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saladmix · 13 days ago

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HII I LOVE YOUR FIC SO MUCH!! IT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME!! SERIOUSLY THE BEST THING I'VE READ THIS WHOLE YEAR!!

this might have already been answered but I'd like to ask what was your inspiration for writing a tmnt horror story? and what are some of your favorite horror books/movies/etc. ?

again "The Day the World Broke" is so amazing I don't even know how to properly articulate how good it is

AHH THANK YOU this fills my cold dead heart to the brim with joy <3 I'm so glad you're enjoying it I'm truly so warmed by the fact that it has gotten any pick up at all given the wild genre!

And thank you for sending questions omg please don't mind me as a ramble for forever because I could talk about this kind of stuff all day (and I have, much to friend and family despair).

The impetus for TDTWB was actually me driving back late at night from a friend's place. It was REAL foggy, the kind of fog where you can't see in front of you and have to rely on the small road markers right as they come into sight. The mist in the story is almost its own character, I love how alive it feels (and how it sometimes very much IS alive, SOS). But that's where I kind of originally built the idea out on that drive home.

But I consume a huge amount of horror/suspense media so there are so many elements of different things that have kind of come together and coalesced into this story. You see a lot of elements of Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and Evil Within baked into it, especially with the monster element. I really wanted to go big or go home with some of those creatures. I myself love a good creature flick but there was nothing more fun for my friends and I screaming in front of a game when a new horrifying monster came on for us to fight. It just reminds me of those times, where it's scary, sure, but mostly the feeling of 'Oh my goooooood what the hell!' that I really enjoy.

There are also a ton of other movie influences and some of them are more subtle and based on singular scenes that get kind of expanded upon. For instance, there's a scene in the First Omen (skip over if you don't want to be spoiled for the scene, but it is in the trailer!) where our girl is sitting in a dark room, saying it isn't real, and a voice answers back "what's not real?". That stuck with me for a while I really loved that so a lot of Leo's Demon Shredder experience is kind of build on that singular feeling of sudden dread.

But as with some of the good horror movies, it's not just about the scares and the monsters. A real desire for me when writing horror is digging into that humanity piece, a concept you can see across a lot of horror series and books. I wanted each of these boys to have their own arc to contend with and some are more subtle and others are more, how you say, extremely obvious. But they were all very purposefully built in. It was important for me to make these characters vibrant and dimensional and it was not hard, because it's TMNT and we love these turtle boys! But I was hyper-aware that I'm doing an AU version that is pretty atypical, with what is essentially a regular family of teenagers having to navigate the end of the world. So I'm so touched that people love them as much as I do!

I don't even know if I'm answering the question at this point! My goodness. But I WILL wrap it up with some of my favorite recent media that I've consumed, otherwise this list would grow beyond anyone's desire to read <3

Books:

Hex by Thomas Oldeheuvelt (This felt like a really unique premise that really speaks to the whole humanity is the monster theme)

Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder (Not for the faint of heart! But boy was it a wild trip that I thought about for weeks after I finished it)

Movies:

Heretic (just came out, super eerie for me I loved the build up)

Smile 2 (I love me a movie that trips into Uncanny Valley, I found the scares unique and fun, but for me I loved the character, drew me right in!)

Oddity (SOOOO eerie, super obsessed with it)

TV Shows:

The Haunting of Hill House (I highly recommend this one for the family drama behind the horror, it's such a fun, beautiful time)

Thanks for the ask!! I really loved it, and I love talking about this story and horror so please ask away any time. Thank you so very much for reading the story too!

#tdtwb #tmnt fanfiction #i had to stop myself here #thank you SO MUCH for the ask!!

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mrandmrsvex · 7 years ago

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Chapter 2! Relationships: Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III/Vex'ahlia Characters: Vex'ahlia (Critical Role), Perci, Vax'ildan (mentioned), Keyleth (mentioned) Additional Tags: Modern AU, hotel au, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Winter Special I guess :D

Summary:

Vex doesn't trust 'free' offers of any kind. But when she's stranded in a foreign city with no hostel bed and not enough money for a hotel, she can't deny the handsome stranger offering her a free stay at the swankiest hotel in town. And there's no use in a 'get everything free' card if she doesn't use it, Vex convinces herself. A drink at the bar, at least, could be added to her random gift-giver's bill. Or maybe a few, shared with said random gift-giver.

„Pick up, please, pick up...“

Vex laid on her bed, cellphone pressed against her ear, listening to the repeating beep. The room felt so big she almost got lost in it – staring at the ceiling made it feel like it was miles away. Even the bed, with its fluffy pillows and fresh white sheets, was much too large for a single person, making her feel like a child playing hide and seek under the covers.

She really needed Vax. The phone was still ringing.

„Yes, hi, this is, uh, Vax's phone, but it's not Vax, he forgot it, I'm-“

„Keyleth?“ Not the voice she'd wanted to hear it, but comfortingly familiar still.

„Yes! Hello! ….Who's this?“

„It's Vex, dear.“

„Oh Vex hi! Sorry, you sound so different over the phone! How's your trip?“

She could hear Keyleth almost stumble over her words from her constant excitement.

„It's... well, different than expected. So my brother isn't there? Do you know when he's gonna be home?“

„Probably tonight? He's got another long shift.“ A somewhat worried pause. „Is it urgent? Do you want me – I can drive to the hospital real quick and bring him the phone – he might be on break-“

„Don't worry, dear.“ She twirled her braid around her fingers. „I just... needed to talk something out, and he's good at grounding me.“

„Oh. Well.“ Another pause, before she sounded excited again. „I can try! I'm a good listener.“

Keyleth definitely was, but Vex wasn't sure if she wanted her of all people to be worried. Considering her spontaneity and eagerness, she wouldn't put it past the freckled girl to hop on a bus right then and there to meet up with Vex in order to help.

Then again, there was no one else she could think of to ask for advice.

It proved much simpler to sum up her current situation than she thought. It also sounded much more worrisome to her once it was said out loud, and Keyleth definitely seemed confused.

„So this guy just, randomly, gave you a free ticket for basically everything at this hotel? And he's some sort of royal?“

„That's pretty much it, yeah. A lord, I guess. And it's not a ticket, it's just, a note, a handwritten note, but people seem to honor it – well the guy at the frontdesk did.“

„And what exactly do you want to talk out now?“

„Uhm.“ It was hard to put into words. Vax usually figured out what her problem was before she could even say it. „I don't know. I guess I'm scared this is some sort of scam, and that I end up using stuff 'for free' and get flashed a giant bill at the end.“ She looked around the room, pristine and untouched except for her muddy shoes and backpack in one corner. „And everything here seems way out of my price range.“

„Hmm.“ Keyleth was quietly musing about this all. „Did you – do they have any information from you?“

Vex sat up and crossed her legs. „I gave them my old last name. You know. Our father's.“ She wasn't sure how much Keyleth knew about their past, but it was safe to assume that Vax had filled her in on the basics, at least, on why their 'official' signatures and IDs barely matched.

„Oh, that's good, that's good! Then, I mean, if they try to trace it back to get their money, they'll just end at your dad's, and, I mean.“ Keyleth suddenly sounded a lot meaner than she ever looked. „Who cares if he has to pay loads, right?“

„True.“

„And you're sneaky, like, in a good way. So if they do give you a giant bill at the end you can just, sneak out, and dash.“

Keyleth was learning a lot more from Vax than she would've thought.

„So you're saying I should risk it and not make a run for it yet?“

„I don't see too much of a risk. Like, obviously try not to drink champagne and eat the most expensive steak on the menu? But maybe this is actually all good and that lord guy just wanted to help out and you get to enjoy a few awesome days.“ There was the overly positive Keyleth she knew again. Vex snickered.

„Your advice is very very different from the one I expected from my brother.“

„Yeah, Vax would probably, like, tell you to set off the fire alarm and run out and never visit the town again. And swipe some of the expensive freebies beforehand.“ They shared a quick laugh. „But, Vex, I think you're smart. I mean, you are smart. And you can tell if something is off pretty well. So I think you can trust your instincts and just go with the flow, you know.“

„Go with the flow.“ She echoed while lying back down on the soft duvet and actually enjoying its fresh scent for the first time.

A short moment of silence on the phone.

„Keyleth, darling?“

„Yes?“

„Thank you.“ Vex heard the smile in her own voice. „I don't know if that's what I expected from this call, but you give very good advice.“

They ended the call after a bit more chatting, and Vex wondered if maybe it would have been better to actually stay with Keyleth and Vax for christmas.

Vex continued to stare at the ceiling. Keyleth's advice had done a surprisingly good job of calming her – if Vax had answered the phone, his paranoia would've probably only doubled hers. Still, there was the constant feeling of a quiet alarm in the back of her head, screaming Get out before this fucks you over again and again.

She reached for the card and envelope on the bedside table, tracing over the hotel name again, reading the two short sentences, trying to decipher that unreadable name.

Just what did this 'Lord Percival' expect to come out of giving a random girl a free ride in the most expensive hotel in town?

You know very well what he's probably expecting.

It wasn't that hard to imagine, if she allowed her mind to go down the dark road she'd been trying to avoid for the past few minutes.

Then again, he hadn't even introduced himself, had given no indication that he was planning to meet her ever again – that short quip about a drink at the festival not withstanding. If he genuinely planned to coerce her or guilt-trip her into... anything with his gift, he'd definitely messed it up from the very beginning. She couldn't even be sure he was staying at the same hotel right now.

Her memory flashed back to his smile, his eyes, the faintest hint of scruff on his chin – not as white as his hair, she'd noted – his scent of coffee, smoke and metal, and she wondered for a split second: would it even be so bad if he tried to get something out of this gift?

„No use in letting your imagination run wild.“ Vex muttered to herself before sitting up again. She tried to figure out what Vax would do to still her nervosity and worry.

There was a mini bar, she remembered from her quick perusing of the hotel room before the phonecall. There might be just enough alcohol in it to get her mind out of hyper-focussing on everything possibly bad.

She opened the fridge to an array of chocolates, fruit, various snacks, water, and two bottles of wine. She only sighed when reading the label. Who would've thought her father's favourite winery could make it all across the country to smack her in the face in this distant town? She could already imagine the bad feeling of tasting it again and remembering all the wonderful moments where she forced glasses of it down her throat in order to get through the evening.

Besides, a simple glass of wine was not the comfort drink she was looking for right now.

Her eyes wandered back to the bedside table, the envelope, the card. Kynan had said it would get her special offers at the bar as well, hadn't he? The note certainly didn't specify where else she could get 'everything she wants'. She could give it a try, at least, see if the bartender was just as nice as the boy at the front desk, see just how much weight Lord Percival's signature carried.

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

Vax had ridiculed her many times for always packing a smart dress when they travelled.

„Were going backpacking, Stubby. I don't imagine you doing that in heels and a skirt.“

But there was always a chance it might be useful, she thought, every time she put the dark blue silky dress at the bottom of her backpack. There was always the option of sneaking into some event to steal some hors d'oeuvres, or the need to put on airs to convince someone that there was more to them than just some stupid kids trying to get by. And unlike Vax, in his torn jeans and washed out tanktop, she would be convincing. She would be prepared.

To be fair to her brother, she'd never actually worn the dress before. There never had been a chance for it to be useful – until now.

Vex turned in front of the full-body mirror, the soft fabric swishing against her legs. She had no heels, obviously, but she had a pair of sensible yet stylish ankle boots, and black leggings – nobody had to know they were thermal hiking leggings – and a simple golden necklace. It looked more punk-chic than actual formal wear, but it would do. She could be the young, upcoming rebel in a bar full of old money if she needed to.

She undid just a few strands of hair from her braid to frame her face, grabbed her cellphone and purse – almost empty, but with her keycard and the note carefully back in its envelope tucked inside – and set out for the elevator.

She was certainly glad she'd decided on the dress when she entered the bar. Not only was it filled with people who all looked as if they had more money to spend this evening than she earned in a year, it was in itself beautifully grand. A mixture of an old cruiseship diner and a luxury speakeasy, everything seemed to be made from slightly blue-tinted glass, polished metal, dark velvets and gold. The actual bar was filled to the brim with hundreds of bottles, and small sitting areas were privately separated by large potted plants. The dim lights gave everything an additional golden hue.

Vex scanned the room, looking for a good place to sit and watch stealthily, when her eyes got stuck on something white poking out amidst all the deep and dark colours.

Even with his back turned to her, there was no doubt it was her mysterious helper Lord Percival sitting at the bar, his blue coat carelessly draped over the stool beside him.

He hasn't seen you yet, it shot trough her mind, you can still run.

A deep breath in, shoulders back, head up. Or you can face it like a lady, and maybe get some answers.

She sauntered over as gracefully as she could.

„It's not mulled wine, I guess.“ She leaned on the bar into his field of vision. „But can I buy you a drink nonetheless?“

His startled reaction was more adorable than expected. It took him a few seconds to recognise her, but when he did, his eyes widened – more in surprise than shock.

„Oh! Good evening! I didn't expect to run into you again...“

„Yes, what a rare coincidence, to find me in the hotel you've given me a free pass for.“ She grinned and waved towards the bottle-filled wall. „Anyway. A drink?“

He lifted the glass already in his hand, filled with ice and an amber-coloured spirit.

„I'm afraid I've quite literally beaten you to the punch, but you are very welcome to join me.“

She hopped onto the free stool next to him and ordered a gin&tonic before giving him another smile.

„I'll still owe you a drink, then.“

„The night is young.“

„It is.“ She wondered, for a second, if her next sentence was a step too far, but it was out before she could stop herself. „And, after all, it seems I can get you everything I want in this hotel.“

The silence afterwards almost confirmed her worry before she noticed the slightly approving smirk on his lips.

„I remember mentioning that the envelope was supposed to stay sealed – and thus unread.“

„Oh, I didn't open it.“ She pretended innocently enough. „And it's not really my fault the receptionist gave it back to me.“

„You still could have not read it.“

„I could have.“ She stirred the drink that had just arrived. „But I didn't.“

This, this I can handle, Vex thought to herself. Idle flirting, witty banter, all things she had more than enough practice in. As long as it didn't delve any further, she could keep control of the conversation, watching the man next to her blink and blush just a tad. She wondered how flustered she could get him, and felt almost excited to toe that line with all she had. He seemed even more attractive with a faint pink glow to his cheeks.

„So you were going to offer me a drink that I was going to pay for anyway.“

If there wasn't still that smile to his lips, his voice could almost be considered sharp. Everything he said seemed to have a sarcastic undertone to it.

„It was more of a gesture. I don't think I could really afford anything here.“ She sipped on her G&T – delicious, of course, but what else would she expect from this bar.

„It was simply an opening line, then.“

He looked at her over the rim of his glasses while taking a sip himself, and Vex felt as if both flames and ice flowed up her back. The cold drink was only barely helping her stay in control. She had to think of something to break this wonderfully tense silence.

„Well, I did need some opener, didn't I? I could've just greeted you with your name, but you didn't really introduce yourself while handing over your generous gift.“

„You didn't read the full note, then? It was remarkably short.“

„I tried as best as I could, but I don't think your signature is actually meant to be read.“

His laughter was more of a short snorting, and Vex couldn't help but find it adorably quirky.

„I'm sorry for that.“ He put his glass down and offered her his hand. „Lord Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo the third. But you can call me Percy.“

His hand was warm, even after holding is chilled drink, more calloused and work-worn than she would expect from someone aristocratic. A strong grip, but not too intimidating.

„Vex'ahlia. Vex to my friends.“ It sounded far less impressive than his introduction, half of which she'd already forgotten again. You can call me Percy, was all that was running through her mind.

„Vex. It's really very nice to make your aquaintance.“

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

Her drink was almost empty now, and she felt a bit more adventurous. Besides, she really wanted to see him blush again, after they'd returned to far tamer chat after their introductions. She traced the rim of her glass with her finger.

„So do you do this often? Give random young women carte blanche for a bill you'll have to pay?“

It worked, she noted as his cheeks and now even the tip of his ears began to colour.

„Oh, not really.“ He met her gaze straight on, still, not yet blushing enough for Vex's liking. „Only to the prettiest and most intriguing ones.“

„I must be the only one, then.“ She joked.

„You are.“

Her blush was at least matching his now, and she was sure he was playing the same game she was. Or maybe they'd both downed their drink too fast.

Vex tried to corral her thoughts. This wasn't a game, she scolded herself. This was exactly what she'd been worrying about upstairs in her room, exactly what she'd wanted to talk to Vax about, exactly what she'd expected to come out of someone giving her far too big of a gift. It could only lead to trouble.

But maybe some trouble could be fun.

„Listen, I understand if this is a bit too forward, and I apologise if I'm making you uncomfortable, but-“ Percy halted for a second, and Vex genuinely thought he was going to straight-out ask her up to his room after this bumbling beginning of a sentence.

„But would you mind joining me for dinner?“

She managed to keep her laughter inside, and only gave a wicked smile.

„Depends.“ She almost purred. „Are you paying?“ If you think I did a good job writing this, and you have some copper to spare, consider buying me a coffee?

#Perc'ahlia #Percy #Vex'ahlia #Critical Role #Crit Role #Vox Machina #Percival Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III #my writing #my fanfics #modern au

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creasandart · 4 years ago

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L’été a enfin pointé le bout de son nez. Et les températures ne sont pas venues flâner, il fait chaud c’est rien de le dire. Mais il ne faut pas perdre à l’esprit que ce fichu Covid rôde encore. L’été sera donc masqué, l’avantage d’être cycliste c’est qu’on a pas l’obligation d’en porter. Même si le constat depuis le déconfinement prouve que l’affluence sur les pistes ne faiblit pas, le vélo commence à redorer son image sur Paris. Et ca fait plaisir, car plus on est nombreux, plus on est visibles et mieux la cohabitation auto scoots s’améliorera. Rien n’est gagné mais le combat continue.

Aujourd’hui je vous emmène à l’ombre des branchages des bois. J’adore les bois de vincennes mais il y a un endroit des bois qui m’avait manqué dernièrement.

Habituellement je vais au plus proche c’est a dire le lac daumesnil mais aujourd’hui je vous emmène au coeur des bois. Le chemin est simple pour y aller c’est piste diderot, nation, Porte de Vincennes où j’ai eu la surprise de croiser les fameuses piste corona.

Des pistes qu’on reconnait a leur couleur jaune, et qui sont tellement pratique qu’on se demande pourquoi elles n’ont pas existé avant. Quand on dépasse le périphérique aussi j’ai vu une belle piste corona qui permet de pédaler plus en sécurité quand on est en direction de Saint Mandé par exemple. J’ai alors bifurqué dans les ruelles Vincennes avant de rejoindre les routes multi usagers proche du château de vincennes. J’adore passer par là, car on y croise de la vie, des promeneurs de chiens, des joggers, des familles, des sportifs en tout genre. J’ai enfin fini ma ballade en passant par la nouvelle piste en face du château qui force les automobilistes a s’arrêter au feu, ca change de d’habitude.

J’ai attaché mon vélo devant le parc floral pour une bonne marche à l’ombre. Les bois ont vraiment changé il y a des points d’eau, des navettes, et quelques installations de délimitation qui je pense sont pour les centres de loisir qui vont pas tarder à débuter avec les vacances scolaires. J’ai pu profiter d’un beau temps, de beaux rayons de soleil, et m’évader un peu loin de la ville. Observer la nature reprendre ses droits le long des chemins, que du vert, j’ai même fait un petite cueillette de feuilles grimpantes. On verra bien, si elles survivront.

Les bois sont inspirant et parfois on se croirait dans un musée à l’air libre lorsqu’on croise un monument hommage a Bethoven par exp, ou encore une cabane sous les branchages hyper architectural.

J’ai même poussé jusqu’à Fontenay sous bois que je faisais il y a un temps a vélo avec une piste biderectionnelle hyper chouette.

J’espère que vous profitez des beaux jours même si l’appréhension quant au virus subsiste. Je vous en parlais dernièrement je ne suis toujours pas rassurée à prendre le Rer et les TEC mais j’ai cet envie de changer d’air de nature. Donc pour l’instant je fais avec les bois proches mais dès que je me sentirai plus en confiance j’irai renouer avec d’autres forêts qui me manquent tant. Dites moi en commentaires quels ont été vos sorties vélo nature récemment..

Sentiments –Bayi Pics – Copyright (c) SB

Summer has finally come to an end. And the temperatures did not come to stroll, it is hot it is nothing to say. But we must not lose in mind that this damn Covid still lurks. Summer will therefore be masked.The advantage of being a cyclist is that you don’t have to wear it. Even if the observation since the deconfinement proves that the crowd on the tracks does not weaken, the bicycle begins to restore its image in Paris. And it’s nice, because the more we are, the more we are visible and the better the cohabitation of auto scoots will improve. Nothing is won but the fight continues.

Today I take you to the shade of the branches of the woods. I love the woods of vincennes but there is a place in the woods that I had missed lately.Usually I go as close as possible to the lake daumesnil but today I take you to the heart of the woods. The way is simple to go there is Diderot track, Nation, Porte de Vincennes where I had the surprise to cross the famous Corona track.

Tracks that we recognize by their yellow color, and which are so practical that we wonder why they did not exist before. When we pass the ring road, I also saw a nice corona track which allows you to pedal more safely when you are in the direction of Saint Mandé for example. I then branched off into the Vincennes alleys before joining the multi-user roads near the Château de Vincennes. I love going there, because we meet life there, dog walkers, joggers, families, athletes of all kinds. I finally finished my walk passing by the new track in front of the castle which forces the motorists to stop at the fire, it changes of habit.

I tied my bike in front of the floral park for a good walk in the shade. The woods have really changed there are water points, shuttles, and some demarcation facilities which I think are for leisure centers which will soon begin with the school holidays. I was able to enjoy good weather, beautiful rays of sun, and escape a little far from the city. Observe nature resume its rights along the paths, only green, I even made a small gathering of climbing leaves. We will see if they survive.

The woods are inspiring and sometimes you feel like you are in a museum in the open air when you come across a monument paying homage to Bethoven by exp, or even a hut under the hyper architectural branches. I even pushed up to Fontenay sous Bois which I did a long time ago by bike with a super cool biderectional track.

I hope you enjoy the good weather even if the apprehension about the virus remains. I told you about it lately I am still not reassured to take the Rer and the TEC but I have this desire to change the air of nature. So for the moment I am doing with the nearby woods but as soon as I feel more confident I will go back to reconnect with other forests that I miss so much. Tell me in the comments what have been your nature bike trips recently.

Feelings –Bayi Pics – Copyright (c) SB

L’été masqué L'été a enfin pointé le bout de son nez. Et les températures ne sont pas venues flâner, il fait chaud c'est rien de le dire.

#blog #CORONAPISTE #cyclist #ETE #FONTENAYSOUSBOIS #pistecyclable #sun #vélo #vincennes

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