#Um... good luck with that lads

[lopsidedtreetrunks]

lmao I never watched the announcement video bc I thought it was clickbait since they'd been hyping something up for like a week or so so I thought it was that. Turns out it wasn't clickbait?

[no1deepspacehater]

When Your Dress Is Too Short (LADS Headcanons)

... And you're late for a party.

☆ Xavier

As soon as you step out the door, Xavier says nothing, but his eyes say A LOT.

“I know, I know, but we’re late! I didn’t think it’d be this short…”

It takes him a little to convince him to get going instead of making you change, but he eventually relents.

He’s standing behind you for the entire function. (Partly for you, and partly to hide the hard-on he’s getting.)

Anybody that dares to take a look is getting death eyes.

He will literally pull your dress down for you during the outing if he sees it’s riding up too much.

Good luck finding that dress afterwards; he’ll get rid of it immediately.

☆ Zayne

“A bold choice.” He points out as soon as you slip into the car.

“Please, Zayne, not now, we’re late!”

“You are correct, and while I’m not complaining, you did just flash me upon entering the car.”

“Zayne!”

Will force you to wear his big ass coat if he has one.

If not, he will also politely stand behind you most of the time and loudly cough if you start to bend down too much.

☆ Rafayel

“What do you think you’re wearing?”

“Rafayel, please, Thomas is going to kill us if we don’t show up to your showcase now!”

Unfortunately, Rafayel would rather drink the whole ocean instead of making you walk out like that.

Literally pulls out some cloth and sewing needle in the car and gets to work.

You’re more comfortable, yes, but Thomas nearly strangled you both since you were 30 minutes late.

Rafayel started getting handsy while modifying your dress, and well, one thing led to another.

☆ Sylus

“Um, Sylus, I think the stylist got my measurements wrong.”

Sylus gives you a look, eyebrows raised. “It’s supposed to look like that.”

“It’s supposed to be this short!? Sylus, if I even so much as tilt, I’ll flash the whole auction.”

“I’d have to outbid everyone for you, after that.” Sylus took a sip of his wine. “Then kill them.”

He’d call the stylist and have them fix it to your liking, although you were an hour and a half late at that point.

Sylus doesn’t mind either way; he likes showing you off, but he also wants you to be comfortable.

[5sospenguinqueen]

He’s Just Ken - Lando Norris x Volleyball! Reader

Summary: Lando tries to tell the Grid that he's dating an Olympic Volleyball player but instead, they publicly accuse him of lying to them.

Warnings: None? Swearing. Fluff.

Requested: Yes by Anon (here)

2024 season, slightly skewed timeline haha

Face claim is Jordan Thompson but also rando pinterest pics used. American Volleyball player to fit in with 'the twist'

F1 Masterlist

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landonorris just posted

liked by ln4, maxfewtrell and others

landonorris non-race weekends mean quality time with my trophy and watching the olympics opening ceremony 

2,004 comments

maxfewtrell don’t objectify me like that. i’m more than just your trophy 

→ landonorris you wish you were my trophy 

teamusa can we count on your support?

→ user1 um, he’s british so no..?

logansargeant looking forward to volleyball

→ landonorris absolutely

→ oscarpiastri it’s just sad now

→ user2 he’s not allowed to enjoy volleyball?

georgrussell63 look, guys, he’s trying to act like a wag 

→ alex_albon okay, moving this to social media is a step too far, mate

→ charles_leclerc c’mon, let him have his delusions. he’s not hurting anyone but himself 

→ landonorris they’re not delusions! 

→ user3 what is this about???

mclaren one of our favourite pictures 

→ oscarpiastri can we get him some mandated therapy?

→ landonorris i’m not mentally unwell! 

ynln_usa just posted

liked by landonorris, logansargeant and others

ynln_usa and i thought i looked good. let’s hear a little commotion for ms. eiffel 

3,481 comments

teammate1 okay but you do look good. nothing looks better than team pride

→ ynln_usa AMERICAAAAA 🦅🇺🇸

→ user4 i love how unhinged she is

user5 what is lando doing in the likes 

→ user6 logan is also here

→ user7 yes because she’s a usa volleyball player and he’s patriotic af. lando makes no sense  

→ user8 logan follows the usa volleyball insta account

logansargeant good luck 🇺🇸 liked by ynln_usa

→ user9 this interaction has my whole heart. my two favourite (and only) american athletes 

→ user10 yn and logan meet when?

teamusa that’s our girl! 

→ georgerussell63 lando’s imaginary girl

→ oscarpiastri like he could get her, she’s tall and he’s him (this comment thread has been deleted)

landonorris good luck on your first match

→ user11 sit down vroom vroom boy, not going to happen

→ user12 ha, like lando could bag the volleyball goddess. she’s a real athlete 

→ alex_albon the people have spoken

Group chat texts Twitch Boys + 2023 babies 

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ynln_usa just posted

liked by landonorris, oscarpiastri and others

ynln_usa first match down. my thighs are chafed and my voice all yelled out but i am pumped! 

4,416 comments

logansargeant what a game! looking forward to the rest of the season

→ ynln_usa thanks for the support 

user1 now oscar’s joined the group of drivers following her

→ user2 and charles

→ user3 poor logan can’t gatekeep her anymore

oscarpiastri looks intense 

→ ynln_usa says the extreme driver 

georgerussell63 lads, what’re we thinking

→ alex_albon just further reinforces our point

→ charles_leclerc she looks very cool

→ user4 what are they all doing here

→ user5 why are they all being suspicious

→ user6 nothing better to do on a weekday? 

landonorris i’ve never seen the stars and stripes look so good

→ danielricciardo norizz is back again

→ landonorris don’t you start 

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oscarpiastri just posted

liked by mclaren, ynln_usa and others

oscarpiastri lando’s dragging us to the olympics to feed into his delusion

2,814 comments

landonorris i’m not lying! 

user7 anyone else notice that all of the drivers in paris at the moment have been focusing on the usa women’s volleyball team?

→ user8 alex and george both posted this match, and their pic included player 12 as well??

→ user9 put some respect on yn ln’s name

danielricciardo where was my invite?

→ carlossainz55 and mine?

→ landonorris neither of you have publicly called me a liar. this isn’t a fun little trip. this is me proving a point! 

→ danielricciardo so it’s a holiday out of spite?

→ charles_leclerc we are having a great time though

alex_albon i’m willing to go along with his delusions if it gets me more free holidays 

→ logansargeant me too

→ georgerussell63 lads, no. we were supposed to be staging on intervention. i made a powerpoint 

landonorris i hate all of you

mclaren bring us back a croissant 

→ oscarpiastri only if you can find me a sane teammate 

→ mclaren deal

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ynln_usa just posted

liked by charles_leclerc, alex_albon and others

ynln_usa luckily, i look better in silver than gold 

16,812 comments

ynln_usa on a serious note, i am blown away by the immense support i have received this olympic season. a massive thank you to the loml @/landonorris for being at the finals (and bringing along some friends) i could hear you screaming in the stands

→ user10 excuse me!! loml lando norris?? since, uh when

teamusa a silver medal and a hard launch. what a day for our champion

→ ynln_usa help, i’ve been captured by a bunch of men who drive in circles

→ teammate any of them single?

landonorris you look so cute with your medal! my olympic silver medalist, everyone 

user11 i feel like this isn’t reaching enough people because all of the comments are just congratulating her on a silver medal. where are the people freaking out about the pinned comment? 

→ user12 she won a silver freaking medal. that’s more impressive than dating someone below her league 

lilymhe i was on the edge of my seat the whole time! congratulations, girly 🥈 (alex facetimed me the whole time so i could watch the match)

→ ynln_usa you mean, lando didn’t give you a ticket? i’ll tell him off for you

→ landonorris how many times do i have to tell people? i didn’t invite them for a nice trip. i was proving a point! it was a petty trip

→ user13 one hell of a trip 

landonorris @/oscarpiastri @/charles_leclerc @/georgerussell63 @/alex_albon @/logansargeant read the caption, boys 

charles_leclerc amazing match

oscarpiastri what a game! 

logansargeant fuck yeah! USA! 

georgerussell63 i’ve never been so invested in a volleyball match before 

alex_albon well done, team usa

user14 the f1 drivers are being so polite. it’s adorable 

landonorris just posted

liked by logansargeant, maxfewtrell and others 

landonorris my baby won silver 🩶🪙

3,304 comments

user1 okay but that picture in front of the eiffel tower. slay 

→ oscarpiastri thank you. some of my best work

→ user2 oscar.png when?

→ landonorris it’s only a good pic because he had good models 

→ oscarpiastri *model. she’s barbie, you’re just ken

ynln_usa big wins for us both this year

→ landonorris you’re my biggest win

→ danielricciardo cringe  liked by ynln_usa

→ landonorris stop it. i saw that, sweetheart

carlossainz55 you used to call me baby…

→ ynln_usa do you want him back?

→ landonorris babe, wtf

→ ynln_usa i’m sorry but carlos is my fave driver and i don’t want him to be sad

→ landonorris dumped.

charles_leclerc okay we get it now. we’re sorry we doubted you

→ georgerussell63 yeah. please stop making out in front of us 

→ landonorris vengeance! 

→ ynln_usa have you not learnt that he’s petty yet? he dragged you all to paris just to prove he was dating me

alex_albon her silver medal is far cooler than your miami trophy 

→ landonorris i agree but shouldn’t you be nice to me like the others?

→ alex_albon no. i never outwardly said i didn’t believe you, just that she was out of your league 

→ ynln_usa thank you, alex. it’s amazing what men can do if they make you laugh 

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Bonus

logansargeant just posted

liked by ynln_usa, lilymhe and others

ynln_usa from toddler terror to olympic silver medalist, you’ve been a pain in my ass since we were kids, and i couldn't be prouder to watch you win big 🇺🇸🍾 tagged: ynln_usa

2,302 comments 

ynln_usa the childhood best friends to professional athletes pipeline is real

landonorris so you knew i was telling the truth the entire time! 

→ logansargeant yeah

→ landonorris why didn’t you tell the others!

→ logansargeant was funny 

oscarpiastri i’m sorry but this reveal is even better than finding out lando was telling the truth about dating yn

→ user3 wait, so all these comments were because they didn’t believe he was dating yn

→ alex_albon would you have until their recent posts?

→ user4 no tbf

charles_leclerc you sly dog! you let us bully him for no reason

→ logansargeant it’s what he gets for just trying to casually slip it into conversation and not introducing her like a gentleman should 

→ landonorris i brought usa volleyball themed cupcakes! 

georgerussell63 this is the best thing i’ve seen all year 

mclaren you’ve caused both our drivers to need a lot of therapy. we’ll send the bill your way 

→ ynln_usa it’s alright, i’ll cover it. i have to deal with them untherapised otherwise

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A/N: So, sorry, Anon. It wasn't until I'd written this up and then realised I'd completely left Max out of it. So sorry but hope you still enjoy!

As always, request open!

[whimsical-roasting]

You reblogged that Sam gifs post and it reminded me of that headcanon i have of being Sam’s friend but you’re feisty and take no one’s shit. Like he’s always takes the high road and you’re like when they go low i go lowER. I would fight that Akufo dude for him no questions asked.

hi wifey <3 you are absolutely right!! i fucking love that idea of Sam having a bestie who'd throw hands for him.. it's on sight all the time.

special thanks to @sokkigarden for bouncing ideas off me, love you bby. okay, i wanna write about being friends w the AFC Richmond boys more, so if yall have ANY thoughts on being friends with ANY of the lads then send me requests on it so we can DISCUSS

OKAY BUT BEING BESTIES WITH SAM OBISANYA

he's such a wholesome and loyal friend... a breath of fresh air yknow?? Dani is more of that 'unconditional sunshine' energy, but Sam is positive whilst still keeping it real w you

and sooo you're hella loyal to him too. well, you're loyal to everyone you care about. you'd take a bullet for them, no questions asked, but probs a lot of cussing involved (same, but i'll come back to this)

sharing an airpod each if yall go out on a walk or join the team on a bus ride - if you're dating jamie then he NEEDS you next to him on the ride back, probs uses your shoulder to sleep on and has an arm around your waist so you can't leave, but that's a diff post ahahaha

having a shared spotify playlist that you both keep adding music too...the vibes are all over the place. "Y/N, I was trying to jam out to J.Cole, and then Adele came on??" "Oh yea, I was sad bout something earlier"

blanket forts and microwaveable caramel popcorn for when he's missing home

playing as him in FIFA when you're with the lads and yellin "YEA THATS MY BESTIE" every time you score as him

pinching his earlobes like his dad would for good luck on the days of a big match/when he's really nervous

since opening OLA'S, you join him when he attends small business owner conventions, but that's mainly to try the free food

since i'm vegetarian, telling him that his menu looks great but you can only stick to sumn like the jollof rice.. so next month when he invites you over to his restaurant for a catchup dinner there's a whole new lil section for vegetarian dishes on the menu (or whatever dietary inclusivr thingy etc.)

warning Sam about Afuko because "a man simply doesn't feed you pasta and lobster and send you a stack without something in mind" and him being like ??? what and you groan, "did you watch the tiktoks I sent you??"

hearing about how the Afuko rejection went and Sam only focusses on "he called me medium talent??" and you're SEETHING

you're like "what the living F U C K" and he's like "oh hey Y/N, don't worry, I know I am not medium talent" and you're like "what? no, shut up, obviously not, but that's not the POINT here. how did that ASSHOLE have the audacity to speak to you like that?!!"

you're searching up flights to Nigeria and opening a google map from the airport to Afuko's business residence or something, and Sam is like, "seriously, forget that guy. bullet dodged." and you're angrily muttering about how Afuko's gonna have to dodge the bazooka you're gonna smuggle onto the plane

"We cannot be best friends if you end up in jail because you tried to smuggle a bazooka onto the plane." "I just wanna talk to him...with a bazooka." "No." "Pleas-" "No."

telling Sam you might be getting feelings for Jamie and being nervous he'd be mad because of their relationship in S1, but you promise he's changed, and Sam is like, I know

wearing the Obisanya jersey and the rest of the boys are like 'hey why don't you ever support our merch' so like every match you're switching out jerseys before texting a pic to the groupchat

running into that Francis guy who's Afuko's right-hand man and "accidentally" stepping on his foot real hard like OOPS

giving him updates on your love life and vice versa. "Y/N, please tell me this one is not a loser." "Um, Sam, shut up; you know my rizz only seems to work on losers??" "hey, Jamie told me that telling a woman my favourite movie is Ratatouille is a bad idea... is it?" "just bake her a lasagna or something and say that's how you learnt to cook." "I am not doing that." "dammit, I thought we'd get lasagna for dinner"

doing random tiktok trends or challenges - the baking one where one person is blind, one is deaf, and one is mute, but they all gotta work together to bake a cake!! sam (tape around his mouth) x you (blindfolded) x jamie (loud ass headphones on)

jamie: pass the FOOKIN sugah!! *back turned to yall as he stirs the mix*

you: WHAT. WHERE. *randomly smacking shit, picking up the salt and dropping it on the counter and onto a spoon*

sam: mmmhnph! *waving his hands in your face like NO but you can't see*

you: *turning to jamie with a spoonful, which he probs tastes absentmindedly whilst stirring* OI TASTE THIS

jamie: FOOKS SAKE

[miniscule-meow]

Isabell and the Lads CH2: The Healing Process (2.3)

Writing Masterpost First Part| Last Part| Next Part Word Count: ~2.4k Warnings: Blood Mention

---

Marcus sets her down on the coffee table, carefully sliding her off of his palm. He sets her climbing hook down next to her before withdrawing his hands slowly. His blue eyes look her over, and he frowns when he sees the fresh blood seeping through her bandages.

“I’m sorry,” he says quietly, “about… all of this,” he adds. “With the dollhouse, I just wanted to make staying here as comfortable for you as possible. I thought that having somewhere you can go where things are basically your size… I thought that would be nice, I guess. I didn’t think about how… I just… I didn’t think. So… yeah. I’m sorry.”

“It’s… fine,” she says looking up at him. She was glad to be out of his hands, but now she has to look up at him, this feels almost worse. Even sitting down on the floor, his torso forms a solid wall in front of her. There is just no escaping how big these humans are. It feels like every time she looks up at one of them her heart stutters all over again, she doesn’t think she could ever get used to that.

And she isn’t going to have to. She assures herself.

As soon as she can climb, she’s out of here. As long as she can avoid being put in a cage, or a jar, she knows she’ll be able to escape.  She’ll be able to go home and pretend that this was all just a bad dream.

Zeke returns, a bundle of supplies in his arms. He sets everything down, arranging it all methodically on the coffee table, Marcus swipes the objects that he needs, chattering on about how they can try to make some supplies for her, to make things easier without having to use the dollhouse. Zeke mostly ignores him, but Isabell can see the way his brows twitch up, and how his eyes shift to his roommate every time he disturbs the supplies he’s laid out.

“Let me see your leg,” Zeke says evenly, she nods, her breath catching when his focus slides to rest solely on her.

Zeke’s eyes trace over the blood seeping through the bandages, his mouth presses flat in response. They only changed these a few hours ago, it can’t be a good sign that they’re already changing them again. With any luck, her stitches will be fine. She does not want to go through that process again.

His hands drift forward, and she can’t stop herself from sucking in a tense breath and holding it. Hands might forever be the bane of her existence. Fingers as long as she is tall, grabbing, pinching, squeezing. The sight of his hands reaching for her sparks a tessellation of memories to shatter across her mind.

Hands, shoving into her cramped hiding spaces, groping around blindly.

Hands capturing her roughly in a too tight fist.

Hands ripping open floorboards, wedging behind shelves, pulling away large furniture items.

Hands spreading her limbs, toying with her, bending her the wrong ways.

She knows he’s gentle, he’s done all this before and nothing like that happened. But it is still nerve wrecking to sit there and just let him touch her.  That goes against everything she is, everything she’s ever been taught.

“Your leg?” His voice brings her back to reality. She blinks, realizing suddenly her eyelashes are heavy with tears. She blinks them away rapidly, but there’s no hope of the human missing that. He's so observant it seems like he catches everything. His hand still hovers before her, his fingers shift as he fidgets with his empty hand. His eyes flick to hers, searching her face. He’s trying to help her, and she’s panicking about his hand. He hadn’t even touched her yet.

She can’t say her plan of making the humans think she trusts them is starting off very strong. So far, she’s had two, maybe three botched escape attempts, she’s panicked about a doll house, and she’s panicked about a hand being sort of near her. She needs to pull herself together before they put her back in the damn box.

“Sorry,” she says softly, quickly wiping her eyes. “Um I—” she doesn’t have an excuse, or an explanation for him. Not about this, not about the dollhouse. Not one that doesn’t involve her telling them about her entire life story. Considering how her throat is closing around her simple apology, she can’t imagine even attempting an explanation like that. “Go ahead,” she says with a sharp nod

Zeke doesn’t seem to respond, aside from letting go of a small sigh. He fiddles with his lip piercing and his brow pinch together, and his hand begins to slowly close the distance between them. She squeezes her eyes shut and turns her face away. His warm fingertip brushes against her leg. It doesn’t hurt, but she balls her hands into tight fists beside herself. She clenches her teeth and just repeats, you’re okay, you’re okay, you’re okay inside her mind until he finishes taking care of her leg.

As soon as Zeke is finished, he silently collects the first aid kit, and walks off without sparing her a glance. Isabell takes a deep breath and inspects his handiwork. The bandage is neat and clean. He has incredible dexterity for someone of his size.

“While you’re up, grab a hot glue gun,” Marcus calls after him. He’s holding the remote and is preoccupied with something on the TV. He seems wholly unperturbed by Zeke’s cold nature. She wonders if that means that she shouldn’t read too much into it, or if Marcus is simply in his own world. Maybe both of those things could be true. “Have you ever seen The Lord of the Rings?” he asks her. She doesn’t know what that is, so she just shakes her head. “Hm. Okay,” he says with a frown and a determined nod, “We’ll be fixing that,” he turns back to the TV. “You know, just so we’re clear here, I’m considering you my third roommate.” He grins a bold toothy smile down at her. “Zeke probably won’t say it, but I know he feels the same way too,” Marcus leans in, dropping his voice to a playful stage whisper, “He doesn’t like talking about his feelings, but he has them. Don’t let him fool you,” he chuckles sitting upright once more. “But seriously, I don’t want you to worry about us thinking you’re,” he grimaces, unable to bring himself to say what he’s thinking. A toy, a pet, He redirects instead, “I don’t want you to worry. You’re our roommate, nothing less. Cool?”

“I…” She knows that she could never truly be their roommate. Living out in the open, existing in the same space as humans comfortably? As if. But this is a step in the right direction. They wouldn’t lock a roommate up in a jar. But of course, she hasn’t entirely ruled out the possibility that he’s telling her what she wants to hear, just like she’s doing for them. So, she quickly redirects her words, “I don’t even have a job,” she says quietly. Marcus’s brow pinches together in response.

“You… what?” he asks with a chuckle, caught off guard by her statement.

“I don’t have a job!” She repeats, “I don’t have money, I can’t go to the store or help with chores or do anything. Zeke told me about all of that human stuff today. How am I supposed to be your roommate if all you’re doing is taking care of me the whole time?” She frowns.

“Hey, that doesn’t matter,” he says, gesturing with the remote as he speaks, “Your job right now is just to rest and heal, alright? After that, we can figure something out. If you want some kind of chore, or job, or way to pay rent to make you feel better, then sure, you got it. That’s if you decide you want to stick around, of course. We just need to make sure your leg gets better first, Okay?” Marcus offers an encouraging smile. She finds herself awestruck by his confidence. He’s so sure that everything is going to be alright. His expression wraps a fuzzy warmth around her, like he’s just wrapped her in a blanket.

“Okay,” she says, a small smile spreading across her own face despite herself. This human is all too good at this game. Marcus turns his attention back to the TV.

Zeke returns not too long after that, settling back down on the floor beside Marcus. It’s obvious that he’s trying not to stare at her. After handing Marcus the hot glue gun, his eyes flick across the table, landing on just about everything else, except for her. Ultimately, he finds nothing to keep his attention, and settles for looking down at his hands.

“Zeke, she’s never seen The Lord of the Rings,” Marcus states, “Can you believe that?” He looks at him incredulously.

“When would she have seen… any movie?” Zeke returns, looking up to raise a brow in Marcus’ direction.

“That’s… huh. You have a point,” Marcus murmurs, then after a pause, he starts the movie and hands Zeke a bag of doll clothes. Zeke’s shoulders relax as he’s given a task to keep himself occupied

“What do you think?” Marcus asks, his attention turns back to her now that he’s laid out all of their craft supplies.

“This is…” She shakes her head, taking a second to truly look over all of the supplies they set out. She finds herself once again unable to find the right words, “this is… amazing,” she breathes the word, awestruck. She has access to everything she could ever need, right here. Typically, she can only work with things she can find. Things that humans wouldn’t miss. And of course, things she’s able to carry back with her. Objects that check all those boxes are unsurprisingly fairly difficult to find. But in a matter of minutes, the humans have placed an endless world of possibilities right in front of her.

A chill breaks through her excitement. All it costs her is her dignity and her freedom. Her smile faulters.

Marcus is beaming, obviously pleased that she’s finally starting to look happy. Zeke steals glances at her, looking up from his task of seam ripping the Velcro away from the doll garments.  Even he has a ghost of a smile playing across his lips.

The humans are pleased. They like that they did something to make her happy. She’s on the right track.  She shoves all other thoughts from her mind.

“You’re big into crafting then?” Marcus asks.

“I kind of have to be,” she says with a short laugh. “Everything I have, I have to make it out of repurposed human things. It’s my favorite part though. It’s like solving a puzzle,” she pauses, right, borrowing is generally frowned upon in the human world. They call it stealing or thief-ing something like that. “um, I only take things that wouldn’t be missed though,” she adds quickly. “And if I do find something really good, I try to repay the favor. Y-you know uh just little things. A trinket for a trinket. Or maybe a small repair like a torn curtain or a watch or… I don’t know stuff like that, it kind of depends on the human. But, um I don’t just take stuff.”

“It sounds like you’re basically a professional,” Marcus comments,

“I guess,” Isabell says with a shrug, thankful that he didn’t hang on the part about her taking stuff. She tries to remember if she’s ever gotten anything really good from this apartment. Something they might be sour about losing. She can’t come up with anything off the top of her head. “I’ve got some pretty cool things I’ve made back in my room. I’d show you but you wouldn’t be able to fit.” a playful grin spreads across her face as she talks.

“You’ll just have to recreate some of it, show me what you’ve got,” Marcus matches her energy effortlessly.

Everyone works in a comfortable quiet, with the movie playing on in the background. Zeke focuses on adjusting some of the doll clothes, Marcus is opening packages of little furniture and plates, doll things. Once he’s finished with that, they take stock of what they have. They have a lot of the basics covered. could stand to make a little kitchen and some other odds and ends, like a bookshelf. Marcus asks if he can help her with anything. She agrees, delegating to him the task of cutting popsicle sticks.

“You weren’t kidding, you’re really good at this stuff,” Marcus comments when the bookshelf they’re making is nearly complete.

“Like I said, I just have some experience,” she says, looking up at him.

“This is like, carpenter level stuff though. It’s seriously impressive,” he leans in close to inspect her handywork.

“Thanks. I- well, I was going to say I can typically work a little faster when it doesn’t hurt to stand, but actually, since you were cutting things for me, I think that might have made up for the lost time,” she says, moving herself over to her new couch.

“I’m glad I could help,” he says, watching the limp in her step and glancing over to Zeke, “Is your leg feeling alright?” he asks.

“I’m fine. I think I just need to take a break,” she sits down. For being doll furniture, the couch is surprisingly comfortable. As soon as she’s sitting, the exhaustion she’s been ignoring pounces on her, like it was waiting for her to let her guard down.  

“A break sounds good to me,” Marcus says, standing and stretching.

His full height towers over her, and she thought the sight of him sitting in front of her had been intimidating. Her heartbeat speeds up, dredging the last remaining ounces of adrenaline up to fight off her exhaustion once more. It feels like a losing battle, and she’s left feeling jittery and sluggish all at once. She would love to be able to close her eyes and sleep all of this off. She would love it even more if she could wake up already back home in the safety of the walls. But she knows that’s not going to happen. And she knows she doesn’t have a chance of getting any kind of sleep while there are humans there to watch her.

“Do you want a snack or something?” Marcus asks, already making his way to the kitchen.

“Okay.” She mumbles, though it’s likely that Marcus didn’t hear her. He was going to make a snack regardless.

[fellowhonest]

throws a chair at him :/ get out.

steps aside as the chair goes right through the window, breaking it into million tinny shards of glass " Yikes, don't wanna be the one that will have to tell the prefect about THAT, good luck i guess young lad " wtf is WRONG with these kids. HE DOESN'T EVEN LOOK LIKE HE BELONGS HERE WHO IS THIS BRAT.

" Um here you go you look like you need it " gives him a dragon-shaped lollipop that he got from the school's shop.

[the-richest-duck]

Hello Scrooge! Can I have permission to marry your nephew Louie? He's kinda cute and I am interested😅

Um- Well ya can if ya want to but you don't have ta ask me- it's yer relationship and I would advise ya ask donald, he's very protective of tha lads. If ya do then good luck- I'll praise ya fer your confident decision if you do ask Louie for his hand!

[natalynsie]

Wanted (Boyd x Huey) - Chapter 2/2

After sitting and talking with Boyd for a while, which was mostly just Huey ranting about Senior Woodchuck things while Boyd stared at him, Huey decided to ask him something.

"You know, it would be nice to have you with me when I'm telling my family we're boyfriends now," Huey said. "Do you think you can stay for dinner?"

"I'll have to ask my dad, but yeah," Boyd replied.

"Speaking of your dad, are you gonna tell him about us?" Huey asked.

"Yeah, I think so," Boyd said. "I don't know about the Drakes though. Not yet, anyways. Doofus would get pretty mad if he knew I'm dating the brother of his worst enemy."

"Yeah," Huey said. "Now, we gotta go ask Ms. Bailey if you can stay. Come on."

Boyd followed Huey down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Ms. Bailey was cooking.

"Ms. Bailey," Huey began, opening the door. The older woman was stirring a bowl of something. Judging by the pots and strainers on the stove, Huey guessed she was making spaghetti.

"What, Huey?" She responded.

"I was wondering if Boyd could stay for dinner?"

"As long as his guardians allow it."

"Alright. Boyd, call your dad."

Boyd clicked on Gyro's number and it rang a few times before Gyro picked up.

"Boyd? Do I need to pick you up?" Gyro asked.

"No. I was wondering if I could stay with the Duncans for dinner?"

"What does Mr. McDowell say?"

"We didn't ask him. We asked Ms. Bailey."

"Well what did she say?"

"She said okay, as long as you say okay."

"Well I say okay. Just make sure you finish your English report when you get home."

"Okay," Boyd said. "Bye Dad."

"Bye."

"He says okay," Boyd told Ms. Bailey, who nodded in approval.

"Also, Ms. Bailey?" Huey asked.

"Hm?"

"Uncle Donald is having dinner here tonight, right?"

"Yes, dear, why do you ask?"

"Just wondering," Huey said, before retreating upstairs with Boyd.

When time for dinner did come, Huey's heart was pounding. He knew he had to tell everyone. He was fairly sure they would all be okay with it, but the possibilities of otherwise haunted his mind.

"Hey, it'll be okay," Boyd said, noticing how Huey's eyebrows were a little furrowed.

Huey looked at Boyd and smiled. "Yeah, I think that, but, you know."

Boyd nodded. He did know.

When Huey reached the table, he noticed how full it had become. Compared to when Huey and his brothers first arrived, the table only hosted six or seven people a day. Now at the ends of the table sat Scrooge and Bailey. Webby, Dewey, Louie, and Huey on one side of the table, and Della, Donald, Daisy, May, and June on the other. Launchpad didn't eat with the family.

The empty chair next to Huey would be put to use today, Boyd sitting in it, hands folded by his lap.

Dewey and Webby were busy poking at each other and May and June were talking to each other and everyone was too busy to notice Louie winking at Huey and whispering "Good luck."

Huey just looked back at Boyd and smiled. Boyd smiled back.

The beginning of the meal was relaxed, talking about everyone's day. The focus eventually landed on Boyd and Huey.

"So what did you two get up to?" Della asked.

"Um," Huey began, looking at Louie for support. He was not about to tell his mother he made out with Boyd in his bedroom.

"Actually, Huey has something to tell everyone," Louie announced. Now, the rest of the eyes fell onto Huey.

"Um, well, I just wanted to tell everyone," Huey began. "That me and Boyd are… boyfriends… now."

There was a moment of silence where Huey debated his life choices before-

"Yeah! That's my son!" Della exclaimed.

Chatter started around the table.

"Aww, you two are so cute together," Donald said. Daisy clasped her hands together and smiled at them.

"I called it Webby, I called it," Dewey said, shaking Webby.

"Yeah yeah, I know," Webby replied. "Also, about time Huey."

Huey blushed and looked down after Webby's comment.

"Good choice lad," Scrooge said. "And you too Boyd, you two will be a great couple."

"Well, that explains a bit," Ms. Bailey stated.

"Boyd, you won't regret dating him! He's awesome!" June said, enthusiastically.

"If you break his heart, we'll pour glitter in your vents!" May said, with the same amount of enthusiasm.

Boyd smiled awkwardly. A weird threat, but most certainly a threat. He noted to himself to never anger those girls.

Huey smiled up at Boyd.

Boyd smiled back. He'd made the right choice.

[withacapitalp]

Hidden Gem Friday

We're back on Hidden Gem Friday lads! How is it Friday again :OOOOO As always I'm still taking recs for these! You can even send them anonymously if you like (That's how I got one o them today!!)

Someone's a Cuddler by not_a_smooth_man recced to me by the author on anon! 6.7k words (COMPLETE) Steddie- Eddie Centric

Summary:

That morning, though, Eddie came to following what was truly a deep, dreamless sleep. He was cocooned by a warmth that was lulling him into a wakeful state. As he regained consciousness, he began to realize that his left arm was numb, trapped under something warm and heavy. He also noticed that his head was perched on said heavy thing, rising and falling gently. That was the moment Eddie finally realized that he was cuddling Steve’s chest. And oh, not just Steve’s chest, but his bare chest. He had wrapped his arms entirely around him, their legs tangling under the thick comforter. Steve’s body must have responded in their sleep because his arms were draped over Eddie’s form. And because it was just his luck, it seemed that Steve was waking up too. “Mmh,” grunted Steve. He yawned. “Morning,” he said, muffled by Eddie’s hair. “Um.” Eddie said intelligently. Eddie felt Steve chuckle, his chest vibrating with the sound. “Someone’s a cuddler,” Steve said, a hint of teasing in his voice, still heavy with sleep. - Or, Eddie Munson is in love with Steve and accidentally cuddles with him.

My Thoughts:

Okay I really enjoyed this one! It has so much sentiment in it but it isn't saccharine? And I feel like this could have very easily gotten very cheesy but not in the good way. I love cheese, but some cheese is a no. I'm digressing but yes this just felt very nice when you're reading it. It's a trope I've seen used a lot, but I'm never disappointed to read it again, and this is a super cute version of it. I love that you sent it to me dear author!!! Techhhhnically it's not exactly a Hidden Gem because it was only published a few days ago, BUT the author asked me if I could tell people about their fic, so since it's under 2k I thought I would put it in here

A Life For Every Year (And One For After) by Kedreeva recced by me but initially shown to me by @horsegirleddiemunson! 4.7k words (Complete) Generic with Steve & Jonathan at core

Summary:

Steve meets her when he is nine years old. She is skin and bones, and fits in the cup of his hands like a tiny, furry tennis ball and her purr rattles against the skin of his palms. ---- Or, the one where baby Steve adopts the same stray kitten as baby Jonathan.

My Thoughts:

Ough THIS FIC. Okay first off I'll just say I LOVE when people take advantage of canon location settings and the fact that Steve and Jonathan lived in the same woods (and probably ran into those woods to escape from their terrible houses a lot if Castle Byers is any indication) is soooooooo yes The way this is written is so. It just feels good. Like so much of it is heartbreaking (the dog, the moment with Steve explaining why he got Daisy spayed, the Max and Daisy) but it's so heartwarming too. I just really enjoyed reading it, and I loved the reread. It has less than 500 hits and that's simply incomprehensible to me

This Is Why I Need You by beestlesandstars recced by me 3k words (Complete) Stobin Platonic Background Steddie

Summary:

It’s three AM and Robin is trying to remember how Steve liked his coffee.

My Thoughts:

Okay so I have not read this elusive glasses fic that apparently everyone has based fics off of, but I have read this one and it hurt me sm. I've written about one of the duo dying but Robin and not Steve, so seeing it flipped is OUCH. It just gives you that weird hollow chest feeling right before tears? Augh anyway painful but I love it . V V V Good and a super short read because you just flow with it

It's a Date by FeatherForARose aka @steddiealltheway also recced by me 2.7k (Complete)- Steddie w some side Stobin

Summary:

Everyone knows that Eddie is into Steve. It's common knowledge like saying the sky is blue. Only Steve is hesitant to believe it, but when he finally makes a move, it does not go as planned.

My Thoughts:

Omg I read this on Tumblr so long ago and then I found it on ao3 and died reading it all over again. I love common tropes, but I ADORE when writers subvert them. Eddie who didn't know he was gay? Eddie who saw his QPR in Chrissy and didn't realize it wasn't just a crush like Steve didn't realize? ITS SO Augh the recreation of the failed first attempt? Steve using anger as a shield for being upset? Okay I'm just saying plot points but seriously this fic is just such an enjoyable experience from start to finish. Also great characterization of everyone involved :DDD

does it get any easier? by vissers recced by me 5.7k (Complete) Get Dustin and Will w some Dustin and Mike and Dustin and Max

Summary:

“It’s nothing special, just—“ Will began, fighting against the smile that was brewing on his face. He paused, biting down on his lip and squeezing his eyes shut for just a second. “God, this is really embarrassing. We’ve been talking about this dumb crush I have. Among other things, obviously, but… yeah.” If the world hadn’t already been rocked by that giant fucking ‘earthquake’, the prospect of Will Byers having a crush would have had the same effect. Dustin was sure of it. --- Dustin and Will talk D&D, PTSD, and unfortunate crushes.  (part two of will coming out to the party)

My Thoughts:

Oh my goddddddd. YOU GUYS KNOW I love my boys but damn if party centric fics don't just get me right in my heart. This one is so well done with the characters. They feel like themselves, they joke, they get annoyed, and this is a really good Dustin Centric. It deals with his PTSD about Eddie, and there's all these little details thrown in that are clearly put there with such care but only make the story more intricate. It's so well written, and I love Will here and I just. Yeah read this read it nowwww

[xiv-wolfram]

Fathers - Comic Script

Patch 2.4

Wolfram, Raubahn, and Alphinaud have dinner after an Alliance meeting.

Catch up on my WoL Comics (Chronological List)

This is the script for a future comic. Posting for those who don’t want to wait to get the story. Numbers indicate frame number.

Shot of inn. Narrator - "After a meeting of the Eorzean Alliance in Gridania to discuss the new Garlean emperor, Wolfram, Alphinaud, and Raubahn (Wolf's commanding officer and former partner) decide to share a meal at the inn before returning to their respective cities."

Alphinaud asleep at the table. Wolf smiles sadly looking at him - “This business with Ishgard is…messy. And this poor lad is trying so hard to ‘save’ Eorzea. It’s far too much responsibility.” 

A) Rau scoffs - “Indeed. My boy was simply focusing on mastering the blade at that age.” B) Wolf grins - "Like his father I’ll wager?... What is he like? Pipin, right?"

A) Rau beams - "Well…he is a very skilled fighter. Quite formidable despite his stature. Yet he also has a kind heart." B) Rau laughs - "I'll admit he fusses over my well-being far more than he should. I suppose it's out of gratitude for purchasing his freedom and adopting him, but I oft needs remind him to focus on himself."

Wolf beams - "He sounds like a great lad! I'm so happy you found each other." Thought - ‘He’s positively glowing with pride. It’s beautiful…’ Dark Thought - “Not very professional to think of your commanding officer as beautiful. You’re a pathetic lech, Wolfram!”

Rau smiles sadly. Thinks - 'If I hadn't ruined everything, Pipin would be his son as well…Why am I thinking about that?!' Says - "...you decided against having children then? I suppose it would be difficult with the Adventurer's lifestyle?"

A) Wolf looks away sadly - "Oh, I um… only wanted them under a certain condition. Which wasn't met, so…" Thought - 'I suppose he doesn’t realize they were something I wanted with him…' B) Rau looks away, embarrassed. Thought - 'Oh! Of course he’d have wanted to be rid of the voidsent first. I'm a fool. How callous to ask! I had best change the subject.'

Rau smiles apologetically and gestures to Alphinaud - “Anyroad, it appears you have a child to look after now, regardless of plans. Do you still believe the Crystal Braves were a good idea?” B) Wolf turns back towards Rau smiling uncomfortably - “In theory, yes… but I’m not sure how sustainable it is in the long term with one so young at the helm. Even one as capable as young Alphinaud here.”

A) Rau beams and gestures encouragingly - “He has you to help him.” B) Wolf looks worried - “Aye.. and I’m doing my best but - I’m no battlefield commander. We have Ilberd for that. And I’m certainly no politician.”

A) Rau grins - “I believe you to be underestimating yourself. You tend to do that, you know.” B) Wolf smiles sadly and looks at Alphi - “Thanks Rau but… I’m just a weapon. I’m their weapon. I’ve found a sort of peace in that.”

A) Rau looks worried. B) Rau moves to touch Wolf’s hand.

A) Rau smiles warmly - “Wolf… you’re so much more than that! You’re –” B) Alphi wakes up. “Hmm?”

A) Rau pulls his hand back. B) Alphi looking embarrassed - “My apologies! How long did I slumber? Pray forgive my rudeness.” 

A) Wolf smiles comfortingly at Alphi - “Come on lad, let's go to my apartment. Neither of us are in a state to travel anymore this eve.” B) Alphi nods and yawns.

A) They all stand up. B) Wolf smiles and gives Rau a weak wave - “It was nice to see you, Raubahn. Take care. I trust we’ll be back in Coerthas ere long but send word if you need any assistance in Ul’dah.”

A) Alphinaud - "Thank you General. Again, my apologies." B) Rau smiles and waves goodbye - "Aye, good luck to you both. Be careful up there, and keep warm." 

Wolf and Alphi walking off. Alphi ponders - “I wasn’t aware you had a home in Gridania.” Wolf smiles - “Aye, I purchased it while working for the Conjurers Guild here many years ago.”

A) Wolf taunts - “It’s not much, but I assure you the sofa is much more comfortable than that table.” B) Alphi blushes - “Oh dear, what must the General think of me. That was most unprofessional.” Wolf (off frame) - “Fear not lad, if anyone knows what it’s like to work yourself to exhaustion it’s him.”

Catch up on my WoL Comics (Chronological List)

[nel-world]

hi

. Opening Image: Reference: "(500) Days of Summer" (2009)

(Girl misses the elevator)

Girl: (Panting) "Of course, the one time I’m actually on time... Just my luck."

Boy: (Holding the elevator button too late) "Uh, sorry... I... didn’t see you in time."

Girl: (Laughing it off) "No worries. It’s like the universe is telling me to slow down."

2. Theme Stated: Reference: "Notting Hill" (1999)

(Boy helps her catch the next elevator)

Boy: (Awkwardly) "Do you, um... need help with anything? I mean, if you’re in a rush?"

Girl: (Smiles warmly) "That’s sweet, but I think I’m beyond saving today."

Boy: (Chuckles) "I know the feeling."

3. Set-Up: Reference: "(500) Days of Summer" (2009)

(Awkward but sweet interaction in the elevator)

Boy: (After a long pause, stammering) "So... uh, you just moved in, right? Which floor?"

Girl: (Nods) "Yeah, fifth floor. Still getting used to the place. You?"

Boy: (Looking down) "Seventh. It’s... quieter up there, I guess."

Girl: "I bet. The walls on the fifth floor? Paper thin. I hear everything."

(Girl asks if he plays music)

Girl: (Noticing his guitar case) "Is that yours? You play?"

Boy: (Nods) "Yeah, just for fun. Mostly to unwind after work."

Girl: "That’s cool. I love music... even though I’m tone-deaf."

Boy: (Smirking) "Somehow I doubt that."

4. Music Connection: Reference: "(500) Days of Summer" (2009)

(Girl and Boy bond over music in the elevator)

Girl: "I love The Smiths."

Boy: [Surprised] "Sorry?"

Girl: "I said, I love The Smiths. You... you have good taste in music."

Boy: [A bit shyly] "Oh, thanks."

Girl: [Sings along] "To die by your side, such a heavenly way to die."

(Girl smiles and exits the elevator, leaving Boy stunned.)

5. Set-Up Continued:

(Girl struggles with vacuum cleaner at home)

Girl: (On the phone) "No, it’s not the cord. I checked. This thing is ancient, probably older than I am."

Friend on Phone: "Get a new one, seriously."

Girl: (Sighs) "Can’t afford it right now. Guess I’m stuck with this piece of junk."

6. Catalyst: Reference: "The Lunchbox" (2013)

(Boy helps fix the girl's vacuum cleaner)

Boy: (After successfully fixing it) "There, good as new. Well, almost."

Girl: (Grinning) "You’re like my hero right now. Seriously, thank you."

Boy: (Blushing) "It was nothing, really. Just needed a little tweaking."

Girl: "You saved me from a dust storm. I owe you one."

7. Debate: Reference: "Begin Again" (2013)

(They work on a song together)

Boy: (Playing a melody) "How does this sound to you? Too upbeat?"

Girl: (Closes her eyes, listening) "No, it’s perfect. It’s like... hopeful, you know?"

Boy: (Nods) "Exactly what I was going for. You’ve got a good ear."

Girl: (Smirking) "Told you, not tone-deaf."

(Boy has a flashback of playing music alone)

Boy: (Flashback) [In his room, alone, playing a melancholy tune on the guitar.] (Sighs, to himself) "It’s just me and you, old friend."

8. Break into Two: Reference: "Sing Street" (2016)

(They make a CD)

Girl: (Looking at the CD cover they designed) "We actually did it. This is... kinda amazing."

Boy: (Proudly) "Yeah, it feels real now, doesn’t it?"

Girl: "More than real. We should do this more often."

Boy: (Smiling) "Absolutely. We’re a good team."

(Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) and his bandmates are in a makeshift recording studio, setting up their instruments. Raphina (Lucy Boynton) watches from the side, curious and supportive.)

Conor: "Alright, this is it, lads. Let’s give it everything we’ve got."

Eamon: "What’s this one called again?"

Conor: "‘The Riddle of the Model.’ It’s about Raphina." (He glances at Raphina, who smiles back.)

Eamon: "Cool. Let’s do this."

(The band starts playing. Conor leads with the vocals, and the rest of the band follows with enthusiasm, though a bit rough around the edges. As they get into the groove, their confidence builds.)

Conor: [Singing] "She’s standing on the corner, like an angel in disguise..."

(Raphina watches, moved by the dedication and emotion in Conor’s performance. The band’s sound comes together, and they start to find their rhythm. The camera pans around the room, capturing the energy and passion of the young musicians as they create something new.)

(After the take, the band finishes with a flourish, and everyone in the room feels the electricity of the moment.)

Conor: [Breathless, grinning] "That was amazing. We actually did it!"

Eamon: "Not bad for a first go, right?"

Raphina: [Smiling] "You guys were brilliant."

Conor: "Thanks. But it’s just the beginning. We’ve got so much more to do."

9. B Story: Reference: "Eighth Grade" (2018)

(Kayla records a vlog about being herself)

Kayla: "Hey guys, it’s Kayla, back with another video. So, um... today I wanted to talk about being yourself, and, like, how hard that can be sometimes."

(She pauses, gathering her thoughts.)

Kayla: "You know, people always say, 'Just be yourself,' but, like, what if you don’t even know who that is yet? I mean, I’m still trying to figure that out. I guess it’s okay to not have all the answers, right? Like, maybe it’s about trying new things and seeing what feels right."

(She fidgets a little, trying to find the right words.)

Kayla: "Anyway, um, I guess what I’m trying to say is... don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re still figuring things out. Just take it one day at a time and keep trying to be the best version of you. That’s what I’m trying to do, at least."

(She smiles nervously at the camera.)

Kayla: "Okay, so... if you liked this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe. And remember, you’re awesome just the way you are. See you in the next video!"

(They discuss ideas for a vlog and social media usage)

Boy: (Skeptical) "A vlog? I don’t know... putting ourselves out there like that..."

Girl: "It’s not about fame, just sharing our journey. Maybe it’ll inspire someone."

Boy: (Nods, considering) "Yeah, maybe. Could be fun too."

Girl: "Exactly! Plus, we’ll get to see how ridiculous we are."

(Boy introduces girl to his favorite music)

Boy: (Playing a track) "This one’s special to me. It got me through some tough times."

Girl: (Listening intently) "I can see why. It’s like... it’s speaking directly to your soul."

Boy: (Quietly) "Yeah. Music does that."

10. Fun and Games:

(They discuss what pisses them off)

Girl: (Laughing) "And don’t get me started on people who don’t signal when they’re driving!"

Boy: (Chuckles) "Or when people use their phones during a movie. That’s the worst."

Girl: "Oh my God, yes! Like, just enjoy the moment, people!"

(They attend a music gig together)

Girl: (After the show) "That was incredible! I felt every note."

Boy: "There’s something about live music... you can’t replicate it."

Girl: "I’m glad we came. I needed that."

(They playfully argue over a song’s lyrics)

Girl: "No way, you’re totally wrong. The lyrics are about regret and lost chances."

Boy: (Laughing) "You’re overthinking it. It’s about learning from mistakes, not wallowing in them."

Girl: "Agree to disagree. But I’m still right."

11. Midpoint:

(They confess a secret)

Boy: (Hesitant) "I’ve never really told anyone this, but... I’m terrified of failing. It’s why I’ve never put my music out there."

Girl: (Gently) "I get that. I used to be scared of letting people in... still am, sometimes."

Boy: "But you seem so... confident."

Girl: "It’s all an act. We’re all just trying to figure it out."

12. Bad Guys Close In: Reference: "The Lunchbox" (2013)

(He helps her with some Hindi lyrics)

Boy: (Correcting her pronunciation) "Try it like this... it’ll flow better."

Girl: (Repeats) "Like this? How do you know this stuff?"

Boy: (Smiling) "I had a friend who taught me. Music has no boundaries, right?"

Girl: (Smiles back) "Right."

(They have their first argument)

Girl: "You’re just not listening! It needs more emotion, more feeling!"

Boy: (Annoyed) "I am listening! But sometimes, less is more. You can’t just... force it."

Girl: (Frustrated) "Maybe we’re just too different."

Boy: (Angrily) "Maybe."

(Girl’s family expresses concern over the relationship)

Girl’s Mother: "You’re spending a lot of time with this boy... are you sure he’s good for you?"

Girl: (Defensive) "He’s great, Mom. We understand each other in ways no one else does."

Mother: "Just... be careful, okay? I don’t want you to get hurt."

Girl: (Sighs) "I know, but I have to figure this out myself."

13. All Is Lost: Reference: "Garden State" (2004)

(Conversations about life and love)

Boy: (Reflectively) "Love isn’t easy, is it? It’s messy and complicated."

Girl: "Yeah, but it’s also worth it. Even when it hurts."

Boy: "Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth the risk."

Girl: (Gently) "It is. You just have to be brave enough to take the leap."

(Boy feels misunderstood and withdraws)

Boy: (Quietly) "Maybe we’re just too different. I don’t know if I can... keep up with you."

Girl: (Worried) "What are you saying?"

Boy: (Looking away) "Maybe... we should take a break. Figure things out."

Girl: (Hurt) "If that’s what you want..."

14. Break into Three:

(Relationship continues to develop non-verbally)

Girl: (Leaves a note on his desk) "I’m sorry for pushing you away. I’m scared too."

Boy: (Reading the note, sighs) "Maybe we both need to learn to let go."

15. Finale:

(They work on a song together – Revisited)

Boy: (Determined) "Let’s make this song about us. No more hiding, no more walls."

Girl: (Smiling) "Yeah, something raw and real. Just... us."

Boy: (Nods) "Let’s do it."

(They perform the song together)

Girl: (Singing) "We’ve come so far... just you and me."

Boy: (Harmonizing) "Through the ups and downs... we found our melody."

Girl: (Eyes closed, feeling the music) "This is where we belong... together."

16. Final Image: Reference: "Notting Hill" (1999)

(Girl and boy in the elevator again)

Boy: (Relaxed, leaning back) "So, here we are again... in this elevator."

Girl: (Teasing) "You finally mastered the art of holding the door open."

Boy: (Laughs) "Took long enough."

Girl: (Gazes at him) "You ready for what’s next?"

Boy: (Smiling) "As long as you are."

[charliesinfern0]

please tell me more about your courier I've only just started playing the game myself /nf

GLADLY!!!!!

hehe so um my courier six (who just goes by courier) is just a silly mailman... their main skills lie in science and repair and robotics! they also love using melee weapons (mainly rebar clubs) and they also love using their incinerator ^^ oh and these are their special stats:

Strength - 8 Perception - 5 Endurance - 4 Charisma - 6 Intelligence - 8 Agility - 2 Luck - 7

so they are very strong but have low endurance so they're a bit of a glass cannon, and they get tired fairly easily while fighting the creatures of the wasteland. they're also just a little bit near-sighted but never had their eyes checked so they just squint if they need to see far ahead. if someone is shooting at them they'll just be looking around like "huh? whuh? who's shooting at me :("

they are a little off-putting but they are very earnest! people either think they're annoying, charming, or they just feel a little sorry for them (old ladies love him for being just such a nice young lad). they are also very clumsy, more often than not they will trip over landmines and fall off ridges, but their luck sort of balances it out so sometimes they'll kick the mine over to whatever enemy they're fighting or land on their feet :)

them and boone are wasteland buddies! even though he doesn't really interact with them much, they're just happy they're not going it alone :') they're also on good terms with arcade, they're interested in learning medical stuff and he doesn't mind teaching them if it means they'll STOP COMING TO HIS TENT EVERY OTHER DAY BECAUSE THEY KEEP TRYING TO FIGHT CAZADORES >:( also i think they would be friends with victor, maybe they'd be in a little bit of a flirtationship with each other ^//^ in my playthrough right now i'm trying to repair e-de, and i think after courier fixes him they would be friends too! they would make happy beeping noises at each other :)

[chidoroki]

Black Clover ch369

Ah, finally back after a handful of months and what a lovely double spread to come back to. I know a lot has already happened within the capital courtesy of Lucius' judgement day, with him and the paladins causing chaos for the magic knight squads, but it feels like we're finally entering the second phase of the battle with Asta and the rest of the Black Bulls making their grand entrance. Thankfully we don't waste much time jumping right back into the action either.

We do get a quick little flashback of everyone first experiencing Asta's anti-magic and learning about Ichika, but I got no complaints since it's been so long and I missed seeing the squad.

As expected, Luck is gonna have the time of his life with all this extra power. Ichika explains that the upgrade isn't infinite but with how quick Luck works, he's certainly gonna make the most of it even if limited to only a couple attacks.

I'm so glad Magna is able to pull off his chains again and work it twice as well as last time, now connecting to four total people instead of just two.

They way they're both constantly competing with and supporting each other to become stronger never gets olds. Their attacks might not pack a punch on their own against Lucius, but with the amount of speed and sheer determination behind each hit, the boys are jamming up Lucius' concentration to the point where he can't regenerate quick enough thanks to the anti-magic.

What a fantastic callback to their epic fight with Vetto by pulling off this combination attack once more, just newly improved and far more effective.

It's great they were capable of knocking out one of Lucius' clones, but there's still quite a few remaining. I pray the rest of the squad can work just as quickly and efficiently as this duo did. Also hoping no harm comes to them for the remainder of the battle since it seems their anti-magic buff is already wearing off.

As for the rest of the Black Bulls, I got no doubt that Gauche, Grey and Gordon are probably gonna team up. Who might they assist? I'm not sure. Originally, I figured Luck & Magna would help out the Vermillions since they got similar magic and the wild battle attitude, but who knows now. They could still head over there, sure, but not sure how helpful they'll be without the anti-magic. Maybe the three G's could assist the Crimson Lions since they're up against Morris? Gordon & Gauche are clever lads, perhaps they can come up with some plan to outsmart the dude. I also believe Vanessa & Charmy are gonna pair up, or at least they should so Rogue never runs out of energy. It's a personal wish, but I'd want them to go help out Noelle. I know she already has Kahono & Kiato nearby, but still, it would do good for Acier to see at least some of Noelle's found family show up and provide support to her daughter when her actual family is all beaten up (though I do want Nozel to get back up and have a special moment with mom too. would be great if the other two siblings stepped up as well of course.) Um, who else is there.. Finral. He might go to the Golden Dawn or wherever Langris is. Zora I'd want to head over to the Purple Orcas actually, only if Zara ends up being reincarnated as well. Henry and Secre.. I dunno where they could end up, honestly. But enough rambling on for now. We'll wait and see, eventually, whenever the next chapter releases.

[brookston]

Holidays 8.12

Holidays

Adam Cole Appreciation Day

Air Force Day (Russia)

Aloha Day

Awa Dance Festival begins (Tokushima, Japan)

Baseball Fans Day

Children’s Health Day

812 Day

The Glorious Twelfth (a.k.a. Grouse Day; UK)

International Drive Like a Dickhead Day

International Youth Day (UN)

Karen Martyrs’ Day (Myanmar)

Mother’s Day (Thailand)

National Code Lavender Day

National Librarian Day (India)

National Mackey Day (UK)

National Middle Child Day

National Mother’s Day (Thailand)

National Remote Sensing Day (India)

National Sewing Machine Day

National Shout Out Day

Otter Day (French Republic)

PC Day (a.k.a. IBM-PC Day)

Queen Dowager’s Day (Thailand)

Solar Alignment at Teotihuacan (Mexico; also 4.29)

Truck Driver Day

Vinyl Record Day

War of the Worlds Day

World Elephant Day

World Hirola Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Milkman Day

Modern British Beer Day

National Gooey Butter Cake Day

National Julienne Fries Day

Oreo Day

Put Peanuts In Your Coca-Cola Day

Toasted Almond Bar Day

2nd Saturday in August

Bud Billiken Parade (Chicago, Illinois) [2nd Saturday]

Celebrate Your Lakes Day (New Hampshire) [2nd Saturday]

Ferry Fair Day (Edinburgh, Scotland) [2nd Saturday]

Great Taste of the Midwest (Wisconsin) [2nd Saturday]

International Swingers Day [2nd Saturday]

National Bowling Day [2nd Saturday]

National Garage Sale Day [2nd Saturday]

National Model Aviation Day [2nd Saturday]

Yard Sale Day [2nd Saturday]

Independence Days

India (Pre-Independence Celebrations; 1947)

Feast Days

Amaranth and Quinoa Day (Pagan)

Clare (Christian; Saint)

Euplius (Christian; Saint)

Eusebius of Milan (Christian; Saint)

Feast of the Prophet and His Bride (Thelema)

Festival for Venus Vitrix (Victorious Venus; Ancient Rone)

Festival of Hungry Ghosts (China) [15th of 7th lunar month]

Festival of Intoxication (Ancient Egyptian feast celebrating Sekhmet nearly destroying mankind, but stopped by being tricked into drinking a river full of red beer)

Festival of the Tooth begins (Buddhism)

Flunky (Muppetism)

Francisco Franco Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Ghost Festival (a.k.,a. Hungry Ghosts Festival) [15th Day of 7th Lunar Month]

Herculanus of Brescia (Christian; Saint)

Innocent XI, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Jænberht (Christian; Saint)

Jane Frances de Chantal (Christian; Saint)

Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)

Light of Isis Feast (Ancient Egypt)

Lychnapsia (Birthday of Isis; Ancient Rome)

Milton (Positivist; Saint)

Muiredach (a.k.a. Murtagh; Christian; Saint)

Old Lammas Day

Osirisian Mysteries (a.k.a. Feast of the Lights of Isis; Ancient Egypt)

Porcarius II (Christian; Saint)

Sea Org Day (Scientology)

Thomas Bewick (Artology)

Vegetable Sauce Day (Pastafarian)

Zaraday (Discordian)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because it’s Hitler’s mother’s birthday.)

Premieres

The Aristocrats (Documentary Film; 2005)

The Asphalt Jungle, by W.R. Burnett (Novel; 1949)

Backstreet Boys, by the Backstreet Boys (Album; 1997)

Batman: Assault on Arkham (WB Animated Film; 2014)

The Black Album, by Metallica (Album; 1991)

Bosko the Musketeer (WB LT Cartoon; 1933)

Chances Are, by Johnny Mathis (Song; 1957)

Curse of the Pink Panther (Film; 1983)

Cycles (Virtual Reality Disney Cartoon; 2014)

Detroit Rock City (Film; 1999)

Dive Bomber (Film; 1941)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Film; 1941)

Emily the Criminal (Film; 2022)

Fall (Film; 2022)

Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss (Children’s Book; 1960)

Hare-um Scare-um (WB MM Cartoon; 1939)

Hillbilly Hare (WB MM Cartoon; 1950)

Horton Hears a Who!, by Dr. Seuss (Children’s Book; 1955)

Istanbul (Not Constantinople), recorded by The Four Lads (Song; 1953)

Just Dogs (Disney Cartoon; 1932)

The Lady in the Lake, by Raymond Chandler (Novel; 1943)

My Father's Dragon, by Ruth Stiles Gannett (Novel; 1948)

Old Ways, by Neil Young (Album; 1985)

Sausage Party (Film; 2016)

Senna (Documentary Film; 2011)

Sixteen Candles, by recorded The Crests (Song; 1958)

The Swimming Pool, by Mary Roberts Rinehart (Novel; 1952)

Trouble Is My Business, by Raymond Chandler (Novel; 1939)

Wings (Film; 1927)

Young Guns (Film; 1988)

Today’s Name Days

Hilaria, Karl, Radegunde (Austria)

Anicet, Franciska, Hilarija, Ivana, Veselka (Croatia)

Klára (Czech Republic)

Clara (Denmark)

Klaara, Klaarika (Estonia)

Kiira, Klaara (Finland)

Clarisse (France)

Andreas, Innozenz, Radegunde (Germany)

Photis (Greece)

Klára (Hungary)

Chiara, Equizio, Ercolano, Onofrio (Italy)

Anisa, Klāra, Klarisa, Vizma (Latvia)

Aiškutė, Laima, Laimona, Laimonas (Lithuania)

Camilla, Klara (Norway)

Bądzisław, Hilaria, Klara, Lech, Leonida, Piotr (Poland)

Darina (Slovakia)

Hilaria, Juana (Spain)

Klara (Sweden)

Clair, Claire, Clara, Clarabel, Clare, Clarinda, Clarissa, Murdock (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 224 of 2024; 141 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 32 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 5 of 28]

Chinese: Month 6 (Ji-Wei), Day 26 (Ren-Yin)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 25 Av 5783

Islamic: 25 Muharram 1445

J Cal: 14 Hasa; Sevenday [134 of 30]

Julian: 30 July 2023

Moon: 13%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 28 Dante (8th Month) [Milton]

Runic Half Month: Thorn (Defense) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 53 of 94)

Zodiac: Leo (Day 22 of 31)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 8.12

Holidays

Adam Cole Appreciation Day

Air Force Day (Russia)

Aloha Day

Awa Dance Festival begins (Tokushima, Japan)

Baseball Fans Day

Children’s Health Day

812 Day

The Glorious Twelfth (a.k.a. Grouse Day; UK)

International Drive Like a Dickhead Day

International Youth Day (UN)

Karen Martyrs’ Day (Myanmar)

Mother’s Day (Thailand)

National Code Lavender Day

National Librarian Day (India)

National Mackey Day (UK)

National Middle Child Day

National Mother’s Day (Thailand)

National Remote Sensing Day (India)

National Sewing Machine Day

National Shout Out Day

Otter Day (French Republic)

PC Day (a.k.a. IBM-PC Day)

Queen Dowager’s Day (Thailand)

Solar Alignment at Teotihuacan (Mexico; also 4.29)

Truck Driver Day

Vinyl Record Day

War of the Worlds Day

World Elephant Day

World Hirola Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Milkman Day

Modern British Beer Day

National Gooey Butter Cake Day

National Julienne Fries Day

Oreo Day

Put Peanuts In Your Coca-Cola Day

Toasted Almond Bar Day

2nd Saturday in August

Bud Billiken Parade (Chicago, Illinois) [2nd Saturday]

Celebrate Your Lakes Day (New Hampshire) [2nd Saturday]

Ferry Fair Day (Edinburgh, Scotland) [2nd Saturday]

Great Taste of the Midwest (Wisconsin) [2nd Saturday]

International Swingers Day [2nd Saturday]

National Bowling Day [2nd Saturday]

National Garage Sale Day [2nd Saturday]

National Model Aviation Day [2nd Saturday]

Yard Sale Day [2nd Saturday]

Independence Days

India (Pre-Independence Celebrations; 1947)

Feast Days

Amaranth and Quinoa Day (Pagan)

Clare (Christian; Saint)

Euplius (Christian; Saint)

Eusebius of Milan (Christian; Saint)

Feast of the Prophet and His Bride (Thelema)

Festival for Venus Vitrix (Victorious Venus; Ancient Rone)

Festival of Hungry Ghosts (China) [15th of 7th lunar month]

Festival of Intoxication (Ancient Egyptian feast celebrating Sekhmet nearly destroying mankind, but stopped by being tricked into drinking a river full of red beer)

Festival of the Tooth begins (Buddhism)

Flunky (Muppetism)

Francisco Franco Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Ghost Festival (a.k.,a. Hungry Ghosts Festival) [15th Day of 7th Lunar Month]

Herculanus of Brescia (Christian; Saint)

Innocent XI, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Jænberht (Christian; Saint)

Jane Frances de Chantal (Christian; Saint)

Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)

Light of Isis Feast (Ancient Egypt)

Lychnapsia (Birthday of Isis; Ancient Rome)

Milton (Positivist; Saint)

Muiredach (a.k.a. Murtagh; Christian; Saint)

Old Lammas Day

Osirisian Mysteries (a.k.a. Feast of the Lights of Isis; Ancient Egypt)

Porcarius II (Christian; Saint)

Sea Org Day (Scientology)

Thomas Bewick (Artology)

Vegetable Sauce Day (Pastafarian)

Zaraday (Discordian)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because it’s Hitler’s mother’s birthday.)

Premieres

The Aristocrats (Documentary Film; 2005)

The Asphalt Jungle, by W.R. Burnett (Novel; 1949)

Backstreet Boys, by the Backstreet Boys (Album; 1997)

Batman: Assault on Arkham (WB Animated Film; 2014)

The Black Album, by Metallica (Album; 1991)

Bosko the Musketeer (WB LT Cartoon; 1933)

Chances Are, by Johnny Mathis (Song; 1957)

Curse of the Pink Panther (Film; 1983)

Cycles (Virtual Reality Disney Cartoon; 2014)

Detroit Rock City (Film; 1999)

Dive Bomber (Film; 1941)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Film; 1941)

Emily the Criminal (Film; 2022)

Fall (Film; 2022)

Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss (Children’s Book; 1960)

Hare-um Scare-um (WB MM Cartoon; 1939)

Hillbilly Hare (WB MM Cartoon; 1950)

Horton Hears a Who!, by Dr. Seuss (Children’s Book; 1955)

Istanbul (Not Constantinople), recorded by The Four Lads (Song; 1953)

Just Dogs (Disney Cartoon; 1932)

The Lady in the Lake, by Raymond Chandler (Novel; 1943)

My Father's Dragon, by Ruth Stiles Gannett (Novel; 1948)

Old Ways, by Neil Young (Album; 1985)

Sausage Party (Film; 2016)

Senna (Documentary Film; 2011)

Sixteen Candles, by recorded The Crests (Song; 1958)

The Swimming Pool, by Mary Roberts Rinehart (Novel; 1952)

Trouble Is My Business, by Raymond Chandler (Novel; 1939)

Wings (Film; 1927)

Young Guns (Film; 1988)

Today’s Name Days

Hilaria, Karl, Radegunde (Austria)

Anicet, Franciska, Hilarija, Ivana, Veselka (Croatia)

Klára (Czech Republic)

Clara (Denmark)

Klaara, Klaarika (Estonia)

Kiira, Klaara (Finland)

Clarisse (France)

Andreas, Innozenz, Radegunde (Germany)

Photis (Greece)

Klára (Hungary)

Chiara, Equizio, Ercolano, Onofrio (Italy)

Anisa, Klāra, Klarisa, Vizma (Latvia)

Aiškutė, Laima, Laimona, Laimonas (Lithuania)

Camilla, Klara (Norway)

Bądzisław, Hilaria, Klara, Lech, Leonida, Piotr (Poland)

Darina (Slovakia)

Hilaria, Juana (Spain)

Klara (Sweden)

Clair, Claire, Clara, Clarabel, Clare, Clarinda, Clarissa, Murdock (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 224 of 2024; 141 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 32 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 5 of 28]

Chinese: Month 6 (Ji-Wei), Day 26 (Ren-Yin)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 25 Av 5783

Islamic: 25 Muharram 1445

J Cal: 14 Hasa; Sevenday [134 of 30]

Julian: 30 July 2023

Moon: 13%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 28 Dante (8th Month) [Milton]

Runic Half Month: Thorn (Defense) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 53 of 94)

Zodiac: Leo (Day 22 of 31)

[sekhisadventures]

The Witch Returns

Dissonantia’s Lair, the Twisting Nether

“So yes Mistress, it would appear that Savage United is setting sail for the Dragon Isles and if they’re going it’s a fairly safe bet that Avalon will go as well.” said Cenoon, leaning on one of the tables surrounding Dissonantia’s cauldron, idly chewing on some… lets call it ‘finger food.’

“Hmm… roight, good work Cenoon. At least one of yez can manage ta be stealthy.” she growled, her crimson eyes darting in the direction of her imp minion, Quzgup, who hissed at her in an annoyed way.

“There’s more however… I was able to get something else out of Galdia. Grimo is trying to make a fel-detection machine, but specifically built to detect us.” warned the incubus. “However, his work has hit a wall. He needs one of us there, or part of us, to complete it apparently… Galdia didn’t know the specifics of how or why.” he added.

At this Dissonantia’s eyes narrowed, “Oh? Well shite… I can’t ward th’ bleedin’ lair against machines…” she grumbled, “Good fing nuffin’ o’ ours is back on Azeroth.” she grumbled.

However, Quzgup suddenly looked worried. “Er… Dissonantia?” squeaked the imp.

“Means wez gotta watch our arses next time we fight ‘em though…” she grunted, “One chipped tooth ‘n wez’ fecked good ‘n proper…”

“I concur… perhaps stealth would be best for now. I doubt I could manage to seduce Galdia into following me somewhere we could dispatch her, I doubt I’m even remotely her type…” he frowned, the incubi annoyed that there was a woman he couldn’t entice in such a manner, “Perhaps Jaie… or Sekhi…”

Quzgup cleared his throat meaningfully, “Wicked Worgen… hello? Quzgup… um…” he glanced around, he knew that Dissonantia was still angry about the botched spying job in Stormwind. It wasn’t his fault the druid could smell magic and that fel stank like an abomination’s asshole to her!

“Roight… Sekhi’s th’ big bleedin’ issue now. Th’ vulpera’s powers is no joke ‘n if she learns how ta use that when she wants to…” she growled, folding her arms over her chest.

Quzgup took a deep breath, then screamed, “MISTRESS DISSONANTIA!”

Three heads turned to him. Cenoon, Dissonantia, and from the far wall Az’arad who had been sharpening one of his axes.

“… wot?” growled the worgen in a very annoyed way.

“Er… um… there is… one thing on Azeroth that goblin could use…” he hissed. “When Mistress Dissonantia first became a worgen, the worgen who turned her and she fought in her cabin… and during fight… Quzgup got… er…” he bent his head down, pointing to his two horns…

… except… it was more one and a half.

“… oh bugger.” whispered the worgen witch.

A second later Quzgup’s screams echoed through the cave as the worgen roared, “TELL ME THIS SHITE SOONER NEXT TIME!”

Blackwald Forest, Gilneas

Nelen trudged through the woods with Dareley and Shalandrae in tow. Jaie, Zhan-min, and Samantha were back in Stormwind preparing provisions for the journey northwards to the Dragon Isles.

“So, yer sure ‘bout this lad?” asked the dwarf.

“Its our best bet Dareley, and I want to take care of this so we can get anything useful we find to Grimo once we meet up on the Dragon Isles.” he nodded firmly, “Grimo said he needs something that either belongs to Dissonantia or one of her demons. Body parts are best, but even something she had for a long time might work. Dissonantia’s old cabin is in ruins, but she lived there for decades if the stories are true… so something there might still carry her resonance.” he replied.

Shalandrae nodded grimly, “As long as it works Nelen…” she said, her good eye narrowing. “That woman is a menace, not just to us either…”

Nelen sighed, “Believe me, I know. But hopefully this will take care of matters…” he frowned, “With any luck something of her’s has the right...” he paused, looking back at the druidess as Dareley slowed to a halt as well.

Shalandrae’s eye had gone wide, the woman sniffing at the air. “… Nelen… transform and tell me if you smell what I smell…” she said slowly.

Nelen glanced in the direction she was looking, then focused and his body suddenly swelled under his robes, the human magus transforming into a hulking worgen as his eyes changed from normal human eyes to glowing arcane-purple orbs. He closed them, then took a long pull at the air through his nostrils, his sense of smell enhanced a hundred-fold in his worgen form.

“I smell…” he rumbled, his voice much deeper now, and suddenly his eyes flew open and his ears stuck straight up, “… smoke. Something is on fire!” he barked, “Something big! To the north!” he shouted.

The three looked at each other, “There’s nothin’ in th’ woods ‘cept…” muttered Dareley.

As one they turned north, then Nelen fell to all fours as Shalandrae did as well, shapeshifting into the form of a great stag. Dareley gestured with his hand, light swirling around his mailed fingers, as his sacred ram appeared in a burst of light, and all three of them bolted northwards!

Nelen snarled as he got closer, his eyes narrowing in fury. As they drew close he picked up something else over the smell of the smoke…

A very familiar scent… a female worgen.

Further ahead...

Dissonantia frowned a bit. She wasn’t the sentimental type but ruined or not it had still been her’s! Time and neglect had taken an already run down cabin in the woods and turned it into a wreck, anything inside that could be used against her could take days if not weeks to unearth... but she couldn’t take any chances.

Somewhere in that rubble lay the other half of Quzgup’s horn and it would take ages to dig through the ruins even with Az'arad's strength... so she’d gone with plan B.

Namely, have her imps torch the place.

Quzgup stood infront of a swarm of wild imps, the cackling diminutive creatures flinging handfuls of felfire at the half-collapsed building until it was a downright inferno.

On either side of her stood Cenoon and Az’arad, the pair surveying the destruction. One with amusement, the other with no real discernable reaction.

"Well, I daresay that takes care of the situation Mistress.” chuckled the incubi.

“Mm… damn well better.” she grumbled, “Last fing we need is fer that lot ta come snoopin’ round ‘ere ‘n…” she paused, her ears perking up as she heard something behind them, “… ugh… bleedin’ fel I had ta say it.” she growled, then she spun on her heel as the two demons looked behind them just in time to see a massive bear made of boulders erupt out of the forest at them, roaring in fury!

Dissonantia snarled and backpedaled towards the building as Quzgup shrieked in shock at the sight of the massive stone creature!

Cenoon reached to his belt and pulled a long bullwhip with jagged shards of metal mixed in with the leather, preparing to defend himself, but Az’arad ran into the bear's path reached out and grabbed at the beast with his hands, snarling back at it.

His muscles bulged and, using the charging creature’s momentum, he flung it past himself and at the blazing cabin walls!

The bear saw where it was heading and in midair it changed into a crow, spreading its wings and shooting up on a huge updraft from the cabin, soaring out of range just in time to avoid being roasted before banking around.

A crow swooped down, but Shalandrae landed in her elven form, her eye narrowed in fury. “Dissonantia…” she growled.

“Good fer yez, ya remembered me name. Wotcha want? A feckin’ cookie?” snorted the warlock, then she ducked just in time to avoid a golden hammer made entirely of Light swirling past her head as Dareley ran into the clearing where her cabin was burning, followed closely by Nelen, the mage standing up and flexing his claws as his fingers crackled with arcane energy.

“Hrm… just th’ three of yez?” she asked, glancing between them.

Nelen growled, “Three of us is enough to take you out for good!” he retorted, the worgen glaring at her.

Dissonantia, however, just laughed. “Izzat so boyo?” she smirked, “Roight then, lets see if yez got sloppy over th’ last three years! Azzy! Go fer th’ druid, Cenoon, yez deal with th’ dwarf! Nelen is mine…” she grinned, flexing her own claws as Az’arad roared and charged down the druidess.

Shalandrae shapeshifted back into her bear form, but the charging Wrathguard slammed into her and forced her back past the treeline as Cenoon laughed, vanishing in a swirl of flames and appearing behind Dareley, lashing out with his whip!

The paladin’s shield came up just in time to avoid getting his ear torn off as he muttered a prayer to the light, then raised his sword and rushed the Incubus!

The seductive demon sneered at the paladin, dancing backwards beyond the tree line, luring him away from his mistress.

Nelen roared, then his arms shot forward and a barrage of concentrated arcane power shot forth from his fingers, which to his shock Dissonantia smacked away with a single backhand. “Ooo, tingy!” she grinned.

Nelen glared, then raised his hands and lashed out with several blasts of arcane energies, the witch glaring at him, then gesturing with her own fingers. Her skin suddenly became hard, swirling with fel energies, and three of the blasts dissipated harmlessly against her body, the fourth managing to break through, but only enough to make her grimace a bit.

“Izzat all?!” she grinned, “Well well well… looks like me hunch was right…” she smirked.

Nelen stared at her in shock, that spell should have blasted her arm apart! “What hunch?! What are you talking about Dissonantia?! You can’t just shrug off an attack like that! No worgen can!” he barked.

“Aye… ‘bout that…” she grinned, and something behind her spread out.

The worgen mage’s eyes widened in shock. What he thought was a cloak clasped around her neck unfurled, and he saw her silhouette against the backdrop of her burning cabin spread a pair of black leathery wings…

“Turns out livin’ in th’ Twistin’ Nether fer three years does funny things to a lady…” she grinned widely, her glowing red eyes narrowing. “Worgen can’t shrug that off… but demons can…” she cackled, and her hands glowed with felfire.

Off among the trees Shalandrae roared and charged towards Az’arad, slamming into him as his axe skittered along her stone-like body, chipping it but not cutting through the stone.

As she did the demon smashed his fist into her ear, causing the world to tremble around her as the strike echoed in her eardrum and sent a spasm of vertigo over her.

She stumbled backwards just in time to avoid a retaliatory strike to her eyes, which were still very much normal eyes, then snarled and pawed at the floor as she considered her next move… but the demon was able to match her muscle for muscle…

Az’arad grinned widely. This wasn’t as fun as the orc was, but it was still enjoyable. He wondered how hard he’d have to strike her to make her bleed…

Across the battlefield Dareley snarled as he looked around the woods, trying to spot the incubus. “Bloody freakin’ seducers… show yerself!” he shouted.

“Nooooo… I think not old man…” came the response from Cenoon, the demon hiding somewhere in the shadows of the trees, “I’d rather not be on the receiving end of any of those attacks of yours. Are you sure we can’t just have a little chat about this?” he chuckled.

The paladin looked around him, but the forest seemed darker than it should here. He could only see a few trees ahead of himself. “Cowardly little shite, come face me!” he snapped.

“Hmm… I have a better idea… lets see…” came the reply, and then Dareley felt as if a finger coated in snow had been run over his brain. He shuddered, shaking his head from the bizarre sensation… then froze as he heard a chuckle… but not the demon.

“That laugh… it cannae be…” he whispered.

There was a crunch of dead leaves and branches, then from out of the woods walked a dwarf woman with russet colored hair and a bright smile. “Hoy there Dareley, how’s me big brave paladin eh?” smiled Misti Steelhammer.

Back infront of the burning cabin Nelen vanished as a bilescourge bat slammed into the ground where he’d been standing, exploding in a spray of acid!

Imps cackled all around him, the worgen glaring at his opponent. “A bloody demon?! Have you gone mad Dissonantia?! You’re throwing away your humanity for this now?!” he barked.

Dissonantia laughed, a portal to the nether opened behind her as another of the bilescourge swarm waiting on the other side soared through, missing Nelen’s head by inches as she smirked at him. “HAH! Humanity? Who bleedin’ needs it?! I had me fill o’ that years ago! Th’ whole time I was with you lot it was ta find a way ta stop bein’ mortal at all!” she retorted, sending out another demon.

Nelen roared in pain and fury as the bat-like demon smashed into the tree behind him, exploding and splattering his shoulder and back with acid! The worgen magus was able to raise a shield against it, preventing a fatal blow, but it still stung like a thousand bees at once!

“You… all those years I convinced myself you weren’t evil, that you just were willing to go further than we were… you must’ve laughed your damn ass off at me…” he snarled, glaring at the warlock.

Dissonantia grinned, “Aye, me favorite joke. From th’ bleedin minute we met back in Duskhaven.” she snorted as Quzgup cackled from her shoulder.

“Mistress Dissonantia used foolish worgen wizard!” he cackled, “Used and left to die in Zereth Mortis! Worgen wizard is nothing to Mistress!”

“Now now Quzgup, ‘e ain’t 'nuffin…' ‘e’s got somefin we can use alright.” sneered Dissonantia, raising her claws as fel energies began to swirl around them. “Betcha I could get LOADS outta a soul like ‘is!” she cackled, then thrust her arm out as a bolt of pure blackness shot from her fingertips, aiming for his heart.

Nelen’s eyes widened in terror as he sensed what she was doing. She wasn’t aiming for his body, she was going to try to rip his soul out of him! He gave a strangled cry and blinked to the right as the bolt shot off into the woods, then blinked back as she shot another. “Can’t keep it up forever Nelen! Be good lad ‘n ol’ Auntie Dissonantia will make it quick!” she laughed.

A ways away from the fight, Dareley was struck speechless. He stared at the woman walking towards him. “Misti… are me eyes playin’ tricks on me?” he whispered.

The dwarven woman shook her head, “Oh come on Dareley, don’tcha know yer own wife?” she chuckled as the forest faded away from them, and he realized he was sitting in the room they shared in the barracks in Lordaeron City… “Ye still asleep lad?” she asked, “Ye were tossin’ ‘n turnin’ all last night like ye was havin’ a terrible nightmare…” she replied.

Dareley nodded slowly, “Aye… I… Arthas came back from Northrend, but he was… corrupted, mad, he’d turned traitor ‘n set th’ undead loose on th’ city… ‘n I was tryin’ ta get to yez… but…” he paused, looking at her… then frowning. “Misti…” he asked, “Whats wrong with yer belly?”

The woman looked down and placed a hand on her middle, looking back at him, “Why, nothin’… I mean, me corset is a bit tight today but…” she began, then her eyes widened as Dareley raised his sword.

“Exactly…” he glared, then he held his sword outwards, tip pointed at her. “IN TH’ NAME O’ TH' HOLY LIGHT, SHOW ME TH’ TRUTH!” he roared, and the entire room lit up with an eruption of light as his blade glowed like the noonday sun.

Misti screamed as her body erupted into wisps of black smoke, the room blasted apart around them, and suddenly Cenoon was standing before him, rubbing his eyes.

“HOW?!” whined the incubus, “That ALWAYS works! Show a mortal their lost loved one, play the ‘it was all a dream’ trick… and gut them when they’re too blissed out to fight back!” he shouted in frustration.

Dareley’s face however held nothing but cold fury. “That… was a very VERY big mistake demon…” he whispered. Misti wouldn’t have worn a corset at all when they were in Lordaeron because she couldn’t have done so. She was pregnant with their child when she died! Dareley’s sword came up again as Cenoon’s eyes widened, and the blade shined with the vengeance of the Light.

Across the Blackwald Shalandrae gasped in pain, the bear staggering. She glared at the demon, but it could match her muscle for muscle! She braced herself, preparing to charge, but the axe came around again and slammed into her head, sending her sprawling as Az’arad sneered down at her, the Wrathguard raising his weapon.

She shifted into her cat form and bolted, the blade missing by inches as a leonine form made of hardened tree bark shot past him! She gasped for breath, cursing herself for letting him separate her from Dareley and Nelen… but there was no choice now, she had to win!

Even if she could contact the rest of Avalon, Gilneas was on the other end of the continent from Stormwind! They’d never reach her in time.

She narrowed her eyes at the demon, he was every bit as strong as her bear form, and she couldn’t get close as a cat… and then she paused.

She hadn’t used that aspect of being a druid since Teldrassil had burned. She couldn’t bring herself to call upon it after that, the memory of Elune failing to protect her people stung too hard to allow it… but… she couldn’t out-muscle the demon.

Shalandrae changed back into her elven form and stood, pulling Journey’s End from its resting place on her back and staring down the wrathguard… “Elune… we haven’t been on good terms lately… but I need some help here…” she whispered.

The demon sneered, seeing her change back, and charged towards her with a roar... only for the tree roots on either side of him to erupt from the ground and lash around his arms and legs!

He stumbled to a halt, but his arms were held by the sturdy roots now, he couldn’t move! His muscles strained as he snarled in fury, the roots beginning to creak...

Shalandrae smirked and changed again, and starlight filled the grove around them. High above them the moon seemed to glow brightly, and a blast of pure silvery light shot down into the trees. A moment later the demon screamed in pain as the woods lit up from within.

Back infront of the burning cabin Nelen was about ready to collapse, his head swimming. He had never teleported himself that many times in a row, and he was so exhausted he was seeing three Dissonantias now…

“Aww, all tuckered out boyo?” sneered the warlock, “Shhh, just stop strugglin’, it only hurts fer a moment…” she taunted, raising her hand again… and then a gale swirled through the woods as the trees creaked, leaves scattering throughout the glade!

Az’arad reentered the clearing upside down, in midair, and at speed. The wrathguard roared as he flew past his mistress, slamming into the burning cabin with a tremendous crash!

Dissonantia stared at the spot where the demon landed, her eyes huge, “… well, didn’t expect ta see that today.” she muttered. The list of things that could do that to a Wrathguard was very short.

There was a sudden clattering of hooves as well and Cenoon burst out of the trees. The incubus clutched at his head and cursed as light poured out of his eyes and ears, searing his mind! “G-GUH… GET IT OUTTA ME!” he screamed, clawing at his head frantically!

Not that many paladins put much stock in it, but the Prayer of Turn Evil was a very useful, and very nasty, tool. It may not hurt them physically, but Cenoon’s mind felt like it was on fire! Dareley was not a happy dwarf right now, and while he was a good man he felt no qualms about using the light to punish demons.

The paladin strode from the woods behind the demon, sword drawn, as another figure walked out from the direction that Az’arad had flown in from.

Shalandrae Deeproots had not called upon Elune’s power since the War of Thorns. She had only used her bestial shapes since then, but… she was ready to forgive and move on.

The druidess’s body shone with starlight, a manifestation of astral power, a swirl of starry pinpricks swirling around her antlers as she stared down the warlock. Her stave was in her hands and it glowed with Elune’s might, the night elf ready to unleash the full power of the Sun and Moon upon anyone who stood against her.

Dissonantia growled, looking back and forth, then sighed, “Buggerit, we did wut we came ta do… we’ll deal with yez another day.” she nodded, then snapped her fingers.

Nelen lashed out, trying to send out a burst of energies to unravel her spell before it could activate but in a woosh of felfire she, Cenoon, Az’arad, and Quzgup vanished from the clearing, falling back to her demon circle. Dissonantia was a cautious witch and always set one up for emergencies.

“DAMMIT!” he barked, then coughed and fell to one knee. “D-dammit… I…” he panted, his body suddenly feeling bone-deep weary. “She… there isn’t a bloody word for what she is anymore…” he growled, shaking his head.

Shalandrae and Dareley ran forward to their friend as the wild imps, free of Dissonantia’s influence, saw three powerful and well-armed adventurers, weighed their odds, and elected to run for the woods and flee into the nether themselves.

“Shite! Lad, are ye alright?!” asked Dareley, seeing the burns on his body from Dissonantia’s bilescourge minions and whispering a prayer to the light, then gently touching his fingers to them as they glowed with holiness, the burns and blisters slowly fading away.

“I will be… had to focus on dodging… using magic… she tried to tear out my soul…” he gasped between gulps of air. Using that much magic, that fast, was very draining.

Shalandrae looked at the hut, then frowned, “… she must’ve found out what Grimo is building.” she nodded, “Otherwise why come back just to burn down her old cottage? Its an old ruin that nobody would even look at twice. There must’ve been something here we could have used and she decided not to take chances.” she sighed, shaking her head as the starlight faded from her form, the druidess changing back to normal.

Nelen nodded, “Yeah… and hiding out in the Nether is turning her demonic, moreso than she already was…” he said, “She… those wings on her back, did you see them?” he asked.

Dareley looked at where she was, “… aye, when I came back from kickin’ that incubus’s arse… those were real?” he asked.

Nelen nodded, “Yeah… this could be very bad… a demon summoner who becomes a demon herself… what the fel kind of monster would that make?” he growled.

The Twisting Nether

Dissonantia growled as she stalked through her lair, her wings draped over her shoulders again. “Bloody feckin… couldn’t even deal wiv’ one of ‘em apiece you lot?!” she barked at Az’arad and Cenoon, the former was scowling and fixing the edge on his axe, the latter laying on one of the tables whimpering and rubbing his temples.

She stalked to the corner, a large summoning circle set up there, and looked up at it. “Roight… was hopin’ ta avoid this… but…” she frowned, then gestured to the circle as the runes glowed with baleful energies.

A moment later a massive face with huge elephantine tusks appeared before her, the owner snarling out, “Well Dissonantia?”

“Aye, looks like yez services may be required Granthox lad…” she nodded, “You help me, 'n I help yez... whats yer price then?”

Granthox nodded, the demon looking her directly in the eye. He was a powerful demon, a former member of the Burning Legion before it had fallen apart after Sargeras' defeat, and ontop of that he was an Annihilan.

Annihilan were gigantic four legged monsters, living siege engines of demonic fury and might. Even a single one of them was a force to be reckoned with, that would taken entire armies to stop and whom even the most powerful of beings would hesitate to fight.

Azgalor, who led the ground forces of the Legion and Scourge during the Battle of Mount Hyjal, was an Annihilan.

Ronokon, who led the Legion forces against Suramar in the War of the Ancients and was only stopped when the wild god Ashamane herself killed him, was an Annihilan.

Magtheridon, who ruled all of Outland with such absolute control that only Illidan Stormrage could usurp him, was an Annihilan.

And none other than Mannoroth, the demon responsible for corrupting the entire orcish race, was an Annihilan.

Granthox sneered, "The price of my help is simple Dissonantia." he replied, "I want to be able to build an Anima Extractor of my own."

The warlock raised her eyebrow, "... oh? 'n wot makes yez think I know how ta do that?" she asked.

The pit lord snorted, "Do not play coy with me half-demon! The mo'arg who served the Legion answer to me now! I know you hired them to build it for you, but you kept the blueprints for yourself! Surrender them to me and you will have my assistance, until then you can fend for yourself. Do not contact me again until you are ready to meet my demands." he snarled, and the connection broke.

Dissonantia glared, "... last bleedin' time I hire those gits..." she growled, then stalked to the cauldron in the center of her lair. The fact that she could produce anima was meant to be secret, but of course she was no engineer so building the anima extractor had been beyond her. She had to hire out for it and the mo'arg had the skills.

Now this Annihilan knew she could do this, and if she wanted the demon's help she'd need to give him the plans to make his own. She wasn't thrilled with that secret getting out, but a pit lord would make a terrifying ally.

She glared into the bubbling cauldron waters, debating what to do...

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