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dragon-kazansky · 5 years ago

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The hypnotist - Jervis Tetch x reader

Summary: Jervis has lost his sister and is bitter towards Jim, blaming him for her death. He comes to you. You’re the only one left he can trust, but you don’t know how to feel about that.

This chapter is a long one, strap in folks.

I also apologise that’s it’s so linear to the episode again, but I’m building up the connection between you and Jervis.

Chapter 3 - Choices

Several days passed since the tragic event of Alice's death. Her scream as she fell haunted you ever so slightly, but you can't imagine the pain Jervis is going through. His whole reason for coming to Gotham was gone and there was nothing anyone could do to change it.

You put Jervis to the back of your mind. You assumed he would have skipped out of town and have gone far away. He had no reason to be in the city any more.

You busied yourself with work from Barbara, who scolded you slightly for the not getting her errand done the other day. You made it up to her by being on top of your game from now on. Barbara didn't have all that many jobs for you and at one point pointed you towards Cobblepot, saying the Mayor would most definitely have more work for you.

It kept you busy at least.

On the tenth day after her death, you were home alone, taking some time to rest and not over work yourself. You needed some time to yourself for once. Things were starting to go back to normal, well, as normal as Gotham was.

The knocking on your door startled you. You weren't expecting anyone and you didn't know anyone who made house visits to you, you had very connections in the city.

You got up cautiously, inching your way over to the door. You pondered not answering for a moment, maybe they would think no one was home and they would leave.

That didn't seem to be the case. The second round of knocking sounded a little more urgent than the first, so you swung open the door.

You were not expecting Tetch to be standing there.

"Jervis?"

"Y/N, my dear!" He looked so pleased to see you, almost as of he hadn't seen you in quite some time. It was almost enough to make your heart race, but everything that happened came rushing back.

"What are you doing here? I thought you would have left the city." You let Jervis into your apartment.

"I cannot leave with serving James Gordon his punishment for what he did to my dear Alice." Jervis removed his top hat and turned to look at you with big brown eyes. It made your heart ache to see him like that.

"You're going to get revenge?"

"Quite, but first I had to see you. You're all I have left here in Gotham. You're the only one I can trust." He spoke softly, as if he was treading on dangerous ground. He didn't sound so convinced by his words, and frankly you weren't either.

"I see."

"Please, my dear, I hope you don't think bad of me. I can see it in your eyes that you were not, and still not, pleased with what I did to Gordon. I cannot let him get away with taking Alice from me." His gaze shifted to the ground.

You licked your lips nervously and stepped a little closer, not wanting the distance to give him the idea you didn't want him here.

Mentioning the possibility that Alice would have preferred death over leaving with him was a bad idea, so you remained far away from that thought.

"I understand you're hurt about what happened. I can't even pretend to imagine what you are going through, but must you retaliate? Jim won't let you get away with it." You returned his sorrowful gaze, though his expression did seem to light up with your words.

The idea that you were worried for him lit up something within him.

"I won't let Jim know you dropped by, but I need time to think. I've become quite fond of you after the time I spent with you, but I'm not sure I'm OK with the hypnotising yet. Give me time to think?" You stood there awkwardly, hoping he would grant you your request.

Jervis gave a small smile as he placed his hat back onto his head.

"Very well, I don't want Jim to take you from me too. Take all the time you need, I'll be only a phone call away." He held out a small piece of paper with a number on it.

"Thank you, Jervis."

You walked with back towards the door, both of stopping just as you reached it. He turned to you and with a smile, lifted your hand to his lips pressing a gentle kiss there.

"Please don't let James Gordon turn you against me too." He said, just loud enough for you to hear. There was so much emotion in those words.

You didn't say anything to that and opened the door for him, watching him leave.

Once he was gone you turned around and let out a long drawn out sigh. Your mind was once again conflicted with him. You felt awful about what happened to Alice and you could see it in his gaze that he was suffering from her loss. There was something sinister about him that night, the way he was using his sister's blood as leverage over her. The way he almost had Jim shoot himself. He was evil, but you couldn't hate him.

You had no idea what it was he had in store for Jim, but something told you it was for the better that you didn't know.

You decided it was probably best to busy yourself, so you began to tidy your apartment while you thought about what Jervis had said.

Jervis left your apartment feeling like a slight weight had been lifted from his shoulders, but he wasn't quite in the clear yet. He couldn't forgive Jim for what happened to Alice, but the rage he would feel I'd you were turned against him too, that was something he didn't want to even think about.

Pulling out his watch, he checked the time.

“I must change.”

Jervis was going to put his plan into action and the time was now.

A newly wedded couple leave the chapel holding hands. The bride is smiling as she approached her father. She thanks him for her special day as they hug, she returns to the groom’s side and they wave at their family and friends. The chauffeur opens the door to the car and waits till they have climbed in before closing the door and turning around.

Jervis Tetch smiles as he tips his cap to the father and makes his ways to the drivers seat. This was step two. Step one was the young boy sitting in the passengers seat.

Despite the fear in the couple, Jervis told them their fate was on James Gordon’s hands. He did what he does best and drove off, hypnotising them along the way.

Jim had just left the diner where he had met Valerie, a reporter seeking answers to Gotham’s secrets, one such secret being Alice Tetch’s blood. He was following an odd fellow dressed all in white. The odd man had come to Gordon with a riddle from Tetch, so naturally Jim had to go with him.

He was to an underpass, a public phone on dull display. It wasn’t until he reached the street corner that the phone began to ring.

Gordon walked over and answered it.

“This is Gordon.”

“Hello James.”

“Jervis. Never should have left that hole you were hiding in.”

“Oh, I wasn’t just hiding, I put the time to good use. Made a thorough study of you.” Jervis listed what he had learned of Gotham’s James Gordon. Jim looked around trying to see if Tetch was near by. There was no sign of him.

“And here I didn’t think about you once.” Jim refrained from rolling his eyes as Jervis droned on.

“Oh James,” Jervis chuckled as he let the couple out of the car, “I’ve been inside that head of yours. I’ve seen the web of lies you tell yourself,” The couple began to walk away from the car, “strung together to keep that fragile psyche of yours in tact.”

“Well, it’s been nice catching up with you.” Jim made a move to put the phone back, but Jervis’ voice could still be heard, so Gordon put the phone back to his ear as he listened to the mad man drone on.

“I’m going to force you to confront who you really are and I’m going to drive you mad doing it.”

Jim furrowed his brow.

“Now, please, direct your eyes to the overpass.” Jim looked up. “Meet Dave and Amy Walters. Married just this morning, lovely ceremony. In thirty seconds they are going to jump to their deaths. Take the stairs and you can save them. However, down the street is a little boy. His name is Shane and he’s going to be hit by a truck driven by my highly esteemed associate.”

A truck pulled up further down the street.

Jim knew what was happening right away.

“The choice is yours James. You can’t save both. So, who’s it going to be?”

Jervis hung up and climbed back into the car, leaving the choice to James Gordon. This was his punishment for what happened to Alice. Jim would have to live with the fact he let someone day today to save the other.

As Jervis drove away his mind went back to you.

He wondered for a moment what you would have thought of him if you had known what he was doing. It’s not as if you and James Gordon were friends anyway, you had a mutual friend in Barbara. Though it would be the fact he was using Gordon the way he was that might upset you. He wouldn’t forgive himself he caused your hate.

If Jim thought this choice was bad, wait till he saw what else Tetch had planned.

Jim ran for the boy, pulling him right out of the way of the truck. The couple fell with a splat, Gordon could only watch. He had made his choice.

Gordon moved the boy from the street and looked down at the couple. Tetch’s words lingered in his head, ‘You can’t save both,’ over and over in his mind.

The phone began to ring again. Jim ran over and answered it.

“You son of a bitch!”

“Good.” Of course it was Jervis again. “Now I have your attention.”

“They were innocent Jervis, you didn’t have to kill them.” Jim was angry.

“It was your choice, James. You practically pushed them off the ledge. Stay with me, James.” Gordon wasn’t answering. “James!”

“What?” Gordon spat the word out, grinding his teeth.

Jervis gave him an address and time, telling him not to be late. Any police and more people would die.

The GCPD received word of the dead couple and were on the scene quickly. Harvey questioned the little boy, Shane when he arrived. The boy couldn’t remember much, but Harvey thanked him for what he did remember and let another officer take him away from the scene. He joined Barnes’ side.

“You’re not going to believe this, he said Jim Gordon saved his life, pulled him out of the way of a truck.”

“Get him on the phone. Now.”

“I already tried him. No answer.” Harvey took note of Barnes without his cane, but his only answer was that the captain didn’t need it any more. That’s when he saw the odd man in white.

“Hey, does that guy look strange to you? I mean more strange than the usual wack job.”

Both men approached him, the captain calling out to him. The man turned in their direction slowly as if he was acknowledging them, but he wasn’t really. He was repeating the same line over and over again.

“James Gordon, I have a message for you.”

“James Gordon I have a message for you.”

He said nothing else. Just stood there on repeat. It was clear they weren’t going to get any answers from him, verbally anyway. Harvey knew exactly what was up.

“He’s hypnotised.”

“Tetch.” Barnes caught on.

It was now clear what was happening. In slight worry, Harvey pulled away from the two men and pulled out his phone. He had been so focused on Jim, he forgot about you. If this really is Tetch then there was a possibility he would go to you. After all, you did say you were friends with him.

The phone rang three times before you picked up.

“Hello?”

“Y/N, thank God you’re there.” Harvey let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m fine, why? Something happen? How did you even get this number?” You were stood in the middle of your apartment having just finished cleaning it. “Dis Barbara tell you I’d do you a favour? I’m already on the Mayor’s list.”

“No, that’s not it and don’t worry about it. Have you seen Tetch?”

“Jervis Tetch?” You felt your heart drop, but you were a pretty decent liar when you needed to be.

“Yeah, have you seen him?”

“Not since that night. I figured he would have left town.” You sat down on your sofa. “Why? What happened?” You were more than a little concerned about what Harvey was going to say next.

“I think Tetch is messing with Jim again. A couple have fallen to their death and there’s this hypnotises dude here saying his has a message for Gordon. I figured he would come to you since you two seem to be friends.” Harvey hated thinking you might be involved in all of this some how. He didn’t really know you, but seemed like a decent enough person.

“I haven’t seen him. Like I said, I thought he had left town.”

Silence fell over the phone and you found yourself silently praying that Harvey bought the lie.

“Good, if he calls you, let me know.”

“Sure.”

“At least let me send some police protection.”

“No thanks Harvey, I don’t need police hanging around my place.”

“Right, well, stay safe.”

You hung up.

You sat there in silence wondering what was going on. Had Jervis used Jim to kill someone? Why weren’t you more surprised? Perhaps you have just grown used to the ways of Gotham and the crazy people who lived there. You bit your lip anxiously.

Then the phone rang again.

You picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Y/N, my dear!”

“Jervis! Are you alright? What’s happening? Harvey Bullock just called me. I didn’t tell him you came by earlier.”

“I’m fine, dear. James Gordon and I are having a little chat. Everything that happens is on his shoulders.” He sounded so calm. “I hope you’re not worrying too much about me. I’d hate to cause you distress.”

“I’m fine, I just... what’s going on? I’m not here to lynch on you, I just want to know what you’re doing to those people?” He could hear the worry in your voice and it made his frown.

“Don’t worry, please don’t worry. Everything is Jim’s choice. He is the one to blame. I can’t talk for much longer, I must make another call, I want you to come and see what Jim will do.” Jervis gave you an address and a time. “I want you to see the real James Gordon.”

“Alright. I’ll be there.”

Jervis smiled, of course you couldn’t see it, but he hoped you could tell from his words.

“See you soon, my dear.”

He hung up.

Jervis was standing in the middle of the street, dressed in usual attire. He was looking up at the building in front of him with his phone in hand.

Jim Gordon was inside, he picked up the ringing phone after looking at the information Jervis had collected on him.

“Jervis.”

“Cutting it close, James.”

“Like what you did with the place.”

“Everyone needs a hobby.” Jervis sounded rather cheerful. “Take a peak though the lens, let’s chat face to face.”

Gordon moved over to the telescope.

Jervis smiled and waved.

“I wonder, what is you have against married couples? Bad memories perhaps. Understandable, given the last time you saw a woman in a wedding dress, she had a shotgun pointed at you.”

Jim was caught off guard with just how much Jervis knew about him.

“Hey Jervis?”

“Yes, James?”

Jim hung up.

Jervis glared up at the window and instantly dialled the number again, angry with Jim’s behaviour.

“Don’t you ever do that again!”

James hung up again.

Jervis called him straight back.

“This is about your sister isn’t it? In your adult brain you blame me for what happened to her.”

“Don’t you talk about her!” Jervis was fuming.

“I got to know her Jervis, she was a good person, that’s why she hated you,” Jim was also seething with anger, “why she died trying to get away from you. You want revenge? Kill yourself.”

“Dismissive. Rude. I don’t like your attitude!”

“I also have to wonder what you did to make Y/N so fond of you. You’re sick, Tetch. She called you her friend when I saw her last.”

“Don’t talk about her either.”

“She’s not involved in any of this is she?”

“I know Y/N wouldn’t be too happy to know the details, but she’s the only friend I have here in Gotham. I won’t pretend with her. I’m going to show her who you really are, then maybe she’ll understand. Now, are you quite finished?” Jervis didn’t want to talk about you any further to Jim.

“Tell you what, I’ll come down and we can talk in person.” Jim offered.

“Hang up again and she dies.”

“What are you talking about?” Jim pondered for a moment if he was referring to you, but he had spoken so fondly of you. Who else could he be talking about?

Jervis looked smug. “Surprising really, given that every relationship you’ve been ended with such misery, and yet, you make the choice to date again. Poor girl, she had no idea who she was getting into bed with. She will soon. See for yourself!”

Jim angled the telescope further up the street. Valerie, the girl he was seeing, was being dragged away by one of the brothers who were still under Tetch’s influence.

“Great thing about reporters, tell them you have a story and they’ll meet you anywhere.” Jervis grinned.

Jim hung up and ran out of the building.

The van had driven off already.

While Jim followed Tetch’s instructions, you were at home making yourself look presentable for whatever it was Jervis had planned. You found yourself rolling your eyes at the idea of trying to look nice for someone you didn’t know all that well. Yet, his impression of you mattered to you.

You kept yourself occupied until the time you had been given, and set off to the address, unaware the afternoon Gordon was having. Jervis had given him another choice, but it didn’t quite work out in Jim’s favour.

The house wasn’t familiar to you, but it was very nice. Clearly whoever lived here had plenty of money. The door was unlocked, a note left behind telling you to come in.

You entered.

Music could be heard from the dining room. You walked in slowly, not sure what to expect. What you did see, however, was far from what you had thought.

A tea party.

Valerie Vale and Lee Thompkins were facing each other on either side of the table. Jim Gordon sat at one end, Jervis Tetch as the other.

Jervis stood from the table with a bright smile on his face, he was so pleased to see you. You couldn’t help smiling back at him as you walked over to him, ignoring the looming figures behind him with guns in their hands.

“Jervis, what is this?”

“This, my dear, is Jim’s final choice of the day. Please, sit.” Jervis pulled out a chair next to his, leaving space between you and Lee. You sat down and watched him take his seat again.

“I don’t understand.” You turned to him confused.

“Jim took away someone I loved, so I will take away someone he loves.” You turned slowly to Jim.

“So, this is what you��ve been doing. I see.”

“Y/N, don’t listen to him! Tetch is insane.” Jim called out, but Jervis glared at him and hit the table once with his fist.

“Don’t tell her such things!”

You sat there quietly unsure what else to do. Jervis relaxed his hand and turned to smile at you again. He was trying to comfort you, not that you needed it much. You couldn’t deny that you weren’t scared of him. Honestly, you weren’t shocked at all with what was happening.

“Ah yes, your gun. Place it on the platter.” Jervis had been so caught up in waiting for you to join them, he needed to focus back on the main guest.

“Really?”

“Now you have to think about it? Not everyone here has to die, James.”

You cast your gaze between to the other two women at the table. He was going to make Jim pick one. You really weren’t sure what to feel now. Was he going to make you watch?

He did say he was going to show you who Gordon really was...

Jervis began to pour tea for everyone.

Jim looked between the two ladies. “It’s going to be OK.”

Jervis looked up and gave James a disappointed look, just as he was about to fill your tea cup. “Don’t lie to them James.” He turned back to you and smiled as he filled your cup. You gave a small smile and picked the cup up, watching as he filled the next cup and asked Lee to pass it down the table.

She did as she was told.

“I must apologise for the hideous china.” Jervis chuckled softly. “Frankly, I expected more from Don Falcone’s son.” Tetch filled his own cup last. “Guess I know what I’m getting you for your wedding.” He gave Lee a smile.

You sipped your tea quietly.

This would have been lovely if not for the eerie atmosphere and the fact Jervis was going to have someone in the room killed. His hospitality was otherwise quite sweet.

“To good health!” He lifted his cup.

Lee and Valerie opted out, causing the hatter to frown. So far you were the only own being considerate enough to drink what he had prepared. With how he had been with you so far, there was no reason to think he had done anything. Why poison the tea if he was going to force Jim’s hand anyway?

“You know what,” Jim lifted his cup, “I’ll have some.”

“Bravo James.”

The two men simultaneously drank from their cups, you took a slow sip of yours right after. Everything was still too weird right now.

“Now, I’d like to begin by telling a story of a brother and a sister, separated for years, but whose love never waned. Fair warning though, it has a sad ending.” Jervis glanced down.

Here we go. You knew your heart would yearn to comfort him. The events didn’t happen so long ago and everything was still fresh. You wondered how long it would take for his heart to heal.

“But I couldn’t find my sister alone, so I turned to this man, James Gordon. Whom everyone said was a good man, an honourable man, and what did this good man do? Why, he found my sister,” Jervis banged the table with his fist again. “and he turned her against me! Poisoning her mind and then he killed her!” He hit the table again, only with more force this time. You jumped slightly in your seat.

Jervis lowered his voice as he eyed James across the table. “Does that sound about right, James?”

You looked to Gordon, wondering what he would say or do.

“Sure, why not.” He said nonchalantly.

“Now James, i get the sense you’re not being honest.” Jervis pointed at him. “Though that’s not surprising, considering you’ve run from your true self every day of your life, but you can’t run from this choice. The woman you love, is going to die.”

You knew it.

“I just need to figure out which one it is. So, let’s review our options! shall we?”

Jervis looked between the two ladies.

You really weren’t sure how comfortable you were anymore. You sat with your hands in your lap and you bottom lip between your teeth, your eyes flickering between each of their faces.

You weren’t even sure why you were there. Not really. You didn’t have any personal connection to Jim, or the other two. Perhaps Jervis wanted to show you exactly what he was capable of.

“On the one hand, we have Lee Thompkins.” Jervis moved to stand beside her, giving your shoulder a light squeeze as he passed behind you. Intelligent. Kind. She thought she could save you from your darkness, drag you into the light. What did she get for her efforts? Hm? Pain and sadness.”

“Don’t listen to him Lee.”

“Look in her eyes. She still has love for you James.”

The silence was awkward.

“And then there’s Valerie Vale.” Jervis moved over to Valerie. “The entrapped reporter from a blur collar family. She still has hope for you. What will happen when she learns who you really are?”

Jervis returns to the end of table, standing beside you. He gazes at you as he explains that those are the choices Jim has. Tetch reaches for Gordon’s gun and holds it out.

“Now it’s up to you.”

You looked at Jim wondering what is going on inside his head.

“Which,” Jervis points the gun at Valerie, “lady,” then at Lee, “has your heart? Who do you love?”

“You want me to choose? Tell these idiots to lower their guns. I don’t trust them not to shoot me by accident.”

“You’re right. They are stupid.” He chuckles. “Down boys.”

The two goons lowers their guns.

“Now you drop your gun.” He looks Jervis in the eye.

“Jim.” You sigh. “Really?”

“No, no, it’s alright, my dear.” Jervis chuckles. “Though she is right, why would I do that?”

“Because I’ll shoot you.” Mario Calvi comes into the room from behind you all, you only knew of him because he’s a Falcone, plus his engagement to Lee was in the paper.

“Brilliant.” You mutter to yourself.

“Well well,” Jervis gazes over his shoulder, the gun still pointed at Jim, “this was your grand plan, James? Play along until the doctor could sneak in and shoot me dead?”

You glanced back at Mario.

“But there’s only one small problem.” Jervis wasn’t the least bit concerned about the extra person in the room. “Before you arrived I went down to the basement and switched the magazine in that gun with an empty one.”

You couldn’t you were impressed. Tetch really thought this out apparently.

Mario tried to fire the gun, but Jervis spoke the truth as the gun only made a small clicking sound. You let out a small chuckle, instantly covering you mouth. This really wasn't funny, you were just impressed.

Jervis glanced down at you having heard you and smiled at you. He made you laugh! Oh how happy he was. He turned his gaze back to Mario.

“My apologises, I only set the table for five. Dumfree, will you please escort doctor Calvi to the bathroom?” They left. “Now, I’m out of patience!” He was raising his voice again and waving the gun around slightly. “Who do you love?” He pointed the gun back at Jim.

Your attention was back on the ex-cop.

“You want to talk about love, fine. Let’s talk about who you love.” Jim glanced your way and you furrowed your brows at him. No way! You’ve known Jervis a number of days. “Or loved.” Jim looked back at Tetch.

That was more like it.

“Don’t.”

“Your sister knew you were crazy.”

“Just stop it!”

Jervis hated Jim talking bad about him when you were in the room. He wanted to show you who Jim really was and perhaps impress you, but right now it was looking bad for him. He didn’t want to look at you and see your disappointment in him.

You were more confused than anything. You couldn’t say you were disappointed in Jervis because from the beginning you knew there was more to him than he let on.

“She was terrified of you.” Jim continued. “She hated you.”

“Enough!”

“She told me. What you did to her, when you were kids.”

You glanced up at Jervis, you remember what she said.

“The thought of you disgusted her.”

“Lies! Deceit! The sorry you tell is incomplete!”

“Jervis...” You want to reach out, but he’s still holding that gun. The last thing you want is to accidentally shoot someone. “She loved me!”

“She loved you? She killed herself rather than be with you.”

“She didn’t... no.” Jervis didn’t believe those words for a second.

“She impaled herself on a spike and died in agony because even that was better than having you touch her.” Jim didn’t stop.

“No, no, no, no ,no, no.” Jervis shook his head, he couldn’t even look at Jim. You were sure Jim was somewhat telling the truth, whether or not the fall was on purpose or accident, Alice didn’t want anything to do with her brother, but you didn’t like this sight. Jervis was becoming confused, sidetracked. Jim was spewing words at him and it was hurting him.

“I saw her when she was dying, her face when she knew she was finally safe from you, she was smiling.”

“Jim!” You hissed.

“Because despite the pain, she was happy.” He ignored you.

“LIAR! She was the only thing I ever loved!” Jervis stomped over to where Jim was sitting and pointing the gun right at his face. You stood from your chair concerned about what was going to happen. “And you! YOU, sent her soul to heaven above!”

Jim grabbed Tetch’s wrist.

“That’s right. Me. I’m the one you want, so let Lee and Vale go, keep me, but let them go.”

Jervis was so close to shooting him, but he took a deep sigh and lowered the gun. You let out a sigh of your own.

“Oh James, you’re trying to confuse me, but I won’t let you. No, I’m determined that you’ll live on and suffer without your love as I have. Choose.”

“No, I won’t choose.”

“You will. You will!”

Jervis returned to where you where standing at the end of the table, you looked awfully nervous. Tetch sighed as he gathered himself once again.

“I’ll make it easy for you, one the count of three, instead of telling me who you love, tell me who to kill.” The gun was being pointed again between the ladies.

You began to shift in the spot. At this point you just wanted this whole thing to be over. You didn’t think your heart could take much more of this.

“Or I shoot both of them which would be such a thrill.”

“One.”

You could feel your heart racing in your chest.

“Two.”

Jim kept looking between them both.

“Three.”

“Kill Lee.” Jim replied instantly.

Lee gasped.

Jervis pointed his gun at her. “Oh, finally!”

You took a step back as he looked at her.

“The truth is revealed. You chose Lee because you love Vale. Very well!” Jervis turned to gun to Valerie and shot her in the stomach. You covered your mouth in shock as you stared wide eyed at her.

You should have guessed Jim would play this game.

“I knew you had it in you, James. All this time, you made everyone believe you were the hero, but deep down you always knew the truth. You’re a villain!” Jervis opened up his arm with a smile.

Jervis turned to you, his business was done here.

“Come, my dear. Let’s go.” He held out his hand to you. You looked at Jim and the girls once more before taking his hand and leaving with him. You just wanted out of that room. Jim had made his choice.

You weren’t sure what was going to happen now.

Jim Gordon would never let Tetch get away with that. Tetch still won in the end and it was defiantly going to eat away at Gordon.

Now you wondered what was going to happen to you.

Jervis held you hand do gently as you both climbed into the car and drove off, far away from that house. You knew now what this man was capable of, yet here you were, willingly going with him.

Perhaps a part of you was mad too.

Tags:

@mistressoftorture @fandombeehive @awyr

#jervis tetch x reader #jervis tetch #gotham #the hypnotist #chapter 3

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supermacaroniandsqueezeblr · 6 years ago

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“Wizards” AU fic: Chapter Ten

I’m finally FINISHED at last!! This fic was a labor of love and passion for me, and I’m really happy that I was able to finally complete it. I hope you guys have all enjoyed the story, and I hope you all like the happy ending!

A few days after the events of the festival, Sean and Emilia had eventually decided to both tell their parents about their engagement to one another. Upon hearing the news, the king and queen were thrilled, for now their kingdoms could finally be united as one, and the two lovers would be crowned as the future monarchs. It was agreed that the ceremony would be held the next year on the first day of spring, and both that and the Spring Festival would be combined into a week-long celebration.

As the months passed along with the changing seasons and their corresponding festivals, Sean and Emilia grew closer together, and seldom a day went by when they weren’t seen spending time with one another. During the summer, they snacked on ripe strawberries and went stargazing in the evenings, and when fall and winter arrived, they drank hot apple cider and spent the nights inside the old oak tree they called home, curled up together underneath fluffy blankets to keep warm and reading stories to each other out loud. They felt safe and content in each other’s arms as they drifted off into a peaceful sleep. Sean himself felt like the luckiest guy around to have someone like Emilia, and Emilia felt very fortunate that someone like Sean loved her in return.

Eventually, the snow began to melt as winter slowly transitioned into warmer weather. The kingdom’s subjects knew it was time to prepare for not only the next festival, but for the royal wedding as well, and they wasted no time in getting to work right away. Under the instructions of the king, decorations were crafted, fruits were being harvested, and the utmost care and attention was given to the flowers and plants to make sure they looked their best for the big week. All the fairies could hardly wait, including Sean and Emilia, as well as their parents.

At last, the big day arrived, and the entire kingdom waited with bated breath for the ceremony to begin as they took their seats on rows of toadstools underneath an apple blossom tree. Both Sean and Emilia were excited, but very anxious at the same time. The bride-to-be was almost finished being dressed and made-up by the servants, while her soon to be groom was nearly done getting ready himself. He straightened out the white bowtie he was wearing, brushed his hair once more, then took a good look at his reflection in the mirror on the wall of his bedroom, drawing in and letting out a deep breath. Peter and Daryll, who were acting as Sean’s best men, were watching nearby.

“You nervous?” Daryll asked. Peter made a face at him and lightly smacked him on the shoulder for asking such an obvious question. “Ow! Sorry.” he replied.

“No, it’s alright,” Sean started. “To answer your question-y-yeah, I am...a little.”

“I’m sure it’s perfectly normal to be feeling that way before your big day, Sean.” Peter reassured him.

“I don’t know...it’s just that this has all been planned practically since the day I was born-and now, it’s finally happening.” The prince let out a sigh, his mind going back to all the lessons and wisdom his mother had taught him growing up, as well as all the interactions he had with Emilia during his childhood. “What if I’m not good enough to rule the kingdom?”

“Sean, what are you talking about?” Daryll exclaimed. “You’re going to be a great king!”

Peter nodded in agreement. “Yeah, you’re smart, hard-working, and I’ve never seen anyone quite as skilled in magic as you.”

“And besides, you’ll have Emilia to help you.” Daryll winked.

“But what if I’m not..good enough for her?” The thought briefly crossed his mind, and it was enough to make his stomach drop.

“Now that’s the craziest thing I’ve heard yet!” Daryll quipped, rolling his eyes. “You love her, don’t you?”

“Yes, with all my heart.” Sean answered.

“And she loves you, right?”

“Of course.” Reinstating that out loud made him feel much better, and pushed away those negative thoughts.

“Then there’s nothing to worry about! I think you’ll be just fine.” Daryll finished. “But you’d better hurry up! You don’t want to leave her waiting!”

“Alright, alright, I’m ready!” Taking another deep breath, he headed out with his friends following close behind. They landed at the foot of the apple blossom tree, his mother waiting there with a gentle, comforting smile. Sean smiled back. Just then, Jacob and his band, who were sitting off to the side, started to play a sweet concerto. The crowd went into a series of excited murmurs as two little flower girls dressed in pink fluttered in between, tossing pink petals from a woven basket. At last, they were followed by Emilia and her father. Giving her a smile and her hand a tight squeeze, he escorted her down the aisle.

Sean didn’t think it was at all possible for Emilia to look more beautiful than she did at last year’s spring festival, but his breath was taken away as soon as he saw her. She was wearing a gorgeous off-the-shoulder dress fashioned of white rose petals, and tied around her waist was a ribboned sash made of woven spider’s silk and dyed a peachy pink color. Hovering a few feet behind her, two other girls were holding up the ends of the ribbon, following along with each step she took. White roses and a spray of pearls on wire adorned either side of her head, and baby’s breath was scattered in her hair. A cobweb veil concealed her face, and a floral anklet on her right leg completed the look. When at last they reached the floral altar at the tree’s base, the others stepped aside as Sean turned to face Emilia. He lifted the veil, revealing her face to the crowd before her as she smiled warmly at him. Sean returned the expression, and in that moment, they knew that their love was truly meant to be. The music then stopped as the king began to speak.

“My fellow subjects!” he declared, stepping forward. “Today is a momentous occasion for us all! Not only does today mark the first day of the season of Spring, but today, the time has come for my daughter, her royal highness, Princess Emilia…”

As he gestured to her, Emilia smiled and bowed her head gracefully.

“As well as my son, his royal highness, Prince Sean…” the queen added, gesturing to Sean, who smiled and nodded.

“To take their places as the future king and queen of the mountain fairies!” the king finished, arms outstretched.

The crowd cheered and applauded before the king continued. “When our reign comes to an end, it shall be Sean and Emilia’s solemn duty, to protect this kingdom and its people-to rule from the heart, with wisdom and integrity.”

The queen then gestured for Emilia to step forward towards her as she reached into the pocket of her robes and pulled out her wand. “Dear Emilia, noble and pure-hearted,” she began as she gently waved it over the bride’s head. “You’ve shown knowledge and maturity beyond your years, and you always wear your heart on your sleeve with pride. These are the qualities that, when the time is ready, will greatly suit you in becoming who you are destined to be-Emilia, guardian of the forest glen-queen of the mountain fairies.”

As she spoke, a sparkling shower of fairy dust shone from the wand’s tip, and in a brilliant flash of light, Emilia found herself wearing a golden headpiece with a sparkling sapphire in its center, just like the queen was wearing. She grinned with delight as she gave a curtsy in appreciation, and the queen returned the gesture.

The king drew out his wand from within his robes as Sean stepped towards him. The future monarch closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly as the king waved his wand and began to speak. “Sean, dear lad, your hard work and dedication to your kingdom is truly remarkable, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that you’ll be a great ruler someday. Wear this hat with honor, for you shall become-Sean, leader of the Knights of Stardust, protectors of Dolan-king of the mountain fairies.”

With a touch of the wand and in the blink of an eye, Sean’s simple feathered cap transformed into a wide brimmed light green and blue hat. As he opened his eyes and looked upwards toward the new garment, he couldn’t help but think it suited him perfectly. He and the king bowed towards each other as more applause from the fairies followed, and then the king spoke again.

“May I have the rings?” he asked. At once, a small boy dressed in red and pink and wearing a yellow daisy cap appeared by his side holding a miniature satin pillow with two glistening dewdrop wedding rings resting on top. The king took the pillow, standing in-between the couple, as Sean took one ring and carefully slid it onto Emilia’s index finger, with that same sweet, shy smile she had come to love so much. Emilia smiled back and put the remaining ring on Sean’s gloved finger as they intertwined hands.

“Do you, Queen Emilia, take King Sean to be your lawfully wedded husband, and pledge your love and loyalty to him from this day forward, now and forever more?”

“I do.”

“And do you, King Sean, take Queen Emilia to be your lawfully wedded wife, and pledge your love and loyalty to her from this day forward, now and forever more?”

“I do.”

“With that, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” the king declared, smiling warmly. “You may now kiss the bride.”

Emilia, practically jumping up and down with excitement, closed her eyes and cupped Sean’s head in her hands, kissing him tenderly, as Sean did the same. As they kissed, a light breeze swept through the apple blossom tree above them, causing a shower of petals to flutter down, surrounding them. The crowd erupted into a frenzied applause, cheering wildly for the newlyweds. Even Peter and Daryll were finding it hard not to get a little misty-eyed. As the band began to play once again, Sean and Emilia walked down the aisle hand in hand as the fairies continued to clap with delight. One of the flower girls from before handed her a beautiful bouquet of white roses, as the newly crowned queen tossed it behind her. The guests leaped high into the air to grab it, but in the end, Gerda was the one to catch it, much to Greta’s dismay, as she crossed her arms with a huff.

The wedding reception that followed soon after was a grand celebration, complete with a great feast full of delicious food and desserts, including an extravagant three-tiered cake, as well as more music and dancing. But everyone had to agree that the stars of the afternoon were Sean and Emilia as they raised glasses of punch, giving a warm toast to the happy couple. And indeed, they couldn’t have been happier as they waltzed together, lovingly gazing into each other’s eyes. In that moment in time, both Sean and Emilia knew that with the other by their side, their future would be a bright one.

And of course, they lived happily ever after.

The End

#i hope this is good!!#i tried my hardest #emily's terrible fanfics #ralph bakshi #ralph bakshi's wizards #non disney animated films

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musiccansavelivestoo · 5 years ago

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Top 5 Favorite MTV VMA Performances

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Starting off #5 spot strong, I present to you Miley Cyrus Feat. Robin Thicke performing We Can’t Stop/ Blurred Lines.

After years of Miley shedding her Disney Channel image with videos circulating the internet of her smoking Salvia out of a bong, Miley had also contributed to the controversy of her childhood image being shed by shaving her hair off into a gender bending cut.

Miley started this legendary new era by coming out of a giant bear. The performance is filled with inflatable bears twerking with her, a foam finger, and a whole lot of tongue waving. Later in the performance R. Thicke comes out and performs a duet with Cyrus (Blurred Lines) while provocatively being twerked on by Cyrus. Thicke was under scrutiny by media outlets because he was a married man.

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As this countdown keeps going I’ve always remembered this performance as memorable. I present to you #4 best VMA Performance: Eminem performing his 2000/s medley “The Real Slim Shady/The Way I Am.”

Seeming I was only 5 when this performance rocked the VMA stage, I was genuinely fascinated with his 100 clones of himself. His image back then was bleached untoned hair, a white wife-beater tank top, and blue Levi’s. Coming in “guns-a-blazing” to Radio City Music Hall, Ny. Eminem storms the isles with his army of clones rapping vengeful, hateful lyrics to celebrities in the audience. ( Christina Aguilera/ Carson Daily) As he arrives to the main stage he changes songs to “The Way I Am” which is a song written about his critics over the years.

Slim Shady is Eminem’s sadistic alter-ego. This single coming off his highly anticipated next album, The Marshall Mathers LP, Which outsold Britney Spears’ debut album ...Baby One More Time and Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle, Eminem proved to be a force in the hip-hop industry.

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When I think of the VMA’s my INSTANT thought process goes to Ms. Spears herself. “Princess of Pop” earns herself the #3 spot on this countdown.

Over the years of shedding her teeny bopper image of the late 90′s, Spears’ has at this point in time been growing her over-sexual image by debuting her new era on the VMA stage. Being a two-time performer prior to this moment, Spears knew the pressure this performance had stacked up against the rest.

Emerging from a cage, being an over-sexual version of “Jungle Girl” Spears shows off her impressive choreography, and legendary hair flips. The point that stamps her 2001 performance as one of her most ICONIC performances is the fact that she carried around a 25 LB Albino Burmese Python across her shoulders. Making it look effortless and sexy at the same time, this performance has been recreated over the years for Halloween Costumes, talent shows, and comedy parodies, but will always go down in VMA history.

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This countdown is approaching the most legendary performances, but no one deserves #2 spot more than reigning “Queen of Pop” Ms. Madonna, and her counterpart “Princesses of Pop”, Britney Spears & Christina Aguilera. Also feat Missy Elliot. I present to you: Medley of Madonna’s Like A Virgin/Hollywood

Emerging from a giant wedding cake, Spears and Aguilera appear to be two gorgeous brides. Singing alternate verses of Madonna’s catchy 80′s song, Like a Virgin, The two role around the stage with choreography awaiting their “groom”. The song changes and Madonna appears with a tux and top hat on reclaiming her brides.

The moment that earned this performance it’s racy news media frenzy driven reputation happened after a wedding-esque choreography of tradition of groom and bride’s first dance. Madonna locks lips with Britney Spears and then turns to her alternate counterpart and locks lips with Christina Aguilera.

Background to this performance, Spears said in an interview years later the infamous kiss was mentioned by Madonna seconds from the live performance. Also Spears had just broken up with fellow singer Justin Timberlake over infidelity issues, and the camera positioned the reaction perfectly with her ex-boyfriend. DRAMMMMAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!

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THE TIME IS HERE. THE NUMBER 1 BEST PERFORMANCE IN MTV VMA HISTORY: Lady Gaga with her blood-drenched performance of Paparazzi.

Gaga having extreme success over the last 2 years promoting her debut album “The Fame”, graces the VMA stage for the 1st time showing the world she is a force to be reckoned with. After having 2 number one singles (Just Dance/ Poker Face) and 2 more successful singles afterwards, Gaga stepped on the VMA stage with her final promotional single, Paparazzi.

Laying on the ground center stage, performing her current number one song, “Poker Face” acoustically, Gaga sets the tone of the performance in what looks like a mansion set up from the music video. Looking up at the chandelier, Gaga sings, “ I pray the fame won’t take my life”. Transitioning to her newest single, Paparazzi, a song about how paparazzi’s influence on fame could potentially kill her, Gaga portrays that exact scenario live.

With extensive choreography, and a piano solo where she essentially induces self harm, Gaga begs of the paparazzi to tell her how to achieve ultimate fame in their eyes. Blood dripping from her abdomen, Gaga concludes this performance by literally hanging from the ceiling eyes glazed over and all eyes are on her. After all, fame brings on a life of always chasing the next high that fame gives. Death is the end result.

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theadmiringbog · 6 years ago

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Check off all the places where you greatly LIKE or DISLIKE spending time with other people—feel free to fill in your own at the bottom. We’ll call these your thrive and survive locations:

____ Bars

____ Nightclubs

____ Restaurants

____ House Parties

____ Cafés

____ Boardrooms

____ The Gym

____ Office Meetings

____ Conferences

____ Coffee Shops

____ Phone Calls

____ E-mail Check-ins

____ Video Chats

____ IMs

____ Nature

____ Pool Parties

____ Dinner Parties

____ Movie Nights

____ Casinos

____ Concerts

____ Black-Tie Events

____ Cocktail Parties

____ Backyard Barbecues

____ Theme Parks

____ Festivals

____ Networking Events

____ Sporting Events

Let’s identify the positions where you thrive and the ones where you merely survive:

Thrive: Look at the first set of places you checked off in the exercise above. Put the top three to five under “My THRIVE Locations” below. These are the places you look forward to going to and where you are your best self.

Neutral: Certain social situations could go either way depending on your mood or who’s there. They aren’t your favorite, but you don’t dread them. Look at the places that you didn’t check off in either exercise and add the ones that you encounter the most under “My NEUTRAL Locations” below.

Survive: Other places or scenarios always make you feel uncomfortable, bored, or unhappy. Take three to five of the places you checked off in the second set and write them under “My SURVIVE Locations” below.

My THRIVE Locations: ________________________

My NEUTRAL Locations: ______________________

My SURVIVE Locations: _______________________

The biggest mistake I see at events is when people hover at the boundary of the Start Zone. It’s a social trap. You’re catching people at a confidence low.

If you are an introvert and don’t like big groups, I highly recommend being what I call a Grazer. Instead of hitting the buffet once for a heaping plate, go up first for appetizers, again for the main course, and then again for seconds or dessert. Why? This is an easy way to take a break from a conversation or move to a new one-on-one.

With a first impression, you are a Triple Threat when you use your hands, your posture, and your eye contact.

When you walk into a room or are waiting to meet someone, keep your hands out of your pockets.

When Westerners and Europeans are in conversation, they tend to hold eye contact for an average of 61 percent of the time. He found that 41 percent occurs while talking and 75 percent while listening. Next time you’re talking to someone, try to objectively evaluate where you tend to fall on the spectrum.

Like any good people hack, Big Talk means skirting conversational norms, challenging chitchat status quo, and shirking social scripts.

I challenge you to try using our top-rated conversation sparkers:*

Instead of . . . Hack . . .

How’s work? Working on any exciting projects recently?

How are you? What was the highlight of your day?

What do you do? Working on any personal passion projects?

How’s the family? Have any vacations coming up?

Where are you from? What’s your story?

How’s it going? What are you up to this weekend?

Been busy? What do you do to unwind?

You mentioned that you volunteer with Big Brothers—have you always done that?

You asked for Argentinian wine—are you a wine aficionado?

I noticed that your purse is handwoven—did you make it?

I was curious about your accent—are you from here?

I was just looking at your bookshelf—you have great taste in reading materials!

Your name is beautiful—is it a family name?

I saw you posted some great pictures of your new dog on Facebook—what made you decide to get a dog?

I send people air plants instead of flowers.

“Great to know you, a friend of John is a friend of mine. He always knows the most interesting people.” “It’s a pleasure! Your name tag says you work at Ken’s Bakery—they are my favorite pizza in town! Have you always been a pizza aficionado?”

Why are raving introductions so powerful? First, you give people positive labels right at the start. Second, you tee up a great conversation and possible discussion topics for the people involved. Third, you get people talking about themselves—what they do and who they are, which produces dopamine. Yes, a raving introduction is ALSO a conversational spark. Boom: win-win-win.

We remember people who make us feel good and who make us want to be the best version of ourselves.

You can optimize an interaction by expecting optimal outcomes. Elevate people by hacking listening, highlighting, and expecting the best in those around you. Being a highlighter helps you be the highlight. Listen with purpose—always search for the good. Be the high point of every interaction by giving people a reason to remember you.

There are three main categories of commonalities that you can pull from at any time:

People: Mutual contacts are the best way to find threads of similarity. You can also liven up the conversation by searching for mutual friends.

Context: Think you don’t have anything in common? Think about the context of your meeting. Maybe you’re both on LinkedIn or both at the same conference. All you have to do is ask about it to get the conversational ball rolling.

Interests: Common interests are the best kind of threads because they introduce a topic you both invariably know a lot about, ripe territory for great stories and interesting conversation.

Here are a few openers and ideas for tapping into each type of commonality:

People

How do you know the host?

You work at ____, do you know ____?

I saw we are mutually connected through ____

You went to school, do you know ____?

I saw you speaking to ____, have you known each other for very long?

Are you a friend of the bride or groom / roommate A or roommate B / an employee or the boss?

Context

How long have you been a part of this group?

Do you usually come to these types of events?

Great venue, right?

Have you ever been to this conference / restaurant / event before? How long have you been living here?

I saw you are also a part of ____ LinkedIn group.

Interests

Love your pen / keychain / bumper sticker / shirt / hat. I am also a fan of ______ How long have you been a ___ fan?

I’m a fellow member of ____; how long have you been a part?

What are you up to this weekend?

I saw you also went to / studied / are a part of ____.

Wasn’t that speaker / presentation / raffle interesting?

You can get a conversation to go much deeper much faster if you use the spirit of the Five Whys. When you find a commonality, don’t let it pass by, ask the other person why it’s important to them.

When he can’t say “Me too,” he says, “Teach me.”

Here are some ways you can make “Teach me?” a thread:

I have never heard of that book—what is it about?

What an interesting career—I have never met anyone in your line of work before.

Tell me about it! I’ve actually never been out of the country, but would love to travel more. Have any insider tips for a beginner?

OCEAN

I stumbled upon something called the five-factor model. This psychological principle posits that all humans have five basic personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (easily remembered as OCEAN). And each and every person ranks either high or low for each trait.

Openness:

This trait reflects how you approach new ideas. It also describes how curious you are, your level of creativity, and how much you appreciate variety and originality.

High: Enjoys novelty, change, and adventure.

Low: Savors traditions, routines, and habits.

Conscientiousness:

This trait describes your approach to getting things done. It measures your self-discipline, organization, and reliability.

High: Loves to-do lists, organization, and schedules. Enjoys digging into the details and making things “perfect.”

Low: Typically prefers big ideas and strategy. Might find lists and schedules stifling and overwhelming.

Extroversion:

This trait describes how you approach people. Do you get energy from social situations, or do they drain you? This probably affects your talkativeness and optimism.

High: Gets energy from being with people. Tends to be cheerful and seeks out social time.

Low: Craves alone time and finds being with people draining.

Agreeableness:

This trait describes how you approach cooperation and working with others. It also speaks to how empathetic and quick to forgive you are, and how much attention you pay to the mental states of others.

High: Easy to get along with, very empathetic, and enjoys caring for others.

Low: More analytical, practical, and skeptical—prefers to keep emotions out of decisions.

Neuroticism:

This trait describes how you approach worry. It also explains how emotionally reactive you are to your environment.

High: Tends to be a worrier. Frequently experiences mood swings.

Low: Typically calm, stable, and has very little mood fluctuation.

OCEAN self-assessment

Openness

This trait describes your curiosity and affinity for new ideas. Check off the statements that sound like you:

If you are high in openness you:

___ Are very curious ___ Love to try new things ___ Are adventurous and a bit of a dreamer ___ Can be seen as unrealistic or not focused

If you are low in openness you:

___ Love habits, rituals, and routines ___ Honor and follow traditions ___ Are more pragmatic and data driven ___ Can be seen as closed-minded and inflexible

Based on your answers, where do you think you fall on the openness scale?

Conscientiousness

This trait involves the way you get things done. Check off the statements that sound like you:

If you are high in conscientiousness you:

___ Are very organized and detail-oriented ___ Love to-do lists, plans, and schedules ___ Are a perfectionist ___ Can be seen as controlling and rigid

If you are low in conscientiousness you:

___ Love broad ideas and don’t get bogged down in details ___ Are very flexible ___ Hate being boxed in with a plan or schedule ___ Can be seen as sloppy and unreliable

Based on your answers, where do you think you fall on the conscientiousness scale?

Extroversion

This trait is all about how you relate to people. Check off the statements that sound like you:

If you are high in extroversion you:

___ Are very talkative and tend to initiate conversations ___ Are assertive and expressive with your opinions ___ Feel energized and refreshed being around other people ___ Can be seen as opinionated and attention seeking

If you are low in extroversion you: ___ Are more shy and reserved ___ Enjoy alone time; being with lots of people can feel draining ___ Like your privacy and are more hesitant to share personal information ___ Can be seen as aloof

Based on your answers, where do you think you fall on the extroversion scale?

Agreeableness

This trait taps into your attitudes toward teamwork and decision-making. Check off the statements that sound like you:

If you are high in agreeableness you:

___ Tend to get along with people easily ___ Are trusting of others and love being on teams ___ Default to saying yes when someone asks you to do something ___ Can be seen as a pushover or passive

If you are low in agreeableness you:

___ Have a harder time working in groups ___ Are frequently suspicious of others’ motives ___ Default to saying no when someone asks you to do something ___ Can be seen as competitive or challenging

Based on your answers, where do you think you fall on the agreeableness scale?

Neuroticism

This trait speaks to your emotional stability and tendency to worry. Check off the statements that sound like you:

If you are high in neuroticism you:

___ Are a worrier ___ Tend to be moody ___ Are sensitive ___ Can be seen as too emotional or insecure

If you are low in neuroticism you:

___ Are stable and balanced ___ Are usually calm ___ Have faith that everything always “works out in the end” ___ Can be seen as unemotional or cold

The 5 Love Languages

Words of Affirmation:

People with this love language express their care through spoken or written word—love letters, texts, and verbal expressions of love.

Gifts:

People with this love language express their care through small gifts or tokens of appreciation—jewelry, candy, or flowers.

Physical Touch:

People with this love language express their care through touch—hugs, cuddles, pats on the back, loving embraces.

Acts of Service:

People with this love language express their care by doing things for others—cooking their spouse dinner, running errands, or crafting something for them. (If you couldn’t tell from the story about my dad, this is mine.)

Quality Time:

People with this love language express their care with their time. They want to simply be in the presence of the people they care about.

Another decoding method is to ask about old memories, favorite stories, and recent experiences. These are some of my go-to questions:

What’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

How do you celebrate your successes?

I really want to do something nice for our colleague who just had a new baby. What do you think we should do for them?

What’s your favorite thing to do on the weekends?

What’s the most interesting gift you have ever received? Given?

What’s your favorite activity to do with your friends?

Growing up, what did your parents do to celebrate your birthdays or your successes?

6 Needs - What We Value

As humans, we need both kinds of resources to survive and thrive. Foa and his research team proposed that each of us have a hierarchy of six needs that originate in our childhood. If these needs are met, we are able to grow up, gain independence, and feel secure in our surroundings and relationships:

1. Love

Affection, acceptance, and likability

2. Service

Support, care, and warmth to provide comfort

3. Status

Responsibility, praise, and titles to evoke pride

4. Money

Coin, currency, or tokens that have been assigned value

5. Goods

Tangible products, objects, or materials

6. Information

Advice, ideas, opinions, and teaching

In the Give column, put a check mark next to the resources you think you give frequently. In the Take column, put a check mark next to the resources you think you take frequently.

Occasionally, especially with the nonphysical resources like Love, Service, and Information, we give what we most want. We might crave Love, so we give it to everyone around us—even if they don’t deserve it. Or we might desire to be in the know, so we gossip in hopes of people telling us more. Does this ring true for you?

Each of us is oriented toward one of the six categories of resources.

Go through the following statements and give each a numerical rating: 0 = This does not describe me at all. 1 = This describes me somewhat. 2 = This describes me well.

Resource Meaning Total

Love

It’s important to me to feel accepted. It’s important to me to be liked by others. It’s important to me to feel like I belong.

Service

It’s important to feel the people in my life support me. It makes me feel special when someone does a favor for me. It’s important to me to feel cared for.

Status

It makes me feel great when someone praises me. I like to be in charge. It’s important for me to feel respected by others.

Money

It is important to me to be financial stable. I do my job mostly for the money. I think you have to have money to be completely happy.

Goods

I like to collect things. I often buy and give gifts. I can think of many objects in my home that have emotional meaning.

Information

I like to be in the know. I like to give advice. I enjoy teaching and learning.

Add up each section and put the totals in the far right-hand side. Which one gets the highest number?

Most people’s choices make sense to them. When they don’t make sense to you, it’s usually because you are being driven by a different primary value.

Add it to your stack. YOUR STORY STACK Trigger Topic Sparking Story Boomerang Current Events