#I finally met Lyn good god it took me so long

[shih-coulda-had-it]

some big biG MOODS ft. disaster uncles + their disaster-proof ward

the only concrete episode credits:

heart-eyes Tryst is Episode 9′s last minutes when he goes “tell me you drink wine” to Lyn

about 27 minutes into Episode 10, Tama misses the point of Bacta’s heartfelt gift

[thera-daydreams]

INDAY

± A Trese Fic ±

[Crispin/Basilio/Maliksi/Dominic x Skymaiden!Reader]

01: Noon at Ngayon (✓)

02: Ang Kambal na Anak ni Datu Talagbusao, Diyos ng Digmaan (Link)

03: Ang Prinsipe ng Mga Tikbalang (Link)

04: Ang Pinuno ng Mga Aswang (Link)

05: (Link) 06: (Link) 07: (Link)

01: Noon at Ngayon

Back then, long before you were born, your mother used to work as a katulong of the Trese Family and was very close to its matriarch, Miranda Trese. Coming from the province, she was no stranger to superstitions—even more so after knowing the work of Miranda's husband Anton Trese, who was actually the Babaylan-Mandirigma of Manila.

Years later, after giving birth to you around the same time Miranda gave birth to her twins (one a stillborn, unfortunately), it was you and Alexandra who became best buddies instead, as different your personalities were. You two had practically grown up together and you yourself heard countless stories of the supernatural from your Tito Anton. It wasn't that hard to believe when he and his sigbin companions would sometimes come home tracking blood prints on the floors (which you'd helped your mother clean up). Heck, you'd even met Señor Armanaz, the Great Stallion himself and the ruling tikbalang of the Armanaz herd. That pretty, white-haired diwata seemed extremely fond of you, too, which was evident when you'd sneak in with Alexandra to Tito Anton's meetings and she would smile (even wave) at you happily.

You had absolutely no idea why the fae-like lady was so nice to you, but you weren't complaining at all!

However, in spite of your experiences with the supernatural, you and your mother always believed that you were normal humans. In actuality, that was who you were for the majority of your childhood. It was only until Miranda herself saw a vision of you—a much older you—fighting the monsters of the Underworld alongside her own daughter. During dinnertime, Miranda told your mother that she saw you blessed by the heavens with powers that would aid in the battle against evil.

It sounded absolutely ridiculous, right? Yeah, your mom thought so, too.

Your mother only laughed it off as she placed a steaming bowl of tinola in front of Alexandra's brothers, who instantly dug in like they haven't been fed in years.

"Boys! Dahan-dahan lang," Anton reprimanded his sons. "Or else you'll choke and the soup will come out of your noses!"

"Okay, Papa."

"Grabe ka naman, Miranda. I doubt that anything like that's going to happen to my daughter," your mom chuckled, watching your little hands try to feed Alexandra with a piece of chicken. "Unlike you guys, our lineage isn't anything special. Ordinaryo lang ang lahi namin."

Miranda sighed, looking at you and her only living daughter enjoying your time being kids, "I guess you're right. Baka panaginip lang talaga 'yun."

Anton glanced at her knowingly. Although he was aware that you and your mom didn't dabble in magic or anything like they did, he knew that whenever Miranda—one of the Seven Seers—had such vivid dreams, it was something of great importance. But he decided to say nothing, understanding how much your mother wanted to let you live as normal of a life possible in this household.

That was when you were seven years old. One year later, Miranda died fighting against a group of aswang who decided to betray Anton. Said man found the eight-year-old Alexandra hiding in a corner behind the waterfalls, scared and holding Sinag close to her heaving chest as she tried to hold her tearful sobs in.

Of course, a few days later, you and your mother attended the funeral with the mourning Trese family. All the brothers had done their best to stay strong, especially for their little sister who didn't fully understand yet what just happened. Little you ran towards Alexandra, holding her hand tightly as her mother's casket was lowered. Around you were various comrades, both human and non-human, paying their respects to their bereaved allies.

That day, as you turned your back to return to your mother's arms, you knew you would never forget the feeling of numerous unearthly eyes following your every movement.

Even they could sense that there was something about you, a so-called regular human child. You smelled human and had the aura of one, but there was something they couldn't place. It was like a tiny rock getting into your shoe, not coming out at all.

Much changed after that, but you and Alexandra remained close together. To your dismay, just after you graduated elementary, you and your mother had to move back to the province to stay with your sick grandparents. The last thing you could remember was kneeling in the back of the car, looking sadly through the rear windscreen as Alexandra and her brothers waved goodbye to you.

More than a decade had passed since then. You used to write letters to Alexandra, but after Hank told you she had to undergo the trials of the Puno ng Balete, you haven't heard from her (although Hank did disclose that she'd managed to come home safely, which was a great relief to you). You didn't blame her; you knew Tito Anton had passed away in the five years she was gone and that she had to take over the title of Lakan, as well as the Babaylan-Mandirigma of Manila. It was a demanding job! You remembered Tito Anton sometimes staying up all night—breakfast would be served and he would still be in his study, going over paperwork. On other days, he would be gone for consecutive nights handling cases all around Manila. You could only pray Alexandra was fine.

Your life had continued on, as well—you took care of your ill grandparents until they died, helped your mother in the province, went to a good highschool, then earned your degree in another prominent city that wasn't Manila.

Your mom actually recommended that you go to school somewhere else, given the constantly rising number of attacks in the capital of the country. And so you did. Life was hard, but normal until then.

The funny thing was that, when you reached the age of twenty-one, you finally understood why those supernatural creatures kept looking at you weirdly as a kid (and why Lady Diwata liked you so much).

What was even funnier was that the dramatic revelation came to you when you weren't in the Philippines. It was after you freshly graduated college, when you were traveling all over Asia to volunteer in charity projects. It was always your dream to one day expand your horizons not only beyond your province, but the Philippines itself, while also doing good in the world.

And here you were, walking that path you dreamt of.

The organization you luckily managed to become a member of provided everything you needed, and every few months, you would move from country to country. Because of that, you'd already been able to travel to so many places. First it was Thailand, then Indonesia, China, South Korea, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, and currently, you were in Vietnam. Visiting those places was fun and gave you a whole new perspective of the world you lived in; it was a... learning experience, too.

Still, that incident happened when you were in Thailand, when you were the last one in the rented apartment balcony taping up the boxes for the donation drive tomorrow. Yawning, you cut more duct tape and stuck them to the open boxes tightly.

"Inday," someone said from behind you. You didn't bother turning around, thinking it was one of your fellow volunteers looking for you this late at night. Probably your roommate. She was the only one who usually called you by your nickname instead of your real name.

"Hmm?" you hummed, taping up more boxes. "Papasok na ako sa kwarto, Lyn. I just have a few more boxes to close. Alam mong mapapagalitan ako kung may hindi madidistribute bukas."

"Hindi ako si Lyn."

You paused, then slowly turned around, flinching at the sudden bright light that shone right against your eyes. For a moment, akala mo namatay ka na at hinaharap mo si San Pedro.

It was a glowing figure in white whose face you couldn't clearly see, which frightened you even more.

"Ay, mama!" you exclaimed, shielding your eyes and falling to your knees. Then, you gasped loudly, patting your body and panicking with closed lids. "Oh my God, am I dead? Nasa heaven na po ba ako?" Your lips wobbled. "Ngayon pa nga lang ako nakaalis ng Pilipinas... I haven't even done all the things I've wanted to do! Hindi pa ako nakapagpaalam sa nanay ko—aray!"

You'd felt something hit the back of your head. Hard. It was the glowing figure in white, but now you could see their unimpressed face scowling at you.

"Kalma lang, Inday. Hindi ka pa patay, pero makinig ka nang mabuti," they shushed you urgently (you weren't sure if they were male or female). "Do not be afraid. I am a messenger from the heavens, and I bear great news!"

"Great news...?" you trailed off, then your eyes widened excitedly. "Like, nanalo ba ako ng lotto? Isang milyon? Bilyon? Hala! Wait, is this a Mama Mary moment? I'm not ready to be the next immaculate conception!"

They glared at you, making you shut up instantly. "Sorry, I'll shut up now," you apologized with a mumble. This person (thing?) was kind of... strict. Whatever did you do wrong? You were just sleep-deprived and running on energy drinks (as well as kape).

"I have come to tell you that you are the vessel of the last skymaiden," they revealed, arms wide open. The light around them seemed to grow even brighter, making you squint. You felt like you were about the go blind! "Ikaw ang huling biraddali, Y/N L/N."

At ayun, zero brain cells remaining. Tunay na nagloading screen ang brain mo. Nag-error at nagcrash pa nga siguro, eh.

"... Ha? Ano?"

You blinked, completely speechless—as seen by how wide your jaw had dropped open. It wasn't that you were unfamiliar with the biraddali, it was just that you'd only heard of them once when you were just a young child. Your Tita Miranda had mentioned they were long gone from the world of the supernatural.

"Oh no, me? A biraddali? You're joking," you stuttered out, pointing at yourself. "Aren't they extinct or something? And, uh... not human?"

They nodded, "Yes. It is correct that everyone in the mystical world thought that the biraddali were long gone, even before the colonizers came to conquer the native lands. However, before the skymaidens all disappeared, the youngest and most powerful one among the seven sisters sealed her soul away to the rivers of time until the strength of a heavenly being was needed to help purify the evils of the world." The figure floated closer to you. "That last biraddali's soul, along with its corresponding power, traits, and knowledge, had chosen to reside deep within you the moment you were conceived."

Honestly, how were you even supposed to react? Your life was nowhere near ready for something like this. Was this a prank by your friends? Your colleagues? The light around this person seemed too authentic to be fake, though.

You stayed in shock for an entire minute, silent. The being in front of you only waited for a response.

"Ano 'to, Sailor Moon? Winx Club?" you whispered to yourself, before slapping your own cheek and scolding yourself. A stinging red mark was left on your face. "Inday, kakamanhwa mo 'yan! Nasosobraan ka na ata, matulog ka na!"

Sighing heavily, you rubbed your face tiredly, still in disbelief that you—according to this stranger—were apparently some old soul from a species of ethereal beings that were long gone. It sounded like something out of those reincarnation webnovels you got addicted to. What now, you were the MC? Wattpad ka, girl?

"Look, this is a mistake. I still have to wake up early tomorrow to give out the donations," you spoke to the glowing being (or whatever it was), laughing nervously. "I'm sorry, but I think you have the wrong person. Either that or I must be hallucinating from sleep deprivation, because I'm definitely not a divine creature. You're probably just a product of my imagination. Sorry, I'm going to bed."

Bang!

At that moment, the power in the building went out. The only thing you could see was the thing who assumed you were a biraddali (they were so bright they were like a flashlight in the dark for you).

"Brownout?" you blinked. It felt wrong, though. It was eerily silent. "Did a fuse blow up?"

"Nagsimula na ang iyong unang pagsubok, Y/N," they announced seriously. "Creatures of the dark have already begun to take over this building. You may not have noticed, but all throughout your life, you have always been helping and giving. It is your nature as a being descended from the heavens themselves, and now, it is time for you to accept your destiny."

"Hoy, sandali lang! Sandali, sandali!" You were absolutely wide awake now as you heard the sounds of strange whispers around you. It was terrifyingly creepy, much creepier than whatever you'd seen back in the Trese Residence (and you'd seen a lot in that house). You did not want to be a part of a horror movie-like lifestyle. "Don't I have a choice in this?! I—I don't have any training or fighting skills! Hindi ako Alexandra Trese o Babaylan-Mandirigma! I'm not ready for this, holy sh—"

The candescent creature raised a brow at you, "Inday, I just told you that you have the power of a lost mystical being. And tell me, if you had the power to save your companions in this building from the forces of evil, would you save them?"

You were silent, knowing the answer.

"Well?" they prodded.

You bit your lip, "Oo naman. I'm not heartless!" But you were a little impulsive. And apparently, insane.

"That's what I thought. I just need you to believe in yourself," the being encouraged, gentler this time. It transformed into something smaller and rounder—like a ball of light. "Ikaw ang huling biraddali, Y/N, at marami kang kapangyarihan. Isa dito ay ang pagtulong sa mga nangangailangan, lalo na laban sa masasamang nilalang."

Bestie, what had you just gotten into?

You swallowed apprehensively, then nodded in determination, "Sige. So, how do I save the people in the building? Biraddali were said to be able to shapeshift, right? If I remember the tale correctly. Oh my God, I can't believe this is happening to me right now."

"That's just one of your abilities, but I'll teach you. I'm actually your guide," they replied confidently. "With me, you'll be able to master your powers and exceed your capabilities in no time!"

"Wait! Anong pangalan mo?" you asked breathlessly, following them as they speedily flew out of the room. "Grabe, slow down! I'm not athletic! I haven't even exercised this week, goodness."

"... Gabay. Ako si Gabay."

Despite the adrenaline and fear running in your veins, you still grinned up at the ball of light, "Okay. Nice to meet you, Gabay."

This was just the beginning of your supernatural combat training abroad. When you returned to the Philippines three years later, you were stronger, faster, and more powerful than you'd ever felt before. It was crazy.

Oh, that guy who tried to rob you when you came back to Manila was crazy, too. The two identical-looking men in dark suits and white ties—you wondered how they were surviving the heat in that attire—could only watch in awe as you chased down that man who stole your bag while doing acrobatics and parkour.

"Uy, Kuya Crispin, sino kaya 'yun?"

"Ewan ko, Basilio."

"... She's kind of pretty. Type ko. Type mo rin ata."

"The more important question is, paano niya na nahuli ang magnanakaw?"

"Oo nga, no? One in a million chance 'yan dito sa Maynila, haha! Ang astig ni ate!"

(Next Chapter.)

± Author's Notes ±

Ayieee, type daw tayo ng kambal! 😌

How the hell did I write this entirely random thing in one day? 2k+ words? Ano daw? 😃⁉️

You know, this was supposed to just be a Trese one-shot or a bunch of drabbles for the characters I'm currently simping for... but it turned into a full-blown, shameless self-insert slash crackfic. Kakacellphone ko 'yan. 🤦‍♀️

Nagresearch pa ako ng articles about Filipino skymaidens because I wanted something similiar to the Japanese celestial maidens (tennyo). Very random idea but why not? Gusto ko ng badass Y/N na hindi takot lumaban sa mga mumu! 👻

Also, pagbigyan niyo nalang ang matandang 'to kasi ilang taon na akong hindi nagpopost ng mga writings ko. May track record pa naman ako bilang author na hindi nagtatapos ng mga fanfic, hehe. I also haven't read the comics so please forgive me for any inaccuracies and of course, misspellings/errors. Gusto ko lang matapos 'to para makakabalik na ako sa Jujutsu Kaisen. 🥲😗

Anyways, comments and constructive criticism are welcome! Hit those heart, reblog, and follow buttons for updates! Just comment if you want to be tagged in the next chapters. ❤

[thorinthehottotty]

May 19th - Lyn's Writing Event - Thorin

Prompt - Apocalypse AU

A/N: ZOMBIES ZOMBIES BUNKER SEX BUNKER SEX

Summary: Kíli's upset Thorin won't speak to him since he was nearly killed over a girl. You try to get through to your leader but the topic changes.

Warnings: Mentions of rape and violence. Smut and implied smut.

"You know, your boys are stupid. But they have each other's backs." You only receive a grunt from the ornery man. "I understand there is no room for error anymore, but they're kids, Thorin." Well, maybe if kids were sixteen and seventeen.

The man continues to tinker away with his tools on the little work bench. His broad shoulders blocking your view. There weren't many people left since the virus took hold. It spread fast and violently. You never expected to be a part of the zombie apocalypse, or even survive this long.

You were only twelve when it began. Ten long years ago. You'd gone from insecure girl, shying away from her crush on the playground to a survivor.

There was hardly anyone left anymore, let alone young women. It made you a hot commodity. One that men liked to force into their whims. You were Kíli's age the first time it happened. Thorin was the first man to not try and take advantage of you on your own, which in turn, made you want him. Since you'd been with his company, you'd grown to trust them. Not one of his men had so much as laid a hand on you without permission.

Although, when he ignored you like this, it made your want dissipate. You heave a sigh at him and move around to his bench, trying to get him to look at you. "I'm not saying you shouldn't be upset. You should. They were idiots. But don't push them away for it."

"For a fucking girl," he growls out finally. "Kíli was showing off for a girl!" He slams his hands down on the table.

"Like I said. Idiots." You try. Thorin drags himself up to his full height, blue eyes burning into yours. It makes you gulp. He was twice your age, had crows feet and silver streaking his long, wavy hair and his beard did little to hide the smile lines that had formed long before you met him. He was still one of the sexiest men you'd ever seen. God really nerfed you by making him and making him fine enough you could never get him out of your head. Zombies you could deal with. You didn't know how to approach a man without coming off as cold.

You used to believe he didn't want you, but you wondered differently now with how often he watched you. You stare back into his cold glare. His jaw worked under that beard.

"They're boys. Young boys. He wasn't thinking with his head, for sure. But you can't ignore him forever. That's only going to drive him away from you."

Thorin gives a indignant snort and crosses his arms. "He needs to understand that he can't just run off-"

"I know that! You know that! Stop being such an ass about it!" You snarl, eyes blazing. "He's at the age where all he's thinking about is what's between a girl's legs. So explain it to him. Explain the dangers. Don't you yell at him or snap or ignore him. We are here to survive, but that doesn't give you the right to be a jerk." Thorin glowers at you in the low light of the room. He doesn't give you an answer, just turns back to his tinkering.

"He will have to suffer with the rest of us."

"Oh, you're suffering, huh?" You demand, taking your turn to cross your arms. "Poor, poor King Thorin, hasn't gotten any good coochie since the fucking apocalypse." He passes you a glare.

"I can control myself, thank you. Unlike you." You gasp in offense at him.

"I can't control myself? Are you fucking joking?"

"What do you call this?" He gestures to your outfit. You glance down. It was late in the night, you were preparing to go to bed. You'd stolen a pair of boxers from someone to sleep in and your bra had been abandoned.

"Sleepwear, perv." He turns full to you again, eyebrow raised at you.

"Have I ever touched you like the men did before you found us?" You chewed your cheek angerly.

"No."

"Have any of us ever made you uncomfortable with leering?"

"No."

"So why do you insist on walking about like this?"

"I was ready to climb into bed when Fí came to me. I came here because I was asked to. I'm not naked." Thorin gave a frustrated groan and ran a hand over his face.

"I'm done with this conversation, Y/N."

"Do you want me?" You ask. His eyes snap to yours in horror. He very abruptly turns back to his tinkering, not answering you. "Thorin," you call.

"Go to bed. Now." You watch his face turn pink.

"Whatever," you snap at him, turning to leave the room. "Just talk to your nephew."

You pause in the door way, glancing over at his broad back. Sweat had seeped into the fabric and soaked most of the shirt. Then much softer, you offer something. "Would it be such a bad thing?" His head inclines to the side a hair, listening. "To want me?"

He sinks onto his stool and twists to look at you, his eyes torn. He's quiet for a long moment, and gives you a heavy sigh. "We should not be having this conversation."

"No?" You lean against the cool metal of the doorframe to his workshop and bedroom. The bunker housed all 16 of your group. The coolness makes your nipples pebble and his eyes dart down to them.

"Y/N," he sighs, looking anywhere but at you. "There are so many bad things that could rise from this situation."

"Believe it or not, I am an adult. I am capable of having a conversation about this." He closed his eyes, looking as tired as you felt.

"Fine. Close the door." A thrill shot through you. You reached behind you and shut the door quietly. "For starters, it could lead to pregnancy. We can't afford to have you out of commission. If we have to move, you'd be in greater danger."

You give a nod at him. "That's a valid point. But there are other ways to get your fix." His eyes widen at this, shocked you'd even mention that.

"Are you even ready to be touched by someone else?" He demands. You push away from the door and move toward him. He stiffens as you grab his hands and bring them up to your face.

"Yes. And I want to be touched," you admit as he cups your face in his hands. "I want you to touch me." His brows furrow as he traces patterns in your cheek, his thumb trailing over your lips.

"You're too young for me," he argues.

"It's just sex," you promise, slipping between his thighs to rest against him. Your heart races as the smell of his sweat fills your nose. He tilts his forehead to yours. "Don't grasp for straws."

He gives a groan when your hips meet his groin.

"We shouldn't," he rumbles as he buries a hand into you hair still wet from your shower.

"We shouldn't," you repeat. And despite you both agreeing, his mouth is meeting yours and he's rising from the stool. And then he's walking you back to his bed, lips dragging over yours.

"We should stop."

"We should." You let him lower you onto the cot. It squeaks in protest but he's leaning down over you. There's no rush in the way you're both touching. Only you arching when he pushes his hips into yours, the thin boxers doing nothing against the rub of his jeans.

"Again?" He asks.

"Again," you whimper.

And he's caging you under him as his lips move to your neck. His hips rolling on repeat into yours. It has you gasping, legs rolling up around his hips. His hips press hard into yours as you arch against him. He sinks to the side more when his mouth reclaims yours.

His hand is dragging your thigh higher as you moan into him. He's using your leg as leverage to grind against you better. Groaning into your mouth eagerly. But his hips as dragging the pleasure out at a slow pace.

This felt incredible as you attempt to roll your hips back into his. He releases your thigh when you hook it behind his back, grabbing your breast as repayment for his calloused hands not rubbing into the soft flesh of your thigh.

"Take your pants off," you demand.

...

"Congratulations, boys! Someone got his cherry popped last night!" Dwalin calls, clapping the boys on the back. "So which one was it?"

Thorin and you share a glance of panic.

"Uh," Kíli starts, passing an embarrassed look to his older brother who looks just as put off.

"Don't be shy! We could here her half the night through the vents." Oh god. You forgot the vents! You nearly spit your tea out and Thorin just smirks at you behind his cup of coffee.

"Neither of us, actually." Fíli's admission has you cursing mentally. Just this once could they lie for you.

"Then who-...?" Dwalin cuts himself off, looking at the only one who had his own room. Then he catches the redness of your mortified face.

"We'll remember to close the vents next time," Thorin replies without glancing up from the map he was studying.

The room is stunned into silence and everyone turns to stare at the both of you. "The lass finally did it, ey?" Bofur chimes proudly.

"Good on her!"

"This deserves a song!"

"Oh dear god no!" You quickly jump to your feet and shuffle out of the room, calling that you'll be helping Bilbo in the greenhouse today. You were not about to subject yourself to the torture that was about to insue.

[colombia-chan]

Ad idem

This is late I know, I really do. Stupid procrastination got to me! But this is my little one-shot of the second half of the MCLUL Christmas 2018 event involving my Evie and Castiel, and a Cameo of Evie’s cousin Lyndis, which here she is for quick reference.

But anyway please enjoy!

“God damn it. I…Hate...The…Cold.” Lyndis hisses out over chattering teeth, arms wrapped tightly around her form as she and an amused Castiel step into the all but empty Cozy Bear café. “Never again, I fricken swear Castiel, never ask me out in this weather again.” She glared as Castiel laughed at the pink haired woman’s shivering form.

“Hey, don’t look at me like that. It’s not my fault if you suck at staying warm even in all those.” He teased looking the soon to be twenty-four-year-old over as he took note of the winter bulk that was the outer pieces of her clothing. “Scarf, Hat, gloves, and multiple layers of clothes how’s it that I’m still warmer than you with less on.” He laughed as Lyndis flipped him off.

“Oh, screw you! We all can’t be natural heaters.” Taking a seat at a table farthest to the cafe’s doors Lyn glared as she struggled to keep from shivering. “Fuck you, and every other man and woman with your stupid cold resistance.”

“Yeah, no thanks.” Castiel huffed as he tried to and failed if Lyndis’s strained smirk were anything to go by, secretly search for a familiar brown-haired waitress of the cafe. “I rather not, no offense but you’re not really my type Lyn.”

Smirking Lyndis was finally able to stop shivering. “Oh, and what is your type, hmm?” Leaning forward on the table pink met grey eyes as she smiled amusedly up at the man she called friend. “It wouldn’t happen to be a wholesome little girl you used to date who’s all grown up and a waitress at this oh so humble establishment.” Castiel glare made Lyndis laugh, “Oh god, don’t tell me that’s why you pulled me away from my apartment.” Almost doubling over she grinned up at the red-haired man, “It is! You dragged my butt here just, so you’d have an excuse to see Evie!”

“Shut up!” Castiel snapped, “I just got home from a holiday trip with my parents, the only reason I asked you out is to try and destress from that.” He partially lied, hands clenched into fist as his friend continued to laugh at his embarrassment.

“Yeah right!” Lyn snorted as she leaned back in her seat, “You forget Cas, I may never have dated you, but you did date my cousin.” Smile sympathetically at Castiel Lyn shrugged, “And you’ve pretty much been my best friend ever since our last years at Sweet Amoris. So don’t you dare try that whole, tough and cool, front on me. Cause I’m not falling for it.”

Castiel’s gaze couldn’t help but soften at this, sighing in defeat as he rested his face onto his hands. He really should have seen this coming, it had been years now since his main source of friendship had been Lyndis. Even after Lysander left, even after Demons passing, even after his and Evie’s break-up, hell even after her and Nathaniel’s splitting, Lyn had still been there in some way. She had been, even with all the drama and new responsibilities placed upon her, remained his friend, and in some ways… his extended family. He almost winced at the thought.

Remembers how in someway that could have been true, how open to family Lyn was, how… how open to it Evie was, and more then likely still were. His eyes glance down to his school bag, and his mind is drawn to an item held inside. ‘Damn it…’ He thought.

“Lyndis!” Looking up Castiel watched as dark-haired man dressed in the cafes uniform came up to Lyndis, face flustered, obviously nervous to all hell and Castiel could not help but feel he had maybe met the man once before. Was it at the beach a few months back, he knows most of the gang was there, but his mind had been torn in two separate directions that whole day with his career and Evie.

“Oh, hey Hyun. How’s it going?” Lyndis nonchalantly replied, looking up at the man with a slanted smile.”

Looking around Hyun’s eyes landed on Castiel for a split second as he sent him a polite nod of acknowledgment, before looking back at Lyndis with a smile.

“Oh, I’m fine. Never better really, I went to see my family recently but since we don’t really celebrate the holidays we didn’t do much outside catching up.”

“Well, that’s nice.” Lyn smiled before her eyes quickly glanced over to Castiel, “I see you’re no longer stuttering.” She hummed as the Asian man became flustered much to Castiel’s slight curiosity. “Am I not pretty enough for you today or is it the lack of my uncle Philip perhaps.”

Was Lyn really teasing this guy, was she even interested to begin with this guy, Lyn wasn’t known for just randomly flirting with people right off the bat and stuff. Looking over at Hyun Castiel couldn’t help but feel somewhat confused, he didn’t look like Lyn’s type and if anything Castiel was sure Lyndis was still somewhat stuck on Nathaniel, and that the blonde idiot was just as much stuck on her even with his decision to leave her all those years back.

“I… Um…” Looking away Hyun groaned as he became dejected. “I’m sorry Lyndis it’s not that you aren’t, I mean you are but… and your uncle was… and Evie.” Castiel’s eyes became sharp here, noticing the change in pitch when he said her name, how his eyes glazed over in a love-sick way, how he struggled to meet Lyn’s eyes. “Was I that obvious?”

“To my uncle and I… oh definitely.” Lyn shrugged, “But to Evie…” Lyn had to look Castiel directly in the eyes to say this, “No.” A lie, Evie wasn’t so oblivious to people’s emotions and feelings, let alone things directed at her. And Castiel knew what Lyn was implying with all this. What Hyun was saying even without blatantly stating it.

He remembers his days back in Sweet Amoris then. Remembers Kentin and how he used to look at Evie, how he used to talk to her, about her, and try to be with her before he moved on. Castiel remembers the annoyance and jealousy he felt, when even when Evie was his, she was still being sought after by Kentin and that surfer. He remembers how guys looked at her, and how he hated it, remembers how his jealousy and possessiveness sometimes led to fights between them. He looks at Hyun and he feels it all again, and she isn’t even his to justify feeling this for anymore. He just feels annoyed now, he watches as Lyn orders for herself and him, watches as Hyun leaves, and hates how for the rest of the time they wait for their order the feeling of possessiveness and frustration over his and Evie’s relationship still lingers even though their now more. Haven’t been for years.

“Do you need a smoke?” Lyn quietly asks after Hyun places down their drinks and leaves. Her eyes are focused on him but Castiel's is just drawn to his drink as he tries to calm the storm in him.

“What was that?” He tries to calmly ask, hands clenched to the side of his coffee and he can’t help but remember the day he tried to help Evie out at the café when he’d first learned that she worked there.

“Do you mean the small talk or Hyun’s oh so obvious crush on Evie.” Lyn bluntly replied, taking a sip of her own coffee before looking away from her friend as he stood to leave.

“Forget it, I don’t—”

“Need to know any of this?” Looking back at Lyndis with a glare she didn’t even seem to care to look back up at Castiel as she solemnly stared down at her drink. “You do though.” Looking up at her friend she smiled supportively. “You idiots, three years later and you’re still pining for one another even when you try to lie to yourselves. I swear it’s like watching paint dry, talk about painful.”

“Lyndis.”

Shaking her head Lyn didn’t set a determine stare upon Castiel’s form, “If you don’t act now. If you don’t do anything again, like back then. When you ran instead of trying to fight, you're going to regret it Cas.” Looking away from her friend Lyn hands shook in frustration, “You’re gonna lose her for good.”

He leaves without a word, doesn’t really need to with the glare he sends, and Lyn doesn’t stop him. Silently watching as he leaves, brushes Hyun off when he returns from the back and doesn’t see Castiel with her. Pays for hers and his drinks before finishing her own and leaving, she’s done her part, now it’s up to them.

He walks to the college campus in frustration, Lyn’s words continue to ring in his head and the past won’t stop hitting him as though he’s haunted by Christmas past. He huffs at this and glares up to the campus dorms as he enters the colleges' plaza. His hand twitches at his side and he can feel the few stares of both fans and bystanders alike turning to look at him. He ignores them though and makes his way to the campus library, he sets out his things. Tries to sit down and study, but his mind lingers, his eyes pulled to his bag every now and again and Lyn’s words won’t leave him.

‘You’re gonna lose her for good.’

It’s frustrating and stupid, and he hates how she’s right. ‘What the hell am I doing?’ He makes his choice and pulls out his cell.

Evie is alone, and she is contemplative, in her arms she carries a gift, but she’s torn on what to do. Does she give it to Lyndis and hope she passes it on to Castiel as she’d done for the past years since her and Castiel’s break up, or does she swallow her fear and try to do it herself. Quietly she down to the university’s plaza, staring at the snow on the ground and heart longing for someone she knows she should have moved past of. The familiar feeling of wanting to cry is there, how pathetic is she to have not moved past her first love when she had so foolishly let him go, to begin with.

Shivering in her place she stops mid-walk, it so cold outside, yet she feels even colder inside. Maybe she should contact Rosa, or Alexy, maybe she should call up Lyn and finally tell her cousin of the internal conflict she’d been having. Her parents had just left not that long ago alongside her aunt Agatha, and Lyndis and her, Lyn’s, half-brother Leo had all returned to their respective apartment further away. Yet she still felt alone, still felt cold even after the wholesome visit, even with some family still in reach.

Her phone vibrates from inside her pants pockets, and she is torn from her thoughts, she leans herself against a lamp post and pulls out the device. She thinks it’ll be her mother, or Lyndis, somewhat hopes for Alexy and Rosa, maybe even Lucy or Chani to talk to. Instead, her heart skips a beat, her stomach twists into knots, and leaves her weak to the knees. “Castiel.” She reads aloud opening the text as she clutches her gift closer to her chest. “Hey, little girl. I don’t know if you’re around. I just got back on campus, feel like getting together?” She doesn’t know what to think, is it a joke, was it for real. It was Christmas day didn’t he have other obligation, just got back was he away. So many questions ran through her mind, yet as if on autopilot she replied. “Hey! Yeah, I’m on campus, too. Everything OK?” She almost wants to slap herself for it, it sounds so forced. So cheerful, she didn’t like how fake it sounded, how wrong it felt, it didn’t sound like her.

Castiel glared at the message before him, something didn’t feel right with the response. He could only wonder if maybe like him, Evie was in as contemplative of a mood as him.

“Yes, Mother, everything’s fine.” He decides to jokingly replies, he hopes it helps, maybe to calm her nerves or even cheer her up, before sending the rest of what he needs. “Seriously though, if you’re free, meet me at the library, we…” He stops mid type, and his eyes return to his bag, taking a deep breath his finishes the text, “to talk.”

It doesn’t take long for her to appear, she doesn’t respond to his final text she just appears. Hands behind her back, dressed similarly to Lyn minus a hat and of warmer shades of color. Her eyes avoid him, and she seems hesitant, he honestly feels the same… yet he can’t show it.

“Hey…” She finally looks towards him, “Merry Christmas!” and smiles nervously.

“Same to you.” He responds, “What are you doing spending the holidays here?” He is cool with how he responds, still unsure of what it is he should do. Even though she’s here, even though their talking it still feels like he’s that sixteen to seventeen-year-old who doesn’t know what to say when it comes to her.

Sighing loudly her smile became slanted as she leaned back on her heels, “I see the Christmas spirit hasn’t made you any friendlier.” Her smile becomes warmer then, and he can tell she’s more relaxed as she stares down at his seated form with violet eyes. “Might I point out that YOU are the one who ask me to come.” She teases, she isn’t mad though, she’s open, understanding even without knowing that even he is unsure. “But to answer your question, my parents and aunt came to visit Leo, Lyn, and me.” Removing one hand from behind her back she timidly played with a strand of her hair, “It was… actually kind of nice.”

“I see…” Castiel hummed, playing dumb as he remembered the conversation between Lyn and Hyun earlier in the day. “Personally, I just got back from a long family weekend. I’m relieved to be back here.” He sighed as he heard his Ex giggle in amusement.

“Knowing you, you’re probably exaggerating.” Smiling she rocked back and forth on her feet. “Your parents must be proud of you and your budding career!”

Turning his gaze away from her smile, that damn proud smile that said she understood more then she should, that she still knew him even better then she should. He tried forcing down a blush. “Pretty proud, yeah. They’re a pain.”

“If you say so…” She shifts on her feet, and Castiel can’t help but scold as he noted her continue to stand.

“How about sitting down a couple of minutes?”

Blushing brightly Evie stuttered slightly, “Y-yeah, sorry.” Sitting down Castiel curiously noted that she still seemed to be hiding something as she sat down before him at the table. “How was studying going?”

“Fine,” He lied, how could it be fine when his mind was being filled with too many thoughts of her, and Lyn, and Hyun, and the past. “I’m just taking a break.”

“Oh…” There is a tense silence for a bit, neither speak, neither really look at one another, and it feels like the relaxed atmosphere that they’d achieved had vanished away. Trying to lighten the mood again Evie recounts the events of her parents visit, and Castiel actively listens with interest, in some parts to avoid opening up himself and in others to collect his own thoughts and nerves.

It seems to work though as Castiel ends up loudly laughing near the end, “You know I knew Lyn mom was weird, but I never realized she was that weird.”

Laughing along with him Evie simply shook her head, “Tell me about it, I love my aunt and all but… Oh well, let’s just say I’m glad I’m so used to it by now.”

“In any case, sounds like she spoils both of you…” Smirking he can’t help but feel warm at the more relaxed atmosphere that surrounds them, or her more loving smile that reminds him of their past time together. “In the end, I’m not sure you need another present.”

Evie’s smile falls, “Another present?” She becomes confused, the hidden gift on her lap becoming heavier as she’s reminded of it. “That’s…” She interrupts herself as she sees him pull out a package from underneath the table. “Cas…”

“Here,” Holding the gift out he smiles honestly. “This could be useful.”

Her grip tightens on her gift hidden on her lap, “…You’re not serious.” Her heart is racing and Castiel chuckles as he notices the blush slowly creeping up her face.

“Oh, very. Merry Christmas, again.” He states, and Evie almost wants to burst into tears as she pulls out her own gift from underneath.

His eyes slightly widened at the reveal, but his heart melts when her smile becomes the warmest and most honest since their reunion months ago. “Merry Christmas again.” She repeats, and they exchange packages, they say no more. Both opening their respective gifts only for them both to burst out laughing at what they get. Wool Scarfs. “I guess great minds think alike.” Evie jokes holding up her new black scarf as she looks at Castiel.

He holds up his own one, a nice dark shade of red looking at it though he can’t help but shake his head amusedly. “Yeah… what are the odds.”

Without thinking she rises from her seat, moving around the table to kiss him on both cheeks. Castiel is left in shock and feels as his scarf his draped around his neck, looking up though he’s met with a smile he’s missed. A private smile once shared between the two in their youth as Evie stares down at him longingly. “Thank you.” A final quick kiss to his lips cheeks a light red and she flees. Scarf in hand, heart racing, she runs both excitedly and embarrassed all the way back to her dorm, and Castiel is left cursing silently into his new scarf fluster and giddy. Yet the two are still left longing and tentative for the other, both still unsure of what they are, what they will be… but at least for now they know, they are of the same mind, and longing.

[korra-the-red-lion]

Unnatural Affairs. Chapter 8: Research.

(Ally + Lyn)

Ally

I chewed on my bottom lip as I looked at the list of people I wanted to talk to. Well, more like needed to talk to. I didn’t really want to talk to Jamieson again, but I felt like it was necessary for the case, so I’d just suck it up. I really needed to talk to the girl who got attacked, Jackie. But I wasn’t going to push her just yet, since she was supposed to stay in the hospital for one more day. She could wait, even if I didn’t like it.

The other person I wanted to talk to was that Janna Kawada person, who claimed to see the shower incident. I felt like it was a good idea to get an outsider’s perspective on it. I quickly wrote her name on the list, thinking if there was anyone else worth speaking to.

Lyn was going to do a lot of the research on the archives tonight, and I thought maybe I should help her. I didn’t study history, but I can read, and I know what I’m looking for. Besides, everyone knows two heads are better than one. I did ask Michael, but he said he was doing something tonight already. It reminded me that we actually had social lives outside of this. Well, at least they did. Sarah and Mags were my two other friends, and Sarah went home for the week. Mags had a date with their partner tonight. And I had a date with research about potentially murdered students, yay.

I opened my laptop and waited for it to wake up. I opened my search bar and typed in strange occurrences on university campuses. Unsurprisingly, mostly joke articles popped up. My face scrunched up in thought as I tried to figure out a better way to search up what I had in mind. I tried instead death on campuses, which brought up a couple of results. Most of them were accidental deaths due to overdose or an anaphylactic reaction to something, a couple of them were suicides. I read them over, even though they weren’t from this school. I just wanted to see if there were any similarities.

One thing did stand out to me. The article was over a decade old at this point, but it mentioned that a student tragically fell to their death at a party. It reminded of how Jamieson met his untimely demise. I printed off the article and stuck it in an empty folder I bought for this reason. I had to talk to him, and it might be good to compare.

Deciding it was time to rip off the Band-Aid, I packed up my things and headed out.

The on and off rain was currently off, thank God. My hair got so danged frizzy when it got damp. I mean, that was the least of my current worries, but it was super annoying. I quickly walked to where the Student Centre was located. When I got there, I stood in thought for a minute.

I don’t really want to be seen talking to the bookshelves, I thought slowly. Maybe he can leave? Otherwise, this is actually going to be harder than I thought. Crap.

Sighing in mostly annoyance, I pushed open the doors and walked inside. I wiped my feet on the mat before waving to the guy at the security desk. He nodded in acknowledgement as I went by. I wondered if he remembered me from when he helped me get back to my dorm. Instantly my guts squirmed, and I shook my head, trying to clear my head from those kinds of thoughts.

I bounded down the stairs to where the bookstore was located. Luckily for me, there was barely anyone here. There was the one lady behind the counter, and she took no mind of me. Swallowing hard, I looked around until I spotted him.

He was leaning against the counter, looking haughty with a bored expression. It looked very practiced to me, if I was being truthful. He must have felt me staring, because all of sudden he looked over with that horrible smile on his face.

I waited for him to drift over. When he did, I whispered, “Are you able to leave here?”

He looked intrigued. “The store, yes. The building, no.”

“Perfect, follow me.”

I lead him out of the store. My hands were trembling a little, and I was shivering. But, unlike that uncomfortable feeling in my chest I got around Dahlia, Jamieson didn’t do that. I think this was mostly from nerves. I pulled out my notebook while we were walking (well, I was walking) upstairs and wrote that down. Was Dahlia a stronger ghost than he was? I went all the way to the third floor and went into the ‘Quiet Room,’ a place where students could go if they needed time alone. I locked the door so no one else would walk in.

Finally, I took a deep breath and turned a steely gaze on him. “Okay, I have some questions for you. But first, what you did back in the bookstore was super uncalled for,” I snapped, jabbing a finger through his chest.

“You were the one who refused to listen to me,” he said, having the audacity of actually whining as he did.

“I didn’t refuse!” I threw my hands up angrily. “I told you I would after I had bought my books!”

“Well, I didn’t believe you!” he shot back.

“So, this might sound crazy to you, but you don’t force yourself on people when you don’t believe them!” I snarled. “If you ever do something like that to me again, I will find a way to destroy you.”

If ghosts could pale, he just did. He pouted and crossed his arms. “It’s not like I did it maliciously,” he said sullenly.

I glared at him. “Dude, intention doesn’t matter. I said no. You owe me an apology.”

“Fine! I’m sorry, human!” he said a voice that didn’t sound sorry. I rolled my eyes and sat on the floor.

“Now that the fun part is over with, I have questions about how you died,” I said, flipping to a new page in my notebook. “And since you were so keen to show me last time we spoke, I figured you’d be up for this, Jamieson.”

His eyes widen for a second before narrowing in suspicion. “How do you know my name?”

I hummed, “Dahlia told me.”

Jamieson’s eyes got a dark look in them. “Human, I wouldn’t mess with her if I were you. She’s psycho and dangerous. I doubt someone as frail as you can handle her.” He smiled darkly at me.

I scowled at him. “I can handle it just fine, thank you. Now, for my questions.”

“Why should I bother answering you?” he asked snootily.

“Because,” I said through gritted teeth, “I’m trying to solve a case here. You aren’t the only lingering spirit on this campus, which means there is something that is causing you to stay here. You showed me your death, and it replays in my head over and over again. You didn’t commit suicide or fall by accident. Someone murdered you. Is that right? That’s why you did what you did to me back in the bookstore, because you needed someone to know what really happened to you.”

He stared at me for a long time with a disinterested look on his face. Finally, he sighed and nodded slowly, his head dropping a little too far forward each time he did. “Yes, I think someone killed me.” He floated over to the couch and sat down, crossing his legs.

I sat next to him and placed my notebook on my lap. “Tell me what you remember, Jamieson.”

When he made eye contact with me, I suddenly realized I was looking into the eyes of someone not much older than myself. A young man whose life was torn away from him far too soon, and he held on to that resentment for all these years. I wasn’t just speaking to some guy from the 1800s, this kid was wearing pretty modern looking clothes.

“It was our last week of classes for the whole school year, back in 2007,” he started, staring off into some lost memory. “I was really excited because I had just finished my lab exam and was pretty sure I aced it. Me and some friends decided we were going to celebrate before the big party, so we grabbed some drinks and got drunk, like guys my age do. Anyway, me and Rachel, my girlfriend, left the preparty to hang out alone. We were making out on the roof of the Student Centre when she got super cold all of a sudden.” He paused, a look of understanding crossing over his features. He laughed quietly, sounding bitter. “Thinking about it now, maybe she was just sensing something that wasn’t really there. Where was I? Oh, yeah. I got up to give her my jacket when we both heard something. I looked around and didn’t see anyone, but then she was screaming her fricking head off and ran away. I was just about to follow after her when I felt something grab the back off my jacket and it tossed me back.”

He paused again, this time looking fearful. I went to reach over to grab his hand out of habit, but I just passed through him. Jamieson looked down at my hand, the look on his face switching from fear to mournful. He gave me the smallest shake of his head and smiled. “It’s okay. I mean, it was years ago…Plus, it’s not like I don’t relive it every day,” he said, pulling his head in an awkward angle.

I tried very hard to make sure I hid my discomfort at this display. “Are you sure? I can come back at a different time if you want.”

“It doesn’t matter. Today or tomorrow, I’m still dead.” His ghostly form went through the motion of taking a deep breath out of habit. “I never really saw who did it. I just know I heard them saying that they needed fresh blood. Next thing I knew, I was pushed off the roof. I landed awkwardly, still alive briefly. I think that was the worst, you know what I mean? I could feel myself dying. I could feel it, but there was nothing I could do about it. I finally just…stopped living. I woke- is that how you would say it?- whatever, I woke up in the bookstore a while later. My body was already gone, and I’m pretty sure it was the summertime. There have been none after me, luckily. Well, I think anyway. I’m the last murdered student of this campus, but I’m definitely not the first one.”

I was quietly writing as he spoke, but I stopped when he did. No one else had died since then…? That should have been something that made me feel better, but it just filled me with a small sense of dread. It’s been over 10 years since someone last died, according to him and now all of sudden someone got attacked on campus recently? Is it connected or just a coincidence?

“Jamieson…” I bit my lip, trying to think of how to say this. “Before you were…murdered, were there unnatural things happening on campus?”

He looked at me puzzled. “Maybe? It’s been so long now…”

“I’m not sure how much you’ve heard, but there have been some strange things going on,” I said slowly. “Or at least, one strange thing. There may be more that just never got attention.”

“I don’t see how that’s connected,” said Jamieson.

“Please, just try and remember.”

Jamieson’s face screwed up in concentration as he thought. I chewed on my pen as I waited for his response. Finally, he shrugged and said, “Maybe one or two things. I know that Sadie said that the walls were oozing one day when she was alone, and Zach claimed he saw a dark shadow chasing him, but he was high as a kite.”

I jotted it down quickly, marking it with a little star. I wonder if we would be able to find old student newspapers that mentioned it at all. I turned to look at the young man in front of me, who was watching me with such a curious expression. I smiled and said, “Thank you, Jamieson.”

He tilted his head in confusion. “Why are you thanking me?”

“Because I’m starting to build a picture here, and what you told me was a great start,” I explained. “I know we didn’t get off on the right foot, but you still shared your story with me.”

If ghosts could blush, then Jamieson just did. “I-,” he rubbed his neck, “-I’m sorry for how I acted earlier. And for the bookstore thing too. It was uncalled for. I’m…I’m just happy that someone is taking this seriously.”

I hovered my hand over his, staring him in the eye. “I can’t promise I’ll solve this, but I’m going to try my very best to.”

His eyes searched my face for any form of deceit before he broke out in a genuine smile, not that creepy one from earlier. “Thank you, human.”

“It’s Ally.”

Jamieson’s face filled with shock. “Why did you tell me your name?” he asked in surprise. “You do know it’s dangerous for a spirit to know your name, right?”

I stood up and pulled my sock up, which had slipped down when I sat. “Because I trust you,” I said simply.

“I- wow.” Jamieson stood as well and stared at me curiously. “You’re a very strange human, you know that?”

The smile that flitted across my face came uninvited. I shrugged and nodded. “I’m not sure I would have it any other way.”

He smirked, shaking his head. “Women, sheesh. I didn’t understand them when I was alive, and I don’t understand ‘em now. I need to head back now.” He paused before looking at me with hesitation. “Will…will you come and see me again?”

“I’ll try my best, but no promises.” He nodded in understanding. He gave me one last awkward wave before disappearing through the wall, no doubt heading back to the bookstore. I stayed there for a couple of minutes, lost in my thoughts.

Jamieson wasn’t that old. Dahlia didn’t seem to be much older either. Why? Who was killing students on this campus? Did the strange occurrences have something to do with it? I pulled out my phone and stared at my messages from Michael this morning. A perfect specimen, fresh blood. What did it all mean?

Groaning in confusion, I packed up my things before going after the next person on my list: Janna Kawada. Why did a couple of answers always come with a few more questions?

XXX

Lyn

I guess therapy wasn’t as bad as my parents made it out to be.

I wasn’t even sure I should call it therapy. I saw the mental health counselor on campus and told her what was going on. She listened and never interrupted me, something my parents would never do. She suggested to me some places I could look into to get more help if I needed it, but I was more than welcome to come back if I wanted.

Needless to say, it was super weird.

She offered me some solutions to my sleeping problems which didn’t include drugs, which I was grateful for. I had nothing against them personally, I just didn’t want them to affect my daily life. It was an option, just one I wasn’t personally comfortable exploring yet.

I went to practice after that, which was just a sad affair. Most of us, myself included obviously, were still reeling over the shock of what happened to Jackie. They even made it a requirement that a member of the campus security stay on the pool deck with us at all times right now. Morale was kinda at an all time low and if I was being honest with myself (which apparently is a new thing I’m supposed to do) I wasn’t sure we could bounce out of this funk. Even Coach Jacob’s heart wasn’t really in it. Andrew and Emma did their best to bring the mood up, but it wasn’t doing much.

Finally, the misery that was practice ended on a feeble note and me and the other girls picked up our stuff off the pool deck. Our locker room was still off limits until the repair was done on the wall, which literally could be whenever they decide to get around to it. We went into the family change room meant for the little kids and changed in there.

There was very minimal chatter today as we all wanted to get out of there quickly. I tied my hair up into a bun as I thought about grabbing a quick bite to eat before heading over to the library. I was probably going to be there for awhile. The thought of a nice greasy pizza seemed really appealing all of sudden and my stomach growled.

“Someone’s hungry,” mumbled Kerry as she pulled her shirt over her head.

I giggled, which in turn caused Kerry to giggle. Then Loryn snorted loudly, and we just couldn’t stop giggling. It felt a little desperate, but it also felt good. Emma joined in and soon enough we were all laughing about something.

“Hey, guess what?” Loryn said between gasps of breath. “Lyn’s got a date tonight!”

“Oh my God,” I groaned even though I was still smiling, “shut up Lor!”

“Oooh, who with?” asked Kerry excitedly.

“Yeah, spill Hart!” That was Emma.

“I wanna know too!” Tammy added.

I covered my face with my hands in mock embarrassment, even though I could feel my face heating up a little. “You guys don’t know her!”

“It’s a she!” Kerry said clapping her hands together in joy. Loryn stuffed a fist against her mouth to stop herself from laughing out loud. I tried glaring at her but my face muscles refused to listen to me.

“Is she nice?” asked Tammy innocently, even though she wore a shit-eating grin on her face.

“Yeah, is she? And how do you know we don’t know her?” said Maddie wearing a matching grin.

I shook my head, refusing to answer. Loryn did the honour instead, blurting out, “It’s a first year!”

Now the first years were getting in on it, asking about her. Honestly, I didn’t mind sharing but Loryn made it seem so much bigger than it was, so I played along. And everyone was actually smiling and joking around again, which warmed me to see. Robin instantly pulled up Tinder to see if she could find who it was.

“What’s going on here?”

I looked through my fingers, tears springing to my eyes. Jackie was in a wheelchair being pushed by her mum. The others screamed in shock and joy as I nearly fell to my knees in relief. She was pale, her face had the pinched look on her face from pain, but she was smiling her stupid fool smile.

“Jackie, are you feeling?” I asked, my voice tight with emotion.

She took my hands into her own as I knelt in front of her. “Tired and super sore, that’s for sure. But I guess the wound wasn’t as deep as I thought. I think they said it was mostly shock. Anyway, can’t swim until the stiches come out. Even then, I suppose to take it easy. I’m done competing for the year.” Although she said this all in an even voice, her hands were shaking in mine.

“I’m so sorry to hear that, Jackles,” I said, squeezing her hands. Tammy, who was basically crying on Jackie’s head muttered the same thing. The other girls came over and gave their sympathies too, as Emma spoke to Jackie’s mum quietly away from everyone else.

Eventually, Jackie’s mum said it was starting to get a little too overwhelming for Jackie, so they said goodbye and wished us luck for the year. I was really glad that Jackie was out of the hospital, even if it felt a little early to me. I had a feeling she left before she was supposed to. The wound was bleeding a lot when I found her, it even soaked through a towel. Or maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me in the middle of a crisis, who knows. Still, it was nice to know she was doing okay.

Emma had spoken to the team after that, saying that she wanted us to give Jackie some space once she came back. Apparently, she was having nightmares about the situation and was grieving the loss of her season really hard. We all agreed to keep it cool, and Emma left to go catch Andrew and Coach Jacob before they left to let them know.

After that, I left the AC to grab a bite to eat. The pizza place that sold big slices was only a quick minute walk down the street, so I swung by there first before heading to the library. I waved to Eileen the librarian before heading downstairs to where the older records were.

I took my usual table and pulled out my laptop, getting all set up when my phone buzzed. I swiped at the screen and read Loryn’s stupid “Have fun on your date! ;^)” text. I rolled my eyes, smirking a little as I sent her a snarky text back.

I slipped my headphones on, opened my iTunes and clicked on Death by Rock and Roll by the Pretty Reckless to get my night started. Taylor’s sultry voice rumbled in my ears as I opened Firefox and quickly got to work.

The first thing to do was figure out if there were other strange things that happened. I already had a couple of dates, so I did the easiest one first, 2007. I opened the library database and looked for the newspaper section, typing in some keywords. The trick to finding what you needed was only selecting a couple of keywords for the search engine to look up. Bingo. There was an article posted in the student paper about oozing walls being reported by some student named Sadie Franklin. I read it over, jotting some notes down. According to an update, it was chalked up to a faulty pipe bursting. A simple explanation for something strange happening. Just like Jackie’s situation.

Next, I looked to see if anything else happened in the same year. The only other thing that was out of the norm was a student died at the end of the year in an apparent accidental death. The police report that was released said his blood alcohol levels were way above normal and suggested that he must have slipped off the roof when he was goofing off with his girlfriend. Curious, I searched around to see if something strange happened in the town itself. The only thing that stood out was a weird power outage on April 25th. No one discovered the reason behind it, most believing it was just faulty wiring.

Faulty wiring, huh? I leaned back, crossing my arms as I stared at the screen. Faulty wiring wouldn’t cause a town wide power outage, would it? That definitely didn’t make a ton of sense. I got up from my desk and raced upstairs to print off a copy of the article. I tapped my student card against the printer to open up my account, clicked on the doc, and printed it off. I also had sent a copy of the student papers with the oozing wall article and the follow-up to be printed off as well. Once that was done, I went back to the basement to continue searching. But not before I bought a chocolate milk from the café.

Slipping my headphones back on, I unpaused my music as I pulled up a new tab. I wanted to do a quick comparison from 1995. I read through a few different articles until I could feel my eyes watering, but I still kept looking. There was a lot of work to do, but it needed to be done. Finally, something caught my eye. It was published in October of ’95. One of the students claimed hearing a strange voice coming from a classroom in Harper, and when she went to go look into it, there was no one in there. Apparently after that, the door locked on her and the classroom got completely trashed. She claimed it wasn’t her, but no one believed her. She had to pay for the damages, and she quietly left school after that.

“Pretty interesting, Kimberly Stanford,” I muttered to myself as I wrote down her name. I wondered if it would be possible to meet up with her, or at least give her a call. She might have something relevant to share.

The next thing I did was look up obituaries from 1995. I first looked around the same month that Jamieson Harris had died in, April. I combed through them all and no young people had died at that time. So, I worked backwards, hoping to catch something. I yawned as I read through the obituaries of those who died in March and February, but nothing was showing up.

I was so caught up in my work that I never noticed that someone had walked over to my table until I felt someone tap my shoulder. I jerked in surprise, pulling my headphones off. I whipped around and saw Ally standing there looking very guilty.

“Lyn, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to spook you,” she said awkwardly. She held up a tray of drinks. “I thought maybe you’d want some company? I texted you but I guess you didn’t see it.”

“Oh, it’s all good, no worries,” I said shakily. I took one of the drinks with a thanks and took a sip. The taste of chocolate hit my tongue and I smiled as I felt the warmth fill my belly. “Take a seat.”

Ally smoothed her skirt and sat down beside me. Her fingers brushed the top of my paper pile. “You’ve been busy,” she commented.

I nodded, leaning into my hand. “That’s all from 2007. I was working my way through some stuff from ’95 when you popped in.”

Her eyes skimmed the printed off article as her lip curled into a frown. She gently put it back and pulled her own notebook out. She shuffled closer to me so she could show me what she had written down. I could see that it was the same story, albeit with more detail.

“Where did you get this?” I asked as I turned the page to read the rest.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, tucking her hair behind her ear as she did. “I spoke to Jamieson.”

I paused for a second, taking in the impact of that statement. I looked over to see that her face was screwed up in worry, waiting for me to respond. Our eyes connected and for whatever stupid reason, I blushed. Loryn’s words were bouncing around my head. I smiled gently and placed my hand over hers.

“Ally, it’s cool. You already told me that you could see them and stuff, right? You don’t have to be worried about me ditching you or anything.”

Relief flooded her eyes, and it just occurred to me that they were a really pretty colour of hazel. She smiled back, pink faintly dusting her cheeks. “Thank you, Lyn. I- it means a lot to me.”

My heart was thudding loudly as we continued to make eye contact. Finally, I looked away awkwardly. “Yeah, no worries. I’d n-never do something like that to anyone, you know?” I laughed with embarrassment. Why was I getting so flustered? Was I the one who said I barely knew her? God, Loryn can never ever learn about this.

I picked up the notebook, regretfully pulling my hand off of hers. “Okay, so you talked to this guy. What he says kinda matches up with what I found.”

Ally was watching me with a curious expression before she nodded. “Except for the part where someone pushed him off. He didn’t fall by accident, he was murdered.”

A chill went up my spine. “Right, yeah.” I skimmed through her writing and nodded when I saw it. I reached over and grabbed my own notebook to show her I had the oozing wall note too. We read over the two different accounts, and I wrote down Sadie’s name too. Maybe we wouldn’t be able to get in contact with her, but it was worth a shot.

I showed Ally what I had been working on before she got here. I explained that I was looking to see if anyone died during that year as well. I showed her the account of Kimberly Stanford and how no one believed her story. Ally opened her own laptop and I showed her where to find the obituaries. We sat side by side looking through them together. The only sound was the tapping of our fingers as we scrolled down and our breathing.

I was aware of how late it was getting. The library was going to close shortly. Finally, I found one. A young woman died in ’95 in November, right here on campus. The way the obituary was written made it sound like a suicide. I sat up excitedly, grabbing Ally by the shoulder. I showed her what I found, and I grinned at her.

“Looks like we’re building ourselves a case here.”

“But why?” Ally asked thoughtfully as she read over the death of Amelia Turner. “The dates are so far apart, so who is killing students?”

The lights flickered overhead, before going on. We both froze, our breathing going very shallow. Just as sudden, the lights flared back to life. Ally and I looked at each for only a second before we quickly packed up our things. We were sure as hell not sticking around after that.

I took the stairs two at a time, trying to get my heart under control. I waved goodbye to Eileen as we left. The sky was clear tonight, the clouds of the miserable day finally gone. It was strangely peaceful after the sudden power shortage. I offered to walk Ally back to her res, which she agreed to gratefully.

We walked quietly back, both lost in our own thoughts. I just couldn’t believe that students were murdered on the very campus that we were currently living on. There was a very big possibility that the person who murdered Jamieson Harris and Amelia Turner was still here. That was scarier than anything else. Did that person attack Jackie too, or was it really a ghost?

“Lyn,” said Ally quietly, knocking me out of my head. I looked down her, but she was staring forward.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you,” she said softly. “I never had a lot of friends growing up. I always felt like I couldn’t connect to them because I was always hiding a part of myself away. Maybe it’s not a big deal to someone like you because you just seem so self confident but having someone who not only believes in me, but also is willing to step out of their comfort zone just to help me means the whole world. You’re so kind and cheerful and I just…you make me feel safe.”

I said nothing as I listened. When she was finished, I reached down for her hand, clasping it in my own. She looked up at me, and I smiled softly.

“You don’t have to thank me for being your friend, Ally. I’m like, super lucky to meet someone as cool as you,” I said. “I knew after that tour that we were going to be friends. Sure, you talk to dead people and that’s kinda weird, but that doesn’t make you some unapproachable freak. You’re funny, sweet, and like, super caring. I don’t know anyone else who would be looking into the murder of a ghosts just because some girl they didn’t know got hurt. Honestly, that’s pretty amazing to me.” I reached up and tugged at my ear in embarrassment. I didn’t mean to go off like that.

There was a silence between us before Ally wrapped her other arm around me. I blinked in surprise before I gave her a one arm hug back. We stayed like this for God knows how long. It was…comfortable. Ally’s body warmth felt nice and calming. She rested her head on my shoulder and I resisted the urge to put my chin on her.

It was only after that the cold was too much for us that we stopped. Ally smiled at me ruefully before kissing the back of my hand.

“Night, Lyn.”

“Good night, Ally.”

I watched her walk into MacGavin, waving at her when she looked back. I didn’t leave until I was sure she was safe inside. Then I slowly walked back to Lukas, my hand tingling where Ally had kissed it.

I totally had a crush on Ally.

[a-thehandcrusher]

{ HEY, @whataherodoes​ ! ! ! }

Congratulations on getting through all of your homework, here’s a treat for your efforts. Presumably you’re still asleep or just waking up, so I hope this is a pleasant surprise for you. I know the past few months have been especially rough for you, so I pulled some friends together and we put this together for you. You’ll either hate me for it or love me for it, but god damn it regardless of the outcome I’m gonna do it anyway! It took a little bit longer than I intended (so some of these messages might be a little confusing -- it’s definitely my fault), but either way, the idea was for you to know just how important you are to people, and how much we love and adore you so without further ado, here’s a flood of messages for you.

(Thank you Marina ( @shocklocks ) for contributing to this post with your lovely and adorable art!)

From Maddy - @creatied​ / @islelight​

hey shir i know we haven’t been talking a lot lately but i still care about you a lot and consider you very near and dear to my heart. you’re a wonderful person shir & i hope whatever you’re going through eases up soon. i’ll be sure to keep you in my thoughts and prayers in the mean time but feel free to drop in if you ever need to talk okay. i love you! ♥

From Jay - @implosiveexplosive​

SHIR, you've filled my dash with prime time Bakugo content. You're such a sweetheart and talking to you OOC makes my day. I HOPE THINGS GET BETTER SOON !! LET ME KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP !!

From Zana - @heromight​

Hi Shir!!! It’s ya girl Zana! I’m so happy Deen’s helping coordinate this whole thing for you because you deserve to be showered with all the praise and compliments 100 percent!!! Not only are you an amazing Bakugou, you’re such a fun person to talk to and I know one day you’ll be a kickass animator too. I’m really glad we’re friends and ILU!!! “How To Safe A Life” will always be our song btw FYI kiss kiss gobbles up your booty  ^_^

From Ruby - @herohalf​

hey shir, we haven't known each other for long.. . or maybe we have, my concept of time is bad but i consider you a really good friend !! like don't get me wrong you're a stubborn bitch, but i am too and at least you're my stubborn ass bitch. but no, more seriously i really know i can debate things with you and talk with you and it'll still be okay in the end. i really appreciate those types of friendships you know? where things can be open to argument or disagreement but we can still talk about it and just, speaking with you in general is really fun!! you might be irl bakuku but i love you anyway and think you're really cool. i'm really happy that we finally talked and became closer.

From Lyn - @supcrmight

Shir!! I'm popping in here to tell you just? how amazing? you are? You are so heckin kind and wonderful, and so much fun to talk to not only when we're plotting out things, but just talking to you in general. You're so sweet and you care about those around you so much, I would very honestly throw hands for you. I'm really glad that we started talking? Like SUPER happy. Because you are just one of the coolest people I've met on tumblr. Not only that? But you are so hecking talented? I know I say this a lot, but I love your Bakugou so much, and your Tony. I love your portrayals of those two more than life itself, gosh. You're just amazing!! And wonderful!! And I am always, always here for you if you ever need to talk!

From Turtle - @katsukashinu​

ok ill be real i wasnt sure when shir started talking to me because she was such a good writer and i really liked her baku but usually that shit doesnt go well in fandoms but apparently we were actually linked by the soul because she literally became one of the first people on this shit-stain of a pathetic excuse for a site that i really looked forward to talking to, like real legitimate gayness here thats my husband and even though i mostly just laugh at her and call her cute when she's pissed i really would have never stuck with my blog for as long as i have if it werent for her, i really do owe shir for getting me through some pretty rough spots too and she needs to shut the fuck up and be happy ok

From Sam - @smashkick​​

so i've known you for a year and a half and from the get go you've been one of the few people i didn't have to gather up the courage to talk to or get past any awkward initial stages. i've seen you during the good and the bad and we've had a couple of ups and downs and falling outs but we're close enough to get past the bullshit and keep talking and i can't tell you how important it is to me that you've continued to be in my life. i know you're an amazing person inside and out even if you are stubborn and a bit of an asshole sometimes, something that we all can be, but you're also extremely supportive and considerate of people even though you're also really blunt about your opinions as well. your passion for animation is inspiring and i'm rooting for your future career as an animator and i'm always wishing you nothing but the best and i tell you this a lot but i will always always have your back. knowing you has improved my life and i've changed a lot and for the better since ive known you so yeah thank you and again ilu ok

From Deen - @thehandcrusher​

Alright listen up you bitch, I tried very hard to type something nice that played well with everyone else’s messages, but my brain isn’t having it so here we go, a blunt message from me to you.

I know we have our moments and sometimes we both drive each other up a wall -- it seems like it’s happened more so lately than it has in the past, but the thing I like about you is the fact that we can do that and still be friends somehow. I take it for granted sometimes and I go a little too far, but know that my intentions are never to hurt your feelings. I admire you. A lot, even. Your talent, your strength, your loyalty, and your tenacity -- all things I admire so much. I wish I could be as brave as you are. I care about you even when I’m pissed at you, and I always, always worry about you.

It sucks when someone who’s oceans away in a timezone hours ahead is one of your best friends because when I want nothing more than to hug you tight all I can do is type a really stupid heartfelt sentence that doesn’t actually DO anything for you because words don’t mean shit if you can’t back them up with actions.

If these past couple of weeks were any indication I absolutely hate missing you and hate not being able to talk to you as frequently as we used to. I’m sorry I dragged you into this hell, but I sure am glad you’re here with me.

I love and adore you. So much.

[fire-emblem-heroes-supports]

Hector/Bride!Lyn C-S support

Written by nintendogeek189

C SUPPORT

Hector: Lyn!? Lyndis!? Are you around here!?

Lyn: …

Hector: That’s strange, I thought for sure Alphonse said that [y/n] summoned her earlier this morning…

Lyn:  …*ah-choo* Drat!

Hector: Lyn? Is that you?

Lyn: Eep!

Hector: Oh, Lyn! It’s so good to see you, I-I-What… are you wearing?

Lyn: H-Hector, I-I swear there’s a reason I’m wearing this…

Hector: No, it’s okay. I completely understand.

Lyn: You… do?

Hector: Of course! [y/n] mentioned that the summoning ritual tends to grab random people at random points in time. I’m just sorry you had the bad luck to get grabbed on your wedding day.

Lyn: Wedding day!? No-Hector, that’s not…

Hector: Don’t worry about a thing, I’ll talk to [y/n] about not putting you on the roster for sortie until you’re adjusted and, hey, odds are your fiancé will get summoned any day now.

Lyn: My? Fiancé?

Hector: So, tell me, who was the lucky dog that got you to say yes, huh? Did Eliwood finally man up and pop the question? Or was it that Rath fellow?

Lyn: No, neither of them “popped the question.” It’s-

Hector: Really? Then who…? Oh no, Lyn! Don’t tell me it was KENT!?

Lyn: No! I- Wait, what’s wrong with Kent?

Hector: Nothing, it’s just, you know, he’s so… uptight. But no, no, you’re right. He’ll treat you well and hey, if anyone can get him to unwind and take that stick out of his ass it would be you.

Lyn: !?!?!?!?!?

Hector: You two are good together. Congratulations! I’ll talk to the rest of the Order so that when he shows up, you two can have-

Lyn: UGH! Hector, you’re impossible!

Hector: …Was it something I said?

[Hector and Lyn have reached support rank C.]

B SUPPORT

Lyn: …

Hector: Lyn. I’d… like to apologize for my behavior the other day. Commander Anna and [y/n] were kind enough to set me straight and explain that within the month of June, the summoning ritual begins to favor female heroes that are of or are around marrying age and sometimes bestows upon them “sacred vestments”…

Lyn: …

Hector: However, my lack of knowledge doesn’t change the fact that when I saw you in that dress, I made an assumption abou-

Lyn: You made SEVERAL assumptions.

Hector: -I made SEVERAL assumptions about what was going on in your life and for that, I apologize.

Lyn: *sigh* I… forgive you, Hector. Honestly, I guess anyone would think what you thought if they saw me in this dress, given the circumstances.

Hector: Yeah, about that dress…

Lyn: (Here it comes…)

Hector: You had mentioned there was a “reason” you were in that dress and Commander Anna said that the summoning ritual only gives its “treasures” to Heroes who are either already in wedding dresses, are engaged or are thinking about marriage, so why were you…?

Lyn: Ugh! Do you really want to know?

Hector: I’m just curious.

Lyn: The three Pegasus Sisters and I went into town to procure supplies for the army and while we were there, we passed a Bridal Boutique that had a dress that looked remarkably like this one now that you mention it. Anyway, Farina brought up the topic of weddings with the other two and while they did that, I ‘BRIEFLY’ entertained the idea of getting married and the next thing I knew, I was standing on that cliff, wearing this thing.

Hector: Wow, that’s a tough break. But, if you hate wearing it so much, why haven’t you…?

Lyn: Don’t you think I’ve tried that, Hector!? Every time I take it off and put on a new set of clothes, they turn into an exact copy of this blasted dress!

Hector: Ah, I see. Is the reason you haven’t been using a sword…?

Lyn: Ugh, yes. Every time I pick up a blade, it changes into this ridiculous candle!

Hector: Hey, come on, Lyn… I know this situation isn’t ideal, but you and that “ridiculous candle” helped us out of some tight spots in the last fight.

Lyn: Hector… It’s just…

Hector: Lyn, I-

Lyn: Sorry, I have to go…

Hector: …

[Hector and Lyn have reached support rank B.]

A SUPPORT

Lyn: Yowch! That one still smarts…

Hector: Lyn!

Lyn: Oh, Hector.

Hector: Lyn! Are you alright?! You took a bad hit in that last battle.

Lyn: Yes… I’m fine now. The healers at the castle took care of most of it, it’s just a few cuts and bruises at this point.

Hector: Okay, well, in that case…

Lyn: What are you- Hey! Unhand me you-!

Hector: What the HELL happened out there Lyn!?! You ignored [y/n]’s orders, overextended yourself and walked right into that axman’s range! If Lady Sharena hadn’t taken that hit for you, you could have gotten yourself killed!

Lyn: You’re right, Hector. I wasn’t thinking-

Hector: You’re damned right you weren’t! Look, I’m glad you’re safe, but the Princess is still in critical condition and I can’t figure out where in the Gods-Damned Hell your head was at.

Lyn: You wouldn’t understand, Hector! Nothing about me being brought here has gone well. I was snatched here against my will, was stuffed in this idiotic dress and sent into battle with this stupid candle, so I can’t even be useful!

Hector: …

Lyn: *sigh* Why was I even brought here? Why couldn’t it have been someone else who would actually enjoy wearing this, or who is used to supporting others? Why me?

Hector: …You know what, Lyn? …I’m disappointed in you.

Lyn: Hector? What are you…?

Hector: The Lyndis I knew wouldn’t just give up because of a dress. Now look, you’re right, I don’t understand. I can’t imagine what it’s like being forced into a support role, especially for a frontline fighter like yourself, but damnit Lyn, you’ve seen the kind of things Emblia is throwing at us! We need all of the help we can get! I always figured that the gods, spirits, or whatever else governs those summoning stones gave you that “stupid candle” because it needed someone who was smart enough to use it right and cared enough about other people to use it often, but I guess I was wrong!

Lyn: …

Hector: Lyn, do you remember what you did a few days after we met? You challenged me to a duel and wouldn’t take no for an answer. We fought and you lost. Do you remember what you did after that?

Lyn: …

Hector: You didn’t just give up. You got up, brushed yourself off and started training so that you could close off the holes you found in your swordplay.

Lyn: …

Hector: So, if you’re just going to keep moping around like you’ve been doing, go find [y/n] and have them send you home with your tail between your legs because right now you’re liable to get yourself or someone else killed. Or, you can stand back up, get some fire in your belly, start acting like the Lyn I know and respect, and help me and the rest of the Order send those Emblian dastards to Kingdom Come.

Lyn: Hector, I-I need to think about what you just said by myself for a while.

Hector: That’s all I ask, Lyn. That’s all I ask.

[Hector and Lyn have reached support rank A.]

S SUPPORT

Lyn: Oh! Hector! I saw that you took a few hits during that last battle. Have they been treated? Or should I take care of them now?

Hector: Lyn! No, that’s fine, they’re okay now. And you know as well as I do that if it weren’t for you, they’d be much worse.

Lyn: Oh, Hector. You’re exaggerating.

Hector: No, I mean it. That archer and sword knight had me pinned with no way out. You used that candle of yours to give me an opening to take armored sod out and that gave Matthew the opening he needed to take out the bowman.

Lyn: It’s no problem, Hector. It occurs to me that I never thanked you for last time.

Hector: Lyn, you don’t have to thank me. I kind of snapped at you when you were down.

Lyn: No, Hector, you were right to do that. I wasn’t being myself and was just kind of moping around about the whole thing and feeling sorry from myself. I needed that kick in the rear and I’m glad you were there to snap me out of it.

Hector: Well, I couldn’t just do nothing. You’re usually so strong-willed and self-assured! I couldn’t stand seeing you like that.

Lyn: You… couldn’t stand it?

Hector: Of course, I couldn’t! I respect you too much to see you down.

Lyn: Do you mean that?

Hector: Absolutely! And it’s not just that either. I admire how much you care about others, you’re one of the cleverest people I know, you’re drop-dead gorgeous and, most importantly, you never give up, no matter what. That’s what… what I…

Lyn: Hector?

Hector: Agh! Damnit, Lyn! That’s what made me fall in love with you in the first place.

Lyn: You’re… in love with me?

Hector: Yeah, I am. I have been for a long time. I think since I first met you… I’m sorry for not telling you all this time.

Lyn: Hector…

Hector: Do you remember when you first got here and I saw you in that dress? When I saw you like that, I made an assum- I made SEVERAL assumptions about what was going on and I told myself that I was going to support your decision no matter what, but part of me started to fall apart when I thought about you marrying someone else and I kind of overcompensated in trying to be supportive and I didn’t try to hear your side of the story.

Lyn: Hector.

Hector: *sigh* Well… I had to get that out. Look, Lyn, if you don’t feel the same, I understand and I don’t want this to affect our friendship but if you don’t want to see me after this, I completely understa-

Lyn: Hector!

Hector: …

Lyn: Do you remember what I said I was doing before I was summoned here?

Hector: Yeah… you said you were out shopping, saw a Bridal Boutique and had a passing thought about getting married. Why?

Lyn: I’m afraid I lied to yo,u Hector. I’ve thought about getting married a lot since the war back home started. At first, it was just an idea about what I would do once the war ended, but then it became an occasional daydream about what my wedding would look like and then, well, the daydream started to be about who I would be marrying and, you see… lately, it’s been about me getting married to you, Hector.

Hector: Lyn… are you saying-?

Lyn: Yes, I love you too.

Hector: Oh, Lyn! This is the happiest day of my life!

Lyn: Oh, Hector. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you either.

Hector: That just means we’re even now, right? Lyn, after both of our wars are over, how do you feel about starting over again, just the two of us?

Lyn: I’d love that, Hector.

Lyn: …On one condition…

Hector: Anything! Just name it!

Lyn: If and when we ever actually get married…

Hector: Yeah…?

Lyn: …I’m wearing a DIFFERENT dress!

[Hector and Lyn have reached support rank S.]

[defunctblogtobedeleted]

10/31/19 3:14pm - Lotssaaaa Fet Stuff

I realize now that I wrote concerts, in anticipation of getting to this weekend in the last post, and I only wrote about one concert. Dumb.

I went to my first BDSM play party on the first sat of the month. It was wild. I went in a suped up kitty outfit but found that I didn’t really enjoy my new plug as much as I’d hoped. Everyone loved it though, I met a bunch of people and got to try my first scene! My buddy gerald and Lyn topped me for some elector play and I spent a half hour getting shocked with various metal thingies. Man, it felt like thousands of scratchy tickles. I was laughing my ass off the entire time. It was amazing. It felt like a lot. But it felt exhilarating too. And I watched some intense flogging and some medical scening like needles going through tits and medical staples and electrically conductive wire being run through all of it and then electrified. It was mind blowing. I’m definitely about the scene now. It’s like enchanting to see how everyone reacts to everything in different ways. The screaming, the moaning, the shivering, the stomping. I really like to watch rope play as well, I’m meaning to start learning it myself again. Lyn said she’d practice with me, and another girl Elyse did too but we’ll get to her later. I’ve just gotta make sure I can DO it. Don’t wanna like embarrass myself lol. Though I think they’d both be pretty understanding. But still, that might be one of my next creative projects. So I guess I’ve gotten away from it but the party at the hangar was fun as fuck. Lyn came over afterward, we finally had sex and she’s the first person to successfully convince me to wear a condom since my vasectomy 😂 Sex was sex/10, nothing super special, but delightfully satisfying. Lyn’s on the heavier end of my acceptable BMI range for partners, but she’s not super heavyset or anything. Since then we haven’t been able to hang out, she had to do some surgery and has been stuck at home. But she got some electro play stuff so as soon as she’s feeling better we’re definitely gonna fool around with that :3 So high hopes that she’ll be harem member #2. fingers crossed  😘

Lyn stats -  Str - 10, Dex - 6 (currently lol), Con - 13, Int - 13, Wis - 13, Cha - 12 Hob - 16, Spo - 14, Mhp - 14, Sex - 19, Beu - 13, Sta - 10

To be clear maybe this sex stat is a little inflated, but gotta give credit where credit is due. Pretty legendary just watching her love sucking my cock for a half hour.

We were up until like 4 in the morning watching somethingorother. I downloaded the marvel movies I hadn’t seen but it wasn’t the right time to watch them. We watched some anime and cuddled up and passed out. I don’t know when she left but I’m pretty sure I slept in til like 3 or 4 I think lol.

The next day I went to durham early to see KKB play again! Hung out with Kailey and Cane and Pacos beforehand and drank a bit of champagne to pregame the concert. Honestly I was pretty fucking beat by the time the concert happened though. Like was falling asleep standing up during the show. Plus we were way in the back, the venue was way more crowded than when we saw KKB at the coffeehouse. Felt a little less romantic. But I did bump into my buddies john and travis there, that was weird. and my other friends ended up messaging me saying they were there too but didn’t bump into them. I was still happy I saw the show though, and it’s always great chilling with manu and christina and maya and pacos and oliver and rianne. I was actually supposed to switch shifts that day so I could go to another fet event on wednesday, but bailed so I could hang out with them. Despite being tired as balls I’d say it was worth.

OH MY GOD then I’m not sure if it was this monday or the previous one. But I met this thick Chris Pratt looking welsh guy at the local Fet mixer (slosh night). He kept complimenting me and said if I wanted to fool around I should let him know. Well the night rolled around and my friend had tried to introduce me to this girl who wanted to do pet play but I really didn’t hit things off with her, and was talking to this chris pratt guy about his life traveling the world and also anime. So I took him home to his hotel room, and we tried to arrange for a girl to come play with us too. Unfortunately she flaked so we sat there drinking some rum together and reminiscing on our lives and sharing stories. We decided to get some food and then start fooling around, but right then he got a call that his brother died and he’d have to change his travel plans for the week to make it to the funeral. Pretty tragic. We kissed goodbye and that was that. Guy made bannnkkkk though, I probably would’ve been a boy toy for that kinda cash lmfaoooo. It wasn’t like that. But it could have been. Who fucking knows, man.

That week my fet friend Ann came out to do karaoke with me, too. We don’t have a thing, yet. But we talk once in a while. I haven’t seen her in a minute but she’s into nerdy shit. Turns out there’s a Lot of overlap with nerdy and fet. Which is amazing for me. But Ann joined me and Terri and our friend Matt and Skyler and Jacob and Caitlin are usually there and a lot of times our buddy Jonas from emo karaoke comes too so I’ve got a great fucking posse starting to build up. Karaoke is sick. It’s like my home.

But the next weekend was a fetish fashion show, and my second play party.

For the fashion show Lyn and I had been talking about dressing up to compete, but she ended up having her surgery and couldn’t go. I still was ready to go with my kitty outfit that I had given a test run at the hangar a week before, so I was ready to rock it. Tbh I was kinda nervous. It would have helped if I found out I was the only one competing in my category, but I just wanted to make sure I looked beautiful and shit. Did the best job I’ve ever done putting on eyeliner, I’m getting a lot better lol. Actually got some compliments from the host on it. And a whole bunch of my first fet friends were there to see me!

Sidebar - I came out of the closet as bi on national coming out day on oct 11. Figured it wouldn’t matter too much, but I really wanted to. I’ve identified as bi for a long time, and I’ve been telling people in person for years, but idk I just really wanted to be public about it.

It hasn’t been a relief per se, but it definitely has made me the subtlest bit more comfortable with picturing myself in gay situations. Like there was this cute guy at the fashion show who got tied up in rope and the way the rope tied around his cock made it look huge and he was this cute blonde and I kinda imagined making out with him for a while. lolol.  I think honestly it was because of my situation the week or two before with welsh chris pratt, like I just wanted to be able to DO these things without people questioning like “is this who you are?” well yes, yes it is and has been for a bit so hrmph. Of course nobody was ever questioning if it was who I am because I always introduce myself as bi, but the imaginary people living in my head definitely question. 

The play party that night was divine though. It was newbie oriented, so you could only do things with people if you had someone experienced involved to help show you how to do things right. I bottomed an impact scene for the first time to see how it felt, my friend summer, one of the people I carpooled over with, slapped me around with a bunch of toys. I watched a lot of scenes, my buddy Gerald gave a tutorial on all the different impact toys and how to use them and what you should be looking into when you buy them. I did some wax play with summer and painted on one of the most gorgeous girls I’d ever seen with latex paint with her boyfriend and one of the hosts of the party. Gave her some cute leopard spots and she loved them :3 Me and my friends that I carpooled with skinny dipped in the “hot” tub. Ann later told me that she’s dubbed it the Tepid Tub. It’s not great. LOL but I was stubborn and sat out there for a while with everyone. Still always love to be naked in water, though I would’ve liked it more if it were a better temperature. And I met a bunch more people as always! I started talking to this girl Mariah there. She invited me to cuddle on her lap after my impact scene and I instantly jumped at the opportunity and ended up getting her number and we might hang out sometime. (LOL I’m not fucking kidding I’m really trying to get a polycule going, this is gonna be the hypest thing ever if I actually get rolling.)  I had a blast at that party though, and I’m really pumped to go back this weekend. Should be a hell of a good time. 

Sunday I went out and did a How To Kink Good roundtable discussion, primarily focusing on consent and some issues surrounding it.

I. LOVE. how much of the BDSM community revolves around consent. Everything you do has to be talked out before and after. What you want to have happen during the scene and after the scene. What kind of things you want to happen and what should not happen. It’s more than just safewords, you basically know Everything you’re going to do before you go in. Really cool stuff.

I think beforehand I played a magic tournament, and so then I think after the fet talk I had nothing to do and hung out with Jill or something as normal.

Also somewhere around here I’ve started playing some basketball. I’m actually finally working on not shooting like a moron. Won some games of 2v2 and horse with the gang when they’re trying to play. I’m actually being a little sporty on top of all this weirdness and I’m still trying to run at least twice a week. Sometimes 3. Though this week I was def lazy and only did 1. Ah well I’ll get back into the groove and shave off the last 15 pounds I want off eventually.

For now everyone is calling me beautiful and I feel beautiful and fun and I’m meeting people and it’s all so great. Everything is wonderful. I love everything I’m doing and it’s all so fascinating and weird and feels unique as fuck lol. Just when I thought I couldn’t get any weirder I definitely took another great big leap  😂

[acheaptrickandacheesyoneline]

Chapters: 1/5 Fandom: Arrow (TV 2012) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Oliver Queen/Felicity Smoak Characters: Oliver Queen, Slade Wilson, Patience and Fortitude the New York Library Lions, Felicity Smoak Additional Tags: Action/Adventure, Alternate Universe, Remember the fic I’ve been talking about only as IndyFic, This is Indyfic, Indiana Jones inspired, If you think you recognize a plot device or nod from somewhere you’re probably right, I have stol…Borrowed so much, From Uncharted to Indiana Jones to The Mummy to Clive Cussler books to Aladdin Summary:

She didn’t plan on ever having an adventure unless it said ‘turn to page 34 to open the door’, but somewhere between being kissed in the library and running from a one-eyed man with a gun, Felicity was pretty sure adventure had found her whether she wanted it or not.

It’s like The Mummy, only not really.

~~~

Author’s Note: This fic has been over a year in the making now, and I owe so many people thanks for the help they gave me along the way. First, to @dettiot, for being the first person to cheerlead for me on this, and for the beta work to make this first chapter pack some punch. Really, the entire fic idea wouldn’t have happened without your comment about Robbie Amell’s Twin being a patron that one day. Happy birthday!

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank all of the people who betaed for me with all the drafts that this went through. @andcreation, @adiwriting, @ohemgeeitscoley for their grammer catches and tense hunting, and @ellefraser17, @almostvivian, @lynslogic and @nightkeepyr for yelling at me with excitement as they read. Couldn’t ask for better cheerleaders!

Many MANY thanks to @green-arrows-of-karamel for assistance with later chapters and answering my many questions about Venezuela! 

Finally, there will be artwork throughout this fic. This chapter features BEAUTIFUL art from the wonderfully talented @cherchersketch

~~~

Tagging the few people that expressed interest in knowing when I posted this: @thatmasquedgirl, @realityisoverrated-fic, @imusuallyobsessed

Read it below or on AO3

Growing up, she had never planned to be a librarian. Felicity’s life had been computers from the moment she built her first one at age seven, all the way through her graduation from MIT with her Masters at age nineteen. While IT work had never been her ultimate goal — she couldn’t think about a life of telling people, “have you tried turning if off and on again” and not lose her mind — she knew it would have been the first step into a company through which she could then rise the ranks.

Of course, by the time she had graduated, the economy had gone down the toilet faster than her hacktivist days had. Given that the only other job she could find was working part time at Tech Village in her own personal version of hell, clearly the best option was to go back to school to get another degree, especially if she wasn’t the one paying for it.

Growing up in Vegas with an income coming only from her mother’s waitressing, she spent a lot of summers in the library, reading programming books, joining in on book clubs they had going on, or even a few of the arts and crafts things. Of course, that had all been when she wasn’t old enough to be allowed on the computers that weren’t just full of learning games.

She could have gotten around those blocks in a minute now, but at eight years old, it was a different thing entirely.

Basically, she had good memories of the librarians and libraries from growing up. When she did her research and saw that it would take a year, at most, for her to get her degree in Library Sciences, Felicity didn’t think twice before resigning her lease in Boston for another year. That was followed up with an email to her old advisor to let them know she was interested in coming back to MIT and could she maybe sign up for courses even though it was technically after the due date?

As it turned out, having masters in both library science and computer science & cyber security, along with a minor in Latin America studies (a few electives here and there and the next thing she knew, she had somehow gotten a minor) made her quite a catch for any library that was hiring.

The main branch of the New York Public Library had given her an offer she would have been stupid to refuse. Not only was it in New York, where she knew she could still apply for tech jobs while she worked at the library, but she would also have full access to their archives. Plus, moving from Boston to New York wasn’t all that expensive, especially once she had gone through her belongings and had donated what she didn’t need.

After a year working at the Schwarzman Building, living in New York, and taking the subway into Grand Central every morning, Felicity knew there was no way she would be leaving any time soon.  There was something so incredibly wonderful about being surrounded by books, hearing their rustling pages as patrons flipped through the new arrivals, or smelling that old book smell when she went to reshelve the returns that had come in.

Her favorite days were the ones that she could spend in the archives. Felicity was more than able to indulge in her love of history, especially those of some of the more fabled lost cities of the world, like Atlantis, El Dorado, Avalon, Shangri-La, or the supposed lost continent of Mu. Even if the last couldn’t exist due to scientific impossibility.

But today was not an archive day. Today was her day working in the Reading Room, helping patrons gather and read over research materials for whatever project they were working on that day.

“Good morning Patience, Fortitude,” she told the stone lions on her way past, giving Patience her customary pat on her paw.

Thankfully, it was a warm morning for May, so she didn’t need to try to store her coat under the small amount of open space under the desk. Felicity slid her bag into its spot before she clipped her name badge on, ready to face the day.

Five hours later, she was less ready to face the remainder of the day after answering the same questions ten times in a row. Her tablet in hand, Felicity motioned to Lyn that she was taking a fifteen minute break, before leaving the room and starting down the stairs into Astor Hall in all of its splendor.

She leaned against the marble wall at the landing for a moment, taking in the view of both patrons and tourists walking around. Her attention was drawn towards a commotion at the entry from Fifth Avenue.  A rather well dressed man rushed in, pushing through the crowd. He paused for a moment, and Felicity met his eyes when he looked her way, and saw the smile on his face before he started almost running towards her.

She had about thirty seconds — long enough to see three or four men run in, each with a hand under their jackets — before the man was right up next to her.

“Hi, sorry about this,” he told her with a grin that let her know that he was anything but.

He didn’t give her a chance to actually ask what he was apologizing for before his hands were on either side of her head against the wall and his lips were pressed firmly against her. She let out a gasp of surprise, letting him slide his tongue into her mouth a bit before slowly retreating back, running it softly over her lips for another second. With her eyes closed, she felt more than saw him pull away and begin to kiss up her jaw to her ear. “Are they gone?” he whispered to her with a lick to her earlobe.

“Huh?” It was about as much as she could manage to get out, with her brain shut down as it was.

“The guys who followed me in. Are they gone?”

Oh, now he was biting right where her neck met her shoulder and that was completely unfair. Her eyes fluttered open and she saw the four suits gathering back together at the doors, before they walked back outside.

“Yes” she gasped.

“Yes, they’re gone or yes, more?” he asked, lips brushing hers.

Shaking herself mentally, she brought her hands up to his chest — she would not notice how nice his chest felt under her hands, she would not — and pushed him away. “What was that?” she asked him. “You can’t just go around...kissing people like that!”

He tucked his hands into his jacket pockets and shrugged. “I’m assuming they’re gone, given as how there is currently no one shooting at me? Great.” He turned and began to walk up the stairs Felicity had just come down . . . God, had it only been five minutes ago?

“You can’t just do that!” She rushed after him and reached for his upper arm to get his attention. “You can’t go around kissing random people.”

He gave a pointed look at her name badge before holding out his hand. “Oliver. And I see you’re Felicity. There. Now we’re not random people.” He gave her a smirk that told her that he was anything but sorry when she took his hand and shook it. “And, since you work here, maybe you can help me out. There’s an older journal that I’m looking for. One that the NYPL has.”

“I’m on break.” She closed her eyes in a brief wince. “I’m...I’m sorry. What I meant is that you’ll need to go to the reading room upstairs. If Lyn can’t help you find it, I’ll be up in just a bit and can go search the archives for it, if you tell me what the journal is.” With a final ‘have a nice day’ smile, Felicity turned her back on Oliver.  She was determined to enjoy the remaining ten minutes of her break, out on the steps of the library with her tablet.

She found it harder than normal to concentrate on her usual plethora of tech articles. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the kiss she had shared with Oliver on the stairs. Did it count as sharing if she hadn’t been kissing back, she wondered. Or was it more of something that she had experienced at that point. If she was honest with herself, which she did try to be, it had been an experience. Thinking back on her very few previous relationships, she didn’t think she had ever been kissed with such a degree of thoroughness before.

Felicity closed her eyes, counted back from three, and pushed the kiss from her mind for two reasons. One, she had to go back to work and deal with Oliver as a patron. Two, it had been an unwelcome kiss. A good one, but unwelcome. Like she had told him, going around kissing random people wasn’t something that could be done. But he had done it, and it had been a very good kiss from an objective standpoint and she really didn’t have time to deal with this right now.  

“Later tonight. With wine and mint chocolate chip,” she muttered under her breath as she stood and closed the lid on her tablet. There, now she had a plan.

While she was hesitant to go back inside, she was thankful Oliver was nowhere in sight when she went back to the reading room. Felicity gave Gladys a smile when she met her behind the desk to take her spot back. Hopefully, the older woman had already helped Oliver find whatever he needed and he wouldn’t be back. As much as she enjoyed helping and answering questions, she could now firmly add patrons who randomly kissed her to the ‘con’ side of working at the library.

Which she was totally going to stop thinking about. Right now.

Not seeing anyone approaching the help desk, Felicity ducked under the counter to slide her tablet back into her bag and pulled out her small notebook and pen, intent on working more on her pet project. Her hopes for a quiet afternoon were quickly shattered when she stood up and saw Oliver leaning against the counter.

He had appeared so quietly she hadn’t even heard him coming over. She let out a small ‘eep’ of a noise before catching herself and attempting to calm her racing heart. Not only did he kiss random people, but he snuck up on them, too. He was a ninja. A kissing ninja.

“Hello again,” he said, his quiet voice breaking her out of her thoughts.

“Hi,” Felicity responded.

“You said you could help me find a journal?”

She closed her eyes and nodded. “Journal, right. You had said you were looking for that earlier. Which of course you are. Otherwise you wouldn’t be here. Unless it was to use the computers.”

A pause for a breath as she took him in:  jeans that hugged everything, tailored shirt with the first two buttons undone.

“But you look like the type of person who probably has their own computer. Not that there is a specific look for computer owners, because that would be ridiculous. But considering the ratio of computers versus books in this place, it’s easy to assume, which, you know what they say. Not that I’m calling you an ass! I might be calling myself one, though, and I need to stop talking in three, two, one…”

Felicity closed her eyes so she wouldn’t see the likely smirk on Oliver’s face from her babble and took a deep breath, forcing her racing heart and brain to slow down. When she opened them, she was surprised to see that he was giving her a small smile, amusement on his face but not like he was laughing at her. It was different from the normal reactions to her babble, and it made her smile back at him a moment before she remembered that no, she should not be smiling at the Kissing Ninja, especially not while on the clock.

Turning to her computer, she pulled up the classic catalog and quickly typed in a few search terms, so that the results would only bring back journals. No biographies, no history books. “What’s the name of the author of this journal?” she asked, hands poised for typing.

“His name is Diego de Ordaz. Born in Spain in 1480, died in Venezuela in 1532,” Oliver said. “He wrote a journal during his time in South America, right before he died there.”

Her fingers moved swiftly across the keys, typing in the keyword fields in order to narrow the search parameters. A part of her mind noticed how earnest Oliver’s voice had gotten when he started describing the journal, all the teasing gone from it. This was something that was important to him, far more than anything else. He wasn’t giving off the vibe of a student desperate for a final thesis source, either.  Especially not with how he had run into the library, being chased by men he was trying to get away from.

The de Ordaz name was ringing bells in her head, too, though she wasn’t positive as to why. Had she reshelved that one earlier today? Or maybe another patron had asked her for it earlier this week? Given that it had been written in the fifteenth or sixteenth century, it was no surprise that the actual handwritten copy itself wasn't allowed out of the archives. But there was a copy of it that could be loaned out. Or could be if it hadn’t already been checked out by another patr…

Oh.

It had been her.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what is in this journal you’re hoping to find, Oliver,” she asked him. Felicity shuffled through the papers that were on the desk around there and found the copy of the Ordaz journal she had been reading earlier in the week. Meeting his eyes, she told him, “Because if it’s information on pre-Spanish South America, there are better sources out there than one of the conquerors themselves.”

“You probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” he said with a smile.

Their hands brushed when he reached out to take it, but Felicity didn’t make any move to let go of the book. She just raised an eyebrow and waited for him to answer her question. His shoulders slumped slightly, making him seem less of a giant as he sighed.  

“Diego led an expedition up the Río Orinoco. No one is sure why, but a prevailing theory is that he was searching for--”

“El Dorado,” Felicity cut in.

She knew this story. It was one of the reasons she had checked the book out in the first place. It was also why she knew that there was next to nothing in it regarding El Dorado or any mention about finding it. She had a better chance of getting information from the old Amazon Trail game she had played at the Las Vegas Public Library than from Diego’s writings.

“Well, yeah.” Oliver flashed her another smile when he was finally able to take the journal from her. “Been working on tracking this down for a while.”

He gave her a wink before he walked away, leaving Felicity to stare after him as he took a seat at a table near the edge of the room, away from the entrance. She watched him a moment longer, now that there was no one around to stop her and nothing else she had to be doing. He was staring intently at what looked like a rock he had pulled out of his pocket, before staring at the journal for a few seconds. Then he wrote something in a notebook, after which the whole process started again.

Not a grad student from the local university, that was for sure.

Felicity gave a mental shrug and returned her focus to the other patrons in the room and the mess that was her desk for the afternoon. As much as she didn’t want to clean it up, some of the papers could do with organizing. But that could probably wait until later that evening, when there wasn’t the risk of someone coming in and her not being on desk. And while she couldn’t keep her mind on her tech articles from before, she knew that a bit of mindless online reading would be just the thing.

Gothamist it was. “Just an article or two,” she promised herself quietly. Everyone at the desk seemed to look at Gothamist, given how it was the first option to show up as soon as she had typed in ‘g’. “Or maybe three if I only look at the short ones.”

The first article that caught her eye was the fact that Staten Island was getting a new restaurant that was brunch only, a fact that made her breakfast-loving heart leap for joy. She was about to click it when she scrolled down a bit further than planned and saw a photo of Oliver, the Oliver that was sitting less than twenty feet from her. The Oliver who had run into the library earlier with guys chasing after him — guys she was pretty sure were carrying guns. The Oliver who had kissed her. The photo of Oliver attached to a headline of “Oliver Queen Spotted in Manhattan; Astors and Vanderbilts Put Extra Locks on Family Mausoleums."

“Oh, frak.”

Now that she knew just what family Oliver belonged to, it made the past hour even worse than she had thought. Before it had just been embarrassment on her part. But now, she had actively helped a member of the Queen family — who was well known for having made their riches through their grave robbing and tomb desecration along with finding the average shipwreck location — locate where the City of Gold and the Golden Man were said to be, according to legend.

The papers never called it robbing. It was exploration. Like they were some sort of family full of Indiana Joneses. The books also never confirmed that the reason the Queen family had enough money to finance all of these globe trotting adventures throughout the last two generations was because they had found the lost ship that had held the Amber Room, before quietly and illegally selling all of it on the black market. Pieces of that treasure had turned up in various private collections throughout the years, but never anything to confirm whom they had purchased it from.

It wasn’t all that hard to put the pieces together though. Especially not if you were Felicity Smoak. And she was.

Which likely meant that Oliver was going after El Dorado.

Holding her head high, Felicity walked quickly across the room towards where Oliver was sitting, still engrossed in his writing. Her heels struck out a staccato rhythm on the marble floor, a sound that made her walk tall, filling the room with her presence as she had watched her mother do on the floors of Vegas casinos to garner tips.

A good pair of heels was just as much a set of armor as a computer’s firewall was.

She stopped cold next to Oliver and waited for him to look up at her as she invaded his space. What she really wanted to do was reach her hand across his line of sight and slam the book shut, but there was only so far she could go, even if she was upset with him.

“You’re Oliver Queen,” she stated, trying to keep her voice down.

“I am, yes,” he said slowly, looking up at her. He had paused in his writing, but didn’t close his notes. “I thought you knew that from earlier? After all, we aren’t strangers.”

She ignored his comment and instead leaned over and planted her hands on the table. “What are you doing with the De Ordaz book? Couldn’t just buy your own?”

“Why spend money when I can just pop in here for a moment to get what I need?”

His innocent face as he looked up at her… nope, she wasn’t buying that. There was something else going on and she was going to find out what. History was one thing that was allowed to have mysteries. There was no way to sort out what was real and what was not based on books alone, as much as she might try. But people? Computers? That was another thing entirely.

“Why are you looking into...into El Dorado?” She almost whispered the words even though there was no one around them.

Felicity could perfectly picture what would happen if word got out that the Queen family was looking into that mythical place. There was a reason they were known as some of the most successful treasure hunters; they never went after something unless they were sure it existed. As soon as they found it, they quickly brought it to auction, selling to the highest bidder rather than donating it to a museum, ensuring that only the rich would be able to see priceless things on a daily basis.

“I want to find it,” Oliver said simply. After a moment where she held her tongue and held his gaze, he relented. “I want to be the one who finds it, have my name connected with it.” Setting his pen down, he met her eyes. “Everyone knows who my parents are. Especially my dad.”

Felicity couldn’t help but nod in response. For all that she was upset with him right now, he wasn’t telling her anything that she didn’t know there. Robert had been the one responsible for finding Nuestra Senora in the 1980s, one of the biggest shipwreck finds given the amount of gold and silver and other valuables that had been recovered.

“See? Even you know of him,” Oliver said.  And that there was what stopped Felicity for a moment, made her stand up instead and take note of just how dejected he sounded. “Which means I am always going to be Robert’s son, never Oliver, unless I find something bigger, better. At least to the people who matter.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to say that he was Oliver to her, that it didn’t matter what others thought as long as he was happy. Thankfully, Felicity caught the words before they could bubble forth in a babble that was sure to cause trouble. It shouldn’t matter to her what he thought of himself, it shouldn’t.

But it did.

“That’s why I’ve been looking for El Dorado,” he said, drawing her attention back to him. “This,” he held up the arrowhead, “is said to unlock the code that Ordaz wrote in his journal. Which will then tell us how to get to the location.”

“Us?” Way to go, self, she thought. Of course it was the word ‘us’ that she had focused on.

He looked almost as shocked as she felt, so there was that. “Me. I meant me.”  He looked down at his notes. “But I must have done it wrong, I can’t figure out what this says. Or maybe the story of the arrowhead leading the way is just as fake as the story of the city.”

“There is always some truth in every story,” Felicity told him, spinning his notebook towards her before she could second guess herself. Pulling her red pen out from behind her ear, she nibbled on the end while she stared at his tidy writing. “If you make these into words here,” she drew a line between two strings of letters, “here,” another line, “and here, it starts making sense.”

“I don’t see it,” he said.

She wrote out the words under his pencil in her red pen. “Na caixa atada,” Felicity said. “It’s Portuguese.”

“Which is not a language I know. Dammit.” His pencil almost broke in half with the amount of force he slammed it onto the table.

“Oliver!” She widened her eyes at him before gesturing to the room around him. “I might be helping you with this, but that doesn’t mean I won’t ask you to leave for being too loud! This is a library. Not your private lair.”

“You speak Portuguese?”

“That’s all you got out of that?”

“It’s the important bit!”

Felicity had never before wanted to take her glasses off to rub at her eyes in annoyance. It was a new feeling, and not one that she enjoyed. “I don’t speak it, but reading it is a lot easier.”

“Will you translate this?”

“Are you asking me to help you find El Dorado so that you can stake your claim on it and become famous?”

“Would it help if I said please?” he asked. That stupid smile of his was back on his face again.

She could feel her heart being near torn in two at the choice in front of her. On the one hand, there was the thrill of being on the hunt for something she had only read about, a chance to actually help find and prove that a fabled lost city was actually real. On the other, she would be helping Oliver Queen. Felicity was pretty sure that there was no way he was just going to be okay with telling the UN about it and letting the gold that was said to exist just stay there. Likely all of the other artifacts she was sure actually would once again be put up on the auction block too, and the myth would be as good as gone.

She never got a chance to turn him down. With a speed that rivaled his earlier random kissing — no, still not thinking about that, it was just a kiss and really, it wasn’t even that good of one — Oliver was shoving everything from the table into a satchel before grabbing her arm as he stood.

“What are you…” she tried to ask while he dragged her quickly over to a corner, well out of sight from the door.

“We need to go, now. What is the quickest way out of here?”

She pulled her wrist out of his grip with a force born of anger. “What is going on? I can’t just leave!”

“Felicity.” Oliver reached for both of her hands, trapping them in between his larger ones. His voice was low and serious, a tone she hadn’t heard from him yet, one that instantly had her paying attention. “At the entrance to this room right now is a very dangerous man, who is trying very hard to get me. It was his men who were after me when I ran in here be — No, don’t loo—”

She wriggled out of his grasp and peered around his body, in order to see who it was he was talking about, before he could finish his warning of not looking. A man who would have worked very well as a James Bond villain was leaning against the doors, taking in the room with a practiced eye. One eye, given the eyepatch that he was wearing.

Oliver tugged her back behind him, away from the man’s line of sight. But the movement had drawn his attention like a mouse does a cat’s, and the well dressed man began a slow stalk towards her and Oliver.

“Frak,” she found herself saying for the second time that day. Her gut was telling her that Eyepatch was bad news. And while her brain might have been wrong on occasion before, trusting her gut had rarely gotten her into trouble.

“We need to move. Now, Felicity. He’s seen you with me. We both need to leave.”

Felicity bit her lower lip a moment before nodding. He was right. She could feel her heart pounding as she led Oliver away from Eyepatch, weaving between tables and patrons with an ease she had developed only through her months of working here. There was a staircase that was used for emergencies at the back of the room. She thought she could get them both to it before anything happened.

They were almost there when she heard who she assumed was Eyepatch yell out, “Queen!” It echoed over the marble and off the high ceilings, filling the room and causing everyone in it to freeze. Well, everyone but her and Oliver.

“Run!” Oliver commanded, racing ahead of her towards the door. Behind her came a loud crack that had Felicity ducking her head on instinct. Had that been...was that a gunshot?!

The yells and shouts of the patrons behind her were all the confirmation she needed that yes, it had been. “Frak!”

They burst through the emergency door, setting off an alarm in the process. The one corner of her thoughts that wasn’t scared out of its wits about being shot at recognized the alarm as a good thing, since it would get people moving and exiting the building.

In front of her, Oliver was running down the stairs, leaping when close to the bottom and swinging around the railing to get to the next, in an attempt to go even faster. And while she could run in heels if she was forced to, running in heels down a staircase was something even her mother, the indomitable Donna Smoak, would have had problems with.

“Felicity, hurry,” Oliver called up to her. They both froze for a moment as they heard a door above them slam open.

The same voice from before called out, “C’mon kid, I know you’re here. You might have given my men the slip before, but you won’t get away from me!”

Felicity found herself making a panicked face at Oliver, who had quietly approached her while Eyepatch had been speaking. She knew there was no way she could run fast enough in her heels to get down the stairs and out in the streets to lose him in time.

“Go,” she hissed at Oliver, already hearing steps, carefully measured steps, coming down the stairs, closer to them. “I’ll only slow you down!”

“He’ll kill you,” he muttered. “I won’t let that happen.”

Suddenly, she was in Oliver’s arms and he was flying down the staircase again. He didn’t seem at all bothered by her weight. She was very glad that she had decided to wear pants to work that morning. Being shot at and carried down the stairs by a very muscle-y man hadn’t been what she had planned on happening when she had picked out her outfit that morning, but a skirt flying up around her hips would have just made it all even worse.

With a shove against the street level door, Oliver stumbled outside. Felicity had to take a moment to blink at the sudden sunlight after the darker confines of the stairwell in order to see where they were. He began to run towards the street, talking to her at the same time. “We need to lose him.”

“Grand Central station,” she said without hesitation. It would be busy this time of day, easy to slip through the throng of people and constantly moving trains. “That way.”

Holy crap. Somehow Oliver was running even faster than before, which should not have been possible given that he was carrying her. She could feel his heart pounding, felt him inhale and exhale, pushing himself to race the two blocks to the safety the station would offer.

And here she was, happy to reach her goal of five situps on Tuesday mornings.

“I need to take up running,” she told herself. Especially if being chased was going to become a regular thing, which looked like it might, given that she planned to help Oliver translate that jounal of his.

“Good to know you’re going to help me,” Oliver said with a grin, though his legs never faltered.

Of course she had spoken that. Because really, wasn’t that just the sort of day this had turned into.

At the doors to the station, Oliver set her down. She grabbed his hand, determined not to lose him in the crush of people. She risked a quick glance behind them and saw Eyepatch still coming towards them. “He’s coming!”

Normally, Grand Central Terminal held a grandeur that was enough to capture Felicity’s attention every time she walked inside, no matter how many times she had seen it before. The stately columns, the gold constellations against the dark blue ceiling, the marble flooring that saw hundreds of thousands steps against it every day. It was enough to make her stop for a second every day, to count her blessings that she got to see something so wonderful twice a day.

So it said something that she didn’t even glance up as they rushed in. Felicity led them right down the first escalator she could see, pushing past people like it was her God-given right. She had experienced it from the other end, being the one shoved, the first time she had come to New York and had made a promise to herself that she would never be that stereotypical resident of the Isle of Manhattan.

There was a first time for everything.

At the turnstile, Felicity fumbled for a moment with her pockets as she tried to find her MetroCard. Oliver leapt over it like he was some sort of action hero before he turned and lifted her over the turnstile. “Don’t have time for that!”

“There are cameras! I don’t want a fine!”  Her desire to pay her fare was something normal to hold onto during all of this madness, she supposed. Why else would she be worried about a fine for jumping the turnstile when there was Eyepatch with a gun after them?

Oliver stopping suddenly in front of her had Felicity running into his back. She took a moment to appreciate how his back and muscles felt under her hands as she caught her balance. “What’s wrong?”

“I...I’ve never used the subways. I don’t know where to go from here,” he admitted to her, looking lost as he stared at the different arrows and colors and signs hanging all around them.

This. This she could do.

It was with that knowledge that she led the way to the platform for the 7 train, reaching it just as the train arrived. There was a moment of feeling like a salmon swimming upstream when she tried to get in as other commuters were getting out, but the press of people quickly passed and then they were both inside, moving to seats as the doors closed.

As the doors closed, Felicity could see Eyepatch standing on the platform, staring after them, but she quickly lost sight of him as the train gained speed and entered the tunnels.

“Where are we going?” Oliver asked her. He was slightly out of breath compared to her panting and she wanted to hate him for it, even as she was on the verge of holding on to him and never letting go.

“Queens,” she told him after a moment. “We’re going into Queens. There are so many stops between here and ours, there is no way Eyepatch is going to be able to track us down anytime soon.”

He raised an eyebrow and turned to look at her. “Eyepatch?”

She gave a little half shrug. “I needed to call him something in my head.”

“His name is Slade Wilson,” he said after a bit. “And if you couldn’t tell, he’s sort of insane.”

Yeah. Bond movie bad guy, Felicity decided. With a name like that though, it was inevitable.

[phawareglobal]

Stephanie Volino - phaware® interview 242

Pulmonary hypertension caregiver Stephanie Volino discusses her daughter Anna's road to a PH diagnosis following the loss of her other daughter, Sophia, who passed away from pulmonary hypertension after one week of finding out that she had this horrific disease.

My name is Stephanie Volino. I am a caregiver of a young lady, Anna Volino, who has pulmonary hypertension, since she was four years old. I am also a caregiver of a little two year old girl, Sophia-Lyn Volino, who passed away from pulmonary hypertension after one week of finding out that she had this horrific disease.

The first time we heard pulmonary hypertension was when my daughter Sophia was born in August of 2005. Her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck and I had to stop mid-push to allow the doctor to unwrap the cord and then when she finally did come out and they cut her cord, they realized her breathing was labored so they whisked her away very quickly and she was put into the NICU on oxygen and the doctor said that it was “like a pulmonary hypertension.”

They really didn't make it sound like a huge deal, that it was just like, “Oh, you know, this will get rectified after a few days on oxygen.” She did a test in her car seat, where she had to be hooked up to oxygen monitors and heart monitors and she passed with flying colors. They said "you're good to go, you can go home" and we gave the nurses and doctors hugs and we left and we went on our merry way and we had our beautiful family of four because my daughter Anna was born in 2003, so she was two years old and we had a newborn.

We took her home and life proceeded as normal. She was a really good baby. She ate, she slept, she produced a lot of dirty diapers. Anna was a little mommy to her. She always wanted to read to her and show her how to roll over and do all that big sister stuff. Then around four months of age, just like her sister, because Anna at four months of age just went blue a little bit. They started holding their breath. Like we did with Anna, we brought Sophia to the hospital. They put her on oxygen, they checked her saturation level. They wanted to admit her. Her coloring was still off. They did a series of tests and then a few days later we went home. They said to follow up with our pediatrician, which we did. Then everything was cleared. She was fine. We just thought it was a strange coincidence that both girls did this around the same time, four months of age.

We followed through with the doctors. We did everything as parents that we thought we should do and then when they medically cleared them both we thought that everything was fine.

In the spring of 2007, she started spitting up her food a little bit, so we brought her to the doctor because we were a little concerned. We thought maybe she had a food allergy. Our doctor thought maybe it was just acid reflux so he gave her pepsin. We were giving her the pepsin and it was still happening frequently, that she was spitting up. All of a sudden it was her two year check-up and when I went back, the night before, she had a violent episode where she projectile vomited straight across the table. I looked at my husband and we knew something was off . She was just limp in my arms and that was at the forefront of our conversation the next day with the pediatrician.

I said "I don't think the pepsin is working that well and maybe we should do further testing". He agreed. The doctor said "let's do an endoscopy, we're just going to put her under general anesthesia and take a snip of that tissue and see what it is". So we took her in the next day. It seemed normal enough, to be an in and out procedure, very quick, but he came out and he said when they put her under, she went blue and they rushed a cardiologist in to revive her. That's where our story with pulmonary hypertension really started.

The doctors at Staten Island University Hospital sent us from there to Cornell then onto New York Presbyterian Stanley Morgan Children’s Hospital. This happened all in the same day, and that's when, when we finally met Dr. Erika Berman Rosenzweig at the children's hospital. We were there for a week. They did tests. They had her on oxygen and then she went [to get a right heart] catheterization on September 19th 2007. She made it out of the catheterization, but Dr. Berman came out and said she had severe pulmonary hypertension, that the right side of her heart was enlarged. Her pressures where like 130 and they were trying out medications on her and she just couldn't handle it. Then that night, she spiked 107 fever and they had her on ice. They had us in the room and she began to crash and they worked on her and worked on her and then she just didn't make it.

We went back to the children's hospital with Anna. They checked her out. They said she had a tiny hole in her heart, but after all that we went through, that we really didn't have to address it at the moment, that we could just wait and do it within time. Dr. Berman also said that normally kids would get something like that taken care of around Anna's age, which was she was four at the time, because it was less traumatic to just do it, get it over with, than doing it when they got older.

We took all that into consideration. We said we were going to wait for little while. Then just a little time passed, a couple of months. Actually, she was getting ready to go into kindergarten, and I'd just registered her for kindergarten and then I thought to myself, “let me talk to [my husband] Joe about this, about getting that hole taken care of before she started kindergarten.” We didn't have to wait until she got older and she wouldn't have to panic because her sister died from a heart related disease. Even though it was something completely different, we didn't want her to worry about it.

We decided to go to a cardiologist in Morristown. He saw a blip on the screen when he did her tests and he said we had to go back to Dr. Berman. We were still in that numb state. We were traumatized. We were angry. We were upset. Our head was still spinning. It wasn't fully sinking in, because it was such a whirlwind when Sophia was diagnosed, 7 days until she passed. So we were still trying to figure it all out and what ground we stood on, because it didn't even feel like we had any ground to stand on and then we had this little girl.  That was the reason that I think, we survived initially, because we did have her at home and we were still parents and we had to raise her and then all of a sudden with the doctor saying “you have to go back” it was just shocking. I didn't know what to think, I just couldn't believe this was all happening again.

I've constantly felt choked up, like I couldn't breathe because it was unbelievable that we went through this one time and we were so young, early 30's and life was ahead of us and we lost one daughter and now somebody's telling me that my other daughter’s life might be in peril. It was an incredibly tough time to get through.

We repeated the same steps. She went into the catheterization and her diagnosis was much milder than Sophia's. They were almost at the opposite end of the spectrum, so to say. Even though she was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and we were devastated over that, we were just so elated that she was alive and that we got to take her home and take care of this. So we just put our best foot forward and we kept moving right along.

Doing the blood work every month was a struggle, she didn't want to go, she didn't want to get the blood work done. Then one day, miraculously, one of the phlebotomists said "let's sing happy birthday while I stick the needle in and you can blow out the candle when the needle goes in.” She sang happy birthday and he said "OK, now blow out your candle." She blew on her arm and in went the needle and it was like, we did that every time ever since, because that was like our little miracle for the moment because then she wasn't crying or screaming and I didn't have to hold her down. Then we would trek into the hospital, into New York quarterly to get her checked and when we would get her right heart caths done, every time without fail, these nurses would try and put us in the same recovery room that Sophia was in and Joe and I just couldn't do it.

I don't even know if I can say it shouldn't have made a difference, but it definitely did make a difference. Every time Joe would say, "I'm sorry," and explain the story. Then they would look at us, "Oh, oh, oh," because they have so many patients and everything. Maybe that was Sophia's way of saying “I'm here for my sister,” because we always considered her after that as Anna's guardian angel. I mean, without Sophia and her diagnosis and everything that happened, I don't know if we would have figured this out in Anna for a very long time, because her case was mild. God know where we would be or when we would have found out or how we would have found out. So Sophia, after she passed, was always looked at as Anna's guardian angel.

For a four year old to face all that she had to and then to face her own diagnosis and take medicine and go into the hospital and get picked and prodded and poked at and do all that, I look at her in awe for all that she's been through.

We look at it from the perspective of, we just try to keep moving on and look at it in a positive way and we wouldn't be here today without the doctors and everybody that's fighting for pulmonary hypertension and looking to cure this horrific disease. One day children like Sophia, they will survive. Every single one of them will. Those doctors are their super heroes. They fight every day for these kids. They really do. They will win. We will all win because of them, and because of our community.

Children like Anna are thriving today. When we first started out there were maybe three medications and now there's so many more, so much more we know. 10 years later, 12 years later, we just have to keep moving forward and supporting each other and supporting them. We're very appreciative of them, we put our trust and hope in them every day.

I'm Stephanie Volino and I'm aware that I'm rare.

Learn more about pulmonary hypertension trials at www.phaware.global/clinicaltrials. Never miss an episode with the phaware® podcast app. Follow us @phaware on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube & Linkedin Engage for a cure: www.phaware.global/donate #phaware #ClinicalTrials @antidote_me 

Listen and View more on the official phaware™ podcast site

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11/7/19 2:59am - More Fet :3 , More Birthday, More DnD

Friday was work again, but I chilled out and watched some My Hero with wills beforehand since he was chilling at my place. After work we hung out more and got some grand asia market and chilled out playing melee until it was time to go to another play party. Took like a two hour nap and rolled out lol.

That party was a blasssst though. I got to do SIX impact scenes, and some wax play, and skinny dip in a much warmer hot tub with like 11 people. It was wild. I met this girl Taylor who used to be a prostitute and now she’s out of it and I got to play with her for a while with this guy jason doing some simultaneous flogging and a lot of spanking stuff. After she showed us some sweet hula hooping and sat naked with me in the hot tub for a bit. Not explosive chemistry there I don’t think, but definitely a fun person to play around with. I also met this trans woman and she saw me playing around with toys on my own and invited me to try them out on her instead so I warmed her up for a scene that she was about to do. My friend summer wanted to try more on me, so her and my other friend Miranda tried some more toys on me and didn’t quite get me feeling as roughed up as I’d hoped, but I did get to experience a lot more toys and how they felt and that’s always nice. My favorite scenes were with Mariah and on Summer though, especially Mariah because she’s a little more experienced and kept saying she wanted her butt beaten up. But I was being co-topped/taught by this realllly experienced woman who’s a caretaker of my friend bunny. She showed me so much more about how to hold the toys as you’re getting ready to swing and how much force to put into each and how to spread out the hits to make sure you’re covering every bit of skin without doubling down too much. It was wonderful. I took so many mental notes, I’m so excited to play again. It was daylight savings time so when the clock rolled back we got a wholllle nother hour to play :3 Then finally while we were watching Summer get waxed I was joking around with Miranda that she was the only one of my friends I didn’t get to do, and she was like well let’s do some now. Lol we did an impromptu spanking scene there next to the massage table, and when I got my face too close to her ass at one point she was like “oh god are you gonna bite me?” and I said I wasn’t planning on it but I could if she liked. She thought about it and said yes, and opened the floodgate for me to make a handful of killer ass eating jokes which kind of interrupted the vibe lmfao. worth though. Also to wrap things up she made me try to give her a bruise with my teeth so I bit her REALLY fucking hard to try but it didn’t quite work out. We’ve got plans for next time though. 

Ended up getting to Jill’s at like 4 in the morning and we fooled around and then watched some John Wick. 

Sunday was Beefy’s birthday, so I went out with him and a bunch of smash friends to boxcar. Played some games, drank some champagne, texted some of the cuteys that I’ve been talking to this week. We went to morgan st for food, went to outpost for some more drinks, bounced to my place and everyone hung out playing resident evil 2 for a bit until it crapped out on us. Then most everyone left and me and will stayed up watching the new spiderman and stranger things. Fucking sweet. Didn’t expect to stay up until 5 again but yknow that’s the way the news goes. 

Then monday was DnD and slosh again. We had an extra long session at DnD. Dodged the encounter with the mini boss that we’ve been ramping up to fight, ended up kind of joining forces with him instead? We finished collecting all these puzzle cubes and fought a giant feathered T-Rex that could misty step onto us and stomp down from 10 feet in the air. It was nutty. I think our DPS was on point so I wasn’t sweating hard, but being in the jaws of the T-Rex having no idea how healthy it was left was pretty spooky. 

So I got to slosh late, still got to see Elyse and a bunch of fet friends. Me and Elyse bemoaned not getting to hang out this weekend (she was gonna come out sunday but wasn’t feeling well) and so we made plans to hang out wednesday, since I’m out of town this weekend. Got to see Ann for the first time in forever, she was excited to hear about my impact adventures. And Lyn is out and about too, it’s good to see her feeling better.

But I went home to Jill and we went out drinking with some of her old work friends. They were really chill and seemed to like me plenty. Were very hospitable with their offerings, which I appreciated. We went to this bar Havana and Kalcyon, and then chilled at their apartment talking about random shit and giving them advice about dick pics until like 4 in the morning.

we fucked and slept til 1 and fucked again. She rode on top for a while, and I found this neatttt trick where there’s this spot that I can flick with the tip of my penis and it really gets her going. I’ve gotta identify it anatomically, but if I had to guess it might be the split between where the uterus curves up away from the top of the vagina? I can like barely reach it, I think it was what andi liked stimulated too when I’d press really deep in there. Honestly I think I’m on to something here.