#a friend gave sage advice to post this

[hi-im-kaybee]

o

rang

u

tan

[rosesnink]

Five Stages of Grief Series: Anger

Author's Notes

Yoohoo, guess who's hereee!!! Anyways, I missed writing for Blades, and I needed some training for certain events going on rn (which I haven't begun but shhh). I hope you guys like my vision of Imtura's rage and grief, and that if you want to be tagged in next parts, lmk!

English isn't my first language, so please forgive any typos/grammar mistakes

If you want more fics of Blades or even have our MCs interact, hmu!

There will be another part of the other three stages of grief which will include Mal, Tyril and Aerin (and a special one with Valax too hehe), if you want to be tagged in a LI's specific fic, tell me in the comments!

Likes are nice, but reblogs keeps a post alive and the fandom dynamic going!

Summary: Imtura Tal Kaelen doesn't want to learn how to live without her dearest friend.

Word Count: 1.7k

Category: Female rage, angst, death, group fallout

Pairing: Imtura Tal Kaelen & F!Orc!MC (friendship)

Rating: PG-13

TW: Alcohol abuse, violence, grief

Book: Blades of Light and Shadow

What the hells.

What the hells.

WHAT.

THE.

HELLS.

Those were Imtura’s very first thoughts upon Brienne, her dear friend, being abducted by a weird purple creature.

As Nia dropped to her knees, Imtura’s horror was instead replaced by anger. She was about to leap after her, but the vortex was already gone.

She let out a blood-curling grunt “Why didn’t any of you move?!”

“Not now, Immy…” Loola tried to calm her down.

As they took Nia to her chambers, her green fists whitened in her palm. Why were they fussing over the priestess?! Brienne needed them!

“That’s not fair, Imtura,” Tyril had pointed out when Imtura hollered that “we need to find her together, and she’s hurting. We all are.”

“Hurting why? Less hurting and more hunting down the bastard who took her and bring Brienne home!” She shouted.

“And where would we start, hm? We’ve no idea where she is, what took her, or where to start. Do you plan to barge into every place, axes blazing, and demand they hand Brienne over?” Mal tried to reason… to no avail.

“Why not?! It’s better than sitting our asses here and play a pity party!”

Tyril finally snapped in his usually fancy boy manner “Then you do it. We will find reasonable places where she’s been abducted and send you a message when we do find her.”

Imtura threw her hands up “Maybe I will!”

She left to her room, where she kicked the bed and screamed again, then started gathering the little she had packed from home. If one could call Flotilla home. As she turned around, Threep and Loola were perched on the desk, looking at her.

“I don’t have any treats for you. Tell the others I’m off to search for Brienne.”

“You really should not.”

“Loola’s right. Your plan can’t and won’t work. You need the others.” Imtura snorted “It’s true. You need Tyril’s knowledge and fighting skills, Mal’s cunning and Nia’s Light magic for you to survive on your own.”

Imtura seethed, but let the nespers say their piece “Threep has a point. Separated, the search will be a disaster, but together, you four can make it work.”

“Maybe. If Brienne were here to keep us together. Because she’s not here. The reason we put up with one another is because Brienne was here because…” she sighed, tears prickling in her eyes “because we all loved her enough to do that. And now she’s not here.”

Loola observed her “So you only loved Brienne? Only Brienne was your friend?”

“I—no! Yes! I don’t know! You’re confusing me!”

“Mal never made you laugh? Allowed you to let loose? Drank ale with you and shared adventuring stories?”

“Yes—,”

“Tyril never gave you sage advice and guided you through all of Morella? Kept you grounded and focused on the mission?”

“I mean, yes, but—,”

“And Nia never tended to your wounds, made you smile when all was dark and listened to you when you needed a willing and non-judging ear?”

Imtura’s shoulders slumped “…Yes. She did. They all did.”

Loola perched on her shoulder “Just because Brienne’s gone doesn’t mean that everything you went through with them didn’t matter or impact you. Yes, maybe you loved Brienne most, but you love all of them, and them you, and you can’t do this without them, just as they can’t do this without you. They need you, and you need them. They are your friends. Not for a long time, but for a very important time.”

Imtura softened and scratched Loola’s chin, who purred in response “Thank you, Loola, I… I think I needed to hear that.”

“And have some sense knocked into you.” Threep added.

“Don’t push it. But yes,” She smiled.

Dropping her bag, she went downstairs, to the library, where she knew they were, planning on rescuing Brienne. She sat down beside Mal and looked with renewed confidence and resolve at Tyril “What’s the plan?”

Tyril smiled briefly and nodded in gratitude to her “Whatever took her doesn’t look Morellan, so it’s safe to say we need to look outside its borders. We’ll begin with…”

Kade whispered in her ear “Brienne would be proud of you.”

She allowed herself a small smile.

She hoped she was.

For three months after Brienne’s disappearance, Imtura felt hopeful. Despite the dead ends and the pointless fighting that were responded with a sincere ‘we do not have or know where your friend is’, Imtura maintained hope. She wanted to. Because Brienne had always been a beacon of hope. Of resilience. Of persistence. She’d never give Imtura up, ever. And neither would she.

As they slept on the tent, Imtura smiled at herself thinking of the few, but precious time that Brienne and her shared a bed. She knew that she wasn’t Brienne’s type –she had noticed how elf boy and the priestess made eyes at her – but was alright with being a good shag and an understanding friend whom she could take the baggage she didn’t want to give anyone else. Besides, nobody was married off to nobody. There’d be plenty of time to figure out what each of them wanted.

“Hmmhh, Brienne…” Tyril mumbled.

Oh great, she thought, now elf boy’s pining for her in his dreams.

There was no jealousy or envy in her tone, but an amused and nostalgic sentiment. Brienne had also whispered Tyril’s name sometimes in her sleep. She sort of giggled when it sounded like they were recreating that one myth between the she-orc and the elf who had such a good shag, the fancy elf needed bed-rest for days. She teased Brienne endlessly for it, and they both had a laugh about it.

Six months. Six bloody months, and still no sign of her. Not a single trace. As if Earth had swallowed her.

Maybe earth did swallow her, an intrusive voice of hers mused.

Shaking her head, she continued talking and trying to be cheered by Mal. They still had a laugh, but with the void of Brienne being so present between them, sometimes it felt hard to do. She missed how she looked back at them and shook her head, laughing to herself.

Walking forward, she reached Mal, who was oddly quiet “Do you think this is it? That, this time, we’ll find her?”

Mal sighed “I hope so. I want it to be.”

Imtura’s face fell “But you don’t believe it is.”

He looked at her with a tired, pained look “I’m trying to, Immy.”

She patted his shoulder “…I am too.”

On the eighth month, she got fed up. The anger she felt back then was back, and this time, there weren’t any wisdom nespers who could convince her. She was dead in a ditch to never be found, and they were all loosing time.

“Alright, elephant in the room, I’ll address it: Bree’s gone, probably dead in a ditch and we’re running, hic, circles.”

Tyril seemed to sigh, but with her blurry vision due to the obscene amount of alcohol she had drank, she couldn’t see much. But the image of Brienne in an unmarked grave was there, alright.

“… would’ve known. Tragic news travels fast. …would’ve found her.”

“She’s not… would’ve found her.”

“And how come nobody in the continent have heard, hmm? Easy, she’s dead and all of this for nothing.”

Mal got up angrily “… don’t get to disregard Brienne’s life…”

She could hardly hear it. There was only one thought in mind. She was dead, and there wasn’t anything else to do.

“Brienne wouldn’t want us to waste our time with her death. So why delay it?” She barked, easily sizing up short Mal.

“… not dead.” Nia said.

She pointed a wobbly finger at her “You don’t know that, because, flash news, the heart and soul thing is bullshit! She’s dead, she’s not coming back and it’s time we own it.”

Elf boy, who had been awfully quiet, also got up and slammed his large hands in the desk “…so keen on burying her alive… carry on… true friends…”

“Fine!” She blurted out.

Then, she got up and left, hot, angry tears in her eyes.

She walked, and walked, and walked, and walked until her feet gave over, and she threw up the alcohol previously ingested in concerning amounts. Gasping for air, she leaned against what it seemed like solid rock, and allowed her large body to collapse.

When she woke up, she realized that her axes were gone, as well as her coin and part of her armor. Grunting, still with her head throbbing, went to the nearest pub. She could hear “Bloody hell, who wants ale at three? These drunks… Oh wow, that one looks like hell.”

“Hey. I, uh, slept outside last night and my weapons and purse are gone.”

“And what do you want us to do about that, hm, orc?”

She realized, she was far away from home, with next to no money or way to contact her mother or friends. Idiot, she thought.

“A… job would be nice?”

“I’ve enough barmaids, and you ain’t lovely enough to fire the others. Seems like ye can’t cook either, those hands ain’t for the kitchen.”

“I… can fight. I used to be in… Clan Nagoni! Fierce fighters, gave Ventral Tal Kaelen a good shake before going down.”

The barkeeper hummed, looking at her up and down. She probably smelled like vomit, cheap ale and had her clothes ragged and dirty.

“Let’s do one thing, she-orc. If ye take care of a certain customer who won’t pay his beers with a scare, you’re in as our source of entertainment.”

“Just tell me who you want dead,”

And thus, for the rest of the year, she worked at that bar, fighting all sorts of creatures, always trouncing one after another. And she liked that routine. She drank. Then, she fought, won and drank even more as people sung her praises. Sometimes, she could see glimpses of Nia and Mal, and even elf boy, but the only clear image was of Brienne, her dearest friend, dead on a ditch, with nobody to visit her grave or take her back to the Elements. As she gulped another horn of ale, she wiped with her arm the foam and lunged at the strange beast, ready to take out some anger and take off such grotesque image of a dead Brienne that chased her at night most.

[delicatelypearl]

A day in the life with me 🥰 8/8/24

♡9:30: I wake up and check my phone. This is a habit I shouldn’t do as much, but I tend to get a lot of texts and emails throughout the night. I don’t wake up everyday at 9:30, sometimes I wake up much earlier and other times I wake up a bit later.

♡10:00: I begin my day, I make a coffee, feed my cats, and take my meds & vitamins. Medications and vitamins are essential for a healthy mind and a healthy body.🥰 I recently began taking Ashwaganda for anxiety and it has helped me tremendously. I usually make my breakfast around this time as well, and I will have something such as a bagel or some eggs and bacon. Unfortunately today my anxiety was a bit high, so I wasn’t very hungry to eat anything.

♡11:00: I got on zoom call with my therapist. She gave me really good advice on my current situation! I feel very fortunate, motivated, and happy after our conversation.

♡12:00: My appointment ended, and I was feeling very relaxed, so I did a load of laundry, worked on a Lego set I haven’t finished yet, and made a sandwich for lunch.

♡1:00: I did some journaling. Mostly a recap of everything my therapist and I talked about, but also some other things. Especially with mercury in retrograde, I’m taking extra steps to protect my peace.

♡2:00: I saged my bedroom. Saging helps to remove old and unwanted negative energy from your space. I opened the windows so the negative energy would move outside, turned on some meditation music, and lit some of my meditation candles in order to begin with my saging process.

♡3:00: I did a few tarot card readings for myself. I’m looking for some guidance and insight on my current situation, and the cards told me what I needed to hear. After that, I wrote in my journal for a bit before I had to get ready for work. Keeping a journal is very important, whether it be a manifestation journal, a dream journal, or just a regular diary, it’s very important to keep one. I can go in depth about my journals on another post.

♡4:00-9:00: I went to work. Working helps me get my mind off things for a bit, it’s a fun environment that keeps me entertained for the time being, and there’s not much I can say other than that.

♡10:00: I got home from work later than usual, so I had a grilled cheese for a late dinner and I called my friend for a bit. Keeping in touch with my friends during the difficult time has helped so much. I wasn’t able to talk to them as much with what I was going through before, so I’m really putting in effort to strengthen my friendships. I try to call them whenever I can, usually at night, but even texting with them throughout the day helps.

♡11:00: the day was 8/8, and my friend had informed me that it was a very strong day to manifest. The Lions Gate portal peaked, so the energy was heightened. I did a quick manifestation session. I also decided to put my crystals outside overnight, so the energy from the moon could charge them.

♡12:00: I got into bed and quickly fell asleep. I still had a few things to do, like a load of laundry and a warm relaxing bath, but they could wait for the morning.

[eeve-ly]

PeachBuds Meeting ShadowPeach#2

MEANWHILE IN A PLACE NOT SO FAR FROM THERE*

If you guys, thought of 2 Sun Wukong, talking to each other peacefully, discovering that they are each other's counterparts from alternate universes, talking about life and being friendly with each other? HAHAHAHA wrong, so the two said they were the great sage… , well let's say they were everything but not "friendly"

LMK.Wukong/M.h.Wukong:AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH(Both Wukongs scream, while fighting with angry cats, for another 4 hours and while Mk watched all this eating popcorn.)

Could he stop the fight? Yes, but does he want to? Honestly no,the Boy thought "What's the chance in a fight and two king monkeys I end up getting hit by accident? I'll stay, here until they calm down otherwise I'll ask a friend for help"

LMK.WUKONG: Ah… I admit, you can fight well even as an imitator of mine.

M.H WUKONG: WHAT?! TECHNICALLY 14 YEARS I'M OLDER THAN YOU, OK THAT'S IT, YOU ASK, IT'S TIME YOU STOP BEING SO STUBBORN AND PROUD

LMK.WUKONG:AH HAH!YOU KNOW IF YOU WERE ANOTHER ME YOU WOULD BE THE SAME AGE

ENOUGH! I BRING YOU HERE TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND HAVE FUN, BUT SINCE YOU WILL NOT COLLABORATE WITH ME OR WITH THE OTHER

(3 MINUTES LATER)

After a moment where the (me the creator of this blog :3) tied up the two Wukongs alone with ropes from the celestial realm, at MK's request, she and mk are tasked with keeping an eye on the two monkeys.

LMK.WUKONG: COME ON KID, ASK HER TO LET ME GO NOW! HOW CAN I DEAL WITH A COPYCAT WHEN I'M ALL TIED UP?!!

MK: Sorry Monkey King, but I asked her to tie you up and he's not a copy of you

(Creator aka me ;3): He's your version from the 2009 cartoon, remember one of his counterparts, a pre-Journey to The West version, and you yellow, he's your lego counterpart and the boy with the bandana is the successor, in other words you are the past and future of different realities

LMK.WUKONG/M.H WUKONG:SERIOUSLY???

(Creator aka me ;3): If you guys weren't so dumb you would have figured this out on your own, sorry for tying you up but that was it or you guys were going to destroy everything here without even knowing it but I'll leave you like that for safety

LMK.WUKONG: So… how are you ruling Huaguo Flower Mountain? As I'm older, I can give you some advice.

M.H WUKONG: Well, I recently saved Liu-er from the evil power that was manipulating him I guess and taking care of the people properly, but what is this "Journey To The West"? Is it some adventure of mine and my friends?

LMK.WUKONG: Well let's say, before this mission happened I kind of made a hell of a mess in the celestial palace and got trapped under a mountain trapped for 500 years, after that I had my Journey and became a legend, but that came with a price, my good friendship with Macaque, I kind of ended up killing him before the journey was over, you were luckier than me in moving forward into a more serious relationship with Liu-er

M.H WUKONG: I don't think he's hating you that much, but I think he's hurt emotionally, but because of everything you've been through DemonBullKing, Spider Queen, The Lady Bone Demon, don't you think he and you need to try and talk openly one with other?

LMK.WUKONG:Hmmm…I'll try that, but I can't guarantee he'll accept it.

(MK and the Creator Whispering eachother)

(Creator also known as me ;3): Unless we gave this couple a little help, right mk?

MK: ohhhhhh~ I got it hehe, let's be cupid to a couple of divorced monkeys XD

*THE THIRD PART WILL BE POST IT WHEN THIS POST HAVE 50 LIKES*

[enharchive]

sage’s fanfic recommendations

hi! i’m sage and these are my fanfic recommendations. i mostly read for enhypen but i also love nct, bts, txt, svt and skz!! this post will be updated regularly :’)

ENHYPEN

JAY

take this love letter! | @/enhyupn

jay park doesn’t know how to confess to you, taking the advice of a certain kim sunoo he created a love letter. the problem? you think his best friend park sunghoon gave you the love letter. the other problem? you and sunghoon are exes that want nothing to do with each other.

JAKE

the two of us | @/iyeonjuni

when the chase for your dreams seems to have no end, you meet someone who’s walking the same road. two swimmers and a fleeting romance, could the both of you touch the stars that always seemed so far out of reach?

SUNGHOON

for the first time | @/yaehao

in which sunghoon has to figure out how to properly express his feelings for you.

JUNGWON

would you be so kind | @/envirae

love grows (where jungwon goes) | @/soobnny

showing affection isn’t jungwon’s strongest forte, but when he sets eyes on you, it’s obvious he has to figure out a way to make you reciprocate his feelings. he’ll take giving you homegrown fruits and vegetables from his garden as a good first step. from then, it’ll be one gift at a time.

RIKI

20th century girl | @/delcakoo

you joined the broadcasting club after finding out your crush was too, but instead find yourself stuck with his untidy best friend who happens to be even cuter.

OT7

all of us are dead | @/soobnny

based on the popular series, “all of us are dead” — trapped students must escape their high school which has become ground zero for a zombie virus outbreak.

how enhypen crush on you | @/jwonsociety

NCT

JENO

the dumbing down of love | @/luvdsc

the six times you caught him staring at you, and the one time he caught you.

bet! | @/doycngs

it was bound to bite both your asses eventually. just plain ‘ol comedic luck that you and your best friend’s shared tradition of petty bets get you two to finally cough up years of repressed feelings for one another.

RENJUN

my best friend wants to be abducted by aliens @/choerrypuffs

as the self-proclaimed matchmaker of camp half-blood, you have had a 100% success rate with all of your matches. your current project is finding a date for your best friend, huang renjun—a prickly smart aleck that perfectly fits the child of athena stereotype. unfortunately for you, he seems to be hellbent on tarnishing your perfect record. his refusal to get a girlfriend prompts you to come up with all sorts of conspiracy theories (alien abduction, ghost possession, lizard people etc.) in an attempt to crack the code that is renjun. even though you’re able to create these insane scenarios inside your head, you can’t seem to realize the glaringly obvious: renjun is in love with you.

MARK

a series of white lies | @/tyonfs

in which it takes you six years to accept that you’re in love with mark lee. (it takes him one.)

CHENLE

tuition and fees | @/starlightkun

STRAY KIDS

JISUNG

young god | @/maatryoshkaa

when your best friend felix sets you up on a blind date with adorable medical student han jisung, you find yourself falling for his sweet words and dark eyes, and the even darker secrets he hides behind his charming, angelic smile.

SEVENTEEN

JEONGHAN

whipped | @/kabira

people are difficult, and you prefer to keep to yourself, but the clumsy barista at café callisto is an exception. you like joshua hong the way you like your like the cream on top of your coffee—whipped.

HOSHI

tell your cat to stop shitting at my doorstep | @/kabira

BTS

JUNGKOOK

road(tripping) for you | @/latetaektalk

it was just supposed to be a roadtrip; your best friend, her boyfriend, his best friend, and you. but it gets a little more complicated (and a whole lot more awkward) when your best friend and her boyfriend have to drop out and you’re left to go on the trip with none other than jeon jungkook, a complete stranger. well, a complete stranger except for the fact that you hooked up two years ago.

spidey-spidey | @/kookings

your neighbor slash crush jeon jungkook is exceptional at exterminating bugs from your apartment. and also at kissing you.

OT7

ready or not | @/ughseoks

on the night of your wedding with the man of your dreams, he and his brothers invite you to spend the night at their mansion for a customary “welcome to the family” game night. every game has rules, and theirs are simple enough: Stay hidden. stay quiet. stay alive.

ready or not, here they come.

TXT

YEONJUN

mr. vice president | @/minastras

choi yeonjun was an ace, and everyone knew it. he was a star athlete, top student, creative genius, school vice-president, and prom royalty. the only person who even came close to his level was you.

[mtdthoughts]

Migi & Dali Character Analysis Pt. 1

If you've read my review or my other posts in this blog, you can probably tell that I find the character cast of Migi & Dali to be the strongest part of the series. Yet, it is a bit strange that after so many posts analyzing the story, I haven't written any comprehensive descriptions for the characters.

The closest thing to a character analysis I've done is a character ranking, where I ranked the characters based on how much I like them and give a brief description.

In this series of posts, I will give a full analysis for each character, where the twins will come last since they are the main focus of the series and have the most character development, and so have the most to write about.

Here's a list of all parts of the character analysis:

Part 1 (this post) : Youko, Osamu, Sardine, Fidelite, Micchan

Part 2 : Akira, Karen, Maruta, Akiyama

Part 3 : Metry, Reiko

Part 4 : Eiji

Part 5 : Migi

Part 6 : Dali

Keep in mind that full *spoilers* will be given.

This post will be about the Sonoyama household (minus the twins) as well as Micchan.

Youko Sonoyama: She is a nice old woman and cares deeply for her son's happiness. Despite not having children, she has proven to be just as (if not more) loving as any mother towards her child, as she noticed the twins, and her love was able to move Dali to tears. She doesn't maintain unreasonable expectations (though she will not condone horrible misbehavior) and just wants the best for her son(s). She has a cheerful and bubbly personality, but can also be a bit impulsive and hysterical (like Migi), requiring her husband Osamu to calm her down from time to time. In terms of hobbies, she loves cooking and baking cherry pie, and in general loves doing things to make her family happy. She is arguably the biggest factor for Migi's character development and growth (e.g. cherry pie, striped underwear, etc.) as he moves on from revenge and learns to care for his brother, and she serves as an important foil to Reiko Ichijo (more on this when I discuss Reiko).

Osamu Sonoyama: He is a nice old man, and like Youko, cares deeply about his son's happiness, and often gives sage advice for him. He is very much a gentleman, and was even noted to be quite passionate in his younger days, as he was persistent in courting Youko. His old age has limited him in many ways, but he tries not to let that bother him too much, as he now has a son to spend time with. In terms of hobbies, he has stereotypical "old man hobbies" such as reading, writing poetry, bird-watching, etc.

Sardine: He is the Sonoyamas' Golden Retriever, and is friendly and playful much like the stereotype. He loves sardines and is a glutton, and is also a bit mischievous as he gave the twins a bit of a hard time in the early story. However, he is also strongly loyal to his family and will protect them whenever necessary. He seems to get along well with Migi in particular, and so we can form a symbolic association between the two. This makes sense as Migi was the first to accept the Sonoyamas, and their personalities are quite similar.

Fidelite: He is the Ichijos' Doberman and later becomes the Sonoyamas'. He is strongly loyal, disciplined, tough, and cool. He may be intimidating at first glance, but is actually a sweetheart and loves playing, unlike the stereotype. He seems to get along well with Dali in particular, and so we can form a symbolic association between the two. This makes sense as Dali was the second to accept to the Sonoyamas, and their personalities are quite similar.

Micchan/Mitchan (Mrs. Mitsuyama): She is a gossipy but friendly housekeeper and likely Youko's best friend. She is extremely professional and takes pride in being a housekeeper, though she'll be willing to do a little snooping if it means uncovering a juicy secret. Nonetheless, she is very kind and compassionate and has a strong sense of justice, since she risked her life to expose Reiko, save the twins, and she tried to get them to save Eiji. Her willpower was so great that she even came back as a ghost to help save the triplets. Her initial disappearance likely weighed heavily upon Dali, which likely caused him to see the revenge mission as extremely dangerous and became unwilling to risk Migi's life, which could explain why he desperately went with the Sali plan. Later, her death probably also weighed heavily upon Dali as he realized the consequences of what he started.

[storytella-bella]

The Joy of Life Challenge S2 - #9

The next day, Aspen's stepdad, Casper came to visit him. Aspen also had a self-discovery; that he's an 'active' sim.

Anyways, he got invited to the Humor & Hijinks festival by Wren! It felt nice for Aspen to catch up with an old friend, considering all the drama he's been in, lately.

They both chose to be on the 'Humor' team, and they definitely helped the team win with all the jokes they were cracking that night!

They had a really chill time, watching fireworks, drinking and just being in each other's company! Wren is Aspen's childhood buddy, and he intends to keep it that way!

The next day consisted almost entirely of Aspen studying. His final exam was the next day, and he promised himself he'd focus more, since his classes have gotten harder.

The next day was business as usual, and Aspen had his final exam!

Of course, since it's the end of term, Aspen headed back home for a bit, before the next term started.

On his way home, he checked social bunny and noticed a passive-aggressive post from Sage, that seemed directly aimed at his situation with Sakura that he explained to her...

Either Sage has bad humor, or she was trying to send him a message, lol.

When he arrived to his family home, Aspen noticed that his mom had a lot more stuff in the bakery, and his little sister isn't so little anymore since her growth spurt!

Not too long after he came home, his results for his term came in! His gourmet cooking paper must not have been as good as he hoped, but he's still super pleased with the results!

He caught up with his sister and her high-school drama, and had a look at her recently decorated bedroom! I think he likes how it looks!

The next morning, after making breakfast for his family, he needed his mom for a little advice. At first, he didn't want to tell his mom about the whole cehating situation, since she has some bad memories in that department.

But Aspen trusts his mom and really needed her advice, and her honesty really helped him regarding the situation.

He had his first class of the term in a few hours, so he headed back to campus.

When he got to school, he noticed Sakura (as the UBrite dragon) and took his mother's advice in mind when approaching her to apologise again.

She was not having it, but Aspen knew that it would take time for her to forgive him, if she ever does.

I also gave them the 'flirty friends' sentiment, (Enhanced Relationship Bits mod), since it basically describes their 'friendship' perfectly.

[lets-talk-spirituality]

https://www.tumblr.com/lets-talk-spirituality/711355362608119808/httpsattumblrcomlets-talk-spiritualityhttpsa?source=share

I’m on my iPad so I hope I spell everything right and I’m visiting my family and we’re having a early st pats party. Are you doing anything for st patty’s day? But they gave me a good pear martini. I’m chilling on the couch and it’s so coldddd and the martini is hitting me. I’m a light weight. Like no joke one drink and I need to lay down.

Paul McCartney is my favorite Beatle too. The one member I can’t stand is John Lennon. Like I did a deep dive on the history of the Beatles one day and the more I read about Lennon and read his interviews I just can’t. Like I understand his contribution to music and I feel terrible about the way he died. But he kind of turned me off from the Beatles.

Aww I’m sorry to hear that happen with that guy and that it bought up those emotions and past trauma etc. I wish I could be like the fairy godmother from Cinderella and Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo a good man for you or offer some sage advice. But I’m sending u hugs, light, and love across the globe. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ hey maybe u fix that car up one day soon and find that special person on the big open road. Just maybe watch out for any hitchhikers. We want a love story movie not any horror movie crap, Yo have you ever watch the hallmark Christmas movies ? They’re like my guilty pleasure. 

I feel like watching some real cheesy romance movies. What’s your favorite ? 

But I saw these quotes 

https://perfectfeelings.tumblr.com/post/709991056494755840/when-it-rains-look-for-rainbows-when-its-dark

https://www.tumblr.com/onyx-collective/711406050866266112/quick-reminder-from-edwin-youre-a-main-btch?source=share  you da the main bi*ch ♥️ 

Also that’s really cool that you saw Venus and Jupiter in the sky! Do you have star filled sky’s where u live? It’s my dream to see the stars one day, all we can see in our sky is satellites and planes. Some people claim alien lights. Omg I’m remembering this song https://youtu.be/Aebgf1_iryI.

Even tho it’s hard to see the stars we always get the moon and last was cosmos moon 😉 let me know if u know which movie that’s from. 

But when I’m home home I’ll check out those music links. Thank you for sharing them. I didn’t bring my headphones with me. :,,,,/

I think I saw you like to build stuff? U built a bookshelf correct? What other stuff have u done? I’m a bit of a flipper and builder myself. I love flipping old furniture. I’m dreaming of a backyard again one day where I have my she shed and I can use my spray paints again. 

Also do u like to cook and/or bake? I tried making some sugar cookies and the recipe was trash, I should have known when I saw how low the liquid ingredients. I’m like why is this sand!? :,/

Omg my family gave the five minute warning before dessert. I’m not gonna lie I was thinking about swiping some cookies before but I behaved. But I saw sugar cookies and ice cream cake. It was so hard. 

But please have a wonderful weekend and I hope you feel better soonnn 🫂 I’m going to go wreck some cookies and my diet 🍪 

🎶

I know it’s taken me so long to respond! But I know you get me :)

I decided to be anti social for St Patty’s Day because I felt I was becoming too dependent on the social interactions with my friends. I could go for a pear martini, that sounds delish. I love pomegranate martinis too.

Yeah when I learned he abused Yoko I was very turned off. People try to sweep that under the rug and I understand having compassion but we should use it as a way to talk about why abuse isn’t okay.

Omg! Yes I love the hallmark ones and I’m dying. That’s exactly the type of meet cute I would have as a free spirited type. I mean I met this recent dude doing mushrooms at the beach. I have always romanticized hitchhiking myself so maybe that’s another meet cute :) 😂 My favs? I like how to lose a guy in ten days (maybe I like a little antagonism in my dynamics 🤭) , ten things I hate about you (when she stands up in class! And also it’s based on my favorite Shakespeare play) one day (I cry every time) a walk to remember (you’re my only hope) Yeah that feels right.

Thanks for those quotes! I’m always looking at the sky :) and I know! I’m a main bitch but I’m not acting like it. Sigh. I’ll get back there.

Yes I do! Light pollution is less in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I googled it but I don’t think I’ve seen that movie.

I’ve decided to be a handy bitch! So I built my bed too and a clothing rack. I actually don’t do much crafting or stuff like that because I move all the time so I don’t want to invest in buying things I can’t transport. I keep it light. Maybe one day tho! I watch those videos a lot and am mesmerized.

I can cook but I don’t do it because it’s just me. I just buy a lot of vegetarian or vegan frozen meals or eat out!

[skellebonez]

Who Do I Go To? (Monkie Kid Fanfic)

I totally did not accidentally post this early before I edited it or added everything from my wip file... no... but anon, you gave me so much FREEDOM with this that I just went absolutely off the rails. This is not only set in a post S3 scenario where everyone survives and most of the villains have some kind of at least semi-redemption (except LBD, rip), this does feature a crackship or two of mine (you can read the tags to see the ships before you read)! Sun Wukong also has all of his immortality and some of his powers, I am writing this with the idea that he transferred most of them to MK and some of that was permanent once LBD was defeated and MK got his own back.

So... what if Sun Wukong did start communicating with the others in S3... but still has been bottling up his emotions about the past for so long he doesn’t feel he can talk to anyone because of their shared experiences? And what happens when that guilt and grief finally has someone willing to listen?

“What are you doing here, Si-SUN Wukong?” The Demon Bull King asked slowly, stumbling over his usual insult for the one once so close to him. They still weren’t close, and it was doubtful they would ever be as long as the sworn brothers they once were, but they were no longer at each other’s throats anymore.

That didn’t change how bizarre it was to see The Great Sage Equal To Heaven just... sitting outside his new home with no warning.

“DBK!” Wukong exclaimed, more startled than the larger demon was expecting as he jumped up and turned and if he didn’t look like he’d been hit with a truck metaphorically DBK didn’t know how to describe the way his fur stood on end and the redness in the other’s eyes. “I. UH. Was. Just stopping by to say hi!”

“No you weren’t,” DBK said, face falling into a deadpan glower. “You don’t do that. Even after 500 years I know you don’t.”

“I can start!” Wukong defended, crossing his arms and looking away with a wide teeth showing smile.

Too wide.

Even after everything that happened between them, from Red Boy to what happened when he needed his wife’s fan to sealing him in the mountain and everything that transpired with the Little Thief, he recognized that unhappy nervous smile.

“You can,” DBK said with a nod, gesturing to the smaller being. “You can also be here for a reason. Like what I heard you muttering to yourself behind the door.”

“And that’s my cue to leave!” The Monkey King announced as he turned to walk away before a large hand, with shocking gentleness for the one attached to it, wrapped around his shoulders.

“If you need to talk-”

“No, haha, I most certainly have no need for that!”

“-you know we’ve already made peace. I-”

“You don’t need to do anything,” Wukong insisted, struggling only a little before freeing himself from the other’s grip with an even wider nervous smile.

“-am willing to listen.”

“Don’t have to!”

“Are you at least talking to anyone?”

Neither of them said anything, The Demon Bull King staring down at The Monkey King with both frustrated annoyance and genuine concern in his expression.

The former he could deal with, but the later was so new again that...

Sun Wukong panicked.

“.... OKEY BYE!” He yelled, jumping and allowing his cloud to catch him and take him off.

"YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM YOUR FEELINGS FOREVER SUN WUKONG!"

"I HID FROM THE WORLD FOR 500 YEARS AND I TURNED OUT JUST FINE, I THINK I'LL MANAGE!"

“He turned out fine, he says,” Princess Iron Fan called from behind her husband as she emerged from their home. “So fine that it took him losing his invincibility and his successor nearly being killed for him to admit he needed help.”

DBK grunted, nodding in agreement at her words.

“He needs more, still, my dear. Even I can see that.”

“Let’s call in some reinforcements then, darling. I think there are two people who may be able to get through to him.”

~

Sun Wukong sat on the beach of Mount Huaguo’s island home, clearly trying not to think about what had just transpired.

“Hey.”

“How did you even know to look for me here?” Sun Wukong asked, not nearly as startled this time. He’d heard the footsteps coming for a long time, the other apparently wanting to make his presence known.

“Bull King called Pigsy’s asking for MK. MK called me since he’s working. I remembered where you like to sulk. Hence: I’m here.”

Wukong groaned, wrapping his arms around his knees and burying his face in them. “I shouldn’t have even left the house today.”

“But you left,” Macaque said with a shrug, watching the other stew in his frustration at himself. “And you went to see DBK... and I guess Princess Iron Fan too? But you ran off. Why?”

“I can’t check up on an old friend turned enemy turned less enemy to ‘not exactly friend but we’re not trying to kill each other’ without being questioned?” Wukong grumbled into his arms.

“Not when you make him sound as worried as he did when he talked to MK,” Macaque continued, voice becoming more tense. “You didn’t go to apologize or explain anything, I was there when all that went down. So... did you finally go to talk about everything e-”

“No.” The word was said with such coldness that Macaque knew it was put on. It wasn’t out of malice but something else, something more worried and fearful. “No. I can’t talk to him about... I told him everything that explained what happened. I apologized. I don’t need to talk more.”

"I don't understand why you're so opposed to to just talking about, you know... how you’re doing," Macaque said with a concerned frown. It almost felt odd on his face. Almost. He was still getting used to the whole "not being mortal eternal enemies and now being friends and kinda sorta caring about each other again" thing. "I know it's been centuries and all and you're out of practice but like... it's been centuries."

"I just... can't, Macaque," Wukong rebutted as he refused to lift his head from his arms. "I just can't."

"Why?"

"Don't."

The single word stayed in their air between them, heavy and hard and meaning more than the immortal would ever admit to.

"Come on, there has to be a reason," Macaque insisted as he sat down beside the other immortal. When no response came he sighed, tail flicking absently and flipping over some of the rocks on the beach as they sat in silence for few minutes. "You know... I started talking to someone."

"What?" Wukong turned his head, just enough to look at the other monkey from the corner of his eye.

“Sandy’s a good listener,” Macaque continued, falling back down to lay flat on his back and gaze up at the clouds. He remembered that Wukong felt better, sometimes, when you looked away when talked to. Didn’t know why, but he remembered. “Not exactly the kind of therapy he thinks I need, but he lends me his cats and he lets me talk and sometimes asks if I want advice. Sometimes I say yes, but when I say no he understands. Sometimes I just want to rant at that one little one eyed cat he has and she listened to... I think. She’s a cat so I wouldn’t know. He thinks I should see someone more experienced, an expert. Maybe he’s right, I dunno, but this helps enough for now.

“... who are you and what have you done with the Six-Eared Macaque?” Wukong asked with a soft glower, one that was clearly in jest from the tiny smile the other could see.

“Same Macaque,” the other said with a laugh, sitting back up with a theatrical flourish. “Just realized that talking to someone isn’t as dumb or useless as I made it out to be in my head. A lot of the stuff I thought about alone wasn’t exactly the best. Or healthiest. But now I can get that out there and sometimes it makes Sandy look like he ate a whole lime which probably means it’s good it’s not in my head anymore.”

“You ramble a lot,” Wukong said with a chuckle, tail swishing softly beside him before nudging against Macaque’s. He tensed before it slowly wrapped around the other’s. “It feels odd, having you try to cheer me up again after... everything.”

“Bad odd or good odd?”

“Good.”

“That’s.... good,” Macaque said, squeezing Wukong’s tail with his own. “Feels odd for me too. Like I’m out of practice too. But it’s good odd...” The two sat in silence for a moment, just enjoying each other’s company before he continued. “I do think you should talk to someone. Anyone.”

“I don’t know who, though. Every time I try I just... clam up and run away. I’ve put so much on MK already,” Wukong said, tail squeezing around Macaque’s loosely in return. “And Pigsy and Sandy... After all that came out, that Sandy is Sha Wujing and Pigsy is Zhu Bajie’s reincarnation... I just... I can’t talk to them either, even though Pigsy doesn’t remember anything at all. And you... DBK... everyone... who do I go to that knows enough about me to know what they’re in for but I won’t have those memories floating around in the back of my head toward making me run away?”

“Well, you could have Sandy help you get a therapist. Prepare them in advance. Or, if you’re not ready for that, you could talk to Tang?” Macaque suggested with a shrug. “He listens to me when I’m not talking to Sandy... but that’s probably because we’re dating, that’s what it is now instead of courting, right? So he kinda has to I think? Pigsy and MK talk to him too but with me I think it’s different.”

"I don't think that's how it works," Wukong said with a half hearted chuckle as he finally raised his head all the way. "Besides, I've known Tang longer."

"By like 3 months."

"3 months more is still enough to know that if he doesn't want to listen to you he won't. The man knows how to make a speedy exit."

"Guess that's one more thing that sets him apart from his great-great-great-great-great-whatever uncle," Macaque admitted with a shrug and a chuckle of his own. He squeezed his tail around Wukong's, smile softening when he felt it being returned.

“Feels... weird though,” Wukong said with a shrug. “The two of them looking so much alike.”

“Yeah, but that’s it,” Macaque rebutted. “He’s Tang Sanzang’s great-whatever nephew 5 times removed or whatever and he looks like him. Other than that? He knows pretty much all of your history. He’s mostly out of the hero worship zone but he still respects you a lot. Aside from everything that happened with LBD and MK you two have the least history out of everyone so maybe whatever’s in your head making you clam up might not stop you. And it couldn't hurt to try. It’s not therapy, it’s just talking about something that’s bothering you. Worst that can happen is you get nervous and fumble and he takes the opportunity to ask you 40 questions about the times you were almost incinerated by a baby."

"That was one time!"

~

“Uh,” Tang started, staring out the open door with wide eyes at the being before him. “Hi. I didn’t exactly expect to you see today.”

“I didn’t exactly expect to be here today,” Wukong said awkwardly, nervous smile taking over his face as his tone became far too jovial for what he was about to ask. “Macaque sent me to... talk to you. About me?” His smile drooped bit by bit as he said these words, slowly starting to lose his determination to go through with this. “Oh second thought, maybe I should-”

"No," Tang said, reaching out to put a hand on the immortal's shoulder. It was nothing, really, not to someone as strong as he was. Not when he could brush it off and walk away. Go home. Just sit on his couch and watch Monkey King The Animated Series again and just think about how no one deserved to be saddled with his problems anymore. But Wukong didn't. "Whatever it is, we’re going to talk about this now. I know I’m not trained like Sandy is, but I know how to listen. And if you need someone to listen to you, I can. You wouldn't have come here to talk if you didn't."

“... ok...” Sun Wukong said, letting Tang wrap his arm around his back and guide him inside his shared home with Pigsy and Macaque.

It was... odd. Being inside this place for the first time. He’d been outside of the door more than once, invited in as well. But never inside.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Tang said, stopping his guidance once they reached the sofa. “I’m no Sandy, but I was making myself some tea and it is a batch of his own anyway. I’ll grab us some snacks too.”

“Snacks would be great,” Wukong admitted, watching the other disappear into the house’s kitchen before he sighed and gripped his thrashing tail and muttered to himself. “What am I doing..? I shouldn’t put all this on Tang... I should have gone with Macaque’s first suggestion, I’m-”

“Do you prefer lychee or persimmon?” Tang asked suddenly, startling the immortal for the second time that day. “We’re out of peach bao, but MK’s been making them out of lots of fruits and we have so many that I was planning on eating them myself.”

The scholar returned, faster than expected, with a full tray in hand. Teapot, two tea cups, and a steamer box that presumably held the buns he was asking about.

“Uh... persimmon,” Wukong answered, and he watched as Tang poured each of them a cup of tea and removed some clearly fresh (or at least made some time earlier in the day and freshly steamed), pieces of fruit laden bao to put on a plate for his guest before taking a seat in a chair across from him. “You were... getting lunch?”

Tang shrugged, laughing as he took a bite of one of his own. “Just wanted a snack. But,” He smiled, gesturing to the Monkey King. “We’re not here to talk about snacks. What’s on your mind?”

“Awfully forward start.”

“I try to be forward with the people I consider my friends.”

“... You consider me... a friend?” Wukong asked slowly, turning the bao over in his hands. It was well made, perfect he would say. You’d think MK would have been making them all his life, not that he’d learned how to on the drone ship while on the run from an evil super demon bent on erasing his mentor from the world.

“After everything we went through, how could I not?” Tang said, putting his food down to sip his tea and then putting that down as well and looking at him seriously. “You’re here because it’s the anniversary of the day you sealed away the Demon Bull King, aren’t you?”

The bao in his hands wasn’t perfect anymore. Instead the red lychee inside dripped from his claws from where they punctured it in surprise.

“How did you-?”

“My specialty study is your history after all,” Tang said, smile returning with a sad tint. “I’ve known the date for years but I felt it was something to keep to myself. For some reason. Now with you and DBK back I think that was a good choice. It feels too personal to have out in the open for everyone to make a spectacle of.”

“Is it selfish of me to be thankful for that?” Wukong muttered, gently placing the bao on the plate to lick his claws clean.

“I don’t think so,” Tang answered.

“I feel selfish though,” he continued, not managing to take note of how Tang sat up straighter and turned more toward him. “I went to DBK’s to... I don’t know. I wanted to apologize again? But I already did and he accepted it and it feels selfish to want to again. Then I just. I froze.”

“Why?” Tang asked, scooting closer.

“It felt wrong.”

“Because you would make him feel awkward?”

“NO!” Wukong groaned, burying his face in his hands. “I just. I feel...” He took in a shaky breath, claws digging into his skin slightly.

“Don’t,” Tang’s voice came soft and closer than Wukong expected, as did the hands on his own slowly pulling his claws away from his face. “Don’t hurt yourself. And don’t bottle it up. I’ll listen to you. No matter what it is. It’s not selfish, feeling things isn’t selfish.”

“I miss it,” Wukong breathed out, shaky and choppy as his throat tightened as the words started to pour out of him. “I miss him. How things used to be between us and Iron Fan. I miss that I never got to meet Red Son when he was Red Boy. I miss Beng and Ba and Ma and Liu and how things used to be. I miss Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing even though they’re here. I miss my Tang Sanzang. I’d been alone for 500 years and I missed so much and I did that to myself and it’s selfish to miss like that...”

He didn’t realize his cheeks were wet until his hands had been let go and one of Tang’s rubbed a cloth against them. Tang cupped his cheeks softly before wrapping his arms around him and tucking the Monkey King’s head into the space between his neck and shoulder.

“No... no it’s not. You’re allowed to miss things, Sun Wukong. Just like anyone else.”

Sun Wukong started to feel better.

He didn’t know why that was what did it, but the dam broke. It broke and his tears came pouring out as he hugged the man who reminded him so much of his Master. He didn’t know if anything he said in the mean time made any sense, if he was just blubbering and finally letting himself mourn what he’d lost and never had, but Tang didn’t ever chastise him. He let him weep and hold him and for the first time in years...

~

“Oh!” Princess Iron Fan startled as she opened the door to see who had knocked, finding herself face to face at sunset with one Great Sage. “You’ve returned.”

“Are you and DBK free?” Sun Wukong asked, smile no longer too wide. “I... kinda just wanna talk with you for a bit.”

“Well... I think that would be lovely.”

[rainydaydream-gal18]

Cal Kestis x Reader (Continued 4) The Proposal

OG Request: can i request that you write some cal kestis since you haven't written him in so long? how about one where the whole mantis crew helps him propose to the reader? it can even be like a part 4 to the "training" series lol

Author’s Note:  I am SO sorry at how long this took me to post.  I got hit with writer’s block so bad, and this week, I ended up getting sick. It’s been tough to find time and energy to write, but again, I am sorry at how long it was.  I do hope you enjoy it!!!

   "I've never seen you like this," Greez commented, lifting a brow skeptically.  He planted his hands on his hips as he watched Cal make a cup of caf.  It was a task the young jedi had done many times without fail since he was the definition of balance, but somehow, he had managed to spill his cup on the counter.

   Cal lifted his brows only slightly as he tried to act casual.  “What do you mean?”

   “What’s got you so worked up?” Greez asked.  “You seem off...Not quite sure what it is…”

   Years of training had given Cal Kestis the ability to hide.  He’d hidden from the Empire for so long on Bracca.  He had concealed his identity without issue until that fateful day when he rescued his coworker and friend- an event that began quite the adventure.  Still, even so, he hadn’t been able to conceal his nervousness from the Mantis pilot.  His gaze flickered to Cere, who was quietly sipping her own cup of caf from the dining booth.

   Her amusement at the interaction was palpable.  Cal could see the slightest smile on her lips which she hid behind her mug as she took another sip, eyes trained to the table in front of her.

   What would she say if she knew the truth?  Would she be so amused?  As worried as Cal was that his mentor would disapprove of his choice, he was running out of time.  This wasn’t something he could conceal. 

   “The truth is…” he paused, running a hand through his orange hair.

   “What?”  Greez prompted.  “What is it?”

   “I’m…”

   Cere lowered her cup, the soft clink of the material against the table catching Cal’s attention.  “You’re going to propose to _________.”

   Cal gazed at her, lips parting in surprise.

   “Very perceptive of you, Greez,” she continued, eyes flicking to the pilot.  “To have caught that something was going on with our Cal.  However-” she met Cal’s gaze coolly “-the nervous excitement was coming off him in waves.”

   Cal exhaled, shoulders lowering as he braced himself for some sort of sagely warning about the path he was choosing, but Cere merely smiled.

   Greez's jaw dropped straight to the floor. "You...you what?"  He chuckled quietly at first before bursting into joyful laughter as he approached Cal.  “Congratulations, kid!”

   He smiled appreciatively at the support, but shook his head.  “She hasn’t said ‘yes’ yet.”

   Greez shifted his stance, resting a hand on his hip.  "What, you think she'll say 'no'?"

   “Yes, I mean...no...We’ve talked about it, but I just don't know how to do it.”

   Cere surprised him further by rising from the booth.  “Need some help?”

   He tilted his head.  “You’d do that?  But I thought…”

   “The order is gone, Cal,” she replied.  “As members of this crew, we’ve already done some things the Council would have disapproved of.  I think after all these years of sorrow, a little joy is something we need.”

   Cal nodded.  “Thank you.”

   “So wait,” Greez shook his head.  “You want our advice?  On how to propose?  A former monk and a lonely pilot...what could go wrong?”

- - - -

   “Hey there, uh, kid.”

   You smiled, dabbing at a few beads of sweat that glistened on your forehead.  “Hey, Greez.  How’s it going?”  You gave your arms a little stretch, holding back the groan that threatened to spill from your lips at the dull ache.  Cal had assigned you to an arduous training session all afternoon.  It was unexpected, but you were up to the challenge.  Upon returning to the Mantis, you found no sign of your boyfriend, or Cere for that matter.  

   There was only Greez, who averted his gaze nervously.  You got the distinct feeling that he was hiding something.  Something big.

   “Everything alright?” you asked, testing the waters.

   “Alright?  Uh, yeah.  Yeah.  Everything’s alright.  Why wouldn’t it be?  Is everything alright with you?”

   You fought a smile as he fumbled his way through the somewhat defensive response.  “Yeah, I’m done with training for the day.  I’m just looking for Cal, actually.  Have you seen him?”

   “Yes, I mean, no...I may have seen him…  He went somewhere.”

   “He did?  Did he say where?”

   Greez fell silent then, and you raised your brows incredulously at him.  The stubborn pilot wasn’t going to talk.  Your suspicion grew, especially when his nerves seemed to spike even more.  With a shrug, you headed back toward your bunk.  Cere wasn’t anywhere to be found either.

   What if there was a new development with the jedi order?  Even though the holocron containing the location of force-sensitives across the galaxy had been taken care of, the Mantis crew had not lost hope that someday the jedi would return.  Perhaps something had come up.  Still, you weren’t sure why that would mean that both he and Cere would need to discuss it elsewhere.  It wasn’t like Greez couldn’t be trusted.  Or you.

   As you changed out of your training clothes, your hand brushed over the hilt of your lightsaber.  You gripped the handle and removed it from your belt before doing so with the second saber you had constructed some time ago.  The weight in your hands no longer felt foreign and unsettling.  The sabers had become part of you.  They were not just weapons; they were tools.   They were tools to defend those you loved and to usher in peace when the time was right.

   You set them down and continued changing into your gear.

   For years, you’d heard stories of the jedi old.  You’d never imagined becoming one.  You’d never imagined to have a mentor as young and handsome as Cal.  And you certainly never imagined falling in love the way you did.

   The thought was bittersweet.  You mourned for Cal and all that he had lost, but you were so glad to have found him.  He was glad to have found you too.  You could feel it every single day.

   A knock on the door to your quarters pulled you from thought.  “Yes?”

   “Hey,” Greez said, poking his head in.  “He’s waiting for you.”

   “He’s...waiting for me?”  You watched as he disappeared from the doorway before shaking your head.  “This day just gets weirder.”

- - - -

   Greez had followed you off the ship and stayed close behind as you picked up on Cal’s trail.  He insisted that he was not supposed to give you any hints- only that you were supposed to reach out with your feelings and find Cal on your own.

   “Is this some sort of training exercise?” you wondered aloud.  “Because I already finished training for the day.”

   “Sorry, kid,” Greez shrugged.  “It’s not for me to say.”

   “But of course.”  You smirked.  “It’s never that simple.”  You let your eyes slide shut as you reached out with your other senses.  You took a deep breath, inhaling the lovely scents of the forest- leafy greens and even something sweet, like blossoms.  There was a damp feel to the soil beneath your shoes.  More clearly than the other things you felt, you sensed the familiar presence of Cal.  He was nearby.

   As soon as you began walking in that direction, Greez uttered a “woah.”

   You paused, glancing at him over your shoulder.  “What?”

   “You jedi never cease to fascinate me,” he said.  “You know where he is without even a hint.”

   “It’s automatic at this point.”

   “So, you...you two really love each other, huh?” he ventured.

   You smiled and uttered a quiet, “yeah.”   

   The two of you walked through the forest.  A familiar tingle in your feelings let you know that someone was just ahead.  It was Cere.  You’d recognize that presence anywhere after traveling with her for so long.  She sat in the center of a small clearing, legs crossed and eyes shut.

   “This is a training exercise, isn’t it?” you whispered under your breath at the sight.

   Cere’s eyes opened, and her lips turned up in a smirk.  “Cal’s waiting for you.”

   “So I hear.”  You wanted to shake your head in amusement, but if it was indeed a surprise training session, Cere was acting as a mentor, so you instead gave her a nod of respect.  “Is there anything...Is there...What is my task?”

   “That is something you will have to find out yourself.  I wish you luck.”  And with that, Cere rose from her seated position and gave you a nod before stepping aside.  Greez stole a look and shrugged, immediately going to join her.  

   All the while a strange anticipation was growing in you.  Part of it was curiosity on you part for this next step in your training, and part of it you chalked up to be Cal’s emotions mingling with yours.  Even though you had no idea what was going on and why, something about the situation made you feel exhilarated.  Like something amazing was about to happen.

   You continued on your way, shooting your teammates one last curious look before vanishing farther into the forest.  The tingling feeling changed.  It was soon the distinct feeling that you got whenever Cal was nearby.   You knew it before you saw him that he sensed your approach, but when you finally stepped into the clearing where he was waiting, you weren’t expecting the sudden drop of his heart.  It was so sudden that you halted for a moment, thrown off by the swift shift in emotion.  Nervousness.  What did he have to be nervous about?  You were the one being tested!

   “Cal?” you ventured.

   “___________,” he breathed out.  It was like he struggled to breathe for a moment.   You’d never seen him this way before.

   “Is everything alright?” you asked, voice ticked up with concern.

   “Ah, yeah,”  He nodded, glancing down for a moment.  “____________, I need to ask you something.”

   As soon as he said that, your own heart dropped.  It was nervousness at what you suspected was coming next, but it was a good nervousness.  You immediately shifted, hands going over your heart as Cal walked over to you.  There was a small part of you screaming to not give into the hope, just in case it wasn’t what you thought.  Before the seeds of doubt could take root, Cal got down on one knee in front of you.

   Bright afternoon sunlight poured in through the treetops, dancing along his skin with each gust of wind that shook the branches above.  His eyes were fixed on you, glinting with a light you’d seen in him many times when he looked at you.  It was love.  Adoration.

   “_____________,” he said, gently twining his fingers with those of your left hand.  “I love you.  As a jedi, I never thought I’d be able to go down this path….but here I am, and I’m so glad that I can.  You’re the only one I’d want to go with.”

   “Cal….”  you murmured.

   “Will you marry me?”

   Even though you’d realized the words were coming, they still hit hard.  Your vision blurred with tears as the emotions welled up within you.  “Yes, I will.  I love you, Cal.”  And you pulled your hand from his only to wrap both your arms around his neck and plant a loving kiss to his lips.

   Cal kissed you back passionately, leaving you with one last peck before he pulled away to take your hand again.  His eyes darted up to meet yours before they focused on your finger as he slipped a ring on.  Your tears hadn’t stopped.

   “Cal, I’m so happy.”  Then, a chuckle escaped your lips as you wiped your eyes.  “I was wondering what all this was about.  I thought it was a training exercise.”

   “That was the idea,” he said with the shake of his head.  “We thought it’d be more of a surprise that way.”

   “‘We’?”

   “Cere and Greez helped me out.  I knew I wanted to put this ring on your finger, but I wasn’t quite sure how.”

   “Thank you,” you called over your shoulder, and you were amused when Cere and Greez emerged from the brush.  “Really, this was a lovely surprise.”

   “I’m glad you thought so,” Greez said, clasping his hands together.  He glanced between the two of you curiously.  “So, when’s the wedding?”

[storiesbyjes2g]

Announcements

Hello, everyone!

I hope you’re all well. I just want to notify you of something before I start posting again. Like many of you, I’ve been struggling with aging in this game. The Piersons & Friends moves at a pace that exists in my head which of course is much slower than game time even on long life. For the past year, until maybe August, I’ve had aging off, which honestly was fine except for one thing. Noemi would never grow up and go to university! I considered aging her manually, but at the time she was SUPER early in her teen days. That would make her and Nate too close in age. The most disturbing part was Melany, Nick, and Anissa were WAY too close to adulthood to play with aging on, and I couldn’t wrap my head around them being so old. That’s when my wisest friend gave me sage advice lol. “Adjust your lifespans,” she said. GENIUS!

I doubled YA and adult life and added a good amount of days to elder too. Thankfully that put Melany, Nick, and Anissa at an acceptable age, and aging has resumed. All is right with the world, yeah? NO! There were a handful of sims who aged up a while ago that are now way too old. Take Kameron, for example. He was always a lot older than Nadia, but now he’s a cradle robber. He should also not be in the same age group as Mr. Churchill and Nick’s parents. Plus, in my head, Melany, Nick, and Anissa mid 20s now which means Kam should be early 50s at the oldest. Same for Bryce, Alice and Jorden’s older sister, though they are slightly younger. Rodney, Alondra, and Noah should be around Jorden’s age (mid 30s) and not adults. 

I thought you should know I have aged down all these fine sims to their appropriate ages because I don’t want anyone to be confused, especially since we already celebrated Kam’s birthday and retirement. For story purposes, here’s the new deal. Let’s say Kam retired early. You can do that in the military after 20 years of service in the US. Also, let’s say the birthday was the big 5-0. I won’t change his look, so he’ll keep his gray temples. I also won’t celebrate his new elder birthday to prevent further confusion. He’ll just gradually get older and older. Nadia will still heckle him about being old though lol. I have to give her something, right?

I hope you’re ok with this. It’s already made my life 68% better! If you have any questions or concerns, hit me up. Take care!

[ravennm84]

Career Advice

Hi everyone!!  This story was inspired by a news anchor that I saw on TV, and thought to myself “what would happen if Alya asked that woman for an internship and showed that woman the Ladyblog.” There wasn’t originally going to be Alya redemption, but I decided that the girl needed some love too. Warm-Fuzzies and please enjoy!!

Alya was practically vibrating in her chair as she sat in the reception area of TVi News. She had heard from Aurora and Mireille that there was a summer internship opening and that she should submit an application. She had spent an entire week working on her resume with her mom’s help, citing her blog as experience. Her mother had told her that she might want to double check all her stories before going in, but already knew that she’d be fine. After all, she was an awesome reporter.

There were four other people in the room with her, and she was definitely the youngest. Two of them looked like they were university age and the other two probably attended lycee. That meant that they likely had a bit more experience than she did, but Alya was confident that her blog would set her up for the win. Not only that, Lila had put in a good word for her with the higher ups of TVi News. All she had to do was nail the interview and the internship was hers!

It was about an hour and two interviews before her turn came. Holding her head high; she grabbed her tablet and portfolio, straightened her skirt, and walked in as smoothly as she could in her heels.

The person conducting the interview was Claudia Ramonte, a no-nonsense kind of woman that always seemed to be on a deadline. She preferred people always be on-point and despised people that wasted her time. She was a legend in the industry, she had been an investigative journalist for over 20 years before going into semi-retirement by helping run the company and hiring new journalists. It was said that she had an eye for who had talent and who was just playing journalist. And if you fell into the latter or made the mistake of insulting her craft, you could kiss any hopes of making it big in the industry goodbye. So as soon as Alya shut the door behind her, she put on her most professional smile and extended her hand to her.

“Mme. Ramonte, Alya Cesaire, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

She gave her a slight smile as she shook her hand. “When I saw that a kid in college was applying for the internship, I thought that you were either an idiot or you had a pair of steel balls. Show me which one it is.”

A little taken back but her forwardness, Alya’s hand shook slightly as she pulled her resume from the file and handed it to her. “As you can see, I’ve been running my blog, The Ladyblog, for close to a year and a half now.”

“Everyone and their mothers have blogs nowadays, Cesaire.” The woman scoffed as she tossed Alya’s resume onto her desk and turned to her computer, typing quickly. “Every candidate I’m interviewing today has at least two blogs, multiple news articles in their school newspapers, or videos from their college news or radio stations. What is it about your blog that makes you think that you are more qualified than any of them?”

Alya faltered for a second but wouldn’t be deterred, she was an awesome reporter and she would get this internship. “I’ve conducted multiple interviews with different celebrities; including Ladybug herself, other heroes of the Miraculous Team, the daughter of a diplomat who is also Ladybug’s best friend…”

“So have others, Cesaire.” She sounded bored, as she continued reading something on her computer screen.

Squaring her shoulders, Alya kept going. She refused to back down when she was so close to her internship. “I have also done extensive work on recording akuma battles and have compared my footage to other sites. None of them get as close or in depth as I do.”

“And why do you think that is, Mlle. Cesaire?” Her voice going cold

Alya blinked, not expecting the question. “Um… well-”

“Reporters and journalists are not to engage in dangerous situations that are considered life threatening. Whether someone is part of a staff or freelance, they are not to enter danger zones on their own, which you have apparently done numerous times. I will admit that when it comes to journalism, it is never without risks; but no story is worth your life.”

“But there’s no real danger, Ladybug always-”

“A terrorist is a terrorist, Cesaire.” The chill in the woman’s voice gained a hard edge. “And the attacks that have been done by the akumas have, on more than one occasion, shown the potential to be fatal. Should there be even a single time that Ladybug and Chat Noir not pull through, that could result in thousands of deaths. If you think that any credible news source would allow their people to do what you’ve been doing; then you’re more than an idiot, you’re a reckless idiot.” 

Then she turned one of her computer screens towards Alya, which was queued up to the Ladyblog. “And from what I’ve seen from your blog in the two minutes you’ve been in my office; you are not only reckless, but mediocre in your work as a journalist. I have looked through multiple posts and have yet to see a single credible source mentioned. So tell me, how can you think that you are qualified to work here if you cannot follow the most basic rule of journalism and check your sources?”

“I can assure you, everything I post is completely true!” 

“And I’m just supposed to take your word on that? Hardly.” She turned the screen back to herself, then started playing the first interview she had done with Lila. Mme. Ramonte played it for only 15 seconds, in which Lila claimed to be Ladybug’s best friend after she had saved her life, before pausing the video and looking at Alya. “If Lila Rossi, the daughter of a diplomat, had been saved by Ladybug, there would have been multiple articles and recordings of the incident. I just did a cursory search and the only link that came up connecting Rossi and Ladybug is your own blog.”

Alya was speechless. She wanted to say that Lila was telling the truth, but what reason would there be for Mme. Ramonte, who continued playing Lila’s interview, to lie? She stopped the video again a few seconds later, after the tale of saving Jagged Stone’s kitten from being run over by a plane on an airport runway. The look the legendary journalist gave her was that of total disgust and anger. 

“Do I even need to list all the things wrong with

this story?” When Alya didn’t say anything, Mme. Ramonte went off on her, practically ranting. “Firstly, Jagged Stone has been quoted multiple times as being allergic to animal fur, and would not own a cat. Second, no one would allow a minor onto a airport runway, as it would be seen negligence and possibly as an act of terrorism. Even if she had saved some cat from being run over and Jagged had been grateful, no self respecting musician would write a song about a minor that was not their daughter, as doing so could have him labeled as a pedophile. You are very lucky that M. Stone has not seen this interview, because if he had, you would have been served with lawsuits for slander. So, I’ll ask again. Is there anything to keep me from saying that you are nothing more than a wannabe-journalist that isn’t fit to work at a news stand?” 

She wasn’t even sure how to respond. Alya had been so sure that her blog was perfect, but after what Mme. Ramonte had said and how she was looking at her, she really did feel like an idiot for believing what Lila had said. Especially since she should have known better.

She now remembered when she flew to Spain with her parents when she was younger and how far away the landing strip was from the airport. There was no way Lila would have been able to see a kitten from that far away. Alya also remembered how she wanted to go outside and play, but her father told her that only authorized personnel were allowed outside at the airport. Then there was Marinette, the designer had mentioned how she couldn’t do certain designs for the rock star because he had fur allergies from when he was a kid.

Oh no, Marinette has been saying for months that Lila was a liar. Ever since she had seen Lila’s interview. And since she designs for Jagged Stone, she would know that Lila was nothing but a liar. She was also the one that got me my first exclusive with Ladybug, so she’d probably know that she was lying about that, too. And I had the nerve to tell her that she was just being jealous… I’m a terrible friend and an even worse journalist.

Looking back up at Mme. Ramonte, she was barely able to hold back tears as she shook her head. “No, Madame. There is no excuse for such shoddy journalism, it doesn’t even deserve to be called that. I apologize for wasting your time.”

The woman’s features softened slightly, but not by much. “You’re still very young and have a lot to learn about journalism, Cesaire. If I ever see you in my office again, I’ll expect more from you than any other candidate. That means looking out for your safety, knowing what is okay and not okay to publish, and checking your stories through multiple, reliable sources. I would also recommend killing your blog and starting new, the Ladyblog will become toxic to your career if it continues. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Alya couldn’t help but stare at the woman across the desk from her. Despite not deserving it, Mme. Ramonte had given her very sage and constructive advice that just might save her career in the long run. If she killed her blog now, started a new one or two, and followed her advice; by the time she finished lycee, she might be able to use them as proper references for her future career.

“Thank you, Mme. Ramonte. I won’t forget this.”

“Don’t thank me yet, Cesaire,” she waved her hand dismissively. “I’m going to remember this and I will be telling other news sources about your blog as well, to make sure you never repeat these mistakes again. So, if you are really set on being a journalist, don’t just prove it to me, prove to everyone that you are better.”

“Still, thank you. Have a nice day, Mme. Ramonte.” Alya stood from her chair but paused before she turned to walk away. “So you know, I think I’ll be doing one final post on the Ladyblog, to admit my mistakes and all the things I reported incorrectly on my blog, along with the sources to back it up. Sort of a final expose to rid myself of the bad energy from my blog, so I’ll be able to move forward.”

The woman gave a nod of approval. Before waving her out of the office. 

Alya kept her head high the entire way out of the building while doing her best to remain calm, or else risk attracting an akuma. As a bit of a cleanser, she sent a text to Marinette.

To FashionGurl: You were right about Lila. I’m so sorry for not listening to you. Can we talk on Monday? 

A few minutes later, she got a text back.

To FoxyJournalist: You can come by today if you want to talk.

To FashionGurl: Sorry, I’m going to be busy. I have a new story to write about that liar, one that will have multiple sources, showing everyone exactly the kind of person she is.

To FoxyJournalist: Can’t wait to read it!!

~oOo~

What followed for Alya was a very long weekend writing out every story/lie that Lila had ever told her and the class, research into Lila’s old schools, staking herself out in front of the Italian Embassy until Ambassador Rossi came out so she could introduce herself, and then a long conversation at a cafe with the very angry and distraught mother. There were a lot of questions, show-and-tell with the videos on Alya’s blog and news reports from Lila’s old schools, and then the recommendation that she go to speak with M. Damocles and Mme. Bustier. 

Monday morning saw Alya going into the bakery before school, telling Tom and Sabine the truth about Lila, and then grovelling at Marinette’s feet for being such a terrible friend. One thing she did not hesitate to show the Dupain-Chengs were the records and news reports she’d found pertaining to Lila’s old schools. Tracking Lila’s social media, Alya had found three schools and discovered the kind of mayhem the girl left behind. 

One school had a perfect student named Gaia, much like Marinette, bullied until she was expelled. Another school showed another popular girl named Alessia had “fallen” down a flight of stairs and broken both of her legs, a few ribs, and one of her arms. Even though there were multiple eyewitness reports that Lila had pushed her, the Italian girl moved before she could be brought up on charges. The report from the most recent school made all of them sick. A girl named Ludovica had been stalked, harassed, and bullied over social media beginning the day Lila joined the school until the day the girl committed suicide. A quick backtrace on the account showed that it had been set up by Lila Rossi.

It was quickly decided that Sabine would be going to the school to have a word with the principal and teacher. Alya gave them a thumb drive with a copy of all the information she had found, she had multiple copies, so that if they decided to pursue legal actions, they had evidence to back it up.

At school, Alya went to class while Sabine took Marinette M. Damocles' office to speak with him and Mme. Bustier, since the woman was decidedly absent from the room. She had barely sat down when Lila entered the classroom, spouting off some story about meeting Ryan Reynolds over the weekend. Alya barely suppressed her snide grimace before hiding it with a smile.

“Really, Lila? That’s amazing! Did you get any pictures? I would love to post them on my blog?”

Now that she was watching, she saw the girl flinch when asked for actual evidence before putting on a sugary sweet smile. “I didn’t get a chance, my phone died.”

“Oh that’s annoying. Where did you see him?” She asked, pulling up the movie star’s Twitter account. “Because you were here in Paris over the weekend but according to his social media, he was visiting his home town in Canada this week.”

Alya definitely saw the girl scowl that time. “Oh, he just said that so he could come here without anyone knowing. He’s researching a role here in Paris and I was showing him around until my mom called me home.”

“Didn’t you just say that your phone was dead?” That got the classes’ attention, as they had just heard the girl say that was the reason she hadn’t taken any pictures. Lila was about to spout some new excuse; but Alya, who was now channelling her inner Mme. Ramonte, raised a hand to cut her off.

“Don’t even bother coming up with another lie. I know you’re full of crap and it spills out of your mouth with every word you say. And before you try to accuse me of lying, taking Marinette’s side, or bullying you; I think you should know that I spent the majority of the weekend looking into everything you’ve told us.”

The entire class watched the Italian girl’s olive skin turn a sickly white. But Alya wasn’t finished, this girl had been attempting to do the same to Marinette that she had done to Gaia, Alessia, and Ludovica. And as her BFF, she was not going to stand aside and let that happen. “I have piles of evidence that you were never in Achu and have never met Prince Ali, you were just playing hookie. I’ve got evidence that you are perfectly healthy and have never suffered from any of the diseases or ailments that you’ve claimed to have since returning to school. I’ve also got evidence that you have never met any of the celebrities that you claim to know. That includes Ladybug.”

Not so surprising, Lila attempted to turn everyone against Alya by turning on the tears. “That’s not true! I would never lie about all of that. You’re just saying that because you’re mad at me for not getting the internship!”

When the class looked back at Alya, they were surprised to see her grinning like a fox. “Did I forget to mention exactly how I know you weren’t in Achu? Or how I know you're perfectly healthy and don’t know any of those celebrities you’ve claimed to be close to?” 

She paused, mostly for effect before going in for the killing blow. “Your mom and I had a very in depth conversation yesterday when I ran into her outside the embassy. She wasn’t happy about your interviews on the Ladyblog, and she was confused as to why you were claiming to be Ladybug’s BFF when you’ve been telling her for months that she and Chat Noir were a couple of lazy, incompetent, and downright terrible heros; which was why the school was closed.”

If it were possible Lila paled even more before turning to run out the door. The door swung open just as she was reaching for the handle, and was met with an upset Mme. Bustier. “You are needed in the Principal's Office, young lady.” To the surprise of everyone there, Lila attempted to shove her way past their teacher. But the woman was faster and grabbed the girl by the arm in a firm grip before escorting her out of the room.

When the first bell rang a few minutes later, M. Harpele came in to act as the substitute until Mme. Bustier was finished with her meeting. 

Marinette returned to class before their teacher did, smiling bright as the sun and visibly more relaxed than anyone had seen her in weeks. She sat down beside Alya and gave her a tight hug while whispering “thank you” over and over.

“I take it things went well for you instead of Lila?” Alya grinned.

Marinette giggled. “She tried convincing her mom that all of us were akumatized and were trying to ruin her life, but she wasn’t buying it. Especially when M. Damocles showed Mme. Rossi her school records. Mom demanded that Lila give a formal apology and confess everything to the class, or she would get the Board of Governors involved. When Mme. Rossi found out that Lila tried to get me expelled, she lost it and started talking about a catholic reformatory school in Italy. Lila looked like she was going to be sick when she heard that.”

“It’s not perfect, but it’s what she deserves.” Alya shrugged before looking Marinette in the eye again. “I’m really sorry, girl. You’re my BFF, I should have listened to you when you told me Lila was a liar.”

“No, I don’t expect you to listen to me every time. I just wanted you to check things out and make sure that you weren’t being taken advantage of.” Then her brow creased. “I’m curious, what brought all this on?”

“Let’s just say that I just got some much needed career advice.”

[mmurray]

MARCUS MURRAY.            THE GROOM.

                                           I’m not a saint, but I could be if I tried.

                                                                                                           presented by: alex                                                                                                            discord: alex 🌙#8570

             (   Basic info, wanted connections, and wanted plots below the cut.   )

OCCUPATION.

FIREFIGHTER // Yeah, okay. Maybe it was a childhood dream, and maybe he only started hanging around stations as a junior volunteer because he needed community service hours for university applications, but there was something about the rush of a siren sounding that made him feel alive. After That Night, that sound was the only thing that made him continue to feel alive. Adrenaline replaced true excitement, gave him something worth chasing, and he went against his mother’s wishes. Instead of escaping Sierra Island, he withdrew his university acceptance and undertook recruitment amongst Sierra Island’s finest. He’s never regretted that choice, either. His career is the only thing capable of making him feel like he’s still a good man despite it all.

EIGHT YEARS AGO.

Marcus was, in every sense of the word, average. He made good (not great) grades, played for the rugby team (but never started a game), and had his fair share of school pranks (that never would go quite right). The only thing remarkable about him was his ability to build bonds with people, even those that batted at affection with a broomstick. It drew him into several different friend groups, and many would flit to his side to ask about the latest drama. He kept his lips sealed, vouched for discretion at every turn, and became the school confidante. He carried  the weight of lost loves, jealous friends, bitter failures, and he bore it well. So yeah, he didn’t have a knack for school, or sports, or mischief -- but he had a knack for people, and he felt at home within a crowd.

Less poetically, Marcus was also a bit of a nerd. He enjoyed reading (though it was difficult for him to make it more than a few pages at a time without wanting to discuss it with his neighbor), and his advice always felt a bit more like sage wisdom than it should coming from the mouth of a teenager. Matched with his deep belief in valor and honor, Marcus made quite the odd picture. His parents swore he’d grow out of it, and eventually he would -- though for disastrous reasons.

NOW.

There’s always been something ancient nestled deep inside his chest, and it has placed him at odds with the world. He’s tried to carve it out, replace the old with new ideologies and manifestations, yet it refused to be fully overwritten. When he was younger, it made him dream of being a knight. Now — or really, since That Night on Sierra — the bygone artifact within him has started to rot. Dead weight, he’d once thought to himself with the cruel stab of humor that only comes with the simultaneous acceptance and deflection of a deep truth.

He thought the rot would make it easier to bury, but instead of disappearing it began to carve itself a hole. No one called him an old soul anymore, and people were coming to him for advice less and less frequently.  He thought maybe it was because he was  young and still had a license to be very, very dumb, but it felt deeper than that. It felt like an ache deep within him, something carving into his chest the idea who he could have been, if only he’d lived a life of honor.

The ache didn’t present itself until several months after the murder. The first few weeks, Marcus felt nothing other than pride. He helped cover up the case to protect his friends, to ensure that they could still chase their dreams. He even felt noble in those initial weeks, certain that he’d done everything right. He was bouncing across couches night after night, there to offer support and distraction in the immediate post-trauma. He thrived in his role of caretaker, viewed every hour as a sign of trust and as proof that he was just looking out for those that needed him most. Later, he’d realize that he simply thrives on being needed, prospers when someone  asks for the shirt off his back.

So he did okay. He did okay until The Fifteen no longer needed him sleeping over every night. He did okay until suddenly the only person he needed to show up for was himself, and then he realized the implications of covering up a murder. And it wasn’t as easy to forgive himself as it was for him to forgive his friends.

He carried that weight for a while, and it took a year for him to crawl out of the hole he’d buried himself within. He didn’t feel quite like himself, and started looking for pieces of himself in others. Eventually, he constructed a newer version of himself that still sought validation from others but only when the voices in his head became too much. Now, he’s the picture of confidence. He looks like he has everything together. He has a good job, a fiance, and friends that he’s managed to hold onto throughout the years. He’s popular in the community, and he knows how to flash a smile so bright no one can see the vacancy deep in his eyes.

Marcus Murray is a model citizen now. He’s grown out of his childhood awkwardness and become quite charming, vivacious, talented, kind, and loyal. He plans dates religiously, makes sure to catch up with friends and family on weekends, leads new training initiatives at work. All in all, it appears that life has gone on for Marcus, evolved into a bright future becoming more and more realized with each passing day. People see that he has the world at his fingertips, and no one knows that he finds it difficult to see a land beyond blood-tinged beaches.

WANTED CONNECTIONS.

THE FIRST LOVE. Although it would make a striking love story, THE BRIDE was not the first person to hold Marcus’ heart. THE FIRST LOVE is the one that made him realize what love was, made him recognize that the highs and lows of infatuation are not always enough to keep a candle burning. For whatever reason, they didn’t work out, and he’s accepted that but he hasn’t truly moved on from it. He dreads their appearance at his wedding, largely because they remind him of the love he could have been capable of if only he hadn’t lost himself in the pursuit of other people’s happiness. // Of note, I am very open to this even being an unrequited love -- a friendship that never quite became a relationship, an acquaintance that could have been more if the timing were right.

THE CONFIDANTE. Marcus is accustomed to being the secret keeper for everyone else, but he needs someone willing to accept his confessionals. Try as he might, he certainly isn’t a saint, and this person is willing to see him for who he is right now. He doesn’t have to play at being the picture perfect hero around them, which both makes him feel unsettled and at home. Marcus knows this is the role he holds for many, and his deep appreciation for this character’s ability to listen, to push him, to expect nothing from him but him -- that’s something he makes others feel. Thus this relationship is a cathartic release for him as well as another cog in a vicious cycle. Every time he uses THE CONFIDANTE, he reinforces his belief that he must continue to bear that torch for everyone else.

THE PARTNER IN CRIME. He knows he shouldn’t call them this, that it’s far too on the nose, yet this person is the one that makes feeling criminal absolutely worth it. They don’t indulge in murder (the joke was made once, and it left such a sour taste in both their mouths that it was never mentioned again), but they find their fair share of mischief. Marcus owes his young twenties to this person. Without them, he would have felt damned all the time. Instead, he was able to get drunk, to throw caution to the wind, to jump off a cliff without fear of the rocks beneath the ocean surface. This person represents freedom to Marcus, and he would do anything to keep them seemingly untethered.

THE ANTAGONIST. No hero is without a villain, and while Marcus has learned that life often blooms in the gray spaces between good and evil, he still can’t help but color this person as irredeemably bad. They’re everything that he hates, and even his desperation to be a golden boy can’t quite overcome the lurch of disdain in his chest anytime he sees them. He didn’t want them anywhere near the wedding or Sierra Island, and he may even break decorum just to try to run them off. Seemingly, this is the only person that can draw pure vitriol from Marcus’ lips, and they’re the one he’ll first point fingers at when things go south.Alternatively, Marcus can be the bane of another character’s existence. He’s accustomed to being loved, and someone actively against him would jar him almost immediately -- especially if he didn’t harbor any resentment against them previously.

WANTED PLOTS.

PLOT ONE - BECOMING.

Marcus is gilded gold. He shines -- brightly -- but his substance is concealed. He doesn’t know what to make of it. He adores the idea of himself as a hero, and he clings to the possibility of bringing enough good in the world to overwrite one night of evil. He buys into it some days better than others, but most people would be none the wiser. He feels that he needs to always be doing more, and that trips him up. He won’t slow down, won’t give himself a break even when he needs it most. He’s relentless in the pursuit of good, but he feels that means he’s chasing an idea of himself.

The actual him isn’t as well-constructed. He’s brass: common and malleable, prone to discoloration. He’s always been what other people want, and he’s close to being fed up with it. He wants to be himself, but it’s a stranger staring at him in the mirror.  This part of him needs to be unveiled, and bringing everyone together for the wedding can serve as a trigger for Marcus realizing how far he’s strayed from himself. He’ll want to be a little selfish, to indulge in sins he normally avoids, largely because he needs to test his own boundaries. He’s spent his whole life keeping himself between the lines drawn by those around him that he must find his own barriers.

PLOT TWO - SLEUTHING

Marcus can’t keep his nose out of things. It’s one trait that has persisted across all versions of himself: being incapable of refraining from stepping (read: barging) into the business of others. I would love for Marcus to have a sleuthing partner, someone equally unable to allow things to go unnoticed, and I think this offers many opportunities for red herrings. Marcus will not hesitate to dig and coming to a wrong conclusion would both jolt and motivate him. I think a lot can be uncovered about Marcus as he tries to uncover the secrets of someone else, and can even see a three-way plot happening where Marcus and his trusty undecided accomplice inadvertently make one of the wedding guests out to be a villain simply because Marcus & Co. have strung together a very flimsy string of circumstantial “evidence.”

[bookaddict24-7]

I said at the beginning of the year that I would share my reviews more on my blog instead of just on Instagram and Goodreads. I’ve been reading a lot so far this year, so my reviews will be delayed on here. I upped it to 10 reviews per post so I can do most of the reviews before the end of the year!

Friend me on Goodreads here to read my reviews in real-time!

___

227. Hunt for Jade Dragon by Richard Paul Evans--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Re-read in 2021! Michael had some out of character moments in this book, but it only served to remind me how young he is. There were some touching moments and also some moments where I couldn’t wait for the villain to be taken down. It’s interesting how they approached the setting for this one, but there were some slightly problematic comments made.

___

228. Insomnia by Stephen King--⭐️⭐️

Okay, here's the thing: The audiobook didn't help the experience. The music was random and awful, but I'll admit it added to the creepy atmosphere. The story, however, was super weird. I know this is not saying much because King can really get creative with the weirdness, but this was like...so weird that I would zone out because I just wanted it to end. Of the few books I've read by him, this is my least favourite. I did appreciate the commentary on some of the topics explored, but the main story was just so odd. I did like the epilogue, though. I think it tied it all up nicely. I also loved the easter eggs for his other books, especially since the book is set in a town he's often used in his stories. If you're reading his stuff, know that this one is super random and chaotic. But it could still be someone else's favourite!

___

229. Small Favor by Jim Butcher--⭐️⭐️⭐️

This one was just OK. It wasn't my least favourite so far, but it was down there. I think I was just bored for a bit and it lacked that connecting factor I've felt while listening to the other books. Hopefully I'll like book 11 more!

___

230. The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really liked this one! I've been seeing these kids grow up over the last few books and as the story gets closer to the ending, I can see where the changes are coming in. The three siblings have been through a lot, but they've also all grown together! I think this one also showed the importance of learning that there is a grey area when it comes to some people. There is obviously good and bad, but there's always the in between that makes you question that black and white mentality. Also, it's jarring seeing the two older siblings get old enough to start to have quasi-love interests (which is another reminder that these kids are growing up.)

___

231. The Guncle by Steven Rowley--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I went into this one with a mix of excitement and trepidation. One of my friends had read it and said that it was just OKAY. So, zero expectations? Yeah, that was me. But I was so surprised by how much I enjoyed this one! The little kids completely stole my heart and the MC's character growth and emotional journal really pulled at my heartstrings. I just wanted to give them all a hug, especially after everything they had gone through. He also sounded like such a fun uncle who had a lot of wise, although quirky, advice to give. I think I am taking one star off because there were certain things that were a little too convenient, and also it felt like there wasn't a very big...momentous event. I will be the first to admit that the climax or the approaching climax of a story usually gives me a ton of anxiety (which I felt whenever the MC's horrible sister came in), but I was expecting a bit...more? I'm happy with what I got, but I felt it was too easy. Overall, this gave me Raising Helen vibes but with a Guncle, and I really, really enjoyed it! I'd definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a heartfelt story about love, grief, family, and some surprisingly sage advice about life.

___

232. It Had to be You by Gergia Clark--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

TW: Cheating, Transphobia This book called me single in so many ways...and I was okay with that. I was really close to DNFing this book because of how the two main characters connected. I was wary and disliked that they were essentially thrust together after unfortunate circumstances, so I was really close to pulling the DNF trigger. BUT I am so glad I didn't. I'm glad I went in with low expectations and just gave it a try. I read a few reviews when I was trying to make my decision and saw a lot of comparisons to films like Love Actually and Valentine's Day and I agree, especially the end where all of the climaxes were happening in the story (Not a pun). I found myself rooting for these couples and hoping that each of them had their happy ever afters. I also felt anger for those who were wronged, and I'll admit, I cried a couple of times. I listened to the audiobook and it was a full cast, so that helped with the unique narrative style, but I can totally understand why it might feel overwhelming if you're reading a physical copy! This book was an experience and it was just so...wholesome. I smiled, I laughed, I giggled, and felt all sorts of emotions. I'm a hopeless romantic, so I'm really happy that I gave it a shot!

___

233. Klara & the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read this one as part of a book club! One of the things I've been loving about being a part of a book club is how I'm being challenged to read books outside of the genres I usually pick up. This book, in particular, is something I might have never picked up if not for the book club! I really enjoyed Klara's story and while I had a feeling that it would break my heart, I continued on knowing that this story had so much more to offer than just tragedy. I like to think that this story was giving me an allegory regarding pollution--both physical and metaphorical; both natural and sociological. There is a scene (early in the story) where we are introduced to a machine that pollutes the sky (as it is described), but then we are introduced to the concept of children being "lifted" and I like to believe that this is society's pollution of wanting to better themselves, even if it means either destroying the host or the futures of the children who aren't changed (lifted). Of course, this is all me theorizing because even if I'm completely off base, I think there was too much importance placed on the sun and pollution for them not to mean more than what is on the page. There's a certain innocence to Klara that was both endearing and frustrating. Some of the characters were just complete jerks to her and I think it can easily be attributed to that fear of something different. To be honest, I also read this shortly after Elon Musk made his announcement about his self-learning chipped AIs, so that knowledge added a whole new layer to this experience (for me). I think knowing that Klara's world may not be that different from ours ten years from now makes this book both even sadder and more terrifying. Overall, it was interesting to see what the world looked like through the eyes of a relatively innocent AI. We get to see unbiased looks into the lives of the people around Klara's owners and we also get to observe with her. Although as a human, I can't help but feel strong emotions towards those who treated Klara badly, I got to also see things from her naive and non-judgmental perspective. For example, I disliked the child who owned Klara for how she was with those who mattered to her and Klara herself, but Klara was so dedicated and built to show her dedication that she would look at a situation logically and read what was happening rather than using judgment and emotions. I'd recommend this for those who want a story that features a surprisingly calming narrative (despite the sometimes chaotic emotions of those around Klara), and a story that follows an AI who is simply there to add company to her owners' lives.

___

234. Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The beginning took me a bit to get into, but once the two characters reconnected, I was gone. That tension, those spicy scenes, and the classic Bowen touch made this book impossible to put down. The enemies to lovers trope was also great, because I am complete trash for that trope. One of the things I love about this book, also, is the lack of prolonged miscommunication tropes--characters actually communicate and if something goes wrong, they talk it out--like adults! No anxiety needed here while I read, thanks. Anyway, this was great and sexy and so, so good. Also, *cough*, have you seen that cover? ___

235. Summoned to Thirteenth Grave by Darynda Jones--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'm giving this one my highest rating both because it's the last one (oh my gosh, I made it!), and because it had some seriously heartwarming moments! But also, whoa to the revelations that happened!! I wasn't expecting those, which shows me that even after 13 books, this author still kept the series fun and fresh!

I'm going to start Jones' next series hopefully soon (depending on the library wait time), and I have my theories about that series...especially since a big part of this series was left completely wide open.👀👀👀 I can't wait to read more of the same humour and the quirky but fun characters! This series was a ride and I'm sad to see it end. On to the next one! ____

236. What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I listened to this as an audiobook. I will say that this is the kind of audiobook that you have to go back at certain points and re-listen because it's so easy to miss some of the smaller details. I'm glad I went back the few times I did because this story is completely worth it! We are introduced to two narratives and timelines--the present, where our MCs meet and begin their escape from the soldiers and officers hunting them down, and the doomed past where you already know what the fate of the people are based on the beginning of the book. The fact that we already have an idea of what is going to happen is not only absolutely heartbreaking, but it also piques one's morbid curiosity because you still have that small hope that this story will end differently. And that ending. Wow. That ending had me thinking and questioning a lot of what I'd just read--but it could also be an example of how unfortunately common the situation is. One thing I noticed in other reviews that I want to mention here (because I HAD to look it up after that conclusion) is the importance of seeing how both narratives follow the possible experiences a refugee might encounter. The fear and hope that might envelope them on their way to a new life, and the constant fear and hope of actually getting to stay in the new country they've arrived at. There's also this concept of how the new foreign world is put on a pedestal in comparison to how it actually is. How well you speak english and the way one's skin looks also is shown to be a big topic--as it should be. I remember hearing about family friends who left Cuba with the idea that living in North America would give them a better life, until they find themselves working multiple jobs because their degrees or past work experience sometimes doesn't apply in their new countries. My mother often comments on her own English and how people might not understand her when she talks, but refuses to believe me when I tell her that she's fine. I love that this book touches on these topics because they're often limited to the communities who actively live as either refugees or immigrants. If you want a story that explores the refugee crisis and how certain people are when faced with it, you might want to pick this one up. I've been trying to read more books about immigration and refugee stories and this one was definitely one of the more unforgettable ones. You might also want to end up punching some characters, but also admiring how others truly are when facing certain situations. Highly, highly recommend!

___

237. Lord of Misrule by Rachel Caine--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I will admit I liked this one a lot more than the past ones! I've contemplated not finishing this series, but I've had these books on my shelf for forever and well, the library has the audiobooks! SO, yeah.

Anyway, I liked this one more because Shane isn't a raging asshole and I liked the idea that things are changing and becoming more exciting in this town. Also, that ending has me asking questions! Most important of them all: imagine when these books were first coming out and each book finished in a way that made you think the next book was coming out the following week. ___

Have you read any of these? Would you recommend them? 

___

Happy reading!

[cloudhayato]

I’ve decided to live in the woods now so here are some animals I associate with the KHR characters.

Tsuna: Spotted hyena. They’re the most social of the carnivora and Tsuna loves and thrives around his friends. :) The males also tend to be less aggressive because hyena clans are matriarchal and they’re low in the social hierarchy. Just like Tsuna at school, maybe? 0_0

Gokudera: Oh, so very Chihuahuacore. Only likes one person and is super attached to them. Bites and snarls at everyone else who tries to approach them. Gets upset when someone else joins the family or enters his house. Loud. :/

Yamamoto: A capybara! They’re semi-aquatic animals that are super chill and friendly. They’ll get along with a wide array of animals because of how they’re very social animals, are very calm, and also benefit some other animals like birds for example, though that’s mostly for eating ticks and insects from their fur. A chill friendly guy who helps others? Yamamoto.

I also can’t find more information on this picture, since caiman, another crocodilian, will eat capybara, but it makes me think of how Yamamoto will befriend villains first. Like Byakuran and Squalo for example <:3c

Ryohei: A grizzly bear really does fit him best in my head. They big and powerful animals, associated with the kind of toughness that Ryohei strives for! Also while most animals play fight, bears being no exception, I felt the need to mention this because Ryohei violence moments <3. They’re also known to stay with their siblings for awhile, even after leaving their mother, when they’re usually solitary creatures. They’ll den together, though food is not shared, and while circumstances can cause them to separate, the fact that they stay together at all is charming. Just a big strong animal that can be close to their siblings... That’s just adds to this in my opinion ówò

Hibari: A chicken. They have violent social hierarchies that involve fighting in order to get to the top of the pecking order. This can get really bad sometimes, and they can also get a taste for blood. What is Namimori if not a giant chicken coop? What is Hibari if not the head honcho establishing his place through aggressive pecking?

I rest my case.

Mukuro: Another more predictable animal here, but Raven. They’re birds who work in smaller social groups than crows, which fits better with him and the Kokuyo gang. I mean, apparently adolescent ravens will join teenage gangs with one another. They can mimic the sounds of other birds and animals, like Mukuro and his fucked up possession. Ravens are clever and will trick one another, like if the know another raven is watching them, they’ll pretend to hide food while actually hiding it somewhere else. They can also remember the faces of humans who wronged them and will hate them forever. <3 Fun fact: A group of ravens is called an ‘Unkindness.’

Chrome: She’s like a poorly socialized cat who’s really anxious and is suddenly put in a new environment. She just hides and doesn’t approach anyone, not even coming out for food at first. Slowly you have to try and get her comfortable around you, including the use of food, and now she just follows you around and sits with you.

Lambo: Ferret. Hear me out here, ferrets are mischievous and playful creatures. They love to hoard things and drag them into hiding places, like Lambo hiding things in his gross hair, they can dead sleep, which Lambo does throughout the series but the most prominent example I can think off is in Ciao Ciao!, and lastly, I think he’d do a weasel war dance.

Fuuta: He’d be a red fox. They’re associated with being sly and clever, which is a trait Fuuta displayed when he was running away from the men pursuing him, and throwing them off his tracks with little tricks. They live in small, familial social groups, like how Fuuta prefers to stay home with Nana and his siblings. I also wanted to choose an animal featured in The Little Prince, and the fox was the animal that gave him sage life advice.

I-pin: Hey did you know hares are born precocial and are able to fight and fend for themselves immediately after birth? That’s why I chose them for I-pin, who is already a very successful hitman as a young child. They’re also prominent in Chinese folklore as living on the moon (also interpreted as a rabbit) which then spread to other Asian cultures.

(It’s important to note that I-pin’s design is a bad caricature, but I do want to take into account that she is Chinese and instead focus on displaying that respectfully. That’s why I wanted to include an animal from Chinese folklore/mythology since even though her portrayal is shit and so much shade towards Amano for ever thinking that was okay, it doesn’t sit right either to completely erase that part of her.)

Byakuran: I want him to be some kind of bird. Probably a cockatoo because while they can manipulate you to believe they’re sweet, loving, funny birds, their souls are tinged with evil. The only thing they crave is total destruction and chaos, but also tasty fruits and get sad if they’re the only one left and alone. :(

Shoichi: Rabbits can die from stress. Shoichi gets stomachaches from stress. Checkmate atheists. Spanner also thinks his out of place anger is funny, and I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a rabbit temper tantrum but that shit is so funny. Another characteristic I thought about is how closely rabbits can bond, to the point where if their bonded partner or friend die, they grieve and get depressed, even potentially passing away from it. Byakuran was a horrible person, and Shoichi knew he had to be stopped, but when we see his face after his friend’s death, it’s a hard expression to forget. It’s a small moment, but one that comes to mind often when I think of Sho-chan.

Xanxus: Okay so hippopotamuses are seen as goofy, dumb looking creatures, but they’re actually super fucking dangerous. Agile and surprisingly aggressive, they are literally one of the most dangerous animals because of this. You are more likely to get murdered by a hippo than a lion out in the wild. They’re so fucked up, just like Xanxus.

Squalo: I bet you thought shark but nope! Killer whale. Orcas fight in pods, like how Squalo is a squad leader in Varia (almost made boss too), and these creatures are murder machines. They’ve actually been documented killing great white sharks and fucking whales. Like how Squalo is the strongest swordsman orcas are the fucking apex predators of the sea.

Fun fact: I was also considered sperm whales for Squalo because they’re the loudest animals on earth.

Okay this post ended up getting much longer than I intended I’m done now I’m leaving the range of the cell towers goodbye everyone.

[rainbowdelicsunshine]

tell me about your magical girl/mascot ocs!

OOOOOOOOOO THIS IS GONNA BE A LONG POST, HANG ON TIGHT!!!!!!!!

MAGICAL GIRL OCS:

ABOUT PRECIOUS PRETTY PAW/MAY HILLBARROW:

Her story is basically a retelling of The Story of Doctor Dolittle, except her ability to talk to animals comes from her being a magical girl!

(in her normal civilian form) She is currently 15 years old and a High School Sophomore student in Meadow Bay High

(in her civilian form) Her mom is a zookeeper named Annie-May and her dad is a veterinarian named Zack

(Copy-Pasted) May Hillbarrow obtained her ability to talk to animals and all of her other magical girl powers when she aided a squirrel with an injured leg she found in the forest while hiking one day. When May nursed the squirrel back to health, the squirrel revealed himself to be a lost prince from a magical forest kingdom that resides in a hidden mountain that’s outside of the town May lives in (the mountain forest kingdom has been a really old urban legend that’s been in the character’s hometown for a long time), as a thank you for healing him, he gave her a necklace that has a jade stone on it that gave her all of the abilities she has now!

Her two main items are the Pa Pa Paton (her wand) and the Precious Paw Satchel (her bag that holds all her items). You can find out more about them and her other items here!

More info can be found here and here!

ABOUT FRITILLARY THE PLAYGROUND FAIRY/POPPYBELLE JONES:

Her design was gifted to me by a very good internet friend of mine as she was based off of kidcore and fairycore aesthetics (thank u for gifting me her if you read this my friend!)

I based her story/premise combining the plots/character types of Magical Princess Minky Momo and Persia, the Magic Fairy

Her story is basically that one day while playing around the grass of her favorite playground to go to, she found a magic wand among the grass and met a magical butterfly named Lemoncreme (who happens to live inside the wand)!, he then assigned her the mission of rejuvenating the Joy Energy of the people around her (via using her magic powers to get them to have fun and play games to regain their inner child)

(in her normal civilian form) She is currently an 8 year old Third Grader in SunTop Elementary School

More info can be found here and here!

MASCOT OCS:

ABOUT LEMONCREME:

Over the time that he and Fritillary/PoppyBelle have known each other, Lemoncreme has become what would be considered a mentor and big brother figure to her

A lot like how Tambourine's abilities from Floral Magician Mary Bell, he is able to help Fritillary with her main transformation from her civilian form to her magical girl form, her outfit transformations (depending on what she needs/what occasion is going on at the moment), and helps with stronger spells as well!

He also helps PoppyBelle with cooking/baking as a hobby they both do for fun

More info about him can be found right here!

ABOUT BIRCH:

He is an American Beaver that was gifted to May by her parents when was was 12 years old (he was gifted to her last)

He's the kid archetype you would usually see in other sources, but with a little side of wanting to be a hero and that failing epically most the time

Despite this, he is still a very sweet, kind-hearted beaver who loves to help and sees May/PPP as a big sister figure

More info about him can be found here!

ABOUT TAFFY:

He is a Green Python that was gifted to May by her parents when she was 11 years old (she got him second)!

He's the calm and wise sage type personality wise, but he also has a side of him that'll laugh in your face if ever ignore his advice, or do something that he thinks is, not-so-smart

More info will be found right here!

ABOUT PLUM:

She is a Purple Parakeet that was gifted to May by her parents when she was 10 years old (she got Plum first)!

She is very much a wanna-be princess type that just would LOVE to be able to become a fashion model admired by millions

More info about her will be found right right here!

---------------------

AHHHHHHHH THANK YOU SOSOSO VERY MUCH FOR ASKING ABOUT MY MAGICAL GIRL OCS IT WAS RLLY FUN!!!!

I promise that I'll come up with more in-depth info, and maybe even stories/fics about them as well!

Thank you again and hope to see you again someday! Have an amazing day!!