#Vikki Line

[freshjjindahouse]

Victoria (Vikki) Line and her autistic rubber 90s toy

Also I’m aware this might be a deep cut in the Flatland cinematic/literary universe so… yeah this is from the 2001 book Flatterland in which a 3D guy named Space Hopper takes Vikki line on a tour of the “mathiverse”

[rjalker]

reading Flatterland now so here' more of the narrator's family tree.

IDK if Lee is his great granddaughter or married one of his great grandsons yet.

[ID: A family tree for the narrator of Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions, and the later adaption, Flatterland.

For all but three of the generations displayed, only a single father and son is showed.

At the top of the family tree is an Isosceles triangle, labeled "I S O", and "Great-great-great-great-great-grandfather" in black text, then "great-great-greate-grandfather" in red. An arrow points at him, saying, "Supposedly stabbed a rich guy (angle supposedly at 59).

Next is another Isosceles triangle, with an arrow labeling him, "Angle supposedly degraded to 58 (A K A the people taking the measurements wrote it that way to punish them.), and then labeled in black, "Great-great-great-great grandfather", and in red, "great-great-grandfather".

Next is another Isosceles triangle, labled in black, "great-great-great-grandfather", and in red, "great-grandfather".

Then another, in black, labeled "great-great-grandfather", and in red, "grandfather".

Then another, in black, labeled, "great-grandfather", and in red, "father".

Below him is a final Isosceles triangle, with an arrow saying, "described by his grandson as 'one of the least irregular of his unhappy Isosceles class'. He is labeled in black, "Grandfather", and in red, "Recounting story".

Below him is an Equilateral triangle, marked "E Q I", and labeled in red, "Father", and in red, "son". An arrow reads, "Granted rank of Equilateral, angle supposedly measured at 60 degrees".

Below him is a Square, labeled in black, "recounting story", and in red, "grandson". He is marked R E G, and labeled with a grey arrow, "the narrator".

Below the square is a line of shapes marked only with "children". There are five pentagons, and one straight line. In the center is a question mark leading down to the next generation.

The next generation is labeled "Grandchildren", and shows two hexagons, with another question mark next to them leading to the next generation.

A Horizontal line separates the above section from the one below, labeled, "Flatterland".

The next generation is marked with a questionmark leading down from the family tree above, labeling this generation, "great grandchildren", with a married-in Straight Line on the side labeled "Jubilee (Lee)".

The final generation of great great grandchildren consists of a single Straight Line, labeled Victoria (Vikki).

End ID.]

[2d-dreams]

Vikki walk

she walk

[flatland-fuckery]

[legendary-alliance-stance]

finally posting this after procrastinating for days and at this point i'm just giving up waiting to post this during the day and will just queue reblogs of it for later

A relationship chart / semi-family tree chart for @legendary-assassin-stance's and I's Cantha Crew. (AKA the Rev Family and other characters associated with them + will be part of a plot thing with them at...... some point)

(Canon characters featured on this chart: Shiro, Viktor, Archemorus, Vizu, Nika, Mai, Ihn, Petrov, Danika, Rama, Valeria, and Hao Luen.)

Brief descriptions of Important Folks + rambling under the cut!

Im Hana - One of the Heroes of Cantha. Childhood best friends with Yūma, and wife of Nika.

Im Min-Seo - Daughter of Hana and Nika.

Im Nari - Present day descendant of Hana and Nika. Serves the Empire as a Willbender, and bodyguard of Princess Jié Yuèlóng.

Chén Yánglóng - An ancient dragon God of Cantha, true ruler of the Celestials, and husband of Lǐ Bǎofèng. Father of Jié Yuèlóng, and Empress Ihn's secret lover.

Lǐ Bǎofèng - An ancient phoenix God of Cantha, true ruler of the Celestials, and husband of Chén Yánglóng.

Jié Yuèlóng - Imperial Princess of Cantha, daughter of Empress Ihn and Chén Yánglóng.

Yuán Zhēnjīng - An ancient fox spirit revered by the Miyajima family.

Shion Miyajima - A Priestess of Grenth born in Kryta who went to Cantha in search of her family's history. Currently trying to restore the abandoned Miyajima estate off the coast of Shing Jea.

Yūma Miyajima - One of the Heroes of Cantha. Childhood best friends with Hana, and - more infamously - the man who bore a ghostly Shiro Tagachi a child.

Yūki Hashimoto - Son of Yūma and Shiro.

Noriaki Hashimoto - Present day descendant of Yūma and Shiro. A revenant that channels the power of Shiro, after accidentally summoning his spirit. Dating Orion.

Orion zu Heltzer - Present day descendant of Saint Viktor and Archemorus. A revenant who channels the power of his famous ancestors, after an incident bound them to him. Dating Noriaki.

[im-not-buying-it-ether]

Headcanons that can and will make up how I write the Marvelous Bats AU I’m trying to actually write

Everyone has a minor upgrade or addition on the powers they have. Eugene has his technokinesis, Pedro is physically stronger than Billy even though they have the same blessing, Darla is faster, Freddy has some minor telekinesis and is better at flying in practice, and Mary’s courage is infectious to the degree of getting people out of being scared frozen in an emergency and getting them to rescue themselves and have the bravery to help others along the way.

Billy and Mary are still twins, she’s adopted by the Bromfields and Billy is newly fostered by the Vasquez’s but they all work and spend time together as a family unit despite the separate home lives

Billy knows how to make portals anywhere with doors, the place just needs to have a door. (He has tried getting the Batcave that way but apparently the car doors of the Batmobile don’t count)

Yes all the Bats know the Marvels identity’s and vice versa, the rest of the League? Nope. Just think Batman mellowed out in his crusade to learn Caps identity

Yes Bruce wanted to adopt Billy, Billy said screw that and Jason pointed out how bad of an idea it would be to have a kid named Batson in the public eye of Gotham. “The Joker can and will try to make a bad joke out of the kid Bruce.” “Yeah Batman, you want me to die in a robin costume of all things?” Bruce just stayed silent for a moment and almost started crying (it’s was only a week later Jason took a good look at the kid and realized Billy is a mini him and Bruce probably didn’t like the Robin comment)

Damian, Darla, and Jon are the true kid hero trinity. Their mission? Chaos

Freddy just about passed out when he met Barbra, the super amazing Batgirl is the super cool lady behind the monitor that’s one of freaking Batman’s most essential teammates? Oh the feeling of finally seeing a super like himself

Tim met Billy and Mary’s parents through his own when he was little, the 3 of them had a very long discussion about cool archeology stuff for a good few hours

Because his hero form is his “full potential” and is very big Pedro asked Jason to help him get from how he is now to his hero form, seeing as his body type was closest. Now they work out together every Tuesday and Friday (school and vigilante work permitting) half of it is actually working out and the other is building Pedros confidence

Batman and Captain Marvel make a point to block and argue heavily against any other Marvel joining the League, Billy is the only one until the rest of the family does meet the age requirement they have. Billy does the heavy lifting expected of the actual Champion of Magic and his siblings enjoy the small town hero life and look out for Fawcett and the Rock when he’s off world, Mary is the defacto leader when he’s gone.

Like how every Bat has their designated Super and sometimes Wonder, they all have a Marvel they hang out with more than others. Mary and Dick hang out and bond over being the unfortunate voice of reason siblings, Darla is the childish influence making Damian act more his age and love doing it. Billy and Bruce are the respective “heads of the family” and Bruce checks in a lot on how Billy’s life is going with the occasional leadership tip thrown in to help with hero work. Jason tutors Pedro when they’re both visiting, if they cross paths on the job they’ll talk sports a lot. Freddy and Eugene talk a lot about strategy’s, games, gadgets, and superpowers with Barbra and Tim.

Tawny and Alfred are golfing buddies, they also build miniatures of flag ships together and talk about their weird family of supers over tea

Eugene has hacked the Bat-computer on multiple occasions, each time to make an edit to any files Bruce makes of the family, mostly something childish like adding “the amazing” or “the super awesome” before their hero names in the files. But one hack he did was into his contingency plans files, which nearly gave Bruce a heart attack thinking there was going to be another accident that would almost kill his friends.

The hack was the change of “Further research needed to figure out a strategy for neutralization, for now the best strategy is to trick or force them into using their trigger phrase to de-transform before incapacitating them” to “let their siblings deal with the situation”

The Justice League’s first introduction to Captain Marvel was during a “Superman is being affected by Red Kryptonite” situation. By the time they caught up to him in Fawcett their resident hero was helping the man up and panicking over how much he hurt him trying to wrestle the Kryptonite off him, they offered him a seat with them by the end of the week after satellite imaging showed that he led Superman into the air after he knocked down a building and delt with him without further damage and Superman’s account that he broke his arm and bruised multiple ribs trying to stop him. Billy was 9 at the time and only had his powers a few months at that time so he had no idea how much he needed to reel his strength in and was panicking too much to properly do so either way in that fight.

Damian was jealous that Billy got into the league so young and Bruce still won’t let him on despite his capabilities but realizes Billy only got so far because of a lie of omission and one event where he severely harmed Superman, he’d call his father an idiot if he hadn’t tried to keep an eye on such a worrying individual

The Vasquez’s know their kids visit the Wayne’s every other day, as do the Bromfields, but only Vic and Rosa know about the superhero part of it all. The Bromfields just think Mary is visiting a girl friend and having sleepovers every so often, they aren’t entirely wrong since she does hang out with Cass and Stephenie but they don’t need to know her whole superhero life. It’s framed as a mentorship so that their kids can do their best with the powers given to them with a healthy amount of encouragement in still being kids and attending school, it’s mostly just the two families spending time with eachother though.

Black Adam used to antagonize the Marvel Family but after a fight with Billy 1v1 he saw he was a child and stopped trying to actively kill him, he’s now their weird uncle figure who pops by to show them some fighting moves and try to tell Billy to stop being the champion until he’s older.

Black Adam is closer to the movie version solely for the purposes of expanding the family size, he looks like his classic comic self but has to shift in morals and backstory he had in the movie

The fight happened in a empty patch of dessert outside Khandaq when Billy was 11, no one on the League knows why they suddenly stopped fighting or why Cap officiated the guys wedding but their happy he figured something out so his city didn’t get torn up every month by their fights anymore.

The hero names and nicknames for the Marvel family are as follows

Billy Batson —> Captain Marvel (Cap, the Captain)

Mary Bromfield —> Mary Marvel (Mary)

Freddy Freeman —> Lieutenant Marvel (Lieu, Captain Marvel Jr. (by one annoying reporter))

Pedro Peña —> General Marvel (The jolly green giant, Greenie)

Eugene Choi —> Chief Marvel (Chief, Master Chief (self proclaimed, never used))

Darla Dudley —> Ms./Princess Marvel (Ms., Missy Marvel, Missy (Used for professional purposes) Princess (Used every other time as her choice of code name))

Adriana Tomaz —> Isis (/got the amulet of Isis as a wedding gift from Darla from the Rock, she didn’t know what it was but is happy she got cool powers with the rest of the family/)

Amon Tomaz —> Horus (/name changed from comics to coincide with the change in family dynamic between him and Adriana from siblings to parent/child/)

Theo —> Black Adam/Khem Adam

Shout out to @thefantasmarex for reminding me how much I love these two families together

[2d-dreams]

imagine surviving being tortured in some murder game and then you find out that there’s like group therapy for people like you so you go there and there’s just some rich white man sitting in the corner making bizarre ominous comments and slow clapping and when you ask people about it they’re like “oh yeah that’s lawrence. don’t worry about him. he’s harmless.”

[adhdvane]

0(:3　)～ =͟͟͞͞(’､3)_ヽ)＿

okay, now i can just focus on doing at least 100 mil tomorrow and on day four for the sand. i accidentally solo’d into b tier again and won the first final round so even losing these next three will put me at enough for a sunlightstone, but all i really want is that fcking sand so i can fully uncap the goddamn hanged man spear. amelia pulling her goddamn weight in nm 100 keeping the party constantly armored

[intertexts-moving]

still thinking abt what happens next. its such a good dissection of blame + morality+ perpetuation of cruel cycles. however i have to admit i don't particularly subscribe to the main body of commentators ' "everyone is scheming and has awful intention" take. i mean. hanlon's razor.-- milo obviously dismembered a dead body. which frankly in no world sounds better than saying he killed her. like, he is obviously culpable of that + incapable of processing that culpability but it's jarring to see everyone immediately locking onto gage as some kind of evil and actively manipulating from the start mastermind. they seem pretty obviously to me to be a preexisting Type Of Guy: isolated, miserable, (obsessive) parasocial relationship w/ people who Do, in fact, Exist, and aren't fake characters in a story (haha). his treatment of milo seems way more in line w/ that kind of "genuinely ignorant of how normal friendships and relationships work" than "secretly plotting your demise "-- the weed & crossbow thing read as familiar to me. pressuring, yes, but not actively so. thats just like... the way people are? the way u act when you're kind of awkwardly acquaintances/frienfs w someone and u invite them 2 partake in ur hobbies. just sucks that gage's hobbies are literally only stalking murderers + getting high w the nastiest bong u havr ever seen + shooting white monster cans in the woods with a crossbow. the effect is negative, obviously, because milo is a fucking basket case on a ton of medications with a criminal record for sawing off a girl's arms and the looming threat of inpatient if he doesnt behave over his head. not downplaying the other thing btw that's in a different category imo & while the kiss itself wasnt inherently a Bad Thing to Do imo their reaction & justification absolutely was.. still kind of weird 2 me that it appears like there's a bigger sympathy for claire (dealt with the trauma by becoming a transphobic turning point usa girlie who uses her sister's notoriety to advocate for punishing minors in the justice system even worse & treating her gf like shit) than gage (obviously fucked in the head minimum wage worker with no bar for what a normal interaction or relationship looks like at all.) OR vikki (trans woman of color whos career! is to stir up shit! even if she was kind of a cunt!) anyway the milo / claire parallels are baller i love when people fucking hate each other but are so similar... girl its been nine years stop sticking your fingers in your own bloody wounds stop it stop it stop it! when will u stop reliving the trauma ever day for its own sake. (claire's self harming actions here are obviously infinitely worse because she is like,,, Actively Hurting So Many People. and for what! so she can wear awful dresses and get hit on by oily white senators and drag the bleeding dead weight of her sisters body around everywhere she goes?) ahhh what ever. good book i have to pack now.

[mochegato]

Maybe Lover

“Can you put your phone away, please?” Bruce chided Jason, his voice sounding slightly tinny over the coms.  “It’s rude.  At least pretend to pay attention to the gala and the people here.”

“There is absolutely nothing going on in the gala that’s worth paying attention to,” he grumbled without looking up to acknowledge him as he continued to type, not that there was anyone there to acknowledge anyway.

“Are you kidding me?” Stephanie trilled, excitement bursting through her tone and Jason’s ear drum.  “Selena and Vikki and Oliver are all here tonight.  And none of them are the one Bruce brought.”  Jason snorted and went back to typing with renewed vigor.

“I can hear you,” Bruce cut in.  His exasperation even this early in the evening came through clearly.

“She knows,” Tim answered for her.  “She just doesn’t care.”

“Ooohhh, is that Pixie?” she asked, trying to peek around Jason’s shoulder to see what he was typing.

He raised his elbow quickly, almost clocking her on the chin as he did.  She had to dodge hastily to avoid getting hit.  “Maybe,” he grunted.

Instead of scowling at him, her smile widened.  “Say ‘hi’ for me!”

“Fuck off,” he scowled.

“You didn’t invite her to the gala?” Bruce asked.

“No?” he scoffed.  He desperately wanted to flip him off, but there were far too many people between the two of them and Alfred would be disappointed when he found out.  And he would find out.  He always did.

“Why not?  I thought we were going to get to meet her tonight,” Dick pouted.  Jason could feel the hopeful look he’d worn at the mention of Pixie turn to a disheartened frown from across the room.

“Because then you’d meet her tonight,” he responded flatly, giving his brother the deadest of deadpan looks to go with it.

“So, when are we going to meet your girlfriend?” Dick asked.  The hopeful edge appearing back in his gaze.

“Never if I have my choice,” he scoffed.

“Probably better that way,” Tim teased with a playful smirk.  “Less likely to get attacked in our sleep by some insane assassin that way.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” Jason growled.  He turned toward where he knew Tim was stationed with Kon and Cassie on the other side of the ballroom to glare at him.  “Maybe this is exactly why I don’t want you guys to meet her.”

“Okay, less chatter, more focus on the gala,” Bruce instructed sternly.  “Tim, stop antagonizing Jason.  Everyone, keep an eye out for anything suspicious and announce it on the coms if you find anything, but don’t forget this is for the Foundation.  If tonight goes well, we might be able to open a new clinic, so be charming… Jason,” he added at the end pointedly.

“Keep your shorts on,” he scoffed.  “I’m here aren’t I?  And not cursing out anyone… outside of the family.”

“And I’m proud of you for that,” Bruce agreed.  Jason almost flinched when his voice reached him in person instead of over the coms.  “Come greet guests with me.”

Jason threw his head back with a deep groan.  “Why am I being punished for behaving?”

Bruce rolled his eyes.  “You’re not.  You’re being rewarded.”

“This does not feel like a reward,” he scoffed, but followed behind him, plastering on a smile as he went.

“I think I see Marinette,” Bruce said consolingly.  “You like her well enough, don’t you?”

Jason studied him for a second before shrugging noncommittally.  “Maybe,” Jason huffed loudly, but his eyes darted around looking for her behind Bruce’s back, “she’s okay.”

He spotted her just before Bruce called out for her.  She looked stunning, which was no great surprise.  She stood out so strikingly, he was shocked he had missed her until then.  She was dressed in a floor-length red dress that skirted the line between sweet and sexy.  But, it wasn’t a bright, ladybug red.  No, it was a deeper, bloodier, Red Hood red.  Her silky hair cascaded down her exposed back, swaying slightly with each minute movement.  But it was when she turned around that truly took his breath away.  Her eyes glowed as reflections of the gala’s ambient lights flickered in them.  Her smile seemed to make the carefully calculated lighting significantly brighter.

“M. Wayne,” she greeted him cheerily, a markedly different greeting than the serious or fake or sultry greetings other attendees had used.  “Thank you for inviting me.”

Bruce raised his eyebrow almost imperceptibly.  To anyone not as familiar with him as Jason, or Marinette, they would have missed it and been taken in by the wide, fake smile.  He took her hand and bowed slightly.  “We couldn’t have a party without you.  You make all of our events that much brighter by your smile,” he crooned so over the top, Marinette almost choked out a laugh.  “Wouldn’t you agree, Jason?”

“Maybe,” Jason shrugged, but his eyes bored into Marinette.

Marinette raised an eyebrow at Jason but smiled for Bruce.  “Thank you, M. Wayne…”

“Bruce please,” he chided.  His charming persona on full blast.  Jason was just about ready to slap his overly familiar hands that were still holding Marinette’s hand like he might kiss her knuckles again, away from Marinette.

“Bruce,” Marinette responded obligingly.  “It really is a beautiful event.”

“Thank you,” he nodded slightly with an easy smile and finally let go of her hand.  “Nothing to do with me, I assure you.  But a great networking opportunity for you so…” he made a shooing motion toward the crowd.

Marinette chuckled and nodded back.  “M… Bruce.  Jason,” she acknowledged enchantingly and disappeared into the crowd.

Or at least she tried.  Jason’s eyes followed her around the room, never leaving her for too long.  She was easy enough to find, her red dress standing out against the rest of the attendees, but even if it hadn’t, he still would have been able to find her.  He always could.  He watched her walk from person to person, anxiety flickering in her eyes for a few moments before meeting each new person.  But she would invariably square her shoulders and march into battle.

He looked away before she could catch him staring like one of the lecherous old men who had been ogling her since she walked into the room.  It took several blinks and a shake of his head before he could focus.  It took longer than he would care to admit to tune back into the conversation he was supposed to be having with whoever Bruce had brought him to speak with.  His eyes found Marinette instead.  He sneered when he laid eyes on yet another lecher leering at Marinette.

His sneer eased into an appreciative gaze as he watched her chat animatedly with Kon and Cassie.  Her arms were flying out as she explained something, probably very simple, not remotely requiring so much expression, except that it was Marinette, so it would have been strange if she didn’t explain like that.  Cassie said something and Marinette threw her head back in a full body laugh that was so out of place in a high class, elegant gala, but was so very Marinette, that Jason’s resolve completely melted.

He stopped pretending to pay attention to the conversation he was supposed to be in when Marinette waved goodbye to Cassie and Kon and made her way in his direction, pointedly not looking at Jason.  Her hips swayed as she moved, not overtly, just enough to make his mind race, which, granted, didn’t require much… or anything really when it came to her.  Just seeing her eyes was enough.  Or her smile.  Or hearing her laugh.  Or… anything really.  And the occasional looks she would shoot him throughout the night, over her shoulder or under her lashes, only lasting a few milliseconds, nothing long enough for anyone else to notice, almost did him in.

He fought reacting when he felt a light touch brushing along his shoulder as a body passed behind him.  It was even harder when her breath tickled his ear.  “Not very subtle,” she cooed quietly enough only he could hear her words, but they hit him like a sledgehammer, driving the air out of his lungs.

A growl worked up from his chest and he spun quickly enough he was surprised his neck didn’t crack.  He shot his hand out to grab her arm before she could get away.  “Would you do me the honor of a dance, Ms. Dupain Cheng,” he prompted louder than strictly necessary.

She raised an amused eyebrow at him and had to purse her lips to keep from smirking.  “Of course.”

He wound through the crowd until they were in the middle of dance floor and pulled her closer than propriety allowed as the music started.  They moved in sync, as though they were one entity.  He relished the feeling of her against him; the heat against him, the way her soft body almost melded to his, the delicate tenderness of the bare skin of her back under his fingertips, the intoxicating fragrance of her perfume.  He brushed his face along her hairline, his lips lingering against her skin.

Marinette couldn’t help the small gasp that passed her lips.  “Careful, M. Todd.  We’re in public.”

He looked around as if only just seeing the people filling the ballroom.  His eyes widened in faux surprise.  “Oh!  That explains all the people.”

Her eyes were rolling before she even realized it, but quickly settled into a flat look.  “Your family is here.”

He made a show of looking around, without allowing his eyes to settle on anything.  “I don’t see them.”

She snorted inelegantly but covered it in his chest.  She glanced around quickly before returning her curious gaze to him.  “Jason?”  Her voice was soft, cautious.  He hummed in response.  “What are you doing?”

He traced the edge of her face lightly, his fingertips barely touching her skin, but still making enough contact to singe her, until his finger rested under her chin.  “I would have thought that was rather obvious.  I thought I was making it clear to the entire room.”

Her jaw dropped just enough for her lips to part slightly, drawing his eyes with so much force, he was incapable of looking away from her Red Hood colored lips.  “You sure about this?” she asked quietly.

He tightened his grip around her waist almost imperceptibly.  “Positive,” he whispered as he leaned down to finally connect their lips in front of witnesses for the first time.  They met in a soft kiss, that looked so intimate, so reverent, it felt like a sin to watch.

She stopped dancing to pull back and glance in his eyes.  “What made you change your mind?” She whispered.

“Maybe I’m tired of hiding,” he commented lightly and if she hadn’t known him better, she might have fallen for the offhanded delivery as he started them moving again.  “Maybe, I want to love you out in the open.  Freely.  In the light.  Maybe I’m done letting how other people will react affect how we love each other.  Maybe I realized you were right and I want this unconditionally too.”  He swept his hand over the back of her head and down her hair, letting the soft tendrils slip through his fingers.  “Maybe I’m done pretending and maybe you mean more to me.  Maybe,” he took a breath and met her eyes with a soft but determined look, “maybe I love you too much.”

He pushed her against himself so there was no space between them.  The soft look in his eyes turned deeper as he licked his lips.  “Maybe I want to kiss you anywhere, everywhere… public, private, on your body…”

“What the fuck am I hearing right now?” Tim whisper hissed, drawing the attention of the people around him, negating the purpose of whispering in the first place.  He offered them a tight smile and pulled Kon closer to him, trying to play it off as speaking to him.

“Oh my God, she’s Pixie!” Stephanie exclaimed excitedly, almost vibrating with excitement, not remotely caring about the stares she was garnering.

“First off, congratulations you two.  We’re very happy for you both,” Dick cut in loudly.  “Second, turn off your coms for conversations like this,” he begged.

“Ignore him, feel free to keep them on.  I’m invested now,” Stephanie cheered.  “I just need popcorn.”

Dick’s frustrated groan could be heard over the coms, even louder than Marinette’s embarrassed squeak.  “Third, how the fuck long has this been going on?”

“’She’s okay?’” Bruce asked, repeating Jason’s words from earlier, his voice mocking but light, an undertone of amusement clear.

“Maybe she’s a bit better than okay,” Jason conceded with a sigh.

“Maybe?” Marinette asked, her eyebrow and lips raised in bemusement.

Jason gently ran his fingers through her hair again as though he were smoothing it down, but in reality, using the feeling to ground him.  His touch was soft and light, almost reverent in his delicacy.  “Maybe every time I’ve said ‘maybe’ tonight I meant ‘definitely’,” he said softly.

Marinette’s smile brightened so much, she seemed to emit light.  Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears, almost incandescent in their beauty.  “Maybe I love you too,” she whispered.

His lips widened into a sappy smirk.  He leaned down until his lips were millimeters from hers.  “Maybe?”

“Definitely,” she amended, rising up to close the distance.

[she-posts-nerdy-stuff]

Hi! As a fellow knitter with a love for embroidery and cosplay, your Grishaverse kniting projects sound amazing! 😍 Would you be willing to share progress photos as you go? Or perhaps talk a little more about the designs, patterns, or techniques you'll use? So excited for you!

-sixofcrowsdaydreams (side blog)

Hiya, thanks so much for your interest - I'd love to share more!

My current Grishaverse knitting projects are a Healer kefta (which will probably be more along the lines of kefta-inspired than an accurate reproduction because of the material etc) and a full-size blanket of the Six Of Crows book cover (uk/us paperback edition).

For the Kefta, I'm adapting a free cardigan pattern that I'll link if anyone would like it. The pattern outlines the structure and shaping, which is mostly what I'm using it for, but is designed in a specific basket rib that I'm not using; I decided to use stockinette stitch because I think that it will be easier to embroider since I'm planning on using the Swiss Darning method. I'm teaching myself the Swiss Darning method from the wonderful book "KNIT: step by step" (Vikki Haffenden and Frederica Patmore), which I absolutely love and highly recommend. I just checked and the RRP for the book is £14.99 but I got mine for £7.99 so it might be worth looking around for where it's cheapest. I'm knitting it with DK weight yarn and so far I have the back and two front pieces complete and am currently working on the first sleeve. I used a free digital art app called Ibis Paint X to sketch out my designs for the embroidery and then overlayed them with a grid - I'm treating each square as one stitch.

The blanket it being knit in chunky weight yarn using a fair isle pattern I designed by using the same digital art app to draw and the book cover, overlay it with a grid, pixelate it, and slightly simplify the colour scheme (that was mostly due to the availability of the yarn since there are so many shades of grey in the cover). I am relatively new to colourwork, or at the very least colourwork on this scale, and this was a massive undertaking I went into with unearned confidence. Unfortunately I have now realised a massive mistake I made in the fair isle technique that means I'm going to have to undo everything I've done so far and restart, but luckily I've realised it early enough that I'm not even a quarter of the way through the project yet; if I'd done more it would be more annoying, as it stands it's not too bad but it is a setback. I've yet to decide how I'm going to back the blanket once it's complete, I have two options: 1) sew it onto either white or black fleece, 2) knit a Crooked Kingdom book cover the same size and back them onto each other. The pros of the first one is that it would give it a finished and hopefully gorgeous look, plus would be super cosy. The pro of the second option is that it would be awesome, but the con is that it might not look as neat and finished. On top of that, if I back the first one with fleece I can then knit a Crooked Kingdom one and back that with fleece, which means I get two blankets. So yeah I haven't decided yet, but I'll see how it goes and keep you guys updated.

Thanks so much for your question! If anyone has any specific requests for me to talk about regarding the knitting patterns/processes/techniques/ etc then absolutely feel free and yeah if people are interested then I will definitely put some update photos on here as I go as well :)

[serinxo]

[ … ] ❀ you’re not from around here , are you? i figured because you totally just missed { serin kaplan } walking by. don’t tell me you don’t know who { she } is ? they kind of look like { cemre baysel} and i could be wrong but i think that they might be {25 } years old right now. they’ve been living in palmview for the last { month }. and i don’t know if anyone has ever told them this before but they kind of remind me of { blair waldorf } from { gossip girl }. if you stick around the town long enough you might catch them in action working at { palmview fashion house } as a { designer }. you see this town isn’t really that big of a place, some folks like to call them the { opulent } of palmview! they took a liking to the name too after a while, go figure. oh crap, they must have heard me yapping. they’re coming this way. i got to warn you though, rumor has it they can pretty { sharp-tongued } at times. i wouldn’t take it too seriously though, from the times i’ve spoken to them they seemed pretty { driven } to me. we see each other all the time since they live in that { 2b } apartment beside me over in { seaglass heights }. i better leave you to it. it was nice meeting you!

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ BASIC INFO ‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾

full name: serin illara kaplan

nickname(s): rin

age: twenty five

birthday: december 30th

zodiac sign: capricorn sun, scorpio moon, leo rising

gender: cis-female

pronouns: she/her

sexuality: bisexual

hometown: manhattan, ny

current location: palmview, fl

apartment: seaglass gardens, #2b

label: 'the opulent'

occupation: designer @ palmview fashion house

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ PASSIONS - A Visionary in a Sea of Trades ‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾

interests / hobbies: classic films (especially anything starring audrey hepburn or vikki dougan) collecting art & vintage fashion books (she'll spend hours flipping through them, seeking inspiration for her next piece), high-end fitness regimes (boxing, pilates, yoga, etc.)

style: her personal style is a carefully crafted combination of sophistication and drama. she adores sharp lines, rich fabrics, opulent details. having a flair for the dramatic, serin often pairs her outfits with bold statement pieces. for her, fashion is an extension of her inner world, a reflection of her strength and unyielding ambition.

in the brutal & fast-paced world of fashion, serin thrives to be a trailblazer, and ultimately one day a legendary name. in each piece she makes, she aims to fuse timeless elegance with cutting edge innovation; her designs exude opulence, from intricate hand-embroidered details to show-stopping silhouettes that capture attention from first glance. the meticulousness with which she crafts every gown, every suit, every accessory is a testament to her obsession with perfection.

when she's not working, she's feeding her mind. whether it’s indulging in avant garde exhibition in a gallry, diving into literature on the latest fashion trends, or collaborating with renowned artists, she immerses herself in experiences that feed her soul and fuel her creativity. she’s also a connoisseur of all things luxury—vintage jewelry, rare handbags, and one-of-a-kind couture pieces that become treasures in her personal collection.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ PERSONALITY - A Razor-Sharp Edge, Wrapped in Velvet ‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾

serin is a complex blend of contradictions, each layer revealing a deeper intensity. on the surface, she’s confident, poised, and effortlessly charming — traits that make her both admired and, at times, feared. with a sharp tongue that’s as effective as any scalpel, serin is quick-witted and often uses her words to carve out space for herself in a world that demands attention. she knows exactly what she wants, and exactly how to get it, rarely letting anything stand in her way. if anything does stand in her way, she removes it—methodically, without a moment’s hesitation. people say she reminds them of blair waldorf from gossip girl — the same regal elegance, the same cunning ambition, and the same sharp-edge wit that is always in full force, even when she’s at her most graceful.

driven barely scratches the surface when it comes to describing her work ethic. serin is obsessed with perfection — not just in her craft, but in every part of her life. whether it's the cut of a fabric or the trajectory of her career, she aims to be nothing less than the absolute best. she rarely relaxes, always seeking the next challenge, the next opportunity to elevate herself, and the next step in her ever-expanding empire. her ambition is so fierce that it often leaves little room for anything else — except, perhaps, her inner circle, who she fiercely protects with unwavering loyalty. but even her closest confidants know that serin isn’t one to wear her heart on her sleeve.

she’s not without her softer side. beneath her icy exterior lies a mind constantly working, constantly creating. she finds peace in solitude, often retreating to her private studio, where she can drown out the world with music — everything from classical symphonies to underground electronica — using it as a soundtrack for her creative process. design is more than a profession for Serin; it’s her language, her therapy, her means of self-expression. and, at the end of the day, it’s what keeps her grounded amidst the chaos of her high-powered life.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ FAMILY LIFE TURMOIL - Privilege at a Price ‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾

despite her towering success, serin’s family life remains one of the most difficult and emotionally complex aspects of her existence. raised in a world of wealth and privilege, serin grew up with everything most people could dream of — lavish vacations, designer everything, and access to the most elite circles. but despite the material abundance, her relationship with her parents has always been strained and transactional. their love for her is often measured by how well she performs in their eyes — something she learned to accept early on.

serin’s father, a self-made mogul, has always seen her as a tool to maintain his position in the elite echelon of society. he has always pushed her to be the best, but never offered the warmth of a true connection. her mother, a renowned socialite known for her charitable events and impeccable style, is more interested in maintaining the family’s flawless public image than in understanding her daughter’s complex desires. the love they offer is always in the form of materialism.

her younger brother, more of a carefree playboy type with no interest in the business world, often becomes the subject of tension between Serin and their parents. while he’s seen as the “golden child” in the family, due to his charm and lack of ambition, serin feels an intense rivalry with him — though she would never admit it aloud. she resents how easily he navigates the world they live in, carefree and adored, while she must constantly prove herself. despite the animosity, there’s a lingering affection between the two, though it’s rarely expressed.

this absence of emotional support and connect has made serin fiercely independent and driven her to succeed on her own terms. however, the lack of a true family connection weighs heavily on her. she longs for the kind of genuine bond she sees in others —something authentic and untainted by wealth and status. but she quickly suppresses those feelings, using them as fuel to achieve more, to rise even higher in a world where emotions are often seen as a weakness.

[upwards-descent]

Good News

"I'm coming, I'm coming!"

Adithi yelled at the phone as if it could hear her or stop ringing by voice command alone. She plucked up the landline from the receiver and made sure she sounded as warm and hospitable as possible.

"Thank you for calling the Joshi residence, this is Adithi speaking, how may I help you?"

The other line was quiet for a moment and her brow furrowed in confusion. Had the caller hung up already? Before she could repeat her greeting, a familiar voice finally spoke up.

"Hey, sorry, as soon as I dialed something came up."

"Ah, Vikkie, so nice for you to call," A big smile crossed Adithi's face immediately. It was always a treat when her only child called out of nowhere. "Do you need something, meri jaan?" 

"I've got huge news, mama, I'm hoping you're gonna freak as much as I think you are."

"Uh huh, tell me then, so I may 'freak' over it."

Vikram went quiet again. There was a little shuffling, the clink of metal on metal. Finally, he piped up again, his voice soft.

"... He said he loves me back."

Adithi went silent, eyes wide, heart pounding. For some unknown reason, she glanced at the clock on the wall, maybe to confirm that this was real and she wasn't dreaming. 

"Who said so, Vikkie?" She asked, just to be safe.

"Remember I was telling you guys about my assistant? Otto, the uh. Y'know. The robot. He uhm. He said he loves me back."

Even if he sounded nervous, Adithi knew her son well. She could hear the smile in his tone, practically feel the anxiously excited energy radiating off of him and through the phone. There was a delay to her reaction in kind but as soon as she found her voice, she used it.

"Vikkie!!!" She squealed, almost jumping in place, she was so amped. "Ohh, that's wonderful! You have to bring him over as soon as possible for dinner--" She turned her mouth away from the receiver to yell down the hall. "Yuvraj!!! Do you still have the number for those cleaners? This house must be SPOTLESS for when Vikkie visits next!"

"Did something happen?" Yuvraj called back from his office. "Good news?"

"VERY good news!" Adithi's attention shifted rapidly back to her son. "Oh, this is so amazing!!!"

"Called it," Vikram sounded adorably smug. "No big rush though, okay? Otto doesn't have a digestive system but I'm making him one from scratch so he can enjoy your cooking."

Adithi felt tears peck at her eyes. No wonder her son cried so damn much, he got it from her.

"You're building this man a stomach and such just to eat our food?" She sniffled.

"Aiiie, mama, it's okay, don't cry! I've been wanting to since I first got him but you guys definitely motivated me. He's gotta have baba's vindaloo."

"You are absolutely right, Vikkie," Adithi nodded like a soldier, her tears vanishing as she got serious. "I'll have to go shopping, get some really good tea, and make the best cookies. I've got my work cut out for me."

"Glad I could add some excitement to your guys' retirement," Vikram laughed, bright and full and his mother felt another pang of delight. It was always so nice when he sounded happy. "I'll give you guys a heads up once I'm ready, 'kay? Gotta make sure whatever he eats doesn't wind up melting his circuits or some shit."

"You tell us right away, okay? This is serious."

"Of course, mama! You two are top priority, always. I gotta go now, work stuff. Love you!"

"Love you, too, Vikkie." Adithi smacked a loud kiss against the receiver, hearing one last bubbly laugh before her son hung up.

Yuvraj toddled out of his office shortly after, holding up his latest project. 

"Ooh, is that the Lego Sydney Opera house?" Adithi shook her head with passion, physically dusting off the distraction. "Yuvraj! Our son is in love and his loved one loves him back!"

"Of course he does," Yuvraj scoffed, moving to set the plastic architecture down. "Anyone our Vikkie sets his sights on will come to love him, easy. I'm not surprised."

"You could at least act excited about it," Adithi huffed before she went to fetch her grandmother's cookbook. "Vikkie wants you to make him-- make Otto your vindaloo."

"Ooh. Okay," Now Yuvraj looked interested. "We'll have to go shopping."

Adithi only laughed. Great minds think alike.

[dungeons-are-too-cold]

i hate to be that guy but vikki from ST is so painfully uninteresting and boring i wanna explode that whole plot line with my el mind powers

[rjalker]

the first half of the meme. the second half will be done when I actually get beyond page 4 of the book.

[ID: The first two panels of the Anakin and Pademe meme, with Anakin now labled, "Vikki", with a question mark, saying, "Straight Lines are the most oppressed people in Flatland.". Padme is now labeled "Me", and is smiling while replying, "This is commentary on White Feminism, right?". End ID.]

(pro tip: if you think Straight Lines are the most oppressed people in Flatland you need to reread it.)

I think Vikki should visit the local elementary school.

[endlessbittersweetdreams]

SUMMARY: Robyn discovers some troubling information about Jake's past, which leads to a whole lot of confusion.

CHAPTER WARNINGS: Substance abuse.

QUOTE CREDITS:

🌟How your life story is told by your hands by Paul Kerley, BBC News Magazine

🌟 "I'm Confused" - 24 Best Confused Quotes About Confusion Between Love and Life

SONG CREDITS: "Can I Trust You" - Vikki Carr

     When Jake dreamed, it was usually of the ocean. It wasn't one of those pleasant dreams that involved calm waters and a sunny day. Instead, the sea was tumultuous, the sky was dark and cloudy, and a storm brewed on the horizon. And, more often than not, the nightmare involved him struggling to keep his head above water and swim for shore as an unseen force pursued him. When the beach was only a few feet away, his strength would fail him and he'd disappear into the dark abyss.

     This dream, though just as vivid as his nightmares, was different. There was no fear; no fight for survival. In this dream, he found himself on a tranquil beach that he didn't recognize. The golden rays of the setting sun painted the sky in a palette of oranges and pinks, while the sound of waves lapping against the shore created a soothing melody.

     But best of all, he wasn't alone. Robyn was nestled in his arms, her head resting against his chest and her fingers intertwined with his. They were sitting on the sand, wrapped up in an oversized blanket as they watched the sunrise. The pleasant scent of her perfume wafted toward him, tickling his senses. Her body felt warm. Real. Solid. Just like in the real world, her presence settled him; filled him with a sense of peace that he rarely felt and desperately longed for.

     As the sun cast a warm glow upon them, Jake felt an overwhelming surge of emotion. Knowing that he couldn't suppress his feelings any longer, he swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. Taking a deep breath, his voice just above a whisper, he said "Robyn, I think ... I think I --"

     The dream ended abruptly and, with a sudden jolt, Jake was awakened. Lying there in the dim morning light, his heart pounding, he stared up at the ceiling. Aware of Robyn's presence next to him, he turned his head to look at her. She was on her stomach now, and Jake smiled at the serene look on her face as she slept. He longed to reach out and brush a strand of hair from her face, but he restrained himself for fear of waking her. He moved onto his side and watched as she stirred a bit, snuggling into her pillow a little more.

     To Jake, there was something fascinating about a woman's hands. To quote a photographer by the name of Tim Booth: "When we look at a face we immediately make preconceptions. Labels are added because of how someone looks. But when we look close up at hands we don't do that." And Simone, of course, had waxed philosophical about the story an individual's hands could tell. She'd once mentioned to him that a person's hands could reveal a great deal about their life. She believed that each line, wrinkle and scar told a tale that bore the weight of a countless array of experiences and emotions.

     And Robyn's hands? Well, they were an intricately sculpted masterpiece. Her fingers were slender and strong, a testament to her tenacity and resilience. Her nails were neatly trimmed, painted orange and black to represent her sense of fun. If he looked closely enough at her middle finger, he would find a callus created during the years she spent exercising her artistic talents. He recalled how soft these hands were; how good they made him feel when they were stroking his cheek, caressing his back, or threading themselves through his hair. When she touched him in that gentle and exquisite way, he came alive. Would he ever have the fortune of feeling her touch again?

     Robyn stirred again, letting out a soft moan as she stretched a bit. Her lids slid open, revealing eyes that were a stunning mixture of colors. Still groggy, she blinked a few times before her gaze focused on the handsome man lying next to her. She had a sneaking suspicion that he'd been observing her, but she chose to keep that hunch to herself. "Good morning," she greeted him, her voice rough from sleep.

     "Morning."

     Needing to find a way to break up the obvious tension that filled the air between them, Robyn asked "So ... did you sleep well?"

     Just as he'd done countless times before, Jake reached out for her. "M-hmm," was his simple reply as his hand found its way to her shoulder.

     They had been so close to crossing a line, their lips only inches apart before Sam unknowingly interrupted their romantic moment. She could feel a blush forming on her cheeks as memories about the previous night filled her mind. Jake, meanwhile, felt a tiny fluttering in his stomach when her piercing gaze met his own.

     The air seemed to simmer between them, and Robyn contemplated her next move. It would be so easy to give into the urge to kiss him; to reach out for him and draw him close. It's what her heart and her body wanted, after all. But there was that voice inside her head, reminding her that she wasn't ready just yet. It hadn't even been a month since she'd ended things with Ethan, and it didn't feel right to rush into things. But oh, was she tempted.

     Jake's voice, low and pleasant, snapped Robyn out of her daze. "What about you? Any nightmares?"

     She shook her head. "No." She paused for a moment, working out what she was about to say. "Jake ... Jake, I --"

     "Rise and shine, people!"

     Jake's eyes narrowed into a glare, while Robyn shook her head in annoyance. "Perfect timing as always, Will!"

     "You know what they say, Jake: the early bird catches the worm."

     Robyn didn't think it was possible, but Jake's glare deepened. It was comical, really. Suppressing the urge to laugh, she mouthed "Balcony?" to him, and he nodded in response.

     As if on cue, Sam and Chloe entered the living room. Chloe stretched her arms and smiled at the group. "Morning, guys!" she all but chirped, ignoring the muttering from Sam as she marched toward the coffee pot. "I was thinking of making breakfast for everyone! How does that sound?"

     "That sounds great, Chloe. I'll help," Will offered.

     "That's okay, baby. Go relax in the living room. Robyn will help. Right, Rob?"

     "Oh, for Pete's sake," Robyn mumbled, giving Jake an apologetic look as she sat up. "Sure, Clo," she answered, trying to hide her annoyance as she shoved the covers aside.

     While Robyn reluctantly strolled into the kitchen to assist Chloe, Sam took a seat on a Papasan chair. Her feet resting on the coffee table, a mug of coffee in hand, she couldn't resist poking fun at the tension between Jake and Robyn. "So ... you two are quiet this morning. And you looked pretty cozy on that sofa bed last night. Anything I should know about?" she asked with a wide grin, eyeing Jake over the rim of her mug. Smirking at his angry glare and scowl, she added "Careful, Jake. Those baby blues and pouty lips may get stuck that way."

     Seeing Robyn's look of irritation, Chloe tactfully intervened. "So, I was thinking scrambled eggs, waffles and bacon. Does that sound all right?"

     "Sounds great, Clo," Will called.

     Standing next to Robyn at the counter as she cracked eggs into a bowl, Chloe quietly inquired "What's going on with you two?"

     Focused on whisking the eggs, Robyn let out a sigh. "Jake and I had a ... moment last night."

     "Ooh! Do tell."

     "We couldn't go to sleep right away, and so we decided to talk. And the next thing I knew, we were about to kiss."

     "What do you mean 'about to kiss'?" Chloe asked as they moved over to the stove.

     "Our lips were this close to touching. I could feel his breath on my skin. My heart was pounding in my chest, so hard. And then, Sam interrupted us."

     "And the moment was lost."

     "Yes." Robyn shook her head. "I know it's most likely for the best; that it's too soon. But ..."

     "But you still wanted it to happen."

     Robyn gave Chloe a nod. "You have no idea." She sighed, pouring the egg mixture into the pan. "I'm so confused, Clo. My heart and my body tell me one thing, but my mind keeps screaming at me that it's too soon; that I should wait. It's so frustrating. Up until last night, I was so sure that I made the right decision; that I need to focus on getting over Ethan and on working on myself. But now ... What should I do, Chloe?"

     Chloe met Robyn's gaze, her voice filled with compassion. "No one can decide that but you, Rob. Only you can. Only you know what's best for yourself. I know it's hard, but take some time. Think it through. Trust your instincts. And when the moment is right, you'll know." She gave her friend a smile. "You're so strong, Robyn. Stronger than you know. And I want you to know that Sam and I will be here to support you, no matter what you decide."

     Several minutes later, everyone gathered in the living room to enjoy the feast prepared by Chloe and Robyn. Robyn and Jake sat across from each other, occupying the Papasan chairs and not saying a word to one another.

     Sam tilted her head to the side when she noticed that the pair avoided looking at one another. "Okay," she whispered, sitting next to Chloe on the sofa. "What's going on? I missed something."

     "We'll talk about it later."

     For Jake and Robyn, breakfast continued in a rather strained manner. She glanced at him, averting her gaze when he looked up at her. When she saw that everyone had finished their breakfast, she was the one to gather their plates and carry them into the kitchen. Not for the sake of being helpful. Instead, it was to take a break from the tension that had built up between herself and Jake. It didn't work, though. And it certainly didn't help that he entered the kitchen a few moments later, and that he was now standing next to her as she washed the dishes.

     "We're taking off." He added his empty cup to the pile of dishes and utensils. "Meet me after work? Same time? Same place?"

     She paused for a moment, considering it. She knew that they had to finish the conversation that Will had so rudely interrupted, but she wasn't looking forward to it. Mainly because she still had no idea how to proceed. Finally, with a nod, she responded "I'll see you then."

     Robyn nervously approached the dimly lit restaurant after closing time, letting out a shaky breath as anxiety washed over her. She had thought about backing out of her meeting with Jake. She'd even come up with a lame excuse along the lines of "I feel like I'm coming down with something," only to feel guilty for even considering it. She wished that her conversation with Chloe had helped to clarify things, but she still felt indecisive.

     She entered the restaurant, the familiar warmth of the dining area enveloping her and providing a welcome respite from the chilly autumn air. The sound of laughter and clinking glasses echoed in the air as her eyes darted around, searching for Jake. He was nowhere in sight, and she frowned a little as she began to make her way toward the end of the bar where Will, Ari and Sasha were chatting.

     Just then, Simone stepped through the double doors that led from the kitchen to the dining area. She was dressed in a caftan-style blouse and black pants, and her long blond locks had been freed of the neatly-styled ponytail she wore during her shift. Though dressed in simple attire, she carried herself with an air of elegance and grace that made her stand out amongst her co-workers. Her penetrating gaze left Robyn feeling exposed, as though Simone could read her innermost thoughts, and Robyn tried not to wilt under that gaze.

     "Hello, Robyn. It's always a pleasure to see you. Jake is still changing. Come sit with me while we wait for him."

     A pit forming in her stomach, Robyn couldn't shake the feeling that Simone disapproved of her growing connection with Jake. It seemed that every encounter with the other woman was filled with subtle hints of skepticism, as though she questioned Robyn's motives and thought of her as a threat. But in spite of her reluctance, Robyn chose to be gracious. Simone was important to Jake, after all. And if she wanted to be significant to Jake as well, Robyn knew she had to at least make an effort. And so she nodded, plastered a smile on her face, and accepted Simone's invitation.

     "What will it be, ladies?" Nicky asked, favoring Robyn with a smile as she settled down next to Simone.

     "I will take a Riesling," Simone answered.

     "Water with lemon, please," was Robyn's response.

     "Two usuals coming up," Nicky said, reaching for the glasses.

     Simone gave Robyn a small smile. "Make it two Rieslings."

     "Oh, no. I couldn't possibly," Robyn objected.

     "Don't worry. Nicky won't tell. Will you, Nicky?"

     "Your secret's safe with me." Nicky gave Robyn a wink as he reached for another wine glass.

     Robyn graciously accepted the glass. "Thank you," she murmured, swirling the liquid around before she took a sip. She allowed the liquid to linger for a moment, closing her eyes as she swallowed it. "This is delicious. Thank you."

     "It is regarded by many critics as being one of the world's finest white wines."

     "And the grape - Riesling, of course - is considered to be one of the world's finest white grapes. The region is Alsace, if I'm not mistaken."

     Simone seemed genuinely impressed, giving her a nod. "You know your wine."

     "We can thank my father for that. He is a wine connoisseur, and I'm a bit of an oenophile because of him."

     Tracing the rim of her glass with her index finger, Simone observed Robyn for a moment. It had been a few weeks since she had reached out to Frank Kessler in an attempt to uncover something that would convince Jake to abandon his ridiculous infatuation with Robyn. So far, what he'd uncovered was benign. Robyn, it seemed, lived a very quiet and normal life. But Simone was never one to stand idly by while Jake made what was clearly a colossal mistake. If she had to resort to manipulative tactics to achieve her goal, so be it.

     "I know this is a delicate subject, but ... how are you holding up after your breakup with Mr. Price?"

     Robyn hesitated, sipping her wine as she carefully studied Simone. She wasn't entirely certain what her intentions were; if she actually cared or if she had an ulterior motive. The blonde was difficult to read. And so, deciding to tread carefully, she answered "I'm coping. It's been difficult, but my friends are helping me through it."

     Simone nodded. "The end of a relationship can be challenging, but it can also be an opportunity for growth." She paused, taking a sip of her wine as she considered her next statement. "What I'm about to tell you, I'm sure you already know. It's crucial to take your time to heal and rediscover yourself before you enter into a new relationship. A romance, while exciting, can be a mistake when you rush into it. Especially if it's with the wrong person."

     Robyn furrowed her brow slightly, and Simone continued. "I do not doubt that Jake cares for you. But remember what I told you once before: he is, for reasons I cannot disclose to you, damaged. While he is, without a doubt, charming ... I fear that he is ill-prepared for anything beyond something casual. While I don't know you very well, I can tell you this: you deserve someone who can give you stability. Security. All of the things that come with a long-lasting relationship. Tread carefully, Robyn. I don't want you to get hurt."

     Robyn knew she should say something, and she searched her mind for a clever retort or a snarky comeback. But she wasn't Sam, and such things didn't come easily to her. Instead, all she could do was stare dumbly at Simone as she mulled over what the older woman had told her. Though she doubted Simone's motivations, Robyn had to admit that she'd been given a glimpse into things she hadn't considered before. Jake, with his mysterious allure and troubled history, had captivated Robyn from the moment they met. Perhaps her infatuation had led her to look at Jake through rose-colored glasses.

     Jake entered the dimly lit room through the heavy double doors, and Simone favored him with a smile as he approached. "It's about time. We've been waiting for you, my love."

     "Fuckin' locker was jammed again," Jake complained, his gaze drifting over to Robyn. Her usually warm smile was absent, and she had a distant look in her eyes. "What's up?" he asked quietly.

     She looked up at him, her eyes finally meeting his. "Nothing. I'm just thinking about my current work project. It's more challenging than I'd expected." She gave him a little smile in the hopes of reassuring him. It seemed to work, because he didn't press the matter.

     Jake eyed her for a few seconds longer, downing a few gulps of beer. Simone watched as he leaned in close to Robyn to have a quiet conversation that she, of course, was not privy to. The only word she could make out was "Ari's show," uttered by Jake shortly before Robyn nodded and smiled.

     Simone finished the rest of her wine and set the glass down on the bar top. It was time nip their plans in the bud. "Jake, walk me home?"

     His gaze remained focused on Robyn for several moments, and she could tell that he was fighting an internal battle. He felt torn between his desire to spend time with Robyn and his obligation to Simone. He let out a resigned sigh and locked eyes with Robyn, and her heart sank when she realized what that look meant.

     "Sure."

     And there it was: that proverbial shoe that was bound to drop. Though he didn't speak, his eyes said it all. He was sorry, and he hoped that she would be understanding.

     Simone slid off of the bar stool and slipped into her coat, feeling quite pleased with herself. "It was lovely to see you again, Robyn."

     Robyn said nothing, settling for turning the bar stool so she could watch the pair's exit. Simone stepped out first, and Jake paused at the open door long enough to look back at Robyn. And then he was gone, disappearing into the night with Simone. Robyn turned to face the bar top once again, running a finger along the rim of her glass.

     Nicky gave her a sympathetic look as he polished a glass. "Don't take it too hard, kid."

     If anyone else had called her "kid," she would have taken offense. But for some reason, it seemed endearing when it came from Nicky. "I'll try not to." She finished her drink and then pulled out her wallet.

     Nicky held up a hand, waving her off. "It's our secret. Remember?"

     Robyn favored him with a smile and a quiet "Thank you," before she slid off of the bar stool. She was about to call for an Uber when Sasha strolled up to her, leaning against the bar top.

     "Baby Jakey ditch you for Blondie?"

     Robyn blinked at him for a moment and then let out a sigh. "Yes. I suppose he did."

     He pouted at her. "Poor Kitty Cat. This was bound to happen. Much as Baby Jakey wants you, Blondie has him wrapped around her finger." He released her face and reached for her hand. "Now, come. Ari has show."

     As Sasha pulled her toward the kitchen doors, Robyn protested. "Sasha, I don't think it's a good idea. I have a sketch to work on and --"

     Sasha waved her off. "Eh. Those rooms practically design themselves."

     Robyn narrowed her eyes at him, feeling insulted. "Actually, they don't. And --"

     "Ari has show, and she wants you to come. You don't want to upset Ari."

     Robyn pulled free of Sasha's grip and looked up at him, doing her best to look stern. "My hours are different than yours. I can't just party all night and sleep until noon."

     He gave her an eyeroll and then walked down the alley. "Who you kidding? I know your office is closed tomorrow. Something about painting or lighting --"

     "New flooring," Robyn interrupted, scrambling to keep up with him. "The fact that I'll be working at home doesn't matter. Sasha, I am not the party girl type!"

     "Shut up, Kitty Cat! Live a little."

     Robyn stopped walking for a moment, clenching her jaw in annoyance. As rude as Sasha could be, he did have a point. And besides, hadn't she agreed to attend Ari's show with Jake? Just because he wouldn't be there, didn't mean she had to go home and sulk. "All right. Fine. I'll go to Ari's show. I'll dance. I'll laugh. I'll have fun. But know this: I'm doing this under duress."

     "Whatever you say, honey."

     The moment Robyn followed the group into Ari's extravagant hotel room, she felt like the proverbial fish out of water. The sound of laughter and music enveloped her as she stepped into the living area, observing the scene before her. A few people lounged on the furniture, eating appetizers and binging on alcoholic drinks. She watched with an uneasy stare as a few guests knelt before the coffee table, indulging in something stronger than booze.

     Knowing she was outside her comfort zone, Robyn tried to make the best of the situation. She strolled over to the kitchen counter and fixed herself a drink, sipping it slowly as she observed the crowd. Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed the figure that sidled up beside her until a voice broke through the silence.

     "You look like a deer caught in headlights."

     Robyn turned to face the stranger, looking up at a tall woman with red hair and stunning eyes. "Yes. I suppose I'm a bit outside of my element," she admitted.

     The woman tilted her head to the side. "You seem familiar."

     Robyn gave her a tiny smile. "I was just thinking the same about you. You work at 22 West. Don't you?"

     The woman nodded. "As a hostess. I'm Cameron."

     "Robyn."

     "You're with Jake. Aren't you?"

     "Well, I'm not exactly with Jake. We're simply getting to know each other."

     "That's always the fun part: getting to know someone. But then ..." Cameron looked down at Robyn, pausing for a moment as she laced her voice with just the right amount of concern. "I hate to speak ill of anyone. Especially a co-worker. But it wouldn't feel right to keep quiet. You should be careful."

     Robyn's face remained neutral. "So I've been told."

     Cameron raised a brow as she eyed Robyn. "Then you know about his reputation?" Taking note of Robyn's confused stare, she continued. "Let's just say that Jake's history with women isn't exactly on the up-and-up. It's all nice in the beginning, and he can be charming when he needs to be. But he has a short attention span, and he gets bored easily. If that backwaiter hadn't cheated on him, he would have dumped her like all the rest."

     Robyn glared up at her, her skin crawling as she eyed her suspiciously. "Why are you telling me this? What's in it for you?"

     "I'm just looking out for you."

     Sensing that she was being patronized, Robyn did her best to maintain her composure. "I appreciate the thought, but I can take care of myself. Excuse me." Her expression neutral, she gave Cameron a little nod and then began to walk away.

     "Has he given you a gift yet?"

     Robyn stopped in her tracks, and Cameron smirked. "He has. Hasn't he?" She dropped her grin when Robyn turned to face her, maintaining her caring facade. "You see, when Jake really likes a woman he gives her expensive gifts. It's a little tradition of his. Rumor has it that the previous hostess received plums, and I heard that he hid expensive figs inside his ex-girlfriend's locker. That's how it all starts, Robyn. He makes a woman feel special and wanted. He does all the right things; whispers sweet little nothings in her ear. He has his fun, and then it's over. Don't believe me? Ask his friends. They'll tell you all about it."

     Cameron turned on her heel and walked away, retreating into the crowd. Robyn made her way over to the counter, her face flushed with anger. She took in a few deep breaths, trying to regain her composure as Cameron's words echoed in her mind. She didn't want to believe that Jake - the man who'd watched over her, tended to her, and promised to wait for her - would ever treat her so terribly. But she could feel doubt creeping into her mind, reminding her that she'd once believed the same things about Ethan.

     She desperately needed someone to talk to; someone she trusted. Feeling lost and isolated, she stared at the bottles of alcohol laid out before her. She told herself that it was a bad idea; that she should just go home and sort things out later. But the temptation was too strong to resist. She finished off her drink and then reached for a random bottle of alcohol, snatching it up and taking it with her to the balcony. She knew that what she was about to do was stupid and reckless, but she didn't care. She just wanted to silence the voices of doubt and confusion, if only for one night.

     She closed the sliding door and then settled down on the chaise lounge, pouring herself her first glass of rum. She set the bottle down on the side table and let out a sigh, downing her first shot before she cast her gaze upwards. She had always been a romantic at heart, and she found herself wishing that Jake could join her under the canopy of a million sparkling stars. But he wasn't, and Robyn felt the sting of isolation as she poured herself another glass of rum.

     The sound of the door sliding open captured her attention. She smiled when Jason, Eric's replacement, stepped onto the balcony. "What's a girl like you doin' sitting out here in the cold?" he asked, sitting down on the lounge across from Robyn.

     She wasn't exactly in the mood for small talk, but there was no point in being rude. "Just enjoying the stars. I didn't see you at Shift Drinks."

     He shrugged. "Yeah. Well, Ari sent me on a booze run. Where's Jake? I thought he'd be here."

     She sighed again, pouring herself another glass. "He's with Simone."

     "Let me guess. Grown ass woman still can't walk home by herself."

     She let out a bitter laugh and then leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "Tell me something, Jason: how well do you know Jake?"

     "Not that well. I haven't worked at the restaurant that long, and I don't hang out with him that much. Why?"

     Robyn nibbled on her bottom lip, wondering if she should broach the subject. Deciding that it was worth the risk, she inquired "What have you heard about him? Anything I should be concerned about?"

     Jason fell silent for a few seconds, searching his memory. "I've heard that he's pretty close with Simone and that she pretty much raised him. No idea what happened to his parents. That's about it."

     "You haven't heard anything about his reputation with women?"

     "No. Believe it or not, Robyn, I'm not part of Jake's inner circle. I'm still a newbie, which means I'm not worthy of the good gossip." He copied Robyn's posture, swirling his whiskey around in the glass. "I know this, though: that hostess you were talking to? Cameron? She has a thing for him."

     Robyn nodded, downing her third shot. "I thought as much. She said she was just looking out for me. But the way she looked at me ..." She shuddered a bit.

     Jason chuckled. "Yeah. She can be a little --"

     "Intense?"

     "I was going to say territorial. But intense works, too." They shared a chuckle, and Robyn's gaze moved upward as Jason stood. "Look, I wouldn't worry too much about her. Far as I can tell, she's all bark and no bite. She's been batting those pretty eyes at Jake for months, apparently, and he hasn't given her the time of day." Without another word, he slid the door open and left Robyn alone on the balcony once again.

     Robyn set her glass down as she began to feel the effects of the alcohol. She stood up and picked up the blanket that had been draped over the back of the chair. With the blanket wrapped around herself, she moved over to the barrier and leaned against it.

     "Don't tell me you believe in that wishing on stars bull shit."

     "Don't worry, Sasha. I'm not that naive."

     Sasha stepped up next to her, leaning sideways against the barrier. "What's wrong, Kitty Cat? You need a little something to lift your spirits?" He reached into a small baggie and produced a small white pill, holding it out to her with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

     Robyn shook her head, forcing a faint smile. "No, thanks. Think I'll just settle for the rum."

     "Your loss. My gain," Sasha declared with a shrug, placing the pill on his tongue and waiting for it to dissolve. "Look at you. Always afraid to have fun."

     "It's not about fun, Sasha. I just ... I've got a lot on my mind tonight."

     "Let me guess. Baby Jakey got you down?"

     Robyn hesitated, avoiding eye contact. "Not him, per se. More like the things I've heard about him."

     His voice took on a mocking tone. "Ah! Let me guess. Jakey likes to spread himself around. Likes to fuck 'em and leave 'em. He's like tiger, always looking for prey."

     She nodded. "That sums it up. I want him, Sasha. I do. But the last thing I need is to be his prey or his conquest."

     Sasha took a drag from his cigarette and blew out the smoke. "Those things you heard about Baby Jakey? They're true. He's 22 West's resident fuck boy."

     Robyn cringed and looked down, closing her eyes in disappointment. Jake had once mentioned that he'd returned to his "usual pattern with women," after he'd parted ways with Tess. But she figured that had been some off-handed remark. She'd had no idea he was serious.

     Sasha tilted his head to the side and gave her a sympathetic look. Reaching out with his free hand, he cupped her chin and gently forced her to look at him. In a rare display of kindness, he said "But let me tell you this: you special." When Robyn simply blinked at him, he released her chin and shook his head. "You think I'm blind, Kitty Cat? Sasha is many things, but he's not blind. I see the way Jakey looks at you. Not even Baby Monster got that look."

     "Baby Monster? You mean Tess?"

     He playfully tapped her on the nose. "Ding, ding, ding. We have winner." He leaned toward her, speaking conspiratorially. "And you know something? Far as Sasha knows, Jakey has been with no one since you." He nodded in the direction of the party, where Cameron was clearly visible. "Not even that Jessica Rabbit wannabe in there." He patted her shoulder. "Poor Kitty Cat. So confused."

     He wandered back into the hotel room, leaving Robyn alone on the balcony once more. Her emotions swirled within her. Could she really trust his words?

     Jake had no idea what time it was when he returned to his apartment; only that it was Monday morning, and that it way too early to contact Robyn. Even though she didn't have to go to the office until Tuesday, she was definitely not a night owl like him. Very rarely did she stay up past midnight.

     He shed his jacket and hoodie, hanging them up on their respective hangers, and toed off his shoes. After working out the kinks in his neck and shoulders, he ventured into the bathroom. As he stood in front of the sink and brushed his teeth, his mind replayed the day's events. More specifically, the dream he'd had that morning. He couldn't help but think of how good Robyn felt in his arms, even then, and he wondered what his subconscious was trying to tell him. He had a sneaking suspicion, but that was ridiculous. Wasn't it? He knew he cared for her; that he wanted to be with her, and that she made him happy. But that emotion? Was he really capable of feeling that for anyone? Wasn't he - as Simone had put it during one of her lectures - too guarded to feel that way about anyone or to even understand what love entailed?

     Feeling exhaustion starting to set in, Jake stripped down to his boxers and slid underneath the covers. He was just about to lay down when he heard his phone chime from his jacket pocket. He let out an annoyed sigh and pried himself from the warm comfort of his bed, stumbling his way over to where his jacket hung. He fished the phone out of the left pocket and glanced at the screen, his annoyed frown giving way to a smile when he saw Robyn's name.Crawling back under the covers, he listened to the voice mail on speaker phone.

     "Hey, Jake!" she slurred, her words coming out in an erratic melody. "It's me, Robyn!" She giggled. "Of course it is. Who else would it be? I know you're with Simone, which is fiiine. Sasha dragged me to Ari's show, and I'm at her after-party right now. I may have had a liiitle too much rum." A snicker this time.

     Jake laughed at her confession, which was followed by a hiccup, and his eyebrows shot up. So much for not being 'one to get drunk', he thought, feeling amused as he listened to Robyn's rambling.

     "I'm on the bal --" Hiccup. "I'm on the balc -- the balocony."

     "The balcony, you crazy lady!" Sasha's voice broke through.

     "Yes! That. The stars are so beau --" Hiccup. "They're so pretty, Jake. I wish you were here." She paused for a moment, letting out a sigh. Her voice took on a more serious tone. "I want to talk to you, but I don't really know what to say." She paused again, and Jake's amusement gave way to concern as she continued. "I, I've heard things about you, Jake. Things that scare me. I don't want to believe they're true, but I guess they are. And I'm so confused."

     Jake felt his heart drop, fearing that this was it; that this was the moment when Robyn would decide that he wasn't worth it and that she would be better off without him.

     "But ..." Jake perked up at that word. "But I want to give you a chance, Jake. I do. I really do. But I'm scared. And I just ... If you want to walk away, I'll understand. Ethan really messed me up, and I don't know when I'll be ready for something new. But I hope you won't walk away, because I want you. So much. I like you, Jake. You, you're sexy and handsome and ... When I'm with you, I ... I feel so happy and free, and ... I'm not just talking about the sex. Though that is amazing, too. Nothing wrong there." Another giggle. "I just ..." A brief pause, and then: "Oh, bloody hell. I --"

     Robyn made a rather unpleasant noise, and Jake cringed. He knew what that sound meant, and it was not pretty. He furrowed his brows when he heard the sound of a scuffle, followed by Sasha letting out a yelp.

     "Not my shoes!"

     Sasha yelled a few Russian obscenities before the call abruptly ended, and Jake stared at the phone in confusion. With a shake of his head, he set the phone on the bedside table and stared up at the ceiling. As relieved as he felt, he couldn't help but wonder what she'd heard about him. He knew they'd end up having "the talk," at some point in the future. He just hoped it wouldn't be any time soon.

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