#all day e'ry day

[hottakehoulihan]

Okay, time to do a change again. Sometimes your health requires you to go outside, or eat, or sleep, or bathe, or find someone to hug. I could use all those things but also I need to block the internet off for a while and do some art consumption and creation.

I updated my pinned and the tl;dr is I'll talk to (and listen to) you good folk in a bit.

I'll miss stalking your entries. Do something pleasant, self indulgent, and healing please. tl;dr: Taking a few days off e'ry week again starting meow.

[norman-heckin-polk]

Oh iI would DEFINITELY like to hear some Sammy stories please

well, i got plenty! despite how things went wi' th' prophet, me 'n lawrence were friends... kinda. we tolerated eachother 'n 'ats as close as y' really got t' friendship wi' th' guy.

a lot o' stories i got o' him involve one or both o' us bein' massive assholes, but 'at was jus' how we were.

le'see here...

he got real creative wi' his insults. i keep a note on m' phone wi' e'ry weird one i remember. includin' these gems:

"you play like a brick going through a fucking divorce"

"your playing sounds like you put a mockingbird through a meat grinder."

"your tuba sounds like a sexually frustrated bagpipe. tune your fucking instrument."

"my grandma can play better than you and shes missing a hand."

"tune your fucking violin, it sounds like a macaw being given a rectal exam."

hm... ive dropped a projector on 'em. twice. cant remember what we was arguin' 'bout, but i thought it was hilarious. i had t' stay late 'n fix 'at damned thing. worth it.

one time th' stairwell flooded, as it did frequently, 'n he was complainin' all fuckin' day 'bout it. so when we walked over there t' check if it had been drained, an' it still hadnt, he started complainin' again. so i said "why dont ya go try 'n fix it yerself?" 'n then i pushed 'em down th' stairs 'n started laughin' hysterically.

heres a few things ive said t' him, jus' t' be a dick, 'cause it was funny, as well as his responses

me - "oh god, what happened? oh wait, 'ats jus' yer face. sorry" him - "fuck off."

him - "do you EVER pay attention??" me - "sorry, what was 'at? i wasn' listenin'." him - "god DAMN IT" (i was listenin', i jus' liked annoyin' him.)

"have y' ever considered gettin' a traumatic brain injury? i think itd suit ya." cant remember what he said t' that.

"y'know, youd be real fun t' be around if ya jus' stopped talkin'."

well, theres a couple! if y' want more feel free t' ask.

[maplemonarchy]

My best little attempt to make the post into Piano Man.

There's girl in the corner who cried all night because she feels so alone There's a man working hard, overqualified But he is still living at home [Harmonica] And a grad who already has a car, And a house, and a job waiting for him While the barista who works e'ry day of the week Just to care for his kids! Oh, la, la-la, di-dee-da La-la, di-dee-da da-dum Sing us a song, you're the piano man Sing us a song tonight Well, we are not alone, but we're all so alone Do you understand me alright?

Being a young adult is so strange. You enter a coffee shop. The 20 year old girl waiting behind you cried all night because she just came to a new city for university and she feels so alone. That 27 year old guy over there works a job he is overqualified for, he lives with his parents and wants to move out but doesn't know what to do about it. That one 24 year old dude already has a car, a house, and a job waiting for him once he graduates thanks to his dad's connections. The 26 year old barista couldn't complete his higher education because he has to work and take care of his family. The 28 year old girl sitting next to you has no friends to go out with so she is texting her mother. That couple (both 25 years old) are married and the girl is pregnant. The 29 year old writing something on her laptop has realized that she chose the wrong major so she is trying to start all over. We are not alone in this, but we are actually so alone. Do you feel me

[rainsmediaradio]

Eminem ft. Juice WRLD - Godzilla Lyrics

Eminem ft. Juice WRLD - Godzilla Lyrics Intro Ugh, you're a monster Verse 1: Eminem I can swallow a bottle of alcohol and I'll feel like Godzilla Better hit the deck like the card dealer My whole squad's in here, walking around the party A cross between a zombie apocalypse and B-Bobby "The Brain" Heenan which is probably the Same reason I wrestle with mania Shady's in this bitch, I'm posse'd up Consider it to cross me a costly mistake If they sleepin' on me, the hoes better get insomnia ADHD, Hydroxycut Pass the Courvoisier (Hey, hey) In AA with an AK, melee, finna set it like a playdate Better vacate, retreat like a vacay, mayday (Ayy) This beat is cray-cray, Ray J, H-A-H-A-H-A Laughing all the way to the bank, I spray flames They cannot tame or placate the Chorus: Juice WRLD with Eminem Monster You get in my way, I'ma feed you to the monster (Yeah) I'm normal during the day, but at night, turn to a monster (Yeah) When the moon shines like Ice Road Truckers I look like a villain outta those blockbusters Godzilla, fire spitter, monster Blood on the dance floor, and on the Louis V carpet Fire, Godzilla, fire, monster Blood on the dance floor, and on the Louis V carpet Verse 2: Eminem I'm just a product of Slick Rick and Onyx, told 'em lick the balls Had 'em just appalled, did so many things that pissed 'em off It's impossible to list 'em all And in the midst of all this I'm in a mental hospital with a crystal ball Tryna see, will I still be like this tomorrow? Risperdal, voices whisper My fist is balled back up against the wall, pencil drawn This is just the song to go ballistic on You just pulled a pistol on the guy with a missile launcher I'm just a Loch Ness, the mythological Quick to tell a bitch screw off like a fifth of vodka When you twist the top of the bottle, I'm a Chorus: Juice WRLD with Eminem Monster You get in my way, I'ma feed you to the monster (Yeah) I'm normal during the day, but at night, turn to a monster (Yeah) When the moon shines like Ice Road Truckers I look like a villain outta those blockbusters Godzilla, fire spitter, monster Blood on the dance floor, and on the Louis V carpet Fire, Godzilla, fire, monster Blood on the dance floor, and on the Louis V carpet Verse 3: Eminem If you never gave a damn (Ayy), raise your hand 'Cause I'm about to set trip, vacation plans I'm on point like my index is, so all you will ever get is The motherfuckin' finger (Finger), prostate exam ('Xam) How can I have all these fans and perspire? Like a liar's pants, I'm on fire And I got no plans to retire and I'm still the man you admire These chicks are spazzin' out, I only get more handsome and flyer I got 'em passin' out like what you do when you hand someone flyers And what goes around comes around just like the blades on the chainsaw 'Cause I caught the flack, but my dollars stacked right off the bat like a baseball Like Kid Ink, bitch, I got them racks with so much ease that they call me Diddy 'Cause I make bands and I call getting cheese a cakewalk (Cheesecake, yeah) Bitch, I'm a player, I'm too motherfuckin' stingy for Cher Won't even lend you an ear, ain't even pretending to care But I tell a bitch I'll marry her if she'll bury her Face in my genital area, the original Richard Ramirez Cristhian Rivera, 'cause my lyrics never sit well So they wanna give me the chair Like a paraplegic, and it's scary, call it Hari Kari 'Cause e'ry Tom and Dick and Harry carry a Merriam motherfuckin' dictionary on 'em Swearing up and down they can spit, this shit's hilarious It's time to put these bitches in the obituary column We wouldn't see eye to eye with a staring problem Get the shaft like a steering column (Monster) Trigger happy, pack heat, but it's black ink Evil half of the Bad Meets Evil, that means take a back seat Take it back to Fat Beats with a maxi single Look at my rap sheet, what attracts these people Is my 'Gangsta Bitch' like Apache with a catchy jingle I stack chips, you barely got a half-eaten Cheeto Fill 'em with the venom and eliminate 'em Other words, I Minute Maid 'em I don't wanna hurt 'em, but I did, I'm in a fit of rage I'm murderin' again, nobody will evade I'm finna kill 'em and dump all their fuckin' bodies in the lake Obliterating everything, incinerate a renegade I'm here to make anybody who want it with the pen afraid But don't nobody want it, but they're gonna get it anyway 'Cause I'm beginnin' to feel like I'm mentally ill I'm Attila, kill or be killed, I'm a killer bee, the vanilla gorilla You're bringin' the killer within me outta me You don't wanna be the enemy of the demon who entered me And be on the receivin' end of me, what stupidity it'd be Every bit of me's the epitome of a spitter When I'm in the vicinity, motherfucker, you better duck Or you finna be dead the minute you run into me A hundred percent of you is a fifth of a percent of me I'm 'bout to fuckin' finish you, bitch, I'm unfadable You wanna battle, I'm available, I'm blowin' up like an inflatable I'm undebatable, I'm unavoidable, I'm unevadable I'm on the toilet bowl, I got a trailer full of money and I'm paid in full I'm not afraid to pull a— Outro: Eminem Man, stop Look what I'm plannin', haha Read the full article

[honorhearted]

💏 (Gemmaaaaa)

fifty ways to kiss someone.   send me a 💏 and i will randomise a number in order for my muse to kiss yours… / @enastrcs  8. …in secrecy.

With the sun dipping low in the sky, Ben made his way across camp with purpose. Now that Gemma was within his care (unbeknownst to the rest of camp, of course), he felt it his unsung duty to check in on her day-to-day progress. Or at least, that had been his intention until he saw her fussing about with a tinderbox.

Gemma stooped over on her haunches, leaning over the wood she was trying to light with purpose. Discreetly, his gaze drifted toward her curve of her bottom, then promptly snapped back up to the top of her head, almost as if he believed he could somehow be seen.

He cleared his throat. “Soldier!” he exclaimed, gathering the attention of a few passersby. “A word, please?”

Ben affected a sound of sternness, hoping that the hard slant to his face was also genuine. When Gemma rose and followed him toward her quarters, he felt a restless ache slowly forming within his gut, twisting and writhing until it could no longer be ignored.

The moment they stepped inside the tent, Ben spun her around and crashed his mouth into hers, drinking her in with a dip of his tongue as he tangled his fingers through her hair. Still kissing Gemma fiercely, he bit on her lower lip and roughly angled his face into hers, his free hand slipping between her thighs before rubbing against the fabric there. Slowly, Ben drifted his lips toward her neck and a low, husky chuckle caught in his throat. “This almost feels depraved,” he whispered. “No one else knows you’re a woman, so if someone were to walk in, I’d have a bit of explaining to do.”

[rbeljedi]

as a reminder ren is the only person bold enough to pick up Mirax Terrik and you should follow her @pulsarskate

[taronunwin]

gencest! my favorite too....

I assume that just means non-incest brother loving? Amen! :)

[norman-heckin-polk]

huh. randomly missin' jack right now. not sure why. might as well share some memories o' 'em.

-at one point jack had made a bet (jokingly) sayin' that i had a third eye hidden under my bangs, an' said 'at was how i knew e'rything goin' on in the studio

-he was always th' first one t' defend a new hire when lawrence would start complaining/berating 'em. (he also did 'at constantly fer franks, 'cause lord knows those two had th' weirdest rivalry, aside from franks 'n his own boyfriend)

-he was from florida, an' wow you could tell.

-i was exactly one foot taller 'an him. (he was 5'2, i was 6'2)

-he was one o' the few people who not only didn' engage in spreadin' rumors 'bout me bein' trouble, he actively told others t' knock it off

-he wore a sweater vest almos' e'ry goddamn day. even in summer... he looked good in it, though!

-he was a mom friend. it doesnt matter 'at he was a man. gender is fake, 'an "dad friend" is a whole other vibe

-really good sense o' humor, 'n one o' the few people who got, an' enjoyed, my jokes.

-called franks "chomper" a few times, which was accurate. 'at kid bites. (/aff)

-all three o' us (me, lawrence, 'n jack) had shit parents... but 'at was kinda normal fer the '30s, wasnt it?

-i startled 'em a few times by talkin' when he hadnt realized i was in th' room, but he always laughed 'bout it after.

-not th' best singer, but a shockin'ly great dancer.

-his voice wasn' usually like what ya hear in his audio log. he had a clothespin on his nose when he recorded 'at.

'ats all i got fer now.

[pencil-urchin]

All day e'ry day. 👉😎👉

Your daily dose of cat memes

[distantwoomi]

Runaway!Dreamtale

This AU variant was made by @mcnotok or @runaway-dreamtale

Original Dreamtale was made by @/jokublog

I do not own the characters, just the writing. Please do not claim my work as yours.

Dearest Dream,

I apologize for þe message. I want you to know þat I love you. We will always be bounded. Togeþer forever. Life is just a river wiþ a very strong current, you know I can't swim. I feel like I'm drowning, constantly, I don't know how to stop it. I want everyþing to stop, figuratively and literally. I wish þe world worked in my favor. þey favor you! You can have a perfect life, I want you to have þat with no obstacles. I know I can be a burden. I want to ease your stress, relieve all þe weight from your shoulders, hold your hand throughout all your struggles, rest your head on my shoulders and wipe you tears away. All of þis sounds so farfetched, mainly because it is. I know þat we have no chance grabbing þat paradise.

I guess þis is goodbye, I hope we meet in anoþer life. I sign þis wiþ all my love.

Yours eternally, Nightmare ☆

That was all they left. One small, disoriented, letter. Dream trembled staring at the note, their hands instinctively squeezing shut. Their jaw clamped shut, they had no words. Everything was a whirlwind, the world around them crumbled. Their world was now gone, their sibling was gone.

Loud, rampant, knocks on the wooden door disturbed Niel's sleep. It was late at night, who would be awake? Niel groaned and sluggishly stepped towards his front door.

"Who would be up at this hour..?" Niel grumbled as he opened the door. The wooden door opened with a screeching creak. Niel stared. He was at a loss for words. What else would you be once there's a sobbing, shaking kid on your doorstep?

"...Kid?..." Niel looked Dream up and down, "What happened...?"

Dream babbled, it was hard to articulate the situation in words. Niel tried everything to calm them down, breathing exercises, drinks, everything. Dream's quivering hands held out the paper to Niel. He accepted it reading every syllable.

Niel shook reading the letter. This really happened, their found family lost a member. Niel immediately assumed it was a suicide note. His tears fell, glistening the paper. It felt like his soul was torn out and shatteted. Possibly even worse.

Nightmare ran. They didn't know where. They didn't know for how long. They just ran. Ran until everything disappeared. Ran until they couldn't. Ran until their drea-

Dream...

Nightmare stopped in their tracks staring at a soft glow of colorful lights resting over a small village. They seemed to be having a celebration? Maybe they could shelter Nightmare.

Nightmare walked for the remainder of the trail and stepped into a, very humble, village. They looked around, there was a ceremony going on? Or was it a ball?

"You're just in time! There's only a few minutes before the orbit begins!"

Nightmare turned to acknowledge the unknown voice. He was met with an owl monster.

"Oh! I must have mistaken you for someone, my apologies!" She seemed squeamish.

"It is no issue ma'am—"Nightmare gave her a small bow—"I do have a question though."

"And I may have an answer!" She squaked, quite literally.

Nightmare internally smiled, "What is all of this for?" They waved their hand around them pointing out the obvious elephant in the room.

"It is the moon ball! We have one e'ry full orbit!"

Nightmare nodded, "For New Year's, correct?"

"Practically! Hopefully you enjoy the celebration, the leader is goin' to speak soon."

Of course they had a leader here, one less job for Nightmare.

"I can't wait."

Nightmare sat in a library. It was owned by Ms. Holiday Wormwood, the owl monster who they had met. She let them rest in there and they would read day and night.

Nightmare sat checking out a book. They heard a crash followed by a thud. They immediately dropped the book and checked out the issues, clutching their sword tightly.

They walked to the room where the noise came from and saw nothing. They were skeptical. Nightmare turned to walk out and alert Ms. Holiday but they noticed shifting in the corner of their eye. A dagger flew across the room landing in the wall, slightly grazing Nightmare's face. Small drips of purple blood fell from their face as they turned.

They were met with two skeleton monsters, one extremely larger than the other. The large one had a large crack in his skull while the smaller one wore a hood and shawl. After quick thinking Nightmare drew their sword.

"State your name and purpose..." Nightmare spoke.

The hooded one stared, "And why?" His voice was chilling and low, naturally ending with a purr.

"I do not desire a fight nor desire hurting you. Name and purpose."

"Dust, just checking the place out..."

Nightmare turned their sword to the larger monster.

"The big guy's Horror. He don' talk." Nightmare nodded and held their sword at their side.

And with the worst timing Ms. Holiday walked in. A loud hoot filled every corner of the room. Horror instinctively stepped in front of Dust to protect the former.

"Calm Ms. Wormwood. They are just checking out the place."

"That's...great, Moonlight..." Sweat gathered on her brow, "Don't you boys go makin' messes of the place." The three nodded in cacophony.

Dust has made himself comfy in Horror's sweater, Horror had his arm wrapped around Dust. It got quite cold in the night and the heater had stopped working. Nightmare shivered white sitting by himself, weary of their new roomies.

"There's room for ya if ya wanna stop bein' a priss..." Dust had insisted the line several times, Horror always responded with a nod.

"I apologize for not trusting people who broke into the library, barely talk about themselves, and who I've barely known. We met three weeks ago, you're lucky Ms. Wormwood is compassionate..." Nightmare mumbled the last part.

Dust grumbled, "Don' pick a fight wit' me kid."

Horror defensively placed his hands in the air, it was his non-verbal signage of wariness.

"Ya really lucky I like the big guy." Dust simmered and leaned back into Horror. Horror gestured for Nightmare to join them but Nightmare continued to decline.

Hour three, so damn cold. Nightmare shivered. Maybe caving into their temptations wasn't so bad. They scooted towards the now sleeping duo of Horror and Dust. Nightmare leaned into Horror's lonesome side and rested their head in his arm.

"So you aren't dumb?" Dust had awoken a few seconds earlier.

Nightmare jolted, "When did you wake?" Their embarrassment was faint in their voice.

"I'm very alert, ya doin' aight? Ain't lookin' too hot." Dust stated.

"I'm fine, just startled." Nightmare's nod was squeamish.

Dust returned a nod and nestled back in Horror's sweater. Nightmare copies feeling Horror tense. Horror pulled the two others close to him, it calmed him.

Dust's eyes shut, "I care about ya too big guy..."

It has been weeks, still no answers... These outsiders made themselves at home..? How does that work. It all confused him. They were accepted after all the things they've done. They weren't from here, why should they resign here?

With a glitched sigh the intruder lurked back into the shadows of the surrounding forest. It confused him to even think. He hopped into a tree and made it to his makeshift hammock. It was made of blue threads and seemed stable, on the hammock rested a photo of four people. The glitch, two other skeleton monsters, and a human with pink hair. On the photo was a note, written in red ink.

'Miss you!'

[snake-and-mouse]

fuck, marry, kill:

gram, black, yok from not me

Oh heeeeellll yeah Imma no scope this shit!!!! Easy money bitches easy money!!!!

Okay kill Gram, just feckin, no hesitation we puttin him down like a lame horse. Specifically if we are talking about Gram in the context of the entire show after they for whatever reason took toddblack out back behind the barn and shot it in the head and at the same time assassinated every positive aspect of Gram's character. That whole mess with Eugene was Not It babes, absolutely not.

Fuck Black. This should surprise no one. Anyone who was witness to my utter devolution into penis delirious when Black exited coma pursued by his brother's sex life and straight up bodied like every single person he came across, yall know how dark those days got and exactly how much I want to do the full WAP lyrics for that man. Fuck Black all day e'ry day.

And last but not least offff cooouuurrrrseees! OF COURSE. WE MARRY YOK??? WHO WOULDN'T MARRY YOK???? HE IS SO MARRIAGE MATERIAL!!!! THAT'S WHY IT TOOK DAN LIKE TWO SECONDS AND ONE BACKGROUND CHECK TO BE DOWN BAD FOR HIM???? Okay I'll cut it out with the caps lock but seriously, yall had to see that coming, Yok’s existence in general is one of the few reasons I have left for living so getting to permanently and legally be his partner in crime and also get unlimited access to First's hot bod? Hell to the fuck sign me up!

Okay that is all carry on I hope that absolute diatribe of incoherency was what you were hoping for

[chowtrolls]

Tell me the routine bru

"Hah, 'kay."

"Can't shower e'ery day. Routinely shower Tuesdays 'n Thursdays. Only brush hair when it's wet, Angs' helps wit dat. Uses a shower comb t' get out any loose hairs."

"Only really shampoo Tuesdays, only th' scalp. Gotta rotate it out, too! can't use th' same one fer months. it'll mess it up. Use 'bout half th' bottle, swap it out. Conditioner e'ry shower. Also rotate it- don't use matchin' products, but typically keep t' shea butter conditioners. I also use a dye conditioner fer m' bangs, use that whenever th' greys lookin' harsh. Kinda mixed that m'self?? Works alrightie, jus' gotta use a lil more creme."

"Air dry only, sometimes I wrap m' head up in a shirt or somthin'. Helps wick moisture. Used a diffuser once 'n hated it. Recently Angs 'n Lych started braidin' it 'fore bed, usually just tied it in' a bun 'n let fate take over...Hm, I got a shit ton'a fuckin' curl cremes 'n stuff. Also rotate that out! Usin' th' same product just makes it all gross. Change it out. Right now I'm usin' this jelly stuff that melts int' water, real nice smellin' too! Fer th' days I ain't washin', I refresh wit a lil spray I made. Warm water 'n a few different staple cremes. Wake up, get hair damp wit' spray, shake 'er out."

"Truly th' magic comes from shakin' it out."

[wjbs-aus]

Lyric-transcription below. For some reason, there's some stuff about Pokémon in there, at least 2 Doom references, and a brief mention of he/her pronouns!

[intro]

He was oy She was Earl They make any marries. He was unc' She did ey What oar can I say? He wore She'd ne'er Secret E1M-ish. All avenge Stackin' gauche They had auburn mis-mallows!

She was Gible, Dancin' nipple, He was earnin' for her! She had E-fae, Her head in space, Eating mmm-bah unto her!

Five years out GZDoom Eating AB Chardon. Her zombie Guess a cheese Get a pumpkin empty. Paws of 'Henge Oreo They've all kinky see-his. Detain hum Dancin' owl Looks an' they C-day out!

She was Gible, Dancin' nipple, He was earnin' for her! Now he's a star, Amanita, Jump in, she a her! She was Gible, Dancin' nipple, He was earnin' for her! Now he's a star, Amanita, Jump in, she a he/her!

[guitar solo]

Story open in me dowth, Light-hack there, ash me out We are udder-skier friends Let's see how the Dory ends! Too bad she O da E, T got that car B, E'ry ore that 'ts the I, D more that 'as an eye.

Pizza sigh I'm just Earl That make any 'arries. We are off Having 'eard How I key of the whir-eye!

I'm a Gible, DC nipple, I'll be bitch of the door! Be a Dio, Singing "we roar", How 'bout you stew? I'm a Gible, DC nipple, I'll be bitch of the door! Be a Dio, Singing "we roar", How 'bout you sto-ore?

"Sk8er Boi" with every second beat removed

[runnerbynight]

Saw the salary of the job I want in DC...

And I know what the rent is like there...

So now I'm following blogs about living out of a van bc that looks like a nice option

[smolgloves]

Saved by a Witcher

The swamps of Velen are typically a dangerous place for anyone. People go into the swamps but they never leave, which is usually because they get killed by drowners or water hags. While most would call it tragic, you couldn't help but be a little excited when a merchant wagon met its untimely fate. It was like finding hidden treasure outside your home! You knew you had to get to the most recent abandoned wagon. There could be extremely valuable things there! 

You traversed through the foul smelling swamp, your clothes getting caked in mud but you didn't mind so much, all your clothes were always dirty anyways. Maybe there would be better fabric on the wagon but you were really hoping there was better food on there because you grew sick of eating leaves and berries all day. One time, you looted a corpse that had bread, the best part was that it was still slightly warm! Just the thought of that made your mouth water! 

The smell of rotting flesh filled your nostrils as you got close to your destination. There you could see a wooden wagon toppled over on its side. A person laid beneath the wagon, his torso crushed by the weight of it but if that didn't kill him, then the drowners that gnawed on his face and neck probably did it in for him. Another corpse laid face down in the mud, dried blood stained his clothing, and the horse that drove the wagon laid on its side with its belly clawed open and its intestines exposed. You've grown used to seeing these sights all the time, but even you had to admit it was pretty gruesome to look at. Drowners were truly disgusting creatures and if it weren't for the easy loot they provided you wouldn't mind if they all just dropped dead on the spot! But you had to push those thoughts to the side, you came here for a reason and you weren't going to leave until you scavenged every bag and box in that wagon! 

Debris scattered across the ground, but you could see a couple bags resting in the flooded part of the marsh, the water would have gone up to your waist. Wet knickers isn't the most pleasant thing to deal with but if valuable things were hidden in those sacks then why would you pass up the opportunity! So you tread through the murky waters, your feet sunk a little in the mud with each step you took. 

Suddenly, a large wave shot upwards, knocking you back to the shore. You sat up, trying to find the source of that mysterious wave. Then your face grew pale when you saw a tall humanoid figure with scaley blue skin, it was a drowner! How could you be so stupid and forget about their ability to appear out of any body of water?! It peered down at you with it's vacant white eyes, you wasted no time to stumble to your feet and run. But the drowner let out a growl and charged after you and with quick reflexes it snatched you up in it's slimy hand. You thrashed and kicked with all your might, desperately trying to get away but it was futile. The drowner brought you up to its face and stared at you with a murderous hunger. Your heart pounded as you knew your fate was going to be sealed, you closed your eyes as it opened its mouth. 

Before you knew it, the drowner let out an agonizing screech and you felt yourself plummeting, then you smacked into something leathery and pressed firmly in place. You didn't dare move as you knew something bigger and probably more dangerous had you in its hand. 

"Hmm, a borrower?" You heard a gravelly male voice say. 

You shifted up in the now open palm and opened your eyes. A tall white haired man stared down at you with cat-like yellow eyes, a nasty scar ran down his left eye and onto his cheek. You felt the color in your face disappear when you noticed the two swords on his back. He was a witcher! 

You screamed and tried to scramble out of his hands, you heard stories about witchers hunting down borrowers to use their bones to make potions! You had a better chance facing the drowner.

"Whoa now!" He said as he waved in free hand in the air. A white symbol in the shape of a triangle appeared above you, suddenly, your mind felt foggy, but in a calming sense, you didn't feel like trying to get away anymore. 

"Now, why don't you answer a few questions before the axii spell wears off?" 

You had no choice but to nod.

"Why is a borrower living out in a swamp, I thought your kind usually hides in the walls of a human's house?" 

"Most humans don't like us borrowers in their homes. Says we're thievin' cunts, but we'res just trying to survive like e'ry one else!" You explained. 

"So you live out here and loot from bodies that drowners have killed." The witcher remarked. "Gotta say, that's not a bad strategy." 

"Drowners are simple creatures to deal with, they don't go looking for us so long as we lay low. But a whoreson will kill ya for some scraps they weren't even gonna give to their mutts!" 

"Not surprising." 

The effects of the spell were slowly wearing off, and anxiety began creeping up on you. "So… what are you going to do with me?" 

"Good question. My work isn't really free." 

You nervously gulped. "Please Mr. Witcher, I'll do any'ting' so long as you don't grind my bones into a potion." 

The witcher raised his eyebrow. "Relax, there's not a potion that calls for borrower bones."  

"So do witchers not kill borrowers?" 

"Not unless you pose a threat, but I don't think I should be scared of someone that's smaller than my…." The witcher stopped. "But your size may be useful." 

"What is it?" 

"There's a tower on an island nearby that I was investigating, I stumbled upon an entrance I couldn't get into, but I think you're small enough to get underneath the door." 

"I hope you're not referring to Fyke island." 

"So you've heard of the rumors too." 

"That place is haunted!" You shouted. "Please tell me there's another way to repay you." 

"Not unless you have a secret stash of coins in one of these trees nearby." He suggested.

"I don't." You sighed. "I guess I have no choice, fine I'll help you." 

The witcher nodded and strolled off into the direction of the isle. "Don't worry, you'll be safe with me." 

"What's your name anyways?" You asked. "I never caught that."

"Geralt of Rivia." 

[dontasktheradiodemon]

Gardens #2 (1/6/2021)

Click here if you’re like “What the heck is this about?”

Two chats today because I forgot to post one yesterday!

Angel @sluttyspiderpolkacock catches up with Madame @usedhearts after his abrupt arrival from Hell. He talks to her about his hopes to get away from Valentino and she offers support.

Madame

The gardens had drawn her away from the beach-- as much as she loved the sea, she missed this. She missed life, growing and sprawling, curated into beauty.

Madame sat at the fountain, her tentacles trailing in the water as she admired the plants. It was different from how she remembered Earth's flora, but it was flora all the same, and she loved it.

She adjusted her top, still in her bikini but with an added sarong around her hips, and leaned to smell a flower. "It's so lovely here," She muttered to herself.

Angel

" Big Mama, ya up here, too? " It was easy to see her, towering over the bushes and gracing the flowering vines from the trees, despite being seated. Angel's own willowy form almost could've passed for a foxtail.

He wove through her tentacles to come see her. " Valera's e'ry bit the butterfly, ain't they? " Arms in a welcoming spread, he flashed her a bright smile. " It's good t' see ya ~ "

Madame

Her head turned when she heard him and her face brightened into a beaming smile.

"Oh, Angel, darlin'! I'm so glad t' see ya, c'mere 'n give Mama a hug." A tentacle caught him around the waist to pull him into her arms, too excited to let him walk the rest of the way to her. She wrapped her arms around him and smooched the side of his face.

"Thought you'd be at that shindig with Big V. How'd you sneak away, sweetheart?" She held his face gently in one hand, gently stroking his cheek with her thumb.

Angel

Angel smiled sweetly, giddy and the smallest bit shy with her affections but welcoming them with a tight hug in all his arms.

" I just got m'self a lil break, no biggie! They'll survive wit'out me just fine! They got Babygirl Paps an' the fluff girls takin' care a e'ryone. It's time the newbies got a chance t' shine, don't'cha think? "

His smile grew wide with an affectionate lean of his cheek. She was hitting JUST the spot and he was becoming PUTTY in her hands.

Madame

"Yeah, suppose yer right about that-- them new girls gotta learn sometime!" She laughed, taking one of Angel's hands and gently guiding him to sit next to her.

"Well, c'mon then, take a seat, get off ya gams, and tell me everythin'. How're ya, shug? How ya been likin' this whole palace we got to explore? Pretty schnazzy if ya ask me." She winked and very, very gently poked him with her elbow-- didn't want to hurt him, after all.

Angel

He almost fell off balance as her hand left his cheek and led him to his seat.

" I ain't seen e'rythin', but it's pretty fuckin' nice, " he said simply with a dip of his fingers into the fountain ( for no particular reason whatsoever ) , " I been workin' my ass into the ground all season. Everyday a huge fuckin' clusterfuck a shoots an' appointments... " Angel gave a roll of all his eyes as he mocked the tone of Valentino's voice.

" _Gotta churn out that fresh content, Angel Cakes ~ Camera ain't gonna eye - fuck itself, Angie Baby ~ If I don't see a chicken supreme in my office in five I'm gonna throw a BITCH FIT... SUMMER._ 'Cause y'know, he don't like me doin' the food runs. "

Madame

Her eyes roll at the Valentino impression. Yeah, that sounded like him. Madame shook her head, her large hand wrapping around Angel, rubbing his back.

"Course he don't want ya doin' the food runs-- fuckin' idiot thinks if he starves his workers, they'll look better when all it really does is make 'em give subpar work. How ya gonna entertain a John if ya really wanna just eat his burger insteada his dick?" She laughed, her head shaking again.

"Angel, darlin', he ever send ya out ta run an errand, come to me 'n I'll get a meal in ya. My babes ain't gonna starve on my watch-- can't rightly let 'em, breaks my poor Southern heart." She looked off into the distance and closed her eyes, wiping away a pretend tear.

Angel

Angel giggled and covered his mouth with a sly aversion of his eyes. " Y'know... sometimes dick be temptin'... " A snort, and his arms wildly fanned.

" I didn' even GAIN THAT MUCH! " he continued, " I ain't e'en said nothin' about livin' up the hotel and downin' everythin' Alastor whips like a fuckin, GARBAGE DISPOSAL, NO! I just go to Cherri's, post ONE picture, ONE TIME, of the CUTEST FUCKIN' DONUT...! "

Oh he was full on venting, now. He held up a finger and dug through his fluff a hot second. " An' he sends me THIS! " There he had it, The Book. " What kin'a palooka e'en uses these anymore?? Ya THINK he'd fuckin', hire a nutritionist or some shit who moonlights as a hitman, or some shit. He HAS the FUCKIN' MONEY! I KNOW! 'CAUSE I'M OUT THERE MAKIN' IT FA 'IM! "

He then collapsed into Madame's chest, still muttering but full tuckered out, arms limp. " _I'ma fuckin' kill 'im..._ " **Did he say that out loud?**

Madame

Madame listened to everything, watched every flail of arms, intently. Poor boy. It was a tough gig, being Valentino's prized pet. She honestly thought she'd taught him better, but he was always on about how he already knew the business, knew how to handle people. Obvsiously not, with how Angel was going on.

Her arms wrap around him when he falls forward-- a chest this big had many uses, pillows being one of the best in her opinion. Madame gathered him close, going so far as to pick him up and cradle him against her chest.

"Aww, honeybunch. I know just how ya feelin'. Valentino....well, he's an asshole. Head so far up his ass he eatin' his own shit fer breakfast." She shook her head, rocking Angel a bit, like one would a child who'd had a nightmare. She hums softly, an old lullaby her mother used to sing, way back when. She kept that up for a few moments before falling silent. The silence hung between them before she spoke, voice low.

"If'in you did kill him, I wouldn't blame ya, honey. There'd be no love lost between me'n him. I'd support ya claim to that throne, if'n you wanted it. In Hell, ya learn ta balance the cruelty with the kindness, and if ya can't find that balance, well, then, ya deserve to reap what ya sow. And Valentino's sewn a whole lotta hate down there. Karma's a bitch, even for the dead, and all I'd say would be 'good riddance'. You deserve so much more'n him, 'n so much more'n he gives ya. Yer the star and you deserve to be treated like one."

A tentacle scooted under his chin, tilting his head up so she could look at his face.

"You remember Mama's in ya corner, alright, Angel? I'm rootin' for ya. And my arms and doors're always open for ya."

Angel

His eyes blew wide and cornerless, staring not at Madame but at a far off, intangible point behind her. It never really occured to him just how impactful erasing Valentino's existence from Hell would _be._ All he found himself stuck on was getting it _done,_ losing himself in the possession of madness and the mindsets of cornered prey whenever he acted.

Angel didn't want to inherit the empire. Having the responsibility of so many souls under his care wasn't something he ever thought suited him. Protecting his peers on the streets was one thing, so was taking demons of all walks of life temporarily under his wing until they could fly on their own. _Management_ was another. Keeping souls in _line_ was another. He always thought himself the soldier, the weapon, the right hand, the poster boy of the wall supporting his image. An _Overlord_ of his own right...? The closest he'd come to it was before he partnered with him, fresh into demonhood, throwing his power and whims wherever he wished...

_But claiming Valentino's head would **do** that to him, wouldn't it?_ He'd inherit his power, his enemies, new enemies out of his allies... Angel's head began to spin. This was the nature of Hell. _Endless tiers of suffering._ All he wanted was his freedom... _How much was too high a price to pay...?_ He'd be fighting Valentino's battles _long_ after he was gone...

" That was, uh... " he said in an uncharacteristically small voice, " ... a fig're a speech... He's good t' me... really... " Angel bit his lip, eyes meeting her now that he'd processed all she had to say to him. Madame and Valentino sure had _history..._ and if Angel learned anything from his partnership with him... _it must've ROTTED to the very CORE._ They had this in common and he could feel it in her voice.

He trusted her. He knew he could. But maybe he didn't have to use it... not QUITE yet...

A warm, genuine smile bloomed over his face and he took her hands. " I will, " he promised with a binding kiss between her aligned pointer fingers, " Ya have my word, I love ya club an' what'cha doin' wit' it... I'll... " _Meet you in the middle._ " I'll... come aroun' some more. Maybe a performance or two would make 'im nervous enough t' give me next holiday off, ah? "

Angel laughed, knowing that chance was slimmer than his waistline after routine removals of his floating ribs. It _would_ be _nice_ not to have to work Valentine's Day...

" Thanks... fa hearin' me out... " he said sweetly, subtly off the edge of a choke, " The grind don't stop, an' it gets pretty fuckin'... MUCH... "

Madame

"That's right, baby, the grind don't stop, but Mama's here for you." Her tentacles moved around, and she used them to cradle Angel instead of her arms, freeing them up to hold one of his set of hands.

"Now, you listen to Mama, alright? I know Big V better'n anyone around. Raised him in Hell myself, and he shames me every day, the way he acts. I know his temper, his vices, I know it all, Angel. And darlin'? He ain't never treated no one right since the moment he landed ass over tea kettle in Hell. Probably long 'fore that too, considerin' he landed in Hell in the first place. I know the sorts a things he tries to pull..."

She took a deep breath, and leaned down, her tentacles lifting Angel higher. She pressed her forehead to his, and took his face in her hands, her voice lowering as her throat tightened.

"Next time he tries anythin'-- _anythin' at all_-- you come to me, Angel. I know yer a big boy, I know you can handle yerself, but it breaks my heart to know you're there with him, every day. It honestly truly does. Bein' Val's favorite is a hard life, or unlife, I suppose, but just know Mama's got ya back. I'd sooner slap that grin off his face and grind that stupid hat a his inta the dust than see ya hurtin' cause a him. I know it can be hard to accept help, but I do want ya ta know that it's there, if'n ya need to accept it, alright?"

She sniffled as she straightened up, using both her hands and tentacles to hold him close. "You're my boy, Angel, I love ya like my own. We ain't blood, but what's blood ever done for anyone? We better'n blood, we're family, got it?"

Angel

_Oh the tears._ They were coming. She already knew what he was keeping safely lodged in his throat. It saved him from having to admit ANYTHING while making it crystal clear to him that she had just what he needed, and was willing to give it to him.

But for NOTHING in return...? Angel closed his eyes and nuzzled into her forehead as the tears beaded off the long length of his lashes. Behind his eyes were the memories branded into his skull, words insisting that there was no such THING as the sentiments he found himself faced with. _With every sanction, there was a CATCH. With every favor, a FEE to be repaid twice over._

He fought them with the help of her every word.

" G... got it, " he choked, " I got it. I won't let'cha down... " A small sniffle. Angel's emotions flowed, but they were soothed and much more contained than they were when he was alone. It was becoming clearer and clearer now that he was in the company of trust.

He found traction in her tentacles and allowed her to support him, the tight pressure of the coils feeling more like safety than constriction. Perhaps, he really could survive post extermination Hell...

" I, uh... " Angel swallowed thickly. " ... Blew the top floor window... b'fore I took off... I dunno if any angels got in, but... he 'ad t' deal wit' 'em... "

Madame

She lifted a hand to wipe away a couple tears before they could fall-- she was wearing waterproof make up, as she always did, thank fuck. Madame pressed a kiss to his forehead, and held him.

Until he said that. She blinked and looked down at him, shock clear on her face for the moment or two it took her to process what he said. And then she burst out laughing. Her entire body shook with it, loud cackles that rose into the air.

"Oh fuck, oh god, Angel! Baby, you're a fuckin' riot! Did ya really? Just broke through the damn window? Damn, shug, ya know how ta make an exit!" She laughed again, Angel pressed against her chest.

"Oh, honey, ya ain't hurt, are ya? No scratches, gashes? I mean, ya looked tip top when ya walked up, but that fur a yours hides a lot. Anything ya need Mama ta look at?"

Angel

He chuckled sheepishly with a comical bump along the waves of her laughter. Despite how afraid he initially was to return, it must've been HILARIOUS from Madame's point of view. It eased him some.

" Nah, nah! I'm fine! I think...? Uh... " Angel did a quick survey of himself. Valera might've brushed out the last of the glass from his fluff already. Enough of the alcohol wore off for him to have felt any stinging by now ( he was PRETTY sure. )

" Yeah! I think I'm good, thanks ~ " he assured, " I take color real easy so if I'm bleedin' , it SHOWS. BRIGHT an' hot pink ~ " He took a little too much pride in that.

Madame

"Oh, fancy Mister Pink Blood over here," She said, still giggling a bit. "Mine's blue, if'n you were wonderin'."

Madame took a deep breath, rocking him in her arms again, just on instinct.

"God, I'd pay a million bucks ta have seen the look on Valentino's face when ya did that. Serves him right. An Angel lead the angels to him!" She started laughing again, devolving into softer giggles after a few moments.

"How's everthin' else, though? Ya feelin' alright? Ya body's fine, but wanna make sure my boy's doin' good."

Angel

" It shows up pretty in pictures, is all ~ " he said casually, " Bloodplay photosets always turn out real good. " He then casually reclined along a tentacle and drew idle circles in the fountain to watch the calming ripples.

" Think... e'rythin's ok... " he mused, " Just really needed not t' work the Extermination pa'ty an' just... chill out some. " He scrutinized his own reflection in the water for clues. Not much else came to his mind from the massive shadow his immediate issues casted over them.

Madame

"Alright, if that's it...." She trailed off, two of her tentacles peeling off to plop into the fountain as she leaned back.

"Y'know I hadn't even seen the ocean since I was a young'n? Hadn't swam in it fer longer'n that, too. I'm....so thankful to Valera fer invitin' me. Not only do I get to not worry about the Extermination-- at least as much, but I get to enjoy somethin' I missed fer so, so long."

She gave Angel a squeeze. "And now my boy's here'n safe 'n sound. Nothin' better to relax an ol' ladies' heart."

Madame smiled down at him. "Everythin' will be fine, Angel. We may be in Hell mosta the time, but this right here?" She gestured to the plants around them. "This all is proof that we ain't always there. Even in our hearts'n minds, when we there physically, we aren't always in Hell. There's a sayin': Hell is other people. But I think Heaven can be, too. If ya got the right people around..."

Angel

Angel wrinkled his nose. " Heaven's a load a bullshit. All of it, " he said cynically, " Ya condemned, ya condemned. Ain't no POINT in tryn'a make nice wit' the fuckin' feathery DOUCHEBAG brigade lookin' t' ERASE US e'ery fuckin' YEAR. " The words came from his gut. He wasn't hiding any hidden hopes or dreams. " Ya really think a place that commits annual fuckin' genocide a sinner's where it's at? A thing to LOOK FOR IN PEOPLE? It's a fuckin' fairytail, the fuckin' shit they tell us t' be believin' about Heaven, _**Mamina...**_ "

The last endearment rolled off his tongue like a plea. _ Don't try t' sell me anythin' I'm never gonna have..._ " Ya know I fuckin' - RAN, from the party. I ran from the fuckin' studio too. Hotel ain't gonna save me wit' their redemption prayers. Just... gonna put a lil' pause on the sufferin' awhile. Like 'ere. It's just a break. After this, it's Hellhole Sweet Hellhole all over again 'til the next time we're at our wit's en'. That's all there is, that's I got. " Angel sat up from his recline so he could look Madame in the face. " ... E'en if I got you. I don't mean it like anythin' ya do don't matter, but... y'know... " He sprawled his hands defeatedly as his words failed him, and his face fell into a bittersweet anguish. It seemed some things were completely beyond even his imagination.

Madame

Her face only softened as he spoke, and her heart ached for him. Oh, this poor thing, tossed about by life and then by Hell, it was no wonder to her that he was so cynical.

"Angel, darlin'," She said, after he finished his rant, her hands moving to ever so gently hold his face between them. Madame let out a long, slow sigh, staring into his eyes with the sweetest, most motherly expression she could.

"Call me an optimist, but I'd like to think that livin' over a century in Hell has taught me one thing: even Hell can have some sweetness. Sure, we all sinners'n demons down here-- or there, but that don't mean there ain't still decent folk who'd treat ya right down there. That Princess for one, she's a good egg, startin' up that Hotel may not get the results she's lookin' for, but it can help. She wants to change things, and I don't blame her.

"Hell is Hell, it's true. Heaven ain't no picnic either, but I think ya missed my point, shug-- When I say that Heaven can be other people, I ain't meanin' the feathery bastards that come down ta kill us every year, or even the fuckin' cunts that live up in them clouds and send 'em down. I'm meanin' the _concept_ what ya learned in Sunday school. What Heaven is _supposed_ to be. It's supposed to be a place where ya surrounded by people that love you and that ya love too. And if we can find those kinds of people, even in Hell? Well, that's a bit of a miracle in my books.

"So no, Hell ain't never gonna be Heaven and thank fuck fer that, cause I think Heaven's prolly borin' as shit compared to the fun we can have in Hell. I'd rather run a cabaret in Hell than lay around bored as sin in Heaven any day. But what I'm tryin' to say is that, if ya got good people around ya, then things'll get better. Hell, honestly, ain't been no different from life up above, fer me. Ya gotta make the most of what ya got, honeybunch."

She pressed a kiss to his face, her lips covering half of it when she did. "That make sense, darlin'?"

Angel

" Yeah. Total sense. " Angel deadpanned into the rosebush behind her. " First rule t' makin' it in Hell's bein' an Overlord or the fuckin' Princess, " he replied caustically. It didn't seem like she was going to understand or stop lecturing until he relented one way or another. But if Madame was Hell bent on teaching him something, he had to let her know he wasn't a CHILD that could be sold far off dreams when he was preoccupied with spending his every waking moment surviving the present.

" I _know_ there's sweetness in Hell. Dealin' sugar's my JOB. Makin' the most outta the scrap I got doesn't give me time ta KID. " He got up and started pacing the pavement, cigarette in his teeth and a light in his claws. " First thin's first, get outta Big V's horseshit. If it don't kill me, THEN I can see what I can do about gettin' a fuckin' life preached to me by a sister who fuckin' rapped my ass every Sunday. " A puff of red hearts whisked into the sky. He couldn't bring himself to buy a thing she said past offering to help him if he needed a place to be. The crystal clear promise of security was the only thing that made sense to him and as he was, he had no place for faith.

Madame

Her expression didn't change, even when Angel got up and started pacing. It was alright-- he wasn't ready, in his heart, to hear what she said, and that was okay.

"It's good to have priorities, shug. Glad ya got that shit figured out. I don't mean to preach, just speakin' my own truth, Angel. If ya don't wanna hear it, well, then, I'll shut my yapper 'n we can just enjoy the respite we get here, yeah?" She took a deep breath and swirled a hand through the water.

"Just want ya t'be happy, sweetheart. Like any Mama would. Just cause we in Hell doesn't change my heart."

Angel

" I appreciate what ya sayin', Big Mama, " he sighed through curls of crimson escaping from the valleys of pointed teeth, " It just ain' it fa me. I 'ad to lie, scrap, and _fuck_ m'way to where I am now. I don't... _got_ the means t' be thinkin' a what it'd be like to not have to. I don't 'ave the POWER - I mean, maybe, I _USED TO,_ but... "

Angel looked around. He couldn't imagine littering the pristine garden with his ash, so he kept the butt on hand. " ... I gave it away. Fa this. Fa... " _He could say this to her, right?_ " ... Fa HIM. Before... it all got to 'is head an' before I knew it, I wasn' it anymore. He was chasin' more an' more power, the kind I gave up. So it's gonna... _TAKE..._ s'more lyin', fuckin', an' scrappin' before I get anywhere else. Until he could look me in the fuckin' eye an' SEE... how BAD. He fucked. Up. "

Madame

She nodded along with him, knowing those words well, knowing that feeling. "I getcha, baby, I getcha. Don't need to explain none to me about shit like that. I understand, babydoll, I do."

Madame reached over, gently taking his hand in hers, drawing him back to sit next to her again. "Ya got a smoke ta spare, Angel? Mama's got a cravin'."

She let out a sigh, and glanced out over the garden. "If'n ya need to talk about it though, I'll listen, Angel. No one'd understand better'n me, yeah? I know Vee better'n anyone cept maybe you 'n possibly the other two Vees. So ya need to vent? Just rant ya head off? I can listen. I know how much that can help sometimes."

Angel

" That - ... That's it, " he said calmly, starting to feel more comfortable in the stimulants soothing his system, " Ye... yeah, I... " Angel procured his case and flipped it open for her to browse, allowing his head to lean against her shoulder. The light off the pink crystal seqins sparkled in the water.

" He's... gonna pay. An' I'm gonna collect. That's all I got an' all that matters. Until I do that, ain't nothin' in the shithole that's gonna be up fa my takin'. " He put out his cigarette on the empty side of the case and fixed himself another. That could do for now. " _C'est la CAZZO vie._ "

Madame

Madame looked over his selection and took one. She waited until he lit his next and leaned in to light hers off it. She took a long drag, blowing the smoke out-- no shapes like Valentino's, just a cloud, the way she preferred it.

"Sure is, Angel, sure is. I'll be there ta have ya back, though." She ruffled his hair affectionately. "Mama's in ya corner, and don't forget it."

Angel

_That_ was the reassurance he needed, something concrete he could trust in. " Never, " he affirmed sternly as if his voice wrote a contract in the smoke, " I got that, ain't much I couldn't do. " Snapping the case closed, he lounged against her and looked up into the sky, redless save for the dissipating shapes they blew. For the moment, he really felt like he'd be ok.

Madame

Her hand moved to the back of his head, giving him some gentle scritches as she held him close.

"Got any ideas fer an act ya'd wanna do at the cabaret? Anythin' ya wanna do that ya hadn't got to before?"

Angel

" Zorita 'ad some shit goin' on, " he said immediately through brightened eyes, " Dunno if I could really pull it OFF, but the SHOWS were real fuckin'... _choice ~_ "

His arms then got animated, slicing and molding the air around his thoughts as he brainstormed.

" I got chances to try a lotta thin's, but only the one time it'd take fa Big V t' decide it wasn't worth gettin' me into when the pole was just as good an easier t' maintain. If I got back to anythin'... I think I'd wanna do the ring... "

Madame

"The ring, eh?" She smirked, giving a nod. "That's a fun one, fer sure. What about the ribbons? He ever let ya do those? The things soma the girls can do...."

Angel

" Ribbons? The ones on the sticks? " He racked his head through the years. " Huh... no... I don't think so... Unless the prop's somethin' I'm wearin' an' can throw, he thought it a waste a time. I tried t' pitch 'im the idea a dancin' wit' 'em in nude if I could keep a trailin' ribbon over my junk the whole time, but he didn' believe me, " he explained, snickering, " I could TOTALLY pull it off if he gave me the time! _His loss ~_ "

Madame

"No, no, the ones hangin' from the ceilin'! It's like the ring but, y'know, big ol' ribbons a cloth. Some circus level shit, but damn, if it ain't pretty." She laughed, shrugging.

"Think ya'd look real pretty danglin' up high from all a them."

Angel

He blew a raspberry, a storm of popping hearts spraying over the fountain. _Can't take that image back NOW -_

" Oh, silks, yeah, I TOTALLY knew what ya were talkin' about, " he said between giggles, " Yeah, I done those once or twice. It came pretty easy, I dunno, an' it was lotta fun, but y'know Big V... "

Angel then put a pair of free hands to his head to mimic feelers. " _They wanna see ya ASS, Angel Cakes,_ " he mocked.

Madame

Madame laughed, shaking her head. "Fuck, ya got that down, don'tcha?" She shrugged.

"Valentino's always been shortsighted about these things. If ya _always_ give em what they want, then there ain't no reason fer them to be tantalized! Can't give 'em all a it up front, ya gotta _tease~_" She gave her chest a little shake and winked at Angel.

"But acourse you know what I'm talkin' 'bout, don'tcha, Angel?"

Angel

" Probably more than HE DOES, " he joked with a mirroring preen of his own chest, " He's all about that fast money, but he ain't got NO. IDEA. How far ya can stretch the bucks. LEMME TELL YA! "

Angel excitedly straddled the edge of the fountain to face her. " The LONGER ya can edge a John, the more he's gonna give ya. Physically, emotionally, all of it. Big V deadass for - fuckin' - GOT that there's more t' hustlin' than _wham, bam, thank you ma'am_ - 'in it out. Time he trade in those goofy fuckin 'eart shades fa dollar signs, ya'd THINK! "

Madame

"Oh, I know, honeybunch, I _know_. It's all about the tease! All about the tantalizin'. Give 'em just enough to keep 'em comin' back fer more 'n more!" She laughed, winking at him.

"Big V's lost sight a that, he's too preoccupied with shittin' out content fer Vox that he fergot the biggest money maker in th' game." Her smile turned sly as she looked at Angel.

"But I never fergot that. That's why I lasted this long, and why I'll keep lastin'."

Angel

" Time's up, ah? He sells fuckin' Voot Floops fa $666 an they taste like FUCKIN' ASS! I WOULD KNOW! " he joked as he toyed with his case, " Ain't nothin' in 'em either, just THE emptiest shit there is t' be eatin'. Fa like a week? Month? Fuck I know, but it was all we 'ad in the studio breakroom an' I swear ta FUCK I always en'ed up HUNGRIER than before I ATE 'EM. "

He then opened up his case and started rolling some more cigarettes. " Wonder when someone's gonna tell 'im his new boyfrien's fuckin' _STUPID..._ " A sly smile. " He ain't got nothin' on ya, yeah? Could _you_ get away with it? " Angel chuckled, " Not too 'arshly, though! I ain't about t' be feelin' bad fa his new squeeze... unless... _he's got a cravin' fa spider..._ "

Madame

She snorted. "I _could_ but don't mean I _would_. I ain't about ta stir that pot like that-- besides, ya _know_ I'm a good ol' Southern Lady, and we have better ways a sayin' shit like that ta the point were people ain't even know we talkin' shit."

She placed a hand on her chest and batted her lashes. Madame deepened her accent as she spoke again. "Well bless yer heart! I ain't ever seen a bug quite as cute! Yer as adorable as a bee's wing!" She started laughing.

Angel

Angel echoed her laughter with intermittent snorts. " Ain't no gay bitches got time fa that. Our petty, impatient asses WANT ya knowin' when we're takin' ya fa a DRAG, " he joked with a wink. _Pun intended._

" That's the master plan, though ~ " he sang with a quick drag of his tongue over the end of a fresh cigarette before slipping it into the case, " Fuck 'im. Fuck 'is boyfriend. THEN fuck over 'is whole ass life. Shit ~ "

Madame

"Sounds like a plan, shug. Sounds like a plan, indeed." She chuckled. "Just know I can't take _direct_ action in ruinin' Big V's shit. I'll support ya, but I can't get involved with my own tentacles-- plus, I mean, Val'd smell that a mile off, so's best I keep to the background, fer all our sakes. It he breaks our deal first, then I'd have free reign to help ya more directly, though."

Angel

" Yeah yeah, ya don't gotta, " he assured, " I ain't plannin' on involvin' or takin' no one down wit' me. Promise. No one better take this from me, either, but... What, kin'a deal ya got goin' wit' 'im? "

Madame

"Ain't nothin' fancy, basic sorta non-interference thing. I don't mess with his business directly, he don't mess with mine. Mostly keeps us outta each other's hair-- but poachin' talent is fair game, which is why I can offer ya protection 'n such." She smirked and winked again.

Angel

" _Nice_ loopholin' ~ " he sang, " No wonder ya been sittin' pretty all this time, Big Mama. Save a spot fa me an' I'll be the prettiest throne candy anyone's e'er seen ~ "

Madame

"Deal Makers gotta get those loops on lock, baby boy, and I wouldn'ta lasted this long if I weren't a damn good Deal Maker." She giggled again.

"Ever since ya started up with Big V, I had a spot primed 'n ready for ya. Knew ya were a star, baby."

Angel

" HA! " Angel gave a short, small burst of slightly embarassed laughter. " Spotlight's where I belong, Mama ~ Chargin' me rent in m'own house oughta be a _crime ~_ "

Madame

"Ain't that true, babe, ain't it true!" She laughed again. "Ya belong in it."