#WE DID OUR BEST AND INGO WOULD BE PROUD

[waywardstation]

Ingo forgets this is a sexyman competition and what people are here for. He gets distracted. Jack takes advantage. (Ft. Reblog tags in my last post)

Jack may be the pumpkin king, but Ingo is the tumblr sexyman king in my heart, in the most non-sexy way possible.

PART 1 HERE

[manchasama]

Self-indulgently, this final chapter is nearly as long as the first four chapters combined. :> I am very proud to have finished this mini series! Now to work on those big stories! Here's hoping for mooore~

Hard to Swallow Part 5 (Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4)

-

Returning to his proper station had been one of the scariest things Ingo had done in recent memory.  Not that his memory was to be trusted.  That was the heart of the issue, after all.  Akarei had come to him one balmy afternoon, and while he'd anticipated an exciting battle to be had, instead they had told him they had a way to send him home.  If that wasn't shocking enough, apparently his home hadn't even been in that time.

It had explained a lot, of course.  Why he never felt quite like he fit in with the others, no matter how much they opened their hearts to him.  Why the pokemon never seemed correct to him, even though he had such an instinctual knowledge of how to handle them.  Why he felt so alone.

Still, it had been a step into the dark, trusting that Akarei would guide his travels, that there was truth in what they said.  Ingo had believed in them, and within a few short weeks, he'd not only learned of his true place in the world, but he'd been reunited with the missing piece of his heart.

Emmet, his beloved twin brother, had been overjoyed at Ingo's return.  Part of Ingo had shied away at the knowledge he'd forgotten his own brother, a twin at that!  How could Emmet be satisfied with the shell of the man he'd lost?  Ingo hadn't magically regained his lost memories, though some of them were returning slowly with the familiar stimulus of Nimbasa city.  

Despite that, despite his doubts and worries, Ingo couldn't deny the simple fact that he felt whole for the first time he could remember.  Everywhere he turned, Emmet was there.  The unasked for support was offered at every turn, and Emmet seemed to have a supernatural ability to sense what Ingo needed.  That was, he supposed, because Emmet remembered the roots of habits Ingo had only by muscle memory.  Small details that were obvious to him, that Ingo no longer had access to.  

It made him hope that he provided even a fraction of that comfort to his brother.  Emmet was adamant when he told Ingo that his return was more than he could have asked for, that nothing in the world made him happier.  Ingo had to accept that as truth as well.

Today, Emmet and Elesa were on a mission to reintroduce Ingo to some of his favorite sites and tastes of Nimbasa.  

"It's kind of neat, actually," Elesa was saying.  "You get to experience your favorites like new all over again.  There's a special zing to those kind of experiences!"  At her side, her Zebstrika plodded along placidly.  His back was overflowing with the packages they'd already purchased on their trip.

"Yes," Ingo agreed seriously.  "And with you two as my conductors, I'm sure you won't drive me down the wrong tracks."  He winced after he said that, aware it came across as rude to people who were only doing their best to help him.  He hadn't intended it to be that way of course, but he knew if he did not watch his words, with his stiff face it would come across as criticism.

Before he could apologize, however, Emmet was leaning into his side with a delighted laugh that brought a lightness to Ingo's chest.  "Do you believe we would feed you food we know you hate?  I am Emmet and I am offended you would think so poorly of us!"

Elesa let out a dramatic gasp, leaning into Ingo's other side as she put the back of her hand against her forehead.  "To think, here we are, out of the kindness of our hearts—"

"And the bottom of our wallets," Emmet interjected.

"--taking you out for a nice night on the town, and we are rewarded with such suspicion!"

And Ingo realized that he needn't have worried at all.  These were his beloved friends, his family, and he didn't have to worry about being misunderstood here.  A chime above him made him tilt his face up, and he was greeted by Chandelure pressing her glass against his forehead.  He felt a swell of affection at that, his hand coming up to cradle her body.  Chiming again, she backed off with a twirl, then resumed her floating from above.  He rather thought she fashioned herself as their guiding light, despite the bright daylight around them.

"In fact," Emmet said, pulling away and striding toward one of the nearby food stations.  Ingo watched him go, absently clutching Elesa tighter to his side as he resisted the urge to stop Emmet.  He couldn't do anything about the need to keep Emmet in sight though, and he lifted slightly on his toes so he could continue to keep and eye on the white hat as the crowd moved around them.  

He startled and looked down as Elesa's hand pressed against his chest.  Habit kicked in and Ingo was quick to release his hold on her.  Friend or not, it wouldn't do to make her uncomfortable.  She didn't move away, however.  Instead, she wrapped her arms around him in a hug, squishing her face against his shoulder as she rocked them in place.  It...didn't seem like she did it for any reason other than she wanted to.  That fact alone made warmth fill him from his head right to his toes.  This time he didn't hesitate to wrap his arm around her back, relishing her grounding presence at his side.

"I expect a full apology," Emmet popped back up at their side, continuing as if he'd never left, "once you have tried this!"  He thrust a pastry in Ingo's face, the golden crust poking out of the paper sleeve.  One side of it was covered in a sauce of some sort, with little flecks of white and oddly enough pink on it.  It didn't look like soy sauce, or anything of it's equivalent, but Ingo was having a hard time bringing to mind what it was.  

He took the pastry gently from Emmet's hand, holding it up for a closer look.  From here he could smell the sweetness.  Oh, not soy sauce, but chocolate!  The colorful bits were sprinkles!  This was a dessert!  Eagerly, Ingo took a bite out of it, and was immediately greeted by a burst of fruity sweetness on his tongue that blended smoothly with the chocolate and pastry.  Eyes wide in the unexpected joy, he flapped his free hand at Emmet, grabbing at his coat and tugging it in excitement.  It was pecha flavored!

Emmet's laugh was delighted as he squished in to the hug Elesa had not yet released Ingo from.  "Is it bravo worthy?" he asked, looking at Ingo with a far too pleased-with-himself expression.

As soon as Ingo was able to clear his mouth, he bellowed, "Super bravo!  Emmet, this is amazing!  The crust is so flaky, and the chocolate is not bitter at all.  The pecha jam is fresh and full of little chunks of fruit.  I cannot remember the last time I had something so delicious!"  

Ingo paused in his gushing at the odd look on Emmet's face.  It wasn't a bad look, and Emmet was quick to quirk his mouth up in reassurance.  Still....  "What is it Emmet?"  He wanted to know.  He didn't think Emmet would mind him asking.

"You're smiling," Emmet replied.  And oh, oh.  Ingo self-consciously raised a hand to touch the edge of his mouth.  It had taken him so long to be able to do the bare minimum of the expression.  Now that he knew what had caused the look, he could recognize the fond wonder in Emmet's eyes.  

"I am happy," Ingo said simply. He let his smile widen, laughing a bit as Emmet's face lit up in response.   

"And I am hungry," Elesa cut in.  She was beaming at Ingo just as widely as Emmet was.  "We still have at least five more places we need to hit up before we head back.  Roller has been a champion in carrying around all our bags, but we shouldn't linger too long right?"  Roller leaned over to nuzzle Elesa in agreement.  The Zebstrika had been very patient in allowing them to pile their bags of foodstuffs across his back.  He looked more like a pack pokemon than a battler at this point.

There was a scuffle at their feet, and Elesa pried herself away from Ingo's side to look down.  Their adorable Durant had returned from his foray, a parcel tied securely to his back.  He was tugging insistently at Elesa's pant leg until she crouched down.  With a little wiggling and a few dexterous clicks of its mandible, the package was untied and Durant offered her one of the dumplings he'd brought.

Elesa's hand came up to her face as she cooed at the offering.  "Oooh, thank you Ran-ran!"  She bit into the dumpling with a happy hum, before offering the rest to him.  Ran-ran took it delicately from her fingers, waving its antennae in thanks as it ate.  Then Elesa reached out to gather the rest of the dumplings back up, wrapping it back into its packaging with a few deft folds.  "Let's get the rest of that packed back up for home, okay?"

"Isn't this a bit excessive?" Ingo asked, somewhat rhetorically.  He's asked the same question five stations ago.  He took another bite of the pastry, eyes closing in pleasure as the taste burst over his tongue again.  How marvelous!

Emmet added a bag full of more pastries Ingo hadn't noticed to the pile on Roller's back.  "Nope!" he chirped.  A sleepy echo of the sound announced one of Elesa's Emolga—Sparker, Ingo thought—waking up as Emmet nearly squashed him with the bag.  Emmet gave it a quick face scratch of apology, and was seemingly unbothered by the small zaps of electricity the pokemon gave off.  It quickly burrowed itself back under the pile and out of sight.

Elesa was a little more careful as she added her package to Roller's back.  "Come on Ingo, let us have an excuse to celebrate," she cajoled.  "There will be enough people there to eat all the food, and if not, at least you'll have leftovers!"

"I hardly think reminding me of what food I eat needs to be celebrated," Ingo stated with an eye roll.  "But far be it for me to spoil your fun.  What is our next destination?"

Emmet didn't answer verbally, just grabbed Ingo's hand and pulled him along down the busy road, expertly weaving between people in his single minded determination.  Ingo quickly popped the rest of the pastry in his mouth and grabbed Elesa's hand before he could be pulled out of range, and the three of them made a merry train through the crowds.  

Durant and Zebstrika followed more sedately.  Chandelure was hovering above them, too far to be buffeted by the crowds, but close enough that her constant happy chimes echoed in Ingo's ears.  Eelektross came winding his way from where he'd been off exploring, twisting happy spirals around Emmet without bothering where his and Ingo's hands were joined.  Ingo marveled at the fact that not only was no one worried that the large pokemon were out in the open, but that people trusted they meant no harm, even without a pokemon trainer overseeing them.  Just another wonderful thing about the future that he forgot he was missing.

It took them another hour for both Emmet and Elesa to be satisfied with their selection.  Ingo had wondered briefly if they were going to come to blows over a taco stand.  Elesa was insistent they needed a variety of entrees, while Emmet was equally insistent that the food was too messy, too crunchy, and too soft all at once.  Elesa won when Ingo had admitted he wanted to try the little wraps of meat they were selling.  Suddenly Emmet was all for ordering a little bit of everything from the menu.  It was endearing, if a bit ridiculous.

By this point, Haxorus had come out of his pokeball to assist with carrying the packages to give Zebstrika a break.  He was overjoyed at being included, his tail wagging in long sweeps across the road.  Many people had avoided the happy dragon with indulgent looks, and a few children had followed them for a while, playing a skipping game over Haxorus' tail.  

So it was with a light heart that Ingo and the absolute menagerie around him finally made it back to his and Emmet's house.  Inside was already bustling.  Drayden had arrived early in the morning to oversee this gathering.  Furniture had been moved about to make space, some folding tables Ingo was unsure they even owned had appeared to line the walls, and soon enough Drayden had shoo'd them out the door so he could finish setting up.  So Ingo had certainly expected to return to a fuller house, but he was still surprised by the tables already full of plates and dishes, and more people than he could actively remember were already milling about the large living room, spilling out through the open doors into the back yard.

"We return!" Emmet announced loudly as he pushed through the door past Ingo, flinging one hand wide as if to present Ingo to the room.

"We also brought the goods," Elesa sang out, Zebstrika and Haxorus proudly marching into the room behind her with their loot.

A slender body came sprinting across the room, as Iris threw her arms around Ingo's waist.  He caught her with ease, marveling again at how free with affection his family was.  "Welcome back!" she said, releasing him and spinning around with a laugh.  "That means we can finally start eating, right?"

"Soon," Drayden rumbled as he approached.  He reached out a hand to squeeze Ingo's shoulder, eyes crinkled up in a smile.  "Welcome home, Ingo."

Ingo's throat tightened unexpectedly, and he had to clear it to be able to speak.  "I'm home, Uncle Drayden."  He would never get tired of that.  

Drayden, never a man of many words, merely nodded and stepped back.  "It's nice to see Haxorus looking so well these days."

"Yeah!" Iris cheered, raising a fist triumphantly.  "I made sure we brought lots of Mago poffins for Zephyr!  Hey, can I go play with him now?"  She turned sparkling eyes on Drayden, who gestured her right back to Emmet and Ingo.  "Pleeease?" she added, changing target.

Ingo was strong to many manipulations, but this was not one of them.  "I don't see why—"

"Not until we have had a battle!" Emmet interrupted, apparently not moved by the wobbly expression on the girl's face.  "I know you.  You will talk with Zephyr to get our training secrets.  We will not be thrown under the tracks by your tactics."

Iris stomped her foot, but didn't look too put out.  "Aw, you're too good at this Emmet.  If I promise not to ask about any battling, can I?"

Emmet leaned over to get right in her face.  She stared back, unbothered by his closeness.  Whatever Emmet saw there, he straightened up with a nod.  "Very well.  But I will be watching you."

"Not if you're watching Ingo the whole night!" she retorted gleefully.  

Even as she skipped off to Haxorus' side, Emmet called after her, "I have an extra set of eyes just for your shenanigans!"  He turned back to Ingo with a huff.  "You are lucky she is being nice today.  She missed you."

Ingo wasn't quite sure what 'being nice' meant in this situation, but took his brother's word for it.  "I may not yet remember all our routes, but I am quite sure that I missed her as well.  I will have to apologize later."

"None of that," Drayden chidded gently.  Emmet nodded emphatically in agreement, lips pressed together tightly.  "We don't care if you remember or not.  You are family."

"I am Emmet.  Why are you apologizing?  She will be angry if you apologize."

Ingo regarded his brother, noting the unhappy lilt to his smile and the way his fists were clenched at his side.  "Does it make you angry as well?" he wondered out loud.

"Yes," Emmet responded immediately.  "You do not need to apologize for being Ingo.  Memories or no memories."

Ingo hummed, but nodded hesitantly.  "I see.  I am...unsure of the route to take.  I feel the distress caused by my absence needs reparation.  Yet that very act may not bring the comfort I wish."

Drayden let out a loud huff, though his eyes were fond when Ingo looked to him.  "Well, that has always been your ideals, I suppose.  I will leave you to your brother to see if he can't hammer a bit of our truth into you."

"Full speed ahead!" Emmet said with a snappy salute.  Drayden let out a soft laugh, before turning and following after where Iris was hanging off Haxorus' tail.

Three young men were also converging on Zebstrika and Haxorus, quickly taking over unloading the pokemon of the food they'd been carrying around.  Ingo had been quite unsure of how to react when he'd been reintroduced to the triplets.  Chilli and Cress had been pleasant and cordial, but Cilan had been beside himself in expressing his joy and relief at Ingo's return.  

Emmet had been been very amused to inform Ingo of Cilan's hero worship after the fact.  Despite that, though, Ingo found the three very fun to talk to.  Cilan especially had an enthusiasm for trains and the rail system that he and Emmet had spent hours talking with him about.  It wasn't hard to see why they had become friends.

"Ingo."  Emmet's voice drew Ingo's attention back to his brother.  "It is okay to be unsure.  These are tracks in need of maintenance.  But even if they end up at a different destination, we will travel that road together."

Ingo nodded.  His time in Hisui had left it's mark on him.  In his habits, in his posture, in his memory, and more.  He needed to keep that in perspective.  Emmet would remind him as many times as it took, he knew.  "Thank you, Emmet," he replied, gratitude thick in his voice.  

Emmet beamed, reaching out a hand toward Ingo.  As easy as breathing and with as much thought, Ingo's hand was there, gripping his brother's hand tightly.  They stepped further into the room as a unit, Emmet with his left leg, and Ingo mirroring with his right.  He let out a little laugh as a memory bubbled up, of two boys sitting at a table in their backyard, swinging their legs together.  Emmet turned his head inquisitively, but Ingo shook him away.  He would tell him later.

"Ah, good, you got the Qualot berry sauce," Chilli was saying as they passed the little group.  He slipped the bag holding that onto his shoulder.  "I'll be able to finish the skewers now."

"Don't go changing the stuff we bought," Elesa warned.  She rubbed Zebstrika's nose with a smile, before turning back to them.  "Next time sure, but Ingo needs to try the original recipes first you know.  I didn't just walk all over Nimbasa for nothing!"

"We won't!" Cilan protested.  His arms were overflowing with bags, though he managed to look contrite despite that.  "We just whipped up a few more dishes we thought he'd like to try."

"You can't object to good cooking," Emmet said, nudging Ingo's side with an elbow.  

"I cannot imagine how you expect me to try even a fraction of this food," Ingo admitted, looking around.  He paused as his eyes caught a plate full of white dumplings.  A memory bubbled up, but not one of his forgotten past.  He turned away, trying not to let his face show any of his chagrin.  "Though I suppose it's a foolish endeavor to stop such a runaway train."  

Emmet was looking right at him, and Ingo knew he'd seen his reaction.  Part of him hoped that Emmet couldn't tell what it was for.  Another part of him was sure that Emmet had not only seen it, but was now conspiring on how to keep the dumplings far away from Ingo that evening.  It was written in the tightness of his smile and the narrowed determination in his eyes.   

"You're no fool," Emmet agreed easily.  

A yelp drew their attention as Cress snapped his hand back, shaking it as if it stung.  Elesa's pair of Emolga had risen from their napping spot as it was disturbed.  They chittered in annoyance at the triplets, before flitting into the air to glide to the corner where Galvantula had her web spun out.  They landed on her back, snuggling in and disappearing from view as they decided to continue their interrupted nap.  Glavantula barely flicked a mandible at their arrival, content to oversee the area.  Some of the Joltik were strung about her like little ornaments, though Ingo knew many more were all around the house.

Elesa appeared out of nowhere, a plate piled high with many different kinds of food in hand.  "Alright you two, I got us started!  Let's head outside where's it's not so stuffy."  She manhandled Ingo around and gave him a shove in the direction of the sliding glass door to the back yard.  It was fully open to allow easy passage for even the largest of the pokemon, resident or visiting, so there was plenty of room for the pair of them to step through side by side, Elesa bringing up the rear.

Almost as soon as he'd stepped outside, a purple and white blur attached herself to his free side, and Ingo was greeted by Lady Sneasler's tongue swiping a deliberately annoying streak up the side of his face and into his hair, knocking his hat askew.  

"Lady Sneasler!" he protested, staggering into Emmet's side.  Emmet was too busy laughing at his brother's plight to offer any assistance, the ingrate.

"Snart!" she said, radiating smugness.  "Snear laur"

"I offered you to accompany us," Ingo grumbled.  "It does not serve me right for abandoning you, when you were invited!"  He wiped at the wet saliva on his face, pulling his hat back into place and hoping it covered whatever atrocity she'd done to his hair.  She just snickered at him behind one clawed hand.

"The girls are fiiighting~" Elesa crooned.  She had the audacity to laugh at the annoyed look Ingo sent her.  "Come on, come on.  I wasn't lying when I said I was hungry!  Are you going to join us, Lady?"  The last part was directed at Sneasler, who shook her head.

"Sneas, snelaur ease," she chattered, gesturing across the yard.  Clay was there, one hand tilting his hat back as he looked up the towering face of a rock wall.  In his other hand, a notebook was held open.  It was obvious he was referring to it as he examined the structure.  Ingo could see Hilda and Hilbert's Emboar and Samurott lounging around the base of the mini mountain, though there was no other sign of the teenagers.  They were probably already climbing around out of sight.

The twin's house had always had a lot of space, both inside and outside, for the myriad of large pokemon they owned and their needs.  It wasn't the same as the vast wilds, but having a small portion of their home designed for their needs ensured all of their pokemon were comfortable at home.  As such, Ingo and Emmet had insisted on having a rock formation built for Lady Sneasler, where she could climb and perch as her heart desired.  

Clay had insisted on helping with the endeavor.  However neither he nor Lady Sneasler ever seemed satisfied with the results, always adding and redesigning every chance they had together.  Today was no exception.

"You spoil her so," Elesa said as Lady Sneasler sauntered off.

"Says the queen of treats!" Emmet protested.

"Hm, guilty!"  She bumped her hip into Emmet to get them moving again toward a folding table that had been set up in the shade of a tree.  "Time to treat ourselves!"

"It is hardly spoiling her.  It is important to fulfill a pokemon's needs, especially if you have removed them from their home environment," Ingo said.  They settled themselves at the table, Elesa putting the food in the center before passing around plates.  "A responsible trainer must ensure that their pokemon have enough enrichment, along with having their food and training needs met.  A pokemon in an unsuitable environment is just as bad as an over trained or underfed pokemon!"

A fork was pressed into his hand, a portion of something steaming and mildly green on the end of it.  Ingo rather thought it was a spinach puff.

"Eat," Emmet insisted, a fork of his own waving around in emphasis.

Elesa placed a glass in front of him, full of something colorful and fruity.  It was orange at the bottom, gradually lightening to yellow at the top of the glass.  "Drink!  And be merry!" she cheered.  "Lemonade for the sourpuss," she added, putting another drink in front of Emmet.  He wrinkled his nose at her in annoyance, but pulled it closer to him to take a sip, ignoring the straw in the glass.

Ingo did not ignore the straw, and used it to take a sip of the sunset concoction.  Despite half-expecting it, there was no bitter alcoholic taste to the drink.  Just a strong tangy taste of Sitrus berry, with a sweet aftertaste of Pecha.  He took another, longer drink in delight.  It was so refreshing!

"Eat," Emmet repeated.  "You cannot survive on drinks alone, yup!"

"I can try," Ingo insisted, but dutifully popped the food he'd been provided into his mouth.  He couldn't keep the hum of pleasure in, reaching out and gripping at Emmet's coat in his free hand.  It was a flakey and savory as its appearance suggested, though he didn't think it was spinach as he'd first thought. He made a mental note to get the full rundown on what these dishes were later from Emmet.

"Ah, there you are!"  A new voice, loud and boisterous startled Ingo into twisting around.  Emmet turned with him.  Somehow Ingo knew Emmet only did so because Ingo had moved, not because he wanted to see who was behind them.  It was, he recalled, one of the things they'd do.  Always mirroring their twin to move in unison.  

Burgh gave a merry wave as he approached, coming around to the other side of the table to sit next to Elesa, across from Emmet.  

"Nice to see you, Ingo, Elesa," he greeted.  Then he set his elbows on the table and folded his hands, resting his chin on them as he grinned at Emmet.  "So, I heard you are looking for a certain pair of pokemon, that I might be able to help you with."

Emmet's grin was all teeth.  "That's right!  Who better to ask than the gym leader who specializes in bugs, after all!"

Burgh leaned back, waving a hand dismissively.  "Says the one who has filled his subway with adorable little Joltik.  Rumor is you bred them yourself."

"Of course," Emmet agreed. "I would not be satisfied until I had the perfect partner.  But I would never abandon all my little darlings along the way."

"Ah, so I can see why you didn't want to start another colony, and instead came to me," Burgh said in satisfaction.

"Yup!" Emmet agreed.  "I want a Shelmet and Karrablast.  I do not want already trained partners.  It is something for me and Ingo to do.  They must be good battle partners.  I would prefer them as eggs, but if not, newly hatched is good too."

"A well-bred pokemon lineage is not cheap, you know," Burgh countered.

Emmet narrowed his eyes.  "How much?"

Ingo caught Elesa's eye, and they both exchanged a grin as the two bug enthusiasts continued their discussion?  Bartering?  Whatever it was they were trying to accomplish.  There was delicious food to consume, so Ingo was content to leave Emmet to his scheming.

He took another sip from his straw, and was surprised when he got a gurgle of air instead of the sweet tang of his drink.  He clamped his teeth down on the straw in annoyance.  He hadn't realized he'd already finished it.  Chewing on the straw, he sighed, letting it go then pushing the empty glass away from him.  Well, he'd get another one later.  For now, he was content to enjoy the company of his brother and friends.  Plus, there was still plenty of food on the table for them to get through before another round would be required.

His eyes swept over the offerings, and he settling on a slice of fruit, topped with a soft cheese and wrapped in some thinly sliced meat.  It was a baffling combination, but somehow the flavors blended well into a tasty treat.  He chewed slowly as his attention was dragged back to the conversation.

"You've participated in Elesa's modeling shows before!  Why is that so different from posing for a portrait?"

"Elesa is my oldest friend.  Who has many blackmail material."

Burgh's eyes gleamed.  "If that's all it takes—"

"—Nope!"  Emmet crossed both hands in front of him.  "I will not give in to the dark side this time!"

It took a moment, but Ingo realized he'd stopped chewing.  Once he'd noticed, he was suddenly uncomfortably aware of the food in his mouth, and the way his throat was rebelling against the thought of swallowing.  No, not again.  Not now.  Everyone had gone through so much trouble for this gathering.  Ingo was not going to ruin it—

A drink was pushed into his hand, the straw slipping to one side as the ice in it moved around.  Ingo looked up at Emmet, who didn't even pause in his conversation with Burgh, just slid over on the bench to press his side into Ingo's.  The grounding feeling of the pressure against him settled Ingo's nerves.

Hesitantly, he raised the cup up, managing to get the straw between his lips.  A quick sip later, and it was like his brain fuzzed out for a moment.  He no longer felt like his throat was going to rebel, no longer noticed the texture of the food in his mouth.  It was so easy to swallow along with the drink.

"All good Ingo?" Elesa asked, drawing his attention.  She didn't seem bothered.  Had she not noticed?  

"Yes," he said.  "I apo—"

"Nope!" Elesa said, actually making a motion with her hand as if she were shutting his mouth.  His teeth clicked together as he obeyed the demand.

"More?" Emmet asked, tilting his head at the fruit snack.  "Or is it too much?"

Ingo looked down at his plate in consideration.  The episode had been so brief, and other than the brief spike of panic, he didn't feel at all bad.  The fact that Emmet had known exactly what to do warmed him at his core.  That, and he was still hungry, and still wanted to try all the variety of food his friends had gotten for him.

Instead of answering, he took another piece of fruit and popped it in his mouth.  There was no feeling of distress, no sensation of his throat closing up or his gag reflex being triggered.  It was as delicious as the first bite, all the better for it not having to mix with the lemonade drink as he swallowed it down.

"Hm, bravo!" Emmet said, taking one for himself.  He nudged the plate across so Burgh could take one as well.

"Yes indeed, an excellent choice," he gushed once he had taken a bite.  "So Ingo, you'd be willing to be my muse for a new art piece, wouldn't you?"

"Do not try to finagle my brother into your schemes!"  Emmet protested.  He snagged his drink back from in front of Ingo, taking a sip before returning to a spot between them.  He jabbed a finger accusingly at Burgh.  "I know how you art people work.  First it's 'oh it will only be a few pictures', then it turns into 'but Emmie, you must wear this outfit or the scene won't work!'  Nope.  I am onto you.  I will pay money, time, services, but I will not pose for a picture!"

Ingo sighed wistfully.  "A shame.  I came to appreciate having a recorded record of my time in Hisui, since I could not trust my own memory.  We will need to find another way to keep such memories."

"One picture for each bug!" Emmet said, once again pointing at Burgh.  "And no weird costumes!  Me and Ingo!"

"Done!" Burgh said, reaching over to shake Emmet's pointed hand gleefully.  When his eye caught Ingo's, Ingo winked mischievously.  Burgh let out a delighted laugh, but did release Emmet to flop back in his seat.

Emmet elbowed his side.  "I know what you are doing, brother."

"Then don't fall for it, brother," Ingo retorted easily.

"Incoming!"  A new voice interrupted their groups as Skyla came whirling in.  She settled a tray on the table, then starting taking the plates of food off and distributing into the empty space.  "And of course, a new drink for Ingie," she added as she took the sole drink off the tray and depositing it in front of Ingo.

"Ah, thank you."  Ingo tried to sound appreciative and not as baffled as he felt.  Skyla noticed though, and rolled her eyes good naturedly at him.

"You always finish your drink first.  One of these days you'll remember to save some, or at least get a new drink before you chow down again," she teased.  She leaned into Elesa side, batting her eyes up at the model.  "Feed me," she demanded.

As Elesa (looking utterly besotted) catered to her girlfriend, as Emmet turned back to Burgh to continue working out the details of their trade, as all around them family and friends and pokemon mingled, Ingo realized something.

This gathering was so unlike those he'd attended in Hisui.  There, they had been more festival-like, in celebration of some event, or a seasonal milestone.  The Pearl clan's celebrations were more formal, quiet affairs.  It was where people could make the more complex traditional foods, and where the bounty could be shared by all.  The Galaxy Team festivals were loud, boisterous affairs, but very impersonal.  Everyone would gather for the celebration, people would mingle, but it did not have the same sense of closeness that Ingo craved.  He had avoided those more, because of that.  He could deal with the quiet of the Pearl clan, but the noise of the Galaxy Team made him feel more alone afterwards.

Now he realized it was because he was missing both aspects.  The house was full of people and pokemon, and it was such a loud and lively gathering.  The people here, however, were people dear to him.  People who had helped him on his journey in the past, who were here to be with him on his journey into the future as well.  It was such a warm, welcoming feeling, so bright and full of joy.  

It felt like home.

(Ingo had been driven to near tears from laughing when Emmet had intercepted someone offering him one of those buns, by lunging forward to eat the dumpling directly from their hand in one bite.  The angry, muffled noises he'd made as he'd tried and failed to tell them off for the offense had been the source of teasing for many weeks to come.  Ingo knew, for whatever and however he could, that Emmet would always be there for him.)

[imfluentinfangirlandgay]

A Father's Resolve - Ch 7

Ingo returns after a decade - with two extra cars in tow. Years later, his kids are swallowed up by time in the same way he was. Will he be able to find them? Will they be able to make it out alive?

Word Count: ~2300

"Come on, Rei, we should battle! See what our new teams can do!" Akari begged. 

"Isn't there a request from someone in the Diamond Clan that Laventon mentioned?" Rei asked. 

"Yeah but this won't take long! Promise!" 

"Fine," he relented, "but I'm bringing Spark Plug with me. I know you'll just spam some new water move on Campfire." 

"Telling me your losing strategy already?" his sister teased as he gathered up the pokeballs. 

They trekked to the pastures to make a better team for themselves as they considered what they would bring. It was so odd to see their captured, but not in use, pokemon playing together in the fields. The townsfolk avoided this area. 

Then they set off for the dojo that Laventon had pointed out the night before. It was caged in by a half-wall, with a dirt patch set up like a fighting arena. It was small, but it would definitely work. 

"Let's do this," Rei breathed. They hadn't properly battled in weeks. 

They both sent out their starter first, Rei with Campfire and Akari with Riptide. Unfortunately, Rei knew exactly where this was going. “Campfire, return!” He threw out Spark Plug, the little Shinx meowing in challenge. Akari smirked. As Rei fired off a Thunder Shock, she sent out Bonnie the Ponyta, who took it like a champ. Rei gritted his teeth. 

“Bonnie, Stomp!” Akari called. Rei flicked his wrist. The horse stomped onto thin air as Spark Plug dodged with blinding speed, setting off in a Quick Attack, which hit the horse square in the chest, sending it skidding back a few paces. It still stood its ground. 

“Spark Plug, one more Quick Attack!” The cat responded with a speedy headbutt that the horse did not have time to respond to. It fell to its knees with a mournful whinny as Akari recalled it, sending out Riptide once again. She gritted her teeth. 

“Tackle! Now!” Oshawott screwed its eyes in a glare and ran at Spark Plug, throwing its entire body into its opponent. It was a critical hit. Spark Plug fell quickly. Rei hurriedly sent out a different pokemon as Akari smirked- and then her face fell. It was not Campfire that Rei had sent out. 

An Eevee stood on the field, it's body in a battle stance. He was hoping for the best with this. He watched as Akari scanned the field. “Swift!” Five white stars shot from Eevee, locking onto Riptide and following it even as it tried to run. The water pokemon tripped as it took the brunt of the attack, but it still stood back up. It managed to shoot off an Aqua Jet and took out the fragile Eevee. Rei recalled it and sent out his final pokemon. He needed to end this. “Quick Attack!”

“Aqua Jet!” 

Both twins watched with bated breath as the wounded Oshawott and the disadvantaged fire type both carried out their commands, both colliding a with each other and bouncing back, residual ocean spray and dust kicking up and blocking out any vision and making Rei blink away debris until-

Only one pokemon still stood. Cyndaquil, its body coated with mud as it's back flames flickered for a moment before glowing brightly once more in triumph. Riptide was laying in the mud on its back, unconscious. 

Rei whooped and ran over to his little pokemon, lifting it up by the armpits. “You did amazingly, Campfire! I'm so proud of you!” The fire-type smiled at him and whistled in excitement as the swung it around in the air. He set the baby back down as his sister was approaching her pokemon, bringing the Oshawott back to consciousness. “You did really well, too, Riptide.”

“You sure did, bud. Get some rest now.” It disappeared into the pokeball in a flash of light. Akari turned to Campfire and patted him on the head. “And good job to you! It's impressive that you could bring down a pokemon of a type that has an advantage over you!” It hummed at her as Rei recalled it and helped her to her feet, brushing off her pants. 

"Oh, so you're the rookies everyone's been talking about!" Rei jumped at the booming voice and turned, his smug expression wiped clear off his face. Before him stood a tall, muscular woman. She was broad, with a red tunic emblazoned with the Galaxy Team logo. Her fiery red hair was pulled up into a flowing curly mane on top of her head. "Name's Zisu. You two have some fight in you. I wanted to stop by and give what advice I could." She grinned and slapped his back, making him see stars. 

How was she this tall? She had to be at least 7 feet tall. She towered over Rei, her hands relaxing on her hips. "You know, if your pokemon masters a move, you can use it in different styles!" Rei tried to listen, he really did, but his ears were ringing. He remembered something his father had mentioned a long time ago. 

"Daddy?" Rei picked up his Lillipup plush and stared at it, making it hop up and down. 

"What is it, little cub?" Dad had asked, turning his head to gaze at his son over the paperwork he was filling out. 

"What was Mommy like?" The boy's silver eyes had laid upon his father's as he awaited an answer. His sister had looked up from her playing as well, her small hands that gripped her dolls pausing in their actions. 

"Well," he had said, sitting up and pushing away the paper, "she was a fighter, for one thing. Loved pokemon battles, almost as much as your uncle," he chuckled. He stared out the window, his eyes misty. "I wouldn't be surprised if you both grew up taller than me." 

"Why?" Rei had asked, hugging his plush to his chest and cocking his head. 

"Your mother was very, very tall," his father said. "Towered over me and just about everyone else. She was good at pokemon battles and wrestling." He looked between his twin children. "I do wish one of you had gotten her red hair," he lamented, ruffling Rei’s hair and making him giggle, "but this way you two get to match!"

"She's the one who wanted to name us, right Daddy?" Akari had joined them at the table, her small hands grabbing the edge and standing on her tiptoes to see them. 

Ingo had taken her into his lap. "That's right, cub. The heros were the only ones to ever beat her in a pokemon battle." 

"Wow," Akari said in wonder, her silver eyes sparkling, "she must have been really good." 

"She was very good," their father had said. "Very very good." 

Rei locked eyes with his sister, who looked just as shocked as he did. She'd figured it out, too. 

"... and if you need any cool new moves for your pokemon, just let me know!" Zisu boomed, her grin wide. 

"Y-yeah, we will," Akari stammered. "We should probably go, uh, check with Laventon about the Diamond Clan stuff now." Rei nodded in agreement, his wits slowly returning to him. 

"I'll see you two around, then," she waved as they made their escape. 

"I didn't think she'd be here!" Rei whispered in Unovan to his sister. 

"I thought she'd be someone from the Pearl Clan!" 

"I did too!" 

"What do we do?" she whispered to him, her hands shaking. "Our dead mom is just living in the village! With us!"

"She doesn't know yet," he pointed out, "we haven't been born yet. And she's not dead. Here. Yet. Has she even met Dad?" 

"I have no idea," Akari whispered. 

"I say we just pretend everything's normal. Maybe we can get to know her a bit," Rei said. 

"How? She might figure it out!"

"That we're her kids from the future that she had with a member of a different Clan? I don't think that's the first conclusion she'd jump to," he retorted. "Look, it's weird, yeah, but if we pretend everything's fine, then everything's fine. We're essentially strangers to her. We don't even really look like her." 

Akari sighed. "It just feels so weird." 

"Oh I agree," he remarked, "but I mean, what do we say? We need to do our jobs and she has things we can use, like training. I think that's gonna be a rare thing out here. We can't just say we refuse to see her just because." 

"Yeah," his sister sighed. "You're right."

"I know I am," he smirked. "Now let's go see what this mission entails." 

They met up with Laventon, who informed them that they should go meet with Mai, a Warden from the Diamond Clan, in the Obsidian Fieldlands. That was easy enough, Rei thought. The sun was up and out, the sky almost unbroken blue. There was a light breeze, but not much to complain about. They trekked to the Fieldlands, the now-familiar tents beginning to come into view as they came over the hill.

“Boo!” Rei jumped at the voice suddenly behind him and whirled around. A head of blonde hair bobbed in laughter. “Did I get you? I bet I did. Just wanted to come by and wish you guys luck. You know about the Back Strike Technique? It's a bit of a secret.” Rei breathed a sigh of relief. It was just that merchant from the other day. 

“Oh- uh, yeah, thanks, Volo,” Akari stammered. “We best be on our way…”

“Of course, don't let me keep you up!” He waved at them jovially and set off in the opposite direction down the path. The twins looked at each other and shrugged. They kept walking. 

Laventon waved to them from the camp and pointed to the bridge. “Down there is where Mai is waiting. She said she needed help with something important. I'm sure you'll be the perfect folks for the job!” 

The twins bobbed their heads and immediately set off, making sure to give any Shinx a wide berth lest they get a repeat of yesterday. 

—-----

After their spat, Elesa had insisted on taking the trio out for dinner. And in order to do so, showers were in order. Emmet had gone first, allowing Ingo and Elesa some time to themselves as he scrubbed himself clean. His hair regained its light silver hue. He shaved and scrubbed and cleaned for well over half an hour before finally emerging, a towel over the bottom half of his body and wet hair dripping into his eyes. 

“You'd better not be dripping water all over the carpet!” Elesa shouted from the kitchen. 

“You don't even pay the mortgage here!” Emmet cursed to himself as he shivered.

Arceus. It was cold out here. He hurried to his bedroom to get clothes on. 

He heard Elesa arguing with his brother and a few short minutes later, the shower turned on again. Emmet rolled his eyes as he threw on a t-shirt and some pants and ruffled his hair with the towel. He'd left his hairbrush in the bathroom. 

“Who's in the bathroom?” he asked as he approached the door. 

“S'not me,” came Elesa's reply from the kitchen. Emmet opened the door without any hesitation. The steam was the first thing to hit him square in the face, warm and humid. Then Ingo's shout as his gaunt face poked out of the shower curtain, his hair in his eyes, still with shampoo in it. 

“Hey! I'm showering here!”

“As if we don't have literally the same junk. I'm grabbing my hairbrush, ya big baby.”

“I've heard of this fantastic new phenomenon called knocking!” 

“Oh! You'll have to show me sometime, I must not have gotten the memo.” Emmet stood stubbornly in the bathroom, the door still half open as he brushed his hair in the foggy mirror, smirking. 

“Oh my Arc, get out. You're letting in the cold air.” Ingo flung water at him, forcing him to make a tactical retreat as he sniggered. 

Emmet brushed his hair and made himself presentable as the shower shut off. Elesa was scrolling her phone on the couch as she waited for the twins to finish up. “How do you feel about Carthey's?” 

“That sounds fine to me.” He knew Ingo also like Carthey's well enough. Emmet adjusted his button-up, popping the collar and making sure the buttons were all fastened. Before long, his brother appeared in the front room as well, looking identical to Emmet. “One of us is going to have to change,” Emmet grinned. 

“You've been recycling that joke for over thirty years.” 

“And it's funny every single time!” 

“I beg to differ.”

“Then beg.” Ingo squinted at Emmet, who was grinning like an idiot. He scoffed, but Emmet could see the twinkle returning to his eyes. Good. 

“Ig? Carthey's? Yay or nay?” Elesa cut in. 

“That sounds lovely tonight. Been awhile since we had it.” Ingo was popping his own collar and smoothing out his shirt. He looked worlds better than he had the night before. He was still struggling, that much was obvious; the bags under his eyes were still there and his fingers still shook slightly with exhaustion. But the shadows were not as consuming, his shaking had reduced to tremors, the lights in his eyes had somewhat returned. Emmet knew from firsthand experience that he would not be okay until he got his babies back, but in the meantime, Emmet was happy to see his brother back from being a walking corpse. 

“I'm willing to bet it's been awhile since you had anything. I'm ready to go whenever you dorks are.” The trio crowded out the door and Emmet locked it behind them, telling Haxorus to watch over the house while they were gone.

[First] - [Previous] - [Next]

[pykanico]

Day 20 - Pride

Fic if you want to read every posted day : https://archiveofourown.org/works/51386731/chapters/129854215

"Bravo!! Really excellent! The best combination of you and your Pokémon. It is incredible!” Ingo couldn't stop himself from feeling proud of Rosa and Nate accomplishment, like every time something like this happened, the two young trainers had passed multiple months trying to win against him and his twin, and finally their effort paid.

Even through, he was more familiar with Nate than Rosa, as the teenager won in the single train before trying the challenge that the multi-battle was, It did not stop him from applauding with enthusiast the work the two of them put together to arrive at the station called Victory.

“When you and someone else combine, your engine powers something special! If you like, please challenge us with a different combination."

"I am Emmet. We lost against you again. But I am satisfied.” Ingo also knew for fact that his younger twin was more familiar with Rosa than Nate, as he remembered him talking for hours about his next strategies to offer her a challenge she would not forget, It is not every day that his brother shows so much enthusiasm against a challenger.

“You are too strong! The strength you have, your trust in your Pokémon, their never-ending support! Yep! It was the most fun battle ever! Please come back soon!"

Rosa was the first to talk as Nate was mostly grinning about the compliment offered by the twin. “Of course I am going to come back! It is always a lot of fun to have a battle against you two, right Nate” she turned her gaze on her friend waiting, expectation in her eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that, you know that we are going to come back, One victory is not enough for me with the number of times you have beat us”

Emmet smile grows with a glint of eagerness “I am Emmet, Do not make us wait too long, I want to have another battle like this verrry soon”

“I must admit, we are already waiting with impatience for the next time you two will pass by”

As Rosa and Nate seemed to smile ready to continue there discussion with the twin, the train slowly start to slow down, meaning only one things “It seem that we arrived to our Destination”

A loud groan coming from Rosa was hear, as Nate seem just a bit surprise by how fast they arrive “Oh shoot, we didn’t have time to discuses more, that a shame”

“A shame is an understatement Nate, I need to go back to the league after that, Did you know that I have to do literal paper work!! How is that fair, I hate it, so so much, it’s like homework but more boring!”

Nate simply rolls his eyes as the train finally takes a stop “Don’t be dramatic, the Elite 4 is doing all the paper work for you until you are old enough to do it as far as I know”

“Still!!”

As the doors opened and the Champion and Nate walked outside, they waved their goodbye to the brothers, Now that they were alone, Ingo simply shook his head, a smile on his face.

“I am quite happy to see how Nate and Rosa got to where they are now, They are very talented trainers”.

Emmet nodded at the statement with some amusement on his face. “You are proud of every trainer who made a good impression on you Ingo, I am proud of them too, but I am even more proud of us, and Gear station”

Even if embarrassment at the comment of his brother about how he is – truthfully – always proud of trainer who left him a great impression, he nodded, he was proud of his and his brother accomplishment too.

[onestepbackwards]

Here's part 4. No smut in here yet, but there will be some.

Content Warning: AFAB Reader, yandere stuff, delusional Ingo and Emmet, blackmailing.

The walk back to the Bee Kings's lair was agonizingly quiet. Evenso, your brain is busy thinking about your next move. You were so occupied with your thoughts that you did not hear one of them talking directly to you. You only heard Ingo calling your name the second time he did so.

"Queen, are you alright? You are awfully quiet and stiff. Are you not feeling well?" Ingo stared at you with worried expression in his eyes.

Had it not been for this mind-boggling situation that The Kings started, you would have responded quickly. However, you cannot be brash in this situation. Snapping at them would cause more uproar to happen. Your colony would be at greater risk if you misstep this time. You are terrified of that notion.

You assured Ingo that you are fine in a firm voice. He nodded and continued to look forward while still holding your left hand in a tight grip. The walk become silent once again until Emmet spoke.

"Queen, you must be hungry. Let's have something to eat first. It's almost breakfast. Any requests? We may have some meat along with fresh fruits and vegetables." Emmet stared at you this time with his hard-to-read expression while gripping your right hand thightly.

Again, you cannot be brash around them, so you responded that you would eat anything served on the table. He nodded and continued to look forward as he walked.

It's almost like they already forgot of the happenings earlier, too caught up in their delusion to do so. They make you sick to your guts. Suddenly, escaping this sickening situation looked so impossible for you.

You finally arrived back at the bees' colony. The drones are busy discussing among themselves. You faintly heard them talking about their assigned workers who have gone missing all so suddenly. When they see their Kings, they immediately made a beeline to them.

"My Kings! Where have our assigned mates gone to? My mate was gone when I woke up this morning! She didn't even say goodbye." One drone looked sad and dejected that his supposed to be mate had gone and left him just like that.

"Mine too! She didn't tell me anything of her sudden leave." Another drone cried at the end of his sentence. Several murmurs of similar sentences following it.

"Did we do something wrong? Did we upset our Queen? Was she so upset that she ordered her workers to leave us?" Several drones are murmuring questions now, directing their sad gazes to you.

You felt the need to avert your gaze but ultimately kept it straight. Just when you are about to speak, the Kings beat you to it. "Do not worry. Each of your assigned mates have decided that they had their fill and left to continue their jobs at the wasps' nest. We are sure they will be back soon." The Kings, Ingo and Emmet, spoke almost at unison.

You must admit that you feel a bit glad that the Kings helped you to defuse the uproar that almost occured among their drones. If it hadn't been for their help, you would have dozens of drones crowding and asking desperate questions at once. That would make you panic. You silently thanked them.

"Everyone, it is almost the time for breakfast! Those who are in charge of today's meal, please go and prepare something special for our new Queen here." Emmet announced with a proud smile to his drones who in turn saluted happily for their Kings.

"Let's discuss about your assigned mates later. We have a Queen now. We will be saved!" Even Ingo smiled subtly at the news that made his drones cheer happily.

Everyone in the bees' nest was smiling happily except you. You can't even fathom why they are doing this cruel thing to you. You shouldn't have given your trust to these lawfully evil Kings. Your thoughts of regret are evident at your face.

A tug at your right arm popped you out of your trance. Emmet is looking at you with a smile that best described as feral, making you shiver terrifiedly. Another tug at your left arm, Ingo is also looking at your with a smirk that is full of malice that is making your hair stands on its end.

You are aware of their silent threats, dangling the lives of your workers back at your colony over your head. Yet you can't do anything to stop them.

-MintyAnon.

Ooh 👀

Probably the smartest thing to do, play along with their delusion. Play a bit of a long game and have them let their guard down themselves.

This is still good as always Minty Anon! Thank you for sharing!

[r0-boat]

Here's part 4. No smut in here yet, but there will be some.

Content Warning: AFAB Reader, yandere stuff, delusional Ingo and Emmet, blackmailing.

The walk back to the Bee Kings's lair was agonizingly quiet. Evenso, your brain is busy thinking about your next move. You were so occupied with your thoughts that you did not hear one of them talking directly to you. You only heard Ingo calling your name the second time he did so.

"Queen, are you alright? You are awfully quiet and stiff. Are you not feeling well?" Ingo stared at you with worried expression in his eyes.

Had it not been for this mind-boggling situation that The Kings started, you would have responded quickly. However, you cannot be brash in this situation. Snapping at them would cause more uproar to happen. Your colony would be at greater risk if you misstep this time. You are terrified of that notion.

You assured Ingo that you are fine in a firm voice. He nodded and continued to look forward while still holding your left hand in a tight grip. The walk become silent once again until Emmet spoke.

"Queen, you must be hungry. Let's have something to eat first. It's almost breakfast. Any requests? We may have some meat along with fresh fruits and vegetables." Emmet stared at you this time with his hard-to-read expression while gripping your right hand thightly.

Again, you cannot be brash around them, so you responded that you would eat anything served on the table. He nodded and continued to look forward as he walked.

It's almost like they already forgot of the happenings earlier, too caught up in their delusion to do so. They make you sick to your guts. Suddenly, escaping this sickening situation looked so impossible for you.

You finally arrived back at the bees' colony. The drones are busy discussing among themselves. You faintly heard them talking about their assigned workers who have gone missing all so suddenly. When they see their Kings, they immediately made a beeline to them.

"My Kings! Where have our assigned mates gone to? My mate was gone when I woke up this morning! She didn't even say goodbye." One drone looked sad and dejected that his supposed to be mate had gone and left him just like that.

"Mine too! She didn't tell me anything of her sudden leave." Another drone cried at the end of his sentence. Several murmurs of similar sentences following it.

"Did we do something wrong? Did we upset our Queen? Was she so upset that she ordered her workers to leave us?" Several drones are murmuring questions now, directing their sad gazes to you.

You felt the need to avert your gaze but ultimately kept it straight. Just when you are about to speak, the Kings beat you to it. "Do not worry. Each of your assigned mates have decided that they had their fill and left to continue their jobs at the wasps' nest. We are sure they will be back soon." The Kings, Ingo and Emmet, spoke almost at unison.

You must admit that you feel a bit glad that the Kings helped you to defuse the uproar that almost occured among their drones. If it hadn't been for their help, you would have dozens of drones crowding and asking desperate questions at once. That would make you panic. You silently thanked them.

"Everyone, it is almost the time for breakfast! Those who are in charge of today's meal, please go and prepare something special for our new Queen here." Emmet announced with a proud smile to his drones who in turn saluted happily for their Kings.

"Let's discuss about your assigned mates later. We have a Queen now. We will be saved!" Even Ingo smiled subtly at the news that made his drones cheer happily.

Everyone in the bees' nest was smiling happily except you. You can't even fathom why they are doing this cruel thing to you. You shouldn't have given your trust to these lawfully evil Kings. Your thoughts of regret are evident at your face.

A tug at your right arm popped you out of your trance. Emmet is looking at you with a smile that best described as feral, making you shiver terrifiedly. Another tug at your left arm, Ingo is also looking at your with a smirk that is full of malice that is making your hair stands on its end.

You are aware of their silent threats, dangling the lives of your workers back at your colony over your head. Yet you can't do anything to stop them.

-MintyAnon.

Minty anon you're such a big brain great writer I can't wait for more wasp queen reader content

Genuinely am interested in the entire idea and what's been shown so far👀👀

[mikovwrites]

SubMas: BeeGearStation AU with Wasp Queen Reader

Chapter 4.

Content Warnings: AFAB Reader, yandere stuff, delusional Ingo and Emmet, blackmailing.

The walk back to the Bee Kings’ lair was agonizingly quiet. Even so, your brain is busy thinking about your next move. You were so occupied with your thoughts that you did not hear one of them talking directly to you. You only heard Ingo calling your name the second time he did so.

 

"Queen, are you all right? You are quiet and stiff. Are you not feeling well?" Ingo stared at you with a worried expression in his eyes.

 

Had it not been for this mind-boggling situation that The Kings started; you would have responded quickly. However, you cannot be brash in this situation. Snapping at them would cause more uproar to happen. Your colony would be at greater risk if you misstep this time. You are terrified of that notion.

 

You assured Ingo that you are fine in a firm voice. He nodded and continued to look forward while still holding your left hand in a tight grip. The walk become silent once again until Emmet spoke.

 

"Queen, you must be hungry. Let's have something to eat first. It's almost breakfast. Any requests? We may have some meat along with fresh fruits and vegetables." Emmet stared at you this time with his hard-to-read expression while gripping your right hand tightly.

 

Again, you cannot be brash around them, so you responded that you would eat anything served on the table. He nodded and continued to look forward as he walked. It's almost like they already forgot of the happenings earlier, too caught up in their delusion to do so. They make you sick to your guts. Suddenly, escaping this sickening situation looked so impossible for you.

 

You finally arrived back at the bees' colony. The drones are busy discussing among themselves. You faintly heard them talking about their assigned workers who have gone missing all so suddenly. When they see their Kings, they immediately made a beeline to them.

 

"My Kings! Where have our assigned mates gone to? My mate was gone when I woke up this morning! She didn't even say goodbye." One drone looked sad and dejected that his supposed to be mate had gone and left him just like that.

 

"Mine too! She didn't tell me anything of her sudden leave." Another drone cried at the end of his sentence. Several murmurs of similar sentences follow it.

 

"Did we do something wrong? Did we upset our Queen? Was she so upset that she ordered her workers to leave us?" Several drones are murmuring questions now, directing their sad gazes to you.

 

You felt the need to avert your gaze but ultimately kept it straight. Just when you are about to speak, the Kings beat you to it. "Do not worry. Each of your assigned mates has decided that they had their fill and left to continue their jobs at the wasps' nest. We are sure they will be back soon." The Kings, Ingo and Emmet, spoke almost in unison.

 

You must admit that you feel a bit glad that the Kings helped you to defuse the uproar that almost occurred among their drones. If it hadn't been for their help, you would have dozens of drones crowding and asking desperate questions at once. That would make you panic. You silently thanked them.

 

"Everyone, it is almost time for breakfast! Those who are in charge of today's meal, please go and prepare something special for our new Queen here." Emmet announced with a proud smile to his drones who in turn saluted happily for their Kings.

 

"Let's discuss your assigned mates later. We have a Queen now. We will be saved!" Even Ingo smiled subtly at the news that made his drones cheer happily.

 

Everyone in the bees' nest was smiling happily except you. You can't even fathom why they are doing this cruel thing to you. You shouldn't have given your trust to these lawfully evil Kings. Your thoughts of regret are evident on your face.

 

A tug at your right arm popped you out of your trance. Emmet is looking at you with a smile that is best described as feral, making you shiver terrified. With another tug at your left arm, Ingo is also looking at you with a smirk that is full of malice that is making your hair stands on its end. You are aware of their silent threats, dangling the lives of your workers back at your colony over your head. Yet you can't do anything to stop them.

[emmetrain]

@ghostxnovelist || Continued from here.

The Gear Station have hosted many passengers daily, whether from Unova or other regions entirely. It was expected to see familiar, prominent figures of Unovan League in the train cars, but still a welcome surprise in Emmet's eyes as he approached the Elite Four member and the ghost-type expert, Shauntal herself!

Gloved hand gripped the handrail, though it would not stop Emmet from gesturing by pointing to wherever he needed to as he talked. It was as if his hands were more part of the conversation than his words. His excitement made itself known in the giddy smile and the way the train conductor bounced slightly on his steps.

"I am Emmet! Your story with your friend Belina, your trust for each other, your incredible bond! It is making me feel verrrrry happy—and proud to be an Unovan whose Elite Four is as strong as you!" Emmet commented, pointing up as he did.

"My brother's Chandelure accompanies me in Super Doubles Line, and we are unstoppable together! She does not have a name other than Chandelure, but maybe I should encourage Ingo and help him come up with a fitting name? Anyway!" Before he continuously rambled. "The smallest Litwick! It's... It is verrrrrrrry nice to hear about how nice your grandfather was! The patience he had helped you go up in your tracks to reach Victory with Bellina as your co-pilot! It is heartwarming!" There was only a hint of jealousy on the topic of a supportive family. He had Ingo so he could not complain, but bitter feelings about those who never deserved that word churned inside.

"When my eelektross, Spaghetti, was a small Tynamo, I felt the same way. We did not have a room or a Pokeball to keep her safe in, so I would spend the nights checking on her frequently." The year without shelter, now a distant song neither of sorrow or fondness.

Emmet thought over his words, a newly-formed habit forced upon him by Ingo to avoid being too blunt. Winning was everything. But wasn't he also aware that loss could bring multitudes in regards to emotions? Sadness was a given, yet, in Shauntal's situation, who wouldn't be happy and proud! Wasn't he always proud of his family after every battle? "Battles are the way we show our true potential" —Emmet placed his free hand on his chest, above his heart— "and how we see the world. It is freeing to show your passion, dedication and will in a battle. I think Spaghetti feels the same way when we give our best together. Chandelure, too."

A content sigh escaped him as he tilted his head with a bright smile. "Unknown is scary. Not being the best at something, even more so. And I find ghosts verrrrrry scary. Would you have any tips on how to bond better with my dear Chandelure, and ghosts, in general?"

[mrneighbourlove]

Filling the Emptiness: Ch 7. Destiny Fulfilled

Leere stood by the kitchen sink, splashing herself with water. She couldn’t believe it. She was able to look at herself without fear of the future. And that scared her. The paradox was maddening. Her wedding was today. The last of her guests had arrived yesterday. Zarazu had sent so many dragons to pick up those that lived far away from Hyrule for this occasion. Leere’s list included her band mates, her family and extended family, and old colleagues, and the families of those who had died in her life. She wanted them to know she never forgot about them.

A knock came at her door. Rinku, who never wore dresses under usual circumstances, had a pretty green dress just for this occasion. As her best man, Rinku felt it was her duty to supply Leere with all the courage she’d need to get through the day. “Hey. You’re looking a little green under the gills.”

“As opposed to you being green all over? Worried that I’ll grow wrinkles from stress?”

“What, like me? I’m only starting to let those sink in.” Both of them chuckled as Leere looked back into the mirror. Her adoptive sister patted her back. “You ready for this?”

“….I am. I’m tired of being alone. Let’s fill that hole properly.”

“That’s my Leere.” Rinku took her hand and the two of them left for the dressing room. Sunny and her family were preparing on the East Wing, Leere and her family in the West. The plan was for the two brides to walk down on two separate ends towards each other. Upon arriving in her dressing room, Kanisa, Orana and Tebanam were ready for her. Kanisa was so excited to see her gothic sister have such a grand, almost fairy tale wedding.

“Oh Leere. The dress you picked out is simply wonderful. Has flair. I think your loved one is going to be so happy. You’re perfect dear.”

The dress Kanisa was referring to was a beautiful white dress with markings traced in the dress. Leere slipped the fingerless gloves onto her hand and examined them. The top of her hands held the design of the triforce, with diamond designs going down the arm. As Kanisa took note of, the dress was puffy, with a long trail of cloth. Leere didn’t think she’d ever be the type, and yet, it’s what she wanted in the end, able to fulfill her childhood dream. The dress sparkled, like stars. Her sisters and brother helped her get dressed into it. “It’s a little tight.”

Orana gave her a thumbs up. “You fit perfectly into it. You’re so pretty Leere.”

Tebanam added to the pep talk, adjusting the ruby collar around Leere’s neck. “You deserve this moment.

Leere felt a light blush, appreciative of the comments. “Thank you.”

Covarog gave a knock at the door, with Ralnor flanking him. He was incredibly impressed seeing Leere in such a dress. “Wow. Great work you guys. Can I get a hug?”

“Of course you can.” Leere practiced walking towards her brother with the weight of the dress and wrapped her arms around him.

“Glad to see you in high spirits. Here.” Covarog handed Leere a bouquet of blue hydrangea flowers for Leere. “Zarazu had Zizi grow these up for you. We thought some theming would be appropriate.”

Leere was amazed by the vibrant light colour of the flowers. Smelling them, she relaxed. “Thank you. That’s incredibly kind.”

Ralnor raised an eyebrow, seeing Leere’s hair was little tussled from putting the dress on. “Leere, stand still for a moment.” Reaching for a brush, he quickly settled her wild hair down. Towering over his tiny sister had its perks, as he was able to reach everywhere without asking her to sit down. “Where would you be without us?”

“Going down the aisle with messy hair.”

“Exactly. But now, you don’t need to. There you are.”

Rinku checked a watch, and snapped her finger. “Alright. Places. We need to be ready in our positions and have you go down the red carpet in ten minutes.”

Leere took deep breaths. How she wanted to see her lover. “Well then, I better take my place. All of you… thank you. Thank you for all your support over the years.”

Leere held a group hug with all her siblings, telling herself not to cry. The five Gerudo siblings were like a protective wall, with Rinku and Leere softly in the middle. Rinku smiled softly, using a finger to wipe away a single tear forming on Leere’s face. “And we’ll always be with you. Till the end of line.”

The Mortuus held her head against Rinku’s and softly smiled, closing her eyes. As her siblings held each other close, Leere thought about all good times ahead of her. She was casting off her shell of misery and hardships. As they all let go, Leere looked to each one, seeing the happiness every Gerudo and Hylian had on their face. It was time. “Thank you.”

Walking to her destination, Leere waited behind one of the towers for her father to walk her down the aisle. As she waited, she heard scratching come from one of the tower windows. Looking up, she saw an old friend, hissing with delight at her. “Bonegrinder thinks he hasn’t seen such a pretty dress on an even prettier woman in a long time.”

Leere chuckled, glad to see he showed up for her wedding. “I see you have a comfortable view from the tower.”

“Oh yes. Bonegrinder would never miss out on your big day. Rumor has it that you have a little one on the way.”

“That we do. Sunny has something going on in the tummy.”

“Babies don’t come from the stomach?”

“Bonegrinder… it’s a figure of speech.”

“Ah. Apologies.” Bonegrinder sensed someone coming. “Anyways, you go have the best experience of your life. Bonegrinder will throw a party in your honour in the Underground.”

“Oh? I thought you didn’t do parties.”

“Well, today is cause for celebration. We won’t do it for long, but I’m sure my children would want to celebrate in their own way.”

“Thank you for being my friend Bonegrinder.”

As Bonegrinder slithered away, Leere looked around, expecting Ganondorf, when she saw a person covered in bandages with a long flowing braid. They wore sheikah robes, and had an air of elegance about them. If it wasn’t for their silver hair aged by time, it would be their voice that gave them away. “It’s been a long time since I took this look for you.”

“Mom?!” Leere couldn’t believe Zelda had shown up as Sheik. “What are you doing wearing that? What’s happened to father?”

“Your father sprained his back, running around excited for your wedding. I just had Malik rest him in the chairs next to the alter. And I knew it was tradition for a father to walk you down. So why not the first male figure that helped lead you out of the dark…”

“…and into the light.” Leere felt her soul sore freely. Her mother cared so deeply for her.

“You’ve been through darkness. Terror. And pain. But through all of that you have grown. And you never turned into the darkness that haunted you. The woman I see before me is no longer scared. No longer feels alone. Your ballad is one of peace and serenity now. You are a daughter of shadow, but does not make you dark. You are adopted from the light. You are about to marry the sun that fills that light. May the shadows that surround you only leave you feeling cooled, and content. You are my Leere. My precious daughter. And I’m so, so proud of you.”

“Mom…” Leere threw her arms around Zelda, hugging her deeply. Her mom indeed always had some words of wisdom for her.

“Don’t cry dear. Those tears are for your wife to be.”

Leere nodded, allowing her mother to lock arms with her. Walking to the door of the garden courtyard, they opened it up, and stepped down the path. Music from her band played, using the organ and beautiful harps to set the mood. Hundreds of people had gathered for both the newly weds to be. As Leere got closer, she saw the woman that was the architect of her love.

Sunny was wearing a stunning dress to match Leere. Her collar instead held a dazzling sapphire, and she carried red roses. Both women couldn’t help but laugh internally, as they each held the others colour of flower that would match each other. If Leere’s dress sparkled like the stars, Sunny’s glowed like the sun. The beauty of each other made the other tear up. They quickly had to blink to stop crying, overwhelmed by the joy of this day. Finally, the met each other face to face, and Zelda and Sunny’s father handed them off.

The music died down and Zelda took her seat next to Ganondorf, undoing her head gear. Next to Sunny and Leere, were Rinku and Galaxia as their bridesmaids. Down the central lane came little Skyla. She was tossing pellets everywhere, and finally, arriving to her aunt, held the ring box up she had been holding onto. Leere loved how adorable Skyla was as their little ring bearer. The pastor at the alter smiled to the couple. “If you’d please, take your rings from the ring bearer and place them on your hands.”

Sunny and Leere did just that, placing the other ring on their respective lover’s hand. Leere made a sign language of ‘thank you’ with her moon ring on her finger to Skyla. The little girl sign language back, ‘Your welcome. I love you.’ With that, she ran down to sit in Faris’ lap.

“We are gathered here today, to bring together two women in holy union under the eyes of the goddess Hylia, and all the holy spirits of the world. Sunny Ingo, leader and prosperous worker of Hyrule. And Leere Dragmire, Hero of Hyrule.” Leere didn’t expect to be called hero. Why did everything conspire to make her cry tears of joy? The pastor continued, gesturing to Sunny. “Sunny Ingo. Do you love Leere Dragmire? Do you wish to be by her side, and keep her warm in your coldest nights. Do you take her hand in marriage?”

“I do.” Sunny’s smile burned like the fire of the gods, indeed keeping Leere warm. She squeezed Leere’s hands, thinking of nothing except a bright future.

“And do you, Leere Dragmire, love Sunny in return and ask her hand in marriage? To give her only dreams and hope? To live out the last of your days with her?”

“I do.” Leere felt that the future had everything worked out for her.

“Does anyone object to this union?” Not a peep from the audience. Skull Kid thought about shooting a water balloon at Leere, but decided against it. He could always get her tomorrow. “Then without further ado, I pronounce you wives. You may kiss the bride.”

Leere leaned up, with Sunny holding her close, and both of them kissed intimately. The crowd of people cheered, throwing flowers into the air, hollering and clapping. Ganondorf was wiping his eyes, and all the siblings of Leere and Sunny were so proud of them. Leere and Sunny, now wives, broke off the loving kiss, and looked into each others eyes. Life was going to be ok.

~

The area was quickly cleared, and everyone set up tables for partying and celebration. Leere got on stage, tapping the microphone. “Hello? Everyone? I just want to say, before we get started, I just want to say, from the bottom to the top of my heart, thank you. Thank you for standing by me. I know for a fact, I wouldn’t be here without you all. Fighting the monsters is the easy part. It was living with being a survivor that was the hardest part. But now, I’m at a point in my life where I don’t have to be that. I just get to live. So thank you. Now with that out of the way.” Leere strummed her electric guitar. “Let’s get this reception started!”

Leere and her band played a sweet song of love and fun in the sun. Once she sang her heart out to the crowd for the opening act, Leere stepped down and allowed her band to play some more. The instrumental consisted of trumpets, flutes, drums, and the slow strum of a guitar. Leere found herself on the dance floor, and met Sunny for their first dance. They spun, laughed, and moved together gracefully. The sun shined with glory on the two, keeping each other warm.

Rinku interjected after the couple had a few dances. “Hey, sis. Everyone is gathering for photos. You two want to join up? I mean, if you’re too busy undressing each other with your eyes, I understand.”

“Sunny, welcome to the extended family. Such a joy.”

“I know you’re being sarcastic in your use of the word, but I believe joy is exactly the right term to use. Unironically. It’s how feel about our future going forward. How’d you feel about that?”

“Feel about what?”

“Calling our daughter Joy?”

Leere tilted her head, a twinkle in her eye. “That’s a beautiful name. But what if it’s a boy?”

“I have faith that the gods can’t the pass the perfect combination of two women like us into a little girl.”

“God. Such the optimist. I adore that about you.”

Rinku watched awkwardly as the two kissed deeply. Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. “Ok now. We have all day to do that later.”

Sunny and Leere giggled, and walked with Rinku to their respective families. Sunny’s father and Ganondorf were having a respectful conversation of how they once each led their business and kingdom respectively. Sunny’s brothers and along with Covarog and Tebanam shared embarrassing stories of their sisters, having laughter spread amongst them. Luna was seeking advice from Kanisa and Orana on how to raise more than one child, and Galaxia and Ralnor quietly talked about how they hoped their sister’s future would play out.

Once the brides arrived, congratulations were given to both of them. Rinku motioned both the women together. “First things first. The lovely brides. Smoosh you love birds.”

Leere and Sunny obliged. They took pictures kissing, holding hands, leaning against each other for support, and even made silly gestures. Sunny smiled fondly. “You know. It’s nice to have pictures of the three of us.”

“Three of us?”

“You, me, and our little bundle of joy growing inside.”

Leere settled on the final picture, holding Sunny’s stomach fondly. “Yeah. I suppose so.”

“Hey sis. Get your pretty butt over hear and show off why you’re the most photogenic.” Apollo called over to Sunny. With a grin, she got close to her family for a group shot. Sunny felt that this day was the happiest moment of her life by far.

After her photos were done, Rinku handed Sunny the camera. “I’ll be sure to get all your good sides.”

“Hey now, all our sides are good.”

Leere patted her sisters back, joining with the rest of her family. Leere was in front, with Zelda and Rinku flanking her left and right. Kanisa and Orana squeezed in right behind them. Then Covarog, Ralnor, Tebanam, and Ganondorf surrounded them all. Everyone squeezed in tight, smiling with excitement. Leere was with her family. She was married. At long, long last, she had found peace. No more monsters to hunt. No demons in the dark. And no one dying on her watch. She found the perfect balance in her life. She filled the emptiness in her soul. She got all the good photos in before tears of gratitude came down her face. “I love you all so much.”

~ Five Years Later

Leere sat down, reading a book, when she heard the bounding thunderous steps of tiny feet jump up to her. Her daughter, Joy, smiled fondly up at her mother. “Momma says you have to come eat dinner now and have birthday cake.”

“Does she?” Leere set her book down and smiled happily at her daughter. Ruffling her dark hair, Leere scooped Joy up. “You do know that, because it’s your birthday, I get to have 25% of your cake. That’s the tax I get for bringing you into this world.”

“Noooo. Momma brought me into this world.”

“But I helped. I’m thinking that the crime of sass means I get to have an additional slice.”

“No. You want to know why?”

“Why’s that?”

“I love you a million.”

Leere showed surprise. “Wow. A million. That’s new number for you. A million what?”

“A million love.”

Leere felt her heart flutter, and slowly smiled. “Holy cow. That is a lot of love.”

Arriving at the table, she sat her daughter down at the table. Sunny finished baking a chocolate cake that said ‘May 5th. The Biggest Joy in Life Came to Be.’ “Good job dear. It’s not an easy task wrangling your mom from a good book.”

“Well, she got me good. Costed a million love.”

“A million?”

“Yep.”

Leere and Sunny shared a kiss, cooking up some potato soup to have first before cake. They looked down at their daughter, who smiled back to them with a twinkle in her eyes. They made this life work for them. It brought them so much peace. Joy swung her feet back and forth under the table fondly. “Mommy. Momma?”

“Yes dear?”

“Can we go look at the stars after food?”

Leere looked to her wife and shrugged in good humour. “I don’t know. You have your P.J’s cleaned?”

“Yes.” Joy said, matter of factly.

Leere looked to her wife, serving her daughter soup and each woman taking their seat. “I think we have an activity than after dinner.”

“That we do I reckon.”

Each of them looked to each other, and without words, exchanged the peace they felt with their eyes. They did good. They found their happiness, and most importantly, to Leere, she did right by making her daughter never know what emptiness felt like. Everything was right.

https://mrneighbourlove.tumblr.com/post/184658907816/filling-the-emptiness-ch-6-big-changes Previous Ch.

[thesupersecretbookstore]

This Week’s Expert Picks

It's been a long while since I have read any book straight through, left only to want more of the world it painted. The poems in Blazes by Zack Grabosky (Foundlings Press) are pictures of wonderfully complex worlds, characterized by the people who inhabit these worlds, and how the narrator witnesses the life within their eyes and struggles. Apparently, this book is a 'culmination of over 30 years of studying and writing poetry' and it definitely shows in the plunging depths of souls it dissects, as well as the sensual windows it uses to view everything it chooses to see. Blazes by Zack Grabosky came in the mail on Monday (it is now Friday), and I have immersed myself in the book's poetics (conservatively) half a dozen times. The words are reminiscent of Winesburg, Ohio and the wonder with which Zack writes reminds me of Breece Pancake. I encourage everyone to visit this world this outstanding poet has delicately captured with a rusty rake of autumn leaves in an endless backyard. RB

I know, I know--everyone has already told you to read Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino. Here's the thing: none of those people were me.

Do you wish you had the Movie Best Friend as a kid who was always getting you into trouble but only the trouble you were actually super interested in and then Movie Best Friend actually saves your life? You two happen to live close enough together that you can use flash light or tin can codes and you can ACTUALLY tell Movie Best Friend your way super darkest secrets? Think Now and Then or The Goonies? Yeah? Me too. Movie Best Friend is Jia Tolentino and in Trick Mirror she's telling you all the stories you've never heard.

Occasionally, okay, I'm a little hungry and I space out, but when she gets excited it would take an emergency to tear me away from her.

Here's another question for you: Did you once deny you were a millennial because the descriptions you heard straight up sounded like they were describing children and since you learned you actually are a millennial you've sort of worn it begrudgingly and defensively? Yeah, Jia Tolentino will make you goddamn proud to be a millennial. Because she is proud to be a millennial.

Okay, the content: In nine deeply personal, borderline obsessively researched essays Tolentino writes "reflections on self-delusion" (according to the subtitle). I think she writes the story of life as a millennial, except her takes are more interesting than the stories we tell ourselves in our heads (taking a nod from Thomas King, "the truth about stories is that's all we are"). And that's a blessing. We deserve to give ourselves more credit.

The highest praise I can give to any essay goes to "The Story Of A Generation In Seven Scams." I would also give unbridled praise to "We Come From Old Virginia," "Ecstasy," and "Pure Heroines."

This is a book of essays, so it's a low pressure read. Sit down with an essay a day and go on with your life. But you also get to go on with your life with these stories inside you.

Tolentino is obviously an excellent writer--I know you know because this book has been out for 13 months and no one will shut up about it--but her real gift is giving us stories that will stick with us, make us think, and make us live. SE

“Remote viewing is the practice of seeking impressions about a distant or unseen target, purportedly using extrasensory perception (ESP) or "sensing" with the mind.” Whichever words you care to use, the science has been proven. This is an early look at the phenomenon, from famous author Upton Sinclair and with a foreword from Albert Einstein. Though many of these experiments were conducted at home, the research is there and is extremely unusual.

.

This book is quite entertaining, it doesn’t read like a straightforward sort of novel, it more shows how Sinclair tester these theory’s with his wife (who was quite adept at remote viewing) and presenting the information. It’s a good look into early psych studies. Essentially the book is saying, we found this very interesting thing, no idea what it is, but check out our findings.

.

The book definitely gets slow after a few chapters, but the information is there. The years following this there have been many breakthroughs in the science of remote viewing. The Alexandria Project is a fantastic example of what is possible, another big name is Ingo Swann who’s experiment sessions at Harvard are incredible. Because it is considered a pseudoscience, it is often ignored by academia. CJH

[waywardstation]

We did our best for the train man ;0; Next art he's gonna get his ass beat by *bones* sbfhsjbfh

Spare him \(*0*)/

We did our best and that’s what matters! Ingo would be proud. There’s still an hour left, and there is only a 4% difference, but with as many votes as that has, it’s really thousands of votes difference.

So sorry Ingo, but next art is gonna be rough :(

[tidyamo-blog]

TIDY 2017

Next year will be my 28th year as a producer, my 36th as a DJ and Tidy will be 23. It all started as a bit of fun and it then took over my life, I have seen music formats, club nights, record labels and DJ's come and go and even witnessed the birth of dance and house music as we know it... however the one thing that always amazes me is the Tidy community.

This year more than any other, even when we stopped the Tidy machine so we could work on other projects, you still had the want and urge for us to keep the fire burning. If you had asked me 3 or 4 years ago that we would put on a couple of events in these quite times of clubbing, that 1250 people would come to our Christmas party and 1800 would buy tickets for The Opera House Reunion in record time, I would not have believed it.

Over the years Tidy and myself have witnessed a lot of love, laughter, naivety and even mild hatred within the scene, it’s same ingredients that is in most of the music scenes to be honest, you have to take the rough with the smooth and thats because ‘music is the shorthand of emotion’ and its driven by passion. One thing I’m very proud of is the passion of a fantastic Tidy community, 17 years of events has introduced me to (what I believe) is the most wonderful, committed collection of clubbers that any record label or events brand has ever had.

During Tidy’s 23 years clubbers have come and gone, spent a brief time with us, stayed with us for years, or come, gone and then come back again… they have met their future wives, partners and husbands and some have gone on to create their own families… they now even bring those children and families to our events. People have made new life-long friends, either at a weekender where people bond and unite or at our smaller special Tidy events across the UK.

Alongside our events we are very proud of the music we created and released… although the industry has changed and its no longer a realistic business model anymore - hard house music from the past and present continues to be at the heart of everything. Tidy was originally the brand that brought some of the biggest new artist, DJs and tracks to the scene… some may not agree or like this fact -  but without Tidy we certainly would not have had so many hard house memories or friends.

Without Tidy we certainly wouldn’t have the likes of key names that shaped the sound you know and love, some people forgot that the likes of Guyver, Lee Haslam, Anne Savage, Lisa Lashes, Paul Janes, Flash Harry, Stimulant DJs, Ingo, Colin Barratt, Sam Townend, Eddie Halliwell, Paul Glazby, Kutski, Ian M, Signum, Paul Maddox, Sam Townend and many many more all cut their teeth and had their first tracks and careers on Tidy. All the classics you hear today use to be new tracks once upon a time and ironically the Tidy Boys (when they were younger with more hair) broke all these tracks and played them first… how times have changed.

I didn’t want this little end of year message to be a big showing off exercise for Tidy, far from it, we have always tried to be humble and light hearted, however… sometimes I read some weird twisted views of Tidy on Facebook, which either make us laugh or cry… I even noticed one person recently calling Tidy’s actions controversial… that really did make us laugh. Tidy has never took itself seriously and neither have I, it’s one thing that may have kept us going longer than many others. The music has always had a hard edge and its fantastic it’s stayed underground away from the TV and radio, but Im so glad it’s remained fun and never ever been up its own arse, which is easily done in the music business.

I would like to thank Sam Townend who has been instrumental in the last 10 years in keeping the Tidy flame burning, his hard work and dedication (and the fact he has had to put up with my silly ideas over the years), is sometimes over looked. Over the last 23 years Andy Pickles and I have worked with some fantastic people, both during the Music Factory Years and over the recent independent days with a smaller dedicated team.

Here is a short list of people I would like to thank for the last 12 months : Angie Mozart, Sam Townend, Brad Holmes, Andy Pickles, Pete Goulding, Chris Lambert, Max Mozart, Darren Hicks, Michal Szlas, Matthew Halifax, Paul Smith (Bubble), Dave Jackson, Joe Longbottom, Darren Hurrell, Jayne Parkes, Lee Haslam, Roy & Roger Noise, Rich Haplin, Chris Griffiths, Bill Allard, plus all the Glamzoo Crew from Northampton & Leeds.

Finally I would once again like to say a massive thank you to the Tidy Faithful, not only for continuing to support our special one off events but also for keeping us going by buying clothing and merchandise from the Glamzoo Store, of which we hope to expand in 2018. In fact you may not realise it but by supporting Glamzoo with your purchases you keep Tidy going, a t-shirt, hoodie or novelty cushion purchase makes all the difference and funds your next Tidy adventure.

I Hope to see you all at some point in 2018, we have some very very special events planned, one of which maybe our biggest challenge to date. These parties maybe few and far between but we promise to deliver the best hard house events possible. “There’s no party like a tidy party”

KEEP IT TIDY Amadeus Celery Mozart

[imfluentinfangirlandgay]

Surprise Adoption - Pt 4

hey so its been a minute since i updated this one im gonna go crawl back into my hole now

Word Count: ~2700

As promised, they did not leave the apartment for the rest of the day. Instead, the three of them got to know each other’s Pokemon and Emmet asked many short questions.

“What are its stats?” “Does Sinnoh have trains?” “That Samurott looks different. It’s a dark type?” “Do you like pink?” And other such questions were thrown around. By the time the day was over, Dawn seemed tired, but in a different way than the previous night. She was laughing at Emmet’s antics over their dinner together. It made Ingo feel strangely warm.

“So, you mentioned your uncle coming over sometime to meet me… do you know when? Just so I have a heads-up?” Dawn looked up nervously, not wanting to change the conversation but asking anyway. It seemed to be bothering her. Ingo chewed and swallowed the bite he had taken, pushing one of Emmet’s Joltik away from his spot at the table. He had given up trying to remove them from the table entirely.

“We are not sure. If you would like them to wait, that is perfectly alright and we can hold off on more passengers, Dawn. He has an adopted daughter who is about your age.”

“Oh yeah, you mentioned her earlier. Didn’t you say she was the Champion?”

Emmet nodded enthusiastically. “Iris is verrry strong. She has beat us in battles before. We are verrry proud of her.” He smiled. “She uses dragon-types.”

“She has been tutored under our uncle ever since he signed the papers. He also has an affinity for the dragon type, and the two make a good train. She is intelligent and kind. I believe you will get along swimmingly,” Ingo added, seeing her look of apprehension. “She does not get to have battles with others her age that parallel her skill anymore. I feel that you will prove to be a challenge for her.”

Dawn fidgeted at the praise. “I-I wouldn’t say all that…”

“You bested me multiple times in Hisui without your primary team and bested Cynthia at least once. I have not battled your current team, but I am certain that your party is very formidable.”

“I want to battle you!” Emmet burst out, unable to contain the thought. It made Dawn giggle.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious what you guys have. And how strong you are. I’ve never seen most of the Pokemon on your team, they aren’t native to Sinnoh or Hisui.” She watched three Joltik on the table dance near her plate, trying to get a nibble. “Like these guys. I’ve never seen them before. Are they usually this friendly?” Her finger drifted towards one, the electric bug crawling under her hand and asking for pets. It clicked its mandibles at her in happiness.

“Emmet, when trying to breed the Galvantula he wanted, ended up with more eggs than he anticipated. He enjoys breeding competitive Pokemon with certain Natures and moves. Most of these are the product of that project. Many of them have since relocated to the Subway and help maintain the power down there without driving up the electric bill. There are still several that decided to stay here with us, though, and I do not have the heart to deny them. They are rather cute.” One particularly large Joltik climbed onto Ingo’s shoulder, rubbing itself against his cheek as it purred. “However, they do not understand personal space and leaving the house with your hair lying flat is rather difficult. We asked Elesa to add the hats to our uniforms. It is easier than trying to wet it down constantly,” he added as his sideburns fluffed up.

“Maybe I should start tying up my hair then.”

“They love pockets,” Emmet added, opening his breast pocket and dropping a small Joltik inside. It poked its head out, making Dawn gasp.

“T-that’s a shiny! Those are stupidly rare!”

“I bred many Joltik. It did not have the Nature I wished for, though it does know Cross Poison. I keep him around. Galvantula has a Timid Nature and Cross Poison. Hubert here is Adamant by nature.” As if to showcase this, the Joltik nipped at his fingers as they pulled away, not wanting the petting to end. Emmet grimaced, scolding it for the nip before returning his fingers.

Dawn insisted on helping the twins clean up after dinner, citing that “I won’t be a freeloader!” The brothers dressed for bed, Dawn following suit and showering. They were beginning to wind down. The Joltik took up their favorite spot in the laundry room, their partner Pokemon dispersing with their respective Trainers. Chandelure continued following Dawn around, Ingo noticed. That was… rather unusual. He had grown accustomed to the ghost sticking by him at all times. She had recently fed, so he knew that she was not interested in that yet. He highly doubted she would go after someone that he so clearly cared about, anyway. She simply followed her, almost distracted, like there was something hanging off the back of Dawn that needed to be tucked in. It had happened more than once already that the ghost had bumped into Dawn by accident, always met with a small giggle and a pat. Ingo wracked his brain, trying to think of what this behavior reminded him of. Though he had been home from Hisui for three months now, he still had a hard time remembering some things about their lives, such as early childhood. He knows he has seen this before, though. When had he seen this?

Ah! That’s right, he remembers now! The last time she had acted like this was when-

Ingo looked up from the sink, his toothbrush still in his mouth, his eyes wide. Oh, how stupid he was. Of course.

“Ingo? Systems operational?”

“Yeth,” Ingo slurred around the mint in his mouth, spitting and rinsing quickly. He exited the bathroom, passing Emmet, who furrowed his brows. He felt his wrist be snatched by a thin hand.

“Ingo? You are troubled.” Ingo looked up to see Emmet regarding him with soft, worried eyes. Ingo blinked at him. Emmet blinked back. He gently shook his hand free, beginning to sign.

Chandelure acting odd. I remember why. Emmet nodded, his eyes filling with melancholy. That wound still hurt both of them. “I expect it is the same for Dawn. She is still with her. Chandelure knows.” Ingo nodded, glancing down the hall at the room Dawn was currently in. She had bid them goodnight after her shower, retreating to bed. Emmet entered the bathroom and brushed his teeth as Ingo crept close to the door, making sure there was no distress. He heard nothing.

What was he doing? She was a teenager and could handle herself, for the most part. He was not her father. Ingo slipped away, entering his and Emmet’s shared bedroom. He flicked on the side lamp, fluffing their pillows and calling to their Pokemon for bed. He knew that Galvantula was rather upset when she got left outside the twin’s room at night. Chandelure floated through the doorway, bumping him on the shoulder insistently.

“Do you require my assistance, Chandelure?” The ghost bumped him again, leaving the room. Ingo followed. She led him to Dawn’s door, chiming at him loudly. “What’s wrong, Chandie?” She phased through the door. Ingo heard Dawn’s voice from inside. She sounded shaky.

“Ch-Chandelure? What’s happening?”

Ingo burst in, forgetting to knock. “Dawn? Are you alright?” Dawn was tucked under the blankets, sitting up and shivering. She was watching Chandelure with wide eyes, her face a mixture of confusion and horror. Ingo hurried to her side. Emmet was rushing into the room now, seeing the scene. They both knew what that meant. “Dawn, are your engines operational?” She did not tear her eyes away from the spot in the air in front of her. Tears filled her eyes.

“How?” Ingo’s heart broke when he heard her croak like that. He carefully sat on the edge of the bed, Emmet literally climbing around to be on her other side. They made eye contact over her head. Emmet nodded as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, Ingo copying him.

“Chandelure is a ghost-type. It can see and commune with spirits. If the spirits hang around long enough, she can allow them to reveal themselves to certain people.” Ingo kept his tone low so as not to scare her. “There has been one following you. She noticed and has been communicating with them since she first saw you. I imagine the spirit wished for you to see them.” Dawn did not look away from the spot but clung to Ingo and Emmet, pulling them closer.

“She’s been here the whole time?” Her voice was cracking, raw with pure emotion.

“Chandelure has been by your side the entire time-”

“Mom?”

The floodgates opened as Dawn watched the air in front of her, tears spilling down her face as she watched the visage that only she could see. Her face had a soft purplish glow to it as Chandelure’s flames rose a little higher, lending the girl her sight for a short time. She was shivering, her body almost convulsing in the hold of the two twins. They were silent as her eyes followed the apparition, allowing her this moment. They simply held her.

They remembered this experience firsthand, after all.

Ingo and Emmet sat there and allowed her to cling to them until it was over. She did not say a word, but did move her lips in lieu of speaking. Ingo looked away. They were not his words to see. Several minutes ticked by before the glow faded and Dawn’s eyes snapped back into focus, seeing the ghost floating not far from her. Chandelure’s flames died down. The tears had stopped flowing freely, leaving dried tracks on her face. Two matching sets of hands continued holding her upright, almost sandwiching her between them. She continued to stare for a moment, still in shock.

“Thank you, Chandelure.” Her voice was so quiet it was almost imperceptible, but both the brothers had heard it. The Pokemon floated closer to her, nuzzling into her chest and dimming its flames so they wouldn’t be blinding. She cradled it, softly stroking its surface. She slowly noticed the two men sitting with her, rubbing circles on her back and nearly cradling her. “My mom. She’s been here.” Ingo and Emmet bobbed their heads in unison.

“I am sure she is happy you are safe.”

Dawn choked at how soft Emmet’s voice was. “She… she said she was happy I was safe. And she was proud of me. And she loved m-me and she was s-so happy I had you guys and I-I’m not alone…” She shook with a heavy sob, curling into Chandelure and burying her face in the ghost. Two flashes of light appeared just out of Ingo’s line of sight and Samurott and Empoleon were both at the bedside as well, nervously chittering and cooing at their Trainer. Samurott clambered onto the bed, nuzzling its nose into her face. Dawn reached up and stroked its snout, leaning out the other hand for Empoleon. It leaned into her touch, regarding her with worried eyes.

“She wanted me to say thank you. For taking me in. She respects you guys.” Ingo felt a warm flush of pride and general good wash over him, but kept it at bay for now. “And that there’s another one with her. Mom said to say that the other person, they love you.” Emmet choked. Dawn looked up, fear in her gaze. The smiley twin was tearing up now, a hand covering his mouth. Ingo felt his eyes pricking with heat.

“D-did I do something w-wrong? I’m s-s-sorry, I didn’t m-mean-”

“Dawn, you have done nothing wrong,” Ingo said gently. “We know who the other spirit is. She was someone rather dear to us, in fact. The fact that she is still here after so long, even after my disappearance…” He trailed off, which sounded uncharacteristic, even to him.

The girl looked over at him. “Who is it?”

“Our mother. She passed suddenly almost a decade ago.”

“Verrry suddenly,” Emmet echoed, wiping at his eyes.

Dawn flicked her gaze between the two of them. “I’m sorry I’m reminding you guys-”

“Dawn,” Ingo cut in as her breathing sped up. “Not all things are your fault. While the passing of our mother is a wound that will never quite heal, it is bearable with time. We know the pain you are feeling. In fact, Chandelure allowed us to see her a couple times, just like she allowed you to see your mother. It will never get better, but you will be able to live, as she would want you to. You are, however, allowed to grieve. We will be here if you wish, or you can have space if you need it. We do not leave uncoupled passengers alone on the platform.”

Dawn mulled this over for a minute, still absentmindedly petting her two starters as Chandelure continued resting in her lap.

“Could… could we sleep in the living room again?”

Emmet smiled. “Of course. Destination set. Prepare for departure.” Ingo and Emmet lifted Dawn off the bed, allowing Chandelure to float up and out of the way. Then Ingo grabbed her ankles, Emmet taking her shoulders as they carried her to the living room, allowing her body to swing between them like a rope. She laughed wetly, the tears on her face still fresh. The twins made train noises as they swung her around.

They gently tossed her onto the couch with a loud, human hiss to signify the train coming to a stop. Dawn giggled as Emmet placed a pillow over her head, rubbing it into her face good-naturedly. Ingo went to the hall closet and retrieved the excess blankets, laying them across the floor in a makeshift pallet. Emmet took all the pillows he could find in the house and arranged them in a large nest-like structure on the floor. Dawn sat up, wiping the last of the tears off her face. Emmet smiled at her and patted the floor beside him as Ingo sat down next to him. Galvantula charged into the room as soon as she caught wind that they were not sleeping in the bedroom, making her presence known with clicks and screeches demanding attention.

“Now that we will not pull into the station so somber, we should rest our engines. It has been a long day.” Dawn nodded, laying down as the two brothers did as well. Ingo handed a corner of the blanket to Emmet, who pulled it snugly over the three of them. Galvantula crawled over the top of them, resting over their chests and settling in for the night. Samurott laid down between the couch and their heads, laying its large, armored head on a cushion. Empoleon tucked its head under its wing and stood by the door. Chandelure dimmed her lights, chiming softly. Eelektross and Archeops joined them as well, getting comfy in the pile of pillows, Archeops resting its scaled head over Emmet’s torso. Ingo adjusted, settling in for the night. This was more comfy than he cared to admit.

“Good night, Dawn. Pleasant dreams.” Emmet was smiling.

“Yes, good night, young Dawn.”

“Good night, Uncle Ingo and Uncle Emmet. Thanks for taking care of me.” She nuzzled into the pillows as Emmet silently flapped his hands in small movements, his smile blinding. Ingo felt the surge of familial warmth, too. Dawn’s breathing leveled out, soon followed by Emmet’s. Ingo was the last to allow himself to drift off into slumber.

[Start] - [Previous] - [Next]

[mrneighbourlove]

Filling the Emptiness: Ch 5. Coming Together

“Ms. Ingo. Please take a seat.”

Sunny Ingo had been waiting a while now outside on a bench. Her father had gone inside and made his case to their benefactors that she was not only ideal, but the perfect person to take on the mantle and responsibility of running Lon Lon Milk incorporated. Sunny groomed herself and dedicated her life to running the ranch effectively.

Leere’s family looked into her background, and the King and Queen themselves made recommendations for her. Sunny felt so grateful, but also a huge amount of weight on her shoulders for this meeting to go well. She wore a formal dress, but nothing like the royals had. It was more casual, but the material it was made of would speak for how rich her family was. She also straightened her hair and applied makeup as well as darkener to her eyebrows to look more appealing to the men. Sunny didn’t mind flaunting wealth on rare occasions. She and her family poured their full will and strength into their business to become so successful.

Entering the conference hall, Sunny gave a bow to the various men and woman who were seated. “Good afternoon everyone.”

“Good afternoon Ms. Ingo. Please take a seat.” Sunny did as she was told, finding a seat at a table. Her financial supporters sat in a half circle in front of her, taking notes the second she walked through the door. It seemed that they were judging her before she even spoke a word. The man directly in front of her had a curly mustache, and a big red bowtie. “I’m sure you’re anxious about today.”

“Not at all Mr. Burnaby.” Sunny’s thick accent pushed to battle against his own. It would be a battle of carefully chosen words, and having to never show a hint of weakness.

“Ah, well that’s good. Because we have very important matters to go over.”

“Quite, quite.” Another man, with a rounder belly, a white mustache took a sip of Lon Lon milk. “Did you make this?”

Sunny gave a smile, and a jolly chuckle. “I did. Along with the rest of my family. We follow the mantra of working smart and hard. That way everyone is happy with the best quality product ready to be distributed.”

One of the woman, Lorleidian, on the council gave a nod of approval. “A very great way of thinking Ms. Ingo. Can you tell us any changes you’d make if you were promoted to leading your families business? It is very Hylian oriented as I’ve noticed.”

“Well, it’s true that it’s a Hylian born business. Hard to keep up with everyone else Mamm. Kids rather see dragons and all the exotic critters Princess Orana gathers than horses or farm animals nowadays. And to be honest, Lorleidians are amazing at fishing and suppling other labour to the work economy. That said, I want to make something clear. I won’t pass up any work from other folks if they are looking for a modest living though. When I lead, I want to inspire everyone to work as a team. We help each other grow. I’d love to expand our product to the far reaches of Hyrule if we can maximize our work force.”

That answer seemed to register with the woman, and, with a quiet and slow nod, she made notes in her ledger. The council took a minute to talk silently amongst themselves, shooting glances back at Sunny as they came to their own conclusions. The lead man cleared his throat, speaking once more. “Ms. Ingo. We understand that you are a family business. Your father inherited the business from his father. Which your grandfather inherited it from his mother. Now, we understand that all of your siblings are married. Some even have kids.”

“That’s correct.”

“We also understand that you have a select taste in lovers that would make it difficult to continue your family line.” The man gave Sunny a deep look in the eyes that made her uncomfortable. “I’m sure someone as dedicated as you could fix that issue. Correct Ms. Ingo?”

Sunny was a little miffed, her brow giving a slight furl, but she kept her smile bright. “I can have you all rest assured, that I will find a way to continue the family line.”

The councilman stroked his mustache, thinking over her words. “We have your character references, as well as your work history regarding your efficiency. We’ll talk over our choice on the matter. Give us five minutes Ms. Ingo. Please stay where you are.”

The rancher watched as the council men and woman stood up and walked to another room to privately discuss their vote. She took a few deep breathes and thought back to her family for comfort. Her mother in particular brought her peace…

“Moma! Can I look at the telescope?”

A woman with hair as dark as space smiled down to her daughter. She named all her children after the entities of the grand beauty of the galaxy. Her first child had hair as bright as the sun. Her little Sunny. Lifting her daughter up on her lap, Phoebe tipped the telescope for her daughter to peer through. “What do you see Sunny?”

“I see stars! I love stars!”

“Stars are amazing my dear. It’s why I named you after the most important one.”

“The sun! It feeds everyone life! Its how Papa is able to run the business!”

“That’s right. But our galaxy is filled with so many wonders. Look over here.” Sunny’s mother adjusted the telescope, and showed off a few constellations to her daughter. “That’s the chariot of Apollo. And over here. The fire of Din. Some say the gods reward the best of humanity with new constellations in the sky.”

“Really?! What else is up there?”

“Well my dear, I was going to save this for tomorrow… but what the heck. You know how the crown prince and that beautiful water princess are getting married?”

“Yes! I saw glimpse of them while at the market with Papa! They look so happy!”

“Well, they’re going to be blessed by one of the crowning jewels of nature itself for their wedding tomorrow. Look at the moon Sunny. You noticed how its been slowly been growing bigger?”

“Yes? Is it gonna fall onto the Earth?”

Phoebe gave a lighthearted laugh at that. “No, no my dear. I certainly hope not. What’s happening, is that an event called an Solar Eclipse is about to take place. The moon travels directly in front of the sun, and for a small window of time, it will block it out, plunging the world in a small period of darkness.”

“That sounds scary!”

“It’ll be beautiful. I promise. It’s a day that you won’t forget. You’ll see such amazing sights.”

“Ok.” Young Sunny felt a little better at her mother’s encouragement. “Maybe we can get a meteor shower too!”

Her mother gave a giggle, bouncing her daughter on her knee. “Perhaps we might. May even be lucky for a small comet or meteorite to land in Hyrule. The really small ones are good luck if you collect them.”

“But the big ones go boom!”

“Yes they do. So let’s hope we can avoid that~” Phoebe set her daughter down and took her hand. “Now come along. You have a goodnight’s rest to attend. Let’s not keep your siblings waiting for a bed night story.”

“But I don’t want to go to bed.”

“Silly girl. When we go to sleep, that’s when we dream. And dreams lead use amongst the stars…”

That was the last good memory Sunny had of her mother. The day the sun went out, so did her mother. Sunny shook her head, dispelling the bad thoughts from creeping in on what came after. She wouldn’t let the bad end ruin everything good before hand and she couldn’t afford to cry right now. Those softer times of her mother and her astronomy made her feel safe and happy in her mind.

When the council returned, she sat straight, but relaxed thanks to her internal meditation. The man with the mustache took the lead speaking once more. “Ms. Ingo. I won’t waste anymore of your time. The board has made its vote. We are 9-7 in your favour. Some aren’t convinced, but I’m sure you can change their minds. When your father is ready, he may officially hand over the title of C.E.O to you. Congratulations Ms. Ingo.”

Sunny stood up, trying to not let the excitement get to her. She felt disturbed that, most likely, without the help of the royals, she probably wouldn’t have the job she worked so hard for. The rancher shook each and every one of their hands. “Thank you so much. I’ll prove I’m right for the job. You can be rest assured in your continued support of Lon Lon Ranch.”

“I’m sure our investments will be rewarded.”

Sunny left the board meeting, and ran to her family waiting for her. Her brothers and sisters had worn their best clothing for coming anywhere near the castle. She let relief wash over her seeing them all here. “I did it. I got the job.”

Her siblings and father cheered, rushing to greet her. “Yes! I know you would!”

“You got the iron will to do so!”

“That’s our Sunny. Always burning bright.”

Her father gave her a pat on the back, his wrinkles smoothing out as he smiled. “You’ve done well Sunny. How I wish your mother was here.”

“I was actually thinking about her. Maybe she’s a shooting star giving us luck now.”

From the end of the hall, Leere was running around the corner, having been given word that Sunny had finished her meeting. Seeing her family, she felt some anxiety creep up on her. What if she didn’t live up to expectations? Wearing a simple dress, she gave Sunny’s family a wave as she approached. “Hello everyone.”

Sunny turned to Leere, taking her hands and planting a kiss on her. “I did it. I’m going to be the C.E.O of the Lon Lon Milk Corporation.”

Leere’s face bloomed into ecstatic happiness, and she kissed Sunny back again. “I’m so proud of you. You’re going to be fantastic.”

Her family eyed the couple, finally getting a look at them together, and eying Leere up on what kind of woman she was. Sunny put an arm around Leere’s waist and turned her towards them. “I’d like you all to meet my girlfriend. Princess Leere.”

Leere gave a polite bow of the head. “Just Leere is fine if that makes you comfortable.”

Galaxia was the only one to not be overly cheerful, or build the façade of being kind to every royal she met. She wanted a straight answer, so she’d be straight in her tone. “So, Leere. You and my sister love each other?”

Leere looked Galaxia in the eye. The woman was about as tall as her sister. But her hair was black as the night. She had two tattoos on her neck. One of the Sun and one of the Moon. She sort of reminded Leere of her brother Ralnor in a way. They both had an aura about them that told others they couldn’t be budged. “Yes. I cherish her dearly.”

“You’ve only met recently.”

“Funny how love works, doesn’t it. It gives you life.”

Sunny was about to stand up for Leere, when Galaxia gave a smirk. “Very good answer. Just keep her happy and we’ll get along fine.”

Her sister extended a handshake to Leere, and Sunny was relieved when her lover took it. Leere liked the fire of this woman. “Of course. Didn’t get your name.”

“Galaxia Ingo.”

“Leere Dragmire.”

Sunny introduced the rest of her siblings, happy that Galaxia seemed to approve. “These are my brothers, Apollo and Cosmo. And this is my youngest sister, Luna.”

Luna gave a polite hand shake to Leere. “I’ve seen your preform. You’re really good on stage.”

“Why thank you.”

Sunny rubbed Leere’s hand. “Would you like to come back to our place to have dinner and celebrate?”

Leere looked to the family, who nodded to encourage her. “I’d be honoured.”

Sunny’s smile burned brightly, and she gave Leere another kiss. “Great! Let’s go get you to change to something more comfortable.” The Rancher snapped a finger to her family before her brothers could make a cheeky comment. “We’ll just be ten minutes.”

But that didn’t stop them anyways. “Wow Apollo. Just in ten minutes?”

“Well, they don’t call it a quickie for nothing.”

Sunny rolled her eyes at them. “Get ya families you silly men.”

Leere and Sunny walked hand in hand back to Leere’s bedroom. Sunny’s siblings looked to their father to get his opinion. He simply shrugged at them. “I’m too old to complain. If she makes Sunny happy, who are we to argue?”

“What about the whole ‘family generation’ thing?”

“I’m sure that they’ll figure it out Galaxia. Let’s head home. We’ll have steaks tonight.”

~

Leere pulled Sunny into her bedroom, giving her another deep kiss. “I’m so happy for you.”

“I’m glad that my families future is secured and we can keep moving forward in the business. Thank you for helping me dear.”

“I wanted to help the woman I love.” Leere pressed another soft kiss to Sunny’s lips.

Sunny held Leere’s shoulders firmly as they kissed lovingly. With a smile, she let go, heading to Leere’s bathroom. “Imma get my makeup off. Feels tacky and sticky. You get changed now.”

“Sure thing.” After Sunny disappeared, Leere was in the middle of getting changed when she heard her roof tile slide open. She nearly gave a loud yelp of surprise when she saw an old friend stopping by.

“Bonegrinder senses that you’ve been awfully happy lately. Must be because you’re finally in the sunshine.”

Leere squinted at him, something very specific bugging her about his wording. Like a buzzer, the realization rang off loudly in her head. Bonegrinder was always a cheeky being, and with him able to see into the future, he spoke in cryptic messages sometimes. It dawned on her that he knew long ago that she’d be together with Sunny. “YOU CHEEKY ASS!”

Sunny yelled from behind the bathroom door. “Everything ok?”

Crap. Leere didn’t want to spring someone like Bonegrinder or any of the Hive on Sunny without plenty of preparation. “Nothing Sunny! I’m just talking with a friend quickly who needed some advice.”

“Okay!”

“Bonegrinder told you didn’t he? He said that you’d find your sunshine.” The Anagari took a finger to play with one of Leere’s locks of hair. “The twins miss your company you know.”

“I’m sure that they’ll have to understand I’m taken now.”

“Yes, yes. Of course.”

“Bonegrinder. You and the rest of the Hive don’t interfere in Lon Lon Ranch’s business, do you?”

“Ah! Bonegrinder loves eating their cows! So succulent and pristine in its flavour.”

“Do you mean buying cut steaks?”

“Why would Bonegrinder by small steaks when he can swallow whole cows?”

Leere grabbed his hand and gave it a light smack. “Enough of that. I won’t tolerate you stealing her cattle in the middle of the night. You can’t do that anymore. You want steak, you buy it like everyone else.”

Bonegrinder gave light pout of the brow, a small chuckle leaving his lips. “Every well. No more whole cows in the middle of the night.”

“I mean it. Or I’ll come down to the underground and give you such a thrashing.”

“Hehehehe, this old snake would love to see you do so~” Bonegrinder gave Leere a light pat on the head. “Will be sure to mark the calendar for your big day. Take care of yourself little porcelain doll.”

Leere wasn’t sure if Bonegrinder was dropping another prediction on her, but before she could say anything, Sunny opened the door, giving the old snake enough time to slither away with a giggle to himself.

“How’d things with your friend go?”

“Good. They, uh, went good.” Leere noticed Sunny’s brows were blonde again, and her hair a little more tussled. “You look natural.”

“Isn’t the line that you look beautiful?” Sunny, with the tilt of her head, eyed Leere with a grin.

“You always look beautiful, makeup or not.”

“See, it’s lines like that that make ya irresistible.” The Rancher took hold of Leere, hugging her close to her chest. Leere purred as she rest her head against her. Sunny took note that Leere hadn’t gotten changed. “What’s taking you so long?”

Leere smiled, knowing the perfect excuse. “I wanted you to watch as I got undressed.”

“Well that’s just playing dirty.”

“I know. You’ll have to get back me later~”

Sunny gave Leere’s bottom a spank for making her have to wait. “Keep making comments like that, and I’ll hogtie you to the bed.”

“Well, wouldn’t want to make your family wait now, would we.”

“No. Which makes you shaking that white bum in my face really hard to resist.”

Leere quit teasing her lover for now, and got changed into her causal attire. A simple shirt and long Hylian skirt. Lastly, because she saw Bonegrinder, she put his scale necklace around her neck. “All done.”

Sunny tilted her head towards the necklace. “That’s really pretty. Where did you get it from.”

“A friend of mine… Actually, same friend you just missed.”

“Oh. Is he one of them Lizalfos people?”

Leere shook her head. “No. Big snake man.”

“You’re friends with a big snake man?”

“Yeah. It’s a long story.”

“Well, we got a long walk and ride back to the ranch. I’d love to hear it.”

Leere felt Sunny’s smile penetrate her soul, and she felt so happy to have someone who just wanted to listen to her. Even though she couldn’t divulge the full details, she could tell her the story in some form. “Years ago, I was a party animal and an active archaeologist. I found this crypt one day that were full of monsters. However, they weren’t monstrous per say.”

“You mean how people could call Moblins monsters, but many won’t hurt a fly? That’s just rumours?”

“Exactly.” Though the Hive could and have hurt people before, some had soft layers underneath their shells if you got close enough to look properly. “They had so many characteristics that made them human. At this time, I just lost a friend of mine. I felt that everyone around me died because they associated themselves with me. So here I find these monsters bigger than the average person, and more durable too. I thought I found the perfect friends.”

“So what happened?”

Leere gave Sunny a light pat as they left the front gate and headed to the stables to reach their horses. “Well, first I had sex with twins. Reeeeeeally kinky twins.”

Sunny raised her eyebrow, than let out a chuckle. “Oh boy. Sounds like a handful.”

“Two pairs for both my hands if you know what I mean. A handful indeed.” Leere stuck her tongue out and briefly allowed herself to be immature by cupping the air with her hands. That got a strong laugh out of Sunny. Giving a sigh, Leere’s memory of first meeting the Hive grew a little more melancholy. “Down there, I also discovered an old temple. I saw things from my future that terrified me. A brief glimpse of all of time. My time. I felt so scared. Had this dread about my own life. So I talked my snake friend into having sex with me. Only male I’ve ever willingly been with. I regret that because I think I only did it because I felt like my life was one big void that needed to be filled. So I tried everything. Drugs, alcohol, sex, and even a little self pain.”

Sunny squeezed Leere’s hand as she watched her lover stare off into the distance. “No one goes through that and comes out to where you are without change.”

“You’re absolutely right about that. I was ready to slowly kill myself if my brother Ralnor did search me out. He told me how my family worried that every time I left, I might never return. Because I always held a darkness in my heart. Most of the time I left, I’d always return scarred by some terror I had to defeat. My friend in the crypt realized this too, and he convinced me to leave with my brother. Afterwards, I checked myself in for rehab and counselling to deal with all my grief and pain. One of the best decisions of my life.”

Sunny was a little surprised. She knew that Leere held a darkness in her heart. It was a little intense to know how deep things got with her, but she was happy knowing Leere pulled herself out of that place. “What you did was very healthy.”

“One cannot help others, until they help themselves. This world is full of those that are full of pain. They often lash out, or hurt themselves, and they tell themselves that its justified. No more. That no longer applies to me. I see the force I am capable of being, and I hold my pain tight, but I will no longer let it bleed me or others.”

Sunny nodded fondly towards Leere, and held her hand. “Golly. You’re a smart woman Leere. And you’re right. When people are in pain, they do often think about how they can lash out to feel better. To quell that aching heart they feel.”

Leere stopped Sunny from getting on the horse. “You speak from experience.”

“I told you once before my mother died during the Solar Eclipse. I felt… so empty that day. That when the Sun went out, and the fire came crashing from the sky like a meteorite storm, I lost my own light for a while. I didn’t know how to deal with that pain at first. I didn’t know where to put it. But I looked around me and I saw I wasn’t the only one in pain. My whole family was going through sadness and hurt. And so were so many other survivors who felt the pain that I felt. So instead of throwing my anger out towards others, everyone decided to come together. If we were going to be hurting, we wouldn’t hurt alone. We’d have understanding and love to come together.” Sunny wiped her face of tiny tears forming, giving a light smile to Leere. “Thinking about her even now gets me emotional. I wish she was here. But I’m sure she’s smiling down now as one of them stars in the night.”

Leere squeezed Sunny’s hand, her heart going out to her. “The spirits of loved ones, regardless if they are in the same plane as us, will always look out for us. I’m sure your mother is looking after you all the time.”

Sunny wiped her tears once more as she pulled Leere in for a tender hug. “Thank you Leere. For opening up and being supportive.”

“And thank you as well.”

Leere stood on her tippy toes to kiss Sunny, and both gave each other another tight hug before releasing. The princess walked to her horse and had to use a step ladder to get on top easily. Rinku made it look so easy. Sunny was a natural as she hopped on her stead. “You ok there?”

“Yep. I’m lucky Blackbolt knows how to stay still.”

Sunny laughed at that. “Without that step ladder, you reckon you’d triple your time getting on that horse?”

“Bah, don’t patronize me missy. I might be small, but I think I know how to handle a horse.”

Each woman smiled at each other, and with a flick of the reigns, they rode off to the ranch, side by side.

https://mrneighbourlove.tumblr.com/post/183811908896/filling-the-emptiness-ch-4-in-love Previous Ch. 

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[mrneighbourlove]

Filling the Emptiness: Ch 3. In Each others Thoughts

Leere ran back home, the biggest smile on her face. She waved to Luimaya, the young princess walking back to her chambers getting ready for bed. “Hello dear!”

Luimaya smiled and waved back. She wondered why Leere was so chipper. “Hello auntie Leere. You have a good day?”

“I had the most excellent day. Go get lots of sleep. It’ll help for the day tomorrow!”

Rinku had only recently gotten back from her monster hunting trip. Seeing Leere though, her energy quickly returned. She was excited to hear how the date went. “Hey Sis! How’d it go?”

Leere fluffed the hair out of her eyes, her body slightly shaking from the excitement as she turned to Rinku. “Really, really well.”

Rinku paused. “You gonna see her again?”

Leere paused as well, and after a moment of suspense, slowly nodded her head. “Yeah.”

Rinku broke out into an excited scream, Leere joining her in giggles of wonder. “OH MY GOD! THAT’S AMAZING! I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!”

Leere laughed as Rinku spun her around. When her blonde sister got happy, she tried to express it with physical hugs.

“It went so well! She was patient and understanding with me. She also has the cutest accent ever!”

“Really? Tell me more!”

“She works for the Lon Lon Ranch. I think she’ll even inherent the whole business soon!”

“That’s cool! You got yourself an amazing catch!”

Covarog and Zelda came walking towards all the racket that was keeping them up. Their mother squinted her eyes at the two ladies. “What is all the commotion for?”

Rinku grinned to her brother and mother, giggling with excitement. “Leere’s got a giiiiiiirlfriend~”

Zelda held surprise on her face, her wrinkles squishing. “Really? Is that so?”

“Yes. Her name’s Sunny. She works at the Lon Lon Ranch and does so much work for the kingdom. She’s very passionate and has a kind soul.”

“Wait, is she Hylian?”

“Yes. Her family owns the Milk business. And we’re going to see one another again.”

Zelda took note of that. A tiny part of her always hoped Leere would come around to marrying a royal of Danjur, but the old Queen was still extremely proud of her daughter. She could see the passion Leere held as she talked about this Sunny woman.

Covarog ran up and gave his elder sister a deep hug, engulfing the tiny woman in his arms and chest. “I’m so happy for you! You finally found someone in your life!”

“C-Cov! You’re suffocating me!”

Taking Leere out of his chest she was red face as she caught her breath. Putting her down he patted her head. “Sorry about that. But seriously Leere, this is great! When are you bringing her over?”

That took Leere off guard. “W-what?”

Zelda nodded, agreeing with her son. “I’d very much like to meet her too.”

Rinku snapped her finger in agreement. “And Dad will want to see her too!”

Leere gulped. Ganondorf could have the potential to be a tad overbearing. “I-I’m sure she’ll love to come over when we have the time…”

“Oh come on, sis. Everyone would love to meet her! You aren’t embarrassed of us are you?”

Leere felt sweat drops as all three of them leaned in. The peer pressure made her squeak out a response. “N-no. Of course not.”

“So we can see her soon right! I want to met the woman who ensnared my sisters heart.”

Covarog grinned mischievously. “Careful Rinku. I think you might be ‘embarrassing’.”

Leere glared at her siblings. “You can see her soon. So stop being overbearing about it.”

“But what’s soon?!” Rinku was much older now, but she always held this free air about her, even now. When something was on her mind, it was hard for her to be patient about it.

“Soon-soon.”

The Zelda shook her head, pulling Rinku back by the scruff of her shirt. “We are all looking forward to it Rinku, but Leere needs sleep. In fact, we all do.”

Rinku sighed heavily and overdramatically. “But that will take forever. Surely you’re as excited as I am.”

“You beat I am.” Covarog rubbed his darker haired sister’s cheeks in teasing fun. “Our little Leere has grown up~”

“Covarog I swear to god, I will string up a body in your room. Somewhere.”

Covarog patted Leere’s back, chuckling in worry. “Oh come on, we’re all just having good fun.”

His sister waved her hand from her eyes to his. “Better watch out. I may be small, but I can still get you to scream any time.”

“Please don’t.”

“Both of you, enough.” Zelda shook her head. Even as full grown adults, they still acted to immature with each other. “Bed. Now.”

All three children nodded. Leere felt her smile return at going back to just thinking about Sunny. Rinku picked up on Leere’s energy and felt a deep happiness for her.

~

Sunny yawned as she awoke, stretching her limbs out. She had gained a good nights rest and her thoughts went to Leere as soon her brain started to wake up. She was going to be dating a princess. How insane a concept was that? Applying some fairy jell to her skin to keep it clear, she splashed some water to soak it in, and changed into her work clothes. Once she was prepared to conquer the morning, she opened her door to the rest of the ranch. It was a beautiful day out, and lots of work had to get done. She waved to a few of the other farmers letting the horses out of the stables to get some air.

Checking on the cucco’s first, she distributed enough bird seed for them all. The pigs received loathes of cabbages. Checking on the cows she found her brothers pumping out the milk.

“How’d your day go yesterday Sunny?”

“Really good Apollo. I had a date.”

Her second brother, Cosmo, shouted from behind his cow. “You did? With who? Some bar girl?”

Sunny giggled. “No. I had a date with Princess Leere.”

Both brothers exploded in shock. One of the cows mooed loudly as Apollo pulled too hard on an utter. “YOU HAD A DATE WITH WHO?!”

“SHE SAID IT WAS WITH THE PRINCESS!!!”

“WHAT’S SHE LIKE?!”

Sunny giggled more at their surprise. Checking the barrels and jars for milk were clean she continued her conversation with Apollo as Cosmo ran to get his other sisters. “It was really pleasant actually. She’s fiery, but also has a lot hurt in her heart. I don’t think she gets out often.”

“Isn’t she supposed to be really old? I saw her perform at the Brazier once, she looks really young instead. You think she has the same fairy products as you to keep her skin fresh?”

“Now Apollo. It’s rude to discuss a ladies age.”

“I’m just asking, geez. So how’d you meet?”

“At the milk bar actually.”

Cosmo burst in with his two sisters, Galexia and Luna. Galexia had finished stacking all the boxes to be shipped out to town, and Luna was cleaning returned milk bottles when their brother had ran in excitedly. Each one of them had gotten married by now, Galexia and Apollo even having kids of their own, but Sunny never managed to found anything that stuck. Between the job and her being gay, they wondered if she ever would.

Galexia stared in disbelief at Sunny from the news that Cosmo could barely get out. “You managed to date Princess Leere?”

“Yes. I did.”

“She’s gay?”

Luna, the youngest, nodded. “I saw her at a bar trying to hit on some of the waiters once.”

Sunny’s brothers and sisters gathered around. They wanted to know all the details. “Leere is a very interesting woman. She’s a real go getter.”

“So you said you both meet at the Milk Bar?”

“Y-yes. It was a fun night.”

Galaxia squinted her eyes as she read Sunny’s tone and expression. Her eyes exploded with emotion as she saw through her sister. “You slept with her?!”

The others reacted in a chain reaction as Sunny burned bright red.

“WHAT! NO WAY!”

“HOW COULD YOU JUST HAVE SEX WITH THE PRINCESS?!”

“OH MY GOD WHAT?!?!”

Sunny frowned as her younger siblings were losing their collective minds. “Yes. We had sex. Then afterwards, we planned for a date.”

Galaxia was utterly shocked that it could be that easy. “You sure it was really her?”

“Red eyes, dark hair, and pale skin. It was her Galaxia.”

Her sister took a moment to contemplate on this. “…Tell us more about her.”

“To be honest, a little weird, but I think there’s something special about her. Something good.”

Luna shrugged. “She can sing from what I’ve seen, but there’s something dark about her. Scary even.”

Sunny simply smiled. “I agree. But I also think people don’t look past her initial image to see something better. I don’t know how it will work out, but I have a good feeling.”

“You sure sis?”

“Yeah. I am.”

“You think you can balance dating a princess with everything else in life?

Sunny put her hands on her hips. “All of you are married, living happy lives. You didn’t have to continue working on the ranch, yet here you all are. We’re a family that can manage the biggest things thrown away. Our reach goes as far as the stars, and our passion for new desires burns as bright as the sun, and like the comets in the sky, our wishes can be seen right in front of us.”

The siblings went a little somber. That last sentence was a sentence their mother told them as children, a woman obsessed with space and the eternal beauty of the night. Sunny took a breath. “I think this is just another path open to me. Yes, I’ll be careful, but we’re all adults here. And just like I helped all of you with your love lives, I’ll ask if I need help myself.”

Apollo nodded, giving a light smile to his sister. “Ok Sunny. We can do that. Just wish I could something along the lines that if they hurt you, we’ll come after them. Hard to do when they’re a princess though.”

Sunny chuckled at her brother’s protection. “Duly noted Apollo. Now then, all of us should get back to work. We’re the Ingo Family! The hardest working family in Hyrule!”

Sunny was a born leader out of the five of them. After their mom died, she always did her best to guide her siblings down safe and happy paths. She placed her hand in the middle, her brothers and sisters nodding and putting their hands in with her. Throwing them up they cheered together. “TEAM LON LON RANCH!”

The five of them got to work. Sunny went to the horses, making sure they were fed and to give one of the workers a break. Wearing her sunflower hat she patted a red stallion’s side, who had apparently been spooked by something in the field. “♩ Easy, my child. Let your worries go. If you believe in me, I’ll make it so. ♩”

The horse calmed down to her lullaby, and followed Sunny back to the stables. As she was walking, one of the ranchers ran over to her. “Ms. Sunny! Mr. Ingo wants to talk with you!”

Sunny piped up, excitement filling her. “Ok! Take Pepper here back to the stable for me!”

The blonde woman ran to her father’s office, her braid flapping in the wind. Maybe this was her big chance!

Inside his office, Luigi Ingo ruffled her mustache as he observed the latest ratings. The Ranch and it’s outer branches had made a 2.3% increase in the last month. If only he could find that level of increase in his balding head. He smiled as Sunny came in. “Ah, Sunny! Working hard?”

“Of course Father!”

“Good. I want you to sit down dear.”

Sunny nodded and pulled up a chair. Her father took a deep breath as he took out a pen and paper. “Sunny. Don’t think I haven’t seen the effort you put into the ranch. You ability to keep up with deadlines is impressive, but I’m more impressed by your ability to keep moral up.”

Sunny kept calm, hopeful on where he was going with this. “I simply try to have everyone do their best, myself included.”

“That’s what I love about you Sunny. You have my sharp determination and heart, but you got your mother’s soul.” Scratching his head, he chuckled to himself. “Gosh. You look more and more like her everyday you know.”

“I know father.” Sunny gave him a kiss on his cheek.

“Now, with that said, there’s a business proposition I need to discuss with you.” He paused as Sunny braced herself. “I’m going away to observe the other branches. Lon Lon Milk has found success at the border of Danjur, as well as multiple ranches in Hyrule. Overseas, we’ve opened a branch in Termina.”

Sunny was taken aback by that. “Termina! You’re going to Termina?!”

“Yes. As the observer, I won’t be able to perform my duties as C.E.O. Which means I need someone far younger, outgoing, and intelligent to lead in my place.”

Sunny’s mouth hung open. It was really happening. “You mean me?”

“Yes. I do.” Her father smiled proudly at his little girl. Sunny would do just fine. “Do you accept?”

The woman nodded her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “Yes. Yes I do!”

“Good. Very good.” He held out two documents, his face more neutral than Sunny expected.

“What are these for?”

“Well, there’s a new policy. Our shareholders have a say in who is elected in as C.E.O. They can’t change the candidate at will, or take anyone out, but you need at least half of them in your favour to take the position.”

A board? Sunny never really looked into the political aspect of the job, always focused on taking care of the animals, the product, and the workers first and foremost. “Who are our shareholders?”

“The Hylian Royal Council. I’m a little worried given your… taste in lovers, that they might be prejudice against you.”

Sunny clasped her hands together and held them to her mouth. Her mind calculated on how she could reach the votes she needed. “That does complicate things, but I think I might have an answer to that.”

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