#Terminator vibes intended

[cantsayidont]

Recentish movies of note, or not:

BOTTOMS: Ridiculous "teen" comedy about two gay high school losers, PJ (Rachel Sennott, who also co-wrote with director Emma Seligman) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri), who seize on a rumor about their having been in juvenile detention to start an after-school "self-defense club," in the hope that introducing the school's hottest cheerleaders to the cathartic thrill of girls beating the shit out of each other will finally give these hopeless (and ho-less) virgins a chance to score. So silly that complaining about the stupidity of the plot seems a tad churlish, but the story misses some obvious comedic opportunities, and despite the premise, the film eventually becomes far more interested in cartoonish violence than sex. If you dig the overall vibe, you might not care, but as a gay teen sex comedy, it's ultimately less successful (and less outrageous) than BOOKSMART, even though only one of the latter film's teen loser heroines is gay.

DO REVENGE: Black comedy homage to the teen comedies of the '90s and early '00s, inspired in part by the 1951 movie version of STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, about a disgraced prep school popular girl, Drea (Camila Mendes), who joins forces with gay weirdo Eleanor (Maya Hawke) to avenge herself on her former friends and find out who leaked her sex tape — a plan that involves giving Eleanor a makeover so she can infiltrate the popular kids. Hawke is a delight, Mendes is very good, and the homoerotic tension of their odd relationship makes the movie fun for a while, especially if you appreciate the many self-conscious homages to prior teen movies. However, a major reveal late in the second act makes hash of the already sloppy plot, and the finale is both nonsensical and as antisemitic as STRANGERS ON A TRAIN author Patricia Highsmith, which leaves a sour aftertaste.

IT'S A WONDERFUL KNIFE: Bizarre slasher movie pastiche of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, about a teenage girl named Winnie Carruthers (Jane Widdop of YELLOWJACKETS), who kills the masked serial killer who's been terrorizing the small town of Angel Falls and murdered her best friend (Hana Huggins) at Christmastime. A year later, everyone in town seems to have gotten over it except Winnie, who's miserable. On Christmas Eve, she's magically transported into an alternate timeline where she was never born and the masked slasher has continued murdering people, including Winnie's brother (Aiden Howard). To set things right, Winnie has to stop the villain all over again with the help of Bernie Simon (Jess McLeod), the town outcast and the only one who believes her story. Not scary, gruesome, or suspenseful enough to be much of a horror movie, but there are enough grisly murders to make the comedic holiday fantasy aspects seem a trifle sociopathic, and a late reveal that the killer has supernatural powers beyond just stabbing or slashing people feels like one ingredient too many in an already convoluted plot. The main redeeming feature is that it's ultimately a gay love story, which I wasn't expecting, but appreciated nonetheless.

THE KILL ROOM: Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Joe Manganiello, and Maya Hawke go slumming in this dumb black comedy about a handsome hitman named Reggie (Manganiello) who becomes the sensation of the art world after his mob intermediary (Jackson) concocts a scheme to launder Reggie's payments by selling his abstract paintings (under the nom de plume "the Bagman") through a burned-out, Adderall-snorting art dealer (Thurman). Intended satire of the cutthroat vacuity of the art world lacks bite and no part of the plot makes any sense, but sheer star power gets the movie through about half its 80-minute running time before the banality becomes terminal.

POLITE SOCIETY: Silly British action-comedy by Nida Manzoor (creator of WE ARE LADY PARTS) about Ria Khan (Priya Kansara, delightful), a Pakistani teenager who aspires to be a stuntwoman, and her quest to save her flaky art student older sister Lena (Ritu Arya, radiant) from marrying a handsome doctor (Ashay Khanna) who seems a little too good to be true. It looks great, and the characters are very charming, but the story waits much too long to clarify the stakes of the plot: Until the finale, we don't know if Lena is actually in any danger or if Ria is just letting her imagination run away with her, and that uncertainty becomes an unwelcome distraction in the later action sequences. As a result, it feels more like an update of the John Hughes perennial SIXTEEN CANDLES than the over-the-top action movie it obviously aspires to be.

SHIVA BABY: Low-key but vivid comedy of manners, written and directed by Emma Seligman, starring Rachel Sennott as Danielle, a bisexual 20something Jewish girl who secretly pays her bills as a sugar baby. When she goes with her parents (Fred Melamed and Polly Draper) to a shiva, she finds herself trapped with not only her most annoying relatives, but also her disgruntled ex-girlfriend (Molly Gordon), her current sugar daddy (Danny Deferrari), his gorgeous blond wife (Dianna Agron), and their new baby. Seligman milks every awkward nuance of this uncomfortable social situation for maximum dramatic effect, and the tension of the final scene (which is nothing more complicated than the characters trying to squeeze into the back of Danielle's father's minivan) will drive you right up the wall.

VOLEUSES (WINGWOMEN): Is it really possible for a 40-year-old Frenchwoman living in the 21st century to not know that lesbians exist? One wouldn't think so, but watching this jokey buddy-action movie suggests that director/co-writer/star Mélanie Laurent desperately needs some kind of educational intervention in that regard. This is for all intents and purposes a lesbian romance: Master thieves Carole (Laurent) and Alex (Adèle Exarchopoulos) live together, routinely sleep in the same bed, and plan to retire together; they constantly express their love and affection for one another, and when Carole discovers that she's pregnant (the hows of which are never explained), Alex immediately assumes that they'll be moms together. Nonetheless, the story not only attempts to no-homo this cozy domestic scenario, but also presumes that there's no way Carole and Alex's relationship could ever be the de facto marriage it obviously already is — indeed, a crucial story moment involves Carole tearfully wishing she were a man so she could love Alex the way she deserves! If the movie had been made 50+ years ago, this might be poignant, but in 2023, it's just weird, and the resulting cognitive dissonance largely overshadows the thin plot, which concerns Carole and Alex trying to persuade their bitchy, cheerfully murderous employer Marraine (Isabelle Adjani, barely recognizable beneath her big hair and oversized sunglasses) to let them retire, while training a younger woman named Sam (Manon Bresch) to become their driver and the ambiguously defined third in their domestic ménage à trois.

[stormyoceans]

MONICA'S INCREDIBLY BIASED TOP 5 BL SHOWS OF 2024

1. SPARE ME YOUR MERCY. small town murder mystery with exploration on the topic of euthanasia but also of trauma grief guilt obsession humanity and love. this show was always going to mean a lot to me due to the focus on terminally ill patients, and while i am fully aware of some of its flaws when it comes to the investigation and the romantic elements of wasan and kan's relationship, all of it gets overshadowed by how nuanced and thoughtful the engagement with the main topic was (AND ALSO THE VIBES THE VISUALS THE ACTING!!!!!!!!!)

2. CENTURY OF LOVE. im actually not the biggest fan of the reincarnation trope, so this show ending up as one of my favorites of the year already says everything about how enjoyable it is. yes, it's very campy, but that's where part of its charm comes from, and while i do think there are a couple of things that could have been done better, it was still able to deliver in a way a lot of other shows this year weren't able to. daouoffroad were incredible as an old man trapped in the body of a 20-something years old and a foxy ray of sunshine personified, and they gave us THEE SEXIEST MOST MEMORABLE SCENE OF THE YEAR

3. WE ARE. truly thee biggest plot wist of 2024. if you had told me when the trailer for this show first came out that this was going to be in my top 5 BLs of the year i would have probably laughed in your face, but im so very glad i gave it a chance. sometimes we do need stories like this, stories that are light and fun and free of drama, but also incredibly genuine and full of heart, where friendship is put front and center and gets to shine as much as the romance, if not more. i love this show unabashedly, and im grateful for the happiness and comfort it gave me

4. FIRST NOTE OF LOVE. most underrated little show of my heart and soul. i completely understand why most people found it boring or frustrating, but to me this series feels like an old friend holding my hand and telling me everything is gonna be alright as we watch the sun slowly rise above the water. there is just so much tenderness and emotion and healing woven into the story, and i loved every second of it. it's also a BL about music that actually puts the music front and center, so it's not surprising that it actually gave us the best soundtrack of the year too

5. CHERRY MAGIC (thai). this is another full on comfort show that feels like a warm hug. i wasn't sure until the very end if it was gonna make it in my top 5, mostly because i didn't get to talk about it on here, but i do love this series a lot, and as someone who has yet to watch dark blue kiss (im a sham and a fraud, i know ;;;;;;), it also introduced me to taynew as a pairing. am i totally biased because p'x directed it? possibly, but the thai remake fixed a lot of the things i didn't like in the original japanese series and it gave me a classic romance focused on communication and mutual support, and sometimes that's more than enough

+ bonus (because im a cheater)

THE TIME OF FEVER. the only reason this didn't end up in my top 5 is because i think it works better as a movie than as a series, and as such i wasn't sure if the comparison with other shows could work. i still had to sneak it in somehow because not only it's beautifully made, but it also made me feel things god only intended for martyrs in moments of divine ecstasy at the threshold of death to experience. it takes the award for best kiss of the year too

[chaserainbows]

Week 13

(the semifinals, again)

Now we get to the actual intended challenge before the finale and it's A R O A S T

We have some mean bitches left in the cast (and Peter) so let's see how it goes

GRIMSLEY AND CYRUS SLAY

Grimsley does have the look of a mean gay that will get to the thing about you that you're insecure about and Cyrus is finally in his element getting to insult and judge people with a straight face and pretend it's comedy

Peter actually does a fine job along with Scholar but Touya bombs

Because Touya's an anxious mess of course he'd bomb the challenge that's about standing in front of an audience and trying to make them laugh

The category is trains (as in long trailing fabric not necessarily actual trains) but you KNOW Cyrus designed his outfit so that he looks like a living train

Peter does the best out of everyone combined and Touya does a great job designing his outfit like a giant set of Volcarona wings to symbolize him making an effort to get over his phobia but we'll have to see if it's good enough to get him out of the bottom 2

Meanwhile Grimsley and Scholar do fine but since it's right before the finale the bar is high

CYRUS WINS THE CHALLENGE AND MAKES TOP 4

LOOK AT HIM GO

Grimsley gets a top placement as well and earns his spot in the finale but the runway cost him the win

The bottom 3 consists of an eldritch horror another eldritch horror and Touya the biggest eldritch horror

Technically being the only normal human you'd think that Touya would be the least scary of the 3 but we know that's not true

Peter's runway earns him the third spot in the finale and with that we're left with Scholar and Touya fighting it out for the last spot

They had opposite trajectories in this season with Scholar starting off weak but really picking up the pace right at the end and Touya starting with a win right from the beginning but later on in the season becoming better known for dodging elimination

Will Scholar be the one to put an end to Touya's reign of terror or will our favorite shortie claim another victim

COUNTRY JUMPSCARE

This song is actually really good though it definitely has Scholar vibes but trust Touya to turn it out to basically any genre

SCHOLAR WILL NOT MESS AROUND WHEN GOING AGAINST THE LIPSYNC TERMINATOR HE KNOWS THOSE WORDS

And they're both doing great but something unexpected is happening

It seems that Touya might actually be getting outshined

Is it the end of his reign of terror?

SOURCES SAY YES

DIVA EMERGENCY TOUYA WAS ELIMINATED FOR REAL THIS TIME

In the end his track record was gonna eliminate him anyway but you have to respect the hustle of lipsyncing 9 times and giving great performances every single time one thing about Touya is that he's PERSISTENT

And with that Scholar has earned his way into the top 4 with an absolutely wild trajectory

Meanwhile in Untucked Cyrus entered his social era and the gang's once again discussing the hottest guy in the cast

The debate is answered by the way it's Alder

The final track record update goes like this

Cyrus' win right at the very end was decisive to get him into the finale but he's still far behind everyone else, considering he was eliminated before though this is a huge victory

Scholar's track record somehow completely averaged itself out and he's entering the finale with a perfect 3.00 PPE score which is definitely crownable if he can dominate the finale

Meanwhile Peter's dip into the bottom 3 meant his score tied with Grimsley and they're both the frontrunners going into the finale, Peter has higher highs with 3 wins and never landed in the bottom 2 but Grimsley has more high placements overall so it'll really come down to the finale

that is

If they can make top 2 to begin with because there's one more twist

NEXT UP THE FINALE

[thebiscuiteternal]

Fairytale anon - thank you so much. I'd love for huaisang to be under the sleeping curse maybe in a glass coffin for extra vibes, and maybe his myna could suddenly start talking to help Mingjue break the curse? I'm totally flexible though, go with what feels right. Thank you if you do it and thanks for listening if you don't!

Okay, so, building a fairytale!

Someone aiming to hurt Nie Mingjue by targeting his only known weak spot, his baby brother, is always a classic, so let's go with that. (Haven't decided who the particular enemy would be yet though, maybe it'll come to me as I'm typing this.)

The curse was intended to be a killing curse, but it only partially works (cheap ingredients, mis-cast, not actually the curse the caster thought they were using, any combo of the above), causing Huaisang to become narcoleptic and his health to begin wasting away. He can barely eat or drink and he's constantly exhausted and dropping weight fast.

The healers figure out that the extra hours he spends sleeping is the only time his body isn't burning itself to nothing, so they recommend putting him in a magic-induced coma to keep him alive long enough to break the curse.

At some point during their father's terminal illness years ago, an old text about using a qi-infused glass coffin to further 'preserve' a cursed person had been unearthed, but it had been determined to be unhelpful for his particular condition. But it might work for Huaisang, so Mingjue orders one made.

And it works!

But they still have to figure out the curse, who cast it, and how to break it.

Enter a most unexpected witness: Zhihua.

Zhihua the Mynah Bird has always been a yao, but because she was found as an abandoned egg by Huaisang, she never learned to take a human form. But she is just as smart as a human and saw everything.

And she's mad that her darling little master is in such a state, so she's willing to break the rule of pretending to be a normal bird around other people just this once if it means saving him and catching who cursed him.

So Nie Mingjue temporarily leaves the sect in the hands of Nie Zonghui and his uncle Nie Hengbai, leaves Huaisang in the hands of the healers, and sets out to confront the curse caster with his unusual little ally.

[rosehippiefield]

Hiii, for the ask game :33 5, 8, 12, 20 for Stellorina, please <33

5. How did you choose their name and why? Was it simply based on vibes or is there any specific meaning behind the name? Are the reasons behind their name different in- and out of universe?

Oh, interesting question! In a way it came to me in a dream. Once I had a very vivid dream about me and my friends having magical powers and going on adventures (and meeting each other because they didn't know each other). I was so inspired by it that I decided to think up and narrate a fanfic to one of those friends (yeah, I just imagined many things on spot).

The thing is, the second friend has a unique name in real life, so I wanted to transform our names too. Well, not my name, I liked it as it were, but I did add endings -lina, -rina to others. And at that time I already had a vague concept of Stellie, but she was named just Stella (or maybe she didn't have a fixed name, I don't remember). Stella as in Stella from Winx, something connected with sun. With light. I wanted her name to be "light", but also to not just repeat name of already existing character. So when I modified names, I came up with idea to add -rina to Stella too. And thus she officially became Stellorina (though I still have different variants in mind for English version) She was supposed to have sun-related abilities, but then I decided she's more flower-oriented. Though plants need sun, so it still works out.

In-universe I think her parents wanted a "positive" name, maybe celestial in a way. Maybe they wanted to protect her by connecting her to powerful star, Sun. They were quite spiritual.

8. What is the origin of their personality? And let's be honest - how much of it is projecting?

Originally, it was purely projecting. Stellorina was one of two characters that was a self-insert. She embodied a kind, understanding, forgiving side. Sometimes selfless, sometimes too selfless and wanting to avoid conflict at all cost. Over time I decided to make her more different, adding more angst, depressing backstory and so on. I had in mind "frail girl with terminal disease" type of character, but I never intended for that disease to be truly terminal. She'd be someone so kind despite the odds that it would make people cry (if written correctly), though in the end she would persevere because I don't have guts to kill her. For now

12. Do you have a playlist for the character? What songs do you associate with them and why?

I don't make playlists for characters, but I have three songs (or rather game soundtracks) in mind for her. First of all, Field of Memories by Waterflame. It sounds nostalgic, a bit sad. Everything there is a reminiscence, while those moments are no longer there. It sounds like a moment when Stellorina would try to sacrifice herself while saying how much she cherishes everyone. While you stand there recollecting every moment, understanding that it'll soon be no more. Just a memory.

In a similar vein, Blue Bird Lamentation from Zero Escape Virtue's Last Reward. Stellorina may be similar to Luna (ironic naming aside), and that song is often associated with her. That soundtrack is full of sorrow and, at the same time, hope. I don't want to spoil anything (and I hardly know half of the twists myself), but this soundtrack is memorable.

Last but not least, Time Machine by Waterflame again. First notes remind me of calmness of nature, so I always thought of Stellorina, even like 7 years ago when I connected Geometry Dash songs with my OCs of that time

20. Bonus question: share any additional thoughts, art, favourite scenes, anything you've been waiting for a chance to ramble about

Meister was used to original characters replacing their cast, but hated it nevertheless. Now all those mischievous newcomers wanted was to break the universe. If "Alice" playing football wasn't something out of the ordinary, "Reko" befriending Teki threatened to ruin the game. Especially considering that she did want to ruin the game. Not even mentioning living "Mai" with two guns, "Ranmaru" wanting to steal his bandages or "Keiji" casualy hacking computer room and blasting the worst music Meister had misfortune to hear. Oh, and he turned off almost all of the collars, so none could be killed (they couldn't be either way, "Joe" could jump over wringlers like jumping rope. Miley was annoyed as it was her idea)

Thus, it was refreshing to see a girl just sitting there among the havoc. She wore Kanna's clothes minus the hat, but was obviously older. Maybe highschooler or young adult. There was an aura of utter tranquility, something Meister longed for. In worn out bandages, with his Chidouin face being visible (and he just didn't care), he approached the table.

Usually he'd say something cheerful. But now he had no energy but to watch. The girl didn't even remotely try to cause trouble. She just looked at the bucket (or hat?), for some reason full of dirt. Dirt?... Why was there dirt?

"Hey, what are you doing?" - his voice sounded more annoyed that he'd wanted, but he grew increasingly worried.

"Mister Meister, don't you see what you are doing is wrong? You're bringhing suffering to innocent people" - girl looked so sad he almost felt guilty. Almost, it was his role, job and income.

"Well, I guess I am. That's who I am. But no use derailing the topic, lassie! What are you doing?"

"I do what I must. But you still have the chance to make up for your decision! Past is painful, but no amount of pain today will bring back people dear to us!" - she almost begged him to switch sides, to step on the path of redemption, but he's been into this operation for far too long. Besides, this girl is not doing anything anyway. Oh, and her collar! It was still on, so maybe he could control her?

Meister kept silence. Somewhere in the background he heard "Shin" shouting "Coward, come here!" at Midori. Knowing strength of this "Shin", Midori stood no chance. The world was ending. Again.

The "Kanna" girl, meanwhile, took a glass of water and poured it out into the bucket. It wasn't right! She did it on purpose!

"Stop or I'll kill you via this collar!" - there was no hope, but one could make a pitiful attempt.

"I'm afraid if you can't change your ways, neither can I" - as those words were uttered, the dirt in the bucket began to lift. A thin green stem quickly grew, getting wider and taller every second. After 15 seconds of science-defying plant growth, a bud appered. Then two more, then three... A rose flowers bloomed in front of him! How dares she?

Instinctivelly, Meister pushed the button designed to activate collar. Nothing happened. Oh, no, actually, Miley came out of the monitor room! Covered in blood (presumably shot by "Mai"), she looked way too calm.

"Don't bother" - she advised - "I gave her seeds from her collar because she asked nicely. It's pointless, they'll destroy our universe anyway. At least Stellorina heard out my backstory"

"I'm glad we could reach understanding" - Stellorina sounded so genuine for the girl who was complacent in ruining their world.

The roses meanwhile not only continued to bloom, they were still growing! The stem, roots and even petals began to slowly but surely errode the building. It had cracks before, but now... Now it was falling apart!

...

The world was destroyed!

"The winner of the "end the world speedrun" is Stellorina!"

"Yay! Congrats!"

"No fair! I was almost done with Miley! I'd get access to this place and win!"

"If I killed Midori, I would get his cards and... Welp, I dunno how I'd get anywhere, so congrats, Stellie!"

Original characters, despite all wanting to win the same, all cheered for Stellorina's victory. Besides, pacifist speedrun was harder to do in those conditions. She didn't want to kill Asunaro agents, even if not all of them wanted to have a change of heart. Maybe she'll convince Meister the next time. Or "Mai" will win. She had two guns after all

[kaecodes]

As Promised, A Poll

As I mentioned before, I intend to put out a series of Free to Use skins with consistent features & standards that are easy to install, edit, & use. These will be designed off of the inspiration of specific games, series of games, & genres of games.

I will, however, only be using games I can clearly see a visual language in the UI of. I went through a few hundred games yesterday perusing UIs & considering atmosphere to determine the shapes, themes, & vibes they might offer that would work in a skin.

I now have a working, if incomplete, list to pull from. So now, I'm going to post a weekly poll with games to choose from & brief descriptions of their general design philosophy. That said, I am already working on two skins that are inspired by games; Alan Wake 2 & Control both from Remedy games.

A sampler of the Alan Wake skin, which will be called Vigil. My notes for the skin were: Green, Moody, Noire/Surreal Detective, Lovecraftian/Unknown Menace.

As you can see, the header starts with a greeting for logged out members, or an announcement brief in the case of the logged in member. Clicking the username or briefing button in the box will bring up a full page modal containing userlinks, quicklinks, & a large custom account switcher if logged in, or featured wanteds if not. It's nothing fancy, but I thought a visual would help folks know how I design based on what will seem like vague/brief descriptors in the polls.

Speaking of which, it's time to get to the first of them. Of course, the Remedy inspired skins will be my first works, but I'd like to collate a list for what comes after, so when I hit a block or am just doodling while busy, I can get a head start on designing others...

Feel free to pick the one you like most, don't worry, none are being eliminated unless they have no interest at all, this is just about forming an ordered list based on demand. I want to make skins that are needed the most the fastest. That's all for now, thank you all so much & I would be obliged if the reach was extended through sharing <3

[bittersqxtch]

Songs and Ships

thank you @athenswrites for the tag! i shall add @imslowlydisintegrating and @taeonysus8 (i really need more writer moots sob sob)

the rules of this tag game: write 2-5 songs that represent a ship between your characters (can be romantic or platonic or a secret third thing). then add a quote from your WIP beneath each song (if possible!).

i've decided that i'm gonna focus on Jae and Jun from TGCT for this since i'm currently working on that fic and this might help me get the vibes right for once (literally on my third rewrite already, someone send help ;^;)

HER - Chase Atlantic

"ꜱʜᴇ ꜱᴀʏꜱ 'ᴏᴏʜ, ᴡᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴅᴏ ᴡʜᴀᴛᴇᴠᴇʀ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ ʙᴏʏ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ɢᴏ ꜰᴀʟʟɪɴɢ ɪɴ ʟᴏᴠᴇ…ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ꜱᴛᴀʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴇ, ᴀʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ'ʟʟ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɪꜱ ᴏɴᴇ ᴅᴀʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴇ'."

this song reminds me of them because, in a moment of vulnerability, Jae makes Jun promise that he will keep hating her until the end of time. her greatest secret is that she is terminally ill (suffering from a heart illness) and that's why she lives every day like it's her last - considering how she refuses bad medication most days, she could drop dead at any moment. anyway, she has no problem hanging out with Jun and getting into messy situations with him because she believes that he will keep hating her indefinitely. unlike her friends, he won't mourn her when she dies - or at least that's what she believes. even when things get a little heated and feelings start brewing, Jae pushes the longing aside and intends to cut him off when the time comes. having a relationship with him would only subject Jun to a great deal of heartache and Jae would much rather he stay as her enemy than have him become something more only to end up wasting his life on mourning her once she passes away.

"Please hate me," Jae whispered, pulling him out of his thoughts.  When he turned to look at her, he was caught off by the silent plea shining in her eyes. "Why?" Jun frowned, confused by her request. "Why do you want me to hate you?" "Because you hated me before," Jae responded quietly. "It should be easy for you to keep hating me even if we start hanging out and acting civil with one another like this." A sad smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she added, "Besides, you never liked me in the first place, did you? So don't change that now. Don't stop hating me."

"ɪꜰ ɪ'ᴍ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ɴɪᴄᴇ ɢᴜʏ ᴀɴᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴅ ᴀ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴛɪᴍᴇ, ᴡʜʏ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴡᴇ ᴋɪᴄᴋ ɪᴛ ᴜᴘ ᴀ ɴᴏᴛᴄʜ? ʜᴏᴡ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴏᴠᴇʀ, ᴍᴏᴠᴇ ɪɴ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ ᴄʟᴏꜱᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴇᴛ ᴍʏ ʜᴀɴᴅꜱ ɢɪᴠᴇ ɪᴛ ᴀ ꜱʜᴏᴛ"

Just Friends - JORDY

Jun is the first to breach the thin line between love and hate. being reluctant acquaintances with Jae seems impossible until he finds himself thinking constantly about her, wondering if she got home safely from school, becoming irritated when she's too close to other guys, and so on. he denies it time and time again, half because he cannot imagine that he could've caught feelings for his enemy and half because he subconsciously knows that nothing good will come out of him developing feelings for her. still, a part of him can't help but yearn to cross over that line. unfortunately, Jae is intent on staying enemies. no one said anything about that coming with a few benefits though...

Uh oh, he thought, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. This won't end well. "Hey," he uttered quietly, knowing that he should probably step away from her but not being able to move from the spot. Jae quirked her eyebrow at him. Equally quietly, she replied, "Hi...?" "About my wish..." "What about it?" Jun's eyes flickered down to her lips briefly. Influenced by a sudden burst of bravery, he blurted out, "I know what I want." "Oh yeah?" Jae tilted her head to the side curiously, a small smile playing on her lips. She found his awkwardness adorable, but she wasn't about to tell him that. Instead, voice quiet, she prompted, "What is it?" "...Kiss me."

"ᴛʀᴀᴘᴘᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴀ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ, ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ʙʀᴇᴀᴋ ꜰʀᴇᴇ, ɪᴛ'ꜱ ʟɪᴋᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴛʏ ɪꜱ ᴍᴏᴄᴋɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ. ɪ'ᴍ ꜱᴄʀᴇᴀᴍɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱʜᴏᴜᴛɪɴɢ ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ'ꜱ ɴᴏ ꜱᴏᴜɴᴅ. ɪ'ᴍ ʟᴏꜱᴛ, ɪ'ᴍ ꜱᴛᴜᴄᴋ, ɪ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ʙᴇ ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅ"

Trapped In A Dream - RudyWade

when they figure out that they are living in the world of a manhwa and that all that they have been through was scripted by The Writer for the plot, Jae and Jun begin to question everything - their past, their hardships, their relationship, and where The Writer intends to take the story next. amidst the chaos, they start to remember bits and pieces of their previous lives and both start wondering whether their feelings for one another are real or if, perhaps, they are nothing more than a set-up forced upon them by their god.

(i have yet to write this section so no WIP writing for this i'm afraid)

[grandhotelabyss]

Thoughts on the Lynch Dune adaption? Maybe I will be called contrarian or some crypto fascist, but I kinda vibed with the whole thing of actually subverting the subversion and making Dale Cooper be some ubermensch power fantasy that brings back the wrath of God, like some space King David - maybe because I'm tired of the now prelevant pop nihilism, especially the historic one as the chinese comunist party calls it "wow actually even in the future all religion will be used is for self destructive aims" - then its funnier to see nah it actually does pay off by them accidentally creating something sincere and not plagued by self-terminating doubt

I haven't seen it in years. I watched it before I read the book and remember being pretty lost because of how much plot and concept they were trying to compress into such a short span of screen time. The novel trades in the "pop nihilism" you mention: the libertarian author intended the saga as a warning against the centralization of temporal and spiritual power into one paradoxically anti-imperial empire, as has been, I assume he would further argue, the shared fate of Christianity, Islam, and perhaps also America. On the other hand, our whole cultural attraction to Dune depends on the glamor of what it depicts—the warring feudal houses, the immemorial order of witches, the desert psychedelia, the dream of collective emancipatory violence in a primal horde—which no merely rational critique can dispel. Therefore, Lynch, whatever his own politics[*], understood this impotence of critique well enough to create a phantasmagoric spectacle of Dune superior on its surface to Villeneuve's later version, despite the narrative's not making much sense. I respect Villeneuve's ambition, and I respect Blade Runner 2049 in particular, but he is undoubtedly a symptom of "stuck culture," since all his works subsist on what little can still be scavenged from those ruins of Jodorowsky's abortive Dune that gave us Alien and Blade Runner in the first place. (And Villeneuve's Dune fantasizes, by cannily or cynically manipulating American racial signifiers, of fusing anti-imperialism with empire into a single regime that will boast such monumental artworks as his cinema as its ornament. This kind of thing, not libertarian populism, is probably the real fascist ideology of our age.) Which is all a long way of saying that I agree with the common consensus on Lynch's Dune: perhaps the worst movie to have the best mise-en-scène ever.

__________________________________

[*] Lynch makes face-saving left-friendly remarks from time to time, but I suspect his politics are closer to Herbert's than not. He gingerly dared to say something nice about Trump back in 2018, got pilloried, and had to walk it back. Anyway, I'm a bad Lynchian. When he's good, he's good, but I never got all the way into Twin Peaks (probably my fault), and I turned off Inland Empire after an hour (definitely his fault).

[blue-sunshine]

Hi Blue!! First of all I love how you have working titles for almost all your fics. They're all so intriguing. Of course, I want you to say more about the TMS fics, even though I've heard some about them already. And "who needs comfortable love" purely for the title 👀

Hi Corinne!!! Thank you for the ask!! 💞 Basically all of those fic titles are lyrics from whatever song I listen to most while writing the fic, so I can't take credit for that part lol. 🙈

As you know, I have way too many TMS fics in progress, but here are the overviews of the ones I mentioned:

"we shall not perish pt 2" is the sequel to my werewolf/vampire AU from 2023. I'm not gonna lie, it's just bare bones atm, "they do this and then they do this," so I don't have a snippet 💀 but the idea is that they run away to Dachum together, and the vibe is just pure homoeroticism and sexual tension lol.

"you're my world, my universe" is this abuse survivor, fake dating fic I've been "writing" for almost four years and haven't updated in almost exactly a year... 🙈 the title is from "Universe (Let's Play Ball)" by NCT U, and here's a glimpse at the next chapter:

“Kang Seojoon,” Jiwoo started, not knowing, himself, what he was intending on saying. Warning, hoping. Maybe. “Han Jiwoo.” Seojoon always said his name like breathing. Even now. Even though—“I like you.” Jiwoo squeezed his eyes shut, willing those words to dissipate between them, to disappear as if they’d never been spoken.

"sylvia" is a terminally ill nurse/patient AU, titled after Sylvia by The Antlers, that I started back in 2022 and only recently came back to for AU-gust. It's MCD, so I make myself sad every time I open the doc lmao. Here's a glimpse:

"I always wanted to see the universe before I die." A pause. "You can't see stars in Seoul. Have you noticed?" 

Lastly, "who needs comfortable love" is a Duty After School Kim Chiyeol/Kwon Ilha fic, and the title is from "Comfortable Love" by Keaton Henson. For a little bit of context, Ilha and Kimchi are a former bully/bullied pair that become close through horrific trauma but then Ilha dies and the fic is a very slight AU of their last conversation.

“Why did I live so foolishly?” Ilha muttered, and he had become so fond of Ilha’s gentle side that he hated to see this kind of expression again—the kind of anger that used to live in the corners of his lips and the furrow between his brows. But somehow, though Chiyeol knew it all already, this too felt like divulging another secret, another shame, another piece of Ilha that only he seemed to know existed. One piece for another: “We were both fools."

Thank you again for the ask, Corinne! It motivated me to add a few more words to each of these fics, hehe. 💙💙

[28dayslater]

I can forgive a bad film that had a budget of £3 or was never intended to be good or that I just didn’t vibe with. But I cannot forgive terminator genisys

[jammuvirasat]

Exploring the Magnificence of raghunath temple jammu

Settled in the core of Jammu city, the raghunath temple jammu remains as a reference point of otherworldliness, engineering splendor, and social importance. Committed to Ruler Rama, a manifestation of Master Vishnu, this temple is among the biggest temple edifices in northern India and holds colossal significance for fans and sightseers the same.

History and Heritage

The raghunath temple jammu was developed during the nineteenth hundred years by Maharaja Gulab Singh, the organizer behind the Dogra administration, and his child Maharaja Ranbir Singh. This famous construction isn't just a position of love yet in addition a demonstration of the rich legacy and creative dominance of the district. The temple complex was intended to mirror the different practices of Hinduism, making it a profound center point for different lovers.

Design Wonder

Spread over an immense region, the raghunath temple jammu involves seven sanctuaries, each embellished with brilliant towers and complex carvings. The focal sanctuary is devoted to Master Rama, while different places of worship house divinities like Ruler Krishna, Master Shiva, and Goddess Durga. The temple's walls are enhanced with intricate frescoes and molds portraying scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other Hindu sacred writings.

One of the most striking elements of the temple is its gold-plated tower, which glimmers brilliantly under the sun, representing heavenly nature and glory. The combination of Mughal and customary Indian structural styles adds to the uniqueness of this sacrosanct site.

Profound Importance

The raghunath temple jammu is a profound safe house for large number of fans who visit it yearly to look for favors and drench themselves in divine euphoria. The temple is particularly packed during celebrations like Slam Navami, Diwali, and Navratri, when the environment is accused of commitment and festivity.

Inside the temple, one can find a broad assortment of old texts and compositions, making it a gold mine for researchers and specialists inspired by Hindu way of thinking and culture. The quiet vibe and the reciting of songs establish a tranquil climate that leaves guests feeling in a genuine way restored.

Visiting the Temple

Arranged in the clamoring Raghunath Marketplace, the temple is effectively open by street and is relatively close to the Jammu Tawi rail route station and Jammu Air terminal. Guests are encouraged to stick to the temple's clothing regulation and keep up with dignity while investigating the consecrated premises.

The region around the temple is lively with shops selling customary antiquities, painstaking work, and prasad (blessed contributions). It is an ideal spot to encounter the neighborhood culture and reclaim recollections of this heavenly excursion.

End

The raghunath temple jammu is something other than a position of love; it is an image of the district's profound and social legacy. Whether you are a fan looking for favors or an explorer investigating verifiable milestones, a visit to this wonderful temple will leave you entranced. The loftiness of its design, the profundity of its profound importance, and the energy of its environmental factors make it a must-visit objective in Jammu.

[elfo2222]

Transform Your Fitness Routine: Cardio for Every Level 🏃‍♀️🚀❤️

Sweat, Strength, Achievement: 10 Cardio Exercises That Enable Ladies' Wellness 💪🔥 Wellness is something beyond an actual excursion

An extraordinary encounter reshapes your whole point of view. In a world that continually challenges ladies' solidarity and capacities, cardio exercises become something beyond a workout; they're a strong assertion of confidence, assurance, and self-awareness. Envision strolling into your exercise space with the certainty of a champion, realizing that each drop of sweat addresses a forward leap. 

These 10 cautiously organized cardio practices are intended to accomplish more than consume calories—they're designed to assemble an unshakeable feeling of strengthening. From extreme cardio exercise that provokes your cutoff points to move propelled developments that commend your body's cadence, we're separating the conventional hindrances of wellness. 

Envision yourself dominating a complex HIIT succession, feeling your heart race and muscles light with energy. Or, on the other hand, envision coursing through a cardio dance schedule that causes you to feel like you're performing in front of an audience, each development a demonstration of your solidarity and elegance. 

These exercises aren't just about actual change; they're tied in with making an outlook of flexibility, pushing past apparent constraints, and finding the fantastic light that exists in you. We'll investigate practices that consolidate cardiovascular perseverance with strength preparing, guaranteeing that you're getting in shape yet constructing a strong, proficient body. 

From plyometric hops that work on hazardous ability to high-intensity exercise that keeps your digestion terminating on all chambers, every exercise is a stage towards turning into the most sure form of yourself. 💃🏽✨ Past the Treadmill: Progressive Cardio Activities for Ladies' Complete Body Change 🏃‍♀️🌈 Can we just be real—the times of psyche-desensitizing treadmill meetings are finished? Current ladies merit wellness moves toward those who are as powerful, smart, and diverse as they are. 

This progressive way to deal with cardio is about totally reconsidering what an exercise can be. Gone are the direct, monotonous developments that wear you out. All things being equal, we're presenting a comprehensive methodology that regards your body as an incorporated arrangement of solidarity, adaptability, and perseverance. 

These front-line cardio strategies mix science, physicality, and unadulterated pleasure to make exercises that vibe less like a task and more like a thrilling test. Envision useful preparation that copies genuine developments—practices that set you up for the rec center and for life itself. 

We'll jump into dynamic, high-intensity exercise that keeps your body speculating, metabolic molding that transforms your body into a fat-consuming machine, and imaginative methods that challenge both your cardiovascular framework and your muscle bunches all the while. 

Our methodology incorporates components from different disciplines: the center strength of Pilates, the hazardous force of athletic preparation, the care of yoga, and the power of extreme cardio exercise. Every exercise is a painstakingly arranged ensemble of development intended to challenge your body in manners you never imagined. 🔬💥 

Consume, Construct, Relax: A Definitive Manual for Cardio Activities for Ladies of All Wellness Levels 🌟🏋️‍♀️ Wellness is a profoundly private excursion, and there's no general guide that works for everybody. This extensive aide commends the delightful variety of ladies' bodies, wellness levels, and individual objectives.

 Whether you're venturing out into an exercise routine for everyday practice or you're an accomplished competitor hoping to cause a ruckus, we have a technique custom-fitted only for you. We comprehend that the wellness world can feel threatening. 

The impeccably organized Instagram posts, the apparently unimaginable exercise recordings—they can cause you to feel like you're sufficiently not. Be that as it may, here's reality: you are precisely where you should be at the present time. Each wellness venture begins with a solitary step, and our objective is to cause that move toward feeling engaging, not overpowering. 

Our methodology centers around moderate overburden—a logical rule that permits you to build the trouble of your exercises continuously. We'll separate how to begin at your ongoing wellness level and efficiently develop fortitude, perseverance, and certainty. 

From low-influence alterations for fledglings to cutting-edge varieties for prepared competitors, these cardio practices are intended to develop with you. We'll investigate an extensive variety of cardio styles: from swimming and cycling for those looking for joint-accommodating choices to boxing and hand-to-hand fighting roused exercises for those hankering extreme focus difficulties.

 Each part incorporates definite directions, alterations, and movement ways, guaranteeing that you can modify your exercise to your accurate necessities. 📈💖 From Fledgling to Monster: Cardio Procedures That Will Rethink Your Exercise Routine Daily Practice 💥🚀 "Monster" isn't tied in with looking a specific way—it's tied in with developing a relentless mentality. 

This guide is your diagram for changing from somebody who feels unsure in the exercise center to a certain, influential person who claims their wellness process. We start by destroying the legends that keep such countless ladies down. No, you won't "build up" from strength preparing. No, cardio isn't just about rebuffing your body for what you ate. 

Furthermore, by no means is wellness held for a particular body type or age bunch. These exercises are tied in with building a relationship with your body in light of regard, understanding, and ceaseless improvement. Our gradual preparation model separates complex wellness ideas into absorbable, noteworthy stages. 

We'll show you how to peruse your body's signs, comprehend the contrast between testing yourself and pushing excessively hard, and make a maintainable schedule that squeezes into your life—not the reverse way around. Every week expands upon the last, continuously expanding in intricacy and force. 

You'll learn appropriate structure, grasp the science behind every development, and foster the certainty to alter exercises to suit your singular necessities. From bodyweight practices that require no hardware to imaginative home exercise arrangements, we give an adaptable methodology that adjusts to your way of life. However, this excursion is about more than actual change. 

As you progress, you'll see changes that go a long way past the physical: expanded mental versatility, further developed pressure on the executives, and a significant feeling of achievement that transmits into each part of your life. 

5. Recuperation and Injury Avoidance: Your Body's Best Guard 🛡️💆‍♀️

Understanding recuperation is similarly just about as pivotal as the actual exercise. Consider your body a superior exhibition machine that needs legitimate upkeep and care. Recuperation isn't tied in with being lethargic — it's tied in with being shrewd and vital.

Key Recuperation Procedures:

- Dynamic Recuperation: Light developments that advance bloodstream without extraordinary strain 🚶‍♀️

- Legitimate Extending: Dynamic and static stretches to keep up with muscle adaptability 🧘‍♀️

- Rest Advancement: Go for the gold long periods of value rest to help muscle fix 😴

- Hydration: Recharge liquids and electrolytes lost during serious exercises 💧

Warnings to Watch:

- Persevering muscle torment enduring over 48 hours

- Sharp, shooting torment during works out

- Uncommon exhaustion or diminished execution

- Repeating joint uneasiness

Proficient Tip: Pay attention to your body. Torment isn't shortcoming leaving the body — it's a correspondence framework letting you know something needs consideration! 🚨

6. Progress Following: Your Wellness Process Guide 📊🏆

Following advancement is about something other than numbers on a scale. It's tied in with praising your excursion, grasping your body, and perceiving the unimaginable headway you're making.

Estimation Methods:

- Body Estimations: Track inches, not simply weight 📏

- Progress Photographs: Month to month visual documentation 📸

- Execution Measurements: Track exercise power and perseverance 💪

- Mind-set and Energy Levels: Note enhancements in general prosperity 🌈

Suggested Following Instruments:

- Wellness Applications 📱

- Exercise Diaries 📖

- Savvy Watches and Wellness Trackers ⌚

- Month to month Self-Evaluation Agenda ✅

Inspiration Sponsors:

- Set little, feasible objectives

- Reward yourself for achievements

- Share progress with strong local area

- Be caring to yourself during levels 🌟

7. Nourishment Backing: Powering Your Wellness Fire 🔥🥗

Nourishment is the clear-cut advantage in your wellness arms stockpile. There's no need to focus on prohibitive weight control plans however about key, steady eating that supplements your cardio venture.

Pre-Exercise Sustenance:

- Complex sugars for supported energy 🍠

- Slender proteins for muscle support 🐟

- Hydration is critical

Post-Exercise Recuperation Feasts:

- Protein-rich food varieties for muscle fix ��

- Adjusted macronutrients 🥑

- Fast engrossing supplements 🍌

Hydration Systems:

- Water admission number cruncher in view of body weight 💦

- Electrolyte swap for serious exercises 🧊

- Timing of liquid admission 🕒

Supplement Contemplations:

- Protein powders

- Amino acids

- Nutrient enhancements

- Counsel medical care proficient prior to beginning any enhancement routine 💊

8. Master Validity: The Science Behind the Perspiration 🔬💡

Our methodology is established in logical examination and master information. We're not simply imparting insights — we're giving proof based systems to groundbreaking wellness.

Research Establishments:

- Peer-explored practice science studies 📚

- Coordinated efforts with sports medication experts 🩺

- Persistent learning and variation 🧠

Master Qualifications:

- Ensured wellness coaches with particular ladies' wellness preparing

- Nutritionists with sports execution foundations

- Actual advisors represent considerable authority in ladies' wellbeing

- Practice physiologists 🏋️‍♀️

Concentrate on Features:

- Most recent exploration on female digestion

- Hormonal effects on wellness and nourishment

- Age-explicit activity transformations

- Emotional well-being advantages of reliable cardio preparing 📊

Obligation to Precision:

- Normal substance refreshes

- Straightforward system

- Open to peruser input and expert discourse 🤝

Could you like me to expand on any of these segments or examine how to coordinate them into the full blog entry?

I'll give a greater and inside and out treatment of the segments, developing each with more detail, examination, and individual experiences.

9. Destroying Wellness Fantasies: Reality Behind Ladies' Activity Misinterpretations 🚫🤯

Fantasy 1: "Lifting Loads Will Make Ladies Cumbersome" 💪

The Logical Reality:

Ladies' hormonal piece in a general sense varies from men's. Testosterone, the essential chemical liable for muscle hypertrophy, is altogether lower in ladies. What really happens when ladies strength train:

- Expanded fit bulk

- Improved metabolic rate

- Worked on bone thickness

- Better body structure

- Expanded insulin awareness

Research Bits of knowledge:

- Studies from the Diary of Solidarity and Molding Exploration show that ladies who take part in opposition preparing experience 3-5% muscle development, not gigantic mass

- Muscle advancement requires purposeful, moderate over-burden

- Hereditary qualities assume a pivotal part in muscle-building potential

Master Viewpoint:

"Muscle is metabolically dynamic tissue. More muscle implies more productive fat consuming, even very still," says Dr. Emily Rodriguez, sports physiologist.

Legend 2: "Cardio is the Sole Way to Weight reduction" 🏃‍♀️

Complete Fat Misfortune Systems:

- Metabolic opposition preparing

- Stop and go aerobic exercise (HIIT)

- Adjusted sustenance

- Hormonal administration

- Rest improvement

Metabolic Breakdown:

- Obstruction preparing increments Abundance Post-practice Oxygen Utilization (EPOC)

- Makes a higher metabolic rate for 24-48 hours post-exercise

- Jam and constructs fit bulk

Fantasy 3: "No Aggravation, No Addition" 🔥

Savvy Preparing Standards:

- Recognize useful test and hurtful strain

- Pay attention to body's versatile signs

- Execute moderate over-burden

- Focus on recuperation and recovery

- Use periodization in preparing

Torment versus Progress Pointers:

- Sharp, shooting torment: STOP

- Gentle muscle touchiness: Ordinary

- Constant exhaustion: Reevaluate

- Reliable improvement: Achievement

10. The Neurological Ensemble: Emotional well-being and Actual Wellness 🧠💖

Neurochemical Change

At the point when you work out, your cerebrum goes through amazing substance changes:

Hormonal Fountain:

- Endorphin Delivery: Regular state of mind lifts 😌

- Serotonin Creation: Profound adjustment 🌈

- Dopamine Initiation: Inspiration and prize focuses 🏆

- Cortisol Guideline: Stress the board 🧘‍♀️

Mental Aspects:

Mental Advantages:

- Improved brain adaptability

- Further developed memory arrangement

- Expanded neurogenesis

- Better leader capability

- Decreased chance of mental deterioration

Profound Flexibility Instruments:

- Stress handling through actual work

- Worked on close to home guideline

- Upgraded self-viability

- Diminished tension side effects

- Expanded capacity to understand anyone on a deeper level

Mental Exploration Features:

- Harvard Clinical School concentrates on show exercise can be all around as powerful as antidepressants for gentle to direct despondency

- Standard active work decreases nervousness by 40-half

- Predictable activity works on generally mental prosperity

11. Mechanical Transformation in Wellness 📱🚀

Arising Advances:

- Computer based intelligence Fueled Individual Preparation Stages

- Biometric GPS beacons

- Augmented Reality Exercise Encounters

- Customized Wellness Calculations

- Hereditary Wellness Planning

Development Biological system:

Brilliant Wearable Advancements:

- Ongoing physiological observing

- Prescient wellbeing examination

- Customized exercise suggestions

- Recuperation streamlining ideas

- Complete wellbeing biological system mix

Information Driven Wellness Approach:

- Accuracy following of:

  * Pulse changeability

  * Metabolic proficiency

  * Rest quality

  * Feelings of anxiety

  * Muscle recuperation rates

12. Building a Feasible Wellness Way of life 🌱💪

Comprehensive Health Structure:

- Actual flexibility

- Mental adaptability

- The capacity to appreciate anyone on a deeper level

- Wholesome awareness

- Local area reconciliation

Way of life Plan Standards:

- Purposeful development rehearses

- Careful sustenance

- Stress the executives methods

- Quality rest engineering

No-Social emotionally supportive networks

Flexibility Procedures:

- Measured exercise plans

- Adaptable planning

- Insignificant gear necessities

- Home and outside preparing choices

- Versatile force levels

End: Your Transformative Wellness Proclamation 🦸‍♀️✨

Past a simple activity routine, this is a comprehensive change plan. Wellness rises above actual measurements — it's a significant excursion of self-disclosure, strength, and persistent development.

Philosophical System:

- Development as a type of self-articulation

- Practice as a discourse with your true capacity

- Health as a dynamic, progressing discussion

- Wellness as a similitude for life's difficulties

Strengthening Pronouncement:

- Your body is a versatile, wise framework

- Every exercise is an extreme demonstration of self esteem

- Consistency makes force

- Progress is non-straight

- Your true capacity is limitless

Last Summon:

Embrace your excursion.

Challenge your cutoff points.

Revamp your account.

The most impressive change happens not in the rec center, but rather in the space between your ears. Your psyche is your most prominent weapon, your body is your material, and your soul is the brush

[randomclam24]

uh With the (It's called Monogatari era but that - that's not a - that's not a real label) 2007 era Yume Nikki fangame era, you have to segment in Yume 2kki so it gets the .flow vibe

I knew there was something keeping me from getting into the original Mother (game) I remembered there is a such area not just in Yume Nikki which I've forgotten and left behind but in .flow Also uh, the bathroom rape scene - which is basically handled with top-down elements, so it's more like a gunshot In reality, our lives are like Ghost in the Shell's movie, or something, where the memories are just, and the lives are not If a P. Diddy decides to say to hell with it, they'll keep supplicating CP so the blame is off so they 're dgood

The truth is, I kept my play of .flow down to a 6-hour unisession so I don't internalize the madness of the intended Basically if they decided something in your experience was in 2007, it literally doesn't matter that all of this was *so* far removed from 2007, it happened[, because where this is happening, all life ends before and then you see Urotsuki in these original versions as t generatative has UFO fantasisa I think we're supposed to comment about how this kind of ideation from being programmed is the black sun or being aryan, which is ihonestly better because in reality Hindus worshipping a thing on a top of a hill

https://yume2kki.fandom.com/wiki/Version_History/0099-0000 Update - Earliest possible version: v.091c, right before addition of the trophy room Update - Latest version is v.093e, which leaves only in between v.092h

Update - And .flow v.05 and .1, and Yume Nisshi Valentine's day patch Use EasyRPG because some of these won't run

Update - Same dichotomy as Future Diary episodes. If it's past version .091, we don't respect I just remember content from an old computer owned by a different close-relative family where they had *some* cool things as the applications on the desktop, but in the long term all they do is the house mom doing farming simulators or something Update - And it's the same for .flow or something - v.1 is the only - otherwise I'm facing the wall Update - Okay actually we're doing only - only .flow .03 Update 10/27 Decided to play Yume 2kki v.089b It's literally the exact same thing in places, I had to wrench just to write that but look it's early access Back in boomers' day, they had the privilege of having things framed as this and not deliberately ba-rred ? Update In fact this version sucks Okay so, now we have our versions finalized. You may now start to encroach on versions in .flow Update 10/27 dayYou should know by the termination of v0.04 The best there is is Minecraft

[inkus-plinkus]

exploring in fallout is often kinda funny for me because i tend to get into situations (of my own making) for example, a few days ago maybe i explored dunwich borers in fallout 4

contextual information: - it was my first time playing again in several months, and the first location i went to was the witch building, which i left because it was too scary for a first place to explore after coming back ykno (insert additional reasons/ excuses here) (i havent returned yet so dont spoil it i guess?) - i think that was also my first time experiencing building shakes + controller rumbles. due to this, i concluded that the rumbling in dunwich borers might be a bug since maybe i wasnt supposed to leave partway through the witch place - additionally, my sense of direction is abysmal. + i dont use the power armor stuff b/c it rlly doesnt vibe and also i think i might be underleveled relative to the places i explore

content information: - the first time through i missed the entire end because i like Going Left - i also didn't get to see the first flashback because i backed up back out the door when the screen went white (i'm used to f:nv,, i don't think it has The Visions like 3 or 4. + it reminded me of explosion so i was like Oh Thats Not Good Go in Other Direction) - it turns out apparently the lights are supposed to go off on their own but i didnt notice that at all (possibly because i turned off some of the lights myself... because they were rlllly bright hjsdjhsd) - i also missed the raider terminal (which was rlly vibin after going back to find it i even took a picture of it w/ my phone) - i also missed the hidey hole location where apparently theres a holotape of a raider guy that got spooked & left & stuff (i think i walked by the place on the way to the mines from the witch building but it was irradiated & i forgor i have a radiation suit thingy. or maybe its not the irradiated quarry place hdhdsjds i intend to find the place later though) -i apparently also missed like 3 ghouls (including a legendary) on the Left Route the first time through i unno how i did that - i also didnt see the face at the bottom of the water i had to look up 'dunwich borers face' and then looking at the pictures it still took an amount of time. i think maybe my brain was looking for a fish face b/c it was underwater or smthn

anyway the dunwich borers location is really cool it was still pretty scary but'd prolly've been moreso if

-plinkus

[stagefoureddiediaz]

Costume meta 6x10

Costume metas are back baby!!!! I’m so happy to be back writing these - you have no idea how much i missed writing them. This one is not quite as full on as my normal metas and has taken me far longer than I’d intended - if you’ve been following my posts over the last couple of days you will be fully aware of my insanity spiral over the Eddie of it all (as well as poker Buddie!) so I hope you’ll forgive me - I’ve not had the mental capacity I normally do to dedicate to costume spiralling!

No Eddie this week as he only appeared in uniform 😭 

A couple of more general things to point out - the use of Check - we see it on Nathaniel Greene and Phillip Buckley - which I think is a very interesting and loud choice considering this episode was all about fathers and fatherhood and the two fathers who are not all that (Mr Han is also in that number but his grey on grey suit was a deliberate choice that I will talk about in a minute) are the ones wearing check and tapping right on into my check theory!!! So Nathaniel is going to find himself in hot water very soon so the check is foreshadowing this for him. Philip (and Margaret as well actually!) in check is also foreshadowing whatever is about to go down with the Buckley parents (that happy family facade they’ve been putting on is about to crack big time!).

Grey is one of those colours that can be either warm grey (like we often see on Buck) or cool grey (which we have here on Mr Han) and that affects which meanings you attribute to it. Mr Han in double grey just about sums him up as a person - cold, conservative and controlling. Its also a colour that conveys gloom and frustration when worn in multiple like this, there is also the fact that ill people are often described as looking grey - which leads me to think that Mr Han being terminally ill is actually very likely!

The other thing I want to point out is the red harnesses - I know I don’t talk about the uniforms all that much except when there is something important an interesting in relation to them and this is very much that! Chim, Buck and Eddie are the ones we see in the red belt harnesses. Chimney removes his after Buck stakes his claim on it being his turn to go up the ladder and Chimney steps back from ladder detail. The reason I point this out is because its a very bright visual way of identifying and connecting both the fact that Chimney also has a red string of fate connected to Buck (I’m talking about family here and I know that technically all the firefam have strings of fate connecting them, but in this specific incidence its about the brotherly connection - the parallel to Kevin and Albert) which is relevant at that first moment but then the focus needs to shift. Eddie and Buck become the only ones distinguishable in the pouring rain - the only ones tied by that red string of fate - even when (and especially) when Buck is on the gurney.

over to our mains - below the cut to save your dashes!

Athena and May

I’m doing the two of them together this week because they are the costume version of yin and yang!

The silk blouse has a monstera leaf print - monstera symbolises suffocation in western culture which is a perfect symbol for this story arc - suppressing of evidence or information because of money etc. the use of navy red and white is also interesting - its very much a hint towards patriotism - a deliberate choice to play into the upperclass America vibe they’re claiming to be part of! 

Mays two main costumes are costumes themselves - they aren’t representative of who May is or her character, the are the clothes of the character she’s playing - Jada. As outfits for Jada - they are very much playing to type - teenager with issues who’s rebelling against straight laced parents - Both Athenas and Mays outfits work perfectly in sync with each other as the anthesis of the other. Mays are both in the same tonal range - burnt dusty reds, washed out blue greys and beiges - all in the same colour spectrum as Athenas ‘costume’ but tonally at the oposite end - where mays are dark and muted, Ahtenas are bright and bold

in the middle of the undercover work we get a reminder of who they really are - Athenas generally more muted palette - her comfort colour choices of black and olive khaki green, while May is back in her bold and bright blocks of colour. Perfectly summing up that while Athena is playing a role that is not a million miles away from who she is (and channeling a bit of Beatrice in the process because that blouse is a Beatrice blouse in every way!), Athena also tends to wear the olive khaki colour on top when she’s investigating something outside of work - and by this I don’t just mean full blown investigating, I also mean low key - clocking something is going on with a member of the extended firefam and she’s paying attention. May is at the opposite end of the spectrum from Jada! I’ve talked about May wearing this sugary bright pink before in season 5 and the scene here is somewhat of a parallel to the one in 5x15- youthful and considered feminine but also compassionate and caring. It is sensitive and intuitive. All things we see in this scene - May is using her intuition about Tamara and her being a ‘weak link’ that will get some information. We also see her showing compassion for Bobby in this scene.

Bobby

keeping it simple for Bobby this week - just the one outfit and its supposed to essentially blend in with his uniform - we see him working on things related to the wildfire that Wendell died in both at the station while in actual uniform, and then at home with Athena and May (as an aside the fact that we see bobby with his family esp his stepdaughter and then with Buck and no other members of the fire fam is very telling!!) - it’s all signalling Bobby is in work mode even when he’s at home.

Hen

If there was ever a cardigan to signal the fact that Hen is puzzled by Denny’s behaviour and new interests - this one is very definitely it - it literally has neutral face emojis all over it 😐😐😐 which are often used to convey mild irritation and concern - both things Hen is clearly feeling in this scene. Red is also a colour associated with both anger and and love - we know Hen loves Denny, but its very likely that there will be anger down the line when she discovers what Denny has been up to. This jumper also fits with my check theory - it is a big checkerboard - so its foreshadowing for the upcoming Denny issues!

I’m going to say something here which is being used as a narrative device - Hen is wearing maroon, because she is in the ‘male’ or ‘father’ parent role at this moment - I don’t prescribe to the concept of queer parents fitting into gender stereotypes of parenting (that theres a fatherly one and a motherly one!) nor do I believe sport is a fathers domain but in this particular instance the wardrobe team are playing into a costume theme they’ve developed - namely that maroon is the colour worn when (mostly male) characters are being fatherly in someway. It is implied in this scene and the one in the firehouse, that Hen is the one who has been the one mostly supporting Denny in his sporting interests - football (sorry soccer - Im British its football 😂) initially and now she wants to be supportive in his baseball interest. 

Not a costume thing, but I think its interesting and its costume adjacent, but I love the fact they’ve chosen two very different sports - one played with hands, the other with feet and the one Denny is taking up is the one where curveballs are a thing!

Denny

Or should I be calling him ‘D’?? 

we have this blue and black shirt - I have to confess my brain went off in 6 different directions on this one. Firstly there is the fact that its not that disimilar to what Christopher is wearing when Eddie catches him talking to his friends online late at night - the colours are different but the use of patterning is similar and the fact that Chris and Denny have paralleling story arcs is very 👀👀 It also ties Denny in with Hen as she also wears a lot of patterning similar to this. then there is the fact its black and blue - what is the first thing you think of when you say black and blue - being beaten up - potentially foreshadowing - not necessarily for a physical beating, more likely for the psychological bruising ahead. there is also the Rorschach test and camouflage elements as well. All in all its a shirt that speaks of secrecy pyschological trauma and trouble ahead!

This tee has me feeling all levels of insane. We have green for growth and renewal- its a bright green too, so its really reenforcing that idea. Then there is the design - a leopard in a jungle setting which is so many metaphors all rolled into one - the obvious ones of the jungle being dangerous, leopards not changing their spots and hiding in pain sight. But there are a few others - camouflage, the fact that leopards are nocturnal and solitary, they are also opportunistic. Then theres the jungle - jungles as well as being dangerous places, are also dense and in places impenetrable, they are overgrown and tangled. All of these things speaks volumes about what is going on with Denny right now, and the fact that he’s getting himself deeper and deeper into the jungle where opportunistic animals are waiting to strike. It a really clever use of imagery in graphic tee design to convey information and its something the show does a lot with the kids clothing!

Chimney

some really interesting stuff going on with Chimney in this episode - namely the fact that he’s wearing check - all the time, as well as the fact we get him in this lovely burnt orange colour!

Starting with the check - I’ve said it a million times and I’ll probably say it a million more, but the check is foreshadowing trouble ahead - in this instance its the unexpected arrival of the Han’s. The button down shirt under the jumper is maroon and burnt orange check - maroon is the colour of fatherhood in 911 verse so the maroon is a nod to that, both the fact that Chimney is a father (and a good one), but also that his father is the trouble ahead! While the orange - well orange is the colour of optimism, enthusiasm and emotional strength - the perfect colour for Chim in this scene - he’s being optimistic about what having the Buckleys to visit will be like - that together he and Maddie can get through anything. This opening outfit for 6b also shows us that Chim is in a much stronger place - things are going well for him - life is good and that has given him confidence and placed him in a better place emotionally.

then we get this blue check button down shirt - its light blue and a darker blue, and again the check is portending doom. I don’t want to make this all about Buck, (becasue it isn’t) but, the fact we see Chim in a blue check specifically while the Buckleys and Hans argue over Bucks sperm donation is super interesting. Its not only foreshadowing that Buck - who is also in blue, is about to come to harm in the place that was very nearly chimneys (as inBuck going up the ladder instead of Chim). It is also hinting at the fact that Chimney and his father (who is incidentally also in a blue shirt) are on a collision course. This check is about foreshadowing the two opposite disasters/ issues heading Chimneys way - the fact that he is about to potentially lose a brother - and one that has taken the place he was supposed to be in. That Chimney is going to have to reckon with the guilt and grief that causes - making this shirt about Chim’s connection to Buck but also connected to the idea of another man raising a child - much of Chimneys trauma stems from that very issue - he was raised by Mr Lee, had Kevin who was a brother in all but blood - who died in a work related accident and now he’s going to go through the same thing with Buck. the whole thing is setting up for Chimneys trauma to come and hit pretty hard - which all goes back to his own blood father - which is why we see Buck and Sang in the two very different blues and chimney in the check of both of them.

Maddie & Jee-Yun

Maddie going for full on black is such a choice! Black is a power colour, its sophisticated and mysterious, while also being authoritative and protective. It is also a colour of rebirth which is really important here for Maddie. This is a Maddie who is in the best possible place right now, but her choice to wear all black for the arrival of her parents is all about her wanting to but on a display of power while at the same time protecting herself and her family (Chim, Jee and Buck) its very much fake it till you make it - its not necessarily about her having power/control (which she does), but about the appearance of it.

This is about her rebirth as a person and as a mum and her showing that rebirth to those who have judged her in her life. 

the purple suit and bright blue top are an interesting choice. The jewel tones exude happiness and contentment. I’ve spoken before about how we often see characters in these brighter versions of colours when they’re in a good place or having fun (think of the times we’ve seen Athena in bright jewel colours, or even Buck) and here we see Maddie embracing that her daughter is having fun with her grandparents and her family is all together and not fighting or distant from one another - don’t forget this is likely the fist time she has experienced this ever. The purple blazer is in line with other things we’ve seen on Maddie this season - we’ve seen her in bright purple before. Purple is a really interesting choice to me because so much of its meaning is connected to mystery, but also the understanding of ones self better, building and strengthening emotional connections to our deepest thoughts and desires. its such a choice for this scene - the happy family Maddie wants, has wanted all her life and hasn’t had in her grasp until now, but also the Daniel of it all - that she is now free to talk about her brother, to share her knowledge of him and that she has been able to actually sit in her grief and come to terms with it. It’s a really powerful choice for her and speaks so much about how far Maddie has come.

Look I love love love what the show does with the kids clothes - its always so on point for the scene - and this Baby Jee tee is no exception. ‘Shapes I know’ - a literal point at the fact that families can look different - they come in different shapes and thats something Jee ‘knows’ and is experiencing. It’s literally one of the cornerstones of he show - that families look different and come in a multitude of shapes and sizes and in this scene the show is very much pointing out that the Buckley parents and Han parents don’t really understand that in any great depth. The Buckleys are only being supportive and nice when it suits them - when they’re in front of others and can be judged - creating a fantasy of a loving and supportive family to the outside world - while behind closed doors - they’re not really interested and are in fact the complete opposite. The Han’s have a very rigid view on family and that there is only one type of family (I’m expecting Sang Han to make some comment about Jee being born outside of marriage etc at some point) and anything that doesn’t conform to that isn’t acceptable.  

Buck

I so desperately wan to quiz the wardrobe department on the choice to have Buck in trousers that sit two inches above his ankle. 

You can’t see them in either of these pictures, but Buck is still wearing trousers far too short for his legs and its making me insane. I know Oliver has stupidly long legs, but its not like they don’t have the budget to get trousers made and tailored to fit him. I mean its been this way since season 2 and everything is intentional so they must have decided on it as a character thing but I for one cannot figure out what its supposed to tell us about him - the only thinking I’ve managed to come up with is that he’s stuck in this liminal space between child and adult - not really one or the other (because of the saviour baby and not knowing about it of it all) so its a play on the historic idea of breeching and short trousers! It’s literally the only reason I can think of as to why they would do this. Especially because the outfit he is wearing in his coma dream he’s wearing trousers that fit his leg length which only proves to me that its intentional!

If we see Buck figure things out this season and we then see him start wearing longer trousers going forwards - ones that are actually the right length for his legs I might actually ascend to the astral plane!!!

This green top continues the theme of seeing Buck in either blues or this light green shade - it echoes both the polo shirt from 6x07 when he made his donation, and the one he wore to the Ren Faire in 6x08 and continues to prove my theory about the use of these green shirts on Buck - the colour might not have gotten darker, but the fact its still the same light shade and we’ve had no further progress (in terms of where Buck is at mentally - the pregnancy is obviously progressing!) at this point in time - we know he’s wearing gree ni the coma - and its a darker/brighter shade - hinting that progress- growth etc is happening and that the coma will be the catalyst for that growth to start - I fully expect to see Buck in more green as the season progresses and to see it getting deeper and brighter as we go along.

I have so many thoughts about this dark navy blue shirt we see Buck wearing for the Buckley-Han showdown. Its yet more Buck in shades of blue - forget 50 shades of grey Buck is all about 50 shades of blue (I think were up to 12 blue tops now for him this season and the next highest colour he wears is green with 3)!!  theres the uniform aspect of it all - a bit like Bobby in this episode as well, but for Buck its almost like wearing the uniform gives him confidence and strength - superhero style - something he feels he needs to go through another experience with his parents. 

There is something to be said about the use of blues at opposite ends of the spectrum on Buck - from the light pastel blues to this dark navy almost black blue, almost like Buck is oscillating between where he’s at mentally - projecting confidence, reliability, loyalty and trustworthiness, while also suggesting that internally he is struggling - blue is also a colour depression and suppression. We have to remember that Buck is still trying to figure out who he is, what he wants and how to be at ease with himself and so the use of both dark and light blues speaks of the duality of Buck right now. I bring this up because looking back through my costume plots for each character its become obvious that this season its very much deliberate - all his blue outfits in previous seasons have been within a much smaller spectrum of colour - wearing blue but all similar in shade - tending toward bright blue or navies!

If you’ve made it to the end then I thank you - have a cookie on me 🍪🍪🍪 we all deserve them after that episode and we’re going to need out strength for next weeks!!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my deep dive ramblings on costume for 6x09 - drop me a reblog or a comment to let me see your thoughts - I love reading them!!

As always tagged people below - if anyone wants to be added (or removed from) to the list please let me know in the comments!

Until next week (when I have a feeling I might be being set up for a very very long meta post 😬😬😬) 

@mistmarauder @theladyyavilee @loveyourownsmiilee @leothil @girldadbuddie @kitkatpancakestack  @buckscurls @lemotmo @trashendence @elishareads  @clipboardsandstethoscopes @comfortbuddie @fiona-fififi  @callanee @calyssmarviss @pbandjeremiah @batgrldes  @spotsandsocks  @livingwherethesidewalkends  @idontshitpostbuttheolympicpark @diazboysbuckley @sweettsubaki @shortsighted-owl @sherlocking-out-loud @dickley-buddie  @favouritealias @hearteyesdiaz  @ktinastrikesback  @princesschez75 @bucksbuddie @oneawkwardcookie  @leatherat @moniquekatie @wanderingwomanwondering  @trickster-archangel @outrunningthedark @asharadaine @ajunerose  @talespinner230 @pop-kam @swiftiebuckleys @xxfiction-is-my-realityxx @butchjerry @mandzuking17 @yelenasbuddie​ @copyninjabuckley​ @name-code-black-widow​​ @rogerzsteven​

[fantasies-fairytales-n-fics]

Thranduil and Josie Pt. 140- Vengeance

Summary: Josie dreams of the past that holds a message. Stephane and Jo have another talk. A birthday party is planned. Josie experiences a new power. She and Charles search for something. Another side of Garrett is seen. A secret is kept. A surprise is in the works. An ultimatum is given. A visitor comes bearing bad news.

*Warnings* language, angst, death mentions, death, violence, graphic depictions, blood

Stories Stories Stories Masterlist

Your dreams took you back in time as you saw yourself at Sarah's house, your best friend in your teen years and the one you saw Harker kill when Jareth had showed you the memory of it.

It was a typical weekend afternoon of tarot cards and witchy stuff that she was into and it also happened to be Halloween, the night she went missing and the day you unknowingly met Jareth the goblin King for the first time. Back then, you didn't believe in all that voodoo stuff so much, although you remembered how your mother did. Sarah though, was all about it, a witch herself and you didn't realize the truth of it all until almost seven years after her death.

For some fun and a break from taking care of your sick dad, you would go to her place to let loose since it was right next door. The night would consist of pizza, sneaking booze from her mom's pantry since she worked in the evening, and cranking up the music while Sarah filled the room with candles and would give you readings. As skeptical as you always were about it, strangely they always became relevant to your life at some point, but you would just chalk it up to be a coincidence.

As she laid the cards out one, she placed the last one in front of you. The high priestess that held the letters B and J on it.

"Sooo, what does that mean?" you asked with an arched brow.

"The high priestess is a card of mystery, stillness and passivity. You need to reflect upon your situation and trust your instincts to guide you though what is to come. Things around you are not what they appear to be." Sarah explained, but then she just stared at the card with a head tilt.

"What things? My instincts tell me my life is exactly what it looks like...all fucked up."

"No...something is....amiss...now and into the future. I've drawn this card for you before, but it never spoke to me util now."

"Sarah, my dad is terminally ill with only a few years to live if he's lucky. That's what's amiss and that is the future."

"Jo, no...you're taking things literally, which sometimes the cards can be but sometimes they have deeper meanings, metaphoric even. I know you don't believe this stuff, but I'm telling you there's something huge about your life and your future. You see this?" she said and pointed to the lady on the card.

"Uh yeah...it looks like a queen or something. Oh my god Sarah?? Am I going to become the Queen of England??" you jested and laughed.

"No!" she scoffed. "But...you will be of some great importance. Something magical and powerful. The half moon at her feet tells me that. I know you never believe me, but I feel it in you. The witchy vibe. I mean come on, why do you think you and I connected so well. I believe you're a true witch who just don't know it yet."

"Yeah umm we connected so well because you live right next door." you chuckled. "I can't even make toast without burning it. I am far from a powerful witch."

"Jo, seriously. You even said your mom was into this stuff....and christ, look how your dad dresses and speaks, like he's from another century or something."

"She was, but I never saw her twinkle her nose and make things happen or ride a broom stick, or lure little children into her house like Hansel and Gretel. My dad, he's just old fashioned. Are you saying he's a witch too??"

"There are male witches you know. They're called warlocks and can you be serious for once? That's not what witches are all about. That's all fairytales. This is real."

"It's all hocus pocus if you ask me, pun intended but ok fine...so I am going to be some witch queen is what you're saying? Who's my King? He better be hot! And what do the letters mean?"

"Well...I definitely feel the J resembles you but...."

She stopped and cocked her head again as she ran her finger over the B.

"But???"

"A...counterpart to you...soul mate of some sort maybe? I keep seeing the word....missing....and...child....a baby maybe??"

You hysterically laughed. "The B stands for baby? I certainly know I am not pregnant...oh god!! Wait! Am I going to have a baby with my future King??? If anyone is missing, it is him! Maybe his name starts with a B! Oh my fucking god, it Bon Jovi!! That's what the B and J stand for!"

"Stop it! It's not that! It's someone you will meet. They will have the answers you seek."

"I'm not seeking anything right now except to get drunk after my encounter with that creepy guy on my way here. Like, he knew my freaking name so I umm, kinda told him my name was Sarah."

"Oh great, now we have some weirdo stalking around here infatuated with the many looks of David Bowie that knows BOTH of our names now and he probably saw you come here because I saw him from the window when you were walking over, and he saw me too. Talk about going all out for a Halloween costume and I didn't like his eyes."

"Calm down, he's probably just some senior from school out trying to score free candy like they did in Hocus Pocus, which is why he knew my name."

"Yeah well, he wasn't carrying a trick or treat bag and he looked way older than that. Def a witch vibe on him too. Probably into some cult shit and will sacrifice me tonight. Speaking of weirdos, tonight for dinner, you will meet the dude my mom is fucking, some Phillip guy. He's def creepy. I get nothing but bad vibes from him, like the hair on the back of my neck stands up when he's around. Witches sense those things."

"Ok miss superstitious, you are not going to be burned at the stake tonight or sacrificed on some stone slab in the middle of the forest. I have an idea. Since you seem to think I am a witch, we should look for our third and fourth to complete the circle, like that movie the Craft. You can teach me how to change my hair color to blonde like that girl did, what was her name...oh that's right, it was SARAH.." you joked some more.

"Fine, mock this all you want. Even the song playing right now is a message. These things don't just randomly happen."

"So when all of this happens, always remember this day and always remember, things are not always as they seem...remember Jo...remember....remember....remember....he's alive...."

Her words reverberated and echoed as your eyes sprung open.

"Sarah??" you gasped as you sat up. "God, what the hell was that?" you asked yourself out loud.

You realized it was late afternoon and that you had been asleep on Lola's sofa since you had come back from seeing Garrett. You hoped he wasn't upset with you for making him leave but you weren't sure what Narcisse and Haldir were going to do after seeing you locking lips with the vampire. Although Garrett was under Amara's protection mark, you didn't know how far that protection went and didn't want to test the waters to find out. You also knew Garrett could hold his own against them or anyone for that matter, but you didn't want to see any of them get hurt.

You sat with Leean, feeding her and as you did so, you began to recall the song Sarah mentioned, so you softly sang it to her, for she was a witch too and already coming into her powers at the mere age of 5 weeks old.

"I walk in worlds that no one can come by. I seek the trees and whispering stones. I dance at night and sing to the firelight to wake the witch who lives within me. I run with wolves and howl at the pale moon. I conjure storms that no man can tame. I love with fire so red it consumes you to wake the witch who lives within me. Music charms me like a spell. Voices fill me with tales to tell. All the women burned before are burning in my soul. All my darkness, all my fears fall away when their ghosts are near. Chanting, dancing, calling me to wake the witch in me. I sought the trees to flee all who hurt me. I whispered spells to endure their stones. I hid in dreams so no one could find me to veil the witch who lives within me. And now I fly at night like a raven. I dance with ghouls and devils till dawn. And in the forest, I’ve found my haven to wake the witch who lives within me."

Leean's big round moonstone eyes danced through yours as she listened to your voice. Little coos came from her daddy's shaped lips as she suckled and lightly kicked her feet.

Just then, a knock sounded upon the door. You already knew who it was, for your intuition told you and...you could smell the peppermint seeping under the door.

"Jo...may I come in?" Narcisse softly asked.

You covered yourself and carried Leean with you to the door, fretting that you were about to get an earful over the kiss of the vampire, but strangely, it was the exact opposite.

As you reluctantly opened, there the warlock stood and his typical grin with his hands resting at his midriff as his fingers fidgeted with his ring like always and there at his feet sat his loyal companion Merlin staring up at you.

"Well there's the two most beautiful girls in the world....and one of them has a most angelic voice from what I just heard, wouldn't you agree Merly?" he said in a baby tone as he tickled Leean's cheek. Of course, she cutely responded with an all out Thranduil smirk, making your heart shatter and ache for your King.

You turned and went to lay her down as Narcisse followed with his faithful feline right at his heels, who then jumped on the sofa making himself right at home as he laid down and yawned.

You gave the Maine Coon some quick chin scratches and then went over by the window and sat down.

"Well...let me have it about Garrett, I mean, that is why you are here, is it not?"

He smiled his arrogant smile and sat down beside you."

"No, actually I am not here about that, although I must say, I don't know what you see in him, the vampire is so boring."

You rolled your eyes as he continued.

"I came to tell you that I have retrieved your belongings."

He pulled out the spell book from within his jacket, along with the record and the dreamcatcher, then laid them beside you.

"The book was found in Claude's room and beside it laid a doll made with hay from the stables, smelling of my horse."

"Oh...gosh. Stephane, I am so sorry. It's all my fault, if I hadn't been in possession of the book, that never would have happened."

"Nonsense. The only fault here lies upon Catherine for her dastardly deeds and possibly her daughter too, which she will soon be questioned after she recovers from giving birth. Claude's diary was found as well and I have a pretty good feeling the answers are in there. I will read over it soon...but if you will notice the bookmarked page in your book. I think that explains the spell on Garrett."

After giving a concerning look, you quickly opened it to see the page stained with a yellow tint. You then looked at him in confusion.

"It's warlock blood, but still man's blood to a vampire and in this case, dead man's blood. Asher's. I can smell it. Somehow Catherine got her hands on it after his death. I have reason to believe she used Claude to place the spell. With that said, it is the same as if Garrett would have drank it himself."

"Jesus, what is it with this bitch and poison?"

"Because that's what Catherine is. Poison. Now...if you'll turn to the back, you'll find another item you were looking for...."

You flipped it to the back to find the letter you wrote to Thranduil.

"Thank you Stephane, for all of this. I will do better at keeping this book out of the wrong hands. I'm glad to have my dreamcatcher back as well."

Narcisse noticed your despaired expression when you mentioned the moonstone sleep aid.

"Jo? What is it?" he asked as he gently laid his hand upon yours.

'"It's...I don't know really. I had fallen asleep earlier and had this strange dream of...well actually it was a memory my friend Sarah who Harker killed. Honestly, I don't want to talk about it. It's my fault she is dead. I should have never left her that night, but I had to get home to my dad. The really fucked up thing is that she had cracked a joke that evening about something happening to her and of course I basically told her that she would be fine."

"You don't have to talk about it. I will say, I am sorry about your friend. She obviously meant a lot to you. And again, it is not your fault...it is Harker's."

"If only I had believed her about her witch sense and all. She figured out who he was that night and that is why he killed her. All the years I knew her, she was a witch just like me, but I didn't know I was and I made fun of her for believing she was. What a shitty friend I was."

"Jo...please don't be so hard on yourself. You were so young still and had no idea who you were. I wish I would have been around more for your dad, maybe I could have done something, or figured out what was going on. If only I had known he was sick."

"Stephane, you obviously had your hands full with Catherine and the situation with Charles. It's no more your fault than mine. You're right. It was Harker's and even my mother's. Jareth too. You would have been there for my dad if you could have. He knew how much he meant to you. You were a good friend to him. Hopefully we can find him soon and fix whatever Jareth has done to him."

"You're too kind Jo. We will get him back. I promise you. I really should get going. I have a birthday party planned for you this evening. I figured you need a break and need to unwind."

"Ummm what??"

"Your birthday, remember? I know it's not actually until tomorrow but I'm too excited about it to wait. And...it's such a beautiful December day, strangely warm as usual which makes it perfect for a nice outside gathering. What color fireworks would you like this time. I had them do purple for you at the last party...that is your favorite color is it not?"

You were completely mind blown over his attentiveness to your likings. He had told you before that he paid attention to the little things.

"I...I...you...did that? for...me?"

"I did. So...purple again? I had a cake made too. It's 25 candles now right?"

Your hands went to your face, covering it as you began sobbing.

"Jo...sweetheart. What is wrong?" he kindly asked and pulled your hands down so he could cup your face in his.

"I...I haven't celebrated my birthday since my seventeenth one, which was the last one with my dad....and he died...well supposably died the next morning. He..he still, in his sickness, made sure a cake was delivered for me, candles and all....and also had a dinner sent to the house because he knew I couldn't cook for shit....and...and this would have been my first one with Thranduil...."

Narcisse offered the most compassionate smile. "I will cancel the party. I apologize for overstepping. I just thought something of some normalcy would make you feel better...."

"No...don't apologize for being nice. You went to all this trouble for me..so it's the least I could do to attend my own party. Purple...yes...and please don't put that many candles on the cake. One will suffice so I can easily blow it out."

"As you wish your majesty. Now...I do have one other reason I came here. You promised me a date sometime. Maybe tomorrow? An afternoon carriage venture along the countryside by my villa?"

"I...umm...well..."

"It's Garrett isn't it? Is someone making you spend time with him?" he sarcastically asked.

"No one makes me do anything and you know it. And honestly, it is none of your business."

"Tell me then, is it my business when just the other day, you were kissing me?"

"Ok well you kissed me."

"And you kissed me back. It scared you didn't it? What you felt, so you turned to Garrett instead. But you, you came clear to the city to try and stop me from that fight. You care for me whether you admit it or not. You and I, we are the same Jo. Both witches that share a rare electrifying sensation when we touch. We empower each other."

"Maybe so...but this is all a game to you. You even said so yourself once, that you like games. I cannot trust what you say is real. I feel this is all just about winning to you, especially over that of a vampire. as if I am some prize...and he does not make me feel that way. I know him...I don't know you."

"Then get to know me. Give me that chance to prove that my feelings for you are genuine. What I said is that I had never had a worthy opponent. I will not deny thinking of you as a prize because you are just that and I would be the luckiest man to ever be able to call you mine. A winner indeed of true happiness that I have never experienced. All that I have done and am doing is because I have come to deeply care for you. This is all new to me. I know in the past I have come across as a seeker of victory but I assure you, that is not the case with you. Since our eyes first met, I wanted more. Much more. I have felt your approach long before you ever arrived."

Narcisse certainly knew how to choose his words, but you knew he meant them. He wasn't wrong. You did feel something for him and yes, you were scared. And you didn't want to hurt Garrett because you felt something for him too. Your dream made sure you faced that. You were just flat out scared to move on because this isn't where you were supposed to be, having to choose between two men. You were supposed to be with Thranduil forever, for he was your only choice.

"I'll tell you what. I will not hold you to your promise, for I know you were just trying to keep me alive at the time. Wear a flower in your hair tonight and if you do, then I will know you have agreed to share a date with me tomorrow. There is fresh new array of them in my office that the servants brought in this morning. I would love to spend your birthday with you. I must be off. It is time to serve more retribution where it is due."

Narcisse got up, offered you a head bow and then left.

Who crossed Narcisse this time? you wondered as you sat where he left you and stared out the window.

Lola then came in and her presence helped aid you in your decision for tonight.

"Lola...how would you like to join me tonight with Leean for a party. It is a beautiful day out and you are always stuck inside."

"A party miss? I was not aware that there was one."

"I was not either, but Narcisse was just here and informed he that he was hosting a birthday gathering for myself."

"It is your birthday? How wonderful..but...why do you not look so eager to attend? Oh how foolish of me to ask such a thing. Of course I know why. My apologies."

"No Lola, it is quite alright. I truly need to face reality and stop wallowing over what will never be again. Besides, he went to all the trouble to do something so nice for me when I was certain after what he saw today...well that's not important. Will you come? I hear there will be cake....and fireworks, although I don't know if that will startle Leean. That will probably be around her bedtime anyways. So what do you say?"

"Of course my lad...Josie. I would love to attend."

"Perfect. I need to do something first. Will you stay with her?"

"You know you do not need to ask. Of course I will."

"Maybe you could pick us both out something to wear while I am gone?"

Lola smiled and nodded, then you left for Stephane's office, still pondering over whether you would wear a flower or not, but you decided to go look at them anyways, for anything floral made you think of Thranduil.

A beautiful rainbow of flowers in a large crystal vase sat on Narcisse's desk just where the sunlight shone in to feed them. Cleary there must have been a greenhouse on the grounds for they couldn't be from the gardens in the middle of winter, but then again, as Narcisse said, the weather was strangely warm...and you did see a purple one sprouting from the ground a few weeks ago after the ice storm.

Of course you chose a violet beings that it was purple. You put it in your hair and stood at a mirror to see how it would look, but all you could see was the memory of the vision you had at Lestat's of Thranduil in the mirror. You closed your eyes and turned away, trying not to cry again.

As you took the flower out of your hair, you stood there and just inhaled it's scent, reminding you of how you would sit in Thranduil's gardens for hours when he was out tending to his Kingly duties. How you missed his Kingdom. Would you ever be ready to go back? You knew you needed to. It was Leean's home...it was your home...and you missed Legolas something awful and surely he was missing Leean if not you. You needed, wanted to make things right with him, but could you? Knowing how he felt about you now and how hurt he was. And why couldn't you hear him anymore? Did you just imagine it all?

You began to leave when something caught your eye on the desk. It was the doll made of hay that Stephane mentioned they found in Claude's room. Out of some strange intuitive feeling, you picked it up and looked it over....and then, something happened that had never happened to you before. You saw a vision.

Arion, standing alone in a place of darkness with a mangled mane and he turned to look at you as if he saw you. His eyes were so sad and lonely.

And then the darkness began to fade and you could see the surroundings. A place you didn't recognize but appeared to be some sort of desolate dungeon standing at the edge of a forest.

You gasped and dropped the doll and ran off to find Narcisse. As you turned a corner, you almost ran into Charles who was coming out of his chambers.

"My lady? Where are you off to in such a rush and why are you out of breath and look frightened??" he sincerely asked.

"Charles...you know the grounds here well, do you not?"

"I..I do yes, why?"

"Is there somewhere around here that is desolate...another dungeon maybe? A big round stone structure by a forest??"

"Umm..y..yes I believe so? A bit south off the back side of the castle. It hasn't been used for years. Why would you ask of such a place?"

"Can you take me there??"

"N...now?"

"Yes, please Charles!"

"Josie, what is this all about??"

"Just take me there. If my vision is true, I am about to make your father the happiest man in the world."

After saddling up some horses, you and Charles galloped off down a discreet pathway behind the castle and headed off into the woods. Roughly twenty minutes later, you came to a clearing and at the other end of it was the stone building you had seen on the edge of a cliff, hidden behind the forest.

"Wait. Stop!" Charles loudly whispered. "There are guards?? Why are there guards at this run down place?"

"Because I believe your mother has something valuable to your father locked up inside of it. I'll take care of them."

"With what? Magic? My father has rules about magic used on his guards. Trust me, I just got an earful about it this morning."

"Fuck the rules." you quipped and rode off.

"I'm going to be in so much trouble...." Charles whispered to himself with wide eyes and took off after you.

"Halt! What business do you have here? This area is forbidden." One of the two guards said as he walked towards you with his sword drawn.

You dismounted and fearlessly walked up to him as Charles jumped down and followed.

"There is no need to draw your weapon on a lady!" Charles snapped. "I know who you are and you know who I am. Exactly what business is it that YOU have here at a deserted dungeon??"

"That is classified information young warlock. If your father wished you to know, you would not be questioning me. Now move along."

"I take no orders from you! I demand to know what is inside, for I feel my father has no knowledge of this at all!."

"I said it is forbidden." the guard snarled and took a few more steps towards the both of you as the other guard then joined him.

"What are you going to do if I pass? Kill me? My father will have your head if you harm me or Josie."

"I will not harm you...now the girl on the other hand means nothing to me...but...maybe for a small price, we can work something out? I have not had the pleasure of a woman in a very long time."

"Nor have I." the other guard said with a twisted grin.

"And I can see why you disgusting oafs. Narcisse will have your heads either way for I know what is inside. His beloved horse. Arion."

"What??" Charles strongly asked as he whipped his head to you.

"That's right. Arion is not dead. Your mother stashed him here to make your father suffer by making him believe she killed him and fed the horse to him. I'm sorry Charles but I told you Catherine was sick. Now, let us pass or..."

"Or what??" the guard laughed. "See, now we have a bigger problem. You should have minded your own business. We cannot let you go now...my lady." the guard said, bearing a sinister smile as he neared you.

Just then, something swarmed him. It was so fast that you couldn't even see it...but you smelled the gush of wind that burst over you....Garrett.

The man backed away in panic, nearing a steep cliff that held only massive sharp rocks below at the ocean's edge. He was stormed again, but this time you saw something you had never saw of Garrett before. He appeared from a swarm of bats and raged in the man's face, causing him to lose his balance and fall backwards, screaming to his death below.

It all was happening so fast, you and Charles were frozen solid as you watched the horror unfold before you.

Garrett charged the other one with his fangs in full view, something else you had never seen on him before, and then he bit into his neck and ripped his throat out.

The man fell to the ground and frantically scurried away from Garrett, ending up being backed against a tree.

Garrett leaned over the horrified man and bit into the other side of his neck, killing him instantly.

Your terrified gasp caught Garrett's attention and he froze, keeping his head down. He then slowly opened his blood soaked hands and looked at them.

Garrett's hands began to shake and his breathing became heavy.

"G..Garrett?" you squeaked as you took a step towards him.

"Stay back!!!!" he growled. "You...you can't see me like this..."

You ignored him and slowly crouched beside him, gently placing your own shaking hand on his shoulder. Your touch startled him and he quickly scooted away, keeping his back to you.

"I said stay away! This...this wasn't supposed to happen...they...they were going to hurt you...I could hear their disgusting thoughts."

"Garrett...it's ok. Please look at me."

"No! I...I never meant for you to see me like this. I can only imagine what you must be thinking. I heard your fear...I can smell it as well."

"Garrett...I...I'm not afraid of you, I was just taken by surprise. They were bad men Garrett...this...this is what you do to those kind of people."

"But you weren't supposed to see it! Not ever! I lost control...I...I'm so...sorry....I...I'm so ashamed..."

His voice was breaking as if he were going to cry as his entire body was now trembling.

"Garrett talk to me...Did...did something happen to cause this?"

"I...I'm a monster Josephine! Just like I always told you I was. That's what caused this. You...you need to stay away from me. I...I don't belong in your world just like everyone has told you."

"Garrett, stop talking like that. You are not a monster! They were the monsters. If you hadn't have come, even I myself would have hurt them. I was going to set them on fire. Does that make me a monster too then? Garrett, please...look at me...let me help you."

"Have a great birthday party and date with Narcisse." he softly said and then his scent rushed through your hair as he vanished.

"Garett wait!!!!!!! You don't understand!!!"

You turned to see Charles still frozen solid with wide eyes and shaking.

"Charles, it's ok. I know him. He wouldn't have hurt you. He was only protecting me."

"Even so, he's...a vampire...on our lands...he just killed two of our guards. I...I have to tell my fath..."

You ran up and grabbed him. "No! You cannot tell Narcisse about this, ever! Do you hear me?? He will have Garrett hunted and they will kill him and I will not let that happen! Those guards were evil and you know it. If Garrett hadn't killed them, I would have...and so would your father if he were here!! But the fact that it was a vampire won't matter to Narcisse, especially that it's Garrett. Please Charles, I'm begging you. I...I care about him...very very much."

"I...I don't know Josie. I think you should just tell him so he does not find out another way. He would understand that the monst...sorry, the vampire was only protecting you...and judging by the way my father looks at you, I would think that your safety would be all that mattered to him. Do you not trust him?"

"I...I want to...but...I just can't risk Garrett's safety...not after all he has ever done for me."

"If..if I stay silent, how will their deaths be explained?? It's quite obvious from the one's wounds what killed him. My father will eventually know they are missing and have them searched for."

"Then they shall not be found."

"W..what?"

You turned to the dead guard and flung your hand out. It ignited into flames and you showered it over him, setting him ablaze.

"There. No more evidence. He will burn to ash. As far as the other guy, he wasn't wounded. It will just look like he accidentally fell if he is found. As far as Narcisse, he only needs to know we found Arion here, nothing more."

"Jesus. Remind me to never piss you off. Alright. I won't say anything...but if I am asked...I will not lie to my father."

"Ok...I can deal with that. Thank you Charles. Now, let's go get Arion."

Sure enough, the snow white horse was inside alive and well, but seemingly depressed and in untidy conditions. His eyes lit up when he saw you, for he remembered his first meeting with you....and of course he knew Charles.

"It's alright now big fella. I am going to take you home where you belong and that wicked witch will never harm you again." you assured him as you lovingly stroked his nose.

He tilted his head and nudged it into your chest, making snorting sounds which had you and Charles laughing. Strangely, it was the first time you had ever heard the boy laugh and you felt slightly guilty for berating his mother in front of him. You understood exactly what it was like to have a love hate relationship with a parent.

You brought the Lipizzan horse outside and let him drink from the canteen you brought, then let him snack on an apple while you tried to untangle his neglected mane. Once he finished his fruit, you both took him back to the stables where the other horses were overly happy to see him as they loudly greeted him with many different pitched neighs and hoof stomps. You spoke with the stableman, asking him to see to it that Arion was pampered, cleaned up and well fed. You also told him to have him ready for a surprise tomorrow and to keep his return a secret until then, for Arion needed a good nights rest in the comfort of his home. After giving the gentle giant a kiss upon his nose, you then left to get ready for the party you were definitely not in the mood for after the recent events, for all you could now think about was Garrett, who was ignoring all of your calls to him. He obviously had heard your conversation with Narcisse and that is what had triggered his anger.

As you and Charles arrived back at the castle, there was a large gathering of of guards and horses in the court yard, along with some man lying on the ground.

"Oh look, Narcisse is serving punishment to one of the guards who caused you trouble the other night in the dining hall. The other guard knew of what would come, so he fled, but he will be found soon enough and pay for his involvement. Come, let's go watch!" Charles eagerly said and trotted off.

How quickly the boy went from referring to Stephane as his father while defending him, then right back to addressing him as Narcisse when it came down to business.

When you walked in, the man on the ground was being tethered by his arms and legs. He saw you and your eyes locked.

"Please....I was never going to hurt you, I swear it! I...I had too much to drink. I shouldn't have said such vulgar things...I...I'm sorry my lady!" he cried.

You gasped in horror, looking all around for Haldir but he was not there. You then rushed up to Narcisse, who turned to you and explained what was happening.

"Do you know why they bind him at up the arms and legs? For a good clean break...or they can do it the other way, at the hands and feet...which do you think would be more painful?"

"Stephane, you cannot be serious? Please, stop this now!"

"Why on earth would you want me to stop? You know how things are done here when it comes to harassment of women, especially you. I had my men stoned to near death as equal punishment over harming a bird, so certainly you must know that this offense would deserve a far worse punishment, for men like Asher should not breath at all."

"The...the crow..." you muttered, wondering where your feathered friend had been since then."

"Yes? I was told by witnesses that it was a black bird when I caught them just after the heinous act of hurling rocks at it. How did you know that?"

"Because that crow is my friend who has saved me many times from danger. He came to me that night, barely able to fly and covered in blood. I had meant it speak with you about it but so many things were happening. He told me, well, he showed Garrett what happened to him, but Garrett said he saw that you had returned from the city and were handling the situation. I'll have you know, the bird would have died if it had not been for Garrett. He healed him when I could not."

You defense of Garrett was another attempt to make Narcisse see he wasn't a monster in case what happened earlier with the guards was ever revealed, but of course, Stephane's response only proved your efforts pointless.

"Ah yes, the infamous heroic vampire saves the day once more. Well...for the crow's sake and yours, I am happy he was saved. Why was the bird here anyways?"

"He's a messenger and my guardian of sorts. Usually he has something to tell me or bring to me. He is how I had gotten my moonstone back. I guess he knew I needed it or something."

It then be became clear to Narcisse that, that is where Thranduil's letter came from that his guard found nearby one the ground that night. The crow somehow knew the Elvenking was alive and brought it here to tell you.

"Can we get back to what's happening here Stephane? I understand you have rules and beliefs and whatever but...I was the victim and I am telling you, it was only drunken words. He does not deserve to die over it. He is sorry, you heard him,...and I believe him. Please, punish him some other way."

"He is only sorry because he is about to be drawn and quartered. Carry on." he then said to the horsemen as if your words meant nothing.

They began moving the horses, pulling his arms and legs nice and taut as the man screamed in sheer terror.

"Stephane Narcisse!! This is not you!!! I thought you believed the spell had been broken?? This is a disgusting vile act!" you shouted in one last plea to save the man.

"Tell me something Jo...your King has done similar and even far worse things to those worthy of their punishments and you did not have a problem with that, so why is it that you have a problem with how I operate things here?"

"I never said I liked it and many times, I told Thranduil how I felt about it, not that it's any of your business, and many times I was able to get through to him because he had a good heart inside of him that only I or Legolas would ever see....and I have seen that heart inside of you. This man does not deserve to die and if you go through with this, you can shut that party down and kiss your date goodbye, and me for that matter, for I will not stay where death takes precedence over what is right. You told me you were not a soulless animal now prove it!" you reeled with your own nose flaring like that of your Elvenking's.

Stephane's bright blue eyes softened and he turned to Bash and nodded at him to stop.

"Release him and take him back to the dungeon. This is your lucky day Rossif." he said to the warlock who mouthed the words 'thank you' to you with tears in his eyes.

"Will I...see you tonight then? Hopefullllly with a flower in your hair..."

You wanted to say no and you wanted to still be mad at him...but you couldn't and it drove you crazy that this warlock lord was growing on you.

You simply nodded with a light smile and left.

On your way to the front entrance, you sensed someone familiar. A vampiress and only vampiress that smelled of baby powder. Selene.

As your eyes scoured for her, you then caught sight of the dark haired vixen standing on the edge of an empty loading dock where she could easily dart off over the Rhun if detected.. Discreetly, you snuck off and made your way there.

"Selene?? Oh my god...." you raved as you stepped onto the dock and then ran to her.

She braced herself for the impact of your bear hug, laughing as you pounced upon her.

"It is soooo good to see you again! I have missed you immensely. Is everything alright? What has brought you to the danger zone?" you asked with a chuckle.

"Well I have certainly missed you as well, my only human friend and I wish this was just a social call but..."

"But? What's going on?" you asked in wariness due to the irresolute look in her ice blue eyes.

She reached into the pocket of her black leather pants and pulled out a small piece of folded paper, then reluctantly handed it to you. Dithering to open it, you slowly unfolded it and softly read it aloud.

"This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I am leaving Devil's Island. You will not see me again. You know you and I could never be and I cannot bear to look you in the eyes again after you saw the real me. I would rather be truly dead than to feel this kind of pain. Hopefully I can make that happen. The dumbest thing I ever did was fall in love with you but it's the happiest I have ever felt. I will carry the memories of you with me until my last breath. I am so sorry I have ever hurt you. I love you. Forever. Goodbye my little one....- Roman"

"This...this is a joke right?? He's just going to leave me??"

You crunched up the letter in a fury and walked to the end of the dock, shouting out into the sky.

"You promised!!!!"

"I..I'm sorry Josie. I begged him to change his mind but he wasn't having it and he wouldn't tell me what happened."

"I'll tell you what happened. Garrett's a fucking LIAR!!" you screamed back at the sky again. "He can't leave anyways, he has my..."

You stopped yourself, because no one but you and Garrett knew about your moonstone's whereabouts.

"You mean the gem? He told me where it is in case you needed it. Don't worry...I will never tell a soul."

'Wow, well I guess he thought of everything didn't he. I guess this means he really is leaving...I...I..."

You could feel your chest tighten as a panic attack threatened to consume you.

"Josie??"

"He...he leaves me now, when I need him more than ever....he's gone." Tears filled your eyes, blurring your vision. "Well I guess he made my choice quite easy for me....although it would have been quite simple."

"Choice?"

"I would have chose him....."

@redeemer46