#Or spooky shit with Bray

[xxamorxexmortexx]

Hi, Edge!

I've missed him. I hope we're getting him a good feud. Maybe with Bobby? 🤔

[misctf]

Already in Costume

Happy start to October! Hoping to write a few stories to celebrate Halloween and spooky season. Enjoy!

“Bro, you’re seriously not going out tonight? It’s Halloween bro!”

Michael found it funny how offended his roommate sounds. Was it really so hard to believe that others might not want to dress up in stupid, slutty costumes and drink all night? He adjusts his glasses and looks over at his roommate.

“I much prefer to stay indoors.” He replies, “Besides, this lab report isn’t going to write itself.”

Joey looked perplexed, “Yeah, but...”

“And isn’t a bit too cold out for that.” He gestures at Joey’s getup, “I mean, what are you even supposed to be?” His nasally voice carries a condescending tone.

Joey looks down at himself. He’s topless, ensuring his muscles are on full display. Suspenders wrap around his broad shoulders, connecting to a pair of shorts that show off his bulge and bubble butt well. A pair of fake, thick rimmed glasses sit comfortably on his face.

“Dude, the alcohol will keep me warm.” He rubs the back of his head sheepishly, exposing his hairy pit, “And I’m a sexy nerd, dude! I mean, it’s obvious, right?”

Michael’s braying laughter fills the room. A sexy nerd? Really? For all intents and purposes, Michael knew what a nerd is. He prided himself on being one. Dressed in a pastel button down and high-waited khakis, thick-rimmed glasses, and hair neatly combed, Michael truly dressed and acted the part. Joey- not so much.

“A sexy nerd?” Michael laughs, “Oh Joey, that’s ridiculous.”

“But dude, this was your idea.”

Michael raises an eyebrow, “What?”

“Yeah, bro.” Joey smirks, “You’re the one who thought we’d look good like this.”

Michael chuckles, “You must be mistaken.” But he feels uneasy. Like something isn’t totally right, “I need to...” When he turns back to his computer, he doesn’t find his lab report. No, the college football game is on, “What?”

“What’s wrong, Mikey?” Joey is now uncomfortably close to Michael, standing over him with a shit-eating grin on his face.

“No-nothing.” His voice cracks and he tries to stand up, but Joey pushes him back into his chair, “What’re you...?”

“Don’t you remember how excited you were for this?” Joey asks, watching as Michael’s pants start to shorten, until settling about his knees, “People won’t stop staring, dude.” Michael watches as his shirt vanishes, exposing his slender figure.

“No... this isn’t...” Joey starts rubbing his thin chest, causing him to moan.

“Fuck, all those gym sessions really paid off, huh?” Joey whispers, feeling as his hand fills with Michael’s meaty pec muscles, “Fuck, and look at those.” Michael groans as his abs pop into existence, each perfectly sculpted.

“Joey... what’re you... oh god...” He moans as he feels his soft dick start to harden.

“Damn dude, fuck...” Joey whispers as he runs his hands along Michael’s growing arms. Perfectly toned biceps and triceps emerge form Michael’s once skinny arms, his shoulders rounding out with beautiful muscle, “God, you’re so fucking sexy.” Joey grinds up against Michael’s hardened cock, both of them moaning.

“Please... Joey... keep going...” Michael mumbles, lost in the moment. He can feel his ass fill out in his new shorts and watches as a pair of suspenders wraps around his broad shoulders, “Fuck...”

As the two continue to grind against one another, Michael’s glasses are knocked off. He gasps when he realizes he can see perfectly without them, but he’s distracted as Joey’s lips collide with his own. As the two kiss passionately, Michael’s thoughts are bombarded by new knowledge. Slow at first, but suddenly aggressive. Pushing out his nerdy interests.

“Wait, bro... no...” He breaks away from the kiss, his new dumb, yet sexy voice filling the air, “I’m not...”

But Joey’s lips collide with Michael’s again and the former nerd can barely think straight. He feels a calm wash over him as his stuck-up nature is replaced by that of a relaxed bro. He leans more into the kiss and more forcefully grinds up against Joey’s juicy ass. His interest in the hard sciences transitions to exercise science, while his passion for videogames becomes only focused on first-person shooters with his bros.

“What was that Mikey?” Joey breaks the kiss again and grins.

“I...I... fuck dude, keep going, please.” Mikey says, consumed in a horny lust.

“Fuck yeah, bro.” Joey grins, “But dude, we’re late to the party.”

Mikey whines, “Fuckin’ tease.” He curses.

“Don’t worry, dude.” Joey stands up, giving Mikey a nice view of his plump ass, “Patience is a virtue.”

Mikey smirked, and the two bros left for their night out. The cool air nice against their firm muscles, their egos satisfied by the lustful grins they got. But Mikey couldn’t care less. Instead, as he sipped on his beer, his only focus was on Joey’s firm ass. And the fun they were gonna have after their stupid night out.

[gasolinerainbowpuddles]

Anybody else just have the worst time trying to remember people's usernames? because I will be switching shit up and giving nicknames without even making the conscious decision to do so 😭 Trying to search for y'all sometimes is a nightmare actually

like, @auteurdelabre? no, that's "oh toe lah bray" in my head

@magpiepills? I think you mean "maggie's pills"

@evolnoomym? that's actually "evelynn moon mom"

@sweetercalypso? try again. it's "sweet apocalypse"

@guelyury? "girly girl"

@hier--soir? no, you meant to say "heir sword"

@sp00kymulderr? that's my friend "spooky murder"

It's like when your mom is trying to name a celebrity and just freestyles some shit that is nowhere near the person's name. Do y'all see why people changing their usernames always fucks me up so bad lmaooooo

[slutouttanowhere]

Last nights Raw was….emotional one for sure. I don’t know about everyone else but I felt like that was due to TJD 2.0 v Terror Twins, Seth being squashed like 6 times by Bronson Reeds, and the main event. Listen, I love spooky shit, and Bray Wyatt has been fulfilling that role modern day. And best believe since his passing he made sure to continue the spooky storytelling through his brother Bo Dallas. Eric Rowan was the biggest guy in the ring lol, but he didn’t disappoint, they all did so amazing. I mean the way Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy basically used each other as weapons in the ring. Like 10/10 no notes. They absolutely neutralized Chad Gables “American Made” last night. I hate that name by the way. Nikki Cross is doing absolutely amazing as this new role she’s been given like give her an Oscar? I love how Bo is the one in the rocking chair now watching the same way Bray would. Uncle Howdy/Bo and The Wyatt Sicks are a group I’m looking forward to seeing every week.

[theworldofotps]

Bálor and Bray’s SummerSlam match is one of my favorites

Just two spooky guys doing spooky shit🖤

[lexalovesbooks]

Top ten best books of all time????????

Too TEN… anon I thought about this so hard. In no particular order:

Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor (sequel to Strange the Dreamer): This book. God. Amazing worldbuilding and storytelling, left me fully satisfied in a way fantasy series rarely do, also laini Taylor’s writing is just… so beautiful and unique. She’s one of the authors who I aspire to write like.

The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake: I don’t talk about this book enough. Twelfth Night retelling, beautiful and messy and hit really close to home at the time of reading, made me cry. 10/10

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik: El Higgins my beloved!! Nothing to say except that these books are masterfully put together, funny and heartwarming and great social commentary and some of the most entertaining info-dumping I’ve ever read

Sword and Pen by Rachel Caine (final book in the Great Library series): putting this one on the list because the stress reaction I was having the entire time I read this book was genuinely unrivaled. I was on the verge of tears for 80% of the twenty-four hours I spent reading this book. 10/10, I never want to experience that kind of stress again.

Insignia by S.J. Kincaid: putting this on the list because any book series that’s had a grip on my brain for as long as this one has deserves it. They’re 100% aimed at middle school boys, i was that age when I first read them and can’t really guarantee that I’d have loved them or found them as deep as I did in the same way if I’d read them later, but man. When I finally gave into nostalgia and reread them for the first time in years as a college student, I really just had to sit there like… hang on, the silly funny books I was obsessed with in middle school are good? These books have social commentary and themes and all the things I learned to analyze in English class? It’s probably the nostalgia bias talking but I’m still inclined to say that these books are really well-put together for a ya series of it’s time.

Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray (book two of The Diviners): still my favorite book in this series… they’re all pretty good but the creepy vibes of this one were unmatched… two of my fave characters got the spotlight and I just love the brand of ghost we got in this book and the spookiness of the dream walking and dream worlds

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang: holy SHIT this book. Kuang somehow managed to fit an entire trilogy into just this one book. And then wrote two more full books after that. It left me wrung out and in shock, the rest of the series was fantastic too but the tone shift in this one + the choice Rin makes at the end… this one has to be my favorite for sure

A Memory Called Empire + A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine: these books. They’re about aliens and hiveminds and the experience of watching your culture be subsumed by another that you love but that will never be yours. They’re about language and imperialism and lineage and ghosts and they’re some of the best books I’ve ever read

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan: this book is just a super fun time, and Elliot is one of my favorite main characters ever. He’s rude and snappy and hard to like and he knows it, he’s an unwilling jock, and he’s the most terrifying pacifist you’ll ever meet. He’s in love with his best friend, he’s not sure where he belongs, he’s trying his best. I’d die for him

The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler: this book gave me nightmares. Like, actually, multiple nightmares. It’s dark and horrific and awful, but towards the second half this shift begins and this little seed of hope starts growing, and it left such an impact on me. One of my favorite books I’ve ever read for school and also, seeing as it’s on this list, probably one of my favorite books just in general.

That’s ten! Thanks for the ask :D

[ramrage]

Ghost and Soap Halloween Misadventures

chat-format cracky drabble with a surprise at the end (;

October 29

🧼: ah, cmon ghost. don’t be such a spoil sport. look at yer spooky self. you should be happy to get to dress even spookier

💀: im not wearing a fucking costume, soap

🧼: halloween only happens once a year and youre ruining it. my favorite holiday and youre /ruining/ it

💀: if you can’t enjoy it without my participating, maybe you don’t like it as much as you think you do

🧼: im never gonna let up. you know that, right?

💀: im sure i can shut you up nicely

🧼: but for how long, though, ghost? i get you /think/ youre an immovable object, but i /know/ im an unstoppable force

💀: im happy you feel that way

🧼: ghost, im begging ya. give me this and i’ll never ask for anything ever again. ever. really.

💀: we both know that’s a lie

🧼: aye, but cmon, you can’t just do this one thing for me? your johnny?

💀: fucking fine. menace.

🧼: ghost, you’ve truly made me the happiest man in the world

October 31, Halloween

🧼: alright, you spooky bastard, open the door and show me your lovely little costume

💀: -muffled- i’ve changed my mind

🧼: what? have you not even got anything on?

💀: -muffled- no…

🧼: well then what’s stopping you? cmon, show me

💀: -muffled- piss off, johnny. it’s not happening.

-🧼 has been picking the lock all along and chooses this moment to burst through the door-

💀: FACK

🧼: -brays like a fucking horse- christ almighty, LT, what the hell is this?

💀: -angriest stare known to man-

🧼: -still shitting himself- is this /really/ the best you could come up with?

💀:

[blueonwrestling]

do you people not remember just how bad the spooky alexa bliss x bray wyatt shit was?

like really? do you not remember JUST how bad it was?

like i’m sorry, but bray wyatt is dogshit in the ring, and the weird alexa bliss shit was awful, it was fucking weird BAD shite.

WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE SEE IN THIS.

[asenkaengel]

Just for curiosity, if I were to write for a certain someone, would anyone read it?

Just for science.

[heelmox]

yall thinking any surprise appearances tonight? not sure when her non-compete is up but i wanna see ember moon in aew SO bad, i want them to keep building their womens division

[adampage]

the only way to have honored bray’s return was by being in the middle of a haunted trail when he made his appearance and that’s exactly what I did!!!!! me n him same wavelength I gotchu king we in that spooky shit!!!!

[harringrooves]

Inspired by the #cherrylanechallenge day 1 prompt knife but this is not spooky at all so technically this is just a random little ficlet! AO3

The chair outside the principal's office is already taken when Billy gets there. He lets his eyes follow the trail from the clean, white sneakers up the impossibly long stretch of denim clad leg and even further upwards over the two toned striped polo shirt to the moles peeking out from just under the collar.

Steve Harrington glances up at him, then grimaces. Sighs.

"Jesus Christ," Harrington mutters.

"What are you doing here?" Billy grunts. There's no where left to sit, so he flung his jacket onto the linoleum and drops down onto it, back resting against the wall directly opposite Harrington.

Despite the distance of the entire width of the hallway between them, when Billy stretches his legs out the scuffed points of his boots almost touch the edge of Harrington's sneakers.

"Waiting for Mrs Reyes."

"Yeah, no shit."

That earns him a glare from Harrington. Billy's stomach turns a little at the disdain in Harrington's dark eyes, but it's the curiosity shining through that makes him squirm. Like an ant under a magnifying glass.

"Why're you here?"

Billy rolls his eyes, letting the familiar motion draw out the equally familiar sneer. "Same as you, dumbass."

Harrington huffs and turns away again as they both fall silent, glancing at the door every so often as the minutes tick by. It's not at all a comfortable silence. Harrington's not looking at Billy so Billy shouldn't be looking at him. But the walls are blank and the only other remotely interesting thing is the name plaque on the principal's door.

So Billy traces the letters dutifully, keeps going even when he gets nearer to the end of Reyes and stripes creep into the very edge of his vision. Even when he hears Harrington shift in the chair, moving his legs under him onto the seat then over the arms than back down to the floor. Even when Harrington asks, "You go crazy on some kid again?"

Billy goes round and round the shape of the capital R. "No. The fuck is that supposed to mean?"

Harrington laughs. It's loud and braying, and not what Billy would've guessed King Steve's laugh would sound like. He imagined something smooth and dark, something that would exude effortless charm with an undertone of something mysteriously rich and out of reach.

It just sounds like a teenage guy laughing, if a teenage guy was also part donkey. Billy would find it funny, if Harrington wasn't laughing at him. "What?" he repeats harshly.

Harrington eventually quiets. "What do I mean? The night at the Byer's, you went like, fully psycho. Your eyes were fucking dead. Did you get like that again, is that why you're here?"

Finally, Billy tears his eyes away from the plaque and meets Harrington's head on. "No," Billy says firmly. "I didn't fucking- no."

Harrington shrugs. "Whatever. Wouldn't surprise me if you did, sooner or later."

That stings. In California he was good at skating and surfing and babysitting and he was top of his class in English and History. Even after she left everyone knew him as Rosaline's boy (never Neil's), with the blonde hair and the yellow surfboard and the white smile that was a little too charming for his own good. Here in Hawkins, he was the Hargrove kid, the one who fucked and ditched, the one who fought and drank.

Maybe Billy's fine with everyone else thinking that about him, but not Harrington. Billy won't let himself think about why, but he wants Harrington see him. To look at him and think he's better than that night.

"I got kicked out of shop class," Billy bites out quietly. Harrington blinks at him.

"You got in a fight in shop-"

"I didn't get in a fight, for fuck's sake!"

Harrington holds his hands up in mock placation, bobbing his head mockingly. "Alright, alright." He stretches his leg out and lazily nudges at Billy's foot. "What'd you do then?"

"Made a knife," Billy mumbles, eyes back on the plaque.

Harrington laughs again. "You what?"

"I made a-"

"A knife, yeah." Harrington cocks his head like a little dog, some of his fringe flopping into his eye. "You know that just makes you sound even crazier, right?"

Billy just shrugs and lets his head fall back against the wall. "Wasn't for me, it was s'posed to be a gift. For- for Max." Harrington freezes.

"You were gonna make Max a knife as a gift?" It sounds like Harrington's struggling with every implication of that sentence. That Billy would gift Max something. That a knife was an appropriate gift. That Billy would care enough about anything to create something hand made.

"Yeah." He can't help but let a little bit of defensiveness slip into his tone. Billy kicks Harrington's foot away, probably a bit harder than necessary. "It was a replica of that one her character has in that stupid game her nerd friends play. Demons in Dungeons, or whatever." Dungeons and Dragons. Billy's not that stupid, but he's also not that shameless to admit to knowing what it's called. "It was a full scaled up one, even got the pattern on the handle half done."

"That's- cool," Harrington says hesitantly. "Didn't know you cared, Hargrove."

"Shitbird's birthday soon. Thought she'd like it." Billy glances over to Harrington, who's watching him with narrowed eyes. Billy coughs, shifting his shoulders a little to roll off the weight of the scrutiny. "Doesn't matter, that fucker Morrison confiscated it anyway."

Silence falls again, still just as awkward as last time but lacking a large amount of the hostility. Harrington's still watching him. The plaque's lost it's draw and Billy resorts to tracing the seams of his jeans with a fingernail.

"I'm failing English," Harrington offers abruptly. Billy's head snaps up, but for the first time Harrington's looking away as he speaks. "That's why I'm here. They're not sure if I'm gonna graduate."

"Sucks," Billy says roughly. Harrington nods slowly.

"Yeah."

Billy swallows, fingers clenching into fists atop his thighs. "I could, uh, give you my notes."

"Why would I need your notes?"

"'Cause you're failing English." Billy doesn't mean to say it like Harrington's an idiot, but those big brown eyes are wide and confused, like he's never thought about actually asking for help. "And 'cause I'm acing it."

Harrington's nose wrinkles in obvious disbelief, but he doesn't challenge it. He just sighs and lets his head loll to the side, propped up by his fist. "Yeah. Whatever. I'll do anything, at this point."

Billy nods silently. Harrington opens his mouth again, but he's interrupted by the click of the office door finally opening. Mrs Reyes pokes her head out.

"Steve," she greets him warmly. Her eyes slide over to Billy on the floor and her lips thin ever so slightly. "William."

"Hi," Billy says as obnoxiously peppy as he can manage.

"I'll see to you in a minute, after I've spoken with Steve." And then Harrington steps through into the office and the door swings shut once again.

Billy could get up and sit in the now vacant chair, but he stays right where he is until it's his turn to be called in. Harrington looks at him as he passes him in the doorway, but it's obvious that he's a million miles away, frowning at Billy but his mind no doubt occupied by something else.

Mrs Reyes doesn't ask what happened, just gives him a Friday detention and a lecture on how badly his behaviour is going to affect his record and how that's such a shame given his academic achievements. Billy lets it wash over him, not bothering to really pay attention. He's heard it all before.

When school lets out and Billy makes his way out the Camaro, he almost trips over his feet at the sight of Steve Harrington leaning against his car, twirling a knife in his long fingers.

"Here," Harrington says as soon as Billy gets close enough, holding the knife out to him blade first. Billy takes it gingerly and slips it into his jacket pocket.

"How'd you get it back?"

Harrington's chest puffs up in some god awful display of smugness as he smirks at Billy. "Morrison leaves his office unlocked during lunch. Everyone knows, it's like the number one place to make out. I was in an out, the couple in there didn't even notice me."

"That's disgusting. But, thanks, I guess-"

"Don't." Harrington holds up a hand, wincing a little. "I didn't do it for you, I think Max will really like the gift so if anything, I did it for her. And consider this payment for the notes."

"Payment?" Billy's brow furrows. "I didn't ask you to pay me." But now that Harrington's mentioned it, he definitely should have. Harrington's rich, everyone knows that. Billy could've got an easy $100 or some of the good weed Tommy's always talking about Harrington having.

"And now you don't have to," Harrington says smugly. "I give you the knife, you give me the notes. I don't want you asking me a month down the track to give you like $80 or a bag of weed or whatever in return. So there's the knife, aaaaand we're even."

Billy glowers as Harrington grins smarmily at him. "Fine. We're even. Now fuck off, some of us got places to be."

Harrington dutifully pushes off the Camaro, walking backwards towards his own car a few rows over. "Cool. Give me the notes whenever this week."

Billy doesn't say bye, just gets in his car and drives off, studiously not watching the fading image of Steve Harrington in his rear view mirror.

...

Max loves the knife. She doesn't hug him, but she nudges his shoulder with hers and declares that she's going to tie it to her belt and carry it with her at all times from now on. Neil goes purple trying to hold back his commentary on just how ladylike and appropriate for a young woman that is. Billy gets a cuff to the back of the head later, but it's worth it.

Harrington does get to graduate. He leans over from his seat beside Billy's (alphabetical order) during the opening speech of the graduation ceremony and whispers closer than necessary into Billy's ear, "Thanks, man." He doesn't so much as glance at Billy for the rest of the three hour ceremony, or during the party later that night that goes until daybreak the next morning, but it's worth it.

Billy bides his time. He can handle one more summer if it means getting enough cash to be independent when he leaves for college in a few months. Neil sucks as much as always, and driving Max everywhere cuts into the hours he's able to put in at the pool, but when she drags him to the new mall after his shift and right into the blissfully cool ice cream shop, Steve Harrington's eyes catch tellingly on the bare skin between the bottom of Billy's crop top and his tiny, red shorts and it's so, so fucking worth it.

[burningdarkfire]

books i read in may 2022

[these are all short + casual reviews - feel free to msg me and ask   about individual ones if u want a full review or ask for my goodreads!!]

28 books towards my reading goal in may 🙏 heartstopper is technically my top read of the month but we all know what that’s about at this point so let me highlight smth else

at night all blood is black - david diop ★★★★★ (historical)

the first few chapters of this gut-punched me so hard i still don’t know what to do about them!! incredible story about dehumanization and war and i don’t even know what else. i still need to think about this one for a while and i’m definitely going to reread soon in the original french

heartstopper (volumes 3 & 4) - alice oseman ★★★★★ (YA romance graphic novel)

nick and charlie 💕 paris arc is cute (and way better now that i have a stronger grasp of the side characters) and my god the way i cried throughout volume 4 when all their family issues came up

radio silence - alice oseman ★★★★★ (YA contemporary)

this was a reread and oh my god the ways in which i have aged since i last read this 😂 it’s way less relatable after working an office job for a few years (it turns out that life doesn’t end even if you run the 9-5 hamster wheel), but it is still fundamentally very heartfelt and i would highly recommend it. the platonic love story at the heart of it is still so touching!

the innocents - michael crummey ★★★★☆ (historical)

if anyone is just like me and wants to read a slow-paced book about two orphaned siblings raising themselves in an insular environment and exploring both the world and themselves (yes, to be clear, this means incest) with little outside contact, then this is a great book for you!!

death in her hands - ottessa moshfegh ★★★★☆ (horror)

atmospheric, intriguing, and a great exercise for the imagination. i love books like this that never feel “solved”, you just have to take from them what you can. what a strangely euphoric ending

jujutsu kaisen (volumes 1-10) - gege akutami ★★★★☆ (YA fantasy manga)

bangers one after another. i still hate the kyoto sister school arc and i find the pacing of this series kinda whack but i am here to have a good time and gege is delivering. the classic shounen beats hit and satosugu has my interest 👀

iron goddess of mercy - larissa lai ★★★★☆ (poetry)

the wordplay and rhythm of this work is soo good and enjoyable. i love the sense of play even around heavy topics. this is poetry that should be read out loud!

before the devil breaks you - libba bray ★★★★☆ (YA historical fantasy)

libba bray writes wonderfully realized characters and relationships but the slow pace of this series is starting to grate on me. the plot feels like it only moves at the author’s convenience. the characters and relationships are really good though!

the decagon house murders - yukito ayatsuji ★★★★☆ (mystery)

this book has deep respect for the golden age of mystery and it shows. super fun read where the reader is a player, not an audience, and just the right amount of spooky!

forest of secrets - erin hunter ★★★★☆ (children’s fantasy)

solid installment. don’t have much to say about this one. the cats are meowing away and the plot is progressing

where the drowned girls go - seanan mcguire ★★★★☆ (YA fantasy)

this series is so much better when you read one a year so the fairytale style doesn’t become grating. this book is still far from subtle, but definitely subtler than previous installments in a way that i like.

the timetables of history - bernard grun ★★★★☆ (reference)

yes i flipped through a reference book page by page. no i didn’t finish it (got about ~55% of the way through to 1900) but yes it did greatly entertain me. very neat way to look at history

kim jiyoung, born 1982 - cho nam-joo ★★★☆☆ (contemporary)

this feels like reading a nonfiction article about being a woman and i hate doing shit like that because i don’t need to read something to tell me what i’ve learned just by living. it’s good at what it does (clearly, because of the feelings it evokes) but i do not have fun!

daughter of the moon goddess - sue lynn tan ★★★☆☆ (YA fantasy)

this honestly reads like a 2010 YA fantasy dystopian where we have a mary sue who has to decide between all the men who are so in love with her. it’s generally good at what it does and what it wants to be but stumbles hard coming into the ending

convenience store woman - sayaka murata ★★★☆☆ (contemporary)

some books are just perfectly competent but not outstanding or memorable in any way. this is one of them! it’s just exactly what it says on the tin

portrait of a thief - grace d. li ★★☆☆☆ (contemporary)

a heist book that absolutely, entirely, completely should not have been a heist book. the heist is by far the worst part and cripples the genuine character work the author is trying to do to explore asian-american diaspora

sun-daughters, sea-daughters - aimee ogden ★★☆☆☆ (scifi romance)

strong meh on this one. the world-building is cluttered, messy, and has way too many made up words just to drive the plot forward in a novella. the core concept of the relationship at the heart of this story is good, but its buried under too much unnecessary stuff

[DNF] seven days in june - tia williams ★★☆☆☆ (romance)

i gave this a few chapters but it’s too quirky for me. there are way too many references to pop culture and it’s just not funny or relatable to me! i even flipped ahead and spoiled myself a little to see if it gets better and nope. in fact i found out the actual premise of this book and the “seven days” and i just stopped reading lmao

[whaleofatjme1920]

Hello El!!

I bring my exchange info for an matchup. If say creepypasta/marblehornets matchup for this.

So my name is Shay, I go by Whiskey because it's a preference in liquor on my end. I go by they/them pronouns, AFAB and I'm bi and omniromantic, I do have an mild preference for men or masc aligned people. I'm a Libra sun, Virgo moon and Aquarius rising. I'm also introvert (INFJ-A) and I'm constantly sleeply. I do have C-PSTD, Bipolar II and GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder).

I'm Caucasian/White and I stand at 5'9. I have celtic and Danish heritage, My family where vikings. I'm really tall and legs double the size of my torso, as in my thighs are as big as my torso in length, same with my calves. I call myself spider legs because of that. I have this natural like wolf cut going on that is this dark green with my roots be my natural dark chocolate brown hair. My eyes are hazel with gold flecks that shift in color which I found out is normal for people with hazel eyes. I paint my nails black a lot because I find the color pleasing. My build wise is like a rectangle like shape with broad shoulders. I'm pretty strong and I'm proud of my strength. I'm currently starting to get into shape and lose weight so I have fit shape but not like over for. Just the right amount of fat over my muscles. I have a lot of stretch marks,, mostly around my waist and my biceps. I call them my stripes or lighting marks. I have plans to get snake bite piercings and wear like the ring ones in them. I'm getting an tattoo soon that is like this and then I want a burning match tattoo on my color bone. My ears are piercing and I like wearing fake gauges, spirals and then the ratings that have the dangly stuff and cuffs with them. I also wear like those stereotypical hot topic chokers. I wear a lot of long sleeves and skinny jeans, I do like ripped skinny jeans. I also love flannels and black boots like doc martins or converse.

I think you can assume by the statement of me liking whiskey I am the rebellious sort which is true. I have drank a bit and tried weed, I don't do it anymore tho.I have been told if people don't know me and see me from afar I'm intimidating to approach. Even being spooky and intimidating, I promise I'm just a big softie. I usually assume the mom friend of the group with my friends. I always worry about them and make sure they take care of themselves. Sometimes I do it so much I forget to take care of myself. I'm really gentle and compassionate, along with being extremely empathetic. I can be stubborn and bit judgemental at times, mostly working off first impressions myself when getting to know each other. I have an hard time being insertive and putting my foot down with my boundaries, scared to lose people even if the hurt me. I'm an introvert through and through, liking to watch from the back and observe the way things go on around me. I do my best to be an optimist because I can't see the point in see everything wrong in this world, it helps me to see the good. I love going on adventures with my close friends and love being a chaotic bastard with them. My dnd alignment is chaotic neutral and I'm Hufflepuff. I do live by the saying do no harm but take no shit. But I won't hesitate to fight someone for the right causes.

I do always constantly look like I am going to funeral of some sort because I own nothing but black. The color makes me feel really comfortable but it's not my favorite color. My favorite color is green but I like sage green, forest green, mossy green, etc. The earthy greens are my favorites. I have a love for the forest and woodlands, finding a sense of home in the woods. I do love archery and something I'm definitely going to be picking up along with playing the drums. I also smoke herbal cigarettes as well as alternative to smoking.

You know that I often get called a cryptid and at this point, I am just one. Cryptidcore, Midwest Gothic, and Pacific Northwest Gothic are my favorite aesthetics. I have a huge love for cryptozoology (the study of cryptids), parapsychology (the psychic phenomena and other paranormal claims), original creepypasta stories and to be honest anything like spooky and creepy. I want to be a mortician and I'm attending school for that. I also really love the dark, especially if I have some good music blasting through my earbuds. I am a sucker for long road trips and seeing things, filling the adventure heart I have. My favorite animals are coyotes and I also like horses. I like to write a lot as well. My favorite cryptids are The Beast of Bray Road, Not Deer, Jersey Devil and Jacklopes.

Thank you so much and I'm so glad I got a chance to reach out to you. It all started with me wanting to send memes to you and being a little 🌲 anon.

Also here is what the tattoo I'm am getting done looks like ↓↓↓

Your matchup is... Jeff!

Sorry this took me a hot minute, I've been out all day! But here's my part of the exchange :}

In general:

Alright, I read this over and just immediately thought about Jeff, mostly because of your personality!! I have so many things I want to get into and want to say though. SO, let's get right into that.

Things he likes about you:

Physically speaking, as that is how I always start, Jeff really, really loves your height and your legs make him fuzzy on the inside. He just loves it SO MUCH. Your hair is gorgeous, and he's never going to stop wanting to run his fingers through it. Whatever color it's dyed as becomes his new favorite, and he loves seeing your natural hair poke through as well. Your eyes are so gorgeous in his opinion and he finds himself getting lost in them. He thinks your nails being painted black is nice because honestly, he's prone to painting his nails black as well. He finds your body so great!! Wants to hold you and loves feeling new muscles when they get built up. Regardless, he just physically adores you. Your stretch marks are also something he adores as well, and he will fondly call them your tiger stripes and admire them in their entirety. He would love your piercings and the tattoo you want to get. Also really, really loves your choice in jewelry. Chokers are hot in his opinion lmfao. Ripped skinny jeans, flannels, black boots, converse!! just everything about your style works so well with him. And your personality!! That slight rebellious edge am slightly intimidating nature??? PLEASE

General cute stuff:

I feel like the two of you are going to spend some evenings in painting nails. Jeff is slightly touch starved and will absolutely run his hands over your body and just adore everything about you. I can also see Jeff working out with you as well!! He will be your number one supporter regardless of what you're going to be doing. He finds it so sweet that you take care of other people. Jeff also understands you being an introvert, because he's kind of the same way. He would absolutely would hang back with you and just exist. He likes observing as well. However, he also can be a bit of a chaotic guy and will go on adventures with you! Scary places, nature, wherever you want, Jeff will go with you. He'll also read up on fun little places and then go with you. He will absolutely get you green things just because he knows that you like that color. Jeff will also take you on walks in the woods, and he'll also let you wear his clothing!! Jeff actually smokes weed semi-regularly, so while you smoke herbal cigarettes, he's going to be lighting up alongside you as long as you're comfortable. He'd probably like the herbal cigarettes as well. Jeff would love to hear about your love of cryptozoology! He's met so many beings in his life that fit that that he'd just go buck wild being able to tell you about his stories and experiences as well. Parapsychology is also something he'd love to listen from you. He finds you going into the mortician business so incredible, and that you like the dark. Your music?? Please share that with him!!

You two as a couple:

Jeff knows that you are intimidating but so, so sweet. He finds you so admirable and honestly, he needs that kind of caring, loving influence in his life. He finds you being the mom friend of your group super fun and while he's not a dad friend, definitely loves saying things to remind all of your shared 'kids' to listen to you. He wants you to take care of yourself!! He wants you to be kind to yourself!! You being stubborn is something he understands because honestly he can be stubborn. Judgmental? He gets it but honestly might challenge the notion from time to time. He will remind you about boundaries and how important it is to set them. Time to time, he may step in just to help you out. He will also remind you to be assertive, mostly because he would hate to see anyone take advantage of you. Jeff will read up on C-PTSD, Bipolar II, and your anxiety simply so he can be more prepared to help you in any way he can. He deals with some things himself, but he doesn't always know how to handle others. So, he would definitely read up for you and end up becoming your rock when you need it. Honestly, just let him take care of you in his own way. Rough around the edges?? Absolutely. But he's so soft for you. He will help you in any way he can, whether it be weathering the bad days and loving the good ones. Let him adore you.

Closing Thoughts/Other Things:

Hi love bug, or as I will often fondly refer to you as, Dr. Cryptid! I was so happy to read all of this about you. Thank you so so much for sending this in and once again doing mine! I loved reading all about it, and I love talking with you. Thank you so much for that lil pine tree emoji and memes. Also, please take care of yourself!! There's only one of you in the universe and it's so important to love and cherish yourself. It's always okay to say no or know when to bail. Never take care of so many people that you leave all your energy with them and none for yourself. I look forward to our future convos and just friendship in general. As always, let me know what you think and I hope you enjoyed!

[seshen]

So, i'm writing my spooky ass story and it's quiet in the house i'm staying at because it's late at night. I live in the middle of the desert so i usually hear the coyotes howling or yipping.

I forgot there were donkeys out here until one outside my house just starts fucking braying! Scared the ever loving shit out of me. Especially when i'm writing ghost shit.

[bathtubjohnny]

Chapter 1: Rough draft (Edited once for spelling/grammar)

TW: Bloody noses, descriptions of a corpse, mild gore and swearing, spooky zombie lady, bad formatting, rushed writing

Note: Please give me your sweet sweet feedback. Oh how I crave honest and good-hearted criticism.

*Thanks to a handful of members from a group chat for convincing me to post this*

The forest was dense enough to blot out the sun, almost completely plunging the path in darkness. It didn’t bother Sydney though; he was too focused on the building at the end of it. It was a church, and he stood in front of it, staring up at the grey steeple protruding from what was left of the roof. It was a miracle that it was still standing. The walls had been scorched by fire, and the once-beautiful stained glass windows had melted into colourful, wax-like puddles. He could still smell smoke even though the church burned an impossibly long time ago. It never occurred to Sydney that the surrounding woods were completely untouched by the fire, as if it had never happened in the first place.

The inside was different as Sydney pushed the double doors open. He didn’t recognize the inside. It was more spacious than what he remembered, but like the forest, untouched by the blaze. Instead of red carpeting there was a wooden floor; instead of oil paintings depicting the trial of Jesus, tapestries with horrific, indescribable images decorated the walls. The interior had an ancient feel to it, making Sydney feel insignificant as he stood before the rows of pews. He could tell that it wasn’t a Catholic church anymore. It was a haven for a religion that existed long before the concept of Christianity.

Across from Sydney and past the pews was a stone table where the altar should have been. There was a white sheet covering something laying across it. As he padded down the aisle towards it, he could see symbols etched into the stone, characters he couldn’t recognize. The closer he got the louder his ears rang, his sinuses becoming so congested that soon fluid began leaking down his chin. It wasn’t until he reached the table and saw the bright red droplets fall onto the stark white sheet covering it that he realized his nose was bleeding.

Ignoring his instinct to wipe away the blood, Sydney reached for the edge of the sheet and pulled it back. Underneath was a girl, or at least the body of one. Her skin was ashen and waxy, a greenish-blue in colour. Small blisters had begun to form on her cheeks and forehead, as if she had been sunburnt recently. Even though they were closed, Sydney could tell that her eyes were sunken into her skull.

“Syd?”

Pulling the sheet down further, Sydney saw that the girl’s arms had been placed palms facing up, leaving the undersides of her forearms exposed. On both of them were deep gashes, starting from her wrists and ending in the crooks of her elbows. The rest of her had begun to decay, but her wounds appeared recent, oozing thicker, darker blood than what was dripping from Sydney’s nose.

“Syd, are you awake?”

The sound of her inhaling made Sydney’s attention turn sharply back to her face as her jaw creaked open, sucking in air. He stumbled away as her eyes, covered in a watery blue film, flew open. Her head turned towards him with a snap, sending him falling backwards in shock. He hit the floor hard as she sat up, bones creaking and popping as she threw the sheet off her bloated body-

“Mr.Patrick!”

Sydney bolted up from his desk as the shout tore through his dream, nearly sending him toppling to the floor. Mrs. Bray was sitting on her desk glaring directly at Sydney, arms folded. A snort of laughter to his left made him blush as he realized he’d dozed off...again. ���Uh, sorry.” He mumbled, slowly sitting back down and trying to ignore the eyes on him. Although Mrs. Bray had a stern look in her eyes, Syd was somewhat comforted by the fact that she was obviously trying not to smile.

“I get that there’s ten minutes left, but let’s try to stay awake, alright?” She sighed. “To those of you who may have dozed off, I’m not repeating myself about the assignment. You can ask your group. Now,” She side-eyed the room. ‘Is there anyone who isn’t in a group of three yet?”

Syd sneaked a quick glance across the room over at his close friend Lizzie Abrams. She caught his eye and shrugged apologetically, motioning to two other girls sitting near her. Feeling his cheeks heat up, Syd averted his eyes, staring down at his desk in embarrassment.

“We don’t have a third person in our group.” The voice to Syd’s left spoke up, making him turn. It was a girl in a worn, blue and white baseball cap, someone who Sydney unfortunately recognized. Her name was Morette Woodward, better known as Mo, and Syd knew her as being the one who broke his nose during dodgeball back in fifth grade.

She had one elbow propped up on her desk and was leaning her head against her hand while picking at her braces with the other. When she caught Sydney’s eye, she flashed him a toothy smirk.

Mrs. Bray glanced between the two and shrugged. “Perfect, evens out the groups. Now,” she turned to address the rest of the class. “I’m giving the last couple minutes of class to organize your chapters, so use your time wisely. Remember your book and your portfolio should be in at least six sections!”

Portfolio? Sydney rubbed his eyes and groaned, wondering what else he’d missed. Falling asleep at random times wasn’t a problem before, but lately he'd been feeling lethargic and finding himself unable to keep his eyes open for long periods of time.

“Hey, scooch your butt over next to us so we can talk better.” Mo nodded at a tall boy sitting beside her. Sydney didn’t know who it was, but thought he looked familiar. “Yeah hold on,” he turned his chair to face them before leaning forward. “So… what’re we doing exactly?”

“Man, you were really out, huh?” The tall boy said, giving Sydney a sympathetic grin. “You were pretty twitchy too. Were you dreaming or something?”

Syd blinked. “‘Twitchy’? What do you mean?”

“Like...mumbling and tensing up a lot,” He clenched his fists in emphasis. “It was kinda creepy. What were you dreaming about?” He was already talking again before Syd could reply. “Oh shit, you don’t know me. Sorry, I’m Henry Kaminer.”

Kaminer. Sydney didn’t know Henry, but definitely recognized the last name. He remembered reading about the Kaminers in the newspaper, and made a mental note not to bring it up.

“Oh. I’m Sydney. I don’t really remember what I dreamed of.” Sydney lied. Henry laughed. “Yeah, I heard. Isn't Sydney a girl's...? Whatever, nice to meet you Sydney."

Morette handed Sydney a sheet of paper. “I had an uncle Sid so no, it's not 'a girl's name'. Anyway, literally all we have to do is split the book up to read for a week, then do some fun little questions and activities at the end of each week." She flipped through her copy of To Kill a Mockingbird. "It's like the same stuff we did in grade 5, but with racism."

So she does remember. Sydney looked over his sheet of paper. "Oh."

"Yeah, it'll be easy." Morette leaned back in her chair and scrunched her nose up. "There's 31 chapters, but they're not too long. Let's just do five chapters each week and read whatever's left when we get to the last week." She tossed a stack of pink sticky notes at Sydney. "Use those as a bookmark."

Sydney looked down at the sticky notes. “...Thanks.”

___

“Hey Syd!”

Sydney paused at the front doors of the school just as he was about to walk through them. Henry hurried over to him, lime green beanie clutched in one hand, messenger bag in the other. The tall boy stopped beside him, huffing. “Man, I jumped down the stairs to catch up to you. Sorry, anyway. Walking home?”

Sydney pushed open the doors, nodding. “Yep. What about you?”

“Same here, but uh...which way are you going?”

“To the left.”

“Sweet! Mind if I tag along?”

“Sure,” As they made their way past groups of students waiting for their buses, they started walking down the sidewalk towards the nearby neighbourhoods. Syd, who barely made it to Henry’s elbows, couldn’t help but feel self-conscious with the giant beside him. “Do you live close to the school?” He asked. Henry shrugged. “Well, not really. To be honest I’m just tagging along to avoid my older brother, Marvin.” He chuckled a bit, but it sounded forced. “He’s got his driver’s licence and all, but…”

“But what?” Syd asked. Henry sighed. “He’s an asshole. I don’t feel like dealing with his anger issues today. So I’m here with you instead, little man. If that’s cool with you,”

“I’m not that little! But yeah, it’s cool.”

“Yeah you are, shortstack!!” Henry guffawed and rubbed the top of Sydney’s head with one hand. Syd swatted at his arm, but joined in the laughter. The two boys continued talking and joking around as they continued trekking down the street towards a crosswalk. The weather was warm for being early September, the sun beaming down on them helping to keep Sydney in high spirits.

The first week of school had been rough for him; being as timid as he was, making friends was hard enough in elementary school, never mind being in a new environment. For the longest time he’d considered Lizzie to be his closest friend, but they’d drifted apart over the summer, making him feel even more isolated than ever. As he listened to Henry telling him about his pet cat, Bowie, he felt a ray of hope that maybe he wouldn’t have to be so lonely after all.

“...he’s a really sweet boy, but he’s pretty ugly,” Henry was telling Syd. “He’s got this weird skin condition though so there’s like almost no hair on his body. I think it’s kinda hilarious, but every time he sits down his butthole sticks to our table.”

Syd snorted. “Gross.” He stopped at the edge of the crosswalk as the traffic light turned red, Henry following suit. “I don’t have any pets. My mom’s allergic to animal hair. It makes her sneeze.”

“Damn. No siblings either? Sounds quiet.” Henry leaned against a pole covered in colourful flyers and shielded his eyes from the sun with his hand. Sydney took a couple steps back so he was standing in Henry’s shadow and decided that tall people weren’t that bad. “Hey,” he said. “My house is just up ahead, what about you?”

Henry shrugged and shoved his hands in his hoodie pockets. “Not me little man, I’m heading to the right but maybe I can come over and wreak havoc at your place sometime.” He flashed Sydney a grin and straightened up, a couple flyers sticking to him before fluttering to the ground. “Whoops, those seemed important.”

Syd rolled his eyes and laughed as Henry stooped down to scoop them off the sidewalk. “Nice going there, big guy.” He joked. “Careful you don’t bring the pole down too.” Henry didn’t respond; instead he slowly stood up, clutching a white flyer and staring down at it. Sydney felt his smile fade when he saw the dismayed expression on Henry’s face.

“...What is it?”

Henry swallowed hard before handing Sydney the poster. The white paper was crumpled and soft from being left outside, showing signs that it had been there a while. A photo of a man with a goofy grin and a buzzcut holding a balding cat was in the center. The words were in bright red at the top of the page as he read them.

MISSING PERSON

Jeremiah Lee Kaminer

Also goes by ‘Jerry’

19 years old, blue eyes, blonde, slim build, 6’0”

Last seen November 27th wearing a leather jacket, blue jeans, and brown hiking boots. If you have seen him or have any information of his whereabouts, please contact the Denville City Police.

“Henry,” Sydney glanced up from the page. Henry was fidgeting in place, avoiding making eye contact. “Is he...?”

“Yeah,” he mumbled, staring at the ground. “It’s our oldest brother. He’s been missing for over a year. Went into a bar one night for a drink, and just…. Never came out.” A cold gust of wind sent the remaining flyers drifting down the sidewalk as they caught the breeze. Henry’s hands tightened around the poster, creasing the paper before he folded it into a square. “Whatever. I gotta go.” He turned and started heading down the street, leaving Sydney alone.

Syd watched him walk away, wondering whether he should call out or not. Deciding not to, Sydney went home, ignoring the icy loneliness that had begun to creep back.