#also holly's hair is not this red but whatever

[shadowglens]

tagged by @fenharel, @risingsh0t & @jendoe to make some ocs in this picrew, thank you!!

IDA GREENE (twc)🎄NOA SHEPARD (mass effect)

LYSSA (mcu) 🎄 GIGI GRANT (spiderman)

THALIA WOOTEN (star trek) 🎄 HOLLY HAWKINS (btvs)

tagging @denerims, @chuckhansen, @arklay, @swordcoasts, @aartyom, @girlbosselrond, @rosykims, @marivenah, @malefiicarum, @kingsroad, @leviiackrman, @unholymilf, @indorilnerevarine, @noonfaerie & you!

[lostloveletters]

Love Like an Ache in the Jaw (John Brady x OC)

Summary: Kate "Woody" Woodward isn't quite sure what to make of love when she's finally got it, presented to her with unwavering devotion by the freshly promoted Captain John Brady.

Note: This is an expanded version of With a Rose Between Your Teeth (Is That Blood in Your Mouth for Me?) Title comes from Sweet Dreams, TN by The Last Shadow Puppets. Also, a million thanks to Kara @karasnonsense99 for letting me ramble about these two all the time ilysm🖤 Do not interact if you're under 18, terf or radfem, or post thinspo/ED content.

Word count: 2k

Warnings: Inevitable historical and technical inaccuracies. Depictions of blood. Sexually explicit content involving oral sex (m. receiving).

The shining double bars on his collar said it all, catching the sunlight as he walked over to her on the tarmac. Unprecedented pride bubbled up in Woody’s stomach at the sight of him, and for a careless moment, she allowed it to boil over into a congratulatory kiss on his cheek. John didn’t protest, his hands on her waist, kissing her as best as he could with his lips pulled into a smile. Whispered about going out that night to celebrate. Not alone. Never alone, but typically with good enough company that she didn’t mind.

They were joined by most of his crew, guys she’d gotten to know well enough by virtue of hanging around John, but she managed to talk Darla into coming along when Holly declined her invitation, a regretful tiredness in her smile when she insisted Woody go out without her. But her fellow mechanic was fun, if not a little rowdy—perfect for a night of celebrating.

In all honesty, the night panned out to be a bit tamer than she’d been expecting. She zoned out from Hoerr and Hambone’s argument over whether Rita Hayworth or Betty Grable had better legs. John didn’t hesitate to input his preference for Hayworth, something Woody occasionally teased him about, asking if she should dye her hair red just to watch his ears burn the same color. Always muttered something about liking her the best, taking her into his arms and kissing her as if she needed the reassurance she wouldn’t lose him to the likes of the bombshell actress.

No, the conversation being held behind them caught her attention, a man musing at the billiards table over finding someone to play eight-ball with, having just been paid and ready to supplement his payday. Her fingers twitched as she brought her cigarette to her lips, inhaling as her mind raced. She’d played plenty stateside, back when she was still going by Kate.

Woody wasn’t sure what the hell he meant by quid, but her serpentine confidence slithered over the necessity of understanding exactly how much was on the table. When the car business was slow, hustling pool had been her next best bet. Good enough that she was sure even after two years of eschewing such habits, she would come out on top. 

She turned around in her seat, and before she could stop herself, said, “I’ll play you.”

An RAF pilot and his buddies. They shared incredulous looks, snickering amongst themselves until one chuckled, “That would hardly be a fair game.”

“Double it.”

“I beg your pardon?” he asked.

The corners of her lips twitched, and she snuffed out her cigarette in the ashtray in the middle of the table as she stood up. “Whatever you’re betting, double it, if you’re so sure.”

The voices at the table fell to a hush, and she felt John’s fingers brush the small of her back through her blouse, as if to give her an out if she wanted. Too late. She let the beast rear its ugly head, forked tongue and all, as she stared down the pilot. He relented, holding out the pool cue for her. Probably figured it’d be an easy win. Line his pockets with her misguided cockiness.

Woody grabbed the cue. Watched with curiosity as they set up the rack, placing the eight ball at the foot instead of in the middle. Licked her lips as she realized there may have been differences in the way the British played than how she was used to, but she wasn’t about to betray her own ignorance by asking what exactly the rules were.

Instead, with a deceptively bored-sounding self assurance asked, “So am I stripes or solids?”

He considered her for a moment. “Stripes.” Motioned to the table. “Ladies first.”

She scoffed, cooly rolling her eyes at his false chivalry as she leaned over to break the rack. Spared a glance at John, his arms folded across his chest, watching her with an intensity that nearly sent a shiver down her spine. She hit the cue ball, sending stripes and solids across the felted table.

Standing up straight, she followed the striped ten as it rolled into a corner pocket. Missed the next one, but so did the pilot, and it was her turn again. She made up for her sloppy performance with nine and twelve in another corner pocket. 

Woody stalked around the table and leaned over in front of John, making a bit more of a show than was necessary in shifting her hips to make the hit. Fourteen in the middle pocket. Looked over at him, the slightest smile on her face when they locked eyes. Everything else faded into the background, white noise and static compared to the way he was looking at her. 

Acutely aware of his attention, drinking in the sight of her as she leaned over every so often, deliberately biting her lip or sticking her tongue between her teeth just to see his reaction, playing a different game entirely by the time she hit all of the stripes into the pockets, finally finishing off the eight ball.

Darla laughed. “Goddamn Woody, I didn’t know you could play like that.”

“She must’ve cheated somehow,” the pilot said dismissively to his friends, as if she weren’t even there.

“Jesus Christ, these guys,” Hambone muttered.

“There’s no way she could have cheated,” John said. “Be a man and pay up.”

“Or what?”

Woody shot him a glare, leaning against the cue. “Or I’ll shove this up your—”

It happened so fast. Too fast. Before she could even blink, a wad of spit landed on her face. 

John grabbed Woody’s shoulder, pushing her behind him. Scraping chairs and mangled shouts drowned out the music playing from the jukebox. She wiped the spit off of her cheek with the back of her hand, cringing as she shook it out. Her stomach sank. Why the fuck did she say that? Lost herself for just a minute, let herself be the person she tried to leave behind in San Francisco, and it all went to shit, like everything Kate touched tended to do at some point.

Her eyes frantically searched for John in the fight that erupted. The sinking feeling in her stomach warped into something else entirely at the sight of him, taking a punch to his jaw before throwing a solid one in return. Always found guys who fought for their girls teeming with unearned bravado, something to prove. But John’s bravado had been wholly earned. Proved himself with his promotion to Captain, which he was putting in jeopardy on her behalf. More than that, it looked good on him.

Still, she wouldn't let him bear the brunt of her mistake if she could help it. She shuffled forward, narrowly avoiding an elbow to the face as she grabbed his arm.

“John, come on! He’s an idiot!”

She practically had to wrestle him away from the chaos and into the bathroom. A cramped space with peeling paint and a naked lightbulb that almost didn’t let her close the door behind them until she forced it shut.

“You shouldn’t have done that.”

“Why not?”

Water poured freely from the faucet. She watched as he splashed some in his mouth, swishing it between puffed up cheeks. 

“People might think we’re in love or something.”

He spit into the sink. Water pink with blood pooled at the rusty drain. It dripped from his chin as he stared her down with blown out pupils, reflecting her own unspoken desire. “We are.”

She reached out and wiped his chin with the pad of her thumb. Glanced at the glistening residue on her finger before sticking it in her mouth, letting the faint coppery taste settle sweetly on her tongue. 

“Yeah. We are.” 

And all at once she was consumed by it, the fiery desolation of being loved and loving in return. Made her skin burn, feel more alive than she had in months. No wonder it made people go crazy. Like him, her calm and collected pilot who suddenly didn’t hesitate to throw punches over a woman with no honor to defend except for the fact that he loved her. 

He loved her.

She kissed him with a ferocity that forced him to grip the sink to keep himself steady. The faint traces of blood still in his mouth sent an almost vampiric fervor through her. Brought her hand up to his neck and felt the way his Adam’s apple bobbed at her touch. Always privately lamented that she couldn’t mark up his throat the way she desperately wanted to, sink her teeth into him and let everyone know he was hers.

She wanted more of him. Always more. Lowered her hands to unbuckle his belt.

“Sweetheart, what are you—”

“Got that handsome face of yours roughed up over me,” she rasped, pressing her lips to his jaw as she unzipped his pants. “‘S the least I can do, Johnny.”

He uttered a low ‘fuck’ as he watched her drop to her knees in the tight space. Nuzzled her nose against his crotch, the dim lighting nearly concealing the playful smile that's spread across her lips. She pulled his pants and underwear down to his knees. He swallowed roughly, licking his lips in anticipation. 

She spit into her palm, then took his cock in her hand, wet and calloused as she pumped his length. Pressed a kiss to his head before wrapping her lips around it, her tongue warm and inviting. He threaded his fingers through her hair, his blunt nails scratching against her scalp. 

She watched him intently, his face contorting with pleasure as she took more of him in her mouth. Noticed with obsessive observation what made him moan louder or tug on her hair a little harder. All of the noises he made echoed in the cramped space, and only served to drive her wild, give her more motivation to bring him to climax. 

Her fingernails pressed crescent-shaped marks into his thighs when he thrust in her mouth. Didn’t matter that her jaw started to ache a little, lips were probably swollen and puffy. She wanted him to feel good, to know how much he meant to her, to use the memory of her on her knees in any fantasy he conjured up for himself in his private moments. She wanted to be it for him.

“Fuck, sweetheart,” he forced out, his voice low and gravelly. “I’m close.”

She choked a bit when he thrust harder, the tip of his cock hitting the back of her throat. It twitched against her tongue, pulsing and veiny, his length almost too much for her to handle when he came, her name falling from his lips like a prayer though she was the one on her knees.

“That’s my good girl,” he praised as she swallowed his cum, fondly stroking her messy blonde hair. “Such a good fucking girl.” Her body purred at his words, claiming her with a gentle ownership she keened at the thought of. 

She figured she loved him for much longer than just that night, except she hadn’t realized because it felt so different from the way other people described it. Not particularly soft or sweet, but it made her feel powerful, alive.  Like staring down everything she feared and finally feeling able to conquer it all instead of running—she was so damn tired of running.

He offered his hand, pulling her up from the floor. His lips brushed her cheek, adoration pouring from the simple gesture of affection. “I love you,” he whispered against her warm skin.

“I love you too.”

Woody leaned against the door, catching her breath as John pulled his pants back on. Took a look at himself in the mirror, straightening himself out to appear every bit of the no-nonsense Captain who had her wrapped around his finger. 

Turning around, he gave her a once over, taking in her ragged appearance in comparison.

“Your nylons—“

She looked down, finding a tear at the knee. “I don’t give a damn. Let’s just get outta here, Johnny.”

“You sure?”

“We can sneak out the back and spend the rest of the night alone. They all probably think we left already.”

“Sounds like you have somewhere in mind.”

Woody smiled, turning the knob to crack the door open, checking if anyone would notice the two of them slipping out together. Taking his hand in hers, she gently squeezed it. “I might.”

[kth1fics]

Safe Haven (M) | PJM (Teaser)

Safe Haven

⟶ Pairing: Park Jimin x Female Reader ⟶ Genre: royalty, smut, 18+ ⟶ Tropes: forbidden love au, medieval royal au, royal king’s guard werewolf!jimin, etc ⟶ Teaser WC: 1k+ ⟶ Warnings: mild birth scene mention (hardly any details!), mentions of d*ath, brief fighting/attacking descriptions, blood, hair pulling (when attacked), weapons mentioned, poison/venom mention, random side character d*aths, soft pining, (smut warnings will be added in the official post!) ⟶ Summary: When a wolf protects the royal family for many years, he’s faced with one special princess who he’ll do anything for. ⟶ Author's Note: This is a teaser for my upcoming fic which is apart of the “To Love a Monster” collab! Teaser is currently un-beta'd! If you would like to be added to the taglist, please leave your url in the comments! (assumingly you allow tagging of your blog!) & Also feel free to tell me what you think in my asks (link right below!)

Masterlist ◈ Mail Box ◈ AO3 ◈ Ko-Fi

White flurries fall slowly from the gray clouds above, decorating the large courtyard you spy down on in a sheet of fresh snow. Most of the garden that blooms the most gorgeous flowers is now a mess of dead plants and weeds.

The bare trees stand firm. But for those who stand strong in the winter months like hollies with red berries and camellias, continue to stand out next to the beauty of sheared evergreens and deciduous shrubs with colorful stems.

Your eyes are not trained on admiring the bright snow that cascades from the sky so beautifully. Normally you do. As you sit by your glass window with a blanket around your shoulders, you look down from your chambers on the third level of the castle to fancy something different.

Men – some of the royal guards – play around with one another in the cold weather. Some have shifted, others remain in their noble suits. The one you fixate your stare on is your personal guard, Jimin.

He stands leaning against the stone staircase besides a few of his equals. Chatting away about who knows what, watching the others roughhouse with another. Jimin is quite handsome, he always has been. For as long as you remember he’s looked the same, minus the fluctuation of hair styles and added tattoos that linger his body. A few battle scars to add. 

As a guard he wears your family's sigil proudly – a lotus flower – on each of his articles of clothing. Customized into each of the guards’ crested plates of metal armor and sewn into each leather hide. 

Jimin possesses the unfair mix of unlimited masculine and feminine traits, having a soft-looking composure and full lips plus a sharp jawline and toned muscles. His voice is nearly angelic when speaking in hushed tones but also stern as ever when he leads with his strong confidence. He may not be as large as his fellow wolves, but he’s proven himself countless times to your family to have the privilege to be your personal guard. There’s nobody quite like him; no one you’ve met in your life that is.

You commend him in silence, appreciating what you can watch from afar. Even from a distance behind a glass window, he somehow manages to make your heart race. An infatuation some may call it. A yearning. He and your family have been consistent in your life, he’s comfort – as are they. But you knew from a young age, from when you began favoring Jimin’s company over others, that you need to call it ‘nothing’. Because whatever feelings that spin deep inside you are never to be spoken aloud. It’s foolish for your Kingdom, family, and you to long for a wolf who doesn’t see you as anything but a duty.

What’s more disappointing is that you don’t need to admit these infuriating feelings to Jimin, he already knows. He would never allow it to get far by cutting you short and being curt with clipped words and disapproving looks.

He is a wolf and you are a royal. Two beings who have no business intertwining besides with loyalty to the family and the job of a guard. Your acquaintanceship between another is only going to be professional. Perhaps it’s to keep the bloodline pure, untainted. How every sibling of the family is betrothed to a neighboring kingdom, growing the alliance across countries. And not one of them has a blend of wolf’s blood in them. Even though werewolves are evident in the world around you.

“Aren’t you supposed to get ready for the party tonight?” A maid who's making your bed quips up as you're daydreaming down into the evergreen.

“I’ve been stuck on deciding which dress I should wear.”

“No, you’ve been stuck staring out into the courtyard,” she corrects.

You slump in your seat as you stubbornly hold your position by the window. When you look back down, you admire the off-brown and black tones of that particular wolf you fancy. She isn’t wrong, you know. His kind eyes and kind smiles make you feel warmth like no other, and you enjoy seeing them when you gain the chance.

“I can multitask,” you feebly argue. You drag the blanket tighter around your shoulders, keeping in the warmth of your body as much as possible. “Besides, the party isn’t until a few more hours.”

“Princess, you already have guests arriving. Half the guard is at the entrance welcoming the parties who show up early. Let’s not begin to mention how several potential suitors are arriving today. You’ve failed to marry even when betrothed. Such a shame what happened with the Jeon family.”

“I prefer not to be a royal. It doesn’t feel right the way we work,” you sigh as the joyful wolves down below have fun while you’re stuck in your tower with envy. “Can we braid my hair like that one time at my Aunt’s wedding? It cascaded down beautifully.” You speak while staring out of the window, purposely ignoring the heavier topic your maid mentions. “I’ll go with the silver dress. That one comes with the gorgeous fur shawl.”

You notice the way that Jimin has suddenly turned to look up toward your window, half expecting to see you through the glass. Even in the midst of his comrades, he finds a way to give you an ounce of attention. He shakes his head momentarily, already scolding you without knowing what you’re supposed to be doing. Jimin knows looking for him isn’t on your agenda, you purposely put him there.

“For me to do that,” – you hear the voice of your maid – “I need you to get out of your chair and into your washroom.”

A small frown carves into your face when Jimin circles his finger in the air and directs you to turn around, go back to your business. He knows he’s escorting you tonight at the party, you will see him later. To make his point come across sternly, he disassociates his eye contact – bringing his attention back to his other peers and away from you.

“Princess,” your maid bids you once again.

Reluctant to leave your post at the window, you stand up regardless. You have a long night ahead of you while the castle starts to fill up with guests for your younger brother’s birthday party.

⟶ Estimated Posting Date : June 2023

© 2023 All rights reserved under @kth1​ - do not copy, repost, modify, edit, or translate any of my work without my direct consent. This TUMBLR and AO3 are the ONLY places my fics are posted.

[imagine-that]

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause

One-shot #57 - Christmas cheer edition

Summary: Loki does absolutely everything to please you and your daughter. But is he willing to be holly and jolly?

Pairing: Loki Friggason x female!mom!reader

Warnings: obviously it is a Christmas themed read so if you are not interested in that, this piece is not for you. It also has mentions of children so if that is a sensitive topic, please be warned

A/N: HIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!! Long time no see!!!!! I’m very excited to be able to post this as I have not had inspiration to write again in such a long time. This is a favourite fic of mine and it only took 2 nights to write!!! As mentioned, it includes you, but also your daughter! In this fic there is no (your daughters name), the daughter is named Frigga (😇🥺). I just hope you enjoy it, and happy holidays!!!!!

"Love... this is ridiculous." Your husband says, staring down the red garments in his hands, holding it so far away from himself that it looks as though it had personally slapped him or something.

"Darling, you know Frigga asked for it. And did you see the look on her sweet little face when she did? She BEGGED to stay up late enough to catch him in the act Loki dearest. Aren't you happy she's picked up your knack for mischief?" You reply, imitating the look your daughter had in her eyes as she announced her goals for the night.

He groans, shoving his face into the Santa suit you had selected off Amazon.

"Why could we not have asked Thor to do this? He is a big oaf, just like this Santa Clause you mortals love so much. it would perfectly fit his loud and obnoxious tendencies." He offers, waggling his eyebrows to emphasize how much he likes that idea.

You stifle a giggle, putting down the stockings you were about to carefully hang 'by the chimney with care'.

"THAT, my dear husband, is because you would have thrown a fit if she dared to be more excited by her uncle than you." You argue, waggling your eyebrows right back at him, earning a sigh of dramatic despair.

Being a huge holiday fanatic, you were more than thrilled when Loki began very actively joining in on your Christmas festivities over the years, but especially once your daughter had arrived four years ago. She was his little princess, and whatever she liked, he liked.

Which of course, automatically meant that when she begged and begged to see Santa Clause do his job, your loving husband and her devoted father could never say no to such a request.

"You promised your princess a Santa Clause viewing love. Are you really going to let her down, or hand the task off to Thor like its a chore?" You joke, clutching your imaginary pearls at the idea.

He puts the Santa suit off to the side, giving you a devilish smile before tackling you into the bed, erupting you into a fit of giggles again.

"That, my loving wife, is never going to happen and you know it, do you not my little dove?" He growls lightly in your ear, arms wrapped tightly around your waist.

You wrestle around, trying to release yourself from the gods hold, failing to do anything more than laugh.

"Alright, alright, I know you wouldn't dare. Please release me." You ask extra sweetly. He ponders for a moment, tilting his head every which way, earning an eyeroll from you. Finally, he gently lets you go, his fingertips coolly travelling down your hips before pulling away.

With a sound of annoyance and a look you only get when he is "forced" to watch any of the reality tv shows he so often pretends to loath, he stands and starts to unbutton his crisp white shirt, immediately starting to change into the soft red suit. You stare up as he puts on the padding to make him appear holly and jolly, your eyes filling with more admiration than ever before.

As Loki uses his magic to fake a head of silver hair and a bushy beard, you clap your hands together with glee.

"Honey she is going to adore this! And she will have no idea that it's her daddy all along." You squeal, already picturing the look of excitement you knew would be all over your daughters face once she thinks she's caught Santa Clause.

He grins just as big, the beard just barely hiding it. "Well, then this ridiculous look must have some real worth." He announces, pulling on the hat and letting out a loud "Ho Ho Ho" you never thought you'd hear from your husbands mouth.

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

"Frigga" You hum, just barely shaking your daughter awake. Her hair, a curly jet black replica to her fathers, is wrapped in two braids, hanging above her head like an angelic halo perfectly fitting of her features.

"baby girl." You try gently, brushing stray hairs behind her ear. She lets out a groan of protest, rolling over to her side. You sigh, caving to your own mischievous side and yanking the blankets off of her legs.

"Momma." She whines, looking back over to you with a dark glare.

"I'm sorry I woke you up like this sweetheart but there's something downstairs you just have to see!" You whisper excitedly, stroking her back until her scowl dissipates to a look of curiosity.

The small child carefully sits up, grabbing out to hold your hand as she gets out of the bed.

"Is it christmas morning momma?" She asks sweetly, her eyes lighting up happily.

You chuckle before replying, pulling her up into your arms. "No not yet my girl, but it is still very exciting. Lets go see." You say, kissing her lightly on the forehead as you move out of the room.

"Where's daddy? He can't miss the excitement!" Frigga declares, making you laugh even louder.

"Papa went to uncle Thor's to bring their christmas gifts from us. That way we can all open them together tomorrow afternoon darling." You explain, her lips going to an o shape as she nods in understanding.

Together the two of you walk quietly down the stairs, into the hallway. You carefully stop at the bottom, poking your head around the corner to see a bored looking red covered figure by the fireplace. You give him a look, letting him know to jolly up.

"Now Frigga, you said you wanted to catch Santa delivering this year yes?" You whisper, glancing at her as she nods frantically. "Well in order to see him, we have to be super duper quiet and only watch ok? We don't want Santa to get scared and leave with all of our gifts." You instruct, and she agrees excitedly, putting a chubby finger to her lips.

You place her down on the floor, creeping around the corner just enough to see the tree and sitting on the floor, legs crossed. Gently you pull your daughter down with you, cradling her in your arms.

She watches in awe as the fireplace quickly sheds ash, a chubby figure appearing at the bottom. He crosses the room to where she left a plate of perfectly iced cookies the two of you had made the morning prior, gulping down all of the milk and letting out the ho ho ho you now knew he could.

"I can't believe papa is missing this." She murmurs, more to herself than to you. You stifle a giggle as santa-husband pulls all of the delicately wrapped gifts he had almost ruined before you stepped in out of the Santa bag on his back.

Your daughter is practically bouncing out of your lap, her excitement hardly contained. Your husband turns his head ever so slightly, only in real view to you, and sends a wink your way, making you wonder how you ever got so lucky. He fills every stocking, shovels down all of the cookies and leaves the sweet letter he wrote as santa for frigga on the counter. He snatches up the carrots and celery for the reindeer and lets out another merry christmas and ho ho ho before flying right back up the chimney.

"We gotta go watch him leave mama!!!" she begs as she runs to her coat hook anyway.

You simply smile and nod, bringing her outside again and pointing to the sleigh illusioned onto the roof.

Before she can ask any questions or say anything about the encounter, Santa is on his way to the next house. She instead lays her head lazily on your chest, hugging you tightly to her.

“Momma, do you think other kids will catch Santa?” She asks shyly, a sound of uncertainty in her voice.

“My darling, I think that they will try. But I don’t believe they will succeed as well as we have.” You promise, rocking her back and forth as you habitually did since she was a baby.

She nods, assured by your words and starts to shut her eyes, the late evening too much for her to bear any longer. She lets out a little yawn, and you plant one more long kiss in the middle of her forehead before bringing her inside, laying her down in her bed and saying a quick I love you before sneaking out the door and shutting it halfway behind you.

“So, was this Santa clause as exciting as our princess imagined?” A deep, calming voice asks suddenly from behind you, cause you to jump a little bit. He chuckles, pulling you into his chest from behind and planting a kiss on top of your head. You supposed he was where you got that from, passing it right down to little Frigga.

“She was enchanted my love. You were a hit. And don’t think I didn’t notice Santa wink at mom. Am I correct in assuming he has maybe a little crush?” You tease, turning and starting to pull him in closer by the collar of the Santa suit. He grins wide, holding you by your hips.

“Why yes, Santa thought mom was positively radiant. I must agree with him.” He purrs, finally pulling you all the way in and planting his lips hungrily on yours, earning a smile as you kiss him right back.

You two stand in the dimly lit hall, pressed together for what feels like an eternity, a little sliver of time kept just for you and him.

“This is her best Christmas yet thanks to you love.” You smile, stroking your thumb over Lokis jawline.

“Ah but if it were not for you my dear, we would not have her and I would not have my two brightest sunshines, so really you are the one who gave both of us the best Christmas ever.” He corrects matter of factly, earning a deep blush on your cheeks and an eye roll on top of it.

You quietly pull away, turning him around towards your bedroom door and giving a light push.

“Now you Mr, go and change into something less suitable of St Nick and more fitting for the king of mischief and go give your daughter a kiss good night.” You order, getting an eye roll of your own in return.

He follows orders, changing into the Christmas pyjamas you picked out for him, a pair in emerald green with gold embroidery of his initials. “I’ll be in in a moment my love, I promise.” He says, pecking you on the lips and making his way to her room.

You tiptoe behind, your reindeer slippers making you all the more stealthy, and carefully peek between the door crack, watching your husband admire your daughter before kissing her lightly on the cheek, silently thanking the universe and fate for giving you the most perfect Christmas gift of all.

[k1ranishf4]

Ethnicity in JJBA

I love that Araki decided to use different ethnicities for his characters and I could talk about it all day, to be honest.

Like, it all started with George I, Dario, Jonathan and Erina, and George II and Lisa Lisa as British people and then Joseph decided he likes Italians.

Boom: half-British half-Italian Holly Joestar who married a Japanese musician = half-Japanese, quarter Italian and quarter British Jotaro Kujo.

Jolyne is half-American, quarter Japanese and one eighth Italian and British each.

Josuke: half-Japanese and half-British, just like Giorno.

The only difference is that Giorno’s living in Italy because his mother said “yo I have a thing for European men” and married an Italian who forced Giorno to say goodbye to his Japanese origin.

As for his half brothers, all we know is that their mothers were all American. But I like to think that Rikiel’s mother is/was black, just like I do for the Costello sisters.

I have to admit, I was confused at first when I saw that Gloria didn’t have dark skin or dark hair like Hermes before I realized that they could be mixed, and the same goes for the Pucci children. Plus, it’s canon that Ermes is Mexican (I’m just not sure if half- or fully) and Pucci is Italian or Italo-American, which are also little details that I really love.

One thing that will always have a special place in my heart is Avdol being Egyptian. It has never been mentioned, but I like to think that he’s also muslim. Which is really important to me since I haven’t really seen a piece of media from non-muslim parts of the world that represented muslims accordingly. They’re either shown as terrorists or don’t exist at all. So this was extremely refreshing and he’s also black AND canonically OP af?? I love.

Japanese Noriaki Kakyoin with red hair? Now that’s what I like to see. I think he’s also a part of the Has Been Bullied Club and he was a very lonely child, so being with the Crusaders must’ve been really important to him.

Not to forget our beloved Frenchman Polnareff. I love how he switches to French just to emphasize things or when he’s too frustrated to even think in English. I relate a lot to that, especially because English is my third language of six languages in total.

I’ve also seen the headcanon of Rohan possibly being Indian or having Indian ancestors and while I don’t agree with that, it has actually crossed my mind when I heard his name for the first time (cliché, I know I’m sorry). It could also be that his parents just liked the sound of the name and that’s all to it, which I think was more the case.

Little things like these give me the freedom to headcanon whatever I want.

For example, I love the thought of Holly learning English and Italian from her parents and then teaching those to Jotaro, who then taught Italian and Japanese to Jolyne.

Or a crossover where the other JoJos and GioGio meet Jodio and Hermes starts laughing her ass off because of the Spanish meaning of the word jodio.

Or, on the angsty side of things, Jotaro being bullied by older students because he’s “only” half-Japanese. Just like Giorno was bullied (although I do not remember if it actually was because of his heritage, but I think so).

Not taking Part 7 – Part 9 characters into the equation because I haven’t finished reading Steel Ball Run yet, which means I didn’t even think about JoJolion and The JoJoLands.

[wordsandgears]

Midnight burger posting at midnight

In an Au where the EX “rescued” Ted (A.K.A hostage/ forced vacation as Casper puts it) along with Casper:

Casper’s whole thing with Ted is to get him out of his shell (he sees himself in Ted and hates that he can relate to the helplessness of determinism and its shackles, for he too once felt the burden of mundanity)

Ted’s adamant that someone is coming to get him and almost ejects them out into space in whatever vessel the EX was driving

(the EX is very good at holding people in place)

Every time they stop somewhere they have to wrangle him in, I picture Casper making a joke about needing to get one of those child leashes for him

That usually makes him so offended that he forgets about escaping and they can carry on with their journey

Wherever they are Ted has something to say about the state and the use of whatever planet/space object they’re on (Ted propaganda, always some sort of false)

Very unwelcome in red’s rectangle (should’ve stayed behind but is very untrustworthy)

Ted’s wild west persona would be a priest with a past more sullied than an oil spill in the ocean.

Escalating tensions with his tries of descalations of repeating laws and penal codes, not really playing along but also not not playing along.

Not as smooth as Casper and not as gung ho as Ex,

Like Casper in the before Throwing-Ava-into-deep-space times Ted would be adamantly against any “meaningless” detours that extend their time together.

Helping with the jailbreak cements the fact that Ted is a traitor, and a bittersweet (at lest in Ted standards) reunion makes him finally look back in his actions, though outwardly he acts the same to most

(except to Casper and Ex due to the fact that being that powerful and that old you could probably read anyone)

At the battle of time’s melody Ted is solemn yet abrasively uncooperative

There’s three ending for Ted in this Au. (1.like Canon he wonders the universe, by his own valuation) ((2.he gose with BurtBurt to simply see what’ll happen, maybe to gain some semblance of routine he once had)) (((3.and most outlandishly, he stays and raised plant babies with a sentient bush and inter dimensional robot)))

Character design

BurtBurt - I imagine she always wears a fur coat, like most people of her race she has three sets of arms, one set is always crossed and another always has a pen and paper in hand. Her hair has cartoony swirls at the ends and her skin is a very pale pink

Verge - basically double trouble from she-Ra but blue, wears the space equivalent of any weather survivalist gear. Color blind

Minski - a more human humanoid spider, looks human except for the six arms protruding out the back and eight pitch black eyes. Waits finely tailored suits.

Shell - looks like a bush, has holly berries growing on them sorta like a birthmark or defining characteristic

Ava - how I imagine manuela dominguez form the magnus archives, white lab coat, long straight thick black hair, brown skinned.

Gloria - a Mexican Justina Machado, long dark brown curly hair that reaches her back that’s always tied in a bun or ponytail, her outfits are always pristine and bright as if she just got them that day.

Casper - Jake Johnson, grey hairs

Leif - just Leif

Random thoughts

PolyBurger should be a thing - let the employees and the boss and the regular kiss while HR looks on in jovial disapproval.

[stalkerofthegods]

Loki Deep dive

Signs he's reaching out- seeing the Snaptun Stone, Large numbers of spiders, Fire seeing his symbols and things that remind you of him in a dream, a close brush with danger, Dreams of Loki speaking to you, Repeated appearances of any of the animals related to Loki, sudden obsession on him or seeing things related to him that you wouldn’t regularly notice

Days & holidays! - Autumn Equinox, Samhain, Yule, Sep 5 UPG (tumbler meme devoted to him day) , Julaften, Saturday, April fools, Lokablót

Equivalent- logi  (the personification of fire), Prometheus, Tantalus, Jesus, Pan, Cernunnos, Dionysus, anasi, Bacchus, Lugh, Hermes, Mercury, Elegua, Eshu, Prometheus, Veles, Coyote and Crow

Dislikes- in my experience he wasn’t a fan of Hermes, he doesn’t like Heimdall (Heimdall kills Loki ) 

Married- he is married to Sigyn! (the goddess of Victory)   Also, Loki’s first wife (Angrboda who was a Jotun ) taught Loki magic, later he devoured her heart because she was an ‘evil’ witch.

Zodiac- Aries and Gemini 

Siblings - Blood Odin, Hellblindi and Balyestyr

Devotional- volunteering to help survivors of trauma, helping with orphanages, and those who are in need, laughing at yourself.

Animal - Coyote, Salmon, Snakes, Foxes, vulture, Quiscalus quiscula, wolves, serpents, cats, falcon, butterfly, raven, flies, dragons, spiders.

colors - yellow , green , red, pink, neons, purple, gold, silver, Black, violet 

offerings - Candy, Atomic Fireball (he loves alcohol ex- tequila, rum, brandy, and mead, but he does get tired of it beacuse it’s offered so much), Pez, Pixie Sticks, cookies/pastries, caramel apples. Speaking of apples, He loves red food (ex-Red Velvet) He likes things with a lot of pepper spice, or even just the peppers themselves (habaneros seem to be a favorite), good whiskey, bread, knives, whatever reminds him of u, also baked goods, or anything really, you can give him just sugar or just food, whatever says “LOKI!!”, he also loves caffeinated drinks!, he likes cinnamon, chocolate, Tobacco, weed, cheesecake, especially with berries,  old granddad brand of alcohol, and hard cinnamon flavored or spicy liquor, and spicy runs and mulled wine! Carmel golden apples!  He also loves Nutella, I would recommend giving whatever you think he would like, he likes new things I heard.

Number - 13  and Kaunaz, Naudiz, Thurisaz, number 3, The Berkana rune, 

Planet- Pluto, Dark Moon

To do in his honor  - Inner Child work, Llaughing at yourself, Accepting that no one and self is perfect, and mistakes are okay, Feeling all of our feelings, drawing, coloring, singing, dancing, being creative, working with children or the elderly, collecting and sharing jokes, going on a walk, get lost, go on an adventure with friends or fellow outcasts, go clean up a local park in his honor, do something ur scared of, joke in their honor 

What he favors in devotes - Passion and drive, inc stubbornness, a go-getter, hunger for life, child like playfull Ness

God of - Celeverness, change, Creation, Cunning, Divine, Discovery, Humor, knowledge, sex, Seduction, shapeshifting, trickster (mischief), wit, truth,  temptation, the hearth, nature. 

Patron -outcasts (black sheep), earthquakes, changing cycles of the moon, nature, fire itself.

his weapon- Lævateinn

Herbs - daisy, mistletoe, Lavender, Patchouli, Cinnamon, Clove, Hemp, Holly, Mistletoe, Cedar, Juniper, Elder, “yellow rattle” plant, lokasjóður, “Loki’s Purse” (a plant), Loki oats, wild oats, birch, alder, mullein, acorns, Aspen trees (UPG)

Preferred coffee- very very sweet. (I also heard he likes mocha) 

Remind me of him - smiling, laughter, dancing, knives, horns, flowers, trees, flies, foxes, rings, black nail polish, masks, spiders, red hair, cat eyeliner look, eyeliner, blue eyes, plastic toys, nature 

Blessings - sharper knives (be careful they may be blunt one second and then sharp)

Tarot- The magician, Wheel of Fortune, the sun, the devil, the tower, the magician, 

Signs - spiders, vultures, snakes, seals, foxes, flies, wolves, Dandelions, coyotes 

Alter decorations - boats, kids' toys, anything listed here really.

Scents - He likes cinnamon, mulled wine, cotton candy, and peaty whiskey and yew, but nothing strong or overwhelming or alluring and anything too feminine, he also dislikes super masculine colognes. He likes Pine, cinnamon, sugar & spice, honey, and wild berry incense and dragons blood incense 

Animals• Fox, spiders,Flies, salmon horses, vultures 

Crystal• Volcanic and Sulfurous stones (ex. Obsidian Gypsum, Hematite, etc.)((is associated with tectonic activity)), pyrite (fools gold), color-changing stones, Bloodstone, Xlead calcite, Sunsgone, Stones associated with the air element, red stones, Stones of any other color you associated with Loki (ex- red Jasper, Garnet, Carnelian, Ruby), Stones that scream “LOKI!!”, but mostly - Red Jasper, Amber, Garnet, Goldstone; Plastic, Acrylic, Glass, Gold, Bronze, Silver, Magnesium, Orange calcite, hematite, fire agate, onyx, etc.), serpentine, fire quartz, smoky quartz, pyrite, multi-colored/color-changing stones (labradorite, fluorite, alexandrite, bismuth, etc.), carnelian, and tiger's eye, kambaba jasper, prehnite, garnet, green aventurine, malachite, and petrified wood, Yellow calcite

Symbols•fox, Knox, web, Tangles, snakes, Flies, salmon, horses, Mistletoe, (I've also heard vulture, hawk, skull

Names•known as sky traveler, Ve, or, father of monsters, Flamehair, “that bastard” (UPG), Lie-Smith, Sly-God, Shape-Changer, Sly-One, Lopt, Sky Traveller, Sky Walker, Wizard Of Lies, and Loftur and I'm sure there's more. (I’ve accidentally called him Taco Bell before myself.) 

Mortal or immortal • immortal, but has apples to live longer, suspected the Apple effects last YEARS (like more than 100+ years. Because he is not “old” or dead yet, and in mythology, they take it to stay young and live forever.) and ragnorok

Vows/omans• Blood brother with Odin, Loki swears oaths that he will devise a scheme to cause the builder (of the wall of the asier home) to forfeit the payment, whatever it may cost himself.

Morals• He's morally grey 

Personality• understanding, and fast going, can be jealous and has a quick temper.

Fact• He had a wife before Sigyn and he is in a cave until Ragnorok. I also heard he like farts a lot. And sends spiders, so beware, he made spiders in Sweden mythology 

Roots• Norse mythology 

Appearance in astral or gen• red hair and fair skin but not too red or too fair. Also, blue eyes I think or green. Or anything at all really.

Children- Hel, Jormangandr, Fenir, Sleipnir, Vanir, Narfi, (from sigyn) Svadilfari,  and Einmyria and Eisa (with Glut.) He also ate a woman’s heart and bore the first witch, some say also a HUGE cat. 

Season• the month of Gemini and Aries 

Status• God and Yotan

Element- Fire, air, nature.

Personality- Loki is not always the most mature and can sometimes act like a toddler. Also chaotic Neutral. he is not an omniscient Deity, but true to his word.

Parentage • The tree Lufey and farbauti

Prayers•

Flame-hair, your soul burning into the night, Throwing caution to the wind And casting the die of fate, Teach me your fearlessness. Lie-smith, your sharp words like daggers, Cutting through illusions to the bone And revealing the reality we refuse to see, Teach me your clarity. Silver-tongue, whispering carefully veiled truths, Sowing shrouded mystery in your wake, And leading only the clever onward, Teach me your secrecy. And leading only the clever onward, Teach me your secrecy. Gift-Bringer, recognizing all the overlooked, Giving rightly earned reward where it’s due, And in turn, blame as well, Teach me your justice. Scar-lip, ending silence in the face of injustice, Grinning down at the outcasts And rallying your voice with theirs, Teach me your anger. Pain-holder, accepting your punishment, Embracing the consequences of your deeds, And taking the fall of those who are weaker, Teach me your resilience. World-breaker, harbinger of chaos, Spitting fire upon the stagnant And carving the spear of change, Teach me your courage. Cruel-striker, slanderer of the gods, Burning the inefficient and stale, Revealing potential in the ashes, Teach me your insight. Sly-walker, throwing your mischievous grin about And casting laughter into the darkness Where before there was only despair, Teach me your joy. Shape-changer, manipulator of all walks of life, Confidently adapting to every situation, Commanding the strength of any form, Teach me your cunning. Hearth-fire, warmth of my heart, Your arms a sanctuary where none is found Light and life of the home I can always return to, Teach me your nurturing. Sky-treader, ever true to your wild heart,Letting none even try to contain your spirit As free as the sky itself, Teach me your passion. Hail Loki, And thank you, my God, For everything you bring to my life.I love you so.

- by @klawl

Links/websites/sources •

Links I recommend - 

Loki is the Norse god of mischief, and the hard cold truth, even tho he may be cold, he is wise, and charming in many ways.

I use resources, I do not own the info, and most deep dives have UPG (that I use in my work.) And I only take some information from sources. I am 14, this is my hobby, I am learning but I spent many hours and days on this, and I am always open to criticism. I have been doing worship for 5 years. Please know you can use the info, I do not sue, but I will take action if this work is used without permission and not put as a resource if used in any work. without permisson and not put as a resource if used in any work, for the public.

[scarymonsters-andsupercreeps]

The Miracle We Need

Chapter 2

<- previous next->

Holly must undergo intense Hamon training led by Lisa Lisa while awaiting her chance to travel to Egypt.

Read on AO3 here!

Warnings for suffocation mentions, mention of a deceased character/character death

Chapter 2: Spread Your Wings

Through the gate, Holly saw a slick black sports car with tinted windows park by the street. Her heart jumped to her throat. Was that Lisa Lisa? She didn’t know why she was so scared of her own grandmother, but something about the way Suzi had been talking about her was anxiety-inducing.

A woman got out of the driver’s seat, grabbing a cane and a rolling suitcase out of the back, then slowly walking up the driveway.

Her gait was confident, graceful. She almost glided across the pavement. As she got closer, Holly was able to make out some of her features.

She was tall but a little thinned out due to age. Lisa Lisa wore a black blouse, gray pants with a red silk sash, and knee-high leather boots. Over all of that was a long black trench coat with a cherry-red silk lining, as well as a flowing red scarf that seemed to shimmer in the light. On its hem, iridescent bubbles had been embroidered. Lisa Lisa’s hair was perhaps the most eye-catching, though. A full head of silver hair shot through frequently with lighter gray and white around her face. It was very long, reaching the small of her back. The front was gathered around and braided behind her head, showing large ruby earrings.

As she reached the front of the house, Holly rushed out to greet her, closely followed by Suzi. “Hello…ma’am…can I take your suitcase?”

Lisa Lisa evaluated her from behind large sunglasses, showing no reaction to what she’d said. “That won’t be necessary.” Her voice was cold, however just as elegant as the rest of her. She had a strong English accent and sounded like she could sing.

Now up close, Holly could see the wrinkles on her face and her thinned cheeks. She was wearing light makeup with a deep red lipstick.

Holly swallowed hard. Had she already done something wrong? She looked at Suzi for answers.

“Will you kindly step down onto the lawn for a moment?” Lisa Lisa said.

Holly immediately obeyed her. “Of course.” Now facing her grandmother, Holly saw that she would be taller than her if Lisa Lisa wasn’t wearing heels. Holly was also broader, but that was par for the course. She took after her dad in that aspect.

Lisa Lisa now glanced at Suzi, before suddenly pushing off the ground with her cane. She went up like a gymnast, seeming to hang in the air for longer than she should be able to. Holly looked up, baffled as to what she was doing.

Suddenly, Lisa Lisa was gone.

No, she was behind Holly.

Holly tried to twist around in time but stopped when she felt a pressure around her jaw. Lisa Lisa had put some kind of muzzle on her. She fell to the ground, gasping for air. It was suffocating her!

“You’re alright. The mask won’t allow you to breathe unless it’s with good form. Breathe deeply and evenly, and you’ll have no issue,” Lisa Lisa said, landing on her cane with a yellow strike of lightning and bringing her feet lightly onto the grass like a ballerina. “You’ll be wearing this mask during all hours of the day, only taking it off at mealtimes.”

Holly fixed her breathing, standing up shakily. “I see.”

Lisa Lisa smiled a little. “JoJo pitched a royal fit about this part of the training. I see you’ll be a more agreeable student.”

“I’m sorry about him. I’ll do my very best to learn.” Holly ducked her head into a bow.

“No need for that. I’m your coach, not the Queen. And you can call me Grandma if you want. Or Lisa Lisa, or ma’am…whatever you like, dear.”

Holly nodded vigorously. “Thank you.” The mask was heavy and uncomfortable, but she would get used to it if it meant she could learn to fight and save Jotaro. She would get used to anything.

“Now, Holly. How about we get settled?” Lisa Lisa said, beckoning Holly to follow her inside. She seemed like she was walking faster now, her cane thwacking against the path. Holly, still winded, had trouble keeping up.

“Grandma…if you don’t mind my asking….” Holly said hesitantly, almost tripping over her shoes after she took them off.

“How old am I?” Lisa Lisa predicted. “I turn 100 this year.”

“Really?” Holly exclaimed, starting to count on her fingers. She was so shocked she forgot to breathe properly, so the mask suffocated her for a moment. “You don’t look like it!” She said after a coughing fit, wiping her eyes. She heard a small giggle from Suzi, who was trailing behind.

“Of course I don’t, dear. Hamon training slows your body’s aging process, and I’ve been doing it since I was very young. I also have good genes.”

“Why does papa look old, then? Didn’t he train with you?” To Holly, he looked more like Lisa Lisa’s brother than her son. Did it just not work for him?

Lisa Lisa paused. “He quit his constant Hamon exercises abruptly a few years ago in order to age alongside Suzi, however he hasn’t used it in combat for about 40 years. If you quit completely, it catches up to you quickly.”

“That makes sense,” Holly said, filing that away to talk to Joseph about later. “How long will I be training with you?”

“I trained your father to a rather high skill level in one month. I don’t doubt that with the natural skill you inherited you’ll be able to fight well within that timeframe.” Lisa Lisa smiled a little. “I have no doubt your boundless Joestar determination will show through.”

“Papa only trained for a month? How did he beat all the Pillar Men?” Holly thought that was the term Suzi had used. Her mom had filled her in on most of the story about Joseph’s time with Lisa Lisa.

Holly’s mind was boggled that all those things happened. Her father had saved the world, and he’d somehow gone 50 years without bragging to her. She was impressed.

Lisa Lisa chuckled. “That was a combination of skill and sheer dumb luck, as well as a lot of help. One thing JoJo has always had on his side is Lady Luck. Maybe she’ll favor you as well. I suppose we’ll see over the course of your training.”

“Okay!” Holly said, trying to be her usual enthusiastic self despite the anxiety that now gripped her heart. She needed to keep her motivation. Lisa Lisa’s training would be brutal, but she’d get through it so she could see Jotaro.

***

Her lungs starting to ache for air, Holly screwed her eyes shut tighter. She was submerged by weights in a swimming pool Lisa Lisa had rented out. Lisa Lisa herself stood atop the water, watching Holly closely so she wouldn’t drown.

Holly had been underwater for around five minutes. This was a breath exercise to help her regulate. She was keeping a constant flow of Hamon moving throughout her body, and the aim was to conserve the breath she’d taken before jumping in.

Her chest wrung itself. was she at her limit? She had The Miracle reach for the clasp of the weights to release herself, floating up to the surface. When she finally reached air, she inhaled slowly and evenly instead of all at once. The difference was huge—she felt a spike of energy even though she had just gone so long without breathing.

Lisa Lisa clapped politely. “Very good. I was worried you’d lose your technique. That’s the real test here. Well done.”

Holly smiled, lifting herself out of the pool to sit on the edge. Seeing her arms, she noticed she’d gained a little muscle definition. Her workout routine was almost as rigorous as Lisa Lisa’s training. Holly didn’t doubt the Hamon had something to do with this new strength.

It was about a week into her training, and Lisa Lisa wouldn’t give her a clear answer about whether she was making good pace. Not that it exactly mattered. Suzi managed to get the Speedwagon people to trust her so she was able to keep closer tabs on the new Stand user. So far, they still hadn’t caught him.

Another bonus was her getting all of the doctors to leave. Holly was pretty much back to normal. The doctors weren’t needed and hadn’t received instructions for the contingency of Holly waking up. Since Joseph was radio silent, they took Suzi’s orders instead. She also told her butler to return home, much to his chagrin.

Suzi trotted over to her with a tray of drinks. “Are you thirsty, sweetie?”

Holly grabbed a lemonade. “Thank you, Mama!” She opened the little port at the bottom of her mask which allowed her to drink through a straw. According to Lisa Lisa, the original model of the mask hadn’t had this amenity. Previous students would have had to either take it off to drink and risk losing their rhythm, or drink their daily allotment of liquids all at once during a meal.

Holly watched in amusement as Suzi hastily trotted across the water to give Lisa Lisa a lemonade. Her ripples were strong but not uniform, meaning she got soaked up to her shins. Once she returned to the deck she took off her sandals to dry them.

Lisa Lisa followed her out of the pool, sitting down to rest her legs. Suzi said Lisa Lisa had some scar tissue and nerve damage in her ankles that would occasionally act up, which was why she used a cane and sometimes a wheelchair or walker.

Holly suspected there was a Hamon battle that had led to her getting those injuries, but try as she might, she couldn’t get Lisa Lisa to tell her any stories.

Once she finished her lemonade, Holly gave the glass back to Suzi and dried herself off.

Lisa Lisa got up and grabbed Holly’s empty glass off Suzi’s tray, much to Suzi’s bewilderment. Lisa Lisa settled into a stance and Holly realized too late what was happening.

Lisa Lisa threw the glass a bit to the side of her. Holly caught it quickly, using The Miracle to extend her reach. “Grandma! What was that for?” She asked, setting it down carefully.

“I knew it.” Lisa Lisa strode over to her, her stilettos clicking against the concrete. “You have more than just my techniques you’re using. What is it, though?” She started to circle Holly like a vulture, looking her up and down.

“Uh,” Holly said. Suzi hadn’t told Lisa Lisa about Stands? Although…it was possible Joseph hadn’t even told Suzi. Holly was reasonably certain he didn’t even tell her all the details when he explained Jotaro’s predicament.

She didn’t know whether Lisa Lisa would believe her about The Miracle. She may be able to use fantastical life-giving lightning, but where did she draw the line? 9-foot tall ancient vampires were at least tangible, unlike Holly’s Miracle…

On top of that, Joseph was very picky about who he told his secrets to. It seemed like the more innocent people knew about the existence of Stands, the more likely they were to be hurt. Lisa Lisa being involved in this was the last thing Holly wanted. What would Joseph do in this situation?

“Well? What is it? Did you develop some sort of new technique without me knowing?” Lisa Lisa said, crossing her arms. “Wouldn’t put it past Joseph’s daughter. But what did you do exactly? I should hope it’s not cheating. I also wouldn’t put that past someone raised by him.”

Holly relaxed a little. She had to say something that would make Lisa Lisa not be suspicious anymore.

“I think it’s air currents,” Holly blurted, then cringed. How would she back that up? Now her coach would just be suspicious she was stupid…

“Is that so? The wind blew it into your hand?” Lisa Lisa said, leaning in close to Holly’s face. Holly could feel Lisa Lisa’s eyes burning into her skull even though she still had on her sunglasses.

Holly glanced at Suzi, who looked completely bewildered. “Uh, no…I think it was Hamon. The air in here is very humid, so the water helped me.”

Lisa Lisa paused. “Very well. I’ll study this phenomenon…I suppose stranger things have happened. Carry on, then. Once you finish drying off you’re running a race. I’ve signed you up already. You’ll be coming in first place. By a lot.”

“Oh, okay…when is it?”

“Ten minutes.”

Block high. No, higher. Too late. Lisa Lisa broke Holly’s defense and easily struck her. Holly hopped backwards on the balls of her feet, circling her opponent.

Sweat trickled down her brow. She gritted her teeth. This sparring match was going on for too long. Neither fighter was making any progress. It was to the point that Suzi, on the sidelines, didn’t seem to know who to cheer for.

Lisa Lisa rammed her cane towards Holly’s forehead. Holly narrowly caught it. She tried to send Hamon up it but it blew up in her face, showering sparks all over her. She jumped backwards.

“What’s your secret?” Holly said. “What makes you so good at this?”

Lisa Lisa smirked. “As if I’d tell you while we’re fighting.” She leapt towards Holly, striking her in her solar plexus and then her shoulder. “A magician never reveals her tricks.”

Holly stumbled back, surprised she didn’t fall. Instead of retreating she hunched down and rammed her shoulder into Lisa Lisa’s stomach.

This seemed to genuinely catch Lisa Lisa by surprise—not because it was a good move, but because it was so bad she truly wasn’t expecting it.

Lisa Lisa fell backwards and Holly quickly took away her cane. She pressed the end of it to Lisa Lisa’s chest, pinning her down.

“Do you yield, Grandma?” Holly said.

“Of course not!” Lisa Lisa said with a chuckle, batting the cane away with her forearm. Holly recoiled from the force and dropped the cane. As soon as her grip slipped, Lisa Lisa swooped in and snatched it back. Holly retreated.

She shook her head. “I should have known better. I’ll have to do something really special to keep you down.” She again circled.

Lisa Lisa smiled. “You’re right about that. Give it your best shot!”

She rushed forward, striking at Holly with a flurry of blows from her cane as well as her hands. Holly stayed on defense, dodging each attack narrowly. She was in the clear, that is until Lisa Lisa caught her off guard with a crack to the shoulder.

Holly wobbled, and Lisa Lisa hit her in the knees to buckle them. Holly crumpled to the ground. Her coach placed the tip of her cane against Holly’s throat.

“Do you yield?” Lisa Lisa said, a bit smugly.

Holly smiled. “Nope!” She grabbed onto the cane, directing a shock of Hamon up through it successfully. Lisa Lisa, not prepared for this, was stunned in place by the lightning.

Holly rolled away and quickly swept Lisa Lisa’s legs. She actually fell this time. Instead of immediately retaliating, she laid there for a moment.

“I yield. What…” Lisa Lisa shook her head, confused. “What did you do?”

Holly helped her up and they bowed. “I noticed that your cane only accepts Hamon one way. I couldn’t shock you from my side.”

“Exactly…how did you do it just now?”

“When you fell, I switched the ends. I saw that the head of the cane can come off, so I just moved it and hoped you wouldn’t notice.” Holly smiled. “I can’t believe it worked!”

Lisa Lisa stared. How did she unscrew it that fast? How did she even think to do that? “You’re very clever. You earned this victory.” She said, composing herself.

“Okay! Thank you! Oh, and I hope your cane isn’t damaged.”

“I can get it fixed. I’m very proud of you for thinking outside the box, dear. You can have the rest of the afternoon off.” Lisa Lisa now spoke to Suzi. “Bring my wheelchair, would you? I’m feeling a bit drained.”

Suzi nodded vigorously, trotting away. Holly helped Lisa Lisa to a seat before leaving.

As she walked the halls back to the kitchen, she couldn’t help but wonder if Joseph had a similar experience. Did he ever defeat Lisa Lisa in sparring? If he did, he would have never let her hear the end of it.

Would he be proud of Holly for her accomplishments?

She missed him so much. She missed Joseph, and Jotaro, and even Kakyoin and Avdol. She hoped they were safe. Her gut told her they were, or at least they were alive.

Recently her nightmares got more frequent. She saw DIO more often. Did that mean Joseph’s group was getting closer to him?

Dread crept into her chest, the sickening weight of it settling on her. It happened whenever she thought about her visions of DIO. This was just a fraction of his presence—what would it be like to face him head-on?

***

“HOLLY! HOLLY! WHERE ARE YOU?” Suzi shouted, startling her.

“In the kitchen, Mama. What is it?” She called back, sipping her water.

Suzi ran in. “They got the guy! They’re getting him on a plane to Egypt as we speak. Get packed!”

Holly dropped her glass but quickly caught it with The Miracle. Water spilled everywhere. “Huh?”

“I said get packed! We need to get you to the airport within the hour!” Suzi glanced at the floor. “I’ll clean the mess. You just focus on getting ready!”

Holly nodded. She hurried back to her room, hauling out her duffel bag.

She picked out her most practical outfits, which ended up being mostly jeans and cotton button-ups. She also grabbed a jacket. It’s cold in the desert at night, right?

Once that was done she got basic toiletries, extra shoes, lots of extra socks…

She put on her favorite fake pearl necklace, running her hands over the smooth beads. It was calming for her. She captured the sensation with The Miracle, so now whenever she was stressed she could touch her necklace to calm down.

She put on her hiking boots, quickly ducking into Jotaro’s room to grab his spare pocket knife. He probably wouldn’t mind. She also grabbed a few fresh pieces of clothes for him.

Sadao had briefly gone through a phase where he bought a surplus of survival equipment despite never even camping. It was possibly Holly’s fault, as most of the supplies came from American catalogues she showed him.

This collection was one of the many things he never bothered to come pick up, and which Holly had placed in a guest room closet.

She now opened it up and took the expensive over-engineered canteen he’d bought. It had normal things like peroxide and a filter, but it also had a built-in compass, a sheath for a tiny knife, several strap options, and more. It was almost useless.

She shrugged, tossing it in her bag. It wasn’t like Sadao would be using it.

Holly found her mother and grandmother in the front room waiting on her. “Am I late?” She asked.

Lisa Lisa shook her head. “No, not at all.”

“Are we leaving?” Holly said, cocking her head.

“Aren’t you missing something, dear? What do you think you’ll do with that big mask you’ve got on?” Lisa Lisa said, laughing a little.

Holly had honestly forgotten about it. Her hand wandered to it absentmindedly, tracing the grooves in the metal. “Oh, yeah.” Suzi laughed at her a little.

Lisa Lisa unclasped the buckles and carefully lifted the heavy mask over Holly’s head. “You might be thinking I’m doing this because you’re leaving and I have to, but that’s not the case. You’ve done well, and you don’t need help anymore. I’m proud of you, Holly.”

Holly beamed. “Okay!” She quickly hugged Lisa Lisa, almost crushing her before remembering she was almost 100 and Holly should probably be more gentle. Lisa Lisa laughed, patting Holly’s back.

“I’ll miss you, Grandma. Thank you so much for training me,” Holly continued. “I’ll make you proud, I promise!”

“Just be safe. I’ll be the most proud if you survive.”

“Likewise!” Suzi chimed in, her voice sounding a little unsteady. Holly immediately turned and hugged her.

“Mama, I’ll miss you too.” Holly buried her face in Suzi’s shoulder. “I’ll ask Papa to give you a call.”

“That would be very nice,” Suzi said. Holly felt wetness on her shoulder—Suzi was crying.

“Mama, don’t cry! I’ll cry too!” Holly said hastily, hugging her tighter. “I promise it’ll all turn out okay in the end.”

Suzi sniffed. “Be safe, sweetie…”

“I will!” Holly declared, stepping back. “I’m ready to go. I want to stay and say goodbye for longer, but I know I’ll start getting emotional if I do.” Her eyes were already teary.

Lisa Lisa nodded. “It’s good that you know your limits. The Speedwagon Foundation driver is waiting out at the gate. He’ll take you to a secret location where you’ll board a plane, then rendezvous in Egypt with your teammate, before finally joining Joseph’s group. Make sense?”

“Yep! Bye-bye!” Holly slipped out the door and waved back at them as she trotted down the driveway.

Suzi, her tears flowing freely, alternated between blotting her eyes and waving at Holly. Her heart was full of pride but her hands shook as she took in the possibility that this could be her last time seeing her daughter.

Once Holly was out of sight, Lisa Lisa turned to Suzi.

“She’ll be fine. Joseph and Jotaro will fight tooth and nail to keep her safe, and she’ll do the same for them.” She put her hand on Suzi’s shoulder. “I don’t know what she’s been doing, but she has some kind of trick up her sleeve. It seems like sleight of hand, or maybe she’s developed a Hamon variation. She inherited Joseph’s ingenuity. She will beat the odds here. Just have faith in her.”

“I know…I feel useless again. I thought dropping out of Hamon training would only be bad for me…I never realized it would cause my best friend to die,” Suzi sobbed. “When you left for Switzerland…I couldn’t go with you. Then before I knew it you were missing and JoJo was on my doorstep in shock from burns saying Caesar was dead.”

“Suzi, dear, why didn’t you ever say anything to me? That’s not your fault. Not even I could save him.”

“I know, it just hurts…and now it’s happening again. Why can Joseph and Holly go on this journey but not me? Why am I never able to help?” Suzi raked her tears away. “I don’t want to have to wonder if my daughter and husband will come back to me.”

“Sometimes you just have to wait. It’s not worth thinking about what could have been, or what might be. You’ll just make yourself upset.” Lisa Lisa touched the end of her scarf, pondering the embroidered bubbles. The iridescent thread caught the light, sparkling back at her just like Caesar’s Hamon used to.

“Not everyone can fight. Even if you can, oftentimes you have to let others help. That’s what being a team is. You’re part of their team, even though you can’t go with them. You orchestrated all of this. Without you Holly would be stuck here.”

“Did I do the right thing? It’s possible I could lose all of them now.” Suzi’s lip trembled and she started to tear up again.

“I think you did.” Lisa Lisa offered Suzi a clean handkerchief. “You and I will never know the full extent of it, but I’ve never seen a stronger bond than the one through this family. They’ll take care of each other. You just wait for your call from JoJo, alright?”

Suzi nodded. “I will…I miss him…”

“I’m sure he feels the same. He gets so whiny without you.” Lisa Lisa smiled.

Suzi finally laughed a little. “You’re right, I wonder if he’s complained yet.”

“Oh, absolutely. Remember when we were on vacation and you left to get lunch without telling him? He was pacing up and down the living room, and he wouldn’t shut up. Completely hopeless, I tell you.”

“Completely!” Suzi finally dried the last of her tears, her sorrow evaporating into fond laughter.

They returned inside and sat in the living room chairs. Suzi looked out the window at the bright flowers swaying in Holly’s garden, resolving to hold out hope one last time.

***

Holly stumbled out onto the helipad, shielding her eyes from the morning sun. She was jet lagged and her legs screamed from climbing so many flights of stairs, which her escorts had insisted on in case of tampering with the elevator. Holly was pretty sure she’d heard somewhere that elevators were safer.

The helicopter landed a few minutes ago, so its blades were still. It was silhouetted against the sunrise. She could barely make out the Speedwagon Foundation decal. The escorts walked her to the craft, opening the door for her.

In the back, there was nothing but a crumpled up jacket. Holly paused. Wasn’t the other person supposed to be here? They were probably another Stand user. Maybe their stand allowed them to be invisible? Or maybe tiny?

She turned to the pilot, who cut her off before she could even speak.

“He’s here. Just get in quickly, please,” he said, motioning her in.

She sat down and eyed the jacket as the escorts closed the door behind her. The pilot and copilot flipped a bunch of switches.

Once they were safely in the air, the copilot turned around to talk to Holly.

“Your teammate is under that jacket. Don’t disturb him if you value your hair.” He tossed his head towards the other seat. “His name’s Iggy. Seems like if you leave him alone he won’t bother you.”

“Bother me?” Holly said. “I hope not. If we’ll be working together I want to be friends.”

“I wouldn’t recommend trying that, ma’am…he can be very irritable at times.”

“Isn’t it rude to talk about someone as if they aren��t here?” Holly crossed her arms, making the copilot flinch.

“Mrs. Kujo…are you aware that Iggy is a dog?”

“No, I wasn’t told.” She looked at the jacket again. There was actually a suspiciously dog-sized lump in it. “That would make sense. I wasn’t aware dogs could be Stand users.”

“Neither were we until we caught him. You learn something new every day, I guess.” The copilot shrugged.

Holly heard rustling. Iggy was moving around under the jacket. He eventually poked his head out, blinking at her.

“Oh, a Boston terrier! Aren’t you good-looking!” Holly said cheerfully. “Nice to meet you, Iggy! I hope I didn’t disturb your nap.”

He stared at her, walking forward a bit to see her better. She offered her hand for him to smell.

“My name’s Holly, by the way!” She smiled.

Iggy nodded at her after sniffing her hand sufficiently. Holly was a little surprised—she’d never seen a dog do that. Was he more smart than a normal dog? Did he understand bits of human speech? No wonder he was irritable, then. No one was speaking of him very highly.

He didn’t seem mean at all. He sat next to her politely for a moment before flopping down on his side against her leg.

“Would you like to be scratched?” She said.

Iggy squirmed a little, closing his eyes. Holly assumed that meant “no,” and he just wanted to sleep. She was fine with that. He seemed to be able to tolerate her, and she was thankful. She wouldn’t push her luck.

The copilot looked back at Holly again curiously, and his mouth fell open when he saw Iggy snuggled up to her. “How did you—“

Holly shushed him. “He’s sleeping!”

The copilot rolled his eyes.

Actually, sleep sounded pretty good right about now. The flight was supposed to be decently long. Holly leaned up against the window, taking in the beautiful Egyptian landscape for a moment but quickly drifting off.

This time she didn’t dream of DIO, only a bright vision of reuniting with her family.

Thank you for reading!

Reference drawing of Lisa Lisa here

[kijimha]

Explaining the lore of JoJo's Bizzare Adventure (real)

PART 1

Our main protagonist is Jonathan Joestar. Our main villain, Dio Brando, becomes his stepbrother of sorts once Jonathan's dad takes him in. Dio is an asshole since he killed Danny, Jonathan's dog, and also kissed Erina (Jonathan's girlfriend).

After a while though Jonathan and Dio bond, but Dio is actually poisoning their father. Dio has this thing called the stone mask and he turns himself into a vampire. Jonathan makes friends with two dudes, Robert EO Speedwagon and Will Anthonio Zeppeli. Will says vampires are defeated with the power of Hamon, which is basically sun energy, which Jonathan learns to use

Jonathan, Speedwagon and Zeppeli fight Dio's goons and then they fight or whatever. Will dies and Dio does too. Jonathan and Erina are getting happily married on a boat, but PLOT TWIST Dio is a head and he sets the boat on fire. Jonathan holds Dio's head in a hug as they die, and Erina manages to escape the boat with a baby.

PART 2

This protagonist is Joseph Joestar. Unlike his grandfather, who was a gentleman, he's cocky, reckless and overall a teensy bit of a jerk. His grandma is Erina and he doesn't know much about his parents. Anyways something evil is brewing so this guy named Caesar A Zeppeli has to work with him and they're both going to be trained by a woman named Lisa Lisa.

The Nazis (yes, the NAZIS) have this pillar thats going to be awoken (also, they kidnapped Speedwagon). So obviously Joseph wants to save his friend. The pillar is awoken though, and a guy comes out, with red hair, a blue gear marking under his eye and two small black horns. A Nazi by the name of Rudolph Von Stroheim names him 'Santana'.

Santana can literally absorb people and he almost absorbs Joseph, but Joseph uses hamon the last second. Yada yada fighting scene and Santana is lured into the sun, which is when he's defeated.

The issue is there are 3 other pillarmen, stronger than Santana was. So Joseph and Caesar have to learn hamon to defeat them.

The pillarmen are Wamuu, Esidisi and Kars (Kars being the strongest). Wamuu controls Wind, Esidisi controls Fire and Kars controls Light. They're basically the spirit, the strategy and the will. Also, they're looking for the stone of Aja since they want to become immune to the sun.

Joseph tries to fight them (without training) and Wamuu and Esidisi use their rings of death. One of them is in Joseph's throat and the other around his heart. The rings will slowly dissolve and poison him unless he defeats them and get the antidote from their lip and nose ring.

So yada yada training, and Joseph decides to fight Esidisi. Esidisi is overly emotional, breaking down after his arm was burned off, and it was his overconfidence that made him lose. Joseph takes the antidote from his nose ring and now he has to defeat Wamuu.

Joseph and Caesar get into a fight, and Caesar wants to honor his father so he goes to fight Wamuu and Kars himself. In turn, he and Wamuu get into a battle and the pillarman wins. Caesar is, in turn, crushed by a cross-shaped stone.

Joseph and Lisa Lisa have an emotional moment but they continue. They come to an agreement. Wamuu and Joseph will fight, and Kars and Lisa Lisa will fight.

Wamuu and Joseph fight in a Colosseum, and they fight, Joseph winning in the end. Wamuu was the most honorable of the pillarmen, though, and he enjoyed the fight the two of them had (this is why hes my fav + he doesnt kill children).

For Kars and Lisa Lisa, Kars fucking cheats. Kars does end up getting the stone of Aja and becoming the ultimate lifeform, but Joseph manages to somehow send him to space so... boohoo

Also Lisa Lisa is Joseph's mom and her maid (Suzi Q) and Joseph get married/date.

PART 3

Our main protagonist is Jotaro Kujo, daughter of Holly Joestar (who is Joseph's daughter). Jotaro, with the help of Joseph's friend Avdol, finds out he has something called a Stand, which is a manifestation of his fighting spirit. It's name is Star Platinum.

Holly goes ill because apparently Dio (Now spelled as DIO, in all caps) took Jonathan's body and is still alive.

Jotaro also meets two dudes under DIO's control named Kakyoin Noriaki and Jean Pierre Polnareff. They get defeated and have these flesh things removed from their brain and they're free of DIO's control.

Jotaro, Joseph, Avdol, Kakyoin and Polnareff (and eventually a dog named Iggy) go across the country to find DIO and defeat him.

They come across many enemies, with their stands named after tarot cards (The Lovers, The Emperor) or after the Nine Glory Gods (Osiris, Seth).

Buut, one dude named Vanilla Ice (DIO's nr one DICKRIDER) kills Iggy and Avdol so. But Polnareff kills him so it's all good

Eventually Jotaro and DIO fight and Kakyoin dies too in the midst of it. This is where the famous line from Jotaro and DIO comes from

"Oh? You're approaching me?"

"I can't beat the shit out of you without getting closer."

DIO dies for good this time btw. Also his Stand was called The World and it stops time, but Star Platinum can also stop time because theyre the same kind of stand

PART 4

Okay so um. Joseph cheated on Suzi Q with a woman named Tomoko and they had a son named Josuke, who is the protagonist.

Josuke has his buddies Okuyasu and Koichi.

Koichi has a girl thats like, the first ever yandere i think, named Yukako, but they have a healthy relationship later on i guess

There's also an alien named Mikitaka and a mangaka named Rohan (who hates Josuke but helps him anyways)

Um we also have hazamada but he fucking sucks so we dont talk about him.

Anyway the main villain is Yoshikage Kira, a paraphilic murderer that kills women with his Stand (Killer Queen) by exploding their bodies quietly apart from their hands

Kira almost gets caught by the gang but he steals someone else's face with the help of a woman's stand (and he also kills her). He took the form of Kosaku Kawajiri and he manipulates the man's wife and kid, Shinobu and Hayato.

Shinobu has completely fallen in love with Kira (because he's better and kinder than her husband) but Hayato knows that isnt his dad.

Eventually with the help of the Arrow, that helps him acquire another ability, Bites The Dust. If anybody finds out about Kira's identity, they explode and the day restarts.

Anyways he gets fucking run over by an ambulance so... L Kira.

I'm tired so I'll continue this later

[shawolsos]

I've been thinking about Henry and Alex's wedding again

I think that it would be absolutely balls-to-the-walls fucking mental. It'd be a royal wedding that even my parents and I (very much anti-monarchist) would watch and enjoy. I want a royal wedding that would give Piers Morgan cardiac arrest six ways from Sunday.

Like, speakers on every street corner blasting Bowie, Jagger, Queen, Blondie, Gloria Gaynor, Taylor Swift and One Direction.

If they HAVE to sing God Save the Queen, I want it sang by Adam Lambert while Brian May absolutely shreds a guitar solo on the top of Buckingham Palace.

An autumn wedding because Henry told Alex that if a wedding happens during term-time, kids get the day off school and who is he to deny them that.

Mexican food and burgers and hot dogs, curries and fish and chips. None of this pretentious canopies and whatever else it is rich people have at weddings

Cornettos and wedding cake made of red velvet and funfetti.

Elton John singing "Your Song" as a first dance.

Queen Catherine leading Britain's nobility in the Macarena and the Cha Cha Slide and Martha having to drag Philip onto the dancefloor.

Foreign Monarchs and Dignitaries and the fucking Prime Minister's Cabinet becoming wild party animals for one night and one night only.

Jaffa Cake donuts, because they're a thing and they are the best thing ever.

The presenting team has Holly and Phil but also Baga Chipz, Lawrence Chaney, Suzi Ruffell, Tom Alan, Rylan, Nick Grimshaw, Graham Norton, Sue Perkins, Courtney Act, Trixie Mattel, Katya Zamo and the original cast of Horrible Histories (cuz Henry loved that show as a kid and you can't convince me otherwise)

The guest list includes Britain and America's gay icons except for Ellen. The entire Harry Potter cast and NOT JKR every James Bond actor they can get and kids from Henry's shelters.

Traditional CofE readings but also passages from the great FEMALE writers of Britain and classical mythology and Sappho.

Mexican love songs in the middle of the service, that make everyone tear up, regardless of whether they understand Spanish.

Their personally written vows would be exchanged in a private ceremony the day before.

Ellen and Oscar walking Alex down the aisle.

Shaan and Zahra being event coordinators.

St. George's Chapel being decked out in beautiful floral arrangements.

Pez and Nora being the best best man and woman.

Pez, June and Nora getting blackout drunk and ending up in the same hotel room.

Bea and Catherine staying back to help with the clean up and taking loads of left overs back up to the apartment to share with the staff.

Ellen, Oscar, Luna and Leo managing to slip away from their security and going to a nightclub in Soho and sending some very confusing but hysterical voice notes to Alex.

Henry stopping the car to get a donner kebab because he's English and drunk.

Apartment 6F becoming royalists for the first and only time in their lives and setting aside a whole week to watch everything related to it.

Street Parties in London and Washington going from the night before until the night after.

Sweet elderly people who have been in the crowd at every royal wedding for the last sixty years and have become very supportive of the queer community ever since their grandchildren came out to them.

A proper English Bloke™ who looks like he'd be homophobic but isn't and a bi girl with pink hair and a nose ring getting absolutely plastered together.

A sea of Union Jacks and Star-Spangled Banners being waved alongside every variety of Pride Flag.

It'd be a royal wedding that literally no other couple would be capable of planning.

[airasora]

I'm not sure if you've answered this kind of question before, but, if you could dress up your main non/disney OTPs in casual, everyday wear, what would it be?

Ooh, fun question!

I'll start with the kinda obvious, already modern-clothing wearing OTP of mine;

Hollina

Kinda what you already see them wearing; I see Lina wearing dresses, preferably long dresses, but anything she can run around and be energetic in. She doesn't really like pants, she feels too restricted in them. She also usually wear flats, preferably ballerinas and doesn't care much for booths or sneakers etc. She also CANNOT wear heels, despite how elegant she is otherwise, heels are her kryptonite. Her style is overall preppy, sweet, floral and kinda boho as well.

Holli would, frankly, wear anything that is sexy and shows off her body. Whether that is a dress, pants, whatever, she doesn't care. She's also the type of person to wear "skin-colored" leggings during winter so she can show off her legs without actually showing them off. She would also not be caught dead wearing anything but heels. Sneakers? Flats? Ew. She could maybe wear block heels and wedge heels if she really needs too, but she's a pumps and stiletto girl till the day she dies. And yes, she wears heels to the gym. She doesn't give a fuck, she's the type of woman who can run at full speed while wearing heels without falling. She's a sexy glam girl all year around.

Thraxette

Thrax's style is definitely gothic and/or punkish. Kinda vamp kid like too. Long black coats, leather and black army boots are his go to style. He wouldn't wear something that looked "ripped" though, like he wouldn't wear distressed jeans. His style might be anything but formal, but he does not wear "broken" clothes.

Odette likes dresses, just like Lina, but does like wearing jeans as well! Her style is definitely elegant and preppy usually, but as long her clothes are light in color, she'll most likely wear it. She likes any nuance of blue and pink, but can wear green, yellow and red if she's in that mood. But majority of her closet is pastel colors.

Charmine

Jasmine likes to experiment with clothes so you'd see her wearing boho one day, glam the next and then sporty the next day. She likes most types of clothing and colors, but something you'll always see her wearing is jewelry. She's never NOT wearing earrings, necklace AND at least a bracelet or ring as well. Usually something in her hair as well; she also likes experimenting with different hairstyles, and she'll sometimes watch hairstyle tutorials on YouTube just to see if she can pull it off with her long, thick hair.

Christopher's style is either VERY formal or VERY casual - there is no in-between with him. And he's a little picky with both. He might not care too much about what happens to his clothes - he doesn't care if there's a bit of distress on the jeans or a small hole in his t-shirt, but he would never wear something that is already destroyed - like Thrax won't wear something distressed. Christopher cares an equal amount about how it looks on him and how it feels. He tends to feel comfortable in pretty much anything though, but he thrives in formal suits. His style is kinda preppy, but not "stiff" preppy if that makes sense. He also doesn't wear t-shirt with logos or catchphrases on them or such - unless Jasmine got it for him, in which cares he wears it all the time.

Ok, gonna lave it at my main three OTPs, BUT let me know if there are any other ships or OTPs of mine you're curious about :D

[eunjiahn]

school romanticizing tips ౨ৎ ⋆｡˚

Cute outfits - wearing cute outfits to school can make you feel more motivated, pretty and confident! If you wear a uniform try to decorate it with some accessories. I usually prepare my outfits the day before, so i won't have to rush my outfit choices in the morning. and for outfit inspo i would recommend pinterest, tiktok and tumblr.

jewellery - it makes every outfit look 10x better. here are some jewellery based on hair colour - blondes- silver and rose gold, brunettes- gold, black haired girls- gold or silver, red haired girls- gold, silver and rose gold (also don't forget these are just my opinions of what looks good, wear whatever jewellery you know looks good on you ♡).

makeup - for me i love doing makeup as a part of my school morning routine! (also you're beautiful with or without makeup ♡).

a makeup routine for my girls who love the no makeup look ♡ mascara (clear, brown black), brow gel (clear), lip gloss (clear, light pink), blush.

a makeup routine for my girls who love makeup (i love makeup too) ♡ concealer, blush, contour, highlighter, mascara (brown, black, clear), brow gel, lip gloss.

pretty and organized notes - having organized notes will help you so much (easier studying, improved focus...). i recommend having pretty handwriting, also having some cute stationery will help you feel more motivated to study.

hygiene - having a makeup and a skincare routine always makes me more excited for school. but also taking care of yourself is important. i would recommend everyday or at least every two days. i wash my hair every 2-4 days (i have 1b black hair). also carrying a deodorant, body spray or a perfume to school is great.

books - reading books in school made me feel like a pinterest girl. i recommend good girls guide to murder series by Holly Jackson, before the coffee gets cold series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi or atomic habits by James clear. Also annotating books is fun (highlighting, sticky notes etc.)

Yujin is signing off.... ♡

[creataav]

below is an alternate ending of a fic that I've been writing about secretlife!ldshadowlady ! I've been really enjoying it, and while this might not be the actual ending (or might it be??? we'll never know), i wanted to put it up to show it but also so that people get what the vibes of the fic itself are. I feel like I've been using a very particular, very metaphor - heavy writing style for this and I like it a lot! Enjoy! (also on ao3)

You say the whole world’s ending

Buddy, it already did.

You’re not gonna slow it, heaven knows you’ve tried.

Lizzie sighs into The Void, into the inky blackness that’s beginning to press down on her bones. Forcing her hair to float across her eyes. She lets it for a moment. There’s hardly anything left for her to see, and she could do with something bright and colorful in this vast expanse of darkness. Eventually, though, it itches at her cheeks and tickles her nose, and she gives up. She pushes it out of her face and stares upwards into the stars, one last time. She leans back, spreading her arms wide, palms up, the tips of her fingers dragging down towards the abyss. Like a fallen angel in Limbo, waiting for her fate. But her fate never comes. There is no death knell, no dramatic crack of lightning that scatters her belongings to the windless void. There is just silence and Lizzie’s breath, and the slightest clink of her axe against the empty glass bottles that held her invisibility potions. It sounds hollower than it would have in the Overworld, she knows that as a fact, somehow. Everything sounds hollower here. It all gets swallowed by the black. At some point Lizzie knows that she’s no longer falling, just trapped in a stasis at the edge of The Void, hovering infinitely. She can just barely see the edge of the island Scott (she’s convinced it was Scott, she desperately wants her death to go towards some kind of narrative… something) knocked her off of.

A few sessions go by. No one pays her a visit. Apparently they’ve no reason to venture into the End. They’ll all have red tasks, now, all hinging on murder and violence. They won’t be given trivial things like “find the stronghold,” or “kill the Ender Dragon.” They’ll’ve descended into Keeper-mandated bloodlust. Lizzie wishes she could watch. 

Eventually, she hears a voice. It startles her, to hear someone else, something beyond the distant, meaningless vwoops of the endermen and the ambient noises of her own existence. She freezes, a hand going to her axe instinctively. The voice fades away for a moment. And then something… someone? Drops from the island above her. 

She stares up at it, eyes wide in confusion and in fear, muscles tensing even further like a deer in headlights. Or a cat caught messing with something it shouldn’t be. Or a faery, realizing too late it was lured and trapped in honey. 

Scar’s scarred face comes into her view, his arms spread in proper skydiving formation, his dark maroon cape flying out behind him. He yells something, but the words get swallowed by The Void. Lizzie rights herself, the most energy she’s spent while in The Void since the initial five minutes of screaming. She pats down her hair as best she can, tightens her space buns and adjusts the little, now dead, bits of holly she plucked from her berry bushes and stuck in them ages ago, straightens her axe. And then she waits for Scar to come within earshot. There’s no point in further destroying her voice to try and carry out whatever conversation he wants to have. They have all the time in the world. 

Scar hurtles toward her impressively quickly. Did she fall this fast? She could have sworn it took her weeks to fall. Scar takes less than an hour. Maybe the gods really do pick favorites. 

“I thought you might be down here,” Scar says once he knows she can hear him. 

Lizzie raises an eyebrow at him. “Were you looking for me?” Maybe they do remember her. 

Scar nods, but something dark flickers across his usually-peppy face. It lingers in his bloodstained irises. “I-“ He breathes out, hard. Pushes his hair back from his forehead. “We’re the only ones left. Everyone else- it was a bloodbath - Lizzie, they’re all dead.”

Lizzie wishes she could feel any kind of shock. She just takes the news with a calm, if a little cold, acceptance. “So you won.”

“That’s the thing. Everyone’s task was to win-“

“-how dramatic-“

“-yeah, Keeper’s got some flair- and so at the end of… everything… I walked up and hit ‘succeed’ and then it just gave me another book. Same task. ‘Win Secret Life.’”

“Right. And you think this has something to do with me.”

“I’m out of options.”

Lizzie frowns, biting her lip. “But I’m dead.”

Scar blinks. “I don’t think your body got the memo.”

“Well, yes, but at this point I must be dead. You must be, too, I suppose, if we’re both actually having this conversation.” She looks back over Scar. He seems remarkably alive. His usual perkiness is a little dimmed, sure, but who can blame him? He’s just witnessed the death of everyone else in this horrible game, that’ll do something to a man. “Why are you here, anyway? I can only assume it’s not for pleasure.”

“To be honest, I thought you might have some answers.”

“I’ve been faffing around at the bottom of The Void for weeks, what information would I be able to give to you?”

“Again, I ran out of options. Not even Grian talks to me anymore.”

“I imagine not, you did say everyone died.”

“Well, yeah, but I could swear he talked to me after I-“ He swallows. “After, uh, after Pearl died.”

A pang of pity shoots through Lizzie’s chest. She doesn’t have the heart to shoo it away. “I’m sorry, Scar. I don’t have any answers for you.”

“Maybe…” He trails off. His eyes flick around The Void, searching. They land on the sword at his side, and Lizzie’s fingertips drift toward the handle of her axe. “If one of us dies, the other one would win… right? That’s how these gods-damned games work.”

“Games? Plural?” Lizzie asks, twitchy. She remembers, of course. She remembers the other death game, and the empires, and everything else. But if she can derail Scar’s train of thought, maybe he’d stop looking at her so murder-y and start thinking up alternate solutions. 

“Yes, plural- I’m sorry, don’t really have time to explain, I just- It was always down to the last man standing, right? Even in the one with pairs,” One with pairs? Maybe she doesn’t remember everything. Scar keeps mumbling under his breath. His hand is gripping his sword fully now, Lizzie’s is tight around her axe. She’s mirroring him, even if he doesn’t fully realize what he’s about to do, the scope of the task he’s about to complete. 

“Scar, listen to me-“ She starts, but he isn’t listening, he’s trying to pace in The Void. His sword slides an inch out of its sheath with a screech, and Lizzie’s axe is in her hands before she can open her mouth to warn him further. He looks at her with red-glazed eyes. “You don’t want this, Scar.”

“It’ll be over either way, won’t it? That’s what I want.”

“You don’t want this, Scar!” Lizzie gestures wildly at the nothingness around her with her free hand. “This isn’t winning. Not even the Keeper will know who wins if we die here. This isn’t a victory.” 

“I don’t need to win. I just want to get out.” He lunges at her, sword sweeping dangerously close to her neck as she ducks out of the way, spinning slightly from the momentum having nothing to slow her in the nothingness. Strings of her hair float around her, now cropped close to her chin as Scar pulls back his sword again.

“I’m sorry, Scar.” She takes her axe in both hands and rushes at him, pulling it upwards above her head and kicking her legs out to add to the impact of it as it slams into scar. It cuts a gash through his cape, skin, and muscle, to the point where Lizzie can see where she’s chipped the bone that sits in the center of his sternum. He gasps, and the blood flows from him in a cloud. Lizzie has to rear back so she doesn’t get a faceful of it. Scar opens his mouth, but his eyes are already glazing over. His face isn’t angry. It’s open. It’s waiting. Lizzie senses a sizzle in the air, and his body is vaporized with a loud CRACK of lightning. His sword drifts out past him. So does a sunflower. Lizzie removes its head and places it gently against her ear. It’s just her and The Void, now. And whoever is left watching them. A voice whispers through her ears. Her shoulders roll back, eyes closing on their own. 

You’ve completed your quest The world is restored. He killed all the rest And you reaped his reward. You’re our last man standing You’re no longer red; you’re purple It’s time to start planning Come join our winner’s circle.

She keeps her eyes shut as she feels the air heat up around her. Her hair floats up and off of her shoulders, flying loose from her space buns and tickling her forehead. The hairs on her arms stand up, and Lizzie feels her shoulders relax. Whatever happens now is over. She’s won. She did it.

As the death knell chimes, her eyes stay shut. She’s seen all she needs to. This world was done. 

The lightning incinerates her, just as it did to Scar. In the end, all they are is just weapons, sunflowers, and berries, floating on the edge of nothing. 

[hearts4robs]

Hello~!

I've never done a match up event before! But knew I had to try once I saw it was open cause your writing is absolutely precious!

For Fandom, I guess DC! Love Batfam family chaos! Makes me want to curl up with a blanket and watch them bicker and roughhouse until Alfred comes in with a feather duster, looking equal parts disappointed and amused.

I'm a 5'3 18 year old asexual panromatic. (Yes, im just a baby, though i have been told-more like my therapist often told me that i dont act my age, saying i act like Im 30. Still trying to figure out if I should be offended by that.) With long hair that's completely grown out red box dye like little mermaid red, my roots being somehow not quite brown not quite ginger and just not blonde enough to be strawberry blonde. My appearance is fairly round and cute even if my expression is often RB. My eyes are a green that appears to be more of a dark grey.

To sum up my personality in one word would be cat like. Sometimes I'm docile and actually a bit of a doormat. In new environments, I tend to shadow some I know and can't find myself able to stand up for myself. This is probably ties into my selective mutism and social anxiety. Sometimes, when I'm in a familiar environment, I tend to be more aggressive for better or for worse. I love a good argument and debate, standing firm in my decision even if I'm wrong. That stubbornness has gotten me in trouble quite a few times. Though cause of it, I've thought of becoming a lawyer. When I'm not arguing I'm drawing, or painting on my walls which I've done far too many times now.

I'm very much a homebody who rather stay in pjs but perfect date wise would probably be a bit of a classic nerd/bookworm date of going to a cute book store and getting lost in the deep wooden bookshelves flicking through various of books catching my eye. Maybe debating on what book is better or whatever trope is more interesting in a detective novel. (I love murder mystery, horror, thrillers, romances of all types, and absolutely despise shakespeare. I was told Romeo and Juliet was a tragic romance. Liars they all are all I can see is the making of a really creepy stalker movie. I can't watch horror movies funny little contradiction, right?) Personally I'd probably write something after the date. I always get inspired by going out and always find myself hunched over my laptop writing whatever inspired me have it be the moment or a movie. I don't know how many times I've watched a movie and got inspired just to spend hours writing whatever fanfic about it. Which can be either amazing or terrible cause I'm an okay writer with a preference for angst due to my dark humor.

I never realized how hard it was to pick an ideal type until just now lol. I guess my type is someone who would enjoy talking/debating/discussing with me, someone fun who loves to do new activities as ive never really do much and is willing to listen to me ramble about whatever hyperfixation. Bucket list kind of things or be able to stay in and talk about their day while I cook some food. (One of my love languages is food. I want to be full and content.) I'm a homebody who has more of a traditional mindset due to my upbringing. So staying home and activities at home would probably be more common. Oh! A bit more open minded or at leasr able to deal with my curiosity, I love discussing religions and culture practices (im unfortunately like the whitest of whites. My dad's side is a bit of a classic white racist). I'm a pagan with some more Wiccan practices, yes crystals and candles. We put holly near our front door and hang cinnamon brooms throughout the house to bring good fortune.

Trope is also a hard pick. I like a good enemies to lovers or a revenge story but romance wise probably a childhood friends (or friends to lovers) idea. Just the idea of your partner being someone who was your friend since you were a tot and chasing butterflies, picking dandelions to blow them into the wind. Someone who has looked at you like your the center of their world while you pull them through the park. Even though they have no idea what lo6ge is truly is. Just kind of melts my heart, and will probably give me cavities from the fluff.

Ahh hopefully I did this right! Sorry for any spelling or grammar mistakes. Hope you have a blessed day, and something amazing happens to you soon <3

𝐓𝐢𝐦 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐞: 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐨𝐮𝐭

“I’m back!” Tim exclaims out into the open hallway as he pushes the door closed with his foot. There were multiple white, thin plastic bags in Tim’s hands, his keys dangling from one of his fingers.

You raise your head from the book in your lap, leaning forward to catch a glimpse of your boyfriend as he shimmied his way out of his shoes.

“Hi, honey.” You smile at him as he walks to the coffee table in front of you, setting down the bags of different take-out.

“Alright.” Tim sighs with a grin, his chest heaving a bit quicker, like he was a bit out of breath.

“What’s all this?” You ask, reaching over and pulling some of the thin plastic away from the food. “Smells amazing, no doubt but-“

“Well, you said you wanted to taste the world.” Tim says, a giddy smile on his lips as he plops down onto the couch beside you with a sigh. “So I brought it to you.”

You smile at him before snorting out a chuckle.

“Fuck you.” You say, and Tim simply smiles before grabbing a small box of thai food, handing it to you, giving you a chance to get the first bite.

“You’re welcome.” He says, nuzzling a small kiss to the softness of your cheek.

Headcanons:

Tim and you have annual movie nights. Every Friday night. Very simple, very easy. You have a joint letterbox account where you leave brutally honest reviews and you both analyse that shit like your life depends on it.

When you guys moved into your shared apartment, Tim dedicated one of the walls of your living room for you to paint and draw on. Needed more space? He’ll paint it over with whatever background colour you need.

You guys have a small chalk board on your fridge. It was used as a small shopping list at first, like writing up stuff like ‘ran outta eggs and cucumber’, but it quickly ended up in Tim leaving you cute notes and reminders for when he was gone on patrol.

Tim doesn’t always understand your asexuality, and he struggled to figure out how to relieve himself, but he figured out a solution and tries to turn the topic whenever someone discusses it to the point it makes you uncomfortable.

I hope you like this </3 it’s a bit late and honestly a little rushed but I’m trying😭🙏this also ISN’T proof-read so I’m so, so sorry if there’s mistakes☝️☹️

[mistyfoxxy]

one of them breaks their dominant hand in the most ridiculous way possible. cue laughter and fretting from the injured and the companion, respectively. in honor of me breaking my hand today.

Oh no!!! I’m sorry to hear that! 😭 hope this is honorable enough!! Christmas Edition!

.

Willow plopped down in bed after getting everything needed done for the night. She had been hoping to get done earlier so she could FaceTime Hunter at their normal time. It was getting close to Titanmas and she had lots to do. From wrapping up the last of the presents she had gotten for her friends to helping finishing decorating the house. She even made some browners and fairy pies and demon cakes with her dads. Then she had to make sure the plants that needed to be moved to the purple house were moved before the cold front came in tonight. And take a shower. And brush her titan awfully knotted hair. It was always such a hassle but there was no way she was gonna FaceTime looking like that. She hoped she hadn’t made him worry.

She got out her penstagram and noticed ten missed calls and a various amount of texts from him. Even a few from the gang seeing if she was ok. That confused her. Was she forgetting something? Or had Hunter reached out to the others to check on her? She was only half an hour late...

She quickly texted the others back letting them know she was ok before calling Hunter.

Ring... Ring...Ring...

No answer.

Ok. Now she was worried, surely after all of that he would pick up his pen. She let out a puff of breath before staring confusingly at the screen. She sent him a few texts, letting him know she was in fact alive and she was sorry if he was mad at her. Sorry if she worried him. Sorry for taking so long.

He didn't open them.

Willow sighed and dramatically stretched a hand over her head and heart as she stared out her window, "Oh Clover! Too bad Hunter won't answer his phone, maybe he's on his way to sweep me off my feet by now."

Clover buzzed happily and nuzzled Willow's cheek. Yes! Im sure he is my qu- princess. Your knight and shining armor is surely on his way!

"You wanna know a secret?" Willow whispered to the bee as if she were surrounded by many instead of being alone in her room.

Clover buzzed good-naturely in response.

"I hung some of that human mistletoe right above my balcony. So if my prince ever does come, i can kiss him!" Willow whispered-laughed.

The bee looked over at the balcony and spotted the not so hidden holly. Sure there was a variety of hanging flowers and plants but the red berries stuck out like a sore wing. What does it do exactly?

Willow smiled and rubbed her palisman on the head before opening her penstagram again and staring at their text thread. He still hadn't opened her thread. She set it down and leaned her head on the pillow Clover rested on. "Apparently if two people stand under it, that means they have to kiss. I'm not really sure what happens if you refuse to but Luz said it would be bad." She hummed out in thought.

The palisman stared in shock at the berries. She knew plants were powerful but she didn't know they could cast spells and curses too!

Willow rubbed her eyes and debated on going to sleep or not... maybe that's what happened? Maybe he had fallen asleep waiting on her.

She felt a small weight on her heart at the thought. For one, she felt bad for making him wait but also... she kind of wished he had waited? Like on purpose because he wanted to talk to her? Oh what did she know?!

*creak*

"Huh?" Willow and Clover shared a look before looking over at the balcony.

*rustle rustle*

It got a little louder. Like whatever it was was getting closer. Clover buzzed angrily at the threat and turned into a staff for Willow quickly. The plant witch slowly stood out of bed and walked towards her balcony. She wasn't afraid, titan the things she had faced in her fifteen years of life, mainly out of the time she had known Luz, made anything else not so big a deal.

But when the head of the blond ex-soldier/ nerdy book loving boy popped over her railing, she nearly tumbled back in surprise. Shock. Confusion?

Clover quickly lost the staff form and flew excitedly over to Hunter. She buzzed around his head and nuzzled his cheek.

"Haha! Stop it! You're gonna make me fall." The boy chuckled.

Willow felt heat rush up to her face for some unknown reason. Ok. It wasn't unknown to anyone except maybe Hunter but still. Th moonlight was angled perfectly against his face as they made eye contact. His golden brown eyes crinkled up in a smile and he sighed in relief.

"I was worried about you."

"I-I know. I got the texts. I'm sorry... I was busy. But! I should've let you know. Sorry I didn't think about it." She muttered as she twirled a piece of her hanging hair.

Hunter pulled himself over the railing and sat on it. He seemed like a cat with how adept his balance was. He was good at a lot of stuff like that. Flyer derby. Fighting techniques. Etc..

She walked over and leaned against the railing next to him. "How did you get up here?"

"Can't tell you, Captain. Sorry. Otherwise you'd learn how to do it and then you'd be perfect at everything."

Willow felt herself turn red at that and attempted to stifle a laugh whenever he seemed to catch on to what he said and began to wave his arms frantically and say "GOOD AT EVERYTHING"

"Fair enough." She replied cockily and nudged his shoulder.

"Yes. Very fair." Hunter coughed and straightened out his back. "Well.. uhm. I was just checking to make sure that you were ok. So I...i'll be going now."

Clover buzzed furiously above them which caused them both to look up. Hunter seemed confused at first until realization dawned on his face. The moonlight didn't help cover up his blushing face.

"Nah uh. You can't leave quite yet Mr.." Willow smirked as he looked at her in utter shock.

"You put that there? Do you know- of course you know what it is. You're literally the greatest plant witch ever to exist." Hunter smacked his forehead. He thought he was gonna die from overheating. He had only kissed Willow once, and that was after the fight with the collector. He had done it so fast he didn't remember how to do it now that he was actually thinking about it. He still hadn't taken her out on a proper date yet either. "Did you.. did you do this on purpose? How did you know i was coming?"

"Oh.. i didn't know. Not tonight at least. I was gonna invite you to my room at the titanmas party to look at my plants or something?" Willow replied sheepishly and rubbed her arm.

Hunter laughed softly and looked at her as if she hung the moon and stars. She could barely handle it when he did that. She felt herself lean into him as he did the same. Once they were merely an inch from each other she brought a hand up to cup his face. He nuzzled into it before closing the gap. Their lips met once again. It was short but oh so perfect.

When he pulled away he chuckled a bit, a goofy smile on his face as he leaned back and tumbled over the railing. Oh crap!

Before Willow had a chance to think properly and will a large flower to land his fall easier she heard a teethscraping crack.

"Hunter!?"

"I-Im ok!" Hunter winced out from the ground. He held his hand against his chest and cradled it close to him.

"Im coming!"

Willow then had to explain to her fathers why there was a boy at her balcony this late at night for the next hour while they called a healer over to splint his arm.

[quibbs126]

Random thing but I was perusing my list of “foods that could be turned into Cookies” (which yes I do have, I don’t plan to use them to make even more ocs but I find foods that I think would make neat Cookies so I record them for posterity; sometimes I use them for my fankids) and I found one that I think might work for an original name for Tiger Lily, since I doubt that was her original name, that being Inkberry Cookie

I thought it worked because not only does inkberry have “berry” in the name just like the rest of the family (barring her sister), but also inkberry is supposed to be a species of holly, just like her grandma. Also the berries aren’t red in color, they’re more dark, so I suppose it works with her not having pink hair

I’m not sure that would be Tiger Lily’s name, considering her sister is named Princess Cookie, and I feel it would be a little unfair to name one of your royal kids “Princess Cookie” and the other just a regular name in the family. Though also I’m not sure what name would work in that idea. Eh whatever, I just thought it was a neat idea