#ah you'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out about HER!

[nyx-is-missing]

Could u write one for clarisse where she's impressed with femR bc of how good she is at fighting and all and clarisse finds her incredibly attractive bc no one has challenged her the way R does?

And like a bit of pining until the two confess

Thank you!!

Breathtaking or taken

Clarisse la rue x fem!reader

Summary: when Clarisse finds a opponent worth of her, she is breathtaken.

Warnings: none really, just fluff, not a descriptive fight scene on sight cause mama dont know how to write that, so just fluff fluff, and mutual pining fluff

(Do i need to say its not proofread? No? Thank you)

Here is one of the main benefits of being a daughter of Athena, you'll know.

DIfferent from other gods, Athena will let your parent know it is her who they are talking to.

And if letting them know beforehand isnt enough, she will let them know when the baby is brought to them, and if your parent is smart enough to live up to her choice, you'll have time to learn a thing or two before being thrown into this world.

If your parent cares enough about you, you'll have time.

And sure as hell my mom cared.

Always the intelectual woman, historian, researcher, writter, my mom knew many things about ancient greece, she knew all the stories by heart, and she, of all people, knew what she needed to do, to preserve her only daughter, her sacred gift.

She teached me all i needed to learn without compromising myself, stories, languages, art...and fight.

Little girls my age were doing dance classes, were trying to be good enough for drama club, were playing tea party with their dolls or making a mess with their mom's make up.

Well...i.. i was doing martial arts, i was fencing, i had my face in a book every free time i got.

I always asked her about it, why was she so strict about never missing a fight leasson, her answer always made sense, there and now.

"The world is cruel, especially for little girls, someday i might not be all the time with you, someday, you'll fight your own battles, you need to be ready"

Every word, every single word is true.

And that is how i ended up here, in a arena of camp half blood, sparring with Clarisse, and winnig, by two points, yes, but winning.

It is clear nobody expected that from me, neither did she actually, i can see in her eyes.

Understandable, they expect Athena kids to be calm, find a solution, not fight her way out.

Honestly their looks dont bother me, i dont even think much of it, but Clarisse's looks, they got something more to them, like a kid who finally got the dog she really wanted.

"Aaand break time Clarrise, we'll continue this tomorrow, id like to enjoy the rest of my afternoon thank you"

I dropped the sword down and started to undo my armor while walking close to the exit.

"Wait wait wait, now? Already? C'mon i didnt even had time to figure out how do you do that... all of that"

She stood next to me, still holding her sword and honestly.. she was beautiful, yes she was sweaty now and yes she was mean to everyone but.. now...right now, she was beautiful, shining, in her element really, flushed cheeks and a smile she only had when with a sword in hand.

"I practice, ever since i was a kid, everyday, well expect in weekends but yeah, almost everyday... how do you do all that? You are good...-want some water?"

I offered her my bottle also motioning for her to walk with me, both wich she gladly accepted.

"I practice too...and i never said this to anyone but, you are good, great even, and look breathtaking"

We stop walking, we stop all actually.

"I look what, Clarisse?"

"Breathtaken- you look out of breath, do you want the water back?"

Ah.

Weeks later i found myself in the same scenario, sparring with Clarisse again, actually that is all i do when it comes to training, be with Clarisse

"C'mon curls, thats the best you've got? No need to go easy on me"

"Im not going easy, i already told you, you caught me distracted thats all- GIRL WIll YOU SUSH?"

She tried to block you with her sword, thankfully for her, a succeded attempt.

"How could i? You're so fun to mess with, gets all red n all"

"Oh you want to talk about getting red?"

In a moment i was on the floor, Clarisse on top of me, and i couldnt speak, all i could do was stare into her big brown eyes, who looked right into my soul.

"Cant speak anymore huh? Oh if you could see the red im seeing-"

Now this my ladies and gentlemen, this is what i call a shot of faith.

I raised my head a little and just..i kissed her, it was quick but I did it, and her face went blank.

"Now you are breathtaken Curls, how about that?"

"And you are still breathtaking"

Still?

Oh

Oh.

"You...like me Clarisse?"

"You didnt knew?"

Oh.

"....no..?"

"Would you walk away if i kissed you this time?"

"....no."

[critrolesideblog]

AO3

"Hi, Yussa!" Yussa paused, fork suspended in midair, as the voice of Jester Lavorre flared into his mind, sudden and bright, but not at its usual break-neck pace. There was a slight pause as she considered her words. "Caleb wants to send a friend through your teleportation circle tomorrow… Friend is from Xhorhas… just passing through… Caleb casting - that okay?" He heard a note of triumph in her voice as she managed to complete the question within the allotted word limit. From Xhorhas… It was not every day he had visitors from Xhorhas, and for Caleb Widogast to ask… that was intriguing.

"I may be amenable to that, so long as Widogast is not handing out my teleportation coordinates to whomever requests them."

"He's not." The reply came so closely on the heels of his own that she must have started casting before he completed the thought. "He really wanted me to stress that. Great! Esssss- our friend will message you when he is on his way. He's cool! You'll love--"

"Very well," was all he replied, and as the spell released, he felt a reverberation of annoyance at his failure to use up the space allowed. He smiled to himself as he retrieved his fork and called to Wensforth to clear his schedule. Tomorrow promised to be an interesting day.

---

"Well, we should get on with it I suppose," Caleb said softly. His breath was warm against Essek's ear as he squeezed him tightly one last time, and Essek breathed in the now-familiar scent of him -- woodsmoke, incense, leather, parchment, Caleb. Essek knew he was right. They had delayed long enough as it was, lingering on an outcropping of rock, sheltered from Eiselcross's fierce winds and bitter cold by Leomund's Tiny Hut. Caleb had important things to get to in the Empire, and Essek should not keep him from them. But he indulged in his selfishness a moment longer, keeping his grip around Caleb firm. He was the stronger wizard, by a hair, and Caleb did not resist the embrace. Instead, he leaned his cheek against Essek's for a breath, and then offered a kiss there in exchange for his release.

"I suppose so," Essek agreed at last, keeping his hands in touch with Caleb's form until the very last brush of fingertips against fingertips as he slipped from his grasp and crouched to begin drawing the teleportation circle.

Essek turned away from the sigils being drawn and looked out over the icy tundra. The day was fittingly grey and dreary, the sun a weak suggestion of a glow through the haze of snow on the horizon. He pulled a copper wire from his pocket, stretched it, condensed it, collapsed the distance between his voice and its intended recipient: "Hello, I hope I am not intruding. I will be arriving in one minute."

"Thank you for the warning," replied an unfamiliar voice, sounding pleasantly-surprised. "I will be waiting."

Curious.

"He sounded surprised to hear from me," he called back over his shoulder. "That was the plan, was it not?"

"Ja," Caleb's voice sounded amused. "But our calling ahead is usually a message from a few floors up after we've already arrived."

"Ah… yes, that does sound like you."

"It's a good thing Jester is so charming."

"We will have much to commiserate over."

"Ready?"

Essek turned back to find Caleb twisting the remaining stub of chalk this way and that in his hands, the circle beyond awaiting the final marks that would complete it. He took a deep breath to steady himself and with a flourish of his hand and a murmured word cast Disguise Self. He then slipped a pearl from a pouch on his belt and held it close enough to Caleb's forehead to feel the warmth radiating from his skin but vigilant not to touch it. Caleb's clear, blue eyes looked at him with such warmth that it made him want to say foolish, selfish things about running away together or venturing into Aeor once more, but he murmured only the verbal component of the spell and took another steadying breath.

"Good luck, Caleb Widogast."

"Don't be a stranger."

Caleb knelt again and completed the final rune.

------

Disguise Self.

Disappointing.

Yussa had all night and the better part of the morning to hypothesize on the identity and motivations of his intended guest and came up with a few interesting theories. Interesting being the key word. The Mighty Nein were many things, but never dull.

He could allow that the handsome, young Drow now standing in his teleportation circle had applied the spell in a smart way: shifts to the hue of his skin and eyes and adjustments to his facial features, leaving his hair, clothes, and the shape of his ears true to form. Such small changes were harder for the untrained eye to spot. But he had to have known he would be arriving to a pair of very well-trained eyes.

The young man arranged his features into a soft, politician's smile.

"Yussa Errenis, I presume." He bowed politely, speaking in Common. "It is a pleasure to meet you." Yussa dissected his features for tells of the veracity of this statement, but even looking past the paltry illusion, he was hard to read. Good for him, he supposed. Good for his chances at surviving this side of the Ashkeeper Peaks, anyway. There was a slight shift in pitch to his voice that might have been earnestness, but he arrived in Yussa's home in a poorly-thought-out and -- more importantly -- boring disguise. He could not allow that to pass unchecked.

"Welcome," Yussa replied in High Elven to match the young man's mask (and his own). He watched his attention come to a still point on the sound of his voice as he continued at a conversational speed. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. And what is your name? Ms. Lavorre did not provide it." He knew high-born Drow (which he would wager his guest to be given the fine make of his clothes, if he were a gambling man, which he was) often studied High Elven as part of their schooling, but with little occasion to use it, found it difficult to converse in. It did not help that Drow diverged from High Elvish some centuries ago, influenced by Undercommon in subtle but important ways.

His eyes became sharp above his soft smile as his mind worked quickly.

"Sylmarr is my name. I'm sorry. It took me a moment to… change roads." He responded at length, accented but much more smoothly than Yussa expected, and that was interesting…. Sylmarr… Right.

"Please, come in. I have prepared tea for us."

"Ah, no. Apologies, I cannot--"

"I insist. It would be very rude of me to have you in my home and not at least provide you with tea. Right this way."

Yussa lead the way down the stairs and heard a soft huff and the rustling of a cloak behind him. Sylmarr's steps behind him on the stairs were quiet…

Imperceptible…

Nonexistent?

He glanced back. He had not paid attention to his feet before, noticing only the height of his head to be commensurate with the illusion, but he saw now there was a space between his feet and the steps. Indeed, now that he was so close behind him, he caught …

He never found a good word for it in any language. It was not a scent exactly or a taste but an evocation of ozone and burnt metal and the feeling in the back of one's skull when dizzy and about to fall. Something he hasn't sensed in a long, long time.

Interesting.

Yussa's tower contained a number of receiving rooms for guests of varying importance. The one Sylmarr was ushered into had walls painted a shade of blue that matched the midday sky outside and high windows that opened onto balconies rarely visible from the exterior but which offered sweeping views of the city, the harbor, and the ocean. Layers of finely-woven linen curtains filtered the bright Nicodranian sunlight. The furniture was made of imported, Uthodurnian maple, expensive but not ostentatious. Yussa settled into his favorite high-backed chair upholstered in a rich turquoise velvet by the tea table as Sylmarr paused by the window overlooking the city. When he turned back to the room, his politician's smile was gone, replaced by a thoughtful frown.

"So, do you think my Elvish is good enough to continue with this disguise?"

"Briefly, perhaps, but if you plan to spend much time in the Menagerie Coast, your accent is just strong enough to garner unwanted attention. I would recommend limiting its use to places further afield."

"Understood."

He sat gingerly on the edge of the chair opposite Yussa, as if it might grow a mouth and consume him if he got comfortable. Not an unreasonable fear, all things considered, Yussa mused as he poured the tea. One of the adventurers he travelled with centuries ago was almost consumed by such a creature… Talia? No, Talia, when he travelled with the Wandering Wyrd, was almost killed by a Gelatinous Cube. It was Tyros with the --

"You have lived in Nicodranas for some time?"

"For over two centuries. Before that I travelled. A little bird told me--" at three in the morning last night, when she could not sleep and decided to make that Yussa's problem "--you have been travelling yourself recently."

"A bit."

"With Caleb Widogast?"

"He speaks very highly of you."

"He is an impressive talent and a good ally."

"And a good friend."

"I have not known many high-born Drow to speak of friends."

"Well," Sylmarr retrieved his teacup from its saucer. "I have been called exceptional." Yussa was uncertain whether he actually took a sip or just made a convincing show of it. He fixed Yussa with a sharp gaze as he set the cup back down neatly. "And have you known many Kryn?"

"A few."

"You've been to Xhorhas?"

"Not for many centuries." Yet he remembered the way the wind swept across the plains, ruffling the grasses like a great, invisible hand, the dry caress of it on his cheek. The bustle of the Gallimaufry at New Dawn. The ebb and flow of song as devotees wound their way through the streets. The echoing halls of the Marble Tomes, traversed by its supplicants with as much reverence as any shining temple.

"Have you any Undercommon?" Sylmarr asked, switching tongues as he did so. Yussa smiled at the at the attempt to knock him off his game, failed though it was.

"A bit, yes."

"You are well-travelled, indeed."

"Quite. Now, back to Caleb Widogast." This elicited a small crack the genteel mask as Sylmarr's eyebrows raised ever-so-slightly. He sat back in his chair then, settling in for whatever Yussa had to say.

"What about him?"

"As I have said, he is an impressive talent and a good ally. I consider him something of a --" Student wasn't right word. Nor apprentice. "A mentee of mine, if you will. We have different arcane specialties, but I believe I have some wisdom to offer on surviving as a mage in a mercenary group, not to mention centuries worth of professional connections." Sylmarr made no response, except to pick up his teacup again with a noise of polite attentiveness. "Ms. Lavorre mentioned to me that you are an accomplished arcanist as well, and you've taught Caleb -- I believe her exact words were a bunch of cool magic." Sylmarr frowned thoughtfully for a moment.

"I taught him the basics of my discipline, but much of the interesting magic of mine that he possesses he reverse engineered." He said the last words with a huff of annoyance that had little heat behind it. "He caught up to me very quickly and has taught me some of his own discipline as well."

"You would consider yourselves peers?"

"Yes," he responded quietly, lowering his eyes to his teacup for a moment, and there was a soft, shy smile on his lips, a little awkward and, if Yussa was not quite mistaken, tender. …Ah.

"I see."

"Yes," his smile sharpened quickly into something more keen. "You need not worry about me poaching your mentee." Yussa was only allowed an instant's intimation of indignation before Sylmarr continued. "If anything, I may wish to avail myself of some of your wisdom before too long, if that is agreeable to you." Ah… well… Yussa took a sip of a tea. He supposed if he wasn't losing the ear of the rising star in the field of Transmutation that would be alright, and the proposition did present an opening.

"It is agreeable, but I prefer to know my mentees' names. Sylmarr doesn't strike me as particularly Kryn."

"Neither does Errenis Yussa."

No, it doesn't does it, Yussa mused as he took another sip of his tea. Then again, that was rather the point when he chose it. There were other considerations as well, of course. He reflexively ran the pad of his thumb against a spot on his finger where a ring had not existed for centuries. Sylmarr was watching him with a haughty expression that dared him to challenge his conclusion. He considered the merits of feigning confusion but had to ask. "What gave it away?"

"If my Sun Elvish is a little too rough, your Undercommon is a little too smooth. There are also the windows." He gestured toward the curtains. "It could be polite consideration for an expected Drow guest, but I find non-Drow's idea of dimmed daylight is often still too bright. The odds that you happened to get it just the right amount to see clearly are slim. Also, the way you have arranged your robes -- I believe it is the custom in Gwardan to arrange the front panels right over left, not left over right." It was, but it always felt wrong.

"I see." Yussa set his teacup neatly in its saucer. "In that case, let us be plain with each other." He dispelled the young man's Disguise Self with a flick of his wrist, allowing the lilac eyes, high cheekbones, stardust freckles on twilight skin to become fully clear at last. He let his own facade fall as well.

They surveyed each other quietly for a moment: two Drow in a sunlit room.

The young man bowed politely in greeting as he had when he first arrived. Yussa bowed in return, and asked "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, and you are?" His persistence earned him a wry sort of grin, followed by a frown.

"I … have enemies," he responded slowly. "It may be better for your not to know."

"It is always better to know."

That earned him another wry grin and a moment's thoughtful consideration.

"Thelyss," he said at last, with a sigh. "Essek." Thelyss. Not just a noble den, but a ruling den. Yussa did some quick mental math regarding the Luxon beacon the Mighty Nein brought him, some months ago now, the level of political intrigue that would have been required for its Dwendallian sojourn, and the likelihood of Essek's involvement. Interesting. "And you?"

"Errenis Yussa is the only name of mine that matters, and the only one I have used for a long time."

Essek's lips formed a thin line, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. Open curiosity burned in his eyes. Nevertheless, he had the tact to approach his next question gingerly. "May I ask why you left Xhorhas?"

"No." Yussa replied primly, pushing aside memories of that first band of adventurers that wandered into his life (the way Dzi'an's golden eyes shone when he laughed, Anat's swagger, Maggie's sweet voice). "Not this visit, anyway. It is a long story, and I believe you have a ship to catch." Essek conceded the line of questioning with a nod.

"You're not wrong."

Yussa gestured for Essek to stand and with a word and a twist of the hand settled a Seeming spell around him, so he looked much as he did before, though with a new touch of gold embroidery to the hem of his robes. "Do you have Seeming in your repertoire?" He asked, and Essek had the good grace to look mildly chagrinned at the question.

"I do, but I wished to conserve my spell energies."

"Energy expended to avoid a fight is never wasted, young man." Essek barely restrained himself from rolling his eyes at the platitude, which delighted Yussa to no end, and he smiled smugly to himself as he reapplied his own facade and ushered Essek from the parlor.

"Do the Nein know?" Essek asked, pausing before the front door. "Of your… origin?"

"Not that I am aware of. I did hint once that my appearance in the Empire would cause a stir should my illusion be dispelled, but they had other, greater mysteries pressing on them as I recall. You may tell them if you wish."

"Ah, I only asked because Jester implied to me once that she thought you were a dragon. I wondered if she was pranking me, but perhaps not. Fare well." And with that, he glided out into the bright hustle and bustle of the Open Quay, melding quickly into the crowd and leaving Yussa standing agape in the doorway.

A dragon?

[radio-sunrise]

In Her Vines ch.3 House Tour

The inside of Her house was cramped and claustrophobic, it kinda reminded niko of the abject urban decay of his old home on Luna, although that place didn't have as many stuffed animals and photos of Miss Komnosom and her previous florets. Oh stars, the smell was… actually pretty nice, it was like an old book mixed with the hint of cinnamon (yum!) If niko hadn’t been already picked up, he was pretty sure that he would have needed to be, in order to navigate the cluttered floor.

“Oh terribly sorry, petal. I haven’t had the time to clean up around the house, I’ve spent the last week just researching you, designing our room, and making plans."

"? wait, what and how were you researching about me" niko asked

"well" Miss Komnom smiled "one of the only good things about the Accord is that they kept meticulous tabs on all of their citizenry. Of course for advertising sake, but the base framework is useful to the Compact. So now I know exactly what buttons to push to get you to Obey and do what I want."

At this niko blushed and buried "himself" further into Miss Komnosom's vines, to avoid having to respond to Her. Content She started slowly rocking niko back and forth, and move over to the affini sized couch instead of just standing in the doorway. After spending the better half of an hour being loving washed over by, what she would later find out was Miss Komnosom's biorhythm. niko finally mustered the strength to ask a question.

"um, Miss, at the hospital, the nurse lady, Miss Chmiel, um They called me "she" and i mean i liked it but im not sure why They did it"

"Ah that. you'll have to forgive Chmiel, She is overly presumptuous when it comes to some floret's identity. Me personally, I like to take more of a backseat role, just slight nudges until they figure it out on their own. And the question I have for you is, do you want me to call you that ?"

niko not really wanting to talk anymore, mumbled a simple "okay" before burrowing back into her Warden. Miss also decided that She could show niko her room tomorrow, and further wrapped around niko to fall asleep.

"good night, petal"

"night night. Miss"

"good girl~"

[lyonnerileyauthor]

That's right—Five Gifts for the Blacksmith's Wife is finished and ready to go out to Patrons TOMORROW, November 26th! Join now at any paid level and you'll get the book!

And now... a blurb!

Then it’s time for bed, and both my cock and my heart are very pleased at the idea of sleeping side-by-side again. Sita takes off her clothes, leaving on her undergarments as I requested, and lies down on the bed in a very enticing manner. I kiss her again, more passionately, and her body rises off the blankets into my touch. I can’t help but trail my hands down to those marvelous breasts again, teasing her nipples over the fabric. She moans underneath me, so sensitive and eager, and I have to breathe deeply to keep my baser urges at bay. No, tonight I will show her a different sort of pleasure. As we take our time to navigate through this, I would hate for her to be left unsatisfied, even if my own cock must be kept quiet. Keeping Sita on her back, I crouch over her hips and draw one hand down between her thighs. Nervously, she keeps them together, clearly afraid of how I’ll react after my discovery last night. “Open for me?” I ask. Slowly, she does, lifting her underskirt so I can reach her bare skin. Like I did before, I tease that hidden bud with my finger until she’s snapping her hips up into my hands. Then my head drifts lower, until my face is only inches away from that pristine place, and my mouth is watering for her. “Gurrek?” Sita asks, clearly uncertain about my intentions between her thighs. “I’m going to touch you there.” I continue playing with her clit, never relenting. “With my mouth.” “Your mouth?” She’s aghast at the suggestion. “You shouldn’t!” I tilt my head. “Why not? I kiss your lips.” “It’s very different to kiss down there!” Though she’s scandalized, she opens her legs anyway, her skin turning blotchy red. “It isn’t,” I say, lowering my head down until I can breathe in a whiff of her. Her scent is tantalizing, purely full of desire, and I like that I can make her drip for me. “Let me show you?” With a huff of indignation, Sita nods in acquiescence, and I finally get to lick her. All it takes is one swipe and she twitches, an exclamation falling from her lips. I lick again, twirling my tongue around her pearl, and she lets out a full-throated moan. Ah, yes, there it is. I dive in with intention and ferocity, laving my tongue over her as she squirms and whines, her body arching into my touch. I know what would make it even better—to slide a finger into her small slit and find the sweet spot inside her—but I’ll wait a little longer. That part will likely hurt, even if I’m gentle, and I want to show her more pleasure first. It doesn’t take long for Sita’s cries to grow louder and more exquisite, until she’s digging her hands into my hair. “Gurrek!” she calls out. My eyes roll back in my head at the sound of it, and I dig deeper, thrashing her tiny bud until her whole body freezes and she lets out a single, drawn-out moan. When I pull away, because I know she’s much too sensitive, I find the shine of her release running down from her slit and dripping onto the blankets. Good. I lie down beside Sita again as she pants, her eyes wide and staring up at the ceiling. Slowly she turns to me, her face full of wonder. “What was that?” she asks, her chest heaving. “I’ve touched there before, but never... like that.” I wipe my lips with my wrist and grin down at her, satisfied that I’ve shown her something new. “I can do it every night,” I say, smoothing a hand down her belly to show my affection. She wriggles closer to me, seeking my touch, and I curl my arm around her. “But what do I do for you?” she asks, her lids drooping low. “How do I make you cry out my name?”

[jiung-colors]

𝐈 𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 | 𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐒𝐀𝐍 p.01

Genre: non!idol, college au, slice of life, opposite attract, enemy to lover, making out.

Pairing: Taesan x female!reader

Warnings: bullying,jealous, bad words, family problems, library, shyness, insecurity and falsehood or disbelief

Wc: 2,200K

Summary: Yn is a very shy and quiet girl, the school nerd, who always gets good grades and has happy friends. On the other side Taesan is the school bully, he doesn't respect the rules, he offends everyone he meets and is always indifferent to other people's feelings. One day the two find themselves together for a school project, needless to say that the two hate each other to death, they were the opposite of each other. What could go wrong? It's just a school project... right?

Pt.01

✩ ｡: * • .───── ❁ ❁ ─────. • *:｡ ✩

Today was a day like any other, there was a spectacular sun despite it being -8 degrees, it was very nice outside even if without a doubt it was much much better inside the premises. Countless brown and red leaves were falling from the trees, I loved spending the morning watching them fall to the ground from my bedroom window.

" Yn, you have to hurry or you'll be late " says my sister Mia from the other side of the door, warning me that it was too late if I didn't hurry I would miss my bus. " Yes, I'm going down now! " I replied getting up from the bed and doing a bit of stretching, I fixed the sheets and ran to the bathroom to get ready. I brush my teeth, comb my hair, wash my face and then move on to my makeup, once finished I go back to the room and get ready with my school uniform.

"Here, I made you this toast with a little jam on top" he said handing me the toast with a smile, I grabbed it and put it in my mouth in one bite. "Thank you eonni"

"You're welcome, anyway… Why so late today?

"I studied until late at night, you know I have an exam tomorrow and if I don't get 100 the teachers will bother me until the end of the semester…

"Oh yes nerdy girl! Sometimes I forget how much I love studying" she said laughing.

"In fact I like it but I can't stand it when teachers always want more than what I would like to do, even an 80 would be enough for me, I don't always have to get a 100 and not sleep at night, I'm so tired of it" A sigh escapes from my lips as I put on my shoes and ran out in half a second.

" Damn... " I look at the time on my watch and almost miss the only bus that passes in front of my house. " uff…By a hair's breadth " I take a huge breath as soon as I sit down on one of the few empty seats, I take my phone out of my jacket pocket, I open the chat with my best friend Haram.

RAMI🐬💞

You're coming to school today aren't you? Yes Rami-ah I'm on the bus, where are you? I was just waiting for you in the classroom, there's a little surprise for you waiting for you in class Oh, don't tell me it's Professor Kang again? I already told him I don't want to do those stupid projects about plant classification… No, it's not Kang Taeho Oh? Plants? Yes, it's a long speech, anyway I'm coming now, three stops to go. Okay! See you in a little while then Wait, aren't you going to tell me what this surprise is? Mmm…No, you'll see soon.

Okay, then see you soon!

I let out a sigh and rest my head on the seat looking out the window hoping with all my heart that it's not a annoying teacher at 8 in the morning who was looking for me to talk about school stuff…

You're the best in the class together with your friend that's true but you're not the one in charge of your whole class and you are not even a teacher but just a student...this is crazy.

Finally arriving in class you look around and notice how Haram was jumping happy to see you, confused you approach, you sit in your seat, which is located right next to hers.

"So, tell me what surprise there would be? I don't see anything" you say smiling thinking she was making fun of you, she smiling points with her head to her right. Even more confused you look at her with open eyes. "Mhm? What?"

"Look who's there..." she said without saying a word but simply using silent language, opening her mouth and enunciating each single word while pointing slightly to her side. Once you understood what she meant you turned around trying to understand who was so interesting and there you noticed a group of boys.

"Listen if you have a crush on Jaehyun I understand, but I have nothing to do with it" you open your bag taking paper and pen while she stops you by touching your hand.

"No I wasn't talking about that SUPER SEXY AND CUTE BOY" she said raising the tone of her voice hoping that the person mentioned would notice her, which to your surprise he did giving an ear to ear smile to your friend. "But that one back there. They say it's DongMin...

Your eyes open as soon as you hear his name.

"Han Don-" you can't finish the sentence as your eyes meet his, feeling a shiver down your spine you turn around. "Rami, please sit down. I'm scared of guys like that...

She follows your order and sits down.

"Ya, I think he's cute...

"I didn't say no, but the teachers talk a lot about him and honestly I don't want to ruin my sweet school life for some bully" you take the pen and start writing something in your physics notebook.

"Yn, can you please leave that pen alone for two damn seconds and listen to me?" You look at her smiling and you shake your head. "I don't understand how we can be friends if you love studying but I don't...

"But you're second so I wouldn't say you don't like it, you remember everything even if you read it only once, In the other side I have to make a thousand maps and a thousand summaries to remember 10 pages. You're lucky Haram, so now let me study. I don't want to talk about 'him'." you finish the sentence tilting your head a little towards the boy.

"Okay, but I'll just tell you that he's cute and that maybe not all the rumors about him are true. I'll read you what I read this morning in the school newspaper." She takes his phone in his hands and after a few clicks she finally opens his mouth again. "Dear students, we inform you that from today until the end of the year a boy know as Han DongMin, will be added to class A4, we hope that this does not cause any commotion among classmates and teachers. As we all know this boy is a bit lonely and offends or makes fun of people, but if this happens we assure you that we will take safety measures immediately. And a girl underneath wrote 'I am his ex and honestly I do not see all this meanness, he is simply an emo boy who has fun unlike you nerds, always there looking at books, he is the only one who spends his time like this. He is not mean, he has never raised his hands, he simply should be left alone, he does not even hurt a fly'' after finishing the sentence you burst out laughing.

"Luckily this Han was supposed to be calm" the smile rises from your face as soon as you see TaeYeon, your singing teacher, enter. "Good morning!

"Good morning guys, today is going to be a very busy day for all of you, I have news for all of you. Thanks to some of you girls I have made the decision to do group work." All of your classmates start cheering, happy about the news, everyone except you. You hated group work, you were always the only one who worked seriously since the other was always playing with his phone, you didn't have good experiences, that's it...

TaeYeon makes the whole list of my classmates saying who was with who, until it was my turn ."Yn Kim and Han Dongmin, you two will be part of a group, and within two weeks you will have to present to the whole class a project of your choice, it can be literally anything, the important thing is to make something decent and cute out of it." She said as she wrote down the two names on the computer.

"Hah?" I asked with wide eyes in confusion, "Me with Taesan? No, no way..." you turned to him, noticing that typical teasing smile of his and a sigh escapes your mouth. "Not…

"Whether you like it or not, school is like this, not everyone can get along but it's your duty. So I'm counting on you, you'll have two weeks from today to agree on what to do, that said..." the bell rings and Taeyeon doesn't even have time to finish her sentence that the classroom empties, it was always like this at recess, everyone ran out while you stayed there at your desk taking notes and talking to the  teachers that passed by the window.

Haram you and Taesan were the only ones left in that class, you continued with your usual frenetic study while she looked at her phone while humming and moving her head to the rhythm of the music, she loved putting on some music when no one was around. You didn't even notice that Taesan was with you two.

Curious, you turned to look at him, and when you saw him there with his head resting on the desk with his eyes closed, a smile escaped from your lips. He looked like a defenseless kitten, he was so cute, this perfectly straight and black hair that fell along his forehead, perfectly aligned eyebrows, the straightest nose that doesn't even have those famous South Korean actresses, and he's lips were sooo big and red, wow. He was definitely the ideal boy for any girl, all of them obviously except you, you never really cared about love. You just don't believe it exists at such a young age, I mean we're 20 years old, a person can't say they love you more than their parents, it's impossible.

You sigh and look back at your notebook, where you notice a huge ink stain, you get up screaming and your chair almost falls over. And not just her.

"Ah!

"Omg! Are you crazy Yn!?" Haram said shouting at me and as soon as she sees the reason for your screams he bursts out laughing. "this is karma for studying too much!

"No Rami you don't understand, this was the paper I had to bring to Professor Shin I can't believe it" you almost burst into tears and in a panic you start to move everything from above the paper, you kept looking at it tilting your head as if by magic it would return to white as it was before. "Agh! No...

A little laugh can be heard in the distance, Haram turns almost immediately and notices how that emo boy was looking at his best friend, and he was smiling. It was incredible, Han was smiling at Yn. She blinks twice thinking that she was imagining it, but after a couple of seconds of closing and reopening his eyes, he continued to remain there, with such a big smile, even she was forgetting that she was in love with Jaehyun.

The boy gets up and walks very close to Yn, Haram watches him with his mouth open. "I think it's better to throw it away.

"I think so..." I said sadly, I didn't even realize that Taesan had just spoken to me, I was so lost in the paper with a black hole in the center that there was no one around anymore.

"I'm going to get something to eat" Haram said taking 20,000 wons from his wallet and following the movements of the major. She was curious, what is he going to do after he sleeps for all morning?

After a few minutes of following Taesan he stops in front of a machine and presses the button for a cup of coffee. Apparently he liked coffee, when he picks it up but doesn't touch it Haram raises her eyebrows in confusion.

"Mhm?" She follows him again when Taesan goes back in the direction of the classroom.

"Here, for you" Taesan said showing a cold expression. Yn smiles and takes the cup, in less than a second the contents were gone. "Wow, you really needed this coffee.

"HAN help me, you have to help me.

"Hah? Me? Ask your tall friend next to you for help." He replied returning to his seat. You get up and almost run to his desk, in a panic, you knew very well that Haram and math didn't go well together and you were even worse, you could have stayed in front of those infinite numbers all day but nothing came out correctly. The only possibility was Dongmin.

"Yes you, we are a group from today remember? So give me a hand. You don't have to worry I will do everything as always, you just have to help me with these problems, I heard you are good at math. You help me and I will help you in return. You won't have to do anything, deal?

"Deal. Give it to me" he took the paper and the pen you had brought him and without even an expression he began to write. "Here you are.

"Yn, can you come with me a moment?" Taeyeon calls you.

End of the first chapter!

[slytherinbangchan]

Inked Dreams (NCT Dream Tattoo Artist!Au) (M)

Chap 1 out of 6 -> Second arc: Tattoo apprentice Park Jisung x tattoo artist female reader.

>>Inked Dream's Chap 1 here

Summary: A NCT Dream Tattooist!Au where the Dreamies are college's heartthrobs and most likely will steal your heart whenever you less expect it.

Cute, shy but very hot, flirty Jisung. A deadly combo, I promise.

Inked Dreams Masterlist~

[2nd Arc: Seven Days. ("A Week" 없어.)🐹 Chap 1.]

Wow, that was close. You hate having to postpone apprenticeships. It's hard enough to make room for them in your schedule as it is, so you don't even want to think about having to reorganize everything again until you'd find a new apprentice. Luckily you remembered about Renjun's friend in the middle of your crisis. You wonder which one of them might be though. Cause you know that most of them already finished their training. A couple even got their licenses, but Renjun is the only one working at a shop and you have only met some of the guys in person when they've visited him but you can't really remember all of their faces right now. Guess you'll have to wait.

“Hello, are you y/n? We saw your pics on insta.” A guy talks to you and you forget about the apprenticeship for a while. Normally you don't have time to take walk in clients, but they were two foreigners and just wanted a very simple and small tattoo each as a reminder of their trip before leaving the city. Since you have the apprenticeship in an hour, and it's the first day, you didn't make any other appointments. So you take them in and quickly start working together to pick the perfect tattoo.

As you tattoo the second guy, someone else enters the shop. You stop for a moment to lift your eyes and see a tall guy with black-blue hair and an undercut, a lip ring piercing and a good amount of tattoos. He says hi shyly and you chuckle softly at how cute he looks while doing so. “You're Renjun's friend, right?” You guess and he nods. “Jisung.” He says and you invite him to sit while you finish your work.

“Sorry that I didn't introduce myself properly earlier.” You apologize after sending your clients away. “Ah, it's okay, I know who you are anyway.” He says as he nervously scratches the back of his neck. “Oh, right. Renjun must have told you about me, right?” You ask him as you clean your equipment and he nods. “Actually... I really like your work too so...” He says and you lightly blush. “Oh, you do? Wow, thank you. I'm sure I'll be a fan of yours too.” You smile at him and he shyly nods as he thanks you.

Ah, he's really handsome and has a deep voice too. You wonder how old he might be... Probably a bit younger than you since he's still in college.

Your second apprentice, Seonhui, arrives just in time and you introduce her to Jisung before getting started. Since it's the first day, you explain a couple of stuff to them and then later in the day, allow them to watch you work on some clients. Making them take turns to apply what they learned about cleaning the tattoo equipment. They both learn fast and haven't wasted much time talking to eachother, they simply focused on what you were explaining to them the whole time.

“Wow, you guys did really well today. Thank you for listening so carefully.” You thank them and they nod. “Do you have any questions before leaving?” You ask and Jisung stays silent but Seonhui shakes her head. “No doubts but I wanted to thank you again for being my mentor.” She says and you thank her too for choosing you. Her phone rings then, just before she speaks again. “Oh... I have to go. Sorry.” She apologizes and you nod. "Mhm, see you tomorrow Seonhui."

“What about you?” You ask Jisung as you get ready to leave the shop too. “Now or never.” You chuckle. “Well, not never, but you won't be able to ask your question until tomorrow otherwise.” You say as you put away in the cabinet some bottles of ink. “Well... Can I buy you dinner, mentor?” He asks and you blush immediately. Thankfully he can't see your face right now. “Dinner?” You ask, still hiding behind the cabinet's door. It's not like you're thinking anything weird, you just didn't expect him to ask something like that. “Mhm, as a thank you for thinking of me for the apprenticeship and becoming my mentor.” He explains and you finally look at him. “You know that you're already paying me for that, right?” You ask and you see him chuckle for the first time. Your heart skips a beat at how handsome he is, but you brush that thought off your head as soon as you can. “Mhm~” He says, playing with his labret as he says so, and you scoff as you smile. “Then stop with the nonsense. You don't have to buy me anything, just go home and spend that money on something else.” You tell him as you walk past him on your way to check the register before leaving, and he slightly moves a bit so your shoulder brushes with his arm, but you decide to pretend you didn't see that.

You put your phone away before setting the alarm at the shop and getting outside. It's already cold these days but not as bad as it'll get in a month or so. You wish there was more people in the streets though, also there's not a lot of buses that can take you home by this time of the night. You feel relieved as you see a woman waiting at the bus stop, luckily you won't be alone with the drunk men that sometimes take your same bus.

You sigh after checking how long the bus is going to take to arrive then lean on the bus stop sign. Someone clears his throat behind you and you turn around to see Jisung standing there. “Hello.” He shyly says and you lightly blush. “You were there the whole time?” You ask and he nods. “Wow, I'm sorry. I really didn't see you.” You apologize and he ruffles his hair nervously as he smiles. “It's okay.” He says, then you apologize again and put on your already dead for the day airpods to pretend you're going to listen to some music as he goes back to listening to his.

There's a bit of a weird vibe as you wait for the bus in silence. Guess it's normal when you know the person next to you a bit but not enough to keep a conversation. You never liked small talk and he's shy enough for the both of you. So, for now, pretending to listen to music will do.

When the bus finally arrives he waits for you to step in first. You sit next to the back door and he stands close to it too. Your eyes accidentally meet a couple times but apart from that, there's no interactions until you reach your stop and you softly pull from his hoodie's sleeve to say good bye. He blushes lightly and takes one of his airpods off. “I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?” You smile at him and he nods. “Mhm.” He shyly says and you chuckle softly. “Bye then.”

Ah, damn, that was cute. You chuckle to yourself again as you think about it. “He really wanted to buy me dinner when he can't even look at me for more than 5 seconds, huh?” You say to yourself, feeling the blood running to your cheeks as you think of his blushing face. “Ah, seriously.”

------------------------ Next Day~

“Jisung-ah, come here.” Renjun calls him as soon as he shows up the door and he shyly walks towards you two. “Was it yesterday the first time you came to the shop?” He asks and Jisung tilts his head. “Of course not.” He answers and Renjun laughs. “And you knew y/n noona already, didn't you?” He asks again and Jisung nods. “Yeah, we never talked before though.” He explains and Renjun slaps your arm softly. “See?” He chuckles and you feel like you're in a prank video or something. “Lies! I hadn't seen you in my life til yesterday?” You tell Jisung and he chuckles softly too as he nervously rubs his sideburns. “You're making him nervous noona.” Renjun laughs and Jisung takes out his phone and scrolls down. “Here...” He shows you a pic on one of the mirrors of the shop. “This is from last month.” He explains and Renjun clicks his tongue. “See?” He asks. “Anyway, I have to work on a tattoo so let's talk later.” Junn says before ruffling your hair and walking away.

“Do you have more pics?” You ask Jisung as you fix your hair and he nods. “I really come here a lot.” He chuckles softly as he blushes lightly while looking for more pics and you silently watch him do it, wondering what scenarios make him shy and which ones make him comfortable enough to talk to you normally, like he's doing right now. “Ah! Here.” He says, showing you his phone again. “This is from when I got my neck tattoo a couple months ago.” He explains and you check the photo. You can even see yourself in it working in the background. “Okay... I guess I was too busy to notice.” You chuckle and he does too. “I'm sorry Jisung. I promise you I won't forget about you from now on at least.” You say and he blushes again as he nods.

Seonhui texts you saying she'll be a bit late. So you take Jisung with you in the meantime and tell him about what he'll be doing today. “But you can clean around a bit while we wait for Seonhui anyway.” You tell him after showing him the schedule and he does as you say. “Jisung-ah, can you bring me more black ink?” Renjun asks. “Ah, sure hyung.” He replies and you hand him a bottle so he takes it to Renjun. “Careful, it's open.” You warn him and he nods, then one of your co-workers drops something heavy, startling Jisung, and you watch him spilling some ink and bringing his stained hands to his face. “Nooo! Omg..” You say as you try to stop him, but you can't help to chuckle.

“So, you get startled easily, huh?” You ask as you carefully wipe the ink from his cheeks and he lightly blushes. “Yeah...” He says, looking at the floor and you chuckle softly again. He's sitting on a chair in the break room. He was too tall for you to help him out otherwise. But right now, he looks so helpless and tiny in your eyes. “I'm sorry, mentor...” He apologizes and you almost punch yourself as you feel your heart about to skip a beat. “It's fine, it was funny actually.” And with that, internally, you meant fucking adorable.“That ink is expensive though...” He continues moping and you sigh. “Jisung, it's not the last time you're gonna spill some ink.” You chuckle. “Don't think too much about it, yeah?” You ask, guiding his chin up with your hand so he finally looks at you. You lean over to make sure you got rid of all the ink, making him blush very obviously in the process. That's when you realize how close your faces actually are. “Y-You should wash your hands too.” You tell him, taking a step back, and he nods and leaves to do as you said.

You meet Renjun's eyes as soon as you step out the room. “I saw that.” He says, making you blush even more. But you simply show him the middle finger, making him laugh.

Seonhui finally arrives right after that and Jisung comes back just a minute later. “Hello.” Seonhui says and Jisung says hi back. “So... How old are you?” She asks him as you prepare some materials. “Ah, I'm 21...” He says, he definitely sounds kinda awkward now. “Yeah, I thought I saw you at some of my classes. We are the same age. Let's be comfortable around eachother, yeah?” She suggests. He agreeds with a shy nod and you chuckle at how cute they look.

By the end of the day Jisung looks exhausted. You're not sure if it's cause of all the work you made them do or just the amount of questions he had to answer to Seonhui. “Well, I have to go. My friend is here to pick me up~.” She happily says and everyone says good bye to her. Jisung sighs as soon as she's out, making you chuckle. “So, it was her.” You say and he blushes. “Huh?” He asks and you chuckle again. “I was wondering why you looked so tired.” You explain. “Oh... Yeah, I had never been interrogated like that before.” He says and you giggle. “Yeah, well. Go home and rest then.” You say, taking over what he was doing. “Ah, no... Noona... I can finish my chores.” He says, then immediately blush. “I mean, mentor...” He corrects himself and you chuckle. “It's okay Jisung, we're gonna be around eachother for a long time. Plus, you're a close friend to Renjun. Noona is fine.” You tell him and he shyly nods. “Now, go home and rest a lot, yeah?” You say, but he doesn't move so you tilt your head at him, confused, and he blushes lightly once again. “I was thinking...” “Hey.” Renjun says, interrupting Jisung. “I'm leaving, you're walking noona home, right?” He asks and your heart skips a beat. “What? Who?” You ask, looking at both of them. “Jisung, who else? He lives just one bus stop away from you. He told me last night.” Renjun explains and you look at Jisung who simply nods making Renjun scoff as he smiles. “Noona, you're always complaining about the drunk guys in the bus, right?” He asks. “Yeah but I don't think he needs to walk me home.” You tell him. “Why not?? Jisung lives roughly 15min away from you and you both leave the shop more or less at the same time every night.” He says and you sigh. “Okay, I get how we could leave and get the bus together. But why would he get down a stop earlier just to walk me home? It's 5 minutes from the stop to my apartment.” You explain as you chuckle. “Hm, well I'm just a bit worried about the drunk guys situation, but you two talk about it and decide whatever you want, yeah?” He asks and Jisung nods. “See you tomorrow guys.” Renjun says. “Yeah, thank you for worrying Junnie, see you.” You say, waving at him as he walks out.

There's a bit of an awkward silence after Renjun leaves so you simply start getting ready to go back home and Jisung does the same. It's not like you hate the idea of having him in the bus with you, since you hate going back home alone, but you feel bad about him having to wait for you to close the shop when it's your turn to do so. “Jisung...” You call, startling him a bit. “Sorry... Are you sure you're okay waiting for me even the days I have to stay later to close the shop?” You ask, kinda pouting without realizing. “Of course.” He says. “But what about your morning classes?” You insist. “They're not that early nor everyday, it's okay noona. I promise.” He says, and it's not like you know him a lot, but he seems pretty sure about this. You sigh and tip-toe to ruffle his hair, making him blush one more time. “Okay, let's leave already anyway. I'll finish this tomorrow.”

“Jisung-ah, you only have one piercing?” You ask on your way to the bus stop trying to make some conversation. “Ahh, no.” He says, then leans over to show you his ear. “Oh, the industrial~ Right. I saw it earlier when I was wipping the ink out of you.” You chuckle. “I actually really like those.” You tell him and he smiles happily, making your heart flutter lightly.

There's a bit of a silence as you wait for the bus to arrive but, this time, it's not awkward at all. “So, Renjun jokes around saying you're all college heartthrobs, is it true though?” You ask as you get in the bus and he chuckles. “I guess so.” He says and you gasp, a bit surprised that he's not denying it. “Reaallyy? Wow.” You say, making him chuckle again. “So you're a heartbreaker, huh?” You insist and he smiles shyly. “I wouldn't say that...” He says and you laugh. “Woah, you totally are. That answer said everything.” You jokingly say and he keeps chuckling. “Aah... Noona...” He says as he blushes, ruffling his hair. “You want me to stop?” You ask, chuckling and he shyly nods as he smiles. “Okay, okay. I understand.” You say. “It's really not like that...” He insists after a tiny pause and you bite your lower lip trying to keep in a smile. “I see.”

You remain silent for the rest of the route until your stop, but again, it's not awkward at all. You're both just too tired and distracted with music or what the few people in the bus are talking about, you don't need to chat. But he's sitting next to you today, he's almost too tall for that seat though and it's somehow adorable.

Your eyes drift to his arms's tattoos as he plays with his fingers while listening to music. He doesn't have complete sleeves and you wonder if he'd allow you to fill some spots with your art at some point. You don't know him enough though, you barely have any idea of what you could design for him that would suit his mind too, but ah, you're so curious... After knowing him for two days, you definitively want to know what goes on up there. “Noona.” You hear him calling you but it's like if he was far away, you're too deep into your thoughts right now. “Noona.” He calls again, and it's then when you notice that his hands are not playing anymore but waving at you. Fuck. Did he notice how you were staring at his arms?

You blush lightly and look at him. “Yeah?” You finally answer and he smiles softly. “Your stop...” He says and you look outside. “Ah, yeah. Thank you, I was a bit distracted.” You say, as you stand up to get closer to the door. “Yeah, I could tell.” He says. Is he smirking? You throw him a look, narrowing your eyes at him and he giggles. “I didn't see anything.” He winks at you and you scoff as you smile. Where's his confidence coming from so suddenly? “I don't know what you're talking about.” You jokingly say and he chuckles. “You can take another look tomorrow, noona.” He teases as the bus's doors open and you scoff again. Can't believe those words are coming from his mouth. “Bye, Jisung.” You say, as you get down, ignoring his teasing, and he chuckles to himself. “Mhm~ bye noona.” He says and you wave at him without looking back.

You stare at his last text for a long second as you blush before just tossing your phone to a side. Is he drunk? You almost convice yourself that what happened last minute at the bus was just an illusion but... Is he an actual fuckboy or something? You chuckle softly to yourself as you think about it but you're still blushing. No, can't be. He's too shy for that, probably he simply felt comfortable enough to make a couple of silly jokes. "Yep, that's probably it." You tell yourself, brushing it off, then you unlock your phone to check your other chats, but Jisung's is still open and his last text makes you blush again. “Ahh, seriously... What's with this kid?”

1st Arc🐻🐬..... Next chapter🐹

[loorain]

Sims 4 Fontenot Legacy - Saturday Night Studies

While the adults are out on their date, Alma and Audrey are having a different kind of Saturday night.

Audrey is hard at work on her presentation for the first day of school. It's a simple book report just to introduce the kids to each other and get to know everyone, but Audrey takes it very seriously. She even asks Auntie Scarlett to use her desk in order to fully concentrate.

Of course, that doesn't stop her sister from making an entrance.

Alma: Hey, Auds! What are you doing in here?

Audrey: Just finishing up my homework. That way I can enjoy Sunday stress-free! It's the last day before school starts, after all!

Alma: Ah, school schmool. It's just a rabbithole. How hard could it be?

Audrey: Well I still want to be prepared. How far have you gotten with your work?

Alma: It's coming along.

Audrey: Is it? You know Mom's gonna check it tomorrow.

Alma: I'll get it done! You doubt me?

Audrey: I doubt you'll concentrate long enough to finish it.

Alma: Dang! You could've at least lied a little!

The two laugh.

Audrey: Just don't put it off. You know Mom won't be happy if you do.

Alma: Sis, you really overreact! This homework is a piece of cake! I can get it done in my sleep.

Audrey: So you say.

Alma: I mean it! I'll go get some done right now!

Audrey: Well, go find somewhere else to work so I don't have to hear the cogs in your head turning.

Alma: Ha ha.

Audrey: Good luck!

Alma does indeed find a quiet spot to try her hand at the work.

Alma: Okay, let's see what's this all about. Eight of Grim's pets aren’t cowplants, five aren’t crows, and seven aren’t axolotls. How many pets does he have? Hmm...

The moments tick by. More. And more. The words seem to all mush themselves on the page. Alma does really try to work through it.

Alma: Maybe if... no. Oh, what if.... no.

The longer she sits there staring at it, the harder it seems to be to understand.

Alma: I need a break.

And there's a perfect companion to enjoy a break with.

Alma: Okay, buddy. Let's try to teach you some skills, yeah? Now, sit.

Ziggy, surprisingly, responds to the command on the first try.

Alma: Wha- that worked?! Alright, Ziggy! You might just be the smartest dog on the planet! Now let's see if you can do it again, yeah?

After some time, Audrey successfully finishes her own work. She feels really confident about herself and looking forward to enjoying the rest of her weekend the way she wants to. Of course, she can only imagine what her sister's progress looks like. Still, she has to know for herself.

Audrey: This doesn't look like doing your homework.

Alma: I'm taking a break. Ziggy's doing some learning right now. Show her boy! Sit!

Again, Ziggy does manage to obey the command.

Alma: See? He's a genius! Just wait until I can get him jumping through hoops! Maybe we can start a circus!

Audrey: There's no circus DLCs. Did you read too much about the Sims 1?

Alma: Aww, come on, Auds! Have a little imagination!

Audrey: I do! It's what helped me finish my book report!

Alma: Ugh, did you come down here just to annoy me?

Audrey: Alma, if you need help I can give you a hand. It's no problem.

Alma: I don't need help! I'm just... taking a break. I'll get it done.

Audrey: If Mom finds out--

Alma: Mom won't find out unless you tell her. You gonna be a tattletale?

Audrey sighs. For as much bickering as they do, it's obvious that Audrey cares for her sister deeply. She doesn't want her to fall behind and she doesn't want her to get in trouble. Alma loves Audrey too, she just expresses that love differently.

Alma: I'm gonna keep working with Ziggy. Come on boy, let's do it again, kay?

Audrey doesn't say anything more. After a while, she hears the front door unlock and soft chatter. Sigrid and Robin are back from their date.

Robin: Man, what a night, huh?

Sigrid: Definitely. Bed is callin' me, for sure.

Robin: Let's go see what the girls are up to first.

Audrey greets them.

Robin: Well, hey there missy! Were you waiting up for us?

Audrey: I heard you coming in.

Sigrid: It's a little past your bedtime, but since it's your last night before an official school night I'll let you bend the rules a bit.

Robin: Good to see you, sweetpea. Missed you.

Sigrid: So how was your evening?

Audrey: I finished my book report.

Sigrid: You did? Wonderful! I'll be sure to check it out tomorrow, okay? I'm sure it's wonderful.

Audrey: I worked really hard on it. I think it turned out well.

Robin: That's awesome, honey. Where's your sister?

Audrey: Um, she's training Ziggy.

Robin: Training?

Audrey: Teaching him how to sit.

Sigrid: Wow! How's that coming?

Audrey: She got him to do it a couple times.

Robin: So awesome to hear. Now you girls can start splitting up the chores for him. Walking him, cleaning up after him, filling his food bowl...

Sigrid: Well that's a chat for another day. For now, it's late, and it's up to bed with you.

Audrey can't hold it in.

Audrey: Mom, Dad... I think Alma's having some trouble with her work.

Robin: Oh?

Audrey: Yeah, and she won't let me help her. She didn't me to tell you, but I don't want her to fall behind, and she keeps saying she's going to finish it, and--

Sigrid: Okay.

Robin and Audrey: Okay?

Sigrid: She has one more day to work on it. We'll discuss it. Don't worry, Auds.

Audrey: Okay... just don't tell her I told you, okay?

Sigrid: Of course, honey. Now, bedtime.

After getting the kids into bed, the two adults retire to their bedroom.

Robin: Ah... well, that was interesting.

Sigrid: Tell me about it.

Robin: Are we really not going to talk to Alma about her homework?

Sigrid: We will. I just want to give her a little more time. If she's not done by the afternoon, we'll step in.

Robin: You sure?

Sigrid: It sounds like she's begun. I want her to have the freedom to get it done on her own timeline until it's obvious she needs the extra support. I don't want her to feel embarrassed. She's so proud. She won't ask for help easily.

Robin: That is very true.

Sigrid: Let's not worry just yet. At any rate, I want to enjoy the rest of our night off as much as possible.

Robin: Right. Speaking of which...

Robin pulls the classic move. Sigrid seems to be into it.

Sigrid: Ah, just what I needed.

Robin: I really did have fun with you today.

Sigrid: Same. You looked good behind that turntable.

Robin: I always forget how much you admire my creative side.

Sigrid: You're the talent between the two of us. I'm sure I sounded like a screaming banshee during karaoke.

Robin: Aww, come on, you weren't that bad.

Sigrid: You're in love with me. I don't trust your judgment.

Robin laughs.

Robin: Shouldn't you trust my judgment more since I'm in love with you?

Sigrid: So you're not lying to me?

Robin opens his mouth, but he can't get himself to say it. Sigrid laughs.

Sigrid: Figures.

Robin: I still love you, even if you can't sing.

Sigrid: Gee. Thanks.

Robin: I can't believe Sabrina and Beau just ditched us like that, though.

Sigrid: I can. They're so in love, Juno's at his dad's, and Beau's got his own apartment. Perfect recipe for a salacious sleepover.

Robin: What a concept. I like how our night's going.

Sigrid: So do I. Can't wait to slip into bed, hold hands, and knock out. I'm exhausted.

Robin: So am I.

Sigrid: I love you. I love this life. Just being a simple, married couple, taking care of our girls. There's no place I'd rather be than right here.

Robin: I feel the same way.

Sigrid: Good. Now let's get changed and go to bed.

Robin: Yes ma'am. But first, a quick goodnight kiss?

Sigrid: I think I can manage that.

[library-child]

Killdeer Fields

Written for @asouefanworkevent

Content warning: Alcoholism, utter mental deterioration

"And a man calling himself Hangfire told you you'd never see your father again? That's all?" police officer Hallward asked.

Ellington just nodded, too tired to speak.

He put his pen and notebook away and gave her a sympathetic look. The station typewriter had already been put away in one of the wooden boxes stacked against the walls of the shed. The police station itself had been flooded months ago when the water had reached the center of Killdeer Fields. Officer Hallward had moved to an abandoned farm shed uptown, but now, he was leaving along with everyone else.

"What are we to do now?"

"I'll send a telegram to the authorities once I'm at the train station. But first, we'll need to find someone who will take you along."

"I can't leave!" Ellington protested. "What if he comes back and I'm not here?"

Officer Hallward sighed. "No one will ever come back here."

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

Ellington ran up the muddy road past the abandoned farms, ignoring her aching feet. Everyone had always complained about the upper part of Main Street being an uneven clay road. Now, it was the only part left. All the shiny new cobblestones downtown had been washed away by brackish water.

She reached the last farm where some sickly-looking cows still stood on the field.

"Bill," she called, knocking at the door of the farmhouse. She had only ever known the farmer who had supplied her father with milk for the rescued animals as Old Bill. "Are you home?"

There was no answer, but Ellington found the door was open. The smell of rot and cold smoke hit her as she moved down a dim hallway until she arrived in the kitchen and nearly gagged.

Old Bill sat slumped on a bench at the table, surrounded by bottles and dirty dishes. The table and the floor were stained with tobacco. His sparse hair and worn clothes were crusted with dirt.

"Why, Ellington." He broke into a slow smile as he noticed her. His few remaining teeth were black. "How nice. Where's your father? I haven't seen him in a while."

Ellington swallowed hard to force back the tears. She was terrified. "So - so you don't know where he might be? He's been kidnapped! Nobody knows why!"

Bill coughed violently, steadying himself by clutching a half-empty whisky bottle.

"Kidnapped, you say? Ah. Probably those blasted other farmers. They've been making my cows sick, you know. They're jealous. Every night, they sneak over the fence to poison them."

Ellington ran.

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

"I understand you've been asking everyone about your father's whereabouts."

Mrs. Gray, mayor no more, watched the movers carrying the furniture out of her grand hall onto waiting trucks. She had lost the election as the flood had risen.

"You claim he was kidnapped by a man named Hangfire."

"Hangfire claimed it. He called me on the phone. His voice was terrible." Ellington had no strength left to hold back her tears. She just wept.

Mrs. Gray sighed with a mixture of pity and disgust on her face.

"You need to stop that. Nobody has time to deal with such nonsense. You should have come to see me before anyone else."

She gave Ellington a handkerchief and patted her shoulder.

"Pack your things and come back here tomorrow morning. We'll take you with us and get you a job at a farm. You are a capable girl. In a few years, you'll surely manage to build your own place. Wouldn't you like that?"

Ellington didn't argue with Mrs. Gray. She went home to pack her suitcase. But she never showed up at Mrs. Gray's house. Instead, she dragged her suitcase behind her all the way to the train station and snuck into an empty cargo car. Her arms ached from carrying her father's record player. She feared the music might give her away, but nobody was around, and she couldn't bear the silence.

[silver138]

Perfectly Flawed - Chapter 10

word count - 866

warnings - none

Summary: Lina's made it to the end of her first week of work.

Friday morning arrives, overcast and a little cold. Stretching, I turn off my alarm and get out of bed. Yawning, I take my shower and get ready for work, thankful that I've figured out a quicker way of doing my hair. Leaving Val a note telling her to have fun this weekend, I finish getting dressed.

In what feels like no time at all, I'm walking briskly down the sidewalk to get to the station quickly. Making it with several minutes to spare until the Metro is due to arrive, I sit back and take a deep breath, then reach into my purse to grab my book.

After reading about a chapter, the Metro pulls in, and I put my book away and stand up, waiting till the vehicle comes to a stop. Stepping on, I scan the nearby rows, looking for Spencer.

Finding where he is, I make my way over, sitting in a seat near him. "Hey, Doc. How're you this morning?" I ask, turning sideways to face him. 

He gives me a shy smile, saying, "Oh, I'm good. Here's your coffee." and hands me a medium-sized cup. 

"Ah, so nice and warm, thank you, Spence," I say, giving him a soft smile. 

I take a sip, and remembering our plans for tomorrow, I give a small hum and ask him, "Oh, um, where would you want to go tomorrow? We could go to a Starbucks. I know there's, like, a million of them, but there's one right across the street from my stop, so we wouldn't have to go too far."

"I'm only suggesting that one because I know we both know where my stop is, but if you wanted to go to a Starbucks closer to you, or a different one altogether, we could," I say quickly. I look at Spencer as he takes a drink of his coffee, a slightly amused look on his face. 

I start to babble again. "Or-or we could go to a different coffee shop if you want. I don't really have a preference. If-if you still wanted to, that is.." 

His eyes widen and he rushes to say, "Y-yeah! I still want to. I'm just...I don't want to make any plans too solid, you know?" 

Feeling a bit crestfallen, I just murmur an, "Oh, okay..." while nodding dumbly and looking down. Noticing my demeanor, he quickly continues. 

"N-no, it's just that we could get called in for a case at any time. It's happened before. On my last birthday, we got called in, just as we were about to have the cake. So, um, th-that's why. B-but, if we do get called in, we can always h-hang out after we get back. If-if you'd like." he finishes, blushing slightly.

I look at him, a small smile blooming on my face and I nod in understanding. "Yeah. Yeah, I would like that, Spencer." I say quietly, taking a small sip of my coffee. He gives me a shy smile and looks out the window, then signals for the Metro to stop for us to make our exit.

As we walk and sip our coffees, we talk and laugh about what we expect to happen tonight. "So, what questions should I be expecting from our colleagues tonight, Doc?" I ask Spencer. 

He groans and replies with, "Oh, if you can think of it, they'll probably ask."

He gives me an apologetic look and continues. "I, uh, hope you don't mind your personal life being put under a microscope." 

I snort and say, "They're gonna be inspecting a blank slide." 

He raises his eyebrows and asks, "Oh? How so?" 

I chuckle lightly and say, "Before starting on Monday, the only people I would spend time with on even a semi-regular basis were my classmates, my professors, my roommate, and her boyfriend. I'm...kinda hoping working here gives me more people to be friends with. Like, actual friends, not just, like, co-worker friends, you know?"

He nods slowly, and I continue. "I mean, I've got hope. Everyone's been really nice, and I get along ridiculously well with you and Penny. I haven't interacted much with anyone else yet, but I'm sure that'll change as time goes on."

Spencer chuckles and says, "Well, you've got Morgan wracking his brain for a nickname you'll like, so that's a good sign. The only other people he's given nicknames to are me and Garcia, so take what you will from that."

Walking into the building, we take the elevator up to the offices. As we head into the bullpen, we're greeted by Derek, who says, "Hey, you two. Another coffee run, huh?" 

"Before you start," Spencer says, digging into his satchel and pulling a bag out, tossing it to Derek. "I got you something, so I don't want to hear it today, got it, Morgan?" he finishes with a smile. 

Derek catches it and looks inside, then breaks out into a million-watt grin and says, "Thanks, man!"

Spencer smiles, then turns to me and asks, "I'll see you for lunch, right?" 

I smile and reply with, "Yeah, of course. I'll see you then, Spence." Then turn and make my way to Penny and the computers.

Previous chapter

Next chapter

Story Masterlist

[lisutarid-a]

[Gakuen K] Yatogami Kuroh Route Translation

Buying a new swimsuit

LIST OF CHAPTERS

[Translation under the cut]

Neko: Uuuuh…It's hot, it's hot, it's hot!

Neko: Gohan! Wagahai melts! I want to go indoors!

Saya: Don't give up, hold on until the department store.

Kuroh: If you don't like the heat that much, you should have waited in the dorm.

Neko: I don't like the heat, but I went because Shiro said he would!

Neko: Besides, I'm going to ask Kurosuke to give me ice cream as punishment for taking Wagahai along!

Kuroh: …Go home.

Neko: I'm not going home! Not until I eat ice cream!

Kuroh: …Shiro, do something about her.

Shiro: Mmmm…?

Saya: Shiro-kun, you don't look good, are you all right?

Shiro: Ahaha, I'm all right. I just was affected by the heat.

Shiro: Really, this summer is too hot.

Saya: Both Neko-chan and Shiro-kun look like they are having a hard time…

Kuroh: That's because they're not training their bodies. It's pathetic.

Neko: Whoo-ah! Gohan, it's cool here! Wagahai is back to life!

Saya: What a relief. You almost collapsed.

Neko: Uhhh, Wagahai doesn't want to leave this building. I want to stay here until the end of summer.

Shiro: Ahaha. If you stay that long, the store staff will get in trouble.

Saya: There are so many different designs of men's swimsuits.

Saya: Kuro-kun, did you find anything good?

Kuroh: Yeah, it was on the saleroom over there.

Saya: Over there…Loincloth section?

Shiro: Kuro-o. Stay away from the loincloth and forget about it once and for all. You'll ruin the whole point of coming here to buy a swimsuit.

Kuroh: Sorry. It's just that I'm familiar with it.

Saya: Aside from the loincloth, was there any swimsuit that you would say "This is it!"

Kuroh: Something like "This is it"…That's bad, I have no idea…

Kuroh: Sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to pick the right one for me.

Saya: That's why we came here. It's all right.

Saya: Shiro-kun, Neko-chan, let's pick…Huh, where's Neko-chan?

Shiro: She's sleeping in the health equipment section over there.

Saya: Really, she's sleeping peacefully…It would be a pity to wake her up, let's choose between the two of us.

Shiro: Uhm, I agree!

Neko: Ice, Ice, Ice cream!

Neko: Wagahai likes Shiro~ Vanilla is the same color as Shiro~ Wagahai loves vanilla~

Saya: Good thing we found an ice cream shop. Neko seems to be in good mood.

Shiro: The sun has set, and it's gotten a little cooler. I wish it were like this during the day.

Kuroh: I heard it's going to be even warmer tomorrow than today.

Shiro: Eeeh~ Is that so? I want to stay in an air-conditioned room all the time…

Saya: I agree. It'll be hard if it gets warmer than today.

Kuroh: …Sorry you had to go through that for me in this heat.

Saya: No, it's okay. Don't worry, it was fun to go out like this. And I got to choose the swimsuit!

Shiro: Right-right. It's summer, and there's nothing we can do about the heat!

Kuroh: …No, let me thank you again. I appreciate you taking the time to help me with my swimsuit today.

Saya: (Kuro-kun…)

Kuroh: I'm sorry that not only did you have to pick it out, but you even paid for it.

Saya: It's a present from us. Because you are always taking care of us.

Shiro: I'm sure we'll cause you a lot of trouble in the future, but please take care of us.

Kuroh: Yeah…Leave it to me. I'll take care of --.

Neko: Shiro-o! I bought ice cream! Waaah…!

Saya: Ah…

Saya: Neko-chan's ice cream is on Kuro-kun's clothes…

Neko: …That's bad.

Kuroh: Neko…

Neko: Ahaha~…Farewell!

Kuroh: I won't forgive you! And you won't escape!

Saya: These two are so energetic…

Shiro: I think we should just go home leisurely.

Saya: Umh, you're right.

[Prev chapter][Next chapter]

[contest-winning-pest]

For Want Of A Maylene (What Once Was Wrong)

"Another? -- Candice. That's fifteen already before this new kid. You can't--"

"What else am I supposed to do?" Candice said.

The vibes in the Champion's Villa off to the east of Snowpoint sank another few degrees. "What should you do? You know what you should do, Candice! Hire people! Get someone in to help them, not just physically, but mentally! And this one's an orphan!"

"No! No, it's fine. I'll just... I just need to give it my all and it'll--"

"Thought and Emotions-- It's ripping you up. It's been ripping you up for months. And now you have to take in this new kid-- what was her name?"

"-- Kerry. Her name is Kerry. We found her halfway to freezing to death in the snow."

"Have you asked anyone for help yet?"

"... Not yet."

"Candice!"

"-- I know! .... And she said she can't travel across the mountain yet. I figured, I'd help her get stronger."

"Or! Orrrrrrr." Maylene leaned over the table. "You can take her on a boat trip, and me and Crasher Wake can take care of her until you've hired on some people and gotten proper care together!"

"... You're right. I know you're right. Why can't I make myself see it?"

"It's fine. That's why we're a League, not A bunch of Gym Leaders. I have a few people in the Heya, and Crasher's famous for having a lot of good staff. I'll help Kerry, and we can ask around for volunteers. Okay?"

"... Yeah. Yeah! Why am I half-assing being a Gym Leader!?"

"Eh?"

"Though-- I'll need to start finding proper staff, and you're right we need to investigate the Lakefront, but..."

"-- Either way," Maylene said, "Let's get it done tomorrow."

~ ~ ~

"Hey, Kerry?" Candice called, into the dorm room. The curtains were open, but Kerry herself lay curled up on the bed, still around Li. "You have a visitor."

"What for?" She said, forlornly.

"I... Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Maylene, of Veilstone."

"-- The sumotori!?"

"Ah--- haha, yes, though that's... not really my career..."

~ ~ ~

"Hey!" Meylene scooted one of her bowls across the table to Kerry. "Eat up, we got a lot to do today."

"I already ate, though...?" Kerry said, staring at the bowl.

"Yeah, and we're going to be working hard today, too, to help ourselves and our Pokemon get stronger! That means you need energy. Which means you need food."

"Grandpa said to never have a second bowl and to always feed your Pokemon first."

"Nnn. Well, he's not wrong, but that's no excuse to neglect your own health! We have plenty for everyone!"

~ ~ ~

".... What's up? This wasn't the first sparring session where it felt like you were..."

"It's exhausting, okay? I... I've been training but there's just so much Aura around me it's--"

"Oh, you use Aura?" Maylene paused. "Let me have you and Li talk with my Lucario a bit..."

~ ~ ~

"Doing better, I see."

"Yeah! Thanks so much for showing me that. I just wish Grandpa were here."

"Your grandfather? What was he like?"

"Well. I mean-- OK. So, when I was a little younger, Grandpa started teaching me survival, and then, when I'd done that, he'd take me out to orienteer and leave me out in the woods around Acuity for a long time. One time, when this was taking me--"

"Wait, back up. Your grandfather abandoned you in the woods?"

"He knew I'd be okay!"

"He abandoned you! In the woods! That's not an okay thing to do to a child!"

"wh-- no, that's normal, that's not the point of the story--"

~ ~ ~

"So you're gonna be my exchange penpal?"

"Yeah! I really hope you keep in touch with all your friends in Veilstone. And learn to surf!"

"Haha, I'd love to do that, actually," Kerry responded, shaking the Hoenni girl's hands warmly. A slight warmth spread through her.

~ ~ ~

"I've been having more nightmares. I think it's related to Mt. Chimney."

"... Hm. I'll talk with Flannery and Liza and Tate. See what they have to say about it."

~ ~ ~

"Well, now. Yes, you will do quite nicely. As I'm sure you're already aware, given your stamps and badges, you'll need to hone those psychic abilities so that they don't drown out what you're hoping for. I can help with that. But I think we won't have as much time as you hope. Strange things are alreqady happening. I'll join you on your journey across Hoenn, but for now, let's get you a Starter and get you going."

"Are you sure? I mean. There's so much I have yet to learn--"

"No, I'm sure. You'll be perfect. Seeing it in person is a fantastic way to understand the world arond you.

"... And I really can come back at any time?"

"Always," Brawly said.

".... Then I'll go with you."

~ ~ ~

"Senri! I--"

"Oh! You're that gym trainer from Dewford, right? You're just in time. This boy wants to go out and catch his first Pokemon, but I don't have time between taking a challenge and--"

"Kerry!?"

"Satoshi!?"

"What are you doing here!?"

Wally cleared his throat.

"Ah-- yeah, of course I'll go help, if you'll loan us a Pokemon..."

[werewolfoverlord12]

Rippling Reflections Supplement 2: Dangers in Plain Sight

Urabrask awoke for the sixth night in a row, dripping in a cold sweat and feeling as something was watching him.

The warm form beside him moved and Amelia placed her hand on his arm, "What's wrong?" She asked.

"Same thing as last night... dread and like eyes are on me," he placed his head in his hands, "I have to present our findings about the augementations tomorrow to the United Kingdoms of Dominaria... I need sleep."

Amelia sat up as he got out of bed, "Where are you going?"

"Lab 1. I can ignore those voices and eyes just fine," he leaned in and kissed her, "I'm sorry."

She shook her head, "You're not going alone. I know Watcher added a new room for us to stay in today; maybe it'll be safer there?"

"You don't think it's Watcher that's causing this, do you?"

"No," Amelia said, "I've felt those eyes too. It's not Watcher and besides, Watcher likes you; these eyes hate you."

Lab 1's door slide open with a familiar hiss, and immediately the four praetor's minds attacked him; snarling, he felt the Glimmering Oil in his body surge and the room was filled with golden light for a brief moment. The Praetor's retreated rapidly, as if burned.

A second door that hadn't been there three days earlier slide open on the wall entering the lab. Inside was almost perfect recreation of their bedroom, including the scent diffuser in the shape of a...

"What did you call that? The cutesy version of something?"

"Chibi," Amelia said, "it's big on Kamigawa right now."

... a 'chibi' version of him.

"Did you move that in here?"

"Yes," she said, "I had a thought this might happen, but i also didn't want you anywhere near them," she gestured over her shoulder at the Four Fallen Praetors, 'if we could help it."

"Right..." Urabrask yawned, and stretched, when two icy hands found there way onto his exposed back, "YAAAH. Grrrr AMY!"

Amelia grinned, "Sorry. But when you yawn your nightshirt lifts up and since i can't get your stomach, i went for the next best thing."

"The next best thing would be a little lower, dear," he said, smirking, "but either way, a warning would be nice."

"Probably, but doesn't mean you're going to get it," Amy said.

After getting into bed, Urabrask lay on his side facing the door, while Amelia lay just behind him, arm around his waist, face buried between his shoulder blades. When not in use, the spines laid down flush with his skin.

He fell asleep almost immediately, but Amelia waited until he was snoring softly before creeping out of the room and returning to their old one. Turning on the lights, she scanned the room,

"Watcher?"

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"Watcher."

"Sorry... Yes, Amy?"

"Can you scan the room again, please? I know we did earlier but he still had those nightmares."

"Oh course," Watcher replied, "I've added additional search parameters. I assume you'll be searching as well like last time?"

"Makes both our jobs easier if we do."

Twenty or so minutes later, Watcher cleared it's throat, "Amy?"

She glanced up at the ceiling from her position on the floor, looking under the bed, "Yes?"

"Mantle piece."

"... ah... okay..." She got up and walked over to their fireplace, where an assortment of items were stored or displayed.

One was part of Vorinclex's faceplate, cleaned and sealed against contamination; but it was the object beside it that Amelia examined.

Rona's left eye from an earlier encounter Amelia had had with her.

"Is it still active?"

"Yes," Watcher said, "and the signal is coming from Dominaria."

Amelia picked it up and stared into it, "I wonder if she can feel pain..."

She morphed her hand into it's crystal form, "Watcher? A containment bucket please?"

"Of course."

A large, orange crystal bucket appeared on the floor; Amelia bent down, held the eye in her crystal hand and squeezed until it popped. The stench of Glistening Oil struck her nose which reacted like the rest of her; shifting to her Crystal form. She shook off what she could and burned off the rest as Watcher sealed the bucket and transferred it to the Quarantine Labs, where their study of Phyrexian mutations and how to reverse them continued.

"I think we'll keep sleeping in the new room," Amelia said, glancing around her, "just in case."

"Understood. Fortunately, it was sealed as well so nothing else was contaminated."

"Okay. Thank you."

"Any time. Would you like me to put on the sound dampers as you head into the room?"

Amelia smiled, "Yes, please. Thank you again Watcher."

[ailingwriter]

I had the Urge again. So have this ficlet. (Apologies if I got Jotaro's voice wrong here.)

-

Jojo wasn't sure where to work at first.

It wasn't like 'beating the shit out of people' was an employable skill after all, at least not in the hands of a teenager. And all things considered, that was really all he was good at. It wasn't like the timestop his future self taught him could be of much use, even if he could figure out how to use it for more than a second at a time.

Still, it didn't sit right with him to leave Josuke without anything, especially after Jojo had spent the allowance Tomoko had given him on clothes near immediately. He owed Josuke a lot. (From what Jotaro had alluded to once or twice, he may even owe him Jiji's life.)

With that in mind, not getting a job was out of the question. So, without much idea of what to do in particular, he wandered the streets, keeping an eye on the power lines just in case.

He was so focused on the power lines, in fact, that he didn't realize where he was walking for a bit, until a familiar scent reached his nose.

It was... Nostalgic. He hadn't smelled anything like his mom's cooking since he had woken up in Morioh, yet there was no mistaking the smell wafting from the stone-walled building as anything but Italian food. For a moment, Jojo couldn't help but bask in it, letting the memories of watching his mother make the food, even helping out from time to time, rush into him...

"Mi scusi," a voice sounded out. Jojo startled, barely keeping that damn evil spirit at bay as he turned to the man. He was rather cleanly dressed, and had a warm smile on his face. "I'm afraid Trattoria Trussardi won't be open for another few days. If you were hoping for a meal, you'll have to wait."

"Just wandering," Jojo replied, trying not to be too rude. "...I smelled something familiar, and I must have followed it without thinking."

"Ah, you're familiar with Italian cuisine then?" The man's smile grew a touch brighter. "Bene, it is good to know that I won't be serving a completely unfamiliar clientele."

"Yeah, my-" not mother. He didn't want this guy to go find Tomoko and get confused, or worse, suspicious. "-a family member makes some pretty good Italian food. Even helped her out a few times." Technically it was true, even if he was underselling it a bit.

"Really now? You wouldn't happen to be looking for a job would you?" The man's seemingly everpresent smile turned a bit wry. "No matter how experienced, running a restaurant on one's own is a heavy task. I certainly wouldn't mind an assistant, even if it's just after school every so often."

...Well this was quite a coincidence. Jojo was almost tempted to call it too convenient, but this wasn't like with DIO, where every person getting close was an enemy waiting to strike. This was Morioh, where threats were... For lack of a better term, straightforward.

Plus, he did need the job. "Can't say how much I'll be able to help... but sure."

"Magnifico!" The man smiled. "I'll need a while to figure things out. How about you drop by tomorrow so we can figure out a proper schedule?"

"Sure, sounds good...?"

"Ah, Tonio Trussardi." The now-named Tonio offered his hand. "And you are?"

Jojo paused for a bit before accepting the handshake. "Higashikata Josuke. Just call me Jojo."

star swap jotaro in josuke's body invests in a jacket and hat immediately

Yessssssssssss

Jotaro has two little stashes, split about 25/75. The 25 is for Josuke when he gets back which that's squirrelled away in their room because he will, he will figure out how to get back into his own body again, he will get back to his mom sort of as a Sorry I Stole Your Life gift, and the 75 is for him to use when buying things like extra snacks or the coat and jacket you mentioned

but honestly? he doesn't use the money super often. Beyond the coat and jacket he doesn't have a lot of plans for what to spend money on. This isn't his life so buying things for "himself" is probably going to be useless, so a lot of the things he end up buying are things he think Josuke might like too or could be "used up" like food

but Jotaro also doesn't like just..... sitting on a small pile of money. He mostly works as a distraction from his situation and to spend less awkward time around Tomoko, but he also wants to do something with it since he doesn't really have any reason to save up

this then leads to Jotaro treating his friends. Quite a lot actually

it wasn't even intentional nor did he realise it. It just. Kept happening. It was nothing big either, usually just some little trinkets or snacks he'd want to share with them. He'd often times bring Okuyasu lunch and sometimes would even just take him places to get food, and both him and Koichi end up receiving some little trinkets like keychains and pins that caught Jotaro's eye

(also, for his job....... for some reason I had a Thought of him working for either Aya or Tonio. I think it would be funny if he accidentally found himself employed under a Stand User and not realise it for a bit)

[humanoidalien27]

Content warning: the use of the torture curse, talking about past trauma and evil intentions.

.....

Chapter 8

Animagus

    Changing was painful and you absolutely hated it. You hadn't even attempted to get up, not that Ominis didn't scoop you up despite trying to scratch him.

"She's lively," Sebastian teased, getting you to grumble, which came out a growl instead.

"You were exhausted the first time you changed too," Felix reminded, before his eyes looked at you. "Unfortunately, out of all of our animagi forms, yours is the easiest to sneak inside the castle."

You huffed as Sebastian tried to scratch your head, so you hissed, getting a chuckle from Ominis.

"That's unfair, why can't I pet you? You let Ominis hold you."

The words were thick with jealousy, getting Ominis and Felix to look at him. "I'm not answering that AGAIN," Ominis replied.

"Alright, you can change back." Felix mentioned, so Ominis put you back down on the floor.

You almost screamed as you shifted back, remaining face first on the floor for a second.

"How are you doing?" Sebastian asked.

"Everything hurts," you admitted, seeing his hand move in your field of view, so you took it. "Come on, up you go."

He pulled you up to your feet, though you still felt very wobbly and leaned on the wall beside Ominis to remain upright.

"So, you'll sneak in and get to a professor you trust. I'll fly around to keep an eye on you, while Ominis and Sebastian wait in the forest for a signal."

"My animagus form can sneak in too. I'm cute and adorable," Sebastian said, getting everyone to share the same dubious expression. "Hey, it is cute. Ask anyone. Besides, it's better than if he followed her in."

"Ominis's animagi form speaks to his personality. A loner with an empathic side and strong ties to those he cares for. Leave him alone."

That was obviously not the reaction he wanted, but Felix cut over his remark. "Alright, you'll head in, while they wait outside in the forest line."

You nodded, though you weren't ready to go anywhere at the moment.

"Does it have to keep hurting?"

Ominis pulled you to lean against him as Felix moved close to check your eyes.

"You've finished the transformation, so it should be easier next time." He looked at Sebastian and Ominis. "We'll head out tomorrow, for now, we should get some rest."

       In your animagus form, you trotted towards the school grounds rather quickly, hearing Felix flying high above you and knowing Ominis and Sebastian weren't too far.

The last voice you wanted to hear as you crossed the gates was Draken's.

"Neither of them have shown up for school?"

Professor Black scoffed. "No, neither, but what does this have to do with those pages? If anyone finds out about them-"

"No one will have that chance. Knowing that Sallow boy and Felix, they'd already showed them both, which means they need to die too. It's the only way."

Panic set in as you tried to remain still, but Draken took notice of you.

"Why are there cats everywhere around here? This is a school, not a petting zoo." He pulled his want out. "Crui-"

Professor Black caught his arm. "If a student should happen to see you doing that, there will be more to explain than three dead kids."

You raced towards the doors, slipping inside as one of the students opened the door.

An explosion of noise hit like a freight train as you headed further into the building, having to wait for students to open the doors.

At least until you spotted Poppy, Natty and Garreth heading in the direction you needed.

"It's strange to think Sebastian kidnapped them," Poppy whispered as you approached. "You don't think he's going to hurt them, do you?"

"Maybe we should try to find them?" Natty offered as you passed them as Garreth opened the door.

"I'd like to say no, but a lot can change in a few months."

    You made it to the room of requirement, and transformed back, effectively scaring Desk, who had been tending to the beasts.

"Ah, you're back. We've been very worried about you."

You moved over to him, the serious expression making the smile he gave you fade slowly.

"Can you bring professor Weasley here, without alerting anyone else?"

"Uh, yes," he said before he disapparated.

You glanced around, remembering times where things made sense, or at least more than they did now.

"Oh, thank you Deek," professor Weasley said, drawing your eyes as she looked at you. "You're alright!"

"For now at least. I have some news professor and it's not good."

She nodded as she motioned for you to sit at one of your tables.

Taking a breath, you sat down, with her taking the other.

"What's this all about? And how are you being kidnapped by Mr. Sallow fit into it?"

"It all started when Ominis and I went on the training tour of Azkaban. Draken brought us by Sebastian's cell. He said there was something going on and innocent people were dying."

"In Azkaban?"

You nodded as you pulled the documents from your bag. "It is all true. They've been locking up citizens who haven't done anything wrong and making sure the dementors kill them if anyone goes to investigate their cases."

She took the pages and started to look through them. "But why?"

"The goblin rebellion was started by the Ministry to hide their dirty secrets. They poked at an old wound they knew would rile them up. Rookwood, Harlow, Ranrok, were all funded by Ministry shareholders or secret bank accounts and then all they had to do was wait for wounds to rip open and chaos to ensue. Half the aurors are dark wizards and witches freely using the unforgivable curses. Heck, Draken almost used one on me as I tried coming into Hogwarts."

Her eyes locked with yours. "He tried to use it on a student?"

"Well, I didn't exactly look like a student at the time," you admitted, not that it made it any better.

"Sebastian killed his uncle, that's why he was sent to Azkaban."

You nodded and turned the pages to the marked page and pointed at it.

She sighed and read it, her face becoming more stern by the second.

"Solomon was working with Rookwood. He planned to kill me and Sebastian in that crypt, so Sebastian was only defending himself. They didn't even give him a real trial to hide their crimes."

"This certainly changes things," she said, moving to read the rest. "So, the Minister, nearly all the aurors and the headmaster? Oh, dear me."

You pulled out the long strip of paper that was written in the Minister's handwriting. "This has all the names of people imprisoned or dead that were in fact innocent of the crimes laid against them, I know, I already double checked. Some died due to the dementors kiss. Others were killed with the killing curse BY an auror. The reports are in that stack of paper."

She sighed and looked to you. "Did you give Sebastian your wand to escape Azkaban? And then help him obtain these from the Ministry?"

You hesitated, but nodded. "I did professor."

"Well, just like a Gryffindor to do something they believe is foolish." She chuckled, though it didn't last long. "I'm assuming Mr. Sallow and Mr. Gaunt aren't far away?"

"No, but with the Ministry hunting us-"

She shook her head. "I don't want you coming to Hogwarts for the time being. Best keep this quiet until we can get a better understanding of the situation. Sneak back out of the castle and send me a letter of where you're staying. I'll meet you there with a few trusted allies. Maybe we can sort this out once and for all."

"I hope you won't take offense if I don't give you our location directly. We'll meet in Feldcroft in two days. Solomon's house would probably still have something of value in it."

She nodded and patted your shoulder. "I suspect this isn't going to end well, but do try to keep yourselves safe."

She moved out of the room, so you stowed the papers back into your bag, before shifting into your animagus form.

Deek kindly opened the door for you. Giving him a grateful nod as you passed, you headed down the corridor.

There were so many cats in Hogwarts, that you were practically invisible.

At least until you made it outside, and pain exploded in your side as you sailed through the air and landed on the ground roughly.

"I've been around Hogwarts enough, but I've never seen a cat like you before." You looked back at Draken, who raised his wand. "Cruico!"

Unimaginable pain exploded throughout your body. Even when Sebastian used the curse on you, it didn't hurt this bad.

"Hold on!" Sebastian's voice said, though it sounded like he was underwater.

Barely opening your eyes, you saw Sebastian's silver fox form and Ominis's black leopard form attacking Draken.

Your vision blurred, before focusing again.

Sebastian dangled from Draken's wand arm, the wand now snapped in two, hanging on only by the core as Ominis had his thigh on the opposite side.

This time when things blurred they didn't clear and darkness began to close in on the corners.

Once they managed to get him to the ground and he didn't move to get up, they came over to you, before Sebastian scooped your body up with his teeth.

"Careful!" Ominis hissed when you let out a small involuntary painful meow. "Hold on until the tree line, okay? Don't shift."

"How dare you attack innocent animals!" Poppy's voice snapped, before you heard her racing after your group.

Sebastian set you down once they thought they were deep enough into the forest.

You were barely holding onto consciousness and as if sensing they were waiting, you fell asleep and shifted back.

Sebastian was the first to revert back, his hands checking to see if you were still breathing as Ominis's leopard form rounded on Poppy.

"Sebastian? What are you doing here? Where's the cat? Are they okay?"

She jumped when Ominis shifted. "That was her animagus form. That jerk cast the torture curse on her after kicking her twenty feet."

Sebastian looked back. "I think she has a broken rib. We can't heal her until she wakes up."

Poppy startled when the crow swooped down and turned into Felix.

"The aurors are on alert after you attacked Draken," he said peeking around Sebastian to see your unconscious form. "What happened?"

"Draken crucio-ed her," Sebastian hissed, glaring back at the castle. "So, we attacked him."

Ominis shook his head. "It was more on instinct. I heard the spell, but Sebastian was off before that, probably when he kicked her."

"What's going on?" Poppy asked, staring between them.

"We can't really explain right now," Ominis said, looking back towards the castle. "We need to go before we're seen."

Felix nodded. "Yes, especially now that they have kill on sight orders for all of us." Everyone stiffened and looked to him. "I over heard it as I followed her over the grounds."

"Wait, what's going on?" Poppy asked, but the answer never came because Felix apperated them away.

"Did you find those animals?" One of the aurors asked, moving into the clearing with their wand out. 

"No, sir. The must have ran too far into the forest."

......

Previous

Next

[themaresnest-dumblr]

Raiders Of The Lost Island Consignment Shop - Part 91

PART NINETY TWO TO FOLLOW!

[crsssie]

Day 7 - AU

"You're getting a wife."

Komaeda pauses, staring at his caretaker. "What?"

"The Komaeda name is sought after in high society, but since you're an orphan, I'm the one that decides." The woman smiles. "I want to see you get married before I pass."

Komaeda doesn't know how to break it to her that he's been seeing someone.

"What's... their name?"

"You'll see when you meet them." 

Komaeda waits apprehensively at the door as he waits for the bride to enter. 

He wonders if news of his marriage had gotten to your ears, and you had rushed off in fear that you'd be replaced. He wouldn't blame you. He was nowhere near the ideal guy to date or marry. His thoughts dampen his mood, and he lifts his head as he hears footsteps.

The bride bows, and Komaeda's eyes widen at the voice.

"A pleasure to meet you, heir of the Komaeda name," You hold your position until Komaeda speaks up.

"P-please get up," He mumbles. "We have prepared a banquet for your arrival. I hope you enjoy it."

"Thank you."

Komaeda pulls the doors open for both you and the escort in, and just for a moment, he wonders if you knew about this.

"Shujin," You wave for him, and he slides the door shut to sit next to you. As Komaeda finds a seat next to you, he thinks it'll be okay. Hopefully.

The banquet passes peacefully, thankfully. Komaeda's more worried about the consummation part. Maybe you'll see his body and run away. Maybe you'll take another lover because you don't think he's enough. Komaeda pauses and realizes his biggest worry would probably be an impending fear that his caretaker would watch you two consummate the marriage. He's heard stories of such from the servants. How scary.

You step into the room, staring at Komaeda.

"My parents will send a servant to check in the morning," You pause. "I... can cut if you don't want to."

"It's fine with me!" Komaeda tries explaining. "Ah, um, I was worried you wouldn't want to."

You bat your lashes at him, peeling the wedding attire off of yourself. "Um, I've never done this before, so."

"I haven't either," Komaeda helps you untie the kimono, and his breath hitches. "Did they... prep you?"

"Kind of? They put oil in me."

Komaeda pulls your kimono off and pulls his own to the side, his cock half-hard. You swallow slowly as Komaeda leans you back onto the futon, pumping himself twice before sliding himself into you slowly. Your breath hitches as he bottoms out in you, and Komaeda pauses, eyes widening at the sight of blood. 

"A-are you okay?"

"I think that's supposed to happen," You mumble. "uh... something about purity."

"Do you want me to stop?"

"We're supposed to," You gasp, whimpering as you shift your hips. "Finish, right?"

"But you're bleeding," Komaeda furrows his brows.

"It's okay," You mumble. "It feels, kind of good now."

"Are you sure?" Komaeda shifts his hips slightly, breath catching in his throat.

"Yeah."

Komaeda moves slowly, unsure how to. He slides in and out of you slowly, pistoning uncertainly with you underneath him. You reach between your legs, desperate for something on your clit. Komaeda stops you before you can, his own hand replacing yours and speeding up. 

"Is this g-good?"

"Yeah!" You whisper, voice breathy. "It's good."

Komaeda speeds up, and your breath catches in your throat as you feel your stomach coil. You reach for his chest, and Komaeda interlaces his fingers with yours, pushing your hand to the side, feeling him come close too. You cum first, crying as you cum on him, making a mess on the sheets. Komaeda cums next, spilling into you with a low grunt. He stays there for the moment, and you feel him soften inside of you. 

Komaeda finally pulls out once he catches his breath.

"I'm sorry." He mumbles, reaching for a towel. "I made a mess."

"I'm the one who made the mess," You take the towel from him, wiping yourself down. "That was good."

"Really?"

"Yes," You exhale, settling yourself into the futon, holding the blanket up for Komaeda. "What's for breakfast tomorrow?"

"Whatever you want," Komaeda slips in next to you. 

"That's good," Your eyes close, and Komaeda's shoulders relax once in the futon. "Good night..." you whisper.

"Good night," Komaeda whispers back.