#also wanna say silver is older than iris by two years

[cheemken]

👀

An AU? About Diantha and Lance raising Iris and Silver?

And it’s wholesome and soft??

I need more info. When did they get together? Was it after they adopted/took in Iris and Silver?? Before??

THANKS FOR ASKING OMF FINALLY I GET TO SHARE THIS HAHAHAH

Anyways holy shit owo

Yeah so in my lil au, Lance and Diantha actually met at Kalos during one conference when they were younger, and they actually battled, Diantha was champion during that time already, but Lance was still climbing up the ranks of the Indigo League, but he's strong yknow, he even beat the E4, so yeah they met during that, I wanna say Dia's like nineteen and Lance was twenty-one during that

And they kept in touch yknow, they'd check in on each other from time to time, and a few years later, when Lance told her he was part of the Indigo League Elite Four, she was so excited and happy for him, so she decided to celebrate w him by visiting Johto. And yeah, the two became closer than ever, and like, yeah around their second year being friends they decided to try a relationship w each other, and hey it worked out yknow, really well that they're still together after years

And like cbdmdn ough idk, I want it to be like bcmdnd like yknow how Iris was originally from Blackthorn, imagine if before the elders gave her away to Drayden, Lance decided to take her in, telling the elders since he's the head of their clan now, he can do whatever he wants, and he wants to take care of the child, she was a Blackthorn now and there's nothing they can do abt it

He called in Diantha, said "so I fought with the elders and.. and we have a kid now."

"....excuse me, WHAT"

"*sends a pic of Iris playing with Dragonair* her name is Iris"

"oh my Arceus"

So yeah, Diantha rushed to Johto after her lil panic, and like idk, imagine once she got there she sees Lance holding Iris close to him, and he's reading her a book abt dragons, and lil Iris was so amazed by everything, then they finally saw her, and Diantha's heart almost couldn't take it, Iris was looking at her, those bright red eyes shining w such a light, and Dia just caved in when Iris smiled at her, she honestly cried

And like yeah yknow just cjmxxn they're all soft and such, that night all three of them were together in Lance's room, w Iris between them, and she's there pointing at Lance calling him dad and pointing at Diantha calling her mom and Dia cried again— hugging Iris all "that's right, little one, oh you are so amazing!" And Iris was there giggling and hugging her back, repeating the word mom over and over again. And god Lance just looks at them and man he just loves them so much he joined in on the hug it's all so sweet I'm jcjxnxmx

But like yknow cjdmnd once Iris was asleep, Lance and Diantha finally have a lil talk and such, and it was oh so sudden yknow, that suddenly they have a kid now, and they didn't even get to talk abt having a family of their own just yet, and they're honestly terrified that they'd become like their parents. But like, yknow, Iris was w them now, and even if she just entered their life so suddenly, they couldn't imagine their lives without her. And yeah, they promised each other that they'll be good parents to Iris, that they won't fail her like how their own parents failed them

And just chmdndn yknow, a year later maybe, Diantha visits Johto again, it was a bit rough for them considering that Diantha's still Champion yknow and she's an actress too, she has a ton of shit to work on back at Kalos, but at least she gets a few months breaks every once in a while. So yeah, she's at Johto now, and it's all cool yknow, they're out on a lil outing and such, visiting Ecruteak, and even Goldenrod, and getting some rage candy bars at Mahogany, and imagine that's where they met Silver tho

Like they see this five year old kid trying to steal candy behind the vendor's back, and Lance was there telling him off but like, the kid looked so scared but also equally pissed, and like, Lance and Diantha asking him where his parents were and he just sneered at them saying that his parents are weak and bad and he doesn't like them and doesn't wanna be w them anymore

Lance was abt to say more stuff, but like Diantha's there crouching down to the kid's level, asking him abt his name, where he's from, and like, ough jdmd Silver calming down and telling her everything, and then Dia smiled at him and buys him more food, and ofc Silver was shocked to say the least bc she was really nice to him. And like, Dia telling him that he shouldn't even be roaming around without a Pokémon of his own, as he could get hurt, but he didn't care he told her, he's strong. Diantha knew that's a bluff ofc, even a little Flabebe could hurt a child, but Silver clearly trusts her a bit, so she just nods along. But yknow, imagine after that, Silver just quietly follows them around, like at a distance, bc he doesn't wanna be seen as weak

But they all noticed him yknow, Iris especially, kept waving at him and he's there making shushing motions so she wouldn't blow his cover, but she just wants to be his friend yknow. And Lance just went "yknow if you want to stay with us for dinner, you can, I'm sure Iris would love to have someone to play with" and Silver just accepted cause honestly it's better than living on the cold streets of Johto

And yeah just cjmdnd ough pls them just taking care of Silver too tho, giving him new clothes before they actually got home, buying him the snacks that he wanted, even got him some games and toys cause they know Iris doesn't like sharing much and they'd rather not have two kids fighting while they're trying to think of what to do w Silver since from what they know his parents are still around yknow.

But also imagine Silver and Iris bonding while Lance and Diantha prepare their dinner, Iris is there showing off her dragon plushies to him, telling him that one day she's gonna be a Dragon Master too, and Silver scoffs at that saying he wants to be strong enough to be Champion

Iris just up and goes "ohh! mom is a Champion!"

"really?"

"yeah! Champion of.. uh.. Kalos!"

So later that night, before dinner, Silver went to Diantha and said that he wants to be a Champion like her too

And yknow yeah years later after they got everything settled, they're just a happy lil family, while yeah Diantha was still a bit busy w her Champion duties, and Lance w his E4 and soon to be Champion duties, they somehow made it work. Sometimes the kids even stay at Kalos w Diantha and her family. So hey it's all cool hahah

[lo-55]

Playing With Fire

While playing a perfectly innocent video game you get thrown into a dangerous world on the brink of incineration! At least you’re surrounded by a bunch of hot people. If nothing else you can shower them with copious, well earned affection. 

You come awake with a start. 

Everything is just a little off kilter. Like your eyes aren’t focused or you're wearing someone else's glasses. It takes you a few long minutes to realize that you’re staring down at a piece of paper. 

It’s listed one through eight, with a check box next to each number. 

At the top you see ‘Company Preference List’, and beneath that is your name scrawled in your own handwriting. But, when did you write it? And what was the list? You look up to find yourself in a library, surrounded by a bunch of other people all dressed in orange uniforms. You look down and find yourself in the same one. You recognize it as the Fire Force boiler suits. 

You touch your cheek slowly. Then poke the corner of your eyes. You’re not wearing your VR visor. And you’re not holding handles either. Are you hallucinating? You were playing the game, in the middle of some side quest. Did the game reset? This looked like a scene from the start of the game. It followed the beginning of the series, but through the eyes of a random side character researching Haijima on their own. There was some kind of revenge plot and a lot of stuff about their big sister, but you hadn’t gotten to the full reveal of the tragic back story yet. They interacted with the main characters plenty, but mostly they spent their time in their own squad, the fourth. 

You were halfway through the game, and now you were back at the start?

You look around for something to tell you what’s going on. You try to poke the menu button, but you’re not holding controllers. So all you really end up doing is poking the air between your hands with your thumbs. You’re starting to panic, when something shiny catches your attention. 

When did you get that ring? 

Plain silver on your forefinger. You poke it and gasp when the world shifts minutely. 

A flicker of fire, a figure dark against the light. It warps in and out of your vision in a split second. 

Right. Tragic back story. 

The ring was from their (your?) older sister. Now disappeared a-la-infernal fire. You were like the reverse Shinra. 

Wait. 

Shinra. 

Your head snapped around quickly from one person to the other. Most of them were boring background characters. No, no, no. Boring. Lame. Basically grey blobs. 

Were you going crazy and you couldn’t even enjoy it?! 

“Uh, hey? Are you okay?” 

Your head snaps sideways to find bright red eyes peering at you in concern. 

Red eyes. Black hair. 

You stare hard at him until the corners of his mouth start to twitch and curl upwards. 

“H-hey. Why are you staring at me?” 

Abruptly you reach over and cup his cheeks. His face is hot beneath your hands. You can touch him. You can feel the heat of his skin. He’s blushing something fierce. 

“You are… adorable,” you declare. 

He turns bright red and squeaks at you until you finally let him go. 

“What?!” 

“Did I stutter?” you prop your chin in your hand and look him over. Yep. Definitely cute. You just wanna squeeze him. But, you should probably do other things first. Like figure out what exactly is going on. 

Not that you can come outta the gate with ‘hey I was playing a video game and now I’m stuck in it, also I thought you weren’t real? What gives yo?��� 

Even you aren’t that impulsive. 

Actually, in real live you’re not very impulsive at all. That was what made games so fun, especially open world ones where you could do basically whatever you wanted. IRL you were more withdrawn than anything, even when you wanted to be social. 

Now… You could be whoever you wanted, right? 

Did you even have to follow the plot? Could you put a preference for another company and go there? Or would you still end up in the forth? And what about your abilities? In the game you’d had a choice at the beginning between a second gen ability and two third gen powers. You’d ended up picking at random, since they all seemed cool and you hadn’t been very far into the anime yet at the time. 

How would you even use those powers here, assuming that you could? 

“Sorry, I was spacing out,” you finally said, “What were you saying?” 

“Oh uh,” Shinra looked away, his grin still pulling at his face. “I was just asking if you were okay. You were looking at the form for so long, but whenever you talked about joining a company before you always said you would go to the fourth. Not that we talk a lot, so I wouldn’t know if you wanted to go to the fifth or the sixth or the seventh or-” 

“Babe, you’re rambling,” you cut in, starting to smile yourself. Even though you’re beyond confused something about Shinra puts you at ease. Everything about him seems so… warm. And yeah, the smile could be off putting. If it wasn’t so damn adorable. 

“O-oh!” aaaand he was blushing again. 

You look down at the paper, your brows furrowing. What are you even supposed to say to this? 

“I dunno,” you said at last, “I guess I was reconsidering. There’s a lot of companies, and a lot of options out there. I might end up going a totally different path if it’s not too late… What about you?” 

“Me? Well I didn’t really have a particular preference, but I heard that they’re trying to send more people to the eighth this year. Since its such a new company, and so small.” 

“Mmmm. That’s true. Maybe I’ll go there,” you muse. It would put you smack in the middle of all the action, and you could see the sweet Iris, and the too-hot-to-be-fair Maki. You could stay with adorable Shinra and the well meaning dumbass that was Arthur. Not to mention the two guys in charge. If you could get Obi to bench press you- 

Nope! Bad! Focus on the task at hand. No thirsting over captains right now! 

“I was thinking the same thing,” Shinra admitted, looking down at his own paper. 

“Yeah? I guess such a small company would make it easy for you to stand out and come a hero, right?” 

Shinra looked startled. You offered him a sweet smile and turned back to your paper and picked up your pen. 

You marked your preferences. 

Eighth, seventh, fourth, second, fifth, sixth, third, first. 

“The eighth and the seventh?” Shinra asked, peaking over at your sheet. 

You shot him a grin. “They both sound like fun to me. Hey, Shinra?” 

“Yeah?” 

Your grin grows wider. “Let’s both do our best, and save lots of people okay?” 

Shinra’s smile is small, but true. 

“Okay.” 

You bump your fist to his to seal the deal. 

~ 

It had taken you a couple of tries to find your dorm room. 

Your body seemed like it knew what it was doing, even if your mind didn’t. You had to explain away your frazzled state to the woman in charge of your wing, a nun who’s name you couldn’t recall to save your life, as nerves. She had looked dubious, but hadn’t questioned you when she pointed you to your room. 

Probably thinks I’m hung over, you thought as you stepped inside. If I didn’t know better I’d think I was drunk enough to hallucinate. But it’s all way too real. Just what happened? One second I was playing the game, and then my phone went off, and then it was all dark. After that I was in the library. 

 It was making your head hurt thinking about it. 

You poked around the room. If you remembered right you’d had a roommate, but she’d already been assigned her company a week early. Her dad was some top brass in the military, so off to the second company she went, 

You made sure the door was locked before you started riffling through your things. 

Books, papers, clothes. Personal items. 

You had a collection of antique keys for some reason, and a blanket shaped like a tortilla that was warmer than most space heaters. There was an old lighter with a hawk engraved on it in one drawer. When you touched it you got the sudden smell of pipe tobacco and a man laughing far in the back of your mind before it was gone. Just like when you touched the ring earlier. 

Memories that weren’t yours. You had stepped into someone else's life. 

When you looked in the mirror you found the face that your had designed for your character staring back at you. There was a thin ring of white in your eyes, cutting through their color and marking you as a pyrokinetic. 

Shit. Each of those abilities had a different eye. Which one was the circle? There was a circle, a pointy cross, and teardrop because the designer was some edgelord. Which power does this mean I have? Wings? Magnet sand? Or the spear torch thingy? 

You wished this could have been more like Fate/Grand Order. Then you would just have to keep track of your teams abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Not your own. 

Fuck. 

You spend a long time in your room, packing up all of your belongings. None of them really belong to you. They belong to your character, and they’re only familiar in the sense that you’ve thrown them over your shoulder when you were looking for something specific before. Only now if you throw them they won’t puff back to where they were before eventually. You’ll actually have to put this stuff away. 

Damn it, you’ve never liked packing. 

Still, you carefully rolled your new found clothes into baggage burritos. They were pretty plain, all in all. Oh well. You could make adjustments later if you really wanted to. Was it a game mechanic you haven't unlocked? Full customization? You could pick gender and hair, and the eyes depended on your pyrokinesis. Maybe at some point you got to change clothes too. 

You’d figure it out. 

You hoped. 

Your head was still reeling the with the idea of what was going on, but for now, with nothing else you really could do, you decided to go with it. 

Once you had everything all packed up you left your room to do some exploring. You tried to keep track of where you were going in the big fire station/training academy, but before long you were hopelessly lost. 

You stumbled upon a training room, where a familiar boy with a dorky pony tail was slashing a glowing blue sword through a training dummy. The poor dummy fell to the floor in pieces. 

You watched him for a few minutes before he noticed you. 

“Oh,” he said, “It’s you.” 

Which was… pretty lame, if you’re being honest. 

What, did you one pop his delusional bubble? 

“Yep,” you popped your ‘p’, “It’s a-me.” Mario. “What did that guy ever do to you? Try to challenge the great Knight King Arthur on a troll bridge?” you meant it to be a joke, but Arthur actually lit up. 

“Hardly! This was merely training. A Knight King must always be ready to defend his people!” 

“Of course,” you nodded along, playing with him. “And soon you’ll be embarking on a great quest to your new company, right? Do you know which one?” 

“I didn’t bother with those silly preference sheets. Let whichever company requires a knight most vie for my presence.” 

You were honestly impressed Arthur even knew the word ‘vie’. Wasn’t he kind of a loon? 

“Mhmm, mhmm, I see,” you nodded seriously. “Then in case, I might see you in my own company.” 

You wanted to ask him to spar, if only to see Excalibur in action more, but you still weren’t sure what your power was or how to use it. So you ended up bowing out. 

It took you another hour to find your way  back to your room. 

Whoops. 

You don’t really sleep. You lay down and try to wake up, and hope that come morning you’ll be back in your living room with a vr stapped to your head and this whole thing will have been a (not so terrible) dream. 

Keep Dreaming. 

~    ~

[chokemepaulson]

Sarah Paulson's Characters On Your Birthday

Billie Dean Howard • Billie Dean isn't very big on birthdays, but it's mostly because the older you get the sooner your death is. But she would make yours as special as she could. She would take you out and spoil you and then when you got home she'd push you down on the bed and tell you to unwrap your present (her).

Lana Winters • Listen Lana loves birthdays, and she loves loves loves the fact that she can celebrate another year of your life with you. She loves you like no one else so she treats you to everything you've ever wanted. At the end of the night though she grabs your hand and practically drags you to your bedroom and shows you the new toys she has purchased for you both to play with.

Cordelia Goode • Cordelia isn't too big on birthdays, while she was growing up it wasn't really celebrated and it was more of a reminder that the coven's supreme was dying soon. But she knows how important this day is for you and she makes sure you have a nice gift. She stays busy with the coven and finding girls but on your day she clears her schedule. Lots of kisses and cuddles throughout the evening. To be honest on your birthday you will probably be waking up because her mouth is on you.

Bette and Dot Tattler • These two cuties. Listen, it doesn't matter what your favorite food is. It's being cooked for your breakfast in bed. Dot wakes you with a deep kiss and Bette shakes you awake with a giggle. They love you so much and they're so happy that you're spending your life with them.

Sally McKenna • Sally decorated the entire hotel with celebration banners and balloons that she purchased online with Iris' credit card. This is your day and when you walk through the doors they all shout happy birthday. Even James made an appearance. After the celebration Sally brings you to her room and she lays her head on your lap. Telling you how much she loves you and how happy she was when you were around. She tells you how happy she was that you were alive another year because her death sucked and she didn't want something horrible to happen to you, and if it did. It damn well better happen at the hotel.

Audrey Tindall • Audrey takes off work and she flies to your place unexpectedly. She doesn't tell you she's coming home. She surprises you with your favorite take out and you spend the day in bed together. She promises you that the next round of conventions she does that she's going to take you as another birthday gift.

Ally Mayfair-Richards • Ally is a mom so this day is going to be celebrated to the max. No literally, the entire back yard and the in ground pool I set up with the party decorations. After the party is over with and everyone goes home she takes you to the bedroom and uses your favorite toys on you, she also let's you do whatever you want to her. All kinks allowed

Wilhemina Venable • Honestly, Wilhemina doesn't get what the big deal is about birthdays. So she doesn't really say much on the day, she goes to work and comes home. She gets you a necklace though, its a sterling silver chain with a heart charm and both yours and her initials carved into it. She gives it to you and she tells you she loves you but other than that she doesn't say happy birthday. It just be like that sometimes.

Bonus Round.

Tammy • Tammy is super happy about this day, no seriously. She makes it a whole week of a celebration. She takes you out to all the hottest places, and she makes sure you're taken care of. Wanna go to the spa? You're going. Wanna go mini golfing? You're going. Tammy will literally move Heaven and Hell for you. She loves dressing up for you as well. So on your birthday she surprises you with things you had commented on wanting to see her in months before. You're eating well tonight.

[mzargentum]

The Stormsender’s Daughter | Chapter IX | To The Edge

Chapter VIII | Chapter IX | Chapter X

Word Count: 2,210

Warning: Light violence.

1 hour.

That’s all it took for the chaos to ensue.

For the once peaceful Tenebrae streets to be swarmed with Niflheim soldiers and magetik troopers.

All fixated on one goal.

“FIND THE PYTHONESS!!!”

Lunafreya peered into the hallway from her room watching as the soldiers raced up and down the corridors in search of her missing sister.

The smell of sulfur and smoke polluted the air, finding its way to her window.

Troopers stormed into the residents in fleets. Aimlessly swinging their axes on the innocent and helpless citizens.

Soldiers destroying homes, businesses, ripping everything they touched to shreds....

It was like the first invasion all over again.

Except this time, their target was Muerlin.

Her little sister.

Throughout all of this, that was her main concern...

Where was she?

Was she alright?

Lunafreya never feared what Muerlin was. She was her sister.

She was aware of the good the Pythoness could do, let alone the good within her heart...

...but the world wasn’t ready to see this yet...

...and now...

...they may never be.

“…t…that was…lightning…y…y-your hands…“.

“…you…you look just like her…Eirenne….“

“you’re....the Pythoness”.

Those three words...

...that shaky frightened voice...

...ringing through Muerlin’s mind as she raced home.

Drenched in the crimson of her best friend’s deceased abuser.

His corpse still right where she left it.

Mutilated. Beheaded.

Her hands still shook as the images of her sending through his back. She remembers feeling his spine. Slick with his blood. The disturbing warmth of his insides.

The frantic beating of his heart as the lightning tore it to pieces. The fragments of brain matter still dangling from her silver locks.

It all etched into her skull. She did that...all of that. With nothing, but her bare hands...and her mind.

That wicked piece of scum deserved a bitter judgement, but...what kind of person destroyed a soul so effortlessly...with no remorse. It wasn’t even a mercy kill...rather than the mere thirst for blood and the orgasmic screams of a dying man.

The daemon inside of her enjoyed this.

Enjoyed feeling his pain.

Enjoyed the fear in dear Prae’s innocent eyes. Poor sweet Prae...

How could she have hurt her more? The so called friend she knew all this year was just a rouse to shield her from the monster she actually was...and she still ended up with blood on her precious face.

She should’ve known...she would never be able to be happy.

Daemons don’t know happiness...only pain.

Distracted by her thoughts, Muerlin was unaware of the fact that she had been followed for her vision had suddenly been shrouded by pitch black.

Crippled by gut wrenching fear, she couldn’t even bring herself to scream...

She couldn’t feel the ground beneath her feet...

It seemed like the end...

Perhaps...that wasn’t a bad thing...

Perhaps...that was what was best for everyone...

“MUERLIN!!!”

A familiar voice sent the girl’s eyes shooting open only to be blinded by the glare of the speckled ivory that coated the walls as she found herself in the warm embrace of Lunafreya on the balcony to her room.

“By the Gods, I thought I had lost you”, the Oracle sobbed as she clung to her younger sibling. “Are you unharmed?”, the blue eyed blonde frantically searched her sister for wounds.

“L-Luna?”, the befuddled princess mumbled toward her relieved sister. “But how did...?”

“Worry not, dear Muerlinian”, a soft voice echoed from behind them. Muerlin turned to see the smiling Gentiana behind her. “You are safe once more”.

The messenger’s shimmering brown eyes gracing the bloodstained girl with her undying devotion and kindness. Muerlin had always felt safe in her presence.

“Thank you, Gentiana”, Lunafreya gratefully smiled to the woman in black.

“However, safe now as you may be, it will only be temporary. You will not have much time”, the woman warned the two.

Much to Muerlin’s dismay, she was right. It was only a matter of time before the soldiers found her. However, the silver haired princess had already made her peace.

“Just turn me in...”, she mumbled, her head hung low.

“W-what?!”, Lunafreya stuttered to her sister’s request.

“I will only cause more damage. I can’t drag you down with me...”, Muerlin explained. She couldn’t bare it if anything happened to her beloved sister. “It’s what mother would’ve wanted...”.

“Absolutely not”, Lunafreya abruptly stated.

“Luna, this isn’t your burden to bare”, Muerlin tried to reason with her sister, to no avail.

“That’s not up to you”, the young Oracle firmly stated as she scoured through her drawers.

“But Luna-!”

“This is not up for debate!”, the blonde shouted toward her sister shutting her up immediately. “The Empire has taken enough from me. I’ll be damned by the Gods if I let them take you too!!”

Muerlin stood in silence. There was nothing to say. There was nothing to do, but surrender.

“Here”, Luna hurriedly handed her a long sleeved grey top and black leggings. “You need to change or they’ll spot you for miles”.

Muerlin simply starred at her sister, stunned by the sudden fear of the gravity of the situation at hand.

She would have to leave her home...with nowhere else to go.

“Muerlin, hurry!”, Lunafreya shrieked before a sudden pounding on her door sent a chill up the girls’ spines.

“In there!”, the Oracle whispered as she began to shove the frightened teal eyed girl into her wardrobe. “Quickly!”

Once Muerlin was out of sight, the young blonde hastily made her way to the door. A crack in between the doors of the wardrobe made it impossible for the nosey child not to peak.

“Brother?”, Luna greeted the panting Ravus in confusion. “What is the matter?”

“Where is she?”, the intimidating young man barked at his younger sister whom was trying to play dumb.

“Where is who?”

“None of your little games, sister!!”, Ravus shouted in irritation having none of Lunafreya’s lying. “Where is Muerlin?!” As he began entering the room, Luna stepped in front of him in the direction of the wardrobe, halting his entry.

“I do not know. She hasn’t come to me”, she firmly replied. “Please leave”.

Ravus’ eyes wandered about her room. He was not believing her story in the slightest and Lunafreya knew. She also knew Ravus was no moron especially once his eyes landed upon the wardrobe behind her.

His gaze never wavered.

Muerlin’s fragile heart pounded viciously in her head once her teal iris’ came into contact with his icy stare between the crack in the wardrobe doors. Her blood chilled though she was covered in sweat.

“Do I have to repeat myself?”, Lunafreya suddenly interrupted his trance though his eyes still remained fixed on the silver haired girl within the wardrobe.

“You know...if she returns, you cannot shield her from what’s to come”, the commander softly yet firmly stated before shifting his gaze to his baby blue eyed sister. “They will come for her and they will find her”.

“And if you are the one to find her”, the virtually tearful Oracle began to ask her cold-hearted brother, “what will you do?”

“Deliver her to Chancellor Izunia personally”, he admitted wholeheartedly.

Fighting off bitter tears, Muerlin pulled her gaze away from the crack.

“SHE IS OUT SISTER!!!”, Lunafreya screamed as she furiously shoved her brother. “MOTHER NEVER WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THIS!!!” 

“I know”, the man softly affirmed, taking the tearful girls hand into both of his. “So don’t let me find her...”, he whispered before letting go of her hand, finally taking his leave.

As he rounded the corner of the hallway, Lunafreya looked toward her palm in silence. Her tears fading. 

“I won’t...”.

After finally getting dressed, Lunafreya and Muerlin made their way out of the room toward the back corridor of the palace. There were no roads and no houses in that direction, so there were minimal soldiers patrolling.

The soldiers had seemingly abandoned their search on this side of the palace so they could move a bit more quickly although there were enough soldiers patrolling the hallways and searching around the rooms for the task to be less than simple.

“How far now?”, Muerlin quietly asked her older sister.

“Just down this hall”, Lunafreya informed before peaking around the corner only to silently curse the two magetik troopers pacing back and forth down the hallway.

“How’re we supposed to get past them?”, Muerlin fearfully asked clutching onto her sister’s arm.

“I can create a distraction”, the blonde stated as she fished through her dress pockets.

“What?? How?”, a hint of worry filling the silver haired girl’s lungs. “You’re not planning anything stupid, are you?”

“Of course not”, Luna affirmed. “Ravus would be furious”.

“No, he wouldn’t”, Muerlin growled in irritation at the mere thought of the Niflheim commander. “He wouldn’t give less than two behemoth shits. He would probably kill us himself. He doesn’t care about us...”

A light sigh slid from the young Oracle’s nostrils before taking Muerlin’s dainty bronze hand, placing a rather large switchblade onto her palm.

“Ravus cares a lot more than you think”, the smiling Lunafreya reassured her confused sister.

“Where’d you get this...?”, Muerlin stammered at her usually so innocent and sweet sister.

“It doesn’t matter now”, Luna shook her head, gently tightening her grip on her sister’s hand. “What matters now is this moment...because it will be our last together”.

Finally giving into her despair of the situation, light tears began to stream down Muerlin’s bronze cheeks. “I don’t wanna go, Luna...”

“Nor do I want you to go...but the Gods have bigger plans for you beyond Tenebrae. You have far more power than you will ever know...but it is what you hold inside your heart that makes that power great”, Luna’s soft voice soothed her sister.

“So I need you to promise me, no matter what happened, take to the light and never look back”, Luna smiled. “Show the world the real Muerlinian Zephyr.

Muerlin’s tears faded though her heart melted. Clutching onto the knife, before looking back toward Luna’s baby blue iris’.

“I....I promi-LOOK OUT!!!”, Muerlin suddenly shrieked, pulling her sister’s head down as a giant axe came swinging toward the wall in the place of where her neck would’ve been.

As the magitek axeman viciously yanked his weapon from the wall, Muerlin furiously shifted her gaze back to the cyborg sending a telekinetic pulse toward it, hurling its body to the side wall of the hallway only to alert anymore nearby troopers of their location.

“RUN, MUERLIN!!!”, Lunafreya screamed as her sister hesitantly shuffled toward the hall, not wanting to abandon her sister. “GO!!!!”, Luna screamed once more as her remorseful sister took off in a sprint down the hall.

Soldiers and cyborgs alike hot on her tail. More and more appearing from rooms and other corridors.

Guns ablaze lightly grazing her flesh as she swiftly bobbed and weaved around corners never looking behind to the adversaries on her rear.

After one final turn, there it was.

At the end of the hallway, Queen Sylva’s study. Untouched since that horrid day.

Muerlin vowed never to enter and it tore her to shreds knowing this was the only way out of this hell.

The rage and anguish of what she was about to do increased her speed, her aching legs carrying her like the wind.

She had reached the point of no return, it had to be done...

“I’m sorry...”, Muerlin softly panted as she hurled a wave of telekinetic energy toward the door blowing most of the wall out creating a gaping hole in the entrance just before flying in making her way toward the balcony.

The short length between the door and the balcony felt like an eternity.

This was it. Her final moments as a Nox Flueret.

All at once, her grief creeped upon her.

She never got to actually reconcile with Ravus...

Never got to apologize to Prae...

Say goodbye to Luna...

She only wished for a bullet to actually hit the right spot, but...a promise is a promise.

“DO NOT LET HER JUMP!!”, a soldier shouted before Muerlin leaped from the marble floors toward the balcony.

The momentum of her sprint carrying her over the railing.

A few more shots were fired just before she cleared the rails in a desperate attempt to sedate her, but to no avail.

“NOOO!!!”

A trooper shouted in frustration as their silver haired target disappeared into the fog below.

“GET A SEARCH PARTY DOWN THERE, PRONTO!!! WE CAN’T LET HER ESCAPE!!!”, the trooper ordered before the wave of cyborgs darted down the corridor.

“Commander”, the trooper soon called over the radio in defeat.

“What is it?”, Ravus answered, slight anxiety in his voice, as Lunafreya and Gentiana fearfully stood awaiting the news.

“We...we lost her, sir. She got away...”.

A sigh of relief escaped the Oracle’s lungs.

“We have search parties scouring the area. We’ve blocked off all transport exits. She cannot have gone far”, the trooper confidently spoke, reinitiating the worry inside of their hearts.

“Very good. Keep me updated”, Ravus replied before turning toward his younger sister.

His icy gaze melting over to held back tears as his agony flooded over.

Tagging: @digitalkanvas @insomniasix @aquathemermaidstripper @glacian-apocalypse @a-new-recipehhh @dizzymoogle @prettyprompto

[mandakatt]

My OC’s.

So! Here’s my grouping of OC’s that I am currently active with. [I have many others that I haven’t put here such as Voltron, Star Wars, and Dragon age cause all those Rp’s are on hold. =p I refuse to grow up, what can I say?]

So! For some of these characters I have artwork, some I don’t so the ones that don’t their description will be much longer.  [All art is © their original creators! I’ll link them/tag them in the descriptions.]

Mandakatt  [Ref sheet art by: @sbneko​ ]  - My OC that I use in the Furry Fandom. Yes. I’m one of those kinda dudes. Heh, but not in the way that’s usually associated with the stereotypes of the fandom. I’ve been in this fandom since about 2002 I think, but I’m starting to kinda fade away from it. So, she’s changing into what you see for my avatar here on tumblr. [Art by: DamnEvilDog - I miss you bubba.] - Out of all my OC’s she’s the closest to me in personality, and such. So just a fancy version of yours truly. XD

Kai - [Art © @sbneko ] Mandakatt’s sister. I created her as a joke cause everyone kept calling Mandakatt a Koi-Cat. So, here you go. Kai is older, and more mature than her sister, however, she is a derp, and will at times, when she’s nervous, grab her flowly showa tail and nibble on it, claiming she is her own sushi. She’s like the mom side of my personality. 

Amari Mao - Shrine Maiden [ More Art! ]  [ Art by: @tomochii-chan​ and @mageheart​ ] From the SLBP Universe. - She came about from a story that I had started to write involving the Date Clan. I don’t know if this story will ever see the light of day because I feel that I’m way too OOC with the lords. Her personality is Bubbly, Outgoing and she’s typically full of smiles and curiosity about the world. She’s a wandering Miko, so she’ll do rituals for those that ask. She carries a simple wakizashi vertically on the small of her back, her skills with it are above average for those that are used to sword fighting, she’s an expert with a long bow.  The scar over her left eye that stops at her cheek came about when someone tried to rob her on the road, and they got too close - she’s not completely blind her her left eye, she can see movements and shapes, but nothing in full clarity.

Major - My Overwatch Reader insert character. -  You were adopted as a young child into a Japanese family that lived in America, keeping your birth last name. You know some respectful phrases in Japanese but cannot speak it fluently. You reached the rank of Major [O-4] as a US Marine till you were ‘Honorably discharged due to injury during training.’  You are the bodyguard of Yumi. You are almost blind in your left eye. - Wanna know more? I am gonna be cheeky and go - Go read it. XD

Mao - Final Fantasy XV 

“There’s nothing special to me, I’m just trying to pull my weight in the world.”

Height: 5 foot 2/158cm 

Body type:  Tone, but she carries a bit of extra weight making her slightly curvy. 

Hair Color: Brown - and long. When worn in a high ponytail it rests at her shoulder blades, she has a distinct braid behind her right ear, crystal beads adorn it at the end, the braid itself is long enough to rest on her shoulder.  When she’s not out hunting, these beads get put onto a silver chain and worn around her neck. The beads were a gift from her mother.

Eye Color: Dark brown.  

Scars: Long scars that start on her right cheek, one on top of the other,  and travel down the side of her neck. When she takes off her coat the scars are noticeable on her shoulder. The scars go down over her shoulder and across her side and stops in the middle of her back. She was pounced by a Voretooth trying to save her mom. It didn’t go well.

Outfit: Black boots, dark grey cargo pants, a thick black leather belt, a grey sleeveless t-shirt, and a long dark red overcoat that rests at the back of her calves. She keeps two daggers sheathed at the small of her back, so her weapons are always in plain sight yet never seen. 

Weapons: Dual daggers  – Her mother's, they’re slim and simple looking, will be somewhat distraught if she ever loses them.  She is also quite proficient with short swords, carries two across her back - will only bring these as her ‘heavy hitters’.

Skills: She’s an excellent tracker - all those years hunting by herself - and can track both humans, and animals.  She’s quite quick, and knows hand to hand combat as well, never underestimate her, as she will use her size and speed to her advantage to put you into some form of a hold, or punch your lights out if you deserve it..  For example, she’s been seen sprinting around a Spiracorn to jump up on it’s back, rush up it’s neck and stab it in the eyes. She know’s it’s reckless, and will usually only do such things out of desperation,or showing off.

Personality: She comes across as friendly, and flirty to anyone and everyone, however, she can come across being very forward, or brash, and can also come across very stubborn and sarcastic. She’s a bit of a hot head at times, but will backpedal with someone if they call her out on her shit. 

Bio: She grew up on the outlands of Lucis, with her mother. Life wasn’t easy, but she learned to track, and hunt from her mom. She was in her teens when her mom died of an “illness” near Lachyrte Haven, close to Galdin Quay.  She grows melancholy every time she has to use this haven for this reason, and after leaving the area, she’ll perk back up. 

She can be heard muttering the words “For hearth and home.” when she’s finished with a battle, as if she’s reassuring herself she’s still alive, and what she’s alive for. If she’s hunting beasts, she can be seen resting her hand on the downed animals side, thanking it for it’s life.  

She’s gone on hunts for, and with The Marshal, and will admit she has got quite the crush on Cor, if you get friendly enough with her for her to admit it. She blames this crush on the fact that he’s so kept to himself. And he’s a mystery. 

She met the bros in passing once at Hammerhead, curious about their entourage, and hearing them pick up a hunt, decided to tag along, from a distance, and tracked the bros through the wilderness - not that it was all that hard to do, and helped them out of an MT ambush.  She offered to track the beasts they were hunting after that, and has gone along with them on their other adventures. She, at first, will admit, she didn’t know that Noctis was the Crown Prince, and that the others were his Crownsguard, which Noctis appreciates as she treats him like any other hunter, and not what his title entails. Though she will lay her life down for him and his group, much to his dismay. 

She has no shame what. so. ever.  And enjoys the flirting banter she has with the boys. The more she gets Prompto to blush, or Noct to roll his eyes, and become more quiet and awkward, the better. She’s out to get Ignis to lose his composure, and Gladio and her flirt like crazy, probably doing so just to get Noct and Prompto to cringe, however she’ll always put him in his place with a witty comment. 

She’s come to love the boys equally, and fears one day that they may ask her to choose one of them. She knows that she couldn’t do it, and as much as it would pain her, she’d rather slip away one night, and leave them, then cause a rift between the banter she has with them, as selfish as this may be. She would be ecstatic if she could make it into a huge poly relationship, but she knows the Astrals are cruel in their ways, and wouldn’t let her have such a thing, so she remains as that close, flirty friend.

She adores Iris, and Talcott and acts like their older sister, and don’t let her find out you were bad mouthing or bullying either of these pure souls. She will end you. When the 10 years of darkness happens, much to Gladio’s discontent, she teaches both Iris, and Talcott how to defend themselves and hunt. Staying by their sides through the whole ordeal, giving Gladio truly, one less thing to worry over, as he knows she’d let nothing happen to either Iris, or Talcott.

She has an affinity to domestic animals, where stray cats and dogs just seem to follow her, and it has not been unheard of to have her pocket meow in the middle of a conversation, and a small kitten pops it’s head out of her chest coat pocket.

[thelastspeecher]

Stan Pines, Farmhand - Chapter 11: Best Laid Plans

Chapter 1   Chapter 2   Chapter 3   Chapter 4   Chapter 5   Chapter 6 Chapter 7   Chapter 8   Chapter 9   Chapter 10   Chapter 11   Chapter 12   Chapter 13   Chapter 14   Chapter 15   Chapter 16   AO3

I definitely did not plan on posting this today, but like what happens in this chapter, plans don’t always work out the way you want.  I’m pretty excited.  This chapter is really cheesy and fluffy, and so is the next one.  But the one after that?  ...Not quite.  Also, the de-aging thing from the previous chapter was resolved “off-screen”.  Anyways, enjoy!

April 1, 1977 – Gravity Falls

               Stan followed his girlfriend and his twin brother deeper into the abandoned mines.  

               “Ya really wanna spend yer birthday chasin’ down dinosaurs?” he asked, his voice echoing.  “Ya wouldn’t prefer to go to that restaurant with the ocean view?”  Angie shook her head.

               “That place is expensive.  Trackin’ dinosaurs is free.”  She looked back at him.  “Ya didn’t have to come with.”

               “You’re my girlfriend.  It’s your birthday.  If I abandoned ya, Lute’d have my head.”

               “I know ya didn’t really like Gravity Falls the last time we visited.”

               “Gnomes chewed through the brake wires of the car I’ve had since I was sixteen,” Stan said flatly.  

               “Yeah.”  Angie fell back a few steps.  She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek.  “Thank ya fer workin’ past yer hatred fer this town to spend time with me.”

               “Heh.  It ain’t a big deal.  Especially since this is way better than hearin’ Lute rant about how ‘that ain’t what southern men do’.  Your brother’s got some interesting thoughts ‘bout what bein’ a southern gentleman means. And for some reason, he seems to be under the impression that I’m one.”  Angie chuckled.  She froze.

               “Did ya hear that?”

               “Hear what?”  A roar echoed.  

               “That.”  

               “Yep.  Definitely heard that.”

               “I’ve found the nest!” Ford called.  He ran back to them.  “But there’s a slight problem.  I disturbed the mother.”

               “That’s more than a slight problem, Sixer,” Stan said.  “I think it’s time to go.”

               “What?  But we didn’t get any pictures!” Angie protested.  Stan grabbed her hand.

               “If ya get killed on my watch, yer folks’ll kill me.  C’mon.” She pulled her hand out of his grip.

               “No, I need at least one picture.”  Angie strode away determinedly.  “If’n yer so concerned ‘bout my safety, ya can follow me.”  A shadow fell over her.

               “Angie!”  Stan tackled her to the ground, narrowly avoiding the dinosaur’s claws.  They tumbled down a nearby slope, coming to a stop at its base.  He looked at Angie, whom he was effectively pinning to the ground.  She was so close that he could count every freckle on her face and see a thin silver ring around her pupils, contrasting the bright blue of the rest of her iris.  It reminded him of something.  He thought back to the small box he had left back with Fiddleford, at Ford’s house.  

               Now’s as good a time as any.  She stared at him, a pink flush beginning to spread across her cheeks.

               “Will ya marry me?” he blurted out.  Angie’s eyes widened.  

               “What?”

               “Banjolina Quinn McGucket, will ya marry me?” he said, more firmly this time. “I know I’m not on one knee, and the ring’s back at Ford’s house, but-”

               “Yes,” she interrupted.  

               “Wait, really?”

               “Yes, really,” she said.  “Ya goober.” Stan grinned at her.

               “I’m yer goober, now,” Stan said.  Angie smiled.

               “Ya most definitely are.”

----- 

May 1978 – Gumption

               “So, the wedding’s in a month, right?” Lute asked Angie.  Angie rolled her eyes.  

               “Ya got the invitation ages ago!  An’ all the information is in that there binder in front of ya.”

               “Oh.”  Lute opened the binder.  “Yep. June 18.  Good choice.  I’ve heard good things about June weddings.”  After her graduation with her master’s degree, Angie had come back to Gumption with Stan, and they were currently finishing up the wedding plans.

               “An’ it’s here in Gumption,” Angie continued.  “In the barn.  So we’ll have to clean it up a bit.”

               “Why not the church?” Fiddleford asked.  He and Ford were taking a break from their research in Gravity Falls to visit Gumption quickly before the wedding.  

               “Stan’s Jewish,” Angie said shortly.

               “Right.”

               “Angie, does this mean ya get to do the thing where ya step on the glass an’ break it?” Lute asked eagerly.  Angie looked at Stan.  Stan nodded. “Dang.  That’s excitin’.”

               “Y’all are weird,” Stan said, shaking his head.  Angie kissed him on the cheek.

               “Yer marryin’ into my weird fam’ly, though.”  

               “Fiddleford, Tate’s up,” Ford said, walking into the living room, holding his son.  

               “Did ya change him?” Fiddleford asked.

               “Yes.”

               “I’ll hold him, then.  He likes gettin’ attention.”

               “No, I’ll hold him!” Angie said immediately.

               “Are you sure?” Ford asked.  Angie nodded.

               “I don’t get to spend enough time with the lil polydactyl.”  Ford handed Tate to her.  “My lord, Tate, yer gettin’ so big already!” Angie cooed at her nephew. She looked at Fiddleford.  “How old is he, again?”

               “He was born November 17, so almost exactly six months,” Fiddleford replied. Angie looked back at Tate.

               “Yer already halfway to bein’ a year old, Tater Tot!  Such a big boy!”  She blew a raspberry on Tate’s stomach.  He giggled.  “Such a happy boy, too!  What an absolute cutie-pie.”

               “Since he started sleeping through the night, he’s definitely started to seem cuter,” Ford said.  He rubbed his eyes tiredly.  “I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been on Mom to take care of two infants at the same time.”

               “It’s a good thing twins don’t run in the McGucket fam’ly, then,” Lute said, turning another page in the wedding plan binder.  “Otherwise ya might have had to deal with that.”  

               “Are ya goin’ to have more kidlets?” Angie asked her older brother. Fiddleford shook his head.

               “I think just the one child is enough,” Fiddleford said, taking his son from Angie.  “I don’t plan on goin’ through that whole experience again.  It weren’t pleasant.”

               “Adoption is-”

               “Just the one munchkin is enough fer us,” Fiddleford said firmly. “Raisin’ kids is hard work, an’ we’re already busy, what with Tate and our research.”  He smiled at Angie.  “I understand where yer comin’ from.  I know ya enjoy bein’ an auntie, and ya like spoilin’ yer nieces and nephews.  But ya won’t be gettin’ any more from Ford and myself.”  

               “Fair enough,” Angie conceded.  She cocked her head.  “So, ya had to give up doin’ research fer a while.  How’d that go?  Just so’s I know.”  Stan looked up from the wedding plans he had been perusing with Lute.

               “Uh, what?” Stan asked.  Angie looked over at him.

               “I ain’t pregnant now, don’t worry.”

               “I know you’re not, but the fact that you’re askin’ before we’re even married is makin’ me a bit nervous.”

               “It’s just fer future reference,” Angie said with a wave of her hand.

               “Ya might go a bit stir-crazy when it’s yer turn,” Fiddleford told her. “I stayed inside a lot an’ didn’t do much, ‘specially near the end.”  Angie grimaced.

               “Yeesh.  But it’d be worth it.  Fer one thing, Stan’s cuter than Ford.  An’ I know it seems impossible, but that means a kid of ours would be even more adorable than Tate.”

               “Damn straight,” Stan said, turning his attention back to the wedding plans.  “And our kid would have a better name.”

               “Tate is a perfectly fine name,” Ford said defensively.  “Fiddleford and I agreed to forego the McGucket naming convention.”

               “Ya might have mostly foregone it, but ya did name him after Uncle Tate,” Lute said.

               “So?”

               “Do ya know what Tate is short for?”

               “It’s not short for anything.”  

               “Not yer Tate.  Uncle Tate.”

               “Oh, um, no,” Ford confessed.  Angie snickered.  “What? What is it short for?”

               “Isn’t he the one named after food?” Stan asked.  Ford looked at Fiddleford.

               “Fiddleford.  What did we name our son?”

               “We named him a proper name,” Fiddleford said reassuringly.  “His namesake just don’t have that.”

               “What’s Uncle Tate’s real name?” Ford asked.  Fiddleford sighed.

               “His full name is Potato.”

-----

September, 1978 – Gravity Falls

               Summer was beginning to fade, and the town of Gravity Falls was bustling with citizens making the most of the last warm days.  On the drive up, Angie had been bubbling with excitement over getting permission to finish her doctorate by studying some of the amphibians in Gravity Falls.  Her happiness almost masked the dread Stan was feeling.  Something about the lumber town felt odd to him, like bad things would happen there.  But now that he was officially moving boxes into the house they had just rented, the initial unease had gone to the back of Stan’s mind.  

               “Thanks fer helpin’ us move in,” Angie said, handing a box to Lute.

               “It’s no problem.  I’m always ‘round to help my baby sister,” he replied.  He tucked the box under one arm.

               “It’s not like you have anythin’ better to do, anyways,” Stan said, taking another box out of the trailer.  “What exactly do ya do, again?”

               “Mostly just bother my siblin’s,” Lute replied.  Angie opened the passenger door of the truck and took out the terrarium holding Tubbs.  She went inside the house.  Once she was gone, Lute turned to Stan.  “So, when are the two of ya goin’ to pop out a kid?”  

               “Lute, what the fuck.”

               “Hey, it’s a perfectly valid question.”

               “We’ve only been married fer three months.”

               “So?”

               “Isn’t that a bit fast?”

               “Not fer a McGucket,” Lute said.  “Ma didn’t even finish school ‘fore she had the oldest three.”

               “Well, we only just moved here.  Angie wouldn’t wanna stop doin’ her research just after startin’ it.” Stan rubbed his neck nervously. “An’ I’m still lookin’ for a job. ‘Arkansas farmhand’ and ‘San Diego car salesman’ don’t make the greatest resume.  We haven’t even talked ‘bout kids, beyond mentionin’ that they’ll eventually happen.  So, no, Lute, we’re not plannin’ on havin’ kids.  Not yet.”

               “What’s that thing folks say?  ‘God laughs at yer plans’?”  Stan eyed Lute suspiciously.  

               “What are ya gettin’ at, McGucket?” he asked.  Lute sighed and set down the box he was holding.

               “Ma didn’t plan on havin’ the older three.  It’s a well-known fact in the fam’ly that Violynn, Harper, and Basstian were all surprises.”

               “I don’t think I’m likin’ what I’m hearin’.”

               “Pa has seven siblin’s.”

               “Damn.”

               “The McGuckets are a very fertile fam’ly.  An’ unless you ‘n Angie are abstainin’…”  Lute eyed Stan curiously.  

               “Lute.  I’m not gonna talk ‘bout my sex life.  Do ya really want to know if your baby sister’s had-”

               “Fair enough,” Lute said quickly.  He shrugged. “Just somethin’ to keep in mind. Tate weren’t planned, either.”

               “Lute, don’t say things like that,” Angie said, joining them again.  

               “It’s true,” Lute protested.  Angie put her hands on her hips.

               “It don’t matter if it’s true.  It’s rude.  But that reminds me.”  Angie turned to Stan.  “We’re babysittin’ Tate tomorrow.”

               “Again?”

               “His dads have research to do.  I just want to help.”

               “Uh-huh.  Sure,” Stan said.  “It doesn’t have anythin’ to do with how much ya like spendin’ time with babies.”  Angie rolled her eyes and took the box he was holding.

               “They got backed up a bit on their work after he was born,” she called as she walked back inside.  “They need to catch up.”  

               “If ya say so.”  Stan looked at Lute.  “Do ya really think that-”

               “I ain’t a doctor.  I can’t tell ya yer chances fer havin’ a surprise kid.”

               “You literally just told me you thought that’s what’ll happen.”

               “…Point taken.”  Lute handed Stan another box from the trailer.  “If’n it makes ya feel better, I think you’d be a good dad.”

               “Yeah?”

               “Yeah.  Lord knows the Gucklings think yer the best thing since sliced bread.  Yer a natural with kids, even if ya don’t feel like ya are.”

               “I’m pretty sure yer just lyin’ to me to try to get another niece or nephew,” Stan said.  Lute scoffed.

               “I ain’t a liar, no matter how cute I think yer kid would be.”  Angie opened the front door and stuck her head out.

               “Are you fellers goin’ to bring in any more boxes or keep chit-chattin’ at the truck?”

----- 

               “Aren’t you the cutest lil feller I ever done see,” Angie cooed at Tate. She and Stan were at Ford and Fiddleford’s house, babysitting Tate.  So far, he’d been remarkably well-behaved, something Stan claimed was due to his parents being nerds.  Tate giggled and grabbed at Angie’s nose.  She laughed. “Yup.  That’s the fam’ly nose.  And you’ve got it too, Tater Tot.”  She sighed.  

               “What is it?” Stan asked.

               “I want one,” Angie said softly.  She played with Tate’s hands.  

               “Well, it’s not like anybody else is here,” Stan began.  Angie eyed him.

               “What are ya gettin’ at?”

               “If ya decide to take him, I won’t tell.  Ya can head for the border with Tate and I’ll meet up with ya.”

               “Mexico?”

               “No.  Canada.”

               “I did learn French at West Coast Tech,” Angie said.  Her eyes gleamed.  She stood up.

               “Whoa, whoa,” Stan said.  “I was kidding.”

               “Oh.”  Angie sat down again.  “Uh, so was I.”  

               “No ya weren’t!”

               “Hey, you don’t know me.”

               “Yeah, I do,” Stan said firmly.  Angie sighed.

               “Yer right.”  She kissed Tate on the forehead.  “This lil feller’s just so goldarn cute.  It ain’t right that Ford got a baby ‘fore I did.”

               “…Why?” Stan asked.  Angie shrugged.

               “‘Cause it’s Ford?”

               “Fair enough.”  Stan leaned over to look at his nephew.  Tate grabbed one of Stan’s fingers and began to chew on it excitedly.  Stan softened.  “You want a baby, huh?”

               “Yeah…” Angie said softly.  

               “But ya understand now ain’t the best time fer that.  We’re still settlin’ here in Gravity Falls, and ya just started your research, so we should probably wait a bit.”  Angie cracked a half-smile.

               “Does that mean ya want to be a dad?”  

               “…Maybe.”

               “Glad we’re on the same page.  I want a lil one, too, but we should prob’ly hold off a bit.  How long do ya want to wait?”

               “How ‘bout no kids ‘til after our first anniversary?  That way we can go as wild as we want next June,” Stan suggested.  Angie chuckled.  “Think you can wait that long?”

               “Yeah.” She kissed him on the cheek.  “Look at ya, bein’ responsible.”

               “Well, that an’, I dunno, havin’ a kid right away doesn’t seem like a good idea. I’m pretty sure it’s ruined marriages.” Angie’s eyes softened.

               “Stanley, it’d take more than a baby to make me leave ya.”

               “What would it take?” Stan asked.

               “Why do ya want to know?”

               “I wanna avoid doin’ it.”

               “I can’t think of anythin’,” Angie said, bouncing Tate on one of her knees.

               “…Really?”

               “Darlin’, I can’t think of a single thing that would make me so angry with ya that I’d leave.”

               “Nothin’?”

               “Absolutely nothin’.”

----- 

December 23, 1978 – Gumption

               Normally, at the holidays, the McGucket house was even more warm and welcoming than usual.  But Stan couldn’t help the nervousness he was feeling.  Sitting next to him at the dining table, Angie grabbed his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

               “Darlin’, it’s fine,” she whispered in his ear.  “You’ll make it through this.”

               “Why do ya want to wait ‘til January, to tell ‘em, again?” he whispered back.

               “Ya know why.”

               “Are the two lovebirds whisperin’ sweet nothin’s to each other?” Lute asked teasingly.  

               “What’s it to you?” Stan asked.  Lute reached out to take Angie’s glass.

               “Ya want some wine, lil sis?”  Angie hurriedly grabbed it from him.

               “No, Lute.  Thanks, though.”  Lute frowned at her.

               “What happened to the Angie I know an’ love?  It ain’t like you’ll get drunk.  McGuckets got fortitude.”

               “I know how our fam’ly works, ya goon,” Angie said.  She shrugged.  “I just ain’t in the mood fer alcohol right now.”

               “Is that so?” Ma McGucket asked.  There was an odd look on her face.  “Is there any reason fer that?”

               “N-no,” Angie stammered.  She swallowed, suddenly turning a slight shade of green.  She stood up abruptly.  “I’ll be back in a mo’.”  She rushed off.

               “She’s been usin’ the facilities an awful lot,” Lute said, taking his seat on the other side of Stan.  “Is she sick or somethin’?”

               “No.  At least, if she is, she didn’t tell me,” Stan said.  He looked at Ma McGucket again.  She smiled knowingly at him.

               Stan turned beet red.