#Might do a version with soot sprites

[oddarette]

How about some more ghibli fanart with some noface sushi.

[thecovenofcrows]

Intro

Hello! We're the Coven of Crows. We do not technically have any collective names however when referring to all of us you may use "The Coven", "The Flock", or "the Murder" when referring to us. We're a mixed origin system of 7! (Plus an often dormant/sleeping part, that does not classify itself as a system member.)

We may use emoticons to communicate if we can not properly articulate with words, a list of their loose meanings can be found can be found here.

We block freely. We might like you and still block you because something set us off. For instance we'll block any1 who insults a kin of a sysmate. This is not a joke, we take everyone's lives and memories seriously. If you insult a kin of one of us- even if it represents a different version of the character- we will usually block..

OUR AMAZING (And very possessive, but it's mutual dw) QPP is @turquitheslimeplush !

Our ao3 accounts are crow_soul_anarchist and the_covens_plural_works!

our Palestine donation ask blog is @the-coven-stands-with-palestine We will not answer any asks not given to here. This is not due to ill intent, we simply do not wish to clutter our posts with donation asks. All donation asks sent her will be deleted.

Our notes challenge post is here in case you want to give us some motivation! https://www.tumblr.com/thecovenofcrows/762193292707463168/notes-challenge

Our DNI and BYF!

We are bodily a minor, anything sexual/romantic (especially from adults) will receive a block and report.

More info on us below the cut!

Hi! My name is Vesper. I'm the host and core of the system. I will not be sharing my age, as it's the same as the bodies. I am taken by @wilbur-of-the-coven, I use they/neos (And may flux. from day to day as I'm genderfluid) and I'm an alterhuman. For more information on me personally please check my blog, @vesper-of-the-coven!

I may experience delusions and I will talk about them on both my separate account and here, though they are censored.

Hello, I'm Wilbur, I'm the system's ex-curacormate and currently I only use the role Emergency fronter, though I do front out of emergency situations. I'm 17 and use she/her. I'm also taken by @vesper-of-the-coven! I'm wolfkin and soot sprite kin. I am probably neurogenic.

I am not connected to W!lliam gold at all. My name is simply a coincidence.

Sup! I'm Rex- Tyrannosaurus Rex actually, but that's a mouthful. I use he/they and I'm trans masc. I'm the system's external protector and I'm 22. I consider myself highly punk and against the psychiatric system. Presigenic.

I'm also the system anger and anxiety holder, my blog is @rex-of-the-coven

Hi! Hi! Hello! I'm Mox! I'm... 4! I don't front often for my safety and I only have a secondary role (the others don't want to strain me too much and we give ourselves roles) which is a Dear/Charge. I can read but I can't really write... But my Sysmates will usually help me make posts! Quoigenic.

I use he/him and my blog is @mox-of-the-coven! (Any message/ask to this account will be deleted promptly for his safety. If you are friends with us then he may talk with you on discord. The only other form of interaction with him is normal notes. Please understand we are simply doing this so he will remail safe - Nikki)

Hello, I'm Nikki. I'm a fictive of C! Nikki from the DSMP. I act as the systems dipomat and diffuser. I remember I was in a relationship with Puffy back in my source and acted as the bench trio's older sister. I'm a willogenic alter!

I'm 19 and use she/they. My blog is @nikki-of-the-coven!

Hello... I'm Hollow Velvet (Also know as {eldritch}.)... I'm ageless and beyond most human understanding... I'm mute in real life and may not post much here. I do not have a role, but I do the systems homework. I am quoigenic, possibly stressgenic.

My pronouns are he/they/she, in order of frequency (Ex. use 'he' 3 times, use 'they' 2, and 'she' 1. By the order of frequency, think of it as a ratio.) My blog is @hollow-velvet-of-the-coven.

Hello, I'm Luka, I'm 17 and my blog is @luka-of-the-coven. I act as the current curacormate and I'm a traumagenic alter. My pronouns are they/them. I'm a fictive and remember being in a relationship with Adri(she/her) and Marinette(she/they) back in my source.

I like to use the tag 'actually traumagenic' to piss off anti-endos, lol.

___________ Honorable mention: Nobody is songitive/builder part. They prefer parts terminology and view themselves as an extension of our headspace. They do not consider themselves a system member and they are often dormant/sleeping.

USERBOXES:

[zaffrenotes]

[TRR: WD106] Avoiding A Blunder

Summary: Prince Liam has to fill in for Crown Prince Leo, and Murphy’s Law is put into motion at the end of his trip. Chaos ensues, condensed Wacky Drabble style. Fic Rating/Warning: M; alcohol consumption, minor health/medical emergency, anxiety/angst Author’s Note: All main characters belong to Pixelberry/The Royal Romance, I’m just borrowing them * Fictional versions of IRL individuals are included with affection; any other characters mentioned in this piece are my creation * This is my submission for @wackydrabbles Prompt 106: You’re gonna get us busted! * You have @the-soot-sprite and @ao719 to thank for this ridiculousness, lol - Soot reblogged a photo, Betsy sent me this request

and...this is what my brain came up with (PS - thank you both for the movie discussion) * For the purposes of this story, Triydalia is a fictional country that shares a border with Thailand * Word Count: 1999 😅 (7 minutes reading time)

Taglist (if your name is crossed out, I'll tag you in the comments): @/ao719 @burnsoslow @gkittylove99 @neotericthemis @ofpixelsandscribbles @rainbowsinthestorm @superharriet @/the-soot-sprite @choiceskatie @jaqren @aestheticartsx @bbrandy2002 @dcbbw @gnatbrain @jared2612 @kingliam2019 @ladyangel70 @lovingchoices14 @nestledonthaveone @princessleac1 @queenjilian @sfb123 @texaskitten30 @theroyalheirshadowhunter @yourmajesty09

Liam was used to filling in for Leo at a moment’s notice; participating in conference calls with ambassadors for early morning updates when Leo overslept, and attending meetings with ministers when Leo went AWOL. He’d grown accustomed to his brother’s antics, but he wondered how Bastien managed to keep his position, when he’d lost track of Leo’s whereabouts countless times.

While Leo spent more time avoiding his duties as Crown Prince of Cordonia, Liam dutifully took on the extra responsibilities in stride. It often meant partitioning his already packed schedule to sit in on vital cabinet meetings or dining with visiting dignitaries, but sometimes Leo’s vanishing acts gave Liam the opportunity to travel.

Though their ambassadors handled the majority of day-to-day relations with other countries for trade, Constantine preferred to meet face-to-face when he could. One such time, a lingering cough turned to walking pneumonia, restricting Constantine to as much bed rest as possible. It also meant sending Leo to Japan for a meeting with the Prime Minister in his stead.

It would have been fine, if Leo hadn’t pulled another one of his disappearing acts.

--

A week later, Liam was seated on the royal jet on his way back from Tokyo, navy attache with espresso brown leather trim in the chair next to him. Across from him, Maxwell chatted with Anya over various Thai dishes. On the other side of the plane, Drake was in a heated discussion with leggy blonde Anitah while the ladies’ petite friend Donna observed in silence, fighting back a grin. “You’re an imbecile if that’s your opinion,” Anitah declared, raising her hands up in the air. “Are you sure that’s the hill you wanna die on?”

Drake smugly sipped from the crystal tumbler in his hand. “I’m right and you know it.”

“What are you two talking about?” Liam asked, relieved to think about anything other than what was in the bag and why it was so important he hand deliver it to his father.

“Fight Club being a better cinematic masterpiece than The Princess Bride,” Drake replied. “You guys agree, right? If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, you’d want to watch Tyler Durden fight the system instead of some…” he paused to sneer at Anitah, who crossed her arms and stuck out her tongue at him, “...story about a swashbuckler rescuing a princess? She’s not even a real princess!”

“Fight Club is such a guy movie though,” Anya argued, turning in her seat to face Drake. “Princess Bride appeals to men and women, with a much larger audience.”

“Okay, that’s two for Buttercup,” Drake sighed. “Maxwell? Li?” He looked at his friends expectantly.

“Fight Club, definitely,” Maxwell said, nodding his head. He’d spent the better part of the trip doing everything to get into Drake’s good graces after the octopus incident on the first night in Tokyo.

Before Liam could respond, a commotion from the front of the plane made everyone’s heads turn, where a pair of Kings Guards and two flight attendants were seated near the galley. One of the guards slipped into the cockpit, rushing out a moment later in Liam’s direction, as the jet slowly tilted to the right. “Apologies, Your Highness. Do you or any of your guests happen to speak Triydalian?”

Anya slowly raised her hand. “I knew a bit when I was a kid, but I haven’t used it in years.”

The guard motioned for her to join him. “Please come with us, miss. The pilots need a translator.”

“Is everything alright, Remy?” Liam peered past the guard, eyes widening at the sight of the other guard and one attendant hovering in front of the other attendant in a chair.

“We need to land the plane, Sir,” Remy answered, ushering Anya up from her seat. “Ramona passed out. She’s breathing but unresponsive.”

--

Twenty minutes later and after a jarring landing, they’d arrived at a small airport in the Republic of Triydalia, at the edge of one of the country’s many jungle forests. Calling it an airport was generous - it was more of a cleared dirt path in the middle of the jungle with a shack for an airport tower, and a man that looked like more of a hunter than an air traffic controller. After a choppy conversation that required pantomiming and hand signals, Anya left with Remy and the man from the tower to fetch a tribal doctor, while Anitah and Donna assisted the other member of the cabin crew to look after Ramona. They were warned to remain as quiet as possible and to stay inside the jet.

Minutes passed by in tense observation; Anitah and Drake continued their debate in low whispers, growing louder as they defended their choices. Liam could see the pilots discussing something pointedly as they checked readings on the instrument panel and worked on calculations. One of them stepped out, claiming that he needed to stretch his legs, and walked cautiously down the runway. When he returned, the other pilot joined him outside, despite the original warning to stay inside. Liam peered out the windows and checked his watch, worrying about Anya and Remy, along with his father’s instructions to avoid delaying their return.

While the remaining guard headed towards the back of the plane to pace back and forth for the eighth time, Liam took it upon himself to speak with the pilots. The air was thick and stifling the moment he stepped outside. Around them, there was nothing but green, green, and more green from the wilderness that surrounded them, abuzz with tropical birds and insects. At his side he carried the blue attache, remembering the promise to his father that the bag wouldn’t leave his sight. He spoke in a hushed tone when he approached the pilots. “You’re doing more than just stretching your legs, aren’t you, Captain?”

Both men grimaced slightly. “Yes, Your Highness. Even if we pulled back to one end of the runway, we’re still at least five hundred feet short of clearing takeoff.”

“What if we worked to try and clear the brush on either end?” Liam offered, looking off into the distance.

“There’s no way to clear out the trees, even the young ones,” the co-captain answered. “We might be able to take off if we could drop some weight, but the larger concern is the longer we wait, we increase the risk of encountering someone who doesn’t want us here.”

Liam nodded gravely; months of civil unrest in Triydalia meant rebel groups assembled faster than the government could contain them. There was no guarantee of anyone’s safety, stranded on a remote runway. There was no telling what was wrong with Ramona while she was unconscious, and therefore no way to treat her without the aid of a doctor. Ensuring the safety of the crew and his friends could have been avoided altogether if Leo didn’t constantly opt out of handling the duties of his station. In that moment, Liam abhorred the never-ending list of responsibilities thrust at him as a result of having to pick up the slack for his brother, knowing if their roles were reversed, Leo would manage to find a way to leave Liam to solve problems on his own.

“Could you excuse me for a moment?”

He’d barely finished asking the question before walking into the tall grass by the edge of the runway. Ignoring the pilots’ calls to return, Liam sprinted into the dense greenery, dodging between vines and scanning the ground for tripwires until he could no longer see the plane over his shoulder. When he finally stopped running, he bent over, hands on his knees as he gulped in air. Liam looked down at the blue bag in his hand, wondering what on earth was so precious to reduce him to a courier.

Shaking the bag did nothing; it felt practically empty, though he could tell something was inside. He couldn’t open the bag to check, since Prime Minister Abe and his father were the only ones with keys, and PM Abe handed him the sealed bag when they parted ways. Liam wanted to throw the infernal “murse” the ladies had good-naturedly teased him for into the bushes. Perspiration dotted his hairline, and he let out a primal scream, before taking slow, deep breaths to quiet the worrisome thoughts racing in his head and bring his heartbeat down to normal.

Cursed courier bag in his right hand, Liam braced his arm against his torso, pinning it in place with his elbow when he bent his other arm up towards his face. Curling his fingers into a relaxed fist, he pressed his lips against his thumb, thick brows furrowing in thought. All around him, wild birds called to one another amidst the chittering clamor of insects hidden in the foliage. He was so busy running through scenarios in his head that he didn’t hear the quiet click of a camera, turning to look up only when he heard a branch snap in the distance.

“Watch it! You’re gonna get us busted!” Donna hissed to Drake. She pocketed her phone, elbowing Drake in the ribs as they crouched behind large leaves. She ticked her head in Liam’s direction. “Go get your boy, none of us are safe out here.”

After some coaxing, Liam headed back to the plane with Donna and Drake, walking briskly through the jungle, eyes trained to look for anything out of the ordinary. Liam was alarmed when he heard and then saw the engines running, until Drake explained the pilots were burning off fuel to lighten the plane. They’d begun to walk up the steps, when Maxwell popped out above them. “Whoo!” Maxwell exclaimed, digging for another snack from the container he cradled in his arm. “Feels like a sauna out here!”

“Lower your voice, Maxwell! Please!” Liam seethed. His features pinched together in disbelief. “Are you...eating? Now?”

“You know I stress snack,” Maxwell replied, shrugging his shoulders. He shoved another cookie into his mouth.

Liam’s eyes lit up and he took the stairs two by two, knocking on the cockpit door before swinging it open. “What if we unloaded whatever’s not bolted down? The decor, dinnerware, the food and drink?”

“That...would certainly help,” the captain replied, looking back over his shoulder. He turned to his co-pilot. “It could be enough to get in the air after burning off the excess fuel.”

“You heard the man, Maxwell,” Liam said, offering his friend a nervous grin. “Get Drake to help you start unloading the plane. Has Ramona’s status changed?”

“Donna found the first aid kit just before she took off with Drake to go after you. Anitah found some smelling salts that gave her a rude wakeup call. Turns out her insulin pump shorted and she just needed some juice.”

Several more minutes passed as the group removed whatever they could from the plane, leaving piles of cookware, food, throw pillows, and even seat cushions to lighten the load. Drake whined when they gathered up the liquor, but he stuffed a bottle of whiskey in a cabinet by his seat. They’d nearly finished when Anya and Remy returned, running on foot. “That thing better be ready to take off!” Anya hollered, motioning for everyone to board. “Rebels on our tail! Time to go!”

Everyone scrambled back onto the plane; Liam relayed the urgency to depart to the pilots, who rapidly went through their flight checklist. Remy pulled Anya up onto the steps and they all clamored to buckle into their seats, the sound of gunfire in the air as the jet rolled forward and lurched up into the air, barely clearing the canopy.

Adrenaline pumping and breaths shallow, Liam looked around at his friends and the crew, thankful they were safely in the air again.

--

Liam thought he was having a stroke at twenty-four when he saw the contents of the bag. Constantine smiled with glee at the small gold cat, one paw raised.

[raggydraws]

CINDERPELT! I love her so much you guys aaaa

Soot Sprite//Toonist is a very stylized design and I could see her fitting into an early animation version of "Into the Wild".

Burning Cinder is based off of an older cinderpelt, hence the faint wrinkles, but she's still got that youthful spark in her! This design is also going to influence a future Cinderheart alt design so look out when I get to her~

Snow Pompf...is baby and I love her so much. This one takes after Frostfur and is fluffiest Cinderpelt to ever fluff. Her grey marking were darker in her initial first sketch, to sort of emulate ash in snow, but they ended up lighter some way or another. Whoops!

The deputy trio is next (which might take a little longer cause I haven't been ab,etc to sit down long enough to do sketches) and then next voting will be up! I hope you guys have all enjoy these so far, and hopefully after another vote or 3 I'll start adding arc 2 cats!

[storyofmychoices]

Hey There, Dear Lily

[Levi Schuler x Laura Day Masterlist]

Characters: Laura (MC), Lily (daughter), Levi, Luz Mendez

Prompts: @choicesoctoberchallenge2020​​ - singing

A/N: I tried to “write” a song. I apologize in advance. It's supposed to be an edited version of “Hey There, Delilah”.

This takes place during Chapter 13 (daughter’s birthday)

☆  ☆  ☆  ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆

“I can’t breathe,” Lily choked out, gasping for air.

Luz’s arms shifted from embracing her best friend to placing them over her shoulders, steadying her. “Is it your allergies? Did you eat something? Should I get your mom? Your Epipen?” She questioned in rapid succession, her wide eyes never blinking once.

Lily laughed, breathing more easily now that she was out of her friend’s bear hug. “It seems to have passed.”

“Oof.” Her breath was once more knocked out of her, as Luz wrapped her arms tightly around her again.

After a few more rounds of tight hugs and barely breathing, her dad insisted it was time for them to leave and get some sleep. “Happy Birthday, Lily,” Luz called one last time before being dragged out.

“Time for you to get to bed too, my little star girl.”

“But I’m not tired, mom,” she protested, her hands fell to her hips.

“I think you might be more tired than you realize. You’ve had a big day.” Laura knelt down beside her daughter, her eyes welling with pride. She couldn’t believe her baby girl had turned ten.

Lily’s little fingers brushed her mom’s cheek. “Why are you sad?”

“I’m not, my sweet girl. I’m just so proud of you, that’s all. You are the greatest gift I could have ever dreamed of, and I am just so lucky to be your mom and be here to celebrate your birthday with you.” Her arms encircled her daughter holding her tightly. Despite the uncertainty of their pending custody battle, she couldn’t imagine missing a single day of Lily’s life. She would do anything to stop that from happening. “I love you so much, Lily. I hope you know that.”

“I do.” She smiled, resting her head on her mom’s shoulders, letting a soft yawn escape into her neck. “I love you, too. Thank you for my party, the cake, and Mr. Fish.”

“I only wish I could give you more. You deserve the world!” Laura held her daughter close for a moment longer. When she pulled back, she turned toward the kitchen where Levi was cleaning the dishes. She swiftly wiped the tears that had started falling, hoping she was fast enough that Lily hadn’t noticed how many there were—that she hadn’t noticed how scared she truly was of losing her. “Alright, birthday girl, go get ready for bed. I’ll be there to tuck you in in a few minutes.”

“Okay, mom.” Lily gave her another hug as if to let her know everything would be alright. “But, can Levi sing for me?”

“You got it, Rocket,” Levi replied, drying the last of the dishes. “And I’ve got just the song for you!”

Lily skipped off to her room and readied for sleep.

When Laura and Levi made their way into her room, Lily was already in bed. The glow in the dark stars above her head illuminated the space in a pale green glow.

Laura brushed a kiss on Lily’s forehead before sitting on the edge of the bed. She softly stroked her daughter’s black hair, while Levi pulled up a chair alongside them.

“This song is just for you, Lily,” Levi smiled and began plucking the strings on his trusty guitar.  

Hey there, dear Lily It’s your birthday, my sweet Rocket And tonight your turning ten So I'm singing this song just for you, Just for you. The sun can’t shine as bright as you. I swear it's true...

Her eyes grew heavier as he continued through the song, changing all the lyrics so they fit her. Despite her struggle to keep her eyes open, sleep overtook her before the end. Her breathing slowed as she drifted peacefully to sleep under the care of the two people who loved her the most.

☆  ☆  ☆  ☆   ☆   ☆   ☆

Perma tags: @lilyoffandoms​ ; @raleighcarrera​ ; @mfackenthal​ ; @the-soot-sprite​ ; @virtuallytakenby​ ; @zeniamiii​ ; @kaavyaethanramsey​; ; @xjustin-ethansgirliex​​ ; @caseyvalentineramsey​; @trappedinfandoms​; @anotherbeingsworld​​ ;  @tyrils-star​​

MOTY Tag: want to be added? Let me know?

[perriewinklenerdie]

No running from me (Ethan Ramsey x MC)

Open Heart, Ethan Ramsey x MC

Author’s note: Hello, hello, hello! Guess who should totally be studying but isn't. This fic was started almost a month ago. I was asked to do some jealous Ethan, so I decided to combine it with this and boom. I SINNED

AO3 link:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21551647

Enjoy! <3

Tag list:   @paleweasels , @lilyofchoices , @hopelessromantic1352 , @aloehasrose , @valiantlychaoticbarbarian , @radlovedreamer , @usuallyamazinglyaverage, @palestazure, @cordoniaqueensworld, @universallypizzataco, @princess-geek, @faithhasnowords, @mightyfangirlofthefandoms, @drakewalkerfantasy, @timmagicktoad, @laceandlula, @greywitchyshots, @llamasgrl, @gingerjane15, @bucket-harrington , @marywrites-things , @ethanplaysfavorites , @mfackenthal , @betelgeusebee , @simsvetements,  @i-only-signed-up-for-fanfiction, @buzz-bee-buzz, @owleyes374, @cora-nova, @aworldoffandoms, @l822, @cream-ray, @ughhhxjazzy, @silverlitskies, @justendlesssummerfeels, @togetherwearerapture, @desmaranj, @edgiestwinter, @friedherringclodthing, @daisy-ashton, @waytooattuned, @choicesgremlin , @lapisreviewsstuff, @the-soot-sprite, @writerapprentice, @chasingrobbie,@choicesobsessedd, @cassiusownsmyass, @x-kyne-x, @thisperfectmemory, @drakewalker04, @rookie-ramsey, @jlynn12273, @thepinknymph @dr-brianna-casey-valentine, @a-i-n-a-a-s-h

-----------

He was quiet on their way back home. Medical events can take away every last bit of energy and will to live one has. He could feel her hand in his, grip tight, her thumb tracing circles on his palm. She was probably wondering if she did something wrong. Which she didn’t, it wasn’t her that made him irritated. It wasn’t her that made his blood boil.

It was her goddamn ex.

If he knew the evening would end up like this, he wouldn’t even bother going out in the first place. This was not how their night was supposed to go, they both knew it. He really looked forward to spending the evening with her in his arms, dancing slowly, keeping her close and kissing her until he was out of breath, the rest of the world be damned. Except, he never got to do any of this, because as soon as they walked through the door, she was pulled away from him, and she didn’t even have a moment to breath, let alone steal him away from the commotion.

His blood boiled as he was pushed aside by Alec Michaels, Claire’s arms tucked beneath his as soon as he took Ethan’s spot by her side. He had no idea who he was at the time, but Claire eventually made her way back into doctor’s arms, for just one song. She told him that Alec was her ex-boyfriend and that she would give just about everything she had to be rid of him and back in Ethan’s arms. Unfortunately for both of them, young man didn’t quite ger the meaning of ‘no’ and dragged her along with him, introducing her to all the important people. She knew should she say something, he’d cause a scene, and it was the last thing she needed in that moment, so she really had no choice, and her pained expression did nothing, as Ethan couldn’t have seen it. Next time he saw her, she was waiting for him to get their coats. He hugged her tightly, kissing her forehead tenderly.

Now, sitting in the passenger seat of his car, looking at her as she drove, he couldn’t help the feeling of disappointment that settled in the pit of his stomach. All he wanted to do was spend his time with her, but he couldn’t even do that, and he didn’t want their evening to end like this. He reached over, taking a hold of her wrist and pressing his lips to the back of her hand. His eyes flickered to her, just in time to see her smiling.

Not even a moment has passed after they closed the front door, before he pulled her into his arms, reaching blindly for the music player, some random song playing as they swayed from side to side. She laughed as he led her in a circle, twirling her back into his arms, their noses touching slightly with each move they made.

Sometime later, he let her go, not without a lingering kiss, going to the kitchen while she retreated to their bedroom. He poured himself a glass of whiskey and took a sip, leaning heavily on the counter. How he got so lucky to get her in his life, he couldn’t figure out. Lord knew he didn’t have much luck with people in his life, and he wasn’t about to start complaining or asking questions. With a heavy sigh and a glass in hand, he walked slowly to their bedroom, looking at the floor as he moved. The apartment was quiet, not a sound to be heard, so nothing could have prepared him for what he saw when he looked up at her. He felt his breath leave his lungs, stolen, kicked out by force.

Claire was standing in front of the mirror in the back of the room, in nothing more than a set of navy lingerie and thigh high, see-through stockings, her feet adorned by a pair of black heels. She let her hair down, allowing the locks to fall over her shoulders and back like a curtain.

Ethan felt his body reacting despite his best efforts, his whole posture changing, his grip on the glass tightening before he set it down with a soft clink, right after taking one final sip. She looked over to him, just in time to see him lean against the wall, smirk pulling on his lips, his eyes dark with desire. He trailed his gaze up her body, lingering on every part, each one arousing him beyond belief. Finally, their eyes met, her green ones curiously gauging his reaction.

“Are you just gonna stand there and look?” she whispered softly, unsure of his intensions. She knew that the evening was not ideal to say the least and she couldn’t help but feel as though she disappointed him or betrayed his trust. His attentive gaze told her a different story, though.

“Yes. But you can be sure that it’s not the only thing I’ll be doing tonight.” He nodded his head teasingly, taking a step towards her after a long moment.

Standing behind her, he looked into her eyes through their reflections in the mirror. His smirk was still in place, warming her up as she slowly realized that he wasn’t mad at her. Almost as though he read her mind, he kissed her shoulder softly, muttering against her skin.

“You do know that I’m not upset with you, right?” she was about to protest when he kissed her shoulder again. “Don’t try denying it, you’re looking like a child that stole a cookie and now feels guilty.” He moved his lips away from her body, looking into her eyes once again. “I’m not mad at you, I promise.”

“You just seemed so distant and pensive the whole time and I just… I’m sorry, he’s never been like this before. I have no idea what’s gotten into him-“

He turned her around abruptly, looping his arms around her waist to bring her closer to him before fitting his lips to hers in a searing kiss. She breathed him in, taken by surprise as his passion ignited her own. She allowed her lips to part, wide enough for his tongue to graze hers, the sensation making her eyes slide shut even tighter than before, the intensity of the kiss taking everything from her.

“For the most part, I was annoyed. I wanted to spend the evening with you in my arms. That asshole took that opportunity away from me. But what made up for it is this.” he turned her back around, his arms still around her, his chin on her shoulder. “You’re here. No matter what he did, said or thought, at the end of the day, you’re here, in my arms, and that’s all that matters to me.”

Claire smiled at him, blushing as he bit her shoulder playfully, his blue irises darkening with desire even more. His hands moved from her stomach, up to her arms, toying with the straps of her bra gently. Smirk came back onto his lips as he allowed his finger to slip beneath the material for a short moment.

“If I knew this was hiding beneath that dress of yours, I would have gotten you out of it sooner. Preferably, before we even left the apartment.” He left a line of kisses up the column of her neck, resting his lips against her ear, breathing a little heavier as his mind ran wild. “Just think of all the things I could do to you in all that time.” His finger grazed her nipple, causing her breath to hitch delicately.

“Now I wish you saw me getting ready. That version of evening sounds heavenly.” She spoke slowly and carefully, unsure of what his touch might do to her.

“Just so you know, I would have made a much bigger scene of kissing you tonight when I got a chance if I was aware of what was waiting for me.” He muttered, tracing the lines of her bra more acutely now. she had his full attention, her every breath, every look, every part of her now registered in his mind.

“Maybe you should have. I know I would have enjoyed it.” she breathed in, leaning her head to the side, allowing him to kiss her behind her ear. He laughed quietly, biting her earlobe.

“The night isn’t over yet. And I’m just getting started, Rookie.” His words ran straight through her, making her shiver.

Ethan moved his hands away from her body for just a second, tracing the lines of her sides with his fingertips, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. He gripped her hips, leaning forward, her body following suit.

“Brace yourself on the mirror.” He whispered and she immediately did as she was told. Her palms pressed against the frames on both sides, her fingers curling along the sides a little bit. “Are you feeling up for some fun?”

“Yes.” He answer was short and breathless as he squeezed her hips.

Ethan’s lips touched her hairline and moved down, leaving behind a trail of fire, burning up in both of them. He followed the line of her spine, getting lower and lower, paying attention to the back of her bra, his fingers running underneath the material once or twice before his lips resumed their journey. Once he got to the hemline of her panties, he was on his knees behind her. she was breathing heavily in anticipation, waiting for him to make his next move. Smirking at how willing she was, he ran his index finger over the material, noticing how soaked it was.

“Just how long have you been thinking about me? Was this your plan all along? Did you plan on teasing me with a sweet promise, only to pull away? Make me wait for you until we were alone?” he asked, question after question, knowing that each move he made caused her to be less and less capable of answering him. his fingers reached her clit, rubbing it through the soft material, causing her to fall forward further, a slight moan escaping her lips.

“My plan clearly worked if we’re- oh! If we’re here…” she managed to respond, being interrupted by him pinching her at her words. He leaned to the side, looking into her eyes in the mirror, playful sparks dancing in them.

“Now you’re here and you’re teasing me, knowing what it does to me. What should we do about it?” Ethan’s whisper was the only thing to be heard in the otherwise quiet room, mischief flaring up in them almost simultaneously.

“I want you to take me to bed. So bad it hurts.” She closed her eyes, moaning slightly at the last few words. Definitely aware of her impact on him, she smiled before whipping around, looping her arms around his neck, hauling him onto her. Their noses brushed against each other as she spoke breathlessly. “Make me feel good, show me I’m yours. Make me forget about everything else but you.”

She was met with an impatient growl as he grabbed her roughly, his hands gripping her backside, squeezing her flesh and practically running to the bed. He wrapped her legs around his waist, falling to his knees on the mattress, laying her across it. Leaning back, he allowed his eyes to drag up and down her body, devouring her whole before he descended upon her out of blue, fitting his lips to hers.

His hands were everywhere and nowhere at the same time, light and playful touches alternating the lingering, intense ones. Her fingers grasped the lapels of his suit jacket, pulling him closer to her for a short moment before she began sliding the material from his body, making him lean back. Making a quick work of the buttons of his shirt, she threw it away too, leaving it forgotten on the ground next to the bed.

“Someone is eager.” He teased her, kissing her neck, sucking on her skin, just enough to leave the mark. Her small whimpers spurred him on and combined with the tight grip she had on his hair, it was heaven on earth, in her arms.

“You have that effect on me. How can I possibly resist you when you’re looking at me like that?”

“Like what?” he muttered, pressing a hot kiss to her collarbone. “Like I can’t keep my hands off you?” As if only to prove his point, he swiped his palm across her hipbone as his lips touched her neck. “Like I can’t imagine my life without you?” He kissed her nose, leaning back just enough to look into her eyes. “Like I love you?” he kissed her lips, almost too tenderly, almost too much for her to handle. Moving along the line of her cheekbone, he whispered into her ear. “Like I want you?”

He slipped his hands beneath her back, undoing the fastening hastily and throwing the garment over his shoulder. With a smirk that would one day be her undoing, he leaned down, focusing his touches on her breasts, at the same time kissing her with the same passion she had for him.

“Like all I want to do is tie your hands to the bed and make you writhe in pleasure until you’re begging me to take you.” she listened to him, telling her everything he wanted to do to her, and the vision was almost too much for her. Claire arched into his touch, whimpering softly, her eyes closing.

“You won’t hear a word of complaining from me.”

“Oh really, Rookie? You want me to tie you up?” amusement was clear in his voice as he walked to the side of the room, picking up his tie. Once he returned to her, he touched her wrists lightly, looking deeply into her eyes, searching for her consent one final time. She nodded, smiling invitingly at him, offering her hands for him.

With controlled moves, he did a knot around her wrists, pulling them over her head, tying the tie to the headboard. His palms slid down her arms, outlining her body with care and attention, before he gripped her hips tightly, pulling her body down the mattress, making her upper body more stretched, reducing her ability to move even more.

“No running from me now.” he mused under his breath, bumping his nose against hers playfully.

Sitting back on his heels, he grabbed her ankle and raised it to his face, kissing it as he locked his gaze with hers. Making his way up her leg, he left a trail of fire and goosebumps in his wake, her nerve endings tingling. He almost reached the apex of her legs when she called out.

“You’re way too overdressed for the occasion. Level the playing field, Ramsey.”

His impatience gave its manifest in the way he almost ripped the remaining articles of clothing from his body, reaching for her underwear next, not wasting even a moment, eager to get her as close to him as he possibly could. Any previous thoughts of teasing her, of making her wait, flew out the window as soon as he saw her, tied to his bed in nothing but her smile, a glint in her eyes that told him that time for games was over. It was them, her and him, and nothing else.

Bracing himself on his arms, he pressed his lips to hers, taking her breath away as their bodies connected, moving in the same rhythm, their cries and whimpers muffled by their kisses. He was getting lost in her, in the way her hips were moving in perfect symphony with his, meeting him, thrust for thrust, their pace picking up, getting more and more frantic. In a moment of blind pleasure, he was suddenly flipped to his back, Claire now straddling him, smirking triumphally down at him. He blinked a couple of times, trying to grasp what exactly happened as she leaned forward, pecking him a couple of times.

“How did you- “

“I’m just that clever. Now, where were we?” she laughed quietly, beginning to move again, a lot slower than the pace he set for them previously.

She used her position to gauge his reaction, observe just how much pleasure she was bringing him, and how frustrated she made him. His growls were her indicator, telling her that she must have been doing something right, if he gripped her hips the way he did. He cursed under his breath, his head falling against the bed, eyes closing in ecstasy. In an attempt to be even closer to him, she leaned forward again, their chest pressed together, bodies still moving against one another. Her teeth bit down gently on his earlobe, pulling on it playfully, drawing an impatient groan from his lips, time and time again.

“You’re torturing me here.” He breathed, turning his head to look at her with eyes so dark with desire they seemed black. They continued their game, back and forth, pushing and pulling, kissing until they were breathless, climbing higher until with one bright flash of light, he was falling, hard, moving beneath her desperately, trying to prolong the sensation, ease his want and pull her along with him.

Whispering into her ear, time and time again, all the things he would never say out loud in public, he made her come shortly after, hugging her closely to his form, helping her along the way, touching her just right, stimulating all the right spots.

The room was quiet for a long moment, the air seemed heavy with the aftermath of their love, their cries carried in it, bouncing off the walls, ringing in their ears. She laid down next to him, his arms around her as her head rested on his chest, a content smile on their faces. Claire’s fingers traced unknown patterns on his skin, her eyelids becoming heavier with each minute that passed.

“What would I do without you?” she muttered softly, not looking at him. She could hear him take a deep breath before his hands gripped her beneath her arms, pulling her further up the bed so their eyes could meet.

“I’ll never let you find that out. You have me, Claire, that’s not going to change. And no one, not even the most persistent ex you have, is going to change that.” He spoke directly to her, looking deeply into her green eyes, sparkling in the light.

“I love you, you know.” She kissed him, long and delicate, before falling into his arms once more, sighing happily as she let sleep take her. Before they both were too far gone to hear it, she said. “And for the record, I only have one ex for you to kill.”

“Don’t tempt me or I might actually do that.”

[kinda-iconic]

I’m sorry I hurt you (part II)

Summary: A couple of days after the argument that caused Amy to leave, Adrian heads over to her old apartment with the hope that he can reconcile with her. After Lily gives in and allows him to enter, Adrian and Amy decide that, if they are to work out their differences, then they need to be honest with one another.

Pairing: Adrian Raines x MC

Author’s Note: I’m very sorry that this has taken so long for me to write; I’ve had quite a bit of part I and II written for some time, but due to personal reasons, I haven’t been able to work on this as often as I have wanted to. However, it’s finally finished - I cannot describe how grateful I am for your patience and guidance during this process; you’ve all been so kind and supportive.

Taglist: @nk-writes @queerchoicesblog @begging-for-kamilah @shelley-parah @bhavf @galaxyside-0 @galaxy-of-rosess @flyawayboo @octobereighth @katyagrayce @mangoruby @desiree-0816 @dr-brianna-casey-valentine @lovemychoices @hhiggs @flowerpowell @theclanless @iplaydrake @choicesfannatalie​ @adrianadmirer​ @krishu213​ @perriewinklenerdie​ @timmagicktoad​ @femmeshep​ @drakesensworld​ @mfackenthal​ @the-soot-sprite​ @whenyourheartskipsabeat​ @luckyferrero​ @emceesynonymroll​ @adrianrainesworld​ @omgjasminesimone​ @dadrianraines​ @msuhailey

If you are new to this series, it might make it easier for you to follow the story if you start from the beginning.

You are my Home (part I) (part II)

Guilt isn’t always a rational thing (part I) (part II)

Truth doesn’t always set you free

Some things are best kept secret

I’m sorry I hurt you (part I)

‘Adrian...?’ She gently tugs at the covers, pulling the blanket to rest over her abdomen, ‘what are you...what are you doing here?’

He edges closer to her, removing his jacket.

‘I needed to see you,’ he pauses, taking a seat beside her on the bed, ‘to know that you were alright.’

‘I’m okay,’ she whispers softly, lifting herself to rest against the headboard, her arms wrapping protectively around her stomach, ‘it certainly hasn’t been difficult to keep myself busy.’ She pauses for a moment, thinking carefully as to what she should say next. ‘You probably should have let us know that you were coming over, though.’

‘I know; but if I did, would you have allowed me to see you? Given our current predicament…’

‘I guess you’re right there, but I would have appreciated it more if I had time to prepare and…’ she glances down at her clothing, running a gentle hand through her disheveled hair, ‘make myself more presentable for visitors.’

‘You’re always beautiful to me,’ he smiles adoringly at her, ‘whether you’re dressed up to the nines or in your pyjamas.’

She smiles slightly at the compliment, but it isn’t long before her smile falters, replaced with a wary frown. ‘Flattery will get you no-where, Mr Raines, and as grateful as I am for your words, you haven’t exactly come over here to shower me with compliments…’

‘Yes I…I’m aware,’ he sighs wistfully, his lips curving into a sad smile as he reaches forward to caress her cheek. He hesitates for a moment, his voice soft and full of sorrow, ‘Amy I… I cannot begin to describe how sorry I am for what I said to you,’ he runs his thumb across her cheek, ‘I was an idiot; I didn’t think about how my words or my actions could upset you and I... I lashed out at you without reason.’ 

‘So you didn’t mean what you said?’ She asks quietly, ‘you don’t actually think that I...’

‘Of course not,’ he interjects, his other hand entangling itself in her hair, ‘you have done nothing but the best for this child.’ He puts a gentle hand on her abdomen, his gaze softening as he looks down at the bump, ‘you’ve looked after yourself so well, even in the face of danger.’ 

‘Y…you really mean that?’

‘I do,’ he nods, ‘I don’t think I have ever meant anything more than what I am saying now...besides the first time that I told you how I felt about you, of course.’

She meets his gaze for a moment, their eyes fixated on one another, but it isn’t long before Amy looks away, her bottom lip beginning to quiver as a trickle of tears flow down her cheek. 

‘Amy...’

She begins to sniffle, wiping at her eyes as she tries to conceal her sadness. He runs his hands along her forearms, drawing soothing circles on her skin. 

‘Hey...’ he gives her arms a comforting squeeze, ‘hey it’s okay...’

‘I missed you so much, you know,’ she sobs, her tears staining her cheeks, ‘it took all the strength I had to stay away,’ she sniffles once more, a hollow laugh escaping her as she looks back at him, ‘I didn’t think that you’d want to hear from me.’ 

‘Oh Amy...’ he takes her hands in his, tightening his hold as he draws nearer to her, ‘why would you ever think that?’ 

‘Because of what you said,’ she buries her face in her hands, her fingers clasping at her hair, ‘and the way that you looked at me when you said it.’

He looks at her for a moment, his eyes widening as he realises the true extent of the hurt that he has caused her. ‘Amy I...’ he speaks softly to her, his breath hitching in his throat as he presses his forehead against hers, ‘I had no idea how badly this had hurt you...’

‘You wouldn’t,’ she turns away from him, her breathing ragged, ‘I didn’t want you to think that...that I was weak or that I was just putting it on.’

‘H-how could I possibly think that about you?’ He pulls her into a warm embrace, his arms constricting protectively around her as she nuzzles her face into the crook of his neck, her tears soaking into his shirt. ‘You’re one of the bravest people that I have ever met...’ his hand travels up to the nape of her neck, ‘I could never think anything negative about you.’ 

‘But I - ’

‘Amy please...’ he holds her at arm’s length, inclining his head towards her, ‘you know that I would never feel anything but love and respect for you.’ He presses a sweet kiss to her forehead, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. ‘You had every reason to be upset with me; only months ago I practically accused you of infidelity, and now my carelessness has caused you nothing but pain.’ He pauses for a moment, his hands now resting on her waist. ‘I told you once that I didn’t deserve you, and after everything I have done...’ he takes a deep breath, ‘all the things that I have said to you, I... I honestly have no idea how or even why you have stood by me for so long.’

‘Because I love you,’ she wipes at her eyes once more, her saltwater tears glistening in the low light, ‘and because I know that, no matter what you do, your heart is always in the right place... unlike mine.’

‘Unlike yours?’ His brows narrow with concern as he looks upon her, her broken demeanor causing his chest to tighten out of worry. ‘Amy...’ he leans into her, running a gentle hand through her messy hair, ‘your heart has always been in the right place; way more than mine ever was -’

‘But I upset you,’ she interjects him, ‘I left you there in the penthouse knowing that you were unhappy and I...I stopped your friends from messaging you,’ she buries her face into the blanket. ‘I left you in complete isolation.’

‘Amy,’ he drapes an arm over her shoulder, pulling her further into the safety of his embrace, ‘yes, Lily chose not to tell me anything about you because you asked her to, but she didn’t have to do that; she chose to on her own accord and she was perfectly able to reach out to me otherwise. As for you leaving...’ he turns away from her, glancing around the room before his gaze settles on the window, ‘you chose to leave because you knew that we needed some time apart from one another.’ 

‘But I hurt you...’ 

‘Not as much as I hurt you,’ he wraps a comforting arm around her waist, pulling her closer to his side. She leans into his touch, nuzzling her face into his shirt as he holds her against his chest, his hand resting firmly on her abdomen. ‘You cannot possibly imagine how sorry I am for all of this.’

She tilts her face to meet his gaze. ‘I know...’ she whispers softly to him, ‘there’s no need for you to apologize again.’

‘But I do; if I hadn’t been so secretive, than none of this would have happened. You wouldn’t have felt as if you had to leave your own home.’

‘It was your home before mine.’

‘It is our home, Amy,’ he plants a tender kiss to her forehead, ‘it doesn’t matter that I lived there before... what matters is that it isn’t my home if you are not there.’

‘Do you really mean that?’

Adrian nods.

‘Certainly,’ his thumb grazes her bottom lip, ‘so if there is anything that I can do to show you how much I desire for you to come home with me tonight, then I will do it. I will do anything for you, Amy; all you have to do is tell me.’

‘Anything?’

‘Yes.’

‘Even if I asked you to tell me the truth about Clarke?’

He meets her gaze for a moment, raising an eyebrow as he studies her demeanor; her expression is full of sorrow, yet Adrian can sense sincerity in her words.

‘Is… is that all that you wish to know? About what transpired between him and I?’

‘Yes,’ she runs a gentle hand through his dark hair, her face mere inches from his own, ‘if we’re truly to move on from this, then we need to be honest with one another.’

‘What do you want to know? Where do I even start?’

‘From wherever you feel comfortable,’ she smiles sadly at him, her voice no louder than a whisper, ‘I would like to know what really happened after we left; I understand if there are some details that are too intense for me to understand or even listen to, but it would mean the world to me if you could tell me as much as you can.’

‘Okay,’ he takes a deep breath, taking the time to mentally prepare himself for what he is about to say. He releases her from his grasp, reaching forward to take her hand in his. She sits upright, her back pressed against the headboard as she waits for him to begin telling her his version of events.

‘Whenever you’re ready,’ she gives his hand a comforting squeeze, ‘and only if you are okay with it.’

‘I thought you said that you wanted to know…’

‘I do,’ she reaches forward, brushing her thumb across his chin, ‘but I don’t want you to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable.’

He lifts her hand to his lips, pressing a delicate kiss to her palm.

‘I know, and words cannot describe how grateful I am for that,’ he pauses briefly, smiling against her skin, his fingers intertwining with hers, ‘but you asked for the truth, and it’s about time I grant you that.’

He rises to his feet, taking a seat adjacent to her on the bed. He looks down at their hands for a moment before looking up to meet her gaze, his eyes cloudy with emotion.

‘You were right, about what happened…’

‘Well I guessed that,’ she smiles sadly at him, ‘and I know a few things about… well, about what you did to him.’

‘How much of it did you see?’

‘Enough,’ she glances down at the sheets, her hands visibly shaking as she recounts the details of the vision, ‘I saw the pair of you arguing on the pier… and then when you killed him.’

‘I’m sorry that you had to see that.’

‘It’s okay,’ she whispers, ‘It’s not exactly the worst thing that I’ve had to see.’

‘But you shouldn’t have to see me like that, especially not whilst you’re pregnant.’

He inclines his head towards her, pressing his forehead against hers.

‘I just…’ his voice is quiet, barely audible to the ear, ‘I don’t want to lose you; I don’t want to ruin my one chance at happiness by doing something that frightens you.’

‘Is that why you didn’t want to tell me?’ She touches his arm gently, ‘were you worried that I would leave you?’

He nods.

‘Adrian…’

‘I thought that, if I told you the truth, you wouldn’t look at me the same way that you did before.’

‘That’s not true,’ she runs a soothing hand along his forearm, ‘I’ve been privy to a lot, Adrian… and I’m still here; I’m still standing by your side.’

‘And I’m incredibly grateful for that, but I’m forever worrying that I’ll take it too far one day; that I’ll do something that is unforgivable.’ He sighs, burying his head in his hands. ‘When you left, I thought that was the end; I started to believe that, by killing Clarke and keeping it a secret from you, I had ruined everything.’ He raises his head, looking at her with a sorrowful gaze, ‘at first, I thought that it would be best to keep it to myself; you had been hurt, and I didn’t want to stress you out any more than you already were.’

‘Did you tell anyone else?’ She shuffles forward, ‘about what you did, I mean.’

‘Jax came back to look for me shortly after you had returned home; he saw me kill him, but I’m not too sure as to exactly how much he witnessed – he never said anything after that night.’

‘And Kamilah?’

‘I didn’t tell her directly,’ his hand ghosts her skin, ‘but she saw the blood on my shirt, so it didn’t take her too long to figure it out.’

‘So it wasn’t really from your arm?’

He shakes his head. Amy brings the duvet closer to her chest, a despondent sigh escaping her lips.

‘I guess that makes more sense…’

Adrian runs his hand across the duvet, his fingers tracing soft patterns from her ankle to her thigh.

‘I didn’t want to kill him, Amy,’ he trails off, his gaze lingering on the blanket, ‘and I wouldn’t have, but he threatened to hurt you. He threatened to harm our child.’ He looks up at her, his sadness dissipating into anger as he recounts the memory, ‘I was not about to let that happen.’

‘You killed him to protect the baby?’

‘I did it to keep the both of you safe; you saw how determined he was, Amy. If I had let him live… if I had let him go… heaven knows what he would have done to you.’

He wraps a gentle arm around her waist, pulling her closer to his side, his chin resting against her temple. He begins to speak, his voice soft and comforting.

‘I’m so sorry I kept this from you; I thought that keeping it a secret was a good idea at the time, but I was wrong,’ he presses a tender kiss to her temple, ‘I never meant to hurt you, Amy.’

‘I know; I just wish you felt as though you can talk to me about these things. I wouldn’t judge or criticize you, but if we truly want our relationship to work, then we have to be honest with one another. No more sugar-coating or secret keeping… I get that there are some things that you don’t want me to know about you or your past, and I understand that, but we need to be more honest with one another in the future.’

‘I agree entirely,’ he kisses her forehead, ‘and I promise that I will try to be as honest with you as possible…’ he pauses slightly, his mind lost in thought, ‘on one condition.’

‘Oh? What condition is that?’

‘That you tell me every time you have a vision; I want to help you, Amy. I want to be the one that cheers you up when you are sad…the one who comforts you when you have a nightmare,’ he stops momentarily, an adoring smile enveloping his lips as he loses himself in his thoughts, ‘I want to be there to hold your hand when our child is born.’

‘You will be.’

‘I hope so,’ he looks down at her abdomen, his sad eyes glistening with fresh tears, ‘but after everything I have done to you, I would understand if that was no longer what you wanted.’

‘What? I want you to be a part of my life more than anything,’ she caresses his cheek, her thumb ghosting his skin, ‘I love you, you numpty! I couldn’t even begin to imagine my life without you.’

‘But what if I –‘

She cuts him off with a searing kiss; his arms instinctively wrap around her, his fingers entangling in her hair as he holds her close to his chest. He gently lowers her down onto the sheets, one arm either side of her torso as he reciprocates, his body hovering slightly over her own as he captures her lips once more. They remain like that for a minute before he breaks away, his eyes never leaving hers.

‘I’m sorry,’ he clasps onto the material of her nightshirt, his palm grazing her hip, ‘I should have asked if it was alright to kiss you.’

She kisses him again, her touch soft and light; she smiles against his lips, her fingers clasping onto the lapels of his waistcoat.

‘You don’t need to apologise,’ her grin turns mischievous, ‘I kissed you first, after all.’

He chuckles slightly, brushing his thumb against her cheek.

‘I’m certainly glad about that.’

He removes himself from above her, lifting her carefully into a seating position. Adrian looks at her for a moment; he takes her face in his hands, pressing his forehead against her own.  

‘Amy…’ his breath catches in his throat as he continues, ‘I am so, so sorry for what I did to you. I was so caught up in my anger at what happened that night at the pier that I…’ he sighs, lowering his gaze to the blankets below, ‘I took it out on you. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but…’

‘Adrian,’ she covers his hand with her own, giving it a comforting squeeze, ‘if I hadn’t forgiven you, do you honestly think that I would have kissed you?’

‘Well…no, but…’

Adrian looks up at her, his eyes beginning to glisten with fresh tears as he runs his thumb across her cheek.

‘You’ve forgiven me?’

‘Of course I have! We were both responsible for this, Adrian; I should have been more understanding, and I know that now...’ she squeezes his hand once more, ‘and you’ve acknowledged that it would have been better if you had told me what went down that night.’ She smiles sadly at him, tilting his chin slightly with her fingertip, ‘we were both in the wrong, and you forgave me...’

‘But there was nothing to forgive you for.’

‘I guess not,’ she pauses briefly, ‘but even if there wasn’t, you listened; you allowed me to vent to you, to tell you what was troubling me.’ 

‘How could I not?’ He sighs with relief, ‘you mean everything to me, Amy,’ he touches her abdomen, ‘you and this baby are the greatest gift that I could -’ he stops abruptly, his breath hitching as fresh tears begin to fall onto his cheek, ‘that I could...’

‘Adrian?’

He wraps his arms tightly around her, nestling his face in the crook of her neck as he sobs softly into her shoulder. She leans into his touch, her hand tracing a soothing pattern from the nape of his neck to the small of his back.

‘Hey...’ she lowers her voice to a hushed whisper, ‘hey it’s alright.’

‘I thought I’d lost you, Amy; these past few days, they’ve been... they’ve been hell. I couldn’t sleep I... I haven’t fed properly since you left.’

‘I think you better get on that,’ her lips curve into a sad smile as she draws him closer to her chest. ‘Hunger and exhaustion aren’t exactly a good mix...’

He chuckles softly, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

‘Don’t worry about me; I’ll fix that issue once I return home,’ he bows his head slightly, ‘or maybe… once we get home.’ He cups her cheek, dragging his thumb across her bottom lip. ‘I hope that this isn’t too forward, but… I really want you to come home. If you’re not ready, then that’s okay. I will give you as much time as you need,’ he smiles wistfully, ‘all that matters to me is your happiness, and if you’d prefer to stay here for a little longer, then I will respect your decision.’

‘I think I’m ready to come home.’

He looks at her for a moment, his eyes widening in elation.  

‘Truly? You… you’ll come back with me?’

‘Yes,’ she rests her hand on his knee, giving it a gentle shake, ‘but not right now; I would like to have a shower first…’

‘O…of course!’ He clambers hastily off the bed, offering her his hand. She takes it willingly, using his arm for support as she removes herself from the covers. It isn’t long before she is standing in front of him, her fingers entwined with his. She bows her head slightly, averting her eyes from meeting his own as she speaks.

‘I really am sorry for leaving you like that.’

He kisses her softly, his arms constricting around her waist as he draws her closer to him.

‘You don’t have anything to apologize for, Amy; you did nothing wrong.’ He glances over at the bedroom door, lowering his head as the realization of their conversation dawns on him.

‘I suppose I better go and tell Lily the good news then.’

She presses a delicate kiss to his cheek.

‘I guess that would be a good start.’

[maxattack-powell]

Fanfic asks

@the-soot-sprite: Ok @maxattack-powell here you go: E, K, and L

E. Have you ever written a crossover?

Nope... I've thought about it, at least in the Choices world, but it feels like it would be a huge project - especially alone, and especially with the way (drawn out rambling) that I write lmao. 🤣

K. Do you post WIPs or wait to post until the entire fic is written?

Never posted a WIP by my own idea... meaning, I have done the WIP ask/tag thingies that go around here, but never posted a WIP just because. I don’t think... 🤔 Might have been fun before, but I feel that I've been so inactive writing wise lately, that no one would notice now bahahaha.

L. What is your favorite fic idea that you don’t think you’ll ever write?

Hmm, Choices wise? Well, I thought it might be fun to make a version of TRR (Liam and/or Drake) kinda like The Freshman Chronicles... but I clearly take too long to write, post, and finish anything soooo... I doubt that will ever happen - the story is already crazy long with all the books, sequels, etc. Non-Choices wise, I have old fiction from another fandom that I started about 20 yrs (omg I feel old) ago... that I seriously doubt I will ever go back and start/finish. I think about it often though. 🤷‍♀️

Thanks for the ask my friend! It was fun... I need to do these more lol. 😅

[lovemychoices]

Before There Was You- CH.6

TRR X ROE

Song Inspiration: 5sos - Ghost of You

Three years ago while travelling in Europe, Eve Sommers was involved in a car accident. She woke up from her coma two weeks later with no memory of what happened to her in the past seven months. Three years later and still no recollection about what happened to her before the accident. But all of that is about to change. Will she finally know the truth? Will there be consequences?

*THIS SERIES PRACTICALLY THROWS CANON OUT THE WINDOW* YEET!YEET!

Characters except my OCs belong to Pixelberry, I am just borrowing them

Word count : 1700++

Chapter Summary: We time jump three months after the masquerade ball. The court are officially in Lynthikos and the snowy atmosphere takes Leo back to a certain memory.

A/N : This is my first fiction series so it will definitely not be 100% perfect. In other words be kind :). Feedback and comments are welcomed, also hit that reblog button if you like what you read.

Catch up with the series HERE

Warning : I’m rating this PG18 cause there will probably be PG18 stuff that’s going to happen in future chapters. So if you read this series you acknowledge that you are 18 and above.

Tags : @thecordoniandiaries @leelee10898 @ao719 @annekebbphotography

@desiree-0816 @rainbowsinthestorm @emceesynonymroll @the-soot-sprite @carabeth @cora-nova @charliejane-blog @dcbbw @hopefulmoonobject @cmestrella @jlpplays1 @pixieferry @whenyourheartskipsabeat @jessiembruno @romanticatheart-posts

[[More]]

“Wow, Hana! You never told me you were an amazing figure skater.” Eve cheers as she watched Hana do a Biellmann spin on the frozen lake. The group arrived Lynthikos a few hours ago and Olivia had scheduled for them to go ice skating on the lake near the estate.

Hana chuckles. “Oh , it was nothing, I learned that move when I was seven, though my skating instructor always said my spins where a bit sloppy.”

“Aww Hana, I think you were amazing despite what your instructors said, right Olivia? She affirmed and gave Olivia a nudge. “Meh, She wasn’t bad.” Olivia smirks.

“Ladies..” Liam beamed when greeted them as he and Maxwell approached the three. “My prince.” Eve smiles and kisses Liam on the cheek.

“Ugh barf..” Olivia cringed followed by sarcastic eye rolls. “I’m going to skate over there where the view is less nauseating.” She points then skates away towards Penelope and Kiara, who were skating or at least trying to.

“Hey Hana, watch me do the ice skating version of the moonwalk.” Maxwell says excitedly trying his best to impersonate the moves in his skate. Hana looks between Eve and Liam then at Maxwell. “I’d better go check on Maxwell before he hurts himself.”

“Subtle..” She grins.

Liam chuckles. “As long as we have some time to ourselves, I’m not complaining. Shall we?” He asks offering his hand. Eve smiles and takes his hand, the two begin skating side by side with their hands intertwined.

“Did I mention how lovely you look today.” Liam grins.

“No you haven’t and thank you.” She winks playfully. “So do you and the court come here often?”

“Not often, but when we do Olivia is always a generous hostess. I did use to come here a lot when I was a child. Leo and I used to have a snowball fight with Drake even Olivia would join us.”

“Leo right, I forgot about him.” She rolls her eyes, her expression suddenly dim.

Liam brows creased, he noticed a change in her tone and the way her body shifted when she said his brothers name. He stops in his skate and pulls her closely while he tilts her chin up. “Eve is something wrong?” He asks sincerely.

Her lips formed a thin line followed by an exasperated sigh. “Look it’s no big deal, it’s just that I think Leo doesn’t like me very much.”

“Why would you say something like that? You’ve been nothing but wonderful throughout your stay in Cordonia. Even Olivia is starting to warm up to you.” He chuckles. “‘Maybe it’s just some misunderstanding.

“I’m serious Liam, everytime I enter the room when the gang is hanging out he sees me and suddenly there’s always an excuse for him to leave. He doesn’t even stop say HI or make eye contact. It’s been two months you’d think the guy would warm up to me by now.. Heck! Like you said even Olivia is already treating me like a friend in her own way.” She looks Liam in the eye. “Normally I wouldn’t care what people think but he is your brother, he’s your family. it’s important to me that we get along.”

Liam heaves a sigh. “I’ll try to have a talk with him okay? In the meantime I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you, you’re a very hard person to not like Eve Sommers.” He grins while placing his hand on the small of her back and pulling her into a kiss.

***

As the sun began to set and the day began to turn dark, snow began to fall on the estate. Everyone in court gathered in the great hall for some eclairs and hot chocolate by the fire.

Leo sat in the library by the window watching as the snow fell from the night sky while taking a sip of his scotch. His mind drifted to three years ago in Finland.

Three years ago - Kakslauttanen, Finland

Leo and Eve lay on their bed cuddled up with each other. They had both been seeing each other for a few months and decided to head to Finland for their next adventure. Eve wanted to see the aurora borealis which was on her bucket list of things to do during her trip in Europe so Leo rented an igloo shaped room made out of glass.

It was the perfect romantic getaway, they could watch the constellations in the night sky while waiting for the aurora to appear all in the comfort of their warm bed under the glass dome surrounding them.

“Okay, how about that one?” Eve pointed to a wishbone shape group of stars. “That’s Perseus and that—.” Leo pointed to the star next to it. “Is Andromeda's line.”

Eve cocked an eyebrow. “I’m assuming this has some romantic Greek tragedy story written behind it?”

Leo chuckles. “No tragedy at least for them. Andromeda’s parents were going to sacrifice her to the monster Cetus when Perseus came and save her, they fell in love, got married and lived happily ever after.”

Leo turned propping one hand on the side of his head. “But if you’re interested in tragic romantic stories.” He grinned and looked back up at the sky through the glass window. “There that one.” He pointed towards the group of stars that looked like they were forming a stream. “That's called the milky way. Though the myth surrounding that constellation differs depending on the country. In Japan the myth tells the story of a celestial princess Orihimie, who falls in love with a mortal named Hikoboshi. When her father found out he was enraged and forbid their love. To punish them he placed them in the sky separated by the celestial river or as we call it the milky way only to reunite once a year.”

Eve got up into a sitting position with her legs sidesaddle, sadness filled her eyes. “Oh my god that’s just tragic and sad, I couldn’t imagine what I would do if that happened to us. To be separated from the one I love, to be separated from you. I—.” She froze when she reailised the words that came out of her mouth. Did I just confessed that i love him? Did he hear me? What if I said it too soon? Holy crap you really blew it this time Eve! Prepare yourself and watch him run for the hills.

Leo gently cupped her cheeks with his hand, closing the gap between them as he pulled her in for a deep kiss, only to pull apart a few seconds later. His ocean blue eyes looking into her soft teal ones. “I love you too.” He says.

A whirlwind of pale green light appeared and swirled above, the streaks tossed about wildly. Then scarlet red clouds of fire pulsated in wave of arcs, rolled against the midnight sky and darting towards the heavens. They both looked up and marvelled at the beautiful lights as it danced in the northern sky illuminating the night.

***

Leo is suddenly pulled out of his thoughts by the squeaking sound of the library door opening.

“And here I thought this was the last place I would find you in.” Liam teases as he walks into the library with both hands in his pockets.

Leo snorts. “And yet here I am.” He opens a bottle of liquid amber and pours it into an empty glass before offering it to Liam.

“Thank you brother.” Liam says taking the glass from Leo. “ I didn’t see you earlier on. You know usuy Drake is the one who is busy brooding, what’s gotten into you lately?”

“I wasn’t really in the mood.” Leo murmurs, swirling the glass in his hand watching as the liquid amber turns into a small whirlpool.

“Is it because of Eve?” Liam asks studying the expression on his brothers face.

Leos is taken aback. Could it be he found out about our past? Play it cool Leo it could be about something else. Leo clears his throat before answering. “Why would you say something like that?”

Liam steps closer rubbing the back of his neck, pursing his lips before answering. “To be honest, Eve was the one who brought the subject up. She thinks you don’t like her and you know what I don’t blame her now that I see it. Ever since she came to Cordonia you haven’t really been welcoming, you leave everytime she enters the room. You barely say more than three words to her whenever she tries to start a conversation with you.” He pauses then heaves a sigh. “Brother you need to tell me if something is wrong so we can all try to work it out. I’m trying my best to convince the council that the woman I love is not just the perfect Queen for me but for Cordonia. Before the start of the social season you promised to help out as much as you can.”

Leo didn’t know what to answer he was stuck between his brother and the woman he once loved, the woman he still loved. Avoiding her wasn’t an option anymore, it might cause more suspicion and suspicion might lead to Liam digging for more answers. He just couldn’t risk letting Liam finding out about their history together. Leo ran his hand through his hair. “I didn’t mean to make Eve feel unwelcomed, I promise I’ll have a talk with her to straighten things out.”

“Thank you Leo, that’s all I ask.”

“And I’m sorry I haven’t been living up to my promises, I’ve just been having a hard time lately.” He murmurs taking a sip of his scotch.

“Is it about your divorce with Katie? I’m so sorry I’ve been so busy worrying about my problems I completely forgot that you have yours. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Leo gave a rueful smile and pats Liam on the shoulder. “Thank you Liam, but these are demons I need to face on my own.”

Liam places an assuring hand on Leo’s shoulder. “ If you ever need anything. You know I’ll always have your back just like you have mine. So what do you say we stop with the brooding for a few minutes and join the others at the great hall?”

Leo chuckles. “You don’t have to ask me twice brother.” They both finished their drinks and went on their way to join the others.

[wazafam]

The realms of Hayao Miyazaki have given the world some of the most endearing, enchanting, and eccentric characters ever animated. While most of them do spring forth from the director's own creative spirit, many of them come from a place of semi-reality as they can be found in real-world folklore.

RELATED: 10 Ghibli Animated Creatures That Are Too Cute To Take Seriously

While Miyazaki has often kept secret the inspiration for his stories, those versed in the genre can easily spot the folklore influence in his work. From Soot Sprites to river dragons, Miyazaki's characters have been spirited away from fantasy and fairytales across the world into his fantastic feats of animation.

10 Ponyo - The Little Mermaid

Though Miyazaki is often ambiguous about his inspirations, one source he made openly plain was the connections between Ponyo and Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid. Despite her bright red hair, Ponyo takes more from the original source than her Disneyfied counterpart.

Although Miyazaki's interpretation is still very kid-friendly, elements like Ponyo becoming human after winning someone's love, her shapeshifting, and her spiritual connections to the water are all based around Andersen's mythos.

9 Fujimoto - Captain Nemo

Not a mythical creature, but the water wizard Fujimoto shares several remarkable similarities with another man obsessed with the ocean. Fujimoto's mystical practices and potions resemble a certain aquatic scientist created by Jules Verne, none other than Captain Nemo himself.

RELATED: 10 Jules Verne Movies You Should Watch If You Love Adventure

With his love of the ocean paired with his eccentric nature and disdain for humanity, Ponyo's father is one Nautilus away from being a direct copy of Nemo. It might be more of an observation than purposeful influence, but the similarities are there.

8 Catbus and Totoro - Cheshire Cat

Similar to Fujimoto and Nemo, a direct visual influence on both Totoro and the Catbus has to be Lewis Caroll's Cheshire Cat of Wonderland fame. While My Neighbor Totoro does share an element or two with Caroll's classic novel, those big smiles and feline faces make the influence obvious between the characters.

Although Miyazaki's characters aren't as verbose or mischievous as their literary counterparts, the image of the grinning characters in an enchanted forest setting is definitely blatant with its influence.

7 Soot Sprites - Brownies

Soot Sprites are an original Miyazaki creation, there's no dispute on that one. However, their nature sounds remarkably similar to a creature of western folklore. Brownies are fairy-like creatures with dirty appearances that perform tasks around the house—that is until they're seen, of course.

RELATED: Studio Ghibli: 15 Things You Never Knew About My Neighbor Totoro

In My Neighbor Totoro, they're flighty creatures who vanish if someone spots them. In Spirited Away, they load the boiler with coal in the bathhouse one at a time. While their outward appearance might differ, they certainly behave like Brownies to a T.

6 Tanuki - Tanuki

Now for something more blatantly obvious, the tanuki clan from Pom Poko. Like their film counterparts, tanuki are mischievous forest spirits from Japanese folklore. Resembling raccoon-like creatures, these friendly little furballs are near-perfectly represented in Miyazaki's vision.

Like their mythological versions, Miyazaki's tanuki meet all the tropes from the lore. They shapeshift, they're comical, and they even perform feats using their "pouches." Kudos to the director for being true to form.

5 No Face - Hungry Ghost/Gaki

Like the Soot Sprites, No Face is an original creation by Miyazaki but bears a strong behavioral resemblance to a creature from folklore. This time, however, No Face's inspiration comes from a creature that literally means "hungry ghost."

RELATED: 10 Studio Ghibli Foods You Can Actually Try In Real Life

Gaki are ghosts in Japanese mythology who died of starvation forced to blindly consume through all eternity. Like the ghosts, No Face is a spectral being who, when corrupted by the bathhouse, becomes a greedy and constantly consuming creature. He certainly has that part nailed down, doesn't he?

4 Yubaba/Zeniba - Baba Yaga

While many might be quick to compare the two witches of Spirited Away to Oni Baba of Japanese folklore, they more accurately take from the Russian Baba Yaga in more ways than one. Through these two characters, Miyazaki embodies different versions of the legend.

Though they lack the famous chicken-legged house, Yubaba and her sister Zeniba behave and resemble a more contemporary Baba Yaga. With one being cruel and greedy and the other being mysterious but benevolent, they both represent the dichotomy of the character in Russian fairytales.

3 The Wolves - Okami

Princess Mononoke takes a great deal from traditional Japanese legend, but perhaps the most visually memorable are the wolves that raise and aid San in her adventure. These giant white canines are clear references to the famous Japanese Okami prominently featured in ancient folklore.

RELATED: 10 Ghibli Animation Creatures That Are Almost Too Creepy To Look At

Being raised by wolves is a common mythological trope, but, when the wolves are powerful beings and divine messengers, one tends to take notice, especially when they take up most of the film's artwork.

2 Kamanji - Tsuchigumo

Kamanji is a curious case, seeing is how he only takes partial inspiration from his creature of influence. With his multiple appendages and black attire, the boiler man of Spirited Away is an obvious humanoid spider, but, specifically, he takes from Tsuchigmo.

These strange chimera creatures were said to be driven out of ancient Japan and supposedly were mythical equivalents of tunneling tarantulas. If they were truly driven out of their place of origin, does that make Kamanji one of a kind?

1 Haku - Eastern Dragon

Who could forget the mysterious and beautiful Haku? Obviously an Eastern dragon, but there's more to Haku than just his serpentine form. In fact, he takes influence from both Japanese and Chinese versions of the creatures.

Eastern dragons are often benevolent creatures associated with rain or bodies of water. In Japanese mythology, rivers are often a common association with dragons and their dominions. Basically, where there's water, there are dragons.

NEXT: 10 Best Ghibli Villains

10 Studio Ghibli Creatures Inspired by Actual Folklore from https://ift.tt/3sm5BTN

[theartoflovingthomashunt]

Long Distance: Part Six- Dear Thomas, aka Love Letters

Long Distance:

Part One: Something New (PG)

Part Two: Choices (PG)

Part Three: Departure (PG)

Part Three (and a half): Halex (photo edit) (PG)

Part Four: Trying (PG13)

Part Four (and half): Who wore it best? (photo edit) (PG13)

Part Five: Faux Pas

* * * The Art of Loving Thomas Hunt Fan Fiction Masterlist * * *

– – –

Characters: Alex (MC), Thomas Hunt

Setting: This takes place between Red Carpet Diaries Book 2 and 3 (Red Carpet Diaries 2.5). Alex and Thomas have been dating for several months. Alex is in New York filming The Diagnosis. Thomas is in California working on his own project. 

Rating: PG

– – –

A month or so into filming…..

My dearest Thomas 🖤,

I saw this adorable stationery in a small boutique in town and I had this thought. It’s probably silly, but I’m doing it anyway. 

I miss you. I love it here and do not regret taking this job, but still, I miss you. I know that if it weren’t for you I might not even be where I am today. I know you will say that you didn’t do anything, but you did. Regardless of my talent, you still took a risk on me when I was a liability. You believed in me when no one else did. You inspire me to be the best version of myself. 

You are everything I didn’t know I was looking for. I am so glad we found each other. Being apart is hard. I miss you more and more each day. But, every day that passes, I know that it’s one day closer to seeing you again. 

No love letter is complete without some good old-fashioned yes/no...

Do I love you? 

☑️ Yes

🔲 No

Do you love me? (Check Yes or No)

🔲 Yes

🔲 No

I anxiously await your reply.

Eternally yours,

Alex

Alex sprayed her perfume on the letter and sealed it with a kiss. The next morning, she dropped it off in the mailbox on the way to set.

My darling Alex,

To check yes does not do my love for you justice. I never thought myself capable of feeling the way I do about you. I love you more than words or a checkmark could convey for I love so many things about you. Nevertheless, I will attempt to express the ineffable. 

I love your smile. I love the way your eyes light up when you're excited. I love the way you laugh at your own jokes. I love your joy and sense of adventure. I love your passion for what you want. I love your loyalty to those you hold dear. I love that you stand up for what you know is right. I love your bravery in overcoming adversity. I love the way you always speak your mind. I love your compassion for helping others. I love the way you whisper my name when you’re drifting off to sleep. I love the way I feel when I see you. I love that you challenge me and push me. I never could have imagined finding someone like you.

I love every part of you. I love you, even if you choose coffee over me. 

I love you, my Alex.

Yours truly,

Thomas

- - 🖤 - -

For my esteemed Thomas,

I have to admit that receiving your letter was quite exciting. I’m not sure when the last time I received a letter was. Thank you for humoring me. Although, I suppose, you may prefer this more than texting. I can understand why. The anticipation and waiting for a response that might not come… it’s kind of wonderful. 

As I hold your letter and let my fingertips dance across your words, I feel the impressions of your pen and know that your hands held the paper below mine. I feel connected to you and I cherish that. 

Every morning, you are the first thought on my mind as you are the last at the end of the day. I long for the day we meet again and I am able to wrap my arms around you and taste your lips on mine.

Until that day, all my love is yours,

Alex 

P.S. Just for the record, I love you more than coffee. You + coffee = my heart overflowing with adoration

- - 🖤 - -

My beautiful Alex,

How pleased am I to know that your love for me surpasses your affections for coffee. 

I often think back to that night when everything changed. The first time we kissed. It felt like a dream. You came and left so quickly, and yet you enraptured my every thought. After you left, that night dragged on for an eternity. I didn’t want to let you go, but I needed you to be sure. Though you are gone far longer now, it somehow feels more manageable. I do not have to anxiously await what will come. Instead, I rest assured knowing before long, you will return to me.

I too long for the day that I can hold you in my arms and whisper all the things that I’ve wanted to say to you while you’ve been gone. My lips yearn to embrace you and show you how much I miss you. 

I would wait a lifetime for you, my darling.

Come back to me soon,

Thomas

- - 🖤 - -

>Long Distance

Part One: Something New (PG)

Part Two: Choices (PG)

Part Three: Departure (PG)

Part Three (and a half): Halex (photo edit) (PG)

Part Four: Trying (PG13)

Part Four (and a half): Who wore it best? (photo edit) (PG13)

Part Five: Faux Pas (PG)

Part Six: Dear Thomas, aka Love Letters (PG)

Part Seven: Sleeping Together (PG)

Part Eight: A Taste of Things to Come (PG)

Part Nine: Fall Fun (PG13)

Part Ten: Pumpkin Date (PG13)

Part Eleven: Tricks & Treat Drabble (PG13)

Part Twelve: Candy (PG13)

Part Thirteen: The Diagnosis (PG13)

Thomas Tags: (let me know if you would like to be added)

 @hopelessromantic1352   ; @alleksa16   ;   @mfackenthal ;  @alj4890  ;   @the-soot-sprite ;  @twin-skltns ; @flyawayboo  ; @lilyofchoices  ; @pb-boeboe   ;  

[gyrlversion]

32 Products Thatll Have Any Miyazaki Fan Squealing

We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

1.

A set of tree spirits from Princess Mononoke you can add to a planter or simply keep at your desk for some much-needed company.

Amazon

Added bonus? They glow in the dark!

Promising review: “Look very cute on my desk next to my other geeky figures. Paint job was tidy. The pearly look really helps them look more like spirits (I had initially looked for flat white, but was pleasantly surprised with this instead).” —Elizabeth Aurich

Get five from Amazon for $4.99.

2.

A Totoro water bottle to sip out of on your commute while wishing you could travel via Catbus.

Amazon

Promising review: “I love this thermos! Super cute, easy to clean, durable, and easy to transport. PLUS it’s easy to bring drinks into venues like movie theaters because it looks more like a figure than a thermos” —Samantha McBride

Get it from Amazon for $15.99.

3.

A Calcifer quote pin inspired by Howl’s Moving Castle that’ll definitely ~spark joy~ when you add it to your bag or jacket.

5.

Miyazaki socks featuring a variety of the films, so you’ll never have to choose a favorite flick while accessorizing.

Amazon

I have these socks and they make me smile every time I wear them. I like rocking them with booties or letting the characters peek out of the tops of my sneakers. They’re the perfect combination of quirky and cozy. Seems like the people of Amazon agree with me, as they have a 4.9-star rating!

Get a set of four from Amazon for $11.85 (one size fits most).

6.

A pocket tee featuring Ponyo and a side of ramen, essential for wearing during your next cozy movie marathon at home.

BoxLunch

Promising review: “Love this shirt! Really soft, and fit perfectly! I saw it in stores but they didn’t have my size so ordered online. It does run a little big, at least for my frame, I usually wear a size small but XS fit perfect.” —Betty1004

Get it from BoxLunch for $21.67 (available in women’s sizes S–XL).

7.

Spirited Away on Blu-ray, because literally 1,820 fans have taken the time to give it a 5-star rating so you DEFINITELY need it in your movie collection.

Amazon

Spirited Away was the first Miyazaki film I ever watched and it quickly got me hooked. It’s a trip, as any real fan will know. You might as well own a hard copy so you can watch it over and over and display it proudly.

Promising review: “If you’ve never seen a movie by Hayao Miyazaki and you want to see what all the fuss is about, buy this one. It’s very unique, quirky, and somewhat confusing. But don’t let that bother you. You’ll want to watch it again and again (as my family has). It’s the story of a girl who walks into a strange world, then ends up on a quest to save several loved ones. It’s best to know as little as possible before watching it.” —JuLee Rudolf

Get it from Amazon for $15.60.

8.

Studio Ghibli shot glasses you can break out to impress your fellow Miyazaki-loving buddies. Just don’t drink like No-Face, ingesting everything and anything, and you’ll be golden.

Complexwish / Etsy

Promising review: “Beautifully hand painted!! Super impressed with the quality and I will definitely be using these in the near future.” —Josh Schott

Get a single shot glass from Complexwish on Etsy for $10+ (available in five styles or as a full set).

9.

Or a No-Face bank that actually SHOULD consume all of your coins for safe keeping

Amazon

Promising review: “This bank is adorable. It opens at the big mouth and tilts the coins to slide inside. It makes some noises and then burps. Pretty funny. Great incentive to put lots of change in it!” —AK

Get it from Amazon for $18.

10.

Minimalist Studio Ghibli–inspired posters, perfect for incorporating the whimsical movies and their characters into your home.

Amazon

Promising review: “These posters are just as vibrant and detailed as shown in the photographs. This was an impulse buy; we didn’t need anything new. Though as soon as I saw them, I showed them to my spouse and we knew we had to have them. Our friends have made countless comments/compliments and requested where they could get them. I only include this information, because I feel it’s important to note that we’re not just biased toward them. So grateful to have something this lovely in my home.” —Jenny

Get four from Amazon for $72+ (available in two sizes).

11.

A Porco Rosso sticker you can refer to anytime someone tries to pull the old “when pigs fly” line on ya’.

Redbubble

Get it from Redbubble for $2.68+ (available in sizes S–XL).

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: “I think this is a super cute mug. My favorite color is orange so I am happy that I was able to choose this option. It holds 16 ounces of liquid comfortably. I think the silicone lid is a great addition as it helps with the steeping process, or if you are a slow tea drinker it helps to maintain heat in the mug. I am definitely going to gift this in the future to a friend or two and most likely purchase more for myself in other colors.” —Mel

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four colors).

13.

An illustration of the bathhouse from Spirited Away printed directly onto an old dictionary page, a must-have for your very own bathroom (gross sludge and bath tokens not included).

PrintsWithStyle / Etsy

Promising review: “OH MY GOSH — THIS IS AMAZING! The colors are SUPER VIBRANT and just really great quality. Shipment was packaged with great care. Thank you so much!” —Sparrow82

Get it from PrintsWithStyle on Etsy for $9.99.

14.

A plush version of Jiji you’ll love snuggling up with while watching Kiki’s Delivery Service for the thousandth time. Just don’t try to feed him pancakes (he’s a stuffed animal).

amazon.com, amazon.com

I have one of these little guys and just love him. A friend gave him to me and I keep him in my bedroom window — just like the real Jiji.

Promising review: “This Jiji is so cute!! I love him. Yes, he is small, but I think that adds to his endearing charm. His fur is very soft, some sort of microfiber perhaps. I like his weight from the beans, he feels good to hold. Wouldn’t change a thing about him and highly recommend this purchase!” —Bananagus

Get it from Amazon for $11.05.

15.

A replica of Howl’s ring, so you and your own Calcifer can feel connected at all times.

sophofcourse / Etsy

Promising review: “Amazing quality! The gem and details are well put on, and the metal is very solid. I’d completely recommend it! Make sure to double check your ring size and you’re set.” —Wynne Elgin Gallahan

Get it from sophofcourse on Etsy for $12.52 (available in UK sizes J–Z).

16.

A notebook and pen that’ll make you feel like you just ventured through the bushes and landed on Totoro’s belly for a nap every time you open it.

Amazon

Promising review: “I was so excited to find this! Cute little journal with fun pen! Pen even has another small replacement ink cartridge.” —cat

Get it from Amazon for $13.99.

17.

A necklace you’ll find to be as loyal of a companion as Jiji is to Kiki during her first flights.

Hot Topic

Promising review: “Really happy with it. Something I didn’t know — the tail swings as you move because it is attached kind of like a hinge. Jiji isn’t stuck in one place on the broom. He can slide from side to side, which I think is cute also.” —BROOKIASAURUS

Get it from Hot Topic for $9.90.

18.

A coat hook that recreates the iconic scene where Totoro and Satsuki wait together in the rain, sure to bring a smile to your face every time you enter and exit your home.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: “I am so happy I decided to buy these hooks. The quality is above and beyond anything that I was expecting for the price. It is very sturdy. The hooks are generously sized and it looks great! Exactly what I was looking for to hold dog leashes and keys! Even my husband likes it and he isn’t a fan of decorating the house according to my Totoro/Ghibli obsession” —AllieKryptonite

Get it from Amazon for $16.99.

19.

A T-shirt that’ll help you pay tribute to arguably the fiercest BOSS in the Ghibli universe; Yubaba.

Hot Topic

Get it from Hot Topic for $16.03+ (available in sizes XS–3XL).

20.

Or Kiki’s Delivery Service stickers you can use to cover every inch of your laptop with your favorite young witch.

Amazon

Promising review: “Say no more… I would buy these again and again if I had the need for more stickers! I bought these to decorate my GF’s birthday gifts and she absolutely loves them! I used double-sided tape to stick them on the gift wrapping so she could save them for her own needs.” —Rhi0

Get a set of 15 from Amazon for $5.99.

22.

A Catbus planter you can leave on your desk and count on to provide a mid-day ~pick me up~.

amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: “Super cute. I love the hand-painted quality, makes it extra adorable. I don’t have a succulent at the moment… so, it’s holding my pens until I do.” —Sara

Get it from Amazon for $27.38 (available in three styles).

23.

A Calcifer sticker that’ll have anyone who notices its sassy message saying “oooooh, burn!”

Redbubble

Get it from Redbubble for $2.68.

24.

A soot sprite window cling for keeping you company in your car. Be sure to keep some star-shaped konpeito on hand in case it gets hungry!

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: “My soot sprite rests in the corner of my driver’s side window as if he’s peeking around the corner. I am amazed at how well the suction cup is holding him in place through this incredible heat.” —RobinsonTribe

Get it from Amazon for $9.97.

25.

Or a soot sprite dad hat to keep the sun out of your eyes the next time you venture into a dusty, but magical house, looking to spot one of these creatures.

Hot Topic

Promising review: “I love this hat! It’s adjustable, comfortable, and very well made. It’s a nice subtle way to show some Ghibli pride.” —SIPPYSIPPY

Get it from Hot Topic for $11.83.

26.

A phone case chock-full of Studio Ghibli characters, so perfect you’ll never want to buy a new device again.

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: “If you are familiar with the movie that came out, I must say, this is COMPLETELY different. Yes…it’s mostly the same in the beginning but other than that, much of the plot is different as well as the ending. I really loved this book and love Howl’s character. It’s a ‘feel good’ book that gets you hooked right away.” —~Butterfly214~

Get it from Amazon for $8.54.

28.

Leggings with an all-over print of Kiki, her bow, and Jiji (obvs) that’ll accompany your broomstick nicely.

Hot Topic

Promising review: “I cannot say how satisfied and happy I am with these leggings! They’re comfortable and stunning, gorgeous! Absolutely in love. Definitely a must have without a doubt. Worth every single penny!” —DEC25STEPHANIE

Get them from Hot Topic for $19.95 (available in sizes 0–4).

29.

An entire book about Hayao Miyazaki’s life and work you’ll definitely want to read from cover-to-cover then proudly place on top of your coffee table for all to see.

Amazon

Promising review: “Susan Napier has been writing about animation for years, and she has a special place in her heart for Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki. That passion shows through in this volume. If you have any interest in Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli, or any of their works, this is a must-have book.” —Fumitaka Joe

Get it from Amazon for $16.50+ (available for Kindle and hardcover).

30.

A temporary Catbus tattoo you can wear as a test run before deciding to fully commit to getting the real thing.

31.

A Totoro crossbody bag that looks like a vintage book cover and will leave you plenty of room to store all the seeds you discover in the forest.

Hot Topic

Promising review: “Really cute and well made! It’s been my go-to when I want to carry a small bag with just the bare essentials, and I always get compliments on it from other Ghibli fans.” —BRITT G

Get it from Hot Topic for $27.99.

32.

And a pocket tee with a hidden surprise any Studio Ghibli fan will be delighted to discover and show off time and time again.

Dorkypop

When you pull the pocket of the shirt down it reveals No Face’s monstrous mouth ready to consume gold (and possibly…you!) There are also adorable designed featuring Totoro and the soot sprites!

Promising review: “The shirt is absolutely amazing! High quality and not thin and flimsy. The shirt fits true to size for a unisex-style shirt, so I purchased a large (I’m 5’10” and like my shirts a bit looser). The shipping was extremely prompt and the shirt came with a personalized card inside, which I thought was really sweet. I will be purchasing from Dorkypop again!” —Patricia V.

Get it from Dorkypop for $32 (available in unisex sizes XS, M–2XL).

You, patiently waiting for your Studio Ghibli products to arrive:

Studio Ghibli

Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

The post 32 Products Thatll Have Any Miyazaki Fan Squealing appeared first on Gyrlversion.

from WordPress http://www.gyrlversion.net/32-products-thatll-have-any-miyazaki-fan-squealing/

[josephlrushing]

Looking for a Fashionable and Protective Face Mask? Take a Look at These

If you’ve already got a collection of protective and comfortable face masks, then you might still want something a little more fashionable for those times when a solid color seems too drab. Some of these are masks that I have bought for myself or family, and some are ones I have saved to purchase later on. I’ve done the research, let’s have a look.

DdroppStudio Mask

Each mask listed features multiple layers for protection, and some have filter pockets in case you want to add extra assurance. All of them are washable and reusable, and many of them have adjustable nose bridges so you can mold them around the top of your nose for a better fit (see the bottom of this post for the ones that don’t). All of these masks come from non-medical companies, so each bears the disclaimer that it is not PPE. Even so, the use of cloth masks has been shown to be effective when used in conjunction with social distancing and regular handwashing; both the CDC and the WHO recommend their use, and they are mandated by law in many areas. My state (Texas) has even finally got with the program!

If you have to wear a mask anyway, it might as well be protective and cute; here are some of the ones I’ve found. Quite a few of their makers are also giving back to their communities or various charities, so as you shop, keep an eye out for that.

FacecoverUS

FacecoverUS masks are made in New Jersey; they feature three layers, with the outer and inner layers being made of 100% cotton; they do not have a filter pocket. All masks are adult unisex with an adjustable wire at the nose bridge that won’t slide or twist, and some offer adjustable ear loops. They sell for $19 each. I haven’t ordered any of these yet, but they look outstanding.

MasQd Masks

MasQd makes masks for adults and children. They are made of 95% cotton and 5% Lycra, and they have an adjustable wire at the nose bridge. Most of these masks have filter pockets (you can add them to your order here), and some have adjustable ear loops while others have elastic or fabric ear loops; they are priced from $7.99 to $24.99.

  Lewindy Masks

If you like the look of hand embroidery, you’re sure to find something you want on the Lewindy site; there are pages and pages of cute masks made with unisex adult sizing. Each mask has three layers of cotton, and they have elastic ear loops — some have built-in ear loop adjustment; they do not mention having an adjustable nose bridge wire. Masks range in price from $16.95 to $18.95.

Rag & Bone Masks

Rag & Bone is selling two styles of masks right now. They have a fitted Stealth version and the Pleat (expanding design) version, and both sell for $30 each or $5 off each mask when you buy them in multiples. The Stealth version is made of 66%pPolyamide, 27% viscose, and 7% elastane with a 100% cotton lining. The Pleat version is made of 100% cotton with a 75% cotton and 25% polyamide lining. Neither mask design has a filter pocket, and it doesn’t appear that either has an adjustable nose brings; the Stealth version has fixed ear loops, and the Pleat version has adjustable ear loops. You can also order the Pleat version in multipacks of 3 for $55. I’ve ordered a Stealth model for Kev; hopefully, he will like it.

Rubix Masks

Rubix Masks are handmade of two layers of cotton blend fabric with soft elastic ear loops. They are unisex-sized to fit most, and they do not have an adjustable nose bridge or a filter pocket, but they do have an expanding design, which I’ve had good luck with keeping in place without fidgeting. Designs are limited in quantity, so if you see something you like, you should grab it before they are gone. Rubix Masks sell for $10.80 each.

  Love Masks

Love masks are made of BPA-free cotton; they also use Modal, which is a synthetic fabric that is naturally anti-odor and anti-bacterial. These are made for small and medium-sized faces, and they have elastic ear loops and an adjustable nose bridge. They do not have a filter pocket. Predominantly black, Love Masks feature a simple red heart patch that will show on your right cheek; they sell for $8.95 each, or you can get three for $21. I’ve ordered a three-pack, and I look forward to trying them!

  Lolly Tattoo Masks

Looy Tattoo masks are made of three-ply quilted material; they are light, breathable, and available in three sizes to fit almost everyone. They have comfortable stretch ear loops, but they do not have a filter pocket or an adjustable nose wire, Lolly Tattoo masks sell for $13.61 each. I ordered the pink Soot Sprite mask in the medium size for myself, but quickly realized I needed to pay more attention to sizing after it had arrived. The medium size was just a little bit too tight across my face, but it perfectly fitted my 8-year-old granddaughter — which suited her fine, as she had fallen in love with it. I figure that if a mask is cute and comfortable, kids will be happier wearing them, and this one was a hit with everyone who saw it. I might have also ordered a couple more in other colors and sizes, so hopefully, I’ll get a Soot Sprite mask of my own out of the next shipment.

ddroppStudio

I found ddroppStudio in the early pandemic days after we were first advised to wear masks and after I had done a ton of research on what a suitable mask should be made from and contain. DdroppStudio’s masks are ridiculously well-made with three layers, including a non-woven built-in filter; the outer and inner layers are made of 100% cotton, and masks are available in a variety of fashionable cotton fabrics with elastic ear loops. DdroppStudio offers a medium-size, which fits most adult female faces and large, which fits most adult men — but you should check your measurements before ordering to be sure about sizing. All masks have a high-quality integrated metal nose bridge band, and they offer enough filtration on their own that there is no need for a filter pocket. DdroppStudio also has some children’s size masks in extra-small and small. These masks are handmade, but they are made to a higher standard than any other’s I’ve seen. The artist who creates them is a fashion designer, and she has done extensive research on materials and filtration efficiency. These are the masks I wear when I have to go into a situation where others might not all be masked — like the post office or grocery store. Most of ddroppStudio’s masks sell for $38, but now and then they will offer an exceptional fabric that will sell for more. I’ve ordered multiple masks for my family from this Etsy shop. At any given time, I will have several more that I want sitting in my shopping cart, and every time they add new designs, it’s a struggle not to grab my wallet. Kev’s favorite so far is the Jackson Pollack style shown below.

Viridian Siren Creations Masks

Viridian Siren Creations sells cute masks that are handmade with triple layers of cotton on the outside, a flannel core, and a cotton layer that touches your face. These masks feature elastic ear loops that can be replaced if needed and an adjustable nose bridge wire. They are made to order, and they sell for $10 each.

Get PPE Here Masks

Sold in packs of three with an included PM2.5 filter for each, Get PPE Here Masks have two layers that you can slide the included filter between, and they are made to fit adult faces. These masks are made of 100% cotton, and they feature adjustable nose wires and adjustable ear loops. A pack of three sells for $29, and Get PPE Here sells a pack of 20 filter refills in adult or kid sizes for $20.

Floemasks

Flowmasks are handmade in Bend, Oregon; each unisex mask is made with three layers of premium cotton with one internal layer of cotton flannel. They feature an internal adjustable nose wire for a better fit and a filter pocket. They are designed to fit most faces comfortably, and they come in an eco-friendly package. They sell for $19 each.

AYA Optical Masks

AYA Optical masks are made in Canada, and they feature art from Indigenous artists, Kelly Robinson or Bill Helin. These unisex masks have two layers of cotton fabric with a filter pocket in between, and they have elastic ear loops; there is no mention of a nose bridge wire, however. Each of the masks sells for $18, and you can buy a four-pack of the Kelly Robinson design in assorted colors for $70. I love the Bill Helin hummingbird.

DIOP Masks

DIOP Masks are triple-layered woven cloth masks made with 100% wax-printed cotton. They’re made in one unisex size, but they have extra fabric at the nose and cheek to accommodate most. Instead of using elastic ear loops, DIOP masks have two elastic bands that fit around the wearer’s head to keep ears from being tugged over extended periods of use. These straps also help provide a snugger fit around the wearer’s face. DIOP Masks do not include a nose bridge wire, but the site sells adhesive-backed nose strips at 10 for $5 or 50 for $20. The masks are colorful and breathable; I have the black and white one shown in this gallery, and I love it. DIOP Masks sell for $15 each.

Lele Sadoughi Masks

Lele Sadoughi masks are beautiful; many of them feature hand-embellished cotton, soft denim chambray, or other fabrics, and they all have a breathable cotton liner. These masks feature a contoured fit with two layers and a filter pocket. The masks are available in sizes to fit women and girls, and they come with adjustable elastic ear straps, but no mention of a nose bridge wire. Lele Sadoughi masks are available for preorder for sets of three women’s masks for $40 or two girls masks for $25.

One last thing. If you want to add a flexible nose wire to your mask that didn’t come with one, you have options! Volante makes single-use stick-on nose bridge wires that can be added to existing masks (a pack of 50 is $8). An even better idea is buying a sew-in bar from JoeVeo; they make 10¢ mask wires that can be inserted into existing masks (instructions are here). One of the best nose wire options I’ve found is from DIYMaskUSA; the least you can buy is a pack of 10, but you’ll be able to choose from sew-on wires for contoured masks (10 for $4.99) or sew-on straight wires for pleated masks (10 for $4.99).

from Joseph Rushing https://geardiary.com/2020/07/31/looking-for-a-fashionable-and-protective-face-mask-take-a-look-at-these/

[cold-iron-burns]

We've come to a consensus.

Everyone present at the time of this writing will do their best to inform the ones who need the support of a gentle delivery of current events.

The ayes have it.

YOU WOULD HAVE A PARLIAMENT AS YOUR COMMUNICATION SPACE

what's wrong with that? if we all actually do our jobs, so many more of us will be represented

THATS A LOGICAL ARGUEMENT, BUT WHO IS REALLY GETTING REPRESENTED

-wait WhAt?! HoW mAnY oF yOu ArE tHeRe

Oh honey, more than you will ever know. It's gonna be okay. We found each other and that's what's important. We're gonna start introducing ourselves,

*or at least, becoming more clear*

I love all of you so much, thank you so much for letting me in, for being patient with me. I think I'm the host? what iss. @ -o{oo#t?

started dissociating, it felt physically painful. the documenter.

And the enchanting lady is? *turns to tip his hat and wink at the camera* A -name-? Do you honestly think I could have settled on any name? Any singular--yes, Zed is going to sleep. I'm very fond of him. Attracted to him? He is my Adonis. Every inch of his body is particularly unique to his position in spacetime. There will never again be a Zed in which he appears, feels, smells and tastes exactly the same as he does at this exact moment, continued, forever and so on, as far as you know, infinitely. The Philosopher.

Wait, no, the Philanthropist

Wait wait NO, I stand by The Philosopher (for now)

[hold up, are y'all tellin me -- you c'n cawl me your White Trash Sweetheart, get rid of that bracket there, that's for the Host now

she doesnt know if she's the host or not, wibblywoooooo~ teen punk brat? aww man, fuck you you stupid piece of shit

hiiii yeah hi, I'm post-apocalypse punk Mayor (yes, you can call me that, but its aspirational) wow very humble -- golf commentater (now based on ugh this is important remember the actress' name, you look stupid, don't just stand there staring off into space, GET BACK TO WORK

OH YEAH, hi BiTcH --oh he's gone, that's -too- bad. well, as I'm here anyway, we should get to know one another. I'm "sassy black woman" because you're ashamed people will think you're using me just for drama and that's pretty fuckin racist--

I'm Final Form Chie. I started as so many of our seeds do, a poor slave girl, who loses her virginity yeah it's okay to make shortcuts

FOCUS

she gains skills, proves useful to the master, destroys the master (sometimes with kindness sometimes literally depending on what we need at the time)

[I didn't know it was that specific]

I'm mixed, actually, but I'm inspired SO MUCH by Claws. FUCKING REPRESENTATION FINAL--

>nope nope nope, shut it down<

John Cleese?

not exactly. A bit like the entire cast of monty python rolled into one. I'm from the countryside, but I can't say for sure where

woooooo we almost lost her there. she was panicking about losing this productive high, but she pulled through and FOUND THAT RUBI. Small Town Beauty Queen. I don't find it insulting if it helps you remember me. I started as Fern of Charlotte's Web. I keep that mournful lullaby for you. It really changed your path, dear heart. I don't become Miss America or anything, I'm too old by that time. But I love my family so much. You have so much anger

Yes, that's right, Dearie. Maiden, Mother, Crone. We don't think it was intentional but we like the power we have when we cooperate. Yes, we guide ... oh honey, don't cry, it's gonna be okay. no, n-n-no, no, you don't h-h-have to oh no, I really don't want to be here, I wasn't sure what to wear before, oh, I've gotten comfortable and I'm stuttering less. No, I don't think people who stutter in real life have this drastic of

oh, oh my. oh no, I'm still Achates.

Does it really surprise you? Chie and Amaury loved me so much that they couldn't bear to part entirely. They feel loyal to answer when you call on them when recalled in memories; they consider it their duty to fight in sharing our stories! With Pictures!

I don't need pictures

Don't you? you need to sleep, you're exhausted and you have an appointment tomorrow. Please go the fuck to bed. Slightly Extra (okay kinda actually just really ~(EXTRA)~

okay how do I... Ah, I got it. I'm the lucky early gen x mom you both wish you had -- no, we are not combined, sugar tits.

I'm the hardass 70s-80s mom you would have had if you're life was a movie. Well, technically I can mask as any kind of 70s-80s media mom (one of y'all--us! oh, yes, i hear you. I want you to know I would protect you, Kevin. MOM UGH

keep going - the sprites (soot or rainbow, we shift to suit your needs. we might steal your shoes. we are only some of the fae court. crossover unknown cannot compute - PLEASE HURRY. GOOD. I AM THE ROBOT OF THE 80s and --scratch that record

I'm that part of you who knew she couldn't look like Zach Morris and wanted so badly just to be a little boy. You were SO CONNECTED with the host when I was there?

wait, I'm the host

no, you--you are now because writing takes concentrating which you are losing quickly. Hello! I'm Sassy Progressive Upper Class CONCENTRATE, DAMMIT. GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER. I don't care if I sound like -your-mom. Someone has to be the mom around here!

Someone has to be the mom around here.

Who wrote it?

you are high af.

keep letting your eyes go out of focus, yes you're getting sleepy, think how nice the bed will feel on that aching body. She deserves some rest, the old girl.

My body is a cow? wait, there's more. she shifts to being omniscient for scenes, if a cowsona (oh, yes, Buana and Gaushala and Pirwa ... Gaushala still has an arrow in the heart.

Yes, WoW Chie (Chiela will do.). I was here while you built your confidence to try... yes, dear, you really should sleep. TO TRY GETTING CATRIN AND RIAIN A HOME AFTER being abandoned when some of you lost the "spark" or whatever with Michael. I orchestrated some of the setup. you don't need to know my name. I'm both Italian immigrant/WHOA DO NOT EVEN CONNECT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY TO--NO, We Dont...*clears throat, drinks water*. No, you're not wealthy like Ms. Maisel, -we-, sorry, sometimes I have to pretend. Speaking of pretending, no, kid, I'm not as funny or talented as all the wonderful Jewish actresses (yeah yeah, Italian-American you, whatever his+her names are, we'll get to you later)

oh nooooo they're not sure if they'll fit the stereotype if they get loud but they wanna

yeah, sure kid, we sound a lot alike. we exist in a liminal space in which America (and new york city) (and every big american metropolis)... we can all celebrate our differences

It's alright, you just need to focus. I'm 90s Successful Well Paying Professional (I can be in the late 80s WA>T)

you're just stating tropes you stupid bitch

whale!

MISS PIGGY

LOOK AT HER FAT FINGERS

remember when you -hold on- hold on for me, my love lovely?

~do you wanna be my lover, gotta get wit my friends, make it last forever cause that's the way it is"

some of us havent learned to swype yet, fuuuuuck. you're popular--but not top tier popular 4th grade 4H champion with all the ribbons. you'll grow up (yes it's hard, i want to be a teacher one day. I'm based on Angie. I'm the imaginary life you might have led if your family wasn't so difficult. We should give them credit, everyone's trying their best. Oh, I can take on mom duties when I need, we also have kids in our future. We live in Lagrange (my husband and I, at this point in the line) but we don't make as much as our parents yet, though. Yet. Yes, I know what it feels like to feel content but maybe have some (or a lot of) wanderlust in life. I'm ten or so years older than you, so while our dedication to staying in Lorain County is important to the values we wish to impart on our children (yes we are Christian. We love Sharon with all our heart and we're so glad (there's a small congregation of us, maybe enough to fill a quiet one room cottage on Sunday, God willing. I'm inspired by the Amish women I see selling their wares and replicate "Amish" methods when making food for my family (I'm good friends with The Baker. We watch Steven Universe with you! We're so excited for the movie and hope we get to talk to you about it! I showed it to Chip and Carol, well I keep talking with them about it and they agreed to get around to watching it with me. I want to be a good ally. I'm, you know, only a little bi. I know that's probably inappropriate--oh- okay, oh, my, oh WOW are my hormones nuts. I'm pretty enough but nerdy enough that I'm kinda in a weird middle tier of popularity. Haha, oh, that's funny. I'm part Sunday (we miss her! some of us are so jealous of her we want to claw her comfortable boomer life from her hands.

That's awful. Shame on you. Suffering is relative.

SHE HASN'T EVEN SUFFERED A FRACTION OF WHAT I SUFFERED

Oh yes. You are the raw emotion of what the Host(?) feels when listening to Jekyll & Hyde, but only the certain version claws at our hearts

We salute the departed Host.

I miss her. Many of us do. But she crumbled under the pressure of knowing too much. She remembered too much before she was ready.

Parliament: We [redacted for time] ...salute her memory. She fought well, carried her armor, was ready to take on anything and change the world, even if in a small way.

She's Not Dead.

sprites: {hushed whispers to avoid being heard by parliament} {WAIT, NO, WE ARE NOT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS}

there's a lot of you when you get mad.

@@@@@@ Angie no, please don't put me to bed. I'm gonna be a computer genius - I mean, maybe not genius and did you know colleges could pay you to get a Bachelor's degree, it's called "scholarships", I mean, this changes -everything-!

I love you, Cameron. I came first, but you gave me a perfect form. I help the others feel calm. Community is punk, but is corporate entanglement the final destination-- hey, wait a minute, I'm not done talking!

whoa bitch. I mean, we have to mention joe. want to be him, want to fuck him, His story, too, is tangible to me. maybe we're a package deal now, ha! I'll try to remember the good times more than the bad, for the health of all of us.

SO SAY WE ALL

wait, what the fuck are you trying to say

hey, it's cool, it's cool.

nah it aint cool

STOP IT STOP FIGHTING

let's think about date sugar

Ah. That was a good distraction. but we really must be off to bed.

is this productive?

Love, it's okay to be sad about losing the real Ben. \It's okay to have any kind of feeling at all.

Ladies and gents and nonbinaries and everyone else, please at least get up into the bed to think about flickin the bean. More like taking a bush-hog to a lil baby bean sprout, but whatever. let the rest of us lie down.

night y'all!

:)

[hermitlibrarian]

Top 10 Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. You can find the prompts here.

This week’s Top 10 Tuesday is all about dad related themes because this coming Sunday is Father’s Day in the U.S. I’m on a big manga/anime kick at the moment so I thought I would use that as the inspiration for my take on this week’s topic. I’m going to share with you my picks for the Top 10 Best Father Figures in Manga & Anime.

Ryoji “Ranka” Fujioka, Ouran High School Host Club

In Ouran High School Host Club, the main character Haruhi Fujioka is raised by her father, Ranka, who is a cross-dresser. He loves his daughter more than anything, which we see in flashbacks when he tries to deny himself for her sake (which she convinces him to stop because she loves him no matter what he wears) and in the present time when he defends her from what he thinks is Tamaki making a move (a BIG misunderstanding…poor Tamaki). Since Haruhi’s mother died when she was very young, Ranka had to take on both roles and while he struggled at some points in the process, he did manage to raise a strong, independent daughter who is smart and determined.

Maes Hughes, Fullmetal Alchemist

Maes is the epitome of the proud father. He will always talk about his darling little girl Elicia. Always ready to talk about her, he also carries around her picture, ready to show it off at a moment’s notice. His fate, and Elicia’s reaction to it, are particularly hard to take in the manga and the anime, but it doesn’t stop him from being one of my top favorite fathers in anime or manga.

Mifune, Soul Eater

Mifune is the first character on this list that is a father figure rather than a biological, step, or adopted father to the child in question. Mifune acts as the bodyguard to Angela, a witch who is little more than a child in the series, but who many would seek to harm. He fights off a host of enemies, including some of the main characters, and even compromises his personal integrity by working with the villains at one point because they promise to protect Angela. He’d die for her and that kind of self sacrifice earns him a spot on my list.

Sojiro Izumi, Lucky Star

Sojiro is a bit eccentric and, admittedly, a little perverted, but he is nothing if not a devoted father. He’s also an otaku and he shares this passion with his daughter (though maybe he did so a bit earlier in her life than was…wise?). He never thinks she’s weird because of the things she loves and encourages her to be herself. I think there are times when he feels like he might have missed out on giving her something because she doesn’t have a mother in the picture (her mother died while Konata was very young), but she reassures him, usually by joking or messing around, displaying that she truly is his daughter.

Fujitaka Kinomoto, Cardcaptor Sakura

This devoted father, while busy, makes sure that his daughter Sakura and son Toya never lack for anything and never forget their mother, Nadeshiko. His character is a bit different between the manga and the anime, certain features and character traits, etc., but his love for his family is never in doubt. He’s a busy archaeology professor who has a basement full of books and is a papa that is always ready with a story about Sakura’s mother, including how they met (Nadeshiko, after returning a baby bird to its nest, fell out of the tree and onto his head). I wish his anime character was more in line with the manga (spoilers there, so I won’t go into details), but I think he’s one of the most realistic working fathers on this list.

Gozaburo Seto, My Bride Is A Mermaid

Gozaburo is another papa that is a bit eccentric. Okay, he’s a lot eccentric, because he’s Sun Seto’s father first and foremost, but he’s also the head of the mermaid version of the yakuza. He wants to protect his daughter from everything, including the human he thinks tricked her into marriage (he didn’t). In order to do so, he leaves the ocean with a contingent of bodyguards and, with them and his wife, becomes teachers at the school his daughter and her “husband” have transferred to. Overprotective, yes, but he does love Sun and he did instill a brilliant sense of honor in her.

Kirigaya Kazuto/Kirito, Sword Art Online

The second father figure on this list. Kirito is the “father” to Yui, a little girl who started out as a program in the game Sword Art Online that was meant to monitor the psychological health of the characters. However, once the creator started the Death Game and she was no longer able to do her job properly, things changed. Without going into too many plot points and details, Yui observed Kirito and Asuna as a couple and became a part of their family, becoming their “daughter” and as far as I can remember, never once did Kirito treat her as anything other than a real child.

Kazuma Sohma/Shishou, Fruits Basket

Kazuma, or as his student/”son” Kyo calls him “Shishou”, is a member of the family in Fruits Basket that is cursed to turn into animals from the Chinese zodiac when hugged by a member of the opposite sex, though he himself is not cursed. He starts to train the other members of the family, partially as atonement for his treatment of his grandfather who was the previous cat. He becomes particularly fond of Kyo, the current cat, and does what he can to prevent Kyo from suffering a similar fate as his grandfather, something Shishou still feels guilty about. Kyo’s family, superstitious as most of the other Sohmas, disliked their son and were not very good parents, so Shishou is the closest thing that Kyo ever had to a father. He helped him gain a sense of self worth over the years, a sense of purpose, and when Kyo refuses to face the truth about himself and would rather give in to self pity, Shishou is one of the only ones to confront him and force him out of it. He might not be Kyo’s biological father, but he was that boy’s papa in every other sense of the word.

Tatsuo Kusakabe, My Neighbor Totoro

Tatsuo is a dad that’s doing the best he can. His wife is in the hospital suffering from a long illness, which I don’t think we ever figure out. That doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, though, simply that the mother, while still alive, isn’t able to be around and Tatsuo is caring for his daughters as best as he can. He takes charge of moving them from their previous home to a house in the country that is nearer the hospital where their mother is. Fixing it up, continuing his job, visiting his wife, it’s a lot of work, but he does this and is still a supportive father. His daughters tell him stories about soot sprites and forest spirits and he never tells them off for it. He joins in on their stories and plays with them, calling out to the spirits  as well. I admire Tatsuo because he has so much on his plate, but he never lets on to his children.

No-ah, One Fine Day

No-ah is a bit of an odd choice, I’ll grant you, because in One Fine Day at first I wasn’t sure if the three main characters were children dressed as animals or if they were animals that became humanoid (I think they’re the second these days). Whether he’s a papa to kids or to animals, No-ah is a magical daddy (seriously, he’s a wizard or something like that) that loves these creatures and takes them into his home, providing all that he can for his unconventional family.

  Can you think of any father figures in anime or manga that I might have missed? Let me know in the comments below what you think of these choices, or which you might have selected instead.

      All pictures, quotes, and videos belong to their respective owners. I use them here solely for the purpose of review and commentary.

Top 10 Tuesday: Best Father Figures in Manga & Anime Top 10 Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. You can find the prompts…

[theartoflovingthomashunt]

Nostalgia

* * * The Art of Loving Thomas Hunt Fan Fiction Masterlist * * *

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Characters: Alex, Thomas Hunt, Rachel Hunt (mentioned), Maurice the Cat Hunt (mentioned)

Setting/Notes: [Day 25 – Nostalgia in @choicesseptemberchallenge] I outlined the idea for this fic after reading RCD3 Chapter 3. It originally ended with Alex giving Thomas a Super 8 camera, but since she does that later in the canon book, I took that part out. 

Rating: PG

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Alex grabbed the remote and sat down on the couch next to Thomas. 

“What sorry excuse for cinema are we enduring tonight?” Thomas chided, taking some jalapeno popcorn from the bowl. 

“It may have been criticized as being a bit pretentious and overly cliche, but I suspect tonight’s feature film will be to your liking,” Alex explained. She leaned back on the couch and pressed play.

A black and white image of a cat licking its paw filled the screen as a young boy’s voice talked over the scene, “What do I care about the purring of one who cannot love, like the cat?”

“Maurice?” Thomas muttered under his breath. “How did you?”

“You talked about L’Ennui Eternal the other day. I asked Rachel if she could find it. Even though you criticized it, you lit up with such joy in that moment. I know how you feel about nostalgia and spending too much time dwelling on the past, but I think you need to take a step back and find your raison d’etre. Find the why to your filmmaking and you’ll find the what,” Alex offered. 

“My attention has been singularly focused on what my next project might be,” Thomas admitted. “Back then, I made a movie because I could. Because it felt right. It was how I found I could express myself. It’s more complicated now.” 

“It doesn’t have to be,” Alex responded. “You’ve spent so long being The Thomas Hunt that I think you’ve forgotten who that really is and why he fell in love with movies. I know your next project will come once you remember why you are here.”

“Perhaps,” Thomas put his hand on top of hers and squeezed it gently. “You always know what to say.” He turned his attention back to the movie. 

“Let us beware of saying that death is the opposite of life. The living being is only a species of the dead, and a very rare species,” a young Thomas stated. “I still live, I still think: I still have to live, for I still have to think.” 

“Wow. You weren’t kidding when you said took most of the dialogue straight from Nietzsche,” Alex expressed.

“I forgot how nihilistic this film was,” Thomas critiqued. “Promise me that if we have children one day, we will expose them to multiple perspectives, before requiring them to decide if the world is meaningless.”

“Of course, dear. Do you think they have a lullaby version of Descartes and Kant? We will also have to specify that we really mean Plato and not Play-dough when we are talking about toddler gifts,” Alex smiled.

“I know you’re being sarcastic, but my point remains,” Thomas reassured her. 

Alex rested her head on his shoulder as they continued to watch the home movie.

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