#and gave it to daisy mae

[septembersghost]

Lol, I was trying to figure out who Speak Now tour Taylor reminded me of. I think it was Daffy Duck “girlfriend” on Muscle Tussle. Someone brought up Daisy Mae from Li’l Abner. I didn’t realize that was a musical also. (youtu.)be/v6T7B8hcqyE Lol, interesting episodes.

of all the things i could possibly have expected to read today, "speak now taylor reminds me of daffy duck's girlfriend from 1953" would never, ever have been among them 😂

but look at her she's so cute

the daisy mae lyric in yoyok being this potential reference fascinates me and i want someone to ask her about it so badly (in the hypothetical world where she did press/print interviews for midnights)

[rhenuvee]

Playing Animal Crossing New Horizons with Genshin Boys [Modern AU]

A/N: This is not important but I almost wrote sea bass with the characters

»»———————————-««

Treats it like Minecraft. Farms the heck out of your island for materials, and makes his own little "base" that's bordered by fences. Has enough wood, rocks, iron nuggets, etc to supply him for a year.

Razor, Bennett, Albedo, Alhaitham, Chongyun, Gorou, Kazuha, Mika, Thoma, Tighnari, Wanderer, Xiao

Chaotic. Attacks you with a net, sends you purposely cringey notes with a smelly sea bass attached, dresses like a hot dog after telling him to dress nice for a picture, probably decorates his house like a demon summoning ritual.

Childe, Cyno (does it to make you laugh), Itto, Kaeya, Lyney, Venti

Has sooo many bells... and from what?? He is your resident glucose father, always giving his bells to you to pay your debts. That 75,000 bell piano? It's yours. Really good with the Daisy Mae stonks, buys 100 turnips every time.

Alhaitham (asks you to catch a Coelacanth first), Ayato, Childe, Diluc, Kaeya

Broke. You’re the one with millions of bells. Takes so long for him to get out of the tent, and can't pay his home loans for days- but always has money for buying random things like a chair? Sometimes they have bells, but still ask you for some to annoy you. Also frequently gets scammed by Redd.

Bennett, Itto, Kaveh ("why does this feel oddly familiar..?"), Venti

Trash island. They are hoarders (honestly me). Your island's trees are still at the original random locations, along with weeds you have to pick every time, and some unknown "leaves" scattered everywhere. You say this is the reason Isabel gave your island a 2* rating but he denies it.

Bennett, Razor, Cyno, Itto, Venti

Clumsy. Always gets stung by wasps because he never takes out the net on time, falls for pitfall seed traps, and lots and lots of sea bass.

Bennett, Gorou, Itto, Kaveh

Treats it like Pokemon. Catches every single fish, bug and ocean species, completes the art gallery, every DIY. If you need something caught or made, he's your man.

Albedo, Bennett, Chongyun, Cyno, Freminet, Kazuha, Mika, Razor, Heizou, Thoma, Tighnari

Wholesome af. This one gifts you sweet letters with nice gifts, aw. Plants lots of flowers outside your houses. Always gives you things you need. Probably decorated a small little space your you two, and gives the villagers nice gifts too.

Ayato, Baizhu, Bennett, Freminet, Kaeya, Kaveh, Kazuha, Lyney, Mika, Thoma, Venti

Doesn't really play video games... but he knows you like it so he tries to understand it. He's like a tourist, following you around, occasionally getting sidetracked by random things such as villagers. He doesn't know about the mailing system (yet) so he drops off gifts for you in front of your house.

Alhaitham, Ayato, Baizhu, Diluc, Gorou, Kazuha, Mika, Razor, Thoma, Xiao, Zhongli

Villager drama enthusiast (but chaotic). You tell him about your island and the personalities of your villagers. He goes a step further by making up gossip like "_____ cannot be neighbours with _____ because he cheated on her with _____!"

Childe, Kaeya, Kaveh, Lyney, Heizou, Venti, Xingqiu

The artist. Takes Animal Crossing very seriously. Has only the best clothes and furniture, sometimes making his own custom designs. Terraformed and decorated your island to a T, and takes cute pictures with you in the museum's aquarium, fireworks festival, etc.

Kaveh, Kaeya, Kazuha, Lyney, Venti

The competitive one. Originally he thought Animal Crossing was just a cutesy game. Once you introduce him to it, it doesn't take long for him to complain about Tom Nook being a capitalist and struggling to pay his loans and complete the museum. You offer to help but he insists on doing it himself.

Itto, Tighnari, Wanderer, Kaveh

»»——————————��-««

[angsthology]

random roo stuff

i do a lot of thinking (slash neg)

people (usually new fans) thinks roo and daisy-mae are dating

in the 2023 intro, roo winks at the camera

as seen in the screenshot roo is usually very active on twitter (not the surprise) and she follows some fans and often interact with them

sometimes people call her and charles (when seen together) sally and mcqueen due to her driving for porsche and charles — well, he is mcqueen. that didnt need further explanation

shes secretly very close with zhou considering they were rookies together

during her karting days her number was 35 idk why just is

she lieks to watch f1 academy races and support her girls

girl has many side quests goin on

shes also very private so when she casually drops something personal people write it down in their notes titled “roolore”

we all know max calls his rocket ship rocky, to which roo also has one of her own. she calls hers: backbiter after the first season that brought her glory

(inspired by luke castellan’s sword, his sword kan k word both humans and monsters, her car can beat rocket ships and tractors alike)

she gets shocked about the same thing more than once (memory of a goldfish this girl i tell u (mecore))

one time at a press conference they just gave her an electric guitar and that was the only topic for the entire half of that press conference

(some people say its their roman empire idk tho 🤷🏻)

she sang stockholm syndrome by 1d at charles’ birthday surprise just cause she thought shes funny (she is)

sometimes when she sees logan she goes “walk my way mr all american”

same with nando when she sees him its like her mouth goes on abbapilot (autopilot but... yknow abba) and full on start singing “there was something in the air that night”

okay yknow what at this point im just gonna tell u she has a song that she associates with every driver

which brings us to this fact: her spotify wrapped every year is always above 100,000 minutes

girlie lives in breathes music people often thinks she should’ve entered the music industry instead of racing

went missing one night and gave her entire team a heart attack until the morning when social media was littered with pictures and videos of her at a pitbull concert that night

she almost died that weekend in the hands of her manager

during RACE WEEKEND TOO

somehow still managed podium in free practice

while everyone likes to joke that lando is a literal child, a 4 year old, roo on the other hand often gets called the grid’s teenager

and by teenager i mean teenage dirtbag. thats what she is. being 23 didnt really stop her from leaving that era

the epitome of the word “worse” not worst but worse.

thats honestly all i got for now but hey u can always knock on my brain through my inbox (im bored and lonely exams are k wording me i need to be entertained like a 5 year old)

taglist; @treehouse-mouse @disneyprincemuke @yansbolobao @leilanixx @judespoision @vellicora @bborra there are still some people thatcant be tagged im sorry ☹️☹️

[kidasthings]

Echoes of Eden by Kida

Noa x Mae - #mommaknowsbest

Chapter 3: https://www.tumblr.com/kidasthings/751031002718240768/echoes-of-eden-by-kida?source=share

Next Chapter: https://www.tumblr.com/kidasthings/751482584388829184/echoes-of-eden-by-kida?source=share

Chapter 4

They made it back to the Eagle Clan village at daybreak, just as the first rays of early light touched the earth and migrated through the trees above. It painted the ground cover with a dappling effect, shifting penumbras and warming daisies.

Mae walked among the apes wisely sticking close to Noa. Anaya gave her a wide berth all the while, nervous eyes flicking her way when she strayed too close. Soona was much the same, save for the steady eye contact when they did trade looks. The rest of the small contingent remained at a respectful if suspicious distance; only Noa seemed moderately comfortable with her in his immediate vicinity.

The welcome party at the village consisted of a few curious ape children and Dar, Noa’s mother. She threw her arms around her son, gave Mae a curious look, and then patted Noa on the back before speaking in hushed tones with Anaya and Soona. Mae stood awkwardly, highly aware of being the only human amongst sentient animals. There was still the chance one or more of them might try to assume issue with her for the flood she set upon them, and for this her guard remained up. The village, despite her paranoia, buzzed about her without fail. Apes were climbing half-built structures, connecting beams, and the young ran amongst a small herd of horses at pasture in a clearing dotted with wildflowers. Their shouts and hoots of joy reached beyond the treetops, unmarred by the fact their clan had barely survived the year.

Because of her.

Eventually Noa returned to her side, gesturing for her to follow him with that world-weary look he usually sported. Relieved, Mae followed and found him leading her off to a crude shack that resembled the one in which they had first met; it seemed these were used primarily to store fish. This one, however, had a different purpose.

Inside the raw-wood walls was a cache of human weapons and supplies. An ape of stature stood posted at the door, nodding at Noa but glaring balefully at Mae as they simultaneously ducked inside.

Everything was abandoned on the floor in a haphazard pile: a few rucksacks, dented weapons, sharp hunting knives, a canteen or two, rope, and other random oddities. There was not much, admittedly, but what Mae sought wasn’t exactly of size.

Mae drifted down to her knees, alighting on the packed dirt floor. “Is this everything?” she asked Noa without losing focus on the heap before her.

“Yes,” Noa confirmed.

“I see.” She floated her palm over the pile, mimicking a scanning device. Her hand hovered over the first brown knapsack, travel-worn and rusted at the buckles. Gingerly, she touched it and ran her fingers over the flap. It was secured by a simple button from the top, zippers being an exotic novelty rarely seen anymore. Carefully, she opened the bag and rifled through the contents.

Nothing caught her eye at first. There were three small knives, a few canned rations, a water flask made of animal bladder, and something that looked like –

Mae pulled out a crinkled piece of faded paper and held it up before her face. Dust motes floated lazily across an old illustration made by the hand of a child. Pastel paints depicted two stick figures, one larger than the other, holding hands. The taller one sported short blonde streaks, likely a representation for hair, and the shorter one had longer hair of the same hue. Both were smiling; simple lines curved their two-dimensional mouths upward to their dots-for-eyes.

Sucking in her cheeks until they were hollow, Mae refolded the paper and placed it back into the bag. She continued, patting down the sides and coming up empty save for a small silver key on a thin ring. She could hear Noa shuffle his weight from one foot to the other, indicating he was growing impatient. Utilizing the soft sound to her advantage, she surreptitiously used a sleight of hand technique to slip the dented key into the inner pocket of her short jacket.

Mae hazarded a quick look behind her; Noa was still staring at her back, arms folded, but there was no recognition on his face that anything was amiss.

The next bag proved more interesting. This one, black and made of canvas, contained an array of pistols with silencers. Pushing past those, the brunette located a dark metal container at the bottom of the bag. It turned out to be a lockbox secured by a small gold padlock looped through a latch on the side.

The word MASTER was emblazoned on the front.

Mae ran her thumb over the worn word in the metal, realizing it was a remnant of the world before.

Reinvigorated, she turned the box this way and that, examining the angles. Inside, something rolled back and forth in a reassuring, cylindrical way. Mae pitched her chin inward towards her collarbone and a few errant wisps of hair disconnected from her braid and swept forward, brushing the sides of her face.

Her pupils rapidly dilated behind the curtain of her hair.

Silence.

Without fanfare, Mae returned the box back to the bag and made a small show of picking up other various artifacts in the human-made heap. She stood and turned around when Noa made a small sound.

“Thank you,” she told him quietly, shoving her hands in her pockets. “I’m done.” Her voice, quick and clipped, followed the path of her footsteps as she carried herself outside of the ape-made hut.

Noa’s green eyes tracked her as she swept past him, the lower lids tensing at the edges. Finally, he nodded and removed himself from the structure to follow her out.

“Are you leaving to … follow them?” he called after her.

Mae stopped in mid-step, now well within the village proper. The ape posted outside the door traded curious looks with Noa as both watched the long line of Mae’s rigid back.

“I should,” she told him, voice muffled while she remained turned away, “but if you would allow me to remain a few more days, I can rest before returning.”

This caused the villager standing watch near Noa to silently reveal long canines, but Noa just shook his head at him before approaching Mae.

“I will … speak to the council … about it,” he told her, that stilted way in which he spoke comfortingly familiar. “For now … stay at the edge of the … village.”

“I can do that. I left my horse tied up over there.” Mae pointed off to a stand of trees to the south. “Hopefully, she isn’t too thirsty by now. I need to check on her.” Her expression remained stony and shuttered.

“Something … wrong?” Noa asked, tone too low for the other villagers to catch.

Mae’s head made a small adjustment in his direction. “No, I am just tired. Thank you for letting me look. What do you intend to do with all of it?” She was not settled with the idea of leaving human weaponry with the Eagle Clan. Her body turned halfway, her profile perfectly in view.

“We will … look through it,” Noa stated grimly. “It is ours.” He looked off to the woods, where both could hear the distant whinny of a frustrated equine. The breeze picked up, stirring the fur along his low forehead. “She sounds … hungry.”

“She had plenty of grass around. Water is more important. Do you have any nearby? I saw a lake to the north…”

Noa nodded, finding comfort in the discussion of logistics. Logistics were emotionless, effortless. He rolled his gaze over to hers, holding it. “We have a … pond in the meadow … she can drink from.” He pointed east, where the villagers’ horses were at pasture.

“Better yet.” Mae flashed him a too-tight grin, and then startled when an ape woman in a new blue shawl approached them.

“Noa, a word,” the ape said, her tenor deep and calm.

“Yes, mother.” Noa turned to Mae once more. “I will return later.”

Mae smiled then, a short spread of her lips with a quick nod. “Right.” She spared a second to and gave a once-over of the ape Noa had addressed as “mother”, and the object of her focus did the same. No words were exchanged, save for a small incline of the head on Dar’s part.

Mae spun on her heel and made off for the woods before slipping between the trees. Once the human was out of sight, both mother and son turned back to their conversation.

“Are the echoes gone … from here?” Dar inquired, now that they were passably alone.

She received a firm affirmative in the form of a grunt.

The older ape’s eyes slipped over to the ape standing next to the weapons hut, and then she motioned with her hand for Noa to follow. “Come.”

Noa trailed obediently and without objection. The pair winded their way through a gaggle of giggling ape children watching two older apes practicing fish retrieval with their newly hatched eaglets. Noa thought he spotted Soona’s long stare as she tended to a nest of eagle eggs nearby, but he could not be sure.

Eventually, they ended up at the entrance to one of the two rebuilt sky towers. Dar passed through a beaded partition, beckoning her son inside.

Within the structure a wooden ramp led to higher levels, spiraling well above their heads, but Dar paid it no mind. “Let’s speak of … the echo,” she said firmly, taking a seat on a woven mat near the back of the main floor. She patted to a place next to her, offering Noa a shallow cup of water made from a hollowed oyster shell. “Drink?”

Noa had no issue understanding who she was referring to. His thoughts would not detach from that echo. Dar’s son sighed, and accepted the shell gingerly with two hands, palms up. He took a small sip and set it aside on an overturned basket. Dar gave him a reassuring smile and placed her long forelimbs before her in a pleasant mien. “Tell me what ails you, son?”

“I do not … know what to … do,” Noa admitted, lost.

“About the echo?”

“Yes,” he replied haltingly, expecting immediate censure.

To Noa’s surprise, Dar did none of that.

She signed, “I can imagine.” Her smallest finger glanced off her forehead, shooting up with her left hand. Then, switching to words, she added, “Do you … think she is dangerous to … us?”

“Not right … now,” Noa returned, although he cast his gaze over and down, indicating doubt. “I believe … she feels bad … for flood.”

“This is good,” Dar told him, nodding in apparent acceptance.

“She wants to … stay, rest,” Noa said quickly. “Could you ask … the elders if she can … stay a few … days?”

Dar thought about that for a moment or two. Her warm toffee-colored eyes scanned Noa’s face, seeking a truth he would not voice. At last, she nodded and leaned over to place a hand over the ball of his shoulder. “She saved … Soona, yes?”

Noa nodded, “She put us all … in danger, but she saved … Soona’s life first.”

Dar considered this information, an internal debate roiling about in her head as a distant expression took up residence on her face.

Finally, she gave a short nod. “I will speak to them.”

For that, she was awarded with a small smile. “Thank you, mother.” he signed.

She signed back, “Of course. For now … keep an eye … on her.” The ape matron lifted a gray-brown index finger to one eye, illustrating her words. “Could be … trouble yet.”

Noa blew out a quick exhale before his mouth made a moue of distaste. “I fear this.”

Dar nodded, mollified by her son’s suspicions. It would do him well to have them. She gave his shoulder a good-natured shake before releasing it. “Go, you have much … to do.”

“Thank you, mother,” Noa replied.

Dar nodded. “Before you see her … call on Sun. He may … help.”

“I will.”

“Good.”

They took their leave, Noa standing slowly before exiting the tower. He looked to the south, where he imagined Mae to be, and pondered over her loyalties before calling to his eagle in the way of his clan.

A cry sounded from above, his winged companion never too far away. As the bird alighted on his wrapped forearm, Noa snorted and welcomed the pain of the talons as they dug into his hide. The bird’s watchful, amber eye flicked towards him, head snapping this way and that, wings partially extended and at the ready.

“Sun,” he began, as if there were some secret between them that only they knew, “keep watch over Mae.” The bird, somehow understanding although it was impossible to believe it so, gave his handler a look of avian scorn. Its razored beak parted, clicked shut, and a shrill cry emanated from its trachea.

“Calm,” Noa told the bird, giving his bonded’s back one pat with his long fingers. The bird fluffed its feathers, appearing momentarily larger, and then dropped into a temporary crouch before launching himself from Noa’s arm. The heavy weight of the raptor now released, Noa watched it circle once overhead and wished it could also do the same for the weight on his chest. He rubbed his clavicle with his hand, trying to distill the phantom pain he felt there.

He might have a chance to rectify that when he spoke with her later that night. For now, Sun would keep watch. Noa watched until his eagle disappeared over the tops of the trees, momentarily wishing for the gift of flight.

How easy it would be, to fly away, he mused.

[forever-rogue]

Now that reader has moved to Steve's house, how about there's one day where Daisy feels a little bit under the weather but it's really taking her energy and she only wants to cling to reader? Like when Daisy's awake, she instantly go to reader in the kitchen with teary eyed and reader gets worried and pick her up. And when Steve wakes up and sees the scene, he can't help but fall in love with reader more and can't wait for the day they finally get married.

AN | These three make me so soft and I can’t wait for them to get married either 🥺

Warnings | Sick Kiddo

Pairing | Steve x Fem!Reader

Word Count | 1.9k

Masterlist | Steve, Main

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

You really shouldn't have had all that water before bed. This was the second - third? - time you had to get up and go to the bathroom that night. It was the water among…other things but right now you were cursing everything. All you wanted to do was get some sleep. 

Once you were done, you popped into the kitchen to grab some more water (hydration is important, alright?) when you heard some soft sniffles. Your heart dropped into your stomach when you realized it could only have been one thing, one little person, in your house.

"Mommy?" And yeah. That still made your heart flutter, but the tears you could practically hear in her voice made you want to cry too. Daisy Mae Harrington padded into the kitchen, her stuffed dog in one hand, fuzzy bunny slippers half on, and a deep frown on her little way.

"Hey baby," you crouched down so you were eye level with her, and held out your arms to invite her in for a big hug, if she wanted it of course, "what's wrong, baby girl?"

Before she could even say anything, big, fat crocodile tears ran down her cheeks as she tried to contain her sobs. Without hesitation she stepped into your arms and clung onto you as tightly as she could with her small grasp. 

You made a small sound as you hugged her in return, picking her up and soothing her back with soft circles. She'd buried her face into your neck and you could feel her tears soaking into the fabric of your t-shirt.

"I don't feel good," Daisy was finally able to speak after a few moments of struggle, "my tummy hurts and my throat too and my nose is all stuffy."

"Oh my love," you felt your heart break knowing she was sick. You wished that you could take it all away from her and be the one in her stead. It would have sucked but it would have been better than watching her go through this, “it sounds like you’re getting a bit of a cold.”

“I don’t wanna be sick,” she sniffled and you instinctively rocked her gently. You kissed the side of her head tenderly.

“I know,” you held onto her tightly as you walked to her bedroom. The least you could do was try to help her get to sleep. You sat down on the bed and set her down so she could try and get under the covers. She sighed softly, which to your chagrin turned into a cough, before pulling back the blankets and getting under them. You brushed back her soft curls and put the back of your hand onto her forehead. She felt a little warm, “after some sleep you’ll feel better. Do you think you can sleep?”

“I can try,” she gave you her best smile but you could see the hazy look in her eyes. Before you could get up, she reached for your hand, “will you stay with me, mommy?”

Even before she could get her soft little request out, you knew the answer to her question. You nodded and her little face lit up happily, “of course I will, my little love.”

You went to the other side of the bed and got in behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her into you. She sighed contently, clutching onto her stuffed dog and her hand. She mumbled a soft I love you, which you eagerly repeated to her, and it wasn’t long before you heard her snoring. 

At least you knew she was safe and sound for the time being. You couldn’t fix it, but you could make her feel better. Fortunately, it wasn’t too long before you fell asleep either. 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

When Steve woke up, he rolled over and reached for you, as had become his routine since you’d moved in. But this morning, he found your side of the bed empty and cold. You’d been gone for a while. It was still early, so you wouldn’t have been at work and it was too silent if you were in the kitchen. 

With a groan he rolled out of the bed and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He pulled on a shirt and walked into the hallway, listening for anything suspicious. But nothing reached him except for the early morning stillness. 

“Daisy? Angel?” no answer reached his ears so he walked down the hall towards Daisy’s room. The door was cracked open and he lightly pushed it further and stepped inside. The sight in front of him made his heart full to bursting. You were sprawled on your back and Daisy was curled up into your side, her little arm flung over your stomach, “oh, my girls.”

Like a moth drawn to a flaw, at the sound of his voice you slowly opened your eyes, blinking away the bleariness until you saw him. A smile spread across your features as you mouth a small hello at him. 

Daisy was still sleeping so you maneuvered out from under her as best as you could. She was out cold and didn't even make a sound. You padded over to him and he wrapped you up in a warm hug.

"Hey baby," he pressed a kiss to the crown of your head as you curled up into his warm body as much as you could, “c’mon. Let’s firstly get some coffee.”

“Ahh yes,” you grinned as he led you out of Daisy’s room, “my one allotted cup of coffee for the day.”

“It’s something,” his laugh was magical as he took you down the stairs and to the kitchen. It had been so easy to fall into a routine with him, to fall into a comfortable life with him and Daisy. It always felt like this was exactly where you were meant to be. You’d never been more thankful for deciding to get coffee that fateful afternoon when you met him, “what were you doing with Daisy? She normally comes into our bed.”

“Yeah,” a little pout settled on your features and Steve wanted nothing more than to kiss it away. But he could also tell that something was up when you remained silent for a moment, “it was the middle of the night when I went to the bathroom and stopped to get water, when Daisy found me. Poor thing wasn’t feeling good at all, Stevie.”

“Oh no,” he ran a hand through his hair and sighed heavily. He hated the idea that his baby girl was sick and there was nothing he could do to help. If it was possible, he would have traded places with her without hesitation, “I should have known…when I picked her up after school yesterday her teacher said that a bunch of kids had gotten sick that week. I just hate that it’s our daughter.”

Our daughter. That still made butterflies flutter in your tummy every time. Even though you knew it was true, and you absolutely considered her yours, it still made you so happy to realize that both of them felt the same. 

“Me too,” you agreed, leaning against the counter and gratefully accepting the cup of coffee he’d prepared just how you liked it, “she asked if I could stay with her when I got her back to bed. I couldn’t say no to her.”

“I don’t think anyone can,” he clinked his mug against yours, “we’ll just have to keep an eye on her and make sure she rests.”

“Yeah,” you mused for a moment, “I’ll make some soup and when she gets up I can give her a bath. Whatever she needs.”

“As if she wasn’t already spoiled enough,” maybe spoiled but still a well behaved and wonderful kid, “how are you feeling today, angel? Any nausea or anything?”

“I’m feeling pretty good,” you reached over and touched his face, brushing your thumb over his cheek. He really was such a good man, always so attentive and loving, “much better than I have been. And yes, my love, don’t worry, I’d tell you if anything was off.”

“Good,” he stole a few kisses but before anything could go further, you heard the soft pitter patter of footsteps on the kitchen tile. His face lit up when he spotted his daughter, immediately crouching down and holding up out his arms. She made a small muffled sound before throwing herself at him, “hi kiddo.”

“Daddy,” her voice was muffled as she buried her face into his chest. He peppered her face in kisses as he picked her up and settled her on his hip, “mommy.”

“Daisy,” he teased her softly before peppering her face in kisses, “are you feeling any better, kiddo?”

“No,” she sniffled and wiped at her stuffy nose, “I feel like poop.”

If she hadn’t been feeling so bad, you might have laughed; you could see Steve trying to hold back a smile, “don’t worry, babe, I’ll take care of you today and will try to make it all better.”

“I don’t have to go to school?”

“No,” he promised her, “definitely not. Right now all you have to do is to get better.”

“Okay,” she looked between the two of you, “can you both stay with me today?”

“I have to go to work,” if he hadn’t been in the middle of a huge project - or had such a wonderful partner in you - he would have stayed home in an instant, “I’m sorry, baby.”

“But if it makes it any better, I’m going to stay home with you,” her eyes were glossy and hazy but there was a spark to them when she realized that you were to be home, “and we can do whatever you want today.”

“Okay,” she nodded seriously, “can I have cereal?”

“Sure,” Steve set her down and she came over to you, wrapping her arms around your legs. He was weak at the sight and quickly kissed the both of you, “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to get dressed and get going. I’ll call school and let them know that neither of you are going to make it in today.”

“My hero,” you’d miss your classroom of kiddos, but your kiddo needed you now, “I love you, Stevie.”

He paused for a moment, all heart-eyed and soft, “I love you too. I can’t wait to marry you.”

“Oh,” your eyes widened in surprise before softening. You were definitely looking forward to that too, “me too, Steve. Me too. But right now, you need to get going, love. We’re not going anywhere…never.”

“I know,” he really had the sweetest smile that made you want to melt into a puddle, “I’ll see all three of you tonight.”

“Bye daddy,” Daisy waved a little hand at him, “have a good day!”

“I will,” he promised, “and you feel better.”

“Okay!”

“Okay.”

[therealslimshakespeare]

From Sarge’s kids I think I’m (as of now) excited to learn more about Daisy. She’s got a lot of Elvis in her and she witnesses Elaine go to hell and back to help him beat his addiction and although she’s independent I hope there’s gonna be someone who will be able to do the same for her or stand by her. Not to mention she’s got a twin who they come off as polar opposites (what with Rosalee being a huge Daddy’s girl) and her comments towards her older sister Ella’s marriage - I get the feeling there’s a lot to unpack there.

I think sometimes Elvis felt like he was too much to love and I see a lot of his personal insecurities in Daisy, she even is a popstar like him and that’s a lot of people loving you with maybe them feeling like they aren’t really known for who they are deep down.

I am so happy to hear this, I’ve got a little started on each kid’s own fic (I want one for each like I had for Jesse, just to establish them and then let loose with the intermingling) and I really think hers is compelling. It’s been truly a blast to get to know her and I’ve gotta be honest she may be the most Lisa-like of any Sarge kid in many ways, partly because she’s so Elvis incarnate. It took awhile but me and my scheming buddies have cooked up a good partner for her and she will always have her family as backup and even her godfather Marlon. I think she will, as you said, be publicly adored but can be rather offputting one on one, even though she desperately needs connection. I think eventually, and not after too long, all these relationships get far better, and Daisy finds her little nook in the family easily. She is the one to go to for the zero bullshit takes or help hiding a body. Loyal and fierce that one.

And here, since you made my day asking about her, have a little random snippet I’ve written about her first big debut recording which came from her rehab scribbles and, unfortunately for the family members her lyrics feature -becomes a sensation.

Era: 1978-9ish??

Warnings: moderate…mentions of past divorce, infidelity, a daughter sorta writing a hit tell all? remincence of a one off threesome and Elvis having straight man panic for it (I’m afraid this couple is polyamorous central I’m the 60’s but nothing explicit) big ole family chat with the grown kids, chaos as can be expected…

What about Wendy?

“Daisy Mae!” Elvis bellows her full name because the crime warrants it, and from behind him, her voice answers, not in person from her place sprawled on the couch but behind him, coming through the stereo in a clear cadence that his creative side must acknowledge is skilled and evocative. What Elvis doesn't find so praiseworthy is his Dear Daughter hanging the family laundry out for all to see with lyrics like:

—“So I'll lock the window and turn on the AC, You'll throw your rocks, and you'll scream that you hate me, But it gets old being forever 20, And what about my wings? What about Wendy?”—

out on a clothesline for all the world to commentate on his failings and his marriage.

The music video coming out tomorrow on MTV, teased as featuring a fresh faced Daisy in a montage of her mother’s most iconic looks -including that secretive wedding gown so few of the nation ever saw, rather hammers home the not so subtle point. As far as Elvis is concerned this is about as disloyal as it gets.

And he is having none of it.

“It’s art, Daddy.” Daisy murmurs, utterly unphased by the hurricane of wrath she can match once she gets that cup of coffee Rosalee is making her.

“Is this how you see us?” Elvis demands and Jesse winces to the side, things had been going so smoothly after Danny was born but lord, the Presley’s just can’t manage to be calm for long, Daisy had to record that stupid black book she scribbled in during rehab and, my does it have some choice takes on the events of the last decade. “This how you see your childhood?” Elvus goes on, “Where we loved ya like no one’s ever loved any kids and gave ya everythin’ and-“

“-and slammed a buncha doors in between.“ Daisy shrugs, not meaning to be cruel, but it’s the truth and she’s never had her sibling’s affinity for the affection that the rest of the kids take as blood money for the insanity they got put through. Daisy doesn't hold a grudge against anyone for her childhood, in fact, she’s thankful for the writing material. But she’s not gonna be sorry for writing shit as it was.

Which was mama playing a haggard Wendy while Daddy flitted in and out of the window at whim like Peter Pan.

“Girl,” her daddy begs her to understand as he takes his seat next to her on the sofa, big ringed hand familiar and pleading on her bony knee, as if somehow this appeal of his will lock the song back into her diary and out of the radio -or maybe he doesn’t care about his reputation anymore, he’s gotten lax about that after the divorce, maybe he really is seeking after his child’s good opinion this time when he continues, “I’m all for art’n’shit but have I not taught ya nothin’ bout-“

“Daddy, ya didn’t even write your own songs.” Daisy gently tries to get him to see the difference in their art but Jesse gasps out in horror:

“Daisy!!” like she just shot their father instead of stating the truth. Which is kinda her problem with her family, they can’t take straight facts.

“Alright, alright then,” Elvis simmers a bit but his tone is restrained as he presses his point, “so ya write from the heart and ya wrote about life, I get ya. So then why’d you call mama Wendy when, w-w-when she’s -she’s my Tinkerbell?”

“You’d rather I used your pet little name in public?” Daisy scoffs at his muddled logic and feels bad for the first time after -soon as his brow furrows in genuine hurt. Daddy loves mama, he loves her again like a new man and Daisy doesn’t get how that works but it’s the truth and she’s got no fight to pick with the truth. It makes her admit with a shrug, “I used it ‘cause Marlon always says she’s Wendy.”

You could hear a pin drop the way everyone’s chatter in the living room stops, even the coffee maker stops spluttering in the distance and it’s highly likely Jesse isn’t even breathing as everyone’s head’s swivel, Daddy’s slower but more intent than any, to look at Elaine where’s she sits in the white arm chair, blanket cast over her where Danny fell asleep while nursing. She’s as white as the rocker she sits in.

“Oh does he now?” Elvis rumbles and Daisy feels the unintentional bite of his nails on her knee.

“Well yeah, he does and -always has.” Daisy insists as if the past and present existence of Brando’s opinions on Elvis’ wife makes shit any better, Daisy knows it the second she lets it out that it’s not exactly balm on the scab.

Her voice doesn't make anyone look away from mama and her perfect, frozen face, carefully neutral and soothingly disinterested in the topic.

“That man has only ever called me, Elaine.” mama laughs an airy, dismissive little thing and the bite of Daddy’s rings on Daisy’s knee loosens their grip. “And if he thinks i'm a Wendy -he should say it to my face.” she jokes and Jesse predictably lets out a pained laugh of solidarity.

“-A-a-and w-who the hell did ya get to sew all those recreated outfits, girl?” Daddy is suddenly back on the original topic with a burst of renewed incredulity at her gall and Daisy knows she can use this to her advantage, get him arguing about fashion, tailors and supporting local folks instead of berating her for her lyrics and-

-Ella watches as Elaine’s stiff face smoothes into relief and she lays her head back against the rocker’s cushion and closes her eyes against the hubbub that’s no longer pertinent to her. Not for the first time Ella wonders if mama is as burdened as she is with thoughts and feelings married women shouldn’t have, they really shouldn’t. Marriage should cure a woman of them but Ella had them all alone on the ranch with her husband gone and Mama had Marlon and his lingering looks and her frozen face whenever his name gets mentioned and mama who is staring up at the ceiling like she’s no longer in the room with them at all.

“Peter Pan, Peter Pan, little lost boy actin’ like a big man,” only Marlon could have made that rhyme sound like anything but a goad, only Marlon really saw what Elaine saw when Elvis was sated, pliable, sweet as a newborn and pretty a sin. “Those producers who’ve got him playin’ tough n’ shit don’t know his appeal, they just don’t get it. Goddamn Peter Pan.”

And he had run his fingers over Elvis’ face, catching his drooping eyelids and pulling them down and over his nose to those cherub lips. And Elvis’ eyes hadn’t opened again till next morning when he woke in angry panic.

Elaine stares at the ceiling and feels Danny shift against her breast, snuggling closer, and she wonders if Elvis ever recalls that night like she does. Ever replays it a million times.

Wendy, Wendy Wendy.

Marlon thinks she’s Wendy, Marlon’s told her own daughter that. But never her. No. He’d just raked his hand through the wrecked coiff of Elvis’ gelled hair and admiringly called him Peter Pan. And Elvis, being Elvis in the state of freshly loved and freshly praised, never balked at it before drifting to sleep in their muggy tent.

Wendy, Wendy, Wendy, he never called Elaine that to her face.

Elaine catches Daisy’s eye next time she looks away from the ceiling, an odd moment of recognition. Funny how each child knows a part of her, but it’s the inner workings of Daisy’s curious, generous, honest self -a heart so very like Elvis’ own- that can look back at Elaine and smile at her, while knowing her fully, faults and all. It’s not so bad having grown daughters as a friend, Elaine decides as she watches Elvis flail backwards against the couch to laugh at his daughter's good natured dig at his unmodified wardrobe.

It’s good not to be his only Wendy keeping him young anymore.

Song based on: Wendy by Maisie Peters

Tags:

@powerofelvis

@crash-and-cure

@elvisabutler

@heartbrake-hotel

@stylespresleyhearted

@thatbanditqueen

@crazymadpassionatelove

@myradiaz

@ash-omalley

@steph-speaks

@burningloverdoll

@angelface-555

@lookingforrainbows

@missmaywemeetagain

@coolgirl462

@kingdomforapony

@18lkpeters

@richardslady121

@from-memphis-with-love

@lillypink

@artlover8992

@pennyroyalcreep

@notstefaniepresley

@ellie-24

@renaissingle

@waiting4brucewayne2adoptme

@presleyenterprise

@marriedtopresley

@ashtag2887

@dkayfixates

@vampireindistress

@ashtag6887

@i-r-i-n-a-a

@obsessedvibee

@peskybedtime

@goth-cowgirl-03

@stephthestallion

@fav-fanficssss

@loving-elvis

@honeyorangess

@soloangel

@xenaspace3-blog

@60svintage

@dragonkingsdaughter

@presleysgirl6

@that-hotdog

|

————————-

@mydarlingelvis

@presleysweetheart

@50sexyshadesfashionista

@sexystarfish

@whatstruthgottodowithit

@suraemoon

@lialocklear

@elvispresleywife

@presleysgirl6

@ipostwhtifeel

@jaqueline19997

@queenheartz

@starryschoolgirl

@elvisalltheway101

[changbunnies]

sooo behind on reading everyone's kinktober posts addfhgd and the reason for that is because (apart from my health issues) is that my dog had puppies last week :') originally i was going to tentatively name them after animal crossing characters because my dog is named after daisy mae but they were born on oct 3. so i gave them fullmetal alchemist themed names because that's an important date in the anime! they are edward, alphonse, mustang, and mei :)

[ejzah]

Got inspired after watching the early season 1 episode, Past Lives. Could you write a fanfic where based on previous experiences, Kensi doesn't like flowers, but finally she starts to love them again when she begins to fall in love with Deeks.

I Hope He Buys You Flowers

***

February 2011

“What the hell is this?” Kensi demanded, upon walking into the bullpen and finding a light pink rose with a fine spray of baby’s-breath surrounding it.

In Kensi’s opinion, gifts of flowers never meant anything good. They were for apologies. For illness and death.

The house had been filled with flowers, buckets and wreaths and vases of the things when her dad died. When she was 19, her boyfriend before she met Jack gave her flowers and then she found out he liked another girl. She’d brought them to a few friends who were sick, or colleagues injured enough to land a stay in the hospital.

Flower gardens of course were an entirely different matter. She loved the idea of growing daisies, and moss roses, dahlias, and had even attempted to grow a few of her favorites in the past with predictably disastrous results.

Being give flowers though? No, she wasn’t really a fan. Especially when they were laying on her desk.

“No idea,” Callen answered her, sounding amused as she gingerly picked the little covering up between two fingers. “It was here when I came in.” Sam just shook his head.

“The flowers are courtesy of your favorite LAPD liaison,” Deeks announced grandly, coming from the direction of the stairs.

“You bought me a rose,” Kensi repeated.

“Yeah, and Nell and Hetty.” He tilted his head towards Callen and Sam. “Sorry, I didn’t get you guys any, cause I thought you might find it weird.”

“And we appreciate that,” Sam said.

Kensi sighed, already over the banter. “Ok, that still doesn’t answer the why. You know I hate flowers.”

“Valentine’s Day,” Deeks answered simply, like it was perfectly obvious.

“Which was two days ago,” Kensi reminded him.

“Yeah, and now everything is on clearance, flowers included. I always grab a few.” Deeks grinned, leaning forward conspiratorially. “I might even share my Fannie Mae stash if you’re nice.”

“So, you just did this to be nice?” It was a foreign concept, especially when most gifts came with expectations.

“Pretty much,” Deeks said. “But you don’t have to keep it if you don’t want to.”

“No.” Kensi twirled the stem of the rose between her fingers, watching the colors swirl. “It’s ok. Thanks.”

***

July 2012

It had been a sucky, sucky birthday. Their case had run late, requiring Kensi to go undercover in a slinky dress and seduce a complete ass of a guy when all she really wanted to do was go home, eat store bought cake and zone out on Top Model.

She kicked off her shoes as she walked into her apartment, one landing somewhere under the couch, and she tugged her shirt off, leaving her in jeans and a tank top. That movement tweaked her strained ribs, because of course she’d gotten into an altercation with one of the armed guards at her would-be seductee’s mansion.

Thank god Deeks had been there to back her up. Instead of a bullet in the head, she’d come out with mildly bruised ribs and a sore hip. Which still seemed like a poor birthday present.

It would probably be smart to soak in a warm bath for a while, but that seemed like a lot of effort and Kensi was feeling decidedly sorry for herself. Heading straight into the kitchen, she scrounged up a personal frozen pizza—which was only a little frost burnt—a beer, and the rest of a container of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Carting all of her bounty back into the living room, she tossed it on the coffee table, she turned on the TV and scrolled through the channels. None of her go-to mindless shows were on, so she settled on some procedural that was a little slow paced and way too dramatic instead.

The doorbell rang just as she was about to take a bite of her pizza. Growling under her breath, Kensi pushed herself off the couch with a groan, intent on making the person on the other side of the door regret coming to her apartment.

She looked through the window, frowning when she found no one there, and only an unassuming brown paper bag on the top step. She opened the door cautiously, regarding the bag suspiciously until she found a little note card stapled to the top of the bag.

“Happy birthday, Kensalina. Sorry it wasn’t better,” it read on Deeks’ familiar handwriting.

Rolling her eyes, Kensi carried bag inside, clearing a spot on the table. She pulled out a bouquet of flowers, speckled lilies and small purple roses in the mix, a tiny stuffed koala, and underneath that, a slide of the best looking chocolate cake she’d ever seen.

She set each item on the table and surveyed them with a smile creeping at her lips despite everything. Deeks annoyed the hell out of her sometimes, but then there were times like tonight when he seemed to know exactly what she needed.

Bypassing her now cooled pizza, she popped open the plastic container and dug into the cake.

“Oh my god,” she muttered around a mouthful. Deeks would have a field day over her reaction if he were here. She savored each bite, her eyes drifting over to the bouquet several times.

Maybe flowers weren’t the worst thing in the world.

***

April 2013

“Deeks, pay attention,” Kensi snapped, nudging his shoulder, and interrupting his examination of a leather vest.

“I am,” he protested in a low, unconcerned tone, casting a slow, unassuming look around the market they were casing. To anyone watching, it would hopefully look like he was scoping out which stall he’d go to next.

“You know I like to blend in. We’re supposed to look like a couple enjoying an afternoon shopping.” As if to prove his point, he held up a particularly garish pair of high heels. She pushed them away with an amused grimace.

He continued on his way, easily balancing checking out the wares, chatting with the vendors, and keeping an eye on their surroundings. She admired him for a few seconds, lingering on the way he rested one hand on his hip, one leg extended to the side.

Now was not the time for ogling, she reminded herself. They were on the job. And Deeks would never let her live it down if he realized she was checking him out.

Moving on, she paused in front of a sunglasses stall, fiddling with a few random pairs while she watched a man edging his way through the crowd.

“You got something?” Deeks murmured, silently coming up behind her. He looped his arm around her waist, leaning into her side.

“Just a pickpocket,” Kensi replied. “We’ll have to notify the local security once this is over.” She should have found a reason to call pull away, but instead, she let Deeks lead her back into the main road between stalls, her hand resting on his lower back.

“Here.” Deeks held up a flower with a bluish-purple hue. “It’s not a fern, but it’s the best I could do.”

Kensi took it, taking a deep sniff. It had a light, pleasant smell.

“When did you have time to get this?”

“There’s a little stall over there. The lady grows them all herself.”

Kensi shook her head; of course he’d made friends with the flower lady.

“You know, we’re not actually here to buy stuff,” Kensi said.

“It would look weird if we didn’t.” Deeks eyed her briefly, something playful and definitely not professional flashing in his gaze. “Besides, it matches your top.”

A small rush of pleasure that he’d notice ran through her. For a moment, she wished that they weren’t in the middle of a case, and actually on a date. She pushed that thought down, passing the flower under her nose again.

“You know, flowers aren’t so bad after all,” she said told Deeks as they walked arm-in-arm.

***

A/N: I hope this was alright. I know I didn’t cover the whole length of Kensi and Deeks’ relationship, but I was drawn to start early on.

Title take from the Bruno Mars song “When I was Your Man”.

Thanks for the prompt!

[hotpoopymilk]

no offense, but

summer went away, still the yearning stays

i play it cool with the best of them

i wait patiently, he's gonna notice me

it's okay we're the best of friends, anyway

i hear it in your voice you're smoking with your boys

i touch my phone as if it's your face

i didn't choose this town, i dream of getting out

there's just one who could make me stay all my days

from sprinkler splashes, to fireplace ashes

i waited ages to see you there

i search the party of better bodies just to learn that you never cared

you're on your own, kid, you always have been

i see the great escape

so long, Daisy Mae

i picked the petals, he loves me not

something different bloomed, writing in my room

i play my songs in the parking lot

i'll run away

from sprinkler splashes, to fireplace ashes

i called a taxi to take me there

i search the party of better bodies just to learn that my dreams aren't rare

you're on your own, kid, you always have been

from sprinkler splashes, to fireplace ashes

i gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this

i hosted parties and starved my body like i'd be saved by a perfect kiss

the jokes weren't funny, i took the money

my friends from home don't know what to say

i looked around in a blood-soaked gown and i saw something they can't take away

cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned

everything you lose is a step you take

so make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it

you've got no reason to be afraid

you're on your own, kid

yeah, you can face this

you're on your own, kid

you always have been

[audreydawson]

— basics ♡  

full name: audrey savannah dawson

nicknames: auj & belle (given to her by her father)

gender: cisfemale

pronouns:;  she/her

sexual preference: heterosexual

birthdate & age: april 12th ; 25

birthplace: newark, new jersery

zodiac sign: aries

currently resides: fairford, wa

— appearance ♡

face & voice claim: sydney sweeney

height: 5′3

eyes: blue

hair:  medium brunette / blonde (dyed)

— personality traits ♡

traits: generous, attentive, alluring, kind-hearted, gentle

fears: not being seen as a good mother, clowns, spiders, snakes, letting others down.

hobbies: crafting, gardening, interior design, cooking, pilates, calligraphy, dancing, make-up art, video gaming

skills: organizing, baking, self-care, planning, home care, sewing

— relationships ♡

mother: june dawson

father: colton dawson

siblings: four older brothers

children: four-year-old son, elijah colton & 3-month-old ellie mae.

— favorite things ♡

ice cream flavour: chocolate chip

food: southern staples, italian, mexican.

time of the day / night: afternoon

season: winter

holiday: halloween & christmas

animal: dogs

color: pastel pink

scent: vanilla, lavender, strawberry, peony, sugared berries, bombshell by victorias secret

musician/band: paramore, blink-182, avril lavigne, britney spears, pat benatar, beyoncé & meghan trainor.

— misc. ♡

bad habits: not getting enough sleep, nail biting, skipping meals, sleeping in makeup, letting people take advantage, over indulging on luxury items, not realizing toxic relationships.

a cherished item: a sapphire ring from her great grandmother

random fun fact: she used to do tv commercials as a kid

random fun fact 2: she'll only wear daisy by marc jacobs for perfume

( contains mentions and hints of parental abuse of a child, potential toxic relationships and pregnancy)

— bio ♡

Audrey was born the last child, she wasn't expected at her mothers age but she wasn't a surprise either because her parents had always talked about having a little girl one day and when Audrey was born, she was everything her parents imagined her to be. As she got older her mother put her in dance classes to wear off her energy but didn't realize she was going to be top of her class in it and would go on to win state and regional championships. All through out high school she was classified as a 'do it all' girl, she was captain of her swim team, cheerleading team, dance team and prom queen.

As she got older however, her brothers pulled away from her, seeing her as the apple of her parents eye seeing as they handed her everything she ever asked for in life. However, the youngest of her brothers remained close to her that was until her parents filed for divorce after her mother had cheated with her fathers best friend. Audrey was fifteen when she and her mother moved to Fairford, her father seeing it be best he raised the boys but however still made sure his daughter had everything she'd need but the mother getting nothing which gave Audrey's mother a bad taste in her mouth towards her daughter.

After High School Audrey went immediately off to college to get her business and financial degree, that was when she met a slightly older man, not by many years but still enough to catch Audrey's eye. She got pregnant with her son at twenty-one years old, the man had decided his career gain was more important so Audrey gave birth to her son, alone. She had been a single mother and still graduated with honors at the top of her class in both areas of her degree. A few years passed, she was out one night and had met the same man that had left her years earlier, had a one night stand and had become pregnant again with the same man's child, she gave birth to her daughter three months ago and while she was pregnant opened her own cookie shop and bought her own house in the suburbs. Both of which her dad helped her out with, giving her lavish gifts and spoiling his grandchildren is the way her dad makes up for sending her off when she was just a teenager.

WANTED CONNECTIONS

ex-boyfriend(s), baby daddy, best friend, open for any connections!

[lavalave]

To be honest, I really miss the posts related to duck stories, in particular, about the new family of Donald (Daisy, Mae and Jane) it be just wonderful!

Yeah i know, a lot of people liked them and asked for them back or just stick around hoping that I'll make more, but i stopped a little less then a year ago and i told you guys that i won't do it again. I stopped mostly because at that time i was just getting overwhelmed with the amount of stress i had going on. Also, i have this thing where i don't stick to one fandom for long so-- Dwampyverse is a weird exception, that is something i just loved since i was little.

I won't say that i will never draw ducks again, but it is not my priority right now. Maybe I'll do it tomorrow, or maybe in the summer (most likely) :)

Also, i love how you used the name i gave them. Man, you really must have stayed here for long haven't you?

[commanderdazzle]

I couldn't wait to be done with my other projects, I had to write this idea down!

It's Scarlet/Violet (but based on Scarlet), and Arven/OC, using my trainers name and personality.

I decided to just follow the games canon for the most part, but I'm sure I'm going to be changing a lot. Everything is going to be in the order I did them, which was probably the worst order possible!

I'll most likely be posting this to Ao3 later, as well, but for now;

Skylight Scarlet, Chapter One ; Nicknames

When Stella Mae met Arven for the first time, she thought he was incredibly irritating. It started with the way he treated the poor little Koraidon before giving it to her at the lighthouse. It continued with the way he strong-armed her into helping him look for some mythical herbs she wasn't sure even existed. And now it was the ongoing issue of her name. She was cool with being called by her full name, Stella Mae. A little awkward, sure, but not embarrassing. Or a nickname. Upon meeting Nemona, the other girl immediately took to calling her "Stel", for short. "Because of your name and "Stellar" Pokemon training skills, get it?" "I got it," Stella Mae laughed as she gave her Quaxly, Daisy, her first bath. Or "Mae", as Penny dubbed her after she helped the shy girl with some Team Star bullies. "Short names are cuter," the girl with the Eevee bag stated. "Sure, I guess," Stella Mae wasn't sure how to feel about that. But Arven, oh no, Arven kept calling her pipsqueak or shorty or kiddo. It was after orientation, and the Treasure Hunt had just started. Stella Mae hadn't yet left Mesagoza; she was stocking up on supplies and buying new clothes to go with her uniform. Arven had caught up with her while she was at Picnic-Knacks, deciding whether to spend the last of her money on a new table cloth. "Personalizing your picnic experience, squirt?" "This is the fourth time you've called some kind of diminutive instead of my name," Stella Mae pointed out. "That's because you're my junior, junior," Arven laughed and patted her shoulder. "You're only a year older than me," Stella Mae pouted. "And?" She puffed out her cheeks and pouted harder, making Arven laugh again. "Hey, have you decided which Titan you're going for first?" He asked her suddenly, and she rolled her eyes. "I was going to Cortondo first, to look at the Olive trees, so I guess I can look for the Titan to the west of there when I'm done." "Oh, do you like Olives?" "Only in Oil form, but I'm trying to complete the Pokedex, so..." Before Stella Mae knew it, she found herself talking to Arven for two more hours, until he broke off the conversation himself. "Wow, I didn't mean to keep you so long!" He said when he realized what time it was, "I'm going to my dorm room then setting out in the morning, how 'bout you?" "I'll probably hang out in the library for and bit then go to bed myself," Stella Mae answered, "if I don't see you in the morning, I'll call you when I reach Cortondo. Goodnight!" "Good idea! G'night, shorty." Stella Mae waited until he was out of sight before walking in the same direction. I guess he wasn't too bad, she thought, just a little high-strung about something. "It's probably no big deal," she muttered out loud as she opened the doors of Naranja Academy, looking around for a few books to read before bed.

[angsthology]

“so much for identity keeping” — or an alt title: roo’s nighttime job

the grid caught roo in a different light, holding a different kind of instrument

a/n the title’s a bit ambiguous but bare with it 😭😭 (bare?? bear?? which one is it i genuinely dk)

thinking back, this is pretty bad so im sorry for that. still trying to get my mojo back.

THE KANGAROO(KIE) VS THE WORLD

“you think she actually hates us?”

the group of men were currently out and about exploring the night life. though, this time they decided to switch things up a little. instead of their usual glamorous clubs, they decided to go somewhere that offered live music. seb described it as ‘a change of pace’ and in return, lando said that his ‘age is getting to him’ (behind his back, that is).

the entire grid was there as they were all invited — except one.

“what? c’mon, why not?” lando made an expression of offense.

“not tonight. any other night is fine, but i already have plans. sorry, lan.” she shrugged before walking away towards where her car was parked.

that didn’t stop him from following her, though. the curly-haired brit fell in step right behind the shorter girl to—well, truthfully, beg.

“it’ll be fun!” he reasoned.

shaking her head, she stopped mid-step and faced the brunette, making him stop abruptly too.

“i’m sure it will. but i’ve had this plan since way before you probably planned yours.”

he pouted. she couldn’t help but roll her eyes at his attempt.

“next time, lan. i promise.”

remembering the conversation had lando still coated with bitterness. “not surprised if she does.”

max couldn’t help but laugh at his friend’s bitterness. he tapped his back (to which surprised lando), “no she don’t. i’m sure she has her reasons.”

as if on cue, suddenly they hear a familiar voice booming through the speakers.

the men’s heads never turned so quick before.

“oh mY GO—”

max was quick to snap his hand over lando’s mouth. and, on cue, not a moment too soon—

“EW!”

the dutch man immediately removed his hand off of lando’s mouth and wiped it on the british driver’s clothes, all the while holding an (overdramatic) expression of disgust.

he glared at the man and continued to talk (grumble), “if she didn’t tell you — or any of us, for that matter. she probably has her reasons.”

lando blinked. “okay? so?”

“so…” daniel walked up behind his teammate and rested his hands on both sides of his shoulders, “we should sit back, quietly, and watch.” he paused, lando still thinking with furrowed brows, “she doesn’t have to know.”

lando’s face brighten up as he finally catched up. “ah, i see.”

“but don’t you guys think—”

immediately, the older german man stopped his miniature, “don’t even try, mick. you know it won’t work.”

mick was about to say something else when he was suddenly cut off by lando shushing everyone. eventually he gave up trying to reason with anyone and sat down (in the dark, might i add) with everyone else as the stage lightings start to turn on.

there on the stage stood roo on the (audience’s) right holding a sticker-drowned plain white bass guitar. on center-stage stood roo’s friend they knew as daisy-mae holding her own red and white guitar along with an unfamiliar face sitting behind the drums.

everyone was surprised to see the stage lights turn on to a bright neon pink-haired roo rather than her usual hair color.

she wore a sleeveless white top with a big star design in the middle of her chest and a leather skirt paired with a pair of black thigh-high boots.

“interesting…” muttered lando with his chin resting on his interlaced hands. all the while the younger german driver across him tilted his head in an unreadable expression.

next thing they knew a tune starts to play and to their surprise, the once alfa romeo driver turned band geek leaned in the microphone, “angel… with a gun in your hand…”

their jaws dropped at the sound of her voice.

“she can sing…?”

“…she has a life outside of driving?!”

everyone’s heads immediately to the young aston martin driver, all with the same judging expression.

at that, the canadian immediately jumped ahead to defend himself. “what? she’s new! that’s how i thought of all of you when we all first met!” he said defensively with his hands (and voice) going up.

but, in truth was, no one really knew who she was. the closest thing they’ve figured out about her personal life was daisy-mae. and she was way more quiet about it than roo.

compared to the rest of the grid, she was probably the most private person yet. they seem to know so much about her yet also none at all. whether it was because she was new and still hadn’t warmed up to them like that yet or that’s just the way she is and they just haven’t gotten used to it yet. they—the media—would often compare her to kimi but that would just be wrong considering they’re nothing alike besides being tight-lipped.

watching her in another element was a new and interesting experience for them. very interesting. some might even be confident enough to bet it against her racing career.

with furrowed brows, carlos whispers to his teammate, “you think she would ever leave racing for this?”

“we’re not that lucky, mate.” charles mumbled, then shrugging, “plus you’d actually think she would leave mick?”

their moment of entertainment and amazement was cut short when she followed along the lyrics that escaped her lips.

“go on, replace me… when you’re cravin’ something sweeter than the words i left in your mouth… go on and spit me out.”

she. was. shameless.

it was almost as if the girl on that stage was not the same girl they drove on the track with, the same girl they do press conferences with, the same girl that was their co-worker and on-track rival.

that theory only furthermored when she switched instruments with daisy-mae and took over the entire stage with her presence, rocking her own solo riff.

they were seriously doubting this was the same girl as the kangaroo’s grid.

when the last notes were strung and the music died down, the girl walked over to the mic stand that once was occupied by her friend.

she started, “hi, everyone.” she was slightly out of breath — not surprise there — “we are: talking excessively. i’m your bassist slash occasional guitarist: autumn rolfe,”

the men collectively furrowed their brows in confusion, sharing glances with each other with words unspoken.

sure they doubted the rockstar was their co-worker and friend but they knew for sure it was roo. and that was not her name.

“joined by my beloveds—camellia gray,”— she pointed at daisy-mae —“on the guitar holding my bass, and finally our drummer rocky dilltogas.” she pointed at the unfamiliar new character — probably not his real name either after seeing a certain pattern.

strumming a few strings, the girl then continue speaking, “for this next song… i’ve begged and begged dai– cami for so long for us to perform this song. lucky yous, this was the night she finally agreed.” she smiles as she exchange instruments with daisy-mae—or ‘camellia gray’ as she said—once more.

then, an all-familiar tune starts playing. one that completely confirmed her identity.

“stacy, can i come over after school?”

a couple of more songs later (all the while the group of men continue to question their judgement) and the band bid their farewell after finishing their last song.

it was the three past rookies to show themselves — under the light that the girl would definitely notice them.

they saw as the blood draining from her face when she noticed their giggling faces. oh how she hated those three.

roo immediately said an awkward ‘thank you’ hurriedly and basically sprinted off to the backstage, leaving her two bandmates in confusion.

that is, until her best friend spotted the three giggling men. they waved at her happily, feigning innocence as her face dropped knowing exactly that they were the reason.

behind the stage, roo was still in shock, standing like she’s seen a ghost until her bandmates walked over to her.

daisy-mae was the first to walk over to her, a hand on her friend’s shoulder, “it’s fine.”

“i’m going to kill them.” she replied, her expression unmoved.

“i mean that’s one way to do it—”

“what happened?” asked the drummer.

before any of them could explain to him, they were interrupted by said explanation as they all approached them.

her face was almost in a permanent expression, hardening when she saw the three demons that held complete malice in their eyes when instead she was surprised with showers of compliments by her older co-workers.

but still, that didn’t stop the rest from existing and taking the big chance of absolutely mess with her. they would never give up the opportunity to pull a reaction from roo.

“so, autumn rolfe, was it?” george smiled happily with his arms crossed.

“shut up.”

“i think i’m co-workers with your sister: spring.” snickered alex.

“funny. anythin’ else?” she deadpanned.

“yeah—”

but before the mclaren driver could say anything, roo had already had her fingers clasped on his ear—cutting off his shits and giggles.

“what the hell! i haven’t said anything, why didn’t you do it when these guys were talkin’!” he complained.

“you’re the nearest one.”

“you and i are exactly the same distance as you and alex!”

“yeah, but he’s a whole electric pole, you’re a gremlin.”

“just say you hate me the most.”

“i hate you the most.”

he rolls his eyes, grumbling, “you’re not my favorite either.”

“lying? really? you know that’s my thing, right?”

their bantering was interrupted when roo heard her name being called. she turned around to see her bandmates standing behind her with another new presence with them.

her eyes widen and quickly let go of lando’s ear, running off to her friends.

“everyone! since i no longer have any form of privacy, i’d like to introduce you to my friends.” the drivers all crowded the group of four. “you guys know daisy-mae,” said girl waved and a string of familiar ‘hi’s and ‘hello’s greeted her, “this here is atticus,” the boy they recognized as the drummer smiled politely at them. roo then looked at the new girl standing beside daisy-mae, “and uh, this is nika, don’t know when or how she got here.”

“but she’s happy i’m here.” said girl stated happily with a giddy smile.

“sure.”

at her monotonous voice, nika’s smile dropped, rolling her eyes.

everyone then slowly dropped the topic and went on their own as another band take over the stage with their more upbeat dance worthy music.

she was left was now only left with alex, george, and lando. she sighed.

“anything else?”

george shrugged, “but seriously, i think it was pretty cool.”

the girl couldn’t help but feel the heat rushing to her face, she never expected a compliment coming out of his mouth.

“oh. uh, thanks?”

“i mean, by the looks of you i had a feeling you have some sort of hannah montana-esque secret somewhere.” alex mentioned, only making roo’s eyes furrow. “that was a compliment.” he clarified after seeing the look on her face.

then, lando leaned over to her and whispered in her ear, “don’t tell her this but i always thought she was really cool, this was just an upgrade.”

confused, again, roo turned to a goofy-grinning lando with her right brow raised. alex caught her attention when started again, “he’s had a few drinks.”

“well. we’ll see you on the dance floor, i’m assuming?” george asked, sipping from the drink in his hand.

she nodded as the three went on, lando lingered behind with her.

“guess you did ended up goin’ out with us after all!” he said before leaving her with a smile mumbling a ‘yeah’.

roo was about to follow behind him when a certain spanish driver approached her, putting his arm around her frame. he took a sip from his drink before speaking as they walked together towards the bar.

“ever think of performing at birthday parties?”

“whose?”

“mine.”

“your birthday’s passed, nando.”

“incase you didn’t know, they’re a yearly thing.”

she chuckled, “sure thing, pop.”

“oh, and nice hair, by the way.”

“thanks.”

taglist; @treehouse-mouse @disneyprincemuke @yansbolobao @leilanixx @judespoision @vellicora @bborra lemme know what ya think 🥰 & tell me if u want to be added

[theuniverseawakens347]

Again how do you live with Lee for 33 years / 34? But 23 on record Paula change but Lee herself w station 7 Steve Harvey stache Dunlap … I LITERALLY SHOWERE PHOTOS OF LEE N HOWARD TO YOY GUYS … OFF MY IPAD PHONE N TWITTER.

Crayy_crayy

… I ASKED FOR THERAPY FIRST AND CAME W MARGIE STILL INTACT FROM GILBRIONNA MURDER AT 4 … lost Margie at 14 to liver cancer.. 15 asked for a therapist ( Margie passed at 18 monrovia across from the high school a few blocks from downtown monrovia where they do the big Christmas tree - WHY YOU GOT HER STUFF ANIMALS FROM HER OFFICE ( MY TEDDY BEARA FROM MY BED I THREW OUT FROM EVERY FUCKING CHILDS COURT VISIT I WENT TOO + VINTAGE DOLLS MARGIE GAVE ME - our favorite Toy Story on our walks ) …

Anyways 1st therapist you had me go to was off larchmont after Margie .. I DID ONE OR TWO SESSIONS ( next to the make up beauty pink building - across from the eye doctor on the right going south bound - KAJA EYE STABBING ME 2014 and me getting it checked out ) .. anyways THAT BITCH WAS UR THERAPIST DRUGGIE BUDDY BACK IN THE DAY ( Paula why you got this similar Taylor - Kimberly) … but uncontrolled motion white lady black hair .. like that dyke* from American horror story BOBBY BLUSHAY MOM lookalike … 2 sessions at most and she was bias in favor of Lee being a good mother n me being a brat - told Lee I was uncomfortable and stopped going “why” - BC BITCH THATS UR THERAPIST SHE DONT CARE WHAT I GOTTA SAY YAL FUCKING OR MONEY LAUNDERING THRU THE MEDICAL OFFICE - THATS WEIRD LICK UP INFO RN 9:47 pm left lib….

So you get me Michelle Cayley at 16 I see her she’s black sagaftra building - keep it all in Lee acting insurance huh ucla bob hope … but Michelle at like 16/17 I said I was starting to feel uncomfortable ( living w white lol trying to survive being black and a good little nigger bc me making mistakes of ANY SORTS is extreme tension - Lee” you’re wasting my money on private school if you don’t learn shit ima send you to public school” - drops me off a day at John .. what’s that van ness* off pico ARLINGTON .. middle school … LEFT ME FOR A WHOLE DAY JUST RANDOMLY “we’re going to visit them school” get there then “okay I’ll get you at 3 “ 🫤🖕 - Taylor sr Paula Barton. Regina king .. daisy florez ur oj act like this too huh India Warren “ I wonder why our kids are …” 🫤 why YOU RESTARD DRUGG ADDICTS SEX ALCOHOLICS … anyways

I asked 1st if I was adhd or add - I took Tasha adderal and it helped me focus in class and I was stoked normally I’m WALKING AROUND STANDING UP BORED DOING SOMETHING ELSE TAKING MY SHOES OFF SITTING IN THE BACK OF THE CLASS DOODLING UNTIL UOU TURN THE TV ON SCIENCE CLASS OR HAVE A GOOD BOOK OR DISCUSSION - math was weird I always looked at the posted and counted down time to leave or talked w neighbors - chemistry bitch you really waisted my time - IF I DIDNT KNOW IF I WANTED TO LEARN MORE .. anyways side note took the adderal ( and again in college to get papers done and had 1/2 left over when I works ed equinox FUCKTARD LEAH ALEX OD .. really cause I was taking these myself SO HOW BITCH “oh it’s expired” - THAT DONT MEAN OD SO WHAT YOU DO IN BENS NAME AND ERIC ROTISSERIE SEEN YOU KENDALL RAVE DJ PARTY VANESSA PARIS - who called the cops Ben or Brian my Claudia) … 9:55 pm car …

Asked Michelle and we took a test for both adhd and add 1-6 questions / 1-8 questions ALONE I GOT 4/6 and 6/8 “we should look into further testing apothy and I’ll talk to ur mom “ - cool thank you leaves goes home and tell Lee I scared this and that I think I’ll need another testing - weird cashay bc you did PERFECTLY fine when you were first brought into the house and they wanted to test ur math and reading skills .. - 54th lied and TCS Evelyn “cashay I want you to write the class notes and I photo copy them for everyone” - okay weird why “ur writing is the neatest” - DO WHY I DO SYLVAN LEE AND REPEAT 5 th grade - YA GOT NATEANA TEST SCORES. - I DO MY WORK AND ALWAYS FIRST TO FINISH .. SIGNED NEIGHBOR TO MAE PINK HOUSE MR. HARRIS WHY YA SON BABY MOMA COMING TO MY SCHOOL AND TESTING ME - DONNIE KEYS .. “it’s a special test for you” - 54 didn’t really have testing EXCEPT FOR CAT 9 - MISS. KATZ WHY YOU KNOW LEE LESBO FRIEND DONNA AND CECELIA .. SHE MY 3 rd grade teacher who I cussed out for being all up in my GOTDAMN home business and not doing shit good for me - Janae mother. .. ALSO BITCH WHY YOU TEACH ME MATH WRONG N SPELLING PRETTY WRONG - standards for no fucking reason .. am I writing what the other kids are writing but not talking to no one - oops WHY YOU JUST AINT TALK TO ME AND ASK WTF - MAE CATCHING ME CUSS OUT MISS KATS IN FRONT OF THE CLASS BEFORE A DENTIST APPOINTMENT SAYING HER THOUGHTS. - black teacher w the dreads you falling in the parking lot “ cashay did it she got magic” NO BITCH YOU CLUMSPY FAT WEARING HEELS SANDALS THAT DONT WORK FOR YOU - HI NEW WAY WHY YOU PASS - GRANNY FLORENCE. .. MAE PAYNE. KILLUMINATI…

🫤🖕

But like I said I asked took the test w Michelle told Lee and the next session I have with the three of us michelle changes up bc Lee said “she’s not any of these things “ - how you know Lee !?? - “I WANA DIAGNOSE YOU SCHIZOPHRENIC BC UR SAYING AND WRITING PPL THOUGHTS WITHOUT US TALKING TO YOU” - FUCK YOU IN FULL FROM GOD. - ALL MY OTHER TELEPATHIC FAMILY .. but cashay is different .. BITCH I KNOW THATS WHY YOU KILLING ME AND WORKING OVER FUCKING TIME AND STALKING ME - “she reincarnates too” - Lee seen me flying in my pole and she felt the fear of god and heard the voices and her mom n dad and KNOW ITS BC OF ME AND DONT WANA GO TO THE PSYCHWARD HERSELF HOWARD INCLUDED - STOP FUCKING W ME TIMOTHY WILL BE NICE TO YOU 🙂💋

Anyways then I asked Michelle “okay I’m feeling very angrey and just out of place and “I know my mom had mental illness” ( FUCKING LYING ASS BITCH ASS LEE - me saying her thoughts out loud too bout Darniece- Michelle thoughts too ( you a therapist n not talking straight to me about that - weird. FIRED BITCH) ).. “but is this normal for a teen as in hormones or is this the start of a mental illness?” - NO UR PERFECTLY FINE .. SAID IN FRONT OF LEE .. then me saying “okay i just wna check bc sometimes i just feel so angry and mentally clouded I can’t get my thoughts into full words” - LEES THOUGHTS ( oh so bitch you telepathic huh Howard she say ur thoughts out loud!?? Since when!?? 2021 watching me like YOU SATAN LIECE OF HIDING LYING FUCKING SHIT BITCH ASS CUNT. )

- woosaaah.. anyways I’m not crazy .. I’m just a little Beyoncé telepathic and less Satan and you all know that or else why did you sign ndas of illuminating killing sprees of my godly family for the “free” masons

🤷‍♀️😊

- power puff girls HI MOMMY N COI .. you really Darniece huh - OKAY WEIRDOS YOU WANT ME TO EAT THAT LIE UP FOR YOU OR YOU JUST GOT HER CPN - YA FAT MOM during left eye murder switch em around Darniece a star but Coi growing up looking like her - DNA TEST BENZINO “bitch you is not that cute and we DID NOT SLEEP TOGETHER SOOOOO HOW TF IS COI PUR CHILD” - idk Howard sperm .. lol my Dominican daddy .. how you living off that con Howard

😊

Ronald Tom ( already fixed it Janet) NUGENTS.

- HI BLACK LADIES OUT WHITE IS SLAVE OWNERS THRU BUSINESS SPERMING AND MAD MY MAFIA OUTS THEIRS lalalaalalalalalaalalalalalalalalal

- DONT EVER FUCKING TRY ME AGAIN YOU STUPID FUCKING PIECES OF SHIT. - RESPECTFULLY it’s truly.

FUCK YOU BITCH - DARNIECE LEE she likes you 😉 Howard lololololololololololol

- YOU WANTED A PAYCHOPATH CHILD SOLOLL FUCKING BAD WHERES HARDLEY JOKER.

- split personality Lee I think you need Howard n Charles Manson award FOR DUMMBEST CUNTS ALIVE.

- my period is coming - I SEE BLOOD PPL. 💋💋🖕🖕

10:14 pm lees a whore a liar ass Satan bitch huh Howard peltko so ARE you - split bodies fake Teistan and cashay kingg 🙂🖕

[the-hedge-has-thorns]

The Ending of the End (of Daisy Mae Nitti)

The flickering light of the movie screen reflected in my eyes as I sat in the dark theater, alone in a sea of strangers. I’d seen this film already. Twice, in fact, but it didn’t matter. The movie, the actresses, the music, they were my escape. It had become a ritual, these visits to the theater. The cloying scent of buttered popcorn, the sticky floors, the quiet murmur of people settling into their seats... it was the only place I felt like I could breathe anymore.

Robert and I hardly spoke at home. When we did, it was a cold, brittle exchange. He was hardly ever there anyway, staying late at work, disappearing for hours without explanation. When I asked, he sneered or made some cutting remark about my inability to give him what he wanted: a perfect home, a perfect wife.

I touched my swollen belly, the only part of me that still held hope, still held a future. But even that was fading, dissolving beneath the weight of everything else.

It felt like I was disappearing, piece by piece. The books I used to hide under the bed had been forgotten, tossed out by Robert. I gave up trying to learn, to understand the things that once filled me with excitement. It was easier to just let go. Robert didn’t want me to be more than what I was. A housewife, a shadow of the woman I used to be. And now, I wasn’t sure who I was at all.

That was when I met Marcus Sabel. He sat next to me during one of my many solo trips to the movies, his presence warm and unexpected in the coldness of my world. He introduced himself with a soft, knowing smile, his voice deep and soothing like a melody I hadn’t realized I needed. He didn’t ask about Robert, didn’t pry into the parts of my life that were crumbling. Instead, he saw me. The me that I had forgotten existed.

We talked for hours after that first movie, and then again after the next. Soon, our meetings became routine. He had an air about him that was magnetic, a certain elegance that seemed out of place in the world. Every time I was with him, the heaviness that had clung to me like a shroud lifted just a little, and I could breathe again.

It wasn’t long before I became emotionally entangled with him. He was everything Robert wasn’t. Attentive, kind, playful. And he listened, really listened when I spoke. I found myself sharing things with Marcus that I hadn’t spoken of in years.

I told him about my childhood, growing up in Chicago as the daughter of Frank Nitti, "The Enforcer." I told him how Al and Mae Capone had always been a presence, like some twisted version of an aunt and uncle. How, as a little girl, I never fully understood the gravity of my father's world: the violence, the power, the fear it inspired. To me, they were just family.

Mae used to dote on me, brushing my hair back with her soft hands and telling me stories. Al had a way of making me laugh, even when I sensed that something darker was happening around us. I was a child, but not blind to the realities of their lives.

Then there was Anna, my stepmother. She had married my father when I was still young, a cool, quiet woman who never quite seemed to know what to do with me. We coexisted more than we bonded. And Joseph, my adopted stepbrother. He was a few years older, and though we didn’t share blood, we shared the same house, the same strange upbringing. Joseph and I were close in a way that made me feel protected, like we were both navigating the same chaos.

Marcus never judged. He just listened, his dark eyes soft with understanding. And when he spoke, it was as though he was drawing me out of the past, pulling me back into something brighter, something safer.

Or so I thought.

I should have seen it sooner, the way Marcus seemed too perfect, too otherworldly. The way time slipped away when I was with him. I should have noticed how strange it was that I never really knew where he lived, or why he was always just… there, as if waiting for me.

One evening, after we had watched yet another film and shared another night of conversation, Marcus invited me somewhere new. “I want to show you something special,” he whispered, his voice carrying promise.

I followed him, trusting him implicitly, despite the warnings that had started to flicker in the back of my mind. We walked through a city I thought I knew, but it changed around me, becoming something more. More vibrant, more alive, more surreal. We passed through an archway I hadn’t noticed before, and suddenly, everything shimmered.

The world transformed into a dazzling party, one that seemed endless, filled with music and laughter and color. I had never seen anything like it. It was Arcadia, Marcus told me. He revealed his true nature then... his face shifting, his eyes glowing with an inhuman light. He wasn’t just a man. He was a Fae Keeper, The Host of Cobalt Souls, and I was his new guest.

In this place, every day was a wondrous celebration, and every night was filled with revelry. It was intoxicating, all of it. The endless joy, the intoxicating beauty of Arcadia. I was swept up in it, losing myself in the lights, the music, the adoration. The Host made me feel alive again, but it was a life fueled by something darker.

I became his revitalizing drink, the thing that kept the party going, night after night. He needed me to sustain the endless wonder, to give him and his court the energy to keep dancing, keep laughing, keep celebrating.

But there was a price. I realized too late that I wasn’t just a guest. I was trapped. Time moved differently in Arcadia, and my body… my body wasn’t my own anymore. The baby I had carried inside me was gone, lost somewhere in the madness of that place. I hadn’t even realized when it happened, or how long I had been there.

And back in the real world? Robert wasn’t mourning me. He wasn’t searching for me. He had a replacement. My Fetch, a hollow, empty version of me. She was perfect, the perfect housewife Robert had always wanted, and he was content with her.

I was forgotten.

And as the music swelled around me, I realized that in this endless party, I would never leave. I was The Host’s now, the drink that would keep him and his court alive forever.

But deep inside, where the music couldn’t reach, I was hollow too. I had lost everything... my child, my past, my future. And there was no escaping Arcadia.

Not anymore.

[auraravenora77]

Prologue | Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Chapter Five | Chapter Six

Alycia Leveau "Lilithia"

Masterlist

Summary: Alycia was celebrating her birthday with her friends, where something has gone wrong with the involvement of supernatural and darkness.

Warning: A hint of violence and a serious health issue

Word Count: 3,559

AN: I have finally posted the recent chapter and enjoy reading it.

Chapter Four

"I hope I'm not too late.."

It seemed as if today, of all days, had put me in a hurry for an important event to participate in. I remained remotely careful while focusing on the road. Luckily, nothing horrible occurred to me on the way there. The exact location of the text message leads me to this vacation lake home. I pulled into the driveway and then cut off the engine, leaving me in such relief.

Before being able to get out of the vehicle, it took me a moment to observe the exterior of the lovely home.

It gives a modern style with a natural and peaceful environment to every minor detail. The yard was beautifully landscaped with trees, gerbera daisies, and shrubs. As for the front porch, it has a rustic feel to its appearance. As my eyes trailed onto something else, I spotted a peculiar sight through the open curtain windows from inside the home. The lights weren't even on! It was eye-raising for me to notice that. This gave me a perfect chance to investigate it!

As soon as I got out of the convertible and slammed the door behind me, a nauseating feeling came over me along with an alarming issue. The asthma returns at a horrible timing, like tonight, and this time it has gotten worse than I expected it to be.

Unlike last time, I was a bit quicker at grabbing my inhaler from my jacket pocket and uncovering the cap. Placing it on my mouth, I took two puffs to manage everything under control. The pained expression on my face eased into relief, and it remained to make my breathing return to normal. It took me a moment to take notice of my surroundings and remember why I came here.

The gravel crunched underneath my feet as I headed towards the house, every sound amplified when nothing was around to compete. No other vehicles were in sight other than mine. It took me a while to notice that the front entrance door was left ajar, which was odd for someone to intentionally or unintentionally do that! My hand reached the door to open it even further as I let myself set foot inside the home.

The lights flickered on as a large group of my friends shouted 'Happy birthday' to me. With a bright smile tugging on the corners of my lips, I stared at them in silent wonderment as happiness returned to me. It feels amazing for them to plan all this for me.

"Hello there, birthday girl!" Mae spoke enthusiastically, moving forward to present me with a rich, dark chocolate birthday cake. A bright smile of overfilled joy and satisfaction lit under her delicate features. Her eyes lit up with an amused twinkle.

"Thanks!" I rejoiced, trailing my eyes over to the candlelit birthday cake she's holding and its deliciousness.

The sight of the delicacy makes my stomach grumble. For the second time in the evening, I leaned forward and blew out all the lit candles before thinking over an unspoken wish. It led everyone to celebrate by clapping their hands and cheering. It was definitely a moment to cherish!

Familiar arms wrapped around me from behind, squeezing me affectionately. I spun around, already knowing who it was that held me. My smile widened over the sight and presence of Ezra. With a simple observation, I was highly impressed by his red and black outfit, which seemed fitting for the occasion.

My smile grew even brighter when we released ourselves out of our reuniting embrace. Whirling around to face my awaiting best friends, they roared with excitement for the birthday celebration to begin with an enormous bang! Devouring the entire birthday cake and dancing along with my friends, this whole entertaining moment washed away my worrying thoughts. I wish my life to remain lighthearted as it occurs at this moment.

Even on the best nights like this, there is always something concerning that comes to someone, most likely a best friend. I came to notice Mae’s bright expression, even her sweet smile, seemed forced. She was the positive one in the group and offered the best advice to anyone in need of one. This time around, it made me feel like I would do the same thing for her, so I did.

"Are you okay, Mae?"

“Not really! Ever since this morning, I had a sickening feeling gnawing at my stomach. It hasn't stopped since..”

“You should have stayed home tonight! I would have understood.”

“And I would miss the best night of your life? I would rather not..” Mae paused mid sentence, looking at me directly. The corner of her lips lifted into a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I think your stubbornness is rubbing off me!"

"I guess it did!”

We both broke into laughter, easing the moment when every problem was completely forgotten. Sooner or later, my smile faded, slowly bit by bit, replaced by a look of solemnity.

Sudden chills wash over me when I wander past the spacious hallway. The wind caresses the exposed parts of my neck. I found it pretty peculiar because there wasn't an open window in sight. It grew even more evident how I caught a complete glimpse of the mirror but did not see myself in the reflection. What did replace the beholder of it was more than shocking.

A gangling figure stood in its place in the reflection. His outfit consisted of a leather trench coat and an austere, wide-brim hat covering the unexpected visitor's face. It reminded me of something similar to an actual undertaker. It's frightening, to say the least. Remaining frozen in place, I cannot avert my eyes from it. What does he truly want from me? My ears picked up something coming from them. They were repeating a chant in a foreign language, even though I somehow understood it.

My sweet Lilithia

My eyes questioned that silently from under the furrowed brows. Who is this Lilithia he is speaking of? That name sounds pretty foreign, but familiar at the same time.

Trying to figure out where that name originally came from, a skeletal hand reached out through the mirror and in my direction. I thought I was bracing myself for the worst, but I proved myself wrong. A crimson-red and obsidian-black letter manifested itself on the palm of their hand. Suspiciously darting between the letter and the ominous-looking person, I felt uncertain what kind of tricks he was going to pull.

Trust me. I am not your foe.. The visitor's clear voice sounded through my head. It sounded convincing enough to make me trust them. I reached for the card to pick it up with my own hands and inspect it. A simple yet haunting message written in white cursive on both sides.

He will come for you

Leave this place before he finds you

— Luxuria

The feeling of dread in my stomach intensifies. It sounded more of a warning than a threat. It left me with my thoughts, thinking everything through it all. How should I leave this place without alerting my friends and harming them in the process? I just stood there to think through many options, leaving me numb. The card seems to mysteriously vanish into thin air.

"Thank you for the warning, Luxuria.." I awkwardly spoke, dropping my hand to the side. I raised my gaze at the messenger, now wide-eyed. Frightened over witnessing something shocking, I find myself with my back against the wall.

What took the messenger's place turned out to be a sinister presence haunting me in my nightmares. His hands were outstretched with his palms up, a violent display of mismatched eyes glaring in my direction. He smiles grotesquely, bearing rows of blood-stained teeth. My heart was pounding in my ears as my mind pictured myself running away fast, yet this wasn't happening. He crawled out of the mirror and lunged forward at me with extreme rapidity. Extreme terror overtook my face before a short, startled scream ripped from my throat.

It was then that a hand landed and rested on my arm, which snapped me out of my trance enough that I looked away. A minor sense of ease returned to me when I saw the momentary concern flash across Ezra's visage. While consoling me, he worriedly asks me, "Are you alright, Aly? It looks like you have seen a ghost!"

As the haunting image left me visibly shaken, I craned my neck to find no one shown in the mirror's reflection except for me and my best friends. It almost left me confused over the nothingness. In my belief, everything has been deceiving me as of late. Lack of sleep and other sorts of issues could be the actual blame for that.

"I'm fine.." They were the first words I'd uttered in what seemed like a while. It led me to clear my throat and repeat myself. A small and gentle smile formed on my light red lips, making it more believable. "I'm fine!"

"Let's go get you some fresh air. You need it more than we do!" Mae responded, disbelief crossing her soft features.

The written message remained in my thoughts, as I should allow myself to head out the door. I avoided glancing in their direction, and decided to mask my fear with another emotion. "I should leave.."

"Why do you want to leave on your own birthday party? You should stay here a little longer.."

The change in her strange behavior caught me off guard. All I could do was face and stare at them with a shocked expression. Avoiding my widened gaze, she cranes her neck to glance over at Ezra, who agrees with her. It seemed unlikely for them to do that, but I didn't question it.

A pang of guilt was deeply embedded in my conscience as I was hung in indecision for a long moment. The thought of leaving and staying almost remains in balance, but one convinced me the most. Many minutes have passed, and I finally caved in, making my decision.

“Yeah I should stay..”

People gave me worried looks in my passing direction when I did my best to ignore them. They were probably thinking something bad about me, which I care less about. Before heading outside for some fresh air, I had a chance to glance back at the wall mirror before moving along. There was nothing ominous except for my reflection. The tension of fear in the air lessened. We shouldered our way toward the door, taking us outside.

I guessed wrongly that the outside was much more peaceful than the inside of the house. My eyes widened over the massively increasing number of partygoers who brought bottles of heavy alcohol. The intoxicating smell left me nauseated and bothered me the most. It led me astray from the intoxicated crowd alone. Most of these partygoers were unfamiliar faces who were clearly unaware of the reason for this celebration.

Who even invited this bunch of random people to party out here? I wonder to myself. The question itself remained a mystery, and my mind switched from one concerned thought to the next.

I was lost in the sight of my best friends in the sea of unfamiliar faces. A lonesome feeling greeted me like an old friend. Almost in a sheer state of panic, I searched for them, trying to call for their names. Unfortunately, booming music drowns out my useless shouting. Managing to stop myself from calling out for them even more, I stood and glanced around to find them. Hope bubbled inside my chest when there was something that kept me from giving up altogether.

Relief brought a smile to my face when my friends were spotted from afar. They dissolved from the crowd and headed out somewhere far away. A strange feeling crept up on me as I knew exactly where they were heading out to. Why were they heading out into the forest? Fresh air, maybe? I gave myself a choice to follow them, leaving me farther away from the intoxicated crowd.

Conversations rapidly quieten in the distance until a heavy silence blankets the air. Night had oddly fallen fast upon the deep woods. Nocturnal creatures emerged from their homes, awakened to hunt and explore in certain places. They were watching my every move as I walked past the naked trees. My eyes searched for the two people I cared about, but there was no luck.

"Ezra! Mae!"

All I could hear was my own heart thumping against my chest. The environment created an unsettling feeling of somersaults set in my stomach. Strangely, my ears picked up on a faint noise somewhere in the ominous area. It felt as if I was not alone. I thought it could be my friends playing a trick on me, but the presence was something more sinister.

"Happy birthday, my sweet Alycia.."

Turning my head toward them, I gasp over that deep, disembodied voice. It sounded familiar for me to know, but I didn't know where. It sent a visible chill down my spine. The hairs on the back of my neck rise. There was a sudden movement between the trees, rustling around for this powerful being lurking somewhere in the shadows. I caught movement from a figure moving quickly before they disappeared into the darkness.

False bravery has led me to blurt out, "Who goes there? Show yourself!"

And they did it with a few footsteps forward!

A well-dressed man emerged out of the shadows, moving toward me menacingly. The moonlight gleamed in our direction, revealing his true yet disturbing appearance. He has a lean and muscular build and fairly pale skin. His long silver hair has parted bangs on either side of his face. A healed scar runs along the right side of his face. His onyx-colored eyes were as black as the night.

"It's finally nice to physically meet you again.." said the unnamed, louring demonic man. He waited to see my reaction, but only got a blank stare in return.

I hadn't ever set an eye on him before however, he somehow looked quite familiar to me. He noted my confused expression by following up with a question, "You don't remember me, do you?"

At this moment, it didn't jog my memory until my eyes trailed over the insignia that was placed on the breast pocket of the black velvet suit he wore. It made me freeze in surprise as a realization began to dawn upon me. That sinister presence plaguing my dreams is haunting me in the shadows. We met at an unfortunate time like this. How doltish of me to fall into his trap!

With Luxuria's warning flashing in my mind, I regretted staying here much longer instead of leaving the premises. The dire situation worsened when his own presence prevented me from fleeing and escaping this place. Strong emotions burned my chest, and with my feet remaining rooted against the ground, I forced myself to listen to what he had to say.

"No matter! You don't need to know my name at all.." The demon muttered under his breath, shaking his head as if he felt sorry for me. "I'm just quite shocked how your parents didn't even mention me. How hurtful!"

He grew closer in my direction, and I kept my distance from him. What took me to stop moving was him saying something even more befuddling. "On the other hand, it's in the contract not to mention me.."

Everything grew more confusing than the next, almost leaving me distracted by it. I managed myself to keep rooted and questioning him. "I am not following here! What are you talking about a contract? What does this have to do with me and my parents?"

"Absolutely everything!"

Finally zeroing in on me, he gripped both of my arms before I had the chance to flee and hide somewhere safe from him. One false move, and my arms will snap in half. The pain in my arms became more and more excruciatingly intense. I released a high-pitched wail of pain that echoed off the forest. A sudden burning sensation begins to rise and swell in the palm of my hands. What occurred next didn't seem to be human at all!

Dark shadow-like energy fired out from the palm of my hands, sending the demon flying farther and crashing against a hardwood tree. That crash had a hard impact on the now-damaged tree. As my lips failed to produce words, I glanced at my own hands in disbelief.

This power saved me from physical harm, which almost made me feel grateful. A voice in the back of my head interrupted my thoughts, alerting me to the menacing demon who had recovered from that impact. He was coming back from more than just conversing with me.

"Of course! Lilithia doesn't recognize me like she used to be. What an absolute shame she is protecting that fragile human body like yours..”

The dripping disgust and distaste ought to be avoided by me. Despite how tense our interaction remained, I took offense to that statement of his. For years, I've been reminded of my poor health and body by everyone. It came to me to ignore them, but I felt bothered by that. The thought remained forgotten, and I came to notice something was highly alarming from him.

The demon slipped off his suit to remove it, violently throwing it on the ground. Multiple deep scars run across his chest, possibly the product of an unexplained tragic accident he endured during his past or current life. My eyes trailed back to his hardened face. This monster was on the brink of madness.

A mildly sadistic glint in his eyes as he continued to speak in a low but threatening tone, "No matter! Let me show you what actual power looks like."

What he did next was unthinkable!

The demon's transformation has processed into something between sickening and vile. His skin takes on a sickly, almost gray pallor, with black, pulsating veins running across his face. Curved horns visibly appeared as they were attached to his forehead. Large wings sprouted out of his back as they extended noisily with a wingspan up to eleven feet. As I stood there, shocked at what my eyes were trying to get me to believe, what I'm witnessing turned my stomach into knots.

A sudden demonic howl pierced the silence as the demon unveiled his grotesque form, replacing the previous normal one that no longer took place. A true horror was the perfect description of this moment. My true horror, exactly! The tips of his sharp talons illuminated as he moved his clawed hand and pressed against my chest. Immense pressure builds up and creeps up on me. My eyes popped open, my mouth gaping. A scream left me as a pain shot up my body, strongly feeling as if my soul was leaving me.

The wild glow in his eyes sparkled with dark amusement from the mass of black hair that covered his face. A faint glow illuminated my hands, and I used my remaining strength to reach over and tightly press the light against the demon. He loosened the grip and reared back, clutching his face where the outline of my hand was engraved like a branding iron mark.

I landed and hit the ground with a loud thud, letting out an audible gasp and a painful groan. Sitting upright at a perfect angle, relief filled my features when the soul returned inside me. It frightfully felt like a near-death experience, which I desperately did not want to face ever again.

My attention shifted to the energetic light fading from my hands. Another intriguing power for me to recently discover. It made me wonder what other powers I possess. The thought subsided when my focus returned to the enraged demon, who immediately recovered from the permanent burn. It doesn't seem like he'll give up on me anytime soon.

Rage twisted and contorted his facial features into something recognizable. His booming, commanding voice, tinged with seething rage, echoes throughout the forest,"I will not be defeated by a worthless, pitiful little mortal like you!"

It feels like the whole earth shook underneath my feet. That impact almost set me off balance until it stopped. My heart raced as I desperately searched for another safe place to hide. However, the demon had already planned ahead and trapped me as his wings wrapped around us. His hands gripped my throat into a chokehold.

This dire situation has put me in a complete panic. I tried everything to break free from the chokehold, but failed to do so. Black spots started to appear in my vision as a state of consciousness prepared me to plunge into it. There were no options left for me, leaving me to accept and submit it.

"You can't run from me, little girl! You are in my domain, after all." His words rang through my head as I was about to lose myself in and out of consciousness. His mouth twisted into a sardonic smile as he raised his sharp claws to drain my soul the second time around.

That was the last image I saw before succumbing to the darkness.