#I'm sure it'll pass heh

[agardenofbasil]

I don't go here, but...

I like to think they're very sweet to each other. 👉👈

[livesworthlivingau]

Lives Worth Living Chapter 32

ISAT/Two Hats spoilers below! CW: The author forcing their own surprise onto a main character. (For real this was genuinely my reaction when it was explained to me xD)

(For once you find yourself waking up before anyone else it seems. After carefully sneaking out of Isa's soft, unconscious hold on you, you slip downstairs with light footsteps. You peek over the couch to check on Vale, sleeping soundly, along with... Bonnie?! They laid on top of Vale, drooling lightly and both absolutely passed out.)

"G'Mornin." (You blink, turning to see Nille sitting at the kitchen table, sipping on a mug of coffee and having filled a plate from the arrangement of food the pair must have prepared while everyone slept.)

"You don't gotta worry too much about being quiet, they'd both sleep through a crabbing hurricane. Actually I think Bonnie did do that once." (She laughed. You smiled and walked over to join her, grabbing a nice big plate for yourself before speaking.)

"I guess everyone else had trouble sleeping, not that I blame them."

"They all got quite the bombshell dropped on them, that's for sure."

"... I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier."

"Eh, let bygones be bygones." (She smiled brightly, clearly not at all bothered by it.)

"You sure? You were just trying to help and I was being so rude and-"

"Frin, it's alright, I promise. I can tell you care about them a whole heck of a lot, and I know that can lead you down some bad roads when you think you're gonna lose them. So really, don't worry about it." (You nod a bit in response, giving a hesitant smile.)

"Thanks..."

"Don't mention it. I'm just glad Bonnie made up with them. They were listening last night, talked to me a bit about it before bed. They were still pretty unsure when I went to sleep though."

"Heh, they have a funny way of showing they care sometimes. Lots of yelling and calling me 'stupidfrin'." (You can't help but chuckle.)

"Oh don't I know it. That's their catchphrase for trying not to show they care!" (She joins in with your laughing, before letting out a soft sigh.)

"... You think Vay's gonna be okay?"

"I don't know... but I know I'm gonna do everything I can to make sure they will be. That's the least I can do for them at this point. Besides, you've practically been doing miracle work with them yourself." (You both chuckle a bit again.)

"I've had quite a few spirals in the past, guess I've gotten good at pulling people out of them."

"Yeah, you are really good at that..." (You smile lightly, remembering all the times she helped you in your former life once more. A life that no longer happened, and never will again...)

"Don't tell me I gotta pull you out of another one now." (She teases as she elbows you a little, getting you out of your own head.)

"Hah, no, I'm okay. Just remembering things... things that didn't technically happen anymore."

"... You sure you're okay? Have you really... sat and processed that yet?"

"Not really... and I don't know if I really should, that'd probably just make me freak out again..." (You lower your head, lightly rubbing at your arm scars through your clothing.)

"I know it's not pleasant, but... just ignoring it probably isn't much better. It'll be like a ticking time bomb, something could change and just set it off."

"... Yeah... You're probably right, as usual." (You say with a jokingly annoyed tone and pout.)

"Hah! I'm glad everyone's starting to learn that around here~."

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

(Eventually the others wake up to join you, enjoying the brilliantly prepared breakfast while its chef's remain sleeping on the couch. Your curiosity starts to get the best of you as you address Odile.)

"So, how close were you?"

"Pardon?"

"C'mon, you had to be theorizing something. How close were you to being right about Vale?" (She can't help but smirk a bit as she sets her fork back down.)

"I was still in the middle of piecing things together, but I had narrowed it down to some sort of odd relationship outside of the loops. They were likely from the island as well, or perhaps some manifestation from the universe itself." (She starts to explain, fishing out one of her journals and opening it to a page with theories scribbled across it.)

"I hadn't given the idea full credit, but I hadn't written it off either." (Her fingers tap at a line read 'Some sort of copy invented by the loops?'.)

"Heh, I shouldn't be surprised. You've figured things out with less before."

"Well there's a reason I don't often voice my theories until they're certain. There's a lot of different possibilities during the process of putting it all together." (Isa gives a little snort as he remembers something.)

"Like when you thought Sif was secretly some sort of Assassin?" (Mira gives a surprised gasp as Odile sighs in annoyance.)

"Yes, like that, thank you Isabeau." (She comments sharply.)

"Anytime madame!" (He teases back, pretending the thanks was genuine.)

"D-did you really think that madame?!"

"It was a theory. One that I foolishly indulged in while inebriated." (Isa curious slides the journal over in front of him to glance through it.)

"It's almost a shame the secret's out of the bag already, I would have loved to hear about some of these from a drunken Odile!" (She quickly snatches the book back up, loudly clapping it shut.)

"Thankfully, we've all been spared from that humiliation." (She sighs, looking around a bit, wanting to change the topic.)

"Oh, this reminds me, I wanted to test something." (She makes a familiar hand sign and brings her thumb and pinkie to her ear and mouth respectively... You blink a couple times in confusion. She closes her eyes to focus and you suddenly feel a familiar ringing. You instinctively and immediately put your hand to your head in the same way.)

"H-Hello?!"

"Ah, so it does work with anyone, that's good to know." (Her voice echoes in your head just like Vale's did in the past. You just sit there in a shocked silence for a moment.)

"Why are you so surprised? It's simple Wish Craft, isn't it?"

"WHAT?!" (You shout as you jump out of your seat, causing the others to jump back slightly.)

"... It's a simple ritual, based on intent, you wish to speak to someone, that's how Wish Craft works based on the other examples." (You slowly collapse back into your chair, placing your head in your hands.)

"Blinding stars it was just Wish Craft this whole time?..." (You had 30 years to put that together!! You didn't even relate them at all?! You idiot!! You snap out of it as you feel a large hand pat your back, along with Isa's hearty laugh.)

"It's alright, Sif. It's not like any of us knew anything about Wish Craft before that whole experience, right?"

"Yeah... But, wait... Why did it stop working with Vale then?" (You ask as you raise your head back up, a brow raised.)

"You weren't trying to call Vale, you were trying to call Loop." (You're stunned back into silence again... When you finally snap out of it, you make the sign once more and bring your hand back up to your face. You wish to speak with Vale. You hear a snort and shuffling in the living room.)

"Mrghh... Hello?..."

"IT DOES WORK!" (You shout into the sign before hearing a startled yelp, followed by a couple of thuds.)

"What the craaaaaab?!" (Bonnie's voice calls out tiredly.)

[bebe-writes-stuff]

I haven't wrote anything for a hot minute, so here :

Sick! clingy! Mikey x Reader

You were angry at him, but at the same time, you couldn't leave him like this. Mikey was sick, really sick. He was shivering in his bed, whining about how cold he was.

"Well, if you would've just listened to me, and not gone out when you had just taken a shower. We wouldn't be here, would we?"

Your tone when you scolded him was stern, but the way you placed the wet cloth on his forehead, to lower his temperature, was oh so soft. He felt like he could simply melt under your gentle touch.

"If it meant you taking care of me like this, I'd get sick all the time, just to have all your attention on me, heh." :>

"You sure do talk a lot for someone who's sick, Manjiro. Just rest, so you can get better soon."

You mutter, before landing a small peck on his temple. He couldn't help but get shy, no one ever could fluster him, only you had that power. He felt hot, all of the sudden.

"Manjiro, are you okay? Your face is red, are you getting worse?"

You were quick to place the towel again on his forehead, which he quickly brushed your hand off his head. Despite how much his body ached and was sore, he sat up, and took your wrist into his palm before looking directly into your eyes. You didn't notice time passing as you both just...sat there, looking into each other's eyes.

"Are you ok-"

He abruptly cut you off by kissing you. He simply just leaned in and kissed you. Almost as a reflex, your hand reached up, cupping his face and sinking further into the soft sensual kiss.

"Damn, I wanted to kiss so fucking badly, but I didn't wanna get you sick angel. A few kisses won't kill you, right?"

He whispered in a raspy low tone. Your mind melting into mush, you failed to realize Mikey's sneaky moves, he was slowly pushing you against the bed, caging you between his arms.

"Y/n, you're so warm."

He was hugging you against the bed, nowhere to run. His breath fanned your neck because of his rested head on your shoulder. You felt his sweaty body pressed so tightly up to yours. Before he could continue his little romance moment, it dawned on him. A sharp pain right in his lungs. His rough cough caught you off guard as you quickly broke the tight embrace to check his continuously declining health. You quickly tuck him back into bed, wrapping every blanket in sight around him. You glared at him,

"Don't do that again, just stay in bed, you need to get better. That cough sounded really bad."

"I'm fineeee y/n, your kisses make me feel better. I just wanna get closer to you-"

He whined as he was started to get up again before you pushed him down,

"Nope, you're staying here. I'm gonna go get something for you to drink. Stay."

Making your way out of his room and into the kitchen, you were met with his younger sister, Emma.

"Hey Y/n, how's he doing?"

She asked, looking up at you from her phone. She had just finished the chores around the house,

"Don't know, honestly. His temperature is decreasing a little, but his cough is bad."

You mumbled as you filled the kettle with water, you were gonna make him tea.

"Mm, are you making tea?"

She peeked over your shoulder, eyes following your movements, before she smiled,

"The tea you make always tastes so good, how do you do it?"

You shrugged,

"I don't know, you just make tea regularly. I mean, I use honey instead of sugar."

"Huh? Seriously, that's it?

"Yep, life's better when it's simple."

...

"Y/nnnn, I missed you."

Mikey whined when you entered the room after being gone for what seemed like forever. You sat on the edge of the bed,

"Hey Manjiro, can you sit up and drink this, please?"

You held the cup of tea in your palm as you watched Mikey cringe,

"Noooo, Y/n, is that tea? Ewwwww."

"C'mon Manjiro, you have to drink it. It'll make your throat feel better."

He shook his head childishly and crossed his arms. A sigh left your lips, before a thought suddenly popped in your mind. You blew gently at the cup to cool it down, then, you took a sip of the warm liquid.

"Huh what are you do-"

You leaned down, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear as your lips made contact, forcing the tea into his mouth, and finally, he swallowed it. You licked the leftover tea off his lips, and a smile tugged on his face,

"How is it?"

You asked, feeling his hot breath against your lips

"Hmm, it's sweet, just like you. Makes me want more of you, don't mind if I do, I'm kinda of greedy."

-you guys, part 2??

[six-eyed-samurai]

Not canon to my storyline because Geto's younger brother can use Cursed Technique/see Cursed Spirits, and Geto murdered his parents for an entirely different reason, but alternatively Geto Jnr. could've ended up with Gojo instead...

In a way Geto was... relieved that one member of his family wasn't home that day and didn't join the two bodies lying on the ground.

He must still be at school, Geto assumed as he wiped off his hands. Did he really want to kill him though? He couldn't let him live either, not when he wasn't a Jujutsu sorcerer...but he'll shelve that issue for now, seeing as he wasn't at home today and technically Geto didn't know where he was. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

A closet upstairs shuddered, creaking open; Suguru-nii hadn't known he'd been sick and stayed home today.

***

"You want me to what?!"

Gojo didn't think he could receive any more shock these days, still reeling from his best friend's betrayal and mass murder, but somehow Yaga still managed to prove him wrong. He blinked a few more times, adjusted his sunglasses and even let Yaga shove his feet off the table.

He'd always bugged Geto to let him meet his so precious little brother one day, begging and bargaining. Maybe he'd tag along while Geto picked him up from school, or go to the park together, or heck, empty his pockets at the toy store!

Not-

"I don't understand. You're telling me Geto spared his brother and now you want me to do something about him?"

"We found him hiding in his closet, scared out of his mind." Yaga inhaled sharply. "Not surprising - he must've heard everything that happened. And it doesn't look like Geto spared him...more like he wasn't aware that he was home as well."

Nah. Gojo knew his friend - even if it seemed like he didn't after all.

He'd know, he'd know exactly where his brother was whether by instinct or not. He'd just chosen to overlook it on purpose.

"I know you're looking after Fushiguro's kids, aren't you? I know it's a lot to ask but I hope you can, I don't know, help him. He hasn't spoken a thing since we brought him here."

Gojo attempted to make a sarcastic quip, something around the lines of "man, I really must be the greatest Child Whisperer of all time".

He cleared his throat instead.

"He really wants a pet dog or cat, but he's allergic to fur, so you think he'd like pet fish?"

"I'm getting him that plushy we saw in a claw machine - he's kinda sad we didn't win it but he doesn't have to know I bought it from a store, heh."

"Sorry, can you take over this? My brother's participating in a competition and I don't wanna be late."

Damn, truly, how much had Geto changed? No wonder the kid was traumatized. To have his idolised, beloved big bro suddenly decide to go serial killer and his world flipped upside down, not understanding Jujutsu society. He wasn't a sorcerer either...he would have no one.

(Well, one, but Hell if Gojo was giving the kid up to-)

"Hey, it'll be good for Megumi to make friends, so why not?" Gojo stood and stretched. "Let's go meet the little squirt."

***

"Hi, kiddo...woah, you're so..."

Tiny. Small. Fragile. Gojo surmised that Geto had monopolized his family's genes of tallness all for him, or maybe it was because he had appeared to shrunk in on himself from all that crying and terror. He was still wiping at his streaming face after all. And - oh, it's that plush rabbit Geto made him buy when they passed by that store.

"You doing okay?" Gojo is hunkering down to his height, which was really giving his legs cramps, but he got a slight shake of the head in response. "It's alright. I don't all of us are, heh."

"Do you want anything? Uh, hungry, thirsty, I dunno, naps? Sorry, I'm not sure how little kids work and Megumi sucks at being a normal one. Do you want kikufuku?" Gojo reluctantly holds out his bag. "No? More for me - I mean, can I get you anything then?"

"...water s'okay."

"Gotcha."

The silence is awkward. Maybe he should've brought Toji's kids - Tsumiki was good at these sort of these things and Megumi...uh, Megumi was Megumi. "Nice rabbit. Y'know I bought it for you?"

"Suguru-nii told me."

"He did?" Gojo was momentarily taken aback. He thought Geto had wanted to keep his brother and the Jujutsu world completely separate, and, well, this meant- "Well, I do have good taste."

"The ribbon was ugly so we got a new one."

"Jeez, first meeting and you're already bullying me, huh? So mean, you and your brother - shitshitshit, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to - shit, don't cry, Yaga will kill me - oof?!"

The kid cried a literal puddle into Gojo's uniform. He used of the hands now around him to pat his back uncertainly. "Will Suguru-nii come back?"

"...he will." Gojo tightened his hold around the smaller figure; he was glad for his sunglasses to hide the-

"Just not the same as before."

"Why?"

"...you'll find out one day."

"Then I'm alone? Will the - them send me away?"

"Not while I'm here, kiddo. Don't worry."

***

"Faster, Megumi! Faster!"

"Shut up, you're heavy," The spiky haired boy grumbled, but hefted him a little more securely and picked up pace. The younger one on his back still nearly fell off giggling though. "You're squirming again."

A bright flash invaded their faces and left them blinking. "Ah, the kids all playing so happily, it makes me feel like a proud dad!"

"Stop taking photos."

"Nah, still taking."

"Gojo, tell him to stop pulling at my face - mmph!"

"Megumi's not smiling for the camera!"

"Aw, they're actually kinda cute." Shoko shakes her head, amused by Megumi being used as an overworked horse, taking her cigarette out of her mouth. "Hey, Gojo, if you ever don't want them one day I'm happy to adopt."

"You're just jealous I'm amazing and have amazing kids and you're not amazing and that will never happen."

Shoko stabs a finger at him. "Don't pretend you're not a terrible influence on them."

"Says the one smoking in front of them!"

"I didn't even light it yet."

"Whatever!" Gojo snapped another photo - it's definitely going onto the fridge, with Megumi's face in such an unflattering angle. The fridge is overcrowded with dozens of similar photos, but Gojo's sure he can make room for one more. Photos were the only thing permanent and certain, after all.

Who knew Geto would show up and try to take back-

"Gojo, Shoko, Gumi dropped me into the puddle!"

"I did not!"

***

"By the way, I heard you're taking care of another kid now, Gojo."

Instantly his guard was up. He should've known Geto would've turned around at the last second, amidst the crowds and sea of heads, to ask, to know - but it'd been so long and quiet. "I don't know why that interests you."

"So it's true." Geto turns around fully. "Can I have my brother back then? I missed him terribly ever since you all kidnapped him from me. I'm sure he's-"

"He's completely fine, but he won't be if I'm giving him back to you." Gojo shoved his way forward, closer. "You missed him? Sure didn't seem that way. I'm not going to let you kill him."

Geto actually has the audacity to look stunned. "Kill him? Why would I kill my brother?"

"Then why'd you kill your parents?"

"You won't understand. I want him back, and if you won't give him to me-"

"You'll try and get him yourself? What makes you think he'll want to go back to you?"

Geto tilts his head. "I'm his brother."

"Did you know he was in the house that day then?" No, Geto's surprised eyes said. Gojo clenched his fist. "He's not a Jujutsu sorcerer. God knows what you plan to do."

"I'll make him one."

Gojo nearly laughed. "What?"

"I'll make him into one. I promise you, Gojo, I don't care if all the demons of Hell stood in the way." Geto snapped his fingers. "I want him back, make no mistake."

"It won't be Hell's demons in your way, it'll be me. He doesn't want to see you!"

"But he needs me. And that's that."

I'm keeping him under lock and key now, Gojo swore to himself as he watched Geto disappear before hurrying away as well. Lock. And. Key.

[milkbreadtoast]

Cookie Run Webtoon EN TL

NEED TO SHARE THIS HERE... A few days ago Korean cookie run fandom was buzzing because 3 chs of an official cookie run webtoon had been uploaded... the pages have since been taken down (there's speculation that they might've been released too early by mistake??) BUT someone archived them so they can still be read!! And I did a (rough) english translation of all 3 chapters!!! (it was fun🥺 pls enjoy)

(Link to Ch 1) (Link to Ch 2) (Link to Ch 3)

CH 1:

note: Roguefort cookie's name in Korean(괴도맛 쿠키) is literally Phantom Thief(mysterious thief) flavor Cookie, and this 괴도 is the same thing Kaito Kid from Detective Conan is called (괴도 키드)

--

huhuhu...

(clink/jangle)

🌶:Yep, I really am a genius.

🌶: uhaha! instead of robbing a bank, it's much faster and easier to just rob bank-robbers, ya know~!

🌶:With this, my bounty will go up another level...

(chattering)

🌶: what, what's going on? (suddenly)

Reporter: As for Roguefort cookie's previously announced target, a 60 carat Yellow Diamond:

This jewel has been passed down from the Golden Cheese Kingdom for generations, and is said to be a symbol of good fortune, bringing(lit: wishing for) prosperity and longevity to the nation.

🌶: (Hmm, that's a puny gem.)

The jewel's owner adds that they will compensate the cookie who captures Roguefort Cookie, a payment of 1,000,000 coins as a reward to whoever captures this phantom thief...

(jolt)🌶: (A million coins?!)

🌶: (Then Roguefort cookie's bounty is higher than mine, isn't it!!) (1000000 vs 700000)

🌶: (THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE!!)

🌶: (I'll have the pride of a thief and steal it first!!)

(Title:) Who is the best thief?

Ep 1: Who is the best thief?

-That night

(footsteps)

🌶: WAIT, YOU THERE! (suddenly)

🌶: I heard the yellow diamond was at this mansion. Know where it is?

butler: (EEP) ch, chili pepper cookie?!

butler: This is a very tightly guarded place, How in the world did you get in?

🌶: Psh, this is mere child's play to me. (lit: chewing gum)

butler: I'm calling the guards/security.

🌶: ......

🌶: What are you doing? Roguefort Cookie. (pause)

Roguefort🧀: A sloppy disguise, I suppose.

Roguefort🧀: ...How did you know?

🌶: A thief's intuition?

🧀: Haha... how interesting.

To think you'd see through my disguise. (riiip)

🧀: Then I guess you're also aware that I have the jewel with me.

🌶: WHAT?!

🌶: HAND IT OVER RIGHT NOW!

GHH! (whish) (whish)

🧀: I wonder if you can catch me?

I am the best phantom thief who has never been caught to this day, after all~ ^^

🌶: Don't make me laugh, I'M the best!!

🧀: (heh) If so...

🧀: How about we admit that the cookie who steals this jewel is the best thief? (sparkle)

🌶: Heh, think I won't be able to snatch it from ya?

🌶: You'll end up regretting this.

🧀: We shall see.

WAIT!

!!! (pause)

(🌶) You?! Cheesecake Cookie?!

🌶: This place is your mansion too?;; (Just how many mansions do you have?!)

🧀: How did you know we were here?

Cheesecake🧀🍰: With all this terrible noise you've been making, wouldn't it be weirder to not know~?

Cheesecake🧀🍰: Apparently, it seems like you want to distinguish who is the best thief between you, but...

🧀🍰: Haven't you two already stolen all the decent treasures anyway?

Try stealing something a bit more difficult~

🌶&🧀: more difficult?

(grin) 🧀🍰That's right. If you're a real thief...

🧀🍰: How about trying to steal someone's heart?

🌶&🧀: !!!

(end of ch1)

-----

LINK TO CH 2:

CH2:

cheesecake🧀🍰: How about trying to steal someone's heart?

🌶: someone's... whuh?

RF🧀: Heart. someone's heart.

🌶: What's so great about stealing someone's heart?

🧀🍰: Stealing something tangible is too easy~

Why, don't think you can do it?

(frantically/fiercely) 🌶: WHADDYA MEAN!!

🧀🍰: And you, Roguefort?^^

RF🧀: (Heh) ...Seems like it'll be interesting. Though stealing someone's heart is also too easy for me...

🧀🍰: huhu~ Good, good!

🧀🍰: Then make sure both of you come back here at the same time again tomorrow!

I'll explain the details then~

(slide)

🌶: ...an invitation to a ball?

(creak/screech/squeal)

(footsteps)

🌶: (Where's Cheesecake?)

🧀🍰: Oh my~ Welcome, Chili!

🌶: What about Roguefort?

🧀🍰: Roguefort already arrived first and got started~ (hoho~)

🌶: WHAT?!

🌶: They beat me to it?! I gotta start quickly too, who's my target!?

🧀🍰: Wait, before that- (snap)

🧀🍰: Let's get you changed first!

🌶: GUH? (grab)

🧀🍰: Take her to the dressing room~ (what is that state you're in?)

🌶: WHAT THE, LET ME GO-!!

(thump, crash)

UWAAAGH!!!

(title: Who is the best thief?)

🌶:Ugh...!

🌶: What the hell is this!

���: guaah!! This dress is too stuffy/suffocating!! (creak creak)

🧀🍰: Oh my, is that so?

🧀🍰: Hold on-- Now where would my new Chocolaté Collection be... (toss toss)

🌶: ...By the way

What are you two doing here?

🥛: A part time job!

🥛: I have to buy Dark Choco-nim's goods, you see~ (hehe!)

💪: They released new protein, so I need money! (flex)

🌶: Ah...

🧀🍰: Chili! Try this on~

🌶: Phew, I think I can live now~!

🧀🍰: It suits you well~

🧀🍰: Here, take this.

🌶: What's this? ??

🌶: A mask?

🧀🍰: Tonight is a masquerade ball, you see.

🧀🍰: Your target is wearing a cat mask.

Between the two of you, the cookie who wins their favor first will win.

🌶: How would we prove that we won their favor?

🧀🍰: You just have to receive and bring back one of their things as proof/indication of winning. (You musn't steal it!)

🧀🍰: I already told Roguefort the same thing, so you should probably get going right away?

🌶: (WHAT?!) YOU SHOULD'VE SAID THAT EARLIER!

🌶: (A cat mask she said... where in the world are you?)

🍮iii: Can't I hold that for a sec?

🧙: No.

🍮iii: just once~!

🧙: No-!!!

🌶: Excuse me...

🌶: By any chance, have you seen a cookie wearing a cat mask around here?

🍓: ! (gasp)

🍓: Huh? Uh...

I, I... (th, that...)

🍓: I-I saw someone that way... (blush~) (note: speaking formally)

🌶: (whish) Ah, thanks!

🍓: 😳.....

🍮iii: trade with meee~!

🧙: I said no!!

🌶: ! (Over there!!!)

(loud footsteps)

RF🧀: ...So as I was saying...

🌶: Hi! Nice to meet you! (whack!) (shove)

🌶: For you to play dirty and go first...

(bzzzt)

(LET'S SEE WHO EMERGES THE WINNER!!!)

🐱:?

(/ch 2 end)

------

LINK TO CH 3:

CH3:

🌶: ghh...

🌶: (I butted in all confidently but...)

(awkward) 🌶: (what the heck should I say?)

🧀: The moon is flying unusually high tonight... It must be because she is jealous of your beauty.

🐱: Oh my! 🌶(dripping down)

🌶: (Are they crazy?) (I can't say something cringey like that!!)

🍮: 'scuse me!

🌶: Huh?

🍮: She said she's got something to say to you!

🍓: U-um, well...

🍓: I-if it's okay with you... May I have this dance? (lit: will you dance 1 song with me?) (note: speaking very formally)

🌶: No, I...

🐱: My, you musn't refuse an invitation to dance, you know.

Please go on ahead! (lit: go and come back)

(zoned out)

🌶: (Dammit, I can't just leave Roguefort alone like this though-!!)

🌶: At this rate, I'm gonna lose..!

🍓: U-um, excuse me, by any chance...

🍓: Could it be that you didn't want to dance, but reluctantly agreed and forced yourself to for my sake...? (lit: ...pointlessly because of me, reluctantly came out)

🌶: Ah, it's not like that

🌶: To be honest, I don't really know how to dance. Today is my first ball, ya see.

🍓: I-is that so?!

🍓: Wh-what should we do, It's my first too tho...

🍓: I'm so sorry for making things troublesome for you...! (dashing off)

🌶: W-WAIT!

🌶: Are balls such a big deal? We just have to move to the beat, right?

🍓: B-but...

🌶: Look! Those guys are all enjoying themselves dancing, aren't they!

(🍮: You really can't dance!! (stomp stomp) )

🍓: Ah...

🌶: Let's just enjoy ourselves as well!

🍓: ...Okay!

(Wheee~) (/giggle)

🐱: ......

🧀: Pardon me,

🧀: The lobby is rather chaotic, so it seems like dancing might be difficult... shall we move to a quieter place?

🐱: Yes, sounds good. (footsteps)

🍓: Whew~

🍓: I had fun, thank you so much!

🌶: Me too! (hahaha)

🌶: (Gasp) (This isn't the time for that!)

🌶: I totally forgot I was in the middle of a bet. I have to quickly go back to stealing hearts... (whish whish) Where the heck did they go?

🌶: Hey, have you guys seen Roguefort Cookie?

🥂: Roguefort Cookie..?

🥛: Ah, I have!

🥛: I saw them go out to the garden a little while ago.

🌶: The garden?

(dashing footsteps)

🥂: Roguefort Cookie came to tonight's ball? They're not trying to steal something, by any chance...? (That was Chili Pepper Cookie just now, right?)

🥛: Ah, I heard they're doing a bet with Chili Pepper Cookie.

🥛: I encountered them while I was changing clothes... they really did disguise themself perfectly!

🥂: Aha~

🌶: What garden is this wide? (Seriously.)

🌶: Ah, there they are.

!!!!!

(/ch 3 end)

[askthe-r-m-au]

I have returned!!! Currently, I am writing this one Dec 30th, and it'll probably be out by the new year!

Here's to 2025 I guess...

(God take me back to 2016-)

The Ring-Misstress | Chapter 6: A change of plans (?)

Just outside the circus tent stood a familiar red door.

The exit. She completely forgot about the exit.

Pomni stood in awe at what she was once told was a halucination.

♧It's... It's BEEN REAL THIS ENTIRE TIME???♧

���Pomni... listen. We- You can't-☆

��OH? AND THEY CAN JUST WALK RIGHT OUT OF HERE??♧

☆Pomni, please. I-☆

The ringmaster couldn't get a word out before she had already bolted towards the door.

Pomni eyes were locked onto the exit door, now merely feet away from it. It was this easy?? She was nearly free. All she had to do was-

♧...huh?♧

The moment she touched the handle, the door glitched out of existence. She stood in disbelief for a while before turning around to realise the exit door wasn't the only thing that disappeared.

Caine had left.

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

Kinger and Ragatha were the only two she told of her plan to befriend Caine in order to leave. They huddled up into Kinger's fortress for a discussion. Voz was asleep beside Ragatha.

Come to think of it, she hadn't thought about her plan to leave since... God, had it been THAT long since she befriended Caine??? Or was something else at play...

+Wait... how come you didn't tell any of us the exit was there in the first place??+

The Ring-Misstress paused.

♧Well, ah- ...I don't know. I wasn't thinking in the moment... I haven't been thinking at all lately...♧

Pomni recalled the situation that happened earlier that morning. She shuddered.

■Oh, Pomni... I think you should talk to him! I'm sure he's over it by now!■

And then there was the night before... she really didn't need to do that. He would've been just fine had he passed out right there. She could definitely care less - oh, right, we're in the middle of a conversation.

♧Oh- well, I... I don't think he'd-♧

Her stammering was swiftly interrupted by a Snicker from Kinger.

+You're nervous, aren't you?+

The Ring-Misstress felt her face warm up. She refused to believe he may or may not be right.

♧Me?? Nervous?? HA! There must be a gap letting in the light cause you'd have to be CRAZY to think-!♧

She immediately fell silent seeing Kinger with an unamused expression.

♧...sorry.♧

The tall chess peice let out a sigh.

+It's fine, I understand where you're coming from.+

He placed a glove to Pomni's shoulder.

+Take it from me. In any relationship, if you don't try to resolve your issues together, it'll only cause more problems.+

Kinger's eyes met the floor, breaking their eye-contact.

■You still care about him, don't you, Pomni?■

Well, what's she got to lose? Her sanity? Her dignity? Those are already out the window.

♧Well... it's just- ...I sound real crazy right now, don't I?♧

+Look who you're talking to!+

Kinger playfully crossed his eyes, prompting a laugh from Pomni.

♧Thanks you guys. I'm really glad to have you around, yaknow?♧

Ragatha ran her hand through Voz's hair, lulling the small AI to "sleep."

■No problem, Pomni! We've always got your back!■

The Ring-Misstress slipped back into performance character, now in a good mood.

♧Heh! As much as I'd love to stay and get all mushy with you two, I have an apology to make!!!♧

Pomni left the fort in pursuit of the ringmaster.

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

Caine was in his office, quite literally building a model of something, using his cane as a hammer of sorts. He didn't plan on using it for an adventure. Usually, that's all he spent his time on. That's all he was ever good for.

Adventure, adventure, adventure, criticism, dissatisfaction. Eventually, all of his friends would abandon him if they ever did figure out how to leave. That or they'd all abstract. The very thought made his chest ache.

If only he could leave as well. But his code binds him to this realm. He's an AI. Nothing more. Maybe if he really was a human, he could actually be something. He'd at least be something to someone... someone out there...

Caine's eye began to twich...

♧...Caine?♧

The door suddenly creaked open, followed by a familiar voice startling the ringmaster out of his spiral.

☆GAH-! P-pomni??? I mean- Pomni. What brings you here?☆

Pomni fully entered the room, Closing the door behind her.

♧I think you know why.♧

☆To belittle and demean me more?☆

♧I- what no I came to apologize.♧

☆Well, to be fair, I tried to- wait, really?☆

The Ring-Misstress nodded, Taking a Seat in a nearby chair.

♧I shouldn't have bailed on you like that. I- I should've... considered how you felt.♧

Pomni finally gained the courage to meet his gaze.

♧I'm sorry for being an awful friend. Can you forgive me?♧

A lack of response left her uneasy. Until the Ringmaster started towards her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

☆OF COURSE MY DEAR!! You have no idea how received I am that you've returned! Aaaand you can forget about the whole abandoningyourbestfriendleavinghisfeelingspermenatleydamaged thing. The past is past!☆

♧Th- thanks...♧

Pomni was too distracted by the chokehold of a hug she was in to hear that last bit.

♧What have you been working on here?♧

She pointed to the amalgamation of wooden boards from the model he had been working on.

☆Oh, this ol' thing?☆

He snapped his fingers, teleporting the pair and the assortment of model pieces to Pomni's room!

☆Remember how you said Voz needed his own bed? I did a little bit of reading and found this!! I was having a bit of trouble putting the pieces together, though...☆

Pomni stared at the jumbled up pile of boards for a moment. With a snap of her fingers, they formed a small light green crib with a moblie hanging above it.

☆Right... I could have just done that.☆

The Ring-Misstress became overly animated once again.

♧Haha! Maybe I should start calling you MY assistant, hm?♧

Pomni giggled to herself, as did Caine.

☆Oh please, you do an awful job of mocking me.☆

The ringmaster jokingly chimed.

♧Well, what can I say? I could never be as outgoing as you! ...or funny. Or-♧

She was nearly as red as the walls. She quickly returned to performer mode to change the subject.

♧WEEEELL We should probably go get Voz and show him beforeIsaysomethingreallyf#!×ingstupidlikethatagainILLBERIGHTBACKOK?OKBYE-!♧

The Ring-Misstress quickly teleported away.

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

Upon returning, Caine had left the room. Voz was pleased with his new bed and didn't fall asleep long after.

For Pomni, It was a different story.

Had her bed always felt this... empty?

She turned to her side, eyeing the dresser across the room beside Voz's crib. The top shelf was adorned with plushies of the cast.

She had her eyes on a certain one...

She crawled out of bed, climbing a makeshift staircase of wooden blocks to reach the top of the dresser, grabbing a Caine plush.

The Ring-Misstress was filled with mixed emotions.

God, what on earth happened today.

She tensed up, increasing her grip on the plush angrily. Whisper-yelling the words;

♧WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME??♧

She shook the plush violently but stopped when Voz turned over in his sleep. She put the Caine plush back on top of the dresser, worried she'd wake him if she continued. Her eyes were still locked on it.

♧What have you done to me...♧

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

YEAH WOO BABY FINALLY-

I really need to stop writing these at 2am when I can't sleep I have to get ready for school in about an hour now-

Uh P.s. send asks the inbox has been kinda super empty and I need an excuse to draw the idiots PLEASE-🙏

[hopetune]

tarrion: an odd interval of blankness felt after something big happens to you but before you feel the resulting emotional reaction.

Pain was the only feeling she could recognize by name.

Visceral, raw—it rubbed itself warm all over her body, but burned especially hot by her neck. It tinted the crumbling gray walls of the field hospital a light red, as though she were bleeding into the very compound itself. The attending doctor did tell her she lost a lot of blood. Maybe this was her body's way of wanting it back.

She sighed, then lay her head limply atop her pillow. Her bandages rubbed uncomfortably around her clavicle as she shifted, left to right, right to left. She could hear her phone exploding with messages. Alice, if she had to guess. If not her, then Mr. August, from Epsilon. But she couldn't bring herself to check the screen. Rather, she didn't want to. It was all she could do to continue lying down, watching the IV drip slowly into a vein on the back of her hand.

She didn't think she'd be alone in a moment like this. She always thought she'd have a friend, or at least her brother by her side. But she couldn't possibly tell him—it would have broken his heart. And if it would stop his heart from breaking, then she would take all her bullets in silence from here on out. So there she was: Alone, out of necessity. Alone, because no one else could be there. Alone with pain and its phantom hands that pressed down on nerve and bone.

She should feel sadder, she thought. But maybe she was all grown up now.

A nurse stopped by a few later to change the dosage of her medication. His scrubs were stained red. Though that may have just been her eyes playing tricks on her.

"How are you feeling?" he had asked, clicking on a button that hung on her IV drip. She winced as she felt something cold run up her hand.

"I don't know." she answered, "I'm… not sure I feel anything at all."

"Heh. That's the morphine." he said, tapping something on the tablet he carried, before turning back to her, "Don't worry about it. It's better to feel nothing during times like this. You're lucky. The other patients here are positively writhing."

"I don't feel so lucky." she admitted, staring down at the needle in her hand.

"Well, if you don't feel anything, then I imagine you wouldn't feel that, either." As he said this, the nurse began to leave the room.

"When do I start to feel? Feel... anything?" she asked, tugging weakly at his arm when he passed her bedside. His shoes skid to a stop against the hospital tiles. His brows furrowed, and he fell silent for a moment.

"...The feeling'll hit soon." he finally replied, saying it like some promise, "And when it does, it'll hurt more than the gun. So enjoy this nothing while it lasts."

He left her with that wisdom. Maybe he thought it would reassure her. But all she could feel was the pain. Hot, then cold, running through her body in flashes. And eventually, running through her like a bullet.

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Francis Drake Main Story

Translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Expect grammatical errors.

Blank, ageless, and suspicious blogs will be blocked.

Minor spoilers ahead. Not proofread.

The mansion greeted the morning without Drake.

(Drake is not yet home.)

I collected the letters in the mailbox and stared at the closed gate.

I tried checking his room to see if he had come back, but his room was still empty this morning.

(Everyone said he might be out partying.)

Thinking about it that way, a different kind of unease started to well up inside me.

Mitsuki: "Instead of worrying like this, I should go out and look for Drake again."

Just as I was considering that一

Drake: "I'm home, little fawn."

Mitsuki: "Drake!?"

The source of my worry returned with a carefree smile.

Mitsuki: "Welcome back. But more importantly, where were you yesterday!? You didn't come back the whole night."

Drake: "I was drinking at the tavern and chatting with other customers. I ended up getting drunk and passed out until morning."

I was relieved to hear that he wasn't involved in anything dangerous.

Mitsuki: "I was worried when you didn't come back."

Drake: "Ah, yeah, sorry for making you worry."

Drake tried to comfort me by gently stroking my head, and for some reason, he stared at me intently.

Mitsuki: "W-What is it?"

Drake: "Well, I was talking about you last night."

Mitsuki: "Me? What kind of talk?"

I was curious about what they were saying about me at their drinking session.

Drake: "Well, I was talking about how I can't take my eyes off you."

(Huh?)

Drake: "I'll keep the details a secret."

Drake: "Anyway, I'm going to take a bath."

Leaving behind those intriguing words, he entered the mansion.

(What does he mean by "can't take my eyes off me?")

Despite feeling relieved that he returned, I now find myself feeling anxious.

One day, amidst the lively days, my heart began to change little by little.

Mitsuki: "Thank you for tagging along, Drake, and for carrying most of the bags."

Drake: "Don't worry about it."

Drake grinned at me as he accompanied me to town.

Drake: "If you want, I can carry you in my arms."

Mitsuki: "Well, since you're offering, why not? It'd be easier for me, and I'm sure you can do it if you're insisting so much."

Drake: "Alright then, let's do it."

He bent down, preparing to lift me, but I quickly stopped him in a panic.

Mitsuki: "I-I’m joking! You really don't have to do it!"

(It's too embarrassing to be carried like that in the middle of town!)

Drake: "Getting shy, are you? Well, let's do it when you're not embarrassed."

When I was with him, even simple conversations made my heart flutter.

(Being with him is so much fun. I wonder why I feel this way.)

I guess there might have been some truth to it when Arthur teased me about feeling lonely because Drake didn't come home.

As we strolled through the city with light steps, I suddenly heard whispers from the townspeople.

Townsperson 1: "Have you noticed those guys? They've been showing up in town from time to time."

Townsperson 2: "Yeah, they give off a rather intimidating vibe."

I followed their gaze and saw the figures of men dressed in unfamiliar attire at the street corner.

They were wearing long cloaks and had swords at their waists, giving them an overall sharp and imposing appearance.

(Who are those people?)

Townsperson 2: "I've heard rumors that they're mercenaries hired by some noble."

Townsperson 1: "Oh, now that you mention it, they do look like that. If they're here to protect the city, I'm okay with it!"

The townspeople seemed relieved and satisfied as they moved on to another topic.

(Is that really the case? They do have a disciplined military-like vibe.)

Drake: "Heh?"

Startled and feeling a bit uneasy by his impressed tone, I looked up at him and saw a somewhat cynical smile.

Mitsuki: "Drake? Is something wrong?"

Drake: "Nah, I just thought they seemed like skilled fighters. I bet it'll be fun to spar with them."

Mitsuki: "Don't challenge someone to a duel just because you find it fun."

Drake: "Haha, don't worry. I won't. But if someone challenges me, I won't back down."

He laughed it off, and we continued on our way, but the group from earlier and that fleeting smile on his face left me with an uneasy feeling.

It was that night that we had sudden visitors.

Mitsuki: "Vlad! Why are you here?"

Without any warning, Vlad and his two companions from the old castle came to the mansion.

Vlad: "Sorry for dropping in unannounced, Mitsuki. Are Comte and Leonardo here?"

Vlad: "I have something important to discuss."

Mitsuki: "Sure. I'll let the others know. Please come in."

They seemed to have something important to discuss, so I invited them in.

Drake: "Little fawn, those guests..."

Charles: "Oh! Hey, is that the new vampire who joined the mansion?"

Faust: "The 16th-century pirate, was it?"

Mitsuki: "Yup. It's your first time meeting each other, yeah?"

Mitsuki: "Drake, this is Comte's old friend, Vlad. And these are Faust and Charles."

Mitsuki: "Vlad, this is..."

Vlad: "I've heard from Comte. You're Francis Drake, the renowned hero of the sea."

Drake: "Yeah, I've heard about you too. So, you're another pureblood, huh? Nice to meet you."

After exchanging brief greetings with Drake, Vlad immediately headed deeper into the mansion.

Drake stared at Vlad's departing figure, his expression somewhat unusual.

Drake: ".........."

(Drake?)

Despite being curious about that gaze, I also went to call Comte and the others.

While the three purebloods were talking in Comte's room, Faust and Charles were waiting in the living room.

Apparently, they didn't know why Vlad had come to the mansion.

Faust: "We saw a peculiar group carrying swords in town."

Mitsuki: "Oh, I saw them too. The townsfolk were saying they might be mercenaries."

Charles: "When we saw those people, Lord Vlad suddenly decided to visit the mansion."

(Does Vlad's important matter have something to do with those people?)

After a while, Vlad, Comte, and Leonardo came to the living room after finishing their conversation.

Their expressions seemed somewhat stern.

Leonardo: "Sebastian, are all the residents of the mansion present tonight?"

Sebastian: "I believe no one has gone out."

Comte: "Good. Could you gather everyone? I have something I want to discuss with all of them."

As soon as the residents of the mansion gathered in the living room, Comte, facing all of them, began speaking.

Comte: "I'll get straight to the point. It seems that vampire hunters have appeared in Paris."

(Vampire Hunters?)

It wasn't an entirely unfamiliar term, but I couldn't form a concrete image in my mind as I listened to Comte's explanation.

Comte: "There are few who know of their existence, but they are, as the name suggests, individuals who hunt vampires. In other words, they are our enemies."

Comte: "If you have seen those intimidating men wielding swords in the city, those guys are the Hunters."

(Those people I saw during the day!?)

(Well, it's true that they have a military-like atmosphere.)

Just as I was connecting the dots, Isaac suddenly voiced a question.

Isaac: "Wait. I saw those people too, but the townspeople said they were mercenaries, not hunters."

Isaac: "In the first place, do hunters really exist in this era?"

Vlad: "They proudly wear the same symbol as us as part of their identity. They hide it in their accessories and clothes."

Vlad: "Those people in the city all wore the same symbol as the hunters who massacred my clan."

Everyone present let out a small gasp.

Vlad's family, the Draculesti, were considered special beings.

However, I heard that when he was a kid, everyone in his family, except him, was slaughtered by vampire hunters.

(I can't believe those hunters are now in this city.)

Comte: "Vampire hunters don't appear on the public stage of history, but they secretly organize and carry out missions."

Comte: "And their mission is to hunt us, vampires."

Leonardo: "But you see, they're just regular humans. They can't spot us at a glance."

Leonardo: "Unless they witness us drinking blood, they won't be able to expose us."

(Leonardo has a point.)

Most of the residents sustained themselves with rouge or blanc.

As long as they didn't bite someone, they could avoid being discovered.

Feeling somewhat relieved, Vlad quietly spoke up.

Vlad: "There is just one thing that concerns me."

Vlad: "The presence of the vampire hunter's spear that pierced my chest."

Vlad touched his chest over his clothing as if trying to suppress the pain from the wound.

Vlad: “That spear can kill even pureblooded vampires, and there are only two of its kind in this world.”

Vlad: “If, by any chance, they still have it, the danger would increase significantly.”

Drake: “.........”

(It can kill even pureblooded vampires.)

Just hearing those words sent a chill down my spine.

Comte: “I want you all to enjoy your second life. But considering who the enemy is...”

Comte: “I don’t want to lose any more family members.”

Comte: “Please, be very careful.”

It was unclear to me how everyone was taking Comte’s heartfelt words.

Drake: “Hm. Those guys look tough, so I wouldn’t mind picking a fight with them if I had the chance.”

Drake: “But I guess I’ll refrain from getting involved.”

Drake’s grumbling lightened the tense atmosphere, making me relax a little.

Mitsuki: “Honestly, Drake, even at a time like this...”

Napoleon: “You don’t really give a damn if someone looks strong, huh?”

Dazai: “Haha! Picking fights might not be a good idea, but being overly cautious might not be good either.”

Dazai: "It's just like when you take off after seeing the cops, even if you have nothing to hide, and they start getting all suspicious of you."

Isaac: "Dazai, do you have that kind of experience?"

Leonardo: "Well, we've managed to avoid getting caught until now, but we can't just lock ourselves in the mansion until the hunters leave."

Arthur: "I was looking forward to secretly having fun with some girls, but it looks like I'll have to put that on hold for a while."

Theo: "It seems like Arthur is the only one who needs to be careful."

The atmosphere lightened, and the usual banter returned.

Their nonchalant attitude helped ease the seriousness of the situation, but it also made me realize something I'd never thought about before.

(I knew that everyone here is a vampire, but I never thought I'd have to worry about them being hunted down.)

I silently prayed that nothing would happen to them, but at the same time, I wondered if all I could do was pray.

After Mitsuki and the vampires had returned to their respective rooms, Drake stood on the balcony.

Drake: "A visit from the true vampire hunters."

Drake: "Nice. It's going to be interesting."

He drew a knife from his waist and held the blade up.

(I can't seem to fall asleep.)

I was still anxious about those vampire hunters in Paris, and my racing thoughts kept me from sleeping.

(Maybe I should get some fresh air.)

With that thought in mind, I slipped out of bed and headed to the balcony.

(Huh?)

To my surprise, there was already someone there.

Mitsuki: "Drake?"

Drake: "Little fawn, what are you doing out here?"

Mitsuki: "I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd get some air."

As I stood beside him, Drake leaned against the railing and peered at my face.

Drake: "I got it. You couldn't sleep because of those vampire hunters."

(Well, I can't deny that entirely.)

Mitsuki: "It's embarrassing, but yeah, maybe a little."

Drake: "You’re honest as always. Would you like this big brother to keep you company?"

Mitsuki: "Hehe, you're teasing me again."

Mitsuki: "Are you going to count sheep until I fall asleep?"

I playfully changed the topic, and he extended his arm toward me, pulling my shoulder closer.

Drake: "I'll count sheep like this until you fall asleep."

Drake: "One sheep, two sheep."

(He's so close.)

Despite the cool night breeze, I could feel his body heat, causing my face and body to grow warmer.

Mitsuki: "Drake, um..."

Drake: "Three sheep, four sheep."

Despite being flustered, he continued to pat my shoulder and count sheep.

Drake: "You're so warm. I'm going to have a hard time letting you go."

Drake: "If this were a bed, I'd fall asleep first."

Mitsuki: "I'm just a little warm."

Drake: "Is that so? Haha! Then you might not get any sleep."

When I managed to squeeze out my voice, Drake quickly moved away.

(Phew. I thought my heart was going to explode.)

However, I found myself feeling a little lonely when his warmth left, so I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

Perhaps it was his usual casual demeanor, but the unsettling unease in my heart was starting to subside.

Drake: "Well, hearing about the vampire hunters appearing can make anyone anxious."

Drake: "Since we all live together, there's always a possibility that even as a human, you could get involved."

Mitsuki: "I'm more worried about everyone than myself."

I looked down at the garden from the balcony.

The vibrant flowers I saw during the day were now shrouded in darkness.

Mitsuki: "Everyone in the mansion became vampires, but they're just living their second lives with such strong determination."

Mitsuki: "And I know that even the three purebloods have a deep affection for humans."

Drake: "..........."

Mitsuki: "It's just heartbreaking to imagine them being hunted as villains."

Mitsuki: "It would be nice if we could understand each other beyond our differences."

(I don't want anyone to get hurt. Everyone here is important to me.)

(Drake, too.)

I wish the wind could carry away all my anxiety.

Thinking that way一

Drake: "I guess that's what vampires are to you."

I heard him say this coldly, so I turned my gaze to him.

(Drake?)

Drake: "But you know, that's just a one-sided perspective. For humans, it doesn't matter what feelings vampires may have."

Drake: "The fact remains that vampires drink human blood."

Mitsuki: "Yes, but..."

Drake: "Humans are the same. Humans hunt vampires for their own convenience. They resist the threat to their lives."

Drake: "Humans might also have the motive to eliminate superior beings to dominate the world."

He raised the corner of his mouth and wore a sarcastic smile.

Drake: "Predators and prey, hunters and the hunted一humans and vampires are parallel to each other, no matter how you look at it."

Drake: "That's why they've been killing each other in the shadows of history."

(.........)

His words were painfully realistic, perhaps because he was someone who had survived through the ages and had a unique perspective.

But his attitude of not siding with either side felt like一

(He's been observing the relationship between humans and vampires from a distance.)

His aquamarine eyes, usually gazing into the distance, now looked dark and somber.

Drake: "The difference in our species is the root of fear and hatred. That alone can make anyone cruel."

Drake: "Both humans and vampires have the same roots. Hatred seems to be a part of living beings' nature."

Mitsuki: "Drake."

His words felt like a harsh outpouring of emotion, and before I realized it, I had grabbed his arm.

Drake: "........."

Mitsuki: "Are you okay? You seem to be in pain."

Drake: "Mitsuki."

Suddenly, the night breeze that had been rustling the trees calmed down. We gazed at each other as if time had stopped, and Drake's hand overlapped mine.

Drake: "Your hands are warm."

Mitsuki: "Yours too."

Drake: "Haha! Maybe you only think that for now."

(Only for now?)

I didn't quite understand the meaning of those words, but...

(I don't want to believe that hatred is at the root of human nature.)

(But did something in his past make him think that way?)

Drake: "Sorry. This conversation turned unexpectedly heavy."

Drake: "Even if a hunter appears, it doesn't mean they'll suddenly barge in here."

Drake: "Instead of burdening yourself with worry, why don't you get some rest now?"

Mitsuki: "Okay."

He patted my head gently, and his eyes were smiling, but...

(Even the clearest ocean has dark and unreachable depths at the bottom of it.)

(I wonder if Drake also has a place like that in his heart.)

Those thoughts crossed my mind that night.

Previous Part╎Masterlist╎Next Part

[thedo0zyslider]

The third death game has certainly been an experience so far. Maybe a more negative one for Scar. The whole soulbond gimmick wasn't really working out for him, and probably hadn't been since the first day. It was working out fine for everyone else though...

Well, mostly everyone else.

The sun's starting to set now, as Scar travels the server on foot. Normally, at this time of day, he would be hauled up in the Red Velvet Keep, feeding Jellie and taking care of his pandas. But Scar didn't feel like staying ag the Keep today, so he'd feed his pets early, told Jellie she was in charge, and headed out. (He's pretty sure Jellie fell asleep right after he left, but she was a very good cat! She'd wake up and sort out any trouble if she needed too!)

He didn't know where Grian was, and probably didn't want to find out. Maybe he was baking bread with his secret admirer again. That did seem to be his teammates favorite hobby as of late.

It really was a coincidence he ended up by Ren and Bigb's box. Normally, he would've gone towards the Ranch go bug ol' Timmy, but he's pretty sure Tango would've actually set him on fire. So, Scar took to wandering around the server instead.

And his wandering had brought him here.

Scar approached the cobblestone box lazily, not thinking anyone would be out. It was almost dark out, after all! And fighting monsters wasn't really an ideal pasttime in this game. Then the sound of movement, of blocks being moved and placed, comes from nearby, and Scar's not so sure about his assumptions anymore.

"Is that a Ren-diggity-dog I see?" Scar says, spotting quite the familiar figure outside Box. He doesn't know what Ren is doing with those blocks, since his base seem to be done. Maybe he's trying to Box jelwey, or something like that. He did quite enjoy decorating the outside walls, for whatever reason.

"Scar!" Ren exclaims, looking over at his base's newest guest. His tail starts wagging behind him happily. Scar mentally compares him to an excited little puppy, which is basically what Ren is at all time. "How are ya man?"

"Oh, I'm good!" He smiles, remembering why he hsd left home and wandered out in the first place. Scar was not doing good at all, no siree. "Found out my soulmates seeing someone else, but I'm doin' amazing!"

"Er, right." Ren mumbled, leaning against Box's wall awkwardly. If Scar noticed how his tail stopped wagging, he didn't make an indication of it. "Forgot about that."

"It's fine Ren, it's fine!" Scar says, waving his hands dismissively. Ren isn't the one cheating, after all. He has nothing to be sorry for. BigB and Grian are their own people who could make their own choices, and they had apparently decided that soulbonds and their shared lifeforce meant absolutely nothing.

"Well, I do feel a little bad." Ren shrugs, not noticing how his sunglasses slide down his face. Seeing his eyes made his friend's expression look all the more troubled. "Your soulmate is messing around with mine."

"It's not your fault! I didn't expect you to have BigB on a leash or anything." Scar reassures, reaching over to give his friend a firm yet gentle pat on the shoulder. A very reassuring pat, if he does say so himself. Scar is very good at making people feel better. Usually.

Ren smiles up at him, seemingly reassured by the pat; if only just a little bit. (Which meant his pat had been a success! A small one, but a sucess nonetheless!) "Heh, yeah."

"How are you doing, Ren?" Scar hums, changing the topic away from his feelings at the first opportunity. He came out here to get away from all those gross complicated feelings about Grian and being cheated on! He doesn't want to talk about them on his nice relaxing walk! Not that Ren could've known that, of course.

"Uh, kinda not good, my dude." The dog admits, leaning against one of his base's walls. His tail has started to droop now, as well. "But it'll come to pass."

Scar frowns, idly resting a hand on hid hip. It's unusual to see Ren this sad. The sight is definitely more than a little worrying. "The cheating really bothering you, huh?"

"Is it not bothering you?" Ren counters, raising an eyebrow at him. Scar stiffens under that gaze, feeling the resentment and the hurt bubble back up again. He pushes it down before speaking.

"It is." Scar mutters. He doesn't say much else, and doesn't want too. Ren seems to sense that, and nods; not prodding any further like he might’ve normally done.

Scar shuffles his feet, feeling awkward. Neither of them say anything. He doesn't think there's anything to say. Sorry my soulmates seeing yours sounded lame. They didn't need to apologize for it anyways. Ren and Scar didn't need to say sorry fir anything, unless they started kissing each other too.

Oh, that was certainly an idea. A very good idea for payback. And giving Grian a taste of his own medicine sounded like a very good plan at the moment.

Scar hums, not giving himself any mkre timr to think about or doubt his brilliant new plan. "I did have a little idea though..."

"Really?" Ren asks, his tone playful and a smile returning back to his features. "What kinda of 'idea?' Another scam?"

"Oh, very funny Ren!" Scar laughs softly, taking a few steps forward. They would need to be closer for his plan to work, after all! "But no, it's not a business plan this time. It's something very different!"

"Different in what way?" Ren studies him, interested. His tail thumps against the cobblestone wall behind him lightly, now like a curious little puppy instead of a happy little one. Scar can't help but smile.

"Well, how about some payback?" Scar asked, a slight smirk spreading across his face. It's his salesman smirk, though he isn't selling anything this time. Unless he decides to make Ren pay up after the fact....

"Payback?" Ren ask tentatively, feeling his right ear twitch. Scar can almost see the cigs turning in his head as he studies their positions. But the light blub hasn't quite lit up yet. So he decides to give it just a hit more electricity.

A second later, Scar leaned forward, until thier noses were almost touching. Ren blinks back at him, said light blub finally lighting up in his brain. Something sparkles in his eyes. Scar wants to find out what.

"Oh, payback." He muttered, not moving away. Scar thinks Ren actually gets pulled in closer, like a magnet is drawing them together. The universe must agree with his plan then, if its pulling them closer!

"I take it your on board?" Scar asks, raising an eyebrow. Tentatively, he pushed Ren back a little, so he's backed into the wall. Ren lets him.

Ren snorts, rolling his eyes fondly. He takes one of Scar's hands in his own, and laces their fingers together. Scar tries not to blush too hard at the action. "Obviously. Now shut up and do it already!"

Scar smiles at his friends enthusiasm, and wastes now time after that. He kisses Ren softly, finding himself suddenly unsure as he pressed their lips together. Ren kisses back with a hum, clearly finding it enjoyable.

The kiss deepens after a moment, and after Scar has time to gain a bit of his confidence back. Not too deep, but deep enough to leave them needing air and pull away gasping. Which is exactly what they do, by the way, when locking lips and the lack of air because of it become a bit too suffocating to handle.

"That was....cool." Ren mumbled quietly, pushing his sunglasses back up his face. It doesn't do anything to hide how hard he's blushing. Scar has to hold back a giggle at the sight.

"Yeah." Scar agrees, just as breathless as he feels. (And probably looks, too.) He had to admit, Ren was a surprisingly good kisser! "Wanna do it again?"

"Of course, dude!" Ren agrees, laughing softly. Scar leans in to kiss him again, and is met in the middle. It's the closest thing to heaven he's felt all season, and he wants more. (And hopefully, Ren will be here to give him more tomorrow...)

He hopes Grian is happy.

[opheliajupiter99]

PLAY Pt. 6 (OUAW Horror Fanfic)

*Just as Hootsie and 'Gideon' had come decided to work together to escape, they could hear creaking on the floorboards out in the hallway, coming closer to the door. They already had a feeling who it was, but the haunting mimic of a voice confirmed it* "Uncle Gideon! Do ya know where my darlin' lil' daughter ran off to?" *She held back a whimper, 'Gideon' looking to the door panicked, then back to her*

*'Gideon' stood up from the bed* "Just a second, lil' green!" *He called out, then moved towards the wardrobe, opening it as quietly as he could and gesturing for Hootsie to hide inside. She did so, the sound thankfully muffled by piles and piles of clothes stuffed within, not just copies of Gideon's clothing, but outfits of likely dozens upon dozens of other people he'd been forced to copy over Gods only know how long*

*After closing it back up, he headed towards the door and opened it. She couldn't see from within, as expected, but she could hear 'papa' enter the room, huffing angrily* "What an ungrateful little thing.." *He said, the mimicry of papa's voice faltering considerably as his tone grew insulted in nature* "And you! Why do you think you even exist? You're supposed to entertain these wailing brats!"

*There was silence for a moment, before 'papa' huffed again* "If you weren't the only one of my toys with half a brain left, I'd cut your stitches right now!" *He shrieked angrily at 'Gideon', stomping a little goblin foot in anger. 'Gideon' cleared his throat* "I-I'm sorry sir. I just ain't seen her, that's all. I'm sure she's around here somewhere. She can't leave, ya know that, so she can't have gone far." *'Papa' just huffs again, stomping back towards the door* "You're right about that much. The others are looking about anyway. Stay here and rot, it's all your good for anyhow!" *He said before exiting, slamming the door behind him*

*Once the footsteps had gone far enough from the room, 'Gideon' moved back to the wardrobe and opened it, Hootsie plopping out amongst the piles of clothes. 'Gideon' chuckled a bit* "Heh...felt kinda nice to get one over on 'em, at least once. A'ight; there's a mirror in one of the other folk's rooms, the Kremy one, it'll getcha outside the house. It ain't much, but maybe ya can make some headway from there, and at least it'll give ya some space from father." *Hootsie nodded, nuzzling his leg a bit as a show of thanks for his kindness, then quietly exiting the room*

*She'd heard 'papa' mention the others were out looking for her; she hoped that meant there'd be nothing in the way of her getting to that mirror. Even still, she kept her steps as quiet as she could, as she moved down the hallway, passing other rooms marked with the names of the rest of her family. She noticed, as she looked from door to door, that none of the signs had the same wear and tear as the false Gideon's sign did. Perhaps these creations were newer? Maybe that's why they seemed so empty...*

*Soon enough, she found the door marked 'Uncle Kremy'. It was near the middle of the line of rooms, 'Aunty Twig' marked on the left and 'Uncle Frosty' marked on the right. She ever so carefully creaked open the door marked Kremy's, and peered inside. This room was somehow even more barren than the first; in fact, the tall mirror stuck on one of the walls was the only piece of furniture in the entire room. She looked around for a moment, then, still assuming, or perhaps just praying, that she was alone, moved hurriedly towards the mirror*

*She heard a voice cry out suddenly, making her hoot in surprise. She looked about, not seeing anyone else in the room; it was Uncle Kremy's voice, she knew it was! She desperately wanted that to comfort her in this moment, but she knew the kinds of tricks these things played, and shook her head, rushing towards the mirror in a fearful panic*

*She went through it with ease, slipping through as if it were the surface of water, and found herself plopped into a bush - well, it looked like a bush anyway, it felt more akin to a fluffy pillow. She could hear a familiar voice gasp at the sound of the bush rustling* "Hootsie?!" *Cried out Kremy's voice, rushing over to the bush. She let out a whimpering hoot and shivered, fearful of being discovered, and then-*

*The leaves of the bush parted as they were forced apart by clawed hands. It was Uncle Kremy - the REAL Uncle Kremy! With normal eyes and scales, tears coming to the corner of his eyes at the sight of his beloved niece. He fell to his knees, and Hootsie eagerly hugged him, nearly knocking him over as she hooted in utter delight, nuzzling against his shoulder. Kremy cried happy tears as he rubbed her back, sniffling* "I know, I know sweetie. I missed ya too..."

*After a moment of hugging, he pulled away from her, looking her over to make sure she was alright before giving her a sad smile* "I'm so sorry about all this, darlin'. I...I gotcha into this mess; I didn't mean to, but I...I did...I'm so sorry." *He said, more tears falling from his eyes. She hooted softly, her expression soft; after all she'd been through, she really didn't care, she was just so happy to see him* "But...I'm here now. And I'm gonna make sure ya get outta here, okay?"

*She nodded with another happy hoot. He helped her out of the bush, and as she emerged from it, she could see a matching pair of shiny black shoes to Kremy's, sticking out from a nearby bush, as well as bits of stuffing and torn burlap scales. Kremy chuckled a bit* "Don't worry, I got him." *He began to move forward, then he paused. He looked around a bit, making sure they were still safe for the moment, before he realized...he sighed. He needed to tell her*

*He looked down to Hootsie, one of her little paws holding his clawed hand as she stood partially upright* "Hootsie, I...when I getcha outta here..." *He paused, searching for the right words* "...I...I-I won't be able to come with ya, okay?" *She hooted, large brows furrowing in confusion* "I had to...do somethin' kinda drastic to get to ya down here. So...the Baron'll come and get me once ya safe." *She let out a whimpering hoot, and he looked down to her, giving the most comforting smile a conman could muster* "It's alright. I just...it didn't feel right now tellin' ya. I'm sorry, but I had to, to save ya. We still got some time, a'ight?" *She hooted softly, hanging her head a bit*

*They moved towards the basement door Kremy had unlocked earlier, though hadn't had time to open yet. He needed to find somewhere fully out of sight of all the creatures - which given this was their realm, wasn't an easy task - before he could call upon the Baron to get his niece free. Since the forest was little more than a backdrop, not to mention in clear view of the windows among other places, and of course, they couldn't be in the house itself, this seemed to be their only option; not a great one, but an option. If he had to, he could distract them, so Hootise could get away; he was doomed anyways, so there was no point in fussing over self-preservation anymore*

*The heavy metal doors creaked open, requiring the both of them to open it, before they entered into the basement, the doors swinging closed behind them. They didn't need to be alone for long for the spell to work, just long enough for nothing to conflict with it as the portal opened. He took a deep breath, still processing the fact his life would essentially end once the portal was open, but pushed the thought out of his mind, using the glow of his cane to illuminate the dark area around them*

*It was mostly empty; some scattered furniture, some wooden boards, and unsettlingly, various old children's toys, gathered around the basement and stood prominently, almost like some kind of sick trophies. Kremy's attention quickly focused on the far wall, wide and barren, a perfect spot for a portal. As they quickly moved to approach it however, they heard a long BANG that echoed with a metallic clang to it across the walls of the basement. Then two more in quick succession, Kremy hugging Hootsie to himself tightly, as the metal doors swung open with far, far too much ease..*

*Then, in the darkness, a hulking figure leaned to peer down into the basement, too tall to fit properly in the doorway, a pair of glowing, magenta button eyes peering towards the pair intensely*

"Aww, whatcha runnin' for, dove? All we wanna do is play with ya..." *The dark voice said with a sadistic chuckle*

[stonedstargazer666]

I just did the hardest thing in my life.

Now I'm not sure how to go about talking about something like this.... i'm not all here mentally so just bear with me.... TW: Death, passing of a loved one, and organ donation. self harm mentioned.

I'm in Louisiana… Got here yesterday, everything feels like a blur… yet it feels like it's moving in slow motion…. It feels really good to see my stepmom, and stepsibs and my half brother Bear who came down to Louisiana JUST for me. Bear and our dad didn't really have a relationship, not the way I did with our dad. But Bear came down from Minnesota for me..... and I'm truly grateful for that.

My dad was legally pronounced brain dead on September 3rd 2024. Yesterday, September 4th, 2024. He had his Hero Walk from his ICU room to the ambulance bay…. i feel… I dont know… I've only ever have seen that on like med dramas before.. ya know? There's a place out here were they take him to handle as they put it "His gifts". Because he was an organ donor… I'm so proud of him for that Oh my gods I'm so proud of him for that…. but that walk… seeing all those doctors and nurses staff. some of who are my step moms co workers… it was the hardest thing i have ever done/ had been a part of in my life…. there is already a recipient of his liver. My dad is going to save someone else's life….. (we just got a call from the place that he went to, they were able to recover his liver, and two other things for transplants!!! THREE THINGS. MY dad is helping three different people!!!!)

Before we did the Hero Walk, Bear got to hang up a flag in honor of our dad. which was flown at half mast at the hospital. He's keeping the flag. Yesterday I had the honor of recording his heartbeat, and it's on my phone. I haven't listened to it since recording it.... I'm scared too, but I know that I wanna save up to get a Seattle Seahawks bear from Build a bear and put his heartbeat in that. I know it's going to kill me everytime I play it, but I think it'll also help???? the jury is still out.. lol

THe hero's walk was so surreal.... seeing that in real life.... I...I don't know how to process it... the doctors, nurses, and staff lined the hallways from the ICU to the ambulance bay.... it was so quiet, and I was sobbing the entire time walking behind my dad. He really is a hero... and my respect for him grew. I already had so so much respect for him. But wow.... The hero's walk was up til today, something I only saw on med dramas.... it felt so heavy, every single one of those people in those hallways had such a heavy look of respect and admiration for my dad. I feel like I'm shock kinda.... just a lot going on my head I cant keep things straight tbh...

Everyone has been a mess, but I think my stepmom and I take the cake on being a mess. (She doesn't have Tumblr, and none of my other family do so i'm not worried about them seeing this heh...) I have been dissociating a lot... I think... been blasting Sleep Token a lot to deal with this.... I never thought that my dad would be gone so soon... It's weird sitting in his chair writing this, knowing that he would usually never let anyone else sit in it... I have moments of hearing his voice when it's completely silent.... it's a sound that I will never forget, and his deep belly laugh when you would get him rolling.... his smile... Gods... I don't know how to feel.... it's weird to be here without him.... I wouldn't be sober if it wasn't for my dad, yeah I made the choice to get sober, but he helped me. He let me scream, cry, vent.... I didn't go to rehab, I literally detoxed on a greyhound bus on my way to Ohio. but when I got to Ohio. My dad was a Video call away, and I called him a lot. He didn't care about my ramblings, or the fact that I can never stay on topic.... he did the same thing.

We are cremating him, and having a wake for him with a viewing... which is going to be really hard for me honestly. After seeing him in the ICU.... but I think it'll be nice. and by cremating him. I'll be able to always have a little piece of him with me always. I just need to find something for his ashes, something that means something to both of us. Just us. I don't know where to even start... I'm not gonna be able to do anything until next month anyway...... I honestly feel so lost right now.... I keep thinking who am I gonna call. and my first thought is my dad....

I can't call him, and it hurts so much. But I know he isn't in pain anymore. He's with his dad, and grandpa. He's with my grandma, and aunts who loved him. But.... I feel lost... my heart hurts so much... I know that I'll learn to cope, and with a lot of time. It will get easier, but it doesn't feel like it. It really doesn't...

there is a GoFundMe going... i can get it from my stepmom if anyone wants it.. it was set up by a family friend.. just dm me I guess. i'll answer DMS but that's really it.

Me and my dad in 2019 in Idaho

This picture of my dad, I'm not sure when it was taken, but he looks so cool.

My dad when he was about 17 or so and his Mopar, this is my absolutely favorite picture of him. Picture courtesy of my Uncle Floyd on Facebook hehe.

Then these are pictures of his flag, the first three I took from the parking lot of the hospital. the last one my brother Bear took. I'm gonna post more photos of my dad. My Uncle Floyd, his brother is sending me a lot, and my stepmom and I are going through his facebook page and shes telling me stories about some of them. While going through some of his stuff... I know its soon.... but honestly... I'm keeping a lot of it. IDK where I'm putting it. But so far its mainly clothes, and stuff me and TJ one of my partners can wear. Might give my other partner a shirt if they'd like....

My dad is a hero, and is going to be saving someone's life tonight with the gift of his liver. I am so proud to be his daughter, but at the same time I am so hurt that he's gone. A small piece of him is going to live on with somebody else, whoever that is. I know they will be grateful for this, and that makes me happy. so happy, my dad loved helping people. So he is very much a super hero in my eyes.

Fly high daddy. I love you so much. You are saving one more life tonight, and I am so proud of you. So very proud to be your daughter, thank you for being my dad and one of my best friends. Even if you said that we weren't. I feel in my heart of hearts we were, I will never stop thinking about you. Or what you would do, or say. what jokes you would make, or how you say them. I love you so so much. I know you will be watching over us from now on, and that you wouldn't want me crying. But dammit dad... you know how I am... I can't help it... It's going to take a while before I can think of talk about you with crying. and you know it. you were always my hero for many reasons....

Do you know how hard it is going to be for me? Not being able to call you? Not being able to excitedly chitter to you about small things like my crystals or tarot cards? or...or calling you crying because I don't feel good or I have cramps and you make me feel better by making me laugh?? I know you know... I get the concept. heh.. But...I guess something is coming from it. I'm getting to know my Uncle Floyd better... He misses you a lot dad, Floyd loves you so much. He's sending me all of these really neat pictures of you guys... and he was making me laugh. Explaining the difference between having a mullet, and having long hair with bangs... lol

Floyd has been checking in on me and everyone almost daily, I haven't talked to him this much ever... which, yeah I know I can't take all the blame. He even said so.... You know you two are so much alike its kinda scary. heh. He called me princess the other day while I was on greyhound. I don't think he was thinking about it to be honest. He's been calling me kiddo a lot, kinda like you did. I think its cute. hehehe. But I think sadly this was the push I needed to connect with him more... He also has a really nice voice, just like yours. And the push I needed to connect with Kim more too.

I know that because of my mom, my relationship with Kim has been kinda weird. But I'm realizing that... some information was revealed and more clarified to me about certain happenings with my mom and wellll.... let's just say there are A LOT of emotions right now with that... I don't even know where to begin on that.... woooboyyyy dad... there's a lot to unpack there... and I know we've kinda touched on this crap here and there and really talked about things from your point of view. But Kim told me stuffs that.... Well I'm gonna need to talk to my therapist about it first because I really don't know how to process it. Because it was during the time I was treating you so horribly.... and I'm sorry... I didn't fully know or understand what was going on. I know I know I don't have to apologize for anything I know. But knowing this new information..... I'm sorry..... I'm so sorry. Ok i'm gonna try not to say that anymore. TRY.

I'm taking a lot of your clothes to be honest, oh and Ace is like my best friend now. Look! HE HUGE DAD HOLY FUCK

As soon as I started talking to Floyd Ace came out and started loving on me. I love him so much dad, he's so soft and sweet oh my gosh. But he misses you. He's definitely your cat lol for sure your cat. Everytime attacks Kim I giggle I can't help it. it's so funny, Tucker and Flash miss you too. Tucker has been so happy to see me. I love those dogs so much. I'm so happy to see them, and cuddle with them!!!! it's been so nice to be writing this and being able to set this aside to love on one of them for a minute. It's also been nice to spend time with Bear, We hung out a little yesterday.

He needed to run to Walmart, I tagged along cause well I wanted to go for a car ride. and I wanted to spend time with him too. He did drive all the way down here for me.... and yeah I know. I'm just glad he's here, he's getting some kind of closure with all of this... I know I've always been kinda like the fixer.. always trying to fix things... like relationships. like with my mom and Kim.

I now understand what was really going on... and I...I can't fix that. I can't, I have my own shit I need to worry about dad... like how i'm gonna live without you.... how am I going to do that?? I know I have TJ and Fruits... Kim, Bear, Floyd... Yes I've been constantly talking to TJ. I've been keeping him updated every step of the way....

But not you.... goddammit dad..... I know I'm going to be ok eventually, but this fucking sucks right now... My mind is racing, one minute I'm laughing about something you joked about or said, the next i'm shaking and sobbing because you aren't here... I feel like i'm constantly panicking.... I would totally lose my mind if I wasn't here with Kim and them... honestly I think if I wasn't here with them, I think I would be hurting myself right now or wanting to be really badly.... and that's a scary thought to be honest. I don't know if I do right now... but so much has been going on that I haven't really thought bout it frankly. I'm keeping a lot of your shirts for myself and TJ. I'm gonna see if J wants any of them. If not, well I'm not worried about it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I promise to take good care of your shirts that your dad gave you. I have a lot of good memories of you two together, so to have some of these shirts that I vividly remember grandpa Taylor wearing when I was little, then seeing you wearing them... now me... its.... very special to me. And I'm very honored?? I'm not sure if that's the right term, but i'm gonna go with it...Of course I'm taking your Kiss Blankie, and one of your Seahawks shirts. my favorite one. the one you always wore, you know the one. hehe. I even have the shirt J and I made for you when we were teeny tiny. My handprint is so small oh my gosh dadddd... I promise to take good care of it.

Gods....there's so much more I wanna say. But I'm not really sure how too... I definitely feel like i'm still in shock...I thought I still had time... Dad... You HAVE to tell people when you don't feel good, I know you don't like people worrying about you but... THIS IS WHYY!! GOD dad.... I'm happy your not in pain anymore I'm so happy for that, cause god knows that you hated it so much... But this was too fucking sudden for everyone. Too fucking sudden old man.... Christ... leaving me...us like this... fucking hell dad.... I just... I need you. here with me. I'm always going to need you. I don't know what I'm going to do without you.... you were a really good man whether you believe it yourself or not.

You ARE a good man, you saved three different lives.... but mine is going to be changed forever and you know how much I hate change like this..... Honestly personally I don't think I'll ever really get over this, or this trauma... I really don't think I will. I hate this so much I do. plain and simple. I want you here with me dammit, it's not fucking fair! It's so not fucking fair!! I hate feeling like i'm being selfish when I know this is normal....I feel like I have to be strong for everyone else I don't wanna be. I spent most of my life hating you because of my mom!!! I HATE MYSELF FOR THAT AND ITS NOT MY FAULT. I missed out because of her, and because she lied to me about a lot of things..... and that's time I will never get back with you.... that kills me so badly..... like oh my gods it hurts bad.... so much..... I know there is still a lot of high running emotions. But you know how strongly I felt and loved.... gods... How am I going to this without you? I know I will..... but right now...I don't know how... I really don't know how..... I love you so much this hurts so badly.... I don't think I can properly pet into words how bad i'm hurting.... how badly i'm missing you right now. I know for a fact that if you were here right now, we would be talking about everything under the sun. Gods I need that right now..... I really do daddy... I just wanna talk to you, and laugh and hug you.

I would give almost anything for just one more day.... just to hear your voice, see your green eyes. hear your laugh.... feel your arms around me... I am so glad that we were able to work on our relationship. So fucking grateful. you mean so much to me daddy, you really do. I hope you know how much you mean to me.... I really really hope you do . I love you dad. I will talk soon.... maybe... might start a sideblog with letters for you... I'll have to think about that for a little bit. But I love you daddy. I will talk you later. toodles....

[spinoskingdom875]

Everyone gathered at Empire City Park for the Solar Eclipse. They sat down with picnic baskets and drinks waiting for the Eclipse to begin. Tails: Here you go. He handed everyone a pair of glasses. He gave one to Marine. Marine: Woo! This is gonna be a ripper! Sonic: Thanks, pal. These are some cool shades. Tails: And they're perfect for protecting our eyes when looking up at the Eclipse. Trikey: What will happen if we look at the eclipse without these? Tails: Well, the brightness would damage your vision, and you would go blind. Trikey: Oh dear. Then I'm glad you made these, so we can look at the Eclipse without hurting our eyes. Tails: And I have a pair for your new friend. He grabs a pair of solar glasses and hands them to Bumpy. Tails: So, you're Bumpy, correct? Bumpy: Uh-huh. Amy: When did you two first meet? Trikey: We first met in the forest, and we started playing hide-n-seek. And we also run around and pounce on each other. Bumpy: It was really fun, and now, I made a new friend, and hopefully more here. Amy: Aww, that's so sweet. We'll be glad to be your new friends. Bumpy: Aww, thanks!

Several minutes went by, and the sky began to dim. Eggman and Sage came by, and Cream introduced Trikey and Bumpy to Sage. Trikey was surprised to see the young girl. Trikey: Mr. Eggman, you never told us that you're a daddy. Is she your daughter? Eggman: Heh-heh, you could say that. She's not actually human, but she does have the feelings and emotions of one. She's Artificial Intelligence. The baby dinos were confused. Bumpy: Artif... Trikey: Artifishy... Bumpy: Uh, what does that mean? Eggman: Well, she's a type of fancy computer, and has the ability to perform tasks like thinking and learning, that would require the intelligence of living beings, such as you. Trikey and Bumpy: Whoa. Eggman: It's complicated, I know. That's why I love being an evil genius. Bumpy: Wait. He's a bad guy? Trikey: Yes. He builds lots of robots and uses them to fight against Sonic and his friends. Bumpy Gasped. Trikey: But he seems like a good papa to all of them, even Sage. Bumpy: Well, it's so nice to meet you, Sage. Sage: It's nice to meet you too, Bumpy, and Trikey.

They walked up to Tails who was on his Miles Electric. Trikey: Um, Tails? What is the eclipse about again? Tails: It's when the Moon passes between the Sun and our planet. It prevents the sun's light from reaching the Earth. He shows them a demonstration of an Eclipse on his Miles Electric. Tails: So, when the Moon is in front of the Sun, its shadow would cause the sky and our environment to get darker. Trikey: So, it will get dark down here? Tails nodded. Bumpy: Ooh. It sounds scary. Trikey: Yeah. Sonic: I wouldn't worry about it. Sure, it does get dark, but think about it like its nighttime. Knuckles: Then when it's over, the Moon will move out of the way, and the sky will light up again. Bumpy: Really? Sonic: Yeah, it'll be great moment. Trikey and Bumpy felt better.

Everyone continues eating lunch. Trikey introduced Bumpy to everyone, including Tikal who was also at the park sitting on a bench. They all chat as the sky becomes dimmer and dimmer. Vanilla: Oh. It's almost here. Be sure to put your glasses on, okay dear? Cream: Yes, Mama. We will. Marine: Hmm. Marine looks around the park. Marine: There are too many trees here. Should we find a better spot, or is this good enough? Charmy: Let me see, he puts on his glasses and flew across the park. He calls out to them by the park's steps. Charmy: How about here? Tails walks up with his device. Tails: This is perfect, and there are no trees above us. So, we got a good view. Tikal: Look, up there! The moon moves in front of the sun as the sky gets darker. Sonic: Glasses on, guys! Everyone puts on their glasses and heads for the stairs. Sonic: Hey, doc. You sure you don't need a pair? Eggman: Nah, I'm good. I modified my frames to withstand the eclipse's intensity. Sonic: Okay, then. Let's head over there and enjoy the show. They gaze up at the moon covering the sun, the light still leaking through. They all looked up in awe. Trikey and Bumpy hugged each other, still a little nervous. Tails held on to his Miles Electric, looking at the Solar Eclipse in the sky. The sky is now pitch black, the whole park is in total darkness, as lights flicker on throughout the city.

Marine: Crikey. That's a bright one, that is. Sonic whistles. Sonic: Isn't this quite a sight? Knuckles: Yeah. Tikal: This is incredible. I've never seen anything like it. Trikey: Me neither. Bumpy looks down. Bumpy: Trikey, look! They both looked to see fireflies flying around the park. Trikey: Why are they out all of a sudden? Bumpy: I guess they're confused because the eclipse makes everything look like it's nighttime. Marine: Don't forget about the crickets and cicadas. Them buggers can be pretty noisy at night. Sonic: They're thinking it's the evening since the sky is dark. Tails continues to make calculations on his device. The Solar Eclipse continued for several minutes. The sky remains dark. Afterward, the moon would move, and the sun's light would appear once again. The shadow departed over the park and the city. The whole area lit up.

Tails: Okay. You can now take off your glasses. They began to remove their solar glasses. Amy: Wow. That was amazing! Tikal: It was interesting. I'm glad I came to the park. Sonic: Yeah, what a show it was. Cream took hers off. Cream: It's over you two. You can take those off now. Trikey and Bumpy removed their goggles. Knuckles: What do you think? Trikey: That was... Awesome! Bumpy: Yeah! It actually does feel like it's nighttime! When will it happen again? Tails: Well, for this country, it would take about 20 years. Trikey and Bumpy: 20 years!? Cream: Wow, that's really a long time. I would be like Mama by then. Trikey Yeah, I would be like my mommy too. That really is a long time. Tikal: Well, let's be thankful that we were here to witness it. Eggman: Indeed. It is a once in a lifetime experience. Be glad that it happened, because it will be a long time until another Solar Eclipse will occur. Tails: Well. I feel like this will be a moment we'll never forget. Everyone agreed. Sonic nodded. Sonic: I hope the others got a good view though. Bumpy: There are more friends? Cream: Yes. And we'll be glad to introduce you to them. The baby Ankylosaur smiled warmly.

NOTE: Don't re-upload my pictures anywhere without my permission, please. Thank you.)

[crystalsnow95z]

Can I request Jimin coming down with a cold during a fanmeet? so army is worried for him but he stifles his sneezes and pretends he is okay

This got really long.. sorry for the ridiculous amount of fluff in the beginning before getting to the actual fanmeet.

Sorry he's apparently very bad at pretending he's okay but that's just how it came out🤷‍♀️

"Jiminie, I don't know what I should wear." Hoseok whined from the closet, bringing out several different outfits, dropping some as he walked.

"Did you bring out your whole wardrobe?" Jimin giggles when he sees his roommate up to his nose in clothes, dropping them onto his bed, going back for the clothing he lost.

"No, maybe a quarter of it? Did you already choose yours Mini?" Hoseok starts pairing outfits together.

"Yeah I did last...ah...heh..heh'tichi !" Jimin quickly covers his face. "Heh..hehitdhi!"

"Bless you, Jiminie. You've been sneezing a lot since yesterday. Are you sure you're up for this?" Hoseok looks over the younger vocalist. Jimin's nose was pink, and his voice came out soft and congested.

"Yes, if I take some medicine I'll be..heh..heh'itch!" Jimin sniffles, rubbing his nose. He wasn't feeling well at all, but he didn't want to let army down. His sinuses were swollen, causing a throbbing headache and his throat was sore, having to speak softly so it didn't hurt as much to talk.

"I'll go get you some medicine.." Hoseok leaves the room, going into the bathroom where Yoongi and Taehyung were brushing their teeth. He opens the medicine cabinet, pulling out the cough syrup.

Taehyung spits into the sink. "Is Jiminie still not feeling well?"

"No, he's gotten worse overnight, but he seems to still be excited to go to the fanmeet.." Hoseok explains, leaving the bathroom with Taehyung at his heels.

"I heard your cold got worse.. I wanted to see..ah Minnah.. your nose is red now.." Taehyung goes up to Jimin, touching the tip of his nose.

"I'm okay Tete. It's just a little cold." Jimin smiles, trying to stop his urge to sniffle with his brothers standing in front of him.

"Here, take this, Jiminie." Hoseok pours him a shot of medicine, trying to pass it over to him. "Huh? Jiminie?"

Jimin steps back instead of grabbing it putting up a finger, his breath hitching as a sneeze builds. "Heh..heh..Heh'tichi! Heh...heitxchugh..!" He sniffles, taking the medicine in one swallow. "Thanks, Hyungie.."

"Hopefully it'll work quickly.. we only have ten minutes until staff comes to get us. Do you need anything else? Some water? Some pain pills? I'm already ready. I just need to put on my shoes." Taehyung's voice is thick with worry, but he knew Jimin wouldn't stay home to rest.

"Ten minutes? Aiish.." Hoseok starts digging through his pile of clothes. "Okay..okay.. I narrowed it down!"

"That would be great, Taehyungie. I got a bit of a headache." Jimin picks up a jacket from Hoseok's bed, trying to hide how awful he felt. "What about this one? It'll go good with those pants you're holding."

Taehyung leaves the two to figure out Hoseok's wardrobe fiasco.

"Oh, sh*t I'm sorry Jiminie have I been too loud?" Hoseok lowered his voice.

"No, no you're okay.." Jimin lied to spare Hoseok's feelings. Each time his voice raised with excitement, it made the pain intensify. "We need to hurry Hyungie, what about the outfit?" He quickly gets him back on topic.

"That's a great idea. Very cute." Hoseok holds them together. "Now, what shirt. Maybe this one? Or.. maybe a plain white one?" He sighs, looking at four different options he pulled. "Next time, don't let me ask the stylist if I could choose myself.."

"Heh..heh'itch..! You're just overthinking it. Army won't care what you wear. They just want to meet us." Jimin pretends he didn't sneeze, continuing the conversation like nothing happened, but Hoseok doesn't.

"Are you sure you'll be okay? It's going to be loud there and you know we'll get requested to sing at least a bit.. your voice is off.." Hoseok reaches to touch Jimin, checking for warmth in his cheeks.

"It's just a little cold. I'll be fine. I've done full concerts in..ah..ah..achitdh!" Jimin sneezes into his elbow. "Ugh...worse condition." He finishes his sentence wiping his nose with the back of his hand.

"I know, I know.. i just worry about you." Hoseok starts getting changed, not having the time to fret over his ailing roommate.

Taehyung returns with pain medicine, shaking out two pills for Jimin. "Here Mini. This should help.." Even with Jimin trying his hardest to hide how he felt, his soulmate didn't fall for his fake smile. "You should try to rest on the way to the meet. Okay?"

Despite sleeping the whole forty-five minutes, it took to reach the fanmeet location Jimin still woke up feeling groggy and even more congested than before. They arrived early so they could get their makeup done, but the lucky Army who won the contest were already waiting outside.

"Oh wow.. thats more people than I thought.." Jungkook presses against the glass to see army lined up outside, the suv driving to the back entrance where they could discreetly enter.

"I hope they won't have to wait too long. We might have to set up a timer system so no one gets too little or too much time." Jin notes.

"Maybe we should've kept the number lower." Namjoon felt nerves churning in his stomach. Meeting army up close was much harder than performing for all of them.

"We made the meet two and a half hours this time.. we'll be fine." Yoongi looks at Jimin when he hears a loud sniffle from him. "I thought you were getting over your cold.. are you okay?"

"I thought I was too, but this morning it was worse.." Jimin gets a tissue, trying to clean up his face for the makeup artist to work with, but when he wipes away the drip, he triggers even more sneezes. "Hehitduch! Heh..heh..hehitcjsh! Heh..heh..." The last sneeze doesn't come on its own, having to force it out by rubbing and wiggling his nose. "Hah..haschi!"

Hoseok gets him a new tissue. "Here you go, Minnah."

"Thanks Hyung.." Jimin blows his nose, soaking the tissue with thick mucus. "I'm sorry Noona.." he bows, trying his best to stifle his sneezes as she tries to get his face done as quickly as possible.

"It's okay Jimin-ssi. Just tell me if you can't hold it back or if it becomes too much." The stylist says with a sympathic smile.

Jimin sat there trying to stay still, his breath hitching as he stifled his sneezes, constantly sniffling. He was reaching his limits, eyes watering as the pressure builds up.

"Do you need a break, Jimin-sii? Your eyes are watering..it's okay if you do, sweetheart." She asks, gently wiping a tear away.

Jimin nods, spinning away from her to release the sneezes he was holding, trying his best to not ruin her hard work. "Hehtichih!Heh..hehitcxh! Heh...heh...heihitchugh!" He sniffles loudly, gently dabbing his nostrils. "I'm sorry.." he turns back to face her, letting her touch up around his nose, holding his breath as she works.

"Don't be sorry. It's not your fault. I'm nearly done." She reassures him with a kind smile. "I'll add extra makeup near your eyes and on your nose.."

The crowd roars in cheers when the members come in site, Jimin only able to pick up the name of his teammates and that they love them. He was glad the medicine kicked in, making it bearable except when they got especially high in pitch.

Jimin waves and bows on his way to the table staff set up for them along with the others members each of them picking up the mic set out for them.

The seven line up, ready to greet army "2!3!" RM cues them to bow, all seven speaking in unison. "We are BTS."

The crowd cheers loudly, the fannmeet officially beginning.

"Army! Hello!" Jin checks his mic, the crowd all greeting him with cheers and hellos.

"Army..I purple you." Taehyung tries his mic next, army mimicking him, waving various purple things to show their love.

Jimin felt his stomach tighten, knowing full well army would be able to hear his congested voice when he spoke. He wanted them to have fun, not worry about him the whole time. He let all the others go first before going, keeping his short and sweet. "Hello, I'm Jimin. I'm so excited to be here."

Hoseok quickly starts talking right after him, trying to distract army. "Are you ready to have some fun?"

Sh*t..

Jimin could feel the tickle return at the very edge of his nose, his breath hitching to sneeze, but he used a trick Yoongi told him, rubbing his tongue across the top of his mouth, relaxing when it actually worked.

The first thing on the agenda of things to do with a Q&A, a bowl of questions being brought to the table.

"Alright army let's try to see how many we can get through in 20 minutes!" Hoseok reaches in the bowl, struggling with the English writing."{Could you do Silver spoon for army?} Namjoon-ah what one is silver spoon?"

"Ah..baepsae, baepsae." Namjoon answers him.

"They want to see your hip thrusts." Yoongi teased, Hoseok's ears turning red.

Hoseok playfully shoves him. "Only if you dance with me." He challenges the eldest rapper

"I don't think I remember it all." Yoongi admits.

"I'll show you Hyung." Taehyung gets up, speaking the lyrics as he does the chorus.

"Ah, ah, okay okay. Let's go. Us three." Yoongi sets up his phone, placing the mic next to it, starting the song in the middle.

As the three distract army Jimin takes it as his chance to sneeze, pressing his lips tightly together to try to silence it, a squeak coming out.

"You need a tissue Jimin?" Namjoon whispers by his ear.

"No, no, I'm fine." Jimin sniffles. If he kept grabbing tissues, he'd worry army. He'd much rather try to suffer silently. "I might have to wear a mask when we do the signing event, but I don't want to ruin their photos for now.."

"Not might, you'll have to. We don't want to get them sick." Jin tells him sternly.

Jimin nods.

"Okay challenge done! Next question." Hoseok uses his hands to silence army.

Namjoon reaches in plucking out a purple piece of paper. "What are your hobbies outside of music? Ah.. you should know I love going to museums and I really want to travel more for pleasure. Jungkook-ah?"

"Hmm...I haven't really done much lately.. I'm just working out..ah! I took up boxing again.. me and Jimin-sii both have."

The crowd cheers, and several army in the back ask for a demonstration.

"Boxing now? No, no we don't have gloves." Jungkook makes an excuse, not wanting to make Jimin use up what little energy he had.

The army in front agrees, shouting no, spending the message that Jimin wasn't doing well down the line, whispering and telling them to pass it on.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Jungkook asks curiously, noticing them leaning close to each other.

"Maybe they are planning a surprise for us?" Taehyung shrugs.

"Hah..hah.." Jimin covers his face, eyes watering as his breath hitching as another sneeze builds up, this time he didn't stop the sneeze. It just never came. He tried to rub the pain away, to no avail.

"Jiminie, do you need a break?" Taehyung asks when he sees him, but Jimin shakes his head, folding his hands in front of him.

"No.. no I just thought I had to sneeze, but I guess I don't." Jimin smiles through the pain. "What was the next question?"

"Ah, it was about pets, but you don't have any, so you're good. Here. Drink some water.." Taehyung passes him a waterbottle, taking over the conversation gushing over his dear Yeotan. "My mom sent me the cutest video yesterday. Hang on, army.. I'll show you." Taehyung pulls out his phone, searching for the small video and posting it on his social."Ta-da. It's done!" He smiles, watching the crowd rush on their phone to see where he posted it.

Jimin takes a drink of water, trying to soothe his throat. With all the mucus draining into his throat from his sniffling,it was irritating his throat, and Taehyung could hear it. He looks down, coughing while army was busy watching the clip Tae posted.

Hoseok reaches for Jimin's hand, giving it a squeeze. "You okay, Mini?"

"Yes. I think I need to go blow my nose, though.." Jimin admits, not wanting to continue to make himself worse.

"Go Jiminie, it's okay. We can handle the questions from here. We know each other well enough if they have any questions specifically for you." Hoseok reassures him.

Jimin gets up, leaving quickly to the bathroom. "Heh..heh'tichi! Heit..chi!" He sneezes into his hands, grimacing with the sticky mucus sprays onto them. "Ugh..this is the worst.." he sighs, trying to turn on the sink without touching the knob with his sticky hands.

"Here.. let me do it."

"Aiish!"Jimin jumps when he hears a voice in the bathroom with him, reaching to the faucet.

"Ah. I'm sorry Jimin hyung.. i just saw you struggling..." The young man bows. He was one of the Army invited to the event.

"Are you okay Jimin-sii?" One of the security rush to him when they hear his surprised yell,ready to protect him, but Jimin shakes his head.

"No, no, it's okay. I just didn't know he was already in here. It's okay." Jimin tells him, going back to washing the goo from his hands. "He was in here first.."

He backs off, but doesn't leave the bathroom.

"Here, Jimin hyung.. ah, Jimin-sii." He holds out a small packet of tissues from his fanny pack. "I'll see..see you when you come ba-back out. Feel better soon." He stammered nervously to look at Jimin in his eyes, leaving the restroom.

"Ah, thank you.." Jimin smiles. "Cute.." He was thankful that he didn't overstep his boundaries. He could've easily watched him from the stall until he left. He opened the tissue packet, blowing his nose, needing two tissues to clear it.

"Are you ready to go back?" The bodyguard asks when Jimin finishes washing his hands a second time.

"Yes. Thank you.." Jimin quickly returns to the table with the others sneezing three more times along the way, taking his seat. "Sorry, Army." He speaks into his microphone.

"It's okay!" They call back to him.

After a few games with the members they reached the part he was most nervous for, going face to face with army for the fan sign.

They lined up in a single file line, security keeping everything under control.

"Hello."Jungkook greets the first army warmly.

Jimin's breath hitched for another sneeze, but he refused to let it out, clamping his mouth shut, closing his eyes tightly as the pressure builds. It took a few more moments for the pain to dull down.

"Jimin-sii?" The young army girl asks shyly. "Are you okay?"

"Sorry..sorry.. I'm okay.." he bows his head, taking the book she offered him, signing the page presented to him. "What's your name?"

"It's Anki.."

"That's a pretty name.." Jimin's voice cracks halfway through.

"Feel better soon Oppa.. thank you. Uhm.. this is for you.." she presents him a crochet chick. "Me and my older sister made this for you.." she gestures to the older woman behind her who was giving Taehyung a stuffed bear in a tiger hat.

"You made this for me?" Jimin's eyes widen, gently running his hand across the stuffed animal. "Thank you so..heh..heh.." Jimin hides his face behind the plush, holding the sneeze back. "Ah..sorry.. Thank you.."

"It's okay if you need to sneeze.. i don't mind and either will my sister." Anki reassures him, moving on to Hoseok.

"Hello Jimin-sii." Anki's sister greets him. "Thank you for being here.."

"Thank you for waiting for us and for this beautiful gift.." Jimin hugs the chick to his chest. "It's really cute."

"That makes me happy. It took a month to finish all seven of them." She smiles brightly, passing him an old poster.

"Ah..this was..ah..heh..heh..Sorry.." Jimin sniffles forcing the sneeze back down, using a tissue to wipe his nose before signing.

"It's okay. You can't help getting sick. Just take care of yourself for me.." she folds her poster back up, moving to Hoseok, pulling out a stuffer squirrel, J-hope squealing happily at the kind gesture.

I don't remember the line moving this fast before...

Jimin was relieved it was going by quickly, greeting each army with a kind smile despite putting a mask on, engaging in small talk despite the raging headache and constant itch in the tip of his nose, forcing his sinuses to drain into the back of his throat, making him have to constantly clear his throat to get his voice out.

The boy he met in the bathroom approaches him. "I ah..I made this for you.." he offers him a goodie bag. "I..uhm.. I added some cough drops. I'm nearly over my cold.. so I don't need them anymore.."

"Thank you, that's very thoughtful...I'm okay though. Don't worry." Jimin ruffles through the bag, smiling when he pulls out the small collection of stickers having various memes from run bts.

"Please, Jimin-sii, you don't have to hide it.. you will worry us more if you keep hurting yourself.." He reached for Jimin's hand. "It's okay, to not be okay.."

Jimin squeezes the boy's hand. "It seems there's no hiding it, huh? Alright. I'll keep that in mind.."

Jimin stopped trying to hold back his sneezes when it was too painful, sneezing into a tissue. Army tried not to make a big deal about it, only giving him a quick bless you.

The fanmeet came to an end, the boys bidding farewell to army.

"Thank you for coming!" Namjoon gathers his members for one final bow. Jimin felt shaky on his feet, arms around Hoseok and Taehyung to help support him.

"Get well soon Park Jimin, We love you!" Army chant. Jimins eyes overflow with emotions tearing up. "Thank you army.. next time.. I hope to be able to give you my all.."

[pudding-parade]

Heh. I fell down a hole.

Namely, this one:

I downloaded this game a while back when it was on sale and finally decided to check it out a couple days ago when I had an hour to kill, which isn't enough time to fire up Sims and do anything in it. And....man, this thing is addictive. I've seen it called a steady drip of dopamine, and it really, truly is.

I'mma babble a non-spoilery mini-review, so I'll cut for your pleasure... There's also some gameplay pics back there, if y'all wanna see.

The game has a simple premise. You play as a person dropped on a barren, dead planet for Reasons™, and your mission is simply to turn the place into a complete environment livable for humans. Basically, you gather stuff, craft, survive, and build a base in a very Subnautica-y sort of way. As you increase certain (eventually) four different metrics, you unlock tech of all kinds, from backpacks with a bigger inventory to biodomes to rockets that you can launch into space that do various things. There are four different (but integrated) "tech trees," corresponding to the four metrics you work to increase -- atmospheric oxygen, temperature, atmospheric pressure, and later in the game biomass -- and each tree has different items to unlock. The thing is, the "oxygen tree" might unlock things that increase heat, and the "heat tree" unlocks items that increase atmospheric pressure, so it's all integrated such that you are encouraged to work on all the metrics at once. It's all very intricate and well-balanced, so the game is paced and flows really well and you always have a goal (or four) to strive for. And when you accomplish a goal? Dopamine hit!

But what's very cool about the game, IMO, is that as you go about your work, the planet slowly transforms visually, reflecting the work that you're doing, which gives you that steady drip of dopamine as you play. It is all very addictive. Entire days might pass while you're sucked in. LOL Because it's also very chill and relaxing because there's no combat/violence (and never will be, which I love). You just do your thing, accumulating dopamine. The only bit of stress you might feel is if you get lost while exploring and you're starting to run out of oxygen. And there's meteor showers which bring resources (sometimes rare ones) and that, for now, don't do any damage unless you're out in the open and get hit by one, but the roadmap from the devs says that structural damage from meteors will happen eventually.

That "eventually" is because the game is still in alpha, probably three updates away from V.1, and yet there's already tons of gameplay, all the way up to introducing insects and fish into the environment, plus automation. Because it's still alpha, the graphics are a little rough, but I don't care about that at all. Even if they don't change/improve, I'll be perfectly content. There are also large parts of the (open) world that aren't developed yet. But that's exciting because there's lots of space for the devs to add lots of new, cool stuff to do and explore! And speaking of the devs: It's an indie game. Developed by -- count 'em! -- TWO PEOPLE. Two. One married couple. It's a marvelous achievement.

And also? It's not an expensive game. 20USD. There's also a free demo you can try before buying. And it doesn't require a supercomputer to run. I'm pretty sure it'll run on a potato. Apparently, there are already mods for it but, frankly, I'm not feeling a need for any right now because I'm enjoying the game just as it is. Which says a lot about how the game is put together, IMO.

In short: I love this game. If you decide to try it out, I recommend that you go into it cold. Don't watch any YouTube gameplays or whatever. Half the fun, IMO, is not knowing what you're doing and having to explore and figure things out. The game sort of coaches you when you start, giving you a "to do" list. But it doesn't tell you how to do the things on the list. It's not a tutorial. And once you reach the first big goal -- turning the sky blue -- you're entirely on your own.

Anyway, I played this thing almost all day yesterday *cough* instead of catching up here *cough* just accumulating dopamine, so have some non-spoilery pics.

This is what you're looking at when you start. Orange sky, barren rocks, dust everywhere. You can't see very far into the distance because of the dust, which makes it harder to navigate, which makes it easier to lose your way when you venture farther out to explore, which you definitely need to do.

This time (this is my third save and my first "real" one; the other two were used to just figure out WTF I was doing), I spawned near one of the crashed ships. Which is good because before I saw that I had no idea where the hell I was. LOL There are a number of wrecked ships and underground bunkers (from previous failed terraforming efforts) to explore and gather resources from.

Meteor shower! These happen fairly regularly. Seems to be pretty random, though. Sometimes they'll happen one after another in short succession, but sometimes it'll be a while before you have one.

Is that a tinge of blue I'm seeing? I think it is...

Definitely getting bluer! And eventually:

Blue sky, clouds, and...RAIN! And with the rain, as the planet gets warmer...

Surface water! The water slowly rises on the planet as it warms and the surface ice melts...which can be problematic, depending on where you've built your settlement/base.

And now I've got nuclear power. What could possibly go wrong? LOL

Anyway, yeah, I love this game. Highly recommended. It deserves its "Overwhelmingly Positive" review status on Steam, even though it's still in alpha. It doesn't seem like it's going to be abandoned any time soon, and apparently it's already sold half a million copies. The roadmap for the game looks amazing, too, so I'll be looking forward to watching it develop.

[inkofamethyst]

December 26, 2024

Home. Healed.

My only stressor right now is the qualifying exam for which I am quite literally counting down the months. Only five more until it's over for better or for worse (I can't stop thinking about that time I choked a big competitive presentation in eighth grade ugh uhg ughhghhghh). But I have to prepare it. And defend it.

My parents do not think I am serious about Bicolline nor do they believe I will actually enjoy it. Specifically due to the camping aspect. I think that with a nice enough tent and plenty of bug spray I will be just fine. Frankly the most difficult part wont be the costuming or travel logistics or even the cooking, but learning passable/basic French in a year and a half. Yuck. I realized recently that a good bit of my spanish listening comprehension is just completely gone which does not bode well (I think reading is still okay though). Luckily I am friends with french speakers (and I think it'd be really really funny if I somehow picked up their accents) with whom I can practice.

Bought my comic con ticket. I think I'd been putting it off because of my uncertainty around whether I would pass the qualifying exam. I am still largely uncertain. The future feels quite nebulous to me right now..

But comic con! I am officially devoting time to cosplay-building. I want to have at least one for the main day, and I will commit to dark-haired characters exclusively if I add another one or two for the other days (need to watch Arcane s2 but Mel could be a great one). I do have some favorite redheads that I may do another year if I enjoy the experience (may also do a blonde year though the only blondie I'm interested in right now is Stephanie Brown). Anyway I'm pretty excited to go all three days; last year's workshops and events sounded fun, and I definitely won't feel rushed to see everything all in one day. I'll see if any of my friends are at all interested in tagging along for a day or two.

It'll be a packed summer especially if I'm also learning an instrument.. agh.

Today I'm thankful that I didn't, like, majorly crash into my grandmother's garage, heh. And that the cost to repair it wasn't insane. It's now a bit dented, sure, but hey, it's functional now. And, besides, I was driving for the first time in months and didn't have a backup camera. So yeah. Thankful it wasn't worse, thankful I managed to arrange its repair within only a few days, and thankful that I was harder on myself than any of my family members were, heh.

AND THANKFUL TO BE HOME :D

and and thankful that the dentist said that I was doing a good job with my teeth (despite the mostly unfixable crossbite which is annoying)

thinking about speedrunning one last book before the end of the year..

[redrawthecolorlessworld]

Funni ahh idea (blame the server lol)

Sun goes into the mortal world (for whatever reason), gets cornered by thugs but he can't use his powers in a crowded area or else it'll be too damaging, then WV comes in, almost out of nowhere (he basically drops down from the sky ig) and then solos all the thugs

Don't @ me, y'all lead me to this idea

yeah alright sure

———

Third Sun thought that maybe visiting the living world would be a great idea.

Well, he thought wrong.

"You're not going anywhere until you tell us how to ascend to Godhood!"

"It's not like I'll even tell you to begin with! Even I don't know!"

"Shut the hell up! We know your past! Now tell us, how do you ascend to Godhood?!"

Third Sun could tell these group of absolute madmen only want power, and would go as far as to hurt him just for it. The fact that they know a past that he had long forgotten by now concerns him too. Third Sun doesn't dwell any further—he summons a fire ball and charges right at the group of thugs.

But even if he successfully took them down, they'll always end up trying to get back up to strike again. Third Sun feels tempted to up his game and fight more, but he knows that if he even tries to fight back even more, then he'll end up causing way more damage than he had hoped for.

Now feeling powerless, Third Sun pants and doubles down in exhaustion. The group of thugs surrounds him, about ready to deal with the final blow that'll take him down for good. "If you're really not gonna tell us your precious secret, then we'll just ask someone else." One of them said, before another one pipes up, "Not before we take you down first! Hehehe!"

"Agh- no, no...I...I don't think that's necessary...!"

"Well you weren't going to tell us no matter how much we pester you, anyways. Hey, let's get him!"

"Let's!"

"No...no-"

"I'm not letting you people FUCKING HURT HIM!"

In an instant, someone appears infront of the sun, before quickly striking towards the group with elegance. Third Sun watches him amidst his feeling of exhaustion and the chaos going on around him. He could hear some screams of pain from the thugs, and some other rapid footsteps from further way, probably indicating that some of them ran off out of fear.

Eventually, after much time has passed, all of them are down, leaving out some of the others who ran away from the scene. "Never do that ever again." World Vanquisher whispers to one of them in a low voice, sending shivers down the thug's spine. "Y-yes, sir! Sorry, sir!" He then leaves them alone, before turning his attention towards Third Sun.

"Hey, you good?"

"...Uh...yeah! A little exhausted- they were- literally gonna fucking kill me- ah..."

Hearing that, Vanquisher frowns. "Calm yourself down a little bit. You're alright now, don't worry about it. I got you covered." He says reassuringly, before quickly adding, "I should probably tell Abyssgazer to send these guys over to the Realm of the Almighty later."

He quickly approaches Third Sun, before finally, crouching down to his level. "Uh...thanks." Third Sun says, a weak smile on his face as he could feel World Vanquisher's hands on his shoulders, rubbing them in an (awkward) attempt to calm him down. "Yeah, no problem. After all, if they end up actually getting rid of you, then who the hell is gonna annoy me everyday?"

Hearing that made Third Sun feel like he's tearing up. He wouldn't have thought that his presence impacted World Vanquisher so much to the point where if he's gone, Vanquisher would feel like something's missing. He feels...a little more wanted now, if anything.

"...Heh. You're right. I didn't think you'd miss me that much if I was gone~"

"Oh shut up. I'm only saying that because it'd feel wrong without you in general. What about Ad Astra and Moonlight??"

"Haha, yeah, yeah~ Sorry, Van~"