#MTFB | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

courtorderedcake · 4 years ago

Text

Majestically Too Far Beyond, CSSNS 2020

Emma Swan is a Witch who has made (And apparently makes) bad decisions. Helping a desperate Witch out of a weird situation doesn't seem like a bad decision, even against her, runes, a tarot reading and her friend's Snow druid intuition - until it is and the consequences are very real.

Killian is a Demon with a long history of persecution against him, and his denizens are not much better off. His Angelic brother is on a mission to rehab Demonic image to prevent violence on the streets of Hyperion Heights, as some sort of Holy mission deeply rooted in millenia of guilt. Witches and Warlocks use them for parts, Werewolves see them as a threat, Angels mostly still hold on to the ancient feud regardless of their treatise, Fae stay chaotic neutral, Vampires don't care for others affairs - it's a perilous world where hate crimes happen without consequence. After a disastrous meeting, he attempts to drown his frustration with a trip to the bottom of a bottle, but ends up falling in bed with a mysterious Witch in her tower home. Soon he's missing a hand, has only the vaguest idea of what happened from the mess of blood he's woken up to, and a mirror shows that some strange, different, Witch is pregnant with his child.

RATED M for Mature Themes. Written for @cssns 2020 Beta’d by The best team ever ( @jarienn972 @ultraluckycatnd @donteattheappleshook) and Art by @kmomof4

Read on Ao3 HERE. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

Chapter 4 - For with you, earth is heaven too

"Thank the bloody stars, Liam is it really you?"

"Killian," Liam breathed a large sigh of relief. "Yes, are you - what the bloody hell happened to you? Your hand!"

"But a flesh wound, more importantly can you free me from this wretched tower? This mad Witch trapped me here and I need to - " He caught sight of Emma, who froze, pressing herself against the wall. "It's you."

Emma swallowed hard, Killian pulling away from his brother to stare at her with those unearthly eyes. The feeling of being dropped from a great height overcame her, knees almost buckling at the sensation of floating that eased into a strange thrum in her bones. It was an immediate revelation, her lips parting as his clawed hands balled into fists.

It was him. His name was Killian. Her heartbeat was louder in her ears, and she could somehow feel his shock as if a ripple moved in a small pond.

"How did you -" Killian tried to ask, but Liam pushed him back, standing between Emma and Killian as Emma backed away further.

"Is this Witch involved in the plot on your life, little brother?" Liam growled. "If she is, say the word. I had her locked away, and I'm itching to do it again, if not just to prove to my ex that I was right. She refused to listen to me about my suspicions on her delinquent friend, and now she's being frigid. She broke off things, but - "

"You and Elsa were dating?" Emma yelled, snapping out of her trance. "For fucks sake, do you know how much you probably hurt her with your bullshit? How dare you call her frigid!"

"You won't guilt me for this, Witch. I know you had something to do with this."

"Brother," Killian said, his voice trembling. Emma was suddenly full of dread, wishing to simply go home, never to think about the two ever again. "She isn't the, er, the one who -"

"Say no more. I'll have her arrested, and this time you better not even imagine getting out of that cell you -"

"No," Killian interrupted, laying his hand on Liam's shoulder. His whisper became louder, hesitation falling away from his voice. "No. No, Emma didn't do anything."

"It seems very clear that she did do something," Liam grunted, pointing at her. Killian looked annoyed, trying to interject through Liam's blustering.

"She's pregnant, yes, but -"

"And this child - It's yours?" Liam interrupted, his irritation rising.

"Liam, could you bloody well shut up for one moment - Look, it's easier to just - let me show you. Mirror, mirror, on the wall, show me Gothel the day she removed my hand."

Emma was immediately greeted by an enthusiastic Killian and Gothel making out as they stumbled through the same walls that she was surrounded by. Her cheeks flamed as Liam sputtered, and to her surprise the Demon's ears pinked with embarrassment.

"Sorry, sorry," he hissed out over the sound of their groaning. "Mirror, after this, please."

The mirror showed a naked Eloise from behind seated on Killian's waist as she rocked, loud moaning echoing, causing everyone in the tower to utter a different expletive.

"No, you bloody piece of glass, after. After all of that!" Killian gritted out with his face stained red, the mirror phasing into a dim view of Killian's sprawled form on the bed.

Eloise approached, magic rolling off of her in thick mauve smoke, a dagger raised in her hand. The cut was inhumanly fast, Killian waking groggily with surprise to look at his missing hand with confusion, the dark blood dripping from the stump making Emma feel dizzy with returning nausea.

Eloise held the hand in triumph, using a finger to draw a symbol on her belly as light began to emanate just below her navel. Killian was standing now, sheets clutched to him, looking at her with rage as he held his wrist and yelled, but the noise was growing around him as if a tornado bore down with its wind. He was quickly drowned out while wind began to swirl around Gothel, her hair whipping around her face.

Ripping a bedsheet that lay over a cauldron aside, she tossed in Killian's hand with a giggle. An explosion of blinding light burst forth, and she was gone, leaving a bewildered, bloodied Killian alone in the dark.

Liam cleared his throat, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well, what does any of that mean in regards to -"

In the darkness, the mirror suddenly lit, shining a gentle glow over the room. Killian walked towards it dazed, squinting at what displayed on the glass.

Emma could hear her cries of pain, and knew at once what he was seeing. She stepped forwards, watching both brothers with clear wariness.

"Show them what you showed me," Killian commanded.

Emma appeared on the glass, her body contorted and stomach swelling, agony written on her face as David attempted to break down her door.

"I'm so sorry, lass. I don't know how, or why -" Killian began, before Liam interjected.

"Don't apologize to her. She's the one who did this to you; she made a deal with that woman, and now look." He gestured, and Emma looked down at her feet in shame. "This is just another reason to hate Witches, another proof of their disregard -"

"Enough!" Killian growled, his eyes flashing. "I know what she did."

"Why didn't you leave? You just watched me go through this, knowing -" Emma asked quietly, her voice breaking.

"I wanted to leave. Do you think I enjoy this luxury resort? I can't, she transferred some curse on to me."

"Don't entertain her, little brother. This is proof, and all I need. I hope you enjoy your second trip to prison, Ms. Swan," Liam smirked.

Killian blocked him from his approach as Emma scrambled backward.

"I'm not pressing charges on her. Drop it, Liam. Haven't you harassed her enough?" Killian whispered.

"Can we, um, have a moment alone?" Emma mumbled, her sideways glance catching how Liam bristled, his wing feathers puffed in agitation. "I need -"

"That's a grand idea, actually." Killian cocked his head slightly, glaring at Liam. "Give us a moment or two, I promise that I can handle myself without you here for a moment."

Liam crossed his arms, his glare meeting Killian's so forcefully Emma would swear there was an electrical current in the air. Finally, he nodded.

"I'll be literally perched outside, so don't get any ideas about escaping Ms. Swan." Emma nodded, looking away when Liam's gaze tore from Killian to land on her. "And don't forget: I know what your power is. Using it here just gives me more incentive to find you."

Emma's eyes widened in shock as her head snapped up, just in time to see Liam smirk as he flapped once, disappearing out the window.

Awkward silence fell between Killian and Emma, left alone as papers stirred in the gust.

"Are you really not going to press charges?" Emma asked, after a long moment. Killian surveyed her carefully, her nervous fidgeting as she bit her lip and refusal to meet his eyes easing his own nerves.

"I won't be, lass. Aye. You have my word on it." She looked up, relief flooding her face. When their eyes met, Emma felt a jolt of warmth travel up her spine, her body relaxing of its own accord.

"And I can trust your word?" she asked, suspiciously. Killian's eyebrow raised, his lips turning upward into a mockery of a smile. "I didn't mean -"

"Oh, no Swan." He took a breath, laughing darkly while his only hand carded through his hair. "I can guess your exact meaning."

Pointing a finger to his horns, Emma scoffed. She pointed a finger outside at where Liam was most likely lurking.

"I meant that your brother is trying to put me back in jail," She pointed her finger at him, jabbing it as his tail flicked in agitation, "Because you didn't have the decency to find a way to contact me," she hissed, stepping forward further.

He growled low, his eyes narrowing. "And how was I supposed to bloody well manage that when I have been literally trapped here, eh Swan? I wrote on your mirror, should I have let down my long hair or charmed some carrier pigeons?"

Liam poked his head back in, looking between them. "I told you she is a stubborn -"

"For fuck's sake!" Emma threw up her hands in the air.

"Shut up Liam, and bugger off!"

Liam sulkily returned outside with a disgruntled noise.

"So what," Emma asked, hands finding her hips. "You were just going to wait up here as I felt this bond thing, and hope for the best? Did you just not feel them, or is this some sort of Demon courtship I don't know about?"

"Of course I felt the bindings, I've been watching everything, every day. It's been torture." Killian's voice rose, and he was suddenly stalking toward her as Emma backed up, her hands immediately resting against her stomach defensively. Stopping in his tracks, Killian froze, his nostrils flaring as he took a deep breath and exhaled it. "This choice didn't belong to me, or to you. Eloise worked the system, broke laws with her magic to make this happen… If you had just studied the ritual more or realized how wrong it all was, we wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be confined to a bloody tower unless I'm summoned or wearing a brand -"

"Listen, buddy, you watched me right?" Emma gritted through her teeth. A cloud of shadow began to form around Killian, her magic crackling in pinpricks of light around her fingers. "I didn't know a bundle of Demon baby was coming my way via express mail, so if you could not blame this all on me, that would be great."

"You expect me not to be angry at you? My child was not - I had different expectations of what their life would be like. I, unlike you, wanted a family and children -"

"I've always wanted a family, even if that didn't necessarily include kids, don't go after me for that."

"You had the choice!" he yelled, the dark around him deepening. "I have had none. I'm just an observer, caged while you -"

"Choice? I had the choice? Well, gee, good to know I chose this with full consent. I wanted to be hospitalized by your monster baby that tried to explode out of me the first chance it got. I chose to puke up everything I eat, because it's super fun. I still haven't entirely come to terms with the fact that they won't classify this as a rape, unless I press charges - not on Eloise - but on you. I can't think straight, and people think that I did this all on purpose, because yes, I wanted to go back to jail - "

"Alright, lass, alright," Killian put his hand out in supplication, Emma realizing that her own hands were shaking and breath was coming into her lungs in ragged rasps. She took a few breaths before collapsing onto a low stool, his face immediately falling to a look of regretful concern. She heard him mutter, her eyes closing as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. When she opened them, Killian stood with an offered glass of water.

"Thank you." Emma mumbled quietly, taking it from him and swallowing it greedily. He nodded, opening his mouth to say something a few times, then thinking better of it. Finally, he scratched at just behind his ear, clearing his throat.

"I'm sorry for all of that, it wasn't - it's not what I meant. We both wanted this to go differently. I didn't mean - I apologize." Taking another breath, he stepped closer, kneeling to be on the same eye level as Emma. She watched him warily, but to his surprise did not flinch away from his approach. "I can't imagine what you are going through. I haven't had a chance to really talk about everything or process that this is real, that someone would do this to me. To us."

"Thank you. It's not exactly been… I'm not… I've been really alone." Emma admitted. Now that they were closer to each other than before, a strange sense of calm seemed to flow over both of them as if a cooling rain had started. "This isn't exactly a common thing, so there's no one to talk to. I know it's my fault, and I know that I… Thank you."

"You're welcome. I'm sorry, if it matters." She nodded, and he grimaced. "For my part in whatever this is, and whatever she did to us to bind us, I'm sorry. I wouldn't wish this on anyone."

"If you want… I could brand you. I'll free you, and replace her brand with my own."

"No. No, I think not." He laughed lightly, smiling wryly. Suddenly standing, he pulled away and began to pace the floor in quick strides, not looking at her any longer. Emma felt the loss of his stare acutely, shivering. "I'd rather boil my tongue in piss than be another Witch's play thing, and follow your commands like some puppet. You called my child a monster just a moment ago, which means that to you, that's what I am. Absolutely out of the bloody question." Killian tried to rein in his anger, but she kept looking at him as if she cared after making remarks like that. He had tried to calm her, tried to offer an olive branch, and this was her reaction?

Emma could feel the sting of the lobbed insult, wincing at his outright derision and dismissal. "You're right. You aren't a monster, and I - I'm sorry. The real monster here is Gothel, or anyone who would do all of this. I wouldn't - I wouldn't do that to you. I wouldn't do any of this to you. You may not like me and we both hate Eloise, but this child doesn't need to suffer for that. I… I want her to have a good life. No. Her best life, everything I couldn't - didn't have. I love her already despite everything, and I want her to be okay."

He calmed, stopping his rapid pacing. "No commands? No chopping off bits of me? And I get to see her… my child?" His blue eyes narrowed, scrutinizing her. "What's the catch, why would you do that for a Demon?"

"Because. I've spoken to your brother and Milah's ghost. They have nothing but trust in you, even if they admit that you have stumbled."

Killian felt his heart stutter. He had put her to rest so long ago, his anger completely doused in one fell swoop. "Milah? Is she -"

"Worried about you, but for the most part at peace. She's in the vast gardens of the afterlife." Emma watched the Demon physically relax, the panic she had felt from him ebbing away to a deep melancholic ache. To her surprise and utter bewilderment, the urge to hug him popped into her head, which she shook off with confusion.

"Why did you contact her? Liam said that you were trying to raise this child by yourself. Why bind yourself to a child and an unknown father for a deranged woman in the first place?" Killian asked, not bothering to veil his suspicion.

"I didn't… I should have realized that Eloise was hiding something." Emma nervously fidgeted again, and Killian watched as her eyes found a spot on the floor to stare sadly at. Her half smile was easy enough to read, as he was discovering were many of her tells.

He watched her fingers trace the swell that lay beneath her t-shirt in small circles, listening intently while curiosity bested his better instincts.

"I have a soft spot for people trapped in their situations because I've been there. She used that against me, made me believe that I was some savior. As for a baby, I thought that this would be years away and never like this. I knew that I would never have a family of my own besides my brother, and as an orphan I thought that any parents willing to give up their child like I was given up… I just decided that I would at least be able to give an unwanted child the family I didn't have. I figured that if the binding worked, great. If it didn't, fine."

"And the fact that it's part Demon?" he challenged, watching her face and body language with interest. "A monster as you called it? That didn't factor in at all? Did you decide to find me when you realized it wasn't some perfect mortal?"

"I should not have said that. I'm actually… she's definitely not a monster." She traced the curve of her belly absentmindedly, sighing softly. All of their anger melted away as a deep exhaustion settled in its place. "It doesn't bother me for that reason. It's been hard because of my body, I don't know if you saw what this is doing to me -"

"There are times where I felt your privacy was more important than my desperation," Killian stated, blushing slightly. Emma gave him a small smile, surprised to see the tips of his ears go pink.

"I… I do need help, but not because I'm scared of her or resent having a partially Demon child. I'm scared because of the changes in my body, how crazy I feel, and how alone I am in this. I want her to have the best life they can, and that means guidance from someone who understands better than I do." Something shifted between them, Killian hearing the endearing honesty in her tone. "And you, you've acted a lot more humanely than many of the mortals I've met even in the brief moments I have spent around you. It's obvious that you would love your child - this child, and I do - I mean, I care about her, and I want her to have two parents - "

Killian blinked, sure he had misheard, his breath catching in his throat. "Two parents? As in - "

"You and I, yes. I can't do this alone, and your brother is already trying to draw up paperwork for me to give her up for adoption. He put me in jail, and I don't think he really believes that I didn't… Look, if you want out, I understand, but I am keeping her - I think it's a her. I can't do adoption, especially when it's orchestrated by Liam."

They both glanced at the window, Liam still out of purview. "Ah. Yes. My brother is…"

"He's a fucking asshat. The king of the dickheads." Emma smiled, Killian letting out a bellow of genuine laughter.

"That sums it up. And then Demonic infancy... The pregnancy alone without support - I suppose this could work," Killian mused. He grinned, her smile widening. Warmth poured through the bond, and he watched her form ease into comfort, body loosening fractionally. "You have been more of a mum than Eloise by far, I guess that's fair. "

"I want nothing but the best for my child. This world is not going to be kind. It's going to try and shortchange every aspect of her existence. At least having two parents that love her -"

"You believe a Demon is capable of love, darling? How progressive." The edge of his tone was back, both of them snapping on their armor with well tuned practice.

Her eyes shot up to search his, in a challenge. "I don't believe. I know it's true, don't act like I'm an idiot."

"Just who are you, Swan?"

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"Perhaps I would." Killian said quietly. After a moment, he took in a breath and licked his lips. "Very well. I'll wear your brand, Swan. I'll find a place to stay closer to your abode and -"

"Stay at my place. I'll make you a set of doors, and it should lessen the need for a full power brand. I think using that much magic might be tricky for me right now anyway, I get tired quickly." He nodded, sympathy leaking into her mind. It felt weird, their feelings intermingling, but not wrong. She could somehow taste it, and knew it was a grayish blue. "You can add a door to somewhere else eventually, but for now I'll put one here to lessen the blood magic that traps you. It'll go to my spare room. You can use whatever suits you best once you find a place. I won't mind, and it's safer for you than the city."

"You'd trust me alone there, on the farm? And alone in your home?"

"Snow will say you are a strange omen, but not in the way that makes the flowers shrivel or some other cryptic statement that is Druid for, ‘you're alright’. And then there's what your brother's pamphlets said… I would just feel better if you were nearby, if you don't mind." He nodded, and she released a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. Tension fell from her shoulders as she stepped forward, reaching out to touch him but stopping short when he flinched back. "Where do you want my brand? It's a bit large."

Muscles rippled under his skin, and she could see where old lines of Witch brands had burned there.

He had been a slave many times, and many of the brands were old, none quite as faded as the largest one on his shoulder. Almost completely gone, it was ornate and delicate from what was left visible; the shape of a heart and a name. Milah. Emma swallowed hard.

Gothel's wasn't there, she noted.

The Demon's eyes were dark, black as raven feathers but for the blue flame that licked underneath long lashes. A small silver scar rested on one cheek, shimmering slightly with icy light. His body moved as if it was made of smoke, the main parts of his form solid that trailed away as if he was dissolving into stardust. Swirls of celestial light moved under the many brands, constellations spiraling as she watched. A nebula drifted lower, disappearing halfway under the waistband of his leather trousers, and Emma briefly felt heat color her face.

Whatever lay below was foreign to her, and based on the guidebook given to her, varied vastly from Demon to Demon. As far as she knew, he could have another arm.

"Like what you see, love?" Killian whispered lowly, and Emma shook off her thoughts on his beauty and possible anatomy.

Emma rolled her eyes, and placed her hand to rest on the left side of his torso, just below his sternum. The touch made both of them hiss in pleasure, the gold of her brand a bright metallic color against the light blues of his skin.

"Now," Emma smiled, looking up at Killian's attempts to blink away his half lidded gaze. "If we hurry, I can add these doors and we can leave before your brother makes it back. If you're so inclined that is."

"Why Swan," Killian practically purred, "I must say that is the best idea you've had all evening."

ﾟ・. ｡・. *✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.★.*｡･ﾟ*⛧*.・｡*ﾟ.★.・.・✫*.・。.・゜

The first door from the house to the tower took what felt like ages to make, and its toll on Emma's magic was as if she'd been run over by a herd of unicorns. She wobbled through it into her kitchen, immediately opening a can of Red Minos. The magic restoring liquid felt smooth against her tongue, its race to replenish her magic buzzing under her skin.

The buzzing was met with a strange undercurrent of annoyance with sudden force, and she turned to see Killian glowering at her.

"You really shouldn't drink that in your condition. All of those magical replenishing energy drinks are terrible for you." He eyed her worriedly, and Emma sighed.

"I don't normally drink them, but I need to make extra space -"

"It can wait for a day. I can wait for a day. I'll sleep on the floor somewhere or in the tower." He shrugged and took a step forward, standing next to her to watch her fidget nervously with the can. "It's not worth your health, or the little one. Especially given that I've only seen you eat a pop tart and a candy bar for meals today."

Emma felt her fist clench around the can, the aluminum crackling as it crushed.

"So, the ghost I felt, that was you keeping tabs on me?"

Killian blushed, the pink of his cheeks startling on his pale blue skin. "When you say it like that Swan, it sounds worse than it is - I was merely trying to get in contact with you and see who was carrying -"

"Fine then. I'll just fix you up a spot in the nursery," Emma mumbled, interrupting him before she could get more annoyed. "And I'll just throw this away." With a flick of her wrist, the can dropped neatly into the bin.

The foreign feeling of concern faded, replaced by guilt at potentially hurting the baby with her bad habits. She knew the basics of no sushi, no drinking - if those even applied. What else didn't she know?

"Where do you keep your linens then?" Killian’s voice steadied her, and Emma pointed him toward a closet.

"There isn't much. I'm sorry, but you can sleep in the nursery's glider, I have a few blankets somewhere…"

"I'll be alright, Swan," he assured her, chuckling lightly. "I tend to stay rather warm."

Emma rolled her eyes, carrying a pillow into the nursery to drop by the glider. She gestured at the murals on the wall. "This is the nursery -"

"I know. I've watched every day," he admitted sheepishly, his ears reddening at the tips. "I know your entire schedule."

Emma blinked, then blinked again. "Oh." The surprise in her tone didn't seem to bother the Demon, who chuckled softly. "I'm sorry. This is just so weird."

Killian laughed, but the smile he gave her did not reach his eyes. A stale silence filled the room. Not one to sit on idle hands, they began to work in tandem to set up his sleeping arrangements. Finally he spoke again.

"I'm sorry for not being here. I'm sorry for everything, truly, especially this all happening. I didn't know, I swear it-"

Emma swallowed hard. Guilt poured through the bond, swirling itself around to the point of being indeterminable if it was hers or his.

"It's OK, you couldn't have known," Emma soothed. "You don't need to be sorry. I'm not. I mean, it would have been nice, but… I'm a big girl. I can handle myself, and I always have."

"I wanted to be here so badly. You shouldn't have been alone in this."

“Hey - You're here now.”

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome.”

A comfortable silence fell in place as she watched him make his makeshift bed on the glider. It was hard not to stare at him, her eyes kept catching the way his horns caught the light even in the dim; an almost mother of pearl iridescence making them shimmer.

"Oh, your hand -" Emma realized suddenly, only to have him laugh and shrug it off.

"It'll grow back. Just needs some time and a good potion or two."

Emma nodded, His skin was also strange and ethereally beautiful: it seemed to be a sky blue, but when she moved closer, it became clear that it was as if glittering stardust, galaxies, and things that she could not begin to describe shifted to turn or crash together. His tail was another oddity that left her lips quirking upward. It swept around him in gentle swoops, and she'd noticed it flicking with agitation when they fought earlier.

Everything about him charmed her in the most peculiar ways.

(It's the bond. You are bound to each other, and your child. Don't be an idiot.)

"I can put on the skin suit - er… the glamor if you want." Killian mumbled so quietly she almost missed it, his back turned to her. His tail moved slower still, reminding her of a nervous cat. He was wary of her.

(Adorable, how unbearably sweet that he was nervous -)

"Only if you want." Emma shrugged. She saw his shoulders lose their tension, and heard his light chuckle before he turned to face her.

Emma blinked. She had gotten closer to him, not noticing her drift towards him. Blushing, she watched his face settle into a sly smirk of knowing in the warm quiet.

(This house has always been quiet, but never like this. This feels -)

"So, you… Er, work? I guess I don't know what a 'Prince of Hell' does. Are you kissing babies and cutting ribbons all day?" Emma asked, shaking away the bizarre thoughts that seemed intent to turn her to mush. She needed her walls more than ever.

"I'm actually quite a big deal in the Below. I'm a large feature in the Below's gossip rags and newspapers, if you'll believe it." Killian swallowed, licking his lips. "I'm sure that this will be quite the scandal I'll have to figure out. I might have to hire a publicist…" He ran a hand through his hair, gently scratching behind his ear in thought.

"I - is the Below - is it like, democracy or monarchy or...?"

"Ah. Yes. Of course no one up here really takes the time to learn, but I digress. I'm a Pre-fall Celestial, and I chose a side which ended in my fallen status. We designed, built, and made the laws regarding the Below, and thusly were rewarded Kingdoms or provinces in it. There were twenty or so of us, but it has dwindled down over the years from infighting, outfighting, war, and all the other things in between the two." His chest puffed with pride, the bond prickling with touches of it.

(Get your walls back up! He's weird Hellion royalty and you're some hussy he found who was magically knocked up! This is not Cinderella - this fairytale is too weird even for the Grimm's.)

"Oh," Emma said flatly, turning and striding into the kitchen.

Killian followed behind, with a hum of disappointment. "Oh? That's really all you have to say about -"

She pulled a large gallon of jasmine tea out of the fridge, pouring herself a glass. "That gives me no idea or insight into what you do."

"I'm - I write, edit, and serve as witness and or notary for all contracts that fall in my province."

"Meaning…?" Emma gestured with her hand for a breakdown, drinking her tea.

Killian moved closer, plucking the now empty glass from her hands to wash it in the sink. "Imagine I'm the Captain of several fleets of ships that make up a bigger navy. I make sure everyone that touches my name and status is good."

"Hell has a navy?

"The Below has -" He paused, and his eyes narrowed as a smirk spread across his face. "Now you're just being right cheeky to vex me. I can feel it. "

She blushed, biting her lip, their distance shrinking as they both seemed to sway into each other. He turned off the sink, the kitchen suddenly much smaller than he remembered. As if in a dream, Emma's hand found his to steady herself, the touch of her fingers soft. His senses were immediately invaded by her while everything else fell away. Catching her eye, he could see the dreamy sort of contentment that relaxed her features, the calm not brief enough to mistake for anything else.

It disappeared just as quickly, her brows pinching and lips pressed together in a grim line. She flinched away as if burnt, immediately cradling her stomach with her palms.

"I'll make a downstairs guest bedroom tomorrow, then. It will need, well, everything. I wasn't expecting many guests, and I can't make anything too fancy. A bed and an ensuite are as much as I can muster currently. Ask before you need anything though, I might be able to squeeze a feature in. I'll help you out to the best of my ability."

"Aye, Swan."

"I eat dinner with my brother every Tuesday and Thursday night. Otherwise I don't really cook -"

"I know, you eat those awful sugar encrusted tarts instead. You need vegetables and -"

"So feel free to cook for yourself."

"You have an appointment coming up too, and I was hoping to broach the subject of coming along with you. I just, I have a lot of questions; I am both not ready but also entirely ready for -"

"Well, it's still going to be a while. A year of this, at least, and I'm already scared. I don't know anything about babies, but even less about Demons. At least your brother will chill out slightly now that you have been located."

"Ah, yes. That reminds me. Do you want to continue working? If you do, I don't mind, but you could work less. I am happy to provide a stipend -"

"A stipend? You can't bribe me -"

"I'm not trying to -" He stopped himself, taking a slow breath in exasperation while rubbing his hand across his face. When he looked at her again, she saw a patient frustration resting on his brow. "You know, Swan, some people just have good intentions at heart. Take a leap of faith here, and let me repay you for being absent the first four months of our child's life."

"I guess we should talk about our expectations, and intentions, or something then, because I don't want you thinking I'm some damsel in distress." Storming away from him toward the living room, Emma plopped down carefully on the couch. Killian appeared a seconds later, leaning against the wall to appraise her. "I'm not. I don't need help, I don't need you or anyone -"

"You may not need someone, but that doesn't mean you don't want someone there," Killian began striding toward her stopping a short distance away. "I get it, you're perfectly capable, strong, brilliant really - but I'm here to stay, love. I don't want you to have to do this alone, and I know you don't want to either."

"How do you know what I want?" she snapped, unable to get comfortable on the couch. She huffed in annoyance, trying to position a pillow behind her back.

Killian sat beside her, and she glared at him openly. Reaching towards her, she flinched as his hands gently moved the pillow upwards and to the side.

"You're an open book, love," he murmured, scooting to sit on the other side of the couch, letting her stretch her feet.

The anger dissipated again, the bond gently thrumming in contentment at his presence. Emma realized she felt exhausted, the onset of the draining interactions and introductions catching up to her.

"It might not be so bad, to just have you around. Only just a little bit, to help me do baby stuff, and nothing else at all."

Her eyes closed despite the Demon staring at her, and she blinked them open trying to stay awake.

"Who knows, love," he whispered, voice a low rumbling as her eyes shut again. "You and I could become friends in this mess."

Emma yawned, curling into the couch, feeling his presence nearby as if they were connected by a length of cord.

"Not your love," she managed to grumble, his chuckle the last thing she heard before falling asleep.

ﾟ・. ｡・. *✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.★.*｡･ﾟ*⛧*.・｡*ﾟ.★.・.・✫*.・。.・゜

When Emma woke, she was surprised to find she felt well rested, something that hadn't happened in what felt like years. Light music was playing on a radio, and the smell of something delicious was wafting from her kitchen. She blinked the bleariness away, standing with a stretch and a groan.

"Good morning, Swan," Killian called from the kitchen. Looking around, she realized that he'd cleaned too, her floors gleaming in the pale morning sun. "I made you an omelet, if you'd like one."

"Oh, we haven't been feeling eggs much lately," Emma looked down at her stomach, surprised that the smell wasn't making her retch. "But… Maybe this morning she's decided to give them a chance."

"Probably desperate for something other than sugar and grease," Killian teased, his tail flicking as his head fell back to look at her. He grinned, and she tried to hide her own.

This was weird. All of it. The familiarity of him, cooking in her kitchen wearing pajamas he'd somehow acquired while she had slept, humming along to the radio's music. Her friends didn't even know he was here, and he had already broken (crashed) through her walls without any of the resistance they had met. Emma bit her lip, rolling it between her teeth.

A plate slid in front of her, breaking her from her thoughts. A beautiful yellow omelet with flecks of tomato, ham, spinach, and onion rested in front of her. Mouth watering, Emma took a small bite, letting the cheese melt on her tongue.

She let out an indecent noise, digging into it as Killian sat beside her, amused.

"I'd never have guessed you haven't eaten before, Swan."

"Shut up," Emma managed, swallowing another bite. "This is so good, I don't know how you did this but it just - it's so good."

"I went downtown after I was sure you were asleep. If I'm going to be staying here, I needed some clothes and the contents of my fridge." He shrugged, taking a bite and chewing slowly. "I didn't go Below, it would be too much hassle right now, and I was worried about you waking up alone."

"Oh." Emma felt surprise tug at her heart, her brows furrowing. "Why would you be worried about me being alone? I'm alone a lot."

"Because, now you're not. It'd be bad form to take your kindness and make it look spurned." Killian blushed, and Emma stared, scrutinizing him.

"Well, you don't have to worry, I told you before that I'm fine."

"Aye, Swan. This was more courtesy than compulsory."

"Good."

They ate in silence, Emma finishing before him. She placed the dish in the sink, then turned to the wall of the kitchen. Focusing her magic, she made the outline of a door appear, pulling it into reality carefully and folding the plane of existence around it. Connecting the door's functioning portal to Killian’s place was the trickier part; without him there, she had to search manually for traces of him.

Sure enough, she found his apartment in the penthouse of a downtown tower, its all glass windows and dark, minimalist, slate doors sleek compared to her white paneled addition.

The door clicked into existence, and she fell to her knees, panting.

"Emma, by Fenrir's blade, are you alright? What did you -"

"Made," she panted, pointing to the door. "You, door."

"This could have waited, you scared me! The bond fell from reception for a moment and I thought -" Killian looked panic stricken. Emma rolled her eyes.

"I'm fine. Just used more magic than I thought. It fluctuates; the baby wants more some days. Usually the days when I need it, but," Emma wiped a hand across her face, finding it sweaty as she slicked back her hair. "I make do."

"I'll get you something to -"

"I'm fine, Killian. I promise."

He nodded and straightened, but watched her warily as she stood. Emma brushed off his worry easily, his concern as far as she was concerned, was nothing more than worry for his offspring - more bond induced nonsense that they would have to muddle through. Killian disarmed her through it, if her guard even let down the slightest bit, the link between them made her too honest, too trusting.

(Too vulnerable?)

(No. Never again.)

(Careful, always careful; better safe than sorry.)

ﾟ・. ｡・. *✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.★.*｡･ﾟ*⛧*.・｡*ﾟ.★.・.・✫*.・。.・゜

Working out all the small kinks took a few days, including the call to her friends that she had found the Demon, and they needed privacy to figure things out before the coven could descend upon them. Mary Margaret, Anna, and Regina took it the hardest (the lattermost to Emma's surprise), but that was fixed with promises to visit individually when possible. Elsa had smoothed it over, truly, by offering (with a new frosty demeanor) to play bad cop to Emma's good.

Making it clear that Emma needed space and making a case that even rattled Regina, Elsa had convinced everyone to ease up - even while she was miserable. Liam had tried to use his discovery about Killian to apologize, discovering very quickly how 'frigid' she could actually be.

Killian for the most part seemed grateful just to be there, and out of the tower. His room was set up and Emma had attached it neatly to the tower (the door currently in his closet), and his other residences. It took time, but the house and her magic got along in a great way, the door's stability not at all in question. Killian had teased her after they toured his homes that it was a lot to baby proof - Emma was simply thankful that the two properties he favored were not out of state. The further the distance, the more taxing it got - it was among the few reasons she had that as much as she wished she could make a door to the Below for him, she couldn't.

"It's alright, Swan. I don't mind going back and forth to get what I need from the Below. It truly doesn't bother me to commute." Dropping another box into his downtown penthouse as she looked on, he shrugged, leaning back to rest on the bar with his elbows. "I can turn in some work, touch base with my team, do the things I can't do up here that need to be done. Plus, it's not as if you would have if you could have - it's illegal to have unauthorized portals to and from the Below. It's in the DRIVES act."

"Oh," Emma blinked. "I keep seeing that, but I don't know much about it honestly. I have to sign the baby up under it at some point -"

"Not any longer. Liam said that when he suspected you initially, but now he's rescinded the request." Killian’s jaw clenched, his claw like nails ripping open the top of the box in a slash.

Emma shook her head, looking at Killian with sheer confusion. "Why would he do that? I thought it protected -"

"I asked him to," Killian stated, an edge to his tone. His eyes flicked to look at her, the sideways glance almost a challenge of some sort. Emma pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to understand what was going on.

"Okay, I guess I don't get it." Shifting to step towards him, Emma frowned when she saw hurt flicker across his face. "Are you upset with me? Why would you ask Liam to do that? Is there something I should know?"

"There's a lot you should know, love, I just - just don't fret about it. It's fine." Killian smiled, but the lie seeped from his words into his expression. "Just know that if you ask a Demon or anyone close to them, the DRIVES act is not popular. It's a hit list in the right hands, and the attributes asked in that questionnaire are very unnecessary."

"I don't -"

"Emma, I don't want to explain all of this right now, but I promise I will. I just - I just can't until I am sure you will understand. My brother isn't great about it, but he's better than many."

"I guess I'll leave you to this then?" Emma grumbled slightly, unaware of whatever she had done. He caught her wrist as she turned to leave, his hand warm over her skin.

"It's fine. Please stay, we can change the subject." Killian nodded, and he encouraged her to sit at the large bar. He had impeccable taste, if a bit too modern for Emma's liking. Dark colors and steel fixtures looked untouched, gleaming in the light of a sleek fireplace built into an onyx wall. "So you have a doctor's appointment here soon, right?"

"In two weeks, at the five month mark. I'll be a third of the way along, basically." Emma stroked along where the swell of her belly curved upwards, marveling at how fast time had passed. She was still carrying large, but had completely slowed down in growth to stay the same size. Her body was rounded out almost completely and as much as it could be, her breasts heavier and her center of gravity at risk of creating an orbit.

Killian hummed in response, watching her intently. "Do you feel…?"

"Her move?" Emma finished his question, and he nodded. "I'm starting to. She's the size of a plum right now, if you can believe it."

Killian nodded again, the silence once more taken over. He cast a longing look at her before returning to unpacking. The bond thrummed, and Emma found herself by his side.

"Here." Taking his hand even as he startled, she placed it on the lower side of her stomach, pressing softly against where she felt the baby laying. Killian let out a choked noise of surprise, his hand stiff until the tension loosened and his large palm formed to her side.

The bond exploded with warmth, as if a knit blanket had been wrapped around her shoulders and a mug of cocoa had been placed in her hands. Every muscle unwound, her thoughts hazy and free. It made her feel too comfortable, to which she accounted for the madness of what came next.

"You could come, if you want," Emma whispered, her body resting against his in a gentle lean. "To the appointment, I mean."

"I'd like that a lot, actually," he murmured back, his other hand lazily hugging her against himself.

They stayed like that for a few moments, the bond between them alive with its vibration, until Emma pulled away with sudden realization.

Killian looked dazed when Emma stared at him, but said nothing when she turned on her heels and stomped back into her own house again. Emma's anger felt like it might eat her alive, the door to her special room opening with no resistance. She scooted between the boxes and ducked under the bottoms of clothes, curling into herself.

(The bond was officially a problem.)

ﾟ・. ｡・. *✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.★.*｡･ﾟ*⛧*.・｡*ﾟ.★.・.・✫*.・。.・゜

For the most part after that, Emma was successful in her attempts to avoid Killian, both of them happy to stay clear of the other without risking the consequences of the tenuous bond.

Neither of them acknowledged it openly, until a few days before the first trimester check up when Killian confronted her.

"I don't have to go if you are uncomfortable, but I truly do want to be there for you and our child," he told her seriously, handing her a large bouquet. The flowers smelled amazing, the yellow and white blooms immediately making Emma's heart clench. "I've taken off that day, and I have a chauffeur for you to save you from the commute. I thought we might -"

"It's fine. I said you could go, and I meant it." Emma shrugged, holding onto every bit of her armor.

"I meant to ask, and I know what you have said, but…" Killian raked a hand through his hair, tousling it around his horns. "Mixed children tend to take after the non-Demonic parent. Are you sure that you want to keep -"

"I'm sure," Emma growled, her attention snapping towards him. He lowered his hands in supplication, and Emma realized she was practically ready to spring: her arm had curled around her belly protectively, while the other was outstretched, and the grimace she wore was more bared teeth than anything.

"I was only confirming. It's - I'm not -"

"Whatever," Emma snapped, hugging herself tightly. "It's at eight am. Be here by seven."

"Aye."

Per his word, he was promptly waiting for her at seven am the morning of the appointment, the sleek black town car's leather seats warm as he helped her inside.

Emma hadn't seen much of him since their tense conversation, but he cleaned up well in the skin suit - horns, claws, and tail disappearing, and his skin a pale color that made his lips seem to blush. She could tell he was uncomfortable in it, and in an attempt to calm him she took his hand in hers.

"It grew back nicely," Emma remarked, examining the scars that still appeared, even through the glamor. "Does it hurt?"

"No. It's prone to stiffness and some cramping, but," He gave her a grin, the unearthly blue of his eyes bright with mischief as they crinkled. "What can one expect from second hand goods."

Emma could not help the laughter and groan that bubbled up as he gave a dramaticized sigh with a tilt of his head. "That was terrible," she managed, still giggling.

He only grinned back, giving her hand a squeeze. They sat quietly together until the car stopped, Killian helping her out again and into the lobby of the office. It was a short wait, the doctor looking at Killian with surprise and then distrust as she ran over her checklist.

"Still feeling movement?"

"Yes," Emma answered, sitting sideways on the examination table.

"Eating and drinking well?"

"Yes," Emma answered, as Killian made a noise.

"Are there any recipes or guidelines I could follow to cook for her, so she eats -" Killian tried, the doctor wrinkling her nose and not looking at him.

"You are growing right on schedule, are you having intercourse at all?" the doctor asked, ignoring Killian completely.

"I - no, I'm not, I -" Emma stammered.

"Good. Any Demonic Malevolence?" The doctor shot a sideways glance towards Killian, and he frowned. Crossing his arms and sitting back in his chair, he tilted his head to stair at the ceiling. Emma noticed his tail had broken through the glamor as it began flicking rapidly with agitation.

"Um, I am not sure -"

"This would be thoughts of hurting others, destruction of items of value, cravings for raw meat, forcing contracts or actions to be done by means of thrall on others or against your own will, feelings that result in heightened fire magics -"

"Oh, no," Emma shook her head. "Nothing like that at all."

"It's illegal to withhold reports of malevolence, are you aware of that, Miss Swan?"

"I - Yes," she repeated, slowly. "Yes I am."

"And you are sure there is nothing you would like to report?" the doctor asked, leering at her. Emma laid a hand over her stomach, looking at Killian. He let his stare at the ceiling drop, catching her eye, his gaze unreadable.

"I'm sure," Emma nodded.

The doctor clicked her pen, making a clicking sound with her tongue. "Alright, slide your pants down and lay across the table here. The ultrasound technician will be in shortly."

The doctor left, leaving Emma and Killian alone.

"Do you need me to -" Killian began, but Emma was already shimmying down her pants and underwear.

"Oh, no," Emma said, realizing his attempt at giving her privacy. "I - you're going to want to see this, I think, and at this point, my vagina and you are going to become acquainted in the least desirable of ways that I doubt anyone could sexualize. I'm fine with it. If you are grossed out, let me know. I don't want you fainting - "

"I assure you that I do not intend to faint or do anything untoward," Killian stated firmly.

"Good," Emma said simply.

The technician came in moments after, immediately glaring at Killian as she got to work. She squirted freezing gel on the roundness of Emma's belly, making her jump. Killian snapped to attention, looking at the technician with narrowed eyes before moving his chair closer.

The technician pursed her lips before plastering a sunny smile over her grimace. "Alright, let's see this baby! Fingers crossed for good news!"

Taking her wand, the Fairy made a few circular motions, a glowing mist sticking to the gel of Emma's stomach. Waving her wand at the machine, the machine whirred to life, focusing in on a blurry image.

"That's her?" Killian asked, reverently, leaning forward to look at the monitor in awe. The small white blob kicked out a tiny leg, flailing in the black and gray of the background. Emma felt his fingers interlace with hers, and found that she was grateful for the grounding gesture.

"That's our baby, oh I - Killian, she's perfect, she's -" Emma could barely recognize her own voice; the excitement, the weight, the proof that they were a part of this something forever and the giddiness of everything stealing her breath. Tears pricked at her eyes, the emotions too much. Swiping them away, Emma took in a deep breath, and steeled herself again.

"Good call, a beautiful little princess is nice and snug in Mum." The nurse pointed to the screen at the baby's sex, before giving a sly glance towards Killian. "She looks normal enough; didn't inherit much of her father at all. Bless your luck for that."

Emma glanced at Killian, tensing at the nurse's rudeness, but he didn't seem to notice. His smile was wide as he squeezed her hand, the grin making his eyes twinkle absolutely infectiously. All Emma could feel was adoration, the warm balm of it through the bond, and the lightness that made her squeeze his hand back in turn.

"She's beautiful," he sighed out, and Emma managed a choked nod, before his eyes caught her own. Worry immediately spread across his features. "You're crying, darling are you -"

"I'm fine, I just got -" Emma hiccuped, trying to stop the tears rolling down her face. The nurse, to her credit, was cleaning up quickly, wrinkling her nose at them in disdain when Killian cupped her cheek, his thumb gently swiping away tears. "I just got overwhelmed for a moment. Thank you for coming, it means so much more than I thought, and -"

"Thank you for letting me," Killian replied simply, shrugging ever so slightly. He pressed a kiss to her knuckles, and Emma shivered at the electricity that seemed to shoot down her spine.

Emma rebuttoned her pants and pulled her sweater over her stomach, standing carefully while Killian smoothed down the knitted fabric. Swaying into his touch, he let her rest her cheek against his chest, the comfort of the not-quite embrace washing over them. Humming a noise that he reciprocated, her hands splayed across the stretch of his chest, as Killian’s nose rested against the crown of her head while his lips pressed chastely against her forehead.

(It could be like this forever, it could be everything and a future if you just -)

The nurse cleared her throat loudly, and Emma jumped away from Killian’s arms, looking startled.

"Your pictures are ready," she drawled, her eyebrows raised even as her eyes began to narrow. "If you'd like them, that is."

Emma nodded, swallowing a deep breath to calm her racing heart.

The pictures were a blurry mess, a few profiles of their baby that were more modern art than much else. One was marked as 'thumbsucking' and Emma tried not to be overcome by the strange swell of emotions that threatened when she traced the tiny hand that met a tiny mouth. Killian’s favorite was of their baby's feet, crossed at the ankles but directly in view of the camera's viewpoint. They were so tiny, so small even with their tiny nubbins of toes.

Leading her to the car, the chauffeur asked where they were headed.

"We can go home if you like, Swan," Killian hesitated, taking her hand and swiping his thumb over her knuckles. "But -"

"It's alright if you have plans today. I understand, I didn't expect you to stay," Emma mumbled, trying not to let her strange disappointment leak through the bond, or show in her downcast eyes.

Killian laughed slightly, shaking his head. "On the contrary, I was going to ask you to lunch."

Emma looked up sharply, lips parting in surprise. "Oh, I'd - I wouldn't mind that at all -"

"I thought we could have lunch together, then we could go shopping for her, now that we know for sure, and you could pick out anything you don't have already." Blushing, he raked back his hair with his other hand, scratching behind his ear. "If you're up for it, that is. I know that this is all…" He made a gesture with his hand, and Emma could not help the laughter that bubbled up.

"I'd love that, but I can't afford -"

"My treat, all around." Killian squeezed her hand again, his eyes meeting hers as she bit her lip. "Please. Let me take care of you, and her. I know it's all -"

"Fubar?" Emma suggested, his lips quirking into a grin.

"Sure, though I would argue Snafu, as not everything has been a disaster. Some of this, it's been -"

Emma cut him off, calling out to the chauffeur.

"Granny's please, on Crimson boulevard and Lupine Highway."

The chauffeur nodded, and Killian rolled his eyes. "You have to eat something besides grilled cheese and onion rings, Swan."

"You said vegetables, and that's what onion rings are. Delicious, delicious, vegetables." Emma grinned, leaning herself to rest against him.

(So much for armor, you let him through your walls like he owns the place. Stop letting the bond win, stop letting yourself forget about your scars!)

(Shut up, brain, and let me eat my onion rings.)

#Courtorderedcake #October 5th 2020 #October #2020 #captain swan #captain swan au #captain swan fanfiction #captain swan fic #cs au #cs ff #cs ff au #MTFB #Majestically Too Far Beyond

35 notes · View notes

siarneh · 5 years ago

Photo

For Transgender Day of Visibility day bb. In this house we say trans rights and respect pronouns.

(x) (x) (x) (x) (x)

~*No TERF Zone*~

18 notes · View notes

stockcalc · 6 years ago

Text

Yangtze River Port (YRIV:NAS) and Taronis Technologies (TRNX:NAS) Are Biggest Stock Decliners YTD on NASDAQ

Stockcalc – Free Trial

Have a free look inside the StockCalc website at www.stockcalc.com

I have used the analysis tools on the website stockcalc.com to generate some of the content of this blog post. These tools and reports are available for free at www.stockcalc.com/TopPicks.aspx.

Biggest Stock Decliners Year to Date on NASDAQ

Today we are looking at companies that have had the greatest…

View On WordPress

#Alta Mesa Resources #AMR #falling stocks #Motif Bio #MTFB #NASDAQ #stock decliners #stock losers #Taronis Technologies #TRNX #WIN #Windstream Holdings #Yangtze River Port #YRIV

0 notes

shopbuddy-blog · 4 years ago

Photo

타이틀리스트 20SS STAGGERED 스트레치 폴로티 BLK 🏌️ ♂️👆 🔖 더 알아보기 : http://s.godo.kr/mtfb ... #타이틀리스트 #20SS #STAGGERED #스트레치 #폴로티 #스테져드 #패턴 #블랙 #반팔 #반팔티 #티셔츠 #카라티 #골프 #골프웨어 #골프의류 #골프패션 #남성 #남자 #필드패션 #브랜드 #샵버디 https://www.instagram.com/p/CDk67NhlxQ7/?igshid=4gcejwveci0z

0 notes

grumpypantsus · 7 years ago

Audio

(User 709280916)

#SoundCloud #music #User 709280916 #radio drop #internetradio #internet radio

5 notes · View notes

courtorderedcake · 4 years ago

Text

I'm behind again due to my Lupus flare last week. Here's what's happening and what to expect :

Hallow updates tomorrow, with Emma seeking out Killian after her escape from The Cave of Wonders with Aladdin and Jasmine. She's got her memories and magic back, in addition to being furious at Jafar, Hades, and most definitely Arthur for taking advantage of her. They don't know what she's capable of, but they are about to learn.

Roses updates after that, on Saturday. We left off finding out that Killian has a long past with the property of Carterhaugh - and its mysterious family. The mistress of Carterhaugh still lives as the Fae queen, now more venomous than amorous for her banished lover. Killian is freed, but at a cost : on Halloween he will be sacrificed. Emma is on the verge of telling him everything, about Neal, about what he did, about his rings and the house with too many doors, about her missing friends and Tam, and about what she hallucinated on the night of the fire when Neal died. She knows that they both have secrets, but hopes that hers will not be too much for Killian to take - not knowing that her secrets are nothing compared to his, or what awaits them in their shortened future.

MTFB (Majestically too far Beyond) will be updated Tuesday, with hopefully regular updates every week on Tuesday. This week we finally meet Killian, and see the mysterious bond Emma and him share in action as they adapt to each other's lives.

CS Movie Marathon - Your Name premieres on the 28th, and follows the story of Emma and Killian mysteriously randomly body switching in a modern setting. Emma just wants to be free from her life on her family's rural farm, but does not believe she is worthy of starting a new life. Starting the day by waking up as some British dude was not in the plan. Killian is a struggling first year architect, barely making it as his boss dogs on him. He's even being a server in his spare time, even if more secretly that's just to be close to his crush, Tink. Waking up as a beautiful blonde woman who takes no shit is not a struggle he was expecting to add to his life. Is it fate? A trick of a cruel universe? Or is something more at stake?

Need - Semi Lt. Duckling ABO MC will be around for Cocktober. Expect lots of ABO tropes, filthy smut, and phucking pheromones.

Riptide Sequel is still in the works, but is so far much better than the original, which may also get a revamp this December. Because of time constraints, certain parts were scrapped that I think might be worth adding in after editing some parts that I no longer think are worded well. The villain needs to be explained more, and so does the violent nature of the world they live in.

Keep an eye out, and spare an R&R if you can, oh Fandom of plenty. The amount of amazing content this group of people produces never ceases to amaze. 💖

- Court

#courtorderedcake #captain swan #captain swan fanfiction #cs ff #cssns #cs au #killian jones #emma swan #september #October #posting schedule #roses #hallow #riptide #Mtfb #Majestically too far Beyond #csmm20 #captain swan movie marathon

30 notes · View notes

akku-leistung · 6 years ago

Text

SSD, HDD & Co.: So erweitern Sie Ihren Speicher

Sie benötigen zusätzlichen elektronischen Speicherplatz? Hier finden Sie alle Informationen, um die beste Entscheidung für Ihren individuellen Bedarf und Geldbeutel zu treffen!

So erweitern Sie Ihren Speicherplatz: Interne HDDs: Viel Kapazität für wenig Geld

Eine HDD (Hard Disc Drive) arbeitet mit einem magnetischen Speichersystem. Dies sorgt für enorme Aufnahmekapazitäten und punktet mit einem sehr günstigen Preis. Pro GB (Gigabyte) liegen die Kosten bei unschlagbaren drei bis sechs Cent.

Für den Privathaushalt sind die 3,5-Zoll-Ausführungen gedacht, erhältlich ist diese Größe aktuell mit maximal 10 TB (Terabyte). Für den Einsatz in Unternehmen sind HDDs mit bis zu 12 TB verfügbar. Verbaut werden sie direkt in PCs, in das NAS (netzgebundener Speicher) oder in Servern. Damit es keine Probleme mit der Sicherheit und der Geschwindigkeit gibt, werden sie in das Raid-System integriert. Dabei handelt es sich um einen Verbund von mehreren Festplatten, die unabhängig voneinander arbeiten. Durch die redundante Anordnung der Festplatten sind die darauf gespeicherten Daten besser vor Verlust geschützt.''

Für Notebooks gibt es interne HDDs im 2,5-Zoll-Format. Sie bieten Platz für 2 bis 4 TB.

Anschließen lassen sich diese internen Festplatten am Mainboard über SATA III, dieser Anschluss ist auch unter dem Begriff SATA/600 bekannt. Aus rein technischer, beziehungsweise theoretischer Sicht sind Datenraten bis zu 6 GB/s im Bereich des Möglichen. Die Standardvarianten der HDDs bewegen sich in der Regel mit einer Geschwindigkeit von 5400 Umdrehungen pro Minute. Noch leistungsfähigere Modelle kommen sogar auf 7200 Umdrehungen in der Minute. Doch dieses immens hohe Tempo kann zu einer Steigerung des Stromverbrauchs und zu einer Hitzeentwicklung führen. Man sollte also vor dem Kauf bedenken, ob das eigene technische Equipment für dieses hohe Arbeitstempo ausgelegt ist.

Abhängig von der Kapazität einer Festplatte ist ihre Cache-Größe. Hier gibt es dementsprechend große Unterschiede. Die Untergrenze liegt bei 16 MB, die obere Begrenzung bei sagenhaften 256 MB!

Da diese klassischen Festplatten mit beweglichen Elementen funktionieren, sind sie leider recht sensibel, was die Haltbarkeit angeht. Auch Erschütterungen oder ähnliche Vorkommnisse können ihre Lebenszeit verkürzen. Interne SSDs: Schnelles Tempo und robuste Bauart

Eine interne SSD legt ein rasantes Arbeitstempo vor. Das kann bis zu dreimal so schnell sein, wie das einer intern verbauten HDD. Der IOPS-Wert gibt an, wie viele Eingabe- und Ausgabeoperationen pro Sekunde eine SSD leisten kann. Ein hoher Wert ist also das Kriterium für die Geschwindigkeit des Arbeitstempos. Allerdings darf hier nicht verschwiegen werden, dass der IOPS-Wert abnimmt, sobald der Computer für längere Zeit läuft. Außerdem verringert sich das Tempo auch mit der steigenden Rate an auszuführenden Ein- und Ausgabeoperationen.

Ein weiterer Vorteil der internen SSD liegt in ihrer langen Haltbarkeit. Da sie gänzlich ohne bewegliche Teile arbeitet, ist sie sehr robust und deshalb speziell für den Einbau in Notebooks geeignet. Sehr komfortabel ist auch ihre absolut geräuschlose Arbeitsweise.

Abzüge in der Gesamtnote gibt es, weil sich diese Art von Speichermedium nicht unendlich oft beschreiben lässt. Die Lebensdauer einer SSD hängt also davon ab, wie viele Schreibvorgänge von ihren Speicherzellen verarbeitet werden müssen. Aufschluss über die Lebensdauer, beziehungsweise wie oft man eine SSD pro Tag beschreiben lässt, bietet der TBW (Terabytes written/ geschriebene Terabytes). In der Kombination mit der Garantiezeit lässt sich daraus der DWPD (Drives Writes per Day/ tägliche Datentransferrate) ermitteln. Die Rechenformel dafür lautet:

DWPD = (TBW in TB X 1.000) / 356 Tage X Garantiezeit X SSD-Kapazität in GB)

Eine weitere Angabe des Herstellers gibt weiteren Aufschluss über die Lebensdauer einer SSD. Dabei handelt es sich um den Wert, der die MTFB (Mean Time Between Failures/ durchschnittliche Betriebsdauer zwischen Ausfällen) beziffert. Mit MTFB ist die wahrscheinliche Laufzeit zwischen zwei Ausfällen des Systems gemeint. Dieser Wert ergibt sich aus der Gesamtsumme der Betriebszeiten, dividiert durch die Summe der dokumentierten Ausfälle. Je höher der Wert des MTBF ist, umso langlebiger und auch zuverlässiger ist die jeweilige SSD.

Ein weiteres Manko der SSD liegt in der Preisgestaltung. Denn sie sind erheblich teurer im Vergleich zur HDD. Der Handel bietet aktuell SSD mit bis zu einem TB an. Also mit einer wesentlich geringeren Speicherkapazität, als eine HDD. Und pro GB muss der Käufer 35 bis 47 Cent bezahlen. Wie schließt man eine interne SSD an?

Aktuell gibt es gleich drei Optionen um eine interne SSD an den Rechner anzuschließen. Auf die Möglichkeit des Anschlusses über die SATA III, die auch unter dem Namen SATA/600 bekannt ist, haben wir ja schon weiter oben im Text verwiesen. Denn auch eine SSD lässt sich wie eine HDD einfach an die SATA-Buchse des Mainboards anschließen.

Eine weitere Möglichkeit ist der Anschluss über M.2-Steckkarten. Bislang ist diese Art der Anbindung noch relativ unbekannt, doch sie findet immer mehr Fans. Das liegt sicher auch an ihrem geringen Platzbedarf und den damit erreichbaren Datenraten. Angeschlossen werden diese M.2-Steckkarten via SATA oder über den PCIe (PCI-Express). Dazu muss der Rechner über einen Steckplatz für M.2 Karten verfügen. Wer Wert auf ein hohes Arbeitstempo legt, sollte sich für eine M.2-SSD entscheiden, und diese über PCIe anbinden. Dann kommt man über die beiden Lanes auf Datenraten bis zu 1000 MB/s. Noch schneller wird es mit einer x4-Anbindung, dank der vier Lanes liegt die maximal erreichbare Datenrate dann bei gut 2000 MB/s. Aber sogar das lässt sich noch steigern, allerdings noch nicht heute. Aber in Kürze werden M.2-Steckkarten erhältlich sein, die die dritte Generation der PCI-Express unterstützen. Damit werden Datenübertragungsraten von 4000 MB/s möglich sein!

Dagegen erscheint das erreichbare Tempo beim Anschluss über die SATA-Buchse recht bescheiden, denn es liegt bei maximal 600 MB/s.

M.2-Steckkarten, die sich via PCI-Express mit dem Mainboard verbinden lassen, sind im Fachhandel auch unter der Bezeichnung "PCIe NVMe" erhältlich. In der Produktbeschreibung ist auch die Anzahl der Lanes und die jeweilige Generation vermerkt. Die PCI-Express-Steckkarten sind jeweils kompatibel mit den Karten und Steckplätzen der vorherigen Generation.

An den Kerben eines M.2-Steckplatzes kann man ablesen, wie viele Lanes er nutzt. Ist der Steckplatz mit einem B gekennzeichnet, dann verständigt er sich über PCIe-x2 oder SATA. Trägt der Key die Markierung M, dann läuft die Kommunikation neben SATA auch über PCIe-x4. Und mit diesen vier Lanes lässt sich die derzeitige Höchstgeschwindigkeit von 2000 MB/s erreichen.

Die Abmessungen einer M.2-Steckkarte können direkt anhand ihrer speziellen Bezeichnung erkannt werden. Trägt sie zum Beispiel die Bezeichnung "M.2 2242", dann ist die Karte 22 Millimeter breit und 42 Millimeter lang. Die Standardbreite liegt zur Zeit bei 22 Millimetern. Drei verschiedene Längen sind erhältlich, 42, 60 oder 80 Millimeter. Je länger die Karte ist, umso mehr Speicherzellen sind auf ihr enthalten. Und eine höhere Anzahl von Speicherzellen bedeutet natürlich auch ein höhere Speicherkapazität.

Die dritte Option für den Einbau einer SSD funktioniert über den Anschluss via mSATA-Steckplatz. Darüber können Datenraten bis zu 6 Gbit/s erreicht werden, allerdings nur wenn man über die aktuelle Version 3.0 verfügt. Weit verbreitet sind die SSD-Karten, die über mSATA angeschlossen nicht. Doch immerhin Samsung und Kingston haben sie in Ihrem Produktprogramm. Ganz anders sieht es bei der Verfügbarkeit der SSDs aus, die an die SATA-Buchse angeschlossen werden. Diese Karten haben eigentlich alle Händler auf Lager. Und auch die schnellen M.2-Steckkarten haben den Markt inzwischen erobert. Die Mehrzahl der Hersteller vertreiben ihre SSDs auch in dieser Variante.

Um einen Überblick über die vorhandenen Schnittstellen zu bekommen, sollte der User in das Handbuch der Hauptplatine schauen. Wer technisch versiert ist, dem reicht sicher ein Blick auf die Anschlüsse an seinem Rechner. Externe Lösungen mit HDDs

HDDs als Peripheriegeräte sind in zwei Größen erhältlich, in 2,5 und 3,5 Zoll. Dabei ist speziell das kleinere Format von 2,5 Zoll eine tolle Möglichkeit für "Daten to go". Erhältlich sind die kleinen Kraftpakete mit Kapazitäten bis zu 4 TB. In der Regel sind diese Festplatten nicht auf eine zusätzliche Stromquelle angewiesen, da sie ihre Energie über den USB-Port beziehen.

Ihre größeren Kollegen im Format 3,5 Zoll und mit eigener Stromversorgung weisen sogar meist eine Cloudfunktion auf. Aus diesem Grund sind sie als Lösungen für das Backup wie geschaffen. Vom Preis unterscheiden sich externe HDDs kaum von den internen HDDs. Pro GB muss der Kunde nur 3 bis höchstens 8 Cent bezahlen.

In der Regel haben alle externen HDDs ein integriertes SATA/600-Laufwerk. Dessen Cache-Größe liegt zwischen 16 und 64 GB. Die Scheiben darin rotieren zwischen 5400 und 7200 Umdrehungen in der Minute.

Mit dem Board verbunden werden die externen HDDs über USB 3.0 oder 3.1.

Über die Nachteile in Sachen Verschleiß und Empfindlichkeit bei Stößen oder Erschütterungen haben wir ja schon im Absatz über interne HDDs geschrieben. Und leider gilt dieser Punkt auch für die externen Lösungen. Herauszuheben ist hier der Hersteller Lacie, der extrem robuste Varianten anbietet. Seine Rugged-Serie ist mit einem speziellen Gummigehäuse ausgestattet! Die Tempo-Elite: Externe SSDs

Peripher einzusetzende SSDs verfügen in der Regel über einen SATA/600-Flashspeicher. Damit erreichen sie eine etwa dreimal so hohe Geschwindigkeit wie eine HDD. Zu ihren weiteren Vorzügen gehören ihre Kompaktheit und Langlebigkeit. Damit lassen sich Daten extrem sicher und schnell übertragen. Wer darauf angewiesen ist, häufig ein umfangreiches Backup zu erstellen, für den ist dieses Speichermedium wie geschaffen.

Angeschlossen werden diese Platten über USB 3.0 oder 3.1. Für diesen Zweck werden die USB-Buchsen Typ-A oder Typ-C benötigt.

Leider ist diese Tempo-Elite auch die Preis-Elite. Beim Kauf einer externen SSD muss man mit 30 bis 60 Cent pro GB rechnen. Zusatzfunktionen für die Sicherheit der Daten

Neben dem Speichern der Daten können viele Festplatten noch einige andere wichtige Jobs erledigen. Dank ihrer zusätzlichen Funktionen verwahren sie die Daten besonders sicher. So lassen sich Inhalte zum Beispiel verschlüsseln. Dies geschieht meist über das AES-Verfahren mit 256-Bit-Schlüssel. Ein Vorreiter in Sachen Sicherheit ist der Hersteller Verbatim. Er hat sein Store 'n' Go Secure Portable Hard Drive mit einem Tastenfeld versehen. Jeder User muss über dieses Tastenfeld zunächst einen vereinbarten Code eingeben, bevor er Zugriff auf die Daten erhält und die Decodierung starten kann. Ein bisschen zu gut gemeint ist wohl der Ablauf der beginnt, wenn jemand den Code wiederholt falsch eingibt. Denn dann erfolgt die Formatierung und automatische Zerstörung der Daten.

Für die zusätzliche Datensicherheit sorgt auch die Integration der Speicherplatte im Raid-Verbund eines NAS. Bei Qnap und Synology sind komplette NAS-Systeme mit mehreren Festplatten erhältlich. Sie können ganz leicht mit dem LAN-Kabel in das eigene Netzwerk integriert werden. Noch mehr Funktionen!

Speziell für den mobilen Einsatz sind WLAN-Festplatten gedacht, sie sind in beiden Variationen, also als HDD und SSD erhältlich. Sie funktionieren ohne Kabelanbindung und sogar ihr Akku lässt sich via USB aufladen. Bei einigen Modellen ist es sogar möglich, weitere Geräte mit Energie zu versorgen. Diese Platten übernehmen also die Dienste einer Powerbank.

Via WLAN kommuniziert das Speichermedium mit dem mobilen Gerät. Über Plex, DLNA und weitere Dienste kommen diese Platten auch als Server für Medien zum Einsatz. Und wenn die Platte über einen SD-Kartenslot verfügt, dann lassen sich darauf direkt die Fotos der Digitalkamera übertragen.

Wie bei allen mobilen Geräten ist besonders darauf zu achten, dass das Gehäuse robust und gegen Wasser und Staub geschützt ist. Auch hier belegt der Hersteller Lacie in Sachen Robustheit den ersten Platz. Denn die Gehäuse aus der Rugged-Serie bestehen aus Gummi, da haben Wasser oder Schmutz keine Chance. Ganz abgesehen davon, dass die vom schottischen Künstler Neil Poulton in einem trendigen und sehr knalligen Orange designt wurden, weisen sie auch etliche Anschlüsse auf und sind in unterschiedlichen Kapazitäten erhältlich.

Wer das Besondere sucht, der sollte sich nach Hybrid-Festplatten umsehen. Denn diese Modelle kombinieren die Schnelligkeit einer SSD mit den großen Kapazitäten einer HDD. Möglich wird das durch die Verbindung einer HDD mit einem Flash-Speicher. Hybrid-Festplatten vertreibt unter anderen der Hersteller Seagate.

Mit Helium gefüllt eignen sich Festplatten mit großer Kapazität primär für den Serverbetrieb. Bei diesen Modellen ist sogar der Einbau einer zusätzlichen Datenscheibe möglich, damit wird eine weitere Ausweitung der Kapazität umgesetzt. Diese speziellen Platten sind zum Beispiel bei Seagate, Western Digital oder Hitachi erwerbbar. 1 von 7 Unser Resümee: Die Entscheidung für eine neue Festplatte ist abhängig von den Aufgaben, die das Medium erfüllen soll. Anwender, die damit stationäre Backups erstellen wollen, sollten eine externe HDD in 3,5-Zoll-Ausführung auswählen. Für den mobilen Einsatz empfehlen wir eine Lösung im externen 2,5-Zoll-Format. Und wer besonders preiswert aufrüsten möchte, der sollte eine interne HDD in 3,5-Zoll-Ausführung, beziehungsweise 2,5-Zoll-Format wählen.

Wenn der Preis eine untergeordnete Rolle spielt und es hauptsächlich auf die Geschwindigkeit ankommt, dann ist eine SSD das optimale Speichermedium. Diese Empfehlung gilt für interne wie auch für externe SSD-Platten.

Bezüglich der Datensicherheit sind Speichermedien, die im Raid-Verbund eines NAS betrieben werden, die beste Kaufentscheidung. Dabei sollte den Modellen im HDD-Form der Vorzug gegeben werden. Denn sie punkten mit einem niedrigen Preis und einer hohen Kapazität.

Der Hersteller Western Digital hat mit dem WD Red NAS Hard Drive interne Festplatten auf den Markt gebracht, die absolut robust und langlebig sind sowie einen geringen Stromverbrauch haben. Empfehlenswert in diesem Bereich ist auch die Ironwolf-Serie von Seagate. Auch diese HDDs haben eine lange Lebenszeit, sind robust und sparen Strom.

Bei der Kaufentscheidung sollten auch besondere Ansprüche, die man individuell an das Speichermedium stellt, Berücksichtigung finden. Wenn es für den ständigen mobilen Einsatz gekauft werden soll, dann muss es sehr robust und unbedingt mit WLAN-Funktion ausgestattet sein. Ist die Kapazität im Fokus des Anwenders, dann sind mit Helium gefüllte Modelle die beste Wahl.

Und wer den besonderen Komfort erleben möchte, sollte eine Hybrid-Festplatte in die engere Auswahl nehmen. Dank ihrem Aufbau aus einer HDD und einem Flash-Speicher vereint diese Bauart die Vorzüge einer HDD mit denen einer SSD.

#computer #laptop

0 notes

ustribunenews-blog · 6 years ago

Text

(Nasdaq:MTFB) MOTIF BIO PLC/S ADR Dips To New 52 Week Low

MOTIF BIO PLC/S ADR (Nasdaq:MTFB)

June 13th, 2019

Amidst rising markets MOTIF BIO PLC/S ADR fell ($0.04) Thursday which equals a 4.34% drop, closing at $0.95. As well as the drop in value, MOTIF BIO PLC/S ADR hit a new 52 week low of $0.90. Two technical ‘scores’ for companies to be wary of are the Altman Z1 and the Piotroski2 scores. MTFB scored quite low for both, which could be indicators of…

View On WordPress

#finance #Healthcare #stock update

0 notes

treatmentmedicine-blog · 7 years ago

Text

New Post has been published on Alliance of good doctors. Alliance of good knowledge.

New Post has been published on http://bit.ly/2EMyK0y

Motif Bio Announces Positive Topline Results for iclaprim in the REVIVE-2 Phase 3 Study Nasdaq MTFB

#3 diseases caused by smoking #5 diseases caused by fungi #rare disease makes skin sensitive to light #rare disease usa #rare diseases pictures #rare lung disease in men

0 notes

forwardhealth-blog · 7 years ago

Text

New Post has been published on The best traditions of medicine for the whole family!

New Post has been published on http://bit.ly/2Efmfus

Motif Bio to Present Three Posters at IDWeek 2017 Nasdaq MTFB antibiotics used to treat staphylococcus epidermidis

#methicillin sensitive staphylococcus aureus #staph mrsa #staphylococcus aureus #staphylococcus epidermidis

0 notes

jamieclawhorn · 7 years ago

Text

One ‘secret’ growth stock I’d buy alongside Motif Bio plc

I can’t fault the share price of Oxford Metrics (LSE: OMG) over the past two years. Since the end of 2014 the stock is up over 200%. During that period revenue has risen, but earnings have wavered after shooting up 395% in 2015.

The firm provides analytics software for motion measurement and infrastructure asset management to clients in more than 70 countries. Customers include highway authorities managing and maintaining road networks, hospitals and clinicians, plus Hollywood studios who use the software to create visual effects.

A five-year plan for growth

Today’s full-year results continue the trend in the finances. Revenue from continuing operations at constant currency rates rose 7.6% compared to a year ago and adjusted profit before tax dropped almost 24%. The directors reckon earnings are down because of planned investment in the Yotta division, which provides cloud-based infrastructure asset management software to central and local government agencies and other infrastructure owners.

Judging by the muted share price reaction this morning, I think investors are happy to back the firm’s five-year growth plan. I think we should expect such investment at this stage, one year into the plan. Ongoing top-line growth suggests the potential for enhanced profits down the road, and chief executive Nick Bolton seems pleased with this year’s outcome saying “annualised Recurring Revenues, a key metric for our five-year plan, has improved 22%.”

Oxford Metrics is reshaping its business for better growth, and I’m encouraged by the directors’ decision to raise the dividend by 20% this year in support of the firm’s progressive dividend policy. The outlook is positive, and I think the full ongoing growth potential of this company looks set to emerge over the next few years. It could prove timely to research the investment opportunity right now.

Finance in place

Meanwhile, Motif Bio (LSE: MTFB), the clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has seen its share price ease around 19% since I last looked at the firm on 4 October. Back then the share price shot up on the news of a positive top-line result from a global Phase 3 clinical trial called REVIVE-2. This focused on the firm’s investigational drug candidate iclaprim for patients with Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSI). That successful trial clears the way for the firm to submit a new drug application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in first quarter of 2018.

Maybe Motif Bio is on the cusp of commercialising what could go on to be a big-earning drug. In the meantime, the firm lacks meaningful income, and I said in October that its finances looked precarious. But news arrived during November that the company has agreed a US $20m debt financing arrangement with Hercules Capital, Inc. a firm specialising in customised debt financing for companies in life sciences and technology-related markets.

Motif Bio plans to use the funds to finance pre-commercialisation and other activities leading to the anticipated US launch of iclaprim during 2019. I reckon this is an encouraging development because it removes immediate worries over money and shows that Hercules sees potential for iclaprim. To me, the case for an investment in Motif Bio has improved and the fact that the share price is lower is a bonus.

More potential millionaire-maker stocks

Some investors are making millions investing in small-cap stock right now and Oxford Metrics and Motif Bio could end up doing the same for you. To help you find more serious small-cap investment candidates, the outperforming Motley Fool analysts have produced this report: 1 Top Small-Cap Stock From The Motley Fool.

Small-caps can drive decent performance in your investment portfolio from here. To find out more without any obligation on your part and completely free of charge, click here.

More reading

Soaring small-cap stocks Empyrean Energy plc and Motif Bio plc could make you seriously rich

A ‘secret’ dividend growth stock I’d buy instead of Motif Bio plc

Why Motif Bio plc is a growth bargain I’d buy and hold for 25 years

Kevin Godbold has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

0 notes

hoanganhgoldenlightposts-blog · 7 years ago

Video

Capsim Capstone 2017 Round 1 Strategy Sample 1 - Round 1 with 6 pro...

Capsim Guides - Capsim Capstone 2017 Free Winning Guides and Tips - 088 - Marketing 8 Rounds guides

SUPER USER

17 NOVEMBER 2014

Capsim Capstone Foundation 2017 - Free Guides and Tips

TOP 10 TIPS

PREVIOUS ARTICLECapsim Guides - Capsim Capstone 2017 Free Winning Guides and Tips - 087 - R&D 8 Rounds guides

NEXT ARTICLECapsim Guides - Capsim Capstone 2017 Free Winning Guides and Tips - 089 - Marketing 8 Round by Round decisions

CapSim CapStone 2017 Winning Guides and Tips

Capsim Guides and Tips - Free Online Support - New Updates with step by step and round by round guides

TIPS 6 - MARKETING - 8 Rounds guides - Round by Round Guide from Round 1 to Round 8

Apply $2.000 for promotion and sales budgets for Traditional and Low End, because above this level, diminishing returns are experienced.

Apply $1.500 for High End, Performance and Size segments.

Keep this spending from Round 1 to Round 3, until we can decide which segments we will continue. Then, we increase all segments to $2.000 to compete.

For segments, we do not want to continue, for example Performance or Size, we reduce budgets for that segment to only $0.

For Promotion, we continue $ 2.000 until we reach 100% awareness. Then we can cut it back to $ 1.400 per round.

For Sales, we continue $ 2.000 until we reach 100% accessibility. Then we can scale back to $ 1.650 for each sensors.

TIPS: We can increase much higher, or even max, to see how much awareness and accessibility we can get, just click CALCULATION button to see how much we get for that year. Then we can increase or decrease spending to get 100%.

NOTE:

Budget for sales, accessibility for multiple sensors in a segment, they are combine together.

See figures in followings:

PRICING

Each round we can lower all prices down at least $ 0.50 from maximum price of the segment to keep up with customer expectation (lower each year)

We can create in excel file a table for Prices to keep track of lowering prices every year - LINK

We need to check from Capstone Courier Prices (from page 5 to page 9) to see max prices for each segment, in the top product at the end of each page.

If competitors are cutting prices in Traditional and Low End segments, we need to lower prices to close to their levels.

However, when competitors lower their prices too much, they will not have enough capacity to sell, also they suffer stock out.

We can still keep prices higher and get market shares at higher profit level. This is why we need to calculate demands and plan production as precisely as we can.

NOTE

We DO NOT have to compete with prices in High End, Size and Performance, because buying criteria is low, only 9 - 19%

SALES FORECASTING

Do not trust computer suggestions, they always wrong.

We have a formula to calculate and forecast sales for next round

1. Get Market shares from Page 10 of Courier Report

2. Get Total Sales also from Page 10

3. Get Market potential growth for each segment from page 5 to 9

Sales forecast = Potential market share % x Segment size x (1 + Segment Growth Rate).

Note:

Page 10 gives us Potential Market share, we use this (do not use actual market share)

If we think we can sell more, we can just adjust the percentage.

Note:

We can use Excel file to calculate more conveniently. Use 8 sheets for 8 round, just copy and paste number from Courier Report Page 10, Page 4 and select market growth rate from page 5-9 into each sheet. We can get Sales Forecast and also Production.

Download the Excel file from here - LINK

If you need help, we can create a file for you for FREE - email: [email protected]

See figure

NOTE: Use potential market share (RIGHT Column) to calculate and forecast sales.

NOTE

You can copy and paste into excel file, then it can calculate automatically Sales and Productions. You can adjust the percentage if we think we can sell more or less.

------TIPS 5 - R&D 8 Rounds guides - Round by Round Guide from Round 1 to Round 8

Note:

In order to apply this Round to Round strategy for R&D, we need to create an excel file with your own data from Industry Condition Report and put data in Excel file to get more precise numbers.

Step 1. Download Industry Condition Report (from your game)

Step 2. Download Excel file for automatic calculation strategies and decisions

FREE DOWNLOAD - LINK

Back up link - LINK

Step 3. Very important

Open page 2 of Industry Condition Report and get the Table 2, first line for Round 0 and put that numbers in Round 0 in Excel file, then the file will automatically calculate all decisions for 8 rounds, with 4 different STRATEGIES.

DO NOT USE THE DEFAULT numbers in excel file, that is a little bit different from YOUR GAME (creator and administrator change the numbers when new industry is created for new class).

--> Get Round 0 number from Industry Condition Report

--> Put into Excel file, Round 0 (only 1 row) --> Then the file will automatically calculate all the decisions

(Check Drift and Ideal Offsets - 2 last rows of table 1 - they often do not change for all game)

We can use the Excel file to calculate Specifications for R&D more easily.

If you have come to this Step. We are half way win the Capsim Simulation !!

Again, this Round to Round guides can apply if we start from Round 1. DO NOT use this suggestions if you are already in the middle of the game, having completion several rounds without this guides. If so, your company may not have enough upgrades and automation to follow this suggested strategy, you can refer to other tips to Rescue Company or Mid Game Tips.

Now, if you are in Round 1, we can apply this Round to Round Strategy and Win the game.

The numbers are from my game, you need to use your Excel file, numbers will be a little different. If you can not create your file, email:[email protected] - I can create a file for you for FREE.

We use the following strategy for the guides and winning tips in Round to Round Strategy.

R&D: Research and Development

Note: You need to adjust the number of PFMN and SIZE to get new product launch in June or July.

ROUND 1. R&D

Create a new Low End sensor PFMN 4.1 - SIZE 16.3 MTBF 12.000 - this is Low End sweet spot Year 4

Change original Low End sensor MTBF to 12.000 (don't re-position original Low End)

Re-position original Traditional sensor to PFMN 6.1 SIZE 14.3 MTBF 14.000 (min)

Re-position original High End sensor to PFMN 9.2 SIZE 11.2 MTBF 20.000 (min)

Re-position original Performance sensor to PFMN 9.8 SIZE 16.0 MTBF 27.000 (max)

Re-position original Size sensor to PFMN 4.4 SIZE 10.6 MTBF 16.000 (min)

Note: You need to adjust the number of PFMN and SIZE to get new product launch in June or July.

ROUND 2. R&D

Create a new Traditional sensor PFMN 8.2 - SIZE 12.2 MTBF 14.000 - this is sweet spot for Traditional Year 4

Re-position original Traditional sensor to PFMN 6.8 SIZE 13.6 - Keep 14.000 (min)

Re-position original High End sensor to PFMN 10.1 SIZE 10.3 - Keep MTBF 20.000 (min)

Re-position original Performance sensor to PFMN 10.8 SIZE 15.3 - Keep MTBF 27.000 (max)

Re-position original Size sensor to PFMN 5.1 SIZE 9.6 MTBF - Keep MTBF 16.000 (min)

Note: You need to adjust the number of PFMN and SIZE to get new product launch in June or July.

ROUND 3. R&D

Create a new High End sensor eg. PFMN 11.9 - SIZE 8.5 - this is High End sweet spot Year 4

(Optional) Create a new Size or Performance instead of High End (with round 4 sweet spot specifications)

(Optional) Re-position original Performance and Size sensor ONLY if you plan to continue them (with round 3 sweet spots specification - see above table).

Re-position original High End sensor to PFMN 11.0 SIZE 9.4 - Keep MTBF 20.000 (min)

Re-position original Low End sensor to PFMN 4.1 SIZE 16.3 - Keep MTFB 12.0000 (this takes more than a year to complete)

Re-position original Traditional sensor to PFMN 7.5 SIZE 12.9 - Keep MTBF 16.000 (min)

Note: You need to adjust the number of PFMN and SIZE to get new product launch in June or July.

So, for 3 first Rounds, we create new Low End, Traditional and High End each Round.

We can also stop Performance and Size (we will do that by lower Promo and Sales budget to 0 in Marketing and Production).

ROUND 4. R&D

Re-position original Traditional sensor to PFMN 8.2 SIZE 12.2 - Keep MTBF 14.000 (min)

Re-position original High End sensor to PFMN 11.9 SIZE 8.5 MTBF 20.000 (min)

(Optional) Re-position original Performance and Size sensors only if we plan to continue them (use round 4 sweet sport from above table).

Note: You need to adjust the number of PFMN and SIZE to get new product launch in June or July.

ROUND 5. R&D

Re-position both Traditional sensors to PFMN 8.9 SIZE 11.5 - Keep MTBF 14.000 (min)

Re-position both High End sensors to PFMN 12.8 SIZE 7.6 - Keep MTBF 20.000 (min)

(Optional) Re-position original Performance and Size sensors only if we plan to continue them (use round 5 sweet sport from above table).

Note: You need to adjust the number of PFMN and SIZE to get new product launch in June or July.

ROUND 6. R&D

Re-position both Traditional sensors to PFMN 9.6 SIZE 10.8 - Keep MTBF 14.000 (min)

Re-position both High End sensors to PFMN 13.7 SIZE 6.7 - Keep MTBF 20.000 (min)

(Optional) Re-position original Performance and Size sensors only if we plan to continue them (use round 6 sweet sport from above table).

Note: You need to adjust the number of PFMN and SIZE to get new product launch in June or July.

ROUND 7. R&D

Re-position both Traditional sensors to PFMN 10.3 SIZE 10.1 - Keep MTBF 14.000 (min)

Re-position both High End sensors to PFMN 14.6 SIZE 5.8 - Keep MTBF 20.000 (min)

(Optional) Re-position original Performance and Size sensors only if we plan to continue them (use round 7 sweet sport from above table).

Note: You need to adjust the number of PFMN and SIZE to get new product launch in June or July.

ROUND 8. R&D

Re-position both Traditional sensors to PFMN 11.0 SIZE 9.4 - Keep MTBF 14.000 (min)

Re-position both High End sensors to PFMN 11.5 SIZE 4.9 - Keep MTBF 20.000 (min)

(Optional) Re-position original Performance and Size sensors only if we plan to continue them (use round 8 sweet sport from above table).

Note: You need to adjust the number of PFMN and SIZE to get new product launch in June or July.

See Video Guides for all Rounds - LINK

------TIPS 4 - Lower MTBF to the minimum of the range (except Performance segment only)

From Round 1 to Round 8, for all the rounds, when we do R&D, we should lower MTBF to the minimum of the range in order to save cost and increase contribution margins.

The is the key Profit Driving tool since Reliability only accounts for small percentages of the Customer Buying Criteria (see all the 5 segments to see details, in Capstone Courier Report every year, page 5-9).

Except only Performance segment, we keep that max MTBF at 27.000, for all the other 4 segments, we select minimum MTBF eg. Traditional to 14.000, Low End to 12.000, High End to 20.000 and Size to 16.000

We set MTBF for Performance to max 27.000 because buying criteria for this segment is 43%. See following figure.

Again, the numbers for each Industry is changed when game created for different class or group, so we need to check the number from Industry Report and Capstone Courier every round (year).

If we want to compete is 3-4 segments (not all 5), the two most potential and profitable are Low End and Tradition.

They are most potential lucrative.

We need to read reports for Round 1, Round 2 and Round 3 and then in Round 3 and 4 we will select to leave 1 or 2 least competitive which have least profit.

Creating 1 new segment, eg. Low End is good (often in Round 1)

Creating 2 new segments, eg. Low End and Traditional will provide more Profits in later Round, eg. 5-6-7 and 8. (Often we create New Traditional in Round 2)

In Round 3, we can create new High End segment (more profitable). However, if we see strong competition in High End, we should create new segment in SIZE (better than Performance - high cost).

TIPS 3 - Re-position Low End sensor for only ONE time in Year 3

The original Low End sensor should only be re-positioned once for the entire game, not to the Ideal Spot.

The Traditional segment sweet spot is the same with Ideal, Drift spots because Ideal Offsets is 0-0 for this segment.

The High End, Performance, and Size segments have sweet spots half way from Drift to Ideal Sport. We can use excel file to calculate (download at the end of this article).

Note: If Sweet spot with half way cost too much and too long time to R&D, we can select strategy 4 with 1/3 way from Drift to Ideal spots.

We upgrade original Low End only one time for the entire game, upgrade in Year 3 with specification of Year 4 Sweet Spot (PFMN 4.1 - SIZE 16.3 or PFMN 4.9 - SIZE 15.5) - The new Low End segment will be created in Year 1 with Sweet Spot specification of Year 4.

Note that all figures to input in your game is different from this articles, you should get number from Industry report, put 1 line in Excel file and get your own game figures. Just input in only Round 0 - Strategy 1 --> Then all tables will be updated.

See the table bellow for details.

------

So, when we start Capsim 2017, we can have 4 options or 4 different strategies.

Option 1. Follow Drift suggested from Industry Condition Report (each Industry is different from others)

We can use the Excel file to calculate Specifications for R&D more easily.

WE NEED TO INPUT FIRST LINE (ROUND 0) WITH SPECIFIC NUMBERS FROM INDUSTRY CONDITION REPORT OF YOUR OWN INDUSTRY (THIS LINE LOOK FAMILIAR BUT THEY ARE DIFFERENT FROM ANY GAME TO GAME, CLASS TO CLASS).

The segment circle drift rates is the 2nd bottom line (Note to get data from Your Industry Condition report to Excel file)

The segment Ideal Spot Offset is the bottom line (Note to get from Your Industry Condition report to Excel file)

If we follow this strategy, our products are up to date but not very competitive, because most of competitors try to upgrade toward Ideal Sport which is much better specifications.

Option 2. Follow Drift plus Ideal Spot Offsets suggested from Industry Condition Report (each Industry is different from others)

This strategy is the Highest upgrade specification, therefore, it often cost too much and takes too long time for R&D.

Also, this specification is too good, (ideal), so, we often out of stock, we can not produce enough to sell to market.

Then, we get less Profit.

If should not follow strategy 2, it is too much advance in R&D and it cost too much time and money.

OPTION 3. Half way from Drift to Ideal Spot Specification.

OPTION 4. One third way from Drift to Ideal Spot Specification

We often start with Strategy 4 or 3 above. It is the best way to get Profit and also Competitiveness at the same time.

------

We need to create a base for our strategy, we can use excel file like this - LINK TO FILE

NOTE: Numbers for the first line is taken from Industry Condition Report. Each Industry has DIFFERENT starting numbers, so, we need to download Industry Condition Report and input these Specification in the excel file to create our own STRATEGIES (page 2 of 8 from report). Only for Round 0 of STRATEGY 1 - then other cells will be automatically updated.

Note to put Specification of your own Industry in to this line in excel files.

------

CAPSIM CAPSTONE 2017 - See Quick Guides and Tips at: http://top20mba.com Free Online Guides for 2 Rounds, email: [email protected]

VIDEO STEP BY STEP GUIDES FOR 8 ROUNDS - LINKS ------ Website: http://top20mba.com Business Strategy Game Simulation, Win the CapSim CapStone for Free, Business Strategy Game Advice, Business Strategy Game Winning Tips, CapSim, CapStone, How to win the CapSim, Capstone, Business strategy winning tips, How to win capsim, capstone, online, CAPSIM - 2017 - Winning Guides and Tips - All Decisions, CAPSIM Guides, CAPSIM Winning Tips, capsim basic guides, Capstone Business Simulation, CAPSIM WINNING STRATEGY, capsim rehearsal quiz answers, capsim situation analysis answers, reposition a product capsim quiz, capsim foundation rehearsal quiz answers, capsim introductory lesson quiz answers, capsim rehearsal tutorial answers, capstone situation analysis answers, capsim introductory quiz answers, capsim round 1 answers, capsim round 1 decisions, capsim round 2 finance, capsim round 3 answers, capsim round 1 r&d, capsim round 1 marketing,

FAST capsim cheats pdf, capsim foundation cheat sheet,

QUICK capsim round 1 decisions, REHEARSAL, Situation Analysis, Caculating Market Demand, quiz answers, HR, Labor, Marketing, TQM, adding capacity, repositioning, sweet spot, ideal spot, MTBF, promotion budget, sales budget, accessibility, awareness, sales forecasting, pricing, ideal automation, sensor, sensors, adding capacity, upgrade, negotiations, labor strikc, TQM initiative,

------ CAPSIM, 2017, CAPSTONE, Business Strategy Game, guides, tutorials, winning tips, CAPSIM Guides, CAPSIM Winning Tips, Simulation Game, capsim.com, how to win capsim, compXM, learn to win, capsim winning strategies, Capsim, guide how to win, capsim simulation strategy, capsim, tips, tricks, strategy, guide, round 1, round 2, round 3, R&D, marketing, rehearsal, finance, capsim forecasting, capsim strategy, capsim cheats, capsim secret, capsim finance tips, quiz answers, HR, Labor, Marketing, TQM,

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

Capsim CapStone 2017 - Winning Guides and Tips

Free Online Guides and Decision Check for 2 rounds (Free)

Free Personal Guides for 2 rounds and decisions reviews and checks

Contact 24/7: [email protected]

All Free Downloads (updates 2017) - LINK

1. Capstone Round by Round Strategies Guides (new updates) - LINK

2. Rehearsal, HR, Labor, Marketing, TQM Quiz Answer - LINK

3. Video Guides Step by Step - LINK

4. Capsim Capsim Prediction and Calculation Excel - SHORT VERSION - LINK

5. Capsim Expert Guides (most popular) - LINK

6. Capsim Walk Through Guides (most popular) - LINK

7. Capsim Predict Excel - GRAND VERSIONS - LINK

NOTE: Check the Round 0 data carefully to make sure they fit with the estimation and calculation excel files

FREE Personal Online Support, email: [email protected]

GOOD LUCK AND SUCCESS !!

0 notes

russurban · 8 years ago

Text

Here are some #stocks *up the most* today: $IDXG $GNC $TROVU $MTFB and $NLST.

http://speculatingstocks.com/#IDXG

0 notes

courtorderedcake · 4 years ago

Text

Majestically Too Far Beyond, CSSNS 2020

RATED M for Mature Themes. Written for @cssns 2020 Beta’d by The best team ever ( @jarienn972 @ultraluckycatnd @donteattheappleshook) and Art by @kmomof4

Read on Ao3 HERE. 1 | 2

Chapter 2 - House Evil Spirits to appease of,

Part of Emma was coming to terms with the new fact that she was pregnant, then just as rapidly she reverts back through the cycle of grief, sometimes not in order. The doctor had warned her this would happen when she announced that they would be keeping her for overnight observation as a safety precaution, dropping the news that her new pregnancy hormones would also make her feel even more upside down then she had ever imagined. It was one thing to be told, but feeling it was another thing entirely.

She had gone from laughing at the breakfast menu she was handed to crying over grilled cheese not being an option, to enraged at being brought bright blue jello with her 'breakfast sandwich' made of bologna and eggs. They could not have known the intense reaction the jiggling neon goo would have given her, her magic flaring and sputtering in turn as she launched it away from her. But then again, she doubted any of the staff had spent time in a No-Magic cell. Nausea bloomed as soon as rage subsided, the food on the plastic tray too similar to what had been served to her over those long years locked away.

Now irritation was playing through multiple emotions, a new nurse violently poking her with a needle, and running some sort of IV.

"You're giving me what -"

"A hormone treatment, and a magic suppressant."

"But I need my magic -"

"Would you prefer to shrivel up and die? You'll still have enough to do daily witch activities or whatever. This helps keep the extra at bay, and your baby healthy. It needs your magic."

"Oh. Great." She laughed, half crazed at the news and the nurse's treatment. "Just great."

"Mess with their kind, and well." She shrugged, eyeing Emma's body. "An Angel wouldn't do that to you. A Vampire couldn't, and the rest of 'em could, but you wouldn't have to suffer through all this nasty magic aftermath. You're just early enough for a termination though, thank Merlin."

"I didn't do this to myself on purpose . This was never supposed to happen, at least not like this…"

"Sure." The nurse rolled her eyes as she drew out the word, clearly being condescending. "It's never the Witch’s fault; I hear it every time I'm fixing them for blowing themselves in half for not reading a spell right. You play with dark magic, there's a cost."

Emma scowled, hot tears starting and streaming down her cheeks. Her anger and ferocity that was there just moments before had evaporated without warning into a deep resignation.

"Can my brother come to see me yet?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"After they question you, sure. He can come pick you up - You're done here." The nurse pulled off the empty bag from the IV stand, throwing it in the trash.

The doctor entered, waving a hello. Emma did not notice her, too busy staring at her bump. She joined the nurse as a machine beeped, helping to take out her IV and the pads on her belly. When that was done, Emma sat up, wobbling from her strange new center of gravity.

The doctor smiled at her kindly. "We'll have your test results in a few days to a week's time. You'll feel strange and sluggish the first few weeks as your body catches up to the rapid growth, your hormones, the magic, so on and so forth. From there, you may actually start to grow as normal until you'll need the next dose of suppression. We'll schedule that out for 4 months from now, checking in monthly, but if you grow suddenly, shrink suddenly, your extremities swell, or you begin to exhibit flu like symptoms, come in immediately. If anything seems off, just give us a call. We have a twenty-four seven nurse line should you have any other questions. Good luck!"

The doctor left without much more than a precursory glance back.

Snapping her gloves, the nurse glared over her glasses at Emma. "Leave when you are ready. We got you a different outfit; it's amongst your personals there."

The nurse left in a hurry, leaving Emma to dress herself in a large pair of green hospital scrubs, her new figure completely foreign as she rubbed her hands across the smooth skin. Her once flat stomach was distended, a slight curve that pushed out stretched skin. Her clothes in the plastic bag they had given her were dirty and looked damp. The clothing she was given would have been a small comfort if the stiff fabric didn't feel so much like her old prison uniform.

"Fuck," Emma choked out, gripping the chair for support. She felt dizzy, absolutely nauseated at the idea of a baby. Her baby. She was pregnant. Something in her felt warmth at the idea, a strange, creeping feeling of rightness mixed with calm. The rest of her wanted to claw at her skin, urging her to wake up from this horrible dream.

Every time she closed her eyes, she fervently wished this wrongness was a hallucination. But it wasn't; she was still swaying on her feet every time she opened her eyes again. This wasn't some sort of nightmare, there was a baby, some creature's inhuman child inside her. "Fuck. Fuck!"

Tears began to prick behind her eyes, her face heating as she sat down on the hospital bed with her head cradled in her hands.

( You can't cry over this. This happened because of your shady dealings.

You got a firstborn child alright. Yours. )

Swallowing hard, Emma tried to banish the thoughts bombarding her.

( A baby. A baby you can love and hold, who you will never abandon. Someone you can raise the way you weren't, a second chance. Put your armor back on - for you and your child. )

Emma bit her lip hard, swiping angrily at her tears. Bottling up the emotions, she took a breath, grabbed her purse, and walked down the hallway. To her great surprise, Elsa was waiting.

"Emma, oh my stars. This is - I have no words. I'm so sorry," Elsa whispered. Emma gave a half hearted shrug, her voice still trembling slightly.

"Yeah. Well. Can I go home yet? That's why you're here right?" Emma hated the anxious, pleading edge of her tone.

"No, not yet. You have to be interviewed by the inspector detective here and then you are free to go." Elsa approached and hugged Emma softly. "I got you a nice one though, he's one of my favorites. Jones. He's an Angel - literally and figuratively. He's saved me on so many cases, I can't help but sing his praise."

"Oh Elsa. Thank you." Emma hugged her friend tightly, both of them trembling. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Elsa scoffed. "I don't know what anyone would do. Joking aside, we are all going to be here for you, no matter what happens. It's not going to be like last time." Elsa pushed back a strand of Emma's hair, looking straight into her eyes. "You won't go through this alone. We're going to fight for you, and figure this out. Luckily, our major project is postponed anyway. Until they find the Demon Prince, the council is on a hiatus."

"I just want to go home. I don't know if I can handle everyone right now." Emma mumbled. "It's bad enough David probably knows, which means Snow and everyone else -"

"Please don't push us away, Emma. We know it's a lot, but going into the unknown like this," Elsa took one of Emma's hands, squeezing it lightly. "Having a family, having faith and love - it's the only way to get through."

"Miss Frost," a low voice called from a room nearby. Elsa led Emma to a small office, smiling at the large Angel who stood on one side of a desk. He returned her smile, until Emma met his eyes. His frown was slow, not suiting his features, even when his blue eyes sharply laser focused on Emma's rotund body. She could see his muscles tense, his golden tinged wings giving the smallest of flutters. "Miss Swan."

"I'll leave you both to it, then." Elsa smiled, inspector Jones weakly returning it as she closed the door to them.

Emma sat in the only chair on her side of the desk, landing with an audible noise in surprise. Her body was heavier now. Of course sitting felt wrong. Jones grunted before sitting in his chair, his presence formidable even with his wings unopened. He began jotting down notes, not looking up at her for a long, stretched pause of silence. Emma fidgeted uncomfortably, one foot bouncing on the floor.

"Stop that at once," Liam growled, his eyes narrowed.

Emma stopped, hissing out a nervous laugh. "Sorry, I just -"

"How did this happen?" Liam interrupted, gesturing at her with clear disgust. "Dr. Mullins indicates it was against your will? You haven't been sexually active to induce conception? Explain."

"Well, I um -"

"And I must remind you Miss Swan," Liam grimaced, marking something on his paper. "Lying to me is a crime itself. Perjury."

"Yes, I uh - I know." Emma nodded with a gulp. She took a breath, centering herself, and began to tell him the entire story of what had taken place with Gothel. He listened in absolute silence, writing the entire time as his frown only deepened. When she had finished, he continued writing in the oppressive silence, until finally flicking his eyes up to glare at her again.

"Is that all, Miss Swan?"

"Yes, then I, um, got the cramps -"

"Spare me the sordid details of the consequences your illegal activity most likely caused," Liam drawled, sarcastically. He leveled his angry, burning gaze at her, and she felt like an animal being cornered by much larger prey. "Now, I have some questions for you. Answer to the best of your ability, but remember -"

"Do not lie, yeah I remember," Emma said softly.

"Who says you Witches can't be taught," Liam sneered, his voice mocking. Emma felt irritation bubble up in her gut, her surprise that Elsa liked this asshole rising. If he was a good inspector, Emma never wanted to meet a bad one. "Now. What exactly did this Gothel ask of you in exchange for her firstborn?"

"Youthful beauty and a long life, I think," Emma stated, thinking hard. "She wanted to be young forever. I told her that it wouldn't be instant or eternal, that she would have to wait. Now I know why it didn't bother her."

"Did she mention any other rituals, Miss Swan?" Liam asked.

"No, but she did say that she was in a time crunch." Emma shrugged slightly. "I don't know if that means anything."

Liam looked at her with more vehemence, still writing furiously. "Did you feel any effects at that time?"

"No, I was surprised I didn't with the amount of magic that detonated. I checked myself twice to make sure, once with a warding bind even." The strangeness of the situation and her clear confusion due to it made her voice sound foreign to Emma's own ears. Did he know how much she didn't want this? "Nothing. Then boom, today I - today this. She showed her true colors at the end, did an evil laugh and everything."

Liam hummed disapprovingly, looking over his notes. Flicking his eyes back to hers, he glared with contempt. "Let me make sure I have this all correct. So, you and this other Witch do a forbidden and illegal ritual -"

"I had no idea it was going to be this illegal, I swear!" Emma began to feel panic, her heart racing. "I thought I was helping -"

"Sure, sure, even though you already have a record -"

"That was - That was different, I was set up and I -"

"It seems like you are awfully good at being set up, Miss Swan. So what did you get out of this?" The inspector looked at her in disgust, folding his arms against his chest. "A Demon child to experiment on? Heightened powers?"

"No! No, I had no idea she would - I didn't know - I thought later on that she'd give me her unwanted child. I didn't want another kid to be unwanted. I didn't know the parentage - "

The inspector interrupted with a loud scoff, leaning forward and leering at her. "Likely bloody story."

"Detective Inspector Jones, I swear to you, I swear it - I had no idea what… I had no idea this would happen. I never wanted this to happen. I never wanted to get pregnant, I still don't know what to do."

"If it is a Demonic child, even only a half-breed, the best thing to do is give them up." Something painful twisted in her gut, a deep feeling of dread and wrongness.

"I can't, I want to think about it and wait to look at options -"

"You can . You should . It will get easier the longer you are separated from the leeching thing." Liam's sneer turned into a look of pure disgust. "Don't wait, and get it out of you before it completely ensnares you in its unholy thrall."

"It's a child, sir, and my choice. I'm not making any promises -"

"No Demon has ever been innocent, not even a baby. They are inherently selfish, cruel, and angry. Your mixed breed baby will be the same." Liam looked down at his feet, his fingers interlaced as he rested his elbows on his knees. His voice had lost the cruel edge, and Emma felt her superpower activate. He didn't believe what he was saying, and as she watched him, she noticed how tired he looked.

"Inspector, are... Are you alright?"

"Miss Swan," Liam chuckled darkly, pinching the bridge of his nose before glancing up to look at her. "If I was in your position, I would worry about myself, especially if jail time was on the table."

Emma felt as if he'd slapped her, air rushing from her lungs as her heart beat rapidly.

"Jail time?" She asked in disbelief, "What about Gothel? Why are you demonizing me -"

"That is government business, Miss Swan." Liam stood stiffly, rummaging in his pocket. He fished out a card, carefully sliding it on the table towards her. "If you remember anything, contact us. Otherwise, we will be in touch. I'll have the nurse give you the proper paperwork and instructional pamphlets."

He turned, pushed the curtain aside, and Emma heard a soft whoosh of air indicating his exit. Looking down at her body under the scrubs, she cursed Eloise with every fiber of her being.

ﾟ・. ｡・. *✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.★.*｡･ﾟ*⛧*.・｡*ﾟ.★.・.・✫*.・。.・゜

The first few nights were a string of blurry, anger, and grief strewn rampages. Elsa has taken her home, Emma unwilling to let David even see her until she had some space to take care of herself. She had sent a text, and after a lot of back and forth arguing surrounding his lengthy replies, David had conceded.

(She just couldn't right now.

Not right now. Not yet.)

A Celestial, or something similar. Most likely Demon, he had said.

Gothel had not only gotten her pregnant, but with some Demon child that could be claimed by its monstrous father for who knew what awful reason. Emma shuddered at the thought, hands protectively resting on her small swell of stomach. Pulling them away as they trembled, she cursed her body and the invader that was making her feel so attached to it. Demons didn't exactly get along with any of the other demographics, but Witches and Demons had the most volatile relations amongst any of them. Her own child might grow to hate her, all because of how much Witches persecuted Demon kind.

She could still… No. She would not terminate the baby this far along. Every part of her vibrated with the wrongness of the very idea, sending her retching into the kitchen sink. She gripped both sides of the basin, crying hot, angry tears as she came to terms with the parasite - the baby, the small baby, the life - occupying her body. As much as she tried to hate it, the only hate she could muster fell on herself and Eloise.

Part of her felt crazed, crying in her bathtub, nauseated and afraid of every implication and outcome. Laying her head back on the tile, she wondered about what she was going to do. Rubbing her new bump slowly, Emma traced the curve. Sixteen months. A doubly long second trimester, and extended third, all while it changed with her body. Mixed children generally presented like their non-Demonic parent, and the pregnancy bond would be fierce regardless of species. Although it was doubtful at this point it was even in effect despite her behavior and thoughts, Emma smiled at the thought that she already felt attached to her baby. Her own family.

Her brother was going to go insane, and her sister-in-law… Snow was always supportive and full of a positive outlook. Emma had teased her that it was an Elf thing, but her pointed ears would twitch as she blushed, and she'd mumble something about her plants helping. Smoking her pungent blends of cannabis could make anyone positive, and Emma was suddenly envious.

Regina and the coven would be on the defensive, taking over everything in Emma's life without quarter. That would be another comfort, their careful planning and patience having gotten her this far through her difficult life.

In the end, the coven, Ruby, and Snow were over shortly after her emergency summons, flying through her doorway. Ruby was a Werewolf Emma had befriended through Snow. While Regina disliked her, Emma didn't think she was any different than most humans other than her keen sense of smell and bluntness. It was these traits that immediately made it clear what was wrong. It would seem not everyone in their circles knew yet. That would take a few more days.

“Emma,” Ruby whispered, horrified, her nose wrinkling as tears filled her eyes. “What did… Who did this to you?”

"They think it is a Demon, but it's almost definitely Celestial, or something with a dynamic gestational period due to magic." Just behind Ruby, the rest of the coven began appearing, all staring on her porch as Emma ushered them in. "Until I find out the father, I don't know, although most likely it's Demonic."

Regina's head snapped up. “A Demon? Emma, what do you mean dynamic -”

The women went quiet when Emma lifted her shirt to show them her bump, explaining everything.

Emma laid her head in Snow’s lap after, feeling numb. Snow stroked her hair gently, looking at the others. Their coven was small, mostly women, but David and two other men were honorary members by means of dating or marriage. Anna picked at her braid, eyes wide, while Belle's mouth was still open from her earlier gasp. Mulan, Regina, and Merida were all business.

“I'll hunt the Witch and her Demon pet down myself, and bring him back here. We can take turns peeling away his skin -”

“Mulan,” Merida hissed, her curls bouncing when she nodded her head at Emma, who's eyes were welling with tears once again.

“I thought… I thought I was doing something good ,” Emma burst into tears, sobbing into Snow, and Belle excused herself to fetch the whistling kettle from the stove. Pouring everyone tea, they tried to figure out what to do.

“Well, you certainly can't go hunting skips,” Regina scoffed. “And this house, I mean, I get that you fixed it up but it's a dump -”

“Oh! David would be happy to have you back on the farm with us!” Snow lit up, but the thought of being around their saccharine relationship and the smell of incense, patchouli, and skunky smelling herb had her running for the toilet. The others talked and sipped tea, planning out things as Emma curled up on her bath mat. Maybe it was better to terminate, if the leap in growth hadn't made it too late. Would it be better to give it up? Her mind filled with swirling ideas, and Emma let herself get lost in her sadness.

Ruby snuck in a moment later, sitting next to Emma quietly.

“So,” she whispered quietly, and Emma cracked open an eye to look at her friend's face.

“So,” Emma rasped back, her throat raw.

“Apparently, you're going to go live with Regina in the Guest ‘Wing’, yes, not room, ‘Wing’, and work at one of Belle’s bookstores. I tried to chime in with what your input might sound like. They looked at me as if I'd eaten Anna's familiar. Not like Elsa would let me snack on knock-off Rudolph anyway. Miss Ice Queen has her fancy new council to lord over, so who knows. We could have some reindeer snacks.”

Emma snorted, a smile breaking across her face.

“Look,” Ruby started, running a hand through her hair to push back her straight brunette style. ”I know how important it was for you to be independent, Emma. I know you really cared about Neal, too. I just… There's something… There's something really off with this situation, and it's not just my nose saying that you smell weird, like dark magic weird, or my gut saying a Witch that makes contracts with Demons for a baby, knocks you up, then just up and vanishes is bad news. I want you to be safe. I called Graham on your telephone, and there's an opening at his precinct I think you might like. It’s mostly paperwork -”

“Rubes!” Emma laughed despite herself. “That's awesome, thank you-”

“Just listen. I want to meet this… Demon. I still have this feeling like something is really off, and you're neck deep in danger. Besides, you know, the Demon part of the situation. Are you sure that you can't remember, er… Well. You know?”

“No, it was literally one minute I was fine, then the next the worst period cramps of my life while I inflated. I was sort of Instant Knocked Up, just add magic or whatever.” Emma rubbed her temples, and Ruby sighed.

“Well, if it makes you feel better, Granny says that's most likely how I was conceived too.” Ruby flashed her a smile, and Emma laughed, hugging her friend tightly.

“I don't know what I would do without you, Rubes.”

“Look, I'm pretty sure Graham isn't into a menage et trois with a preggo, but I'll broach the subject.”

“You're ridiculous,” Emma laughed.

“You wouldn't have it any other way.”

ﾟ・. ｡・. *✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.★.*｡･ﾟ*⛧*.・｡*ﾟ.★.・.・✫*.・。.・゜

Months passed slowly as Emma waited for the other shoe to drop. Work at the station was easy, filing reports and making coffee not troublesome at all. Liam apparently worked somewhere in the massive complex, but Emma made no moves to seek him out or head to the detective offices.

Her house was almost completely redone and brand new; the floors, walls, ceilings, and everything in between redone with the utmost care.

("I refuse to let you live like this and represent our coven," Regina ran a finger along the mantelpiece, grimacing when it came up dirty. "Are you sure that you have to live here?"

"What Regina means," Elsa shot her a glare as Regina shrugged, rubbing her fingers together, "Is that any of us would love to have you. Don't feel obligated to stay -"��

"But don't feel like you have to leave either. David and I would love to help you fix up the place, maybe have you make a few rooms?" Snow encouraged. David nodded, his arms crossed across his chest.

Elsa clapped her hands excitedly. "Oh yes, you could make an apothecary room like the one you talked about, and a potion brewing room, a nice place to grow plants, a library -"

"And we'd all pitch in, if you wanted to make a nursery?" Mary Margaret mumbled, almost shyly. "I wanted to throw a baby shower for you since we found out, but I didn't want to overwhelm you like I feel like I always do -"

"Too late," Emma gritted under her breath, her friends already planning the event for her.)

Emma actually had eased into the idea; at first it seemed absurd that they were planning for this when the whole situation was so strange. The father was still unaccounted for, even as the test results made it clear that the baby was of Demonic parentage. Sometimes Emma thought she could feel something, a little tug, the eerie feeling of being watched, or an emotion that wasn't hers flitting through her mind, but she dismissed them easily. More often, she was fascinated by the lack of information on the bond her and this child were supposed to have.

Pouring over books, it was as if someone had removed or rewritten any passages about Demonic parenting, specifically with a non Demon parent. She had found minor information on the bond in a few books. It was supposed to be fierce, the instinct making women hysterical and unreasonable. It only got more intense when the father was around, cases of actions deemed feral surrounding the mixed couples she had managed to find. All of them had ended in tragedy, and Emma eventually found herself unable to stomach reading about them.

Or anything really, food was enemy number one on baby's list, unless it was deep fried, covered in sugar, or drenched in sweetness. Without shame, Emma had managed to eat and keep down an entire jar of marmalade with crackers.

When Snow, Elsa, and Ruby's grandmother had brought up the food options they would make if Emma would let them throw her a shower, she had caved.

( "I will make you a bear claw cake, mini grilled cheese, and onion rings, amongst other things," Granny grinned. "And I will crochet you the most darling blanket for your little girl."

Emma tried not to drool, or give in. "That's nice, but I don't think I want that many people here, you know? That detective is watching my every move, I feel like a whale, I never know which food will agree with me -"

"And I will make sure I have a never-ending hot chocolate drip for you." Granny's eyes twinkled, full of mischief. "With toppings."

"Including cinnamon?" Emma asked, unable to disguise the longing in her voice. Granny nodded firmly. "How did you know? Wait - did you say a girl -"

"I just know," she shrugged. "Call it a wolf's intuition." )

It was supposed to be small, just a few people and family, but somehow it had turned into a full on social event. Emma was grateful that she had added a few rooms in the days before, the space sorely needed regardless of how drained she felt. Even still, she loved the house. It actually felt like hers, the exposed beams and vintage fixtures mixed with tapestries, framed art, and treasured photos. Her herbs dried above a large sink, food was spread along a long bar and buffet sideboard, and people milled around her living room that she had adjoined to two more exact copies through her doors.

No need to be original there.

( Her private door stayed tucked away in the upstairs hallway, and it was unable to be unlocked by anyone but her.

That was more important than a few extra rooms she could collapse after these people were gone. )

Emma was a good sport for the first couple of hours, playing games, being paraded around to people who apparently were important in the city, and sipping hot cocoa. Elsa, Regina, Mulan, and Snow were putting emphasis on her innocence, and although it was a spectacle, Emma hoped it would work.

Two very terrible things ruined her mood.

At some point, Elsa fell away from Emma's side, returning as cake was being cut. Her face was pinched, irritability written across it as she glared down at the slice she's given.

"You okay?" Emma whispered, and Elsa blinked, looking up in surprise.

"Oh, yeah. I just - I thought my date might show up, but he's working." Elsa gritted out the last word, anger seeping into it. "He's on this case, and it's important to him because it's family related, but I want him to understand that I have family too, and I could help if he just -" Throwing up her hands, Elsa groaned in annoyance.

"I'm so sorry. I don't know anything about -"

"Emma," David pulled her up by her arm, looking around as if checking for something. "Kitchen. Now."

There's no time to protest, his grip strong and firm, dragging her into the kitchen.

"David, what the fu -"

"That detective was here, asking about you," Regina hissed, pointing out towards where guests milled. "We made sure he left, but he was asking questions."

"Questions?" Emma repeated, fear gripping her. Elsa walked in, listening to the conversation beside her.

"Like, if you had a history of criminality, if you knew and associated with undesirable magic users, if you knew who the father was or were protecting who did this to you," David said. The stillness around them seemed to tense just as they were.

"If he questions you, you make sure to tell him that you know nothing," Elsa whispered, trying to hold her hand. "Make sure you proclaim your innocence, and he'll believe you, he has to -"

"You think I haven't tried?" Emma ripped her hand away, looking at all of her friends with annoyance. "I agreed to this not knowing it was going to serve as some bullshit trial ball, where I'd be judged like this. I've searched everywhere for that woman, I have nothing to hide. She's disappeared, and not like a new identity in Guam disappeared, no. Like, off every plane of existence without a trace. It wouldn't matter if I did find her, because this is my kid. The bonds of the spell make her of my blood more and more every day. I can't just go back to the way things were - "

"What about the father?" Regina asked.

"I don't know. I know nothing about him or why he hasn't come. As far as I know, he might not. I don't know how he couldn't feel these binds. I know I feel something, but it could be because I'm practically mooing, I'm so huge, and I have these crazy urges. The hormones alone here are making me feel insane, even before you started in on me. Even before that asshole showed up because we have the entire damn city here!"

"I told you this was a bad idea, Regina," Snow mumbled. Regina glared in return.

"We - I just want you to know that no one will judge you for not wanting this, or for giving up the baby -" David said weakly.

"Shut up David," Emma growled out. Her hands rested against her stomach and she felt like she was going to fall over. "Right now, shut up and do not go down that road."

"Emma, it's making you feel attached," Regina said gently. "And if I'm agreeing with him, you know I - "

"I mean it, not another word. I'm keeping my baby, that's it. End all, be all. Say another word and I will curse your tomatoes," She pointed at David, then rounded on Regina. "And hex your wardrobe with bleach stains that don't come out. Try me."

"Fine!" Regina threw up her hands while David grunted.

The kitchen went silent, the tension palpable.

"We got you a really nice layette," Snow offered, trying to clear the awkwardness while smiling. "Come open gifts, and look at all this cuteness. "

Emma begrudgingly moved forward, her eyes widening at the mountain of gifts in front of her.

"Don't worry," Anna whispered as she pulled Emma down to sit. "I'm writing your thank you cards for you."

The crowd thinned after gifts, the night trickling on as the house emptied. If Emma had felt drained before, now she felt completely devoid of energy. The small crowd that's left hadn't bothered her, so when Snow and Regina asked her to do another walk about with them, it seemed safe enough.

She saw him out of the corner of her eye, his head nodding, laughing at something in his self absorbed sly little chuckle that makes her want to break his nose. She must have tensed because Snow was beside her and sucking in breath harshly through her teeth, the coven turning as if they could all feel the disturbance.

( Maybe they can, maybe the unbridled audacity of this man being here with another woman as he laughs with a martini glass in his hand is enough to share one collective experience of hatred. His eyes meet hers and he gives her a smirk that screams pity and humor at her expense as he lifts his glass toward her, mouthing congrats )

A figure cut in front of her, and her rage that feels like a sickening punch in the gut is coupled by this smack in the face - Neal's father grinned at her, his cane on the ground while both hands rest on its handle.

"My my my, Miss Swan," Gold smirked the same smirk that she wants to rip off his face. "When we heard, we were so surprised to not receive an invitation to this… quaint event of yours. Truly poor manners when our covens are no longer supposed to be at odds."

Regina and Elsa were there in front of her in a flash, Snow pulling her away, words being exchanged in hissed tones. Emma could barely hear over her heartbeat, over the sound of her stomach screaming at her to vomit.

"You can protect her all you want, but we know what she did. We know what it will be," Gold's voice slithered over her skin even in the bathroom. "You can't redeem her, and she will be the reason for all of your downfall. Enjoy your council while it lasts."

David shooed everyone out when Emma hastily retreated, the entirety of her patchwork family pushing inside to comfort her.

ﾟ・. ｡・. *✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.★.*｡･ﾟ*⛧*.・｡*ﾟ.★.・.・✫*.・。.・゜

After the disaster of her shower, Emma began to feel the strange feeling of being watched even more. It became especially noticeable at night when she rocked in the nursery, sorting out piles of gifts. It felt like a presence sat beside her or hovered over her shoulder, and it began to follow her into her dreams.

They didn’t last after she woke, glimpses of a mirror, of the sound of pounding, a muffled voice that she can't make out.

The tip of the weird iceberg happened when Emma had gotten out of the shower, the steam in the room rising to fog the mirror. Dressing in pj's and heading back in to blow dry her hair, she had been dancing along to some new pop song by the Wolves of London, when her eyes caught the words.

On the fog of the mirror, her name had appeared backwards, joined shortly by the word 'Help' in a curling script that she blinked at in confusion before they disappeared.

( A baby, a Witch, and a Ghost. Just what she needs in the never ending chaos that has become her life )

Luckily, the Coven can save her ass again.

Regina glared at Emma, her judging silence lay heavily over the room. She crossed her arms, eyebrows pinching into further scorn, before asking again.

"You want me to do what?"

"Look, I know it's not your favorite thing to do, but you can and I don't have the gift or a guide like you do -"

"That doesn't make it any easier!" Regina threw up her hands, then gestured to her pantsuit clad form. "It's my body, and my mother is just -"

"I am begging you, Reg. Begging. You." Emma moaned, irritated. "The father is a complete mystery, there's a ghost in my house that I think has to do with him, and I'm scared it could be someone like…" Trailing off, she chewed her lip.

Liam's increasing push for her to choose adoption had thrown her off her game these last few weeks, his phone calls almost non stop. In a way, he was right. She wasn't the only parent, and she certainly wasn't ready to be a mom. She was no one, absolutely nothing. It wasn't as if she could raise a baby.

(Even if she wanted to, and the idea of her baby, her family enveloped in the family she chose and created, it made her feel nothing but happiness)

Regina rolled her eyes with a huff. "Fine. Fine!" she snapped, slamming her hands on the table. "I do this for you, and you owe me. I expect you to be at my whim for this."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"And I'm not doing it for long." She shuddered. "Every time I check out and she checks in, I feel so just -" She shuddered again, making a gagging noise.

(Regina had done it before for David and her, to say goodbye to Ruth. It had hurt, hurt so badly, but not as much as Cora cutting the reunion short to tell her daughter to do more cardio.)

"I promise, we find his grandma or cousin or somebody, maybe whoever wrote that on my mirror, get the lead, and we're done." Emma nodded.

With another sigh, Regina laid her hands over the table, palms up, and Emma laid her own over them. A lavender spark shot from their joined hands to the air above them, Regina's head falling back while purple smoke began to pour around the table, permeating the air. Regina shook slightly, before violently snapping her head forward and blinking.

"Emma Swan, to what do I owe the pleasure of being ripped from my study?" A higher, nasal, woman's voice spoke out from Regina's mouth. "My daughter feels chubbier, and her skin is just -" Regina touched her face, making clucks with her tongue. "Oh, she is a mess! Did she break it off with that awful Warlock? Ugh, is she stress eating? I try not to pry, but I know she ate at least one slice of chocolate cake when she was out this last week -"

"Cora," Emma gritted out, closing her eyes in frustration. "Cora, Regina is fine. If she wants to discuss her love life with you, she'll call you up on the Ouija. I need your help to find someone, and I don't know the someone."

"Well, aren't you in a pickle."

"Please Cora, it's not just for me!"

"Oh, you're not interested in Regina are you? Because you are much too low a class for her breeding -"

"Oh Merlin, no, no!"

"What is it then?" Cora sighed in a bored drawl. "I've told you I can't find your family if they don't want anything to do with you, I -"

"No." Emma let her chest fall, speaking quietly. "No it's not that. I remember from last time and I have a family now." Emma took a deep breath, pushing back against the hurt in her chest. "I need to know… I need to know who the father is, and I'm having trouble. I need you to see if you can reach a relative, or friend, or someone who knows why his offspring is inside me, as well as what it is. I got a visit from a ghost, so here we are."

"Oooooh!" Cora squealed. "An enceinte pregnancy Miss Swan? An illegitimate baby? A haunting? How very risqué and daring on your salary!"

"Cora!"

"Fine, I'll check. I'll want the details of this though, so don't spare any of the juicy bits." Cora winked with Regina's face, before the woman's body went slack. After a minute, her head lifted back up, blinking slightly. "Well, Emma, what a doozy this is. This woman will not stop talking, and it's absolutely ridiculous how impossible she's being, even if she is ancient looking. Yes, I said ancient looking - well don't get mad at me, I tell it how it is - oh, I don't care who your son is, he can't be that grand if he's knocked up this wreck. Sorry Emma dear, I love you, but I mean," Cora shrugged, unabashedly.

"Cora, ask her what her name is!" Emma hissed.

"What's your name then? Oh, that's interesting. Not as good as Cora, or Regina -"

"Cora!"

"It's Milah. And she's not his mum, she's - oh he's an ex lover of yours? Juicy juicy! Sounds like Emma dear might be getting leftovers then? Oh don't be like that -"

"I need a name Cora, this is so -"

"I'm trying Emma dear, the woman won't shut up about her sweetheart. No - Really? The scandal, but - well that is so weird! Milah says that he's been hidden somewhere and no one is haunting you, but… Ugh! She's speaking so rapidly - yes, I get it, but if he wants the kid he would have come to get it, or - I am listening to you, you're not listening to me! A mirror? You should look at one, why do I have to tell her about a mirror? I mean Emma's at most average, and look at her figure now. A child will do that to you." Cora sighed, and Emma stiffened. Cora seemed to nod for a moment, before Regina's face soured further.

"Don't get smart with me, you may be an old soul but you died far younger than I did!" Cora growled, her eyes slitting at some unseen target. She turned with her head cocked, looking at Emma with pity. "I'm sorry Emma, sweet little duckling, but this woman is a nightmare. She keeps screaming at me about how this Killian fellow is the father, but it's impossible for her to see him for whatever reason. Something about a mirror? She's also absolutely ancient, I haven't seen clothing like that outside of - Pre-Babylon? Is that the robe designer or…? Don't look at me like that miss bed sheet toga, I - Emma, this woman, I swear! It's just incessant chattering, really - "

"His name is Killian? Cora, wait, don't you -"

"I understand that you were crazy in love with him, trust me, you seem crazy Milah dear. Yes, Killian is his name. A Demon of lust for vengeance. Wow, Emma, what a winner!" Cora snickered, and Emma resisted the urge to shriek. "Well, I don't care if the beast is misunderstood, he's a Demon. How touching, now please - oh come now, Gothel in the tower with the mirror? Red spire, Troll falls? What is this, Clue? Do I look like a detective?" Regina's eyes rolled, Emma desperately trying to remember the snippets that might make sense. Gothel, tower, mirror, red spire, troll falls. Killian.

Cora grew louder, her voice rising in pitch.

"Oh, how dare you! I'll have you know your cheap robes aren't exactly chic either; you need a wardrobe update, badly! You look like a ten cent frat party attendee!" Cora spat, and Regina's face pinched tight. "Excuse me? More important things, WELL , I never - Oh you rude little tart, I've had enough!"

"Please Cora, no, I -" Emma attempted, but Cora flipped Regina's hair back, sniffing with haughty indignation.

"It'll be alright Emma, duckling. It seems that your little orphan persona is perfect to parent this little babe! Shut up! No, I'm done with you, you crazy broad. Go back to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and buy some new linens!" Cora hissed, her mouth curled in an ugly snarl. "Anyways, Emma, just accept that you can't ruin a child to be like you if you're giving them a home, even if their father is some failed Demon. Or something inspirational, I don't know." She shrugged, Regina's shoulders going up in a blasé dismissal. Her eyes snapped to look behind Emma, her face contorted in rage.

"Cora. I am begging you - " Emma tried again, but Cora's focus was elsewhere, on someone unheard and unseen.

"Shut it, shut up thread count Cleopatra!" Turning back to Emma, she smiled serenely. "Tell Regina to summon me later, I need to know how she is. And tell her no more sweets, especially if she ever wants to be a wife. Ta!"

Regina fell forwards, her body shuddering as the lights flickered, purple smoke dissipating into the air. She moaned lowly, cracking her shoulders and neck as she rolled backwards.

"Dammit!" Emma exclaimed, sitting up and violently stalking to the fridge. "Dammit, dammit, dammit!"

"Ugh, I can taste her perfume. Bring me a beer please," Regina groaned. Emma pulled a beer and a soda out of the fridge, giving the beer to Regina. "Emma, don't you ever say that I don't love you after that." Regina shuddered again, flicking her hand to open the beer and drinking down half of it in one go.

"I know you do. You just have… You're just abrasive with it. Like a big cat, or an alligator."

(Or a wood chipper wearing lipstick)

"Shut up, and tell me how it went. Was it worth it? Mother never is, but -"

"She, uh, well she got me some information to go on. So, that's something." Emma averted her gaze, licking her lips.

"She talked about my weight, didn't she," Regina sighed. When Emma said nothing Regina drank the rest of the beer and walked to the kitchen, depositing it in the trash. Pulling out a wine glass, she reached under her cabinet and produced a bottle of wine. Emma raised an eyebrow. "Don't even start on me."

"I wasn't going to," Emma whispered.

Laying her palms flat on the countertop and bowing her head, Regina looked up after a moment's pause.

"So, what now?" She asked.

Emma chewed on her lip, thinking hard. "I have his name, or at least I think I do. I think all that's left is to, well, summon him."

(Summon him, and say what? 'Hey, Mr. Demon, I'm having your kid and thought you might like to know', as if it would care, or want anything to do with her...)

Regina's eyebrows shot up. "Not alone, surely -"

"No. I would ask Snow, David, and maybe Mulan and Belle. I know Belle would be delighted, and she has the spellbooks."

"That actually sounds like a relatively good plan." Regina nodded, then took a sip of her wine.

"Don't sound so shocked, Regina." Emma grumbled.

"Miss Swan," Regina smirked, swirling the wine in her glass before taking another sip. "If you ever cease to stop shocking me with your antics, I'll assume I have gone to meet my mother and maker."

#Courtorderedcake #September #2020 #September 1st 2020 #cssns #CSSNS 2020 #captain swan au #captain swan #captain swan fanfiction #cs ff au #CS FF #My writing #MTFB #1st

35 notes · View notes