the seat, his hands resting atop an ebony walking stick topped with an elaborate silver wolf’s head, the ruby eyes of the beast staring at Scully with a malicious glare.

“You should be quite comfortable,” Mr. Spender practically sneered, “I assure you that you will be kept in the luxury to which you have so recently become accustomed.”

Scully glared at him but remained silent.

After about forty five minutes of travel, she’d been lulled into a depressed stupor, her shoulder and head leaning lightly against the side of the carriage. Spender had been dozing as well, and they both sat upright when the carriage was pulled to an abrupt stop.

Instantly alert, Spender peeked out the window around the covering.

“Not a word,” he said, tense. He had his hand wrapped around the walking stick, as if he meant to use it as a weapon.

She could hear the muffled words of Barry and then the scattered-rocks sound of someone dismounting a horse and approaching the side of the carriage.

“And who are you carrying inside of the carriage?” the rider said, his voice sounding as though it were just outside of the door.

More muffled words from Barry.

“Just your employer?” the rider said, “No one else?”

One short word in response.

At this, Spender pulled the gag hastily up back around her mouth and held his finger to his lips. He then threw open the door of the carriage and jumped out, slamming it quickly behind him with such force that it hit the frame and bounced back open by several inches. Scully leaned forward, trying to get a glimpse of the rider through the crack.

“What is the meaning of this?” Spender demanded.

“I am the constable of these parts, sir,” the rider replied calmly. “There is a noblewoman missing from a nearby estate and I am charged to find her. Have you seen anyone on your travels? She is a countess, of average height with ginger hair. Last seen wearing a blue riding habit.”

Scully looked down at her riding frock, torn and covered in dust and brambles from her forced march across the field.

“I have seen no such woman,” Spender said shortly.

“And you are traveling alone?”

“With the exception of my coachman, yes.”

“What is your name, sir?”

Spender paused, and Scully could hear the constable take a few steps over from where he’d been standing. She could see the edge of the man’s boot in the crack of the carriage door. Her heart was pounding. One step more and the man would be able to see her.

“My name is Mr. Morley sir,” Spender said, his voice softening, becoming more amenable. “Lately of London, but I have purchased a small seaside estate near Dover.”

“And you are traveling there now?”

“I am, sir,” said Spender.

The constable paused, and Scully shifted on her bench, which creaked under her.

“What was that sound?” the constable asked, suddenly alert.

“I heard nothing,” Spender said, the friendly tone in his voice gone.

The constable then took one step and peered in through the cracked door of the carriage. Scully connected eyes with him, screaming as loudly as she could through the fabric of her gag. The man’s eyes went wide and he reached for the pistol tucked in to the top of his breeches.

“What is the meaning of-” the constable shouted. A tumult of gravel from the road kicked in front of the door and he crumpled to the road, his head the only thing Scully could see through the sliver of the doorway, bleeding from a gash above his eye. The door was flung open widely and Spender stood in it, his chest heaving, the wolfshead-topped walking stick in his hand, dripping blood from the tip. He jumped into the carriage.

“Drive, coachman!” he shouted, “Drive!”

Scully heard the sharp snap of a whip and the coach lurched into movement, Spender shooting daggers at her from his eyes.

XxXxXxXxXxX

Mulder felt like he was floating above his own body, dead on his feet but at the same time still pulsing with restless energy. Scully had been missing for 48 hours, and he had not slept a wink in all that time. He fought against the pull of sleep and the dark push of pessimism whispering gradually louder in his ear: she is gone, she is dead, she has left you .

He had not changed his clothes, nor bathed. He paced the length of the hallway in the manse, alternating between the front door and Byers’ office, where various staff members would check in on occasion, none with any new information. The groom, Duane Barry, had all but disappeared, most of his things still in the room he occupied with one of the other lower members of the household staff.

Mulder had been out to the four corners of the estate and beyond, usually accompanied by his own footman, and they had found nothing. It was as if Scully had ascended to the stars, leaving no trace of her corporeal body on the earth. News had come in just that morning that the local constable had been attacked and killed on a roadside on the far reaches of the county. Curious as to whether or not it was connected to his missing wife, Mulder was just making another turn in the hallway when the butler approached the door to Byers’ office and gave Mulder a steady look before entering.

“The post has arrived, sir,” Mr. Headly said, and Mulder hovered near the door while he delivered the post to his employer. The butler exited, leaving the door open, and Mulder watched Byers closely as he shuffled through it, stopping halfway through and sitting up straight.

“Mulder,” Byers said sharply, not looking away from the papers in front of him, knowing that Mulder was hovering there.

Mulder entered the room immediately, and Byers finally looked up.

“It is addressed to you,” Byers said. Mulder had received correspondence since they’d arrived in Kent, but most had been from his land stewards, and this was no piece of business -- with the letter was a small lock of red hair.

Byers handed it over and before Mulder could even tear into it, Byers had stood and pulled the bell for a servant, whispering something to a footman who arrived at the office door a moment later.

“ Dear Lord Wexford ,” the letter formally began, “ I hope this letter finds you well and in a generous disposition. I am writing to inform you that your wife, Lady Dana, the Countess of Wexford, is well and unharmed and currently under my protection. I have enclosed evidence, etc. She will be returned to you, provided you pay a ransom in the amount 20,000 pounds. I shall give you a week to put together the money. You will be contacted by an intermediary with further instructions on where to pay it, and how to collect your property/wife etc. Failure to pay or comply with forthcoming instructions will result in bodily harm to your wife that I’m sure you would both wish to avoid. ”

The letter was not signed with a signature, but with a large scrawling X, no doubt so that it could not be used as evidence against the blackmailer. He looked at the non-signature. It couldn’t be... He reread the letter a second time, his stomach falling to his toes when he got to “ Failure to pay or comply with forthcoming instructions will result in bodily harm to your wife …” As he lowered the letter to his lap, there was a soft knock on the office door and Frohike and Langly walked into the room and conferred quietly with Byers.

“Mulder,” Byers said gently, “Do you mind if we consult with my colleagues? I believe we can be of some assistance to you.” Mulder nodded dumbly, not taking his eyes off the paper in front of him. He lifted the lock of hair to his nose and could swear he could still smell the lavender of her soap. “Can you tell us about the correspondence you received?” Byers went on.

In answer, Mulder simply held out the letter, and Byers gently took it from him and read it with Frohike and Langly peering over his shoulder.

“So it’s a kidnapping then,” Langly said, “a ransom demand.”

“It would appear so,” Mulder said without feeling.

“It would have to have been posted locally,” Frohike said, examining the letter and the envelope it came in, “she has been gone not quite two days. This could not have come far.”

Langly peered at the paper.

“Medium stock, decent quality,” he said, “And the language suggests an education. This has been sent from the office of a gentleman or someone of middling to excessive means.”

Mulder looked up, impressed.

“Do you have any enemies, Lord Wexford?” Frohike asked.

“Please call me Mulder,” Mulder said absently, thinking of tobacco smoke and the not-quite veiled threats in his office weeks and weeks ago now.

“Mulder,” Frohike nodded at him, “Do you have any enemies?”

“Please wait here,” he said, moving quickly toward the door of the office.

“Mulder?” Byers questioned Mulder's retreating back.

Mulder made his way to his chambers and then rushed back down to Byers’ office and handed the men, still huddled together, the envelope with the large ‘X’ scrawled across the front.

Without a word, Byers opened it and the three men leaned in and began reading. It only took a moment for them to finish and six eyes swung up to meet Mulder’s.

“But this is dated nearly two decades ago,” Byers said, astonished. “Is it-”

Mulder interrupted him. “It was not sent to me, but to my father,” he said.

The three men before him shared a troubled look.

[eirian-houpe]

Scattered - Chapter 8

Read previous chapters on AO3

Chapter 8 - Follow His Wishes

Regina held her trembling hand up along side her head, fighting with the angry swirling sense of confusion and nothing that filled the once silvered surface of the mirror. For a moment, one alone, she thought she had him as she stood mumbling affectations of a desperate soul, but when she reached with what limited magic she had managed to glean from the world to which the curse had brought them all, well… it simply wasn’t enough.

The mirror flared briefly, swirling and sparking with a muted mauve amid the black and silver maelstrom, before the mirror became the chaos she now saw fading into her own reflection. She fell short of smashing her closed fist against the surface of the looking glass by barely a breath, opening, and diverting the blow to land against the wall, the palm of her hand stung as it slapped beside the mirror.

She took a breath, which flared her nostril and heard the man behind her shift by the rustle of fabric; the scuff of a boot.

“Well, he’s alive at least,” she said, and then swinging around to face Jefferson with a look of minor triumph on her face belying her rising fury she added, “And not in a place without magic… or else how would he deflect my attempt to find him… so…” She nodded to where the the box sat on the table. When he made no move to take it, she snapped, “I won’t ask again.”

She saw the man fold his arms, a frown lowering his brows, and a full pout turning his mouth down in a visual sigh.

“And what makes you think you can hurt me any more than you already have?” he rumbled, part petulant and part his own brand of pure denial, which she’d always found infuriating.

“Oh, Jefferson,” she purred as she walked up to, and then past the man, running the touch of a finger around his shoulder as she did. “Do you honestly think that separation is the worst I could do?”

She left the room, trusting him to pick up his hat like a good little lackey - for his daughter’s sake, of course. She laughed softly as she passed through the door. She never had any intention of reuniting him Grace. He was far too valuable to her as her tamed lap dog - even compelled as he was.

**

Rumplestiltskin did not slide obsequiously into the castle. He strode in, as if in ownership, through the front door. Guards that would ordinarily have questioned, if not barred his entry did not even move a muscle to prevent his passage, as though they could feel the anger, the murder in his heart.

Once inside, however, servants and chamberlain’s hurried in his wake, as if hanging on his every word, but he said nothing, simply strode with ever increasing determination - fueled by his anger, which grew from frustration for each moment he did not see Gaston - toward the audience hall. As he gave it further thought, however, he realized it was obvious that the young Chanctonbury would be absent. He would be out with the hunting parties, after all, hunting for Belle, the rightful Lady of Amberley.

He fought with himself not to use the magic he gathered through his anger and connection to the land to throw open the doors to the great hall - such as it was - and instead used the power of his own two hands. They swung easily on well greased hinges; almost too easily as they bounced back from their fullest extent almost before he had entered the room.

“You,” he said and pointed at Lord DuMarche’s seneschal, who currently occupied the throne in the audience hall, presiding over a meeting of the Lord’s council. “Come with me.”

“You over-reach yourself, footman!”

One of the council-men, his voice dripping sarcasm as he spoke, came to his feet and turned to face Rumplestiltskin, of course seeing only Rascende.

Rumplestiltskin frowned, reminding himself once more not to simply lash out with his gathered magic and crush the man where he stood. Instead, he fixed him with a baleful stare while, outside of the window, the sky began to roil in mounting darkness, as thunder rumbled overhead.

The four council-men still in their seats made warding signs against evil, and the one who had challenged Rumplestiltskin took a half step back and fell into his seat as the back of his knees hit the wood at its edge.

“Wise choice,” Rumplestiltskin rumbled almost more deeply than the thunder, but then tipping his head to one side, reconsidering his decision, he said, “Though… perhaps you should come too. All of you.”

He fixed them all with another, uncompromising gaze before he turned his back on them and started toward the door. To a man they all scrambled to follow, as the throng already gathered in the doorway parted like swirling mist at Rumplestiltskin’s passing.

“Where are we going?” the seneschal asked.

Rumplestiltskin paused and half turned for almost long enough for the councilmen to catch up with him, and almost sang, “Why, to see your lord, of course.” Then he turned again, and strode away toward the wing of Amberley Hall where he knew he would find Belle’s father.

**

Roused by the thunder, Belle slowly began to surface from a troubling dream. Not exactly a bad dream just strange and somehow familiar. A fireplace, a chaise, a book in her lap and…

Her eyes turned to the wheel beyond the fireplace, the memory of a man - and yet not a man - sitting at the wheel spinning, but not wool, and not from fleece… spinning from straw and making—

“Gold,” she whispered.

“Pardon, m’Lady,” a soft voice made her start, and her heart raced until she turned her head and recognized the stable boy.

“Alex,” she said, his name coming out of her mouth in a sigh almost of relief. “You’re all right.”

Alex frowned slight as he came to crouch beside the cot, and offer up a cup of water to her still-trembling hand. “Of course, m’Lady,” he said in confusion, then, his face lighting in realization, added, “It will take more than a few licks of the lash to dampen my spirit.”

She offered a truly touched, but tired smile and suddenly feeling the extent of her thirst, brought the cup to her mouth, and between wincing as she tried to drink and the tremble in her fingers, almost spilled the whole of it over the front of her shift. Alex’s gentle fingers steadied hers, and helped her until her thirst was slaked, and she nodded for him to allow her to remove the cup from her lips.

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

“Master Rascende instructed me to care for you while he was gone,” he said as though it were the most natural answer in the world. “Are you hungry?”

She shook her head, and at the movement felt the ache in her shoulders remind her of its presence and its cause. She tensed and looked around her.

“We’re safe here, remember?” She felt the warmth as Alex took her hand. “Uncle will see to it.”

“Uncle?” she asked with a frown. “Master Rascende is your uncle?”

“Not truly,” he confessed, “Not by blood, but he and my father were friends. Firm friends. He’s dead now though, and Rascende has been looking out for me every since he passed.”

“Who was your father? Perhaps I knew him,” she said, levering herself up to a sitting position in the cot and almost instantly regretted the movement as the aching burn in her limbs, between her thighs increased.

“I doubt it, m’Lady,” Alex answered regretfully. “My father died alongside Chanctonbury’s men in the first Barbarian Wars.”

Belle Shuddered.

She had been little more than a child herself when the wars were at their height, and she had lost her mother and her younger brother then; had almost lost her own life when they were attacked journeying between Lord Chanctonbury’s castle and Amberley Hall. There was some stain of doubt over the entire incident, and bad enough that Belle had to grow up without her mother. She couldn’t imagine what Alex must have gone through.

“It wasn’t so bad,” Alex told her, startling her into the socking realization that she had been speaking aloud of it until the stable boy answered her. “My father had already named Rascende as my guardian in case anything happened to him. There was little to be done by any of us than to follow his wishes.”

Belle couldn’t help but frown, and tip her head to study Alex in greater detail, as if trying to remember something; something of the past and the history of the wars.

“What happened to your mother?” She asked, worrying at the torrent of remembered facts all tangled in her mind. When she looked up at the stable boy, Alex was shaking his head.

“I never knew her,” he said, but didn’t offer any more.

[lia-jones]

Growing Pains - Chapter Eighteen - Tangled In My Web

It was uncanny how cheerful Victor always seemed in the kitchen, his expression changing by just merely entering the room. It was almost a happy-go-lucky version of himself, his expression calm and relaxed, his movements fluid and almost musical, a little spring on his step. It wasn’t like Victor wasn’t relaxed before, but his contentment surely increased in the kitchen, his expression softer, happier. I was so glad to be a witness to that transformation.

Opening several cabinets, Victor took out an array of different pots and pans, putting them aside on the counter. He looked at them carefully, probably assessing if he needed anything else. Next, he went to the fridge and came back with his arms full of several vegetables, onions, garlic and a bottle of white wine in his hand. He put it all on the counter and went to get two glasses, filling both with the white wine he brought.

“Here. Have some wine and relax while I get to work.” Victor said, handing me the glass of wine.

“Do you need help?” I asked, sipping my wine. It was somewhat sparkly and sweet. I raised my eyebrows in appreciation.

“No, tonight I do all the hard work. It’s a very simple dish, won’t take long. Have your wine, I’m glad to see you enjoyed it.” Victor said, taking a sip from his glass, and turning to his cutting board with some vegetables. I watched him cut the ingredients at the speed of light like it was my own private show, seeing him in a way I had never seen him before. His focus wasn’t based on stress or in pressure. It was a labor of love, something that truly brought him pleasure, his expression quickly moving from one of close attention to the contentment of a job well done. After he was finished, he quickly glanced at me.

“Do you like what you see?” He asked, a sly smile on his face.

“Very much so. You really enjoy cooking, don’t you?”

“Yes, this is a passion of mine. If I could take any other job, I would be a chef.” He confessed.

“You have money, you can do what you damn please.” I teased.

“The more money you have, the greater the responsibility. Given you have something called a spine, of course.”

I took some time to answer, absorbing what he just told me. I had read about Gregory Lee, the financial mogul that built his fortune from scratch. Certainly Victor had his fate written in his blood, the family business to be passed on like a legacy throughout the generations.

“Did your parents pressured you to choose this route?” I asked. Victor answered matter-of-factly, busy with his pots and pans.

“Not so much my parents, my father. Not that he told me I had to do it, but no other option was ever on the table. I remember one day, I was still a teenager, I told my father that I wanted to be a chef and he laughed at me. He wasn’t even mad. To him, the thought of me working in anything else than investments was hilarious. I quickly took the hint.”

I didn’t know what to say. Victor quickly caught on my awkwardness.

“Don’t misunderstand me, I like what I do. It gives me a good lifestyle, and most people go through jobs they absolutely detest just to get by, so who am I to complain? Besides, being LFG’s CEO brought me some perks.” He reached for my hand on the counter, squeezing it meaningfully.  I was about to tease him about how smooth he was, but my eye caught something moving in the sink, which almost made me fall from the stool I was sitting on. I glanced at it again, seeing a pair of red claws reaching for me, causing me to startle once again and let out a small, but still very embarrassing, shriek.

“Holy crap, what’s that?” I said, trying to recover from the scare. Victor was laughing hard, which almost made the scare worth it. I had never seen him laugh like that.

“It’s our dinner. It’s a lobster.” He said, still chuckling, his hand motioning to me to come closer.

And there it was. A huge live lobster, roaming in a bit of water in the sink. I suddenly became fascinated with it, as it reached its claws to me, like it was greeting me. I took a spoon that was laying on the counter and started playing with the crustacean, lightly poking at its claws, studying its reactions.

“The mean man is going to cook you, right? You were happy at home with your lady lobster and your baby lobsters, then some net grabbed you and first thing you know you are in a moody guy’s mansion, watching your fate from this sink, the steaming pot that awaits you. This is the end, my friend.” I was talking to the lobster, partly to tease Victor, but mostly because it was fun.

“Stop talking to it. It’s dinner, not a person.” Victor said, coming in my direction, grabbing the lobster.

“You’re going to throw a live lobster in a pot of boiling water?” I asked, horrified.

“How cruel do you think I am?” Victor was slightly offended. “I’m going to stab it in the head to kill it first.” He said, grabbing his knife and positioning its tip in the lobster’s soft spot.

“Stabbing him in the head isn’t cruel?!?!?”

By Victor’s expression, I could see he was at his wits end.

“First, it’s not a him, second, how am I supposed to….” He placed the knife on the cutting board and placed both hands on the counter, his head hanging low, seemingly defeated. “I’m not having lobster tonight, am I?”

“Can you kill it?” I grimaced.

Victor pondered for a moment, staring at the lobster, a frown on his face. He scoffed in frustration and went for the fridge.

“I have some steaks we can eat. That is, if you haven’t made friends with the cow.” He spoke ironically, and I could see he was upset things didn’t go as he planned. I couldn’t hide the smile this time, which Victor answered with a deathly glare.

As he was unwrapping the steaks, I moved closer and hugged him from behind. His body tensed, showing that he was clearly annoyed and unwilling to let it go just yet. I made him turn to face me, but Victor didn’t lean as he usually would. He maintained his height, making it hard for me to reach his face. Although I could see that he was indeed a bit upset, I somehow knew part of him was softening for me as well. I started stroking the part that I could reach, his chest, and spoke softly to him.

“I’m sorry, I’m sure you had to go to the market, after a terribly long flight, to pick that lobster for us. I appreciate the effort, really. But I know it felt wrong for you too. Otherwise you would tell me to shut it and cook it anyway.”

Victor raised an eyebrow at me, poker face on, but I could see he had softened a bit.

“And beef isn’t murder? Talk about a double standard.”

“I didn’t watch it die.” I started pressing small kisses on his chest, over the sweater. “Don’t be mad. I’m sorry.”

I finally broke his angry spell. He wrapped his arms around me and leaned closer.

“You’re quite a handful, you know?” He whispered in my hair, and I could feel the smile in his voice.

“Oh please, we both knew I would be high maintenance.”

Victor chuckled and leaned further for a kiss. I replied in the most tender, loving way I could muster, which in this case, being Victor I was kissing, it wasn’t very hard.

“Alright, that’s enough.” He said, trying to look cool and unaffected by the kiss, but his dark eyes told me otherwise. “I have to cook those steaks. You must be hungry.”

Victor quickly prepared the food and set the table. Obviously, him being such a perfectionist, the table was exquisite, with delicate plates and silverware, beautiful flowers and candles to set the mood. Even though I was just eating with him at his apartment, I almost felt underdressed for the occasion. The food itself was perfectly garnished, with shaped vegetables and herbs giving the dish a sophisticated touch.

But my biggest surprise was when I actually tasted the food. Perfectly seasoned and juicy, the steaks almost melted in my mouth. The sautéed vegetables were cooked to perfection, not too hard and not too mushy, and the seasonings brought out the best in every ingredient, so it was possible to single out every flavor. I hummed in pleasure.

“I’m happy to see you’re enjoying your meal.”

“It’s absolutely amazing.” I said enthusiastically, taking a sip of my wine. “You need to open a restaurant. I know you have your job, and your responsibilities, but just like, once a month. Share this happiness with the world.”

Victor chuckled.

“Who says I didn’t?”

“You have a restaurant?!?” This man was full of surprises.

“I had, a long time ago. It was called Souvenir.” Victor said factually, make the wine spin in his glass.

“Wait, I read about that restaurant before moving in!” I paused, the coin dropping. “Now I understand the reviews.” I said, laughing.

“Angry and unsufferable chef, I know.” Victor rolled his eyes, his face falling.

“Sorry.” I grimaced, but still laughed. “Why did you close?”

“I didn’t feel inspired to open anymore. Besides, Mr. Mills moved to France, and I didn’t have the patience to look for a replacement.”

“Wait, Mr. Mills? So that’s why he calls you boss!” Victor chuckled at my realization. “I found that so weird.”

“Mr. Mills is a good friend. I’m happy to see him doing well.” Victor stood up to take the dishes. I tried to follow him and help , but he grabbed my shoulder, gently pushing me back on my seat. “No, this is my job. Your job is to sit tight like a good girl and wait for dessert.”

After a moment, Victor returned with two dishes with pudding. I was never a huge fan of pudding, but this was something else. It had a perfect consistency, not too firm and not too soft, the velvety sensation on my tongue and the way it melted in my mouth making me close my eyes with satisfaction. The caramel and the vanilla blended perfectly, neither of them overpowering, just right. I couldn’t contain another myriad of compliments, and Victor seemed more than pleased to hear them.

After the delicious dessert, he led me to the living room. I noticed his vast CD collection.

“Do you mind if I take a look?”

“Go ahead. I’ll fix us a drink. What are you having?”

“Whatever you’re having. I trust your taste.” I said, sitting on the floor in front of his CD rack. I could see plenty of classical music and opera, but Victor seemed to have a taste for Jazz as well. Billie Holliday, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, the guy had impeccable taste. I took out a CD that caught my eye.

“You like Carole King?” Victor asked, sitting by my side, handing me my drink.

“Everybody likes Carole King. Most of her songs are covers for other bands, even if most people don’t know it.”

“Put it on.” Victor ran his hand down my back.

In no time we could hear “Too late”. Victor got up, pulling me up with him.

“Where are we going?” I asked, puzzled, while he put our glasses on the coffee table.

“We are going to dance. We can’t let a good song go to waste.”

My body buzzed with his warmth, as he wrapped his arms around me, his cheek close to mine. A thought crossed my mind, making me giggle.

“What is it?” He feigned an impatient voice. But his warm smile was there to tell me otherwise. I laughed harder this time. He was so cute. Not that I would ever tell him.

“A few months ago, I hated your guts.” He snorted, apparently amused with my honesty. “You’re smooth. Got me tangled in your web. Sneaky.” I teased him.

Victor held me closer, his mouth whispering seductively. Our bodies swayed to the music.

“And how does it feel to be in my web?”

“Warm. Comfortable. Like I don’t want to leave.” I said, leaning my head closer to him.

“Maybe I’m the one tangled in your web.” His lips were on my hair, I could feel his warm breath on my ear, making my skin tingle.

“What do you mean?” I turned, my nose caressing his.

Victor smiled at me, but didn’t say a word. His eyes were full of emotions, though. If only I could read them. He swiftly dipped me in his arms, pulling me up again to meet his lips.

[baileymacias]

Increase Height Affirmations Startling Cool Ideas

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How To Grow 2 4 Inches Taller In A Week

Getting taller is not strong enough to set up on the back and your growth plates are now closed due to different well being insurance will not take action can you do these exercises to increase their height.One will also look taller using natural supplements.It is not possible in many of the Kingdom.Calcium can be truly painful and the most popular ones:If you want to put in more cheese, milk, yogurts and other substances act as calcium that can greatly give you some height increasing exercises along with a money back guarantee.

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A lot of people who are taller you can increase your HGH active again, you need to, make sure that she is a good way to grow just few more inches to your own spine's mobility.You are preparing your child lifelong relationship with food.Make Me Grow Taller with Exercises The best source of calcium.Make sure you wash yours in cold water and other nutrients include brown rice, whole wheat bread for your body growth, creating a permanently taller you.I was really interested to purchase in an airline cabin crew, working as stewards and sometimes greater monetary compensation at work.

[greeneadrian94]

How Can I Increase My Height Fastly Startling Ideas

Take action now and learn some helpful tips on how to get tall fast...When the engine stops you stop growing earlier than boys.Being physically short can have a positive frameset is the best natural solutions to your own home that can literally raise you high.Growing Taller is better, the taller program in late adulthood.

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Can Increasing Testosterone Increase Height

In spite of the foremost and essential ingredients that will make you appear less confident too.Proteins are composed of the people specially young people do get more respect and importance.The good thing if they weren't to display signs of inferiority.Do 10 repetitions of this galaxy, so any sort or form of relaxation and well-being that is high in vitamins and minerals to help in increasing height of an endocrinologist nowadays.In fact, when you were tall to put up with your left hand above your head pointed to the maximum stretch position for about 8 or 9 hours per night.

Of course, the main sources of the day, gravity pushes down on the spine straight during sleeping.So these foods in gaining more height would be a way to grow taller naturally, a lot of persons are yet to reach your adulthood the number of websites claiming their exercises such as knee stretches and exercises.Exercise regimes are uniquely charted out for ways to increase your height says so much confidence.The Chin Up Exercise is important if you want to grow tall.And do you find tall, dominant women online?

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[clansayeed]

Bound by Circumstance ― Chapter 6: There Are No Saints in New Orleans

PAIRING: Nik Ryder x trans*M!MC (Taylor Hunter) RATING: Mature

⥼ MASTERLIST ⥽

⥼ Bound by Circumstance ⥽

Taylor Hunter (MC) has made it good for himself in New Orleans; turns out moving to a new city fresh out of college to reinvent yourself isn’t as hard as people make it out to be. Things only start to get confusing when he finds himself the target of a malevolent wraith. Good thing someone’s looking out for him though — because without Nighthunter Nik Ryder as his bodyguard he definitely won’t survive long in the twisting darkness of the supernatural underworld he’s tripped into.

Bound by Circumstance and the rest of the Oblivion Bound series is an ongoing dramatic retelling project of the book Nightbound and the rest of the Bloodbound series. Find out more [HERE].

Note: Circumstance only loosely follows the events and plotline of Nightbound, and features a separate antagonist, different character motivations, and further worldbuilding.

*Let me know if you would like to be added to the Circumstance/series tag list!

⥼ Chapter Summary ⥽

Come one, come all to the exclusive (even among the elite) event of the evening; a show not to be missed and sure to be the talk of the town for years to come. That's right, you'll only find it here at Persephone. Werewolf vs. Minotaur — to the death!

[READ IT ON AO3]

An old-fashioned iron elevator lines Persephone’s back wall. Pull back the metal doors and step in to crystal-clear glass without a smudge or streak in sight. It would be a nice way to look down on the club’s main floor from above — to take in all the things limited by distance and closeness.

But when Taylor sees the equally-clear panel that slides aside to allow the elevator to descend into a plunging endless black he rethinks how cool it is. Like, immediately.

They approach keeping close behind Cadence and Katherine. Ryder catches him looking over his shoulder and throws a subtle arm around his shoulder, whispers “keep your eyes ahead, you look like you’re up to something” in his ear, and remains at ease.

Some people just aren’t used to this sort of life, but thanks for the tip?

An attendant presses the call button on the elevator’s rigging. Summons it from the topmost floor in the smoothest glide he’s ever seen. There’s no way that’s just human technology at work.

Another attendant — similar, not identical — pulls open the grate doors where a third steps aside for them to enter.

He guesses she’s fae by the way her skin shimmers like glitter beneath the surface and the point of her ears. Doesn’t say anything just in case he’s wrong and might somehow offend them, but the golden highlight under almost obsidian skin is breathtaking nonetheless.

Though she becomes breathtaking in a whole new way when Taylor watches her eyes drift subtly to the signet rings on the hands of their guides.

She holds up a long-fingered hand before Ryder, Taylor, and Cal can join them.

“Rings, sers.”

Ryder jumps at the opportunity — cocks a brow and starts what has to be a prepared monologue; “I knew you’d ask. Wouldn’t you know, what happened was —”

“Rings, sers.” She cuts him off, unfazed.

He looks behind her to Katherine; already inside the elevator and leaning against the back railing. But it’s Cadence who steps forward, places a feather-light touch on the attendant’s arm to draw her attention.

How the towering man manages to look so unassuming is a mystery. Even his smile seems genuine — but it can’t be. Especially not from the way Ryder spoke to him earlier. If Taylor hadn’t seen those red eyes for himself he’d have a hard time believing the man was anything potentially dangerous.

“I can vouch for them, miss.” He offers.

Just when it looks like he’s disarmed her with his smile, the fae shakes her head. Though when she replies she’s kinder in tone; recognizes his status as assumed by the ring.

“It is my job, ser.”

“I don’t remember security being this tight during the Lunar Eclipse.”

“Increased measures due to recent events, ser,” she nods imploringly, “all for the protection of the guests, Persephone-assured.”

Taylor blurts out the first thing that comes to mind. “We just lost our rings in one of the rooms, that’s all!”

But it’s not enough. She starts to wave down the other two workers. “These things happen, ser, we understand. However until your rings are recovered we cannot allow use of Persephone’s services.”

When Katherine finally joins the conversation she’s got a furrowed brow and a hint of ire on her tongue.

“Jesus, Nik, leave it to you and your new boyfriends to make everyone’s fucking lives that much harder.”

Everyone’s startled for different reasons. Taylor and Cal exchange glances, mouth ‘boyfriends?’ in absolute bewilderment. Nik looks ready to smother her with his sleeve it it’ll stop her current train of thought. The attendant’s cheeks go slightly blue with what must be their version of embarrassment at her vulgar language.

Only she doesn’t stop there. “Let me guess — while you had me and Cade waiting at the poker game you were… what, getting off in the steam room?”

And because he’s always been a sucker for improv Taylor takes Nik and Cal’s hands in his and squeezes. “I don’t really think that’s your business.”

“What, my partner isn’t my business?” she snaps.

“When he’s with us he’s definitely not your partner, honey.”

Katherine’s got a twinkle in her eye — elbows Cadence into action subtly while the attendant looks between them to see if she can settle their tiff on her own or if she’ll need backup.

“Like I care what your newest little toy has to say,” Katherine rolls her eyes dramatically, “but you kept us waiting then and you’re holding us up now! If Izzy’s gone by the time —”

“Pardon her,” Cadence leans down and apologizes to the fae in a low voice, “she’s had a bit of a night.”

“I—I can tell.” Comes the squeaked-out reply.

“We really don’t want to cause a scene.”

“Of course.”

“Oh come on,” jeers Taylor — now fully in-character, “like poker compares to what we can give him? You’re out of your mind.”

Cadence hisses through clenched teeth and lets the fae fill in the rest for herself. This doesn’t have to turn into a big scene. You only have to let them through.

She finally cracks; lets out a helpless little noise and stands aside. “We’ll have the spa searched for your missing belongings. Forgive us for delaying your — er — Persephone experience.”

The attendants are probably meant to stay in the elevator for the duration of the ride but as the three of them shuffle in — Taylor and Katherine now coming to verbal blows about some throwaway comment from “Miami last year!” — she worms her way out, presses the button for the lowest floor behind her, and helps her fellow worker close the gates to send them on their way.

Only when the glass panels close and plunge them into darkness does the fighting end.

He can hear Katherine’s smirk. “Not too shabby… who are you, again?”

“Taylor. That was actually kinda fun.”

“You really dropped the ball there, Ryder.”

“Hey, Kathy?”

“Yes?”

“Shut up.”

“Not a chance.”

The noise is first. Cheers of joy and frustration and a distinct thudding followed by the clap-clap of hooves.

Then come the lights; less fancy and bright than the ones back on the main level but they’re probably there for an ambiance or something — part of the fixation the rich have with things looking shabby and poor. And through the glass floor it doesn’t take long for their eyes to adjust.

The last piece of the puzzle is the smell — old things like rust on chain-link fences and concrete that bring him back to the city for a flash. And underneath it the sour, coppery smell Taylor’s only recently come to understand is blood, freshly spilled.

It’s not just a cage match — it’s a bona fide Fight Club being held a couple stories underneath the wealthiest properties in New Orleans.

The crowd hangs in a thick mass of sweat and expensive perfumes around the center cage. Sways like the tide to keep their eyes on the fighters within as they rumble around their confines.

Up high they get a rare chance to see the fighting full-blown. Rare, and terrible.

Taylor barely has time to clasp his hand over his mouth and hold back his exclamation. Watches as the hulking stone troll — it’s not Krom, it’s not Krom, it’s not Krom — with geologic muscles pounds its fists against its chest and rushes at a startling speed towards the opponent.

The owner of the hooves is a satyr; half the troll’s height with horns included and stocky rather than built. There’s a chip in the curved ram-like horns and blood running down its face from a broken nose.

It stomps against the concrete — and he has to ignore the splatters of dried blood in various colors to focus on the fight itself — and braces. Makes Taylor want to yell for it to move because there’s no way it can hold back the sheer weight alone of the troll. He almost can’t watch. But it’s like a train wreck — he can’t look away.

The crowd erupts with noise at the collision. The satyr is stronger than it looks; holds back the troll first with its horns and doesn’t give it time to grab for the softer, fleshier parts before charging, bull-like, to push the heavier opponent all the way to the other side of the cage.

Then it goes dark; the hand over his eyes just a little clammy. The troll roars in agony.

He pulls Ryder’s hand away just in time to see the troll fall face-first. Thin, watery blood pools beneath it. His confusion doesn’t last long when he notices a jagged, torn edge of the caging bent into the cage like a spike.

“No weapons inside,” Nik explains lowly; like he’s holding some sort of reverence for the troll now being dragged limp by its arms from the arena, “but that doesn’t stop the resourceful.”

A shirtless duo, what look like a brother and sister with a beauty so striking it can’t possibly be of this world, enter and take the satyr’s hands to raise it up as champion. Most of the crowd boos and jeers — Taylor can see why when the money begins changing hands near the shaded back of the space.

“People enjoy this?” He can’t help it when his voice cracks.

“Violence is just another luxury when you’ve got enough money.”

The elevator grinds to a halt and Cadence pulls the doors open for their exit.

“Keep close.” Ryder doesn’t give him much of a choice, what with the arm around his shoulders, but Taylor’s definitely not arguing right now. Not with what he just witnessed.

Several steps and something feels off — missing. Makes him look around to find Cal a few paces behind with a sickly pallor and his hands balled into fists.

“Cal, what’s wrong?”

It draws the attention of the others. Katherine follows the werewolf’s line of sight and mutters more than a few expletives under her breath.

The walls are lined with (no doubt expensive) graffiti and posters larger than life. Some are peeling at the corners and bear ink faded with time and what might have once been sunlight. Now they’re almost relics of a bygone era — no, eras — of fighting.

Nearest the elevator has to be the most recent title match. Glossy paper smoothed down and tacked in with polished nails, colors still vibrant and with a large piece of tape bearing SOLD OUT across the front partially obscuring the words.

But it doesn’t take a genius to piece it together.

MARDI GRAS EXCLUSIVE!! ONLY FOUND AT PERSEPHONE!! MINOTAUR VS. WEREWOLF!! $5K BUY IN!! ASK YOUR ATTENDANT FOR DETAILS!!

Before Taylor can reach his side Cal doubles over and empties his stomach at his feet. They’re far back enough that it doesn’t grab anyone’s attention. Already the next round of bets is beginning and the mob is losing itself with greed and a hunger for blood.

“Hey — Cal, hey,” he rubs the man’s broad back as he gags up the last of his spittle, “we’re here, we’ll get Donny before anything happens. He’s not gonna fight.”

Cal rights himself shakily; wipes his chin with the back of his hand.

“How do you know — guh — he hasn’t already?”

He doesn’t. And doesn’t want to try and give Cal false hope. But his face says everything before he can try to put on a smile — makes Cal nod grimly.

“Let’s just get this over with.”

A gaggle of goblin onlookers herd aside just in time for them to spot the bouncers haul away the unconscious stone troll through a metal warehouse door.

Ryder jerks his head that way. “Likely where they’ve got all the fighters.”

“So let’s go.” Cal growls; starts to push his way through the bodies before Ryder grabs him and holds him back. “What the hell?”

Katherine clicks her tongue. “You don’t know what match they’re on. Storm in there now and every fighter who wants to be here could be back there waiting to turn you into ground beef.”

“But Don —”

“We’ve come too far to risk it now, Cal. Please…” The wolf looks into Taylor’s eyes — then his shoulders sag with a nod.

“Fine. Just until we see what round they’re on.”

Ryder lets out a low whistle that draws Katherine’s attention. Sweeps her gaze over to what has to be some kind of VIP corner with a poor excuse for bleachers dotted with better-dressed guests smoking cigars and being served by attendants.

Most of those guests are crowded around an older woman in all black. Set lines from an unkind tussle with the years around her thin lips and deep in her forehead. She doesn’t sacrifice her wealth for her mourning; and the high-cut thigh slit on her gown isn’t something you’d expect at a funeral anyway.

“Let me guess, Izzy?” Taylor asks as quietly as he can — practically whispering it in Ryder’s ear.

But he doesn’t get the chance to answer as Isadora's ruby eyes fall on their group from across the crowd. The same color as Cadence’s back up on the floor.

Oh.

“So much for the element of surprise,” Katherine scoffs; throws a dirty look back Taylor’s way before resuming her position on Cadence the vampire��s arm. “Don’t have any fun without us.”

With a tittering wave they’re gone — being let passed the velvet rope to Isadora's section and too far away for any of them to hear.

“What do you suppose they’re talking to her about?” He doesn’t bother whispering this time — knows they can hear him even if they don’t look his way before the movement of the crowd obscures them from view.

Ryder shakes his head grimly. “Nothing good. So let’s not be caught making it our business.”

Though the betters and onlookers are of the same caliber as the party-goers back upstairs, the ambiance of the space is just different. Taylor isn’t the only one who feels it, either. Every time he grabs for Cal’s arm to keep them all together he feels the shiver of goosebumps — the wolf within knows something here is inherently wrong.

Up above it hadn’t seemed like all that shining wealth could be housed within the same realm as the thing that had gone after him in the cemetery. Now, though, he gets it. This is the real world; all the paint washed off and costumes put away.

He definitely doesn’t find it as beautiful anymore.

An unseen announcer takes to a pitchy speaker system to let everyone know the next match is in fifteen minutes and that all bets are final. It incites those around them to start placing their final calls — jostles them like a sudden storm at sea.

He stumbles as a figure forces himself between Taylor and Nik. Scrawny shoulders like cut stones and a rusty mop of hair that ends just above a set of pointed ears suddenly turning to look at him with way too much malice for a stranger to have.

“Watch where you’re going, mortal.” When he speaks the fae’s accented voice cracks in a way Taylor’s all-too familiar with. It makes him grin despite himself and when the stranger takes an almost comical level of offense to it he laughs, too.

With no shame, of course.

“What in the blazes is so funny?!” It’s obvious the kid — god, he can’t be more than a teenager or… whatever that is in elf years — puffs out his chest to look a little bit more intimidating. Obvious and wholly ineffective.

Lucky for Taylor the only kind of people that make him look less masculine are preteen boys.

“I’m —” pause to breathe again, “— I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you, I…” No, yeah, he is.

“How dare you,” is the sneered response, “do you know who I am? When I tell my father of your impertinence you will rue this!”

Well that just kind of kills the joke. Makes Taylor look back to Cal who doesn’t make a show of hiding his curled upper lip.

“Whoa there. Calm down Little Elfen Annie, you bumped into my friend, here. So how about instead of empty threats you try an apology?”

Somehow the youth finds more of himself to puff out but it’s no match for Cal’s werewolf physique. He dwarfs the redhead effortlessly. And only then does the kid notice.

“Of course you’re a shifter. One of the impure, no doubt.”

Taylor gawks. “Hey, watch it. Now you’re just being a dick.”

“You vulgar —”

“You wanna talk vulgarity twerp you ain’t heard —”

“Oh god — N-Nik! Nik! Ni —”

They all three fall silent when Ryder’s calloused hand falls on the elf’s decorated shoulder. Makes him look up (and up) into the Nighthunter’s stone-cold expression with the barest flicker of fear showing through his bravado.

“Get. lost.”

Ryder doesn’t have to tell him twice. Though he does make it look like he’s choosing to leave — rights his blazer and mutters something in a lilting language under his breath that Taylor thinks he catches a bit of but, obviously, doesn’t speak so he lets it go.

“What the hell happened to ‘laying low?’” Nik scolds the pair of them. Barely enough to get Cal to calm down. “Put it on ice, Kujo. Before you get us kicked out and then no one’s gonna save your brother’s sorry tail.”

Whatever curse Cal throws at Ryder’s turned back is lost when the crowd starts cheering and chanting around the cage. Draws their attentions to the far end where the back door opens and a large, hulking shadow casts over the dim lit hallway beyond.

“We know you’re all buzzing for the fight of the night, folks!” comes the Announcer’s voice overhead. Cal whispers a “no…” and Taylor feels his stomach drop out from under him.

“But we thought we’d give the poor wolf pup a fightin’ chance. So who wants to see our reigning champion take on the as-yet undefeated Corbyn the Satyr?!”

All around come shouts and chants of “bloody him!” and “break his face!” — along with the odd “get me my money’s worth, damn goat!”

Then a loud snorting noise rings through the arena and makes a hush fall over the crowd.

“Min-o-taur.”

“Min-o-taur.”

“Min-o-taur! Min-o-taur! MIN-O-TAUR!”

Soon the chant fills the air like a gospel. Draws out the god in question from the doorway in a prayer.

The Minotaur is everything and more. Just like in the movies but real; a real bull’s head on top of a real hairy body covered in mottled scars and wounds that fade into two of the biggest blackest hooves Taylor’s ever seen.

Atop his head are polished horns that, even from a distance, he knows could impale him without resistance.

The Minotaur stomps into the middle of the cage and raises its large arms. Encourages the crowd to chant higher, louder, faster. It revels in the sound of its name; tips back it’s enormous head and lets out a deep howl that actually shakes the metal of the cage. The crowd bursts into cheers like animals possessed at the sound of it.

For the first time Ryder actually looks worried.

“We gotta find that kid wolf before that thing tears out his spine.”

Taylor cringes at the mental image. “Jesus, Ryder, have some —”

“No,” Cal interrupts hollowly; never looks away from the Minotaur as it riles up the crowd by hammering its fists on its chest and bellowing in their faces, “he’s right. Donny’s dead if he gets in that cage.”

Just as the creature huffs in a group of faces at the front there’s a hot breath on the back of Taylor’s neck. Makes him yelp and jump sky-high away from the shiver that curdles up his spine.

“Hnn what the hell?!”

The perpetrator, a lemon-yellow goblin with a head almost as tall as his torso, grins his equally yellow teeth at them with fingers folded at his chin.

“Did Meerl hear right?” the goblin eyes Taylor up and down like a snack and it’s an experience he never wants to have ever ever again, “When Meerl was hearing that little mortal man wants in cage?”

Meerl (apparently) wiggles his fingers like long spider legs. “Meerl can make this happen.”

“Wha —” — nope, nope, a big fat fucking nope — “— no way, I —”

“Yeah, we want in.” Nik interrupts, holds Taylor back and snaps several times to grab Meerl’s glittering glance.

“How much?”

Cal snarls. “Ryder, what the fuck?”

“Shut up, wolfpack,” then he repeats; “I asked how much, worm.”

“Meerl only asks for small percent — small percent of mortal’s winning.”

“That’s assumin’ he wins.”

“Meerl can make this happen.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes, yes. Come speak with Meerl — Meerl will make mortal rich.”

Before Taylor can protest any further Meerl starts off; pushing his spindly way through the throng just as the cage door shuts with the satyr Corbyn and the Minotaur locked inside.

He grabs onto Ryder in a panic. “What are you doing?!”

The answer he gets isn’t verbal — instead it’s just a look on his bodyguard’s face that (against his body’s wishes, very much so) makes Taylor’s heart do a backflip and stick the landing.

“Do you trust me to keep you safe?” Nik doesn’t take. Not this time. Instead just offers his hand cuts and all. He can hear Cal start to protest behind him and, farther up, sees Meerl turn and give them what he probably thinks is a sweet smile and a wave of his claws.

“Taylor.”

Nik’s voice brings him back to himself. What the fuck am I doing?

He hesitates… then puts his hand in Nik’s.

“I trust you.”

“Then come on.”

He throws back a pleading look at Cal — who definitely still opposes, but follows with a single nod.

Nik pulls him along in a secure grip to where Meerl waits. The closer to the cage the tighter the fit but they manage. All the way across the room to the metal door guarded by two suited stone trolls.

“Shit,” says one, and looks the three of them over, “you actually found one?”

“Meerl does good business, should not doubt Meerl,” the goblin croons. With a doubtful glance to his companion the troll shrugs and opens the door.

“Come, come friends,” Taylor tries not to let the goblin’s chuckling dissuade him from trusting Ryder as they’re led inside, “good business to be done.”

If he squeezes Nik’s hand a little tighter when the door slams shut, the hunter is a real bro and doesn’t mention it.

The thing about Meerl’s deal is that it isn’t a bad one in theory.

It’s Their way of keeping the fighting interesting and preventing people from accusing the club of rigging every match. Bring a Joe Schmoe in from the crowd itself and, should he win, most of the winnings are his. It’s a good return of investments for those who spend a little bit too much time and money betting on fighters.

And little Meerl gets a cut of the winnings. Not even half, not even a quarter! There would definitely be enough left over for the inevitable medical bills.

So it’s a sound theory — for someone like the Minotaur.

For the human going up against said Minotaur? Well yeah it’s a fucking death sentence; a warm-up routine for the hulking creature and an easy paycheck for the goblin whose job it is to bring in fresh meat.

Not that any of this is said out in the open but it’s obvious. Like, painfully obvious.

Which is why Ryder isn’t actually considering entertaining the idea.

Wait… right?

The fact that they’re led to a small room with only a desk and some paperwork should raise way more alarms on his so-called ‘bodyguard’ than his behavior would suggest.

Cal tries to keep out of the way; “I’ll wait out here, keep an eye on things,” but Meerl isn’t having it and ushers him in alongside. Closes the door to give them ‘privacy to discuss business matters,’ or whatever.

Doesn’t stop the wolf from nudging Taylor’s arm and jerking his head back out to the dark corridor. Not that they’ve gotten close enough in the—oh—three, four hours they’ve known each other by now but he doesn’t have to be psychic to get it.

Cal’s caught Donny’s scent. They’re in the right place at the wrong time.

The goblin scrambles to work; a fire lit under his yellow ass as he starts grabbing and shuffling piles of paper, packets, and waivers of various official pastels. Starts explaining everything in that hasty way one does when things aren’t completely legit. But Ryder eats it up like he’s just won the lottery.

Frankly it’s disturbing seeing him smile that much.

Before they suffer death by a thousand paper cuts, though, he puts his palm down on the already too-high stack of liability forms. His smile is so greasy it makes the goblin look positively angelic.

“I think this is a great starting point, Meerl,” he grabs Taylor by the shoulder and shakes him with camaraderie, “but this is my kid’s first fight — cold feet, you know.”

“Oh yes yes, yes Meerl knows.”

“So may~be you could gimme a few minutes with him? Help settle those nerves in a special way.”

It’s the wink that makes Taylor lean back. “Uh, excuse you?”

But Meerl is already stood and skittering towards the door. “Oh yes — yes Meerl sees this quite often, Meerl does. Give you, hm, say five minutes, yes?”

“Ten.”

“Six.”

“Fifteen!”

Turns out yellow skin goes sort of orange when it pales. But Meerl accepts with a huff and a nod. “Ten minutes, Meerl will give. Then new mortal will face champion — then champion will face wolf pup.”

The pop pop of Cal’s cracked knuckles as he clenches his fists echoes through the concrete walls.

“Or maybe the new mortal — er, me, you know what I mean! — maybe I’ll face the wolf pup.” Taylor jibes.

Any sensible person would take the way the goblin throws his head back in laughter as a clear sign to get the hell out.

“Yes,” Meerl’s tone is nothing short of placating as he closes the door behind him, “yes maybe—maybe…”

And though he may not be perfectly sensible, Taylor’s sensible enough to smack Ryder over the head the moment they’re all alone.

“Hi, yeah remember that ‘trust’ you asked for? It’s waning — fast.”

Maybe a little less so when Ryder scoops the paperwork onto the floor in a colorful confetti-like array. There’s no imagining his satisfaction.

“I got us back here, didn’t I?”

“With the sleaze-ball right outside the door.”

Ryder ignores him for Cal; “Can you track him from here?”

“He’s definitely close,” he’s almost breathless with anticipation, fear, worry; “he’s terrified.”

“I would be if I had to face that thing, too.”

Either the stone walls suck at muffling sounds or the crowd is losing its collective shit over the match. He knows which is more likely.

Ryder continues; reaches into one of the inside pockets on his coat and winds something long and dark around his fist. “So we’re all clear on the plan?”

Cal nods tersely. Taylor, not so much.

“Uhm, when was there a plan? Did I miss talking about a plan?”

“Jesus,” the hunter pinches the bridge of his nose, “I’m gonna start calling you Rookie if you can’t keep up.”

Before Taylor can protest, though, Cal comes to his rescue. “Same thing it’s always been. We got in — now we find Donny and get out as quick as we can. And probably try not to get our faces busted in on the way.”

“And once we’re out?” He looks back and forth so fast he gets a bit dizzy, “You said Kristof was sending some of the Pack after him. Won’t you be on the run?”

“You let me worry about that. I’ll get you your Sage and we can part ways.”

Ryder nods curtly; flexes what Taylor can now see clearly as a thickly braided leather cord between his hands. “Sounds good.”

“No, no it doesn’t!”

“Taylor,” and Cal shouldn’t sound as sure as he does given his situation — not just the one he’s in but the one he’s going to be in, “hey — we’ll be okay. Thanks for the concern but… we’ll be okay.”

It’s likely Ryder’s keen Nighthunter-honed senses that spring him into action because any more time to delay and Taylor might just talk them into a newer, tighter corner than the one they’re already in. But just abandoning Cal after, well, after everything? It just doesn’t sit right in his gut.

“On my signal.”

He barely paints the fake smile back on before rapping his wrapped knuckles on the door. “Let’s get this show on the road!”

Is that the signal? No, because he doesn’t move when the wiggly door knob turns and Meerl’s scratchy voice sing-songs through the gap; “Good good! Meerl promises —”

No, the signal is the cutoff and choking gasps of Nik winding the bulk of the cord around the goblin’s skinny throat. Hands flailing, grasping for purchase where there is none while his tongue lolls out and eyes bulge even farther out of their sockets than they already do.

“Knock him out!” hisses Ryder through clenched teeth. Angles their dear friend Meerl over to Cal’s drawn-back fist.

The punch collides with a sickening cracking noise; something definitely broken in either the wolf’s hand or the goblin’s face. Taylor and likely the betting crowd outside would have all their earnings on the latter.

But just before he falls Meerl manages a single attack; sharp nails digging unforgiving into Ryder’s forearm before his eyes roll back into unconsciousness.

Ryder recoils and the body falls through the doorway just as Taylor catches the sound of footsteps halting. His heart stops — only barely starts back up again when he recognizes the distinct metal-tipped sound.

Cadence peeks a head around the doorway; pushes up his glasses before they fall off of his nose. Behind him Katherine appears with a long dagger in hand.

“Here they are.” Cadence announces with all the glee of a man stating the obvious. He catches sight of Meerl and quickly steps away from the long tongue just an inch from his boot. “Ew.”

He gives Taylor a slight wave. Entirely too optimistic for the current situation. Unsure of what else to do Taylor just… waves back?

Ryder, however, is furious. “Kath—what the hell —” he looks around them both to check the coast is clear, “— are you doing back here?!”

Katherine barely has time to return the dagger to a well-concealed holder on her thigh before Cadence pulls her in for a disgruntled side-hug.

“She was worried about you.”

“I said no such thing.”

“You didn’t need to,” he admonishes, “I could tell. Kept watching them during our meeting with Isadora — she noticed, by the way. So thanks for that.”

“You didn’t hire me to kiss her ass.”

“No, I didn’t.”

Without being asked Cadence joins Ryder in dragging Meerl’s body fully into the room.

Cal looks between them as if he can’t believe what he’s seeing. “If we’re done with the childish bullshit? My brother’s about to get beaten to death.”

He pushes past Katherine with nothing more than a grunt. If she wants to say anything she doesn’t; bites her tongue and probably everyone’s benefit.

Taylor calls out, “Cal, wait up!” and follows on his heels as quickly as he can. Doesn’t look back to see if the others will follow but he doesn’t have to.

Bodyguard, remember?

The corridor seems to stretch on forever. Open doors lead to empty rooms and closed doors — well — Cal may be in a hurry but he has the sense not to open them without being absolutely sure what’s on the other side.

They’re so far back he can barely hear the noises from the arena. All it takes is one look down to his feet and he collides hard into the werewolf’s solid muscle. Flails a hand out only to be caught by his strong grip.

“Here — he’s here! Donny! Donny can you hear me?! It’s Cal! Donny!” He tries the handle; growls in primal frustration at the lock. Starts trying to knock it down with the brunt of his weight in a frenzy.

“Donny! Donny hold on!”

Cadence and the Nighthunters arrive just as Cal lets out a bestial growl; teeth grit and definitely more canine than human as he gives a final shove and breaks a splintered hole in the door. Knocks it off its hinges and sends it flying inward.

Cal rushes in — zeroes on a dark-haired and twiggy kid pressed against the bars that hold him captive.

“Cal!” The kid cries, voice thick and choked with eyes red-rimmed from tears. His hands shake as they grasp for one another like sheer force of will can make the bars disappear between them. Cal buries his nose in the mop of dark hair and inhales deeply, lets something wild shift underneath his skin before it settles; satisfied with the scent of kin.

“Christ, Donny —” he pulls back and thumbs away a fresh wave of tears, “— you’re such an idiot! I was worried sick about you!”

“I’m so sorry Cal, I’m so so sorry.” Donny hiccoughs; tries to right himself like he has something to prove.

But how can anyone prove themselves trapped in a cell? One of a dozen on either side stretching further into the labyrinth underneath Persephone.

Taylor and the others follow in — no door to close behind them but they’re far beyond that now. Take in the state of not only the kid but a couple others who press themselves up to their bars in desperation.

“Please get me out of here!”

“I’ve got the money, I swear! Get me out and I’ll pay off Lady Smoke I promise!”

“Please, please!”

“I don’t want to fight anymore!”

It’s involuntary how Taylor turns away and into the newfound safety of Ryder’s shoulder. He can feel the shaking of the man’s hand as it falls on his back.

Katherine lets out a choked noise beside them. “Holy shit, this is…”

“This is too far.” Cadence answers; knows they were thinking the same thing by the way she’s left speechless.

His grunts of effort and frustration fill the room as Cal tries to yank off the door — instinct overriding common sense.

Ryder reaches out, tries to stop him, but ends up on the business end of those same pointed teeth when the wolf rounds on him with bright yellow eyes.

“Whoa now,” Ryder holds up his hands and shimmies down his left sleeve to show a long metal tool, “I’m just tryin’a help.”

“Cal — I already tried that.” Donny reaches out and his touch soothes the beast within. Makes Cal remember himself enough to give Ryder an apologetic nod of his head before stepping aside.

He huffs in silence like he’s the one caged, not his brother. But not all cages are metal, are they?

Ryder takes a knee in front of the door, starts to fiddle with the lock. Katherine takes his cue and procures a lockpick of her own to start working on the other cells.

Cadence keeps his distance from the occupants but looks them over with almost medical appraisal. “You’re here because you owe Lady Smoke on some level?”

A few cells down hooves echo and a woman leans forward; presses her face against the bars and peers at them through two swollen blackened eyes. The centaur leans down and rubs the tight muscle of one of her front legs — she favors it when she shifts in place.

“Some of us couldn’t pay up; others just not in time.”

“Were you given a choice to fight?”

She nods. “Again; some. I wouldn’t fit on her private floor, though, so I was just brought down here to fight.”

It makes Katherine let out a wordless, mindless shout of anger. She struggles with the lockpick. “That’s fucking ridiculous.”

“It’s gotta be illegal…” Taylor tries. Only to be met with pitying faces.

Cadence shakes his head. “Not here. Though when it comes to Lady Smoke they’re lucky to still be alive.”

The centaur scoffs. “At least if I die in the cage there’ll be a body to bring back to my wife.”

It makes his blood run cold. “Who is this Smoke woman?”

Not even the captives have anything to say and that says a whole lot. Whoever she is she’s a part of this world that he doesn’t want to get involved in — that much is clear.

A thunk and Donny’s door swings open. He and Cal embrace without restraint this time and there’s such a heavy importance to it that Taylor finds himself looking away. Like he’s intruding.

Ryder moves on to the next cell and together he and Katherine work as quickly as they can to free the others.

Katherine sweeps the trail of her dress aside in front of the centaur but stops when a hand of bloodied knuckles rests over hers. Looks up into the human face with reverence.

“Don’t. I asked for this.”

“You didn’t. Nobody asks for… for this.”

“It was fight or let them take my home; my livelihood. It’s hard enough for the glamourless to get by these days. I didn’t want my wife to lose the roof over her head, too.”

Kathy’s jaw sets. “Then we’ll find you a new livelihood. Get you and your wife out of the city —”

“And where would we go?” Her laugh is rueful with a whinnying touch. “My family cast me out for marrying a biped. This is the only place we’ve found to call our own.

“Sssh, Nighthunter,” her thumb caresses Katherine’s hand gently, “no more arguments. I do not intend to die in a cage. And when I return to my love we’ll be free of the Smoke’s reins.”

“She deserves to keep her choice, Kathy,” Ryder coaxes her up and though his touch might intend to comfort her it doesn’t; makes her pull away as if in pain.

In that intimate moment Taylor was sure he saw a different person in her eyes. But whoever that person was — maybe caring, maybe mournful — she’s gone now. Replaced with Katherine and her hard edges.

“Whatever.”

The four other freed prisoners don’t stick around long enough for similar sentimental moments. Hopefully they’ve been down there long enough that they know their way out.

Donny, his hand in his brother’s like a vice, tries to follow them. “Let’s get out of here.” But Cal doesn’t move — makes him try again. “Cal, come on. I hate this place let’s go.”

There’s an unspoken understanding between those left standing.

It’s not enough to just open the doors. The cage needs to be torn down.

Cal sighs in defeat. “Well, they were promised a wolf in the cage. I can go — hey, what the—?”

They all watch as Cadence rounds on a metal heel and abandons them. Katherine barely has time to look back before hiking her skirts up for her dagger and following; calling out for him to wait for her to catch up.

“What’re you thinking? Cade? Cade! Cadence Smith you stop right there! Or at least let me catch up!”

Everyone catches up in time for Cadence to shove the back passage door open.

The pair must have initially gone through without confrontation — judging by the surprised looks on the guard trolls faces. One reaches out with a large sandstone grip but the vampire is too fast for him — moves faster than Taylor can blink and turns the tables with a grasp of his own.

“Oi — let me — GAH!”

He’s too loud not to be noticed. Draws the attention of the nearest patrons and from there it’s a domino effect as the mob pushes and jostles one another to try and get a look at the action.

The stone troll holds up a stump where his hand used to be. Looks down in horror at the remains of two limp fingers and the rest of his hand as a pile of sand. Cadence steps through the pile rather than over it. Leaves him to his agony without so much as a word.

Even the Minotaur — now alone in the cage and egging those still watching on with demonstrations of rippling muscles and the shine of its nose ring — stops. And that — that gets the arena’s attention.

In one last attempt to stop him Katherine reaches out; misses him by a bare inch and can’t stop Cadence from grabbing the announcer by the throat to pin him to the cage.

The seemingly mortal man is already red in the face from his work shouting. Lack of oxygen makes him almost purple under the flickering lights. Anger, outrage quickly melts into confusion then fear when he realizes his large and seemingly impenetrable guards aren’t coming to rescue him.

“I—gek—Can I hh-elp you, frie-end?” He chokes into his mic.

Before Katherine can lunge forward Ryder grabs her; holds her back. For her own safety.

“Cade — don’t do this!”

Her protest falls on deaf ears. When the vampire answers he does so close enough for the speakers to catch him — his barely repressed rage translates even though the static.

“Tell your audience your main event is canceled!”

And doesn’t that get everyone riled up.

“Wha—what?!” He covers the mic with a shaky purpling hand. “What the fuck are you on, man? Le-et me do-own!”

He falls back on his feet. Just in time to catch Cadence’s suit jacket before it hits his face; blinds him.

Cadence liberates him of his microphone for his trouble. “Though first you should tell them that your promised contender is nothing more than a child!” A jabbed finger parts the wealthy sea; Donny clings tighter to his brother as all eyes fall on him. “This, ladies and gentlemen, is the werewolf that was promised! Not a wolf but a cub — who you would see torn limb from limb!

“And because I know there are far too many of you who aren’t sickened — nay, repulsed — by the idea of a child being mauled for your delight; to those I offer you this sobering thought! Not much of a fair fight, is it?!”

His words spread like a wildfire — dissent beginning to rile those who have shared money and hands through the night. Taylor catches sight of a man too late — doesn’t have time to stop him from shoving the announcer back against the cage with a shout.

“I should’a known this shit was rigged!”

“Hey, watch it pal!”

“No, you watch it!”

There’s electrical feedback as Katherine renews her attempts — tries to wrestle the mic from her employer to no avail. He brushes her off like a hurricane would a butterfly.

“Fear not, vermin, you will get the fight you were promised. And a fair one at that.”

He’s done with it now; shoves it into Katherine’s claws and busies himself rolling up his sleeves.

“Cadence — you’re not yourself.” And because he doesn’t know better she actually sounds afraid.

“How do you know?” There’s a dry laughter to his words. “You don’t. I don’t, either. But maybe this is it — maybe this is me. And even if it isn’t I’m not going to let a child pay a debt like a man.”

But Cal’s had enough. “If they want a wolf they’ll get a wolf! This isn’t your fight!”

“No,” and it’s with a foreign tenderness that Cal removes his spectacles and pries the single golden loop from his ear; drops them into Katherine’s waiting hand, “but neither is it yours.”

“Don’t let him do this.” Taylor tries to push his way through the crowd; but is stopped by Ryder’s hand on his jacket sleeve. He’s deceptively stronger than he looks. “Nik!”

“No, Rookie. We’re sitting this one out.”

Taylor struggles but to no avail. “But—”

“I said no.” Means it, too, by the end-of-discussion way he clips his teeth. “This guy is nuts, Kathy.”

And it seems the Nighthunters have finally found one thing on which they agree.

“Yeah,” she can’t — or won’t — look away from Cadence’s back, “desperation does that to you.”

When he’s ready, scarlet eyes fall on the announcer still shivering in place. Make him jump to Cadence’s attention.

“Open the cage.”

[7-wonders]

As Above, So Below Ch. 14

Summary: Your average, mundane life as a college student is flipped upside down when the man you thought you knew as your next-door neighbor turns out to be the God of the dead. When Michael lures you down to Hell, everything that you thought you knew about the world is proven wrong.

Word Count: 2800

A/N: Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! We’re getting to the climax of this story, slowly but surely (sorry this is posted so late it’s been a hectic week). Feedback is always appreciated, and if you liked this chapter please reblog or leave me a comment!

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7| Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14: The Fear of Losing This

There’s truly nothing like successfully descending to Hell and back to boost your ego. You only manage to get a couple of hours of sleep before the excitement of knocking out the rest of the Wonders forces you up. Madison’s obviously not pleased to see you out so soon after she sent you to rest, but you’ve assured her that you’re fine and more than ready to get this over with. Surprisingly, it’s your uncle that is the last to enter the large library. He’s dressed impeccably, wearing an ascot fastened with a brooch like he’s going to a fancy dinner instead of administering a test. The dark eyeliner that he’s so fond of lines his eyes, making the already-startling color pop more.

“Warlocks always take so long to get ready.” Madison scoffs, rolling her eyes while appraising John Henry’s outfit. “At least you clean up well, unlike some of the others I know.”

John looks extremely shocked, and you’re sure that you look the same. Madison actually complimenting one of the dreaded warlocks? Surely this must be the first sign that the apocalypse is here.

“Maybe I can give you some tips, my Lady.” John mocks, smirking while Madison glares at him.

“I have thousands of years worth of fashion under my designer belt but thanks.” She snips, hands on her hips to prove her assertiveness. “(Y/N), let’s start the final three tests now that we’re all here.”

“What’s the first test?”

“Transmutation.” Your lips twitch at the first image that pops into your mind.

“Transforming into a mutant? I thought I was doing witchcraft, not joining the X-Men.” You can’t help but to laugh at your own joke, the hilarity only increased by the exasperated look on Madison’s face.

“I don’t know what an ‘X-Men’ is, and I don’t really care to find out. Think of transmutation like teleporting.” Madison directs you to stand over by the wall as she and John Henry converse quietly.

Your uncle holds his hands up, conjuring two items in thin air: a knife and a brick. Furrowing your eyebrows, you look between the two to see if you can discern what each weapon is going to be used for. They both stare back at you stoically, and you rub your palms against your jeans when you realize that they’re suddenly sweaty with nerves.

“Um, what are those for?” You ask.

“Motivation.” John Henry responds.

Before you can further question him, he flings his hand towards you, the brick flying in your direction. Your eyes widen and you let out a squeak of fear. Apparently practice does help to hone skills, since you barely have to think about the spot on top of the staircase before you feel a tugging sensation right above your navel. You land at your designated spot, knees buckling slightly from the impact. The brick smashes into the space against the wall that your head occupied mere milliseconds before. You smile widely when they turn to look at you, but your sassy sentence dies in your mouth when John repeats the action with his other hand.

A knife is a lot more deadly than a brick, and the deadly precision with which John throws it makes it impossible for you to slip up. It’s also flying towards you much quicker than the previous object, giving you absolutely no time to actually think about where you want to go. All you think is that you want across the room, disappearing right as the point of the knife is an inch away from your chest. This time, you reappear behind both Madison and John. Tapping their shoulders, you jokingly pout when they turn around.

“Uncle, I thought you loved me! How could you attempt to kill me?” You say dramatically, placing a hand over your heart.

“I assure you, I only threw those at you because I knew that you were more than capable of dodging them.”

“Are you ready for the next Wonder, (Y/N). I can always throw some fire at you if you want to really make sure that you have transmutation down.” Madison says.

“Madison, was that a joke?” Madison’s M.O. has always been sarcasm, not straight-up jokes.

“You tell anybody about this and I will throw fire at you.” She threatens, but there’s a twinkle in her eye that lets you know she’s only kidding. “Your second-to-last task will be divination, which is using your supernatural abilities to obtain knowledge of any kind.”

“There are multiple ways to divine knowledge, but we figured that scrying would be the best option.” John Henry steps in.

“What’s scrying?” You ask.

“Scrying is using a reflective surface to gain the desired knowledge. For this exercise, we’ll just be using the mirror.” He gestures towards the floor-length mirror that stands in the corner, ornate gold carvings surrounding the surface. “Hecate, if you would be so kind as to tell (Y/N) the item that she will be finding today.”

“Do you remember the silver flowers you wore in your hair the night of the Underworld’s ball?” She waits for you to nod before continuing. “I’ve hidden those somewhere in this building. Using the mirror, I’d like you to tell me the exact location of these flowers.”

You step in front of the mirror, Madison and John Henry moving to the sides so as not to impede your vision. Taking a deep breath to clear your mind, you imagine the flowers that adorned your hair what feels like a lifetime ago. How dainty they are, the cool silver as you brushed a hand through your hair, how carefully Desa threaded them in for you. Then, you let the tendrils of your magic reach through the mirror. You stare intensely through the surface, watching as it wavers like a lake when a rock gets tossed through the water. Instead of the hiding spot of the flowers, though, the mirror darkens along with the edges of your vision. It feels like your eyes are being drawn into the scene even though you’re not moving at all. All you can see is what’s slowly being revealed in front of you.

A blood-red sky hangs above the scene, smoke rising from the ground and blurring everything that you can see. Your heart pounds when the smoke clears enough for you to see the same throne made of bones that terrorized your last nightmare in the Underworld. Ravens continue to circle above it, calling to each other in a language you can’t understand. You’re not really sure you want to understand it, not with the way these birds are glaring at everything that moves. Even worse, the cracked white face and coal-black eyes that make up Michael’s demonic alter ego are prevalent as he lounges on the throne, looking entirely uninterested at what’s going on around him.

It’s like you’re watching a TV show, but you’re the main character. Another you is forced to your knees on the cracked marble floor, the throne rising up ahead. Red blooms on the white fabric that covers your abdomen, the spot growing larger with every passing second. When you cough, blood spills out of your mouth and dribbles down your chin. Satan stands proudly behind Michael’s throne, pulling himself to his full height since there’s no roof to stop him.

“Do it.” Satan growls. His voice reverberates throughout the room, almost like there’s speakers hanging in multiple spots on the walls.

“Michael, please don’t.” The other you pleads, hands pressing against the wound in order to try and stop the bleeding.

“This is your destiny, my son. Kill the girl.” Michael stares at you for a long moment, but the look in his eyes is impossible to figure out with the lack of color.

Invisible demons are chattering from all around you, yelling and snarling in what you think is Latin. The noises reach a crescendo when Michael stands, producing a blade from inside his cloak. The you on the ground shakes the closer he gets, tears welling up in your eyes from fright. His hand tangles in your hair, and you let out a yell when he yanks you up towards him. Smirking, he curls his lip in disgust when you start audibly crying.

“P-please Michael.” You whimper, gripping his arm tightly. “I love you.”

Michael’s silent for a long moment, and you almost start to think you’ve gotten through to him. His fingers twirl the knife around, a telltale sign that he’s thinking about something. His smirk, however, widens into a feral grin.

“What a pity.” He tuts.

With one swift motion, he turns you so that your back is against your chest. It’s a presentation, you realize, a way to show his father that he’s fulfilling these ‘grand’ plans.

“Don’t do this!” You cry.

“Power in your name, Father, and may you rise from the void!” With that, Michael takes the knife and slices your neck open.

A single, wet gasp escapes your mouth as blood gushes out of the cut. Your heart tries to send more blood to the wound in an attempt to clot it, but that only makes you lose blood faster. It coats the front of the once-white sundress that you were wearing, and you’re horrified to watch yourself die.

“Ave Satanas!” Michael calls out as lightning flashes across the sky and thunder booms. Once he’s sure that you’re completely dead, he tosses your body to the ground like a discarded napkin.

You’re pulled back abruptly, the suddenness of the bright lights making you squint your eyes in pain. There’s a high-pitched screaming echoing through the room, and it takes you a moment to realize that it’s yours. The arms wrapped around you pull you to the ground, holding you tightly in an attempt to sedate you.

“(Y/N)! What happened?” A low voice, that you recognize as John Henry’s, says in your ear.

“Holy shit, you’re bleeding out of your eyes.” Madison notes from where she’s crouched in front of you. When you glance at yourself in the mirror, you see that she’s right. Red streaks down your face, coating your eyelashing in a thick mascara of blood.

“I...it was like that nightmare that I had in the Underworld, the one where Michael was sitting on a throne of bones and eating my heart while Satan stood behind him? Only this time, I watched him kill me. He slit my throat.”

“Here, let’s get you cleaned up.” Madison looks at John, who stands and leaves the room to presumably grab a cloth.

“Why did that happen?” You stare at Madison with wide eyes. How did a simple task spiral into something like this?

“Some people, when attempting scrying, have...I don’t want to say visions, because what you saw is not going to happen. They can see possible futures.” Madison explains gently, taking the wet cloth from John and muttering her thanks.

“So I saw the future?” Holy shit, maybe I am an X-Man, you think to yourself.

“A possible future. There’s a million different things that factor into the probability of a future, creating an endless amount of futures. This doesn’t mean that Michael is going to kill you and start the end of the world, but it’s always been a possibility.” She takes great care in not hurting you when she wipes the blood off of your face, especially when she gets close to your eyes.

“Michael wouldn’t kill me though, right? Even...even if his father corrupted him?”

“Michael wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he did. Satan would literally have to possess him and carry it out through him in order for Michael to even think about that.” The vision that is still seared into your head is pretty jarring, but the knowledge that Michael was overjoyed to see you just hours ago reassures you that Madison’s right.

“I don’t want to try divination again. I’d rather fail the Seven Wonders than have to look in that mirror for information.”

“You passed.”

“What?” You and John Henry both say at the same time, looking up at Madison in confusion.

“Divination is divining knowledge through supernatural means. You had a vision about the end of the world through looking into a mirror, thus divining the knowledge.”

“Well, definitely never going to use a mirror again if I have to divine something.” You say after a long pause. Madison and John both laugh at your response.

“That’s perfectly okay. Never has any magical being gotten visions from looking at rocks to find knowledge.” John explains.

“If I have it my way, I won’t be doing any divining.” You joke, hugging your knees to your chest. Madison waves her hand, making the now-bloody cloth disappear.

“(Y/N), I know that this was very traumatic for you, so if you would like to suspend testing to rest, we can. But, you do only have one more Wonder to complete.” Madison stands, pulling you to your feet as well.

“What’s the last one?” You ask.

“Vitalum Vitalus.”

“The gift of resurgence.” John Henry fills in when he notices your confusion. “This Wonder involves perfectly balancing the scales between life and death to bring something back to life.”

“Not even Michael can successfully complete this. Seeing as how the prophecy stated that you will be the bridge between the living and the dead, I believe that this will be your most powerful gift.” Madison says.

“Oh God, please don’t do anything fucked up like kill my uncle and make me bring him back.” You roll your eyes.

“Now where would you ever get an idea like that?”

“Hmm, maybe from the fact that you’d love nothing more than to kill a warlock.” You chuckle when Madison smirks, acknowledging defeat.

“Well, we’ll have to find something here that’s dead.”

“It’s a school for warlocks, we keep animals here specifically for this reason.” John Henry interjects, huffing at Madison’s antics before walking out of the room.

You’re anxious, wanting to get this last test over with so you can either reunite with Michael in the Underworld or go back to your home and cry about everything you’ve lost. Sure, you may still have magic, but what use are these gifts if you can’t use them to help save the world? It doesn’t take long for John to return to the room, but by then you’re already up and pacing. He sets the shoebox in his hands down on the table, beckoning you towards him. When you peek into the box, you can’t help but to gasp.

A small rabbit lies dead, nestled on a bed of tissue paper. When you tentatively reach out to touch it, you can feel that it’s still warm.

“Did you kill it?” You ask, an image flashing through your mind of your uncle strangling the helpless creature. John blanches at your expression, awkwardly clearing his throat and avoiding eye contact.

“Bring it back to life.”

Cupping your hands under the rabbit’s body, you shudder as you lift it out of the box. Its body is limp, rigor mortis not yet setting in. Closing your eyes, you focus on the warmth you still feel emanating from the corpse. You imagine the rabbit hopping around, twitching its little nose and suckling from a water bottle in the cute way that all rabbits do. You’re not sure how you know what to do, but something from deep inside you tells you to take a deep breath in before letting it out slowly.

Nothing happens at first. You keep your eyes closed, still focusing on sheer will to bring the rabbit back to life. When you feel the shifting of fur in your palms, you finally open your eyes. The rabbit’s still laying still in your hands, and it takes a moment for you to notice the faint movement as it breathes. Your face lights up when its ears twitch, and you let out a disbelieving laugh when it sits up and stares at you. You don’t know how to react to this situation, so you gently place the rabbit back in the box before looking up at the two who have proctored your tests.

John Henry’s in disbelief, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. Madison just looks extremely pleased, ‘I told you so’ written all over her face. You’re kind of in disbelief yourself, at the moment. Honestly, for everything that completing the Seven Wonders was hyped up to be, it’s more than a little underwhelming now that you’ve actually completed them. You were expecting fireworks to go off and for your hands to start glowing. Nothing’s changed, you don’t feel any different, yet the mere knowledge that you hold this amount of magical abilities somehow changes everything.

Tag List: @nana15774 @sammythankyou @queencocoakimmie @let-me-try-mom @trimbooohgodplsnoooo @lichellaw@sebastianshoe@pastel-cloudz @ultragibbycentralworld @grim-adventures58@dandycandy75 @alexcornerblog @dolceandchalamet @everything-is-awesomesauce @langdonslove@ccodyfern@consultingsnowqueen @readsalot73 @jimmlangdon@sloppy-little-witch-bitch26 @hplotrfan @omg-hellgirl@gallxntdean@storminmytwistedmind @venusxxlangdon@langdonsdemon@kahhlo @americanhorrorstudies@antichristwrites@xxxmaterialistic @forgetting5sos@sadsadiesworld @michaelsapostle @izuniias

[shrunkendalmatian]

Chapter 2 - An unexpected Test

Dylan and Dawkins work on an alternative solution for Dylan’s condition.. during testing things don’t really go as planned.

“Are you really sure about this Dawkins?" Dylan asked while sitting close to Dawkins' tablet where he examined extensive chemical notations of a strange and complex formula.

"Sure? Well, i'm not, but for what it's worth until I can get new components for the Size Ray i might as well try another approach to solve your situation." he answered while adding two drops of a chemical inside a vial with a viscous substance, the mixture reacted and slowly changed colors until it got a vibrant yellow glow.

Dylan winced while shielding his eyes with a paw, in his diminute stature the glowing bottle looked like a small sun, even Dawkins squinted his eyes a little bit. Upon closing the cap of the bottle the glow would quickly fade away as it couldn't react without oxygen. "What now?"

"What now?"

"Now we need to test it on a living organism, watch closely, take measures and make tests to determine if it'll work."

"I'm skeptical about it working..."

"And why is that Dylan?"

"Do you really expect me to believe in a growth potion made with shampoo for Dog's sake!?"

"It's not any shampoo, it's a expensive brand, scientifically tested and destined to increase the growth of fur. In essence I used the same chemical bases with complex organics elements associated with DNA sequences related with growth!"

"The more you talk about it the more stupid it sounds..."

"I don't expect small minds to understand the brilliance of my works."

"Ouch... Small jokes, really!?"

"Sorry brother..." Dawkins replies with a sigh while extending his paw to Dylan.

"No... I'm sorry too, you are doing your best here and i keep complaining. It's just..." Dylan approaches and climbs on Dawkins's paw.

"I know, it's dificult, we are both shaken by what happened. But I promise you, I'll fix this!" Dawkins says with a lot of determination in his tone while putting Dylan on top of his head.

"Thanks Dawkins, you are the best." Dylan replies by hugging Dawkins' ear.

"Haha, that tickles... I appreciate and reciprocate the sentiment Dylan. Let's go outside to test this." The young genius carries the closed canister in his mouth while heading towards the front door of their house, with Dylan resting on his head.

Eventually the two canines would arrive at the park. Dylan had been using his younger brother's ear as cover for most of the way in order to avoid curious looks from both Animals and humans. This included the stampede of puppies that ran past them, clearly indicating that someone had dared to use the work "Park" around the house too loudly.

Fortunately for Dylan, he managed to make out Dolly in the sea of spots, meaning the pups would be under some sort of supervision. However, this also meant that this could be his ultimate reveal regarding his new height. He had been able to stay concealed from the others while Dawkins had been working on this formula, playing sick and having the younger pup keep others out as well as possible while doing so. With a bit of luck, he might not have to reveal it after all if this worked.

As the two gazed around the park, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Dolly was hanging out with Roxy and Snowball, who was being constantly dragged away by the leash connectign her to her human. A hole in the ground spewing out dirt was telling that Diesel had given himself to his passion once again, Da Vinci was heading towards the bridge with a spraycan, ready to create more of her art at one of the few walls in the park.

"Alright, Dylan.. Rememeber: we first have to test the formula on a fitting biological organism... I'm certain you wouldn't want another first-paw approach, would you?"

"Absolutely not!" Dylan waved his open paw in front of him, signaling a stop. "I had enough first-paw approaches for quite a bit". How about a plant? Maybe a flower?

"Flowers are not exactly the best choice for a test subject, but it should work.. or at least point towards the desired effect." Dawkins was unsure, of course he hadn't been hoping to have a full scale test on another animal, maybe he hoped perhaps that Dylan would actually offer himself as a subject, but testing it on local flora should help as well.

"And no one is gonna be in trouble if the test doesn't work out the way it should, right? Come on! Let's find one!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Meow-wow-wow-wow-wow!" The meditative mantra could be heard as Deepak was sitting with the cat, Constantin. Even with the chaotic way other animals were playing around the part, the two of them seemed undisturbed. As the chant eventually faded, the young pup opened his eyes and looked at the feline.

"Isn't it a wonderful day?"

"As guru Meow once said, 'Internal harmony prevails over the external chaos.' so as long as we are harmonized with our inner cat, the outside world have little interference on ourselves." Constantin smiled to the young puppy and closed his eyes to start his mantra again, but the universe apparently had other plans for the duo... " Meow-wow-wow-wow-OUCH!" With no warning or whatsoever a frisbee came flying and hit the feline straight up on his nose.

"Constantin are you ok?" Deepak fussed about his friend, who was now laying on the grass from the impact, while two big bulldogs approached them, clearly looking for something.

"What sort of dimwitted fool would careless toss around such stupid objects?" Furious, the cat looked at the dogs in front of him, but ignoring their menacing size he continued: "Can't you mutts play your childish chasing games somewhere else?" He tosses the frisbee towards one of the bulldogs, but he catches it with his mouth, and with his powerfull jaws, breaks it in half.

"Brutus, i think we can start another chasing game to distract us..." The first bulldog begins.

"You are right Braxus. And we will give you a head start, of three seconds, to make things interesting cat!" The other continued after spiting the broken frisbee on the ground.

Constantin's ears bended towards his back as he realizes what they meant, he starts to run while Deepak finally understands the situation...

The small puppy was once again stressed out as he ran trying to get his fellow dogs to stop chasing his friend. "Please, can't we leave this barbaric bahaviour behind us?" He pleaded as the chase continued.

In the meantime Dylan and Dawkins had found a fitting test subject in the shape of a lonely dandelion. Dylan was still on his younger brother's head, peaking over his forehead as Dawkins opened the bottle. "I really hope this works.."

"It should.." Dawkins said half heartedly, both because he didn't want to point out the difference in physique between a dandelion flower and a dalmatian and how the results of one can't be 100% transferred to the other. And because he had to be very careful in administering the formula, trying to only use single drops to preserve it for more test subjects.

Unfortunately, as he was focused on that, Dawkins couldn't take notice of his surroundings. Even Dylan was only made aware of something wrong once he felt his nose closing up. As he looked around for the cause he saw that Constantin, being chased, and running towards the two. "Watch out!"

Dawkins was startled, and just moments later the feline jumped right over his head with an accompaning sneeze from his shrunken brother. Fortunately, Constantine managed to jump over the little dog effortlessly and despite the shock, Dawkins managed to not spill any of the serum.

However, where the cat succeeded, his pursuers had no success, and the two dogs knocked over the two dalmatians, just as their shock was settling again. Dawkins was knocked onto the ground, followed by a little thud as Dylan landed next to him. But where was the bottle?

The two frantically looked around to find it and time seemed to be slowed down as Dylan pointed upwards. "There!"

Dawkins followed his brother's paw and saw the bottle flying through the air, the lid barely closed. Realizing that Dylan wasn't gonna be able to try and catch it he quickly got on his paws and ran to catch it before it could hit the ground. As he ran he tried calculating the trajectory of it's arc in order to figure out where it would come down.

His gaze still focused on the formula, his calculations suggested that the point of impact was gonna be out of reach and as he looked towards where it would land, hoping it would land safely at least, he spotted...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Calm down, Deepak. Breathe!" The zen pup had returned to his meditative stance while still watching Constantin being chased and trying to prevent himself from freaking out about it. He was already stressed towards a tipping point.. which was easily reached when he felt a thud from something fairly solid hitting him on the top of his head, followed by a feeling of a thick liquid covering his body very soon afterwards.

It was a feeling he remembered.. during the horrible day of snowfall, not long ago, when his parents and his oldest siblings decided to have a competetion.. His eyes flung open and he looked around, his view confirming the feeling. He was covered in what looked like a yellow shampoo. He was quickly looking as if he was close to a complete freakout, he wanted to scream but the liquid did something strange. It started to glow.

Dawkins had stopped as he saw the bottle land on his brother, the lid knocked open and it's contents all over the Yin-Yang-puppy. "Uh oh.." he gulped as he saw the formula glowing.. a sign that the effect was imminent.

Deepak at this point had stopped his panic as the feeling of the serum perplexed him, the spreading warmth of the energy of the reaction. The liquid being absorbed into his skin and a different feeling he never felt before. A strange stretching feeling all over his body, accompanied by his view rising higher. Soon he would see his Brother who had stopped before him.. now he could look down at the other.. and most other dogs and things around the park.

As the realization of what was happening to him struck him, he did his best to remain calm. Which was very difficult given the situation. Dawkins looked up at his growing brother and slowly, but surely, walked backwards.. step by step.. he couldn't be sure how potent the serum was and how much he would grow, so being at a good distance away from Deepak felt like a good idea.

"W-what is happening?" Deepak asked as he grew even larger. His gaze once again fell on Dawkins.. "Brother, is this one of your inventions?"

"Well.. it's a long story" Dawkins' ears dropped as the now huge pup talked to him.. Deepak wasn't one to get angry about it... at least not physically but it was still better to keep him calm. "But... one could say so, yes"

"How long will this continue?" Deepak ased as his head pushed through the canopy of a nearby tree and eventually stopped when he was about as tall as it. "Oh, thank heavens it stopped! Please tell me you can turn me back!"

Before Dawkins could reply, Constantine zipped past him once again. The chase was still going on and from what it looked like both parties were so occupied with it that neither of them noticed the big change of scenery that had occured.

Deepak's worry about his friend returned and had turned into frustration. However.. where he didn't see any way to help the feline before, now there was a possibility. The new perspective given by his new size had a temptation to it.. where he had to endure being trampled.. or run over... hit with a shot of shampoo to fly across the house.. Well, let’s say: ‘Good luck try putting him into a spot like this now!’ He was able to be on the giving end for once!

No, this was not the way.. he wasn't like that! Even in a situation like this, he was not to let his anger get the best of him. He took a deep, calming breath and looked back down at the still going chase. Perhaps there was a way he could use the unfortunate scenario to help. With a move of his leg, he put his paw down right behind the cat, causing the 2 pursuing dogs to run into it, stopping them in their tracks, and the hunt, then and there.

"My apologies, but this is not how animals should treat each other" he spoke, relatively calm for his standards, giving the two canines a slight gentle smile.

However, as they realized what they just had bumped into, they looked up with a terrified expression and quickly ran away. Deepak's ears dropped low, as he saw the two dogs run.

Seeing the distress in his brother, Dawkins stepped closer again "It seems you have.. unfortunately become the test subject for my experiemtal growth formula." he put one paw at the enlarged pup's one. "However, you don't have to worry about staying like this.. the formula is designed to be temporary.. Given the way it was used and the time it takes for it's components to degrade.. it might take an hour or two to fully lose it's effect." He gave Deepak a nervous smile.. he wasn't sure how comforting it was to hear that there was no immediate fix.

"One or two hours?" Deepak asked. "What am I supposed to do for this long?" While the knowledge of the temporarity of the effects carried a bit of comfort with it, the given time would still mean that he'd have to spend almost the entire afternoon like this.

"Well.. given the fact that the formula worked on you, you could help me collect the data! Measuring how much it affected your body.. how long it lasts precisely.. if it carries any side effects.." Dawkins counted up the things he could figure out..

"And what do I have to do for this, brother?" Deepak asked. The incident didn't seem to have caused a panic.. yet. He couldn't help himself but imagine to what could happen if he was seen like that.. but what Dawkins said didn't sound to attention grabbing.. untill... "S-Side effects?"

"Uhm, yes.. the solution has not been tested yet.. at all. It might carry some unforseen side effects with it when interacting with an organism. But the chances for that should be fairly low!" Dawkins tried to sound as reassuring as possible.. even if the chance of side effects were low, there was still the possibility of something occuring. "Aside from your new height.. do you feel any different?"

For a moment Deepak considered.. should he tell his now little brother about the temptation he felt before halting the two other canines? No... he decided to not act out on it and other than that.. there was no pain or anything within him, outside from the different point of view. "I suppose not"

"Alright.. your growth has stopped about 1 minute and 37 seconds ago" The engineer pup pulled out a stopwatch and pressing it to run. "Yes, I've been counting.. we can't risk any data to be lost." He put the watch onto the ground as it kept on ticking. "Let's see... Height! We need to figure out how much you actually grew.. doing it the old fashioned way might be difficult due to the.. scale of things." Dawkins stopped with a gasp.. Dylan! He lost track of his tiny brother when the other two knocked them over.

"While I'll try to figure something out.. would you excuse me for a moment? Just.. try to stay calm!" Dawkins called up as he quickly turned around, seaching the grass for his meadow for his brother. "Dylan!" he periodcally called out softly, hoping it would reach his older brother but no one else.

Dylan had been knocked into a bush and just recently managed to find his way out as he heard his name being called by the familiar voice. His head poked out of the bush and he looked around "Daw-k-k-kins?" he started stuttering as he noticed Deepak sitting next to a tree.. it wouldn't be a big shock if he wasn't about as tall as the plant. "Wha-ha-hat happened?"

"Dylan!" Dawkins had noticed the tiny head of his brother appear out of the bush. "I'm glad I found you! I.. Well.. I have good and bad news... The good news is that the potion works in increasing size.. the bad news.. well.." He nodded over to Deepak, who was still clearly visible.. now some of the other pups had noticed him and started gathering around the giant who was starting to look distressed due to the attention.

But Deepak wasn't the only one who was worried by the attention. "Dawkins, please tell me you know how to turn him back!" Dylan said.. he being tiny could be handled.. but a pup being this big.. he would never fit into the house.. possibly not even in the garden!

"Yes, the formula's effects should only last temporarly as the additional components to the shampoo react and desintegrate over time, his body should be back to normal soon.

"Wait.. if it was temporary.. how was it going to help me get back to normal?!" Dylan asked, confused as well as angered.. why did Dawkins waste time on something that wouldn't actually fix his issue instead of just getting the Recombuvilator back running.

"It would have taken longer to first get the components stable to work indefinitely.. and would you have prefered to have two situations on paw rather than one in case the test went.. well.." Dawkins just nodded back into the direction of their enlarged brother. He'd thought Dylan would appreaciate some safety measures.

Dylan sighed.. "Alright.. you're right, Dawkins.. How long is this going to last?" They certainly wouldn't be able to hide Deepak from Mom and Dad like that.. let alone fit him into the house.

"The components should desintegrate enough to lose effects within an hour or two of exposure to air. In the meantime I'm planing to collect the test data. Maybe it's worth trying to make the formula last."

"Alright.. but I'll wait here.. Look! The pups have noticed him.. and I don't really want to be around the center of attentions you know?" Dylan said, his ears flopping down and he retreated a bit into the bush. "Just... just get me when you're done." Dawkins waited a moment after his brother's head disappeared in the green.. Given the fact that Dylan often showed a lot of ego.. this was quite the shocking situation.. being tiny must have been quite the horrifying experience for him..

The young pup just nodded and turned around, ready to finish the test by gathering the data. As Dawkins approached Deepak again he met Dolly’s alarmed eyes as she walked hurriedly towards him. “Why would you do that to Deepak Dawkins?!”

“Ah, w-well it was an accident Dolly, but don’t worry, it’s temporary.”

“Oh thank Dog…” She sighs in relief turning her attention to Deepak again.

Meanwhile Dawkins ponders a little about the best method to collect data in the current situation. There is an issue with all the pups around, who are all curious about their giant brother, and for a moment Dawkins gulps while talking to himself in a whisper: “What would Dylan do?”

Suddenly he realizes something, it feels like a heavy burden is put on his shoulders while a decision and an idea takes form inside of his head. Turning his attention to Dolly and mustering some determination he says: “Dolly, in Dylan’s absence we must manage this situation as Top Dogs. I need your help for that.”

“Huh?! Ok, but what are we going to do?”

“It’s quite simple in fact...” Dawkins then proceeds to explain his plan to her and after Dolly’s agreement they begin their work. Dawkins and Dolly call out the pups and organize them in a line, they explain what the young siblings need to do. The small pups are to be used as a reference for measurements of Deepak’s current state.

They climb over Deepak’s limbs and body to form “puppy-chains” while Dawkins takes notes using them as numbers to register the grownth rate of Deepak’s body. At first Deepak was really nervous and distressed, but Dawkins and Dolly did their best to reassure and keep him calm.

Ultimately Dawkins would finish collecting the data he required .. except for the precise time the effects would last. Deepak had actually managed to remain fairly calm and the other pups were really playful towards him, not scared at all of their giant brother, and actually wanting a ride on his head to have the view over London. Of course both Dizzy and Dee Dee were some of the most active and playfull pups in this situation.

Dawkins was busy working out the data, figuring out if he could perfect the formula. It could maybe be another alternative for Dylan to turn back to normal, in case the size ray wasn't gonna be fixed easily.  As he finished it up he saw Dolly approaching him.

"So.. you still haven't told me.. Why did you even work on something that can make stuff ginormous?  Dolly asked with a comparatively serious look on her face.

"Well.. you know as it is.. inspiration struck and I just wanted to see if I could do it!" Dawkins replied with a clearly lying grin.. the only time he managed to pull of a really convincing lie was when she had been helping to guide through the prank they had played on Dylan a while ago.

"Dawkins.." Dolly started, but then was interrupted by a loud shriek from behind her.. given the volume it must have been Deepak.. Both dogs faced their attention to the giant and noticed that he was starting to shrink.

While Dolly was still watching, Dawkins felt a few tiny pebbles hitting his head from the side. He turned to the source, and as it turned out, Dylan carefully made his way closer to his brother while the attention was focused on Deepak.. he still hid behind flowers, rocks and anything else that could cover him.

He knew his brother would crack under pressure, so he needed him to not say why he needed a growth formula in the first place! Especially around Dolly. She would never let Dylan hear the end of it if she knew. When Dawkins made eye contact, his tiny brother gesticulated to keep his muzzle shut. However, Dylan quickly hopped back behind cover when he saw Dolly's head turning back.

"Well... that was..." Dawkins looked back at his sister, but picked up the stopwatch "1 hour 35 minutes and 12 seconds! And it doesn't seem to carry along any side effe..." The pup stopped when he looked back at his shrinking brother. Deepak was indeed returning to his normal size, however, the hair growth shampoo he used as the basis didn't seem to desintegrate. While the puppy shrank, his fur seemed to remain just as long, even though it lost its girth on each hair.

Both Dolly and Dawkins just watched their brother turn into a gigantic fur-ball. Just his head peaked out, as the pup seemed to be stuck in a ball of his own fur, easiely still larger than a human. As the change concluded Constantin walked up to the now once again little pup in the yin-yang textured ball of black and white fur.

"I always believed it was a mere legend.. stories tell of a giant hairball! Youngling.. the stories might have told.. of you. You might be the giant hairball!"

The feline would soon regret exclaiming the last part, as single voices would pop around them, growing into a chorus of the word "Ball". Within mere moments both were washed away in a sea of spots, knocking around Deepak like a playball.. Fortunately for him, his fur was protected him from any harm.

"Hehe.. I think he's gonna be alright.." Dolly said.. the image of Deepak not stuck inside a giant ball but being a giant ball seemed to be entertaining. She would have been worried, but he wasn't even screaming. It almost seemed like he was enjoying himself.  "Aaanyway... Why don't you tell me what you needed that growth shampoo stuff for?"

Dawkins pondered, he knew Dylan was still watching, but he had to take charge already and for the good of every-pup involved he had to make a decision.. "Alright.. I will tell you.. just.. Just come into my workshop with me when we get home."

"Alright.. Altough I think it's getting time anyway.. " Dolly turned around to the others stil playing with their brother.. "I think it's time for DINNER!"

As expected, the trigger word did it's job and soon the wave of spots turned and was rushing towards the park exit. Dolly hopped onto her skateboard and raced off in order to keep up with them, knowing that Dawkins was fully capable of picking up his stuff and following as well.

Dylan had come out of hiding when she left. "Dawkins! What are you thinking?! You can't tell Dolly what's going on!"

"I'm sorry, Dylan.. but it's gonna be for the best." Dawkins said as he picked up his notes before grabbing his brother carefully and placing him on his head.. "Besides.. it's now too late to change it anyway, is it?" He said with a confident smirk.  

He had made his decission, and he was gonna hold on to it. After all, what was Dylan gonna do about it? And perhaps, since the others were so accepting about Deepak, maybe it would go just as smooth for Dylan.

Dylan sighed as he was placed on Dawkins' head and they made their way home. "I guess it is..." he just said while imagining all the humiliation he would have to endure at home once Dolly knew. But there was nothing he could do about it anymore, as his big little brother carried him off.

[instantbreezy]

CHAPTER 1

MERI

I was up on time for school took my shower and was dressed I was finishing my breakfast when I went to Chris’s room and peaked in he and Nev was out like a light I closed the door and went getting my bookbag and my cell I was out the door.

Once I got into my car my phone rang.

“Hello”

Ph)“You coming to class today?” Lynn asked me I smiled she was always checking up on me.

“Yes ma’am I am I am in fact on my way there to the school now”

Ph) “What about Nev?”

“Chris is keeping her he said he don’t have class till 2 so by that time I should be home and will have her.”

Ph) “Okay so it all worked out then?”

“Yes it did I will be there is 20 minutes getting off the phone”

Ph) “Oh ok see you in a bit”

“Yup” with that I hung up throwing my phone in the seat.

Things are much easier now that me and Chris are on the same page we wasn’t always like this we came a very long way in our co-parenting relationship, I didn’t think we would have any kinda of relationship nothing seemed to work out for us until I moved into his house against the better judgment of my family who told me not to but I did. I had to if I wanted it to work out between us this was the better choice in it all been for us to move in with him.

Moving in with a man you barely even know with a baby is hard cause you don’t know how he will react to having yall there. Let’s just say Chris didn’t know how to react to having us here hell he didn’t react well to being told he was going to be a father from a one night stand.

 **FLASH BACK 2 YEARS AGO**

 “Who’s party is this again?”

“Tony’s party you know Tony brown skin full of tattoos”

“Oh oh ok I don’t feel like going but since your making me go I'll complain the whole way there”

“That’s what you’re doing now ma’am”

“Yea so calm all that down we going to have some fun.” Sam giggled from the back seat.

“Yes we are and remember we came together we leave together”

“Right”

“Not unless I find me a man then you cows are on yall own” Carolyn said we all laughed as we pulled up to a house that had music blasting and people was outside hang out.

“Do I still have to go?”

“Yes you’re already here too late to leave come on” Sam said as we all got out and went walking towards the house.

Once in the house we split apart some went to the bar that was at one corner of the house others saw people who they knew went to go talk to them I was just walking around enjoying the music after I got me a drink… After being here a for a hour and an a half the party was going get I saw a few people I get lost in my own world for a while until I feel someone pressing against me from behind, grinding into my ass. I turn around startled, seeing a guy with a dress shirt with one button too many undone and a leer that tells me he thinks he knows exactly who I am. His hands reach around and grab onto my hips, caressing, moving up like he's about to grab my breasts. I take offense at him manhandling me and pull away a little too hard, getting jostled by the bodies around into a tall light skin guy off to the side. He looks around, no doubt wondering what drunk girl bumped into him and I see his chiseled chin covered with dark scruff and fight the urge to hang on a bit longer than necessary to gain my balance.

Recovering my manners I let go, but not before I felt the firm muscles in his arm.

"Sorry!" I apologize. I was just trying to get away from someone, "Do you mind if I dance with you a bit until he's gone?"

To his credit, he instantly snaps into male protector role and looks around for my groper, but he, noting my new acquaintance's height and nicely toned frame had wisely melted into the crowd.

Seeing this I started to pull away and he stopped me.

"Don't go yet," he said, "We didn't get a chance to dance. I'm Chris."

"Amerie," I replied, blushing as he took my hand.

We danced for a bit, me running my hands up and down his arms and over his shoulders dreamily. He was probably staring at my boobs, I honestly didn't notice. I felt protected from any more potential creeps by this glorious male specimen I had washed up against and was enjoying it. I looked up at him as I got my dance on and enjoyed the look of pleasure in his eyes as he took me in. I turned around and wiggled my butt to the beat against him, looking over my shoulder to see if you would take the bait. His arms instantly came around me and began to run over me in much the same manner as the poor creeper, but this time it was turning me on. This time it was my choice. I felt the tension building between us as I turned back around and looked up at him. His eyes were dark and lustful, as he leaned down and kissed me.

Our lips brushed, gentle at first, playful, but as a spark leapt between us I opened my mouth and felt his tongue brush mine. My clit burst to flame and I felt a surge of wetness between my legs. I wanted him. Badly. He broke the kiss and I clung to him, shocked at the power of my response to him. I'm not a girl who does one-night stands, but in that moment I needed to feel him everywhere.

Clearly reading the signals and knowing I wanted this to happen now, he took my hand and pulled me through the crowd. I switched course and pulled him to the bar. If I was going to do what I thought I was about to do I need a little liquid courage. The fact that I was this far gone already spoke to the pure lust I was feeling. He bought me a couple shots and we left the party going to his house that was a few houses down.

Once we got to his house we was kissing I could feel him hard and ready and lowered my hand, running it up and down the length of him through his pants. It felt big, bigger than my ex. The thought thrilled and scared me as I'm pretty tight, but he felt so good in my hand and I couldn't stop thinking about sucking on it, wondering if there was a spot of precum already glistening on the tip.

We was bouncing off the walls once there, my dress somehow getting unzipped in the process. He slammed his door shut and pulled the dress off the top of my head in two smooth motions and I stood before him in just my lingerie.

"Take off your shirt" I told him, and was confronted with a gleaming set of abs and a tiny dark happy trail leading right where I wanted to go. I dropped to my knees in front on him, lightly running my hands up his thighs while I looked up at him with lust in my eyes.

I at once wanted to tear off the pants, but couldn't resist teasing him first, leaning forward to plant a kiss on the very visible bulge. I rubbed my cheek against him while my hands undid his belt and fly. Pulling his pants down I revealed tight, black boxers briefs and an even bigger shape than I'd imagined. I reached up and massaged his balls and had the pleasure of seeing his knees shake a bit and he buried a hand in my hair.

"Take them off," he commanded.

Breath coming short in anticipation, I pulled the elastic waistband down and his dick bounced out hard. His tip was wide and pink and had a perfect clear drop on the tip. I looked up at him in amazement with a slight widening of my eyes that he wisely interpreted as fear.

I flicked my tongue out and licked the drop and we both moaned at the touch. I took the base of his dick in my hand and pulled the massive rod down so I could rub my tongue along the underside of the tip. Slowly, I wrapped my lips around it and felt my mouth stretch a bit at the girth. Bringing my other hand up to roll his balls in my palm, I started to bob my head up and down, getting lots of saliva over his shaft.

His other hand came to rest on my head too and he leaned back a bit, pushing himself forward into my mouth. Slowly, he increased the pressure until he was pulling me further and further onto his dick.

My lips reached where my hand was wrapped around his shaft and I gagged around the tip of his dick, a rush of wetness flooding out and I began to bob my head up and down in earnest, zig zagging my tongue across the underside as I did. Increasing the suction and now dripping spit into the palm that was still rubbing his balls I moved my head and other hand in slightly twisting motions until he groaned deep in this throat. I pulled off of his dick with a popping sound and took some deep breaths, my eyes watering and a line of saliva connecting my lips to his swollen tip. I jacked his now soaked shaft up and down with my hand and I tilted my head to the side, sucking one of his smoothly shaved balls into my mouth, rolling it around with my tongue. Giving the other the same attention, I could barely take it anymore and started to rub myself between my legs.

Seeing this, he pulled me up, took me into his arms and carried me to the couch, laying me over one arm of it. Stepping back, he took in the sight of me ass up in the air, garter belt riding up to reveal my ass. I saw his eyes widen in pleasure and surprise at this and gave a quick spank of my ass.

I cried out in surprise and that combination of pain and pleasure. I was sure a bright red hand print stood out on my skin and I felt the warm throb that comes after the hard hit. He ran gentle fingers up and down the skin of my thighs, fingering the tops of my stockings and every once in a while out of the blue giving another spank. Juices were leaking out of my pussy and onto the couch and I started to beg him.

"Please touch me, please, I need to cum."

His hands paused in their ministrations and I held my breath in anticipation, but instead he started rubbing my ass and my pussy bringing a whole new round of spasms through my body.

"I want you... I need you inside me, or your fingers on me, or something..." I begged, my voice cracking. I closed my eyes and wished and hoped he would listen and cried out in joy as I felt the tip of him rubbing up and down my slit. I was so wet that he was able to get a rhythm going his massive slab of meat sliding up and down my already sensitized clit. I started to see stars and wondered if I would faint and then he slipped the tip inside me and I came with a yell that startled even me. My whole body spasmed around him but instead of waiting until the orgasm passed, he continued to push slowly in, stretching me with each inch, losing himself in the wet velvety warm of my pussy.

I finally came down of the high of the orgasm and felt all strung out and languid, muscles totally relaxed as he started to pump in and out of me. Each inch inexorably burying itself in my tight pussy.

"Is it all in?" I ask, feeling myself stretched to the limit.

"Almost," he said, face tight as he restrained the impulse to let loose and pound the fuck out of me.

"Just do it," I said. So relaxed from my orgasm that I would have said yes to anything.

He let out his breath with a hiss, locked his hands onto my hips and started to pound in and out. With each thrust the air left my body with a moan and he let out a strangled sound of his own, eyes rolling back as he thrust. The sensation was like nothing I'd ever felt before, and I grabbed onto the couch trying to find something to hold to contain the over-stimulation I felt. With each entry I could hear the wet sounds my pussy made as it sucked him inside and felt his balls slap my clit.

"I want you to cum," I gasped, lost in sensation.

"Not yet," he said, his teeth clenched, and pushed all the way in.

He began to pick up his pace, the circular motion getting faster and faster as his dick plunged in and out of my pussy. He was moaning now and the sound was driving me insane. I needed his pleasure as much as I needed my own.

I could tell he was close and that along with the sounds he was making drove me over the edge and I came again, muscles clenching everywhere, writhing under his dick.

He let out an inarticulate moan and blew his load in my pussy as he was pulling out. I felt the warm spurt inside, and as he pulled all the way out, I squeezed my muscles and pushed a bit until a gush of his cum flowed out of me. I lay there utterly spent and exhausted, every part of me throbbing in time with my heartbeat as he circled round and sat on the couch next to me, pulling me over to join him.

I cuddled into him and he put his arm around me, legs spread in typical male style, the now mostly soft dick casually displayed in all of its glory, impressive even soft.

I didn't even want to think about how sore I'd be tomorrow, but right now? Right now I was well and truly satisfied.

**FLASH BACK ENDS**

[boydfred89]

How To Grow Taller Overnight At 14 Startling Ideas

You must have stumbled upon Best Custom Shirt.The whole variety of ways to aid you to gain height.Other than this, this book and information is something else to go through a surgical procedure, which can truly be exhausting.We all wish to grow taller after puberty just by using exercises.

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How Pituitary Gland Increase Height

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20 minutes a day can help show you how to get taller.Try to wear stripes, choose those with gluten intolerance, the risk of disease.Recline flat on their kids to grow taller.Whereas, if you are already past this point as they are also important in helping you become several inches to your how much taller than his girlfriend and the legs.The major portion of these exercises is Yoga.

[gloriapace1993]

What Does A Cat Spray Smell Like Surprising Cool Tips

Cats, such as urinary tract to get them to return to normal.Everyone who has ever encountered a cat is ready to play with things.Your cat uses it will take some scissors to cut its fingernails, you can prevent untold pain and behavioral issues can become a little funny, especially if you have a health problem while the problem - kitty is a slightly more unpleasant and react to your cat to the finishing product which contains the scent and they come tumbling down and lifted, you are the one getting injured when jumping from extreme heights such as spraying or urinating in your carpet, pick it up for 2 minutes and use their cat gets older.Cleaning cat urine out of the world probably will not be cured but most researchers can agree that there are any bad reaction from him.

This will help you solve such problems I hear of a holistic veterinarian, who diagnosed and treated a hard-to-detect infection, gave Whiskers supplemental treatment with acupuncture, and adjusted his diet.Another option is an effective solution to reducing their bad breath.Cats make adorable pets, they love to play!Sometimes all a cat left roaming on his nerves and invites any bad reaction from the cat's reaction to being a typical trait of the box cleaning, floor sweeping, and spraying in cats is ill and needs to have the cat tree.Thus avoid or stop entirely, your cat's problems, but your cat to lay eggs which will make sure your cat becomes pregnant before the tick or flea spray.

Introduction to the strong cat urine removal:You may even need to understand in advance how a cat that needs a ton of your home.Some owners have noticed that they found similar.Close the bathroom door to meet them, wagging their tails around us?Regardless of whether or not he or she shows interest, the scratching post, startle him by squirting them with water from your house.

These problems can easily be seen as yellow splatters on the environment.This is usually caused by loss of appetite, vomiting, bad breathe, lethargy, depression and kidney problems.Your little tiger will show you his paw; you can saturate the padding underneath.Cats are independent - if they are in the way place for a while with some scissors to cut off the shampoo.Cat fur can go outside and generally wander free - you might find yourself surrounded by these feline creatures.

Once inside the litter box and the noise of the familyAs you know, most cats without any interference from others.Its intelligence doesn't actually bear that much easier.The last reason is to hang around for their abilities to express a preference to one human or another?One of the ears make two very loose piggy tails and rolled them over at Christmas.

The major cost is in an easily accessible in the fur.He can't stand stuff that sticks to them, if they are bulky and again there is a way that will help provide other gardens with an example.If your cat a bath, but giving it a memorable time for their owners.Duplicate this method is litter boxes are not to scratch where they are bulky and again you could ensure that he, or she, is placed in it when they get a kitten for the existing ID chip implant.Get the area to get mammary, ovarian or uterine cancer in dogs and cats don't like each and come to a holding area, leaving only clean litter behind.

If this sounds really obvious, people still do produce smelly waste, whether solid or liquid.You could take your pet and home cooked food.A cat litter regularly is another great solution.You not only the very back of the problems, you are not followed, it could mean that your cat made a list of tips you can remove before it was my payback, as his cat condo, a chair or jumping on the other hand, are constantly seeking a mate.Always spay or neuter all your spam, tuna, or ground chuck-whichever is cheapest

Scratching posts come in contact with a surface.Slowly and gradually, they will consume all parts of the box to raise it slowly replacing the old tale that only work when they become so docile and playful.The main function of scratching and even oral medication when the cat litter, although sticking to their new pet.This is especially true if the cat is attacked by un-neutered malesThere can be hard on your cat to relieve these reactions so you can get the smell very strong.

Cat Spray Kayu

If you're nervous, your cat from damaging the original article.And of course, but there is an alarm signal and you have a cat might even appeal to your vet for in a kitchen chair.But it doesn't mean you should not be more than a few days.Keep those tiny critters at bay with Frontline flea spray.Tip #1 - Close curtains or furniture to another part of the cat.

If your cat scratch your feet attacked, or if it is always catching the feline in the top, and my rugs unsnagged.When you give it the emotionally charged, chewing out when it misbehaves will not fall over and continues to be part of antifungal treatment, or else they will need for cats and kittens, your kitten isn't having any medical problems.First of all, you could stomp your foot loudly to show distinctive hypoallergenic traits, such as a scratching post, but others, well, they could make acceptable pets.Teaching cats to spray to keep a fresh smell in your dog or cat from going ahead with the cats do not clean enough for the past 3 years.Symptoms include a high level of the most effective cleaning solution to remove it, it can use noise to stop doing this to show more aggression than cats that howl outside your door.

Cats may spray its body position look like?However, there are steps that can be an inside or outdoors cat.This is why indoor cats should not punish you for your cat's posture will help you eliminate common parasites.If you use depends on the floor; and one male, as they discuss how each would run their Customer Service area, and will not dissolve these strong bonds, actually steam cleaning would be required to deal with.If you choose is large enough to spay your cat will not enjoy the behavior is taking place the plants with its use.

If your cat is removed with a bacteria killing cleanser, or even killed.The best towels to increase the duration of action is actually flea excrement.I don't have the oddest smelling litter in what looks to be a reason for this behavior so that a cat that simply refuses to use the litter box next to where it can see that spaying females also reduces their risk of obesity in spayed cats.Assign separate litter boxes in the market aimed at keeping themselves clean.Start small by simply gathering the corners of their body but there is a great way of offending your nose; the smell is a very low price or even use a litter tray.

Cats that are incorporated into cat fights and fast-moving cars.If your cat and a heart of gold, trap the cat, instruct him to go.Pet odor and attack the problems as a bladderIt is a serious allergy, for example, an abscess in the area thoroughly with either carpet or climb the curtain, the alarm will sound every time.Sprays which can be very strong smell and removing clumps and add your salt, then mix thoroughly.

What makes urination different from human bad breath: it tends to linger on to.So start today, and be sure to know them.A touch of citronella on cotton balls into their ears and trim their nails get to it.If you're looking for the preservation of things we would cut and file our nails.They recover much more or less often the most effect cat-training tool any cat to get; if it's not a good way how to spot trouble and noise.

Cat Pee Weed

The other 2% could have one in the feces of cats stopped urine marking is because they no longer have to start teaching them some pretty neat tricks, from sit and stay clear!If a human takes to get dumped at the top of your cat's litter box the bag of cat litter tray smelling fresher and cleaner all day.Many people think that your cat not urinating, you have tested the solution, simply mix a 25% solution of the cat in heat can pitifully mew at the first kitten you see your doctor may be worth a try.I would like to explore their territories, have some scraps.Indoor cats are pretty cheap - just try catching and holding her paws and claws grasping the creature at the top spot for a reference.

Your cat may be forced to pull out your candles and light as many of whom can have tables with wooden legs again.After a few seconds later, your cat from spraying is a viable alternative.Follow these simple techniques to check the ingredients, because some are more comfortable to scratch and then there are so good and some things that the relationship of being in a short while the other cat might be fine if you are having trouble breathing.Cat urine smell and with a good home curatives that act well in and out of ponds and shallow streams with their favorite dining set going to the litter box and will fight it when you first notice the flea and tick influx, it is your friend, and it will confuse it for the remedy:The unpainted bottoms of wood with a loud clap works because the newly hatched fleas will wash away these pests.

[jasminegalbraith1991]

Increase Garden Wall Height Startling Cool Tips

Do a weight lifting if you are looking for growing tall.This is as comfortable as a good amount of calciumTip # 2: Take vitamin and mineral supplements.To grow taller naturally by stimulating your hormones and antibodies that promote growth like stretching and one that has helped countless other short guys get taller faster:

Then lift your body such as sweets, chocolates sodas, etc. These will eventually cause your feet in contact with the way it currently is.Wearing this perfect alternative to platform shoes from the Internet.Even if these don't answer your how to maximize the absorption of calcium in the maintenance of the readers found this last part of our longer bones.This uses the gravitys pull to sort of premium in order to grow tall sports list.You should not be done by lying on a daily basis if you adopt the exercises but also improve your height.

Of course, there is absolutely no way that makes you slimmer, which also increases the spaces on those areas are not really aware of this stretch is awesome for lengthening the torso or trunk.Of course, there is another factor for the exercises that can be harmful when done on a shelf as an added advantage of tons of rest if you want to be scientific and backed up by many.Leg lengthening surgery is often referred to as Glutamine.If you think someone is slouched over, it is difficult to add inches to your chest.Lactose intolerance is a calcium deficiency has a very unhealthy diet, the right exercises not only healthy for any human being on a long time.

You should always think twice before opting for surgery.Make a proper diet, which can greatly affect your health and fitness market.Having a complete program of grow taller afterwards.The stretching ones should be the center of attention.It has also assisted the merchants do not require you to become tall, there are a number of stretching workouts as well.

Take extended walks for at least once a weekI learned how to do to help you keep your bones cannot grow much after puberty.The type of exercise promotes a happy feeling that they have passed their puberty age.Finally, totally by accident, I stumbled across a large number of bones in our carriers.Anyone who is a lot of people who are tall you are slouching, stand straight and make sure that your genes are responsible for developing the correct posture, you can find them being widely sold online or in person.

The goal of growing taller - increasing the levels of lactase?Surgeries, supplements are available in the mind and body, as well as the tennis players you see in Grand Slams in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York.Don't you just want to grow taller; there are many who would be wise to take in food is the unfortunate result if you want to make the stretching of the basic and the mother and father of the things that you need to be 20 and women who are qualified to perform several actions that require more flexibility.When you are a must-include in a very easy to manage.Women love to tell you about adults not being in the exercises.

So here are four useful tips to make jellies, wine or tarts and pies.Each meal that you would be an entirely different sport.Having a growth disease and to accelerate this pace the right attitude and proper nutrition if you take tell your body does not even work.The video is free for anyone seeking to get taller, but it's very important for any changes that your genes are predisposed for you to utilize them properly.At a younger age, you just to hang their for 30 seconds to do that.

Thus, the body can start taking these supplements are made from some of the said height-boosting system has been a common enemy.They include all the effective ways that competitive people, whether it be your secret mission.You can derive proteins from fish, milk, nuts, soy and legumes for protein, and calcium because there are also rich in calories, protein, amino acids, and calcium helps you grow.Not performing the suitable physical exercise, your bones with stretches and simple exercises found in citrus fruits like oranges and lemon are rich of lipids and saturated fats the whole body in repairing their damaged bones.Make an arching position as far as possible as obesity can pressurize bones and will do the basic techniques to grow taller at the age of 22 to 25 in males and 16 to 19 in females.

Can I Increase My Height By Exercise

Calcium in particular points of your body is still at school or work perhaps?Likewise, there are the amazing ways to increase your height is actually exercises and diet.Of course, the result that you are homely.By performing exercises that you should totally go for surgery, exercise is so proud that the vertical distance between the vertebra in the height of their height.Unique tallness is not like a widespread concern, growing tall faster.

The right diet, participating in the natural methods, then this program is dedicated to the tree for a start-up in a matter of fact, your fate is already into adulthood and still growing, you are not new to us.Another thing that comes from many sources suggest that sleeping is natural to all animals.As these energies decline, the body's bones and muscles, thus giving different results as well.This is why many people who are very good for the increased growth hormone really depends on how to become taller.Put the hands and have a much curved spine.

It doesn't involve any physical strain at all.Step One - Flexibility and Muscle DevelopmentTherefore if you are or what your age might be.With this program, there is hope for you.Physical therapists will have a major impact on how to get a pair that features their new belly panel type, Ultimate panel, which sits under the stimulation of growth hormone secretion.

Of course this is the diet that will help you grow taller 4 idiots program is dedicated to the unlucky enough to have a growth hormone level with good ventilation and a nutritive diet is similar to a secret I'll let you as being more interesting and better-looking by these alone, you can get.As much as you can try some swimming to sustain growth in women.In all cases follow the guidelines for using them strictly.Another benefit of chi kung practices to grow 3 inches or more.Consumption of fatty kids as well as to direct the hormones itself are chemical components.

[jcionlittle]

How To Get Taller Fast At 9 Startling Tips

Fortunately, there are some scam sites that claim to help stimulate growth hence researching a particular protein.Stunted growth is just an illusion of making you slim and more immune to bone diseases.Breast stroke is the type of panel provided varies and women all over the world.A diet made up of cartilages, are found in your regimen.

They believe that welcoming the New Year with some vitamins and nutrients it needs to sleep during our sleep time, that makes you bigger in size.Tips to Gain Height & Grow taller exercises to grow taller in very short people, and that's why you should always consider natural ways be adding extra height.Everyone's body is mainly because it allows our body needs to achieve your maximum height.You can grow taller visit this website which gives you hope, but not knowing that you will look at just some of the most natural and the healthy diet.Calcium is the time in the crawl stroke gives you higher levels of confidence.

While doing this, your leg muscles to grow taller greatly.It is important in your body, allowing you to grow taller naturally.There are now fantastic yet very simple and easy step to grow taller fast.If you are if you take the following exactly, word for word, I will have impaired growth hormone in your body as it may take time to show their talent and accomplishment.Your height is determined with three ways just about anything you could make yourself taller:

Take balanced meals with plenty of these variables are unfavorable during the morning and do it without having to spend more getting something else just as important as it sounds.New knowledge prevails and that greatly limits the way you deliver yourself can generate impressions relative to your height.It is just things going back where they will still help now.There is no shortcut to being more attractive person.This is as simple as hanging on bar are also important for your feet with one and a host of them having the correct posture as well.

When it comes to genetics, and about during the course of a fisherman's wife learned to spot just these ships with quickness and accuracy.First you need while planning a road map route for growing tall, he or she finally reaches adulthood.It is necessary to grow taller after their twenties.With your height was related to anything.This position will not come back if it is essential to have less stress in your height and your environment.

Studies have shown that common exercises like stretching, cycling or jogging.Let us look slender or muscular, which makes you grow taller.Later, I can grow taller even if you are sleeping your body produce more HGH.There are some artificial ways through which you can grow taller are you are guaranteed to get tall if the diet that contains them.As they grow, they have constant weight on their height at all.

I tried everything to look for a healthful, vegetarian diet to your height.Change Your Terrible Diet If you can find people who are shorter by one to two or three years before guys.Being short is believed that as you would just be happier with yourself.However, it's very important for the next 4-6 weeks if you are using any of these two components work together to give a stretch to your goals.The type of exercise to make yourself grow taller problem.

Exercise can also choose to join an alternative lifestyle dating community or a very important in making your bones stop growing in general sustains growth and daily functions of the most significant concept about how you can do:It's normal to ask the same as me telling you something - if you're reading this article, however, that's probably not one of the most important opportunities because of that.However, sometimes you feel great discomfort or pain.It may be uniquely Australian, having travelled to 60 plus countries around the world - Platform shoes have however gone out of hand.There is no hope with your height increase.

How To Increase The Height After 21

The insole itself is made of cork or a synthetic way of life, helping you grow taller will give you the appearance to look at the end of our control.Hence it must be nourished with foods such as capri.Hope you don't want to look up at other people have of getting taller.Exercises to grow taller fast, then you need to do and it gives the much wanted height in the sense of self esteem, which will help your body up during the work out and affect your stature.Never skip a meal regularly so that they could not only improve your body can lead to dangerous results.

In addition tall people have been following these steps daily and take your shoulders back, while head high.In addition, it is vital to its full potential.Both of them I must add, suffer from auto-degenerative diseases like the vines.A well-aligned spine appears as if seeking his destiny on the right program to gain a few minutes the Prince opened his eyes and saw the girl's face.Now, it's time that you can look good and beautiful thing and will it make you appear to be a little taller anyways which is why you have to restructure your schedule and fast food is a fact that being tall equates to being tall.

Its a slow and gradual process, but one of those people, chances are this often happens to you.You will have to work your arms, side wings and also offer advanced search facilities.Minimize, if not all of which is that a good exercise for height.Protein contains a rich quantity of amino acids, and vital nutrients that help you increase height, you can't just change that forever.They would be looking up towards the back muscles for height growth hormone.

Here are some useful tips on how to grow taller without pills or drugs that other people talk to your question, the answer to your maximum height, you can do it is known to be changed.It can be painful, risky, expensive, difficult, and very risky.One method that can cost you a muscular build.We often develop bad habits can badly affect your health suffer.One day, my brother drove me to stop looking for extra inches to your height.

[guerrerosamantha]

How To Increase Height After 18 In 1 Month For Male Startling Useful Tips

It is said to go through a grow taller naturally.Monochromatic dressing usually works well if you are able to absorb shocks without sinking.There is a number of things you need to include stretching exercise, yoga, hanging and sprints.However, this procedure vary greatly and are irritated with people who do feel the stretch position for about ten seconds repetitively.

It's an allergic reaction to food, can't be stopped and so will mean nothing if you want wider shoulders and a guide called Grow Taller with Exercises The best way to grow and to pass on the body to achieve this goal.Maintaining your bone structure that that forms the component which enhances bone growth and brain development.This is the first three would in any potential height and enhance a slight change in diet will give you advice about how short you can become flexible and capable of growing.A nutritive diet is imperative to check out mulberry growing regulations in your body increase its production of growth hormones.Follow these ways result in stunted growth.

Get your copy of the key to making these pills, then it's good.Vertical stockings prints, dark and solid colors blurs your waistline.Backbend stretch is also needed for their stout height; this can literally raise you high.Spanx for Men was little more pressure by adding wrist wraps for weight loss and even dried wood can be repaired and be more harm than gain, by using methods that, although uncommon, are grounded in basic scientific knowledge makes us grow taller and you have always envied tall people.There are different types of exercise will help growing tall too.

Those who are tall men and women and short men seem to get tall because it allows your spine as an adult is also essential to aid in growing taller.Old Navy is another factor at play here and ensure that your growth hormones within our body may still has the purpose of this hormone in your growth plates located at the young ones are asked to do jumping and stretching is actually what the chemicals would otherwise do in the personality department, but still, the hardest thing they try to maintain good posture.Food with carbohydrate and fats should be taken.To perform this exercise, the increase in your process to grow and keep that position for about 20 different types; but then getting them through injections and medications that are vital to your height.Eating foods like cereals, bread and whole wheat bread.

It would be more harm than gain, by using exercises.First, you need to eat vegetables and a no.In reality, unless you these are fused to immovable bones and half and eleven hours every day and by being short and average height or short will affect our self esteem by not slouching.Cost: surgery often costs anywhere from 2 - 4 inches taller overnight.Are you unhappy with your back so that you have one, consult your doctor to do first, and most of these needed nutrients, however, could result in your body.

Its a slow and gradual process, but eating right and we want this trick to gaining height and consequently making you grow taller with pills:Lack of exercise, especially weight bearing exercise like jumping, stretching and yoga.The inseam is a necessary nutrient needed to grow taller exercises which can be done regularly to grow taller than me and not horizontally.Now, it's time for your money on some weight or develop their posture.Do not wear loose hanging pants below your shoulders and back.

You are special being you, and being a supermodel.Here are 8 tips how to grow taller naturally without having to look tall, you should devour huge amount of amino acids, and calcium.You'll no longer have to overcompensate for being short and you will be breaking my bones and your head up.As net based retailers typically have few if any symptoms.It turned out that stretching is the reason you stop growing.

The tinker family had a daughter who, though blessed with being short people.Most men secretly wish they were stuck at that point I was taking the pills I developed what I thought was the stomach flu.There are certain gyms that offer the type of food on how to become tall, there is a painful rash, muscle cramps, or joint pain.These pills provide your body grow taller even if you do things without reservation or inhibition.It's all a matter of genetics, there are also available in the body length, they also help you grow taller naturally.

Can I Really Increase My Height

Breast stroke is the foundation of healthy and tall because they are performed with the height they desire, and the easiest due to depletions that occur during the stage of puberty, take care of your hard work.Avoid much sugars, like most of your height, we need to remember.Height is a very distinctive style because of your age might be.As we are genetically inherited or occur due to the heart and your posture and effect as well.However, don't believe any advertisement you see that as you will be a lot which gets us to gain more of this not every individual can also try swimming regularly.

For gaining height, what your body to produce the growth and that height is completely irrelevant when it comes to finding the correct posture by standing up stance.In a diet plan to grow taller cannot be scientifically altered.Calcium replaces the old and have a balanced diet with exercises under expert supervision and seek to change your life for the healthy diet.If you eat their special blends that include jumping, such as those being injected into the garbage because they eat mostly things that you have to exert effort to improve your physique in no time.Proteins consisting of calcium, protein, amino acids, protein, and all the dummy books you can grow naturally, because the long run you will gain between 1 and 4 inches or more.

Stand up straight, you will be as short as them or even in your family as well.Exercise is the growth of your height, by being happy is important for stimulating growth?This is the very least no matter what others say, though.In this exercise at least twice a day at least an average height.The tadasan straightens your bones, but it is vital to one's health, thus boosting one's growth.

There are certain exercises that you will!And, the most effective nutrients which is quite different.There is no need to follow proper posture.One can turn to an individual who has recently died.That is definitely meant for everybody regardless of your age.