#Sundown is not the BEST cook but by god I know that man can do the best bbq i've ever seen. next to Rowan

[yael-art-den]

Oc asks yippee hello! Feel free to answer for any of your characters, they're all cool!

🍳 - How well can they cook?

☂️ - How do they feel about rain?

YIPPEEE I'll answer these in a broad sense

🍳 - How well can they cook?

Most of them know how to cook because they had to be self-sufficient in some part of their lives (Sundown, Siv, Rowan) or they actually were taught how to (Wanderer, Galahad). So most of them know how to do it, but it doesn't mean they can do it well. Best cook IMO would be Rowan and Yael; worst are Rey (can't cook for shit, eats things raw and frozen) and Mikh (Knows how to get food, WILL burn the kitchen down)

☂️ - How do they feel about rain?

At worst they're neutral about it because I love rain. Mikh is not the biggest fan, Rey hasn't experienced rain in a century (too cold up there), Sundown and Siv see it as a positive thing they need and Rowan loves a cozy rainy day

[bailey-writes]

So You Want Your OC to be Jewish

So you’re writing a story and you want to make a Jewish character—great! I’m here to help. I always want more Jewish representation but I want good Jewish representation, so this is my attempt to make a guide to making a Jewish character. What are my credentials? I’m Jewish and have been my whole life. Obligatory disclaimer that this is by no means comprehensive, I don’t know everything, all Jews are different, and this is based on my experiences as an American Jew so I have no idea, what, if any, of this applies to non-American Jews. 

If there’s anything you want me to make a post going more into detail about or if there’s anything I didn’t mention but you want to know please ask me! I hope this is helpful :) Warning, this is long.

Jew PSA

If you are Jewish you can use the word Jew(s), e.g. “She’s dating a Jew.” If you are not Jewish you cannot use the word Jew(s). This is not up for debate. Non-Jews calling us Jews has a negative connotation at best. Don’t do it and don’t have your characters do it.

Basics, Plus My Random Thoughts that Didn’t Fit Anywhere Else

A confusing enduring issue is, what is Judaism? It’s a religion, but some Jews aren’t religious; is it a race? A nationality? A culture? A heritage? The only constant is that we are seen as “other.” There’s a lot of debate, which makes it confusing to be Jewish and as such it’s common for Jews to struggle with their Jewish Identity. However many people agree that Jews are an ethnoreligious group, aka Judaism is a religion and an ethnicity.

Temple/Synagogue/Shul = Jewish place of worship. Shul is usually used for Orthodox synagogues.

Keeping kosher = following Jewish dietary rules: meat and dairy can’t be eaten together and you can’t eat pork or shellfish. Fish and eggs are pareve (aka neutral) and can be eaten with meat or dairy (but again not both at the same time.) When eating meat it has to be kosher meat (e.g. kosher Jews are allowed to eat chicken, but not all chicken is kosher. I know it’s kinda confusing I’m sorry.) Kosher products in stores will have symbols on them to identify them as kosher. If someone is kosher they’ll probably have separate sets of utensils/plates/cookware/etc. for meat and dairy

Shabbat/Shabbos/Sabbath = holy day of the week, day of rest, lasts from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Depending on observance Jews might have Shabbat dinner, attend Shabbat services, or observe the day of rest in its entirety (making them shomer Shabbat)

Someone who is shomer Shabbat will refrain from any of the prohibited activities. These can easily be looked up but include: working, writing, handling money, cooking, and using technology.

Bat/Bar/B’nai Mitvzah = tradition where a Jewish boy/girl becomes a man/woman. Celebrated at 13-years-old for boys, 12- or 13-years-old for girls. Girls have Bat Mitzvahs (bat means daughter in Hebrew), boys have Bar Mitzvahs (bar means son in Hebrew) and twins or two or more people having one together have a B’nai Mitzvah. They will study for this for months and then help lead services and, depending on observance level, read from the Torah. The ceremony is often attended by family and friends and followed with a celebration of sorts (in America usually this means a brunch and/or party.)

Goy/gentile = non-Jew. These words are not slurs, they are literally just words. Plural of goy is goyim and is a Yiddish word, plural of gentile is gentiles.

Jewish holidays follow the Hebrew calendar, meaning that according to the current solar/Gregorian calendar the dates of our holidays are different each year.

Jewish law recognizes matrilineal inheritance. This means that Jewish law states your mother has to be Jewish for you to be Jewish. This is because of reasons from biblical times that I can explain if you wanna come ask, but as you can imagine is a bit outdated. While Orthodox Jews might embrace this idea and only consider someone Jewish if their mom is Jewish, many Jews are more flexible on the idea (and yes, this does cause tension between Orthodox Jews and other Jews at times.)

Judaism =/= Christianity

Some people think Judaism is just Christianity without Jesus (some people don’t even realize we don’t believe in/celebrate Jesus so newsflash, we don’t) and that’s just wrong. Yes both religions share the Old Testament, so they also share some history and beliefs, but the entire ideologies of the religions are different. In brief, they are similar in some ways but are not the same.

What seems to me to be the biggest difference is that Christianity (from what I understand) has a heavy focus on sins, more specifically repenting for/gaining forgiveness for your sins. In Christianity you are born tainted by original sin. In Judaism we believe everyone is born pure and free from sin and everyone is made in God’s image. Judaism has some concept of sin, but doesn’t focus on them and instead focuses on performing Mitzvot (plural, singular form is mitzvah. Direct translation is “commandment” but basically means good deed or act of kindness. It also relates to the commandments, so following the commandments is also performing mitzvot.) Examples of mitzvot include anything from saying a prayer or lighting Shabbat candles to helping a stranger or donating to charity (called tzedakah). One of the main tenets of Judaism is tikkun olam, which directly translates to “repair the world” and means exactly what it says on the tin. Instead of focusing on being forgiven for doing bad Judaism focuses on doing good. The only day we focus on past wrongdoings is Yom Kippur, one of our most holy holidays, discussed below.

Holidays

Rosh Hashanah – The Jewish New Year, occurs around September and lasts for two days, though Reform Jews often only celebrate the first day. Day of happiness and joy, celebrated by eating sweet things for a “sweet new year” (often apples dipped in honey) and circular challah to represent the end of one year and beginning of another. Also celebrated with services and blowing the shofar (rams horn.) Some spend the day in prayer and/or silent meditation. Possible greetings: chag sameach (happy holiday; can be said on almost any holiday), Shana Tovah, or happy new year (which is what Shana Tovah means, some people just say it in English.)

Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement. Occurs ten days after the start of Rosh Hashanah. One of if not the most solemn day for Jews, but also the most holy. The day is spent reflecting on yourself and any past wrongdoings and atoning. The day (sundown the night before to sundown the day of) is spent fasting, a physical way of atoning. We do this in hopes of being “written in the Book of Life” and starting the year with a clean slate. The shofar is blown at the end of the holiday. Most Jews will end the fast with a grand meal with family and friends. Most common greeting is “have an easy fast,” but happy new year is still appropriate.

Sukkot – Celebrates the harvest, occurs on the fifth day after Yom Kippur and lasts seven days. Celebrated by building a temporary hut outdoors called a sukkah and having meals inside it, as well as shaking palm fronds tied together (called a lulav) and holding a citrus called an etrog. Very fun and festive holiday. Possible greetings include chag sameach or Happy Sukkot.

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah – Some Jews (mostly Reform Jews and Jews living in Israel) combine both holidays into one day while some celebrate them as two separate days. Either way they occur immediately after Sukkot. Shemini Atzeret is similar but separate from Sukkot and features a prayer for rain; Sukkot is not mentioned in prayers and the lulav isn’t shaken but you do eat in the sukkah. Simchat Torah celebrates finishing reading the Torah, which we will then begin again the next day. It’s a festive holiday with dancing and fun. Some Temples will roll the entire Torah out and the children will run under it. Appropriate greeting for both would be chag sameach.

Rosh Hashanah through Simchat Torah are referred to as the High Holidays.

Chanukah – We all know about Chanukah, celebrating the reclaiming of the Second Temple and the miracle of the oil lasting eight days. The most represented Jewish Holiday there is. Unfortunately it’s one of the least significant holidays for us. Occurs around November or December and lasts eight days and nights. Celebrated by lighting candles in the Menorah each night with a prayer and kids usually get gifts each night. Also celebrated with spinning tops called dreidels, fried foods like doughnuts (sufganiyot in Hebrew; usually the jelly filled ones) and potato pancakes called latkes. Greetings: happy Chanukah or chag sameach.

Tu B’Shevat – Birthday of the trees, basically Jewish Arbor Day. Minor but fun holiday, sometimes celebrated by planting trees. Occurs around January or February.

Purim – Celebrates how Queen Esther of Persia defeated Haman and saved her people, the Jews. Occurs in Spring. Festive holiday traditionally celebrated by dressing in costumes, eating sweets, and giving tzedakah (it’s also technically commanded you get drunk so woohoo!) Whenever Haman’s name is mentioned you make a lot of noise, booing and using noisemakers called groggers. Greetings: happy Purim, chag Purim, or chag sameach.

Passover/Pesach – Celebrates the Jews being freed from slavery in Egypt. Occurs in Spring and lasts eight days. The first two nights (some only celebrate the first night) are celebrated with seder, a ritual meal with certain foods, practices, prayers, and readings from a book called the Haggadah and often attended by family and friends. Most famous prayer/song of the holiday is the four questions, which ask why that night is different from all other nights and is traditionally sung by the youngest child at the seder. The entire holiday is spent not eating certain foods, mostly grain or flour (the food restrictions are complicated and differ based on denomination so look it up or ask a Jew.) We eat a lot of matzah during Pesach, which is like a cracker kinda. I personally hate it but some people actually like it. Greetings: happy Passover, chag pesach, or chag sameach.

Tisha B’Av – Anniversary of the destruction of the Temple. Occurs in Summer. Very sad, solemn day. Some celebrate by fasting from sunrise to sunset. Not the most widely celebrated holiday. Some also commemorate the Holocaust (also called the Shoah) on this day as it was the destruction of a figurative temple.

Denominations

There are a bunch of denominations in Judaism, we’ll go into it briefly.

Religious denominations:

Reform/Reformed: This is the least religiously observant level. Often Reform Jews don’t keep kosher or observe Shabbat, their services on Shabbat will use instruments. Reform Jews probably attend services for the high holidays at the very least and probably had a Bat/Bar Mitzvah. Might say they consider themselves more culturally Jewish. Their Temple/Synagogue will be the most “liberal”—aka have more female/diverse Rabbis and a more diverse congregation. I’m Reform and my Temple’s lead Rabbi is a woman and we used to have a Rabbi who’s a queer single mother.

Conservative: More religiously observant and more generally traditional. Might keep kosher or observe Shabbat, but not necessarily. Services likely won’t use instruments (not supposed to play instruments on Shabbat). Most likely had a Bat/Bar Mitzvah, but girls might not read from the Torah, though this depends on the congregation. They do allow female Rabbis, but in my experience it’s less common.

Modern Orthodox: Very religiously observant but also embrace modern society. Will keep kosher and observe Shabbat. Men will wear kippot (singular=kippah) and tzitzit under their shirts. Women will cover their hair (if they’re married), most likely with a wig, and wear modest clothing (only wear skirts that are at least past their knees and long sleeves). Emphasis on continued study of Torah/Talmud. Parents will likely have jobs. Might have larger families (aka more children) but might not. Services will be segregated by gender, girls won’t read from the Torah publicly, and female Rabbis are very rare. Children will most likely attend a religious school. Will attend shul services every Shabbat and for holidays.

note: there are some people who fall somewhere between modern Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox, or between any two denominations really. as you can imagine people don’t all practice the exact same way.

Ultra-Orthodox: Very religiously observant and not necessarily modern. Will keep kosher and observe Shabbat. Men will wear kippot or other head coverings and tzitzit under their shirts, and are also often seen wearing suits. Women will cover their hair (if they’re married) with a wig or scarf and wear modest clothing (only wear skirts that are at least past their knees and long sleeves). Emphasis on continued study of Torah/Talmud. Men might have jobs but might instead focus on Jewish studies, while women most often focus on housework and child-rearing. Don’t believe in contraception (but this is kinda nuanced and depends). Will often have very large families because having children is a commandment and helps continue the Jewish people. Might be shomer negiah which means not touching members of the opposite sex aside from their spouse and some close family members. Services will be segregated by gender, girls won’t read from the Torah publicly, and there won’t be female Rabbis. Children will attend a religious school. Will attend shul services every Shabbat and for holidays.

Ethnic denominations (the different denominations do have some differences in practices and such but tbh I don’t know much about that so this is just the basics):

Ashkenazi: Jews that originate from Central/Eastern Europe. Yiddish, a combination of Hebrew and German, originated from and was spoken by Ashkenazim and while it’s a dying language it’s spoken among many Orthodox Jews and many Jews of all levels know/speak some Yiddish words and phrases. Majority of Jews worldwide are Ashkenazi.

Sephardi/Sephardic: Jews that originate from the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, and southeastern Europe. Ladino, a combination of Old Spanish and Hebrew, originated from and was spoken by Sephardim. It is also a dying language but is still spoken by some Sephardim. After Ashkenazi most of the world’s Jews are Sephardic.

Mizrahi: Jews that originate from the Middle East and North Africa.

Ethiopian Jews: Community of Jews that lived in Ethiopia for over 1,000 years, though most have immigrated to Israel by now.

Stereotypes/Tropes/Controversies/Etc.

There are so many Jewish stereotypes and shit and I ask you to please be mindful of them. Stereotypes do exist for a reason, so some people will fit stereotypes. This means your character might fit one or two; don’t make them fit all of them. Please. Stereotypes to keep in mind (and steer away from) include:

All Jews are rich.

All Jews are greedy.

All Jews are cheap/frugal.

All Jews are [insert job here]. We’ll go into this more below.

All Jews hate Christians/Muslims/etc.

All Jews are white. 

First of all Ethiopian and Mizrahi Jews exist, many Sephardi are Hispanic, and today with intermarriage and everything this just isn’t true.

All Jews have the same physical features: large and/or hooked nose, beady eyes, droopy eyelids, red hair (this is an old stereotype I didn’t really know existed), curly hair.

Many Jews do have somewhat large noses and curly hair. I’m not saying you can’t give these features to your characters, but I am saying to be careful and don’t go overboard. And don’t give all of your Jewish characters these features. As a side note, it is common at least among American Jews that girls get nose jobs. Not all, but some.

Jews are secretly world elite/control the world/are lizard people/new world order/ any of this stuff. 

STAY AWAY FROM. DO NOT DO THIS OR ANYTHING LIKE THIS. If you have a character that’s part lizard, do not make them Jewish. If you have a character that’s part of a secret group that controls the entire world, do not make them Jewish.

Jews have horns. If you have characters with horns please don’t make them Jewish.

Jews killed Jesus.

The blood libel. Ew. No.

The blood libel is an antisemitic accusation/idea/concept that back in the day Jews would murder Christian children to use their blood in religious rituals and sometimes even for consumption (did I mention gross?) Not only did this just not happen, but it’s actually against Jewish law to murder, sacrifice, or consume blood. Yes these accusations really happened and it became a main reason for persecution of Jews. And some people still believe this shit.

Jews caused The Plague.

The reason this conspiracy exists is because many Jews didn’t get The Plague and the goyim thought that meant it was because the Jews caused it/cursed them. The real reason Jews didn’t get it is because ritual hand-washing and good hygiene kept them from getting it. Sorry that we bathe.

Jewish mother stereotype.

Ok, listen. I know stereotypes are mostly a bad thing but I have to admit the Jewish mother stereotype is not far off. Jewish moms do tend to be chatty and a little nagging, are often very involved in their children’s lives, and they are often trying to feed everyone (although they don’t all cook, my mom hates cooking.) They also tend to be big worriers, mostly worrying about their family/loved ones. They also tend to know everyone somehow. A twenty minute trip to the grocery store can turn into an hour or two long trip because she’ll chat with all the people she runs into.

Jewish-American Princess (JAP) ((I know calling Japanese people Japs is offensive. Jews will call girls JAPs, but with a completely different meaning. If that’s still offensive I am sorry, but just know it happens.))

This is the stereotype that portrays Jewish girls/women as spoiled brats basically. They will be pampered and materialistic. Do these girls exist? Definitely. I still recommend steering away from this stereotype.

Names

Listen. Listen. There are some names that Jews just won’t have. I won’t speak in definites because there are always exceptions but you’ll rarely find a Jew named Trinity or Grace or Faith or any form of Chris/Christopher/Christina etc. Biblical names from the Old Testament? Absolutely Jews will have those names they’re actually very common.

I’m in a Jewish Sorority. My pledge class of ~70 girls had five Rebeccas and four Sarahs. Surprisingly only one Rachel though.

When it comes to last names I have two thoughts that might seem contradictory but hear me out: a) give your Jewish OC’s Jewish surnames, b) don’t give your Jewish OC’s the most Jewish surname to ever exist.

By this I mean I would much rather see a character named Sarah Cohen or Aaron Levine than Rachel Smith. Just that little bit of recognition makes a happy exclamation point appear over my head, plus it can be a good way to hint to readers that your OC is Jewish.

On the other hand, please don’t use the most stereotypical Jewish names you’ve ever heard. If you have five Jewish OCs and one of them is Isaac Goldstein then fine. If Isaac Goldstein is your only Jewish OC I might get a little peeved. There are tons of common Jewish surnames that are recognizable and easy to look up, so don’t revert to the first three that come to mind. Maybe it’s just me, but I find it yucky, for lack of a better word.

Jobs

We all know there are certain jobs that are stereotypical for Jews to have. We’re talking lawyer, dentist, doctor, banker type stuff. To an extent these stereotypes exist for a reason, many Jews go into those careers. Do not make these the only careers your Jewish OCs have. Stereotypes might have reasoning behind them but it doesn’t mean they aren’t harmful. If you have multiple Jewish OCs some of them can have these careers, but not all of them. I do know a lot of Jewish lawyers, dentists, and doctors. I also know accountants, people involved in businesses (“mom, what does Brad do?” “he’s a businessman” sometimes there just aren’t more specific words), people involved in real estate. I don’t actually know any bankers personally, and with money and stuff being one of the most common and harmful Jewish stereotypes I would suggest steering away from that.

These are common fields for Jews, but Jews can have literally any job. Please feel free to get creative. And if you have more than one Jewish OC you can think about making one of them a Rabbi, but DON’T do this if they’re the only Jewish OC. Please.

Yiddish

So I mentioned Yiddish earlier. Like I already said, it’s not a very widely used language anymore but there are some words and phrases that are still used by a lot of Jews (in America at least.) Here’s a list that is absolutely not comprehensive:

Oy vey = oh no

Shvitzing = sweating (but not just a little bit. Shvitzing is like SWEATING)

Kvetch/kvetching = whine/whining or complain/complaining

Mazel tov = congratulations; this is the same in Yiddish and Hebrew

Chutzpah = nerve or gall (e.g. “He’s got a lot of chutzpah for breaking up over text like that”)

Kismet = fate; I just learned this is Yiddish

Bubbe and Zayde = grandma and grandpa

Schelp/schlepping = drag/dragging, can also mean carry or move (e.g. “I had to schlep the bag all around town” doesn’t mean they literally dragged it)

Schmutz = dirt or something dirty (e.g. “you have schmutz on your face”)

Schmatta = literally means rag but can be used to refer to ratty blankets or clothes

Plotz = collapse (usually used in the sense of “I’m so tired I might plotz” or “she’s gonna be so excited she’s gonna plotz”)

Schmuck/shmendrick = both mean more or less the same, a jerk or obnoxious person

Shtick = gimmick, routine, or act (can be used like (“I don’t like that comedian’s shtick” or “he always makes himself the center of attention it’s his shtick”)

Spiel = long speech, story, or rant

There’s so many more so look them up and think about using them, but don’t overdo it. A Jewish person isn’t gonna use a Yiddish word in every sentence (or even every day or every few days.)

Israel

In my community at least it’s very common that by the time your college-aged that you’ll have been to Israel at least once.

Israel is a controversial topic within the Jewish community and in the world. It’s sensitive and complex. I really, really suggest not getting into it. Just don’t bring it up because no matter what you say someone will be unhappy. Just don’t do it.

Ashkenazi Disorders

Ashkenazi Jews have some sucky genes (I’m Ashkenazi so I can say this, you cannot.) These sucky genes cause certain disorders to be more prevalent for us. Children only get the disorder if both parents are carriers of the disorder, so Jews usually get genetic testing done before having children. If both parents are carriers the risk of the child getting the disorder is high, so parents might reconsider or have some indecisiveness/fear. Some of these are:

Tay-Sachs

Cystic Fibrosis

Canavan Disease

Familial Dysautonomia

Gaucher Disease

Spinal Muscular Atrophy  

Fanconi Anemia

Mucolipidosis IV

Niemann-Pick Disease

Torsion Dystonia

Bloom Syndrome

Ashkenazi Jews also have a high prevalence of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in women and increase the risk of breast and prostate cancer in men.

Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Lactose Intolerance are also very prevalent

In a dorm of like 40 Jews, six of them had Crohn’s.

Ways to Show Your OC is Jewish

Wears Jewish jewelry, e.g. Star of David (also called Jewish Star and Magen David), Chai symbol (means life), jewelry with Sh’ma prayer, or hamsa (but beware this symbol is used outside of Judaism).

Mentions their temple, their Rabbi, having a Bat/Bar Mitzvah, going to Hebrew School, Shabbat, or a holiday coming up.

Have someone ask them a question about Judaism.

Have someone notice they have a mezuzah on their door. 

Most Jews will have a mezuzah on the doorframe of the front door of their house/apartment, but they could even have one for their dorm room or whatever. It’s traditional to kiss your hand then touch the mezuzah when walking through the door, but most Jews don’t do this every time, at least not most Reform or Conservative Jews.

Have them call out antisemitism if you’re feeling spicy

The end! I hope this helped and if you have any questions my ask box is always open!

[kat-katsuki]

Sunflower and White Rose | Bakugou Katsuki x Reader Part 3

Fantasy AU

Masterlist

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 4

Warnings: Swearing (cuz bakugou)

tags: @jazzylove​ @whalerus​ @angie-1306​

WC: 3.1k

"AAAAHHHHHHHHH!" Kirishima had to hold his hands over his sensitive ears when Bakugou started screaming over the cliff. Bakugou wasn't a dragon shapeshifter, but his roar was almost as loud as one. "FUCK!!!!" He growled at the valley. "FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!"

"Calm down Katsuki!" Kirishima shouted.

"How the fuck do you expect me to fucking calm down!? How?! She's fucking partnered! And of all people, she's partnered with that shitty Deku!" Bakugou whirled around, flailing his arms in the air as if he were going to slap someone. "NnggggGGGRAHHH!" He threw his fist into the ground, denting it as well as injuring his knuckles. How he wished he could go to you, so you could heal his hand, but you were now someone else's partner. "Why...?"

"Well you didn't exactly give her a choice," said Kirishima. "Izuku was the only one who asked her."

"She asked him!" Bakugou reminded.

"Well of course she would. He gave her his flower! It'd be rude not to, considering he's the only one willing to give her flowers."

"I'm willing! What the fuck did you think I was saving that flower for?" Bakugou howled.

"BUT YOU DIDN'T! YOU RAN AWAY!"

Kirishima's words were like knives that stabbed right into Bakugou's already wounded heart. That's right. He ran away. He didn't even try. Why? Why didn't he try? Was he afraid? Afraid of what? Getting rejected? That's hilarious. Who in the right mind would reject him? You would. You definitely would. After all the harsh things he's said to you, after all the names he's called you. Why would you even accept his affection? You were afraid of him. He could tell by the way you cower in his presence.

"Fuuck..." Bakugou grabbed a fistful of his bangs. He sank down to the ground, squatting as he tried to hold back the tears in his eyes. He messed up. He really messed up. He's such a horrible person. He doesn't deserve you. He doesn't deserve to be king.

Kirishima pretended not to notice the little streams gliding down the prince's cheeks. In their culture, crying was looked down upon. As royalty, he must never cry, not even when in pain. However, as his friend, Kirishima understood that Bakugou had it harder than anyone. He had to be dauntless, had to be strong. He had to be free, and he had to be perfect. Maybe that was why he was so attracted to you. You were the opposite of perfect. You were a scaredy-cat, and you were clumsy. You were bounded to the ground, and was hella weak.

But perhaps you were the one who was truly free. You were free from expectations, free from traditions. You were always out there learning new things, and being yourself without worrying that others might change their impression of you, since their impression weren't so great to begin with. In a way, he envied you. But what he envied you the most, was that kindness.

He gets mad easily, and always ends up saying hurtful things. He holds grudges, and he makes sure to return them tenfold. You, on the other hand, accepted all the negativity of others, and only returned with respect. You show empathy to all creatures. You possess qualities he secretly wished he had but never will have.

He tried his best to change for you. Ashido, Sero, Kaminari, and Kirishima can all prove that. For the past few weeks he's been doing his best to control his swearing and refrain from calling them by the mean nicknames. It was all practice so he could talk to you normally. He can't believe all that practice went to nothing.

"Hey man, it's not over yet. You still have a chance," Kirishima placed a hand on Bakugou's shoulder.

"How? She already accepted his fucking flower," Bakugou grumbled.

"Come on man! The flower exchange isn't the main event! It's just an excuse for people to confess to their loved ones! The main event is the fire dance! Remember? Only true lovers who dance together at the fire dance will be blessed by the fire god, and their love will last for lifetimes to come!"

"What are you getting at?"

"What I mean is there's still time! The dance isn't until tomorrow night! You just have to confess your feelings and get her to dance with you by tomorrow night!"

That sounds easy, but how was he going to do that? Beat Deku up and take you by force? That would just make you hate him even more. Plus, what if you reject him?

"Stop thinking about the what-ifs!" Kirishima exclaimed, as if reading his mind. "You don't know how it's gonna turn out unless you try Katsuki! If you don't pursue her you're really going to lose her! Do you want that?"

The idea of getting rejected by you was humiliating, but the idea of losing you because he never bothered to try was even worse. "Alright....." A ghost of a smile appeared on Bakugou's lips. "But I'll need some preparations."

Kirishima's face lit up with excitement. "You got it man! Mina, Denki, and Hanta and I are ready to help any time!"

It was almost sundown. You were grinding the herbs you had collected earlier today. When you saw the sun start to set, you quickly picked up the Alstroemeria that you had picked for Midoriya. You didn't have a flower for him yesterday, so you planned to return one today. You hoped he'd like it.

Midoriya showed up right on time. The sky was a beautiful orange red, a sign that the fire god had descended from heaven.

Legend says that thousands of years ago, the fire god, Hino, descended from heaven, and fell in love with a mortal, Nue. They married and had a child. That child was the first fire breather, the dragon. When Hino's mortal wife passed away, he was very sad. In order to see her again, he bound their souls together, and descended from heaven. It is said that when two souls are bound, they will always be able to find each other, in all of their lifetimes. And they will fall in love, over, and over again, for eternity. To celebrate their love, their descendants would hold a festival every year on the day the fire god was said to have descended to earth. And it is said, true lovers who dance the fire dance together will get their blessings from the fire god, so they too can bind their souls for eternity.

"Ready?" Midoriya asked.

"Before we go, I want to give you this," you said as you handed him the Alstroemeria. "I'm sorry I didn't have a flower for you yesterday."

"That's okay, and thank you. I love it," Midoriya smiled as he accepted the orange and yellow flower from your hand.

The two of you headed into the depth of the village, where the festival was being held. Torches were set up all over the sides of the streets, and there were games and competitions, food and dances!

You and Midoriya went to the carpenter's yurt, where he had set up a floor full of dragon masks. He gave you and Midoriya each a dragon mask, which you two wore on the side of your faces, and the two of you headed to the next yurt.

When the two of you finally made it to the banquet, you were starving. The fire festival is the biggest event of the year, and the food of the banquet is hunted by the best hunters of the tribe, prepared by the best cooks too. Each year they'd prepare three days worth of food for the entire village. You swore you'd eat a whole year's worth of meat, because after this day you'll have to wait for the next year.

"(Y/N)! Izuku! Heyyy! Finally found you guys!" While you and Midoriya were grabbing food, you heard a familiar voice call out your names.

"Eijirou-kun? Mina-chan? Hanta-kun and Denki-kun too?" Midoriya raised a brow. "Why were you looking for the two of us?"

You noticed how Bakugou wasn't with them, and there was a hint of disappointment in your heart. However, on the bright side, he may have found a partner, and was currently with them right now. Wait, why does that hurt even more?

"Well we were going around the festival as a group, and we wanted to ask if you guys wanna join us!" Ashido said. You're brows lifted in surprise. It's not uncommon for friends to travel in groups, but the fire festival is really a couples thing, so you were surprised to see Kirishima and Ashido traveling with Sero and Kaminari.

"I guess I'm okay with it! What about you (Y/N)-chan?" Midoriya asked you.

"Yeah! The more the merrier!" You replied. In truth you weren't close with any of them, but since they were Midoriya's friends, you didn't want to be rude.

"Great! Wait... (Y/N)-chan why aren't you wearing your fire dress?" Ashido asked, looking up and down at your plain, grey thin strapped dress which ended at your knees. You had a tight belt on your waist with some accessories dangling, but it was nothing different from you normally wore.

The dragon women don't normally wear dresses, but the fire dress was different. It is a traditional outfit especially for the fire dance. It's usually made by the mother for the daughter. Everyone's fire dress is different, but it is generally always in brilliant shades of reds, orange, and yellows. Ashido's fire dress was very similar to her normal wear. It was a red and black zebra print breast cover, and she wore one metallic breast plate over her left breast, as she normally would when she was out riding dragons. She had two long sashes flowing down in front and behind her legs. The sashes were a beautiful red, mixing into orange and yellow at the end.

"I...don't have anyone to make one for me," you told her. Your mother passed away when you were very little. Ashido quickly placed a hand over her mouth, regretting asking the question. "Plus, Izuku and I don't plan on doing the fire dance."

"Why is that?" Kirishima asked.

"Well, the fire dance is a lovers thing. We're just friends, so we think we'll just stand by and watch," Midoriya chuckled.

A soft smirk made its way to Kirishima and his friends' lips. Suddenly, Ashido clapped her hands together. "Ahh! I suddenly have the urge to relieve myself! But it's gotten so dark, it's not safe out here! (Y/N)-chan do you wanna come with me?" she asked.

"Eh? Uh...sure...." You couldn't say no. Ashido winked at Kirishima and grabbed you by the wrist. Without warning she dashed off, dragging you with her. "AAHH!" You were not a good runner. Especially not against the strongest female warrior of your tribe.

You noticed how she dragged you straight out of the village, which was weird because there were multiple places in the village where people did their business. The dragon mask on your head fell to the ground, but she didn't give you a chance to pick it up. But she didn't give you a chance to ask because you were busy trying to breathe while running through the meadows.

When she finally came to a stop, you immediately fell to the ground. You let go of her hand as you fell to your knees and gasped for air. Your sweat dripped onto the hard soil in pitter patters. Your chest expanded and shrunk exaggeratedly as you tried to intake as much air as possible. "A-....Ashido...-san....why did you....bring me here?" you panted.

She didn't answer you, instead she called out to the darkness. "Hey! I brought her! Make sure you don't fuck up this time!" she shouted. You felt your blood go cold. What did she want with you all the way outside the village? Was she gonna kill you?

You were about to scream, but you heard a familiar voice shout back, "SHUT THE FUCK UP RACOON EYES!"

Ashido chuckled before turning to you. "Sorry I tricked ya! Please forgive me. If all goes well, that guy will bring you back," she pointed her thumb towards the dark outskirts of the meadow.

"What?" You asked. You couldn't see a thing in the darkness.

Ashido's chest expanded. She blew out puffs of fire all around them, each puff of fire landing on a torch, lighting it, until ten torches were lit all around them. Your eyes widened at the sight before you. White roses. White roses everywhere. You thought you were taken to a meadow, but this was a sea of white roses. But for some reason there were no thorns poking at you. Why is that?

"Alright, I'm out!" Ashido suddenly disappeared.

"What?" You stood up, turning around, but she was gone.

"I'm sorry... I got those shitty bastards to help me, but removing the thorns took some time." A familiar voice said in an unfamiliar tone. You turned around again, this time to face the torches. At the very center, stood a familiar spiky ash blonde man with breathtaking crimson eyes. He wore earrings made of the red hawk's talons, necklaces made of the great howlers' blue claws. Each bead on his neck was a proof of the number of battles he's won. A furry red cape slung over his shoulders, covering the back of his bare torso. It was none other than your prince.

"Prince Katsuki? What are you doing here? What about the fire festival?" you asked in disbelief, still trying to make sense of the situation.

Bakugou slowly made his way towards you through the roses. "Yesterday, I messed up and lost my partner to someone else. Right now, I'm getting her back," he said.

"Partner? To who? Ashido just left though!" You pointed to the direction behind you. Your eyes expanded at the same pace as him getting closer to you. Finally, he was standing right before you, his figure towering over you like a tall and almighty dragon. It was rude to look royalty in the eye, but for some reason you couldn't take yours away from his.

"I know I said a lot of mean things to you... I never thanked you for saving me, and keeping my secret... I'm not the nicest person, and I'm not worthy of your kindness...but still... I want to tell you that I love you... I love you (Y/N). I want to be your partner. I want to get the fire god's blessing with you." Under the torch light, you could vaguely see a hint of red over Bakugou's cheeks. His beautiful rubies gazed right into your (e/c) gems.

"What...." You were utterly lost for words. Did your ears play tricks on you? Because just now you felt like you heard your prince ask you to be his partner. "M-...Me?!" You pointed at yourself, gawking at him for confirmation.

Bakugou clicked his tongue impatiently. "Well who else in the village has a shitty name like (Y/N)?!" Crap! "I-I mean- You're the only one named (Y/N).... Your name isn't shitty...." He looked down in guilt, and then lifted his eyes back up expectantly. "So.... What's your answer?" His face was turning as red as his eyes.

Little streams started pouring out of your confused eyes. Your prince, the one who you've been in love with, just told you he loved you. This has to be a dream. But if it's a dream please don't let you wake up. "B-But..... That's impossible... I'm just.... These white roses, you must have prepared them for someone special! Because that flower means- I'm-"

"These are your favorite flowers right? I prepared them for you!" Bakugou gently took your hand in his. He searched in your teary eyes trying to look for the answer he needed. "Is it not?"

"F-...For me?"

That's when you realized, there's no way Bakugou would have known the meaning of these flowers. The dragon tribe don't give meanings to flowers like the people of the south do. They just picked whatever was the most colorful and vibrant. A light chuckle escaped your lips, for you felt so silly for forgetting such a thing.

Now it all made sense. The white rose he brought to the flower exchange, and why he suddenly ran off. But you still couldn't believe it. "It is...." You nodded softly to answer his previous question.

"Why do you...like the white rose?" Bakugou asked.

You covered your tearful eyes with your free hand. Your breaths became staggered as you started to sob, "Because....I'm in love with a man." Bakugou felt his heart stop at your words. "He's the bravest, strongest, most handsome man in the tribe. He's of royal descent..... He's someone I shouldn't even dream of being with...." Huh? Brave... Strong... Royal descent... Why does Bakugou feel like you're talking about him? You're talking about him, right? "These flowers...have a special meaning in the south. They symbolize the words I want to tell him but would never be able to...."

Bakugou removed your hand from your beautiful (e/c) orbs. Even with tears in them, they were still so breathtakingly beautiful. His heart pounded in his chest as he leaned his face closer to yours, eyes wide and anticipating. "What do they mean?" he asked, so softly that even right next to him you could barely hear his voice.

Your eyes trailed down, almost in shame.

"I'm worthy of you."

Your voice was so soft you could barely hear yourself. The moment you uttered those words you wish you hadn't. How could you say such a thing to Bakugou? Just what exactly do you have that makes you even think you might be worthy of him? You started to chuckle nervously, not noticing the wide eyed look on the ash blonde prince's face. "S-Silly right? How could a failure like me ever be worthy of your highness... I'll just go-"

Before you could finish, Bakugou grabbed your face with both hands and smashed his lips on yours. He couldn't put words together to tell you how wrong you are, so he had to show you through action.

You are not a failure.

You stood wide eyed, too shocked to move a muscle. You and Prince Katsuki were kissing.

For the longest time the only thing you could hear was the heart of your own heartbeat. After what seemed like a hundred beats, Bakugou finally released his lips from yours. "Don't say that...." he whispered. "Don't call yourself a failure. You're more than worthy (Y/N)."

"D-Do you mean it?"

"Be my queen (Y/N)." Bakugou brushed his thumbs under your eyes, wiping away the tears. "Like my old hag is to me old man. Like Nue is to Hino. Let our souls be bonded for eternity."

Tears flooded down your face, for you could no longer contain the happiness you felt. You nodded. "I love you my prince. I also want to be with you for lifetimes to come!"

You closed your eyes as his lips captured yours once again. For that moment everything seemed to have disappeared, leaving you and Bakugou, the only two souls in this world. It was just the moon, the fire, the roses, and the two of you.

You were filled with disappointment when his lips parted from yours. However, a soft smile spread over your lips as he pressed his forehead against yours. "Let's go get our fucking blessings."

Flower Language:

Sunflower- Adoration

Hydrangea- Gratitude for being understood

Alstroemeria- friendship

White Rose- "I'm worthy of you"

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 4

Also on AO3! A kudos would be greatly appreciated!

[theskyehealers]

"Interesting timing." Aviva called. While festivities readied and food was displayed for Caspian the Snow Mystic King, she had visited the chicken coup with Veda to calm the fussy chickens, and gather the eggs that would be needed to make the grandiose cake, when Arendt appeared.

"You are looking more and more sun-kissed every day." She said with a smile, shoving an egg gathering apron into his chest. "Help will you." And when he approached she gave him a tight hug. "Come away from the sea life more often."

She admired the quiet confidence of her baby brother, a man now, with his own responsibilities and just as stoic as she remembered Alden, and even Arendt's father.

"Stay for the dinner, Caspian should meet you." And they fell into a silence, realizing Arendt was not bringing up anything about The War in Arbor, the fight between their mother and abelie, and that Abelie was no where to be seen.

"Look you need to know what's going on."

And began, sharing everything she knew about Arbor, The Tree People, Alynne, Alden, their mother's 'sisters', and finally the fight between their mother and Abelie.

She bated her time, "Arendt....also...no one has seen Abelie in many moons."

Arendt wondered what had been all this pomp and circumstance when a grand ship arrived. He had been too far away to notice who had set foot in Barley, but after explaining to Maris he would be returning before sundown, he went into town, where he asked where he could find either his sister or brother-in-law, and was told Aviva had just snuck into the chicken coup with his niece. Veda was first to notice him and ran at him, jumping into his arms where instead of actually collecting eggs, she used his apron as her basket to gather as many as they needed.

The chickens clucked but did not mind Veda in the least.

"I saw the ship, is that who I think it is?" When Aviva had once shared that once upon a time a prince had courted her, he didn't hesitate to believe her, but to see the man who had let his sister slip from his fingers was something else entirely.

At the invitation to join them, he didn't care that he would not be able to attend in proper garb, all he wanted was a chance to spend time with his family here and mayhaps even meet this King.

Veda stole off with his apron to take to the cooks who would be impatient to get to baking the King the best treat possible.

Arendt realized Aviva had something to share and tried to listen without reacting.

"Wait, wait, wait! Arbor is at war, our brother and sister are there and I am not?!" He shook his head wildly, "I do not understand....how can Mam and Abi have a fight? No! Good gods, why is Abi so stubborn!" And groaned, angry at himself and huffed hard, "Aviva, where is Abelie?!?"

[janiedean]

Oh hey Lavi, for the anniversary prompt how about the following options: A) Rickon telling stories of things he experienced on Skagos (and why he doesn't ride horses and unicorns only) B) Sweet Robin recovering from Lysa's awful parenting, him and Sansa meeting as friends when they're both grown up. Enjoy the hellsite anniversary :3

AAAND EXTREMELY LATE *spins wheel*

--

buy me a coffee | commissions open

--

"Let me guess, we can give Lord Manderly's gift to Arya?"

Not that Lord Manderly will know either way and they do have an excuse - the mare he gifted to Rickon for his... supposed crowning is a truly wonder of a purebreed but she's barely been looked at and Jon supposes it would be a pity to waste her, but then again she is a tad too big to be ridden by a seven-year old... a regular seven-year old, but what Lord Manderly doesn't know won't hurt him.

"She can have it," Rickon shrugs as Jon follows him inside the stables where he's running his hands over the silky mane of... well.

His chosen ride.

A chosen ride that wasn't as huge when it arrived with him from Skaagos along with Osha, Lord Seaworth and a few other men plus Lord Manderly's fealty to Stannis, and good thing they managed to strike a proper agreement in between the whole lot of them, but now -

Now it's... something.

Jon imagines what would happen if someone was to ride it in a battle.

He's halfway sure it would be enough to half-win it.

"Humor me," he says, moving closer, wishing that - well. That a lot of things hadn't gone down since the last time they saw each other. No seven-year old should be this guarded, he thinks, and he's not going to blame Osha for having brought him in the only place no one would have looked for him, but still. If he's to be his regent, gods, Robb, why did you do it, but he knows why Robb did it and on one side he loves him for it, on the other he wonders what Catelyn Tully would think of it.

He has a feeling she didn't approve of that decision. Surely she approved of it less than his siblings, and for a moment he feels like crying, but -

Never mind.

"What's the difference? In between riding that and a horse," Jon adds when Rickon looks at him, cocking an eyebrow.

"Oh," he replies, half-smiling, thinly, but still more than he did since Lord Seaworth brought him back, so - so that's fine, he supposes, "I could let you try." He considers. "But if you tried you wouldn't want to ride horses anymore and I don't think you want that."

"No," Jon shakes his head, "that wouldn't be convenient. But I still want to know."

Rickon looks back at the - at the unicorn in front of him, all black like Shaggydog, who is quietly growling as he huddles with Ghost in the corner, but - in an almost friendly way. And Ghost looks overjoyed to be reunited with his brother, so - good for them. It's large, and that mane looks silkier and shinier than a regular horse's, though it has harder eyes, Jon thinks, and the rough, huge corn sprouting from the middle of its forehead looks like it could impale a man or two.

"They're faster," Rickon finally says. "A lot. Sometimes it feels like you're flying, while they run. They gave me one a few days after we arrived."

"Did they?"

"Osha insisted," Rickon half-smiles. "That one died a while later, but it was old. It still ran faster than any other horse. Then I rode all the ones they had in her village. They gave me this one just before I left but they told me not to name her for a year."

"Why's that?"

"They say it brings bad luck," Rickon shrugs, "I don't know about that, but they'd know best, right?"

"Sure," Jon replies, "and how long do they live?"

"Oh, the first one I had was three hundred years old, they said."

Seven Hells. Does that mean they'll have a unicorn lingering in Winterfell for centuries, if she survives the Long Night? Well, Jon supposes, that can't be too bad.

"Good," he says, "she - she is impressive."

"I know," Rickon replies. "Not that Lord Manderly's was... well, bad. But she's not the same. And when I go inside her the way I do with Shaggy while riding it's just - a horse wouldn't be the same. It couldn't."

Ah, damn. He'll need to tell Rickon to not be so carefree with saying he can warg, and didn't he learn that lesson himself, but -

"I only can do it with Ghost," Jon replies quietly, "but I imagine it's... you see with her eyes, don't you?"

"Yes," Rickon nods, delighted, "and they can see so many colors, you wouldn't know."

Considering that when he's inside Ghost he can see less than he does as a human...

"I imagine it doesn't... compare with doing it with the wolves, does it?"

"Of course not!" He sounds almost outraged. "I mean, with Shaggy it's just different, but no, it's so many more than we do. And they shine so much."

"Maybe I'll go to Skaagos and get myself one then," Jon says, "wouldn't want to try with yours."

"Oh, there's so many of them, and you're friends with all the wildlings. They'd give you one for sure. I heard the other lords say they're bad but they're really not."

"People can be... stupid like that," Jon agrees, shuddering all over again. Understatement of the century, but maybe now that it's clear that they're facing impeding doom maybe they'll get over being prejudiced, he supposes. Maybe they can ask the Skaagosi to send them an army of unicorns. Now that would be interesting.

"I know," Rickon snorts, "I heard them say that they do all kinds of things on Skaagos, but they really don't."

"Like what? The, uh, -"

"Eating other people," Rickon replies with all the calm in the world, and what in the Seven Hells, Jon thinks, but then again didn't he and Robb get excited when as kids Old Nan would tell them stories about the Rat Cook and they were the same age? "Because they don't. I mean, they eat people's ashes after funerals but I don't think it's the same thing."

"They - do?"

Rickon nods. "They said it was so you could bring them with you or if they were good warriors you'd become as good as them."

"... Have you been to a lot funerals there?"

"Some," he says, "I mean, it was all old men, they burned the bodies under the heart trees and then ate the ashes at sundown. Then they'd have a feast in their honor that would go on all night. It was nice. Also they, like, they don't breed all of the unicorns. They capture them sometimes."

"Really," Jon shudders at the idea of taming a wild beast like the one in front of him. "And did you go with?"

"Osha brought me a few times with her friends. I didn't get close or anything but - I cheated."

"Oh, you cheated?"

"I said they could use Shaggy if they needed, but then I went inside him. I think Osha knew but she never said either way."

"It sounds... like you didn't hate it," Jon says slowly. Surely it sounds like he hates everyone staring at him like he's their last hope for House Stark to thrive more than he could ever hate being on Skaagos.

"It was... fun," Rickon admits, running his hand through the unicorn's mane again and again. "And people didn't talk to me weird."

"Weird how?" Jon asks, even if he suspect what the answer is.

Rickon shrugs. "Like I'm more important than you all are. Or like they expect me to... I don't know. To do your job already. Is it bad that I don't really want it?"

"Robb didn't want it," Jon says, "I don't particularly want it and Stannis Baratheon doesn't particularly want to rule the rest of the kingdoms regardless. I'd be worried if you did want it. And you won't have it for a very long time."

"Good," Rickon says. "I guess we couldn't... visit there again at some point?"

"Tell you what," Jon says, putting a hand on his shoulder, "after we deal with the wights we can - all just go there. Maybe we can leave Sansa to handle things here, I don't know if she'd like Skaagos, but - maybe we can go there and she can meet us at the Wall. Unless she wants to come and then she can, too."

Rickon grins back at him. "I'd like that."

Me, too, Jon thinks, and decides that if they get through this alive it's the damned first thing he's going to arrange.

Never mind that he thinks he does want one of those unicorns for himself.

[miss-choco-chips]

God of you

Ao3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/30280023

--.--.--.--.--

Scared, aimlessly walking down his own frozen path, he started to feel his heart slowing down. The cold freezing him from the inside was familiar, and it horrified him

(Could anybody see him? Hear his silent cries for help?)

His name was Langa. This storm was his creation. And that was all he knew.

--.--.--.--.--

--.--.--.--.--

When they met for the first time, it was an accident. 

Langa had gotten lost, to be true. His own blizzard out of control, icicles sparing right through whoever was dumb enough to get close, an avalanche of cold, merciless snow burying those who lingered. Pain and death and desolation, and a young, lost boy right in the middle of it all.

Where was he? Who was he? What was he doing here?

(What was he doing to himself? To others?)

Scared, aimlessly walking down his own frozen path, he started to feel his heart slowing down. The cold freezing him from the inside was familiar, and it horrified him

(Could anybody see him? Hear his silent cries for help?)

His name was Langa. This storm was his creation. And that was all he knew.

Then, suddenly, a strange, painful sensation in his hand. He looked behind him, and the bleeding red was like a jab to his eyes, used to only white and light blue.

And it didn’t stop there. Tan skin, bright eyes, colorful robes that covered very little for the unforgiving weather surrounding them. Looking at this person was an entirely new experience, evoking a feeling deep in his chest and down to his stomach that he didn’t know how to name yet. It was scary. It was exciting.

“Jeez, dude. Look at the mess you’re in. Are you okay?”

His hand, his hand, it hurts! But then, as he got used to the feeling (too surprised to snatch it away), he noticed that the stranger’s fingers cradling his hand weren’t trying to provoke damage. It was a soft, mushy sensation. Pins and needles at first, but… enticing, now.

“What… are you doing?”

The other man smiled a bit, tightening his grip. Langa felt an irresistible compulsion to turn around and completely face him, so he did.

(He was confused and didn’t know more than his name, but he still thought it wasn’t like him to deny his impulses.)

“Trying to warm you up”, he replied, fingers rubbing at his palm in soft, circular motions.

Warmth. That was the feeling, in his hand, in his stomach, surrounding his chest. It was… He wasn't sure what it was, yet. But. He liked it?

“Trying being the magic word; you’re freezing,” he followed up with. His smile turned into a worried frown. “Can you even feel my fingers?”

They were all Langa could feel, to be honest. His throat was dry.

“How did you even get here, the closest village is about two hours of walking.”

“I… I don’t know.”

The other looked at him in silence. Seemingly trying to decide on something, he finally sighed and gently tugged on the hand still in his possession.

“Well, come on.” At Langa’s confused stare, he smiled, broader than before, and tugged again. “I can’t exactly leave you here by yourself, now can I. My home is a bit far, but if we can make it there by sundown, my mother will have dinner ready and hopefully we’ll warm you up enough to keep you from death. My name is Reki, by the way.”

“Reki…”, he repeated. It tasted sweet, on his tongue. The warmth in his hand was climbing up his arm, and now he felt it on his cheeks. “I’m… Langa,” that much, he knew. Everything else, he’d have to figure out.

But there, walking behind Reki, cold and warm fingers intertwined, he thought that maybe it wouldn't be scary, the meantime. 

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The Kyan family lived in the village’s outskirts. Owners of a field (a big one, at that), they weren’t doing bad enough that they couldn’t afford to take Langa in.

He learned a few things, staying with them. The feeling of a warm, hearty meal (Mrs Kyan was a very good cook). The sensation of mud between his fingers (as the only man, only Reki worked the fields; as an unpaying guest, Langa helped). The quietness of a night without snow storms (it was always warm, inside the house.)

(But that might be just because of Reki.)

Langa didn’t mind his fleeing memory (questions about who was he and where did he come from seemed to dwindle with every afternoon spent trailing after Reki as he completed his chores), nor the hard work (there was something about this man, Langa couldn’t help but think, that he made everything fun). But the dark looks of worry Mrs Kyan and Reki would get, as winter seemed to get worse and worse, kept him awake at night.

So he tried. He wasn’t sure what exactly he was doing, only that it seemed to work when the ice covering the Kyan’s crops would get thinner with each passing day, despite the surrounding lands being completely white with thick snow. And he made sure to do the same the following winter, and the one after that.

And with that relief came back Reki’s brilliant smile, growing with each warm meal his sisters finished, with every happy laugh line furrowing his mother’s forehead. It’d only grow brighter as he held Langa’s hand between his and claimed what a good luck charm this weird foreigner was, that ever since they took him in, winter seemed to pass them by and leave them untouched.

Privately, Langa thought there was no one to thank other than Reki himself. Because it was him who unknowingly gave him the tools to morph his strange, almost uncontrollable powers into something malleable and useful.

It was Reki who taught him about warmth, and that was enough to help melt his unforgiving frost.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

His memories eventually returned, but it was too late by then. Too fucking late.

Because when they did come, it was just after war had taken all warmth from him.

Reki was gone.

The… the idea didn’t… Langa just couldn’t…

Reki was gone.

War had come, and he’d been called to fight. As the only man in his family, there was really  no other option. And even when Langa had raged and shook, insides freezing over despite it being summer, demanding he took him with, Reki had stayed firm. As firm as he was when he found a strange man lost in a blizzard and took him home. As firm as he was when the villagers looked at them walking around, pointing at his strange, delicate features, his white skin and blue hair, and spoke of curses and demons. As firm as he was when people noticed his crops remaining healthy throughout the winter and spoke of witchcraft, or blessings, or miracles, and did their damned best to either hurt Langa or steal him for themselves.

The same firmness that made him feel secure and steady despite his blurry past and uncertain future, caused him now such unfathomable despair.

Because Reki was gone. And he hadn’t taken Langa with him.

When warnings about the dangers of war hadn’t been enough to stop him, Reki had played dirty. He spoke about his mother, too old to work the fields, and his sisters, some of them even approaching marriageable age and a little bit too tempting to those seeking to harm young girls, or to take advantage of the Kyan’s prosperous wealth.

Fear made him desperate to go with Reki, but duty forced him to stay. So he did, and he worked the fields in summer, and fixed the roof when it broke during the storm season in autumn, and kept ice off the crops during the harshest days of winter.

And when spring came, so did his memories.

And so did news of Reki’s death.

Reki was gone. And Langa was eternal. 

He was a God, he knew then. A young, lost one, who after straying too far from his realm had gotten stuck in mortal lands. And then, after meeting Reki, he couldn’t leave.

Because a God that forgets themselves and loves a human might not return home as long as their dear heart remains in life.

But now Reki is gone, the warmth he shared with Langa taken with him, far beyond where he’d ever be able to reach.

He was a God. He could blow mountains away with a single breath, destroy villages with the swoop of a hand, could will the cruelty of winter away or force it to stay with scarcely a thought.

But he couldn’t bring his love back, couldn’t keep that heat blaring brightly inside himself. Without Reki’s warm palms protecting the flame, it died off like a candle left outside during a storm.

Langa’s pain, his broken heart, brought fore disasters previously unheard of. Lands freezing so completely, life couldn’t survive there. Winds so cruel and cold they’d cut anyone stupid enough to brave them. The battlegrounds in which Reki’s blood had been spilled were promptly destroyed, the strength of the blizzard he sent there opening the earth below worse than an earthquake. The only place left untouched, after Langa’s rage simmered down into heart wrenching despair, was the Kyan’s household, abandoned  but for himself after their scared inhabitants had decided to migrate away from all the destruction.

Reki was gone, and Langa’s hands (and his heart) were cold again.

He had forgotten just how painfully numbing the chill in his bones was.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Eventually, Langa’s despair became too much for anyone to handle. Life on earth was going to be no more, unless someone stepped up and did something about it.

But there was only one thing that could melt the God of Snow, and Winter, and Cold. A person that was long gone, lost forever.

But what’s forever for a God?

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

It was the God of Dreams and Nightmares that searched in Langa’s memories for his beloved. The God of Youth and Strength the one who built his mortality, piece by frail piece. The God of Spring and Beginnings that breathed life into it. The God of Tricks and Determination who travelled far beyond anyone else’s reach, to steal back the soul needed to tie it all up together.

(Because Langa wouldn’t accept it, unless it was real. It was no good, if it wasn’t this one.)

And so they worked together for the first time ever, resolutely, tirelessly. Until they could softly place this new human (this old being) on Earth and will it to live.

Until one bright August 8th afternoon, thousands of years after his death, Kyan Reki, all of ten seconds after his second birth, opened his eyes and cried.

And all the way across the world, a God heard him. And his heart started beating again, slow but steady. And his love, his never dying love, drove him (eager and willing) away from his Godly lands and into mortal ground again.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

He didn’t recognize him by looks, but touch. So it wasn’t until hours after their introduction (hours after Langa, itchy mortal skin covering his godly one, had entered that classroom, tired and cold and still so fucking lonlely), when this bright eyed boy had offered him a hand to get back on his feet after falling off his skateboard, that he felt it again.

When their hands touched, the warmth in his fingertips traveled fast and vicious through his arm and shoulders, until finally settling over his chest. Surrounding a heart that was beating wildly, desperate to reach out to its other half.

And Reki, who was mortal but also a little bit more (built by the Gods themselves, from pieces and ashes and stolen remains), gasped in syntony with Langa.

Trying times would come, the presence of a strong God and an existence that wasn’t fully human nor godly drawing the attention of other powerful beings. Beings that, following Langa’s example (curious as to what exactly was tempting enough, to drag one as grand as him down from his frozen throne), donned mortal skins and meddled with their affairs.

Some would try to help, some to harm, others just to observe. It really didn’t matter, to Langa.

Because he had Reki’s hand in his again, his flame now a burning fire in his veins, and he wasn’t going to ever let go. 

[imagine-avengers]

Biker Part One- Bucky Barnes Series

1/10 This is part one of my Biker Bucky series. The other parts can be found on my masterlist once they come out! This is mainly a filler chapter as there isn’t much Bucky in it, but I promise the following chapters will!

Brooklyn seemed like a nice city, but everyone living in the suburb of New York knew it was anything but good. Safe, yes, but not a place where you could be out after sundown on your own. There were multiple rival biker gangs that hung around Brooklyn, one being Hydra, the worst of the worst, they had gangs all throughout the United States, mostly New York and California, they were known for human trafficking, drugs, and arms dealing. They were run by Johann Schmidt, a skeezy older man. Then on the opposite side of the spectrum there was the group called the Howling Commandos, led by two men, Steven Rogers, and James “Bucky” Barnes, more commonly known as The Captain and The Winter Soldier, both men were terrifying in their own ways. Steve took care of the business side of things and was better with people than James, whom was the muscle and took care of the more physical side of the business.  The Howling Commandos weren’t criminals per say, more so a cleanup crew or a group whom tried to stop others from doing wrong things. Yes, the group had killed people, but never innocent people, mainly Hydra’s people. They dealt with a lot of charity work, from the homeless, orphans, and even veterans.

For Elizabeth Smith, Brooklyn was the only place she could ever imagine living, it’s where she grew up. Elizabeth went to the same school as the leaders of the Howling Commandos and was even friends with them. After her best friend Peggy began dating Steve, she was somehow pulled further into the life, especially once they hit high school. Growing up Elizabeth and Bucky became close, eventually the two began dating and in the biker world that immediately put a claim on Elizabeth, thus no one messed with her. Bucky and Elizabeth were inseparable until after the death of Bucky’s father, the original leader of the club, besides Steve’s old man who died years prior, once he died, he left the club to Bucky and Steve. With the new wave of responsibility Bucky began spending all his time managing the club and the bar, never having time for Elizabeth, which killed her seeing as they had talked about wanting to start a family after being together for so many years.

After months of distance between them, and a death threat from Hydra, Bucky broke up with Elizabeth saying that he no longer loved her. That very night Elizabeth had packed her things and left town, not to return for five years. Five years can change a person, in five years Elizabeth had finally graduated college with a nursing degree and began working at a hospital in Washington DC, only to be laid off a few weeks ago.

Driving through the busy streets of New York wasn’t something Elizabeth ever thought she’d be doing again, but after losing her job weeks ago she realized she had to make the move back home. With reluctance, Elizabeth had called her brother and asked to move back home to the house they had grown up in. After her parent’s death, they were never able to sell the house, so when Elizabeth had to move back home, her brother agreed to let her live there as it was left to both siblings.

 -

Pulling up to the suburban house made Elizabeth smile. The house looked the same as it always had, from the tan shingles that lined the house, the bay window in the kitchen that had the same small splotch of yellow paint on it from when her mother decided to paint the kitchen yellow. To the messed-up window on the upstairs bedroom, broken gate that caged in the front yard, that had broken after a drunk fight between Bucky and her brother Adam. It was home. As Elizabeth climbed out of the car, she noticed the for-sale sign that her brother had put up ages ago, for a house that never sold. Taking the sign out with a huff she tossed it onto the small porch. Next she glanced four houses away to where there was a group of motorcycles parked outside the house of Steve Rogers.

Elizabeth turned back around and began unloading things from her car and the U-Hall she had. It took her about an hour to unload everything from her car and bring it inside. In the meantime, all the bikes from Steve’s house had disappeared only leaving his. Still having all the stuff in her U-Hall she decided to head back out to grab some of the smaller stuff.

“I see you bought the Smith’s house.” A voice spoke as she was bent going through a box in the U-Hall.

“Is it really buying the place if it was left to me Stevie?” Elizabeth asked not turning to the man at first until grabbing the box she had been going through and giving the blued eyed man a smile.

“Lizzie?” Steve asked as she hopped out of the truck.

“The one and only. How’ve you been Steve?” She asked as Steve leaned behind her and began grabbing a few boxes before following her inside the house.

“I’ve been alright. What are you doing back?” Steve asked setting the boxes in the middle of the living room with all the others.

“Lost my job, been five years, figured it was time to come. Not like I really had anywhere else to go. Adam has a family in Manhattan, and my folks are gone, luckily the house never sold.” She stated with a sigh as she set her own box on the kitchen counter.

“Well it’ll be good to have you around, you should come see Peg, and Emma, god you haven’t seen her since she was three.” He stated and Elizabeth shrugged.

“I dunno Stevie, I don’t think I wanna get involved with my old life again.”

“Lizzie.” Steve sighed. “You and I both know that you’re already involved by living here. I live four doors down, Bucky’s my business partner, my brother, my best friend, Emma’s Godfather, you’re bound to run into him. You’re Peg’s best friend, Emma’s godmother.” Steve and Elizabeth headed back towards the truck. “You’re involved in our lives,” Steve grabbed a box from the truck. “Not to mention, you’re still claimed by Buck.” He mentioned while motioning to the small tattoo that was on her wrist. “And I’m sure his name is still inked on your shoulder.” Steve chuckled as Elizabeth blushed.

“Shut up Steve.” She mumbled stopping at the back of the truck. “I think we might need some help moving this stuff.” She motioned towards the furniture she had.

“I can get your mattress tonight and tomorrow I can have some of the guys help me move everything else.” Steve offered.

“Thanks Stevie.” She smiled slightly. “I’d appreciate it. Is uh, is James going to be at your place today?”

“Nah, he’s in Queens handling business with Nat and Clint, why?”

“You think Peg would mind me dropping in for dinner?” She asked as Steve carried the mattress inside and set it in her bedroom.

“Not at all, she’s making roast.”

“Oh my god, Sunday roast! Yes!” Elizabeth cheered.

The two finished grabbing the boxes Elizabeth would need before heading over to Steve’s house. Entering the almost identical exterior looking house Elizabeth grinned seeing the brunette cooking at the stove.

“Steve you’ve been gone for three hours. You said you were going to meet the people whom moved into the Smith’s place.” Peggy raged on causing Elizabeth to hold back a laugh. “Tell me they’re assholes so I can feel better that it’s not Elizabeth living there.”

“Peg.”

“No Steve, that house has been on the market for years! I can’t believe it finally sold and we haven’t heard word from Lizzie.” Peggy huffed. “I can’t believe she just left and never called to let us know she was okay, what are we supposed to do Steve? Wait around for her to come back? What if she never does!?” Peggy was ranting now, and Elizabeth knew it was time to say something.

“God Peg, didn’t know you missed me so much.” Elizabeth teased causing Peggy to drop the spoon she was using to stir gravy as she turned towards Elizabeth. “Hey Peg.”

“Lizzie.” Peggy covered her mouth before moving towards her best friend. “Oh my god, tell me it’s you, tell me you moved home.” Peggy rambled hugging the small redheaded girl.

“I moved home Peg. Missed you too much love.” Hugging Peggy back, Elizabeth smiled at Steve. “Tell me everything I missed. Where’s my goddaughter?” She looked around and heard the patter of little feet coming down the stairs.

“Aunt Lizzie!” Emma screeched once she hit the bottom step and noticed her Aunt, she was identical to her mother except for the blue eyes she bore.

“Emma.” Elizabeth turned to the girl and embraced her. “Hi Sweet Pea.” She grinned at the girl. “My gosh you’ve gotten big. What are you now, eight? My gosh you’re too big.” Elizabeth smiled before hearing the patter of more feet, her eyes glanced to Steve who grinned as a little boy, blonde hair and blue eyes, the spitting image of Steve showed up at the bottom of the stairs. “Oh my.” She pulled away from Emma.

“Lizzie, this is James.” Peggy stated causing Elizabeth to look at Peggy. “When I went into labor at seven months, Steve had been in California, Bucky was here with me, he delivered James at the club, we couldn’t make it to the hospital, Bucky saved my sons life.” She mentioned as Elizabeth moved towards the boy.

“Well hi James.” Elizabeth knelt by the boy. “I’m your Aunt Lizzie.” James stared at Elizabeth for a minute before grabbing her hand and mumbling something about legos before leading her to the living room. Steve could have sworn he saw Elizabeth shed a tear.

When dinner was over and the kids were in bed, Elizabeth had been sitting on the front porch with a beer and drinking with Peggy.

“You know he still loves you?” Peggy asked.

“I find that hard to believe Peg.” Elizabeth stated taking another drink from her bottle. Peggy took the chance to change the topic.

“You’ve always been good with Emma, and JJ warmed up to you quickly.” She mentioned. “You ever thought of having your own kids?” Elizabeth stared out at nothing for a moment before downing the rest of her beer and setting the empty bottle next to her.

“There’s a ten percent chance of me ever having kids Peg.”

“Don’t say that,”

“I have Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome Peg, have for a few years. I have a ten percent chance of getting pregnant and about a five percent chance of actually carrying the baby to full term, I gave up the idea of having kids a long time ago.” She mentioned.

“Love.” Peggy touched Elizabeth’s arm. “What’s going through that pretty head of yours?” Elizabeth took a moment before looking at Peggy.

“I was pregnant when I left.” She mentioned. “I miscarried before I even knew I was pregnant.” She stated. “There were complications with it, I had a cyst in my ovary, and it burst. I was diagnosed not long after. I was in a bad place when I left and that put me farther in a hole. I had no one.”

“You had us love, you know that.” Peggy stated as Elizabeth looked back at the stars.

“No, I didn’t Peg. Bucky is Steve’s brother, always has been, I couldn’t come back, it hurt too much. I was better off on my own. The longer I stayed away, the easier it got, until I could pretend this part of my life never happened, the only reminder I had was my tattoos and the old leather jacket that I never had the heart to get rid of.”

“Bucky may be family, but you are too.” Steve’s voice came from the front door.

“Thanks Stevie, but we both know Bucky came before me.” Elizabeth stood from her spot on the porch. “I should go, I have unpacking to do. Thank you for dinner Peggy. I’ll call you. I’m only a few doors down.”

“Don’t be a stranger love.” Peggy hugged the girl. “Steve, walk Lizzie home.” Peggy kissed her husband’s cheek before heading inside the house, both beer bottles in hand. Steve led Elizabeth towards her house, the silence welcomed them both.

“I’ll be by tomorrow morning with a few of the guys.” He stated. “That way we do this before Buck gets back.”

“I appreciate it, really Steve I do. I don’t plan on making a habit of asking you guys for help,”

“Lizzie.” Steve touched the girl’s arm as they got to her porch. “You’re a Howling Commando, you’re Buck's Old Lady,” Steve teased pushing her arm slightly. “You’re family, you call, we come. You of all people know that.” He stated. “I expect to see you around, you know what’s expected of you because you’re Bucky’s Old Lady, but first, I’d have a conversation with the man, he still lives in the house. We have Saturday Barbecues there, you should try to make it this week, everyone would love to see you. Or come to the bar, or even the clubhouse, but after you talk to Buck, okay?” Elizabeth nodded as Steve hugged her.

“See you later Stevie.” Elizabeth entered her house where boxes were spread out. Grabbing a bottle of wine, she moved about and began unpacking boxes whilst drinking her wine straight from the bottle. By three am she had passed out on the living room rug, the wine bottle empty next to her.

[aewriting]

Loathly - Chapter 6

Here is Chapter 6 of my Sir Gawain and the Dame Ragnell Malex AU.  This is the wedding chapter.

Here are all parts on AO3.

Warnings for ageism, sexism, homophobia.

***

Life is better, with Lady Guerin at court.

Not since Lady Elizabeth lived here has Alex had a true friend, an ally.  Lady Guerin has been put up in quarters close to Alex’s own, though plans have been made for them to have adjoining rooms following the wedding ceremony, which is fast approaching.  The palace has been a flurry of activity, preparing guest rooms, cooking food, decorating the grand hall.  It is too much, Alex thinks, and yet… he sees the Lady Guerin’s point, that such a ceremony should be public, for her own protection. And Alex desperately wants to protect her, this good thing in his life.

He could never love her, romantically.  But there are other kinds of love, and he… he feels that, between them, believes they share a mutual care and concern.  A respect. Alex has lacked that, his whole life, and to find it somewhere so unexpected… it feels miraculous.  

If he must marry a woman, he is glad it is the Lady Guerin.

He tells her that one afternoon, and her face goes very still. She looks younger, sometimes, when surprised, when her eyes widen and she bites her lip.  When she finally speaks, her voice is very soft, barely audible.

“There is no one I would rather marry, Sir Alex.”

***    

He’s sparring with Flint, when he says it.

“Thank your woman for me, Alex.”

Alex lands a hit, pulls back. “What?”

Flint grips the wooden sword he is using, swings for Alex’s bad leg.  Alex blocks the blow, glares at Flint.

“The veil.  I’m glad to not have to look at her face any more.”

Alex is angry at that.  He… he knows that the Lady Guerin is not the most physically attractive woman in the realm.  But by the gods, there is more than that, to her… to any woman, any person.  Alex certainly knows that, especially since his injury. He lands a hard blow to Flint’s knee, knocking him down. Flint loses his practice sword, tries to scramble for it, but is met with Alex’s own sword at his nose.

“That’s enough.  Enough of your mouth and of this fight.” He steps back, sighs.  “I cannot control what your narrow mind thinks, brother, but the Lady Guerin will be my wife within the week.  You will not disrespect her in my presence.” Without waiting for a reply, Alex stalks away as best he can.

He seeks out Lady Guerin, mind troubled by what Flint had said.  

“My lady,” he says, coming across her in one of the palace gardens.  Sure enough, her face is veiled. “May we speak?”

Lady Guerin’s large eyes dart around.  “Certainly, Sir Alex. I believe this is a sufficiently private setting for whatever you may wish to discuss.  Without appearing unseemly, of course.”

Alex relaxes a bit.  “Of course.” He frowns, then.  “You… you know you can always refuse me?  If you do not wish to speak, or spend time together. Even once we are married. I, I will be your husband, but not your – “

“Commander?” the woman says, arching an eyebrow.  “Because I’ve been receiving some ‘training’ from the fine ladies of the court of Unidos, and what they say sounds… quite different.”

Alex purses his lips. “I am different. Please, please tell me you know that.”

He can see her face soften, then. She brings a gloved hand to the side of his face, strokes it fondly.  “I know.” She withdraws her hand then, quickly.  Looks down. “I… I do not believe you would ever harm me.  Not intentionally.”

“I would strive to avoid it, my lady.”

“I believe you,” she says. “And I trust you,” she says, almost fiercely.  “By the gods, I have been too trusting, in the past, but I do not believe my faith in you could ever be misplaced.”

It gratifies Alex, hearing such words from this woman. “I trust you, too,” he says, noting the look the woman gives him in that moment. It is indecipherable.  He clears his throat.  “I… there is something that is troubling me, though.  Why hide your face? It is warm out, and it is not the style or custom here.”

Lady Guerin looks down. “There are those at court who have made… unkind remarks, at my expense.  I am many things, Sir Alex, but I am not foolish. I know what is said about me, about my appearance and age.  It is sometimes easier for me to… go about my day and business unmolested if I am not so… visible.” There is real pain on her face then.  “It is odd, as I have become used to my appearance rendering me invisible, most of the time,” she muses. “Such was the intent, I believe.” Alex frowns. The woman’s eyes widen then, and she looks almost – scared? She swallows quickly. “But I digress.” She peers at Alex, gestures to her veil. “Would you prefer I change this, my lord?  Or any other aspect of my appearance?” She is looking at him intently.

He smiles at her, takes her hand. “My lady, it is your face.  So it is your choice.”

And even through the veil, Alex can see her smile.

***

“Sir Alex?”

Alex looks up.  “Yes, my lady?”

“Before I take my leave, there was something I wished to discuss with you.  It concerns our plans for after the wedding.”

Alex closes the book he is reading, looks up at the Lady Guerin.  “Please, sit.  Tell me what is on your mind.”

The Lady Guerin’s lips are pursed, and she looks thoughtful as she settles herself next to Alex.  Her veil is still in place, revealing just those large, flashing eyes.  “These past few years,” she starts, “I have largely kept to myself, in my cottage to the North of Unidos, the region bordering Antar. Beautiful country, up there, but I find myself yearning to see other sights.”

“Oh?”

“Unidos is such a large and varied kingdom,” she continues.  “There is even ocean access, yes?”

Alex nods.  “In the South.  Bordering the Tamarin Isles.”

The lady nods.  “It has been so long since I saw the ocean.” She turns her attention back to Alex.  “And it may do us good to get out of the palace, both of us. If only for a little while.”

Alex looks at her thoughtfully. “With all of our efforts consumed by King Noah’s riddle, this last year, it has been some time since we toured the southern border, made overtures toward our allies there.” His eyes narrow. “I believe I could sell such an idea to my father.  It would be nice to be out of court for a while. My brothers enjoy it, but I…”

The woman scoffs a bit. “It is a nest of vipers, truly.”

Alex raises an eyebrow, and the woman shrugs. Alex exhales, softens.  “I should like to show you the ocean, my lady.”

“I should like that, too.”

***  

It is done.

Alex gazes out over the great hall, takes in the mass of people that have just witnessed his wedding to the Lady Guerin, and are currently feasting and drinking.  King Manes is in a splendid mood, considers the whole occasion a success, an opportunity to crow about his superior wit, cunning, power…

Flint is drunk, flirting with a buxom serving girl. Gregory is more strategic about things, chatting in a corner with one of the princesses of Grenwell.

Alex sighs, takes a sip of ale. He looks at Lady Guerin, seated next to him.  She is bare headed and bare faced today, but for a small gold crown nestled in her grey curls.  She is wearing a fine dress, flatteringly cut, Alex thinks, and she has one of her own cloaks atop it, the one with the pearls.  Her head is high, as if she wants to be seen, but underneath the confident air, she seems… nervous.  Alex leans in, grasps her hand.

“My lady?” he murmurs.  “You seem somewhat… ill at ease.”

Lady Guerin exhales, turns to face him.  “Is it so obvious, Sir Alex? I was trying to conceal my true feelings in front of this crowd.”

Alex gives her a reassuring look. “Only obvious to me, I believe, my lady.”

She shakes her head a bit. “You know my moods, Sir Alex.  Heaven forbid I try to conceal anything from you,” she says, frowning slightly. “This is… quite overwhelming.  A new life I had never really intended.” Alex sees her eyes flit to the side, toward where the delegation from the Tamarin Isles is seated.  “It is reminding me of my past.”  She bites her lip a bit.  “A past that I must tell you more about, tonight. Privately.”

Alex’s brow furrows. “Of course, my lady.” He smiles then, a bit sardonically. “Whether we like it or not, we shall be granted total privacy tonight. The kingdom expects it, nay, demands it.”

***

Lady Guerin, as expected, begs her leave from the wedding feast just before sundown.  The festivities are just picking up, and though Alex and Lady Guerin are supposedly the reason for the celebration, few people notice that they have left.

Alex takes her hand and leads her through the winding halls of the palace, to their new quarters.  There is a guard at the door.  Alex nods to him, and the guard opens the door, allowing Lady Guerin to pass.  As Alex approaches, the guard leans in. “I don’t envy you,” he mutters. “For Unidos, eh?”

Alex frowns.  “I’ll hear none of that. The Lady Guerin is my bride.” He looks down the corridor, flags down another guard.  “Please relieve this man,” he shouts.  As the other guard strides toward them, Alex redirects his attention to the guard in front of him.  “I will not have you guarding my bed chamber if you cannot treat my wife with the respect she is due. Is that understood?” The guard nods, tightly, and walks away.

Alex sighs and, once the other guard is in place, he enters his new quarters. They are spacious, and beautifully appointed, as is fitting for the occasion.  There are freshly laundered linens on the bed, water and wine by the bedside, and fresh, fragrant blooms.  Refreshments, too – breads and cheeses, sweetmeats and ripe fruits. The Lady Guerin is running a finger along the side of the bed.  “This is beautiful,” she says. She turns, faces Alex.  “I… I wish this could be real, for you.  That you could have this with someone you love. You deserve that, Sir Alex.”

“Now, now,” Alex says, crossing to her quickly, grasping her hand.  “My lady, we both know what this is, and what it isn’t. What it could never be – “

“What it could never be here in Unidos,” the lady says, forcefully.  “For there are other places in this world, Sir Alex, other people and ways of being.” She blows out a breath.  “There are kingdoms that would fete a union of a prince like you to whomever he desires. Lands where you could love any person of your choosing.”

Alex crosses to her, embraces her. She leans into it.  “But we are here, my lady. Here in Unidos.  And I have told you before and shall tell you again – there is no lady to whom I would rather be bound in this way.” Alex pulls back and takes her hand, raises it to his lips. “I do love you, my lady, in my way.  And I hope that you can find it in you to love me, too, in whatever way feels fitting to you.”

“There is nothing to find, Sir Alex,” the woman says, and there are tears in her eyes, unshed.  “My love for you… it is already here.”

Alex nods his understanding, his relief.  He… he can do this.  He can live with the Lady Guerin, in a way he could do with few others.  

And then the Lady Guerin is pulling away from him, withdrawing her hand from his, shakily.  “But I fear that your affection for me, whatever form it takes, may not stay, once you hear the truth.” She exhales heavily. “Once you see the truth.”  She crosses to the window, pulls the heavy curtain to the side to view the last of the sun, sliding below the horizon.  “And you will not have long to wait.”

[atlas-of-a-human-soul]

Dancing in the dark (Peter P.)

Summary: Weddings are always fun.

Warnings: fluff, possible ENDGAME SPOILER (although not really, but just in case)

Word count: ~ 1800

Prompt 10. You're quite possibly my favorite person, for @starksparker writing challenge.

She was nervous like never before, that much was true. However, there was a deeper meaning to her quick pacing up and down the small room.

Clicking sound of her heels on marble floor echoed against the walls and caused an annoying ringing sensation in her ears. Peter was only down the hall, so close but too far for comfort. She knew it was unreasonable, but they were never able to properly handle being away from one another for too long.

Especially after Thanos snapped his fingers and the two disappeared into the Soul stone - so close, but still so far. 

Ever since then, it’s more like she couldn’t handle it. 

After years of being together, constant worrying became a normal thing for Y/N. There was never a simple day for her since Peter told her he was Spiderman. Whenever he’d go out, Y/N would clean, cook, work, do whatever possible not to focus on what he might be facing. If Peter didn’t make it home by bed time, she turned and tossed, sleep evading her in every possible way until his body laid next to hers and his arms wrapped around her protectively. 

Fear of losing him, not being there for him was sometimes overwhelming and today was one of those days. Against better judgement, her mind convinced her something would go wrong. It’s them - the couple with worst luck in the world and she just had to see him. 

Every ounce of her being craved his proximity, touch of his skin on hers, their lips connected once more. There was nothing and no one capable of calming her nerves and making the crazy thoughts go away but Peter, so she realized he was what she needed.

Picking up the hem of her dress, she headed for the door, watching her best friend step in front of her.

“Move or I’ll move you.“ Y/N threatened, her eyes narrowed slightly and her lips set in a firm line. 

If there was anything everyone could agree upon when she was in question, it’s that she’s scary when she wants to be and her best friend immediately stepped away spotting a mad look in her eyes. 

Without waiting, she ran out the door and her clicking heels soon stopped in front of yet another obstacle. 

Gently, she pulled the door-handle, watching the door budge with a content smile and walked in, her eyes scanning the room for Peter.

“There you are!“ She exclaimed. 

Peter squealed, jumping in place like a frightened mouse and looked around in panic. Noticing there was nothing but drapes near him, Peter decided to take cover behind them, his feet sticking out from the bottom as the heavy, lacy, white drapes were a bit shorter than he expected.

“What are you doing?“ Peter shouted, his voice going a few notches higher and she arched an eyebrow in response.

“I needed to see you. What are you doing?“ She retorted, chuckling at the sight of a human shaped hideout behind the curtains.

“It’s bad luck for the bride to see the groom on their wedding day!“ Peter pointed out in his defense and she couldn’t hold back a loud snort at his statement. 

A wide smile spread across her face at his goofy behavior, her hand set over her heart to slow down its irregular rhythm. Peter always had that effect on her. Whenever he was around, even if he was just mentioned in her presence, her heart jumped and changed its course, beating wildly inside her chest for minutes on end.

“It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress on their wedding day, silly!" She corrected him, tilting her head to the side to try and take a peak at him.

“Come out! I really need you.“ She whined, placing a hand over her lips to hold in a laugh when Peter peaked his head out in concern, his eyes slightly narrowed and eyebrows raised.

“Are you having second thoughts?“ Panic made his voice pitchy once more and even though she teased him about it mercilessly, she couldn’t deny how cute it was. It’s one of the best things about him; he’s not capable of being duplicitous, even if he tried.

“What? No! No! Peter, I love you and I wanna marry you, but I just…I just wanted to see you.“ Y/N averts her gaze to the marble floor, gnawing on the inside of her cheek as her nerves took over. 

It wasn’t just her nerves, rather anxiety pulling at her mind, inserting negative thoughts as each moment passed. Every muscle felt tight, sprung for action and she couldn’t even walk. Even her face felt tight, like smiling just wasn’t an option anymore and her usual calm had been replaced by a carousel of ideas, each one more worrying than the last. Supervillains, natural disasters, her crazy family - all of the possible ways of the wedding going nuclear visited her all at once.

She didn’t consider running from the wedding, far from it, but she feared messing the whole thing up. 

Peter could sense her spiraling, exchanging his hideout for her comfort in a heartbeat. When it came to Y/N, there was nothing he wouldn’t do, no rule he wouldn’t break. 

Peter crosses the distance between them swiftly, taking her in his arms before his eyes got a chance to properly see the dress she was in. She buries her head in his chest and he wraps his arms around her tightly.

 He is sweaty, but his scent lingers and informs her it’s safe to put her guard down and relax in his warm embrace. Peter was there, he was safe and she was safe with him. She repeated that statement over and over in her head, feeling herself growing stronger with every moment that passed by. 

In one swift move, he cast a web at the lights, dimming them for effect. 

She raised her eyebrows in question, getting a nervous chuckle.

“So I don’t see the dress.” He explained, leaning his forehead against hers.

Peter began swaying them gently and her feet moved with his, no longer heavy and stuck to the ground beneath. She felt light as a feather as he moved them in circles, guiding her body in the right direction as she was never the best dancer, but he was.

Looking up, her eyes met his entrancing orbs, stained with the colour of hot chocolate on a cold, winter night that wraps around you like a blanket and engulfs you in its warmth, making you feel at home. They consisted of raw emotion and if you observe closely, they will reveal to you the exact thought that crosses the marvels of his pure mind. 

Peter was easy to read and although it would make anyone sane be bored with him, to her, it made him even more interesting. Every thought he had caused her to smile. His mind was an intricate place, filled with a thousand untold stories, neither being told twice. Peter grew to be a man with emotional warmth, a real hero among regular men. 

He’s the one with skin so thin that his heart shines though and showing her the best a man can be every day she spends with him. He is a man who loves and holds compassion and kindness as his highest treasures, and all the while unaware that to her, he is the greatest treasure of the Earth.

“You’re quite possibly my favorite person in the world.” She whispered to him, eliciting an honest, tender smile on his behalf.

Their last dance as an unwed couple was cut short by sundown, darkness taking over slowly and the ceremony approaching. The dimmed lights weren’t enough for her too see him quite well as she did before.

“Do you want to do this?“ Peter brushes his nose against hers affectionately, lips inches away from hers.

“Never been more sure of anything.“ She admits, smiling unapologetically at her prince charming.

“Are you sure? I can cancel if you want? It would be nice to officially claim you as my own so the rest of them stop flirting with you, but I don’t need a paper trail to prove my love for you. I’ll always love you regardless of what you say. Okay? Don’t agree just because you’re afraid of hurting me. You’re more important!“ Peter rambles and she giggles, nodding slightly.

“I WANT to marry you. I love you, Peter.“ Y/N speaks confidently, watching Peter’s lips stretch into a wide, boyish grin. Brushing away a loose curl from his forehead, Y/N leans in, kissing his soft lips and releases the last bit of stress she felt.

“I love you too.“ Peter whispers against her lips, smiling into the kiss which was her favourite thing in the world. It meant he was so happy and in love that he couldn’t pick just one action to focus on and knowing she did THAT made her blissful. 

“However, can we not mention this to Thor?“ He adds and she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, licking her lips before speaking.

“Why not?“ Her question is soon answered as Peter explains.

“Well, you see, Thor promised me a blessing from all the Norse gods, but I wasn’t meant to see your radiant good looks before the ceremony and if he finds out we will miss out on so many blessings and I don’t want to risk angering the gods!“ Peter spoke so fast she didn’t even have a chance to interject. 

Whenever he rambled nervously in the beginning of their relationship, Y/N had difficulty catching up or understanding a single word leaving his mouth, but by now she became an expert and understood him perfectly no matter how quick the words left his small lips.

“Peter, breathe!“ She chuckled, caressing his rosy cheeks lovingly. Peter inhaled sharply, slowly exhaled and smiled at the end. 

“My lips are sealed.“ She whispers to assure him, kissing him once more before turning to leave. 

“Don’t be late!” She points her right index finger at him, stopping once more at the door, flicking the light back on.

“And ignore your spider senses! Otherwise, I’ll become a bridezilla and you’ll have to stop me.“ She gave him a warning look, seeing his eyes widen just as they did when she walked in.

“I’ll be there. Love you!“ Peter chuckled nervously, trying hard to keep his eyes on her face and not on her whole appearance. 

Even with all his effort, her glow was evident and he couldn’t stop his erratic heartbeat and excessive sweating. 

She was gorgeous and Peter couldn’t believe how lucky he was.

“I’ll be the one in white.“ Blowing him an air kiss, Y/N returned to her room, prepared to walk down the aisle and take Peter as her husband, for better or worse, until her heart stopped beating. 

Perhaps even after that. If the misfortune of being snapped into the Soul stone by an evil alien taught them anything, it’s that their love always prevails.

*           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *          *

Tags: @xalayx @heyits-claire @fallinginlove-16 @accalialionheart

[livesbeneath]

like happiness.

pairing: noah x female mc (harley blanco)

summary: she assumes that’s what he’s practicing now; recipes he’s perfected a hundred times over. in this respect, good enough will never be good enough for him. he has more drive than most give him credit for, and without that drive, baby jane’s would be nothing more than a thought scribbled down on a notepad.

word count: 1.5k.

author’s note: sometimes you decide that since you’ve written TWO angsty things, you should probably try and write something a tad bit fluffier. i wrote this fic on the bus this morning after being stuck at a red light by a diner, not gonna sugarcoat that at all, but i hope you all enjoy! i apologize for any grammar / sentence structure issues, as i tried to proofread the best i could, and thank anyone who takes the time to read! feedback in any form is deeply appreciated! 

disclaimer: i do not own these characters (except harley). creative liberty has been taken to make this story unique, and i do not intend to use it for profit in any way.

She’s seated at a small two-top table by the window, her hair done up in a messy bun that practically screamed “hey, pal, take a number”. Her uniform consists of a pair of jeans, an old Pink Floyd t-shirt, and a black waist apron that will no doubt one day contain a whole gaggle of quirky pins to accompany her name tag.

“Harley Blanco, Assistant Manager”, soon to read “Harley Marshall, Assistant Manager”. That is, of course, if you ask about the ring on her finger. That’s what she assumes many of her customers will be doing mid-order. Despite the established grandeur of her title - she’s much more excited to wait tables than she is to do actual managerial duties.

Normally, she would be more than happy to talk about her engagement, but with the diner slated to open in only a week, all last minute paperwork was her first priority. The same went for her fiancé, who was no doubt elbow deep in some greasy vat in the back of the restaurant. Harley had half a mind to call on Dan for help, but Noah had insisted that this was a job for them, so she let him be. What they have to do is overwhelming, but both agree that the business-culinary school tag team system they’d developed was their smartest idea ever.

That, and the soon-to-be-implemented $5.00 burger night.

Harley chews absentmindedly at the cap on her pen, flipping through document after document, scribbling down a reminder to order an extra shipment of kids menus. Every time she sets aside a paper for Noah to sign, the impending grand opening seems realer. After everything she’s been through, it makes her head spin. She arches her back and flops back down on the table, using the mound of folders as a headrest. The lazy sunlight coaxes her into a nap.

“Shoot!” exclaims a voice amidst a clatter from the kitchen. Harley turns her head, opening a heavy eye to the direction of the noise.

“Noah?!” she calls. “What did you do?”

She waits and listens for a response. As silence hangs in the air, she shrugs and stares back down at yet another order form.

It’s the second she turns away that Noah then pokes his head out of the kitchen door, his long hair suspended by a hairnet. As usual, he speaks with the kind of suspense that only a young man of few words can. “American or cheddar?”

“What?” Harley squints in his direction.

“American or cheddar? Y’know, like the cheeses?”

“You’re asking me?”

“Which one you like more, yeah.”

Harley clicks the pen in thought. “Provolone.”

“You’re impossible.” Noah huffs, shaking his head and disappearing back behind the door. The sound of the slightly stunted open and close of a refrigerator door follows.

She can’t help but laugh at the way they are now. It’s as if they’ve been painting a picture for years and have finally discovered a revolutionary new color that has made their lives significantly more vibrant. Either that, or they’ve finally mastered the art of communication. The steady hand of telling the person you’ve loved since you were children that maybe, just maybe, they make your heart beat a little faster than it should. It makes her feel full inside.

Baby Jane’s is slated to become some sort of semi-touristy spot. Nestled in the heartseed of spooky Oregon is the workplace of the “once dead girl”, a place that just happens to be owned by the once-supposed accessory to her murder, now more affectionately known as her lover. She has cue cards ready for possible questions curious customers will ask her.

Harley can tell that Noah hates it. The situation is behind them, the world finally spinning on its axis again, and yet people still find a way to remind them.

“I don’t want this place to be famous for who we are!” he once told her. It was a particularly hard day, and Harley can remember him nearly ripping a recipe card in half at the diner counter. “I want it to be known for the stuff we serve. The things we do now!”

Her response was simple. An affectionate kiss to the cheek, a calm “Then you cook so good that they’ll have no choice but to talk about anything but what they ate.”

She assumes that’s what he’s practicing now; recipes he’s perfected a hundred times over. In this respect, good enough will never be good enough for him. He has more drive than most give him credit for, and without that drive, Baby Jane’s would be nothing more than a thought scribbled down on a notepad.

Her mind wanders to the beginning of this chapter of their adventure. It hadn’t started when she had finally convinced herself to go to business school (she had never been sure of what she wanted to do after high school), but rather back at Britney’s party when he unexpectedly pitched the idea of the diner to her. He’s the same boy, but with higher hopes and a nicer, state-of-the-art grill to mull over.

It’s all for Jane, she reminds herself as she reopens a folder for evaluation. A smile worms its way onto her face when she remembers the story Noah had told her about Jane’s first grilled cheese - the thing that made him want to cook. Despite not being there, Harley can picture the scene perfectly, right down to the kitchen she had spent so much time in as a child. She can see Noah using a chair as a stool to reach the lower left burner. She can see the heel of a loaf of bread discarded, resting off to the side with an overturned pepper shaker. She can see Jane’s cheesy smile, both literally and figuratively, as she exclaims what the gourmet sandwich tastes like. She can hear her voice as she says it.

Like happiness.

A warmth spreads through her as the sunset peeks through the large windows of the near-vacant diner, and Harley sighs as it hugs her tight. Since beginning again, she has a new appreciation for her own happiness. Being alive makes her feel as if she’s swallowed a ray of sunlight. Being in these moments make her feel like the light itself.

So lost in her own mind, Harley doesn’t even notice the hairnet-clad figure approaching her from across the room until he sets down a plate before her. The clink! of the dish against the counter garners her attention, and she turns to see Noah sitting tiredly in the chair beside her, eyeing her instead of Main Street Westchester at sundown. He gracelessly pulls the hairnet from his head, scratching behind his ear as he does so. There’s a grilled cheese and nothing else before her.

“Is this for me?” she asks sleepily, giving him a small smile as she goes to grab the sandwich.

“Maybe.” he teases.

Her eyebrows quirk up. “Provolone?”

“American and cheddar.”

“Ahhh, innovative.” she giggles as she goes to take a bite.

For a moment, the two sit in silence, Noah taking a moment to glance out the window as she eats. Mid-bite, she admires the shine of the sun on his engagement ring. After finishing one half, she looks to him brightly, licking her fingers of excess cheese. His eyes flick over in her direction for a moment.

“How is it?”

“Do you even have to ask? It took me forty-five seconds to eat one half!”

He rolls his eyes at her, a smile on his face as he leans forward, one elbow resting on the table. “You gotta go slower than that, Harley. How else are you gonna really-”

“-take the time to appreciate it.” they finish in unison.

“Yeah, that.” Noah finishes.

To appease him, Harley smiles cheekily, taking an exaggeratedly slow bite of the remaining half. He rolls his eyes again, looking back out at those lingering on the street. She takes note of the way he studies them, his face near unreadable. Even after so long, there are still moments where she can’t quite tell what he’s thinking. It’s rare that he ever gets deep first.

“Maybe some of them will be in here soon.” he muses, eyes following a woman and her two children as they walk into a cafe across the road.

“Maybe!” she chirps. “God knows we’ve done enough advertising. Maybe Andy can get us some airtime on SportsCenter.”

He snorts slightly, giving a small shrug. “I just can’t believe it’s actually happening, y’know? After… everything.”

She knows he that by “everything”, he doesn’t just mean schooling and advertisements. Harley bites the inside of her cheek and reaches over, putting a hand over his as her half-finished grilled cheese slice sits firmly in her other fist. They don’t have to speak to know that the other hopes the worst of their trials are over. She thinks that by now, they deserve some peace. They deserve some…

“How does it feel?” she asks.

He turns to her, offering her a smile. She feels him grip her hand a little tighter with his response.

“Like happiness.”

[roberthanleytortora-blog]

This guy needs a new American dream

The guy was mid Sinatra song

Singing like some real-life crooner

As the room full of musicians

Obliged him

This one glory

Which I didn’t bother listening to

Instead taking a seat on the couch

After singing

Which is when he sat beside me

On the filthy smoke stinking

Practice space

Couch

He did lots of cocaine

Blow was all in his brain

Not a single look at him

The entire night didn’t see him

Slicing up piles of white powder

But don’t get the wrong idea

his lines were small

Not only that

He didn’t even shoot it

Matter of fact

There wasn’t a needle in sight

What a waste

so it’s not really like doing drugs even

His high wasn’t worth much

In Jesus feels

Warmth

And sunflower blooming

sure

he was high,

but w

ho here wasn’t?

These guys were always handing 100 bills over

For cheap blow

All cut with filler

You want good coke

Get it from the real drug addicts

Their guys would be out of business if the junkies street supplies

Weren’t always the real thing

Guys like me who know their drugs

Know who has the hardest hard drugs

Actually

I run with smart girls

Pretty girls

Break your heart types who fly by the seat of their pants

Paint perfection

Star flower Lillie’s by the bouquet

Make me dream again

Kill me omg

Running with wicked women who create whole worlds around their souls

Sneak me into bathrooms

Stick needles full of cocaine, meth amphetimine, heroin, fentenyl, death dreams come true in this morning haha omg omg

Hey man you guys should have seen how the rain fell

Dead best friends

Dead lovers

Dead sacred presences who held every secret

Dead lips long to learn again lips kissing passion sharing living in this reality

Spaces of me given over for keeping, heart beat, sacred holy human electricity, magnetic fields which surround outside the end of body

Fields of us shaping our shapes and us our molecules all bound into frequency DNA schuman resonance

Everyone with whom I became one

Bawling on bathroom floors beneath sinks sinking into arms like Jon’s who just hold me love me hold me and will hold me forever hold on for hours as blood orange suns rise and

Tell me over and over

They are with me

They are here with me

They will love me

That they won’t ever not love me

That we have been through everything together

That kissing me in high school

Eating LSD

Phish festivals

Huge homemade bongs

How I first taught him how to write songs

That he knew every song I ever wrote

They’d be remembered forever

Because he knew

I forgot

Everything

All the time

And even Blue who said

“What happened to you man? You used to be so smart, Jon and I were always so impressed trying to chase down your latest accomplishments and catch up. I’m not trying to be a dick. I just want to know what the he’ll happened to you”

But Jon held me every night

Vodka Drunk and demolished by all day boozing everyday

10am to sundown to sunup

So much I’ll never say

But Jon is gone

Alyssa, gone

Caity Perretti

Hannah Serbun my heart hurts so much

Photos of her so dirty that every hour of our days of our years of our life together

Of our friendship

And of her as wife

Wicked games of womanhood who are worlds of wanting whatever will ease this agony, inside claws crossing through organs guts puss mess goo and excrement air of alone and in a room suffocating on everything oxygen and breathing, seeing, thoughts at all, every turn

TERROR

osh told me

‘this guy likes to talk a lot. A lot”

Sure

That was packed fact

as it turned out

But maybe that’s why

when he saw me

hunched over

the blank notebook page

scrawling

words

for hours

he asked

hey

what are you youwriting a novel

Not a novel

A poem

it’s this idea that

every poem

is written in

public

like on the subway or

while I’m walking through Cambridge or

pulled over on the side of the road or

in a room full of friends

who become strangers

as the ink

becomes more flash

then my body

and the page is

more eyeballs

then my eyes

“I’d love to read some of it”

Thanks the interest

this poem is terrible

There’s an old one here

My friend told me I don’t understand holy

No one understands holy holy holy holy

Can look at this now

How look at this now

how can you say that man

this guy needs a new take on old the old American dream

Cigarette machines gas stations diesel fuel Highway 69 thumbs up hitchhiking roaming from highway to highway across America eating apple pie diners more gas stations restrooms and gas stations big rig trucks with 18,000 wheels growing through the symphony of pavement High on meth and feta means so that sleep doesn’t come tonight but the bigger paycheck does cops and blue uniforms the ones that talk to neighbors and no the town maybe somewhere in Iowa like that place Hansberry lives the kind of town you take your New York Matt wife to and raise a family 34 dogs all with cancer and missing legs that live forever are like 900 years in people age who never read the Bible or pick it up until they’re in a church and it won’t offend anyone no one can get the wrong idea about them God liberals good liberals hate Trump are convinced that his election will end the world you know the type working a lifetime in office rooms and building up towards windows to look out while becoming a skeleton and sure as shit about American values and that half America doesn’t have them or or stupid The sort of folks who find everyone but themselves dumb or stupid just because just because.

This guy needs a new tag on the American dream something without all the apple pie dad coming home to cook dinner obedient mom who pops benzo’s and never fucks anyone Who lives in a different neighborhood or doesn’t know their lawn or has an old car or drives a truck with make America great again stickers and a friendly smile when greeting strangers who work behind counters or have shitty jobs or are perceived to be judged like they themselves feel judged by the America with real values who judge everybody who decide no one can have a good intention if they watch Fox News or have good things to say about the party of Trump or if they are conspiracy theory rest and say things like Alex Jones shouldn’t be allowed allowed to be censored because generations of our ancestors died laid down their lives for the right to have freedom of speech people who say things like I don’t care if you say vaccines don’t harm anyone everything affects everyone including injecting mercury various poisons cocktails of chemicals created by pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma who told all the doctors to start prescribing Oxsee cotton nonaddictive Oxsee cotton because it’s not addictive no one gets addicted to it just like every facts and nation vaccination is totally homeless homeless harm this

Before I even started it man I was like this guy needs a new take on the American dream that was even before the poem started talking about the American dream and I got it the dead American dream night we were sold the world different than the world we live in but you need a new take on it a better take

Why don’t you write a poem and include hope in it

This American dream has no hope.

You need to have hope in an American dream if you’re going to have one otherwise what’s the point right

to which I thought in response

my question exactly

[graysonarthurhammond-blog]

memory lane.

december 31, 2019

The sun sets on another day. Today was a bit cloudy so we really only left the house around 3PM. Still haven’t been able to find a good replacement for this useless Rolex. Didn’t get the hype when I couldn’t afford one, and I still don’t get it now that one is strangling my wrist. I mean it looks nice and all, sure. Anything covered in diamonds looks nice when you don’t pay a small mortgage for it. I remember reading once that one of these tiny clocks sold for around seventeen million or so. I bet that guy felt pretty good about himself that day. I wonder where a seventeen million dollar watch like that is right now. I’m sure it looked beautiful, too. But looks aren’t what keep this thing going, and I need a functional alarm. Just in case. Abby’s been giving me the same look all day. That “I told you not to get too close to the water, dummy!” look. The same look she gives me anytime I do something stupid. If only she could speak, maybe my Casio wouldn’t be at bottom of the river right now. Maybe I wouldn’t be searching the city looking for a basic G-Shock like it’s 1983. I think about that often. If only she could speak, it would make this whole thing easier. 

I haven’t seen or heard any other animals in about twenty minutes, so I’d say that gives me about an hour to lockup. I’m wondering if I should finish this bottle of chardonnay first, and knock right out before it gets too dark. Down to the cheap shit now. Pretty sure I’ve gone through all of the good shit in the city, which wasn’t the smartest idea considering the shelf life of wine. But that’s the bitter irony that plagues this new life. It’s almost become a supplement for standard comedy. At least I can get a smirk out of it. Fuck it, I think I’ll board up first. Didn’t eat much today so the bottle will knock me on my ass regardless. Better to be safe.

Decided I don’t feel like drinking tonight. Moderation really hasn’t been a problem for me, which is surprising considering it’s all there is to do around here. "A bullshit Hollywood TV survivalist who moonlights as a drunk is bound to slip up one day. You’ll lose everything." That’s what my father used to say. Oddly specific, I know. At the time he was using it to hurt me. Now it’s one of the things that keeps me alive. There’s that bitter irony coming back. Besides, there’s no point in destroying my liver if I’m really the only healthy one now. 

Speak of the devil; I hear one on the roof. Every night I can hear them jump from house to house, and usually it’s quick and loud. But tonight, I only hear one set of footsteps. The quiet, gentle tapping on the ceiling lets me know that one of them is looking for something. But I know it isn’t for me. Lockup is always before sundown, so they have no idea where I live. And it’s not like the bastards have any clue how to remember directions anyway. Vinegar and bleach on the porch takes care of any other kind of smell they mind find. Or at least I think it does. I don’t know the first thing about what’s turned us into such monsters. I never even heard of the term virologist before I saw Robert Neville on the news. Now there isn’t a day I don’t wish I became one. The spotlight always called me, though.  At least I wasn’t cooking and screaming at restaurant owners or talking about Kanye’s new outburst on TMZ. At least some of my qualifications transfer into this new world. Hollywood’s most famous TV survivalist becomes the only one to survive the apocalypse. Bitter irony.

Most nights like this, I don’t have much to entertain myself. The house is fully soundproofed, and I’ve made sure of that on the sunny days. But it’s important to be overly cautious. I still have no clue how evolved their hearing is, if it is at all.That’s why I always try to get home early; to have a little bit of downtime before I have to lockup. There’s a great record store on Milwaukee Ave called The Exchange, and they have tons of great records and movies. And I always return when I’m done watching, don’t worry. Making my way through the Gs right now. Goodfellas is the next one on the list, so I’m excited for that. But tonight was not one of those early nights. So fighting the urge to watch a movie or listen to a record is for the best, no matter how bad I want to escape. That just leaves me with my thoughts.

I’ve always hated nostalgia. Clinging to the past always seemed like an excuse to never move forward. I always believed that was what made me so successful in my endeavors. I always taught people how to be strong and smart in the present and the future. Tonight, like most nights, nostalgia was all I had. And God help me, if I wasn’t clinging to it like a newborn to a bosom. Three years later, some of the events start to fade. Hell, even some of the faces started to fade if I didn’t have pictures to remind me. That bitter irony creeps up again to share an anecdote. I remember a time that I was so stressed out about a talk show, or something like that. I think it was my first time on any talk show. It couldn’t have been Arsenio. Wait, was it? Well, I remember Prince was there. Maybe that’s why I was so nervous. I guess it doesn’t matter now. But I remember the feeling leading up to it, and how it felt like the world was ending. Then she walked into the green room holding Emily. And just like that, I remember the sinking feeling somehow disappearing. I’ve never been one for clichés, but it really was as if nothing else mattered but the three of us. I always said I was gonna marry that girl. I’d always loved her. Being the straightforward and logical man that I was had gotten me to where I’d been. But there was never a logical explanation for how she made me feel. And no matter how bad this got, I’ve always told myself that I can’t forget what Sarah looked like. Or Emily. They’re still out there, somewhere. I know it. There is no skeptic in me anymore, there can’t be. And when I fix this, I know that they’ll remember me. 

[officialleehadan]

Birds of a Feather

When a plot bunny attacks, gods help me. I’m already in the middle of a different long project.

+++

Helestra was glad she had paid a little extra to the innkeep and secured a room with a small balcony that overlooked the town square. There was a mob forming below. To the best of her knowledge, it wasn’t for her, and so she sipped at her wine and watched with interest.

“I didn’t steal it!”

A man’s voice rose over the mob, and Helestra leaned forward for a better view. A thief. Not a wise profession, in a town known for harsh punishments for thievery.

“Lies!” someone else bellowed. “Everyone knows who you are, Thief! Why else would you come here?”

A good question, honestly. Most honest thieves avoided the places that might hang them for being caught. She could see the thief in question, now. He held his arm close to his body like it was hurt, and raised the other one to try and ward off the guards closing around him. His clothing had probably been quite good before, but now they were dusty and scuffed. The guards’ work, no doubt.

“I needed to buy supplies,” the accused thief defended himself. There was an empty quiver over his shoulder and sheaths under it where they wouldn’t foul him, but no sign of the blades, or the bow. “I’m just passing through. Just let me leave, and you will never see me again.”

“Oh aye,” the head guard- marked by a large red plume on his helm- said flatly. “And take the Temple’s Idol with you, is that it?”

“I told you, I didn’t take it! I haven’t even been to your Temple!”

The crowd was getting angry now, but Helestra’s interest was truly caught. The man had clearly been searched, probably more thoroughly than he needed to be, and already lost at least one fight in a bad way. If he had any chance of convincing the town to release him, it would be by returning whatever he stole.

Although he seemed fairly convinced that he had not, in fact, stolen anything.

“We’ll just take your word, then?” the guards were circling like wolves, and the man was cornered, and knew it. “After all, the golden Temple Idol of Astre would be nothing to Shrike Twoblades, would it?”

Well, well. That was a name Helestra knew, although not someone she had met before. A notorious thief with a reputation for his skill, and his fondness for women in equal measure. No wonder the town guards were so focused on him. Every now and then someone put a bounty on his head, but no one had ever claimed it, to her knowledge.

“I don’t have it” the man protested again, and ducked away from one guard, only to be jumped by two more. He struggled, but was no match for them. His bad arm was broken, if Helestra was any judge. He blanched pale with pain when one of the guards dragged it behind his back to bind his hands together “I never touched your cursed Idol!”

“We take both hands of thieves, in this town,” the head guard told him darkly. “But if you return the idol, perhaps we would do you the mercy of a quick death instead. Take him away and let him think about it for a night. Perhaps he’ll have thought better of his chances in the morning.”

The man was dragged away, now silent with either fear or pain as he was manhandled into the nearby guard-house. With the show ended, the townsfolk slowly dispersed back to their tasks of the day, and Helestra mulled over the interesting development. Curiosity piqued, she decided to take her afternoon meal down in the commons, where she might find out more.

The inn was a good one. One she probably couldn’t’ afford, if she hadn’t just gotten off a job clearing out a local pack of goblins for the town. It had taken longer than she would have liked, and spent more of her magical components than she would have liked. Still, the pay was good, the job was done, and if she chose to spend a little extra for a nice room, well, it was her money to spend.

The stairs creaked under her soft-soled boots as she followed the hallway downstairs. The scent of cooking meat and beer met her nose, and then she was in the commons.

It was a fine, large room with good tables, and comfortable chairs. A fireplace dominated most of one wall, but it was cold, in deference to the warmth of late summer. The bar was long and polished, and clean, and manned by the innkeeper himself. His wife ruled the kitchens, and made the best meat pies Helestra had ever eaten.

“Lady Mage,” he greeted her when she took a seat at the bar. He refilled her glass when she proffered it, and nodded his thanks when she passed him a silver coin in return. “You heard the rabble outside?”

“I watched from the balcony,” she replied, and sipped at the dark wine. “What happened? It seemed like quite the row.”

“The Holy Idol of the Temple of Astre is missing,” the innkeeper said. His name was Heinrich, if she was remembering right. “Vanished off the alter some time between Sundown Mass, and midnight.”

“A holy idol?” Helestra questioned curiously. “Don’t thieves usually avoid holy items? Half the time they’re cursed by their god, and the other half they’re worthless to anyone but their own priest.”

“An, not this one, Lady Mage,” Heinrich said proudly. He had a right to his pride, having lived in the small town his whole life. “See, this was brought to our temple by Dracha the Pure. Made of gold, and covered in gems, with a ruby the size of a small egg in its’ arms.”

Well, that certainly cleared a few things up. No wonder it was stolen. The only surprise was that it hadn’t vanished sooner. “And it’s holy to Astre?”

“Dedicated by the Pure One himself. It’s said that the clerics hold it as part of their training. If you aren’t pure enough, it burns you. I wonder how the thief even got ahold of it. Usually there’s guards all around, night or day.”

Interesting. For such an item to vanish at the same time a notorious thief came to town was more than coincidence. Either the man had stolen the idol, or he was being framed.

Not that it was any of her business. Helestra had no connection to the Thieves Guild, and she planned to keep it that way. If one of theirs was captured, it was their business. Either they would rescue the man, he would escape on his own, or he would face the punishment that he had probably avoided a dozen times already.

“And if he was innocent?” Helestra asked, secure in her own safety. She had been in the common rooms during the time of the theft, talking with the inn’s resident storyteller, and Heinrich knew it. “Does that ever happen?”

“It’s the way of thief-hunting,” Heinrich took her question in stride with a regretful shrug. “Not that it’s ever happened here. The Cleric Guard knows their business. They may even get a confession out of him by dawn. Either way, it will be quite the spectacle.”

Of course. Of course they would do it in public for the town to watch.

It wasn’t that Helestra strictly condemned public executions, but she didn’t care to watch a man lose his hands, or his life.

Well, she had already been planning to leave tomorrow. This was reason enough to leave early. “What time will it happen?”

“Noon. When Astre is at her highest peak.”

Of course. She should have known. At least that made for an easy time out of town. The crowd wouldn’t start to form until right before, and the roads would be clear that early.

“How much do I owe you?” Helestra asked, her decision made. “I think an early start will do me good, and this is hardly the first thief ever caught.”

“And hopefully not the last,” Heinrich chuckled. “Two gold, Lady mage. Unless you’d be willing to do a bit of magic this evening?”

“Two gold,” Helestra agreed without argument. The service was good, and quick, and she wasn’t  inclined to spend any more of her components to save a bit of silver. She rummaged in her belt pouch until she came up with the correct coins. The rest of her pay was safely hidden inside a hollowed-out book, and locked with her mage-sign. “Thank you for the hospitality. Will you be up early?”

“Nah, but the wife will. Just let her know you’re off.”

“Of course,” Helestra agreed, and passed over the coins, along with a few silvers extra. Movement at the door caught her eye. It was the storyteller from the night before. “For tonight’s tab. I’d like another of your wife’s excellent pies.”

“I’ll tell her. Anything else?”

“No, thank you.”

Helestra took the opening and made her way across the room to the old storyteller. Godric was a fine swordsman in his youth, and still carried a reputation about him like a cloak despite his age. Even now, when he had long since traded his sword for a sturdy staff, there was a sense of strength about him that was comforting to those in the service of Good, and disquieting to everyone else.

Helestra liked him immensely.

“What can you tell me about the Temple Idol?” she asked without preamble, as she joined him at his table. Never one to take offense, he made space for her and chuckled dryly.

“Heard the fuss earlier?” he asked, and waved until Heinrich brought him a stein of his favorite brew. “Got you curious, did it?”

“I’m always curious,” she demurred, and twirled her glass idly in her fingertips. “But a stolen idol- one that is cursed to burn the impure? Of course it has my interest.”

Godric cracked a grin and took a drink of his beer to wet his throat.

“Legend has it that Dracha the Pure brought it down from the Whorl Mountains,” he said, his voice in the easy cadence of a practiced storyteller. “After he defeated the Grand Demon, who’s name we dare not speak lest he hear us even yet. The Goddess blessed him for the great victory, and asked him what he wanted in return. She offered glory, and riches, and all his dreams together, but Dracha asked only for a token, to prove that the Goddess was with him, and watched over the people of this land. She gave him the idol, and he brought it here to the Temple where he first learned of Her.”

“And it burns anyone who touches it?”

“Purity and all. Or maybe piety. I’ve never known, and never cared enough to touch the thing myself and find out.”

Helestra knew the story, after a fashion. Dracha the Pure was a frequent character in the histories of this part of the world. A half-orc, found and raised by the temple, who became one of their greatest paladins. When a greater demon- some said it was even one of the dukes of Hell- raised an army and swept the land, Dracha rose an army of his own to meet them.

The mountains still bore scars of their last, titanic battle. Rivers ran red with blood, and huge swaths of stone were blackened with hellfire. Mountains crumbled, and when all was lost and it seemed that even Dracha would fall, he cried out to his Goddess, his first and only plea to Her, and She answered.

The Demon was vanquished and Dracha survived to tell the tale.

And now the Idol was missing.

“Is Dracha still alive?” Helestra tried to remember without success. The legends weren’t that old, but that didn’t necessarily mean much. Heroes didn’t have a terribly long life expectancy, all things considered. Godric was something of an outlier, and he knew it. “If anyone could figure out where the idol went-“

“Nah, he’s dead, spellthrower,” Godric said regretfully. “A few years back at a healthy old age. He ran the Temple after that last battle cost him his eyes. He’s buried under the alter.”

“You knew him?

“He trained me, and anyone else who wanted to learn. Should have seen some of the older priests howl when he taught the girls alongside the boys.”

“Women can fight.”

“Aye they can, as well or better than the boys, for all that they don’t usually have the same muscle. Anyway, I learned under him, but he always had a soft spot for misfits, and I was bastard-born.”

Not surprising. Most of the better heroes were people who, for one reason or another, didn’t fit at home. Godric was one of many bastards who went off to make their fortune through adventuring. Godric met her yes easily, secure in who he was, and what he’d done to become that way. Their conversation faded as Heinrich brought her pie over, and refilled Godric’s stein, but the innkeeper didn’t stay and Helestra didn’t try to keep him.

“Who might steel the idol?” she asked between bites of dark gravy and meat. “If it’s so well known, and cursed to burn the impure, and not a little bit obvious to boot.”

“An ambitious thief,” Godric shrugged. “One who wants to make a real reputation, or has a buyer lined up already. There are a few dark clerics around who like to desecrate powerful artifacts for their gods. A noble who likes to collect that sort of thing. A king who wants to add some legitimacy to their reign by appearing to be blessed by the gods. Who knows? It’s made of gold and covered in gems. They might even want to melt it down.”

“Holy Gold doesn’t really melt.”

“You know that, and I do, but a thief might not. Anyway, it’s worth more whole.”

“But is more identifiable.”

“That too. You think the thief they picked up didn’t take it?”

Helestra considered the question as she worked through her food slowly. Godric applied himself to his beer and let her get her thoughts in order. It was always nice to talk to old heroes. They knew the value of a little patience.

“I think a thief with the reputation he has, wouldn’t be that careless,” she said at last. “And maybe it was a mistake, or he slipped up, but maybe not. It seems odd that he wouldn’t at least take the easy way out.”

“Maybe he has a way to escape?”

“It’s possible,” she shook her head. “Anyway, it isn’t my business. I’m just passing through myself.”

Godric gave her a very knowing smile and she forced a smile back, and wondered what he was thinking.

“Well, since I doubt you plan to stay for the spectacle,” he said casually. “Perhaps you would be willing to stay for breakfast? The eggs here are particularly good, and I would love a bit of company. It’s so rare I get someone who knows enough of the philosophers to argue with me.”

“A proper argument over breakfast? Godric, my friend, how could I resist?”

[danramzrandom]

Village Story + Choices

Main Body:

After much consideration, or not much at all, I don't know, you decide to venture towards the Village in the distance. After roughly two hours of travel, or so you guess, you arrive at the village gates. Two conversations and one inventory check later, you're allowed entry into the place you now know as Pen Island. The island part doesn't really make sense considering you're about 35 miles inland, but you go with it anyway. Rather disturbed by the fact that, so far, the village seems to only be inhabited by men, and rather scantily dressed men at that, you look around for some kind of sign pointing you in the direction of some privacy. Choose Wisely:

Choices:

(There’s 2 options in the game, with each option randomly flipping between 2 of the 4 choices each time you open the widget)

The Stick-It Inn:

Curious as to why this inn has such a suspect sounding name, you decide to head towards it as, at the end of the day, it's an inn, so you must be able to find some kind of shelter there. Upon arrival, the name just makes even less sense to you, as the inn is very clearly just what it is, an inn. You enter the establishment to find a rather normal looking man standing behind the desk. He seems pretty surprised to have an actual client in the building, which does make you wonder why he seems so surprised, but you brush it off and ask for the best room available. Once you've gotten to where you're going to be sleeping, and you've set down your things, you realise that for being the best room, it's pretty mediocre looking. Tatty and uncomfortable bedsheets, the walls are peeling, the floorboards are beginning to mould. It seems kinda obvious now why the guy behind the desk seemed to be taken aback by the fact you've decided to stay a night. Well, you have to make do with what you've got. It's pretty late at this point, you arrived in the village at sundown so it's probably around midnight, and your surroundings are dead silent. Not even a noise from over in Shaft Park, which is really surprising, that place is usually booming.

As you're fading into unconciousness, a faint pattering noise starts coming from the hallway outside of your room. Then, a squeak from the lock on your door. A head peers around the corner to check to see if you're sleeping, which you pretend to be doing, just to see what this intruder is up to. A few seconds later, seeming to believe you're actually asleep, multiple people enter the room dressed in large, conspicuous, dark cloaks with their hoods raised. Before you know it, blades of all shapes and sizes are being thrust into your body while the cloaked people are chanting in a forgotten language. The language of the Stick-It Cult. See, now the name makes sense. It wasn't even a dirty thing at the end of the day you crude minded so and so. Alas, your poor mortal soul unknowingly walked right into what is considered by the locals as the Inn of Sacrifice. The nickname is pretty self-explanatory really, people go there to put themselves forth to take part in rituals and sacrifices performed by the Stick-It Cult. It also just passes as a rather suspect sounding inn for weary travellers though, weary, and unfortunate, travellers like yourself. Your journey has come to an end.

Alleyway: 

Desperate to find some space to be alone and rest, you resort to the only nearby shelter you see; a trash-filled alleyway that reeks of faeces, lined with homeless people on either side, each one set up with their own little camp of sorts. Bit of a bad decision to make in my opinion, but I mean you're about to collapse and need to rest somewhere asap, so I respect it nonetheless. After finding a currently unoccupied area in the alleyway, you drop what little you have on the ground and curl up in the most comfortable way possible with the space and items you have. You only really get to sleep for an hour or so, as you happen to have taken the space in the alleyway that's usually occupied by Dick Richard, one of the higher ups in the local homeless mafia. Angered by your ignorance and carelessness, he calls for a few close-by homeless folk to come over to hold you down while he kicks the crap out of you. Still half-asleep and tired as hell, you can't resist the surprisingly strong but god-awful smelling hobos also now joining in on the battering of you, the ignorant home invader. You hear a name muttered amongst the chaos, "Tom", but it doesn't really mean much right now, you're just trying to fight back both the kicking and the smell that they're all giving off. About 10 minutes later, they all finally give up on trying to kill you, but goddamn you are in a bad way. With not much idea of where you are, what to do, or even who you are right now (the severe concussion you contracted from the assault might have something to do with that part), you just lay in the street, bleeding, struggling to breathe, dying. Your ribs are broken and bruised, arms and legs cut up and dislocated and your face is unidentifiable. No-one is coming to help you, nothing can help you at this point. You crossed the wrong group of homeless people, and you paid the price.

Shaft Park:

While it doesn't exactly seem like the best place for privacy, or even rest, you decide to head over to where a sign is saying the local park is. Or more specifically, where the aptly named "Shaft Park" is. As it happens, it's actually one of the largest areas of land on the continent, spanning a massive 750,000 acres. That's like, 3/5 the size of the Crand Ganyon Reserve, one of the largest natural parks known to exist. Learning of this gives you some confidence that this might actually be a good place to get some rest and maybe camp out. Provided there's wildlife nearby to your camp, you could probably find something to eat pretty easily too. / Hours pass, the sun sets, and the only visible light left is that which is emanating from the rather sizeable fire you've managed to put together. You also came across and caught a small hare while finding your spot too, (even though you did kind of steal it from someone else's trap). Cooking it doesn't take too long either, but it was only roasted to medium rare (as it should be), so I'm not surprised. / After finishing your meal, you decide to do a quick inventory check of what little supplies you have. It turns out you were carrying a bit more than you thought. Initially, all you were aware of was the bed-roll, flask of 3 day old water and a change of clothes, but there now seems to be some sweet smelling, edible looking, pill-shaped objects scattered at the bottom of your bag. With no idea where they came from, you think about what to do.

(Subsequent Choices):

Eat the Pills:

Deciding to eat what look to be pills of some kind, curious as to what effect they might have on you, you end up overdosing on, and consequently dying from, what you now know were unordinarily powerful opioids. Better luck next time, you lowkey druggie you.

Go to Sleep:

Deciding to leave the pills as they are, for further inspection another day, you go to sleep to get some rest, much needed rest at that. The next day, you gather your things, and head on your way out of Shaft Park, back out of Pen Island and onwards towards the rest of your very odd life on this very odd continent. Somehow, you actually survived.

Throw Away the Pills:

You grab all of the pills from the bottom of the bag, and cast them out into the wilderness, not wanting anything to do with some sweet smelling drugs that randomly appeared in your bag. You fall into a deep sleep, and man was it a deep sleep. Deep enough to not realise that those pills and their scent had attracted some pretty vicious wildlife to your camp during the night. You wake up to find some incredibly dozy looking wolves, pretty much drugged out of their minds, acting surprisingly docile towards you. In remembering a book you read a couple years back, you jump at the opportunity to tame these already submissive feeling wolves, ready to live out your fantasy of being in control of your very own wolf pack. Congrats player, you got one of the best endings I've written. You're a fucking wolf-man!

The Chain and Balls:

You notice a sign pointing towards an establishment named "The Chain and Balls", which to you may just sound like a pub or a bar type place, but oh boy are you wrong. Bear in mind, this is your first time visiting Pen Island, so you have no idea what this village is all about, or why all of the places in said village are named so oddly. Upon entering The Chain and Balls, you very quickly realise just how mistaken you were when assuming it was just your average pub. / People dressed in pure leather outfits roam the main floor, chains and whips and the like are displayed on the walls, screams echo through the corridor on the opposite end of the floor, and a form of music you've never heard before is being played by a stark nude quartet in a dimly light corner of the room. Hell even the instruments they're using look menacing, one of them is producing sounds with the help of magic too. What the fuck have you gotten yourself into, honestly. / Before you can really process what's going on around you, a busty, latex covered, elderly woman with what look to be cat ears on her head, approaches you and asks what your poison is. Innocently confused by what she meant, you ask simply for some water. Unfortunately for you though, no-one comes to The Chain and Balls for water. The only people who ask for water know what they're getting into, and that would be the incredibly infamous cock-smuggling ring. You see, Pen Island itself is actually just a front for one of the biggest cock trafficking groups the continent has ever seen. Cocks bring in the gold, what can I say. / Nevertheless, before you know it, you're in the back rooms of The Chain and Balls bullshitting your way through a conversation with some of the most important men around. You have no idea what you're doing, but the men can see your "clear" passion for cock smuggling, and are interested in hiring you for a couple of jobs. In need of rest, money, and a job to be honest, you just go along with things and end up becoming a world class cock smuggler. Congratulations, you somehow managed to get an ending where you don't die!

[duketheman]

Generation 4 Part 2

We both break out in laughter. That George is a character. Sense of humor, a heart & knowledge. He's a good man & a good friend. I hit the jackpot when I hired him. No regrets! I get my friend George home by 4:00pm. I pull out an envelope & say: ~Oh George, Payday!!!! I hand him the envelope with the check in it & thank him for a great job well done. He looks at the check and says: ~Harry, der be too much, Ders $550.00 hear~ I reply: ~George, You're not paid by the hour, nor the day, you're paid a salary! Today's payday. Your Salary is $550.00 per week. A week consist of whatever falls between Monday through Friday. You may work a few hours or a bunch of hours. You may be charged with running things. I sometimes have to be away. In that case you will receive an extra $250.00 per week & I will bring a second mate in to assist you. As you will act as Captain.~ He replies: ~aye Harry, ya da Captain. Me be thankin ya Harry. Drive safe Harry, ya like me Brother Harry.~ George is a Hell of a great guy! He doesn't want a dime that doesn't belong to him. I want to help him. He deserves whatever I can do for him! This job takes talent. You need to know what you're doing out here in the Devil's Triangle! It's like George said ~ Quote- Dem Der storms can come up on ya like Da Spirits of Hell & swallow ya up in Da swells like da Whale. -Unquote~ He's got the knowledge, I trust him, I like him! It's not charity! So he can be happy to know that. I'm home by 4:30pm & Mary asks: ~How'd your day go my Harry? I answer: ~It was a good day Darling! God is Good! You know Darling, I'm really happy we got to Know George & Lucy! Really good people! She replies: ~I know Harry, I like them. Harry, Can we go out to eat tonight? I reply: ~Now Darling, have you been taking lessons from George?~ She replies: ~Harry, whatever do you mean?~ I reply: ~'O Darling, mind reading! I was going you ask if you'd like to go to Sundowners for Dinner. Maybe the Caribbean after for a little dancing?~ She replies rather excitedly: ~Now Harry, are you feeling Frisky, she, smiles, winks (Her winks drive me insane) & says: I'll be ready by 6:00pm! She wraps those arms around me, & plants those always delicious lips against mine. No man can ever wish for more than what I have in my life! She's ready By 6:00 pm & is as Beautiful as always. She's wearing a Trumpet/Mermaid Scoop Neck Floor-Length Satin Evening Dress that fits her perfectly. Shows off her figure but yet doesn't flaunt it! She has on Pointed toe Blue Suede Stiletto Heel Pumps. Her hair as usual is worn combed naturally down her back the way I like it. She's wearing Diamond earrings to match her Wedding rings & a 2ct Diamond "V" Necklace. She's Stunning, absolutely stunning! I take her hand & kiss it, & say: ~Your carriage awaits~ I put her arm in mine & escort her to my Beamer & walk her to the passenger side, open the door & help her in. I feel so giddish. It's like my first date again! Man I love this Woman!........

We get to Sundowners at 6:45pm. I tip the Valet & we go inside. We have reservations so there's no wait. Being a Friday night, the place is packed. We're seated & order drinks. Mary orders just a Soda water. I ask if she's feeling well & she says she's fine. She's just in the mood for Soda water! I reach over, take her hands in mine & say: ~Mary Newport, You're the best thing that ever happened to me! I love you!~ She looks at me and smiles, winks (Ohhhh that wink!) & says: ~Harold Newport, You're the best thing that ever happened to me too, I love you. You know what Harry? I've got a bit of a secret to tell you!~ I ask: ~You do? She replies: ~I do! There's one in the oven Harry!~ I reply: ~What? Let me call JR, I'll have him check the oven.~ She says: ~No silly..... I mean we're going to have a Baby Harry!~ She's smiling really large. I'm not sure if she's pulling a fast on me or not. I ask: ~ Darling, really, we're going to have a Baby.~ She replies: ~Yes Harry! The Doctor confirmed it today! I ask a stupid question: ~But when, how, I mean aaah oh Darling I love you so much! We have to build a Nursery. I got to get George to help me. Oh & JR is Going to love it. He always wanted a little Brother. Ohhhh. We don't know yet do we? How far along are we Darling? I can't even tell!~ She replies: ~six weeks my love. Next week's my Ultrasound. You're coming with me, aren't you? That's when we'll learn the gender of the baby!~I reply: Darling, of course I am! I wouldn't miss it for the world. George can handle the "Willow"! I will get Nicholas from the Agency for a Second Mate. I want George as Captain to make the decisions. Yet still drive the boat! George is gentle & treats her like a Lady! She looks at me & remarks: I'm glad you finally have a good friend Harry that you can trust! Let's eat. I want to go dancing!~ She looks so very happy! Her face is glowing! Now I understand the reason behind the Soda water. Mary's always told me she's never thought pregnant woman should be drinking alcohol! We finish eating & go outside the Restaurant. I give the Valet my ticket & he retrieves my Beamer. I tip him & he opens the passenger door for my wife, I help her in & close the door. I tip him & walk around to the Driver's side, get in & we head for the Caribbean. It's 10:00pm & from the looks of the parking lot, it's packed! I tip the Valet & he parks the car. We walk inside & the Waiter has our table ready. He takes our order. Mary's drinking Ginger Ale & I'm drinking Coke, as I will be driving & want to make sure she has a wonderful time but not have any problems, that alcohol may render me less able to take care of! We dance & dance to every favorite beat she hears. I'm getting tired, you'd think I'm the pregnant one! Where does my Wonder Woman get all her energy? I ask: ~Darling, don't overdo yourself?~ She replies: ~Harry relax, chalk this up to exercise! What I'm going to be doing is nothing compared to this!~ I reply: ~Yes Darling, I'll try to remember that!~ She smiles & motions to me; now let's dance! This is really a night to celebrate. I can't wait to let my parents know. Or for that, I'm sure my Mother in-law will be quite excited. This will be their first Grandchild, although they consider JR as much their's as if blood. Tomorrow we'll get together with JR & let him know! It's 2:00am & the last song is playing. It's our favorite: "Stand By Me" by Otis Redding! I pull my wife in real close to me & dance old school with her! I love this Woman & I love these moments! The song has ended, the lights come on & it's time to leave. I take my beautiful wife by the hand & tell her: ~Darling, I love you more today than yesterday & now more than I did before my last breath. Thank you for making my life so wonderful Darling!~ She says to me: ~'O Harry, My Harry, you're the most romantic Man on Earth. The only man I've ever loved. The only man I will ever love. Harry take me home my love?~ I reply: ~Your Wish is My Command!~ I place her arm in mine & I escort her out the door. I hand my ticket to the Valet & he retrieves my Beamer. He opens the passenger door, I help my wife in & close the door. I tip the Valet, walk around to the Driver's side & get in. We head home. On the way home I ask my wife: Mary: ~You'd think we could ask George & Lucy to be The Godparents!~ She replies: Harry, I think that's a wonderful idea!~ We're home by 3:15am. I open the door & help my wife out. I escort her arm in arm to the house, open the door & say: ~Mary; ( I smile, pick her up & carry her over the thrush hold) I love you I say!~ She replies: ~I love you more my Harry!~ I always loved how she calls me her Harry! We go to bed & have a wonderful night of love in every way possible!

Saturday, April 20 John Ross Learns The News We wake about 8:30am. We decided to sleep in. I've got it on my mind to hire some help for Mary, at least until the baby comes; & even after. I hear JR moving around downstairs. I know he's hungry. Mary's in the bathroom. I'm going down to the kitchen & surprise her & cook them both breakfast! I haven't forgotten how! Besides she deserves a break! I get to the kitchen & JR is patiently sitting at the table waiting for us & says: ~Good morning Dad! You two kids had a late night of it!~ He bends his head to the side & smiles like he knows what his mother & I did! I replied: Good morning: ~Young Man! Your Mother will be down directly. I want to surprise her! Want to help?~ He replies: ~Yeah sure Dad, anything for Mom!~ We're fixing her Blueberry Pancakes, (Her recipe) Hot Syrup, Pork Sausage links, Poached Eggs, Hot Mocha Coffee & Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice. Mary comes down the stairs just as we are finishing up the Poached Eggs. She says: ~What's this?~ Those big Beautiful Green eyes of hers are wide open in surprise! She adds: ~I can't believe you two did this for me, 'O I love you both so very much.~ I reply: ~Ok Darling, It's hot, & we want you to sit down & enjoy it. We are at your service. After you're finished eating, myself & JR will do the dishes. Then we can all sit down & have a nice talk about the surprise.~ She replies: ~Okay my Harry, that sounds like a good idea. It's time my John Ross knows what's going on!~ JR says: ~What? haaaa, what's going on?~ She says: ~Now there John Ross, just you don't worry about it for now, it's a surprise!~ He shrugs his shoulders in wonder & replies: ~Okay Mom!~ She eats her food, all the time with mmmmh & aaahh & oohhhh this is good! She really enjoyed her food. & we enjoyed making it for her. She finishes her breakfast & we pick up the dishes from the table. I wash & JR dries. Everything is done. We all sit down. I ask Mary: ~More coffee Darling!~ She replies: ~No thank you Harry, too much coffee is not good for me!~ JR asks:~Since when Mom? Are you ok, sick?~ She replies: ~Im fine, my Dear Dear John Ross. My Baby that I've loved since the very moment you've come into my life. John Ross, we have a Surprise for you! You're going to be a Big Brother soon!~ He replies: ~Mom, you mean, you're going to have a Baby?~ She replies: ~I do John Ross, what do you think about it?~ He replies: ~Mom, I'm happy, really happy. But when? I'm going to have to get leave from school, I want to be here when the baby comes. I say: Oh yes when is the due date, I forgot to ask in all my excitement. She replies to both of us: December 06, 2019, Twenty five days before your Birthday John Ross. You will already be home on Christmas Leave. I figured Maybe we could spend the Holidays in Madison County. I figured I could have the baby in Madison County Hospital. It's the Best one in the County & near the Mansion. None Of your Grandparents, I mean all five of them are not getting any younger. The Mansion is the perfect place for all of us to meet & spend the Holidays together & they'll be there when the baby is born. I've already talked to your Mother my Harry, she has agreed that if it's a go with you & John Ross, then it's a go with the rest of us!~ I reply: ~Of course Darling, that's a wonderful idea! Darling, would it be ok to invite George & his family?~ She replies: ~You read my mind My Harry!~ She asks JR: ~How about you John Ross, the plann sound ok with you?~ He replies: ~Yes Mam, Mom, I like it. One question Boy or Girl?~ She replies: ~'O My John Ross, does it matter?~ He replies: ~No, not really Mom, just curious!~ She says: We'll find out my next Dr's appt on April 25. I will be sure to call you & let you know my John Ross! She smiles & gives him that special wink. He smiles back in approval! I ask Mary: ~Is there anything I can do for you Darling?~ She replies: ~Yes My Harry, Stop treating me like there's something wrong with me! I'm pregnant, not crippled, & only 6 1/2 weeks my love. I loved the surprise but now, you two boys go play! I have things to do!~ She kisses me, kisses JR on the cheek & says: ~I love you, now let me do my work!~ We look at each other & go about our business! I call George & ask: ~Hey, want to go have a beer?~ He replies: ~aye Harry, me whistle needin a wetten!~ I say~ Be there in fifteen minutes!~ I ask JR: Need a Ride to Kellyanne's?~ He replies: ~Sure Dad, thanks!~ We hop in the Beamer & head to George's house. We get to George's house at 11:15am. George comes out of his house as JR passes him going in. I say: ~Hey George, ~Mary & I are having a Baby!~ He replies: ~Aaaah! Ohhh Captain Harry, me Brudder. Ya been a busy man have ya~ & laughs under his breath. He adds: ~God He be lookin on ya with da favor. I knowed it. Ya be a lucky man Harry, a lucky man.~ I ask: ~George. We've decided to have the Baby in Madison County. It's on the border of North Carolina. That way all of JR's Grandparents can be there. It's during Christmas Holidays George. Would you be interested in joining us. My parents live in a Mansion & it's plenty big. George, We would be honored if you & Lucy were to be the Godparents?~ He's looking at me, teary eyed, hardly able to utter the words & replies: ~aye Harry, it be our Honors to be fer sure. Me give ya me word Harry, ya never regret it Sir!~ I reply: ~I have no doubt George, Oh George, one more thing, before I forget! I'm going to need you to Captain the "Willow" on Thursday, the 25th.~ He replies: ~aye Harry! Ya go be with ya wife! Me be takin care of ya boat, don't ya be worry bout dat Captain Harry! We reach Sharkey's Pub on the Wharf at 12:30pm I park & we go in & have a seat. I ask George: ~Want a bite to eat with that Beer George?~ He replies: ~aye Harry, Much obliged, Me belly be achin, Me lips be parched! I order two Buds & we look the menu over. I ask ~George: What are you going to have George?~ He replies: ~Dos der Fish -n- Chips sure be lookin tasty!~ I reply: ~Agreed, I'll have the same!~ I call for the waiter & say: ~We'll have two Fish & Chips, go heavy on the chips. Oh , & bring us a couple more Buds please? Thanks?~ Ahh, our order's here! One thing about Sharkey's, when they serve you a Basket of Fish & Chips, you can't complain. You're going to get a stomach full! I ask George: ~What do you think George?~ He replies: ~Mighty good Harry! Me be owen Ya Harry!~ I reply: ~George my Brother, You don't owe me anything! You give me everything I need just by being the friend you are! You see George, Good friends are hard to come by, & I hit the Jackpot when I came by you!~ He's looking at me with a kind of Brotherly love in his eyes & says: ~Harry, ya like me Brudder & Me love ya like me Blood, If ya ever be needen somthin, ya be lettin me know! I reply: ~You got it George! Eat up my Brother!~ We toast to friendship & enjoy our meal together! We finish up, have one more beer & go home to the wives. I have to say, I enjoyed my day with George! I haven't been out for a Beer with a friend in a long time! I'm home about 6:00pm & I walk in the door, Mary kisses me & says: ~Hello Dear, enjoy your day out with George?~ I reply: ~I did Darling! I really like George. He's really a great guy! She replies: ~That's Good my Harry, it's about time you had a friend! We're having Pot roast for dinner, green beans. Mashed Potatoes & brown gravy.~ I reply: ~My Darling, how did I ever get so lucky to have you come into life?~ She replies: ~I don't know Harry, you might ask John Ross that!~ Turns around & starts to walk away, stops, turns, smiles & winks at me, then goes into the kitchen. She had me going for a moment! I love her so much! I'm going upstairs & clean up for dinner! That's better, I'm starved! I go to the Dining room & sit down at the end of the table. JR is already sitting & Kellyanne has joined us for dinner. She's trying to spend as much time time with him as possible as he will be leaving for School Monday morning. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. We will be attending Church. I ask Kellyanne: ~Will you & your family be attending Church for Easter Sunday Kellyanne?~ She replies: ~Yes Sir Mr Newport! We attend at the First Baptist Church of Key Largo. I say: ~If it's alright with your parents, I don't mind picking you up in the morning & you & JR can attend together since we all go to the same Church.~ She replies: ~'O Mr Newport, thank you so much. I'm sure it'll be fine. I'll have my daddy call you.~ I say: ~That's okay Kellyanne, I'll call him after dinner!~ She replies: ~Thank you Mr Newport! I say Mary: ~Darling, everything looks so wonderful. Smells absolutely delicious!~ She replies: ~Well thank you my Harry, I hope you enjoy it. I know Pot roast is yours & John Ross's favorite.~ Mary is always thinking the best for us. I really have to do something special for her! After dinner I tell Mary: ~Darling, take the night off my love, I'm going to do the dishes & clean the kitchen up! You two kids go spend time together!~ My wife looks at me, smiles & says: ~Thank you My Harry, & that was nice of you, what you said to the kids! & Harry, I love you!~ I finish up the kitchen & join my wife in the other room. We sit down & just listen to music. We turn on the radio & listen to Oldies but Goodies & talk about when we first met & fell in love. We cuddle & like Teenagers (Make out) on the sofa! It feels good to just spend time with my wife. Before we know it, 10:00pm comes about & I need to get Kellyanne home! I kiss my wife & holler: ~Lets go! The kids come right away & we load up in the Beamer & take Kellyanne home! JR escorts her to the door & assures she's inside. He gets back in the car & we head home! We get home & I go upstairs, open the bedroom door & my Beautiful wife is already in bed. She says:~Hello Big Boy!~ She pulls back the sheets & there she is, more beautiful than any woman on this Earth & as naked as the day God created her. All I can do is to disrobe & join her in this rendezvous of love. Goodnight all! 

Easter Sunday April 21 We're all up & ready bright & early! It's Easter Sunday! Church isn't until 9:00am but my Wife still has to have an Easter Basket for her John Ross! & he's just as excited as he was when he received his first one! She calls:~ John Ross!~ He replies: ~Yes Mother? Coming Mom! He enters the Library & sees the Basket & as usual becomes excited at the prospect of what's in it! He doesn't believe in the Easter Bunny any longer but he knows the Easter Mommy got it for him. He opens his arms & gives her a Bear hug & then says: ~Oh no, Mom! You alright! I'm so sorry. Did I hurt you.~ She stops him & says: ~John Ross, it's okay my Baby, you didn't hurt me. You can show me love. It's fine!~ A world of relief came over his face & he was happy again! That boy would go through Hell for his Mother! There is chocolate bunnies, licorice, jelly beans, chewing gum, peanuts, corn nuts, homemade chocolate chip cookies, waiting tablets & pencils, socks & underwear, & everything a boy coul need at school as well as other favorite things of his! He says: ~Mom, you thought of everything!~ She replies: ~I tried My John Ross! There's an envelope in there too. Open it when you get to School, not before!~ He replies: ~Yes Mam! I love you Mom. She kisses him on the cheek & he hugs & kisses her back. That boy loves his Mother & she loves him! It's 8:15am & we've got to get going if we're going to pick Kellyanne up & get to Church on time! We arrive at George's at 8:30am & Kellyann is waiting on the Doorsteps. JR rushes up & escorts her to the car & helps her in the backseat. He's quite the Gentleman, (Takes after his old Dad if I say so myself) We're on our way! We arrive at the First Baptist Church of Key Largo at 8:55am with George & Lucy close behind! We walk the doors & are greeted by Bishop Gilbert who will be conducting the Easter Services, & Pastor James, the Sitting Pastor of the Church. We shake hands & are ushered in & seated, Followed directly by George & Lucy! Service is beginning. "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty........ "The hymn plays as the Bishop leads the Pastor, the Bible bearer, Candle lighters, Visiting Pastors & special Guest. Finally the Choir comes in from the rear of the Altar.................. 12:00pm Church ends & I'm taking everyone out to lunch: ~George, you coming?~ He replies: ~Where to Mate~ I say: ~Easter Dinner George, you coming?~ He replies: ~aye, Me belly achin, talkin to me it be!

We head to Gus's Grille in the Marriott. Great dining. It's 1240pm & we arrive. We tip the Valet, go inside. I've already called ahead so no waiting. We have Prime rib cooked to perfection & a beautiful Honey Baked Ham w/ all the fixings. It's a wonderful meal. It's 5:00pm & we're finished eating. I pay the tab & tip out. We need to get home! I promise George to have Kellyanne home by 9:30pm. JR will be leaving on a 5:00am flight to Brownsville Texas. There's no tours scheduled for tomorrow so I tell him he can take the day off! We're home, it's 6:15pm & we go inside. Easter Dinner was big so Mary decides she's just going to prepare sandwiches & chips for tonight. Kids can spend what time they have together & we'll just kick back & enjoy each other's company! It's 8:30pm : I have to take Kellyann home. I can hear her crying and telling JR: ~'O John Ross, I'm going to miss you terribly. What am I going to do? I love you so much John Ross. Please come back to me soon?~ He replies: ~I love you too Kellyanne with all my heart. I'll be back in December! I promise. We're all going up to my Grandma's Mansion for Christmas Vacation together. You're just going to love it!~ I get to the corner as he embraces her & stop! They kiss & only after do I enter. I say: ~Let's go kids, I promised your Father Kellyann that you'd be home by 9:30pm.~She replies: ~Yes Sir Mr Newport!~ JR escorts her to the Beamer, we load up & head for her house. We arrive at 9:25pm & JR escorts her to the door & kisses her one final time just before Lucy opens the door. He comes back to the car & we head home. We get home & He's silent. I say: ~JR, won't be long & you'll be home!~ He replies: ~I know Dad, I'm just going to miss her! I love her Dad, I mean I really love her! I don't even look at another girl Dad. She's the only girl I've ever wanted!~ I reply: ~You know son, that's the way it is with us Newport Men! Your Great Grandfather, Your Grandfather, yes & me too! I never looked at or wanted another woman until I lost your Mother Julia! She was my everything. You were the only reason I stayed together after her death! Then came Mary. She taught me that I could love again. & You loved her too, even better she loved you! I really in my heart think Julia guided us to Mary!~ He replies: ~You know Dad, I never told anyone, but, I use to dream about her, you know my Mother! In my dream she would tell me it's okay to love her. She told me: ~She loves you very much! She'll take care of you John Ross! You & your Daddy need her! I've never forgot my birth Mom & never will, but I love Mom too with all my heart & soul!~ I reply: ~I know son, & she knows too! & Julia's looking down on you from Heaven with pride! She came to me in a dream once too! You're the only one I've ever told!~ He turns to me & smiles. We're home & we go inside & go upstairs. We've got to get up early in the morning. My Beautiful wife is tired out & in bed already. I tip toe into the bedroom, disrobe, climb into bed, kiss her gently, wrap my arms around her & fall asleep knowing I have the best woman man could ever have in life, in my arms! Monday, April 22nd Alarm going off, it's 2:30am! I reach over & gently tap my wife on her shoulder & say: ~Mary, time to wake Darling, we've got to take JR to the Airport. We want to make sure he eats a good breakfast!~ She rolls over & says: ~Okay my Harry!~ I go in the Bathroom, wash up & shave. I go down stairs & put on the coffee. I go back upstairs & make sure JR is awake & getting ready! I go back down stairs, Cook some bacon up, scramble some eggs and cheddar cheese, throw some frozen biscuits I keep on hand just for these occasions in the oven. I put butter & jelly on the table. I'm pouring the coffee as my Beautiful wife is coming down the stairs! She's quite happy to just sit down to a cup of coffee & wake up! I kiss her Good morning, tell her how beautiful she is & how much I love her! By that time here come our young Marine! I say: ~Hungry son?~ He replies Yes Dad, thanks. I'm starving!~ We eat, I pick up the table & leave the dishes until I get home. I take JR's Bags out to the Beamer & load them up in the trunk. I come back in & escort my wife to the car & we're off to the Airport! His flight leaves at 5:00am & we want to get him checked in so we can sit with him a little bit before he has to go through Security! We reach the Miami International by 3:45am. It's early & I drop Mary & JR of at the Curb. I park in the Garage & walk across to the terminal! I meet the at the self Check-in. We have fifteen minutes to sit & say goodbye. I see the tears already forming in Mary's eyes! JR says: ~Mom, please don't cry, I'll be back soon! You're making me feel bad, I can't stand to see you cry Mom, please? I love you!~ I say to JR: ~ She'll be fine son. She loves you & just doesn't want to see you go. She understands though but she still going to she tears. That's her heart!~ He replies: ~I know Dad, but I don't like to see my Mom cry! It breaks my heart!~ She interrupts: ~I'm sorry John Ross, I'm just going to miss having you around! I just love you so much!~ He replies: ~ No Mom, you don't mind have anything to be sorry about! Don't worry about it! Oh Man, Their beginning to run us through Security. I've got to go. Mom, give me Love, Dad you too!~ He hugs us & we say Goodbye. He runs to the gate just in time to get through the line. We wait to hear that his flight takes off on time before we leave! I tell my wife: ~Darling, you sit here while I go get the car!~ I walk across to the Garage & pick up the Beamer, drive around the circle & stop at the terminal. I escort my wife to the car help her in. We head home. We get about home at 6:45am giving the traffic! I help my wife out of the car & escort her to the house. We go into the kitchen & I tell my Mary: ~Darling, why don't you go ahead & get a little more sleep. I'm going to clean up these dishes! I might come up & join you afterwards!~ She replies: ~Okay my Harry, I'm going to do that. I'm still quite tired! Please come upstairs after your done? I want you to hold me!~ I reply: ~I promise Darling, directly!~ She goes upstairs & lays down. I do the dishes up, doesn't take long & I follow her upstairs! I climb in bed & wrap my arms around her & thank God she's mine. I fall asleep. We both wake together. The alarm is ringing, Mary has it set for 10:00am! We smile, kiss each other & get up. We go in the bathroom & take a shower together! I love taking a shower with my wife. But no Hanky Panky this time! She's a bit sad about our son having to go back to school today. I'm going to let her have some time! We get dressed & go downstairs & I put some coffee on while Mary prepared us some lunch! I ask her: ~Darling, is there anything special you'd like to do today?~ She replies~ 'O yes my sweet Harry! I want to go shopping. I'm going to need Maternity clothes. We need to start thinking about Baby furniture. We'll worry about clothing after we learn if we're having a boy or a girl!~ I reply: ~Very well my Darling, I think that's a great idea! Let's go shopping! We drink our coffee & eat our Brunch, load up in the Beamer & head for Refined Legacy Maternity Wear. My wife has very good but conservative taste in clothes. 3 hours at Legacy & next stop is Mark's & Spencer's. I've never been Maternity shopping before. Kind of fun watching my wife pick things out, allowing for her stomach to grow for the Baby. Her face has such a gleem to it. She's so happy. That makes me happy. We're truly Blessed! It's 6:50pm & I tell Mary: ~Darling, I love you, I know you're invincible, but you still have to eat if you want to remain so! Let's go get a bite?~ She replies: ~You're right my Harry, & I am quite hungry! Where do you suggest?~ I say: ~I'm thinking "The Pelican" You feeling like some Spaghetti & Meatballs Darling! My Parents fell in love over Spaghetti & Meatballs!~ She replies: ~'O my Harry, that sounds absolutely delicious. I've actually been craving that! How'd you know?~ I reply: ~Oh just a wild guess my Darling, I've kind of been craving it myself!~ We both break out in laughter..... I carry the bags to the car and load them up in the trunk. Help my lovely wife into the car & drive the couple blocks to The Restaurant. We park in the parking lot & I take my wife arm in arm & escort her inside the restaurant. We're seated almost immediately as the Owner knows my Father. I thank him & he asks that I give him my regards. I tell him that I would be pleased to do so! The waiter takes our order almost immediately & brings us complimentary drinks. I a Red wine & Mary a Sweet Tea. We both order you guessed it: Spaghetti & Meatballs! We had a fantastic meal. It's about 9:00pm & we need to get going. It's been a long day. I ask my wife: ~Darling, I promise, I will take you shopping for Baby furniture on Saturday! Is that okay with you? If not, I'll take tomorrow off!~ She replies: ~My Harry, my sweet sweet Harry! Always trying to make me Happy! Only thing is about that Harry. I'm already Happy just being with you! Of course it's alright!~ Let's go home, I'm tired Harry!~ I call the waiter, pay the tab & tip 30%. I escort my wife to the car & we head home, go inside & go to bed. I love this Woman. Goodnight! Tuesday It's 5:30am & I pick George up for work & we stop at Cafe Mocha for Coffee & Doughnuts. We're on our way & reach the Marina by 6:00am.Tours not scheduled until 8:00am so we can relax & drink our coffee & eat our doughnuts.Talk about our kids awhile! Awe, it's 7:30pm, I say: ~Time we get on it George! The Clients will be here soon! Scuba Diving Pennekamp State Park near the Christ of The Abyss. Diving around the old wrecks. Be back around 6:00pm. We get done with the precheck just as the clients arrive! I greet them & welcome them aboard. A Father Ron Vincent Sr, & Son Ron Jr.! I give the order: ~Take her out George!~ He replies ~aye aye Captain! Takes the helm & steady as she goes at 2 knots gradually increasing to 5 knots. I explain: ~We're only a few miles from the park so no need to rush. Just sit back & enjoy the ride! Can I get you to gentleman a cold drink or water?~ They both decline for now & enjoy the trip out. We make the trip in an hour. They break out their gear, do their safety checks, walk down the ladder to the platform & dive! They come up periodically throughout the day. It's 12:30:pm & I ask George if he's got lunch & he replies: ~aye Harry, Me Lucy maked me a Hardy meal fer me takin! Ah dat Lucy, she be lovin me she be! Me be a lucky man Captain, aye a lucky man!~ I've got a bag lunch Mary put one together here for me. Couple Roast beef & Cheese Sandwiches. Chips. Couple Oranges. Apple pie. Two hard boiled eggs. Woman knows what I like. We have plenty of iced down Sodas & water. About two more hours & we'll be ready to head into shore! 4:00pm both men are out of the water & we're on our way back in. We're about an hour out so we'll take it slow & easy, no rush! I offer the men some water & they are quite thirsty as I thought they might be! They dry off & change into street clothes on the way back to shore! We're pulling into Pier 17 right at 5:23pm. Mr Vincent Pays me 500.00 for the day & thanks us for a great time. He salutes George as if he recognizes him & George salutes back! We tie the "Willow" up, wash her. Check the tanks, oil & put her to bed for the night! We load up in the Beamer & head towards George's house! I ask George: ~What exactly did you do in the Navy old Buddy? Seems like you have a lot of respect around here!~ He replies: ~ Ahh Harry, dat be somethin Me not be talkin about me brother! Dat be given me pain terribly!~ I drop George off at 6:45pm & head home. I'm starved. I'm thinking that after dinner I'm going to do a little research on George's Naval Service. Just because I think he deserves allot more respect than he gets. I get home at 7:00pm & my wife is waiting dinner for me. I kiss her & say: ~Darling, I love you. Sorry I'm late. But it's been a long day!~ She replies: ~I understand my Harry, Ribeye steak & Baked Potatoes w/fixings. Cold beer.~ Perfect dinner after a long day on the water! My wife is the perfect wife! Man, that was delicious & I'm full. I'm going to go in the Library & research on the computer!

US Naval Archives George Christopher Richards MCPO United States Navy #6713211417 Classified 980301-011012 The President of The United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross to Master Chief Petty Officer George Christopher Richards of The Naval Special Warfare Development Group For the service forth in the following; While acting in support of the Third Battalion, Fifth Marines Regimental Combat Team Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan on 11 October 2001 For distinguished devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and disregard for his own personal safety, and under heavy fire from an Enemy Taliban Machine gun position, rushed and eliminated the target, killing all 4 enemy combatants, thereby saving the lives of his team. MCPO Richards reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest tradition of The United States Naval Service!

George W Bush

President

Now I understand! He's a hero. George is a bonafide hero a S.E.A.L.! I'm not even going to mention I was nosy. He's probably got PTSD. Not something to play with! I'll leave well enough alone! My wife walks into the Library & says: ~My Harry, what are you doing in here all by yourself, why don't you come keep a lonely girl company? I've missed you so much today!~ I reply: ~Oh nothing important my Darling! Lonely? I've missed you too! I can barely stand being away from you.~ She looks at me, smiles, takes me by the hand, guides me up the stairs with that sexy look in her eyes & well let's just say: We make up for lost time! Goodnight!

4:30am & I pick George up & we stop at the Mocha Cafe for our Daily shot of Coffee & doughnuts. I've decided to fill a thermos this morning. Just some days I need that extra boost of caffeine! We're on the move. I ask George: ~Long night?~ He replies: ~aye Harry, me couldn't sleep las night fer me life me Brudder! Dat der coffee, she be magic ya know, fix me right up!~ He laughs under his breath. I reply: ~I know exactly what you mean George, I have the same problem sometimes! I have an extra thermos full if you need some this morning my Brother!~ He looks at me, smiles & replies: ~Me be thankin ya fer it Harry, ya be a Good man ya be!~ We get to the Marina by 5:15am, plenty of time to drink our coffee, eat our doughnuts & wake up all the way. I really enjoy George's company. We have time to sit & talk a while. The clients won't be here until 7:00am It's 6:30am & we do our once over the boat & ready her for the trip. Today's tour is to Key West, about 3 hours each way. Clients are here, John & Michelle Roberts! Daphne St James & her Boyfriend Rick Crimshaw. They want to go out to & see the Whales & Dolphins. I welcome them aboard. I give the order: Take her out!~ George He replies: ~aye aye Captain~ He takes the helm & steady as she goes at 2 knots, gradually increasing to 5 knots cruising speed. This will assure we arrive approximately by 9:30am. We don't want to be on the water after dark! We've arrived & it's 9:38am. We drop anchor & kick back. Before anyone can say a word, a Northern Right Whale is sighted off the Bow, it's a female, pregnant probably! Look, there's another, & a couple Bottlenose Dolphins to the port. These animals never seize to amaze me. Their Beautiful. Julia loved watching them! She always said they were the true Mermaids of the Sea! Their everywhere out here. It's been about three hours & it's time to head for shore. I give the order: ~Take her home George!~ He replies: aye aye Captain!~ He takes the helm increasing a steady as she goes cruising speed of 5 knots. We'll make it to shore about 5:15pm give or take! We're pulling into the Marina. George says: ~slowing to 2 knots Captain.~ I reply: ~Steady as she goes?!~ It's 5:23pm & were pulling aside Pier 17. George is good at what he does! The clients disembark & Mr Roberts pays me $350.00 & I give him my card & thank him. We give the "Willow" the once over, clean & put her to bed for the night. I give George instructions for tomorrow: ~George, here's the keys to the boat, I've got a kid by the name of Nicholas going to meet you here at 6:30am for safety checks. You're the Captain, he knows that! But George, you handle the Boat, make any decisions that has to be made & collect the money. You're the only one I trust. The kid is to do all the work, Okay?~ He replies: ~aye Harry, Me understand Ya, Me won't let ya down me Brother!~ I reply: ~I have no doubt George, that's why you're in charge, I wouldn't want anyone else! Thanks George!~ We get in my Beamer & head home. I drop George off it's 6:30pm. Now to my house. Ahh, home sweet home. There's my Mary. I see her through the kitchen window, as beautiful as ever. It's 6:50pm & I'm walking into my house. I kiss my wife & say: ~ Darling, you're absolutely ravishing tonight.~ I embrace her, kiss her & say: ~I love you with my life, you know, don't you?~ She replies: ~'O my Harry, what's gotten into you? Of course I know that. You show me every day we're together. You're my everything Harry. I love you Harry, you're the only man I've ever loved Harry! From that first Christmas Morning I met you, I was in love with you Harry. I was drawn to you Harry! It was like an Angel telling me that we were meant for each other. I trusted you right away Harry, I seen how good of a man & Father you were. I can't explain it Harry, but I was in love with you! Now sit down Harry. I have your dinner ready! I've made you Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Country gravy, Southern style cream peas, Green salad & Sweet tea. For dessert Hot Apple pie with vanilla Ice cream. Eat up my Harry..~ I reply: ~Wow, you've really outdone yourself Darling, it all looks so delicious. Thank you my love! I want you to know this! That first Christmas morning we met......I had the same feeling come over me. It was like an Angel touched me! I love you Darling, & I have never had second thoughts!~ She smiles & kisses me & says: ~I'll always be grateful to that Angel. Now eat, before it gets cold. That's my Mama's recipe!~ It's delicious, I mean delicious. If you've ever eaten Chicken Fried Steak in a restaurant, this is 100% more delicious. The gravy is creamy & peppery, the potatoes have a garlic taste to them & the peas, I've never had this way before, delicious, absolutely delicious. I say: ~My Darling, you ever thought of opening a restaurant?~ She replies: ~No my Harry, I'm perfectly happy as a Mother & wife. All I want to do is take care of you!~ She serves me dessert. This Apple pie is bubbling hot. She scoops a hardy serving of ice cream on top & says: ~There you go Big boy!~ winks at me, driving me crazy, & smiles sexy like & says: ~The real dessert is coming after dinner hahaha!~ I look at her & react: ~Mmmmh, Wowww! Thank you Darling!~ This is the best Apple pie I've ever eaten. She's really gone all out tonight. Man I love this Woman. I'm done & I've eaten every bite. I get up & clear the table. I'm not one to leave everything for my wife to do. I just don't think that way, nor did we raise our son that way! I help her with the dishes, we sit in the living room, listen to some Old School & cuddle a while. It's 9:45pm & we go upstairs take a shower together, mess around a bit, go to bed & need I say more? Goodnight!

Thursday morning, April 25th Today is the big day. We're going to find out the gender of the Baby. Mary's Doctor's appointment is at 9:30am & were up & ready. She can't eat or drink anything nor has she had anything since after midnight, per order of the Doctor. She has other tests besides the ultrasound! Oooh I'm so excited! I'm drinking coffee right now to calm my nerves. I know my wife would love to have some but she can't, & she's trying to cut back on it anyways! There she is, coming down the stairs, looking radiant as ever: ~How are you feeling my Darling?~ She replies: ~Oh Harry, excuse me my love, I'm feeling a little queasy. Morning sickness my Harry. Quite normal! Oooh, that's better, comes & goes. I'm getting use to it!~ I reply: ~Is there anything I can do for you to help you get through it Darling?~ She says: ~No Harry, this is something we women just have to go through! It's quite okay, really it is Harry!~ I kiss my lovely wife, it's 8:30am & escort her to the car. We head to Doctor Kleinpeter’s office on the Overseas Hwy. He comes highly recommended. We need to be there for check in by 9:15am. Aah, there it is, I pull into the Driveway, park the car & escort my wife proudly into the Dr's office. It's really quite crowded in here. Must be a great Doctor. Sure allot of pregnant women in here, wow. Oh well, at least our appointment is in fifteen minutes. Oh I see, there's four more Doctors in here, thank God, what a relief! I say: ~Come on Darling, you sit down & I'll check you in. She sits down, I take her paperwork & identification up to the window & they check her in. They call her name, hand her a cup & show her the women's room. She comes out & they take her back to the Doctor directly!.......... Sure seems like she's been in there a while. The nurse comes out & asks me: ~Me Newport, would you like to come back to the room with your wife?~ I excitentely replied: ~Yes, of course I would, thank you!~ I followed her back & Mary was laying on a table with her belly exposed. I said: ~How are you doing Darling?~ She replies~ Just fine my Harry. Ohh, that's cold!~ As the nurse spreads a cold gel on her belly before taking the Ultrasound. This is repeated several times. Mary's face gleems brighter each time as she watches the monitor. We can even hear a Heartbeat. This early in the pregnancy. God truly does perform miracles, doesn't He? It's confirmed, a Boy, my Mary is having a Baby Boy! She has the biggest smile on her face, but I have to admit, I'm overcome with joy myself. I kiss my wife & again tell her I love her. The Doctor tells Marry she can get dressed & says: ~Congratulations, I'll see you two in my office after you're dressed Mary!~ She replies: ~Yes Doctor!~ She gets dressed & we sit & wait for the nurse to take us to the Doctor's office. The Nurse knocks & opens the door. She takes us across the hall to the Doctor's office, knocks & he says: ~ Come~ Nurse opens the door, we enter & sit down. The door closes & the Doctor say: ~How you to doing, get you some to drink Mrs Newport, some Apple juice, maybe some some crackers to go with it? I know you have to be hungry!~ She replies: ~Yes, thank you Doctor, I am!~ He calls the nurse in & has her bring Mary some Juice & Crackers! Water for me! He explains to us that everything looks good & he give her some vitamins & explains that she needs to take them. They're going to constipate her at first but it's normal. He told her to eat, that she's going to gain weight, that it's normal, but to exercise. He suggested a Maternity workout program for her & that she should walk. Cut back on the coffee. A little wine won't hurt once in a while but alcohol in general should be avoided! If she she's feels like something wrong, play it safe. He gave her his card & told her to not hesitate to call him look at any hour day or night! He also gave me his card and said: ~That goes for you too young man, you're in on this too!~ I reply: ~Thank Doctor!~ We walk out the Door, I go to the Window, I pay for the visit & I proudly escort my wife out to the car arm in arm! I take her to Lunch at Mrs Mac's Kitchen. She said: ~My Harry, I'm hungry, but just something light please?~This place has great food, but healthy & light. We park & go inside. The Waitress takes our order: Mary orders Conch Chowder, Baked fish. Key lime pie & Sweet tea. I ordered a Cheeseburger, Fries & Sweet tea. I enjoy spending time out with my wife. I ask my wife: ~Darling, what do you say, after we eat we go hunting for Baby furniture, maybe some clothes too now that we know it's a Boy?~ She replies: ~Thank you my Harry, that is a lovely idea.~ We eat our meals & let it settle a bit. It's 2:00pm. I pay the tab, leave a tip & escort my wife to the car. We head to Miami International Mall to Rooms to go. They have a wonderful selection of Baby furniture I'm told! It's 3:15pm & we're here. The Mall is packed. I got lucky, they have Maternity parking spaces near the entrance. What a wonderful idea. I didn't know they did that! We park & I help my wife out of the car. We walk through the Mall looking for Rooms to go! All the time Window Shopping as we go. She see some Baby rattles & little things that catches her eyes. Oh there's the store! Wow, look at all those little Cribs, Bassinets, curtains & other baby stuff! She is looking carefully for the perfect set! Ahh she's got it! Baby Cache Overland Point Blue in color. 4 piece nursery set. $1200.00. She bought blue curtains, blue Baby towels & washcloths. & Newborn Pampers, enough to last three months. She bought nursing pads. She said: ~Harry, Our son is going to want for nothing! Now let's go home & call my John Ross & give him the news he's been waiting for!~ I replied: Yes my Darling, let me first make arrangements to have these things delivered?~ I give my address to the clerk & assure her of the time & date to have it delivered. I picked up the bags my wife purchased on the way into this store & escort her out to the car. I say: ~Darling, did you enjoy yourself?~ She replies: ~ 'O yes my Harry, I did, I really did. Do you like it Harry? The Nursery set Harry?~ I reply: ~I do Darling, very much! I've always thought you have exquisite taste! Darling, I'll get with George & we'll get started on that nursery this weekend if you'd like?~ She replies: ~Really Harry, that would be marvelous. Thank you Harry, I love you ever so much!~ We're just getting home at 8:00pm. Been a long day. I help my wife out of the car & escort her into the house. I sit her down at the table & say: ~Darling, I know you're hungry, what can I get you?~ She replies: ~'O Harry, I want Pancakes & eggs!~ I look at her, raise my eyebrow & say: ~Okay my Darling, you're every wish is my Command!~ I am now making her Pancakes. Pregnant women crave things, & we men must satisfy those cravings. I am only happy to satisfy my wife's every craving! I place a plate with a stack of Aunt Jemima's Pancakes. I warm her some blackberry syrup up & she's in Heaven. I ask her: ~Darling, can I get you anything else? ~She replies: ~My eggs~ I forgot her eggs! I cook two eggs Sunny side up, place them on a saucer & : ~Your eggs Madam!~ I serve her a glass of juice & she has a good meal. I fix me a ham sandwich, that's all I want for tonight. I bring her the phone. She's got to call JR before lights out. I say: ~The phone my Darling, Getting late & you have to call JR.~ She replies: Thank you Harry, Oh I'm so full, those pancakes were so good. Who taught you to make pancakes?~ I reply: ~My Aunt, Aunt Jemima!~ She looks at me & says: ~You're so silly!~ She calls JR & gives him the news. He's ecstatic about it. He's always wanted a little Brother, now his wish is coming true. I'm finished cleaning up in the kitchen. My wife has already gone upstairs. I lock up & follow her lead. I open the door & she's waiting for me. She says: ~Harry, you haven't fed me dessert yet!~ Well, excuse me while I take care of dessert! Goodnight!

TGIF It's been a long week, can't wait for this day to be over. I want to get started on that Nursery for the Baby. Got to get with George, I'm sure he'll have a ball helping me with it. It's 5:30am & I've arrived at George's, I give him a call & let him know I'm here. He comes right out. He gets in the car & hands me a check for yesterday's Tour's tally. I say: ~Thanks George, but I could have waited a while. I wasn't in no kind of hurry. I trust you. Come on, Let's go get our Caffeine boost!~ He replies:~aye, Me can use it Captain. Ya find out what ya be havin did ya George?~ I reply: ~Sure did George, a Boy, we're going to have a Baby Boy. George, I want to get started on remodeling a room to be used as a nursery. Can you help me old boy?~ He replies: ~aye, me be a might honored me would Mate.~ I say: ~Ok George, first thing in the morning I'll pick you up & we'll go get the materials we need & get started right away. Should be finished by the end of the day. We'll eat at my place tomorrow, is that alright!~ He replies: ~Be sonundin might good Harry!~ There's the Cafe, I stop get our coffee & doughnuts & we head for the Marina! It's 6:15am & we're sitting in front of the "Willow" drinking our coffee & eating our doughnuts. I tell George: ~Clients are just a couple Newly Weds that want to experience what it's like to go out on the water. Paying us $375.00 to find out. We're taking them out for two hours & back. They'll be here here at 8:00am. 7:40am we do our precheck. The clients, Jerry & Angela Williams are here. I welcome them aboard, we congratulate them & have them don life jackets. I give the order: ~Take her out George~ He replies: ~aye aye Captain!~ He takes the helm steady as she goes at 2 knots. We'll not take it over this speed as they've never been on a boat before & we want it to be pleasurable for them. I ask them: ~How are you two doing, can I get you something to drink. I have soft drinks & water!~ Mr Williams just stood & stared & replies: ~Water!~ Mrs Williams looked as if she was actually enjoying herself & replies: ~Please, Sprite, Thank you!~ They seem to be getting along well now. Even Mr Williams. He's drinking Coke now & smiling. It's 12:30pm & time to head back. I give the order: ~Take her home George, & take your time!~ He replies aye aye Captain. Steady as she goes at 1 knot. We get back to the Marina at 2:45pm. Mr & Mrs Williams Thanks us for a most wonderful experience. They tell George that he sure knows how to drive a boat! I thank them & give them my card. He pays me & give us each a $100.00 tip. I look at George and say: ~How about that?~ He just shakes his head, looks at the bill & smiles! We tie the"Willow" up, clean & put her to bed for the weekend. We head for home. I remind George I'll be picking him up about 8:00am. I head home! I always feel good when I get home, it's 4:00pm. I walk in & my beautiful Mary is fixing me dinner. Chicken & Dumplings. I like Chicken & Dumplings. I kiss her & tell her I love her. say: ~Darling, I'm going upstairs & clean up! I'll be back down in a jiffy. She replies: ~Okay Harry, Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.~ I go upstairs & wash up. Man I needed that! I come back down & Mary's got dinner on the table. I tell her: ~Darling, you never seize to amaze me! You always seem to put a delicious meal on the table every night! I find myself the luckiest man on Earth~ We eat & I help clear the table. I volunteer to do the dishes & my wife rejects it's but says: ~'O my Harry, I do appreciate it, but you worked hard today! But here, I'll wash & you can dry!~ I reply: ~I accept my Darling with pleasure!~ We do the dishes, go upstairs & make an early night of it. Maybe not that early. Goodnight!

Saturday, April 27 Delivery day Remodeling for the Nursery 6:00am & I'm drinking coffee & waking up. Got to go pick up George & go by Home Depot for some supplies. Minor remodeling will accomplish what we need. We have the room, just want to make it into a Nursery. I'm going to put a Baby washing area in the room next to the Nursery so not to have to go to far. The Nursery of course will be next to our room with a double door opening. Ok, I'm on my way to get George. I'm excited about working on this project. A Baby, we're going to have a baby. Oh, almost passed George's. Let me call him, oh, there he comes: ~Hey George, how you feeling this morning?~ He replies: ~Gran, Me be feelin jus gran Harry! How ya be me Brother?~ I reply: ~Im feeling real good George! Can't wait to get started, really quite excited about it to tell the truth!~ He replies: ~Me knows Harry, haha, ya face be shown it like da sun!~ I reply: ~I'm happy George, really happy~ Here we are, Home Depot! We go inside. We pick up the supplies we need & head home. We figure it's going to take us a good seven hours between us to get the job done. We head home with Home Depot delivery following behind. We're home. It's 10:30am. Rooms to go has already delivered the Baby furniture. We get started right off. If we work only taking thirty minutes for lunch, we can finish this job by 7:30pm. Mary & Lucy has promise us a Dinner of Delights. Kellyanne is making Dessert. She has requested to be an alternative God Mother & we have agreed! We've been working now more than two hours & we're more thirsty than hungry but the ladies insist we stop & eat. They bring us Sweet tea & Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, Chips & some whole Dill Pickles. This is Florida & we do love our pickles! We stay on schedule & get back to work right away. Been a good six hours now & it's looking really good in here. All we have left is to put up the Double doors & paint the room. Haha, 7:15pm & we're ahead of schedule. The Nursery is finished.

"Mary's Inspection" I say: ~Come on George, Let's go get Mary & Lucy! I want my Mary to see this so I can see her face. She'll be so happy!~ He replies: ~aye Harry, dat she be! Dis be pretty nice Harry, I be thankin ya fer lettin me be part of it!~ I say: ~No George, I couldn't have done it without you! You are my very best friend & I'll always be there for you! He's got tears in his eyes again. This is a strong man, but a man with a heart! He replies: ~Me be thankin ya me Brudder with all me heart!! We went downstairs & I take Mary by the hand & tell her: ~Darling, come upstairs, I want you to see something!~ Lucy & Kellyanne followed. We get upstairs & I say: ~Now close your eyes my love! (I open the door, guide her in) now open your eyes!~ She reacts: ~Ohhhh Ohhhhhh 'O my Harry, Oh & you too George! It's sohhh beautiful! Look Lucy, have you ever? Oh Harry, you've made me so happy! Now, you two boys have got to be starving! Your dinner is hot & waiting for you. Oh Harry, I just love you so much, thank you! George; Thank you too, you're a real friend!~ We all go downstairs & we sit down at the table for dinner. We have Pork Roast, Baked Potatoes, Green Bean Salad, Corn on the Cob, Peach Cobbler, Sweet Tea, or Beer. The Ladies really went out. Kellyann made the Peach Cobbler! I say: ~Everything Looks so delicious! You all went way out! I can't wait to dig in!~ George says: ~aye, me too, Let's be eatin!~ He smiles, winks at Lucy! Lucy says: ~George, prayers!~ He replies: ~Oh, ya, Me be fergetin!~ I say prayers & we eat some really fantastic, fit for Royalty food! I say: Kellyanne: This your Mom's Peach Cobbler recipe? It's the best I've ever tasted. I can say that because Mary's never made me any. She's famous for Blueberry pie.~ She replies: ~No sir, My Granny taught me to make that! She use to say: -dat ders Texas peach Cobbler Kellyanne- & Don't ya be fergetin! & I haven't. I'm glad you liked it Sir!~ I replied: ~I did, very much! Thank you!~ We eat up. We offer to help with the dishes but the women folk won't hear of it! They insist that we did such a fine job on the Nursery that we deserve to sit this one out! 

We go to the Library. I ask George: ~Want a Warm Brandy & a Havana? ~He looks at me with such surprise & replies in a Whisper: ~Ya be havin Cubans?~ He shakes his head yes & smiles like a child! I go to the safe & pull out a box of Havana hand wrapped Cuban Cigars. I take two out & put the box back in the safe! I pour us a Brandy Glass each & warm it to room temperature in the palm of my hand as heat tends to destroy the flavor of good Brandy! I handed George a Cigar & cutter, then the Brandy. Next I cut the end off my Havana & put it in my mouth. I lit George's Cigar then mine & toasted our friendship & our wives, children & the new baby to come! George says: ~Dis be really good Harry! Really good!~ I reply: ~I know George, I save this just for my special friends & guess what?~ He reacts with a huh & a raised eyebrow!~ I say: ~You're the only one I've ever offered one to!~ He raises both eyebrows, smiles, says: ~Really!~ We both hug like brothers & give it a hardy laugh! George is really like a Brother to me. I have two, I love dearly, wouldn't trade for the world, but God has Blessed me with another! The ladies finish up in the kitchen, they're tired & Lucy says: ~George, I've been on my feet all day, do you mind if we go home. It's 10:30pm? I want to go to Church in the Morning!~ He replies: ~No Me little Honeybun! He looks at me & says: -Excuse me Harry why me be taken me little wife home- He says to Lucy: Der der me love, let's go!~ I look at my cigar & wonder if it may have had an effect on him. I never seen George act like that. I would almost say he was acting frisky. Oh well as the French say c'est la vie. My wife looks tired too. I kiss her, just pick her up & carry her upstairs. We shower, go to bed & just fall asleep in each other's arms. Thank you God for everything. Amen

Sunday morning

7:00am & we're sitting at the table eating breakfast & drinking coffee. We've got to finish getting ready for Church. We're meeting George & Lucy there at 8:45 am so we can congregate a little before services begin. Awh my wife's look beautiful this morning. She's wearing all white. She looks like an Angel.

It's 8:05am, I escort my wife to the car & help her in, close the door. I get in & we head to the Church. Takes about twenty minutes to get there so I have plenty of time. We're here, it's 8:40am. George is just pulling up behind me. It's funny how the two of us seen to time things so closely. I park & open the door for Mary & we walk up to the door & shake the Pastor's hand. He says: ~Good morning Harry, Mary! This is the Day that our Lord has made! God Bless you. Good morning George, Lucy, Kellyann! This is the Day that our Lord has made! God Bless you!~We all go inside & meet up in the foyer & congregate. This is the time we see people that sometimes we don't see for months at a time. There the bell, Church is about to begin. Music is playing,.............! It's 12:30pm & Church is over. I'm taking my beautiful wife to lunch. I ask Mary: ~Would you like George & Lucy to join us or just the two of this time?~ She replies: ~Oh no Harry, that's fine! I enjoy their company! Invite them.~ I say: ~Hey George, Coming to lunch with us?~ Nay Harry, Me be thankin ya though! Its me Lucy & me's Anniversary Harry!~ I think to myself, that's why he was acting so funny last night. I reply: ~George, I didn't know, why didn't you tell me? I would have done something for you!~ He replies: Me don't want no fuss Harry. Me be owen ya Harry. Ya me Brother, Me Love ya Harry! Thank ya Harry.~take my wife to lunch at the Buzzard's Roost Steak House. I tip the Valet & we go inside. We're seated right away as I've called ahead Mary's drinking Lemonade & I'm having Sweet tea. She's decided on a seafood platter, I'm going to settle on the Cowboys Steak, Fries & Salad. I say: ~We've got to get them an Anniversary gift at least. I know George's a proud man. He doesn't want anything that he didn't earn. But I got to figure out what we can give them that he wouldn't think is Charity!~ She replies: ~You leave that to me Harry! I'll talk to Lucy tomorrow! We'll figure something out!~ I reply: ~I don't even know why I worry about things Darling? You always have a solution! Thank you Darling.~

[azvolrien]

The Hawk Steppes - Chapter Four

In which a few questions are answered, and more are raised. Let’s ride!

~~~

           The nomads broke camp with astounding efficiency. With the wizards and all the tribesfolk – even the youngest children – pitching in, every one of the tents had been taken down and neatly packed away in the space of less than an hour. The tent poles were tied into bundles, the canvas and ropes were wrapped into bales and coils, and everything had been loaded onto packsaddles. Everyone old enough to ride alone did so, saddling their horses with or without help from their tribemates. Even some of the older children had their own ponies, while the younger ones rode with their parents or, in the manner of excited children, ran about on foot. Roxy rode out with half a dozen other teenagers and one older man to corral the band’s cattle in the right direction.

           Ernak turned away from the lidded wicker basket fixed to his saddle and mounted up. He held one hand up to the clear sky, squinting into the sun, before he stuck finger and thumb into his mouth and whistled sharply. “Khan’s Kurgan is three days’ ride east of here even at courier speed,” he said once he had his band’s attention. “For a band like ours, with families, tents and cattle, I’d put it at more of a week. I want to make Five Trees by sundown; we can rest for the night there and water the livestock.” He nudged the horse with his heels and turned it to face the band. “Gellert, Batu, Kadri, Aliyah, Lazar – you focus on driving the livestock. Swap out with Tibor, Katia and Altin throughout the day. Roxy, Hasad, Lajos, Bayar and Leylah, you’re today’s outriders. Keep an eye out for the usual problems, and if you spot thuru, do not try to scare them off by yourself! I don’t want a repeat of what happened last year.”

           There was a subdued chorus of ‘Yes, Ernak’.

           “Good. Calburn.”

           “Er, yes?”

           “Keep that big winged beast of yours inside its pebble – it’ll terrify the cattle, and we can do without a stampede on our hands.”

           “Oh. Right, yes, of course.”

           “Everyone else, just keep moving. Like I said, Five Trees is our goal for this evening. Hyah!” His horse wheeled around and set off towards the rising sun at a brisk trot, slowing to a walk as the rest of the band caught up with him. Roxy and her fellow scouts galloped off, fanning out ahead of the little cavalcade.

           Rhona spurred Tyren to walk alongside Ernak’s horse. He looked curiously at the black-furred construct and nodded a greeting to Rhona, but said nothing. Behind them, a few of the band’s children scrambled up, giggling, to perch on Mostol’s already-laden packsaddle.

           “What are thuru?” asked Rhona. “I read up on the Steppes before coming down here, but it’s not a word I came across.”

           “Birds,” said Ernak.

           “Oh, some kind of hawk? I suppose that’s why they call these the Hawk Steppes.”

           Ernak laughed. “No, they call these the Hawk Steppes because the Yaigan, traditionally, are expert falconers.” He reached behind himself to pat the wicker basket, prompting a muffled chirp from its inhabitant. “Thuru are much bigger than hawks. Not common, gods be thanked, but very dangerous.” He paused, sighing. “One of our scouts was eaten by a couple of them last year.”

           “Eaten?”

           “Eaten.”

           “Gods,” said Rhona faintly, eyeing the trails of hoofprints left by Roxy and her fellow scouts. “Can I ask you something that’s been on my mind?”

           “Speak.”

           Rhona looked over her shoulder and lowered her voice. “I don’t see any other elves in your band.”

           Ernak’s face immediately lost all expression. “Is that a problem?” he asked coolly.

           “No – but… Well, Roxy has your name as a patronymic – at least, I think it’s a patronymic – but she doesn’t appear to be a half-elf.”

           “No,” said Ernak bluntly.

           “I…” Rhona shifted awkwardly in the saddle. “I don’t have a problem with elves. One of my best friends is an elf – and I know that line is very over-used, thanks. I’m just curious about where she came from.”

           Behind them, Calburn rode a little closer and leant forwards in the saddle to listen.

           Ernak’s expression softened. He sighed again and bowed his head for a moment. “Her people were wandering traders,” he explained quietly. “Nomads in their own right, though not of any Steppe tribe. Their caravan was slaughtered by Charek reivers when Roxy was a toddler. Our band came by a while after the attack and found her and her mother hiding in the wreckage, but her mother died of her wounds not long after. Roxy’s been with us ever since.”

He looked up and met Rhona’s eyes. “The Yaigan have always accepted her, but she hasn’t always had an easy time with the other tribes.” He reached out to rest a hand on Rhona’s shoulder. She froze immediately, her knuckles whitening with her sudden grip on Tyren’s reins, but if Ernak noticed, he was tactful enough not to comment. “Thank you for helping her.” He looked at Calburn, who was frowning thoughtfully at Rhona. “Both of you.”

           Calburn cleared the frown from his features. “No problem,” he said cheerfully, casually shifting one of his young passengers away from the two-handed sword wrapped up on the packsaddle. “All part of the job.”

           Getting a band as large as Ernak’s across the Steppes was not a task that was swiftly accomplished, but they did manage to reach Five Trees by dusk as planned. It wasn’t even a settlement; just a point where a stream curved and widened into a large pond, surrounded by five low, twisted cork oaks. Roxy and the other scouts rejoined the main band in time to help set up the tents again and see to the animals, and for Roxy to sit down for another magic lesson. Her control had sharpened considerably; although neither Calburn nor Rhona had any talent for conjuring or manipulating fire, they managed to talk her through the theory well enough for her to create a small flame – no larger than a candle’s – that hovered steadily above her hands.

           “We’ve got to put her in touch with Wy somehow,” said Calburn as, the lesson over, Roxy jogged back to the tent she shared with Ernak and Aysel and where the wizards were also to sleep. “Her magic’s more like his than either of ours.” He stood up and pushed his arms backwards, stretching out the muscles of his chest. “Anyway, I promised I’d help with the cooking. You coming?”

           “You go on ahead,” said Rhona, waving a hand. “I’ve got some things to sort out in my healer’s kit.”

           “Suit yourself.”

           Rhona summoned Tyren as Calburn wandered back to the cooking fires and led the construct outside the camp, until the conversations around the fires were only a dull mutter in the distance. Tyren stood patiently as Rhona unhooked her satchel from her saddle, climbed up onto a lone boulder the size of a bison, conjured a witchlight, and began to sort through the kit.

           After about an hour, she dismissed the light, buckled the satchel closed, and lay down on her back to stare up at the sky. Before long, the distinctive heavy footsteps of Mostol sounded behind her.

           “Ernak sent this over for you,” said Calburn, holding up a covered wooden bowl, before he climbed directly from Mostol’s back to the top of the boulder. “He spotted you weren’t eating with the rest of the band.”

           “No, I… I wasn’t.” Rhona sat up and took the bowl from him. Beneath the secured cover, it contained a thick vegetable soup. “Tell him thanks.”

           “I think he might have a little crush, if you ask me,” said Calburn, handing her a spoon.

           “Oh dear.”

           Calburn sat down beside her on the rock as she ate in silence. “Pretty stars,” he commented.

           Rhona nodded and finished the soup. “The Wagon is much lower in the sky than at home,” she said, pointing out the familiar constellation. “But I’ve never seen the Birds’ Road this clearly before. The sky’s too bright in the city – the lights on the ground block out most of the stars. Even on my parents’ farm, we weren’t far outside Port Karanteg.”

           “You could spot it now and then from up in the Chainbreakers,” said Calburn, following the silvery band across the sky with one fingertip, “but it was usually too cloudy. But see, there’s the Warrior, the Aurochs, and that red star’s the Dragon’s Heart. You can see them even in Stormhaven, if the sky’s clear.”

           “Hmm.”

           Calburn took a deep breath. “Listen, Rho… I need to talk to you. About… about the way you’ve been acting.”

           Rhona sighed. “I’ll try and be more polite to Roxy. Teaching was never really my best skill.”

           “Good to know, but that’s not what I meant. Look, I… I know you’ve never been much of a one for hugging, but you never used to get all jittery just when someone so much as pats you on the shoulder. Far as I can tell, that started when you took that trip up to Northold last spring to help in the hospital there – the trip you don’t talk about. And that was about when you swore off romance, too.” He paused for a long while, digging his fingers into the fabric of his trousers. “When you were in Northold, did… something… happen?”

           “I wasn’t attacked, if that’s what you’re trying to ask,” said Rhona quietly, looking down at the empty bowl.

           “Oh! Well… that’s good.”

           Rhona set the bowl aside and looked back up at the stars, saying nothing for more than a minute. “They never put me through the same kind of control drills that they made Wygar practice,” she said eventually. “You remember our first days at the College? Our raw power was the first thing they tested, and I didn’t have enough for those drills to be necessary. They just gave me the basic exercises.”

           “I think I was in between the two of you there.”

           “Yes, you were.” Rhona drew her knees up to her chest and propped her arms on them, dangling her hands loosely in front. “I met someone in Northold,” she said, following the Birds’ Road with her eyes. “His name was Kynan. Nice man – we really hit it off, much more than I ever expected to. He planned to come back to Stormhaven with me when my work at the Northold hospital was done.” Calburn said nothing, but raised his eyebrows slightly. “I’ll spare you the worst of the details,” Rhona continued quietly, “but suffice to say, we were… together one night, and I… lost control.” She took her glasses off and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Turns out,” she said bitterly, “when you’re that close… You don’t need all that much power to rupture a man’s heart.” She let her breath out in something halfway between a sigh and a sob and pressed her forehead to her knees, wrapping both arms around her shins. “So now I keep my distance.”

           Calburn wordlessly opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, looked up at the stars, and clasped his hands in front of him. He swallowed, and another few seconds went by in silence, broken only by the distant chatter from the camp. “I’ll understand if you’d rather not,” he said, and paused for a moment. “But I don’t think I’ve seen many people more in need of a hug than you are right now.” He made no physical move to offer one until, after another small pause, Rhona shuffled a little closer and let her head fall sideways to rest on his shoulder. Calburn lifted one arm and wrapped it around her.

           “Can’t be the first time something like this’s happened to a Healer,” he said, still watching the stars. “You can talk to Master Pellehan about it when we get home. She’ll help you sort out something, so you don’t have to cut yourself off any more. Or Wy can talk you through some of the drills he did, if those work for a Healer.”

           Rhona sighed again. “I suppose.”

           Calburn gave her shoulder a final pat, stood up, and climbed back over to Mostol’s saddle. “C’mon, we should head back to camp,” he said. “It gets cold out here at night.”

           Most of the band were still outside when they returned to the camp, though the youngest children had been put to bed. There was no big central hearth this time, but each tent still had its own cooking fire. Roxy and Aysel were deep in conversation in the Yaigan language at theirs, while Ernak quietly tuned a small box zither. Behind him, a hooded goshawk drowsed on a perch.

           Roxy switched to speaking Imperial when she noticed them. “Settle an argument for us,” she said, waving for them to sit down by the fire. “Is using magic in an archery contest cheating?”

           “Yes,” said Calburn firmly.

           “Aw.”

           “I told you!” said Aysel. “Anyway, as if you need magic to give you an edge at archery.”

           Ernak plucked one of the zither’s strings, winced, and adjusted the corresponding peg. “I think you probably have more practice to do before you can turn your magic loose like that.”

           Calburn shot a quick glance at Rhona, who was staring intently at the fire, and adjusted the course of the conversation. “So what’s this about archery contests?” he asked.

           “A visit from the Great Khan is always a good excuse for a huge festival,” explained Aysel. “Folk from all different tribes and bands come to show off their stuff.”

           “There’ll be contests in riding, archery, falconry, wrestling, singing – all sorts,” said Roxy, waving her arms in the air.

           “And markets as well, of course,” said Ernak. “I’ve been meaning to sell on a few of the cattle and mix some new blood into the herd.”

           “Yeah, but you’re going to enter in a few contests too, right?” said Roxy. “The falconry, and the riding.”

           Ernak strummed the zither’s strings once, nodded in a satisfied manner, and began to play a meandering little tune. “Perhaps,” he said, smiling. “It’s been a good few years since the last big tribal meet; Roxy was too young to enter any of the contests then. What about you two? Think you’ll go in for any?”

           Calburn shrugged.

           “I did used to be quite good at construct polo,” said Rhona. “Not sure it’d be fair to pit Tyren against horses, though, and I haven’t ridden a horse in years.”

           Aysel folded her hands behind her head and laughed. “Hawk Steppe polo doesn’t care too much about what you’re riding as long as you’re riding something,” she said. “So long as you’re not just sitting on another person’s shoulders. I’ve seen matches where no two riders had the same kind of steed. Once at a tournament up near the Imperial City, some visitors from the north put in a team with a reindeer, an icewalker, a mammoth and a karkadann.”

           “Did they win?” asked Roxy curiously.

           Aysel shook her head. “They came close, but in the end a team with two horses, a construct and a donkey ran circles around them. It was fun to watch, though.”

           “I don’t know if you’d be able to find three teammates on short notice,” said Ernak, “but I doubt anyone would argue too hard against your construct.”

           “Well, we’ll see,” said Rhona after a thoughtful silence.

           “Speaking of constructs,” said Calburn, “you don’t look to make much use of them out here. I’ve made constructs for all sorts of groups – mines, hunting camps, farms, city councils. All kinds of places that’re phasing out using working animals like horses and oxen in favour of constructs, built or grown. But out here…” He made a vague gesture, taking in the band’s livestock grazing outside the tents.

           “It’s partly tradition,” said Aysel. “The horse is such a huge part of Steppe culture that you could never really replace them, ever. But there are practical reasons as well.”

           “Constructs are useful when all you need is transport,” said Ernak, absently strumming a quick scale on the zither. “But a nomad band needs more than just transport. You can’t milk a construct, you can’t slaughter them for meat, and you can’t breed them, so they’re harder to replace away from all the…” He lifted one hand from the zither to wave in the air. “Infrastructure you need for making constructs.”

           “That’s true enough,” said Calburn. “You can cobble together a built construct easily enough if you know how to animate them, but they fall apart pretty quickly if you haven’t got the actual structure right.”

           “Yes,” said Roxy, nodding with the utter confidence of someone who had no idea what Calburn was talking about.

           The next few days all passed in much the same manner. They broke camp at dawn each morning and set off across the plains, with scouts ranging ahead of the band and the herd of cattle trailing behind. Each night they stopped at a stream, watering hole or well to pitch the tents and see to the animals, while Roxy spent some time practising her magical control before bed. They never ran into any real trouble; once the scouts spotted a pride of lions lounging in the sun, but the animals showed no interest in the band’s cattle.

           After a full week’s travel, they reached a range of low hills – little more than gentle undulations in the ground – beyond which a drifting cloud rose into the otherwise clear sky. Ernak sniffed the air, catching the scent of smoke on the breeze, and smiled.

           “You’ll want to see this,” he said, and waved for Calburn and Rhona to follow as he guided his horse up to the nearest summit. Aysel remained with the band, but Roxy – not on scouting duty this time – tagged along behind. Soon all four of them stood on the crest of the little hill.

           Before them, a sea of tents of all colours and styles sprawled out over the grassland, right up to the shores of a glittering lake that stretched to the horizon. A pall of smoke rose from thousands of small fires dotted throughout the vast encampment, its scent mingling with that of people, horses, cattle, cooking, and the gods knew what else, while the dull roar of untold numbers of voices all talking at once soon reached their ears, overlain with the odd snatch of distant music or the lowing of cattle. At the very edge of the lake, a lone earthen mound stood in the centre of a stretch of clear ground, surrounded by a ring of tall posts.

           Ernak swept an arm out towards the huge camp. “Welcome, wizards of Stormhaven, to Khan’s Kurgan.”

~~~

Polo matches in this world can end up looking pretty weird. The thuru aren’t just a bit of worldbuilding flavour, by the way; we are going to see some at some point in the story.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the ‘We Fucking Love Horses’ cultural archetype in fantasy, be it the Rohirrim, the Algar, the Dothraki or any of many others, but although the Yaigan and the other tribes of the Hawk Steppes aren’t based directly on any single real culture - the names Ernak lists in his band draw from, among others, Hunnic, Turkish, Mongolian, Hungarian and Persian roots - I still wanted them to make sense from an economic standpoint. So I made them nomadic pastoralists, as has been the case for many real-world nomad cultures, and had them travel in smaller groups rather than thousands-strong hordes.