#I wish this came out better but this disc was acting up so oh well yall

[apollos-boyfriend]

dear wormwood, c!tommy, and why it’s his song

everything regarding the people mentioned is /rp and c!. the following will discuss tommy and dream’s relationship, exile, the final disc confrontation and all that those previous points imply. please take care!

for a bit of context, dear wormwood is a song by the oh hellos, inspired by c.s. lewis’ “the screwtape letters”, in which wormwood is a demon charged with tempting “the patient.” the song of dear wormwood is a confrontation between the album’s protagonist and their own wormwood (demon). lyrics will be indented and italicized, with the analysis of each lines directly beneath them.

when i was a child / i didn’t hear a single word you said

at the start of the smp, tommy and dream’s back-and-forth rivalry held much less weight. while dream was antagonistic, tommy pushed past that, and even held a semi positive relationship with him. tommy’s boisterous nature largely made it so he passed over a lot of dream’s negative actions, either out of denial or naïveté.

the things i was afraid of / they were all confined beneath my bed

it’s important to note tommy’s fears throughout the server’s history. notably, he fears heights, small spaces, explosions, and death, all of which can be linked to dream. (with the arguable exception of his claustrophobia; however, it was not helped by his time with techno nor being locked in the prison.) without dream, and dream’s influence, tommy’s fears would be simple. confined to scary bedtime stories that can be easily defeated and overcome.

but the years have been long / and you have taught me well to hide away

tommy was prominently more quiet and subdued both during and after exile. dream conditioned tommy to be more subservient to him, and alongside that, warped tommy’s fears from the childish ones they might’ve once been to the phobias we see in him now.

the things that i believed in / you’ve taught me to call them all escapes

during exile, dream manipulated tommy into believing multiple lies. that tubbo (and the other members of l’manberg) were better off without him and didn’t care about his well-being, that tommy could never stand up to dream, and, most importantly, that no one would ever come to save tommy. a large part of exile’s horror came from seeing tommy’s hope slowly dwindle away as dream chipped away at his beliefs, making them out to be no more than fantasies.

there before the threshold / i saw a brighter world beyond myself

when it comes to tommy and his time in exile, there are two ways this line can be related: one, on tommy’s short visit(s) to l’manberg, most notably when punz intervened; or two, his lingering glances at the lava of the nether. in both scenarios, he’s shown a future he can never reach—he can’t return to l’manberg, because dream won’t let him, and he can’t die, because dream won’t let him.

and in my hour of weakness / you were there to see my courage fail

time and time again in exile, dream is there to watch tommy’s light drain away. he sees it happen every day when he blows up tommy’s belongings; when tommy hallucinates tubbo; when the party plans "fall through." even at times that salvation appears to be within reach, such as ranboo’s visits, tommy’s hope is kept subdued due to dream’s influence. his courage fails time and time again, and dream is not only there to witness it, but to revel in it all.

for the years have been long / and you have taught me well to sit and wait

as stated previously, dream conditioned tommy to be subdued and passive. notably, we see that happen with tommy’s items. while he fought and screamed at the beginning of exile for dream not to blow up his belongings, by the end, he’d accepted his fate, sitting back and letting dream erase all his progress, if any had even been made at all.

planning without acting / steadily becoming what i hate

as tommy himself states, he’s “worse than everyone he didn’t want to be.” despite his best wishes, tommy falls victim to the same ideologies of his enemies, and is only able to realize such at his lowest. it’s also important to discuss the passivity of the first line, as it implies the narrator waiting for death and/or passively standing by while in an abusive relationship, both of which can apply to tommy.

i have always known you / you have always been there in my mind

dream was one of tommy’s first friends on the smp, but one of his first enemies, as well. not only has dream always been in his mind in the fact that he’s been a constant in tommy’s life, but in the sense that he’s literally been in tommy’s mind, pulling at the strings and manipulating him. nearly every one of tommy's downfalls has been orchestrated by dream's hands. despite not realizing it at the time, tommy is able to see the truth now, and how deep dream’s hooks dig into his very being.

but now i understand you / and i will not be part of your designs

at the top of his tower, tommy realizes the truth, and all that dream has done to him. he understands dream’s goal, and everything dream has done to get to this point, and he denounces it. he doesn’t want to continue to be dream’s puppet, and breaks free of his strings by jumping into the lake below instead of taking his own life. now that he’s been made aware of dream’s intentions, he refuses to be a part of his schemes any further.

i know who i am now / and all that you’ve made of me

tommy is finally able to confront and realize all the things dream’s done to him. he’s come face-to-face with the reality that dream’s been attempting to puppet him all along, pulling at his strings until they break just to see what would happen. he’s aware that the person he’s become is a direct cause of dream’s manipulation and deceit, and he denounces that, affirming himself as his own person during the final confrontation.

i know who you are now / and i name you my enemy

for a long time, tommy did (and to a small extent, still does) struggle with his thoughts on dream. a part of him still clung to the notion that dream was his friend, that dream wanted what was best for him, but we see that all come to a climax during the final disc confrontation. he outwardly admits not only to himself, but to the entire server, that dream is his enemy. he’s not his friend, he’s not an ally, he’s the main cause behind tommy’s problems and trauma. it’s cathartic, it’s climatic, and dear wormwood’s instrumentals and crescendos captures the feeling of tired triumph over it all.

i know who i am now / i know who i want to be

tommy doesn’t want to be a hero. he never asked to be theseus, to have his home ripped away from him, and he affirms that to both dream and himself. he’s taking control of his own destiny, now, and he knows what he wants to do with it.

i want to be more than this devil inside of me

tommy wants to break free of dream’s influence more than anything else. he doesn’t want to be the person dream’s made him. and he goes as far as to call dream the devil to top it all off—his demon, his tormentor, his wormwood.

[hufflautia]

The Boyfriend

Dedicated to the anon who came up w this idea and to @eatacrackerandstop <3. There's a small Shadow and Bone reference; if you find it, you get a high five✨

Summary: Slytherin and Hufflepuff meet their daughter’s boyfriend for the first time, and Slytherin has a few concerns.

~

Hufflepuff closes the door behind her daughter, who stepped out to privately wish her boyfriend goodbye on the front stoop, and turns to Slytherin.

“He seems like a sweet kid,” she smiles. Slytherin follows her into the kitchen with a disgruntled expression. He leans against the countertop as she begins washing the dishes.

“What’s taking her so long,” he eyes the door. “It only takes a couple of seconds to say goodbye to someone.”

“They spent the entire night with us. They probably just want a little alone time,” Hufflepuff replies. She glances at him when he sighs and crosses his arms. “Do I sense a little disdain for our daughter’s boyfriend?”

Slytherin scowls.

“I don’t like him,” he states plainly. “He gives me...bad boy vibes.” His scowl deepens when she laughs incredulously.

“Bad boy vibes?”

“Yes,” he says indignantly. “Bad boy vibes! Did you see his smirk when she laughed at his joke?"

"You smirk a lot,” she points out, to which he grudgingly admits. “Besides, is it bad that he can make her laugh?"

"'Course not," he huffs. "But did you see how he put his arms around her?”

"I'm pretty sure that's called a hug, honey."

Slytherin steps between her and the sink. She shoots him a look as water drips on the floor.

“Please get out of my way, Slytherin. You’re acting like a child.”

He takes her hands into his own, not caring that they’re wet. “Honey, you’re not listening to me.”

“I am! I just don’t agree with you.” She continues before Slytherin can object. “You’re worrying over nothing. Our daughter is old enough to make her own decisions on who she hangs out with and what she does with her time."

“She’s only in her seventh year—”

“Slytherin," she says sternly. “Our baby is grown now, believe it or not. I trust her judgment. You should too.”

His brows furrow, and he doesn’t respond right away.

"It's not that I don't trust her," he finally says. "I just don't want her to get hurt."

Hufflepuff softens in this rare moment of vulnerability—his grumpiness and frustration often mask his fears.

"We can't control what happens," she says gently. "We can't control who does what or who hurts who. But what we can control is what we do and how we act." Slytherin remains silent as he considers her words. "I think the best thing we can do is support our daughter. And if things don't end well in their relationship, she will know who to come to: the people who have always been there for her."

Her words sink in, and Slytherin nods.

"You're right."

"'Course I'm right."

He smiles somberly. "I’ve only ever wanted to protect her."

"You will," she assures, pulling him into an embrace. "But you will do so at a healthy and reasonable distance. No threatening the boy."

Slytherin snorts and says, "I'm not that type of dad." He rests his chin on top of her head. "But if he breaks her heart, I keep no promises."

"Good," she murmurs into his shirt. “I'll be right behind you.”

Their moment of peace is interrupted by the sound of the front door opening and closing. They see their daughter, Giselle, standing by the doorway with a flushed grin.

"Hey kiddo," Slytherin smiles.

She makes a face. “I'm 18, Dad. I'm not a kid anymore."

"Alright." Hufflepuff notices a familiar gleam in his eye and tries not to smile as he continues. "Do you prefer muffin? Sweet pea? Or perhaps cupcake—"

Giselle covers her ears. "Dad!" she groans. "Eat a cracker and stop."

He holds his hands up in defeat as he chuckles. "Okay, okay."

"So," Hufflepuff says once things settle down. "What did Dorian think? Did he like us? What about the food? Was my cooking okay?" A look of horror washes over her face. "Oh shoot, should we have given him some leftovers to take back to his family? He probably didn't get too far, I'll go get the food from the fridge and—"

"Honey," Slytherin laughs, resting his hand on the small of her back before she can scurry off in search of tin foil and plastic containers. "It's fine."

"Yeah," Giselle assures. "The food was great, and he loved meeting you guys."

"And we loved meeting him,” Hufflepuff says warmly. “Tell Dorian he's welcome to come back at any time."

"Okay," she grins. "Can we start our movie night now?"

Slytherin nods. "I believe it's Mom's turn to choose the movie."

"I know exactly what we should watch tonight," Hufflepuff beams. They pile onto the couch, and when she puts the disc into the DVD player, everyone but Hufflepuff's face falls when they see the title.

"Aw, not this movie," Giselle complains. "We watched the trailer last week, and you said it yourself that it looked like trash."

"Wha—I didn't say trash!"

"I think you did," Slytherin interjects. He stifles a laugh when she shoots him a look.

Hufflepuff purses her lips. "Ravenclaw and I watched it at the movie theaters a few days ago, and it was a cinematic masterpiece!"

He arches an eyebrow. "So you're gonna watch it again?"

"Yes! Because it’s that good. And I want you guys to watch it with me. The movie has adventure and plot twists and romance—I mean, what hurts more than a broken heart?"

"A severed head," Giselle replies, to which Slytherin snorts a laugh.

Hufflepuff scoffs and shakes her head, but a smile tugs at her lips. “You’ll see what I’m talking about after we watch it, but I need to use the bathroom first. I’ll bring back some popcorn.”

“Can you also get some Sprite?” Giselle calls after her.

“Okay.” Hufflepuff lingers by the doorway. “Do you want anything, sweetie pie?” she says to Slytherin.

“No thanks, snuggle bunny.” He snickers when Giselle visibly cringes. He and Hufflepuff liked to call each other outrageously sweet pet names in front of their daughter for the sole purpose of grossing her out.

“Yes,” Giselle says in a deadpan voice. “This is the exact spot I want to be in right now.”

Hufflepuff laughs and winks at Slytherin before leaving. He watches her walk away before whispering to Giselle, “How likely is it that she’ll accidentally trap herself in the bathroom and we get to pick another movie?”

“Extremely likely,” she replies. “If we put a rubber item underneath the door to act as a door stopper, she won’t be able to open it from the inside…” Slytherin is looking at her weirdly, and she swallows her words. “...I mean, I don’t know.”

Slytherin smiles but doesn’t say anything. Giselle may have inherited her mother’s looks, but she has her father’s mischief.

While they wait for Hufflepuff, Slytherin speaks. “Can I ask you something personal?”

“Sure,” she says cautiously.

“Do you love him?”

Her eyebrows rise—she didn’t expect this question. She takes a moment to think.

"Not yet.”

He nods. "But you're happy?"

"I am," she smiles.

His eyes crinkle. If she was happy…well, that was good enough for him.

“I’m glad, kiddo.”

This time, Giselle doesn’t roll her eyes at the term of endearment. Instead, she takes his hand and squeezes it three times. Slytherin, who taught her the gesture, squeezes her hand four times in response.

“Who’s ready to start the movie?” Hufflepuff walks in with popcorn and sprite, unaware of the father-daughter moment she just missed.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Slytherin sighs, scooting over to make space for her. She plops down beside him and settles the bowl between them.

“Oh,” she perks up. “Before I forget. Accio tissue boxes!”

Slytherin looks bewildered as tissue boxes come flying their way. “Do we really need tissues?”

“Absolutely,” she scatters the boxes over their laps. Slytherin raises an eyebrow and glances over at Giselle, who also looks perplexed.

“My teen angst bullshit is about to have a body count,” she whispers as the movie begins playing.

A/N: This fic is somewhat connected to Different Love Languages, another one of my fics. Is the slytherpuff couple in that fic the same couple in this one? That's up to you, dear reader😌

I lowkey hate the title, but I couldn't come up w a better one. Also, this fic was longer than I planned. I originally decided to write something like this:

“Why don’t you like him?”

“Because I used to be a bad boy, which is exactly why I don’t trust him.”

Basic dialogue, plain and simple. But the darling anon who told me their idea deserves a full-length story <3

Let me know what you thought of this one-shot. Feedback makes me happy <3 If you prefer to stay anonymous, the anon option for asks is available! Be safe and well, everyone.

Tag lists are open✨ Let me know via ask/messages/comments if you want to be added or removed.

@slytherpuff-shenanigans @axieleration @sunnniiee @just--another--bean @determinedpines @zenobiagrace @asterinflower @cinnamon-roll-unicorn @mossy-axolotl @dumbbitch11 @hitchhiker-of-the-galaxy @notsowiseravenclaw @arianatorpotterhead @eatacrackerandstop @luciferswife16 @walkinganomaly @asunshinepuff @lewispoolerpayton @adreameratdawn @thewitcheswords @oncergleekpotterhead @princessstoopid @stardustzainy @flvrqnce @multi-fandom-nutjob @eunnieah @iamahufflepuff @1hufflepuff @introvertedrae @princessstoopid @jasminedayz @magnoliamermaid @HOPEFUL-HUFFLEPUFF-PEEVES @peanut-in-the-goal @pufflehuff929 @sophiexteresa @da-fox-rangerrr @dawinehouse @shipping-book-keeper @xxavaloraxx @silverhetdanes @im-a-solanum-lycopersicum @elegantcroissantplaidpony @theoriginaljohnwatsonsblog @theoriginalsherlockholmesblog @vickeyunicorn @arianatorpotterhead @hmilkwhoney @simpering-simpleton @grandcyclecreation @sweetinvisiblewriter @marvelenthusiast10 @mvlpksvthisht @qiaopa @beardedhumanoid @jadefox05 @justanotherperson @inkedintothepaper @minty-malfoy @trippy-morgan @fangirlgeekandfreak @boilyourteeth @absentmindeduniverse @colettedelaurel @halfelven1 @happy-puff @coloring-bud @in-love-with-remus-lupin @autumnpleaves @crakencc @flyme--tothemoon @hedgepuffgirl @littleemotionalpanda @pancakes-and-sugar @korra4321 @aquietkindofthunder @qixnsriess @porksoba @thatfann @hellounicorn @i-have-a-bad-feeling @aasa2102 @zuko-28 @annie-mcl @clementines-x @writtenfoxscreams @randomwriter23 @cryingabtwandavision @coolninjavoid @urfaveslytherin @malfoys-demigod @tumlbr-trasher @violayaxley @wolfpack-arts-industries99 @zainieees-stuff @blueberry-9-pancakes @stressy-depressy @royalelusts

[theonlygamergost]

As long as I’m with you - Dream SMP

This fanfic came up in my head a while ago, finished it recently and I’m pretty happy with it, the inspiration is how much I love the Techno/ Tommy brothers/friends dynamic.

This fan fiction was corrected by the lovely @im-default

~~~~~~~~~~

Techno has never been good with human interactions, so when pushing Tommy’s buttons too far, he decides that seeing the boy like that was never gonna happen again under his supervision... but is he willing to broke the alliance with Dream to save Tommy?

~~~~~~~~~~~

Warning! Angst, past trauma, a bit of fluff 

Enjoy~

Waking up in the hole that was his room underneath Techno’s house was… Rough, it was always cold, and getting out of the blankets wasn’t the most pleasant experience, that's why Techno usually shouted from upstairs to wake up when the warmth of the fire had taken over the cold of the night.

But Techno was always wide awake when Tommy entered the comfortable home above his room, so, out of curiosity, he decided to fight the freezing cold of the morning and get out of bed earlier than usual, hoping to see what Techno was up to before he was awake.

Carefully climbing up, he peeked out the top of the stairs to see the candles and the fireplace were already lit, the dancing shadows on the walls upstairs made Tommy realize how cold it truly was, so after following the trail of warmth, he found no one home.

“B-big T?” he called out, finally getting to the top floor of the house, “Techno?” no one answered, the blonde boy looked around to find the man’s bed already done, like it was never slept in.

As he looked around, his eyes got distracted by the view outside the window: there was a blizzard raging on.

But if there was so much snow coming down, why wasn’t he here? Did Techno go out in the cold?

Getting closer to the glass, he couldn’t help but think about how pretty the snow was, everything was white… soft… cold and… a human?

A figure covered in blue was walking towards the house, the strong wind would reveal hints of red underneath the coat. Not to fret, it wasn’t blood, Techno never went outside without his red iconic cape, it was big, fluffy, and super warm, perfect for cold climates.

Tommy had the privilege of sleeping inside of it once and he had never slept better since.

Though, why was the man walking in a blizzard? And why was he so slow?

A surge of panic rose in the back of his mind when the figure started approaching the door, he wasn't supposed to be there- he was supposed to hide, he was supposed to-

“Good morning Theseus” the freezing air made the fire sway, serving as a dramatic entrance for the half-man half-pig. Closing the door with a bit of force, he snapped Tommy out of his trance: Wrong person, he wasn't supposed to hide from him, was he?

The smiling mask and the green hoodie of his warden still haunted his thoughts, as much as the big man he shared the house with ease the sensation of fear and depression he had felt, that creepy still smile was always watching from the corner of his vision. Yes, it was an illusion… and yet…

“I wasn't expecting you to be up so early “ Techno’s deep voice snapped him out again, bringing him back to the warmth of the fireplace, “Want to have breakfast since we’re both up? I don't mind eating earlier” taking off that huge and wet cape, he minded the blonde no attention, directly passing onto preparing a meal for two.

These moments of the two of them alone reminded him of how much Techno trusted him. When with others he was always on high alert with a sword at hand, ready to strike. But now? He had his back turned, focused on something else, his shoulders were also visibly more relaxed… He acted the same around Phil… And…

Wilbur…

“So are you gonna help me make breakfast? These eggs don't cook themselves y’know” Techno briefly looked over his shoulder to see the blondie froze in place, he wasn't good with people and emotions but it didn't take a degree to see that his thoughts weren't the most pleasant, the boy looked like he saw a ghost.

Tommy shook his thoughts away and started looking for the pan, grabbing milk, cookies, and some bread to toast.

The two had very different breakfast habits, Techno prepared toasts with eggs, no bacon tho, he wasn’t a cannibal, while Tommy ate anything sweet: cookies, cakes, anything goes.

One thing they both agreed on was milk, only because Techno couldn’t cultivate coffee beans himself due to the freezing temperatures.

“Thanks, big T” Techno nodded his head when handing Tommy his warm cup of milk, the sizzling of eggs getting cooked made the walls feel warm, comfortable even.

Taking a sip of the warm liquid, legs close to his chest and arms hugging them, he recalled how the day prior Techno had taught him to milk the cows he was breeding, with the number of inappropriate jokes he had made, Tommy was shocked Techno didn’t kick him out. People underestimated the man’s patience and kindness, of course it was for few to see the sight, and Tommy was grateful he was the lucky one in a million.

They ate in silence, Tommy didn’t go down a rant and talk for the whole breakfast, this time, the boy was happy with the silence, even if his mind was as loud as ever.

Techno took a bite and placed the plate aside, opening the front door to grab some firewood, explaining why he was walking so slow in the storm. Throwing it in the fireplace made sparkles and dust fly around for a few seconds, the man sat down and took another bite, “Why do you still trust Tubbo?” the out of nowhere question made him almost choke on his milk, “He has exiled you and clearly doesn’t care about your feelings nor well-being…” he munched on some more food, covering his mouth before speaking, “Why do you still want to see him?”  

The blonde boy stared at the dancing flames in the fireplace, why wouldn’t he trust Tubbo? “Tubbo is… e-everything I have left...” Techno looked over him confused, “After Dream got my discs, losing the election and Will lost his mind… he is all I have left” dipping for a bit too long a cookie in the warm milk, he slowly munched, thinking back at when he, Wilbur and Tubbo lived in those high black stone walls, before Eret and Fundy, before the war…

“Are you sure you’re not lying to yourself?” It was Tommy’s turn to be confused, “I’m just saying, Phil, Fundy, Quakity, Ranboo, Niki, they were all there for you too…” Techno counted the people on his fingers, making Tommy’s eyes widen a bit, “But they all did turn their back to you” he pointed out, making a tightness appear in the boy’s chest,  “… So are you sure you aren’t holding on to a lie? It doesn’t look like Tubbo cares that much about you-” “HE CARES ABOUT ME!!!” Techno raised a brow at the tone, “Are you sure he truly does?-” Tommy covered his ears, his body crumbling into a ball.

“SHUT UP DREAM YOU DON’T KNOW ME OR TUBBO!!!”

The room stood still, even the fire looked like it stopped moving, Techno shifted in his seat, eyes looking down in front of him. He didn’t mean to push that deep, he didn’t know this was a scar still open … but what preoccupied him the most was:

…

What in the hell did Dream do to this poor kid?

Even if Techno was silent, Tommy heard a million voices shouting nonsense right into his head. Squinting as hard as he could, he started feeling cold, the same humid cold he felt in his tent when he was alone waiting for him to get his items, his creepy smile… his harsh voice… his-

“Theseus...”

He snapped his head up at the man kneeling in front of him, Techno figured that by calling him Tommy it would have only made it worse, so using the nickname only he used seemed a better option…

And it was.

The shadows on the edge of his vision started to disappear, the braided pink hair and the preoccupied gaze made him realize, it was simply Techno… Wait- Techno? Didn’t he just say Drea-

Oh...

The tightness in his chest lightened meanwhile the knot in his throat thickened.

“I- I… I…” Techno’s reassuring smile beamed with light and kindness he had never seen before, “It’s alright Tommy, I’m here” he extended his hand toward the trembling teen, who instead of taking it, threw himself at him, hugging the man tightly.

“I’m sorry Techno!” Tommy buried his face into the soft fabric of Techno’s shirt, staining it with tears.

Techno wasn’t good at this comforting people thing, nor used to physical touch, hell it took his whole being to not jump at the hug. He was still kinda stiff, hesitant of what to do, but for Tommy, even if he was an annoying gremlin, Techno was willing to push all of this aside.

He hugged the blonde boy, caressing soothing circles on his back, “Shhh... It’s ok Tommy, I’m here” he looked up at the ceiling, thinking of how Dream had come searching for him...

~~~~~

“Do you know who killed Theseus, Techno?” he looked at the man, keeping a high guard, “I don’t remember the whole story… but he was killed by the king of the island he was taking refuge in after getting exiled”  Dream’s masks tilted to his crown, and then his red cape.

“Either way” he swung his axe on his shoulder, shrugging at the other man, “I’ll come to collect the favour soon, farewell”

As Techno looked over the green figure walking away, something in the back of his mind started to sound an alarm, this wasn’t going to end well

~~~~~

Tommy’s sobs became quieter, the grip on his white shirt loosened, but the hug was far from over.

“As long as I’m here, Dream won’t hurt you…”

If the admin of the server ever came back to use the favour, it probably will be for Tommy, Techno’s guts were right most of the time, but oh boy did he wish they were wrong right now. He wasn’t sure he was willing to sacrifice the already delicate alliance with Dream for Tommy, he couldn’t decide what to give up, not now, not never.

“... I won’t let him…“

Techno wanted to promise him, but he prefered to stay silent instead of giving half-hope, instead of lying and backstabbing…

...Just like many did to him…

… Just like Tubbo did to Tommy...

[storydays]

Season 1, Episode 1, p2

You dodged an Earth disc from the opposing team's earthbender's steady hand and used two water blast toward the earthbender and the firebender, sending them into the sink below. The crowd cheered as Mako and Bolin then sent the remaining benders into the sink. "And what an amazing triple play by the Fire Ferrets! If they can win the expedition match, the rookie sensations will be moving into the championship!" You grinned at your long time friends, brothers Mako and Bolin. Bolin was a rather loud, excitable earthbender and happy go luck person in general. Mako, however was a angst filled firebender, very serious, and could be a bit of an unintentional ass. 

You stumbled across them about 8 years back, while trying to track down your father with your Auntie Kya, who had been on a break from their busy lives. 

*Flashback*

Your Uncle Tenzin was searching with your Aunt Lin, while Aunt Pema and Gran-Gran were staying back with a newborn Ikki and a two year old Jinora. You felt so grown up, helping the adults. Your Auntie was rambling about how her brother's were idiots, and a few not so children friendly cuss words, when you felt a pair of eyes watching you. You stopped, catching her attention. "(Y/N), what's wrong, honey?" She knelt in front of you, waiting. 

You would tell her when you were ready. She knew you were listening, for something. 

Your (e/c) eyes looked down the alley, before whispering into the older waterbender's ear. Kya smiled, before standing up and followed you to the alley. There you found a pair of kids, one wearing a red scarf around his neck, the other with thick eyebrows. The one with scarf, you knew was a firebender, held sadness, and protection for his brother. The other was an earthbender, and he oozed fear for his brother, and he also held sadness, but could be a different reasons. You put on a gentle smile, before holding your hand out. 

"We've been looking for someone, and we found you two. We've been wondering around for hours, and I'm hungry. Do you guys want to join us,at the Rosemary Cafe?" The older brother eyes you and Kya for a moment before looking at his brother, and nodded, trusting your (e/c) eyes. Together, the four of you spent time  in Republic City, until your Aunt Kya ran into the pro-bender gym owner. They were old classmates/associates and knowing how hard it was to survive, the older man, adopted the boys, and they became family. 

After waving goodbye to them, you and Kya found your father making a fool of himself at a local bar. Your aunt whacked her brother upside her head, grinning as you try to stifle your giggles. That was a day, you would never forget, because it made your Aunt Kya proud at your big heart.

*Flashback end*

You grinned, after taking a sip of water as you listen to Bolin chat happily to his brother who replied bluntly. Other than your family, they were the only ones who knew you were an airbending master, and it was the biggest secret Bolin has ever held which, and it made your proud and special that he could help protect you. You finished changing, fixing your hair, so it hid your arrows again, before answering your radio that you kept on your person while off Air Temple Island. "Yes, Uncle?" You questioned, waving goodbye to your friends. "Yes, I'll meet you there, soon." You hung up, and then whistled for your other pet/friend, a polar bear dog, like Naga, but they were sister and brother. "Neo, here boy." You cooed as he sat in front of you, nudging you and looking at you fondly. "Let's go see Auntie Lin, boy." 

He barked happily, and quickly ran to the police station where your Uncle was waiting. Waving down a nearby guard, you asked him to take Neo to the animal section of the station, before Tenzin began walking. "So, why are we here?" You asked putting your arms behind your head, acting nonchalantly. "We're here because of Korra, it appears she ran away, and came here to start trouble." He grumbled, leading you into an interrogation room, where Korra was flinching under the Chief's stern voice. "Let's see, multiple counts of destruction of private and city property. Not to mention, evading arrest." She slammed the file in front of the girl, before leaning in close. 

"You're in a whole mess of trouble, young lady." "But there were some thugs threatening a helpless shopkeeper and I--" Korra tried to explain. "Can it." Lin growled, walking away. "You should have called the police, and stayed out of the way." "But I couldn't just sit by, and do nothing. It's my duty to help people." She pouted, before giving the Chief an awkward smile, "See, I'm the Avatar." 

You snicker, seeing the unimpressed look on your aunt's face. "Oh, I'm well aware of who you are, and your avatar tittle might impress some people, but not me." Korra looked a little shocked before relenting. "All right, fine. Then I want to talk to whoever's in charge." Unfazed by her tactics, Lin sat down across from her. "You're talking to her. I'm Chief Beifong." 'And in 3,2,1..' you counted down in your head before realization struck Korra. "Wait, Beifong? Lin Beifong? You're Toph's daughter!" She exclaimed. "What of it?" Lin huffed. "Well, then, why are you treating me like a criminal? Avatar Aang and your mother were friends! They saved the world together.." Korra trailed off. 

"That's ancient history. And it's got nothing to do with the mess you're in right now. You can't just waltz in here, and dole out vigilante justice like you own the place!" Your Uncle then ushered you to follow him. "All right, let's go get Korra before Lin kills her." He muttered, making you grin. "Chief, Councilman Tenzin is here." A guard called into the room. "Let him in." Lin sighed before standing up, and folding her arms behind her back. Tenzin walked in with a frown on his face, and you hung in the doorway, leaning against it and crossing your arm with an mischievous grin. "Tenzin, (Y/N), sorry. Got a little sidetracked on my way to see you guys." She shuffled nervously in her seat.

Tenzin inhaled softly, before sparing a grin at Lin. "Lin, you are looking radiant as usual." Your shoulders shake as you tried not to laugh. "Cut the garbage, Tenzin. Why is the Avatar in Republic City?" She growled at the man. "I thought you were supposed to be moving down to the South Pole to train her." "My relocation has been delayed. The Avatar on the other hand, will be heading back to the South Pole immediately, where she will stay put." "But--" Korra tried to cut in, but Tenzin continued as if she hadn't spoken a word, "If you would be so kind, as to drop the charges against Korra," He paused to glare at the shrinking girl's figure. "I will take full responsibility for today's regrettable events and cover all the damages." Lin looked back at the crestfallen teenager, looked at you who smiled cheerfully back, before sighing in resignation. 

She waved her hand, unlocking Korra from her cuffs, before crossing her arms. "Fine, get her out of my city." "Always a pleasure, Lin." Tenzin complimented, before turning sternly to the Avatar. "Let's go, Korra. You as well, (Y/N)." "Wait, I need to talk to (Y/N). He'll catch up with you in a second." Lin stated, fighting a grin as the two made their way out. Korra rubbing her wrists, cast a look behind her, only to see Lin shoot her the famous, 'I'm watching you.' look before Korra replied with the same look, only mushing up and mocking the woman. Lin threw her hand up and scrunched her face in confusion before turning to a laughing you. "So, tell me what happened today!" Lin grinned, no one knew it but you, but she loved watching your matches, and tried her best to catch them when she could, or at the very least, listened to the matches on her private radio. 

You grin quickly explaining everything to her, and she smiled seeing you hyped up. It wasn't often she saw you this excited and it was a breeze of fresh air, and she was happy to see a spark in your (e/c) eyes. "But yeah, and if we win the expedition match, we go to the finals and we could be the champions!" You cheered. "That's great, (Y/N)! I'll be sure to catch those two matches for sure." She smiled before hugging you and sending you on your way. "See ya tonight for dinner, Aunt Lin."

You quickly grabbed Neo, and followed your Uncle to the harbor where he was trying to get a boat for Korra to leave immediately. "Tenzin, please don't send me back home." "You blatantly disobeyed my wishes and the orders of the White Lotus." Tenzin stated.  "It was actually (Y/N)'s idea!" Korra defended. You grumble, ignoring your uncle's withering stare. "It was your idea to have her come here?" He demanded. "Technically, I told her to look for the pro-bending gym, or I'd assumed she would've gone straight to Air Temple Island." Your Uncle then began lecturing you before you blurted out, "I had a vision!" They both looked at you with looks, varying between shock, awe, and surprise. "Why didn't you tell me, (Y/N)?" Tenzin asked calmly, knowing you responded better that way.

"Because I only just figured it out, what that vision meant, and I knew I had to act quickly, to try and speed things along." You fidget in place, Neo whining and gently nudging you in an attempt to comfort you. Seeing you were uncomfortable, Korra spoke up. "Katara agreed with me that I should come. She said my destiny is in Republic City." She felt successful when Tenzin turned his attention to her, face turning redder than his clothing, and you sent a grateful smile to the waterbender. "Don't bring my mother into this!" he snapped, ignoring your laugh. "You look like a tomato, Uncle."

"Look, I can't wait any longer, to finish my training. Being cooped up and hidden away from the world, isn't helping me become a better Avatar. I saw a lot of the city today, and it's totally out of whack. I understand why you and (Y/N) need to stay, Republic City does need you both, but it needs me too." Korra finished her speech, leaving Tenzin to stammer before sighing as a police officer brought Naga to the group. "Is this your polar bear-dog, miss?" He asked tiredly. You laugh before gently taking Naga to see her brother Neo who howled with glee seeing her big brother. 

Korra sighed seeing the boat come closer to the port. Tenzin was really making her leave. You stood next to your Uncle as he studied Korra. "You know she's right. It'd be helpful and beneficial for everyone involved, if she stayed. It's going to happen anyways, so it'd be better if she was here under good tenses, instead of her constantly sneaking off." Your conversation was cut short, as the 3 Airbender kids landed in front of your group. Meelo hopping off of Jinora's back, and the kids hugging her legs and waist. "Korra!" They cried happily. "Are you coming to live on the island with us?" Ikki asked, as Korra knelt in front of them. "No, I'm sorry, Ikki. I have to go home now." She felt her heart break at the kids disappointed cries. 

"Aw." Tenzin watched the scene with sad eyes. Ikki then hopped on your back, and snuggled into your back. "I don't want Korra to leave." She murmured, sadly. "I know, she doesn't want to leave either." You said, clearly, before sharply elbowing your uncle. He looked into your (e/c) eyes, and then looked at the sad faces of his kids, before sighing in defeat. "Wait." He walked forward to a surprised Korra. "I have done my best to guide Republic City towards the dream my father had for it. But you are right, it has fallen out of balance since he passed. I thought I should put off your training in order to uphold his legacy. But you are his legacy." He put his hand on Korra's shoulder, and smiled softly at the girl.

"You may stay here and train airbending with me." Korra gasped excitedly as Tenzin continued. "Republic City needs its Avatar once again." "Yes! Thank you! You're the best!" Korra cheered as the Airbending kids cheered with her. She grabbed the airbenders in her arms, giving a giant group hug, and making Tenzin groan at the girl's strength. You laugh as Naga snuggled Korra's back, happy that her girl was happy. You smiled softly from atop of Neo, as Nevermore found you and curled in your lap. "Hey girl, didja miss me?" You coo, running your fingers along her scales, before looking into the stars, smiling. 'Things are going to get crazy, aren't they, Mom?' 

--The Next Day--

You stood behind your Aunt Lin's stern figure as Korra was at a press conference. The Avatar didn't know where to look with all the flashing lights, but a quick glance to you, made her get her confidence back, she cleared her throat, before speaking. "Hello, I'm Korra, your new Avatar." "Does this mean you moved to Republic City?" An older reporter called out. "Were you trying to send a message to the  Triads yesterday?" A green eyed woman asked."Will you be fighting crime, the anti-bending revolution, or both?" Another cried. "Will you be working with Chief Beifong and the police?" A final question rang out. "Uh, yes, I am definitely here to stay, but honestly, I don't have a plan yet. See I'm still in training, but all I know is Avatar Aang meant for this city to be the center of peace and balance in the world, and I believe we can make his dream a reality, and I look forward to serving you! I'm very happy to be here! Thank you, Republic City!" Korra then walked off with Tenzin, as you stood by Lin's side. "That's all, no more questions." Lin demanded, before tugging you along with her. 

You grin finding Neo and Naga playfully wrestling, before sitting next to Korra while Tenzin and Lin were talking quietly. "Good job, Avatar. I know things will start to get better now that you're here. Just promise me one thing." You refused to meet her eyes, but you knew she was listening. Turning toward her, you raised your pinky to her, "Promise me, we'll do this together." You beg as she studied you. Korra sent you a gleaming smile before hooking hers around yours. 

"I promise."

[katherinewilliams221b]

A Very Walsh Christmas

Part 3/3

Summary: Charlie and Kate spend the day before Christmas at Kate’s grandfather’s house.  Set in 1995 but I apologise if there’s some inaccuracies (Don’t think so but…)

Pairing: Charlie Weasley x ofc

You technically could read this as a one shot but you maybe miss out some things.

[Part 1] - [Part 2]

The day after the evening with the Walsh family, I woke up with a pleasant feeling in my body; the dim light coming in through the window, the warmth of the sheets and a sleeping Kate next to me made the world peaceful for a moment.

I did not recognise the room immediately, it took me several blinks to adjust my memories.

I stared at the ceiling for a while, concentrating on my breathing, and I smiled to myself remembering the Muggle story my father used to read to us. Or was it a song?

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Not quite, I thought. The door was closed, but I have no qualms about boasting that my hearing was good enough to hear some faint music.

I got up very carefully, trying not to wake her up, although I started to shake so violently that I was afraid that the chattering of my teeth would ruin everything.

I immediately put on the jumper I had brought with me, and for the moment it was enough.

I heard a sound of sheets and turned to see Kate looking for me with one hand in her dreams. I couldn’t help smiling, and selfishly thought of coming closer and having her find me, but the day ahead would require at least one more hour of sleep for her.

I realised too late that I left the room in my pyjamas and contemplated my options; Kate’s parents had already left, and they were the ones who worried me the most, so without further thought I followed the Christmas music downstairs.

The dining room table had plates and spoons, it was almost ready for breakfast and only with that detail I understood Bernard’s need to keep us in his house as long as possible. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to go to Grimmauld Place.

A piano version of Gloria In Excelsis Deo came out of a record player in the dining room. I wondered why Mr Walsh hadn’t turned on the machine with the smaller discs, since he seemed so happy with it, so much so he convinced Kate to buy one. I didn’t think it was a bad idea, but we wouldn’t get anything from the Weird Sisters in a Muggle shop.

I found Bernard serving tea in a single cup. Although the slippers I was wearing were very quiet, he turned to see who was entering the kitchen.

“Merry Christmas, Charlie.” He commented with a small smile and continued to serve tea, “Katie told me you were an early bird.”

“Good morning, and Merry Christmas to you too. What time is it?” I sighed with relief when I saw the striped pyjamas he was wearing.

“It’ll be seven in a while. You can sleep a little longer if you like, Cornelia and her husband are still asleep...”

“Oh, no, I like this time of the day. Everything is silent, and the world seems to be in its place.” I laughed, “That’s what Kate says, but at three in the morning.” Bernard huffed a laugh and gave me a tray with glasses to take to the table.

“I’m with you on this. Things have to be done when there’s light. Tea?”

“Yes, please.”

Together we sat at the table while the song changed to a slow version of Oh Christmas Tree.

“How do you celebrate Christmas at home, son?”

Every Christmas at home went through my mind like a movie, all different and special in its own way.

“Well, they got more complicated with each new sibling.” We both laughed, and the complicity in his eyes for understanding me reached my heart. “There’s always a big banquet, Mom cooks for a battalion... but between you and me: there’s never much food left.”

He smiled, but I saw something strange in his eyes. He looked down, but I decided not to ask questions about it, I was afraid to remove delicate feelings. “This is the first year I’ve seen them at Christmas since I left for Romania,” I continued, but he interrupted me.

“Don’t tell me that! That can’t be, no.” He raised an accusing finger and pointed it at me to scold me like when Mum did it when I was a child. “Let me tell you something: some people don’t like Christmas. They don’t want to give presents, or have to prepare food, or see those pesky cousins,” he put his hand on my wrist and with a calmer tone he continued, “but the family, the family, Charlie, has to be taken care of and the perfect excuse is this season.”

He tapped my hand and nodded sharply, ending his speech. I sighed, knowing that he was right, but a dark part of me had enjoyed the holidays on my own in the reserve tent and the first Christmas alone with Kate.

I adored my family, of course, but I could not deny that particular and inexplicable fullness of those years.

“After this year, who knows if we will be able to get together again.” I took the cup to my mouth, the liquid comforted my throat but not so much that the words kept coming out.

“I know something is happening. The atmosphere in the chess club has changed, there are men working in the ministry, you know? And last night...”

I looked up, but I bit my tongue. It would be better if Kate explained everything when we got to Grimmauld Place.

“It’s a bit long to explain. When we’re in a safe place, you’ll know everything.”

Or not. In saying this, it occurred to me that perhaps Kate would not want to involve her grandfather in what the Order and Dumbledore were up to, yet she agreed when I proposed that he accompany us to Sirius’ house.

The record had stopped spinning as we spoke, allowing us to hear voices coming down the stairs. Kate’s uncle, Secondo, and her aunt, Cornelia, joined us in the dining room.

“Dad! Merry Christmas!” Cornelia threw herself into Bernard’s arms and he caught her in a warm embrace. I couldn’t wait to hug my father like that.

“Merry Christmas, A stóirín.” He chuckled, “I’ll start preparing breakfast.”

Cornelia wished me a Merry Christmas with a kiss on the cheek and went to the kitchen with Bernard. Secondo patted my shoulder and went after them.

“We’ll prepare everything and I’m sure Kate won’t be able to resist the smell of coffee.” Bernard announced.

Together we started to take out cups and plates, we went around carrying tea, biscuits, coffee cups, milk, toast... at some point Bernard turned the record around, playing The Holly and The Ivy. The domesticity of the moment relaxed me, and although I had been with Kate for many years, it was only at that moment that I began to be part of the family.

It was a strange situation, no doubt, that made me contemplate how Kate put down roots in our home, how mum and dad and all my brothers adopted her immediately, long before we became a couple and, I dare say, before we became friends. Bill had been the first to meet her and obviously spoke of her with great esteem and admiration, despite the fact that we were only children. Mum already adored her and had never even seen her.

I understood at that moment, with a jar of jam in my hand and with some slippers on that were not mine, that this was what she had lacked during her life and that she found behind the doors of the Burrow.

I prayed to some Muggle god I didn’t believe in so she could make up for lost time with her grandfather.

With the first notes of Sans Day Carol, Kate appeared through the kitchen door dishevelled and with her eyes almost closed, but with a big smile that made me breathe deeply.

Congratulations and hugs began immediately, followed by frantic and chaotic conversations of which I could only discern a few words. I didn’t mind staying out of the family moment, I just enjoyed watching Kate trying to act like a human being before breakfast.

When she came to me, I couldn’t resist planting a kiss in the square on her mouth; she accepted it in surprise and a laugh escaped on the way. She asked me with an eyebrow, but I only shook my head.

“Don’t move.” She listened to me (have someone write down the date on the calendar), and when she saw a finger approaching her face, she closed her eyes.

I carefully pulled out the sleepy dust that was stuck to her tear duct and she smiled at me in gratitude. I left her free, and she trotted to the table to proceed with her breakfast.

“We must leave in a while,” announced Cornelia, “Secondo’s parents are waiting for us.”

“Of course, of course...” agreed Bernard, but I noticed the sadness in his words. Home For The Holidays just added more melancholy to the moment, and I looked at the record player as if the object could understand what I was asking for.

It made a strange noise that startled me; I hadn’t done that. Do You Hear What I Hear replaced the previous tune. I looked at Kate, who already had her eyes on me, and she blinked very slowly behind the cup she had taken to her mouth.

Although I already knew this, every time something like this happened I was overcome with a deep admiration for being able to speak without words. I agreed with Ginny internally, for being the first to point it out.

If anyone at the table observed the exchange, no one made any comments about it.

 After Kate’s aunt and uncle left, she, Bernard and I were left alone in the house.

“Is there anything you’d like to do today, Grandpa?” Kate asked after drying the last of the dishes.

Bernard took the pick out of the record player and turned his back on us while he put the vinyl away.

“I have some errands...”

“All right, we’ll go with you...”

“No, no, why don’t you go directly to that mysterious place of yours and I will join you later?”

“You don’t even know where it is, Grandpa.”

He remained sullen as he brushed the crumbs off the tablecloth with a kind of brush that I had never seen before.

“Do you want to go and see Grandma?” Kate suggested.

“Yes, but it’s unnecessary to go all together, really, it’s something very quick that...”

“I feel like it too.” She interrupted before addressing me, “Charlie, could you take our things to the house? I’ll accompany my grandfather to the cemetery.”

I nodded, this would give me time to explain to Mom that we would have one more guest.

“I’ll stop by the hospital first.”

 “Really, you don’t have to do this.”

“But I want to!” She gave him a half hug, and a shy smile appeared under his moustache.

“It’s decided. See you in Gr...” Kate’s withering gaze silenced me and I raised my hands to declare my innocence.

“Let’s get our stuff together.”

From the cupboard under the stairs we took out the bags we had brought for my family. I was a little embarrassed to have gifts as simple as socks or candy, but it was what I could afford to have gifts for everyone.

“And if I’m not there, whose arm are you going to hold on to when you get dizzy from apparating?” I teased her when I handed her her coat.

“Very funny, my knight errant, but I can manage on my own.” The huff of false indignation blew a little curl from her forehead that had fallen when she bent over, and I had to laugh at her attitude.

“Remember that St Mungo’s is crowded at Christmas. If they make you wait too long to see your father, find Madame Louise and tell her I sent you.”

I nodded, memorising the name, and after checking the cupboard, we left all the things by the door and went upstairs to get dressed.

 --

Either someone had lied to me or my father had vanished because no one knew where to find him.

With a thousand bags in each hand, I left St Mungo’s and walked into an alley.

It had taken us quite a while to leave the Walsh house, so I showed up at Grimmauld Place, hoping that Mum had taken him out of the hospital.

Pulling out my wand was quite a feat and opening the door was even more difficult, but in the end I managed to get in.

The painting of Sirius’ mother almost tore my ears with its rales and I had to throw away all the things I had in my hand to be able to cover the bloody woman with a bed sheet.

“But what is this scandal? Fred, George! What are you doing? Charlie, darling...” Mum appeared wiping her hands on her apron and when she saw me she rushed to receive me with open arms. “Oh, but what joy you have given me, son. But where is Kate, I thought she would come?”

“She’s with her grandfather now, she’ll come later.”

“Well, she’ll have a plate of food when she comes...” With a grip stronger than one would expect for a woman of her size, she dragged me through the corridor.

“I’ve invited her grandfather, Bernard, to join us, is that okay?”

“But of course, darling! I’m delighted to meet someone from her family. That girl is so reserved... Ginny, love, look who I’ve found!”

“Mom, there’s something I wanted to ask you...” As if a cannonball had hit me, my sister threw herself at me with all the strength she had.

“Charlie! I thought you weren’t coming!”

I caught her in the air and anchored her so she wouldn’t fall. At that moment I heard a couple of ‘pop’ sounds behind my back and two identical redheads surrounded me.

“Oh! The favourite brother has arrived!”

“It’s actually Bill, but since he’s not here, we’ll settle for you.” Fred and George hung on to my arms and my knees almost dropped me.

“Thanks a lot, boys, I love you too.”

 “Let my poor boy breathe, we have no spare.” I blew Ginny’s hair out of my face as best I could, and over her shoulder I saw Dad leaning against the door. My heart turned over when I saw him in that state, but the relief I felt was greater than the fear of what almost happened to him.

I tried hard not to think about it, and after kissing Ginny on the forehead, I took her off my torso so I could say hello to him.

I tried not to press too hard on the hug, and I noticed that he was grateful. I felt a few taps on my shoulder and found Ron waiting to greet me.

I didn’t hold back from him; in this case, I held him as long as I could until he felt embarrassed or suffocated, whichever came first.

It was the embarrassment, of course, but I couldn’t care less.

I saw Sirius Black sitting in the kitchen and went over to squeeze his hand cordially and wish him a merry Christmas. He turned out to be a nice bloke, against all odds, and I made a mental note to thank him for what he was doing for the Order.

Ron’s friend, Hermione, came to the door and greeted me after whispering something in his ear. I returned the greeting and saw them marching up the stairs.

“They’re going to be with Harry, the poor angel’s having a hard time lately.” Mum explained. “He hardly says a word.”

Dad sat down on one of the chairs around the table and I put a hand on his shoulder. He patted it before drinking from his cup.

“Isn’t Kate with you?” I was surprised that it was Sirius who asked, but I shook my head with a question in my eyes. “Dumbledore has asked me to deliver a letter to her.”

“Hey, Charles, did you bring us any presents?” George asked.

“Oh, don’t be like that.” Mum said. I just laughed and pointed to the front door where I had thrown all the bags. They both stampeded out in that direction.

“I’ll take the one I like best!” announced Fred. My father and I laughed, and I sat down next to him for a chat.

--

 Kate and Bernard didn’t show up until long after the meal. I looked for something in their expression that would tell me what had taken them so long, but I saved the questions for another time.

“Have you eaten anything?” I asked her as I hung up her coat.

“Yes, I’m sorry. We talked a lot and walked around. We ate in the street. And your father?”

“He’s here! They brought him from the hospital this morning.” I could not contain my enthusiasm when I revealed that the family was almost complete. I was saddened by the situation with Percy I felt like giving him a hug too.

“Another thing: Sirius has something from Dumbledore for you.” The surprise on her face was understandable.

“Do you have any idea what it is?”

“A letter. I don’t know more.”

Bernard came up to us and I reached out my hand for his scarf and hat.

“I think we need to make introductions, don’t you?”

“Yes, come on, my mother is looking forward to meeting you.”

My parents were delighted with Bernard Walsh, and George and Fred soon became friends with him; Kate’s grandfather matched the mischief of the twins and quickly made his way into the family.

When he was in good company, I left the kitchen to look for Kate, but I ran into Ginny in the hallway.

“You should talk to her, she seems worried.” She pointed to the stairs and went into the kitchen with the rest.

Upstairs I found Ron and Hermione on the landing, knocking on one of the doors where Harry Potter was probably hiding.

To my right, I saw part of Kate’s green dress on the other side of an ajar door. I met her and closed the door behind me.

“Read this.” She handed me a scroll, and I recognised Professor Dumbledore’s fancy calligraphy. I scanned the document and raised my eyebrows.

“Durmstrang?”

Kate mouthed a ‘yup’ and sat on a purple divan next to a really ugly lamp.

“A mission of the Order in a school. Can you believe it?”

I read the letter again, frantically searching for the date of departure, and I felt like collapsing when I saw that it was sooner than I would have liked.

“In less than two weeks! For how long?” She looked at her hands, afraid to tell me. I read the paper again and at the end of it all was the unfortunate word: ‘indefinitely’.

“You’d better get that thing sorted out as quickly as possible.” That was the only thing I could think of to say.

I sat down next to her and put a hand on her knee. She covered it with hers immediately and put the other hand around my arm, leaving me anchored to her leg.

We stayed like this for a while in silence until I suddenly stood up and extended my hand to her.

“Come on. Now is not the time.” She agreed, and we followed the voices, not to the kitchen but to a small living room.

Everyone was crowded around a table where two people were sitting. We approached Hermione, who was watching cross-armed from the door.

“What’s going on?”

“Well, Harry doesn’t want to talk to anyone.” She commented, raising her shoulder.

“I meant, what’s going on here?”

“Ron has decided to play chess with your grandfather, Kate.”

Her eyes widened, and she let go of my hand to join the group. I followed happily because something had managed to distract us.

Bernard and Ron looked at the board in silence, each one concentrating on their own strategy. I must admit that I’m not a bad player, but until now I didn’t know anyone who had beaten Ron, Harry perhaps.

However, Kate had told me that her grandfather was a fierce and ruthless player so I would not have bet my galleons on Ron.

My brother shook his head and toppled his queen, declaring his defeat.

“You beat me in three.” He stated.

Bernard smiled, and his eyes shone behind his glasses. He extended his hand to Ron, and he shook it, sealing the game. Bernard raised his index finger before moving one of my brother’s pawns to another square.

“Can’t you see? You could have blocked the knight.”

Ron put his hand to his head and let out a shy laugh before nodding.

“You’ve got talent, kid. You play better than some lads from the Club.”

“Oh, this was wonderful!” exclaimed Mom. “I didn’t understand a thing.”

“Another one?” Ron proposed and Bernard nodded. With a twist of the hand, the pieces flew across the board to opposite sides. Now Ron would play with white.

I left Kate and the others in the room watching the game, except for Dad, who came out into the hall with me.

“We forgot! We have presents for you too!” I hugged him by the shoulders and we went into the kitchen. “Somebody’s going to have to explain to that nice gentleman why we’re here.” He whispered.

“Kate may have already done that. Now let’s enjoy what’s left of Christmas and that you’re here with us.”

“Son, I couldn’t agree more.”

-

A/N It wasnt very christmas-y but it felt right writing all of that.

[chrwrites]

Take Me As You Please - Chapter 3

Ch 1 | Ch 2 

read on ao3

Marinette opened the door to her house to find Alya followed by Alix, Rose, Juleka and Mylène, “What are you all doing here?” she asked in surprise.

“Being there for you, obviously” Alya said as the girls came inside and hugged Marinette. She couldn’t help but smile while she was surrounded by warm arms that were preventing her from falling apart. When her friends pulled back, they showed her what they had brought for her: a bag full of different snacks, ice cream, and a DVD set of romantic comedies they could cry to. Marinette never felt so lucky.

As they set the food on the coffee table in the living room, Mylène told Marinette she was sorry for not noticing she was sad the day before. She thought she was concentrating on her designs, “I’m so used to Ivan not wanting to be distracted when he’s working on new music that I do the same with all my friends”, she said giving Marinette an apologetic look. Marinette smiled reassuringly at her, “You don’t have to be sorry! I wouldn’t have wanted to talk about it anyway. So... What are we watching?” she asked in order to change the subject. She didn’t really want to face what bothered her in that moment, Adrien dating her friend was the cherry on top of way too many problems for a sixteen-year-old like Marinette. She should have gotten used to it by now, but sometimes here responsibilities were still too much, and she needed a moment where she could just be herself and not feel any weight on her shoulders.

“I brought Love Actually, He’s just not that into you, 500 Days of Summer, The Notebook, Under the Tuscan Sun and Eat Pray Love for you to choose” Rose said, adding that she spent the whole morning looking for the right movies for her. Marinette thanked her and picked a DVD, her choice was pretty obvious.

“We’re watching He’s just not that into you” she said, putting the disc in the player.

“What? Are you sure? Alya protested.

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”

“I would’ve chosen it too, you know” Alix winked at Marinette, who felt reassured. She didn’t really know what the movie was about, but she hoped it could help her given the situation.

“Oh, too bad you didn’t choose Love Actually, I really like that one” Rose pouted.

“Did you know that there was a lesbian couple in that movie? They cut them off though” Juleka said.

“What, really?” Rose asked in an offended tone, to which the purple haired girl nodded, “It was the same dramatic trope as always anyway, one of them died. I’m glad they cut it off honestly.”

At that, Rose wrinkled her nose in disapproval, “Is a happy ending too much to ask? I swear, if I hear about another lesbian killed off in a movie, I’ll take matters into my own hands and make my own death-free lesbian movie. I don’t care.”

Juleka chuckled at her comment and looked at her fondly, she had the same calm and sweet expression of her older brother in that moment. Marinette thought about the way the two made each other happy and brought the best out of each other. Maybe it was because she watched their relationship blossom under her eyes, but they were the kind of couple people looked at and said “I want what they have”, everyone could see that they cared about each other a lot and they weren’t the kind of couple that made people around them uncomfortable with their displays of affection. Marinette wished she had that something like that, too.

She pressed play and let the movie begin.

As she watched the story unravel, Marinette couldn’t help but think about how she had been just as hopeful as the main character. The way she had always wished that someday Adrien would have seen her as something more than a friend reminded her of how the protagonist overanalysed every little thing her date did just to convince herself that he was interested in her. But if a guy wanted to be with a girl, he would have done anything to be with her. It hit her, how harsh and cold reality was.

That was probably the hardest pill to swallow, Adrien wouldn’t have done that kind of anything to be with her. She shouldn’t have had this stupid crush on him in the first place, he would have never fallen for her, they were just friends and she should have cherished his friendship more instead of wanting and trying to turn it into something more. Life was not a romantic comedy, and she wasn’t an exception. She was the rule.

She didn’t realize she had started crying until all her friends cuddled on her on the couch, and Marinette noticed that Rose’s eyes were wet too.

The movie didn’t end with the character picking up the pieces and moving on by herself, she got together with the same guy who opened her eyes on how men behaved after she called him out on his selfishness. She became his exception. That was a movie after all, she couldn’t expect anything different.

All Marinette had left was the ending speech.

Maybe a happy ending doesn't include a guy, maybe… it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is… just… moving on.

She had to move on from her crush, no matter how hard, painful and long it would have been, and she didn’t want to lose his friendship over something so stupid. She wasn’t fourteen anymore, she could handle this in a mature way.

With the encouragement of her friends, Marinette deleted all the pictures of Adrien she kept on her phone, she couldn’t believe that such a small step made her feel like she had fought one of the worse villains she’s ever fought. She refused to take his pictures off the bulletin board in her room, claiming she used them for inspiration, she still needed some time after all.

They spent the rest of the afternoon on the terrace, talking about everything and nothing and doing each other's nails until Marinette’s mum brought them delicious homemade pizzas for dinner. Marinette wasn’t feeling like the whole world was crashing on her, that weight became lighter the more she spent time with her friends. She didn’t care about the fact that she probably would’ve let herself drift into sadness again before going to bed, because in that moment she was okay and she wanted to enjoy that. She finally had the chance to behave like an ordinary teenager, she could think about everything else later.

The air got colder as stars appeared in the dark sky, and although their light was dimmed by the city lights, they still shone bright. Marinette felt at peace watching them, but when Alya got up and said that her dad was coming to pick her, Alix and Mylène up, she felt the serene atmosphere slip through her fingers. She knew it was late and that her friends had to go home, but she wished for the day not to end.

Marinette walked the three girls to the door and gave each of them a tight hug that said what she couldn’t say. Thank you for being there for me, I’m lucky to have you.

After that, she had to say goodbye to Rose and Juleka too. They thanked her while wrapping her in a bone crushing hug. Marinette let out a sigh as she closed the door and went upstairs, her mind was letting out the thoughts she had kept suppressed until then. How hurt she was, how hard and almost impossible it would be to forget how she felt around Adrien, how kind he was to her, how much he relied on her and their friendship, how she had tried in the clumsiest and most absurd ways to confess her feelings for him. Like the time she wrote him a letter but forgot to sign it, or when she plotted along with her friends a plan to ask him out while he was having a photoshoot at the Trocadero. She never noticed how irrationally her crush made her act until now.

She picked her crush over a friend once. She chose Adrien over Luka when Jagged Stone asked her if she knew any guitarist. She dumbly put Adrien first because he was Adrien, and he was perfect, but Luka was perfect for what Jagged had asked. He was talented and sensitive enough to play people’s heartbeat and melodies that could calm turbulent feelings with his guitar, not to mention the fact that Jagged was his favourite singer and Marinette would have made him really happy by suggesting him . She cringed thinking about her behaviour. Yes, she was stupid, and it happened ages ago but how could she pick a crush over someone who had always been – and still was – there for her? He didn’t deserve that treatment, and that behaviour was so unlike her she felt disappointed in herself.

The worse thing her crush made her do, was letting herself be convinced by Chloe into ruining Kagami’s time with Adrien out of jealousy and envy, and telling each other it was for Adrien's sake. Marinette had been so blinded by her feelings that she let them turn her into someone she didn’t want to be. Her and Kagami weren’t friends at the time, but she felt bad for how she behaved, especially since she so proudly claimed that girls should never compete against one another for the attention of boys.

Wasn’t a crush supposed to make her want to be the best version of herself? Why did she do those things? Why did she learn his schedule by heart? Was a crush supposed to make her feel this way?

“Well Marinette, sometimes feelings can be so overwhelming that you forget who you really are, and you make mistakes. Don’t beat yourself up for them. Your heart is pure, and you never meant to harm anyone”, Tikki told her, “It’s a good thing that you realized that you’ve made mistakes, but don’t forget that you did everything you could to make up for them, and you have grown from them.” The small creature put both her hands on her cheek in an affectionate way and squeezed it, as if they were giving her a hug. Marinette gave the Kwami a smile, feeling slightly reassured. She felt like she had to do one last thing before letting her past mistakes go, and that was talking to Kagami.

She remembered how, that time she had to fight against Love Eater and chose her for back up, Kagami told her – well, she told Ladybug – that hurting Marinette was the only thing that was preventing her from pursuing Adrien, and that she was her only friend.

And in the end, it was Marinette who let her pursue Adrien, she left them alone that time because she knew that they would have been happy together. She shouldn’t have been surprised of the turnout since it wasn’t completely unexpected, although it hurt. How long had it been since then? A year, more or less.

Kagami and Marinette had become closer, and they hung out almost on a weekly basis depending on their schedules. She was a good friend, she was realistic, determined and very good at helping Marinette keep her feet on the ground, and Marinette, on the other hand, listened to her when she complained about how her mum could be too strict or how the people attending her school were spoiled and annoying, and encouraged her to open up and not to restrain herself in order to please her mother. Marinette didn’t want to lose her.

For this reason, she reached for her phone and looked for Kagami's contact. She typed in a message but then deleted it and stared at the empty box on her phone screen. She tried to type something again, and yet again, she deleted it.

Type. Delete. Type. Delete. Type. Delete.

Words seemed to have lost their meaning, Marinette didn’t know how to express herself anymore. Tikki tried to encourage her before she finally took a deep breath and started typing something quickly.

Hey, Adrien told me that you two got together. I’m really happy for you :)

I hope we can meetup soon so you can tell me everything in person!

Send.

“You did the right thing” the red spirit reassured her.  

Marinette didn’t read the message again, typing it down had already consumed her, but deep down in her heart, Marinette knew that Adrien's heart was in the right hands. Even if they weren’t hers.

As long as he was happy, she would have been happy too.

At least, that was what she told herself before going to sleep, and before she kept tossing and turning in her bed while she forced herself to ignore the tormenting images of Adrien and Kagami together that were forming in her mind. She tried to find something to soothe her thoughts, but she couldn’t think of anything that could help, except for... Why didn’t I think about this before, she shook her head as she reached for her earphones.

That night, Marinette fell asleep to the comforting happy melody Luka sent her.

  Marinette woke up the next morning with her earbuds tangled around her neck and the music still playing, if this had to be the cost of getting some hours of sleep then so be it. She stretched before reaching for her phone and freeing herself from the thin cords that had left sleep marks on her face.

There was a text message from Kagami that said that she had cleared her schedule to see her that afternoon. Oh, Marinette wasn’t ready. Marinette wasn’t ready to confront Kagami at all. That’s why, instead of going downstairs to get breakfast, she ended up spending the morning pacing around her room and panicking while Tikki tried to calm her down, and when her mum came to her room to announce that lunch was ready she broke down in her arms, pouring all her feelings out.

Sabine kept her daughter close and listened carefully to everything she had to say, and when she started questioning how she acted around Adrien she reassured her that it was normal to behave differently around someone you liked so much, even to the point you ended up doing things you could regret.

“Mom, how do you know if the feelings you have for someone are genuine?” Marinette asked her while her mom so delicately wiped the tears from her face, she still thought that all the feelings she had for Adrien were wrong for what they made her do.

“You put their happiness first”, she answered with a soft voice.

The girl nodded, feeling smaller in her mother’s arms, and slightly comforted by her words.

Did Marinette want her friends to be happy? Yes.

Were her friends happy together? Yes, that’s why she had to put her feelings aside. Thinking about it, she had already done it when she left them alone at André’s ice cream cart that one time. Before she made Hawk Moth find Master Fu, and before she herself became the Guardian of the Miraculous.

Marinette wondered if things could have gone differently if she hadn’t let her feelings for Adrien distract her. Moving on from her crush was definitely for the better.

When she met Kagami that afternoon, the two talked everything out and they realized they had always avoided talking about their crushes because they knew they liked the same person and didn’t want to make things awkward. Marinette admitted of liking Adrien, but she had let him go when instead of confessing her feelings to him, she encouraged him to go after Kagami. It would have been perfect if her heart wasn’t still clinging on the feelings she had for him, but she decided that her priority was seeing her friends happy., and Kagami was definitely happy. She was different from her usual composed self, a new light glowing in her eyes. Marinette had never seen her so relaxed. It surprised her, but she was glad to see this new side of her friend, even if the reason behind that made her heart twinge.

Marinette tried to ignore the ache she felt as Kagami talked about Adrien, forcing herself to smile, she wondered when it would have started to hurt less and tried to hold on to the fact that she had gone through worse. She didn’t really want to spoil her friend’s happiness, even if it hurt her, she could handle that.

Why would she ruin something she had for something she could never have? She had to accept that she would have never had something more than a friendship with Adrien, and if she cared about him and Kagami as much as she claimed, she had to support her friends and give up on her stupid teenage crush, even if it hurt more than she could admit.

Marinette was relieved when they finally changed subject and talked about how neither of them hadn’t started their summer homework yet, it was the second week of holiday after all.

They spent the rest of the afternoon at Albert-Kahn Garden, walking around the park and admiring colourful flowers and plants, Marinette felt calmer than as she felt the warmth of the sun on her skin.

“Did you know that its fruit and seed sprout at the same time?” Kagami said, pointing at the fully blooming lotus flowers floating in the pond below them, “It means fullness and rebirth, since they grow through mud and dirt”.

“I didn’t know you were interested in plant symbolism!” Marinette looked at her in disbelief, she had always seen her as someone methodical and concrete, she didn’t expect her to be interested in such things.

Kagami just gave her a tiny smile and continued to list the characteristics of the lotus, and she did the same with other species as they went on walking around the garden, “Those represent friendship and devotion” she said, pointing at a flower bed full of Peruvian lilies of different shades of pink, yellow, orange and red. Marinette looked around her amazed and took out the small sketchbook she always had with her. She was so struck by the beauty of the nature that surrounded them in the middle of the city that she felt the need to treasure it on the pages of her sketchbook. She quickly sketched a bunch of Peruvian lilies, then went on to draw some other flowers as they explored the marvellous garden and Kagami explained the meaning of the flowers that caught Marinette’s attention.

At the end of the day, the once blank pages were filled with pencil drawings of different kinds of flowers, and Marinette had written their meaning beside them with her neat calligraphy. Before saying goodbye to Kagami, Marinette ripped off one page from her book and gave it to her. The astonished look on her face as she looked at the sheet with the Peruvian lilies in her hands made Marinette chuckle.

“I – thank you, Mari” Kagami smiled, and then gave her a small hug. She wasn’t very good at displaying affection so Marinette took it as a big accomplishment and she hugged her back.

Tikki was right, she did the right choice when she decided to talk to Kagami and find a new starting point for their friendship. She was nowhere near getting over her crush, but she felt she had at least made some progress. She would’ve gotten used to listen to her talking about Adrien the way she wished to.

Her heart was incredibly lighter as she walked to the underground station.

[ironwoman359]

Hi, I am currently questioning my sexuality, and I was wondering if you could talk a little about how you realized you are ace? I think I might be ace as well, but it's hard to tell since asexuality is defined by a lack of attraction, and I cannot tell if I have ever experienced sexual attraction before or not. I might have without realizing it...? I just don't know. If it helps, I know for sure that I am sex-repulsed... Thx.

Basically, when I started using tumblr (NONE of you guys would have been following me then, I had a different url and that account actually got deleted by mistake) was the first time I was exposed to the queer community as a whole, and around that time there were a lot of “aseuxals are LGBTQ!” posts floating around, I think because this was around when a big online pushback to asexuality came around and aphobes took over the ace disc-horse tag. Since I didn’t know anything about the LGBTQ community other than what gay, lesbian, and trans meant, I was just sorta all “yeah sure of course they are, all the queer kids are saying it so they’re probably right.”

Then I actually learned what asexuality was....and everytime a post describing the ace experience came up I had a little bit more of an “oh no” moment in my head. It was like...slowly coming to the realization that most people, even people who were raised with the beliefs about sex that I was raised with, still wanted sex, and that I didn’t.

I really didn’t want to be ace for a long time. I joke sometimes that before I knew what asexuality was I was so deep in the closet that I didn’t know the closet existed. Well, when I first learned about asexuality, it was like suddenly realizing that I was surrounded by fur coats, but trying to frantically insist that “no no no, that’s just the wallpaper! I’m not actually in a closet, hahaha...”

I researched stuff about sexual repression, I learned for the first time what libido was (can you tell I did not have good sex ed at my school?) and pretended for awhile that surely that was the problem, I googled “is asexuality a sin” and found that on the rare occasion Christianity acknowledged asexuality it still wasn’t in a positive light, and I began to fear what that meant for my romantic relationship should we ever marry. I even spent a long time desperately hoping that I was demi, cuz if I was demi then surely those feelings would start to appear for my boyfriend and then everything would be fine, right?

I was dealing with a LOT of internalized aphobia, but at the same time, the more I read and researched the more I realized that the label was one that fit me perfectly. “Why do people act like abstinence is a hard choice? Why would you just have a one night stand? Who just cheats and sleeps with someone other than their partner?” All thoughts I’d had before that suddenly had a simple explanation: allos and aces experience the world differently, and the allo experience is considered the norm. 

I unfortunately can’t tell you whether you yourself are ace, whether you have experienced sexual attraction without realizing it, or if your sex-repulsion is tied to asexuality or not (for some people it isn’t!). But I can tell you that if you do decide to identify as ace for awhile and then later realize a different label fits you better? That’s totally okay, and very normal! Human sexuality is diverse and weird and complicated and beautiful, and it’s okay to take as long as you need to figure out where you fit on that spectrum. Happy Pride, and I wish you the best of luck, friend <3

[concussed-to-pieces]

The Mettle Of A Man; Part Eighteen

Fandom: Fallout (4)

Pairing: Eventual Paladin Danse/Female Sole Survivor

Rating: Holy shit M.

AN: Happy holidays, everyone! A little something to occupy your time this fine evening. Tagging @anonymouscosmos​, @culturalrebel​, @mercy-and-malice​, @deepkittycollecto​, @nelba​, @mechanicalism​ and @commandershepardshtole. Enjoy!

Part One: ArcJet

Part Two: The Prydwen

Part Three: Orders

Part Four: Finding Brandis

Part Five: Weston Water And Oberland

Part Six: Meeting Preston And Matthew

Part Seven: Radstag And Radstorm

Part Eight: The Return To Sanctuary Hills

Part Nine: Domestic Ruminations

Part Ten: Institutionalized

Part Eleven: Two Weeks, Three Days

Part Twelve: Haylen’s Warning And The Glowing Sea

Part Thirteen: Under Fire

Part Fourteen: Dichotomy

Part Fifteen: The Litany Trial

Part Sixteen: Nice Try

Part Seventeen: Preparations

[!TRIGGER WARNING!: This installment contains depictions of violence, emotional distress and child endangerment. Stay safe!]

The map on the table was worn and tattered, held in place by a few books and one large glass disc commonly used for magnifying purposes. Backhand paced to and fro, mentally going over her list of resources. Flanking her were Danse and Preston, the latter having graciously accepted an in-person invitation to their final strategy meeting. Her lieutenant's ability to remain levelheaded was, as ever, a relief to Vega. Not that Danse wasn't levelheaded, but she felt guilty about how much she had grown to expect of him. It would be much simpler to divide their workload if the three of them worked together.

  Further over to the right stood Sturges, the man sandwiched in between Ingram and Li while he fidgeted with his goggles. This was no small task they were attempting and everyone was at least slightly nervous.

  Elder Brandis cleared his throat pointedly. "Alright General, let's hear it."

  Vega straightened up, coming to rest her palms on the ragged edge of the map on the desk in front of her. "We will be performing this op primarily with Minuteman troops. Brotherhood are enforcers and medical operations. We only engage hostiles as a last resort. We are sticking to the plan." She announced firmly. "Preston, Sturges and Nick will take Charlie squadron and work to recalibrate the mainframe. Delta squadron is with Danse, they'll secure the exit tunnel." Backhand gestured at the large paladin, who nodded. "Once Alpha squadron breaches their defenses, Delta squadron will be in charge of locating Liam and his group. He's promised to have the willing synths in a secured location, and he'll be awaiting further orders." 

  "Those are Delta squadron's official orders, General?" Danse asked, seeming to desire some sort of final confirmation. Deep down, Backhand hoped they weren't all making a terrible mistake sending him into the Institute.

  "You're our main line of defense when it comes to that tunnel. I want you on high alert, but only engage if there is no recourse." 

  "Understood, General." Danse saluted her.

  "Elder Brandis, you will be down at the staging area beneath the Prydwen with Pride squadron and Liberty Prime. You will be overseeing our operations on that end since I will be in the field with Alpha squadron." Backhand continued, chuckling when Brandis huffed.

  "Oh certainly, stuff me into the supervisory role." The former paladin complained good-naturedly, already well-aware that his place was with the Prydwen.

  "Beta will be staying over here by the teleporter platform," Backhand used her sheathed knife to indicate the area on their gridded map, just beneath the Prydwen. "We'll have the triage station there. This includes Curie, Scribe Haylen, Scribe Neriah and Knight Rhys for support." She then clicked her radio handset twice. "Echo, that is, MacCready, John D. and Lancer-Captain Kells, you're on long range and aerial securing Bunker Hill. I'm sure that if the Institute does decide to muster any sort of counter-attack, that and the Prydwen will be their main targets."

  " Man oh man, this is pretty legit ," Deacon's voice crackled over her radio. " Never thought we'd be takin' the fight to these bastards. Nobody pinch me. "

  "The Atom Cats crew will be at the Castle with Cait and a small cadre of Minutemen dubbed Foxtrot squadron, holding their position and shoring up any weaker areas. I'm counting on that being the Institute's third target. That's our radio tower and hub of operations. So Zeke , I'm depending on you to work together with the troops there. Keep my people safe." Vega said firmly into her handset.

  " Hey alley cat, your people are my people, and Zeke always takes care of his people ." The greaser stated, his words drawling lazily through the speaker. " You just take care of my man Sturges, you feel me? He's a vital part of the Atom Cats. If I hear that he died because of some Institute square , my jimmies will be severely rustled ."

  Sturges rolled his eyes. "I'll be fine , Zeke. Just keep up your end of the bargain."

  " Roger that, cool cat ."

  "Goodneighbor is still on standby for aid, and they will be observing Diamond City for any disturbances." Vega had barely gotten the chance to mention them before Hancock's rough voice was piping up out of the speaker.

  " No way the Institute would be dumb enough to fuck with Diamond City ," he growled, " and if they are...well, there's plenty of us in Goodneighbor that got a bone to pick, ya' feel me? The boys of Golf squadron are prepped for a brawl ."

  "There will be at least one of John's operatives staged with every squadron aside from Delta. Listen to them . I don't want any unnecessary loss of life here." The General of the Minutemen ordered. "Generation threes are indistinguishable from humans. Do not engage them unless there is no other choice. These are not soldiers. These are scientists and scared maintenance workers. With that being said, if you encounter coursers sing out with your position. I want to try and maintain eyes on them whenever we can." 

  "They are extremely effective and deadly combatants. You'll know them by their black gear. General Vega is the only one thus far who has survived any sort of tussle with them." Preston supplied, his words no-nonsense. "We do not want to engage them head on, but we only have a limited number of EMP grenades. So we gotta' be careful."

  "That's why I'm countin' on you an' the detective to watch my back, boss." Sturges grinned at Preston. "It'll be a hell of a struggle hackin' into their mainframe an' such if they're tryin' to slice and dice us."

  "Nick and I will do our best, but I believe it would be a smart choice for you to act real fast." Garvey said pragmatically. "After all, the Institute will have the advantage of numbers on their side."

  "You'll all be under a time crunch once that reactor begins to melt down. Emergency relays will fire off shortly after that, so that's when everyone will have to be on their toes." Doctor Li mused. "Hopefully they don't think we would be dumb enough to actually go through with this plan and we'll get the drop on them." 

  "Fingers crossed, at any rate." Ingram chimed in, cracking her knuckles in her gauntlets.

  "Last call to back out." Backhand announced across every frequency, "there's no shame in asking for a reassignment or to sit this operation out. We can always move things around."

  " Pretty sure I speak for everyone when I say, fuck that ." Hancock rasped. " We're with you, General Sunshine. To the bitter end, and some of us even after that. "

  " Yeah, gotta' say I'm throwin' my hat in with the freak show. " Deacon agreed, and Backhand could practically hear him winking behind those ridiculous sunglasses. " What's the fun of uninviting yourself to a party, after all? "

  God, this was really happening. Vega felt nerves tighten her hands into fists as more and more voices came over the secure channels, more and more confirmations that she had a legitimate army at her disposal. 

  A large gauntlet gently brushed her hand, mechanical fingers toying with the lucky bandanna wrapped around her wrist. "Awaiting your command, General." Danse murmured when she turned to look at him for reassurance, the paladin giving her a stern nod.

  Awaiting your command, General .

  Elder Brandis straightened up, clasping his hands behind his back. "Alright, everyone get to your positions. Proctor, I believe you have a giant to awaken." 

  "Let's get to it, people!" Danse boomed, a boyish grin tugging at the corner of his mouth for a moment. Soldier to the end .

  Everyone filed out of the room, Preston lingering awkwardly before he extended his hand to Elizabeth. "I need you to know that no matter what happens, I'm damn glad to have met you." He stated, laughing when Vega hauled him into a hug. "I'll see you on the other side, alright General?"

  "Thank you so much, Preston. For everything." Backhand mumbled into his shoulder. Preston hugged her back tightly, then pulled away.

  "It's the Commonwealth way, General. You'd know that better than anyone." The young man reminded her kindly, helping to straighten out her worn army helmet. "Now c'mon. Can't have you falling behind on your date with destiny. Still got that lucky bandanna?"

  "Always." Vega said, tapping the cloth on her wrist.

  "Good. We can use all the help we can get." Preston opened the door to the observation deck. Vega felt suddenly like her boots were made of cement, and she turned to look back at Danse one last time. The armored man appeared engrossed in whatever Brandis was saying to him, his helmet still tucked beneath his arm. 

  "Danse!" Vega called before she could think better of it, and the paladin jolted, looking up. "Take care, okay?" 

  "Ad Victoriam, General." Danse replied with a sharp salute, those brown eyes seeming too forlorn for someone who was merely wishing a contemporary good luck. 

  Backhand didn't dare dwell on it, instead turning on her heel and scrolling to the option to relay on her Pip Boy. The last thing she saw before relaying was the half-destroyed skyline of Boston, and her eyes narrowed in determination. So much had already been taken from her, what was denying herself one more thing?

  The now-familiar crackle of energy met her ears as she teleported into the Institute for the final time. Sure steps led her to the control panel across from the teleporter, and steady hands fed the holotape into the slot beneath the screen.

  'Institute relay targeting sequence' holotape accepted , the screen announced. Initiate remote relay sequence?

  Backhand took a deep breath, her index finger hovering over the 'enter' key. All her conversations with 'Father', with X6, with the scientists and doctors and maintenance synths…

  Was she really about to throw all of that away?

  The woman shook her head at herself after a second. She could justify it later. Right now, she needed to be the one who could make the hard choices. 

  She pressed the key.

  ...

  It was organized chaos at best. 

  Paladin Logan Danse, pride of the Brotherhood of Steel, continued to wave the shell-shocked synths on into the tunnel. He could dimly hear the sounds of booming musket artillery, which indicated that the main contingent of Delta squadron's Minutemen had encountered resistance. It was only a matter of time before their escape route was discovered, unless the Minutemen could hold them off. 

  Did they even need to, though? If the synths that wished to voluntarily escape had already done so…

  Danse shook his head at himself. No . Everyone deserved the opportunity to flee from this technological tomb. Whether they took it or not was their own choice, but it was a choice . 

  The ground was littered with the plasticine remains of the guards that had been stationed by the tunnel. Their programming was so thorough that they could not be reasoned with, and Delta squadron had made swift work of them. Danse's stomach churned with unease as he assisted his troops, but he had carried on doggedly to complete their objective.

  Liam indicated with a nod that the synth who had limped past them was the last of his little group. "I don't know how I can repay you-" he began to say tearfully, extending a hand. A laser ricocheted off the wall, tagging his shoulder and knocking him backwards.

  Danse whirled, spotting the distant forms of a cabal of coursers storming their location. It seemed that the Institute had broken through their line of defense. Their only saving grace at the moment was just how long the hallway was. "The blast doors, can you close them?" He frantically barked at Liam, who was staring at his bloodied shoulder in silent shock. The younger man shook himself after a moment, all but toppling against the terminal mounted on the wall. 

  Danse lumbered in front of him, functioning as a shield while the young man worked feverishly. Doors began closing behind the coursers and Liam cursed under his breath, maneuvering into a different menu. With an almighty groan, the blast doors guarding the tunnel entrance began to close sluggishly. Then, the security doors leading to the hall also creaked to life. 

  "Go, your friends will need a familiar face." Danse ordered as Liam turned to him. "I'll maintain our position here." Lasers scorched off the walls overhead, and another bolt skittered along the ground while Liam just... stared up at him. " Go , soldier!" Danse demanded. 

  "Rip the terminal out, okay? Otherwise they might reverse it." Liam requested shakily, cupping the graze on his shoulder and then fleeing into the tunnel.

  Rip the terminal out . Danse's massive gauntlet pulverized the machine, but he did tear it off the wall for good measure before returning to his bulwark position in front of the doors. 

  Some of the coursers had either peeled off from the group or cloaked themselves. That might prove troublesome. But the doorway was ever so slowly closing, and their chances of actually reaching him grew more and more slim. They seemed to realize this, as their fire came more frequently and aimed even more poorly than before.

  Suddenly, so suddenly that Danse wondered if he was seeing things for a split-second, a small child came barreling out of one of the intersecting tunnels, barely ahead of the mob. The little boy tripped and nearly fell, screaming at Danse, "wait, please! Don't leave me here!" 

  If the security doors would stop the coursers they would absolutely stop this child, and God only knew what the coursers would do to the child. Danse's arm shot out before he could think about it and the door hit the side of his pauldron with a teeth-rattling shriek of metal, slowing the already tepid advance. Bracing his thigh and upper arm against the door, Danse stepped into the hallway, closer to the coursers, his free hand outstretched to seize the boy the moment he was within reach. He didn't dare try to thin the herd at this proximity, God forbid a shot bounce off the wall and strike the child-

  His pauldron creaked audibly under the strain of holding the door open as the child flung himself into Danse's grip, and the paladin quickly withdrew into the small room behind him. The blast doors slammed shut and for a moment, everything was blissfully silent. Danse was vaguely reminded of he and Backhand's close call with the elevator, just resting most of his weight against the wall as he tried to process whatever the hell had just happened. 

  Then, "Th-Thanks!" the child panted, his entire body trembling from his close call. "Have you seen my mom, mister?" Danse cocked his head, bewildered. The child was maybe ten years old, his mop of dark brown curls matted to his forehead from the sweat of his wild sprint. Something about his eyes caught Danse's attention, though. They were startlingly blue, icy . Familiar. "She's got blue eyes n' freckles like me, and funny white marks on her face, right here!" The boy continued while indicating at his left temple. He drew a quick line from the top of his face to the bottom, ending at his chin.

  Danse's chest went tight.

  Elizabeth . This...was this Shaun? Had she been lied to? Or was this one last trick up the Institute's sleeve? She had mentioned getting duped by a child synth during her first visit. Was this the false child? Well, no more a false child than he was a false man, he corrected himself hurriedly.

  "You need to come with me." The paladin said finally, extending his gauntlet to the child and beckoning for him to follow. "It's not safe here."

  "Okay." The little boy actually took hold of his gauntlet, tiny hand wrapped around one large finger. "My name's Shaun. What's your name?" 

  Shaun . "Danse."

  "Father said my mom would be comin' for me, but I already knew that. My mom is super tough, and she's not scared of anythin'!" Shaun prattled cheerily at him as they made their way to the spiral ramp upwards. "He gave me a tape to give her, said it was real important. My mission is to get the tape to my mom! Do you have a mission, Mister Danse?"

  Danse was trying to decide how to answer when a muffled explosion echoed behind him. He stifled a swear, hoisting Shaun up with one arm. "Hold on to me," he instructed the child curtly, realizing that he had nearly backed himself into a proverbial corner. If the coursers caught him on the glorified staircase, he and this... boy , would be hung out to dry. "Hold on and tuck your head, alright?"

  The servos in his greaves and cuisses whined as the paladin made a mad dash for the nearest hallway instead, desperately trying to recall the map that Backhand had made them of the Institute floorplan. Which level was it that would lead him back to the relay room? Damn it .

  He took a gamble and darted off to the right, blundering through several doors, down numerous hallways that all looked the same until the paladin finally located an elevator, up a flight of stairs and--

  Elizabeth .

  Danse hurriedly cupped one large gauntlet over the synth child's head, effectively blocking his hearing and sight. 

  ...

  "Creation happened because of you, but you enslaved and hoarded that creation!" Backhand shouted hotly. "You didn't personally create a damn thing, Shaun , and you've been riding the coattails of people smarter than you your entire life! You self-righteous ass! " The young woman raged at the elderly, bedridden man in front of her. 

  "I don't expect someone like you to understand why I've done what I've done." Shaun wheezed, his tone bitter. "You've already thrown your lot in with those barbarians , Mother. The savages that dog the steps of my beautiful creations…"

  "Beautiful creations? You treat them like they're slaves or pieces of hardware!" Backhand retorted. "You call them hammers, wrenches, cogs and gears in your magnificent machine. You've never been a father, Shaun, and you know it." Memories rushed forward, still raw after all this time. Nate, their arguments, the paperwork--

  The dying man inclined his head, that sardonic smile that crossed his features so like the father he had never met. "Perhaps not. But then, you have also never been a mother, have you?"

  She hated that he could get under her skin so easily, pick at her insecurities like fresh scabs. "How dare you ," was all she could hiss in reply.

  Shaun chuckled, the noise dry. "Oh yes, you went through so much to get me back. Yet here you are, defiling the innards of the Institute's still-warm corpse while your son lies dying. How great and noble you are, General Vega." He sneered while she stood there, her knuckles white on the stock of her gun. "The compassionate leader, the prime example of virile, fertile pre-War stock."

  "Shut the fuck up." Backhand snarled, skin crawling uncomfortably at his crude terminology. "You shut the fuck up. I've had enough. You can die quietly on your own or I can speed up the process, but I'm not sitting here and listening to you ramble." With steady hands, the laser rifle's muzzle pressed to the side of his head. "Which is it, old man?" 

  On the inside she was cracking, crumbling, hysterical with guilt and grief and the loss that had nearly driven her to the brink. But on the outside, she was every inch General Vega. Unbreakable veteran, savior of the Commonwealth. The one who got things done, no matter the cost. 

  "I've liberated all your forces and rendered you toothless , old man. How would you like to die?" She reiterated when he was silent.

  "Leave me be. You brazen, detestable bitch , threatening to kill a dying man in his bed." Shaun snapped, his tone laced with venom, "I hope the coursers skin you alive!"

  Backhand knew her smile was sad. "Funny, that's probably what your father would have said too. Have it your way, old man." She went to turn on her heel, then promptly froze.

  Danse , standing awkwardly at the top of the stairs, one large arm wrapped around... something . "Vega?" He asked warily.

  Elizabeth rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Gimme a second, okay? One more thing I have to do here and then we're gone." She said with a calm she did not feel. Danse nodded slowly, shifting his weight back as she moved to the terminal. Backhand couldn't be bothered to ponder his strange body language, the woman too busy trying to remember the passcode Sturges had given her. "I'm issuing the evacuation orders." She stated. Whether it was aimed at Danse or Father , she couldn't decide.

  "Of course, General." Danse's voice was oddly soft even through the helmet's speakers. 

  Suppose that answers that question , Vega griped mentally, the keys clicking sluggishly underneath her fingertips. Other than that, the room was silent. She realized she was holding her breath and exhaled forcefully, pressing the 'enter' key for the confirmation prompt. 

  The overhead announcement system crackled to life, offering the succinct information that the reactor was in a meltdown state. The evacuation order had been successfully issued, just like she had promised Preston she would. 

  Everyone deserves the chance to live the way they want to . "I wish that there had been another way." Backhand blurted out. "I wish that...I wish things hadn't gotten so stupid."

  "You lying- " 

  Danse cut off Father's reedy voice, the paladin firmly stating, "you and I both know that the Institute would have continued to terrorize the populace ad nauseam, General Vega. This was the only solution. With time and effort, perhaps the Commonwealth will be able to work past their differences with synths." He sounded enviably hopeful and certain.

  Backhand stole a shuddering inhale, blinking away her tears. Without so much as a glance backwards, she led the way out onto the spiraling ramp.

  …

  The General was dead quiet. The sounds of combat echoed up from far, far below. Where was the rest of her team? Why had she come here alone?

  "Elizabeth." Danse finally said softly, drawing her attention to him. 

  Her lower lip trembled slightly as she made eye contact, but she bravely kept her composure. "Yes, Danse?" 

  The paladin wordlessly moved his hand and revealed the small boy tucked into the protective cradle of his elbow. Shaun blinked up at him, seeming a little dizzy. Vega's sob sounded painful, like it dragged through her ribcage and burst from her throat. At the noise, Shaun glanced over. "Mom!" He was obviously thrilled, struggling to get out of Danse's hold. "Mom it's really you! You did come for me, just like Father said you would!" 

  "Of...of course I did, baby." Backhand choked out, kneeling so she could hug the boy. "Let's get you out of here, okay?" 

  "I have a mission, just like Mister Danse. He's great!" The child prattled cheerily, taking her hand and pressing a holotape into her palm. "Father said you'd come back for me, and that I should give this to you! He said it was really important so I needed to keep it safe."

  Backhand glanced at Danse, but all the paladin could offer was a shrug. God only knew what was on the tape. Hell, God only knew why 'Father' had sent this defenseless child synth out in the middle of a full-scale assault. A nasty suspicion took root in Danse's chest, but he shoved it down. He wouldn't voice such a notion at this point; Elizabeth was clearly in an incredibly delicate state. One more thing might send her spiraling. No , he would keep it to himself, ignore the terrible thought that had come to him the second he realized who the boy was. Because if Father had sent this child out to die purposely--

  "I'll listen to it later, I promise." Backhand was saying to the child, her words thick with suppressed emotion. "I'm glad you're okay." 

  "I was pretty scared, but Father said I needed to find you on my own." Was Shaun's reply, his tiny hand safe in hers. 

  The sight caught Danse strangely in the chest, and he turned his head away before the lump in his throat could overcome him. It was just the domesticity of it all, he reassured himself. Elizabeth's own joy, fragile as it was, sent a current of longing through his body that struck his very core. Could he have made her happy, if things had been different? If he hadn't been a poor facsimile of a man, or maybe even if he had simply never learned the truth about what he was? Could they have enjoyed years of contentment, eking out a meager yet rich existence in the unforgiving Commonwealth soil?

  Maybe. But maybe wouldn't do them any good now.

  He felt a small hand grab hold of his huge gauntlet and he looked down at Shaun. "Thanks for helpin' me get to my mom, Mister Danse!" 

  With those familiar, familiar eyes trained on him, Danse couldn't formulate an appropriate response. The paladin settled for a thin smile beneath his helmet and a nod, cursing his own hangups and cowardice with every beat of his heart.

  He had no idea why he moved when he did.

  …

  Danse's free hand flew upwards suddenly as the group arrived at the next doorway. Backhand opened her mouth to ask him what was wrong, then her eyes widened as a blue laser struck his gauntlet with a loud tzark! . 

  "Nice try!" Danse snarled, broadening his stance in front of Vega and Shaun. Backhand felt Shaun's hand tighten around her own, the child pressing himself against her side. 

  The voice that met her ears made her blood run cold. "Ma'am, not to be forward but what exactly do you plan to accomplish here?"

  X6-88 . The most fearsome courser the Institute had at its disposal. Vega closed her eyes for a brief moment, trying to formulate her thoughts. He had given her a warning shot. Clearly . 

  "I would appreciate a response, ma'am." X6 said through gritted teeth.

  "Lower your weapon and she will attempt civility." Danse retorted, his own rifle trained on the courser. "We have you outgunned, synth."

  "Wait, Danse." Vega placed a hand on his elbow, sidling out from behind the bulk of the paladin's armor. "X6-88, I understand that you must be confused." She began, her tone carefully measured. "I'm sure that this course of action probably seems...wild, or erratic. Extreme. And I know you prefer order, so I don't blame you for being distraught."

  "I am not distraught." X6 seethed through clenched teeth. "I am disappointed." At some point during the assault, he appeared to have suffered a head wound. Blood was trickling down the side of his temple and he had lost his signature glasses. Unmasked gray eyes bored into her with a fury so intense it took her breath away. "You have betrayed the Institute, ma'am. Betrayed your own son -!"

  "Father may have been my son, but he clearly did not wish to continue as such. He wanted to subjugate and conquer , X6, placing the burden squarely on the back of every synth that he had." Vega interjected. "I'm not letting it continue. Everyone can make their own choices now. Even you."

  "Choice has led to nothing but suffering! " X6 shouted. "It was choice that killed--that decommissioned G5-19!" His grip on his rifle was trembling, those eyes wild with the emotion that he wasn't supposed to feel. "And then you , saying you could answer questions! Coming into the Institute like a snake! " He spat. "This is all your fault! You've destroyed Father's legacy, and now the Commonwealth will burn because of you!"

  Vega closed her eyes and inhaled through her nose. "So what are you gonna' do about it?" She asked abruptly. X6 was silent, the synth obviously stunned. " Well , X6? Do you want to die down here?"

  "Die?" X6 repeated, his brows furrowed.

  "The reactor is melting down. The whole place is compromised." Backhand's voice faltered a little as the gravity of the statement hit her. Years of research, advancements, technological wonders...Vega suddenly felt like she was holding a torch in front of the library of Alexandria. "We have to leave, X6." Taking an incredible chance, she extended a hand. "You don't have to leave with me, but I want you to leave. I want you to get out of here."

  " Why? " The courser snarled, jerking back from her hand. 

  "Because you were good to me while I was here! Shit, X6, you kept me sane in this sterile nightmare!" Backhand cried, "you're funny and you're terrifying and it was good to have someone around that wasn't going to sugarcoat all this bullshit!"

  "I--" X6 floundered, taking another step back. Vega heard Danse shift his weight behind her, his armor wheezing slightly at the motion. "Ma'am, the Institute…"

  "I know. It's been your home your entire life." Vega tried to maintain her level tone. "But you can't stay. If you come with me now, I can guarantee your safety. The teleporter is going to go down soon, X6. We're running out of time, and I don't know whether your emergency relay will cut it."

  "What will you do to me, should I comply?" X6 asked warily. 

  "I'm not gonna' do anything. You'd be free to go."

  "General Vega, I realize this is important, but we will lose our escape option if we linger here much longer." Danse spoke up stiffly. 

  "X6. I hope you'll come with us." Backhand surprised herself with her own level of bravery, calling Shaun forward so she could take his hand once more. X6-88 merely stepped aside when she cautiously advanced, the courser gone silent. 

  Danse was obviously slower to trek past X6. Vega could feel the tension between the two of them, drawing tighter and tighter. 

  "Danse, it's alright. He won't hurt us." It was halfway assurance, halfway order. The paladin obliged all the same, reluctantly turning his back on the black-garbed courser.

  No sooner had they rounded the next corner though than Vega heard the sound of running footsteps behind them. "Wait, ma'am!" X6's voice rang out over the noise of Danse's armor, and Vega paused as the courser breezed by the paladin back up to her.

  "Change your mind?" The general inquired dryly, raising an eyebrow. 

  "Ahead, you...you will encounter resistance." X6-88's teeth were gritted yet again, but he still forced the words out. "Coursers. Seven of them." 

  Seven . Vega's mouth went dry, one was bad enough. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Danse flick the safety off on his rifle. That he'd even had it on in the first place spoke volumes-!

  "I'll go." The paladin muttered after a second. "Take the child and backtrack."

  "They will kill you." X6 replied in his usual monotone. 

  "It doesn't matter. Our mission is too important to risk failure now. I'll buy you the time you need to escape. I'm a large target for a reason."

  Backhand tried to protest, "Danse, no , that's--"

  "General Vega," Danse interrupted her sharply, not actually looking at her. "The Minutemen cannot afford to lose you. You are instrumental in their operations." His salute was rigid.

  Elizabeth wanted to scream. "Take my EMP, then." She forced herself to say instead, tugging the grenade from her belt and holding it out. X6-88 flinched visibly at the sight of the item and Vega wished she could apologize. God , this had all gone so wrong!

  Was this going to be her existence? Constantly trading one life for another? Father for Shaun, Danse for her own, the Institute for the Commonwealth--

  Danse accepted the grenade with a solemn nod, his massive gauntlet closing down around her hand for a brief moment before he turned to face the other direction once more. "Go. Take your son and the courser and get out of here ." He ordered urgently. "If you backtrack and hurry , you ought to have enough time."

  Vega tore at the knot of her lucky bandanna and quickly tied the battered fabric around the top of Danse's arm just beneath his pauldron. "I expect to get this back, Paladin." She stated. Danse still didn't tilt his helmet to look at her, simply nodding his acquiescence. "Be...Be careful, okay?" Vega continued, her voice breaking.

  Danse nodded again, and then he left without a word.

  "We need to move quickly, ma'am." X6 sounded shaken, his hand on her shoulder unexpected. "Carry the small unit, and I will cover you."

  "Th-Thank you, X6." Backhand hiccupped, desperately blinking back her tears. Shaun clung to her hand, the child silently burying his face in her neck once she picked him up. Vega stared at the ceiling for the world's longest second, struggling valiantly to maintain her composure. "Okay. Alright. Let's go."

Part Nineteen

[calliecat93]

ST: TNG Watchthrough Episodes 17-20.

Home Soil: So from what I’ve read, this would be Gene Roddenberry’s final episode as showrunner before getting replaced by writer Maurice Hurly. I won’t comment on the behind the scenes drama and such that caused it because it was decades ago and not relevant for a First Watchthrough post, but since this is the last I wanted to make note of it. My thoughts? It was okay. This is very much borrowing from the TOS episode Devil in the Dark (the one with the Horta) with the plot being of an alien presence killing humans... but only because the humans were unknowingly causing it harm. It’s done fine enough, not being any better or worst than when TOS did it, but that’s about it. It does executed it a little differently with the events and the alien is FAR less willing to comply than the Horta was at first and ends with the alien backing down, but refusing contact with humans for three centuries, which DOES make it a nice contrast to how Devil in the Dark ended. It’s not great. It’s not horrible. It’s just okay with the biggest criticism being pulling too much from TOS again. Look, I love TOS and so far TNG hasn’t passed it. I outright have a 30 disc Blu-Ray set coming in the next few days of all the TOS material, including TAS and the films. If I want to revisit TOS, I’ll go watch it or read fanfiction or heck, go watch AOS. TNG has remained painfully average or not good at this point because it’s trying to retain what TOS had, despite it being over 20 years later and even the TOS films had changed how it did things compared to the show. Whatever one feels about Roddenberry, his removal I hope helped push TNG away from TOS and let it carve it’s own identity while still honoring what TOS had stood for, and according to history it did. Not sure if we’ll see the quality go up in these final few S1 episodes, but still. Sorry, felt appropriate to finally get this out here. Going back to the episode, it’s perfectly fine and it delivers it’s message well, and hey it’s not always a bad idea to showcase the same themes as the previous incarnation in a spinoff especially fi a relevant one/gets shown to viewers who hadn’t seen that TOS episode. Not the best, not the worst, and that’s not such a bad way to end up. 3/5.

Coming of Age: Alright Wesley, it took a bit but you’re starting to grow on me. So we have Wesley going through a test to get into the Academy while Picard and the crew are dealing with some rough interrogations and Picard being painted as an incompetent captain by the interrogator. They don’t seem that connected, but infact the latter is a test for Picard to determine if e’s ready for a promotion. I like how they bring up Picard’s actions in past continuity that WOULD present him as at least fallible to major error, ignoring certain conditions that caused it to begin with and how he got them out of the situation. Like I said, this was one of Wesley’s better episodes. While doing well with testing, his worry about the psyche test and not knowing his own fear and therefore worried about what the test will unleash upon him is very relatable. Heck his talk with Worf was a really nice scene, especially with Worf outright stating that only fools fear nothing which in turns add more depth and dimensions to the Klingons. The reveal fo his greatest fear, while I wish he had hesitated a little bit more, made perfect sense and he acted as a true Starfleet Officer. Which since this was before Undiscovered Country, is a VERY positive development. Picard guiding a kid who made a stupid decision was also good and shows why he’s a good captain, and his talk to him as well as encouraging a disappointed Wesley at the end was a nice moment to cap the episode off with. As far as Wesley goes, he may still be presented as too competent and intelligent, but he is more likeable and the testing setting allows him to shine like this without, again, affecting the adult characters. Plus text anxiety is super relatable haha. Now of course due to Status Quo is God, Wesley fails, but he takes it well and proved that he will be ready for it in the future. It was a pretty nice episode all in all. Nothing spectacular, but I enjoyed it, neither plot overpowered the other, had a good theme of one’s integrity as a person/doing your best, good use of past continuity, and it really shows the best in characters like Picard, Wesley, and the crew’s loyalty to the former. 4/5.

Heart of Glory: Back in TOS, the Klingons were depicted as war-loving jerks. They weren’t without some depth and episodes like Day of the Dove did attempt to give them a bit more positive limelight, but it wasn’t enough to overpower the one-dimensional characterization. The films were a bit better, Undiscovered Country especialy, but that one hadn’t been made yet and they still stuck with the ruthless characterization, just changed up the makeup to make them look more alien like. It was weird sicne whenever I ddi watch TNG back when that’s all I knew of Star Trek, Worf never came across like a ruthless warmonger but like an honorable warrior which made him stand-out amongst the cast for me (that and because I freakin’ love Michael Dorn due to his animation voice over work, anyone else remember I.M. Weasel? XD). So now we get an episode where Worf gets to interact with other Klingons. I lift a brow at Worf not knowing about most Klingon customs when he seemed perfectly knowledgeable about i in past episodes. Maybe that wad due tot he shift after getting rid of Roddenberry/ IDK, but these kinds of retcons happens sometimes. This was an interesting one for sure. The Klingons are much better presented here than the entirety of TOS, showing more of their culture/customs and compared to Worf, who was raised by humans and therefore not fully in touch with his people and their ways. This is probably one of, if not the first time he’s interacted with his full culture and naturally he’d want to interact with them and learn more now that he has the chance. There’s the themes of one growing in another culture, how they adapt while still trying to be part of that culture, and finding one’s own path. There is the question on why Worf wans’t just returned tot he Klingons as a child and IDK if they address it down the line, but that type of life and struggle with identity/culture clash due to upbringing IS real and VERY relatable. I’m really glad to see the Klingons fleshed out past their TOS depiction and it’s overall respected by the cast, showing how far things have come since Kirk’s time. It fleshes out Worf’s character a great deal and makes him more likable/relatable and giving him a very realistic struggle, and in the end he stands by his beliefs and even gets the respect and offer to serve with Klingons in the future by Klingon Captain K’Nera. Very much glad that I watched this one~ 4/5.

The Arsenal of Freedom: Oh boy, war machines that killed everything! That theme never gets old! I’m not joking, with how modern warfare and technology are growing and being sold for profit, it feels like it just keeps getting more and more relevant. There’s a lot of tension in this one with Yar, Data, and Riker dealing with the arsenal that is intelligent and they’re unable to be beamed up, the ship getting attacked with Geordi in command and the Chief Engineer (they seem to go through a LOT of those this season, guess they couldn’t handle the strain of acting as miracle workers like Scotty) being an asshole to him, and Crusher injured with Picard trying to keep her alive and not get killed. Seriously, I loved Geordi here for being an effective acting commanding officer during a VERY intense situation AND telling off the Chief Engineer without even so much as raising is voice while encouraging the other officers. Badass and admirable. The away team scenes were also good with everyone being plain awesome~ Crusher having to explain to Picard how to treat her injuries while she’s in obvious pain was really good character stuff and Thank God that they avoided indulging in the obvious shipping fodder. I know they’ve hinted a little at Picard/Crusher... but I’m not really interested in it int he romantic sense at least currently. It comes off as a Captain and CMO trusting the other (not quite the same as say... Kirk and McCoy, but the trust is very much strong here plus Picard and Crusher should be allowed to form their own dynamic) and that’s the kind of interaction I live for~! It feels like everyone got a moment to shine, even Troi checking on Geordi’s mental well-being and letting him express some of his nervousness was really nice. And of course the arsenal having destroyed their own creators... like I said, a theme that just seems to grow more and more in relevance. Like I said above, some themes are necessary to repeat, and this one very much qualifies. But yeah this was great for it’s tensions, the characters being all great especially Geordi, and it’s themes (even fi IDK how intentional it was) being a huge reminder of the dangers of modernized warfare/using warfare for profit. It doesn’t go well. 4.5/5.

Okay, it’s late in the season, but we are FINALLY getting somewhere! The characters have truly grown on me and their characterizations are getting better (i.e. Picard is still a serious captain, but is very much warming up and not as cold as he was early on), the stories are steadily improving, and even with what I said about the first one, I really enjoyed this batch of episodes! Only five remain in the season, and the plan is to knock ‘em all out tomorrow. Might take a day or two off before tarting Season 2, but golly I’m finally feeling excited~!

[ranger-jedi-knight]

I Thought You Wouldn’t Hurt Me, But You Did Part 6

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22839535/chapters/55897732 Tag list: @emo-elaine13 @marinettepotterandplagg

Ok, so here’s the next part asked by for Snow_Leopard_777 and ArchangelBloodraven!! This chap...goes before chap 5 I guess. Lol. I hope you guys enjoy it!!

Manon and Chris couldn’t believe their eyes when they first went over to Mari’s place to be watched. Chris had been given a warning from his brother, saying that Mari was different, that it wasn’t going to be like the last time Mari babysat him. But he wasn’t told HOW it was going to be different. He couldn’t blame his brother for not saying how, there wasn’t a good way to SAY how. Any way he could have said would have sounded blunt or mean or pitiful. The only pity Nino had was the pity that he didn’t act faster. Didn’t stop his classmates from doing that.

Not to say that Mari deserves to be in the wheelchair. She absolutely doesn’t. But she doesn’t need pity. Pity won’t help her heal or get stronger. Nino knows that. So he does whatever she needs to help. And if she wanted a little bit of normalcy by babysitting Manon and Chris, then he’d let her. He’d just be there too in case she needed help and to make sure the two kids didn’t say anything mean about it accidentally.

Manon didn’t know how to react. She and her mom hadn’t gotten any warning. Nadja had signed Mari’s wheelchair sure, but she thought that it wasn’t a permanent thing. Sabine hadn’t said anything besides asking her to sign her daughter’s new wheelchair. So a month after Mari had left the hospital and gone back to school, she thought she’d be walking again. How wrong she was. That was the reason Nadja hadn’t asked Mari to babysit Manon. She had told Manon that Mari was healing after being hurt and Manon was angry but understood that she couldn’t play with Mari. But to learn that Mari would actually never fully heal? Well, Manon didn’t know how to act.

She could only stare shocked as Mari talked with Nadja about watching her. Chris and Nino were already there sitting on the couch playing a game together. Chris waved her over and she climbed onto the couch next to him and he handed her a remote and the three started playing while the two talked.

After playing for about an hour the doorbell rang and Mari went to it. Standing behind it was Nora with her twin sisters, Ella and Etta. “Hey, Marinette. Mom and dad are busy and couch needs me to come in and Alya is grounded from watching them,” she explained and Mari nodded understanding.

“I understand, Nora. I can watch them,” Mari replied and Nora smiled at her thankful.

“Thank you, Marinette,” Nora replied as the two girls ran into the room to play with Manon and Chris. Nora shook Mari’s hand as she stepped out of the apartment with a wave. “I’ll give you the money when I come back. I don’t have any cash on me,” Nora said and Mari waved her hand.

“Nonsense. You don’t have to pay Nora. I adore the girls,” Mari replied and Nora looked shocked.

“I-we’ll continue this when I get back. Be good, Ella and Etta!” Nora called before leaving once she heard their understanding. Mari then went back to the four children and Nino and started playing a game.

~~~~~~~~~~~~(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gabriel couldn’t care less that the original Ladybug and Chat Noir disappeared.

Ok, no.

He did care.

But not for the reason you’d think.

He only cares since the new Ladybug and Chat Noir, excuse him, Ladybird and Jinx, are better. They could typically get the Akuma dealt with quickly. And it pissed him off greatly. He could only growl as he thought about the last Akuma he sent out. It was defeated in an hour. Ladybug and Chat usually took a few hours at least to defeat his Akuma.

But turns out that’s the least of his problems. Turns out his son is being sued and given a few restraining orders. He didn’t understand what happened. Adrien wasn’t telling him and Nathalie was tense anytime he asked. “Nathalie, why is Adrien being sued? I need to deal with this, it’s hurting the brand,” Gabriel spoke and Nathalie looked down at her tablet before typing quickly.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng is suing Adrien for harassment, sir,” Nathalie said at last after a bit turning the tablet to him to show the papers. Gabriel growled at that as he looked at the tablet.

“Is there anything we can do to stop this?” he demanded.

“I’m not sure, sir,” she replied honestly.

“Get Miss Dupain-Cheng’s number I’m going to talk to her,” Gabriel said and Nathalie nodded understanding and pulled it up before sending it to Gabriel’s phone and walked out of his office. He picked his phone up and dialed the number Nathalie sent him. It rung a few times before she picked up.

“Hello, this is Marinette. Who’s calling?” Mari’s voice came through the receiver.

“Hello, Miss Dupain-Cheng. This is Gabriel Agreste, Adrien’s father. I was calling in the hopes of talking about this lawsuit you have against my son,” he said and he heard faint movement from the other side.

“What are you hoping to happen, Mr. Agreste? Are you hoping that you can threaten me out of suing him?” she asked and Gabriel cleared his throat at that.

“For starters, I’d appreciate knowing the finer details of why you are suing my son,” he answered.

“I don’t have to tell you that. The basics are written in the papers. Any finer details will come out during the talks or trail. I don’t particularly wish to go to court but if Adrien doesn’t cooperate, I will go to court to settle this,” Mari said and he could tell she was serious about this.

“Have you set up the meeting?”

“Yes. My lawyer set up the meeting with yours. It’s soon so you’ll want to talk to your lawyers,” Mari answered coolly. “Good day, Mr. Agreste. See you then.”

She then hung up and Gabriel glared at his phone as he set it on his desk and paged Nathalie at her desk.

“Yes, sir?”

“Get our lawyers here now, Nathalie. We need to figure out everything before the meeting,” Gabriel said and Nathalie nodded understanding.

“Of course sir.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mari shouted as the building shook. The four kids screamed while Mari and Nino worked on calming them down. After getting them calmed down and away from any and all windows, Mari and Nino went to a window to look out it. An Akuma, Mr. Pigeon luckily, was rampaging once more. Ladybird and Jinx were already there fighting him. It was interesting for Mari to watch them fight, was that how I looked fighting him? She thought but shook her head. No use thinking about it, especially since she had a harder time because she had to deal with Chat’s allergy.

No, what she needed to think about was why the building shook.

Mr. Pigeon couldn’t do that. He just controlled pigeons. So what’s causing the buildings to shake.

“Mari!” Nino called pointing a finger out to the side.

“Oh no,” she mumbled. Next to the building Nino’s finger pointed at was a second Akuma. “Go to the kitchen and sit in the corner between the counters. That’ll be safe for us,” Mari said and the four kids went to the counters and sat down. Nino was quick to follow. Mari followed after them and Nino helped her onto the floor before she positioned the wheelchair in front of them. Mari hugged the twins to her while they buried themselves into her sides. Nino hugged Chris and Manon to himself as well and the two hummed softly to the children to calm them.

They stayed like that until the fighting was done. Which took longer because of there being two Akuma’s instead of only one. It was terrifying to be waiting for the fight to be over. The ground shook horribly.

Things fell down.

Pictures broke.

Discs fell into impossible places.

Dust left the ceiling.

Cracks formed in the walls.

Mari didn’t know what to feel except for fear. She was terrified of what was happening. She wasn’t Ladybug. She couldn’t help. She could barely help protect the kids. She could barely hold in her cheers when the Cure was cast and ladybugs flew through the apartment fixing everything. Mari could only sigh in relief when that happened. The twins left her side and let her get back into her wheelchair. Granted, she needed Nino’s help, but once that was done, they went back to the TV to play.

Ok, so here’s this. I hope you guys enjoyed it. Sorry bout how long it took. Also, so, updates are going to be very slow sadly. My laptop is........dying. There’s no better way to put it. I got it a new battery but rn its not seeing it anymore. Its acting like there is no battery. So ya. We’ll see if anything happens when the new cable comes in....but who knows when that’ll happen with this pandemic happening. I just don’t know. My laptop may die soon, or it may not. It’s up in the air, only my laptop knows and it’s not going to tell me. Until next time! -Love Willa<3<3<3

[letsgofoletsgo]

Nightlife of Scilica

“Okay, got it. Thanks love, bye.”

“So, what did she say?”

“Belle says she and Masa will meet us at 6:00.” Morgan said as she slid her phone into her pocket. 

“Alright, that leaves us a couple hours.” Lamar stated. 

“So what do you guys want to do in the meantime?” Sofia asked.

“Well, I guess we could wander around and see what we can find.” He suggested. 

“Wait a sec… Isn’t Anime Reach just around the corner?” Morgan realized. 

“Anime Reach? Wasn’t that that one store you guys accidentally shoplifted from?” Sofia said. 

“I thought we weren’t gonna speak of that again!” Lamar retorted. 

“Hey, no one got arrested, so no shade from me.” Sofia teased.

“That being said, you haven’t been there before, have you Sof?” Morgan said. 

“Nope, can’t say I have.”

“In that case, you and I have a duty toward our friend here Lamar.” Morgan said confidently 

“Oh yeah! As proud Otakus, we’ll guide you through one of the most prestigious anime merch stores in all of Silica!” Lamar boasted. “Er, if that’s cool with you.”     “Sounds good to me!” Sofia smiled. 

“Then onward we go MD-5!” Morgan exclaimed.

The three proceeded through the bustling streets of Silica City. The multitude of neon signs mounted around the buildings illuminated the city in a brilliant shower of light, sparking a sense of wonder and excitement of of the nightlife scene. Indistinct chatter coming from the crowds that populated the sidewalks perpetuated the buzzing atmosphere of the night; The signature vibe of the city that MD-5 felt truly at home in. 

“We should be coming up to it now.” Lamar noted. 

“Yo, look! There’s that one gaming equipment store we looked in.” Morgan pointed to a neighboring store that looked worse for wear, complete with being decked out with glaring yellow and white neon signs that appeared to be on their last legs.

“Oh yeah, Nyla Co., was it? Let me tell you, all it took was one look for us to decide to high tail it out of there- leave their shoddy products for the next poor fool to stumble upon.” He commented. 

“Huh. Don’t need to tell me twice,” Sofia said as she eyed the place dubiously. 

“Forget Nyla- I can see Anime Reach from here!” Morgan said.

“Let’s get a move on then!” Lamar said. 

The trio made their way across the street, and they approached a large store with anime merchandise posters plastered all over the large glass windows. As they came closer, Sofia’s eyes lit up in wonder. 

“Woah… I had no idea it was so big!” She marveled. 

“Just wait ‘till you see it from the inside! Morgan said excitedly. 

The sliding doors in front of them parted, and the entered the building. Before them was a sprawling otaku paradise; for seemingly miles the shelves were stocked with figurines, posters, cardboard cutouts, art books, disc and manga sets, anything a lover of anime could want. 

“Wow, I can see why you like it here so much.” Sofia remarked as she took it all in. 

“Indeed, welcome to our little slice of heaven my friend.” Lamar beamed. 

“Lamar’s been here more times than I’ll have, so I’ll give him the main honors of showing you around.” Morgan noted.

“An honor it shall be! If you ladies would follow me, I’ve got the best bits of the store practically memorized.” 

“I would expect nothing less.” She giggled. 

Lamar led the two down the main isle, where several groups of fellow otakus were browsing the shelves. He then took a turn a little ways down, where the shelves displayed hordes of figures. The colorful figures all had a unique charm to them, and they were usually grouped with others from the same source material. While most of them were packaged in flashy but efficient boxes, there was a certain section where the figures were out in the open, and seemed to be mismatched between animes.

“Now, I like going into this aisle because you can actually find some good figures here, and they’re usually pretty hard to come by otherwise.” Lamar explained. “But there’s also a section of figures that I think are second-handed, so they go for lower than they normally would.”     “Yeah, didn’t you find a decently-made Sastsuki-Chan figure here once?” Morgan asked as they overlooked the displays. 

“That I did, little bud. I’m pretty sure I still got it in my room... Somewhere.” 

“Hey, isn’t that Nova-Chan in there?” Sofia pointed to a figure in the bunch.

“What? Nova-Chan?? Don’t worry baby! I’ll save you!”

In a rather comical endeavor, Lamar dramatically reached for the figure Sofia identified. He grabbed the blue-haired figure and cradled it gently in his hands. 

“What did they do to you, Nova-Chan?” 

As Lamar expressed his lament, Sofia and Morgan just looked at each other, not quite knowing what to make at this display of weebness. 

“Um… Is uh, is she okay?” Sofia asked after a moment. 

“Luckily, yeah, but it ain’t right for a figure that’s so high quality to end up in a pit like that.” He stated. 

“Looks like Nova-Chan wasn’t alone at least.” Morgan dug into the pile and pulled out a figure that looked similar to Nova-Chan, but had a different design scheme. 

Lamar gasped. “Comet-Chan! Not you too!” 

“Don’t worry, she’s a little chipped around the edges but seems alright as well.” Morgan said as she examined it. 

“As much as I like this store, I wish they’d treat some of their stuff a little better.” Lamar expressed. 

“You know, this actually got me thinking of that one episode near season one’s finale.” Morgan said. “Remember how the Galactica arc started?” 

“Oh yeah! The Nova explorers had to fight in Galactica’s tournament to save their galaxy, and she put Comet up against Nova for the first match!”     “You see, it was a really big plot point because this was where Comet-Chan’s jealousy towards Nova-Chan started to boil over, and we get to see what their friendship was like before the formation of the Nova Explorers.” Morgan described. 

“Then after Nova wins, we get a moment of character development where they re-learn what it means to be apart of the Nova Explorers, and made amends to their friendship.” 

“A bit cliche, but I personally think it was well done, and it solidified their friendship for the coming seasons.”

“Well now, you two are certainly well-versed in Nova Explorers lore.” Sofia joked.

“What can we say, we binged watched the first couple seasons last week.” She admitted. “Anyway, Lamar, how about I show Sofia and I look around the rest of the place, while you scour the other end for any rare merch you might have missed?”

“Sounds like a plan, little man.”

    The two shared a triumphant fist-bump, then briefly parted ways. Lamar went to searching the shelves in great detail, using his keen eye to detect anything worth noting. Morgan and Sofia went about in a more casual manner, however the former continued on about Nova Explorers lore and how it all connected to the central plot. Sofia didn’t quite understand it all, but eagerly listened nonetheless. It was fun wandering around in the store, it felt like so long since they all just let loose and had a good time. The trio almost felt as though they were kids once again running about the toy store. 

    It may have been for that reason that they nearly lost track of time; Morgan was dramatically acting out a pivotal moment in one of the latter seasons with a couple of figurines, when she abruptly remembered the schedule they were on. 

    “Hold on, Sofia!” she said, realization hitting like a brick. “What time is it?”

    “Uh- five fifty.” She stated, checking her phone.

    “Shit! We need to find Lamar and get going!”

    She nodded in agreement, and the two set off to find their Otaku friend. It took a few minutes, but they managed to spot him rummaging deeply in a shelf. 

    “Lamar! There you are!”

    “Huh- Ack!” He cried as he banged his head on the upper shelf as he came out. 

    “Dude, come on, we’re meeting the others in ten minutes!” Morgan said.     “Oh damn, we better get a move on!”

    With that, the trio hurried out of the store back onto the streets. After briefly arguing which would be the quickest path to take, MD-5 ended up cutting through a nearby alley way and out onto a major commercial lane. Despite nearly running into several people and maybe a lamppost or two, the friends eventually made it to where they agreed to meet.     “Finally! Good thing we got here in time.” Sofia said slightly out of breath, looking intently at Lamar.

“Hey, I was on a good lead towards a limited edition, so sorry if I lost track of time a bit.” Lamar defended. “Besides, we weren’t held up too badly now, were we?” 

    “I’ll say. Now where-” Morgan was interrupted by a ping from her phone. After reading it over, she looked around for a moment before spotting a couple of familiar faces. 

    “Guys, there they are!” She exclaimed. “Masa! Belle! Over here!” 

    The other two members of MD-5 turned to face the rest of their friends. 

    “Hey there, it’s about time you all showed up.” Masa said. 

    “Sorry, we spent some time at Anime Reach and got a little distracted.” Morgan smirked at Lamar. 

    “Look, a fan’s gotta do what a fan’s gotta do, okay?” He said proudly. 

    “Well, what are we all standing around for? I’m dying for some food over here.” Morgan said. 

    “Yeah! Besides, we still haven’t covered the Quazar arc from the fourth season of Nova Explorers!” Lamar said. 

    “Oh boy, here we go again.” Belle said in a half exasperated tone. 

    “Hey, that’s what you sign up for when your girlfriend and her best friend are anime fans.” Morgan said playfully. 

    “Regrettably so.” She nudged her a bit before putting an arm around her. 

“So as I was saying to Sofia, the Quazar arc really threw the fandom for a loop as it turned one of the main concepts of the series on it’s head-”

And thus she would nerd on, with only one other member of the group intently listening.

[calligraphist-artemisia]

Just Another Cinderella Story (Chapter 3)

Summary: Once upon a time, there was a boy who was left in the care of his uncaring stepmother. Raised in a life of servitude and seeing his stepbrother lavished with praise and given everything he desired, the boy knew there was only one way he would ever be free. If their dreams of marrying into a life of luxury came true, then he would be left with his childhood home and he would finally be able to turn his life around.

Of course, Fate often has other plans in mind.

Also posted on AO3 under the username Kishirokitsune

- - - - -

3. Amaranthus caudatus

Keith kept his head down, obediently completing his chores without questioning them, and struggled not to lose his temper with Lotor, who repeatedly baited him with callus remarks and sometimes by sabotaging the work he was doing. Keith focused on his goal whenever Lotor was around, reminding himself that he had to go to the ball if he wanted the chance to save the estate. He clung to the hope that he might even get to see Pidge again.

He swept and scrubbed the floors. Cleaned every window. Carefully cleaned the walls of every room and hall of the estate and then washed the outside as well. Went along with every request made by his stepmother or stepbrother. All of that on top of the chores he normally did: all of the cooking and laundry, caring for the animals they kept, and managing their small garden.

By the time the evening of the third day arrived, Keith was exhausted. Which, he supposed, was the whole point. Neither of them actually wanted him to attend the ball, it was just another form of torment they planned out to wear him down and break him. But he had done everything they asked and there was no real reason for them to say he could no longer go.

He absconded while he had the chance, scrubbing himself down with clean water and a bit of soap, paying special care to his hands in order to get the dirt out from beneath his fingernails. His hair was the last thing he washed.

Keith didn't waste any time and hurried to a room he rarely dared to enter.

By all accounts, it looked like an ordinary spare room - with neutral-colored bedding and curtains, simple and barren furnishings – but contained in a chest at the foot of the bed was a treasure he kept secret and hidden.

He stopped in front of the chest and took a deep breath before opening it to gaze on the dark colors of the fabric within. On the very top was a charcoal colored waistcoat with a fleur-de-lis patterned in a shade or two lighter than the rest of the fabric. Silver buttons adorned the front.

It was all simple yet elegant, just the way his father had always preferred.

“I wish you were here, dad,” Keith whispered, lifting the waistcoat out of the chest.

He didn't have time to reminisce, even though he longed to do so. Keith redressed quickly and while his dad's old clothes were a little too big on him, especially in the shoulders, he thought he looked passable enough to get away with it.

With one final glance at his reflection, Keith hurried from the room so he could catch up with Honerva and Lotor before they left without him. His brisk walk took him through the halls and down the staircase towards the entryway, where his stepfamily was waiting for the carriage that would take them to the palace.

Lotor turned to face him first, a sneer firmly in place as he looked Keith up and down. He looked resplendent in his deep blue suit, but what really stood out was the peacock-feather mask adorning his face.

Keith's heart sank as he took in the fact that his stepmother was also wearing a mask, though hers was made of all-white feathers to compliment her turquoise gown.

“Is that the best you have?” Lotor asked, sounding utterly scandalized. He rolled his eyes as though he had expected better from someone he spent his entire life tormenting, but there was a smirk slowly ruining that effect. “Very well. Put on your mask and let us be off.”

“I... I don't have one,” Keith was forced to admit. He lowered his gaze, reminding himself that while punching Lotor in the nose would be extremely satisfying, the punishment for such an act was hardly worth it.

“Pity,” Lotor said in a tone that conveyed how little he cared. “Mother, I believe our carriage has arrived. Shall we?” he asked, offering her his arm.

Honerva accepted it without as much as a glance in Keith's direction, fully intent on acting as though he didn't even exist. Together they gracefully glided out into the evening air, down the front steps, and into the magnificent carriage pulled by four black horses. Keith was left to stand there and watch as they rode away, wondering why he hadn't seen it all coming.

He clenched his hands into fists at his sides.

Enough was enough.

He had worked too hard, found ways to reign in his temper, and paid extra care not to step one toe out of line. None of it mattered to them. None of it ever mattered to them.

Keith was going to that ball, no matter what he had to do to get there.

He stepped outside and pulled the door shut behind him harder than he intended, his anger bubbling out of him without anyone around to see. He let it happen, too exhausted after struggling for so long to keep it contained and then channeled it into working for him. Keith used all of that rage as fuel to run as fast as he could into the forests, following a path known only to him.

Perhaps it was too much. His suit quickly became weighed down with sweat, every breath burning his throat and lungs as hot tears flowed down his cheeks. He pushed himself harder and by the time he stumbled up to Shiro's front door he had black spots dancing in front of his eyes.

Keith didn't remember much of what happened leading up to him sitting in a comfortable chair with a glass of water and Curtis calmly reminding him to take small sips. The door opened and he had almost fallen. Shiro caught him. And then he was sitting down. Had there been some talking? Shiro trying to get answers from him before calling Curtis for help?

“Water,” Curtis instructed, a little more firmly than before.

Keith took a sip. “Where'd Shiro go?”

“He took one look at you and muttered something about the gala at the palace,” Curtis said. “I imagine he's figuring out the best way to get you ready for it. That is why you're dressed this way, right?”

Keith glanced down. “I feel like such an idiot. I really thought they'd let me go...” He didn't look at Curtis, knowing there was a sympathetic expression waiting for him. He was well aware of the sort of people Keith's stepfamily were. Curtis could fill in the blanks on his own.

“Lotor is convinced that he's going to marry the princess,” Keith said. “He... when he doesn't need the estate anymore, he plans on tearing it all down. He told me. The ball is just another way of taunting me. He said I should be allowed to go so I could find a new family to serve because he wouldn't take me with him. That I'm a blight on the family name, unsuitable even to work in the palace.”

“That is absolute bullshit. You know that. Shiro and I know it. Anyone who spends more than five minutes with Lotor's pompous ass knows it,” Curtis said bluntly. “You are going to take a few more minutes to rest and drink some water and then we are going to get you ready. Well, Shiro is. I'm going to go hitch the horses to the wagon so you have transport to the palace.”

Keith sat under Curtis' watchful eyes for a few more minutes, sipping on his glass of water until it was empty. By then, Shiro returned from his trip into the garden and brought with him a basket full of what appeared to be drooping red feathers and odd silver-white discs on branches.

“Feeling better?” Shiro asked kindly.

Keith nodded, handing the glass to Curtis as he stood up. “Why do you have feathers?”

Shiro blinked in confusion as he looked down at the basket. “Oh,” he said with a soft laugh. “This is a type of flower known as pendant amaranth. I was thinking I would use it for the base of your mask.”

The fact that Shiro knew exactly what he needed didn't phase Keith at all. He'd always been strangely intuitive about that sort of thing and, honestly, anyone would be able to guess what Keith wanted to do based on the nice clothing he was wearing. It was kind of a relief that he wouldn't have to stop and explain what was happening.

Curtis left the cottage, murmuring that he would go and get the wagon and horses ready, and then it was just Shiro and Keith.

“Come this way,” Shiro said, holding out his hand.

Keith walked over to him and took the offered hand, letting Shiro lead him into the room with the cauldron where they made soap the last time he visited. They ignored the cauldron, instead going to a table in the back, where Shiro began to meticulously arrange the plants he chose and explain what he was using them for.

“Amaranth for invisibility, to keep you hidden from those who wish you harm,” he said, gesturing to the red flowers. “It will serve as the foundation for your mask, providing color and texture. Ivy is protective and will be used as the tie to keep it in place. And last...” Shiro picked up one of the stems with silver-white discs. “This is Lunaria annua, more commonly known as Honesty. I typically use it in spells dealing with money, but it also has the unusual ability to ward away monsters. I thought it was fitting for this situation.”

“Do you do this often? Cast spells for people?” Keith asked.

“Only when I have a good reason to. People around here are naturally wary of it, so I keep it as much to a minimum as I can. I will admit, I have been enjoying getting to cast some flashier spells lately,” Shiro said. He winked at Keith and then pushed up his sleeves. “I think you'll enjoy this too.”

Keith half-expected some sort of incantation or for Shiro to wave his hands around in complex patterns, but he got none of that. Instead, he watched as Shiro held his hands out over the plants and closed his eyes in concentration. A soft, golden glow lit up the table and Keith gasped as the plants began to move on their own, twisting together and reforming until there was no evidence they had ever been living plants.

A red mask sat in their place, intricately detailed with the many buds of the amaranth and each side twisting upward into a point. He could see tiny silver-white seeds from the Lunaria poking out from between some of the flowers, almost like tiny pearls or crystals. The band to keep it on his face retained the green of the ivy and the clasp in the back was one of the familiar five-pointed leaves.

“And now for your clothes.”

Keith took a step back, feeling a bit protective of one of the only things he had left of his dad. “There's nothing wrong with them.”

Shiro paused. “I promise, it won't be a permanent change. I'll cast a glamour instead and it will make it look different without harming your suit in any way. It won't last as long – only a few hours – but you'll still have plenty of time to enjoy yourself at the gala without your family recognizing you.”

It was the appeal of not being recognized by Lotor or Honerva that won Keith over. He nodded stiffly and let Shiro guide him towards the center of the room and then stood with his hands at his sides. His friend looked him up and down for a moment before nodding.

“Don't move,” Shiro advised.

Keith held as still as he could, a little nervous as Shiro backed up a few feet and then held his hands up, palms facing Keith. “No magic words?” he joked.

Shiro snorted in amusement. “What, like 'bibbity-bobbity-boo'? Magic only works like that in fairy tales. Now let me concentrate.”

It took Shiro a moment to begin and then the familiar golden glow lit up at Keith's feet, slowly traveling up his body. It tingled as it moved along; not an uncomfortable feeling, but strange. As it reached his hands, Keith realized it glittered and swirled around as it moved, flowing more like a liquid than any sort of light he'd ever seen. He closed his eyes as it began to slide up his neck and his hair spilled free of the loose braid he put it in earlier that evening.

His suit seemed to tighten around him, becoming more fitted in the shoulder and legs. Wherever the magic touched, dark fabric turned to pristine white, except for the waistcoat which shifting to a shade of brilliant red meant to match his mask. Only the silver buttons remained untouched.

He couldn't see his hair, but he could feel the way Shiro's magic pulled it back to the nape of his neck and encouraged it to curl more than usual.

“Perfect,” Shiro said, sounding pleased with himself. He picked up the mask on the table and helped Keith put it in before stepping back to admire the full effect of his work. “Now all that's left is your ride to the palace. I think I have just enough energy left to turn that wagon into an appropriate carriage.”

“You don't need-”

“Keith,” Shiro interrupted. “You can't turn up to the ball in a simple wooden wagon. Don't worry about me. A good night's rest and I'll be back to my full power by the morning. Now, we shouldn't waste what little time you have. The glamour will only last until midnight.”

Keith didn't have much choice but to follow Shiro as he hurried back through the house and out the front door. He was lead to the barn positioned on the east side of the cabin, where Curtis was waiting with their pair of horses hitched to the wagon he used to cart goods into town. Shiro didn't waste any time as he waved his hand towards the wagon.

It grew before Keith's eyes, the wood twisting and stretching to form beams that spiraled together and then curled over the top edge. Thin walls stretched between some of the beams but left the sides open for a better view. Another cast of a spell turned the walls to glimmering white and the beams to gold. The wheels smoothed out, the other rim turning white while the inner spokes changed to gold as well. Altogether it was far too flamboyant for Keith to feel comfortable with, but Shiro seemed pleased with the result.

With a final “just one more thing” from Shiro as he cast yet another spell to glamour Curtis' clothing into something befitting a regal coachman, which made the other man chuckle fondly.

“Now you're ready,” Shiro announced.

Was he really ready? He certainly looked the part of someone of noble blood, but Keith felt completely out of his element even as he let Curtis help him up into the carriage. He looked to Shiro for help, but all he received was a smile before the horses began to move.

Keith closed his eyes and tried everything he could think of to calm his racing heart and mind. He needed to have his wits about him if he was going to survive a ballroom full of nobles – his family among them. He hoped the mask would really work. Not that he doubted Shiro's magical ability, but Lotor always found some way to screw him over even when he thought things were going well.

Thinking about Lotor only made him feel more nervous, so instead he turned his thoughts to Pidge and what he would say to her if he saw her. He couldn't jump right into his problems; that would be rude and he didn't want her to think he only wanted to use her to help himself.

Just because he was on a time constraint didn't mean he had to use every single minute he had to his advantage. He could still slow down and talk to Pidge.

But what if she wasn't there? Shiro had seemed pretty sure that she would be, but his foresight wasn't perfect.

Keith wasn't sure what he'd do then. His original plan had been to find the friendliest-looking noble in the room and see what he could learn from them. He was likely to have better luck with someone who had several sons and was interested in finding an estate for one of them to manage, but learning any of that was going to be a challenge that required every ounce of charm that Keith possessed.

He took a deep breath.

He could do it. He would find some way to save his home.

- - - - - 

Pidge danced with a smile plastered on her face, hoping that it wasn't too obvious to her partner just how hard she was faking her enjoyment. Her cheeks hurt from the effort, but she couldn't falter for even a moment without someone noticing.

Her partnered blathered on about his wealth and upbringing, giving her no chance to speak except to give some form of monosyllabic praise or agreement to whatever he was saying. She didn't need a magic hairpiece to know that the only thing he cared about was the wealth and power he could get out of a union with her.

It was all so dull.

The song came to an end and she separated from her partner before he could sweep her directly into the next dance as he did the last two times. She turned away from him, the full skirt of her pale lavender ballgown swaying with every movement. “I'm feeling a bit parched,” she lied, hoping he would take the hint.

The nobleman bowed, his silver hair tumbling over his shoulder from the movement. “I will be glad to fetch you a drink, princess. Please wait here.”

Pidge waited until he was well on his way to finding a member of the waitstaff who carried drinks and then she slipped deeper into the crowd. She reminded herself not to run. Running was unbecoming for a young lady. She could walk briskly, but nothing more than that.

She smiled politely at the others she passed by, aimless in her destination. She hoped she would find someone more interesting to dance with, but so far no one else seemed confident enough to approach a second time. They all moved out of the way as she made her way across the ballroom and while she was grateful to be given space to move, she wished one of them would step forward and save her from another dance with the boring nobleman who thought too highly of himself.

And then came the whispers.

A new and unfamiliar arrival.

Someone arriving a little too late to be considered fashionable.

Pidge perked up as she followed the whispers, though she barely needed to do anything as the crowd parted to let the newcomer through. “Oh,” she softly breathed out when she saw him.

She had hoped it might be Shiro venturing out of his comfort zone to treat Curtis to a night at the palace as well as save her from being subjected to the politics of nobility for an hour. Who had actually arrived was someone even better. Someone she hadn't expected.

Keith slowly walked through the hall, his slender frame accented by a nearly all-white suit. He looked nervous right up until he spotted her and the relief that spread across his face made Pidge want to walk even faster to reach him.

“Dance with me?” she requested once he was close enough. From the corner of her eye, Pidge could see the Boring Nobleman try to politely push his way through the crowd to get back to her side. She wasn't going to give him the chance.

Keith nodded, though he looked a little lost as to what he was meant to do.

Pidge smiled and whispered instructions as she moved them to a proper place on the dance floor. It took Keith a few tries to get it right, and Pidge was certain that everyone around them was well-aware that he wasn't one of them, but she didn't care.

Let them talk, she thought viciously.

Keith was a fast learner and though he had a few slip-ups where he stepped with the wrong foot, it wasn't long before he felt comfortable enough to spin her around and then fall back into an easy waltz. And while he didn't talk much, due to concentrating on his footwork, he was still better company than anyone else she'd danced with that night.

“I'm really glad you're here,” she told him, keeping her voice low. She doubted anyone else could hear over the music and chatter, but it didn't hurt to be cautious. “I hope you don't mind if I keep your attention for the rest of the night. There's this one nobleman who won't leave me alone. I'm lucky I got away by suggesting that I could use a drink and I don't doubt that he's waiting for me to be on my own again.”

“I don't mind. Actually, there was something I wanted to talk to you about,” Keith said.

Pidge wasn't sure if it was his lingering nerves over being in the palace or if he was worried about whatever it was he wanted to talk about, but there was definitely something bothering him. Not only could she hear it in his voice, but the spark of magic from her hairpiece left her with the sense that all wasn't perfectly well.

“I'll be happy to listen,” Pidge said.

Keith seemed to relax the slightest bit. “It's not a good subject for dancing. I... I didn't want to bring it up so quickly. I just...”

“Then we can wait. All we need is a good distraction and then we can slip away from here,” Pidge said, mostly to herself. She glanced around the hall and took note of the closest exit. “There's an archway to your left. Start moving us closer to that.”

Keith nodded. “What kind of distraction are we waiting for?”

Pidge hummed in thought. “It could be anything, so long as it takes attention away from us.”

She knew there was one thing big enough to draw enough attention off of them, but she wasn't sure when it would happen. Eventually, her parents would stand and make an announcement, thanking everyone for attending the ball and inviting them to enjoy the banquet prepared for them. There would be a flurry of activity as the servants arrived with platters of food to arrange along the tables along one side of the room, and that was when they could move.

In the meantime, she was happy to dance with Keith.

“You look good, by the way,” she told him.

Keith's cheeks turned slightly pink. “It's all thanks to Shiro. I wouldn't be here if not for him.”

“He's a good friend,” Pidge responded. “He made this hairpiece for me.”

Keith's gaze flickered up to the elaborate twist her hair was done in, crowned by sparkling amethyst. “It suits you. The purple.”

It wasn't the best compliment she ever received, but it was sweet and made her blush nevertheless. She quietly thanked him. “I think my parents are just glad that it matched my gown. Lucky for me, Shiro always has a knack for knowing exactly what someone needs. It's a gift that I've sworn never to take advantage of.”

“Yeah, same for me,” Keith said, his voice soft. “I wish there was more I could do for him.”

“I've been thinking a lot about that too, but every time I think I have something that will work he finds a way to turn it down,” Pidge said with a sigh. She had tried a number of things, from outright leaving behind coin to pay for the soaps he made for her, to bringing unusual dishes of food or rare seeds for him to try out in the garden, but he always found a way to give back more than he received.

The music began to wind down and Pidge glanced towards the raised dais at the head of the ballroom, where her parents were beginning to rise from where they sat. She watched as her father stood first, offering his hand to her mother, who accepted it with a warm smile. Together, they addressed the crowd.

Pidge nudged Keith. “Now is our chance.”

Keith tore his gaze away from the king and queen with a quick nod. Following Pidge's lead, he hurried through the nearby archway and into an empty hallway. Both of them were able to breathe a little easier and Pidge gleefully picked up her skirts so she could break into a run, giggling as she called for Keith to keep up with her. The back hem still dragged the floor, the many layers of lavender-colored tulle too much for her to grab all at once.

“Where are we going?” Keith asked, sounding a little worried.

“To the gardens. We shouldn't be disturbed there, which means it's the perfect place to relax and talk,” Pidge responded. She glanced back, hoping her words had put him more at ease, but they didn't have quite the effect she was hoping for. “I promise that we won't get in trouble. If anyone does find us, it will be one of the guards and they all know who I am. The worst that happens is we get an escort back to the ballroom and a lecture on leaving too early.”

That additional information seemed to do the trick and by the time they entered into the private gardens, Keith was looking around without fear of getting in trouble. He stopped briefly to admire one of the rose bushes whose blooms were variegated red-and-white and then followed Pidge the rest of the way to a massive, five-tiered water fountain. A variety of patched koi fish flitted about in the base pool, hiding among the lily pads.

Pidge wished she could sit down on the fountain ledge, but the layers of her skirt and the stiff material of her corset made that impossible, so she settled for slipping off her shoes and kicking them to the side so she wouldn't trip over them. She smiled as Keith offered her his arm and they slowly strolled around the fountain.

“So, what did you want to ask me about?” she asked.

Keith haltingly told her about his family, leaving out any details that would actually let her know who they were, and how their whole plan was for his stepbrother to marry the princess. He spoke of the manor where he grew up and a threat to tear the whole thing down, leaving Keith with no place to go.

“Keith, I'm so sorry,” Pidge said, slowing to a stop in front of him and gently touching his arm with her free one. “How can I help?”

“Would you be able to warn the princess?”

Pidge blinked up at him, the question taking her fully off-guard.

He didn't know who she was.

Pidge would have laughed but she didn't want to come across as rude. And what if learning who she was made Keith not want to stay and talk with her? What if it made him more nervous? He was one of the few people who liked her for her and not because she was a princess and the future queen of their kingdom. She didn't want that to change.

She would have to tell him later, but it wasn't the right time.

“I should be able to get a warning to her, but you should know that Princess Katie has very good judgment. She'll know if someone isn't being honest with her,” Pidge said.

“Not with Lotor,” Keith said with a shake of his head. “He has this way of charming everyone he comes across. He always knows the exact right thing to say to manipulate you into doing what he wants. Please, Pidge. If you can get a warning to her, please do it.”

“I will,” Pidge swiftly promised.

Keith relaxed. “Thank you. I know it won't stop him forever, but it at least gives me more time to come up with a better plan.”

It gave Pidge more time to plan soon. She silently vowed to find a way to help her new friend escape from his horrible relatives while also retaining his father's home. It was clearly something important to him.

She moved back to his side, inviting him to walk with her once again. They made a few laps around the fountain, talking about whatever came to mind. For a while, they discussed what they could do to show their appreciation to Shiro for all of the things he'd done for them. Keith spoke a little more of his father, revealing that he passed away ten years ago shortly after remarrying. In return, Pidge told him about her brother and how he was away in the kingdom to the north of theirs, learning all that he could about his betrothed and the land she hailed from.

Hours passed and no one came to find them.

Pidge chose to count it as a small miracle and didn't question why.

Another pass by the fountain gave her an idea, though she didn't know how well she would be able to keep her balance in her gown. She grinned up at Keith as she pulled away from him, once again lifted her skirt as she darted towards her destination, carefully lifting one foot to step up on the ledge. She heard Keith swear under his breath and then he was once again beside her, leaping up onto the ledge to help her up.

“Thank you,” she said, offering a playful curtsy.

The stone beneath her feet was damp and she knew there were tiny droplets of water splashing up onto her gown, but Pidge didn't care. “I've always loved it here. Matt and I... we used to play around this fountain when we were young. For a while, they couldn't keep koi fish because we teased them too much.”

“You grew up here?” Keith asked, sounding confused.

Pidge lowered her head, quickly backpedaling in panic. “We spent a lot of time here. My parents are... very important. They didn't like to leave Matt and I alone so we came along with them.” When she glanced up at Keith, he had the expression of someone who had realized something important.

“That's why you're able to talk to the princess and give her my warning.”

“Yes.”

Why had she lied? Why was she still lying? She should just tell him before she dug too deep of a hole to escape. Keith would understand why she did it – he had too – but she needed to explain it all before he found out on his own.

“Keith, I--” She shrieked as something strange and ticklish began to crawl up her bare heel, instinctively trying to escape from it. The narrow ledge didn't give her much space to move, however, and she quickly lost balance and toppled into the water.

One moment she was standing and the next she was laying on Keith's chest while he groaned, reaching up to the back of his head where he collided with one of the tiers of the fountain. His mask dropped away and landed with a soft splash.

“Keith! I'm so sorry!” Pidge quickly apologized, pushing herself off of him so he could sit up. “Are you alright? Do I need to get a doctor?”

“I think I'm okay,” Keith said as he lowered his hand to check for blood. “Just a slight bump. I think the charms Shiro put on the mask helped. What about you?”

Pidge took a moment to check for injuries of her own and then shook her head. “I'm soaked but unharmed.”

A fish chose that moment to bump into her and Pidge couldn't stop herself from giggling at the situation they landed themselves in. She met Keith's eyes and was pleased to see he was equally as amused.

“Princess!”

The shout cut through the air and Pidge flinched, her mirth flickering out as quickly as candlelight being snuffed out. She guiltily looked away from Keith, unable to bring herself to see the shock and betrayal that he was undoubtedly feeling. She turned her head as Allura approached, immediately recognizing the snow-white hair of her Head Guard.

“Princess Katie, you have been missing from your own gala for three hours,” Allura said sternly. She sighed as Pidge tried to stand up in the water, but struggled under the weight of her wet gown. Blue eyes flickered almost dismissively over Keith, who managed to stand more easily and then hesitantly offered a hand to help up Pidge.

The pair climbed out of the fountain and stood in front of Allura, who tutted at the state of them both.

A sudden gong ringing out through the palace grounds made them all jump in surprise, though Allura swiftly recovered.

“Princess, I understand wanting time to yourself, but you really must get back inside. We should have just enough time for you to change before you have to make your final appearance. I will escort you,” Allura said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Pidge passively nodded and accepted the hand her guard held out. “Sorry, Allura.”

As Allura led her back into the palace, she glanced back one final time to see Keith, but he was already gone.

[be-the-creature-fan]

AIN'T NO TIME LIKE 1969 by: be-the-creatue-fan. (Its a long one)

Chapter 1

Its was a quiet day at the Tortuga, ever since self quarantine started things were very quiet in the creature world. The Wild Kratts team were trying to keep busy, Chris and Martin were trading creature power discs again, Koki was making sure there was no Villain activity, Jimmy was playing his video games and Aviva was working on her inventions.

"It's Done!" Aviva said with excitement.

"What is?" asked everyone else.

"The Time Trampoline! Its finally been restored to its former glory."

Chris's face lit up with a tear in his eye, finally after over a year of waiting, the time trampoline was finished.

"So, Chris are you ready to test it out?" Martin asked.

"You don't have to ask me twice! So, Aviva how far back can this time machine go?"

"Well lucky for you Bros, this baby can go all the way back to the Jurracic Time Period!"

"For real!?" The Brothers said.

"Do you know what this means Chris?!" "We can finally see your fossil collection come to life!!!"

Chris was so excited he couldn't speak.

"Well what are you guys waiting for? You guys can visit them right now!"

So the Kratt brothers got ready to go back in time to see the dinosaurs, but little did they know that trouble was lurking close by.

"Uug Finally she finished her time trampoline thingy" Zach said as he walked towards his invisibility cloak. "It's finally time to defeat those Wild Rats once and for all!

Chapter 2

"Are you guys all set" Koki asked

"Ha! I was born ready!" Chris said as he climbed on the trampoline.

Once both Brothers were on the trampoline the countdown started, not just for the Wild Kratts team but for Zach as well.

"5.....4.....3.....2.....1....ze-" just before the team could say zero, Zach came out of nowhere and pushed Martin off the trampoline and destroyed one part of it as Chris made it into the time connection. Martin could only watch in horror as the time connection started to close right behind Chris. As Chris saw the time connection close up, he knew that he had to travel to a time period more recent then what he originally planned or he would be toast. So without thinking Chris threw the other smaller time trampoline just right infront of him and narrowly avoided his ultimate doom.

June 20th 1969 (9:52pm) Warren NJ

Chris found himself in a tree with the trampoline just under him. As Chris jumped on to the trampoline he couldn't help but feel that where ever he was at felt familiar in a way but he still didn't know where or when he was at, so he just packed up the trampoline and started to wander the streets. After walking for about an hour Chris began to feel tried and hungry and the feeling of being lost and alone didn't help. Just then, as he was walking near an alley way he felt a large tug on his arm and with one swift move he found himself on the ground being beaten up by a small gang of thieves. He could feel them snatch the time trampoline away as they ran away. Chris continued to lie on the cement motionless until he found the courage to get up and keep walking. He was still in shock and didn't know how badly he was hurt, and couldn't tell if he was sweating or losing blood but as he kept walking, everything kept becoming more and more familiar. Chris finally found himself infront of his childhood home and because of the pain and exhaustion he had felt, he clasped in the front yard only hidden by a bush.

Chapter 3

"CHRIS!" Martin screamed as he gased up at the time connection which had just closed. "Zach! Look what you have done now!" Martin looked at Zach with a murderous intent in his eyes. In a split second Martin leaped towards Zach and proceeded to put him in a choke hold. The rest of the Wild Kratts gang had to pry Martin off of Zach. But before Zach could escape, Aviva used the robotic arms to keep a hold on Zach.

"So Zach, What in the Creature World was that all about?!?!" Martin angrily asked.

"I don't have to say if I don't want too." Zach responded with a smirk on his face.

"Listen here you little sh-"

"MARTIN, LANGUAGE!!!" Koki said to quickly interrupt Martin.

"Dang, Martin. Sombody please remind me never to mess with Chris." Jimmy said in a kind of joking manner.

"Jimmy?"

"Yes Martin?"

"Shut up."

After a moment of awkward silence.....

"Oh Martin I was able to pick up a signal coming from the other trampoline." said Koki.

"Really? Where at do you know if Chris made it?"

"Well there was activity after the trampoline made it so he was able to escape the closing of the time connection, however I cant pinpoint where he is at but I know when."

"Well when was it?"

(Back with Chris in 1969.....)

It was 8:00 on the 21st day of June and it was a beautiful first day of summer. Linda Kratt who was 8 months pregnant with her 4th kid decided to sit on the porch outside and relax in the summer breeze. That when she noticed something on her front yard. As she walked closer to it thinking that it was probably a possum or a raccoon, to her suprize it was a man who's face was very swollen. At first she thought about calling the authorities, but saw that he had probably had gone through enough and probably needed a proper place to heal back up. So using a little bit of ingenuity she used her eldest son's wagon to put the man in and she pulled the wagon inside and she put him on the couch to rest up.

Chapter 4

Chris finally started to come around and the first thing he noticed was the kid who was staring back at him.

"Martin?" Chris said in a quiet raspy voice.

"Martin! what did I tell you don't disturb the nice young man!" Linda sternly told Martin as she shooed him away. "I'm so sorry about that I hope he didn't wake you."

"Oh, no he didn't wake me Mom" Chris said still a little dazed.

"Mom?" Linda said confused.

"Oh! I meant Mamm sorry."

"Oh that's alright dear, say you look familiar, do I know you from somewhere?"

"Um no I don't think so" Chris stuttered as he tried to get up. "I would like to thank you for your hospitality but I need to be on my way" as Chris stood up he became very light headed and he stumbled as he tried to walk, almost falling again for the 2nd time.

"Oh no I insist you must stay here and rest" she brought Chris back to the couch and it didn't take long for him to fall back asleep.

Linda then tried calling her husband Bill Kratt at his work but there was no answer. A few hour later Chris woke up again and started walking towards the kitchen to get something to drink but he would struggle with trying to stay awake. His head was pounding and he would black out at times but eventually he made it into the kitchen and got himself a glass of water. As he was walking back to the couch, Bill came back from work.

"What the hell are you doing in my house!!!" Bill shouted as he ran towards Chris and tackled him.

Chris was to weak to respond and passed out in fear.

"Bill! Get off of him he's hurt!" Linda screamed.

"Linda you and the kids stay back!" I'll teach him a lesson not to enter the house of Bill Kratt!"

It wasn't easy but eventually Linda calmed Bill down and explained him the whole situation. Chris once again woke up on the couch but this time it late at night.

He could hear Bill and Linda taking in the room next to his.

"I don't trust him Linda, he seems like someone who goes out looking for trouble"

"Well, what makes you say that Bill?"

"You saw how badly beaten up he is, he was probably looking for it. I'm just glad that no son of mine will ever end up like him."

"Bill, what's the real reason why you don't like him?"

"I guess I'm just worried about you,the kids and the baby. when I saw him in our house I thought something terrible happened."

"Oh I'm so sorry Honey, I tried calling your work phone but there was no answer.

"Its ok Love, I'm just glad you're ok."

Chapter 5

(Back in Present day.....)

Martin couldn't sleep that night. All he could think about was how would Chris ever return home. Aviva and Koki spent the whole day trying to figure out a way to fix the time trampoline as quickly and efficiently as possible, Jimmy was keeping a guard on Zach, and Martin was mostly trying to figure out where Chris could be. It was very odd though, Martin started recalling a moment shortly before Chris was born when a man came and visited his house for some reason that he couldn't remember, he didn't know why he was recalling this memory or why it came to mind just then but he tried to not pay attention to it and continued on with his day.

"How's the Time Trampoline Aviva?"

"Well, its coming along, luckily Zach wasn't strong enough to break the main part of the trampoline but its gonna take a while to fix it well enough to get Chris back."

"How long would that be?"

"About 2 weeks"

"2 weeks?! How would we know if he's even still alive in 2 weeks?"

"Ha! Wow most of my plan worked better than expected" Zach yelled out loud.

Martin didn't take that very well and the team had to restrain him as well before there was any bloodshed.

For the next few days The whole Wild Kratts team did their part to fix the time trampoline.

(Back in 1969.....)

Chris continued to slowly get better and even helped Linda out with some of the chores when she was to tired to do them.

"So when is the baby due?" Chris asked even though he knew the answer

"In about another month or so. But sometimes, I wish it would come sooner then later. It's not easy having to be pregnant and also have 3 other little ones, but I love my children and wouldn't want it any other way."

Just then Martin ran up to his Mom.

"Mommy can I go outside?"

"Sure Honey" just make sure when you go outside where stay in the front yard where I can see you."

"Yes Mommy I will. Come on Heidi!" Then a Saint Bernard puppy ran out of Martin's room and went outside with him.

Chris really missed Heidi and was very happy to see her, but he had to contain his excitement in order to not act suspicious.

"Heh, Heidi that's a cute name for a dog"

(Back in present day)

"Martin are you alright?" asked Jimmy

"No"

"What's wrong?"

Martin glances at Jimmy with tears in his eyes.

"I let Chris down Jimmy, I'm a terrible brother, I was supposed to protect him, and I failed."

"Martin this is not your fault. We're going find him and get him back."

"Well, if he's not dead by then!" Zach blurted out.

(Dead silence)

Chapter 6

(Back in 1969.....)

Its been one week since Chris went back in time. Chris was still recovering from his injuries but has since gain the trust of Bill.

"So um Chris that your name, right?"

"Um yes sir."

"Where are you from Chris?"

"Oh um I travel a lot but I grew up here and I was supposed to um meet my brother at a um a bus station I waited for a while and so I thought he might of been talking about the other one that's not to far away from here but as I was walking over there I got mugged and the next thing I know it, I wake up on the couch."

Chris knew he couldn't tell the truth, he knew that every action he does could affect the outcome of the future, even his own. All of a sudden Chris had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"Bill.....Bill!...BILL!"

"Linda what is it?!"

"Bill! We have to go to the hospital, it's the baby, something's wrong!"

Chris sinking feeling turned into a pain and then into agony. He felt like throwing up, he wanted to scream, the pain was starting to become unbearable, he didn't know what to do.

"Chris are you ok?"

"YEAH BILL I'LL BE FINE JUST HELP THE BABY!"

"Ok, Chris I'm going to take you both to the hospital."

"NO JUST TAKE YOUR WIFE! I'll be fine just take your wife and I'll be fine, ok?"

"Alright, let's go Linda"

A few hours pass the pain was still there.

"Where's Mommy and Daddy?"

Chris looked up to see Martin stareing back at him.

Chris didn't know what to say, he was in so much pain. He didn't know if he would survive. He looked back at Martin.

"Mom and Dad are at the hospital, But don't worry, they're going to be ok."

After saying those words, the pain started to go away.

"Martin, I need you to remember something."

"What is it?"

"When your older, you are going to feel like you have to protect your siblings from danger, and that's good, but sometimes when you can't, don't feel like it's your fault, ok?"

(Back in Present day....)

"Oh my gosh I know where Chis is!"

"Martin it's 4:00 in the morning, where do you possibly think he's at?"

"He's at my house, in 1969, I remember him, but I don't know how, but he possibly can be the same man."

"Unless he's currently changing the past and adding new memories, that would explain why you keep having these new memories from your past!"

After a lot of thought Aviva just released something.

"This isn't good"

"What is it Aviva?"

"If Chris keeps talking or interacts with your family, this could jeopardize our past and present day selves. The Wild Kratts team might not even exist."

"Well there isn't any time to waste!" Koki piped up.

"Koki is right let's get to work."

Chapter 7

(Back in 1969.....)

After a while Linda and Bill came back from the hospital

"How's the baby?" Chris asked

"The baby is fine, thankfully"

"That's good"

"Chris, I would like to thank you for watching the kids for us, I hope there wasn't any trouble."

"Oh no there was no trouble at all"

"Are you sure we don't know you from somewhere?"

"Ummmm not that I'm aware of? But you guys have been so kind to like if I was your own son *cough*"

"I just hope your brother isn't worried about you"

"Oh I'm sure he's not that worried about me."

(Present day)

"ARE YOU GUYS DONE YET?!?!?"

"Martin, CALM DOWN! We need about a few more days until we're done fixing it."

"A FEW DAYS? A FEW DAYS?! WE DON'T HAVE A FEW DAYS WE HAVE TO GET HIM BACK ASAP!"

"Look were trying to do the best we can, but time travel is complicated stuff"

"I know, I know, but I'm just worried about him. I just want to protect him, I want to know if he's safe."

"I think I've got it!"

"What is it Koki?"

"I fix the time trampoline just enough to get Chris back!"

"How?"

"I took a few short cuts and was able to allow the time trampoline to go back to the year 1969, which we know is the same time where Chris ended up in history. We just need to make sure we have a connection to the other trampoline for the time connection to open which might take about 6 or 7 hours to complete and 2 to 3 hours to locate the signal from the other trampoline."

(A few hours later)

"Alright I was able to track down the other time trampoline and it tells me that it was last used on June 20th 1969. However the time trampoline can only go back as far as July 4th 1969, Chris would most likely still be stuck in the past but it would still be a risky thing to do, considering that every action he make could affect our Present."

"If it's the best we can do so be it!" Martin said

"Ok let's go then"

So Martin went on the time trampoline as the rest of the team stayed behind to make sure absolutely nothing goes wrong. So Martin went through the time connection and went back to Warren NJ July 4th 1969 (9:00)

To Martin's surprise he landed in a junkyard.

"Hey Martin can you hear us?"

"Yea loud and clear, it's a good thing that my Creature Pod still works."

"Listen, you only have 1 hour to find Chris and get back here or else the time connection will close again and it might take a longer time to get you guys back to Present Day."

"Wait today is the 4th of July, right?"

"Yeah why?"

"Oh man I was afraid of that"

"Why?"

"For as long as I remember, my family would drive a half an hour to go watch the fireworks near the beach. If they had already left there's no way I can make it back in an hour."

Chapter 8

"Well, what if they didn't leave yet? Shouldn't it still be still light out?"

The sun was still out but was quickly setting.

"The sun is starting to set, I don't know where I am or how far away I am from where Chris is!"

"Martin, there's no time to lose! You only have one hour to find Chris before the time connection closes"

"I know, I know..... (sigh)"

So after a while of finding a way out of the junkyard he finally made his way onto the street. Martin looked at his watch. (9:05)

As Martin continued to roam the streets his surroundings became more and more familiar. A lot of memories began to flood his mind, some good and some bad. Martin eventually found himself infront of his old school that he, his sisters and Chris would walk to and from. Martin looked at his watch again (9:15). It was a 20 minute walk from his childhood home, if he was going to make it, he would have to make a run for it.

(With Chris 9:00)

Chris found himself looking out the window, something he did often as a kid. It has been just over 2 weeks since he got trapped in 1969, a lot have happened during those weeks. Chris figured that Martin would be here by now, the situation was probably worse than he thought. What if he never returns home.

"Chris?"

"Oh um... yes Linda?"

"Is everything alright?"

"(sigh) yea...I just. I've been waiting for my brother for over 2 weeks but I've heard nothing. What if he thinks I'm, um kidnapped or um dead? I'm just worried about him not being able to find me.

"Oh Chris you have been such a wonderful guest, and you can stay for as long as you need to until we can find your brother. What's his name, anyways?"

"Mar....vin, Marvin"

"Well I'm sure we'll find your brother Marvin soon"

"Thanks Mo....Mamm I really appreciate it"

"Linda are you and the kids about ready to go?"

"Almost Bill, I'll be ready in a bit. Chris are you sure you don't want to come with us to the fireworks show?"

"Actually yes I'll go with you guys ot might take a little bit of time to get ready"

"Great, just make sure you're ready by 9:30"

"Ok" Chris said as he looked at a nearby clock. (9:05) "that should be more than enough time to get ready"

(Back with Martin 9:20)

Martin's lungs started to burn after a minute and a half of running but he didn't stop him but after 5 minutes of running it was more than he could take, he was at the half way mark between the school and his house but his lungs felt like they were on fire. Martin slowed to a stop to catch his breath, but the words "Martin there is no time to lose" echoed in his head, he had to keep going. So after a quick break he trudge on.

Chapter 9

(9:27)

(With Chris)

"Ok I'm ready to go"

"Oh good, is everybody ready to go?"

"Um Mommy?" Little Martin said

"Yes Sweetie....Oh Good Heavens!"

While nobody was looking Martin decided to try to pour himself a glass of grape juice and accidentally spilled it all over the floor.

Linda rushed over to where the mess was grabbed a mop and started to clean the mess up as quickly as she could.

"Linda you are in no shape to clean this up" Bill said as he went to where Linda was. "Here, let me clean it up Dear."

"No Bill I got this! I can do this"

"But Linda you know what the doctor said, you need to take it easy during this last month."

After pausing for a while Linda gave the mop to Bill.

After Bill cleaned up the mess and was able to get situated once again, a faint knock was heard at the door.

"I'll get it!" Linda said as she speed walked towards the door.

(With Martin 1 minute before)

Martin could see the house in his sights, but was still very far away maybe even to far away.

"Come on Martin you have to get over there, but how?" Martin said to himself as he started to scan the area.

Alas, Martin finds what seems to be a scooter. "I hope who ever this belongs to won't mind me using it" he rode the scooter until he makes it infront of the house. As he walked up the steps to the door Martin felt a rush of relief as he made it just in time.

Linda opened the door and once Martin and her made eye contact she was utterly speechless.

Martin, also being very weirded out, barely able to collect his thoughts said "Good evening um Mamm, I've been looking for my brother have you se-

"MARTIN!" Chris yelled out as he ran and embraced him.

"Chris I'm so glad you're ok!"

Bill comes to see whose at the door and when he also saw Martin he too had become speechless. Little Martin confused by all of the silence from his parents goes up and introduces himself

"Hi my name is Martin,what's your name?"

"My name is Mar-"

"MARVIN!" Chris blurted out

"Yea Marvin..."

Martin looks at his clock, it was 9:33.

"Oh look at the time! Me and Chris have to go we were supposed to meet with a couple of friends two weeks ago but ever since Chris got lost we spent our time searching for him but we best be on our way."

"I would love to thank you for your hospitality Mr and Mrs. Kratt and I hope we can visit you in the future " Chris said as they headed out the door.

"Bye Chris! I hope you can visit us soon"

"Sooner than you think" Chris thought to himself.

As soon as they were out of sight Martin and Chris had the opportunity to tell there sides of what happened with them.

"Why didn't you tell them my name was something cooler?" Martin asked

"What name would be cooler?"

"Anything but Marvin"

They both laugh and after a while they were able to make it past the halfway point. Martin looked at his watch again and it was 9:45

"Come on Chris we need to pick up the pace if were going to make it to the time trampoline on time" when Martin looked up Chris was nowhere in sight "Chris?"

"Martin.....help me"

The same pain that Chris felt a week ago was back however it felt 10× worse he tried to breathe but it was like he was getting stabbed in the lungs. He became numb and weak, Chris looked up at Martin with terror in his eyes he knew what was going on.

"Martin I'm dying"

Chapter 10

"Chris......Chris........come one stay with me buddy..........Chris!"

Martin knew time was limited, so he lifted Chris and carried him on his back. He could feel Chris struggling to breathe, he didn't know how his brother who seemed healthy just a few minutes ago, to just trying to hang on to life.

"Come on Chris we're almost there just hang on"

They finally made it to the time trampoline. It was 9:55, Chris wasn't looking so well. Martin started to jump on the trampoline with Chris on he back, which made it a lot longer to get through the time connection.

"Martin, Chris, thank goodness your back" Aviva said with excitement.

"Aviva you have to help Chris! I don't know what wrong he was fine when earlier, but when we were on our way here he all of a sudden....."

Martin broke into tears

"Don't worry Martin, we will find out what's going on"

Chris was laying almost motionless barely able to comprehend what was going on around him. He couldn't feel anything as both Aviva and Koki hooked him up with tubes.

"His heart rate is very irregular, I don't know if he's going to make it"

A new memory popped into Martin's head.

"Wait, I think I know what's going on"

"What is it MK?"

"Both past and Present Chris are connected..." (to be continued...) tumblr won't let me finish.

[bluepenguinstories]

Intention Headaches Chapter Nine

To Our Crumbling City:

How many dusks, overtaking dawn, have the drones

littered the skies just as the bodies litter the streets

devoid of human spirit, or the spirit in the machine

wishing to devour everything, but falling short

for its gingivitis and inflamed throat; lacking bite

it only leaks information, devoid of context, its

liberating enslavement, braying Cranes (weathered by time) –

Our crusades of laughter, our vicious joviality

slaughtering each other with mugs. Our curse of skin

sagging into itself as we drink ourselves away. Yet these halls

where we age like wine, slow and souring, the grapes

of wrath now forgotten, our hostility tempered

to a refined weapon which has grown rusted;

– (as all things become) Arrested by its final days...

So we, men loving, loving men, all lay in our residences

with our hands tied, to our legs, to our necks, to our lips

just as we find another place to take the whiskey

as if it were a thicker liquid, as if our essences were honey.

I reminisce on our togetherness, although never separated

we would feel ourselves becoming less of each other

and more automatons in Hephaestus’ pornography collections.

Weeping tears of liquid titanium, our craniums feel the bolts

losing their grips on each other. One by one, we slow ourselves

down to the moments where we forget the tides shifting

and not in our favor, but theirs.

We cannot pretend “All is well” when the negotiations

flat on the table, we lean ourselves against, came from the ones

with the wrench, loosening the screws so the table would fall on us.

We fought and we fought our own memories bitten into the dust.

They taste like blood, they are film reels playing the same things:

Cinemas of grotesques parading as “Just another day”.

Of course, we chose the life of one such gang.

So as to relive the memories, but omitting one key detail

that used to bind us all together:

No fault of ours, but a fault of the years. We once fought our everyday.

We once marched against the ones with their names on the tables.

It is both a great amusement and a bitter taste, then, that we act.

Such bravado for such cowardice. Surprised by our surmise, counteract

our love for men, for the love of death. For us, the muscles, the hair,

the beards and the bears, the shaved and the scarred, the bitten.

The sophist, the self-destructive, the slurred and the articulate.

The tortured and the torturer, the smokers and the freshest of breaths.

Those with supple breasts, milk which tastes like ale, hair like cotton

and when I drink from him he tells me to call him Captain.

We gather together, strangers, lovers, cousins, brothers.

Clergymen of our own blunders. Kissing the winds, each other.

Mistakes are acquaintances, even for the antiquated.

I see us all as the spit we lick from each other, our sweat

against the ceiling fans. Hardened buttocks betray

Sideways glances. All our contributions we owe to open secrets –

– If you listen real close, I’ll tell you:

Cranes are who we are, the ones who rest on the water.

Our necks twisted, faith distorted by the Orphic.

Between corners of each district, I see lights that operate.

“Whatever you wish to see at any given time shall be yours.”

Or so they say, the bastards, so holographic.

So courteous as to lie, as we in wait, because out of all the boasts

of technologies, all that were made were means to enslave.

Weaponry cannot baptise us any more than a plague.

For all the so-called advances, we have yet to find a way

to help each other live.

Cranes gather in an unassuming shack, by an unassuming docks.

Our base of operations. Above ground, by mere inches.

It’s a testament to my flair that I do not protest. For all the talk

of atrocities, what better way to live, than to tear through our insides?

We can change our parts for anyone. Our arms, our hearts

Our genitalia. All belong to us at any time, for the price of many lives.

It’s a testament to my amusement that I have played along so long.

So this tribute is for you, broken city, with your watchful eyes.

No, not you. Your uninhabited towers and your houses of horrors.

Those I care not for. This is a tribute to tributaries.

For the seas and the rivers, the ponds and the lakes, the oceans

which divide us all. We are united in the ways in which the currents

drag us under like a siren hungry for its next lover.

Oh, how I wonder who or what this is all for. For the rapids rest

just outside of the city itself. If we could conquer them, no.

If we could fornicate with them, then we may see passage.

For these many bridges will one day collapse.

Thank you, you foul creature. Just as you have thanked us.

Just as we have thanked each other by shaking hands.

Time and time again, I wish to suck your lips.

Beside your bridge.

Part I: Aloe Vera:

Vive la Karen:

Our old friend Karen came a callin’.

During our raucous rancor, our celebratory crowned affair.

No lordships, bishops, lieges, or bison, could stamp away

at our achievements in blissful ignorance.

But one could, our old friend Karen.

Every night, our home served as a tavern. Us, our own servers.

The disc is somewhere, corrupted and overwritten.

Blame it on our laughter, the lack of slumber, the swayed movements.

We couldn’t hear her until the lights were darkened.

We looked around, there was Karen.

“Your next and only mission is to disband.”

The machine’s grand announcement. No uncertainty present.

The panel on the wall with the eyeball, its ocular malice;

Glazed with its sterile gaze. Never more than what was needed.

Lack of subtlety and an unnecessary cruel mercy.

Karen couldn’t make the intent any more crystalline.

But, she decided to lay frosting on our cakes:

“There will be no funds. No rewards for your troubles.

But if your mission proves to be a success, you will not be shot

to death within a twenty-four hour window.”

We all exchanged expressions meant for lovers or distant relatives.

Straits were dire, and not to mention the famine of straights.

Only one was; he was a pale widow, sunken within a ship in a bottle.

I creaked, my bones atrophied, my cane gifting with splinters.

“You heard it, men. Time to pack it up. Our time has come to an end.”

My cyclical smile unwound back below my nostrils.

Everyone cheered, for the truth was an open secret.

Men between men, that was how it was kept.

We were not leaving each other.

We were leaving the city which made us.

I knew that thoughts and words could be heard

But few doubt the resolute.

Forward March:

Outside, still night. Still as it was eternal.

Our collective thoughts: holding hands.

Beef and chicken alike, in a hot pot

Made to be slurped down. That was us.

At least a hundred of us. Foot out in front.

Leg out in back. Each one making their

forward motions in unison to display our union.

We sang a little ditty, a barrage of showtunes.

Our weapons on our backs. Some of us as

Our own weapons, we guided ourselves.

I was eager, yet wary. Weary for the true outside.

So out of reach, the stars were unfocused.

Students left to their own devices.

Rats with shock collars and curds stuck in fur.

I was an all-out war and I am more.

Streets as empty as the night, Patron Saints of paint.

Nary a drive-by in sight. Pardon the mourning

of bloodshed; city wasn’t alive without someone to die.

On cue, a device to electrocute took a man

I loved so dearly that I only ever kissed his hand.

Nary a tear was shed, for the beast was fed at last.

Hunger was a strange thing, wishing for nothing

to fill up the stomach, but we could speak

of all the things we would eat when we escaped.

If only the fates would stop slurping our eyeballs.

I needed them to see, however myopic of me.

Part II: Bridge Out Ahead:

Approach:

As the steel greeted us with its sturdiness

we shook our heads in disgust, our tastebuds distorted.

Stealth was not an option; grasping at straws, we took aim

and attached our mucus membrane gelatin onto the beams.

Smiles and jeers, no time for cheers. Karens, no, turrets.

Torrent of them took aim without firing.

So we stood, forever lost in the absence of Father Time.

“City limits. Turn back now or be prepared to be shot on sight.”

Karen could be a ferocious one, always wanting to empty

the contents of the device inside of several men at once.

Oh, but such a fulfilling release would lead only to an end.

We would not be deterred, so long as my bones ached.

“Mikey, can you go on?”

“– Babe. I’m Logan.”

Only in the early 30s, already losing to the ravages of age.

Our weapons drawn, we took fire at the turrets named Karen.

They took struck at us. Some fell, some put up electric glass

As a means to protect. What we couldn’t protect was the bridge.

We knew our passage would not be a solid one. Not a stone skipped

but a record without any scratches.

Turrets could be intelligent, even within their torrents.

Aimed at the matter which held firm to the bridge’s limbs

we watched the load get blown. Several pieces, several

men hit in the name of revolution. Their concussion wouldn’t

Be in vain. But our means of escape, we were afraid.

Bridge dissipated, too damaged to be a salamander.

Many remain, yet we had to turn back. We saw

the rustic passage as a golden opportunity.

We walked across our fellow’s remains and back

to the home which we abandoned.

Whatever crustacean in the sky would bless us

I would bless in return; hermits, no more.

“Betty, would you do the honors?”

“What about you, Barry?”

Betty and Barry were the same man. Or the two men

were joined together. Their algae arms pawed at the crate

which kept hidden until the very day. I came up

With the idea, myself. I wanted to kiss Betty and Barry.

Betty and Barry were both men, men I could sail with.

Under the crate was our lever, our lover. Such a promise

In the form of a warm and hardened stick.

It had to be kept warm at all times, someone crawling

toward it in secrecy. The lever was powered by our

Equilibrium, no, our affectionate friction.

Part III: Ship of Relations:

Theseus:

Every day since our inception, we supplied ourselves.

Our end was always approaching, and Karen knew it.

Each month after shipment, we took boards.

Our hands were full, planks drawn, quartered. Flanked.

So on that night, or day, we finally deployed.

To test if it would float or sink. Fine testing, it was.

Fine men, we are. Fine enough to squeeze. Like mustard.

No, mayonnaise on a desert day.

Ship did float, and so we installed light

on our boots, so we could walk above water.

Perform miracles, if only for a few seconds.

Then, we watched the docks get shot down.

Karen was a diligent one. If only Karen was a man.

If I could hold a machine like men held me.

Like I’m a baby, and mother brought meat.

Baby Harold, waddling. But this baby was a button:

If I had twenty more years to get my youth back

Then I wouldn’t be so elderly. But in the 30s, you know.

Third decade brought booze and misery.

Booze could serve as a playground, or a death sentence.

One of my men had to help me aboard.

Soon, I and them, all on deck. Out with the city, in

With the forewarning breeze. Passionless in its stirring.

The wind would have to guide us.

My compass was too fogged by malicious software.

Incontinent:

Did we have food?

Yes, we had/have food.

It has expired, it has grown molded.

It tastes of our favourite bourbon.

It smells like a familiar flatulence.

It is food.

Did we have a map?

Yes, it told us where to love and how often.

There were sticks and stones.

In due time, we would break each other’s bones.

Then seal the deal and murder with words.

Later into the night, we would bring a kiss.

Did we have cabins? Yes, just as we had means to sleep.

In each room weren’t beds, but we would keep

Each other warm in each other’s arms.

The body heat would be our thermostat.

The mast had a glow to it.

Did the ship move?

Just as it sails, a ship moves.

There is a wheel, it goes unused.

We move it to get the experience.

It reminds us to spin.

The ship itself, sails itself.

Automation is our lifeblood.

We designed our ship to forego hesitation.

Part IV: To Cutlery Sharks:

Cutlery Shark:

Waters blackened by the murky chemical invasion.

So long past, we almost think to drink it.

Instead, fresh men take purifying solutions within

the laboratories of the chemistry quarters.

I took a look and took a drink.

I became drunk off of it.

Some of us made the mistake of drinking

from the waters we sailed on; sickness set in.

Stumbled overboard, devoured by the sharks

with teeth made of cutlery.

It bit into our planks and turned some of us to rust.

We shot at the shark, but the creature split

into a husk of tapeworms with acidic spit.

I prayed for our continued passage and what answered:

Explosion! One man, a burly burlesque dancer

threw a brigade of explosives into the water.

The tides themselves roared and the tapeworms no more.

In our stead, a whirlpool and the seas quivering.

Skies above rained down cutlery. Messengers from the gods.

From the whirlpool, we washed our clothing.

I went first, taking a drink, then pouring the soap.

Our clothes fished, a mildew scent perforated

And left an imprint. Damp and musty, we lost nakedness.

I drank to that, as did all the rest.

Ol’ Phil Howards:

Phillip Howards was a man, or a shrew.

Hated men, or hated himself as an extension.

Hated me, but valued our friendship.

I loved the way he loved the fetal position.

Always did think of it as poetic.

Smooth sailing so far, I descended.

Down the hatch of madness.

Where in his private cabin, he was crouched.

In the far corners was his whispers.

He always said things not pale didn’t bode well.

I laugh because he was paler than the ghost of my mother.

Bless that woman’s heart, she raised a loving man.

Me, I was wrinkled more than my grandmother;

When I last saw her was on her deathbed. But I digress.

He always talked like he had one foot in the grave

while hoping others would go in instead.

I ask why he cower. His teeth chatters. He speaks in whispers:

“I’ve seen colours, more than black, more than deep purple.

There is smoke on the water and it signifies danger.

We shouldn’t undergo such a folly.

For I’ve seen colours, more than neon, but something brighter.”

“They haunt my dreams, the seas, they speak.

Though I do not understand their language, I know malice.

There is a healing intent, that I do see. The seas sing to me.

But they are not Siren’s Songs, but signs of foreboding.

What we sail will not cleanse our bodies.”

I laugh because he didn’t understand. He doesn’t wish to.

“If there can be any freedom for my men, any indication

that we can live within each other, and outside, that is enough.”

Although we both were former clergy, we resigned;

His distaste for others, yet belief that no one deserves healing.

Me, I loved men a little too freely.

He spoke again, eyes sunken, his face a full 180:

“There is a beast in the sea. The church spoke of one.

Which would heal any who dared enter.

But I am not ready to be healed by it.

I would rather stay inside, plead ignorance to the outside.

Know this: we know nothing. We will soon.”

I took a drink. Truer words never spoken.

The sea was a harsh mistress who seldom display her phallus.

Before I may part, he said one last thing:

“Friend, I am concerned about your drinking.

You appear in poor health.”

Part V: To Virginia:

First Sights:

As the cutlery sharks pacified, back into the depths

Whence, I too, descended. Only for one more sip.

Sips turn into a chug, which turn into grey hairs.

Hairs upon dogs I wish I had brought along, if only to keep warm.

Up above, breeze of the sea poured salt into me.

That was how I came to see the sights of the city:

We passed by endless roads of nothingness, always paved.

By the wayside were the routine machines paving their ways.

Little cars which drove themselves, express purpose of open flame.

And beside them, the skyscrapers, all plain and never-ending.

So too I, my whole face agape, will we ever find sanctuary?

Past the gangs, past each base, I wanted to know

what was past it all.

All our gazes, mine especially, shifted to the forests.

Those haunting woods with their shrill howls abound.

Those hounds which surely lurk, stalk, prey for me.

As I should pray for them, if my hands weren’t for drinking.

Those thickets and bushes, rustling of leaves from them trees.

I believe I could see shadows from the plants, the rabbits.

Deer and bears, then, something glistening:

Behooved horned creature.

They say Hemingway drank from its blood.

An open wound to ease the troubles.

As I partake in a drink of my own. Common cure for the bereavement.

It stood to reason, I stand with my legs bent.

Cane not quite working, leg machine broken.

Forests, woods, pines, all stretched for miles and kilometers.

Other units of measurements. I don’t know them.

Centipentagrams? Terasects? Parallax?

One of those words are  not like the others.

All that matters is the endlessness...the vast.

Undergrowth overtaking, but a crease, it does cease:

Trees line up. Stop.

Stop! Stop it!

Groan. I knew it.

I know, I knew it then.

The alcohol will not, would not, can never keep it at bay.

Oceans, tempest, they all expand. But the forest doesn’t.

Ain’t hear a root a shootin’.

City limits, where you think it ends, it doesn’t.

There is a mountain, next.

Hills, a rocky point. The forest itself a circle.

No, a circle cannot be a square.

Even if the circle be a peg, cannot be a leg.

Let me explain: like a barrier, a veil, a shield.

Preventing or protecting, cannot say.

But at the hills, past the rocky trail, lie a cliff-side.

Where I see their home: the final base.

We sure were sailing away.

To Virginia:

Dear friend, how did you let the years fill you up so fast?

Like the drink in my belly, in my liver, in my gut.

I ask for you gracefully, without a poem or a song to be sung.

No pretense about it, I remember your top aide:

Was it Vera? Or Santa Maria? Flo-Rida? Maybe I don’t remember. Let me partake once more.

Aha!

As you are Ginny, she was Victory.

You and her and Virgil. The three of you in matrimony.

No doubt, you lost her in the hospital. As well as yourself.

Every day I stop being me, becoming an adjacent memory.

One day Heart. Hearth. Earth. Arthur. Hurt.

What do any of those ‘words’ mean?

Anyway, if I make it out, I won’t tell the outside:

That you were mad, wicked, numb, or naive.

I’ll read not only my poetry, but your unspoken words.

Just like the way you must wish for it to be.

Just you and her and him.

Those words you wish you could tell him that he already knows.

Those words you still wish you could tell him, anyway.

Before the hospital made you forget.

Or you chose to go.

I wouldn’t blame you, either way.

Oh! Look! Out on the cliff-side face! It’s your base!

Operations were much smoother when you didn’t have to think.

Wouldn’t you agree? Or is it just through my eyes that see?

See far too many things...right now I see…

Just past your base. To my ship’s side. It is!

I look and see To the Lighthouse, its burning beams.

Searchlights take us all someday. So I hope.

What am I doing? Writing this letter to you?

Who am I kidding? It will never get sent.

Just like you will never say the words to him.

The ones he already knows, but you wish you could say.

That’s OK. Just like Oklahoma, the place.

I read about it when I was a kid.

Millennia and a half, maybe more, ago.

It was said to have existed. Like Agartha.

Like Atlantis.

But those places were fairy tales we told each other as children.

I never met you as a kid. I never much believed in the English.

Your house and its hinges, where you reside, your age untapped.

By madness, it still lies still.

No fear for you, only admiration.

I would have let you criticise me any day, if I could continue.

You may live to see more days, but will you ever escape?

Look! I see your garden! Down by the beaches!

Your little Daisies and Petunias, Pansies and Begonias.

How you would walk with your watering can.

Sing, “I must tend to my Sapphics.”

Hark! On cue, one of those devoted.

Adeline with bear claws, passes by pansies.

Hangs on a laundry line a pair of panties.

I wave, so does she. She asks the crew what we’re doing.

“We’re sailing for freedom!” I make my declaration.

“Yeah! Come get y’all freedom!” She echoes the statement.

Even if I cannot send you this letter when my men escape.

I would like to pretend that you have read it.

If there were any proof of an outside world. Or a “world” at all.

I would like to send this your way, as a form of evidence.

I have to go now, Ginny, for gin is calling me

and the end is approaching, my dear friend.

Whom I’ve never interacted with.

Part VI: The End:

Earth is Both Round and Flat:

We did it.

Thoughts and prayers were answered with cheers.

Clangs of mugs! Hoo-rah!

I take my tiptoes to Phil Howards, he mumbles

about his fiendish friend, from the clergy, St. Eliot:

“The sea is a wasteland...the sea is a wasteland…”

I shake my head. The Wasteland was what I counteract.

For water is not soil. Or so it was, I would have soiled my pants.

Rather than the piss that smelled of bourbon.

Taking to him, I say:

“We made it! Soon we shall live!”

His eyes, first things to turn, I see not.

Instead, clam shells or oyster heads.

Spiral homes for hermit crabs.

His mouth was a starfish.

Words were no longer important.

But so I heard, just as I will hear:

“We have not left, only departed. The true end is the end.”

I leave him. There is an above to this.

There cannot be a Hell with a head above water.

One man in the crowd eyes eyes with I, I eye him.

We kiss. First on the lips, then on the fists.

Fists kiss with fists, knuckles bloody.

How men make love aboard a ship of relations.

One other man sees and comes up to me:

“Something new!”

I look. But I disagree.

“Familiar should not be new.”

Image of our former base of operations, in flames.

How we left it. How we left everything.

I shake, so does my face. My head, for good measure.

“Must be a mistake. Sail faster.”

So we went at it. Pushed around, left to right.

Sway with the night; harder, faster, stronger, better.

Currents in our favor. We didn’t yet notice the ship was lower.

Until we reached the end again and found ourselves

back at the beginning.

Water fills the top decks; our ankles get licked by it.

Its liquid, thicker than my blood long since poisoned.

If there is anything I can do, all our years of plans, and

We remain in the same place for I cannot locate action.

“Captain! We keep going around, and each time we do

We sink further below? What is the meaning behind this?”

“Words too obvious! This is a poem!”

“Ah! You’re right! ‘T’is my testicles caressed by Satan!’”

“Much better.”

So I stew in my saltwater sweat. Tastes like men.

So do I, but I don’t let it become my doppelganger.

I will not have my sweat swallow me.

Not when I can swallow it. Sweat is my pride.

Seagulls ahead, murderous cries.

Part VII: Leviathan:

Rumbling in the water:

Riptides in the muddled pond.

It was bad enough to find that the ocean was a moat.

City is a donut hole. No nutrition, only fat.

Our knees were tickled by seaweed. Or mine, leg hair algae.

Riptides grew louder; ripple effect of defective parapets.

My precept for perception failing me.

At this point we started noticing things:

Crocodiles jumping gangrene and tails wagging.

My men grabbed the nearest pointed weapon.

Fire open! Battle cries like the wild ride we chose for ourselves.

But fire proved to be nothing against the Crocodile’s hardened skin.

Us all, cowering, but I, I saw myself as a Doge, crowning.

Wow! It becomes time to step up! Wow!

With the press of a button, my phallus expands.

With it, I can swordfight Crocodiles.

Even past my prime, I am told I hold it well.

We’ll see, when it’s skin against teeth.

Reptiles have bite, but my blade does slice.

For all those teeth, I was the one who made the creatures bleed.

Bleed and retreat, just as the burden of being on the sea.

Sailors and Maritime sea-shanties sing

of a magnificent phallic fascination.

The battle itself, legendary. Decisive victory.

As the last of the creatures fled, my blade sheathed.

My blood was in my body, but I felt as if I was losing it all.

Forfeiting, for I already knew the truth:

the bridge that collapsed was our only way out.

Through it, we could have reached the tunnel.

But no more.

The tunnel is a sheet.

Over a black hole.

Sucking us in to the idea of freedom.

Suckering us, just as it does, and we fell into it.

My head sinks, no drinks left.

Far too sober, head sick. Head split.

“For those who want to live, leave now.”

Were the words I wished to say to my men.

But just as I addressed my evacuating sea men, ripple effect.

Ears ringing. Before, the creatures with teeth

may have made my fellows depart from me.

With my phallus back in my pants, sea men wouldn’t evacuate.

And, as my past erections, in an instant, from the waters

a great creature did rise!

Some unknown poison flower, a mouth dripping.

Plant with scales like a dragon fruit blooming.

Fins and tails, a face thought to be extinct.

Eyes of pure malice, flame emitting.

If there was a time to evacuate, the sea men should have.

Too magnificent, too arousing. Fear heightened.

Taller than the highest man-made structures.

Taller than structures made by AI.

So tall in stature that its body was nary a body at all

But a sizable shadow. Us, breadcrumbs.

If it weren’t for the hatred which summoned it

we may have gone unnoticed.

Too frozen in fear to jump overboard.

Us, a collective, hundreds, morsels to the beast.

Try as I might, there were no apt descriptors.

Despite the prior attempt. It was too great.

My heart understood true hopelessness.

The way the creature leaned until face against our ship:

Eyeing its meal.

“Everyone. Let’s all kiss one another

before our time is up.”

All of our systems, dry.

If not for its distaste for our attempted dissent

we wouldn’t have been its candidate for digestion.

Bestial and anomalous.

One of (Phillip Howards) Craftlover’s anonymity.

I understood his words now; the powerlessness.

Us all must have felt.

Yet powerful, in our final moments, like the Spartans.

No, Athenians. We had to be them: naked and unafraid.

My Grandmother’s Grandmother’s Grandmother:

If you were here with us, would you remember anyone at all?

I looked up to you, thighs greater than the legend of the Grand Canyon.

Child, Baby Boy, I was. You, the Great Grandmother. Mafia Don.

Gang leader with a Sailor’s tongue.

Someone so kindly, baking all the burly men cookies.

I remember, as a child, you told me:

“When I was your age, I sat upon the lap of my Grandmother.

Just as she sat upon the lap of hers. Then, there was your mother.

She had no lap for anyone to sit upon. Aside, the role was for

Us Grandmothers.”

I asked you what to do if a man loves a man and

a men love a men as a whole and everyone had a Sailor’s tongue.

You laughed and said how you were no man, yet

every Sailor needed somebody to bake cookies. It was a maritime rule.

You said how next there will be no grandmothers

because I was the next one chosen.

I objected, your crystalline eye, your sibylline prophecy.

If it would come true, who could I be?

My feelings lie not in war, but the act of action itself.

In turn, you told me:

“When you have feelings, you write poetry.

Poetry lets you hang your naked body in full display

without you being filled with shame.

Poetry is why some men live, laugh, and love.

Others eat, drink, and be merry.

For you, to have a gay old time, just find a rhyme.

Don’t worry about whether it makes sense.

That’s not what metaphors are there for.

Therefore, go off and lay your feelings bare.

Face down, buttocks up.

No need to worry about lazing on your bum.

That’s what men love!”

That was how I would become

the one who crocheted tea stands

with white-knuckled hands and a fluoride thread.

Though I could not bake cookies, I could write poetry.

When you left in the war, I grew to be an old man

before even leaving my twenties.

If you were with us, would you stare the beast into the eye

and serve it cookies?

All we have is our fists. Our spears which pierced with love.

Impaled with the most tender of grafts.

What rendered is a great sense of despair.

Our mission was being fulfilled.

In our failures, we were a success story.

What does it all mean? Would you have said:

“I am your grandmother and I have a lap”?

If I so loved a woman, she would have been you.

I miss your guidance, your arms like monkey bars.

If I know not the right answer, call it nostalgia

that illuminates my soul.

Vore:

“Men! If we shall go, we shall go with in the midst of action!”

That wasn’t what I shouted, but I seconded the motion.

No more. No more. No more. No more. No more.

There weren’t any more words.

For all the times others have swallowed me whole.

This was too much. Too great to bear.

I cannot. I cannot. I cannot. I cannot. I cannot.

What I wish for is to be a poet. Lover. Man.

Not dead. Not mad. Not dead. Not mad.

I watched them; spears made of lightning; code.

Binary and hexadecimal creating enough energy

to electrocute the seas, but focus on the beast.

Everyone, everyone but me. They fought, ‘til the end.

Bitter was the end. For the violence only made the beast grew.

Larger and larger, a boastful source of nourishment.

All our attacks made it hungrier. Rather, it wasn’t an invincibility:

not that we couldn’t scratch; each scratch gave more life to it.

Whatever I had called such a mass of distortion in the seas

it wasn’t correct. This beast, its shape could not be contained.

Not one shape. Not one shape. Square hole in round pegs.

Would any survive the fight? Would any love me?

See me as the lover I am, or once was, before I couldn’t stop?

Or would they see me as a coward, for refusing to be devoured?

Yes.

I watched all of them.

And I jumped, so I could meet my end elsewhere.

Bottom of this body of water, my body shall lie.

To think, I may only become a footnote in the overall history.

The Pantheon’s memory itself is a beast.

Goodbye, my men.

(Before I lost consciousness, my eyes remained open. Before all systems shut down, I noticed: my mind had been awake for too long a time. Over one hour had elapsed. By then, the beast must have returned from whence it came. I fear it may not be the only one. One if by land, one if by sea. So it must be. What of my body? No. Bad question. What of the end? When would I reach the bottom? Every downward spiral, my star loses its twinkle. Each descent, further fading, and every second it grows darker, I think it has reached the blackest point but IT BLACKENS FURTHER. There is no lowest point, it only grows lower, and I may never see a true end…)

Part VIII: Lost at Sea:

Deserted Virgin Islands:

...Cannot have a maiden voyage with crowded cabins

where everyone, so close, almost congealed

tied to each other, mingling and bleeding

to paint the halls and the boards on the floor.

No captain in the captain’s quarters, the wheel

has steered itself.

Down the stream is a continual loop, further

degrading its health.

Further sinking down, no smooth landing.

Only sandpaper on the ocean floor.

Course correction won’t save the inhabitants

when there is nowhere beyond the boundaries.

Outside, empty. Land, empty. Earth experiencing

a flirtation with entropy, a perfect reciprocity.

Forego the salutations. Wave and be forgotten

for what is best is to stare it into the mouth

and drown, than to let yourself be eaten.

[milasartblog]

Camping (part 5)

Couple of minutes later and boys finished cooking. Anoli and Nazeel were still walking with Sona, but soon they were back. 

Nazeel: That was nice walk. 

Anoli: Agree, not everyday you can be close to nature. And seems like Sona enjoyed too.

Nazeel: Yeah, it was funny how he tried to catch disc. 

While they were walking back to the crew, Lucifer, Liya and Lilith came out of water with laugh.

Lilith: That was great waterbomb, Luci~

Lucifer: Thanks~ I will be here all day~

Liya: But don’t think that you will get away that easily~ 

Lucifer: Ooooohhh, evil plan is cooking, i see~ Can’t wait for such revenge~

Lilith: Speaking about cooking, I wonder if our boys have finished with food. I would not mind to have something after swim~

Lucifer: Let’s first go to car and change. If Anoli sees us like this, she will lecture one more hour about it.

Girls both nodded and the trio went quickly to the car. Meanwhile, Chris, Axel and Jeff have finished with cooking. Seeing Anoli, Nazeel and Sona coming closer, Chris stood up and walked to them.

Chris: Welcome back. You are just in time, we have just finished.

Anoli: Oh, awesome! 

Nazeel: The nature here is so beautiful! I wish you could see it too, Chris.

Chris: Don’t worry, i will have time for it. How was frisbee with Sona?

Nazeel: The disc has almost flown away to water, but fortunately Sona was good jumper.

Chris: That’s great. I’m pretty sure he is as hungry as you two.

He patted Nazeel’s head kindly as Nazeel smiled and nodded. Meanwhile Axel and Jeff joined them too.

Axel: Oh, welcome back. How was the walk?

Anoil: It was great. Me, Nazeel and Sona had fun. 

Jeff: Cool. Haven’t seen Lucifer, Liya and Lilith? The food is ready.

Lilith: We’re already here, sunshine~

The crew turned around and looked at Lilith, Lucifer and Liya coming to them, already dressed up. Axel and Jeff got nervous for a moment.

Nazeel: Oh, welcome back, mommy, uncle Lucifer and Ms Lilith. How was the water?

Liya: It was nice~ Warm and crystal clear~

Nazeel: That’s cool. We need to swim one time too.

Anoli: We will. But right now, we should not make our chef wait. I’m pretty sure our boys worked hard for us.

Chris: Hehe, you’re so sweet, dear.

Lilith: I agree with her~ Let’s get comfy and have a nice snack~

Nazeel: Yay! Campfire snack!

He said happily as everyone smiled and got around campfire. Chris and Anoli helped to bring food and the camping meal began. The crew was having great time during meal, telling different stories from their life while Axel was nervous everytime Liya tried to get sneakly closer to him and Sona was trying to take a bite. Mostly it was Lucifer who told stories as he was talkative one. And yet, who would mind to hear about the life in Hell from the Lord of Demons himself? Well, only stories that are good for such company.

Nazeel: And you didn’t do any demon pranks after water prank?

Lucifer: For some time, yes. And it’s all thanks to Lilith.

Lilith: Not my fault that because of your jump the whole hall was wet.

Liya: I can imagine what a mess was there~

Lucifer: Hey, that was an accident.

Anoli: And yet, you still had to clean it.

Chris: Well, I have nothing to share, except that one day on my internship in one of the restaurants, I came across with a client that had a pet squirrel. We of course told them not ot bring any animals there, but somehow squirrel managed to escape an d all day we had to catch it.

Nazeel: Really? But is it legal to keep squirrels as pets?

Chris: For me personally, it is illegal, but seems like for them it was.

Nazeel: Awww, poor squirrel.

Chris: Yeah, but we managed to do it safetly and carefully.

Nazeel: That’s great!

Liya: Hey, how about we vary our common stories with....scary one?~

Everyone looked at Liya with surprise as Axel got nervous.

Axel: Ummm, maybe better not? I'm not a fan of scary stories.

Liya: Awww, got scared, my dear?~

Nazeel: Mommy, i'm not fan of scary stories too.

Anoli: Maybe better not do it?

Chris: Well, i'm not against such stories, but if people are against it, we should respect it.

Liya: C'mon, it's a fun part of camping.

Jeff: Umm, Ms Liya, child is here.

Lilith: How about we do this? We will all agree on that scary stories are nothing more than illusion and fantasy, okay?

Everyone looked at each other in awkward silence, but it was soon broken by Sona's bark. He was close to Nazeel as stood in protective pose. Nazeel patted him as smiled.

Lucifer: Seems like Sona is ready to protect even during scary stories.

Nazeel: Yeah.

Lucifer: Buddy, if you don't feel like it, we will not do it.

Nazeel: Well....I do don't like scary stories, but maybe we can try one?

Anoli: Are you sure?

Nazeel: Sona will protect us.

Lucifer: That reminds me of a story with my dog when he acted like this. It was scary one.

Nazeel: Really? And your dog protected you?

Lucifer: Well, if you're curious, i can tell~ But if it's too scary, i will stop.

Everyone looked at each other as nodded in agreement. And yet Anoli got ready for anything.

Lucifer: So....this story happened centuries ago.

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

And that's the next part of the camping story^^ So sorry for not publishing any writtings lately, got into uni too much that kills my motivation from time to time X') Still, hope you will like it and that you still enjoy this universe^^

Lucifer, Anoli, Liya and Axel belong to @wildstarfan and @milasartblog (both me)

Lilith belongs to @wildstarfan and @captainthane

Jeff, Chris, Nazeel and Sona belong to @captainthane

Okaria et Feria belongs to @wildstarfan and @captainthane

[mashitandsmashit]

America’s Got Talent: Season 15 - Auditions 2

11: Thomas Day. Is it okay to mock his hair, or is the Ace-Ventura-in-that-scene-where-he-was-wearing-a-tutu look just in these days? Alrighty then, let's get to the talent...He was good...And that's about it...I generally agree with Howie that his nerves somewhat got in the way of an otherwise charismatic presence, but I suppose he was JUST likable enough that I'd give him a pass...Though this does tell me that he's probably already been advanced to the live shows, because why else would they show an otherwise unremarkable audition in full...?

10: Kelvin Dukes. It's like if Steve Urkel WASN'T irritating and was actually kinda likable! Personality aside, his singing was also...good...Nothing mindblowing...So that's two of three singers at the bottom of my list...I assure you, the other one is much higher!

9: Simon y Maria. Cute and likable, which is always the magic formula for child dance duos. They're very talented for their age, though they better pray they never get pitted against that Indian duo from last week...

8: Frenchie Babyy. I'm usually fine when watching people contort in all these nasty ways, but this time I actually did get a slight bit queasy...Not sure how he stacks up against Strauss Serpent, but I do see potential...He just has a way to go before my enjoyment of him overshadows how much I cringe at him looking like his arm's about to come loose...

7: Divas and Drummers of Compton. STRAIGHT OUTTA...Yeah...This made for a very fun opener to the show, and everything from the precision to the choreography came together excellently! Obviously that three-year-old (looking scared out of his mind of the giant audience) is just there to add a little extra cute factor...Otherwise, they were clearly keeping him off the stage for both said stage fright and to avoid him getting kicked like a football into the field they usually cheer on...Anyway, I see a lot of promise with these kids!

6: Florian Sainvet. This is where the list gets a little tricky, because I greatly enjoyed everyone from this point on...But I guess this human disc burner gets the lowest spot, because I can very much see him...well...burning out...If he can prove me wrong, great! Until then, this was very slick and a lot of fun to watch! I guess the only issue is watching him drop those CDs all over the place...Those things aren't cheap, you know! That said, Howie looked unimpressed, and they didn't show him giving his opinion and whether he said yes or no...Chances are, the Shin Lim Effect came into play here, though in my opinion, this was far enough removed from the usual card tricks that I see Shin as a non-factor...

5: Jennifer and Daiquiri. I'm also quite surprised that there hasn't been a magic dog act before...(I have once pictured a DANGER dog act, though that would probably bring the ASPCA knocking faster than you can say “Woof!”) But this was a fun twist on the usual pet trick formula! And the most baffling trick of all was getting that big dog to fit through that little hoop! I'm all for this act! I legitimately hope they do well!

4: Usama Siddique. Finally, a comedian that isn't a middle-aged woman or has a disability! This is another case where I wish he went longer, but I almost come to expect that by now...Though since Heidi actually called it out this time, maybe that will change real soon...

3: Bonavega. Move over, Hans! There's another flamboyant superstar in town! I won't lie, I was expecting a disaster as well, but aside from being energetic and fun, the dude was actually a pretty decent vocalist...Granted, I didn't hear what he was saying a lot of the time, but I guess it's hard to hear him over all the noise he's making as well as the cheering he got...Oh yeah, and he's not half bad at guitar either! Last year I thought that the drag queen with the beard would be Hans 2.0, but this time I would say Bonavega HAS to be the successor...He has everything Hans had, and more!

2: Roberta Battaglia. When this girl came in with still over half an hour to go, I knew one of two revolutionary things would be happening with the Golden Buzzer...Either the act that I predicted would get it just from looking at the promos would NOT get it, and it would instead go to something different from usual, or they finally refrained from putting the GB at the very end of the show...I was mostly hoping for the former, but the latter makes perfect sense! Why would you want to make it a formula to put the awaited reveal at the end of every show, when that could lead to many of your viewers just tuning in at the very end? What's more, Sofia's selection is very much justified! Not only could this girl sing about as well as Lady Gaga could, but she emulated all of the inflections and tones from the song perfectly! She SOUNDS like Lady Gaga, and I could see her doing a good Miley Cyrus as well! (Say what you will about her music, but that chick can sing!) So far she's the most likely candidate to win this season, though I have my doubts because she doesn't quite have any of the unique draws that helped every other winner stand out...That said, I believe I've heard that she has a lot of fans (from another Got Talent she competed in or something), and we're yet to see how big her video's gonna be or how much media attention she gets...We'll just wait and see if another act comes along that fits the mold better...Though if nothing else, I can totally see her as the runner-up!

1: Bello Sisters. When I read their names on the Wiki before watching this show, I was thinking that Bello Nock's daughter was back with two sisters I didn't know about before...But I guess what we got instead wasn't too far off...Anyway, this had everything you could ask for from an act like this! Already they're putting the Messoudi Brothers to shame (at least when comparing auditions)! And I guess it's only fair, as after said distaff counterpart gave some eye-candy to the ladies, now the dudes get to watch three hot sisters put their hands and feet all over each other! The formations were mesmerizing, and I really hope this act goes at least as far as Messoudi did! Though it is worth noting that there are far more female viewers of this show than the male ones...Just keep them from competing the same night as say, Thomas Day, and we'll be peachy...

This was another overall solid episode! Sure, a few of them weren't anything amazing, but the fact that I consider more than half of the passing acts tonight slam dunks is a good sign! I'm still hoping that MAYBE they can find a Golden Buzzer that doesn't sing, but as long as they're great like tonight's choice, I don't mind too much...

Let's see if that lady they've been hyping up in all the promos gets it next week...