#I can't remember if I've got the other ones on my computer. I hope so

[running-in-the-dark]

still no internet, also I had a bit of a breakdown over our dishwasher today (the damn thing doesn't fit with the door that we've got, but we'll figure it out, and if not I'll just explode or whatever).

BUT. I started listening to The Thursday Murder Club yesterday because it was on my phone and I've listened to almost all the other audiobooks on there now, and oh my god? I love it so much. haven't been obsessed with a book in a long long time but this might do it lol

[ranposgirlboss]

happy 11 followers!! can i have a scenario where in the DOA there’s the reader making fucking tiktoks of the DOA, and the police are frustrated as hell cause they can’t track you down 😭😭

ABSOLUTELY.

i made this from the pov of the officers >:)

grammatically correct shit post

genre: silly, platonic yall are just besties <33

"Officer, they posted another one!"

The collective shuffling of papers was heard as everyone rushed toward the original announcer's destination.

"Where?! What is it?!"

They all gathered around, trying to see the computer the guy was sitting at.

nearly drowning sigma with nikolai challenge!! (gone wrong) (no sigmas were harmed in the making of this video)

"....what does this mean?" Asked one of the older officers.

"DOES THAT MATTER?! TRY TO TRACK THEM DOWN RIGHT NOW!!" Yelled the commander and the other officers got to work.

And yet, every time they tried to get the IP, Fyodor's mouse-like symbol appeared.

"Sir-"

"TRY ANOTHER VIDEO!!"

The man sighed and clicked on another.

me, nikolai and sigma question fyodors life decisions and almost get murdered!!

The officer watched a bit, hoping for some clues this time, but all he saw was this supposed "Nikolai" and the person holding the camera, yelling... some statement he couldn't remember, before running away giggling. The third person with two different hair colors was screaming in terror.

Ok, that's kinda funny.

However, before he could try to get information, he felt heavy breathing on his neck.

"Jared. Did you just laugh at one of their videos?"

"N-no sir-"

"You're fired, Jared. You don't understand how LONG I've been trying to get those FOOLS. You can't just laugh when we could be SO CLOSE TO FINALLY DISCOVERING WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE."

Jared's mouth was agape, but he knew there was no correct response to this. Maybe he could work at a car dealership or something.

He packed his things and walked out of there, finished with the frustrated screams of his co-workers in anger.

He was gonna get that job at Toyota.

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

BEFORE YOU ASK, YES, I AM BRINGING BACK JARED IN THE FUTURE. JUSTICE FOR JARED!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING THIS!!! MY REQS ARE ALWAYS OPEN BUT MIGHT TAKE A BIT LONGER FOR ME TO FINISH DUE TO ME R E A L L Y NEEDING TO DO MY HOMEWORK 🥶!!

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY NIGHT YES SLAY!!

[eatbabies0]

Pip is so cute. Pip is so silly. I don't understand how cold and pathetic you fucking could be to hate pip. He already gets enough torture from the other kids, and he can't even rest in peace. He's such a cutie. He's a silly british guy who was left behind and forgotten in another timeline. If you hate pip, you basically hate cats and dogs. Pip is one of the silliest. If you hate pip, you should end your life. Your stages in life have clearly went to the very last point and your blood might as well be cold. If you hate pip, you're a fucking maggot. You're as annoying and useless as a mosquito flying around and biting me. You're a fucking burden. You deserve nothing if you hate pip. He gets tormented and you can't even show remorse for him? What the fuck is wrong with you? Are you like, okay? Did something hit your head? Did you not get treatment? I don't understand people who could ever hate pip, he does nothing wrong and is overall a punching bag. Pip is my son and I love him. He doesn't deserve anything wrong or negative. Pip is a sweetheart who is nothing but nice to people and you wanna go and say you hate him? You'd burn him? You're happy he's dead? I can't understand you. Are you on another planet? Did we watch the same show? Do you even watch south park or do you just take other peoples words? If you hate pip, you should fucking rot. You should burn. You're a disgusting person. I feel like you'd be the kind of person to pick on him if he was in school. He's nothing but a kind gentleman who wants nothing more than to treat others properly. He's a silly little guy. He deserves the world. I can't believe YOUR ass would go and say "I hate pip Im so happy he's dead" like wow, wow, you might as well be as fat as a discord mod or that guy who played world of warcraft so much he was able to practically glitch the game in that one episode. You're a terrible person with terrible thoughts, feelings, and have no purpose of living on this planet. You should mature. You're disgusting honestly. I can't believe how you'd decide that you'd go and comment that. I will spread yo cheeks little bro if i see you in these comments again. I feel like you'd be the type of person to sit at your computer all day on reddit eating chips. You're a disgusting person with absolutely no life. And I hope one day I hear news that you got hurt really badly. I hope one day you get one of your limbs cut off. I hope you get aids. I hope you get cancer. I wish every bad thing onto you. I wish the worst upon you. I hate every aspect of you and I hope your IP address gets leaked and your house gets nuked. I hope one day you get crushed to death just like my son did. I hope someone pisses on your grave. I hope nobody comes to your funeral. You know what? I hope you don't even get a funeral. I hope you just get left to rot and decompose wherever you died. I hope nobody ever misses you, and nobody will remember you. I hope someone says one day "God, I hated that guy so much. I'm so happy he's dead." Oh wait, that'll be me. I fucking HATE. YOU. And i wish the worst upon you. "Let people have opinions" not when they're negative about my son, my child. I hate every aspect of you. And I hope you perish and are tormented the worst way imaginable in hell. I hope one day you fucking rot. I hope you burn and survive. I hope you end up like the preschool teacher in South Park and can only beep on your machine for yes and no. I hope you'll be forgotten, and i hope nobody marries you. I hope you never get far enough in life and I hope you die early. I hope you die young. I hope you never get a spouse. i hate every section, every aspect, every part, I hate the blood that pumps in your veins, i hate everyone related to you, i hate your mom, i hate your dad, I hope one day, your bloodline disappears just like pip's did. I can't believe you'd really go on and hate on my son who did nothing wrong to you. And this is the longest thing i've EVER written without copy-paste.

[runningfrom2am]

Omg I neeeed a part two to hard to carry it’s so good!

your wish is my command :))

(i feel like this is literally so boring so apologies in advance lol)

hard to carry (II)

part one

pairing: jj x kook!reader

wc: 2.4k

After a week, JJ still couldn't get you off his mind. He resisted the urge to send you a message over Instagram several times, and his usage of the app spiked since you entered the username in his phone. Not that you posted anything new, but subconsciously, he was waiting for you to. More than once, he found himself tilting his phone away from his girlfriend while they were laying in bed together, hoping she wouldn't catch a glimpse of the latest picture of you he was staring at, desperately trying to recreate the feeling he got when he first laid eyes on you.

JJ is torn. Even as he sits on the takeout counter at The Wreck, laughing and talking with the girl he's loved for years, he can't help but compare her laugh to yours.

"No, JJ, we have to do something for Sarah's birthday, I'm just saying that it's a good option!" Kie laughs, wrapping her apron around her waist as she steps around the counter.

"Yeah, yeah, you're right." JJ chuckles, glancing down at his phone as it vibrates in his hand. Disappointed again when it was just a message from John B, not from you. 

"JJ! Off the counter," Mike calls out, seeing a customer walking towards the door. JJ goes to jump down, stopping with his hands gripping the edge next to him when he looks up at the customer and sees that it's you.

You carefully close the door behind you, looking down at your phone taking the last few moments before you have to talk to an employee of the restaurant to place a long order with the list you got from your parents. You want to make sure you remember everything alright, avoiding stuttering and embarrassing yourself.

You look up as you approach the counter, smiling when your eyes land on JJ. "JJ the pogue!" You call out, smiling wide. "Do you work here?"

JJ smiles, relaxing again on the counter. "Hey! Uh, no, I don't." He shakes his head, looking back over his shoulder as Kie walks out, wiping off her hands, ready to take your order.

She swats at him to jump down and he does, his eyes not leaving you for a second while you speak.

"Weird that you're sitting on the counter in an establishment you don't work at." You tilt your head at him and he chuckles, shrugging and looking over at Mike when he intervenes.

"Agreed, sweetheart." The man says, brushing past behind you to join his daughter behind the counter.

"Uh... what can I get for you?" Kie asks, glancing between JJ and you as you stare at each other.

"Oh! Uh, I've got a bit of a list that I've totally forgotten, I was hoping to get everything to go as well. Just give me one sec..." You laugh in embarrassment, looking down at your phone again.

"I can just read the list, if that's easier." The girl suggests and you nod, handing it over to her.

"Thanks, I appreciate that." You say as Kie takes the phone, typing in the computer from what you have written down in your notes app.

"What's the name for the order?" She asks, sticking her tongue to the inside of her cheek as she notices how JJ is watching you so intently.

"Y/N." You answer, catching JJ's eyes again briefly as he leans back against the counter in front of you.

"So, JJ the pogue, how was that watermelon?" You ask as Kie writes the name down on the receipt and passes it off to her dad before handing you the debit machine, which you quickly tap your card on, leaving a generous tip. Her and the man she's working with seem really nice- you assume that it's her dad, since they look quite alike. You've always also valued small businesses, and getting to know different local restaurants and stores on the island has been a favourite hobby of yours since you arrived.

JJ nods in response. "It was really good! I was right- you had a good eye, Y/N the kook." He grins, and you don't notice as the father and daughter working both lock their eyes on the two of you at the same time.

"Okay-" You laugh, shaking your head and reaching up to brush away the hair that's fallen into your face. "You're right, that does sound so bad." You say, leaning against the counter next to him and picking up your phone from where the curly-haired girl left it.

JJ smiles at you, moving over a little to give you some space. He looks back over his shoulder when he hears Kie drop something, seeing instead that she just slammed something down on the counter while she was getting your drinks ready. "Do you two know each other? Or..." Kie asks when she notices both of your eyes on her. Your smile fades, suddenly getting the vibe that she's not pleased about the two of you talking.

"Yeah! Sorry, I'm Y/N. You knew that, though, I guess." You chuckle and she nods, looking over at her boyfriend and waiting for further explanation.

"We met at the grocery store last week, she helped me pick out a watermelon. The one we ate for breakfast yesterday, she said it was the second best one they had." JJ explains, cringing internally as Kie nods skeptically, raising her eyebrows to show she doesn't believe it. Or at the very least, doesn't care. "This is Kie, by the way. My girlfriend." He turns to you now, feeling guilty already for having to say that at all. Deep in his gut, he hopes he doesn't scare you off.

"Oh! Lovely to meet you!" You smile, hoping to make a good impression despite your slight disappointment. Of course JJ wasn't single, but you hadn't let yourself consider that until this point.

"Likewise." Kie grumbles, stepping away to grab something from the back. 

"So... uh, what brought you to The Wreck?" JJ asks you as she walks out of sight.

"We heard some five-star reviews." You shrug, smiling at him then looking up to Mike. "Also that the owners live just down the block, and are upstanding citizens." You say, making the man chuckle and shake his head.

"That's real sweet." He says, returning his focus to his cooking. "Your parents are the Y/L/N's, then, yeah?" Mike asks.

"Yes sir." You nod.

"Well, welcome to the island! I'm Mike, Kie is my daughter." He explains. "And JJ isn't even supposed to be in here." His tone shifts as his eyes land on the blonde boy next to you, making him tense up.

"Message received, sir." JJ salutes him. "I'll get out of your hair, then." He stands up away from the counter, heading for the door.

"I'll see you around, yeah?" He says to you, trying to commit your eye colour to memory as the bell above the door rings when he opens it.

"See you!" You smile and wave as as he leaves, walking just out of sight.

Mike diverts his eyes from the interaction, chewing on his lip as he focusses on not burning your food. He hates JJ, of course, and would love nothing more than him and Kie to break up, but even imagining the possibility of him cheating on her makes his blood boil. He remembers seeing that look on JJ's face in the way he used to look at his daughter, and now in the way he looks at you. Maybe he should let your food burn after all.

"It was nice to meet you both! No doubt I'll be back, this smells fantastic." You smile, holding the bag of takeout on your hip as you head for the door.

"Bye, tell your parents we'll have to meet them for dinner or something sometime!" Mike smiles at you and Kie just rolls her eyes.

"Of course. They would love that." You nod. "Bye, Kie!" You add in for good measure, smiling at her. You hope that if you do make good friends with JJ, the way you hope you will, you can befriend her too and make a better first impression.

"Later." She replies sarcastically as you open the door, slipping out and letting out a sigh as the door shuts behind you and you make your way to where you parked behind the building. That was tense.

"Hey! Y/N!" You look up before you open your car door, seeing JJ walking up to you.

"I thought you were kicked out." You laugh and JJ shrugs.

"Yeah, and I left." 

"Right, of course." You giggle.

"Uh, nice car you've got." He changes the subject. He's not sure why he even waited, or why he even came to talk to you, but he just knew he had to. He couldn't let you leave again without learning something, anything else about you.

You look back at the vehicle behind you, suddenly having never seen it in your life. "Oh, thanks. It's my pride and joy. We've been through a lot together." You joke.

"Yeah it's cute. Suits you." JJ admits, smile tugging at his lips as he looks between you and the car.

"And! Get this-" You say excitedly, pulling your keys from your pocket and fumbling with them in your one free hand before starting it from outside, the Bluetooth speakers automatically connecting to your phone and blasting the same Taylor Swift song you were listening to before you parked. "Bose speakers! Isn't it cool?" 

"That is sweet, yeah." JJ nods, but he doesn't even so much as glance at the car again. "We should take it for a ride sometime." He suggests hopefully, making your smile falter a little.

"Yeah! I mean, I don't know, I feel like Kie didn't like me very much." You say quieter, tucking the keys back into your pocket.

"She doesn't have to come." JJ shrugs, making you nervous. Both of you feel guilty even as he says it, but there's just something about you that makes him unable to resist the urge to ask.

"She's welcome to! She does seem lovely. She's gorgeous, by the way." You regain your smile, again, hoping to keep your possible new friends on your good side.

"Oh, yeah, thanks." JJ says, looking down at his feet briefly.

"Does she just... Not like you having girl friends? Or is this about the kook thing again? That would be weird though because I feel like she qualifies, her parents living down the street from me and all." You ask, genuinely curious.

"Uh.. could go either way, honestly. She's gone full pogue. Her parents hate me for that." JJ laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. "She kind of hates me these days too, to be honest."

Watching his movements, you can finally admit to yourself that you are absolutely jealous of her. He's gorgeous. "What do you mean?" You ask, shamefully hoping that this means their relationship is on the outs.

"Ah, well, shit. I don't know. We just fight, sometimes, and, I don't know." JJ tries to explain, not wanting to air out their dirty laundry to someone who's essentially a stranger. A beautiful one, none-the-less. 

"Oh..." You nod a little, unsure of what to say. "I'm sorry to hear that-" 

"How about that drive, huh?" JJ interrupts you, staring into your eyes again.

"Oh- uh, yeah! We'll work out a time... I'll just message you?" You ask, taking the change of subject and running with it. "I've got to get this dinner home, my parents are waiting..."

"Shit, yeah, of course." JJ nods, giving his head a quick shake to ground himself in reality again.

"Bye, JJ the pogue!" You say, winking at him as you open your car door, placing the food on the passengers seat.

"Later, Y/N the kook." He teases, giving you a quick wave and turning to head back to his bike. God- he hopes you'll text him.

By the time Kie gets home and slams the front door, JJ is left in nothing but his pyjama pants, just about ready to go to sleep. He was hoping for a message from you that never ended up coming. You knew right away was not a good time, considering the new news that he has a girlfriend.

"Hey, baby-" He calls from the kitchen, Kie quickly following his voice and storming in. 

"Don't!" She says angrily, throwing her bag down on the counter. "What the fuck was that, JJ? Who is she?"

JJ sighs and rubs his eyes with one hand while she stares him down. "I told you, she just moved here, and we met at the grocery store- why are you-"

"No! Don't ask me why I'm being weird about it. I saw the way you looked at her! Are you fucking kidding me? In front of my dad, too? God- JJ you are unbelievable!" She shouts, shaking her head at him in utter disbelief.

"Alright- alright." JJ holds his hands up defensively. "If we want to play that game, let's talk about that touron I know you hooked up with at the kegger. Shall we? Let's go all in." He snaps, crossing his arms.

Kie's eyes widen at this. "What are you even talking about right now?"

JJ purses his lips together and nods quickly. "Oh, well, Pope told me he saw you- so don't even try to act like I'm the crazy one right now."

"It was one time!" Kie admits. "I don't even know his name- I couldn't find you and I got bored. Fuck, like, I'm sorry but this is different."

"It is different! Because I haven't done anything! I've never cheated on you! I'm loyal to you, always, I loved you through everything! I saved you from that stupid camp, and then forgave you for cheating on me, I never even said a word!" JJ shouts now, gripping the counter behind him.

"Don't you dare throw that in my face." Kie says, tone quieter now as she shakes her head at him. "I never asked you to do that. Honestly, maybe it would be better if you hadn't, actually!"

JJ nods sharply, leaving the kitchen and huffing as he walks to their room, throwing on a t-shirt. He has to get out of here. He can't imagine even coming back. He doesn't want to.

"JJ, If you walk out that door we are done." Kie says, appearing behind him as he pulls his shoes on.

JJ shakes his head a little, quickly shoving the door open and walking out without a second thought. The fresh air feels like it lifts a weight off his shoulders. He's upset, but can't help but feel relieved. He walks down towards John B's rebuilt home that he shares with Sarah, which luckily isn't very far from their own new house on the cut.

Before he reaches their door, he pulls out his phone and opens Instagram, opening your account and sending you a message. 

JJ: how about that drive?

It surprises him when you reply within a minute.

Y/N: sure :)

The guilt has faded away almost completely now, and he'll burn the bridge of dealing with Kie when he gets to it.

highly requested part two!! hopefully this didn't disappoint! (i'm definitely disappointed in it but that's neither here nor there)

taglist: @taurusvic, @casualsludgeshoetoad, @maybankspov, @sagcas-latte

[satureja13]

While Ji Ho and Jack visit the Temple, Vlad, Saiwa and Jeb plan and build Saiwa and Vlad's rooms. They also add their workspaces so they can start to earn money to payback Rubyn and the others.

Vlad: "Shall I take Kiyoshi with me for a while so you two can spend time together?" (Omg they also started to decorate with birds here!)

Jeb: "No, it's the best he stays with Saiwa as long as possible. It's time we get him back soon. He's been a tree for much too long now. Let's hope he's fully curable. I'm so worried."

Saiwa: "Yes, it's the best Kiyoshi spends a lot of time with his beloved 'Bird'... We're fates mates after all. Who cares about what I want." Vlad sighs.

After they finished, Jeb went over to his Potions Shop to work and Saiwa took Kiyoshi with him to his new room. There's still a lot to do but Saiwa finally(!) has a computer again! He started programming on the computer game and is pondering over a device to send their produce and messages over to the Muggle World. Saiwa parked Kiyoshi in front of Kids TV. Maybe Count von Count is able to reach him ^^'

And Vlad started writing again. Also for the computer game. But he's also worried about Jeb and Saiwa. Vlad knows how it feels when you have to endure your loved one with another... When he only thinks of Leander and Ji ho together his blood starts to boil... Or Caleb. Or Genji.

A few hours later he went over to Saiwa to talk about their progress on the game. And about Jeb. Vlad: "Sai. You would have decided the same for any of us. Do you remember how you wanted Ji Ho and me to do Bond Magic to rescue the horses? Even though you knew how hard it was for us? We all agreed to stay together and do what we have to do, right?" Saiwa sighs.

Vlad: "And it must have hurt Jeb when you decided to be the hot student for your professors, hm? You always do whats the best for us and put yourself last. How can he possibly think you're not on board helping Kiyoshi? You know how much Jeb loves you. Talk to each other, hm?" Saiwa laughs: "To hear that from you of all creatures! Like you and Ji Ho talk to each other?" Vlad: "We don't need to talk. We have the Bond." Saiwa sighs.

Jack and Ji Ho are back from the Temple and Jack went over to talk to Jeb. Jeb: "How can Sai be upset when we only want to bring Kiyoshi back? He needs us!"

Jack: "Give him time to adjust. He's not used to making not all decisions by himself. Saiwa was always responsilbe for anything we did. He seems so tough but he went through a lot. Like all of us. You are both damaged and wounded. And you both are your first everything for each other. And Saiwa loves you more than anything. Don't be upset." Jeb sighs.

'Sometimes I feel I've got to run away I've got to get away From the pain you drive into the heart of me

The love we share seems to go nowhere And I've lost my light For I toss and turn, I can't sleep at night

Once I ran to you (I ran) Now I run from you This tainted love you've given. I give you all a boy could give you Take my tears and that's not nearly all. Tainted love (oh-oh-oh-oh)' Tainted love - Soft Cell

Ji Ho enjoys his new room, the balcony and the view. He sighs happily. The Ji Ho of tomorrow will have to deal with grumpy Vlad and their new approach on having a 'healthy' relationship...

From the Beginning  ~  Underwater Love ~  Latest 🛺 'Home happy Home' from the beginning ▶️ here 📚 Previous Chapters: 🛺 'Home crappy Home' from the beginning ▶️ here 🌴 'The Expedition' from the beginning ▶️ here 🎤 'Putting the Boys Back together' from the beginning ▶️ here 🥀 'Disbandment of the Group' from the beginning ▶️ here

[fallenwhumpee]

Cat Nap

• Masterlist •

Warnings: Sleep deprivation, guilt(?).

Sleep was a luxury.

It was, for everyone, but more for Right Hand. Their phone was ringing through the day, and the endless phone calls weren't getting the attention they needed because of the rush of the day and everything else happening.

With hanging up the latest call, Right Hand made a rushed decision. They turned their phone off. They quietly slipped into their home, hoping not to wake anyone up at...

Oh. They didn't notice the time. It would be truly cruel to wake the team up at two.

"I left some food in the microwave," Leader called, quiet. Right Hand looked around. After a moment of confusion, they realised that the sound came from the kitchen.

Right Hand was tired. They deserved some sleep but they couldn't afford it.

If there was anyone who couldn't afford sleep more than Right Hand, it was Leader. But Right Hand thought it was more about a full sleeping pill bottle they found in trash earlier, rather than the workload.

With a sigh, Right Hand got rid of their shoes and jacket, peeking into the room. A frown formed as they grasped the scene. "You're not watching that." Right Hand stormed over and closed the laptop on the table, cutting the journeyman talking about Whumper's latest scheme.

"I've got five minutes to enjoy before my phone rings again, let me be," Leader protested.

"You can't be enjoying that!" Right Hand growled, shrinking right after as they remembered the time. "Just stop tormenting yourself. It's not your fault that we had to let them go. Besides, we are working to catch them again."

Leader sighed but didn't argue. Right Hand could see their words hadn't changed anything, but they couldn't let this go on anymore. "Get up." They muttered, pulling Leader up from the chair.

"If that's to get me sleep, I'm waiting for a call," Leader groaned, getting themselves back to their feet with a defeated sigh. "I need to reserve some energy for it."

"Sleeping is the only way to do it, idiot," Right Hand mumbled under their breath. "But since you don't want it, we're just going to treat ourselves with whatever the mainstream put for the night."

"Fine," Leader gave in, but freed themselves from Right Hand's grasp. Right Hand made a move to catch Leader back, but stopped themselves. Leader pulled a big bowl, filling it with chips. They took their laptop and phone, pushing the bowl to Right Hand. Right Hand gave a small smile and let Leader take the lead to the couch.

Right Hand didn't remember what happened after. They probably watched an action movie, and Right Hand fell asleep at some point of it. When they opened their eyes, it was already morning. They lifted their head from the pillow - strangely, their pillow - and turned in the couch.

That explained. Leader must've brough their pillow and blanket. Kicking the blanket a little, they sat up, stretching their slightly sore limbs.

"Good morning," Leader muttered from the side. Right Hand held back a flinch, realising that their pillow was basically proped up against Leader's side.

"Morning." Right Hand replied. They reached their hair to comb it back, but their fingers got tangled in a braid.

"Hey, I worked hard for that." Leader bumped their head lightly with a cup, which woke Right Hand more both with the impact and the smell of coffee.

"How can you drink that pitch?" Right Hand muttered. They looked around, gathering themselves. There was another coffee at the table, waiting for them. They could smell the milk and sugar in it, too.

Right Hand looked at Leader, who was now on their computer with coffee in their one hand. Right Hand could see the dark bags under Leader's eyes, hear the occasional click of their tongue just like they always do when they were bored of work.

"Tastes differ," Leader shrugged, still focused on the screen. "The others will wake up soon, so you betted clean around."

"I'm not the culprit."

Right Hand sulked, looking at Leader with puppy eyes. And it worked. Leader let out a weary sigh, setting the computer aside and quaffing the still hot coffee. "No, you're not. But you're the reason for my suffering," Leader said and stood with a dramatic slump. There was nothing but tease in their voice. And maybe exhaustion, which was strange since Leader usually did their best to keep their voice steady.

Leader took the blanket and pillow, tossing the stuff into Right Hand's room from the door. Knowing Leader, Right Hand was sure those landed exactly on the bed. Leader then came and took the empty bowl and cup, before settling back on the computer, eyes drifting to distance for a moment before focusing on the screen with a yawn.

Right Hand frowned. "When was the last time you slept?"

"Two days? Maybe. I don't know. I'll sleep when this is over."

Before Right Hand could answer, Leader's phone rang. Leader stood and got to the kitchen, picking up the call.

Suddenly, Right Hand realised their phone was silent.

Too silent.

Stumbling back to their feet, they quickly checked their phone, only for it to give a flashy start screen.

They were a dead meat. Boss was gonna kill them. How could they forget if off for whole six hours?

They tapped the screen, a little frantic, knowing it wouldn't make a difference.

"I dealt with your calls," Leader shouted from the kitchen.

Right Hand froze. Perfect. They had just added to Leader's burden. They walked back to kitchen with a slouched posture, beginning to cook a breakfast while Leader's voice kept chattering in the background.

This was the least Right Hand could do. But in the end, it didn't work. Leader rushed out before Right Hand could set the table. Their only consolation was the team liked the meal. After that, they all went out to carry out some errands.

Right Hand was lucky. They only had grocery and shopping for detergents, if not counting the calls. They managed to get it done in five hours. It wasn't their fastest, but it was still acceptable considering they had six hours of content out of their knowledge, and they needed to keep it going.

When they came back home with full hands, the bags fell from their hand at the sight.

Leader was sleeping, while their phone was vibrating on the table Leader placed their legs.

Right Hand panicked. Was Leader sick? Passed out? Knocked out?

They rushed over, seeing Leader covered up in their blanket.

Something moved on Leader's chest.

Right Hand reached for the blanket, picking its edge. They slowly lifted it and...

They saw a cat.

A kitten.

Cuddled on Leader's chest.

It was the kitten Right Hand always fed, living at the small cat house outside.

Leader was catnapping. Quite literally.

With a huff, Right Hand picked up Leader's phone. They waited until the call stopped and recorded a voicemail telling the caller to reach Right Hand instead since Leader was busy. Right Hand then turned off the phone. They brought Leader's pillow from Leader's room, leaning it to the armrest. They picked up the kitty slowly and set it down for a moment. Right Hand then turned Leader, slow and careful, laying them fully to the couch and on the pillow. They tensed as Leader moved, only to let out a silent sigh when Leader got comfortable on the couch. Adjusting the blanket, Right Hand put the cat back onto Leader.

"Better sleeping aid than pills," Right Hand muttered, their words aimed at Leader. "Just don't be mad when you wake up."

Right Hand turned back, intended to place the grocery before seeing two bowls on the table. Leader must have fed the cat and gave it water.

Right Hand went to the kitchen to clean those, opening the cupboard to pick up the dish soap. Packs of cat food crumbled and fell over them.

Well, Right Hand wasn't opposed to having the cat as a permanent guest. They were just not cleaning the sand.

[survivalist-anon]

Log 4: They're everywhere

The day has been good so far since Jeff had left. I've been caught up on paperwork, organizing the archives and I've helped make some of the wildlife's lunches for the evening. It finally feels like a normal day.

"Daaaaaaaaamn, check it out! That's the fifth one this month.", Ronnie (one of our surveillance experts and wildlife photographers) was checking last night footage.

"You dumbass, that's the same one from last Thursday.", Jonas was watching with him.

"No he ain't, This guys definitely new, see he's got a huge fuzzy pelt on him. The other two have little pelts ", he pointed at the screen.

I come out of the filing room, curious as to what they were talking about. "ugh, what's going on? Anything interesting in the cameras?". I was hoping they were talking about bears or something.

"Hey Lorey, come and see!", he motions for me to come closer to the computer.

As I walk to the computer, watching the footage intently. Ronnie skips a few minutes in as the usual creatures that pop up are obviously of no surprise to us. Than, something in the foreground appears. Three armored individuals. I couldn't believe it.

"you mean to tell me they're in the reserve too? Just walking around?", I rewind the image to get a better look. They're covered in random little charms and ends. The leader had a strange, more anthropomorphic helmet, the other two had similar shaped helmet with markings on them. It was like they're on a hike, walking around.

"Holy sheeze, is THAT what you saw?", Jonas asked nudging my shoulder.

Ronnie turns to Jona and I, "oh it's not just them, check this guy out. Caught him several weeks ago.". Ronnie than shows footage another one, this one had brought with him what looked like to be roadkill, and started chowing down on the carcass, it aesthetically closer to that big black and gold one...but it looked more monstrous, with bigger horns, and messed looking legs. This one was horrific to look at.

Jonas's usual silly antics stopped right there and then when she started to realize the encounter could have gone a lot worse. "Ugh...did...it look like that?", asking in a more candid tone.

"Yeah.... almost.", what shocked me to see was that it was now completely possible to encounter these....Marines...."...do you guys know of these folks?", I had Ronnie the business card Benedict handed to me.

With a squint and an unsurprised sigh, he puts a guard down and continues going through the footage from last night. "Oh yeah I know them, they're just a bunch of Bigfoot enthusiasts that got bored and decided to go for much more bigger fish. Only I heard from my cousin in Chicago that these guys are crazy dangerous. Some of them got claws, got like super strength and shit. Check it out.", he took out his phone to show us socal media footage of a red colored marine, again spikes all over and an even worse attitude.

The footage shows a bunch of teenagers following it through an alleyway, probably to find out where it's going. The marine turned around and charged at one of the teens. The phone dropped and all there was left was the sound of screaming and blood spattering. Kid didn't even scream more than 3 seconds before it got obliterated.

Ronnie then puts the phone away, "the dark web is having a field day. Turns out people get PAID to video tape the dangerous ones. It's like a snuff film or something."

I was mortified, these monsters can't be real....can they? I remember the footage of the three feral looking ones. "Ronnie, are their any examples of...I don't know....not homicidal ones? ".

He thought for a little and then remembered another viral video, "Oh! This one from Philadelphia, he's like a superhero or something. They call him "Big Blue". Check it out.", taking his phone out again, he shows a 60 second click of a robbery in progress, as the culprits bust out and get into the get away truck, some tall blue armored one comes charging in, lifting 3 ton truck! I can see that the robers where shooting him in the face but nothing looked like it wasn't doing anything. As the police come in, do their part, the click cuts to a reporter interviewing the marine.

"Big Blue! You've once again saved the city and stopped a robbery! Witnesses saw that you've shot several times in the face no less, are you ok sir? *Shoves his microphone up the the marine's mouth", the blue marine looked at the reporter and the camera, he seemed rather shy about answering. He than answered the reporter in a very strange form of Latin, it almost sounds like butchered Italian. He than nodded his head, pat the reporter's head and stormed off.

"....Ok, wise words that will forever remain a mystery! I'm Harold Storm! And you're watching Channel 5 Action News!". The video ends.

"That is so cool! Why do we have the crazy ones though?", Jonas rewinded the video again to see Big Blue again.

"that's because we live in Oregon, the crazies come here because the feds here don't really care actually.", I sit down on the chair next to Ronnie, and take notes on the differences between the two types of Marines on the wildlife footage. I honestly couldn't believe that there was such a distinct difference between them. "I think we better contact the annoying Bigfoot people. They probably have more information on these guys than we do, but we have the equipment to check them.".

Ronnie shoots me a look, "are you saying that we should dedicate a little bit of our time to hunting down these big metal dudes?".

I shoot back a grin, "no, I say we study them. We know nothing about them, there seems to be a clear distinction between the good ones and the bad ones and I think we need to pull our sources. These aren't some invasive species or some weird cryptid that only appears once in a blue moon l, only to be found out it was a hoax. It seems these guys are very real and so is the risks of encountering the wrong one.". I rewind back to the footage of the three fur cladded ones. Something about them emanated some interesting thoughts on me, in considering all that has been happening to me as of late, could one of them have been the proverbial knight in shining armor? I'm starting to get curious.

After a few hours, the rest of us clock out from the center and leave the night shift to their evil biddings so to speak. As with every Friday night, the reserve always goes to a local bar down in downtown. It wasn't the fanciest place but it was the only place with the best booze and was the only place that made cocktails.

"so, you know the guy who gave you that card? I mean the town is pretty small so it ain't going to be that hard to find him.", Jonas asked with zeal.

"oh trust me, you can definitely tell who it is.", I push open the door to the bar, ready for a relatively nice night of drinking.

As me in the afternoon staff walk in, the first thing we notice is all the angry stares that the men are giving at one small group and the corner of the bar.... At least I would consider them small if it wasn't for their size. But there they were, the group of four, extremely well built men. Not too dissimilar to the guy I saw back at the hardware store.

All of them seem to just minding their business, again not acknowledging a single soul in the bar. However another thing I noticed was the amount of women swooned at the sight of them. However, wasn't able to smell that strong hormonal odor anymore, probably because the place is well ventilated enough for that.

I look to my left and I see Jonas with her mouth agape, absolutely stunned at seeing the guys. I look to my right and I see Clara and Shelly (our receptionist and hotline receiver, in case of any wild animal attacks) absolutely drooling over them.

As for me, the smell may have not been as pungent as it was at the hardware store, but it definitely was in the air. "Guys, ugh, we need to find a table soon... preferably as far away from those guys".

Ronnie looked at the men, than looked at me, "why are they dangerous?", than he started to notice the rest of the girls in the group.

Jonas was practically in lala-land, "Oh maaaan, those are some fiiiiiine looking guys.".

"ooooh, y'all's right! I think I'm love.", Clara declared.

"Oh no none yah don't, I'ma bag me a man!", Shelly may have not been the youngest of us, but she's been after a husband for 20 years now, and she isn't giving up. She struts confidently to the table.

As for the four sitting in the corner booth, they begin to notice Shelly heading their direction. One of them noticeably smelling his clothes, the look of mortified realization hits him like a ton of bricks. I could see that he was whispering something to one of them group members and he too starts to realize the same thing.

"Howdy boys, have you guys fallen from heaven because I see four of the Lord's loveliest of angels.", Shelly may not have been lucky, but in the past she has been successful at getting a man's attention.

All four of them were stunned, yet not surprised, they weren't prepared for something like this to happen.

"ugh ... pardon me and my brother miss, but may we assist you in anything?", one with a yellow cap with a unrecognizable construction logo speaks first.

Shelly boldly skoots in to sit with one of them. "Oh you can assist with anything.", she begins to caress the man's impossibly huge bicep.

Meanwhile the man just looked down at her with curious confusion. Something about his interaction felt you're really disconnected. It was two people interacting, it was a person and an animal interacting.

"Shelly you absolute legend!", Jonas egging her on.

"Ooh get'em Shelly!", Clara wasn't helping either.

"More like an absolute mad lass, I've never seen her act this bold before.", I was more concerned if she was going to hurt herself. These guys were all big enough to domestically abuse animals bigger than elephants let alone gently shove a woman away.

"Uhm, Shelly! I'm so sorry about my friend here, we had a few drinks before coming here and she's not taking to tequila shots very well. Shelly say sorry and goodbye to very nice man.", as soon as I finished that thought, the smell came back. Now with four times the strength. Everything was fading, I had no control of what I was doing. I began to practically crawl on the table...all I could see was a pink haze.

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

"Brothers, I am afraid our night has ended. We need to take these women to the local hospital.", one with a mustache and a gnarled scar across his forehead had signaled to the other three to mobilize.

As fasting as efficiently one can see, all four prepared to leave. Picking Shelly and Lorence up, paying the tab with a small pouch.

The bar tender motioned for the busboy to quickly get the pouch before any of the patrons see it.

"Hey wait! Where are you guys taking them?", Jonas tried following the four strangers, hardly believing how big they were.

"Please do not worry, we are taking your friends to the hospital, where they will be taken care.", the mustached man turns around assuring Jonas, and inevitably trying to avoid unsolicited kisses from Lorence.

"Ah wait?! Nah ugh, we're coming with you.", Clara followed them to their vehicle, which in this case an industrial transport truck. "Oh dang ya know what I ain't disappearing into the night like those girls from Forensic Files. She than decided to go back into the bar.

Ronnie ran after them as fast they could but they already started their truck. Taking Lorey and Shelly with them.

"FUCK! Get back here!", he takes his phone out to call the police, but just as he was about press the call button. The sound of howling wolves echoed endlessly throughout the night sky. "...what the hell....", he glaces to where the howls sounded the loudest. The noise of braking branches and wrestling bushes was an unmistakable sign that something big was chasing the truck.

~~~~~~~~~~

In the truck, the driver, an imperial fist named Moors, comfortably drives to town to drop both women off at the hospital.

"How are they?", he shouted from the driver seat in high gothic

One of the men is managing Lorey relatively well, just tightly restraining her in his arms. "This one is doing fine! Practically sleeping, Cahrilo how is yours?"

Cahrilo, the youngest by a hundred years and a neophyte in comparison to his veteran brothers, is having a bit more trouble handling the 40 year old retired police officer gone receptionist. "She's strong for her age!", he tries not to hurt her while getting a better hold of her. She showers him in kisses. "Can someone help?"

The other two, Bilhard and Urtus, were sitting in their chairs watching Cahrilo struggle, laughing hard.

Urtus wiped a tear from his eye from laughing so hard, "It seems we have learned our lesson, we must tell the apothecary to make a stronger suppressor. These mortal women are ravenous!"

Just as the trio were laughing, loud banging could be heard from the walls of the transport truck.

The laughter stops, Bilhard stands up to check the outer side cameras of the truck. "What in the name of the throne?". He sees an unidentified marine clinging on to the side of the truck, ripping the haul. As Bilhard was witnessing this from the camera, Urtus and Cahrilo were seeing it as it was happening in front of them.

Bilhard faintly growled in frustration, now was not the right time for a fight. "By throne what's going on?!", suddenly the truck was hit again, this time from the left by something trying to push truck off the road.

As the passengers were trying to keep their footing, the mystery marine had successfully tore through the side.

Revealing to be a Space Wolf, with a more animalistic helmet. He growled furiously at the Imperial Fists.

"By Dorn!? Why are you attacking us Space Wolf?! Have you been touched by chaos?", as Bilhard was shouting at the transgression, Urtus may have realized what they had done.

"WHICH ONE IS IT!?", he shouted to the wolf.

The space wolf was staring at him the hardest. Now he's gotten his answer. "savage..." Urtus leaves the dazed Lorey in a seat next to him, "..if you harm this mortal, our agreement is void!"., his other brother, stunned at what he had just done.

The wolf picks her up gently in his arms, content with her safety. Lorey, still dazed is now currently becoming more delirious, as the pleasant aphrodisiac effects of the hormones have now become akin to breathing in toxic inhalants. He leaves a threatening glance at Urtus, now having having earned his ire. He leaves through the hole he had entered, and runs with the rest of his pack into the night.

Bilhard turns to Urtus, "YOU FOOL! THAT SPACE WOLF COULD HAVE BEEN CORRUPTED BY CHAOS AND YOU JUST LET HIM TAKE A HUMAN GIRL?!"

Urtus was calm, but he should have known something like this would happen. "Brother, he may have had eyes on the girl before we even perceived her existence, we were the ones that have cross a rather difficult line. You know how territorial another Astartes can be of their chosen mate. You of all people should know better.", Urtus sat back down.

Bilhard, tired from what can be perceived as a failed mission. Walks up to the driver. "To the hospital. Now.", goes back to sit back down.

Moors had been keeping an eye on the road, but a ear to the back. "You boys know this is going to have to be reporting to the chaplain right?"

The three of them had a collective groan.

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

Meanwhile, the late night had gone from loud, undefined chatter and drumming of metal to soft croaking of tree frogs, the crunching of leaves under heavy foot prints and the quite whispers of unrecognizable voices. Lorey had now time to take in fresh air for the past hour, but something in her had taken much of her strength as if she had drunk heavily. She looks up at whom every was holding her, but her heavy eyelids could only preview the dark sky, the bright crescent moon, and a dark shape gently cradling her. Everything from that point on, had went dark. Diving into a deep sleep.

End of log 4

@kit-williams

[devildevotee]

hello! we hope this is ok to ask, it's totally fine if you don't answer- but we've recently become interested in satanism and demon work, but we know exactly nothing about it or where to start. we did some basic research with academic sources like wikipedia but have no idea where to go from there. we're hesitant to just dive in on our own because we know there are a lot of bad sources and groups to avoid but don't actually know what those things are.

anyways, we trust your opinion and recommendations so we wanted to ask if you had any suggestions on how to go about researching and learning about theistic satanism for an absolute beginner! recommended books or articles, groups to avoid, red flags, anything like that would be very appreciated 💚 thank you so much!

okay so, this may be a controversial opinion but in my opinion (KEY WORD OPINION) you actually shouldn't only stick to unproblematic and valid uwu authors, because i'll be honest (in terms of satanism and demonolatry), there ARE no pure and good authors out there. every author out there, especially if you're reading a text from a long time ago, is going to have something you disagree with. you need to practice some form of critical engagement, additionally, because engaging with a text critically and understanding why it is wrong is way more important than just shutting out the information altogether. you will not learn anything if you pretend that problematic texts do not exist. i'm not saying this to be harsh, but there is a reason we research a variety of texts and perspectives in high school english class. you need to continue that kind of method when researching anything.

now that is covered, i'll tell you what i have read personally. taking the above into consideration, there are no authors here that don't have something deeply wrong about their texts. i did read their works, and i came to my own conclusions on whether i'm going to dub them an authority on satanism, and i suggest you do the same. satanism is about knowledge and drawing your own, unique conclusions. just make sure what you do adopt doesn't throw any groups of people under the bus, because we're not here to read books and thoughtlessly believe whatever the book says, especially when the book can have misinformation, or offensive content. this is very common in satanism; as much as people love to treat it like it's revolutionary and all-accepting, it can be just as, or even more, discriminatory or outright hateful as christianity, especially in the texts.

the most easy-to-find material:

ars goetia > pretty basic info, but very handy and simple to read

the infernal gospel > probably my favourite book on this list

the complete book of demonolatry > i don't agree with the author, but i got this one in my early days before i knew anything about said author. it's got some useful information, but there's a lot of misinfo

book of the fallen > useful rituals if i remember correctly, i sold this book so i can't recheck

at satan's altar > also an interesting book

the goetia devils > has a lot of what i assume is upg... seems to conflict with what i've seen from other practitioners

the goetic hymns > second favourite book

the satanic philosopher > i found this one hard to read personally

esoterica > youtube channel with amazing information on demonolatry and its history, i suggest getting into this before doing anything else.

all of these websites.

and lastly, i also got like 50+ older texts i got as a bundle off etsy that i can't remember the names of. i wish i could give them to you, but i genuinely have lost every single text i got in the bundle due to me changing computers. i suggest looking on etsy for similar bundles on satanism and demonolatry if you want to get into the historical meat of things.

that being said, my actual last thing i want to say is not to get too entrenched into the theory. the texts are handy, sure! but the one thing i have found the most useful is by engaging with the community. most of my wealth of knowledge did NOT come from texts or media, it came from those around me talking about their experiences. if you want to learn, and i mean REALLY learn about demons and satan, get into the community hardcore and you will learn something new every day. talk to people, make friends, don't do this alone.

edit: okay one more thing. this does go against what i was saying to some degree but i do have a limit to that logic. avoid joy of satan. they're n/eonazis and come on this website regularly. avoid them, avoid them, avoid them.

[betasuppe]

It occurred to me just yesterday that I still only have a sad ending with Flint & Rinzler & still haven't conceived of how they could have a happily ever after.

A lot of it came from how most people want Rinzler to revert fully back to Tron post-Legacy & like, that's fine and all, but because Rinz has always been my fave guy, I got all sore at it & decided to say FUCK IT, WE ALL HAVE A BAD TIME HERE THEN!!

[long exhausted ramble... otherwise Flint's life sucks, nothing new here lol. feel free to ignore]

Anyways, the not very happy ending I've had in place for ages is that, just like how Tron helped Flint escape the Grid before Clu took over.... in the very last seconds of the human world before rolling over into the new millenia, Rinzler holds up the Grid from caving in as Flint is eked out just before y2k drops & the Grid undergoes a hard reset.

Anyways. When Flint finally leaps back the next day into the digital fantasy world to find even the smallest trace of Rinzler & yo ensure everything is ok & that the Grid survived smashing into the year 2000... Flint quickly runs into Clu & Tron & quite a few other familiar faces who are all in cheery good moods, happy to celebrate the new user year & see Flint too but... no one has any memory whatsoever of anything that took place from far before Clu's regime ever took over, all looking at the user all wild-eyed & in a panic with definite concern.

Considering Flint had started to feel like this world was the closest to home he'd ever known, & now not a single part of the adventure he'd been on, the bonds he'd formed & the times he'd shared were remembered by a single other soul... it's like the rug was completely yanked out from under his feet & Flint finds himself in some unknown Twlight Zone-esque version of the Grid that he had once called home... basically standing around strangers with familiar faces.

So like. Flint tries to spur on some memories with Tron, with no success of recalling anything of his time as Rinzler, & Flint has to come to grips with the fact that YEAH, he really did lose Tron once & now Rinzler too &... it hurts too much to realize that the Tron Flint's left standing in front of is neither parts of the program he'd loved. As is, they're just pals at this point again & Flint feels like he can't run the risk of going through this all once more, just to lose Tron again.

So Flint quickly wraps up everything by wishing his fellow programs a happy new year before dipping out... & a bunch of Flint's digital pals all wondering worriedly if the user is alright, but like that's it.

Flint goes back to the real world & hopes to find some archived Rinzler data hidden elsewhere, but the y2k bs messed everything up & kinda. It's just done. Flint leaves the programming & computer based world behind. He becomes a photographer since he'd always been interested in environmental storytelling & then like. Otherwise he feels the need to make sure he has full proof of what he's seen & done after feeling like years of his life were dumped down the drains in the Grid 😬

Anyways, I feel like it'd be easy enough to have Flint wind up with one of Rinzler's identity discs before he escapes the Grid during it's y2k refresh, but would it even work to restore memories on Tron? Would it even sort of be the same? I feel like that's a jerk move, letting a messed up copy of Rinz parasite onto this poor unsuspecting Tron & it's just. Pretty sucky.

Would Flint just hold onto it as the last memory of the greatest bond he ever had in his life?? Hard to say.

If nothing else, may need to rethink the full ending? Maybe it's possible Rinzler gets dragged out with Flint before the y2k restart? But otherwise, Flint having all the memories & no one to share them with... he could try to rekindle things with Tron from the start button that point, there's no guarantee anything would even happen, I guess. I dunno.

Either way, the only version of Flint & Tron/Rinzler that actually has a happy ending is with evil Flint & Rinz, since they get digitally bonded for life & lock themselves up in the Grid forever & live happily for eternity in their little digital paradise bit otherwise like.

Most every version of Flint & Rinz but one does not end on a happy note... usually with Flint lying face down on his bed, praying to disintegrate & stop existing & all because he gave his whole heart to the same guy TWICE & ruined his life BOTH times & feels like he himself is the one who's ruined Tron/Rinzler's life. It's confusing & awful & dreadful, but. There it is.

Sorry about that, buddy...

[In which Flint ends up sad & alone because he's too tired to give his heart to anyone else after losing his first loves... & at least Flynn gets out of the Grid way earlier than 2010 but still, all sorts of things suck here... I'd like if somehow rinzler could remember but hOWWW]

[sunny6677]

Ramble about how my day went—

My day went kinda okay compared to yesterday. Sky looked pretty as per usual and it was all cloudy and cool this morning. I've been getting into taking photos of stuff a lot for some reason. And along the bus ride, I admired the scenery from outside and took some videos of it, but I won't be sharing them. The grass always looks really green and pretty tho.

Had some Gatorade for breakfast since I didn't wanna eat anything they were serving, and sat with my friends. Then I went to Psychology once breakfast was over—the lesson kinda went off track because the teacher and the students kept talking, and we were also doing an introduction thing to the next unit.

I ended up going to Spanish next, which was really fun since it was someone's birthday and the teacher themed the lesson around birthdays this time around. She kept talking about food though and that just ended up making us all hungry jdndndn

And then in Chemistry, we just cut some stuff out and glued it in our notebooks. Kinda messed up halfway through, but my friend helped me out. My other friend was also kinda having trouble the whole time.

And then in Technology, we kinda literally just got to play games all day because we're apparently gonna make some thing about how we think the animation in said game works. I ended up creating a Roblox account and played Natural Disaster Survival and Resturant Tycoon it til the period was over.

Lunch came around, and the sky was all bright and blue and the grass was really green as well. It was really warm though like usual. I only ended up eating two chip bags and a coca cola for lunch, and my other other friend stole a small gummy thing I packed cuz he wanted it (he usually always wants my food—). I just joked around with my friends the whole time and played some more Roblox on my phone.

Then English came around—we read some more of a book we're currently reading (It's called Monster and it's about this sixteen year old boy on trial for murder but I can't remember who wrote it), and once we finished with that, we did a small activity. While waiting for everyone else to finish, I also doodled Lila and Carmen on the board. Don't have any photos of it tho. We ended up having to read what we wrote for the activity aloud, and I have a very quiet voice, so I had to talk in my 'radio' voice when reading 😭

Theater came around as well—and I worked on a Tablo about the Three Little Piggys with my group since we were doing fairytale themed ones. We kinda goofed off the entire time though and couldn't stop laughing. We were put on hold because someone fainted in the hallway apparently, so we were given a few more minutes of class. Still hoping whoever it was is okay. We got time to perform our tablo at the end of class tho.

Then Geometry—my normal teacher who makes me really uncomfortable wasn't around and just the coach who actually owns the classroom, so I got to work on my geometry assignment in peace without being interrupted or asked a bunch of personal questions or being stared at. My wifi ended up going wonky about halfway though and I had to sit in boredom for the last few minutes of class til it was time to go.

As for my last period which is World History—we just did some test thing which went by surprisingly fast, but the boys were kinda talking during studying time and making it hard for some people to focus. Not sure what grade I got yet but I think I did well. I was given a different version of the text because of my autism I think. Not sure why I actually received a different version though. I went on my computer and watched spooky month for a bit til it was time to go.

And then on the bus ride back, I watched a Phisnom vod, drew the Mauve image I drew for her blog on the way, and recorded some more videos of the drive because of how pretty it looked outside.. that's pretty much it.

[thursdayinspace]

20 questions for 20 writers

tagged by @thatfragilecapricorn30 @randomfoggytiger and @baronessblixen thank you!! <3

1. How many works do you have on AO3? 21

2. What’s your total AO3 word count? 70.063 -- this is my new AO3, so that's why it's still so low, haha.

3. What fandoms do you write for? Only X-Files now.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos? spectacular (glasses sex!), it's the day the world didn't end, from this morning forward (that makes me so happy), got you covered, wild side

5. Do you respond to comments? yes. if I ever don't, I'm sorry, it's not because i didn't love your comment, but i just don't get around to it right away sometimes. but i try to reply to every single one because i love them all.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? ohhh. i don't write super angsty endings . . . I guess mend into pieces bc it's season 2 and they know they're making a mistake, but we all know they'll figure it out eventually, so.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? they pretty much all end happily. i'm going to more or less randomly pick five ways to say i love you. because i loved writing that ending.

8. Do you get hate on fics? so, okay. there are two stories here i want to tell from an old fandom. one is funny. one is kind of great, really?

the funny one: i got a looooong comment on a fic, like several paragraphs long, going into great detail about why the fic sucked and why i sucked and why i had personally offended them by writing fic at all. they obvs meant to comment anonymously but forgot to log out. by the time i got to my computer, they had deleted their entire account. of course i had their name in the ao3 email. i laughed so hard at that.

the kind of amazing one: i got a very rude anon on tumblr, and i responded by saying i'd be happy to discuss their criticism, but i wasn't going to have a conversation with a hockey puck with sunglasses, and asked them to come off anon so we could talk. and they did! they showed up in my dms a short while later. we solved nothing and did not part as friends, but i actually have mad respect for that. wherever they are today, i hope they have taken some anger management classes and are doing well!

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? yeah, i certainly do. idk what kind? the porny kind? lol no i mean it's kind of lame but fun.

10. Do you write crossovers? i wrote a stargate atlantis/firefly crossover centuries ago but that was it. or maybe start trek with sth else, i don't remember.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? not to my knowledge.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? i don't think so, no.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? yes! it's so much fun and i would do it again.

14. What’s your all-time favorite ship? mulder and scully!

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? i plan to finish all of them.

16. What are your writing strengths? it used to be dialogue but i don't think it is anymore. idk? i think i can create an atmosphere?

17. What are your writing weaknesses? i tend to repeat myself a lot and then skip over other things completely. i'm not good with transitions between scenes.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? i haven't done it, but if it would make sense for a fic, i might do it.

19. First fandom you wrote for? stargate atlantis. i was very late to the fanfic party.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written? it's called 'ellipsis' and is still with the beta. but of the ones i've already posted, either from this morning forward or yesterday's future.

Randomfoggytiger added additional questions:

1. Is writing a hobby or way of life? i mean it's a hobby but it's definitely also a way of life. there isn't ever a time when i don't think about writing and everything all the time connects in some way to a thing i'm writing and i can't imagine what i'd do without writing.

2. A journal full of writing notes or a clean, completed manuscript? completed manuscript! or notes? uhh . . . both?

3. Who (or what) is your writing inspiration? everything. random things. i can't think of one specific thing, it can be literally anything.

4.Which is worse: someone you "idolize" reading your first draft or listening to you sing? both thoughts are equally awful lol

5. Has writing from someone else's POV ever changed your own perspective? yeah, i think so. not in any big way, but about smaller stuff, just the way i look at certain things? yes.

6. Tumblr, AO3, LiveJournal, or FFN? ao3!!! my tinkerbell brain loves the comment section, haha. also it's just so much nicer to read on ao3 and there's the download option, so also as a reader, def ao3.

7. AO3 wordcount, and are you satisfied with it? 70.063 - no, i'm not satisfied with it. i used to write multi-chapters with more words. but it's a new account so yeah starting small again.

8. What movie/book/fic gripped you irrevocably? jasper fforde's 'thursday next' series. it's where i stole my name from. literary detectives? oh man. it's the kind of story where you wish you'd had the idea first. go read it!!!!!

9. What's the highest compliment you could ever be given, and have you been given it? i am really really lucky to have been given so many amazing compliments and i appreciate every single one. i couldn't say what means the most to me . . . probably when it's personal to the commenter? when someone tells me sth i've written touched them in some way. bc that's what i want to achieve.

10. What defines your writing style? lol idek man pretentious purple prose? i think i live somewhere between overuse of metaphors and focus on the rhythm of a text. i love writing in english bc it flows so nicely. idk is trying to make it sound nice a style bc then that's at least what i'm going for.

who hasn't been tagged? no pressure tags for @backintimeforstuff @nachosncheezies @actual-changeling and everybody else who wants to!

[just-1other-nerd]

Okay, so I watched the pilot of The Amazing Digital Circus now that I've found out that it's a YouTube show which means I have access to it in my country. And boy, I've got some things to say:

Great voice acting and great casting especially for Pomni, Jax and Ragatha

I love and hate the visuals, I hate, that it looks so much like plastic, so smooth and textureless and so many contrasting and shrieking colours because I don't like looking at something like that (Idk it's kinda too much and not enough at the same time). But I love it because I'd say that's clearly the vibe they were going for, it really works for the story. It is supposed to look fake, over the top and like plastic to mimic children's toys. It's also supposed to give you the ick and overstimulate you because our main character is overwhelmed and doesn't feel save in this environment because Pomni clearly isn't save. But just as the character, the viewer will eventually adapt to this world.

The animation is really good, even though the characters have limited facial expressions due to being toy-like (for example can't really do many microexpressions with your nose if it's just a triangle) but that also means you can go for more cartoonish expressions which are animated very well and contribute to the overall surreal vibe. I think in this sense it reminds me of Toy Story.

I really like the character design, it's expressive, colourful and off-putting, some characters are more abstract than others, some more like toys. All of them seem fun at first but then you remember that those are human souls trapped in those bodys which they didn't even choose. On that note I got to say how perfidious it is that the new character in the circus is a harlequin/joker/jester when the one that they get rid of is a clown, you know, like a replacement. Each character has unique physical strenghs and weaknesses and I'm curious how the creators are gonna play with that. Nothing really fits together just like in a kid's toy chest.

I love the writing. It's only the "pilot" and yet they already set up so many things (like that computer and that "C&A" logo) and make you ask so many questions and they get you invested in the mystery element of everything, kinda reminds me of Gravity Falls. They clearly already have a vision in mind and know where they want to go. Given that they are indepentent it makes sense that their pilot is different than TV show pilots which are there to show to producers etc. so that they can decide whether to invest in them or not, like compared to the ATLA pilot this isn't a random episode but the beginning of a story. It's a good set up for most of the characters: Caine as the insane game master, Bubbles as their assistent who's not good at their job, Pomni as the new one through which we get to experience the psychological horror of being stuck in a digital world, Jax as the sarcastic jerk, Ragatha as the sympathetic and empathetic one who helps making things easier for Pomni, Kinger as the crazy old one, Zooble as the done-with-it-all one and Gangle as the shy and emotional one. I really hope we explore the last three a bit more in future episodes. They have really good jokes which help create the vibe by enhancing the dissonance between the childish setting and design but very mature and disturbing premise by making the humor mature and the horrifying concept funny which it really shouldn't be. And that kinda fucks with you once you realise that you are suddenly laughing at this very traumatising thing which plays dress-up as something fun. Everything is very kafkaesque (had to read "Der Verschollene" in school so we talked extensively about what that means) in the sense of the main character and we as observers don't know what the fuck is going on and how this world works and feel helpless and trapped in those structures which we can't understand because they're not meant to be understood. But it differs from Kafka's work because the main character hasn't got the personality of an empty slice of toast and it isn't just misery, as I said there is humor and it isn't dreary but colourful. The concept is well established as well, we're going to have little quests and adventures each episode while the overarcing plot is that the characters try to find out what's even going on and how they can escape. The world building is good, like they set up future locations, characters that aren't humans but you're not sure if they are some of the aforementioned NPCs (sun and moon), the void as a concept. But they leave enough unexplained to explore it in future episodes

Now the questions I have: Who or what created that digital world, how much authority does Caine really have, why is nobody allowed in the void, how does the weird headset trap you in this world, how long have the others been there, who are the other abstracted humans, what's going to happen with them, why all of this, where the fuck was that café where Caine and Bubbles chilled, did he really not know what was going on with Kaufmo (you know because he has all those eyes which supposedly watch all of them), for whom are they performing that theme song, why can't they remember anything about themselves except how they got to this world and that they shouldn't be there, what's with that computer, what was going on between Caine and the moon, what was that dial-up 3.40 minutes in, what's with the exit door because I don't believe for a second that he was trying to make this a gift for them, what does "C&A" mean, does the C stand for Caine, who choses the avatar of the humans? And most importantly: How will they escape?

[imagine--if]

could you maybe do dating arisu ryohei hc?? love your blog💗💗

A/N: Thank you 🥰️ of course I can!! Enjoy reading 🧡 I'm gonna be getting back on track with answering more of your AIB requests that came in when my inbox was open, so look out for that!

🧡 Dating Arisu Includes… 🧡

🧡• Okay, this guy's a sweetheart. That's these headcanons in a nutshell 🥰️

🧡• You probably met and ended up helping out Arisu through a game, and if you're a quick thinker like he is and pretty much finish each other's sentences to win and end the game as quickly and safely as possible, that one game is basically all you need to start talking and having each other's back during other games too. Once he starts hanging around and understanding someone, they're in his group of friends that have sort of formed during your stay in the borderlands, and it just works 🙂

🧡• Once you're his friend, which happens fairly quickly, there's that mutual trust and understanding for each other that just happens?? I don't really know how to explain it, but you've seen how he is, and how he cries over people's deaths that he didn't even really know very well 🥲 soft boy 10000%

🧡• Arisu's very caring and earnest, he's got a good heart even though he gets scared sometimes and focuses on survival. But you two very quickly become partners in and out of games, start talking about things you have in common, like certain computer games... and yeah, he gets attached pretty quickly 😊

🧡• It's small things like holding each other's hands so you won't lose each other during a tough round to ending up not letting go once it's over with. Chishiya gives his smug smirk and raises his brows slightly as he looks away... which is his way of saying everything without saying anything 😏

🧡• Everyone just unspokenly knows that you two are together even before Arisu and you end up talking one night about what you want to do when you make it out of the Borderlands, what there is to go back to, and he blurts out that he needs to make sure you two will stick together after it all and make notes or something for us to find if we end up not remembering anything 🥺️

🧡• It's one of those cliche starry backgrounds on the rooftop of some high-up building in the Borderlands where you're like "You want to stick with me afterwards?" and he looks you straight in the eye and says "I can't imagine it any other way," and a second later he ends up kissing you in the softest way possible 😍 aaghh

🧡• If you couldn't be any more attached to the hip before then, well, somehow Arisu manages to go beyond that. He may be protective of his friends, but the second that Niragi gets too close or Chishiya tries making you a part of his more selfish plans, Arisu's pushing you behind him and telling them to back off. Or on one of the very rare occasions you two get separated or go to different games, he'll be checking all over for injuries and wanting to know every little thing that happened 😵 someone calm him down pleeaase

🧡• He can be extremely affectionate when you're in a safe or calmer space, particularly when there aren't too many people around. The both of you comfort and understand each other, and it gives Arisu that bit more hope and love to push on until all the games are through and you can make a proper life together... he's such a romantic and doesn't realise it until you 🥰️

🧡• I've said it already but Arisu is just such a sweetheart and always puts you before himself. He really likes you two working as a team and doing things together, being able to guess each other's actions and thought process with a glance. You're that close and honest and caring couple with the relationship that everybody wants to have, and its so sweet, he'd literally die for you 🥲

🧡• So when you finally make it out of that twisted world, expect the clinginess and playing video games late into the night and having the most loving relationship ever, because Arisu is honestly the best boyfriend material 💛

[leiasources]

a walk to remember sentence starters. (part one) a compilation of sentence starters from and inspired by a walk to remember (2002). feel free to adjust as necessary but do not add to the list. thank you!

‘ i'm sorry i haven't treated [ name ] the way i should have. they deserve more than that. ’

‘ it's like the wind… i can't see it but i feel it. i feel wonder and love and joy and beauty. it's the center of everything. ’

‘ when i lost them, i was afraid that my heart would never open again. ’

‘ well, my parents aren't home, if you want to come inside. ’

‘ i'm not going anywhere. please tell [ name ] that. ’

‘ maybe you inspire me. ’

‘ i'm not applying to college. ’

‘ i do not need a reason to be angry with god. ’

‘ [ name ], your behavior is sinful. ’

‘ that boy's dangerous, he's careless, he's the worst kind of bully. ’

‘ it's different with her, okay? she makes me want to be different. better. ’

‘ will you do something for me? will you marry me? ’

‘ do you want to buy some raffle tickets? we're trying to raise enough money so we can buy the school some new computers. ’

‘ i thought i saw something in you, something good… but i was very wrong. ’

‘ it's the quiet ones you got to watch out for. ’

‘ listen, [ name ], i was hoping we could run lines together. ’

‘ i came to say that i'm sorry. ’

‘ [ name ]'s asking me for help? okay, i'll pray for you. ’

‘ it's like she chose you, and you may not understand why, but i do. ’

‘ number one on my list is… getting out of [ place ]. ’

‘ why, you're [ name ]. you sit at lunch table seven, which isn't exactly the reject table but is definitely in self - exile territory. ’

‘ be back in an hour, alright? don't flake. ’

‘ hey… your mom called me. talk to me. ’

‘ okay, so you don't care about classes or graduating, but you like school because you're popular and you'll never be on top again? ’

‘ you are a child. ’

‘ you know i'm just messing with you, right? i'm going to be there opening night, front row, and you can count on it. ’

‘ sending a check once a month doesn't exactly make him my father. ’

‘ oh my god, look who's here. ’

‘ your acting didn't suck too bad. ’

‘ [ name ], i love you. ’

‘ what do you want, [ name ]? i've known you for years. you've never been the first one to come up and say hello. ’

‘ you couldn't pull this off if you had three months, man. ’

‘ it's time for you to start experiencing other things, start spending time with other kinds of people. ’

‘ don't even worry about it, okay? order whatever you want. ’

‘ she's the best person i've ever known. ’

‘ i don't think getting out is going to be a problem. it's more like figuring out what you're going to do when you get somewhere. ’

‘ i might kiss you. ’

‘ stop acting childish. ’

‘ [ name ]… i'm trying here, okay? ’

‘ the custodian thing kind of suits you. ’

‘ i thought we might get a bite after the show. ’

‘ i can't wait to see you in some stage makeup. that's going to be kind of cool. ’

‘ you can do anything. ’

‘ how do you know about that? you read about it in your precious book? ’

‘ i need help… with my lines. ’

‘ no, no, you know the real reason why you're scared? it's 'cause you want to be with me too. ’

‘ is this your idea of small talk or something? because if it is, your social skills need some work. ’

‘ i would tell you… but then i would have to kill you. ’

‘ i made you do too many things, i kept you out- ’

‘ are you sure you're okay? ’

‘ maybe… maybe i miss spending time with you. ’

‘ love? believe me, you don't want to go falling in love with someone like me. ’

‘ come on, [ name ], nothing's changed. it's over. ’

‘ so, would it kill you to try? ’

‘ are you scared? ’

‘ butterfly, rosebud, or star? ’

‘ your act only works on an audience. ’

‘ einstein said the more he studied the universe, the more he believed in a higher power. ’

‘ you've obviously never asked anybody for help before, right? ’

‘ okay, one foot here, one foot there… now, you're straddling the state line. you're in two places at once. ’

‘ listen.. thanks for letting me come over and run lines. ’

‘ you know i got three weeks to memorize this stuff? ’

‘ i'm so sorry. i really should have told you sooner. ’

[writerbythewater-blog]

Stereotype

Paul was about to walk into the breakroom when he heard one of his coworkers speaking.

"The kid’s just so damn dumb. Can't even remember his classmates' names, or when work is due. How is he in your class?"

Walking into the room Paul saw the speaker was an English teacher for the grade below him. They hadn't spoken to each other but Paul thought his name was Smith.

"Yeah I've got him. He keeps asking me how to get to his classes. I know it's only the third day of the school year, but the kid should have learned the hallways by now. He was in the school last year too. Still doesn't even know my name, but I heard from his teachers last year he never learned theirs either. Honestly, how did he get this far?"

How could they talk about a student that way? Did they really think it was okay? Paul hoped they at least knew better than to say this shit in front of the kid in question. He put his lunch in the microwave while he listened to them. Trouble with name's, date's, and direction.

"I know. Have you seen the kid's handwriting yet? Can't even make out half of it, and the stuff you can is backwards half the time!"

"His numbers are no better."

Poor handwriting and backwards letters and numbers.

"How's his reading time? Out loud I mean." Paul asked glaring at the two. They jumped in their seats, having not noticed him walk in.

"Oh uh. Pretty slow. Maybe a paragraph a minuet, and he stumbles over most of the words. At least that's what I heard from his last English teacher. They told me not to bother trying to call on the kid in class it would just slow the class down."

Paul frowned at them both as he pulled out his lunch.

"Have you read his file? Sounds to me like he has dyslexia." Paul sat down across from the two.

"Oh yeah I think he said something about that on the first day, but that only explains the trouble reading." Smith said, rolling his eyes.

"No it explains everything else too. Dyslexia affects every part of a person's life. There's a reason it's a disability." Paul said calmly. Every demigod he spoke to had the same stories about school, and not just them every dyslexic child that walked into his class did too.

By the time they reached his class so many other teachers had failed them that they had given up. He worked so hard to earn their trust and hated handing them over to a new teacher the next year. Their files stated they were to be given aid that many of them were so shocked to receive like their past teachers never bothered. Listening to these two idiots talk he understood why.

"At least one of the children in your class has a disability and instead of doing your job and helping them learn your what? Complaining about them to other teachers? Do you talk to the child in question like this?"

Smith tried to speak, but Paul just kept going. Pushing on like Annabeth always did when she knew she was right.

"A quick Google search, which you can do at your desk, would reveal a lot about dyslexia. However, sitting down and coming up with a plan with the student would work even better. I'm sure his file says he needs to be given extra time on tests, or have them read aloud to him, have you talked about how to accommodate that? Or, since you know time management is difficult for him, how to make it easier to remember when work is due or a planned test is coming up. If handwritten work is hard for you to read. Have you spoken to them about finding a way to use the schools computers to type work up instead, or did you just write them off? Did you just wash your hands of a child who needs help?"

The two teachers slouched in their chairs lookin anywhere but at Paul. Rolling his eye's Paul ate his lunch, and left the two to think about their choices. In the meantime Paul needed to plan. The child needed help, because he already knew he was dyslexic he should have a class with a teacher to help him learn to work with it. Paul would need to swing by the class and inform the teacher about these two, the thought made him glare at them again, and ask if there was a way they could help.

Even in the classes they tended to only focus on what would help the kids in class, but hopefully if Paul brought it up the teacher would be willing to help. He also needed to talk with the Princable. If these teachers were willing to say this stuff in the breakroom Paul worried about how they spoke to children in the classroom. Children tended to not report things their teachers did wrong, because there wasn't really a known way they could. Finishing his lunch he packed up, and left to set up meetings with one last glare at the two. He had work to do.

[starset21]

Disclaimer: I only own my original characters, I've done some research but there will likely be Navy/military inaccuracies, and I do not consent to the posting, translating, or publishing of my work to any 3rd party site, the only place it may be found is on tumblr and Wattpad under @.itswildflower

A/N: This story is heavily inspired by the hallmark movie of the same title and is very self-indulgent. I'm also trying a different format than I'm used to using so it may change in the future chapters. Hope everyone is having good winter holidays!

Looking for the other chapters? U.S.S. Christmas Masterlist 

Summary:  Kate and Jake take on New York City

Chapter 5: New York

“Oh! Look at this! Oh, I can't wait to see the rockettes and the the rockefeller Christmas tree, the decorations on fifth Avenue, but first, we gotta get New York pizza!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

“Okay, she's gonna wear me out. Now, the ship leaves at 8 P.M. on the dot. Don't be late,” Jackson reminded them.

“2000 hours. Roger that. I think the historical building is right up here,” Jake told Kate, taking her hand in his.

“Do you keep records of all the performances?” Kate asked the lady at the front desk.

“We sure do. The older ones haven't been transferred to the computer, though. We've had all kinds of personalities to perform for the troops. You said 1965?” she asked.

“Yes,” Jake nodded.

“The Polaris, right?” she asked again and Kate nodded.

“Do you see a Dorothy in there?” she asked.

“Oh! Here it is. It looks like Dorothy Milne. It lists her employment as a dance instructor,” the lady told them.

“Just like the journal says,” Kate whispered to Jake.

“She actually worked at the ovation dance studio right here in the city,” the lady told them.

“I could hug you right now,” Kate grinned and they headed out.

“We might just solve this Christmas mystery after all,” Jake told her, nudging her shoulder. 

“I can't believe it! The ovation dance studio is actually still around! Wonder if Jonah tracked her down there. I remember the last passage in his journal said…” 

"I saw Dorothy perform last night with the uso. She's breathtaking. It was like she was floating on air. I got to talk to her again after the show, and she's truly everything I imagined. Sweet, smart… But when I went to find her this morning, her brother said Dorothy left on the cargo plane. It's crazy, but I feel like I've known her forever. I have to find her after we dock in Norfolk."

“We might just solve this Christmas mystery after all,” Jake told her, nudging her shoulder as they headed into the dance studio. There were little ballerina’s dancing around the room.

“They are so sweet,” Kate couldn’t help commenting.

“Aren't they? Today's the dress rehearsal for our big Christmas show. Can I help you with something?” the instructor asked.

“Yes. Hi, I'm Kayleigh Wells of the Norfolk register newspaper. This is Lieutenant Seresin,” Kate introduced.

“Nice to meet you both. What's this about?” she asked.

“We're looking for a woman who might be a military spouse. Her name is Dorothy Milne. Apparently she worked here years ago,” Kate told her.

“Yes. Dorothy was my teacher as a girl. I eventually bought the studio from the owner,” she crossed her arms.

“Could you tell us more about her?” Kate asked.

“She, uh, moved to New York to be a rockette, but her dreams never quite panned out, so she worked here instead, and would sometimes perform for the troops with the USO,” the woman told them.

“Any idea where she was from?” Kate asked.

“Kansas City, I believe,” she told them.

“Do you have any idea if she was married to a pilot named Jonah?” Jake asked.

“I remember there was a pilot she met on an aircraft carrier. He came to find her after the ship docked. Surprised her with roses right here in the studio in the middle of class! But she had a boyfriend at the time who she said was planning to propose, so I'm not sure who she ended up with,” she told them.

“Any idea what Jonah’s last name is?” Kate asked.

“It was so long ago. After that Christmas, we were told Dorothy moved to California. But that's all I know. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help.”

“Thank you,” Kate gave her an appreciative smile.

“I think we could use a snack right now, have you ever had roasted chestnuts?” Kate asked Jake.

“No, actually,” Jake told her. Kate smiled and went up to a cart selling them.

“We'll take two,” she told the man and went to pull out some money.

“I got this,” Jake told her, handing the man money.

“Thank you. All right. Let's see what this is,” Jake said as they began their walk again.

“Mmm! Lot sweeter than I thought,” he told her after having one.

“Hmm. Kinda how I feel about you,” Kate teased.

“I'll take that as a compliment,” Jake laughed.

“So, have you ever been to New York before?” Kate asked him.

“When I was six my parents brought me here for Christmas,” he told her.

“Before the divorce?” she asked hesitantly.

“Yeah. It was our last Christmas as a family together,” he bit his lip and looked down.

“That's bittersweet.” Jake nodded.

“Yeah, but it was the best Christmas I ever had,” he looked at her.

“Well, I think it's nice that you have those memories. Whenever my dad would be home for Christmas, we'd always go to Picasso’s diner and we would get semi crispy bacon. It was kind of our thing. Semi crispy is the only way to go,” Kate told him.

“I know, right?” Jake asked and Kate laughed.

“That looks really familiar. New York model train museum annual Christmas show! I went there when I was here with my dad,” Jake pointed out.

“Yeah? Come on, you wanna go? It'd be fun!” Kate exclaimed.

“Uhh... I don't know…” he trailed off.

“Oh, come on! You said it yourself, best Christmas you ever had,” Kate taunted.

“All right, yeah. Let's do it,” Jake smiled.

“Okay. Perfect,” Kate smiles, taking his hand and pulling him along. 

“This really brings me back,” Jake says as they wander through the train exhibits. “You okay?” Kate asks.

“Yeah, it's just, uh… I remember my dad taught me how trains worked when we were here. And after the divorce, that's pretty much all we talked about trains, planes… Pretty much anything with a motor. You know, we never went too deep. Stiff upper lip, you know?”

Kate nodded. “My mom was the complete opposite. I think after my dad died she was just so heartbroken all she wanted to do was talk about him, but… I couldn't do it,” she told him.

“Why not?” he asked.

“It was too painful,” Kate shrugged.

“I'm sorry. He died from an accident, right?” Jake asked and Kate nodded.

“I was 16… The day everything changed,” she told him.

“My dad says he was a great man,” he told her.

“He was. And he loved us very, very much. So all the times he invited me to go on the Christmas tiger cruise, I should have,” Kate sighed.

“Well, I'm sure he understood. It's not easy being a Navy brat,” Jake tells her.

“Yeah, well, it's something I still regret to this day.”

“Look, don't beat yourself up over it. Believe me, I get it. All the moving around, the uncertainty… Our dads were gone for months at a time,” Jake told her, nudging her shoulder.

“Well, you're lucky yours is still around. You should cherish that,” Kate told him.

“I do. You know, he… He bought me this little red train…” Jake trailed off.

“Yeah?”

“At the gift shop here. Ahh. I drove that thing around on every surface of our house until the wheels fell off,” he told her.

“That's really sweet,” Kate smiled.

“I'll never forget that moment we picked it out together. Cost five dollars, but… Nothin' meant more to me than that train.”

Kate paused at one of the displays. “Do you still have it?” she asked.

“Got lost in one of the moves,” Jake shrugged.

“I'm sorry,” Kate apologized, she knew the feeling of losing something in a move fairly well.

“It's the memory that matters, right?” Jake asked. Kate nodded.

“Hey. Let's go check out the north pole train!” Jake exclaimed.

“You know what? I'm gonna get us some hot chocolate, but I'll meet you over there?” Kate asked.

“All right,” he smiled and headed over to the display. 

“This is flight 747 to JFK tower, comin' in for a landing,” a little boy is flying a toy plane around.

“Copy, flight 747. Proceed to runway one-zero-niner and wait for clearance. Psst!” Jake pretended like he was a tower operator.

“Psst! Copy,” the little boy responded.

“I brought Teddy here for the trains, but he's obsessed with flying,” the dad laughed.

“Smart kid. You know, Jake is actually a fighter pilot in the Navy,” Kate told them, walking up with two hot chocolates.

“Whoa,” the kid marveled.

“At your service,” Jake tipped his imaginary hat.

“Do you fly off aircraft carriers?” the boy asked.

“Sure do. But flying off the carrier is the easy part. Landing, that's the hard part,” Jake told him.

“That's so cool! I want to be a Navy pilot!” the kid exclaimed.

“Well, you certainly can if you put the work in. Here. This…” He pulls out a pair of wings that they give to the kids on the cruises from his pocket. “Is for you, eh?” he offered with a smile.

“Whoa! No take-backs?” the kid asked.

“No take-backs, buddy. Promise,” Jake smiled.

“You just made his Christmas. Thank you so much. Have a great holiday,” the dad told him.

“Merry Christmas,” Jake told them as they walked away.

“You know, you were really good with him. And did I just hear you say, "merry Christmas"?” Kate asked.

“Yeah, well, don't tell my shipmates,” Jake told her.

“Oh, no, they'd never believe me. Hey, we should probably go get something to eat, and I know a place that's gonna actually change the way you see Christmas forever,” Kate grinned.

“Mind games, huh?” Jake asked.

“It'll definitely mess with your brain. Come on,” Kate laughed and took his hand in hers. 

Christmas music played quietly in the background.

“Brain freeze!” Jake groaned.

“They don't call it the colossal Christmas cocoa for nothing,” Kate laughed.

“We don't mess around here. We take Christmas very seriously. Two burgers coming up,” the waitress told them.

“Thank you. I feel like I don't have a care in the world right now. Honestly, that's not happened very often,” she told Jake.

“That's how I feel when I'm flying my jet over the ocean, those moments when I'm at total peace. Until I realize I have to land on a ship that feels like it's the size of a postage stamp,” Jake laughed.

“Does that ever scare you?” Kate asked and Jake shook his head.

“I love every second of what I do. The adrenaline and the rush… I don't think I'm scared of anything,” he told her.

“Not even Christmas?”

Jake raised a brow. “Christmas? Why would I be scared of Christmas?” he asked.

“I'm just sayin', it… Kind of seems like you've been running away from it,” she told him.

“What do you mean?”

“Based on what you told me earlier, it seemed like maybe your parents got divorced shortly after your trip here,” she said simply.

“Yeah, well, after that, it was mostly mom and me at Christmas. Just wasn't the same without my family together. Just couldn't really see the magic in the holiday anymore,” Jake shrugged.

“I'm sorry.”

Jake waved her off.

“And I'm also sorry 'cause I totally judged you,” Kate apologized.

“It's okay. I know I can be a bit of a Christmas curmudgeon,” Jake nodded.

“A bit?” Kate teased.

“Mmhmm,” Jake laughed.

“Well, it's okay. If I wave my merry magic wand, maybe you'd think about embracing some new Christmas memories,” Kate tried.

“Hmm? Like what?” he asked.

“Like, you know, today, we… You made the little boy smile at the train show, right?” Jake hummed in response.

“He met his hero. And we saw the world's most adorable dance troupe, and I wasn't gonna say anything, but it appears that you actually took a bite of your candy cane,” Kate told him.

“I don't know what you're talking about,” Jake hid the candy cane.

 “I haven't had this much fun in a long time,” he told her.

“Good!” Kate smiled.

“You're amazing.”

Kate tilted her head questioningly.

“The way you made me imagine our day like a living scrapbook. You really have a way with words,” Jake clarified.

“Well, I'm a writer. So…”

“You're much more than that,” Jake told her, and it felt like he was looking into her soul.

Her phone started buzzing and Kate smiled apologetically before reading the text messages.

“It's my mom. Oh, my gosh, we have to go. It's 7:30!” Jake’s eyes widened and then they were both collecting their jackets.

“Uh, sorry! Forget the burgers!” Kate called to the server.

“Sorry. Here you go! Merry Christmas,” Jake added, placing money down on the table.

“Yeah, merry Christmas! Sorry!” The two of them ran out.

“Taxi! Taxi!” Kate yelled and it only took a moment before one pulled up and they got in.

“Pier 90,” Jake told the driver.

“We're almost there,” Kate groaned as they got stuck in traffic with 10 minutes till the ship left.

“We're never gonna make it. Maybe we should run,” Jake suggested.

“Run?!”

“Yeah. We can do it. Come on!”

Jake was handing the driver money and climbing out of the taxi. He took Kate’s hand and they began running.

“Go, go, go, go!” he encouraged.

“You're crazy! Whoa! Excuse us! Sorry!” Kate yelled as they ran by people.

“It's this way! Hi, Santa! Oh, wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait,” Jake had to stop and put some bills in the santa’s bucket.

“Merry Christmas!” he exclaimed as they took off running again.

“You barely made it, Lieutenant,” one of the sailors greeted them as they climbed aboard the ship.

“I can't believe we just ran 15 blocks,” Kate panted, trying to catch her breath.

“I know,” Jake laughed.

“Thank you for today. You know, for all the memories. The new ones.”

Kate smiled.

“You're welcome, Jake.”