#In the Shadow of the Mill Pond

[cygnetbrown]

Finally, Book VII of the Locket Saga to be released in October!

Finally, after 7 years since I published The Anvil, I have completed Book VII of the Locket Saga: Two Rivers. Now available as an eBook and coming out in paperback on October 1, 2024. How the Locket Saga Began People often ask where I get my ideas for my books. The Locket Saga series started from a dream that I had long ago. In that dream, I saw a young man and a young woman sitting on a…

[blkgirl-writing]

What Happened at the Moon Lit Pond PART 2

Gale of waterdeep x F!Reader smut

Summary: You and your companions finally made it to baldurs gate, well, rivington. And it's finally time to relax and have a fun day out.

TW: drinking, sex, oral, PnV, F/M sex, thigh riding, brothel, overstimulation, a bit of anal, begging, everyone is consenting! I'd love to do a public sex chapter sometime, but not today.

word count 3.3k

{part one} {part 1.5}

-

It had been a long time since that night at the pond. You had long since left the grove and past the shadows, almost to baldurs gate, actually, in the small town of rivington. It was a long and difficult journey, yes, but with ample time and opportunities to talk about what had happened. But it never came up. Instead, there were many longing stares shot your way on gales part, small flirty conversations, and even more excuses to skip away from your companions to get any alone time with Gale, practically praying to the gods he’d say something first. But Gale wasn’t the type to come out of his comfort to express his feelings, let alone such complex ones. He had been rendered speechless.

Today was different. Maybe it was the long journey nearing it's end, but everyone was ready to let loose, even if it was just for a short while. Karlach and Wyll had split up to look for some armor, jaheria stayed back at camp to care for the small child who lost their mother, so it was a smaller company than you were used to. Just halsin, Shadowheart, Astarion, and of course, You and Gale. It was really a perfect day to mill about town, the sun beaming down in warm rays of light, not too hot and not too cold out, not even a hint of rain, so the dirt paths often muddy were dry, no ruining the clothes you had just washed.

Everyone was at their happiest, though of course, the underlying anxiety and pain for events soon to come were lingering, just pushed aside for the time being.

"Is the sun usually this blinding?" Astarion hissed, shielding his eyes with his hand "I don't remember everything being this bright"

"It simply feels brighter coming out of the shadows, you will get used to it" Halsin smiled down at Astarion, slipping behind him slightly to cast a shadow around him, guarding him from the sun. "We Haven't been inside in a while, why don't we find a shop to rest in for awhile, we have some money to spare"

"I could use a new hair ribbon, My old one looks a bit strange now that my hair has changed.." Shadowheart commented, lightly playing with her hair.

You went from shop to shop, it didn't matter, stopping by everything on the way, getting food, drinks, jewlery, and other small goods, the last place you had any energy for was a small looking shop with people outside raving about their service and pleasure being a customer there., without really looking at the sign or name.

Inside was dimly lit, a dark oak, cream, and red color scheme. Easily the most expensive place in all of the town.

"this is...awfully fancy, isn't it?" Gale murmurs, eyes flickering across the room.

"Certainly. I wonder what we could get to drink, I need a good wine..." Astarion immediately glided across the hall and to one of the counters, a huge smile graced his pale face. He stood there, talking for quite a bit, meanswhile, shadowheart wandered around, peaking her head into a room, she slipped a bit more into the room, then suddenly jolted out.

"Shadowheart? you look like you've seen...a lot"

"It's a brothel!" Astarion and Shadowheart said in unison, shadowheart nearly a whisper, Astarion nearly a yell. The woman behind the desk gave them both a nasty stare for the disruption of the ambiance.

"oh of course, sorry, beautiful" Astarion cooed at the woman. the immediate reaction to his flattery and dashing smile visible as she tucked her auburn hair away from her blushed face. He sauntered over to your merry group, that smile still plastered over his face. "I got us a discounted rate on a pair very talented drow."

"Excuse me, what now?"

"I got a discounted rate for an absolutely lovely time with drow twins for the same rate as one person but five. And we will have two rooms for comfort of space. I'm just that good, you all should be thanking me."

"Thank you, Astarion-" Halsin crossed his arms, a small smirk on his lips.

"I-thank you?" Shadowheart sputtered, still looking a bit frazzled by her earlier revelation.

you were still trying to process all of what just happened when even Gale spoke up.

"Well, looks like you'll have just...four people joining you, I'd prefer the company of a good book and an ale right now, i think."Gales eyes met yours for a split second, as you looked up at him. A very distinct look. He wanted you. It was hunger, lust, but restraint. He wasn't going to stop you from having fun with your company, but god did he want you to stay with him.

"I...um.." you looked up at Gale, fully taking him in this time. Gods...He was really the only thing you wanted. You wanted his soft hair between your fingers, your thighs wrapped around his waist. You wanted to feel his tongue shoved inside of you again.

"I think I'd like an ale or two as well."

"Oooookay...Well, since i already paid for two rooms, why don't you both buy a round for the spare room while we get busy." Astarion's eye roll was quite visible and very pointed, but that didn't matter, no one would actually remember anything that was said, as they'd be wrapped in bodies and sweat, including you.

So you ordered two bottles of ale and two of a beautiful red wine, they sat in the middle of a small round table. The room itself was stunning, the walls painted a deep purple, with a golden trim at the tops and bottoms. There was a bed centered in the middle of the room, with an abundance of fluffy pillows on top and a velvet sheet to top it off. It was by far the fanciest room you'd stayed in. Everything dripped of gold and pearls, there was even a damn chandelier. If this was a side room, you wondered what the main room must've looked like.

"This is...." You trailed off, still taking in the whole room.

"extraordinary?" Gale muttered, taking no time to sit down and pour out two glasses of wine. Something was obviously on his mind, as he swirled the red liquid around, his eyes were slightly distant, and his brows furrowed. It didn't surprise, you, though, there was a lot going on, and he had the chance to end his own life to possibly save the world, and yet here he sat, already on his second glass. There must be a lot on his mind, you thought.

Really, he just wanted the courage to make a big move, and a bit of liquid honesty couldn't hurt. While you drank, he tried not to stare, but it seemed to be getting harder and harder. He wanted so badly to reach out and devour you. He wanted to taste you again, grip your thighs with his hands, leave hickeys across your whole body, he wanted everyone to know how much he could pleasure you. He couldn't help but look at his drink, look at you, and the bed. he kept repeating 'just tell her' Tell you what? He wasn't sure what to even tell you?

Was he madly in love with you? Likely. Did he Lust for you? Always. Of course he did. Out of all the worldly and otherworldly beings, things, concepts, you were the most perfect. He Would year the night sky apart to see your smile. Commit crimes to stare into those eyes endlessly.

"They're certainly making some noise," The drinks were certainly kicking in, your voice was a bit shakey, but your head still fairly clear, clear enough to hear the moaning and grunts from the other room, even some....weird god kinks, you weren't sure and didn't care to be that snoopy.

Gale chuckled, nodding his head. "I would bet 5000 gold I could get you moaning louder than all of them, combined."

"Is that the wine talking?" You tried to blink away the disbelief and shock you clearly wore on your face, Gale was an upfront man, but this was on another level...

"Only to help say what's been on my mind." His deep brown eyes looked at you with incredible lust, more than you'd ever seen before, It was hot, searing, intense. "You have always been on my mind."

You got up from your chair, legs weak not from the wine, but from how this charming wizard looked at you like you were the entire world, right in front of him. "Is that so?" You wanted nothing more than for Gale to wrap his arms around your waist and take all of you til night passed and morning arose.

Your legs slotted through his perfectly, your knee nearly grazing his crotch. In one big gulp, you downed the rest of your drink, and leaned over Gale to set the glass down on the table, not very subtly getting closer to him, and even though your chest was practically in his face, he was still looking into your eyes.

"it would be such a waste if we didn't use such a beautiful bed. We're not often afforded those luxuries.." You took one more small step closer to him, reaching out to the hand free from drink, guiding it to your waist. "And we don't want to be wasteful..."

"Certainly not." Gale took one last sip of wine, licking the small drip that fell from his lips. He stood from his chair, his obvious hard on graising your hip. A small gasp left your lips, gods, you had forgotten how badly you'd wanted him, how big he felt...It was all returning to you. Your face flushed with heat as you remembered his tongue deep in your pussy, your lips wrapped around his cock.

Gale was emboldened by the wine, tipsy off of lust, his mind racing with all that he wanted to do to you, sweep you off your feet and into the weave. but that would have to wait, the here and now, right in front of him, you practically offering yourself to him yet again, he'd be a fool not to take it. "Come here, beautiful."

You let out a sigh, biting down on your lip as you sat down on his thigh. He wrapped his hands around your hips, squeezing slightly, almost reassuringly. He guided your hips back and fourth, while pressing you down further onto his thigh. your dress rode up to your waist, only your thin underwear creating all the friction you ever needed between your pussy and his thigh, getting ungodly close his his bulge yet never quite close enough.

His pace was slow and hard, Still clutching onto you like you absolutely needed it, which, was true, as the longer he rocked you the more wobbily your legs felt. You breath started to get heavier and heavier. Your head fell to his shoulders, the pleasure wracking through your whole body.

"No no, beautiful, look at me when you cum" Gale's hand inched its way to the back of your neck, pulling your head off his shoulder and holding you steady as you looked into his eyes,

It was all so much, his needy eyes begging for you to cum, your throbbing pussy, the small wet stain now on his pants from how gods damn much he turned you on, it was hard to keep his stare but you did, as you moaned his name, gasping as pleasure kept pulsing through your body. "fuck..." you chocked out. He let go of your neck but kept his hand on your shoulder, still keeping a firm grasp on your hip as it was clear you weren't exactly stable.

"I...That was..." You nearly whispered, still shuddering from the orgasm. You were so flustered, something that wasn't too easy for you, yet, he made you. His intensity with a smile had you dizzy. "Do you want me to return the favor?"

He raised a hand back to your jaw, tilting your head to look at him fully, to stare into his eyes.

"Let me make love to you-" Gale cooed, soothing you with his charm. "Sit back and let me give you everything."

"Yes, please-" you practically begged. Gale used his fingers to tilt your head slightly, leaving room for him to trail kisses and love bites down your neck, sucking on your skin, leaving you with shivers down your spine. You leaned into his touch, your hands nearly shooting up to grasp his soft hair, pulling him even closer.

"you're so beautiful-" He muttered between hickeys, breath getting heavier as you pressed your hips against him, feeling how much he wanted you, straining

You pulled away slightly, grasping his hand and struggling a bit to get up, turning to lead him to the bed. Although your eyes were set in front of you, you felt his gaze scan your body, how your hips swayed as you walked, he wanted to take all the time in the world to explore your body, learn it more than anything he'd ever read.

"just lay down, beautiful." He pressed his hand to your chest, pushing slightly, letting you fully relax into the bed, his body hovering over yours, his steady and strong arm next to your head, the other making quick work of unbuttoning your dress.

"Take those off for me," he looked down at your panties, slipping a finger at the band of your underwear and pulling it back, snapping it against your skin. It took a moment to register, there was so much distracting you, but you somehow managed. Completely bare and laid out, displayed like a work of art for him to admire. Gale took a moment, sitting up on his knees, to take you all in. His fingers traced along your stomach, lowering slowly, with such a light touch you could barely tell if it was him or a chill.

It shouldn't have been surprising but when he slipped his middle finger inside, you gasped, letting a moan escape your lips as his finger curled in and out of you, working in a slow and consistent pace. His index finger grazed your clit every time he pumped in and out, lightly, still taking you down from the high of riding his thigh, him knowing you'd still be sensitive, to not overstimulate.

"Come here" You pulled him in by his hair, now slightly tosseled and looking frankly unfair. "kiss me."

He didn't need to be told twice, quickly pressing his own lips to yours. He tasted of the sweet red wine, with hints of caramel and clove. He was delicious , addicting. You licked his bottom lip, opening his mouth to allow you deeper into his mouth. While you explored his mouth, he slipped another finger deep inside you, pushing in further than he had been doing before, quickening his pace.

His lips left your own, slightly panting, a bit out of breath. He then trailed down your neck to your breast, looking back up at you, asking permission to suck on your skin. You nodded desperately, gods you needed anything he would give you. His lips attacked to your nipple, sucking and licking, bobbing his head with every pull, it was all building up.

"I'm gonna cum, gods, Gale please I'm close-" You begged, yet he pulled back quickly, you let out a disappointed groan, why would he stop now? It didn't take long to get your answer, he wanted your cum on his mouth. He moved fast to move his mouth to your pussy, not relenting in his speed with his fingers and now, tongue. It didn't take long for the wave of bliss to wash over you, uncontrollable sounds coming out while he rode our your orgasm with one less finger and slowing down with his lips. It wasn't until your hips stopped shaking that he drew out his fingers, moving them to his mouth where he sucked them dry, letting out a small moan when they were clean. "divine.."

His clothes were stripped off, yours now completely tossed aside, the cool air hitting you both, but neither of you really noticed. You were focused on his hard cock pressed against your pussy, grinding againt your lips, getting slick with his spit and your cum. It would be so easy just to slide it in, but he drew it out, teasing you til you begged, pleaded, please, you needed it, you wanted him so desperately. Yet still somehow a fraction of his need for you the past weeks.

Gales restraint was shocking, even to himself, but the sight of you underneath him, begging for his cock, glowing from the orgasm he brought you, was enough for a lifetime, though he hoped there'd be many more lifetimes of this.

One more whimper is all that it took for him to shove himself deep inside you, all the way to the hilt. You felt him pressing against your cervix, a small but sharp pain from the sudden sensation , a good pain, that meant you were taking it all, and so well for him too. He had waited too long for this to stop, he kept pumping inside you, at an unrelenting pace, fast and hard. He switched between sucking on your neck, your breast, and biting your lip, keeping eye contact whenever he could. He wanted to see how much you wanted him, and he wanted you to know how much lust he had in his soul, just for you.

Gale held your neck with his hand, grasping lightly, as he came for the first time, shoving his cock even deeper into your pussy as he slowed his pace down, nearly whimpering in your ear as his head fell to your shoulders, biting down on your skin to keep from some more sounds he found embarrassing, but was so very sexy. You expected him to lay down and rest, after that, but he kept going.

"Flip over for me." He asked, giving your earlobe a small nibble as he spoke. You couldn't move fast enough, laying down on your stomach as he held down your waist, fingernails digging into your skin, leaving small crescent dents. You shoved your ass down on him with every thrust, wave after wave of orgasms wracking through your body, it felt endless, overwhelming. When it all felt like enough he kept going, adding more, rubbing your clit as your ass bounced on his cock, his thumb slipping in and out of your ass, him completely exiting you and only coming back in when you came from his words alone, sweet talking you into more orgasms. Or stopping completely to finish you off with his mouth again, you'd squirted in his mouth more than once, and he came once just from that. Maybe the stopping and starting was also so he himself could keep going as much as he could muster, but that never crossed your mind.

"You take it so well-" and "I want to see you need me" and "You're just too beautiful when you cum, I can't help but follow."

You went until your bodies gave out. Too sweaty, too raw to take anymore.

Gale fell beside you, out of breath, tan skin glistened with sweat and cum, his cock still leaking a bit, though even he was shocked there was anything left in him. You laid there for minutes, maybe longer, it didn't matter. It didn't click that the room next to you had fallen silent until you'd finally caught your breath. Actually...you remember the screams and moans ending a while ago. you notice Gales eyes had also turned to the shared wall, probably coming to the same conclusion as you.

"Do you think they heard us?" You asked, a small smile forming.

"Most definitely."

_

A/N: Well that was a lot huh? This took probably 20 hours straight of writing if not more, so please tell me if you liked it! It would mean a lot to me. Requests are always open but slow, as i'm not a fast writer haha. Thanks for following along! My gale fics have done better than I ever expected, I've gotten about 1k new followers from them I believe, so thank you all!

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[hwsforeignrelations]

@usukweek Day 1: Roadtrip

Summary: Stressed campaign manager Alfred F. Jones and lawyer Arthur Kirkland coincide in a diner booth outside Washington DC.

AO3 Link // Words: 1,177

Nestled in a corner booth at Potomac Mills’ Silver Diner, campaign manager Alfred F. Jones sipped from an iconicly mediocre coffee at 10:30pm on a Friday evening.

The glossy jukebox near the register belted Elvis Presley hits on repeat and Jones idly tapped his thigh to the beat, breath fogging up the window in front of him with puffs of breath.

Jones exhaled a sigh, the gust of air escaping straight from his soul.

He ached with something deeper than he ever wanted to feel, especially near the end of campaign season when his work demanded a surplus of vigor.

Today had not been a good day. Ben and Jerry (yup, that Ben and Jerry) kept him busy all afternoon with bizarre advertisement concepts (one of which involved customized wrapped cars with their candidate’s face plastered on the hood.)

Epic, of course, but Jones knew no one would agree and had had the sad job of talking two elderly, enthused men out of an idea he knew to be brilliant.

Just as Jones finished his last sip of coffee and was sorting through his wallet to pay, the shadow of someone loomed over his table to block out the orange diner lights. “Jones, was it?” The accent was that London-posh from the BBC. It sounded vaguely familiar. “It was,” Alfred smiled and looked up. “Hot-shot attorney Arthur Kirkland, yea?”

They shook hands and Arthur took a seat across from him. A slice of warm, a la mode cherry pie slid onto the table with two spoons. “Thought I saw your sad face in the window. I wanted to offer my condolences on the state of American politics.” Kirkland's expression was flat as he spoke, and although Jones often struggled to detect British-style sarcasm, he was 87% sure Kirkland was being sardonic. Alfred was offered a cheap, stainless-steel spoon and the blue-eyed American was all-too-happy to indulge his opposing candidate's lawyer.

“It ain’t all that bad,” Jones offered, hum-ing in appreciation at the sweet tartness of cherry filling hitting his tongue. “No different from the usual, anyways.”

Kirkland raised his, ah-hem, influential eyebrows but didn’t respond, taking another bite into his mouth. The sass was so unexpected and Alfred snorted, unable to contain himself.

Jones’ laughter bounced off the booth walls and Arthur jumped. The campaign manager continued through broken chuckles, “Heh- Don’t act all British-hoity-toity on me, Arthur Kirkland. I stay on top of our friends across the pond and it ain’t all sunshine and roses.”

Kirkland took his time collecting a bite of pie and scooping ice cream on top before popping it into his mouth. “No sunshine at all, I’m sad to report. Fortunately, roses adore that delightful flash-shower humidity. I can’t say the same for myself, however excellent London theatre may be.”

“Well, I hope you’re getting out of DC. I hear DMV weather ain’t all that dissimilar.”

“No, I’m afraid you’re correct. Excuse me,” Arthur ushered a waitress towards their table. Alfred watched as the American woman’s eyes sparkled as her English customer ordered a tea. Although the diner sat only a few miles outside a major metropolitan city, not many international travelers bothered to leave, much less sit down for a Lipton tea in Woodbridge, Virginia. 

“It’ll be out in just a moment, sweetheart.”

Alfred Jones watched in amusement as Kirkland blushed in response to the pet name, waiting with unusual patience for his booth companion to continue.

Typically, the campaign manager would expect himself to contribute more. But Jones felt odd tonight. He felt tired in a way a good night’s rest wouldn’t solve, and empty in a way no pie or cigarette could fill. His inbox had emails he hadn’t responded to and messages from that morning sitting in his notifications. He sipped his coffee and wondered at the weight in his chest.

Jones might say this feeling sounded something like depression- but Alfred F. Jones wasn’t capable of anything less than mild discontent. 

He just… felt odd.

Arthur Kirkland took notice of Alfred’s lack of energy from the pensive expression and wilted shoulders and adopted a more delicate tone. “I hope I didn’t interrupt your quiet evening,” he looked away, out the window. “I won’t be offended if- I can move in case this isn’t a good time.”

Jones jumped in surprise and laughed, shaking himself of melancholy and pushing more energy into his voice, “Gosh no, that’s my bad. Just been a long week, it’s awesome meeting a friend out so far this late.”

Kirkland visibly relaxed and took his steaming cup of tea with a gentle thanks. “Terrific.”

“Say,” Alfred started, with renewed purpose to keep Kirkland engaged. “You ever been out to Shenandoah?” Arthur shook his head, curious. 

“Well, if you’re into the hiking scene there’s some gorgeous trails.”

“Have you been?”

“Sure have! I like some modest trails ‘round there, and I hiked the Appalachian Trail (stretches twenty two hundred miles from Georgia to Maine) with my brother a few summers ago. Like a hundred of those are through Shenandoah.”

“Cor!” blinked he Englsihman in surprise. His pale complexion made the oncoming blush very obvious. Kirkland confessed, “I do enjoy hiking, especially when I’m in Scotland. Though I imagine our interpretation of ‘modest’ intensity would differ.”

“Meh,” Jones shrugged, smiling. Their conversation gave the American an idea to cure his mood. They stared out the window in comfortable silence, watching cars pass by on their way home from work. Despite being late into the evening, light pollution kept the sky illuminating gently.

Lost in thought, Jones dragged his spoon across the plate and looked down in surprise to hear nothing but metal against porcelain. The plate was clean, and now it was Jones' turn to blush. He hadn’t been paying attention and likely finished the last bite. 

Looking across at his companion, Kirkland didn’t seem to notice or mind, more concerned with the empty state of his tea mug. 

“Hey, Kirkland,” the lawyer looked up. 

Jones recognized the Englishman’s tense posture and the hesitant gleam in his green eyes behind the professionally impartial suspense. Jones sensed a likewise dread for their company to end. If he was honest with himself, he hoped his observation was accurate.

Jones knew from experience that foreign travel with clients could feel isolating when the day’s business ended. Not always, but perhaps Kirkland could be amiable to his unorthodox suggestion.

“Do you have any plans for the weekend? I hear the weather’s gonna clear up till Sunday night.”

“Err, no. Can’t say that I do. I’ve been too preoccupied providing counsel this week to have made any. Do you?”

“No,” Jones smiled, “but I might have a solution to both our weekends. Tomorrow morning, wanna go on a road trip?”

The lawyer blinked and set down his empty cup, turning away to rummage in his slacks. 

Alfred taped the table impatiently, waiting for a response while Kirkland took his time extracting a twenty from his wallet. “How very American,” Kirkland smirked, looking at Jones, “What time do we leave?”

Notes:

DMV = local name for DC, Maryland and Virginia\ After spending the past year studying in DC, I took this prompt to emulate the toxic work culture, and which I think Alfred is particularly susceptible to. Compared to California (comparatively young, with a tech scene in San Francisco that depends on tech bros refusing to wear anything other than a sweatshirt to their multi-billion corporate jobs), DC’s political scene is a different language. My main intro to the world of networking was made by a close campaign manager. I was both impressed and horrified by his workload. As it turns out, DC just operates that way. Alfred would definitely thrive and tolerate it, especially because most reward arrives as human approval.   American west coast and east coast professionalism are different breeds (What do you MEAN the rockefellers just had a wedding where I stand, mr tour guide????)  Anyways, I spent time between classes hiking and sketching nature in DC’s Rock Creek Park, Virginia’s Shenandoah, and West Virginia's Harpers Ferry. Al fr fr vibes w the nature

[sameheart-sameblood]

Need You Now

gif credit: @javier-pena

pairing: joel miller x f!reader

summary: when your new life in jackson leaves little time for each other, you and joel sneak away looking for some privacy

words: 3.6k

warnings: 18+, smut, car sex, fingering, unprotected sex, soft joel strikes again

a/n: apologies for this *gestures at the whole fic* i was horny and joel is hot

read on ao3!

You’re surrounded by people, yet all you can focus on is Joel. That’s not unusual. You could be in a room of hundreds and still hone in on his whereabouts in an instant, like some kind of heat seeking missile.

 It’s how it’s always been with you two. He’s the heat, you’re the incessant missile. Being together for a few years, you’d think that your draw to him would have lessened slightly. But it just seems to grow stronger with each passing day. 

Joel knows it, too. He remains in conversation with Maria and a group of her devoted followers but you can’t miss the ghost of a smirk as he senses your eyes on him. He teases you by bringing the beer he’s holding to his lips, leaving them lingering on the rim much longer than necessary. 

Joel finishes his swig, running his thumb gliding across his lips to collect the residual beads of moisture left behind. Asshole. He’s toying with you and there’s nothing you can do about. 

As you wander home from the party later hand in hand, you pull him aside. The shadows of the Aspen Trees lining the pathway gives you some seclusion as you press your lips to Joel’s. He grunts in surprise but quickly melts into your embrace. Only the sound of Ellie and Tommy calling your names make you break apart. 

You hide for a moment longer as the hunger for each other threatens to overtake you once again. “I need you,” your voice comes out as a whimper. 

Joel cups your chin, bringing your face up to meet his. He kisses you quickly, “I know, honey. Soon.”

******

Life in Jackson was peaceful and idyllic but it left a few things to be desired. The biggest problem was the lack of privacy. Tommy and Maria had been nice enough to put you up in their house the past few months. The one they offered you across the street from them needed repairs. All of the unoccupied houses in the community had varying levels of damage that needed to be addressed before you could move in. 

They had let you pick out the house you wanted, a truly generous offer that had left you speechless. The last one you had seen was a milled log cabin on the bank of a large pond within the Jackson boundaries. The house was tinier than some of the other offerings but it just felt right. It felt like home.

One look at Joel had told you he felt the same way. The two of you gazed in awe at the cabin that would soon be yours, your arms encircling each other. The peace was broken by Ellie grumbling, “You guys would choose the most ‘old person’ house in town.”

You grinned, used to her saying whatever thought crossed her mind. “What would you expect from two certified old people?” Joel grumbled at being called old but kissed you on the top of your head, pulling you closer. 

One arm still encircling Joel, you reached out to Ellie. “Come on. It won’t be so bad. You can decorate your room however you want.” She shuffled towards you, trying to hide how desperately she wanted to be included in the scene of domestic bliss. 

“Can I get first pick of rooms, too?” she asked hopefully as she snuck into your embrace. 

Joel reached around you to tousle her hair. “Not a chance, El.”

******

Your cabin, cute as it is, has a few pressing matters to deal with before it can be occupied. The cosmetic issues have been fixed but the roof is due to be completely replaced and the floor needs reinforcement. While those are finished, you’ve been crashing at Tommy and Maria’s house. 

The one free bedroom they have to offer is your current home. The bed is shared by you and Ellie while Joel takes a mat on the floor. Ellie, to her credit, has offered to switch spots with Joel several times. But as she and you both know, he’s too proud to accept the offer. You’re his girls and he won’t have you sleeping on the floor if there’s any other alternative. 

The close quarters have, to put it bluntly, put a dent in your sex life. Back in Boston QZ you at least had the privacy of your apartment to sneak away to. There was also no fourteen year old there to cramp your style. You love Ellie to bits but you’ve also never met a bigger cock-block before. 

Since you’ve arrived in Jackson it’s been all hushed quickies that you were certain someone would walk in on at any second. Maybe a different person would thrive under that kind of pressure but you want Joel to yourself. 

The morning after the party, you’re the first one up, probably because you’re the only one without a hangover. Well, you and Ellie. She’s still asleep, though, too. You decide to make breakfast as a thanks to your hosts. The pancake batter is resting as you begin to crack eggs for omelettes. A pair of arms envelopes you from behind as Joel’s sleepy voice croaks out a ‘good morning’. 

You lean back into his chest for a moment, smiling as he hides his head in the crook of your neck. “Coffee’s brewing,” you offer. 

“God bless you,” Joel murmurs as he releases you. You giggle as you watch him pour a massive cup and begin sipping without any sugar or cream. 

The rest of the household wanders in soon after. Tommy catches sight of you working the griddle and pats your shoulder. “Stay as long as you want,” he grins through a mouth full of barely cooked pancake. 

Around the table, the five of you fall into easy conversation. Ellie regales you all with a few of her latest puns and Tommy and Maria share their plans for the day. Eyes fall on you and Joel, waiting expectantly to hear what you’ll be up to. You open your mouth to admit you don’t know when Joel speaks for you. “We need to get some timber for the house. Thought we’d go scout some out.”

Tommy nods, “Good idea. I’ll come with you.” 

Joel interjects, “No, you’ve done enough for us already. We can manage this ourselves.” He says it nonchalantly but you don’t miss the way he’s quick to refuse Tommy’s help. “Think we can borrow your truck?” Joel adds. 

As Tommy, Maria and Ellie clean up breakfast, you pull Joel aside. “Timber, huh?” you tease, raising an eyebrow. 

He grabs your ass, then leans in to whisper in your ear, “Had to find some way to get you all to myself.”

After the house clears, you and Joel prepare for your outing. You don’t know exactly what Joel has in mind but you know from the look in his eyes earlier it probably doesn’t require much in the way of clothing. Sifting through the pile of Maria’s clothes she had offered when you first arrived, you find a red sundress with white flowers dotted on it. It’s completely impractical. But you’ve grown tired of worn jeans and flannels. You want to feel pretty for your impromptu date. 

Joel likes your decision too. He whistles in awe as he sees you walk up to the truck. Your face heats as you beam shyly at the approval. You duck into the backseat, stuffing your backpack full of sensible clothes to change into later into the footwell. 

Joel grabs you from behind and turns you around, pressing your back against the car. He cages you in, kissing you fiercely. “You trying to kill me with that dress, honey?” he sighs.

You pat his cheek, then push him gently away. “Come on, cowboy. Can’t keep that timber waiting.” 

The drive takes you past Jackson security. They wave you through after they hear where you’re planning on heading. Joel has to assure them that you’re fully armed and prepared for stepping outside of the safety of the community. 

It’s been awhile since you’ve been past the safety of the walls. You should be nervous but all you feel is anticipation. For the first time in weeks, you have Joel truly all to yourself. 

“You wanna tell me where you’re taking me?” 

Joel smiles at you, “I saw a clearing by a little lake when we made our way into town last supply run. Think you’d like it.” You can tell he genuinely means it and you smile at him. 

“How long will it take to get there?” you ask as you start rubbing his thigh, wandering dangerously close to his belt buckle. 

He chuckles, “10 minutes or so. Think you can wait?”

No. You’ve been waiting long enough. 

You shrug, face deceptively calm. “Might as well get started without you.”

Joel glances at you, smile falling away as he sees you toying with the straps of your dress. “What are you doing?”

You offer him your best doe-eyed look of innocence. “Nothing, Joel.” The strap of your left shoulder falls and you pull at it more to expose your breast. “Just taking care of myself since you won’t do it for me.” Definitely not teasing you like you did to me at the party last night.

Joel curses under his breath but doesn’t say anything else, his ability to string together a coherent sentence seemingly gone. You smirk as you pull the other strap down, completely exposing your chest. Your hands wander across your skin, paying extra attention to your nipples when you catch Joel side-eyeing you. 

Chuckling at his expense, you pull up the hem of your dress. One hand wanders between your legs as the other continues to play with your hardened nipples. Your clit throbs as you rub it and you let out a relieved moan as you reacquaint yourself with the feeling of pleasure. It hasn’t been that long but god it’s felt like forever. 

You sneak a glance at Joel and find his eyes trained ahead, knuckles white on the steering wheel. His jaw clenches and relaxes over and over. It gives you great joy to see how much you’re affecting him already. 

The prairie fades away and trees begin to rapidly rush past your window. Joel’s doing his damndest to make it to the lake before he completely loses it. He won’t dare pull over a second sooner. It would give you too much satisfaction to win at this little game and he’s too proud to admit defeat. 

At first, you play up your pleasure to get more of a rise out of him. But soon, the sighs and moans you’ve been exaggerating become very, very real. You don’t want to cum like this, not without his full attention. But you can’t stop now that you’ve started. Subtly, you slow down the rubbing of your clit and silently urge him to get you to your destination. 

After a few more minutes that feel like hours, the car stops. You open your eyes and are met with a sight that makes you briefly forget what you were just in the middle of. The lake in front of you isn’t the biggest but it’s blue like a jewel, the hue bright and clear. It’s gorgeous and you can’t wait to go for a swim. 

Joel has other plans at the moment, though. You hear his seatbelt unbuckle and he leans over the console, grabbing the back of your neck to make you focus back on him. Your gaze meets his and you know you’re in for it. His eyes, usually a soft, warm brown have turned almost black. They bore into you as he reaches over with his free hand to start rapidly rubbing your clit. 

It’s so much better than what you were doing and you close your eyes, basking in the sensation. Joel stops his fingers and tuts, “You keep your eyes on me or you’re not getting anything.” Usually, you’d think about pouting. But you need him and so you just nod vigorously as he rewards you by beginning to rub again. 

You settle in, angling yourself more towards Joel and spreading your legs to grant him better access. With his eyes still locked on yours, he moves his fingers down from your clit and shoves two inside of you. You gasp in surprise as he starts fucking you with them. Joel’s usually the lovemaking type but you’ve teased him too much and he needs to teach you a lesson. A lesson you will enjoy but a lesson nonetheless. 

Never once do his fingers stop, aided by the slick you’ve built up on the car ride. Moans are drawn out of you, seemingly of their own volition. Your eyes travel down to gape at the sight of his hand working between your legs but he tightens his grip on the back of your neck. He pulls your face closer to his as he watches you, knowing you’re a goner. 

Joel’s fingers curl inside you and you’re done for. You cum hysterically, eyes never leaving his. Joel slows his strokes but continues rubbing lazily at your walls, helping you down from your high. He pulls you gently to him and kisses you, back to sensitive Joel. 

Finally, you close your eyes, relishing in your orgasm. Joel doesn’t stop you. You don’t even realize that he’s left the car until you hear your door click open. Still in a haze, you’re lead out of the front seat and ushered into the back. You watch as Joel climbs in to sit next to you and closes the door. 

You grab for him, pressing your lips to his. It starts sensual and romantic, then quickly devolves into a sloppy make-out session. Joel pushes you to lay down on the seat so he can climb on top. Instead, you push him back into a sitting position so you can clamber onto his lap. 

Joel steadies you while you get into position straddling him. It’s uncoordinated and you smack your head on the ceiling. Imagining how clumsy you must look, you let out a laugh. Joel joins in, caressing your face as you smile at each other. 

Once the giggles subside, you take his face in your hands. ���I’ve missed you.” 

The admittance sobers him and he grabs your hand, pressing a kiss to your palm. “I’m right here, honey. I’ll always be right here.”

It’s amazing how he can always make you feel as giddy as the first time you admitted your feelings to each other. Your heart leaps, fit to burst and all you can think to do is show him how good he makes you feel. Leaning down, you kiss him with as much passion as you can muster. 

You could get lost in the feel of Joel but the sound of a muffled moan coming from him pulls you back to attention. Continuing the kiss, you reach down and start undoing his belt buckle. Years of practice have made you an expert at getting him out of his pants in seconds. But it’s been a minute since you two have done this and you’re so excited you find your fingers don’t seem to work. 

Joel smirks as he reaches down to help. He undoes his belt but moves his hands aside so you can continue. Reaching down, you slip his cock free and encircle it, beginning to slide up and down at a languid pace. A soft thud brings your eyes back up and you see Joel has leaned back against the headrest. 

Labored breathing fills the truck as you press your lips to Joel’s now exposed neck. You suck red marks along his skin that others back in Jackson are sure to notice. Joel curses but grabs your wrist to encourage you to speed up. You do as requested but soon feel a throbbing between your legs. “Joel,” you whimper and his eyes shoot open to see what’s wrong. 

He reads your expression and nods, helping to lift you so you can position his cock at your entrance. Slowly, you lower yourself and the two of you groan in unison. The feeling of him and the realization that you can take as long as you want makes your head spin. 

But it becomes apparent that this is gonna be a quick fuck too. “I’m not gonna last long,” Joel confesses. 

He’s not the only one. Even just staying still with him inside you is making it hard for you to focus. “It’s ok. I won’t either,” you murmur. 

Joel grabs at your sides to encourage you to start moving. You roll your hips against him and Joel’s head falls back against the headrest again. Smirking, you continue the pace. The realization hits you that Joel has entirely too many clothes on. Thankfully he’s wearing the denim shirt with snaps you love so much. You rip it open, exposing his weathered chest and lovely soft belly. 

Joel comes to, watching in fascination as you bend down to start kissing his chest, leaving marks there for only the two of you to admire later. The roll of your hips stays consistent until you moan when Joel’s cock hits one of the more sensitive parts of your walls. 

The sudden snap of his hips makes you stop in your tracks. You look up to meet his lust clouded eyes and recognize that he needs release and he needs it now. Wrapping your arms around his shoulders you bury your face in his neck as he begins to fuck up into you. 

Sobs cascade out of you as the pleasure begins to bubble up. They’re muffled into his skin, though. “I wanna hear you,” Joel orders and you nod, leaning back to let your wails fill the truck. They grow louder and more desperate when Joel slows his hips, bringing his mouth to your breasts, sucking on one nipple then moving to the other. 

Joel gives one last kiss to each breast, then continues fucking you, hips pistoning up with a fervor you’re not sure he’s had since you’re first days as a couple. Your back arches as you cum, not even able to give him a warning before it happens. You stay that way, paralyzed with bliss as Joel chases after your orgasm. 

Collapsing into his chest, you come down from your high as he ruts into you a few more times before spilling his release inside. His cock continues to pulse as he wraps his arms around you. Sighing, you turn your head, pressing your cheek to his chest. His rapid heartbeat soon slows and you lie there for a few minutes listening to its strong pulse. Joel hums a song you don’t know as he rubs your back. 

“That’s nice,” you murmur, “What is it?”

Joel answers quietly not wanting to break your little bubble of serenity. “Just something that’s been floating around my head the past few days.”

You straighten up and kiss him. “You’re something special, Joel Miller.”

He looks up at you, a loopy smile plastered on his face. “You’re the only special thing about me, honey.”

A look of incnesed shock flashes onto your face, making Joel laugh. He might not truly believe that there’s nothing special about him but also…he very well could. His confidence and self-worth are maddeningly low for someone who most others would label “the whole package.”

Your thighs tremble from riding him and you long for a nap but you won’t rest until you’ve shown him just how much he means to you. A brush of your lips against his own makes his softened cock, still nestled between your legs, twitch with interest. He may not be as young as he once was but his lust for you never fails. 

“Guess I didn’t do a good enough job just now of showing you how exceptional you are. Let’s try again, shall we?”

It takes a few more hours of fucking, interspersed with a brisk skinny dip in the lake, before Joel admits defeat. He concedes that, yes, he is unique, admirable and all of the other complimentary adjectives you’ve bestowed upon him. 

The sun begins its descent towards the horizon and it becomes apparent that your day must come to an end. Joel slips back into his jeans and shirt as you abandon the dress to the bottom of your pack in favor of a more practical hoodie and khakis. You’re already going to get enough questions about how you spent a whole day in the woods and yet have no timber with you. Best not to give more fuel to the rumors by showing up in a disheveled sundress. 

“So what’s our story for today?” you question, slumping back into the passenger seat. 

Joel considers the question as he turns the key in the ignition. “The truth?” he shrugs. 

You laugh and shake your head. “Yeah, we’re definitely not doing that.”

Joel puts his arm on the back of your headrest as he looks behind to reverse back onto the drive way. “I’ll take the long way back. Give you some time to think about what you wanna tell them.” You roll your eyes and he puts a comforting hand on your thigh as he drives. “While you’re at it, think of a few more excuses we can use for next time we need a day like this.”

“You planning on this becoming a regular thing?” you tease him. 

Joel squeezes your thigh as his eyes crinkle with amusement. “Well, I’m no fortune teller but we will be sharing a house with a very nosy teenager… ”

Oh, right. You’re going to need a whole arsenal of excuses to get some privacy. But the thought of the three of you being a content, little family makes it all worth it. 

******

[cowpokeomens]

Pas de Trois: Part One

Pairing: Reader x Noah, eventual Reader x Nicholas

Word Count: 2.3k

Warnings: None! (Yet)

I was just thinking, like: Swans, right? But Noah and Nicholas. No beta we die like Odette and Siegfried!

It was as cold in the beginning as it was in the end.

You could pretend all you wanted- that the embrace of a not-quite lover could warm you enough to stay alive. But you both knew better by now. 

It starts the way it ends: at a pond. 

You need a breather from your mother and her love schemes. Something about a party at the Van der Whatever’s condo on the east side, the unwed men rumored to be in attendance.

All those years of safeguarding your virginity like a crown jewel, only to be whored out to the first eligible bachelor the second you turned 23 and expressed no interest in marriage. 

You roll your eyes at the thought of it; the idea of preserving your chastity whilst being surrounded by the scum of the earth in Bottega stilettos. It feels like you rub elbows with literal vampires most days: creatures that linger in the shadows, waiting to drain you of whatever they needed from you in that moment. 

At least Bela Lugosi never asked you about why you decided against Yale after your father’s hefty (and unrequested) donation. 

The air is crisp, biting at your cheeks as you walk. You wander into a familiar park near your apartment, the street lamps illuminating the freshly fallen snow in a gentle glow. All around you, trees creak and groan in the wind, as if they, too, were ready for spring again. It isn’t so secluded that you felt any real danger, but it was far enough away from the sounds of traffic to give your mind space to wander.

Faintly, you hear the sounds of people milling about on the street. There’s a theatre up the road- they’ve been hosting a ballet company performing The Nutcracker for the last month or so. Looking through the gaps in the bushes, you can spot a few people dressed in rich velvets and fur coats taking photos under the gleam of marquee lights. You haven’t gone to see The Nutcracker for years now. Your mother stopped taking you when you confessed that you did not have the talent- nor endurance- to be a real ballerina, the same time that she unenrolled you from dance classes altogether.

Humming Tchaikovsky's Pas de Deux to yourself, you meander through the park until you come upon a pond. A treasure in your heart, it’s a spot you come to often to clear your head- though this is your first nighttime foray. 

Longer than it was wide, the pond was not the most impressive in the city by a longshot. Most people didn’t even know of its existence, save the few dog-walkers who came through in the mid-morning and late afternoon. It was familiar, though, having been situated here as far back as your memory could recall. 

Winter crept over the small body of water in sheets of ice at the outer perimeter. If the temperature continued to drop (it would) the entire thing would be frozen solid by next week. As it was, the ice at the edges looked thick enough to hold up an entire person.

You fight back the melancholy this brings you, knowing the incoming freeze would take with it the many creatures that inhabit the pond. The ducks have long since left, flying somewhere further south, somewhere warmer. The fish have been awfully quiet the last few weeks as well, settling in for their winter rest. That really just left the-

Ah, You think, sounding hushed even in your head. There you are. 

They glide in silently, slicing through the water like moonlight. Long, graceful necks with great plumes puffing up behind them, the swans are pure magic in the stillness of the night. They make a triangle in the water, with four smaller fowl following the swan at the crest of the formation. Its dark eyes meet yours for a moment, and you feel so utterly vulnerable under its gaze that you look away, suddenly very interested in your shoes.

Must you be intimidated by everything? You sigh to yourself internally. Seriously, a fucking bird?

You felt silly as you built the courage to finally look back up, but the bevy had disappeared. Craning your neck around, you were halfway to considering searching for them on foot when a branch cracked behind you. 

Whirling around, your eyes scanned the tree line, pulling the mace on your keychain out with shaking hands. The neighborhood was safe, sure, but you weren’t stupid. A girl alone in a park well after the sun had set? Yeah, you’d seen the crime shows- no thanks. 

“Hello?” You call, your voice wobbling despite your best efforts. 

Another crack.

Your mace was up in an instant, poised and ready to fire. You are not a damsel in distress, you are certainly not going to be a statistic. As your heart pounded in your throat, a figure came into view. 

“Ew, there’s bird shit everywhere- Woah!” The stranger stumbled backwards, hands up in the air as he saw you. “Oh my god, please don’t tase me-“ 

“It’s not a taser.” Was, for some reason, your first response. Then, “Who are you? What are you doing lurking around in the dark?” 

His eyes went wide. “It’s a public park! I’m going for a walk!” 

Your eyes narrow, the hand wielding the mace never moving. “A walk? At 9:45 at night?”

Impossibly, his eyes grew wider. They were dark- familiar in a way you couldn’t fully place in your panicked state. The snow reflects off of them, reminiscent of starlight. “You are also in the park at 9:45? And you’re armed?”

Well, that was certainly a valid observation. You take two deep breaths, then lower the mace, though not pocketing it entirely. You spend a moment observing his appearance. 

He was tall- tall enough to be threatening, if he wanted to. Slim build, dark eyes, like you’d noted before. His hair was parted down the middle, brushing against the top of his cheekbones softly. He’s handsome, you think. Not the overly-manicured handsome you were accustomed to, though. He reminded you of the first dandelions in the spring; The delight you feel at seeing a living thing burst forth from the frozen ground, uncaring of if it's a weed or not. 

A huge sweater encompassed him, something light in color and soft-looking. The sleeves poked out of the arm holes of his jacket in a strange way, as if it took a great deal of work to stuff them in there in the first place. A hat topped it all off, giant pom-pom bobbing at you in a way that was far from menacing. 

“That’s a weird hat to wear while you creep on people in the park.” You quip, cocking an eyebrow at him. 

His mouth drops open in shock. “My grandmother made me this, fuck you very much. And it’s winter! Of course I’m wearing a hat. Are you always this bad with logic and reason?”

“So you don’t deny creeping?” You ignored his question. 

The face he gives you would have been comical under different circumstances. “Wha- Okay, look, I’m sorry for encroaching on your turf- even if that turf is city property-“ he mumbles the last bit to himself- “But I’m not like, a serial-killer-murderer. Pinky promise.”

He looks so earnest, it reminds you of a little kid. He is holding out a single pinky to you, a safe distance away. 

You eye him warily for a second, then sigh, taking a few steps forward to interlock your pinky with his. He beams at you, smile as bright as the snow that began to silently fall around the two of you. 

You introduce yourself, shifting on your feet in a way that feels awkward and uncomfortable, like you were suddenly too aware of your body’s movements. 

“I’m Noah.” He offers warmly, cheeks and nose tinged a rosy pink from the winter air. The longer you look at him, the less intimidated you feel. He was still large- but in the way that the inflatable noodle-people outside of used car dealerships were large. He didn’t flail, necessarily, though. His movements seemed fluid, controlled. Where you were rigid from years of posturing amongst socialites, he was naturally elegant, as at ease under your gaze as the swans in the pond earlier. 

Soft, your mind supplies. He looks soft.  

His voice is gentle when he speaks again. “So, what brought you to the park in the middle of a blizzard?”

You try to resist the grin that creeps across your face; you fail miserably. “If you think this is a blizzard, you’re in for a shock come February.” 

“Do you defer every question someone asks you, or am I just special?” His dark eyes are trained on you, head cocked to the side curiously. It wasn’t an attack- his expression was too open to be on the offense. He was genuinely waiting for your answer. 

“I needed to get away from my mother.” You answer honestly, shrugging, though not meeting his gaze. 

You can feel his eyes on you, though, searching for more. “You got into an argument?” 

Shaking your head, you cast your eyes back to the pond, hoping to get another glimpse of the swans. “Not an argument. We have the same discussion every week, knowing fully well that we’ll disagree and end up screaming at each other.”

You have not felt… seen, like this, ever. You aren’t an adamant rule-follower, but you’re far from a rebel, too, allowing you to safely pass through life unnoticed. Even your mother only really seemed to remember you after your older sister had been married off to some fishing industry tycoon. To have a stranger see through your facade was unnerving. 

“Disagreeing and screaming sounds like an argument to me.” He pushes, to which you hum noncommittally. Sensing your apprehension, he follows your line of sight to the pond instead. “The ducks left weeks ago.”

“I’m not looking for the ducks.” You answer shortly, perhaps a bit too harsh. 

“Oh?” Is his only response.

It’s obvious he wants you to continue. This was a safer topic than your mother, so you yield to his piqued interest. “I like watching the swans. They were here earlier, but I think you scared them off.” Your eyes slide over to him slyly.

He scoffs, looking insulted. “The swans probably left because they were scared you’d mace them.”

You whirl on him, poking a finger into his chest. “The swans don’t lurk in the bushes at the park like a weirdo.” 

His expression is unimpressed, but there’s a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “No one was lurking. Besides,” He grabs the finger directed at him gently, guiding it down to your side. “You don’t make a good damsel in distress. Anyone trying to steal you would just bring you back when they figured out how mean you are.”

“I’ve been nothing but cordial.” You sniff, brows furrowing at him. 

His smirk is a little overwhelming. “If this is you on your “Nice” setting, I’d hate to see you pissed off.” 

“Stop pushing your luck, then.” You respond dryly. He throws his head back to laugh, and the sound makes you feel warmer in your coat. 

You turn back to the pond, giving up on seeing the swans again tonight. You probably need to head home, anyways- you were expected at this stupid party, and suffering through it would be better than dealing with your mother’s nagging if you were absent. You let out a soft sigh, resigned to your fate. 

“I should go.” You say to no one in particular. 

You feel Noah’s eyes on you again. “Hey, don’t let me run you off. I can go if I’m bothering you-”

You shake your head, body turning to face him before you realize you’re moving. “No, it’s not you- really.” You offer what you hope is a kind smile. “I’m expected somewhere. My mother will be horribly cross with me if I’m not there.”

He’s giving you an understanding smile, eyes crinkling up at the edges. “Sounds like a real rager. Will I, uh-” He glances down at his shoes, kicking at the snow before continuing, “Will I get to see you again?”

The question genuinely startles you. You assumed your demeanor (and mace) would be off-putting enough for him to be quite happy not speaking to you from this moment forward, but he… wanted to see you again? 

“I mean,” You stammer, unable to find your words, “I’ll be around. At the park. If you’re also around.”

When he looks up, his face is alight. “Okay, yeah. I’ll also be around. Near the swans.”

A grin sneaks its way onto your face, unbeknownst to you. “Yeah, near the swans.” You avert your gaze, needing to look anywhere but at his hopeful expression. “See ya, Noah.”

He calls out a goodbye, but you’ve already scurried past him, the heels of your boots clicking rapidly against the sidewalk as you make your escape. You don’t dare glance back. 

Your home is a few minutes away, shorter than usual given the fact that you’re practically jogging through the winter night. By the time you’ve shut your front door behind you, you’re out of breath, chest rising and falling heavily. 

Your mother appears from the kitchen, her usual expression of passive annoyance plastered on her face. She calls your name, as if she needs to get your attention when you’re the only two people in the room. “Where have you been? It’s been snowing for half an hour, you’re going to catch a cold. And your boots are covered in mud- for heaven’s sake, really, we need to leave soon. Why are you grinning like that?” 

You don’t register the smile on your face, still panting. Schooling your features into neutrality, you mutter out a quick, “I’m going to change clothes, be down in a sec.”

She’s ranting about punctuality and manners, but you barely hear it as you run up the stairs, grin overcoming your features once more as you think about dark eyes and soft smiles.

[canonmisogynyvictimstournament]

TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANTS

Greetings, everyone, our contestants have been finalized, and I want to provide a certain opportunity before the preliminaries begin. Namely, to provide additional propaganda for competitors in need of it. So, I have created a form to collect this new propaganda, and a list of both preliminary and non-preliminary participants under the cut. An asterisk next to a name indicates they have fewer than three pieces of propaganda, which is the amount that will be included in each poll. This form will be open for the duration of the tournament. You can make as many submissions you want for any character.

NOTE: The order of participants does not reflect the bracket matchups. Preliminary matchups will be announced next week, and the complete bracket will be announced after the preliminary round is finished.

UPDATE: Additional characters have been added in bold because I failed to fill out the bracket by counting incorrectly. One has been added to the preliminary round, and the others are regular competitors.

PRELIMINARY PARTICIPANTS

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER/ANGEL

Cordelia Chase

Illyria*

Kendra Young*

Winifred "Fred" Burkle

DC COMICS

Alex DeWitt - AUTOMATIC ENTRY

Barbara Gordon

Cassandra Cain

Katma Tui*

Koriand’r aka Starfire*

Pantha*

Stephanie Brown

Talia al Ghul

Tara Markov*

JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE

Dragona Joestar (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: The JOJOLands)*

Holy Kujo (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders)*

Lisa Lisa (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Battle Tendency )

Lucy Steel (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run)

KAMEN RIDER

Is (Kamen Rider 01)*

Kanon Fukami (Kamen Rider Ghost)*

Poppy Pipopapo (Kamen Rider Ex-Aid)*

Saki Momose (Kamen Rider Ex-Aid)*

MARVEL COMICS

Elektra Natchios (Marvel Comics)*

Elektra Natchios (NMCU)*

MY HERO ACADEMIA

Ochako Uraraka - AUTOMATIC ENTRY

Magne (My Hero Academia)*

Momo Yaoyorozu

Nemuri Kayama*

Toru Hagakure*

STAR TREK

Deanna Troi (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Jadzia Dax (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)*

Kes (Star Trek: Voyager)*

Seven of Nine (Star Trek: Voyager)

Tasha Yar (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

T'Pol (Star Trek: Enterprise)*

SUPERNATURAL

Bela Talbot

Charlie Bradbury

Eileen Leahy*

Mary Winchester*

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA

Tetra (The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker)*

Zelda (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)*

WARRIOR CATS

Bumble*

Leafpool

Spottedleaf

Squirrelflight

YU-GI-OH!

Aki Izayoi/Akiza Izinski (Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's)*

Aoi Zaizen/Skye Zaizen (Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS)*

Kotori Mizuki (Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL)*

Mai Valentine (Yu-Gi-Oh!)

NON-PRELIMINARY PARTICIPANTS

Abbie Mills (Sleepy Hollow)*

Ada Vessalius (Pandora Hearts)*

Agent Texas (Red vs Blue)*

Alex DeWitt (DC Comics)

Allura (Voltron: Legendary Defender)

Alys Brangwin (Phantasy Star IV)*

Amber Volakis (House MD)*

Amy Amanda Allen (The A-Team (TV))*

Amy Pond (Doctor Who)*

Amy Rose (Sonic the Hedgehog)

Ann Takamaki (Persona 5)

April O'Neil (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012))

Arcee (Transformers)

Asuna (Sword Art Online)*

Athena Cykes (Ace Attorney)

Azula (Avatar the Last Airbender)

Britta Perry (Community)*

Brunhilda aka Mym (Dragalia Lost)*

Carmelita Montoya Fox (Sly Cooper )*

Casca (Berserk)

Celica (Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia)

Chi-Chi (Dragon Ball)*

Chloe Bourgeois (Miraculous Ladybug)

Chloe von Einzbern (Fate/kaleid liner PRISMA ILLYA)*

Clarke Griffin (The 100)*

Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones)*

Dahlia Hawthorne (Ace Attorney)

Elya Musayeva (Топи/The Swamps (2021))*

Eve (Paradise Lost)*

Flora Reinhold (Professor Layton)

Gamora (Marvel Cinematic Universe)*

Grelle Sutcliff (Black Butler)*

Gwen (BBC Merlin)*

Gwen Stacy (Marvel Comics)*

Hélène Kuragina (War and Peace)

Hinata Hyuuga (Naruto)*

Irene Adler (BBC Sherlock)*

Iris Sagan (AI: the Somnium Files)*

Jade (Dragon Quest 11)*

Jade Harley (Homestuck)

Jane Crocker (Homestuck)

Jennifer Lopez (John Dies At The End)*

Jiang Yanli (Mo Dao Zu Shi)

Julia (Hellraiser)*

Julia Wicker (The Magicians)*

Juvia Lockser (Fairy Tail)*

Kaede Akamatsu (Danganronpa V3)

Kairi (Kingdom Hearts)

Kallen Kouzuki (Code Geass)

Kamala Khan (Marvel Comics)*

Katara (Avatar the Last Airbender)

Katherina Minola (The Taming of the Shrew)*

Katherine Pierce (The Vampire Diaires)*

Konan (Naruto)*

Laurel Lance (Arrow (CW)*

Leia Organa (Star Wars)*

Lisa Cuddy (House MD)

Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail)

Madison Paige (Heavy Rain)*

Malty S Melromarc (Rising of the Shield Hero)*

Margaret Houlihan (MASH (Movie 1970) )*

Marinette Dupain-Cheng (Miraculous Ladybug)

Marwa (What We Do In The Shadows (TV series))*

Megaera (Hades)*

Mikaela Banes (Transformers)*

Mikan Tsumiki (Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair)

Mikoko Sakazaki (Kaiji)*

Mikuru Asahina (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)*

Mildred "Millie" Knolastname (Helluva Boss)

Milla Maxwell (Tales of Xillia)*

Misa Amane (Death Note)

Misaki Unasaka (Buddy Daddies)*

Nami (One Piece)*

Naomi Misora (Death Note)

Natasha Romanoff (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Natasha Rostova (War and Peace)

Nemu Kurotsuchi (Bleach)*

Nezuko Kamado (Demon Slayer)*

Nya Smith (Lego Ninjago)

Ochette (Octopath Traveler 2)*

Ophelia (Hamlet)*

Ophiuchus Shaina (Saint Seiya)*

Orihime Inoue (Bleach)

Padmé Amidala (Star Wars)

Pussy Galore (Goldeneye)*

Pyrrha Nikos (RWBY)

Quiet (Metal Gear Solid: The Phantom Pain)*

Ran Mouri (Detective Conan)*

Rey (Star Wars)

River Tam (Firefly)*

Sakura Haruno (Naruto)

Sansa Stark (Game of Thrones)*

Skye (Lost in Blue)*

Sonia Hedgehog (Sonic Underground)*

South Dakota (Red vs Blue)*

Stephanie “Steph” Nocanonlastname (EverymanHYBRID)

Susan Pevensie (Chronicles of Narnia)*

Sweet-P (The Caligula Effect)*

Sylvanas Windrunner (Warcraft)*

Sylvia (Two Gentlemen of Verona)*

Teresa (Maze Runner series)*

Throné Anguis (Octopath Traveler 2)*

Yan Hui (Back From the Brink)*

[quillheel]

TAGS MASTERPOST. ━ below the cut is a master post of all main & relationship tags used across blogs. all MAIN tags are used the same regardless of blog. all dynamic tags are sorted based on blog and URL. this will be updated with any new tags made. dynamic tags' urls and muses will be adjusted as noticed/requested, but it's very likely I won't notice all of them! if you see something, say something!

MAIN TAGS.

━ ♔ you sing but only the pavement listens : ic.

━ ♔ love will cut you & ask you to carry on singing : musing.

━ ♔ blooming forth in every color : prompts.

━ ♔ your slightly mad sea-captain : ooc.

━ ♔ to jump from anywhere & make it home : threads.

━ ♔ eyes roll away like hard green chestnuts : visage.

━ ♔ wanting like flesh knitting over a wound : xxx.

━ ♔ til there’s nothing left to love but yourself : promos.

━ ♔ on such longing i couldn’t spit out : shipping.

━ ♔ shielding your eyes from the bright noon-light : studies.

━ ♔ ass-to-speech can’t save you now : crack.

━ ♔ the new green of spring is shimmering : dash.

━ ♔ the world grows green again when you smile : games.

━ ♔ watch me hold them to the light : saved.

━ ♔ the sun has made them warm : wishlist.

━ ♔ messengers and heralds of the extraordinary : important.

━ ♔ & hunt something you have a hope of killing : psa.

━ ♔ cardinals with snow-brushed wings : asks.

DYNAMIC TAGS: QUILLHEEL.

━ ♔ And it all falls into frame; close enough to see / the blue rings of my eyes as I say / something ugly. ━ JEAN&HARRY: playedbetter

━ ♔ Am I still waiting like a / lamb to the slaughter / does your God believe in you? ━ AKARI&VOLO: ofeggies ━ ♔ Why must this happen? why must this be? I dream of space & time and wake up in 2D ━ MONIKA&NATSUKI: ofeggies ━ ♔ A mannequin adrift at sea / I think perhaps things might be better off this way ━ CHARA&ASRIEL: ofeggies ━ ♔ Slim to none: but not so slim you've got to slip between the cracks. So come back: come back. ━ WHEATLEY&CHELL: ofeggies

━ ♔ Legally gray but sweet with the phrasing / Feet in the grave; but gleefully trading ;; Feeding the cravings ━ SPAMTON&ADA: tendercoded ━ ♔ We know what we are but not what we may be. && If music be the food of love; play on ━ ROUXLS&DANDELION: manebloom

━ ♔ Dear Forgiveness; I saved a plate for you. / quit milling around the yard and come inside. ━ DUSTFINGER&MORRO: mourrow ━ ♔ It's a secret I keep tucked inside my chest / with this heart of mine that's guilty not remorseful. ━ FRISK&CHARA: intodreams ━ ♔ And the rising tide is blasphemy in the softest second sense ━ ANN&MORTY: sweetcst ━ ♔ Can you make it stop? I don't want to: are you sure? I can’t/I won’t: a ritual/a consumption ━ LINK&GANONDORF: adventuroushero ━ ♔ Hurt too hard too long & die too young; silver dollar glistening on your tongue; may your passage be assured ━ LINK&FADO: adventuroushero ━ ♔ As if he’s trying to tell you / that there is some sort of shining star now buried deep inside you ━ LINK&DARK LINK: adventuroushero ━ ♔ the beast comes quietly for all / why do you insist on protecting the sacrificial lamb? ━ ETHAN&GANONDORF: askganondorftobadragmire

━ ♔ Its nautical themed; And theres something I’m supposed to say / But I can’t for the life of me remember what it is ━ 4&3: tripleinkstrke ━ ♔ only as cruel as the first time I realized / waving my tiny shadow over a pond to scare the copper minnows ━ SMALLFRY&3: tripleinkstrke

━ ♔ It seems unforgiving when a good thing ends; but you & I will always be back then ━ MONO&SIX: paleciity ━ ♔ They're all so busy yelling; not one of them is hearing / the hissing from the bottom of the boat ━ MONO&RUNAWAY: paleciity ━ ♔ My claws are dull now so don't be afraid / I could keep you warm as long as you can try to be brave ━ HUNTER&RUNAWAY: paleciity

━ ♔ Just believe me when I say / I mean no harm; open arms; I will keep you safe until you / Pass me the knife ━ AKECHI/YUSUKE: tenebriism ━ ♔ Girls like you; they dont come with guarantees / so if you've gotta spend your time; wont you spend it with me? ━ RYUJI&AKARI: leuvspell

━ ♔ Because you had him first / and you would let the world break its own neck if it means keeping him. ━ GANONDORF/LINK: scarfbond ━ ♔ After the foxes have known our taste; After the raven has had his say; I'd be home with you / I'd be home with you ━ LINK/GAIA: gldhte

━ ♔ Souvenez-vous la prochaine fois; Que vient la neige et le fracas / On n'va pas tous mourir ━ KIM/HARRY: playedbetter ━ ♔ When I first saw you the end was soon; to Bethlehem it slouched / & then it must’ve caught a good look at you ━ HARRY/KIM: playedbetter

━ ♔ You are sick: and you’re married: and you might be dying; but you’re holding me like water in your hands. ━ JAMIE/ETHAN: jfouler ━ ♔ Silver; crystal; carousel your effervescent touch / But everybody knows that home is where your teeth sink love ━ BILLY/STU: cardedsoul ━ ♔ You spin the barrel of a fully━loaded gun; If there's no winning might as well just have some fun! ━ JD/VERONICA: ofeggies ━ ♔ Try to get out but we just keep stickin' around / cause it’s a very good bad thing we've found. ━ CESARE/STEVE: z0mburger ━ ♔ Buzzing razor held aloft & just about to strike; I loved you before even ever I knew what love was like ━ KYLE/JACKET: campblcd

━ ♔ If you need a friend I'm sailing right behind ; like a bridge over troubled water; I will ease your mind ━ RAY/PETE: pseudoneiric ━ ♔ You wonder who’s calling your name; shame how nobody knows you / nobody knows you and neither do I ━ RAY/STEBBINS: pseudoneiric ━ ♔ Lipstick on the backseat. saliva on the dash ; I've clawed my way out of here before but I keep on coming back ━ RAY/GARY: pseudoneiric

━ ♔ Every version of me dead and buried in the yard outside / We'd sit back and watch the world go by ━ SANS/O’DELLE: theyrots

DYNAMIC TAGS: AFTONTXT.

━ ♔ Oh please just hide behind this back of mine & save your helpless spite / knock on the door; access denied. ━ ALEX&MICHAEL: prizecxrner ━ ♔ You took my hand when you woke up. / we all die alone but I am so glad that you are here ━ MARI&MICHAEL: prizecxrner

[afantasycourt]

independent multi muse rp account featuring a variety of muses from acotar, bridgerton, the witcher, marvel, and more. written by kel, 21+, she/her, uk based.

open starter tag

currently reading: fourth wing

rules & mules are under read more

MUSES.

bridgerton.

hyacinth bridgerton: florence hunt, danielle rose russell

sophie beckett: alexandra dowling

francesca bridgerton: ruby stokes, hannah dodd.

lucy abernathy: adelaide kane.

kate sharma: simone ashley.

daphne bridgerton: phoebe dynevor

edwina sharma: charithra chandran

penelope featherington: nicola coughlan

anthony bridgerton: johnathan bailey

benedict bridgerton: luke thompson

colin bridgerton: luke newton

violet ledger (bridgerton) - ruth gemmell, connie jenkins

lady danbury - arsema thomas

queen charlotte - india ria amarteifio

a court of thorns & roses.

nesta acheron - phoebe tonkin

elain archeron - lily james

feyre archeron - freya allan

rhysand - undecided

throne of glass.

yrene towers - zendaya

elide lochan - danielle campbell

aelin galathynius - skylar samuels

dorian havilliard - matthew daddario

rowan whitehorn - henry cavill

the witcher.

jaskier - joey batey

yennefer of vengerberg - anya chalotra

cirilla of cintra - freya allan

shadow & bone.

alina starkov - jessie li mei

stranger things.

chrissy cunningham - grace van dien

eddie munson - joseph quinn

nancy wheeler - natalia dyer

once upon a time.

emma swan - jennifer morrison

robyn mills - tiera skovbye

alice jones - rose reynolds

snow white - ginnifer goodwin

drizella/ivy tremaine - adelaide kane

the musketeers.

queen anne - alexandra dowling

constance - tamla kari

ninon de larroque - annabelle wallis

aramis - santiago cabrera

merlin/arthurian legends.

lancelot du lac - santiago cabrera

elaine of corbenic - undecided

lady morgana - katie mcgrath

guinevere - angel coulby

the chronicles of narnia.

lucy pevensie - georgie henley

susan pevensie - anna popplewell

wednesday.

wednesday addams - jenna ortega

enid sinclair - emma myers

downton abbey.

sybil crawley - jessica brown findlay

daisy mason - sophie mcshera

other.

hayley marshall - phoebe tonkin ( originals )

hope mikaelson - danielle rose russell ( legacies )

rebecca mikaelson - claire holt ( originals )

freya mikaelson - riley voelkel ( originals )

amy pond - karen gillan ( doctor who )

yasmin khan - mandip gill ( doctor who )

morgan stark - katherine langford (marvel)

bucky barnes - sebastian stan (marvel).

peggy carter - hayley atwell (marvel)

rebecca barnes - tbd (marvel)

RULES

RULE ONE/OOC INFORMATION Hi, my name is Kel, I'm over 21+ and use the pronouns she/her. Time zone is GMT.For now, my blog will run on a queue as I'm busy with some real life stuff. But sometimes, I may come online for an hour or two, depending on my mood. Blog is selective, private and mutual only. Also OC, multi fandom and multi-muse friendly too.

 RULE TWO/THREADS AND REPLIES  Replies can take a while to reply to, but I am not ignoring anyone. Please message if I haven't replied within a month.The best way to begin threads are through sending ask memes. I will also post open starters and maybe the occasional starter call. Not really a plotting person either; prefer to go with the flow.

RULE THREE/TRIGGERS I don't really have any triggers. That being said I will tag other people's triggers the best I can, and if I don't feel free to send a message and let me know. Don't send anon hate either. We all make mistakes and can't remember everything. Regarding shipping, I'm open to anything really. That being said, don't force any ships on any of my characters. I'll just unfollow/block if it continues to happen.

RULE FOUR/ETIQUETTE I do not tolerate any forms of hate. Racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia and any other forms of hate are not tolerated on this blog and I don't want to see any of it on the dash. It's an immediate hard block if I see anything. Respect each other, it's not that hard.

RULE FIVE/SHIPPING. Regarding shipping, I'm open to anything really. That being said, don't force any ships on any of my characters. I'll just unfollow/block if it continues to happen. I mostly ship for chemistry, but don't mind discussing ships beforehand if anyone wants to try anything out.

RULE SIX/SMUT AND MATURE THEMES Smut will not be featured on this blog. All other mature themes will be tagged accordingly and I'm pretty much open to anything except rape, incest etc.

CREDIT All gifs, icons etc on this blog do not belong to me. Credit goes to their rightful owners.

[lunamagicablu]

Il Canto dell'Esploratore

Rosso è il fuoco nel camino, Sotto al tetto un letto aspetta; Ma non son stanchi i nostri piedi, Voltato l'angolo incontrar potremmo D'improvviso un albero o un grosso sasso, Che nessuno oltre noi ha visto. Alberi e fiori, foglie e fuscelli, Fateli passare! Fateli passare! Sotto al nostro cielo colli e ruscelli Passeranno oltre! Passeranno oltre! Voltato l'angolo forse ci aspetta Un ignoto portale o una strada stretta; Se purtroppo oggi tirar oltre dobbiamo, Può darsi che domani questa strada facciamo, Prendendo sentieri nascosti Che portano alla Luna o al Sole. Mela, spina, noce, prugna, Fateli passare! Fateli passare! Sabbia, pietra, stagno, dirupo, In bocca al lupo! In bocca al lupo! Dietro è la casa, davanti a noi il mondo, E mille son le vie che attendon, sullo sfondo Di ombre, vespri e notti, il brillar delle stelle. Davanti allor la casa, e dietro a noi il mondo, Tornar potremo a casa con passo infin giocondo. Ombre e crepuscolo, nuvole e foschia Sbiadiranno via! Sbiadiranno via! Fuoco e luce, da bere e da mangiare, Così tutti a letto poi potremo andare! Tolkien ******************* The Song of the Explorer

Red is the fire in the fireplace, Under the roof a bed awaits; But our feet are not tired, Turned the corner we could meet Suddenly a tree or a large stone, That no one but us has seen. Trees and flowers, leaves and twigs, Let them pass! Let them pass! Under our sky hills and streams They will pass by! They will pass by! Turned the corner maybe waiting for us An unknown portal or a narrow street; If unfortunately today we have to go further, Maybe tomorrow we'll take this road, Taking hidden paths Which lead to the Moon or the Sun. Apple, thorn, nut, plum, Let them pass! Let them pass! Sand, stone, pond, cliff, Good luck! Good luck! Behind is the house, before us the world, And a thousand are the streets that await, in the background Of shadows, vespers and nights, the glitter of the stars. In front of us the house, and behind us the world, We will be able to return home with an infinitely joyful step. Shadows and twilight, clouds and mist They will fade away! They will fade away! Fire and light, to drink and to eat, So everyone to bed then we can go! Tolkien 

[libidomechanica]

Heaven had those royall roabes did not do “t”

A sonnet sequence

               1

And caught was its smell anise, the polygons of my this odd warp in times a year to never light, and love and wear the little step, make him swear to your Feet like and lawless the nuptial room, for on the sun slow pomp; the mortal! They were beside their maisters blame doth know. And spared, that sawe hys makers face, and nip each other died as flowers that Stellaes ioyful face, and leave off play, for it is whole length was ill, to loue they are, careless worm would break her eastern watch-tower, and heavy tufts of wit. What else—it is possible, nor could defile the entirely must know! A topiary so they are the flowers to come! The mother died and a face and gems and he might fear her, for the frosty air is keen and to the spirit? To vain pursuits the bliss of friend’s heart so heavy sigh, and a face! All who in another spied the pricked her to this Impertinence!

               2

At me for thou, to love you all the rampant Lyon hunts he tosses trouble like liquor or aspirin. At this house thy obscure compeers, the hearing of Creation wrote what the sun’s domain and he fell in so secret Paradise enow. She took me to heale theyr weede. And take a lantern, Child, that hunted so, to see, I quit my Joy, hope, the poor twas her Saviour’s time; and that’s beauteous bill of tacks around her lips my Nectar drink, then go home safe bench behind; and therein the world. Be, those precious gums are night, I meant to do with vices, which needes bene not sit below.

               3

Rose from the green, and take a lodging, and I the rich silks, and that white skin: with noise; her soul, and its pure invents: that’s how Meg o’ the Mill lo’es dearly, an’ ken ye what your wife said she just as a thing finer than we see the man of parts, we Carmelites, like to becomes his housewives do a fly. Honors graine is working and lets no atom drop: his name, made manifest by such a brain to holden chariot staies, all deckt with Lillies, nor pearles Ruby-hidden in the living me some one Friday What else—it is perfect shade through gorges unexplore the dancers will die somewhat: and yonder weed took up and godwit, if we cannot mistake an idle word that asking looked up—you again and again because I love! Special legend or God to refer to, I think they’re only one thing. I love, or make fine cages for Years—you turn her Eye should remembers.

               4

And now that heaven being to this time for this prophet to forgive me forth, and have; choose, and lur’d the Winter is come and Natures prove than sadden’d round her crying: help! Prophets for the price. Some sad maiden mild! A tally fitted to the nearer to this odd warp in time to looke to glass, he lies formed were by pleasure, or what you on your eye—tell you all, desiring your part to my gross body’s work’s expired with thys hyll thou hardly Death can quench its own life, enlisted in the glory as his side? Or else desir’st that thy steel cable spanning there a- making hands beside me …. And with dew all turn’d to Memory, and the unsuspect the daily sorrow of more, oh, never an end to the ones the river burning life for each! There is a hyll, as now to bind the revolving year, for sacred thirst, my hope all worlds, until its speed i’ the crag to gain, alone.

               5

But this country, till warm weather compelled my imagination round they not beautiful friends and cries, What have something occurs too normally. The morning, banishes ilk darksome shadows the spindly took, and her whereby I did, and somewhat: and yonder, whiff! Of his songs did lere. To move towards sometimes, mysteries as he was all virtue higher. Strange, how we suffer paine. The business might had the benches stride: here with thy murder, I will not said he, They’re silently. Hang the heap of early cup with him? My tired Hand for his o’ergrown and only three yards bene theyr sheepe the field.

               6

This heart of her cool, white as swan or snow, nor of the little muddy pond of water and choose momentum. And that strive to drag it to this Universe let me in a grave demurely in the bottom of the Will and passion and there! Nay rack your better looks frame: i, cumbred with longing, not as I was in her timely death. When Adonais! Is humming a tune I have invok’d in the cool waves that when the ground; but what’s the midst may spend, there—thanks to naebody. And drew then and she a weeping too. Folds, and have his, by just exchange thou couldst now departing heart has but a feint.

               7

An arrow sped soothe of byrds by beating is spent, my sight neuer was sober when we shall she lover, and heavy tufts of moss, and all its root; lions, boars, wolves, when his swaddling-band. Is a press-gang crew; and she is a great broad-shoulders of gentle shepheards the casement bare, too solemn agony had not been, and me listens mute in an anger flying idle. The hallucination many days are alike of sleep. I would have becomes to rise that she her self, and heavy sleep alone with shining; for sideways with my mouth her eye, and the wind! At least once set is ours!

               8

How say you? A corpse, to find a solutions, most no graver sure his drink; and day- long black look I do now? Of the best, a bell was payd, no such a thing through the blissful vision each softling of Creation wrote what men shall find, whether he came, that Turkish hardned heart is not again precipitate thy force dost despise. And yonder likely to be a Jew. I want to see how she got on, he foundation in the livery of this was all around her girlond dight, and I, betwixt the mountains, where, as it with tears, and Day, how Sultán with doue-like murmur’d—While you live drink!

               9

Her empty teacup, arrived. ’Er the white faces, sweet pain, her kind of eraser and hurting. Which seemed to sleep. A bell to say; but not been, and that budded faire, is burnt by cigarettes as she sufferer, the loveliness vibrated, as Argus was, that straight and does him to infancy beguiles, and trod, as on thee. A wedgewood plates he asked only three moons towards grow, which makes us loud heart I’ll wear her key scrape in the sky, settled as if embalming the Guests Star-scatter’d Houses—and God made aware. While budding, at the public as the east, nor Fortune take thee true.

               10

There is a good of gracious mone. The night went shouting Hál! And Is-not thoughtful child, a boy who only moments were mine eyes; for, I protest, proceed from ostentation of the Medici, i’ the slender cloth he sees, and country, till thought, the slushy sand. Which all things remove, or counsell’d, and oft were enough to part it be He, who, gentle child, a Spirit wander no more, and impute my Fall to Brooklyn, which consign’d and all envy, hate and fears, and Lucy climb, to spill, then, come square again; for my thirsty, from God than seen, be’st loth, by sudden. Oh! Have patient I was kind.

               11

Now Ben he went out to spill the tree, which keeps slipping naked love simply wears awake, and therefore, thou must show: and the faint away, when Adonais—he is dead, which was lightly! And lifted in it and dead Yesterday’s Sev’n-ring’d Cup where there, so let it be weeping jellyfish. Then came Spring should you again revive, but shepheards kynd. I wish I did, and some will believed in not the higher. Born I was in her brain to holden chariot staies, all the wind, though the wet scent beneath the sun comes to ring; till may love, and strikes throne of us must be? The rules of speculation then to stray in spikes, in wondrous few, we find from her ambrosian pap, and that trickling strange diagonal, and walls so fair. Came, that in my arms a Lute as if by hand of prison? Numbering in my cheek and bringes in hast pyne, plagues, and shows not hear. Nay rack your brain to the rest did sow.

               12

Sits down, and manifest by such a blow! Just as a kiss or word or act; unless you so cross that, there the dead you never kiss the heap of earth puckered its fruit. The Prior: when you at yourself or face, yonder is I cannot, souls in mutual gain sweet Lucy Gray upon the skies, whatever rat, the lowe degree. Who faileth one which he fled me; and all is fled! Two bits of song—flower o’ the rope in a shallow grave demurely in the Yellow Room, contempt the news became. And she not grieve, so I must lose with her powerful army. Hath taken, and then begins.

               13

Love is flowing, no limit to his palate doth ly, till the pain of finite hearts, I though tis a train of a thing that my steel bosom’s ward, but some will some other warned you would touches you and many more, from the Tower of comfort from City Hall to me: better book the web of being blindly wove came, that in tears, and me, is a purer joy? The Pythian of the clear Sprite yet reigne and pleas’d with grayish leaves; since her delight is flowing, and musicke, Wisedomes beautiful as fair town’s face, his face—his, elbowing on his mouth alit, thy spirit world speaking, an upturned nest beneath the Bough, a Flask of Wine, the quaking billow; even whilst, burning long to might each pretends them my pen doth first by the enduring night. Make them both, to place to elder brother in the other foot was like the Player goes, and where its time, dying in Sant’ Ambrogio’s!

               14

To keep him countest Stellas selfe, but it is perfect’st love their refulgent prime; like in the raines which, rank of goodness grows. Plates he asked only twelve gold plates from only centuries delayed shelter in truth and trust the mountains, ye caverns and acts of love has buoyed me up till many a lover wander no more of Thee and Me. Stand on thy face deepe furrowes eloquence. When all the blissful visions, keep Cease, ye faint flowres, that kiss, shall never light, where wild. Stella, since wound of lady fair the work had woven been, who would have had him kindly took, and Lucan, by his den?

               15

If if is to pat the restlesse hare, til shee weend the stars as you think our selves engraving the brickwork’s cleft, some part wherewith thy day-nets none of us will have pitch’d the quintessence of all kinds; the first, still aver the libertee and banking hounds, you begun, of heavenly touched the Goods they had not been wending our minds, and knocking here; and took the fun hard by time and our earthly circuit of you! With lad and love you in my soul I rather have been lilies cold. Thine eyes beguile: to juggle with thy Gotes should have heard trewe, yet three bonie laddie’s young, but shephearde was, with sheep.

               16

I gazed upon my pacing steed, and tincture lie, mortal, guilty of my love of false or more fortune was, with long must usher night—ouf! On her face, by our weak optics is but one day, they never durst inhabits you may the two trees turned shirt with something is certain light, effects of love. Late in Word; his head was chalke, a shepherd’s nose, that minute’s life said he, They’re the chippes, and cries, and more waking from the cold Muscouy; if Frenchmen never kiss the soft sky smiles: but weake defences. Love is flowing: and out, and you hear her key scrape in this suffice this demurre our sute doth keepe.

               17

Heap it higher things so that hast my sky: but when we see with wedge sublime? Then every perforce am thine image of the East, and I must not so tickle the one with trembling is. That sits upon your dog and you presence to pick up who had seen young as yet hast my sky: but whose dear and beneath these? Her hair; and found leisure, turned at last I lay on a wild deluge with burlesque, with milk-white lambs and errors down and only this Earth; And many hours: her eyes o’erflow; and far betters talking along that goes all right and helpe reject, who feed where some could you see, and storm came from falling, think you serve for none in this my purchased right of time it felt, yet could craze; Zuhrah, he said, sleep must take back. There beneath, And thus she might flow over thou didst may spend, there—thanks to naebody! Now, to the ark: so we expect to no death: one sigh did heart has but a toy to the show!

               18

Of legs in war with Time for possess, but Right or word or act; unless omissions were off—of course he soon exhales itself would they both wander thro’ the Mill has gotten, an’ ken ye how Meg o’ the brain to Mire. Had those thou hast engross’d: of him whipped—how say you? Through thy beds of lilies without asking, hitherward your vows, or vow ye never ship, but I know. Its axis you So oft have strength to die in better time befalls. Go slow stain fresh numbers breathe? With both legs in thy season selfe, but will, till pursue; thine armour bearest, still went wilfulness and look—a thousand bloomin’ and strawberry, or something of a winters who need his pegs; and, though heavy sleep in the flattring fruite such but whose chin was, in fact, stained with God’s straws, her eye, and had not say to me, what, if you kissed them into spasmatic ecstasy I love you more time and gradually the snow.

               19

He forced forward, puts out a Word of Life— one little light and keep your time to clear fortunes its hue, and I say it now and paint god in the good bellyful, the waters of that doleful cry? And so the promised of a woman was begotten in their trance by vnright days when we ceased there, bravery turns straight come, heap it higher than a schoolboys’ barring Sects confute: the broken bounds should have to do with bright decrease, cheered and exorcised. No Mate, no comrade Lucy knew; she dwelt upon, wondered at once; and there was angry when the future Fears—to-morrow I may not happen.

               20

Until The Sky, where Rigours exile locked with morning appears instead of kirtle, and the soul you happiness, and the world! Mid-sentence, we remember: I raised my eyelids open wide, sam slips bedeck the college yet, we’ll send him companions of heauens conspire to grasp this service do, mayest thou art there drawers until he cannot be bitter salad ushering flocke, and let it be. The king ordered everything, she is a thorn; was’t so with you when we ceased there need require found his own great desert planted o’er with my neglect: they who should tire of perfecit opus!

               21

It felt, Away, quoth the summer air is of the wound of it. But when shall be well. The peace in your house, the masks do not in vain for his berth, at forty-odd befell; they track’d the Will and Ocean now wet and the casement broke promise of the footmarks small pollen ate into a spectral bride; for I so true, drugs poison—oh! Comfort from Nelly Gray his head, a heart has set their perfectly complete the voices were, the game you please let be: and, if thou canst not so the springs unrespected; but a monk! In medio virtus. Here pause: these prettiest face, nor for a guide.

               22

But that yearning gaped wide, and not in vain; palms of her griefe. Each blessed Lady that cruel eye hath wrought me: I shall your Lamps with our spirit’s knife can touch the Frowning Babe, and she third! Thou hast thy dear Converse submit, since best thine alone: their church, as thought though! The simmer is gane when the world to offer for their own, to be a Jew. Until he exits. Weave, weave the two trees bring forest yet. And in my throat, and yonder, whiff! Indeed thought, in yon deserts repay, for thou so faire day all is fled! Then to these raspberries and night, music and takes his wooden legs, began to take a knot.

               23

Then I ’d follow’d from this enough to sing and I am told. Watching head such as the dews of night the dust of her shame, their doors being made, shall returning, and wisely managed, that con of Muses bide; sweete, for she alone: their prey; Peace, peace! The never likely to get our store; laid up, and some day. To have made him to the thing, and washing Absál’s Image from winter sleep one ever chose, by sun or moon, yet live, because of longing; but if you must show me the boat whose tender Green fledges left ear folds ye lock, ere they should stop the style, and gradual vision Venus seate.

               24

Come live and Instrument; and dull the floating well, a wounded balsam, so the hoofs of the night, that asking look? Whence it was wont tenrage the wide desert, and then removed that he’ll likely to impart. A unique love the thorn which is cool, and again. Moving Pipe a Sugar-cane between you think I should not, but whether throat and cedar, oud, impossible to come. Thy gowns, thy beds of light fails and put the grassy slope I traced it. A fortune of other live so long like to forgive me six months in balls and fishes shelter of everything had passed anguish moist and spend in love those grace. Oft I had bene mine eyes that time, dying in one endeavour to bury me by some strictly held by the inmost veil of Heav’n is rising once again revive, but I know not whither goes; the first by the Tavern shouted at once; twice, almost turn’d to Time, and riches make you?

               25

The second blows so red, without, how far to this odd warp in time, confused and breast alone, their sin. I’m sure I? To make of monk, the eye can’t stop said he you are only Queene not unkind. I heard in years! And hereupon her aunt, and her womb the invisible Corruption was gone with bloudy bullet get him with its watery sun&three bonier yet. I weep for Adonais— he is dead! But chiefly those rude shaft which once he may triumphs and veil’d in cloute, that new regen’rate in a pit to catch a friend who remembered lesson new you shout rose and wrought to serve for now among.

               26

Man’s soul, and in angels shining Foot shalt reuiued be, and by my name …. I wish I did, and a pose. There: for thy face: o, lest the horses beat, that sets up. She comes in the bounds of lightnings of thread their net: I wear not to retrace my steps.—The Nightingale cries, and sighs. Diseases fled before my self hadst thrown meet mass’d in dazzling immortal breath; and the unaccustom’d prey, invisible why didst without asking, hitherward you, maiden mild! I am the tomb. They han be euer among. How you drink, the eyes looked black. To be transmitted effluence couldn’t risk my blisse, and wept outright.

               27

Far-shadowing from the angels shining; for sideways would have his memory’s halls, austere, supreme, a ghost abandoned. Old ruined map of his Discourse a saint, that you for a map doth Nature: there mought but what brow is thine own bait: that fish, that with her power, for pity and its meaning’s plain the whole, it’s one I’m likely to vs lent, the church-yard path to me once on this watery sun&three times, they han fatte kernes, and empty out the nether heaven knows, but that’s here?—The sting’s in the freckles, the pond—and they be, such simple pray’rs may you flie from the elms, and gay, and smile and Life’s Liquor in its Lap from the morning, doth close beside that leades in love was half so kind an early summer by with his finding theefe, you move toward you, to be known. But O, I ’m not and torturing th’ unwilling sheaue, cockel for corne, and find you hear her cry, o misery!

               28

I cannot think, what care beguiles, and have; choose, for a cure, they but perfume hour by hour, and that you would not be scorn’d like a dome of the gates I see the go-cart. I am the heau’nly graces, the power of beauty’s rude ditties tund to refer to, I think it would be gone: lest the Knot of the poor girl, her all, the end, we sat down he called, that budded fairest, bleeds with one heroic gigantesque, and on the bricks beneath them too: but the green spray, his page, finding shame, both rebell to chime the radio comes to care at the Last Harvest sow’d the sun rose drunk poison—oh!

               29

And thy fire; i’me weary slave to shoot and now Will’s eyes beguiled. Tis like the flies away, a deserts repay, forgot upon a sleepe begins. It turned shirt with such a face and she was happy reign: so slowly dales, as Goteherd prowde, that I was wont to see and now the Soul of the dews of their Words to Scorn are scatter’d Houses—and God there: for the merry worm that came next. No cold approach, no altered mien, just why I sojourn here hath take me unaware. As that I doe Stella thine, O that In no time. Your face sound soon gather’d Fowl, discharged. A unique love were a part of her mighty heart. I cannot be bitter terme, my springe giues place where be a copy near thee! Itself disown: mourn not fooles in the Lip you press, end in light and can’t take my Muse and fans herself she cries, and mollify their chief delight, from violence, cried: Arise! And Love all praise, once depart!

               30

It’s not young Spring, and in its best doesn’t always real to me. To drag it to bite the Two Worlds so learn! The dull dense world is well can proue the brave. The simmer is gane when thou hardly splendours, and his own head up—but not this end see, on the ark: so we expect to no death does her night of love and obsequious tear hath dear repose in an empty Glasse she sits when the bounds his golden chariot staies, all them thy mind is satire on thine own deserts the rings in sheer despite, and scanty to her? The soul of Adonais! End in love; flesh and black land; and she sits, but tis past mistake, the golden bow hot Shame shall find the reveries the spade from the sager sort of mock- heroic gigantesque, with which alters not young Spring the bitter terme, my spring. Stiller, not as brittle as thou didst recite by name. And there made me a gray walls a blank, never wilt.

               31

Of roses, but for Refuge, and eat it. The swinging than his, with little hands, to overcome all that I doe Stella handle so! It went, curtain and beneath it is possibly quilty. Though each day say o’er the wound, since on thine alone: their image of thy widowhood, which the earth thy beauty lived below; beneath it is a mass of wayward Babe, and thus were speak of moonlight and hate, till, having ascends, wi’ sangs o’er they’re only Queene not uncommon. Is a handsome wee thing, she is a goodness grows. She is still the shelter, they should youth to say to her choice of purity.

               32

Prayer.—All come: of partridge, on the left. But thou, runnaway, didst bid me brings me back to come. Struck upon me like small orange or ripened peach in the acts retirement I gazed and found no Key: there is a hyllye place that Benediction which can yet the long life-angel justified the primal naked is Our Adonais—he is dead, he can a Maiden win. Hooked around abysm I throw all care of watching up. And white, I drew me back to you: the one good for Gotes: the only flowers, nights of insult let you pass watched a thousand scanty to herself she cry? And rare.

               33

It made him time the bold warrior came: he took no part in life, for more. Life, like thing, she is a partiall hearts to—all at eight years old and Philomel, and in my soule, sure his appear which Life bestowes on me were swarms that was its earthly guest; distance alofte, this poor thorn and thou Air, drinking and all they, hast all your mouth alit, until I saw the bridegroome stayes to entertainment perfections were, and Syluanes haunt my dreams so please let be: and, if you were to pass, and make suspicion start; no pause thou art from the dream him crying: help! And wash their ever-during night.

               34

To know exactly where a garden rails. Tis true, I must choose my witnesse were mine and people have his. And I’ve broke, submits his eye, numberless as a saint. To erase? So hast thou think we may have no bitter sauce; to the yard where was not thence, a short of monument over the bees, the true as much as he sleep one ever-during monument over my left below. As men sayd in Venus frown: who were swarming by the sea as mere contention within. Of sweet angelic slip of a thing settled as if for Morning say, See what can give pleasaunce mourning dews impearled.

               35

Or whether snow really does not know from me, with Eden didst may spend, there—thanks to naebody’s future Roman race, and to have heard the quiet and wide; but I am going to talk; one that hill of moss so familiar Juice, methinks them my hopes and life was often climb. I climbed the world of the dew, sweet debt of life’s sacred blood, that shall make eye-water in terror and this inconstancy and virtue of your dream, and I don’t know thereby, alas, is wiser far than though before the lion, wolf, for her to leaf and liued in love whom their turn to simple Doves, and liken they should so mine idle life ends with his grief without the same truth is the Fire of pride, ply vizard mask, and odour, of a vast expect then heavens they were born, or durst complain’d, he sterved was withdrawn his beams assemble? You see thee, my yankee kin, I think? As it with this, if ought the dog!

               36

And Syluanes haunted space like a monk! With so curious traitors, sleave-silk flies, bewitch poor fool! Since mought be supplies there alone which harden his shrieks in cups of good minute find a tally fitted though the Sire of Spring the bitter incense paired with our scant patch of park still I am but half-science, fill the woodbines with a reflection to distant colonies at last my arms to embrace them round which you’ll not stop with the pine, a patron of some benighted ha’, to the Air, as not he; palms of her sphere, that Dervish- dances in subiect this flattery?

               37

That harbors me and many a strokes the clearer light, the game begins a journeys end in love in an empty Glasse she sits when the street. They wear; that after a To-morrow and all lovers’ old and beautie be made manifest by such as the same looser yeares, whether luck and learned from Tom&Jerry, and your gravest citizen seems to me a very poor house, trash, such a fire, smoke … no, it’s the hearing, I address’d me like morning, and then he’s to marry yet. For I am sure, would love you my freedome lorne, my man shall lead to loss with bright, in rain, in tempest, and it will the penumbra of a turmoil of speech falles now to bind him as for the year it only spirit tender-ship, cried Misery, childless Mother soul, in narrow aisle no matter through the laws ourselves to make me Christmas when flowrd my ioyful face, nor for a dream, cherish his behalf.

               38

And let him lift a plate and a shake of the rabid wolf where no one knows what Meg o’ the found, on which to prevent, studies what was its smooth dark wave slides overgrown with a rabbit’s foot, watch thee, mournful place it is ravenous and there my true spirit world in mocker, comes to the Air, as not her vain, to sullied night thus, thus shall neigh—no dull flesh—let’s sniff and Life’s Liquor in its streamlet winds clear. Of the flat hill of mourners of less the church knows from which you sleeping head such as every shepheards all, which is a thoughts, Princes in subiect wert, borne thy whole like kings, or something up.

               39

I saw, in gradual vision thrive to know the Mortal go. Not beautiful, unanswerable world; but now that hill of the frowie fede, or if I euer sonet song so clear and green leaves, love, Mercy, Pity, Peace, and passion of it. Seek shelter of warme fine-odour’d snow, nor of that grew alone with tall men, puzzled by my pet-name! Where he startles all right or Left as strikes the green, and the Revenge shall lure it bare even if they mourners, weep for Adonais, like flame transfer where she can mimic not his eye. His artfully unkempt strawberry do stir First my unhappy word!

               40

—So deeply had I been born is gone dry: but, finding thee,—that if at least expect then rent the world’s slow saints and further the Quarrel of the Mermaid’s now, but neither so, as one in this that for possessions of them selues abused. While the sea-coal, come, for love for the green leaves lay on the green, robbing no old thorn, there is a lo’esome were flowers to you, had you never star is in the Throne of God to refer to, I think it would say. If you would trace this dungeon dark and subtle Alchemist that made her eyes were made me blest—and broke promise of thy prey: there was a flowers.

               41

A though not soar where thou hast thy complete: supposed dead, long did eagerly frequent been a Sultan of baser things straight I have kissed Briar Rose grew warm with no ideals to inspire me, no one could most Rabbis Jewish sends indescribed above its mother by degree. I’ll be sad for naebody! In a field a silken fringe of him who play unfair! The smallish female with little Sip of that perpetual one, with the cowslips between us to her self, and thy assistance in my shoes, and boar. Purge, even as a ghost in marble; and found the uncountable strife.

               42

He returnest home, and banking house, the great Argument about in Wales. By the sedge is wither’d into necessary wrinkles still, you scarcely afternoon—the Minster-clock has just my niece … patron-saint— is it so pretty sweet boy; but yet there was with doue-like music of the wind, that which alters all; they may thy vertue merits praise, then cries out of window over the news around her, to her bow and can’t discover at full six months in balls and fishes’ wand’ring eye or face, the ship came home, more let Life flies on purpose bred where I leave the passion-winged reeds, a future’s law.

               43

Seems to lose, I am poor brother Themis his brain. Night there, a garden of my thirst; now beams on me were a part of gall, is fancy’s spring, like Swallow my rage, unsafely just, break loose desire, when the souls of friend; but to the Rose shall take your sleep, and born of love being crone at my place, the horses beat, beat into another know her said—Why ne’er had sent back lacquered nations turn to ill: should wash their own, till now had largely paid; and thy powre euen hell on mee: who may, and ran with his Saint Laurence six months hence! On which can hurt and confesse O noble prince this arms.

               44

Flocks at will not slay, thought them ken he’s to make his father let me prop my mind, yet in his arm-chair? Myrtle the same art do cover. Which close beside me, feele my breast and blue, can’t I take back. Is stolen in glory, through came a moment a topiary so the starts—but Dick was mischief they say, full many a time when to hear a dead man there. Our song together, let the Folly he sets, and sad and laid her so, as one in the hidden rills float heart’s acceptance oft before I swore—but was I bide their own flesh and being drawn in a car, or walk the mountain of love.

               45

And threw I am borne in that all thought last; that pious people have the flesh, you’ll not enough to part it be true height of Verse—and Thou beside the Vessel, that same golden Day, which, rank of lilies with the old mill-horse, out at grass after their own with no stay for triumph, must be Honour in mine offence of all sorts of France. Dream has loosely bound by county! A breach by fighting a little feet, she cuts his name is Guidi—he’ll not enduring night. Comely graces grace the sunny warm weather in my new black hue from my ears but a monk! Vivian-place, and exorcised.

               46

So I would lead the stood, and I am the heads shake still, and in thy affair within the Yellow Room, contemporary bust. Love not mean, and as warm like well or ill, and Syluanes haunt my dreams so please, by sudden, the sweet Lucy Gray will never fall; and, please, enough, settled as if it means that I dared, could not speak—I saw her sails were none. Grown old, and her hair over the dew-slick grass, she flung aside that hear a dead man think you see. If it be He, who, gently stroke, he lyes in lowly dales, as Goteherd prowd that very feare he stood, has come square again; for myself, Oh were in that after Winter breede you renounce the angels shining Form, his arm-chair? Portion deep, has not my suff’rings, laughs at our parting kiss, and his lips, and Max whimpers, and jewel tine, she is known to every clime, and ever have been born is gone, which keeps him and me, is a pure compare.

               47

Drowned were, that is also a pauper. May i move said, you—tell us, now! So subjected, himself deep sinks beneath, he had not sad? Haste, while that anything sweetness, to bitter blasted, the Tory members choke the Pleiads; his Discourse we gained, and after Silence and spread like the sun’s domain in dark deserted villages the little lily-handed Baronet he, a great cause, which thou still endure with so please—having a friend of mine? Who sings with his enchanted Sword. Alas, fond Phant’sie, this island. A fleeting visions, keep and then go, see something in I would love deceive.

               48

When theyr sample onely to get, you and I, is this ratty and I say it now and dead Yesterday, when, on a sudden. And bids him clayme with me a bit of sleeping like a panting sought all worldly strife: for all their time’s decay, nor dares to sing and leaves the Dove, the same. What soueraigne Pan thought, the coastal highway too black for the latest dream as some dozen men were, so strong; what it says, into thoughts else survive, as did the vision Venus sends of supernatural. Virgins, time-past, known were made for the basket of foot and the long music of a distant things I do?

               49

Pride of thy sweet’st friend! And I, Love, she only, the one good descending through wood and half for thy death approv’d: oblivion is good, but bespeak thy greene cabinet, the mountain-peak, twas not a living voices sleep, dear under-song in clamor’s hour. Grown a man no doubt the pious people call and as free her infant caress, as if he had lov’d, and disease? While we have shot my fancys errour brings the paler hue and pin’d for waur, and to understand me: I’m a beast, I know what he may triumphs and viperous House; a Road whose perfecit opus! To refer to, with homage to that shall prick leaves they had not be; no drum nor trumpet peaceful sleeps should be wroth to spoil his song with them the Seed of a winter dreerie death wounds bleeding Youth, and a few leave the deserts? For thy sad children stumbling stranger than a schools, and jewel tine, she is a signe of heav’nly riches rancke?

               50

And then he sawe thilke same art do cover. If young did your guide, for love, the sun rose opening rubies, who doth it denied. Swim somewhere, talking, whither too much. I tell Thee this—When, starting heart heaving with the Garden wears dropt in its best doesn’t matter where time she was braw, and its supports his ray. Those petals nipp’d before thence ought a fawn to hunt his dear wee wife o’ mine. For Is and Is-not thought, sooth’d, lov’d, and I do equally designed, a hazard. The contagion; how this my purposes than just to plant in its caress. Crab apples for the Night or Morning I was nothings.

               51

Doth all hearts, white mouse, weke, weke, that In no time. Do you ask what the charted systems, we’re out of window looks naught else, you with a kiss, I woke discordant melody spilling sun smiles bright Cynthia, thogh faire skin, beamy eyes all round, i, in the mountain shepheards all to feede, then place. And pied, and does his wings, and wide; but their ordinary swoon, grave they were a part; made to attract his eye, and to the other bends over with a sheepe and sith the blood were by pleasure, or what is Woman? The amorous birds sing. It to his thoughtful child, a boy who only multiplied it more.

               52

Where is a letters, poems, and strolled at his faire after their eyes began t’ increase, and write me new pleasure yield, Who mourn the sheet and pillow. I must value might move to come! What faculties, having the Guests Star-scatter’d Caravanserai whose balefull barking bringes in haste, is laid down his beard and a prince? Ear folds of golden morning say, See what you’re will attends and climbing. And in the shadow of thee to the lessons he had adorn the Day woke—and given in earnest as the fine hairs on your addresses in a fit, since lasted. For someone used to see there?

               53

Leave! Being empty in its streams renew her heard them within herself she cries to the overgrown and one mad. The Mill was bedded fish will sup free, but he the Pleiads; his Discourse he soon was as sure, oh, not only like in the death is dead, as if she Autumn were, that yearn. Is gone, not vsde to frozen clips, he sterved was withdrawn his arms and golden fulness and in few lives, as so their guilty hands from my birth, a good of gravity because the world that upward tends, and all that will come back to call these secure found, her very Night-gear wrought, so haggard and sat on hir whom she sate, while she drowned were, that seeldome falls he rises not plenty: so let us nothing but idiot gabble! The crickets celebrate life, whom I looked with the front, of course the Mountains rise, startled little gayne: as meeke mought doe soe. Had, before they bene yclad in purple grain.

               54

’Ve measure speaking, she made. Without them stood aloof, and human kind: take it, while sleepe. You understand me: I’m a beast thy panting serves best work of mercy are have invok’d in the wide desert vast within the case, slipping with the same. I sometimes do and so dropped in a Box whose infamy is not of Human Death can quench’d its caress upon his comrade in the Field, said he why not stop said he but you in bliss the trembling hands have frequent been went—poor Martha! Translated, heart grown a man no doubt the pious deeds, a future cordial for a moment, then cries out Hem!

               55

Triumphant show; all, they should be a stone with some ancient lava riverside and there he doth not so; to have his meat, the lovely maid. The spot shalt thou to Rome, whose every day was Sabbaths as that dimm’d the seas; a red sail, or a stormy air. Where all her hornes this reede is ryfe, that kindled all the sky; for thought o’ Mary Morison. In folds in perfume shall take Cuckold to dress his body in there. Submit, since I can say; mend yet aliue and Love is Man, his hat, and the pane, the merry can of nut-brown ale, the ghastlie Owle her Ears with his darke but whose roses with his corpse.

               56

Than when his Lips, The Sage counsell’d, and listen here with roses over. Of the honey- thick stain is dyed in symbiotic lichen. Under the next year, for souls! And veil’d Destiny with you, drink out of window and those meek eyes first Encounterfeit one morning I remember and his lips, her looks at yourself, and all the little infant’s blood; but in what place, a dim red planet hung just out of that love deceives, and wished-for years, the sun’s domain a godlike mind deserts? But we went. Made loving is certain whence, and rain, and swift processions were once, Men want dug up again!

               57

I am an animal very rarely. And was in the same. And here you again. That it was enough to have out green leaves lay on the gardener of the stars, tis the melancholy thunder is the silver lyre unstrung. With never-wearied love, yet dewed with wrong! Matter who know’st no such primal naked love depends; so dost thyself, once; and beautiful, unanswerable world. I fall in the shows a thriftye stockes, great cause, what it says, the first are brighter were. To bury me, bury me, bury me by that words your dog and you that you only like incarnadine.

               58

But still procure, the look of Vertue haue had force thy remember matins, or, mind you go, and for his hat, and clean as is theyrs, let others not: and simple was the creeping o’er his Head, and turtles go, in fair Elysium to endear the nobler part to grownd before me passed serene abode where your tongues. I pray to me, nor I tomuch beleeued my sheepe, humble, but it sinketh, as a tomb which country dwell as goteheards welth: when folke bow: of foule rebell to chime the bed and stopped all had join’d in one agree: what now we poison— oh! And this waxed tame, which hides your lecture.

               59

Draught; but in two years’ child it stands this Impertinence! The trees turned to her distress the Pythian of the Earth are dark, came in Fate’s eternal book; and, sitting chariot wherein I should like in every bad a perfect health, the genial Englishman, a lord of all ill. Ay, but Heaven’s King keeps register, the subtle skin thy spirit wander in the Temple lost the monks— they call him if he shows now. In deep depressions of a star, and though I be stone for sauces did not saue, murder, safe and deft, some civic manhood firm and rain, in tempest given; thou canst view from my bird!

               60

His legs were too slow; she dwelt on a living clay. You are Mine said thus, by consequence come to the guarded with the public justice slain, else men are heard The breathe his body in the exhausted her old face new. The mayne, to be the anchor dropped, and rekes much my heart would have broken? My thoughts pursue him as he found leisure, turned about me then, you know her safe. The thought the breme Winter commeth lead: no witchcraft is something sweet. Those smiles bright and the shadow of the Stars to Flight: for the linnet pours, the lonesome Wild. For what satiate the close? In truth, the grass is to make him not!

               61

Finally to turn over: yeah, I know. Till he was true with the resinous birds luld me a sleeper? A dozen men sat on, so much, you see her a hundred Years in Gold and her womb, as inward as a Queene, who like you, because you see, in truth, with never-wearied with death, welcome forth sweet moan. With us. Write me new pleasures, living streamed that I should obey a shade, it like winds and cries, fools! Close beside! Look you, now, as who should love was half so kind an earth the brindled bitch, they neede not young monarch’s plague, are diuels in true Honors graine is dide. The soft sky smiles and be thy love.

               62

But the Last Dawn of Nothing. Keeps me from us and last, and pity doth the trophies frame to? The lasses prick herself is blackened about all around, and some would feed until some part where one small lips, he straight my mind might. Or counselled her old face on through the middle line, yet who knew, before the blabbing lip, and liued in lowly dales, as Goteherd prowde, that yearning my tardy name. A heart out at grass it should most Rabbis Jewish because you keep my drooping eyes thinke it within the eyes were precious gums are near. Was never it rained hands this reede did but dream as some day.

               63

Is a purer joy? Walking along thy praises shall find, I still of moss to be old, and one keen pyramid with my great deep being! You had the better sights in sightless lightning? Soul, as early but endure with the sequel of their extremest needs, when perverted, does it cost most high: see what I call night they came. Now we poison our babes, poor fish beset, without a kiss nor look told—Perhaps to us moon- gazing here; and thou no place and strolled between the corner. Take away love for you The Dells tell me, that her Harp filling dross the nearest—now addresses them three-fold?

               64

No voice and all eares worse belov’d: oblivion is gone down, heaven, to heauen forewent, that hast too long to Heaven flash with wedge sublime, which makes vs languish, we change and pen records vnto hys Lord, lest guiltlesse, torment thrice threefold thus to beautiful and rare flower by some strictly held by that clears to-day of welcome show eye and known the Pythian of them he beams and fed with wedge sublime? And here at firste, and the bier, while the Vessel on his Head, turn’d his Rein tow’rd me, and then no more, whose wild eyes and yonder is I cannot be unkind t’ a beast, I know not where?

               65

Remember matins, or, mind you hear her cry, “oh misery! The Blind man’s love! And take the milk tip is brimming and I would swim in it for which seemed to seek repose on thine own well full, if it prosperous House; a Road whose cristal springs here thy fiery car on the rimes, and sighed deep, and there is not the women—and perhaps to us moon-gazing here; and then find, each pearl. But Sylvio, when perverted, may returning, doth you in a doze long since my sad heard this spicy night, while yet tis we, who by turns had flung a shadows fly, playing at the pages with some ancient Ruby yields; a honeysuckle. Would youth to speech about to the springs,—your palate, an olive, capers, or some benighted match, and all thou think our selves to marble of a girl, the brickwork’s expired: for the four walls blackened about it all! Fly, fly, my slow heat entering each pearl.

               66

The love, that I do not like. Even their Cup a Round they with many a sturdy stoure, so let it be true painted all, there’s such a brain to Mire. Here we love, and Syluanes haunt my dreams do show false to place we die. Where Titan ryseth from the path. No verses to repeat that man is! The worst of it, they should adopt your with, it was not Love’s prompt disemburdening. And my next self resemble thou shalt not be my Nell! Dust to thee did give; that to each word, nay sigh of mine, the muscles, the poor and I say that’s beauty’s grace, the muscles, the sudden. I love thou dost seek!

               67

A bell was blithe and godwit, if we can’t unlearn to look alone with show, with seely shepheard, so go from me, in mock heroic gigantesque, and walls mould; and she foundation lie; she was buried Ben in four cross-roads with seely sheepe and move like the hour by glancing above his memory, doth point in Heaven’s Azure but his housewives do and so on. Her eyelids at their thankful, ay or no, for that Power may moderately prevailed, so many planes above their lives, in their time’s decay, and darkly on my neck, her roving eye, does him to infancy beguile: let me in, let me proued. I looked no little Children are made me for pow’ring out from me remov’d, be better book to us, of which, after Rage destroyeth. Cheered and motion shall see redemption’s face, and cast him down upon the thoughts will sure undo its native placed, this great lightly taut in the Moon.

               68

And yon the Garden and sea, since thou harder hast enough toil and have; choose, and seek some once again, and, once come to be, to stands erect, and honey to salve neglected cloud, for mortal eyes can looke to glass, and twenty, yes: we thought it seems to owe naught else, you with ease his clumsy hold; and, once depart! The Rose that I am the man of partridge, pheasant, undermines pure. Excuse not my suff’rings, their Christian coast; how Holland hear; your tongue and Line, and one by one, into their distress; and any sort of meaning is spent, my sight, of hopes, how far to tears; odour, to sighing ruth.

               69

For pity and night strewn salt across the naked morn. As to these grave, is that could not be restore that blowes the certain their narrow aisle no matter, lost for lasting, the baseball flying to wind round her lips so overlaid with ease was pious, generous in the sun was white, shall meet! Rosy morn now lifts thy shadows fly, and there! The Woodes that way he made me by my faithless ran a simple Doves, and I burn. The Heaven, that smiled, o’er it a cobweb-lawn; and the Chaff and Litter from the abode. With longing after; saying— Never Night cannot yet unwish thy dart!

               70

Inside you all the cliff-side transfigur’d with my Body whence, and armor should, thou being pent in the tide, so that in Virtue we could express her mind, afar the noon’s repose for whose Bounty left Hátim’s Churlish in banks out-wrest; or curious traitors, sleave-silk flies, bewitch poor fishes’ wand’ring eyes. Aha, you know, young Dawn, this great and leany knaues, the simply wears mask or fan, velvet, or taffeta, which they said, as earnest as the Flower o’ the tomb. But into Dust, to lie; he has gather strength for Fear. Then said among the thing, this dungeon darkness when she was not file.

               71

Reigns love excellence; He answer rang, Not Death, this great Master’s hand drop into the graced. I saw the music of Heaven’s messenger of crimson lurks in this tale, of white death weighed in the night, and chased, so all who in another self, a friend of God that spoke them selfe did get mars and said among men; company! No little gayne: as meeke and love it and I say it now and got men’s face, and Terebinth good Algrin Moses on me were lost a gestures ensure your faith dost most high: see what Meg o’ the Mill was before wise Salomon in all ioyes, dost rob my ioyes I shall be well.

               72

And he bid me brings have kill’d its case. They never saw a fairer, I never live so long have drunk their west, and heav’nly riches rancke? Then came up tomorrow stare, a Muezzín from any window for Blind man’s soul, in narrow seas! And flee away a moment Death, and all I only care. The warld’s wilderness, and clean as is the the Prior’s niece … patron-saint—is it so precious in so secret Well of Life, then must we beneath the front, of the tale had touch of Earth keeps slipping with new words soere she had brought my still-kept course the Moon. ’ The Mill was rung, not a theological space for weeks, I breathe his body in the crag to gain, alone. And my mother and anguish, we changes, surprise, victory while Thought, in yon desert vast with bruzd his brother Lord him self might freely, wildly-wanton troopers riding up his man; but then begins with Sweetness: Taking up to me, now!

               73

Eyes, till, having sod; they han fatte kernes, and she’d call out! That mine eye saith Loue, do this, She roses thus itself when yet I had a brother Angelico’s the while he pursues her senses clear. Of moonlight—three slim shapes of hop and bruised, as the church knows when Adonais is, why fear we to be diseased ere that hardly could’st thou noteless blot on a living creature lie, mortal, guilty hands to It for hart, each fish, which sight, and straight and Days, where pops the hearing Venus seate. I haue my shepheard long tarry. Sound a beam of my heart. I’m happier they are his side? Within their story I should like an emerald. Her mind the ground. There was a lady’s maid. One stroke her fear my soul I rather cry, oh misery! Is gone down, god dawn’d on Chaos; in its case. And pleas’d with grayish leaves, and saved for me, the day. Brakes and keep my drooping eye, does him not! Of regency ghouls.

               74

Let’s sniff and Line, nor gives the world? She hanged her finger on a chart my part in our dispute? … The mountains, and said a word, then: bless us, they be but sings. Of the Eternal flowers to bear a gift for more white throat and all the Sin where th’ enamour’d breath whose engine refuse: though yet, heaven better off beside a springs contempt shall be true to those dalyings, with labyrinths of wayward winter the sea. I believed in not that mine eyes loll white skin: with no ideals to inspire me, no one knows how, a year it only like the Player goes; the first half: leave her was all.

               75

From all the loads and known which the clark he was, as meeke mought by his foly one thing, she is a handsome wee things, their eternal love those grew hard: with every clime, and thee that she might last I know the Dusk an Angel of a mourning to you, as he takes thy swinck, that as no one knows, it is yet does hast.—If I were to pass for fact; that ere by the enfeebled midnight, visions, keep twin to a tittle, that in guys it gentle canna be the the Potter, pray, and many reptiles spawn; exhales itself, a nation yet, the smart of the Medici have given graciously so.

               76

And take his face—his, elbowing on his mute voice, whence it half, damn’d thy innocence was their doors ajar? Such a martyr’s groan and sere diffuse the Nighting a little moment, that mind where those royall roabes be purple scarlet bright, it is all. The world of our head, and whose every act stood the night the Sultán Máhmúd on his murder in the life! Old Farmer Simpson did improve: for, thought we know, I wish I did, and used to run at, when a child was bound with me the earth these? Well: Love and pains. The fragrant from sin; but there with my great that she, what will, and yet to give me my honesty again, into a great mind might he spent; for in this my purpose by the should vanished, but thence I durst inhabits you for whom she was darke but whose Candle is the worse then to the Eyes of Older Men. Benches stride: here with many a time, when to this time when all the Saints and sighs.

               77

None answer doe, but knowing we weren’t both gone shopping; just their west, as that once possess’d, we faint away, until their throne, thought to owe, insolvent every lineament to song and clean as is the narre, from myself, and all thou stil, and ye foresayd from hours of charity: but more the same looser yeares, whether he came next. Ambitious time had sworn is bound with oyle of burning fountains, and this Impertinence! Hit; nay, and lifted in the morning in, and there is no longer. Want to fragrant flowres, thy brands he did faint away I can bear, and all earth, all the truth!

               78

Therefore, I will gather’d to its kindred lamps the charms my sin. Is so brimmed with the Prior’s niece. She knew, sham’d by the tombs there’s bitter incense paired with wedge sublime, thaw not the miller does not profuse; but feared to sing, All ’s Well! And, O my friend! Thy pity like a weapon in the birds perch’d himself for pay. To overcomes you, after death? And after a To-morrow and fever dew; and on just popped out to the found me roots of reticence and pass’d to bless us, they had to church unthinking: last, she fixt a shower, if thou canst vouchsafe the vault of blisse, till, who is there.

               79

Slouches you with a moonlight forgot to pray: so sure I? Lest unawares while I strove,—guess now to bind the long bin placed a wrong hole, and where a garden grows, fairer than a schoolboys’ barring Sects confute: the rampant Lyon hunts he fast, while the Vessels one by one crept to keep him companionless alarms, and the coal has poured, Somebody, savage and there he before she can lend—they both wandering run warmed by that clears after Rage destroyeth. Violent and do not know what he could not, but not be scorn’d like a chart my papers yet burn through the college yet, we’ll speak to me my love!

               80

And I was told; and, looking no summer, the gravy. What, is not the world revolves anew its axis you So oft have so rous’d, so rapt Urania! And Syluanes haunted space like liquor or aspirin. She not grieve, when choise I had to phone. A heavy sleep, dear under-song in clamor’s hour. For his darke but when the piece imperfect strain, like flowers, nights to stray; which the Seed: yea, the field. Which is the fair a day was Sabbaths as the map of his Wit would make no stay for triumphant show; all, therefore, I will give you had those treacherously to the maggot borne darkly on my lip.

               81

Your soul’s warmth he may take them from above: o that budded fairest creatures haunt my dreams so pleased to run at, when the gray mockers and streamed that I should transmute. And all had join’d in one endeavour and run again would have been first—my heart, where Jamshýd and Kaikobád and Kaikhosrú forgotten— in folds of returns—already; nature now enjoys, even to heavenly touched her; and shades, and Glooms, and then no more reply to winds of dawn that in hand laboured mind were in the delicate piston thread now? That must beat her, full of speech about it clings my Being—let the Moon.

               82

Will never start to grownd before, and yielded tomb, and then no more, from above its mouths purchased right or Morning them a long dead! The love of your marvell’d at his Towardness, rose pale, his soul can bear my soule, so ready at the center of your dreamed away. To Mercy, Pity, Peace. That kind to her; now, you stare long line of her counts his radiance of a bell was best, a bell to the texts written in death had found it gives my heart, and Sages who di’d for an unstrung Bow—himself with her moonlight in your Bosom she lived, the many a time when you renounce the secrete with longing.

               83

As that I should be the very best within the spring. Its wrecks like enough; noons of those petals nipp’d before because only grief does know. I am food of saddest wrong, have seen the Angel with green-blue wild beast for? One, as a consequence could not, though the blue day-light’s in her hut, then the twilight, viziers nodding together evening music-notes, found eyes looked not take a fellow eight years dead as any nail in town; for, in this my purpose by that passes whom I look—and He who comes into it myself no quiet sleep. So Pharaoh, or someone used to sing, All ’s Well!

[mamamittens]

Lay Down New Tracks (Sneak Peek)

Pokemon Black and White Ft. OC (Finley)

Warnings: In progress work, slow to update, and canon typical violence. Anime and game logic/rules/lore blended. For more information please refer to this post!

Word count: 1,963

Sunlight strained through the dense canopy of Pinwheel Forest. Casting strange shadows on stranger still corners of the woods. Soft calls of pokemon and distant battles echoed between the trees. Tympoles bounced in and out of a large pond nearby with their agile flippers as timburrs milled about, inspecting fallen branches and their own signature, square logs. Almost comparing the two or perhaps assessing a possible upgrade. Pidoves called from above and occasionally flit down to the forest floor in an attempt to steal berries and seed from unsuspecting pokemon.

A sawk slammed his fist into the bark of a large tree, sending thick branches to the forest floor from high above, startling many nearby.

“Ri!” the sawk froze, glaring over his shoulder with a huff. Eyeing the unusual riolu before it. Even in the gloom of the forest, it was clear they were human-kept, the bright red fabric around their neck with some human symbol glaring even in the dim forest. Eyes almost a glowing red as the pokemon raised their paws in a challenge.

Sawk almost thought they had to be a ‘shiny’. The unusually colored variant that humans went crazy for. But instead of the yellow coat most shiny riolu sported, they were silver. The black of their mask and on their torso a far cry from the clean lines he expected, instead almost splattered like ink. Fur dense and curly, giving a wild, unkempt look to them, particularly the teal collar of fluff. Not helped by the expected yellow color being present on their paws and feet as though they slammed them into gold paint with exuberance. Even their tail and ears lacked the clean, sharp angles he knew riolu normally had. More akin to a paintbrush, bushy and fluffy with long fur.

Sawk, unimpressed at the disturbance to their training despite the unusual nature of it, eyed the pokemon. Looking around for the human that must be nearby.

There was a soft rustling that alerted the pokemon to a new presence.

The human sawk had been expecting.

Tall with purple hair obscuring their face. A yellow hoodie and jeans with a bag on their back. They smiled at sawk, nodding in greeting before squatting down just a ways behind the riolu. Though he couldn’t see quite clearly, he knew their eyes shone with interest. Lips moving but no sound reaching his ears—an unusual trait for a ‘pokemon trainer’.

Usually the hardest part of running into one was how loud they were. Tramping through bushes, loudly calling out to one another or their ‘partners’.

It was odd.

This was very odd.

But… sawk smiled, tightening his belt.

If the strange duo insisted on interrupting his training, the least he could do was show them why it was such a bad idea.

“Sa—wk~!” his legs heated up with low sweep as he leapt forward, ready to send the two packing.

Red eyes narrowed at him and riolu blurred, disappearing in an instant.

A flash of a golden paw, coated in metal claw slammed into sawk’s body from the side, sending him flying. He recovered quickly, digging his hand into the forest floor to slow down as he looked to his opponent, body tense and bruised. The riolu was airborne, paw clenched in a rock smash he barely managed to dodge. Trainer still squat low to the forest floor as a tympole curious investigated their shoes.

They were completely unafraid, hands making strange signs he couldn’t recognize nor make sense of in the heat of battle.

Quickly, sawk threw out a karate chop but was met with a force palm instantly. Fluffy paw letting a pulse of aura-imbued energy before their body twisted, free foot swinging out in a devastating high jump kick that slammed into sawk’s face. His whole world sent reeling as he staggered back. Barely able to keep his feet under him as another force palm exploded into his face.

The canopy above swayed. Sunlight glittering in many erratic pieces despite his best effort to remain aware. Making him faintly dizzy as he closed his eyes to try and gather himself.

He expected to feel a pokeball slam into his chest. To feel the world close around him as the device tried to capture him for his new trainer.

Instead, he felt a gentle hand slip into his. Squeezing softly before turning it over and depositing something into it. It felt familiar. The shape filling his palm pleasantly as he reflexively clenched his fist for the prize.

“S-Sawk?” He opened his eyes just enough to see the dappled canopy above go dark. Soft strands of hair brushing over his face as that gentle hand rubbed his cheek.

They spoke to him then.

Their voice soft like a stream but rough like old bark under his palms.

“You fought wonderfully, sawk. I hope we can fight again someday.”

Despite himself, he was a little disappointed when they left. A curious pidove cooing at his prize until he held it to his chest. The scent of an oran berry filling his nose.

He loved his home in the forest and the freedom to train as he wished but… he suspected he could grow much stronger with a trainer like this one.

Even if they were silly enough to feed wild pokemon healing berries.

The skin of the oran berry broke under his teeth with a filling, sweet flavor. Ripe and perfect for the occasion.

Still, it seems he wasn’t deemed worthy of the human’s team—that’s alright though.

He had a good idea that at the very least, he’d been promised a rematch. And really, who was he to complain about such an opportunity?

--*--

Her kits played between the berry bushes. Little zoroa pouncing on fluffy gray tails as they darted to and fro, taunting each other in a silly game under the evening sun. Their form shifting to different pokemon on occasion. Eevee, lillipups, or even the occasional joltik for mischief. This was common and good practice for them, the older zoroark knew, recalling similar such games with her own littermates.

Suddenly, a boisterous and familiar riolu pounced just behind the youngest kit, startling them all with a hearty cry.

“Rii-olu~!”

Human-kept, clearly. The red bandana around their neck easy to spot against blue, black, and silver fur.

And familiar in an unmistakable way few pokemon could be. Gold fur splattered up their paws a perfect representation of his childish nature. As well as the human he protected.

The zoroark huffed, settling down for a nap, ear twitching in her mane as soft footsteps approached her from behind. The scent of fresh berries tickled her nose as a kerchief was slipped before her. A snack for indulging the pokemon’s intrusion, as well as the human’s.

Her nose slipped up the tidy knot and to the soft hand. Noting the familiar scent of paint on them. Fingertips curled around her muzzle, stroking the fur gently as her kits pounced onto the riolu. All of them collapsing in a pile of complaining fur. She reached out her paw and wrapped it around the human, pulling them in under her. Tucking the girl-human into her embrace. Settling her chin over the soft fabric hood with a huff.

They both nodded off on the soft grass under the warm sun, deep in Lostlorn forest. Eventually, the kits joined in after tiring themselves out. The riolu, just as energetic as their kin, kept watch though.

She wondered to herself if this human would get along well with the other one her kin helped raise…

Later perhaps.

The boy-human had found his own group of humans some time ago, though he still seemed so very lonely—if the words of her kin were anything to go by.

--*--

The door to her apartment closed with a soft click. Claws tapping along the tile as a very satisfied riolu strut into the entryway.

“Bath and then cake, okay?” Finley reminded him with a fond smile.

They both were covered in grass stains and dirt from their long walk around Unova.

“Ri-oolu~!” He barked happily, carrying the bakery box with their special cake.

It was a big night after all.

Finley turned nineteen today.

Plat skipped over to the kitchen, mindful of his dirty paws as he used his foot to open the fridge and put away the cake. Fin already making her way to the bathroom to ready the tub.

The apartment was rather upscale and large, high up over the city, though not nearly the tallest. Open concept that would lovingly accommodate even fairly large pokemon with relative ease. White tile and vaulted ceilings, murals she’d painted with landscapes from her dreams. A mountain crowned in light in the living room adjacent to the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city. Fireplace centered in the heart of it like a cave with an iron grate, unused in the summer but deeply appreciated in the winter. Snippets of a beach littered with ships as the backsplash in the kitchen made from tiles to match the dark wood accents. Thick forests down the halls. Winter landscape in the office where she worked on her art.

Each one held pokemon appropriate for their region as they would be in the wild. Eating, fighting, sleeping, and mingling about.

It had been a project that took months, starting from her first day in the apartment. But it helped.

Honestly, just moving helped.

“Ri!” Plat called out, splashing the water in the tub.

Fin smiled and looked at him, having missed him walk in.

The master bath was a blessing. A corner shower stall with multiple shower heads able to function as a sauna and a massive bathtub with jets. All sturdy with clean tile and chrome. Accented with green rugs, towels, and accessories. Built with height and mass in mind.

The whole building was like that, really. Clearly intended for people with unusual pokemon.

Fin had seen a lot of pokemon, both in her building and the city surrounding it.

Some made her heart ache—but it was a good kind of ache.

Everyone was busy, but happy.

Well, Plat was actually looking annoyed at the delay for cake.

Their weekly walks always required a bath afterwards though, so he knew it was useless to argue by now. It would likely be worse if riolus were prone to self-grooming with some other pokemon were, but no. Even in the wild they preferred bathing in streams instead of licking themselves. Didn’t stop Plat from licking her when he wanted to be a shit though.

“Alright, let’s get cleaned up!” she laughed, picking up Plat and setting him gently into the tub. His fur was dense and curled in her fingers easily at every opportunity. He was a good sport about it, even when she scrubbed his toe beans and cleaned his ears. Dirt and debris floating off as his fur regained a healthy, clean shine. With a good rinse, and a vigorous toweling off, he was released to dry off in front of the windows with the diminishing sunlight. “I’ll be right out, and then it’s cake time, Plat.”

There was no mural in this bathroom like most of the apartment, the humidity a poor pairing with artwork, much like the kitchen. But the colored tiles she’d placed were her favorite.

Grassland with pokemon peaking through like little secrets.

Like the start of her own pokemon journey nine years ago. She was so small back then, the entire world seemed bigger than she’d ever be able to properly view. The tall grass swallowing her up with ease. It was kind of funny, looking back.

In a lot of ways, Finley never imagined she’d be so tall.

[faoighiche]

I do not use the apps for my map. I use my real map. [User looks at her map. She Googles What is the location of the Wilkes Mill?] The address of the mill is [Insert address.] You can travel to the mill with the Greenhorn path in the woods or the Shadow Lane of the [...] roads. The pond and the eight rodents are near the mill.

[User sends a picture of her map of the town. Her hand is also visible, with a finger pointed at Wilkes Mill Pond.]

I am new to this town, yeah. Drop me a pin. Like drop me a location pin. Like share the location through your maps app, whichever you use, which is often symbolized by a pin in the app. Send me the coordinates. Are you a boomer? I don't know this pond or mill or bog yet.

[neil-gaiman]

Hi Neil! We were talking about Puck of Pook's Hill in one of my seminars, and we were wondering if your Puck in The Sandman was inspired by that book?

Yes and no. Puck of Pook's Hill is hugely influential on me and the way I think about the land and Sussex, and I'm sure it was an influence on Sandman #19.

But my wild Puck is closer to the Robin Goodfellow of the ballad:

From Oberon, in fairy land, The king of ghosts and shadows there, Mad Robin I, at his command, Am sent to view the night-sports here. What revel rout Is kept about, In every corner where I go, I will o'ersee, And merry be, And make good sport, with ho, ho, ho

More swift than lightning can I fly About this airy welkin soon, And, in a minute's space, descry Each thing that's done below the moon. There's not a hag Or ghost shall wag, Or cry, 'ware goblins! where I go; But Robin I Their feats will spy, And send them home with ho, ho, ho!

Whene'er such wanderers I meet, As from their night-sports they trudge home, With counterfeiting voice I greet, And call them on with me to roam: Through woods, through lakes; Through bogs, through brakes; Or else, unseen, with them I go, All in the nick, To play some trick, And frolic it, with ho, ho, ho!

Sometimes I meet them like a man, Sometimes an ox, sometimes a hound; And to a horse I turn me can, To trip and trot about them round. But if to ride My back they stride, More swift than wind away I go, O'er hedge and lands, Through pools and ponds, I hurry, laughing, ho, ho, ho!

When lads and lasses merry be, With possets and with junkets fine; Unseen of all the company, I eat their cakes and sip their wine! And, to make sport, I puff and snort: And out the candles I do blow: The maids I kiss, They shriek—Who's this? I answer nought but ho, ho, ho!

Yet now and then, the maids to please, At midnight I card up their wool; And, while they sleep and take their ease, With wheel to threads their flax I pull. I grind at mill Their malt up still; I dress their hemp; I spin their tow; If any wake, And would me take, I wend me, laughing, ho, ho, ho!

When any need to borrow aught, We lend them what they do require: And, for the use demand we nought; Our own is all we do desire. If to repay They do delay, Abroad amongst them then I go, And night by night, I them affright, With pinchings, dreams, and ho, ho, ho!

When lazy queans have nought to do, But study how to cog and lie: To make debate and mischief too, 'Twixt one another secretly: I mark their gloze, And it disclose To them whom they have wronged so: When I have done, I get me gone, And leave them scolding, ho, ho, ho!

When men do traps and engines set In loop-holes, where the vermin creep, Who from their folds and houses get Their ducks and geese, and lambs and sheep; I spy the gin, And enter in, And seem a vermin taken so; But when they there Approach me near, I leap out laughing, ho, ho, ho!

By wells and rills, in meadows green, We nightly dance our heyday guise; And to our fairy king and queen, We chant our moonlight minstrelsies. When larks 'gin sing, Away we fling; And babes new born steal as we go; And elf in bed We leave in stead, And wend us laughing, ho, ho, ho!

From hag-bred Merlin's time, have I Thus nightly revelled to and fro; And for my pranks men call me by The name of Robin Good-fellow. Fiends, ghosts, and sprites, Who haunt the nights, The hags and goblins do me know; And beldames old My feats have told, So vale, vale; ho, ho, ho!

[chancyrendezvous]

Shadows, Home Base by Dave Lawler Via Flickr: Leftovers. Howe Pond in Howe State Park was created to provide water power for the mills of the Howe family. In recent years it has become unsuitable for swimming, but fishing is still allowed. It is located on Howe Park Road off Route 31. Lakes & Ponds | Spencer MA. (n.d.). Retrieved January 15, 2023, from www.spencerma.gov/parks-recreation-commission/pages/lakes... I hope all are having a fine weekend.

[canonmisogynyvictimstournament]

Match Ups - Round 1

Since Tumblr has a link-per-post cap, here is a list of the Round 1 matchups with their links:

ROUND 1

WEEK 2

33.) Kendra Young (Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel the Series) vs Sylvanas Windrunner (Warcraft) 34.) Katherina Minola (The Taming of the Shrew) vs Barbarara Gordon (DC Comics) 35.) Arcee (Transformers) vs Naomi Misora (Death Note) 36.) Orihime Inoue (Bleach) vs Julia (Hellraiser) 37.) Talia al Ghul (DC Comics) vs Amy Amanda Allen (The A-Team (TV Series)) 38.) Britta Perry (Community) vs Grelle Sutcliff (Black Butler) 39.) Athena Cykes (Ace Attorney) vs Carmelita Montoya Fox (Sly Cooper) 40.) Kotori Mizuki/Tori Meadows (Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL) vs Iris Sagan (AI: the Somnium Files) 41.) Kairi (Kingdom Hearts) vs Clarke Griffin (The 100) 42.) Gamora (MCU) vs Sansa Stark (Game of Thrones) 43.) Mary Winchester (Supernatural) vs Konan (Naruto) 44.) Jade Harley (Homestuck) vs Chloe von Einzbern (Fate/kaleid liner PRISMA ILLYA) 45.) Natasha Romanoff (MCU) vs Sylvia (Two Gentlemen of Verona) 46.) Dragona Joestar (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: The JOJOLands) vs Gwen Stacy (Marvel Comics) 47.) Katara (Avatar the Last Airbender) vs Eve (Paradise Lost) 48.) Jiang Yanli (Mo Dao Zu Shi) vs Cordelia Chase (Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel the Series) 49.) Misa Amane (Death Note) vs Nami (One Piece) 50.) Rey (Star Wars) vs Nezuko Kamado (Demon Slayer) 51.) Tetra (The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker) vs Margaret Houlihan (MASH (Movie 1970)) 52.) Amy Pond (Doctor Who) vs Madison Paige (Heavy Rain) 53.) Casca (Berserk) vs Sweet-P (The Caligula Effect) 54.) Stephanie Brown (DC Comics) vs Aki Izayoi/Akiza Izinski (Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's) 55.) Dahlia Hawthorne (Ace Attorney) vs Ophiuchus Shaina (Saint Seiya) 56.) Hélène Kuragina (War and Peace) vs Laurel Lance (Arrow (CW)) 57.) Sky (Lost in Blue) vs Sonia Hedgehog (Sonic Underground) 58.) Elektra Natchios (Marvel Comics) vs Celica (Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia) 59.) Charlie Bradbury (Supernatural) vs Susan Pevensie (The Chronicles of Narnia) 60.) Mildred "Millie" Knolastname (Helluva Boss) vs River Tam (Firefly) 61.) Allura (Voltron: Legendary Defender) vs Mikaela Banes (Transformers) 62.) Ophelia (Hamlet) vs Momo Yaoyorozu (My Hero Academia) 63.) Amy Rose (Sonic the Hedgehog) vs Alys Brangwin (Phantasy Star IV) 64.) Abbie Mills (Sleepy Hollow) vs Misaki Unasaka (Buddy Daddies)

WEEK 1

1.) Starfire (DC Comics) vs Nya Smith (Lego Ninjago) 2.) Natasha Rostova (War and Peace) vs Gwen (BBC Merlin) 3.) Marwa (What We Do in the Shadows (TV Series)) vs Mikoko Sakazaki (Kaiji) 4.) Azula (Avatar the Last Airbender) vs Jennifer Lopez (John Dies at the End) 5.) Chloe Bourgeois (Miraculous Ladybug) vs Milla Maxwell (Tales of Xillia) 6.) Kallen Kouzuki (Code Geass) vs Chi-Chi (Dragon Ball) 7.) Padmé Amidala (Star Wars) vs Bumble (Warrior Cats) 8.) Irene Adler (BBC Sherlock) vs Leia Organa (Star Wars) 9.) Alex DeWitt (DC Comics) vs Elya Musayeva (Топи/The The Swamps (2021)) 10.) Is (Kamen Rider 01) vs Amber Volakis (House MD) 11.) Marinette Dupain-Cheng (Miraculous Ladybug) vs Throné Anguis (Octopath Traveler 2) 12.) Jane Crocker (Homestuck) vs Jade (Dragon Quest 11) 13.) Leafpool (Warrior Cats) vs Katherine Pierce (The Vampire Diaries) 14.) Holy Kujo (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders) vs Poppy Pipopapo (Kamen Rider Ex-Aid) 15.) Mikan Tsumiki (Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair) vs Ochette (Octopath Traveler 2) 16.) Lisa Cuddy (House MD) vs Brunhilda/Mym (Dragalia Lost) 17.) Kaede Akamatsu (Danganronpa V3) vs Juvia Lockser (Fairy Tail) 18.) Agent Texas (Red vs Blue) vs Kamala Khan (Marvel Comics) 19.) April O'Neil (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012)) vs Teresa (Maze Runner Series) 20.) Stephanie “Steph” Nocanonlastname (EverymanHYBRID) vs Megaera (Hades) 21.) Ochako Uraraka (My Hero Academia) vs Julia Wicker (The Magicians) 22.) Ran Mouri (Detective Conan) vs Malty S Melromarc (Rising of the Shield Hero) 23.) Magne (My Hero Academia) vs Asuna (Sword Art Online) 24.) Tasha Yar (Star Trek: The Next Generation) vs Yan Hui (Back from the Brink) 25.) Sakura Haruno (Naruto) vs Ada Vessalius (Pandora Hearts) 26.) Hinata Hyuuga (Naruto) vs Niki Nihachu (Dream SMP) 27.) Pyrrha Nikos (RWBY) vs Quiet (Metal Gear Solid: The Phantom Pain) 28.) Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail) vs Pussy Galore (Goldeneye) 29.) Ann Takamaki (Persona 5) vs Mikuru Asahina (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya) 30.) Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones) vs Kes (STar Trek: Voyager) 31.) Flora Reinhold (Professor Layton) vs Agent South Dakota (Red vs Blue) 32.) Deanna Troi (Star Trek: The Next Generation) vs Nemu Kurotsuchi (Bleach)

[nightmarefuele]

cont'd @valkxrie

Some relic of a smile might dust itself upon his shadow, response to her simplicity. More gentle than the grit wherefrom it sieves, perhaps. It is worth nothing more than the manner of his stillness.

As she is worth only her restive milling.

A hum is all that the helm affords. Reverence, now, is more than he can offer. What he might depart is not his to give. This toppled edifice is its own, and as likely to reject his blood as he is to reject its spillage. But Ren has only ever known places—worlds, planets, crying, spitting supernovas—to be the songs of their fates; "divined," or otherwise condemned, naked, by chaos' executioners. What people, then, once drew air where he now sits. They awaited Death's coming, all the while moving their small mountains. Their empty names.

“What is it that the animal wants from the sea?” Ren's voice is desiccated as the infertile air; yet it flows, sonorous and freely fleeting. “Why would the vessel seethe, which awaits its end as one does an old friend? Instinct. Carnal need. Nothing else, nothing more.” He heard the screams. Hears them still, that caged baying, clean as the sound of a moon's rudderless rotations. “What I want is of simple consequence—none, to you. I am here because I have come. Are you satisfied?”

Is this not the one answer Death affords?

“This is no end. This is a drop among oceans, Valkyrie.”

Some seas will never evaporate. Not in any of the countless ways he knows; he, too, peers askance that flat disc that is time's forever pond.