#already got an idea to give them eyes similar to that of eagles

[huevobuevo]

Still thinking about that post talking about more alien-looking time lords like gehehehehehehehhee I’m on it babes <333

[3point14a]

what is leon's animal?? also what's his deal?? im curious what y'all did with him :D

:O thanks for being interestedddd!!!! Ummmmmm first of all as always I always get over exited and jump the gun about new stuff we have that is subject to change so like. This IS subject to change LMAO. 

We are shaking the villains like maracas as we figure out the magic system and what their evil plan even is!!!

With that outta the way: Leon is an inland taipan!! which is an INSANELY venomous snake. You miiight notice he doesn't have fangs, and that's precisely because he’s venomous, for safety they took his fangs off. All animals that are THAT venomous have that done once they hit a certain age. It's not something super strange to see, scorpions can’t have their stingers cut off cause they will grow back but they CAN have the venom gland removed. Owynn still has venom because it’s not actually dangerous at all and is more akin to a bee sting. So that sucks for him lmao

In this au reptiles have long ears, which this guy doesn’t have, and i’ll get to that in a sec.

But first of all, how did we extrapolate any character at all from just a design? Uhm well first we just wanted Town and Eak to have more friends because they have Cami, eachother (does not count cause they’re dating), and like no one else???? So yeah they need more connections so we gave them another little friend.

Then given that we had nothing to work with we did the good old trusty technique of tying him to other characters (like we did with the salvaged). Made him sort of match with what we already had of Eak and Cami, and we also made every villain parallel one animatronic: Eak with chica, owynn with bonnie, Fox with Cami, Freddy with Town, AND Leon with Golden (sorry for the Fred exclusion but honestly they have enough on their plate ALREADY). These connections are not concrete, but it's what we're working with right now.

We made Leon also come from a family of musicians that are neglectful and who care a lot about public image. As the son of musicians he was expected to follow through and he only ever really got attention when he showcased that he was good at music, otherwise it’s just “don’t bother me kid.” His family is not nearly as well known as the Belmontes (Golden and Joys family), so he doesn’t get as harassed about it, but he wants them to be more well known and bring their name up through following their legacy with music, given that it’s all they seem to even care about. 

When they were little he and Eak got into a real bad fight, which sparked from them being sad little kids dealing with their own issues with their own families, they start insulting each other and it escalates to just an actual legit fight. They are kids and they don’t really know how to control themselves or their strengths, Eak is an EAGLE who has very sharp talons, so Leon gets a bunch of cuts (a lot to his ears) and Eak gets his leg messed up (Leon did NOT bite since he’s super venomous and doesn't have teeth out yet. But the other way snakes fight is wrapping around limbs and squeezing so he did that).

Fight is over, neither of them are like dead or anything apparently super serious, Eak ends up with a limp and a leg that sort of just hurts permanently and is annoying. But Leon… Ends up a bit worse…

Given how cold his parents are and how insistent they are that their time is valuable and to not bother them with anything that doesn’t pertain to “important” stuff, Leon did not ask them to help, and instead just actively hid that he was injured at all and tried to handle shit on his own. The blood and the dirt on the inside of his ear caused an infection. Said infection affected both the outer parts of his ears, which caused them to get cropped, and his actual eardrums, which made him deaf. 

That idea came from Leon supposedly being an Owynn replacement, so we wanted to give them something relatively similar. Owynn’s eyes can look like common eyes despite the fact that the more they shrink the less he sees, and Leon’s ears getting clipped makes them look like the most common type of ear in this world (both arthropods and some mammals have them) but they were clipped due to the infection that also made him go deaf. 

Just as Cami carries the guilt and fear of having permanently scarred Eak without much effort, Eak carries the guilt of taking something so monumentally big away from Leon, while the latter at least had the self control to not bite him. While Eak can’t possibly hide his scar from Cami, Leon tries to hide all his scars from Eak, hence the undershirt thing and the hair over his eye and ears.

Then there’s another popular thought about Leon which is that he was who Eak was referring to when he told Town “I don’t plan on losing two friends”. Which we translated to “god please can people tell Eak when stuff is wrong or he’s going to explode” 

Eak’s friend group is Cami, Leon and Town. Cami just doesn’t talk about anything, Leon’s refusal to ask for help lost him his hearing, Town was, in Eak’s head, the one honest person in the group.

And he 's not! We made Town be a germaphobe who is really fixated on “being a good person” thinking of other people as “dirty” is something an awful person would do, refusing to hold hands with your boyfriend is something an awful person would do, thinking helpless small animals are horribly gross is what an awful person would think. So he just acts how he thinks he should! He constantly does things that make him insanely uncomfortable without telling anyone that they make him uncomfortable at all. The one thing he does do is be a vegan, which he can’t be given that he’s a lion. But he thinks vegetables and plants are a lot easier to monitor and clean than meat can be, and thus he is just constantly weak and unhealthy, and feeling unhealthy feeds his idea that he’s getting sick from other stuff, so it’s just never ending.

Once Eak finds that out, that’s when he tells Town to shut the hell up and tell literally anyone he has a problem. Someone close to him already lost so much because he thought he could handle himself, because he didn’t want to bother people. And that’s exactly what Town has been doing for years, not telling anyone he has a problem and handling himself to not bother other people and to not be “a bad person”. He can’t watch 2 people close to him neglect their needs and end up self-destructing. He can't lose another friend.

With that out of the way, what the hell is his deal? Well we wanted the villains to be like, a proper group of villains right? And with that and fucking around with the magic system (still,,,,,,,hard,,,,, help,,,) and we needed motives. Cami wants to “tame” people and control them and stuff, with that theme of control we have assigned her “tempo”  haha tempo controls everything, music reference. “Music moved this world” and whatnot. magic system. music. We don't have anything even remotely that specific for the other 4 because magic system hard BUT the gist of it is: Owynn wants a shadow in his head (dont even worry about it), Town wants to be a good person, Eak wants to bring people together, Leon wants recognition. 

Once he went deaf instead of using him like how golden’s family exploits them, Leon’s family just sort of stopped caring for him. Despite that he has hearing aids and that you can totally do music when you are deaf, they just decided he couldn’t and that he wouldn’t. In opposition to Golden’s arc of breaking free, Leon wants to go back in there. He wants his parents to give a shit about him and to be able to be recognized as “the child of the musicians” instead of just a guy who looks kinda funny, to be recognized by his last name and bring more to his family as a whole even though they already gave up on him. This is also why he got his snake bites (lol) piercings, to see if they noticed or if they even scolded him (they didn’t).

That’s pretty much all we got of him for now which are all subject to change, but i'm pretty happy with how they are as of right now! Some extra stuff that i didn’t know how to fit:

We were never big fans of making Eak short since he’s an eagle and all, but we can have our cake and eat it by making Eak tall objectively, but be the shortest out of the villains! tall freaks lol <3 we drew Eak in a rough height chart we have and he was average height but compared to cami he looked miniscule. So bumping him up makes the line up between all of them feel more comfortable. Plus he should tower over some people, and be intimidating. He deserves it.

Leon's pretty chill if not just a bit odd, apex (i call em that cause villains includes owynn) as a whole are a chill friend group until you learn that 3 of them tried killing and that Town got second hand insanity from it. Attached to each other out of guilt (3 of them about injuries and Town about “seeing them as dirty”) so they're kinda weirdddddd

People with vitiligo actually have a higher chance to lose their hearing! so the cards were stacked against him from the start ripppp

Just like golden has a star birthmark, Leon used to have a family birthmark too but it got whitened due to the vitiligo, fly low your ties to them keep decreasing boy,  talk about getting wiped out of your family's name lmao 

also the Belomte family has the root of “what we're doing comes from a place of care” and the exploitation is sort of(?) unintentional, they have a whole thing about being close and tight knit. While Leon’s family atm is just out of the gate cold and driven by a success that could be bigger, and whatever doesn’t really adhere to that ideal of success doesn’t really matter.

[spooky-babes]

For the Ler questions:

19. 37. 45.

Thanks for the ask! Please, everyone, feel free! We LOVE doing these!

19 - Ideal tickle room

(SpookyDaddy speaking here) Oh goodness, I think my ideal space would be so much fun to build! (Stay tuned for that, because we're working on it already~) but I like the idea of the decor being a collective effort. Probably a lot of art that princess has made, she's an incredibly talented artist. Maybe some movie posters? The kind of carpet that isn't *too* fluffy but still feels confused and nice on bare feet. Cameras strategically placed at corners and important sight lines both for live streams and so we don't miss anything after the fact. 😏

Big queen or king size bed, and a big, sturdy wooden square frame going over it at each side and above. One day we're going to set up those cargo straps that click and tighten when you pull them so princess can be spread eagle but standing.

Other auto includes would be: a gyno chair, my special wooden ankle stocks, a large sturdy table affixed with segufix/medical restraints, a rack to hack up our straitjacket, and a big closet to store and display all our toys and tools 😏

Maybe a black and purple color scheme 🤔

37, which vibe?

Jocks: lers but secret lee's hidden among them 😏

Nerds: very doqn the middle switch, but whatever one their feeling on a given day they feel it 10/10

Loners: definitely lees, their standoffish probably comes from being worried someone might find out what happens if their rive gets poked 😏

Cheerleaders: I'm gonna go with switch again, the sort of person whose a vicious ler but knows if someone had them by the soles of their feet they'd be done for.

Goths: despite the similarity with the bdsm aesthetic being common, I still have to go with lees. I think we all remember the angry goth video tickle abuse made 😈

Band geeks, and drama members; switches. That whole room full of people? I think once someone was outed as ticklisg they'd feel every single eye on them thinking the same thing. Who can say? Maybe whoever got outed as ticklish intended it 😏

Hipsters: switches. I know plenty, and I swear they all are 🤣

Teachers pets: lees all day. I think we all know what they want to do for extra credit, or how they can convince the teacher they deserve a second chance at a test they slept through~

45- clothing removal

Oh. Goodness~ I think @spookyqtie has gotten off easy on this lately. She doesn't really like to wear socks unless it's really cold out (I suspect she also just likes knowing that SpookyDaddy here is always going to notice or look 👀) but this is something I've actually been planning for quite some time, I think she needs to experience the delightful anticipation of slowly, teasingly, evilly removing clothes.

Already all tied up, and feeling the protective cloth just inch off your feet more and more? The cool air, the increasing feelings of vulnerability?? 😏 I'm all about it. Giving I mean. I'm definitely COMPLETELY immune to the effects of this myself, though. *nods*

We're planning a private beach trip in the next 2 weeks or so, and we've already are planning to make a bunch of buried in sand content, it's a favorite of SD's. I'll have to keep this on mind with princesses sandals, won't I? 😈

[justwritedreams]

The 9th Infantry Couple | Chanyeol

Sergeant Chanyeol x Sniper Reader, enemies to lovers au!

Word count: 4472 Genre: fluff, action, slight smut. Author: maari Warnings: mentions of fight, guns, bad guys and death (not the main characters), very suggestive but nothing too explicit  I can't actually write smut so I'm trying sorry. Note: Not him only being my bias but also serving in the infantry, the same one that I wanted to serve in my country's army, coincidence? I don't think so. I don’t know nothing about the korean army i think you can tell but I made a research and the position of Chanyeol in the army it’s similar to Sergeant so we gonna stick with that, ok? Ok.  Summary: You saved Chanyeol's life, your biggest enemy, and now you will charge. Next >>

Whoever came up with the idea of ​​putting Chanyeol and Y/N on the same team must have done it on purpose. The two hated each other, the whole division knew that. In fact, the entire army knew. She thought he was cocky, whenever he had the opportunity to rub the patent in her face he did. While Chanyeol found her arrogant, it was clear that she was jealous of him and the only thing she did was doubt his ability to lead. Hatred was something they both couldn't explain the real reason for. They had already taken serious punishments for their behavior, they didn't reach physical aggressions, not for lack of opportunity, but because their colleagues separated them. But the choice was purely technical, Chanyeol was great at combat and Y/N was an excellent sniper. Perfect for the rescue mission of one of the commanders who was held hostage in enemy territory. And while they knew exactly that, it wasn't like they were going to stop arguing once they got to the right spot and started talking with Jin about the plan. Poor Jin, always between the two. “I'm saying, Park, let me in. I'm smaller than you two, I'll walk into any hole." she saw him roll his eyes for the thousandth time and he took a deep breath. "You just want an opportunity to show your skills." he said and she laughed humorlessly. As if he didn't want to do the same. "And you just want to show off your Sergeant rank." she complained and Chanyeol smiled teasingly. “The rank you want?” he asked and before she could reply he continued. "And it's sir to you, don't forget my position." he pointed to the uniform where the rank symbol was and she went still. “Do you understand, soldier?” Y/N swallowed what she really meant to tell. "Yes sir." she replied against her will, making his smile widen. She wanted to punch those perfect white teeth. “Are you guys finished so I can give my opinion?” Jin asked ironically and they agreed. “The Sergeant is right, Y/N, the mission is to enter and withdraw. You're a great sniper, we need a watchful eye out here. I cover for you.” Jin spoke to Chanyeol. “Then let's decide the codes. Eagle." he pointed at Y/N. "Raven." then to Jin. "And…" “How about cockroach?” Y/N spoke as she saw him point at himself. Chanyeol laughed wryly, trying not to fall into her little game even though it was a difficult task. She could irritate every last tip of his toenail. "Dolphin." he decided. “Check your communicators and equipment.” he ordered and the two did. Y/N prepared the equipment on the ground, her long gun that had been her partner lately and put on the infrared sight, plugged the communicator to her ear and lay on the ground, adjusting the weapon on her shoulder and looking through the scope. Alright. "Try not to hit me, it's the plan to return with no bodies to the base." Chanyeol spoke to her, watching she raise her head with a playful smile on her face. "Don't worry, as tempting as it is for me, I know how to control my feelings, sir." she spoke wryly and saw him roll his eyes but not respond. Chanyeol and Jin walked away, weapons ready and taking cautious steps as they surveyed the area of ​​the abandoned shack. Y/N followed them looking through the scope, her instincts sharper and on alert. Although the intelligence work had been very successful in finding out where the commander was being held, she felt that something was wrong. The shack was exactly on the border between the two countries, right in the middle, a place that until then the South Korean army had ignored, the region was remote and difficult to access, but after satellite images showed unknown movement, the place was carefully observed by drones while commanders of other divisions were too busy with other problems. However, after realizing that there were too many orders arriving at that location, a team was assigned to look closely at the situation. The army engaged the enemy, casualties were high, and the commander was held hostage. And that was where the white horse division came in. The division was highly decorated and had high level soldiers, so it was chosen to rescue the hostage and return. No more deaths in that place apart from the enemies. “Do you see this, Raven?” Chanyeol said while looking at the wooden boxes outside the shack, there were many and they weren't there for nothing “Positive, Dolphin. If that's what I'm imagining, we've entered a minefield.” Jin responded and covered the Sergeant, seeing him approach and lower his weapon. “What are you seeing?” Y/N asked curiously, it was still quiet. Too quiet. Chanyeol took the knife from his belt and opened one of the boxes, his back being protected by Jin who was watching the place. “Armament. Heavy." Chanyeol replied and shook his head, that just could be a new base for terrorists. “AK47?” Y/N asked, this time taking a deep breath. "Not only that." Chanyeol opened another box, this time dark, and swallowed hard when he saw what was there. "They have enough bombs to destroy an entire city." The three soldiers were on alert. If they kept weapons and bombs, the plan was much bigger than they imagined. They hadn't taken the commander hostage just to look nice. "Let's hurry, Dolphin." Jin warned and looked back quickly, seeing the Sergeant nod. “Shoot anything that moves.” he ordered. “Do you see any movement in the shack, Eagle?” “Negative, sir. It’s dark, with no thermal signs.” she warned. If the information was correct, the hostage was underground and they would have a 9-minute time window to rescue and get out of there. "Let's go in." Chanyeol spoke and saw Jin next to him. They went in, it wasn't difficult to adapt to the darkness and they analyzed it well. The shack looked so far normal, almost empty except for a table and a few chairs, an old kitchen that had only recently been used. They headed for the stairs that would take them down to the basement, still on the alert in case they needed to clash, but the place was empty. They went to the door where the hostage was supposed to be and Chanyeol opened it, with Jin behind him and his gun pointed. Hearing a groan of pain, Chanyeol turned on the flashlight and saw the injured commander, sitting in a corner and tied up. "We found the hostage, extracting it now." Chanyeol warned and went to the commander, undoing the ropes and making him lean on his shoulder. He was injured and could barely stand up but he was alive. Y/N noticed a strange movement and cursed when she saw what it was. "You guys need to leave now, they're back." She warned, hearing Jin complain. "How? We still had two minutes.” Chanyeol spoke and they tried to hurry, but with the commander weak like that, it would take more than two minutes. "They knew." Y/N noticed the way they approached the shack with long strides and weapons at the ready. Chanyeol huffed and handed the commander over to Jin, who stared at him confused, but held the man back. "Get him out of here, I'll delay them." he spoke, although the soldier didn't agree it wasn't like he had time to argue, so he lifted the commander on his own shoulders after dropping the gun and carried him. “How many, Eagle?” Chanyeol asked and held tight to the gun, heading towards the door of the shack they had passed while Jin came out the other side. "Six." she reported, already with one in her sights. They got closer and closer to the shack. “I take care of three and you take care of the rest.” warned and she could almost smile when she heard that. She assumed her all-too-familiar sniper stance and when she saw Jin come out the other side with the hostage, she shot the first one. A clear shot to the head, which made the others run confused and shooting all over the place, hoping it would hit whoever shot it. But Y/N was at a strategic point and the uniform hid her very well between the bush and the fact that she was small compared to her colleagues, helped her even more. She found the second target, this time hitting the back of the head. However, the third target entered with the others and she momentarily lost him. Chanyeol prepared himself inside the shack, hiding as much as possible in the dark when he heard the gunshots. The first guy who came in, he hit the knife in his neck, which instantly fell like rotten fruit. The second pointed the gun at Chanyeol but he disarmed him before he fired, the noise of the shot echoing throughout the shack, the two had a hand fight and when Chanyeol noticed that a third came in ready to shoot, he used the man's body as a shield and the third fired. Killing his own partner. Chanyeol was quick to throw his body on top of the third man, this caused him to get distracted and Chanyeol kicked his gun away. The two fought hand to hand, Chanyeol noticed that he was a little smarter than the others, he had a knife and tried several times to hit Chanyeol, so he had some difficulty putting him to sleep, but he managed to give a choke and was about to break his neck when he heard a shot that shattered the window. He didn't feel the burning of the shot in any part of his body, so he turned around and saw a fourth man go down with a thud to the head. Chanyeol turned around, not letting go of the man and looked out the window, seeing Y/N get up from where she was with the gun and wave a goodbye, Jin was by her side with the hostage. He broke the neck of the man he was holding as he felt an odd sense of relief at having been saved by none other than Y/N. Now he owed her his life. And she would charge.

[...]

The return to base was quick. Chanyeol came out of the shack with some photos of the contents of the boxes to show the division commander, more evidence for the plan to protect that area from the terrorists. The commander was taken straight to the ambulance that was waiting for him at the base and then he would give his statement, a lot of precious information was with him and the Intelligence would need to know. Chanyeol, Jin and Y/N were released by the commander. Jin took the opportunity to check the equipment for the next mission and Chanyeol disappeared before Y/N even looked at him. She laughed but it wasn't like she was going to worry about him now, she'd have plenty of time to rub it in his face that if he was alive, it was thanks to her. So she decided to take a shower and eat something while still at the base, without thinking too much about what had happened that night. It was still dawn when she was heading back to the dorm and she passed a room, hearing a muffled groan of pain. She would have ignored it if it hadn't been for two reasons: she knew that gravelly husky tone all too well. And because he never, ever complained about pain. The Infantry demanded a lot from a soldier, because everything was fought on land, sometimes in the rain or scorching sun. Aside from the physical fights, there was a lot of heavy training, but Park had a bit of admiration for Y/N for never giving up or protesting. Even after he became a sergeant, he seemed determined to dedicate himself even more. So, curious, she looked through the half-open door and felt something that until then didn't know she could. Compassion. That's what motivated her to open the door as she watched Park try to touch his back, unsuccessfully.

“Want some help?” she asked aloud and watched as he returned his attention to her, still not turning to face her. "No, thank you." he responded by trying to take a deep breath as the position didn't help with the gaping cut in his skin. But Y/N didn't obey, on the contrary, she approached seeing that he had a first aid box on the bed. Without saying anything, she took a cotton ball and the liquid to clean the cut, during the process she just limited herself to paying attention to what was in her hand. "Take off your shirt." she ordered and glared at him, seeing him look at her with outrage. He bordered on offense. She even found it funny. “Hurry up, Park.” He huffed but did so, with some difficulty. Y/N didn't think it would feel a bit hot to see him rip off his black shirt, well, she knew he was strong but even though they were in the same room, she couldn't remember ever seeing him shirtless. And she wished she hadn't, because Park was defined. Very defined. The kind she couldn't take her eyes off his strong shoulders and well-shaped biceps. She shook her head as if trying to shake off the naughty thoughts she'd had, this was Park, she shouldn't think of him like that! And although it was only a momentary lapse, it didn't go unnoticed by Chanyeol who smirked proudly. "You're pretty stubborn." he commented and Y/N made him raise his arm, the quick contact between the skins generated another feeling, until then unknown to both. "You seem to forget." she spoke and bent down enough to run the cotton over the cut after analyzing it. "What?" Chanyeol turned his face to face her and noticed how close she was, in a way they had never been before. He could even get a better look at her face, the concentrated expression as she cleaned the wound was… reassuring. “That I was the first student in the first aid course.” Chanyeol gritted his teeth from the burning and saw that she was looking at him out of the corner of her eye, as if she was expecting him to make drama, like most soldiers. But he held back, as usual. "Now you're going to tell me that you always wanted to be a doctor." a smile played on her lips and Chanyeol didn't find her that annoying. She was even pretty, when she wasn't pissing him off. “Wrong, I wanted to be a dancer.” she admitted, straightening up again and discarding the cotton. "Ballet?" he asked, watching her pick up gauze and bandage. "Belly dance." she replied and saw his jaw drop, the expression of pure surprise. "Okay, you can laugh." she rolled her eyes as she covered the area with the gauze. "I won't laugh, I just wanted to understand." Chanyeol admitted, seeing her raise her eyebrow, silently asking what he meant. "How did you go from dancer to army soldier?" He noticed that she swallowed and the soft touch of the cut ceased, indicating that she was done. "You were lucky, the cut wasn't deep. I think it's just going to need some ointment for the next few days." she changed the subject and started packing the things in the box. Chanyeol waited and when he saw her leaving, he held her wrist lightly, making her stop. The touch gave off a heat they hadn't felt before, but it wasn't strange, quite the opposite. The way he had touched her was comforting. Y/N took a deep breath, she knew he wouldn't stop with the questions because she had given him freedom to ask them. "When your custody is in the hands of the government, you don't have many options." she shrugged, feeling Chanyeol's gaze analyze her deeply, so she sat beside him on the bed. That would be a long conversation. "I'm an orphan. I know absolutely nothing about my parents, I wasn't even adopted by any family and within the orphanages I had two options: become a criminal or a law enforcement officer. I ended up studying at a military school and well, I came to a stop here. Not too many adventures." She smiled, without any humor. Chanyeol looked thoughtful. He didn't know Y/N's story, didn't even remember the one time they'd talked alone. But now, he understood why she was so withdrawn and why she avoided getting attached to anyone. "And dancing was part of your life?" he asked in a tone Y/N hadn't even known Chanyeol had the ability to use. Tenderness. "It did. I used to watch dance videos out of pure curiosity because it takes a lot of training and discipline, those are things the army also needs, but I ended up falling in love with belly dancing. It takes a lot of skill." Chanyeol stared at her again, analyzing every inch of Y/N's face, as different as the times when they cursed each other or exchanged barbs, she looked vulnerable. It was as if he was the only person she'd ever opened up to, willing to share something so personal and intimate that no one else knew but him. "I like playing instruments, I used to think I was going to have a band when I was a teenager." he laughed, looking away. Y/N looked at him, he had a smile that was amused to remember something and for some reason that warmed her heart, not anger like she was used to. But because he hadn't made fun of her childhood dreams, he'd shared his own teenage daydreams. It was as if they were exchanging secrets. "And why did you join the army?" she asked, curious. She could even imagine Chanyeol as a vocalist or guitarist in a band. "My grandfather served in that same division." The phrase made Y/N understand everything. She wanted to have that kind of story, follow in the footsteps of a close relative and make him proud to have continued the legacy. But she couldn't because didn't even know where she came from. "He sure is very proud of you." she spoke and smiled, seeing he stared instantly. It was the first time they had looked into each other's eyes at such a short distance, in a welcoming silence. She had never really noticed Chanyeol's dark eyes but realized that they were lighter than they appeared, the chocolate brown was attractive, she could almost hear a voice calling her to swim in the immensity. Chanyeol noticed how Y/N's figure fit perfectly with the sparkle she carried in her eyes, of course the vulnerability was still there but he felt a companionship that he had only seen on missions, when she was forced to help him. But there, there was no obligation. It was spontaneous. He felt as if she was looking for a home like the one he had, an overwhelming urge to protect her then surged. They didn't realize it but the bodies drew together like magnets, the heat seeking closer and closer. All the disagreements or even anger they felt were far away, they didn't even remember them. Chanyeol lowered his gaze to her lips, too inviting, it was as if they asked to be kissed and he didn't repress it, he showed the desire he felt. Y/N didn't object, she could barely, not with him so close. It was ridiculous how her body trembled inside with his cologne, it wasn't the one he put on after his shower that she thought was overdone to get the attention of the few women in the base, it was his natural scent. Of sweat, gunpowder and danger. Was he supposed to be stupidly handsome like that even after a mission that almost took his life if it weren't for her? She bit down hard on her lower lip as she saw him brush their foreheads together, their noses touching softly sending a shiver through both of them. The moment their lips met, her eyes closed, giving in to the sensation. She felt Chanyeol's hungry and powerful lips grab hers in a single-tempo dance, slow and sensual, making her feel completely intoxicated. She reciprocated in the same way, feeling her hands tingle and almost create a will of their own to grab his shoulder. When they pulled apart millimeters, Chanyeol took Y/N's face with one hand and brought her back, just the feel of his long fingers made her give herself completely to the new kiss that started greedy, almost desperate. She threw her arms around his neck, bringing their bodies closer, feeling Chanyeol bring his hands to her waist as their tongues met. While they fit perfectly, Chanyeol forced his torso so that Y/N lay on the bed with him on top and he made her sigh, wrapped her legs around his waist. He raised one hand to the back of her neck, feeling the skin prickling under his fingers, and set the pace of the kiss. Slower than Y/N wanted, so she pulled away, breathless, and glared at him. "I'm the sergeant, beautiful." he smirked, seeing her lips completely red and swollen. "Your patent has no jurisdiction here, Park." she complained, feeling her body temperature rise considerably. He shook his head and brought his lips to the back of her neck, placing long wet kisses on her skin, making her squeeze his shoulder. "It is what you think." he replied, close to her ear. Y/N had to close her eyes to control the sounds her mouth wanted to make. "I hate you." she spoke and felt his teeth grip the skin near her collarbone. "It's mutual." he responded with anger and pleasure at the same time. Y/N felt his wide hands go to her uniform shirt and forcefully undo the buttons, he pulled away enough that she could lift her torso to discard the uniform across the room. The two looked at each other once more, the anger was there once more but now it was mixed with the desire of the heat of both bodies to get involved and suddenly everything seemed more desperate. When the lips met again, the rhythm was faster as the hands trailed and tried to remove the other pieces that hindered the process. Chanyeol lifted her onto his lap when he remembered the bedroom door was open, on the way to close it Y/N planted kisses on his neck as he gripped her thighs tightly to keep her steady. He tossed her onto the bed, seeing her smile with her teeth gripping her lower lip, his hurried hands making their way to her boots which were thrown in a corner along with her pants. When Chanyeol got back on top, covering her body with his own, she helped him get rid of his pants, Y/N taking it off with her own feet while receiving a dirty look from him. They kissed again, Y/N stopped her hands on his broad back feeling the warm skin between her palms while Chanyeol couldn't stop caressing her entire body, he wanted to memorize every inch from top to bottom. It wasn't until the last pieces of clothing were thrown away and their hot bodies fully met that they looked back into each other's eyes, while the rhythm they maintained took their breath away. The tired, heavy breaths meeting, making the place a lot hotter than it actually was. Chanyeol wanted to bury his face between Y/N's neck but couldn't look away, even though her hands were scratching his back in a painful way, it didn't matter. And Y/N had finally given in to the urge to surrender to the immensity of chocolate brown eyes, she found much more than she imagined there. She hated Park. She hated his wide and sometimes innocent smile, hated his childish and serious way at the same time, hated his rank and how the uniform made him so irresistible. She hated wanting him so much. It was there, fully surrendered to her deepest desires, that she realized that the hatred she felt was actually attraction. As Chanyeol lost himself in Y/N's inner heat, he felt not only his mind being taken over by every inch of her, but also his heart. He knew that the moment he truly looked at her, without the childish teasing they had, he would find her pure heart. That would make him fall in love as fast as ice melting in the hot sun. And now that was it. There it was not pure and simply carnal attraction, it went further. And when the two of them reached their climax together, her nails still digging into his skin and him moaning softly in her ear, they realized that the bond between them had grown stronger. Unique. They took a deep breath before pulling away, Chanyeol realized that Y/N was restless and about to get up so he hugged her around the waist, bringing her closer. She made no move to fight it, nor would she have the strength to do so, and she placed her hand on his chest, feeling it rise and fall rapidly. They stayed like that for a while until they caught their breath and normalized, Chanyeol made abstract designs on her skin as she shamelessly looked at his definite abdomen. "Thanks." Y/N felt the back of her neck prickling as she heard his husky voice so close but she stared at him with a raised eyebrow. "For this?" she looked suggestively at the embracing bodies, drawing a laugh from him. "Also." he grinned and brought his free hand to the back of his head, making his biceps more evident and drawing Y/N's attention. "For saving me today." It was her turn to smile. "It wasn’t a big deal." she shrugged and propped herself up on her elbow to bring her face closer to his. "I think the only person who should shoot you is me, sir." she smiled teasingly and he looked at her sideways. "You really wish you were that lucky." Chanyeol used his strength and the fact that his body was twice as wide as hers to get her to lie down again. "But I still haven't forgotten all your provocations." He raised his eyebrows and smiled at her. "You can punish me any time you like, Sergeant."

[lokitvsource]

You came into the show with the idea of Loki clashing with the TVA already in place. How exactly does this kind of arrangement work at Marvel? Michael Waldron: There was a creative brief that was 20 pages or so that basically said: “We want to do something about Loki running up against the TVA. Here’s some different avenues that might be cool to explore.” It was really serving it up for writers as a jumping off point for us to put together our pitches. Then I went off and really worked on the idea of Loki being brought in to hunt another Loki, and that becoming the heart of the show, and the Loki/Sylvie relationship. The big thing that I did in my pitch — even as early as pitching it to Kevin [Feige] — I really walked through the six episodes, kind of similar to what they were. I knew I wanted Episode 3, for instance, to be a little bit of a Before Sunrise, with Loki and this character walking across this apocalyptic moon. But Marvel had the initial, probably the most important spark of genius, which was just Loki and the TVA.

Where did the idea of the variant being a female Loki come from? That was one of my ideas, that we then confirmed in the writers room. Yeah, we knew from the get-go that it was going to be Loki falling for another version of himself.

Why was that appealing to you? I love writing any romance; it’s fun. Especially, it hasn’t been done a ton in the MCU. There’s an obviously self-reflective quality to it. And a show that’s quite literally about self-love; it is Loki getting to see parts of himself. At the start of the show, he kind of hates himself. He assesses himself to Mobius as a villain. And then he meets Sylvie, and he sees her as someone on a heroic crusade. He sees the good in her, and is able to see the good in himself.

Mobius suggests that, of course, Loki fell in love with his own variant, because he’s a narcissist. Do you think he’d be capable of falling in love with someone who is not a version of himself? [Laughs] I don’t know if he didn’t fall in love with himself first. Maybe after that, but the first time he falls, maybe this is what it had to be.

What’s the key to telling a time travel story that takes advantage of the concept without confusing the audience? I think it’s doing a lot of work that the audience never sees. It’s really understanding the logic of this thing, building out the TVA as a real organization that actually exists in our minds. Our writers room, we had a TVA handbook, encyclopedia, what they do and why they do it, a glossary of terms. And then you want to only give the audience the absolute bare minimum to understand the story, and to just get swept up in the emotional stakes of everything. If the sci-fi of it all, if the time travel logic of this show did not hold up week to week, then that would have distracted from the emotional journeys of the characters. So I’m glad that even though everyone had to take their medicine a little bit, along with Loki, in episode one, I’m glad it didn’t distract from the story we were telling. And we had the benefit of Loki being the audience’s eyes in. The audience is learning as he is.

There’s a funny scene in Avengers: Endgame where the Avengers start arguing about exactly how time travel works in the MCU. How much did you have to study what other Marvel movies had done with the idea to make sure your rules were consistent? Fortunately, Endgame was the main one, and that’s how they understand it. The TVA is an organization that understands time travel on a deeper level, probably more comprehensively than the Avengers do in Endgame. We wanted to make sure we were staying true to any rules that they laid out, but sort of establishing our own rules. It’s a time travel show. What was I thinking? A movie’s one thing, but a show is hard.

How many Loki variants did you have on the writers room whiteboard at various points? Hundreds. So many different Lokis. There was one Loki, actually maybe it was a version of Mobius that took off his glasses, and he just had really tiny eagle eyes, like he could see everything. There was stuff like that all over the white board. Tom Kauffman, who wrote that fifth episode, he’s an amazing comedy writer, and was on the first three seasons of Rick and Morty. His first draft of that episode was just bananas.

Was there a variant, or a crazy idea in general, that you really loved but couldn’t ultimately do? There was so much different stuff that we wanted to do in the Void. But the truth is, I don’t want to say any of it, because you never know. The ideas that I want to do the most may pop up elsewhere.

Okay, so let’s stick with a variant we did see. Was Alligator Loki actually a Loki, or just an alligator that happened to be wearing a Loki’s crown? A magician can’t reveal his tricks, man. That’s the great debate. Let it rage.

What was Alligator Loki‘s origin story on your side of things? Who pitched him and how was that initially received? That was maybe my very first meeting with the producers at Marvel, Kevin Wright and Stephen Broussard, talking about the show, and me saying, “When we’re doing this, you can encounter lots of different Lokis. You could have an alligator Loki. Why? Cause he’s green.” And us all laughing about how stupid that was. I think I made the point that it’s that energy of what we can do with the show. We can have something like that, but let’s play it straight. Alligator Loki, you get a laugh out of it, but by and large you try and play it straight. That was the fun tonal balance that we tried to strike in the show.

There’s been some conflicting information out there about whether the big bad was originally just going to be He Who Remains, who’s a different comics character altogether from Kang, and whether the casting of Jonathan Majors changed the plan. From your point of view, what happened? The character was always written as a version of Kang, as early as the first draft of the script, we knew in the writers room, relatively early on. He Who Remains, that’s the guy behind the curtain with the TVA, and we saw an opportunity to fuse that mythology with the Immortus mythology. And that was just really compelling. It was a way to elevate, it just felt right for Loki, because Loki was there in the first Avengers, he’s the one who brought the Avengers together, and here is directly related to the exploding of the multiverse, this event that will drive the events of Phase Four. Certainly, when Jonathan came in, it allowed us to step on the gas of just how eccentric and charismatic this character could be. I was inspired in the writing of He Who Remains by Tom Cruise’s character in Magnolia, trying to give it that Frank TJ Mackey energy a little bit. He captures that and then elevates it to something else that’s different and weird.

You just said how important the multiverse is going to be to Phase Four of the MCU. How challenging is it to have to set up this big thing for the larger Marvel endeavor while also serving the needs of the particular story you’re telling on this show? It’s a challenge in the sense that it’s all a relay race, and you’ve got the baton on this thing, and you want to do a great job. The name of the game over at Marvel is with each movie or TV show, make it the best it can possibly be. And they’re really supportive of that, and trust that it will organically fit into the larger blueprint of everything. We were excited about introducing a version of Kang, because yeah, to introduce this new big bad was cool for our show. I was aware, and cautious, of the thing I read in your review, that it might not be the most sound storytelling to introduce a new character at the very end that we’ve never seen before as the big bad of this thing. Obviously, we had the benefit that people know who Kang is, and there’s a meta thing where a portion of the audience knows Jonathan Majors is going to be playing Kang in Phase Four. But the finale was only ever going to work if He Who Remains, in a compelling way, serviced the Loki and Sylvie emotional story. That was the most important job that that character did in the finale: he laid out a very compelling conflict that ultimately drove the two of them apart.

There has also been some confusion as to exactly when you knew that there would be a second season, as opposed to you just making a limited series. Initially, in the writers room, we were not operating as though there would be a second season. And the whole way through was, this should be a story that should stand on its own. I referenced The Leftovers and Mad Men all the time. I think about those seasons, they pushed the overall stories forward, but you can pull any one of those seasons and look at it on its own as an individual story. I wanted that to be the case here, whether we did a second season or not. I think we always felt that we would want to propel Loki forward into the MCU after the conclusion of our season. The only question was, would that be in an appearance in a movie, or would that be in a second season. And it was only over the course of development that the stars aligned to make a second season.

But that end scene, where Mobius no longer recognizes Loki and the TVA is filled with Kang statues, wouldn’t have been a satisfying conclusion to a limited series. That is an ending that only works if there’s going to be a second season. So there is another conclusion to the story that I wrote that exists out there, that I guess is just for me. My own little play, that I perform with my action figures.

What was Sylvie’s original plan, before Loki hijacked her to that dying moon? It was to empty out the TVA. The entire bombing of the Sacred Timeline was to create a diversion. She’s not going to be able to create a multiverse from doing that. Ultimately, the TVA has the manpower to get out and take care of these events, but they’re going to have to scramble a lot of their minutemen teams, and it leaves the Time-Keepers significantly less guarded than they would have been otherwise. That was her plan.

You didn’t come into this as a big comic book nerd. So was there someone on staff who could tell you, “Well, there’s this giant cloud called Alioth that eats time,” or, “Well, one time Thanos had a helicopter,” or maybe someone assigned to you by Marvel? I’m constantly reading the comics but trying to not be so beholden to the and do our own thing. I charged our writers assistant, Ryan Kohler, with, “You’ve got to become the authority on all things TVA, all things Kang, and all that.” So he and my assistant, Sophie Miller, became a support staff who read a ton of these comics and became a wealth of knowledge for the writers to turn to. And then the Marvel producers, obviously are very well versed in the comics. It was Kevin Wright who came in one day and was like somebody throwing down a blueprint in an asteroid movie, going, “Alioth! Look at this!” And we were like, “Ohmigod, this is perfect!” The best thing about working on these comic book shows is that if it’s from the comics, it doesn’t matter how much of a deus ex machina it is, it’s just cool, like, “I can’t believe you pulled that from the comics.” Alioth, that was a big breakthrough that unlocked the last two episodes for us.

That is not a famous comic book that introduces Alioth. It’s an obscure Nineties miniseries, with really ugly art. But you look at it and see what it could be. You say, “If we do this, and it feels like Twister, it’s going to be really cool.”

Was Mobius’ love of jet skis there simply to illustrate his character, or did you have a grander idea in mind? I will come clean: I’m a jet ski guy. I’ve spent a good amount of time on jet skis in my day. I used to tow a jet ski to a lake and ride it in college. So it probably was me. Loki, I was just becoming a steward of that character. Mobius was a character I really felt I got to create from nothing. There’s not really anything to that character in the comics. So bits and pieces of me found their way in. I just think there’s something so poignant — here Mobius is, a guy who is literally fighting to preserve all of time in the multiverse, and yet his interests are maybe the most humble, human, terrestrial, unremarkable thing you can think of. Just a jet ski. And when you’ve got Owen Wilson playing him and it’s just that much better.

Will you be back in some capacity for Season Two? [long pause] Time will tell.

‘Loki’ Head Writer Michael Waldron — and ‘Rick and Morty’ Alum — on MCU, ‘Heels’ and More

[nightshade-minho]

-Free Rent- (7)

Danceracha x fem!reader

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. It has nothing to do with the real Stray Kids or JYPE. If you don’t like it/are uncomfortable, kindly scroll past.

WC: 2.6k

(What even is this pic lmao)

Warnings: foursome, use of sex toys, ruined orgasm, orgasm denial, use of pet names, punishment, tying up, groping, cum play, multiple creampies, humiliation, degradation, one spank, objectification, double penetration, anal.

It was so early. You’d just woken up, the pale sunlight falling on you, making you blink. You were painfully aware of your drenched panties, sticking to your folds. Shifting, you sighed. The boys had been quite busy for a few days now, with assignments and practice. You hadn’t had sex for three days, which was a surprisingly long time, considering they all had incredible libidos.

You knew you weren’t supposed to be doing this. This is a bad idea, you thought, as your hand slowly drifted to your clothed pussy. You rubbed yourself slowly, the prospect of getting caught turning you on more. 

Then again, none of the boys would be awake at this hour, right? 

Wrong.

Hyunjin yawned, making his way to your room as he hummed. He’d noticed at dinner last night that you’d looked off, like you were frustrated. He wanted to check up on you, make sure you were alright. He felt like he hadn’t been doing much of that lately.

He reached your room, his hand coming up to knock on the door. He froze when his ears finally picked up the soft whimpers coming from inside your room.

Slowly, a wicked smile formed on his face. Was that why she’d looked so frustrated? 

He decided to wait a little longer, ignoring the tent forming in his boxers. He carefully listened, waiting until your moans grew louder and shakier- a sign that you were close.

He threw open the door at that very moment, grinning as he leaned against the door frame. He chuckled as your eyes widened, scrambling to cover yourself with the blankets, your orgasm ruined as you tried to calm your beating heart.

“H-hyunjin...”

“Hi, princess. Good morning, I presume?”

“I...I-”

He came closer, calmly lifting the blankets off you and smirking.

“Ah~ I get it now.”

You pouted up at him, pulling your fingers away and sitting up a little as you tried to give him your most innocent expression.

“Jinnie, I was just-”

He laughed, taking your hand and holding it. “Don’t try and make excuses baby. You know you’re not allowed to touch yourself...”

You whined. “But I haven’t been getting any attention for the past few weeks! I felt needy...”

“Oh yeah? Well...you’ve got to learn to be patient, sweetheart. Fortunately for you, I know just how to teach you a lesson.”

You quivered as his hand started travelling up your arm, reaching up to brush your hair behind your ear, exposing your neck to him.

“Hmm, a clean canvas...perfect.”

He moved closer on the bed, pressing his lips to your neck. The feeling of his hot tongue against your skin was making you dizzy. You clutched his arm, moaning softly.

“Hyunjin, please...”

“Please, what?” He spoke against your neck, still nipping at you.

“I...” you trailed off, scared to say anything that might make him madder. 

He pulled away, humming and shaking his head. “It’s like you’re forgetting everything we taught you.”

You shook your head, eyes widening. “N-no, Hyunjin! I haven’t! I’m still your good girl, I promise!”

He raised an eyebrow. “Hmm. I don’t think so.” He stood up, going to the box in the corner of the room and rummaging through it. He took out some ties as well as a vibrator, coming over to you and tying your hands to the headboard.

He spread your legs, flicking the vibrator on and pressing it to your clit. You mewled at the feeling, trying to shift so he would apply more pressure. He kept teasing you, running the tip of the sex toy over your labia and grinning as you whimpered.

“Pathetic. What do you want, my little slut?”

‘Y-you...please?”

“Hmm...I don’t think you deserve my cock just yet, though. A fake dick should be enough for a brat like you.”

“Am not a brat!” You whined, tugging at your restraints.

Hyunjin pulled the vibrator away, frowning at you. “You’re just asking for us to punish you, aren’t you?”

You squinted at him, confusion spreading across your features. “Us?”

Hyunjin chuckled. “I don’t think I alone would be able to carry out the punishment you deserve. Who should I call? I need someone who can put you in your place....”

He tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Minho and Chan are right next door...”

You shook your head. “N-no, please...you know their punishments are harsher!”

Hyunjin nodded. “Exactly. But they also have a tendency to hog you so...” He paused, before grinning. “I know! I’ll call Felix.”

You whined. “But...but-”

“No buts, my love. Now, I’ll be back in a few minutes, okay?” He presses the vibrator against your entrance, slowly pushing it in. You gasp and throw your head back at the vibration, whimpering as Hyunjin blew you a kiss before leaving.

You wait for what seemed like hours but  in reality was only a few minutes before the door opened...however, it wasn’t who you expected.

“Minho?”

The man in question frowned as he saw your spread-eagled form. His eyes traveled from your tear-streaked face to your stuffed pussy, your legs shaking as you tried to say something.

He came closer, shutting the door behind him as his lips slowly twisted into a smirk.

“I could hear footsteps leaving from your room, so I decided to come check on you...I’m definitely glad I decided to, now.”

“M-Minho, it’s not what it looks like...”

“It looks like someone decided to punish you. What did you do now?”

He came over, standing in front of you with his arms crossed, an infuriating smirk on his face.

“I...well...” you gulped. It would be easier to just tell him the truth.

“I was...touching myself, and Hyunjin caught me...”

“He did, did he?” Minho glanced around. “Where is he, then?”

“He went to g-get Felix...” your words trailed off into a moan as you felt your orgasm building up. Minho noticed the way your legs started shaking, grinning as he climbed onto the bed and tugged the vibrator out of your pussy, humming as he ran a finger over its wet tip.

“Minhoo...”

He glanced at you sternly. “Shut up. You don’t deserve to cum just yet.” 

He tilted his head, observing the vibrator before flicking it off and pressing it to your lips. “Open.” He commanded, tapping your thigh. You whined, obeying him and letting him slip it into your mouth. 

Just then the door opened.

Your eyes shot past Minho, landing on Felix and Hyunjin.

“Still mad about me waking you up, Lixie?”

“Hm, not anymore...” Felix licked his lips as he watched Minho fuck the dildo into your mouth.

“I thought it was just gonna be the two of us, though...” Felix said, entering the room and sitting on the bed, eyes still trained on you.

Hyunjin chuckled. “I thought so, too.”

Minho sighed, not ceasing his actions as he replied. “The more the merrier, hmm, Jinnie? I can’t believe you were thinking of punishing her without me...”

Minho shoved the dildo as far down your mouth as possible, making you gag. He pulled it out finally, setting it down and humming lowly as he got off the bed, pulling a chair close to the bed and flopping down on it. “Go ahead, you two. Show me how you were planning to punish her...”

Hyunjin gritted his teeth, getting on the bed. “Sure, hyung.” He grabbed your chin, smiling at your tears and drool-streaked face. 

“Hmm, don’t cry, angel. We haven’t even started yet.” He smirked, glancing at Felix. “Look how fucked out she is already...”

Hyunjin groaned as he spread your thighs, your glistening pussy exposed to the three men in the room. “So wet, like always...”

He moved to press a kiss to your clit, his tongue swiping over your folds before prodding at your entrance.

“This is what you were hoping for, hmm? So desperate for punishment. It’s almost laughable.” He slid his tongue into you, shallowly fucking you with it as his finger moved to rub your clit. You scrunched your eyes shut, the pleasure feeling too heavenly...however, you knew you wouldn’t be allowed to cum anytime soon, so you tried your best to stave off your orgasm. 

“Kitten, open your eyes.”

You peeled them open, looking at Minho. He was sat back on the chair, slowly pumping his cock as he watched your quivering form, Hyunjin continuing his ministrations. When you tore your eyes away from Minho to look at Felix, you found him in a similar position, hand wrapped around his length.

“She loves being watched. It’s so cute.” There were low chuckles in the room and you struggled to keep your eyes open, the humiliation turning you on even more as you felt Hyunjin’s plump lips wrap around your clit, sucking harshly as his fingers reached your pussy.

He shoved two fingers in without warning, making you scream as he continued his onslaught.

You felt your orgasm approaching, whimpering as you clenched around his fingers, hoping he would take mercy on you and let you cum. But of course, he pulled out just before you fell over the edge.

“Tsk, not yet, slut.”

Hyunjin sighed, moving aside and allowing Felix to move closer. Somehow he’d gotten completely naked, and was now rubbing his cock against your folds.

“Want a cock in your pussy, hm? You’ll have to beg for it.”

Eyes glassy, you succumbed to the thick pleasure in your brain. 

“P-please, need your cock, want to be stuffed with it...” you cried.

Felix clicked his tongue. “Alright, since you asked so nicely...”

He slammed into you, his cock filling you up perfectly, tears pricking at your eyes as he set a relentless pace almost immediately. His fingers came up to caress your boobs, fingers running over your nipples as he angled his hips to hit you deeper.

Your eyes fluttered as you felt yourself drown in the pleasure you were feeling, loving the feeling of his hands on you. You could hear shuffling sounds from behind him, but it didn’t matter. At the moment, all you could think about was Felix and his length, driving into you over and over again. 

However, you were quickly forced to open your eyes when you felt the head of Hyunjin’s cock pressing against your lips. You opened your mouth, softly suckling on the tip and prompting a groan from the man as he slid his length deeper, hitting the back of your throat and making you gag slightly.

At this point, you could barely keep your eyes open, let alone see Minho approach. You barely registered his wicked smile as he tapped Felix on the shoulder, making him pull out, followed by Hyunjin. You felt Minho slide in behind you, pulling you onto his lap.

“You want to be stuffed with cocks in all your holes? We’ll grant your wish.”

Your eyes were trained on Felix stroking his cock slowly as Minho prodded your anus with a lube-covered finger, slowly pushing it in and forcing you to break eye contact as you bit your lip.

After a few seconds, he added another finger before scissoring his digits gently, kissing your shoulder through it all.

“Ready, love?” You nodded, chewing on your lip as you felt him pull his fingers out, replacing them with the head of his cock.

Felix came forward, tapping his tip on your clit. 

Minho slowly pushed in, holding your waist as he sheathed his cock in you completely. You whimpered, head lolling as Felix lined his tip with your entrance.

They watched you, making sure you were fine before Felix slammed into you, grinning sadistically at your scream.

The two of them started fucking into you wildly, whispering dirty words which you could barely comprehend.

Wait, where was Hyunjin?

Your question was answered almost immediately as you felt Hyunjin’s cock on your cheek. You turned your face, taking him into your mouth again as you felt your body shake.

“Mm, what a good girl...” Hyunjin said, stroking your hair as the three of them began thrusting almost at the same time.

“She likes having all her holes stuffed...wants cum oozing out of all of them. Isn’t that right, kitten?” Minho asks, slapping your boob and groping it right after, Felix groaning at the sight.

All the sensations were proving to be too much to you, as you felt waves of pleasure rake through your abdomen. If you were denied your orgasm once again, you wouldn’t be able to take it anymore.

They seemed to have mercy on you for once though.

“Clenching already, baby? You close?” Felix mumbled, brushing a strand of hair out of the way and holding your left breast even as Minho continued stroking your right nipple, kissing your neck.

You whimpered in response, the vibrations causing Hyunjin to moan, fucking into your mouth harder.

You whined loudly as Felix pinched your clit, your orgasm ripping through you suddenly.

You felt tears prick your eyes as they resumed their thrusts, riding out your orgasm. You dropped your head back against Minho’s shoulder, the stimulation making fresh tears run down your cheeks.

“F-fuck..I’m going to cum...” Felix said, his grip on you tightening as his strokes became deeper and rougher. Judging by the way Hyunjin clutched your hair tighter, pulling slightly, you could tell he was close as well.

Felix came first, spurting his seed deep into you as he struggled to keep himself up, burying his face in your neck as he moaned. Soon after, you felt Hyunjin cum down your throat with a groan, pulling out halfway through and causing the liquid to leak down your chin. He gripped your chin, nodding in satisfaction as Felix pulled out slowly, his eyes sparkling with desire as he dipped a finger in the mess between your thighs.

Merely a few seconds of calmness passed by before Minho was fucking into your ass again harshly, his fingers coming round to stroke your clit as Felix mumbled praises, Hyunjin patting your head as you felt your lower half burn.

“F-fuck- such a slutty kitten for us, hm?” Minho breathed shakily, his finger coming up from your clit to poke at your navel.

“She’s a good slut for us. Isn’t that right, princess?” Hyunjin said, the pad of his finger running over your cum-covered bottom lip. The final straw was when Felix shoved two fingers into your pussy with no warning, making you scream as you felt another orgasm wash over you. It was so sudden that you felt yourself convulse, Minho’s cock plunging into you mercilessly throughout it all.

The way you were clenching around him drove him crazy, twitching as he finally came, fingers so tight around your breast that you were sure it would leave marks.

Minho panted as he released you, gripping your waist and slowly lifting you off his cock, Hyunjin letting out an appreciative groan at the sight of your leaking holes.

“You’re prettiest when you’re like this...” Felix said, kissing your cheek.

You whimpered, eyes closing and unable to speak. when you felt yourself being removed from Minho’s lap, the man turning you around to face him as Felix got off the bed, Hyunjin taking his place behind you and dragging you so that you were on all fours, ass in the air. You looked back at him questioningly.

Hyunjin raised an eyebrow stroking your ass. “You didn’t think this was over, did you, princess?”

Felix chuckled, stroking your hair and brushing it out of your face as you nodded hesitantly. “Maybe we should invite the others to watch this pathetic sight...” He mumbled. You shook your head frantically, pouting before looking down.

Minho tilted your chin up with his finger. 

“Oh no, kitten. The fun’s just started. You wanted to cum? We’ll give you what you want, won’t we, Jinnie?” He glanced up at the other boy before grinning back down at you as Hyunjin started caressing your ass gently, before coming down on the flesh all of a sudden and making you yelp.

“Now, be a good toy for us, won’t you?”

[smokedstorybara]

I have so many bnha fanfic ideas, they’ve just been popping into my head every few days for weeks now

So I’m just gonna share them all on this one post instead of making a million new fandom posts out of nowhere (ok, it’s closer to, like, ten - but still!)

If any of y’all want me to actually write any of them, don’t hesitate to say so - or if you just want to ask questions and talk about the ideas I’d be totally down for that too

Also, if any of them inspire you to write or draw something, please send me a link when you’re done!

(under a readmore cause it’s long and also there’s spoilers)

Fae courts AU

Nedzu - Spring King

U.A. / The Spring Court - also known as the Court of Lost Children, all members of the Court were once human children or children of one of the other Courts and they view it as their duty to care for the lost, neglected, and abused children of the world (one of two child stealing Courts)

All Might - Summer King

All For One - Winter King

Objectively, the Summer and Winter Courts are not as different as they like to believe - a Summer fae is just as likely to trick or turn on you as a Winter fae, they just prefer to play at benevolence while Winter fae make no secret of their nature

Shie Hassaikai / The Autumn Court - used to be more like a lesser version of the Summer and Winter Courts, until Overhaul put the King to sleep and made his research into humanity the Court’s focus - they’re now the second child stealing Court

Eraserhead was once human but has made enough deals over the years - most notably with Nezu himself - that he’s practically fae now

Deku and Kachan are human children who were taken in by the Spring Court, though Deku only after catching the attention of All Might

Endeavor - High Fae in the Summer Court - wants to become Summer King but knows he’s not powerful enough to overthrow All Might, married a High Winter Fae in hopes that combining their powers would make one of their kids powerful enough

Dabi fakes his death and eventually becomes a High Fae in the Winter Court

Shouto seeks sanctuary in the Spring Court’s halls

(I don’t actually have a plot for it, but I’m enjoying figuring out the world and stuff)

Evil All Might AU

The underworld knows that young Yagi Toshinori is a con-artist, and a very good one

The kid’s quirkless, and from a bad neighborhood, so of course he gets involved in shady dealings to get by

But he never ever gets caught

See, he’s mastered the eager, innocent, “I know I’m quirkless, but it’s my dream to be a hero! To fight crime! To be someone people can look up to, put their faith in! To be a… a symbol!” act, he’s been running that con any time he’s found in the wrong place at the wrong time since he first started walking - no one with even a single good bone in their body ever questions it

He gets involved with AFO, who’s like “I could give you one of my lesser quirks in exchange for your loyalty, or you could do a long undercover mission for me and get one of the most powerful quirks in existence out of it”

His mission: pulling his signature con on Shimura Nana, being given One for All, becoming a hero, becoming the Number One Hero and Symbol of Peace and the singular pillar holding up hero society, maintaining that status for long enough that everyone grows a little complacent, finding a weak and manipulable child to pass One for All on to, setting them up to fail, and then retiring

(I’d either have this one be All Might-focused and end with the reveal, or have it be Izuku-focused and give it a happy ending where All Might totally chose the wrong kid, cause nothing about Izuku is weak)

Commission analyst Izuku au

Member of the commission overhears him muttering/catches a glance at his notebook while watching a hero fight, strikes up a conversation

The commission tracks him down, shows up at his home with a similar offer to the one they gave Hawks - but instead of a hero they want him to be an analyst for them

Like Hawks, they take away his name, only calling him something like Eagle Eye or something (I’d go with Hawkeye but Hawks already exists so it might be weird?)

(Basically this fic idea is just an excuse to have Izuku and Hawks as the ultimate team, and helping each other get out from under the commission’s thumb - maybe revolutionizing hero society along the way)

Canon rewrite w/ Monoma as main character, somehow

All I have for this one so far is just:

Monoma copies afo, uses copied afo to steal afo, AFO is now defeated

After getting better at controlling her quirk, Eri rewinds Kurogiri back into Shirakumo Oboro

But he’s the age he was when he died

So he joins the current class 2-A

As in Izuku’s class

Basically it’s just his old best friends having to teach him and him making friends with all Aizawa’s problem children

Time travel

(I have multiple cause I really like time travel)

Aizawa-centric time loop fic

Loop stretching from day before Oboro’s death to towards the end of the liberation war (diverging from canon in at least the first loop cause he fucking dies during the fight)

At first he thinks maybe he just, like, dreamt up those 14(?) years

But then things are happening the same way and so he starts changing things and he dies and wakes up the day before Oboro’s death again

He experiments a lot with the loops, figuring out that they’re definitely not time based - unless it’d loop back at the end of the liberation war even if he survives? Requires further testing

Details he changes throughout the loops (culminating in a loop in which he successfully changes all of them):

Oboro’s death

Shimura Tenko being taken in by All for One, All Might’s injury(?), Izuku accepting One for All, and more I haven’t fully decided on

Time travel fic where Pro Hero Deku accidentally time travels back to just before Aizawa’s first year as a student at ua and somehow gets hired as a teacher

Gonna be a two-parter

Part one: Izuku has to teach teen versions of his old high school teachers, channels their future selves a little

Part two: Aizawa, Yamada, and Kayama have to teach the teen version of their old favorite high school teacher, and end up channeling his future self - in different ways

(I’ve come across a couple different “Izuku gets accidentally sent back in time to when his teachers were students” fanfics and they keep making me think about how Aizawa & co would react to meeting him in canon timeline after meeting him in high school and then I took the natural step forward from there to “let’s parallel their nostalgia, make him their high school teacher so it can really hit hard”)

Izuku is related to rooftop trio aus

(I’ve come across a bunch of “Izuku is the biological son of at least one member of the rooftop trio” aus but only one acknowledges that in canon he’s only 15 years younger than them and that one has a very angsty explanation, so I wanted some that fit with canon and also aren’t too heavy - cause like, sure you could go with the complex extremely angsty trauma reason or you could go with the “these 13-16-year-olds(idk Inko’s canon age and as long as I never look it up I can pretend I’m not going against canon by making her only 2-ish years older than them) did what teenagers do and went to a party and made some relatively innocent mistakes and ended up with a pregnancy”)

Dadoro

Oboro and Inko have been neighbors and best friends their whole childhood, despite being a couple years separated in age

The fall before Oboro starts high school, Inko takes him along to a party with her high school friends

They get drunk and sleep together

Inko gets pregnant

They talk it through with each other and their families and agree to keep the baby (they’re both actually pretty excited to be parents) and raise it together platonically

Some months into first year (maybe second), Oboro tells his friends about his kid

Spends the rest of his life gushing about Izuku to all his friends (sorry for the word choice fjdhshshx)

Oboro dies and his friends make pact to help Inko take care of Izuku once they have steady income and stuff

But Inko’s family has moved and she’s married and they can’t find her

They keep searching, for roughly 14 years

And then Midoriya Izuku enrolls in UA’s hero course and his big green eyes and curly green hair match the pictures Oboro used to show them and his smile is identical to their old friend’s

And his mom’s name is Inko

But they’re not sure (His quirk doesn’t match Oboro’s nor his Inko’s after all)

Not until after the first term and the summer training disaster camp and Kamino, when All Might and Aizawa go house to house talking to parents about the dorms and All Might tries to insist on visiting the Midoriyas alone but Aizawa insists right back cause this is the closest he’s come to confirmation

and then he’s face to face with a woman he’s only ever seen in photographs

And then they talk about everything or something idk I haven’t got that far

Dadzawa and Dadmic (trans!aizawa)

A year and a half before he starts high school(I know I changed the timeline a whole year here but shush, how’s he supposed to get into U.A.’s hero course while pregnant?), Aizawa’s middle school and one or two others have a Joint Event, at which he meets a loud but cute blonde who keeps flirting with him

They hook up

He gets pregnant

His dad insists he get an abortion but he doesn’t want to and his mom supports his decision, they convince his dad to let him go through with the pregnancy on the condition that he gives the baby up for adoption immediately

He has twins, both boys (one with green eyes like the blonde’s(but darker) and the other with purple like Shouta’s mother’s)(that’s right, Shinsou is also their son in this, you’re welcome), and he gives them up for adoption to separate families

But with conditions

No one from his blood family is allowed to initiate contact with either boy without the kid’s knowing consent (he’s terrified of his father changing his mind, tracking them down, and hurting them)

With the one exception being that he’s allowed to send each one a birthday present and card every year

Which he does

Then he starts at UA and then gets into the hero course and there he is… the blonde… the father of Shouta’s children… who does not recognize him now that he’s started transitioning

This time Shouta’s the one who flirts - or tries to, the kid’s a little too oblivious

Of course they do eventually get together, and even end up married! (Haven’t decided if they get together during high school or after they start teaching there or what(probably the latter, for plot reasons))

The first time Midoriya Inko contacts Shouta is after Izuku is diagnosed quirkless - she knows the young man loves her son as much as she does and might be able to reassure him where she already failed

His next birthday, Izuku’s mystery card says he can be a hero even without a quirk; it makes Izuku’s year

Hitoshi’s parents also contact Shouta that year, the boy struggling to make and keep friends ever since his quirk came in; Shouta’s birthday card to him isn’t much different from Izuku’s, really

The Shinsous get in an accident and Hitoshi is placed in foster care and suddenly Shouta can’t send him his yearly gift and card anymore cause nobody will tell him where the boy is now because of the contact portion of the adoption contract

They also won’t tell Hitoshi that he was adopted and his birth father is out there looking for him, so Shouta’s pretty sure they’re trying to hide that he’s being mistreated wherever he is

Inko continues to contact Shouta now and then whenever she thinks Izuku will need extra encouragement come his birthday (she never tells Izuku about being adopted - even after he enters his teen years - cause after his diagnosis, everyone but her left him and she doesn’t want him to internalize the idea that his birth parents didn’t want him - Shouta’s not happy with the decision, but he understands)

Then one year he sends Izuku a Present Mic figurine and she writes him to share how excited the boy was and how Present Mic is one of his favorite heroes and he listens to his radio show all the time and Shouta simultaneously melts and has a minor breakdown at the realization that he hasn’t told his husband that they have sons, he can’t tell Hizashi that their son listens to his radio show regularly when Hizashi doesn’t know Izuku even exists

So of course, being the rational man he is, he finally tells Hizashi about Izuku and Hitoshi

Hizashi freaks, of course (in a good way(mostly))

And then, one of the worst days of Shouta’s life

He’s on patrol and sees a figure on a rooftop and rushes to get there - just in case it’s a jumper - and it’s his son, his Izuku

They talk(it doesn’t breach the adoption contract, he didn’t know it was Izuku when he approached and the kid spoke first) and Izuku tells him “everything” about his encounter with All Might, Shouta tells him to tell his parents - they’re there to support him - and also that All Might’s full of shit and a quirkless hero is totally possible with the right training and enough willpower

Then after they leave the rooftop his kid gets in trouble again, rushing in to save a classmate from the same sludge villain that attacked him earlier that day

Of course Shouta swoops in and pulls the kids out of danger before All Might arrives to “save the day”

This time Shouta insists on walking Izuku home to make sure he actually gets there safely

But then All Might shows up again wanting to talk to his kid privately and he wants to tell the man to fuck off but he’s not legally allowed, really, so when Izuku says it’s fine he reluctantly leaves

Inko asks to meet him just days later

She tells him that Izuku told her everything about what happened that day - including what Shouta told him - and she tells him that she’s realized she needs to properly support her son in pursuing his dream

She understands that Shouta wouldn’t feel comfortable training him one-on-one with the kid not knowing who they are to each other, and she’s still not ready to tell him yet, so she asks for a list, for him to help her get in touch with people who can train Izuku or ways for Izuku to train on his own, ways for her to help

He puts her in contact with seven pro heroes (Midnight, Gunhead, the Wild Wild Pussycats, and - somehow - Sir Nighteye) and a vigilante team (the Naruhata Crawler and his team), all of whom he talks into helping - and has to tell about his connection to this boy they’ll be teaching

(Each have something important to teach him: Midnight - using words and body language to throw off opponents, Gunhead - martial arts, Wild Wild Pussycats - stamina, teamwork and use of your environment when out in nature, Sir Nighteye - analysis and planning, the Naruhata Vigilantes - use of gadgets and weapons, use of your environment when in the city, having the heart of a hero, and - most importantly - that quirkless people can be fucking strong and skilled and terrifying and certainly aren’t weak or useless (they were trained by a quirkless vigilante after all, they’re bound to have a different perspective on the idea of a quirkless hero than anyone else, a perspective Izuku could really benefit from))

Ten months later, Izuku passes UA’s entrance exam and is placed in Shouta’s class (he’s pretty sure Nezu did that on purpose)

When the school year starts, he and Hizashi discover that Izuku isn’t the only one in one of their classes - Hitoshi is in Hizashi’s homeroom

They are, of course, fucking extatic

They just need to, y’know, figure out how to tell him that they’re his parents and maybe possibly would love custody of him if he wants

(Again I haven’t gotten any further than that yet)

(Also, if you can’t tell, in this au Izuku turns down All Might’s offer of One for All, cause Eraserhead said he could be a hero without a quirk and was honestly a lot kinder and more responsible (like, making sure the kid got home safely instead of leaving him on a roof) and stuff than All Might and honestly might be his new favorite hero)

[remmushound]

Are you my Dad part 5, Please don’t go

“Donnie…” Leonardo said quietly, holding his arm out to push his brother and nephew behind him. “Go get Raph and dad and Mikey…”

Donatello didn't respond verbally, simply obeying Leonardo’s commands and hurrying off toward the bedrooms. Leonardo drew his katana at the ready as the specter slowly raised itself out of the water, and it just kept growing until it’s size rivaled Raphael and then passed him. Fully out of the water, her features became clearer. Three fingers, marked with claws, and two toes with talons like an eagle. Their eyes, while at first mistakable as a bright red, were actually pinker upon closer inspection.

“Holy shell…”

She stood at least seven feet, though she couldn’t be much taller than that, with muscles the size of Leonardo’s head and a plastron as big as his entire body. A plastron… a mutant? From deep within them came a heavy churr of question, cocking their head to get her point across even further as they eyed Leonardo. Out from the water they stepped, their pale skin glistening with the moisture clinging to the thick skin, making them glossy like a pearl.

Leonardo and the other mutant stepped closer to each other, Leonardo letting his katana fall to the ground to show he wasn’t a threat.

There came a sudden brightness as the rest of Leonardo’s family returned, his brothers brandishing weapons and his father an impossibly bright light shined directly in the creature's face. The turtle mutant roared at the blinding light, their hands going up to clutch at their sensitive eyes as they stumbled backward into the water. Their pain turned to anger as they narrowed their eyes and showed pointed fangs and hissed between their teeth before charging the Hamato Clan.

“Guys, wait—“

No one listened to Leonardo’s beckoning, not even his father. All four charged into a fight against the massive mutant, Raphael trying to knock them from their feet but quickly finding himself overpowered by the equally spiky albino. She heaved Raphael into her arms with a great strain and tossed him like a massive beachball, slamming the sharp of Raphael’s shell against Michelangelo and knocking both brothers to the ground in a tangle of each other's limbs.

Donatello landed only a single blow against the mutant's plastron, though it seemed to shake him more than it did the mutant. She scooped him up by his battle shell.

“Mommy.” Donatello gulped before he was tossed halfway across the lair with all the elegance of a wingless pigeon.

“You stay away from my sons!” Splinter threw himself swiftly at the mutant, and though she tried to grab him, he climbed around to her carapace at an angle she could reach. He wrapped his tail around her neck, then fling himself from her and dragged her by the throat to slam down into the water.

“DAD!” Leonardo ran to the shore but couldn’t see anything through the torrential crashing of the water. Through the chaos he’s see a tail or a shell occasionally resurfacing, only to be quickly dragged back under by the force of the other. Leonardo swore repeatedly under his breath, flapping his wrists as he looked around. “Gotta think gotta think gotta think— IDEA!”

Leonardo ran off just as Raphael and Michelangelo detangled themselves from each other.

“Where’s he going?” Michelangelo squeaked, looking back at Leonardo as he disappeared.

“Don’t know, don’t care!”

Raphael jumped into the water to aid his father, and together both father and son managed to wrestle the massive mutant out of the water and toss them to shore. They landed on all fours with a vicious hiss, but before they could charge back into the fight, a noise caught their attention. They turned their head around to see Leonardo with turtle-tot in hand, holding Picassio out for her to see. Picassio seemed excited at the simple sight of her. Tiny, excited chirps escaped the hatchlings mouth— squeaks that the massive mutant returned as they— as she— lumbered forward to meet Leonardo.

“He’s your baby, right…?” Leonardo said slowly, looking down at the mutant's plastron. Round and flat without the slightest hint of a curve. A female. “It’s okay. We didn't mean to take him.”

“Leo what are you doing?!” Raphael’s eyes went wide, and he tried to rush out of the water, but Splinter raised an arm to stop him. The rat’s nose twitched with interest.

“We’re sorry.” Leonardo said, “We thought he was abandoned. But he’s not, is he?”

The brute of a mutant shook her head and held out a massive hand.

“Leonardo, don’t—!”

Leonardo handed the hatchling over, and the minute he touched her hand Picassio couldn’t be happier. He started to chirp and spin, trying to stand up only to stumble. The female raised her other hand to catch him. Her beak spread into a smile as she gentle nuzzle the hatchling, giving the smallest affectionate nibble to the newborn's cheeks.

She brought the hatchling up to her shoulders and Picassio happily climbed on, giving chirps and squeaks as he went that his mother was quick to return.

“Raph.” Leonardo said, “She’s his mother.”

Raphael’s eyes felt hot, tears already starting to spill out of them as the mutant lumbered past him and back to the water.

“But…” Raphael reached a numb hand toward his Picassio. “But my…”

Leonardo was at his side then, hugging the snapper gently. Raphael’s lip quivered as the mother got shoulder-deep into the submerged tunnel and went to dive down. Before she got a chance to, however, Picassio gave a loud squeak and leapt from her shoulder. He landed in the water with the tiniest splash and started to paddle over to Raphael, churring all the while. Raphael gasped and hurried to meet him, wading into the water and taking Picassio in both his hands and holding the hatchling close to his chest while the mother stopped and turned around to watch.

“Hey buddy…” Raphael went to wipe his eyes, but he found Picassio’s small hands already there, wiping away the alligator tears as big as his hands were. “Oh no, don’t worry. Big Raphie’s fine…”

Picassio gave a sad whine, looking from Raphael to his mother, and then back again. His eyes were wide, eyeridges lifted and lips quivering in a manner similar to Raphael’s.

“It’s okay…” Raphael tried to keep the shaking out of his voice, but it wasn’t very effective, “You go on with your mama, okay Picassio?”

Raphael gave him a kiss on the head, and Picassio returned the affection with a nose bump. Then the hatchling jumped back into the water and swam back to the white giant. Before she could disappear beneath the surface, Raphael called to her.

“Hey.”

She turned around and fixed her white eyes on Raphael.

“What’s your name?”

She seemed to hesitate at first before saying, “Lita. My name is Lita.”

@sententiously-sarcastic @digitl-art-monstr @yarchurr @getacactus @sammyheroes @thenicare @raphael5sanzio @ilo-artistry

[monstersdownthepath]

Spiritual Spotlight: Tanagaar the Aurulant Eye

Lawful Good Empyreal Lord of Night, Owls, and Watchfulness

Domains: Animal, Darkness, Good, Law Subdomains: Archon, Feather, Moon, Night

Chronicles of Righteousness, pg. 25

Obedience: Find and observe a mouse or rat from no more than 30 feet away. Continue watching the mouse, unseen, for 100 breaths. Catch the mouse and release it in an area where owls hunt. Benefit: Gain a +4 sacred bonus on saving throws against effects that would hinder your sight or hearing.

Oh my god

After all these years, after all this searching, we’ve finally found it. We’ve found an Obedience that justifies carrying around a Sack Of Rats! It’s a miracle!

Anyway, this Obedience is ironically somewhat difficult to perform if your DM is being a stickler about it. Note that you not only have to find a rat--which means if you’re using a Sack Of Rats, you have to release it and then relocate it--but you have to watch it while being unseen. While one may assume that “unseen” simply applies to the rodent in question, the linguistic gymnastics we tend to pull here at Monsters Down The Path LLC to cheese Obediences sometimes works against us, and in this case “unseen” may not simply apply to your prey, but anyone. If your DM applies this additional stipulation, I hope you’ve got a good Stealth mod! And a good excuse about your weird behavior.

While Tanagaar isn’t exactly an evil guy, he’s not especially well-known, and your weird prowling may get some raised eyebrows. The good news is that as a Lawful Good deity (and an Archon at that), the number of times you’re likely to be sent into Evil territory to subtly work among them is 0, reducing your chances of needing actual excuses about why you’re skulking around like a cat. If, for whatever reason, you want to keep your worship of the Aurulant Eye under wraps, simply being a catfolk, kobold, or goblin is a good enough excuse.

Next comes catching the vermin and releasing it in an area where owls hunt. Simple enough in almost any environment but a desolate stretch of empty desert, winter wasteland, or subterranean cavern, as owls are very widespread, to the point that this Obedience could simply say “release it into the wild.” The biggest problem is refreshing your rodent stock, an issue that goes largely unaddressed in other Sack Of Rats Obediences because those usually require the death of any small critter, and this one specifically requires rodents. Better take up rat catching as a hobby or frequent the local pet store, I guess!

The benefit is more amazing than it looks at first glance, because Monsters Down The Path LLC’s patented Linguistic Gymnastics is here to point out that any effect which could impair your sight or hearing is blocked, even if that effect is SECONDARY, such as against powerful spells like Sunburst or against afflictions like Blinding Disease. Having your senses stripped from you is always bad, even for a short time, but the fact this benefit applies to “any effect” that would “hinder” your sight or hearing means it works on everything from having dust blow in your eyes to an enemy’s Greater Shout, and it can potentially give you an edge against dozens or hundreds of other effects which tack on sensory abuse as a bonus effect, making it a fantastic bonus at all levels. It even applies to EVERY saving throw instead of just Fortitude!

Boons are gained slowly, typically achieved once you reach 12, 16, and 20 Hit Dice. Followers of the Empyreal Lords, however, can enter the Mystery Cultist Prestige Class at level 8, which grants them their Boons much quicker! Entered as early as possible, you gain the Boons at levels 10, 13, and 16 instead. Mystery Cultists MUST take the Celestial Obedience feat, NOT Deific Obedience.

Empyreal Lords do not grant the typical Evangelist/Exalted/Sentinel spread (and cannot enter those classes), instead having only one set of Boons granted to their followers regardless of their class.

Boon 1: Forest Dweller. Gain Calm Animals 3/day, Eagle Eye2/day, or Deeper Darkness 1/day.

Oh, interesting! Never seen Eagle Eye here before, and it’s actually a good spell! ... sort of. It creates a magical sensor above you, upwards to 400ft+40ft/lvl, from which you can see as though you were there and rotate your viewpoint around freely. It’s more or less to give one a birds-eye view of a battlefield, akin to someone playing an RTS with an over-the-field viewpoint to make commanding armies easier, though the birds-eye view is also very, very useful for spotting threats to a small group of people (such as the party) that they cannot see from the horizontal plane.

Also, needless to say, but having a safe way to see the surrounding terrain from several hundred feet above it can make navigating towards a destination or landmark much easier. With a 1 min/lvl duration and 2/day availability, you can be the party’s aerial lookout without ever actually leaving the ground and putting yourself in danger, and the sensor itself is invisible as well if you fear flying enemies. Eagle Eyes isn’t useful at all inside enclosed environments, and in fact cannot be used to spy into the floors above you unless you have line of effect, but if you want to peel inside, say, the Evil Wizard Tower without alerting them via the use of a familiar or similar, go crazy.

Calm Animals causes up to 2d4+CL HD worth of animals to become docile and harmless for its duration, but for it to actually work on a group of animals, they all must be roughly the same type (i.e. a pack of wolves) and cannot be further than 30ft apart. This isn’t really a problem, as using it on a bunch of angry animals usually means you’re hitting a pack of scavengers or predators you’ve angered, and its generous scaling means that it’ll be useful at all levels of the game whether you need to slow down a charging pack of raptors or just one big T. Rex--wait a T. Rex has how many hit dice? well, scratch that particular idea I guess. unless you get lucky with your 2d4 roll. Still useful. The big problem is that it’s completely useless against anything that’s not an Animal, and if an Animal suddenly receives the gift of sapience--even temporarily--the spell has no effect on them. That makes this spell useful for traveling through the wilds (or, rarely, stopping the charge of an enemy warhorse), but not for much else.

Which leaves Deeper Darkness, the spell which hammers your party just as hard as it does an enemy. Creating a 60ft sphere of absolute black can send chaos through the ranks of more or less any foe, because if the area was already low or dim light it becomes supernaturally pitch that not even darkvision can pierce it! Not even yours. Cutting off your party’s ability to see is just as crippling for them as it is your enemy, so be sure to have some method to actually take advantage of the shroud or you’ll end up swinging at empty air or, worse, swing at allies. While it’s good for making an escape, Obscuring Fog is way better, way cheaper, and doesn’t take away your magical flexibility.

Boon 2: Owl's Eye. You gain darkvision out to a range of 60 feet. If you already have darkvision, increase its range by an additional 60 feet.

Wow! Boring! But useful for more or less everyone, since not needing torches or a light source when skulking around in the dark or keeping night watch makes it less likely you’re spotted by some prowling predator or sadistic dungeon-dweller, but it’s noting spectacular or even particularly noteworthy. I appreciate that Tanagaar extends existing darkvision outwards, but it’s rare you’ll actually need more than 60 feet unless you’re actually adventuring in an open area after dark.

It’s a decent Boon, but it’s also insultingly easy to replicate with existing spells or cheap items (such as a Wand or Potion of Darkvision), making its impact a little hard to appreciate.

Boon 3: Hunter's Edge. You gain Sneak Attack +3d6. This increase to Sneak Attack damage stacks with Sneak Attack damage you may have from other sources. Whenever you deal Sneak Attack damage with a piercing weapon, you deal +2 points of damage per Sneak Attack die.

huh hey that’s pretty good

hey aren’t you supposed to be Lawful, Tanagaar? Not that I don’t appreciate a little bit of pragmatism among the forces of Good, but stabbing someone in the kidney from behind seems kinda underhanded, doesn’t it? Then again, so does summoning flocks of owls to gouge out enemy eyes or appearing before them as a terrifying phantasm to gently coerce them into surrender. Even Law knows when it needs to fight dirty, I suppose.

Not that you HAVE to, mind; with how easy it is to set up a Sneak Attack (you literally just have to be flanking), you don’t have to be particularly sneaky. Just standing across from an ally and stabbing someone in the throat when they turn away from a brief second deals +3d6 damage to them, which is already good before you take into account that, actually, it’s 3d6+6 because Tanagaar superdupercharges your Sneak Attacks with +2 damage per die! Even NOT having SA to begin with is still adding a flat +6 damage to your attacks that stacks with all your other damage modifiers, but having SA available beforehand--such as by being a Rogue, a Ninja, a Slayer, or one of the rare archetypes to hand it out--is especially viable because Hunter’s Edge stacks with ALL other sources. Have +5d6 from your class already? Now it’s 8d6+16 damage.

It’s even tastier if used on a ranged weapon, but make no mistake, it’s still pretty damn nice just at its base regardless of your build... unless you’re a Mystery Cultist, which is aimed mostly at casting and doesn’t get anything particularly martial-aligned until later levels. Classing into Mystery Cultist also means that your Sneak Attack is unlikely to be at all impressive (you may reach 6d6, but certainly not the impressive 8d6 I proposed), but the only other option is waiting for this ability to kick in at level 20, which is simply unacceptable. Aside from that, the only real problem I have with this ability is that it specifically works with piercing weapons... and since Tanagaar’s holy weapon is the kukri, you actually miss this Boon entirely if you stick only to his weapon of choice, and your god actively discouraging you from using any of their sacred aspects isn’t a good look for anyone!

You can read more about him here.

[beeblackburn]

The Anti-TBR Tag

I was tagged by @books-and-doodles! Thank you! And poor you, for I am a long-winded bastard.

1. A popular book EVERYONE loves that you have no interest in reading?

On general principle, I feel like the really popular stuff (Twilight, Throne of Glass, Divergent, The Mortal Instruments) ends up being stuff I’m inherently not going to be attracted to and some of them have their own hatedoms going on, so going after them in detail would be punching down (though I don’t particular like any of the above). So I’m going to try to go off the beaten path with these seven:

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab = nothing against her personally, though I heard her The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue was baaaaad, but apparently, she’s similar to Sanderson in the magic system being better than the characterization and I heard her writing’s got a white faux-female empowerment sort of thing going that I’m growing increasingly... discontent of by itself. I might try it out later, but I also got hundreds of books to drill through first and I’m in no rush.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo = I’ve been increasingly getting the sense that Six of Crows was a flash in the pan, Bardugo’s style more defined by fun than genuine substance. And given a rather scathing review that points out unearned shifts in characterization, lackluster supporting cast, and two really uncomfortable exploitative sexual assault fantasy scenes (one of which was underaged!), I’m gonna say no.

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik = I generally like Novik! She’s a very solid writer to me and I’ve bought most of her books, so this is purely me not taking to the Wizarding School genre. Sorry, Novik, "a twisted, super dark, super modern, female-led Harry Potter" isn’t the selling point it once was, and even then, I probably wouldn’t have taken to it. Especially when I’ve already got The Gray House by Mariam Petrosyan to read.

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson = I’ve got mixed feelings on Mistborn looking back: it’s hardly the worst of his oeuvre (Elantris is that and was admittedly his first book) and The Final Empire took a few narrative risks that I admire, I also found the resulting books a tad juvenile and I don’t take to steampunk, genre-wise. I’m not even that much of a Sanderson fan, so I’d rather just read the summary for all I care.

Storm Front by Jim Butcher = given what I’ve been told about The Dresden Files’ lessening of noir roots past the first few books, how it later became more flashy-and-bang magical, and how it’s pretty sexist early on (and from what I’ve been told, doubled down on it later on and having worse treatments of its female characters), I’m in no particular rush to read them. The urban fantasy genre on them only turns me off more.

The Doors of Stone by Patrick Rothfuss = hahaha, I’m sorry, I did read The Name of the Wind, and read select parts of The Wise Man’s Fear, but everyone, instead of waiting and devoting your time for this book to come, I would suggest reading Fitz, Who Is Actually Good and Can Wring More than Disgust and an Eye-Roll out of You in Robin Hobb’s Realm of the Elderlings, given she is far better at characterization than Rothfuss.

Anything by Paul Krueger, Sam Sykes, and Myke Cole = fuck all three of these men and the idea that I’ll pay for their stuff. While I can’t demand any of you not buy from them and I’ll hardly claim to be a saint in terms of ethics, purchase-wise, I would beseech you all please don’t buy from these three authors who have a history of inappropriateness.

2. A classic book (or author) you don’t have an interest in reading?

Charles Dickens = look, I know his word count is padded because of serial installments back then, but I’m sorry, I wasn’t that impressed by the child-sanitized versions of Great Expectations and Oliver Twist. They were easily some of the most boring of out of the child-sanitized classics I read. It was the pictures that kept me going and barely at that. No thanks.

Emily Brontë =  look, if I wanted shitty people being shitty to each other, I’d much rather read Joe Abercrombie because at least I’ll get some intentional dark comedy out of dumb shitheads being terrible to each other (Best Served Cold comes to mind). And I know we’re not meant to like these self-destructive people, but I’d rather not hate everyone that much.

Alexander Dumas = Three Musketeers really didn’t age well, just from the TV Tropes page and I’m not really looking forward to an adventure that goes out of its way to valorize its protagonists being adventurous assholes who dueled, drank, and womanized harder than anyone else and we should commend that because they were men. Ugh.

3. An author you have read a couple of books from & have decided their books are not for you?

Leigh Bardugo = like I said, I feel like Six of Crows (and Crooked Kingdom, to a lesser extent) was a flash in the pan and she’s been increasingly running on fumes ever since then. Good and fun with a decent eye for characterization, but hardly revolutionary, considering how I think Crooked Kingdom isn’t quite as good as Six of Crows, and the less said about Shadow and Bone, the better.

Neil Gaiman = I’ve read some of his stuff (and I didn’t quite see the hype over his writing, but liked it decently enough) but having heard that, in his Sandman run, he wrote in a transwoman solely to get killed for an emotional ending and how he defended that choice for awhile left a battery acid taste for me to read more. He’s a formative part of people’s childhoods, so I don’t blame anyone for being fans, he’s just not for me.

Steven Erikson = really nothing against the dude, I’m sure he's probably a decent guy, but I didn’t take to Gardens of the Moon at all and skimming Deadhouse Gates and Memories of Ice (which were admittedly better) made me realize its prose was something I would need a hard and sharp shovel to crack through, and the darting around of many, many POVs made me feel not invested in anyone.

4. A genre you have no interest in OR a genre you tried to get into & couldn’t?

I’ll answer both because I have the time:

I’m not interested in romance, mostly because it’s an entire genre built around the build-up. It’s usually the story about the beginning of a relationship, not the relationship itself. I’d genuinely like to read about the story of a romance that doesn’t stop shortly after the hook-up or before the honeymoon period ends. The City Watch parts of Discworld by Terry Pratchett, The Memoirs of Lady Trent by Marie Brennan and The Sharing Knife by Lois McMaster Bujold all have romantic elements that are relatively undrenched in melodrama or frills, but none of them are pure romances, which is a huge problem. I can take romantic subplots in fantasy, but I can’t take the genre as-is.

Urban fantasy is a genre I’m not against having my mind changed on liking, but right now, I generally find it insipid, a shortcut to good world-building, short on great characterization, and an excuse to lampshade and pretense to being above fantastical clichés in a tongue-in-cheek attitude while still committing to them. I do genuinely like Rivers of London by Ben Aaronvitch, but that’s really the concession I can give the entirety of the genre. I took a crack at Rick Riordan and Cassandra Clare’s stuff, but it didn’t feel like my sort of thing. Again, would like to be convinced, but I’d much rather read a domestic or slice-of-life fantasy set in a more overtly fantasy world than the urban one. 

Also, sci-fi, but I’m trying again with the Wormwood trilogy by Tade Thompson, An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon, and either the Imperial Radch trilogy by Ann Leckie, or the Teixcalaan trilogy by Arkady Martine. I snoozed through Azimov’s Foundation and generally bored myself of hard sci-fi books, so I’m hoping contemporary sci-fi changes my mind on the entire genre.

5. A book you have bought but will never read?

A book I personally bought? Honestly, Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien de Castell. No particular reason, I just bought it at a closing-down sale at a branch of my bookstore on the cheap because the cover looked nice and didn’t really take to its blurb. I heard good things though, so if anyone else wants to read it...

I tag @vera-dauriac, @xserpx, @autoapocrypha, @kateofthecanals, @turtle-paced, @insecticidalfeminism, @secretlyatargaryen, @helix-eagle-hourglass-nebula, @xillionart, @jovolovo and whoever else that is following me and wishes to do this tag (I’d like to read your posts, so please tag me! :D)

[fascinatedhelix]

More spoilery Pathless thoughts, notes, ideas, etc:

So, from the limited glimpses I’ve gotten of the Shark Temple monks, the hoods they wear don’t look like scarves like I initially thought when I saw them in Abzu. The texture and hard shapes give off the impression of something more along the lines of a gabled hood, reinforced with buckram or something similar to keep the geometric shapes.

Also, though I couldn’t get a super long look at the faces of their skeletons, they look... weird. The eye sockets are small and the rest of the face looks blank. Maybe the developers borrowed from the Diver’s model, or they’re wearing masks. Either way I’m not 100% convinced they’re normal humans. Jumping off that point, it does kind of weird me out that the ancestors from Abzu appear to be human, at least to some extent. It doesn’t quite make a ton of sense, given how the architecture in Abzu is rather amphibious (yes, there are stairs underwater that would imply they used to be above water, but also, the more “urban” areas (such as the area where you find the bird mural) seem built specifically for exploration above and below water, implying the inhabitants could travel both ways). Than again, magic is a thing in-universe, or at least a rather unusual form of it. Somehow the Godslayer managed to grow twice the height of a normal person and attained a tail and claws, so I don’t think its a stretch that a society might develop where the people figured out how to give themselves gills or something. Or they were never human in the first place and just lived alongside the Isle humans for a while before they were ousted.

It is very difficult getting good references for the characters from screenshots. Since I can’t play it myself, I have to rely on Youtube videos, and even those aren’t super reliable due to basically nobody taking the time to take a close look at the skeletons and stuff, and the constant movement making it difficult to get any clear shots. Even the OST videos, as recommended, aren’t very good because the concept art featured is all either scenery or the Hunter, so while I might have no problems with her, everything else is kinda bust. Godslayer in particular is a pain in the ass because he’s always shot with this low red lighting, to the point you can hardly make out the details of his arms outside of a few blurry shots.

It is implied that the Tall Ones took the physical bodies of animal-headed humanoids before the Godslayer killed them and corrupted their spirits, as evidenced by some stele text and the giant fucking skeletons that are revealed after one completes the different plateaus. I suppose the size of the skeletons would explain why they’re called the Tall Ones in the first place, though I can’t imagine being one of the Isle’s humans, living a normal life, finding out about all sorts of drama off at the monasteries, and then one day looking out my window and seeing a 100 foot tall streaker with a deer’s head carefully tiptoeing over pine trees. I say streaker because the giant skeletons sure as hell didn’t look clothed, and the statues of their humanoid forms imply a rather... limited wardrobe. But then again, if the statues were accurate, then the Eagle Mother and Nimue would have masculine bodies, which would be kind of weird, but they’re not human so I suppose one can excuse them not being super well versed in human sexual dimorphism.

Also, going by the singular lore video I can find on Youtube, I think the Pathfinder had already slipped into being a little crazy before he donned the Mask of Ancients, got his hands on the Sun Sword, and started demanding human sacrifices. Case in point, he had a bunch of his followers sacrifice their lives to set off the traps to get to the Mask instead of doing the rational person thing and just working on the puzzles. Their spirits even say as much. I don’t think he was put in prison for just voicing an opinion contrary to the popular doctrine of the time, I think he was already stirring up a violent cult following before that point; the prison break was just the earliest point in which people really started to notice him. Or at least, start dying.

I don’t think the time period between the fall of the Isle civilization and the Hunter’s arrival was much more than maybe a generation or two. For starters, the Hunter and the Godslayer speak the same language, and don’t seem to have any issues understanding each other despite presumably a long time for linguistic drift to set in. Additionally, the dead, while skeletal, seem to be in relatively good condition (with clothing intact, no less), and while the buildings and such are in ruins in many cases, they don’t look like they’ve been overtaken by the elements like one would expect from a centuries old ruin.

[softspeirs]

@junojelli asked for: Speirs, an OC of your choice, and a small unexpected birthday gift from one of them!

.

“I don’t know what you’re asking me for--”

“I’m asking you because you’re his closest friend.”

Lipton scoffs, “I don’t think I would call us--”

“You’re basically his best friend, and I need to know if he would like something like that.”

There’s static on the line, and Kat shifts the phone so it’s cradled between her ear and her shoulder.

Lip sighs. “I’d argue that you know him better than any of us, but if you really need my opinion, I’d say what you’ve got is a good idea. I wouldn’t expect him to fawn over it, though.” His tone is teasing, and Kat rolls her eyes.

“If he fawned over anything, I’d be calling for help getting him institutionalized.”

The door behind her opens and closes again, and she turns to see Ron coming in the door to the kitchen, hair windswept, still in his uniform. There’s only a few days left of his leave, and he’s had to spend some of it in command meetings, the scowl on his face the only indicator of his irritation.

“Who’s getting institutionalized?” He asks, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

“Here, Lip’s on the phone.” She says, handing him the phone so she can hurriedly shove a shopping bag into a drawer instead of where it had been on the kitchen counter.

She hears him greet Lip happily before excusing herself from the room, letting the two men catch up. “Not best friends, my foot.” She mutters under her breath.

Ron’s birthday is in two days. He insisted over and over again he didn’t want to celebrate, didn’t want any gifts, but their relationship is still so new, she didn’t want to just not get him anything.

She’s only been back stateside for two months, Ron following along when it seemed the Army wasn’t quite sure what to do with him yet.

It’s all very scandalous, according to her mother. Her and Ron living together while not married, that is. It made perfect sense to them, though. Ron had a big house in Boston that he inherited and it was made very clear to Kathryn that she wouldn’t be welcomed back to the family home with open arms. It broke her heart a little, but she came to terms with it somewhere between France and Belgium.

So, here they are. Well, here she is, rather. She’s been alone here a lot of the time while Ron has been working, waiting for orders. She knows he’s shipping out soon. It makes her fingers tremble if she thinks about it too long - him going away, going back to war.

But it’s his birthday, and she doesn’t want to let her mind linger on things she can’t change. Footsteps on the hardwood make her look up, and then he’s right in front of her, handsome face filling her vision.

He looks more relaxed, the first few buttons of his shirt undone and his tie loosened.

“Good chat?”

He hums in agreement, leaning down slightly to wind his arms around her waist. “Missed you,” he mumbles into her hair.

It makes her warm, his quiet words of endearment. He is not usually a very vocally emotional man. He prefers to show rather than tell. She decides to bite the bullet.

“I have something for you.”

He pulls back slightly, frowning. “For what?”

Kat rolls her eyes. “For what-- Ron, your birthday is in two days. You might get your orders before then, so I want to give it to you now.”

“You didn’t have to get me anything.”

“Come with me,” she says, pulling him by one hand back into the kitchen. “Now, I had a hard time deciding what to get, and I got a few opinions. So if you hate it, you can lodge your complaints with one Carwood Lipton--”

He chuckles, “Kat, just--”

“Okay, here.” She pulls the bag out of the drawer and hands it to him, watching him carefully unwrap the gift.

It’s a new wrist watch. His has been in Normandy and all over Europe, and the face is cracked. This one is simple, the style similar to the one he already wears, and with his initials engraved on the back. It’s also got a small screaming eagle on the back, a constant reminder.

He’s so quiet she’s sure he hates it.

“I can take it back, I can exchange it for--”

She’s in his arms before she can finish her sentence.

“I didn’t expect anything...” he says, sounding unsure of himself.

“I wanted you to have something from me before you go.” Kat says, wringing her hands together. “I know it’s sentimental, and it’s not--”

“It’s perfect.” His voice is a low rasp, not unlike the tone he took when he first told her how he felt about her, a desperate confession in a dark corner. It makes her shiver.

“Happy birthday.” Kat whispers.

“I know the last week has been…” he scratches the back of his neck, “I haven’t been with you as much as I’ve wanted to. And we’re still trying to figure this out now that we’re not about to die at any second--” he gestures between himself and Kathryn. “Thank you for thinking of me, is what I’m trying to say.”

His kiss is gentle. Sweet. A rare thing from a man who usually steals her breath with his intensity.

It makes her hopeful. Hopeful that they’ll be okay, that he’ll come home in one piece. Hopeful that she’ll be able to do something more for him on his next birthday.

[artificialqueens]

Please Don’t Take My Crown Just Because You Can (Olivia Lux x Trixie Mattel) - Plastiquedoll

read on ao3  👑

Summary: It was a bad idea. Trixie knew it from the second she signed up for it. Her stomach hadn’t been quiet from that moment on, she could barely get any sleep the previous night and her hands were constantly sweaty. How could she let her mother convince her of entering a beauty pageant? …Another beauty pageant. That was what she thought until she met Olivia and maybe -just maybe- her day got much better.

A/N: hi there! this is my entry for the rare pair fic challenge! I hope you like it <3

my train of thought for this story was the following one: rare pair challenge > 21 Jolene by Dolly Parton > Dolly Parton Trixie Mattel music > Dolly Parton movie Dumplin > Dumplin movie with beauty pageants > (break to remember that one roast joke about Ginger working with Jennifer Anniston) > pageant queens > line of the song about the Jolene’s > Olivia has a beautiful smile > Trixie was kind of obsessed with her on the pit stop > Trixie x Olivia > rare pair > Trixie x Olivia pageant queens au with Jolene somewhere

It was a bad idea.

Trixie knew it from the second she signed up for it. Her stomach hadn’t been quiet from that moment on, she could barely get any sleep the previous night and her hands were constantly sweaty.

How could she let her mother convince her of entering a beauty pageant?

…Another beauty pageant.

Only because her older sister was a pageant queen it didn’t mean she was cut from the same mold.

Even during the prior weeks when she tried that beautiful nightgown covered in sequins that fit her so well, she didn’t feel fully comfortable in it. Even in the talent category –one she was supposed to excel in since she had chosen singing- she wasn’t completely sure of the song she had picked and don’t get her start on the swimsuit category.

It was a nightmare.

Now she had paid the fee it was too late to regret it. She was already in the building, she had signed the damn application form and she had a number assigned –twelve- there was no way out even when all her senses were tingling and her body kept telling her to run away.

She took a deep breath and walked into the dressing room where her fellow competitors were already dolling up. She saw a mother stretching a corset so much the boobs of the girl were in a different color than her face and also a girl with a professional makeup team of three people doing her face, hair, and nails. This was no joke for some of them.

Of course, Trixie had been looked down on the moment she showed up and it was intimidating to walk among those trained pageant girls who whispered and tittered when she passed by their stations. Some of them might have identified her, some of them might be guessing what she was doing there.

Luckily, she found her mirror and hangers to be located in an isolated area near one of the back doors. At least she could get ready in peace.

Her mother walked into the room and it got as quiet as a church. The heads turned and immediately recognized the former Miss USA even after all those years, they also knew Trixie’s sister, Pearl, the current Miss Teen America; with both proud achievements under her arm, her mother solemnly crossed the place to her station with a couple of makeup bags on her hands. She greeted everyone with her fakest smile and then she looked at her daughter.

“Ronan will get your stuff in a moment.” She caressed Trixie’s hair. “Brush your hair, it’s dry.” She said with disdain. “And pinch your cheeks, you look ill.”

Forget that part of getting ready in peace.

Trixie instinctively grabbed a brush while her mother went mingle –and collected information about the other girls.

Suddenly, a voice surprised her.

“Hi!”

Trixie turned around and froze for a moment.

In the contiguous mirror labeled number thirteen, there was a girl with a bathrobe, rollers on her dark brown hair and by far the most beautiful smile Trixie had ever seen, the kind that made people go weak on their knees, with her not being the exception.

She’s beauty and she’s grace, she takes my breath away.

She looked like she had just arrived as well. Her makeup bags were closed and her dresses were in bags.

“It seems we’re going to be neighbors today.” She kept flashing her dazzling smile.

“Yeah… I mean… Hi, I’m Trixie.”

“Olivia, Liv…” She shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Trixie. If you don’t mind, may I ask you a question?”

Trixie would later find out that was Olivia’s catchphrase.

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Where can I find a plug for my phone?”

“Behind the mirror.”

“Oh, thank you… by the way I love your hair.”

Trixie touched her messy blonde hair she hadn’t even styled yet and wondered if that was a tactic but Olivia seemed genuinely nice. The girl sat on her chair and started doing her makeup, -Trixie needed to do the same but she also wanted to keep talking to her.

But before she could say something else, her mother came back with the bags with her outfits.

“Bad news is that Violet is here but maybe you can beat her in the talent portion, good news is that there was a blizzard and Naomi couldn’t take the flight.” She sounded way too excited about that.

“Jeez, mom…”

“What? Know your competitors.” She stared at Olivia. “And who do we have here? I’m afraid I don’t remember your name, darling.”

“I’m Olivia Lux, Mrs. Mattel. We haven’t met but it’s such an honor.”

Her mother smiled and shook her hand. “Lovely.” She looked at Trixie again. “We have a lot of work to do.”

“I’ll do my makeup.” She began taking her brushes out of the bag.

“Good idea, don’t apply too much the judges didn’t like it last time.”

At that point, Trixie just wanted her mother to be gone for a hot second since that was the only moment she could get to relax while doing something she enjoyed and she couldn’t fully do that under her eagle eye. She was already stressed by the rehearsals and the competition, she didn’t need any more pressure over her shoulders.

As if her thoughts were heard, one of the other mothers called Trixie’s mother’s name and she made a fuss to say hi to her and gossip some more.

“Whoa, your mother is a legend.” Olivia whispered, still a bit thunderstruck.

“I guess…” Trixie sighed. “Sorry you had to hear what she said earlier, she gets a little… in the pageant mood.”

What Trixie wanted to say was «she’s like a shark and pageants are bloodbaths».

Olivia just gestured with her hands downplaying it. “Most mothers here are like that… don’t worry.”

“By the way, where are you from? I don’t think I have seen you here before.”

Way to go, Trixie, what brings you to San Antonio, Texas to this room full of nasty people and ugly hot weather?

“I’m from New Jersey but I think the reason we hadn’t met it’s because… being completely honest, this is my third pageant.”

Trixie almost had a seizure. “What?”

She looked so calm and collected she couldn’t have guessed it was only her third time participating.

Olivia giggled. “The first beauty pageant I participated was as a dare from one of my friends back in New Jersey and I won Miss Polaris… then I tried my luck in the Miss Natural Beauty in New York and also won.” She fidgeted with her rings. “I hadn’t gone this far until now and I’m actually considering going full-time… but I don’t have many references to ask advice from.”

And she wanted to ask Trixie? Out of all girls in that room?

“I have to admit that’s pretty impressive.”

“Thank you.”

“Pageant world is… wow… exhausting? It requires a lot of effort and dedication. My mother put my sister and me in pageants since we were little so we grew up in this environment so we’re used to the viciousness of it.”

Just to think they could’ve made it into Toddlers and Tiaras if it wasn’t canceled a year before their pageant debut.

Olivia looked at her with wide eyes, expectant.

“It is also a nice place to share and form sincere bonds with other girls, like a sisterhood.”

The girl grinned. “That’s wonderful!”

“Yeah…”

“I must admit that the scholarship program of Miss Teen America is also what dragged me here today. I need to gather some more experience before even considering giving it a try and having a good score here could help me to qualify for the nationals.”

“That’s the dream…” Trixie knew about it, she had been prepared all her life to be the following to reign after her sister.

Trixie did her makeup in almost record time, she knew they had counted minutes inside the dressing room and they hadn’t rehearsed the walk or the places on the stage –they barely had some time to try the acoustic and do something similar to a soundcheck before lunch.

She needed a minute away from that place or she was going to have a breakdown. When her mother wasn’t looking, she sneaked out to the emergency stairs that had a «DO NOT CROSS» yellow sign… perfect.

To her surprise, she wasn’t the only person who had had the same idea.

“Hey, Violet.”

The girl with black hair in a purple robe with her name embroidered –she probably had her famous corset underneath- lifted her gaze. She was sitting on the stairs with a cigarette in one hand and her phone in the other.

“Needed a break?”

Trixie nodded. “I swear there’s something inside there that sucks the air of the room.”

“It’s not the air, it’s the former pageant queens sucking the youth out of your body.”

The blonde cackled. “Most likely.”

“Where’s your sister? She won Miss Teen and now she’s too good for an open call pageant?”

“Didn’t you hear? She sprained her ankle skiing a couple of weeks ago…”

“I heard that.” Violet rolled her eyes. “Now tell me what really happened.”

“She sprained her ankle trying to climb the window of her room after she sneaked to go to a college party.”

Ladies, gentlemen, and folks… Miss Teen America!

Violet snickered. “Dumb whore.”

She offered Trixie a smoke but the blonde shook her head.

“It’d fuck my throat for the talent section.”

“Maybe that’s the strategy.” A cloud of smoke came from her lips.

Trixie laughed. Violet had never needed to use a dirty tactic to win. She simply didn’t give a fuck and that was the reason Trixie liked her and the reason they had developed a certain level of camaraderie… it could be even called a friendship. Maybe what she had said to Olivia wasn’t as far from reality as she thought, maybe there was room to bond over the trauma of lost childhood and terrible mothers.

“Are you doing your baton routine?”

The raven-haired girl nodded. “This time, with a spark…” She did jazz hands, ironically.

“They are letting you do the fire thing?”

“God bless Texas or something like that.”

“I thought it was unsafe.”

“Nonsense… I could do it blindfolded… actually…”

“Pyro psychopath.”

“What about you? I saw your guitar in the dressing room. Are you finally going to sing one of your SoundCloud songs?”

Trixie sighed. “I wish… Mrs. Barbara Mattel won’t let me. She says it isn’t appealing to the public like going for a well-known classic.”

“Let me guess, Dolly Parton?”

“Yeah…”

“It’s always «yes» not «yeah», Miss Mattel.” She mocked.

“Fuck off, you skinny bitch.”

“You say it as if it’s something wrong with that.”

“I’m always hoping for you to faint during the run on the stage.”

“Because that’s the only way you could win.”

They laughed at each other. Everything was so ridiculous they needed the laughter to make things lighter.

“Well, you have competition with the singing thing…” Violet commented.

Trixie raised an eyebrow. “Who?”

“That new girl from Jersey… the one that looks like she came out from a toothpaste commercial.”

“Olivia?” She asked with disbelief… well, it shouldn’t have been any surprise since she seemed like the type of girl who could do anything anyway.

“And she plays piano too.” Violet dumped the ashes of her cigarette over the stairs but she was also adding fuel to the fire.

Fuck.

Maybe Trixie was very good at singing but the judges always looked with good eyes when someone played a more classical instrument like violin or piano, it made the girls look more sophisticated than an acoustic guitar.

She was truly underestimating Olivia for being the rookie in the room but if she was as good as Violet had said, she might have reasons to be worried.

Back in the dressing room, her mother nagged her for disappearing before getting the curlers on. She had her hair pulled and entangled in the plastic tubes under a pink cap. Some girls had left in rounds to the rehearsal of the talents that couldn’t make it in the morning, Olivia among them.

With her not being there to bright the room a little, Trixie felt alone. She knew she had just met Olivia but there was something so radiant and charming about her that she couldn’t shake off her mind. That… and the fact that Trixie was just being gay as fuck while yearning for a competitor.

To relieve her anxiety, she lulled herself with her autoharp and one of her songs that wouldn’t make it into the program.

“Whoa… that was beautiful.” The voice of the girl woke her from her reverie.

She hadn’t noticed Olivia had returned since she was so mesmerized with the music, closing her eyes and feeling it with her heart.

Olivia clapped and smiled, even brighter than before.

“Is what you’re going to play on today’s talent show?”

Trixie shook her head. “It’s mine, actually. I don’t think the public would respond as you just did.”

“What are you saying? It sounds terrific… I wish I could write songs too, what a great talent.”

“You’re just being polite… pageant polite.”

“I’m not…” Olivia reached for her hand and Trixie felt butterflies flapping on her stomach, no stage fright related. “Your music is wonderful, I mean it.”

She didn’t want to let go of Olivia’s hand but at that moment, there was a commotion in the dressing room that attracted all stares.

It was Alyssa Edwards, the hostess of the pageant and mother of the current Miss Teen Venus. Trixie had overheard her mother calling her things before but the second she walked in, everyone shut up. She didn’t look content at all.

“Miss Atlanta…” She called. “The color one.”

Violet.

“Violet has been disqualified from today’s competition.” She announced, as serious as she could be about it.

“What?!” Trixie looked around, she was nowhere to be seen.

“There has been an accident during the rehearsal of her talent and since the board and the judges consider it to be too dangerous and the lil’ miss refuses to change it… there’s no other choice but to continue without her.” She explained, reading a piece of paper she had in her hands. “Also, Miss Violet argues there had been some type of sabotage involved…”

The word sabotage made the room explode into an uproar. Alyssa was only the messenger but the women assembled in front of her demanding explanations and repeating how nonsensical the accusation was.

“Ladies, ladies…” She tried to get their attention but finally the only way she could do it was whistling loud enough to leave everyone deaf. “Ladies! I know this is a severe accusation but I promise you we’ll be taking action into the matter and proceeding with the corresponding investigation. This is not the image of any Miss Teen Venus and if the allegations turn to be true there will be a prosecution and punishment of such acts.” She shushed a pageant mom that was about to protest. “Margaret, sit your ass down no one wants to hear it.”

Trixie’s mother looked ecstatic. “Yes!” She celebrated in a lower voice.

Trixie just shook her head.

Violet returned to the dressing room wearing what to Violet was pedestrian clothing to pick her things about half an hour later, she looked done with everything and everyone there. She didn’t even mind the stares and whispers –even during rough times she shone for her confidence-, her mother behind her, however, kept ranting about the level of unprofessionalism showed and how they were going to regret it.

Trixie approached her station when things were cooling down a little.

“Hey, what the fuck happened?”

Violet sighed. “I don’t know, there was something wrong with the baton or the kerosene, this has never happened before.” She crossed her arms on her chest. “My mother thinks there’s a conspiracy going on and I just want to sleep on the plane and cuddle my cat back at home.”

“But like… do you really think someone deliberately tried to mess up with your act?”

“I have no clue but… I never make mistakes and that’s not an exaggeration.” She gathered her things. “If someone’s really sabotaging people you should watch your back.” She put a pair of designer sunglasses on.

“…we don’t need this trashy fifth category contest; Violet has a modeling contract…”

“I have to get my mom out of that argument. See you at the nationals I guess.”

“No «break a leg» or something?”

“You don’t need my help with that.” She waved her hair on her way out.

“Bitch…”

Alyssa called them for the runway rehearsal a couple of minutes after.

“Tracy,” She pointed at Trixie. “you go before Peronka.”

Trixie and Priyanka exchanged a look. To be fair, Priyanka was a newbie but still, it was funny that Alyssa confused their names so badly.

“Olivia, you go next.”

Of course, she remembered her name.

They paraded in their robes with curlers and clips on their hair pretending it was the real thing. They had to smile, wave, stuck their stomachs, stretch their shoulders, elongate their necks and look absolutely fabulous while wearing heels.

Olivia, just like the pageant she had won before, was a natural. She gracefully walked upstairs, sashayed all over the stage, and posed like a professional.

Trixie couldn’t keep her eyes off her to the point Priyanka had to elbow her to move.

“It got you hard this time…” She murmured.

“Shut up, Peronka.”

The first round they all had to wear the same simple v-neckline blue dress –not Trixie’s favorite color to wear- with a sad matching pump but it was just one lap to show their charms while playing a corny song about being Miss Teen Venus and all the qualities that came with it –did anyone else notice that it sounded oddly similar to Dancing Queen? Because Trixie did.

They also had a short presentation and because of that reason, Trixie didn’t let her mother rub vaseline on her teeth before stepping out the stage.

“Good evening, everyone. My name is Trixie Mattel, I’m from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I enjoy playing the acoustic guitar and composing my own songs. The people who inspire me the most are Michelle Obama, Dolly Parton, and my mom whom I love very much.” She smiled widely.

The judges nodded and wrote something down.

Alyssa in her all glitter, all glam golden gown and perfect huge blonde hair read the card, and after Trixie was done she commented. “Isn’t she lovely, folks?”

Claps from the audience and then her cue to leave the center of the stage and get in line next to Priyanka –always keeping the poise and the smile.

Olivia was next.

“Miss Olivia Lux.” Alyssa presented.

“Good evening, everyone. My name is Olivia, I’m from Buena, New Jersey. The activities I like the most are performing on a stage, playing the piano, and cooking with my mom and my grandmother. The people who inspire me the most are Malala Yousafzai, Kamala Harris, and Beyoncé Knowles.” She giggled.

“Adorable!” Alyssa said into the microphone.

Oh, she was good-good.

It reminded Trixie of the time Pearl went against Valentina, her smile also charmed the judges effortlessly making her sister lost that pageant.

Okay, the first round was done. The talent portion was next and Trixie hadn’t been that nervous before.

There were twenty –well, nineteen- girls competing that night, and some of them were really good. The swimsuit portion was something Trixie just preferred to ignore it happened; she was embarrassingly looking at one particular lady but she did her best pretending she wasn’t –even when her face was probably as red as her swimsuit-. Next were the talents and they went from juggling, opera singing, gymnastics to some awful singing, uncoordinated tap dancing, and some slips and falls -those that fail were often the most entertaining.

After Priyanka’s interpretative dance, it was Trixie’s turn.

She was on her country pink leather bodysuit with her Texan boots and big brushed hair. She held her pink glittery guitar near to her.

Alyssa was about to announce it when she felt a hand over her shoulder.

It was Olivia.

“Hey, I just wanted to wish you good luck. I’m sure you’re going to kill it.”

Trixie squeezed her hand. “Thank you.”

She took a deep breath before walking onto the stage.

“…here she is, Trixie Mattel!”

“Good night, everyone, how are you doing?” She displayed her white teeth. If something, Trixie felt comfortable in front of an audience when she had her guitar with her. “I hope you all know this one… because if you don’t… ”

She knew the chords by heart, as soon as she plucked the strings she got into character, moving her body and dancing around. The audience recognized the first couple of notes of Jolene right away. They could say she foreshadowed it on her presentation so no one should’ve been surprised at all.

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

I’m begging of you please don’t take my man

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

Please don’t take him just because you can

People started clapping along and mouthed the words.

Your beauty is beyond compare

With flaming locks of auburn hair

With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green

She was having a great time and then, the lyrics came out of her mouth and her eyes directed to the girl behind the curtains who was still looking at her performance even when she was next.

Your smile is like a breath of spring

Your voice is soft like summer rain

And I cannot compete with you… Jolene

«Your smile is like a breath of spring» that single sentence could be used to describe Olivia perfectly and Trixie didn’t stop staring at her while pronouncing every word.

The rest of the song went even better, she really engaged with the audience. Trixie was very good at impersonating Dolly but she also liked giving it a little twist here and there, letting her personality shine through the music.

She had done a better job than that other girl that attempted to do These Boots Are Made For Walkin’. People gave her a full standing ovation, that was the best feeling in the world.

She was still shaking with adrenaline post-show when she crossed paths with –probably- her biggest competition of the night.

Olivia, who looked polished and gorgeous on a halter aqua short dress, her hair perfectly tight in an up-do and that blinding smile…

“Trixie you were fantastic! I knew you were going to do a great job but you really gave a show out there.”

“Thank you… break a leg… uh…”

“I’m so nervous.” She peeped over the blonde’s shoulder. A member of the staff was setting Olivia’s keyboard in the meantime Alyssa thanked the pageant sponsors.

“Look, the judges already love you so you just have to do your best out there and… have fun.”

Olivia nodded and hugged Trixie tightly before heading to the main stage.

Trixie was out of breath.

She knew her mother was going to go crazy if she was late back in the dressing room to change to her nightgown but it didn’t matter. She wanted to be there, supporting Olivia just like she did.

“Without further delay, Miss Olivia Lux.” Alyssa announced.

Olivia started playing the notes of For Elise on the keyboard and the audience was already fascinated by it but then, she pressed a couple of buttons that added rhythm to the classical symphony and the song became For Albert by Sarah Jackson-Holman. Olivia’s voice was also lovely and it complimented the song very well. She had an amazing stage presence and that was what made her performance stand up.

She guessed that the line «Your voice is soft like summer rain» also applied to Olivia.

Trixie was bewitched watching her leaving it all on the stage and so were the judges. She was surely scoring high with that interpretation. The audience gave her the second standing ovation of the night, well-earned.

Trixie herself was clapping like her biggest fan.

“That was amazing!” She celebrated the other girl.

“Oh my God… you watched it?”

“Yes, I wouldn’t miss it.”

Olivia was about to cry. “Thank you…”

“Hey, hey… save those tears for the end or you’re going to ruin your makeup.”

“Okay…” She sobbed but her face remained dry and her makeup flawless.

Back in the dressing room, Trixie’s mother wasn’t around which was strange since she was the first to boss Trixie around as soon as she put a step in.

She didn’t pay much attention since something else happened in the contiguous station, number thirteen.

“This cannot be happening…” Olivia was on the verge of a panic attack. “It has to be here somewhere.” She sounded so afflicted it made Trixie feel about whatever was going on before even knowing the details.

“What is it?” She asked.

“Oh, Trixie…” She fell into her arms. “It’s terrible, just terrible…” She was trying her best not to cry, Trixie could tell. “My nightgown has disappeared!”

“What?! No, that can’t be. Where was it last time you saw it?”

“In the hanger with my other dresses… It was here before the talent show I just saw it… My mom went to check on the car just in case but… I swear it was here. You have to believe me.”

Trixie stroked Olivia’s back trying to comfort her, even when she wasn’t the most affectionate person and having this type of contact was difficult to her, with that girl it was innate… she felt in need of protecting her.

“I believe you. We’re going to find it, okay? I promise it. We still thirty minutes before our turn.”

“Thank you… you’re a great friend.”

She smiled at Olivia.

Something shady was going on and Trixie was going to find out what it was.

She went out the hallway; neither of the other girls had seen something so if someone really stole Olivia’s dress it had to be while the girls were performing on the stage. Olivia’s mother did what she could to make time but finally decided to tell Alyssa was for the best, the hostess had cursed in her southern accent but assured the lady that they were also going to look for the emerald green nightgown.

Trixie finally found her mother next to the coffee machine with a cigarette in her hand.

“Mom, Olivia’s dress was stolen from the dressing room, where you around it before the talent show?”

She frowned and shook her head, the cigarette hung on her mouth unlighted. “No clue. Kids should be careful with their things.” She looked at Trixie from head to toe. “Why aren’t you dressing up already?”

“I’ll do it in a second. We’re trying to find her dress or she’s not going to make it to the next round.”

“Why do you care? You should be responsible for yourself and yourself only, Patricia. Otherwise, you’re not going to make it far in life…” She rummaged her purse trying to find a box of matches when it fell from her hands. “Shit…” She cursed.

Trixie kneeled on the floor to pick up the purse when she spotted a bottle of kerosene.

She picked the item and looked at it carefully and then she looked at her mother.

“Isn’t this the thing Violet uses for her baton routine?���

“I don’t know, I use it to clean…”

“Mom… What are you doing with this in your purse?”

“Oh, c’mon, Trixie. Give it to me.” She snatched the bottle from her hands and lighted up her cigarette with the matches. “You didn’t see anything.”

It suddenly made sense.

“You were the one who sabotaged Violet’s act, didn’t you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh my God… you did.” Trixie was speechless. “Did you steal Olivia’s dress too?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, why would I do any of that?”

“Because you don’t think I can win on my own… You’ve been obstructing the competition all day long.”

“Fine, whatever… yes. I don’t think you can win on your own and these little amateurs cannot beat you… you’re a Mattel, do you have an idea what that name represents? The legacy that’s over your shoulders?”

“You got no shame at all, do you? What’s next? Are you going to throw marbles all over the stage?” Trixie felt like she was about to throw up. “Where’s Olivia’s dress?”

Her mother jeered. “Do you really believe I’m going to tell you? Please… Now go back to the dressing room and put some fucking vaseline on your teeth, I didn’t pay for your braces all those years for you to look like a bitter hag.”

“You’re going to regret this.”

Trixie really wanted to yell something at her but a plan was already forming on her mind and if it worked, her mother was going to get what she deserved.

“Any news?” Olivia asked with a spark of hope in her voice.

Trixie’s heart broke in the spot. She shook her head.

“I’m sorry, Liv. I couldn’t find it.”

“Oh no… Alyssa said if I don’t go out in fifteen minutes they’ll have to continue without me and I’ll be disqualified from the category meaning I won’t win in points…” She buried her face in her hands.

“Not necessarily.” Trixie squeezed her shoulder. “Fortunately for you… and because I come from a great tradition of pageant winners, I’ve learned to always go to a competition with a back-up.” She pulled a bag that was previously hanging next to her.

Olivia’s face lit up. “What is it…? Are you serious?”

Trixie nodded. “You can wear this one… now, obviously we’re not the same size but I think it can fit you just well with a couple of quick adjustments.”

“Oh my goodness… Trixie…” She was trying to find the right words. “You’re the best.” She embraced the girl into a hug.

Trixie beamed. “Don’t worry, it’s going to be alright. Text your mom you have a dress and get ready… I need to get a bottle of hairspray I left in the hallway, okay? I’ll see you behind the stage.”

“Okay…” She nodded. “Right. I’ll do that. Thank you, thank you… I cannot express it enough.”

“Hey, that’s what friends are for.”

Olivia held her hands. “You’re a wonderful person, Trixie Mattel.”

She felt a sting of guilt on her stomach. “I am…”

Trixie’s mother was about to enter into cardiac arrest when she found her daughter who was next in line, not ready.

“Trixie, where the hell were you? It’s almost your turn… where’s your dress?”

“I’m not going to walk on that stage, mom. I don’t want to win, not like this at least. It’s not fair.”

Her mother rolled her eyes. “Don’t start with me, Patricia. Do you have an idea of everything I had to do for you to be here tonight?”

“I do… that’s why I’m out of this competition. I already informed Alyssa I’m out.”

“You did what? Spoiled brat… Where is she? I’m going to find her and tell her you’re completely out of your mind… you’re being irrational and complicated and… you’ll see when we get home.”

Trixie’s mother tried in vain to convince Alyssa but she kept repeating “Barbara, please…”

The girls were starting to get in line and Trixie saw that Olivia was looking around trying to find her, when she did, she was highly surprised.

Olivia looked stunning in that shimmering pink-peach dress, the sequins fell over and sparked whenever she moved, she had added some orange accents to her makeup and an orange lily flower on her hair –Trixie was sure she had seen that flower on a vase at the reception but she wasn’t going to discredit her resourcefulness.

“You look so beautiful…” Trixie admired.

“Thank you… But… where’s your dress? Why aren’t you ready?”

“I dropped out.” She confessed. “This competition wasn’t for me so go ahead and kill it as you did before.”

“Wait- Is this?” Alyssa announced the category. “This is the dress you were supposed to wear, isn’t it?”

“It’s okay… It looks amazing on you anyway.”

“Trixie, no… I can’t do it. I can’t accept it…” The girls started walking.

“Listen, Olivia. I have a very good reason to resign but you don’t. This is a gorgeous gown and one of us should wear it tonight… and I’m glad is you.”

Olivia pouted. “Trixie…”

“No tears… no tears… make me proud, okay?”

Olivia held Trixie’s hand until it was her turn and even then, she didn’t let go until her fingers slid from her hand.

To no one’s shock, Olivia nailed the interview round and she truly wore that gown as if it had been made specifically for her. Trixie’s mother kept grumbling on the back and tried to light up another cigarette in the close environment, finally, a guard escorted her out of the venue while she kept repeating do you know who I am? I’m Miss USA!

But Trixie only had eyes for Olivia and that flashing smile of hers…

When she walked out of the stage, she almost overthrew the blonde.

“Trixie! I think there’s a chance I might win this…”

“You’re going to win this.” She assured.

Trixie knew one or two things about pageants and the way the judges reacted to her was more than just good.

After Alyssa announced the top five and Olivia’s name was among them, she knew she was going to win.

“Ladies, gentlemen, folks… it’s time to announce the results of our pageant of Miss Teen Venus 2021… Could the finalists please step forward?”

Trixie had her fingers crossed.

“For the title of second runner-up we have… Miss Priyanka!”

Everyone cheered when the girl in the red gown waved at them, Priyanka was probably just happy that Alyssa caught her name… finally.

“Our first runner-up is… Miss Crystal!”

The red-haired girl that had won the audience over with her personality waved enthusiastically.

“And now… for the title of Miss Teen Venus… let’s welcome my daughter Tiara, the past winner of this pageant who’s ending her reign tonight.”

Trixie sometimes wondered if no one founded it weird that Alyssa’s daughter was named after an object that was so common across the pageant world when she was also… a pageant queen… maybe it was just her.

The soon-to-be-former Miss Teen Venus looked exquisite in a white gown with her big tiara and flower bouquet.

“And now… the moment we all been waiting for… the judges have made their decision… Our new Miss Teen Venus is…”

Drum roll…

“Miss Olivia Lux!”

Trixie cheered as loud as she could, the pageant theme song started playing –really? No one? It was basically a Dancing Queen rip-off…- and there were glitter and confetti canons… Olivia got her sash, her crown, and her flowers. She was now shedding tears of pure joy and the cameras were flashing almost as much as her smile.

She looked jubilant and Trixie was just happy to witness it.

She had to take pictures with her family, with the judges, with the former winner, with Alyssa… it took a good fifteen minutes before she could leave the stage with the hostess wrapping up the event and saying goodnight to everyone.

Trixie was still shaking behind the curtains when Olivia walked down the stage, she opened her hands to hug the winner but instead, Olivia cupped her face and planted a kiss on her lips. Trixie suddenly felt dizzy and that ninety percent of her body was turned into jelly.

“Sorry… I’ve been wanting to do that for a while… maybe it was rushed and without permission I-”

But before she knew it, Trixie was kissing her back.

“Congratulations… Miss Teen Venus.” She said, breathless.

Olivia grinned and looked at her with pure devotion in her eyes.

“I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“You deserve it.”

“This means I can go to the nationals now!” She wiggled with excitement.

“That’s right.”

“And do you know what it means?” She wrapped her arms around Trixie and pulled her closer again.

“That we’re going to meet again?”

She nodded, her crown almost fell out.

“And that next time… we’re going to compete for real.”

“I’d like that.”

“But until then… may I kiss you again?”

She didn’t need to hear the words to get the response to that question.

read on ao3 ✨

[twdmusicboxmystery]

10x21: Details

Okay, let’s talk details. And most of these will just back up what I’ve already said about these sequences being callbacks to Grady and leaving Beth behind, as well as foreshadows of finding her again.

***As always, spoilers abound below for 10x21. Don’t read until you’ve watched!***

Carol and Dog:

Of course Dog goes with Carol and I noticed that when she gets back to Alexandria, she says, “let’s get you home.” So, home theme, and it’s especially potent because Dog = Beth.

She says to Dog, “For the record, I didn’t need an apology for him.” It’s the ‘for the record’ part that caught my attention, not only because Beth mentioned records at Grady, but Negan said the exact same thing to Daryl about Carol several episodes ago. “For the record, I don’t think she’s coming back.” So, it’s something of a theme.

She tells Jerry the story of the Stone Soup, which to me parallels Rick’s “Rock in the Road” story, which we’ve always thought was about Beth. (X). And I’m not sure how exactly to interpret the rock in either story, but biblically Christ = the rock. So, there’s that.

We see her fixing the solar panels as well. Because of the sunlight angle, that could represent Beth. I’m actually seeing a lot of symbolism here for both Carol fixing Beth in some way and Beth fixing Carol. So, I think this has to do with the template for the future. I think the two of them will come together again, as they did at Grady, and they’ll both be kind of a mess at that point and need to help each other through some stuff. I’ll talk about it in more detail later when I do another forecasting post.

When Dog starts chasing the rat and Carol runs to see what’s happening, he knocks over a lamp. Lamp Theory. And the cord of the lamp has been gnawed on by the rat. So can you see how all these symbols kind of interlock?

When Dog chases the rat and knocks over the pot, Carol has a serious/Sirius mention. She says, “This is serious. We need that food.”

Now, for the record, I think food shortages are going to continue to be a thing, and Beth and the CRM will be the answer to needed resources, so both sides of that sentence are important.

She makes a trap to catch the rat, which I talked about yesterday. Then she goes out looking for more ingredients for the soup. While out there, we see a dragonfly, a blue butterfly, and a spider. All three of those are important symbols. 

They all represent some form of transformation, wisdom, renewal, and fertility.

It’s probably important that Carol uses Leah’s knife to fix the solar panels. Again, just more Beth symbols on top of Beth symbols.

@frangipanilove also pointed out that it’s important that the instant she can’t see the rat anymore, the power goes out. See how that works? Rat (Beth) is unseen and suddenly no sun power.

Carol also says at this part, “there will be more sun tomorrow, right?” That’s super important. Sun = Beth. And ever since AOW, I’ve thought the “tomorrow” theme pointed to the CRM war. So again, just more evidence that this is both a callback and a foreshadow of what will happen with Beth and CRM.

As I said yesterday, Dog watching over Carol as she sleeps = Beth watching over Carol while she’s unconscious at Grady. She also says to Dog, “You miss him, don’t you?” Which is exactly what Beth asked Daryl about Merle in Still.

And then of course she destroys the wall. The next day, Jerry comes to see her, and we get lots of interesting references. There’s the poker, poker face reference. He says, “caring…yeah that’s a problem,” which we’re connecting to Beth’s famous line, “when you care about people, hurt is just part of the package.”

Jerry also says, “2+2=Eureka.” Now, Eureka is an expression which means “a cry of joy or satisfaction when one finds or discovers something.” We’re hoping the 2+2 is a reference to episode 22, and the discovery is that Beth is alive. *fingers crossed*

The song that plays, No Worries by Amateur Blond, has references to dogs in it. And it keeps saying “Oh, oh, oh.”

Of course Daryl returns, Rat gets free, and I especially love how Dog runs to Daryl. Cuz, you know, Dog = Beth. :D

One other thing @frangipanilove​ brought to my attention. The scarf Carol has in this episode can be linked to the scarf she wore in S3. They actually look very similar. Remember that at the prison, when T-Dog died and Lori gave birth to Judith, Carol was wearing a scarf over her head. Daryl found it with blood on it, which led him to assume she was dead. They even created a grave for her. But of course he found her (after finding her knife, btw) soon after and she lived.

It’s just a little too coincidental that this can be connected to a death fake out in season 3, and there’s a major knife exchange going on in the same episode. 

Daryl and Bike:

Okay, so I talked a lot about Daryl yesterday and how Bike = Beth. The part where he gets under the car is really interesting. I’m not entirely satisfied with how to interpret it yet, but I do think it represents leaving Beth behind and stuff that happened during the missing 17 days. 

You could call Daryl’s behavior here destructive. I mean, he crawled under a precariously perched car. And that could represent his depression, to the point of self-harm, after losing Beth. He does find the part he needs in the 3rd car (rule of threes). And that car was somewhat hidden at first. 

He didn’t see it until he’d already reached and checked the first two cars. So, that could represent looking for Beth’s body but there’s an unseen element he isn’t aware of at first. It also parallels the “third man” theory. (X).

When he gets back to the bike, he suddenly realizes he gave the knife to Carol and he needs it. His huge, Rambo knife is just too big to get it into the crevices of the bike to attach the new part. 

I think this is important for the future story line as well. After the spinoff starts, when he and Carol part ways, he’ll give her something and realize he needs it later on. It’s when he goes looking for this part that he’ll run into the CRM and Beth.

I also noticed kind of a cute little parallel here. When he realizes he doesn’t have the knife and he needs it, he sort of does this thing where he brushes his hair out of his face. He did a similar thing in Consumed. 

I just remember a lot of people commenting on how adorable it was. So I thought I’d point it out here as well.

So then he goes looking of Beth, er, I mean a new knife. I talked about a lot of this yesterday: the Beth walker, his limp, the dry river bed, etc. It’s important that he finds the knife with military walkers (probably the CRM). I can’t help but wonder if letting walker fall into the ravine represents him letting one of their communities get overrun with walkers or something. 

I also REALLY want to connect it to when the group did this in Them. In that scene, Rick was almost bitten. Daryl came running up at the last minute and helped him, but I think it’s significant that they were doing the exact same thing there that we see Daryl doing here. I’m thinking it represents something about maybe him finding Rick with the CRM and helping him in some way, or something. Again, just speculating about future storylines here.

But he finds the knife he needs and goes back to the bike. And two more military walkers come at him. Yes, two. You may have missed that, as I and my fellow theorists both did the first time. But one is coming at him from ahead of the bike, down the tracks. 

The other is coming at him from his right side. You can tell because he turns his head to look at it.

Couple of things here. Part of the reason it only seems like one is that they show it weird. We only see him killing the one straight ahead, not the one to the side. I’m sure there’s some symbolism in that, but I honestly have no idea what it is.

But here’s an interesting thing. He finds a second knife on that second walker. It doesn’t do a close up on the second knife, so it’s easy to miss. But there are actually 2 knives.

Not entirely sure how to interpret that, but remember that in Still, there were two knives. First, Daryl gave Beth his, but between rooms in the golf club, she found her bone-handled one that she always carried after that, and gave his back to him. So it might just represent Beth and Daryl and their 2 knives.

He also finds military rations (food) on one of them. As I said yesterday, I think TF is going to get to the point where they desperately need resources. Where food is scarce and even water becomes undrinkable. It will be part of the CRM plot. So I think him finding food on military walkers hints at that. They will need the CRM’s resources to survive.

The other thing I’m curious about is what he says. He says, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” To me, that’s a weird reaction. There are walkers all over the place in these woods. And neither of these two are a massive, immediate threat to him. So his reaction doesn’t make tons of sense. But again, I’m sure it has something to do with a future storyline that simply isn’t clear here yet. 

Also, the walker he takes the knife from is missing his leg/foot. That’s part of the missing foot/shoe symbolism, and just proves in my mind that this is symbolic of something to do with Beth. 

He then sets to fixing his bike. But it takes a while and it’s dark before he finishes. This was super cool and something I missed the first time through. While fixing it, he hears a wolf howl. And they draw attention to it by having Daryl turn his head toward it, as thought acknowledging it. 

Plus, the captions say it’s a wolf, not a dog or a coyote. So, this is wolf symbolism. And I think what they’re trying to say her is that when Daryl finds and “fixes” Beth, the wolf symbolism will be in play. I’ll talk more about what the means and how it MIGHT manifest in coming days.

Finally, he gets the bike fixed and started and heads back.

@wdway​, as usual with her eagle eyes, noticed something about this shot. In the sky above him, we see three stars. They look suspiciously like the “spoon” portion of the Little Dipper. And guys, at this distant, stars wouldn’t even register on camera, which means they were put in purposely with a computer. Daryl is riding toward the spoon/star/Sirius symbol. Just saying. 

The only other thing I noticed (other than all the stuff I talked about yesterday, anyway) is that there is some missing time here. Daryl fixes his bike at night and we see him drive off into the darkness, but by the time he gets back and talks to Carol, it’s late afternoon or early evening, and he’s talking about going to bed. I don’t know if he could have gone out far enough for it to take him that long to get back. Of course, maybe he just looked some more the next day and didn’t come back right away. Maybe I’m reading too much into it. But it’s something I noticed.

So, yeah. I think that’s all the details I have. Anyone notice anything I missed?

[halothenthehorns]

All in the Family

Chapter 105: Luna Lovegood

Last co-authored with Tiffiny Smith, thanks for all your help!

HPHPHPHP

Regulus found himself tangled in something - the branches of a tree? After a moment of panic making sure it wasn't the Whomping Willow, he disentangled himself and peeked out at the ground below, where the other seven were getting their bearings.

What caught his attention, however, was the giant tower not ten yards away. Despite its forbidding appearance, it had some wide, decent-sized steps leading up to a door with an eagle-shaped knocker, the whole affair had some pretty windows, and there was a well-maintained path with a sign (or maybe three) on it leading to the road some distance away. Regulus couldn't read the sign (it was facing the road), but Potter made a beeline for it.

Then he stopped and stared.

"Well?" Sirius hollered. "What's it say? Where are we?"

"Whose place is this?" Alice asked, staring at the tower.

"The Quibbler," said Potter. "Editor, X. Lovegood. Anybody heard of him?" The pureblood name rang an old bell in his head, but he'd never met one personally.

"Lovegood?" said Frank, furrowing his brow in confusion, the same running through his own mind. Had his mum ever mentioned an oddball named Lovegood in school?

"Don't ask me!" Potter said back. "Listen to this: pick your own mistletoe. And Keep Off the... dir..igg...ibble plums."

Sirius darted over to a bush with radish-like fruits on them and threw one at Potter, who caught it and looked confused.

Regulus decided watching them was a waste of time and set about searching for the book, which was wedged in a windowsill just barely out of reach. He Accio'd it and started reading. Well, Luna was either the wife or kid of this X., and judging by the fact Harry was back off to school, either were likely. Either a student Harry was about to meet or the new DADA teacher.

It wasn't as if he was anxious to be away from here, at least he was finally in a respectable pureblood home again, only the second since all this madness had started counting his own. Yet, for the first time in his life, he didn't care. He had no inclination to get to know these people just because his parents would have wanted him too, not knowing who else they wanted him to befriend, Bellatrix at the top of his list he may start avoiding right along with Sirius now. Best to focus on the part of getting them out of here instead.

Right off the bat Harry was having bizarre dreams. His parents were mentioned, and Potter came back from the sign to join the others. Sirius's mouth was wagging noiselessly at the notion that Mrs. Weasley would cry over Kreacher's dead body. Out of it all, Ron and Hermione wearing crowns was about the most normal part of Harry's dreams, and the dark corridor with a door at the end stood out only because of how irrelevant it was.

Harry woke up, and everyone brightened immediately at the prospect of going to Hogwarts.

"Nothing too bad can happen there, right?" said Potter cheerily, and Regulus rolled his eyes at him. He wasn't the only one. Had he been listening to the past four books?

The hustle and bustle of getting ready to leave was a sharp contrast to the tranquility of the garden. Mother's shrieking, which nobody was bothering to silence, and which Regulus winced slightly at having to read aloud, only added to the distinction.

Then Sirius showed up in dog form, managed to insist his way into Mad-Eye Moody's guard (which was one short) and Molly worried on and on about everything (which Regulus was beginning to understand she thought of as her solemn duty, surpassed only perhaps by Mad-Eye) and causing Harry to liken her to Aunt Petunia, which raised instant protest from Lily.

"Mrs. Weasley is nothing like that vile woman!" the redhead fumed. "Their attitudes may be similar, but they spring from polar opposite motivations."

No one had the death sentence in them to argue with her even if they disagreed, which none did.

The group proceeded to the train until it was time to depart, and Padfoot said his goodbyes to Harry in far too human-like fashion, but it was absolutely ruined by Mrs. Weasley using his real name instead of Padfoot, or even Snuffles. Regulus still couldn't help pausing over the scene regardless as his mind wrapped around every oddity of it. Sirius, as a dog, which he still wasn't used to the idea of. Sirius giving a fond farewell to a godson he'd arguably spent more time worrying about than his own brother. He wanted to talk to him, the urge growing more desperate with every page, but there was a streak of pride deep in him that made the idea loathsome. Sirius would only listen to him now because he was starting to agree with him rather than just wanting to talk to his brother again, Regulus would just have to figure this out for himself.

Once on the train, at least Harry's problems took an easy center stage, Ron and Hermione mock-abandoning him for their prefect duties and leaving him in the company of Ginny, Neville, and the pre-acclaimed 'Loony' Lovegood, per Ginny's introduction.

She certainly did start off a sight, and only got more interesting the longer she talked. Loony did seem to support her, between the butterbeer cork necklace and wearing vegetation as jewelry. This odd paper, the Quibbler, was once again referenced in Luna's own hands, but rather than finally getting a peek at that article mentioning Sirius, Harry instead turned to Neville and they began chatting about some plant.

He admittedly would have grown rather bored with that very fast, if it didn't send some slime all over the whole compartment just as Cho Chang walked in.

Regulus nearly fell out of the tree laughing at the mental image, and even as he caught his breath back and glanced down he saw he wasn't the only one. Peter had been scaling the tree, to join him presumably, but was now only halfway up and clutching a branch precariously for support. Sirius had fallen into the dirigible plum bush and looked covered in them like he was trying to add to Luna's fashion statement.

Literally all of them had gotten a laugh out of it, even that Muggleborn Evans. He smiled to himself and reached down to offer Peter a hand to help him the rest of the way up, watching patiently as he got himself a more steady branch before continuing.

Regulus listened with some unfamiliar dread in his stomach as the two prefects returned to the carriage and explained their new duties, as well as explaining Malfoy was the Slytherin one, to no one's surprise. His parents were already talking about the party they'd be throwing when he got that badge come next summer, and they'd given Sirius a whole new level of shit when he hadn't gotten one. Neither boy had even thought that was possible until they'd seen it in action. Sirius had acted as if he hadn't even cared, and for the first time Regulus squirmed at his fate pressing in on him even sooner than he'd imagined. Now it was next summer that would be the real test instead of even waiting until he was of age and letting his parents down he didn't necessarily want what they did. He certainly had no desire to be a prefect, how would they take that news?

"Hey, you alright?" Peter asked quietly. He'd been picking off leaves and shredding them for his own amusement, he'd even been considering moving a branch over into a patch of sun and maybe closing his eyes and really enjoy this brief respite of anything horrifying happening to them or Harry, but he couldn't very well do that when Regulus started chewing on the inside of his cheek over something as silly as the prefect badges.

Regulus met his eyes in surprise for several moments, before smiling kindly and answering honestly, "I've been better." He glanced down at his brother though and kept reading instead of elaborating, and Peter nodded to himself, Sirius did feel like the problem and the answer on most given situations.

Sirius was too busy still laughing to even notice Peter had ditched them again, let alone Regulus was trying to catch his eye from ten feet above him. Luna Lovegood was a hoot, he wished she was alive and in school with them now! She'd be as much fun to pull pranks on as Evans, this blonde may even laugh along at them!

James was listing against him for support as they all heard the article about Sirius presumably being some singing sensation. "Well go on then Stubby!" James wheezed. "Give us a tune and I'm sure the Ministry will never look twice at you again!"

"Don't encourage him," Remus rolled his eyes, but far too late, Sirius began singing the last Sorting Hat song they'd heard verbatim.

Lily, Alice, and Frank didn't think he could make the next top charts or anything, but they were reasonably impressed he even remembered the thing from the beginning of their year.

Regulus seemed to be ignoring them above anyways and didn't let them have any more fun with it, predictably, as he kept reading the next article as well, something about Fudge murdering goblins into pies, it was just too funny! Sirius still hadn't climbed out of the bush.

"Oh stop you idiots," Lily finally had enough, her temper snapping, they literally could not take anything seriously! "In case you've forgotten, Sirius is a wanted man for multiple murders! How is laughing at this poor girl helping that?"

"Haven't forgotten," Remus scowled at her, instantly insulted she seemed to think otherwise.

"No harm in laughing off this drivel in the meantime," James finished, completely unrepentant as he grinned at her.

Lily glanced down and saw Sirius Black was still smiling, the first time she knew of he'd done so in the face of this bleak future ahead of him, and hesitated saying anything back.

Regulus hadn't really thought much of the article, no sane person would believe that long enough to hear anyone out, and yet the real story was just as convoluted. Instead he'd kept going, now killing any pretense of a good mood as Malfoy barged into the compartment. His blood chilled at the parting words he left, not in fact more arrogance, but a sly observation of apparently having noticed Sirius on the platform!

His idiot brother was already safe back at Grimmauld place though, he quickly soothed himself, whether he wanted to be or not. Malfoy, Lucius or Draco, were no match for him even if he wasn't.

His mouth was still much more dry than usual though as he forced himself to keep going, but Sirius' snort of disbelief echoing up below wasn't as comforting as he would have thought.

Things only got more grim as Harry got off the train, and Hagrid of all people was absent from his usual post. None of them could even imagine it, the giant of a man had been there every year for the lake ride, now even that was changing. Would nothing in this future remain the same?

Clearly not, as even the carriages were now being pulled by beasts! What was happening to this school?

Peter saw Regulus's disturbed look as he read about the description of those ghastly horse-like things, and shouted loud enough that Stoatshead Hill had likely heard. "Ha! Take that you arseholes, I wasn't making them up!"

"Huh," was all James and Sirius could manage to say to that, while Remus's eyes widened with just as much excitement as if he were hearing about Blast-Ended Skrewts all over again.

"Fascinating, I'm so f'ing sorry Peter! What do you think they even are? Why can only you see them?"

"I can too," Frank frowned at the lot, but even Alice gave him a look of shock for the declaration.

He shrugged and looked just a bit shy at all attention suddenly on him. "What? Hadn't come up."

"How about all the ruddy times the 'horseless carriages' were mentioned!" Lily accused. "What on Earth are they?"

"Don't know," he frowned and tensed his shoulders as still everyone was looking at him now. "I've tried looking them up, but as Harry's said himself, it's a pretty big library when you don't know what you're looking for."

"What kind of Ravenclaw are you?" Sirius scowled.

Peter just smiled that finally his friends didn't think he was playing some weirdly elaborate prank on them any longer. It was no wonder to him his dormmates often thought he was soft in the head, seeing things they couldn't. Now the next time he swore he saw one in the forest, they'd actually believe him!

"What does it say that this Loony girl can see them too though," Sirius grinned and looked up at Peter obviously. He flipped him off, and Sirius laughed.

James and Remus released a breath both of them had been holding for a painfully long time, things really were going back to normal.

[wincestisasincest]

The Green Book (Thorin’s Company x Reader, Part 3)

Hey gang! Wow, it has been a long time. I actually had the draft on my desk top for a really long time and just never got around to post it, because my life has been really crazy, but she’s back! I’ve already started the draft for the fourth chapter, so ready yourselves! Thanks so much for your patience : ). 

Summary: (Y/n) falls into Middle Earth. Shocker. Somehow, she gets recruited to join a party of dwarves on their kinda crazy mission to reclaim their home of Erebor.

Part: 1, 2, 3

Tags (let me know if you want to be added to the list!): @stuckupstucky, @dianaarelyfernandezgarza97, @alexloveskili

Words: 2188

Warnings: None I think...? I mean (y/n) is kinda a pussy in this chapter and Thorin is... himself so just be aware of that

Finally gaining my footing, I drew myself to my feet and regained my surroundings in the middle of the hazy afternoon. 

I used the reflection on the phone to observe myself. My (h/c) hair was an absolute tangled mess, with leaves, small twigs, and even a few pebbles here and there. I mussed it with my hand before lightly parting it, like I would do every morning. Of course, I still looked terrible, but something about fixing hair always makes people feel better.

I looked at my chin, where a massive bruise had planted itself, no doubt from the rather aggressive pushing and shoving from the trolls. Additionally, my legs and arms had been littered with small cuts and bruises that had just now begun to sting and make themselves noticed. Great. 

The next order of business was to find the Company. Admittedly, I was highly uncomfortable with the idea of meddling in a familiar tale. I touched on it earlier, but, reader, the tales of Thorin Oakenshield, Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Gray, and all of their adventures in reclaiming Erebor were, in fact, very common tales from where I come from. So common that they are read aloud to children every night. However, no one actually believed them to be true, for dwarves, hobbits, and wizards, along with every race except human, do not exist in the world where I come from. 

I would expand on this further, but I imagine that whoever reading this has many of the same questions as my dwarf companions will ask later in these many tales, so do be patient. 

While we are taught as children that it is bad practice to mess around with things that are already set in stone, we are also taught that cops are good and that “because” is a valid reason for anything, so I ignored that advice. 

They may be my only chance to ever see civilization again. 

Catching up with them was very easy, as, while they are quite business oriented, they travel very slowly. They had spent a long time searching in the caves of the trolls that had been killed earlier, and even longer packing and preparing for the journey ahead. Dwarves are tough, that’s for sure, but they are also very methodical, and do not like to be interrupted when they have already begun something. 

Like a stalker (which I guess I technically was), I peaked out at their company from behind a tree, wondering when exactly my entrance should be made. They were apparently wondering something similar. 

“I say we should look for ‘er.” Fili posited.

“I second the lad.” Dwalin piped up. Oh dear, that dwarf was so intimidating up close. Even though I was noticeably taller than him, he could take me out with a single swing of his axe, no questions axed asked. 

“If she wanted our help, she would’ve come back and gotten it by now.” Nori remarked, to which Thorin sternly nodded. He was right. I did need their help, and I was back to get it. Gold digger life. (A/N I’m so sorry for removing the immersion, I would just like to apologize for all of the Gen Z shitposting in this. Feel free to tell me to knock it off.) 

Gandalf and Bilbo were there. It was a moment I recognized, when Gandalf introduced Bilbo to his now famous blade, Sting. I realized in that moment that literally any point in which I decided to emerge would be interrupting something. I quickly swallowed my pride and decided to reveal myself. 

“Uh, hi! I’m back.” I had absolutely no idea what to say. They all turned to face me, though at this point I was used to being gawked at. I’d be lying if I said that it didn’t make me feel a little bit dizzy, though. 

I waved awkwardly, supporting my red canvas backpack over my shoulder. No one was saying anything. 

Gandalf lifted his every curious head up and eagle-eyed me from across the clearing. 

“Miss (Y/n)! So you have decided to join us.” It felt supremely unnatural to have him say my name. He crossed the way to approach me, leaving a rather disconcerted hobbit in the dust. 

“Uh… yeah. I guess I have.” 

“Wonderful! However, I’m afraid that I only offer my acquaintanceship to ladies whom I know more than their name. After all, it is only fair, since I’m sure you know mine?” No one bothered to interrupt the wizard, who, if I wasn’t mistaken, was doing the same thing to me that he did when he first met Bilbo outside of his hobbit hole. 

“Ummm, yeah, you’re Gandalf the Gray. And I guess, uh,” I breathed in deeply, realizing that, whether I tell the truth or lie, I’m going to sound extremely pathetic, “I’m (f/n) (l/n), but you can just call me (f/n). Uh, I’m human, I guess, and um, I don’t really know where I am right now. I’m kinda lost, I guess.”  

“Where do you hail from?” Damnit, damnit, I had no idea how to answer this.

“Ummm… really not from here. Like, so far that you probably haven’t heard of it.” His expression deepened a little bit. He was not playing as much as he pretended to. A somewhat scary reminder of the actual investment in the protection of his friends that it was easy to forget that he had.

“Try me.” 

“(Hometown name).” I answered back, with a fair amount of fake confidence. He furrowed his brow and pondered slightly, while everyone else remained completely puzzled. Of course, they had never heard of my hometown either, but the were far less travelled then Gandalf, and simply resolved to not seem outwardly ignorant. 

“You’re right, I suppose. I never have been there,” he paused, and no one surrounding him, myself included, was exactly sure what that pause meant, “But, how does one from the mysterious land of (hometown name) get so far from it?” 

“I’m not sure. I truly have no idea how I got to this place. One day it was life like any other, and the next thing I know I had woken up about to be eaten by a troll. I swear, I don’t know.” I added that last part, because I was serious, even if it sounded like I was completely making it up as I went a long, and doing a very poor job at that. 

“No need for swearing, I believe you.” 

“Well, I do not.” Thorin Oakenshield entered the ring.

“She wasn’t talking to you, dear Thorin.” Gandalf may appear spacy at times, but his sharp wit never left his side. 

“No, that is true, though perhaps she should’ve been, considering that I am the leader of this company.” I found it strange that, though he was arguing about me, Thorin had not yet dared to look me in the eye. 

“A leader who was too afraid to approach a frightened young girl alone in the forest?” My face twisted into a bit of a displeased expression. I thought I had hidden my fright well enough, and I was practically an adult. 

“She appeared far from frightened. While you were not there to see it, she was the one who confronted the troll head on, even when he was threatening her. And that thing that she can do with her eyes! I do not believe that she is as innocent as she appears.”

“Perhaps then, dear Thorin, all the more reason to have her accompany us for some time being. Perhaps,” he turned to me briefly before returning to the conversation, “we shall discover some more hidden skills that may be of surprising use.” 

I’d never felt so painfully passive in my entire life, just watching two people argue about what was to happen to me while pretending like I wasn’t even there. Did I even want to accompany them? To this point, I just wanted to go with them to Elrond’s house and then see if there is any aid there. Of course, it helped that Elrond’s house is basically an all-expenses-paid vacation, and particularly accommodating to lost souls. 

It became frighteningly clear that whatever separate visions they had of what was to become of me in their mind, neither of them were what I wanted.

“Are ye hungry, lass?” A finger poked my side. It was Bofur, a slightly more comforting sight. Though the two continued their bickering in the background, I diverted myself from the conversation slightly to face him.  

“Um, no, I think I’m okay, I-“ my stomach growled. 

Bofur smiled understandingly. 

“Well, we got lots o’ food if y’ever change your mind.” 

“Mahal, where did you get that?!” Kili yelled from the side. It appeared that I was now up for grabs by anyone who wanted to talk to me, as Thorin and Gandalf walked off. 

“What?” 

“That!” Kili pointed a finger at my chin, which I stroked thoughtfully, realizing that he was taking note of my large, now splotchy bruise that almost appeared to be a poorly shaved five o’clock shadow. 

“Oh, this? It was from the troll, I think. It wasn’t there before.” I rubbed my chin thoughtfully again before giving him something of a lopsided smile. He appeared quite amused at the concept of large bruises. 

“Lad, it’s considered polite to introduce yerself before askin’ a lass about ‘er wounds.” Balin remarked from the side, winking at me thoughtfully.

“Ah, yeah. Apologies. I’m Kili, at your service, miss!” He playfully bowed. I didn’t have the heart to tell them that I already knew all of their names, so I just passively watched as the introduction ritual took place, feigning mental notes as though it would be a struggle for me to recall them later. 

I “met” Fili next, as he always tried to one up Kili with the showmanship, then Bofur, who introduced his family, Bifur and Bombur. Dwalin and Balin respectfully bowed, which felt way more gratifying than it should. Dori, Nori, and Ori introduced themselves together, followed by Oin and Gloin. Finally, the smallest member, Bilbo, appeared to have the most practiced bow, and politely introduced himself. I nodded. 

“(F/n) (l/n) at yours.” I recalled the response to the standard greeting from the book, while doing a mock curtsey. I was still wearing jeans. 

“I have to admit, it’s been a while since we’ve seen a lass, or anyone for that matter, in these woods.” Balin chatted curiously. 

“I can only guess as to why.” The sarcasm was the first thing that I had felt natural saying in a while. 

“Perhaps the giant trolls?” Ah, yes. Sarcasm was something that the dwarves were not yet used to. I nodded at let it pass. 

The group held their breath and Gandalf and Thorin returned, a tacit agreement among them to let Thorin do the talking. He stepped forward.

“Very well, (y/n) of (hometown name). You will be permitted to travel with our Company until you may be returned to some area of safety, though I must warn you against doing anything that may inhibit our quest.” 

I nodded, silently agreeing to the terms that had been placed before me. He grunted, and returned to packing for the journey ahead. 

“You must tell me more about this (hometown name) when you get the chance, Miss (y/n).” Gandalf added. 

“I’d be glad to.” I smiled, lying through my teeth. Part of me wanted to begin planning for when I would eventually have to lie about where I came from, but the other part of me simply had no idea what to anticipate. 

I recalled my red canvas backpack, knowing that it was filled with things so far from this time that it would be disastrous if they got in the hands of any of my travelling companions, even someone as wise as Gandalf. I recalled my familiarity with their tales, knowing that, no matter how honest I was, I could not reveal to them that I knew the end. I recalled the death of Thorin, Fili, and Kili, the abuse of Bilbo, the psychological torture of Thranduil, and everything unfortunate in between. 

Perhaps I was better off dying in the forest alone. 

“Miss (y/n), you may walk with me if you like? We are both quite out of place in this company.” Bilbo cautiously approached me, his small voice easier to focus on as the rest of the Company began to leave me alone to pack for the time being.

“I would be honored, though I’m afraid I am not a terribly experienced traveler.”  

“Then we shall make fine company, Miss (y/n).” 

“Oh, you can just call me (y/n), no ‘Miss’ needed.” 

He appeared somewhat startled, and on the verge of insulted. 

“Oh, no, no, it’s just that the ‘Miss’ isn’t very common where I come from. I didn’t mean anything by it.” I hastily added, trying to fix whatever mess I had started. 

“You really do come from far, don’t you?” Now he seemed to be observing me. I nodded. 

“Yes. It’s going to be a long way back.”

***********

So we finally start the shenanigans, though I must warn you that this is only getting started. As always, feel free to shoot me ideas as to what (y/n) has, or perhaps even a pairing. I’m considering also making this one a choose-your-own-adventure in terms of pairings, but that would take a lot more work, so if y’all have a specific one let me know and I can just write that!