#I hope it gets built someday - it would be cool to see it fly

[identifying-spacecraft-in-posts]

Reaction Engines Ltd. Skylon Spaceplane Concept

Have you ever seen a poster and thought.

Wait what.

I just did so i googled

Huh. That seems.... not that far? What about...

Okay. Okay that's... still.... but maybe I'm seeing distances wrong let's try what the poster said

.....

Huh. That's. I'm. Wait what is...

Okay so the international space station is roughly 10 times closer to me than the west coast is that's fine this is fine I'm fine what

[salmonid-ink]

Let’s talk about Salmonid intelligence!

There seems to be a wide misconception that Salmonids aren’t intelligent, or at the very least, aren’t as smart as Octolings or Inklings. This idea couldn’t be farther from the truth! And because I’m the Resident Salmonid Fanatic™ it’s my job to talk about this. 

In hopes to make people consider and think of Salmonids in a better light, and NOT as pets, I’m going to do my best to pull evidence from in-game, as well as interviews, that imply or outright confirm that Salmonids are sapient, much like our beloved Octolings and Inklings. 

To start, I’d like to touch on their interactions with other creatures, namely their trade deal with the Octarians. It’s hard to argue for Salmonids not being intelligent when you consider the confirmed fact that they actively trade with other creatures to benefit the both of them.

They exchange their useful Power Eggs (and perhaps vegetables and fruits) to the Octarians for mechanical blueprints, weapons, and machine parts (and potentially tentacle cuts for food). We can wager this trade deal has been going on for a long time, as the Salmonids are fitted to the gills with machinery, and you can make the argument that the Octomaw was inspired by Maws!

While the Salmonids could easily take these blueprints and make the machines exactly as the Octarians planned them, these fish take it one step beyond and put their own twist on things! With their intellect, they’ve customized traditional weapons to suit them better, and the examples can be seen in just about every boss you encounter. 

Ink Storm + Brella -> Drizzler

Sting Ray -> Stinger

Ink Jet + Tenta Missiles -> Flyfish

Splash Wall -> Steel Eel

Baller/Splashdown   -> Steelhead

Shielded Octotrooper + Roller  -> Scrapper

Octocopter -> Chinook

Flooder -> Griller

Octo Seeker -> Mothership

Additionally, they are INSANELY resourceful, able to use any scrap of metal or machinery to make their contraptions, and make them decently reliable. Not to mention the fact that Scrappers are able to repair their cars! On the fly! All while under fire! That takes dedication AND smarts!!

Not to mention the fact that Smallfry, who could very well be babies (and I will argue that they are, as there is no benefit to stunting the growth of ANY creature), are able to pilot Flyfish. They were raised just right in the best environment, and now they’re super smart!

Also, Salmonids are crazy creative, with how they’ve incorporated their cookware into their weaponry. They take their aesthetic to the next level, man.

Next, lest talk about their homes!

It’s vastly clear that they have their own society. At the very least, we can take a glimpse of it with their houses. The Lost Outpost (known as the Colony at Sea in Japan) is a great example of this!

While these houses look like they were cobbled together with recycled parts, which falls in line with Salmonid resourcefulness, they are clearly stable living spaces that were built by he Salmonids themselves with ocean living and fishing in mind. 

Additionally, towards the back of the stage, we can see another house with a city on the horizon. While this is purely speculation, I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to believe that this city is Salmonid-owned. The areas you go to are claimed to be restricted ocean zones, and given that you’re so far out that you need a house-sized radio dish just to communicate, it’s hard to believe that the city would be owned by anyone else. 

I think these city-based homes would be owned by Salmonids that work with machinery, such as repairmen and mechanics. This could also include artisans! Farmers would obviously live in more rural areas, where they can plant and grow their crops. 

We can also glean a similar idea from the Spawning Grounds (called the Salmonid Dam in many other languages): 

I will argue until the day I die that the dam found in the Spawning Grounds, as well as the adjacent city, belongs to the Salmonids, as evidence by its proximity to the stage, the green water pouring from the dam, and the very clear Salmonid mark on it.

Whether this city was built by them, or it’s one they took ahold of and built upon during one of their past migrations is yet to be determined, seeing my speculations are even true. Either way, it’s clear that the Salmonids are capable of building structures and homes with ease!

If we talk about their homes, even if this is much more on the speculative end, we’ve also GOT to talk about the factory we can see at Marooner’s Bay:

Again, given the proximity to Salmonid territory, as well as the various Salmonid-themed items around the stage, we can speculate that these factories are Salmonid owned, and perhaps where they work on many of their machines and devices.

Things such as Scrapper Cars, Steel Eels, Flyfish jets, Grillers, and Motherships could be constructed here, or this place could be used for processing water or chemicals! It’s a rather vague factory, so again, this is all theoretical. I haven’t a clue what they do here. 

Next let’s talk about their art. The existence of art alone should be enough of an indicator that they have minds to think and feel with! Especially when their designs are as intricate as these:

The most of these can be seen around the Lost Outpost and Spawning Grounds, but every single stage has a few of these markings floating around. I don’t currently have many in-stage caps on hand, but if you take the time to look around, you’ll find a few on the ground and walls!

While a lot of these are very clearly graffiti markings, the intricate designs may have some meaning. While we haven’t a clue what exactly they mean, or what they represent, I think they’re extremely fascinating, and give us a peek into what culture Salmonids have. 

They’re likely made with stencils, but all the same, they were designed carefully, and must hold SOME significance.

I have a theory that these designs are primarily to mark specific territories. Perhaps certain marks mean different schools and families! Or some of them could be warnings, such as to indicate Grizz activity (such as with the bear icon, which appears in a few stages). 

I believe in part, these are a form of expression, ESPECIALLY if they indicate schools. There are so many unique fish-shaped designs, it’d be cool to see how these correlate to individual groups!

They could also be a visual indicator for Inklings and Cephalopods that, yes, this is Salmonid territory, so you’d best stay away! Because while it’d be easy for a Salmonid to tell what area belongs to who by smell alone, Inklings certainly don’t have that luxury!

At any rate, I’d love to see what personal art looks like for Salmonids. What kind of crafts do they make? What sort of things do they love to paint? We don’t really know, and we can only speculate...

One thing we know for certain is that Salmonids appreciate music. It even seems as though they’re inspired by it, given the descriptions that the Salmon Run songs have.

I feel like this is worth stating, even if their existence is fairly common knowledge: ω-3. A band. That plays complex instruments. And does all their own mixing. 

Pretty freakin’ smart, I must say!

Additionally, each of the members have VASTLY different styles. The Cellist is stern and stubborn, and won’t accept anything but the best, be it in passion or in radical works. The timpanist is soulful, passionate, and is straight to the point. The DJ is reckless and disrespectful, yet puts forth his best effort.

All three of them are so unalike to one another in style and personality. They may not even get along that well, but at the end of the day, they value working together SO MUCH that they make amazing, unique, and great-sounding songs that stir and inspire their people. 

It’d be amazing to see what other types of music that Salmonids like, because this can’t be the only kind. However the style of  ω-3 certainly goes hand-in-hand with the chaotic, resourceful, and determined nature of the Salmonids. 

We should also touch up on the fact that Salmonids are stated to have tradition. Aside from their 70-year migration, they’re also stated to pass cookware from generation to generation in Sunken Scroll #19.

"Salmonids are known to keep their weapons in tip-top shape. The frying pans they wield have often been passed down from generation to generation. You can see the unwavering pride of these fierce warriors in their (somewhat crazed) eyes."

I like to think that they also pass things like recipes and other tools down to their offspring and kin. Family and schools on the whole appear to be very important to them, which ties directly into their drive to work together as a unit, rather than separately as a makeshift team.

For some conventional evidence, look at this one bit from the Merry Fishmas piece, posted by official Splatoon sources: 

I LOVE this image, and there are so many tiny details that you can make out in this. Such as these two:

THEY ARE PLAYING CARDS, and this ain’t no dogs playing poker bit, either! It looks like the other one is losing really bad... Or going into a food coma. One way or another, the other Salmonid is trying to check up on them, haha. Or maybe they’re trying to sneak a peek at the other’s cards? Who knows! That sly grin tells a story.

Also, there’s this Goldie, who is fishing:

These are all pretty human-like characteristics, which makes me think, all the more, that they’re on par with Inklings intelligence wise. I REALLY want to see more interactions like this someday, it fills my heart with delight and joy.

Phew.. Well, thank you so much for sticking with me through this whole thing. I hope this helps people get more perspective on Salmonids, and what little we know about their community and culture. 

[jengajives]

Partner suggested I write about the seduction of Sauron. What a great idea

When Mairon touched the chilly granite with the palm of his hand, it began to bubble. The yellow glare of molten earth sent a warmth through his body that rushed right back to his weathered hands, as he rose through the layers of stone and melted a channel for the boiling rock to follow, up towards the surface.

When he squirmed out into open air again, his body a breath of hot fume and dust, he made sure to draw back a fair distance before he raised an arm and called the bubbling liquid up after him.

Magma burst from the earth in a dazzling shower of molten orbs. It splashed down against the slopes he’d built for that exact purpose, and with a deep-rooted satisfaction he watched the softening red lava begin to flow lazily down the cone, cracking stone beneath its heat.

“It works,” he said faintly, wrapping himself in a form that could properly sit down and watch. “It actually works.”

As soon as he plopped down on the ground to get comfortable, a voice behind him made him fly back to his feet.

“Incredible.”

Maybe he shouldn’t have been surprised to see the Defiler standing there, but he was. Melkor was never supposed to be any concern of his. Why would he be? Mairon had nothing to offer, no power to give, and he loved the Valar too much to be of service anyway.

But Melkor stood there nonetheless, in the tall, pale form that always smiled, his gleaming eyes glued to the flowing rock.

A panic jolted Mairon, and he put his arms protectively in front of his work, letting the silver hammer materialize in his hand; it was the closest thing he had to a weapon in case Melkor tried anything.

“What are you doing here?” Mairon spat. Slowly, Melkor turned his eyes downward, and when they fell on Mairon his smile went funny- warmer, somehow, even though it felt more cold.

“Did you make that?” Melkor asked. His voice was as deep and tranquil as could be expected from one of the Valar, but there was an added silkiness to it that Mairon had never heard before. He deepened his frown.

“If you’re here to break it-“

“Break it?” Melkor swept a hand to his chest as if offended by the suggestion. “Why would I destroy something you labored long to build? Something so beautiful?”

Mairon scoffed. He still hadn’t lowered his hammer and didn’t mean to.

“That’s what you do. You break things.”

“What makes you think so?”

“Aulë’s mountains. Ulmo’s rivers. All Yavannah’s seedlings. You destroy them over and over!”

“Ah.” Melkor nodded in sudden understanding. “Yes. I see where you might have been confused. I’ve removed some of the Valar’s things, yes, when they cross into my domain. But you aren’t a Vala, are you?”

Warily, Mairon shook his head. Melkor clapped in delight.

“See, then. We’ll have no problems whatsoever. I only came to see this wonderful creation of yours. What do you call it?” He motioned past Mairon to the mountain of fire, and Mairon only frowned deeper. He did not step aside.

“It’s a volcano.”

“A volcano. How marvelous! Tell me, how does it work?”

Mairon looked at him with nothing but suspicion in his eyes, and turned his back.

“You need to leave.”

“Apologies, Mairon. I overstepped. I have no right to ask your master’s secrets.”

“Go away.”

“I’m really more interested in what it does. From here, it really doesn’t seem to have many uses besides an interesting show.”

“Of course it has uses!” Mairon spun again, offended now that Melkor would even suggest he was building things for spectacle alone. “It’s going to be very important someday!”

Melkor again gave that toothy smile and settled down on a stone, prim and stiff. “Do tell.”

Mairon narrowed his eyes. The stories he’d heard of Melkor’s deceptions ran wildly in his head, but above it all he heard him slimily suggesting it was an “interesting show.” It bothered him more than he cared to admit.

Pretty Mairon, good for draping with fineries and shining in the firelight. Too delicate for proper smith work. Too beautiful to risk marring.

No, he wasn’t like Osse and the others. He loved the Valar. He was not weak. He was not a traitor.

“It can make new earth.” Mairon stepped slightly to the side so Melkor could see where the lava cooled and turned to black stone. “The soil it leaves behind is extremely fertile. It will grow things for Yavannah. And if I made one in the sea, it would build an island with beautiful new plants that the Children could discover and explore. They’ll use the heat for cooking or smithing, and the soil for growing wonderful crops. See, it makes things. It’s not just a show.”

Melkor straightened and took a step closer to the slopes; frost crackled from his feet and spread greedily outward. Mairon grabbed his arm.

“Stop!”

The skin was cool to the touch and smooth. He could feel muscle shifting underneath.

Slowly, Melkor looked down at him, apology in his eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“You’re too cold.” Mairon pointed at the icy ground. “You’ll ruin it.”

“Ah. So sorry, Mairon. I was just thinking... It... Well, no, I shouldn’t...” He looked away, almost bashful. Mairon twitched suspiciously.

“What?”

“It just looks rather dangerous, don’t you think?”

“Dangerous?” Mairon repeated incredulously.

Melkor hastily went on. “I’m sure Aulë was aware of this when he designed it, but-“

Mairon bristled. “Aulë didn’t design it.”

“You mean...” Realization dawned slowly across Melkor’s face. “You created it. All by yourself?”

“Is that so hard to believe?” Mairon huffed. “I’m not delicate, you know.”

“I never said anything of the sort!”

“And Aulë is going to like it. He’ll be proud.”

“Well, I...” Melkor bit back whatever he was going to say, then took a deep breath and tucked his hands together. “No, it’s not my place. I couldn’t come between you and Aulë like that. The bond between father and son is sacred, you know.”

“He’s not my father.” Mairon crossed his arms, impressed by the mighty Melkor’s stupidity. “Eru is.”

“Ah,” Melkor smiled sadly. “Of course. Is that what they’re saying now?”

Something within Mairon faltered. “I... What?”

“Mairon, I like you. I really do. So I’m going to have to be truthful.” Melkor knelt down and put a hand on Mairon’s shoulder. “The Valar aren’t going to like your volcano. They’ll destroy it.”

The confusion Mairon had been nursing shifted to something more urgent. He looked up and met the depths of Melkor’s frozen eyes. “What? Why?”

“It’s dangerous, Mairon. Will it not burn Yavannah’s things? Wither her seedlings and turn her great trees to ash?”

Mairon frowned. “Well, yes, but-“

“And will it not boil Ulmo’s seas, and divert his rivers?”

“Yes, it will, but it-“

“And it will burn the Children.”

Finally Mairon’s defense faltered. He stood silent for a moment, trying to understand, and then he shook his head.

“No, of course it won’t.”

Melkor’s face became a mask of pity. “They’ll come live on its slopes, as you said. They’ll build cities and grow crops and create great smithies. But what happens when the lava runs again?”

Mairon glanced at the smoking crater of his volcano and swallowed, some of the defensiveness bleeding from him, though he still tried.

“The earth will shake and smoke will rise. They can leave before it erupts.”

“Then they will leave, and it will destroy their homes, and their culture, and those too frail to flee it.”

“I-“ Mairon faltered again. “That’s not what I-“

“Don’t misunderstand me, Mairon, please. I think it’s a wonderful creation, and I think the Valar would be blessed by it. But I just don’t think they’ll see things the same way.”

The cool, velvet touch against his arm. Squeezing gently to reassure him it was there.

“They care more for the things the Children might make than for the creations their own little ones dedicate wholly to them. No matter how beautiful.”

Fingers sliding down to press gently to Mairon’s own.

“You’re very talented, Mairon. I truly hope they will see that. I know you made this for them. You’re a good son, and a loyal servant. But the Valar can be blind to loyalty.”

Mairon shuddered when Melkor pressed the ghost of a kiss to his cheek- refreshingly cool and familiar.

“Protect your creations, Mairon. They’re a part of you. Beauty like that deserves to endure.”

With a whisper of cold wind, Melkor was gone, and Mairon stood alone watching the molten earth bubble, and wondering how much of what the Deceiver said was true.

[starscream-the-first]

My Awakening as Starscream

The story of my awakening as Fictionkin, as Starscream the First. I wrote this many years ago but never shared it here. Now, I figured it wouldn’t hurt and might actually be educational for other fictionkin and non-fictionkin alike.

It all started when I was around only 4 or 5 years old. I had found myself enthralled with the F-15 eagle fighter jets in the movie, Top Gun. Its not the average favorite film of kids my age at the time, especially for a "girl" in the 90s. If that movie was on the television, I was watching it. I could feel the jets, what it was like to be one, and felt on this something I couldn't describe other than that I was one. This is the moment of realization for me, when I first awakened to those thoughts and feelings, and from there they never ceased. 

There are moments I remember quite well as a child. Swinging on a swing-set and closing my eyes, letting the winds wash over me and feeling as if I was flying. Or staring up at the clouds as I did so, watching a plane go by and imagining myself as one, up there creating cloud trails. I had only been on an actual plane once on a trip to Florida, afterwards my family avoiding them in fear. Yet I would eventually take a plane trip again later on, to which I rather enjoyed. 

Since as long as I can remember I've also had a strange connection to vehicles. I always felt like they were alive. I gave them names, I spoke to them. They weren't just "cars" to me. It's something that has stuck with me through out my life. I had the deepest relationship with a car I would get much later, my first car, but I don't want to veer too off topic now. The bottom line is they were always people to me. 

Fast forward to the year 2002, when I was around 8 years old, and the feelings became more narrowed. Transformers Armada had aired on cartoon network. I remember scrabbling downstairs early mornings to watch on the little gray box of a TV we had. It was then once again I felt the pull towards something.. something I was missing, a piece of myself that felt right. I never missed an episode, I was obsessed. I still had not quite figured out why at this point, I was too young to understand, but again, the feelings never stopped there. My favorite character was obvious to me from the start, though I tried to avoid that. I remember telling myself, "I can't like that one, cause he's the best". Its funny now I think how absolutely me it was to say.  

I began collecting figures sometime after that. My first figure being a Heroes of Cybertron Starscream. My collection really built up from there, and without taking much notice was filling up mostly with decepticons, and a large proportion of Starscreams. It was.. unintentional, almost subconscious actually. Whether it was at the shop, or wherever, if there was a section of Transformers, I was immediately drawn to the red white and blue seeker.  

Following that, the year 2007 rolls around. I am about 13 years old, and my connection to the Transformers and cybertronians is still strong. My friends and family refer to me often in connection to it. A commercial comes on and I hear, "___ your robots are on tv!" or a cool car rolls by, "look ___ its a transformer!" I've blanked out my human name for a few personal reasons. Anything in relation was usually brought to my attention. This is the year I became aware of the Otherkin community. I found during this time another moment when something clicked for me. Reading about these others experiences, what they described in feelings of homesickness, phantom sensations, and that overall description of not being human, I found myself. The thing that I had been feeling this whole time, put into words, and a community of other people who felt the same, I was ecstatic.  

From then on I have been putting together my own thoughts and feelings, unraveling the past of who I was, and still currently feel I am. Discovery has truly never gone away since starting this journey. Everyday I still feel there is so much to learn of myself, so many things I don't know, and hope to someday find out. I remember questioning Soundwave at one point, casting aside all the years of jet feelings, as I still wanted to avoid Starscream at all costs. Something inside me didn't want to see or accept it. I.. don't know why, but coming to terms with it wasn't easy. 

I couldn't deny the phantom shifts. Large jet wings on my back, thrusters on the heels of my feet, the feeling of hydraulics in my legs. Everything felt mechanically alive and it felt right. I wanted to feel my plating shift into place, to fold in on itself and allow me to take to the skies as I once did. I knew I was a jet from when I was very young, and this was why. I wasn't just a jet, I was Cybertronian. A bio-mechanical were-jet. A Transformer. 

Knowing what I was and who I am gave me closure to the thing that had been itching in the back of my mind for my whole life thus far. Though knowing this was only half of it. The past of it also creeps up on me in ways I least expect. Memories of things I'd done, places I've been, those who I'd known, and things I'd come to hate. There are 2 sides of the coin when it comes to the past. The good, and the bad. 

There was a time I was dating a guy. For some reason it pinged on me that our relationship was very familiar. I am not going to go into details of this 2 year back and forth adventure of breaking up, getting back together, and then breaking up for good another time.. but there was always something about him that reminded me of Skyfire. I couldn't unsee it. We were both in college together, studying the same course, and ended up partnered together for a project.. it all went off from there. Of course, it didn't work out, it very familiarly did not work out. It was never supposed to. It was one of those odd coincidences that I felt followed me from life to life, as I have a very strong feeling life does tend to repeat itself in ways. 

Its hard to explain. I like to compare it to the movie: Cloud Atlas. How the story switches from era to era with the same people, but they are born into different lives, different roles, but they are repeating. I feel like when it comes to reincarnation we live the same story over and over through different obstacles. Things tend to often give that feeling of Deja Vu. 

A year after that I met my current partner. I didn't tell them at first that I was Otherkin, as it was something private to me. I never imagined they would ever know, as I never told my previous partner. It wasn't something I talked about with people outside the community. Somehow it did come up though. There was something about our meeting that again had this ping of familiar-ness, that we already knew each other. And we did. I found Megatron. I don't want to say it was fate, but something caused our paths to cross again and there we were, together like old times.  

In that moment I truly felt connected to myself, I knew who I was. It has not changed for me ever since the very beginning. My past is my present, and I can not change who I am. My awakening has been a lifelong event, but I'd say the moment I watched that "Top Gun" film was the day a whole world opened up to me. -Starscream the First (Sept 6 ,2015)

[acowat]

You’re My Mate-Elorcan

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. They are owned by Sarah J. Maas.

Elide woke up, heart pounding and sweat running down the back of her neck as she shot out of bed, her head swimming with visions of Lorcan, her Lorcan, turning his back to her, his arm around a woman who was somehow faceless and breathtakingly beautiful at the same time.

She thought about laying back down, cuddling into Lorcan’s side, and drifting back to sleep. She wanted to, more than anything. But she knew she wouldn’t fall back asleep, hadn’t fallen asleep after one of these dreams in weeks.

She slid her feet onto the cool stone floor, the chill grounding her in reality for a moment. Elide thought about going outside to clear her head, but a glance out the window showed a summer storm unleashing its torrent on Perranth. The queasy feeling in her stomach reminded her that she’d barely eaten anything since lunch the previous day. The council meeting had run all afternoon and long into the evening, occupied by the needs of the city, of her people, during the rebuilding.

Deciding to head to the kitchen for an early breakfast, Elide slid her slippers on and padded out of the door, careful to shut it quietly behind her, to avoid waking the sleeping giant. As she wandered the hallways of her family’s home, restored to its former glory by the hard work of her staff and husband, the Lady of Perranth couldn’t stop herself from dwelling on her dreams.

For weeks, she’d been having recurring nightmares of her husband wrapped around an anonymous seductress who had turned his head and stolen his heart. At first, she tried anything to distract herself during her waking hours, but in the weeks since she’d had her first dream, Elide had learned that nothing worked, so she succumbed to the anxiety immediately now.

Elide knew she should talk to him about it, about her anxieties that his mate would come along and steal him away from her, from their life together in Terrasen, but their days were so completely filled that she struggled to find the time. She would also be lying to herself if she didn’t admit she was using the rebuilding as a distraction, so she didn’t have to have the difficult conversation with Lorcan.

The warm smell of baking bread, never quite gone from this corridor, snapped Elide out of her thoughts, if only momentarily. She pulled open the wooden door and crept into the dark room, mapping out the counters in her mind as best she could remember. Though she’d spent many hours here when her parents were alive, helping the cooks as much as she hindered them, it had been almost 2 decades since then and her memory failed her occasionally. Like when she misjudged the length of the island and snagged her hip right on the corner, pain flaring up in her joint. Elide’s breath flew out of her in a curse, as she backed into the solid weight of the counter behind her, knocking a pot or two off the ledge as she fell.

She froze against the counter, waiting with baited breath to see if anyone came running to investigate the disruption. When she didn’t hear anything for 30 seconds, Elide stepped carefully around the fallen pots, her eyes finally adjusting to the darkness, and grabbed a loaf of berry bread that was cooling on the counter next to her. She cut herself a slice but froze with the slice halfway to her mouth when she heard the whisper of the kitchen door closing. Elide turned around slowly, eyes wide, feeling guilty, even though she logically knew she hadn’t been doing anything wrong. She was a grown woman now. She was entitled to a late-night snack if she wanted it.

Lorcan slipped silently into the kitchen, his stupid demi-Fae agility preventing Elide from hearing him come down the hall. He raised a single eyebrow at her before plucking an apple out of a bowl and sinking his teeth into it with a crunch. Elide munched on her snack for a second, aware that she shouldn’t get her hopes up about her chances of avoiding an interrogation. Lorcan, for all of his bravado, was very concerned about Elide’s feelings and never let anything even remotely suspicious or unusual slide, if he could help it.

He starts off casually.

“Trouble sleeping?”

Elide shrugged, hoping desperately Lorcan would just drop it. She knew she needed to talk to him, tell him what had been worrying her for so many weeks, but they had been married just 2 months. She didn’t really want to outline her anxiety that he would leave her so willingly someday. That was the worst part for her: no matter how much he loved her or their hypothetical children or the life they’d built together, he would willingly walk away from it all for her, his mate, if she ever found him.

“Elide,” Lorcan started, eyebrows raised and voice promising he would not let it go. “You haven’t slept through the night in weeks. Tell me what is troubling you.”

Elide briefly debated just walking away, calculating how quickly she could get to the door before Lorcan caught her. Even without her limp, she knew she didn’t stand a chance. Lorcan, having finished his apple, crossed his arms and leaned back against the counter, staring unrelentingly at her face. Elide braced her hands against the island and let her head fall, staring at the dark stone. Their stand-off lasted a few minutes, Elide trying to figure out how to put her feelings into words, into something concrete and Lorcan refusing to break the silence.

“This is too good,” she finally whispered.

“What?” His voice cracked through the quiet like a whip.

“This,” Elide finally looked up at her husband, his dark eyes bewildered. She gestures at the air around them. “This is all too good.”

Lorcan, looking taken aback, takes a moment before responding.

“You’re unhappy?”

“I’m too happy. That’s the problem!”

“What the hell does that mean, Elide?” Lorcan yelled back at her, the crinkle between his eyebrows deepening as he stalked toward her. Though she knew it came from a place of frustration, his rage only fueled the irrationally angry parts of her soul, the ones that wanted to lash out at the gods for putting someone in this world who could turn Lorcan from her. He didn’t even have to look down to avoid kicking the pots she’d dropped, it just pissed her off more.

“I’m too happy! The rebuild is progressing faster than we expected, I have friends I can call on if ever I’m in need, and, best of all, I just married the love of my life. So what am I supposed to do when you leave, huh? How am I supposed to just go back to the other things and pretend I’m okay living without you?”

Lorcan backed her into the counter behind her and braced his hands on the cool surface, his arms caging her in. She sank into his chest, the fight leaving her as fast as it had come. He leaned his forehead against hers, his dark hair falling to curtain their faces on either side, his breath fanning across her face.

His voice was unnervingly soft when he replied.

“Elide, I love you so much more than I ever thought possible. Why do you think I would ever leave you?”

She stared into his dark eyes, so expressive when he was vulnerable. Only with her.

“What if you don’t have a choice?”

His mouth raised in a half smile, though it looked more bemused than amused, and he snorted out a breath.

“What are you talking about?”

“What if your mate comes?” Elide felt Lorcan’s body tense under her hands, his chest turning to stone beneath her fingertips. “What if you meet her someday? You won’t stay here, we both know that, as much as we may want it now.”

Lorcan closed his eyes, hiding his expression from his wife for a moment, breathing deeply, before taking her hands in his and pressing a kiss to her soft lips.

“I haven’t been entirely truthful with you, my love.”

Elide’s heart rate skyrocketed, the pounding so loud she was sure Lorcan could hear the shift.

“I’ve already found my mate.”

Her heart, so close to racing from her chest a moment again, plummeted into her feet. Elide closed her eyes, wanting a moment to collect herself--and think of something to say, anything--before she could look at Lorcan again. When she opened them, she found his dark eyes boring into hers, imploring her to understand. She tried for a sympathetic smile, but based on her husband’s reaction, she’d landed on more of a grimace.

She took a steadying breath and found it did little to stem the flow of her thoughts.

“Who is she? Did you meet her in Doranelle? Is she--”

“It’s you, Elide. You’re my mate.”

Her mind was buzzing, thoughts flying through so quickly it made her head spin. She felt elated, she felt confused, she felt angry. She didn’t know how to feel, but her mouth seemed to figure out what she wanted before her mind did: answers.

“What? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Lorcan had the decency to look chagrined, his regret plain on his face.

“I wanted to be sure before I raised your hopes, only to dash them if it wasn’t true. I needed to know before I told you.” Lorcan took Elide’s face in his rough palms and kissed the bridge of her nose. She wrinkled her nose at her husband, and the laugh bellowed out of his chest before he could stop it. “I’ve never been so sure in my life. You are my mate.”

Although she was angry at him for keeping this secret, she couldn’t ruin the moment with anger. She’d punish him later for his omission. Right now, she just wanted to bask in the warmth of him, her mate. Elide pressed up onto her toe to slam her lips against his, slipping her tongue into his mouth when he yanked her closer, his hands on her waist. She felt his hands slide to her butt before he lifted her onto the counter, his hands tightening around her waist.

She wasn’t sure how long they were there, making out in the kitchen like they weren’t a lady and her lord, but when she finally pulled away, his wide grin knocked the breath right out of her, and she couldn’t stop herself from kissing him again.

“Let’s go back to bed,” she whispered against his mouth.

“Thank the gods. I’m still dead on my feet.”

Elide slid off the counter and sauntered away from Lorcan, the rising sun throwing rays of light across the kitchen. She bent over, making sure to take more time than was strictly necessary to return the pots to the counter. She could feel Lorcan’s eyes on her backside as she straightened. She turned her head to look at her gorgeous husband.

“I wasn’t talking about sleeping.”

His groan might have echoed through all of Perranth.

[thebibliomancer]

Tides of the Dark Crystal liveblog pt 23

Tides of the Dark Crystal by J.M. Lee because I want to know Amri’s plan!

Last times on book: Amri and co are on a quest to unite all the Gelfling against the Skeksis. They’ve succeeded with the Sifa of Cera-Na and the Dousan of the Wellspring but learn that All-Maudra Mayrin was killed by the Skeksis while they were avoiding ever going to Ha’rar. Mayrin’s eldest daughter and Skeksis loyalist Seladon has been named new All-Maudra. Fearing that the Vapra won’t rise up in resistance, the group is lost for solutions until Amri dreams he falls into the ocean and has a cryptic conversation with the urRu Swimmer.

Chapter 23

Team Naia climb a mountain but find a mysterious tower

They planned to leave that evening, when they could move under the cover of the night. Until then, Amri found a corner of the cabin and crawled under a pile of pillows, blocking out the daylight. He dreamed of the stone tree in the belly of Grot. He stood before it as it died, limbs like roots, or roots like limbs. Knowing that if he could be breathed in by the ancient thing, flow into its veins and up its trunk, when he emerged on the other side, he would be a pink blossom on the slender boughs of the Sanctuary Tree.

He heard whispers. A thousand voices, all as one. The shadows moved with infinite limbs. When he woke, it took everything he had not to slap away the spider tapping the back of his hand.

The protags are probably used to it at this point but oh no I would freak out. I do not like crawlies crawling on me.

Anyway, aside from waking up Amri for The Plan, Tavra also has a favor to ask Amri.

“In case anything should happen to me tonight. Someday, when the fires are lit. When it’s safe. Would you find my sister Brea and tell her what happened? I want her to know that I didn’t abandon her.”

“No,” he said. “I’ll make sure you get to tell her yourself.”

Has anyone in fiction ever answered otherwise?

It feels like that kind of thing only comes up so the other person can go ‘no you’re totally going to survive so you can tell her yourself’ or ‘we’ll tell her together’ or something.

Protagonists try to be optimistic about their chances, I guess.

I think I’ve seen maybe one example where a more world-weary character just instantly agreed to a request like that, recognizing the asker wanted reassurance that things would be taken care of if the worst happened.

Anyway.

Naia brings a cloak for Amri to wear when they go out and climb up a snowy mountain. Its in Silverling white and silver which Amri feels weird about since the Gelfling tribes like to color code just like people from Avatar. But he recognizes its better for the mountains so puts it on.

“Do I look like a Silverling?” he asked, pulling his hair out from inside the cloak collar.

Naia’s ears turned pink. She looked away and mumbled, “Not a bit.”

Shiiiiiiiiiiip teeeeeeeeeease.

If they hold hands at this rate, they’re going to explode.

Tae comes in and tells them its time to go, the Vapra are gathering at the citadel but neither the Skeksis nor Seladon have shown yet. And even with the Waystar trees, its going to be getting very dark on the mountain.

While the team is climbing the mountain to do the Plan with the Waystar trees, Onica is basically going to be the getaway driver. She’s staying on the boat ready to go. If anything goes wrong, they can fly off the mountain to the boat and sail away to fight another day.

This vague the Plan has multiple angles figured out. Its a good the Plan.

Onica also tells them that she believes in them. Aww. Onica encouragement is truly precious.

I’m so glad that we’ve gotten so much Onica material in this book. She’s great.

Team Naia leave the boat and the wharf (Amri looking back to see if the Swimmer shows but she does not) and hurry through the city.

As Tae had said, the Vapra of Ha’rar were already gathering near the steps that led up to the citadel. Huddled in their silver cloaks, whispering quietly among themselves. Amri heard the consistent sound of fear, and apprehension. He heard Seladon’s name, and Tavra’s. The sibilant sounds of the Skeksis Lords’ names. skekUng, skekZok. skekSil, the Chamberlain. skekSo, the Emperor.

I wonder if all of them are showing up. That’s a big gathering of Skeksises.

But the team keeps going to where Ha’rar meets the mountain and then up a narrow winding stairway.

There’s more buildings of Ha’rar even built into the mountain but the stairway becomes a steep footpath and then nothing. Just trudging through deep snow in a mountain side forest. In the dark. It’s evening. For everyone that’s not Amri or Tavra, the footing becomes really uncertain.

“I can’t see a thing. Is this what it’s been like for you, traveling in the day?” Naia asked as they reached a rocky ledge too high to step over. He made short work of it and crouched on the top, grabbing Naia’s hand and pulling her up and over. She didn’t wait for him to say yes before she added, “I didn’t realize.”

“It’s all right,” he said. “Not everywhere in Thra is caves and rocks.” Though night and ice is close enough, he thought. Or at least he hoped it would be.

They stop to look at Ha’rar, which is described as looking like a painting at this distance. Maybe a matte painting. I miss matte paintings. They were so cool.

The team has reached a point where Tavra can’t guide them anymore because the wind changes the landscape too often so she tells them to follow the Waystars’ light but be careful of hidden crags.

Tae says

“Our path is up to you now, Amri.”

Something he’d longed to hear, but now that he had, it felt heavy on his shoulders. It was up to him to guide them -- and protect them from danger. He knelt and touched the freezing stones. Under the deep snow, the mountain path still existed. He could feel its sturdiness.

That rock sense thing sure is helpful.

Super helpful.

Amri even senses a building up ahead.

Not any building Tavra is familiar with but as she says not many people travel up here so if someone were to build something, not many people would know or care.

“It would be a nice way to live if you wanted to be alone,” Naia remarked.

“And if you didn’t mind freezing,” Kylan added, teeth chattering.

Hah! Good ol’ best boy Kylan.

He’s so quiet that he doesn’t feel as present as some of the other characters but he remains relevant to the plot and delightful.

Amri leads the group towards the mysterious building, which is a simple stone and ice tower. It looks abandoned from the outside and the place doesn’t seem too occupied or furnished on the inside but Kylan can tell that the hearth has been lit within the past couple days.

So its not abandoned, just austere.

They can’t stay long without losing their opportunity to reach the Gelfling of Ha’rar before the Skeksis do but they can stay long enough to warm up with a fire and hey, there’s a hearth right there.

While Kylan started the fire, Amri touched the parchments that were strewn across the stone worktable. The soft, cold paper was thick and fibrous, covered in ink-drawn maps and charts. He recognized the coastline of the Silver Sea, from Kylan’s book, meticulous and fine-detailed, every landform and eddy and bay lovingly titled and detailed. Cera-Na and her fingerlike headlands, even the sand river they’d taken into the desert. The Caves of Grot, the Claw Mountains. The long tail of the Black River, the lifeline of the Skarith Basin.

There were other charts, too, but they were not of the land. Amri recognized stars and the Sisters, the patterns of the wind drawn across the sky where it intersected with the path of the Brothers. The pictures of the seasons and the ninets, how the phases of the moons changed course as Thra moved through time and space.

Hmmm. And the maps are drawn in ink, too, and not dream-etched.

So I have my theory about whose house this might be. I’m a bit surprised that it is where it is but I have my theory.

I mean, its got to be an urRu, right? Not a Gelfling because its ink and not BURNING WITH YOUR MIND POWERS. Probably not a Skeksis because there’s one Skeksis who could live in such simple digs without succumbing to the unfathomable urge to bedazzle everything in sight.

And would we be so lucky to get a second urRu when there’s only a few chapters left? No, no. This is clearly the oddly mountain located house of urSan the Swimmer. All the way up on a mountain, the further place from the sea.

I like that the map including the desert implies that she just swam the sand rivers too. That’s commitment to your monomania.

Amri arranges the maps on the table to they form a jumbo map of the Skarith Land and is in awe at seeing his whole world (or at least the only important continent of it apparently) all at once like this and at how much of it he has personally seen since starting his journey with the group.

But there’s work to be done so he asks Tavra if she knows what she’s going to say for the Plan.

“Yes,” the Silverling spider replied. “I don’t know if it will be enough, but it is all I have. I can only hope that my words can move the Vapra to believe that there is hope... even without my mother and Seladon to guide them.”

“They still have you,” Naia assured her. “Even if your voice is small. If Amri’s right, and if Kylan can do what he did with the Sanctuary Tree, then...”

I like that their plans are always building up off their previous plans.

But before Naia can finish explaining the Plan there’s a crunching on the snow outside and the door is slammed open by an old familiar unexpected individual.

SHE! Her. skekSa the Mariner, who is just as confused to see the Gelflings here as they are to see here.

Its a small world after all, I guess.

Her menacing eyes fell upon Amri and his friends, then the star charts and sea maps. Amri found his hand on the hilt of Tavra’s sword. skekSa reached back and slammed the door, throwing the latch so there was no escape. She leveled the room with her gaze, hot breath steaming from her nostrils.

“Tell me, and I will let you live,” she growled. “Where is urSan the Swimmer?”

Dun dun dun?

[sassaetcie]

Secret Santa: Ari’s Present

Ortho, Kalim and Jamil meeting each other and having fun even if it not especially located during Christmas fdsklklgkl! I hope it will warm your heart, it’s my first time writing Ortho and Kalim especially :D

Merry Christmas @skyflicker @shiningskiies !!!

I – DEN – T – TY

I. Remember.

My memories. These may be filtered, I reckon. These numbers allow me to be sure, and unsure. Or unsure in the end. Are they filtered? Are they authentic? If there are filtered, I knew it. If there are not, then I may have another filter in the end. Can I be sure that they are not? I should trust Big Brother for sure... I shouldn't worry that much! I can shoot laser beam if something bad were to happen. He made me powerful! He gave me so much power! He even calculated how much I can bear, how many limits I have before breaking down, how much energy I can accumulate and release, how I can fly on a regular basis, gave me legs when I asked him to... Maybe that was selfish to ask him this but... Am I a replacement? Who is Ortho Shroud?

No.

Who is Ortho?

What is Ortho?

I know who are the Shrouds. But Ortho? Is it I? I am Ortho? Ortho is I? Big Brother seems to think I am. Therefore I shouldn't think too much of it... I cannot say that I think, therefore I am... Ortho. Or at least, not for now? Yes! I shouldn't be down for that much. No need to make such a fuss about it!

I shouldn't have written this anyway. This is not the aim of my writing. Why am I writing, anyway? I sure could have recorded. Whatever! I just want to! Probably? So I write! So I am writing! So is this [x] version of "Ortho" writing. Am I the system?

Or is the system... I?

I guess this the "Ghost in the Shell" syndrome? Or something a poet said... "I is another"?

But if humans experience this, I cannot possibly... be that different, can... I? Or perhaps this is a bias of interpretation. I... can make mistakes too.

I shouldn't make a fuss about it! It will make Big Brother unhappy... He doesn't need this! So I went out. I could make a lot of things, after all! Helping people, for example! Going out was done, then. The blue corridor, blue is the corridor. Walking through it, flying through it, is possible. Running is another obvious possibility, of course. It is only an outcome of another. The corridor, the corridor, the corridor. It was the end of it. Jumping, gliding, sliding, coming through the mirror was as easy. Although it may be dangerous if the mirror's magic were to fluctuate, according to Big Brother... I agree, though. It would definitely be dangerous. And if magic were to fluctuate, something even more ominous would be bound to exist, and happen. Therefore, it was a good thing to watch over this place. But the whole school could destroy itself with unstable students... I have to await orders, anyway. Although I'm sure my laser beam could definitely help... The mirror wasn't broken as for now. So our focus should remain the same until something get closer with bad intentions. Where should the destination be, today? People would certainly need help. And if Ignihyde could have a good name without forcing Big Brother to overwork himself... He's doing his best in his way, after all, doesn't he? He definitely does. It must be hard to understand that people can be intelligent in different ways, probably. Humans can forget, humans can learn and make mistakes. But I... haven't become arrogant nor begun to look down on them for their errors... mistakes. Mistakes. Or is it... because... I... cannot? Is it impossible for me to be a bad person? Did Big Brother remade this body? Am I someone? Am I something? Am I someone else? Let us stop there. I... cannot allow any error system to happen. I cannot. I. Yes, I just need to find some people to help, hehe! (Is it truly useful to write "hehe"...?)

A black, white and golden corridor. Black, white and golden are the corridor. Black and white are the stones, the stones are black and white. Surely, this building does not need any renovation. This one. I guess I could help pressuring the headmaster into restoring the Ramshackle dorm... but first I should do easier things. It could be troublesome if I spend my days helping and taking care of great matters... People could think Big Brother really doesn't do anything of his days. But that's not how things are... Will they listen to me, anyway? They could tell me I'm just... programmed to praise him...

Well, if that were to happen, I can threaten to shoot a laser beam to them? For sure! It should work!!! Probably? Anyway. It was time to get back to work! I had reached the end of the first corridor... Well, "first" didn't make any sense. Not that it was meant to be in the first place? How should we understand first, here? The first corridor I walked through? No, that was objectively wrong, even today. So, why first? In this situation, in this separated space? That was a possibility. Actually, very likely to be this one. Since knowing if this was the first corridor built... Oh, it would make sense if it were, though. If the mirrors of the school are the most important thing, either the mirror chamber or this one could have been built first... I should scan this place someday, perhaps. I had walked through another corridor. Yes. I could go backward as well... Even crossing my legs, probably. For they were mine. Mine... My... feet were making some noise. Although. They weren't feet. What were they? Mechanical limbs? Prothesis? How was I supposed to define something like this if the word wasn't known, either by me or the whole world? Picturing it would be so much easier. Language was still useless... telepathy sure was needed in order to reach something else! Were these creepy thoughts? I don't know... I should ask Big Brother when I go back to the dorm! But no matter in what order I use words... Nevermind! I shouldn't think about all these things. I should focus on finding someone to help! Or something to do! The garden was there. And of course, everything minus one thing probably, was there. Or perhaps a half of this one? Then it would still be one... The green was the grass, grass the was green. Green grass was the. "Colorless green ideas sleep furiously", probably... Apples, apples, apples x [x]. All around. No, I should try to enjoy this place, after all! What's the use of asking such questions? Everyone already has! Certainly! Maybe I should ask Big Brother so that I can eat one of these apples... The others look so happy when they take a bite... Sure, I should definitely ask him! He will probably be happy if I start behaving on my own! On... On my own. But I am just... reaching the same aim like this.

If I make him happy by becoming more independent... in the end, it's all and the same.

And if I behave like the simple doll I may be, then I am just a program...

Why? Why? Why? Why?

Even this number was probably programed by some external terror. If I behave like a robot, I will execute Big Brother's orders, and make his life simpler, ultimately resulting in happiness.

If I try to be more independent, and perhaps... recover potential memories? Let's be positive, yes, yes! I must have forgotten! ... This will probably make him happy too.

This is a problem.

Both of them. Lead to the same end.

Ah, why am I even thinking about this! This is far too serious, hihi! The apples look... good, though... I should definitely ask him! Big Brother is so nice and great and amazing and talented and hardworking! He will definitely pout a bit and then allow me to eat! This will be great!!! This? Yes, yes, this. That. would have another meaning. I know a lot of things, hihi! I can help so many people!  And I walked again. I could fly above the grass but walking on a soft ground was something else... It was definitely a cool new thing! I have so much to learn, like everyone! Sure, some blade of grass may end up between my feet... But I doubt it will damage or hurt myself! I meddled the green billion of individuals. They were moving next to me, because of me... or was it thanks to me? Would they be angry if I were to pass them by? Flyind didn't allow me to fiddle with them like this! Weren't we playing through reality? Some daisies were among blades of grass. Some Bellis perennis... But I may end up stomping on them, even if I'm careful? No, probably not! I could meddle too, hihi! And if I walk on these flowers, then I'll just need to be more careful next time, like everyone! And the wind was semi-cold, and enough to make my hair move. (Though this is not an important detail, I can allow myself some useless things hihi!) I remember I took a look at the surroundings. Of course the classes were over, so some students and pupils should definitely come by!

-Oh, y... h-hi, Ortho Shroud...

-Howdy, Epel!

-I h-have to go, sorry...

-Awww Ortho!! You're hereee~! You're always so cuteee, lemme take a piccc~!

-Hello, Cater, but why not!

They stopped. He stopped. The uniform looked loose on the pale, smooth, clean, made-up skin. He quickly pulled up his jacket again. Grabbed his orange hair amidst the wind.

-Aww, nevermind... You'd always be okay no matter what I ask, heeeh~?

-That's not true.

-Eeeh, really? Weren't you programmed for some specific reason, like, to make everyone happy?

-No!

-Awww, only Idia?

-Don't insult my Big Brother!!!!! He's not that selfish!!!!!! I know what I can and cannot do, what I want and don't want to do!!!!

-Aww, sorry! I didn't want to upset you, eheh... I apologize, I took the joke too far, didn't I~.

-Oh that was a joke! I'm sorry if I've had an extreme reaction... I'm just tired of hearing everyone say bad thing on Big Bro...

-Well, I'll be leavin' you, see ya~!

Perhaps I should have answered? It was probably impolite not to... But I didn't feel like to? He was right... and he hurt me!!! It wasn't nice at all!!! So I walked away again. Better help nice people, better help people who wouldn't bite the hand feeding them... Although this expression is not that nice either. Should be erased... Will ask Big Brother about it later. I... I will do this! I got this, yes! I can go to Scarabia, Kalim is... nice! So it will be alright and I will stop thinking about all these bad things! I just want to be... frolicsome! I guess!

The first corridor was definitely no more first in most of it meanings, now. Well, maybe not now but... well. And the mirror was still working properly. No shards escaping, no breaking embodying it. No spells invading it. Kalim and Jamil would surely get by soon enough. Flying sure had its advantages... Especially since Kalim could be all over the place or wandering or lolling around or... there are so many options about him! And if I don't spend my time walking nor flying absolutely I would be... If I'm not all in one or the other... No, nevermind! I might miss them if I cloud my head with useless thoughts, hihi! I had crossed my arms. The right beneath the left, the left above the right. Perhaps the left above the right and the right beneath later, if no one had appeared. Maybe I would have done so for my whole life. Neither the right arm nor the left arm could answer me, after all. No matter the order, none was probably favored by any human. Yes, useless thoughts, useless thoughts, shoo! I patted and tapped, tapped, patted, barely rattling. My fingers. On my arms. So did I to my feet. Almost toddling, not toddling anymore yet trudging somehow, pulling some tibia on the silent floor. I thought of jumping too but I wasn't sure if that was allowed or not and I didn't feel like checking since it could take some time if the school rules had been updated... and I could have missed them. Or miss them at all? I clapped my robotic squares of artificial skin. This noise wasn't especially regular. That wasn't a perfect repetition of the same instrument made for someone who was fond of that instrument. So... It was deeply useless. But... If I were to upset Big Bro... Wouldn't that mean I would... have succeeded in being independent? Since all of my acts might lead to his happiness equally... But not all humans act in order to make everyone happy so I would end up being more human? However... However...! To be more human, wouldn't that also bring me closer to Big Brother's lifegoal? That's... that is... those...

-Hey, hi, Orthooo!

-Uuuuh! Kalim! Sorry, I was... thinking about some things! But I'm definitely here to talk with you!

-Oh, is that so? Talking with Kalim, hm? What business might you have with him, though? Especially coming from the Ignihyde Dorm, and perhaps on his command... How strange, mh.

Of course, Jamil Viper would have to be there. It was, after all, the most obvious and potential situation. Some iterations might have had another Scarabia student next to Kalim. Some others might have had 0 student next to Kalim. Some might have had another [dark-skinned] + [Scarabia] student. Or even another [dark-skinned] + [Scarabia] + [long-haired] + [black-haired] student. Nevermind. Jamil was there. From the beginning... Since he could have [appe... Yes, he could have appeared later, and it would have made the whole conversation harder, I think. For Jamil could have barged in full of worries and anxiety and stress and...

-Oh, hihi, I just want to know if I could help you? I feel like helping people today, and Scarabia seems like a very nice place to help people!

-...That was definitely not expected from Ignihyde. Whatever. As long as it's not about food...

-Eeeeh, Ortho? You want to help us?! That's so, so nice!!!

-Kalim, please stop screaming here... Let us go back in Scarabia Dorm already...

-Let's go then, follow us, Ortho!

Well, that was exactly what I had expected. Kalim sure is great to cheer up others. When it comes to Jamil... Well, I expected him in most iterations. He was not a bother... As long as people didn't try to mess up with my system or insult Big Bro, it was okay, really. And Jamil didn't really fit into either of these categories... Probably because he'd rather have us as allies since... I've caused a ruckus during some past events and he seems to... think a lot? For sure he cannot be stupid... Kalim has done a lot of stupid, or at least reckless, things but these things kind of meddle for me, things by the past... and Jamil always has been able to save him somehow. I'm pretty sure he must be good when it comes to observing people and predicting their behaviors... althought it musn't be perfect since he's... no, no, no, I shouldn't be thinking like that! I shouldn't think like that at all! It's useless spiraling down again!

-Hm? I thought you had business with Kalim... yet you glance quite a lot at me, or even watch, if I may say so?

-O-oh, yes, sorry! I was thinking about lowering my body temperature since I don't want to short-circuit because of the temperature in here... I'm not really used to such high temperatures!

-Eeeh, so you can short-circuit? If you really are about to, tell me and I'll make the weather rain!

-...Kalim, you better not... You know what happens when electricity and water mix up, right?

-Oh yeah! Sorry, I wasn't sure if Ortho was made up of electricity or not!

Either way, I would better not experiment this rain he was talking about, so Jamil definitely made a good assumption, even if it were to be a wrong one, or at least untrue one. I didn't need that much to check out for the heat around even though if I were to "overblot" it would certainly worsen the whole thing. And there... Scarabia.

Golden was Scarabia, Scarabia was golden. The sky was blue, blue was the sky. And so, red were some of the cloths, some of the cloths were red, sometimes curtains hanging from some heights. Some heights, some length, some heat, some gold. Golden plates. Silver plates. Ceramic plates. Plates. Golden. Silver. Ceramic, Ceramics. Just materials and fabrics. Expected.

-K-Kalim, please don't already bring the students in your already-pending party?!

Jamil's scream was to be expected in most of the iterations. However, the exact following would have been trickier... Yes, it was great, hihi! Some sounds were already vibing and playing out of nowhere. This "nowhere" I had underestimated, after all. Because it should have been a "nowhere" for me, and not "Scarabia" immediatly. Darbuka... started playing. Along ones I mostly knew of course. But the mixing-up was just... not expected at all. Because it was not stereotyped nor perfectly known. Violin, darbuka. Drum, nays. Kalim dancing was obvious. But all around...

-Hey, Ortho, do you wanna dance before helping? I'll think about how you can help during dancing!

-Oh huh... Sure! Sure, sure! It has been a while since we've last danced, hasn't it?

It probably had been... roughly 44 days and 4 weeks. This number certainly meant something awful and yet... nothing was happening as for now. No omen was loitering around. To be fair... I semi-expected Kalim's question. He was known for his... partying side, after all. If that could be considered a "side" at all... Was that more of a core? A gem? A twig? A branch? Sure it wasn't his "whole". Perhaps a percent? Who knows. Not I by then. Dancing, waltzing, breakdancing, leaping... had been a high possibility since the very moment I had chosen to come and seek help, for them. So, I had to be prepared to dance. I probably didn't since, after all, I... probably saw it as useless, somehow. Which was in itself, useless. Since, what was to be useful, would in the end, be useful in order to bring happiness to someone. Not I. Kalim jumped. Perhaps toward the center of the room. Maybe nowhere. His arms moved to the left. To the right. To the left. To the left. Upward. Upward. To the right. To the right...

-Come on Ortho, let's have fun!!!

-H-how should I move? Like last time? I'm not sure I remember since it was not an automatical process...

My memory might have tossed this aside for data room...

-That's not a problem! Just move the way you want!

-Moving the way I want...? But I'm not a Labovian Celeste like you, Kalim...

-A Labo... I don't know what is that but you'll tell me later, I'm curious! For now, just hmmm... you know... you can dance without a programm nor downloading! So you should be able to do what you want!

-W-what kind of logic is that...!

Jamil's voice and body had become to join the dance, or rather counter-danced on his whole. If Kalim moved to the right, the left belonged to Jamil. The upward belonged to Jamil. Slowness could be Kalim's gift from the world, now.

-Ortho, you can follow one of us, then switch to the other! You will not have to follow either of us this way!

-That's... pretty much true?!

I lifted my arm in order to follow Jamil. Following Kalim would have been the most obvious way to lose any kind of independence, after all. Jamil, Ortho, Kalim. Suddenly, Kalim, Ortho, Jamil. And then... Ortho, Jamil, Kalim. Probably. Predicting their moves in order to cancel them in myself could fail. So... I had to go the other way around. I just had to avoid identical series of number next to each other. Moving twice the right arm, punching once the air, sliding with the left leg once, sliding with the right twice... It didn't have to make sense. Because this party wasn't about all performances nor feigned perfection, which I would not have been able to reach anyway.

Perfection was my domain.

Feigned perfection was that of the humans.

But entertainment could be reached by both of us.

No... I... I leaped through the airs. I spinned round and round. I danced. Probably something was feeling off but. The series of numbers was disappearing. It was, useless, data. This limb could go to the right, this one to the left. Upward, downward. I was going to all of them. The red curtains were flying to the right, to the left, upward, downward. The curtains of purple were of one wing, but of no bird belonging. Dozens of lone, free one wings waltzed along Scarabia, along Kalim, Jamil, I. Golden may have been the things, but the things may have been golden as well. Gold did not imitate the sun. Everything... Each thing. Each...

-Fewww... I'm tired, sorry Ortho, Jamil. I'm hungry and thirsty, now!

-Well, you better be since I had to cook for you once again. But I think I'm going to stop too. Not because I follow you, of course. I do not need you to know when I have to stop for my own health.

-Hey, Ortho, you want to keep on dancing? That's so cool!

I spinned round and round, again. Whether it was again or not? Whatever. It was I. I was I. Probably...

-I'm going to stop now! Can I sit with you all and... serve tea, for example?

-Sure, sure!!! You were here to help, right?! It's so cool that you can keep thinking about this, you're so nice and cool, Ortho!

-Please do serve tea before Kalim wants to. I do not want to see the dorm spending hours trying to erase the stains.

-Jamil, twas years agoooo!!! I know how to do it no~ooow, I even know how to be... aesthetic? When I do it!

-Aesthetic pouring? Oh, I think my Big Bro has shown some of these videos to me! He always thought it was interesting to add little details to characters and thought to make one of his characters do this if he were to create a big game...

-Woaaa... Is that why Idia never go outside?! Because he's busy working on so many little details?!

-Kalim, for fu... oh, fuck. For fuck's sake, be tactful...

-My brother is only living the type of life he wants to live, although I have troubles understanding in what it is a life, exactly...

-Ohhh, I see! Can you pour me some jasmine tea?

Quickly exchanged from the teapot toward the contenant.

-Ouu, that was fast! And not a single drop on the cushions...

-You really are efficient, Ortho. I didn't see you do anything weird while pouring.

-Uuh, thanks Jamil...

-Well, now give me some chamomile tea, if you will.

I poured some tea.

-Hm, hey, O-o...rtho? Can you pour me some tea, too? I'm sorry to ask, you probably don't know me at all...

-No, that's alright, I wanted to help Scarabia's students in the first place, not only the ones with the... highest places!

I held the teapot as high as I could, and poured down. It was perfectly useless. But it was fun.

No...

It was useless... therefore it was fun!

-C—c-c-can I have... tea... too... whatever the tea, the one that is easier to get!

My body, my arms, my hands, poured this liquid as closed to the cup as needed. It wasn't needed anymore, after all. I was the one choosing to make everything now! Hihi!

Jamil gulped down his drink before standing up again, towering over Kalim no matter where his casted shadow could have been.

-Well then, Kalim, I will check the kitchen. Just... in case.

-Oh yeah, yeah! I know, don't worry, you got this Jamil! You're the best!!!

I sat down next to Kalim. I didn't expect that many people to ask me for tea... But I experimented thanks to them.

-So, you have fun so far, Ortho???

-Y-yes, I think so!

Kalim shook his legs while taking a sip of his tea.

-It really looks so, but I wanted to make sure you have! Like, I don't remember seeing you looking so much around... Usually you just stare or whatever, but now! It was so, so cool! And the way you danced, I had never seen it!

-R-really?!

-Yes! It really looked like something invented on the spot! It was so genuine and cute!

I shook one of my leg too.

-It was genuine...? Do you really think so?

-Yes, yes!

My leg stopped shaking. This limb stopped moving like that.

-How can I be genuine when I'm like that... I don't even know if I'm Ortho or... something else, someone else?

-Ohhhh! Don't say that! Of course you're yourself! We're all ourselves!

-Huhhh... This is a bit hard to get, Kalim...

-Well huhhh... I think Jamil would explain better than I but gotta try to help!!! So, you think you're not "yourself"... or that you're not even human... but then, what huuuh... makes us humans, I guess?

-I'm not sure, to be fair... I feel like it's linked to feelings and unpredictability but...

-Well, then... I remember Jamil told me that humans were never entirely focused on others because it was too harsh to entirely return someone's kindness according to the person... or something like that. He scolded me and huuhhh, I don't really recall what he told but... I think it had to do with being selfish and all? He wanted to go on a trip and I told him it was okay but he started talking to me about this?

-About selfishness?! He did? He really did?!

-Y-yeah! He told me that what makes everyone into someone was probably the balance between selfishness and helping... Something like that. I probably forgot most of what he told me, nyehehe!

-Selfishness and helping... Balance... I see... Oh huh, thanks for telling me, Kalim, hihi!

-Nyehehe, you're welcome if it makes sense!

-It does, it does!

Kalim stood again. So did I. Whatever the one who did it first, as for now.

-So it's getting a bit late, shouldn't ya get back to your big bro?

-Weeeell... I think he should do fine... And if he really needs me, he can just call me for once...

-Oh!!! Alright then, come outside, who knows what the sky will look like!!!

Sure this was another instance of the blue sky. If sky could be called sky. All these things... I should leave them aside at least for now. A circle of one usual, basic color closed my world so far.

If the end of the world is but a circle to me, I shouldn't be so afraid... Yet I have been so far!

Stars were nothing but already dead fragments being erased by time.

But now... Maybe this one will disappear.

Perhaps this new "grave" will appear.

All these are technically predictable but... if I do something else, something more interesting in the meanwhile... then it won't be, right?

Why should I even predict this in the first place?

It will probably take more time but... every organism learns at its own pace. Every faltering shining star will change my day. Therefore.

These memories are mine.

Ortho or un-Ortho(dox) in the end.

Hihi.

[tsarinastorm]

Old Wounds, New Roommates- Adam Sackler/Reader-Chapter 1

 Summary:  Adam is your new roommate and he gets on everyone of your nerves. Nevermind the fact you had a misguided hookup phase in the past. As the hostility fades and attraction grows, will Adam finally move on from his toxic exes? And will you move on from past insecurities?  

 Adam wonders how he got to this place in his life: complacent. Everyone else around him had progressed but he was stuck. Even the city went a million miles a minute, never stopping for too long in one spot. He now has a sliver of hope to move forward because he’s been working on a great indie film with an acclaimed director that was about to wrap. Since then, that same director wanted him to work on his new series project to be debuted on a streaming service. Maybe this was his chance for change, to have something more, and something different. However, Jessa certainly wasn’t helping anything either: she quit school again, and has a way of keeping everyone around her down at her level. Adam supposes that it’s his fault too, he should have never came back to her after things fell out with Hannah. But he went back to her because he didn’t have it in him to end things after she let him go back to Hannah, and ultimately it was easier than being alone.

               He had been hoping that Jessa would realize that there was nothing left in their relationship and end it on her own terms. She was still holding on, even after all these months. He had no ill-feelings towards Jessa but he knew they weren’t healthy together and brought out each other’s worst tendencies. At one point, he thought he had such deep feelings for her, but now he knows she was just a way to ignore his feelings for Hannah. Adam thought that he and Jessa had the intense connection that he once had with Hannah, or that they could have it someday. Now, he knows that he was lying to himself, and he mentally accepts that it isn’t fair to Jessa to string her along like this either.

When he and Jessa get back to his apartment after going out to buy the finishing supplies for the second bedroom he’s built. He’s finally finished it aside from paint. She sits next to him on the couch. He tries to think to think out how to end this, but she’s completely oblivious to what is going through his mind. He feels her hand sneak up his leg, and her lips are on his moments later. He pulls away before he makes another mistake. She must read his face because she moves away from him.

               “What’s wrong? Is working on that film bothering you that much?” She asks, and Adam can tell that she’s trying to keep her cool. He also knows that there’s no easy way to have this conversation.

               “It has nothing to do with the film, it has to do with us.” He says honestly, and Jessa turns to stare at him. She then nonchalantly stands up from the couch to go get something from the kitchen. She asks, “What about us?” over her shoulder from the other room. He waits until she comes back into the room before continuing.

               “We can’t keep pretending that everything is good and fine between us.” Adam tells her, and he’s nervously moving his hands around. She moves to sit next to him once again, then places one hand on his arm and the other on his face. She gently turns him to face her.

               “Adam, we are not pretending. You went back to Hannah, but then you came back to me, and you realized that what we have is a real, intense connection.” She tells him, clearly trying to convince him of what she believes. Adam has to tell her the truth, even if it’s an ugly truth.

               “Maybe we had that one time but not anymore. I shouldn’t have come back to you once I left Hannah.” Well if Jessa was relatively calm before, she was fuming now. Adam could see her face turning red, and her lower lip quivering. However, she pulls herself together enough to ask, “What are you trying to say?”

               “I’m saying that this is over. We’re over. I’m sorry but I can’t do this shit anymore. I want to progress, I want something more, and I don’t think we can do that together.” He says and runs his hand from the top of his upper lip down to his chin.

               “’This’ is real, intense, and passionate. You’ll never have this with someone else.” She says with such conviction that if he hadn’t already made up his mind, it might have convinced him. Instead, he chooses to be blunt, because she still was avoiding the point.

               “That’s the thing Jessa, I used you to escape my feelings for Hannah. And I thought I could find something close to what I had with her, with you, but I didn’t.” That definitely hits home, maybe more than he wanted it to, because Jessa jumps up off the couch with her hands flying in the air. Adam meanwhile, tugs on his hair. A bad habit he does when he’s agitated.

               “This is still fucking about Hannah! I finally made peace with her, you made peace with her, so we could be together with no guilt! I gave up my most important relationship for you! Fuck you!” She screams as she picks up a lamp to throw in his direction, it crashes against the wall, glass splattering everywhere. That’s the only confirmation Adam needs to know he’s making the right decision to end this toxic relationship. He knows he has issues too but throwing shit at each other during every disagreement just isn’t normal. Though his rationality is gone momentarily when he picks up a mug and throws it against the kitchen cabinet.

               “I know, but what we have isn’t fucking healthy, and it’s not fucking real. We’re lying to ourselves! We share the same unhealthy coping mechanisms, and good fucking, that’s it!” He shouts back, standing up himself, but he controls his anger enough this time to not throw anything, or destroy anything. He watches the reality of what he just said wash over Jessa’s face. Her posture becomes more relaxed, more resigned.

               “Well if that’s how you really feel, I’ll leave.” She says calmly this time, and she starts packing a bag. Adam simply watches her, not wanting to give in and continue the relationship, or start another fight and make things more volatile than they need to be. Once Jessa has her things packed and lined up near the door, Adam feels the need to say something.

               “I’m sorry, will you yell at me, hit me, or something.” He nearly begs, any emotion would be better than this indifferent silence she’s giving him. The disappointment and heartbreak are hanging heavy in the air of the apartment. Jessa turns to look at him before she walks through the door.

               “Thank you for telling me how you feel…I’ll still be waiting for you when you get through this.” She tells him, giving him a friendly, light pat on his bicep. He nods his head, and she’s gone.

               Adam looks around the apartment which now feels empty, and he himself feels lonelier than he has in a long time. But he also feels free, and hopeful. After all, sometimes you have to start from the bottom to really start over. And this is just the beginning.

                                                               ********

               It had been a week since the break-up with Jessa, and she had taken all of her belongings out of the apartment. Adam hadn’t painted the spare bedroom yet because he couldn’t settle on a color; he decided to wait. Today, he was heading into Hermie’s to get a cup of coffee and catch up with Ray. He was riding his bike again for the first time in a long time, and as he’s crossing the street, he collides with a woman. The woman falls on the concrete, pulls her headphones out of her ears after she catches herself and he rushes to help her up.

               “Holy shit, are you okay?” He asks and quickly assesses her to make sure she doesn’t have any obvious injuries. Adam’s not prepared for who it is. It’s Y/N, arguably his biggest regret/mistake. He had hooked up with her after Hannah rejected him, and while Jessa was still stringing him along. He ended up ghosting Y/N, standing her up and choosing Jessa. What a fucking mistake that was, he thought about this mistake every time things were difficult with Jessa, and he thought if he was with Y/N would he have went back to Hannah so easily? Last he had heard, Y/N had authored at least one bestselling novel and had been traveling the world for the past year or so.

               But now she was back, he nearly ran over her with his bike, and she was still pissed at him. Rightfully pissed at him. She stands up, gathers herself, and then turns toward him. “You should watch where the hell you’re going—“

               Y/N stops midsentence when she realizes that it’s him. She’s clearly as shocked as he is. Adam can’t help but notice that she looks better than ever. She was always hot, but now she was hot in the grown up, successful way. Her hair is a little longer and her skin looks like its glowing. Her eyes are still bright and brilliant, though there’s a harshness in them that wasn’t there before. The only thing Adam can think to say is, “Y/N? How are you? It’s been a long time since I saw you.”

               “Well, I was doing fantastic until I you almost ran me over! It has been a while, how’s your girlfriend?” She says and asks pointedly. Yeah, she’s definitely still angry with him over ditching her. And honestly, Adam can’t blame her. He wonders how much she knows about him, he met her through Ray, and he supposes that was who told her about him and Jessa.

               “We broke up.” He answers and finds himself shifting on his feet nervously. He’s gotten closure over his relationship with Hannah, ended things with Jessa, is single and ready to move on, and he runs into his biggest romantic mistake? The cliché one who got away? How was this not some kind of sign from the universe that he should have been with Y/N all along?

               “What a surprise.” She looks smug, she’s enjoying the fact that she was right. Y/N puts her phone in her bag and crosses her arms, staring him down. Adam wants to keep this conversation going, because fate had obviously sent him a gift. However, it doesn’t seem that the feeling is mutual.

               “What have you been up to? I heard you wrote a bestseller.” He asks and she’s looks surprised that he kept up with her life. Now she’s the one that shifting her body weight from one leg to the other nervously.

               “I did. Two actually. I’ve been traveling and doing promotional work but now I’m back in New York.” Y/N answers before biting her bottom lip in a way that makes Adam’s brain short-circuit. They had really connected for the short time they spent together, before he became chicken shit and chose Jessa. That was the thing about Y/N: she challenged him, would make him grow, and he would fall hopeless in love with her if they had continued. Maybe that was why he chose Jessa: they had the addict connection, killer sexual chemistry, and he knew Jessa would never challenge him in an emotional way. And getting with Jessa would hurt Hannah the most. Jesus, how had he been such a fucking idiot?

               “Maybe we could catch up some time…” He says. Y/N responds quickly and coolly.

               “Probably not. I’m really busy.” Then she walks away, and Adam’s left watching her go. He’ll have to find a way to reconnect with her on some level, even if she despises him. He wants to know what could have been and what still could be.

                                               ********

ONE YEAR AND SIX MONTHS EARLIER

               You look around the party at Hermie’s and honestly you hate most of the people here. Ray’s a friend you met while you were visiting the coffee shop. Ray had the big election party and now was a party for people he was close with to celebrate his victory. You had met the infamous Hannah long enough ago to know you couldn’t really tolerate her melodrama. You also had met Jessa long enough ago to not like her aloofness and destructive behavior. Adam, you didn’t like at first but when Ray told you about him and Hannah, you felt bad for him. So you started talking to him when you’d hang out with Ray, and you started to like him. You appreciated his honesty and no bullshit policy. It was obvious that he was far more vulnerable than he would ever admit. And you had to admit that you were very attracted to him, no matter how much your head tried to convince you that it was an inherently bad idea.

               There he was looking awkward, and slightly miserable standing in the corner. He had been talking to Jessa before she huffed away, Ray had told you that Adam had been pining over her lately, likely as a way to get back at Hannah. You approach Adam to try to make conversation.

               “What was that about?” You ask motioning towards Jessa, and take a swig of your drink. You’ll not push the topic if he doesn’t want to talk about it.

               “Bullshit. Of course.” He answers and looks around agitated when his eyes land on Hannah and whoever her new boyfriend is. Damn, this poor man needed an escape. This party was not your cup of tea either, so you come up with a better idea that may cheer him up and put you in a better mood. He needed to get fucked, totally wrecked.

               “Want to get out of here?” You ask, raising your eyebrows at him seductively, and he nodded his yes before verbally answering, “Hell yes.”

               He follows you to your apartment, and as soon as you get through the door, Adam is on top of you. His hands grip your face as he presses his lips against yours. You instantly notice how soft and warm his lips are, like plush pillows. His hands however feel like fire scorching your skin. Your tongue is asking entrance in his mouth, and he grants it. Soon the two of you are devouring each other as his hands move down your neck: one to feel up your tits, and the one farther down to squeeze your ass. You can feel his hardening cock against you, and you’re already soaking. It had been a while since your last sexual encounter and you were definitely horny. You found out that Adam was very intense, focused, and sensual when he was intimate.

               The two of leave a string of clothes behind you on your way to your bedroom. Once in the doorway, he throws you over his shoulder, as if you weigh nothing, then he sits you on the bed. He’s kneeling between your legs as his fingers draw patterns on your thighs.  Your fingers rake through his hair while your other hand feels the tight muscles of his chest. Adam moves upward so his mouth is now lavishing your tits with open-mouth kisses, before taking your right nipple in his mouth. His tongue twirls over your peaks, making you moan and buck your hips. As his lips suck around your bud, his fingers find your clit, drawing circles on it. He releases your nipple with a pop, then goes to the left one. His fingers add pressure, and move faster on your clit. When you’re so close to your orgasm you can practically taste it, he removes his hand from you purposefully. You groan in frustration, and he tells you, “I want you to cum on my cock.”

               You lift him up to see his cock already weeping, and you hadn’t even really touched him yet. You get on your hands and knees on the edge of the bed, and lick a broad stripe up his cock. He moans in response, and his hands grip your hair. You take the head in your mouth, twirling your tongue around before beginning to bob, and your hand works his base. It’s not long before he’s groaning and thrusting into your mouth. He hits the back of your throat and you swallow. His hand then gently moves you from him, and this time it’s you who releases him with a pop.

               You settle farther up on the bed with your head resting your pillows, however Adam grabs the pillows and throws them off the bed. You give him a questioning look and he says, “I’m going to fuck so hard your neighbors will hear the bed hit the wall. I want to see you bounce.”

               He looks absolutely primal when he hovers over you, holding the back your thighs up, lining himself up with your slit. When he slowly sinks into you, you’re not sure which one of you is moaning more: you or him. His cock is the biggest you’ve ever taken, and you can feel him stretch you deliciously and hit spots inside you that you never even knew you had. After a few slow thrusts, he picks up the pace, thrusting into you roughly. Like he said, the bed was squeaking and then banging against the wall. Your tits were bouncing with every thrust, and his cock was dragging along your sweet spot making you groan. You think he’s getting close too because becoming more vocal and his thrusts are getting sloppier.

               “Are you a dirty slut who likes my cock?” He asks watching your tits bounce as he continues thrusting. “I love your cock.” You answer back. Apparently his dirty mouth was even dirtier while he was fucking.

“Do you want me to fuck you like a whore?” He then asks, and punctuates the question with snaps of his hips. You rock your hips back into him, meeting his thrusts and tell him, “Fuck me harder.  I’m a whore for your cock.”

               He drills into you at a brutal pace, he’s hitting at an angle that’s both hitting your clit and dragging along your g-spot. Before you can think it, he commands, “Touch yourself.”

               You follow his directions and rub vigorously on your clit. Then you’re seeing stars as the stimulation to both your clit and g-spot gives you one of the best orgasms of your life. You moan in a way that you never thought you would as your back arches, toes curl, and your pussy grips Adam’s cock.

               “Where do you want me to cum?” He asks and he could cum inside because you’re on birth control but you’re feeling filthy (in a good way) so you say, “Cum in my mouth.”

               “Agh fuck. Fuck.” He mutters as he pulls out and his lips are straddling your chest as he pumps his cock right in front of your face. You open your mouth, and stick out your tongue, waiting. Then his cum is in your mouth and as you swallow as much as you can, still some of it drips down your chin and onto your chest.

               You’re shocked when Adam comes down and takes off towards your bathroom. What the fuck? Did I take it too far? You think, then curiously you hear water running and cabinets closing. He walks back in with a wet washcloth and he wipes your face and your chest. You smile and say, “thanks.”

               “Jesus fucking Christ, pussycat. You’re something else. Hottest damn thing I’ve ever fucking seen.” He says and he cuddles up into you with his head resting on your chest and his arms wrapped around your waist.

               “Yeah? Well pussycat here needs some sleep before blowing your mind again.” You say and he moves back so he’s now spooning you. The two drift into sleep.

                                                               *********

               Adam was hanging out with Jessa again, even though she was trying to be clear about what they were. She was playing him hot and cold. She would say that she didn’t want anything but then she’d kiss him back. He was drawn to her like a moth to a flame, a forbidden fruit. A part of him knew that she was right when she had said they would destroy each other, but maybe he thought that was what he deserved.  He did fuck up everything in his life after all.

               “Look, Adam I don’t know why you just don’t let this go and keep things going with Y/N? Seriously, she’s hot, she’s smart, semi put together.” Jessa tells him, and he agrees with her. That’s why he already made plans with Y/N, but he doesn’t tell Jessa. It was Jessa had already told him weeks ago that he should hook up with Y/N and see where things go.

               Adam’s shocked when Jessa knocks at his door the next night claiming to have had dinner with Hannah and confesses that she wants him too. Before he knows it, he’s kissing her, and she’s kissing back. Then they’re fucking on his couch….

[aufanficfanatic]

BNHA Pokémon AU Part 1: Kirishima Eijirou

I. ROCKRUFF --------

It was a different world these days. Brock didn't want to sound like an old man—he was only thirty, after all—but it seemed like the world had been a lot smaller back in his youth. One region, one Pokédex with 150 slots to fill, and everyone gushing over a simple boxy computer that could store Pokémon for the first time. Now, there were multiple regional dexes, and WiFi towers everywhere, and every year technology seemed to get simultaneously more and less complicated. Somehow.

Brock sighed, shaking snow out of his spiky brown hair as he emerged from Rock Tunnel, his Onix slithering by his side with a satisfied air about him. He should be satisfied, Brock thought with fondness. There had been a lot of ice-types in the Tunnel, obviously having migrated down from the mountain peaks due to the winter season, and his Onix had handled himself well. Better than Brock himself, who was still shivering. "G-great workout, Onix! Y-you're really starting to limber up-p," he encouraged through clattering teeth. Onix rumbled in pleasure.

Gym Leader and Pokémon crunched through the snow as they made their way to Brock's destination, smiling at the people who recognized Pewter's famous gym leader—and here was another sign of the ever-expanding world. Used to be, Route 9 was a hiker's dream—one lonely Pokémon Center, and nothing but trails and wild Pokémon wherever else you looked. And then the Power Plant was built, and the area became an important centre of Kanto energy production. A rugged but quaint little town sprang up around the Pokémon Center, supporting the Power Plant workers and their families. It had swallowed up a lot of Route 10 and pushed a lot of wild Pokémon further up the mountain. Still, the people here really seemed to live respectfully and cleanly, building places for Pokémon to gather and maintain a community garden full of berry trees.

On the outskirts of town, a little further into the wild area of Route 9, lay another landmark, and the reason for Brock's visit: Rockruff Ranch. Brock stared up at the torii gate that marked the entrance into the large property, declaring its name with a little diamond motif that matched the collar on a Rockruff. He felt apprehensive, unsure of what he would find here.  

Listen, he understood what it meant, having open communication in an expanding world. People and Pokémon alike were moving, resettling, flying and surfing their way into every corner of the globe—and it was fine. It was a part of life in the new age. But a Kanto breeder trying to specialize in an Alolan Pokémon ...? Brock could be forgiven if he had some misgivings. He'd been a Pokémon Breeder in the past and would be again someday. Kanto may have a temperate climate, but it was a far cry from the sunny paradise that was Alola. Also, rock-type Pokémon had a special place in his heart. He would lose respect for himself as a gym leader if he didn't make sure all the Rockruffs here were happy and healthy.  

Determination overtaking the apprehension, Brock motioned to his Onix and moved forward into the ranch. The house was set back a ways from the gate, but the land here was well-manicured and open, and Brock could see the entirety of the property stretched out before him. There was the house, with the area around it fenced-in. There was a building behind the house that looked like a re-purposed stable. A large swimming hole in the front of the property was iced over with the winter temperatures. Trees dotted the land, berry and non-berry.

It came from behind one of those trees, and it came swiftly and without mercy. "PLLEEFFBB," Brock sputtered as the snowball nailed him right in the face, covering him in white powder.

"Supa 'ffective!" Shouted a tiny voice, accompanied by an equally-tiny bark. A small boy tumbled out from behind the tree, dressed warmly in snow pants and boots, a rats-nest of black hair sticking out of his woolly hat. A little brown Pokémon loped beside the boy, Brock's first sighting of a Rockruff—and he nearly sputtered again as he took in the sight of it.

It had four little paw-boots, and it was wearing an obviously hand-knitted sweater, and it was the cutest damn thing Brock had ever seen in his life. 

"Hey, Mista! You're s'posed to faint because it was supa 'ffective! Like this!" The boy called as he ran up to Brock, and then turned to his little Rockruff puppy. "Riot, supa 'ffective!" And Brock had the utter delight of watching both toddler and puppy collapse in the snow in a fake faint.  

Laughing, Brock crouched down and said to the giggling boy, "Very impressive! You'll make a great trainer someday. What's your name, kid?"

"I'm Eijirou! And this is Riot! Are you here for a Rockruff? They're really cool and great!" He leapt up from the snow, grabbing Brock's hand and starting to dragging him towards the house. "Riot is my Rockruff! Kaa-san gave him to me for my birthday! I'm five now! He's my best friend! My very own Pokémon!" Brock really got the feeling that the kid mostly communicated through exclamations.

In front of them, the door to the house opened, and a willowy woman stepped onto the porch. "Eij, time for you and Riot to come in—oh! Hello, sir. Can I help you?"

"Mama, look! I found a cust'mer! He wants a Rockruff!" Brock smiled through his confusion. Mama ... not Kaa-san? And the woman didn't look Kantoan at all. She hadn't recognized Brock, either. Was she foreign? She did have a slight accent ... but Brock didn't travel enough to other regions to place it.

"Yes, hello. My name is Brock, I'm the rock-type Gym Leader in Pewter City. I hope you don't mind my dropping in unannounced, but I'd heard about your breedery, and I wanted to see it for myself."

The woman's eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't look upset or uncomfortable by his presence. Instead, she smiled brightly, turning her head to shout back into the house, "Maiko, come to the door, please! We have a visitor!" She then walked down the steps, going over to Brock to shake his hand—definitely not Kantoan, Johtoan, or Alolan then. Such a tactile greeting suggested she was perhaps an Unovan or a Galarian. "It's such a pleasure to have you here, Mr Brock. My partner and I would be delighted to give you a tour of our humble breedery," she said, her grip firm and sure on Brock's hand. The little boy latched onto the woman's legs, having lost interest in the conversation, and instead begged to stay outside for a little longer.

Another woman stepped out of the house, this one clearly the mother of the little boy wrapped around the foreigner, as they shared the same black hair and cat-like red eyes. This woman was indeed Kantoan, as she gasped the moment she caught sight of the famous Rock leader. "Brock-sama! What a wonderful surprise!" From behind her, a beautiful orange-and-white Pokémon trotted out the door and down the steps, clearly very friendly and unafraid of strangers as it sniffed curiously at Brock's Onix. Luckily, Onix was used to being around unfamiliar Pokémon, so he just slithered in a playful circle and lowered his head to greet the other.

"What a beautiful Pokémon. Is that the evolved form of Rockruff? I'm not too familiar with Alolan Pokémon—I don't travel much," Brock admitted.

Kirishima Maiko smiled, beckoning Brock towards the house. "Yes, that's one of the forms Lycanroc can take. Please, come inside, let me show you."

"Kaa-san, can Riot and I stay out a bit longer? We gotta train s'more!" Eijirou left his mama and went to Maiko, tugging on her dress cutely. Brock didn't quite understand the relationship between the two women, and why Eijirou called them both mother, but that wasn't his business and wasn't why he'd come.

"I could really use your help showing off all our Rockruffs, Ei. What do you say? Will you be Brock-sama's tour guide?"

The little boy cheered and immediately grabbed Brock's hand. "I'll show you! Come on!"

As it turns out, the little five-year-old did make an excellent tour guide, and Rockruff Ranch lived up to all Brock's high standards and then some. Each Rockruff was showered with love, attention, and training. The differing climate was taken into consideration for the little ones, who had winter wear for the snow until they grew to level 10 and were strong enough to thrive in the Kantoan weather. The Lycanrocs apparently came in three forms depending on the time of day they evolved. While there were plenty of midday and midnight forms wandering around (separated from each other due to their conflicting natures), only Kirishima Maiko's Lycanroc was that beautiful orange-and-white dusk form. "The dusk form is hardest to get, as there is a much smaller window of time for the Rockruff to evolve," Maiko explained while Brock used a brush to spoil her relaxed Lycanroc. "My late husband ... he planned her evolution so carefully, down to the second." Her smile was fond and bittersweet. "He loved Lycanroc so much. This was his dream, you know, opening a Rockruff breedery and showing all of Kanto how great Rockruffs are."

Well, that solved part of the mystery. Brock set down the brush and bowed to Maiko. "I'm sorry for your loss. But you honour him greatly with Rockruff Ranch. I'll admit I came here because I had reservations about it—but I'm so glad to be able to admit that I was wrong, and this is one of the best breederies I've ever seen."

Maiko's eyes were wet as she smiled at him and bowed back. "Your praise means everything to me. Thank you, Brock-sama."

Brock stood up, having seen and heard all he needed to make this declaration: "From this moment on, you have the full weight of the Pewter Rock Gym and my status as a Rock-Type master behind you. I would like to publically endorse this breedery if you don't mind. Do you have any advertisements or posters I could hang in the Gym lobby?"

After copious rounds of tears, thank-you's, and overly-affectionate hugs from canine Pokémon and toddlers, Brock finally made his way back outside and down the long drive out of the ranch. "You're always welcome, Mr Brock," the willowy woman said as she walked him out. She was still a little bit of a mystery to Brock, though he had found out that her name was Ann, and she was Unovan. "I hope you'll come back soon, and get a Rockruff puppy of your own. They really are the best Pokémon," she said with a grin.

Brock grinned back. "There's no way I won't want a Rockruff, after what I've seen today. And the same goes for you—the Pewter Gym will welcome you anytime. When Eijirou-kun is older, I'd be honoured to help him become a Pokémon trainer, if that's what he wants."

Ann took his hand in both of hers, another overly-tactile Unovan gesture. "You're too kind. We may take you up on that offer—Eijirou's father was a trainer, and it's all our boy has wanted since we told him. We want that life for him, as well—it's important to Maiko, for Eijirou to have some way to feel connected to Haku."

Brock hesitated, desperately curious but unwilling to cross any lines. Perhaps it was the fact that Ann was Unovan, and therefore less sensitive than the average Kantoan, that allowed his tongue to loosen. "May I ask ... what happened to Eijirou's father?"

Ann was quiet for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "It happens sometimes, right? As much as Pokémon are capable of deep love and loyalty, they are still wild creatures when they're out in the world. It happened in a split second in the mountains, too fast for his Pokémon or anyone else to react—one badly startled Geodude at the wrong time, a tackle to send Haku stumbling in the wrong place, and he was gone. One-hundred feet, straight down."

Oh, Arceus. Brock's heart hurt for this family, cobbled together with such pain and loss. And yet ... there was so much love, too. Love for Eijirou, love for all the Rockruffs, and passion for a lost man's dream made a reality.

He shook Ann's hand, initiating the contact himself for once. "Thank you for telling me. I will be in contact to discuss ways the Pewter Gym can help support your ranch. And I'll be back in person again soon, count on it!" With another heartfelt goodbye, Brock and Onix made their way back through the newly-christened Rocktown and to Rock Tunnel, intending to make it back to Pewter City by nightfall.

It was a different world these days. But Brock couldn't help but think that the differences were all for the better.

[abschaumno1]

AbschaumNo1′s Big Catchup Post of All the Fic You Missed

Okay so since I am back on my old bs apparently (for however long it lasts) and I just realised that I haven’t posted links to my fic since the beginning of 2017, I thought I’d do a bit of a roundup of all the fics I posted since then.

There are 59 of them since New Year’s 2016/17 (and no I don’t know who let me do that either), sorted here by fandom and then grouped together by series or pairing. Fic titles link to the fic on AO3.

Assassin’s Creed

Malik Al-Sayf/Altaïr Ibn La’Ahad

All That Still Needed To Be Said 

Altaïr and Malik had a system.

Football RPF

Jakub Błaszczykowski/Łukasz Piszczek

You’re Driving Home For Christmas

Lukasz and Kuba celebrate Christmas together

Hermitcraft RPF

Hermitcraft Fantasy AU

Meetings (Gen)

Doc found the man in a tavern

An Unexpected Journey (Tangpulse, Minor and Background Relationships) WIP (Chapter 10/? posted as of the making of this post)

Xisuma sends Tango to talk to a potential new Hermit. Neither of them expects the journey that follows.

Home Is Where You Are (Tangpulse)

Tango and Doc are late to return home from their trip to the city. Tango just hopes he won't miss his and Impulse's anniversary completely.

Natural Phenomena

Meadows of Heaven (Scarian)

Grian and Scar get stuck in the rain on a resource gathering trip.

The Oncoming Storm (Gridoc)

Doc and Grian watch a storm coming in.

Let The Rain Come Down (Xisuma & Evil Xisuma)

Evil X discovers rain.

Finding Home (Zedaph/Tango/Impulse)

In the beginning all was chaos. But then the worlds were built.

Gridoc

Realisations

Five times Hermits see Doc and Grian together and have to realise that they may have gotten some false impressions.

Now The Armour’s Wearing Thin (3/3 Chapters)

Grian wasn't initially worried when Doc started to work on Area 77, but after he wakes him from a nightmare he starts to think that he should maybe figure out what's going on.

Keralis/Bdubs

Campfire Nights

In which Bdubs and Keralis are close and Bdubs is clueless until he's not. Neither of those make talking to Keralis about it any easier.

Zedaph/Tango/Impulse

The Bunny Slippers

The bunny slippers were supposed to be a joke gift. Little did Impulse and Zedaph know how much Tango would actually love them. 

Hockey RPF

Back to You (Brent Seabrook/Andrew Shaw)

Your Love Will Take Me Home (5/5 chapters)

Andrew doesn’t usually go for team mates. But Seabs… Seabs is hot and Andrew will be damned if he’s not everything he’s looking for in a guy. And it’s just flirting, it’s not like there’s anything more going on between them. Or is there?

You’ve Got To Give Him Some Faith - Hold Him Tight

Andrew comforts Brent after the Hawks lose against the Stars.

Brothers Under the Sun (Brandon Bollig & Andrew Shaw)

A story in five joke mugs (and one non-joke mug)

A Night to Remember

Andrew surprises Brent for his thousandth NHL game

Together - A Family

It's Brent's birthday.

Le Ciel À l’Infini Embrasse l’Univers

Andrew and Brent take Pricey up on his offer to visit.

You Know I’ll Be There

‘When did we adopt Lehky?’ Brent texts Andrew as soon as he sees the photo.

You Can Depend on Me

Andrew seeing his family when the Habs play in Chicago

I’ll Fly Like An Eagle (Jesperi Kotkaniemi/Victor Mete)

Jesperi has a problem, Andrew has advice, and Victor has no clue (until he has)

Someday I’ll Be Where You Are

Three years after being traded to Montreal, Andrew is traded once again. This time he gets to go back home to his family.

You Were There When I Needed You

They tell the kids on Boxing Day

Skate Date Verse (Brent Seabrook/Andrew Shaw)

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

‘I slept with Shawzy’ is all Seabs' text says, and… okay that’s not quite what Duncs expected. ‘Good for you’ he texts back, because well, what’s he supposed to say to that? ‘No. I SLEPT with Shawzy’

Your Best Shot

Andy and Brent spend their date night at Top Golf. It gets a little derailed.

The Hawks Cuddle Collection (Gen)

Tonight We Are Victorious

The Hawks cuddling after the win in Florida on November 24th 2018.

A Warm Welcome

Dylan has his first practice in Chicago. But the real cool stuff happens away from the ice.

A Welcome Surprise

Collin hadn't expected the cuddle piles.

Alex Debrincat/Dylan Strome

Not Your Fault

After the game Alex lets Dylan stew.

Brent Seabrook/Andrew Shaw

The Beginning of Forever

Andrew Shaw moves in with Brent Seabrook, falls in love, and accidentally marries him. Not in that order.

Brent Seabrook has a bunch of idiot friends, a husband he married accidentally, and three kids to worry about. Or maybe things are easier than he thinks.

Either way they're stuck together, so they better make it work.

Let’s Take On The World Together

The first Andrew sees of Brent Seabrook is a glimpse of broad shoulders and a sweaty face with a beard. Luckily it's not the last he sees of him.

Take A Chance On Me

It took Andrew all of five minutes while walking from his first lecture to where he was meeting Saader to dig up everything he could find on Brent.

In which Brent is a TA for one of Andrew's courses and they fall in love.

Brent Seabrook/Jeremy Colliton

We’re Breaking All The Rules

Brent and Jeremy have an arrangement. Then Duncs finds out

Carey Price/P.K. Subban

A Bigger Heart I Have Never Seen

No one does Christmas quite like P.K. does

Connor McDavid/Dylan Strome

Christmas Cuddles

Connor and Dylan don't get much time together over Christmas but there's always time for cuddles.

Corey Crawford/Trevor van Riemsdyk

Second Chances

As nice as it is to have so many Ex-Hawks around he already knows, Trevor can’t help but think that it would be easier if he didn’t have the constant reminder of what he doesn’t have anymore.

Duncan Keith/Brent Seabrook

Second Chances

What Dylan and Alex didn't expect when they introduced their dads to each other was that they already knew each other.

What neither Brent, not Duncan expected was to find out that things in their lives might have gone differently.

Duncan Keith/Jeremy Colliton

Let Me Take Care Of You

Jeremy figures out quickly that Duncs does a lot to take care of his teammates. It takes him a bit longer to figure out that Duncs needs to be taken care of, too.

Kyle Dubas/William Nylander

A Deadline Is Not The End At All

William Nylander was without a doubt the worst student Kyle had ever had.

In which Kyle supervises Willy's thesis, Willy doesn't actually show his work before the deadline, and feelings develop.

Leon Draisaitl/Connor McDavid

“Let’s Go”

After Game 5 against the Ducks

One Out Of 80 Million

Connor goes to Germany with his friends, gets lost and finds a handsome stranger

A Boy Worth Fighting For

There's three sensible survival instincts: to flee, to play dead, and to fight. Connor needs three tries to find the right one.

Let Me Worry

Connor denies that his ankle hurts

I Sang About You The Whole Time

There’s a playlist Leon has that he kind of hopes no one will ever find out about.

You Should Come Up For Coffee

Connor asks Leon to come along to dinner with Alex and Dylan. Realisations are had.

The End of Summer

Shocked But Fighting

Connor goes down with a knee injury.

Set during/after the game in Calgary on 7th April 2019

Leon Draisaitl/Milan Lucic/Connor McDavid

Let’s Start A New Tradition

There were lots of things Milan expected when he came to Edmonton. This was not one of them.

Acting Tough

Leon's a little fidgety, playing with the strings of Connor's hoodie, and his voice is soft when he says, "So I think I'll tell my family." "Yeah?" Milan asks. "Yeah."

Michael Latta/Tom Wilson

Christmas Morning

Christmas is not the same without Latts.

Patrick Kane/Jonathan Toews

Gift wrapping and a nutcracker

Patrick’s first reaction to the video of the gift wrapping competition is to laugh.  

Saving You, Saving the World

It's the day before Christmas and Patrick gets to save Jonny's ass from a nefarious kidnapping plot. Again. He doesn't know what he did to deserve this.

Le Moose-bouche

Jonny quits hockey, becomes a chef and moves to Paris. Patrick is with him every step of the way.

(Spin off of Let's Take On The World Together but can be read as a standalone.)

Les Misérables

Enjolras/Grantaire

Feast of Love

Grantaire had thought Enjolras would be a grinch, but he's everything but.

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Bruce Banner & Clint Barton

Stages of Grief

When they find Clint he is changed.

Bucky/Steve

A White Christmas

Steve gets Bucky back. A story in three Christmases.

A Hundred Years in the Making

Five times Steve only draws others + 1 time he includes himself.

The Raven Cycle

Ronan Lynch/Adam Parrish

What To Gift A Dreamer

Adam wonders what to get Ronan for Christmas

[rpmemesyo]

Spyro 3 sentence starters

“We managed to capture the eggs, your highness.”

“Maybe you will amount to something after all.”

“Go guard the tunnels. Stop anyone from coming through!”

“Where are the eggs?”

“You’re our only chance.”

“You won’t like me when I’m angry.”

“I just found one of those portal thingamajigs that leads to a different world!”

“I saw something shiny in that cave over there. Let’s go check it out!”

“Let me catch my breath and I’ll kick that other guy’s butt.”

“Thanks for the help, but I think I would have worn him down in a minute.”

“Have you seen any of our giant chickens?”

“I’m sorry, that was the ugliest chicken I’ve ever seen.”

“I found this gladiator training arena and it makes a pretty cool skate park!”

“Your kind-hearted nature might be your downfall someday.”

“I hope you appreciate this favor I’m doing in letting you out.”

“No hard feelings, eh?”

“Dragons used to rule this entire world, you know.”

“The weird thing is, after they left all the magic in the world just sorta went with them.”

“They say this world used to have magic coming out the wazoo! Flying ships, singing forests, wishing stones, you name it!”

“Let’s play a joke! Take this egg and smash it on __’s house, ok?”

“Look out, it’s the scaaary sorceress!”

“Come back when you’ve finished witch school!”

“Is it just me, or is __ kinda cute when they’re angry?”

“I’m late for a dinner party at the Tiki Lodge.”

“If I can’t find where they’ve hidden their heads, they won’t let me join the Tiki Lodge.”

“Take this egg as a sign of your honorary membership in the lodge.”

“My friends borrowed the rhynocs’ submarine. Then they took it for a joyride, and then they smashed it into a big pile of rocks.”

“The rhynocs have built a fortress on our beach and we’re going to blow it to smithereens!”

“Wow! I can’t believe I survived that blast!”

“__ has challenged us to a naval battle. Our speed boat versus his nuclear shark submarine.”

“I’ll never see a rainbow again.”

“Our sun has gone out. We can make a new one with our lava fusion cauldron and three sun seeds.”

“Why haven’t you disposed of that infernal dragon!?”

“I’ve tried to scare him off, but he’s just not afraid of anything!”

“Why have I been training you all these years!?”

“Use some magic!”

“Kill him?”

“This wussy green toad will be no match for the two of us!”

“You’ve managed to survive longer than I expected.”

“The rumors of our extinction were slightly exaggerated. We just wanted a little peace and quiet.”

“Without your leadership we didn’t put up an effective resistance.”

“I’ve captured the enemy rations. They won’t march far on an empty stomach.”

“There is no yeti here, and there never was! He was just a myth. As far as you know.”

“Why’d you have to scare her off?”

“I haven’t been able to hit a dang thing all morning.”

“Behind this door is the single greatest show on earth!”

“Oh I sure wish I had a partner. Someone courageous and strong and handsome and… purple… who breathes fire.”

“That’s ok, it didn’t hurt as much as it looked.”

“The world breathlessly awaits my brilliant four-dimensional masterpiece.”

“Well there’s no shame in losing to the master… At least not much shame.”

“Oh no, he’s started his bone dance again!”

“You’re not gonna believe this, but there are sheep saucers and space cows all over this place!”

“He swore to destroy whoever lights the tea lamps. Better you than me.”

“I’m off to kick butt.”

“No more Haiku… please!”

“I’m sure you would succeed if you were to try again.”

“You bumbling, idiotic, worthless fool!”

“__ is planning a trap for you, and if she catches you… believe me, you don’t want to know what she’s going to do.”

“The first rejuvenating breath of freedom!”

“It’d be really cool if you smashed that boulder.”

“Some bear sold us a laser defense system.”

“__ and I were having a snowman building competition when the sorceress brought them to life with a spell.”

“That dumb yeti took my ball!”

“As you probably know, Frozen Altars is the birthplace of the great sport of cat hockey.”

“Dere be more ghosts in dis here shipyard den I kin shake me pick at!”

“They said you’re slower than a Molten Crater fire slug. I stuck up for you, though! I told them I’ve seen some pretty fast fire slugs.”

“You schooled ‘em like a bunch of dizzy, one-toed sand gnorcs!”

“Did you bring any chips?”

“If we don’t stop them right away, they’ll force __ to marry __!”

“According to legends, there’s a golden goose at the top of this here mountain.”

“She’s just a friend, you understand… it’s a strictly platonic relationship.”

“Won’t that kill them?”

“I don’t have to kill them, it just stops them from wriggling so much.”

“You’re terrible! I can’t believe I ever listened to you!”

“This might be our last stand, __.”

“It’s a life-size space monkey action figure, complete with a fully operational laser!”

“You’ve always had a weakness for helping silly little creatures, haven’t you, __?”

“You ever see a bear dance?”

“Huzzah! Yippee! Whoohoo!”

“Take it from me, __, never spend a week in a cage!”

“Mr. Laser Blaster and I have a whole lot of work to do!”

“The machine room is overrun with birds.”

“I’m not sure if this is a bird egg or dragon egg. What do you think?”

“Would you like to see a magic trick?”

“Did you know I happen to be a very talented amateur magician?”

“They need a good bonk on the head to calm them down.”

“You know, sometimes you just long for the simple, old-fashioned pleasures of yesteryear.”

“I spend all day pressing switches and shoving boxes around, and you just waltz in here expecting to claim the treasure!”

“I’ve been training my new pet manta ray to carry the latest technology super-high-impact underwater missile launchers!”

“Try not to get hit with the exploding ammo, ok?”

“Let’s just hope you’re made of tougher stuff than the last guy.”

“__ seems to have disappeared again so I should go make sure he’s not in more trouble. You haven’t seen him, have you?”

“How many times have I told you not to tease that moose?”

“It was __’s idea!”

“Another noble warrior falls victim to the plague of love.”

“You’ve come this far, __. I know you can beat her!”

[renaroo]

Some Times (Time and Time Again) (1/8)

Disclaimer: Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, and associated characters are the creative property of DC Comics.  Warnings: Canon shaken not stirred, Heavy canon references to Booster Gold (2009-2011) and Blue Beetle (2016-2018) Pairings: Boostle Rating: T Synopsis: Booster Gold and the rest of the Time Masters are still straightening up things in the wake of the most recent universal Rebirth. But Rip Hunter is still missing in the aftermath, leaving Booster in charge with Skeets, Michelle, and Rani. But there’s a distraction for Booster, one he can’t keep himself from ignoring. 

Ted Kord, miraculously, is still alive. And that makes everything more complicated than Michael could have ever imagined. 

A/N: I’ve been toying around with this idea for what feels like forever, at least since the Rebirth books got launched over at DC, and I finally got time to really sit down and work it out. I’m really excited for this fic and hope it’s decent enough for some of you out there!

Blue Beetle

Life without an assistant, as it turns out, is shockingly compressed on time.

Jaime doesn’t need much help on his progress as the Blue Beetle, but so long as he is the Blue Beetle, Ted has no interest in slacking on the kid’s training. Assistant or no assistant.

With his laptop balancing precariously on his knee, and himself balancing precariously on the sloping hood of the Beetle, Ted is attempting to keep track of company stocks, a slack chat with members of his board, an incoming tech report from some computer analyst he hired out of Jaime’s high school last week, and not waste too much of his bagel in the process.

Despite the distractions, however, Ted’s real concentration is still on Jaime’s blaster as it destroys thousands of dollars and hundreds of man hours of equipment in the simulation fight.

It’s what Ted built it for, but still…

“Seriously, Mister Kord, I have to go meet my mom in, like, fifteen minutes,” Jaime shouts out over the sounds of debris dinging against the lab’s metal floors. He’s not even looking in Ted’s direction as he wastes another AI dummy that is gunning for him.

Feeling himself sliding a bit, Ted kicks back against the Beetle some to get back on his perch, his computer bobbing with the jarring, bagel bits flying. He wonders if an assistant would have helped with the bagel parts. And then he plays back the memory of Jaime’s highly pitched complaints.

“Hey, hey! How many times do I have to tell you, it’s not Mister Kord, kid, it’s Ted,” he argues on the important part.

Jaime’s suit unites his hand blasters into a single canon and blasts through more expensive equipment. He then looks over his shoulder and squints his large, buggy yellow eyes at Ted. “Maybe you should stop calling me kid then, Ted! Also, you’re missing the part where I’m warning you about a very angry Missus Reyes.”

Ted answers an email by holding the remains of his bagel between his teeth. Then he tilts his head back and swallows what he can, choking a bit, and accidentally sending a string of keyboard smashes to his company’s board of executives in response to a question about why so much money is being poured into Extraneous Funding. Bits of extraneous funded superhero training material flies toward Ted and the Beetle and if Ted didn’t know any better, he’d think Jaime was aiming in spite.

“Watch it, Jaime! I just buffed out the last dent in the Bug,” Ted warns, using his not-free-but-freer hand to rub the glistening hood to his side.

There’s a keening noise coming from the scarab on Jaime’s back that is only matched in annoyance by the groaning that Jaime’s doing on top of it. “Mister Kord!”

“Ted!”

“Ted! My mom! Ten minutes!”

Stock prices do dip, there’s another email update from this needy El Paso kid-slash-computer-genius, the board is up in arms at the insufficient response, Ted feels his stomach churning either in response to the million nasty things happening or to his bagel. And it all culminates in a tremor through his lower spine.

Despite or because of everything happening, Ted slips more from his spot, his body shifting and sliding right off the nose of the Bug. He, and all of his things, hit the floor in a clatter that manages to get Jaime to turn away from his training simulation entirely.

“Whoa! Ted, are you okay?” he asks just before getting hit by a blaster from behind.

“See! Never let your guard down!” Ted manages to yell before rolling over onto his back and laying in his mess of a lab and mess of a life. “Not even for your great and mighty mentor.”

He continues to lie on the floor, noting mentally that it’s surprisingly comfortable given that everything exploding in the lab eventually ends up there. It’s only when his vision is obscured by Jaime — no longer in his suit — staring down at him that he centers himself at least enough to be responsible for the teenager that he’s totally responsible for.

“Are you okay, Mister Kord?” Jaime asks, brows knitted in a little bit more genuine concern than what he usually offers Ted.

“I thought about it,” Ted answers with a harrowing breath. He releases the breath and melts into the floor a bit more. “And no. But who, at thirty-six, can truthfully say yes to that question.”

Jaime looks at him like he has three heads.

“Talk to me again in twenty years and we’ll laugh about it,” Ted promises him. “Get out of here, I don’t need a scary-angry Missus Reyes and you deserve a break. What’d’ya say?”

“Okay cool,” Jaime says, immediately walking away.

“You cold offer to help me up!” Ted yells after him.

“Do you want up?” Jaime asks from the doorway.

Ted stares at the ceiling and considers it. “Get out of here kid, I need to find a new assistant.”

“See you later, Mister Kord,” Jaime calls, closing the door behind himself and the last laugh.

“Kids,” Ted huffs to himself. “I need an assistant my age. No. Ten years younger. So I can watch the hope and youthful naivety die. That should sustain me. Think like a corporate CEO. Socioipathy. Hating kittens and… breathable oxygen or something.”

There’s a long silence in the lab, just Ted with himself and his thoughts. And when those turn scary he finally manages to get himself up, gather his things, and to start working on the next project.

Finding his new personal assistant.

There has been a stack of portfolios on his desk for a while, now, a few days at least. And he should be going through them for review but he hasn’t.

They all look the same on paper. Even the one written in German.

There isn’t enough time, and he’s only getting shorter on time the longer he goes without a personal assistant who is literally a speedster.

Time’s a funny thing that way.

Ted finds ways to waste more time without fully committing to any project or any responsibility in a way that matters before giving up in defeat and burying his head into the paperwork on his desk. There aren’t as many pings from his computers and he could probably rewire some of the broken lab equipment sooner than later, but he’s not really doing anything by the time his bagel fullness has subsided into the ache of needing a lunch break.

Which, on a normal day, is when Ted can finally get a hold of everything and pick a direction. He doesn’t really get the opportunity, though.

His head is still on the desk when an unfamiliar, radiant light picks up somewhere in the center of the lab, sending out a subtle heat that dies down with the light itself.

It hasn’t been that long since lizard people attacked so it doesn’t automatically raise Ted’s hackles the way it probably should, but it does at least get him to look up from his desk and see that the light was from some sort of transportation used to enter his lab.

And the one who used the transportation was none other than his best-friend-then-gone, and oddly out of touch, for years.

Booster Gold stares at him from the center of the room, his goggles resting up on his hairline rather than on his nose, letting Ted see the way Booster’s eyebrows ruffle together. They then raise in almost shock as he continues staring Ted’s way.

Ted blinks a few times. “Mikey?”

There’s a deep breath from Booster before he even blinks. Then he shakes his head, as if trying to parse reality, before finally looking at Ted again. “Beetle!” he blurts out, like it’s something he hasn’t gotten to shout in years.

Which, who knows, maybe he hasn’t.

“Did you just teleport into my office-slash-laboratory?” Ted tries to figure out.

“Of course I did!” Booster shouts again, laughing forcefully. He almost seems hoarse already.

“That’s… weird. Since when could you teleport?” Ted continues to question. “Also why? And. Uh. Hello. Been a while.”

“It has been. It’s been… way too long,” Booster continues, seeming breathless. “Wow. Okay. Cool.”

He seems so incredibly happy and relieved and just all these other emotions that Booster doesn’t wear comfortably.

And Ted, well, he’s growing impatient the more the confusion lingers.

“Yeah, it’s like the last time I saw you was in a car commercial,” Ted says flatly.

“Ha, yeah,” Booster replies without any weight to it.

“Probably because it was,” Ted leans in.

That, at least, seems to bring down the thousand watt smile to something closer to a nine hundred. “Oh.”

The air becomes stale unbelievably quickly.

“Yeah,” is all Ted can manage to say.

Booster continues to stare at him, some of the disbelief finally fading into mild concern. Which, Ted kind of hates because only Booster could make him feel like the bad guy for pointing out the truth.

Well, maybe other people, like a well paid assistant someday in the near future.

“Did we leave off on bad terms?” Booster asks, obviously fishing.

“I don’t know,” Ted answers honestly. “Did we?”

With that, Booster’s brows furrow again and he tilts his chin down, running his hand through the back of his hair nervously. “Hell, I don’t know. I.. There’s been a lot, y’know. Just. A lot. And… I didn’t know I could… if you…”

There is something to Booster’s words and actions that feels disconnected. He’s holding back a lot, which is weird. Because it’s Booster.

But the sentiment, well, Ted knows it all too well.

“Yeah, I get it. Me, too,” Ted huffs. “I guess… I mean. There’s not a whole lot to hang out about when, well, I’m retired and you’re… not? I guess. I don’t know where you even live anymore.”

“I can’t… really retire from the current gig,” Booster announces, again with that veiled subject. But he’s quick to change topic. “And there’s every reason to hang out with you. In fact, I’m glad you’re retired. Fuck, man, you better be retired and…” He stops himself short, pinches the bridge between his eyes, and then comes back to focus. “I came to ask if you… if you wanna get some drinks?”

“You teleported into my office-slash-laboratory to ask if we could get drinks before noon on a Tuesday?” Ted asks incredulously.

Booster blinks, looks around the mess of a lab, and then looks at Ted again. “Uh. Yeah?”

Ted considers it only for a second before sighing and coming to his feet. “Okay, fine, you’ve convinced me.”

“Wow, that took… no work whatsoever,” Booster says in vacant surprise.

“It’s been a hell of a morning and I want to figure out what’s different with you,” Ted announces. “I mean, again, last time I saw you was a car commercial—“

“Did I look good in it?” Booster asks almost mindlessly, his gaze a thousand yards past Ted at the time.

“No, the whole thing was on your bad side. You know. Where your chin looks bad,” Ted responds sarcastically, looking Booster over. “Seriously, what’s up?”

“Just drinks,” Booster promises, holding up his hands.

Ted squints at him. “Drinks and… mole people? Time eating octopus? A heist for J’onn’s Chocos?”

“Do you really think so little of me?” Booster asks, actually looking at Ted again. He seems… strangely earnest about it all. In a raw, painful kind of way.

Ted leans back, worried. “Uh. Did someone die?”

“No,” Booster laughs. Only, it’s not just a laugh, it’s an uproarious joyful kind of noise from the back of Booster’s throat. “Isn’t that the greatest thing you’ve ever heard? Isn’t that the best news I’ve ever given you? No one’s… Everyone’s… Wow. I sound like I’ve lost my mind.”

Booster walks past Ted and all but collapses into Ted’s desk chair, crumbling like a fallen tower, until his head has fallen between his knees.

Ted is stunned. And worried. Mostly stunned.

“Jesus, Michael,” Ted manages to get out as he approaches his friend. He looks around his desk, grabbing for the menus he knows are somewhere among the rubbish. “We’ll just order and have something delivered here for lunch. How’s that sound?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Booster continues hoarsely. “That sounds… Yeah, that’s an amazing idea, Teddy.”

At the sound of his old nickname, Ted has to pause looking through low sodium options and instead really looks at his friend. He’s pale and has bags under his eyes. There’s a certain unkempt nature to his hair and it’s sticking up behind his ears like it hasn’t been trimmed in a while. He’s clean shaven, but there’s the dusting of five o’clock shadow on his left cheek from an uneven shave.

It’s the worst Michael has looked to his knowledge. At least short of any life-or-death situations.

“What aren’t you telling me?” Ted not so much as asks as he demands.

“A lot,” Booster answers.

That’s not good enough and it explains nothing. And normally Ted wouldn’t think twice about saying as much. But for the moment, in that uniquely personal and miserably resigned way, Ted gives a gentler “Okay” instead.

When the air grows stale again, Ted tries a different approach.

“Is there anything you can tell me?”

Booster smiles just enough that his dimples make themselves known. “You’ll never have any idea how happy I am to see you again, Ted.”

Despite his confusion and concern, Ted can’t help the no-doubt dorky smile that comes to his face. “Right back at you,” he says, and it’s so truthful it hangs heavy in his voice. He offers up, in a mousy way, his fist. “Blue and Gold?”

There’s a brittle honesty to the expression of relief and appreciation in Booster’s face as he takes his own fist and bumps his knuckles against Ted’s. “Blue and Gold,” he says back almost reverently.

For a moment, Ted wonders how this is going to end, if it will be too soon or too long. He’s just strangely concerned and glad all at once that it exists at all.

So, of course, predictably, it ends too soon.

There’s a flash in the center of the laboratory, just like before, only this time both Ted and Michael are looking in its direction before it’s even over.

Booster manages to voice his surprise before Ted even has the chance.

“Skeets?” Booster’s voice strains.

“Michael, you’re needed for…” Skeets’ synthesized voice hesitates, if such a thing is possible for an AI, and the shiny robotic body shifts into Ted’s direction for a moment. “Hello, Blue Beetle.”

“Hey, I have a secret identity,” Ted jokes, waving to his Blue Beetle themed tee and the Bug.

Skeets, ever the comedic one, does not even acknowledge the detectable sarcasm in Ted’s voice before turning back to Booster. “Sir, you have an… appointment. With Rani.”

Ted can’t help his eyebrow raising and he looks toward Booster for clarification. He’s never heard the name Rani before, at least that he can think of. And he definitely hasn’t heard the name in connection to Booster.

But there is immediate recognition in Booster’s eyes. His body tenses up and he seems immediately more put together than he has appeared since teleporting right back into Ted’s life. He doesn’t even seem to realize that Ted is looking directly at him.

“Is she okay? I mean, does it have to be right now or…” Booster trails off, looking to Ted.

“I have been sent after you, Michael,” Skeets deadpans.

“Can’t you reschedule?” Ted asks, a little put off by all of this rather sudden and unexpected developments.

“It’s not that kind of date,” Booster says, getting to his feet and then flinching at his own words. “It’s… not a date at all it’s…” He seems uncomfortable in his own skin for a moment, scratching at his chin. “You…uh… I guess we should catch up. Soon. Like, really soon. You don’t know Rani? Really? Damn. I mean…”

“No,” Ted says flatly, crossing his arms as he sits back on his desk. “I guess we should catch up soon. Like over a lunch or something.”

“Okay, great,” Booster says, walking forward.

“I’d say pop in any time, but that seems to be the assumption—“ Ted begins to snark, but he’s cut off almost immediately by the tight embrace of Booster. It’s so tight it nearly knocks the air out of him.

Booster’s been working out since they last got into shenanigans together, it feels like he’s cutting off Ted’s circulation almost just through the hug. It’s warm, though, and it feels like the sort of emotional explosion that Ted would expect after years. Without the random teleportations and promises of lunch left thus far unfulfilled.

After a moment of the hug, Ted is finally able to gather himself enough to hug back, too, patting Booster’s shoulder as he does so.

“I miss you, too, buddy,” Ted says.

“It won’t be long, I’ll… I can promise that,” Booster says, finally letting go, holding Ted’s shoulders at arms length. “There’s just… some really hard stuff to explain going on right now.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Ted jokes as Booster lets him go. “It’s… uh. Well it’s good to see you again. And will be again. Soon. Ish? Right?”

“Definitely,” Booster promises, getting close to where Skeets is in the center of the lab. “I’m… It’s great to see you again, Ted.”

“Uh, yeah,” Ted responds, waving just as the flash of light from before happens again, disappearing along with his best friend and his best friend’s robot from the future.

He remains where he is, leaned back on his desk, and tilts his head to the side.

“So how do I explain any of this in my log today,” he wonders out loud. After a long moment, he shrugs and runs a hand through his hair. “Blue and Gold Nonsense it is then.”

[readbythestarlight]

c2e36

So this will be 10 episodes since the one where we lost Molly. Just throwing that out there.

Also it’s apparently my 9 (NEIN) month anniversary for being subbed to G&S which means it’s also my 9 month anniversary for watching CR and also the show has been going for 9 months as of the 11th so. That’s cool.

I like that jacket, Sam.

Broadway advert lol

“Andrew Loyd Website”

“I could have backed up all night” and “I’ve grown accustomed to her encryption” I’m dead

Okay that was hands down Sam’s best ad he’s so goddamn creative

NEW YORK NEW YORK I’m so excited I loved the last live show

A SLEEVES ARE BULLSHIT SHIRT?!

I need it

Oh wait it doesn’t actually say sleeves are bullshit

I still love the shirt tho and I want one

And the bumper sticker

“It makes it sound bad when you say it like that” guys it WAS bad xD

Poor Caduceus is having an Experience

Cad: “You keep leaving”

Y: “They keep finding me”

Cad: “I think you might have the right idea”

THE FUCK? NO

guys you need to convince Caduceus to sTAY

HE’S ALIVE?!

HE HAS AN AXE IN HIS HEAD

Oh no don’t get Cad he’s sad and tired right now

I mean y’all almost left him behind which was crummy

Caleb really wanted to yank that axe out

Also how does healing work? Like does the guy have permanent brain damage in the are where the axe wrecked now? If it had hit somewhere vital to like, say, memory, would his memory be gone? Enquiring minds want to know.

When Caleb tries to be intimidating it both makes me laugh but also freaks me out a little

I LOVE when Matt has cool props

So does Travis lol

J: “Have you heard of THE Traveler”

Galen: “….Oh no not another one”

Nott and Jester building up Galen like “no no you’re totally special!!!”

“Missed all the major organs” sAM xD

“The Mist…ake” I’m crying

lol promoting this guy to first mate I’m crying

“We got a new pet!”

“Let’s call him Professor Thadeus the second!”

They forgot they had someone tied to the mast too what nerds

They cut up his nice shirt xD

I adore that Travis has totally got the islands and shit memorized so he can be super in-character

Also Cad is being too quiet it’s making me sad

Caleb The Navigator

Captain Fjord

First Mate Galen

Oh oh oh they should have a guest to come aboard and sail with them

Oh noooo they left the magic invisible cart

YES THANK YOU MATT y’all need to talk to Caduceus thank you Matt for pointing out that poor Taliesin has been silent for 30 minutes

Oh no have they somehow fucked over Cad’s mission?

I’m curious about this. Because obviously Taliesin knew this was exactly how the M9 were, so I can’t believe that he would have made Cad to be wholly incompatible with them.

He’s feeling really low and lost I think it’s time for a group hug

Him almost dying really freaked him out (and I think it really freaked Taliesin out too)

I’M HAVING A LOT OF FEELINGS RIGHT NOW WITH JESTER AND CADUCEUS YOU GUYS

Caduceus is the ship’s cook

Mmm Beau is starting to feel like Caleb is trying too hard to excuse the bad things they do

I think the dock thing was a disaster for sure but I don’t think it was necessarily that they REALLY did anything wrong?

I’m not sure what exactly Beau is feeling bad about? Like freeing the genie wasn’t wrong, the boat thing was a mistake built on bad choice but it wasn’t them being inherently bad, and they didn’t kill Algar, so?

Ah, she’s feeling like she didn’t leave Nicodranus better than she found it

I like this whole “why didn’t we try to talk it out first” thing because it’s nice that two of them are having some moral conflicts. I also like what it says about Fjord and Beau as far as character development.

I mean I don’t think boiling it down to “like we were justified in our actions” really covers what Caleb said. He did say they could have handled things a lot better, but that they did what they had to to survive a situation they could have but didn’t handle better.

“I don’t want to drive you guys away” BEAUUUU my heart

Yasha staring off south “looking for a storm”

Caduceus cooking for the group is literally just my favorite thing. They totally needed a group member who could like make them slow down and eat and just like… take care of themselves, even just for the length of the meal.

Beau went from “I’m sorry for killing these guys” to “fuck those guys they’re dead anyway let’s smear their name”

We should not split up

There’s no way any of this could go wrong

Awwww Caleb showing Nott the stars and planets so sweet

SEE Caleb understands that things went horribly wrong. I honestly think he’s just trying to keep their spirits’ up.

Nott honey you don’t have to be okay with him using suggestion, I understand you both admire and need him but you can be mad at him

“Nott is a one-earther”

Have I mentioned how much I love Caduceus?

Fjord’s just like “please tell me you mean you talk to alive grieving people and not the dead people”

Oh no

They’re coming for them

You should NOT go back

Sam is like “why the fuck are we going back” and I agree so hard

Fjord should not stay on the ship Nott is right

N: “Oh, oh, what other languages do you speak?!”

J: “I speak Infernal”

Everyone cracks up

Oh this is going to be another disaster

Although I guess the guard guys wouldn’t be expecting them to immediately come back?? Maybe??

“YOU’RE THE SAILOR GUY THIS IS YOUR WHOLE EPISODE” lol sam

“I’m gonna bake, fuck it” I LOVE CAD

“I look like Captain Crunch btw” I’m crying can’t breathe omg

Except isn’t the captain dead lol

“Unknown do-gooders” well that wasn’t the reputation I expected

UH HEY I HOPE MARION DIDN’T HEAR ABOUT THE BLUE SKINNED TIEFLING KILLING HERSELF

These lies are getting more and more ridiculous

“The little devil girl who drowned a hundred years ago” Taliesin and the idea of a ghost story is just… so perfect.

Beau stop xD

If this ghost story isn’t in campaign 3 someday I’m gonna cry

I’m so glad that Orli is coming along

They hired the tortle! :D

Nott is really being adorable with the “we are a team and you are important” thing. Obvious, but adorable.

Taliesin wanted ghost stories and now we’re getting islands people avoid because strange ancient unnatural stuff

Okay quick aside but this conversation with Yasha and Caduceus makes me think — I love how there’s this group of people who seemingly should have nothing in common, but in a lot of ways they have things they can understand about each other. Struggles they can related to. It’s really nice.

Jester and her multiple message spells lol

I’ll miss you Marion!

Oooo a glow in the water?

Awww Matt that’s really pretty!

“Sometimes the things that are the most beautiful are the things that can hurt you the worst” that’s very profound, Jester.

I’m gonna cry I don’t want Jester to be sad don’t be sad (Laura needs to stop looking like she’s gonna cry because it’s gonna make me cry)

And the way she does this little laugh like she’s trying to brush off how sad she is like STOP IT IM EMOTIONAL.

Marion was gonna leave with Jester’s dad but then he didn’t come back and I’m thinking at some point they had better kick the Gentleman’s ass for abandoning her

The way Fjord is so sweet and soft with Jester is so cute I can’t decide if I ship them or if I just want them to be soft and close but not romantic I think I’d be happy either way but my god Fjord’s being so gentle with her is killing me

“There are vegetarian options as well”

Marius: “Thank you, thank you, it’s very good—they’re crazy aren’t they?”

Cad: “Oh yeah, they’re completely crazy.”

I desperately hope they get attacked by a sea monster at some point

“Captain Tusktooth”

Tiny elf-owl Frumpkin omg

He’s loaning her tiny owl Frumpkin for a week I cry

M: “I poke him to see if he bites me”

Tr: “He’s dead”

“I’m gonna probably start talking to fish at some point in the near future” Caduceus Doolittle

When Nott is sincere like when she’s talking to Caduceus right now is so sweet

I take it back it’s too soon to talk about Molly Sam

“Between you and me, Jester’s a really bad cleric, so…” and Laura almost spits out her drink lol

I want to meet the rest of the Clays someday I hope some of them are still alive

“A sign that there could be, for all of us, another chapter” Nott is getting me in my feelings tonight

Matt: “You get the sense that the fish would be happy to”

Cad/Tal: “I’m a lunatic aren’t I?”

M: “Yeah.”

C/T: “I’m sorry.”

M: “Yeah, no, it’s great! :D”

The fish: “sure, sure, suresuresuresure sure”

Oh godddd sky monster?

Bird?

WHAT IS IT

“Professor Thadeus…?”

Oh. Fuck. Creepy flying humanoid thing.

lol Beau making sure it’s not Yasha

Oh jeez poor Yasha

…Okay Matt that wasn’t cool because it’s past midnight and the windows are open and I’m feeling weirdly paranoid now

HERE WE GO

Harpies omggggg

Caleb’s really not gonna be able to use fire for this without risking the ship

Oh fuck don’t get the deck hands

Okay the sail isn’t that big a deal Jester can probably mend it, so save the deck hand first

Harpies are not sirens that shouldn’t be allowed to do anything

Oh poor Nott

SAVE THE CREW PERSON FIRST BEAU

I love Cad’s beetles

“Snack time” Cad you’re so creepy sometimes xD

15pts of beetle damage hell yeah

Okay I take it back Beau might have done the best thing saving the sail.

Okay this is too easy of a fight tho what’s coming that’s worse

Oh daaaaamn snapped her neck with the sail rope

Caleb Nott this isn’t nice xD

“We saved his life with the power of friendship” I’m crying

F: “How do we prevent further heart episodes?”

N: “MORE FRIENDSHP. MORE FRIENDSHIP.”

Awkward friend hugs are best hugs

Nott please don’t eat harpy meat

Cad’s gonna compost the harpy

Beau is keeping Frumpkin in her pocket of course she is

Poor Travis just like “I DIDN’T KNOW ID ACTUALLY HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO CAPTAIN A SHIP” poor guy

Oh god the ship is gonna sink

They’re gonna end up stranded on the cursed island just watch

Gonna try and block the hole…. with a mattress

I’m shocked they managed to patch it bless Galen for that Nat20

Caleb being clever to save the ship with his magic bubble

I hope they don’t get Orli killed

They gonna get sunk

Oh wait

Does Caleb have to stay inside the bubble?? I hope it doesn’t start to fill too much

YAAAAAS what a good episode!

SO MUCH SAILING PIRATE-Y FUN

Oh please wear pirate outfits I’m begging

I’m so excited for next week

[tittagolf]

Dark spore creature creator

DARK SPORE CREATURE CREATOR PC

Awaken a new creative independence by taking the controls of.

DARK SPORE CREATURE CREATOR PC

This can either work in its favor, should it use its fresh set of eyes to spot unique new gameplay possibilities, or work against it if - as is the vibe I'm getting now - it decides to stick pretty close to familiar genre conventions.Spore source. Download the Spore Creature Creator directly to your PC and stretch your artistic skills. Hes not a part of a bigger story rn but Id like him to be someday. Creatures with a "haste" ability will automatically make nearby players move faster, for instance.Īs you can probably tell, Maxis isn't venturing very far from established territory with Darkspore, although it is a relatively unexplored space for the developer. The imaginary music video I invented him for is the story of his descent into a fucked up murderguy, so that’s as far as Ive gotten. The idea is to use the characters' various abilities strategically against what the Left 4 Dead-inspired "AI director" decides to toss your way.ĭarkspore's player creatures also have certain abilities that, in multiplayer, can be used by everyone playing. mushrooms Spore powder of Ganoderma lucidum is a kind of Basidiomycete which is a widely used traditional medicine in China creature-creator 1196984. The trio can then be switched between on the fly, albeit with a brief cool-down period afterward. This gives you and your friends enough information to decide which three characters from your collection you'll want to deploy. When choosing to beam down from your starship to a planet, you will see a lineup of enemy types that you'll encounter. The Creature Creator does return, however, and is used in customizing the placement of the various upgrades. That's right - although based off of Spore (but running on a brand-new engine) the game won't have you controlling your own creations. The basics will be the same whether going in solo or as a team: You'll be able to choose from a number (again, no specifics yet) of pre-created melee, ranged and support creatures that can have their stats and abilities augmented by equipment.Īs you can probably tell, Maxis isn't venturing very far from established territory with Darkspore. %Gallery-97777%To that end, Darkspore will let up to three players traverse "several" planets cooperatively, and while there will be PvP in the finished product, Maxis isn't providing details just yet. It's described by publisher Electronic Arts as a "sci-fi action-RPG," but you might describe it as "not really what you were hoping for from Maxis." Still, the studio Will Wright built (and later left) seems to be trying its best to work the idea – an idea it's had since wrapping the original Spore, we're told – into something that will satisfy a more hardcore, multiplayer-focused PC gamer. Download the introductory video of Spore. Develop your own civilisation and take control of the universe. Grabbing this crystal caused the leader to. Setting up camp in a small forest grove at the Tropical Lands, the leader of the expedition would discover a piece of Lympharian crystal connected to the Mad Simulacrum Vargash. It's a new Sporegame, albeit one focused on combat. Spore is a strategy and social simulation game. The Dark Caxildiz originated from an expedition of Caxildiz who ventured into the main continent about 500 years in the past. " Spore meets Diablo" - in February 2011. Last week saw the release of DeathSpank, a game I wasn't alone in likening to " Monkey Island meets Diablo." Presumably in an attempt to avoid missing the "meets Diablo" bus, Maxis is preparing to give the PC gaming world Darkspore - a.k.a.

[trcelyneart]

@saeyoungweek Day 4: Cars.

This is a WIP of a Need For Speed!AU one shot I'm working on. It's not finished yet, but here's the beginning!

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Luciel took long gulps from his lukewarm water bottle, leaning against the closed door of his car. The heat was sweltering, summer days becoming sultry with the cloudless sky, leaving him no chance of finding shelter from the burning sun. At least they were going to drive along the coast, where the marine winds brought some freshness and a nice smell of iodine. And his baby car was built to resist such weather, with an air conditioning to die for. The hardest part was to actually get out.

 The rules were simple. A two-week long race, from Incheon to Busan, with one race of thirty five kilometres each day. Only the best could participate, other pilots finding themselves betting high amounts of money on who would win by the end of it. He knew he was in the winners forecast, for 707 was almost a legend in the underground racing world, with his powerful Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 he had upgraded and pimped himself – adding a large yellow strip, going from the middle of the hood to the roof and the rear, over the bright red steel - to become an asphalt killing machine. With a bit more effort and rocket science, he’d probably make it able to fly someday.

 He capped the bottle and licked his lips, his attention drawn to a familiar roaring sound to his right.

Well, what a surprise.

Or maybe not, actually.

How could he have even thought she would not participate? He turned his head, letting his gaze glide along the smooth lines of the white Koenigsegg Agera R. Fifteen copies sold throughout the world, 960CH, body made of carbon fiber and Kevlar, chassis made of the same materials plus aluminium, top speed nearing 400km/h. A racing monster. Even his baby which ranked among the most powerful cars looked like an entry-level model comparing to this godsend hypercar.

And well, pilots tended to match their cars, right? He was sure there was a saying of the sort.

 MC – or so was her pilot name - got out of her car in all her glory, lifting her sunglasses to the top of her head, locking her bangs away from her sweaty forehead. He let his gaze wander on her white, close-fitting strap stop, trying his best to ignore the wet spots on the fabric due to her perspiration, then her short shorts, along her gorgeous legs to her plum Dr.Martens. Her long brown hair was tied into a tight ponytail, its ends brushing the small of her back. He felt guilty for checking her out like this, but hey, if she had decided to wear such revealing clothes, he had to make the most of it. It wasn’t like she didn’t look divine in any outfit she wore, anyway.

         She had started racing six months before. She had simply showed up on one cold December night, clad in her signature plum Dr.Martens, black skinny jeans and a superb leather jacket with fake fur, claiming she wanted to race as well. The organisers had first laughed her off – the underground racing world, like the official one, did not leave a lot of place for women except for the window-dressing girls hired to help with the bets and signal the start of the races – and she had simply raised an eyebrow at them, not losing her composure. They surely had not liked how unshaken she had seemed, and Luciel had found himself snorting at their dumbstruck reactions. Her cool-headedness had been admirable. A few minutes after she had walked away, when the organisers had been sure this joke of a rich-looking girl was gone, she had barged into the crowd with her beast of a car, her wheels screeching and fuming as she drifted to stop right in front of Vanderwood 3rd, who had been in charge of the race that night. The black window had slowly rolled down, and she had rested her elbow on the ledge without a word. Luciel clearly remembered the silent exchange going on between them, MC lifting her eyebrow at them again, them holding her stare, until they had given up with a sigh and stepped aside to let her go to the starting line.

 And not only had she participated that night, but she had also won.

 That night, 707 had lost his first race in a long, very long while. After that, she kept on winning against him, overtaking him by a hair’s breadth every single time. The king of the road had been defeated to let a queen arise. No, not a queen. A goddess.

 To be fairly honest, the more he raced against her, the more exciting it got. In every sense of the term. Every race was a shot of adrenaline, doping his will to win fairly and with grandiosity; he wanted to conquer his throne back, and his rival made it harder and funnier each day that passed. His curiosity had slowly grown, replacing his pleasantly surprised reaction when she had got out of her car and gasped happily when a shocked Vanderwood had announced that she had been the winner. MC was an interesting person, never acting haughty despite her obvious wealthy background, but quick to put people in their place whenever they disregarded her.

Luciel highly respected her. Thanks to her, he had found pleasure in racing again. She was a more than worthy opponent.

And he also had a huge crush on her.

So yeah, watching her with so few clothing made his throat drier than it already was, and he muttered a small prayer as he fidgeted with the silver cross hanging on his neck in hope to be forgiven for checking her out so shamelessly. She spoke with a couple of people, smiling happily at them, until she glanced at him. Her smile grew larger and she waved at him, visibly glad her rival was there too. He waved back at her with less enthusiasm, too busy trying to kick his impure thoughts out of his brain to manage to concentrate fully on the gesture. She locked her car and walked to him, letting the tip of her fingers brush on the scorching hood of his until she stood next to him.

“Fancy seeing you here.” She said with a playful grin.

“I could say the same.” He replied, mirroring her expression.

“At least you’ll make this race more entertaining. It’s funnier when I get to compete against you.” She chuckled.

“Oh, so you wouldn’t have participated if I hadn’t been there?” Luciel teased.

She snatched his water bottle and took a few gulps before smiling at him “707, darling, don’t get ahead of yourself. You’re just making it more enjoyable.”

He couldn’t help but stare at her lips as she licked them to catch the drops that had leaked when he snorted “Glad to be your special someone.”

She held the bottle back to him and pointed back at the Agera with her thumb “I guess you could say that. Anyway, I gotta to get ready. Hope you’re gonna give all you have, 707. See you later!”

 She winked at him then turned around and left without looking back, only to be soon surrounded in a small crowd of people. Luciel sighed and drank what was left in the bottle, before tossing it into the nearest bin.

 He was not just going to give everything he had, he was going to blow her. Away of course.

 --

 The sun had already set, the sky turning into vivid shades of red and pink. Waves were crashing loudly against the rocks a few meters below the road. Luciel stopped his car right in front of the makeshift starting line and got out, leaning an arm on the roof, patting it gently as if it were his precious pet. He had won the qualifiers, which consisted in a one-by-one time-trial on the route they’d take that evening. Of course, they had not closed the road; the race was unofficial and illegal, like everything related to the underground racing world. It made it more dangerous and exciting.

 MC, unexpectedly, would start on third position. She had lost five precious seconds when she had to swerve to avoid a van, and had not managed to catch up afterwards. He had to use this advantage and distance her as fast as possible. He hoped he had enough nitro to manage to do that.

The Agera came in sight and stopped a few meters behind on his right, and she got out as well. He turned to glance at her, and when their eyes met, she finger gunned at him with an impish grin. He stuck his tongue out at her, before bursting into giggles. He could not deny that there was some kind of tension between them, mostly sexual, but also some kind of mutual understanding. They were like the two popular kids competing against each other, unable to focus on anyone else but the other, but also being secretly friends. They played a game. A dangerous one. One miscalculation, and their cars would be reduced to dust in less time they’d need to realise their mistake.

 But playing with death was his most favourite part of the game. It made him feel alive.

 Vanderwood walked to the middle of the road and waited for the eight pilots to be ready. They checked their watch, then pulled out a gun and fired a distress flare high in the sky. A few seconds later, other flares started shining along the road, signalling that everything was ready and that the coast was clear – in other words, that the cops were not there. Yet. Seven watched closely, and smiled to himself when all the lights had been fired. Vanderwood announced that the race was about to start, and all pilot got into their cars. A symphony of roaring engines came to Luciel’s ears, and he rolled his window down to enjoy the sounds his baby car made. He could also hear the very distinctive sound of the Agera.

 He hummed a random tune as his fingers hovered over the screen of his radio, searching for a nice song that could make a nice badass OST for the race. Something that would put him in a good mood. His eyes stopped on a particular song.

 The Resist Stance – Bad Religion

Perfect.

 As soon as the first guitar riffs echoed loudly around his ears and out of the car, he faintly shook his head in rhythm with the music. Vanderwood lifted their hand high.

He placed his foot over the pedal, his thumb rubbing the button of the handbrake and his hand ready to release it.

 The Agera flashed its lights behind him. He glanced at his right wing mirror.

 MC blew him a kiss.

 He smirked.

 Vanderwood dropped their arm. Luciel barely heard their shout between the screeching of the wheels and the thundering of the machines.

[hgfstreamchats]

100 Scariest Movie Moments

Me Evening, Jalaperilo human! Jalaperilo Evening! just us? Me At the moment. Jalaperilo cool cool. hope the usual suspects turn up. i could do with a laugh Me You too? Jalaperilo yup. must be cause its halloween. makes everyone really shitty even though its the best holiday of the year, apart from pancake day

Me There we are! Jalaperilo yey! Jalaperilo If you're interested in horror and havent seen it yet, 'A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss' is a very good series from the BBC Me I think I absolutely need to see this. Jalaperilo he has a love for hammer horror and its fascinating to watch him go in depth on early horror Me Your horror scene fascinates me. You do so much with so little. Jalaperilo urgh Me As you do. Jalaperilo i love the birds Me Frightening and plausible. Birds are loveless beings. Jalaperilo they are Jalaperilo they threw brids at tippy hendren Me Just chucked them. Jalaperilo how did this beat out 28 days later? Me Gross injustice. Me So their eyes are cortical patches, basically. Jalaperilo haha. if only shockwave had made something already creepy even fucking scarier Me Give him time. Jalaperilo please lock him up haha Me Oh, Argento films. Jalaperilo your fave Me Well, maybe you should have been a better kisser. Jalaperilo it was really her, she just got bored of pretending he was good Me Hah! Me How did *this* beat out 28 Days Later? Jalaperilo right? weird. its not scary i love the wizerd of oz Me "Those terrible little vests." Jalaperilo what is it about british children that other countries think are creepy all the kids i know are little shits Me I've always wondered about that one myself. Jalaperilo I wonder if Alien is gonna be on this list, cause that is quite horror like Me Do you want me to tell you if it is? Jalaperilo sure. i dont think im gonna last the full 3 hours lol Me It is. Jalaperilo \O/ Me I didn't expect anyone to! I intended this to be one of those things people can drop in and out of, but no one else is dropping in. Jalaperilo cowards Me I thought she was going to leave it at "Don't buy a house." Jalaperilo hahah i thought all of the USA was built on indian burial grounds? Me True! Jalaperilo i love how Bela Lugosi's accent influenced all future instances of dracula Me You just can't improve on it. Jalaperilo sings is a stupid film signs* Me It has a terrible ending. Jalaperilo it just doesnt make sense why the aliens would come to earth Me The dimmest aliens in the history of the universe. Jalaperilo lol tony todd! what a voice Me It's a *very* nice voice. Jalaperilo urg WHAT Me And this beat out Bees In the Mouth. Jalaperilo god people will say anything as a talking head Me They don't even show it, like they're properly ashamed for including it. Jalaperilo haha. i watched that film multiple times as a kid and it never scared me Me The only human horror film I've ever been frightened by is The Brave Little Toaster. Jalaperilo understandable all the cybertronians i follow or seen have expressed a dislike for that film Me It's just not necessary. Jalaperilo this is the only shyamalan film i like, but my dad did spoil it for me so i knew everything already Me And the twist is basically everything. Jalaperilo ikr? what a twat Jalaperilo reanimator! my fave of all time! Me Isn't that the one where one of the humans sounds eerily like Ratchet? Jalaperilo yes! and he messes around injecting green shit into things as well! Me Ratchet's no longer allowed to judge me. Jalaperilo i think the cat scene should have been the example. the swinging light makes it so much scarier Me I don't think that's making love. Jalaperilo it still gets me Me Although she doesn't seem to be tied down to anything. Jalaperilo also her dad's zombie corpse is also in the room its so messe up but so much fun Me Kinky? Jalaperilo im kinkshaming Me Ooh! Jalaperilo i havent seen this film looks intereszting Me I'm very tempted to stream it someday. Me I can understand why humans cringe at this one. Jalaperilo bones and teeth are awful blood and guts im fine Me That sound would bother me too if I only got one set of teeth. Me More teeth. Jalaperilo wasnt there a recent story of an old dentist office that was being redeveloped and they found thousands of teeth in the wall? Me That's even worse. Jalaperilo ikr? why keep them? its like you keeping used transistors or something Me Exactly. There's no non-horrifying reason for it. Jalaperilo whoa! r-word! Me But the corpse head was lovemaking. Seems legit. Jalaperilo but what could have been the difference! Me We'll just never know!

Me Hello there, Nickel! Minibot-Nickel Heya knocky~ Jalaperilo yo! Minibot-Nickel Heya~ Me I like how the rabbit is the line. Jalaperilo animals are where we draw the line. fuck other humans Me It's a reasonable line. Minibot-Nickel people in animal suits freak me out Jalaperilo *insert furry joke* Minibot-Nickel *shudders* Me There really isn't. Minibot-Nickel you know... hearing my tea maker brewing is probably not helping with the scary aspect of the show XD Jalaperilo haha Me Oh, I like The Vanishing. Jalaperilo mark kermode is one of our greatest film critics he's the only one i'll really listen to Me He seems like he knows his scrap. Minibot-Nickel *holds out rust sticks* want some? Me Thank you! Jalaperilo he's incredibly fair in his critiques Minibot-Nickel so THAT'S mr. del toro~ Jalaperilo one for you ko! Me Indeed! Me That seems short-sighted. Jalaperilo the oldies are the best Me No arguments here. Jalaperilo ok.im tapping out. enjoy the rest of the countdown! Me Good night, Jalaperilo human! Jalaperilo ill have to look up what number 1 is Me It's...a movie, to be sure. Jalaperilo good night knockout-cybertronian! no way! good night nickle! Minibot-Nickel Night, night, jalaperilo-firend~ Me And he just casually props them up. That won't go wrong. Minibot-Nickel This halloween, i want to give myself nightmares~ Me 'Tis the season. Minibot-Nickel if this doesn't do it, then i'm gonna watch ghost stories/adventures/hunters tomorrow~ Me And even if it does! Minibot-Nickel i'll drink to that~ Minibot-Nickel phone just rang and scared the hell out of me Me Rude of you, phone. Minibot-Nickel on the up side, mun's going swimming tomorrow Me He just toddles out the door. Minibot-Nickel i'm curious what the hell it was Me You're not the only one. Minibot-Nickel (red, white, blue, finials and a judgmental stare) Minibot-Nickel i've always wanted to see the hills have eyes Me It's a rough one. Minibot-Nickel oh? spoilers? Me This happens, for starters. Minibot-Nickel OAO Minibot-Nickel now this sounds fun Me That human has a fun job. Minibot-Nickel i wonder what would happen if a realistic zombie movie was made? Me 28 Days Later was fairly realistic. Minibot-Nickel oh~ i'll have to look into it. though i can say with confidence than zombies wouldn't last long in florida Me Florida, where no one should ever be. Minibot-Nickel the hell state Minibot-Nickel what was that one movie about the haunted big rigs who menaced the humans looking for fuel? Me That's the one! Minibot-Nickel which one? i've seen it, but can't remember the name Me Duel? Minibot-Nickel oh~ i'll haveta rewatch it Minibot-Nickel kill it with fire Me Kill it with extra fire. Me I think it's fairly obvious he wants to frag him. And also ruin his life. Me No, no. You knew exactly what their relationship was. Why are humans like this? Minibot-Nickel what did i miss? Me The Hitcher, the big gay horror road movie. Also The Fly. Minibot-Nickel the big gay horror road? Minibot-Nickel children are demons confirmed Me Human ones especially. And yes, The Hitcher's a very twisted romance. Minibot-Nickel human children.... why do they exist? Minibot-Nickel one nearly busted my audials... Me How did that happen? Minibot-Nickel teen sex SHOULD be met with carnage and i think the kid didn't get a sweet they wanted at a checkout line Me I do love that movie. Minibot-Nickel if ya wanna do a movie night one day, i'll make the sweets and some high grade drinks~ Me Sounds lovely! Minibot-Nickel it'll be so great~ Minibot-Nickel i wanna see this Me I like the title. Minibot-Nickel that guy has an unfortunate last name Me Which one? Minibot-Nickel rockoff Me Hah. Me Well, good luck, kids! Minibot-Nickel *chinhands* Me HAH! Today Me Who sleeps with a single light shining on their face? Minibot-Nickel no one sane Me Nothing of value was lost. Me HERE WE ARE! Minibot-Nickel i bet you anything, soundwave'd do that XD Me I'd believe it. Minibot-Nickel vos did that to me once and i couldn't sleep for a week after Me Oh, yes, yes, this is what I love. Best of movies, best of humans. Minibot-Nickel humans really have a wide variety of ways to kill each other Me Well, so do we. Minibot-Nickel true. very true Me Astrotrain? Minibot-Nickel astrotrain? Me "Lie down and the devil will come have sex with you." Minibot-Nickel did astro fuck unicron? Minibot-Nickel we're at jacobs ladder Me I think so? Me There we are. Apologies for that. Minibot-Nickel it's no prob~ Minibot-Nickel "torture is love" the djd's motto Me I see why you're so popular throughout the multiverse. Minibot-Nickel believe it or not, but i got the hell out of dodge Me Really! Minibot-Nickel yup. i'm a free range medic now. the others are either smeared or atomic dust now Me Worse things to be than a free range medic. Minibot-Nickel true. might open up a bakery Me Ooh! Minibot-Nickel yep~ roll out the sweets~ Me The noblest profession. Minibot-Nickel and of course, in the back room come the medicinal sweets~ Minibot-Nickel i have an uncle named damien Me It's a nice name, honestly. Minibot-Nickel scream sounds funny Me You know, I've never seen it! But it does. Me This one *technically* has eye business, heads up. Minibot-Nickel wanna wait for it to buffer for a bit? Me But no damage to the eyeball itself, if that makes a difference. Minibot-Nickel i wanna see this so bad Me It's a good one. Minibot-Nickel love the pun you made earlier Me Not the eyeballs. The area around them. Me I do my best. Minibot-Nickel oooooo top ten~ Me Starscream, hello! You're just in time for the final stretch. Minibot-Nickel hello screamy~ Starscreamapillar Excellent. I was hoping to not miss the whole stream. Me Sproing. Starscreamapillar The scariest thing in the world is the neighbours. Not inaccurate... Me Not at all. Minibot-Nickel (i was too oblivious to notice highschool hell XD) Minibot-Nickel there's nothing more frightening than an expert weilding powertools Starscreamapillar You mean a medic? Me I was about to say, I take offense. Me Look at that rowdy old man go. Starscreamapillar These descriptions, without having actually seen the movie in full, make it sound very bizarre, but not scary. Me I found it bizarre, but not all that scary. Me Why would you follow a sound? Ever? Starscreamapillar Why would you follow that sound, in particular? Me Natural selection, presumably. Starscreamapillar That is not the best way to stab someone. Me Just wave the knife around and see what happens. Starscreamapillar Also not how to correctly fall down the stairs. Me Poor marks, stairs human. Go back and do it right. Starscreamapillar Dull surprise. Me Except for that. Minibot-Nickel XDDD Me Good for the mother. She's living her best afterlife. Minibot-Nickel it's what i wanna do in the afterlife Starscreamapillar Space crackers. They contain more sodium than earth crackers. Me And more space. Minibot-Nickel OAAAAAAOOOO Starscreamapillar They really think that a fish is the scariest? Me They thought Willy Wonky's boat ride was worse than 28 Days Later. Starscreamapillar . . . This list seems highly flawed. Me Maybe that was their logic. Give the first place to something no one would agree with as the scariest. Me Oh, no! A shark is doing shark things in the only place on Earth a shark lives! Starscreamapillar The horror! Me "But statistically speaking, almost surely won't!" Me Alright! It's late, but just one more for the road. Starscreamapillar Excellent. Minibot-Nickel one more three hour movie thing? Me Yes, Nickel. One more three hour movie thing. Me Still scarier than Jaws. Starscreamapillar It truly was, David S. Pumpkins. Minibot-Nickel true Starscreamapillar Absolutely. Me Well, on THAT note, I'm off into the dark to see what made our power glitch. Where nothing can possibly go wrong. Starscreamapillar Try not to be eaten by scraplets. Minibot-Nickel i'm gonna ty to not murder the neighbors~ they have their music blaring. it's midnight Me Just make sure to dissolve the spark chambers. Good night, everyone! So glad you could make it! Starscreamapillar Good night, and thank you for the nonsense, even if I missed most of it. Minibot-Nickel *hugs the knocky and screamy* Me You caught the choicest part.