#S&B Chapter 22
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stromuprisahat · 6 months ago
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Shadow and Bone- Chapters 3, 4, 14 & 22
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Siege and Storm- Chapters 4, 22 & 23
We might not know what do Shadow Summoners summon, since it doesn't have anything to do with light, but apparently it has its own sound effects.
Or someone does them just for the show.
But hey- it certainly runs in the family- mommy dearest does it too:
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Ruin and Rising- Chapter 11
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animusrox · 20 days ago
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MY LETTERBOXD
TOP 10
1.    Dune: Part Two 2.    The Substance 3.    Hundreds of Beavers 4.    Anora 5.    Dìdi 6.    Nosferatu 7.    Nickel Boys 8.    The First Omen 9.    Sing Sing 10.    Civil War
GRADE A 
11.    No Other Land 12.    Robot Dreams 13.    The Peasants 14.    Conclave 15.    Smile 2 16.    Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes 17.    We Grown Now 18.    Memoir of a Snail 19.    The Last Stop in Yuma County 20.    A Real Pain 21.    It’s What’s Inside 22.    Red Rooms 23.    Sometimes I Think About Dying 24.    A Different Man 25.    Better Man 26.    The Brutalist 27.    Heretic 28.    His Three Daughters 29.    Hard Truths 30.    Evil Does Not Exist 31.    Late Night with the Devil 32.    Alien: Romulus 33.    MadS 34.    Rebel Ridge 35.    Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person 36.    Challengers 37.    Strange Darling 38.    Flow 39.    All We Imagine as Light 40.    Longlegs 41.    Saturday Night 42.    The Apprentice 43.    Terrifier 3 44.    The Seed of the Sacred Fig 45.    A Complete Unknown 46.    A Quiet Place: Day One 47.    Juror #2 48.    Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl 49.    Oddity 50.    Kneecap 51.    Touch 52.    Mayhem! 53.    The Order 54.    In a Violent Nature 55.    Small Things Like These 56.    Twisters 57.    Hit Man 58.    Woman of the Hour 59.    Stopmotion 60.    The Wild Robot 61.    Deadpool & Wolverine
[Tap 'Keep Reading' For My Full Graded List]
GRADE B
62.    The Devil’s Bath 63.    The Bikeriders 64.    Sasquatch Sunset 65.    The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim 66.    Monkey Man 67.    Last Straw 68.    Abigail 69.    Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga 70.    Tiger Stripes 71.    The Book of Clarence 72.    The Instigators 73.    I’m Still Here 74.    The Coffee Table 75.    The Return 76.    Problemista 77.    Trap 78.    MaXXXine 79.    Love Lies Bleeding 80.    You’ll Never Find Me 81.    Between the Temples 82.    Marmalade 83.    Blitz 84.    Speak No Evil 85.    Asphalt City 86.    Piece By Piece 87.    Wicked Little Letters 88.    We Live in Time 89.    Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story 90.    V/H/S/Beyond 91.    The Dead Don’t Hurt 92.    Suncoast 93.    Maria 94.    My Old Ass 95.    Immaculate 96.    The Truth vs. Alex Jones 97.    Cuckoo 98.    Daddio 99.    We Were Dangerous 100.    The Outrun 101.    Infested 102.    Monolith 103.    Azrael 104.    The Last Showgirl 105.    Babes 106.    The Fire Inside 107.    Lisa Frankenstein 108.    Here 109.    Thelma 110.    Queer 111.    Out of Darkness 112.    Y2K 113.    Handling the Undead 114.    Bad Boys: Ride or Die 115.    I Saw the TV Glow 116.    Arcadian 117.    Transformers One 118.    Never Let Go 119.    The Piano Lesson 120.    Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F 121.    Wicked 122.    Gladiator II 123.    Carry-On 124.    Blink Twice 125.    Self Reliance 126.    Fly Me to the Moon 127.    Boy Kills World 128.    Kinds of Kindness 129.    Nutcrackers 130.    Skincare 131.    Ezra 132.    The Front Room 133.    Mothers’ Instinct 134.    Inside Out 2 135.    Omni Loop 136.    Girls State 137.    Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 138.    Your Monster 139.    Babygirl 140.    Mufasa: The Lion King 141.    The Greatest Hits 142.    Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 143.    Magpie
GRADE C 
144.    The People’s Joker 145.    Nightbitch 146.    Road House 147.    Young Woman and the Sea 148.    Am I OK? 149.    Music by John Williams 150.    The Killer’s Game 151.    Oh, Canada 152.    Wolfs 153.    Sting 154.    The Idea of You 155.    Don’t Move 156.    1992 157.    Werewolves 158.    The Killer 159.    The Shadow Strays 160.    Rez Ball 161.    MoviePass, MovieCrash 162.    The Fall Guy 163.    Lee 164.    The End 165.    Godzilla × Kong: The New Empire 166.    The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare 167.    Madame Web 168.    Caddo Lake 169.    Watchmen: Chapter II 170.    Watchmen: Chapter I 171.    Salem’s Lot 172.    The Exorcism 173.    The Watchers 174.    Kill 175.    Jackpot! 176.    Rumours 177.    Damsel 178.    My Spy: The Eternal City 179.    Drive-Away Dolls 180.    IF 181.    Spaceman 182.    Joy 183.    Joker: Folie à Deux 184.    Megalopolis 185.    Monster Summer 186.    Lovely, Dark, and Deep 187.    Bob Marley: One Love 188.    Kraven the Hunter 189.    Moana 2 190.    I Used to Be Funny 191.    Goodrich 192.    September 5 193.    Hold Your Breath 194.    Apartment 7A
GRADE F
195.    The Platform 2 196.    Arthur the King 197.    Shirley 198.    Back to Black 199.    Land of Bad 200.    Poolman 201.    Emilia Pérez 202.    The Room Next Door 203.    I.S.S. 204.    Brothers 205.    Knox Goes Away 206.    Mean Girls 207.    Krazy House 208.    Slingshot 209.    Mr. Crocket 210.    Argylle 211.    Sonic the Hedgehog 3 212.    Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 213.    Afraid 214.    Tuesday 215.    Spellbound 216.    Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Three 217.    Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Two 218.    Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part One 219.    The American Society of Magical Negroes 220.    Subservience 221.    Time Cut 222.    Night Swim 223.    Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire 224.    Red One 225.    This Is Me…Now 226.    Despicable Me 4 227.    The Union 228.    Ricky Stanicky 229.    The Beekeeper 230.    Honeymoonish 231.    Hot Frosty 232.    The Deliverance 233.    The Garfield Movie 234.    Lift 235.    Atlas 236.    Trigger Warning 237.    House of Spoils 238.    Borderlands 239.    Tarot 240.    Venom: The Last Dance
Bottom 10
241.    Imaginary 242.    Unfrosted 243.    It Ends With Us 244.    Dear Santa 245.    The Crow 246.    The Strangers: Chapter 1 247.    Harold and the Purple Crayon 248.    Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver 249.    Dirty Angels 250.    Miller’s Girl
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bbkoolkatz · 3 months ago
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𝖋𝖆𝖙𝖊 𝖈𝖍𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖓!
comment to be added to the taglist for this story!
»»————> presenting;
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pairing: barbarian!prince! Katsuki Bakugo x chief!daughter! reader.
synopsis: an arranged marriage to the prince of the barbarian clan to save your kingdom from being wiped out... cliche innit. stem's off the MHA fantasy au!
content warnings: FEMALE READER! strangers to lovers! slow burn! MHA fantasy AU! adult themes! arranged marriage! sexual content! rough n gruff Katsuki! mentions of blood in a lot of scenes! rituals! dub-con in some scenes! (for caution, because y'all can't understand each other) if u're religious, PLEASE PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!! angst! fluff! smut! WARNINGS APPLY TO ALL CHAPTERS!!! and are there to exercise caution!
updated on Wednesdays and Saturdays!
𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖔𝖌𝖚𝖊↓; 2.5k+ words
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»»————> LORE! [you can continue without reading all this]
the barbarian clan is known for conquering any village, kingdom and/or empire. they are brutes, usually settling anything by waging war and desecrating the land.
the barbarians speak in old Norse! conversing is difficult...
Katsuki is the only son and prince of the barbarian clan.
barbarians are stronger and bigger in size than regular humans.
your kingdom is ruled by your father—called cheif instead of king—who's a big softy and doesn't see the point in things like war... he prefers to talk things out and leave casualties to a zero. even if that means marrying off his only daughter...
you are the only daughter of your father which only makes you more precious and worthy of bearing the heir of both your kingdom and their clan.
tetsugami; a huge, semi intelligent crab. [there are few now as people have hunted them down to the double digits.]
crimson dragons; giant flying lizards. [they are very friendly despite their mean looking faces & their scales are extremely valuable.]
(more coming soon)
Old Norse Alphabet;
1. A/a- Pronunciation: ah as in "father."
2. B/b- Pronunciation: b as in "bed."
3. D/d- Pronunciation: d as in "dog."
4. Ð/ð (called eth)- Pronunciation: Soft th as in "this."
5. E/e- Pronunciation: eh as in "bed."
6. F/f- Pronunciation: f as in "fox." Between vowels, pronounced as v.
7. G/g- Pronunciation: g as in "go." After certain vowels, it softens to a y sound.
8. H/h- Pronunciation: h as in "house."
9. I/i- Pronunciation: ee as in "see."
10. J/j- Pronunciation: y as in "yes."
11. K/k- Pronunciation: k as in "king."
12. L/l- Pronunciation: l as in "lamp."
13. M/m- Pronunciation: m as in "man."
14. N/n- Pronunciation: n as in "name."
15. O/o- Pronunciation: aw as in "law."
16. P/p- Pronunciation: p as in "pen."
17. R/r- Pronunciation: Rolled r, like in Spanish or Italian.
18. S/s- Pronunciation: s as in "see."
19. T/t- Pronunciation: t as in "top."
20. U/u- Pronunciation: oo as in "moon."
21. V/v- Pronunciation: Often interchangeable with f, pronounced like English v.
22. Y/y- Pronunciation: Similar to ee but with rounded lips, like French u in lune.
23. Þ/þ (called thorn)- Pronunciation: Hard th as in "thorn."
24. Æ/æ- Pronunciation: ai as in "air."
25. Ö/ö- Pronunciation: ur as in "bird" (without the r).
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M-LIST!
𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖔𝖌𝖚𝖊 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 1 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 2 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 3.5 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 3.5
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marriage. the best thing that could ever happen to a girl. all your life, you'd imagined being a bride; delicately decorating your hair with wild tulips, adorning your body in silver and white silk. spending the rest of your life with the person you love most.
now you're here, kneeling in front of a bonfire beside a complete stranger, cloaked in boar fur and animal skeletons, as the thick, warm blood of a lamb is poured over you. your marriage ceremony... filled with unfamiliar faces—including your now-husband—and traditions. drinking, dancing, and celebrating the union.
"nú ger hana konu þína!" a spiked-blonde woman, with an uncanny resemblance to the man kneeling beside you, announced, raising her hands in the air. you looked around confused as ever, as he leaned in, blood-stained fingers pulling you in by the back of your neck. your nose scrunched at the metallic taste of blood that his tongue shoved past your teeth. you push him away, gasping at the foreign feeling.
"hvat í helvíti, kona!?" he frowned, turning away from you, mumbling something under his breath, that you didn’t quite catch. not that you'd understand what he was carrying on about anyways...
the spiked-blonde woman—whom you guessed to be some sort of priestess or elder—shot you a sharp glare, her arms lowering slowly as she spoke in a hushed yet commanding tone. her words were incomprehensible to you, but the crowd seemed to murmur in agreement. your husband huffed, his frown deepening as he looked at you over his shoulder. you were kneeling there, with eyes pressing on you from all directions. the fire crackled in the silence, and the warmth of it did little to ease the chill settling in your chest.
two women approached you, their faces painted with intricate swirls of red and black. they tugged you to your feet without a word and began guiding you toward a tent decorated with bones, animal pelts, and dried herbs hanging from the entrance. inside, it was dimly lit by a few small lanterns. the air smelled of earth, smoke, and something sweet but unfamiliar.
they gestured for you to sit on a low stool and began pulling at your ceremonial garb, their movements quick but not unkind. your protests fell on deaf ears as they stripped you of the heavy fur cloak, wiping the blood from your skin with damp cloths. one of them muttered something, shaking her head as she scrubbed at your face. it was clear they didn't understand you either, but their disapproving looks were universal.
by the time they were finished, you were dressed in a simpler gown of rough-spun fabric, a far cry from the silks you were used to and had imagined for your wedding night. the older of the two handed you a wooden cup filled with a thick, bitter scented liquid. she pointed to it, then your mouth, her expression stern. reluctantly, you sipped it, grimacing at the taste. the woman nodded, seemingly satisfied, before they left you alone in the tent.
you sat there, staring at your hands, trying to gather your thoughts, but instead, they drift back to just a few mere hours ago...
-
"arranged?" you seethed in disbelief, looking at your defeated father, seated across from you at the council table, surrounded by old wrinkled elders.
"yes, daughter," he affirmed, voice devoid of emotion. "war against the barbarian clan would destroy everything we've built—"
"so they made a proposal, a very very rare one," one of the wart ridden elders interrupted-
"to make an arrangement," another continued-
"one that cannot be broken once forged," -
"a marriage,"-
"your sacrifice would save us all, child," the eldest croaked, concluding the proposal, "and as the chief's daughter, it is your duty to your people." one after the other, they all slowly turned their heads toward you, kneeling at the center of their godforsaken grey gazes.
your eyes flickered between them, their crinkled foreheads making you feel sick to your stomach as their words wrung your heartstrings. "marriage is sacred... it can only happen once. i don't know this person that you'd like me to be bound to for the rest of my life..." you snarled, stating the very obvious to those expired raisins.
"i'm afraid you misunderstood us, girl," the eldest fumed, weakly slamming his fist down, "it is arranged. you will wed the heir of the barbarian clan. that is why you have been summoned." firmly raising from his seat to intimidate you.
"that is my daughter you're speaking to, elder... as old as you are, mind your tongue." your father shifted his attention to you. "unfortunately, he is right, my dear. it's already been arranged, and you are to be wed at sundown."
dumbfounded... that's the look on your face. they we're giving you away to complete strangers... and at sundown!? despite all the colorful words that wanted to fly out your mouth, you grit your teeth and settled with a curt nod. you do have a duty to your people.
though it wasn't supposed to happen like this. it was supposed to be the happiest day of your life. you only get married once in your entire life after all.
-
the sound of heavy footsteps outside the tent snapped you out of your thoughts. the flap was pulled aside roughly, and your husband stepped in. his presence filled the small space, his broad shoulders and wild blonde hair almost brushing the top of the tent as his crimson eyes bore into you, a mixture of frustration and curiosity in his gaze.
he said something, his voice sharp and demanding, but you could only blink up at him in confusion. "i don't understand you," you said softly, shaking your head, as your voice trembled, despite your efforts to stay composed.
he huffed, combing a hand through his hair before pointing at you and then gesturing to the pallet of furs in the corner of the tent. his tone suggested he was giving you an order. when you didn't move, he groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"leggjask. sofa." he barked, his frustration very much evident. when you still didn't respond, he crossed the space between you in two long strides, grabbing your wrist and pulling you to your feet. the roughness of his grip made you wince, but he didn't seem to notice as he guided you toward the furs. he pointed again, his expression leaving no room for argument.
you hesitated, thinking that maybe he wanted you to lie down, and slowly you lower yourself onto the makeshift bed. he stood over you for a moment, his intense gaze making your skin prickle, before he turned and left the tent without another word.
you let out a shaky breath, your heart pounding in your chest. you were alone in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by strangers who you couldn't even get to know, married to a man you didn't understand. tears pricked at the corners of your eyes with the overwhelming thoughts, but you blinked them away, refusing to let yourself break down on your wedding night.
the two women that cleaned you up earlier came back with him, and they began to remove his furs. you quickly averted your eyes, feeling a heat crawling up your neck, as the thought of them removing more than just his cloak tainted your mind.
"nei!" the old one scolded, "Þú verður að líta!" ... why are they babbling their jibberish when they know you don't understand them... "she said, 'you must look'," the younger translated, seeing the confused wrinkle in your brows. oh thank the gods! you smiled briefly at the familiar words before coming back to your senses.
"must i?" you blush, slowly turning back to them.
"yes," she smiled, cleansing your huge husband before your eyes, "if you do not, you give chance for another woman," she carefully rubbed the damp cloth over his bloody forehead while you let the thought sink in.
"leave," you softly ordered, "I'll take care of my husband," and without hesitation she whispered to the old lady, they dropped everything and left. ain't no way you were about to let your husband be seduced away on the night of your union...
gently, you wrung the cloth of most of its water and brought it back up to his face, wiping away the dust and dried blood that covered little scars freckling his almost perfect face.
his eyes burned through your skull with his staring, slowly scanning over the curves and dips of your body as you moved. your finger danced over his skin, tracing the scar on his right cheekbone, moving down to brush past his thin lips, wiping away the remnants of dirt on his well built, chest. he seemed to relax against your touch, closing his piercing crimson eyes, and hanging his head back to let you do your work.
so soft... and smooth... the texture of his skin isn't what you expected. who would've thought that such a rough looking barbarian had the skin of a baby? would explain all the scars though. like this one running down his neck to his collarbone, and these over here trailing down his firm biceps. you almost forgot you were supposed to be cleaning him up... you've finished the upper half and tugged at the leather holding his pants up, struggling to get them undone.
a low chuckle rumbled in his throat and your eyes shot up up to his smirking face, "what's so funny?" you quiver, frowning, as he shifted to stand, undoing the leather and dropping his pants to the dirt floor. "þar," he rasped, smug at your flustered state.
having those women clean him up was starting to seem more and more reasonable now... nevertheless, you dippied the cloth in the bowl of warm water and squeezed it, before wiping at his lower abdomen. you're so adorable between his legs like that, avoiding his eyes at all costs, while you wipe your way down and around, to his back. again, your hands moved of their own accord, twitching along the scupletd bumps on his back.
he grunted softly as your fingers worked over the knots in his shoulders, his broad frame shifting slightly under your touch. emboldened by the lack of protest, you continued, pressing harder into the muscles along his spine. his head dipped forward, and a low sigh escaped his lips, sending a wave of warmth through you. he brought a large hand up to yours on his shoulders and guided you in front of him.
both your eyes reflected in each other's for a long moment before you tried to break the silence, your words sounding like nonsensical ringing in his ears. he pulled you into his chest, just holding you there in an attempt to shush you, closing his eyes as his brows pinched over them.
"what's your name?" you asked softly, your voice barely audible over the crackling of the distant bonfire. you paused, waiting for a response, but he didn't seem to react, his eyes still closed as if savoring the moment. you tried again, a little louder this time, "what is your name?" you pointed at his chest.
he peeped through his eyelids, a sliver of vermilion meeting yours with a flicker of confusion. "nafnið mitt?" he asked, the foreign words rolling off his tongue. he tilted his head, as though trying to piece together what you were asking.
you frowned, gesturing to yourself. "i'm…" you said your name slowly, pointing at your chest, then gestured to him, raising your brows expectantly.
he blinked, mildly confused, before a smirk tugged at his lips. "Katsuki," he said, his voice low and rough. he tapped his chest, meeting your eyes again. "Kat-su-ki," he repeated, in the same manner you pronounced yours, ensuring you understood.
"Ka-tsu-ki…" you tested the name on your tongue, the unfamiliar syllables feeling oddly satisfying. his smirk widened slightly, pleased that you had caught on.
you nodded, offering a small smile in return, then gestured to yourself again. "my name is…" you repeated your name slowly once more, hoping to bridge the language barrier. his brows furrowed, lips moving as he attempted to mimic the unfamiliar sounds. his effort was clumsy but endearing, and you couldn't help the small laugh that escaped you.
his frown deepened at your amusement. he murmured your name under his breath a few more times, his pronunciation improving with each attempt, until he finally said it with enough accuracy to make you grin.
"that's right!" you cheered softly, nodding in approval.
he held your gaze for a moment longer, his expression unreadable, before his hand came up to gently brush against your cheek. his touch was surprisingly tender, his calloused fingers rough against your skin, but warm.
"sofa," he murmured again, his tone softer this time. he gestured toward the furs, his crimson eyes watching you closely.
you hesitated, unsure if he was commanding you or simply suggesting something. this is it. you thought, heart racing, as you slowly nodded, giving him a glance over your shoulder, before crawling onto the makeshift bed.
he stood for a moment, watching as you adjusted yourself among the furs, before he joined, sinking beside your head with his weight on his palms, caging you in under him. his hair fell beautifully over his narrow, glowing eyes, his nose brushing against yours as he lowered to your quivering lips, sucking them between his, tugging at your plump bottom lip with his teeth.
footsteps thumping right outside your tent made your heart race, thinking someone was coming, but he didn't stop, nor did he care, he hiked up the thin fabric of your dress, his large hand caressing your upper thigh as he shed the leather covering his— good god... you look down and your eyes widened. he smirked and hooked the strap of your dress with a finger to pull it down, and expose your heaving chest.
"Katsuki!" the blonde woman from earlier yelled, barging into the tent, "Tak hendur þínar af henni, þú þarft at vera við ráðsafn. núna!"
"För Guðs sakar, kona!" he yelled back, moving himself off you to sit. he looked up at her worried frown... "Ek kem..." you had no idea what was happening... eyes darting between them as their words flowed out of their mouth and their hands moved in frustration as they spoke.
katsuki looked back at you, a worried expression overtaking the lustful one he had mere seconds ago. he kneeled down kissed you, then threw on his cloak and left. the woman rested a comforting hand on your shoulder, gently smiling before she too headed out, leaving you alone, following behind your husband.
»»————> 𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖘𝖑𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘; <————««
❈ "Nú ger hana konu þína." - now make her your wife
❈ "hvat í helvíti, kona!?" - what in the hell woman!?
❈ "þar" - there
❈ "nafnið mitt?" - my name?
❈ "leggjask" lie down
❈ "sofa" - sleep
❈ "Katsuki! Tak hendur þínar af henni, þú þarft at vera við ráðsafn. núna!"- katsuki! take your hands off her, you need to be at the council gathering. now!
❈ "För Guðs sakar, kona!" - for gods sake, woman!
❈ "Ek kem..." - I'm coming...
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hope u enjoyed and look forward to more! don't forget to comment to be added to the taglist! mwah~♡
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mlist!
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spencereidluver · 1 year ago
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Spencer Reid A-Z Masterlist
these are written as a story with each letter being a new chapter. I recommend reading in chronological order for story purposes, but these could also work as one shots.
unless explicitly stated, all my fics ignore anything related to jeid, and in my universe, maeve simply does not exist. i do like the idea that spencer and ethan may have had a romance in college
the following events are removed from canon: anything related to a jeid romance, maeve (i just can't have reader and spencer break up for her character to have her moment)
the following events are what i believe to have happened before this timeline began: spencer and ethan had a small (non-sexual) romance in college which is the real reason why they hadn't spoken in years, spencer is a virgin, lila archer events did occur, however i do not believe he had real feelings for her, he was just doing his job (i do think he enjoyed the kiss though, because who wouldn't)
I’ve put them in a timeline and they are further categorized by emojis
Have recommendations? Visit my Spencer Reid A-Z Recommendations to submit your ideas!
key:
🧸- fluff
🔥- smut
❤️‍🩹- angst
🕰️- coming soon
2008
january
03: you join the BAU (age 24)
july
07: a is for About Time 🧸
23: b is for Boy Genius? 🧸
august
09: c is for Case by Case 🧸
25: d is for Diana🧸
september
12: e is for Even Guys Like Me? 🧸❤️‍🩹
15: f is for First Date 🧸
october
03: g is for Girlfriend 🧸
12: Spencer’s 27th Birthday
31: h is for Hold my Hand 🧸
november
07: i is for I knew it! 🧸
12: Henry LaMontagne is born
17: j is for Just So You Know… 🧸
december
05: k is for Kissing Isn’t Enough 🔥
14: l is for Lover Boy 🧸
22: m is for Merry Christmas 🧸
2009
january
01: n is for New Years 🕰️
26: o is for🕰️
february
02: p is for Pretty Boy 🕰️
11: jj returns from maternity leave
18: q is for Quiet 🕰️
march
09: r is for Reid? 🕰️
26: s is for Sitter 🕰️
april
10: t is for Two Time 🕰️
19: u is for
may
07: v is for
26: w is for
june
5: x is for
29: y is for
july
16: z is for
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harrysfolklore · 2 years ago
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this picture i need it in a bubba blurb ASAPPPPP -🫶
OKAY HEREEEEE
MASTERLIST | MY PATREON
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“Daddy?”
A soft voice calling for him made its way to Harry’s ears, a voice that belonged to his three year old son, who was curiously peeking his head inside his home studio.
Ever since his little boy was born, Harry made the decision to switch everything up regarding his career, taking longer breaks between albums and tours and building a full equipped music studio in his home. He just didn’t want to be away from his wife and son, specially during his first years of life.
“Hey buddy, what are you doing over there?” Harry said as he moved his hands away from the piano tiles and looked over at the little boy who was just a replica of him: same green eyes, dimples and brown curls. It blew anyone’s mind when they saw how alike they looked.
He had been working on the same melody all day, he was in the process of writing his 5th studio album, the first one as a father, and he wanted everything to be perfect. The album was all about fatherhood, falling in love with his wife all over again and overall this new chapter of his life, he was happier than ever and that’s what the songs he had been writing told.
“Come here, baby,” Harry opened his arms, motioning the little boy to join him “I’ve missed you, would you like a cuddle?” his son curiously dragged his small feet across the room, Harry had noticed how much he liked his studio, and how fond of music his son was, always asking his mummy to play his favorite songs around the house and his daddy to sing for him. It warmed Harry’s heart every single time.
“Cuddle daddy.” the little boy mumbled as he climbed on the piano’s bench -with Harry’s help, of course- and placed himself on his lap. If there was something that Harry wouldn’t change for anything was cuddling his son, so when his baby adjusted himself on his lap and buried his face on his ribs, putting his little arms around his broad frame, he could feel his heart growing twice is size.
Harry kissed the little mop of curls and lingered his lips on the crown of his baby’s head, sometimes he couldn’t quite understand how he got so lucky to have the perfect little family. He found his soulmate when he was 22 and knew he wanted to marry her, he put a ring on her finger at 29 and now, at 31, he had a little bundle of joy that was a mixture of him and the love of his life.
Life couldn’t get any better.
So with a full heart and a sudden burst of inspiration, he went back to playing melodies on the piano, careful not to disturb the little boy in his arms.
“Music?” the boy beamed as he moved his little face from its position on his dad’s ribs, and Harry couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm over hearing him play “That’s right bubba, daddy’s playing music, you like when daddy does that, don’t you?” Harry cooed, he was man enough to admit that his little boy made him melt with every single thing he did.
“Play daddy” his son said as he sat up straight on his lap, his gaze fixed on the piano in front of him, and since his wish is Harry's command, he continued playing soft melodies for him.
Harry wanted to take that moment in and save it forever, he was unaware at that moment, but his wife was standing at the door frame, capturing the both of them in a picture that would be part of his album's booklet in the future.
taglist: @cucciolafaerie @eleanordaisy @sunflowersndpeaches @golden-hoax @alienorknight @daydreamingofmatilda @ivyproblems @ayeshathestyles s @stylesmygucci @gimsaysay @rosaliedepp @dontworrysunflower @milfrrynation @manifestrry @iceebabies @harrystylesrecs @pleasingrryyy @harianaswhore @noitsmebecky @abeanontoast @grapejuice-rry @vrittivsanghavi @msolbesg @tati813 @sad1esgf @itsgabbysblog @theekyliepage @watermelonsugacry @be-with-me-so-happily @a-strange-familiar @reveriehs @musicforcinemas @harrybabyyyyyyy @tinydeskwriter @noooovaaaaa @tenaciousperfectionunknown @mxltifxnd0m @rach2602 @balletdancerry @b-reads-things @juiceboxrry @lomlolivia @itsgigikay @goldensstateofgrace @missmielyhoran @fdl305 @lightsoutstyles
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psalm22-6 · 2 months ago
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Source: The Catholic Northwest Progress, 22 October 1920
Written by Rev. Albert Muntsch, S. J., for the Press Bulletin Service of the C. B. of the C. V. Catholic teachers are so often asked why the Church forbids the reading of Hugo’s “Notre Dame de Paris” (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), and of “Les Miserables” that it seems worth while to set forth briefly the reasons of this condemnation. Both works are explicitly condemned, the former in a decree of July 28, 1834, the latter in one of June 20, 1864. Popular opinion ranks both books among the outstanding productions of world-literature. Those who share this view are frequently unable to give any reasonable ground for their admiration. They have heard others speak in glowing terms of the romances and have never formed an opinion based on close reading. Unfortunately, many books which have no literary or artistic value whatever thus achieve a wide reputation which all the opposition of sound criticism cannot restrict to sober limits. [. . .] "Les Miserables," a social romance, begun in 1848, was finished in 1862, and is an indictment against the existing order of society. The work glorifies opposition to the established social order, and though some of the characters are inspired by high ideals, the tendency of the work, as a whole, is revolutionary and unsound. It may be called a great Socialistic epic. There are of course eloquent pages in the book, and the social evils so mercilessly exposed, unfortunately weigh heavily upon large sections of every community. But this does not justify the tenor of the development of the tale. There is not only no need to spread a sentimental halo around an unfortunate mother like Fantine, from whom the first part of the story is named, but it is ethically wrong to do so. A moral transgression is always deserving of censure, and the writer who uses his literary art to ennoble wrongdoing is an enemy to society. His book ought to be branded as evil. As an illustration of the method employed by Hugo to belittle, and even to calumniate, as much as lay in his power, a sacred institution of the Church, we mention the strange and shockingly grotesque picture of religious orders in Part 11, Book 7, of “Les Miserables.” We read: “From the point of view of history, of reason. and of truth, monachism (the religious life), is condemned. . . . Monasteries . . . are detestable in the nineteenth century." In the same paragraph it is said that Italy and Spain are beginning to recover from the curse of monasticism, “thanks to the sane and vigorous hygiene of 1789 (the French Revolution).” The long eulogy of the bishop in the opening chapters of the book make this distorted and calumnious sketch all the more abominable. For unthinking persons may be led to believe that Hugo writes as a loyal son of the Church. No matter how one regards “the Index of Forbidden Books” drawn up by the Church, an unbiased mind will recognize the wisdom of the precautionary measures taken by her to safeguard the spiritual interests of her children. That promiscuous reading of pernicious literature has caused untold harm, no one can deny. A large amount of the irreligiousness of the modern world and the general looseness of morals may be attributed to the vicious productions of the press. Just now the works of Blasco Ibanez are widely advertised “with a great noise of tomtoms and circus paradings,” as one critic has well expressed it. But works like “The Shadow of the Cathedral” sow the seeds of anarchy and discontent among unthinking classes. To banish them from our people, or at least to restrict the sphere of their civil influence, is not an offense against art, but a high form of social service.
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slickdickwitchbitchh · 2 months ago
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Obx: After Dark
Chapter 1: Pilot
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Summary: The roommates moved in full of hope and camaraderie, eager for a fun summer together, but things quickly soured when Rafe started stirring trouble. Tensions reached a breaking point, culminating in a heated fight between JJ and Rafe, leaving the group on edge and questioning the dynamic in the house.
A/N: the fight between JJ & Rafe is based on this fight from Vanderpump Rules, my favorite reality show i suggest watching because it’s hilarious.(i’m sorry the video is long i suggest starting at 3:05 that’s when the fight starts)
Masterlist
Pilot
Voiceover/Narrator: "The Outer Banks, a chain of islands off the coast of North Carolina, where the sun kisses the ocean, and paradise is just a few steps away... [Clip of John B.]: 'Paradise on Earth.' It's the perfect blend of wild beauty and untamed youth. Surfers, sun, and the sound of crashing waves—the OBX is a dream come true... for some. But for others, it's a playground for drama, secrets, and, well... revenge."
Cut to an aerial shot of a sprawling mansion nestled on a cliff, waves crashing beneath. The camera zooms in to the front door where the first cast member enters.
Voiceover/Narrator: "Tonight, we're taking a group of friends, exes, and enemies, and locking them together in a secluded mansion for one very special week. Why? To celebrate Y/N's 21st birthday, of course."
Cut to Y/N walking up to the grand mansion door, looking around in awe. She steps inside, and the camera follows her into the foyer.
Y/N’s Confessional Y/N is sitting in a chair with a slight smirk. "Hey, I’m Y/N. Just turned 21, finally legal. I just moved here six months ago, so I don’t subscribe to the pogues versus kooks rivalry. I’m my own person and I’m pretty much friends with everyone, as long as they don’t come for me."
Producer's voice from behind the camera: "How do you handle conflict?"
Y/N’s face hardens slightly as she thinks about it. "I mean, I have a mouth on me, I don’t take shit from no one. I’m not one to initiate a fight. I think it’s ugly and trashy, but if you’re gonna step to me, I’m gonna protect myself. What am I supposed to do? Take it? Are you kidding me?"
Producer's voice from behind the camera: "Are you a partier?"
Y/N grins and shrugs casually. "I definitely come home at six in the morning a lot."
Y/N walks into the living room, surveying the space with a smile, before hearing someone enter behind her. She turns around.
Cut to Sarah Cameron entering, her heels clicking on the marble floors. She pauses, looking around, and then the camera switches to Sarah’s confessional.
Sarah Cameron’s Confessional "I’m Sarah. I’m 22. It’s been a minute since I've seen some of these people, especially Rafe." A brief pause as her expression shifts slightly. "But what’s crazy is, my dad, Ward, he left us half of his fortune. So, I guess this trip’s gonna be... interesting. I’ve been dating John B. for about four months now, and I’m really looking forward to this week. Just... I hope nothing crazy happens. I’m all about peace and good vibes, but when it comes to Rafe and Topper... we’ll see."
Cut to Sarah entering the mansion. Y/N, excited, barrels down the stairs and jumps on Sarah, spinning her around.
Sarah: "Happy birthday, baby!" gives her a hug
They embrace for a moment before Sarah pulls back, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Sarah: "Okay, but Topper and Rafe are staying here too? That’s what he told me."
Y/N’s face falls into a nervous expression.
Y/N: "Fuck…" pauses "Well, that’s gonna be... interesting."
Sarah and Y/N lock eyes for a moment, then both spot a bottle of tequila on the counter. Without another word, they grab the bottle and each take a shot.
Cut to the front door, where John B. is struggling to carry two suitcases out of the car. The camera switches to his confessional.
John B.’s Confessional "I’m John B., 23, and I’ve been dating Sarah for the past four months. My best friends are the pogues—JJ, Pope, Kiara, Cleo, Y/N, and Sarah. As for the kooks... I don’t necessarily like them, but it’s not on sight if I see them."
Cut to John B. entering the house, dragging the bags in. He sees Sarah and Y/N laughing by the counter.
John B.: "Happy birthday, Y/N!" gives her a big hug
Y/N: "Thanks, JB! Where’s JJ?"
The camera cuts to JJ riding down the sun-kissed streets of OBX on his motorcycle. The sound of the engine rumbles as he speeds down the road.
JJ’s Confessional "I’m JJ, 23. Yeah, I don’t like kooks. And it’s on sight if I see them. I’ve got my squad—Y/N, Sarah, John B., Pope, Kiara, Cleo, and we all stick together." pauses "I’ve got a little thing for Y/N, but... it’s complicated."
JJ pulls up to the mansion on his bike, kicking the stand down. He walks inside, throwing open the front door with a grin.
JJ: "Papas home!"
The camera cuts to Sarah, John B., and Y/N rushing to greet him at the door. Y/N gives JJ a hug that lingers longer than necessary, causing Sarah to shoot John B. a subtle, knowing look. He gives Sarah a matching look, and together, they both simultaneously walk away, leaving JJ and Y/N still hugging.
Pilot (Continued)
JJ and Y/N finally pull apart, both grinning. JJ's eyes twinkle as he reaches into his bag.
JJ: "I've got your birthday gifts."
Y/N: "Gifts? Plural?"
JJ: "You know it."
He opens his tattered duffle bag, rummaging through it before pulling out a crumpled brown paper bag. He hands it to Y/N with a grin.
Y/N: She takes the bag, holding it up to her nose and sniffing it, jerking back immediately. "Woah."
JJ: "I know, right? Only the 'stickiest of ickies' for my girl’s 21st."
Y/N laughs, the excitement in her voice unmistakable.
Y/N: Loudly and dramatically, she yells "STICKYYYYY!" like Tyler, The Creator and Sexy Red's song.
She gives JJ another long hug, grinning from ear to ear.
Y/N: "We’ll save it for tonight."
JJ: "Bet. And I’ll give you your other gift tonight."
Y/N: Teasing with a smirk, she raises her eyebrows. "Oooo, my other gift at night? Sounds sexy."
They both burst out laughing, the playful tension between them undeniable.
Cut to the upstairs area where everyone is gathered around, discussing sleeping arrangements. Y/N and Sarah stand in a room with four queen-sized beds. Y/N quickly claims one of the beds while Sarah glances around, counting beds.
Sarah: "Ugh, I’m guessing Kiara is coming, seeing as there are four beds."
Y/N: Scolding, she replies "Sarah, please. Just be nice and cordial for me, okay? It’s my birthday trip."
Sarah: Rolls her eyes. "Fine, but if she comes for me, all bets are off."
Y/N sighs, shaking her head.
Y/N: "This is gonna be a long week."
The camera switches to JJ and John B., who are surveying the two rooms connected by a bathroom. One has a bunk bed and a single bed, and the other has two queen beds. They exchange looks.
John B.: "We should probably take this room so we can room with Pope."
JJ: "Right, but who are those other two beds in the other room for?"
John B. goes quiet for a moment, then sighs before answering.
John B.: "Sarah told me that Topper told her that him and Rafe are coming."
JJ’s eyes widen, and he immediately jumps off the bottom bunk with a start.
JJ: "What the—who the fuck invited them!?"
John B. immediately grabs JJ’s shoulder, manhandling him back onto the bed with a calm grip.
John B.: "Easy, man. We can’t get crazy."
JJ goes quiet, deep in thought. John B. watches him, concerned.
John B.: "You good?"
JJ looks up, his expression shifting from frustration to something more controlled.
JJ: "Yeah, I’ll be cool... as long as they’re cool."
John B.: "Okay, good. This is supposed to be a fun experience. Don’t let them ruin it."
John B. lies back on his single bed, closing his eyes in an attempt to relax. JJ stares at him for a moment, a devilish look on his face.
JJ: Leaning forward, he starts rummaging through his duffle bag. "And plus, I brought my backup."
John B. opens one eye, just in time to see JJ pull something from his bag. JJ holds it up with a triumphant grin.
JJ: "Aha!"
John B. immediately opens both eyes, his face dropping as he realizes what JJ’s holding. It’s a gun—his eyes widen in shock.
The camera focuses on John B.’s worried expression as he stares at the gun.
John B. (looking directly at the camera): Panicked, his voice shaky. "Uh, JJ, man, what the hell are you doing?"
The screen immediately cuts to static, followed by an error sound effect. The camera cuts to JJ, now walking into the confessional room, a cocky grin plastered on his face.
JJ (laughing): "Sorry, y’all, I didn’t read the contract before I signed it, and apparently, there are no weapons allowed [uses air quotes]—even BB guns."
Even the producers chuckle behind the camera.
JJ: "I’m on strike one already, and we’ve only been here for 40 minutes... so... yeah, it’s gonna be a long week."
The screen fades to black, teasing what’s to come next.
Scene: Topper and Rafe’s Arrival
The sound of an engine rumbles as Rafe’s F-150 cruises down the sunny streets of the Outer Banks. The truck gleams under the sun, a reflection of Rafe’s personality—flashy, over-the-top, and unapologetic. Topper rides shotgun, sunglasses on, leaning back casually. The coastal scenery whizzes past as the two make small talk.
Topper: "Man, I can’t believe we’re doing this. A whole week in that house with them."
Rafe: Smirking, eyes on the road. "Yeah, well, free booze and drama? I’m in. Plus, I’ve got a few... loose ends to tie up."
Topper: Chuckling. "Loose ends? More like bad decisions."
Rafe: Laughing darkly. "Touché. But you know me—I make things interesting."
Topper: Glancing at Rafe. "You do realize Sarah’s gonna be there, right? And John B?"
Rafe: His smirk widens into something more sinister. "Please. Like I’m scared of them. Besides, I’ve got better things to focus on."
The truck pulls up to the secluded mansion, the ocean shimmering in the background. Both men step out, their confident strides and designer clothes immediately setting them apart from the laid-back vibes of the Outer Banks. They exchange a look, smirking as they grab their bags and head toward the house. The front door swings open, and the energy shifts as they enter, their presence palpable.
Rafe’s Confessional
Rafe leans back in the confessional chair, an unlit cigarette dangling between his fingers. He smirks at the camera, exuding cocky arrogance.
Rafe: "Name’s Rafe Cameron. Twenty-four, born and bred Kook royalty. If you don’t know what a Kook is, let me educate you. We’re the elite, the ones who run this place. The Pogues? They’re the bottom-feeders. The ones who clean our boats and beg for scraps. It’s not a rivalry. It’s reality."
He pauses, his smirk turning colder.
Rafe: "My dad, Ward Cameron, recently passed. Rest in peace, Dad." He presses a hand to his chest mockingly, then lets it fall. "Left me a fortune, so, yeah, life’s looking pretty good for me. Oh, and as for this week? Let’s just say I hooked up with Y/N last week, but I’m keeping that little detail under wraps for now. Timing is everything."
He leans forward, staring into the camera with a look that’s both charming and unsettling.
Rafe: "This week’s gonna be fun—for me."
Topper’s Confessional
Topper sits in the confessional chair, his posture relaxed but his tone serious.
Topper: "Topper Thornton. Twenty-three. Born and raised in Figure Eight. Some people think I’m just a trust-fund kid who parties too much, but there’s more to me than that."
He adjusts his sunglasses, sighing.
Topper: "So, yeah, Sarah and I broke up six months ago. It was mutual, but honestly? I think it’s the break we both needed. That said..." He pauses, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I’m here to win her back. I know she’s with John B, but let’s be real—what they have isn’t serious. It’s a phase. She’ll come around. She always does."
He leans back, smirking faintly.
Topper: "This week’s about showing Sarah who she really belongs with. Me."
Back in the house, Rafe and Topper walk into the main living area, their presence impossible to ignore. Y/N and JJ are still joking by the staircase, while Sarah and John B stand off to the side, their conversation interrupted by the new arrivals. Everyone goes quiet as the tension in the room skyrockets.
Rafe: Grinning as he surveys the group. "Well, well, well. Looks like the gang’s all here."
The camera pans to Sarah, her jaw tightening as she glances at John B. Y/N’s eyes dart between Rafe and JJ, sensing the brewing storm. JJ’s posture stiffens, his eyes narrowing at Rafe, while Topper’s gaze zeroes in on Sarah, his confident smirk unshaken.
Topper: Casually, with a slight edge. "Hey, Sarah. Long time no see."
Sarah: Her voice tight, controlled. "Not long enough."
The tension is thick, the air charged with unspoken words and unresolved history. The camera lingers on the group, capturing the shifting dynamics and subtle glares before cutting to black.
Y/N’s Secret Gets Hinted At
Upstairs, Sarah closes the door to their shared bedroom and leans against it dramatically.
Sarah: "Okay, bestie, what’s up? Why are you dodging Rafe like he’s a pop quiz?"
Y/N: "What? I’m not dodging anyone."
She starts unpacking her bag, purposefully looking down to avoid Sarah’s gaze. Sarah raises an eyebrow, crossing her arms.
Sarah: "Girl. You’re giving off major 'I did something dumb' energy. Spill."
Y/N groans, dropping onto the bed.
Y/N: "It’s not even a thing, okay? It happened once, and it was a mistake."
Sarah gasps, eyes wide.
Sarah: "Wait... are you telling me you hooked up with my brother?"
Y/N quickly shushes her, frantically waving her hands.
Y/N: "Keep your voice down! Do you want them to hear?"
Sarah flops onto the bed beside her, looking both shocked and intrigued.
Sarah: "First of all, ew. Second of all, why didn’t you tell me?! Third—wait, no—why Rafe?!"
Y/N: "I don’t know, okay? It was tequila, bad decisions, and... I don’t know. He was just... there."
Sarah sits up, giving her a pointed look.
Sarah: "That man is like a walking red flag, Y/N. Does JJ know?"
Y/N: "No, and he’s not going to. It’s not like it meant anything."
Sarah squints at her like she doesn’t quite believe her but eventually sighs.
Sarah: "Alright, fine. Your secret’s safe with me. But if this blows up, don’t say I didn’t warn you."
Y/N buries her face in her hands.
Y/N: "It’s my birthday. Can’t the universe give me a break?"
Kiara’s Arrival
Their conversation is cut short by the sound of a car door slamming. The camera cuts to Kiara stepping out of her car, her vibe effortlessly cool in an oversized hoodie, ripped jeans, and sneakers. She waves at the camera with a cheeky grin.
Kiara (Confessional): "Sup, I’m Kiara. I’m 22, full-time Pogue, part-time shit-stirrer. I’m here to celebrate Y/N, keep it chill, and maybe bring some chaos. 'Cause, let’s be real, what’s a trip without a little drama?"
Back at the house, Kiara pushes open the door and shouts:
Kiara: "Where’s the birthday girl?!"
Y/N and Sarah head downstairs. Y/N grins, running over to hug Kiara.
Y/N: "Kiara! Finally, someone I actually like."
Kiara: "Happy birthday, babe! Ready to make this week unforgettable?"
Kiara’s gaze shifts to Sarah, her smile turning into a tight-lipped smirk.
Kiara: "Sarah."
Sarah: "Kiara."
The air thickens as the two exchange icy nods. Y/N sighs, stepping between them.
Y/N: "Okay, can we not? It’s my birthday. Please just act like adults for one week?"
Kiara shrugs, throwing an arm over Y/N’s shoulder.
Kiara: "Fine by me. As long as she doesn’t start anything, we’re good."
Sarah: "Trust me, I was about to say the same thing."
Y/N groans, muttering under her breath:
Y/N: "Y’all are exhausting."
The camera lingers on the tension as Kiara grabs her bag and heads upstairs to claim her bed. She passes by Rafe and Topper in the kitchen, pointedly ignoring Rafe’s cocky smirk. The scene ends with JJ watching everything from the corner, his fists clenched as the tension in the house continues to rise.
Pope and Cleo’s Arrival
The camera cuts to Pope and Cleo arriving in a sleek black SUV. Pope gets out first, adjusting his backpack with a confident but relaxed smile. Cleo follows, hopping out and glancing around curiously.
Pope (Confessional): "Hey, I’m Pope. I’m 21, and I’m here to keep the peace... or at least try to. I’m in college at USC on a full scholarship, which is where I met Cleo. She’s my ride-or-die. Bringing her along is kinda like introducing my family to my friends, so... we’ll see how that goes."
The camera shifts to Cleo, tossing her long braids over her shoulder and grinning mischievously.
Cleo (Confessional): "Hi, I’m Cleo. I’m 22, and this is my first time meeting Pope’s OBX crew. I’ve heard some wild stories, so I’m excited—and a little nervous—to see what the hype’s about. Oh, and yeah, I go to USC too. Go Trojans or whatever."
Inside the house, the group hears the door open, and Pope’s voice echoes:
Pope: "What’s up, OBX?!"
Y/N rushes to greet them, hugging Pope tightly before turning to Cleo.
Y/N: "Cleo! Finally, someone I’ve been dying to meet."
Cleo smiles, pulling Y/N into a warm hug.
Cleo: "Happy birthday, girl! Pope’s been hyping you up nonstop."
Pope grins, slinging an arm around Cleo.
Pope: "I only tell the truth."
JJ (from the kitchen): "Yo, Pope! About time. We were starting to think you bailed."
Pope: "Wouldn’t miss this for the world, man."
The Birthday Shot
The group gathers downstairs at the dining room island, where JJ has lined up tequila shots. Y/N stands in the middle, glowing as everyone crowds around her. JJ grabs his shot glass and clears his throat.
JJ: "Alright, alright, everyone shut up for a sec. This is for Y/N. The realest one I know, the only person who can put up with all of us, and... the birthday queen. Cheers to 21!"
The group cheers, lifting their glasses, but before anyone can drink, Rafe cuts in.
Rafe: "Wait, hold up. I gotta say something too."
Everyone groans, but Rafe smirks, holding his shot glass like he owns the place.
Rafe: "To Y/N. The baddest in the room. The only person who’s ever been able to handle me, and trust me, that’s no small feat. You deserve everything good in life, even if you make... interesting choices sometimes."
His gaze lingers on Y/N, a smirk playing on his lips. The group exchanges awkward glances, sensing the weight of his words. Before anyone can react, Kiara steps in.
Kiara: "To Y/N. The real MVP. The only reason I’m putting up with all these people. Here’s to a week of unforgettable memories, good energy, and no drama."
The group laughs and cheers louder this time, finally taking their shots. The camera pans across everyone’s faces, capturing the tension that still lingers despite the toast.
Y/N’s Confessional
Y/N (Confessional): "Yeah, so that toast? A little cringe. Rafe just loves to stir the pot, and I already know he’s gonna push someone’s buttons. I need to talk to him and make sure he’s on his best behavior because I swear if he starts something, it’s not gonna end well—for anyone."
The camera cuts back to the group as they finish their shots. Cleo nudges Pope, whispering something that makes him laugh. JJ eyes Rafe from across the room, his jaw clenched. Meanwhile, Sarah is scrolling on her phone, clearly trying to ignore Kiara’s presence. The tension is palpable, and the week is just getting started.
The next scene opens with the roommates lounging around the kitchen, debating what to barbeque for dinner. The countertops are scattered with an assortment of snacks, condiments, and grocery bags.
Pope leans on the island, surveying the options. "Alright, we’ve got burgers, chicken, hot dogs, and veggie burgers. What’s the move?"
"Veggie burgers, obviously," Kiara interjects with a raised eyebrow.
"I say wings," Sarah suggests, holding up a pack of chicken. "I’ll whip up a marinade."
"I got the grill," JJ announces, puffing out his chest. "It’s basically my calling."
"Yeah, right," Kiara snorts. "You’re banned after last summer. Remember? You almost burned my dad’s dock down."
"It was windy!" JJ shoots back, hands up in defense.
Rafe, leaning against the counter, smirks. "I’ll handle the bonfire. At least I know what I’m doing."
"Yeah, ‘cause playing with fire is your whole personality," JJ mutters, his voice low but cutting.
Before Rafe can respond, the kitchen door swings open, and the producer steps in, casually dressed but commanding attention with a loud clap. "Alright, everyone, can I get you to meet me in the living room? We’ve got a quick meeting."
The roommates exchange puzzled looks but shuffle into the living room, taking their spots on the oversized sectional. JJ quickly slides into the seat next to Y/N, throwing his arm casually over the back of the couch. Rafe, arriving a second too late, lingers behind them, his jaw tightening as he glares at JJ. The camera lingers on Rafe’s expression, emphasizing the tension.
The producer stands before them, clipboard in hand, his tone both cheerful and authoritative. "Okay, so here’s the deal. This week is all about bonding—getting to know each other in real life, without distractions."
"Distractions?" Y/N tilts her head, already suspicious.
The producer smirks. "Yup. That means we’ll be taking your phones for the week."
A chorus of groans ripples through the group.
"You can’t be serious," Sarah complains. "What am I supposed to do without my socials?"
"It’s for the experience," the producer explains. "No texts, no calls, no social media. Just you, your roommates, and the art of conversation."
JJ slouches dramatically, crossing his arms. "This feels illegal."
"You’ll live," Pope quips, shooting JJ a teasing grin. "Just pretend it’s the '90s."
Kiara rolls her eyes. "Or the 1890s. Back when people had actual survival skills."
"Yeah, great sales pitch," Rafe deadpans, crossing his arms behind Y/N and JJ.
The producer chuckles. "Trust me, it’ll be worth it. You’ll get your phones back at the end of the week. For now, just focus on each other. Deal?"
Y/N sighs theatrically. "Fine, but if I miss an important text, it’s on you."
"Noted," the producer says with a smile. "Alright, everyone, hand them over."
One by one, the roommates reluctantly deposit their phones into a box held by the producer. The mood is a mix of resignation and apprehension.
As the producer exits, the camera lingers on the group’s awkward silence. JJ taps Y/N’s shoulder playfully, breaking the tension. "Alright, so... who’s ready to bond without Twitter?"
Rafe’s sharp gaze on the two of them doesn’t go unnoticed as the screen cuts to black.
As the group gathers around the grill, a warm glow from the setting sun reflects off the ocean, casting a serene atmosphere over the beach. The bonfire is set up in the distance, ready for the night ahead. The sound of sizzling meat on the grill fills the air as everyone chips in to help with the cooking.
JJ is the first to take charge, tossing some burgers on the grill with exaggerated flair. "Whoever says you can’t cook a decent meal on a beach is seriously underestimating the power of my grilling skills," he declares with a grin.
Sarah, handing over a platter of veggies, raises an eyebrow. "You sure about that, JJ? You nearly set the kitchen on fire last week."
Y/N chuckles, tossing a bottle of ketchup at him. "If I end up with a burnt burger, I’m blaming you."
JJ catches it effortlessly and winks. "Don’t worry, I’ve got it covered. You’re gonna love it."
Meanwhile, Cleo is in charge of setting up the drinks by the bonfire. "Who’s in for a drink? I’ve got the good stuff!" she calls out, her voice full of mischief. "But remember, it’s a limited supply."
Kiara, having a blast as she passes a bowl of chips to Pope, leans over. "Do you think the producer’s gonna try and turn us into a drama show with all this phone confiscation nonsense?"
Pope shakes his head, laughing. "If they do, they’re in for a surprise. None of us are easy to manipulate."
Rafe, though quieter, catches Pope’s comment with a smirk, the glint in his eyes giving away his amusement. He cracks a beer open, eyeing the group as if evaluating the situation. "I think this whole thing’s gonna get real interesting," he mutters, almost to himself.
nside the small, dimly lit confessional room, John B sits in front of the camera, a relaxed grin spreading across his face as he leans back slightly in the chair. The soft hum of the room’s air conditioning is the only sound for a moment, before he starts speaking to the camera, his voice light but sincere.
"Alright, so... it’s been a bit of a weird start, not gonna lie," he begins, running a hand through his hair. "Phones? Gone. But honestly? It's kinda been a blessing in disguise. Everyone’s tipsy, everyone’s laughing, and the vibes are... good, you know? Like, there’s definitely some tension, but right now? Everyone’s chilling, having a good time. It’s like we’ve already forgotten why we were even bothered in the first place."
He pauses for a second, smiling to himself. "I just hope this keeps up, honestly. I mean, we’re all stuck here for a week together, and if we can keep this... positive energy going, maybe this trip won’t be so bad after all. But, who knows? In reality TV, things can change on a dime." He shrugs, giving the camera a playful smirk. "Fingers crossed it stays this way."
John B leans forward, his grin widening. "Anyway, I’m here for the good times, and right now, we’re definitely having those. Let’s just hope that lasts." He winks at the camera, and the screen cuts back to the group enjoying themselves around the bonfire, the sound of laughter carrying over the breeze.
Back by the grill, the laughter continues as Sarah expertly flips a couple of burgers, teasing JJ. "See, I told you I could do this better than you."
"Okay, okay, but only because I’m distracted by someone," JJ responds, glancing at Y/N with a playful wink.
Y/N rolls their eyes, not able to hide their smile. "Sure, blame it on me. You’ll be the one running for seconds once they’re done."
The group continues to laugh and joke around as they serve up the food, the mood lightening with every passing minute. As they gather around the bonfire, drinks in hand, the initial tension begins to dissolve. They all settle into the warmth of the fire and the flickering light, realizing that this trip might not be so bad after all.
John B glances around at the group, nodding to himself. "Yeah, this could be the start of something... interesting."
And as the camera pulls back, the sounds of laughter and lighthearted banter echo across the beach, the night just beginning.
Just as the laughter dies down, Topper stands up from where he’d been lounging on a nearby log, holding up a bottle in one hand. He flashes a mischievous grin.
"Alright, alright, enough with the Pope stories," he says, his voice carrying a playful tone. "How about we spice things up a little with a game? Truth or drink, anyone?"
The group exchanges amused glances, intrigued by the suggestion.
Rafe chuckles, leaning forward. "Now we’re talking. This is how you get to know people."
Kiara, already sipping from her drink, raises an eyebrow. "Oh, this is gonna get interesting."
"Alright," Topper continues, settling back into his seat with the bottle. "I’ll start. Y/N, truth or drink?"
Y/N looks around the group for a moment before deciding, "I’ll go with truth."
Topper’s grin widens. "Alright, spill. Which roommates have you kissed?"
The group falls silent for a second, the tension hanging in the air as all eyes turn to Y/N, who takes a slow sip from their drink. They set the glass down, not missing a beat.
"Well," Y/N begins, a teasing glint in their eyes, "I’ve kissed all the boys at some point... except for you, Topper."
A collective laugh erupts from the group, some people shaking their heads in disbelief, others just enjoying the unexpected honesty. JJ raises his glass with a playful grin. "Guess I’m the favorite," he says, leaning back confidently.
Topper shrugs, clearly amused. "Alright, I’ll take that as a compliment. But now it’s your turn, JJ."
The playful mood shifts slightly as Rafe suddenly leans in, an eyebrow arched, his tone a bit more pointed. "So, JJ," he starts, eyes locking onto him, "who was that one girl you hooked up with last month? You know, the one you’ve been dodging talking about."
The air grows a little colder, the group sensing the shift. JJ’s smile falters for just a second, his eyes flicking toward the bottle of liquor.
He takes a deep breath, then grabs the bottle and pours himself a drink, not saying a word. His eyes briefly meet Rafe’s, but instead of responding, he tips the bottle back, taking a long swig.
The room falls into an awkward silence for a moment, the tension between the two palpable. Finally, JJ slams the bottle down on the ground with a lighthearted chuckle. "Alright, moving on," he says, clearly avoiding the question. "Who’s next?"
The group hesitates for just a moment before the tension begins to dissolve. Kiara nudges Pope, forcing a smile. "Okay, Pope, truth or drink?"
The camera lingers on the group, their laughter hesitant but building once more as the game continues, the vibes slowly lightening again, despite the brief awkwardness that lingers in the air.
The scene opens with the group gathered around the bonfire, now buzzing with activity as they begin the task of cleaning up after dinner. Plates clink together, and the smell of grilled food still lingers in the air as everyone works together, washing dishes and tidying up the space. There's a lighthearted mood—until Topper, wiping his hands on a dish towel, casually leans back and says something that cuts through the buzz of conversation like a knife.
"You know," Topper says, his voice a bit too loud for the moment, "Sarah and I used to do this all the time. You know, go on trips like this. Good times."
John B freezes for a split second, his hand tightening around the dish he’s drying, his jaw clenching visibly. The smile on his face falters, replaced by a tight-lipped grimace as his eyes flick toward Sarah. He says nothing, but the tension in the air is palpable.
Sarah, still focused on drying a glass, suddenly goes rigid, her face hardening. She doesn’t even look at Topper when she snaps, "Topper, shut up."
The words hang in the air, cutting the moment short. The group falls silent for a heartbeat before the sound of dishes clattering resumes, but the mood has shifted. The easy camaraderie is replaced with an uncomfortable energy, a quiet discomfort that seems to settle over everyone.
As the group begins to move on with the task, Rafe sees an opportunity to stir the pot further. Watching the tension play out, he casually gets up from the table, a sly smile tugging at his lips. He looks toward Y/N, who’s distracted by the cake preparations. Slowly, he approaches them, his voice smooth as he addresses them in a low, almost conspiratorial tone.
"Hey," Rafe starts, leaning slightly toward Y/N. "You seemed a lot happier last week when it was just... us." His eyes flicker knowingly, leaving the implication in the air without outright saying it. "It’s kinda funny how things change, huh?"
Y/N, caught off guard by his insinuation, stiffens for a moment, but quickly recovers. They force a smile, unsure of how to respond. "What’s your point, Rafe?"
Rafe shrugs casually, his smile remaining almost too sweet. "Just making an observation. You looked like you were having a good time back then. I wonder what changed."
The weight of his words hangs over Y/N as they try to ignore the growing unease bubbling inside. The tension between the group is palpable now, and Rafe’s subtle mind games are only adding fuel to the fire.
The camera captures the way Y/N’s gaze darts around the group, noticing the lingering discomfort, especially between John B and Sarah. They feel the weight of the situation bearing down on them, and despite the surprise birthday cake still in the works, it’s clear that this vacation has become anything but relaxing.
As the group gathers around the table to set up the cake, the atmosphere is thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension, leaving everyone wondering just how much longer the fragile peace will hold.
The scene cuts to the afterglow of the birthday celebration. The group is gathered around the bonfire, the flickering flames illuminating their faces as they finish singing "Happy Birthday" to Y/N. Laughter fills the air as Y/N blows out the candle on the cake, the group cheering and clapping. But despite the cheerful atmosphere, Y/N feels a sudden urge to step away, to get a moment of peace.
She makes her way inside the house, finding the hallway empty, the sounds of the party fading into the distance. Leaning against the wall just a few feet away is Rafe, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, as if he’d been waiting for this moment. Y/N stops in front of him, and for a moment, the only sound is the distant hum of the party.
Rafe pushes off from the wall, standing so close to Y/N that she can smell his cologne—deep and musky, with a faint hint of something else that makes her heart race just a little faster. His presence is magnetic, and for a split second, it’s easy to fall back into their old rhythm.
"You look good tonight," Rafe says with a smile, his tone smooth, almost too casual. He steps a little closer, his breath almost brushing against Y/N’s skin. "It’s funny, you know? I never forget how easy it is to fall back into this." He gestures vaguely between them, the unspoken history hanging heavy in the air.
Y/N glances at him, her heartbeat picking up speed, but she’s careful not to let it show. She crosses her arms over her chest, a slight frown pulling at the corners of her lips. "I’m not doing this with you, Rafe," she says quietly but firmly. "I don’t want any drama."
Rafe’s smile falters just for a moment, but he quickly masks it with a shrug. "Drama?" he repeats, almost mockingly. "Come on, we both know what we’ve had before. It’s nothing but fun, right?" His gaze never leaves Y/N, and there’s an intensity in his eyes that only adds to the tension. "I was just saying, I’ve missed this—us."
Y/N swallows, resisting the pull of his gaze. "I really like JJ," she says, her voice softer, almost apologetic, but steady. "I’m not going down that road again with you."
Rafe doesn’t respond immediately, his jaw tightening just the slightest bit. The words sting more than he lets on, but he keeps his cool, a forced smile creeping onto his face. "JJ, huh?" he says, the hint of sarcasm in his voice, though the bitterness remains hidden. "Well, I guess you’ve got your type."
There’s a flicker in Rafe’s eyes, something dark and possessive, but it disappears just as quickly as it appears. He tilts his head, his voice lower now, teasing. "It’s not like it ever stopped being easy between us. You sure you want to play it that way?"
Y/N stands her ground, feeling the weight of the unspoken things between them. "I’m not playing games with you, Rafe," she replies, voice firm but with a quiet undercurrent of frustration.
For a moment, neither of them speaks. The air is thick with tension, the past between them lingering, but neither one willing to push too far. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Rafe lets out a breath, his expression unreadable.
He steps forward, closing the small gap between them, and pulls Y/N into a hug, brief but tight. It’s almost too easy to fall back into this—into the familiarity of his touch, the weight of his body pressing against hers. Y/N hesitates for a moment before returning the hug, her arms encircling his waist, though it feels almost instinctive, like it’s something they’ve done a thousand times before.
Rafe pulls away slightly, looking down at her with a faint, almost sad smile. "You’re not gonna tell him, are you?" he asks, his voice low and casual, but with an underlying question that hangs between them.
Y/N just shakes her head, not trusting herself to speak. She can feel the tension building again, the space between them filled with a thousand things left unsaid.
"Guess we’ll just have to leave it at that," Rafe murmurs, his voice quiet, eyes lingering on Y/N a moment longer before he steps back. His expression is unreadable, but the distance between them feels heavier now, like something is shifting, something irreversible.
With a final look, Rafe turns and walks away, leaving Y/N standing in the hallway, her thoughts swirling. The hug lingers in her mind, the heat of Rafe’s presence still pressing against her skin, and she realizes that while the conversation is over, the complexity of her feelings is far from simple.
The camera lingers on Y/N as she stands in the hallway, her thoughts still heavy after the conversation with Rafe. A moment later, Rafe walks past her, heading back to the kitchen with a purposeful stride. He doesn’t look back, but the smirk on his face suggests something is brewing, and Y/N can’t shake the feeling that something's off.
Inside the kitchen, the group is still buzzing with energy, the sounds of laughter and playful banter drifting through the house. Meanwhile, Rafe pulls Topper aside, his voice low but urgent.
"Hey," Rafe starts, his gaze scanning the room quickly before he locks eyes with Topper. "I’ve got something that’ll make the night a little more interesting. You in?"
Topper, looking intrigued but cautious, raises an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
Without another word, Rafe motions for Topper to follow him, and they slip out of the kitchen, walking down the hallway towards the bathroom. The sounds of the group in the next room grow fainter as the camera follows them, the atmosphere in the house shifting as they enter the bathroom.
As the door clicks shut behind them, the camera’s angle shifts slightly, picking up the faint sound of sniffing through their mics—enough to hint at what’s really going on inside. The camera lingers on the bathroom door for a few seconds, allowing the tension to build before cutting back to the rest of the group.
Meanwhile, the roommates in the living room are oblivious to the shift in energy as they continue playing a lively game of Uno. Everyone is laughing, teasing one another, and the playful arguments escalate over who’s cheating and who’s got the best hand. JJ is animated, gesturing wildly at Cleo as she steals another card, while Kiara gives Pope a look of mock suspicion, accusing him of stacking the deck.
The room feels light and carefree, but then the door creaks open, and Rafe and Topper return, both of them noticeably jittery, their energy somehow more frantic. The camera catches Rafe’s eyes darting around the room, his smile a little too wide, while Topper shifts uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact with anyone.
Y/N, sitting across from them, catches the odd behavior almost immediately. She narrows her eyes, side-eyeing the pair as they try to blend back in with the group. Something about their sudden restlessness doesn’t sit right with her.
"Everything okay with you two?" Y/N asks, her voice casual, but there's an edge to it. She watches them both closely, her intuition already on high alert.
Rafe’s smile falters for a fraction of a second before he grins again, but it’s a bit too forced. "Yeah, just a little… bathroom break. You know how it is," he says, his words coming out too quickly, and Topper nods in agreement, though he looks less convinced.
Y/N doesn’t buy it. Her gaze flickers between them, but she says nothing more, instead focusing on the game at hand. Still, the unease she feels lingers in the back of her mind, and she can’t shake the feeling that something has shifted in the atmosphere, something no one else has noticed.
The group resumes their game, but the tension is palpable, the playful mood slightly dimmed as Y/N glances from one of them to the other, trying to ignore the growing suspicion gnawing at her.
The evening grows late, and the atmosphere is electric with tension and laughter as the group continues to play games. Music plays softly in the background, but there’s a palpable shift in energy. Everyone seems to be loosening up, the drinks flowing freely, but Y/N can feel the weight of the subtle animosity building between Rafe and JJ.
At one point, JJ, clearly trying to lighten the mood, hands Y/N a drink, flashing her a smile that feels a little too friendly.
"Here you go," JJ says, holding the drink out to her with a playful grin.
Y/N reaches out to take it, but before she can, Rafe steps in, leaning casually against the arm of the couch and holding up a drink of his own. "Actually," he says, voice dripping with smugness, "I made this one. It’s better."
Y/N hesitates, glancing between Rafe’s drink and the one in her hand. JJ’s eyes narrow as he steps forward, his tone sharp. "Oh yeah, definitely trust a drink from this guy," he sneers, a hint of sarcasm lacing his words.
Rafe smirks, never one to back down from a challenge. "Jealous much?" he taunts, his voice smooth and mocking, the edge of competition clear in his words.
The group falls silent for a moment, the tension palpable. Y/N can feel the heat rising between them, and before she can even respond, JJ throws a quick, biting remark. "You’ve always been a joke, Rafe."
Rafe’s smirk falters, the jabs hitting harder than expected, and before anyone can intervene, the argument escalates. JJ steps forward aggressively, his face reddening with frustration. "You think you’re so much better than everyone else," he spits out, his voice low and dangerous. "You don’t even belong here."
"You don’t even know what I’m capable of," Rafe retorts, his eyes flashing with anger.
Without warning, JJ’s fist flies through the air, connecting with Rafe’s jaw in a brutal punch that echoes through the room. The impact sends Rafe stumbling back, but he doesn’t fall. His bloodied lip splits open, a trickle of red staining his chin. The room erupts into chaos, everyone scrambling to intervene as the physical fight between the two men intensifies.
Y/N watches in shock as Rafe wipes the blood from his lip with a slow, almost amused expression. The fight spirals out of control, but Y/N steps forward, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Stop it, both of you!" she demands, her tone harsh as she locks eyes with Rafe.
The camera focuses on Rafe’s face, his bloodied expression somehow matching the twisted, dark smile creeping across his lips. He looks at Y/N, his voice low and mocking. "Really? You’re disgusted by me, but you came twice." His words cut deep, and the room goes silent, everyone holding their breath as the weight of what he just said hangs in the air.
Y/N’s face flushes with anger, her eyes flashing with pure disgust. "You sicken me," she spits out, her voice trembling with fury.
JJ, enraged by the comment, charges at Rafe again, but Pope and Kiara are quick to grab hold of him, holding him back with all their strength. JJ struggles, fighting against their grip, but Pope and Kiara are firm, keeping him from lunging at Rafe once more.
Rafe stands there, his bloody face a picture of sick satisfaction as he watches JJ struggle to break free. His smile widens, a cruel, almost victorious look in his eyes as he surveys the chaos he’s caused.
The camera zooms in on Rafe’s face, bloodied and twisted with that unsettling grin, while Y/N watches him, still seething, her hands shaking with the anger she can’t quite release. The fight, though momentarily halted, lingers in the air, the tension so thick that it’s impossible to ignore.
The group remains frozen, the weight of the unspoken words hanging between them all as the night feels like it’s teetering on the edge of something far darker.
Next time on OBX: After Dark...
The screen fades in from black, showing a quick montage of the tense aftermath from the night before. Each roommate speaks in their own confessional, offering their thoughts on the explosive events.
JJ’s Confessional: "Man, things got way too heated last night. Rafe’s just... a walking headache, and I don’t know how much longer I can keep my cool with him around."
Kiara’s Confessional: "Honestly, I’ve never seen the group like that. I thought we were here to have fun, but now it feels like a ticking time bomb."
Pope’s Confessional: "It’s getting out of hand. We’ve gotta stop this before someone gets seriously hurt. I mean, JJ throwing a punch—what’s next?"
Cleo’s Confessional: "I hate that I’m caught in the middle of this mess. I just wanted a good time... but I don’t think anyone’s having fun anymore."
Sarah’s Confessional: "Rafe and JJ… that was wild. But if I’m being honest, I’m kind of over the whole drama. Maybe I should’ve never let it go this far."
Topper’s Confessional: "Yeah, last night was intense. But honestly? It’s just gonna get worse from here. I’m not here to play nice anymore."
Rafe’s Confessional: "Everyone thinks they can control the situation. But I’ll tell you one thing—nobody gets to call the shots but me. This is just the beginning."
The screen flashes forward to the next day, showing Topper and Rafe exchanging sly grins as they invite a group of girls into the house. The camera zooms in on the shocked faces of the other roommates as they watch from the kitchen, their anger simmering just beneath the surface.
Y/N’s Confessional: "Topper and Rafe really think they can just bring people here like that? It’s like they don’t even care how the rest of us feel."
John B’s Confessional: "This isn’t a frat party. What are they trying to prove? We don’t need more chaos."
The screen cuts to Kiara and Sarah in the middle of an intense argument, their voices raised.
Kiara (yelling): "What, that you're a liar?"
Sarah (snapping back): "No, that you’re a shit-talking bitch!"
The room goes silent for a moment, followed by an exaggerated "Oooh!" from the rest of the group. The other roommates exchange shocked glances, their eyes wide at the sudden escalation.
Pope (whispering to Cleo): "Did that just happen?"
Cleo (eyes wide): "I think we’re about to see a whole new level of chaos."
The camera zooms in on Kiara and Sarah, both standing with fury in their eyes as the tension builds. The other roommates exchange nervous glances, unsure of how this argument will play out.
Coming up... The screen cuts to black as the voiceover echoes with suspense.
"Who will be pushed to their breaking point? And will the tension finally explode?"
taglist: @mymadokamagica @izurelia @davinashifts333 @hello-therree @cyberkitty1 @imrkos
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nevernonline · 1 year ago
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✧.* grow as we go; smau masterlist
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synopsis: over the past ten years you've fallen in love many times. one day someone happens to stumble across your journal sitting out on your nightstand and started posting your entries online. after all of your secrets are leaked it's clear things would ever be the same again.
𐦍 paring: svt members x afab! reader.
𐦍 feat: non-idol! svt, (g)-idle minnie&soyeon, oc's
𐦍 genre/s: reader is super angsty low-key, fluffy, sexual themes.
𐦍 content: swearing, bullying, crazy ex's, mentions of sexual relations, some drinking& mary jane 🍃
𐦍 start date: october 2nd 2023
𐦍 updates: mainly mondays or thursdays.
𐦍 tag list - open
𐦍 note/s: a lot of what will be written is mainly as journal entries from the readers perspective!! in the beginning every other chapter or so will have a written entry. I'm mainly using ulzzang pictures for our main character. I'll be posting the profiles and introduction sometime tomorrow probably. the girlies love indie musicians & harry styles,srry.. I hope u enjoy, hehe. ily!
𐦍 chapters under the cut.
𐦍 profiles:
001 | 002 | 003
𐦍 journal entries:
part one;
00. introduction.
#1. super sleuths.
#2. the case of the cyberbullies.
#3. two robots fell in love.
#4 the fall of the empire.
#4.5 plan b?
#5. chronic memory keeper.
#6. quit!
#7 snake in the grass.
#8 not the bath mat.
#9 seeing red
#10 nerd heard?
#11 devil in disguise.
#12 stolen heart.
#13 gut feelings and emotional dealings.
#14 dressing for revenge.
#15 leave it to the cullens. (part 1)
#15 leave it to the cullens. (part 2)
#16 the part we play.
#17 happy trails
#18 damage control.
#19 anywhere you go.
#20 lost and found.
#21 we're so back.
#22 end it all.
#23 signing off for now.
#24 epilogue.
part 2; (coming soon)
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bradshawed · 1 month ago
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NEWTON'S LAWS, PROLOGUE
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main & series masterlist !
introducing... the lion and his lioness prey pairing: f1!raphael cameron & reporter!reader
An apple fell from a tree and well... you know the rest. Much like Newton's apple, you fell right in his path, the lion's path, and he deemed you his prey. Silly boy. That was his first mistake.
A tale as old as time, Newton & his gravity, faceclaim: HoYeon Jung & various pinterest girls
warnings! no warnings for this prologue
chapter 1 ...
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With the 2024 season coming to an end, the driver market for 2025 has been taking shape, with several big moves announced. Let's take a look at who will be driving where...
READ MORE: FIA and Formula 1 announce calendar for 2025
Red Bull Raphael Cameron – #1 Cleo Anderson – #208
Rafe Cameron has been locked in at Red Bull, with the world champion's deal running to running through to the end of 2028. This has not prevented speculation over a possible move elsewhere, amid rumours of interest from Ferrari. Cameron has stated, however, that he is not considering changing teams.
While Sergio Perez signed a contract extension earlier in the season to keep him at the team through to 2026, the Mexican and Red Bull subsequently reached an agreement to part ways with immediate effect following the conclusion of a tough campaign. His seat will be filled by Cleo Anderson, the first female F1 driver since Maria Teresa de Filippis, Lella Lombardi and Susie Wolff, who has impressed at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
EXCLUSIVE: 'The perfect match' – Anderson and new team boss Verstappen on her multi-year Red Bull deal
Ferrari Charles Leclerc – #16 John Booker Routledge – #5
Following Carlos Sainz' retirement when it was confirmed at the end of the 2022 season, rookie John B. Routledge has made the step up from F2 to F1 and has impressed many, following in the footsteps of his father and seven-time world champion.
The other spot at Ferrari will be retained by Charles Leclerc. Having raced for the Scuderia since 2019, the Monegasque has pledged his future to the squad, having signed a contract extension which will see him stay with the team for several more years.
McLaren Lando Norris – #4 Oscar Piastri – #81
As they continue their progression following a rapid surge in performance during 2023, McLaren have settled on their driver line-up for the long-term. Lando Norris – who has been racing for the team since making his F1 debut in 2019 – agreed a new “extended multi-year” contract with the squad prior to the start of 2024.
Joining him will be Oscar Piastri, with the Australian also committed to the team after signing a multi-year extension until the end of 2026.
READ MORE: ‘I want to do it with McLaren’ – F1’s newest winner Lando Norris on loyalty to his team, and taking the fight to Cameron
Mercedes Lewis Hamilton – #44 Topper Thornton – #47
Lewis Hamilton will remain with Mercedes in 2025, marking his thirteenth season racing for the team. It was confirmed in August 2023 that the Briton had signed a new two-year deal to keep him at the Silver Arrows through to the end of next season.
While the same contract was announced for George Russell, he ultimately activated a release option to allow for his move but was left without a seat in the 2025 season, announcing his retirement shortly after. His replacement will be reserve driver Topper Thornton, moving 2024 F2 driver and long-time Mercedes protégé Kimi Antonelli to the reserve driver position, with Team Principal Toto Wolff hoping to have uncovered the next Max Verstappen given the young Italian’s sparkling junior category CV.
RB Yuki Tsunoda – #22 JJ Maybank – #6
It was announced prior to the Canadian Grand Prix that Yuki Tsunoda will continue to race for RB in 2025 after the team took up an option on their agreement with the Japanese driver, marking his fifth season at the Red Bull sister outfit.
Daniel Ricciardo made way for JJ Maybank for the United States Grand Prix after an inconsistent season, becoming the 19th driver to be promoted to F1 from Red Bull's junior programme.
READ MORE: How JJ Maybank's move from pro-surfer to F1 driver played out
Williams Alex Albon – #23 Franco Colapinto – #43
Alex Albon will enter his fourth season as a Williams driver in 2025, having signed a multi-year contract extension with the team which will keep him there through to 2026.
At the end of August, Williams announced that their academy driver and F2 racer Franco Colapinto will contest the remainder of the 2024 season with the squad, replacing Logan Sargeant as Alex Albon’s team mate from the Italian Grand Prix. Following this move, Colapinto has signed a multi-year deal for the team, giving them continuity into the new year of engine regulations.
Aston Martin Fernando Alonso – #14 Lance Stroll – # 18
Fernando Alonso enjoyed an impressive start to his tenure with Aston Martin in 2023 and, while the team have struggled to maintain those results, the Spaniard has reaffirmed his belief in the project by signing a deal that will keep him at the squad until at least the end of 2026.
Lance Stroll – who has been incumbent on the line-up since joining in their Racing Point guise back in 2019 – has also been confirmed at the team for 2025 alongside Alonso, giving the team helpful continuity.
READ MORE: ‘It’s probably my last contract’ – Alonso reflects on new Aston Martin deal as he predicts ‘things are in place’ to become a ‘powerful team’
Alpine Esteban Ocon – #31 Pierre Gasly – #10
Esteban Ocon was set to leave following a five-year stint with the squad but with the volatile driver's market, Ocon signed a deal that will keep him with Alpine until at least the end of 2026.
Team mate Pierre Gasly has been re-signed to the squad on a multi-year extension. He will be joined by reserve driver Jack Doohan, who won out over other candidates to step up to F1 in 2025 - and where his development will be overseen by new Team Principle Oliver Oakes.
Haas Kevin Magnussen – #20 Nico Hulkenberg – #27
After returning to the F1 grid with Haas in 2023, Nico Hulkenberg has signed a contract extension that will see him remain with the squad until the end of 2028. It was also confirmed in July that with Kevin Magnussen's contract expiring at the close of 2024, he may be departing at the end of the current campaign, but he too signed an extension that will see him with Haas until the end of 2028.
Kick Sauber Zhou Guanyu – #24 Valtteri Bottas – #77
Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas' contracts see them with the squad until the end of the 2025, after which they will both be set to depart.
Following the San Paulo Grand Prix weekend the team confirmed that rookie Gabriel Bortoleto would be joining as the reserve driver, with the potential to move up to a full-time position in 2026.
READ MORE: Kick Sauber confirm rookie Bortoleto as reserve driver for 2025
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If you would like to be added to the taglist, please let me know. And, if you want to remain tagged, you must interact with the posts (credits to Zya).
taglist for f=ma, @vampteeths @zya8tracks @edwardslvrr @potatodirectioner
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note! credits to @zyafics for her layout, it was such a good idea to repeat the summary at the top for each chapter and to place the taglist and author's note at the end, ily and thank u for letting me use it. sorry for getting a little lazy with the article towards the end... i didn't want to miss anyone out for new readers that aren't familiar with f1 and how many teams there are, etc but equally i couldn't come up with anything new to say
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stromuprisahat · 10 months ago
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Can you help me to understand the tether between Alina and Aleksander? I've seen people say that it was formed when he collared her but if that's true then why not use it when she's on the run from him? I always thought that's why he got his nichevo'ya to wound her and why he thanked her, because it allowed that connection to form. Am I wrong here?
Okay, well, I'm still re-reading, but...
They're written as two halves of the same whole. They're supposed to be complimentary opposites, that's why Aleksander's waiting for the Sun Summoner instead of settling for just any immortal, why he believes they're meant to be even after encountering other immortals' different worldviews and Alina's refusal to accept her own greatness. She won't only live long, they're bound by the Making, so she's predisposed to ~understand~ (And there are moments, when she does. Only her upbringing, issues and moral police companions prevent her from embracing what's between them.).
The first clear sign of their interconnection's showed during Winter Fete, although from the wording, I've missed at least two earlier ones:
The moment his lips met mine, the connection between us opened and I felt his power flood through me. I could feel how much he wanted me—but behind that desire, I could feel something else, something that felt like anger. I drew back, startled. “You don’t want to be doing this.” “This is the only thing I want to be doing,” he growled, and I could hear the bitterness and desire all tangled up in his voice. “And you hate that,” I said with a sudden flash of comprehension. He sighed and leaned against me, brushing my hair back from my neck. “Maybe I do,” he murmured, his lips grazing my ear, my throat, my collarbone.
Shadow and Bone- Chapter 14
"... the connection between us ..." suggests it's something Alina figured out exists before this time, so she didn't experience it only once.
Then there's the Collar that gives Aleksander access to Alina's powers, although it's not exactly clear how it works.
I had spared the stag’s life. The power of that life belonged to me as surely as it belonged to the man who had taken it. ... The Darkling looked momentarily confused. He narrowed his eyes, and I felt his will descend on me again, felt that invisible hand grasping. I shrugged it off. It was nothing. He was nothing.
Shadow and Bone- Chapter 22
Like: Sorry honey, either the power belongs to you both, or you have the upper hand.
I would kill for Aleksander's LOGICAL explanation.
The nichevo'ya bite deepened the Bond, that's why Sasha did it. My guess is it might be something about merzost affecting the Making, therefore the connection formed by it, AND the tiny little detail the creatures might be created with use of said force, but from his own being. He's basically running around donating his body fluids essence to his closest "enemies"... *wink wink*
We don't know more than what he tells Alina, so perhaps he could feel her presence before that. Perhaps Alina's youth and inexperience played bigger part in her use of their connection, than we think. Perhaps her many issues did. (I hate repeating this phrase, but THE WASTED POTENTIAL!) Why tell your stubbornly uncooperating soulmate you have an in-build compass to help you track them, if they left a trail of more profane kind?
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sepublic · 4 months ago
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What if we had episodes on the other four coven heads who were never properly introduced; Vitimir, Osran, Mason, and Hettie Cutburn? Plus some other storylines, dynamics, and ideas I'd have liked to see.
What follows is a canon-compliant set of four scripts, each comprising a hypothetical episode of its own. These are set between O Titan, Where Art Thou and Clouds on the Horizon. Luz, Eda, and King find themselves on an usual road trip in the final days before the Day of Unity, helping the CATTs' and other people's objectives along the way; It begins and ends in Latissa.
I didn't just want to write fanfics; I wanted to draft hypothetical 'lost episodes', I wanted to play with the idea of the show getting four specials to introduce the remaining four coven heads, and elaborate on other ideas that didn't get to be explored. So I wrote scripts, and I designed them to feel as much like TOH episodes as possible.
I realized there are 'rules' to TOH episodes; If there are separate A and B-plots, they must be connected in some way. They usually stem from a common premise, diverging and eventually converging; Sometimes in the next episode, as seen into late Season 2B! These episodes want to convey ideas, themes, lessons, etc. And perhaps most importantly, Luz is the main character; She has to have some sort of presence and involvement. Labyrinth Runners stands out as the exception, and so I tried to maintain it as the one and only exception.
The original plan was to write out these scripts, and then keep cutting them down until I fit within the 22-minute format; Because these definitely go past that length, especially if you want these Lost Hoots to have a breathable pace. But I decided to just show all my ideas as is, because it's not as if these scripts will ever become actual episodes.
Perhaps in the future I'll do TV-length versions of these, but my point is: I already had a lot of respect and consideration for how difficult it must've been for the writers to fit in as much as possible, while operating by their standard rules, and still having the episodes themselves be good and not at a breakneck pace where it's more quantity than quality; That respect has grown even more. I haven't even taken into account when the cut to the commercial break happens!
Not only are these Lost Hoots meant to fit into canon, but they even have titles and codes meant to fit into Season 2's hidden message! These are by no means hidden, but it's a fun treat to consider; What if I made these episodes in such a way that if they were produced, a new viewer wouldn't be able to tell the difference unless a veteran explained it to them? I wanted these episodes to feel seamless; They cap off prior ideas, while leading into future, canon events, who in turn feel like the payoff to the setup within these hypothetical Lost Hoots.
With all that in mind, I thank anyone who clicks on this, and I hope you enjoy!
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animusrox · 1 year ago
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TOP 10
Past Lives
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
How to Blow Up a Pipeline
Poor Things
Oppenheimer
Barbie
BlackBerry
The Holdovers
The Iron Claw
Killers of the Flower Moon
MY LETTERBOXD Grade A 11.    The Killer 12.    Beau Is Afraid 13.    Dream Scenario 14.    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 15.    Godzilla Minus One 16.    American Fiction 17.    They Cloned Tyrone 18.     Evil Dead Rise 19.    Eileen 20.    The Artifice Girl 21.   Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 22.    Talk to Me 23.    Reality 24.    Leave the World Behind 25.    A Thousand and One 26.    Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One 27.    Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. 28.    Theater Camp 29.   Carmen 30.    Merry Little Batman 31.    Priscilla 32.    Society of the Snow 33.    Infinity Pool 34.    Enys Men 35.    Sanctuary 36.    Rye Lane 37.    Skinamarink 38.    Monster 39.    Anatomy of a Fall 40.    Landscape with Invisible Hand 41.    Reptile 42.    Sisu 43.    Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game 44.    No One Will Save You 45.    Tetris 46.    May December 47.    The Zone of Interest 48.    V/H/S/85 49.    Dumb Money 50.    El Conde 51.    Arnold 52.    Maestro 53.    Napoleon 54.    20 Days in Mariupol 55.    Influencer 56.    The Creator 57.    Origin 58.    Thanksgiving 59.    Next Goal Wins 60.    The Boy and the Heron 61.    Bottoms 62.    Wonka
[Press Keep Reading For The Full Graded List]
Grade B
63.   God Is a Bullet 64.    No Hard Feelings 65.    Joy Ride 66.    Fair Play 67.     Cocaine Bear 68.    NYAD 69.    Asteroid City 70.    Nowhere 71.    The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster 72.    Divinity 73.    The Equalizer 3 74.    The Last Voyage of the Demeter 75.    Venus 76.    Butcher’s Crossing 77.    Somewhere in Queens 78.    The Persian Version 79.    Boston Strangler 80.    Polite Society 81.    Miguel Wants to Fight 82.    The Color Purple 83.    The Royal Hotel 84.    Saw X 85.    All of Us Strangers 86.    Fallen Leaves 87.    Ferrari 88.    Elemental 89.    Peter Pan & Wendy 90.    Renfield 91.    Cat Person 92.    Scream VI 93.    The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes 94.    BS High 95.    Blue Beetle 96.    Huesera: The Bone Woman 97.    When Evil Lurks 98.    Dark Harvest 99.    A Good Person 100.    Final Cut 101.    Knock at the Cabin 102.    Quiz Lady 103.    Leo 104.    Air 105.    The Super Mario Bros. Movie 106.    Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham 107.    John Wick: Chapter 4 108.    Beaten to Death 109.    The Wrath of Becky 110.    Passages 111.    Transformers: Rise of the Beasts 112.    Gran Turismo 113.    65 114.    Sick 115.    Sister Death 116.    The Blackening 117.    Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain 118.    Flamin’ Hot 119.    Nimona 120.    Cobweb 121.    Totally Killer 122.    What’s Love Got to Do with It? 123.     Sharper 124.    Unseen 125.    Dunki 126.    Bird Box Barcelona 127.    The Marvels 128.    Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Grade C
129.   Wildflower 130.    Freelance 131.    M3GAN 132.    Strays 133.    Sympathy for the Devil 134.    Creed III 135.    Chevalier 136.    The Marsh King’s Daughter 137.    A Haunting in Venice 138.    The Little Mermaid 139.    Silent Night 140.    Master Gardener 141.    The Flash 142.    Fast X 143.    The Pope’s Exorcist 144.    Saltburn 145.    Kandahar 146.    Stand 147.    Plane 148.   Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny 149.    Fingernails 150.    Quicksand 151.    Fool’s Paradise 152.    Migration 153.    Rustin 154.    The Covenant 155.    Good Burger 2 156.    The Pod Generation 157.    Alice, Darling 158.    Insidious: The Red Door 159.    Missing 160.    Shotgun Wedding 161.    You Hurt My Feelings 162.    The Boogeyman 163.    Showing Up 164.    Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom 165.    Champions 166.    Consecration 167.    The Nun II 168.    Biosphere 169.    House Party 170.    The Exorcist: Believer 171.    Big George Foreman 172.    Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves 173.    Children of the Corn 174.    The Beanie Bubble 175.    Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Grade F
176.    Anyone But You 177.    Marlowe 178.    Paint 179.    Extraction 2 180.    It Lives Inside 181.    Deliver Us 182.    Trolls Band Together 183.    Finestkind 184.    Corner Office 185.    Wish 186.    Prisoner’s Daughter 187.    Pain Hustlers 188.    Foe 189.    The Mother 190.    Old Dads 191.    Ghosted 192.    Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken 193.    Haunted Mansion 194.    Mafia Mamma 195.    Five Nights at Freddy’s 196.    The Machine 197.    Justice League: Warworld 198.    We Have a Ghost 199.    What Comes Around 200.    Legion of Super-Heroes 201.    The Boys in the Boat 202.    Attachment 203.    Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre 204.    About My Father 205.    You People 206.    Meg 2: The Trench 207.    Pathaan 208.    Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire 209.    Assassin 210.    Dalíland 211.    Vacation Friends 2
Bottom 10
212.    Sound of Freedom 213.    Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 214.    When You Finish Saving The World 215.    Heart of Stone 216.    Family Switch 217.    Expend4bles 218.    Sweetwater 219.    Hypnotic 220.    80 for Brady 221.    Spinning Gold
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matttgirlies · 10 months ago
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Matt & Me🎀
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
a story heavily based on Priscilla Presley’s Book “Elvis & Me” based in the 1950’s - 1970’s.
fem! reader x singer! matt
disclaimer!! - in no way am i saying matt would ever support or do these kind of things, for the sake of the book certain unethical things do happen at times.
warnings - suicide attempt,, arguing
y/nn = your nickname for any confusion🩷
Chapter 15
By the mid-sixties he was holding Bible readings in the den of our Bel Air home. I sat next to him one evening as he read passages with great force. Facing us were several of his young female admirers wearing the lowest-cut blouses and the shortest miniskirts. They all listened attentively, disciples enraptured in the presence of “their” lord. The sermon stretched to hours, followed by a question-and-answer period during which they vied for his attention.
Sitting at his feet was an attractive, wellendowed young girl wearing a blouse unbuttoned to her navel. Leaning over seductively, she asked in honeyed tones, “Matt, do you think the woman at the well was a virgin?” With me right beside him, he avoided taking in the fleshy spectacle obviously exposed for his benefit.
“Well, honey,” he said, “that’s somethin’ you’ll have to come to a conclusion on yourself. As for me, I personally think Jesus was attracted to her, but that’s my opinion. I’m not sayin’ it’s fact.”
I watched Matt and the girl talking, feeling undermined and angry. How stupid, I thought. Can’t he see what she’s doing? It’s so obvious.
He drew in a deep breath and said, “I like your perfume, honey. What’s it called?”
“Chanel Number Five,” she answered.
Chanel Number Five? That’s what I was wearing! Why didn’t he notice it on me? I slowly rose and walked into my dressing room adjacent to the den. Determined to snare his attention, I changed into his favorite outfit—a tight-fitting black sheath he had picked out himself.
Returning a few minutes later, I took my place beside him, but he was wrapped up in preaching to his devotees and had totally overlooked my absence. To make matters worse, he didn’t even notice my change of costume. I managed to conceal my distress behind a fake smile and an attentive gaze, but I couldn’t help noticing that he was responding to them with an occasional wink or smile.
I asked questions like they did, but my heart wasn’t in it; I knew they all wanted to take my place. “That’s it,” I thought. “If I’m not appreciated, loved, or wanted, I’ll end it. That will make it easier for everyone.”
I got up and went back to our room. Picking up a half-full bottle of Placidyls, I devised a plan to create a dramatic effect that, in my mind, would win his attention. I stared at them, thinking, What if I choke to death? I decided to take two pills to start. That way I could take a quick shower, redo my makeup, put on my prettiest camisole, and still have time to position myself dramatically on the bed before I consumed the rest of the bottle.
I swallowed the pills and started to prepare myself for the end. In tears, I thought of leaving him a note, writing down everything I’d never been able to say. I’d tell him how I wished that it could have been just the two of us again, as it had been during the long hours we’d spent together in his room in Germany. I’d confess that I was jealous of any woman who caught his attention and that I hated the times when there was only silence between us, even though he’d said he had things on his mind. I’d tell him how I feared his violent temper, which robbed me of my freedom of expression; and how I wished that he’d have tried to understand me as I’d desperately tried to understand him.
Maybe he’s missed me by now, I thought. I ran to the door and pressed my ear against it. I heard him laughing. He was having a great time. They all were. I found that I was disgusted with all of it. I wouldn’t go in there now if he begged me, I told myself. I was too tired anyway.
But I wasn’t too tired to remember how I wanted to be found. I lay down on the bed with my long jet black hair spread over the white pillows, my lips moist with gloss. In my naive fantasy he’d take my listless body in his arms and tell me how much he loved me, kissing me passionately back to life.
I forced down one more pill, lay perfectly still in the position I wanted to be discovered, and waited for what seemed like hours for sleep to overtake me. But the longer I lay there, the less sleepy I became. The more I heard Matt’s laughter, the angrier I got. My adrenaline-charged fury was overriding the effect of the pills. Soon I began to feel foolish.
Then I heard Matt say good night to everyone as he approached the room. I grabbed the nearest book and lay it at my side, as though I’d been reading and had fallen asleep. I heard him come in, quietly walk over to the bed, and pick up the book. He whispered the title, The Listener. I could imagine him smiling, pleased as always when I read philosophical books. He stood over me for a second, probably thinking how sweet I looked and how tired I must have been to retire so early.
Then he covered me snugly with blankets and bent down to kiss my carefully-parted lips. All my anger and jealously vanished. I realized how even a little of his attention could make me happy.
In April of 1964, Larry Geller was hired to replace Matt’s barber, Sal Orfice. Little did we know that their relationship would not only cause a drastic change in Matt, but it would create tension, jealousy, and fear within the group.
I was in Boston when he first met Larry, but I learned all about him through our nightly phone conversations. Matt’s enthusiasm over his newfound friend was infectious.
“You’re not going to believe this guy, Sattnin,” he said. “Larry knows more about the spiritual world than all the preachers and Catholic priests and religious fanatics put together. We have discussions that last hours, just talkin’ and talkin’ about the great masters and my purpose for being here. I’m invitin’ him to Graceland. He’ll enlighten your spiritual development.”
When Larry and his wife, Stevie Geller, joined us, I was surprised to find them both young and attractive. He was kind and mellow. She was sweet and quiet and kept to herself.
However, many in the group, myself included, were suspicious of them. We were all threatened by Matt’s involvement with Larry. It was keeping him from us. It seemed as if Matt was always off alone reading esoteric books or deep in discussion with Larry about God’s master plan for the universe.
Matt discovered there were many great masters besides Jesus. There were Buddha, Muhammad, Moses, and others, each “chosen by God to serve a purpose.” What I was now witnessing in Matt was the emergence of that part of his nature that was thirsting for answers to all the fundamental questions of life.
He asked Larry why, out of all the people in the universe, he had been chosen to influence so many millions of souls. Granted this unique position, how could he contribute to save a world burdened with hunger, disease, and poverty? Why was there so much human suffering in the first place? And why wasn’t he happy, when he had more than anyone could want? He felt he was missing something in life. Through Larry’s insight, he hoped to find the path that would lead him to the answers.
He was eager for all of us—especially me—to absorb all the knowledge he was consuming. Happy to share everything, just as he had with his Bible discussions in L.A., he read to us for hours and handed out books he thought would interest us. He announced that in order for us to be perfect soul mates, I’d have to join him in his search for the answers to the universe. To help me, he gave me several large books, including Vera Stanley Adler’s The Initiation of the World.
He suggested I attend the lectures of the metaphysical philosopher and author Manley P. Hall. I did. I found the lectures difficult to understand and painful to endure, but I managed to survive with the hope that “this too shall pass.”
Then he became interested in Cheiro’s Book of Numbers, which defined people’s personality traits and characteristics according to the day of the month on which they were born. To find out who was compatible with whom, Matt added up the numbers in the birthdays of everyone within the group. I waited in terror, praying that my number would be a six, seven, or eight, so I would be compatible with Matt, who was an eight. Fortunately, my number linked with his.
Although I was striving to be his soul mate and subtly becoming more aware of myself as a spiritual being, my heart longed for the very temptations he was fighting to conquer.
While I patiently waited at home at Graceland for his returns, planning romantic interludes, he was attempting to overcome worldly temptations and believed he was going through a cleansing period, physically and spiritually. Any sexual temptations were against everything he was striving for, and he did not wish to betray me, the girl waiting for him at home who was preparing to be his wife.
He felt guilty and confused about his natural reaction to female advances and I believe that this was his greatest fear when it came to marriage. He loved me and deeply wanted to be faithful to me but never felt certain that he could resist temptation. It was a persistent battle, and it even got to the point where he felt he had to resist me.
“y/nn,” he said one night before we went to bed, “you’re going to have to be pretty understanding these next few weeks, or however long it takes. I feel that I have to withdraw myself from the temptations of sex.”
“But why? And why with me?”
He was quite solemn. “We have to control our desires so they don’t control us. If we can control sex, then we can master all other desires.”
When we were in bed, he took his usual dose of sleeping pills, handed me mine, and then, fighting off drowsiness from the pills, pored over his metaphysical books.
As his soul mate I was expected to search for answers as fervently as he did, but I just couldn’t bear reading the ponderous tracts that surrounded us in bed every night. Usually within five minutes of opening one, I’d be sound asleep. Annoyed at my obvious disinterest, he woke me to share an insightful passage. If I voiced the slightest protest, he’d say, “Things will never work out between us, y/nn, because you don’t show any interest in me or my philosophies.” Then, pointedly: “There are a lot of women out there who would share these things with me.”
Faced with this threat, I forced myself to sit up and try to read the passage. The print swam before my eyes in one big blur.
I wanted to share romantic, not religious, inspirations with him. I tried to cuddle as close to him as I could, feeling the warmth of his body. He told me to sit up and listen, and he read yet another passage, repeating it several times to make sure I grasped its significance. I could bear it no longer. I lost control and started screaming.
“I can’t stand it! I don’t want to hear any more! I’m sick and tired of your voice going on and on! It’s—driving—me—crazy!” I was hysterical, pulling at my hair like a wild woman.
“What do you see?” I demanded. “Tell me, what do you see?”
He stared up at me, his eyes half-closed. “A madwoman, a goddamn raving madwoman,” he answered, slurring his words because of the sleeping pills.
I fell on my knees beside him, crying, “No, Matt, not a madwoman, a woman who needs to make love to and to feel desired by her man. Matt, you can have your books and me too. Please don’t make me beg,” I cried. “I really need you and want you.”
By the time I’d finished my tirade, all I could hear was the faint sound of religious music playing on the radio. I looked up at him. He had fallen into a deep sleep.
Excerpt from: "Elvis and Me" by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley. Scribd. This material may be protected by copyright.
a/n - i feel like you guys are going to want to kill me when i get to the last chapter..🎀
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scribblesbyb · 1 year ago
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WIP Intro Alert!
B is excited to share her WIP intro finally!
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Spill the deets, Sis!
Title: The White Pearl: Book I: The Origin
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Drama, Adventure, (dash of) Romance
No. of chapters: 28 (approx. 22-23 pages/chapter)
POV: 1st pov
Setting: Earth, 21st Century
MC(s): Ivory (Eve), Theodore II (E.T.), Ulysses (Baldie), Spike (Spikey, Old Man)
Secondary MCs: Ludo (Lu, Rapunzel), Vada (Bitch-face), Gabrielle (Gabbie, Gab)
Supportive MCs: Orson (Sonnie), Raven (Vee), Adelyn (Lyn), Carl (Boss), Kevin (Kev, Saggy Ass), Castro (Cass)
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P.S. This isn't the actual book cover! I'm working on a much better one with a close artist friend 😉
Cool! What's the WIP about?
Here's what I'm putting on the back of the book when I publish it hehe
Ivory has fought to be normal her entire life. After humanity shunned her and labeled her abnormality as the work of the devil, Eve's purpose became to hide behind fallacies that'd protect her from another world of hurt.
But what happens when the facade falls apart? When her fate comes to strike her in the face, yet again, forcing her to face a reality she's run from for too long?
And this time….she's doing it all alone.
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Love it already?
I mean, duh, it's a pretty awesome book. There's a whole new fantasy language to learn too. But, hey, I'm tooting my own horn 🙊
The good news is I'm publishing it soon. Looking into a few online options first (Wattpad, Amazon Kindle...etc.) but trust, the second I do, I'm boasting all about it on here!
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In the meantime, expect the following:
Character Intros: I can't wait for those! I get to spill the tea on my beloved creations and have fun while at it. So look forward to that 😄
Book Cover Drafts: Will have to ask my friend permission to share those first, though 🙈
Sneak Peeks: Provided I come across fun Tumblr tag games, I will use them to share more of my book 💃🏼
Chapter Title List: Particularly proud of it and think it's kinda funny + intriguing so yes, I might share it soon 📃
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Thank you for reading this far!
Author's Note
Honestly, TWP (The White Pearl) has taken much of my creative energy these past few years - both the first and the second book (Spoilers: it's three books! #why did i do this to myself lol) but I honestly love the characters and the world I created so much that I wouldn't have it any other way!
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astralscrivener · 2 years ago
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✨ fic directory ✨
i’ve created a post to keep all of my fics in one place. all fics can be found on ao3. (last updated may 4th, 2024)
major ongoing works
STEALING OUR OWN PLACE IN THE SUN
- voltron: legendary defender: a rewrite of vld seasons 4-8. - team focus, broganes, klance, adashi, romellura - rated M, graphic depictions of violence + other warnings in author notes - 22/45 chapters, 251k words (december 25th, 2022) - last posted: chapter 22: season 7, episode 3: elliptical orbit
AT SKYFALL
- voltron: legendary defender: canon-divergent au in which keith and shiro are captured by the galra at a coalition gala. things become more complicated when the team’s search for shiro turns up someone else: adam, shiro’s fiancé.  - broganes, klance, adashi - rated M, graphic depictions of violence + other warnings in author notes - 8/? chapters, 25k words (september 2nd, 2023) - last posted: chapter 8: division and discord
ABCS OF KLANCE
- voltron: legendary defender: oneshots, one prompt for each letter of the alphabet, focused on keith and lance’s relationship - variety of aus, some overlap with squad up (2017-19 modern au), mostly established relationship klance - 18 works, 87k words (may 4th, 2024) - a: artistry • b: brutality • c: comfort • d: defeat • e: elegance • f: faithfulness • g: grief • h: homelessness • i: information • j: jealousy • k: knell • l: loyalty • m: mercy • n: need • o: opportunity • p: pain • q: quest • r: rumor • s: sleep • t: trust • u: uncertainty • v: victory • w: worry • x: xenon • y: yearning • z: zero - last posted: lightning in a bottle (y: yearning)
other ongoing works
THESE 20S ARE RAWRING AND THESE DUNGEONS ARE DRAGONING
- voltron: legendary defender: modern au + d&d series started in 2020 as a stress response to quarantine - team focus, klance, adashi, romellua, hunay
• main work: the rawring 20s XD - chatfic that only updates if i think it will be funny - rated M, no archive warnings apply + other warnings in author notes - 5/5 chapters, 17k words - last posted: chapter 5: there is no easter bunny, there is no tooth fairy, (september 8th, 2022)
- other works include klance-centric oneshots + snippets of the group’s ongoing d&d campaign - 5 works, 37k words - last posted: midnight into morning coffee (february 7th, 2024)
VLD FIC REQUESTS
- voltron: legendary defender: oneshots across a variety of aus written in response to prompts from friends and followers - variety of ships, but mainly klance and adashi - some overlap with squad up  - 15 works, 92k words (july 8th, 2023) - last posted: distraction
major completed works
DECEIT SO NATURAL
- voltron: legendary defender: canon-divergent trilogy in which lance and keith fool their way behind enemy lines and onto lotor’s ship to steal vital information on the galra empire—only for lotor to become far more dangerous than anyone anticipated. - mainly klance, extremely one-sided lancelot - written before gay shiro reveal + age discourse, contains side shallura - 3 works, 315k words - completed june 15th, 2018
• WHERE PEOPLE GO TO DIE - lotor mistakenly believes that lance is a galra soldier spying on the paladins, and invites him to return home. keith follows him undercover as a prisoner, and quickly draws lotor’s ire as things spiral rapidly out of control. - rated M, graphic depictions of violence - 14/14 chapters, 49k words - completed july 9th, 2017
• DYNASTY DECAPITATED - lotor becomes vindictive after having been played for a fool by team voltron, and the team struggles to hold the voltron alliance together while fending off his rapid advances. meanwhile, keith and lance explore a new stage of their relationship and learn exactly what the other means to them. - rated M, graphic depictions of violence - 18/18 chapters, 67k words - completed august 7th, 2017
• STARS GO DOWN - lotor has captured lance and sentenced keith to death halfway across the universe. lance struggles to hold onto himself as he plays the role of an amnesiac, while keith attempts to fight his way back to the team, alone. meanwhile, the team, down two lions and two paladins, scrambles to bring keith and lance home amidst betrayals and tumult in the voltron alliance. - rated M, graphic depictions of violence, temporary major character death + other warnings in author notes - 37/37 chapters, 198k words - completed june 15th, 2018
SQUAD UP
- voltron: legendary defender: modern au written from 2017-19 to cope with the horrors of being in high school and the transition into college - written before gay shiro reveal + age discourse, contains side shallura and shiro/allura/matt - 25 works, 561k words - completed may 10th, 2019
• main work: squad up - chatfic chronicling the gang’s last year of high school - rated M, no archive warnings apply + other warnings in author note - 140/140 chapters, 327k words - completed june 15th, 2018
• main work: a midsummer night’s meme - chatfic chronicling the gang’s last summer before college - rated M, no archive warnings apply + other warnings in author note - 27/27 chapters, 79k words - completed august 31st, 2018
• main work: because guys like us are cool in college - series of oneshots/snippets following keith and lance’s freshman year of college - rated M, no archive warnings apply + other warnings in author note - 84/84 chapters, 83k words - completed may 10th, 2019
LIGHT UP THE PATH (THROUGH A SKY FULL OF STARS)
- voltron: legendary defender: 28 oneshots completed for klance au month february 2019. - klance - variety of aus, including but not limited to modern au, canon-divergent/other paladinsverse, fantasy au, and more - rated M, creator chose not to use archive warnings + other warnings in author note - 28/28 chapters, 49k words - completed february 28th, 2019
additional oneshots not mentioned here can be found on archive of our own ✨ other writing (including drabbles, snippets, and prompts from tumblr ask games) can be found in my writing tag ✨
happy reading!
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phantomdoofer · 6 months ago
Text
Tower Town, Chapter 22 - The Final Slice
Part 2
Peppino cautiously crept down the hallway they had chosen to explore. The old gateway was crumbled and distorted, but he was fairly certain it was the first area he'd explored - the gutter where Pizzahead had tossed his failed clones of John. He was doing his best to maintain a calm face. But the sights, the smells, the sounds…
In his head, he was screaming as loudly as he had at the top of the Tower.
Gustavo gently reached up and touched Peppino's arm. “Amico?”
Peppino laughed, his nervousness present in every breath. “S-sorry. This-a place is… b-bringing back memories.”
Gustavo nodded. He could feel the man's arm trembling. “I understand, Pep.” He looked around, the dim light turning the purple-stoned walls almost black. He reached out and put his other hand in Brick's fur, and she turned, nuzzling his hand, as much for her own comfort as his. “It's giving me the creeps, too. And Brick's nervous, as well.”
Behind them, Brando was obviously trying to stay collected. “Madre di Dio, if this is what it was like, I'm amazed you managed to stay here, signori. This place is… haunting.”
Peppino managed a chuckle. “It was a bit-a less… ominous, then. Though… it is-a essentially a graveyard. This is where the dead clones of Pillar John were… disposed of.”
Brando paled. “Why?"
“I don't-a know,” Peppino said. He paused, looking through a doorway. Only blackness waited. Not taking chances. He moved on. “Maybe he was-a trying to make more levels. As-a for why they didn't survivie…” he shrugged.
Gustavo spoke up. “Think about those weird clones of you in the later levels, Pep. Fake was unique, but… the other ones were falling apart, unstable. I don't think Pizzahead knew how to clone things right.” He shivered. “You were probably doing them a favor.”
Peppino looked down at his open hand. What if they hadn't gotten the cloning process right with me? Would I have fallen apart? Coming apart at the seams, dissolving like dough in a pot of water?
His hand started shaking, and he clenched his fist to stop it. No use wondering about what-ifs and maybes. “Maybe so. Perhaps it was a mercy.”
~~~~
Anita crept forward, scanning the area. Her scope eye was on full display, twitching from spot to spot. She had a wicked-looking sidearm out, held loosely beside her head. Her face was even more deadly-looking than normal. She gestured them forward.
Giuseppe had instinctively taken the rearguard, holding a similar-looking pistol at his own side. He glanced over at Anita. “Didn't know you snuck one of those out, Nita,” he whispered.
She snorted gently. “I didn't. I built this one from scratch.”
Paolo, in between, did his best to move like them - the two moved like cats. Must be all that military training. He was especially surprised at the big Italian's silence; he hadn't expected a man that bulky to be that quiet. But he wasn't used to being quiet - his muscle memory was to make as much noise as possible.
Giuseppe gently poked him in the arm. “Hey. Loosen up. You're trying to hard.”
Paolo blinked. “How'd you know?”
The man grinned. “Took me a long time to learn how to move quietly,” he whispered.
Ahead, Anita chuckled quietly. “When we first started training, Sepp was like a bull in a china shop. Then our trainer, Major Burne -” she paused. “Hey, Sepp, is he still alive?”
Giuseppe nodded, grinning. “And kicking. He's General Burne now. Took the old man's job.”
Anita grinned. “Bet he hates every second of it.”
Giuseppe nodded, grinning just as wide. “He complains like the old man he is. But he's a lot more trustworthy than old Grey.”
“Not that that would take much,” Anita quipped. “Anyway, he told us, ‘the trick isn't to be silent, but to to not stand out.’” She stopped at a corner, glanced around for a few seconds, then waved them forward. “No security. Strange. Now, thing is, people are always listening for odd empty spaces in the noise. That's usually a predator. But if you don't sound out of place…”
“They don't notice,” Giuseppe finished. “Listen. You hear that dripping?”
Paolo paused - there was a faint drip, drip now that he paid attention. He nodded.
“Time your steps with that,” Giuseppe said.
Paolo nodded, listening and doing his best to catch the rhythm. Finally, he stepped forward…
His steps were almost inaudible.
He grinned. “Hey, it's work-” he started, in full voice.
Anita quickly turned and clapped a hand over his mouth. “Yes, wonderful. But if you start yelling, we'll give ourselves away. Understood?”
Paolo nodded, and Anita took her hand away. “A whisper tends to fade away in an open space like this, but full voice and yelling won't.” She held a finger to her lips. “Remember, don't be silent, just don't be noticeable, OK?”
Paolo nodded. “Sorry,” he whispered.
She nodded. “You're not trained in this. Can't expect you to be a virtuoso right off the bat. Just watch us and try to imitate us, all right?”
Paolo nodded.
~~~~
Noise stalked along, his hands in the pockets of his suit. He was growling, his fangs showing. Even though he supposedly didn't have many powers, whenever he got really irritated, his teeth would do that. His hands, too.
“Maybe you have a power the docs can't see, hun!” Noisette head told him, one day. “That does happen, y'know!”
The woman in question skipped alongside him. He looked at her and felt his hackles fall, just a little. It felt like everybody in the world got on his damn nerves… except her. And he couldn't figure out why. Anybody else acted like she does, I'd probably blow ‘em up.
One day, he'd brought it up to one of his producers, an old, old man who'd helped him really make NTV what it was. He'd laughed. “It's because you love an’ trust her, Noise,” he'd chuckled. “People will do stuff around their loves they wouldn't do in front of everyone else. You let ‘em see your true face!”
Noise snorted. Old fart’s got a point.
Ahead, the cheese sat on top of the pepper's head, scanning everything with his eye. The pepper was waxing poetic about his own greatness, as usual.
Behind, Fake ambled along, scanning the area, each eye moving independently of the other. When did I start callin’ it by name? The thing wasn't really like it had been in the Tower. More controlled.
That just made it scarier, really.
Noisette was lalalaing alongside. She didn't seem to have a care in the world.
Noise growled again. How'd I end up the leader here? He yelled up. “Ey! Cheese-brain! You see anything?”
Vigi growled and shook his head. “Same damn thing as last time. It's distortin’ my vision. But…” he stopped. “It's… diffr’nt, this time.”
Pepperman stopped yapping and looked upwards. “Oh? How so?”
“It's… like it's tryin’ t’ lead me somewhere,” he said. “An’ now everywhere I look it's like a big loop.”
Noise looked around. The path they'd taken was through the backrooms - it had been how they got around the Tower without being seen… or having to deal with the monsters inside. Before, it had been full of debris, props, even the occasional body. But now it's like somebody cleaned the whole place out. Not even dust. “Dunno why it'd lead us here,” he said, kicking at the floor. “There ain't a here t’ be here!”
Noisette spun on her toe. “Aw, there's gotta be a reason, hun. Stuff like that don't just happen for-”
A hole opened in the floor beneath her.
“NOTHIIIIIIINNNnnnnn….!”
“SETTE!!” Noise cried, and leapt down the hole after her.
He could just hear Vigi's voice as he fell. “Wait, Noise, don't…!”
He didn't care.
He couldn't see, it was too dark. He could tell the hole was opening up, though. He popped his Noise-chute, drifting down.
He felt stone beneath his feet, and quickly pressed the button to rewind the chute. He spun, yelling. “Sette! SETTE!”
“OW, Noisey, pipe down!” Noisette's voice said, right next to him.
He groped around until he felt her, then he crushed her in a hug. “Yer OK?”
She laughed. “Aw, hon, you know I just bounce when I fall!”
He paused. He had forgotten that. He hugged her again. “Don't matter. Thought I'd lost ya.” He felt his eyes start to well up, and quickly wiped them. “Damn dust is makin’ my eyes water.”
Noisette laughed. “Sure, Noisey. It's just me an’ you here, you ain't gotta front.”
Noise reached into his bottomless bag, pulled out a brace of flashlights, and flicked one on, handing the other to Noisette. He looked around. “Where th’ hell are we?”
“Oh my!” Pepperman's voice said from above.
Noise and Noisette both pointed their lights up at the hole. Fake was crawling down, sticking to the wall, holding Pepperman in one arm, Vigi on their back.
“Goddamn it, don't do shit like that!” Noise said irritably. He hated showing weakness.
“Well! Pardon us for being worried!” Pepperman huffed. “You two seem to be all right.”
“Yeah, we're fine,” Noise grumbled.
Vigi was looking around again. “No distortion here. Strange…” Then his eyes grew wide. “What in the hell is all this??”
The undercurrent of fear in the normally unflappable cheeseslime’s voice made Noise's blood run cold. He pulled out a few more flashlights and handed them to the others.
The flashing beams illuminated a nightmare.
As far as the eye could see, tubes bubbled, filled with monstrosities. Huge, horrible mixtures of flesh, metal, and bone, food and trash, floating gently, waiting to be released.
And every single one of them bore a vague resemblance to the four Bosses.
“Oh… oh my god,” Pepperman whispered. How many are there?”
“Hold me up,” Vigi said quietly. Fake stretched to their highest, giving the sheriff the best view possible. Finally, he called down. “I'm… I'm countin’ a couple thousand so far. I'm havin’ trouble countin’ ‘em as they get too far away, they're fadin’ into the mist…”
Noisette had her hands over her mouth. “Th-thousands?” She squeaked, terrified. “It t-takes so much to stop even one! And there's-”
“He's built hisself an army, is what he's done,” Noise said gravely. The sight had stunned even him into being serious.
“Maybe… maybe we can destroy them here,” Pepperman said. Per-perhaps-”
“I ain't got nowhere near enough bombs, big guy,” Noise growled. “An’ unless you want to spend the next couple of weeks poundin’ on that glass, we don't got a way to do it. Besides,” he said, “those tubes are probably not glass, some sort of metal or somethin’, knowin’ how that Old Tech stuff works.”
Fake looked around. “Perhaps we can find some sort of contrrrrol device?”
Noise looked oddly formal, for him, anyway. He put his finger under his nose. “Maybe.” He looked around. “Nothin’ we can do here. Let's keep lookin’. An’ I know this is weird comin’ from me, but be quiet.”
The others looked more scared than ever - Noise calling for quiet was practically a sign of the end of the world. Which this might actually be, Noise thought to himself.
The quintet quietly walked on.
~~~~
As the group walked, the area opened up into the familiar almost-city Peppino remembered from before. There was an important difference, though. All the dead faces are gone.
The stones, still the purple that dominated the Tower, were blank and smooth.
Gustavo, riding on Brick, was scratching frequently at his head, like a dog trying to rid itself of a flea. “Something wrong, amico?” Peppino asked.
“I'm not… sure,” Gus responded. “It feels like… something's trying to talk to me. In my head.” He reached down and gently ruffled Brick's fur. She brrred in response. “Like with Brick. But it's… it's different, somehow. Feels like an itch in my brain.”
Brando glanced up at him. “That sounds exceptionally uncomfortable, Signore.”
Gustavo nodded. “Something's here, Pep. I know it.”
But what does it want? Peppino thought. He couldn't decide if the silence was a bad or good thing.
I stopped having a panic attack, at least.
He felt something wrap around his foot.
“Ehi!” Peppino yelped, wrenching his foot away.
The others turned, their eyes wide. “What happened?” Gus said.
“S-something - something-a wrapped around-a my foot! Like a hand!” Peppino stammered.
Suddenly Brick squealed, leaping up into the air. She landed on all fours, her fur bristling, baring her teeth.
Brando pointed. “There! I saw it! A hand, made of stone!” Then he yelped himself as he felt something wrapping around his own foot.
Suddenly every stone object was alive - hands, eyes, faces manifesting from every surface.
“Fuggire!” Peppino yelled - he scooped up Brando in his arms, taking off as fast as he could without leaving Brick behind. The ratto is fast, but not that fast!
A deep, unearthly moaning filled the air, voices reverberating through the very rock. Peppino couldn't make out what they were saying - it was in some tongue he didn't recognize. “It's-a like John! The whole-a place is living rock!”
Peppino tripped as a hand tried to grasp his foot, managing to do a flip and land on his feet without dropping his charge. “Shouldn't we retreat?” Brando yelled.
Gus looked behind them. “The tunnels and walls are closing behind us! It's like we're-”
Come to me
“-being… herded,” Gus finished. “Did anyone else hear that?”
“Hear-a… what?” Peppino gasped.
A faint tingle tickled Gustavo's mind…
“Peppino! That way!” Gustavo said, pointing.
“That's-a the old Pillar Room! It's a dead end!” Peppino gasped at the gnome. “We'll-a be trapped!”
“Trust me!”
Brick looked back at him, looking dubious. Then she squeaked affirmatively, and turned, hopping up the ledges that led to the Pillar Room.
Peppino shifted Brando around. “Hold on to my neck, ragazzo,” he said. “This-a could get bumpy.”
Peppino charged, leaping up and kicking off the wall. He knew the route - he'd run it before. Last time the walls weren't trying to grasp at me, though. He bounced past a small alcove, where he'd first met Gerome. Somehow, he missed the dour little Litha. No matter how bizarre it got in here, he was always… well, a rock!
Brick and Gustavo were ahead, at the entrance to the tunnel. Gus was waving him in. “Come on, Pep! Sbrigare!”
Peppino skidded past the gnome… and was immediately taken aback at the quiet in the room beyond. “Cosa diavolo?”
Brando let go. “It's so still here. Like a different place entirely.”
A deep, ominous rumble echoed from the back of the dark chamber.
All three men immediately hunched down, eyes wide, looking terrified. Brick's eyes bulged, and her fur stood on end.
“Of course, there could be other problems,” Brando whispered.
Despite his fear, Gustavo found himself drawn into the darkness. He ambled forward…
“Amico, w-what-a are you-a doing?” Peppino quivered.
Gus turned. “There's something here for us, Pep. We have to go in.”
Brando, shivering but resolute, stepped forward. “I'll take the lead. I can block anything that might attack.”
Peppino nodded. “Be careful, ragazzo.”
As they ventured in, the darkness grew deeper. “Too… too bad none of us thought to bring flashlights,” Peppino said.
Immediately the walls began to glow, a faint purple glow that just barely illuminated the area.
All four paused. “Ah, good. Spooky-a lighting. Just-a what we needed,” Peppino said weakly.
The deep rumble echoed again… and this time it was understandable.
“Come… to me…”
The four trudged forward, and finally something came into view…
“Another pillar?” Peppino whispered.
“A pillar?” Brando asked.
“Pizzahead cloned John and cursed him to hold up each level in the Tower,” Gustavo said. “We had to… had to break the pillars to bring the place down.”
“So… in order to save your pizzeria… you had to…” Brando whispered.
“Repeatedly-a murder John, yes,” Peppino finished for him. “At-a first, it didn't-a bother me too much. But the longer it-a went on… it-a started to bring back bad memories.”
“Mio Dio,” Brando said. “And John is helping us… after you murdered him?”
“He told me-a later it was the only way to-a break the curse,” Peppino said, hanging his head. “Gerome spent his time finding things in-a the Tower to bring him back afterwards.”
“The Treasures,” Gus said.
“Sì. He had to-a hide them from Pizzahead.” Peppino looked at the younger man. “If I hadn't-a listened to Gerome, we wouldn't-a have this chance. Remember that, ragazzo.” He threw back his shoulders, trying to steady his nerves. “I should remember that.”
Brando nodded.
As they approached, the light seemed to coalesce around the pillar. It was cracked, crumbling. “It's… it's dying,” Peppino said. “John was damaged, but strong. This… this-a is-”
“Yes. We are dying,” the pillar said.
The deep rumbling voice made all of them jump.
“Where's your face?” Peppino demanded.
“We… no longer have… the strength… to manifest it,” the pillar said.
“‘We’?” Gus said.
“John… did not… have time… to explain to you,” the pillar rumbled. “We are Litha. The Pizzamancer… cursed us all… to create his Tower.”
Their eyes all grew wide. “The entire Tower is alive?” Brando said.
“Yes,” came the response. “But we are dying, broken. The Pizzamancer… knows how to recreate us. He is doing so… now.” A pause. “But the clones… he makes… he changes them. He has… had time… to discover how to… make the clones… biddable. We… resist him. Soon… he will replace us all. And we will… no longer be able… to slow him down.” Another pause. “Many… centuries ago… he tricked us. Duped us. There are few of us left. The world… this world will begin… to falter.”
“What-a do you mean, falter?” Peppino said.
“We… are… the guardians,” the pillar said. “Long… long ago… the war… the war… broke something… in the basis of the world. We… used our power… to hold it together. We were weak… and we were fooled by the… Pizzamancer's promise to fix it.” A deep, rueful laugh echoed. “What fools… we were. He was the cause. He destabilized… the whole world… just to have us.”
Gus hopped down from Brick's back, approaching the pillar.
Peppino hissed. “Careful, Gus…”
“It's OK, Pep,” he said, putting a hand on the pillar. “I can feel them, now. They're… they're confused. Heartbroken.”
“They grieve the ones lost,” the pillar said. “They seek a way to… save the world. But they are broken… almost gone. They flail, in grief and pain.” The pillar sighed. “I am… the last.” Another pause. “Intruders. You seek to stop the Pizzamancer… yes?”
All four stood up straight. “Sì,” Peppino said, with more conviction than he felt.
“Then you must… do more. I will… entrust to you… the future.” The world suddenly changed - as if the entire universe had coughed. In the air floated…
“An… an egg?” Peppino murmured.
The small purple ovoid gently floated down into Gustavo's hands. “That… is the future. Our hope. Give it to… the brothers. They will… know what to do.” Pause. “Intruders. Our time… is at an end. You cannot… go back… the way you came. The others… will destroy you, in their confusion.” Pause. Your friends… are waiting for you. I will… send you back. It will be… my last act… of defiance. Soon, we will all be replaced with his… slaves. We will no longer… be here to resist him.”
Peppino felt the world begin to warp around him. “Wait-a! We can- we can-”
The air filled with a sense of amusement. “Our time is done, Italian. Do what… you came here to do. Let nothing. Stop you. The world… is in… your… hands…”
In a blink, the four were gone.
The Pillar sighed. “John… thank you… for listening to us. Perhaps… the world… will have a future now…”
The light faded, casting the hall into total darkness.
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