#Rusty Rally

[woozi]

WOOZI on SEVENTEEN winning Artist Of The Year in MAMA 2024

[papierboa]

do not spend 8 hours learning how to model and rig in blender oh my god kill me

[cerisesparadise]

this one's for you — lee heeseung

pairing - basketball captain!heeseung x supportive girlfriend!reader

genre - fluff, established relationship, university au, sports au

warnings - rivalry (it's just friendly competition between enhadream though lol), mentions of kisses - lmk if there's more!

wc - 1.7k

sypnosis - In the midst of a fierce rivalry between two universities, Decelis Academy of Excellion faces off against NCIT - Neo Culture Insititute of Technology - in a championship game. As tension builds on the court, his girlfriend’s unwavering support becomes his secret weapon

mentions - nct dream as the opposing basketball team (my engene czennie heart <3)

a/n - hi!! i'm cerise!! i wrote this because i was scrolling through tiktok and saw clips of movies like "she's dating the gangster" and "high school musical", so ofc, the first person to come into mind was heeseung. though this isn't the first time i've written something, it is the first post on this blog (i'm so rusty- i apologise :') ). so here's to my first post - hope you enjoy reading!

also- i know heeseung's jersey in the header pic says 11 but for the sake of the story pls pretend it's 01 </3 | bookshelf

The atmosphere in the arena is electric, buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Tonight, Decelis Academy of Excellion is facing off against their long-time rivals, NCT Dream from the Neo Culture Institute of Technology. This isn’t just any game; it’s the championship finals, a battle that both teams have been gearing up for all season. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the entire university has turned out to show their support.

You sit among the packed bleachers, the air thick with school spirit as students wave banners and shout team chants. It’s a sea of blue and white, the colours of Decelis Academy, and you can feel the pride radiating from every corner of the gym. As the clock ticks down to game time, the anticipation grows, every heartbeat syncing with the excited chatter around you.

Down on the court, Heeseung, the captain of your university's basketball team, Enhypen, is warming up. He’s the embodiment of focus and determination, his eyes scanning the court while he practises his shots. You can’t help but admire him — the way he commands the game, the way he leads his teammates with both skill and charisma. But tonight is different; it’s not just a regular match. This is a culmination of years of rivalry, and the pressure is palpable.

As the lights dim and the spotlight shines down, the announcer’s voice booms through the gym, introducing the teams. The crowd erupts in cheers as Heeseung and his teammates take the court, and you can see the camaraderie among them, the bond forged through countless hours of practice and shared goals.

You pull Heeseung's oversized varsity jacket tighter around yourself, the warmth and scent of his cologne comforting. It’s your way of feeling connected to him, even as he prepares to lead his team into battle against NCT Dream. You watch him with pride, knowing that this game is more than just a championship; it’s a chance to establish Decelis Academy as the reigning champion over their rivals.

As the game unfolds, the tension builds with every point scored. Heeseung’s skill is undeniable; he moves fluidly, orchestrating plays and rallying his teammates. The score is neck and neck, and with each possession, you can feel your heart racing alongside the crowd.

With only two minutes left in the game, the score is tied, and the tension is at its peak. You can’t help but bite your lip, every second feeling like an eternity. Suddenly, Heeseung catches your eye. You can tell he’s feeling the pressure, but then, as he glances your way again, he does something unexpected.

He taps his chest twice, subtly, then points at you. You don’t realise what he’s doing at first, but then he mouths something, clear even from across the court: “This one’s for you.” 

Your breath catches. Before you can process it, Heeseung is back in motion, his body moving like it’s running on pure instinct. Flashes of memories flood his mind, reminding him why he fights so hard for this victory.

He remembers those late night practices, standing alone on the court as the gym echoed with the sound of his dribbling. Suddenly, he hears a familiar voice. “Come on, Hee! Just one more shot!” It’s you, sitting on the bleachers with a smile that lights up the dark gym. You’ve been there every night, keeping him company and offering encouragement even when he’s exhausted.

“Okay, okay,” he laughs, shaking his head, and with renewed determination, he sinks the next shot effortlessly. Your applause echoes in his mind, pushing him forward.

The day before the championship, Heeseung had been a bundle of nerves, pacing in his room. You sat next to him, holding his hands and looking him in the eye. “You’ve worked so hard for this. Just remember, win or lose, I’m proud of you, Heeseung.” you said softly.

His heart swelled at your words, grounding him in the moment. “Thanks, babe. I’ll make you proud,” he promised, and in that instant, he believed he could conquer anything.

He remembers a time when he had been feeling down after a particularly tough loss. You surprised him with his favourite snacks, setting up a little picnic on the bleachers. “You know what? You’re still my number 1, no matter what. That’s your jersey number for a reason, Hee.” you said, your eyes sparkling with warmth.

“Really?” he asked, his heart lifting at your words.

“Absolutely! And besides, I’m always here to support you,” you assured him, and he couldn’t help but smile at how lucky he was.

Then there was that one practice where he felt like he just couldn’t hit a shot. Frustrated, he threw the ball down, running a hand through his hair. You stepped in close, your expression sympathetic. “Hey, even the best have off days. Remember when you taught me to shoot? I thought I’d never get it!” You demonstrated a dramatic air ball, making him burst into laughter.

“You’re right,” he admitted, a smile creeping back, “But you eventually got it, didn’t you?”

“Exactly! And you’ll find your rhythm again. Just give it time,” you encouraged, and he felt the weight lift off his shoulders, renewed with confidence.

During practice, you had always cheered from the sidelines, celebrating even the smallest victories. “Yes! That’s it, Hee! You’re on fire!” The way you looked at him, full of pride ignited something else inside him. He wants to replicate that joy on the court tonight, not just for himself but for you.

The memory fades, and he focuses back on the court. The countdown begins, and he recalls your unwavering support, how you’ve always been his anchor.

On the court, players from both teams are moving in a flurry of motion. Heeseung calls out to his teammates, his voice cutting through the noise. “Jake, move to the left! Sunghoon, set the pick!”

“Got it!” Jake replies, darting into position while Sunghoon takes his place, ready to block an incoming defender.

The crowd roars as Heeseung manoeuvres through the opposing players, sweat beading on his forehead. He catches a glimpse of you in the stands, your eyes locked on him, radiating support. That glance fuels his determination even more.

“Stay focused!” Jungwon shouts from the perimeter, eyes scanning the court. “We need to take control of this game! Make every second count!”

“Let’s go, Decelis!” the crowd chants, the rhythmic clapping reverberating through the arena.

As the game continues, Dream counters aggressively. A tall defender lunges at Heeseung, trying to steal the ball. “You think you can get past me, Captain?” Jisung taunts, grinning.

Heeseung smirks back. “You’re going to have to try harder than that, Park!”

He swiftly dribbles around him, passing the ball to Jay, who quickly takes a shot from the three-point line. The ball sails through the air, but the tension rises as it bounces off the rim.

“Get the rebound!” Heeseung yells, sprinting toward the basket.

Riki is there, leaping high to grab the ball before it falls. “I got it!” he shouts, landing solidly and passing it back to Heeseung, who is now at the three-point arc.

“Take it, Hee!” Sunoo calls, eyes wide with anticipation.

With the clock ticking down, Heeseung feels the pressure mounting. He glances at the scoreboard, then back at you. He taps his chest twice and points at you, mouthing the words “This one’s for you.”, dedicating the victory shot to you. He breathes deeply and launches the ball just as the buzzer sounds, the world around him fading to silence.

The ball arcs through the air, time slowing as it nears the hoop. Heeseung holds his breath, and for a moment, the entire gym is silent, every eye glued to the ball.

“C’mon, c’mon!” Jake whispers, his hands clenched.

Suddenly, the ball swishes through the net, and the arena erupts into a symphony of cheers. Heeseung pumps his fist in the air, a triumphant smile breaking across his face as his teammates rush to celebrate with him.

“Let’s go! We did it!” Jungwon shouts, engulfing Heeseung in a hug.

“That was the cleanest shot ever!” Riki exclaims, high fiving him.

“I told you he’d make it!” Sunghoon laughs, slapping Heeseung on the back.

As the crowd continues to roar, Heeseung looks over to the stands, where you're beaming with pride. The moment feels surreal; he knows this victory is as much yours as it is his. You leap from your seat, your heart racing as you push through the flood of fans and teammates, your eyes locked on Heeseung.

“HEESEUNG!!” you shout, your voice nearly drowned out by the roar of the crowd. Adrenaline fueled your every step as you sprinted towards him.

In an instant, you’re in his arms, jumping into him as he catches you effortlessly. The world around you fades as you both laugh, your heart soaring with pride and love. He spins you around, and as blue and white confetti begins to rain down from above, it feels like a scene from a fairytale.

“I can’t believe you did it!” you exclaim, breathless and beaming.

“Thank you for believing in me,” Heeseung replies, his voice warm and sincere. “I couldn’t have done it without you, babe.”

With a quick glance around, he pulls you in closer, leaning down to capture your lips in a victorious kiss. The moment is electric, the soft flutter of confetti swirling around you adding to the magic. It drifts through the air like tiny stars, each flake catching the light and highlighting the joy of the moment.

“Get a room, you two!” Jake shouts playfully, laughing as he joins the cheering crowd.

“Captain’s got a new strategy – distract the opponent with romance!” Sunghoon jokes, earning a chorus of laughter from the team.

As the teasing continues, Heeseung pulls back slightly, still holding you tight, his forehead resting against yours. The blue and white confetti dances around you, settling on your hair and shoulders, but all you can focus on is the warmth in his eyes.

“Let’s celebrate together,” he says, eyes sparkling with happiness. The energy of the crowd only amplifies the warmth between you, solidifying this victory as one you’ll both cherish forever. 

© cerisesheaven — please do not plagiarize, repost, translate, copy, or alter any of my works. thank you angel!

[theladyofbloodshed]

Chapter 34

One more chapter and an epilogue <3 (this is a sad chapter)

The field lay in ruins. Corpses – their own and Hybern’s – were spread across the muddy plain. Arrows jutted from limbs, blood and gore soaked through each court’s uniforms so they were united in a rusty red. The soldiers from Hybern who hadn’t been quick enough to winnow away were being rounded up for questioning.

Azriel would take stock of it later. Would stop and measure the magnitude of what they had done once his mate was in his own arms.

He was barely holding himself together. Feyre offering him the memory of what she saw through the Cauldron’s power had nearly broken him. Only Rhysand’s hand clamping around his upper arm to follow him where he winnowed stopped Azriel from inciting further bloodshed.

Carranam.

It was unheard of. A bond so rare – so deadly in cases – that even mates weren’t prepared to try. How had Eris known that Nesta was his Carranam?

Not his. Never his.

The Autumn Court had no tents. They’d arrived too late, already in the thick of the fighting, to prepare them. Where was Eris?

Azriel’s breathing was a wet rasp. His wings screamed in protest with every moment. There were cuts on his body that needed seeing to, some more pressing than others. He’d broken ribs, gashed open his ear. None of it mattered. Not until Nesta was with him.

‘Can’t your shadows-’

‘They are searching for her,’ he ground out before Rhys could finish.

A number of the Vanserra brothers were already winnowing away their army back to their golden oak-covered lands. If Eris had dared to take Nesta... If he thought in some way that a Carranam bond meant more than a mating bond…

‘There,’ said Rhys gently. He pointed towards a clearing by the edge of the trees where Helion stood near Eris, blocking Azriel’s view.

Azriel forced his power to rally and winnowed them both to close the gap.

‘Get your hands off of her,’ Azriel snarled.

Nesta was unconscious in Eris’ arms. The flush upon her cheeks made his stomach knot. Golden light swirled around her body from Helion’s healing gifts.

‘She has delved too deeply into her power. And another’s,’ said Helion with a knowing look to Eris. ‘She will live, but her body is exhausted.’

Rhysand’s grip on his arm hurt. His high lord dug his fingers into Azriel’s skin like blunted blades to anchor himself.

‘Put. Her. Down.’

Eris gave an easy smile, one a snake might wear. ‘Nesta and I are Carranam. She will be returning to my court where she belongs.’

A shield shot between them – the violet edges a tell-tale sign that it belonged to Rhys.

‘Nesta belongs in the Night Court,’ his high lord stated.

Eris gestured to the cut across Nesta’s palm. Many had seen their display against the king. Whether others would realise that Eris had shared his power with Nesta was another headache to be solved later. All Azriel wanted was his mate in his own arms.

Azriel said through clenched teeth, ‘Did you have to cut her palm so deeply?’

Blood still dripped from it. Eris hadn’t bothered binding it. He’d hurt her. Ran a knife across her skin.

He was practically vibrating with anger. His mate had chosen to die. Had spent a night with him, knowing she would walk into the arms of death the next day. And she would have done it alone. She’d deceived them all to face the king. The image of her being thrown by his magic, the bruises on her face-

Her blood drip, drip, dripped onto the earth.

‘Az.’

‘Give me my fucking mate.’

The colour drained from Eris’ face at the shadows poised to strike him, shield or not. Even Helion stepped away, his magic recoiling with him. He felt the grip of Rhys on his arm release as Eris carefully lowered Nesta upon the soft grass too.

Azriel had one singular focus. He didn’t care for Rhysand’s words advising him not to be rash. Nor Helion’s advice about her magic.

The moment that he cradled Nesta into his arms, he winnowed back to the Town House.

This was the female he loved. The one he wanted to spend his whole life with.

And he was so fucking angry with her.

Fuck the Carranam bond. Nesta had laid in his arms, knowing she was going to wriggle away from the others and offer herself as a sacrifice. Did she think her life meant so little? That it could be easily thrown away?

Azriel wouldn’t live if she died. There could be no future without her.

Even with fury roaring in his blood, Azriel did his due diligence as her mate and stripped off her spoiled, blood-soaked leathers. Her knees were bruised and a nasty-looking one spread across her ribs. They had matching breaks then. He washed her hands first then bound the cut on her hand, tying it tight to cut off the flow. Nesta’s hair was darkened by blood, so he held her over the bath and did his best to wash it before cleaning the rest of her body.

His anger refused to soften even as he tucked her into bed and stroked her face. Azriel’s mind began to wander. Had she done it to get away from him? Was it a punishment because he’d gone to fight with damaged wings? Was Nesta trying to give him a taste of his own medicine?

Quick steps sounded down the corridor and Azriel braced himself for whoever it might be.

Rhysand loomed in the doorway.

‘Az, I need you back there.’

‘No.’

‘It is your duty to-’

‘No,’ he snarled. His thumb brushed against Nesta’s fingers. ‘I don’t care, Rhys. This is my most important duty. I will be at my mate’s side until she is well.’

Rhys’ shoulders slumped. There was blood and mud splattered up his face. ‘Az, we have a mountain to manage. Cass is heading to Illyria to let families of fallen soldiers know. I need to manage Hybern’s soldiers and speak with the other high lords. I need you.’

‘No.’

‘Feyre and Elain are going to burn their father’s body in lieu of a funeral. Nesta should be there.'

The burning anger inside of Azriel’s chest threatened to loosen itself on his high lord. ‘Can’t you fucking see she’s unconscious?’

Rhys stepped back, wariness widening his eyes. Slowly, he said, ‘I expect you at my side, Azriel.’

‘Don’t pull rank on me. If it was Feyre laying here, nobody would cleave you from her side. Do not expect me to desert my mate.’

For a short while longer, Rhysand lingered then departed with a wearied sigh. Any other time and Azriel would be right at his side. There were more important places for Azriel to be now.

Even when the others returned, late into the night, Azriel did not move from Nesta’s side. She remained unconscious, her breathing slow but even. He allowed Madja to enter the room and check her over. A nudge of her magic would help her to heal quicker. The others knew better than to invite him to join them downstairs where the most expensive barrels of wine had been brought out to celebrate. He was in no mood to celebrate. Azriel had almost lost everything.

For two days, Azriel remained steadfast beside his mate’s side. She stirred a handful of times, but remained deeply sleeping for most of it. He stole fragments of sleep whenever his head slumped for too long. His shadows turned traitor and instead of pricking him to keep him awake, they allowed him to rest for longer than he wanted. Nobody could move him from Nesta’s side: not Morrigan, as much as she pleaded; not Rhys or Feyre trying issue orders; and certainly not Lucien who had likely been sent in as a radical choice to offer information about Eris and the Continent as bait. Azriel would not be moved.

His anger softened. The sharp edges were rubbed smooth.

With every hour that ticked by, Azriel’s anger morphed into sorrow. He couldn’t imagine the burden that had been upon Nesta’s shoulders – the target that Hybern had painted on her back for protecting her sister. The fear that must have gripped her in those moments where she lured the king to her. She was selfless, reckless, and brave. Azriel stroked a length of her soft hair. As much as he despised Eris Vanserra, if the male hadn’t shown up then Nesta would be dead. He didn’t like to owe a debt to any, much less the Autumn Court heir – but when it came to Nesta, there was nothing that Azriel wouldn’t give, wouldn’t owe to protect her.

On the third night, she woke groggily, grasping at her throat. Carefully, Azriel trickled water onto Nesta’s tongue. She ended up drinking most of the jug before blinking heavily at him and settling back down onto the pillows, a hand clinging to him.

***

There were wounds inside of Nesta’s heart that she would never recover from. Her extended sleep had only worsened them. When she woke again, at the dawn, Azriel set to running a shallow bath for her and requesting food from the wraiths.

They went through the motions of him caring for her as she slowly settled back into her body. It felt foreign and wrong.

Nesta did not want to be here.

Not in this house.

Not with these people.

None of it.

For every invitation to join them for dinner, to drink with them in the lounge, Nesta refused. Azriel took her lead and acted as a buffer to her sisters’ requests even though he’d press her on the refusal. Nesta wouldn’t give him an answer. She couldn’t tell him that she hated herself. Hated how many lives she’d ended in the war with a stroke of her power. Hated that she was bound in some way to Eris and not wholly Azriel’s anymore. Hated closing her eyes and seeing the lights spark out from her father’s eyes as his neck was snapped. Hated to think that she could lose Azriel one day. It was better to close down and push him away. It would hurt less when she lost him if he hated her.

After a week of her hibernation, Azriel tried to tempt her outside. He offered the library which she refused and even a tea shop that she liked in Velaris, but she refuted that idea too. Each time that she rejected his ideas, Nesta saw his face fall a little more. She had to keep cracking him bit by bit then he’d realise she wasn’t worth his time. He’d find somebody better, somebody brighter, who could give him what Nesta couldn’t.

��We’ve been in this room a long time,’ he said gently. Azriel reached to run a finger down her arm but Nesta moved from his path. Each night, he’d lay beside her in the bed but she’d toss his arm off repeatedly until he stopped trying.

‘And what is that meant to mean?’

He looked towards the window where twilight was settling in outside.

‘Fresh air might help.’

Nesta’s nostrils flared as she stood. She hauled the window open so that a strong wind blew in – and with it the promise of autumn arriving. ‘Fresh air.’

She hoped to see his eyes darken. For his siphons to pulse with warning so that she could have confirmation that she was pushing him to his limits. Nesta wanted Azriel far from someone like her.

He stood and closed the window, blocking off the howl of the wind. ‘You understand exactly what I mean.’

‘If you want fresh air then leave. Nobody has asked you to be at my side morning and night. It is unwanted.’

He had a way of emptying himself. Azriel kept his expression perfectly vacant. He was too difficult to read. Even his shadows sat still behind him.

‘I am here because I love you. Because I am your mate.’

‘I don’t want you here,’ she hissed.

‘Madja has agreed that you are well enough to try and use your magic again.’

‘I have no magic,’ she protested. It was a lie. It swirled and ached inside of her. Eris’ own magic had entered her body, scorching the veins in its wake. She was different because of it. Her magic thrashed at the sides of its cage, desperate to practise its new facets.

In an even voice, Azriel replied, ‘I will leave tonight, but you will have Elain or Feyre here in my stead.’

‘I didn’t realise I needed a nurse maid.’

‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘Because I don’t know what you might do if you are alone.’

Nesta’s heart gave a sorrowful lurch. ‘Leave me alone.’

He did as she asked, but within a minute, perhaps less, Feyre entered her bedroom. Her sister’s presence was maybe worse than Azriel’s. He was at least content to let her sit in silence or read. Feyre did not stop with her never-ending stream of questions or narrations. She talked of their father, of the funeral where she turned his body to ash, and it took all of Nesta’s strength not to scream at her sister to be quiet.

And so it was.

If Azriel wasn’t occupying the chair in her room, it was Elain or Feyre. Nesta stopped responding to them. Stopped answering their questions. She only ate when Azriel loomed over her and threatened to feed her like an infant if she didn’t hold the fork herself.

The war had ruined her. Every day became harder and harder to push herself through.

When Feyre one day snatched her hand unexpectedly, Nesta had no time to ask what she was doing before they arrived in her favoured tea shop. Azriel was already there, her favourite tea brewed and waiting for her.

Nesta couldn’t give him hope. There was something rotten inside of her. It would ruin him if she let him in.

Like an insolent child, Nesta sat upon the chair opposite Azriel and refused to drink her tea. She folded her arms across her chest and stared at him. She ignored his quiet utterings, pleading with her to drink. Ignored Feyre’s bubbly chatter. They had tried to ambush her – but Nesta was an unstoppable force of stubbornness. They would not find her malleable.

The further two attempts at integrating her back into society were as disastrous. One had been to swap her bed mate to Cassian who she had easily managed to grind down by making a grab for his wings multiple times until he relented and backed off. The second had been to bring the dinner to her room including all eight members of the household. From the wary expression that Azriel wore, she knew it had not been his idea to invade her personal space – and he was the one who ended it by ushering them all out.

‘I just want to help you,’ he said, the stress of the last three weeks beginning to weigh on him. There were bags beneath his eyes. On the nights that he stayed in her room, he no longer assumed a place in the bed. He’d bring a blanket to sleep on the floor or the chair, but he rarely slept. He had been harder to push away than Nesta thought. He was as stubborn as she was.

‘I do not want your help. I do not need it.’

‘Then what do you need?’ He pleaded.

To hurt him. To push him away for good, Nesta had to aim low at wounds that hadn’t healed for him.

‘I want Eris.’

The words landed. A vindictive part of her wished she’d used his name sooner. It made Azriel’s wings flare. All seven of his siphons rippled with colour.

‘I want to be with Eris. He is my Carranam.’

‘You don’t even know what it is.’

‘He is mine,’ she said, knowing that each word would hurt him. ‘He will train my magic then we-’

‘You’ve sworn to the Mother a dozen times that you have no magic,’ he said swiftly, cutting into her speech.

There was one wound left. One last way to make Azriel bleed so that he was as repulsed by her as he should be.

‘I want to be with Eris because he is the son of a high lord. He is what I deserve. And you...' she fumbled. 'You’re just…’

The words lodged themselves in her throat. Nesta couldn’t do it.

‘Say it,’ he said softly.

Nesta ground her teeth together and held her chin up.

‘No,’ Azriel murmured. ‘Say what you want to say, Nesta. Tell me what I am.’

Her whole body gave an involuntary tremble.

In silence, Azriel pulled a bag from beneath the bed and began sweeping through her clothing, throwing it into the bag. The three books that she had on the bedside table were tossed on top along with a spare pair of shoes. Azriel wrapped and arm around Nesta then threw her over his shoulder. The dig of his bony shoulder made her stomach ache. She smacked his back – tried to scratch his wings – as he manoeuvred her through the bedroom and down the stairs.

Her hissing and spitting like a cat roused Feyre who darted from the office downstairs.

‘Put her down,’ she demanded.  

Azriel ignored her and continued striding through the house with Nesta hauled over his shoulder.

‘Azriel, what the fuck are you doing?’

He exited the Town House.

‘I’m her mate,’ he said. ‘I’ll decide what’s best for her.’

Nesta sucked in a breath as shadows wrapped around them, disfiguring her vision.

When they stopped, a cold wind blew through her hair.

She recognised the wooden cabin at once. The wildflowers which had been as high as her thighs last time she’d visited were brown and wilting as the summer waned. Stars were scattered through the early evening sky.

She couldn’t be here.

‘Take me back,’ she begged.

Azriel gently set her onto her feet. ‘No.’

‘I don’t want to be here.’

The front door opened and light flooded through the gap.

She scrambled to find purchase on his chest. ‘Please. Take me back to Velaris. I'll be better. Please.’

Azriel’s hands settled on her arms, pinning them to her sides. It wasn’t anger in his expression. Nesta wished it was. No, Azriel looked utterly defeated.

His mother met them quickly, concern pulling her dark brows together.

‘Nesta isn’t doing well,’ he said bluntly. ‘The city isn’t a good place for her.’

Rovena nodded in sympathetic understanding. A warm hand stroked between her shoulder blades and it took all of Nesta’s strength not to break into a sob from the touch alone.

Without a further word, Azriel turned and walked a handful steps away before winnowing into nothing.

[uispeccoll]

#VoicesFromTheStacks

Los Bailadores Zapatistas and the Latino Native American Cultural Center

Last week, the Latino-Native American Alumni Alliance (LANA3) gathered on campus to celebrate more than 50 years of the Latino Native American Cultural Center (LNACC) at the University of Iowa.

In 1971, three students—Rusty Barceló, Ruth Pushetonequa, and Tony Zavala—founded the the Chicano Indian American Cultural Center, later renamed the Latino Native American Cultural Center (LNACC). In it’s five-decade history LNACC has hosted events like cookouts, powwows, and dances; published literary magazines and newsletters; held rallies, boycotts, and protests; and sponsored a variety of other educational and social programs.  

The Libraries’ Special Collections and Archives recently acquired new materials from LNACC, including these beautiful dresses handmade by students in Los Bailadores Zapatistas, a baile folklórico troupe on campus. Baile folklórico encompasses many different types of traditional folk dance stemming from various regions of Mexico and cultural traditions, often with Indigenous and Spanish influences.

Los Bailadores Zapatista’s was formed at University of Iowa in the mid-1970s and aimed to “increase the education level and understanding of mestizo dancing and music, and to share our mestizo culture with the university and community population.” Los Bailadores performed on campus and throughout Iowa and the Midwest, often accompanied by the singing group El Conjunto Chicano. They visited other campuses and performed at community events and festivals. In 1978 they attended the National Ballet Folklórico festival in Kansas, and six students traveled to Mexico that summer to learn traditional dances.

Celina Espinoza, the groups instructor, taught the other members how to sew costumes, which are representative of traditional dance attire worn in different regions of Mexico. The group performed dances from the states of Jalisco and Veracruz, as well as from northern regions of Mexico and what is now the Southwestern United States.

Los Bailadores Zapatistas was just one of several student organizations affiliated with LNACC that brought Chicano art, music, and culture to audiences on the University of Iowa campus and beyond. To learn more about Los Bailadores and the Latino Native American Cultural Center, visit us in person or online at the Iowa Digital Library, check out our past blog posts on LNACC, and see the full finding aid to this collection here.

--Anne M, Olson Graduate Research Assistant

[wonderful-magician]

My rewrite of starlight express except it's just a detailed song list

Disclaimer: this is just for fun! And also some mentions of the race 4 crash and the stuff surrounding it. Along with characters like greaseball and Electra in not so pretty lights. Though I believe they both improve as people and are good people after the show!

You can completely ignore this post! If I sound a bit negative at all just know that starlight express is literally my favorite thing in the world right now and I would give every character a smooch on the forehead.

Basically I have my dream song list that has no rules. No time constraints just fully compliant to my AU. Mostly inspired by Broadway, the Vegas pre-recorded races, 2015 Bochum and original London. All horribly mashed together with glitter glue. (⁠✿⁠^⁠‿⁠^⁠) Except instead of just showing off my dream song list. I'm also going to explain how each song played out in a setting that one could call a movie or tv show. I was originally going to draw every song but that's simply an exhausting sounding idea when I've already started a project for drawing every character.. anyway, to my ranting!

No control sequence

My Starlight express doesn't take place in a child's imagination. Instead of a full control sequence. We just get AI control announcing the national race!

Rolling stock

Rolling stock takes place early in the morning. Rusty wakes up early to watch the diesels get pumped and ready in the early hours. As rusty still has some time before he needs to grab the coaches for the busy day. And he somberly watches the big strong diesels.. greaseball is mostly hidden by the shadows but looks absolutely awesome! Featuring his great shades even though it's dark out.

Call me rusty/new intro song

Rusty no longer gets mocked immediately by the diesels. Instead rusty skates off to wake up and grab the coaches. The disgruntled and unprepared coaches whine and warn rusty about the day as they know his plans to race. Call me rusty is a great intro song for rusty and it wouldn't mind the original being used. Though truly I feel like rusty just deserves a good I want song that's more clear about his desire to win the races to prove the power of steam! ( His wish is to win! Not get pearl. )

Lotta locomotion

The introduction for the girls. They sing a lotta locomotion while rusty pulls them to the main yard but keeps taking detours. Trying to show off his skills yet the girls keep mentioning that he's simply not a popular engine nor is he very attractive to most train standards. Though pearl is silent and somber whenever it's brought up ( she likes him )

Shortened he whistled at me, new lyrics

Once they reach the yard. Rusty rushes off to get the freight and leaves the coaches in the main yard alone. Pearl gets in an argument with Buffy and Ashley. As she defends rusty from their criticism. And Dinah just shakes her head. Pearl sings an improved solo about her desire for an engine to whistle at her. ( Implying it's rusty. )

Freight

Pearls solo is suddenly interrupted by a loud horn. As the freight train is pulled in by rusty. The girls mock the freight trucks and the trucks mock the coaches. Though they have a friendly relationship even if they mock each other. Insert the introductionsss. Once freight ends. They start to rally for the noon race.

National engines

Standard national introductions. Not much to say.

AC/DC

Electra and the components show up fashionably late for the races. Electra is introduced as powerful and show stopping like always. A superstar that wasn't even expected to appear. Electra's hypnotizing powers are shown more clearly. As he magnetizes and influences pearl. And she's amazed by him. To Rusty's distaste.

Pumping Iron

Electra is suddenly interrupted by greaseball. Who had been watching from afar since the nationals. greaseball attracts Dinah and pearl, all the components, and CB and flat-top. Greaseball is shown to be the leader of the diesels and the strongest in the yard.

Coda freight

Electra and greaseball start to tussle as they are both strong engines desiring attention and leadership. And they challenge each other to the race. Rusty interrupts them and they mock him. Before they start the march.

Pearl you're honored

Everybody needs a partner. Pearl is invited by Electra ( purse.. ) to race. Pearl originally refuses but purse gets Electra himself to make an appearance. And his magnetism begins.

rewrite of make up my heart

The song is remade to be both a pearl solo. And somewhat a gag song. For pearl is shown having a dilemma. Wanting to race with rusty but she is being hypnotized to race with Electra slowly as the song continues. Everytime she turns to face the two boys they are behaving. And Electra looks favorable, rusty looks rather lame. But when she turns- Electra is mocking rusty and pushing him around with purse. The other components come out and pearl decides to race with Electra. Rusty is heartbroken.

Race 1

There's me

Dinah is upset with greaseball cheating during race 1. ( Not realizing that CB was the main one actively cheating for GB. She's just mad that GB hit a national. ) she cries and takes a break from GB. And is comforted by CB who is upset to see his closest friend crying. The song is more comedy focused. Putting emphasis on the silly ways CB tries to help Dinah. Which cheers her up.

Poppas blues

CB helps Dinah back to the coaches. And we follow him and rusty return to the main yard. Where poppa has appeared to endorse rusty for wanting to race. And sings his song while the freight dance. By the end of it. He realizes that rusty is upset. And finds out that rusty is super upset and hurt from being mocked and left. Poppa decides to race in Rusty's place ( to Rusty's dismay. ) and races with Belle the sleeping car...

Belle the sleeping car

Belle is shown sleeping and poppa wakes her up. She sings her song. ( Rusty has some less than stellar words to say. Even though she's implied to be his adoptive mother of sorts. ) And she goes off with poppa to race.

Crazy and engine of love tidbit

Rusty approaches pearl again. Begging her to race with him instead so that poppa and Belle don't race. She calls him crazy and the song starts. As he tries to court her back ( with a lil bit of engine of love. ) She gets close to saying yes but is pulled away by the other coaches.

Starlight express

Rusty, defeated after being rejected and mocked so much during the day. Sings starlight express as the day ends. And he falls asleep knowing the next day will have the next race. ( And he's worried about poppa, and pearl. )

Race 2

The OLC rap/silver dollar

After poppa Is injured from the race but places first place. They debate if rusty can replace him in the lineup. As they debate. The grand prize is revealed. ( And the people who want it most. Are hinted. ) Rusty couples up with CB, who supports his ability to race throughout the rap.

Rewritten pearl twirl

Greaseball and Electra get in a tussle. GB bonks Electra on the head and his magnetism ceases. Pearl gets mad at Electra and moves to go to rusty. Before she's stopped by greaseball. He flirts with her and she's receptive ( who wouldn't be. ) Dinah is heartbroken by greaseball but he claims it's just some fun and it'll only be for the race. And pearl doesn't say anything to Dinah

Uncoupled

Dinah sings a sadder version of uncoupled. ( I hate it when she's treated like comedy relief! ) as she's upset that she feels betrayed by her boyfriend and her best friend. And she sings of her feelings of low worth.

Girls rolling stock

Ashley and buffy come over to comfort Dinah after they see her crying. They're both mad that greaseball treated her in such a way. ( It's also implied that Buffy and Ashley are a couple. ) and they mention some boundaries that need to be set. Before cheering her up with a song.

Dinah you're honored

Purse collects Dinah to race with Electra. ( Who was still upset about losing pearl ) And she doesn't put up a fight.

wide smile

CB is shown alone. Before he's trailing GB. And speaking to Electra through his radio. Before assuring greaseball that he's still working with him. Before skating off to Electra. And sharing his plans to crash Rusty and steal the silver dollar to Electra. Electra is shocked and allured by the plan. And trusts CB even as CB sings of his crimes. The components are distrustful of CB.

Race 3

Right place right time

The Rockies come in to explain to rusty that the system is broken. And that he'll never win because the rich and the popular control who wins and who loses. and rusty simply has no chance in ever winning against somebody like Electra or greaseball. As rusty is still reeling from being injured and betrayed by CB.

Starlight sequence

Rusty is defeated after the Rockies finish their song. And he sits down in pain from his injuries and his mental exhaustion. He screams for the starlight express and is visited by them. They inform him that he doesn't need help. and simply needs to believe in himself and do what he needs to. As the tides are in his favor.

Dustin/Dinah's disco

Dustin also had seen the starlight express. And is found by rusty. The two confide in each other for being mocked by the others. And they partner up for the last race. / Dinah rejects and yells at Electra for being a jerk. And a whiny brat. Electra is hurt ( despite it being deserved as he won't stop talking about getting second place. And deserving to get first. ) couples with CB. ( To the components dismay )

Race 4

One rock and roll too many

After the horrific crash that occurred during race 4. CB, Electra and greaseball are utterly miserable. Nearly shutting down as their bodies are wired together somewhat and broken. CB is the weakest. But they sing their song in sadness. And the silver dollar is yanked from CB after he passed out.

Only he snippit

Back to pearl. Pearl is shown singing a few lyrics from only he as she is alone. And reflecting over what happened during the races and before.

Only you

The duet between Rusty and Pearl. Pearl declares she will try her best to not let others stop her from staying with rusty. And rusty declares he'll protect her. Smooch smooch ( I LOVE THEM )

Ending dialogue

Poppa is stern with CB. And gives the silver dollar to rusty. The components are harsh to their master and teach him a few words. And Dinah makes up with GB. Saying they need to set each other's boundaries more. But she still loves him ( and he still loves her. Smooch. ) and he apologizes for cheating and messing around.

Light at the end of the tunnel

Honestly this song gives me major during the credits so just imagine a bumping credits scroll lmao. Even better? One of those 2010 animated movie dancing credits shdhdbdb

OKKK IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ASK ME I LOVE TALKING (⁠θ⁠‿⁠θ⁠) this was fun to write. I REALLY LOVE TALKING I might make more posts like this but I'm unsure

[stellarislune]

Asirel x Pet | impromptu fic

Or what happens when Pet 'ran' away without a trace one day.

ASIREL's POV

"Are you sure that these tactics will give us more profit?"

"Surely, the losses will be big. I beg to disagree."

"Perhaps we should do this instead.."

"I highly doubt the effectiveness of the.."

━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━

Flashbacks of the meeting drilled a headache down into my brain.

It's another one of those days where the court just keeps toeing their feet out of line. If I snap back, they appease me with their façade of docileness.

Even with all the power and reputation in my grasp, the fact that I am younger than most of those greedy, old zealots mean that I am lower than them. At least, that is what they believe.

Sigh.

If I crack at the smallest slight against me, it'll be a big damage to my invincible, shiny image.

Asirel.

The most powerful man with powerful connections all over the world. I scoffed to myself. The throne is a lonely place for the Almighty.

Creakkk.

The door opens to my favorite chamber as of late; the room that belongs to my favored Pet.

At this time of the evening, they're usually up and about. Either playing with knives and darts, reading, or simply exploring the room in their idle time. I have not allowed them to come out ever since that fiasco where they tried to use my personal lessons on others. Not that I left that fool gloating over having stolen what was mine — they won't be able to bring mortal possessions in whatever position they are in right now.

What greets me, however, is an empty, silent room devoid of light from the chandeliers hanging above. There's knives scattered on the floor, splattered with what looked like blood. A soft breeze runs past me, so I turn my head towards the window. It has been broken—whether it has been broken in or out however, I do not know.

It's a moonlit night. Its rays illuminated the room dimly, yet with enough light to identify whatever it is on the ground. Several bodies, probably dead, all scattered unceremoniously against the walls in various directions.

"What games are you playing, Pet?", I mutter to myself, exasperated yet also intrigued. This is surely not the first time this has happened.

My Pet has gone to feed, perhaps. Unsated by these.. lucky fools. I think. They always return to me.

Suddenly, the waft of air brings something that smells strangely familiar. The scent.

It brings back the smell of rusty cages, bleek-looking faces, and a rot of something that has never seen the light for ages—during the first time that I have met them.

It's the faint scent of inhibitors.

I turned the lights on.

The bodies in the dark now have faces on them. Seeing such a mess in this room has never been surprising. Pet always feeds as if they have been starved. Like a feral beast without a leash. What shocks me is the fact that the men, albeit beaten up and bruised, appear to be alive.

I knelt down, putting two fingers on one of the men's neck and, indeed, there's a pulse. These men have fought, that's obvious enough. To think that they were toyed by my Pet is a huge possibility, yet something compels me to think that something is definitely, definitely, wrong.

With haste, I grabbed my phone. Calling one of my attendants to check on the CCTVs all over the place. My hands, which were once burning with annoyance and anger from earlier, felt cold as ice.

"Check every footage. Every nook and cranny.", My voice was deep, commanding. Somehow, it sounded shaky against the static. "My Pet is somewhere in this vicinity. Rally my men and find them." I grit my teeth as I put the phone down.

This isn't the first time that you've disappeared. It's not the first time that you have escaped from my grasp, only to be dragged back again.

But this.. this is the first time my heart has beaten this fast.

Surely, you will return. Right?

[albino-parakeet]

Name: Llyr (They/Them)

The skytober drawing they originally come from

Some tid bits about Llyr

Born some time between Season of Prophecy and Dreams, but went missing until Performance.

Picked up surfing shortly after reappearing and instantly became obsessed with it

Makes surfboards as a side hobby and is willing to help anyone who's damaged their boards

Like a ball of energy. Always moving.

Has a scar that stretches across their mid section from a horrifying encounter.

Due to them being injured during their moth years, their flying is very rusty. Always collides with at least one sky kid anytime they fly

Their bad flying actually helped them make their first friend after returning.

Outfit is a Rallying Thrillseeker suit that they painted to match Adva, their Dino companion.

Feather head accessories also worn to mimic Adva

Cape is more penguin like than Performance guide cape.

A little taller than average moth starting height (Height 5 based on this Sky height chart)

Some backstory (not all of it yet) about Llyr and Adva under cut

Llyr's backstory. (Reads more like a storyboard cause idk how to write.)

By the time Llyr reappeared, Season of Performance had started. Thankfully they aren’t alone and are almost always followed by what looks to be a large “light creature”, who is just as animated as their Sky kid friend.

Adva, a Beipiaosaurus, was a gift from a kind Shepard that helped Llyr during their time recovering in the underground city after a scary encounter with one of the more territorial creatures. They named her Adva because of how small she was when they received her, but soon realized the name would be ironic due to how fast she was growing. Adva, is their partner in crime during most of their adventures and acts somewhat like a service animal for Llyr. She helps Llyr calm down during moments of high stress and anxiety, letting them lie down and focus on the texture of her feathers until they relax and catch their breath.

The Dinosaur Fan Season that's mentioned in this

Some extra doodles of them cause I love them:

[robot-roadtrip-rants]

So I finished Unremembered Empire...

Actually I finished it like a week ago, I've just been wrangling with some gnarly insomnia and haven't had the brainpower to post. Ending thoughts:

For some reason I was under the impression that Vulkan was stark raving mad and stark raving naked when he charged Konrad Curze, and I'm deeply disappointed that he wasn't. Would it make sense? Probably not. Would it be fucking wild? Absolutely. I can only shake my head at Abnett's cowardice.

Does Curze have any motive beyond, "lol killing fun"?

Lion and Guilliman just fucking jumped Sanguinius as soon as he got off the ship, didn't they. Dude must have been so happy to see his brothers, and then they just cram a crown into his hands.

Euten rallying the Shattered Legions was phenomenal. Can we just make her their temporary primarch while they're on Macragge? They could use a mom, is all I'm saying.

I know it's a very serious moment, but I find the unexpected orbital drop to be such a hilarious concept. Baffled Macraggans getting bombarded by equally baffled Dark Angels. Imagine having a drop pod land in your neighborhood, and now you have these deeply embarrassed Astartes on your porch apologizing for blowing over your garage. Everyone comes out to stare. Someone's grandpa is convinced that the Word Bearers are attacking and has to be restrained from opening fire with a rusty old lasgun. A small child keeps escaping her parents to tell the Dark Angels that their armor is the wrong color. The Arbites are trying, and failing, to hustle everyone back into their homes. And then the Ultramarines come tearing in like the most deranged traffic cops to ever dog the streets. I'm gonna write fanfiction about this, mark my words.

[haveyouseenthishorrormovie]

SUMMARY: On a desolate stretch of road, murderous trucker Rusty Nail encounters a group of street racers heading to a car rally and seizes the chance to torture and tease them until the end of the road.

[happyunbday2u]

Malloy Twins headcannons

- Turk is a minute older - Turk also got the muscle genes while Virgil got the smart genes… at least more then Turk - their first argument was when they were 3 and they both wanted to watch a different kids show - Virgil’s the more sensitive twin, he cried in Titanic - Turk is a nickname his full name is Tuckerman Malloy but he hates it - they like to wrestle for fun - Turk always wins - the reason Rusty knew about them was because another guy who had worked with the twins said they were amazing get away drivers - he didn’t mention the constant arguing - when Danny and Rusty went to recruit them they were arguing, in the middle they were arguing and by the end they were arguing just after agreeing to go to Las Vages - Turk calls Virgil sweetheart because his first girlfriend called him sweetheart and as the twin brother has never let it go - Now he calls anyone sweetheart in his circle of 'I will deny this but I care about them' - If no one noticed he called Danny sweetheart in Ocean's 13 - if someone joins in on one of the twins making fun of the the other, the second the other twin leaves the twin who had just been calling him a ‘dumbass bitch with a brain the size of a ant’ will turn to that someone with the most menacing glare ever - ”listen here you little shit I don’t know who the fuck you think you are but if you says that to my brother again I will run you over with my car” - randomly calls the other stupid pet names both to annoy the other- - “VERMIN!” “TURKEY!” “VIRGIN!” ”TUTU!” "BITCH-" - and for that ‘random moment you decide to be nice to your sibling’ affection - ”… hey Virgie you want McDonalds?” - ”Hey T I got tickets to a Monster Truck Rally wanna come?” - there as never been one time that they haven’t been arguing except for two things: Monster Truck Rallies are awesome and X-Men - They fear nothing... except losing the other. They may argue alot but god forbid anything happens to the other like getting shot in a heist gone wrong or break a bone even if its something small like accidently hurting the other in roughhousing or one accidently cutting themselves while doing dishes - For example one time they were roughhousing and suddenly Virgil yelled out ow and Turk went into full panic mode _ "NOBODY FUCKING MOVE! ARE YOU OKAY!? DID YOU BREAK SOMETHING!?! DO WE NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL!?!?!" - Turns out Virgil just landed on his arm too hard and it was enough to hurt but not break - "Oh thank god..." just tackles him "MOTHERFUCKER YOU MADE ME WORRY-" - No one on the team has let him live it down, they found it adorable of course but it's their job to tease each other

[pronounmelon]

So I was tryna figure out: how would the Younique staff fit into my little story?? Several of the characters have pretty cute looks, I didn’t wanna throw em away or make them terfs

well, solution!! For at least a couple of em, anyway.

reminder that TERFs literally CANNOT ALWAYS TELL that people are trans… they are so often wrong it is comical. A TERF bar could more than likely let in trans women without knowing or batting an eye… in my rewrite, Younique only profiled Ginger, Cherish, and Kaiya because they were so open and proud. Often why TERFs pick us trans folk out to begin with!! If you’re too proud, too open, too showy, they’ll try to take ya down. It sucks, but it’s why I’m so proud to be me. I’m so proud of my transgender siblings, because everyday we face the worst from society, and here we are, still standing.

I did change up Shanzay and Parniya’s styles quite abit… god, you can tell that there’s only *one* kind of lesbian Rusty thinks should exist. The diversity of women is a beautiful thing, and I wanted to show just how differently these two butch lesbians can present themselves, because there is more than one type of butch lesbian. (RUSTY.) People should dress how they’re comfortable, however the amount of characters were supposed to like who have the exact, plain style bothers me. People look different, even those within the same subcultures and similar presentations. I want to highlight that!!

Anyway, on to the character bios!!

Shanzay Binti Meriam!! Malaysian-Australian She/They, Transfeminine lesbian

Shanzay used to go to Younique with her girlfriend Parniya regularly, speaking with other regulars who took no issue with their trans identities. Shanzay is a confident woman who runs women’s martial arts classes with her girlfriend and her mother, Meriam. Unfortunately, after learning of the hateful incident at Younique regarding the GAP gang, Shanzay, Parniya, and several other regulars were horrified to learn of the hateful nature of a staff member of Younique. They took the issue to the owner, only to learn that this is standard behavior for the staff, and that a large majority of the staff are loud and proud transphobes. Shanzay and Parniya felt completely horrified that their less cis passing sisters went through this, not to mention that they had given their patronage to such a hateful business. They rallied many Younique regulars to take their leave, and to give their support to the GAP gang, giving their money to the PayPlease fund that would eventually help the girls open up GAP, their trans friendly nightclub. Shanzay now works for GAP as a bouncer, and is good friends with Kaiya particularly, bonding over their shared pride and love for their families.

Parniya Amira Gallus!! Iranian-Australian She/her, Transfeminine intersex lesbian

Standing at nearly 6’8, being transgender and intersex, and suffering from chemical burns at a young age, Parniya is not a very average looking woman. She is very quiet and mellow, and doesn’t wish to draw much attention to herself. Because of her wallflower nature, it’s no shock that the transphobic staff of Younique looked right past her and her girlfriend Shanzay whenever they walked in. Parniya identifies as a butch lesbian, though she still embraces her feminine side often. After finding out about Younique’s transphobia against the GAP gang, Parniya was particularly shaken. Even after rallying other regulars to leave with her and Shanzay, Parniya doesn’t go out nearly as often anymore. She wears much more makeup now, perhaps in an attempt to pass more, like she believes she will run into Younique staff again. Parniya does remote graphic design for GAP, and as a result is well acquainted with Theodosia, and has quickly become good friends with her. They bond over a shared love of old princess stories, as well as their passion for art and other women.

[praxieuser]

PRAXIE'S SUPER AWESOME SUPER COOL THEORY ABOUT DANIEL BEING IN THE MOB:

because the where the magic awakens discord server seemed to vibe with it, and it's like. a little bit funny.

SPOILERS MAY BE PRESENT! PROCEED WITH CAUTION!

as the title says, i thought up a crack theory about the Pages being previously part of / in charge of / otherwise involved in a mob. here is the thought process for how my adhd crack led me down this path:

1.) the headline of the muggle news paper and what it implies

note that the headline is "The Bloody Pages" headlines during the turn of the century were more dramatic, news headlines i've seen are more straight forward if the perpatrators aren't well known. for example: "Father-Son Duo: Mass Heist, Mass Murder" would be what i would expect if the Pages were largely unknown. but they are specifically references by their last name implying the family itself is pretty infamous for this kind of thing. and while i can't quite ascertain this, dad Page and bro Page look like they're dressed in that sort of 20th century gangster style in their picture of them getting arrested: dark coat, dark vest instead of looking like run in the mill burglars with skii masks.

2.) the gravity of their crimes

it's implied that along with a heist, they've committed mass murder. this implies to me that if they killed that much people in one sitting, they either had other people with them OR it was just the two of them but they had firepower, and since this is the UK and not the US, purchasing guns has stricter regulations, especially guns that are something like AK-47s? with the intent of doing harm? the chances are they'll sniff you out.

this to me implies either: they had the power and influence to rally up goons OR they had the money and contacts to smuggle arms

3.) this partially explains kaleena and esme's thing

starting with kaleena, not only does it partially explain her infamy in the wizarding world (imagine, a wizard not only doing magic in front of muggles/to harm muggles but being in a muggle mob?) it also coincides with gridley calling her a world class criminal. maybe she was more underground before marrying daniel's dad, but ended up coming up on the surface as she became more involved in the mob, whichever path, it makes it clear she has experience in criminality

for esme, it explains the "knows more than she lets on" thing she has going on: she knows of her mother's involvement in the mob, but since she was definitely still underage, we can say she was kept farther from it. she probably hasn't seen anything firsthand, but she knows what she knows. we could also say that in general aside from their older brother, the Page kids were kept far away from gang business for there safety: making it so daniel didn't know about the mob

4.) shit i highkey made up but listen that's what you're here for

so then, if kaleena was in the mob, we could say that maybe by the time she had daniel, she decided to be less involved in the frontlines to stay with the kids more since they're a huge vulnerability bc they're in a mob and presumably have a few enemies, but also bc she probably genuinely cared for them. making it so she's very close with daniel, which could explain the strength of daniel's later denial

then we could say that, by the time dad Page and bro Page get arrested, she's old and she's rusty with her magic, since she's been spending most of her time taking care of the kids for a few years, explaining why she gets caught despite being a "world class criminal". but then all daniel would know is his father and brother are the big bad, and his mom just loved them so much she tried to break them out. and since he was still very young, we can say that esme didn't want to tell him the truth bc you try telling your 5 year old brother both of your currently incarcerated parents, one of which is he is very attached to, were mobsters.

and because he's got a whole complex about it by the present time, having The Talk™ with him is even more complicated, especially when esme herself is presumably only somewhere aroumd 17-19 years old and has to juggle taking care of daniel and her own personal struggles brought on by the arrest of her parents

5.) but why doesn't daniel know about the mob in the present time?

could be that he knows his parents are in a mob but doesn't say it bc his whole thing is getting bullied for crimes his family did and he'd rather not pour gasoline on a house on fire, and is under the belief that his mother was there against her will OR that his mother wasn't involved at all, bar her trying to break dad Page and bro Page put of jail.

and thats my delulu corkboard crack theory on why daniel's family is part of the mob. thank you 🚶

[seriousbrat]

Falls the Shadow, chapter 8 Read on Ao3

THE DARKEST DAYS, a multi-part, canon-compliant series spanning from 1975-1981, covering the events of the First Wizarding War. Follows Lily, Sev, and the Marauders through their final years at Hogwarts to the end of the war, as friendships are put to the test and the Wizarding World crumbles around them... READ FROM THE BEGINNING

CHAPTER 8: For Better For Worse --------------------------------------------

Vernon stammers. “What— that— you— I mean to say—” Petunia shoots Lily a dirty look and then places a soothing hand on his arm. This seems to rally him. “So, you know a few magic tricks, do you? Am I supposed to be impressed?”

“Not especially,” James says, grinning. “That was a fairly bog-standard bit of Transfiguration. Of course, transfiguring inanimate objects into living thing’s always got its complications— it’s not really alive, you see, it’s just the illusion of life. The theory’s a bit murky, but there you are.”

From the looks on their faces he may as well be speaking Greek. Lily has to stifle a laugh.

At that moment the waitress returns bearing a tray loaded with their drinks; these she doles out, setting Petunia’s water on the beer mat that had recently been a butterfly. Petunia pushes it away from her with an expression of distaste.

“How’d you get here, anyway?” Petunia asks Lily. “Did you drive?”

“No,” Lily says, taking a sip of lager. “We Apparated. You know, when you—”

“Car at the mechanic’s, is it?” Vernon interrupts loudly, addressing James. “I suppose you drive some rusty, clapped-out old banger, don’t you?”

“Er,” James says, looking perplexedly at Lily. “What?”

“He’s asking what sort of car you’ve got,” Lily says heavily, sipping at her beer.

“Vernon’s got a Triumph Spitfire,” Petunia says glowingly, as if this is supposed to mean something to them.

“Oh, right— well, I haven’t got a car,” James says, shrugging. “I have got a fairly good racing broom, though, the Nimbus 1001— not the latest model anymore, but sound, wouldn’t change it for the world— does nought to seventy in under ten seconds.” He takes a swig of beer, oblivious to Vernon swelling with rage, a vein pulsing in his temple— from the look on his face Lily surmises that his Triumph Spitfire doesn’t do anything of the sort.

[the-whispers-of-death]

OOH "others try to date the two of you for clout" oh. my god. i am loving this situationship drama. i dont see as them dating eachother, just being 3 (way too close for comfort) close friends maybe (AS FAR AS THE MEDIA KNOWS AHEM WINK WINK)

maybe some asshole moviestar is getting all buddy buddy with the reader during filming, cause they seem like the easiest way to get "in" the inner circle they have. and like. kali and stone are on set and cant really do much atm and reader's on break while the crewmate handles their duties for a bit

something something asshole moviestar is trying and failing to charm the reader into answering a tonna *weird* questions about their relationship w stone and kali, or just trying to trick them into admitting theyre a throuple with microphones nearby and running. anything to get a share of that drama pie.

or on a different note, stone and kali being on a talk show/interview with someone, and they presumed they'd be just the two of them cause reader had to do set managment. only for the host to be like "oh, and! we managed to get our hands on a very special guest, who we think you'll like~" and maybe its just reader all dolled up for the show (most likely more nervous than stone cuz. hes never BEEN on cameras or in front of a live audience in this way before. always used to the behind the scenes stuff)

~ rusty

Actor!Stone's cold and stoic demeanor breaks in front of everyone he just starts going in on the talk show host, because clearly you're so uncomfortable and why the hell did they think this was a good idea?

Morning afterwards, there are posts and news articles about how Actor!Kali had to stop Stone from cursing the talkshow host out and Stone's competitors think "This is it, finally, a Stone scandal."

Only for the public to rally their support behind you and commend Stone on defending one of his boyfriends.

[royallyprincesslilly]

Title: The Gods' Arena of Pleasure 1 {Two-Shot}

Superman/Clark Kent/Kal-El x Reader/OFC Bia Dess

Warning: Action, Fighting, Mild Cursing, Backstory Heavy

Words: 4.7k

Synopsis: The city is under yet another attack and guess who comes to the rescue--The Justice League. With their muscle and brawn, and Bia Dess’ brains this new threat doesn’t stand a chance. 

Note: It has been a minute since I’ve written anything Superman/Clark Kent/Kal-El. Hell, anything Henry related. I may be rusty, so bear with me and accept my apologies beforehand. I think this is a one shot. At the time of writing this “note”, which is prior to actually writing the story, I am calling it a two shot. We’ll see. Hehehehehe! Also, I had the hardest time deciding what to call him. I am deadest on getting rid of Clark completely and going with Kal-El. Thoughts?

 ***ALSO, ROUND HERE SUPERMAN HAS AND WILL ALWAYS BE HENRY CAVILL UNLESS HE BECOMES IDRIS ELBA!!!! (I SAID WHAT I SAID)***

 As always, thank you for reading. I appreciate it.

If you enjoyed this, please, LIKE, COMMENT, REBLOG!!

***NOT Edited/Proofread***

***Slightly Interactive***

 "Again, Superman has just taken out the legs of this massive, massive alien that looks like some electronic tripod. This is unbelievable!”

 From the television in the packed cafe, you and tens of other people gasped and gawked at the coverage. Superman took a bone shattering hit from the alien figure and was sent at least twenty feet back but in seconds he was zipping through the air right back at it to return the favor and then some. His laser eyes beamed through the creature making it roar out in evident pain. The ground violently shook, and everyone screamed and tried to hold on to something.

 While those around you panicked, a thought occurred to you. For its scream to affect the Earth's surface, that told you that this could work to defeat it. Just then you watched the rest of the Justice League sans Aquaman rally around Superman each doing their part to take down the tripod adjacent creature.

 Another ear-piercing scream shook the cafe and everyone around you exclaimed showing their fear at the current turn of events.

 "Oh my god, look!"

 Everyone pressed close to the window and watched as a second and third tripod creature fell from the sky, each confronting a different justice league member. The one before Diana immediately went into action shooting a laser beam at her. Every molecule in your body fired up craving action. You almost wanted to run out the door and join the fight and you didn’t know why.

 Diana crossed her wrists in front of her blocking the beam with her Thymescarian crafted wrist guards. The beam ricocheted right back to the creature making an impact. Its deafening screech pierced the air and everyone including you covered your ears. The internal anguish you felt was powerful. It felt as if your eardrums vibrated threatening to rupture but the effects went deeper than that. Your internal organs quivered like a hand gripped each of them and squeezed. The effects were sudden but only lasted a moment for you but looking around at the others in the café you realized they were still being affected.

 A thought hit you then, "They’re vulnerable to their own weapons," you rushed out. Without thinking, you hurried out of the cafe and into the streets. Pressing your phone to your ear, you called your assistant Vicara.

 “Vee here.”

 “Vee,” you began but was cut off by another screech from one of the creatures.

 “Holy shit, tell me you’re not in town square right now!”

 “I’m in town square right now.”

 “Jesus Bia, get outta’ there. Aren’t you seeing this fight between Justice League and these creatures?”

 “Vee take a breath and listen to me,” you shouted.

 Across the street something crashed into the structure creating a large explosion sending rubble everywhere. You dived behind a car, covered your head and beared down hoping not to get crushed by the large pieces of rock that rained down.

 “Hello? Hello? Bia!”

 “I’m here. Listen, these things effect the Earth’s surface. The soundwaves they produce they use as a weapon. From what I’ve put together so far, they not only alter the tectonic plates under us, but internal organs.”

 “No way! That’s so cool,” Vee marveled.

 “Right! If they affect the surface like this what’s so say we can’t use that against them.”

 “Bia, that’s genius.”

 “I know, I thought of it.”

 It wasn’t meant to sound egotistic at all, it was just a matter-of-fact statement. For some reason you felt you came up with many genius ideas in a short amount of time.

 “If you were so much of a genius maybe you could figure out where you come from once and for all,” Vee teased.

 “Low blow, Vee. I need you to run the scans and tests of this area and find me a Hail Mary.”

 “The square has changed so much I need an arial,” Vee informed.

 You looked around the barren and disheveled streets that no doubt would take weeks to clean up trying to find something you could use. In the distance closer to the fight than you liked, you saw a skyscraper that would be perfect.

 “Of course,” you muttered unenthusiastically.

 “What?”

 You sighed, peeled off your blazer, examined the heels you wore trying to decide if they would hold up, then you began running right toward the fight like someone who had a death wish.

 “I’ll get you the arial. Give me ten minutes.”

 Just as Vee was telling you not to do what she thought you were doing, you ended the call and picked up the speed. Your entire being woke up feeding on the adrenaline coursing through you. While others would be apprehensive charging into a practical battlefield, you weren’t. A mechanical tentacle collided with the pavement a few feet in front of you creating a deep crater.

 It was so close to you that you didn’t have enough time to stop. Quick calculations gave you another route, but it involved some athleticism. Without thinking, you jumped into the air then came down onto the hood of an abandoned car to bounce off of it and over the thinnest part of the tentacle. Once your feet were firmly back on the ground you took off again hoping to get to the building soon.

 When you were close to the door a body fell from the sky ruining the entrance.

 “Oh my god.”

 Again, you didn’t think, you bolted to the body, climbing over rocks, beams and turned over cars. As you got to them, they sprang up sending a piece of cement into the air and several feet away.

 “Son of a--,” Diana groaned.

 “Are you okay?”

 Her head snapped to you and your eyes locked. Diana cocked her head to the side as she took you in. Every time you saw her there was something familiar about her, something that didn’t feel as if she were a stranger.

 “Bia? What’re you doing here?”

 You took a few steps to her, “I need to get to the top of this building.”

 “Why? This is no place for you. It’s dangerous.”

 “I gathered but I may have a way to end these things.”

 Diana’s attention zeroed in then. “How?”

 You quickly explained your theory to her trying to keep the science bit of it minimal. You found she was intelligent enough to grasp the concepts but there were times you’d gotten deeply technical and lost her. When you finished, she looked impressed.

 “And you came up with this in how long?”

 “2 or 3 minutes,” you nonchalantly replied.

 Diana scoffed then smiled. “Always impressive Bia. My people would love a quick, resourceful and seemingly fearless woman like you.”

 “The Amazonians?”

 She nodded. Saying the word gave you another sense of familiarity but you shook it off.

 “What do you need from us?”

 The creature screeched again. Both you and Diana cringed but didn’t cover your ears. She looked bothered but not to the core as the others in the café. Interesting you thought. “You’re already doing it. Oh, and one of its weaknesses is its own weapons. Use them against it.”

 Diana nodded then took off in one mind boggling leap and bound that shot her into the sky.

 “Wow.”

 After climbing over the rest of the rubble, you ran into the building to the elevator banks. It probably wasn’t a good idea seeing that it was possible to get trapped but it would take way too long to run up possibly a hundred flights of stairs. You may not have known where you came from, but you knew for certain you were not Superman. Once in the elevator, you pressed the top floor and took the ride.

 Halfway up, the building shook and the elevator stopped startling you.

 “That’s not good.”

 The elevator doors opened as the lights flickered. Wasting no time, you ran out in search of the stairwell, and it was then a call from Vee came in.

 “Yeah Vee.”

 “All tests and scans look optimal. Your theory will work.”

 “Have you made the preparations with Terra?”

 “All I need are those ariels.”

 “I’m still working on that.”

 You took off climbing up the stairs two at a time. You didn’t even focus on the number of them you climbed you just registered every turn. Round and round you went, when one flight was climbed you tackled the next in an endless loop. Before long, you’d zoned out completely. Though your muscles were beginning to burn and your back aching you continued. By the time you got to the top floor you were winded and almost ready to pass out.

Your heartrate returned to normal within a few moments. you then ran out onto the roof nearly falling on your ass when you realized just how closely the fight was happening to where you were. A fireball zoomed past your head arching over the building and colliding with the one beside you. Thus started a domino effect as the building went down on another and so on and on.

 “Shit!”

 It took a few moments for you to recover. When you did you scurried to the edge of the building and dug into your pocket pulling one of many devices you carried with you at all times. Tapping a sequenced code into its exterior brought the drone, Dot, that was no bigger than the length of your finger alive. Using your phone, you tapped into the drone and entered the coded instructions.

 Dot purred indicating it had understood the command and was ready to comply. You raised your hand into the air and watched it take flight. With the implant in your behind your ear you were able to see what it saw. It enabled you to work faster as you got data instantaneously. As you took the ride with Dot you kept close eye on your wristwatch that relayed the date readings.

 Soon you had an aerial view of the fight. Superman shot rays out his eyes which only made brief impact with one of the creatures before it self-sealed the wound. He and Diana were taking turns working together to confuse them. Diana swung her lasso wrapping it around one of them. She used the side of a building as leverage to withstand the strength of her opponent. Another ray shot out of the creature, but Superman zoomed so fast through the air that you lost sight of him momentarily. All that remained was the red and blue blur of his suit.

 When you saw him next, he’d slammed into the electronic being sending it off balance. The beam it shot went right through the second creature’s head. As it dropped on top of a building you shot your hands into the air and cheered seeing your theory was correct. All the attention turned to you then. Several smaller drones were released from the hull of the creatures, and they all took flight toward you.

 “Shit!”

 Making quick work of the next commands to Dot you paid closer attention to the data coming in while keeping an eye on the incoming swarm moving toward you. Unwaveringly you focused on the task at hand. Sometimes you didn’t know if the way your brain regulated danger and fear was a blessing or a curse. It allowed you to stay calm under pressure and work faster, it also woke you up making you feel like you used more of your brain than humanly possible. Fear and danger did different things to you than it did to others you realized.

 The first drone reached you ready for attack. you dipped down grabbed a stray welded bar and swung sending it flying through the air.

 “Huh. I imagined that should have been harder.”

 Shrugging, you went back to your watch. The data you wanted was coming in and your excitement picked up. A sharp sting of pain caught you off guard. You’d gotten so caught up in the date that you didn’t register the remaining drones closing in for the kill. You swung the bar again but missed and all of them went in for the kill.

 Suddenly, a beam of red light went through all of them at once, dropping them.

“Ms. Dess, funny meeting you here of all places,” Superman said.

 “Ha. You know me.”

 He smiled. “You really shouldn’t be up here. It’s dangerous.”

 “Oh, I get that, but I need this data to end this once and for all.”

 “Diana has told me your theory. Do you think it will work?”

 “I more than think. I’m never wrong and this data I’m seeing proves it.”

 “What do you need me to do?”

 “Don’t let that thing interrupt me or Dot.”

 “Dot?”

 You pointed to your drone overhead and he nodded.

 “Understood.”

 With that he rocketed into the air and back to the two remaining creatures joining the fight with Diana. You zeroed in on what you needed to do, then called Vee.

 “It’s coming in hot Vee. Get it done.”

 “Got it. I’ll need five minutes.”

 “Your get two.”

 “So bossy!”

 You tapped into your watch trying to connect your implant to Terra, one of many disks you’d submerged into the earth’s surface around the world. If everything went smoothly, you’d be able to communicate with Dot and Terra at the same time to open the sinkhole. The pressure and gravity would take care of the rest while the machinery went haywire making them self-combust taking each other out. It was a flawless plan.

 “Now, Bia!”

 You took a deep breath and initialized the connection. Connecting subdural with one device took control but two simultaneously took strength and power. It always put you on your ass for a few hours afterward. It wasn’t pretty. You took a deep breath then went in. The electrical surge that coursed through you made your body tremble, so you exerted some more control to override impulse.

 Gritting your teeth, you proceeded to link the connection with Dot and Terra logging your consciousness into them to input the commands in. Long minutes ticked away and every one of them had an impact. You’d tested this for years and had only been able to sustain it for minutes tops.

 “Four minutes, Bia. Get out now or you’ll fry your brain.”

 Ignoring Vee, you dug deeper. You could hear fighting around you and knew Superman was probably holding the tide of new drones back.

 “I have you,” Superman grunted.

 For some reason, you felt secure knowing that.

 “Bia your vitals are plummeting. Get! Out!”

 “Al—most there.”

 Terra’s command center complied then connected to the others around the city. They were charging up to centralize the shock to your location. It was critical you got the coordinates precise. You’d have hell to pay with the Governor if you sank town square. Suddenly an image took over your mind. You were in a field of grass overlooking a cliff at the ocean. All around you, you heard battle cries, swords clashing, armor colliding together then the yodeling came. It sounded like tens, no hundreds of voices coming together as one making a war cry that brought tears to your eyes. You turned realizing then you were wearing golden armor over one of your shoulders, golden corseted armor across your bodice, thigh high boots and held a sword in one hand and a massive staff in the other.

 “Bia!”

 You dropped to one knee and recognized the strong coppery taste in your mouth. Blood.

 “You’re crashing!”

 Finishing the computation, you sent the order to execute.

 “It’s done.”

 Suddenly the ground around you trembled and broke apart. As the earth crumbled a sinkhole about a mile in radius opened up and down the creatures went. As they dropped their screech echoed around sending nearly all living mortal things to their knees. You gritted your teeth as your brain rattled. Again, you were transported back to that field. Before you, hundreds of women had their weapons raised yodeling. These were faces you recognized but didn’t know, faces of people you knew. You must have because the warmth rushing through you felt awfully like affection, pride and joy. You knew this place.

 Pain ricocheted through your midsection as you were hoisted into the air. A tentacle wrapped around your stomach and pulled you over the ledge of the building. It slowly registered that you were falling and being dragged along for the ride with one of those tentacled bastards. The sinkhole was getting closer and closer.

 “Fuck!”

 You were spent from your connection with the drones and had no more fight. Looking up, you saw Superman beaming down to you with his arm outstretched. As everything went in slow motion, you reached for him, but your hands didn’t touch. You remained just out of reach. His eyes glowed red and you closed yours not wanting to see your end. You could feel the shift in your surroundings. The coolness around you told you that you’d entered the earth’s surface.

 The rest seemed to happen within seconds. The heat of fire against your back made you scream out and squeeze your eyes tighter. It would be over soon you told yourself. Not a bad way to go out you thought. You’d done some good. Another image came to mind, and it was of you falling into murky water a color that you’d never seen before. It looked otherworldly. As you sank into it you smiled. A wave of calm took over though you should have felt terror. You knew you were courting death. Strong arms wrapped around you as the tight squeeze around your midsection subsided. Strong wind whipped across your skin and through your hair and with every few seconds it got colder.

 “Ms. Dess. Ms. Dess? Can you hear me?”

 Lite taps across your cheeks had you fluttering your eyes open. Deep azure ones peered back at you with so much concern.

 “Superman?”

 He sighed and the wrinkles in his brow evened out.

 “Thank god, I thought we lost you there.”

 You looked around you realizing you were among the clouds.

 “Oh my god.”

 “Hold tight, I’ll have you back on solid ground in a few,” Superman said.

 You obeyed and wrapped yourself tightly against him realizing then your legs were also wrapped around him quite intimately. He must have realized it at the same time you did because you felt his muscled frame tense as he cleared his throat and rocketed through the air. Once he put you on solid ground your knees buckled but you never crashed to the ground because Superman’s arms were around you again.

 “Are you all right?”

 “I just need my lab,” you panted.

 “Care for another ride?”

 You nodded as he picked you up once again and took off. This time you drifted off unable to fight the crash of your system.

  ~~~~~~

 -Two Days Later-

 You gasped for air as you bolted upright. It all was blurry but through the blur you could make out familiar things. The steady beep of the machine said your vitals were mostly back to normal. Slowly your sight returned to normal and when it did you saw you were still hooked up to and IV.

 “Uggh.”

 You yanked the needle out of your arm and pulled the leads off of your body which sent the monitors into chaos. Within seconds the door busted open and in stormed Vee.

 “Jesus Christ. Finally, you’re awake.”

 “Finally?”

 You swung your legs over the edge of the bed and stood.

 “Yes finally. You’ve been out for a long time,” Vee clarified.

 “How many hours this time?”

 You walked out of the room toward the pit.

 “Forty-Eight.”

 You stumbled and spun around to her. “2 days?”

 “Yep. 2 freaking days. You were dead to the world and going through some very creepy metamorphosis might I add.”

 “What do you mean?”

 “Come, I’ll show you,” Vee finished leading the way to the pit where you usually huddled around every device you owned and created. It was the information center of your lab.

 Once there you checked a few computers wanting to find out the status of town square.

 “Has the Governor demanded my head yet?”

 “No. Superman and Wonder Woman are taking all the blame.”

 You looked at her in shock. “Really?”

 She nodded then beamed a recording from the pad she held in her hands to the massive screen in the front of the room. The video began with Superman laying your shivering body down then your trusted medical team pouring in to attach every device to your body. As they did, none of the readings made any sense. The lights flickered, machines went out of whack then stopped working and had to be replaced three time.

 As they worked to stabilize you, you thrashed across the bed, screamed, and fought against yourself. It almost looked like you were possessed or going through some metamorphosis as Vee had said. The video progressed with your vitals never stabilizing. They went from dangerous to impossible for the human body. Several times through the video for it to make sense you should have flatlined. When you were left alone the audio picked up your mumblings, conversations with yourself in a language you didn’t know. One word in particular stuck out. You paused the video and replayed it over and over.

 “Matpa.”

 “What the hell is that?”

 Suddenly the answer came to you as if you’d known it your entire life.

 “Sword.”

 Vee stared at you as if you’d grown another head. “How do you know that?”

 You shrugged because you genuinely had no clue how you knew it, but you were sure of it.

 “What if you’re going through a memory that your subconscious has repressed? What if the only way for you to have access to it is in an unconscious state after massive cerebral shock?”

 That sounded plausible. For the first time in years, you felt hope. You didn’t know anything about who you were beyond your name and even that you weren’t sure about. Bia didn’t ring a bell; it didn’t feel like you. Sure, you’d made it your own over the years, but it only felt like a piece of you.

 “We should try it out,” you suggested.

 “What! No! Bia in order to try that out we have to replicate the same conditions you were under.”

 “Okay, we can do it.”

 “No! You were in a neural connection with 2 drones for over seven minutes. You were near brain dead Bia.”

 “I have you here this time.

 The ring of a bell paused your conversation.

 “Who’s that?”

 Vee put on the surveillance feed and standing at the lab entrance was Superman himself—well Clark Kent 2.0 to be exact.

 “It’s damn he sure cleans up nice,” Vee said making you laugh.

 “I’m going to change you can let him in and bring him to my office.”

 You walked away back to the room you’d woken in and went through the clothes you left there for nights you worked late. Deciding on a sky-blue ankle-length suit that hugged every curve you proceeded to clean yourself up a little and change. By the time you walked out and made it to your office, he’d been waiting for a little over ten minutes.

 “Mr. Kent, funny meeting you here of all places,” you said as you walked in and around to your desk.

Once in front of him, you watched his eyes rake over your body before coming back to your face. Bold, you thought.

“Ms. Dess.”

 “Or should I call you Mr. El?”

 He smiled but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “If this were Krypton maybe but on Earth, I’m Clark. You know that.”

 “I must say I think I prefer Kal-El.”

 “Why?”

 “It rolls off the tongue better, and suits you better.”

 your eyes lingered while your speech faltered. He looked in thought.

 “I’m here to check on you. Are you all right?”

 You held your arms out then spun for him. “Quite alright. thank you.”

 “You don’t have one scratch or burn on you. Impressive.”

 “I’ve always been a good healer.”

 He nodded and then you decided you’d call hi, Kal-El.”

 “We may be on Earth, but I prefer Kal-El.”

 You came around and leaned against the front of your desk. “What can I help you with today, Kal-El?”

 He studied you longer. The look on his face was not an annoyed one, or a confused one. It was a pleased look. He was pleased.

 “Without you a few days ago I think things would have gone very differently. I’m here to thank you.”

 You smiled then nodded, “Always happy to help.”

 Silence returned to the room and neither of you rushed to fill it with words. Since you’d gotten to know of him then about him over the years, it had been like this. There was always this easy silence and comfort between you that never felt off.

 “Even if it does put your life in danger,” he said making no effort to hide the displeasure in his tone.

 “I do nothing more than you or the other meta-humans. Do what you can to save who you can. What makes me any different?”

 “You’re not a meta-human. You don’t have super speed, or strength of electricity, or even control over water. You are defenseless.”

 He almost sounded worried.

 “I may not have any of those things but in no way am I defenseless.”

 He cocked his head to the side as he took you in some more. “I have never known someone so—fearless, so brave. It is impressive—you’re impressive.”

 Your eyes lingered on his and something strange happened then, your heart did a double beat. You clapped your hand over your chest, but it only happed once. He lurched to you with his hand outstretched.

 “Are you all right?”

 He was beside you with his hand at the midway point of your back. His scent circled you and immediately reminded you of Bergamot, Cedar, and clean linen. The heat radiating off of his body was so intense your body instantly reacted. You felt the hairs along your body stand on ends, the oxygen in your lungs being sucked out and your entire body tingle and hum. It was the strangest thing you’d ever felt, but oddly enough it wasn’t off-putting.

 “I’m—I’m—all right.”

 “Are you sure? Sit for a moment.”

 He ushered you to a seat then kneeled in front of you peering into your eyes with so much tenderness you could have cried.

 “I’m okay.”

 He did not look convinced, but he did not press you further.

 “I think it’s because I haven’t eaten in two days.”

 “Okay. Let me take you to lunch. Or we could eat here, and you could show me your latest projects.”

 You smirked at his sweetness. “I accept, but I have a better idea for a location.”

 You smirked at the questioning look he gave you no doubt trying to figure out what you had up your sleeve.

To Be Continued.....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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