#I'm still trying to get a handle on drawing ducks

[tikasplat]

I think everyone should rewatch their childhood fav cartoons and draw a whole page of their favorite character

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

You Make Me Wanna 2

Warnings: dark elements, noncon, age gap, best friend’s dad trope other dark elements. Proceed with caution.

Note: Please let me know what you think as it helps me a lot with ideas and I love interacting with you all.

Part of The Club AU

You duck your head just before you can glance off the metal. Walter shoves you into the passenger seat gruffly as you drunkenly gold against his strength. You dizzy pull your feet inside as he grips the door and barely get them out of the way before he slams it. You shake your head, try to break free of the haze. Ugh, too much vodka.

The car jostles as he rips open the driver's door and the axel dips beneath his weight. He growls as he snaps the door shut and ram the keys into the ignition. He lets the engine idle as he shifts in his seat. He slips his phone out and taps with his thumb. He could crack the screen. You grasp your own cell and check for messages.

He huffs and drops his phone in the cupholder. He pulls the seatbelt across his burly figure and clicks it into place. He glares over at you as he slaps a hand around the ridge steering wheel, "buckle up."

You obey. The nightstand taken a rotten twist and the sooner it's over the better. You just need to find Faye. You do up your belt and grab your phone again. You key in a message without a care for typos. Where is she? You suspect she might be too distracted to answer.

He reverses out sharply and you lean into the door. You look up, the streetlights glaring in your vision, then another light draws your attention. His phone is still bright. You squint at the map on the screen and the dot pulsing a couple blocks away.

"What the hell?" You bend to see clearer and he resches over to shove you back against the seat. "You're tracking her?"

"None of your business, " he sneers. "That's fucked up," you say. "You got a nasty mouth. Now I know where she got that from."

"I didn't raise her," you scoff. "Why the hell am I here if you got GPS on her--"

"Because for once you're gonna face consequences for your actions," he growls as he turns the corner without slowing down.

"Stop the car," you demand.

"Shut up."

"Stop!" You pull on the door handle futilely, "let me out."

"Don't do that," he barks as he keeps his foot on the gas.

"Let me out!" You raise your voice, "let me the fuck out, Walter."

"Mr. Marshall," he retorts meanly. "Stop fucking around."

"I said. Let. Me. Out." You hit his shoulder with your fist and the wheels swerve. He slams on the brakes and you lurch back in your seat.

"Hey!" He roars and reaches over to grab your wrist. He twists and you whine. "You're gonna get us fucking killed."

"No, you are."

"You ever shut that mouth," he sneers as you try to free your arm, only further stressing the tendon. You whimper and bring your other hand up to try to peel away his fingers.

"Let me go." He huffs and releases you.

You recoil and rub your wrist as you pout. You're quiet as you evaluate the throbbing in your muscles.

"You know, I don't think you'd want someone treating Faye like this," you murmur.

"Shut up," he mutters as he eases onto the gas.

"No, stop, I'm getting out."

"You're not going anywhere," he quickly builds speed again. "And you're not going to talk about my daughter again."

"Well... you put your hands on me. What kind of man--"

"I'd hate to think of the boys you call men," he spits.

You reel at his inference. Is he calling you a slut? He would laugh at the truth.

"Whatever," you cross your arms and sit back, fingers still tingling.

He drives on in silence, only his grumbles underlining his slow breaths. You don't get it. How is it always your fault? You got better grades than Faye, you did extracurriculars, it isn't your fault you couldn't afford tuition.

You don't spill any of these gripes to Walter. He would care. He doesn't care. He just needs someone to blame besides his precious daughter. If only he knew how many times you kept her from worse mistakes.

You peer out the window, yellow blocks of light flicking in between the dark. You had a bad feeling about tonight. You saw right through Faye. You knew she wasn’t coming for you. These days, your hang outs rarely end up being just that. You just don’t know why. She’s changed.

Or maybe she’s outgrowing you. She’s in college and you’re working down at the diner, scrounging tips to pay your mother’s rent. You slump down as the drunkenness coaxes your self-pity to the surface.

Your eyes wander across the dashboard. It’s not old and grimy like your mother’s used Chrysler. It has bluetooth and lights and the heat works. There isn’t a crack down the plastic and it doesn’t smell like cigarettes.

It was easier in high school to pretend you belonged with Faye. You still had that layer of naivete that made you believe things could get better for you. Well, life’s begun and you’re just the same as you ever were.

You’re rattled suddenly as he shakes you, his large hand on your shoulder, “wake up.”

“Hey,” you shrug him off, “I’m awake.” You swat him away again, “don’t touch me.”

He blows out between his lips and snorts, bringing his hand back to the wheel. You sit up and turn your eyes back out the window. He’s just another person in your life who thinks they can mistreat you. His temper tantrum is nothing to you, just like you’re nothing to him.

[iilmunchkiin]

Hey just to let you know long ask incoming, put on your helmet and duck below the trenches

OKAY. WHOA. YOU WEREN'T KIDDING.

Had to put it in screenshots cuz it'll flood but oh my god you mad man. I was giggling the entire time reading this, knowing there's people who are still interested in the DD!AU despite having little to no updates hsajdhsajdas 〒▽〒

Sorry it took a while for me to answer this, I've been trying to find a way muster up a proper response so here I go!

"...did he ever really care about her? All she needs to do is perfect the serum."

Okay, putting my bias aside, yes, he did in fact love Ceroba but that's it, they love each other a lot. He just wanted to pursue his work more. Motherfucker is no less delusional than Starlo, he thinks he can save monsterkind if he can just perfect the serum and take revenge on the humans and it makes me sick knowing he planned to have a big family with Ceroba, have you seen how huge the manor is? He can't even take care of one child and yet he wanted more. That's Chujin Ketsukane in a nutshell, he wanted more, he wanted to pursue more because of how ambitious he is. He's unarguably worse than Starlo, he thinks he can save everyone, built a secret underground basement that he hid from his wife, and passed on his dying wish to said wife when he barely even finds time for her because he prioritizes his work more, he KILLED a CHILD and literally broke the laws of robotics, left said wife to work all by herself to stay afloat, the list goes on you get the point. Bias is back, there's nothing you can do to convince me to like Chujin, I will admit he's a good character but that's all you're going to shake out of me, I don't like him, he seems to be the type to have a superiority complex.

"Notably, when Kanako collapses, the first question she asks is 'Why did I work on that serum !?', it's 'Why didn't it work !?'."

I'm going to assume you meant Ceroba questioned why the serum didn't work instead of her coming to her senses and why she worked on it in the first place? Her blind adoration for Chujin baffles me when all he's ever done was pursue his career and what he stood for, but what baffles me even more is even Chujin himself said not to use the serum on Kanako and yet SHE STILL DID. She went against her husband's wishes, and still… what… okay I'm genuinely stumped on this part my brain just shut down.

"if i cannot be wanted, i will be needed and if i cannot be needed, let me be used until there's nothing left of me"

NO BECAUSE THAT'S LITERALLY EVERYONE Dalv - wanting to protect Kanako but failed (also adding he wants to be a teacher) Martlet - wanting to be useful so she joined the royal guard Starlo - wanting to distract everyone from being trapped underground Ceroba - wanting to pursue Chujin's legacy underground and making them happy Clover - their parents

"And she realizes she was so tunnel visioned that she didn't see Clover for what they really were - a lost child out of their depth, someone with nobody to look out for them."

THIS. THIS THIS THIS THIS POINTING VERY LOUD. CLOVER IS JUST A CHILD!!!!!!!

What bothered me a lot about Clover was they seemed so mature for their age, that was the impression I got from them the entire time playing uty, the way they handled everything just broke my heart, especially with pacifist Starlo's boss fight, they knelt down and surrendered in front of him, from the very beginning Clover was ready to offer their life and that was before even finding out about Ceroba's plan which happens right after that when they go to the Steamworks. They're so nonchalant about everything (imagine my surprise when I saw people drawing them all energetic and cutesy hihi ^^), and the fact that some bits and pieces of their hinted neglect at home just, augh. Just paint a picture with me, your entire life you were emotionally neglected, you're just a mere child who's trying to make it through life, doing the chores all by yourself, eating things you shouldn't, and your damn favorite TV show is just pure static until you decide to go to Mt. Ebott and jump down a hole holding a missing poster to look for the missing children, not knowing you could be next (and you were). To your surprise you see the world of your dreams, there were monsters, but these monsters cared and loved you, there were a few bumps on the road but in the end, they all genuinely cared, even offering you to stay with them, but after you find out about their situation… you offer your soul for their sake. Isn't that so cruel? You finally have a chance to be alive, experience what it's like to be loved, and finally act like a kid only to die on the same day? Such a tragic and twisted fate.

"It was Clover's choice and it was Kanako's choice too, and Chujin's, and if Ceroba's not careful it'll kill her next."

heh

[themadauthorshatter]

Lucky through out Finding Frankie:

"Yeah, I'll play this game, I earned it."

"HOLY SHIT! ... Okay, BYE, BITCHES, I'M OUT!"

"The other contestants mysteriously died! Not sure how that happened! Oh well, at least you're still here!"

"Yaaaay, I love being surrounded by CORPSES."

"How many circuit breakers does one trampoline and water park NEED? If it's this many, can't I just WORK HERE? You guys get any new employees or are they also rabbit food?"

"(Hiding) please don't see through mesh. Please don't see through mesh. (Frankie leaves) Okay, so the floor is lava. Or just a no-go unless I want to die slowly and painfully."

"Made it! And no- WHAT THE SHIT!?(As Frankie crawls by) ... I'm getting that 5 mil. I'm buying this place, and setting it on fire with that abracadabra looking asshole inside."

"GET AWAY FROM ME! GET AWAY FROM ME! GET AWAY FROM ME! GET AWAY FROM ME! WHO PUTS LOGS ON THIS STEEP OF A SLOPE AND HAS A MAN EATING RABBIT CHASE YOU!? I THOUGHT THIS PLACE WAS ALSO DESIGNED FOR KIDS!?"

"Aw, ducky. (Gets pecked) FUCK YOU TOO. Gonna play nice or do I need to throw you again?"

(Encounters Henry)

"... Do I still want that 5 million? We'll, I can't have if I'm dead. ... Alright, away we go."

"WHY IS THERE NO LIGHT IN YOUR AREA!? WHY ARE YOU FRIENDS WITH A CARNIVOROUS RABBIT!? ... (Inhale) Okay. I can handle the giant man eating rabbit. I can handle Talking Telephone man that keeps trying to strangle me. I can handle the fucking duck. I can handle this stupid costume and the fact that I'm surrounding by decaying bodies in this hellhole. But I DRAW THE LINE AT FUCKING BUZZSAWS! WHO'S IDEA WAS THIS!?"

"... Really? You guys have an incinerator? So what's paying this place? All the circuit breakers or this incinerator?"

(Encounters Real Frankie)

"... what... What the fuck?"

(Sees Henry die)

"WHAT THE FUCK!?"

(Gets help from Real Frankie)

"Thanks. Please don't tell me this will come back to bite me later."

"Again with the buzzsaws! In a WATER PARK! ... At least the circuit breaker won't get wet."

"Aw, noob noobs. (Explosions) Sorry, got a game to win and money to collect."

"Oh, hey, a chat board. ...'Boring?' I resent that. Raise the 10k to 30. I'm living and I'm going to buy this place and turn it into a hotel. Frankie's broke ass won't be able to stop me. ... Wait, did someone bring up lava?"

"Frankie's Frosted peak. Just get to the top. Easy. (Slime gets released). SCRATCH THAT! CHANGED MY MIND! I'M BURNING THIS PLACE!"

"I'm never using a buzzsaw again in my life."

"Hey, uh, Frankie, can you help me out? I'm... I'm stuck. (Gets shut it) ... Thanks a lot. Dick."

"STOP MESSING UP MY F*CKING GAME SHOW!"

"SO TRYING TO KILL ME WHEN I'VE ALREADY WON, BITCH!"

"NOOB NOOBS! Wait. OH, SHIT! NO!"

"Surprise, mother fucker. Give me my five million in cash."

"... (Sigh) Fine. *One more season.* But no buzzsaws, no slime, and no fucking corpses scattered all over the place like the Black Plague hit this place. We have an incinerator to play with."

[depresse0espresso]

The Favorite (Chapter Three)

Warnings: Mentions of death, Description of Death

Chapter Two

My eyes snap open as I hear a noise. As they come into focus, I see Lucas standing above me, a dagger in his hand, ready to swing down and attack me. I barely roll out of the way, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I scramble to my feet and search for a weapon to defend myself.

"Lucas, what are you doing?" I ask, my voice trembling. 

I moved away from him, clutching the lasso tightly in my hand, hoping it would protect me. “There are only four tributes left and I want to live even if it means I have to get rid of you” Lucas eyes me warily. 

I take a step back, my heart pounding in my chest. Knowing I have no other choice, I draw back my arm and hurl the lasso towards him, determined to protect myself. As the lasso hurtles towards Lucas, he sidesteps and hurls the knife at me. Instinctively, I duck just in time, narrowly avoiding the deadly weapon. But as I do, I realise that my actions have unintentionally triggered a chain of events that may have saved my life. The knife that Lucas throws at me flies past me and lands directly in the chest of the District One tribute, Lux. Lux aiming to shoot me in the back.

The force of the knife striking Lux's chest causes him to lose his balance. His arrow, intended for me, veers off course and lodges itself in Lucas's throat instead. Blood gushes from the wound as Lucas collapses to the ground, his eyes wide with shock. Frozen in disbelief, I lay there on the ground as the cannon echoes reverberated through the arena. Lucas and Lux's once imminent threat is now gone. The sight of the lifeless bodies on either side of me is a grim reminder. But something is wrong. The cannon keeps sounding and getting louder and louder. I try to make sense of the deafening noise, but it only grows stronger and more chaotic. The sound of screams and yells merges with the relentless booming of the cannons, sending a chilling wave of terror through my body. I remain huddled on the ground, my hands pressed tightly against my ears, praying for the nightmare to end.

With a jump I quickly sit up in bed, my heart still racing as I look frantically around my room from the intense nightmare. But as I try to make sense of the chaos, I realise that what I experienced wasn't a nightmare, but a gruesome memory of what had happened. Lucas had indeed tried to kill me, and Lux, hearing the commotion, had come to eliminate us both. The chain of events that unfolded had been a matter of survival, and I was the survivor. 

"Mari, wake up! There is still a lot to get done before the reaping, and you can't be late to your first reaping as a mentor!" I jump startled, my heart still racing from the vivid nightmare. The sound of Pa banging on my bedroom door brought me back to reality, but the lingering fear from the arena remained. A new dread fills me as I realise that today is reaping day, and two children will be reaped. Not only will I have to witness the agony of their families, but I will also be expected to train one of them within a week, knowing that only one can survive.  

I drag myself out of bed and stumble downstairs to find Pa already sitting at the kitchen table, a worried expression on his face. It's not uncommon for him to let himself in, especially on important days like reaping day. As I join him for breakfast, I can't help but feel a mix of gratitude and resentment towards him for always being there, even when I wish he wasn't. "Why do you look so worried, Pa?" I ask as I grab a piece of toast and spread lemon curd on it before taking a bite and pouring myself a large coffee.

 "I'm going to be fine. Benji will take good care of me as my fellow mentor."

 Pa takes a sip of his tea before saying "Darlin', it's not about whether I think you can handle it with Benji's help,’’ Pa replies, his voice filled with concern. "It's about what you'll face in the Capitol as a mentor. I've been there, and it's a whole different ball game." 

"I appreciate your concern, Pa, but I have confidence in Benji's mentoring abilities and that I'll be able to keep up. Besides, I've been through worse." I take another bite of my toast, savouring the tangy sweetness of the lemon curd, and wash it down with a sip of coffee, hoping to shake off the lingering unease from the nightmare.

 As we eat our breakfast, the front door opens and Benji walks in, helping the elderly frame of  Rose, the first female victor from District 10 and Pa's Mentor and mentoring partner for the 15 years before Benji won his games and took over mentoring for the ageing Rose. The sight of Rose brings a sense of reassurance, knowing that she has faced the challenges of being a mentor in the Capitol before and can offer guidance and support.

 “Ah, look speak of the devil,” I say to Benji jokingly as he helps Rose sit down at the table ‘’Morning Rose” I greet her as I stand to kiss the old woman on the cheek, cherishing the warm familiarity she brings "Morin Sweet girl'' Rose response her voice warm and inviting, Rose has always been like a grandmother to me, teaching me how to garden and trying to teach me how to knit and all the stuff a grandma would do. As we gather around the breakfast table, Rose fills the room with a comforting sense of family and tradition. If the group of Victors in 10 were considered a family, Rose was the Matriarch. Her voice, like a gentle lullaby, brings back memories of baking cookies and sharing stories, as she fills us in on the current state of her greenhouse and other mundane things trying to keep the mood light on such a dark day. I stand after finishing my toast and see my front door still wide open as I pass Benji. I give him a pat on the shoulder as I walk past his large looming frame. He smiles at me as I head to my front door to close it. 

He asks what I'm doing in his normal drawl. Benji asks, "What are you up to, Mar'? Locking the door already?"

 "I'm just making sure that Jack doesn't show up uninvited and Make today even worse. That old bastard always knows how to make things worse." I say 

 "Marina!" I hear Pa chastise me from the kitchen table. "What? It's true! That man is a Bastard. I don't care if he's also a victor," I fire back, frustration evident in my voice. "no amount of trauma should justify the way he treats his wife and little girl, he is rotten" 

My resentment towards Jack stems from his consistent mistreatment of those around him, His neglectful and abusive behaviour is inexcusable, and it has been a constant presence in my life since childhood my options only became worse when he married a girl closer to mine and Benji's age than his own and a little girl was brought into the world shortly afterwards. Despite his victory in the games, he refused to take on the mentoring role, forcing Rose to continue mentoring long after she should have been able to retire. Jack's actions have left a lasting impact on our family of victors.

 “Now Y’all have two hours to help me go over all the things I need to do as mentor again before the reaping,” I say as I head back into the kitchen, grabbing a notepad and pen to jot down all the tasks and responsibilities that need to be addressed as a mentor once again. It's going to be a busy morning.

 On our way to the reaping, Pa and I stop at Mama's grave. We lay flowers gently on the headstone, which bears her name and titles: Mother, Wife, Healer. It's been years since she passed away from a disease that spread through a neighbouring village, leaving me with only fleeting memories of her gentle touch and loving presence. She dedicated her life to serving others and providing comfort in times of pain and sickness. Mama's nurturing nature has had a profound impact on me, shaping my inclination to care for others. I find solace in helping those in need, just as she did, and it fuels my determination to protect my loved ones from people like Jack who bring nothing but harm and negativity into our lives.

 Pa stands there, a sombre expression on his face. I can't help but wonder how such a sweet woman like Mama fell in love with someone as grumpy as him. Maybe Pa wasn't always like this; perhaps it was the pain of losing her that hardened his heart and turned him into the person he is today. Pa starts talking to Mama's grave, sharing the news of the horses and proudly mentioning the new foal that was recently born. He speaks affectionately about the animals, finding solace in their presence and the simple joys they bring to his life. "Mama would have loved to see this little foal," I say softly, joining Pa by Mama's grave. "She always had a way with animals, just like you." Pa smiles, his eyes glistening with memories. "She did, didn't she? That's why I fell in love with her in the first place." Their love story is a testament to the strength of their bond. Despite the hardships they faced, including my father's traumatic experience in the Hunger Games, my parents stayed together and supported each other through thick and thin. It's a love story that inspires me and reminds me of what I could have had. 

Reflecting on my parents' enduring love story, I can't help but feel regret for what I lost. After returning from the traumatising experience of my games, I found myself unable to have a normal conversation with my schoolyard sweetheart, Myles. We had broken up before my tour, and although I knew it was for the right, guilt still lingered in my heart. Every time I tried to open up to Myles, the memories of the arena flooded my mind, causing me to shut down emotionally. It felt impossible to bridge the gap between the person I was before the games and the person I had become. The guilt of pushing him away weighed heavily on me, a constant reminder of the price I had paid for survival.

 Before I can dwell on it too much, I see Benji's large frame appear out of my eyes. He has returned from loading our luggage onto the train, and now he has returned to walk with us back into town for the reaping. As I walk down the hill towards Benji, I feel the summer sun's warmth on my skin. I also feel the soft breeze brushing against my face, and the crunch of dry grass beneath my feet. The sights and sounds of District 10's plains and hills surround me. I take mental pictures of my home and as I reach Benji "Are you ready?" "No, but I have to be, don't I?" I reply with a sigh, trying to muster up the courage for what lies ahead. Benji gives me a sad crooked smile and a pat on the shoulder  "Yeah you do, now let's go don’t want to be late" 

Clara Fords of all the people to be reaped had to be someone I knew. She went to school with me, she was the year below me and we had common friends. She came to my house for play dates when we were young. Now I have a week to prepare her as best I can to go into the arena and kill 23 others and not die trying. She sits in the chair in front of me on the train heading for the capitol, this sweet bubbly girl who cried about almost everything, who went and picked me flowers when my ma died and was the first person to hug me when I got back from my games, was my tribute for the year. But she isn't crying now as she sits pale sipping on a cup of tea slowly, her big brown doe-like eyes flickering around the train car taking in all the details on the walls around us. I notice her hair has started to fall from its braid, and the light from the window hits it making her red hair look like it's on fire, It is pin straight and I remember our play dates where my mama tried to style her hair the same as mine but it was pin straight and would lose any shape within minutes compared to my hair that if I brush it the wrong way when it will be stuck like that until I wash it next.

 “Clara” I call her name to get her attention. Her eyes land on me as she waits for me to continue “Tell me everything you can, skills, talents even the things you think I might know about you and anything is useful” Clara looks at me with determination in her eyes and responds, "Well, I'm fast, really fast. And I've been working with crops my whole life, so I know how to handle a scythe. Oh, and I'm a decent climber too." I recall seeing an 11-year-old Clara chase down a cow before it could get too far away from the cattle divers who were transporting it. "I already knew how fast you were, having seen you chase down a cow once when we were kids. But it's good to know that you're also skilled with a scythe and a decent climber. We'll make sure to use those to our advantage in the arena’’ Her eyes fill with tears at the mention of the arena, I leap from my seat across from her take the teacup from her hand and place it down on a table beside her before I grab her hands and say “I know how scared you are and what you are feeling at the moment but I need you to promise me something okay, that once we get off of this train in the capitol that you won't cry in front of the other tributes if they see that you're putting a target on your back, you can cry all you want until we get there but once we do i want you to turn those tears and fear into anger  I want you to use it to your advantage. Use your fear to make you stronger and push you further. you can make it out of here.” I squeeze her hands tightly, trying to convey my words of encouragement. Clara responds by wiping away her tears and nodding, her determination shining through. "You're right," she says, her voice steady. "I won't let my fear hold me back. I'll use it as fuel to survive and fight in the arena. Thank you for believing in me." I nod and continue "You have the power to make it out," I say firmly. "Use your fear as motivation, and you'll be victorious.”

 As we arrive in the Capitol, Clara and the boy Morgan are taken away to be cleaned up and dressed for the parade, while Benji and I head to the tenth floor to prepare for the tributes' parade. We both get dressed and make ourselves look presentable,  while I opt for a  feminine and vibrant look. I change into a summer dress adorned with pink flowers and slip on a pair of white heels. To complete the ensemble, I put on a pair of gold earrings and twist my hair up into an elegant updo. With my transformation complete, I head out to meet Benji in the hall by the elevator as I enter. He stands with Leto who is talking out of his ear about how life has been in the capitol and Benji nods politely even though from where I stand I can tell he doesn't care. Benji has changed into a nice pair of dress pants and black boots, with a crisp white button-up shirt and a dark blue jacket that complements his dark skin. He looks sharp and confident, with not a hint of worriedness and I wonder if once I have mentored a few games I will appear that collected.

as I walk down the hall towards them I draw their attention and gasp “Oh Marina, don't you look so pretty. Doesn't she look pretty Benji” he gushes as he rushes up to me. Benji chuckles and replies, "Well, Leto, I always say it's what's on the inside that counts. And on the inside, Marina's well, how do I say this nicely " The sound of me whacking Benji on the arm echoes in the hall as well as his laugh. "Come on," I say, rolling my eyes playfully. "Let's focus on the task at hand. We have a parade to attend, remember?" Leto grins and nods, “You two take this elevator while I go down to collect Clara and Morgan. We will meet at the chariot in half an hour for the parade.” 

As Leto leaves to collect Clara and Morgan, Benji and I call for another elevator. As the elevator doors open, I turn to Benji and say, "You know, I have a feeling Clara has better odds in the arena. She is resourceful and quick on her feet." Benji nods in agreement, "I agree, Clara has a natural survival instinct. I think she'll surprise everyone." we enter the elevator and continue our discussion “I feel bad we haven't even seen the train and we are choosing Clara as our favourite” I sigh and Benji answers  “it has always been the way Rex and I did it, we still give the other tribute the same treatment but you're always going to think another tribute is going to have better odds” he admits honestly  that makes me curious and I ask  "who was the favourite last year Lucas or me" even saying his name sends a chill down my spine but I want to know "be honest, not who you and Pa wanted to win, but who had the better odds"

Benji hesitates for a moment, his eyes flickering with a mix of emotions. "Honestly, Marina, you had the better odds," he finally admits, his voice softening. "Lucas was strong, but you were cunning and strategic. You had the skills to survive, so yes you were the favourite" I don’t know why but that makes me feel relieved that they always thought I had a chance and that if I keep on believing in Clara she will have one too

.

When I feel the elevator come to a halt, I don't even look at the floor number as I go to exit it and I hear Benij ask “Mari, where are you going it’s not our floor–”. I crash headfirst into the chest of someone who is rushing to get on the elevator. I stumble back and hear Benji laugh as I fall onto my ass.

 I sit on the elevator floor, embarrassed and dazed, I can hear Benji letting out a loud cackle of laughter, and I can see him out of the corner of my eyeline doubling over with amusement at my clumsy encounter. The person who knocked me back rushes to my aid, crouching down and giving me their arm while apologising. As I hear their voice, I freeze and look up to meet the eyes of Finnick. His sea-green eyes are filled with concern, and he quickly helps me back up grabbing the small of my waist, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me. "Mari, I'm so sorry," Finnick says, his voice filled with genuine remorse. "Are you okay?" I nod, still speechless from the unexpected encounter, and manage to stammer out a weak " im okay." But deep down, I can't deny the surge of excitement and butterflies that Finnick's presence brings. As I try to regain my composure, I can't help but feel a mix of annoyance and embarrassment at Benji's persistent laughter echoing behind me. When I am standing up again I ask Finnick jokingly "Do you ever think we are going start a conversation without scaring each other" My eyes meet Finnick's again, and this time, there's a playful glint in his sea-green eyes. "Maybe one day," he replies with a smirk, his touch lingering on my waist for just a moment longer before he steps away and drops his hand, and I can feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment. I take a deep breath, trying to shake the feeling off. I smooth out the back of my dress and make room for him to stand beside me in the elevator. He adjusts his jacket and stands next to me in the elevator as it begins to descend again.

Finnick turns to Benji, his smirk growing wider. "Well, well, if it isn't Benji," he says, his tone slightly cocky. Benji, on the other hand, looks wary, unsure of how to react to Finnick's unexpected presence now that he has gotten over my mishap. Benji greets Finnick with a curt nod and a simple "hello," his laughter long gone into a more reserved demeanour. The tension between them is palpable as if there's an unspoken rivalry simmering beneath the surface. This encounter between Finnick and Benji reminds me of the comment my pa made after I met Finnick in 4. He said that there was a tense situation between Finnick and him in the mentor room after I won my games, beating Pearl, who was Finnick's tribute the previous year. things had escalated in the mentor room that bad, Benji would have been there to jump to my pa's aid in an instant. and I can’t help but wonder if that is the cause of the tension between Finnick and Benji now.

 As the elevator doors slide open and we reach the right floor, I catch Finnick stealing a glance at me before quickly looking away.  I can't help but wonder if he looks at me and wishes that it was Pearl standing next to him instead, considering their history as tribute and mentor. I wouldn't blame him if he did, I can't imagine Benji standing here in the elevator with Pearl so calmly if I had been the one to lose, I don't even want to think how Pa would handle the situation if the roles were reversed.  The thought lingers in my mind as we step out of the elevator. I feel a new sense of admiration building in me for Finnick because either he is incredibly skilled at hiding his feelings, or he is genuinely able to set them aside. 

As if he couldn't be more of a perfect enigma 

I can see a large group of people crowded around the mentors, before Benji can introduce me to anyone  Finnick leans in  and says, "There's someone up ahead I think you should meet." He gestures towards the group of mentors, his eyes glinting with curiosity and anticipation like he's waiting to see how I react. He places his hand on the small of my back and guides me over to an elderly woman with long curly hair. I can't help but feel a twinge of familiarity as the woman reminds me of Rose with her kind eyes and smile.  As we approach the woman turns her attention towards us giving Finnick a dotting smile as he moves to her side to introduce me “Mags, this is Marina Nivera the newest mentor”  Finnick lowers his voice slightly and enunciates his words, ensuring that Mags can hear what he is saying. As Finnick introduces me to Mags, I can't help but notice a gentler side to him. His voice softens, and there's a warmth in his eyes that I hadn't seen before. The butterflies in my stomach flutter again, and I find myself drawn to him even more. As Finnick finishes introducing me to Mags, he turns back to me with a gentle smile, his eyes sparkling with a mixture of curiosity as he tries to gauge my response as he says “Mari this is Mags, my fellow Mentor for distinct 4”  My eyes widen in realisation as I click on to who she is. Mags, the elderly woman standing before me, is none other than Mags Flanagan, the legendary victor from District 4 who won the 11th Hunger Games and Rose's closest friend as they were first mentors from the pool of victors. 

"I'm Marina," I say, extending my hand towards Mags. "I've heard so much about you from Rose. She speaks highly of you."  Mags' eyes light up with recognition and she smiles warmly, pulling me in for a hug instead of a handshake. "I'm sorry, who is Rose?" Finnick asks, his face showing a puzzled expression. He seems genuinely curious and unaware of the connection between Mags and Rose. Mags release me from the hug and turns back to Finnick to explain  “Rose was one of the original victors from 10 she was a mentor up until Benji won his games and took over for her” Mags answers Finnick “She was also a dear friend of mine we were mentors together for a long time, She retired before your games that's why you have never met her Finnick” Finnick nods in understanding before asking in confusion again, "If she was the last female victor for 10, why did she retire when Benji won his game and not when you won yours, Marina?" Finnick's questions. “Each district has a different way of choosing the mentors for the games I don't know what you do in 4, but in 10 it is always the most recent victors who mentor regardless of gender,” I tell Finnick tilting my head at his surprised face and I can't help but want to tease him "Don't tell me you've been a mentor for three years and you never noticed how the other districts choose their mentors," I tease him, playfully nudging his arm. "Looks like you still have a lot to learn" I add with a sly smile  Finnick chuckles, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Well, Mari, it seems like I do." He raises an eyebrow and gives me a mischievous grin and a look that I cannot put my finger on.

Behind me, I hear Benji call my name as the tributes begin to file out with their stylist and district escorts. The other mentor disperses toward their district's chariots with serious looks now on their faces except for a few. I witness the District 12 mentor stumble and barely catch himself from face-planting into the ground. I turn back to  Mags “It was so nice to meet you Mags, i hope we have the chance to talk again soon” I offer her a warm smile.  

When I turn to Finnick, I jokingly say, "It's always a pleasure running into you Finnick, let's avoid making it literal again next time."  I walk backwards as I say this before turning on my heel and beginning away to walk towards Benji who is waiting with Clara and Morgan. I can hear Finnick chuckling as I walk away. As I approach the chariot, my heels make a click-clacking sound, drawing attention to my presence. When I get close, I can't help but analyze the outfit Clara has been put in. She's wearing a flowy white dress with sparkly details that match her sparkling Western boots, which have a heel far larger than what we wear at home. Completing the ensemble is a matching sparkly cowgirl hat, making her look like a glamorous rodeo queen. She looks like the perfect Captial stereotype of someone from District 10. I go over to Clara's side as she moves to hop up onto the chariot and begin telling her what to do during the parade. "Wave and smile," I instruct, "and if you really want to grab their attention, throw your hat out to the audience.  target anyone and everyone, and make them all think that your attention is on them. There's nothing that these people love more than being the centre of attention." I offer her my hand to help her hop up into the chariot  "Anything else I need to know?" Clara asks, her eyes wide with anticipation as she takes my hand and hops up into the chariot.  I squeeze Clara's hand reassuringly and say, "Hold on tight and keep your balance. The chariot can be quite bumpy, especially when it starts moving. Just focus on smiling and waving, you've got this Clara!" As the chariot begins to pull out slowly, I walk alongside it, giving Clara's hand another squeeze before letting go. I continue to follow the chariot until I can no longer keep up, as it pulls out onto the parade strip I watch Clara take all my advice as she confidently waves and smiles at the cheering crowd. A surge of pride wells up within me as I witness Clara fearlessly throwing her hat into the crowd, eliciting deafening cheers from the spectators. It's a brief moment of triumph, but as I stand with the other mentors, I realize that the work has just begun. The parade is only the beginning of Clara's journey in the Hunger Games, and there still is a lot of training and preparation ahead of us.

A.N: this chapter is my longest so far so probably has the most spelling mistakes lol, the purpose of this chapter was to kinda meet more of the people around Mari, Benij is probably my favourite. i also hope it was clear that Finnick was trying to see Mari's reaction to Mag like a test, if she can't win Mags over then is she really someone he should be friends with?

[tgrailwar-zero]

In a frantic panic, you threw yourselves backwards, your body losing cohesion as you narrowly dodged the blade of the young warrior, looking for an exit strategy. Despite a small amount of inner protest, you figured that making a fast exit was the quickest way to work things out.

After flinging one of your sandwiches at him, you flung yourself off the building, focusing everything you had onto… well, not splattering. Reinforcement Magecraft was hard. Not just for anyone, but even good mages couldn't justify the risk-reward it set up… but, if there was ever a time to try, it was now. So, you focused- put every ounce of magic in your body towards it- felt your semi-corporeal body get a little bit more corporeal and then…

With a crash, you slammed into the hard pavement, kicking up asphalt as your body… remained intact.

It worked.

Of course, then came the surging pain that happened the last time you tried this magecraft. You felt everything go dull, your ability to move fully hampered as a figure landed on the ground, mere meters away. Carefully, the young man approached, his expression playful, but his eyes cold and focused.

SETANTA: "Off the roof, huh? That desperate to survive… you're just embarrassing yourselves."

His tone, as casual as friendly as ever, even as he approached.

He raised his blade again, before suddenly something caught his attention. He quickly jumped backwards, inches away from a slash that cleaved through the air. Your attention fell on a form that… well, you expected to see still partying. MUSASHI, with her blades ready.

MUSASHI: "Long time no see, Lancer. Sharp as ever."

SETANTA: "Heh. ...Yo, Saber."

You felt the tension- thick and palpable between the two, before a two more forms manifested. A chill swept through the air, as the Lord and Lady of the Nameless City made their presence known.

SIGURD: "…Miss Musashi. Allow me to handle this. Look after your Masters. Brynhildr, you assist Musashi and prepare."

BRYNHILDR: "Understood."

MUSASHI: "I… alright. Fine. But… Lancer…"

SETANTA: "No time for talk, Saber. I don't know why you're defendin' them, but I've got a duty."

"Now, 'Lord Sigurd'… Coming from the super-pragmatist you are, I figure you have a reason as to why you haven't killed 'em. Mind sharing with the class?"

SIGURD: "Not at this moment, no."

He stated dryly, drawing his sword and pointing it at the youth.

SIGURD: "You stand in my territory. This is not your forest, Beastmaster. I will give you one chance to cease."

SETANTA: "Hehe. 'Not at this moment, no'."

A lunge forward.

A slash.

Shockwaves.

Glass on surrounding windows shattered. Citizens ducked down as each strike, each clashing blade, created a sonic boom.

Your head pounded after each strike, the exhaustion from the spell you managed to barely eek out causing a dull pain to surge throughout your body, constant and throbbing. You could barely focus your attention on the battle above you, though it was hard to avert your eyes to begin with.

You hadn't seen Lair Servants fight before- but now you were seeing why they were the pride and joy of the Solar Cell and those who lived there. Why they were respected. Loved. Feared. In older times, Holy Grail Wars had to be kept secret, so the unadulterated might of heroes of ages past had to be restrained.

Here? They didn't need to be restrained.

SETANTA: "You're gettin' slow, Sigurd!"

SIGURD: "And yet I'm keeping pace."

In critical moments, to hold the pressure on the Lord of the Nameless City, the Beastmaster would switch to his quarterstaff with a blinding barrage of blows, before swiftly switching back to his short sword to cut in close. And with the might of the Sun, the Lord of the Nameless City would follow a similar strategy, cycling between using his mighty Gram as a double-bladed weapon before breaking into pieces and fighting swiftly with a longsword or a dagger.

A flurry of blades. A beautiful dance of weaponry.

The VALKYRIE kept their distance, knowing that they'd be in the way, focusing purely on making sure that the collateral damage was kept to a minimum and no citizens were hurt.

As you lay prone on the ground, quietly guarded by your samurai ally and the Lady of the Nameless City, you saw that she was carefully etching runes into the air- that once drawn, would fly off somewhere else in a short, subtle burst of magic.

Watching SIGURD and SETANTA fight, it was clear that SIGURD had the upper hand, however there would be moments where SETANTA's being would be surrounded by a black shadow-- before he would quickly shake it off, and continue fighting as normal.

The fight waged on and on, before suddenly the Lord of the Nameless City's voice bellowed out--

SIGURD: "Brynhildr! Now!"

On cue, the Valkyrie slammed her spear into the ground, the runes by you lighting up as well as sending a pillar of light in other places, encapsulating the two battling Servants- and leaving you just on the outside. She rested your head down on the ground, before vanishing.

As the light faded, you could see a shift in the terrain. Not a 'Reality Marble', but something astonishingly similar. The circular space resembled that of a shining white castle, surrounded by burning flames- and the sky in that one specific area was a beautiful clear blue.

This was the 'true territory' granted to SIGURD and BRYNHILDR by the Solar Cell. The facade of an urban metropolis peeled away temporarily. The 'Nameless City' allowed others to live there, but just as QUETZALCOATL's domain was her temple in which she watched over her people, this was manifested to grant the two total authority.

You watched as BRYNHILDR manifested on the other side, before SIGURD appeared opposite her, leaving the young SETANTA in the middle.

They both raised an arm, runic symbols spiraling around them and tracing a pattern on the manifested snowy ground.

The air grew still- as you watched the air in the domain fill with countless women, each of them dressed in identical, shining, swan white tunics.

The firmament shifted from a sky blue to a blinding white, as the countless shieldmaidens raised their weapons. Within the bounds of the city limits, something just short of a catastrophe was about to unfold.

Looking up, a single emotion pushed itself to the surface.

Fear.

BRYNHILDR: "By the decree of the All-Father, and the light of the Sun…!"

SIGURD: "...Witness this fantasy of the End of Days…"

Pure, unadulterated fear.

While this wasn't it, your form recognized this magic as a crucial part of what sealed you away. A Noble Phantasm that spared the pure and obliterated what was evil. That culled the wicked and rewarded the virtuous. Modified, requiring the synchronized hearts of both the Lord and Lady to activate. A localized Ragnarök- and those that failed whatever 'checks' required would not live to see the day.

You could hear MUSASHI's breathing picked up, a palpable tension rising from her body as she gripped her blades tighter.

There was a long beat of tension as the Lair Servants found themselves in a stalemate.

The young warrior's eyes darted around, his teeth grit in frustration before… he held his hands up.

SETANTA: "…I surrender. If you're willin' to go this far for them, then... fine. For now, I'll back off."

A pause, before the VALKYRIE lowered their weapons and the runes surrounding the Lord and Lady slowed.

Though SIGURD's face was obscured, you could practically hear the relief in his voice.

SIGURD: "I appreciate your restraint. Though I'm sure it wasn't for my sake. The citizens of the Nameless City are thankful to not have to witness the full might of the Beastmaster."

With a huff, the young man shrugged before turning away to face BRYNHILDR, who had a complicated look on her face.

BRYNHILDR: "Setanta... we..."

SETANTA: "...This isn't over. If you want them that badly, then they're your responsibility. The second things start gettin' out of hand..."

SIGURD: "...You have our word. They won't."

With a nod that wasn't quite satisfied, but aware nonetheless, the Beastmaster fully sheathed his weapons.

The white castle and your own adrenaline began to fade, exhaustion overtook your form as the Nameless City returned to what it once was...

Before SETANTA could disappear, MUSASHI called out.

MUSASHI: "Lancer. They want to do things differently this time. But I'm sure your mind is set."

SETANTA: "You're takin' a huge risk here. All of you. But whatever, I'm not going to try to fight all of you- not with two more of their Servants en route. The city wouldn't be able to take it. But--"

MUSASHI: "--Don't worry, if things go wrong, I've got my wakazashi right here."

The boy laughed dryly in response, before his smile faded.

SETANTA: "Hey, Saber-- Musashi... I wonder… if us bein' the only ones left makes us lucky, or unlucky..."

With nothing but a half-hearted shrug and a smile, the sword saint responded...

MUSASHI: "…See you around, Lancer. Setanta."

Like distant friends. Like close strangers. The two Servants stared at each other from a long distance away, a shadowed history keeping them tethered to the moment at hand.

With a sigh, the young pup turned away and snapped his fingers.

SETANTA: "We're off."

With an excited yip, the puppy accompanying him- trotting away with a sandwich in its mouth- joined SETANTA...

...And in a flash of blue data, they disappeared.

And additionally, you suddenly felt very, very tired. Not in a supernatural sense, but in the fact that you had just used very strenuous magecraft for the first time, and while successful, it had also been accompanied with the high stress of almost having your throat slit and jumping off of a skyscraper. In this case, exhaustion was normal.

And with that, in the arms of your Saber, you quietly slipped into darkness.

[pricetagofficial]

get to know your moots

Thanks for the tag, @restwellsoon! divider by @/cafekitsune

what's the origin of your blog title?

In highschool I would often think what my handle on things would be if I ever got famous, and I adored One Direction. Niall's handle on twitter was niallofficial, so I did that but with a play on my name instead and used official.

OTP(s) + shipname

Ummm honestly, Percabeth.

favorite color

Orange (shocker its not like my blog is a giant hazard cone)

favorite game

Kingdom Hearts, hands down. But I also have a stong love for the Final Fantasy games, the Arkham games, and lego games.

song stuck in your head

APT by Rose and Bruno Mars, and Pink Pony Club by Chappel Roan.

weirdest habit/trait?

I have double jointed thumbs so I will frequently pop them in and out of place as a tick.

hobbies:

Writing, drawing, reading, crocheting

if you work, what's your profession?

Currently a student

if you could have any job you wish what would it be?

Paleontologist

something you're good at:

Making people laugh, I also have really good people skills, especially with kids. I also always try to be understanding and see the good in people, even when they may not deserve it.

something you're bad at:

Being patient, driving (im scared shitless), schedules

something you love:

Laughing until I cant breathe with my brother and sisters

something you could talk about for hours off the cuff:

Name any hyper fixation of mine, Jurassic Park, Marvel, DC, Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy, Disney

something you hate:

Chronic illness. I have celiacs disease, so I can't eat anything with gluten in it. If my body didn't react as violently as it does, I'd say fuck this diet and eat whatever. But it's like the exorcist, my body wants it out so bad sooooo hard pass.

something you collect:

Uhhhhh, everything. I have buttons, lanyards, pops, dolls, books, small animal trinkets, rubber ducks, mugs, legos, random assortment of nerdy jewelry, figures, the lost goes on.

something you forget:

To eat.

what's your love language?

I honestly dont feel like I fit into just one of these. I've got no idea.

favorite movie/show:

Finding Nemo/Agent Carter

favorite food:

Beef Stroganoff

favorite animal:

peacocks?

what were you like as a child?

Not much different than I am now, just a little more trusting but still stubborn and feisty as hell.

favorite subject at school?

History or music,

least favorite subject?

Math, doesnt matter if I was good at it.

what's your best character trait?

I've been told that I'm a trusting person, and that people feel safe around me.

what's your worst character trait?

I'm too nice at times.

if you could change any detail of your day right now what would it be?

School would be done, and my ideas would be written out in a nice organized way.

if you could travel in time who would you like to meet?

J.R.R. Tolkein. I just wanna pick the man's brain, see how he did it.

recommend one of your favorite fanfics (spread the love!):

Touch Starved by Envysparkler

This is one that I go back to to read all the time. I highly recommend anything by Envysparkler, if you enjoy batfamily gen fics. This one is just so good, and special to me because Dick is a character I hold close to my heart.

&

I wanna be your endgame by @yuujispinkhair

This is a hockey player! sukuna x reader fic, and this series made me want to find a hot hockey player and make them fall in love with me. Winter is amazing, and I lover her and her writing so much.

i tag @yuujispinkhair @strawberrystepmom @history-be-written @loafingdragon (no pressure obviously)

[robinsnest2111]

thinking about.......

An unusually busy day at Burgers Burgers Burgers. Randy having trouble keeping up with all the orders and getting them to the kitchen. Most customers are very patient and understanding, willing to wait a couple minutes for their meal. Some others, not so much.

One especially short-tempered middle-aged man starts verbally chewing Randy out at the cash register, essentially trapping him, holding the entire business up. The man keeps laying into him, spewing the most hateful degrading insults and keeps threatening him with legal action and whatever else one can think of in the throws of anger.

Randy is frozen, like the proverbial deer in headlights. A barely perceptible tremor running through his entire body, clenching his hands into fists at his sides. He knows he should send the man away, take care of the other waiting customers, keep things running, not let the man's words and threats affect him. Water off a duck's back.

But he can't. Can't speak, can't move. Nothing. Just as the angry man is verbally attacking Randy for his pathetic tearful eyes, asking if he's gonna cry now like a little baby, the kitchen door swings open. The action drawing everyone's attention.

Benson has been wondering why the orders stopped coming in, and when the loud chatter from the dining area died down, highlighting a single man's agitated yelling, he got worried.

He's now standing in the door frame, staring straight at the man insulting his new coworker. He tries to stay cool and collected on the outside, expression blank and unreadable. He cracks his neck as he walks up to the man who has now turned his attention to Benson.

"What is going on here?"

The entirety of Burgers Burgers Burgers is focused on the scene unfolding at the cash register, Benson's question ringing loud in the silence.

The angry man starts up his tale of woe, trying to twist the string of events in his favour. Too bad for him Benson isn't having any of it. One single look at Randy and his pleading tearful eyes is enough for him to know what's going on.

"You, sir, have earned yourself a lifetime ban from this establishment. We do not tolerate any kind of abuse of our staff. I must ask you to leave."

The man is about to protest, redirecting his anger towards his new target.

"...or do I have to call the police? I'm sure they'd be more than happy to escort you out of here. And take witness statements while they're at it."

That shuts him right up and sends him out the door immediately.

Everyone is breathing a quiet sigh of relief.

Randy is in no state to go right back to work, so Benson pulls him to the side, leans him against the wall of the short hallway leading to the stockroom, finds and grabs a grumbling Jess to take over the register while he goes back to finishing up the orders.

Once the midday rush is over, Benson walks right back to Randy, still leaned against the wall. The boy has calmed significantly but still looks shaken by the incident. Benson takes him by the arm and walks out the backdoor. Once they're both situated in a somewhat comfortable crouch with their backs against the brick wall, Benson fishes a cigarette and his lighter out of his pockets, lighting up, taking a long drag and letting it out in a slow exhale. After a moment, he looks at Randy out of the corner of his eye.

"Something like this happens again, you call me over immediately. I'll handle it. No more of this deer in headlights stuff."

Randy manages a hurried little nod, followed by a small "okay", choked off by a voice crack.

Working in fast food is turning out to be pretty scary, but at least there's someone looking out for him...

[mamawasatesttube]

23 or 29 for the prompts ! whichever you’d like :)

29. “You could have warned me!”

Even if it is disgustingly early to be awake, Tim has to admit: the morning sun shining on the golden fields of wheat, stretching out like a gilded sea from his vantage point high in the sky, is beautiful.

"Told you it's worth flying in at sunrise." Kon gives him an infuriatingly sexy smug little smirk. Asshole. He shouldn't be able to be a mind-reader this early in the morning. "How's that line in 'America the Beautiful' go again? Something something amber waves and plains?"

Tim smacks his shoulder. "Get that weird patriotic bullshit out of here. No one cares about 'America the Beautiful' in this day and age. And especially not before eight in the fucking morning."

Kon laughs, slowing as he descends towards the farmhouse. Tim is grateful for the shield of his TTK around him, keeping the wind from whipping through his hair and stinging his eyes as the familiar Kent farm grows rapidly larger. "Hey, it's not my fault Cadmus programmed it into my head!"

"And you still forgot the lyrics?" Tim snorts. "I take it back, actually. That's funny. Some patriot you are."

"I got more important song lyrics to remember." Kon's arm, snug about his waist, gives him a little squeeze. "Like—"

"Start singing 'Interior Crocodile Alligator' at me one more time and I'm breaking up with you."

Kon cackles. "I don't got more important song lyrics to remember, actually. How weird, I could've sworn I did."

He alights on the ground just next to the front porch, setting Tim down at his side with his customary, astounding gentleness. Tim is more than used to it by now, but sometimes, it still takes his breath away that someone can have so much strength in the tip of his pinky finger alone, and yet only ever handle him with so much care.

Before he can do anything sappy about it, though, like lean up on his toes to kiss Kon's cheek, there's a rush of air and—

"Augh!"

Krypto tackles him to the ground, tail wagging mile-a-minute as he shoves his wet nose into Tim's cheek. Kon, the bastard, just stands there and laughs, while Tim desperately tries to wrangle seventy pounds of hyper superdog away from his face.

"Krypto!" He pushes Krypto's muzzle away just in time to avoid getting a pink tongueful of slobber on his mouth; it all lands on his cheek instead, and he scrunches up his entire face in protest. Krypto pants with excitement and licks him again. "Hey—Krypto, you're—eugh!"

That's slobber in his hair now, too. Great.

Kon finally takes pity on him and scoops Krypto up in his arms, holding him on his back. Krypto is incredibly wiggly against his chest, tail thumping against Kon's arm loud enough for Tim to hear. "Ooh, hi there, buddy, hi, yes, I missed you too, hi, yes!"

At any other moment, Tim would be trying desperately to stave off the impulse to melt at the sight of his boyfriend cradling his big dog like a baby. At this moment, however, Tim is too busy scrubbing superslobber off his face with his shirt.

And has he mentioned that it's not even eight in the fucking morning yet?

"You could've warned me," he huffs, climbing back to his feet. His shirt alone isn't good enough; he ducks behind Kon to avoid both ends of Krypto (tongue and tail, both dangerous) and aggressively rubs his face against his back. "Asshole."

Laughing, Kon tosses Krypto into the air, where he zooms off with an excited yip to do wide circles around them. "Sunshine, he tackles you every single time you come over. You still need a warning at this point?"

Tim huffs. "It's early."

"Aww." Kon ruffles his (dog-slobbery!!! gross!!!) hair, drapes his arm around his shoulders, and draws him up the farmhouse steps. "You can go take a shower while I help Ma finish up making breakfast, how's that sound?"

"I'm stealing your pink hoodie," Tim informs him. It's very big and extremely cozy. "As reparations."

Kon snorts. "Fine by me."

He doesn't bother to get keys out to unlock the door; he just rests his hand on the knob, and a moment later Tim hears the telltale snick! of the bolt opening. Kon starts to open it, then pauses, glancing down at Tim with a devious grin.

"Guess I'll just get to enjoy taking it off you later," he says, and winks.

Unbelievable. How is he still being a flirt while Tim is covered in grass and superslobber? This man...

He brushes past Kon to head for the stairs to the second floor bathroom, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, you'd better," he says, and grins to himself when his dumbass flirty boyfriend blushes.

♥ angst/fluff prompts ♥

[queen-scribbles]

OC Kiss: Rain (Etain/Vikkari, WotR)

(borrowing Etain from @haledamage for this one)

There was nothing to see here.

The terrain being so flat made watch duty a piece of cake, almost boring. Or would, under normal circumstances, but the rainstorm currently drenching the steppes made it nigh impossible to see more than a half dozen feet.

Which, in turn, had Vikkari worrying his lower lip between his teeth as he peered into the rainy gloom for both unanticipated threats and an anticipated return. Mostly the latter; she'd been gone for hours and he figured most creatures would be seeking shelter rather than food on a night like this.

Despite the attention he was training to mark her return, however, Etain still managed to sneak up on him.

"Think there's any new rivers forming tonight?" she asked, tone dry as the weather wasn't, shaking water off her hood.

Vikkari flinched at her materializing out of the gloom, then chuckled softly. "Some new streams, at least. Did you find anything?"

Etain shook her head, then tipped it toward the boulder he sat on in silent inquiry. "No sign."

He nodded, shifting over a bit to make sure there was room. "Can't say I'm terribly surprised, night like this."

She snorted as she sat. "I did spot a pretty big coney. I suppose that's not nothing, but with the weather screwing up visibility" --a gesture toward the sky-- "couldn't get a good shot." She cocked her head. "No whittling?"

"Too wet," Vikkari explained, though his fingers did twitch from the lack of a hobby to keep them buy. "Wouldn't want to cut off my thumb because the knife handle's slippery."

"Good reason," Etain said, tugging down her mask. She studied him silently a moment. "You could keep watch from the tent, Vikkari." She reached for his hand, stilling restless fingers. "No one would blame you on a night like this."

He laughed sheepishly, heat climbing his neck as he squeezed her hand. Thank you. "I can do better out here, though." Water dripped from his hood as he ducked his head. "And I wanted to be sure you got back safe. I don't mind some rain."

---

Etain smiled, wondered if he'd see it in the gloom. She knew that wasn't any lack of confidence in her skill, just his tendency to play Mother Hen with people he cared about--like fussing over Lann not wearing shirts or Ember being barefoot or Nenio choosing research over sleep. Just... more. Because it was her. And while she was still coming to terms with someone caring about her that much, she did appreciate it.

"Worried I'd drown in one of those new rivers?" she said lightly, squeezing his hand.

"Or be devoured by a rogue water elemental," Vikkari drawled, glancing at her with a smile visible in the glow from his eyes. "Encounter a smilodon with more hunger than sense."

Etain laughed. "I do appreciate you watching for me. It..." She reached over, hesitant, to brush his cheek with her fingertips. "I could see your eyes. Once I got close enough. It made finding the camp easier."

The overcast night made them seem brighter than usual, just by contrast, and his smile at her words made them brighter still.

"You don't need to do that, Etain," he whispered. "Try to excuse my worrywart tendencies."

"I'm not." Pippin nudged her hip and she absently reached back to pat his head. She'd tell him to go lay down, but the others might revolt if she made them sleep in the stench of wet bear. "Not saying I would have been lost without them" --though maybe in a more metaphorical sense... --"but they did make it easier to find my way back."

"Well." Vikkari leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Sweet of you."

Etain bit her lip, everything north of her shoulders suddenly very hot. "You're, um. You're welcome."

The vaguest sense of an outline flickered through the darkness in her peripheral, in the same moment Pippin lurched to his feet with hackles raised. Etain and Vikkari both stiffened, peering intently through the saturated gloom for whatever threat had her bear on edge. Etain stood, drawing her bow and nocking an arrow to be prepared at another glimpse of movement just on the fringes of her vision.

Vikkari abruptly pivoted, hot orange magic slicing through the night as he flung a spell. It only grazed the target, but left a smouldering line of kindled fur that Etain used as a guide to loose her shot. Even with the spots dancing in her vision from the bright flare of the spell, there was a yowl and thud and lifeless feline carcass visible in the light spell sputtering to life in Vikkari palm.

"Apparently you weren't that far off about the smilodon..." Etain said, nudging it with her foot. The poor thing's ribs were showing; no wonder he'd rated potential food higher than shelter.

"Apparently," Vikkari murmured. His hood had fallen back, rain dripping off his hair and nose as worry warred with humor across his face.

---

"Hey." Etain nudged him and gestured to the scorched line down the smilodon's back. "Thanks for the guiding light."

He nodded, gaze fixed on the arrow jutting from the side of the dead cat's neck. That she could make that shot in the dark, in a rush... "Happy to help. You think it followed you?"

She shrugged. "Seems likely. Guess it was waiting to judge if it could take one of us before pouncing."

"Well, I'm glad you and Pippin are so perceptive," Vikkari said. "And that you decided to linger with me for a minute."

Etain's brows twitched at the implication, glancing between the smilodon and him. "Me, too," she mumbled, the spell's light accentuating the angles of her face.

He shook water off his hair, debated pulling up his hood. But he was already drenched, as was the hood, so that would probably be more harm than help at this point. "All's well that ends well," he said in reassurance, reaching for her hand. "And that was a damn good shot."

"Oh." She blushed. "That was lucky, Vikkari." A sheepish laugh as her fingers slipped between his. "I might be good, but not that good."

"I think you are," Vikkari smiled, tugging her closer. His other hand rose to trace down her jaw. "I also think I need to thank you properly. If I may?"

Etain tipped her chin toward him, shuffling closer, even as she commented. "Aren't you supposed to be keeping watch?"

He chuckled, hand sliding to the back of her neck, words now spoken practically against her mouth. "I think I can trust that to Pippin for just a minute," he murmured, and kissed her gently. Chaste and sweet.

"Or two," she mumbled, her hand digging into his hair to hold him close, kissing him deeper.

"Or two," Vikkari agreed with a breathless grin before letting her pull him in for another.

[But he did have a responsibility, and that was the only thing that had him easing back. "You should get out of the rain before you catch cold or something."

Fond amusement flashed in Etain's eyes and she deadpanned, "Maybe then I'd get a break. But I take your point." She still crouched to retrieve her arrow first, then gave his shoulder an affectionate squeeze on her way to the tent. "G'night, Vikkari."

"Night, Etain." Vikkari settled back in the boulder as she and Pippin headed to bed, once again alone with the rain and the view of big, flat nothing to watch.

Only now with a smile on his face.

[diskaywrites]

12 Days of Christmas Day 9: Late Shopping

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟗: 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠------𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫------𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐱 𝐃𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 (𝐨𝐜) 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 𝟒𝟗𝟔

🎕┈┈┈┈🎕❂⋯❋⋯❂🎕┈┈┈┈🎕🎕┈┈┈┈🎕❂⋯❋⋯❂🎕┈┈┈┈🎕🎕┈┈┈┈🎕❂⋯❋⋯❂🎕┈┈┈┈🎕

"Louis still loves The Muppets, right?" Colt Cabana asked as he picked the Kermit the Frog plush off of the shelf, examining it closely. Normally Dia would love her husband's indecision. It was endearing the way his tongue often poked out just slightly when he took every aspect under consideration. The way his eyes crinkled at the edges as he furrowed his brow was always full of warmth. She could handle his hesitation while shopping for the kids any other time of year.

What she could not handle was the mall the week before the combined holidays of Hannukah and Christmas.

"He's your son, Scott, of course Louis loves The Muppets," Dia tried to say without gritting her teeth. She could hear the hum of the lights inside the small toy store and, paired with people at every turn, it was just becoming too much.

Colt tucked the Kermit the Frog plush under his arm, before turning to watch Dia for a moment. He wasn't going to needle her for an answer, instead glancing quickly at the lights and then back down to her, "They're loud, huh? I didn't even notice."

Dia let out an even breath, stating very clearly, "If one more person bumps into me, I think I'm going to start throwing hands."

Colt gave a quick nod, taking a step closer to his wife, "Let me pay for this and we can get outta here, yeah?"

As Colt pushed his way towards the counter, trying to get through the throng of people, Dia headed towards the exit. Even outside of the store, as she gripped the railing that separated the second floor where toy store was to the first floor underneath, looking over where the food court was. She closed her eyes, drawing in a few calming breaths as she focused on the Christmas song playing low, Josh Groban's voice a comforting sound. A hand on her lower back was just as comforting and Dia let out a slow exhale, looking up at Colt, who now stood by her side with a plastic bag in hand.

"You feeling okay? You need a few minutes?" Colt grinned at her, knowing exactly how she was feeling.

"I think I'm gonna have an aneurysm," Dia let out a bitter laugh, "why do you do this? Every year I tell you to shop early. And every year we end up doing…well…this."

Cold ducked his head, looking out over the railing as he tried to gather his own thoughts. "I like it, ya know? The noise, the people. Everyone gets together with the same goal, but for their own families. The aura is…I like it."

Dia had always loved Colt's youthful optimism. Even as they got older, he never let it stop the wonderous way in which he saw the world. She placed one hand on his, giving a light squeeze, "Let's get outta here. Maybe get some coffee and watch the Christmas lights? Just you and me."

[enigmatist17]

Here is my piece for the Moon Knight Mystery Swap ran by @tiptapricot !

I know I'm a little late on the draw, but this piece is for my gift-ee @blueberryrock :)

I hope you enjoy!

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

It was supposed to be just a regular training session, just to loosen up and let off some steam from a job well done.

It's a bit funny of thinking of their workouts as such a simple thing, instead of training on how to better keep themselves uninjured in the field.

Tonight had started that way, the two Avatar’s heading to a warehouse Marc rented for their sessions. No regular gym could quite handle their powers without significant property damage, as they had all learned when Layla accidentally sent a barbell through the roof of Marc’s old gym after Marc insisted on becoming her trainer.

Very fun times he is not likely to forget anytime soon, much to her chagrin.

Layla was matching his moves beat for beat, her tied back curly hair bouncing as she ducked and weaved around bound fists. Marc can see the faint shine that envelopes her body as they spar, evidence of the power she was still learning to fully control, and he can’t help but think she’s beautiful.

She had never stopped being beautiful, despite everything he had done to almost ruin their marriage.

“You’re staring at me again.” Layla grins as she ducks a punch, popping up behind Marc and twisting one arm behind his back, while using a leg to force Marc down onto his knees.

“Am I?” Layla laughed as she pressed down harder, only to grunt in surprise when the other quickly jerked to the side, her back hitting the mat in the blink of an eye as Marc pins her wrists down against the ground.

“Mhm, absolutely.” Marc rolled his eyes as he kept Layla pinned, the two panting as they took the moment to catch their breath. “Not that I mind.”

“I would hope not.” Marc scoffed, trying to respond nonchalantly as he adjusted his grip, but Layla saw how his eyes took on a silver shine along with a faint dusting of pink on his cheeks. 

They’re not sure how it had begun to happen, maybe dying and coming back was the biggest reason, but Layla thought the shine was beautiful the few times she’d been able to get Marc or Steven flustered. It was easy with Steven, the Brit reminding Layla of a nocturnal animal looking into some headlights as they chatted in the kitchen, or relaxed in his flat after a night of crime fighting. Marc was less likely to show his own discomfort, that frown she knew by heart almost able to overtake the shine through what had to be sheer willpower. 

“Your eyes say otherwise.” Layla lifted her head to get closer, their noses barely brushing against each other as Marc swallowed, eyes darting around the room for a moment before focusing back on her. 

It was enough of a distraction for his grasp to loosen, and Layla took the moment to force her arms upright, causing Marc to let out a surprised noise before falling over to his side.

“I take it, I won?” Marc grumbled as she laughed, propping herself onto her side as the other sat up with a roll of his silvered eyes.

“I guess this can be considered a win.” His slight Chicago accent slipped through as he nudged her playfully, a rarity to hear to those who Marc did not trust. “Want to do another round?”

“Maybe, maybe I’d just like to sit for a minute and relax.” Layla waggled her eyebrows as Marc got to his feet, earning herself a slight chuckle as he went to retrieve their waters. “I don’t always get to see you so hot and bothered.”

“Hot and bothered?” Layla catches her tossed bottle with ease, taking a deep drink as Marc regards her with amusement. “You haven’t said that since before we got married.”

“To be fair, I never got to see you like that after you “gave up” your old job.” 

“That…is fair.” Marc shrugged, taking a moment to let out a breath before joining her on the mat. It was still a bit of a struggle to talk about the reason their marriage had almost failed, Marc still coming to terms with Steven and how to let the other parts of himself in without feeling the need to be ashamed. However, it was getting a little easier every day, Marc’s lips twitching into a smile when Layla placed one hand over his.

“So, have anything else you want to show me today, hero?” The faint purr was not lost, and Marc leaned forward to rest his forehead against hers with a grin.

“There are some….intimate poses I guess I could show you. Helps with runnin’ around on the field, stuff like that.” His lips are on Layla’s before either of them can draw a breath, and for a moment the world has fallen still around the Avatar's.

"Don't distract me with your kisses." Layla eventually hums, Marc's faint chuckle a near whisper as he moves his head down to kiss along her exposed shoulder.

"Hey, always works in my favor." The Egyptian rolled her eyes as Marc drew back, the two intertwining a hand as Marc gets back into his feet, Layla using him as an anchor to stand.

"I seem to recall the same for me you know."

"Hey, Steven doesn't count!"

"Hm...I think he does."

"No he does not!" Strong arms wrap around Layla's waist as she's hoisted into the air, and she can't help but laugh as Marc grumbles something about Steven blushing more than Marc has in his entire life. "You are no fun sometimes."

"Uh huh, yet here we still are." She grinned, leaning against Marc as he carried her over towards some of their workout gear.

"Bahibak ya habibi."

"Ani ohev otach." Marc replied without skipping a beat, setting his wife down and clapping his hands together. "Another hour, and then we can go hit up that vegan bodega Steven won't stop going off about."

"You know, the food isn't that terrible Marc." The American rolled his eyes, and Layla settles in for hearing another rant about vegan food and how his body can even handle the back and forth while tossing her some weights. "And they're still not called bodega's here."

"Eh, they will be to me."

Their relationship had never been normal to begin with, Egyptian gods using them as Avatar's aside, but at the same time they've never been so close dodging gunfire and flying into the night hand in hand.

"What are you smiling at?" Marc's question roused Layla from her thoughts, the man she'd fallen in love with looking at her with that adorable little grumpy frown as he picked up some weights for their next workout.

"Oh nothing, just you." Marc stared for a moment before smiling a little, and Layla returns the smile.

It's not a life anyone would ever consider normal, but it was theirs, all of theirs, and that's all the matters to her at the end of the day.

[bklynmusicnerd]

I have conflicting feelings about the writing for Trina in response to Spencer's never-ending custody plan. I see what they're trying to go for in terms of Trina trying to draw a connection to her learning to accept an unorthodox family unit with her possible two dads and trying to get Spencer to accept that his psycho ex is his "brother"'s mother. But I can't shake the feeling that there's this dancing around of the truth between Trina and Spencer when it comes to this subject that's very unlike them.

Part of the issue is that the plot itself is nonsensical, and so the writing to justify its continuance is convoluted as hell. Trina's approach to Little Miss White Privilege has for the most part been to stonewall her and give her as little ammunition as possible. It's a frustrating but smart strategy because her inability to get in Trina's head clearly frustrates Esme, which is one of the reasons why she's so triggered by her. But I still feel like demon spawn has messed up Trina's threat assessment of Esme.

She keeps doubling down on this idea that Esme will make sacrifices for her child, that she can be reasoned with if it's for the benefit of her child. But that's not how a sociopath like Esme works. I feel like Trina wants it to be this way because she wants Spencer to have access to the family he has left in demon spawn, but she's also never really supported Spencer fighting for custody of demon spawn. So when Spencer correctly comments on what that would mean for Trina to be regularly in her tormentor's orbit, Trina just claims that she's gotten used to her and it's just something she has to deal with.

Spencer praises her for this response, and it's all very sweet, but it's also concerning. It doesn't really matter if Trina has gotten "used to" Esme, Esme is triggered by Trina's presence and will never get "used to" her. This is Trina once again making a calculus that Spencer is "worth" this risk while also not properly assessing the risk she's in. This is the downside of Trina's savior complex at work. She's biting her tongue about her discomfort over this proximity to that psycho and saying she can handle it because she figures if she says that then it's one less thing for Spencer to worry about and he can calm down faster.

I'm not liking the vibes of this because Trina downplaying Esme as a threat is coming at a time where all of a sudden characters who suggested otherwise like Laura and Sam, are admitting that she's probably a snake that can't change. So Trina, who has always been cautious with Esme, suddenly not being for Spencer's plans sake, makes me concerned that they're setting her up to be a sitting duck again. The last time they wrote her this way around that girl, Trina was drugged and framed for a crime she didn't commit. I feel like Spencer trusts Trina's judgment so much that it's not hitting him that her assessment is not objective and very much clouded by her wanting the best for him.

I'm also concerned because Trina did something similar when she was dating Rory, too. She bit her tongue until it bled about not wanting to go away to comic con with him because she was prioritizing his feelings over her comfort. And deep down Spencer knows Trina is engaging in her "sacrifice" pattern but he's following her lead that it's okay and so he continues with it. Trina focusing on protecting Spencer's feelings is also leading to her not being as honest with him on this subject as she usually would be. Its not just her, Laura too.

Spencer is developing an obsession with demon spawn that goes past the typical brotherly love. It may be "principled" but that doesn't mean it's healthy for him. His concern for demon spawn is wrapped up in complicated feelings of being preyed on and feeling like he failed as a son. Spencer is just moving from perceived obligation to perceived obligation with no clear indication that he's thinking about his own future in any way.

I doubt someone as goal-oriented as Trina isn't wondering about what it means for her boyfriend to have such a singular focus on this one thing at the expense of the rest of his future. But while as "friends," they'd call each other out on their crap by now. It's almost like Trina and Spencer are so protective of their relationship right now that they're censoring themselves, especially in the case of Trina. I don't think that's sustainable because that's not really who they are, and I'm curious to see when these unsaid things come to a head.

[pbandjesse]

Today was another very grey day. But it was also a nice day. I was to cold but I still had a nice time.

I had a lot of trouble falling asleep. I was up until at least 2. Which I did not enjoy. And then I had intense dreams that were to realistic and confusing. So I woke up in a weird head space.

But when I woke up I was determined to do the things I had promised myself I would do.

I went and got washed and dressed. And then I striped the bed and changed the sheets. Tried to make the space nice.

I did some dusting. And then vacuumed. I was a little frustrated with our vacuum and felt like to wasn't working as well as it should. But I did my best.

James had gone out this morning and put gas in the car and gotten me a bagel. Love them so much. I had my bagel and shared some cream cheese with sweetp.

I had checked on the mice first thing and they were crispy again. I swear I have washed them like 4 separate times today. They just keep standing in the milk!! Stop that! I'm going to start introducing some fruits and veggies. Try to start weaning them off the milk. I am worried about them still. But they seem strong right now. I changed the towels in there again. Trying to do that plenty since they keep getting the milk in everything and I don't like the smell. But I think they are going pretty good.

I would work on some knitting. And by the end of the day today I had finished all the squares I needed!! I changed the layout a little to be 6x6 instead of 5x8 and so I have some extra squares but I think it will look really nice. And I'm just thrilled.

This morning though I would only have time to make one and start a second. I laid out all the pieces so I could come back later and pin them (which James was lovely enough to do for me), but I felt super proud of the progress.

I also watched a documentary this morning about how dangerous duck boats are. I don't know if I had ever been in one as a child but I know I haven't as an adult. Which is shocking because I love being on boats. But they just seems so sketchy and now I know I was right to be concerned. Wildly dangerous.

Once my doc was over I headed to awah.

The parking pad is still being worked on so I had to park up the hill. But I was still there before 1230. When I came inside I was surprised to see Zoe and Naomi had beaten me. And apparently Naomi called me s few minutes before. I was like. Guys. I told you I will be there at 1230. No rushing me.

But we got inside and got things set up. Zoe and me took the sign outside and it got rained on so it bubbled up and looked very strange. Plus the arrow was pointing the wrong way. Oops. I had Zoe draw a new arrow on a piece of paper and stick it on there.

It was a fun class though. Water color paintings based on Alma Thomas. I was pleased to see Ireland and Naomi, student Naomi not assistant Naomi, and Jasmine. Everyone seemed to really like the project. We did have a new student who couldn't handle having art not on a school day and cursed and yelled a lot which freaked a few of the sensory sensitive kids out. Mom took him out and I felt bad. But I felt worse when I saw that Mary Ellen was crying a little. She said it reminded her of when her daughter was younger and how sometimes they just couldn't do things because it was a change of schedule and it wasn't something she could handle. You make life work the best you can but you really never know what life will hand you.

The adult class was really chill. Ari was funny and kept telling us how appropriate he was being. And apparently if he continues to be appropriate he gets to earn going to the thrift store to buy a book under $5. Which I was like. Oh dang I was to go to the thrift store too. So now we have that in common. It is always fun to find things in common with the people in my classes.

Zoe had to leave a bit early. But that was fine. Me and Naomi, with the help of Ari, Richard, and Lewis, got everything picked up. Lewis seemed to be in an amazing mood today and he spoke to me for basically the first time when he asked me to help him rubber band a deck of cards back together. And at the end he told me adios and wouldn't leave until I said it back. It was very sweet.

Once everyone was picked up Ari helped me bring our sign in after his dad told him to carry it for me. I think I alarmed the building correctly. And then it was time to go.

The walk up the hill was a little tough today. I was a little shaky cause I was hungry. But I got up there and wrote my notes and headed out.

I forgot artscape was still happening today. So I went the wrong way and had to go up and around to get to north avenue to go home. It took almost 20 minutes. It is normally a 6 minute drive. Very frustrated but I survived. And was home around 330.

When I got back here I checked on the mice and cleaned them up again. I changed and got on the cought to keep knitting. I would finished the last two squares by 515. I was thrilled.

James came home in that time too. And we decided to go to Golden West for dinner once I was done my second, and final, square.

Once I was done that we had a little celebration cheer and I got changed before we left.

And Golden West was fun but I didn't love my sandwich. I feel like.my taste buds have been weird the last couple days. Like everything tastes to much. Everything is bitter or overly sweet or just to strong. And they didn't have the vegetarian chicken I wanted so I got a vegan BLT which was fine but I really wanted something warm. And while our server was super nice and funny, he was also on his 3rd day every working there as a server and all of our food came out at wildly different times. Like I had eaten half of my sandwich befoee James got their tacos. James eats so fast so they still finished before me but that was crazy to me they would bring them out like that.

I enjoyed my fries and soda though. And they even brought me a tiny carafe of diet coke to refill my cup. I did not need a refill but then I felt wasteful so I drank more and gave myself a stitch in my side. Ah well. I still had a nice dinner with James. We talked about Christmas. And how we are going to do each other's stockings this year because we are our own nuclear family now. I also think it will be better. Special. More intimate you know ? Especially if we are thinking about trying for a baby now, it may be one of our last ones just us. And when baby gets here it will be more about them, so we should cherish this time in our lives before it changes again.

James was all high kicks and being silly on the way home. And when we got here we came inside and they worked on pinning my squares because they are an angel. While I cleaned duo the mice again!! Stop standing in the milk!!

Once James pinned everything I spent almost 2 hours sewing. And I have 4 of the 6 rows done already. So being done before the end of the week does not feel farfetched. Which feels really nice.

Once I was at a good stopping point I went and took a shower and now me and James are in bed. They are mostly asleep already. I'm only a little jealous they fall asleep so fast. But their sleep is not great still. I wish we both could get better rest. At least we are together.

I don't know what tomorrow will hold. I'm looking forward to a nice day off. I hope you all have a good day. Sleep well. Until next time!

[lavendertowerarchives]

I have a hard time stopping myself from laughing. It's not that I keep looking for things to laugh at, it's that I don't have to look. At all.

Over the years I spent doing school online, I became rather adept at hiding my laughter. I'd be watching shitty youtube videos at twelve years old while my mother was four feet away, thinking I was doing homework. I would have to suppress my laughter to the barest exhale (which was rather difficult since four of my five laughter patterns are raucous and distinct) or risk her peeking over my computer. I would rather risk getting caught and lectured for thirty minutes than spend another second on my schoolwork, but my decade-late ADHD diagnosis can wait for another time.

I do recognize that there are very few situations now where I actually should suppress my laughter, but near the top of the list is still "while in class." I really don't want to A. Draw attention to myself B. Draw attention away from the professor or C. Have to explain what I find so fucking funny. Something that still gets me hysterical today is changing specifications in homework. Maybe I simply change an acronym in the problem statement, or add a couple orders of magnitude to a number that isn't used in a calculation. Now I can get to the actual problem this post is trying to address.

I did these two exact things last week. I had an in-class group project with my teammates, someone shared a google doc, we filled it out, submitted it, etc. I got extraordinarily bored. I switched up some numbers and letters. I thought it'd be fine. It was not.

No one cared. That's not the problem. The problem was that I was nearly crying with laughter, trying to hold it in, unable to tone it down or ignore it, and definitely struggling to suppress the actual audible portion. I was doing shaky exhales, breath holding, bombarding my mind with objectively depressing scenes to try to get myself to shut the fuck up. It wasn't working. I, for some asinine reason, could not get over the fact that this fake tea company (formerly coffee company) had one billion (formerly one thousand) venues across the country. I don't know why it was so funny. That's part of what worried me. Yeah, it's a little funny for a chain restaurant to have a billion venues, but certainly not eye-wateringly so.

The second part that worried me was the sheer extended period of time in which I was mentally hysterical. I could barely get work done. The assignment was almost finished, yeah, but the teacher was coming around to grill us on our work and I was entirely unhelpful for most of it. It had been like thirty minutes since I made the miniscule edits.

I had to lock myself in a bathroom to calm the fuck down. I had thankfully cooled off since class ended, but I had to dip quickly and duck into the single-occupancy room to cackle my lungs dry. All it took was one mention of "hehe. One biiillion tea shops." From my brain and I was giggling uncontrollably again.

I must insist that this is not normal. I'm only ever hysterical like this (honestly most times don't even come close to this level) when I'm actively engaging with people. The only thing on my mind besides "heheHEHEE" was "am I okay?" The answer is, was, and will always be "fuck no," but in this case, I had probable cause to fear a significant loss of reason. My laughter was rampant, yes, I thought it was hilarious, yes, but normally I have a reason why. I know what I find funny, foe what reason, where to take the joke next, when to stop, and when to present it to another for peer review. None of that was present.

Ten minutes later, I'd calmed down enough to walk home.

I'm still a little frightened, I'll be honest. I dislike how much control I don't have over my own mind already. If that starts bleeding into real life, I'm screwed. I can't trust my brain to handle simple tasks so I have to supervise it, motivate it, reason with it, and wrench it into shape just to appear like I'm functioning. If I have to wrestle with my outward expression, I will have to let some more things go.

All this from just laughing a little too much. I really do hope I'm just overreacting. I wish I could see that much laughter as healthy but I know I only laugh like that if I'm breaking.

[pommepom]

the hate boner that some people have for quackity is honestly ridiculous. i don't have twitter so i'm only referring to tumblr but one user in particular is almost obsessed with him at this point. like we get it you think he's evil incarnate move on with your life already.

it's shocking to me the way both cquackity and qquackity have basically been blacklisted from the qsmp tag. where are the quackity fanarts, headcanons, silly posts, or deep meta? and it's no excuse to blame it on q rarely logging onto the server when people have no problem making posts about other ccs who don't log on either.

during the last few days of tubbo's tubbathon quackity gifted 20 subs and tubbo and his chat were losing their minds they were so happy. during the qsmp beach event a couple weeks ago phil, chayanne, and lullah found the duck statue on the beach and phil joked that 'quackity didn't miss the event he's here' and phil took photos. yet i did not see any mention of any of this. with the way qsmpblr is treating pepito leaving, it would seem as though qquackity had no reaction to his child leaving. but i watched quackity's stream and it was heartbreaking.

it just makes me so mad to see quackity treated like he's the worst person alive.

awww nonnie :[ <333

people do definitely have a very unhealthy obsession with q, and not even in like the ''i love him sm if he gets a gf i will kys'' type of way. as someone who has been (kinda) following q for some time, it is really sad to see how people have been treating him these last few months.

i guess they do have their reasons, i might not fully get it but if someone just doesn't feel comfortable supporting him anymore then hey i support that, do what makes you happy but when it reaches the point that you're full on trying to count how much hypothetical he could earn from streaming bbh hours daily and you're basically victimblaming him for the doxxing by saying ''he's just overreacting and trying to send hate to ex-admins!'' yeah it's reached a point where it just Is Not Healthy, that's full on parasocial in my eyes.

it really sucks bc he never really gets into controversy, you know? he's always been the type of guy to try to handle things privately. it's sad that this had to be made public :[ this whole situation is just really sad, q and the admins deserved so so much better.

something really really important to remember anon: some people are NEVER going to change their minds; they've chosen a side of hate and no matter what q chose to do they still would've attacked him for his every action. they don't see him as human and bc of that it doesn't matter if he makes 1 mistake or a million, he's always going to be this evil villain in their eyes. there is no point in arguing with them or checking their blog for their opinions anymore, you should block them and focus on the people who'll actually treat him with respect, they aren't deserving of your time <3

i haven't been checking qsmpblr but if what you said is true then yeah, it's really gross to treat q like he's forver or wil. intentionally trying to erase him from his own server is very 😬😬

although i've always been a firm believer in ''make the content you want to see'' scream about cubito q!! write, draw, clip, just create :D! there will always someone out there who'll be willing to listen nonnie <3 and hey, even if there isn't. you should still do for yourself, let qsmpblr know just how insane you are about him!!

take care of yourself nonnie <3