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auburnaudry · 4 years ago

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Fractured Family - Matthew Tkachuk

Chapter 4:

A/N: I’m so happy so many people like this series because I really didn’t expect anyone to read it. So if you are following along thank you!!!!! Also I love happy endings so if anyone is worried this entire thing is going to be angsty... it’s not lol!

<—Previous Chapter Next Chapter—>

Summary: You finally are given the entire story of what happened between Matthew and your best friend.

Word count: 2393 words

You woke up feeling extremely tired. Reign was up all throughout the night which you chalked up to the new environment and the fact that he wasn’t in his own crib. You were surprised to see him still asleep when you looked over to check on him, he must have tired himself out from all the crying.

You weren’t sure what woke you, but now that you were up and the baby was still sleeping, you figured you would check your phone. You still hadn’t turned it on since the night before.

As the apple sign faded and your background appeared, the notifications started flooding in. 36 missed calls from Matthew along with 41 text messages. Right below Matt’s name was Kaylee’s. You had 102 missed calls from your best friend along with 12 voicemail and a countless number of texts.

They must know they really fucked up. You also had 3 missed calls from your mom and 10 new messages. You figured Matthew or Kaylee had reached out and asked her to get a hold of you.

Your were quick to call you mother back.

“Hello”

“Hi mom” you started but couldn’t hold back the sob that followed.

“Oh honey what happened” she started but knew you couldn’t respond until you caught you breathe so she continued “Matty called me last night and said there was a huge misunderstanding and you weren’t returning his calls, so he wanted me to check and make sure you and the baby were okay” she paused “are you okay?” She waited patiently until you were ready to talk. You started to relax and recompose yourself after breathing through the sobs.

“He is a complete asshole” you never cursed in front of your mom but your emotions got the best of you and you were sure she understood. After the breakup and during your pregnancy, she had some choice words for him as well.

“He shows up to my house after his date goes to shit and expects me to pick up the pieces and fix it. Then the next day he doesn’t even show to pick up Reign at our scheduled time” you start to ramble but couldn’t stop yourself.

“So I drive over to Kaylee’s to ask her what I should do and try and see if she could get a hold of him. I guess I was partially right about the fact that she could get a hold of him because when I got there, HE answered HER door” you paused “HALF NAKED” you yelled the last part because it really enraged you, the idea of him and your best friend doing inappropriate things together.

“Sweetheart, I spoke to him on the phone last night at great lengths” you rolled your eyes because your mom was gullible and would believe anything anyone told her. Matthew could have told her that he purchased property on the moon and she would 100% buy it.

“He told me you caught him in a compromising position but it wasn’t like that at all” she paused and waited for a response. When she didn’t receive one she continued “I think you should talk to him, hear him out”

“Why? so he can make up some excuse and tell me I’m overreacting and then I will forgive him and everything will go back to the way it was?.” You didn’t mean to get snippy with your mom but you were so angry with the situation.

“And what if I don’t want things to go back to the way they were? I hate sharing custody.” Your mother then cut you off.

“Honey he is the father of your child, it’s not fair to him or to Reign for you to prevent them from seeing each other” she sounded worried that you might never let Matthew see Reign again.

“That not what I mean.” You paused “I love him mom and I want to be a real family with him, I hate that our son has to split time between us.” You weren’t really sure why you were confessing all you feelings to your mom but you no longer had a best friend to turn to at the moment. “But he has to go a ruin everything, just like he always does”

“I think you really just need to talk to him and hear him out y/n/n.” Your mom was always right but you weren’t ready to admit that just yet.

As you pondered her words, Reign started to stir.

“Alright Reigns waking up I gotta go” you told her as you walked over to his pop up crib.

“Ok sweetie, call me later love you”

“Love you too” and with that you hung up and tossed your phone on the bed.

You picked up your son and got into a comfortable feeding position on the bed. You were now tired of hiding in a hotel room and also running out of the things you needed to properly care for your baby.

So when you finished feeding Reign you packed everything back up into the diaper bag and made your way to check out.

You decided you would go back to your apartment and just hope and pray that neither Matthew or Kaylee were there waiting. But as you walked through the front door of your home, you found that your prayers were most definitely not answered.

Matt was asleep on your couch clutching his phone tight to his chest. You tried you best to be as quite as possible but Reign started to cry and you knew it was no use.

Matt’s eyes shot open and he hopped up from his spot on the couch. You held your hand up indicating that you didn’t want him to come any closer.

“I’m going to go change Reign’s diaper and put him in his crib, then we can talk” he nodded in response, careful not to push his luck. You walked to Reign’s room and changed him. He didn’t get much sleep the night before so he was happy to nap for a little while longer. You grabbed the baby monitor and made your way back to the living room where Matt was waiting.

You sat yourself on the opposite end of the couch and stared down at your hands. You couldn’t even look at Matt’s face anymore you were so disgusted with him. You had always known that he was a player and had a reputation but you never expected this from him OR your best friend.

“It really wasn’t what it looked like” he started and you were already annoyed.

“So please explain to me what it was then.” You spat.

“After I left your apartment that night I called Kaylee. I needed her advice.” he paused “ I was really hurt by Lexi and then by you I just didn’t know who to turn to.”

“What are you even talking about, I didn’t hurt you.”

“I came over here that night because I needed you and wanted to talk and all you could say was ‘I thought you weren’t ready for commitment’” he wasn’t making eye contact with you anymore, instead he was looking at his fidgeting hands.

“Because that’s what you told me when you broke my heart Matthew, I can’t feel bad for someone who doesn’t want the responsibility of commitment but wants a girl to commit to them. How does that make any sense?”

“Are you kidding me right now. Yes, I was stupid for breaking up with you but I realized that during your pregnancy.” He was now almost yelling “and when I did realize that you were it for me and that I did want a committed relationship, you pushed me away and friend zoned me. I proved to you that I was in it for the long haul and you were the one that didn’t want me anymore.” You were so confused by his words.

“What?” Was all you could manage. You two clearly had very different memories of your pregnancy. While Matt was most definitely there for you and very attentive, he never expressed that he wanted to be with you again. But then you thought back to the gender reveal party. That was his way of showing you he loved you.

“I hadn’t slept with anyone your entire pregnancy, well starting from the time I found out. I thought you were going to take me back and I was working so hard. But after I kissed you at that party, I realized you were over me, you never brought it up and made it a point to friendzone me afterwards.” You felt horrible, you were so blinded by your own emotions that you didn’t see his the entire time.

“So I decided I would move on. I met Lexi and she seemed great. I thought I just wanted someone to commit to and I moved way too fast with her. When she told me she only saw me as a fuck buddy, I realized that I didn’t want to commit to just anyone, I only want you y/n” you saw a tear stream down his face and you realized it was the first time you had ever seen him cry.

“I came here to tell you how I felt that night but it came out all wrong, I was still angry with you for not taking me back during the pregnancy. I called Kaylee when I left to see if she could help me figure things out with you. I stayed at her place that night because she told me to get some sleep and we would figure out a plan to win you back in the morning. I forgot to set my alarm to come and pick up Reign and I overslept. And when you knocked on the door I had just woken up that’s why I was half dressed and that’s why I wasn’t returning your calls.”

You were frozen in your spot on the couch. You couldn’t tell if this was real or if it was all just a dream. This is all you wanted from Matthew since the second you broke up. It all seemed way too surreal.

“Why should I believe any of what your saying right now” you didn’t want to get your hopes up just yet. Your words were a little harsh considering he just confessed his love but you were never good with words or finding the right thing to say. You were still slightly hurt and wanted to make sure this wasn’t some elaborate plan to keep you from taking Matt’s son away from him for good.

“I have all my text conversation with Kaylee that you can read through, I’m sure we can go back and check her ring cameras, you can also just ask her yourself.” He was rambling trying to find a way to prove he wasn’t lying, but you knew Matthew well enough and knew when he was telling the truth.

“Ok ok I get it.” You said cutting him off. There were a few moments of silence before anyone spoke again.

“So what does this mean for us.” Matt almost whispered, kinda like he was scared to hear the answer.

“Well” you took a breathe “I’m in love with you Matthew Tkachuk, always have been and always will be”

“Buttttt” he continued for you.

“But this is going to take time, sometimes I feel like I’m your last options.” Hi face fell at your words “if you can prove to me that this is really how you feel and really what you want, we can talk about having a relationship later down the line.”

“I’m going to do everything in my power to prove it to you.” He gave you a small smirk “and I can start by taking you to dinner tomorrow night.” You chuckled a little, he always did know how to lighten a mood.

“That would be nice but we can’t, who is going to watch our son?” You questioned.

“I’ll handle all the logistics, you just be ready at 6:00.” He responded. He was now up and walking to your sons room.

“Where are you going.” You followed him.

“Well it’s still my turn to take Reign, and you look like you can use a break.” He said as he packed up the diaper bag. He picked up your son and put him in his carrier. “I’ll be back tomorrow at 6:00, be ready” he smiled and kissed you on your cheek. And with that he left your apartment.

You sat on your couch with your head in your hands after Matthew left with Reign. You needed a few minutes to collect your thoughts and process what just happened. You didn’t even realize how tired your were until you started to doze off. But your were abruptly brought back to reality when your phone started to ring.

“Oh my god you finally answered. Y/n, I can explain everything.” Kaylee voiced streamed through your phone but you were quick to cut her off.

“Kay wait, I’m sorry I ever doubted you. I was just having a hard time and was obviously thrown off by what I saw. Matthew explained everything to me.” You could hear her sign in relief on the other end of the phone.

“Oh....so you guys talked” she paused a little excitement in her voice “well how did it go, are you guys back together.”

“Not quit” you said, kind of ashamed.

“What do you mean, all you ever wanted was to be a real family with him, for him to fully commit to you. Now he finally does and what did you say?” She was clearly confused.

“Kay it’s gonna take time, we still have so many problems we have to work through. We need to take things slow so I know this is what he really wants.”

“What he really wants or what you really want?” You were thrown off. You had never really thought about the possibility that this isn’t what you wanted. If your relationship was just going to be fighting and worrying that he is hooking up with someone else when you weren’t together, did you even want it? Matthew was going to have to work really hard to prove that this is what you both want.

#Matthew Tkachuk #Matthew Tkachuk x reader #Matthew Tkachuk fic #nhl fanfiction #nhl x reader #nhl imagine #calgary flames

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ainsleymorgan · 5 years ago

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『MARILYN LIMA ❙ DEMIGIRL』 ⟿ looks like AINSLEY MORGAN is here for HER SOPHOMORE year as a COMPUTER SCIENCE student. SHE is 20 years old & known to be ORGANIZED, BENEVOLENT, INDECISIVE & OBSTINATE. They’re living in NOLAND, so if you’re there, watch out for them. ⬳ lexi. 23. pst. she/hers.

we’re back at it again folks! this gal has been bopping around my head for a good long while now - i apologize if this is an incoherent mess. give this a little like and i’ll slide into ur dm’s to plot smth ok ily

stats

— background. (death tw, grief tw, cancer tw)

The Morgans have a long, complicated history. Margaret and Callum meet near the end of college (she’s studying English, he lives in town) and fall rapidly in love. The only problem? Margaret’s engaged to her high school sweetheart. When Margaret ends up pregnant, she pretends like it’s her fiancee’s and has a shotgun wedding. Callum goes off to join the army and pretend like his heart wasn’t just shattered in two.

Years pass - Margaret gets her PhD in English and has another kid (this time with her actual husband). Callum leaves the army, gets married too (and widowed a few years later), has some kids of his own. But then they run into each other at a bar in a city far away from the last one they were in together, and it’s like nothing ever changed.

The two get married almost immediately after the divorce papers are signed, and have two more kids almost immediately after that. Margaret becomes an English professor, and Callum’s content with taking care of the gaggle of children their blended family has produced.

Five years after the last set of kids, Ainsley and her brother Tristan are born. They’re just as unplanned as their eldest sister was, but no less loved.

They quickly become the apple of the entire family’s eye, doted upon by their army of older siblings. The twins are late to walking, so they get taken to the pediatrician, who says that they’re so used to being carried everywhere by their family that they haven’t felt the need to walk yet. They’re set down more often, and quickly catch up to be able to run after their brothers and sisters.

Ainsley and Tristan are attached at the hip. Despite the attention from the rest of their family, the two maintain that specific bond only twins can. They make up a language that only they can understand, and throw tantrums whenever they’re out of eyesight of each other.

They’re happy kids, bright and bubbly. And loud. The house is always filled with screams and laughter. It’s an idealistic life, a perfect family.

DEATH TW // There’s an accident when the twins are nearly five. Nobody knows what happened - they swear they were watching the kids splashing in the lake - but suddenly, Tristan’s gone. His body is found in the water later that day. // END TW

GRIEF TW // Ainsley’s too young to understand what’s going on when they bury him. She gets quiet and shy, a once bubbly little girl drawing in on herself. All she knows is that her best friend is gone, and now there’s nobody to actually talk to.

They move soon after, to a town called Lovell, when Margaret gets a job at the local university. It’s something the family needs, after Tristan, and they hope that the change will help Ainsley open back up again.

She doesn’t, not for a while. She’s thrust into kindergarten, in a new town without her twin there to keep her grounded. Her teachers worry about her social skills - she seems to prefer painting or doodling to playing on the playground with her classmates. But slowly, surely, she starts opening up again as Lovell becomes home. // END TW

The Morgans decide that they like Lovell, and that they’re going to stay. They buy a nice house in a quiet neighborhood, with big trees for the kids to climb on. Ainsley breaks her leg falling out of one when she’s seven (she still has the scar on her knee from where a branch snagged).

As the kids get older and start moving out of the house, Callum decides he needs a project. He’s always loved cooking and restaurants. So he decides to buy one. Calls it the Main Street Diner (not very creative, but it tells you right where it is!), and starts really integrating himself into the Lovell community.

Ainsley spends nearly every afternoon there, sitting at the corner of the counter after school. Her siblings are old enough to babysit, but they’ve hit their moody teenage phase, and Ainsley wants nothing to do with it. Her mom’s either teaching or grading papers or reading, and that’s boring to a nine-year-old. So diner it is.

She spends most of her time at the counter drawing or painting. Each one is proudly displayed on the wall, marking her progress over time.

Sometimes she helps with little tasks, like sorting silverware or wiping down tables. Eventually, when she hits high school, she graduates to waiting tables to make some money of her own.

When it comes time to think about college, Ainsley decides she wants to go as far away from Lovell as possible. She knows everything and everyone in town - even some of the Radcliffe students who frequent the diner. Ainsley wants something new and interesting.

She looks at schools in California, eventually gets accepted to UCLA. Ainsley packs her bags and flies across the country. She learns to miss the comforts of home, but enjoys the independence being on the other side of the continent gives her.

CANCER TW // Halfway through her first year at UCLA, Ainsley gets a call from her mom. Dad’s sick, she says. Cancer.

Ainsley drops everything and moves back home. She takes a semester off of school to help take care of her dad while her mom continues teaching. He gets better, goes into remission, but there’s still the lingering fear that it’ll come back, that it’ll be worse, that she’ll lose him too. // CANCER TW

So she decides to transfer to Radcliffe. It’s local, in case anything happens, but she can still live in the dorms to keep some semblance of independence. And she gets to go for essentially free. She starts working at the diner again, to keep an eye on her dad, though she claims it’s just to make money. It’s a good set-up, for now.

— personality.

Ainsley is super artistic. Literally constantly drawing or writing or doing something creative. There’s usually paint somewhere on her clothes, regardless of how new the clothing is.

Also has this Thing against making her hobby her career, which is why she’s a computer sciences major rather than an arts major. She grew up watching her mom and dad turn their passions into their jobs, which seemed stressful and like it took some of the fun out of it. So she said no thanks.

She still really enjoys computers and coding - mainly web design. Hopes to become a full-time web designer after college, while throwing in some of the graphic design portions of web designing to sprinkle some of the artsy aspects of her personality.

Despite being a computer sciences major and pretty good with technology, she definitely prefers going analog in most of her life. Writes everything down rather than typing it into her phone or laptop, and goes through a million journals (also owns a million more blank ones).

This bitch definitely bullet journals.

Is a fairly organized person, but her room? An absolute mess. Ainsley says it’s an aesthetic mess (it’s not).

The only part she takes care of is the collection of plants on her windowsill. One of her notebooks is dedicated to their care schedule, and notes on how they’re doing.

Her bag is basically Mary Poppins’ tote, but make it a beat-up Fjallraven she bought during a 50% off sale three years ago. Has literally anything you could ever need in it. Paper, pens, snacks, water, first aid kit, you name it. Need some superglue or a needle and thread? Ask Ainsley.

Is simultaneously super indecisive and super stubborn. Will take a thousand years to decide on something, but once she’s picked it, she’s stuck on it.

Will die on any hill she feels remotely attached to.

That being said, she’s not a super aggressive person. Is actually pretty calm, still quieter than she was before Tristan. The human equivalent of a warm blanket.

Also super gay. So so gay.

(But she’s never been with a girl bc she’s got issues w feeling worthy of romantic attention!! Or any attention!!)

This bitch needs to go to therapy.

— wanted connections.

aka the part im so bad at

Where my Lovell locals at?

Friends - pls give this cinnamon roll ppl to fawn over she loves her friends !!

Enemies - idk if she’d think of them as an enemy but let ppl be mean to her so she can be kind of mean back

Crushes - either on her or ppl for her to crush on !! she will pine until the day she dies !!

idk what else im bad at this just love me and love Ainsley

#radintro #// god this is long and probably incoherent im so sorry #death tw #grief tw #cancer tw

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canaryatlaw · 7 years ago

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well....today was overall alright I guess, for a Monday. period days just aren’t very pleasant overall. but today was alright. I woke up to my alarm at 11 to find this morning’s situation I previously posted about (so. much. blood.), took care of that and hooked up my new period pain reliever device thing called Livia. It was on kickstarter months ago, and came a few weeks ago, so I stopped taking bc and here we are. it’s a little square thing that connects to a wire which splits in two and has an electrode attached to a gel pad on each end. you put the electrodes on your stomach (or wherever you’re having cramps) and turn it on, and increase the level until you feel a tingly feeling going on. it operates off the theory of something called TENS, basically with electric nerve stimulation or something like that (I’m a law person, not a science person). But as far as keeping cramps away it’s doing pretty good, I used it for most of the day and was good, so that was good. But yeah, I got ready, had instant mashed potatoes for breakfast because I was out of cereal and didn’t have any other substitutes, then took the bus to the train to the other train because it was in the single digits outside today (brrr). made it to school and stopped in the PAD office briefly to dump my stuff and spend a few minutes on my laptop typing up case briefs for the cases I read on Saturday (when I didn’t have my laptop with me so I hadn’t written briefs for them) because I knew, I just knew I was going to get called on, I can always tell, so I wanted to be prepared. somewhere in between all of this I checked my email and discovered a request for a second interview with the organization I interviewed with back in December and is currently my first choice job option, so I was fairly ecstatic about that. they wanted it to be in person, not over Skype, so I ended up scheduling it for the Friday directly preceding spring break, I’ll fly to NY on Thursday (skipping my Thursday night class) and do it the next day, so I was happy about all of this. I booked flights as well so that’s good to go. I made it all the way to the end of the period, even when he kept coming up with absent people and then had to pick someone else for a chain of like 5 people, and then on the last case of the day I get called on, which was fine because I was prepared, and we only had a few minutes left so I didn’t get any too difficult questions. Went back to the PAD office after that and started working on my Remedies reading for this evening. The reading assignments have always been super long (this week’s was 85 pages) but last week he basically said you don’t have to do all of it, just at least skim the cases, so instead of actually reading I read the case briefs of them off lexis and copied those into my notes, so that worked. Then I worked on the rest of my civil rights assigned reading for Wednesday so I could leave the book at school and not have to lug it back and forth again. I was really craving like, cake or something, but didn’t want to go anywhere outside because it was snowing again and still freezing, so I didn’t do anything until guy who hangs out in the office who has been growing on me came, and I mentioned it, at which point he offered to go grab it for me like I hoped he would and I said I’d buy his coffee, so I ordered the two things from the starbucks app (I got the iced lemon pound cake) and he ran down (the starbucks is across the street) and returned a minute later with them, so I was pleased with that. Class time rolled around, so I went up to class. Sort of tuned in and out for a while, still taking decent notes and keeping up with the conversation at least. Lots of talk about damages, which is to be expected being that it’s a class based on Remedies, and damages make up a huge portion of remedies for cases. So just stuff like consequential damages and liquidated damages and when they can be counted as a penalty that won’t be enforced by the court for being against public policy, and fun stuff like that. He let us out around 7:30, an hour early, because he knew some of us have long commutes (I didn’t raise my hand when he asked; mine takes about an hour but I know those who live outside the city have much longer ones) and he wanted to make sure we all got home okay with the snow, which was of course greatly appreciated. So I took the red line to the brown line, but then when I went to check when the next bus was coming to the brown line stop the next bus was 30 minutes out (they’re only ever supposed to be 20 minutes apart) and I was like oh fuck no, I’m not waiting for half a fucking hour when the remaining distance is relatively small (though would not be a pleasant walk, especially in current conditions, a bit too far for that). So I sucked it up and got an uber for the last mile or two, which got me home at a decent time at least. Got home and got some food, then turned on tonight’s episode of Supergirl, which I thought was super interesting. I loved their whole plot with Julia/Purity and that climax scene when Alex basically talks her down and gets her to fight it off, and suddenly this innocent person is back, and offers herself to save Alex (which, while very noble, sadly played right into Reign’s plan). I then loved Kara’s line at the end about saving them instead of defeating them, because I sooooo badly want that to be the solution to this season and not end up with a dead Sam and abandoned Ruby, so I really hope that’s the path they go down. but yeah, I enjoyed the episode, which is always good. after that I wound up calling my dad, which lead to a somewhat tense discussion over job options, where he was telling me he has connections with the people conducting the interviews at the DA’s office, and I told him I’d really prefer to get a job that I got on my own merit, not his, not like how my brother did, and he wasn’t happy to hear that because he was like “what have I been working my whole life for then?” and like, my dad has made a great reputation for himself. but when people see my last name I want them to think of the things I’ve done to give it meaning, not the things my dad or brother had done. If it works out like that I will take a job in the DA’s office, but I’d much prefer a position that I knew I got on my own merit, not who my father is. because I’m well-qualified, dammit, I worked my ass off to get in the top 15% of my class, working 16 hours a week in addition to being a full time student for a full year to gain the experience and training I needed to excel in the area I want to go into. I want to get offered a job because it’s something I earned, not because I was born into the right family and can get a job through nepotism. There’s a reason I decided to go to law school halfway across the country, where nobody knows my last name, and I have a blank slate where I can make a name for myself. of course, job options in Chi are not looking great right now. I emailed my former prof about a position in the PD’s office in the juvenile division, but I’d have to apply to the general office and then wait to get transferred to the juvenile division once I’d gained enough seniority (it’s relatively low on the rotation, maybe the second or third stop after things like traffic court and DV court) to get to the juvenile division. but of course that also risks the chance that I’d be assigned to the child protection division, where I would have to defend the parents in abuse and neglect proceedings, something I never intend on doing. Like, honestly, I would have no problem defending in criminal cases. I would have no problem defending someone who was guilty of murder. But I will never defend an abusive parent, because the parent’s lawyers are the only players in that system who have an objective that differs from the best interest of the child, and I never ever want to be in a position where it’s my job to argue something that is not in the best interest of a child because it’s what my client wants. So yeah, give me murderers or death row cases, I’ll happily do that defense work (my dad is a criminal defense lawyer primarily after all, so it’s not like I haven’t had plenty of exposure to it), but don’t ask me to defend an abusive parent to the detriment of their child. that I will never do. but anyway. We talked it out a bit and eventually hung up, at which point I decided to start watching Game of Thrones, which I was told to watch as much as I can this week because apparently we’re going to a GoT themed con on Saturday. I tried to get HBO Go to work through my roommate’s apple tv, but the thing is so old it doesn’t function very well and kept stalling on me to the point where it wouldn’t even play the episode i just said fuck it and paid the two bucks to get the episode off Amazon prime video. I’ve been reading Daenery’s page on the game of thrones wiki so I had some idea of what happened with her, but everything else was fairly confusing, though I think I had a pretty good grasp of what happened. Definitely not used to the nudity and the gore (so many beheadings, ick) but hopefully I’ll get better with that. I didn’t realize Sansa was so young at the beginning of the series, I definitely thought she was older. They all looked pretty damn young, and the adorable small child I was informed is named Bran Stark did a great job of being very cute. Daenery’s storyline was of course hardcore cringeworthy, getting married against her will (even if it is to Jason Momoa) after dealing with her gross asshole of a brother, and then getting legit raped on her wedding night was just pretty damn horrifying to watch. I like her character a lot though, so I’m looking forward to seeing how that goes. And yeah, when that ended I started getting ready for bed and here we are. I don’t have to do anything tomorrow until PT at 1, but I’m gonna try to get up at 11 and make a target trip beforehand to pick up a prescription and grab some groceries, because if I wait until afterwards I probably won’t have enough time to do my secured transactions reading and be done in time to watch The Flash and Black Lightning, so I’ll try to be somewhat more productive, even while still sleeping in a while. so hopefully that will go well. And yeah, that’s it for now. Goodnight my loves. Hope your Monday didn’t suck.

#daily journal #February 2018

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theperksofgracie · 5 years ago

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The Locket, Chapter 1

Warning: Contains mature language and violence such as abuse

I walked into the classroom slowly, looking around. Everything seemed to be normal as it always was; Maddy was in the center of the room, surrounded by her minions. Jackson, my best friend since we were born, was sitting to the left. He looked up at me and smiled when he saw me come in. I made my way to my seat, making sure to avoid Maddy in every way possible.

"Isn't it gorgeous! My mom bought it for me," Maddy said, admiring her new bracelet.

"Oh, Maddy! That's sure going to get you all the boys," yelled one of her minions.

I rolled my eyes. Maddy, Victoria, and Lexie. The it-girls of Bellview High. Maddy was the prettiest and most popular girl at school. It surprised me how many guys swooned over her, considering how much of a bitch she was to everyone. And then there were Victoria and Lexie, who were her followers who worshipped her every move, or what I like to call them, her minions.

"Hey Callie, has your mom ever bought you something this pretty?" Maddy said as she gave me a look. Victoria and Lexie laughed at me, calling me a loser and a nobody.

"No. My mom doesn't have to buy my happiness," I said in a tone that set her off. She narrowed her eyes and stood up. "I'll be right back girls," she said in a sweet voice. She walked over to me and put her hand on my shoulder. I flinched as she did and she gave me a weird look. She bent over and looked me right in the eyes.

"I don't know what game you're playing, but knock it off. You are never going to be like the rest of us, so stop trying to fit in." She laughed and straightened her back. "No one even likes you!"

"Excuse me, but I do." We both looked up to see Jackson standing next to Maddy. She laughed and narrowed her eyes before bending over to whisper in my ear, "I'm watching you." She straightened her back and sauntered away with a sly smirk on her face making it clear to everyone that she had once again won.

Jackson sat down next to me. "It's okay, don't listen to her," he said, comforting me.

"Don't worry, I don't," I said as I rolled my eyes.

I looked over at Maddy and saw her whispering to her friends. They looked over at me and I gave them a little smile and a wave. They rolled their eyes and started whispering again. I turned and looked down at my desk and started tracing my finger along the marks from the wood.

"Excuse me, Callie, can I see you for a moment?"

I turned around and faced the voice.

My teacher, Ms. Matthews was standing behind me. She had a look on her face that made me nervous. I followed her out of the room into the hallway. Uh oh.

"Where is your locket? You know you could get suspended for not having it on. It's a rule in the commun-"

"I know Ms. Matthews. I'm sorry."

"Well, where is it?"

"I...uh," I murmured. I looked down at my feet. I hate when I do this.

"You what? Spit it out!"

"I left it at home."

She scolded me and shook her head.

"You know how important it is to wear them! If one of the authorities were to catch you without it..." she trailed off without finishing her sentence after seeing the look on my face.

"Just be careful, Callie. Don't forget it again. Now, take your seat."

"Mom, I'm home. Mom?" I walked inside the house and stood under the huge chandelier in the entrance hall. "Never mind then," I muttered.

I went to the kitchen looking at all of the cookies and chips we had. I yearned for it, but I knew it would be bad if I ate some, so I grabbed an apple and gently sat on the couch. I picked up the remote and turned on the TV.

Just as I was making myself comfortable, the doorbell rang.

'Uh oh,' I thought to myself.1

I opened the door to see my parents standing with groceries in their hands.

"Well? Move!" yelled my dad.

I moved out of the way so they could come inside.

"Hello sweetie," my mom said quietly. She leaned down and gave me a kiss.

"Get me my drink," slurred my dad. I ran and got his drink and handed it to him. He grabbed it out of my hand, spilling some on the floor.

"Clean that up. Now."

I ran and grabbed a towel and floor cleaner. I walked over to the stain on the carpet and started rubbing it with cleaner. I sighed. This is how my life is. I go to school, I get bullied; I come home, I get yelled at. What a life.

As I finished up cleaning the alcohol from the floor, I heard a crash. Seconds later I heard a loud smack followed by a shrill scream.

I jumped up and ran to the sound to see my mom on the floor with blood running down her cheek. I slowly looked up at my dad, a tear falling down my face.

I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to slap him across the face and shove him out the door. Out of my life. I wanted to hurt him the way he had hurt my mom so many times before. But I couldn't. That's what hurt the most about seeing my father; knowing that I can't do anything about everything he does to us.

I took my mom's hand and hurried her to the bathroom to clean up her wound. I apologized for letting this happen but she put a finger on my lips.

"Callie, don't blame yourself for any of this. I'm to blame," she said as she looked away from me.

"No mom, you're not. He's to blame," I said as I pointed my finger out the door to my 'dad'.

After I cleaned her up, I walked out into the room. I quietly passed my dad trying to make no sound, but of course, I had to bump into something.

"Callie!"

I winced at his voice.

"Yes?"

"Come over here right now!"

I silently walked towards the evil man, my head watching the ground. "Yes?"

"Why did I come home to the floor not vacuumed? I thought I told you to vacuum it!"

"But I did vacuum it! I promise!"

"Bullshit!"

He stood up and approached me. The house was dead silent, nothing moving. "Never disobey me again! I thought you learned your lesson, but I guess not."

He raised his hand, and brought it down to my face, shattering the silence.

Thanks for reading! I hope you all enjoyed :)

#fiction #story #writer #thelocket #ya #youngadult #romance #scifi

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shotsbyshae · 5 years ago

Text

Can’t Fight the Moonlight

A Lexi Wilson Story. A simple date night for Lexi doesn't go as planned when her boyfriend isn't himself, throw the Winchesters in conveniently at the right place, right time and all hell can break loose.

OCs:

Lexi Wilson: Chloe Bennet

Oliver: Christian Kane

Lexi reached across the kitchen counter with one hand and grabbed her phone as soon as the 'ping' sounded, which indicated a new text message. She took a bite from the green apple in her other hand as she pulled up the text message.

Ollie:

Dinner tonight? I might already have reservations for that Italian place you like so much.

A smile crossed her face as she typed in her response.

I'd love to, what time?

She waited patiently for the quick response.

7, I'll pick you up

She slipped the phone into the back pocket of her jeans and tossed the apple in the trash before she made her way to her bedroom. She flipped the light switch to illuminate her small closet, revealing an assortment of various shirts and dresses all hanging neatly. She slid a few hangers as she searched for something nicer than blue jeans to wear to dinner. Her whole body froze when she saw the black dress which clung to a red hanger and she thought back to the day she'd first saw it.

Flashback

Lexi stood in the crowded mall staring at the black dress on the mannequin in the window. It was low cut in the front with long sleeves, the style was tight and it stopped about mid-thigh length. It was solid black with a lace overlay, and she could envision dressing it up or down depending on her shoe choice.

"Please get it," the short haired red head beside her pleaded.

"Why?" she looked quizzically at Charlie, "Where in the world would I ever wear that to?"

"On a date," her friend responded, "You know, with a guy you actually care about."

Lexi laughed a little to herself, "Yea right, I'm happy with the way things are, no strings and such."

Charlie looped her arm around the dark-haired girl's arm, "But one day, one of your little flings may turn into something more and what better way to 'wow' the guy than that."

The red head pointed back toward the mannequin with a sly smile on her face.

"No, if I buy that dress I'm setting expectations for myself," she responded, "I'll pass."

"If you say so," Charlie responded and tugged her friend in the opposite direction, "Let's go get a giant cookie instead."

The dark-haired girl smiled and followed along with her friend. Charlie was the ying to her yang, she couldn't ask for a better friend.

The next day Lexi was sitting on her couch with her computer in her lap, reading local news stories for anything out of the ordinary, when there was a quick knock on her front door, and in burst Charlie.

The red-head had a huge smile on her face and Lexi moved her computer to the coffee table as she moved closer.

"What are you doing here?" she questioned, "I thought you were headed to the bat cave?"

"I am, Sam needs my help with something," Charlie responded, "But first, I had to bring you this."

Lexi looked suspiciously at her friend who sat down on the couch and handed a bright blue bag over to her.

"I know you said you didn't want to set expectations for yourself," Charlie began with a smile, "So, I thought I would set them for you."

Lexi pulled the black dress she'd seen at the mall the day before from the bag and smiled a little, "Charlie, you shouldn't have."

"But the way your eyes lit up when you saw that dress," she began, "I had to. I look forward to the day when you find that right guy and you finally decide to wear it."

Lexi laughed out loud, "You'll be disappointed when that day never comes."

"Bull crap," Charlie began with a smile, "I'll take you out on a date before that happens."

The dark-haired girl smiled warmly, "Sounds like a plan."

The red-head leaned over and hugged her friend tightly, "I've got to go, I'll text you later."

Lexi watched as her friend made it back over to the door, "Charlie."

She turned from the door to look at Lexi.

"I love you," the dark-haired girl said.

Charlie smiled brightly before she opened the door to leave, "I know."

Lexi reached up and wiped the tears from her face and she smiled as she pulled the hanger from the closet and laid the dress gently across her bed before she headed for bathroom.

Oliver and Lexi sat across from each other in a small crowded restaurant, the lighting was low which provided an intimate setting.

"Have I mentioned how beautiful you look?" he questioned as he laid his fork down on his plate. There wasn't much left of his chicken marsala.

The girl smiled sweetly before she took another bite of her chicken linguine, "Once or twice."

"I mean," he began, and Lexi felt like he was acting a little off, "I really lucked up with you."

"Ok," she said warily and she couldn't help but notice the expression on his face. He slightly bit his bottom lip, as if she looked appetizing.

"What do you say we get out of here?" he stated, "There's a bar I know not far from here, we could get a few drinks, maybe play some darts?"

"You hate darts," she responded, she knew pool was more his style, but he hated the bar scene.

"Who cares," he quipped, "I have a smoking hot date, isn't it okay if I want to show you off?"

Lexi wasn't sure about this situation, something was off with him. You're just overanalyzing the situation, she told herself, stop trying to find something wrong with him and just have a good time.

"Just don't get mad when I kick your ass at darts," she said with a smirk as she laid her fork on the table.

"We'll see about that," he remarked as he motioned for the check.

The bar was crowded for a Friday night, various singles and couples scattered about drinking, playing pool and darts. A long blonde haired waitress in a denim skirt with a tight white tee placed two beer bottles on the table in front of them and smiled innocently at the green-eyed man who was giving her his best smile. She turned and walked away, knowing both men at the table were more than likely watching the sway of her hips as she left.

"Yep," Dean looked back to his brother approvingly, "I told you coming out tonight was a good idea."

Sam looked as his brother disapprovingly as usual, "What am I doing here if your plan was a booty call?"

The older man shook his head, "That's not what this was about. We've been cooped up in either the bunker or the car, knocking off one monster after the next for those British dicks, we deserve a night off."

The longer haired man nodded his head in agreement as he took a sip from the bottle in front of him, "So, I've been thinking, at the rate the Brits are trying to eradicate monsters, do you think that's going to slow down work for us within the next couple years?"

Dean shook his head quickly, "I don't think it's possible, why, thinking about going back to law school Sammy?"

The laugh that erupted from the younger brother caused him to choke on his beer, "Yea right."

Dean turned his bottle up as Sam continued, "But seriously, I mean hypothetically speaking, if their plan does work, that would lead to a lot of down time, maybe we could have lives outside of hunting."

It was the first time in a long-time Dean had seen such a hopeful expression on Sam's face, he didn't want to ruin the night by crushing that hope, "I mean, if you think you can and that's what you want, go for it Sammy."

The younger brother smirked, "I was talking about both of us, after all, you're already one step closer than I am."

Dean looked at his brother confused, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean," Sam began hesitantly, "First off, there's Lexi."

It was the green-eyed man's turn to choke on his beer, "Wh..What?"

"You may be fooling yourself, but I'm your brother," Sam stated, "I know you better than anyone else. I've seen the way you look at her when she's not looking. Hell, I can tell when she's the person texting you."

The older brother shook his head slightly, "Lexi's just a friend."

"Keep telling yourself that," Sam took a sip of his beer, then added with a disapproving head shake, "Can't believe you've friend zoned the sister-in-law I never knew I wanted."

Dean ignored the comment as Sam continued with his, now playful, comments, "I mean, if someone had asked me a few years ago, what kind of woman would Dean Winchester marry, I would have laughed and said she'd have to meet one of two qualifying traits, stripper or porn star."

Even his brother had to laugh at the statement, before he took another sip from his beer, "I guess everything changes."

Sam smiled genuinely, "That they do."

The green-eyed man watched as his little brother's eyes widened at something he was seeing behind him, so Dean turned instinctively and watched as Lexi made her way into the bar, she was turning more heads than just his in the dress she was wearing. He quickly noticed the man who was with her, he had one hand protectively at her waist and he was dressed in black slacks with a light blue button up shirt and a black tie he had loosened up some from his neck.

"Should we say hi?" Sam questioned quietly as they watched the two of them move to a table closer to the dart boards.

Dean shook his head, "Probably not."

Lexi took a seat at the table and instead of sitting across from her, Oliver took the chair beside her and scooted it across the floor to be closer to her.

The same blonde haired waitress made her way to the table and the flirty smile she gave the man beside Lexi evoked a smile from him.

"We'll have two beers sweetheart," Oliver said, smile still plastered on his face.

The girl made note and walked away and Lexi looked over at her date in shock, "Since when are you such a flirt?"

"What do you mean?" he responded as he pulled his gaze away from the view of the waitress as she walked away.

"I mean, I'll get her number for you if you want," Lexi popped off the annoyed tone evident in her voice, something was off with Oliver, she wasn't sure what it was, but this wasn't like him.

"Only if it's a little ménage a trois," he replied with a wicked grin.

Lexi rolled her eyes and stood up, "Are we playing darts?"

Oliver could tell he'd pissed her off so he stood up and wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her close, "Hey, I'm sorry. I don't know what's got into me, too much wine at the restaurant maybe?"

She smiled a little, as much as she hated to, when she looked into his eyes and he continued, "I promise to be on my best behavior starting now. You know you're the most important person in the world to me."

He kissed her lips gently before he pulled her closer to the dart board to start their game.

Meanwhile, across the bar…

"We can go if you want," Sam offered, he knew this was making his brother uncomfortable.

Dean just shook his head as he subtly looked back across his shoulder at the couple.

The two brothers watched as Lexi appeared to get more and more irritated with her date. He had flirted with at least two other waitresses as the night progressed.

"What's his problem?" the older brother questioned Sam, who shrugged his shoulders.

They watched as Lexi made her way across the bar, headed for the bathrooms no doubt, and the man she was with took a seat back at their table.

"I'll be back," Dean whispered to his brother as he slid out of his chair.

"Dean," the younger man hissed, but his brother slipped away toward the bathrooms.

Lexi had turned down the hallway that lead to the bathrooms, she was pissed and if it were anyone else, she'd already left, but this wasn't like Oliver. Something was up and she wasn't sure what it was yet. There were a couple people who passed her, making their way back to the bar room. She felt someone gently touch her lower back and she turned quickly.

"Dean!" her voice was quiet, but startled, "What are you doing here?"

Dean held up one finger then indicated her dress with it, "First, wow, just wow."

Lexi could feel the blush in her cheeks and she couldn't help but look at her feet to hide the smile on her face.

"Second," he continued, "Why didn't you tell me your boyfriend's a douche? Come on Lex, you…you don't deserve that crap."

She looked back up at him earnestly, "You think I don't know that? That's not Oliver, I don't know what's going on with him, but I know him well enough to know, that's not him."

Confusion washed over Dean's face and hunter instincts kicked in, "You think he's possessed?"

"No," she replied, then shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. I don't exactly have a flask of holy water on me right now."

She saw his eyes travel her body again, "Nope, nothing else is fitting in that dress."

"Dean," her tone was stern.

"Sorry, just an observation," he replied innocently, "Okay, you distract lover boy in there and I'll slip some into his beer."

Lexi nodded her head and moved past Dean back toward the bar room, leaving the hunter to watch her walk out, but instead of the usual smirk he would have, a tinge of sadness graced his features.

The dark-haired girl kept her date occupied at the dart board while her friend slipped the clear liquid from the flask in his jacket into the beer on the table and waited till he was on his way back to his table before she moved to get the beer.

"What was that about?" Sam questioned as his brother took his seat back at the table.

"Turns out," Dean began quietly watching as Lexi handed the man his beer, "He's not a douche, he might be possessed."

"What?" the younger brother asked in shock.

They watched as the man across the bar turned up his beer bottle and chugged the rest of the liquid down with no reaction.

"Not a demon," Dean stated, "So, that still leaves douche as a possibility."

Lexi was frustrated when Oliver drank the beer without any problems, she was so lost in thought she hadn't noticed the waitress had brought him another beer. The 'smack' sound that his hand made against the blonde woman's ass wasn't extremely loud, but it was loud enough to get her attention.

"Seriously?" Lexi was pissed and the waitress walked away, this might not be Oliver, but she was done for the night. She threw her hands up in exasperation, "I'm out."

She turned to leave and the hand that grabbed her arm was stronger than any normal person should be, he jerked her back to look at him.

"You're not going anywhere babe," he said simply, "We haven't finished our game yet."

"Take your hand off me," she seethed through gritted teeth.

"Dude, not cool," a twenty-something dark-haired man who had been playing pool had walked over to the altercation.

"None of your business bro," Oliver retorted, tightening his grip on her arm.

Fight mode set in for Lexi and she swung with her free arm and landed a perfect right hook, unfortunately it didn't seem to bother him much and he flung Lexi back toward the table they had been seated at. She fell before she reached the table and caught the corner with her forehead above her right eye causing a gash.

The brothers were across the bar before Lexi could sit back up. Oliver had just punched the guy who was trying to intervene in the face when Dean landed a fist into this abdomen.

"You son of…" Dean hissed into his ear before he pushed the man backwards to get another shot in on his face.

Oliver moved back out of the hunter's grip and held his hands up in surrender as one of the bar's bouncers made his way over to escort Lexi's date out of the building.

Sam had gathered Lexi up from the floor and was examining her forehead, "You okay?"

"I'm great," she said sarcastically as she gingerly touched the gash with her hand.

The front door to Lexi's little home flew open and it was obvious from her demeanor, the dark-haired girl was angry. She walked over and leaned against her kitchen counter for balance as she pulled the black heels from her feet.

"We should have gone straight to Oliver's," she stated angrily to the two men who had followed her into the house.

"We at least need to get a bandage on that," Sam indicated the gash on her forehead, "and a change of clothes maybe."

Lexi nodded her head, thoughts running through her mind, "Right, I'll be back."

She took off down her hallway to her room, she'd been racking her brain on the car ride home as to what could possibly be going on with Oliver. That wasn't the man she'd come to know over the past six months, or maybe she didn't know him at all. What if it had all been just a façade? Stop it! She scolded herself as she tossed the dress she'd slipped off onto her bed, and pulled a pair of jeans from her dresser. There's a logical explanation to this, she tried to remind herself as she pulled the black t-shirt over her head. The pain from the fabric rubbing across the wound reminded her to grab the bandages and antiseptic from the bathroom medicine cabinet. She watched herself in the mirror as she dressed the gash, then slipped socks on before pulling on her tennis shoes.

"Let's go," she announced as she made her way back into the kitchen and Sam tossed her a bottle of water he'd gotten out of her fridge, "His place is about fifteen minutes from here.

The three hunters climbed from inside the car and Sam took note that Oliver's home was located in a very populated neighborhood and quickly noticed the CCTV cameras located high upon the power poles, so he grabbed the satchel he kept his laptop in. They approached the house and Dean saw the door was already open before he reached for the knob, he quickly pulled his gun from the back of his jeans and held it ready in front of him as he pushed the door all the way open.

The house was a disaster, there was a broken mirror on the living room wall with a fresh blood smear, broken furniture was slung about and it was obvious there was a massive fight in this house.

Dean walked about processing the scene before him when he noticed a picture frame lying in the floor, he reached down and picked it up. The glass was shattered, but the smiling faces of Oliver and Lexi could still be seen. He laid the frame over on the kitchen counter, before he turned back to look at his brother.

Sam had already pulled out his laptop and quickly typed away, he noticed Dean was looking at him, "There's some CCTV cameras outside, I'm trying to pull them up, surely we'll have a shot of someone leaving the house."

Lexi had moved across the room to the large bay window located across from the kitchen. The curtains were pulled back and the light from the full moon outside lit up area. She noticed the pistol lying on the floor, half of it lit up from the moonlight and she bent down to pick it up. It was Oliver's and he never went anywhere without the thing.

She turned and saw Dean had made his way over to stand beside her and she said softly, "What the hell did he get himself into?"

"Can you think of anyone who has a grudge against him?" Dean hated the way the sentence sounded, like he was interrogating a stranger.

"He's a hunter," Lexi stated with a shake of her head, "Who doesn't have a grudge against us?"

This news surprised Dean, he'd never really thought about what the guy did for a living, but it made perfect sense, he knew that deep down she wouldn't be happy with someone she couldn't be herself around.

Lexi could see the surprised expression on his face as she tucked the pistol into the waist of her jeans at her back.

"Don't look at me like that," she said quietly, "Things change."

"Yep," was the only response he offered.

Sam's voice broke the silence, "I've got something."

The two hunters approached him at the kitchen bar and saw the footage on the screen as what looked like Oliver on the street in front of his house, dragging someone across the sidewalk to the truck which sat at the curb. Lexi noticed the time on the screen ready 05:20, nearly an hour before he picked her up for dinner.

"Zoom in," Lexi said as she leaned closer to the screen.

Sam clicked a few keys on the keyboard and once zoomed in she could see the body was also Oliver, and the person dragging him turned to face the camera and the retinal flare gave away what they were dealing with.

"Shifter," Dean stated out loud.

They watched as he tossed Oliver's body into the bed of the truck and climbed in the driver's seat.

"I'll see if I can't track the truck using the camera footage, give me a few minutes," the younger brother stated reassuringly to Lexi, "There's a good chance he's still alive."

She nodded her head in understanding and took a seat at the bar beside him.

It took the computer whiz about twenty minutes to get a final location on the truck and the three hunters piled into the Impala to head to a small abandoned barn at the edge of town. Sam noticed how quiet the girl in the backseat was and he turned to look at her.

"We're going to get him back Lex," he said gently.

"I know," she replied quietly, then stared out the window at the passing trees illuminated from the brightness of the full moon.

The girl leaned her head against the back of the seat, alone with her thoughts. She cared about Oliver, a lot, that's why this was so hard, not knowing if he was okay, not knowing what was happening to him. Unfortunately, that's the risk you take with a hunter, never knowing when the past will come back to haunt you. The pain she felt in her heart, it was something she wasn't accustomed too, she didn't get close to people, especially other hunters, with the exceptions in front of her, but that was her cross to bear for Charlie. Everyone dies eventually, the only question she found herself asking, Is it worth it? Would feeling nothing at all, be better than feeling all the pain that came with knowing someone who could be taken away from you suddenly. She wasn't prepared to let Oliver go, she felt like they had barely started their story. But is it worth it? The question burned in her mind. When she lost Charlie, she lost a huge piece of her heart. She couldn't remember a day she hadn't shed a tear over the thought of her friend, but knowing Charlie, having her in her life, it was worth the pain. She would rather live everyday feeling the heartache of missing her best friend, than to have never known her at all. Is he worth that? Is anyone else worth that? The questions kept running through her mind.

When Sam pulled open her door, it startled her, she hadn't even realized they had stopped. He passed her a small hand gun and stated, "Silver bullets."

She nodded her head and climbed from the car. As they moved closer to the barn door, Dean indicated for Sam to head to the back of the building and he followed the order, leaving his brother and friend to enter the barn.

Once through the door, Lexi spotted Oliver on the ground, chained to an old tractor. She ran quickly over to him and knelt on the floor in front of him.

"Ollie," she whispered, grabbing his face with both hands. There was dried blood along his dark brown hairline, "Ollie, look at me."

The man slowly peeled his eyes open and smiled happily at the woman in front of him, "Lexi."

The girl looked around her and saw hammer on the table closest to her, she moved to grab it, leaving her pistol on the ground beside Oliver. She returned with the hammer and took a few swings to break the old rusted chain.

Dean had moved past the two toward the back of the barn to check the stalls in the back. Lexi pulled the pistol from the back of her jeans and handed it to Oliver with a smile, "Look what I found."

The man took the weapon with an appreciative smile as Lexi picked her gun up from the ground, then helped Oliver get up on his feet.

"You okay?" she questioned as she watched Oliver steady himself.

"Yea," he responded, "I am, just a little light headed is all."

Suddenly Dean's body was thrown from behind the tractor against the barn door. They watched as he struggled to get back to his feet as shifter Oliver made his way out of the shadows. Lexi and Oliver both aimed their pistols at the him, but the shifter was quick and the next moment happened so fast, but it was like slow motion in her mind.

The shifter raised his right arm up, Dean's gun in his hand and aimed it at the green-eyed hunter who was against the barn door. He fired the shot before Lexi could pull her trigger and she watched in horror as the force of the shot knocked Dean's body through the already broken door.

"DEAN!" the scream that erupted from her throat didn't even feel like it came from her, she felt like she was on the outside looking in on the situation.

She unloaded the clip into the shifter, as did Oliver, and both watched it crumple to the floor. Lexi didn't take a second look back as she ran to her friend, unconsciously dropping the gun. She barely saw Sam out of the corner of her eye come from the back of the barn to make sure the shifter was dead. He wasn't aware the shifter had got a shot on Dean.

Lexi slid onto her knees in the dirt next to the man on the ground, he wasn't moving and she shook him a couple times, "Dean, Dean."

The full moon was casting enough light for Lexi to check the front his jacket for blood, she wasn't finding any but he wasn't responsive and she pleaded, gently cupping his face in her hands, "I need you to wake up Dean. I need you to look at me."

She started to pat down his jacket, searching for the bullet hole. There was something hard in one of his front chest pockets and she pull the metal flask from inside and saw where the bullet had almost pierced clean through it.

"Lexi," Sam sounded like he was a thousand miles away, "What happened?"

Dean had finally opened his eyes, he wasn't sure what had just happened, he remembered the gun shot, but all he could see right now was dark eyes brimming with tears.

Oliver had moved closer to the scene unfolding and watched as the man on the ground moved to a sitting position while the taller man picked up a flask from the ground and shook his head in disbelief and he looked relieved. He was aware of the relationship she had with the Winchesters, they had talked about it several times. He wasn't a jealous man and he knew how important friendships were in their line of work, but he couldn't help but notice that he'd never seen that look on her face before.

Lexi hugged Dean harder than she'd ever hugged him before.

"I'm okay Lex," he tried to comfort her as she pulled back to look him in the face.

"You better friggin' be," she mouthed off and hugged him again, causing a smirk to cross his face.

Sam helped him to his feet once Lexi had let him go, it was then she glanced over and saw Oliver standing there. She quickly moved back over to him, concern in her voice, "Are you okay?"

"I'm good," he said softly as he put an arm around her shoulder, "How about your friend?"

"Good, the bullet hit his flask," she stated looking back over to the brothers who were inspecting the flask carefully, "That's…"

"Dean," Oliver finished her sentence and she looked up at him quizzically, and he continued, "I could tell."

He pulled her tight against his chest and kissed the top of her head.

The car ride back to Oliver's house was quiet, Sam had tried to break up the silence by asking why the shifter had been after him. Oliver had explained that he had been hunting that shifter for over a week now and it had gotten the drop on him while he was getting ready for dinner.

"It was nice meeting you," Oliver stated offering a handshake to Sam and his brother, "Thanks for everything. Maybe we can all get together sometime for drinks."

Sam nodded his head in agreement and Dean shoved his hands back into his jacket pockets. Oliver smiled reassuringly to Lexi before he moved toward his front door to let her have a minute.

"I'm going to stay here tonight," she said more to Sam, "I'll call you tomorrow sometime."

The youngest brother gave her a quick hug, "Sounds good."

The older brother moved over and wrapped her up in a tight squeeze, before he headed back to the Impala. Lexi waved as they pulled away from the curb and she crossed her arms and walked back toward the house.

Lexi rolled over in the bed and reached for Oliver, but she felt nothing. She rubbed her eyes and sat up in the bed and immediately recognized the hotel room. The dark-haired girl glanced over to the table by the window and there sat her red-headed friend with a grin on her face.

"Charlie," Lexi squealed as she crawled across the bed to tackle the girl with a hug.

"Hey Lex," she replied, "Missed you too."

She pulled back from the hug to look at Charlie's expression and immediately her face dropped, "What's wrong? What's going on?"

The red-head moved to sit on the hotel room bed and pulled Lexi down beside her.

"I only have a few minutes, so I'm going to throw it all on the table. I'm just getting bits and pieces of chatter, but it's not good Lex," Charlie began solemnly, "Something to do with Lucifer's baby, and Castiel is back in Heaven and something about him killing a reaper to break a blood pact. I don't know what's coming, I don't know how bad it's going to be, but I wanted to give you a heads up."

Lexi was still trying to process all the information when Charlie continued, "Don't say anything to Sam and Dean right now though, I want to try and have more information to give, just keep an eye on them please."

The dark-haired girl nodded her head, "I always do."

"Good," Charlie hugged her again and squeezed her tightly, "Be safe Lex, I love you."

"Love you too Charlie," she squeezed her back.

Lexi jolted up in the bed awake, causing the man next to her to wake up and reach for her arm, "You okay babe?"

The dark-haired girl swallowed the lump in her throat and just nodded her head, "Yea, just a dream."

She slid back under the covers and laid her head on Oliver's chest for a moment, but she knew sleep wouldn't come quickly, her mind was too busy processing all the information Charlie had just given her.

"You know I love you right?" his voice was low and Lexi barely heard him.

She couldn't bring herself to look at him, this wasn't exactly the best timing for this conversation, so she ran her hand up his chest and rested it on his collarbone, "I know you do."

Lexi felt him kiss the top of her head and his arm pulled her closer into his chest.

#supernatural #supernatural fanfiction #dean winchester #sam winchester #oc

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zrtranscripts · 8 years ago

Text

Radio Abel, Season Four

Part 5 of 6

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Hello, citizens. We've got some good news and some bad news for you today.

ZOE CRICK: The bad news is, Hugh and Eloise seem to have moved out of range. We're hoping to have more from them soon, but in the meantime -

PHIL CHEESEMAN: We've picked up something else we think you'll enjoy.

ZOE CRICK: Well, "enjoy" might be too strong a word. We're talking about Demons and Darkness, here.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Aw, what's wrong with Demons and Darkness?

ZOE CRICK: It's nerdy?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Like you didn't spend half your life playing Dragon Age. And Skyrim, and Diablo, and Final Fantasy. And Fallout.

ZOE CRICK: Computer games are cool. Tabletop games aren't.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Yeah, you just keep telling yourself that, Zoe. Anyway, what we've got here are a bunch of people who seem to have decided that the best way to while away their post-apocalyptic life is with a spot of roleplaying! But before that, here's a song that I've always thought is just a tiny bit demonic.

ETHAN: Is it on?

DAMIEN: It's on.

ETHAN: All right. Read your thing.

DAMIEN: Okay. [clears throat] Hello, adventurers, and welcome to the Demons and Darkness broadcast. I, Damien Winters, will be your Gamemaster, and I will take you on a journey through your wildest dreams -

ETHAN: Through your wildest dreams.

DAMIEN: Through my wildest dreams.

ETHAN: I'm Ethan, by the way. Hello, listeners!

DAMIEN: Call them adventurers.

ETHAN: We're running out of the pub, The Green Man, here in scenic [?] in the North Norfolk coast. Pop in if you're ever in the area. We don't get many zombies around these parts, and we could do with the company, frankly.

DAMIEN: We sheltered here, too, not long after the outbreak, and not all of us managed to get home.

ETHAN: So now we all live together! One big happy family. Me and Lexy, and the roleplayers.

[door opens]

LEXY: Did you call me? Have you started already?

ETHAN: No, just preamble, Lex. No worries.

LEXY: Hello, adventurers! I was just tidying downstairs. Damien, should I get Clara up?

DAMIEN: Uh, yeah, if that's okay. We're about to start character generation.

LEXY: Sure thing.

ETHAN: So, we figured it'd be good to, you know, break out Lexy's old radio equipment and start broadcasting this, after our last campaign finished in ruins. So we're going to do this live whenever we can. Probably too much.

DAMIEN: Mm. Hopefully, this one won't end in ruins. We're using the popular Shadows Over Festall campaign book, so you know it's going to be good. Maybe this time Ethan will read the rules for explosions before he starts chucking fireballs around?

ETHAN: Maybe! Anyway, so we don't bore you with every technical detail, we're going to mix up our campaign with some musical interludes. Here's the first one: a perfect song for starting off a grand adventure! I think.

DAMIEN: Welcome back to the Demons and Darkness broadcast, adventurers! I am your Gamemaster, Damien, and with us today, we have Lexy.

LEXY: Hi! I'm playing Luna, the Wyld-Dottir. She can turn into a giant boar woman when she gets angry.

ETHAN: Or hungry.

LEXY: Basically, she's always about two minutes off freaking out and becoming a giant boar woman.

DAMIEN: And joining us on-air for the first time, we have Clara.

CLARA: Hello! I'm playing Ethyris the God Hammer. I hit things with a hammer on behalf of my god Sarazelle, and I can heal the sick and the wounded, and I can talk to people pretty well, and I have an 18 in Climbing, and a suit of +1 Audacious Plate Mail from Damien's last campaign, and also I'm really -

DAMIEN: Well, we'll hear more about Ethyris in a bit.

CLARA: Sorry.

DAMIEN: And lastly, we have Ethan, who's playing a valiant swordsman devoted to -

ETHAN: I changed my character.

DAMIEN: Oh. Okay.

ETHAN: I'm playing a soul-stealer.

DAMIEN: Those are third party.

ETHAN: Do you want me to make another character?

LEXY: Uh, I don't want to wait anymore. Can we just play?

DAMIEN: Yeah. Okay, sure. What race?

ETHAN: Goblin. Name of Noglob.

DAMIEN: A third party race as well?

ETHAN: Hey, they get class benefits and kind of [?].

DAMIEN: All right. Fine. We'll sort it out in play. Let's stick on some music while we sort out equipment. Ethan? Something suitable for buying swords to.

ETHAN: I've got just the thing.

DAMIEN: Okay, turn it on.

ETHAN: It is on. We're recording. Do you have to wear that hat?

DAMIEN: The hat helps.

ETHAN: It's putting me off. Where did – where did you find a wizard hat? The world's ended!

DAMIEN: I got it off a zombie who came out of a roleplaying convention. Anyway, welcome, adventurers! Welcome to the world of Demons and Darkness, a world slick with sin, a world plagued by evil and riddled with grim monstrosities, a world where the forces of evil are forever knocking at your door. But in this world stand three heroes, brave and true, ready to defend what is right, to stand a shield and sword for those without hope.

We join our heroes in the border town of Festall. Ethyris, the noble God Hammer of Sarazelle gives sermons to the townsfolk, sermons on survival, on unity, on togetherness, and she heals the sick and injured with but a touch of her hand.

Luna, the feral Wyld-Dottir, stands between the wilderness and civilization, torn between both, her human blood pulling against the beast spirits that dwell within her heart. She patrols the city walls. She is the guardian of the city and the wild. She walks in both worlds.

And Noglob, the goblin soul-snatcher, plays with the urchins of the city. He is friend to all, a smile and a wink, a shared word, food for all who need it. He watches out for the poorest people, because here, the night are long and cold, and every scrap of aid he can offer is graciously accepted.

And through the old, worn town gates strides a figure, black-clad, mustachioed, sharp-toothed and cold-hearted. It is the wicked Baron von Kurz, and he's brought a collection of his personal guardsmen with him. He sends his men into the shops all along the main street, and tells them to take whatever they want, because Festall is his town.

The people of the city cry out for help. Heroes, what do you do?

ETHAN: Am I near an urchin?

DAMIEN: You are.

ETHAN: I steal its soul!

DAMIEN: Oh, Christ.

ETHAN: What?

DAMIAN: We need to disucss the meaning of lawful good, Ethan.

ETHAN: But I'm not lawful good. Goblins can't be lawful good. I'm chaotic.

DAMIEN: Chaotic what?

ETHAN: Oh. Well, I haven't filled out the second part yet.

DAMIEN: What if the God Hammer found out? What if Clara's character found out you were siphoning off souls from orphans? Clara, what would Ethyris think?

CLARA: Ethyris would not be happy about that.

DAMIEN: See? And what about Luna?

LEXY: I don't know. Got to get souls from somewhere.

DAMIEN: You're not helping!

LEXY: What do you do with them, anyway?

ETHAN: You'll see.

LEXY: Does the orphan survive?

ETHAN: Oh yeah, they survive. It says here that having your soul sucked out is how you get access to the Soulless Killer prestige class, which is a pretty good class, actually. They get Murder Magic, so I mean, it's not all bad news for orphans.

DAMIEN: Look, guys, this is supposed to be a good campaign, all right? Capital G Good. Not like last time, with the fireballs. Clara's got the gist of it.

CLARA: Well, I read your campaign brief last week, so I knew what to expect.

LEXY: There was a campaign brief?

ETHAN: I mean, there's nothing in the book that says it's an evil act, per se.

DAMIEN: Oh, look! No orphan soul-stealing, okay? That's not the story I want to tell. I don't want to be part of that.

ETHAN: Uh, how about cats?

DAMIEN: Fine! I guess. Cats are fine.

ETHAN: Cool. I found a cat.

DAMIEN: Roll awareness. While you rip the soul out of the cat, let's have some appropriate music.

DAMIEN: And we're back on air!

ETHAN: I discard the cat.

DAMIEN: Great, okay. You feel a cat soul wriggling around in your supernatural other belly. You... wait. Do you hear that?

LEXY: Oh, don't worry. It's just a zom rattling the fence outside. Sometimes they work out that there's meat in here. We're secure.

DAMIEN: Right. Sorry. The Baron's men continue to harass the townsfolk, drawing their clubs and striking anyone who approaches.

CLARA: Can I do something, Damien?

DAMIEN: Yes! Finally! Ethyris steps onto the main street ahead of the Baron and his men.

CLARA: I shout, "Baron von Kurz! Order your men to stop! This is not the way of civilized folk."

DAMIEN: The Baron laughs out loud. "Ha ha ha! What's this? A God Hammer, all the way out here in the middle of nowhere? You're a long way from home, girly!"

CLARA: Oh. "Out here is where we're needed most, Baron! Where evil men like you abuse the trust of others!"

DAMIEN: "There is no trust out here, girl. Only the strong and the weak. Choose your side carefully." He grabs an apple off a fruit cart and takes a big bite out of it and then throws the rest away.

CLARA: "I chose my side, Baron. I chose the side of the people." I kick off my Chosen Of The Gods power.

DAMIEN: Okay. Spend a point of holy energy. You begin to glow brightly.

CLARA: "I have the gods on my side, Baron! What do you have?"

DAMIEN: "Let's see... I have 20 armed men here, and 200 more in my castle in the mountains. I have a decree signed by King Marrots that says I have the right to take anything I want from Festall, because it's mine. And I have a masterwork heirloom fully automatic crossbow, and it's aimed at your head. How is your god looking now?

LEXY: To hell with this. I turn into a giant boar woman and leap off the town wall into the middle of his guards.

DAMIEN: Guess the time for talking was over. Okay. Let us roll for initiative.

LEXY: Where's that in my sheet, again?

ETHAN: I'll work it out for you.

DAMIEN: Okay, Lexy. With a crash, you land on the Baron's men.

LEXY: I roll to hit - ! So, I'm adding what to my roll?

DAMIEN: +2 for Charging, -2 for failing your falling check, +2 for your Bestial Maw Attack.

CLARA: +1 for my Chosen Of The Gods aura!

DAMIEN: Right, right! Anything else? Ethan, anything we should know about?

ETHAN: No. Still looking for a cat.

DAMIEN: So, you're +3. Plus your Strength, plus your Attack Bonus. You've increased those in line with your boar woman form, right?

LEXY: I just wanted to hit the guy. This is a whole lot of math. Hang on...

DAMIEN: Look, the were-form chart is on page 362. You need to cross-reference it with the bestiary book.

LEXY: [sighs] This is going to take forever!

ETHAN: Well, I'll stick the tunes back on, shall I? Adventurers, here's some of my favorite cat-stealing music.

DAMIEN: The fight spills back into the entranceway to the town. The Baron is holding you at bay with his rapier, ordering his men to charge at you. Some of them are looking a bit apprehensive, given what you did to their comrades, Lexy.

LEXY: I laugh and rub more of their blood into my bristling fur.

CLARA: Reminds me of that time you killed that zombie last month. I swear that one backed off when you started shouting and waving around that head!

LEXY: It's a talent!

DAMIEN: The Baron sneers and steps towards Ethyris the God Hammer and thrusts with his sword.

CLARA: Oh. I'm injured from before... this could be pretty bad...

ETHAN: Wait! How close am I?

DAMIEN: You're about 20 feet away, I guess. In the cattery.

ETHAN: I want to use my Goblin Teleport to put myself in the way of the blow.

LEXY: What's a Goblin Teleport?

ETHAN: Well, you lie about where you were, and change it to somewhere else, and run away before reality notices. It's a goblin thing.

DAMIEN: I'll allow it. He rolls to hit and gets – [dice rattle] a critical! The rapier hits you in the gut for 42 points of damage.

ETHAN: Which kills me.

CLARA: Ethan!

DAMIEN: He plunges the rapier into your stomach, picks you up off your feet and hurls you into the path of an oncoming carriage, where you're trampled by all four of its horses. The cats of the town hiss a satisfied vengeance. You are thoroughly dead.

ETHAN: I spend the cat soul.

DAMIEN: Oh. You come back to life unharmed aside from another notch to your shoulder blade.

ETHAN: "You owe me one, Ethyris!" I say, and start climbing the side of the building to get away from the fight, maybe find a pigeon or something. Pigeons have souls, right?

CLARA: That's a useful ability.

DAMIEN: Hmm. Turns out pigeons do not have souls.

ETHAN: Yeah, yeah, but it says here on page 47 of the setting book, that according to the holy law of Xyrthan - the country which we are definitely in - all noble animals that do swim, or fly, or walk, shall be blessed with souls and live on forever in the eternal forest after their death if they lead good lives. So, pigeons have souls.

LEXY: How would a pigeon lead a good life, anyway?

DAMIEN: Ah, yes. But pigeons aren't even noble animals, are they? They're vermin.

ETHAN: Hey, that's a bit harsh! I know plenty of noble pigeons.

LEXY: Do you reckon zombies have souls?

CLARA: Definitely not, no. They're dead. And their souls are in heaven.

DAMIEN: Name one.

ETHAN: One what?

DAMIEN: A noble pigeon.

ETHAN: Name a pigeon?

DAMIEN: I'm waiting.

ETHAN: Polly! P-Polly Pigeon.

DAMIEN: That's clearly a parrot's name. And why would the pigeon take Pigeon as its surname?

ETHAN: Oh, God's sake. Right. Can I suck the soul out of a parrot? Hmm? Does that sound okay?

DAMIEN: Um... yeah.

ETHAN: Fine. I'm rolling to find a parrot, listeners. This might take a while, so let's put on something calming.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: And I thought Jamie was the most irritating person in the world to play Demons and Darkness with.

ZOE CRICK: Jamie? Jamie Skeete?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Yeah. Abel Runner Ten.

ZOE CRICK: You played Demons and Darkness with our current monarch?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Yes. Let me tell you, our current monarch sucks.

ZOE CRICK: I think that may actually be treason.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Oh, you wouldn't believe what a rules lawyer he is.

ZOE CRICK: Isn't that a good thing for a king?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Maybe, but it's not a good thing when you're trying to slay a level 15 Apocrabeast, and he's insisting on double-checking the rules for attacks of opportunity between the hours of 11:00 and 12:00 on days beginning with M.

ZOE CRICK: Oh, I see. He beat you, didn't he?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Oh, there's no winners or losers in Demons and Darkness. It's collaborative storytelling.

ZOE CRICK: Of course.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: But it was completely his fault I got eaten by the Apocrabeast. I'd been playing that character for months.

DAMIEN: You've got the Baron on the defensive. His men form a perimeter around him. "Hold the gate!" he says, and runs out to the outside of the walls. He's beaten and bloody and shamed.

LEXY: I try to shove past his men. [dice rattle] I get a 15 on a strength check.

DAMIEN: Good! But not good enough. They force you back. The Baron leaps on his horse and it rears up. "You've not heard the last of me, you meddling heroes! I'll be back, and I'll bring an army!"

ETHAN: I draw my crossbow and I shoot it at him. [dice rattle] [sighs] But I miss. Unless a one hits him, I mean.

DAMIEN: Your bolt goes wide and embeds itself in the ground. I guess you're still shaky from that pecking you sustained in the pet shop. The Baron rides off into the wilderness, back towards his castle.

LEXY: "Blargh!" says Luna, and grunts at the guards in the gate.

DAMIEN: "Look," says the lead guard, "We don't want any more trouble. We just work for the guy! Let us go, okay?"

LEXY: I don't know, they hit us with clubs a lot. I'm still pretty upset about that.

CLARA: Ethyris steps forward. "Very well, you may leave. But turn your back on this life of evil, men!"

DAMIEN: They look relieved. "We'll be sure to do that. We've learned our lesson!"

ETHAN: I roll an insight check to see if they've really learned their lesson. [dice rattle] 17.

DAMIEN: They have not learned their lesson.

CLARA: Oh well. "Come, fellow heroes!" I say. "Let us return to the tavern and lick our wounds! We have much to discuss."

LEXY: I carry on shouting at the guards until they leave.

DAMIEN: All right. We'll finish there, I think. Good game, everyone.

ETHAN: Now, listeners, while our heroes are in the bar, we're going to introduce the second part of the broadcast. As previously mentioned, this is a pub, and pubs serve booze. For a while now, we've been out of booze.

LEXY: It was good while it lasted.

ETHAN: We had to trade it away for food, see. Because try as you might, man can't survive on dry roasted peanuts alone.

LEXY: Plus, those guys stole a bunch of it.

ETHAN: Oh yeah! Some Exmoor Militia came in here while we were all out and made off with a few crates.

LEXY: You'll be pleased to hear that they didn't survive long, listeners. Turns out it's really hard to run when you're pissed. Big knot of zoms got them on the way back to Cromer.

ETHAN: [laughs] But we wanted more. Seeing as it's the end of the world and everything, we had to improvise, so we made - [LEXY imitates a trumpet fanfare] Pruno!

DAMIEN: What's that?

ETHAN: It's, uh, wine. Well, it's prison wine. It's wine they used to make in prison from stuff they found.

LEXY: Ta-da!

ETHAN: It's alcoholic, anyway, I can tell you that, and I wanted to share some of it with you. And with you, listeners. I wanted to tell you how to make it.

CLARA: Ethan, I don't know whether it's safe to spread that information about.

ETHAN: [laughs] It'll be fine! So we're going to crack into this and report back, and then we'll tell you how it's made. Meanwhile, we'll put on some of my favorite drinking songs.

LEXY: You are so excited about this.

ETHAN: I am very excited about this!

LEXY: Hello, adventurers. We would like to publicly apologize for the pruno.

ETHAN: I'm not sorry.

LEXY: It tastes awful.

ETHAN: It's prison wine. It's supposed to taste awful.

DAMIEN: I'm worried it's going to cause blindness. It's definitely the worst thing I've seen you drink since we got here.

ETHAN: Clara, what do you think?

CLARA: Oh, I'm okay. I won't have any.

ETHAN: But this is – i-it's booze! There used to be stories about how getting drunk would protect you from evil spirits. You know – witches, goblins, zombies.

DAMIEN: Really? Were there?

ETHAN: Sure, why not. Come on, Clara. How long's it been since you've had a drink?

CLARA: I've not had any since my birthday last year. And I'm okay, still. Thanks.

LEXY: I can't blame her.

ETHAN: I'd like to report that it's... sweet?

LEXY: It is indeed almost undrinkably sweet.

ETHAN: You're drinking it.

LEXY: Shhh.

ETHAN: We're going to compare notes for a while and see if we can't come to a conclusion! Until then, some more music.

LEXY: Put on that one I like.

ETHAN: Which one?

LEXY: You know the one. It's got that intro that goes - [hums]

ETHAN: Oh yeah. Is this it?

ZOE CRICK: Did you ever try Lou's home brew?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Yeah! It was, um... alcoholic.

ZOE CRICK: It was disgusting.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Yep.

ZOE CRICK: But so alcoholic that after a while, you didn't care how disgusting it tasted.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: After a while, my taste buds weren't working.

ZOE CRICK: My whole body went numb. After three pints, I was actually starting to question the physical reality of the universe.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Mm. She learned how to make that stuff in prison, didn't she?

ZOE CRICK: Yup. She learned all her best tricks in prison.

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Her best tricks? What do you – you know what? I don't want to know. So how'd she make that hooch?

ZOE CRICK: You definitely don't want to know. Let's just say it involved old socks, and leave it at that?

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Ew!

DAMIEN: The pruno tastes like, uh... you remember alcopops? Like a compost-flavored alcopop.

LEXY: That's actually what it kind of is. Ethan, do you want to tell them how you made it?

ETHAN: That was the plan. Listeners, see, I used to love pub crawls. Lexy and I used to go on them all the time, back before, well, you know. Back when we still had pubs to crawl to. What we want to do, right, is establish enough pubs for a crawl.

LEXY: The pub crawl at the end of the world! Bring your fire axe, come for the pruno, stay for the melee combat.

ETHAN: Precisely! But to have pubs, you need booze, and that is in precious short supply these days, so we're branching out into making our own. Now, we've been trading for parts to put together a still, but for the time being, we've had to make do with, you know, improvised solutions, which we're going to share with you, so you can make your own booze and sell it. And maybe one day, when the world stops ending quite so hard, we can... we can, you know, go and see them. Yep. Like in the old days.

LEXY: Tell them how to make pruno.

ETHAN: In a bit, in a bit. They're not going anywhere, are you, listeners? Do let us know if you try it out, by the way. Tell your runners. We get them coming through here all the time. It brightens the place up.

LEXY: I'd say this tastes more like... sick. Like sick and sugar. Like I've sicked up sugar into this cup, and now I'm drinking it again. Ethan?

ETHAN: [laughs] Oh, yeah, this is awful. This is really bad. Anyway, I have to find my notes. So, while we enjoy this pruno -

LEXY: Huh?

ETHAN: Well, while we drink this pruno, enjoy the music. Hey! [sighs] God, Donna used to like this one. She was an old mate of ours, listeners. She used to always put this one on before we left the house to go out for a party. Aw, Donna. If you're out there, this one's for you. To Donna.

LEXY, CLARA, and DAMIEN: To Donna.

ETHAN: So you want to make booze.

LEXY: Everyone wants to make booze.

DAMIEN: You're drunk.

ETHAN: Not quite, Dungeonmaster. Nearly. Anyway, as I was saying, you want to make booze, why not try prison wine?

LEXY: Because it's awful!

ETHAN: Shh! Here is how you make your own prison wine. Listen carefully. In fact, get a pen and some paper. Write this down. Very important. Now, you can make prison wine by leaving fizzy orange pop to ferment for a while, but that's just – that always ends up pretty weak, and you might as well just drink the pop. What you really need is some fruit.

LEXY: Which there's not a lot of these days.

ETHAN: Precisely! Did you know that ketchup is a fruit?

DAMIEN: Ketchup's not a fruit.

ETHAN: Did you know that ketchup often contains fruit? Now, you can use ketchup if you can't find fruit, but you really should try to find fruit, though. We've made this batch with a tin of mashed-up pineapple chunks we found. Packets of sugar are good, too.

Take everything you can find, mash it up, then pour some water over it. Now, that's the fuel part. After that, you need a kicker, or a motor. Something to make the fuel turn into sweet, sweet booze.

LEXY: This is so sweet, I think I'm going to be sick.

ETHAN: It is far too sweet. So, your kicker needs to be something that's alive, or at least kind of alive. Yeast is the best. That's what I'm using here. We found a stash a few months back. Bread will do, because there's yeast in that, and milk is good because there's... honestly, I don't know. Cow bits? Bits of cow?

LEXY: Living cow bits?

ETHAN: You know what? Don't use milk. That sounds awful. Use bread, or you know, actual yeast if you can find it. So the living bits feed off the sugar and the fruit, or the sugar and the sugar, and the waste product that they produce is alcohol.

LEXY: Disgusting alcohol.

ETHAN: Alcoholic alcohol.

LEXY: True. I'll drink to that. Cheers!

[glasses clink]

ETHAN: Cheers!

[everyone groans]

ETHAN: I hope we don't get an attack now. I'm useless! My feet are wobbly.

LEXY: My face feels nice.

ETHAN: More recipe in a bit. Now music. Listeners – oh, hey, this used to be my favorite song when I was trying to, well, you know, seduce a special lady.

LEXY: Ladies, in the unlikely event that you're seduced, please write in to the usual address.

ETHAN: You're so rude! This is dynamite!

DAMIEN: As thrilling as all this is, I'm going to bed. Clara?

CLARA: It's late, you're right. Good night, guys. Oh! Good night, adventurers!

ETHAN: Night, folks!

[chairs scrape across floor]

LEXY: Night! We won't stay up late.

ETHAN: Anyway, making pruno. You want to stick your sugar and your kicker in a plastic bag, and stick that in a bowl, and pour some warm water over the outside.

LEXY: Don't seal the bag complete!

ETHAN: Yes. Do not seal the bag completely.

LEXY: Otherwise it can explode.

ETHAN: Yes.

LEXY: All over someone's radio equipment.

ETHAN: [laughs] All over! Moving on. Stick it in a bowl, then pour warm water over it. Change the water daily. Twice daily if you've got the fuel to spare. For about... two weeks... fourteen days. Anyway, let a little of the air out each day. At the end, you'll have something that's as weak as weak beer, or as strong as fortified wine. There's really no way to tell.

LEXY: This is kind of strong. I like this. I mean, you know. Not the taste. I like the effect.

ETHAN: It's good, isn't it? I mean, well, you know.

LEXY: Pretty loose definition of "good."

ETHAN: [sighs] Did you ever think we'd end up here?

LEXY: What? In the pub? Yeah, obviously.

ETHAN: No, I mean... here. At the end of the world and that.

LEXY: I didn't predict the zombies, if that's what you mean.

ETHAN: Or the roleplayers who just kept coming back for their weekly game, even after all of that. And stayed.

LEXY: What, you don't like them just because they had a good zombie outbreak plan?

ETHAN: No no no, hey, I love them. Clara especially. It's just... it's not what I had planned, you know? I was going to have kids.

LEXY: [laughs] You'd make a terrible father.

ETHAN: [laughs] You're right! This apocalypse is probably for the best, huh? Oh God, we're getting personal, aren't we? Hey, put on that one. You know, remember the one we used to dance to? This one. Back in the day.

LEXY: Technically, we could dance now.

ETHAN: Mm, we'll see.

LEXY: Hello. Hi. Uh...

ETHAN: We forgot something.

LEXY: Yeah. We just saw a post on Rofflenet, on the board that Ethan started. You mustn't make this out of potatoes.

ETHAN: Not at all.

LEXY: Not even slightly. Botulism.

ETHAN: Loads of botulism. Fistfuls.

LEXY: Yep. Killed a bunch of prisoners, apparently.

ETHAN: Not a fun way to die. I'd rather get bitten. Although I know how I want to die.

LEXY: That thing with the rockets? Still?

ETHAN: Damn straight.

LEXY: It's a good dream. Okay. No potatoes. Got it? Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

ETHAN: I think I should be in charge of the music.

LEXY: I think you should be quiet and drink your wine.

ETHAN: I... I don't think they should call this wine.

LEXY: Who are "they"?

ETHAN: You know, the wine people. The people who named it.

LEXY: Why not?

ETHAN: [laugh] Imagine what the French would say if they found out. [imitates French accent, laughs] This is not wine! This is [?]! You will be executed at dawn [?], etc...

LEXY: I didn't know you spoke French.

ETHAN: Aw, shut up.

LEXY: Is France still a thing?

ETHAN: Hmm. I don't know. I mean, it must be, right? England's a thing. America's a thing.

LEXY: I went to America once. I had a bacon double butter burger and a vanilla chocolate malt shake, and I don't think I've been happier.

ETHAN: Butter burger?

LEXY: They butter the burger.

ETHAN: Those geniuses.

LEXY: I didn't eat all of it. I just left it there in the diner. Can you imagine that? Discarding bacon.

ETHAN: I miss bacon. And cheese.

LEXY: I tell you what I really miss: cigarettes.

ETHAN: Oh God, yeah. I'd punch a nun holding a kitten for a fag right now.

LEXY: Two nuns.

ETHAN: Yup. Shit, the mic's on. We're broadcasting. [laughs]

LEXY: Not like anyone's listening, mate.

ETHAN: They are! They are, definitely. Oh man. I'm drunk. Yep. I should go to bed.

LEXY: I'm not long off myself. Check the barricade, will you?

ETHAN: Yeah, yeah, of course. I heard a few shamblers earlier today. You know... see you. See you in the morning.

LEXY: Yeah.

ETHAN: Well, good night.

DAMIEN: Hello, adventurers. We're just discussing the Demons and Darkness broadcast, live on-air, with Ethan. Say hello, Ethan. [ETHAN groans] How's your first hangover in months going?

ETHAN: I think it must have been gathering power. I think my skull is cracked. I think something died in my mouth. [whispers] I think I'm going to die.

DAMIEN: I wanted to talk about the future of the broadcast. I'm not sure the crossover is such a great idea.

ETHAN: What do you mean, crossover?

DAMIEN: It's not an established combination, is it? Recordings of tabletop roleplaying games and recipes for homemade booze.

ETHAN: Hey, we're breaking new ground! It works. It's not like you're using the equipment all the time anyway. And the only reason anyone tunes in is for the music.

DAMIEN: It's... it's just, it's my game. And I don't want the audience to get confused. We have a rich narrative to impart, here.

ETHAN: Listen, it's my pub. And it's Lexy's radio kit. And the audience is a bunch of zoms, and maybe – maybe! - one or two lonely bastards like us who can pick up the broadcast! ... sorry. Sorry, listeners. Sorry. [audio clicks] Sorry. I hope you're having a good day.

DAMIEN: Fine. Are you ready for the next session?

ETHAN: I'm ready to curl up into a ball and die, mate. Once my watch is over, I'm going to bed. I'll see you later. Saw a couple of zoms out there scrubbing around the bins near the river. Better go and keep an eye on them.

DAMIEN: The dangers of alcohol abuse, ladies and gentlemen. Not that I don't enjoy a drink, of course, just that... [?] they served up last night... Anway, while I'm in charge of the radio, I figure I'll put on one of my favorite tunes! Donna... [laughs] Donna always hated this one. If you can come in and turn it off, we'd love to see you.

DAMIEN: Hello, adventurers. We're getting ready for our next session, and we're levelling up our characters. I'm joined in the games room by Lexy, who's improving Luna, the Wyld-Dottir's abilities.

LEXY: Hello, adventurers.

DAMIEN: You don't as uh, indisposed as Ethan is.

LEXY: He's a wimp. I hope he's all right in his watch. He could never handle his drink. Used to make me wonder why he owned a pub, really.

DAMIEN: Wasn't it his wife's? She used shoot us mean looks from behind the bar whenever we played in here, I seem to recall. [laughs]

LEXY: Yeah uh, he uh, he got the pub in the divorce. He never had a head for numbers. I had to help him out with the difficult stuff. Anway, Luna.

DAMIEN: Right, yes. The Wyld-Dottir. So, your options at this XP juncture are threefold. You can carry on with your Nature's Fury path and focus on your boar shifting. You can sidestep into Wilderness Protector and see if you can't soak up some more damage. Or your race options let you take Tree Wizard if you want.

LEXY: Tree Wizard?

DAMIEN: Yeah, you know, standard tree magic. Increased growth, control branches, summon bushes, enchanted acorns. Some light squirrel possession.

LEXY: [sighs] Why do they in the game? Who wants tree magic when you can turn into a boar?

DAMIEN: Oh, quite a few classes find taking a dip into Tree Wizard to be useful. The Bark Master, for example, is almost useless without at least three ranks in Arboreal Control -

LEXY: I'll stick with Nature's Fury I think, all the same. More boar! So, I get how many more changes per day?

DAMIEN: Uh, none. It's complicated. Let me show you.

LEXY: I never really could get my head around the rules part of roleplaying. They always seem to get in the way. Which is why, adventurers, back in the day, I just used to watch from the sidelines and wonder what they were all talking about.

DAMIEN: It's pretty simple.

LEXY: To you, maybe.

LEXY: It's on. You're up, Damien.

DAMIEN: Welcome, adventurers, to the world of Demons and Darkness. You join us again in the border town Festall, last bastion of hope in a world beset by evil. Our heroes, noble God Hammer Ethyris, fierce Wyld-Dottir Luna, and cunning soul-snatcher Noglob, are waiting in the town when a messenger arrives bearing news from your enemy, Baron von Kurz. Noglob, you're closest. What do you do?

ETHAN: Oh, pick somebody else. My head feels like someone smashed it with a hammer.

CLARA: Does it? Because I literally saw Lexy do that last week, and you seem better off than that zombie was.

LEXY: Come on, Ethan. Play along.

DAMIEN: The Baron's messenger says to you, Noglob, "What's this horrid little thing doing in the town square? You, goblin, run to your master and tell him that Baron von Kurz has a message for him."

ETHAN: I suck his soul out of his face.

LEXY: Come on, Ethan.

ETHAN: I just latch right on there like I'm kissing him, but I'm ripping his soul clean through his face.

CLARA: Ethan, I don't think that's -

ETHAN: Okay, okay, sorry. "Cor blimey!" I say. "What sort of message do a fancy gentleman like you have for a load of inbred bumpkins like us?"

DAMIEN: "Not one suitable for your greasy little pointed ears. Now, find me someone worth talking to before I run you through."

ETHAN: Okay, okay, do you know what? No. I suck his soul. Right through his face. Right out. [dice rattle] Oh, look at that! I got a 20! That's 27 on my soul-sucking check. That enough, Damien?

How's his soul doing? Still, huh? Still in his body there, not coming through his face or anything? Not in my supernatural other belly, filling me up, being all tasty?

DAMIEN: I have to look something up. Stick the music on.

ETHAN: Sure thing. Music to suck souls to, coming right up.

DAMIEN: And we're back! Okay, Luna, Ethyris, you see Noglob walking into the tavern.

CLARA: "Hail, Noglob!"

ETHAN: Noglob looks uncomfortably full and burps as he opens the door. "Here, this fancy messenger come down from the Baron's castle with a message for the mayor, but I accepted it." I hand over the message. "Ethyris, what does it say? You know I don't read so good."

DAMIEN: Clara, you can see that the note says, "Citizens of Festall, in three days, my armies will descend upon you and take what is rightfully mine. If you wish to flee, you may do so. Regards, Baron Herzog von Kurz."

CLARA: "His armies? That's not good news at all. Where is this messenger now?"

ETHAN: "He, uh, he disappeared. I mean, he left. He left the town, real quick like! Probably wouldn't see him even if you tried."

LEXY: "We have to warn the people. If we gather them together, we'll be able to hold them off... right?"

CLARA: "Definitely! The Baron's tyranny has gone on long enough! It's time to mount a defense!" I stand up and march up to the mayor's office.

LEXY: "I'm with you. Noglob, you coming?"

ETHAN: I guess if they drove away all the urchins and the cats, there'd be no one to suck the souls out of. "All right, you're on!" This calls for dramatic exit music, I think.

DAMIEN: Welcome back, adventurers. The Mayor looks you over, heroes, as you stand in his office. He's a big man, covered in muscle turned to fat, and his walrus-like mustache is almost entirely gray. "Normally the messenger sticks around," he says, scratching his neck and looking worried.

ETHAN: "Yeah well, well this one didn't."

DAMIEN: "I mean, you might have questions about the content of the message. You might have a response, even! That's normally how these things work." [ETHAN laughs nervously] "So he just left? Ran off without saying anything?"

ETHAN: "Can we move past the messenger's lack of professionalism, sir? We've got bigger problems, I think."

CLARA: "Yes, like the matter of our town defenses. How many men can we muster?"

DAMIEN: "Well, you're not suggesting that we fight them, do you?"

LEXY: "We bloody well are, sir. This is an injustice! You're just going to roll over and let them take what they want?"

DAMIEN: "Yes. That's how it always worked in the past. The messenger comes, we have dinner, the armies arrive and rough up the place a bit, you know. It's all okay the week after. Oh, this is weird. Just to go back to the messenger briefly – did he look ill at all?"

ETHAN: "Well yeah, yeah, really ill. Pale. Pallid, you might say."

DAMIEN: "I do hope he's okay. If anything happened to him, we could get in trouble! The Baron might think that we're responsible!"

ETHAN: "W-what would happen if that were the case? Just hypothetically, sir."

DAMIEN: "He'd destroy us, no doubt. Fire, chaos, murder! The whole shebang. But luckily he's okay, so we've got nothing to worry about."

CLARA: "I'll rally the troops, just in case. I'll whip this town into a top-notch fighting force, the likes of which the country's never seen!"

LEXY: "I'll patrol the wilderness to see if the Baron sent any scouts to spy on us."

DAMIEN: The Major wipes his forehead with his handkerchief. "And you, goblin? What are you to do?"

ETHAN: "Well, I've got to go – I've got to hide some things, got to move some - bye!"

DAMIEN: Welcome back, adventurers. We've split the party.

ETHAN: You should never split the party.

DAMIEN: And yet, here we are. First up, Ethyris is going to take a stab at rousing up a town defense. Is that right, Clara?

CLARA: That's right. So long as everyone works together, I'm sure we'll be okay. I'm, mm... I'm going to go into the town square to try and gather a crowd.

DAMIEN: You heal people there quite often, so a few people gather around. About 20, I'd say.

CLARA: We're going to need more than that. "Citizens of Festall, I call on you now! The able-bodied, the strong, the fit! The keen of eye and stout of heart!"

DAMIEN: Roll and add your charm.

CLARA: Okay. [dice rattle] That's... oh, that's a nine. Is that enough?

DAMIEN: Not really. You've got a few sickly types listening to you, and a couple of kids, but nothing approaching a proper defense force. The big strong types are all hanging out at the tavern. They're mercenaries, ex-soldiers and the like. Looks like they work for coin, not community.

CLARA: I'll go up and ask them, I think. "Hail, merry swordsmen!"

DAMIEN: A couple of them glance up at you. One guy, a wiry sort with dark tan skin, speaks to you. "What do you want, priest?"

CLARA: "I... um... I was wondering if you'd help us defend the town. The Baron's armies are coming in three days, see, and we need all the help we can get."

DAMIEN: "The Baron, eh? What are you paying?"

CLARA: "Alas, I am but a simple God Hammer of Sarazelle. I have almost nothing to my name."

DAMIEN: "Well, us too. Once you find something, maybe we'll talk. Until then, piss off."

CLARA: "But sirs! The defense of the town is at stake! I - "

DAMIEN: "Do they not tell people to piss off where you're from, girl?"

CLARA: I can see I'm not wanted here. I'll leave.

DAMIEN: Sorry, Clara. It looks like it wasn't meant to be. Lexy's up next, sneaking around in the forest.

DAMIEN: Welcome back, adventurers. Lexy's having her character Luna patrol the woods looking for scouts.

LEXY: All right. So, I get down low to the ground and start snuffling about for clues! [dice rattle] I got a 23. That's good, right?

DAMIEN: That's really good! You smell the telltale scent of tobacco on the breeze. Someone's smoking nearby. These are some pretty poor scouts.

LEXY: Okay. I'll track them down. Quietly, mind. [dice rattle] That's a 17 on a move quietly check.

DAMIEN: Good enough! There are three scouts. They don't spot you. You've managed to hide in a patch of undergrowth. But they're in a clearing, so you can't approach any further without them seeing you.

LEXY: So there's no cover?

DAMIEN: I mean, if you'd taken a level in Tree Wizard, this wouldn't be a problem.

LEXY: I'm not doing that. What are they doing?

DAMIEN: They're talking quietly, but they're too far away for you to clearly make out the words. It looks like one of them is telling the other about something happening up in the north in the mountains, from where he's pointing.

LEXY: Mm, okay. In that case, I turn into a giant boar woman and charge them!

DAMIEN: Are you sure?

LEXY: 100%! Let's get our murder on!

ETHAN: Are we going to have to sit through the whole fight?

LEXY: Shush, you! I've not had a decent fight yet. Let me do this.

ETHAN: I'll, uh... I'll stick some fight music on for a while.

ETHAN: That was quick.

LEXY: Thank you.

DAMIEN: That was, yeah. That was really quick.

LEXY: Are any of them still alive?

DAMIEN: The third one is, yeah. He's still got a couple of his limbs attached.

LEXY: [laughs] Like that zom we fought back in August. Remember that guy?

DAMIEN: What, the [?]?

LEXY: Yeah, that guy! The one with the one arm and one leg.

ETHAN: And then no arms and no legs! [laughs]

LEXY: [laughs] He put up a fight, didn't he?

CLARA: He was a big one, for sure. I'm just glad you had your axe with you, Lexy.

DAMIEN: Anyway, the undergrowth is covered in arterial spray and bits of torn clothing and... torn scout, really. You start to revert to human form. You feel the weight of what you've just done weigh heavy on you.

LEXY: Nah, I'm cool with it.

DAMIEN: Oh, okay. Well, in that case, the weight of what you've done doesn't hang heavy on you. It hangs just fine. You feel pretty good about all that murder.

LEXY: Great! I demand that the last one alive tells me what he knows before he dies.

DAMIEN: He mutters something about spies in the city. "They're... already... within the walls..."

LEXY: "Where? Tell me!" I kick him in the stomach.

DAMIEN: Aren't you wearing hobnail boots?

LEXY: I am...

DAMIEN: And what's the minimum damage with those?

LEXY: Uh... three points?

DAMIEN: That's more than enough to kill him. He dies.

LEXY: Oh. What a shame. At least we know that there are spies.

ETHAN: Can I have my go now?

DAMIEN: Sure. I think we're done in the woods. I just need to check my notes...

ETHAN: I need to get rid of this corpse.

LEXY: You could burn it. I mean, that's what we do now.

ETHAN: Mm, too obvious in such a built-up area.

DAMIEN: Welcome back, adventurers. Ethan here is playing Noglob, and he's learning about the harsh realities of killing.

ETHAN: Lexy kills people all the time, and never gets in trouble.

LEXY: I only kill bad people! Plus, I don't make over-optimized characters, so I don't upset the GM.

DAMIEN: That's also true. Anyway, you've got to get rid of the body. Where was it you stuck it, again?

ETHAN: In a storm drain.

DAMIEN: That's right. In a storm drain, just off the main road. Luckily, that's the sort of place the guards never, ever check. Wait, no. Sorry. [laughs] I've got that backwards. It's the sort of place that the guards walk past all the time!

ETHAN: Uh, I find some urchins. I'm friend to the urchins, right?

DAMIEN: Acquintance to the urchins, certainly.

ETHAN: You said in the opening bit that I was friend to the poor. I'm going to call that in. "Hey, kids!" I say, and I caper about to make it look like I'm a nice guy.

DAMIEN: You've got the capering skill, right?

ETHAN: As a specialty, yeah. [dice rattles] That's a 34 on my caper check.

DAMIEN: Continue.

ETHAN: "Hiya, kids! It's your old mate, Uncle Noglob!" "Hi, Uncle Noglob!" "Say, do any of you have legal guardians? Parents, minders, you know, that sort of thing?" "No, Uncle Noglob. We're impoverished street urchins." "Great! We're going to play a game! You like games, right?" "We love games, Uncle Noglob! What's it called?" "This game? Ooh, this game's called, 'Help Uncle Noglob Shove a Corpse Down Into the Sewers Before the Guard Finds It, or So Help Him God, He'll Slice You Up!'"

DAMIEN: [whispers] Christ...

ETHAN: No? Too much?

DAMIEN: That's... [sighs] Let's put the music on for a bit while you and a gang of malnourished children push a desiccated corpse into the sewers. Something suitable for that. Let's try... this.

DAMIEN: Welcome back, adventurers. Our heroes are currently working out how to defend the city.

LEXY: There are so many rules for this.

CLARA: Are we using the rules for sieges in the core book, or are we trying out the third party material from Crossbows and Crenellations, again?

ETHAN: Ugh, I hate that book.

DAMIEN: The stuff in Crossbows and Crenellations is much more detailed and slightly more balanced, so we'll go with that.

LEXY: It's 300 pages long, Damien! I mean, give it here a second, Clara. Look! There's eight pages on different kinds of wood! Who needs stats for eight different kinds of wood? It's got rules for the armored assault tower and mobile interdiction fortress, but - and correct me if I'm wrong here – both of them use exactly the same rules!

DAMIEN: Ah, but they're from different parts of the kingdom.

LEXY: They're the same thing! There's a two page chart here that lets you work out the precise effect of elevation on crossbow range, right down to the foot. Does that sound like fun, working that out?

DAMIEN: I mean, some people might find it fun.

LEXY: I don't think this is even accurate. Look at the hit points that a section of improvised palisade gets. That's just a load of old planks. Do you remember our first barricade? The one made out of the old tables we nicked from the furniture showroom?

DAMIEN: I think that one was before my time here. I turned up after you rigged up the thing with the road signs and the tripwires.

ETHAN: Sorry about that.

DAMIEN: It's okay. My leg healed up eventually.

LEXY: But those barricades didn't last, what? Two days against sustained attack from the zoms? These things are far too effective. We should reduce the hit points.

DAMIEN: Hit points are more of a balance issue.

LEXY: It's just so dull, Damien! It's got a section on animal husbandry in it, in a game about killing things and taking their stuff. I can turn into a giant boar woman. Why should anyone care about the precise breed of cow you need to gain optimum meat levels?

DAMIEN: It's... it's overwritten, you're right. We'll use the other one.

LEXY: Why are they all so bloody long?

ETHAN: Well, because they're all written by one nutter, aren't they?

CLARA: What do you mean?

ETHAN: [sighs] They were all written back in the 80s, early 90s maybe. One guy wrote them. What was his name? Something McCrackpot.

DAMIEN: Crow S. C. McCrackton, is his name. He knew a rule when he wrote one, that man! [laughs]

ETHAN: Yeah, which is all he bloody did, apparently. He was in dire need of an editor. I mean, look at this thing! Demons and Darkness 3.75 Expanded Edition. Ugh, it's so heavy.

DAMIEN: It's a complete system. You need a lot of rules for that. Plus, it contains the seminal adventure, The Uberwolf and the Quest of the Ruby Sapphire. I mean, that's 100 pages alone.

ETHAN: How is it adventurous to know precisely what's going to happen at every turn?

LEXY: Honestly, I think should just house rule it. Just make something up.

DAMIEN: Make... something... up?

LEXY: Yeah. You know, like, use our imaginations to come up with a new take on... Damien? You okay?

DAMIEN: I'm-I'm... fine?

CLARA: We'll use the core book, Damien. We don't have to make anything up.

DAMIEN: It's just... you know... the rules are there for a reason - !

ETHAN: Hey, okay, let's just stick on some music and work this all out together. Sorry, adventurers. Hey, Damien, you always liked this one, right? You said it always calmed you down.

DAMIEN: After that stressful interlude, we join our heroes as they sit in the tavern at the end of a long day. Luna's got some information for the others, doesn't she?

LEXY: Has she?

ETHAN: With the spies.

LEXY: Right. "So, I killed a bunch of scouts out in the forest, and before the last one died, he told me that there were spies hanging around the city."

CLARA: "How troubling. Did he say where?"

LEXY: "Not so much, no. Just that there were spies. Then he died."

ETHAN: "Now, what sort of spies?"

LEXY: "Don't know."

ETHAN: "So, what we've got to go on is that there are, somewhere in this town, some people who might or might not be spies."

LEXY: "It's better than nothing. What did you do? Coerced a bunch of orphans into stuffing a corpse into the sewers?"

ETHAN: Hey, that's out of character knowledge! Luna doesn't know about that!

LEXY: Luna has her suspicions.

ETHAN: [sighs] Right. I'm going to go take a look around town and see if I can't find out where the spies are.

DAMIEN: Okay, that seems like a good place to end this session, folks. We'll do the spies next time. Now, stay tuned for the second half of this show, where Ethan inexplicably talks about home brew alcohol and gets drunk.

ETHAN: Uh, about that.

DAMIEN: What about that?

ETHAN: Let's talk off-air.

#zombies run #zrs4 #s4 radio #s4 radio part 5 #zr transcript

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sunshinemiranda · 8 years ago

Text

First Impressions - Lin-Manuel Miranda x Reader (Chapter III)

Summary: With all that’s been going on, Jasmine decides to go away for a while, and when Renée announces something, the suffocation seems to be endless. You decide to visit your aunt and uncle, but they are intent on visiting Pemberly, the home of one Mr. Miranda.

Warnings: None.

Word Count: 2,370

A/N: This chapter is a little more down than the other ones have been, but the ending is LOADS of fun (wink, wink!). I wanna dedicate this one to @musicalmiranda who has been so much help and I also wanna say “thank you my new friend is so sweet and helpful and great” to @cinnamonbuneliza. I love you both.

askbox | masterlist

The term listless fell short when it came to describing the Bennet household. Jasmine had not left her room for three days and had resigned herself to staying in bed or knitting, trying desperately to distract herself. Your heart ached for your sister. She was, as always, trying to be the perfect eldest sibling and when asked how she was, she would pull up her best and fakest smile and assure you with hollow words that she was, “just fine”. You knew better than to believe that façade.

The hunt for a reason why the Ramos’ party had left Netherfield so abruptly ignited in practically the entire town of Hertfordshire. Everyone was gossiping, a much beloved hobby in small towns such as the one you were unlucky enough to live in. The people here thrived on such trivial matters. In fact, the Goldsberrys were much involved with whispers of the public, Renée excepted. They had visited your household yesterday for an early lunch and over dinner, Mrs. Goldsberry had quelled the curiosity of your mother’s.

“Apparently, Caroline Ramos said it was due to ‘poor taste on her brother’s part’ when it came to choosing a bride. The words ‘unwanted connection’ were choice phrases.” Mrs. Goldsberry’s beady eyes gleamed at this word. “Oh, Mrs. Bennet! I should very much love to know who Mr. Ramos was considering for marriage.”

Your mother made an immediate excuse and ushered the Goldsberrys from her house, Renée sending you apologetic looks over her shoulder all the way out. For once, you were glad for your mother’s loose tongue; at least it had gotten your family out of that.

There seemed to be no shelter from the incriminating squint of the public. You and your sisters frequently loved to walk to Meryton to visit town, buy things at market and look through shop windows, but even that luxury had lost some of its luster. Time and time again, you would see a pair of women remain silent as you passed by with Jasmine close, and time and time again would you hear giggling behind your back, and the odd, “that’s the one I was telling you about.” If it hadn’t been for your lovely older sister’s presence, you would have torn that woman apart. Instead, Jas had murmured quick words to quell your anger just long enough for her to pull you away. She fell silent after that and disappeared back into her room as soon as you returned.

The entire house seemed to be cast in a dark gloom, until Colonel Forster and his wife came for dinner. Though frivolous and not materialistic at all, the Forsters were kind enough and made it clear that they were intent on a big ordeal of a trip to London. Though Lexi pleaded and pleaded with every way humanly possible to beg, they brushed her off with a gentle but firm hand. They hadn’t planned to take any of the Bennet girls along but the moment they saw how miserable Jasmine was, they swept her up and promised her that a vacation away was all that she needed. You encouraged the notion, for you knew that some time away from a family that did nothing but pry would help.

“I’ll miss you,” you sighed to her as you pulled another gown for her to fold into her bag.

She smiled, reaching to grasp your hand. “You could always come with us. Really, I’m sure Mrs. Forster would hardly mind.”

You shook your head, giving her hand a squeeze before dropping it. “No. They need me here. Without you, one of the two sides of logic will be absent. That can surely lead to nothing but chaos and anarchy.” You knew that without Jas, the experience at home would be horrifically boring, but you were determined to make it through this.

She laughed at that, lightly and for the first time in a while and suddenly you felt sure of your decision, if it was just to see your sister laugh.

You had expected a mundane feeling to everything, but the reality seemed to be much worse. Lexi’s constant complaints or chatter, Sasha’s endless giggling, and Mandy’s attachment to the piano, however painful she was to listen to, surrounded you. The only solace to find was sweet Renée. She had been away for a while; busy, you assumed, after the Goldsberry ball. But it had been almost two weeks since that outing and you were just about to propose a visit to her house when a knock at the door signalled that the very person you needed was here.

“Renée!” You rushed her at the door, collapsing your arms around her in a hug. She laughed, returning it

“It’s so wonderful to see you, (Y/N). I’ve come here with some news.” Her expression turned serious at this and you automatically frowned. Nodding, you led her into the parlour and sat down across your friend.

“Tell me.”

“Well,” she paused, taking in a breath and staring at her hands. This wasn’t at all like her. “(Y/N), I’ve come here to tell you I’m engaged.”

The room fell so silent that you could swear you heard Sasha’s laugh all the way from Meryton. All you could do was stare.

“To a Mr. Diggs.” She added, looking up at you.

You didn’t say a word.

“Oh for goodness’ sake, don’t look at me like that.” She pleaded, reaching across the table for your hand.

You swallowed hard, looking down at your clasped hands. “Why now?” You whispered.

She let a breath out. “I’m 27, (Y/N). My dowry is not a fortune of any kind; my name is not worth anything. This is an offer for a comfortable home. It’s a lot to be thankful for-“

“You don’t love him, at all, Renée!” You argued.

“Not all of us can have the luxury of that!” Her voice rose to the volume that yours was at but remained kind. She never spoke angrily to you.

You stopped abruptly at that. She was right. You had been stubborn enough to believe that marriage for love was possible for everyone but that was not the truth. Renée was compromising. She would have a good life, safety, but she would remain unsatisfied. You took her hand again, looking at the friend you had cherished since childhood. Renée Diggs. You couldn’t bear to think of that.

“Congratulations, Renée. Really. All I want for you is happiness.” You managed a smile and she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank you,” she whispered, and left soon after that.

The hope you had had for your time to get better here was slowly being extinguished. You needed to go away. A vacation would serve you well. You wrote a letter to your uncle and aunt, saying that you would love nothing more than to visit them in London. In a week’s time, they had sent back an adoring reply and your family supported the outing (excepting Lexi, for the purpose of jealousy). After two days of packing, you stood on the porch, kissed your mother and father goodbye, hugged your three sisters and stepped onto the carriage. This is good, you assured yourself, and for the first time in a while, you believed that.

“Oh, my dear, come in, come in! You must be so tired after a long trip.” Mrs. Gardiner, your sweet aunt, ushered you in with her arm, pressing a lipstick imprint to your forehead.

“Thank you, auntie.” You sent her a smile, passing your luggage off to the bowing butler at the door.

“Come, my love. Would you like a bite to eat?”

“Yes, please. The road from Longbourn to London is a long one.”

Over a late dinner, your uncle and aunt ask a thousand questions about what there is to know of what is happening at home. You hesitate but tell them that the Ramos’ party came and left, Jasmine went on a trip with the Forsters and Renée Goldsberry had become engaged.

“Ah yes, I’ve heard of this Ramos character!” Your uncle raised an inquisitive brow at you. “What do you know about his close friend, uh…Mr. Miranda, was it?”

You paused at that, a little shocked. “Well…not much.” That was truth.

A little taken aback at your vague words, your aunt and uncle shared a look and then appeased you with an understanding nod.

“Time for bed, my love.” Your aunt smiles, standing to lead you to your room.

The next morning is a flurry, as you get ready for your trip around the country. Your barely unpacked bag is loaded onto the carriage, a quick breakfast eaten as fast as possible and by the time eight o’ clock had come, the Gardiners and yourself were on your way to a much needed outing. You passed through a beautiful forest after visiting the outskirts of London and sat at a picnic in the fields to have lunch there.

“There’s a huge house around here, supposed to belong to somebody rich. Called Pemberly House, I do believe. In Derbyshire.” Your uncle mumbles.

Your head snaps up as you hear a mention of Derbyshire, remembering Renée’s words at the Goldsberry ball, but you remain silent, hoping and praying for the best.

“Who owns that place again, dear?” Your uncle asks.

Tilting her head for a second, your aunt looks up with realization. “Mr. Miranda, yes! You’ve met him, haven’t you (Y/N)?”

You swallow down a piece of apple, suddenly finding it hard to speak. “Ye-Yes. Yes, I have.”

“Mm, I’ve got a desire to see that place of his! Heard he’s got a wonderful pond for fishing.”

You nearly spit out your food at your uncle’s words. No, you think to yourself. This outing cannot be ruined by that overly entitled man, not this one.

“Let’s not.” You blurt and your aunt and uncle look over curiously.

“Why not, my darling?” You aunt asks.

“He’s so…” you swallow again, trying hard to find the right word. “The house, it’s huge. He’s so…rich. I hate seeing the way people brag with that.”

Your aunt chuckles and pats your hand. “Don’t blame poor Mr. Miranda for that. It wasn’t his decision to be heir to so much money! It’ll be fun, my dear. And besides, men like these ones are never at home.”

You hoped and prayed the entire way there that you would not see that man. If you did, you would ignore him completely. That was your plan, for what little you knew of his character was all bad and you discerned, for a fact, that he had had a foot in the separation of Jasmine and Anthony. Your vow to hate the man for eternity had not been forgotten.

Mr. Gardiner had been right in calling the house “huge”, and “magnificent” would cover the appearance as well. Tall and reaching with graceful rafters, the building seemed to shine in the perfect sunlight reflecting off its pond’s clear waters. You almost laughed at the ridiculous size of the place.

The maid at the door let you in with a hospitable grin and toured you around the grounds. You were shown beautiful, high-arched dining halls, lovely guest rooms that were hardly ever used, tiled bathrooms of the highest quality. And then she brought you to the gallery. There were paintings everywhere, and you delighted in the beauty of the art around you. The pieces were wonderfully chosen you but you stopped short on a portrait of the master of the house. Mr. Miranda, you realized, did have intelligent brown eyes, ones that seemed to haunt you. The artist had taken no shortcuts to paint him accurately and you found yourself stood in front of the painting, looking. Simply looking.

“That is my master.” The maid smiled. “Is he not a handsome man, miss?”

For a second you didn’t reply, thinking over your options. The truth was always the best.

“Yes.” You murmured, gaze still on his face. “Yes, I dare say he is.”

“And this,” the maid gestured to the other wall, where a painting of a beautiful dark-haired girl was hung. “Is Phillipa, the master’s sister.”

Your aunt gushed at the prettiness of the younger Miranda, and your maid took that information to heart.

“My mistress is at home at the moment. Would you like to meet her?” The maid offered.

Before you could decline the offer as politely as possible, your uncle was already accepting and you were swept along without a single consultation. Already, you were nervous.

You heard Phillipa before you saw her, heard the tones of a pianoforte and a clear, sweet voice ringing out. She was a lovely singer. The maid knocked at the door and pushed it open, curtsying to her mistress and stepping aside to let the three of you in.

“A Mrs. Gardiner, a Mr. Gardiner and Ms. (Y/N) Bennet, visiting from London, ma’am.”

She had stood gracefully from the piano, dark hair swung over one shoulder and with a sweet smile that seemed to emanate brightness. However, as soon as your name was mentioned her eyes flickered to you immediately.

“Oh Ms. Bennet!” She ran to you, clasping your hands as if you were already old friends. “I have heard so much about you!”

“Really?” You questioned, forgetting all manners at the surprise of the notion.

“Oh, yes! My brother is constantly mentioning you. In fact, he arrives back from town today. How delighted he’ll be at your being here!” Phillipa was smiling, showing two sets of perfectly white teeth.

Your heart dropped into your stomach at that. Mr. Miranda would be here, and soon. You had to find a way out.

“Phillipa?” You heard a voice call from down the hall. You knew that voice. You knew that quick, purposeful stride.

With all logic flown from the window, you turned to the exit, prepared to simply run, when the double doors flew open and there stood the last man in the world that you ever wanted to see again. His eyes widened and his balanced expression disappeared for the first time. Lin-Manuel had lost his composure.

You swallowed.

“Mr. Miranda.”

“Ms. Bennet. What a surprise.”

#lin manuel miranda x reader #lin manuel x reader #lin manuel miranda imagine #lin manuel imagine #hamilcast #lin manuel miranda #hamilcast imagine #hamilcast au #pride and prejudice #pride and prejudice au

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kxlebcross · 5 years ago

Note

for the quarantine asks, multiples of 2, please :)

are you fucking serious???? i’m gonna get back at you for this, i’m smol and ready to fight!!!! (under the cut >:3)

2. Grilled cheese or PB&J? grilled cheese, always... idk, maybe i’m too european for that but pb&j just seems gross to me (noah fence to anyone who likes it tho)

4. Your go-to bar order, if you drink? usually it’s a mojito, a gintonic or a vodka-tonic, depending on the place and its’ prices... and if i’m not that low on money sometimes an absinthe slips in, but that’s really rare, i’m not that young anymore and my body just can’t keep up with the alcohol anymore dfsdfd

6. Top three cuisines? uhhhh..... italian, hungarian and..... i don’t actually have a third hdgfhsd can i just generally say that ‘asian’? tbh i tried like 3-4 dishes from various asian countries which imo is way less than enough to choose a fave, and there’s also a lot more i’d like to try sometime... but my city doesn’t have many places to go to, and the only “chinese” restaurant we have is a cheap ripoff which never served a proper chinese dish in their life.... ordered from there twice, beforehand researching each dish i ordered and let me tell u.... they weren’t even close to what they were supposed to be......

8. What’s a job that you’ve had that people might be surprised to find out you’ve had? i once worked at a strip club..... no, not as a stripper, i was a waiter/bartender, and honestly i wouldn’t even mind talking about it if the place wasn’t shady as fuck.... one of the national tv stations even made a full time documentary series about all the illegal shit that’s going down there..... but i never really did any unconventional jobs so there’s nothing fancy, but if i were to tell stories about what i’ve encountered during my ordinary jobs...... oh boi.......

10. Do you own any signed books/memorabilia in general? i have a signed photo with Flowsik from his Warsaw concert.... and i think that’s the only thing like that, if i ever had anything else it’s long forgotten and probably is laying in some box in my mom’s basement lmao

12. What do you get on your bagels? What WOULD you get if you had access to anything you wanted? i only have bagels in the kfc breakfast offer so it’s usually some chicken, salad, cheese, egg and mayonnaise? i think? or was that the ciabatta? fuck me if i remember...... but if i could choose anything i’d probably go with smth similar, some chicken strips, veggies, bacon, cheese and moyinnaise? yeah, probably, im a man of simple tastes dsfdfg

14. Favorite mug you own i wish i wasn’t so lazy and just take a picture of it, but i’m a lazy fuck so here i go explaining XD so its actually a middle-sized coffee mug, it’s pastel greyish-pink with two cats on it, and one of the cats is chilling on a guitar.... it was a bday present from my mums friend and it came in a cat head-like box which i kept.... it’s now on the top shelf in it’s all grotesque cat box glory..... like the ceiling cat meme

16. Pick a song lyric to describe your current mood (and drop the name and artist!) uhhhh tbh my mood is usually a blank space, apathy be fun like that... so ill just list some that i’m generally vibin’ with

Take a knife in the back, wanna feel my pain Make a slice to the wrist to reveal those veins I could see your face, man I feel insane

Such a mess when I'm in your presence I've had enough, think you've been making me sick Gotta get you out of my system, yeah

MGK - In These Walls

I just can’t get enough of you, but that’s alright Feeling like going on a joyride with you through the night I keep accelerating on the road with you at my side

Lexie Liu - Like a Mercedes

And it's nights like this when I'm on my own And I realize that you'll never feel like home No, I can't feel you now (Feel me now) And I try my best to stick around But when you're broken like me, you just gotta get out

Bring Me The Horizon - ±ªþ³§ feat. YONAKA (but i’m generally vibin’ with the whole album that this song is from)

18. What’s that one TV show that you’re a little bit embarrassed to watch but you still like nonetheless? okay so i’m probably not gonna rewatch it ever again, but... when i was a kid there was this german series on tv and it was called medicopter 117.... so in exam season i realized that as a kid i never got to finish it so i decided to rewatch... listen, it’s a 1997 series... but damn it was actually better than some of the crap ppl call tv show now....... not gonna rewatch tho, some moments and plotlines were frustrating as fuck

20. Do you match your socks? yes! but only because i either have them all black (which will match anyway) or funky colorful fruit patterned ones that look a bit much even on their own so i wouldn’t really wanna mix’n’match those in fear they would just look tacky as fuck

22. What was your “phase” when you were younger? (i.e., Mythology Nerd, Horse Girl, Space Geek, etc) well for a while i was the horse kid, then the cat kid, then the car kid and then i ended up being the resident class emo with a weird obsession over Lord of the Rings.... it was a wild ride, though the emo phase sort of stuck with me even now

24. What’s your opinion on Lazy Susan’s (the spinning tray in the middle of tables)? the what? i stg i never encountered it in my life so i’m not really having an opinion on it, sorry to disappoint

26. You can only have one juice for the rest of your life, what is it? definitely orange... apple has a weird aftertaste, tomato is gross, banana feels like having jizz in ur mouth.... yeah, we’re sticking with orange (also please don’t ask me to elaborate on the jizz part)

28. What’s one thing you’re trying to learn/relearn in your downtime right now? i’m actually trying to get better with some overwatch heroes i never learned before... since the lockdown started i got a lot better with snipers and i1m actually pretty proud of it

30. Where could someone find you in a museum? most likely in the souvenir shop trying to find the cheapest thing..... or chilling on some bench/chair after watching all the art pieces, i’m usually way too lazy to stand around and wanna get out pretty fast, but i think it has more to do with the fact that i don’t really like to hang out around people and museums tend to always have a few of those

32. Rainbows, stars, or sunset colored clouds? stars and clouds.... but man i actually really miss stars........ that’s the only thing that’s shitty in living at the city that i can’t see the stars

34. Do you have more art on your walls or more photographs? i think art.... i mean i have three movie posters, an overwatch one, a religious calendar from my mum, and then a pride flag and some tacky painting the landlady insisted on keeping on the wall.....

36. Pick a superhero sidekick to hang out with uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... okay i’m gonna admit, i’m not really into superheroes so i’m not that well-informed about their sidekicks either.... can i just hang out with loki instead or smth?

38. Favorite mid-2000s song oh no.... assuming it was around 2005.... i was like 7 at that time? what the fuck did i listen to back then? uhhhhhhh i’m pretty sure that was a basshunter time back then? so i’m gonna go with Basshunter’s Now You’re Gone as i remember having it on my mp3 player dfjhjkdf

40. Where do you sit in the living room (we all have a preferred spot, and you know it)? usually at my pc, even when i have guests over because i don’t trust anyone with the playlists...... and when i’m over at someone i usually choose a fotel or smth and lay down in it as if i’ve never used a fotel before or couldn’t sit like a normal human being.... and if there’s no fotel then i’m sitting on the armrest of the sofa because apparently i can’t sit like a normal human being sdshfghsdf

42. A song you didn’t think you’d enjoy but ended up loving it’s this one.... one day just popped up in my youtube recommended and i was like what the fuck??????? but i’m not gonna say what it is, see for yourself ;)

44. Are you a “Quote that relates to the photos” caption-er, an “explanation of where I took the photos” caption-er, or a no caption kinda person when you post pictures online? i..... try not to post at all??? but if i do it’s either no caption or “i randomly decided to post some pictures at 3am without thinking about a concept or caption so i’m just gonna wing it” kind of bullshit, no inbetween, i just can’t write meaningful shit under my pictures

46. What’s the freezer food that you stock up on when you go to the grocery store? fries..... i’m a slut for fries, best food ever......... give me fries......... i think i actually might buy some later now that we’re talking about it

48. Do you like Jello? once again i’m way too european to have an opinion, sorry.....

50. How are you at climbing trees? when i was a kid i was doing pretty well..... now, around 15 yrs and a few fucked up joints later i’m not sure how would i do....... if this stewpid lockdown is over i might actually convince my friend to find some trees to climb and then we’ll see....... (and then i hopefully won’t accidentally k*ll myself because he will be there to catch me if i fall lmaoooo)

#answered #kush speaks #kuwentista #jk im not gonna attack u #im just being funny like that >:3

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theliterateape · 5 years ago

Text

Hope Idiotic | Part 26

By David Himmel

Hope Idiotic is a serialized novel. Catch each new part every week on Monday and Thursday.

CHUCK’S MOTHER WAS SICK AGAIN. A massive heart attack. She was in the I.C.U. for three days. Chuck arrived three days later. Neither his father, nor his brother thought to call him with the news that his mother was on the brink of death.

“She got home all right,” Darryl told Chuck over the phone.

“You people are unbelievable,” Chuck said. “I’m coming home.”

Lexi bought his ticket. He had exactly six hundred and fifty-four dollars to his name and although the creditors were hot after more than twice that every month, he spent it on his family. The house was a mess. Every surface was covered with a thin layer of dusty slime, and it reeked of bleach. It was a biologist’s wet dream for sure. There was no natural light. The blinds had been closed so long that opening them was like trying to open an eyelid decked in conjunctivitis. The only food in the house was processed and precooked. Not a single vegetable or piece of fresh fruit to be found.

“We got this magnet of a strawberry,” Darryl said.

“Can you eat a strawberry magnet, Darryl?” parried Chuck.

“I wouldn’t want to. No.”

“Then shut up.”

Chuck threw all the food away. He replaced it with more healthful food that was still prepackaged enough that the three of them could handle it. Bags of salad, salad dressing, eggs, milk, apple juice, apples, bananas, strawberries that weren’t magnetic, instant oatmeal, chicken breasts, steak, potatoes, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, onions, tomatoes, spices.

He used his laptop to create a weekly menu and recipes with step-by-step photographic instructions. He had them printed at Kinko’s and put into a three-ring binder organized as breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. He gave Cal and Darryl cooking lessons for each and every menu item. He made a shopping list with pictures next to the items so they knew exactly what to buy. Chuck understood that variety was not something his family cared about. Survival was a matter of routine.

He bought his mom a used iPod and filled it with music. He told her that she should walk around the house, or outside if she can make it, for at least three songs every day. She should try to add a song every week. This was the closest he’d ever get her to exercising. And he did this with her each day he was there.

By his fourth and final day, Chuck was exhausted and emotionally drained. He’d done the most and best he could. On the drive to the Indianapolis airport, he had an overwhelming desire for a drink. It had been a month and a half since he had touched the sauce and nearly as long since he had had the craving. He figured, “What’s one? I’ve earned it.”

He pulled into a small place just outside of the city. It was a Saturday afternoon, and the joint was empty, save for the bartender and two patrons. They sat at the far end eating stale pretzels and chatting with the bartender while nursing bottles of beer and watching the baseball game on the small television in the corner. These guys looked like regulars. They were in their forties; maybe their late thirties. It was hard to tell, but it was clear that they were dedicated drinkers.

“Who… In the fuck... Is playing Johnny Cash?”

Chuck took a seat at the opposite end of the bar. The bartender made his way over. Chuck ordered a Miller Lite.

“You want some pretzels?” the bartender asked as he popped the cap off the cold bottle and set it in front of Chuck.

“No, thanks,” he answered. He looked over his left shoulder at the jukebox in the corner. “You guys mind if I play some music?”

The bartender shrugged and walked back to the regulars.

The jukebox was the only thing in the bar that had been updated, and likely even cleaned, in what was probably decades. But that didn’t matter much. This was a regulars’ kind of place, and Chuck was grateful to be a stranger so close to a place he used to call home. He inserted a five-dollar bill and chose his six songs—all of them Johnny Cash.

As “A Boy Named Sue” began, Chuck perched himself on his stool and took a long sip of his beer. It felt good going down. His body instantly relaxed. He closed his eyes as he guzzled down another gulp, then released the bottle from his lips with an “Ahhh.” He looked at the bottle in his hands and listened to the song, and for a moment he was at absolute peace.

“Who in the fuck is playing Johnny Cash?” The younger-looking regular said as he slammed his bottle of booze on the bar and looked around as if the place had more than four occupants. “Who… In the fuck... Is playing Johnny Cash?” he repeated as he stood up.

Chuck looked at him, then around the room wondering whether more people had instantly appeared or if the loud drunk were seeing things. “I did,” he said. “Did you have something coming up next? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to play my song first.”

The regular walked down to where Chuck was sitting and got right in his face. “We don’t play Johnny Cash in this bar.”

That was a strange thing to hear. Never in all of his travels had Chuck been to a bar that didn’t have Johnny Cash in the jukebox. And he’d certainly never been to one that outlawed the playing of the Man In Black. And if there were ever a bar that was anti-Johnny Cash, it sure as hell wouldn’t be a rundown regulars’ joint in Red State Indiana.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t know.”

The regular leaned in closer. His breath was hot, and his eyes were bloodshot and filled with drunken hate. He made a fist with his right hand and grabbed Chuck’s coat collar with his left. The regular was about Chuck’s size. Picking fights in bars was probably his pastime. The friend and the bartender were still watching the ballgame on TV, not interested in the pending violence.

Chuck stood up, grabbed the back of the regular’s head and slammed it into the bar with all of his strength. The regular’s face crashed against the wood and sent a tremor across the bar. There was a loud pop when it hit. His head recoiled as teeth and blood sprayed back in an arch—the blood streaked against the drop-ceiling tiles; a tooth landed on a table in the middle of the room. The regular let out a nasal-sounding yelp as he grabbed at his broken and bloody nose, split lips and fast-bruising gums. He fell into a heap on the floor at Chuck’s feet. The friend and the bartender stood stunned at the other end.

Chuck sucked back the remaining two-thirds of his beer. He pulled out his last twenty-dollar bill and threw it on the bar. “Sorry for the mess,” he said, then turned away and walked out.

✶

“I JUST WANTED TO HEAR SOME GODDAMN JOHNNY CASH AND HAVE A FUCKING BEER. Seems that’s too much,” he told Lou on the phone as he drove to the airport in a panic. “I guess this was God’s way of telling me I shouldn’t have had that beer. What the fuck! If I never come back to this goddamn place it’ll be too soon.”

God. Like God gave half a shit about Chuck and his drinking. Weren’t there wars going on? Wasn’t something terrible happening in Darfur? Wouldn’t God be more interested in sorting out those problems before taking time to check in on Chuck Keller and his bottle of Miller Lite? Oh, yes, the omnipotent God. The God who knew all and could be everywhere at all times. Sure, maybe that God gave a shit about Chuck and his drinking. But Chuck didn’t believe in that God. That God lacked all reasoning, at least, believing in that God lacked all reasoning. Belief, religion? Those were things left to those who didn’t require hard facts to prove evidence.

Chuck was a journalist, a fact man, a man of reason. And a God that gave a shit about him and his drinking was preposterous. The reason shit went down in that bar outside of Indianapolis was because there was an asshole with a point to prove drinking there that afternoon. Simple as that. God could not care fucking less.

Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V Part VI Part VII Part VIII Part IX Part X Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25

#Hope Idiotic #Bildungsroman #Fiction #Dark Humor #Las Vegas Fiction #David Himmel Author #David Himmel Novel #David Himmel Fiction #Novel #National Novel Writing Month

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girl-in-the-library · 5 years ago

Text

Elementary School Memories

I was thinking a lot last night about things I remembered from my childhood. I think it came from a fanart of Crowley as Nanny Ashtoreth questioning when Warlock’s permanent memories would begin to form. So I began to wonder...what memories do I have of things from when I was a child? So I decided to write some down here...in as close to chronological order as I can.

I’m just going to do memories until I was 10 - the end of 5th grade - because I started writing this and it got super fucking long so I figured middle and high school memories could come another time, if I decide to do that.

Under a cut for length

I went trick or treating with my sister and my dad. She was dressed as a Dalmatian from 101 Dalmatians but she lost her mask at some point during the night. I was dressed as Pocahontas because that was my favorite Disney movie

I was swinging on the monkey swing when an enormous moose ran through the back yard. I ran inside the house, terrified (it was probably not a moose. It was probably just a large, male deer and I was tiny)

We won a giant monkey at my town’s 4th of July carnival, but it was one of those ones that was filled with newspaper/packing peanuts as filling (you know, a typical carnival prize) and so my mom made us keep it on the enclosed porch so when it eventually got moldy we could just throw it out instead of having it drip in the house

Singing “Who knows one?” in the stairwell of preschool (I can only think of up to seven nowadays...)

“gym class” in preschool included a game where we all were in a very large circle and we had to walk around it and then sit on cushions and it seems kinda like musical chairs in hindsight, except we all always got chairs

blowing kisses at the boy I had a crush on in kindergarten until he got uncomfortable and told the teacher (who I also had a crush on) and I got in trouble, but like, little kid trouble

I went to this kid’s house for a birthday party that was pirate themed, and I was one of only two girls there. We made treasure boxes out of little wooden boxes that we decorated with markers and glitter and plastic gems

Climbing to the top of the playground with my kindergarten teacher (he was also my first grade teacher) and the rest of my class during recess as he sang “I am the pirate king!” from Pirates of Penzance and we would all reply with “Hurrah for the Pirate King!”

Going to see said teacher act in a local performance of The Secret Garden. He was an actor, I remember him being very good, but I don’t know if he acts anymore (I think he’s a third grade teacher now)

His name was Mr. Congdon (though I don’t remember if that’s how it was spelled)

The day I moved into a new house I was so upset I went to first grade crying and wanted to talk to my teacher about it, but we had a substitute that day (my dad remembers this exactly the opposite - that I was all smiles and excited, and my teacher wasn’t absent, and I was babbling on and on about my new room, etc)

The Kelly-Lexi war at recess. Kelly and Lexi were enemies, and everyone on the playground was either on Kelly’s side or Lexi’s side. I was on Lexi’s side, my future best friend Krislyn was on Kelly’s side. We made battle strategies and drew them in the dirt and pretended to fight each other.

“planting” an apple seed in a rock and trying to water it with ice chips

My first two pokemon cards were a Ponyta and a fire energy.

The pack of pokemon cards from Toys R Us that I got a shiny Ninetails in and being so fucking excited

Trading a Mewtwo card for a Gyarados card

Trading a Dugtrio card for an Articuno card

Pokemon cards getting banned from school

getting glasses in second grade

my second grade teacher being absent for a while, and then dying (the first time I ever saw a therapist was after she died). Her name was Ms. Klein

Digimon cards. I don’t think I ever did anything but collect them, and I only had a small amount, but I loved my Digimon cards.

Crazy Bones. Little plastic collectible nothings that you would play with by flicking them at each other. (These things)

playing and trading Crazy Bones with the neighbor kid across the street, Drew, in my backyard

The game shop where I spent my allowance on crazy bones, pokemon and digimon cards going out of business

Being afraid to sleep in my own room, so I slept on my sister’s floor for months. My parents actually made a chart, that if I slept in my own room for a week, I would get a pack of pokemon/digimon cards or crazy bones.

the 50 states quiz - where we got one M&M for each state we could name, and if we got all 50 we got an extra 50 M&Ms (or skittles, if you didn’t like chocolate). I hadn’t memorized the 50 states song yet, so I only got 46 states

everyone being so proud they could spell Massachusetts, but when our teacher asked if anyone could spell Connecticut (the state I lived in) none of us could

learning to spell Connecticut

My first Yu Gi Oh card was one whose name I can’t remember, but it was a regular card, not too good stats, with a blue atlantean sea monster on it? I kept it in a card case and carried it around at school

Buying three Kaiba starter decks so I could have three Blue Eyes White Dragons and not understanding that I needed polymerization and a Blue Eyes Ultimate fusion card to actually make Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon in the game

Yu Gi Oh cards being banned from school

Mad Science Camp in the summer. I went for two weeks, for several summers, but this summer in particular I remember one week we built mini robot kits and at the other I don’t remember what we did but the boys were obsessed with yu gi oh and I wanted to play with them but they wouldn’t let me play because I was a girl (and the other girls, except for my sister, didn’t understand why I wanted to play yu gi oh)

Those same boys, when I climbed onto the jungle gym wanting to play yu gi oh with them, saying “let’s scream like a girl until she goes away” and then they screamed at me until I went away

math minutes - doing as many math problems as we could in a minute. If we got 100%, we got a candy or a bonus point on our next test.

my third grade teacher reading to us. Her name was Mrs. Klein, I think she was cousins with the Ms. Klein who was my second grade teacher who died. she read the BFG and it absolutely terrified me - not the BFG himself, but the other giants who would crunch on children’s bones. I couldn’t sleep at night and had to talk to my teacher and she said that if I was scared or uncomfortable just to ask to go to the bathroom and she would let me

Bug check. I made my dad check my bedroom for bugs every night before I went to bed because I was scared of them. I’m still freaked out by a lot of bugs, and definitely arachnophobic.

officially meeting my best friend Krislyn and playing Mario Party 2 all the freaking time (she was the one who inspired me to ask for an N64 for my birthday)

the new kid Mark from California who became one of my best friends

the crush I had on Mark from California that I confessed to him at recess one day and then as soon as I said it immediately ran and hid behind a bench on the other side of the playground. I made Krislyn go and check what his reaction was and he was standing confused by the fence

Playing dodgeball in gym class and jumping over 4 balls at once (this might not be real, but it is definitely a memory I have)

deciding to try and bring Pokemon to life with my friends Krislyn, Mark, and Tyler by extracting the DNA of a Poliwag from the Poliwag pokemon cards and putting it in a fishtank with a bunch of tadpoles.

Accidentally killing a bunch of tadpoles

making an upset face when in gym class my teacher told us we were only running one lap today (hah! wouldn’t I love that to happen at LITERALLY ANY OTHER POINT IN MY LIFE) and the teacher pulling me aside and telling me that was very rude

sitting around on benches at recess making up our own Pokemon and telling each other stories about the Mario universe (basically writing fanfiction, but we didn’t know what that was yet)

my favorite pokemon that I ever made was called Tickel, it was a blue bear with spikes on its ears and it wore a shell kinda like Togepi

Having multiple teachers for the first time in 4th grade - we had one teacher for math (I don’t remember his name), one for science (Mrs. Iacurci) , and then one for history (Ms. Greenberg) and english (Ms. Koritko). Ms. Koritko was my homeroom/main teacher.

Getting a C for the first time on any test ever in science class, but on my favorite subject - Outer space.

my 4th grade teacher playing Enya for us while we were doing our writing assignments

September 11, 2001. It was a Tuesday. A lot of people were getting called out early and none of us knew what was going on. Ms. Koritko was trying to keep the class calm but we were all really rowdy because things were so strange. She told us we were going to have indoor recess as punishment for being rowdy - but I think they just wanted to keep us inside. When we went home, our parents were waiting for me and my sister by the bus stop, which they had never done before. I told them I didn’t want to go to Hebrew School that day. They told me I didn’t have to. The kitchen construction workers had just started that day tearing down the kitchen and then the news hit. My parents told me and my sister. We were worried about my Aunt, who worked in New York City, but she was fine. We were worried someone would attack Sikorsky Helicopters - a military helicopter manufacturing plant that was only 20 minutes from where I lived. Things were very scary and confusing for a fourth grader

writing in my school journal about it. we were all asked to process our feelings, and told there were therapists available. I remember writing that maybe the people who did it just wanted America’s attention.

And things moved on

Adopting my kitties Pepper and Phoebe!

My grandfather died at the end of 2001

My grandmother died at the beginning of 2002

I started writing a lot of poetry in 4th grade about death. I wrote it in a notebook with red pen. Sometimes green pen.

Here’s one of the overdramatic poems I wrote:

“Be still, be soft, my beating heart, because the battle’s won / come home to me, my love, before the day is done. / Come home to me, my love, as I darespeak these words. / The chase is on, my love, as the horses fill the land / And you soon will be battling again / The enemy’s near and you will have to lend a helping hand / but, my love, please come back to me, safe as a beach of warm sand / The leaves have fallen one too many times and you have not come back / so I must go and fight with you / but I find you are gone so the time has come for me to go too / because waiting to die for all these years shall put me in despair / but to be up there with you is no punishment nor crime / so die, my self, die, die, die!

And another one:

As darkness descends, I mournfully cry. / Never again will my tears dry / Sadness engulfs me / I’m lost in the dark / as blackness threatens to crush my heart / peace will forever elude me until the day I die / as I close the casket and whisper goodbye

A book report on the book Julie of the Wolves - which was probably my favorite book report I wrote ever

One time I was trying to do group work but no one in my group was even paying attention and Ms. Koritko noticed I was trying so hard to get everyone to work but was getting frustrated, so she came over and said “Come on guys, Nikki is rolling her eyes here!” and then I rolled my eyes really overdramatically and she laughed

We all had to write a little “book” called Collections containing one piece of creative writing, and one piece of expository writing. My expository writing was an essay on the topic of love. My creative piece was called “Princess Blue and the Mystery of the Scary Noises.” It was about a princess with blue hair named Princess Blue, who went on a camping trip with her parents who were the king and queen, her brother Prince Red (who had red hair) and her two best friends whose names I don’t remember. One night they heard scary noises. They thought it was a monster! But it was just a squirrel. They laughed really hard at their mistake!

Princess Blue came into being as a character because one day I came out of the shower and had a blue towel, which I let hang over my head. I saw myself in the mirror and thought, “Man, wouldn’t it be AWESOME to have blue hair?”

I had a teacher named John Johnson.

Mr. Johnson and Ms. Nelson were every 5th grader’s OTP. We used to “spy” on them at recess and we all thought they were getting married because they “flirted” (they were probably just talking with each other). We were all devastated when Ms. Nelson moved away to get married to her boyfriend and teach in another district

Ms. Greenberg died from complications with her pregnancy when she had a baby at the beginning of my 5th grade year. This is the second teacher who I had who died while I was in elementary school

Mr. Spillane and his M&M machines

Mr. Spillane collected M&M dispensers. He had all sorts of cool ones and he would give out M&Ms as treats and prizes. We got to pull the handles on the little funny dispensers and M&Ms would fall out, it was great

Sentence of the Day was one of our daily chances to get M&Ms - we had a “Thesaurasus” (a notebook with a picture of a dinosaur on it) and he would give us a word with three synonyms. We had to write a sentence for each synonym and then share our favorite sentence with the class. Mr. Spillane would pick one sentence from each synonym and that kid would get M&Ms

The Mr. Spillane Football League. We were learning percentages in math class. Mr. Spillane developed a “football league” where we divided into teams of 2 and each of us represented a team in the NFL. We would each represent our own player plus one of the players from the actual team, so each football team had four players. Each player had numbers that they could move on, for example, the actual player that I had was Tiki Barber from the Giants - and he could move on a roll of 2 or 5, or something like that. So we had to pay tokens to bet on which player would move and if we matched, we got to move a certain number of yards. We played a full “season” of football and then we finally got to the “Super Bowl.” My team, the giants, got to the championship game before the super bowl, but lost there.

The Mario Movie - Krislyn and I were handwriting a script for a Mario Movie called “Toadstool Kingdom Sensation”. We handwrote it in several notebooks using gel pens. We ran out of gel pens so frequently Mr. Spillane joked he ought to buy stock in the gel pen company

We had Mr. Spillane read it as we were writing it. I’m sure it was absolute shit, but he reacted like it was the funniest thing he had ever read, even too crazy for him to understand

Daisy was the main character because she was Krislyn’s favorite, and Krislyn had a stronger will than I did. Peach was also featured prominently because she was my favorite character. Peach and Mario were dating, but Daisy was dating a talking, more human version of Yoshi, because we made Luigi SUPER STUPID. We called the species “yoshis” LDTs, which stood for Lizard-Turtle-Dinosaur. There were lots of booger jokes because Luigi liked to pick his nose.

We wrote a song that Luigi sang: “The best part of pasta is eating spaghetti / then I like to blow it out of my nose / but my feelings are totally different / when I’m eating ice cream!”

The only line I remember from the actual script is “There’s a fat weirdo in the haystack and Peach is hitting him with a hammer” because when Mr. Spillane was reading it, he exclaimed aloud, “There’s a FAT WEIRDO in the HAYSTACK?!?!?!” and Krislyn and I thought it was the funniest fucking thing ever

the context was Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi all lived together. Mario had eaten too much spaghetti and couldn’t fit through the door one night, so Yoshi told him to sleep in the haystack in the barn that night. The next morning when Peach and Daisy came to visit, they didn’t recognize Mario and they thought he was an enemy, so Peach started attacking him with a hammer while Daisy ran to get their friends

There were also aliens that were terrified of farmland involved at some point

Making a birthday card for my friend Krislyn and ending it with “I love you” and my mom said I couldn’t phrase it like that but I could sign it “Love, Nikki” so I did (and hindsight reveals a crush on Krislyn in elementary school, but that was not something I realized until looking back while in college. I think I also had a crush on Lexi, actually, now that I think about it).

The Voyage of the Mimi - did anyone else ever see this?

It was a movie featuring Ben Affleck as a child, playing a character named CT. He, and several others, including Captain Granville, some random dude, and a deaf girl whose name I think was Sally or Sarah or something like that, were going on a trip on a boat called the Mimi. I think at one point Captain Granville fell off the boat and got hypothermia and they had to save him.

This was part of a unit on ocean life and conservation, in particular whales. We all had to do a project, either a video project or a “newspaper”. Krislyn and I were partners and we chose to do a video project, which we styled like a News Report on the evening news. Well, as much as 5th graders could anyway. Krislyn’s dad filmed it, but we had no editing software or ability to edit at all, so it was all done in one take and had a lot of mistakes. We had a news story about Orca whales, a news story about ocean pollution, and interview with Captain Granville (Krislyn’s dad wearing a paper beard) and commercials. One of the commercials was for soap. It involved a toilet flushing and one of Krislyn’s little sisters “screaming” simultaneously but the timing was off and the toilet flushed, then her sister screamed and it was really funny. There was a commercial for the aquarium gift shop, where my younger sister and both of Krislyn’s explained how they spent over $1000 at the gift shop! And then at the end we went upstairs and Krislyn’s mom said, “look what I bought for dinner” and it was a package of calimari and we all said “ewwwwwwww!” and then the video ended. (Calimari is delicious, as I know now)

We had to do a book report on a mystery. I wanted to do mine on a Boxcar Children book, but my reading level was much higher than the other kids in my class, so Mr. Spillane asked me to pick a book that would be more challenging for me. I don’t remember what I picked.

We had to do a report on one of the states. I chose Texas. I don’t remember what I learned about Texas, but I made the cover of my report on pink construction paper and tried to draw the Alamo in crayon.

Another report was during Black History Month. I wrote about George Washington Carver.

Another was on Juan Ponce de Leon and the fountain of youth

The Chronicles of Narnia were my favorite books, but I read them in a really weird order. I don’t remember that order, just that I never ended up reading The Magician’s Nephew and I think I read The Silver Chair before Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

I tried to read The Fellowship of the Ring when I was in 4th grade, but it was very wordy and confusing for a 8-9 year old.

We had to write a little bio for our “commencement” ceremony in 5th grade and I wrote something like, “I like reading and writing, and I’m a hockey girl!” even though I never played hockey - but hockey was my favorite sport. My favorite team was the Detroit Red Wings

At one point in elementary school, Tyler invited me over to his house to hang out but we ended up sitting in his basement and he wouldn’t let me leave until I had memorized Hillary Duff’s part in the song “What Dreams are Made of”

I also helped Tyler build a chair from scratch once

my penpal from another state, Kate, moved to my town after 3rd grade and was in my class in 4th grade

I once got in trouble during lunch because I didn’t notice the principal had asked everyone to be quiet so that she could say something and I was shouting across the table about Pokemon Blue

I wanted to learn the lyrics to “Time” by Pink Floyd because my dad played it all the time on the guitar and it was my favorite song, so my dad wrote them down for me so I could memorize them. My mom found it and thought I had written it, and thought I seriously needed counseling. She did not recognize the lyrics, nor did she think about the complexity of the song and how it would be ridiculously difficult for an 8 year old to write

I once shared with Mr. Spillane that I ran into a (male) classmate while shopping for bras at Kohl’s. I think he was embarrassed but I thought it was funny.

Seeing “Recess: School’s Out” in the theaters and my parents deciding they were never going to see another animated movie in the theaters again

...and that’s all I can think of for now. I’m sure I have more memories, but this is a lot, and it was fun to take a trip back and think about elementary school.

#oh the inanity!#memories #elementary school #trip down memory lane #this is my life

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krissysbookshelf · 7 years ago

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Free Ebooks (7/21/17)

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krissysbookshelf · 7 years ago

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God’s Guide To The End Times by William Luke: Read in plain English what God has revealed, including the intense trial that is to come upon the world to clarify the faith of unfaithful Christians – and how to avoid it. The terrible trouble that is to come upon the world to prove the defiance of unrepentant people – and why they will not escape it. FREE giant color chart via download or email.